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Morgan Stanley

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FY2020 Annual Report · Morgan Stanley
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the year ended December 31, 2020 
Commission File Number 1-11758 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)

1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(Address of principal executive 
offices, including zip code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

36-3145972
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

(212) 761-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)

Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Floating Rate

Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.01 par value

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed-to-Floating Rate

Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E, $0.01 par value

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed-to-Floating Rate

Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F, $0.01 par value

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed-to-Floating Rate

Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series I, $0.01 par value

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed-to-Floating Rate

Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series K, $0.01 par value

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.875%

Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series L, $0.01 par value 

Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Fixed Rate Step-Up Senior Notes Due 2026

of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (and Registrant’s guarantee with respect thereto)

Morgan Stanley Cushing® MLP High Income Index ETNs due March 21, 2031

Trading
Symbol(s)

MS

Name of exchange on 
which registered

New York Stock Exchange

MS/PA

New York Stock Exchange

MS/PE

New York Stock Exchange

MS/PF

New York Stock Exchange

MS/PI

New York Stock Exchange

MS/PK

New York Stock Exchange

MS/PL

New York Stock Exchange

MS/26C

MLPY

New York Stock Exchange

NYSE Arca, Inc.

Indicate by check mark if Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  ☒  No ☐
Indicate by check mark if Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  ☐  No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 
90 days.  Yes  ☒  No  ☐
Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  Registrant  has  submitted  electronically  every  Interactive  Data  File  required  to  be  submitted  pursuant  to  Rule  405  of 
Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes  ☒  No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging 
growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or 
revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.                ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over 
financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit 
report.    ☒
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes  ☐  No  ☒
As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate market value of the common stock of Registrant held by non-affiliates of Registrant was approximately $73,070,017,178. This 
calculation does not reflect a determination that persons are affiliates for any other purposes.

As of January 29, 2021, there were 1,813,552,280 shares of Registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

Documents  Incorporated  by  Reference:  Portions  of  Registrant’s  definitive  proxy  statement  for  its  2021  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  are  incorporated  by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

Table of Contents

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the year ended December 31, 2020 

Table of Contents

Part

Item Page

Table of Contents

Part

Item Page

I

1

Business

Overview

Business Segments

Competition

Supervision and Regulation

Human Capital

Information about our Executive Officers

Risk Factors

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 

Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations

1A

II

7

Introduction

Executive Summary

Business Segments

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Investment Management

Supplemental Financial Information

Other Matters

Accounting Development Updates

Critical Accounting Policies

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Balance Sheet

Regulatory Requirements

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 

about Risk

Risk Management

Market Risk

Credit Risk

Country and Other Risks

7A

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  

8

Report of Independent Registered Public 

Accounting Firm

Consolidated Income Statements

Consolidated Comprehensive Income 

Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Total 

Equity

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation

2. Significant Accounting Policies

3. Acquisitions

4. Cash and Cash Equivalents

5. Fair Values

6. Fair Value Option

1

1

1

1

2

9

10

12

25

25

26

30

34

37

40

42

42

43

43

46

46

51

61

61

64

68

75

79

79

81

82

83

84

85

86

86

87

97

98

98

7. Derivative Instruments and Hedging 

Activities

8. Investment Securities

9. Collateralized Transactions

10. Loans, Lending Commitments and 
Related Allowance for Credit Losses

11. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12. Other Assets—Equity Method 

Investments and Leases

13. Deposits

14. Borrowings and Other Secured 

Financings

15. Commitments, Guarantees and 

Contingencies

16. Variable Interest Entities and 

Securitization Activities

17. Regulatory Requirements

18. Total Equity

19. Interest Income and Interest Expense

20. Deferred Compensation Plans and 

Carried Interest Compensation

21. Employee Benefit Plans

22. Income Taxes

23. Segment, Geographic and Revenue 

Information

24. Parent Company

Financial Data Supplement (Unaudited)

Glossary of Common Terms and Acronyms

Changes in and Disagreements with 

Accountants on Accounting and Financial 
Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, 

Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer 
Purchases of Equity Securities

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate 

Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related 

Transactions and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

I

II

III

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

IV

Form 10-K Summary

9

9A

9B

1B

2

3

4

5

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

109

Signatures

i

110

114

116

118

121

122

123

123

125

130

133

136

139

139

141

144

145

148

151

155

157

157

159

159

159

159

163

163

164

164

164

164

164

164

168

168

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements

We have included in or incorporated by reference into this report, and from time to time may make in our public filings, press 
releases or other public statements, certain statements, including (without limitation) those under “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations”,  “Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk”  and  “Legal 
Proceedings” that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private 
Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  In  addition,  our  management  may  make  forward-looking  statements  to  analysts, 
investors, representatives of the media and others. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and represent only our 
beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control.

The nature of our business makes predicting the future trends of our revenues, expenses, and net income difficult. The risks and 
uncertainties involved in our businesses could affect the matters referred to in such statements, and it is possible that our actual 
results  may  differ,  possibly  materially,  from  the  anticipated  results  indicated  in  these  forward-looking  statements.  Important 
factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include (without limitation):

• the  effect  of  market  conditions,  particularly  in  the  global  equity,  fixed  income,  currency,  credit  and  commodities  markets, 

including corporate and mortgage (commercial and residential) lending and commercial real estate and energy markets;

• the level of individual investor participation in the global markets as well as the level of client assets;
• the flow of investment capital into or from assets under management or supervision;
• the level and volatility of equity, fixed income and commodity prices, interest rates, inflation and currency values, other market 

indices or other market factors, such as market liquidity;

• the availability and cost of both credit and capital as well as the credit ratings assigned to our unsecured short-term and long-

term debt;

• technological  changes  instituted  by  us,  our  competitors  or  counterparties  and  technological  risks,  business  continuity  and 
related operational risks, including breaches or other disruptions of our or a third party’s (or third parties thereof) operations or 
systems;

• risk associated with cybersecurity threats, including data protection and cybersecurity risk management;
• our ability to manage effectively our capital and liquidity, including under stress tests designed by our banking regulators;
• the  impact  of  current,  pending  and  future  legislation  or  changes  thereto,  regulation  (including  capital,  leverage,  funding, 

liquidity and recovery and resolution requirements) and our ability to address such requirements; 

• uncertainty concerning fiscal or monetary policies established by central banks and financial regulators, government shutdowns, 

debt ceilings or funding;

• changes to global trade policies, tariffs, interest rates, reforms of LIBOR and other interest rate benchmarks; 
• legal and regulatory actions, including litigation and enforcement, in the U.S. and worldwide;
• changes in tax laws and regulations globally;
• the effectiveness of our risk management processes and related controls;
• our ability to effectively respond to an economic downturn, or other market disruptions;
• the  effect  of  social,  economic  and  political  conditions  and  geopolitical  events,  including  as  a  result  of  changes  in  U.S. 

presidential administrations or Congress and the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U. (“Brexit”), and sovereign risk; 

• the  actions  and  initiatives  of  current  and  potential  competitors  as  well  as  governments,  central  banks,  regulators  and  self-

regulatory organizations;

• our ability to provide innovative products and services and execute our strategic initiatives, and costs related thereto, including 

with respect to the operational or technological integration related to such innovative and strategic initiatives;

• the performance and results of our acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, or other strategic arrangements 

and related integrations;

• investor, consumer and business sentiment and confidence in the financial markets;
• our reputation and the general perception of the financial services industry;
• our ability to retain and attract qualified employees;
• the duration of the coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) pandemic and any recovery period, including the effectiveness of any 

vaccines, future actions taken by governmental authorities, and the effects on our employees, customers and counterparties;

• climate-related incidents, other pandemics and acts of war or terrorism; and
• other  risks  and  uncertainties  detailed  under  “Business—Competition”,  “Business—Supervision  and  Regulation”,  “Risk 

Factors” and elsewhere throughout this report.

Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on 
which  they  are  made.  We  undertake  no  obligation  to  update  publicly  or  revise  any  forward-looking  statements  to  reflect  the 
impact of circumstances or events that arise after the dates they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or 
otherwise except as required by applicable law. You should, however, consult further disclosures we may make in future filings of 
our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto 
or in future press releases or other public statements.

ii

Table of Contents

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website, 
www.sec.gov,  that  contains  annual,  quarterly  and  current  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements  and  other  information  that 
issuers file electronically with the SEC. Our electronic SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website.

Our website is www.morganstanley.com. You can access our Investor Relations webpage at www.morganstanley.com/about-us-
ir. We make available free of charge, on or through our Investor Relations webpage, our proxy statements, annual reports on Form 
10-K,  quarterly  reports  on  Form  10-Q,  current  reports  on  Form  8-K  and  any  amendments  to  those  reports  filed  or  furnished 
pursuant  to  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended  (“Exchange  Act”),  as  soon  as  reasonably  practicable  after  such 
material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We also make available, through our Investor Relations webpage, 
via a link to the SEC’s website, statements of beneficial ownership of our equity securities filed by our directors, officers, 10% or 
greater shareholders and others under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

You can access information about our corporate governance at www.morganstanley.com/about-us-governance, our sustainability 
initiatives at www.morganstanley.com/about-us/sustainability-at-morgan-stanley and our commitment to diversity and inclusion 
at www.morganstanley.com/about-us/diversity. Our webpages include:

• Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation;
• Amended and Restated Bylaws;
• Charters  for  our  Audit  Committee,  Compensation,  Management  Development  and  Succession  Committee,  Nominating  and 

Governance Committee, Operations and Technology Committee, and Risk Committee;

• Corporate Governance Policies;
• Policy Regarding Corporate Political Activities;
• Policy Regarding Shareholder Rights Plan;
• Equity Ownership Commitment;
• Code of Ethics and Business Conduct;
• Code of Conduct;
• Integrity Hotline Information; 
• Environmental and Social Policies;
• Sustainability Report;
• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Report; and
• Diversity and Inclusion Report.

Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applies to all directors, officers and employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Financial Officer. We will post any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Business 
Conduct and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange LLC 
(“NYSE”)  on  our  website.  You  can  request  a  copy  of  these  documents,  excluding  exhibits,  at  no  cost,  by  contacting  Investor 
Relations,  1585  Broadway,  New  York,  NY  10036  (212-761-4000).  The  information  on  our  website  is  not  incorporated  by 
reference into this report.

iii

Table of Contents

Business

Overview

We  are  a  global  financial  services  firm  that,  through  our 
subsidiaries  and  affiliates,  advises,  and  originates,  trades, 
manages and distributes capital for, governments, institutions 
and  individuals.  We  were  originally  incorporated  under  the 
laws  of  the  State  of  Delaware  in  1981,  and  our  predecessor 
companies  date  back  to  1924.  We  are  an  FHC  regulated  by 
the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Federal  Reserve  System 
(“Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 
1956,  as  amended  (“BHC  Act”).  We  conduct  our  business 
from  our  headquarters  in  and  around  New  York  City,  our 
regional  offices  and  branches  throughout  the  U.S.  and  our 
principal  offices  in  London,  Tokyo,  Hong  Kong  and  other 
world financial centers. Unless the context otherwise requires, 
the  terms  “Morgan  Stanley,”  the  “Firm,”  “us,”  “we”  and 
“our” mean Morgan Stanley (the “Parent Company”) together 
with  its  consolidated  subsidiaries.  See  the  “Glossary  of 
Common  Terms  and  Acronyms”  for  the  definition  of  certain 
terms and acronyms used throughout the 2020 Form 10-K.

Financial  information  concerning  us,  our  business  segments 
and geographic regions for each of the years ended December 
31,  2020,  December  31,  2019  and  December  31,  2018  is 
included in “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

On  October  2,  2020,  we  completed  the  acquisition  of 
E*TRADE Financial Corporation (“E*TRADE”). For further 
information,  see  “Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of 
Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Business 
Segments—Wealth Management” and Note 3 to the financial 
statements.

Business Segments

We  are  a  global  financial  services  firm  that  maintains 
significant market positions in each of our business segments: 
Institutional  Securities,  Wealth  Management  and  Investment 
Management.  Through  our  subsidiaries  and  affiliates,  we 
provide a wide variety of products and services to a large and 
including 
diversified  group  of  clients  and  customers, 
corporations,  governments, 
and 
individuals.  Additional  information  related  to  our  business 
segments,  respective  clients,  and  products  and  services 
provided  is  included  under  “Management’s  Discussion  and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

institutions 

financial 

Competition

All aspects of our businesses are highly competitive, and we 
expect  them  to  remain  so.  We  compete  in  the  U.S.  and 
globally for clients, market share and human talent. Operating 
within  the  financial  services  industry  on  a  global  basis 
presents, among other things, technological, risk management, 
regulatory  and  other  infrastructure  challenges  that  require 
effective  resource  allocation  in  order  for  us  to  remain 
competitive.  Our  competitive  position  depends  on  a  number 

including  our  reputation, 
long-term 

the  quality  and 
of  factors, 
consistency  of  our 
investment  performance, 
innovation,  execution,  relative  pricing  or  other  factors 
including entering into new, or expanding current, businesses 
as  a  result  of  acquisitions  and  other  strategic  initiatives.  Our 
ability  to  sustain  or  improve  our  competitive  position  also 
depends substantially on our ability to continue to attract and 
retain  highly  qualified 
employees  while  managing 
compensation and other costs. We compete with commercial 
banks,  brokerage  firms,  insurance  companies,  exchanges, 
electronic  trading  and  clearing  platforms,  financial  data 
repositories,  sponsors  of  mutual  funds,  hedge  funds  and 
private equity funds, energy companies, financial technology 
firms  and  other  companies  offering  financial  or  ancillary 
services in the U.S., globally and digitally, including through 
the  internet.  In  addition,  restrictive  laws  and  regulations 
applicable to certain financial services institutions, which may 
prohibit us from engaging in certain transactions and impose 
more  stringent  capital  and  liquidity  requirements,  can  put  us 
at  a  competitive  disadvantage  to  competitors  in  certain 
businesses  not  subject  to  these  same  requirements.  See  also 
“Supervision and Regulation” herein and “Risk Factors.”

We  compete  directly  in  the  U.S.  and  globally  with  other 
securities and financial services firms and broker-dealers and 
with others on a regional or product basis. Additionally, there 
is increased competition driven by established firms as well as 
the  emergence  of  new  firms  and  business  models  (including 
innovative uses of technology) competing for the same clients 
and  assets  or  offering  similar  products  and  services  to  retail 
and institutional customers. We also compete with companies 
that  provide  online  trading  and  banking  services,  investment 
advisor services, robo-advice capabilities, and other financial 
products and services.

Our  ability  to  access  capital  at  competitive  rates  (which  is 
generally  impacted  by  our  credit  ratings),  to  commit  and  to 
deploy capital efficiently, particularly in our capital-intensive 
underwriting and sales, trading, financing and market-making 
activities,  also  affects  our  competitive  position.  We  expect 
corporate clients to continue to request that we provide loans 
or 
in  connection  with  certain 
lending  commitments 
investment banking activities.

It is possible that competition may become even more intense 
as we continue to compete with financial or other institutions 
that  may  be  larger,  or  better  capitalized,  or  may  have  a 
stronger local presence and longer operating history in certain 
geographies or products. Many of these firms have the ability 
to  offer  a  wide  range  of  products  and  services,  and  on 
different  platforms,  that  may  enhance  their  competitive 
position  and  could  result 
in  pricing  pressure  on  our 
businesses. 

We continue to experience intense price competition in some 
of  our  businesses.  In  particular,  the  ability  to  execute 
securities  trades  electronically  on  exchanges  and  through 
other automated trading markets has increased the pressure on 
trading commissions and fees. The trend toward direct access 

1

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

to  automated,  electronic  markets  will  likely  increase  as 
additional  trading  moves  to  more  automated  platforms.  It  is 
also possible that we will experience competitive pressures in 
these and other areas in the future as some of our competitors 
seek  to  obtain  market  share  by  reducing  or  eliminating  bid-
offer spreads, commissions, markups or fees.

Our  ability  to  compete  successfully  in  the  investment 
management industry is affected by several factors, including 
our  reputation,  investment  objectives,  quality  of  investment 
professionals, performance of investment strategies or product 
offerings relative to peers and appropriate benchmark indices, 
advertising  and  sales  promotion  efforts,  fee  levels,  the 
effectiveness  of  and  access  to  distribution  channels  and 
investment  pipelines,  and  the  types  and  quality  of  products 
including  alternative 
offered.  Our 
investment  products,  may  compete  with  investments  offered 
by  other  investment  managers  with  passive  investment 
products  or  who  may  be  subject  to  less  stringent  legal  and 
regulatory regimes than us.

investment  products, 

Supervision and Regulation

As a major financial services firm, we are subject to extensive 
regulation  by  U.S.  federal  and  state  regulatory  agencies  and 
securities exchanges and by regulators and exchanges in each 
of  the  major  markets  where  we  conduct  our  business.  These 
include  legislative  and  regulatory  responses  to  the  2008 
financial  crisis  and  its  aftermath,  both  in  the  U.S.  and 
worldwide,  including:  the  Dodd-Frank  Wall  Street  Reform 
and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”); risk-based 
capital,  leverage  and  liquidity  standards  adopted  or  being 
developed  by  the  Basel  Committee  on  Banking  Supervision 
(“Basel  Committee”),  including  Basel  III,  and  the  national 
implementation of those standards; capital planning and stress 
testing  requirements;  and  recovery  and  resolution  regimes  in 
the  U.S.  and  other  jurisdictions.  In  some  areas,  regulatory 
standards  are  still  subject  to  further  rulemaking  or  transition 
periods or may otherwise be revised in whole or in part.

We  continue  to  monitor  the  changing  political,  tax  and 
regulatory  environment;  it  is  likely  that  there  will  be  further 
changes  in  the  way  major  financial  institutions  are  regulated 
in  both  the  U.S.  and  other  markets  in  which  we  operate, 
although it remains difficult to predict the exact impact these 
changes will have on our business, financial condition, results 
of operations and cash flows for a particular future period. We 
expect  to  remain  subject  to  extensive  supervision  and 
regulation.

Financial Holding Company

Consolidated Supervision.    We have operated as a BHC and 
FHC  under  the  BHC  Act  since  September  2008.  As  a  BHC, 
we  are  subject  to  comprehensive  consolidated  supervision, 
regulation  and  examination  by  the  Federal  Reserve.  The 
Federal  Reserve  has  authority 
to  examine,  prescribe 
regulations  and  take  action  with  respect  to  all  of  our 
subsidiaries.  In  particular,  we  are  subject  to  (among  other 

December 2020 Form 10-K

2

requirements; 

things):  significantly  revised  and  expanded  regulation  and 
supervision; intensive scrutiny of our businesses and plans for 
expansion  of  those  businesses;  limitations  on  activities;  a 
systemic  risk  regime  that  imposes  heightened  capital  and 
liquidity 
restrictions  on  activities  and 
investments  imposed  by  a  section  of  the  BHC  Act  added  by 
the  Dodd-Frank  Act  referred  to  as  the  “Volcker  Rule”;  and 
comprehensive  derivatives 
the 
Consumer  Financial  Protection  Bureau  has  primary 
rulemaking,  enforcement  and  examination  authority  over  us 
and  our  subsidiaries  with  respect  to  federal  consumer 
protection laws, to the extent applicable.

In  addition, 

regulation. 

Scope  of  Permitted  Activities.        The  BHC  Act  limits  the 
activities of BHCs and FHCs and grants the Federal Reserve 
authority  to  limit  our  ability  to  conduct  activities.  We  must 
obtain  the  Federal  Reserve’s  approval  before  engaging  in 
certain banking and other financial activities both in the U.S. 
and internationally.

The  BHC  Act  grandfathers  “activities  related  to  the  trading, 
sale  or  investment  in  commodities  and  underlying  physical 
properties,”  provided  that  we  were  engaged  in  “any  of  such 
activities as of September 30, 1997 in the U.S.” and provided 
that  certain  other  conditions  that  are  within  our  reasonable 
control are satisfied. We currently engage in our commodities 
activities pursuant to the BHC Act grandfather exemption as 
well as other authorities under the BHC Act.

activities, 

Activities Restrictions under the Volcker Rule.    The Volcker 
Rule prohibits banking entities, including us and our affiliates, 
from  engaging  in  certain  proprietary  trading  activities,  as 
defined  in  the  Volcker  Rule,  subject  to  exemptions  for 
underwriting,  market-making-related 
risk-
mitigating  hedging  and  certain  other  activities.  The  Volcker 
Rule  also  prohibits  certain  investments  and  relationships  by 
banking entities with covered funds, as defined in the Volcker 
Rule,  with  a  number  of  exemptions  and  exclusions.  The 
Volcker  Rule  also  requires  that  deductions  be  made  from  a 
BHC’s  Tier  1  capital  for  permissible  investments  in  certain 
covered funds. In addition, the Volcker Rule requires banking 
entities 
to  have  comprehensive  compliance  programs 
reasonably  designed  to  ensure  and  monitor  compliance  with 
the  Volcker  Rule.  We  have  brought  all  of  our  activities  and 
investments  into  conformance,  subject  to  a  June  2017 
approval  by  the  Federal  Reserve  for  a  five-year  extension  of 
the transition period to conform investments in certain legacy 
covered funds that are also illiquid funds. The approval covers 
essentially  all  of  our  non-conforming  investments  in,  and 
relationships  with,  legacy  covered  funds  subject  to  the 
Volcker Rule. 

Since the initial adoption of the Volcker Rule’s implementing 
regulations,  revisions  to  both  the  proprietary  trading  and 
covered  fund  provisions  have  been  made,  which  have 
generally simplified the application of the Volcker Rule. The 
covered funds final rule became effective on October 1, 2020, 
and  full  compliance  with  the  changes  to  the  proprietary 
trading final rule was required by January 1, 2021. We do not 

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expect  either  the  proprietary  trading  or  covered  funds 
revisions  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  way  we  conduct 
business under the current rule. 

Capital Standards.    The Federal Reserve establishes capital 
requirements,  including  well-capitalized  standards,  for  large 
BHCs and evaluates our compliance with such requirements. 
The  OCC  establishes  similar  capital  requirements  and 
standards  for  Morgan  Stanley  Bank,  N.A.  (“MSBNA”), 
Morgan  Stanley  Private  Bank,  National  Association 
(“MSPBNA”),  E*TRADE  Bank  (“ETB”)  and  E*TRADE 
Savings Bank (“ETSB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETB, 
(collectively, our “U.S. Bank Subsidiaries”).

Regulatory  Capital  Framework:        The  regulatory  capital 
requirements  for  us  and  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  are 
largely based on the Basel III capital standards established by 
the  Basel  Committee,  as  supplemented  by  certain  provisions 
of the Dodd-Frank Act. We are subject to various risk-based 
transition  provisions, 
capital  requirements  with  various 
measured  against  our  Common  Equity  Tier  1  capital,  Tier  1 
capital  and  Total  capital  bases, 
leverage-based  capital 
requirements,  including  the  SLR,  and  additional  capital 
buffers  above  generally  applicable  minimum  standards  for 
BHCs.

to 

its  Basel 

III  Framework.  The 

The  Basel  Committee  has  published  a  comprehensive  set  of 
revised 
revisions 
requirements  are  expected  to  take  effect  starting  January 
2023, 
issuing 
implementation proposals. The impact on us of any revisions 
to  the  Basel  Committee’s  capital  standards  is  uncertain  and 
depends on future rulemakings by the U.S. banking agencies.

to  U.S. 

agencies 

banking 

subject 

capital 

including 

Regulated Subsidiaries:    In addition, many of our regulated 
subsidiaries are, or are expected to be in the future, subject to 
regulated 
requirements, 
regulatory 
subsidiaries  registered  as  swap  dealers  with  the  CFTC  or 
security-based  swap  dealers  with  the  SEC  (collectively, 
“Swaps  Entities”)  or  registered  as  broker-dealers  or  futures 
capital 
commission  merchants. 
requirements vary by regulated subsidiary, and in many cases 
these standards are still in proposed form, not yet effective or 
are  subject  to  ongoing  rulemakings  that  could  substantially 
modify requirements.

regulatory 

Specific 

For more information about the specific capital requirements 
applicable  to  us  and  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries,  see 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources—Regulatory Requirements.”

Tests 

Stress 

Planning, 

Capital 
Capital 
Distributions:    Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal 
Reserve  has  adopted  capital  planning  and  stress 
test 
requirements for large BHCs, including Morgan Stanley. For 
more  information  about  the  capital  planning  and  stress  test 
requirements, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 

and 

Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity 
and Capital Resources—Regulatory Requirements.”

In  addition  to  capital  planning  requirements,  the  Federal 
Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC have the authority to prohibit 
or  to  limit  the  payment  of  dividends  by  the  banking 
organizations they supervise, including us and our U.S. Bank 
Subsidiaries,  if,  in  the  banking  regulator’s  opinion,  payment 
of a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice 
in light of the financial condition of the banking organization. 
For  information  about  the  Federal  Reserve’s  restrictions  on 
capital  distributions  for  large  BHCs,  see  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results 
of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Regulatory 
Requirements—Capital Action Supervisory Restrictions.” All 
of  these  policies  and  other  requirements  could  affect  our 
ability to pay dividends and/or repurchase stock, or require us 
to  provide  capital  assistance  to  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries 
under circumstances which we would not otherwise decide to 
do so.

Liquidity  Standards.        In  addition  to  capital  regulations,  the 
U.S. banking agencies and the Basel Committee have adopted 
liquidity and funding standards. We, MSBNA and MSPBNA 
are, and following a transition period ETB will be, subject to 
the  U.S.  banking  agencies’  LCR  requirements,  which 
generally follow Basel Committee standards. Similarly, when 
the  final  NSFR  requirements  issued  by  the  U.S.  banking 
agencies  become  effective  July  1,  2021,  we,  MSBNA, 
MSPBNA  and  ETB  will  become  subject 
to  NSFR 
requirements,  which  generally  follow  Basel  Committee 
standards.

In  addition  to  the  LCR  and  NSFR,  we  and  many  of  our 
regulated subsidiaries are subject to other liquidity standards, 
including  liquidity  stress  testing  and  associated  liquidity 
reserve requirements.

For  more  information,  see  “Management’s  Discussion  and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—
Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—Regulatory  Liquidity 
Framework.”

Systemic Risk Regime.    The Dodd-Frank Act, as amended by 
the  Economic  Growth,  Regulatory  Relief  and  Consumer 
Protection  Act  (“EGRRCPA”),  establishes  a  systemic  risk 
regime  to  which  certain  large  BHCs,  including  Morgan 
Stanley,  are  subject.  Under  rules  issued  by  the  Federal 
Reserve to implement certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank 
Act’s  enhanced  prudential  standards,  such  large  BHCs  must 
conduct internal liquidity stress tests, maintain unencumbered 
highly liquid assets to meet projected net cash outflows for 30 
days  over  the  range  of  liquidity  stress  scenarios  used  in 
internal  stress  tests,  and  comply  with  various  liquidity  risk 
management  requirements.  These  large  BHCs  also  must 
comply  with  a  range  of  risk  management  and  corporate 
governance requirements.

3

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

The  Federal  Reserve  also  imposes  single-counterparty  credit 
limits  (“SCCL”)  for  large  banking  organizations.  U.S.  G-
SIBs,  including  us,  are  subject  to  a  limit  of  15%  of  Tier  1 
capital  for  aggregate  net  credit  exposures  to  any  “major 
counterparty”  (defined  to  include  other  U.S.  G-SIBs,  foreign 
G-SIBs,  and  nonbank  systemically 
important  financial 
institutions  supervised  by  the  Federal  Reserve).  In  addition, 
we are subject to a limit of 25% of Tier 1 capital for aggregate 
net credit exposures to any other unaffiliated counterparty. 

the  ability 
including 

The  Federal  Reserve  has  proposed  rules  that  would  create  a 
new early remediation framework to address financial distress 
or  material  management  weaknesses.  The  Federal  Reserve 
to  establish  additional  prudential 
also  has 
standards, 
those  regarding  contingent  capital, 
enhanced  public  disclosures  and  limits  on  short-term  debt, 
including  off-balance  sheet  exposures.  See  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results 
of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Regulatory 
Requirements—Total  Loss-Absorbing  Capacity,  Long-Term 
Debt and Clean Holding Company Requirements.”

If  the  Federal  Reserve  or  the  Financial  Stability  Oversight 
Council determines that a BHC with $250 billion or more in 
consolidated  assets  poses  a  “grave  threat”  to  U.S.  financial 
stability, the institution may be, among other things, restricted 
in  its  ability  to  merge  or  offer  financial  products  and/or 
required to terminate activities and dispose of assets.

See  also  “Capital  Standards”  and  “Liquidity  Standards” 
herein and “Resolution and Recovery Planning” below.

Resolution  and  Recovery  Planning.  Pursuant  to  the  Dodd-
Frank  Act,  we  are  required  to  periodically  submit  to  the 
Federal Reserve and the FDIC a resolution plan that describes 
our strategy for a rapid and orderly resolution under the U.S. 
Bankruptcy  Code  in  the  event  of  our  material  financial 
distress or failure. Our preferred resolution strategy, which is 
set  out  in  our  2019  resolution  plan,  is  an  SPOE  strategy, 
which  generally  contemplates  the  provision  of  adequate 
capital  and  liquidity  by  the  Parent  Company  to  certain  of  its 
subsidiaries  so  that  such  subsidiaries  have  the  resources 
necessary to implement the resolution strategy after the Parent 
Company has filed for bankruptcy.

Under  a  final  rule  issued  by  the  Federal  Reserve  and  the 
FDIC, we are now required to file resolution plans once every 
two  years,  with  interim  updates  required  in  certain  limited 
circumstances,  including  material  mergers  or  acquisitions  or 
fundamental changes to our resolution strategy. The rule also 
allows  us  to  alternate  between  submitting  a  full,  detailed 
resolution  plan  and  a  streamlined,  targeted  resolution  plan. 
The rule also clarifies the information required to be included 
in  our  resolution  plan.  Our  next  resolution  plan,  due  July  1, 
2021,  will  be  a  targeted  resolution  plan  and  will  reflect  our 
acquisition of E*TRADE.

Further,  we  submit  an  annual  recovery  plan  to  the  Federal 
Reserve  that  outlines  the  steps  that  management  could  take 

December 2020 Form 10-K

4

over time to generate or conserve financial resources in times 
of prolonged financial stress.

Certain  of  our  domestic  and  foreign  subsidiaries  are  also 
subject  to  resolution  and  recovery  planning  requirements  in 
the jurisdictions in which they operate. For example the FDIC 
institutions  (“IDI”), 
requires  certain 
including  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA,  to  submit  an  annual 
resolution  plan  that  describes  the  IDI’s  strategy  for  a  rapid 
and  orderly  resolution  in  the  event  of  material  financial 
distress or failure of the IDI.

insured  depository 

In addition, certain financial companies, including BHCs such 
as the Firm and certain of its subsidiaries, can be subjected to 
a resolution proceeding under the orderly liquidation authority 
in  Title  II  of  the  Dodd-Frank  Act  with  the  FDIC  being 
appointed  as  receiver,  provided  that  certain  procedures  are 
met,  including  certain  extraordinary  financial  distress  and 
systemic  risk  determinations  by  the  U.S.  Treasury  Secretary 
in  consultation  with  the  U.S.  President.  Regulators  have 
adopted  certain  orderly  liquidation  authority  implementing 
regulations and may expand or clarify these regulations in the 
future. If we were subject to the orderly liquidation authority, 
the  FDIC  would  have  considerable  powers,  including:  the 
power  to  remove  directors  and  officers  responsible  for  our 
failure and to appoint new directors and officers; the power to 
assign  our  assets  and  liabilities  to  a  third  party  or  bridge 
financial  company  without  the  need  for  creditor  consent  or 
prior  court  review;  the  ability  to  differentiate  among  our 
creditors,  including  by  treating  certain  creditors  within  the 
same class better than others, subject to a minimum recovery 
right  on  the  part  of  disfavored  creditors  to  receive  at  least 
what they would have received in bankruptcy liquidation; and 
broad  powers  to  administer  the  claims  process  to  determine 
distributions  from  the  assets  of  the  receivership.  The  FDIC 
has been developing an SPOE strategy that could be used to 
implement the orderly liquidation authority.

Regulators  have  also  taken  and  proposed  various  actions  to 
facilitate an SPOE strategy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, 
the  orderly  liquidation  authority  or  other  resolution  regimes. 
For  example,  the  Federal  Reserve  and  the  OCC  have 
established  rules  that  impose  contractual  requirements  on 
certain  qualified  financial  contracts  (“covered  QFCs”)  to 
which  U.S.  G-SIBs,  including  us,  and  their  subsidiaries 
including  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries,  are  parties  (together, 
the “covered entities”). Under these rules, covered QFCs must 
expressly  provide  that  transfer  restrictions  and  default  rights 
against covered entities are limited to the same extent as they 
would be under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II 
of  the  Dodd-Frank  Act  and  their  implementing  regulations, 
and they may not, among other things, permit the exercise of 
any  cross-default  right  against  covered  entities  based  on  an 
affiliate’s  entry 
insolvency,  resolution  or  similar 
proceedings, subject to certain creditor protections.

into 

For  more  information  about  our  resolution  plan-related 
submissions  and  associated  regulatory  actions,  see  “Risk 
and  Compliance  Risk," 
Factors—Legal,  Regulatory 

Table of Contents

“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Loss-
Resources—Regulatory 
Absorbing  Capacity,  Long-Term  Debt  and  Clean  Holding 
Company Requirements” and “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—
Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—Regulatory  Requirements
—Resolution and Recovery Planning.”

Requirements—Total 

Cyber  and  Information  Security  Risk  Management  and 
Protection of Client Information

industry  faces 

The  financial  services 
increased  global 
regulatory focus regarding cyber and information security risk 
management  practices.  Many  aspects  of  our  businesses  are 
subject  to  cybersecurity  legal  and  regulatory  requirements 
enacted by U.S. federal and state governments and other non-
U.S.  jurisdictions  in  the  Americas,  Europe,  the  Middle  East, 
Africa and Asia. These laws are generally aimed at codifying 
basic  cybersecurity  protections  and  mandating  data  breach 
notification requirements.

Our businesses are also subject to increasing privacy and data 
protection information security legal requirements concerning 
the use and protection of certain personal information. These 
include  the  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  (“GDPR”), 
the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and a broad 
range  of  laws  across  rest  of  the  Americas  and  in  Asia 
(including the Japanese Personal Information Protection Law, 
the  Hong  Kong  Personal  Data  (Protection)  Ordinance,  the 
Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China and the 
Australian  Privacy  Act).  These  laws  impose  mandatory 
privacy  and  data  protection  obligations,  including  providing 
for individual rights, enhanced governance and accountability 
requirements  and  significant  fines  and  litigation  risk  for 
noncompliance. Many other jurisdictions have adopted or are 
proposing to adopt standards similar to the GDPR, including 
Australia,  Singapore,  Japan,  Argentina, 
India,  Brazil, 
Switzerland  and  the  Cayman  Islands.  In  addition,  several 
jurisdictions  have  enacted  or  proposed  personal  data 
localization  requirements  and  restrictions  on  cross-border 
transfer  of  personal  data  that  may  restrict  our  ability  to 
conduct  business  in  those  jurisdictions  or  create  additional 
financial and regulatory burdens to do so.

to 

Many  aspects  of  our  businesses  are  subject 
legal 
requirements  concerning  the  use  and  protection  of  certain 
customer  information.  These  include  those  adopted  pursuant 
to  the  Gramm-Leach-Bliley  Act  and  the  Fair  and  Accurate 
Credit  Transactions  Act  of  2003  in  the  U.S.,  as  well  as  the 
privacy  and  cybersecurity  laws  referenced  above.  We  have 
adopted measures designed to comply with these and related 
applicable requirements in all relevant jurisdictions.

U.S. Bank Subsidiaries

U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries.  MSBNA,  primarily  a  wholesale 
commercial bank, offers commercial lending and certain retail 

securities-based  lending  services  in  addition  to  deposit 
products.

MSPBNA  offers  certain  mortgage  and  other  secured  lending 
products,  including  retail  securities-based  lending  products, 
primarily  for  customers  of  our  affiliate  retail  broker-dealer, 
Morgan  Stanley  Smith  Barney  LLC  (“MSSB”).  MSPBNA 
also  offers  certain  deposit  products  and  prime  brokerage 
custody services. 

ETB  and  ETSB  are  federal  savings  banks  whose  primary 
include  affiliate  arrangements 
deposit-taking  activities 
whereby E*TRADE Securities LLC sweeps cash balances in 
customers’ brokerage accounts to insured deposit accounts at 
ETB and ETSB.

The  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  are  FDIC-insured  depository 
institutions subject to supervision, regulation and examination 
by  the  OCC  and  are  subject  to  the  OCC’s  risk  governance 
guidelines,  which  establish  heightened  standards  for  a  large 
IDI’s  risk  governance  framework  and  the  oversight  of  that 
framework by the IDI’s board of directors.

Prompt  Corrective  Action.        The  Federal  Deposit  Insurance 
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 provides a framework 
for  regulation  of  depository  institutions  and  their  affiliates, 
including parent holding companies, by their federal banking 
regulators. Among other things, it requires the relevant federal 
banking  regulator  to  take  prompt  corrective  action  with 
respect  to  a  depository  institution  if  that  institution  does  not 
meet  certain  capital  adequacy  standards.  These  regulations 
generally apply only to insured banks and thrifts such as the 
U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  and  not  to  their  parent  holding 
companies.  The  Federal  Reserve  is,  however,  separately 
authorized to take appropriate action at the holding company 
level,  subject  to  certain  limitations.  Under  the  systemic  risk 
regime, as described above, we also would become subject to 
an  early  remediation  protocol  in  the  event  of  financial 
distress.  In  addition,  BHCs,  such  as  Morgan  Stanley,  are 
required  to  serve  as  a  source  of  strength  to  their  U.S.  bank 
these 
subsidiaries  and  commit 
subsidiaries  in  the  event  such  subsidiaries  are  in  financial 
distress.

to  support 

resources 

Transactions with Affiliates.    Our U.S. Bank Subsidiaries are 
subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, 
which impose restrictions on covered transactions, as defined 
in  the  Federal  Reserve  Act,  with  any  affiliates.  Covered 
transactions  include  any  extension  of  credit  to,  purchase  of 
assets  from,  and  certain  other  transactions  by  insured 
depository  institutions  with  an  affiliate.  These  restrictions 
limit  the  total  amount  of  credit  exposure  that  our  U.S.  Bank 
Subsidiaries may have to any one affiliate and to all affiliates, 
and  require  collateral  for  those  exposures.  Section  23B 
terms. 
requires  affiliate 
transactions 
Derivative,  securities  borrowing  and  securities 
lending 
transactions  between  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  and  their 
affiliates are subject to these restrictions. 

to  be  on  market 

5

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

In  addition,  the  Volcker  Rule  generally  prohibits  covered 
transactions  between  (i)  us  or  any  of  our  affiliates  and 
(ii) covered funds for which we or any of our affiliates serve 
as  the  investment  manager,  investment  adviser,  commodity 
trading advisor or sponsor, or other covered funds organized 
and offered by us or any of our affiliates pursuant to specific 
exemptions.  See  also  “Financial  Holding  Company—
Activities Restriction under the Volcker Rule” above.

FDIC Regulation.    An FDIC-insured depository institution is 
generally  liable  for  any  loss  incurred  or  expected  to  be 
incurred  by  the  FDIC  in  connection  with  the  failure  of  an 
insured  depository  institution  under  common  control  by  the 
same  BHC.  As  commonly  controlled  FDIC-insured 
depository  institutions,  each  of  the  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries 
could be responsible for any loss to the FDIC from the failure 
of  another  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiary.  In  addition,  the  four 
institutions  are  exposed  to  changes  in  the  cost  of  FDIC 
insurance.

Institutional Securities and Wealth Management

Broker-Dealer  and  Investment  Adviser  Regulation.        Our 
primary  U.S.  broker-dealer  subsidiaries,  Morgan  Stanley  & 
Co.  LLC  (“MS&Co.”),  MSSB  and  E*TRADE  Securities 
LLC, are registered broker-dealers with the SEC and in all 50 
states,  the  District  of  Columbia,  Puerto  Rico  and  the  U.S. 
Virgin  Islands,  and  are  members  of  various  self-regulatory 
organizations, 
including  FINRA,  and  various  securities 
exchanges  and  clearing  organizations.  Broker-dealers  are 
subject  to  laws  and  regulations  covering  all  aspects  of  the 
securities  business,  including  sales  and  trading  practices, 
securities  offerings,  publication  of  research  reports,  use  of 
customers’  funds  and  securities,  capital  structure,  risk 
management  controls  in  connection  with  market  access, 
recordkeeping  and  retention,  and  the  conduct  of  their 
directors,  officers,  representatives  and  other  associated 
persons.  Broker-dealers  are  also  regulated  by  securities 
administrators  in  those  states  where  they  do  business. 
Violations  of  the  laws  and  regulations  governing  a  broker-
dealer’s actions could result in censures, fines, the issuance of 
cease-and-desist 
or 
registrations,  the  suspension  or  expulsion  from  the  securities 
industry of such broker-dealer or its officers or employees, or 
other similar consequences by both federal and state securities 
administrators.  Our  broker-dealer  subsidiaries  are  also 
members  of  the  Securities  Investor  Protection  Corporation, 
which  provides  certain  protections  for  customers  of  broker-
dealers  against  losses  in  the  event  of  the  insolvency  of  a 
broker-dealer.

revocation 

licenses 

orders, 

of 

MSSB  is  also  a  registered  investment  adviser  with  the  SEC. 
MSSB’s  relationship  with  its  investment  advisory  clients  is 
subject  to  the  fiduciary  and  other  obligations  imposed  on 
investment  advisers  under  the  Investment  Advisers  Act  of 
1940, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as 
well  as  various  state  securities  laws.  These  laws  and 
regulations  generally  grant  the  SEC  and  other  supervisory 
to  address  non-
bodies  broad  administrative  powers 

December 2020 Form 10-K

6

compliance,  including  the  power  to  restrict  or  limit  MSSB 
from  carrying  on  its  investment  advisory  and  other  asset 
management  activities.  Other  sanctions  that  may  be  imposed 
include the suspension of individual employees, limitations on 
engaging in certain activities for specified periods of time or 
for  specified  types  of  clients,  the  revocation  of  registrations, 
other censures and significant fines.

The Firm is subject to various regulations that affect broker-
dealer  sales  practices  and  customer  relationships.  For 
example,  the  SEC's  “Regulation  Best  Interest,”  requires 
broker-dealers to act in the “best interest” of retail customers 
at  the  time  a  recommendation  is  made  without  placing  the 
financial  or  other  interests  of  the  broker-dealer  ahead  of  the 
interest  of  the  retail  customer.  Certain  states  have  enacted 
laws  or  rules,  or  are  considering  laws  or  rules,  subjecting 
broker-dealers  to  a  fiduciary  duty  when  dealing  with  retail 
customers under a variety of circumstances.

Margin lending by broker-dealers is regulated by the Federal 
Reserve’s restrictions on lending in connection with customer 
and proprietary purchases and short sales of securities, as well 
as securities borrowing and lending activities. Broker-dealers 
to  maintenance  and  other  margin 
are  also  subject 
requirements imposed under FINRA and other self-regulatory 
organization 
In  many  cases,  our  broker-dealer 
subsidiaries’  margin  policies  are  more  stringent  than  these 
rules.

rules. 

As  registered  U.S.  broker-dealers,  certain  of  our  subsidiaries 
are  subject  to  the  SEC’s  net  capital  rule  and  the  net  capital 
requirements  of  various  exchanges,  other 
regulatory 
authorities  and  self-regulatory  organizations.  These  rules  are 
generally  designed  to  measure  the  broker-dealer  subsidiary’s 
general financial integrity and/or liquidity and require that at 
least  a  minimum  amount  of  net  and/or  liquid  assets  be 
maintained  by  the  subsidiary.  See  also  “Financial  Holding 
Company—Consolidated  Supervision” 
“Financial 
Holding  Company—Liquidity  Standards”  above.  Rules  of 
FINRA  and  other  self-regulatory  organizations  also  impose 
limitations  and  requirements  on  the  transfer  of  member 
organizations’ assets.

and 

have 

regulations 

Research.  Research-related 
been 
implemented  in  many  jurisdictions,  including  in  the  U.S., 
where  FINRA  has  adopted  rules  that  cover  research  relating 
to  both  equity  and  debt  securities.  Regulators  continue  to 
focus  on  research  conflicts  of  interest  and  may  impose 
additional  regulations.  See  also  “Business—Supervision  and 
Regulation—Non-U.S. Regulation” herein.

Regulation  of  Futures  Activities  and  Certain  Commodities 
Activities.    MS&Co. and E*TRADE Futures LLC, as futures 
commission merchants, and MSSB, as an introducing broker, 
are subject to net capital requirements of, and certain of their 
activities  are  regulated  by,  the  CFTC,  the  NFA,  the  Joint 
Audit  Committee 
the  Chicago  Mercantile 
Exchange  &  Chicago  Board  of  Trade  (“CME  Group”)  in  its 
self-regulatory 
capacity 

as  MS&Co.'s 

designated 

(including 

Table of Contents

organization),  and  various  commodity  futures  exchanges. 
MS&Co., E*TRADE Futures LLC and MSSB and certain of 
their affiliates are registered with the CFTC and are members 
of the NFA in various capacities. Rules and regulations of the 
CFTC, NFA, the Joint Audit Committee (including the CME 
Group) and commodity futures exchanges address obligations 
related  to,  among  other  things,  customer  protections,  the 
segregation  of  customer  funds  and  the  holding  of  secured 
amounts,  the  use  by  futures  commission  merchants  of 
customer  funds,  the  margining  of  customer  accounts  and 
documentation entered into by futures commission merchants 
with their customers, recordkeeping and reporting obligations 
of  futures  commission  merchants  and  introducing  brokers, 
risk disclosure, risk management and discretionary trading.

Our  commodities  activities  are  subject  to  extensive  and 
evolving  energy,  commodities,  environmental,  health  and 
safety,  and  other  governmental  laws  and  regulations  in  the 
U.S.  and  abroad.  Intense  scrutiny  of  certain  commodities 
markets by U.S. federal, state and local authorities in the U.S. 
and  abroad  and  by  the  public  has  resulted  in  increased 
regulatory  and  legal  enforcement  and  remedial  proceedings 
involving companies conducting the activities in which we are 
engaged.

is 

Derivatives Regulation.    The commodity futures, commodity 
options and swaps industry in the U.S. is subject to regulation 
under  the  U.S.  Commodity  Exchange  Act  (“CEA”).  The 
CFTC 
the 
administration  of  the  CEA.  In  addition,  the  SEC  is  the  U.S. 
federal  agency  charged  with  the  regulation  of  security-based 
swaps.  The  rules  and  regulations  of  various  self-regulatory 
organizations also govern derivatives.

the  U.S.  federal  agency  charged  with 

Under  the  U.S.  regulatory  regime  for  swaps  and  security-
based swaps (collectively, “Swaps”) implemented pursuant to 
the  Dodd-Frank  Act,  we  are  subject  to  comprehensive 
regulation of our derivatives businesses, including regulations 
that  impose  margin  requirements,  public  and  regulatory 
reporting, central clearing and mandatory trading on regulated 
exchanges or execution facilities for certain types of Swaps. 

CFTC  rules  require  registration  of  swap  dealers,  mandatory 
clearing  and  execution  of  interest  rate  and  certain  credit 
default swaps and real-time public reporting and adherence to 
business  conduct  standards  for  all  in-scope  Swaps.  We  have 
registered a number of U.S. and non U.S. CFTC swap dealers. 
In  2020,  the  CFTC  finalized  rules  establishing  capital 
requirements for CFTC-registered swap dealers not subject to 
regulation  by  a  prudential  regulator.  Compliance  with  these 
rules is required by October 6, 2021.

SEC  rules  govern  the  registration  and  regulation  of  security- 
based  swap  dealers.  The  SEC's  rules  impose  numerous 
obligations  for  entities  that  register  as  security-based  swap 
dealers.  Registration  as  a  security-based  swap  dealer  will  be 
required starting in the fourth quarter of 2021, and compliance 
with a number of these rules will also be required on a similar 

timeline.  We  anticipate  registering  several  entities  as  a 
security-based swap dealer.

The  specific  parameters  of  some  of  these  requirements  for 
Swaps  have  been  and  continue  to  be  developed  through 
CFTC,  SEC  and  bank  regulator  rulemakings.  For  example, 
the  rules  for  variation  margin  are  presently  effective,  and 
those  for  initial  margin  will  continue  to  phase  in  based  on 
activity 
the  relevant 
counterparty with the final phase currently expected to begin 
in  September  2022.  Margin  rules  with  the  same  or  similar 
compliance dates have been adopted or are in the process of 
being finalized by regulators outside the U.S., and certain of 
our subsidiaries may be subject to such rules. 

the  swap  dealer  and 

levels  of 

regulatory 

framework  have  been 

Although  a  significant  number  of  areas  within  the  global 
derivatives 
finalized, 
additional changes are expected. As the derivatives regulatory 
framework continues to evolve, we expect to continue to face 
increased  costs  and  regulatory  oversight.  Complying  with 
registration  and  other  regulatory  requirements  has  required, 
and  is  expected  to  require  in  the  future,  systems  and  other 
changes  to  our  derivatives  businesses.  Compliance  with 
Swaps-related  regulatory  capital  requirements  may  also 
require  us  to  devote  more  capital  to  our  businesses  that 
engage  in  swaps.  Our  Institutional  Securities  and  Wealth 
Management  business  segments  activities  are  also  regulated 
in  jurisdictions  outside  the  U.S.  See  “Non-U.S.  Regulation” 
herein.

Investment Management

in  our 

the  subsidiaries  engaged 

investment 
Many  of 
management  activities  are  registered  as  investment  advisers 
with  the  SEC.  Many  aspects  of  our  investment  management 
activities  are  also  subject  to  federal  and  state  laws  and 
regulations primarily intended to benefit the investor or client. 
These  laws  and  regulations  generally  grant  supervisory 
agencies  and  bodies  broad  administrative  powers,  including 
the  power  to  limit  or  restrict  us  from  carrying  on  our 
investment management activities in the event that we fail to 
comply with such laws and regulations. Sanctions that may be 
imposed for such failure include the suspension of individual 
employees, limitations on our engaging in various investment 
management  activities  for  specified  periods  of  time  or 
specified types of clients, the revocation of registrations, other 
censures  and  significant  fines.  Morgan  Stanley  Distribution, 
Inc., a U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary, acts as distributor to the 
Morgan  Stanley  mutual  funds  and  as  placement  agent  to 
certain  private  investment  funds  managed  by  our  Investment 
Management business segment.

reporting 

Our  investment  management  activities  are  subject  to  certain 
additional laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, 
additional 
requirements 
(including  with  respect  to  clients  that  are  private  funds)  and 
restrictions  on  sponsoring  or  investing  in,  or  maintaining 
certain  other  relationships  with,  covered  funds,  as  defined  in 
the  Volcker  Rule,  subject  to  certain  limited  exemptions.  See 

recordkeeping 

and 

7

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

also  “Financial  Holding  Company—Activities  Restrictions 
under the Volcker Rule.”

In  addition,  certain  of  our  affiliates  are  registered  as 
commodity 
trading  advisors  and/or  commodity  pool 
operators,  or  are  operating  under  certain  exemptions  from 
such registration pursuant to CFTC rules and other guidance, 
and  have  certain  responsibilities  with  respect  to  each  pool 
they advise. Violations of the rules of the CFTC, the NFA or 
the  commodity  exchanges  could  result  in  remedial  actions, 
including  fines,  registration  restrictions  or  terminations, 
trading  prohibitions  or  revocations  of  commodity  exchange 
memberships.  See  also  “Institutional  Securities  and  Wealth 
Investment  Adviser 
Management—Broker-Dealer 
Regulation,” 
and  Wealth 
“Institutional 
Management—Regulation  of  Futures  Activities  and  Certain 
Commodities  Activities,”  and  “Institutional  Securities  and 
Wealth  Management—Derivatives  Regulation”  above  and 
“Non-U.S.  Regulation,”  below  for  a  discussion  of  other 
regulations that impact our Investment Management business 
activities. 

and 
Securities 

Non-U.S. Regulation

All  of  our  businesses  are  regulated  extensively  by  non-U.S. 
regulators, 
including  governments,  securities  exchanges, 
commodity  exchanges,  self-regulatory  organizations,  central 
banks and regulatory bodies, especially in those jurisdictions 
in  which  we  maintain  an  office.  Certain  regulators  have 
prudential,  business  conduct  and  other  authority  over  us  or 
our subsidiaries, as well as powers to limit or restrict us from 
engaging  in  certain  businesses  or  to  conduct  administrative 
proceedings that can result in censures, fines, the issuance of 
cease-and-desist  orders,  or  the  suspension  or  expulsion  of  a 
regulated entity or its affiliates.

the 

laws  of 

in  which 

jurisdictions 

Some  of  our  subsidiaries  are  regulated  as  broker-dealers, 
investment advisers or other types of regulated entities under 
the 
they  operate. 
Subsidiaries  engaged  in  banking  and  trust  activities  and 
advisory  activities  outside  the  U.S.  are  regulated  by  various 
government agencies in the particular jurisdiction where they 
are  chartered,  incorporated  and/or  conduct  their  business 
activity.  For  instance,  the  PRA,  the  U.K.  Financial  Conduct 
Authority  (“FCA”)  and  several  securities  and  futures 
exchanges in the U.K., including the London Stock Exchange 
and  ICE  Futures  Europe,  regulate  our  activities  in  the  U.K.; 
the BaFin and the Deutsche Börse AG regulate certain of our 
activities  in  the  Federal  Republic  of  Germany;  the  European 
Central  Bank  supervises  certain  subsidiaries  in  our  post-
Brexit  structure;  the  Central  Bank  of  Ireland  regulates  our 
activities  in  Ireland,  the  Financial  Services  Agency,  the 
Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission, the Bank 
of Japan, the Japan Securities Dealers Association and several 
Japanese  securities  and  futures  exchanges  and  ministries 
regulate  our  activities  in  Japan;  the  Securities  and  Futures 
Commission  of  Hong  Kong,  the  Hong  Kong  Monetary 
Authority  and  the  Hong  Kong  Exchanges  and  Clearing 
Limited  regulate  our  business  in  Hong  Kong;  the  Monetary 

December 2020 Form 10-K

8

Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Exchange Limited 
regulate  our  business  in  Singapore;  the  China  Securities 
the  China  Banking  and 
Regulatory  Commission  and 
Insurance  Regulatory  Commission  regulate  our  activities  in 
China  and  other  similar  bodies  regulate  our  activities  in 
Korea, Australia, India and other countries.

Our  largest  non-U.S.  entity,  MSIP,  is  subject  to  extensive 
regulation and supervision by the PRA, which has broad legal 
authority 
to  establish  prudential  and  other  standards 
applicable  to  MSIP  that  seek  to  ensure  its  safety  and 
soundness and to minimize adverse effects on the stability of 
the  U.K.  financial  system.  MSIP  is  also  regulated  and 
supervised  by  the  FCA  with  respect  to  business  conduct 
matters.

(among  others, 

Non-U.S.  policymakers  and  regulators,  including  the  PRA, 
the  European  Commission  and  European 
the  FCA, 
Supervisory  Authorities 
the  European 
Banking  Authority  and  the  European  Securities  and  Markets 
Authority), continue to propose and adopt numerous reforms, 
including those that may further impact the structure of banks 
or subject us to new prudential requirements, and to formulate 
regulatory  standards  and  measures  that  will  be  of  relevance 
and importance to our European operations.

that  operate 

that 
the  E.U.  These 

The European Commission has enacted a package of reforms 
impact 
including  various  risk  reduction  measures 
subsidiaries 
include 
in 
amendments  to  the  Capital  Requirements  Regulation,  which 
will  come  into  effect  in  June  2021.  These  reforms  provide 
updates to risk-based capital, liquidity (including introducing 
a  net  stable  funding  ratio),  leverage  and  other  prudential 
standards on a consolidated basis that are consistent with final 
Basel  standards.  The  PRA  has  confirmed  that  similar 
amendments  will  be  made  to  U.K.  regulations  that,  post-
Brexit, now apply directly to U.K. subsidiaries, but these will 
not  take  effect  until  January  2022.  Further  details  are  due  to 
be  published  in  2021.  Details  of  further  reforms  to  be 
implemented  from  2023  onwards,  covering  the  remaining 
revisions  to  the  Basel  III  Framework  that  have  not  already 
been applied, are expected during 2021.

Financial Crimes Program

Our  Financial  Crimes  program 
is  coordinated  on  an 
enterprise-wide  basis  and  supports  our  financial  crime 
prevention  efforts  across  all  regions  and  business  units  with 
responsibility for governance, oversight and execution of our 
AML,  economic  sanctions  (“Sanctions”)  and  anti-corruption 
programs.

In  the  U.S.,  the  Bank  Secrecy  Act,  as  amended  by  the  USA 
PATRIOT  Act  of  2001,  imposes  significant  obligations  on 
financial institutions to detect and deter money laundering and 
terrorist  financing  activity,  including  requiring  banks,  BHCs 
and  their  subsidiaries,  broker-dealers,  futures  commission 
to 
introducing  brokers  and  mutual 
merchants, 
implement  AML  programs,  verify  the  identity  of  customers 

funds 

Table of Contents

to  appropriate 

that  maintain  accounts,  and  monitor  and  report  suspicious 
activity 
law  enforcement  or  regulatory 
authorities.  Outside  the  U.S.,  applicable  laws,  rules  and 
regulations  similarly  require  designated  types  of  financial 
institutions to implement AML programs.

In  addition,  the  Anti-Money  Laundering  Act  of  2020,  which 
was  enacted  as  part  of  the  National  Defense  Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2021, includes substantial changes to U.S. 
AML  laws.  These  include,  among  other  changes,  the 
proposed  creation  of  a  national  registry  of  beneficial 
ownership information, the addition of new penalties and the 
enhancement  of  certain  existing  penalties  for  Bank  Secrecy 
Act  and  AML  violations,  and  requirements  that  the  U.S. 
Treasury  Secretary  establish  public  priorities  for  AML  and 
countering  the  financing  of  terrorism  policy  and  review  and 
update  requirements  for  currency  transaction  reports  and 
suspicious  activity  reports,  including  by  making  updates  to 
reduce 
regulatory 
any 
requirements.

unnecessarily 

burdensome 

We  have  implemented  policies,  procedures  and  internal 
controls that are designed to comply with all applicable AML 
regulations.  Regarding  Sanctions,  we  have 
laws  and 
implemented  policies,  procedures  and  internal  controls  that 
are  designed  to  comply  with  the  regulations  and  economic 
sanctions  programs  administered  by  the  U.S.  Treasury’s 
Office  of  Foreign  Assets  Control  (“OFAC”),  which  target 
foreign  countries,  entities  and  individuals  based  on  external 
threats  to  U.S.  foreign  policy,  national  security  or  economic 
interests, and to comply, as applicable, with similar sanctions 
programs  imposed  by  foreign  governments  or  global  or 
regional multilateral organizations such as the United Nations 
Security Council and the E.U. Council.

We are also subject to applicable anti-corruption laws, such as 
the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery 
Act, in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Anti-corruption 
laws  generally  prohibit  offering,  promising,  giving  or 
authorizing others to give anything of value, either directly or 
indirectly, to a government official or private party in order to 
influence official action or otherwise gain an unfair business 
advantage,  such  as  to  obtain  or  retain  business.  We  have 
implemented  policies,  procedures  and  internal  controls  that 
are designed to comply with such laws, rules and regulations.

Human Capital

Employees

Our  employees  are  our  most  important  asset.  Our  ability  to 
build  value  for  our  clients  and  shareholders  depends  on  our 
approximately 68 thousand employees in 39 countries around 
the  world  as  of  December  31,  2020.  To  facilitate  talent 
attraction and retention, we strive to make Morgan Stanley a 
diverse  and  inclusive  workplace,  with  a  strong  culture  and 
opportunities for our employees to grow and develop in their 
careers  and  be  supported  by  competitive  compensation, 
benefits, and health and wellness programs. 

Culture

Our  core  values  are  designed  to  guide  decision  making 
aligned  to  the  expectations  of  our  employees,  clients, 
shareholders,  regulators,  directors  and  the  communities  in 
which  we  operate.  These  guiding  values—Put  Clients  First, 
Do the Right Thing, Lead with Exceptional Ideas, Commit to 
Diversity  and  Inclusion,  and  Give  Back—are  at  the  heart  of 
our workplace culture and underpin our success. Our Code of 
Conduct is central to our expectation that employees embody 
our values  and, as such, every new hire and every employee 
annually  is  required  to  certify  to  their  understanding  of  and 
adherence  to  the  Code  of  Conduct.  We  also  invite  employee 
feedback  on  our  culture  and  workplace  through  our  biennial 
employee engagement survey. For a further discussion of the 
culture,  values,  and  conduct  of  employees,  see  “Quantitative 
and Qualitative Disclosures about Risk—Risk Management.”

Diversity and Inclusion

We  believe  that  a  diverse  workforce  is  important  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  continued  success  and  our  ability  to  serve  our 
clients. To this end, we pursue a comprehensive diversity and 
inclusion  strategy  based  on  four  pillars:  accountability, 
representation,  advancement  and  culture.  To  build  a  diverse 
talent  pipeline,  we  use  global,  targeted  recruitment  and 
development programs to hire, retain and promote female and 
ethnically diverse talent. Further evidencing this commitment, 
in  2020,  we  launched  the  Morgan  Stanley  Institute  for 
Inclusion,  which  will  help  lead  an  integrated  and  transparent 
diversity,  equity  and  inclusion  strategy  to  deliver  our  full 
potential  to  achieve  meaningful  change  within  our  Firm  and 
beyond, including our communities.

Talent Development and Retention 

We are committed to identifying and developing the talents of 
our  workforce,  as  well  as  succession  planning.  Our  talent 
development programs provide employees with the resources 
they  need 
their  career  goals,  build 
management skills and lead their organizations. We also focus 
on the retention of our talented and skilled employees as one 
key component of a successful business and culture.

to  help  achieve 

Compensation and Financial Wellness

We  pursue  responsible  and  effective  compensation  programs 
that  reinforce  our  values  and  culture  through  four  key 
objectives:  delivering  pay  for  sustainable  performance, 
attracting  and  retaining  top  talent,  aligning  with  shareholder 
interests  and  mitigating  excessive  risk  taking.  In  addition  to 
salaries,  these  programs  (which  vary  by  location)  include 
annual  bonuses,  retirement  savings  plans  with  matching 
contributions,  student  loan  refinancing,  free  will  preparation 
through  our  legal  plan  and  supplemental  life  insurance 
program, discounted group insurance options, and a financial 
wellness  program  in  the  U.S.  and  the  U.K.  To  promote 
equitable  rewards  for  all  employees,  including  female  and 
ethnically diverse employees, we have enhanced our practices 

9

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

to  support  fair  and  consistent  compensation  and  reward 
decisions  based  on  merit,  perform  ongoing  reviews  of 
compensation  decisions,  including  at  the  point  of  hire  and 
promotion,  and  conduct  regular  assessments  of  our  rewards 
structure.

Health and Wellness

The well-being of our employees is also key to the success of 
the  Firm.  To  that  end,  we  provide  programs  (which  vary  by 
location),  including  healthcare  and  insurance  benefits,  health 
savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, family 
leave,  family  care  resources,  flexible  work  schedules, 
adoption  and  surrogacy  assistance,  employee  assistance 
programs,  tuition  assistance  and  on-site  services,  such  as 
health  centers  and  fitness  centers,  among  many  others. 
Morgan Stanley sponsors free and confidential mental health 
counseling  for  all  employees  and  their  dependents  (which 
vary by location). In 2020, the Firm introduced a new mental 
health  benefit  in  the  U.S.  that  provides  access  to  therapists, 
mental  health  coaches  and  other  resources.  Further,  in 
response  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  we  implemented 
changes  that  we  determined  were  in  the  best  interest  of  our 
employees. These changes include having the vast majority of 
our  employees  work  from  home  and  providing  productivity 
resources  when  necessary,  while  implementing  additional 
safety  measures  for  employees  continuing  critical  on-site 
work,  committing  to  no  reductions  in  force  through  2020, 
COVID-19-specific  medical  benefits,  extended  childcare 
benefits and modified work schedules.

For  more  detailed  information  regarding  our  Human  Capital 
programs  and  initiatives,  see  “Our  People”  in  our  2019 
Sustainability  Report  and  our  2020  Diversity  and  Inclusion 
Report  (both  located  on  our  website).  The  Reports  and 
information elsewhere on our website are not incorporated by 
reference  into,  and  do  not  form  any  part  of,  this  Annual 
Report.

December 2020 Form 10-K

10

Human Capital Metrics1

Category

Metric

At
December 31, 
2020

Employees

Culture

Diversity and 
Inclusion

Employees by 
geography 
(thousands)

Employee 

engagement2

Global gender 
representation

U.S. ethnic diversity 

representation

Voluntary attrition in 

2020

Retention

Tenure

Compensation

Compensation and 

benefits

Americas

Asia Pacific

EMEA

% Proud to work at 
Morgan Stanley

% Female
% Female officer3

% Ethnically 
diverse4

% Ethnically diverse 

officer3

% Global

Management 

Committee average 
length of service 
(years)

All employees 

average length of 
service (years)

Total compensation 

and benefits 
expense in 2020 
(millions)

48 

12 

8 

 88 %

 39 %

 26 %

 30 %

 24 %

 7 %

19 

7 

$ 

20,854 

1. Legacy  E*TRADE  employees  are  included  in  all  metrics  other  than  “employee 
engagement.”  For  “voluntary  attrition  in  2020,”  E*TRADE  attrition  is  relative  to 
January 1, 2020 staffing levels. For “tenure,” E*TRADE tenure is based on length of 
service since joining E*TRADE.

2. In  2019,  91%  of  employees  responded  to  the  biennial  employee  engagement 

survey. The percentage shown is based on 2019 survey results.

3. Officer includes Managing Directors, Executive Directors and Vice Presidents, and 

the equivalent positions for legacy E*TRADE employees.

4. U.S.  ethnically  diverse  designations  align  with  the  Equal  Employment  Opportunity 
Commission’s ethnicity and race categories and includes American Indian or Native 
Alaskan, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or 
Pacific Islander, and two or more races.

Information about our Executive Officers

The  executive  officers  of  Morgan  Stanley  and  their  age  and 
titles  as  of  February  26,  2021  are  set  forth  below.  Business 
experience is provided in accordance with SEC rules.

Mandell  L.  Crawley  (45).    Chief  Human  Resources  Officer 
(since  February  2021).  Head  of  Private  Wealth  Management 
(June  2017  to  January  2021).  Chief  Marketing  Officer 
(September  2014  to  June  2017).  Head  of  National  Business 
Development 
for  Wealth 
and  Talent  Management 
Management  (June  2011  to  September  2014).  Divisional 
Business  Development  Officer  (May  2010  to  June  2011). 
Regional  Business  Development  Officer  (May  2009  to  May 
2010). Head of Field Sales and Marketing (February 2008 to 
May 2009). Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets Sales and 
Distribution for Wealth Management (April 2004 to February 
2008).

James P. Gorman (62).  Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Morgan  Stanley  (since 
January  2012).  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer 
(January 2010 to December 2011) and member of the Board 
of  Directors  (since  January  2010).  Co-President  (December 
2007 to December 2009) and Co-Head of Strategic Planning 
(October  2007  to  December  2009).  President  and  Chief 

 
 
 
 
 
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Operating Officer of Wealth Management (February 2006 to 
April 2008).

Eric F. Grossman (54).  Executive Vice President and Chief 
Legal Officer of Morgan Stanley (since January 2012). Global 
Head  of  Legal  (September  2010  to  January  2012).  Global 
Head  of  Litigation  (January  2006  to  September  2010)  and 
General  Counsel  of  the  Americas  (May  2009  to  September 
2010).  General  Counsel  of  Wealth  Management  (November 
2008  to  September  2010).  Partner  at  the  law  firm  of  Davis 
Polk & Wardwell LLP (June 2001 to December 2005).

Keishi  Hotsuki  (58).    Executive  Vice  President  (since  May 
2014) and Chief Risk Officer of Morgan Stanley (since May 
2011).  Interim  Chief  Risk  Officer  (January  2011  to  May 
2011) and Head of Market Risk Department (March 2008 to 
April  2014).  Global  Head  of  Market  Risk  Management  at 
Merrill Lynch (June 2005 to September 2007).

Edward N. Pick (52).  Head of Institutional Securities (since 
July 2018). Global Head of Sales and Trading (October 2015 
to  July  2018).  Head  of  Global  Equities  (March  2011  to 
October  2015).  Co-Head  of  Global  Equities  (April  2009  to 
March 2011). Co-Head of Global Capital Markets (July 2008 
to  April  2009).  Co-Head  of  Global  Equity  Capital  Markets 
(December 2005 to July 2008).

Jonathan  M.  Pruzan  (52).    Executive  Vice  President  and 
Chief Financial Officer of Morgan Stanley (since May 2015) 
and Head of Corporate Strategy (since December 2016). Co-
Head of Global Financial Institutions Group (January 2010 to 
April  2015).  Co-Head  of  North  American  Financial 
Institutions  Group  M&A  (September  2007  to  December 
2009).  Head  of  the  U.S.  Bank  Group  (April  2005  to  August 
2007).

Robert  P.  Rooney  (53).    Head  of  Technology,  Operations 
and Firm Resilience (since April 2019). Head of Technology 
(January  2017  to  April  2019).  Chief  Executive  Officer  of 
Morgan Stanley International and Head of Europe, the Middle 
East and Africa (January 2016 to May 2018). Global Co-Head 
of  Fixed  Income  Sales  and  Trading  (May  2013  to  January 
2016). Head of Fixed Income for Europe, the Middle East and 
Africa  and  Global  Head  of  Fixed  Income  Sales  (September 
2009 to May 2013).

Andrew  M.  Saperstein  (54).    Head  of  Wealth  Management 
(since April 2019). Co-Head of Wealth Management (January 
2016 
to  April  2019).  Co-Chief  Operating  Officer  of 
Institutional  Securities  (March  2015  to  January  2016).  Head 
of  Wealth  Management  Investment  Products  and  Services 
(June 2012 to March 2015).

Daniel A. Simkowitz (55).  Head of Investment Management 
(since  October  2015).  Co-Head  of  Global  Capital  Markets 
(March 2013 to September 2015). Chairman of Global Capital 
Markets (November 2009 to March 2013). Managing Director 
in  Global  Capital  Markets  (December  2000  to  November 
2009).

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December 2020 Form 10-K

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Risk Factors

For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect 
our  future  results  and  strategic  objectives,  see  “Forward-
Looking  Statements”  preceding  “Business”  and  “Return  on 
Tangible  Common  Equity  Targets”  under  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results 
of Operations.”

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

The  COVID-19  pandemic  and 
related  voluntary  and 
government-imposed  social  and  business  restrictions  has 
impacted global economic conditions, resulting in volatility in 
the  global  financial  markets,  increased  unemployment,  and 
operational  challenges  such  as  the  temporary  and  permanent 
closures  of  businesses,  sheltering-in-place  directives  and 
increased remote work protocols.

Governments  around  the  world  have  been  working  to 
develop, manufacture, and distribute COVID-19 vaccines and 
the  United  States  has  authorized  the  targeted  distribution  of 
certain  COVID-19  vaccines,  though  it  is  unclear  what  the 
scope  and  timing  of  a  more  comprehensive  distribution  will 
be.  Moreover,  governments  and  central  banks  around  the 
world  have  reacted  to  the  economic  crisis  caused  by  the 
pandemic  by  implementing  stimulus  and  liquidity  programs 
and cutting interest rates, though it is unclear whether these or 
future  actions  will  be  successful  in  countering  the  economic 
disruption.  If  the  pandemic  continues  to  be  prolonged  or  the 
actions  of  governments  and  central  banks  are  unsuccessful, 
including  actions  to  facilitate  the  comprehensive  distribution 
of  effective  vaccines,  the  adverse  impact  on  the  global 
economy  will  deepen,  and  our  results  of  operations  and 
financial  condition  in  future  quarters  may  be  adversely 
affected. 

Should  global  market  conditions  worsen,  or  the  pandemic 
lead  to  additional  market  disruptions,  we  could  experience 
reduced  client  activity  and  demand  for  our  products  and 
services,  higher  credit  and  valuation  losses  in  our  loan  and 
commitment and investment portfolios, impairments of other 
financial  assets  and  other  negative  impacts  on  our  financial 
including  possible  constraints  on  capital  and 
position, 
liquidity,  as  well  as  a  higher  cost  of  capital,  and  possible 
changes  or  downgrades  to  our  credit  ratings.  In  addition, 
continued low interest rates will limit interest margins in our 
and 
lending  businesses 
Institutional  Securities.  A  slowdown  of  commercial  activity 
could cause overall sales and trading and investment banking 
revenues to decline and a decline in assets under management 
and  client  balances  could  also  reduce  fee  and  financing 
revenues across all of our business segments. 

across  Wealth  Management 

Operationally, we have initiated a work remotely protocol and 
restricted  business  travel  of  our  workforce,  with  a  return-to-
workplace  program,  which  is  based  on  role,  location  and 
employee willingness and ability to return. While we have not 

December 2020 Form 10-K

12

experienced  a  decrease  in  productivity  as  a  result  of  the 
remote work environment, there can be no assurance that the 
transition will not have an adverse effect in the long term. If 
significant  portions  of  our  workforce, 
including  key 
personnel,  are  unable  to  work  effectively  because  of  illness, 
government  actions,  or  other  restrictions  in  connection  with 
the  pandemic,  the  impact  of  the  pandemic  on  our  businesses 
could be exacerbated.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related 
global  economic  crisis,  affects  our  businesses,  results  of 
operations  and  financial  condition,  as  well  as  our  regulatory 
capital  and  liquidity  ratios  and  our  ability  to  take  capital 
actions,  will  depend  on  future  developments  that  are  highly 
uncertain  and  cannot  be  predicted,  including  the  scope  and 
duration  of  the  pandemic  and  any  recovery  period,  the 
development,  distribution,  and  acceptance  of  effective 
vaccines,  future  actions  taken  by  governmental  authorities, 
central  banks  and  other  third  parties  in  response  to  the 
pandemic,  and  the  effects  on  our  customers,  counterparties, 
employees  and  third-party  service  providers.  Moreover,  the 
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will heighten many of the 
other  risks  described  throughout  this  section.  See  also 
"Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources—Regulatory 
Requirements—Capital  Action 
Supervisory Restrictions.”

Market Risk

Market risk refers to the risk that a change in the level of one 
or more market prices, rates, indices, volatilities, correlations 
or other market factors, such as market liquidity, will result in 
losses  for  a  position  or  portfolio  owned  by  us.  For  more 
information on how we monitor and manage market risk, see 
“Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—
Market Risk.”

Our  results  of  operations  may  be  materially  affected  by 
market fluctuations and by global and economic conditions 
and other factors, including changes in asset values.

Our results of operations have been in the past and may, in the 
future,  be  materially  affected  by  market  fluctuations  due  to 
global  financial  markets,  economic  conditions,  the  effects  of 
the COVID-19 pandemic or other widespread events such as 
natural  disasters,  climate-related  incidents  or  acts  of  war, 
changes to global trade policies and tariffs and other factors, 
including the level and volatility of equity, fixed income and 
commodity  prices,  the  level  and  term  structure  of  interest 
rates,  inflation  and  currency  values,  and  the  level  of  other 
market indices.

The  results  of  our  Institutional  Securities  business  segment, 
particularly results relating to our involvement in primary and 
secondary  markets  for  all  types  of  financial  products,  are 
subject  to  substantial  market  fluctuations  due  to  a  variety  of 
factors that we cannot control or predict with great certainty. 
These  fluctuations  impact  results  by  causing  variations  in 

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business flows and activity and in the fair value of securities 
and  other  financial  products.  Fluctuations  also  occur  due  to 
the level of global market activity, which, among other things, 
affects  the  size,  number  and  timing  of  investment  banking 
client  assignments  and  transactions  and  the  realization  of 
returns from our principal investments.

Periods  of  unfavorable  market  or  economic  conditions  may 
have  adverse  impacts  on  the  level  of  individual  investor 
participation  in  the  global  markets  and/or  the  level  of  client 
assets, and, in very low interest rate environments, the level of 
net  interest  income,  which  would  negatively  impact  the 
results of our Wealth Management business segment.

Substantial market fluctuations could also cause variations in 
the  value  of  our  investments  in  our  funds,  the  flow  of 
investment capital into or from AUM, and the way customers 
allocate capital among money market, equity, fixed income or 
other  investment  alternatives,  which  could  negatively  impact 
our Investment Management business segment.

The  value  of  our  financial  instruments  may  be  materially 
affected  by  market  fluctuations.  Market  volatility,  illiquid 
market  conditions  and  disruptions  in  the  credit  markets  may 
make  it  extremely  difficult  to  value  and  monetize  certain  of 
our  financial  instruments,  particularly  during  periods  of 
market displacement. Subsequent valuations in future periods, 
in  light  of  factors  then  prevailing,  may  result  in  significant 
changes in the values of these instruments and may adversely 
impact  historical  or  prospective  fees  and  performance-based 
fees  (also  known  as  incentive  fees,  which  include  carried 
interest)  in  respect  of  certain  businesses.  In  addition,  at  the 
these  financial 
time  of  any  sales  and  settlements  of 
instruments, the price we ultimately realize will depend on the 
demand  and  liquidity  in  the  market  at  that  time  and  may  be 
materially  lower  than  their  current  fair  value.  Any  of  these 
factors  could  cause  a  decline  in  the  value  of  our  financial 
instruments, which may have an adverse effect on our results 
of operations in future periods.

In addition, financial markets are susceptible to severe events 
evidenced by rapid depreciation in asset values accompanied 
by  a  reduction  in  asset  liquidity.  Under  these  extreme 
conditions, hedging and other risk management strategies may 
not be as effective at mitigating trading losses as they would 
be  under  more  normal  market  conditions.  Moreover,  under 
these conditions, market participants are particularly exposed 
to  trading  strategies  employed  by  many  market  participants 
simultaneously  and  on  a  large  scale.  Our  risk  management 
and monitoring processes seek to quantify and mitigate risk to 
more extreme market moves. However, severe market events 
have  historically  been  difficult  to  predict,  and  we  could 
realize  significant  losses  if  extreme  market  events  were  to 
occur.

Holding large and concentrated positions may expose us to 
losses.

Concentration of risk may reduce revenues or result in losses 
in  our  market-making,  investing,  underwriting,  including 
block  trading,  and  lending  businesses  in  the  event  of 
unfavorable  market  movements,  or  when  market  conditions 
are  more  favorable  for  our  competitors.  We  commit 
substantial amounts of capital to these businesses, which often 
results  in  our  taking  large  positions  in  the  securities  of,  or 
making  large  loans  to,  a  particular  issuer  or  issuers  in  a 
particular industry, country or region. For further information 
regarding  our  country  risk  exposure,  see  also  “Quantitative 
and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—Country  and  Other 
Risks.”

Credit Risk

Credit risk refers to the risk of loss arising when a borrower, 
counterparty  or  issuer  does  not  meet  its  financial  obligations 
to us. For more information on how we monitor and manage 
credit  risk,  see  “Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures 
about Risk—Credit Risk.”

We  are  exposed  to  the  risk  that  third  parties  that  are 
indebted to us will not perform their obligations.

We  incur  significant  credit  risk  exposure  through  our 
Institutional Securities business segment. This risk may arise 
from a variety of business activities, including, but not limited 
to:  extending  credit  to  clients  through  various  lending 
commitments; entering into swap or other derivative contracts 
to  make 
under  which  counterparties  have  obligations 
payments to us; providing short- or long-term funding that is 
secured by physical or financial collateral whose value may at 
times  be  insufficient  to  fully  cover  the  loan  repayment 
amount;  posting  margin  and/or  collateral  and  other 
commitments 
to  clearing  houses,  clearing  agencies, 
exchanges,  banks,  securities  firms  and  other  financial 
counterparties;  and  investing  and  trading  in  securities  and 
loan  pools,  whereby  the  value  of  these  assets  may  fluctuate 
based  on  realized  or  expected  defaults  on  the  underlying 
obligations or loans.

We also incur credit risk in our Wealth Management business 
segment lending to mainly individual investors, including, but 
not 
loans 
collateralized  by  securities,  residential  mortgage  loans  and 
HELOCs.

to,  margin-  and 

securities-based 

limited 

Our  valuations  related  to,  and  reserves  for  losses  on,  credit 
exposures rely on complex models, estimates, and subjective 
judgments  about  the  future.  While  we  believe  current 
valuations  and  reserves  adequately  address  our  perceived 
levels of risk, future economic conditions that differ from or 
are  more  severe 
inaccurate  models  or 
assumptions,  or  external  factors  such  as  natural  disasters  or 
the  ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic,  could  lead  to  inaccurate 
measurement  of  or  deterioration  of  credit  quality  of  our 

than  forecast, 

13

December 2020 Form 10-K

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borrowers  and  counterparties  or  the  value  of  collateral  and 
result  in  unexpected  losses.  We  may  also  incur  higher  than 
anticipated credit losses in periods of market illiquidity or as a 
result  of  disputes  with  counterparties  over  the  valuation  of 
collateral  during  periods  of  economic  stress.  In  addition,  in 
the  longer  term,  climate  change  may  also  have  a  negative 
impact  on  the  financial  condition  of  our  clients,  which  may 
decrease  revenues  from  those  clients  and  increase  the  credit 
risk associated with loans and other credit exposures to those 
clients.

Certain  of  our  credit  exposures  are  concentrated  by  product, 
industry  or  country.  Although  our  models  and  estimates 
account  for  correlations  among  related  types  of  exposures,  a 
change in the market environment for a concentrated product 
or  an  external  factor  impacting  a  concentrated  industry  or 
country  may  result  in  credit  losses  in  excess  of  amounts 
forecast.  Concentrations  of  credit  risk  are  managed  through 
the  Firm’s  comprehensive  and  global  Credit  Limits 
Framework. 

In  addition,  as  a  clearing  member  of  several  central 
counterparties,  we  are  responsible  for 
the  defaults  or 
misconduct of our customers and could incur financial losses 
in  the  event  of  default  by  other  clearing  members.  Although 
we  regularly  review  our  credit  exposures,  default  risk  may 
arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect 
or foresee.

A  default  by  a  large  financial  institution  could  adversely 
affect financial markets.

the 

institutions. 

relationships  among 

The commercial soundness of many financial institutions may 
be closely interrelated as a result of credit, trading, clearing or 
other 
Increased 
centralization  of  trading  activities  through  particular  clearing 
houses, central agents or exchanges as required by provisions 
of the Dodd-Frank Act may increase our concentration of risk 
with respect to these entities. As a result, concerns about, or a 
default or threatened default by, one institution could lead to 
significant  market-wide  liquidity  and  credit  problems,  losses 
or defaults by other institutions. This is sometimes referred to 
as  systemic  risk  and  may  adversely  affect  financial 
intermediaries,  such  as  clearing  houses,  clearing  agencies, 
exchanges, banks and securities firms, with which we interact 
on a daily basis and, therefore, could adversely affect us. See 
also  “Systemic  Risk  Regime”  under  “Business—Supervision 
and Regulation—Financial Holding Company.”

Operational Risk

Operational risk refers to the risk of loss, or of damage to our 
reputation,  resulting  from  inadequate  or  failed  processes  or 
systems,  from  human  factors  or  from  external  events  (e.g., 
fraud, theft, legal and compliance risks, cyber attacks, damage 
to  physical  assets  or  the  ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic).  We 
may  incur  operational  risk  across  the  full  scope  of  our 
business  activities,  including  revenue-generating  activities 
(e.g., sales and trading) and support and control groups (e.g., 

December 2020 Form 10-K

14

technology  and 

information 
trade  processing).  Legal, 
regulatory  and  compliance  risk  is  included  in  the  scope  of 
operational  risk  and  is  discussed  below  under  “Legal, 
Regulatory  and  Compliance  Risk.”  For  more  information  on 
how  we  monitor  and  manage  operational 
risk,  see 
“Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—
Operational Risk.”

We  are  subject  to  operational  risks,  including  a  failure, 
breach  or  other  disruption  of  our  operations  or  security 
systems  or  those  of  our  third  parties  (or  third  parties 
thereof),  as  well  as  human  error  or  malfeasance,  which 
could adversely affect our businesses or reputation.

Our businesses are highly dependent on our ability to process 
and  report,  on  a  daily  basis,  a  large  number  of  transactions 
across numerous and diverse markets in many currencies. We 
may  introduce  new  products  or  services  or  change  processes 
or  reporting,  including  in  connection  with  new  regulatory 
requirements,  resulting  in  new  operational  risk  that  we  may 
not fully appreciate or identify. 

The  trend  toward  direct  access  to  automated,  electronic 
markets  and  the  move  to  more  automated  trading  platforms 
has  resulted  in  the  use  of  increasingly  complex  technology 
that relies on the continued effectiveness of the programming 
code  and  integrity  of  the  data  to  process  the  trades.  We  rely 
on  the  ability  of  our  employees,  consultants,  our  internal 
systems  and  systems  at  technology  centers  maintained  by 
unaffiliated  third  parties  to  operate  our  different  businesses 
and  process  a  high  volume  of  transactions.  Unusually  high 
trading  volumes  or  site  usage  could  cause  our  systems  to 
operate  at  an  unacceptably  slow  speed  or  even  fail. 
Disruptions to, destruction of, instability of or other failure to 
effectively  maintain  our  information  technology  systems  or 
external  technology  that  allows  our  clients  and  customers  to 
use  our  products  and  services  (including  our  self-directed 
brokerage  platform)  could  harm  our  business  and  our 
reputation.  Additionally,  we  are  subject  to  complex  and 
evolving 
laws  and  regulations  governing  cybersecurity, 
privacy and data protection, which may differ and potentially 
conflict, in various jurisdictions.

As a major participant in the global capital markets, we face 
the  risk  of  incorrect  valuation  or  risk  management  of  our 
trading  positions  due  to  flaws  in  data,  models,  electronic 
trading systems or processes or due to fraud or cyber attack.

We  also  face  the  risk  of  operational  failure  or  disruption  of 
any  of  the  clearing  agents,  exchanges,  clearing  houses  or 
other financial intermediaries we use to facilitate our lending, 
securities  and  derivatives  transactions.  In  addition,  in  the 
event of a breakdown or improper operation or disposal of our 
or  a  direct  or  indirect  third  party’s  systems  (or  third  parties 
thereof),  processes  or  information  assets,  or  improper  or 
unauthorized action by third parties, including consultants and 
subcontractors  or  our  employees,  we  could  suffer  financial 
loss,  an  impairment  to  our  liquidity  position,  a  disruption  of 

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our  businesses,  regulatory  sanctions  or  damage  to  our 
reputation. 

the 

In  addition, 
interconnectivity  of  multiple  financial 
institutions  with  central  agents,  exchanges  and  clearing 
houses,  and  the  increased  importance  of  these  entities, 
increases the risk that an operational failure at one institution 
or  entity  may  cause  an  industry-wide  operational  failure  that 
could  materially  impact  our  ability  to  conduct  business. 
Furthermore,  the  concentration  of  company  and  personal 
information  held  by  a  handful  of  third  parties  increases  the 
risk that a breach at a key third party may cause an industry-
wide data breach that could significantly increase the cost and 
risk of conducting business.

There can be no assurance that our business contingency and 
security response plans fully mitigate all potential risks to us. 
Our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by 
a disruption in the infrastructure that supports our businesses 
and  the  communities  where  we  are  located,  which  are 
concentrated in the New York and Atlanta metropolitan areas, 
London,  Hong  Kong  and  Tokyo,  as  well  as  Baltimore, 
Glasgow,  Frankfurt,  Bangalore,  Budapest  and  Mumbai.  This 
may  include  a  disruption  involving  physical  site  access; 
software  flaws  and  vulnerabilities;  cybersecurity  incidents; 
terrorist  activities;  political  unrest;  other  disease  pandemics; 
catastrophic  events;  climate-related  incidents  and  natural 
disasters  (such  as  earthquakes,  tornadoes,  hurricanes  and 
wildfires); electrical outage; environmental hazard; computer 
servers;  communications  or  other  services  we  use;  our 
employees or third parties with whom we conduct business.

Although  we  employ  backup  systems  for  our  data,  those 
backup  systems  may  be  unavailable  following  a  disruption, 
the affected data may not have been backed up or may not be 
recoverable  from  the  backup,  or  the  backup  data  may  be 
costly to recover, which could adversely affect our business.

Notwithstanding  evolving  technology  and  technology-based 
risk  and  control  systems,  our  businesses  ultimately  rely  on 
people,  including  our  employees  and  those  of  third  parties 
with  which  we  conduct  business.  As  a  result  of  human  error 
or engagement in violations of applicable policies, laws, rules 
or  procedures,  certain  errors  or  violations  are  not  always 
discovered immediately by our technological processes or by 
our  controls  and  other  procedures,  which  are  intended  to 
prevent and detect such errors or violations. These can include 
calculation  errors,  mistakes  in  addressing  emails  or  other 
communications, errors in software or model development or 
implementation,  or  errors  in  judgment,  as  well  as  intentional 
efforts  to  disregard  or  circumvent  applicable  policies,  laws, 
rules  or  procedures.  Human  errors  and  malfeasance,  even  if 
promptly  discovered  and  remediated,  can  result  in  material 
losses and liabilities for us.

We conduct business in various jurisdictions outside the U.S., 
including jurisdictions that may not have comparable levels of 
protection  for  their  corporate  assets  such  as  intellectual 
property,  trademarks,  trade  secrets,  know-how  and  customer 

information  and  records.  The  protection  afforded  in  those 
jurisdictions  may  be  less  established  and/or  predictable  than 
in  the  U.S.  or  other  jurisdictions  in  which  we  operate.  As  a 
result, there may also be heightened risks associated with the 
potential  theft  of  their  data,  technology  and  intellectual 
property in those jurisdictions by domestic or foreign actors, 
those  affiliated  with  or 
including  private  parties  and 
controlled  by  state  actors.  Any  theft  of  data,  technology  or 
intellectual  property  may  negatively  impact  our  operations 
and reputation, including disrupting the business activities of 
our subsidiaries, affiliates, joint ventures or clients conducting 
business in those jurisdictions.

A  cyber  attack,  information  or  security  breach  or  a 
technology  failure  could  adversely  affect  our  ability  to 
conduct our business, manage our exposure to risk or result 
in  disclosure  or  misuse  of  confidential  or  proprietary 
information  and  otherwise  adversely  impact  our  results  of 
operations,  liquidity  and  financial  condition,  as  well  as 
cause reputational harm.

We maintain a significant amount of personal information on 
our  customers,  clients,  employees  and  certain  counterparties 
that we are required to protect under various state, federal and 
international  data  protection  and  privacy  laws.  These  laws 
may be in conflict with one another, or courts and regulators 
may interpret them in ways that we had not anticipated or that 
adversely affect our business.

the 

technologies 

technologies, 

the  use  of 

Cybersecurity risks for financial institutions have significantly 
increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of 
new 
internet,  mobile 
to  conduct 
telecommunications  and  cloud 
financial  transactions,  and  the  increased  sophistication  and 
activities  of  organized  crime,  hackers,  terrorists  and  other 
external  extremist  parties,  including  foreign  state  actors,  in 
some circumstances as a means to promote political ends. In 
addition  to  the  growing  sophistication  of  certain  parties,  the 
commoditization  of  cyber  tools  which  are  able  to  be 
weaponized by less sophisticated actors has led to an increase 
in  the  exploitation  of  technological  vulnerabilities.  Global 
events  and  geopolitical  instability  may  lead  to  increased 
nation state targeting of financial institutions in the U.S. and 
abroad. Foreign state actors have become more sophisticated 
over time, increasing the risk of such an attack. Any of these 
parties  may  also  attempt  to  fraudulently  induce  employees, 
customers,  clients,  vendors  or  other  third  parties  or  users  of 
our systems to disclose sensitive information in order to gain 
access to our data or that of our employees or clients. 

Cybersecurity risks may also derive from human error, fraud 
or  malice  on  the  part  of  our  employees  or  third  parties, 
including third party providers, or may result from accidental 
technological  failure.  These  risks  may  be  heightened  by 
several  factors 
the  COVID-19 
including,  for  example, 
pandemic, which has caused the majority of our employees to 
work  remotely  and  access  our  secure  networks  through  their 
home networks, or as a result of the integration of acquisitions 
and  other  strategic  initiatives  that  may  subject  us  to  new 

15

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

and 

clients 

technology,  customers  or  third  party  providers.  In  addition, 
third  parties  with  whom  we  do  business,  the  regulators  with 
whom  we  share  information,  and  each  of  their  service 
providers,  as  well  as  the  third  parties  with  whom  our 
customers 
for 
share 
authentication,  may  also  be  sources  of  cybersecurity  risks, 
particularly  where  activities  of  customers  are  beyond  our 
security  and  control  systems.  There  is  no  guarantee  that  the 
measures  we 
take  will  provide  absolute  security  or 
recoverability  given  the  techniques  used  in  cyber  attacks  are 
complex  and  frequently  change,  and  may  not  be  able  to  be 
anticipated. 

information  used 

Like  other  financial  services  firms,  the  Firm,  its  third  party 
providers,  and  its  clients  continue  to  be  the  subject  of 
unauthorized  access  attacks,  mishandling  or  misuse  of 
information,  computer  viruses  or  malware,  cyber  attacks 
designed  to  obtain  confidential  information,  destroy  data, 
disrupt  or  degrade  service,  sabotage  systems  or  cause  other 
damage,  denial  of  service  attacks,  data  breaches,  social 
engineering  attacks  and  other  events.  There  can  be  no 
assurance  that  such  unauthorized  access,  mishandling  or 
misuse of information, or cyber incidents will not occur in the 
future,  and  they  could  occur  more  frequently  and  on  a  more 
significant scale.

A cyber attack, information or security breach or a technology 
failure of ours or of a third party could jeopardize our or our 
clients’,  employees’,  partners’,  vendors’  or  counterparties’ 
personal,  confidential,  proprietary  or  other 
information 
processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our and our 
third  parties’  computer  systems.  Furthermore,  such  events 
could cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients’, 
employees’,  partners’,  vendors’,  counterparties’  or  third 
parties’  operations,  as  well  as  the  unauthorized  release, 
gathering,  monitoring,  misuse, 
loss  or  destruction  of 
confidential,  proprietary  and  other  information  of  ours,  our 
employees,  our  customers  or  of  other  third  parties.  Any  of 
these  events  could  result  in  reputational  damage  with  our 
clients  and  the  market,  client  dissatisfaction,  additional  costs 
to  us  to  maintain  and  update  our  operational  and  security 
systems 
investigations, 
litigation or enforcement, or regulatory fines or penalties, any 
of  which  could  adversely  affect  our  business,  financial 
condition or results of operations.

infrastructure, 

regulatory 

and 

Given  our  global  footprint  and 
the  high  volume  of 
transactions we process, the large number of clients, partners, 
vendors  and  counterparties  with  which  we  do  business,  and 
the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks, a cyber attack, 
information or security breach could occur and persist for an 
extended period of time without detection. We expect that any 
inherently 
investigation  of  a  cyber  attack  would  be 
unpredictable  and  that  it  would  take  time  before  the 
completion  of  any 
is 
availability of full and reliable information. During such time 
we would not necessarily know the extent of the harm or how 
best  to  remediate  it,  and  certain  errors  or  actions  could  be 
repeated  or  compounded  before  they  are  discovered  and 

investigation  and  before 

there 

December 2020 Form 10-K

16

remediated,  all  or  any  of  which  would  further  increase  the 
costs and consequences of a cyber attack.

While  many  of  our  agreements  with  partners  and  third  party 
vendors  include  indemnification  provisions,  we  may  not  be 
able to recover sufficiently, or at all, under such provisions to 
adequately  offset  any  losses  we  may  incur.  In  addition, 
although we maintain insurance coverage that may, subject to 
policy  terms  and  conditions,  cover  certain  aspects  of  cyber 
and  information  security  risks,  such  insurance  coverage  may 
be insufficient to cover all losses.

We  continue  to  make  investments  with  a  view  toward 
maintaining  and  enhancing  our  cybersecurity  posture.  The 
cost  of  managing  cyber  and  information  security  risks  and 
increasingly 
attacks  along  with  complying  with  new, 
expansive,  and  evolving  regulatory  requirements  could 
adversely affect our results of operations and business.

Liquidity Risk

experiencing 

Liquidity  risk  refers  to  the  risk  that  we  will  be  unable  to 
finance  our  operations  due  to  a  loss  of  access  to  the  capital 
markets  or  difficulty  in  liquidating  our  assets.  Liquidity  risk 
also encompasses our ability (or perceived ability) to meet our 
financial  obligations  without 
significant 
business disruption or reputational damage that may threaten 
our  viability  as  a  going  concern  as  well  as  the  associated 
funding  risks  triggered  by  the  market  or  idiosyncratic  stress 
events  that  may  negatively  affect  our  liquidity  and  may 
impact our ability to raise new funding. For more information 
on  how  we  monitor  and  manage 
liquidity  risk,  see 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources”  and  “Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures 
about Risk—Liquidity Risk.”

Liquidity  is  essential  to  our  businesses  and  we  rely  on 
external  sources  to  finance  a  significant  portion  of  our 
operations.

Liquidity is essential to our businesses. Our liquidity could be 
negatively  affected  by  our  inability  to  raise  funding  in  the 
long-term  or  short-term  debt  capital  markets,  our  inability  to 
access the secured lending markets, or unanticipated outflows 
of cash or collateral by customers or clients. Factors that we 
cannot control, such as disruption of the financial markets or 
negative views about the financial services industry generally, 
including  concerns  regarding  fiscal  matters  in  the  U.S.  and 
other  geographic  areas,  could  impair  our  ability  to  raise 
funding.

In  addition,  our  ability  to  raise  funding  could  be  impaired  if 
investors  or  lenders  develop  a  negative  perception  of  our 
long-term or short-term financial prospects due to factors such 
as  an  incurrence  of  large  trading  losses,  a  downgrade  by  the 
rating agencies, a decline in the level of our business activity, 
if  regulatory  authorities  take  significant  action  against  us  or 

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our industry, or we discover significant employee misconduct 
or illegal activity.

likely  need 

to  finance  or 

If we are unable to raise funding using the methods described 
above,  we  would 
liquidate 
unencumbered  assets,  such  as  our  investment  portfolios  or 
liabilities  or  other 
trading  assets, 
obligations.  We  may  be  unable  to  sell  some  of  our  assets  or 
we  may  have  to  sell  assets  at  a  discount  to  market  value, 
either  of  which  could  adversely  affect  our  results  of 
operations, cash flows and financial condition.

to  meet  maturing 

Our borrowing costs and access to the debt capital markets 
depend on our credit ratings.

factors 

that  are 

industry-wide 

The cost and availability of unsecured financing generally are 
impacted by our long-term and short-term credit ratings. The 
rating agencies continue to monitor certain company-specific 
and 
the 
determination of our credit ratings. These include governance, 
the  level  and  quality  of  earnings,  capital  adequacy,  liquidity 
and  funding,  risk  appetite  and  management,  asset  quality, 
strategic  direction,  business  mix,  regulatory  or  legislative 
changes,  macro-economic  environment,  and  perceived  levels 
of  support,  and  it  is  possible  that  they  could  downgrade  our 
ratings and those of similar institutions.

important 

to 

Our credit ratings also can have an adverse impact on certain 
trading  revenues,  particularly  in  those  businesses  where 
longer term counterparty performance is a key consideration, 
such  as  OTC  and  other  derivative  transactions,  including 
credit derivatives and interest rate swaps. In connection with 
certain OTC trading agreements and certain other agreements 
associated with our Institutional Securities business segment, 
we  may  be  required  to  provide  additional  collateral  to,  or 
immediately  settle  any  outstanding  liability  balance  with, 
certain  counterparties  in  the  event  of  a  credit  ratings 
downgrade.

Termination of our trading and other agreements could cause 
us to sustain losses and impair our liquidity by requiring us to 
find  other  sources  of  financing  or  to  make  significant  cash 
payments  or  securities  movements.  The  additional  collateral 
or  termination  payments  which  may  occur  in  the  event  of  a 
future  credit  rating  downgrade  vary  by  contract  and  can  be 
based  on  ratings  by  either  or  both  of  Moody’s  Investors 
Service, 
Inc.  and  S&P  Global  Ratings.  See  also 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
or 
Resources—Credit  Ratings—Incremental  Collateral 
Terminating Payments.”

We  are  a  holding  company  and  depend  on  payments  from 
our subsidiaries.

The  Parent  Company  has  no  operations  and  depends  on 
dividends,  distributions  and  other  payments 
its 
subsidiaries  to  fund  dividend  payments  and  to  fund  all 
payments  on  its  obligations,  including  debt  obligations. 

from 

including  our  bank 

Regulatory restrictions, tax restrictions or elections and other 
legal restrictions may limit our ability to transfer funds freely, 
either  to  or  from  our  subsidiaries.  In  particular,  many  of  our 
subsidiaries, 
and  broker-dealer 
subsidiaries,  are  subject  to  laws,  regulations  and  self-
regulatory  organization  rules  that  limit,  as  well  as  authorize 
regulatory bodies to block or reduce, the flow of funds to the 
Parent Company, or that prohibit such transfers or dividends 
altogether  in  certain  circumstances,  including  steps  to  “ring 
fence”  entities  by  regulators  outside  of  the  U.S.  to  protect 
clients and creditors of such entities in the event of financial 
difficulties involving such entities.

These  laws,  regulations  and  rules  may  hinder  our  ability  to 
access  funds  that  we  may  need  to  make  payments  on  our 
obligations. Furthermore, as a BHC, we may become subject 
to  a  prohibition  or  to  limitations  on  our  ability  to  pay 
dividends. The Federal Reserve, the OCC, and the FDIC have 
the  authority,  and  under  certain  circumstances  the  duty,  to 
prohibit or to limit the payment of dividends by the banking 
organizations they supervise, including us and our U.S. Bank 
Subsidiaries.

Our liquidity and financial condition have in the past been, 
and  in  the  future  could  be,  adversely  affected  by  U.S.  and 
international markets and economic conditions.

Our  ability  to  raise  funding  in  the  long-term  or  short-term 
debt  capital  markets  or  the  equity  markets,  or  to  access 
secured lending markets, has in the past been, and could in the 
future  be,  adversely  affected  by  conditions  in  the  U.S.  and 
international markets and economies.

In  particular,  our  cost  and  availability  of  funding  in  the  past 
have  been,  and  may  in  the  future  be,  adversely  affected  by 
illiquid  credit  markets  and  wider  credit  spreads.  Significant 
turbulence  in  the  U.S.,  the  E.U.  and  other  international 
markets  and  economies  could  adversely  affect  our  liquidity 
and  financial  condition  and  the  willingness  of  certain 
counterparties and customers to do business with us.

Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk

Legal,  regulatory  and  compliance  risk  includes  the  risk  of 
legal or regulatory sanctions, material financial loss, including 
fines,  penalties,  judgments,  damages  and/or  settlements,  or 
loss  to  reputation  we  may  suffer  as  a  result  of  our  failure  to 
comply  with  laws,  regulations,  rules,  related  self-regulatory 
organization standards and codes of conduct applicable to our 
business  activities.  This  risk  also  includes  contractual  and 
commercial  risk,  such  as  the  risk  that  a  counterparty’s 
performance  obligations  will  be  unenforceable.  It  also 
includes  compliance  with  AML,  anti-corruption  and  terrorist 
financing rules and regulations. For more information on how 
we monitor and manage legal, regulatory and compliance risk, 
see  “Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—
Legal and Compliance Risk.”

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December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

The  financial  services  industry  is  subject  to  extensive 
regulation,  and  changes  in  regulation  will  impact  our 
business.

Like  other  major  financial  services  firms,  we  are  subject  to 
extensive  regulation  by  U.S.  federal  and  state  regulatory 
agencies  and  securities  exchanges  and  by  regulators  and 
exchanges in each of the major markets where we conduct our 
business.  These  laws  and  regulations  significantly  affect  the 
way we do business and can restrict the scope of our existing 
businesses  and  limit  our  ability  to  expand  our  product 
offerings and pursue certain investments.

The  Firm  and  its  employees  are  subject  to  (among  other 
things)  wide-ranging  regulation  and  supervision,  intensive 
scrutiny  of  our  businesses  and  any  plans  for  expansion  of 
those businesses, limitations on new activities, a systemic risk 
regime  that  imposes  heightened  capital  and  liquidity  and 
requirements  and  other  enhanced  prudential 
funding 
resolution  planning 
standards, 
requirements, 
for  maintaining  minimum 
amounts of TLAC and external long-term debt, restrictions on 
activities  and  investments  imposed  by  the  Volcker  Rule, 
commodities 
comprehensive 
regulation,  market  structure  regulation, 
tax  regulations, 
antitrust laws, trade and transaction reporting obligations, and 
broadened fiduciary obligations.

regimes  and 

requirements 

derivatives 

regulation, 

resolution 

In  some  areas,  regulatory  standards  are  subject  to  further 
rulemaking or transition periods or may otherwise be revised 
in  whole  or  in  part.  Ongoing  implementation  of,  or  changes 
in, including changes in interpretation or enforcement of, laws 
and  regulations  could  materially  impact  the  profitability  of 
our businesses and the value of assets we hold, expose us to 
additional costs, require changes to business practices or force 
us  to  discontinue  businesses,  adversely  affect  our  ability  to 
pay dividends and repurchase our stock or require us to raise 
capital,  including  in  ways  that  may  adversely  impact  our 
shareholders or creditors.

In  addition,  regulatory  requirements  that  are  being  imposed 
by foreign policymakers and regulators may be inconsistent or 
conflict with regulations that we are subject to in the U.S. and 
may  adversely  affect  us.  Legal  and  regulatory  requirements 
continue to be subject to ongoing change, which may result in 
significant  new  costs  to  comply  with  new  or  revised 
requirements  as  well  as  to  monitor  for  compliance  on  an 
ongoing basis.

The application of regulatory requirements and strategies in 
the  U.S.  or  other  jurisdictions  to  facilitate  the  orderly 
resolution of large financial institutions may pose a greater 
risk of loss for our security holders, and subject us to other 
restrictions.

event  of  material  financial  distress  or  failure.  If  the  Federal 
Reserve  and  the  FDIC  were  to  jointly  determine  that  our 
resolution  plan  submission  was  not  credible  or  would  not 
facilitate  an  orderly  resolution,  and  if  we  were  unable  to 
address  any  deficiencies  identified  by  the  regulators,  we  or 
any  of  our  subsidiaries  may  be  subject  to  more  stringent 
capital,  leverage,  or  liquidity  requirements  or  restrictions  on 
our  growth,  activities,  or  operations,  or  after  a  two-year 
period, we may be required to divest assets or operations.

In addition, provided that certain procedures are met, we can 
be  subject  to  a  resolution  proceeding  under  the  orderly 
liquidation  authority  under  Title  II  of  the  Dodd-Frank  Act 
with  the  FDIC  being  appointed  as  receiver.  The  FDIC’s 
power under the orderly liquidation authority to disregard the 
priority of creditor claims and treat similarly situated creditors 
differently 
to  certain 
in  certain  circumstances,  subject 
limitations,  could  adversely  impact  holders  of  our  unsecured 
debt.  See  “Business—Supervision  and  Regulation”  and 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources— Regulatory Requirements.”

Further,  because  both  our  resolution  plan  contemplates  an 
SPOE strategy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the FDIC 
has  proposed  an  SPOE  strategy  through  which  it  may  apply 
its  orderly  liquidation  authority  powers,  we  believe  that  the 
application  of  an  SPOE  strategy  is  the  reasonably  likely 
outcome  if  either  our  resolution  plan  were  implemented  or  a 
resolution  proceeding  were  commenced  under  the  orderly 
liquidation 
strategy  generally 
contemplates  the  provision  of  adequate  capital  and  liquidity 
by  the  Parent  Company  to  certain  of  its  subsidiaries  so  that 
such  subsidiaries  have  the  resources  necessary  to  implement 
the  resolution  strategy,  and  the  Parent  Company  has  entered 
into  a  secured  amended  and  restated  support  agreement  with 
its material entities, as defined in our resolution plan, pursuant 
to  which  it  would  provide  such  capital  and  liquidity  to  such 
entities.

authority.  An  SPOE 

In further development of our SPOE strategy, we have created 
a  wholly  owned,  direct  subsidiary  of  the  Parent  Company, 
Morgan Stanley Holdings LLC (“Funding IHC”), to serve as 
a  resolution  funding  vehicle.  The  Parent  Company  has 
transferred,  and  has  agreed  to  transfer  on  an  ongoing  basis, 
certain assets to the Funding IHC. In the event of a resolution 
scenario, 
to 
contribute  all  of  its  material  assets  that  can  be  contributed 
under  the  terms  of  the  amended  and  restated  support 
agreement  (other  than  shares  in  subsidiaries  of  the  Parent 
Company  and  certain  other  assets)  (“Contributable  Assets”), 
to the Funding IHC. The Funding IHC would be obligated to 
provide  capital  and  liquidity,  as  applicable,  to  our  material 
entities.

the  Parent  Company  would  be  obligated 

Pursuant  to  the  Dodd-Frank  Act,  we  are  required  to 
periodically  submit  to  the  Federal  Reserve  and  the  FDIC  a 
resolution  plan  that  describes  our  strategy  for  a  rapid  and 
orderly  resolution  under  the  U.S.  Bankruptcy  Code  in  the 

The obligations of the Parent Company and the Funding IHC 
under  the  amended  and  restated  support  agreement  are  in 
most  cases  secured  on  a  senior  basis  by  the  assets  of  the 
Parent  Company  (other  than  shares  in  subsidiaries  of  the 

December 2020 Form 10-K

18

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Parent  Company  and  certain  other  assets),  and  the  assets  of 
the Funding IHC. As a result, claims of our material entities, 
including  the  Funding  IHC,  against  the  assets  of  the  Parent 
Company  with  respect  to  such  secured  assets  are  effectively 
senior to unsecured obligations of the Parent Company.

that  we  intend  to  take.  Our  ability  to  take  capital  actions 
described  in  the  capital  plan  is  dependent  on,  among  other 
factors, the results of supervisory stress tests conducted by the 
Federal  Reserve  and  our  compliance  with  regulatory  capital 
standards imposed by the Federal Reserve.

Although an SPOE strategy, whether applied pursuant to our 
resolution plan or in a resolution proceeding under the orderly 
liquidation  authority,  is  intended  to  result  in  better  outcomes 
for creditors overall, there is no guarantee that the application 
of an SPOE strategy, including the provision of support to the 
Parent  Company’s  material  entities  pursuant  to  the  secured 
amended  and  restated  support  agreement,  will  not  result  in 
greater  losses  for  holders  of  our  securities  compared  to  a 
different resolution strategy for us.

Regulators  have  taken  and  proposed  various  actions  to 
facilitate an SPOE strategy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, 
the orderly liquidation authority and other resolution regimes. 
For  example,  the  Federal  Reserve  requires  top-tier  BHCs  of 
U.S.  G-SIBs,  including  the  Firm,  to  maintain  minimum 
amounts of equity and eligible long-term debt TLAC in order 
to  ensure  that  such  institutions  have  enough  loss-absorbing 
resources at the point of failure to be recapitalized through the 
conversion of debt to equity or otherwise by imposing losses 
on  eligible  TLAC  where  the  SPOE  strategy  is  used.  The 
combined implication of the SPOE resolution strategy and the 
TLAC  requirement  is  that  our  losses  will  be  imposed  on  the 
holders of eligible long-term debt and other forms of eligible 
TLAC  issued  by  the  Parent  Company  before  any  losses  are 
imposed  on  the  creditors  of  our  material  entities  or  before 
putting U.S. taxpayers at risk.

In addition, certain jurisdictions, including the U.K. and other 
E.U. jurisdictions, have implemented, or are in the process of 
implementing,  changes  to  resolution  regimes  to  provide 
resolution authorities with the ability to recapitalize a failing 
entity organized in such jurisdiction by writing down certain 
unsecured liabilities or converting certain unsecured liabilities 
into equity. Such “bail-in” powers are intended to enable the 
recapitalization of a failing institution by allocating losses to 
its shareholders and unsecured creditors. Non-U.S. regulators 
are  also  considering  requirements  that  certain  subsidiaries  of 
large  financial  institutions  maintain  minimum  amounts  of 
TLAC that would pass losses up from the subsidiaries to the 
Parent  Company  and,  ultimately,  to  security  holders  of  the 
Parent Company in the event of failure.

We may be prevented from paying dividends or taking other 
capital  actions  because  of  regulatory  constraints  or  revised 
regulatory capital standards.

We  are  subject  to  comprehensive  consolidated  supervision, 
regulation and examination by the Federal Reserve, including 
with respect to regulatory capital standards, stress testing and 
capital  planning.  We  submit,  on  at  least  an  annual  basis,  a 
capital  plan  to  the  Federal  Reserve  describing  proposed 
dividend  payments  to  shareholders,  proposed  repurchases  of 
our  outstanding  securities  and  other  proposed  capital  actions 

In  addition,  the  Federal  Reserve  may  change  regulatory 
capital  standards  to  impose  higher  requirements  that  restrict 
our  ability  to  take  capital  actions  or  may  modify  or  impose 
other  regulatory  standards  or  restrictions  that  increase  our 
operating  expenses  or  constrain  our  ability  to  take  capital 
actions. For example, on June 25, 2020, the Federal Reserve 
announced  that  it  would  bar  share  repurchases  and  limit 
common stock dividend payments in the third quarter of 2020 
for  all  large  BHCs,  and  on  September  30,  2020,  the 
restrictions were extended through the fourth quarter of 2020. 
On December 18, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that it 
was  extending  capital  action 
restrictions 
applicable to all large BHCs into the first quarter of 2021 with 
modifications to permit resumptions of share repurchases. The 
Federal  Reserve  may  extend  or  further  modify 
these 
restrictions  in  future  periods  or  impose  new  restrictions.  For 
additional  information,  see  “Management’s  Discussion  and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— 
Liquidity and Capital Resources” herein.

supervisory 

The  financial  services  industry  faces  substantial  litigation 
and  is  subject  to  extensive  regulatory  and  law  enforcement 
investigations,  and  we  may  face  damage  to  our  reputation 
and legal liability.

As  a  global  financial  services  firm,  we  face  the  risk  of 
investigations  and  proceedings  by  governmental  and  self-
regulatory organizations in all countries in which we conduct 
our business. Investigations and proceedings initiated by these 
authorities  may  result  in  adverse  judgments,  settlements, 
fines,  penalties,  injunctions  or  other  relief.  In  addition  to  the 
monetary  consequences,  these  measures  could,  for  example, 
impact  our  ability  to  engage  in,  or  impose  limitations  on, 
certain of our businesses.

industry  and  certain  U.S.  and 

These  investigations  and  proceedings,  as  well  as  the  amount 
of penalties and fines sought, continue to impact the financial 
services 
international 
governmental  entities  have  brought  criminal  actions  against, 
or  have  sought  criminal  convictions,  pleas  or  deferred 
prosecution 
institutions. 
Significant  regulatory  or  law  enforcement  action  against  us 
could  materially  adversely  affect  our  business,  financial 
condition  or  results  of  operations  or  cause  us  significant 
reputational harm, which could seriously harm our business.

agreements 

financial 

from, 

to 
The  Dodd-Frank  Act  also  provides  compensation 
the  SEC  or  CFTC  with 
whistleblowers  who  present 
information 
law 
violations that leads to a successful enforcement action. As a 
result  of  this  compensation,  it  is  possible  we  could  face  an 
increased number of investigations by the SEC or CFTC.

to  securities  or  commodities 

related 

19

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

We  have  been  named,  from  time  to  time,  as  a  defendant  in 
various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions and 
other  litigation,  as  well  as  investigations  or  proceedings 
brought by regulatory agencies, arising in connection with our 
activities as a global diversified financial services institution. 
Certain of the actual or threatened legal or regulatory actions 
include  claims  for  substantial  compensatory  and/or  punitive 
damages,  claims  for  indeterminate  amounts  of  damages,  or 
may result in penalties, fines, or other results adverse to us.

In some cases, the issuers that would otherwise be the primary 
defendants  in  such  cases  are  bankrupt  or  are  in  financial 
distress. In other cases, including antitrust litigation, we may 
be  subject  to  claims  for  joint  and  several  liability  with  other 
defendants for treble damages or other relief related to alleged 
conspiracies  involving  other  institutions.  Like  any  large 
corporation,  we  are  also  subject  to  risk  from  potential 
employee  misconduct, 
including  non-compliance  with 
policies  and  improper  use  or  disclosure  of  confidential 
information, or improper sales practices or conduct.

We  may  be  responsible  for  representations  and  warranties 
associated with residential and commercial real estate loans 
and may incur losses in excess of our reserves.

We  originate  loans  secured  by  commercial  and  residential 
properties. Further, we securitize and trade in a wide range of 
commercial  and  residential  real  estate  and  real  estate-related 
whole loans, mortgages and other real estate and commercial 
assets  and  products,  including  residential  and  CMBS.  In 
connection  with  these  activities,  we  have  provided,  or 
otherwise agreed to be responsible for, certain representations 
and  warranties.  Under  certain  circumstances,  we  may  be 
required  to  repurchase  such  assets  or  make  other  payments 
related  to  such  assets  if  such  representations  and  warranties 
were  breached.  We  have  also  made  representations  and 
warranties  in  connection  with  our  role  as  an  originator  of 
certain  commercial  mortgage  loans  that  we  securitized  in 
CMBS.  For  additional  information,  see  also  Note  15  to  the 
financial statements.

We currently have several legal proceedings related to claims 
for alleged breaches of representations and warranties. If there 
are decisions adverse to us in those legal proceedings, we may 
incur  losses  substantially  in  excess  of  our  reserves.  In 
addition, our reserves are based, in part, on certain factual and 
legal assumptions. If those assumptions are incorrect and need 
to  be  revised,  we  may  need 
to  adjust  our  reserves 
substantially.

A failure to address conflicts of interest appropriately could 
adversely affect our businesses and reputation.

As a global financial services firm that provides products and 
services to a large and diversified group of clients, including 
corporations,  governments, 
and 
individuals,  we  face  potential  conflicts  of  interest  in  the 
normal  course  of  business.  For  example,  potential  conflicts 
can occur when there is a divergence of interests between us 

institutions 

financial 

December 2020 Form 10-K

20

and a client, among clients, between an employee on the one 
hand and us or a client on the other, or situations in which we 
may  be  a  creditor  of  a  client.  Moreover,  we  also  utilize 
multiple  brands  and  business  channels,  including  those 
resulting  from  our  acquisitions,  and  continue  to  enhance  the 
collaboration  across  business  segments,  which  may  heighten 
the  potential  conflicts  of  interests  or  the  risk  of  improper 
sharing of information.

We have policies, procedures and controls that are designed to 
identify  and  address  potential  conflicts  of  interest,  and  we 
utilize  various  measures,  such  as  the  use  of  disclosure,  to 
manage  these  potential  conflicts.  However,  identifying  and 
mitigating  potential  conflicts  of  interest  can  be  complex  and 
challenging  and  can  become  the  focus  of  media  and 
regulatory  scrutiny.  Indeed,  actions  that  merely  appear  to 
create  a  conflict  can  put  our  reputation  at  risk  even  if  the 
likelihood  of  an  actual  conflict  has  been  mitigated.  It  is 
possible that potential conflicts could give rise to litigation or 
enforcement actions, which may lead to our clients being less 
willing  to  enter  into  transactions  in  which  a  conflict  may 
occur  and  could  adversely  affect  our  businesses  and 
reputation.

Our regulators have the ability to scrutinize our activities for 
potential  conflicts  of  interest,  including  through  detailed 
examinations of specific transactions. For example, our status 
as  a  BHC  supervised  by  the  Federal  Reserve  subjects  us  to 
direct  Federal  Reserve  scrutiny  with  respect  to  transactions 
between  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  and  their  affiliates. 
Further,  the  Volcker  Rule  subjects  us  to  regulatory  scrutiny 
regarding certain transactions between us and our clients.

Risk Management

Our risk management strategies, models and processes may 
not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposures in all 
market  environments  or  against  all  types  of  risk,  which 
could result in unexpected losses.

We  have  devoted  significant  resources  to  develop  our  risk 
management  capabilities  and  expect  to  continue  to  do  so  in 
the  future.  Nonetheless,  our  risk  management  strategies, 
models  and  processes,  including  our  use  of  various  risk 
for  assessing  market  exposures  and  hedging 
models 
strategies,  stress  testing  and  other  analysis,  may  not  be  fully 
effective  in  mitigating  our  risk  exposure  in  all  market 
environments or against all types of risk, including risks that 
are unidentified or unanticipated.

As our businesses change and grow, and the markets in which 
we  operate  evolve,  our  risk  management  strategies,  models 
and  processes  may  not  always  adapt  with  those  changes. 
Some  of  our  methods  of  managing  risk  are  based  upon  our 
use of observed historical market behavior and management’s 
judgment.  As  a  result,  these  methods  may  not  predict  future 
risk  exposures,  which  could  be  significantly  greater  than  the 
historical measures indicate.

Table of Contents

In addition, many models we use are based on assumptions or 
inputs  regarding  correlations  among  prices  of  various  asset 
classes  or  other  market  indicators  and  therefore  cannot 
anticipate  sudden,  unanticipated  or  unidentified  market  or 
economic  movements,  such  as  the  impact  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic, which could cause us to incur losses.

Management  of  market,  credit,  liquidity,  operational,  model, 
legal,  regulatory  and  compliance  risks  requires,  among  other 
things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a 
large  number  of  transactions  and  events,  and  these  policies 
and  procedures  may  not  be  fully  effective.  Our  trading  risk 
management  strategies  and  techniques  also  seek  to  balance 
our ability to profit from trading positions with our exposure 
to potential losses.

While  we  employ  a  broad  and  diversified  set  of  risk 
monitoring  and  risk  mitigation  techniques,  those  techniques 
and  the  judgments  that  accompany  their  application  cannot 
anticipate  every  economic  and  financial  outcome  or  the 
timing of such outcomes. For example, to the extent that our 
trading  or  investing  activities  involve  less  liquid  trading 
markets  or  are  otherwise  subject  to  restrictions  on  sales  or 
hedging,  we  may  not  be  able  to  reduce  our  positions  and 
therefore  reduce  our  risk  associated  with  such  positions.  We 
may,  therefore,  incur  losses  in  the  course  of  our  trading  or 
investing activities. For more information on how we monitor 
and  manage  market  and  certain  other  risks  and  related 
strategies,  models  and  processes,  see  “Quantitative  and 
Qualitative Disclosures about Risk—Market Risk.”

Planned  replacement  of  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate 
interest  rate 
and  replacement  or  reform  of  other 
benchmarks  could  adversely  affect  our  business,  financial 
condition and results of operations.

Central  banks  around  the  world,  including  the  Federal 
Reserve,  have  commissioned  working  groups  of  market 
participants  and  official  sector  representatives  to  replace 
LIBOR and replace or reform other interest rate benchmarks 
(collectively,  the  “IBORs”).  A  transition  away  from  the 
widespread  use  of  such  rates  to  alternative  rates  and  other 
potential interest rate benchmark reforms has begun and will 
continue over the course of the next few years. There remains 
a  likelihood  that  most  IBORs  will  not  be  available  beyond 
2021,  and  regulators  globally  have  continued  to  emphasize 
the need for the industry to plan accordingly.

The  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of  New  York  now  publishes  the 
Secured  Overnight  Financing  Rate  based  on  overnight  U.S. 
Treasury  repurchase  agreement  transactions,  which  has  been 
recommended as the alternative to U.S. dollar LIBOR by the 
Alternative  Reference  Rates  Committee  convened  by  the 
Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 
Further,  the  Bank  of  England  publishes  a  reformed  Sterling 
Overnight  Index  Average,  comprised  of  a  broader  set  of 
overnight Sterling money market transactions, which has been 
selected  by  the  Working  Group  on  Sterling  Risk-Free 
Reference  Rates  as  the  alternative  rate  to  Sterling  LIBOR. 

Central  bank-sponsored  committees  in  other  jurisdictions, 
including  Europe,  Japan  and  Switzerland,  have  selected 
alternative reference rates denominated in other currencies.

The  market  transition  away  from  IBORs  to  alternative 
reference rates is complex and could have a range of adverse 
impacts  on  our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations. In particular, such transition or reform could:

• Adversely impact the pricing, liquidity, value of, return on 
and  trading  for  a  broad  array  of  financial  products, 
including any IBOR-linked securities, loans and derivatives 
that are included in our financial assets and liabilities;

• Require  extensive  changes  to  documentation  that  governs 
or references IBOR or IBOR-based products, including, for 
example,  pursuant  to  time-consuming  renegotiations  of 
existing documentation to modify the terms of outstanding 
securities and related hedging transactions;

• Result in a population of products with documentation that 
governs  or  references  IBOR  or  IBOR-based  products  but 
that  cannot  be  amended  due  to  an  inability  to  obtain 
sufficient consent from counterparties or product owners;
• Result  in  inquiries  or  other  actions  from  regulators  in 
respect  of  our  (or  the  market’s)  preparation  and  readiness 
for  the  replacement  of  an  IBOR  with  one  or  more 
alternative reference rates;

• Result  in  disputes,  litigation  or  other  actions  with  clients, 
counterparties  and  investors,  in  various  scenarios,  such  as 
regarding the interpretation and enforceability of provisions 
in IBOR-based products such as fallback language or other 
related provisions, including in the case of fallbacks to the 
alternative reference rates, any economic, legal, operational 
or other impact resulting from the fundamental differences 
between  the  IBORs  and  the  various  alternative  reference 
rates;

• Require  the  transition  and/or  development  of  appropriate 
systems  and  analytics  to  effectively  transition  our  risk 
management  processes  from  IBORs  to  those  based  on  one 
or  more  alternative  reference  rates  in  a  timely  manner, 
including  by  quantifying  value  and  risk  for  various 
alternative  reference  rates,  which  may  prove  challenging 
given  the  limited  history  of  the  proposed  alternative 
reference rates; and

• Cause us to incur additional costs in relation to any of the 

above factors.

Other  factors  include  the  pace  of  the  transition  to  the 
alternative  reference  rates,  timing  mismatches  between  cash 
and derivative markets, the specific terms and parameters for 
and  market  acceptance  of  any  alternative  reference  rate, 
market  conventions  for  the  use  of  any  alternative  reference 
rate  in  connection  with  a  particular  product  (including  the 
timing  and  market  adoption  of  any  conventions  proposed  or 
recommended by any industry or other group), prices of and 
the  liquidity  of  trading  markets  for  products  based  on 
alternative  reference  rates,  and  our  ability  to  transition  and 
develop  appropriate  systems  and  analytics  for  one  or  more 
alternative reference rates.

21

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

See also "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition 
of  Operations—Regulatory 
Requirements" herein.

and  Results 

Competitive Environment

We  face  strong  competition  from  financial  services  firms 
and others, which could lead to pricing pressures that could 
materially adversely affect our revenue and profitability.

The  financial  services  industry  and  all  aspects  of  our 
businesses  are  intensely  competitive,  and  we  expect  them  to 
remain  so.  We  compete  with  commercial  banks,  brokerage 
firms, insurance companies, exchanges, electronic trading and 
clearing  platforms,  financial  data  repositories,  sponsors  of 
fund  managers,  energy 
funds, 
mutual 
companies,  financial  technology  firms  and  other  companies 
offering  financial  or  ancillary  services  in  the  U.S.,  globally 
and digitally or through the internet. We compete on the basis 
of  several  factors,  including  transaction  execution,  capital  or 
access 
innovation, 
technology, reputation, risk appetite and price.

to  capital,  products  and  services, 

funds,  hedge 

Over  time,  certain  sectors  of  the  financial  services  industry 
have become more concentrated, as institutions involved in a 
broad  range  of  financial  services  have  left  businesses,  been 
acquired  by  or  merged  into  other  firms,  or  have  declared 
bankruptcy.  Such  changes  could  result  in  our  remaining 
competitors  gaining  greater  capital  and  other  resources,  such 
as the ability to offer a broader range of products and services 
and geographic diversity, or new competitors may emerge.

We have experienced and may continue to experience pricing 
pressures  as  a  result  of  these  factors  and  as  some  of  our 
competitors  seek  to  obtain  market  share  by  reducing  prices, 
eliminating  commissions  or  other  fees,  or  providing  more 
favorable  terms  of  business.  In  addition,  certain  of  our 
competitors  may  be  subject  to  different,  and,  in  some  cases, 
less  stringent,  legal  and  regulatory  regimes,  than  we  are, 
thereby  putting  us  at  a  competitive  disadvantage.  Some  new 
competitors in the financial technology sector have sought to 
target  existing  segments  of  our  businesses  that  could  be 
susceptible  to  disruption  by  innovative  or  less  regulated 
business  models.  For  more 
the 
competitive environment in which we operate, see “Business
—Competition” 
and 
Regulation.”

“Business—Supervision 

information  regarding 

and 

Automated  trading  markets  and  the  introduction  and 
application  of  new  technologies  may  adversely  affect  our 
business and may increase competition.

We  have  experienced  intense  price  competition  in  some  of 
our  businesses  in  recent  years.  In  particular,  the  ability  to 
execute  securities,  derivatives  and  other  financial  instrument 
trades  electronically  on  exchanges,  swap  execution  facilities, 
other  automated  trading  platforms  and  the  introduction  and 
application of new technologies has increased the pressure on 
bid-offer spreads, commissions, markups or comparable fees. 

December 2020 Form 10-K

22

The  trend  toward  direct  access  to  automated,  electronic 
markets  will  likely  continue  and  will  likely  increase  as 
trading 
additional  markets  move 
platforms.  We  have  experienced  and  it  is  likely  that  we  will 
continue  to  experience  competitive  pressures  in  these  and 
other areas in the future as some of our competitors may seek 
to  obtain  market  share  by  reducing  or  eliminating  bid-offer 
spreads, commissions, markups or fees.

to  more  automated 

Our  ability  to  retain  and  attract  qualified  employees  is 
critical to the success of our business and the failure to do 
so may materially adversely affect our performance.

Our people are our most important asset and competition for 
qualified employees is intense. If we are unable to continue to 
attract  and  retain  highly  qualified  employees,  or  do  so  at 
levels  or  in  forms  necessary  to  maintain  our  competitive 
position,  or  if  compensation  costs  required  to  attract  and 
retain  employees  become  more  expensive,  our  performance, 
including  our  competitive  position  and  results  of  operations, 
could be materially adversely affected.

stringent 

The  financial  industry  has  experienced  and  may  continue  to 
employee 
experience  more 
compensation,  including  limitations  relating  to  incentive-
based  compensation,  clawback  requirements  and  special 
taxation, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to 
hire or retain the most qualified employees.

regulation 

of 

International Risk

We  are  subject  to  numerous  political,  economic,  legal,  tax, 
operational,  franchise  and  other  risks  as  a  result  of  our 
international  operations  which  could  adversely  impact  our 
businesses in many ways.

We  are  subject  to  numerous  political,  economic,  legal,  tax, 
operational,  franchise  and  other  risks  that  are  inherent  in 
operating  in  many  countries,  including  risks  of  possible 
nationalization, expropriation, price controls, capital controls, 
exchange  controls,  increased  taxes  and  levies,  and  other 
restrictive  governmental  actions,  as  well  as  the  outbreak  of 
hostilities  or  political  and  governmental  instability.  In  many 
countries, the laws and regulations applicable to the securities 
and  financial  services  industries  are  uncertain  and  evolving, 
and  it  may  be  difficult  for  us  to  determine  the  exact 
requirements of local laws in every market.

Our  inability  to  remain  in  compliance  with  local  laws  in  a 
particular market could have a significant and negative effect 
not  only  on  our  business  in  that  market  but  also  on  our 
reputation  generally.  We  are  also  subject  to  the  risk  that 
transactions  we  structure  might  not  be  legally  enforceable  in 
all cases.

Various  emerging  market  countries  have  experienced  severe 
political,  economic  or 
including 
significant  devaluations  of  their  currencies,  defaults  or 
potential  defaults  on  sovereign  debt,  capital  and  currency 
exchange controls, high rates of inflation and low or negative 

financial  disruptions, 

Table of Contents

growth  rates  in  their  economies.  Crime  and  corruption,  as 
well  as  issues  of  security  and  personal  safety,  also  exist  in 
certain  of  these  countries.  These  conditions  could  adversely 
impact  our  businesses  and  increase  volatility  in  financial 
markets generally.

emergencies,  natural  disasters, 

A disease pandemic, such as COVID-19, or other widespread 
health 
climate-related 
incidents,  terrorist  activities  or  military  actions,  or  social  or 
political  tensions,  could  create  economic  and  financial 
disruptions in emerging markets or in other areas of the global 
economy that could adversely affect our businesses, or could 
lead  to  operational  difficulties  (including  travel  limitations) 
that  could  impair  our  ability  to  manage  or  conduct  our 
businesses around the world.

As  a  U.S.  company,  we  are  required  to  comply  with  the 
economic  sanctions  and  embargo  programs  administered  by 
OFAC  and  similar  multi-national  bodies  and  governmental 
agencies  worldwide,  as  well  as  applicable  anti-corruption 
laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, such as the U.S. 
Foreign  Corrupt  Practices  Act  and  the  U.K.  Bribery  Act.  A 
violation  of  a  sanction,  embargo  program,  or  anti-corruption 
law  could  subject  us,  and  individual  employees,  to  a 
regulatory enforcement action as well as significant civil and 
criminal penalties.

The  U.K.’s  withdrawal  from  the  E.U.  and  the  resulting 
uncertainty regarding the future regulatory landscape could 
adversely affect us.

It  is  difficult  to  predict  the  future  of  the  U.K.’s  relationship 
with  the  E.U.,  the  uncertainty  of  which  may  increase  the 
volatility  in  the  global  financial  markets  in  the  short-  and 
medium-term and may negatively disrupt regional and global 
financial  markets.  Additionally,  depending  on  the  outcome, 
such  uncertainty  may  adversely  affect  the  manner  in  which 
we operate certain of our businesses in Europe.

On January 31, 2020, the U.K. withdrew from the E.U. under 
the  terms  of  a  withdrawal  agreement  between  the  U.K.  and 
the E.U. The withdrawal agreement provided for a transition 
period  to  the  end  of  December  2020,  during  which  time  the 
U.K. would continue to apply E.U. law as if it were a member 
state,  and  U.K.  firms'  passporting  rights  to  provide  financial 
services in E.U. jurisdictions continued. 

On December 24, 2020 the U.K. and the E.U. announced they 
had  reached  agreement  on  the  terms  of  a  trade  and  co-
operation agreement to govern the future relationship between 
the  parties.  The  agreement  consists  of  three  main  pillars 
including trade, citizens’ security and governance, covering a 
variety  of  arrangements  in  several  areas.  The  agreement  is 
provisionally  applicable  with  effect  from  January  1,  2021 
pending formal ratification by the E.U.

more  limited  equivalence  decisions,  leaving  decisions  on 
equivalence  and  adequacy  to  be  determined  by  each  of  the 
U.K.  and  E.U.  unilaterally  in  due  course.  As  a  result,  U.K. 
licensed entities are unable to provide regulated services in a 
number of E.U. jurisdictions from the end of December 2020, 
absent  regulatory  relief  or  other  measures  implemented  by 
individual countries. 

While we have restructured our European operations to ensure 
that  we  can  continue  to  provide  cross-border  banking  and 
investment  and  other  services  in  E.U.  member  states,  there 
continues  to  be  uncertainty  regarding  the  future  regulatory 
landscape  which  could  impact  our  European  operations 
beyond  those  implemented  or  planned,  as  a  result  of  which 
our  results  of  operations  and  business  prospects  could  be 
negatively affected. See also “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—
Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—Regulatory  Requirements
—Regulatory Developments.”

Acquisition, Divestiture and Joint Venture Risk

We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from 
acquisitions,  divestitures,  joint  ventures,  minority  stakes  or 
strategic alliances, and certain acquisitions may subject our 
business to new or increased risk.

In  connection  with  past  or  future  acquisitions,  divestitures, 
joint ventures, minority stakes or strategic alliances (including 
with  MUFG),  we  face  numerous  risks  and  uncertainties  in 
combining, transferring, separating or integrating the relevant 
businesses  and  systems,  including  the  need  to  combine  or 
separate  accounting  and  data  processing  systems  and 
management  controls  and  to  integrate  relationships  with 
clients,  trading  counterparties  and  business  partners.  Certain 
of  these  strategic  initiatives,  and  integration  thereof,  may 
cause us to incur incremental expenses and may also require 
incremental financial, management and other resources. 

For  example,  our  acquisition  and  integration  of  E*TRADE 
involves  a  number  of  risks,  including  failure  to  realize 
anticipated  cost  savings  and  funding  synergies  of  the 
acquisition and difficulty integrating the two businesses. It is 
possible  that  the  integration  process  could  also  result  in 
the  E*TRADE  self-directed 
unanticipated  disruption 
brokerage platform, the loss of key Morgan Stanley or legacy 
E*TRADE  employees,  the  loss  of  clients,  or  an  overall 
integration  process 
than  originally 
takes 
anticipated.

longer 

that 

to 

In  the  case  of  joint  ventures  and  minority  stakes,  we  are 
subject  to  additional  risks  and  uncertainties  because  we  may 
be  dependent  upon,  and  subject  to  liability,  losses  or 
to  systems,  controls  and 
reputational  damage  relating 
personnel that are not under our control. 

With respect to financial services, although the U.K. chose to 
grant  the  E.U.  equivalence  in  a  number  of  key  areas  under 
European  financial  regulations,  the  E.U.  only  made  certain 

In addition, conflicts or disagreements between us and any of 
our joint venture partners may negatively impact the benefits 
to be achieved by the relevant joint venture.

23

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

successfully 

investments  will  be 

There is no assurance that any of our acquisitions, divestitures 
or 
integrated  or 
disaggregated  or  yield  all  of  the  positive  benefits  and 
synergies  anticipated.  If  we  are  not  able  to  integrate  or 
disaggregate  successfully  our  past  and  future  acquisitions  or 
dispositions,  there  is  a  risk  that  our  results  of  operations, 
financial  condition  and  cash  flows  may  be  materially  and 
adversely affected.

Certain  of  our  business  initiatives,  including  expansions  of 
existing  businesses,  may  bring  us  into  contact,  directly  or 
indirectly, with individuals and entities that are not within our 
traditional client and counterparty base and may expose us to 
new  asset  classes,  services,  competitors,  and  new  markets. 
These  business  activities  expose  us  to  new  and  enhanced 
risks, greater regulatory scrutiny of these activities, increased 
credit-related,  sovereign  and  operational  risks,  as  well  as 
franchise  and  reputational  concerns  regarding  the  manner  in 
which these assets are being operated or held, or services are 
being delivered.

For more information regarding the regulatory environment in 
which  we  operate,  see  also  “Business—Supervision  and 
Regulation.”

December 2020 Form 10-K

24

Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

through 

Morgan  Stanley  is  a  global  financial  services  firm  that 
maintains significant market positions in each of its business 
segments—Institutional  Securities,  Wealth  Management  and 
Investment  Management.  Morgan  Stanley, 
its 
subsidiaries and affiliates, provides a wide variety of products 
and  services  to  a  large  and  diversified  group  of  clients  and 
customers,  including  corporations,  governments,  financial 
institutions  and  individuals.  Unless  the  context  otherwise 
requires, the terms “Morgan Stanley,” “Firm,” “us,” “we” or 
“our” mean Morgan Stanley (the “Parent Company”) together 
with  its  consolidated  subsidiaries.  Disclosures  reflect  the 
effects of the acquisition of E*TRADE Financial Corporation 
(“E*TRADE”)  prospectively  from 
the  acquisition  date, 
October  2,  2020.  See  the  “Glossary  of  Common  Terms  and 
Acronyms”  for  the  definition  of  certain  terms  and  acronyms 
used  throughout  this  Form  10-K.  For  an  analysis  of  2019 
results  compared  with  2018  results,  see  Part  II,  Item  7, 
“Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations” in the annual report on 
Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2019 filed with 
the SEC.

A  description  of  the  clients  and  principal  products  and 
services of each of our business segments is as follows:

Institutional  Securities  provides  investment  banking,  sales 
and  trading,  lending  and  other  services  to  corporations, 
governments,  financial  institutions  and  high  to  ultra-high 
net  worth  clients.  Investment  banking  services  consist  of 
capital  raising  and  financial  advisory  services,  including 
services  relating  to  the  underwriting  of  debt,  equity  and 
other  securities,  as  well  as  advice  on  mergers  and 
acquisitions,  restructurings,  real  estate  and  project  finance. 
Sales  and  trading  services  include  sales,  financing,  prime 
brokerage  and  market-making  activities  in  the  equity  and 
fixed 
include 
income  businesses.  Lending  activities 
originating  corporate  loans  and  commercial  real  estate 
loans,  providing  secured  lending  facilities,  and  extending 
financing  to  sales  and  trading  customers.  Other  activities 
include Asia wealth management services, investments and 
research.

Wealth  Management  provides  a  comprehensive  array  of 
financial services and solutions to individual investors and 
small to medium-sized businesses and institutions covering: 
financial  advisor-led  brokerage  and  investment  advisory 
services; 
including 
through  the  E*TRADE  platform;  financial  and  wealth 
planning services; workplace services including stock plan 
administration;  annuity  and  insurance  products;  securities-
based lending, residential real estate loans and other lending 
products; banking; and retirement plan services.

self-directed  brokerage 

services, 

Investment  Management  provides  a  broad  range  of 
investment  strategies  and  products  that  span  geographies, 
asset  classes,  and  public  and  private  markets  to  a  diverse 
group  of  clients  across  institutional  and  intermediary 
channels.  Strategies  and  products,  which  are  offered 
through  a  variety  of  investment  vehicles,  include  equity, 
fixed  income,  liquidity  and  alternative/other  products. 
Institutional 
include  defined  benefit/defined 
contribution  plans,  foundations,  endowments,  government 
entities,  sovereign  wealth  funds,  insurance  companies, 
third-party  fund  sponsors  and  corporations.  Individual 
clients  are  generally  served 
intermediaries, 
including affiliated and non-affiliated distributors.

through 

clients 

Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  includes  certain 
metrics that we believe to be useful to us, investors, analysts 
and  other  stakeholders  by  providing  further  transparency 
about,  or  an  additional  means  of  assessing,  our  financial 
condition and operating results. Such metrics, when used, are 
defined  and  may  be  different  from  or  inconsistent  with 
metrics used by other companies.

The  results  of  operations  in  the  past  have  been,  and  in  the 
to  be,  materially  affected  by: 
future  may  continue 
competition;  risk  factors;  legislative,  legal  and  regulatory 
developments; and other factors. These factors also may have 
an  adverse  impact  on  our  ability  to  achieve  our  strategic 
objectives.  Additionally,  the  discussion  of  our  results  of 
operations  herein  may  contain  forward-looking  statements. 
These  statements,  which  reflect  management’s  beliefs  and 
expectations,  are  subject  to  risks  and  uncertainties  that  may 
cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially.  For  a  discussion  of 
the  risks  and  uncertainties  that  may  affect  our  future  results, 
see 
“Business—
Competition,”  “Business—Supervision  and  Regulation,” 
“Risk  Factors”  and  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—
Regulatory Requirements” herein.

“Forward-Looking 

Statements,” 

25

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Overview of Financial Results

Consolidated Results—Year ended December 31, 2020

• Firm Net revenues were up 16% and Net income applicable 
to  Morgan  Stanley  was  up  22%,  reflecting  strength  across 
all  business  segments,  and  resulting  in  an  ROTCE  of 
15.2%,  or  15.4%  excluding  the  impact  of  E*TRADE 
integration-related  expenses  (see  “Selected  Non-GAAP 
Financial Information” herein).

• Institutional  Securities  Net  revenues  of  $26  billion 
increased 27% from the prior year and segment Net income 
applicable to Morgan Stanley increased 52% from the prior 
year.  These  increases  were  the  result  of  higher  sales  and 
trading  revenues  on  strong  client  engagement  and  market 
volatility,  combined  with  an  increase  in  underwriting 
revenues on elevated volumes, supported by a constructive 
market environment.

• Wealth  Management  delivered  a  pre-tax  profit  margin  of 
23.0%,  or  24.2%  excluding  integration-related  expenses 
(see  “Selected  Non-GAAP  Financial  Information”  herein). 
Results  reflect  higher  Asset  management  revenues,  driven 
by  growth  in  client  assets,  higher  Transactional  revenues, 
and  incremental  revenues  as  a  result  of  the  E*TRADE 
acquisition.

• Investment  Management  reported  long-term  net  flows  of 
$41  billion  in  2020  and  AUM  of  $781  billion  as  of 
December  31,  2020,  resulting  in  an  increase  in  Asset 
management  revenues  of  15%  compared  with  the  prior 
year.

• The  Firm  expense  efficiency  ratio  was  70%  for  the  year, 
both  including  and  excluding  the  impact  of  integration-
related  expenses  (See  “Selected  Non-GAAP  Financial 
Information” herein).

• Our  provision  for  credit  losses  on  loans  and  lending 

commitments was $762 million. 

• At  December  31,  2020,  our  standardized  Common  Equity 

Tier 1 capital ratio was 17.4%. 

Strategic Transactions

• On  October  2,  2020,  we  completed  the  acquisition  of 
E*TRADE.  For 
information,  see  “Business 
Segments—Wealth Management” herein and Note 3 to the 
financial statements.

further 

• On October 8, 2020, we entered into a definitive agreement 
under  which  we  will  acquire  Eaton  Vance  Corp.  (“Eaton 
Vance”),  subject  to  customary  closing  conditions.  For 
further  information,  see  “Business  Segments—Investment 
Management” herein.

December 2020 Form 10-K

26

Net Revenues
($ in millions)

Net Income Applicable to Morgan Stanley
($ in millions)

Earnings per Diluted Common Share

2020 Compared with 2019 

• We  reported  net  revenues  of  $48,198  million  in  2020 
compared  with  $41,419  million  in  2019.  For  2020,  net 
income applicable to Morgan Stanley was $10,996 million, 
or $6.46 per diluted common share, compared with $9,042 
million, or $5.19 per diluted common share, in 2019.

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Non-interest Expenses1
($ in millions)

• The  provision  for  income  taxes  in  2019  includes  net 
discrete  tax  benefits  of  $475  million,  primarily  associated 
with  remeasurement  of  reserves  and  related  interest  as  a 
result  of  new  information  pertaining  to  the  resolution  of 
multi-jurisdiction  tax  examinations,  as  well  as  benefits 
related to conversion of employee share-based awards.

Business Segment Results

Net Revenues by Segment1
($ in millions)

1. The  percentages  on 

the  contribution  of 
compensation and benefits expenses and non-compensation expenses to the total. 

the  chart  represent 

the  bars 

in 

the 

formulaic  payout 

• Compensation and benefits expenses of $20,854 million in 
2020  increased  11%  from  the  prior  year,  primarily  as  a 
result  of  increases  in  discretionary  incentive  compensation 
and 
to  Wealth  Management 
representatives driven by higher revenues, higher expenses 
related  to  certain  deferred  compensation  plans  linked  to 
investment  performance,  and  incremental  compensation  as 
a result of the E*TRADE acquisition. These increases were 
partially  offset  by  lower  compensation  associated  with 
carried interest.

Net Income Applicable to Morgan Stanley by Segment1
($ in millions)

• Non-compensation  expenses  of  $12,926  million  in  2020 
increased 15% from the prior year, primarily as a result of 
higher volume-related expenses, incremental operating and 
other  expenses  as  a  result  of  the  E*TRADE  acquisition, 
integration-related 
information 
processing  and  communications  expenses,  and  an  increase 
in the provision for credit losses for lending commitments, 
partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  marketing  and  business 
development expenses.

expenses, 

increased 

Income Taxes

• The  increase  in  the  Firm’s  effective  tax  rate  in  2020 
compared with the prior year is primarily due to the higher 
level  of  earnings  and  lower  net  discrete  tax  benefits.  In 
2020, net discrete tax benefits were $122 million, primarily 
related to the conversion of employee share-based awards.

1. The  percentages  on  the  bars  in  the  charts  represent  the  contribution  of  each 
business segment to the total of the applicable financial category and may not total 
to 100% due to intersegment eliminations. See Note 23 to the financial statements 
for details of intersegment eliminations.

27

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

increased  27%  from 

• Institutional  Securities  net  revenues  of  $25,948  million  in 
2020 
the  prior  year,  primarily 
reflecting  higher  revenues  from  sales  and  trading  and 
underwriting, partially offset by losses on loans and lending 
commitments held for sale and an increase in the provision 
for credit losses on loans held for investment.

• Wealth  Management  net  revenues  of  $19,055  million  in 
2020,  including  the  incremental  impact  of  the  E*TRADE 
acquisition,  increased  7%  from  the  prior  year,  primarily 
reflecting  higher  Asset  management  revenues,  driven  by 
growth in client assets, and higher Transactional revenues, 
largely  driven  by  higher  Commissions  and  fees,  partially 
offset by lower Net interest.

• Investment Management net revenues of $3,734 million in 
2020  were  relatively  unchanged  from  the  prior  year, 
primarily reflecting lower accrued carried interest, offset by 
higher  Asset  management  revenues  resulting  from  higher 
average AUM.

Net Revenues by Region1, 2
($ in millions)

1. The percentages on the bars in the charts represent the contribution of each region 

to the total. 

2. For a discussion of how the geographic breakdown for net revenues is determined, 

see Note 23 to the financial statements.

Revenues in Asia increased 32% in 2020, primarily driven by 
sales  and  trading  within  the  Institutional  Securities  business 
segment.  Revenues  in  the  Americas  increased  16%  in  2020, 
primarily  driven  by  the  Institutional  Securities  and  Wealth 
in  EMEA 
Management  business  segments.  Revenues 
increased 6% in 2020, primarily driven by fixed income sales 
and  trading  within  the  Institutional  Securities  business 
segment.

December 2020 Form 10-K

28

Selected Financial Information and Other Statistical Data

$ in millions, except per share data

2020

2019

2018

Consolidated results

Net revenues

Earnings applicable to Morgan Stanley 

common shareholders

Earnings per diluted common share1

Consolidated financial measures
Expense efficiency ratio2
Adjusted expense efficiency ratio2, 4
ROE3
Adjusted ROE3, 4
ROTCE3, 4
Adjusted ROTCE3, 4
Pre-tax margin5
Pre-tax margin by segment5

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management
Wealth Management, adjusted4

Investment Management

in millions, except per share data and as noted
Liquidity resources6
Loans7

Total assets

Deposits

Borrowings

Common shares outstanding

Common shareholders' equity
Tangible common shareholders’ equity4
Book value per common share8
Tangible book value per common share4, 8
Worldwide employees9 (in thousands)

Capital ratios10

Common Equity Tier 1 capital—Standardized

Common Equity Tier 1 capital—Advanced

Tier 1 capital—Standardized

Tier 1 capital—Advanced
SLR11

Tier 1 leverage

$  48,198  $  41,419  $  40,107 

$  10,500  $  8,512  $  8,222 

$ 

6.46  $ 

5.19  $ 

4.73 

 70.1 %

 72.7 %

 72.0 %

 69.6 %

 72.7 %

 72.0 %

 13.1 %

 11.7 %

 11.8 %

 13.3 %

 11.7 %

 11.8 %

 15.2 %

 13.4 %

 13.5 %

 15.4 %

 29.9 %

 13.4 %

 27.3 %

 13.5 %

 28.0 %

 35.3 %

 26.9 %

 30.4 %

 23.0 %

 27.2 %

 26.2 %

 24.2 %

 27.2 %

 26.2 %

 23.3 %

 26.2 %

 16.9 %

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

338,623  $ 

150,597  $ 

1,115,862  $ 

310,782  $ 

217,079  $ 

1,810   

92,531  $ 

75,916  $ 

51.13  $ 

41.95  $ 

68   

 17.4 %

 17.7 %

 19.4 %

 19.8 %

 7.4 %

 8.4 %

215,868 

130,637 

895,429 

190,356 

192,627 

1,594 

73,029 

63,780 

45.82 

40.01 

60 

 16.4 %

 16.9 %

 18.6 %

 19.2 %

 6.4 %

 8.3 %

1.

2.

For further information on diluted earnings (loss) per common share, see Note 18 
to the financial statements.
The  expense  efficiency  ratio  represents  total  non-interest  expenses  as  a 
percentage of net revenues.

3. ROE  and  ROTCE  represent  earnings  applicable  to  Morgan  Stanley  common 
shareholders  as  a  percentage  of  average  common  equity  and  average  tangible 
common equity, respectively.

4. Represents  a  non-GAAP  financial  measure.  See  “Selected  Non-GAAP  Financial 

Information” herein.

5. Pre-tax  margin  represents  income  before  income  taxes  as  a  percentage  of  net 

6.

revenues. 
For  a  discussion  of  Liquidity  Resources,  see  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—
Liquidity Risk Management Framework—Liquidity Resources” herein.

7. Amounts include loans held for investment (net of allowance) and loans held for 
sale  but  exclude  loans  at  fair  value,  which  are  included  in Trading  assets  in  the 
balance sheets. See Note 10 to the financial statements.

8. Book value per common share and tangible book value per common share equal 
tangible  common  shareholders’  equity, 

common  shareholders’  equity  and 
respectively, divided by common shares outstanding.

9. As of December 31, 2020, the number of employees includes legacy E*TRADE.
10. For  a  discussion  of  our  capital  ratios,  see  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—

Regulatory Requirements” herein.

11. At December 31, 2020, our SLR reflects the impact of a Federal Reserve interim 
final rule in effect until March 31, 2021. For further information, see “Liquidity and 
Capital Resources—Regulatory Requirements” herein.

 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) Pandemic

related  voluntary  and 
The  COVID-19  pandemic  and 
government-imposed  social  and  business  restrictions  have 
had,  and  will  likely  continue  to  have,  a  severe  impact  on 
global economic conditions and the environment in which we 
operate  our  businesses.  We  have  a  return-to-workplace 
program,  which  is  based  on  role,  location  and  employee 
willingness and ability to return and focused on the health and 
safety  of  all  staff.  At  this  time,  however,  we  do  not  expect 
significant  numbers  of  staff  to  return  to  offices  before  the 
third  quarter  of  2021.  The  Firm  continues  to  be  fully 
operational,  with  approximately  90%  of  employees  in  the 
Americas  and  globally  working  from  home  as  of  December 
31, 2020.

Though we are unable to estimate the extent of the impact, the 
ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic  and  related  global  economic 
crisis  may  have  adverse  impacts  on  our  future  operating 
results.  To  date,  given  our  business  model,  economic 
conditions have affected our businesses in different ways. We 
have  increased  our  allowance  for  credit  losses  on  loans  and 
lending commitments, and the persistence of low interest rates 
has  continued  to  negatively  affect  our  net  interest  margin  in 
the  Wealth  Management  business  segment.  Overall  for  the 
Firm, increased client trading and capital markets activity has 
benefited  Institutional  Securities  business  segment  results  in 
Sales  and  trading  and  Investment  banking  underwriting 
revenues.  However,  the  high  levels  of  client  trading  and 
capital  markets  activity  experienced  in  the  current  year  may 
not  be  repeated  and  certain  other  client-driven  activity  could 
become  subdued.  Refer  to  “Risk  Factors”  and  “Forward-
Looking Statements.”

Selected Non-GAAP Financial Information

We prepare our financial statements using U.S. GAAP. From 
time  to  time,  we  may  disclose  certain  “non-GAAP  financial 
measures”  in  this  document  or  in  the  course  of  our  earnings 
releases,  earnings  and  other  conference  calls,  financial 
presentations,  definitive  proxy  statement  and  otherwise.  A 
“non-GAAP  financial  measure”  excludes,  or 
includes, 
amounts  from 
the  most  directly  comparable  measure 
calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We 
consider the non-GAAP financial measures we disclose to be 
useful  to  us,  investors,  analysts  and  other  stakeholders  by 
providing further transparency about, or an alternate means of 
assessing  or  comparing  our  financial  condition,  operating 
results and capital adequacy. 

These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, 
U.S.  GAAP  and  may  be  different  from  or  inconsistent  with 
non-GAAP  financial  measures  used  by  other  companies. 
Whenever we refer to a non-GAAP financial measure, we will 
also  generally  define 
the  most  directly 
comparable  financial  measure  calculated  and  presented  in 
accordance  with  U.S.  GAAP,  along  with  a  reconciliation  of 
the differences between the U.S. GAAP financial measure and 
the non-GAAP financial measure. 

it  or  present 

The principal non-GAAP financial measures presented in this 
document are set forth in the following tables. 

Reconciliations  from  U.S.  GAAP  to  Non-GAAP  Consolidated 
Financial Measures

$ in millions, except per share data

Earnings applicable to Morgan 
Stanley common shareholders

Impact of adjustments:

Integration-related expenses

Related tax benefit

2020

2019

2018

$ 10,500  $ 8,512 

$ 8,222 

231 

(42) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Adjusted earnings applicable to 

Morgan Stanley common shareholders—
non-GAAP1

$ 10,689  $  8,512  $  8,222 

Earnings per diluted common share

$  6.46  $  5.19  $  4.73 

Impact of adjustments

0.12 

— 

— 

Adjusted earnings per diluted common 

share—non-GAAP1

Expense efficiency ratio

Impact of adjustments

$  6.58  $  5.19 

$  4.73 

 70.1 %

 72.7 %

 72.0 %

 (0.5) %   —  %   —  %

Adjusted expense efficiency ratio—non-

GAAP1

 69.6 %

 72.7 %

 72.0 %

Wealth Management Pre-tax margin 

 23.0 %

 27.2 %

 26.2 %

Impact of adjustments

 1.2 %

 — %

 — %

Adjusted Wealth Management pre-tax 

margin—non-GAAP1

 24.2 %

 27.2 %

 26.2 %

$ in millions

Tangible equity

At December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Common shareholders' equity

$  92,531  $  73,029  $  71,726 

Less: Goodwill and net intangible assets

  (16,615)   

(9,249)   

(8,847) 

Tangible common shareholders' equity—

non-GAAP

$  75,916  $  63,780  $  62,879 

$ in millions

Tangible equity

Average Monthly Balance

2020

2019

2018

Common shareholders' equity

$  80,246  $  72,720  $  69,977 

Less: Goodwill and net intangible assets

  (10,951)   

(9,140)   

(8,985) 

Tangible common shareholders' equity—

non-GAAP

$  69,295  $  63,580  $  60,992 

$ in billions

Average common equity

Unadjusted—GAAP
Adjusted1—Non-GAAP
ROE2

Unadjusted—GAAP
Adjusted1—Non-GAAP

2020

2019

2018

$  80.2 

$  72.7 

$  70.0 

  80.3 

  72.7 

  70.0 

 13.1 %

 11.7 %

 11.8 %

 13.3 %

 11.7 %

 11.8 %

Average tangible common equity—Non-GAAP

Unadjusted
Adjusted1
ROTCE2—Non-GAAP

Unadjusted
Adjusted1

$  69.3 

$  63.6 

$  61.0 

  69.3 

  63.6 

  61.0 

 15.2 %

 13.4 %

 13.5 %

 15.4 %

 13.4 %

 13.5 %

29

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Non-GAAP Financial Measures by Business Segment

Business Segments

$ in billions
Average common equity3, 4

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Investment Management

ROE5

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Investment Management

Average tangible common equity3, 4

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Investment Management
ROTCE5

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Investment Management

2020

2019

2018

$  42.8 

$  40.4 

$  40.8 

  20.8 

  18.2 

  16.8 

2.6 

2.5 

2.6 

 15.5 %

 10.4 %

 11.0 %

 15.6 %

 19.8 %

 20.0 %

 23.3 %

 28.9 %

 14.2 %

$  42.3 

$  39.9 

$  40.1 

  11.3 

  10.2 

1.7 

1.5 

9.2 

1.7 

 15.7 %

 10.5 %

 11.2 %

 28.9 %

 35.6 %

 36.6 %

 36.0 %

 46.6 %

 22.2 %

1. Adjusted amounts exclude the effect of costs related to the integration of E*TRADE, 
net  of  tax  as  appropriate.  Total  integration-related  expenses  on  a  pre-tax  basis 
include  $151  million  in  Compensation  expenses  and  $80  million  in  Non-
compensation  expenses.  For  more  information,  see  Note  3  to  the  financial 
statements.

2. ROE  and  ROTCE  represent  earnings  applicable  to  Morgan  Stanley  common 
shareholders  as  a  percentage  of  average  common  equity  and  average  tangible 
common  equity,  respectively.  When  excluding  integration-related  costs,  both  the 
numerator and average denominator are adjusted.

3. Average  common  equity  and  average  tangible  common  equity  for  each  business 
segment  is  determined  using  our  Required  Capital  framework  (see  "Liquidity  and 
Capital  Resources—Regulatory  Requirements—Attribution  of  Average  Common 
Equity According to the Required Capital Framework” herein).

4. The sums of the segments' Average common equity and Average tangible common 

equity do not equal the Consolidated measures due to Parent equity. 

5. The  calculation  of  ROE  and  ROTCE  by  segment  uses  net  income  applicable  to 
Morgan Stanley by segment less preferred dividends allocated to each segment as 
a  percentage  of  average  common  equity  and  average  tangible  common  equity, 
respectively, allocated to each segment.

Return on Tangible Common Equity Target 

In  January  2021,  we  established  a  2-year  ROTCE  Target  of 
14% to 16%, excluding integration-related expenses. 

Our  ROTCE  Target  is  a  forward-looking  statement  that  was 
based on a normal market environment and may be materially 
affected  by  many  factors,  including,  among  other  things: 
mergers  and  acquisitions;  macroeconomic  and  market 
conditions; 
regulatory 
developments;  industry  trading  and  investment  banking 
volumes;  equity  market  levels;  interest  rate  environment; 
outsized  legal  expenses  or  penalties;  the  ability  to  control 
expenses;  and  capital 
levels.  See  “Forward-Looking 
Statements” and “Risk Factors” for additional information.

legislative,  accounting, 

tax  and 

Given the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is 
uncertain  if  the  ROTCE  Target  will  be  met  within  the 
originally  stated  time  frame.  See  “Coronavirus  Disease 
(COVID-19) Pandemic” herein and “Risk Factors” for further 
information  on  market  and  economic  conditions  and  their 
effects on our financial results.

For  further  information  on  non-GAAP  measures  (ROTCE 
excluding  integration-related  expenses),  see  “Selected  Non-
GAAP Financial Information” herein.

December 2020 Form 10-K

30

Substantially  all  of  our  operating  revenues  and  operating 
expenses  are  directly  attributable  to  our  business  segments. 
Certain  revenues  and  expenses  have  been  allocated  to  each 
business segment, generally in proportion to its respective net 
revenues,  non-interest  expenses  or  other  relevant  measures. 
See  Note  23  to  the  financial  statements  for  information  on 
intersegment transactions.

Net Revenues

Investment Banking 

Investment  banking  revenues  are  derived  from  client 
engagements  in  which  we  act  as  an  adviser,  underwriter  or 
distributor of capital.

Within  the  Institutional  Securities  business  segment,  these 
revenues  are  primarily  composed  of  fees  earned  from 
underwriting  equity  and  fixed  income  securities,  syndicating 
loans  and  advisory  services  in  relation  to  mergers  and 
acquisitions, divestitures and corporate restructurings.

Within  the  Wealth  Management  business  segment,  these 
revenues  are  derived  from  the  distribution  of  newly  issued 
securities.

Trading

Trading  revenues  include  the  realized  gains  and  losses  from 
transactions  in  financial  instruments,  unrealized  gains  and 
losses from ongoing changes in the fair value of our positions, 
and  gains  and  losses  from  financial  instruments  used  to 
economically  hedge  compensation  expense  related  to  certain 
employee deferred compensation plans.

Within the Institutional Securities business segment, Trading 
revenues  arise  from  transactions  in  cash  instruments  and 
derivatives in which we act as a market maker for our clients. 
In this role, we stand ready to buy, sell or otherwise transact 
with  customers  under  a  variety  of  market  conditions  and  to 
provide  firm  or  indicative  prices  in  response  to  customer 
requests.  Our  liquidity  obligations  can  be  explicit  in  some 
cases,  and  in  others,  customers  expect  us  to  be  willing  to 
transact  with  them.  In  order  to  most  effectively  fulfill  our 
market-making function, we engage in activities across all of 
our trading businesses that include, but are not limited to:

• taking  positions  in  anticipation  of,  and  in  response  to, 
customer  demand  to  buy  or  sell  and—depending  on  the 
liquidity of the relevant market and the size of the position
—to hold those positions for a period of time;

• building,  maintaining  and  rebalancing  inventory  held  to 
facilitate  client  activity  through  trades  with  other  market 
participants;

• managing  and  assuming  basis  risk  (risk  associated  with 
imperfect  hedging)  between  risks 
the 
facilitation  of  client  transactions  and  the  standardized 
products available in the market to hedge those risks;

incurred  from 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Management's Discussion and Analysis

• trading  in  the  market  to  remain  current  on  pricing  and 

trends; and

• engaging  in  other  activities  to  provide  efficiency  and 

liquidity for markets.

in equity securities, insurance products, mutual funds, futures 
and  options,  and  also  include  revenues  from  order  flow 
payments  for  directing  customer  orders  to  broker-dealers, 
exchanges, and market centers for execution. 

In many markets, the realized and unrealized gains and losses 
from purchase and sale transactions will include any spreads 
between  bids  and  offers.  Certain  fees  received  on  loans 
carried  at  fair  value  and  dividends  from  equity  securities  are 
also  recorded  in  Trading  revenues  since  they  relate  to 
positions carried at fair value.

include 

Within  the  Wealth  Management  business  segment,  Trading 
revenues  primarily 
from  customers’ 
purchases and sales of fixed income instruments in which we 
act  as  principal,  and  gains  and  losses  related  to  investments 
associated  with  certain  employee  deferred  compensation 
plans.

revenues 

Investments

those 

associated  with 

losses  derived  from 

revenues  are  composed  of 

realized  and 
Investments 
investments, 
unrealized  gains  and 
employee  deferred 
including 
compensation  and  co-investment  plans.  Estimates  of  the  fair 
value  of  the  investments  that  produce  these  revenues  may 
involve  significant  judgment  and  may  fluctuate  significantly 
over time in light of business, market, economic and financial 
conditions, generally or in relation to specific transactions.

Within  the  Institutional  Securities  segment,  gains  and  losses 
are  primarily  from  business-related  investments.  Certain 
investments  are  subject  to  sale  restrictions.  Typically,  there 
are no fee revenues from these investments.

Within 
the  Investment  Management  business  segment, 
Investments  revenues,  in  addition  to  gains  and  losses  from 
investments,  include  performance-based  fees  in  the  form  of 
carried interest, a portion of which is subject to reversal. The 
business is entitled to receive carried interest when the return 
in  certain  funds  exceeds  specified  performance  targets. 
Additionally, 
Investment 
Management  funds  consolidated  by  us  where  revenues  are 
primarily attributable to holders of noncontrolling interests. 

there  are  certain 

sponsored 

Commissions and Fees 

Commissions and fees result from arrangements in which the 
client  is  charged  a  fee  for  executing  transactions  related  to 
securities, services related to sales and trading activities, and 
sales of other products. 

the 

Institutional  Securities  business 

Within 
segment, 
commissions  and  fees  include  fees  earned  from  market-
making  activities,  such  as  executing  and  clearing  client 
transactions on major stock and derivative exchanges, as well 
as from OTC derivatives. 

segment, 
the  Wealth  Management  business 
Within 
commissions and fees primarily arise from client transactions 

Asset Management

Asset management revenues include fees associated with the 
management and supervision of assets and the distribution of 
funds and similar products.

Within  the  Wealth  Management  business  segment,  Asset 
management  revenues  are  associated  with  advisory  services 
and  management 
and 
assets, 
administration,  as  well  as  distribution  of  products.  These 
revenues  are  generally  based  on  the  net  asset  value  of  the 
account in which a client is invested.

account 

service 

of 

Within  the  Investment  Management  business  segment,  Asset 
management  revenues  are  primarily  composed  of  fees 
received  from  mutual  fund  daily  average  net  assets  or  based 
on  monthly  or  quarterly  invested  equity  for  other  vehicles. 
Performance-based  fees,  not  in  the  form  of  carried  interest, 
are  earned  on  certain  products  and  separately  managed 
accounts as a percentage of appreciation generally earned by 
those  products  and,  in  certain  cases,  are  based  upon  the 
achievement of performance criteria. These performance fees 
are generally recognized annually.

Net Interest

Interest income and Interest expense are functions of the level 
and mix of total assets and liabilities, including Trading assets 
and  Trading  liabilities,  Investment  securities,  Securities 
borrowed or purchased under agreements to resell, Securities 
loaned  or  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase,  Loans, 
Deposits and Borrowings. 

Within  the  Institutional  Securities  business  segment,  Net 
interest  is  a  function  of  market-making  strategies,  client 
activity, and the prevailing level, term structure and volatility 
of  interest  rates.  Net  interest  is  impacted  by  market-making 
activities as securities held by the Firm generally earn interest, 
as  do  securities  borrowed  and  securities  purchased  under 
agreements  to  resell,  while  securities  loaned  and  securities 
sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  generally  incur  interest 
expense. 

Within  the  Wealth  Management  business  segment,  Interest 
income is driven by Investment securities, Loans and margin 
loans.  Interest  expense  is  driven  by  Deposits  and  other 
funding. Upon acquisition, E*TRADE’s Investment securities 
were recorded at fair value, and the resulting premium will be 
amortized  over  the  life  of  the  portfolio  against  interest 
income.

Other

Other  revenues  for  Institutional  Securities  include  revenues 
lending 
and 

from  equity  method 

investments, 

losses 

31

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

commitments,  fees  earned 
activities and the provision for loan losses.

in  association  with 

lending 

from  buying  and  selling  positions  to  stand  ready  for  and 
satisfy client demand and are recorded in Trading revenues.

Other  revenues  for  Wealth  Management  are  derived  from 
realized gains and losses on AFS securities, the provision for 
loan  losses,  account  handling  fees,  referral  fees  and  other 
miscellaneous revenues.

Institutional Securities—Sales and Trading Revenues

Sales  and  trading  net  revenues  are  composed  of  Trading 
revenues, Commissions and fees, Asset management revenues 
and Net interest. These revenues, which can be affected by a 
variety of interrelated factors, including market volumes, bid-
offer  spreads  and  the  impact  of  market  conditions  on 
inventory held to facilitate client activity, as well as the effect 
of  hedging  activity,  are  viewed  in  the  aggregate  when 
assessing  the  performance  and  profitability  of  our  sales  and 
trading  activities.  We  make  transaction-related  decisions 
based on, among other things, an assessment of the aggregate 
expected profit or loss associated with a transaction, including 
any  associated  commissions  and  fees,  dividends,  or  net 
interest  income,  any  costs  associated  with  financing  or 
hedging our positions and other related expenses.

Following  is  a  description  of  the  sales  and  trading  activities 
within our equity and fixed income businesses, as well as how 
their results impact the income statement line items.

Equity—Financing.  We  provide  financing,  prime  brokerage 
and  fund  administration  services  to  our  clients  active  in  the 
equity  markets  through  a  variety  of  products,  including 
margin  lending,  securities  lending  and  swaps.  Results  from 
this  business  are  largely  driven  by  the  difference  between 
financing income earned and financing costs incurred, which 
are  reflected  in  Net  interest  for  securities  lending  products, 
and  in  Trading  revenues  for  derivative  products.  Fees  for 
providing  fund  administration  services  are  reflected  in  Asset 
management revenues.

Equity—Execution  services.  A  significant  portion  of  the 
results for this business is generated by commissions and fees 
from executing and clearing client transactions on major stock 
and derivative exchanges, as well as from OTC transactions. 
We make markets for our clients principally in equity-related 
securities  and  derivative  products,  including  those  that 
provide liquidity and are utilized for hedging. Market-making 
also generates gains and losses on inventory held to facilitate 
client activity, which are reflected in Trading revenues.

Fixed  income—Within  fixed  income,  we  make  markets  in 
various  flow  and  structured  products  in  order  to  facilitate 
client activity as part of the following products and services:

• Global macro products. We make markets for our clients in 
interest  rate,  foreign  exchange  and  emerging  market 
products,  including  exchange-traded  and  OTC  securities 
and  derivative  instruments.  The  results  of  this  market-
making  activity  are  primarily  driven  by  gains  and  losses 

• Credit  products.  We  make  markets  in  credit-sensitive 
products,  such  as  corporate  bonds  and  mortgage  securities 
and  other  securitized  products,  and  related  derivative 
instruments.  The  values  of  positions  in  this  business  are 
sensitive  to  changes  in  credit  spreads  and  interest  rates, 
which  result  in  gains  and  losses  reflected  in  Trading 
revenues.  We  undertake  lending  activities,  which  include 
commercial  mortgage  lending,  secured  lending  facilities 
and financing extended to sales and trading customers. Due 
to the amount and type of the interest-bearing securities and 
loans  making  up  this  business,  a  significant  portion  of  the 
results is also reflected in Net interest revenues.

• Commodities  products  and  Other.  We  make  markets  in 
various commodity products related primarily to electricity, 
natural  gas,  oil  and  metals.  Other  activities  primarily 
include  results  from  the  centralized  management  of  our 
fixed 
income  derivative  counterparty  exposures  and 
managing derivative counterparty risk on behalf of clients. 
These activities are primarily recorded in Trading revenues.

Other sales and trading revenues include impacts from certain 
treasury functions, such as liquidity costs and gains and losses 
on  economic  hedges  related  to  certain  borrowings,  certain 
activities  associated  with  corporate  lending,  as  well  as  gains 
and  losses  from  financial  instruments  used  to  economically 
hedge  compensation  expense  related  to  certain  employee 
deferred compensation plans.

Compensation Expense

Compensation and benefits expenses include base salaries and 
fixed allowances, formulaic programs, discretionary incentive 
compensation,  amortization  of  deferred  cash  and  equity 
awards,  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  investments  to  which 
certain  deferred  compensation  plans  are  referenced,  carried 
interest  allocated  to  employees,  severance  costs,  and  other 
items such as health and welfare benefits.

The  factors  that  drive  compensation  for  our  employees  vary 
from period to period, from segment to segment and within a 
segment.  For  certain  revenue-producing  employees  in  the 
Wealth  Management  and  Investment  Management  business 
segments,  compensation  is  largely  paid  on  the  basis  of 
formulaic  payouts  that  link  employee  compensation  to 
revenues.  Compensation  for  other  employees,  including 
revenue-producing  employees  in  the  Institutional  Securities 
business  segment,  include  base  salary  and  benefits,  and  may 
also  include  incentive  compensation  that  is  determined 
following  the  assessment  of  the  Firm’s,  business  unit’s  and 
individual’s performance. 

Compensation expense for deferred cash-based compensation 
plans  is  recognized  over  the  relevant  vesting  period  and  is 
adjusted  based  on  the  notional  earnings  of  the  referenced 
in 
investments  until  distribution.  Although 

changes 

December 2020 Form 10-K

32

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Management's Discussion and Analysis

compensation expense resulting from changes in the fair value 
of  the  referenced  investments  will  generally  be  offset  by 
changes  in  the  fair  value  of  investments  made  by  the  Firm, 
there  is  typically  a  timing  difference  between  the  immediate 
recognition of gains and losses on the Firm's investments and 
the compensation expense recognized over the vesting period.

Income Taxes

The  income  tax  provision  for  our  business  segments  is 
generally  determined  based  on  the  revenues,  expenses  and 
activities  directly  attributable  to  each  business  segment. 
Certain  items  have  been  allocated  to  each  business  segment, 
generally in proportion to its respective net revenues or other 
relevant measures.

33

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Institutional Securities

Income Statement Information

$ in millions

Revenues

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

% Change

Investment banking

$  7,204  $  5,734  $  6,088 

 26 %

 27 %

 (6) %

 (8) %

  13,106    10,318    11,191 

166   

325   

182 

 (49) %

 79 %

2,935   

2,484   

2,671 

461   

413   

421 

 18 %

 12 %

 (7) %

 (2) %

(214)   

632   

535 

 (134) %

 18 %

  23,658    19,906    21,088 

 19 %

5,809    12,193   

9,271 

 (52) %

3,519    11,713   

9,777 

 (70) %

 (6) %

 32 %

 20 %

2,290   

480   

(506) 

N/M  195 %

  25,948    20,386    20,582 

 27 %

 (1) %

8,342   

7,433   

6,958 

 12 %

 7 %

8,455   

7,463   

7,364 

 13 %

 1 %

  16,797    14,896    14,322 

 13 %

 4 %

9,151   

5,490   

6,260 

 67 %  (12) %

2,040   

769   

1,230 

 165 %  (37) %

7,111   

4,721   

5,030 

 51 %

 (6) %

Trading

Investments

Commissions and fees

Asset management

Other

Total non-interest

revenues

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

Compensation and

benefits

Non-compensation

expenses

Total non-interest

expenses

Income from continuing 

operations before
income taxes

Provision for income

taxes

Income from continuing

operations

Income (loss) from 

discontinued operations, 
net of income taxes

Net income

Net income applicable 

to noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable 
to Morgan Stanley

Investment Banking

Investment Banking Revenues

$ in millions

Advisory

Underwriting:

Equity

Fixed Income

Total Underwriting

% Change

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

$  2,008  $  2,116  $  2,436 

 (5) %  (13) %

  3,092    1,708    1,726 

  2,104    1,910    1,926 

  5,196    3,618    3,652 

 81 %

 10 %

 44 %

 26 %

 (1) %

 (1) %

 (1) %

 (6) %

Total Investment banking

$  7,204  $  5,734  $  6,088 

Investment Banking Volumes

$ in billions
Completed mergers and acquisitions1
Equity and equity-related offerings2, 3
Fixed income offerings2, 4

2020

2019

2018

$ 

867  $  826  $  1,114 

100   

61   

374   

287   

64 

241 

Source:  Refinitiv  data  as  of  January  4,  2021.  Transaction  volumes  may  not  be 
indicative of net revenues in a given period. In addition, transaction volumes for prior 
periods may vary from amounts previously reported due to the subsequent withdrawal, 
change in value or change in timing of certain transactions.

1. Includes  transactions  of  $100  million  or  more.  Based  on  full  credit  to  each  of  the 

advisors in a transaction.

2. Based  on  full  credit  for  single  book  managers  and  equal  credit  for  joint  book 

managers.

3. Includes  Rule  144A  issuances  and  registered  public  offerings  of  common  stock, 

convertible securities and rights offerings.

4. Includes  Rule  144A  and  publicly  registered  issuances,  non-convertible  preferred 
stock,  mortgage-backed  and  asset-backed  securities,  and  taxable  municipal  debt. 
Excludes leveraged loans and self-led issuances.

—   

—   

(6) 

N/M  100 %

Investment Banking Revenues

7,111   

4,721   

5,024 

 51 %

 (6) %

99   

122   

118 

 (19) %

 3 %

$  7,012  $  4,599  $  4,906 

 52 %

 (6) %

Investment  banking  revenues  of  $7,204  million  in  2020 
increased  26%  compared  with  the  prior  year,  reflecting 
strength in our underwriting businesses.

• Advisory  revenues  decreased  primarily  due  to  fewer  large 

completed transactions.

• Equity underwriting revenues increased on higher volumes, 
primarily  in  secondary  block  share  trades,  initial  public 
offerings and follow-on offerings.

• Fixed  income  underwriting  revenues  increased  on  higher 
volumes, primarily in investment grade and non-investment 
grade bond issuances, partially offset by lower event-driven 
investment grade loan activity.

See “Investment Banking Volumes” herein.

Sales and Trading Net Revenues

By Income Statement Line Item

$ in millions

Trading

Commissions and fees

Asset management

Net interest

Total

% Change

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

$ 13,106  $ 10,318  $ 11,191 

 27 %  (8) %

2,935   

2,484   

2,671 

 18 %  (7) %

461   

413   

421 

 12 %  (2) %

2,290   

480   

(506) 

N/M  195 %

$ 18,792  $ 13,695  $ 13,777 

 37 %  (1) %

December 2020 Form 10-K

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

By Business

$ in millions

Equity

Fixed income

Other

Total

% Change

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

$  9,801  $  8,056  $  8,976 

 22 %  (10) %

8,824   

5,546   

5,005 

 59 %  11 %

167   

93   

(204) 

 80 %  146 %

$ 18,792  $ 13,695  $ 13,777 

 37 %

 (1) %

Sales and Trading Revenues—Equity and Fixed Income

2020

Trading

Fees1

Net
Interest2

Total

3,736  $ 

439  $ 

342  $  4,517 

2,882   

2,658   

(256)   

5,284 

6,618  $  3,097  $ 

86  $  9,801 

6,840  $ 

299  $ 

1,685  $  8,824 

2019

Trading

Fees1

Net
Interest2

Total

4,225  $ 

372  $ 

(514)  $  4,083 

1,986   

2,202   

(215)   

3,973 

6,211  $  2,574  $ 

(729)  $  8,056 

5,171  $ 

324  $ 

51  $  5,546 

2018

$ in millions

Financing

Execution services

Total Equity

Total Fixed income

$ in millions

Financing

Execution services

Total Equity

Total Fixed income

$ in millions

Financing

Execution services

Total Equity

Total Fixed income

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

products and the impact of market conditions on inventory 
held to facilitate client activity.

• Credit products revenues increased, primarily due to higher 
client  activity  in  corporate  credit  and  securitized  products 
from higher volumes and wider bid-offer spreads, partially 
offset by the impact of market conditions on inventory held 
to facilitate client activity. Lower funding costs and higher 
average  secured  lending  facilities  balances  contributed  to 
higher Net interest revenues.

• Commodities  products  and  Other  revenues  increased, 
primarily  reflecting  the  impact  of  market  conditions  on 
inventory  held  to  facilitate  client  activity  and  higher  client 
activity  in  Commodities,  partially  offset  by  lower  client 
structuring  activity  within  derivative  counterparty  credit 
risk management.

Other
• Other  sales  and  trading  revenues  of  $167  million  in  2020 
increased  80%  compared  with  the  prior  year,  primarily 
reflecting  gains  on  hedges  associated  with  corporate 
lending  activity  compared  with  losses  in  the  prior  year, 
partially offset by lower rates on liquidity investments.

Investments,  Other  Revenues,  Non-interest  Expenses  and 
Income Tax Items

Trading

Fees1

Net
Interest2

Total

Investments

4,841  $ 

394  $ 

(661)  $  4,574 

2,362   

2,376   

(336)   

4,402 

7,203  $  2,770  $ 

(997)  $  8,976 

4,793  $ 

322  $ 

(110)  $  5,005 

• Net  investment  gains  of  $166  million  in  2020  decreased 
49%  compared  with  the  prior  year  primarily  due  to  the 
absence  of  a  gain  associated  with  an  investment’s  initial 
public offering.

1. Includes Commissions and fees and Asset management revenues.
2. Includes  funding  costs,  which  are  allocated  to  the  businesses  based  on  funding 

usage. 

Equity

Equity  sales  and  trading  net  revenues  of  $9,801  million  in 
2020 increased 22% compared with the prior year, reflecting 
strong  performance  in  both  our  execution  services  and 
financing businesses.

• Financing  revenues  increased  overall,  primarily  driven  by 
client  activity.  In  addition,  changes  in  market  rates  and 
financing  mix  contributed  to  higher  Net  interest  revenues 
and an offsetting reduction in Trading revenues.

• Execution services revenues increased, primarily reflecting 
higher  client  activity  and  the  impact  of  market  conditions 
on  inventory  held  to  facilitate  client  activity  in  derivatives 
and cash equities.

Fixed Income

Fixed  income  net  revenues  of  $8,824  million  in  2020 
increased 59% compared with the prior year, reflecting strong 
performance across all products.

• Global macro products revenues increased, primarily due to 
higher  client  activity  in  both  rates  and  foreign  exchange 

Other Revenues

• Other net losses were $214 million in 2020 compared with 
Other  revenues  of  $632  million  in  the  prior  year.  This 
change  was  primarily  as  a  result  of  mark-to-market  losses 
on  loans  and  lending  commitments  held  for  sale  in  the 
current  year,  as  credit  spreads  widened,  compared  with 
gains  in  the  prior  year,  as  well  as  an  increase  in  the 
provision  for  credit  losses  on  loans  held  for  investment  in 
the current year.

Non-interest Expenses

Non-interest  expenses  of  $16,797  million  in  2020  increased 
13% compared with the prior year, reflecting a 12% increase 
in Compensation and benefits expenses and a 13% increase in 
Non-compensation expenses compared with the prior year.

• Compensation  and  benefits  expenses  increased,  primarily 
due  to  increases  in  discretionary  incentive  compensation, 
driven by higher revenues.

• Non-compensation expenses increased, primarily reflecting 
higher  volume-related  expenses  and  an  increase  in  the 
provision for credit losses for lending commitments.

35

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Income Tax Items

Net discrete tax benefits of $68 million and $400 million were 
recognized  in  Provision  for  income  taxes  in  2020  and  2019, 
respectively.  The  provision  for  income  taxes  in  2020 
compared with the prior year was also impacted by the higher 
level of earnings. For further information, see “Supplemental 
Financial Information—Income Tax Matters” herein.

December 2020 Form 10-K

36

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Wealth Management

Income Statement Information

$ in millions

Revenues

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

% Change

Investment banking

$  559  $  509  $  475 

 10 %

 7 %

Trading

Investments

Commissions and fees

Asset management

Other

844   

734   

279 

 15 %  163 %

12   

2   

1 

N/M  100 %

  2,291    1,726    1,804 

 33 %  (4) %

  10,955    10,199    10,158 

 7 %  — %

372   

345   

248 

 8 %  39 %

Total non-interest revenues

  15,033    13,515    12,965 

 11 %

 4 %

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

  4,771    5,467    5,498 

 (13) %  (1) %

749    1,245    1,221 

 (40) %

 2 %

  4,022    4,222    4,277 

 (5) %  (1) %

  19,055    17,737    17,242 

 7 %

 3 %

 3 %

Compensation and benefits

  10,970    9,774    9,507 

 12 %

Non-compensation expenses

  3,698    3,131    3,214 

 18 %  (3) %

Total non-interest expenses

  14,668    12,905    12,721 

 14 %

 1 %

Income from continuing 

operations before income 
taxes

  4,387    4,832    4,521 

Provision for income taxes

  1,026    1,104    1,049 

 (9) %

 (7) %

 7 %

 5 %

Net income applicable to 

Morgan Stanley

$  3,361  $  3,728  $  3,472 

 (10) %

 7 %

Acquisition of E*TRADE

On  October  2,  2020,  we  completed  the  acquisition  of 
E*TRADE principally via the issuance of approximately $11 
billion of common shares. In addition, we issued $0.7 billion 
of  preferred  shares  in  exchange  for  E*TRADE’s  existing 
preferred  stock.  The  combination  increases  the  scale  and 
breadth  of  Morgan  Stanley’s  Wealth  Management  franchise, 
and  positions  us  to  be  an  industry  leader  in  Wealth 
Management  across  all  channels  and  wealth  segments.  From 
the  acquisition  date  onward,  the  business  activities  of 
E*TRADE  have  been 
the  Wealth 
Management business segment. For additional information on 
the  acquisition  of  E*TRADE,  see  Note  3  to  the  financial 
statements.

reported  within 

Wealth Management Metrics

$ in billions

Total client assets
Net new assets1

U.S. Bank Subsidiary loans
Margin and other lending2
Deposits3

Weighted average cost of deposits4

At or for the Year 
Ended

December 31,

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,999  $ 

2,700 

175.4  $ 

98.1  $ 

23.1  $ 

306  $ 

97.8 

80.1 

9.7 

187 

 0.24 %

 0.91 %

1. Net  new  assets  represents  client  inflows  (including  dividends  and  interest)  less 
client  outflows  (excluding  activity  from  business  combinations/divestitures  and  the 
impact of fees and commissions).

2. Margin  and  other 

lending  represents  Wealth  Management  margin 

lending 
arrangements,  which  allow  customers  to  borrow  against  the  value  of  qualifying 
securities  and  Wealth  Management  other  lending  which  includes  non‑purpose 
securities-based lending on non‑bank entities.

3. Deposits  reflect  liabilities  sourced  from  Wealth  Management  clients  and  other 
sources of funding on the U.S. Bank Subsidiaries. Deposits include sweep deposit 
programs, savings and other, and time deposits. Excludes approximately $25 billion 
of off-balance sheet deposits as of December 31, 2020.

4. Weighted  average  cost  of  deposits  represents  the  annualized  weighted  average 

cost of deposits as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

$ in billions, except employee data and as otherwise noted

2020

2019

2018

At or for the Year Ended

December 31,

Advisor-led channel:
Advisor-led client assets1

Fee-based client assets2
Fee-based asset flows3

Fee-based client assets as a percentage of 
advisor-led client assets

Wealth Management representatives

(in thousands)

Self-directed channel:
Self-directed assets4
Daily average revenue trades (“DARTs”)

(in thousands)5

Self-directed households (in millions)6

Workplace channel:
Workplace unvested assets7
Number of participants (in millions)8

$ 3,167  $ 2,623  $ 2,254 

$ 1,472  $ 1,267  $ 1,046 

$  77.4  $  64.9  $  65.9 

 46 %

 48 %

 46 %

16 

15 

16 

$  832  $  77  $  49 

  280 

6.7 

3 

1.6 

3 

1.1 

$  435  $  133  $  13 

4.9 

2.7 

1.0 

1. Advisor-led  client  assets  represents  client  assets  in  accounts  that  have  a  Wealth 

Management representative assigned.

2. Fee‑based client assets represents the amount of assets in client accounts where 

the basis of payment for services is a fee calculated on those assets.

3. Fee-based  asset  flows  includes  net  new  fee-based  assets,  net  account  transfers, 
dividends,  interest  and  client  fees,  and  excludes  institutional  cash  management 
related activity. For a description of the Inflows and Outflows included in Fee-based 
asset flows, see Fee-based client assets herein.

4. Self-directed  assets  represents  active  accounts  which  are  not  advisor  led.  Active 

accounts are defined as having $25 or more in assets.

5. DARTs represent the total self-directed trades in a period divided by the number of 
trading  days  during  that  period.  DARTs  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  2020  were  1,106 
thousand, which includes the impact of the E*TRADE acquisition.

6. Self-directed households represents the total number of households that include at 
least  one  account  with  self-directed  assets.  Individual  households  or  participants 
that  are  engaged  in  one  or  more  of  our  Wealth  Management  channels  will  be 
included in each of the respective channel counts.

7. Workplace  unvested  assets  represents  the  market  value  of  public  company 

securities at the end of the period.

8. Workplace  participants  represents  total  accounts  with  vested  or  unvested  assets 
>$0  in  the  workplace  channel.  Individuals  with  accounts  in  multiple  plans  are 
counted as participants in each plan.

37

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Net Revenues

Transactional Revenues

$ in millions

Investment banking

Trading

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

$  559  $  509  $  475 

 10 %

 7 %

  844 

  734 

  279 

 15 %  163 %

Commissions and fees

  2,291 

  1,726 

  1,804 

 33 %  (4) %

Total

$ 3,694  $ 2,969  $ 2,558 

 24 %

 16 %

% Change

Transactional  revenues  of  $3,694  million  in  2020  increased 
24%  compared  with  the  prior  year,  primarily  as  a  result  of 
higher Commissions and fees and higher Trading revenues.
• Trading revenues increased in 2020, primarily due to gains 
from investments associated with certain employee deferred 
compensation plans, partially offset by lower fixed income 
revenues.

• Commissions  and  fees  increased  in  2020,  primarily  due  to 
increased  client  activity  in  equities,  as  well  as  order  flow 
payments as a result of the E*TRADE acquisition.

Asset Management

Asset  management  revenues  of  $10,955  million  in  2020 
increased 7% compared with the prior year, due to higher fee-
based  asset  levels  in  2020  as  a  result  of  market  appreciation 
and  positive  fee-based  net  flows,  partially  offset  by  lower 
average fee rates.

See “Fee-Based Client Assets Rollforwards” herein.

Net Interest

Net interest revenues of $4,022 million in 2020 decreased 5% 
compared with the prior year, primarily due to the net effect 
of  lower  interest  rates,  partially  offset  by  growth  in  bank 
lending and increases in investment portfolio balances driven 
by  higher  brokerage  sweep  deposits,  as  well  as  incremental 
Net interest as a result of the E*TRADE acquisition.

Non-interest Expenses

Non-interest  expenses  of  $14,668  million  in  2020  increased 
14%  compared  with 
to  higher 
Compensation  and  benefits  expenses  and  Non-compensation 
expenses.

the  prior  year,  due 

• Compensation  and  benefits  expenses  increased,  primarily 
due  to  an  increase  in  the  formulaic  payout  to  Wealth 
Management representatives, driven by higher compensable 
revenues,  incremental  compensation  as  a  result  of  the 
E*TRADE  acquisition  and  integration-related  expenses  of 
$151  million,  as  well  as  higher  expenses  related  to  certain 
investment 
deferred  compensation  plans 
performance.

linked 

to 

• Non-compensation  expenses  increased,  primarily  due  to 
incremental operating and other expenses as a result of the 
E*TRADE acquisition, integration-related expenses of $80 
million, a regulatory charge in the third quarter of 2020 and 

December 2020 Form 10-K

38

$52  million  of  E*TRADE-related 
intangible  assets 
amortization. Partially offsetting these increases was lower 
marketing and business development expenses.

Fee-Based Client Assets Rollforwards

$ in billions
Separately managed1

Unified managed

Advisor

Portfolio manager

Subtotal

Cash management

Total fee-based 
client assets

At
December 31,
2019 

Inflows Outflows

At
December 31,
2020 

Market
Impact

$ 

322  $ 

48  $ 

(25)  $ 

14  $ 

313 

155 

435 

63 

33 

86 

(43)   

(28)   

(57)   

46 

17 

45 

359 

379 

177 

509 

$ 

$ 

1,225  $  230  $ 

(153)  $  122  $ 

1,424 

42 

28 

(22)   

— 

48 

1,267  $  258  $ 

(175)  $  122  $ 

1,472 

$ in billions
Separately managed1

Unified managed

Advisor

Portfolio manager

Subtotal

Cash management

Total fee-based client 

assets

At
December 31,
2018 

Inflows Outflows

Market
Impact

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

279  $ 

53  $ 

(19)  $ 

9  $ 

257 

137 

353 

48 

27 

75 

(39)   

(32)   

(48)   

47 

23 

55 

322 

313 

155 

435 

$ 

$ 

1,026  $  203  $ 

(138)  $  134  $ 

1,225 

20 

36 

(14)   

— 

42 

1,046  $  239  $ 

(152)  $  134  $ 

1,267 

$ in billions
Separately managed1

Unified managed

Advisor

Portfolio manager

Subtotal

Cash management

Total fee-based client 

assets

At
December 31,
2017 

Inflows Outflows

Market
Impact

At
December 31,
2018 

$ 

252  $ 

40  $ 

(18)  $ 

5  $ 

271 

149 

353 

48 

29 

71 

(34)   

(28)   

(28)   

(13)   

(42)   

(29)   

279 

257 

137 

353 

$ 

$ 

1,025  $  188  $ 

(122)  $ 

(65)  $ 

1,026 

20 

16 

(16)   

— 

20 

1,045  $  204  $ 

(138)  $ 

(65)  $ 

1,046 

1. Includes non-custody account values reflecting prior quarter-end balances due to a 

lag in the reporting of asset values by third-party custodians.

Average Fee Rates

Fee rate in bps

Separately managed

Unified managed

Advisor

Portfolio manager

Subtotal

Cash management

Total fee-based client assets

2020

2019

2018

14   

99   

85   

94   

73   

5   

70   

15   

100   

86   

95   

74   

6   

73   

16 

99 

84 

95 

76 

6 

74 

• Inflows—include new accounts, account transfers, deposits, 

dividends and interest.

• Outflows—include  closed  or  terminated  accounts,  account 

transfers, withdrawals and client fees.

• Market impact—includes realized and unrealized gains and 

losses on portfolio investments.

• Separately  managed—accounts  by  which  third-party  and 
affiliated  asset  managers  are  engaged  to  manage  clients’ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

assets  with  investment  decisions  made  by  the  asset 
manager.  Only  one  third-party  asset  manager  strategy  can 
be held per account.

• Unified managed—accounts that provide the client with the 
ability  to  combine  separately  managed  accounts,  mutual 
funds  and  exchange-traded  funds  all  in  one  aggregate 
account.  Investment  decisions  and  discretionary  authority 
may  be  exercised  by  the  client,  financial  advisor  or 
portfolio  manager.  Also  includes  accounts  that  give  the 
client  the  ability  to  systematically  allocate  assets  across  a 
wide  range  of  mutual  funds,  for  which  the  investment 
decisions are made by the client.

• Advisor—accounts where the investment decisions must be 
approved by the client and the financial advisor must obtain 
approval  each  time  a  change  is  made  to  the  account  or  its 
investments.

• Portfolio manager—accounts where a financial advisor has 
discretion  (contractually  approved  by  the  client)  to  make 
ongoing investment decisions without the client’s approval 
for each individual change.

• Cash  management—accounts  where  the  financial  advisor 
provides  discretionary  cash  management  services 
to 
institutional  clients,  whereby  securities  or  proceeds  are 
invested  and  reinvested  in  accordance  with  the  client’s 
investment criteria. Generally, the portfolio will be invested 
in 
income  and  cash  equivalent 
investments.

short-term 

fixed 

39

December 2020 Form 10-K

Net Revenues

Investments

Investments revenues of $808 million in 2020 decreased 33% 
compared  with  the  prior  year,  primarily  reflecting  lower 
accrued carried interest in Asia private equity, real estate and 
infrastructure funds.

Asset Management

Asset  management  revenues  of  $3,013  million  in  2020 
increased  15%  compared  with  the  prior  year  primarily  as  a 
result  of  higher  average  AUM,  driven  by  strong  investment 
performance and positive net flows.

See “Assets Under Management or Supervision” herein.

Non-interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses of $2,864 million in 2020 increased 3% 
compared  with  the  prior  year  as  a  result  of  higher  Non-
compensation 
lower 
Compensation and benefits expenses.

expenses, 

partially 

offset 

by 

• Compensation and benefits expenses decreased primarily as 
a  result  of  lower  compensation  associated  with  carried 
interest,  partially  offset  by  increases  in  discretionary 
incentive 
higher  Asset 
management  revenues  and  higher  expenses  related  to 
certain  deferred  compensation  plans  linked  to  investment 
performance.

compensation 

driven 

by 

• Non-compensation expenses increased primarily as a result 
of  higher  fee  sharing  paid  to  intermediaries  on  higher 
average AUM.

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Investment Management

Income Statement Information

$ in millions

Revenues

Trading

Investments

Commissions and fees

Asset management

Other

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

% Change

$ 

(34)  $ 

(8)  $  25 

N/M  (132) %

  808    1,213    254 

 (33) %

1   

1    — 

  3,013    2,629   2,468 

 — %

 15 %

N/M

N/M

 7 %

(39)   

(46)   

(30) 

 15 %  (53) %

Total non-interest revenues

  3,749    3,789   2,717 

 (1) %  39 %

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

14   

29   

20   

46   

(15)   

(26)   

57 

28 

29 

 (30) %  (65) %

 (37) %  64 %

 42 %  (190) %

  3,734    3,763   2,746 

 (1) %  37 %

Compensation and benefits

  1,542    1,630   1,167 

 (5) %  40 %

Non-compensation expenses

  1,322    1,148   1,115 

 15 %

 3 %

Total non-interest expenses

  2,864    2,778   2,282 

 3 %  22 %

Income from continuing 

operations before income 
taxes

Provision for income taxes

Income from continuing 

operations

Income from discontinued 

operations, net of income taxes

Net income

Net income applicable to 
noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable to 

Morgan Stanley

  870    985    464 

 (12) %  112 %

  171    193   

73 

 (11) %  164 %

  699    792    391 

 (12) %  103 %

  —    —   

2 

N/M (100)%

  699    792    393 

 (12) %  102 %

84   

73   

17 

 15 %

N/M

$  615  $  719  $  376 

 (14) %  91 %

December 2020 Form 10-K

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Assets Under Management or Supervision

Rollforwards 

$ in billions

Equity

Fixed income

Alternative/
Other

Long-term AUM 

subtotal

Liquidity

Total AUM

$ in billions

Equity

Fixed income

Alternative/
Other

Long-term AUM 

subtotal

Liquidity

Total AUM

$ in billions

Equity

Fixed income

Alternative/
Other

Long-term AUM 

subtotal

Liquidity1

Total AUM

At
December 31,
2019 

Inflows Outflows

Market
Impact Other

At
December 31,
2020 

$ 

138  $ 

87  $ 

(51)  $ 

69  $ 

(1)  $ 

79 

139 

37 

26 

(29)   

(24)   

4 

5 

7 

7 

356 

150 

(104)   

78 

13 

196 

  1,584 

(1,493)   

1 

  — 

$ 

552  $ 1,734  $  (1,597)  $ 

79  $ 

13  $ 

242 

98 

153 

493 

288 

781 

At
December 31,
2018 

Inflows Outflows

Market
Impact Other

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

103  $ 

39  $ 

(31)  $ 

28  $ 

(1)  $ 

68 

128 

299 

25 

22 

86 

(20)   

5 

1 

(17)   

10 

(4)   

164 

  1,315 

(1,283)   

(68)   

43 

2 

(4)   

(2)   

$ 

463  $ 1,401  $  (1,351)  $ 

45  $ 

(6)  $ 

At
December 31,
2017 

Inflows Outflows

Market
Impact Other

At
December 31,
2018 

$ 

105  $ 

38  $ 

(32)  $ 

(8)  $  —  $ 

73 

128 

306 

25 

22 

85 

(27)   

(2)   

(1)   

(19)   

(1)   

(2)   

176 

  1,351 

(1,362)   

2 

(78)   

(11)   

(3)   

(3)   

$ 

482  $ 1,436  $  (1,440)  $ 

(9)  $ 

(6)  $ 

138 

79 

139 

356 

196 

552 

103 

68 

128 

299 

164 

463 

1. Included in Liquidity products outflows in 2018 is $18 billion related to the redesign 

of our brokerage sweep deposits program.

Average AUM

$ in billions

Equity

Fixed income

Alternative/Other

Long-term AUM subtotal

Liquidity

Total AUM

Average Fee Rates

Fee rate in bps

Equity

Fixed income

Alternative/Other

Long-term AUM

Liquidity

Total AUM

2020

2019

2018

$ 

174  $ 

124  $ 

111 

86   

145   

405   

252   

71   

134   

329   

171   

$ 

657  $ 

500  $ 

71 

131 

313 

158 

471 

2020

2019

2018

76   

29   

58   

60   

15   

42   

76   

32   

64   

61   

17   

46   

76 

33 

66 

62 

17 

47 

• Inflows—represent  investments  or  commitments  from  new 
and existing clients in new or existing investment products, 
including reinvestments of client dividends and increases in 
invested  capital.  Inflows  exclude  the  impact  of  exchanges, 
whereby  a  client  changes  positions  within  the  same  asset 
class.

• Outflows—represent  redemptions  from  clients’  funds, 
transition of funds from the committed capital period to the 
invested  capital  period  and  decreases  in  invested  capital. 
Outflows  exclude  the  impact  of  exchanges,  whereby  a 
client changes positions within the same asset class.

• Market impact—includes realized and unrealized gains and 
losses  on  portfolio  investments.  This  excludes  any  funds 
where market impact does not impact management fees.

• Other—contains  both  distributions  and  foreign  currency 
impact  for  all  periods  and  the  impact  of  the  Mesa  West 
Capital,  LLC  acquisition  in  2018.  Distributions  represent 
decreases  in  invested  capital  due  to  returns  of  capital  after 
the  investment  period  of  a  fund.  It  also  includes  fund 
dividends  that  the  client  has  not  reinvested.  Foreign 
currency impact reflects foreign currency changes for non-
U.S. dollar dominated funds.

• Alternative/Other—includes products in fund of funds, real 
estate, infrastructure, private equity and credit strategies, as 
well as multi-asset portfolios.

• Average  fee  rate—based  on  Asset  management  revenues, 
net of waivers, excluding performance-based fees and other 
non-management  fees.  For  certain  non-U.S.  funds,  it 
includes  the  portion  of  advisory  fees  that  the  advisor 
collects  on  behalf  of  third-party  distributors.  The  payment 
of  those  fees  to  the  distributor  is  included  in  Non-
compensation expenses in the income statements.

Planned Acquisition of Eaton Vance

On  October  8,  2020,  we  entered  into  a  definitive  agreement 
under which we will acquire Eaton Vance, a leading provider 
of  advanced  investment  management  strategies  and  wealth 
management solutions, in a cash and stock transaction valued, 
as of the announcement, at approximately $7 billion, based on 
the  3-day  volume-weighted  average  price  of  our  common 
stock  prior  to  October  7,  2020  and  the  number  of  Eaton 
Vance’s fully diluted shares outstanding on October 7, 2020. 
Under  the  terms  of  the  agreement,  Eaton  Vance  common 
stockholders will receive $28.25 in cash and 0.5833 shares of 
our common shares for each Eaton Vance common share. In 
addition, Eaton Vance common shareholders as of December 
4,  2020  received  a  one-time  special  cash  dividend  of  $4.25 
per  share  on  December  18,  2020,  which  was  paid  by  Eaton 
Vance.  We  currently  expect  to  complete  the  acquisition  on 
March 1, 2021. Completion of the transaction remains subject 
to customary closing conditions.

41

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Supplemental Financial Information 

U.S. Bank Subsidiaries’ Supplemental Financial Information1

Income Tax Matters

$ in millions
Effective tax rate

2020

2019

2018

$ in billions
Investment securities portfolio:

 22.5 %  18.3 %  20.9 %

Investment securities—AFS

Net discrete tax provisions (benefits) $ (122)  $ (475)  $ (368) 

Investment securities—HTM

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

90.3  $ 

52.6   

142.9  $ 

35.2  $ 

62.9   

98.1  $ 

7.9  $ 

27.4   

10.1   

5.4   
50.8  $ 

346.5  $ 

309.7  $ 

42.4 

26.1 

68.5 

30.2 

49.9 

80.1 

5.6 

26.8 

12.0 

5.4 
49.8 

219.6 

189.3 

Total investment securities

Wealth Management Loans
Residential real estate
Securities-based lending and other2
Total

Institutional Securities Loans3
Corporate4
Secured lending facilities

Commercial and Residential real 

estate

Securities-based lending and Other
Total

Total Assets
Deposits5

1. Amounts  exclude  transactions  between  the  bank  subsidiaries,  as  well  as  deposits 

from the Parent Company and affiliates.

2. Other loans primarily include tailored lending.
3. Prior periods have been conformed to the current presentation.
4. For  a  further  discussion  of  corporate  loans  in  the  Institutional  Securities  business 

segment, see “Credit Risk—Institutional Securities Corporate Loans” herein.

5. For further information on deposits, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Funding 

Management—Unsecured Financing” herein.

Other Matters

Deferred Cash-Based Compensation

The Firm sponsors a number of employee deferred cash-based 
compensation  programs,  which  generally  contain  vesting, 
clawback  and  cancellation  provisions.  For 
the  2020 
performance  year,  deferred  cash-based  compensation  was 
awarded  to  a  reduced  group  of  eligible  employees  compared 
with  the  prior  year.  Additionally  in  2020,  certain  changes  to 
our compensation deferral formula resulted in less cash-based 
compensation being deferred.

Employees  are  permitted  to  allocate  the  value  of  their 
deferred  awards  among  a  menu  of  notional  investments, 
whereby the value of their awards will track the performance 
investments.  The  menu  of 
of 
investments,  which  is  selected  by  the  Firm,  includes  fixed 
income, equity, commodity and money market funds.

the  referenced  notional 

Compensation expense for deferred cash-based compensation 
awards is calculated based on the notional value of the award 
granted,  adjusted  for  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
referenced  investments  that  employees  select.  Compensation 
expense is recognized over the vesting period relevant to each 
separately vesting portion of deferred awards.

The  Firm  invests  directly,  as  a  principal,  in  financial 
instruments  and  other  investments  to  economically  hedge 
certain  of  its  obligations  under  these  deferred  cash-based 
compensation plans. Changes in the value of such investments 

The increase in the Firm’s effective tax rate in 2020 compared 
with  the  prior  year  is  primarily  due  to  the  higher  level  of 
earnings  and  lower  net  discrete  tax  benefits.  In  2020,  net 
discrete tax benefits were primarily related to the conversion 
of employee share-based awards.

The Firm’s effective tax rate for 2019 includes net discrete tax 
benefits primarily associated with remeasurement of reserves 
and related interest as a result of new information pertaining 
to  the  resolution  of  multi-jurisdiction  tax  examinations,  as 
well  as  benefits  related  to  conversion  of  employee  share-
based awards.

U.S. Bank Subsidiaries

Our  U.S.  bank  subsidiaries,  Morgan  Stanley  Bank  N.A. 
(“MSBNA”),  Morgan  Stanley  Private  Bank,  National 
Association  (“MSPBNA”),  E*TRADE  Bank  (“ETB”),  and 
E*TRADE Savings Bank (“ETSB”) (collectively, “U.S. Bank 
Subsidiaries”)  accept  deposits,  provide  loans  to  a  variety  of 
customers,  including  large  corporate  and  institutional  clients 
as well as high net worth individuals, and invest in securities. 
Lending activity recorded in the U.S. Bank Subsidiaries from 
the  Institutional  Securities  business  segment  primarily 
includes secured lending facilities, commercial and residential 
real  estate  loans,  and  corporate  loans.  Lending  activity 
recorded  in  the  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  from  the  Wealth 
Management  business  segment  primarily  includes  securities-
based lending, which allows clients to borrow money against 
the  value  of  qualifying  securities,  and  residential  real  estate 
loans.

For a further discussion of our credit risks, see “Quantitative 
and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—Credit  Risk.”  For  a 
further discussion about loans and lending commitments, see 
Notes 10 and 15 to the financial statements.

December 2020 Form 10-K

42

 
 
 
 
 
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Management's Discussion and Analysis

are  recorded  in  Trading  and  Investments  revenues.  Although 
changes  in  compensation  expense  resulting  from  changes  in 
the fair value of the referenced investments will generally be 
offset by changes in the fair value of investments made by the 
Firm,  there  is  typically  a  timing  difference  between  the 
immediate  recognition  of  gains  and  losses  on  the  Firm’s 
investments  and  the  deferred  recognition  of  the  related 
compensation  expense  over  the  vesting  period.  While  this 
timing  difference  is  generally  not  material  to  Income  from 
continuing  operations  before  income  taxes  in  any  individual 
period, it may impact Firm reported ratios (e.g., the Expense 
efficiency  ratio)  in  certain  periods.  At  December  31,  2020, 
substantially all employee notional investments that subjected 
the Firm to price risk were hedged.

Amounts Recognized in Compensation Expense

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Deferred cash-based awards

$  1,263  $  1,233  $  1,174 

Return on referenced investments

856   

645   

(48) 

Total recognized in compensation 

expense

$  2,119  $  1,878  $  1,126 

Amounts Recognized in Compensation Expense by Segment

$ in millions

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Investment Management 

Total recognized in compensation 

expense

2020

2019

2018

$ 

851  $ 

916  $ 

1,000   

268   

760   

202   

611 

346 

169 

$  2,119  $  1,878  $  1,126 

Projected Future Compensation Obligation1

$ in millions
Award liabilities at December 31, 20202, 3

$ 

6,247 

Fully vested amounts to be distributed by the end of 

February 20214

Unrecognized portion of prior awards at December 31, 

20203

2020 performance year awards granted in 20213
Total5

$ 

(1,298) 

1,311 

290 

6,550 

1. Amounts relate to performance years 2020 and prior.
2. Balance is reflected in Other liabilities and accrued expenses in the balance sheet 

as of December 31, 2020.

3. Amounts  do  not  include  assumptions  regarding  cancellations,  accelerations  or 
assumptions about future market conditions with respect to referenced investments.

4. Distributions after February of each year are generally immaterial.
5. Of the total projected future compensation obligation, approximately 30% relates to 
Institutional  Securities,  approximately  60%  relates  to  Wealth  Management  and 
approximately 10% relates to Investment Management.

The  previous  table  presents  a  rollforward  of  the  Firm’s 
estimated  projected  future  compensation  obligation  for 
existing deferred cash-based compensation awards, exclusive 
of  any  assumptions  about  future  market  conditions  with 
respect to referenced investments.

Projected Future Compensation Expense1

$ in millions

Estimated to be recognized in:

2021

2022

Thereafter
Total2

$ 

$ 

680 

312 

609 

1,601 

1. Amounts relate to performance years 2020 and prior.
2. Amounts  do  not  include  assumptions  regarding  cancellations,  accelerations  or 
assumptions about future market conditions with respect to referenced investments.

cash-based 

compensation 

for  deferred 

The  previous  table  sets  forth  an  estimate  of  compensation 
expense  associated  with  the  Projected  Future  Compensation 
Obligation. Our projected future compensation obligation and 
expense 
for 
performance  years  2020  and  prior  are  forward-looking 
statements  subject  to  uncertainty.  Actual  results  may  be 
materially affected by various factors, including, among other 
things:  the  performance  of  each  participant’s  referenced 
investments;  changes  in  market  conditions;  participants’ 
allocation  of 
their  deferred  awards;  and  participant 
cancellations  or  accelerations.  See  “Forward-Looking 
Statements” and “Risk Factors” for additional information.

For  further  information  on  the  Firm’s  deferred  stock-based 
plans  and  carried  interest  compensation,  which  are  excluded 
from the previous tables, see Notes 2 and 20 to the financial 
statements.

Accounting Development Updates

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued certain 
accounting updates, which we have either determined are not 
applicable or are not expected to have a significant impact on 
our financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. 
GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions 
(see  Note  1  to  the  financial  statements).  We  believe  that  of 
our significant accounting policies (see Note 2 to the financial 
statements), the following policies involve a higher degree of 
judgment and complexity.

Fair Value

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

A significant number of our financial instruments are carried 
at  fair  value.  We  make  estimates  regarding  the  valuation  of 
assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  in  preparing  the 
financial  statements.  These  assets  and  liabilities  include,  but 
are not limited to:

• Trading assets and Trading liabilities;
• Investment Securities—AFS;
• Certain Securities purchased under agreements to resell;
• Certain Deposits, primarily certificates of deposit;
• Certain Securities sold under agreements to repurchase;

43

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

• Certain Other secured financings; and
• Certain Borrowings.

less  than  its  carrying  amount,  in  which  case  the  quantitative 
test would be performed.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an 
orderly 
the 
measurement date.

transaction  between  market  participants  at 

In  determining  fair  value,  we  use  various  valuation 
approaches.  A  hierarchy  for  inputs  is  used  in  measuring  fair 
value that maximizes the use of observable prices and inputs 
and  minimizes  the  use  of  unobservable  prices  and  inputs  by 
requiring  that  the  relevant  observable  inputs  be  used  when 
available.  The  hierarchy  is  broken  down  into  three  levels, 
wherein  Level  1  represents  quoted  prices  in  active  markets, 
Level  2  represents  valuations  based  on  quoted  prices  in 
markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs 
are  observable,  and  Level  3  consists  of  valuation  techniques 
that 
inputs  and, 
significant  unobservable 
therefore, require the greatest use of judgment. 

incorporate 

In  periods  of  market  disruption,  the  observability  of  prices 
and inputs may be reduced for many instruments, which could 
cause  an  instrument  to  be  recategorized  from  Level  1  to 
Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3. In addition, a downturn in 
market  conditions  could  lead  to  declines  in  the  valuation  of 
many instruments. For further information on the definition of 
fair  value,  Level  1,  Level  2,  Level  3  and  related  valuation 
techniques, and quantitative information about and sensitivity 
of  significant  unobservable  inputs  used  in  Level  3  fair  value 
measurements, see Notes 2 and 5 to the financial statements.

factors 

such  as 

Where appropriate, valuation adjustments are made to account 
for  various 
(bid-ask 
adjustments), credit quality, model uncertainty, concentration 
risk and funding in order to arrive at fair value. For a further 
discussion of valuation adjustments that we apply, see Note 2 
to the financial statements.

liquidity 

risk 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

to  make  significant 

We  test  goodwill  for  impairment  on  an  annual  basis  as  of 
July  1  and  on  an  interim  basis  when  certain  events  or 
circumstances  exist.  Evaluating  goodwill  for  impairment 
requires  management 
judgments. 
Goodwill impairment tests are performed at the reporting unit 
level, which is generally at the level of or one level below our 
business segments. Goodwill no longer retains its association 
with  a  particular  acquisition  once  it  has  been  assigned  to  a 
reporting  unit.  As  such,  all  the  activities  of  a  reporting  unit, 
whether  acquired  or  organically  developed,  are  available  to 
support the value of the goodwill.

For  both  the  annual  and  interim  tests,  we  have  the  option  to 
either  (i)  perform  a  quantitative  impairment  test  or  (ii)  first 
perform  a  qualitative  assessment  to  determine  whether  it  is 
more  likely  than  not  that  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  is 

December 2020 Form 10-K

44

When performing a quantitative impairment test, we compare 
the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  with  its  carrying  amount, 
including  goodwill.  If  the  fair  value  of  the  reporting  unit  is 
less than its carrying amount, the goodwill impairment loss is 
equal  to  the  excess  of  the  carrying  value  over  the  fair  value, 
limited  by  the  carrying  amount  of  goodwill  allocated  to  that 
reporting unit.

The  estimated  fair  value  of  the  reporting  units  is  derived 
based on valuation techniques we believe market participants 
would use for each of the reporting units. The estimated fair 
value  is  generally  determined  by  utilizing  a  discounted  cash 
flow methodology or methodologies that incorporate price-to-
book  and  price-to-earnings  multiples  of  certain  comparable 
companies. At each annual goodwill impairment testing date, 
each of our reporting units with goodwill had a fair value that 
was substantially in excess of its carrying value.

Intangible Assets

Amortizable intangible assets are initially recorded at cost, or 
in  the  situation  where  acquired  as  part  of  a  business 
combination,  at  the  fair  value  determined  as  part  of  the 
acquisition  method  of  accounting.  Subsequently,  they  are 
carried  in  the  balance  sheets  at  amortized  cost,  where 
amortization is recognized over their estimated useful lives.

When  certain  events  or  circumstances  exist,  amortizable 
intangible  assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment  on  an  interim 
basis. An impairment exists when the carrying amount of the 
intangible  asset  exceeds  its  fair  value.  An  impairment  loss 
will  be  recognized  if  the  carrying  amount  of  the  intangible 
asset  is  not  recoverable  and  exceeds  its  fair  value.  The 
carrying amount of the intangible asset is not recoverable if it 
exceeds the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows.

The  initial  valuation  of  an  intangible  asset  as  part  of  the 
the  subsequent 
acquisition  method  of  accounting  and 
valuation  of 
impairment 
intangible  assets  as  part  of 
assessments  are  subjective  and  based,  in  part,  on  inputs  that 
are unobservable. These inputs include, but are not limited to, 
forecasted  cash  flows,  revenue  growth  rates,  customer 
attrition rates and discount rates.

For  both  goodwill  and  intangible  assets,  to  the  extent  an 
impairment  loss  is  recognized,  the  loss  establishes  the  new 
cost  basis  of  the  asset.  Subsequent  reversal  of  impairment 
losses is not permitted. For amortizable intangible assets, the 
new cost basis is amortized over the remaining useful life of 
that asset. Adverse market or economic events could result in 
impairment charges in future periods.

See  Notes  2,  3  and  11  to  the  financial  statements  for 
additional information about goodwill and intangible assets.

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Legal and Regulatory Contingencies

Income Taxes

In the normal course of business, we have been named, from 
time to time, as a defendant in various legal actions, including 
arbitrations,  class  actions  and  other  litigation,  arising  in 
connection with our activities as a global diversified financial 
services institution.

Certain of the actual or threatened legal actions include claims 
for  substantial  compensatory  and/or  punitive  damages  or 
claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. In some cases, 
the entities that would otherwise be the primary defendants in 
such cases are bankrupt or are in financial distress.

We  are  also  involved,  from  time  to  time,  in  other  reviews, 
investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by 
governmental  and  self-regulatory  agencies  regarding  our 
business  and  involving,  among  other  matters,  sales  and 
investment  management 
trading  activities,  wealth  and 
sponsored, 
financial  products  or  offerings 
services, 
underwritten  or  sold  by  us,  and  accounting  and  operational 
matters,  certain  of  which  may  result  in  adverse  judgments, 
settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief.

Accruals  for 
litigation  and  regulatory  proceedings  are 
generally  determined  on  a  case-by-case  basis.  Where 
available  information  indicates  that  it  is  probable  a  liability 
had  been  incurred  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements  and 
we can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss, we accrue 
the estimated loss by a charge to income. 

In  many  proceedings  and  investigations,  however,  it  is 
inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable 
or  even  possible  or  to  estimate  the  amount  of  any  loss.  In 
addition, even where a loss is possible or an exposure to loss 
exists in excess of the liability already accrued with respect to 
a  previously  recognized  loss  contingency,  it  is  not  always 
possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or 
range  of  loss,  particularly  for  proceedings  and  investigations 
where  the  factual  record  is  being  developed  or  contested  or 
where  plaintiffs  or  government  entities  seek  substantial  or 
indeterminate damages, restitution, disgorgement or penalties. 
Numerous  issues  may  need  to  be  resolved  before  a  loss  or 
additional loss or range of loss or additional range of loss can 
be  reasonably  estimated  for  a  proceeding  or  investigation, 
including 
lengthy  discovery  and 
determination  of  important  factual  matters,  determination  of 
issues  related  to  class  certification  and  the  calculation  of 
damages  or  other  relief,  and  addressing  novel  or  unsettled 
legal questions relevant to the proceedings or investigations in 
question.

through  potentially 

Significant  judgment  is  required  in  deciding  when  and  if  to 
make  these  accruals,  and  the  actual  cost  of  a  legal  claim  or 
regulatory fine/penalty may ultimately be materially different 
from the recorded accruals.

See  Note  15  to  the  financial  statements  for  additional 
information on legal contingencies.

We  are  subject  to  the  income  and  indirect  tax  laws  of  the 
U.S.,  its  states  and  municipalities  and  those  of  the  foreign 
jurisdictions in which we have significant business operations. 
These  tax  laws  are  complex  and  subject  to  different 
interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental 
taxing 
and 
interpretations  about  the  application  of  these  inherently 
complex tax laws when determining the provision for income 
taxes  and  the  expense  for  indirect  taxes  and  must  also  make 
estimates  about  when  certain  items  affect  taxable  income  in 
the various tax jurisdictions.

authorities.  We  must  make 

judgments 

Disputes  over  interpretations  of  the  tax  laws  may  be  settled 
with  the  taxing  authority  upon  examination  or  audit.  We 
periodically  evaluate  the  likelihood  of  assessments  in  each 
taxing  jurisdiction  resulting  from  current  and  subsequent 
years’ examinations, and unrecognized tax benefits related to 
potential losses that may arise from tax audits are established 
in  accordance  with  the  relevant  accounting  guidance.  Once 
established, unrecognized tax benefits are adjusted when there 
is  more  information  available  or  when  an  event  occurs 
requiring a change.

Our  provision  for  income  taxes  is  composed  of  current  and 
deferred taxes. Current income taxes approximate taxes to be 
paid or refunded for the current period. Deferred income taxes 
reflect  the  net  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  between 
the  financial  reporting  and  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities 
and  are  measured  using  the  applicable  enacted  tax  rates  and 
laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected 
to reverse.

Our  deferred  tax  balances  may  also  include  deferred  assets 
related  to  tax  attribute  carryforwards,  such  as  net  operating 
losses  and  tax  credits  that  will  be  realized  through  reduction 
of  future  tax  liabilities  and,  in  some  cases,  are  subject  to 
expiration  if  not  utilized  within  certain  periods.  We  perform 
regular  reviews  to  ascertain  whether  deferred  tax  assets  are 
realizable.  These  reviews  include  management’s  estimates 
income  and 
and  assumptions  regarding  future 
incorporate  various 
including 
strategies that may be available to tax attribute carryforwards 
before they expire.

tax  planning  strategies, 

taxable 

Once  the  deferred  tax  asset  balances  have  been  determined, 
we may record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax 
asset balances to reflect the amount we estimate is more likely 
than  not  to  be  realized  at  a  future  date.  Both  current  and 
deferred income taxes may reflect adjustments related to our 
unrecognized tax benefits.

is 

required 

judgment 

the 
Significant 
consolidated  provision  for  (benefit  from)  income  taxes, 
current  and  deferred 
tax  balances  (including  valuation 
allowance, if any), accrued interest or penalties and uncertain 
tax positions. Revisions in estimates and/or the actual costs of 

in  estimating 

45

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

a tax assessment may ultimately be materially different from 
the recorded accruals and unrecognized tax benefits, if any.

See  Note  2  to  the  financial  statements  for  additional 
information  on  our  significant  assumptions,  judgments  and 
interpretations  associated  with  the  accounting  for  income 
taxes  and  Note  22  to  the  financial  statements  for  additional 
information on our tax examinations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Senior  management,  with  oversight  by  the  Asset/Liability 
Management  Committee  and 
the  Board  of  Directors 
(“Board”), establishes and maintains our liquidity and capital 
policies. Through various risk and control committees, senior 
management  reviews  business  performance  relative  to  these 
policies,  monitors  the  availability  of  alternative  sources  of 
financing,  and  oversees  the  liquidity,  interest  rate  and 
currency  sensitivity  of  our  asset  and  liability  position.  Our 
Treasury  department,  Firm  Risk  Committee,  Asset/Liability 
Management  Committee,  and  other  committees  and  control 
groups  assist  in  evaluating,  monitoring  and  controlling  the 
impact that our business activities have on our balance sheet, 
liquidity  and  capital  structure.  Liquidity  and  capital  matters 
are reported regularly to the Board and the Risk Committee of 
the Board. 

Balance Sheet

We  monitor  and  evaluate  the  composition  and  size  of  our 
balance  sheet  on  a  regular  basis.  Our  balance  sheet 
management  process  includes  quarterly  planning,  business-
specific  thresholds,  monitoring  of  business-specific  usage 
versus  key  performance  metrics  and  new  business  impact 
assessments.

We establish balance sheet thresholds at the consolidated and 
business segment levels. We monitor balance sheet utilization 
and  review  variances  resulting  from  business  activity  and 
market  fluctuations.  On  a  regular  basis,  we  review  current 
performance versus established thresholds and assess the need 
to re-allocate our balance sheet based on business unit needs. 
We also monitor key metrics, including asset and liability size 
and capital usage.

Total Assets by Business Segment

$ in millions

Assets

At December 31, 2020

IS

WM

IM

Total

Cash and cash equivalents

$  74,281  $  31,275  $ 

98  $  105,654 

Trading assets at fair value

  308,413   

280    4,045   

312,738 

Investment securities

  41,630    140,524   

—   

182,154 

Securities purchased under 

agreements to resell

Securities borrowed

Customer and other receivables
Loans1
Other assets2
Total assets

  84,998    31,236   

  110,480   

1,911   

—   

—   

116,234 

112,391 

  67,085    29,781   

871   

97,737 

  52,449    98,130   

18   

150,597 

  13,986    22,458    1,913   

38,357 

$ 753,322  $ 355,595  $ 6,945  $ 1,115,862 

December 2020 Form 10-K

46

$ in millions

Assets

At December 31, 2019

IS

WM

IM

Total

Cash and cash equivalents

$  67,657  $  14,247  $  267  $ 

82,171 

Trading assets at fair value

  293,477   

47    3,586   

297,110 

Investment securities

  38,524    67,201   

—   

105,725 

Securities purchased under 

agreements to resell

Securities borrowed

Customer and other receivables
Loans1
Other assets2
Total assets

  80,744   

7,480   

  106,199   

350   

—   

—   

88,224 

106,549 

  39,743    15,190   

713   

55,646 

  50,557    80,075   

5   

130,637 

  14,300    13,092    1,975   

29,367 

$ 691,201  $ 197,682  $ 6,546  $  895,429 

IS—Institutional Securities
WM—Wealth Management
IM—Investment Management
1. Amounts  include  loans  held  for  investment,  net  of  allowance,  and  loans  held  for 
sale  but  exclude  loans  at  fair  value,  which  are  included  in  Trading  assets  in  the 
balance sheets (see Note 10 to the financial statements).

2. Other  assets  primarily 

Intangible  assets,  premises, 
equipment  and  software,  ROU  assets  related  to  leases,  other  investments,  and 
deferred tax assets.

includes  Goodwill  and 

A  substantial  portion  of  total  assets  consists  of  liquid 
marketable  securities  and  short-term  receivables.  In  the 
Institutional  Securities  business  segment,  these  arise  from 
sales  and  trading  activities,  and  in  the  Wealth  Management 
these  arise  from  banking  activities, 
business  segment, 
including  management  of 
investment  portfolio, 
comprising  Investment  securities,  Cash  and  cash  equivalents 
and  Securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell.  Total 
assets  increased  to  $1,116  billion  at  December  31,  2020 
compared with $895 billion at December 31, 2019.

the 

Wealth  Management’s  assets  increased  primarily  from  the 
acquisition  of  E*TRADE,  as  well  as  growth  in  Loans  and 
increases 
investment  portfolio  as  a  result  of 
significantly higher deposits.

the 

in 

Institutional  Securities’  assets  were  also  higher,  reflecting 
increases  within  Customer  and  other  receivables,  principally 
within  Equity  financing,  and  Trading  assets,  primarily  U.S. 
Treasury and agency securities.

Liquidity Risk Management Framework

The  primary  goal  of  our  Liquidity  Risk  Management 
Framework  is  to  ensure  that  we  have  access  to  adequate 
funding  across  a  wide  range  of  market  conditions  and  time 
horizons.  The  framework  is  designed  to  enable  us  to  fulfill 
our  financial  obligations  and  support  the  execution  of  our 
business strategies.

following  principles  guide  our  Liquidity  Risk 

The 
Management Framework:

• Sufficient  Liquidity  Resources  should  be  maintained  to 
cover maturing liabilities and other planned and contingent 
outflows;

• Maturity profile of assets and liabilities should be aligned, 

with limited reliance on short-term funding;

• Source, counterparty, currency, region and term of funding 

should be diversified; and

 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

• Liquidity  Stress  Tests  should  anticipate,  and  account  for, 

periods of limited access to funding.

The  core  components  of  our  Liquidity  Risk  Management 
Framework are the Required Liquidity Framework, Liquidity 
Stress  Tests  and  Liquidity  Resources,  which  support  our 
target liquidity profile.

Required Liquidity Framework

Our Required Liquidity Framework establishes the amount of 
in  both  normal  and  stressed 
liquidity  we  must  hold 
environments  to  ensure  that  our  financial  condition  and 
overall  soundness  are  not  adversely  affected  by  an  inability 
(or perceived inability) to meet our financial obligations in a 
timely manner. The Required Liquidity Framework considers 
the  most  constraining  liquidity  requirement  to  satisfy  all 
regulatory  and  internal  limits  at  a  consolidated  and  legal 
entity level.

Liquidity Stress Tests

We  use  Liquidity  Stress  Tests  to  model  external  and 
intercompany liquidity flows across multiple scenarios and a 
range  of  time  horizons.  These  scenarios  contain  various 
combinations  of  idiosyncratic  and  systemic  stress  events  of 
different 
duration.  The  methodology, 
implementation,  production  and  analysis  of  our  Liquidity 
Stress  Tests  are  important  components  of  the  Required 
Liquidity Framework.

severity 

and 

The  assumptions  used  by  us  in  our  various  Liquidity  Stress 
Test scenarios include, but are not limited to, the following:

• No government support;
• No access to equity and unsecured debt markets;
• Repayment of all unsecured debt maturing within the stress 

horizon;

secured funding;

• Additional  collateral  that  would  be  required  by  trading 
clearing 

and 
counterparties, 
organizations related to credit rating downgrades;

exchanges 

certain 

• Additional  collateral  that  would  be  required  due  to 
collateral  substitutions,  collateral  disputes  and  uncalled 
collateral;

• Discretionary unsecured debt buybacks;
• Drawdowns  on  lending  commitments  provided  to  third 

parties; and

• Client  cash  withdrawals  and  reduction  in  customer  short 

positions that fund long positions.

Liquidity Stress Tests are produced and results are reported at 
different  levels,  including  major  operating  subsidiaries  and 
major  currencies,  to  capture  specific  cash  requirements  and 
cash availability across the Firm, including a limited number 
of asset sales in a stressed environment. The Liquidity Stress 
Tests assume that subsidiaries will use their own liquidity first 
to  fund  their  obligations  before  drawing  liquidity  from  the 
Parent Company and that the Parent Company will support its 

subsidiaries and will not have access to subsidiaries’ liquidity 
reserves.  In  addition  to  the  assumptions  underpinning  the 
Liquidity  Stress  Tests,  we  take  into  consideration  settlement 
risk  related  to  intraday  settlement  and  clearing  of  securities 
and financing activities.

At  December  31,  2020  and  December  31,  2019, 
we maintained sufficient Liquidity Resources to meet current 
and  contingent  funding  obligations  as  modeled  in  our 
Liquidity Stress Tests.

Liquidity Resources

We  maintain  sufficient  liquidity  resources,  which  consist  of 
HQLA and cash deposits with banks (“Liquidity Resources”) 
to  cover  daily  funding  needs  and  to  meet  strategic  liquidity 
targets  sized  by  the  Required  Liquidity  Framework  and 
Liquidity  Stress  Tests.  The  total  amount  of  Liquidity 
Resources 
the 
following  components:  unsecured  debt  maturity  profile; 
balance  sheet  size  and  composition;  funding  needs  in  a 
stressed  environment,  inclusive  of  contingent  cash  outflows; 
legal  entity,  regional  and  segment  liquidity  requirements; 
regulatory requirements; and collateral requirements.

is  actively  managed  by  us  considering 

The  amount  of  Liquidity  Resources  we  hold  is  based  on  our 
risk  tolerance  and  is  subject  to  change  depending  on  market 
and  Firm-specific  events.  The  Liquidity  Resources  are 
primarily  held  within  the  Parent  Company  and  its  major 
operating  subsidiaries.  The  Total  HQLA  values  in  the  tables 
immediately  following  are  different  from  Eligible  HQLA, 
which,  in  accordance  with  the  LCR  rule,  also  takes  into 
account  certain  regulatory  weightings  and  other  operational 
considerations. 

Liquidity Resources by Type of Investment1

Cash deposits with central banks
Unencumbered HQLA securities2:

U.S. government obligations

U.S. agency and agency mortgage-backed 

securities

Non-U.S. sovereign obligations3
Other investment grade securities

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

49,669  $ 

35,025 

136,555   

88,754 

99,659   

39,745   

2,053   

50,732 

29,909 

1,591 

Total HQLA2

Cash deposits with banks (non-HQLA)

Total Liquidity Resources

$ 

$ 

327,681  $ 

206,011 

10,942   

9,857 

338,623  $ 

215,868 

1. In  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  we  changed  our  internal  measure  of  liquidity  from  the 
Global Liquidity Reserve to Liquidity Resources, which is more closely aligned with 
the regulatory definition of HQLA. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the 
current presentation.

2. HQLA  is  presented  prior  to  applying  weightings  and  includes  all  HQLA  held  in 

subsidiaries.

3. Primarily composed of unencumbered U.K., Japanese, French, German and Dutch 

government obligations.

47

December 2020 Form 10-K

• Higher  haircuts  for  and  significantly  lower  availability  of 

$ in millions

 
 
 
 
 
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Management's Discussion and Analysis

Liquidity Resources by Bank and Non-Bank Legal Entities1

Liquidity Coverage Ratio

166,516 

7,423 

173,939 

59,803 

34,712 

94,515 

57,364 

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

Average Daily Balance
Three Months Ended

December 31, 2020

$ in millions

Bank legal entities

Domestic

Foreign

Total Bank legal 

entities

$ 

178,033  $ 

75,894  $ 

7,670   

4,049   

185,703   

79,943   

Non-Bank legal entities

Domestic:

Parent Company

59,468   

53,128   

Non-Parent 
Company

Total Domestic

Foreign

Total Non-Bank 
legal entities

Total Liquidity 
Resources

33,368   

92,836   

60,084   

28,905   

82,033   

53,892   

152,920   

135,925   

151,879 

$ 

338,623  $ 

215,868  $ 

325,818 

1.  In  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  we  changed  our  internal  measure  of  liquidity  from  the 
Global Liquidity Reserve to Liquidity Resources, which is more closely aligned with 
the regulatory definition of HQLA. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the 
current presentation.

Liquidity  Resources  may  fluctuate  from  period  to  period 
based  on  the  overall  size  and  composition  of  our  balance 
sheet, the maturity profile of our unsecured debt and estimates 
of  funding  needs  in  a  stressed  environment,  among  other 
factors.  Liquidity  Resources  increased  in  2020  primarily  due 
to an increase in deposits, including incremental deposits as a 
result of the E*TRADE acquisition.

Regulatory Liquidity Framework

Liquidity Coverage Ratio

are  designed 

The  Firm,  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA  are  required  to  comply 
with, and subject to a transition period, ETB will be required 
to  comply  with,  LCR  requirements,  including  a  requirement 
to  calculate  each  entity’s  LCR  on  each  business  day.  The 
requirements 
that  banking 
organizations have sufficient Eligible HQLA to cover net cash 
outflows arising from significant stress over 30 calendar days, 
thus  promoting  the  short-term  resilience  of  the  liquidity  risk 
profile  of  banking  organizations.  In  determining  Eligible 
HQLA  for  LCR  purposes,  weightings  (or  asset  haircuts)  are 
applied  to  HQLA,  and  certain  HQLA  held  in  subsidiaries  is 
excluded.

ensure 

to 

As of December 31, 2020, the Firm, MSBNA and MSPBNA 
are compliant with the minimum required LCR of 100%.

December 2020 Form 10-K

48

$ in millions
Eligible HQLA1

Average Daily Balance
Three Months Ended

December 31, 
2020

September 30, 
2020

Cash deposits with central banks
Securities2
Total Eligible HQLA1

$ 

$ 

43,596 

$ 

162,509 

206,105 

$ 

36,481 

170,817 

207,298 

LCR

 129 %

 136 %

1. Under  the  LCR  rule,  Eligible  HQLA  is  calculated  using  weightings  and  excluding 

certain HQLA held in subsidiaries.

2. Primarily  includes  U.S.  Treasuries,  U.S.  agency  mortgage-backed  securities, 

sovereign bonds and investment grade corporate bonds. 

Net Stable Funding Ratio

The U.S. banking agencies have finalized a rule to implement 
the  NSFR,  which  requires  large  banking  organizations  to 
maintain  sufficiently  stable  sources  of  funding  over  a  one-
year time horizon, and will apply to us, MSBNA, MSPBNA 
and  ETB.  These  requirements  become  effective  on  July  1, 
2021 and we will be in compliance with the final rule by the 
effective date. 

Funding Management

We manage our funding in a manner that reduces the risk of 
disruption  to  our  operations.  We  pursue  a  strategy  of 
diversification of secured and unsecured funding sources (by 
product,  investor  and  region)  and  attempt  to  ensure  that  the 
tenor of our liabilities equals or exceeds the expected holding 
period of the assets being financed.

We fund our balance sheet on a global basis through diverse 
sources. These sources include our equity capital, borrowings, 
securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase,  securities 
lending, deposits, letters of credit and lines of credit. We have 
active  financing  programs  for  both  standard  and  structured 
products targeting global investors and currencies.

Secured Financing

The liquid nature of the marketable securities and short-term 
receivables  arising  principally  from  sales  and 
trading 
activities  in  the  Institutional  Securities  business  segment 
provides us with flexibility in managing the composition and 
size  of  our  balance  sheet.  Our  goal  is  to  achieve  an  optimal 
mix  of  durable  secured  and  unsecured  financing.  Secured 
financing  investors  principally  focus  on  the  quality  of  the 
eligible  collateral  posted.  Accordingly,  we  actively  manage 
our secured financings based on the quality of the assets being 
funded.

tenor 

secured 

We  have  established 
funding 
longer 
requirements  for  less  liquid  asset  classes,  for  which  funding 
may be at risk in the event of a market disruption. We define 
highly  liquid  assets  as  government-issued  or  government-
guaranteed  securities  with  a  high  degree  of  fundability  and 
less liquid assets as those that do not meet these criteria. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

To further minimize the refinancing risk of secured financing 
for less liquid assets, we have established concentration limits 
to  diversify  our  investor  base  and  reduce  the  amount  of 
monthly maturities for secured financing of less liquid assets. 
Furthermore,  we  obtain  term  secured  funding  liabilities  in 
excess of less liquid inventory as an additional risk mitigant to 
replace  maturing  trades  in  the  event  that  secured  financing 
markets,  or  our  ability  to  access  them,  become  limited.  As  a 
component  of  the  Liquidity  Risk  Management  Framework, 
we  hold  a  portion  of  our  Liquidity  Resources  against  the 
potential disruption to our secured financing capabilities.

We  generally  maintain  a  pool  of  liquid  and  easily  fundable 
securities,  which  takes  into  account  HQLA  classifications 
consistent  with  LCR  definitions,  and  other  regulatory 
requirements,  and  provides  a  valuable  future  source  of 
liquidity.

Collateralized Financing Transactions

$ in millions

Securities purchased under agreements to 

resell and Securities borrowed

Securities sold under agreements to 
repurchase and Securities loaned

Securities received as collateral1

$ in millions

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

$ 

228,625  $ 

194,773 

58,318  $ 

4,277  $ 

62,706 

13,022 

Average Daily Balance
Three Months Ended

December 31, 
2020

December 31, 
2019

Securities purchased under agreements to 

resell and Securities borrowed

Securities sold under agreements to 
repurchase and Securities loaned

$ 

$ 

195,376  $ 

210,257 

54,528  $ 

64,870 

1. Included within Trading assets in the balance sheets.

See  “Total  Assets  by  Business  Segment”  herein  for  more 
details on the assets shown in the previous table and Notes 2 
and  9  to  the  financial  statements  for  more  details  on 
collateralized financing transactions.

In addition to the collateralized financing transactions shown 
in  the  previous  table,  we  engage  in  financing  transactions 
collateralized  by  customer-owned  securities,  which  are 
segregated 
in  accordance  with  regulatory  requirements. 
Receivables  under  these  financing  transactions,  primarily 
margin loans, are included in Customer and other receivables 
in  the  balance  sheets,  and  payables  under  these  financing 
transactions,  primarily  to  prime  brokerage  customers,  are 
included  in  Customer  and  other  payables  in  the  balance 
sheets. Our risk exposure on these transactions is mitigated by 
collateral  maintenance  policies  and  the  elements  of  our 
Liquidity Risk Management Framework. 

Unsecured Financing

We view deposits and borrowings as stable sources of funding 
for  unencumbered  securities  and  non-security  assets.  Our 
unsecured  financings  include  borrowings  and  certificates  of 
deposit carried at fair value, which are primarily composed of: 

instruments  whose  payments  and  redemption  values  are 
linked  to  the  performance  of  a  specific  index,  a  basket  of 
stocks,  a  specific  equity  security,  a  commodity,  a  credit 
exposure or basket of credit exposures; and instruments with 
various interest-rate-related features, including step-ups, step-
downs  and  zero  coupons.  As  part  of  our  asset/liability 
management strategy, when appropriate, we use derivatives to 
make  adjustments  to  the  interest  rate  risk  profile  of  our 
borrowings (see Notes 7 and 14 to the financial statements).

Deposits

$ in millions

Savings and demand deposits:
Brokerage sweep deposits1
Savings and other

Total Savings and demand deposits

Time deposits
Total2

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

232,071  $ 

121,077 

47,150   

279,221   

31,561   

28,388 

149,465 

40,891 

$ 

310,782  $ 

190,356 

1. Amounts represent balances swept from client brokerage accounts.
2. Excludes  approximately  $25  billion  of  off-balance  sheet  deposits  at  unaffiliated 
financial  institutions  as  of  December  31,  2020.  Client  cash  held  by  third  parties  is 
not  reflected  in  our  balance  sheets  and  is  not  immediately  available  for  liquidity 
purposes.

Deposits are primarily sourced from our Wealth Management 
clients  and  are  considered  to  have  stable,  low-cost  funding 
characteristics.  Total  deposits  increased  in  2020,  primarily 
driven by increases in brokerage sweep and savings deposits, 
including incremental deposits as a result of the acquisition of 
E*TRADE.

Borrowings by Remaining Maturity at December 31, 20201

$ in millions

Original maturities of one year or 

less

Parent
Company

Subsidiaries

Total

$ 

1  $ 

3,690  $ 

3,691 

Original maturities greater than one year

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

Total Borrowings

$ 

17,670  $ 

6,571  $ 

24,241 

16,612   

17,152   

16,109   

11,336   

5,597   

5,738   

5,618   

7,300   

22,209 

22,890 

21,727 

18,636 

80,943   

22,742   

103,685 

$ 

$ 

159,822  $ 

53,566  $ 

213,388 

159,823  $ 

57,256  $ 

217,079 

1. Original  maturity  in  the  table  is  generally  based  on  contractual  final  maturity.  For 
borrowings with put options, remaining maturity represents the earliest put date.

Borrowings  of  $217  billion  as  of  December  31,  2020 
increased compared with $193 billion at December 31, 2019, 
primarily  as  a  result  of  issuances  net  of  maturities  and 
redemptions, as well as fair value adjustments.

We  believe  that  accessing  debt  investors  through  multiple 
distribution  channels  helps  provide  consistent  access  to  the 
unsecured  markets.  In  addition,  the  issuance  of  borrowings 
with  original  maturities  greater  than  one  year  allows  us  to 
reduce  reliance  on  short-term  credit  sensitive  instruments. 
Borrowings with original maturities greater than one year are 
generally  managed  to  achieve  staggered  maturities,  thereby 

49

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

mitigating  refinancing  risk,  and 
investor 
diversification  through  sales  to  global  institutional  and  retail 
clients across regions, currencies and product types. 

to  maximize 

The  availability  and  cost  of  financing  to  us  can  vary 
depending on market conditions, the volume of certain trading 
and  lending  activities,  our  credit  ratings  and  the  overall 
availability of credit. We also engage in, and may continue to 
engage  in,  repurchases  of  our  borrowings  in  the  ordinary 
course of business.

For  further  information  on  Borrowings,  see  Note  14  to  the 
financial statements.

Credit Ratings

longer-term  counterparty  performance 

We rely on external sources to finance a significant portion of 
our  daily  operations.  The  cost  and  availability  of  financing 
generally  are  impacted  by  our  credit  ratings,  among  other 
things.  In  addition,  our  credit  ratings  can  have  an  impact  on 
certain  trading  revenues,  particularly  in  those  businesses 
where 
is  a  key 
consideration,  such  as  certain  OTC  derivative  transactions. 
When  determining  credit  ratings,  rating  agencies  consider 
both  company-specific  and  industry-wide  factors.  These 
include regulatory or legislative changes, the macroeconomic 
environment  and  perceived  levels  of  support,  among  other 
things. See also “Risk Factors— Liquidity Risk.”

Parent  Company,  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA  Issuer  Ratings  at 
February 19, 2021

Parent Company

Short-Term
Debt

Long-Term
Debt

R-1 (middle)

A (high)

DBRS, Inc.

Fitch Ratings, Inc.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Rating and Investment 

Information, Inc.

S&P Global Ratings

F1

P-1

a-1

A-2

Short-Term
Debt

Fitch Ratings, Inc.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

S&P Global Ratings

F1

P-1

A-1

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

S&P Global Ratings

Short-Term
Debt

P-1

A-1

A

A1

A

BBB+

MSBNA

Long-Term
Debt

A+

Aa3

A+

MSPBNA

Long-Term
Debt

Aa3

A+

Rating
Outlook

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Rating
Outlook

Stable

Stable

Stable

Rating
Outlook

Stable

Stable

On  October  2,  2020,  Moody’s  Investors  Service,  Inc. 
(“Moody’s”)  upgraded  the  issuer  ratings  of  the  Parent 
Company  from  A3  to  A2,  and  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA  from 
A1 to Aa3. On January 27, 2021, Moody's upgraded the issuer 
ratings of the Parent Company from A2 to A1.

On November 20, 2020, Fitch Ratings, Inc. revised the Parent 
Company and MSBNA outlooks from Negative to Stable.

December 2020 Form 10-K

50

Incremental Collateral or Terminating Payments

In connection with certain OTC derivatives and certain other 
agreements  where  we  are  a  liquidity  provider  to  certain 
financing vehicles associated with the Institutional Securities 
business  segment,  we  may  be  required  to  provide  additional 
liability 
immediately  settle  any  outstanding 
collateral, 
balances  with  certain  counterparties  or  pledge  additional 
collateral  to  certain  clearing  organizations  in  the  event  of  a 
future credit rating downgrade irrespective of whether we are 
in  a  net  asset  or  net  liability  position.  See  Note  7  to  the 
financial  statements  for  additional  information  on  OTC 
derivatives that contain such contingent features.

While  certain  aspects  of  a  credit  rating  downgrade  are 
quantifiable  pursuant  to  contractual  provisions,  the  impact  it 
would have on our business and results of operations in future 
periods is inherently uncertain and would depend on a number 
of  interrelated  factors,  including,  among  other  things,  the 
magnitude of the downgrade, the rating relative to peers, the 
rating  assigned  by  the  relevant  agency  pre-downgrade, 
individual  client  behavior  and  future  mitigating  actions  we 
might  take.  The  liquidity  impact  of  additional  collateral 
requirements is included in our Liquidity Stress Tests. 

Capital Management

We  view  capital  as  an  important  source  of  financial  strength 
and  actively  manage  our  consolidated  capital  position  based 
upon,  among  other  things,  business  opportunities,  risks, 
capital  availability  and  rates  of  return  together  with  internal 
capital  policies,  regulatory  requirements  and  rating  agency 
guidelines.  In  the  future,  we  may  expand  or  contract  our 
capital base to address the changing needs of our businesses.

Common Stock Repurchases

in millions, except for per share data

2020

2019

2018

Number of shares

Average price per share

Total

29   

121   

97 

$  46.01  $  44.23  $  50.08 

$  1,347  $  5,360  $  4,860 

“Liquidity 

For additional information on our common stock repurchases, 
see 
and  Capital  Resources—Regulatory 
Requirements—Capital  Action  Supervisory  Restrictions” 
herein. 

For  further  information  on  our  common  stock  repurchases, 
see Note 18 to the financial statements.

For  a  description  of  our  capital  plan,  see  “Liquidity  and 
Capital  Resources—Regulatory  Requirements—Capital 
Plans, Stress Tests and the Stress Capital Buffer” herein.

Common Stock Dividend Announcement

Announcement date

Amount per share

Date paid

Shareholders of record as of

January 20, 2021

$0.35

February 12, 2021

January 29, 2021

 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

“Liquidity 

For  additional  information  on  our  common  stock  dividends, 
see 
and  Capital  Resources—Regulatory 
Requirements—Capital  Action  Supervisory  Restrictions” 
herein.

Preferred Stock Dividend Announcement

Announcement date

Date paid

Shareholders of record as of

December 15, 2020

January 15, 2021

December 31, 2020

For  additional  information  on  common  and  preferred  stock, 
see Note 18 to the financial statements.

Off-Balance  Sheet  Arrangements  and  Contractual 
Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We  enter 
into  various  off-balance  sheet  arrangements, 
including  through  unconsolidated  SPEs  and  lending-related 
financial  instruments  (e.g.,  guarantees  and  commitments), 
primarily  in  connection  with  the  Institutional  Securities  and 
Investment Management business segments.

We  utilize  SPEs  primarily  in  connection  with  securitization 
activities. For information on our securitization activities, see 
Note 16 to the financial statements.

For  information  on  our  commitments,  obligations  under 
certain guarantee arrangements and indemnities, see Note 15 
to  the  financial  statements.  For  further  information  on  our 
lending  commitments,  see  “Quantitative  and  Qualitative 
Disclosures  about  Risk—Credit  Risk—Loans  and  Lending 
Commitments” herein.

Contractual Obligations

At December 31, 2020

Payments Due in:

2021

2022-2023 2024-2025 Thereafter

Total

$ 24,241  $  45,099  $  40,363  $  103,685  $ 213,388 

  1,655   

1,684   

134   

408   

3,881 

  3,952   

6,714   

5,254   

15,886    31,806 

  18,681   

9,075   

3,496   

513    31,765 

841   

1,533   

1,171   

2,685   

6,230 

  1,297   

1,037   

319   

175   

2,828 

$ in millions
Borrowings1
Other secured 
financings1

Contractual interest 

payments2

Time deposits—
principal and 
interest payments

Operating leases— 

premises3
Purchase 

obligations4

Total5

$ 50,667  $  65,142  $  50,737  $  123,352  $ 289,898 

1. Amounts  presented  for  Borrowings  and  Other  secured  financings  are  financings 
with original maturities greater than one year. For further information on Borrowings 
and Other secured financings, see Note 14 to the financial statements.

2. Amounts represent estimated future contractual interest payments related to certain 
unsecured  borrowings  with  original  maturities  greater  than  one  year  based  on 
applicable  interest  rates  at  December  31,  2020.  For  additional  information  on 
borrowings carried at fair value, see Note 14 to the financial statements.

3. For further information on operating leases covering premises and equipment, see 

Note 12 to the financial statements.

4. Purchase  obligations  for  goods  and  services  include  payments  for,  among  other 
things,  consulting,  outsourcing,  computer  and  telecommunications  maintenance 
agreements, and certain transmission, transportation and storage contracts related 
to the commodities business.

5. Amounts  exclude  unrecognized  tax  benefits,  as  the  timing  and  amount  of  future 
cash  payments  are  not  determinable  at  this  time  (see  Note  22  to  the  financial 
statements for further information).

Regulatory Requirements

Regulatory Capital Framework

such 

capital 

requirements.  Regulatory 

We  are  an  FHC  under  the  Bank  Holding  Company  Act  of 
1956,  as  amended  (“BHC  Act”),  and  are  subject  to  the 
regulation and oversight of the Federal Reserve. The Federal 
Reserve  establishes  capital  requirements  for  us,  including 
“well-capitalized”  standards,  and  evaluates  our  compliance 
with 
capital 
requirements  established  by  the  Federal  Reserve  are  largely 
based  on  the  Basel  III  capital  standards  established  by  the 
Basel Committee and also implement certain provisions of the 
Dodd-Frank  Wall  Street  Reform  and  Consumer  Protection 
Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”). The OCC establishes similar capital 
requirements  and  standards  for  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries. 
For us to remain an FHC, we must remain well-capitalized in 
accordance with standards established by the Federal Reserve, 
and our U.S. Bank Subsidiaries must remain well-capitalized 
in  accordance  with  standards  established  by  the  OCC.  For 
additional  information  on  regulatory  capital  requirements  for 
our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries,  see  Note  17  to  the  financial 
statements.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

We  are  required  to  maintain  minimum  risk-based  and 
leverage-based  capital  and  TLAC  ratios.  For  additional 
information  on  TLAC,  see  “Total  Loss-Absorbing  Capacity, 
Long-Term Debt and Clean Holding Company Requirements” 
herein.

51

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
Our risk-based capital ratios are computed under both (i) the 
standardized approaches for calculating credit risk and market 
risk RWA (“Standardized Approach”) and (ii) the applicable 
advanced  approaches  for  calculating  credit  risk,  market  risk 
and  operational  risk  RWA  (“Advanced  Approach”).  The 
credit  risk  RWA  calculations  between  the  two  approaches 
differ  in  that  the  Standardized  Approach  requires  calculation 
of RWA using prescribed risk weights, whereas the Advanced 
Approach  utilizes  models  to  calculate  exposure  amounts  and 
risk weights. 

Leverage-Based  Regulatory  Capital.        Minimum  leverage-
based capital requirements include a Tier 1 leverage ratio and 
an SLR. We are required to maintain an SLR of 5%, inclusive 
of an enhanced SLR capital buffer of at least 2%.

As of December 31, 2020, our risk-based and leverage-based 
capital amounts and ratios, as well as RWA, adjusted average 
assets  and  supplementary  leverage  exposure  are  calculated 
excluding  the  effect  of  the  adoption  of  CECL  based  on  our 
election to defer this effect over a five-year transition period. 
For further information, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources 
—Regulatory  Requirements—Regulatory  Developments” 
herein.

Regulatory Capital Ratios

Standardized

Advanced

Required
Ratio1

At
December 31,
2020

Required
Ratio1

At
December 31,
2020

$ 

78,650 

88,079 

97,213 

453,106 

$ 

78,650 

88,079 

96,994 

445,151 

$ in millions

Risk-based 

capital

Common Equity 
Tier 1 capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Total RWA

Common Equity 

Tier 1 capital ratio

Tier 1 capital ratio

Total capital ratio

 13.2% 

 14.7% 

 16.7% 

 17.4 %  10.0 %

 19.4 %  11.5 %

 21.5 %  13.5 %

 17.7 %

 19.8 %

 21.8 %

$ in millions

Leverage-based capital
Adjusted average assets2

Tier 1 leverage ratio
Supplementary leverage exposure3, 4
SLR4

Required
Ratio1

At
December 31,
2020

$ 

1,053,310 

 8.4 %

$ 

1,192,506 

 7.4 %

 4.0 %

 5.0 %

Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Risk-Based Regulatory Capital.    Minimum risk-based capital 
ratio  requirements  apply  to  Common  Equity  Tier  1  capital, 
Tier  1  capital  and  Total  capital  (which  includes  Tier  2 
capital). Capital standards require certain adjustments to, and 
deductions  from,  capital  for  purposes  of  determining  these 
ratios. 

Risk-Based Regulatory Capital Ratio Requirements

Capital buffers

Capital conservation buffer
Stress capital buffer (“SCB”)1
G-SIB capital surcharge2
CCyB3

Capital buffer requirement4

At
December 31,
2020

Standardized Advanced

At
December 31,
2019

Standardized 
and Advanced

 — 

 5.7% 

 3.0% 

0%

 8.7% 

 2.5% 

N/A

 3.0% 

0%

 5.5% 

 2.5% 

N/A

 3.0% 

0%

 5.5% 

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

Regulatory 
Minimum Standardized Advanced

Standardized 
and Advanced

Required ratios5
Common Equity Tier 1 

capital ratio

Tier 1 capital ratio

Total capital ratio

 4.5% 

 6.0% 

 8.0% 

 13.2% 

 14.7% 

 16.7% 

 10.0% 

 11.5% 

 13.5% 

 10.0% 

 11.5% 

 13.5% 

1. For  additional  information  on  the  SCB,  see  “Capital  Plans,  Stress  Tests  and  the 

Stress Capital Buffer” herein.

2. For  a  further  discussion  of  the  G-SIB  capital  surcharge,  see  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—
Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—Regulatory  Requirements—G-SIB  Capital 
Surcharge” herein.

3. The CCyB can be set up to 2.5% but is currently set by the U.S. banking agencies 

at zero.

4. The  capital  buffer  requirement  represents  the  amount  of  Common  Equity  Tier  1 
capital  we  must  maintain  above  the  minimum  risk-based  capital  requirements  in 
order to avoid restrictions on our ability to make capital distributions, including the 
payment  of  dividends  and  the  repurchase  of  stock,  and  to  pay  discretionary 
bonuses  to  executive  officers.  Beginning  October  1,  2020,  our  Standardized 
Approach capital buffer requirement is equal to the sum of our SCB, G-SIB capital 
surcharge  and  CCyB,  and  our  Advanced  Approach  capital  buffer  requirement  is 
equal to our 2.5% capital conservation buffer, G-SIB capital surcharge and CCyB.
5. Required  ratios  under  the  Standardized  and Advanced Approaches  represent  the 

regulatory minimum plus the capital buffer requirement.

Risk-Weighted Assets.    RWA reflects both our on- and off-
balance  sheet  risk,  as  well  as  capital  charges  attributable  to 
the risk of loss arising from the following:

• Credit  risk:  The  failure  of  a  borrower,  counterparty  or 

issuer to meet its financial obligations to us;

• Market  risk:  Adverse  changes  in  the  level  of  one  or  more 
market  prices,  rates,  indices,  volatilities,  correlations  or 
other market factors, such as market liquidity; and

• Operational risk: Inadequate or failed processes or systems, 
from  human  factors  or  from  external  events  (e.g.,  fraud, 
theft,  legal  and  compliance  risks,  cyber  attacks  or  damage 
to physical assets).

December 2020 Form 10-K

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

At December 31, 2019

Regulatory Capital

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Required
Ratio1

Standardized

Advanced

Common Equity Tier 1 capital

$ 

64,751 

$ 

64,751 

$ in millions

Common Equity Tier 1 capital

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

Change

73,443 

82,708 

73,443 

82,423 

Retained earnings

394,177 

382,496 

AOCI

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Total RWA

Common Equity Tier 1 capital 

ratio

Tier 1 capital ratio

Total capital ratio

$ in millions

Leverage-based capital
Adjusted average assets2
Tier 1 leverage ratio
Supplementary leverage exposure3
SLR

 10.0 %

 11.5 %

 13.5 %

 16.4 %

 18.6 %

 21.0 %

 16.9 %

 19.2 %

 21.5 %

Required
Ratio1

At
December 31,
2019

$ 

889,195 

 4.0 %

 8.3 %

$  1,155,177 

 5.0 %

 6.4 %

1. Required  ratios  are  inclusive  of  any  buffers  applicable  as  of  the  date  presented. 
Failure  to  maintain  the  buffers  would  result  in  restrictions  on  our  ability  to  make 
capital  distributions,  including  the  payment  of  dividends  and  the  repurchase  of 
stock, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers. 

2. Adjusted  average  assets  represents  the  denominator  of  the  Tier  1  leverage  ratio 
and  is  composed  of  the  average  daily  balance  of  consolidated  on-balance  sheet 
assets  for  the  quarters  ending  on  the  respective  balance  sheet  dates,  reduced  by 
disallowed  goodwill,  intangible  assets,  investments  in  covered  funds,  defined 
benefit  pension  plan  assets,  after-tax  gain  on  sale  from  assets  sold  into 
securitizations,  investments  in  our  own  capital  instruments,  certain  deferred  tax 
assets and other capital deductions. 

leverage 

3. Supplementary  leverage  exposure  is  the  sum  of Adjusted  average  assets  used  in 
for 
the  Tier  1 
derivatives, potential future exposure and the effective notional principal amount of 
sold  credit  protection  offset  by  qualifying  purchased  credit  protection;  (ii)  the 
counterparty  credit  risk  for  repo-style  transactions;  and  (iii)  the  credit  equivalent 
amount for off-balance sheet exposures. 

ratio  and  other  adjustments,  primarily: 

(i) 

4. Based  on  a  Federal  Reserve  interim  final  rule  in  effect  until  March  31,  2021,  our 
SLR  and  Supplementary  leverage  exposure  as  of  December  31,  2020  reflect  the 
exclusion of U.S. Treasury securities and deposits at Federal Reserve Banks. As of 
December 31, 2020, the impact of the interim final rule on our SLR was an increase 
of  80  bps.  For  further  information,  see  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—
Regulatory Requirements—Regulatory Developments” herein.

Common stock and surplus

$ 

15,799  $ 

5,228  $ 

10,571 

Regulatory adjustments and deductions:

Net goodwill

Net intangible assets

Other adjustments and 

deductions1
Total Common Equity Tier 1 
capital

Additional Tier 1 capital

Preferred stock

Noncontrolling interests

Additional Tier 1 capital

Deduction for investments 

in covered funds

Total Tier 1 capital

Standardized Tier 2 capital

Subordinated debt

Noncontrolling interests

Eligible allowance for credit 

losses

Other adjustments and 

deductions

Total Standardized Tier 2 

capital

Total Standardized capital

Advanced Tier 2 capital

Subordinated debt

Noncontrolling interests

Eligible credit reserves

Other adjustments and 

deductions

Total Advanced Tier 2 

capital

Total Advanced capital

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

78,978   

(1,962)   

70,589   

8,389 

(2,788)   

826 

(11,527)   

(7,081)   

(4,446) 

(4,165)   

(2,012)   

(2,153) 

1,527   

815   

712 

78,650  $ 

64,751  $ 

13,899 

9,250  $ 

8,520  $ 

619   

607   

9,869  $ 

9,127  $ 

730 

12 

742 

(440)   

(435)   

(5) 

88,079  $ 

73,443  $ 

14,636 

7,737  $ 

8,538  $ 

(801) 

146   

143   

3 

1,265   

590   

675 

(14)   

(6)   

(8) 

9,134  $ 

9,265  $ 

(131) 

97,213  $ 

82,708  $ 

14,505 

7,737  $ 

8,538  $ 

(801) 

146   

1,046   

143   

305   

3 

741 

(14)   

(6)   

(8) 

8,915  $ 

8,980  $ 

(65) 

96,994  $ 

82,423  $ 

14,571 

1. Other adjustments and deductions used in the calculation of Common Equity Tier 1 
capital primarily includes net after-tax DVA, the credit spread premium over risk-free 
rate  for  derivative  liabilities,  defined  benefit  pension  plan  assets,  after-tax  gain  on 
sale  from  assets  sold  into  securitizations,  investments  in  our  own  capital 
instruments and certain deferred tax assets.

The increase in Common Equity Tier 1 capital compared with 
December 31, 2019 was primarily the result of a net increase 
in  Retained  earnings  and  the  impact  of  the  E*TRADE 
acquisition.

53

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

RWA Rollforward

$ in millions

Credit risk RWA

2020

Standardized

Advanced

Balance at December 31, 2019

$ 

342,684  $ 

228,927 

Change related to the following items:

Derivatives

Securities financing transactions

Securitizations

Investment securities

Commitments, guarantees and 

loans

Cash

Equity investments
Other credit risk1

Total change in credit risk RWA

Balance at December 31, 2020

Market risk RWA

Balance at December 31, 2019

Change related to the following items:

Regulatory VaR

Regulatory stressed VaR

Incremental risk charge

Comprehensive risk measure

Specific risk:

Non-securitizations

Securitizations

Total change in market risk RWA

Balance at December 31, 2020

Operational risk RWA

Balance at December 31, 2019

Change in operational risk RWA

Balance at December 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

17,003   

(486)   

(1,683)   

10,950   

9,892   

2,416   

3,796   

2,494   

35,426 

1,921 

(3,261) 

8,587 

3,745 

2,678 

4,004 

2,903 

44,382  $ 

387,066  $ 

56,003 

284,930 

51,493  $ 

51,597 

8,578   

975   

1,968   

145   

2,938   

(57)   

14,547  $ 

66,040  $ 

N/A $ 

N/A  

N/A $ 

8,578 

975 

1,968 

41 

2,938 

(57) 

14,443 

66,040 

101,972 

(7,791) 

94,181 

Total RWA

$ 

453,106  $ 

445,151 

Regulatory VaR—VaR for regulatory capital requirements
1. Amounts  reflect  assets  not  in  a  defined  category,  non-material  portfolios  of 

exposures and unsettled transactions, as applicable.

increased 

in  2020  under  both 

the 
Credit  risk  RWA 
Standardized  and  Advanced  Approaches,  primarily  from  an 
increase in Derivatives exposures driven by market volatility 
and an increase in Investment securities mainly as a result of 
the  E*TRADE  acquisition.  The  increase  was  also  driven  by 
Lending  commitments  within  the  Wealth  Management  and 
Institutional  Securities  business  segments  and  an  increase  in 
Equity investments due to higher exposure and market value 
gains.  In  addition,  credit  risk  RWA  under  the  Advanced 
Approach  increased  for  CVA,  mainly  due  to  increased 
exposure in Derivatives and higher credit spread volatility.

Market  risk  RWA  increased  in  2020  under  both  the 
Standardized  and  Advanced  Approaches  primarily  due  to  an 
increase  in  Regulatory  VaR  mainly  as  a  result  of  higher 
market volatility.

The  decrease  in  operational  risk  RWA  under  the  Advanced 
Approach  in  2020  reflects  a  decline  in  the  frequency  and 
severity of litigation-related losses.

December 2020 Form 10-K

54

G-SIB Capital Surcharge

We and other U.S. G-SIBs are subject to a risk-based capital 
surcharge.  A  G-SIB  must  calculate 
its  G-SIB  capital 
surcharge  under  two  methods  and  use  the  higher  of  the  two 
surcharges.  The  first  method  considers  the  G-SIB’s  size, 
interconnectedness,  cross-jurisdictional  activity,  complexity 
and  substitutability,  which  is  generally  consistent  with  the 
methodology  developed  by  the  Basel  Committee  (“Method 
1”).  The  second  method  uses  similar  inputs  but  replaces 
substitutability  with  the  use  of  short-term  wholesale  funding 
(“Method 2”) and generally results in higher surcharges than 
the  first  method.  The  G-SIB  capital  surcharge  must  be 
satisfied using Common Equity Tier 1 capital and functions as 
an extension of the capital conservation buffer.

Total  Loss-Absorbing  Capacity,  Long-Term  Debt  and 
Clean Holding Company Requirements

The  Federal  Reserve  has  established  external  TLAC,  long-
term debt (“LTD”) and clean holding company requirements 
for  top-tier  BHCs  of  U.S.  G-SIBs  (“covered  BHCs”), 
including  the  Parent  Company.  These  requirements  are 
designed to ensure that covered BHCs will have enough loss-
absorbing resources at the point of failure to be recapitalized 
through the conversion of eligible LTD to equity or otherwise 
by imposing losses on eligible LTD or other forms of TLAC 
where  an  SPOE  resolution  strategy  is  used  (see  “Business—
Supervision  and  Regulation—Financial  Holding  Company—
Resolution  and  Recovery  Planning”  and  “Risk  Factors—
Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk”).

These  TLAC  and  eligible  LTD  requirements  include  various 
restrictions,  such  as  requiring  eligible  LTD  to:  be  issued  by 
the  covered  BHC  and  be  unsecured;  have  a  maturity  of  one 
year  or  more  from  the  date  of  issuance;  and  not  contain 
certain embedded features, such as a principal or redemption 
amount  subject  to  reduction  based  on  the  performance  of  an 
asset,  entity  or  index,  or  a  similar  feature.  In  addition,  the 
requirements  provide  permanent  grandfathering  for  debt 
instruments issued prior to December 31, 2016 that would be 
eligible  LTD  but  for  having  impermissible  acceleration 
clauses or being governed by foreign law. 

A  covered  BHC  is  also  required  to  maintain  minimum 
external TLAC equal to the greater of (i) 18% of total RWA 
or (ii) 7.5% of its total leverage exposure (the denominator of 
its  SLR).  In  addition,  covered  BHCs  must  meet  a  separate 
external  LTD  requirement  equal  to  the  greater  of  (i)  total 
RWA  multiplied  by  the  sum  of  6%  plus  the  higher  of  the 
Method 1 or Method 2 G-SIB capital surcharge applicable to 
the  Parent  Company,  or  (ii)  4.5%  of  its  total  leverage 
exposure. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Management's Discussion and Analysis

Required and Actual TLAC and Eligible LTD Ratios

Regulatory 
Minimum

Required 
Ratio1

Actual
Amount/Ratio

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

216,129 

$  196,888 

 18.0% 

 21.5% 

 47.7% 

 49.9% 

 7.5% 

 9.5% 

 18.1% 

 17.0% 

$ 

120,561 

$  113,624 

 9.0% 

 9.0% 

 26.6% 

 28.8% 

 4.5% 

 4.5% 

 10.1% 

 9.8% 

$ in millions
External TLAC2

External TLAC as a 

% of RWA

External TLAC as a 

% of leverage 
exposure

Eligible LTD3
Eligible LTD as a % 

of RWA

Eligible LTD as a % 

of leverage 
exposure

1. Required  ratios  are  inclusive  of  applicable  buffers.  The  final  rule  imposes  TLAC 
buffer  requirements  on  top  of  both  the  risk-based  and  leverage  exposure-based 
external TLAC minimum requirements. The risk-based TLAC buffer is equal to the 
sum of 2.5%, our Method 1 G-SIB surcharge and the CCyB, if any, as a percentage 
of total RWA. The leverage exposure-based TLAC buffer is equal to 2% of our total 
leverage exposure. Failure to maintain the buffers would result in restrictions on our 
ability  to  make  capital  distributions,  including  the  payment  of  dividends  and  the 
repurchase of stock, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

2. External  TLAC  consists  of  Common  Equity  Tier  1  capital  and  Additional  Tier  1 
capital  (each  excluding  any  noncontrolling  minority  interests),  as  well  as  eligible 
LTD.

3. Consists of TLAC-eligible LTD reduced by 50% for amounts of unpaid principal due 
to  be  paid  in  more  than  one  year  but  less  than  two  years  from  each  respective 
balance sheet date. 

Furthermore,  under  the  clean  holding  company  requirements 
of the final rule, a covered BHC is prohibited from incurring 
any  external  debt  with  an  original  maturity  of  less  than  one 
year  or  certain  other  liabilities,  regardless  of  whether  the 
liabilities  are  fully  secured  or  otherwise  senior  to  eligible 
LTD,  or  entering  into  certain  other  prohibited  transactions. 
Certain other external liabilities, including those with certain 
embedded features noted above, are subject to a cap equal to 
5%  of  the  covered  BHC’s  outstanding  external  TLAC 
amount. We are in compliance with all TLAC requirements as 
of December 31, 2020.

Additionally,  the  U.S.  banking  agencies  have  issued  a  final 
rule that, among other things, modifies the regulatory capital 
framework for large U.S. banking organizations, including us 
and  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries.  Under  the  final  rule,  such 
organizations  are  required  to  make  certain  deductions  from 
regulatory  capital  for  their  investments  in  certain  unsecured 
debt  instruments  (including  eligible  LTD  in  the  TLAC 
framework) issued by the Parent Company and other G-SIBs. 
These  requirements  become  effective  on  April  1,  2021,  and 
we  expect  to  be  in  compliance  with  the  final  rule  by  the 
effective date.

Capital Plans, Stress Tests and the Stress Capital Buffer

Pursuant  to  the  Dodd-Frank  Act,  the  Federal  Reserve  has 
adopted capital planning and stress test requirements for large 
BHCs,  which  form  part  of  the  Federal  Reserve’s  annual 
CCAR framework.

We must submit, on at least an annual basis, a capital plan to 
the  Federal  Reserve,  taking  into  account  the  results  of 
separate  annual  stress  tests  designed  by  us  and  the  Federal 

Reserve, so that the Federal Reserve may assess our systems 
and processes that incorporate forward-looking projections of 
revenues  and  losses  to  monitor  and  maintain  our  internal 
capital adequacy. As banks with less than $250 billion of total 
assets,  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries  are  not  subject  to 
company-run stress test regulatory requirements. 

The  capital  plan  must  include  a  description  of  all  planned 
capital actions over a nine-quarter planning horizon, including 
any  issuance  or  redemption  of  a  debt  or  equity  capital 
instrument,  any  capital  distribution  (i.e.,  payments  of 
dividends or stock repurchases) and any similar action that the 
Federal  Reserve  determines  could  impact  our  consolidated 
capital. The capital plan must include a discussion of how we 
will  maintain  capital  above  the  minimum  regulatory  capital 
ratios,  and  how  we  will  serve  as  a  source  of  strength  to  our 
U.S. Bank Subsidiaries under supervisory stress scenarios. In 
addition, the Federal Reserve has issued guidance setting out 
its  heightened  expectations  for  capital  planning  practices  at 
certain large financial institutions, including us.

In 2020, the Federal Reserve adopted a final rule to integrate 
its  annual  capital  planning  and  stress  testing  requirements 
with  existing  applicable  regulatory  capital  requirements.  The 
final  rule,  which  applies  to  certain  BHCs,  including  us, 
introduced an SCB and related changes to the capital planning 
and  stress  testing  processes.  The  final  rule  does  not  change 
the  Advanced 
regulatory  capital 
Approach,  the  Tier  1  leverage  ratio  or  the  SLR.  However, 
failure to meet Advanced Approach or SLR regulatory capital 
requirements,  inclusive  of  applicable  capital  buffers,  would 
also result in automatic capital distribution limitations.

requirements  under 

The SCB applies only with respect to Standardized Approach 
risk-based  capital  requirements  and  replaces  the  existing 
Common  Equity  Tier  1  capital  conservation  buffer  of  2.5%. 
The  SCB  is  the  greater  of  (i)  the  maximum  decline  in  our 
Common  Equity  Tier  1  capital  ratio  under  the  severely 
adverse scenario over the supervisory stress test measurement 
period plus the sum of the four quarters of planned common 
stock  dividends  divided  by  the  projected  RWAs  from  the 
quarter in which the Firm’s projected Common Equity Tier 1 
capital ratio reaches its minimum in the supervisory stress test 
and (ii) 2.5%. 

Under  the  SCB  final  rule,  the  supervisory  stress  test  now 
assumes  that  BHCs  generally  maintain  a  constant  level  of 
assets  and  RWAs  throughout  the  projection  period.  In 
addition,  it  no  longer  assumes  that  BHCs  make  all  planned 
capital  distributions,  although  the  SCB  incorporates  the 
amount of four quarters of planned common stock dividends. 
Similarly,  the  final  rule  eliminates  the  annual  process  in 
which  the  Federal  Reserve  provided  its  objection  or  non-
objection  to  a  firm’s  capital  plan,  given  the  integration  of 
stress  test  results  into  automatic  distribution  limitations 
resulting  from  failure  to  meet  SCB  requirements.  Federal 
Reserve  approval  for  capital  actions  is  still  required  in  some 
specific circumstances.

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A  firm’s  SCB  is  subject  to  revision  each  year,  with  effect 
from October 1, to reflect the results of the Federal Reserve's 
annual  supervisory  stress  test.  The  Federal  Reserve  has 
discretion to recalculate a firm's SCB outside of the October 1 
annual cycle in certain circumstances.

We  submitted  our  2020  Capital  Plan  (“Capital  Plan”)  and 
company-run  stress  test  results  to  the  Federal  Reserve  on 
April  6,  2020.  On  June  25,  2020,  the  Federal  Reserve 
published  summary  results  of  its  supervisory  stress  tests  of 
each large BHC. On June 29, 2020, we disclosed a summary 
of the results of our company-run stress tests on our Investor 
Relations website. On September 4, 2020, we announced we 
would  be  subject  to  an  SCB  of  5.7%  beginning  October  1, 
2020,  which  reflects  the  Federal  Reserve’s  2020  supervisory 
stress  test  results,  inclusive  of  corrections  from  the  original 
results announced in June 2020. Together with other features 
of the regulatory capital framework, this revised SCB results 
in an aggregate Standardized Approach Common Equity Tier 
1 required ratio of 13.2%.

In  2020,  the  Federal  Reserve  required  all  large  BHCs  to 
update and resubmit their capital plans in response to changes 
in financial markets or the macroeconomic outlook associated 
with  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  On  November  2,  2020,  we 
resubmitted  our  2020  Capital  Plan  and  company-run  stress 
test results based on revised scenarios released by the Federal 
Reserve on September 17, 2020. On December 18, 2020, the 
Federal  Reserve  published  summary  results  of  the  second 
round  of  supervisory  stress  tests  for  each  large  BHC, 
including  us.  While  the  Federal  Reserve  did  not  recalculate 
any  BHC’s  SCB  in  connection  with  the  December  18,  2020 
announcement,  it  extended  the  time  period  to  notify  firms 
whether  their  SCB  requirements  will  be  recalculated  until 
March 31, 2021, and also extended capital action supervisory 
restrictions  applicable  to  large  BHCs  into  the  first  quarter  of 
2021  with  modifications  to  permit  resumptions  of  share 
repurchases.  Consistent  with 
these  modifications,  on 
December  18,  2020,  our  Board  of  Directors  authorized  the 
repurchases of outstanding common stock of up to $10 billion 
in  2021,  subject  to  limitations  on  distributions  from  the 
Federal  Reserve.  See  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—
Regulatory  Requirements—Capital  Action  Supervisory 
Restrictions”  herein  for  additional  information  on  capital 
action supervisory restrictions.

For  the  2021  capital  planning  and  stress  test  cycle,  we  are 
required  to  submit  our  capital  plan  and  company-run  stress 
test  results  to  the  Federal  Reserve  by  April  5,  2021.  The 
Federal Reserve is expected to publish summary results of the 
CCAR  and  Dodd-Frank  Act  supervisory  stress  tests  of  each 
large BHC, including us, by June 30, 2021. We are required 
to  disclose  a  summary  of  the  results  of  our  company-run 
stress  tests  within  15  days  of  the  date  the  Federal  Reserve 
discloses the results of the supervisory stress tests. 

December 2020 Form 10-K

56

Capital Action Supervisory Restrictions

The  Federal  Reserve  announced,  on  June  25,  2020,  that  all 
large  BHCs  would  be  subject  to  capital  action  supervisory 
restrictions beginning in the third quarter of 2020, which the 
Federal Reserve subsequently extended into the fourth quarter 
of  2020.  Except  as  noted  below,  these  restrictions  generally 
prohibited  large  BHCs  from  making  any  capital  distribution 
(excluding  any  capital  distribution  arising  from  the  issuance 
of a capital instrument eligible for inclusion in the numerator 
of  a  regulatory  capital  ratio),  unless  otherwise  approved  by 
the  Federal  Reserve,  regardless  of  whether  a  firm  met 
applicable  capital  buffers,  including  the  SCB.  Large  BHCs 
were, however, authorized to make share repurchases relating 
to  issuances  of  common  stock  related  to  employee  stock 
ownership  plans;  provided  that  a  BHC  did  not  increase  the 
amount of its common stock dividends, to pay common stock 
dividends that did not exceed an amount equal to the average 
of  the  BHC’s  net  income  for  the  four  preceding  calendar 
quarters,  unless  otherwise  specified  by  the  Federal  Reserve; 
and to make scheduled payments on additional Tier 1 and Tier 
2 capital instruments. 

Under  the  modified  capital  action  restrictions  announced  on 
December  18,  2020,  large  BHCs  are  permitted,  in  the  first 
quarter of 2021, to take certain capital actions. In particular, a 
firm may, provided that it does not increase the amount of its 
common stock dividends to be larger than the level paid in the 
second  quarter  of  2020,  pay  common  stock  dividends  and 
make share repurchases that, in the aggregate, do not exceed 
an  amount  equal  to  the  average  of  the  firm’s  net  income  for 
the four preceding calendar quarters; make share repurchases 
that  equal  the  amount  of  share  issuances  related  to  expensed 
employee  compensation;  and  redeem  and  make  scheduled 
payments on additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital instruments.

Attribution of Average Common Equity According to the 
Required Capital Framework

Our required capital (“Required Capital”) estimation is based 
on  the  Required  Capital  framework,  an  internal  capital 
adequacy measure. Common equity attribution to the business 
segments  is  based  on  capital  usage  calculated  under  the 
Required  Capital  framework,  as  well  as  each  business 
segment’s relative contribution to our total Required Capital.

The Required Capital framework is a risk-based and leverage-
based capital measure, which is compared with our regulatory 
capital to ensure that we maintain an amount of going concern 
capital  after  absorbing  potential  losses  from  stress  events, 
where  applicable,  at  a  point  in  time.  The  amount  of  capital 
allocated  to  the  business  segments  is  generally  set  at  the 
beginning of each year and remains fixed throughout the year 
until the next annual reset unless a significant business change 
occurs  (e.g.,  acquisition  or  disposition).  We  define  the 
difference between our total average common equity and the 
sum of the average common equity amounts allocated to our 
business  segments  as  Parent  common  equity.  We  generally 
hold  Parent  common  equity  for  prospective  regulatory 

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Management's Discussion and Analysis

requirements,  organic  growth,  acquisitions  and  other  capital 
needs.

Average  Common  Equity  Attribution  under  the  Required 
Capital Framework1 

$ in billions

Institutional Securities
Wealth Management2

Investment Management

Parent

Total

2020

2019

2018

$ 

42.8  $ 

40.4  $ 

20.8   

2.6   

14.0   

18.2   

2.5   

11.6   

40.8 

16.8 

2.6 

9.8 

$ 

80.2  $ 

72.7  $ 

70.0 

1. The attribution of average common equity to the business segments is a non-GAAP 

financial measure. See "Selected Non-GAAP Financial Information" herein.

2. Total  average  common  equity  and  the  allocation  to  the  Wealth  Management 
business segment were revised in the fourth quarter of 2020 to reflect the impact of 
the E*TRADE acquisition on October 2, 2020.

Beginning  in  2021,  we  have  updated  our  Required  Capital 
framework  to  take  into  account  changes  to  our  risk-based 
capital requirements resulting from the SCB. The stand-alone 
impact of the change to the Required Capital framework was 
not  material  to  the  business  segments.  As  noted  above, 
common equity attribution to the business segments is based 
upon usage. We will continue to evaluate the framework with 
respect  to  the  impact  of  other  future  regulatory  requirements 
as appropriate. 

Resolution and Recovery Planning

Pursuant  to  the  Dodd-Frank  Act,  we  are  required  to 
periodically  submit  to  the  Federal  Reserve  and  the  FDIC  a 
resolution  plan  that  describes  our  strategy  for  a  rapid  and 
orderly  resolution  under  the  U.S.  Bankruptcy  Code  in  the 
event  of  our  material  financial  distress  or  failure.  Our  next 
resolution  plan  submission  will  be  a  targeted  resolution  plan 
in July 2021.

As  described  in  our  most  recent  resolution  plan,  which  was 
submitted on June 28, 2019, our preferred resolution strategy 
is  an  SPOE  strategy.  In  line  with  our  SPOE  strategy,  the 
Parent Company has transferred, and has agreed to transfer on 
an  ongoing  basis,  certain  assets  to  its  wholly  owned,  direct 
subsidiary  Morgan  Stanley  Holdings  LLC  (the  “Funding 
IHC”).  In  addition,  the  Parent  Company  has  entered  into  an 
amended  and  restated  support  agreement  with  its  material 
entities  (including  the  Funding  IHC)  and  certain  other 
subsidiaries.  In  the  event  of  a  resolution  scenario,  the  Parent 
Company  would  be  obligated  to  contribute  all  of  its 
Contributable  Assets  to  our  material  entities  and/or  the 
Funding  IHC.  The  Funding  IHC  would  be  obligated  to 
provide  capital  and  liquidity,  as  applicable,  to  our  material 
entities.  The  combined  implication  of  the  SPOE  resolution 
strategy  and  the  requirement  to  maintain  certain  levels  of 
TLAC  is  that  losses  in  resolution  would  be  imposed  on  the 
holders of eligible long-term debt and other forms of eligible 
TLAC  issued  by  the  Parent  Company  before  any  losses  are 
imposed on creditors of our material entities or before putting 
U.S. taxpayers at risk.

The obligations of the Parent Company and the Funding IHC 
under  the  amended  and  restated  support  agreement  are  in 
most  cases  secured  on  a  senior  basis  by  the  assets  of  the 
Parent  Company  (other  than  shares  in  subsidiaries  of  the 
Parent Company and certain other assets) and the assets of the 
Funding  IHC.  As  a  result,  claims  of  our  material  entities, 
including the Funding IHC, with respect to the secured assets, 
are  effectively  senior  to  unsecured  obligations  of  the  Parent 
Company.

In  December  2019,  we  received  joint  feedback  on  our  2019 
resolution plan from the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. The 
feedback confirmed that there are no deficiencies in our 2019 
resolution plan and that we had successfully addressed a prior 
shortcoming  identified  by  the  agencies  in  the  review  of  our 
2017 resolution plan. The agencies noted one shortcoming in 
our  2019  resolution  plan  related  to  certain  mechanisms 
intended  to  facilitate  our  SPOE  strategy  which  must  be 
addressed  prior  to  our  next  resolution  plan  submission  in 
2021.

For more information about resolution and recovery planning 
requirements  and  our  activities  in  these  areas,  including  the 
implications  of  such  activities  in  a  resolution  scenario,  see 
“Business—Supervision  and  Regulation—Financial  Holding 
Company—Resolution  and  Recovery  Planning”  and  “Risk 
Factors—Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk.”

Regulatory Developments

Regulatory Developments in Response to COVID-19

In the United States, the Federal Reserve, the other U.S. state 
and  federal  financial  regulatory  agencies  and  Congress  have 
taken actions to mitigate disruptions to economic activity and 
financial stability resulting from COVID-19.

Federal Reserve and other U.S. Banking Agency Actions

The  Federal  Reserve  established  a  range  of  facilities  and 
programs to support the U.S. economy and U.S. marketplace 
participants  in  response  to  economic  disruptions  associated 
with  COVID-19.  Through  these  facilities  and  programs,  the 
Federal  Reserve  has  taken  steps  to  directly  or  indirectly 
purchase  assets  or  debt  instruments  from,  or  make  loans  to, 
U.S.  companies,  financial  institutions,  municipalities  and 
other  market  participants.  In  the  current  year,  we  have 
participated  as  principal,  as  well  as  on  behalf  of  clients,  in 
certain  of  these  facilities  and  programs,  and  we  may 
participate  in  other  of  these  facilities  and  programs  in  the 
future.

In  addition,  the  Federal  Reserve  has  taken  a  range  of  other 
actions  to  support  the  flow  of  credit  to  households  and 
businesses.  For  example,  the  Federal  Reserve  has  set  the 
target  range  for  the  federal  funds  rate  at  0  to  0.25%  and  has 
increased its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and agency 
mortgage-backed  securities,  purchased  agency  commercial 
mortgage-backed  securities,  and  established  a  facility  to 
purchase  corporate  debt  securities  and  shares  of  exchange-

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Management's Discussion and Analysis

traded funds holding such securities. The Federal Reserve has 
also  encouraged  depository  institutions  to  borrow  from  the 
discount window and has lowered the primary credit rate for 
such  borrowings  by  150  basis  points  to  0.25%  while 
extending  the  term  of  such  loans  up  to  90  days.  In  addition, 
reserve requirements have been reduced to zero.

with  respect  to  any  payout  restrictions  applicable  in  the 
event  of  a  breach  of  any  regulatory  capital  buffers, 
including  any  applicable  CCyB,  G-SIB  capital  surcharge, 
capital  conservation  buffer,  the  enhanced  SLR  and  the 
SCB, which replaced the capital conservation buffer under 
the Standardized Approach.

Acting  in  concert  with  the  other  U.S.  banking  agencies,  the 
Federal  Reserve  has  also  issued  statements  encouraging 
banking organizations to use their capital and liquidity buffers 
as  they  lend  to  households  and  businesses  affected  by 
COVID-19.

Further,  the  Federal  Reserve,  along  with  the  other  U.S. 
banking agencies, issued guidance stating that granting certain 
concessions  to  borrowers  that  are  current  on  existing  loans, 
either  individually  or  as  part  of  a  program  for  creditworthy 
borrowers  who  are  experiencing  short-term  financial  or 
operational problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
generally  would  not  be  considered  TDRs  under  applicable 
U.S. GAAP. This guidance also clarifies that efforts to work 
with  borrowers  of  one-to-four  family  residential  mortgages 
impacted  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  meeting  certain 
criteria will not result in such loans being deemed restructured 
or modified for purposes of regulatory capital requirements.

The  Federal  Reserve  and  other  U.S.  banking  agencies  have 
also  issued  a  series  of  rulemakings  in  response  to  the 
COVID-19  pandemic, 
facilitate  banking 
to 
including 
organizations’ use of their capital buffers:

• Supplementary  Leverage  Ratio  Interim  Final  Rules.  The 
Federal  Reserve  has  adopted  an  interim  final  rule  that 
excludes,  on  a  temporary  basis,  U.S.  Treasury  securities 
and  deposits  at  Federal  Reserve  Banks 
from  our 
supplementary  leverage  exposure  from  April  1,  2020  to 
March 31, 2021. 

A  similar  interim  final  rule  issued  by  the  OCC  along  with 
the  other  U.S.  banking  agencies  provides  national  banks, 
including  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA,  an  optional  election, 
which is considered on a case-by-case basis by the OCC if 
received  after  June  30,  2020,  to  apply  similar  relief.  If 
elected  and  approved,  a  national  bank  must  receive  prior 
the  OCC  before  making  any  capital 
approval  from 
distributions  while  the  exclusion  is  in  effect.  As  of 
December  31,  2020,  neither  MSBNA  nor  MSPBNA  made 
this optional election.

• Revisions  to  Definition  of  Eligible  Retained  Income.  The 
U.S. banking agencies have adopted as final an interim final 
rule,  which  was  effective  March  20,  2020,  amending  the 
definition  of  eligible  retained  income  in  their  respective 
capital  rules.  As  amended,  eligible  retained  income  is 
defined  by  the  U.S.  banking  agencies  as  the  greater  of  (i) 
net income for the four preceding calendar quarters, net of 
any  distributions  and  associated  tax  effects  not  already 
reflected in net income, and (ii) the average of net income 
over  the  preceding  four  quarters.  This  definition  applies 

December 2020 Form 10-K

58

Separately,  the  Federal  Reserve  has  adopted  as  final  an 
interim  final  rule,  which  was  effective  March  26,  2020, 
amending  the  definition  of  eligible  retained  income  under 
its TLAC rule to be consistent with the revised definition of 
eligible 
regulatory  capital 
in 
framework, as summarized above.

retained 

income 

the 

• Regulatory  Capital  and  Stress  Testing  Developments 
Related  to  Implementation  of  CECL.  The  U.S.  banking 
agencies  have  adopted  a  final  rule,  consistent  with  an 
interim  final  rule  that  was  effective  March  31,  2020, 
altering,  for  purposes  of  the  regulatory  capital  and  TLAC 
requirements, the required adoption time period for CECL. 
We  have  elected  to  apply  a  transition  method  provided  by 
the rule, under which the effects of CECL on our regulatory 
capital and TLAC requirements are deferred for two years, 
followed  by  a  three-year  phase-in  of  the  aggregate  capital 
effects of the two-year deferral.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the 
“CARES  Act”)  and  the  Consolidated  Appropriations  Act, 
2021 (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”)

The  CARES  Act  was  signed  into  law  on  March  27,  2020. 
Pursuant  to  the  CARES  Act,  the  U.S.  Treasury  had  the 
authority  to  provide  loans,  guarantees  and  other  investments 
in  support  of  eligible  businesses,  states  and  municipalities 
affected by the economic effects of COVID-19. Some of these 
funds may also have been used to support the several Federal 
Reserve programs and facilities described in “Federal Reserve 
Actions”  previously  or  additional  programs  or  facilities  that 
are established by the Federal Reserve under its Section 13(3) 
authority  and  meet  certain  criteria.  Among  other  provisions, 
the CARES Act also included funding for the Small Business 
Administration  to  expand  lending,  relief  from  certain  U.S. 
GAAP 
loan 
modifications  not  to  be  categorized  as  TDRs  and  a  range  of 
forbearance  or 
encourage  deferment, 
incentives 
modification of consumer credit and mortgage contracts. 

to  allow  COVID-19-related 

requirements 

to 

the  deposits  of  solvent 

included  several  measures 

The  CARES  Act  also 
that 
temporarily  adjusted  existing  laws  or  regulations.  These 
included  providing  the  FDIC  with  additional  authority  to 
guarantee 
insured  depository 
institutions  held  in  non-interest-bearing  business  transaction 
accounts  to  a  maximum  amount  specified  by  the  FDIC, 
the  FDIC’s  Temporary  Liquidity  Guarantee 
reinstating 
Authority  to  guarantee  debt  obligations  of  solvent  insured 
depository 
institution  holding 
companies,  temporarily  allowing  the  U.S.  Treasury  to  fully 
guarantee money market mutual funds and granting additional 

institutions  or  depository 

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Management's Discussion and Analysis

authority  to  the  OCC  to  provide  certain  exemptions  to  the 
lending limits imposed on national banks. 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into 
law on December 27, 2020, extends certain relief provided by 
the  CARES  Act  while  also  modifying  or  clarifying  certain 
other  provisions.  Among  other  amendments  to  the  CARES 
Act,  the  Consolidated  Appropriations  Act  extends  the  relief 
related  to  TDRs  until  January  1,  2022.  In  addition,  the 
Consolidated  Appropriations  Act  rescinds  certain  funds  that 
were appropriated to the U.S. Treasury to provide loans, loan 
guarantees,  and  make  other  investments  in  programs  or 
facilities established by the Federal Reserve, and prohibits the 
Federal Reserve, after December 31, 2020, from making any 
new  investments,  loans  or  loan  guarantees,  or  extensions  of 
credit  through  those  of  its  programs  and  facilities  that  were 
established  using  CARES  Act  funding.  Federal  Reserve 
programs  and  facilities  that  were  not  established  using 
CARES  Act  funding  are  not  affected  by  the  Consolidated 
Appropriations Act.

Non-U.S. Central Bank Actions

In  addition  to  actions  taken  by  the  Federal  Reserve,  many 
non-U.S. central banks have announced similar facilities and 
programs in response to the economic and market disruptions 
associated  with  COVID-19.  Firm  subsidiaries  operating  in 
non-U.S.  markets  may  participate,  or  perform  customer 
facilitation roles, in such non-U.S. facilities or programs.

Other Matters

U.K. Withdrawal from the E.U.

On January 31, 2020, the U.K. withdrew from the E.U. under 
the  terms  of  a  withdrawal  agreement  between  the  U.K.  and 
the E.U. The withdrawal agreement provided for a transition 
period  to  the  end  of  December  2020,  during  which  time  the 
U.K. continued to apply E.U. law as if it were a member state, 
and  U.K.  firms’  rights  to  provide  financial  services  in  E.U. 
member states continued.

On December 24, 2020 the U.K. and the E.U. announced they 
had  reached  agreement  on  the  terms  of  a  trade  and  co-
operation agreement to govern the future relationship between 
the  parties.  The  agreement  consists  of  three  main  pillars 
including trade, citizens’ security and governance, covering a 
range  of  arrangements  in  several  areas.  The  agreement  is 
provisionally  applicable  with  effect  from  January  1,  2021 
pending  formal  ratification  by  the  E.U.  As  anticipated,  the 
agreement  did  not  materially  address  provision  of  financial 
services.

We had prepared the structure of our European operations for 
a  range  of  potential  outcomes,  including  for  the  possibility 
that  U.K.  financial  firms’  access  to  E.U.  markets  after  the 
transition  period  would  be  limited,  and  have  been  able  to 
continue  to  serve  our  clients  and  customers  from  January  1, 
2021.

For  more  information  on  the  U.K.’s  withdrawal  from  the 
E.U., our related preparations and the potential impact on our 
operations,  see  “Risk  Factors—International  Risk.”  For 
further  information  regarding  our  exposure  to  the  U.K.,  see 
also  “Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—
Country and Other Risks” herein.

Planned  Replacement  of  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate 
and Replacement or Reform of Other Interest Rates

Central  banks  around  the  world,  including  the  Federal 
Reserve, have commissioned committees and working groups 
of  market  participants  and  official  sector  representatives  to 
replace  LIBOR  and  replace  or  reform  other  interest  rate 
benchmarks  (collectively,  the  “IBORs”).  There  remains  a 
likelihood  that  most  IBORs  will  not  be  available  beyond 
2021.  In  2020,  ICE  Benchmark  Administration,  which 
administers  LIBOR  publication, 
issued  a  consultation 
requesting  feedback  on  its  intention  to  cease  the  publication 
of most LIBOR rates as of the end of December 2021, except 
for  the  publication  until  June  30,  2023  of  the  most  widely 
used  U.S.  dollar  LIBOR  tenors.  At  the  same  time,  the  U.S. 
banking  agencies  and  the  U.K.  Financial  Conduct  Authority 
also  encouraged  banks  to  cease  entering  into  new  contracts 
referencing  LIBOR  as  soon  as  practicable  and  no  later  than 
December 31, 2021, but have also indicated their support for 
the continuation of certain U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors through 
the end of June 2023 to allow for certain U.S. dollar LIBOR 
legacy contracts to mature.

for 

robust 

fallbacks 

rate  definitions  among  Protocol  adherents 

Also  in  2020,  there  have  been  several  steps  taken  by  the 
industry  to  encourage  the  transition  to  alternative  reference 
rates.  Key  central  clearinghouses,  such  as  London  Clearing 
House (“LCH”) and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”), 
have  switched  their  price  aligned  interest  and  discounting  to 
the  alternative  reference  rates.  For  example,  the  LCH  and 
CME  transitioned  the  discounting  rate  for  U.S.  dollar 
denominated  products  to  SOFR,  the  alternative  rate  to  U.S. 
dollar  LIBOR  selected  by  the  ARRC.  The  International 
Swaps  and  Derivatives  Association  (“ISDA”)  also  published 
its 2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol which will amend ISDA’s 
interest 
to 
incorporate 
legacy  non-cleared 
derivatives  linked  to  LIBOR  and  certain  other  interest  rates 
benchmarks.  The  ISDA  2020  IBOR  Fallbacks  Protocol 
became  effective  as  of  January  25,  2021  and  applies  to 
Protocol  adherents  who  do  not  elect  to  voluntarily  convert 
their  derivatives  contracts  to  reference  alternative  rates  in 
advance  of  the  applicable  cessation  date.  Similarly,  ISDA’s 
IBOR  Fallbacks  Supplement  will  also  amend  ISDA’s 
standard definitions to incorporate these new fallbacks in new 
derivatives entered into on or after that same effective date. In 
addition,  certain  central  bank-sponsored  committees  have 
issued 
to  assist  market 
participants in transitioning away from the IBORs in various 
jurisdictions,  including  the  United  States.  These  documents 
include recommended timelines and intermediate steps market 
participants  can  take  in  order  to  achieve  a  successful 
transition.

recommended  best  practices 

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Management's Discussion and Analysis

We have established and are undertaking a Firm-wide IBOR 
transition  plan  to  promote  the  transition  to  alternative 
reference  rates,  which  is  overseen  by  a  global  steering 
committee, with senior management oversight. Our transition 
plan  is  designed  to  identify,  assess  and  monitor  risks 
associated with the expected discontinuation or unavailability 
of  one  or  more  of  the  IBORs,  and  includes  continued 
engagement  with  central  bank  and  industry  working  groups 
and regulators (including participation and leadership on key 
committees),  active  client  engagement,  internal  operational 
readiness and risk management, among other things. We are a 
party  to  a  significant  number  of  LIBOR-linked  contracts, 
many of which extend beyond 2021 and, in the case of U.S. 
dollar  LIBOR,  June  30,  2023,  composed  of  derivatives, 
securitizations,  floating  rate  notes,  loans  and  mortgages.  Our 
review  of  these  contracts  includes  assessing  the  impact  of 
applicable  fallbacks  and  any  amendments  that  may  be 
warranted  or  appropriate.  We  are  also  taking  steps  to  update 
operational  processes  (including 
to  support  alternative 
reference rates), models, and associated infrastructure, as well 
as  conducting  certain  client  outreach  to  amend  fallbacks, 
including  by  utilization  of  the  ISDA  2020  IBOR  Fallbacks 
Protocol  or 
through  bilaterally  negotiated  voluntary 
conversions  of  outstanding  LIBOR  products  where 
practicable. Key Firm entities have also adhered to the ISDA 
2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol.

In  addition,  as  part  of  the  transition  to  alternative  reference 
rates, we are making markets in products linked to such rates, 
including SOFR, and have issued debt linked to SOFR.

For  a  further  discussion  of  the  expected  replacement  of  the 
IBORs  and/or  reform  of  interest  rate  benchmarks,  and  the 
related  risks  and  our  transition  plan,  see  “Risk  Factors—
Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risk.”

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60

Table of Contents

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Risk 

Risk Management

Overview

Risk  is  an  inherent  part  of  our  businesses  and  activities.  We 
believe  effective  risk  management  is  vital  to  the  success  of 
our  business  activities.  Accordingly,  we  have  an  Enterprise 
Risk  Management  (“ERM”)  framework  to  integrate  the 
diverse  roles  of  risk  management  into  a  holistic  enterprise 
structure and to facilitate the incorporation of risk assessment 
into decision-making processes across the Firm.

We  have  policies  and  procedures  in  place  to  identify, 
measure, monitor, advise, challenge and control the principal 
risks  involved  in  the  activities  of  the  Institutional  Securities, 
Wealth  Management  and  Investment  Management  business 
segments,  as  well  as  at  the  Parent  Company  level.  The 
principal  risks  involved  in  our  business  activities  include 
market  (including  non-trading  risks),  credit,  operational, 
model,  compliance,  cybersecurity, 
strategic, 
reputational and conduct risk. Strategic risk is integrated into 
our  business  planning,  embedded  in  the  evaluation  of  all 
principal risks and overseen by the Board.

liquidity, 

The  cornerstone  of  our  risk  management  philosophy  is  the 
pursuit  of  risk-adjusted  returns  through  prudent  risk  taking 
that protects our capital base and franchise. This philosophy is 
the  ERM  framework.  Five  key 
implemented 
integrity, 
this 
principles 
comprehensiveness, 
and 
independence, 
transparency. To help ensure the efficacy of risk management, 
which  is  an  essential  component  of  our  reputation,  senior 

through 
underlie 

accountability 

philosophy: 

management  requires  thorough  and  frequent  communication 
and the appropriate escalation of risk matters. The fast-paced, 
complex  and  constantly  evolving  nature  of  global  financial 
markets  requires  us  to  maintain  a  risk  management  culture 
that is incisive, knowledgeable about specialized products and 
markets, and subject to ongoing review and enhancement.

Our  risk  appetite  defines  the  types  of  risk  that  the  Firm  is 
willing  to  accept  in  pursuit  of  our  strategic  objectives  and 
business plan, taking into account the interests of clients and 
fiduciary  duties  to  shareholders,  as  well  as  capital  and  other 
regulatory requirements. This risk appetite is embedded in our 
risk  culture  and  linked  to  our  short-term  and  long-term 
strategic, capital and financial plans, as well as compensation 
programs.  This  risk  appetite  and  the  related  Board-level  risk 
limits  and  risk  tolerance  statements  are  reviewed  and 
approved  by  the  Risk  Committee  of  the  Board  (“BRC”)  and 
the Board on at least an annual basis.

Risk Governance Structure

Risk management at the Firm requires independent Firm-level 
oversight,  accountability  of  our  business  divisions,  and 
effective  communication  of  risk  matters  across  the  Firm,  to 
senior  management  and  ultimately  to  the  Board.  Our  risk 
governance  structure  is  set  forth  in  the  following  chart  and 
also  includes  risk  managers,  committees,  and  groups  within 
and across business segments and operating legal entities. The 
but 
ERM 
complementary 
and 
comprehensive  supervision  of  our  risk  exposures  and 
processes.

independent 
efficient 

framework, 

composed 

facilitates 

entities, 

of 

RRP—Resolution and Recovery Planning
1. Committees  include  the  Capital  Commitment  Committee,  Global  Large  Loan  Committee,  Equity  Underwriting  Committee,  Leveraged  Finance  Underwriting  Committee  and 

Municipal Capital Commitment Committee.

2. Committees include the Securities Risk Committee, Wealth Management Risk Committee and Investment Management Risk Committee.

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Risk Disclosures

Morgan Stanley Board of Directors

The  Board  has  oversight  of  the  ERM  framework  and  is 
responsible for helping to ensure that our risks are managed in 
a  sound  manner.  The  Board  has  authorized  the  committees 
within  the  ERM  framework  to  help  facilitate  our  risk 
oversight  responsibilities.  As  set  forth  in  our  Corporate 
Governance  Policies,  the  Board  also  oversees,  and  receives 
reports  on,  our  financial  performance,  strategy  and  business 
plans,  as  well  as  our  practices  and  procedures  relating  to 
reputational  and  franchise  risk,  and  culture,  values  and 
conduct.

Risk Committee of the Board

The  BRC  assists  the  Board  in  its  oversight  of  the  ERM 
framework;  oversees  major  risk  exposures  of  the  Firm, 
including  market,  credit,  model  and  liquidity  risk,  against 
established  risk  measurement  methodologies  and  the  steps 
management has taken to monitor and control such exposures; 
oversees our risk appetite statement, including risk limits and 
tolerances; reviews capital, liquidity and funding strategy and 
related  guidelines  and  policies;  reviews  the  contingency 
funding  plan  and  capital  planning  process;  oversees  our 
significant  risk  management  and  risk  assessment  guidelines 
and  policies;  oversees  the  performance  of  the  Chief  Risk 
Officer;  reviews  reports  from  our  Strategic  Transactions 
Committee, CCAR Committee and RRP Committee; reviews 
new product risk, emerging risks, climate risk and regulatory 
matters; and reviews the Internal Audit Department reports on 
the  assessment  of  the  risk  management,  liquidity  and  capital 
functions.  The  BRC  reports  to  the  Board  on  a  regular  basis 
and coordinates with other Board committees with respect to 
oversight of risk management and risk assessment guidelines.

Audit Committee of the Board

The  Audit  Committee  of  the  Board  (“BAC”)  oversees  the 
integrity  of  our  financial  statements,  compliance  with  legal 
and regulatory requirements, and system of internal controls; 
oversees  risk  management  and  risk  assessment  guidelines  in 
coordination with the Board, the BRC, and the Operations and 
Technology Committee of the Board (“BOTC”); reviews the 
major  legal,  compliance  and  conduct  risk  exposures  of  the 
Firm  and  the  steps  management  has  taken  to  monitor  and 
control such exposures; selects, determines the fees, evaluates 
and,  when  appropriate,  replaces  the  independent  auditor; 
oversees the qualifications, independence and performance of 
our independent auditor and pre-approves audit and permitted 
non-audit  services;  oversees  the  performance  of  our  Chief 
Audit Officer; and, after review, recommends to the Board the 
acceptance  and  inclusion  of  the  annual  audited  financial 
statements  in  the  Firm’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K.  The 
BAC reports to the Board on a regular basis.

Operations and Technology Committee of the Board

The  BOTC  oversees  our  operations  and  technology  strategy 
and  significant  investments  in  support  of  such  strategy; 

December 2020 Form 10-K

62

risk, 

technology  and  operational 

operations, 
including 
information  security,  fraud,  vendor,  data  protection,  privacy, 
business continuity and resilience, cybersecurity risks and the 
steps  management  has  taken  to  monitor  and  control  such 
exposures; receives reports regarding business continuity and 
resilience; and reviews risk management and risk assessment 
guidelines  in  coordination  with  the  Board,  the  BRC  and  the 
BAC,  and  policies  regarding  operations,  technology  and 
operational risk. The BOTC reports to the Board on a regular 
basis.

Firm Risk Committee

The  Board  has  also  authorized  the  Firm  Risk  Committee 
(“FRC”), a management committee appointed and co-chaired 
by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Risk Officer, which 
includes  the  most  senior  officers  of  the  Firm  from  the 
business,  independent  risk  functions  and  control  groups,  to 
help oversee the ERM framework. The FRC’s responsibilities 
include:  oversight  of  our  risk  management  principles, 
procedures  and  limits;  the  monitoring  of  capital  levels  and 
material  market,  credit,  operational,  model,  liquidity,  legal, 
compliance  and  reputational  risk  matters,  and  other  risks,  as 
appropriate;  and  the  steps  management  has  taken  to  monitor 
and  manage  such  risks.  The  FRC  also  establishes  and 
communicates risk tolerance, including aggregate Firm limits 
and  tolerances,  as  appropriate.  The  Governance  Process 
Review  Subcommittee  of  the  FRC  oversees  governance  and 
process issues on behalf of the FRC. The FRC reports to the 
Board,  the  BAC,  the  BOTC  and  the  BRC  through  the  Chief 
Risk Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer.

Functional Risk and Control Committees

Functional risk and control committees and other committees 
within 
facilitate  efficient  and 
comprehensive  supervision  of  our  risk  exposures  and 
processes.

the  ERM 

framework 

that 

Each  business  segment  has  a  risk  committee 
is 
responsible for helping to ensure that the business segment, as 
applicable,  adheres  to  established  limits  for  market,  credit, 
operational  and  other  risks;  implements  risk  measurement, 
monitoring,  and  management  policies,  procedures,  controls 
and  systems  that  are  consistent  with  the  risk  framework 
established by the FRC; and reviews, on a periodic basis, our 
aggregate  risk  exposures,  risk  exception  experience,  and  the 
efficacy  of  our  risk  identification,  measurement,  monitoring 
and  management  policies  and  procedures,  and  related 
controls.

Chief Risk Officer

The Chief Risk Officer, who is independent of business units, 
reports  to  the  BRC  and  the  Chief  Executive  Officer.  The 
Chief  Risk  Officer  oversees  compliance  with  our  risk  limits; 
approves exceptions to our risk limits; independently reviews 
material market, credit, liquidity, model and operational risks; 
and  reviews  results  of  risk  management  processes  with  the 

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Board, the BRC, the BOTC and the BAC, as appropriate. The 
Chief  Risk  Officer  also  coordinates  with  the  Chief  Financial 
Officer regarding capital and liquidity management and works 
with  the  Compensation,  Management  Development  and 
Succession  Committee  of  the  Board  to  help  ensure  that  the 
structure and design of incentive compensation arrangements 
do not encourage unnecessary and excessive risk taking.

Independent Risk Management Functions

The  risk  management  functions  (Market  Risk,  Credit  Risk, 
Operational  Risk,  Model  Risk  and  Liquidity  Risk 
Management  departments)  are  independent  of  our  business 
units  and  report  to  the  Chief  Risk  Officer.  These  functions 
assist  senior  management  and  the  FRC  in  monitoring  and 
controlling  our  risk  through  a  number  of  control  processes. 
Each  function  maintains  its  own  risk  governance  structure 
with  specified  individuals  and  committees  responsible  for 
aspects  of  managing  risk.  Further  discussion  about  the 
responsibilities  of  the  risk  management  functions  may  be 
found  under  “Market  Risk,”  “Credit  Risk,”  “Operational 
Risk,” “Model Risk” and “Liquidity Risk” herein.

Support and Control Groups

Our  support  and  control  groups  include  the  Legal  and 
Compliance  Division,  the  Finance  Division,  Technology 
Division,  Operations  Division, 
the  Human  Resources 
Department,  Corporate  Services  and  Firm  Resilience.  Our 
support  and  control  groups  coordinate  with  the  business 
segment control groups to review the risk monitoring and risk 
management policies and procedures relating to, among other 
things,  controls  over  financial  reporting  and  disclosure;  each 
business segment’s market, credit and operational risk profile; 
liquidity risks; model risks; sales practices; reputational, legal 
enforceability,  compliance,  conduct  and  regulatory  risk;  and 
technological risks. Participation by the senior officers of the 
Firm  and  business  segment  control  groups  helps  ensure  that 
risk  policies  and  procedures,  exceptions  to  risk  limits,  new 
products  and  business  ventures,  and  transactions  with  risk 
elements undergo thorough review.

Internal Audit Department

The Internal Audit Department provides independent risk and 
control  assessment.  The  Internal  Audit  Department  provides 
an independent assessment of the design and effectiveness of 
our  control  environment  and  risk  management  processes 
using  a  risk-based  audit  coverage  model  and  audit  execution 
methodology developed from professional auditing standards. 
The  Internal  Audit  Department  also  reviews  and  tests  our 
compliance  with  internal  guidelines  set  for  risk  management 
and risk monitoring, as well as external rules and regulations 
governing  the  industry.  It  undertakes  these  responsibilities 
through periodic reviews (with specified minimum frequency) 
of our processes, activities, products and information systems; 
targeted  reviews  of  specific  controls  and  activities;  pre-
implementation  or  initiative  reviews  of  new  or  significantly 
information 
changed  processes,  activities,  products  or 

systems; and special investigations and retrospective reviews 
required as a result of internal factors or regulatory requests. 
In  addition  to  regular  reports  to  the  BAC,  the  Chief  Audit 
Officer,  who 
the  BAC  and 
administratively  to  the  Chief  Executive  Officer,  periodically 
reports to the BRC and BOTC on risk-related control issues.

functionally 

reports 

to 

Culture, Values and Conduct of Employees

Employees  of  the  Firm  are  accountable  for  conducting 
themselves  in  accordance  with  our  core  values:  Put  Clients 
First,  Do  the  Right  Thing,  Lead  with  Exceptional  Ideas, 
Commit  to  Diversity  and  Inclusion  and  Give  Back.  We  are 
committed  to  reinforcing  and  confirming  adherence  to  our 
core values through our governance framework, tone from the 
top,  management  oversight,  risk  management  and  controls, 
and  three  lines  of  defense  structure  (business,  control 
functions  such  as  Risk  Management  and  Compliance,  and 
Internal Audit).

The  Board  is  responsible  for  overseeing  the  Firm’s  practices 
and procedures relating to culture, values and conduct, as set 
forth  in  the  Firm’s  Corporate  Governance  Policies.  Our 
Culture,  Values  and  Conduct  Committee,  along  with  the 
Compliance  and  Conduct  Risk  Committee,  are  the  senior 
management  committees  that  oversee  the  Firmwide  culture, 
values and conduct program and report regularly to the Board. 
A  fundamental  building  block  of  this  program  is  the  Firm’s 
Code  of  Conduct,  which  establishes  standards  for  employee 
conduct  that  further  reinforce  the  Firm’s  commitment  to 
integrity  and  ethical  conduct.  Every  new  hire  and  every 
employee annually is required to certify to their understanding 
of and adherence to the Code of Conduct. The Firm’s Global 
Conduct  Risk  Management  Policy  also  sets  out  a  consistent 
global  framework  for  managing  Conduct  Risk  (i.e.,  the  risk 
arising from misconduct by employees or contingent workers) 
and Conduct Risk incidents at the Firm.

standards 

The  employee  annual  performance  review  process  includes 
evaluation  of  employee  conduct  related  to  risk  management 
practices  and  the  Firm’s  expectations.  We  also  have  several 
mutually  reinforcing  processes  to  identify  employee  conduct 
that may have an impact on employment status, current year 
compensation  and/or  prior  year  compensation.  For  example, 
the  Global  Incentive  Compensation  Discretion  Policy  sets 
for  managers  when  making  annual 
forth 
compensation  decisions  and  specifically  provides 
that 
managers  must  consider  whether  their  employees  effectively 
managed  and/or  supervised  risk  control  practices  during  the 
performance  year.  Management  committees  from  control 
functions  periodically  meet  to  discuss  employees  whose 
conduct is not in line with our expectations. These results are 
incorporated  into  identified  employees’  performance  reviews 
and compensation and promotion decisions.

The  Firm’s  clawback  and  cancellation  provisions  apply  to 
deferred  incentive  compensation  and  cover  a  broad  scope  of 
employee  conduct,  including  any  act  or  omission  (including 
with  respect  to  direct  supervisory  responsibilities)  that 

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Risk Disclosures

constitutes  a  breach  of  obligation  to  the  Firm  or  causes  a 
restatement  of  the  Firm’s  financial  results,  constitutes  a 
violation  of  the  Firm’s  global  risk  management  principles, 
policies and standards, or causes a loss of revenue associated 
with  a  position  on  which  the  employee  was  paid  and  the 
employee operated outside of internal control policies.

Risk Limits Framework

Risk  limits  and  quantitative  metrics  provide  the  basis  for 
monitoring  risk  taking  activity  and  avoiding  outsized  risk 
taking.  Our  risk-taking  capacity  is  sized  through  the  Firm’s 
capital planning process where losses are estimated under the 
Firm’s  BHC  Severely  Adverse  stress  testing  scenario.  We 
also  maintain  a  comprehensive  suite  of  risk  limits  and 
quantitative  metrics  to  support  and  implement  our  risk 
appetite  statement.  Our  risk  limits  support  linkages  between 
the overall risk appetite, which is reviewed by the Board, and 
more granular risk-taking decisions and activities.

Risk limits, once established, are reviewed and updated on at 
least  an  annual  basis,  with  more  frequent  updates  as 
necessary. Board-level risk limits address the most important 
Firmwide  aggregations  of  risk,  including,  but  not  limited  to, 
stressed  market,  credit  and  liquidity  risks.  Additional  risk 
limits  approved  by  the  FRC  address  more  specific  types  of 
risk and are bound by the higher-level Board risk limits.

Risk Management Process

that 

In  subsequent  sections,  we  discuss  our  risk  management 
policies and procedures for our primary risks. This discussion 
primarily  focuses  on  our  Institutional  Securities  business 
segment's trading activities and corporate lending and related 
activities.  We  believe 
these  activities  generate  a 
substantial  portion  of  our  primary  risks.  These  sections  and 
the estimated amounts of our risk exposure generated by our 
statistical analyses are forward-looking statements. However, 
the  analyses  used  to  assess  such  risks  are  not  predictions  of 
future  events,  and  actual  results  may  vary  significantly  from 
such  analyses  due  to  events  in  the  markets  in  which  we 
operate  and  certain  other  factors  described  in  the  following 
paragraphs.

Market Risk

Market risk refers to the risk that a change in the level of one 
or  more  market  prices,  rates,  spreads,  indices,  volatilities, 
correlations or other market factors, such as market liquidity, 
will result in losses for a position or portfolio. Generally, we 
incur  market  risk  as  a  result  of  trading,  investing  and  client 
facilitation  activities,  principally  within  the  Institutional 
Securities business segment where the substantial majority of 
our  VaR  for  market  risk  exposures  is  generated.  In  addition, 
we  incur  non-trading  market  risk,  principally  within  the 
Wealth  Management  and  Investment  Management  business 
segments.  The  Wealth  Management  business  segment 
primarily  incurs  non-trading  market  risk  (including  interest 
rate  risk)  from  lending  and  deposit-taking  activities.  The 

December 2020 Form 10-K

64

Investment  Management  business  segment  primarily  incurs 
non-trading  market 
in 
risk 
alternative and other funds. 

from  capital 

investments 

Market risk also includes non-trading interest rate risk. Non-
trading  interest  rate  risk  in  the  banking  book  (amounts 
classified  for  regulatory  capital  purposes  under  the  banking 
book regime) refers to the exposure that a change in interest 
rates will result in prospective earnings changes for assets and 
liabilities in the banking book.

Sound  market  risk  management  is  an  integral  part  of  our 
culture.  The  various  business  units  and  trading  desks  are 
responsible for ensuring that market risk exposures are well-
managed  and  prudent.  The  control  groups  help  ensure  that 
these risks are measured and closely monitored and are made 
transparent 
to  senior  management.  The  Market  Risk 
Department  is  responsible  for  ensuring  the  transparency  of 
material market risks, monitoring compliance with established 
limits and escalating risk concentrations to appropriate senior 
management.

To execute these responsibilities, the Market Risk Department 
monitors  our  risk  against  limits  on  aggregate  risk  exposures, 
performs  a  variety  of  risk  analyses,  routinely  reports  risk 
summaries,  and  maintains  our  VaR  and  scenario  analysis 
systems.  Market  risk  is  also  monitored  through  various 
measures:  by  use  of  statistics  (including  VaR  and  related 
analytical measures); by measures of position sensitivity; and 
through routine stress testing, which measures the impact on 
the value of existing portfolios of specified changes in market 
factors  and  scenarios  designed  by 
the  Market  Risk 
Department  in  collaboration  with  the  business  units.  The 
material risks identified by these processes are summarized in 
reports  produced  by  the  Market  Risk  Department  that  are 
circulated to and discussed with senior management, the FRC, 
the BRC and the Board.

Trading Risks

Primary  Market  Risk  Exposures  and  Market  Risk 
Management

During  2020,  we  had  exposures  to  a  wide  range  of  interest 
rates,  equity  prices,  foreign  exchange  rates  and  commodity 
prices—and  the  associated  implied  volatilities  and  spreads—
related to the global markets in which we conduct our trading 
activities.

We  are  exposed  to  interest  rate  and  credit  spread  risk  as  a 
result  of  our  market-making  activities  and  other  trading  in 
interest  rate-sensitive  financial  instruments  (i.e.,  risk  arising 
from  changes  in  the  level  or  implied  volatility  of  interest 
rates,  the  timing  of  mortgage  prepayments,  the  shape  of  the 
yield  curve  and/or  credit  spreads).  The  activities  from  which 
those exposures arise and the markets in which we are active 
include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  the  following:  derivatives, 
corporate  and  government  debt  across  both  developed  and 

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Risk Disclosures

emerging markets and asset-backed debt, including mortgage-
related securities.

Value-at-Risk

We are exposed to equity price and implied volatility risk as a 
result  of  making  markets  in  equity  securities  and  derivatives 
and  maintaining  other  positions,  including  positions  in  non-
public  entities.  Positions  in  non-public  entities  may  include, 
but  are  not  limited  to,  exposures  to  private  equity,  venture 
capital, private partnerships, real estate funds and other funds. 
Such  positions  are  less  liquid,  have  longer  investment 
horizons and are more difficult to hedge than listed equities.

We  are  exposed  to  foreign  exchange  rate  and  implied 
volatility  risk  as  a  result  of  making  markets  in  foreign 
currencies and foreign currency derivatives, from maintaining 
foreign exchange positions and from holding non-U.S. dollar-
denominated financial instruments.

We  are  exposed  to  commodity  price  and  implied  volatility 
risk  as  a  result  of  market-making  activities  in  commodity 
products  related  primarily  to  electricity,  natural  gas,  oil  and 
precious metals. Commodity exposures are subject to periods 
of  high  price  volatility  as  a  result  of  changes  in  supply  and 
demand. These changes can be caused by weather conditions; 
physical  production  and  transportation;  or  geopolitical  and 
other  events  that  affect  the  available  supply  and  level  of 
demand for these commodities.

strategies 

strategies.  These 

We  manage  our  trading  positions  by  employing  a  variety  of 
risk  mitigation 
include 
diversification  of  risk  exposures  and  hedging.  Hedging 
activities consist of the purchase or sale of positions in related 
securities  and  financial  instruments,  including  a  variety  of 
derivative  products  (e.g.,  futures,  forwards,  swaps  and 
options). Hedging activities may not always provide effective 
mitigation  against  trading  losses  due  to  differences  in  the 
terms,  specific  characteristics  or  other  basis  risks  that  may 
exist between the hedge instrument and the risk exposure that 
is being hedged.

We  manage  the  market  risk  associated  with  our  trading 
activities  on  a  Firmwide  basis,  on  a  worldwide  trading 
division level and on an individual product basis. We manage 
and  monitor  our  market  risk  exposures  in  such  a  way  as  to 
maintain a portfolio that we believe is well-diversified in the 
aggregate with respect to market risk factors and that reflects 
our  aggregate  risk  tolerance  as  established  by  our  senior 
management.

Aggregate market risk limits have been approved for the Firm 
across  all  divisions  worldwide.  Additional  market  risk  limits 
are assigned to trading desks and, as appropriate, products and 
regions. Trading division risk managers, desk risk managers, 
traders and the Market Risk Department monitor market risk 
measures against limits in accordance with policies set by our 
senior management.

The statistical technique known as VaR is one of the tools we 
use to measure, monitor and review the market risk exposures 
of  our  trading  portfolios.  The  Market  Risk  Department 
calculates  and  distributes  daily  VaR-based  risk  measures  to 
various levels of management.

We  estimate  VaR  using  a  model  based  on  a  one-year  equal 
weighted historical simulation for general market risk factors 
and  name-specific  risk  in  corporate  shares  and  related 
derivatives,  and  Monte  Carlo  simulation  for  name-specific 
risk  in  bonds,  loans  and  related  derivatives.  The  model 
constructs  a  distribution  of  hypothetical  daily  changes  in  the 
value of trading portfolios based on historical observation of 
daily  changes  in  key  market  indices  or  other  market  risk 
factors,  and  information  on  the  sensitivity  of  the  portfolio 
values to these market risk factor changes.

VaR  for  risk  management  purposes  (“Management  VaR”)  is 
computed  at  a  95%  level  of  confidence  over  a  one-day  time 
horizon, which is a useful indicator of possible trading losses 
resulting from adverse daily market moves. The 95%/one-day 
VaR corresponds to the unrealized loss in portfolio value that, 
based on historically observed market risk factor movements, 
would  have  been  exceeded  with  a  frequency  of  5%,  or  five 
times  in  every  100  trading  days,  if  the  portfolio  were  held 
constant for one day.

Our VaR model generally takes into account linear and non-
linear exposures to equity and commodity price risk, interest 
rate  risk,  credit  spread  risk  and  foreign  exchange  rates.  The 
model  also  takes  into  account  linear  exposures  to  implied 
volatility risks for all asset classes and non-linear exposures to 
implied  volatility  risks  for  equity,  commodity  and  foreign 
exchange  referenced  products.  The  VaR  model  also  captures 
certain  implied  correlation  risks  associated  with  portfolio 
credit derivatives, as well as certain basis risks (e.g., corporate 
debt and related credit derivatives).

We  use  VaR  as  one  of  a  range  of  risk  management  tools. 
Among  their  benefits,  VaR  models  permit  estimation  of  a 
portfolio’s  aggregate  market  risk  exposure,  incorporating  a 
range  of  varied  market  risks  and  portfolio  assets.  One  key 
element of the VaR model is that it reflects risk reduction due 
to  portfolio  diversification  or  hedging  activities.  However, 
VaR  has  various  limitations,  which  include,  but  are  not 
limited  to:  use  of  historical  changes  in  market  risk  factors, 
which  may  not  be  accurate  predictors  of  future  market 
conditions  and  may  not  fully  incorporate  the  risk  of  extreme 
market events that are outsized relative to observed historical 
market behavior or reflect the historical distribution of results 
beyond  the  95%  confidence  interval;  and  reporting  of  losses 
in  a  single  day,  which  does  not  reflect  the  risk  of  positions 
that  cannot  be  liquidated  or  hedged  in  one  day.  A  small 
proportion of market risk generated by trading positions is not 
included in VaR.

65

December 2020 Form 10-K

95%/One-Day Management VaR 

$ in millions

2020

Period
End

Average

High2

Low2

Interest rate and credit spread

$ 

35  $ 

37  $ 

62  $ 

Equity price

Foreign exchange rate

Commodity price
Less: Diversification benefit1
Primary Risk Categories

Credit Portfolio
Less: Diversification benefit1
Total Management VaR

$ in millions

Equity price

Foreign exchange rate

Commodity price
Less: Diversification benefit1
Primary Risk Categories

Credit Portfolio
Less: Diversification benefit1
Total Management VaR

23   

14   

15   

23   

10   

17   

39   

19   

29   

(32)   

(43) 

N/A

N/A

$ 

55  $ 

44  $ 

62  $ 

31   

(10)   

22   

31   

(12) 

N/A

N/A

$ 

76  $ 

54  $ 

78  $ 

32 

2019

Period
End

Average

High2

Low2

11   

10   

10   

15   

13   

14   

22   

20   

22   

(27)   

(35) 

N/A

$ 

30  $ 

36  $ 

47  $ 

15   

(10)   

16   

19   

(11) 

N/A

$ 

35  $ 

41  $ 

51  $ 

33 

24 

12 

5 

10 

28 

12 

24 

11 

6 

10 

N/A

30 

13 

N/A

Interest rate and credit spread

$ 

26  $ 

29  $ 

43  $ 

1. Diversification  benefit  equals  the  difference  between  the  total  Management  VaR 
and  the  sum  of  the  component  VaRs.  This  benefit  arises  because  the  simulated 
one-day  losses  for  each  of  the  components  occur  on  different  days;  similar 
diversification benefits also are taken into account within each component. 

2. The  high  and  low  VaR  values  for  the  total  Management  VaR  and  each  of  the 
component  VaRs  might  have  occurred  on  different  days  during  the  quarter,  and 
therefore, the diversification benefit is not an applicable measure.

Average  total  Management  VaR  and  Management  VaR  for 
the  Primary  Risk  Categories  increased  from  2019  driven  by 
increased  market  volatility  in  2020  due  to  the  COVID-19 
pandemic.

Distribution of VaR Statistics and Net Revenues

We  evaluate  the  reasonableness  of  our  VaR  model  by 
comparing the potential declines in portfolio values generated 
by the model with corresponding actual trading results for the 
Firm,  as  well  as  individual  business  units.  For  days  where 
losses  exceed  the  VaR  statistic,  we  examine  the  drivers  of 
trading  losses  to  evaluate  the  VaR  model’s  accuracy  relative 
to realized trading results. There were seven trading loss days 
in 2020, one of which exceeded 95% Total Management VaR.

Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

The  modeling  of  the  risk  characteristics  of  some  positions 
relies  on  approximations  that,  under  certain  circumstances, 
could  produce  significantly  different  results  from  those 
produced  using  more  precise  measures.  VaR 
is  most 
appropriate  as  a  risk  measure  for  trading  positions  in  liquid 
financial markets and will understate the risk associated with 
severe  events,  such  as  periods  of  extreme  illiquidity.  We  are 
aware  of  these  and  other  limitations  and,  therefore,  use  VaR 
as  only  one  component  in  our  risk  management  oversight 
process.  This  process  also  incorporates  stress  testing  and 
scenario analyses and extensive risk monitoring, analysis and 
control at the trading desk, division and Firm levels.

Our VaR model evolves over time in response to changes in 
the composition of trading portfolios and to improvements in 
techniques  and  systems  capabilities.  We  are 
modeling 
committed  to  continuous  review  and  enhancement  of  VaR 
methodologies  and  assumptions  in  order  to  capture  evolving 
risks  associated  with  changes  in  market  structure  and 
dynamics.  As  part  of  our  regular  process  improvements, 
additional  systematic  and  name-specific  risk  factors  may  be 
added to improve the VaR model’s ability to more accurately 
estimate risks to specific asset classes or industry sectors.

Since  the  reported  VaR  statistics  are  estimates  based  on 
historical data, VaR should not be viewed as predictive of our 
future  revenues  or  financial  performance  or  of  our  ability  to 
monitor and manage risk. There can be no assurance that our 
actual  losses  on  a  particular  day  will  not  exceed  the  VaR 
amounts  indicated  in  the  following  tables  or  that  such  losses 
will not occur more than five times in 100 trading days for a 
95%/one-day  VaR.  VaR  does  not  predict  the  magnitude  of 
losses  that,  should  they  occur,  may  be  significantly  greater 
than the VaR amount.

VaR statistics are not readily comparable across firms because 
of differences in the firms’ portfolios, modeling assumptions 
and methodologies. These differences can result in materially 
different  VaR  estimates  across  firms  for  similar  portfolios. 
The impact of such differences varies depending on the factor 
history  assumptions,  the  frequency  with  which  the  factor 
history is updated and the confidence level. As a result, VaR 
statistics  are  more  useful  when  interpreted  as  indicators  of 
trends  in  a  firm’s  risk  profile  rather  than  as  an  absolute 
measure of risk to be compared across firms.

Our regulators have approved the same VaR model we use for 
risk management purposes for use in regulatory calculations.

The  portfolio  of  positions  used  for  Management  VaR  differs 
from  that  used  for  Regulatory  VaR.  Management  VaR 
contains  certain  positions  that  are  excluded  from  Regulatory 
VaR. 

December 2020 Form 10-K

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Risk Disclosures

Daily 95%/One-Day Total Management VaR for 2020
($ in millions)

Credit Spread Risk Sensitivity1

$ in millions

Derivatives
Funding liabilities2

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

7  $ 

50   

6 

42 

1. Amounts represent the potential gain for each 1 bps widening of our credit spread.
2. Relates to Borrowings carried at fair value. 

Credit  spread  risk  sensitivity  for  funding  liabilities  as  of 
December 31, 2020 increased primarily due to new issuances 
and the effect of our credit spread tightening.

U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries’  Net 
Analysis

Interest 

Income  Sensitivity 

$ in millions

Basis point change

+100

-100

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

1,540  $ 

(654)   

151 

(642) 

The  previous 
table  presents  an  analysis  of  selected 
instantaneous  upward  and  downward  parallel  interest  rate 
shocks  (subject  to  a  floor  of  zero  percent  in  the  downward 
scenario) on net interest income over the next 12 months for 
our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries.  These  shocks  are  applied  to  our 
12-month  forecast  for  our  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries,  which 
incorporates  market  expectations  of  interest  rates  and  our 
forecasted business activity.

We  do  not  manage  to  any  single  rate  scenario  but  rather 
manage net interest income in our U.S. Bank Subsidiaries to 
optimize across a range of possible outcomes, including non-
parallel  rate  change  scenarios.  The  sensitivity  analysis 
assumes that we take no action in response to these scenarios, 
assumes  there  are  no  changes  in  other  macroeconomic 
variables  normally  correlated  with  changes  in  interest  rates, 
and  includes  subjective  assumptions  regarding  customer  and 
market  re-pricing  behavior  and  other  factors.  The  change  in 
sensitivity  to  interest  rates  in  the  positive  100  basis  point 
scenario between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 
is  primarily  driven  by  higher  deposit  balances,  expectations 
for  deposit  pricing  at  current  levels  of  rates  and  incremental 
assets and liabilities from E*TRADE.

Investments Sensitivity, Including Related Performance Fees

Daily Net Trading Revenues for 2020
($ in millions)

The  previous  histogram  shows  the  distribution  of  daily  net 
trading revenues for 2020. Daily net trading revenues include 
profits and losses from Interest rate and credit spread, Equity 
price,  Foreign  exchange  rate,  Commodity  price,  and  Credit 
Portfolio  positions  and  intraday  trading  activities  for  our 
trading  businesses.  Certain  items  such  as  fees,  commissions 
and  net  interest  income  are  excluded  from  daily  net  trading 
the  VaR  model.  Revenues  required  for 
revenues  and 
Regulatory VaR backtesting further exclude intraday trading.

Non-Trading Risks

that  sensitivity  analysis 

We  believe 
is  an  appropriate 
representation  of  our  non-trading  risks.  The  following 
sensitivity  analyses  cover  substantially  all  of  the  non-trading 
risk in our portfolio.

$ in millions

Investments related to Investment 

Management activities

Other investments:

MUMSS

Other Firm investments

Loss from 10% Decline

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

386  $ 

184   

210   

367 

169 

195 

MUMSS—Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd.

We  have  exposure  to  public  and  private  companies  through 
direct  investments,  as  well  as  through  funds  that  invest  in 
these  assets.  These  investments  are  predominantly  equity 

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December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
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Risk Disclosures

positions with long investment horizons, a portion of which is 
for  business  facilitation  purposes.  The  market  risk  related  to 
these  investments  is  measured  by  estimating  the  potential 
reduction  in  net  income  associated  with  a  10%  decline  in 
investment  values  and  related  impact  on  performance-based 
fees, as applicable.

Asset Management Revenue Sensitivity

in 

revenues 

Certain  asset  management 
the  Wealth 
Management and Investment Management business segments 
are  derived  from  management  fees,  which  are  based  on  fee-
based  client  assets  in  Wealth  Management  or  AUM  in 
Investment  Management  (together,  “client  holdings”).  The 
assets  underlying  client  holdings  are  primarily  composed  of 
equity,  fixed  income  and  alternative  investments,  and  are 
sensitive  to  changes  in  related  markets.  The  overall  level  of 
these  revenues  depends  on  multiple  factors  that  include,  but 
are not limited to, the level and duration of a market increase 
or decline, price volatility, the geographic and industry mix of 
client  assets,  and  client  behavior  such  as  the  rate  and 
magnitude  of  client  investments  and  redemptions.  Therefore, 
overall revenues do not correlate completely with changes in 
the related markets.

Credit Risk

Credit risk refers to the risk of loss arising when a borrower, 
counterparty  or  issuer  does  not  meet  its  financial  obligations 
to us. We are primarily exposed to credit risk from institutions 
and  individuals  through  our  Institutional  Securities  and 
Wealth Management business segments. 

We  incur  credit  risk  in  our  Institutional  Securities  business 
segment  through  a  variety  of  activities,  including,  but  not 
limited to, the following:

• extending  credit  to  clients  through  loans  and  lending 

commitments;

• entering  into  swap  or  other  derivative  contracts  under 
to  make 

which  counterparties  may  have  obligations 
payments to us;

• providing  short-  or  long-term  funding  that  is  secured  by 
physical or financial collateral whose value may at times be 
insufficient to fully cover the repayment amount;

• posting margin and/or collateral to clearinghouses, clearing 
agencies,  exchanges,  banks,  securities  firms  and  other 
financial counterparties;

• placing  funds  on  deposit  at  other  financial  institutions  to 

support our clearing and settlement obligations; and

• investing  or  trading  in  securities  and  loan  pools,  whereby 
the value of these assets may fluctuate based on realized or 
expected defaults on the underlying obligations or loans.

We  incur  credit  risk  in  our  Wealth  Management  business 
segment, primarily through lending to individuals and entities, 
including, but not limited to, the following:

• margin loans collateralized by securities;

December 2020 Form 10-K

68

• securities-based  lending  and  other  forms  of  secured  loans, 
including tailored lending to high and ultra-high net worth 
clients;

• single-family  residential  mortgage  loans  in  conforming, 
non-conforming  or  HELOC  form  primarily  to  existing 
Wealth Management clients; and

• employee loans granted primarily to recruit certain Wealth 

Management representatives.

Monitoring and Control

(“CRM”) 
The  Credit  Risk  Management  Department 
establishes  Firmwide  practices  to  evaluate,  monitor  and 
control  credit  risk  at  the  transaction,  obligor  and  portfolio 
levels.  CRM  approves  extensions  of  credit,  evaluates  the 
creditworthiness  of  the  counterparties  and  borrowers  on  a 
regular basis, and helps ensure that credit exposure is actively 
monitored and managed. The evaluation of counterparties and 
borrowers  includes  an  assessment  of  the  probability  that  an 
obligor will default on its financial obligations and any losses 
that  may  occur  when  an  obligor  defaults.  In  addition,  credit 
risk exposure is actively managed by credit professionals and 
committees within CRM and through various risk committees, 
whose  membership  includes  individuals  from  CRM.  A 
comprehensive  and  global  Credit  Limits  Framework  is 
utilized  to  manage  credit  risk  levels  across  the  Firm.  The 
Credit  Limits  Framework  is  calibrated  within  our  risk 
tolerance  and  includes  single-name  limits  and  portfolio 
concentration limits by country, industry and product type.

CRM  helps  ensure  timely  and  transparent  communication  of 
material  credit  risks,  compliance  with  established  limits  and 
to  appropriate  senior 
escalation  of  risk  concentrations 
management. CRM also works closely with the Market Risk 
Department  and  applicable  business  units  to  monitor  risk 
exposures and to perform stress tests to identify, analyze and 
control  credit  risk  concentrations  arising  from  lending  and 
trading  activities.  The  stress  tests  shock  market  factors  (e.g., 
interest  rates,  commodity  prices,  credit  spreads),  risk 
parameters (e.g., probability of default and loss given default), 
recovery  rates  and  expected  losses  in  order  to  assess  the 
impact  of  stresses  on  exposures,  profit  and  loss,  and  our 
capital position. Stress tests are conducted in accordance with 
our established policies and procedures.

Credit Evaluation

typically 

The  evaluation  of  corporate  and  institutional  counterparties 
and borrowers includes assigning credit ratings, which reflect 
an  assessment  of  an  obligor’s  probability  of  default  and  loss 
given  default.  Credit  evaluations 
the 
assessment of financial statements; leverage; liquidity; capital 
strength; asset composition and quality; market capitalization; 
if 
access 
applicable;  and,  in  the  case  of  certain  loans,  cash  flow 
projections  and  debt  service  requirements.  CRM  also 
evaluates  strategy,  market  position, 
industry  dynamics, 
management  and  other  factors  that  could  affect  the  obligor’s 
risk profile. Additionally, CRM evaluates the relative position 

to  capital  markets;  adequacy  of  collateral, 

involve 

Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

of  our  exposure  in  the  borrower’s  capital  structure  and 
relative  recovery  prospects,  as  well  as  other  structural 
elements of the particular transaction.

The  evaluation  of  consumer  borrowers  is  tailored  to  the 
specific type of lending. Securities-based loans are evaluated 
based  on  factors  that  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  the 
amount  of  the  loan  and  the  amount,  quality,  diversification, 
price  volatility  and 
the  collateral.  The 
liquidity  of 
underwriting  of  residential  real  estate  loans  includes,  but  is 
not  limited  to,  review  of  the  obligor’s  debt-to-income  ratio, 
net  worth,  liquidity,  collateral,  LTV  ratio  and  industry 
(e.g.,  FICO  scores). 
standard  credit  scoring  models 
Subsequent  credit  monitoring 
is 
performed  at  the  portfolio  level,  and  collateral  values  are 
monitored on an ongoing basis.

individual 

loans 

for 

Credit  risk  metrics  assigned  to  our  borrowers  during  the 
evaluation process are incorporated into CRM maintenance of 
the  allowance  for  loan  losses  for  loans  held  for  investment. 
Such  allowance  serves  as  a  reserve  for  probable  inherent 
losses, as well as probable losses related to loans identified as 
impaired.  For  more  information  on  the  allowance  for  loan 
losses, see Notes 2 and 10 to the financial statements.

Risk Mitigation

We  may  seek  to  mitigate  credit  risk  from  our  lending  and 
trading  activities  in  multiple  ways,  including  collateral 
provisions,  guarantees  and  hedges.  At  the  transaction  level, 
we  seek  to  mitigate  risk  through  management  of  key  risk 
elements  such  as  size,  tenor,  financial  covenants,  seniority 
and collateral. We actively hedge our lending and derivatives 
exposures.  Hedging  activities  consist  of  the  purchase  or  sale 
of  positions  in  related  securities  and  financial  instruments, 
including  a  variety  of  derivative  products  (e.g.,  futures, 
forwards,  swaps  and  options).  Additionally,  we  may  sell, 
assign  or  syndicate  loans  and  lending  commitments  to  other 
financial  institutions  in  the  primary  and  secondary  loan 
markets.

In  connection  with  our  derivatives  trading  activities,  we 
generally  enter  into  master  netting  agreements  and  collateral 
arrangements  with  counterparties.  These  agreements  provide 
us with the ability to demand collateral, as well as to liquidate 
collateral  and  offset  receivables  and  payables  covered  under 
the  same  master  agreement  in  the  event  of  a  counterparty 
default.  A  collateral  management  group  monitors  collateral 
levels against requirements and oversees the administration of 
the collateral function. See Note 9 to the financial statements 
for 
collateralized 
transactions.

about  our 

information 

additional 

Loans and Lending Commitments

$ in millions

Institutional Securities:

Corporate

At December 31, 2020

HFI

HFS

FVO

Total

$  6,046  $  8,580  $ 

13  $  14,639 

Secured lending facilities

  25,727   

3,296   

648    29,671 

Commercial and Residential 
real estate

Securities-based lending and 
Other

7,346   

859    3,061    11,266 

1,279   

55    7,001   

8,335 

Total Institutional Securities

  40,398    12,790    10,723    63,911 

Wealth Management:

Residential real estate

  35,268   

11   

—    35,279 

Securities-based lending and 
Other

Total Wealth Management

  62,947   

  98,215   

—   

11   

—    62,947 

—    98,226 

Total Investment 
Management1

Total loans2

ACL

Total loans, net of ACL
Lending commitments3

Total exposure

$ in millions

Institutional Securities:

Corporate

6   

12   

425   

443 

  138,619    12,813    11,148    162,580 

(835) 

(835) 

$ 137,784  $  12,813  $ 11,148  $ 161,745 

$ 127,855 

$ 289,600 

At December 31, 2019

HFI

HFS

FVO

Total

$  5,426  $  6,192  $ 

20  $  11,638 

Secured lending facilities

  24,502   

4,200   

951    29,653 

Commercial and Residential 
real estate

Securities-based lending and 
Other

7,859   

2,049    3,290    13,198 

503   

123    6,814   

7,440 

Total Institutional Securities

  38,290    12,564    11,075    61,929 

Wealth Management:

Residential real estate

  30,184   

13   

—    30,197 

Securities-based lending and 
Other

Total Wealth Management
Total Investment Management1
Total loans2

ACL

Total loans, net of ACL
Lending commitments3

Total exposure

  49,930   

  80,114   

5   

—   

13   

—   

—    49,930 

—    80,127 

251   

256 

  118,409    12,577    11,326    142,312 

(349) 

(349) 

$ 118,060  $  12,577  $ 11,326  $ 141,963 

$ 120,068 

$ 262,031 

HFI—Held for investment; HFS—Held for sale; FVO—Fair value option
Total exposure—consists of Total loans, net of ACL, and Lending commitments
1. Investment  Management  business  segment  loans  are  related  to  certain  of  our 
activities  as  an  investment  advisor  and  manager.  At  December  31,  2020  and 
December  31,  2019,  loans  held  at  fair  value  are  the  result  of  the  consolidation  of 
CLO vehicles, managed by Investment Management, composed primarily of senior 
secured loans to corporations.

2. FVO also includes the fair value of certain unfunded lending commitments.
3. Lending  commitments  represent  the  notional  amount  of  legally  binding  obligations 
to  provide  funding  to  clients  for  lending  transactions.  Since  commitments 
associated with these business activities may expire unused or may not be utilized 
to  full  capacity,  they  do  not  necessarily  reflect  the  actual  future  cash  funding 
requirements.

We  provide  loans  and  lending  commitments  to  a  variety  of 
customers, including large corporate and institutional clients, 
as  well  as  high  to  ultra-high  net  worth  individuals.  In 
addition,  we  purchase  loans  in  the  secondary  market.  Loans 
and lending commitments are either held for investment, held 
for sale or carried at fair value. For more information on these 
loan classifications, see Note 2 to the financial statements. 

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Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

In  2020,  total  loans  and  lending  commitments  increased  by 
approximately  $28  billion,  primarily  due  to  growth  in 
securities-based loans and Residential real estate loans within 
the Wealth Management business segment and an increase in 
Relationship  lending  commitments  within  the  Institutional 
Securities business segment. 

See  Notes  5,  6,  10  and  15  to  the  financial  statements  for 
further information.

Beginning  late  in  the  first  quarter  of  2020  and  following  in 
part  from  the  U.S.  government’s  enactment  of  the  CARES 
Act,  we  have  received  requests  from  certain  clients  for 
modifications  of  their  credit  agreements  with  us,  which  in 
some  cases  include  deferral  of  their  loan  payments.  Initial 
borrower  requests  for  loan  payment  deferrals  related  to 
Residential real estate loans are granted, while those related to 
Commercial  real  estate  loans  require  careful  consideration 
prior to approval. As of December 31, 2020, the outstanding 
principal balance of loans with approved deferrals of principal 
and  interest  payments  currently  in  place  which  are  not 
classified  as 
to 
approximately  $400  million  for  our  Institutional  Securities 
business segment, primarily Commercial real estate loans, and 
approximately  $400  million  for  our  Wealth  Management 
business  segment,  primarily  commercial  real  estate-related 
tailored loans within Securities-based lending and Other, and 
Residential  real  estate  loans.  Incremental  to  this  population, 
throughout 2020, we have provided deferrals of principal and 
interest  on  approximately  $2.7  billion  of  loans  which  have 
now  exited  such  modification  arrangements.  The  substantial 
majority of these loans are current as of December 31, 2020.

troubled  debt  restructurings  amounted 

In  addition  to  these  principal  and  interest  deferrals,  we  are 
working with clients regarding modifications of certain other 
terms under their original loan agreements that do not impact 
contractual  loan  payments.  We  have  granted  such  relief  to 
certain borrowers, primarily within Secured lending facilities 
and  Corporate  loans.  Such  modifications  include  agreements 
to modify margin calls for Secured lending facilities, typically 
in return for additional payments that improve LTV ratios. In 
some cases, we have agreed to temporarily not enforce certain 
covenants,  for  example  debt  or  interest  coverage  ratios, 
typically in return for other structural enhancements.

Granting  loan  deferral  or  modification  requests  does  not 
necessarily  mean  that  we  will  incur  credit  losses,  and  we  do 
not  believe  modifications  have  had  a  material  impact  on  the 
risk profile of our loan portfolio. Modifications are considered 
in our evaluation of overall credit risk. Generally, loans with 
payment  deferrals  remain  on  accrual  status,  and  loans  with 
other modifications remain on current status.

Requests for deferrals and other modifications could continue 
in future periods given the ongoing uncertain global economic 
and  market  conditions.  See  “Executive  Summary—
Coronavirus  Disease  (COVID-19)  Pandemic”  and  “Risk 
Factors”  herein  for  further  information.  See  also  “Forward 
Looking  Statements”  herein.  For  additional  information  on 

December 2020 Form 10-K

70

regulatory guidance which permits certain loan modifications 
for borrowers impacted by COVID-19 to not be accounted for 
and reported as TDRs and the Firm’s accounting policies for 
such  modifications,  see  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—
Regulatory Requirements—Regulatory Developments” herein 
and  Note  2  to  the  financial  statements,  respectively.  For 
information on HFI loans on nonaccrual status, see “Status of 
Loans Held for Investment” herein and Notes 2 and 10 to the 
financial statements. For HFI loans modified and reported as 
TDRs, see Notes 2 and 10 to the financial statements.

Allowance 
Commitments 

for  Credit  Losses—Loans 

and  Lending 

$ in millions
December 31, 20191

Effect of CECL adoption

Gross charge-offs

Recoveries

Net (charge-offs) recoveries
Provision2

Other

December 31, 2020

ACL—Loans

ACL—Lending commitments

$ 

$ 

$ 

590 

(41) 

(105) 

8 

(97) 

762 

17 

1,231 

835 

396 

1. At  December  31,  2019,  the  ACL  for  Loans  and  Lending  commitments  was  $349 

million and $241 million, respectively.

2. In 2020, the provision for loan losses was $559 million, and the provision for losses 

on lending commitments was $203 million.

loans  and 

standards.  Risk 
factors 
the  aggregate  allowance 

Credit  exposure  arising  from  our 
lending 
commitments is measured in accordance with our internal risk 
management 
in 
loan  and 
determining 
commitment losses include the borrower’s financial strength, 
industry,  facility  structure,  LTV  ratio,  debt  service  ratio, 
collateral  and  covenants.  Qualitative  and  environmental 
factors such as economic and business conditions, nature and 
volume  of  the  portfolio  and  lending  terms,  and  volume  and 
severity of past due loans may also be considered.

considered 
for 

The  aggregate  allowance  for  loans  and  lending  commitment 
losses  increased  in  2020,  reflecting  the  provision  for  credit 
losses  within  the  Institutional  Securities  business  segment 
principally  resulting  from  the  continued  economic  impact  of 
COVID-19, partially offset by charge-offs. The provision was 
primarily the result of actual and forecasted changes in asset 
quality  trends,  as  well  as  risks  related  to  uncertainty  in  the 
outlook  for  the  sectors  in  focus  due  to  COVID-19.  Charge-
offs in 2020 were primarily related to certain Commercial real 
estate  and  Corporate  loans  in  the  Institutional  Securities 
business segment. The base scenario used in our ACL models 
as of December 31, 2020 was generated using a combination 
of industry consensus economic forecasts, forward rates, and 
internally  developed  and  validated  models.  Given  the  nature 
of  our  lending  portfolio,  the  most  sensitive  model  input  is 
U.S. gross domestic product. The base scenario, among other 
things, assumes a continued recovery through 2021, supported 
by  fiscal  stimulus  and  monetary  policy  measures.  See  Notes 
10 and 15 to the financial statements for further information. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,963   

7,749   

5,324   

503   

24,539 

Sectors Currently in Focus due to COVID-19

Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

See Note 2 to the financial statements for a discussion of the 
Firm’s ACL methodology under CECL.

Institutional  Securities  Loans  and  Lending  Commitments  by 
Industry

Status of Loans Held for Investment

Accrual

Nonaccrual1

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

IS

WM

IS

WM

 99.2 %

 0.8 %

 99.7 %

 99.0 %

 99.9 %

 0.3 %

 1.0 %

 0.1 %

$ in millions

Financials

Real estate

Industrials

Healthcare

1. These loans are on nonaccrual status because the loans were past due for a period 

of 90 days or more or payment of principal or interest was in doubt.

Institutional Securities Loans and Lending Commitments1 

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

$ 

44,358  $ 

25,484   

15,861   

12,650   

12,600   

11,358   

11,177   

10,064   

9,504   

9,088   

6,084   

3,889   

4,515   

40,992 

28,348 

13,136 

14,113 

12,165 

9,201 

9,589 

9,461 

9,905 

9,724 

5,577 

3,755 

2,552 

$ 

176,632  $ 

168,518 

Communications services

Information technology

Consumer discretionary

Energy

Utilities

Consumer staples

Materials

Insurance

Other

Total exposure

The continuing effect on economic activity of COVID-19 and 
related  governmental  actions  have  impacted  borrowers  in 
industries.  While  we  are  carefully 
many  sectors  and 
monitoring all of our Institutional Securities business segment 
exposures,  certain  sectors  are  more  sensitive  to  the  current 
economic  environment  and  are  continuing 
to  receive 
heightened focus. The sectors currently in focus are: retail, air 
travel,  upstream  energy,  lodging  and  leisure,  and  healthcare 
services and systems. As of December 31, 2020, exposures to 
these  sectors  are  included  across  the  Industrials,  Financials, 
Real  estate,  Consumer  discretionary,  Energy  and  Healthcare 
industries  in  the  previous  table,  and  in  aggregate  represent 
less  than  10%  of  total  Institutional  Securities  business 
segment lending exposure. Further, as of December 31, 2020, 
approximately  90%  of  these  exposures  are  either  investment 
grade  and/or  secured  by  collateral.  The  future  developments 
of COVID-19 and related government actions and their effect 
on the economic environment remain uncertain; therefore, the 
sectors  impacted  and  the  extent  of  the  impacts  may  change 
over time. Refer to “Risk Factors” herein.

Institutional Securities Lending Activities

include  Corporate,  Secured 

Institutional  Securities  business  segment 

lending 
The 
activities 
lending  facilities, 
Commercial  real  estate  and  Securities-based  lending  and 
Other.  Over  90%  of  our  total  lending  exposure,  which 
consists  of  loans  and  lending  commitments,  is  investment 
grade and/or secured by collateral. 

Corporate  comprises  relationship  and  event-driven  loans  and 
lending  commitments,  which  typically  consist  of  revolving 
lines of credit, term loans and bridge loans; may have varying 
terms;  may  be  senior  or  subordinated;  may  be  secured  or 
unsecured;  are  generally  contingent  upon  representations, 
warranties  and  contractual  conditions  applicable  to  the 
borrower;  and  may  be  syndicated,  traded  or  hedged.  For 
see 
additional 

event-driven 

information 

loans, 

on 

71

December 2020 Form 10-K

Lending commitments

At December 31, 2020

Contractual Years to Maturity

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

$ 

279  $ 

10  $ 

—  $  —  $ 

289 

759   

798   

36   

391   

1,984 

5,043   

5,726   

2,746   

469   

13,984 

5,214   

6,956   

4,002    3,269   

19,441 

141   

142   

330    2,322   

2,935 

22,399    21,381    12,438    6,954   

63,172 

—   

50   

—   

4,047   

1,038   

2,135   

—   

—   

50 

7,220 

6,025   

8,359   

9,808   

425   

24,617 

6,783    17,782    15,500   

460   

40,525 

4,357   

8,958   

7,958    3,103   

24,376 

664   

7,275   

6,077    2,652   

16,668 

4   

—   

—   

—   

4 

21,880    43,462    41,478    6,640    113,460 

$ 

44,279  $  64,843  $  53,916  $ 13,594  $  176,632 

At December 31, 2019

Contractual Years to Maturity

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

$ 

7  $ 

50  $ 

—  $ 

5  $ 

62 

955   

923   

516   

277   

2,671 

2,297   

5,589   

3,592   

949   

12,427 

9,031    11,189   

9,452    1,449   

31,121 

4,020   

5,635   

2,595    1,143   

13,393 

117   

82   

131    1,628   

1,958 

16,427    23,468    16,286    5,451   

61,632 

$ in millions

Loans

AA

A

BBB

BB

Other NIG
Unrated2
Total loans

AAA

AA

A

BBB

BB

Other NIG
Unrated2
Total lending

commitments

Total exposure

$ in millions

Loans

AA

A

BBB

BB

Other NIG
Unrated2
Total loans

Lending commitments

AAA

AA

A

BBB

BB

Other NIG
Unrated2
Total lending

commitments

Total exposure

—   

50   

—   

2,838   

908   

2,509   

—   

—   

50 

6,255 

6,461   

7,287   

9,371   

298   

23,417 

7,548    13,780    20,560   

753   

42,641 

2,464   

5,610   

8,333    1,526   

17,933 

2,193   

4,741   

7,062    2,471   

16,467 

—   

9   

107   

7   

123 

21,504    32,385    47,942    5,055    106,886 

$ 

37,931  $  55,853  $  64,228  $ 10,506  $  168,518 

NIG–Non-investment grade
1. Counterparty  credit  ratings  are 
Management Department (“CRM”).

internally  determined  by 

the  Credit  Risk 

2. Unrated  loans  and  lending  commitments  are  primarily  trading  positions  that  are 
measured  at  fair  value  and  risk-managed  as  a  component  of  market  risk.  For  a 
further discussion of our market risk, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 
about Risk—Market Risk” herein.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

“Institutional  Securities  Event-Driven  Loans  and  Lending 
Commitments” herein.

Secured  lending  facilities  include  loans  provided  to  clients, 
which  are  collateralized  by  various  assets, 
including 
residential  and  commercial  real  estate  mortgage  loans, 
corporate  loans  and  other  assets.  These  facilities  generally 
provide  for  overcollateralization.  Credit  risk  with  respect  to 
these  loans  and  lending  commitments  arises  from  the  failure 
of  a  borrower  to  perform  according  to  the  terms  of  the  loan 
agreement and/or a decline in the underlying collateral value. 
The  Firm  monitors  collateral  levels  against  the  requirements 
of lending agreements. See Note 16 to the financial statements 
for information about our securitization activities.

Commercial real estate loans are primarily senior, secured by 
underlying  real  estate  and  typically  in  term  loan  form.  In 
addition,  as  part  of  certain  of  its  trading  and  securitization 
activities,  Institutional  Securities  may  also  hold  residential 
real estate loans.

Securities-based 
financing 
extended  to  sales  and  trading  customers  and  corporate  loans 
purchased in the secondary market.

lending  and  Other 

includes 

Institutional  Securities  Event-Driven  Loans  and  Lending 
Commitments

At December 31, 2020

Contractual Years to Maturity

At December 31, 2019

Loans

Lending 
Commitments

Total

$ 

5,426  $ 

61,716  $ 

$ in millions

Corporate

Secured lending facilities

24,502   

6,105   

Commercial real estate

Other

Total, before ACL

ACL

7,859   

503   

425   

832   

$ 

$ 

38,290  $ 

69,078  $ 

107,368 

(297)  $ 

(236)  $ 

(533) 

67,142 

30,607 

8,284 

1,335 

Institutional  Securities  Allowance  for  Credit  Losses—Loans 
and Lending Commitments

$ in millions

Corporate 

At December 31, 2019

Secured 
lending 
facilities

Commercial 
real estate Other

Total

ACL—Loans

ACL—Lending 
commitments

Total

Effect of CECL adoption

Gross charge-offs

Recoveries

Net (charge-offs) 

recoveries

Provision (release)1

Other

Total at 

December 31, 2020

ACL—Loans

ACL—Lending 
commitments

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

115  $ 

101  $ 

75  $ 

6  $ 

297 

201  $ 

27  $ 

7  $ 

1  $ 

316  $ 

128  $ 

82  $ 

7  $ 

236 

533 

(43)   

(39)   

4   

(53)   

—   

—   

35   

3   

(58) 

(64)    —   

(103) 

—   

4   

8 

(35)   

—   

(64)   

4   

(95) 

386   

158   

204   

(15)   

8   

3   

(35)   

41   

733 

17 

632  $ 

236  $ 

222  $  40  $  1,130 

309  $ 

198  $ 

211  $  21  $ 

739 

323   

38   

11   

19   

391 

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

1. In 2020, the provision for loan losses was $529 million and the provision for losses 

$ in millions

Loans, net of ACL

Lending commitments

Total exposure

$ 

$ 

1,241  $  907  $  873  $  2,090  $  5,111 

2,810    4,649    2,678    4,650    14,787 

4,051  $ 5,556  $ 3,551  $  6,740  $ 19,898 

At December 31, 2019

Contractual Years to Maturity

on lending commitments was $204 million.

Institutional Securities HFI Loans—Ratios of Allowance for 
Credit Losses to Balance before Allowance

$ in millions

Loans, net of ACL

Lending commitments

Total exposure

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

Corporate

$ 

$ 

1,194  $ 1,024  $  839  $  390  $  3,447 

7,921    5,012    2,285    3,090    18,308 

Secured lending facilities

Commercial real estate

9,115  $ 6,036  $ 3,124  $  3,480  $ 21,755 

Other

Total Institutional Securities loans

Event-driven  loans  and  lending  commitments  are  associated 
with a particular event or transaction, such as to support client 
merger,  acquisition,  recapitalization  or  project  finance 
activities. Balances may fluctuate as such lending is related to 
transactions  that  vary  in  timing  and  size  from  period  to 
period.

Institutional  Securities  Loans  and  Lending  Commitments 
Held for Investment

$ in millions

Corporate

Secured lending facilities

Commercial real estate

Other

Total, before ACL

ACL

At December 31, 2020

Loans

Lending 
Commitments

$ 

6,046  $ 

69,488  $ 

25,727   

7,346   

1,279   

8,312   

334   

1,135   

$ 

$ 

40,398  $ 

79,269  $ 

119,667 

(739)  $ 

(391)  $ 

(1,130) 

Wealth Management Loans and Lending Commitments

At December 31, 2020

Contractual Years to Maturity

$ in millions

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

Securities-based lending 

and Other loans

Residential real estate 
loans

$ 

54,483  $ 4,587  $ 2,167  $  1,672  $  62,909 

9   

1   

1    35,210    35,221 

Total loans, net of ACL

$ 

54,492  $ 4,588  $ 2,168  $ 36,882  $  98,130 

Lending commitments

11,666    2,356   

120   

253    14,395 

Total

Total exposure

$ 

66,158  $ 6,944  $ 2,288  $ 37,135  $ 112,525 

75,534 

34,039 

7,680 

2,414 

December 2020 Form 10-K

72

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

 5.1% 

 0.8% 

 2.9% 

 1.7% 

 1.8% 

 2.1% 

 0.4% 

 1.0% 

 1.2% 

 0.8% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

At December 31, 2019

Contractual Years to Maturity

Wealth Management Allowance for Credit Losses—Loans and 
Lending Commitments

$ in millions

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

Securities-based lending 

and Other loans

Residential real estate 
loans

$ 

41,863  $ 3,972  $ 2,783  $  1,284  $  49,902 

13   

11   

—    30,149    30,173 

Total loans, net of ACL

$ 

41,876  $ 3,983  $ 2,783  $ 31,433  $  80,075 

Lending commitments

10,219    2,564   

71   

307    13,161 

Total exposure

$ 

52,095  $ 6,547  $ 2,854  $ 31,740  $  93,236 

The principal Wealth Management business segment lending 
activities include securities-based lending and residential real 
estate loans.

Securities-based  lending  allows  clients  to  borrow  money 
against  the  value  of  qualifying  securities,  generally  for  any 
purpose other than purchasing, trading or carrying securities, 
or refinancing margin debt. We establish approved credit lines 
against  qualifying  securities  and  monitor  limits  daily  and, 
pursuant  to  such  guidelines,  require  customers  to  deposit 
additional  collateral,  or 
reduce  debt  positions,  when 
necessary. These credit lines are primarily uncommitted loan 
facilities, as we reserve the right to not make any advances or 
may  terminate  these  credit  lines  at  any  time.  Factors 
considered  in  the  review  of  these  loans  include,  but  are  not 
limited  to,  the  loan  amount,  the  client’s  credit  profile,  the 
degree  of  leverage,  collateral  diversification,  price  volatility 
and liquidity of the collateral.

Residential  real  estate  loans  consist  of  first  and  second  lien 
mortgages,  including  HELOCs.  Our  underwriting  policy  is 
designed  to  ensure  that  all  borrowers  pass  an  assessment  of 
capacity  and  willingness  to  pay,  which  includes  an  analysis 
utilizing  industry  standard  credit  scoring  models  (e.g.,  FICO 
scores),  debt-to-income  ratios  and  assets  of  the  borrower. 
LTV  ratios  are  determined  based  on  independent  third-party 
property appraisals and valuations, and security lien positions 
are  established  through  title  and  ownership  reports.  The  vast 
majority of mortgage loans, including HELOCs, are held for 
investment  in  the  Wealth  Management  business  segment’s 
loan portfolio.

In 2020, Loans and Lending commitments associated with the 
Wealth  Management  business  segment  increased,  driven  by 
securities-based loans and residential real estate loans.

$ in millions
December 31, 20191

Effect of CECL adoption

Gross charge-offs
Provision2

December 31, 2020

ACL—Loans

ACL—Lending commitments

$ 

$ 

$ 

57 

17 

(2) 

29 

101 

96 

5 

1. At  December  31,  2019,  the  ACL  for  Loans  and  Lending  commitments  was  $52 

million and $5 million, respectively.

2. In 2020 the provision for loan losses was $30 million and the release for losses on 

lending commitments was $1 million.

than  75%  of  Wealth 
At  December  31,  2020,  more 
Management  residential  real  estate  loans  were  to  borrowers 
with  “Exceptional”  or  “Very  Good”  FICO  scores  (i.e., 
exceeding  740).  Additionally,  Wealth  Management’s 
securities-based  lending  portfolio  remains  well-collateralized 
and  subject  to  daily  client  margining,  which  includes 
requiring customers to deposit additional collateral or reduce 
debt positions, when necessary.

Customer and Other Receivables

Margin and Other Lending

$ in millions

Institutional Securities

Wealth Management

Total

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

51,570  $ 

23,144   

74,714  $ 

22,216 

9,700 

31,916 

The Institutional Securities and Wealth Management business 
segments  provide  margin  lending  arrangements  that  allow 
customers to borrow against the value of qualifying securities, 
primarily  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  additional  securities, 
as  well  as  to  collateralize  short  positions.  Margin  lending 
activities generally have lower credit risk due to the value of 
collateral  held  and  their  short-term  nature.  Also  included  in 
the  amounts  in  the  previous  table  is  non-purpose  securities-
based 
the  Wealth 
Management business segment. Amounts may fluctuate from 
period to period as overall client balances change as a result 
of market levels, client positioning and leverage. In addition, 
margin  and  other  loans  in  the  Wealth  Management  business 
segment increased due to the acquisition of E*TRADE.

lending  on  non-bank  entities 

in 

73

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

Employee Loans

$ in millions

Currently employed by the Firm

No longer employed by the Firm

Employee loans
ACL1

Employee loans, net of ACL

Remaining repayment term, weighted 

average in years

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,100 

140 

3,240  $ 

(165)   

3,075  $ 

N/A

N/A

2,980 

(61) 

2,919 

$ in millions

Industry

Financials

Utilities

Consumer discretionary

Healthcare

Industrials

Information technology

5.3

4.8

Energy

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

$ 

6,195  $ 

3,954   

1,866   

1,494   

1,291   

1,104   

965   

806   

701   

650   

529   

518   

430   

378   

339   

81   

3,448 

4,275 

370 

991 

914 

659 

524 

791 

657 

403 

381 

214 

325 

315 

129 

60 

$ 

21,301  $ 

14,456 

Regional governments

Not-for-profit organizations

Sovereign governments

Communications services

Insurance

Materials

Real estate

Consumer staples

Other

Total

1. Counterparty credit ratings are determined internally by CRM.

We are exposed to credit risk as a dealer in OTC derivatives. 
Credit risk with respect to derivative instruments arises from 
the  possibility  that  a  counterparty  may  fail  to  perform 
according to the terms of the contract. For a description of our 
risk mitigation strategies, see “Credit Risk—Risk Mitigation” 
herein. In 2020, our exposure to credit risk arising from OTC 
derivatives has increased, primarily as a function of the effect 
of  market  factors  and  volatility  on  the  valuation  of  our 
positions,  although  exposure  has  declined  since  peaking  in 
March 2020.

Credit Derivatives

A credit derivative is a contract between a seller and buyer of 
protection against the risk of a credit event occurring on one 
or  more  debt  obligations  issued  by  a  specified  reference 
entity. The buyer typically pays a periodic premium over the 
life of the contract and is protected for the period. If a credit 
event  occurs,  the  seller  is  required  to  make  payment  to  the 
beneficiary  based  on  the  terms  of  the  credit  derivative 
contract. Credit events, as defined in the contract, may be one 
or  more  of  the  following  defined  events:  bankruptcy, 
dissolution  or  insolvency  of  the  referenced  entity,  failure  to 
payment 
pay, 
moratorium and restructuring.

acceleration, 

repudiation, 

obligation 

We  trade  in  a  variety  of  credit  derivatives  and  may  either 
purchase or write protection on a single name or portfolio of 
referenced  entities.  In  transactions  referencing  a  portfolio  of 
entities or securities, protection may be limited to a tranche of 
exposure  or  a  single  name  within  the  portfolio.  We  are  an 
active  market  maker  in  the  credit  derivatives  markets.  As  a 
market  maker,  we  work  to  earn  a  bid-offer  spread  on  client 
flow  business  and  manage  any  residual  credit  or  correlation 
risk on a portfolio basis. Further, we use credit derivatives to 
manage our exposure to residential and commercial mortgage 
loans  and  corporate  lending  exposures.  The  effectiveness  of 

1. The change in ACL includes a $124 million increase due to the adoption of CECL 

on January 1, 2020.

Employee  loans  are  granted  in  conjunction  with  a  program 
established  primarily  to  recruit  certain  Wealth  Management 
representatives  and  are  full  recourse  and  generally  require 
periodic repayments. The ACL as of December 31, 2020 was 
calculated under CECL, while the ACL at December 31, 2019 
was  calculated  under  the  prior  incurred  loss  model.  The 
related  provision  is  recorded  in  Compensation  and  benefits 
expenses in the income statements. See Note 2 to the financial 
the  CECL  allowance 
statements  for  a  description  of 
methodology, 
for 
indicators, 
including  credit  quality 
employee  loans.  For  additional  information  on  employee 
loans, see Note 10 to the financial statements.

Derivatives

Fair Value of OTC Derivative Assets

$ in millions

AAA

AA

A

BBB

NIG

Total

Counterparty Credit Rating1

At December 31, 2020

<1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

Over 5 years

Total, gross

Counterparty netting

Cash and securities 
collateral

Total, net

$  1,179  $  16,166  $  52,164  $  26,088  $  12,175  $ 107,772 

572 

359 

5,225 

  17,560 

  13,750 

8,134 

  45,241 

4,326 

  11,328 

8,363 

4,488 

  28,864 

4,545 

  32,049 

  84,845 

  63,084 

  13,680 

  198,203 

$  6,655  $  57,766  $ 165,897  $ 111,285  $  38,477  $ 380,080 

(3,269)    (44,306)   (134,310)    (84,171)    (22,227)   (288,283) 

(3,124)    (10,973)    (26,712)    (20,708)   

(8,979)    (70,496) 

$ 

262  $  2,487  $  4,875  $  6,406  $  7,271  $  21,301 

$ in millions

AAA

AA

A

BBB

NIG

Total

Counterparty Credit Rating1

At December 31, 2019

<1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

Over 5 years

Total, gross

Counterparty 
netting
Cash and securities 
collateral

$ 

371  $  9,195  $  31,789  $  22,757  $  6,328  $  70,440 

378 

502 

5,150 

  17,707 

  11,495 

9,016 

  43,746 

4,448 

9,903 

6,881 

3,421 

  25,155 

3,689 

  24,675 

  70,765 

  40,542 

  14,587 

  154,258 

$  4,940  $  43,468  $ 130,164  $  81,675  $  33,352  $ 293,599 

(2,172)    (33,521)   (103,452)    (62,345)    (19,514)   (221,004) 

(2,641)   

(8,134)    (22,319)    (14,570)    (10,475)    (58,139) 

Total, net

$ 

127  $  1,813  $  4,393  $  4,760  $  3,363  $  14,456 

December 2020 Form 10-K

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Risk Disclosures

our  CDS  protection  as  a  hedge  of  our  exposures  may  vary 
depending upon a number of factors, including the contractual 
terms of the CDS.

We  actively  monitor  our  counterparty  credit  risk  related  to 
credit  derivatives.  A  majority  of  our  counterparties  are 
composed  of  banks,  broker-dealers,  insurance  and  other 
financial institutions. Contracts with these counterparties may 
include provisions related to counterparty rating downgrades, 
which  may  result  in  the  counterparty  posting  additional 
collateral to us. As with all derivative contracts, we consider 
counterparty  credit  risk  in  the  valuation  of  our  positions  and 
recognize  CVAs  as  appropriate  within  Trading  revenues  in 
the income statements.

For  additional  credit  exposure  information  on  our  credit 
derivative portfolio, see Note 7 to the financial statements.

Country Risk

Country risk exposure is the risk that events in, or that affect, 
a  foreign  country  (any  country  other  than  the  U.S.)  might 
adversely  affect  us.  We  actively  manage  country  risk 
risk  management 
exposure 
framework that combines credit and market fundamentals and 
allows  us  to  effectively  identify,  monitor  and  limit  country 
risk.

through  a  comprehensive 

Our  obligor  credit  evaluation  process  may  also  identify 
indirect  exposures,  whereby  an  obligor  has  vulnerability  or 
exposure  to  another  country  or  jurisdiction.  Examples  of 
indirect exposures include mutual funds that invest in a single 
country,  offshore  companies  whose  assets  reside  in  another 
country  to  that  of  the  offshore  jurisdiction  and  finance 
company  subsidiaries  of  corporations.  Indirect  exposures 
identified through the credit evaluation process may result in 
a reclassification of country risk.

from 

negative 

We  conduct  periodic  stress  testing  that  seeks  to  measure  the 
impact  on  our  credit  and  market  exposures  of  shocks 
political 
stemming 
scenarios.  When  deemed  appropriate  by  our  risk  managers, 
the stress test scenarios include possible contagion effects and 
second  order  risks.  This  analysis,  and  results  of  the  stress 
tests,  may  result  in  the  amendment  of  limits  or  exposure 
mitigation.

economic 

or 

entered 

Our  sovereign  exposures  consist  of  financial  contracts  and 
obligations 
local 
governments.  Our  non-sovereign  exposures  consist  of 
financial contracts and obligations entered into primarily with 
corporations and financial institutions.

into  with 

sovereign 

and 

Index credit derivatives are included in the following country 
risk  exposure  table.  Each  reference  entity  within  an  index  is 
allocated  to  that  reference  entity’s  country  of  risk.  Index 
exposures are allocated to the underlying reference entities in 
proportion  to  the  notional  weighting  of  each  reference  entity 
in the index, adjusted for any fair value receivable or payable 

for  that  reference  entity.  Where  credit  risk  crosses  multiple 
jurisdictions, for example, a CDS purchased from an issuer in 
a specific country that references bonds issued by an entity in 
a  different  country,  the  fair  value  of  the  CDS  is  reflected  in 
the  Net  Counterparty  Exposure  row  based  on  the  country  of 
the  CDS  issuer.  Further,  the  notional  amount  of  the  CDS 
adjusted  for  the  fair  value  of  the  receivable  or  payable  is 
reflected in the Net Inventory row based on the country of the 
underlying reference entity.

Top 10 Non-U.S. Country Exposures at December 31, 2020 

United Kingdom

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Japan

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Germany

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

France

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Spain

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

565  $ 

1,334  $  1,899 

45   

—   

—   

610   

(312)   

11,300    11,345 

2,929   

2,929 

7,298   

7,298 

22,861    23,471 

(1,481)   

(1,793) 

$ 

298  $ 

21,380  $  21,678 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

4,142  $ 

715  $  4,857 

42   

—   

4,184   

(91)   

5,073   

5,115 

409   

409 

6,197    10,381 

(180)   

(271) 

$ 

4,093  $ 

6,017  $  10,110 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

52  $ 

243   

—   

—   

295   

(287)   

148  $ 

200 

2,785   

3,028 

2,202   

2,202 

4,594   

4,594 

9,729    10,024 

(893)   

(1,180) 

$ 

8  $ 

8,836  $  8,844 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

(596)  $ 

(65)  $ 

(661) 

20   

—   

—   

(576)   

(6)   

2,907   

2,927 

680   

680 

3,106   

3,106 

6,628   

6,052 

(627)   

(633) 

$ 

(582)  $ 

6,001  $  5,419 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

(520)  $ 

14   

—   

—   

(506)   

—   

(40)  $ 

(560) 

281   

295 

3,795   

3,795 

1,072   

1,072 

5,108   

4,602 

(109)   

(109) 

$ 

(506)  $ 

4,999  $  4,493 

75

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Risk Disclosures

China

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Brazil

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Ireland

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges

Net exposure

India

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Exposure before hedges

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

(148)  $ 

2,135  $  1,987 

98   

—   

—   

(50)   

(82)   

697   

545   

809   

795 

545 

809 

4,186   

4,136 

(118)   

(200) 

$ 

(132)  $ 

4,068  $  3,936 

Additional  Information—Top  10  Non-U.S.  Country 
Exposures

Collateral Held against Net Counterparty Exposure1

$ in millions

Counterparty credit exposure

Collateral2

At
December 31,
2020 

Germany

United Kingdom

Other

Japan and France

$ 

U.K., U.S. and Spain

Japan, U.S. and France  

14,269 

11,125 

21,917 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

3,101  $ 

101  $  3,202 

1. The  benefit  of  collateral  received  is  reflected  in  the  Top  10  Non-U.S.  Country 

Exposures at December 31, 2020.

2. Primarily consists of cash, as well as government obligations of the countries listed.

—   

—   

—   

3,101   

(12)   

298   

199   

179   

298 

199 

179 

777   

3,878 

(15)   

(27) 

$ 

3,089  $ 

762  $  3,851 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

9  $ 

1,060  $  1,069 

—   

—   

—   

9   

571   

571 

1,508   

1,508 

285   

285 

3,424   

3,433 

$ 

9  $ 

3,424  $  3,433 

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

1,037  $ 

783  $  1,820 

—   

—   

863   

228   

863 

228 

1,037   

1,874   

2,911 

Net exposure

$ 

1,037  $ 

1,874  $  2,911 

Australia

$ in millions
Net inventory1
Net counterparty exposure2
Loans

Lending commitments

Exposure before hedges
Hedges3
Net exposure

Sovereigns Non-sovereigns

Total

$ 

597  $ 

17   

—   

—   

614   

—   

377  $ 

468   

345   

974 

485 

345 

1,222   

1,222 

2,412   

3,026 

(174)   

(174) 

$ 

614  $ 

2,238  $  2,852 

1. Net  inventory  represents  exposure  to  both  long  and  short  single-name  and  index 
positions  (i.e.,  bonds  and  equities  at  fair  value  and  CDS  based  on  a  notional 
amount  assuming  zero  recovery  adjusted  for  the  fair  value  of  any  receivable  or 
payable).

2. Net  counterparty  exposure  (e.g,  repurchase  transactions,  securities  lending  and 
OTC  derivatives)  is  net  of  the  benefit  of  collateral  received  and  also  is  net  by 
counterparty when legally enforceable master netting agreements are in place. For 
Information—Top  10  Non-U.S.  Country 
more 
Exposures” herein.

information,  see 

“Additional 

3. Amounts  represent  net  CDS  hedges  (purchased  and  sold)  on  net  counterparty 
exposure  and  lending  executed  by  trading  desks  responsible  for  hedging 
counterparty  and  lending  credit  risk  exposures.  Amounts  are  based  on  the  CDS 
notional  amount  assuming  zero  recovery  adjusted  for  any  fair  value  receivable  or 
payable.  For  further  description  of  the  contractual  terms  for  purchased  credit 
protection  and  whether  they  may  limit  the  effectiveness  of  our  hedges,  see 
“Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosures  about  Risk—Credit  Risk—Derivatives" 
herein.

December 2020 Form 10-K

76

Country Risk Exposures Related to the U.K.

At December 31, 2020, our country risk exposures in the U.K. 
included  net  exposures  of  $21,678  million  (as  shown  in  the 
Top  10  Non-U.S.  Country  Exposures  table)  and  overnight 
deposits of $9,036 million. The $21,380 million of exposures 
to  non-sovereigns  were  diversified  across  both  names  and 
sectors  and 
to  U.K.-focused 
counterparties  that  generate  more  than  one-third  of  their 
revenues  in  the  U.K.,  $8,788  million  to  geographically 
diversified  counterparties,  and  $8,591  million  to  exchanges 
and clearinghouses.

include  $12,031  million 

In  addition  to  our  country  risk  exposure,  we  disclose  our 
cross-border  risk  exposure  in  “Financial  Statements  and 
Supplementary 
Supplement 
(Unaudited).” 

Data—Financial 

Data 

Operational Risk

Operational risk refers to the risk of loss, or of damage to our 
reputation,  resulting  from  inadequate  or  failed  processes  or 
systems,  from  human  factors  or  from  external  events  (e.g., 
fraud,  theft,  legal  and  compliance  risks,  cyber  attacks  or 
damage  to  physical  assets).  We  may  incur  operational  risk 
across  the  full  scope  of  our  business  activities,  including 
revenue-generating  activities  (e.g.,  sales  and  trading)  and 
support and control groups (e.g., information technology and 
trade processing).

We  have  established  an  operational  risk  framework  to 
identify,  measure,  monitor  and  control  risk  across  the  Firm. 
Effective operational risk management is essential to reducing 
the  impact  of  operational  risk  incidents  and  mitigating  legal, 
regulatory  and 
is 
continually evolving to account for changes in the Firm and to 
respond to the changing regulatory and business environment.

reputational 

risks.  The 

framework 

to  monitor  and  analyze 

We  have  implemented  operational  risk  data  and  assessment 
internal  and  external 
systems 
operational  risk  events,  to  assess  business  environment  and 
internal control factors, and to perform scenario analysis. The 
collected  data  elements  are  incorporated  in  the  operational 
risk capital model. The model encompasses both quantitative 
and  qualitative  elements.  Internal  loss  data  and  scenario 
analysis  results  are  direct  inputs  to  the  capital  model,  while 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

external  operational  incidents,  business  environment  and 
internal  control  factors  are  evaluated  as  part  of  the  scenario 
analysis process.

In  addition,  we  employ  a  variety  of  risk  processes  and 
mitigants  to  manage  our  operational  risk  exposures.  These 
include  a  governance  framework,  a  comprehensive  risk 
management  program  and  insurance.  Operational  risks  and 
associated  risk  exposures  are  assessed  relative  to  the  risk 
tolerance  reviewed  and  confirmed  by  the  Board  and  are 
prioritized accordingly.

The  breadth  and  range  of  operational  risk  are  such  that  the 
types  of  mitigating  activities  are  wide-ranging.  Examples  of 
activities 
include:  continuous  enhancement  of  defenses 
against cyber attacks; use of legal agreements and contracts to 
transfer and/or limit operational risk exposures; due diligence; 
implementation  of  enhanced  policies  and  procedures; 
technology 
exception 
management processing controls; and segregation of duties.

change  management 

controls; 

Primary responsibility for the management of operational risk 
is  with  the  business  segments,  the  control  groups  and  the 
business  managers  therein.  The  business  managers  maintain 
processes  and  controls  designed  to  identify,  assess,  manage, 
mitigate  and  report  operational  risk.  Each  of  the  business 
segments  has  a  designated  operational  risk  coordinator.  The 
operational risk coordinator regularly reviews operational risk 
issues  and  reports  to  our  senior  management  within  each 
business. Each control group also has a designated operational 
risk  coordinator  and  a  forum  for  discussing  operational  risk 
matters with our senior management. Oversight of operational 
the  Operational  Risk  Oversight 
risk 
Committee, 
legal  entity  risk  committees,  regional  risk 
committees and senior management. In the event of a merger; 
joint venture; divestiture; reorganization; or creation of a new 
legal entity, a new product, or a business activity, operational 
risks are considered, and any necessary changes in processes 
or controls are implemented.

is  provided  by 

The  Operational  Risk  Department  provides  independent 
oversight  of  operational  risk  and  assesses,  measures  and 
monitors  operational  risk  against  tolerance.  The  Operational 
Risk Department works with the divisions and control groups 
to  help  ensure  a  transparent,  consistent  and  comprehensive 
framework for managing operational risk within each area and 
across the Firm.

The Operational Risk Department scope includes oversight of 
technology risk, cybersecurity risk, information security risk, 
the fraud risk management and prevention program, and third-
party  risk  management  (supplier  and  affiliate  risk  oversight 
and assessment).

Cybersecurity

Our  cybersecurity  and 
security  policies, 
procedures, and technologies are designed to protect our own, 
our  client  and  our  employee  data  against  unauthorized 

information 

regulatory 

disclosure,  modification  or  misuse  and  are  also  designed  to 
address 
requirements.  These  policies  and 
including: 
procedures  cover  a  broad  range  of  areas, 
identification  of  internal  and  external  threats,  access  control, 
data  security,  protective  controls,  detection  of  malicious  or 
unauthorized  activity, 
recovery 
incident 
planning.

response  and 

Business Continuity Management and Disaster Recovery

The  Fusion  Resilience  Center’s  mission  is  to  understand, 
prepare  for,  respond  to,  recover  and  learn  from  operational 
threats  and  incidents  that  impact  the  Firm,  from  cyber  and 
fraud  to  technology  incidents,  weather  events,  terror  attacks, 
geopolitical  unrest  and  pandemics.  Global  programs  for 
Business  Continuity  and  Disaster  Recovery  are  designed  to 
mitigate  risk  and  enable  recovery  from  business  continuity 
incidents  impacting  our  people,  technology,  suppliers  and/or 
facilities.  Business  units  within  the  Firm  maintain  business 
identifying  processes  and 
continuity  plans, 
strategies  to  continue  business-critical  processes  during  a 
business  continuity  incident.  Business  units  also  test  the 
documented  preparation  to  provide  a  reasonable  expectation 
that,  during  a  business  continuity  incident,  the  business  unit 
will  be  able  to  continue  its  critical  business  processes  and 
limit  the  impact  of  the  incident  to  the  Firm  and  its  clients. 
Technical 
for  critical 
recovery  plans  are  maintained 
technology  assets  and  detail  the  steps  to  be  implemented  to 
recover  from  a  disruption.  Disaster  Recovery  testing  is 
performed to validate the recovery capability of these critical 
technology assets.

including 

Third-Party Risk Management

In  connection  with  our  ongoing  operations,  we  utilize  the 
services  of  third-party  suppliers,  which  we  anticipate  will 
continue  and  may  increase  in  the  future.  These  services 
include,  for  example,  outsourced  processing  and  support 
functions  and  other  professional  services.  Our  risk-based 
approach to managing exposure to these services includes the 
performance of due diligence, implementation of service level 
and other contractual agreements, consideration of operational 
risks  and  ongoing  monitoring  of 
third-party  suppliers’ 
performance. We maintain and continue to enhance our third-
party  risk  management  program  which  is  designed  to  align 
with our risk tolerance and meet regulatory requirements. The 
program 
policies, 
procedures  and  enabling  technology.  The  third-party  risk 
management  program  includes  the  adoption  of  appropriate 
risk management controls and practices throughout the third-
party management life cycle to manage risk of service failure, 
risk of data loss and reputational risk, among others. 

governance, 

appropriate 

includes 

77

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Risk Disclosures

Model Risk

Model  risk  refers  to  the  potential  for  adverse  consequences 
from decisions based on incorrect or misused model outputs. 
Model  risk  can  lead  to  financial  loss,  poor  business  and 
strategic  decision  making  or  damage  to  our  reputation.  The 
risk  inherent  in  a  model  is  a  function  of  the  materiality, 
complexity and uncertainty around inputs and assumptions.

Model  risk  is  generated  from  the  use  of  models  impacting 
financial  statements,  regulatory  filings,  capital  adequacy 
assessments and the formulation of strategy.

Sound model risk management is an integral part of our Risk 
Management  Framework.  The  Model  Risk  Management 
Department  (“MRM”)  is  a  distinct  department  in  Risk 
Management responsible for the oversight of model risk.

MRM establishes a model risk tolerance in line with our risk 
appetite.  The  tolerance  is  based  on  an  assessment  of  the 
materiality of the risk of financial loss or reputational damage 
due  to  errors  in  design,  implementation  and/or  inappropriate 
use  of  models.  The  tolerance  is  monitored  through  model-
specific  and  aggregate  business-level  assessments,  which  are 
based upon qualitative and quantitative factors.

A guiding principle for managing model risk is the “effective 
challenge”  of  models.  The  effective  challenge  of  models  is 
defined as critical analysis by objective, informed parties who 
can  identify  model  limitations  and  assumptions  and  drive 
appropriate  changes.  MRM  provides  effective  challenge  of 
models, independently validates and approves models for use, 
annually recertifies models, identifies and tracks remediation 
plans for model limitations and reports on model risk metrics. 
The department also oversees the development of controls to 
support a complete and accurate Firmwide model inventory.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity  risk  refers  to  the  risk  that  we  will  be  unable  to 
finance  our  operations  due  to  a  loss  of  access  to  the  capital 
markets  or  difficulty  in  liquidating  our  assets.  Liquidity  risk 
also encompasses our ability (or perceived ability) to meet our 
financial  obligations  without 
significant 
business disruption or reputational damage that may threaten 
our  viability  as  a  going  concern.  Liquidity  risk  also 
encompasses  the  associated  funding  risks  triggered  by  the 
market  or  idiosyncratic  stress  events  that  may  negatively 
affect  our  liquidity  and  may  impact  our  ability  to  raise  new 
funding.  Generally,  we  incur  liquidity  and  funding  risk  as  a 
result of our trading, lending, investing and client facilitation 
activities.

experiencing 

Our  Liquidity  Risk  Management  Framework  is  critical  to 
helping  ensure  that  we  maintain  sufficient  liquidity  reserves 
and durable funding sources to meet our daily obligations and 
to  withstand  unanticipated  stress  events.  The  Liquidity  Risk 
Department is a distinct area in Risk Management responsible 
for  the  oversight  and  monitoring  of  liquidity  risk.  The 

December 2020 Form 10-K

78

Liquidity  Risk  Department  ensures  transparency  of  material 
liquidity  and  funding  risks,  compliance  with  established  risk 
limits  and  escalation  of  risk  concentrations  to  appropriate 
senior management.

these 

To  execute 
the  Liquidity  Risk 
responsibilities, 
Department  establishes  limits  in  line  with  our  risk  appetite, 
identifies and analyzes emerging liquidity and funding risks to 
ensure  such  risks  are  appropriately  mitigated,  monitors  and 
reports risk exposures against metrics and limits, and reviews 
the  methodologies  and  assumptions  underpinning  our 
Liquidity  Stress  Tests  to  ensure  sufficient  liquidity  and 
funding under a range of adverse scenarios. 

responsibility 

The Treasury Department and applicable business units have 
for  evaluating,  monitoring  and 
primary 
controlling  the  liquidity  and  funding  risks  arising  from  our 
business activities and for maintaining processes and controls 
to manage the key risks inherent in their respective areas. The 
Liquidity  Risk  Department  coordinates  with  the  Treasury 
Department  and  these  business  units  to  help  ensure  a 
consistent  and  comprehensive  framework  for  managing 
liquidity  and  funding  risk  across 
the  Firm.  See  also 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources” herein.

Legal and Compliance Risk

laws, 

rules, 

related 

regulations, 

Legal  and  compliance  risk  includes  the  risk  of  legal  or 
regulatory  sanctions,  material  financial  loss,  including  fines, 
penalties,  judgments,  damages  and/or  settlements,  or  loss  to 
reputation that we may suffer as a result of failure to comply 
with 
self-regulatory 
organization standards and codes of conduct applicable to our 
business  activities.  This  risk  also  includes  contractual  and 
commercial  risk,  such  as  the  risk  that  a  counterparty’s 
performance  obligations  will  be  unenforceable.  It  also 
includes compliance with AML, terrorist financing, and anti-
corruption  rules  and  regulations.  We  are  generally  subject  to 
extensive regulation in the different jurisdictions in which we 
conduct  our  business  (see  also  “Business—Supervision  and 
Regulation” and “Risk Factors”).

We have established procedures based on legal and regulatory 
requirements  on  a  worldwide  basis  that  are  designed  to 
facilitate compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory 
requirements  and  to  require  that  our  policies  relating  to 
business  conduct,  ethics  and  practices  are  followed  globally. 
In  addition,  we  have  established  procedures  to  mitigate  the 
risk  that  a  counterparty’s  performance  obligations  will  be 
unenforceable,  including  consideration  of  counterparty  legal 
authority and capacity, adequacy of legal documentation, the 
permissibility  of  a  transaction  under  applicable  law  and 
whether  applicable  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  laws  limit  or 
alter  contractual 
legal  and 
regulatory  focus  on  the  financial  services  and  banking 
industries  globally  presents  a  continuing  business  challenge 
for us.

remedies.  The  heightened 

Table of Contents

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Morgan Stanley:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance 
sheets of Morgan Stanley and subsidiaries (the “Firm”) as of 
December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated income 
statements,  comprehensive  income  statements,  cash  flow 
statements and statements of changes in total equity for each 
of the three years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, 
and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial 
statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present 
fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  the 
Firm as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its 
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years ended 
December  31,  2020,  2019,  and  2018,  in  conformity  with 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the 
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the Firm’s internal control over financial reporting 
as  of  December  31,  2020,  based  on  criteria  established  in 
Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission  and  our  report  dated  February  26,  2021, 
expressed  an  unqualified  opinion  on  the  Firm’s  internal 
control over financial reporting. 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Firm’s 
management.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on 
the Firm’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a 
public  accounting  firm  registered  with  the  PCAOB  and  are 
required  to  be  independent  with  respect  to  the  Firm  in 
accordance  with  the  U.S.  federal  securities  laws  and  the 
applicable  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of 
the  PCAOB.  Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and 
perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about 
the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material 
whether 
misstatement,  whether  due  to  error  or  fraud.  Our  audits 
included performing procedures to assess the risks of material 
misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error 
or  fraud,  and  performing  procedures  that  respond  to  those 
risks.  Such  procedures  included  examining,  on  a  test  basis, 
evidence  regarding  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the 
financial  statements.  Our  audits  also  included  evaluating  the 
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of 

the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

Critical Audit Matters

The  critical  audit  matters  communicated  below  are  matters 
the  financial 
the  current-period  audit  of 
arising  from 
statements  that  were  communicated  or  required  to  be 
communicated  to  the  audit  committee  and  that  (1)  relate  to 
accounts  or  disclosures  that  are  material  to  the  financial 
statements  and  (2)  involved  our  especially  challenging, 
subjective,  or  complex  judgments.  The  communication  of 
critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on 
the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by 
communicating  the  critical  audit  matters  below,  providing  a 
separate  opinion  on  the  critical  audit  matters  or  on  the 
accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Valuation  of  Level  3  Financial  Assets  and  Liabilities 
Carried  at  Fair  Value—Refer  to  Note  5  to  the  financial 
statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Firm’s trading and financing activities result in the Firm 
carrying  material  financial  instruments  having  limited  price 
transparency.  These  financial  instruments  can  span  a  broad 
array  of  product  types  and  generally  include  derivative, 
security, loan, and borrowing positions. As described in Note 
5,  these  Level  3  financial  instruments  approximate  $18.4 
billion and $10.2 billion, respectively, of financial assets and 
liabilities  accounted  for  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  at 
December  31,  2020.  Unlike  financial  instruments  whose 
inputs  are  readily  observable  and,  therefore,  more  easily 
financial 
independently  corroborated, 
instruments classified as Level 3 is inherently subjective and 
often  involves  the  use  of  unobservable  inputs,  as  well  as 
proprietary  valuation  models  whose  underlying  algorithms 
and valuation methodologies are complex.

the  valuation  of 

We  identified  the  valuation  of  Level  3  financial  assets  and 
liabilities carried at fair value as a critical audit matter given 
the Firm uses complex valuation models and/or model inputs 
that  are  not  observable  in  the  marketplace  to  determine  the 
respective  fair  values.  Performing  our  audit  procedures  to 
evaluate  the  appropriateness  of  these  models  and  inputs 
involved  a  high  degree  of  auditor  judgment,  professionals 
with  specialized  skills  and  knowledge,  and  an  increased 
extent of testing.

79

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our  audit  procedures  related  to  the  valuation  estimate  for 
financial  instruments  that  are  classified  as  Level  3  included 
the following, among others:

• We  tested  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  the 
Firm’s valuation controls, including model review and price 
verification, which are designed to test the appropriateness 
of  the  Firm’s  valuation  methodologies  as  well  as  the 
relevant inputs, and assumptions used to determine the fair 
value estimates.

• We 

independently  evaluated 

the  appropriateness  of 
management’s 
valuation  methodologies, 
including  the  input  assumptions,  considering  the  expected 
assumptions of other market participants, and external data, 
when available.

significant 

• We  developed  independent  valuation  estimates  for  certain 
financial  instrument  selections,  using  externally  sourced 
inputs  and  independent  valuation  models,  and  used  such 
estimates  to  further  evaluate  management’s  fair  value 
estimate,  including  comparing  the  estimate  with  similar 
transactions  and  evaluating 
the  Firm’s  assumptions 
inclusive of the inputs, as applicable.

• We tested the revenues arising from the trade date valuation 
estimate  for  certain  structured  transactions  classified  as 
Level  3  financial  instruments.  For  a  selection  of  such 
transactions we developed independent valuation estimates 
to  test  the  valuation  inputs  and  assumptions  used  by  the 
Firm  and  evaluated  whether  the  methods  were  consistent 
with relevant Firm valuation policies.

• We  assessed  the  consistency  by  which  management  has 
valuation 
and 

unobservable 

significant 

applied 
assumptions.

• We performed a retrospective assessment of management’s 
valuation  estimates  for  a  sample  of  financial  instrument 
selections  by  comparing  such  estimates 
to  relevant 
transactions.

Intangible  Assets—Valuation  of  Customer  Relationship 
the  E*TRADE  Financial 
Intangible  Assets 
Corporation (“E*TRADE”) Acquisition—Refer to Note 3 
to the financial statements

for 

Critical Audit Matter Description

On  October  2,  2020,  the  Firm  completed  the  acquisition  of 
E*TRADE  for  approximately  $11.9  billion.  The  Firm 
accounted for the acquisition under the acquisition method of 
accounting  for  business  combinations.  Accordingly,  the 
purchase  price  was  allocated  to  the  assets  acquired  and 
liabilities  assumed  based  on  their  respective  fair  values, 
including identified intangibles of approximately $3.3 billion. 
Of 
the  most 
significant were the customer relationship intangible assets of 
$2.8  billion.  Management,  with  the  assistance  of  a  valuation 
specialist,  estimated  the  fair  value  of  customer  relationship 
income  approach,  which 
the 
intangible  assets  using 
determines  the  fair  value  as  the  present  value  of  forecasted 

intangible  assets  acquired, 

identified 

the 

December 2020 Form 10-K

80

future  cash  flows.  The  determination  of  fair  value  of  the 
assets  involves  significant  estimates  and  assumptions  related 
to  forecasted  future  cash  flows  and  the  selection  of  the 
respective discount rate.

identified 

the  valuation  of  customer 

We 
relationship 
intangible  assets  as  a  critical  audit  matter  because  the  fair 
value determination requires management to make significant 
estimates  and  assumptions  in  determining  the  forecasted 
future cash flows including revenue growth rates and attrition 
rates as well as the selection of the discount rate. Performing 
audit  procedures  to  evaluate  the  reasonableness  of  these 
estimates  and  assumptions  required  a  high  degree  of  auditor 
judgment  and  an  increased  extent  of  effort,  including  the 
involvement of our valuation specialists.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our  audit  procedures  related  to  the  valuation  of  customer 
the 
relationship 
E*TRADE acquisition included the following, among others:

intangible  assets  acquired  as  part  of 

• We  tested  the  operating  effectiveness  of  internal  controls 
over the valuation methodology used, the determination of 
forecasted  future  cash  flows,  and  the  selection  of  the 
discount rate.

• We assessed the knowledge, skill, ability and objectivity of 
management’s  valuation  specialist  and  evaluated  the  work 
performed.

• We  evaluated 

the  valuation 
the  appropriateness  of 
methodology used and the reasonableness of the forecasted 
future  cash  flows  for  each  selected  customer  relationship 
intangible  asset,  specifically  the  assumptions  relating  to 
revenue  growth  and  attrition  rates,  as  well  as  whether  the 
assumptions  used  were  reasonable  considering  external 
market and industry data as well as the past performance of 
E*TRADE.  We  also  performed  sensitivity  analyses  to 
evaluate  the  impact  of  changes  in  assumptions  to  the 
valuation of the customer relationship intangible assets.
information  underlying 

the 
determination  of  the  discount  rates  and  attrition  rates  and 
also tested the mathematical accuracy of the calculations.
• We developed a range of independent estimates of discount 
rates for the selected customer relationship intangible assets 
and compared those to the respective discount rate utilized 
by management.

source 

tested 

• We 

the 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP 
New York, New York
February 26, 2021 

We have served as the Firm’s auditor since 1997.

Table of Contents
Consolidated Income Statements

in millions, except per share data
Revenues

Investment banking

Trading

Investments

Commissions and fees

Asset management

Other

Total non-interest revenues
Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

Non-interest expenses
Compensation and benefits

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

Information processing and communications

Professional services

Occupancy and equipment

Marketing and business development

Other

Total non-interest expenses
Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Income from continuing operations

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

Net income

Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable to Morgan Stanley

Preferred stock dividends and other

Earnings applicable to Morgan Stanley common shareholders

Earnings per common share
Basic

Diluted

Average common shares outstanding
Basic

Diluted

2020

2019

2018

$ 

7,674  $ 

13,992   

6,163  $ 

11,095   

986   

4,851   

14,272   

110   

41,885   

10,162   

3,849   

6,313   

48,198   

1,540   

3,919   

13,083   

925   

36,725   

17,098   

12,404   

4,694   

41,419   

6,482 

11,551 

437 

4,190 

12,898 

743 

36,301 

13,892 

10,086 

3,806 

40,107 

20,854   

18,837   

17,632 

2,929   

2,465   

2,205   

1,559   

434   

3,334   

33,780   

14,418   

3,239   

11,179   

—   

11,179  $ 

183   

10,996  $ 

496   

10,500  $ 

2,493   

2,194   

2,137   

1,428   

660   

2,369   

30,118   

11,301   

2,064   

9,237   

—   

9,237  $ 

195   

9,042  $ 

530   

8,512  $ 

6.55  $ 

6.46   

5.26  $ 

5.19   

1,603   

1,624   

1,617   

1,640   

2,393 

2,016 

2,265 

1,391 

691 

2,482 

28,870 

11,237 

2,350 

8,887 

(4) 

8,883 

135 

8,748 

526 

8,222 

4.81 

4.73 

1,708 

1,738 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

81

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements

$ in millions
Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

Pension and other

Change in net debt valuation adjustment

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income

Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests

Other comprehensive income (loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests

Comprehensive income applicable to Morgan Stanley

2020

2019

2018

$ 

11,179  $ 

9,237  $ 

8,883 

170   

1,580   

146   

(1,028)   

868  $ 

12,047  $ 

183   

42   

3   

1,137   

(66)   

(1,639)   

(565)  $ 

8,672  $ 

195   

(69)   

11,822  $ 

8,546  $ 

(90) 

(272) 

137 

1,517 

1,292 

10,175 

135 

87 

9,953 

$ 

$ 

$ 

December 2020 Form 10-K

82

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Consolidated Balance Sheets

$ in millions, except share data
Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trading assets at fair value ($132,578 and $128,386 were pledged to various parties)

Investment securities (includes $110,383 and $62,223 at fair value)

Securities purchased under agreements to resell (includes $15 and $4 at fair value)

Securities borrowed

Customer and other receivables

Loans:

Held for investment (net of allowance of $835 and $349)

Held for sale

Goodwill

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $3,265 and $3,204)

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Deposits (includes $3,521 and $2,099 at fair value)

Trading liabilities at fair value

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (includes $1,115 and $733 at fair value)

Securities loaned

Other secured financings (includes $11,701 and $7,809 at fair value)

Customer and other payables

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

Borrowings (includes $73,701 and $64,461 at fair value)

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note 15)

Equity

Morgan Stanley shareholders’ equity:

Preferred stock

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

Shares authorized: 3,500,000,000; Shares issued: 2,038,893,979; Shares outstanding: 1,809,624,144 and 

1,593,973,680

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Employee stock trusts

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock held in treasury at cost, $0.01 par value (229,269,835 and 444,920,299 shares)

Common stock issued to employee stock trusts

Total Morgan Stanley shareholders’ equity

Noncontrolling interests

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

105,654  $ 

312,738   

182,154   

116,234   

112,391   

97,737   

137,784   

12,813   

11,635   

4,980   

21,742   

1,115,862  $ 

310,782  $ 

157,631   

50,587   

7,731   

15,863   

227,437   

25,603   

217,079   

1,012,713   

$ 

$ 

82,171 

297,110 

105,725 

88,224 

106,549 

55,646 

118,060 

12,577 

7,143 

2,107 

20,117 

895,429 

190,356 

133,356 

54,200 

8,506 

14,698 

197,834 

21,155 

192,627 

812,732 

9,250   

8,520 

20   

25,546   

78,694   

3,043   

(1,962)   

(9,767)   

(3,043)   

101,781   

1,368   

103,149   

20 

23,935 

70,589 

2,918 

(2,788) 

(18,727) 

(2,918) 

81,549 

1,148 

82,697 

$ 

1,115,862  $ 

895,429 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

83

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Total Equity

$ in millions
Preferred Stock

Beginning balance
Issuance of preferred stock1
Redemption of preferred stock2
Ending balance

Common Stock

Beginning and ending balance

Additional Paid-in Capital

Beginning balance

Share-based award activity

Issuance of preferred stock
Issuance of common stock for the acquisition of E*TRADE1
Other net increases (decreases)

Ending balance

Retained Earnings

Beginning balance
Cumulative adjustments for accounting changes3
Net income applicable to Morgan Stanley
Preferred stock dividends4
Common stock dividends4
Other net increases (decreases)

Ending balance

Employee Stock Trusts

Beginning balance

Share-based award activity

Ending balance

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Beginning balance
Cumulative adjustments for accounting changes3
Net change in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Ending balance

Common Stock Held in Treasury at Cost

Beginning balance

Share-based award activity

Repurchases of common stock and employee tax withholdings
Issuance of common stock for the acquisition of E*TRADE1
Ending balance

Common Stock Issued to Employee Stock Trusts

Beginning balance

Share-based award activity

Ending balance

Noncontrolling Interests

Beginning balance

Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests

Net change in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) applicable to noncontrolling 

interests

Other net increases (decreases)

Ending balance

Total Equity

2020

2019

2018

$ 

8,520  $ 

8,520  $ 

8,520 

730   

—   

9,250   

500   

(500)   

8,520   

— 

— 

8,520 

20   

20   

20 

23,794   

131   

23,545 

249 

(3)   

—   

13   

— 

— 

— 

23,935   

23,794 

23,935   

518   

—   

1,093   

—   

25,546   

70,589   

(100)   

10,996   

(496)   

(2,295)   

—   

64,175   

63   

9,042   

(524)   

(2,161)   

(6)   

78,694   

70,589   

2,918   

125   

3,043   

(2,788)   

—   

826   

(1,962)   

2,836   

82   

2,918   

(2,292)   

—   

(496)   

(2,788)   

(18,727)   

(13,971)   

932   

(1,890)   

9,918   

(9,767)   

(2,918)   

(125)   

(3,043)   

1,148   

183   

42   

(5)   

1,368   

1,198   

(5,954)   

—   

(2,836)   

(82)   

(2,918)   

1,160   

195   

(69)   

(138)   

1,148   

57,577 

306 

8,748 

(526) 

(1,930) 

— 

64,175 

2,907 

(71) 

2,836 

(3,060) 

(437) 

1,205 

(2,292) 

(9,211) 

806 

(5,566) 

— 

(2,907) 

71 

(2,836) 

1,075 

135 

87 

(137) 

1,160 

81,406 

(18,727)   

(13,971) 

$ 

103,149  $ 

82,697  $ 

1. The 2020 issuances of Preferred and Common Stock were related to the acquisition of E*TRADE. See Notes 3 and 18 for further information.
2. See Note 18 for information regarding the notice of redemption and reclassification of Series G Preferred Stock.
3. See Notes 2 and 18 for further information regarding cumulative adjustments for accounting changes.
4. See Note 18 for information regarding dividends per share for each class of stock.

December 2020 Form 10-K

84

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

$ in millions
Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

Deferred income taxes

Stock-based compensation expense

Depreciation and amortization

Provision for (Release of) credit losses on lending activities

Other operating adjustments

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Trading assets, net of Trading liabilities

Securities borrowed

Securities loaned

Customer and other receivables and other assets

Customer and other payables and other liabilities

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from (payments for):

Other assets—Premises, equipment and software, net

Changes in loans, net

Investment securities:

Purchases

Proceeds from sales

Proceeds from paydowns and maturities

Cash acquired as part of the E*TRADE acquisition

Other investing activities

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Net proceeds from (payments for):

Other secured financings

Deposits

Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs

Proceeds from issuance of Borrowings

Payments for:

Borrowings

Repurchases of common stock and employee tax withholdings

Cash dividends

Other financing activities

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash payments for:

Interest

Income taxes, net of refunds

2020

2019

2018

$ 

11,179  $ 

9,237  $ 

8,883 

(250)   

1,312   

3,769   

762   

274   

15,550   

(5,076)   

(1,541)   

(29,774)   

10,187   

(28,010)   

(3,613)   

(25,231)   

165   

1,153   

2,643   

162   

(195)   

(13,668)   

9,764   

(3,402)   

233   

19,942   

10,298   

4,441   

40,773   

(1,444)   

(17,949)   

(1,826)   

(17,359)   

(59,777)   

13,750   

24,517   

3,807   

(802)   

(42,586)   

17,151   

12,012   

—   

(953)   

449 

920 

1,844 

(15) 

199 

23,732 

7,697 

(1,684) 

(728) 

(13,063) 

(14,264) 

(6,665) 

7,305 

(1,865) 

(8,794) 

(27,800) 

3,208 

12,668 

— 

(298) 

(37,898)   

(33,561)   

(22,881) 

2,794   

75,417   

—   

3,695   

2,513   

497   

60,726   

30,605   

(1,226) 

28,384 

— 

40,059 

(50,484)   

(40,548)   

(34,781) 

(1,890)   

(2,739)   

(40)   

83,784   

2,828   

23,483   

82,171   

(5,954)   

(2,627)   

(147)   

(11,966)   

(271)   

(5,025)   

87,196   

$ 

105,654  $ 

82,171  $ 

(5,566) 

(2,375) 

(290) 

24,205 

(1,828) 

6,801 

80,395 

87,196 

$ 

4,120  $ 

2,591   

12,511  $ 

1,908   

9,977 

1,377 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

85

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation 

The Firm

through 

Morgan  Stanley  is  a  global  financial  services  firm  that 
maintains significant market positions in each of its business 
segments—Institutional  Securities,  Wealth  Management  and 
Investment  Management.  Morgan  Stanley, 
its 
subsidiaries and affiliates, provides a wide variety of products 
and  services  to  a  large  and  diversified  group  of  clients  and 
customers,  including  corporations,  governments,  financial 
institutions  and  individuals.  Unless  the  context  otherwise 
requires,  the  terms  “Morgan  Stanley”  or  the  “Firm”  mean 
Morgan  Stanley  (the  “Parent  Company”)  together  with  its 
consolidated  subsidiaries.  See  the  “Glossary  of  Common 
Terms and Acronyms” for the definition of certain terms and 
acronyms used throughout this Form 10-K.

A  description  of  the  clients  and  principal  products  and 
services  of  each  of  the  Firm’s  business  segments  is  as 
follows:

Institutional  Securities  provides  investment  banking,  sales 
and  trading,  lending  and  other  services  to  corporations, 
governments,  financial  institutions  and  high  to  ultra-high 
net  worth  clients.  Investment  banking  services  consist  of 
capital  raising  and  financial  advisory  services,  including 
services  relating  to  the  underwriting  of  debt,  equity  and 
other  securities,  as  well  as  advice  on  mergers  and 
acquisitions,  restructurings,  real  estate  and  project  finance. 
Sales  and  trading  services  include  sales,  financing,  prime 
brokerage  and  market-making  activities  in  the  equity  and 
fixed 
include 
income  businesses.  Lending  activities 
originating  corporate  loans  and  commercial  real  estate 
loans,  providing  secured  lending  facilities,  and  extending 
financing  to  sales  and  trading  customers.  Other  activities 
include Asia wealth management services, investments and 
research.

Wealth  Management  provides  a  comprehensive  array  of 
financial services and solutions to individual investors and 
small to medium-sized businesses and institutions covering: 
financial  advisor-led  brokerage  and  investment  advisory 
services; 
including 
through  the  E*TRADE  platform;  financial  and  wealth 
planning services; workplace services including stock plan 
administration;  annuity  and  insurance  products;  securities-
based lending, residential real estate loans and other lending 
products; banking; and retirement plan services.

self-directed  brokerage 

services, 

Investment  Management  provides  a  broad  range  of 
investment  strategies  and  products  that  span  geographies, 
asset  classes,  and  public  and  private  markets  to  a  diverse 
group  of  clients  across  institutional  and  intermediary 
channels.  Strategies  and  products,  which  are  offered 
through  a  variety  of  investment  vehicles,  include  equity, 
fixed  income,  liquidity  and  alternative/other  products. 
include  defined  benefit/defined 
Institutional 
contribution  plans,  foundations,  endowments,  government 

clients 

December 2020 Form 10-K

86

entities,  sovereign  wealth  funds,  insurance  companies, 
third-party  fund  sponsors  and  corporations.  Individual 
intermediaries, 
clients  are  generally  served 
including affiliated and non-affiliated distributors.

through 

Basis of Financial Information

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. 
GAAP,  which  requires  the  Firm  to  make  estimates  and 
assumptions  regarding  the  valuations  of  certain  financial 
instruments, the valuations of goodwill and intangible assets, 
the  outcome  of  legal  and  tax  matters,  deferred  tax  assets, 
ACL, and other matters that affect its financial statements and 
related  disclosures.  The  Firm  believes  that  the  estimates 
utilized  in  the  preparation  of  its  financial  statements  are 
prudent and reasonable. Actual results could differ materially 
from these estimates. 

Certain  reclassifications  have  been  made  to  prior  periods  to 
conform to the current presentation. The Notes are an integral 
part  of  the  Firm's  financial  statements.  The  Firm  has 
evaluated subsequent events for adjustment to or disclosure in 
these financial statements through the date of this report and 
has  not  identified  any  recordable  or  disclosable  events  not 
otherwise  reported  in  these  financial  statements  or  the  notes 
thereto.

Consolidation

The financial statements include the accounts of the Firm, its 
wholly  owned  subsidiaries  and  other  entities  in  which  the 
Firm  has  a  controlling  financial  interest,  including  certain 
VIEs  (see  Note  16).  Intercompany  balances  and  transactions 
have  been  eliminated.  For  consolidated  subsidiaries  that  are 
not wholly owned, the third-party holdings of equity interests 
are  referred  to  as  Noncontrolling  interests.  The  net  income 
attributable to Noncontrolling interests for such subsidiaries is 
presented as Net income applicable to noncontrolling interests 
in the income statements. The portion of shareholders’ equity 
that  is  attributable  to  noncontrolling  interests  for  such 
interests,  a 
is  presented  as  noncontrolling 
subsidiaries 
component of Total equity, in the balance sheets.

For  entities  where  the  total  equity  investment  at  risk  is 
sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities without 
additional  subordinated  financial  support  and  the  equity 
holders  bear  the  residual  economic  risks  and  returns  of  the 
entity and have the power to direct the activities of the entity 
that  most  significantly  affect  its  economic  performance,  the 
Firm  consolidates  those  entities  it  controls  either  through  a 
majority  voting  interest  or  otherwise.  For  VIEs  (i.e.,  entities 
that  do  not  meet  the  aforementioned  criteria),  the  Firm 
consolidates those entities where it has the power to make the 
the  economic 
decisions 
performance  of  the  VIE  and  has  the  obligation  to  absorb 
losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be 
significant to the VIE.

that  most  significantly  affect 

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For investments in entities in which the Firm does not have a 
controlling financial interest but has significant influence over 
operating and financial decisions, it applies the equity method 
of accounting with net gains and losses recorded within Other 
revenues (see Note 12) unless the Firm has elected to measure 
the investment at fair value, in which case net gains and losses 
are recorded within Investments revenues (see Note 5).

Equity and partnership interests held by entities qualifying for 
accounting  purposes  as  investment  companies  are  carried  at 
fair value.

The  Firm’s  significant  regulated  U.S.  and  international 
subsidiaries include:

• Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.”),
• Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“MSSB”),
• Morgan Stanley Europe SE (“MSESE”), 
• Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (“MSIP”),
• Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. (“MSBNA”),
• Morgan  Stanley  Private  Bank,  National  Association 

(“MSPBNA”),

• E*TRADE Bank (“ETB”),
• E*TRADE Savings Bank (“ETSB”) and
• E*TRADE Securities LLC

2. Significant Accounting Policies 

Revenue Recognition

Revenues  are  recognized  when  the  promised  goods  or 
services  are  delivered  to  our  customers,  in  an  amount  that  is 
based  on  the  consideration  the  Firm  expects  to  receive  in 
exchange for those goods or services when such amounts are 
not probable of significant reversal. 

Investment Banking

Revenues  from  investment  banking  activities  consist  of 
revenues  earned  from  underwriting,  primarily  equity  and 
fixed  income  securities  and  loan  syndications,  and  advisory 
fees, primarily for mergers, acquisitions and restructurings. 

Underwriting revenues are generally recognized on trade date 
if there is no uncertainty or contingency related to the amount 
to be paid. Underwriting costs are deferred and recognized in 
the relevant non-interest expenses line items when the related 
underwriting revenues are recorded.

Advisory  fees  are  recognized  as  advice  is  provided  to  the 
client,  based  on  the  estimated  progress  of  work  and  when 
revenues  are  not  probable  of  a  significant  reversal.  Advisory 
costs  are  recognized  as  incurred  in  the  relevant  non-interest 
expenses line items, including those reimbursed.

Commissions and Fees

Commission  and 
from 
transaction-based arrangements in which the client is charged 
a  fee  for  the  execution  of  transactions.  Such  revenues 

revenues  generally 

result 

fee 

primarily arise from transactions in equity securities; services 
related  to  sales  and  trading  activities;  and  sales  of  mutual 
funds,  alternative  funds,  futures,  insurance  products  and 
options,  as  well  as  revenues  from  order  flow  payments  for 
directing  customer  orders  to  broker-dealers,  exchanges,  and 
market  centers  for  execution.  Commission  and  fee  revenues 
are recognized on trade date when the performance obligation 
is satisfied.

Asset Management Revenues

Asset  management,  distribution  and  administration  fees  are 
generally based on related asset levels being managed, such as 
the AUM of a customer’s account or the net asset value of a 
fund.  These  fees  are  generally  recognized  when  services  are 
performed and the fees become known. Management fees are 
reduced  by  estimated  fee  waivers  and  expense  caps,  if  any, 
provided to the customer.

Performance-based fees not in the form of carried interest are 
recorded  when  the  annual  performance  target  is  met  and  the 
revenues are not probable of a significant reversal.

Sales  commissions  paid  by  the  Firm  in  connection  with  the 
sale  of  certain  classes  of  shares  of  its  open-end  mutual  fund 
products are accounted for as deferred commission assets and 
amortized  to  expense  over  the  expected  life  of  the  contract. 
The  Firm  periodically  tests  deferred  commission  assets  for 
recoverability based on cash flows expected to be received in 
future periods. Other asset management and distribution costs 
are  recognized  as  incurred  in  the  relevant  non-interest 
expenses line items.

Carried Interest

from 

interest 

The Firm is entitled to receive performance-based fees in the 
form  of  carried  interest  when  the  return  in  certain  funds 
exceeds  specified  performance  targets.  When  the  Firm  earns 
carried 
funds  as  specified  performance 
thresholds  are  met,  that  carried  interest  and  any  related 
general  or  limited  partner  interest  is  accounted  for  under  the 
equity  method  of  accounting  and  measured  based  on  the 
Firm’s  claim  on  the  NAV  of  the  fund  at  the  reporting  date, 
taking  into  account  the  distribution  terms  applicable  to  the 
interest held.

See  Note  23  for  information  regarding  the  net  cumulative 
unrealized amount of performance-based fee revenues at risk 
of  reversal.  See  Note  15  for  information  regarding  general 
partner  guarantees,  which  include  potential  obligations  to 
return performance fee distributions previously received.

Other Items

Revenues  from  certain  commodities-related  contracts  are 
recognized as the promised goods or services are delivered to 
the customer.

Receivables from contracts with customers are recognized in 
Customer  and  other  receivables  in  the  balance  sheets  when 

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December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

the  underlying  performance  obligations  have  been  satisfied 
and  the  Firm  has  the  right  per  the  contract  to  bill  the 
customer. Contract assets are recognized in Other assets when 
the  Firm  has  satisfied  its  performance  obligations  but 
customer  payment  is  conditional.  Contract  liabilities  are 
recognized  in  Other  liabilities  when  the  Firm  has  collected 
payment from a customer based on the terms of the contract, 
but  the  underlying  performance  obligations  are  not  yet 
satisfied.

For  contracts  with  a  term  of  less  than  one  year,  incremental 
costs  to  obtain  the  contract  are  expensed  as  incurred. 
Revenues  are  not  discounted  when  payment  is  expected 
within one year.

The  Firm  generally  presents,  net  within  revenues,  taxes 
assessed  by  a  governmental  authority  that  are  both  imposed 
on  and  concurrent  with  a  specific  revenue-producing 
transaction and collected by the Firm from a customer.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Instruments  within  Trading  assets  and  Trading  liabilities  are 
measured  at  fair  value,  either  as  required  or  allowed  by 
accounting  guidance.  These  financial  instruments  primarily 
represent  the  Firm’s  trading  and  investment  positions  and 
include  both  cash  and  derivative  products.  In  addition, 
securities classified as AFS are measured at fair value.

Gains  and  losses  on  instruments  carried  at  fair  value  are 
reflected  in  Trading  revenues,  Investments  revenues  or 
Investment banking revenues in the income statements, except 
(“AFS”) 
for  AFS 
Investment  Securities”  section  herein  and  Note  8)  and 
derivatives accounted for as hedges (see “Hedge Accounting” 
herein and Note 7). 

(see  “Available-for-Sale 

securities 

Interest  income  and  interest  expense  are  recorded  within  the 
income statements depending on the nature of the instrument 
and related market conventions. When interest is included as a 
component of the instruments’ fair value, interest is recorded 
within Trading revenues or Investments revenues. Otherwise, 
it  is  recorded  within  Interest  income  or  Interest  expense. 
Dividend 
in  Trading  revenues  or 
is  recorded 
Investments revenues depending on the business activity.

income 

a 

The  fair  value  of  OTC  financial  instruments,  including 
derivative  contracts  related  to  financial  instruments  and 
commodities, is presented in the accompanying balance sheets 
appropriate. 
on 
Additionally,  the  Firm  nets  the  fair  value  of  cash  collateral 
paid or received against the fair value amounts recognized for 
net  derivative  positions  executed  with  the  same  counterparty 
under the same master netting agreement.

net-by-counterparty 

basis,  when 

Fair Value Option

The  Firm  has  elected  to  measure  certain  eligible  instruments 
at fair value, including Securities purchased under agreements 
to  resell,  Loans  and  lending  commitments,  equity  method 

December 2020 Form 10-K

88

investments and certain other assets, Deposits, Securities sold 
under agreements to repurchase, Other secured financings and 
Borrowings.

Fair Value Measurement—Definition and Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in 
an  orderly  transaction  between  market  participants  at  the 
measurement date.

Fair  value  is  a  market-based  measure  considered  from  the 
perspective  of  a  market  participant  rather  than  an  entity-
specific  measure.  Therefore,  even  when  market  assumptions 
are not readily available, assumptions are set to reflect those 
that  the  Firm  believes  market  participants  would  use  in 
pricing  the  asset  or  liability  at  the  measurement  date.  Where 
the  Firm  manages  a  group  of  financial  assets,  financial 
liabilities, and nonfinancial items accounted for as derivatives 
on the basis of its net exposure to either market risks or credit 
risk,  the  Firm  measures  the  fair  value  of  that  group  of 
financial 
consistently  with  how  market 
participants  would  price  the  net  risk  exposure  at  the 
measurement date.

instruments 

In  determining  fair  value,  the  Firm  uses  various  valuation 
approaches  and  establishes  a  hierarchy  for  inputs  used  in 
measuring fair value that requires the most observable inputs 
be used when available.

Observable  inputs  are  inputs  that  market  participants  would 
use in pricing the asset or liability that were developed based 
on  market  data  obtained  from  sources  independent  of  the 
Firm. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect assumptions 
the  Firm  believes  other  market  participants  would  use  in 
pricing  the  asset  or  liability  that  are  developed  based  on  the 
best information available in the circumstances. The fair value 
hierarchy  is  broken  down  into  three  levels  based  on  the 
observability  of  inputs  as  follows,  with  Level  1  being  the 
highest and Level 3 being the lowest level:

Level 1.    Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets 
that  the  Firm  has  the  ability  to  access  for  identical  assets  or 
liabilities.  Valuation  adjustments,  block  discounts  and 
discounts  for  entity-specific  restrictions  that  would  not 
transfer  to  market  participants  are  not  applied  to  Level  1 
instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that 
are  readily  and  regularly  available  in  an  active  market, 
valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree 
of judgment.

Level 2.    Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in 
markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs 
are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level  3.        Valuations  based  on  inputs  that  are  unobservable 
and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to 
product and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including 

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

the  type  of  product,  whether  the  product  is  new  and  not  yet 
established  in  the  marketplace,  the  liquidity  of  markets  and 
other  characteristics  particular  to  the  product.  To  the  extent 
that  valuation  is  based  on  models  or  inputs  that  are  less 
observable  or  unobservable  in  the  market,  the  determination 
of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree 
of judgment exercised by the Firm in determining fair value is 
greatest  for  instruments  categorized  in  Level  3  of  the  fair 
value hierarchy.

The Firm considers prices and inputs that are current as of the 
measurement  date,  including  during  periods  of  market 
dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability 
of  prices  and  inputs  may  be  reduced  for  many  instruments. 
This  condition  could  cause  an  instrument  to  be  reclassified 
from Level 1 to Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair 
value hierarchy.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall 
into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, 
the total fair value amount is disclosed in the level appropriate 
for  the  lowest  level  input  that  is  significant  to  the  total  fair 
value of the asset or liability.

Valuation Techniques

Many cash instruments and OTC derivative contracts have bid 
and  ask  prices  that  can  be  observed  in  the  marketplace.  Bid 
prices reflect the highest price that a party is willing to pay for 
an asset. Ask prices represent the lowest price that a party is 
willing to accept for an asset. The Firm carries positions at the 
point within the bid-ask range that meets its best estimate of 
fair  value.  For  offsetting  positions  in  the  same  financial 
instrument, the same price within the bid-ask spread is used to 
measure both the long and short positions.

Fair  value  for  many  cash  instruments  and  OTC  derivative 
contracts is derived using pricing models. Pricing models take 
into  account  the  contract  terms,  as  well  as  multiple  inputs, 
including, where applicable, commodity prices, equity prices, 
rate  yield  curves,  credit  curves,  correlation, 
interest 
creditworthiness  of  the  counterparty,  creditworthiness  of  the 
Firm, option volatility and currency rates.

risk 

liquidity 

such  as 

factors 
credit  quality,  model  uncertainty 

Where appropriate, valuation adjustments are made to account 
(bid-ask 
for  various 
adjustments), 
and 
concentration risk and funding. Adjustments for liquidity risk 
adjust  model-derived  mid-market  amounts  of  Level  2  and 
Level  3  financial  instruments  for  the  bid-mid  or  mid-ask 
spread  required  to  properly  reflect  the  exit  price  of  a  risk 
position.  Bid-mid  and  mid-ask  spreads  are  marked  to  levels 
observed  in  trade  activity,  broker  quotes  or  other  external 
third-party data. Where these spreads are unobservable for the 
particular  position  in  question,  spreads  are  derived  from 
observable levels of similar positions.

The  Firm  applies  credit-related  valuation  adjustments  to  its 
Borrowings for which the fair value option was elected and to 

OTC derivatives. The Firm considers the impact of changes in 
its  own  credit  spreads  based  upon  observations  of  the 
secondary bond market spreads when measuring the fair value 
for Borrowings.

For OTC derivatives, the impact of changes in both the Firm’s 
and  the  counterparty’s  credit  rating  is  considered  when 
measuring  fair  value.  In  determining  the  expected  exposure, 
the Firm simulates the distribution of the future exposure to a 
counterparty,  then  applies  market-based  default  probabilities 
to  the  future  exposure,  leveraging  external  third-party  CDS 
spread  data.  Where  CDS  spread  data  are  unavailable  for  a 
specific counterparty, bond market spreads, CDS spread data 
based on the counterparty’s credit rating or CDS spread data 
that reference a comparable counterparty may be utilized. The 
Firm  also  considers  collateral  held  and  legally  enforceable 
master  netting  agreements  that  mitigate  its  exposure  to  each 
counterparty.

Adjustments  for  model  uncertainty  are  taken  for  positions 
whose underlying models are reliant on significant inputs that 
are neither directly nor indirectly observable, hence requiring 
reliance on established theoretical concepts in their derivation. 
These adjustments are derived by making assessments of the 
possible degree of variability using statistical approaches and 
market-based information where possible.

The  Firm  may  apply  concentration  adjustments  to  certain  of 
its  OTC  derivative  portfolios  to  reflect  the  additional  cost  of 
closing out a particularly large risk exposure. Where possible, 
these 
observable 
market  information,  but  in  many  instances,  significant 
judgment  is  required  to  estimate  the  costs  of  closing 
out concentrated risk exposures due to the lack of liquidity in 
the marketplace.

adjustments 

based 

are 

on 

The  Firm  applies  an  FVA  in  the  fair  value  measurements  of 
OTC  uncollateralized  or  partially  collateralized  derivatives 
and  in  collateralized  derivatives  where  the  terms  of  the 
agreement  do  not  permit  the  reuse  of  the  collateral  received. 
In  general,  FVA  reflects  a  market  funding  risk  premium 
inherent in the noted derivative instruments. The methodology 
for  measuring  FVA  leverages  the  Firm’s  existing  credit-
related  valuation  adjustment  calculation  methodologies, 
which apply to both assets and liabilities.

See Note 5 for a description of valuation techniques applied to 
the major categories of financial instruments measured at fair 
value.

Assets  and  Liabilities  Measured  at  Fair  Value  on  a  Non-
recurring Basis

Certain of the Firm’s assets and liabilities are measured at fair 
value  on  a  non-recurring  basis.  The  Firm  incurs  losses  or 
gains  for  any  adjustments  of  these  assets  or  liabilities  to  fair 
value.

For  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  non-
recurring  basis,  fair  value  is  determined  by  using  various 

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December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

valuation  approaches.  The  same  hierarchy  for  inputs  as 
described  above,  which  requires  that  observable  inputs  be 
used when available, is used in measuring fair value for these 
items.

For further information on financial assets and liabilities that 
are  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  and  non-recurring 
basis, see Note 5.

Offsetting of Derivative Instruments

In connection with its derivative activities, the Firm generally 
enters 
into  master  netting  agreements  and  collateral 
agreements with its counterparties. These agreements provide 
the  Firm  with  the  right,  in  the  event  of  a  default  by  the 
counterparty,  to  net  a  counterparty’s  rights  and  obligations 
under  the  agreement  and  to  liquidate  and  set  off  cash 
collateral  against  any  net  amount  owed  by  the  counterparty. 
Derivatives  with  enforceable  master  netting  agreements  are 
reported net of cash collateral received and posted.

However,  in  certain  circumstances,  the  Firm  may  not  have 
such  an  agreement  in  place;  the  relevant  insolvency  regime 
may  not  support  the  enforceability  of  the  master  netting 
agreement or collateral agreement; or the Firm may not have 
sought  legal  advice  to  support  the  enforceability  of  the 
agreement.  In  cases  where  the  Firm  has  not  determined  an 
agreement  to  be  enforceable,  the  related  amounts  are  not 
offset (see Note 7).

The  Firm’s  policy  is  generally  to  receive  cash  and/or 
securities posted as collateral (with rights of rehypothecation), 
irrespective  of  the  enforceability  determination  regarding  the 
master  netting  and  collateral  agreement.  In  certain  cases,  the 
Firm  may  agree  for  such  collateral  to  be  posted  to  a  third-
party  custodian  under  a  control  agreement  that  enables  it  to 
take  control  of  such  collateral  in  the  event  of  a  counterparty 
default. The enforceability of the master netting agreement is 
taken  into  account  in  the  Firm’s  risk  management  practices 
and application of counterparty credit limits.

For  information  related  to  offsetting  of  derivatives,  see  Note 
7.

Hedge Accounting

The  Firm  applies  hedge  accounting  using  various  derivative 
financial  instruments  for  the  following  types  of  hedges: 
hedges of changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities due 
to the risk being hedged (fair value hedges); and hedges of net 
investments  in  foreign  operations  whose  functional  currency 
is  different  from  the  reporting  currency  of  the  Parent 
Company 
financial 
instruments  are  included  within  Trading  assets—Derivative 
and  other  contracts  or  Trading  liabilities—Derivative  and 
other contracts in the balance sheets. For hedges where hedge 
accounting  is  being  applied,  the  Firm  performs  effectiveness 
testing and other procedures.

investment  hedges).  These 

(net 

December 2020 Form 10-K

90

Fair Value Hedges—Interest Rate Risk

The  Firm’s  designated  fair  value  hedges  consist  of  interest 
rate swaps designated as hedges of changes in the benchmark 
interest  rate  of  certain  fixed  rate  AFS  securities  and  senior 
borrowings. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Firm also began 
designating interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of changes 
in  the  benchmark  interest  rate  of  certain  fixed  rate  deposits. 
The  Firm  is  permitted  to  hedge  the  full,  or  part  of  the, 
contractual  term  of  the  hedged  instrument.  The  Firm  uses 
regression  analysis  to  perform  an  ongoing  prospective  and 
retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of these hedging 
relationships.  A  hedging  relationship  is  deemed  effective  if 
the change in fair value of the hedging instrument (derivative) 
and the change in fair value of the hedged item (AFS security, 
deposit  liability  or  borrowing),  due  to  changes  in  the 
benchmark  interest  rate,  offset  within  a  range  of  80%  to 
125%.  The  Firm  considers 
impact  of  valuation 
adjustments related to counterparty credit spreads and its own 
credit  spreads  to  determine  whether  they  would  cause  the 
hedging relationship to be ineffective.

the 

For  qualifying  fair  value  hedges  of  benchmark  interest  rates, 
the  change  in  the  fair  value  of  the  derivative,  offset  by  the 
change  in  the  fair  value  attributable  to  the  change  in  the 
benchmark interest rate risk of the hedged asset (liability), is 
recognized in earnings each period as a component of Interest 
income (expense). For AFS securities, the change in fair value 
of  the  hedged  item  due  to  changes  other  than  the  risk  being 
hedged  will  continue  to  be  reported  in  OCI.  When  a 
derivative  is  de-designated  as  a  hedge,  any  basis  adjustment 
remaining  on  the  hedged  asset  (liability)  is  amortized  to 
Interest income (expense) over the remaining life of the asset 
(liability) using the effective interest method.

Net Investment Hedges

The Firm uses forward foreign exchange contracts to manage 
a  portion  of  the  currency  exposure  relating  to  its  net 
investments  in  foreign  operations.  To  the  extent  that  the 
notional amounts of the hedging instruments equal the portion 
of the investments being hedged and the underlying exchange 
rate  of  the  derivative  hedging  instrument  is  the  same  as  the 
exchange rate between the functional currency of the investee 
and  the  intermediate  parent  entity’s  functional  currency,  it  is 
considered to be perfectly effective, with no income statement 
recognition.  The  gain  or  loss  from  revaluing  hedges  of  net 
investments  in  foreign  operations  at  the  spot  rate  is  reported 
within AOCI. The forward points on the hedging instruments 
are excluded from hedge effectiveness testing and changes in 
the  fair  value  of  this  excluded  component  are  recorded 
currently in Interest income.

For further information on derivative instruments and hedging 
activities, see Note 7.

AFS Investment Securities

AFS securities are reported at fair value in the balance sheets. 
Interest  income,  including  amortization  of  premiums  and 

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accretion  of  discounts,  is  included  in  Interest  income  in  the 
Income statements. Unrealized gains are recorded in OCI and 
unrealized  losses  are  recorded  either  in  OCI  or  in  Other 
revenues as described below.

AFS  securities  in  an  unrealized  loss  position  are  first 
evaluated to determine whether there is an intent to sell or it is 
more  likely  than  not  the  Firm  will  be  required  to  sell  before 
recovery of the amortized cost basis. If so, the amortized cost 
basis is written down to the fair value of the security such that 
the entire unrealized loss is recognized in Other revenues and 
any previously established ACL is written off.

For all other AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, any 
portion  of  unrealized  losses  representing  a  credit  loss  is 
recognized in Other revenues and as an increase to the ACL 
for  AFS  securities,  with  the  remainder  of  unrealized  losses 
recognized  in  OCI.  A  credit  loss  exists  if  the  Firm  does  not 
expect  to  recover  the  amortized  cost  basis  of  the  security. 
When  considering  whether  a  credit  loss  exists,  the  Firm 
considers relevant information, including:

• guarantees (implicit or explicit) by the U.S. Government;
• the  extent  to  which  the  fair  value  has  been  less  than  the 

amortized cost basis;

• adverse  conditions  specifically  related  to  the  security,  its 

industry or geographic area;

• changes  in  the  financial  condition  of  the  issuer  of  the 
security,  or,  in  the  case  of  an  asset-backed  debt  security, 
changes  in  the  financial  condition  of  the  underlying  loan 
obligors;

• the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood 
of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in 
the future;

• failure  of  the  issuer  of  the  security  to  make  scheduled 

interest or principal payments;

• the  current  rating  and  any  changes  to  the  rating  of  the 

security by a rating agency.

that 

incorporate  changes 

If a credit loss exists, the Firm measures the credit loss as the 
difference  between  the  present  value  of  cash  flows  expected 
to  be  collected  (discounted  at  the  implicit  interest  rate  at 
acquisition of the security or discounted at the effective yield 
for  securities 
in  prepayment 
assumptions)  and  the  amortized  cost  basis  of  the  security. 
Changes in prepayment assumptions alone are not considered 
to result in a credit loss. When estimating the present value of 
expected  cash  flows, 
the 
remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, 
financial  condition  of  the  issuer,  expected  defaults  and  the 
value of any underlying collateral.

information  utilized 

includes 

Nonaccrual & ACL Charge-offs on AFS Securities

AFS  securities  follow  the  same  nonaccrual  and  write-off 
guidance  as  discussed  in  “Allowance  for  Credit  Losses” 
herein,  except  as  set  forth  in  “Modifications  and  Nonaccrual 
Status for Borrowers Impacted by COVID-19” herein.

HTM Securities

HTM  securities  are  reported  at  amortized  cost,  net  of  any 
ACL,  in  the  balance  sheets.  Refer  to  “Allowance  for  Credit 
Losses”  herein  for  guidance  on  the  ACL  determination. 
Interest  income,  including  amortization  of  premiums  and 
accretion  of  discounts  on  HTM  securities,  is  included  in 
Interest income in the income statements.

Loans

The  Firm  accounts  for  loans  based  on  the  following 
categories: loans held for investment; loans held for sale; and 
loans at fair value.

Nonaccrual

loan  categories  described  below  follow 

the  same 
All 
nonaccrual and write-off guidance as discussed in “Allowance 
for Credit Losses” herein.

Loans Held for Investment

Loans  held  for  investment  are  reported  at  outstanding 
principal adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan 
losses,  any  unamortized  deferred  fees  or  costs  for  originated 
loans,  and  any  unamortized  premiums  or  discounts  for 
purchased loans.

Interest Income.    Interest income on performing loans held 
for investment is accrued and recognized as interest income at 
the  contractual  rate  of  interest.  Purchase  price  discounts  or 
premiums,  as  well  as  net  deferred  loan  fees  or  costs,  are 
amortized  into  interest  income  over  the  life  of  the  loan  to 
produce a level rate of return.

Lending  Commitments.        The  Firm  records  the  liability  and 
related  expense 
to 
commitments  to  fund  loans.  For  more  information  regarding 
loan  commitments,  standby  letters  of  credit  and  financial 
guarantees, see Note 15.

the  credit  exposure 

related 

for 

For  more  information  regarding  allowance  for  credit  losses, 
refer to “Allowance for Credit Losses” herein.

Presentation of ACL and Provision for Credit Losses

Loans Held for Sale

AFS securities

ACL

Contra 
Investment 
securities

Provision for 
Credit Losses

Other revenue

Loans held for sale are measured at the lower of cost or fair 
value,  with  valuation  changes  recorded  in  Other  revenues. 
The Firm determines the valuation allowance on an individual 
loan basis, except for residential mortgage loans for which the 
valuation  allowance  is  determined  at  the  loan  product  level. 
Any decreases in fair value below the initial carrying amount 

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December 2020 Form 10-K

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and  any  recoveries  in  fair  value  up  to  the  initial  carrying 
amount are recorded in Other revenues. Increases in fair value 
above initial carrying value are not recognized.

Interest  income.  Interest  income  on  loans  held  for  sale  is 
accrued  and  recognized  based  on  the  contractual  rate  of 
interest.  Loan  origination  fees  or  costs  and  purchase  price 
discounts  or  premiums  are  deferred  as  an  adjustment  to  the 
loan’s cost basis until the related loan is sold and, as such, are 
included in the periodic determination of the lower of cost or 
fair  value  adjustments  and  the  gain  or  loss  recognized  at  the 
time of sale.

Lending  Commitments.        Commitments  to  fund  mortgage 
loans held for sale are derivatives and are reported in Trading 
assets  or  Trading  liabilities  in  the  balance  sheets  with  an 
offset to Trading revenues in the income statements.

For  commitments  to  fund  non-mortgage  loans,  the  Firm 
records  the  liability  and  related  expense  for  the  fair  value 
exposure below cost of such commitments in Other liabilities 
and  accrued  expenses  in  the  balance  sheets  with  an  offset  to 
Other revenues in the income statements.

Because  loans  and  lending  commitments  held  for  sale  are 
recognized at the lower of cost or fair value, the allowance for 
loan  losses  and  charge-off  policies  do  not  apply  to  these 
loans.

Loans at Fair Value

Loans for which the fair value option is elected are carried at 
fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. 
Loans  carried  at  fair  value  are  not  evaluated  for  purposes  of 
recording  an  allowance 
further 
for 
information  on  loans  carried  at  fair  value  and  classified  as 
Trading assets and Trading liabilities, see Note 5.

losses.  For 

loan 

Lending  Commitments.        The  Firm  records  the  liability  and 
related  expense  for  the  fair  value  exposure  related  to 
commitments  to  fund  loans  that  will  be  measured  at  fair 
value.  The  liability  is  recorded  in  Trading  liabilities  in  the 
balance  sheets,  and  the  expense  is  recorded  in  Trading 
revenues in the income statements.

Because such loans and lending commitments are reported at 
fair  value,  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  and  charge-off 
policies do not apply to these loans.

For further information on loans, see Note 10.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The  ACL  for  financial  instruments  measured  at  amortized 
cost  and  certain  off-balance  sheet  exposures  (e.g.,  HFI  loans 
and  lending  commitments,  HTM  securities,  customer  and 
other  receivables  and  certain  guarantees)  represents  an 
estimate  of  expected  credit  losses  over  the  entire  life  of  the 
financial instrument. 

December 2020 Form 10-K

92

Factors  considered  by  management  when  determining  the 
ACL  include  payment  status,  fair  value  of  collateral  and 
expected  payments  of  principal  and  interest,  as  well  as 
internal or external information relating to past events, current 
conditions  and  reasonable  and  supportable  forecasts.  The 
Firm  uses  three  forecasts  that  include  assumptions  about 
certain macroeconomic variables including, but not limited to, 
U.S.  gross  domestic  product  (“GDP”),  equity  market  indices 
and  unemployment  rates,  as  well  as  commercial  real  estate 
and  home  price  indices.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  Firm’s 
reasonable  and  supportable  forecast  period  of  13  quarters, 
there is a gradual reversion back to historical averages.

The ACL is measured on a collective basis when similar risk 
characteristics  exist  for  multiple  instruments  considering  all 
available  information  relevant  to  assessing  the  collectability 
of  cash  flows.  Generally,  the  Firm  applies  a  probability  of 
default/loss  given  default  model  for  instruments  that  are 
collectively  assessed,  under  which  the  ACL  is  calculated  as 
the  product  of  probability  of  default,  loss  given  default  and 
exposure  at  default.  These  parameters  are  forecast  for  each 
collective  group  of  assets  using  a  scenario-based  statistical 
model.

If  the  instrument  does  not  share  similar  risk  characteristics 
with other instruments, including when it is probable that the 
Firm  will  be  unable  to  collect  the  full  payment  of  principal 
and interest on the instrument when due, the ACL is measured 
on  an  individual  basis.  The  Firm  generally  applies  a 
discounted  cash  flow  method  for  instruments  that  are 
individually assessed.

The Firm may also elect to use an approach that considers the 
fair  value  of  the  collateral  when  measuring  the  ACL  if  the 
loan  is  collateral  dependent  (i.e.,  repayment  of  the  loan  is 
expected to be provided substantially by the sale or operation 
of the underlying collateral and the borrower is experiencing 
financial difficulty).

is  required 

to,  and  reasonably  expected 

Additionally,  the  Firm  can  elect  to  use  an  approach  to 
measure the ACL using the fair value of collateral where the 
borrower 
to, 
continually  adjust  and  replenish  the  amount  of  collateral 
securing the instrument to reflect changes in the fair value of 
such collateral. The Firm has elected to use this approach for 
loans,  Securities 
certain  securities-based 
purchased  under  agreements 
resell  and  Securities 
borrowed.

loans,  margin 
to 

Credit  quality  indicators  considered  in  developing  the  ACL 
include:

• Corporate  loans,  Secured  lending  facilities,  Commercial 
real  estate  loans  and  securities,  and  Other  loans:  Internal 
risk  ratings  developed  by  the  Credit  Risk  Management 
Department  that  are  refreshed  at  least  annually,  and  more 
frequently as necessary. These ratings generally correspond 
to  external  ratings  published  by  S&P.  The  Firm  also 

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considers transaction structure, including type of collateral, 
collateral  terms  and  position  of  the  obligation  within  the 
capital  structure.  In  addition,  for  Commercial  real  estate, 
the Firm considers property type and location, net operating 
income  and  LTV  ratios,  among  other  factors,  as  well  as 
commercial  real  estate  price  and  credit  spread  indices  and 
capitalization rates.

• Residential  real  estate  loans:  Loan  origination  Fair  Isaac 
Corporation  (“FICO”)  credit  scores  as  determined  by 
independent  credit  agencies  in  the  United  States  and  LTV 
ratios.

• Employee loans: Employment status, which includes those 
currently employed by the Firm and for which the Firm can 
deduct  any  unpaid  amounts  due  to  it  through  certain 
compensation arrangements; and those no longer employed 
by  the  Firm  where  such  arrangements  are  no  longer 
applicable.

For  Securities-based  loans,  the  Firm  generally  measures  the 
ACL based on the fair value of collateral. 

Qualitative  and  environmental  factors  such  as  economic  and 
business  conditions,  the  nature  and  volume  of  the  portfolio, 
and  lending  terms  and  the  volume  and  severity  of  past  due 
loans are also considered in the ACL calculations.

Presentation of ACL and Provision for Credit Losses

Instruments measured at amortized cost 
(e.g., HFI loans, HTM securities and 
customer and other receivables)

ACL

Provision for 
Credit Losses

Contra asset

Other revenue

Employee loans

Contra asset

Compensation 
and benefits 
expense

obligation is well-secured and in the process of collection. For 
borrowers  impacted  by  COVID-19,  see  “Modifications  and 
Nonaccrual  Status  for  Borrowers  Impacted  by  COVID-19” 
herein for additional considerations. 

is  doubt  regarding 

For  any  instrument  placed  on  nonaccrual  status,  the  Firm 
reverses  any  unpaid  interest  accrued  with  an  offsetting 
reduction to Interest income. Principal and interest payments 
received on nonaccrual instruments are applied to principal if 
there 
the  ultimate  collectability  of 
principal. If collection of the principal is not in doubt, interest 
income is realized on a cash basis. If the instrument is brought 
current and neither principal or interest collection is in doubt, 
instruments can generally return to accrual status and interest 
income can be recognized. 

Modifications  and  Nonaccrual  Status 
Impacted by COVID-19

for  Borrowers 

In  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  the  Firm  elected  to  apply  the 
guidance issued by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, 
and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) as well as by the 
U.S. banking agencies stating that certain concessions granted 
to  borrowers  that  are  current  on  existing  loans,  either 
individually  or  as  part  of  a  program  for  creditworthy 
borrowers  who  are  experiencing  short-term  financial  or 
operational  problems  as  a  result  of  COVID-19,  generally 
would  not  be  considered  TDRs.  Additionally,  these  loans 
generally  would  not  be  considered  nonaccrual  unless 
collectability  concerns  exist  despite 
the  modification 
provided.  For  loans  remaining  on  accrual  status,  the  Firm 
elected  to  continue  recognizing  interest  income  during  the 
modification periods.

Off-balance sheet instruments (e.g., HFI 

lending commitments and certain 
guarantees)

Other liabilities 
and accrued 
expenses

Other expense

ACL Charge-offs

Troubled Debt Restructurings “TDRs”

The Firm may modify the terms of certain loans for economic 
or  legal  reasons  related  to  a  borrower’s  financial  difficulties 
by granting one or more concessions that the Firm would not 
otherwise consider. Such modifications are accounted for and 
reported as a TDR, except for certain modifications related to 
in 
the  Coronavirus  Disease 
“Modifications  and  Nonaccrual  Status 
for  Borrowers 
Impacted  by  COVID-19”  herein.  A  loan  that  has  been 
modified in a TDR is generally considered to be impaired and 
is  evaluated  individually.  TDRs  are  also  generally  classified 
as nonaccrual and may be returned to accrual status only after 
the  Firm  expects  repayment  of  the  remaining  contractual 
principal  and  interest  and  there  is  sustained  repayment 
performance for a reasonable period. 

(“COVID-19”)  as  noted 

Nonaccrual

The Firm places financial instruments on nonaccrual status if 
principal or interest is not expected when contractually due or 
is  past  due  for  a  period  of  90  days  or  more  unless  the 

The principal balance of a financial instrument is charged off 
in  the  period  it  is  deemed  uncollectible  resulting  in  a 
reduction  in  the  ACL  and  the  balance  of  the  financial 
instrument  in  the  balance  sheet.  Accrued  interest  receivable 
balances  that  are  separately  recorded  from  the  related 
financial  instruments  are  charged  off  against  Interest  income 
when the related financial instrument is placed on nonaccrual. 
Accordingly,  the  Firm  elected  not  to  measure  an  ACL  for 
accrued  interest  receivables.  However,  in  the  case  of  loans 
that  are  modified  as  a  result  of  COVID-19  and  remain  on 
accrual  status  due  to  the  relief  noted  in  “Modifications  and 
Nonaccrual  Status  for  Borrowers  Impacted  by  COVID-19” 
herein,  accrued  interest  receivable  balances  are  assessed  for 
any required ACL.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers  of  financial  assets  are  accounted  for  as  sales  when 
the  Firm  has  relinquished  control  over  the  transferred  assets. 
Any related gain or loss on sale is recorded in Net revenues. 
Transfers  that  are  not  accounted  for  as  sales  are  treated  as 
collateralized  financings.  Securities  borrowed  or  purchased 
under agreements to resell and securities loaned or sold under 

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agreements 
financings (see Note 9).

to  repurchase  are 

treated  as  collateralized 

Estimated Useful Lives of Assets

agreements”) 

and  Securities 

Securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell  (“reverse 
repurchase 
sold  under 
agreements  to  repurchase  (“repurchase  agreements”)  are 
carried  in  the  balance  sheets  at  the  amount  of  cash  paid  or 
received,  plus  accrued  interest,  except  for  certain  reverse 
repurchase and repurchase agreements for which the Firm has 
elected the fair value option (see Note 6). Where appropriate, 
repurchase  agreements  and  reverse  repurchase  agreements 
with  the  same  counterparty  are  reported  on  a  net  basis. 
Securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded at the 
amount of cash collateral advanced or received.

In  instances  where  the  Firm  is  the  lender  in  securities-for-
securities  transactions  and  is  permitted  to  sell  or  repledge 
these  securities,  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral  received  is 
reported in Trading assets, and the related obligation to return 
the  collateral  is  reported  in  Trading  liabilities  in  the  balance 
sheets. Securities-for-securities transactions where the Firm is 
the borrower are not included in the balance sheets.

In  order  to  manage  credit  exposure  arising  from  these 
transactions,  in  appropriate  circumstances,  the  Firm  enters 
into master netting agreements and collateral agreements with 
its  counterparties.  These  agreements  provide  the  Firm  with 
the right, in the event of a default by the counterparty, to net a 
counterparty’s rights and obligations under the agreement and 
to liquidate and set off collateral held by the Firm against the 
net amount owed by the counterparty.

The Firm’s policy is generally to take possession of securities 
purchased or borrowed in connection with reverse repurchase 
agreements and securities borrowed transactions, respectively, 
and 
to  receive  cash  and/or  securities  delivered  under 
repurchase agreements or securities loaned transactions (with 
rights of rehypothecation). 

For  information  related  to  offsetting  of  certain  collateralized 
transactions, see Note 9.

Premises, Equipment and Capitalized Software Costs

furniture, 

leasehold 

Premises, equipment and capitalized software costs consist of 
fixtures, 
improvements, 
buildings, 
computer  and  communications  equipment,  power  generation 
assets  and  capitalized  software  (externally  purchased  and 
developed  for 
internal  use).  Premises,  equipment  and 
capitalized software costs are stated at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and amortization and are included in Other assets 
in  the  balance  sheets.  Depreciation  and  amortization  are 
provided by the straight-line method over the estimated useful 
life of the asset.

December 2020 Form 10-K

94

in years

Buildings

Leasehold improvements—Building

Leasehold improvements—Other

Furniture and fixtures

Computer and communications equipment

Power generation assets

Capitalized software costs

Estimated Useful Life

39

term of lease to 25

term of lease to 15

7

3 to 9

15 to 29

2 to 10

Premises, equipment and capitalized software costs are tested 
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
suggest  that  an  asset’s  carrying  value  may  not  be  fully 
recoverable.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The  Firm  tests  goodwill  for  impairment  on  an  annual  basis 
and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances 
exist. The Firm tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting 
unit level, which is generally at the level of or one level below 
its  business  segments.  For  both  the  annual  and  interim  tests, 
the  Firm  has  the  option  to  either  (i)  perform  a  quantitative 
impairment  test  or  (ii)  first  perform  a  qualitative  assessment 
to  determine  whether  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  the  fair 
value  of  a  reporting  unit  is  less  than  its  carrying  amount,  in 
which case the quantitative test would be performed.

When  performing  a  quantitative  impairment  test,  the  Firm 
compares  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  with  its  carrying 
amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting 
unit is less than its carrying amount, the goodwill impairment 
loss is equal to the excess of the carrying value over the fair 
value, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to 
that reporting unit.

The  estimated  fair  values  of  the  reporting  units  are  derived 
based  on  valuation  techniques  the  Firm  believes  market 
participants would use for each respective reporting unit. The 
estimated  fair  values  are  generally  determined  by  utilizing  a 
discounted  cash  flow  methodology  or  methodologies  that 
incorporate  price-to-book  and  price-to-earnings  multiples  of 
certain comparable companies.

Intangible  assets  are  amortized  over  their  estimated  useful 
lives  and  are  reviewed  for  impairment  on  an  interim  basis 
when  impairment  indicators  are  present.  Impairment  losses 
are recorded within Other expenses in the income statements.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic  EPS  is  computed  by  dividing  earnings  available  to 
Morgan  Stanley  common  shareholders  by  the  weighted 
average number of common shares outstanding for the period. 
Earnings  available  to  Morgan  Stanley  common  shareholders 
represents  net  income  applicable  to  Morgan  Stanley  reduced 
by  preferred  stock  dividends.  Common  shares  outstanding 
include  common  stock  and  vested  RSUs  where  recipients 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

have satisfied the relevant vesting terms. Diluted EPS reflects 
the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities.

Share-based  awards  that  pay  dividend  equivalents  subject  to 
vesting are included in diluted shares outstanding (if dilutive) 
under the treasury stock method.

The Firm has granted PSUs that vest and convert to shares of 
common stock only if predetermined performance and market 
goals  are  satisfied.  Since  the  issuance  of  the  shares  is 
contingent  upon  the  satisfaction  of  certain  conditions,  the 
PSUs  are  included  in  diluted  EPS  based  on  the  number  of 
shares (if any) that would be issuable if the reporting date was 
the end of the performance period.

trust until the RSUs convert to common shares. The assets of 
the  employee  stock  trusts  are  consolidated  with  those  of  the 
Firm  and  are  generally  accounted  for  in  a  manner  similar  to 
treasury stock, where the shares of common stock outstanding 
reported in Common stock issued to employee stock trusts are 
offset  by  an  equal  amount  reported  in  Employee  stock  trusts 
in the balance sheets.

The  Firm  uses  the  grant-date  fair  value  of  stock-based 
compensation as the basis for recording the movement of the 
assets  to  or  from  the  employee  stock  trusts.  Changes  in  the 
fair  value  are  not  recognized  as  the  Firm’s  stock-based 
compensation  must  be  settled  by  delivery  of  a  fixed  number 
of shares of the Firm’s common stock.

For  further  information  on  diluted  earnings  (loss)  per 
common share, see Note 18 to the financial statements.

Deferred Cash-Based Compensation

Deferred Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The  Firm  measures  compensation  expense  for  stock-based 
awards  at  fair  value.  The  Firm  determines  the  fair  value  of 
RSUs 
(including  PSUs  with  non-market  performance 
conditions) based on the grant-date fair value of its common 
stock, measured as the volume-weighted average price on the 
date of grant (“VWAP”). The fair value of RSUs not entitled 
to dividends until conversion is measured at VWAP reduced 
by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on the 
underlying  shares  prior  to  scheduled  conversion  date.  PSUs 
that  contain  market-based  conditions  are  valued  using  a 
Monte Carlo valuation model.

Compensation  expense  is  recognized  over  the  vesting  period 
relevant  to  each  separately  vesting  portion  of  the  award. 
for  awards  with  performance 
Compensation  expense 
conditions is recognized based on the probable outcome of the 
performance  condition  at  each  reporting  date.  Compensation 
expense 
is 
recognized  irrespective  of  the  probability  of  the  market 
condition  being  achieved  and  is  not  reversed  if  the  market 
condition is not met. The Firm accounts for forfeitures as they 
occur.

for  awards  with  market-based  conditions 

Stock-based  awards  generally  contain  clawback  and 
cancellation  provisions.  Certain  awards  provide  the  Firm 
discretion to claw back or cancel all or a portion of the award 
under  specified  circumstances.  Compensation  expense  for 
those  awards  is  adjusted  for  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
Firm’s  common  stock  or  the  relevant  model  valuation,  as 
appropriate, until conversion, exercise or expiration.

Employee Stock Trusts

In  connection  with  certain  stock-based  compensation  plans, 
the Firm has established employee stock trusts to provide, at 
its  discretion,  common  stock  voting  rights  to  certain  RSU 
holders.  Following  an  RSU  award,  when  a  stock  trust  is 
utilized,  the  Firm  contributes  shares  to  be  held  in  the  stock 

Compensation expense for deferred cash-based compensation 
awards is calculated based on the notional value of the award 
granted,  adjusted  for  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
referenced  investments  that  employees  select.  Compensation 
expense is recognized over the vesting period relevant to each 
separately  vesting  portion  of  the  award.  Compensation 
expense  for  these  awards  is  adjusted  based  on  notional 
earnings of the referenced investments until distribution.

The  Firm  invests  directly,  as  a  principal,  in  financial 
instruments  and  other  investments  to  economically  hedge 
certain  of  its  obligations  under  its  deferred  cash-based 
compensation plans. Changes in the value of such investments 
are  recorded  in  Trading  revenues  and  Investments  revenues. 
Although  changes  in  compensation  expense  resulting  from 
changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  referenced  investments  will 
generally be offset by changes in the fair value of investments 
made  by  the  Firm,  there  is  typically  a  timing  difference 
between the immediate recognition of gains and losses on the 
Firm’s investments and the deferred recognition of the related 
compensation expense over the vesting period.

Retirement-Eligible Employee Compensation

For  year-end  stock-based  awards  and  deferred  cash-based 
compensation awards anticipated to be granted to retirement-
eligible  employees  under  award  terms  that  do  not  contain  a 
future  service  requirement,  the  Firm  accrues  the  estimated 
cost  of  the  awards  over  the  course  of  the  calendar  year 
preceding the grant date, which reflects the period over which 
the compensation is earned.

Carried Interest Compensation

The Firm generally recognizes compensation expense for any 
portion  of  carried  interest  (both  realized  and  unrealized)  that 
is  allocated  to  employees.  For  information  on  performance-
based  fees  in  the  form  of  carried  interest,  which  are  directly 
related  to  carried  interest  compensation,  see  “Revenue 
Recognition—Carried Interest” herein.

95

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Income Taxes

Accounting Updates Adopted in 2020

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based upon the 
temporary  differences  between  the  financial  statement  and 
income  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  using  currently 
enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences 
are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on 
deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income tax 
expense  (benefit)  in  the  period  that  includes  the  enactment 
date.  Such  effects  are  recorded  in  income  tax  expense 
(benefit)  from  continuing  operations  regardless  of  where 
deferred taxes were originally recorded.

The Firm recognizes net deferred tax assets to the extent that 
it believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. 
In  making  such  a  determination,  the  Firm  considers  all 
available  positive  and  negative  evidence,  including  future 
reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected 
future  taxable  income,  tax  planning  strategies  and  results  of 
recent operations. When performing the assessment, the Firm 
considers all types of deferred tax assets in combination with 
each  other,  regardless  of  the  origin  of  the  underlying 
temporary difference. If a deferred tax asset is determined to 
be  unrealizable,  a  valuation  allowance  is  established.  If  the 
Firm subsequently determines that it would be able to realize 
deferred  tax  assets  in  excess  of  their  net  recorded  amount,  it 
would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation 
allowance,  which  would  reduce  the  provision  for  income 
taxes.

The  Firm  recognizes  tax  expense  associated  with  Global 
Intangible Low-Taxed Income as it is incurred as part of the 
current  income  taxes  to  be  paid  or  refunded  for  the  current 
period.

Uncertain tax positions are recorded on the basis of a two-step 
process,  whereby  (i)  the  Firm  determines  whether  it  is  more 
likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the 
basis of the technical merits of the position and (ii) for those 
tax positions that meet this threshold, the Firm recognizes the 
largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be 
realized  upon  ultimate  settlement  with  the  related  tax 
authority.  Interest  and  penalties  related  to  unrecognized  tax 
benefits  are  recognized  as  a  component  of  the  provision  for 
income taxes.

Foreign Currencies

Assets  and  liabilities  of  operations  with  non-U.S.  dollar 
functional  currencies  are  translated  at  year-end  rates  of 
exchange.  Gains  or  losses  resulting  from  translating  foreign 
currency financial statements, net of hedge gains or losses and 
related  tax  effects,  are  reflected  in  AOCI  in  the  balance 
sheets.  Gains  or  losses  resulting  from  remeasurement  of 
foreign currency transactions are included in net income, and 
amounts recognized in the income statement are translated at 
the rate of exchange on the respective date of recognition for 
each amount.

Reference Rate Reform

The Firm has adopted the Reference Rate Reform accounting 
update.  There  was  no  impact  to  the  Firm’s  financial 
statements upon initial adoption. 

This accounting update provides optional accounting relief to 
entities  with  contracts,  hedge  accounting  relationships  or 
other transactions that reference LIBOR or other interest rate 
benchmarks  for  which  the  referenced  rate  is  expected  to  be 
discontinued or replaced. The Firm is applying the accounting 
relief  as  relevant  contract  and  hedge  accounting  relationship 
modifications are made during the course of the reference rate 
reform transition period. The optional relief generally allows 
for contract modifications solely related to the replacement of 
the reference rate to be accounted for as a continuation of the 
existing  contract  instead  of  as  an  extinguishment  of  the 
contract  and  would  therefore  not  trigger  certain  accounting 
impacts  that  would  otherwise  be  required.  It  also  allows 
entities  to  change  certain  critical  terms  of  existing  hedge 
accounting  relationships  that  are  affected  by  reference  rate 
reform,  and  these  changes  would  not  require  de-designating 
the  hedge  accounting  relationship.  The  optional  relief  ends 
December 31, 2022.

Financial Instruments—Credit Losses

The  Firm  has  adopted  the  Financial  Instruments—Credit 
Losses. 

This  accounting  update  impacted  the  impairment  model  for 
certain  financial  assets  measured  at  amortized  cost  by 
requiring  a  CECL  methodology  to  estimate  expected  credit 
losses  over  the  entire  life  of  the  financial  asset,  recorded  at 
inception or purchase. CECL replaced the incurred loss model 
previously  applicable  to  loans  held  for  investment,  HTM 
securities and other receivables carried at amortized cost, such 
as employee loans.

The  update  also  eliminated  the  concept  of  other-than-
temporary impairment for AFS securities and instead requires 
impairments  on  AFS  securities  to  be  recognized  in  earnings 
through  an  allowance  when  the  fair  value  is  less  than 
amortized  cost  and  a  credit  loss  exists,  and  through  a 
permanent  reduction  of  the  amortized  cost  basis  when  the 
securities  are  expected  to  be  sold  before  recovery  of 
amortized cost.

At  transition  on  January  1,  2020,  the  adoption  of  this 
accounting  standard  resulted  in  an  increase  in  the  allowance 
for  credit  losses  of  $131  million  with  a  corresponding 
reduction  in  Retained  earnings  of  $100  million,  net  of  tax. 
The  adoption 
to  a 
$124  million  increase  in  the  allowance  for  credit  losses  on 
employee loans.

impact  was  primarily  attributable 

December 2020 Form 10-K

96

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Accounting Updates Adopted in 2019

Leases

Upon  the  adoption  of  Leases,  the  Firm  began  recognizing  in 
the  balance  sheet  leases  with  terms  exceeding  one  year  as 
right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding liabilities. The 
adoption  resulted  in  an  increase  to  Retained  earnings  of 
approximately  $63  million,  net  of  tax,  related  to  deferred 
revenue from previously recorded sale-leaseback transactions. 
At transition on January 1, 2019, the adoption also resulted in 
a balance sheet gross-up of approximately $4 billion reflected 
in Other assets and Other liabilities and accrued expenses. See 
Note 10 for lease disclosures, including amounts reflected in 
the  December  31,  2019  balance  sheet.  Prior  period  amounts 
were not restated.

As allowed by the guidance, the Firm elected not to reassess 
the  following  at  transition:  whether  existing  contracts  are  or 
contain leases; and for existing leases, lease classification and 
initial direct costs. In addition, the Firm continues to account 
for existing land easements as service contracts.

Both  at  transition  and  for  new  leases  thereafter,  ROU  assets 
and  lease  liabilities  are  initially  recognized  based  on  the 
present value of the future minimum lease payments over the 
lease  term,  including  non-lease  components  such  as  fixed 
common area maintenance costs and other fixed costs such as 
real estate taxes and insurance.

The  discount  rates  used  in  determining  the  present  value  of 
leases are the Firm’s incremental borrowing rates, developed 
based  upon  each  lease’s  term  and  currency  of  payment.  The 
lease  term  includes  options  to  extend  or  terminate  the  lease 
when  it  is  reasonably  certain  that  the  Firm  will  exercise  that 
option. For operating leases, the ROU assets also include any 
prepaid  lease  payments  and  initial  direct  costs  incurred  and 
are  reduced  by  lease  incentives.  For  these  leases,  lease 
expense  is  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  lease 
term if the ROU asset has not been impaired or abandoned.

Derivatives and Hedging (ASU 2018-16)

The  amendments  in  this  update  permit  use  of  the  OIS  rate 
based  on  the  Secured  Overnight  Financing  Rate  as  a  U.S. 
benchmark  interest  rate  for  hedge  accounting  purposes.  The 
Firm adopted this update on a prospective basis for qualifying 
new  or  redesignated  hedging  relationships.  This  update  did 
not impact the Firm’s pre-existing hedges.

3. Acquisitions

Acquisition of E*TRADE

On  October  2,  2020,  the  Firm  completed  the  acquisition  of 
100% of E*TRADE Financial Corporation (“E*TRADE”) in 
a  stock-for-stock  transaction,  which  increases  the  scale  and 
breadth  of  the  Wealth  Management  business  segment.  Total 
consideration  for  the  transaction  was  approximately  $11.9 

billion, which principally consists of the $11 billion fair value 
of  233  million  common  shares  issued  from  Common  stock 
held  in  treasury,  at  an  exchange  ratio  of  1.0432  per 
E*TRADE common share. In addition, the Firm issued Series 
M  and  Series  N  preferred  shares  with  a  fair  value  of 
approximately  $0.7  billion  in  exchange  for  E*TRADE’s 
existing preferred stock.

Upon acquisition, the assets and liabilities of E*TRADE were 
adjusted to their respective fair values as of the closing date of 
the  transaction,  including  the  identifiable  intangible  assets 
acquired. In addition, the excess of the purchase price over the 
fair  value  of  the  net  assets  acquired  has  been  recorded  as 
goodwill.  The  fair  value  estimates  used  in  valuing  certain 
acquired assets and liabilities are based, in part, on inputs that 
are unobservable. For intangible assets, these include, but are 
not  limited  to,  forecasted  future  cash  flows,  revenue  growth 
rates, customer attrition rates and discount rates.

E*TRADE Purchase Price Allocation 

$ in millions
Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trading assets at fair value:

Loans and lending commitments

Investments 

Investment securities
Securities borrowed

Customer and other receivables

Loans:

Held for investment

Goodwill
Intangible assets1
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Deposits
Securities loaned

Customer and other payables

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

Borrowings
Total liabilities

At
October 2,
 2020

$ 

3,807 

1,124 

44 

48,855 

975 

12,267 

462 

4,270 

3,282 

1,351 

76,437 

44,890 

766 

15,488 

1,688 

1,665 

64,497 

$ 

$ 

$ 

1. Acquired  intangible  assets  are  primarily  composed  of  $2.8  billion  related  to 

customer relationships with a weighted-average life of 17 years.

E*TRADE’s  results  are  included  in  the  Firm’s  consolidated 
results for the period from October 2, 2020 to December 31, 
2020.  For  this  period,  Net  revenues  were  approximately 
$600 million and Net income (loss) was not material.

97

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Morgan  Stanley  and  E*TRADE  Proforma Combined  Financial 
Information (Unaudited)

5. Fair Values

$ in millions

Net revenues

Net income 

2020

2019

Recurring Fair Value Measurements 

$ 

50,203  $ 

11,459   

44,192 

9,839 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring 
Basis 

$ in millions

Assets at fair value

Trading assets:

U.S. Treasury and 
agency securities

Other sovereign 
government 
obligations

State and municipal 

securities

MABS

Loans and lending 
commitments2

Corporate and other 

debt

Corporate equities3

At December 31, 2020

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting1

Total

$  43,084  $  31,524  $ 

9  $ 

—  $  74,617 

  26,174   

5,048   

268   

—    31,490 

—   

—   

1,135   

—   

—   

1,135 

1,070   

322   

—   

1,392 

—   

5,389    5,759   

—    11,148 

—    30,093    3,435   

—    33,528 

  111,575   

1,142   

86   

—    112,803 

Derivative and other contracts:

Interest rate

Credit

4,458    227,818    1,210   

—    233,486 

—   

6,840   

701   

—   

7,541 

Foreign exchange

29    93,770   

260   

—    94,059 

Equity

1,132    65,943    1,369   

—    68,444 

Commodity and other
Netting1

Total derivative and 
other contracts

Investments4

Physical commodities

Total trading assets4

Investment securities —

AFS

Securities purchased 

1,818    10,108    2,723   

—    14,649 

(5,488)   (310,534)    (1,351)    (62,956)   (380,329) 

1,949    93,945    4,912    (62,956)    37,850 

624   

234   

828   

—   

1,686 

—   

3,260   

—   

—   

3,260 

  183,406    172,840    15,619    (62,956)    308,909 

  46,354    61,225    2,804   

—    110,383 

under agreements to 
resell

15 
Total assets at fair value $ 229,760  $ 234,077  $ 18,426  $ (62,956)  $ 419,307 

12   

—   

—   

3   

The proforma financial information presented in the previous 
table  was  computed  by  combining  the  historical  financial 
information of the Firm and E*TRADE along with the effects 
the  acquisition  method  of  accounting  for  business 
of 
combinations  as  though  the  companies  were  combined  on 
January  1,  2019.  The  proforma  information  does  not  reflect 
the  potential  benefits  of  cost  and  funding  synergies, 
opportunities to earn additional revenues, or other factors, and 
therefore does not represent what the actual Net revenues and 
Net income would have been had the companies actually been 
combined as of this date.

4. Cash and Cash Equivalents 

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  consist  of  Cash  and  due  from 
banks  and  Interest  bearing  deposits  with  banks.  Cash 
equivalents  are  highly  liquid  investments  with  remaining 
maturities  of  three  months  or  less  from  the  acquisition  date 
that are readily convertible to cash and are not held for trading 
purposes.

$ in millions

Cash and due from banks

Interest bearing deposits with banks

Total Cash and cash equivalents

Restricted cash

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

$ 

9,792  $ 

95,862   

105,654  $ 

38,202  $ 

6,763 

75,408 

82,171 

32,512 

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  also  include  Restricted  cash  such 
as  cash  segregated  in  compliance  with  federal  or  other 
regulations,  including  minimum  reserve  requirements  set  by 
the  Federal  Reserve  Bank  and  other  central  banks,  and  the 
Firm's initial margin deposited with clearing organizations.

December 2020 Form 10-K

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

Liabilities at fair value

Deposits

Trading liabilities:

U.S. Treasury and 
agency securities

Other sovereign 
government 
obligations

Corporate and other 

debt

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting1

Total

$ in millions

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting1

Total

Liabilities at fair value

$ 

—  $  3,395  $  126  $ 

—  $  3,521 

Deposits

$ 

—  $  1,920  $  179  $ 

—  $  2,099 

Trading liabilities:

U.S. Treasury and 
agency securities

Other sovereign 
government 
obligations

Corporate and other 

debt

  10,204   

1   

—   

—    10,205 

  24,209   

1,738   

16   

—    25,963 

  11,191   

34   

—   

—    11,225 

  21,837   

1,332   

1   

—    23,170 

Corporate equities3

  67,822   

172   

Derivative and other contracts:

—   

8,468   

—   

63   

—   

8,468 

—    68,057 

Corporate equities3

  63,002   

79   

Derivative and other contracts:

—   

7,410   

—   

36   

—   

7,410 

—    63,117 

Interest rate

Credit

4,789    213,321   

528   

—    218,638 

—   

7,500   

652   

—   

8,152 

Interest rate

Credit

1,144    171,025   

462   

—    172,631 

—   

7,391   

530   

—   

7,921 

Foreign exchange

11    94,698   

199   

—    94,908 

Foreign exchange

6    67,473   

176   

—    67,655 

Equity

1,245    81,683    3,600   

—    86,528 

Equity

1,200    49,062    2,606   

—    52,868 

Commodity and other
Netting1

1,758   

9,418    1,014   

—    12,190 

(5,488)   (310,534)    (1,351)    (58,105)   (375,478) 

Commodity and other
Netting1

1,194   

7,118    1,312   

—   

9,624 

(2,794)   (235,947)   

(993)    (42,531)   (282,265) 

Total derivative and 
other contracts

Total trading liabilities

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

2,315    96,086    4,642    (58,105)    44,938 

  104,550    106,465    4,721    (58,105)    157,631 

—   

671   

444   

—   

1,115 

Total derivative and 
other contracts

Total trading liabilities

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

750    66,122    4,093    (42,531)    28,434 

  96,780    74,977    4,130    (42,531)    133,356 

—   

733   

—   

—   

733 

Other secured financings

—    11,185   

516   

—    11,701 

Other secured financings

—   

7,700   

109   

—   

7,809 

Borrowings

Total liabilities at fair 

value

$ in millions

Assets at fair value

Trading assets:

U.S. Treasury and 
agency securities

Other sovereign 
government 
obligations

State and municipal 

securities

MABS

Loans and lending 
commitments2

Corporate and other 

debt

Corporate equities3

—    69,327    4,374   

—    73,701 

Borrowings

—    60,373    4,088   

—    64,461 

$ 104,550  $ 191,043  $ 10,181  $ (58,105)  $ 247,669 

value

$  96,780  $ 145,703  $  8,506  $ (42,531)  $ 208,458 

Total liabilities at fair 

At December 31, 2019

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting1

Total

MABS—Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 
1. For positions with the same counterparty that cross over the levels of the fair value 
hierarchy, both counterparty netting and cash collateral netting are included in the 
column  titled  “Netting.”  Positions  classified  within  the  same  level  that  are  with  the 
same counterparty are netted within that level. For further information on derivative 
instruments and hedging activities, see Note 7.

2. For  a  further  breakdown  by  type,  see  the  following  Detail  of  Loans  and  Lending 

$  36,866  $  28,992  $ 

22  $ 

—  $  65,880 

Commitments at Fair Value table. 

  23,402   

4,347   

—   

2,790   

5   

1   

—    27,754 

—   

2,791 

—   

1,690   

438   

—   

2,128 

—   

6,253    5,073   

—    11,326 

3. For  trading  purposes,  the  Firm  holds  or  sells  short  equity  securities  issued  by 

entities in diverse industries and of varying sizes. 

4. Amounts exclude certain investments that are measured based on NAV per share, 
which are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. For additional disclosure about 
such investments, see “Net Asset Value Measurements” herein. 

Detail of Loans and Lending Commitments at Fair Value1 

—    22,124    1,396   

—    23,520 

  123,942   

652   

97   

—    124,691 

$ in millions

Corporate

Derivative and other contracts:

Interest rate

Credit

1,265    182,977    1,239   

—    185,481 

—   

6,658   

654   

—   

7,312 

Foreign exchange

15    64,260   

145   

—    64,420 

Equity

1,219    48,927   

922   

—    51,068 

Secured lending facilities

Commercial real estate

Residential real estate

Securities-based lending and Other loans  
Total

$ 

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

13  $ 

648   

916   

2,145   

7,426   

20 

951 

2,098 

1,192 

7,065 

11,148  $ 

11,326 

Commodity and other
Netting1

Total derivative and 
other contracts

Investments4

Physical commodities

Total trading assets4

Investment securities —

AFS

Securities purchased 

1,079   

7,255    2,924   

—    11,258 

(2,794)   (235,947)   

(993)    (47,804)   (287,538) 

784    74,130    4,891    (47,804)    32,001 

481   

252   

858   

—   

1,591 

—   

1,907   

—   

—   

1,907 

  185,475    143,137    12,781    (47,804)    293,589 

1. Loans  previously  classified  as  corporate  have  been  further  disaggregated;  prior 
period balances have been revised to conform with current period presentation.

Unsettled Fair Value of Futures Contracts1 

$ in millions

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

  32,902    29,321   

—   

—    62,223 

Customer and other receivables, net

$ 

434  $ 

365 

under agreements to 
resell

4 
Total assets at fair value $ 218,377  $ 172,462  $ 12,781  $ (47,804)  $ 355,816 

—   

—   

—   

4   

1. These  contracts  are  primarily  Level  1,  actively  traded,  valued  based  on  quoted 
prices  from  the  exchange  and  are  excluded  from  the  previous  recurring  fair  value 
tables.

99

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Valuation Techniques for Assets and Liabilities Measured 
at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities
U.S. Treasury Securities
Valuation Technique:
• Fair value is determined using quoted market prices. 
Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 1—as inputs are observable and in an active market.
U.S. Agency Securities
Valuation Techniques:
• Non-callable  agency-issued  debt  securities  are  generally 
valued  using  quoted  market  prices,  and  callable  agency-
issued debt securities are valued by benchmarking model-
derived  prices  to  quoted  market  prices  and  trade  data  for 
comparable instruments. 

• The  fair  value  of  agency  mortgage  pass-through  pool 
securities is model-driven based on spreads of comparable 
to-be-announced securities. 

• CMOs  are  generally  valued  using  quoted  market  prices 
and  trade  data  adjusted  by  subsequent  changes  in  related 
indices for comparable instruments. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  1—on-the-run  agency  issued  debt  securities  if 

actively traded and inputs are observable 

• Level  2—all  other  agency  issued  debt  securities,  agency 
mortgage  pass-through  pool  securities  and  CMOs  if 
actively traded and inputs are observable 

• Level 3—in instances where the trading activity is limited 

or inputs are unobservable 

Other Sovereign Government Obligations
Valuation Techniques:
• Fair  value  is  determined  using  quoted  prices  in  active 
markets when available. When not available, quoted prices 
in less-active markets are used. In the absence of position-
specific  quoted  prices,  fair  value  may  be  determined 
through benchmarking from comparable instruments. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 1—if actively traded and inputs are observable
• Level  2—if  the  market  is  less  active  or  prices  are 

dispersed

• Level 3—in instances where the prices are unobservable

State and Municipal Securities
Valuation Techniques:
• Fair  value 

is  determined  using 

recently  executed 
transactions,  market  price  quotations  or  pricing  models 
that  factor  in,  where  applicable,  interest  rates,  bond  or 
CDS  spreads,  adjusted  for  any  basis  difference  between 
cash and derivative instruments. 
Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—if  value  based  on  observable  market  data  for 

comparable instruments 

• Level  3—in 
observable 

instances  where  market  data  are  not 

December 2020 Form 10-K

100

MABS
Valuation Techniques:
• Mortgage-  and  asset-backed  securities  may  be  valued 
based  on  price  or  spread  data  obtained  from  observed 
transactions  or  independent  external  parties  such  as 
vendors or brokers. 

to 

instruments, 

• When  position-specific  external  price  data  are  not 
observable,  the  fair  value  determination  may  require 
benchmarking 
and/or 
comparable 
analyzing  expected  credit  losses,  default  and  recovery 
rates,  and/or  applying  discounted  cash  flow  techniques. 
When evaluating the comparable instruments for use in the 
valuation  of  each  security,  security  collateral-specific 
attributes, including payment priority, credit enhancement 
levels,  type  of  collateral,  delinquency  rates  and  loss 
severity, are considered. In addition, for RMBS borrowers, 
FICO  scores  and  the  level  of  documentation  for  the  loan 
are considered. 

• Market  standard  cash  flow  models  may  be  utilized  to 
model  the  specific  collateral  composition  and  cash  flow 
structure  of  each  transaction.  Key  inputs  to  these  models 
are  market  spreads,  forecasted  credit  losses,  and  default 
and prepayment rates for each asset category. 

• Valuation levels of RMBS and CMBS indices are used as 
an  additional  data  point  for  benchmarking  purposes  or  to 
price outright index positions. 
Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—if  value  based  on  observable  market  data  for 

comparable instruments 

• Level 3—if external prices or significant spread inputs are 
unobservable, or if the comparability assessment involves 
type 
to  property 
significant 
differences, cash flows, performance or other inputs 

subjectivity 

related 

Loans and Lending Commitments
Valuation Techniques:
• Fair value of corporate loans is determined using recently 
executed  transactions,  market  price  quotations  (where 
observable), implied yields from comparable debt, market 
observable  CDS  spread  levels  obtained  from  independent 
external parties adjusted for any basis difference between 
cash  and  derivative  instruments,  along  with  proprietary 
valuation models and default recovery analysis where such 
transactions and quotations are unobservable. 

• Fair value of contingent corporate lending commitments is 
determined by using executed transactions on comparable 
loans  and  the  anticipated  market  price  based  on  pricing 
indications  from  syndicate  banks  and  customers.  The 
valuation  of  loans  and  lending  commitments  also  takes 
into  account  fee  income  that  is  considered  an  attribute  of 
the contract. 

• Fair  value  of  mortgage 

is  determined  using 
observable prices based on transactional data or third-party 
pricing for comparable instruments, when available.

loans 

• Where position-specific external prices are not observable, 
fair  value  is  estimated  based  on  benchmarking  to  prices 
and rates observed in the primary market for similar loan 
or  borrower  types  or  based  on  the  present  value  of 

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

expected future cash flows using the Firm’s best available 
estimates  of  the  key  assumptions,  including  forecasted 
credit  losses,  prepayment  rates,  forward  yield  curves  and 
discount  rates  commensurate  with  the  risks  involved  or  a 
methodology  that  utilizes  the  capital  structure  and  credit 
spreads of recent comparable securitization transactions. 
• Fair  value  of  equity  margin  loans  is  determined  by 
discounting  future  interest  cash  flows,  net  of  potential 
losses resulting from large downward price movements of 
the underlying margin loan collateral. The potential losses 
are  modeled  using  the  margin  loan  rate,  which  is 
calibrated  from  market  observable  CDS  spreads,  implied 
debt yields or volatility metrics of the loan collateral. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—if  value  based  on  observable  market  data  for 

comparable instruments 

• Level  3—in  instances  where  prices  or  significant  spread 
inputs are unobservable or if the comparability assessment 
involves significant subjectivity 

Corporate and Other Debt
Corporate Bonds
Valuation Techniques:
• Fair  value 

is  determined  using 

recently  executed 
transactions,  market  price  quotations,  bond  spreads  and 
CDS  spreads  obtained  from  independent  external  parties, 
such  as  vendors  and  brokers,  adjusted  for  any  basis 
difference between cash and derivative instruments. 

• The  spread  data  used  are  for  the  same  maturity  as  the 
bond.  If  the  spread  data  do  not  reference  the  issuer,  then 
data  that  reference  comparable  issuers  are  used.  When 
position-specific  external  price  data  are  not  observable, 
fair  value  is  determined  based  on  either  benchmarking  to 
comparable  instruments  or  cash  flow  models  with  yield 
curves,  bond  or  single-name  CDS  spreads  and  recovery 
rates as significant inputs. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—if  value  based  on  observable  market  data  for 

comparable instruments 

• Level  3—in  instances  where  prices  or  significant  spread 
inputs are unobservable or if the comparability assessment 
involves significant subjectivity 

CDO
Valuation Techniques:
• The  Firm  holds  cash  CDOs  that  typically  reference  a 
tranche of an underlying synthetic portfolio of single-name 
CDS  spreads  collateralized  by  corporate  bonds  (CLN)  or 
cash portfolio of ABS/loans (“asset-backed CDOs”). 

• Credit  correlation,  a  primary  input  used  to  determine  the 
fair  value  of  CLNs,  is  usually  unobservable  and  derived 
using a benchmarking technique. Other model inputs such 
as credit spreads, including collateral spreads, and interest 
rates, are typically observable. 

• Asset-backed CDOs are valued based on an evaluation of 
the  market  and  model  input  parameters  sourced  from 
comparable  instruments  as  indicated  by  market  activity. 
evaluated 
Each 
available 
independently 

asset-backed  CDO 
into 

is 
position 
consideration 

taking 

comparable  market 
performance and pricing, deal structures and liquidity. 

underlying 

levels, 

collateral 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 2—when either comparable market transactions are 

observable, or credit correlation input is insignificant 

• Level 3—when either comparable market transactions are 
unobservable, or the credit correlation input is significant

Equity Contracts with Financing Features
Valuation Techniques:
• Fair  value  of  certain  equity  contracts,  which  are  not 
classified as OTC derivatives because they do not meet the 
net  investment  criteria,  is  determined  by  discounting 
future interest cash flows, inclusive of the estimated value 
of the embedded optionality. The valuation uses the same 
derivative  pricing  models  and  valuation  techniques  as 
described under “OTC Derivative Contracts” herein.

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—when  the  contract  is  valued  using  observable 
inputs  or  where  the  unobservable  input  is  not  deemed 
significant

• Level  3—when 

the  contract 

is  valued  using  an 

unobservable input that is deemed significant

Corporate Equities
Valuation Techniques:
• Exchange-traded  equity  securities  are  generally  valued 
based  on  quoted  prices  from  the  exchange.  To  the  extent 
these  securities  are  actively  traded,  valuation  adjustments 
are not applied. 

• Unlisted equity securities are generally valued based on an 
assessment  of  each  security,  considering  rounds  of 
financing  and  third-party  transactions,  discounted  cash 
flow  analyses  and  market-based  information,  including 
comparable transactions, trading multiples and changes in 
market outlook, among other factors. 

• Listed  fund  units  are  generally  marked  to  the  exchange-
traded  price  if  actively  traded,  or  NAV  if  not.  Unlisted 
fund units are generally marked to NAV. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  1—actively  traded  exchange-traded  securities  and 

fund units 

• Level 2—if not actively traded, inputs are observable or if 

undergoing a recent M&A event or corporate action 

• Level  3—if  not  actively  traded,  inputs  are  unobservable, 
or if undergoing an aged M&A event or corporate action

Derivative and Other Contracts
Listed Derivative Contracts
Valuation Techniques:
• Listed derivatives that are actively traded are valued based 

on quoted prices from the exchange. 

• Listed  derivatives  that  are  not  actively  traded  are  valued 
using  the  same  techniques  as  those  applied  to  OTC 
derivatives as noted below. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 1—listed derivatives that are actively traded 
• Level 2—when not actively traded 

101

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

OTC Derivative Contracts
Valuation Techniques:
• OTC  derivative  contracts  include  forward,  swap  and 
option  contracts 
foreign 
to 
currencies,  credit  standing  of  reference  entities,  equity 
prices or commodity prices. 

interest 

related 

rates, 

• Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, 
the fair value of OTC derivative products can be modeled 
using  a  series  of  techniques,  including  closed-form 
analytic  formulas,  such  as  the  Black-Scholes  option-
pricing  model,  simulation  models  or  a  combination 
thereof.  Many  pricing  models  do  not  entail  material 
subjectivity  as  the  methodologies  employed  do  not 
necessitate  significant  judgment  since  model  inputs  may 
be  observed  from  actively  quoted  markets,  as  is  the  case 
for  generic  interest  rate  swaps,  many  equity,  commodity 
and foreign currency option contracts, and certain CDS. In 
the  case  of  more  established  derivative  products,  the 
pricing  models  used  by  the  Firm  are  widely  accepted  by 
the financial services industry. 

• More complex OTC derivative products are typically less 
liquid and require more judgment in the implementation of 
the  valuation  technique  since  direct  trading  activity  or 
quotes  are  unobservable.  This  includes  certain  types  of 
interest rate derivatives with both volatility and correlation 
exposure,  equity,  commodity  or 
foreign  currency 
derivatives that are either longer-dated or include exposure 
to  multiple  underlyings,  and  credit  derivatives,  including 
CDS  on  certain  mortgage-  or  asset-backed  securities  and 
basket  CDS.  Where  required  inputs  are  unobservable, 
relationships to observable data points, based on historical 
and/or  implied  observations,  may  be  employed  as  a 
technique  to  estimate  the  model  input  values.  For  further 
information  on 
for  OTC 
derivative products, see Note 2.
Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—when  valued  using  observable  inputs  or  where 

the  valuation 

techniques 

the unobservable input is not deemed significant 

• Level 3—if an unobservable input is deemed significant 

Investments
Valuation Techniques:
• Investments include direct investments in equity securities, 
as  well  as  various  investment  management  funds,  which 
include  investments  made  in  connection  with  certain 
employee deferred compensation plans. 

• Exchange-traded  direct  equity  investments  are  generally 

valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. 

• For  direct  investments,  initially,  the  transaction  price  is 
generally considered by the Firm as the exit price and is its 
best estimate of fair value. 

• After  initial  recognition,  in  determining  the  fair  value  of 
non-exchange-traded  internally  and  externally  managed 
funds,  the  Firm  generally  considers  the  NAV  of  the  fund 
provided  by  the  fund  manager  to  be  the  best  estimate  of 
fair  value.  These  investments  are  included  in  the  Fund 
Interests  table  in  the  "Net  Asset  Value  Measurements" 
section herein. 

• For  non-exchange-traded  investments  either  held  directly 
or  held  within  internally  managed  funds,  fair  value  after 
initial  recognition  is  based  on  an  assessment  of  each 
underlying  investment,  considering  rounds  of  financing 
and third-party transactions, discounted cash flow analyses 
and market-based information, including comparable Firm 
transactions,  trading  multiples  and  changes  in  market 
outlook, among other factors. 
Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 1—if actively traded
• Level  2—when  not  actively  traded  and  valued  based  on 

rounds of financing or third-party transactions

• Level  3—when  not  actively 

traded  and  rounds  of 

financing or third-party transactions are not available 

Physical Commodities
Valuation Techniques:
• The  Firm  trades  various  physical  commodities,  including 

natural gas and precious metals. 

• Fair  value 

is  determined  using  observable 
including broker quotations and published indices. 

inputs, 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 2—valued using observable inputs

Investment Securities—AFS Securities
Valuation Techniques:
• AFS  securities  are  composed  of  U.S.  government  and 
agency  securities  (e.g.,  U.S.  Treasury  securities,  agency-
issued  debt,  agency  mortgage  pass-through  securities  and 
CMOs), CMBS, ABS, state and municipal securities, and 
corporate  bonds.  For 
the 
further 
determination  of  fair  value,  refer  to  the  corresponding 
asset/liability  Valuation  Technique  described  herein  for 
the same instruments. 

information  on 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• For  further  information  on  the  determination  of  valuation 
hierarchy  classification,  see  the  corresponding  Valuation 
Hierarchy Classification described herein. 

Deposits
Valuation Techniques:
• The  Firm  issues  FDIC-insured  certificates  of  deposit  that 
pay  either  fixed  coupons  or  that  have  repayment  terms 
linked  to  the  performance  of  debt  or  equity  securities, 
indices or currencies. The fair value of these certificates of 
deposit 
that 
incorporate  observable  inputs  referencing  identical  or 
comparable  securities,  including  prices  to  which  the 
deposits  are  linked,  interest  rate  yield  curves,  option 
volatility  and  currency  rates,  equity  prices,  and  the  impact 
of the Firm’s own credit spreads, adjusted for the impact of 
the  FDIC  insurance,  which  is  based  on  vanilla  deposit 
issuance rates. 

is  determined  using  valuation  models 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 2—when valuation inputs are observable
• Level  3—in  instances  where  an  unobservable  input  is 

deemed significant 

December 2020 Form 10-K

102

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Securities  Purchased  under  Agreements  to  Resell  and 
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Valuation Techniques:
• Fair  value  is  computed  using  a  standard  cash  flow 

discounting methodology. 

• The  inputs  to  the  valuation  include  contractual  cash  flows 
and  collateral  funding  spreads,  which  are  the  incremental 
spread over the OIS rate for a specific collateral rate (which 
refers  to  the  rate  applicable  to  a  specific  type  of  security 
pledged as collateral). 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level 2—when the valuation inputs are observable
• Level  3—in  instances  where  an  unobservable  input  is 

deemed significant

Other Secured Financings
Valuation Techniques:
• Other secured financings are composed of short-dated notes 
secured  by  Corporate  equities,  agreements  to  repurchase 
Physical  commodities,  the  liabilities  related  to  sales  of 
Loans  and 
for  as 
financings,  and  contracts  which  are  not  classified  as  OTC 
derivatives  because  they  fail  net  investment  criteria.  For 
further information on the determination of fair value, refer 
to  the  Valuation  Techniques  described  herein  for  the 
corresponding 
the  collateral 
instruments  which  are 
referenced by the other secured financing liability.

lending  commitments  accounted 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• For  further  information  on  the  determination  of  valuation 
the  Valuation  Hierarchy 
hierarchy  classification,  see 
Classification  described  herein  for 
the  corresponding 
instruments which are the collateral referenced by the other 
secured financing liability.

Borrowings
Valuation Techniques:
• The  Firm  carries  certain  borrowings  at  fair  value  that  are 
primarily  composed  of:  instruments  whose  payments  and 
redemption  values  are  linked  to  the  performance  of  a 
specific index, a basket of stocks, a specific equity security, 
a  commodity,  a  credit  exposure  or  basket  of  credit 
exposures;  and  instruments  with  various  interest-rate-
related  features,  including  step-ups,  step-downs  and  zero 
coupons. 

• Fair  value  is  determined  using  valuation  models  for  the 
derivative  and  debt  portions  of  the  instruments.  These 
models  incorporate  observable  inputs  referencing  identical 
or  comparable  securities,  including  prices  to  which  the 
instruments  are  linked,  interest  rate  yield  curves,  option 
volatility  and  currency  rates,  and  commodity  or  equity 
prices. 

• Independent,  external  and  traded  prices  are  considered,  as 
well as the impact of the Firm’s own credit spreads, which 
are based on observed secondary bond market spreads. 

Valuation Hierarchy Classification:
• Level  2—when  valued  using  observable  inputs,  or  where 

the unobservable input is not deemed significant

• Level  3—in  instances  where  an  unobservable  input  is 

deemed significant

Rollforward of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair 
Value on a Recurring Basis

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

Beginning balance

$ 

22  $ 

54  $ 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Sales

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Other sovereign government obligations

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Sales

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

State and municipal securities

Beginning balance

Purchases

Sales

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

MABS

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Sales

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Loans and lending commitments

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases and originations

Sales

Settlements
Net transfers1

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Corporate and other debt

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases and originations

Sales

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

1   

—   

4   

17   

(22)   

(54)   

8   

9  $ 

—  $ 

1   

22  $ 

4  $ 

5  $ 

17  $ 

—   

265   

(2)   

—   

268  $ 

—  $ 

(3)   

7   

(6)   

(10)   

5  $ 

(3)  $ 

— 

1 

53 

— 

— 

54 

1 

1 

— 

41 

(26) 

1 

17 

— 

1  $ 

148  $ 

8 

—   

—   

(1)   

—  $ 

—  $ 

—   

147 

(147)   

—   

(9) 

2 

1  $ 

148 

—  $ 

— 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

438  $ 

354  $ 

423 

(66)   

175   

(16)   

132   

82 

177 

(244)   

(175)   

(338) 

—   

19   

(44)   

187   

(17) 

27 

$ 

$ 

322  $ 

438  $ 

354 

(49)  $ 

(57)  $ 

(9) 

$  5,073  $  6,870  $  5,945 

(65)   

38   

(100) 

3,479   

2,337   

5,746 

(957)   

(1,268)   

(2,529) 

(2,196)   

(2,291)   

(2,281) 

425   

(613)   

89 

$  5,759  $  5,073  $  6,870 

$ 

58  $ 

(9)  $ 

(137) 

$  1,396  $  1,076  $ 

318   

2,623   

418   

650   

701 

106 

734 

(617)   

(729)   

(251) 

(311)   

(7)   

(11) 

26   

(12)   

(203) 

$  3,435  $  1,396  $  1,076 

$ 

311  $ 

361  $ 

70 

103

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

Corporate equities

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Sales

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Investments

Beginning balance

2020

2019

2018

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Net derivatives: Equity

$ 

97  $ 

95  $ 

166 

Beginning balance

$  (1,684)  $  (1,485)  $  1,208 

(55)   

36   

(8)   

32   

29 

13 

(17)   

(271)   

(161) 

25   

249   

86  $ 

97  $ 

(39)  $ 

1  $ 

$ 

$ 

48 

95 

17 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Issuances

Settlements
Net transfers3

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

72   

(260)   

179   

155   

305 

122 

(713)   

(643)   

(1,179) 

(354)   

242   

314 

269   

307   

(2,255) 

$  (2,231)  $  (1,684)  $  (1,485) 

$ 

(210)  $ 

(194)  $ 

211 

$ 

858  $ 

757  $  1,020 

Net derivatives: Commodity and other

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Sales

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Investment securities —AFS

Beginning balance

$ 

$ 

$ 

32   

61   

(106)   

(17)   

78   

40   

(41)   

24   

(25) 

149 

(212) 

(175) 

828  $ 

858  $ 

757 

(45)  $ 

67  $ 

(27) 

—  $ 

—  $ 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Purchases2

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

5   

2,799   

$  2,804  $ 

$ 

5  $ 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

—   

—   

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—   

—  $ 

—  $ 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

$ 

$ 

$ 

—  $ 

3   

3  $ 

—  $ 

$ 

777  $ 

618  $  1,218 

(150)   

174   

(44)   

40   

(115)   

17   

98   

(16)   

1   

59   

$ 

$ 

682  $ 

777  $ 

(34)  $ 

87  $ 

$ 

124  $ 

40  $ 

(91)   

98   

(24)   

144   

111 

63 

(19) 

(172) 

(583) 

618 

140 

41 

33 

13 

(112)   

(190)   

(95) 

94   

(64)   

111   

43   

49  $ 

124  $ 

(111)  $ 

(17)  $ 

56 

(8) 

40 

23 

(31)  $ 

75  $ 

(112) 

156   

(295)   

179 

4   

—   

(17)   

(51)   

2   

—   

7   

180   

3 

(1) 

2 

4 

61  $ 

(31)  $ 

75 

94  $ 

(187)  $ 

118 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Beginning balance

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Net derivatives: Interest rate

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Net derivatives: Credit

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Net derivatives: Foreign exchange

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Beginning balance

$  1,612  $  2,052  $  1,446 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses)

Deposits

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized losses (gains)

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized losses (gains)

Nonderivative trading liabilities

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized losses (gains)

Purchases

Sales

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized losses (gains)

251   

89   

(57)   

73   

152   

(92)   

(183)   

(611)   

500 

34 

(18) 

(81) 

(3)   

38   

171 

$  1,709  $  1,612  $  2,052 

$ 

(309)  $ 

(113)  $ 

272 

$ 

179  $ 

27  $ 

47 

15   

21   

(17)   

(72)   

20   

101   

(15)   

46   

126  $ 

179  $ 

15  $ 

20  $ 

37  $ 

16  $ 

(18)   

(35)   

27   

3   

65   

(21)   

(65)   

38   

—   

69   

79  $ 

37  $ 

(1) 

9 

(2) 

(26) 

27 

(1) 

25 

(6) 

(18) 

9 

— 

6 

16 

(18)  $ 

(21)  $ 

(7) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized losses (gains)

Issuances

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized losses (gains)

Other secured financings

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized losses (gains)

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

Unrealized losses (gains)

$ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

150 

(27)   

470   

1   

$ 

$ 

444  $ 

(27)  $ 

—   

—   

—   

—  $ 

—  $ 

— 

— 

(150) 

— 

— 

$ 

109  $ 

208  $ 

239 

21   

208   

(217)   

5   

—   

(8)   

395   

(96)   

(39) 

8 

(17) 

17 

$ 

$ 

516  $ 

109  $ 

208 

21  $ 

5  $ 

(39) 

December 2020 Form 10-K

104

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

Borrowings

Beginning balance

Realized and unrealized losses (gains)

Issuances

Settlements

Net transfers

Ending balance

2020

2019

2018

Balance / Range (Average1)

$ in millions, except inputs

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

$  4,088  $  3,806  $  2,984 

204   

728   

(385) 

980   

1,181   

1,554 

(461)   

(950)   

(274) 

(437)   

(677)   

(73) 

Loans and lending 

commitments

Margin loan model:

Discount rate

Volatility skew

Credit spread

$ 

5,759  $ 

5,073 

N/A

N/A

N/A

1% to 9% (2%)

15% to 80% (28%)

9 to 39 bps (19 bps)

$  4,374  $  4,088  $  3,806 

Margin loan rate

1% to 5% (3%)

N/A

Unrealized losses (gains)

$ 

201  $ 

600  $ 

(379) 

Comparable pricing:

Portion of Unrealized losses (gains) 

recorded in OCI—Change in net DVA

63   

182   

(184) 

1. Net  transfers  in  2020  reflect  the  largely  offsetting  impacts  of  transfers  in  of 
$857 million of equity margin loans in the first quarter of 2020 and transfers out of 
$707 million of equity margin loans in the second quarter of 2020. The loans were 
transferred into Level 3 in the first quarter as the significance of the margin loan rate 
input increased as a result of reduced liquidity, and transferred out of Level 3 in the 
second  quarter  as  liquidity  conditions  improved,  reducing  the  significance  of  the 
input. 

2. Purchases of AFS investment securities in 2020 relate to securities acquired as part 
of  the  E*TRADE  transaction.  For  additional  information  on  the  acquisition  of 
E*TRADE, see Note 3.

3. During  2018,  the  Firm  transferred  from  Level  3  to  Level  2  $2.4  billion  of  Equity 
Derivatives due to a reduction in the significance of the unobservable inputs relating 
to volatility.

Level  3  instruments  may  be  hedged  with  instruments 
classified in Level 1 and Level 2. The realized and unrealized 
gains  or  losses  for  assets  and  liabilities  within  the  Level  3 
category  presented  in  the  previous  tables  do  not  reflect  the 
related  realized  and  unrealized  gains  or  losses  on  hedging 
instruments  that  have  been  classified  by  the  Firm  within  the 
Level 1 and/or Level 2 categories. 

The unrealized gains (losses) during the period for assets and 
liabilities within the Level 3 category may include changes in 
fair  value  during  the  period  that  were  attributable  to  both 
observable  and  unobservable  inputs.  Total  realized  and 
unrealized  gains  (losses)  are  primarily  included  in  Trading 
revenues in the income statements. 

Additionally,  in  the  previous  tables,  consolidations  of  VIEs 
are  included  in  Purchases,  and  deconsolidations  of  VIEs  are 
included in Settlements. 

Significant  Unobservable  Inputs  Used  in  Recurring  and 
Nonrecurring Level 3 Fair Value Measurements 

Valuation Techniques and Unobservable Inputs

$ in millions, except inputs

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

Assets at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Balance / Range (Average1)

Loan price

Corporate and 
other debt

Comparable pricing:

Bond price

Discounted cash flow:

Recovery rate

Option model:

Equity volatility

Corporate equities

Comparable pricing:

Equity price

Investments

Discounted cash flow:

WACC

Exit multiple

Market approach:

EBITDA multiple

Comparable pricing:

Equity price

75 to 102 points (93 points)

69 to 100 points (93 points)

$ 

3,435  $ 

1,396 

10 to 133 points (101 points)

11 to 108 points (84 points)

40% to 62% (46% / 40%)

18% to 21% (19%)

$ 

$ 

86  $ 

100%

828  $ 

 35 %

 21 %

97 

 100 %

858 

8% to 18% (15%)

8% to 17% (15%)

7 to 17 times (12 times)

7 to 16 times (11 times)

8 to 32 times (11 times)

7 to 24 times (11 times)

45% to 100% (99%)

75% to 100% (99%)

Investment securities 

—AFS

$ 

Comparable pricing:

2,804  $ 

Bond price

97 to 107 points (101 points)

Net derivative and other contracts:

— 

N/A

Interest rate

Option model:

IR volatility skew

IR curve correlation

Bond volatility

Inflation volatility

IR curve

Credit

$ 

$ 

Credit default swap model:

682  $ 

777 

0% to 349% (62% / 59%)

24% to 156% (63% / 59%)

54% to 99% (87% / 89%)

47% to 90% (72% / 72%)

6% to 24% (13% / 13%)

4% to 15% (13% / 14%)

25% to 66% (45% / 43%)

24% to 63% (44% / 41%)

1%

49  $ 

 1 %

124 

Cash-synthetic 

basis

Bond price

Credit spread

Funding spread

Correlation model:

Credit correlation
Foreign exchange2

7 points

6 points

0 to 85 points (47 points)

0 to 104 points (45 points)

20 to 435 bps (74 bps)

9 to 469 bps (81 bps)

65 to 118 bps (86 bps)

47 to 117 bps (84 bps)

27% to 44% (32%)

29% to 62% (36%)

$ 

61  $ 

(31) 

Other sovereign 
government 
obligations

Comparable pricing:

Bond price

MABS

Comparable pricing:

Bond price

$ 

$ 

268  $ 

5 

Option model:

106 points

322  $ 

N/M

438 

0 to 80 points (50 points)

0 to 96 points (47 points)

IR - FX correlation

IR volatility skew

IR curve

Foreign exchange 
volatility skew

Contingency 
probability

55% to 59% (56% 56%)

32% to 56% (46% / 46%)

0% to 349% (62% / 59%)

24% to 156% (63% / 59%)

6% to 8% (7% / 8%)

10% to 11% (10% / 10%)

 -22% to 28% (3% / 1%)

N/A

50% to 95% (83% / 93%)

85% to 95% (94% / 95%)

105

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions, except inputs
Equity2

$ 

Option model:

Equity volatility

Equity volatility skew

Equity correlation

FX correlation

IR correlation

Balance / Range (Average1)

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

(2,231)  $ 

(1,684) 

16% to 97% (43%)

9% to 90% (36%)

 -3% to 0% (-1%)

 -2% to 0% (-1%)

24% to 96% (74%)

5% to 98% (70%)

 -79% to 60% (-16%)

 -79% to 60% (-37%)

 -13% to 47% (21% / 20%)

 -11% to 44% (18% / 16%)

Commodity and other

$ 

1,709  $ 

1,612 

Option model:

Forward power 

price

Commodity volatility

Cross-commodity 

correlation

$-1 to $157 ($28) per MWh

$3 to $182 ($28) per MWh

8% to 183% (19%)

7% to 183% (18%)

43% to 99% (92%)

43% to 99% (93%)

Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Deposits

Option model:

 Equity volatility

$ 

126  $ 

179 

7% to 22% (8%)

16% to 37% (20%)

 Nonderivative trading 

liabilities
—Corporate equities $ 

Comparable pricing:

Equity price

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

Discounted cash flow:

Funding spread 

Other secured 
financings

Discounted cash flow:

Funding spread

Comparable pricing:

$ 

$ 

63  $ 

100%

444  $ 

107 to 127 bps (115 bps)

36 

N/M

— 

N/A

516  $ 

109 

111 bps (111 bps)

111 to 124 bps (117 bps)

Loan price

Borrowings

Option model:

Equity volatility

Equity volatility skew

Equity correlation

Equity - FX 
correlation

IR FX Correlation

30 to 101 points (56 points)

$ 

4,374  $ 

N/A

4,088 

 6% to 66% (23%)

5% to 44% (21%)

 -2% to 0% (0%)

 -2% to 0% (0%)

37% to 95% (78%)

38% to 94% (78%)

 -72% to 13% (-24%)

 -75% to 26% (-25%)

 -28% to 6% (-6% / -6%)

 -26% to 10% (-7% / -7%)

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurement

Loans

Corporate loan model:

Credit spread

Warehouse model:

Credit spread

Comparable pricing:

Bond Price

$ 

3,134  $ 

1,500 

36 to 636 bps (336 bps)

69 to 446 bps (225 bps)

200 to 413 bps (368 bps)

287 to 318 bps (297 bps)

88 to 99 bps (94 bps)

N/M (N/M)

Points—Percentage of par 
IR—Interest rate 
FX—Foreign exchange 
1. A  single  amount  is  disclosed  for  range  and  average  when  there  is  no  significant 
difference  between  the  minimum,  maximum  and  average.  Amounts  represent 
weighted averages except where simple averages and the median of the inputs are 
more relevant.

2. Includes derivative contracts with multiple risks (i.e., hybrid products).

The  previous  tables  provide  information  on  the  valuation 
techniques,  significant  unobservable  inputs,  and  the  ranges 
and averages for each major category of assets and liabilities 
measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  and  nonrecurring  basis 
with  a  significant  Level  3  balance.  The  level  of  aggregation 
and breadth of products cause the range of inputs to be wide 

December 2020 Form 10-K

106

and  not  evenly  distributed  across  the  inventory  of  financial 
instruments.  Further,  the  range  of  unobservable  inputs  may 
differ  across  firms  in  the  financial  services  industry  because 
of  diversity  in  the  types  of  products  included  in  each  firm’s 
inventory.  Generally,  there  are  no  predictable  relationships 
between  multiple  significant  unobservable  inputs  attributable 
to a given valuation technique. 

Other than as follows, during 2020, there were no significant 
revisions  made  to  the  descriptions  of  the  Firm’s  significant 
unobservable inputs. For margin loans, the margin loan rate is 
the  annualized  rate  that  reflects  the  possibility  of  losses  as  a 
result  of  movements  in  the  price  of  the  underlying  margin 
loan  collateral.  The  rate  is  calibrated  from  the  previously 
disclosed  discount  rate,  credit  spread  and/or  volatility 
measures.

increase 

(decrease) 

An 
significant 
to 
unobservable inputs would generally result in a higher (lower) 
fair value.

following 

the 

• Comparable bond or loan price: A pricing input used when 
prices  for  the  identical  instrument  are  not  available. 
Significant subjectivity may be involved when fair value is 
determined  using  pricing  data  available  for  comparable 
instruments.  Valuation  using  comparable  instruments  can 
be  done  by  calculating  an  implied  yield  (or  spread  over  a 
liquid benchmark) from the price of a comparable bond or 
loan, then adjusting that yield (or spread) to derive a value 
for  the  bond  or  loan.  The  adjustment  to  yield  (or  spread) 
should  account  for  relevant  differences  in  the  bonds  or 
loans  such  as  maturity  or  credit  quality.  Alternatively,  a 
the 
price-to-price  basis  can  be  assumed  between 
comparable instrument and the bond or loan being valued in 
order to establish the value of the bond or loan.

• Comparable  equity  price:  A  price  derived  from  equity 
raises,  share  buybacks  and  external  bid  levels,  etc.  A 
discount  or  premium  may  be  included  in  the  fair  value 
estimate.

• Contingency  probability:  Probability  associated  with  the 
realization of an underlying event upon which the value of 
an asset is contingent.

• EBITDA  multiple  /  Exit  multiple:  The  ratio  of  Enterprise 
Value to EBITDA, where Enterprise Value is the aggregate 
value  of  equity  and  debt  minus  cash  and  cash  equivalents. 
The EBITDA multiple reflects the value of the company in 
terms  of  its  full-year  EBITDA,  whereas  the  exit  multiple 
reflects  the  value  of  the  company  in  terms  of  its  full-year 
expected  EBITDA  at  exit.  Either  multiple  allows 
comparison  between  companies  from  an  operational 
perspective  as  the  effect  of  capital  structure,  taxation  and 
depreciation/amortization is excluded.

• Recovery  rate:  Amount  expressed  as  a  percentage  of  par 
that is expected to be received when a credit event occurs.

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

increase 

(decrease) 

An 
significant 
to 
unobservable inputs would generally result in a lower (higher) 
fair value.

following 

the 

• Cash-synthetic basis: The measure of the price differential 
between  cash  financial  instruments  and  their  synthetic 
derivative-based  equivalents.  The  range  disclosed  in  the 
previous table signifies the number of points by which the 
synthetic  bond  equivalent  price  is  higher  than  the  quoted 
price of the underlying cash bonds.

• Funding  spread:  The  cost  of  borrowing  defined  as  the 
incremental  spread  over  the  OIS  rate  for  a  specific 
collateral  rate  (which  refers  to  the  rate  applicable  to  a 
specific type of security pledged as collateral).

• Margin  loan  rate:  The  annualized  rate  that  reflects  the 
possibility of losses as a result of movements in the price of 
the underlying margin loan collateral. The rate is calibrated 
from  the  discount  rate,  credit  spreads  and/or  volatility 
measures.

• WACC:  WACC  represents  the  theoretical  rate  of  return 
required to debt and equity investors. The WACC is used in 
a  discounted  cash  flow  model  that  calculates  the  value  of 
the  equity.  The  model  assumes  that  the  cash  flow 
assumptions, including projections, are fully reflected in the 
current  equity  value,  while  the  debt  to  equity  ratio  is  held 
constant.

the 

increase 

(decrease) 

An 
significant 
to 
unobservable inputs would generally result in an impact to the 
fair  value,  but  the  magnitude  and  direction  of  the  impact 
would  depend  on  whether  the  Firm  is  long  or  short  the 
exposure.

following 

• Correlation: A pricing input where the payoff is driven by 
more than one underlying risk. Correlation is a measure of 
the  relationship  between  the  movement  of  two  variables 
(i.e., how the change in one variable influences a change in 
the other variable).

• Credit spread: The credit spread reflects the additional net 
yield an investor can earn from a security with more credit 
risk relative to one with less credit risk. The credit spread of 
a particular security is often quoted in relation to the yield 
on  a  credit  risk-free  benchmark  security  or  reference  rate, 
typically either U.S. Treasury or LIBOR.

interest  rates  and 

• Interest  rate  curve:  The  term  structure  of  interest  rates 
(relationship  between 
to 
maturity) and a market’s measure of future interest rates at 
the time of observation. An interest rate curve is used to set 
interest rate and foreign exchange derivative cash flows and 
is  a  pricing  input  used  in  the  discounting  of  any  OTC 
derivative cash flow.

time 

the 

• Volatility: The measure of variability in possible returns for 
an  instrument  given  how  much  that  instrument  changes  in 
value  over  time.  Volatility  is  a  pricing  input  for  options 

and,  generally,  the  lower  the  volatility,  the  less  risky  the 
option.  The  level  of  volatility  used  in  the  valuation  of  a 
particular option depends on a number of factors, including 
the nature of the risk underlying that option, the tenor and 
the strike price of the option.

• Volatility  skew:  The  measure  of  the  difference  in  implied 
volatility  for  options  with  identical  underliers  and  expiry 
dates but with different strikes.

Net Asset Value Measurements 

Fund Interests 

$ in millions

Private equity

Real estate
Hedge1

Total

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

Carrying
Value

Commitment

Carrying
Value

Commitment

$ 

2,367  $ 

644  $ 

2,078  $ 

1,403   

59   

136   

—   

1,349   

94   

$ 

3,829  $ 

780  $ 

3,521  $ 

450 

150 

4 

604 

1. Investments  in  hedge  funds  may  be  subject  to  initial  period  lock-up  or  gate 
provisions,  which  restrict  an  investor  from  withdrawing  from  the  fund  during  a 
certain  initial  period  or  restrict  the  redemption  amount  on  any  redemption  date, 
respectively. 

Amounts  in  the  previous  table  represent  the  Firm’s  carrying 
value  of  general  and  limited  partnership  interests  in  fund 
investments, as well as any related performance-based fees in 
the  form  of  carried  interest.  The  carrying  amounts  are 
measured based on the NAV of the fund taking into account 
the  distribution  terms  applicable  to  the  interest  held.  This 
same  measurement  applies  whether  the  fund  investments  are 
accounted for under the equity method or fair value. 

Private  Equity.        Funds  that  pursue  multiple  strategies, 
including  leveraged  buyouts,  venture  capital,  infrastructure 
growth capital, distressed investments and mezzanine capital. 
In  addition,  the  funds  may  be  structured  with  a  focus  on 
specific geographic regions.

Real Estate.    Funds that invest in real estate assets such as 
commercial  office  buildings,  retail  properties,  multi-family 
residential properties, developments or hotels. In addition, the 
funds  may  be  structured  with  a  focus  on  specific  geographic 
regions.

Investments  in  private  equity  and  real  estate  funds  generally 
are  not  redeemable  due  to  the  closed-end  nature  of  these 
funds.  Instead,  distributions  from  each  fund  will  be  received 
as  the  underlying  investments  of  the  funds  are  disposed  and 
monetized.

Hedge.        Funds  that  pursue  various  investment  strategies, 
including long-short equity, fixed income/credit, event-driven 
and multi-strategy.

See  Note  15  for  information  regarding  general  partner 
guarantees,  which  include  potential  obligations  to  return 
performance  fee  distributions  previously  received.  See  Note 
23  for  information  regarding  carried  interest  at  risk  of 
reversal.

107

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Nonredeemable Funds by Contractual Maturity 

Gains (Losses) from Fair Value Remeasurements1 

$ in millions

Less than 5 years

5-10 years

Over 10 years

Total

Carrying Value at December 31, 2020

Private Equity

Real Estate

$ 

$ 

1,480  $ 

736   

151   

2,367  $ 

416 

374 

613 

1,403 

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Carrying and Fair Values 

$ in millions

Assets

Loans

At December 31, 2020
Level 31

Total

Level 2

$ 

2,566  $ 

3,134  $ 

5,700 

Other assets—Other investments

Other assets—ROU assets

—   

21   

16   

—   

16 

21 

Total

Liabilities

Other liabilities and accrued 

expenses—Lending commitments

Total

$ in millions

Assets

Loans

Other assets—Other investments

Total

Liabilities

Other liabilities and accrued 

expenses—Lending commitments

Total

$ 

2,587  $ 

3,150  $ 

5,737 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

193  $ 

193  $ 

72  $ 

72  $ 

265 

265 

At December 31, 2019
Level 31

Level 2

Total

1,543  $ 

1,500  $ 

3,043 

—   

113   

113 

1,543  $ 

1,613  $ 

3,156 

132  $ 

132  $ 

69  $ 

69  $ 

201 

201 

1. For significant Level 3 balances, refer to “Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in 
Recurring  and  Nonrecurring  Level  3  Fair  Value  Measurements”  section  herein  for 
details  of  the  significant  unobservable  inputs  used  for  nonrecurring  fair  value 
measurement.

$ in millions

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 
Investment securities—

HTM

$ in millions

Assets
Loans2

Intangibles
Other assets—Other investments3

Other assets—Premises, equipment 

and software4

Other assets—ROU assets5

Total

Liabilities

2020

2019

2018

$ 

(354)  $ 

18  $ 

(2)   

(56)   

(45)   

(23)   

—   

(56)   

(22)   

—   

(68) 

— 

(56) 

(46) 

— 

$ 

(480)  $ 

(60)  $ 

(170) 

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

—Lending commitments2

Total

$ 

$ 

(5)  $ 

(5)  $ 

87  $ 

87  $ 

(48) 

(48) 

1. Gains and losses for Loans and Other assets—Other investments are classified in 
Other revenues. For other items, gains and losses are recorded in Other revenues 
if the item is held for sale; otherwise, they are recorded in Other expenses. 

2. Nonrecurring  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  loans  and  lending  commitments  were 
calculated  as  follows:  for  the  held-for-investment  category,  based  on  the  value  of 
the  underlying  collateral;  and  for  the  held-for-sale  category,  based  on  recently 
executed  transactions,  market  price  quotations,  valuation  models  that  incorporate 
market observable inputs where possible, such as comparable loan or debt prices 
and  CDS  spread  levels  adjusted  for  any  basis  difference  between  cash  and 
derivative  instruments,  or  default  recovery  analysis  where  such  transactions  and 
quotations are unobservable. 

3. Losses  related  to  Other  assets—Other  investments  were  determined  using 
techniques  that  included  discounted  cash  flow  models,  methodologies  that 
incorporate  multiples  of  certain  comparable  companies  and  recently  executed 
transactions. 

4. Losses  related  to  Other  assets—Premises,  equipment  and  software  generally 
include impairments as well as write-offs related to the disposal of certain assets. 
5. Losses  related  to  Other  assets—ROU  assets  include  impairments  related  to  the 

discontinued use of certain leased properties.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

At December 31, 2020

Fair Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Carrying
Value

105,654  $ 105,654  $ 

—  $  —  $ 105,654 

71,771 

  31,239 

  42,281 

900 

  74,420 

116,219 

112,391 

92,907 

150,597 

— 

  114,046 

  2,173 

  116,219 

— 

  112,392 

— 

  112,392 

— 

  89,832 

  3,041 

  92,873 

— 

  16,635 

 135,277 

  151,912 

485 

— 

485 

— 

485 

$ 

307,261  $ 

—  $ 307,807  $  —  $ 307,807 

49,472 

— 

  49,315 

195 

  49,510 

7,731 

4,162 

— 

— 

7,731 

4,162 

— 

— 

7,731 

4,162 

224,951 

143,378 

Commitment
Amount

— 

  224,951 

— 

  224,951 

— 

  150,824 

5 

  150,829 

Securities purchased 

under agreements to 
resell

Securities borrowed

Customer and other 

receivables1

Loans2

Other assets

Financial liabilities

Deposits

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

Securities loaned

Other secured financings

Customer and other 

payables1

Borrowings

Lending commitments3

$ 

125,498  $ 

—  $ 

709  $ 

395  $  1,104 

December 2020 Form 10-K

108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 
Investment securities—

HTM

Securities purchased 

under agreements to 
resell

Securities borrowed

Customer and other 

receivables1

Loans2

Other assets

Financial liabilities

Deposits

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

Securities loaned

Other secured financings

Customer and other 

payables1

Borrowings

At December 31, 2019

Fair Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Carrying
Value

82,171  $ 82,171  $ 

—  $  —  $  82,171 

43,502 

  30,661 

  12,683 

789 

  44,133 

88,220 

106,549 

51,134 

130,637 

— 

  86,794 

  1,442 

  88,236 

— 

  106,551 

— 

  106,551 

— 

  48,215 

  2,872 

  51,087 

— 

  22,293 

 108,059 

  130,352 

495 

— 

495 

— 

495 

$ 

188,257  $ 

—  $ 188,639  $  —  $ 188,639 

53,467 

— 

  53,486 

— 

  53,486 

8,506 

6,889 

— 

— 

8,506 

6,800 

— 

92 

8,506 

6,892 

195,035 

128,166 

Commitment
Amount

— 

  195,035 

— 

  195,035 

— 

  133,563 

10 

  133,573 

Lending commitments3

$ 

119,004  $ 

—  $ 

748  $ 

338  $  1,086 

1. Accrued  interest  and  dividend  receivables  and  payables  have  been  excluded. 

Carrying value approximates fair value for these receivables and payables.

2. Amounts include loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. 
3. Represents Lending commitments accounted for as Held for Investment and Held 

for Sale. For a further discussion on lending commitments, see Note 15.

The previous tables exclude certain financial instruments such 
as equity method investments and all non-financial assets and 
liabilities such as the value of the long-term relationships with 
the Firm’s deposit customers. 

6. Fair Value Option 

The Firm has elected the fair value option for certain eligible 
instruments  that  are  risk  managed  on  a  fair  value  basis  to 
mitigate  income  statement  volatility  caused  by  measurement 
basis  differences  between  the  elected  instruments  and  their 
associated  risk  management  transactions  or  to  eliminate 
complexities of applying certain accounting models. 

Borrowings Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis 

$ in millions

At
December 31, 2020

At
December 31, 2019

Business Unit Responsible for Risk Management

Equity

Interest rates

Commodities

Credit

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

$ 

33,952  $ 

31,222   

5,078   

1,344   

2,105   

73,701  $ 

30,214 

27,298 

4,501 

1,246 

1,202 

64,461 

Net Revenues from Borrowings under the Fair Value Option 

$ in millions

Trading revenues

Interest expense
Net revenues1

2020

2019

2018

$  (5,135)  $  (6,932)  $  2,679 

341   

375   

321 

$  (5,476)  $  (7,307)  $  2,358 

1. Amounts do not reflect any gains or losses from related economic hedges. 

Gains  (losses)  from  changes  in  fair  value  are  recorded  in 
Trading revenues and are mainly attributable to movements in 
the reference price or index, interest rates or foreign exchange 
rates. 

Gains (Losses) Due to Changes in Instrument-Specific Credit 
Risk 

$ in millions

2020
Loans and other debt1

Lending commitments

Deposits

Borrowings

2019
Loans and other debt1

Lending commitments

Deposits

Borrowings

2018
Loans and other debt1

Lending commitments

Deposits

Borrowings

Other

$ in millions

Trading
Revenues

OCI

$ 

$ 

$ 

(116)  $ 

(3)   

—   

(26)   

223  $ 

(2)   

—   

(11)   

165  $ 

(3)   

—   

(24)   

(32)   

— 

— 

(19) 

(1,340) 

— 

— 

(30) 

(2,140) 

— 

— 

9 

1,962 

32 

At
December 31, 2020

At
December 31, 2019

Cumulative pre-tax DVA gain (loss) 
recognized in AOCI

$ 

(3,357)  $ 

(1,998) 

1. Loans and other debt instrument-specific credit gains (losses) were determined by 

excluding the non-credit components of gains and losses. 

Difference between Contractual Principal and Fair Value1 

$ in millions
Loans and other debt2
Nonaccrual loans2 

Borrowings3

At
December 31, 2020

At
December 31, 2019

$ 

14,042  $ 

11,551   

(3,773)   

13,037 

10,849 

(1,665) 

1. Amounts indicate contractual principal greater than or (less than) fair value. 
2. The  majority  of  the  difference  between  principal  and  fair  value  amounts  for  loans 
and  other  debt  relates  to  distressed  debt  positions  purchased  at  amounts  well 
below par. 

3. Excludes borrowings where the repayment of the initial principal amount fluctuates 

based on changes in a reference price or index. 

tables  exclude  non-recourse  debt 

The  previous 
from 
consolidated  VIEs,  liabilities  related  to  transfers  of  financial 
financings,  pledged 
collateralized 
assets 
commodities  and  other  liabilities  that  have  specified  assets 
attributable to them. 

treated 

as 

Fair Value Loans on Nonaccrual Status

$ in millions

Nonaccrual loans

Nonaccrual loans 90 or more 

days past due

At
December 31, 2020

At
December 31, 2019

$ 

$ 

1,407  $ 

239  $ 

1,100 

330 

109

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7.  Derivative 
Activities 

Instruments 

and  Hedging 

The Firm trades and makes markets globally in listed futures, 
OTC  swaps, 
forwards,  options  and  other  derivatives 
referencing,  among  other  things,  interest  rates,  equities, 
investment  grade  and  non-investment  grade 
currencies, 
corporate  credits,  loans,  bonds,  U.S.  and  other  sovereign 
securities,  emerging  market  bonds  and  loans,  credit  indices, 
ABS  indices,  property  indices,  mortgage-related  and  other 
ABS,  and  real  estate  loan  products.  The  Firm  uses  these 
instruments  for  market-making,  foreign  currency  exposure 
management, and asset/liability management.

The Firm manages its market-making positions by employing 
a variety of risk mitigation strategies. These strategies include 
diversification  of  risk  exposures  and  hedging.  Hedging 
activities consist of the purchase or sale of positions in related 
securities  and  financial  instruments,  including  a  variety  of 
derivative  products  (e.g.,  futures,  forwards,  swaps  and 
options).  The  Firm  manages  the  market  risk  associated  with 
its  market-making  activities  on  a  Firmwide  basis,  on  a 
worldwide trading division level and on an individual product 
basis.

Fair Values of Derivative Contracts
At December 31, 2020 

$ in millions

Assets

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

946  $ 

2  $ 

—  $ 

948 

5   

951   

2   

4   

—   

—   

7 

955 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Credit

Foreign exchange

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

  221,895    10,343   

300    232,538 

5,343    2,198   

—   

7,541 

  92,334    1,639   

79    94,052 

  34,278   

  11,095   

—   

—   

34,166    68,444 

3,554    14,649 

  364,945    14,180   

38,099    417,224 

Total gross derivatives

$ 365,896  $ 14,184  $  38,099  $ 418,179 

Amounts offset

Counterparty netting

Cash collateral netting

  (276,682)   (11,601)   

(35,260)    (323,543) 

  (54,921)    (1,865)   

—    (56,786) 

Total in Trading assets

$  34,293  $  718  $ 

2,839  $  37,850 

Amounts not offset1
Financial instruments collateral

Other cash collateral

Net amounts

  (13,319)   

(391)   

—   

—   

—    (13,319) 

—   

(391) 

$  20,583  $  718  $ 

2,839  $  24,140 

Net amounts for which master netting or collateral agreements

are not in place or may not be legally enforceable

$  3,743 

$ in millions

Liabilities

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

—  $ 

19  $ 

—  $ 

291   

99   

291   

118   

—   

—   

19 

390 

409 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Credit

  210,015    7,965   

639    218,619 

5,293    2,859   

—   

8,152 

Foreign exchange

  92,975    1,500   

43    94,518 

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

  49,943   

8,831   

—   

—   

36,585    86,528 

3,359    12,190 

  367,057    12,324   

40,626    420,007 

Total gross derivatives

$ 367,348  $ 12,442  $  40,626  $ 420,416 

Amounts offset

Counterparty netting

Cash collateral netting

  (276,682)   (11,601)   

(35,260)    (323,543) 

  (51,112)   

(823)   

—    (51,935) 

Total in Trading liabilities

$  39,554  $ 

18  $ 

5,366  $  44,938 

Amounts not offset1
Financial instruments collateral

Other cash collateral

Net amounts

  (10,598)   

(62)   

—   

(3)   

(1,520)    (12,118) 

—   

(65) 

$  28,894  $ 

15  $ 

3,846  $  32,755 

Net amounts for which master netting or collateral agreements 

are not in place or may not be legally enforceable

$  6,746 

December 2020 Form 10-K

110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2019 

Notionals of Derivative Contracts

Assets

At December 31, 2020

$ in millions

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

673  $  —  $ 

—  $ 

673 

41   

714   

1   

1   

—   

—   

42 

715 

Not designated as accounting hedges

$ in billions

Assets

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

6  $  123  $ 

—  $ 

129 

2   

8   

—   

123   

—   

—   

2 

131 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Credit

Foreign exchange

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

  179,450    4,839   

519    184,808 

4,895    2,417   

—   

7,312 

  62,957    1,399   

22    64,378 

Interest rate

Credit

  27,621   

9,306   

—   

—   

23,447    51,068 

Foreign exchange

1,952    11,258 

Equity

  284,229    8,655   

25,940    318,824 

Commodity and other

Total gross derivatives

$ 284,943  $  8,656  $  25,940  $ 319,539 

Total

3,847    6,946   

409    11,202 

140   

88   

3,046   

103   

444   

107   

—   

—   

—   

10   

367   

68   

228 

3,159 

811 

175 

7,584    7,137   

854    15,575 

Total gross derivatives

$  7,592  $  7,260  $ 

854  $  15,706 

$ in billions

Liabilities

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

—  $ 

80  $ 

—  $ 

11   

11   

3   

83   

—   

—   

80 

14 

94 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Credit

Foreign exchange

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

4,000    6,915   

511    11,426 

143   

98   

3,180   

102   

474   

93   

—   

—   

—   

11   

241 

3,293 

591   

1,065 

68   

161 

7,890    7,115   

1,181    16,186 

Total gross derivatives

$  7,901  $  7,198  $ 

1,181  $  16,280 

Amounts offset

Counterparty netting

Cash collateral netting

  (213,710)    (7,294)   

(24,037)    (245,041) 

  (41,222)    (1,275)   

—    (42,497) 

Total in Trading assets

$  30,011  $ 

87  $ 

1,903  $  32,001 

Amounts not offset1
Financial instruments collateral

Other cash collateral

Net amounts

  (15,596)   

(46)   

—   

—   

—    (15,596) 

—   

(46) 

$  14,369  $ 

87  $ 

1,903  $  16,359 

Net amounts for which master netting or collateral agreements 

are not in place or may not be legally enforceable

$  1,900 

$ in millions

Liabilities

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

1  $  —  $ 

—  $ 

121   

122   

38   

38   

—   

—   

1 

159 

160 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Credit

  168,597    3,597   

436    172,630 

4,798    3,123   

—   

7,921 

Foreign exchange

  65,965    1,492   

39    67,496 

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

  30,135   

7,713   

—   

—   

22,733    52,868 

1,911   

9,624 

  277,208    8,212   

25,119    310,539 

Total gross derivatives

$ 277,330  $  8,250  $  25,119  $ 310,699 

Amounts offset

Counterparty netting

Cash collateral netting

  (213,710)    (7,294)   

(24,037)    (245,041) 

  (36,392)   

(832)   

—    (37,224) 

Total in Trading liabilities

$  27,228  $  124  $ 

1,082  $  28,434 

Amounts not offset1
Financial instruments collateral

Other cash collateral

Net amounts

(7,747)   

(14)   

—   

—   

(287)   

(8,034) 

—   

(14) 

$  19,467  $  124  $ 

795  $  20,386 

Net amounts for which master netting or collateral agreements 

are not in place or may not be legally enforceable

$  3,680 

1. Amounts relate to master netting agreements and collateral agreements that have 
been  determined  by  the  Firm  to  be  legally  enforceable  in  the  event  of  default  but 
where  certain  other  criteria  are  not  met  in  accordance  with  applicable  offsetting 
accounting guidance.

See Note 5 for information related to the unsettled fair value 
of  futures  contracts  not  designated  as  accounting  hedges, 
which are excluded from the previous tables.

111

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2019 

Fair Value Hedges—Hedged Items

$ in billions

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

$ in millions

Investment securities—AFS

Assets

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

Designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

14  $ 

94  $ 

—  $ 

108 

2   

16   

—   

94   

—   

—   

2 

110 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Interest rate

Credit

Foreign exchange

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

4,230    7,398   

732    12,360 

136   

2,667   

429   

99   

79   

91   

—   

—   

—   

10   

419   

61   

215 

2,768 

848 

160 

7,561    7,568   

1,222    16,351 

Total gross derivatives

$  7,577  $  7,662  $ 

1,222  $  16,461 

$ in billions

Liabilities

Bilateral
OTC

Cleared
OTC

Exchange-
Traded

Total

Amortized cost basis currently or previously 

hedged

$ 
Basis adjustments included in amortized cost1 $ 
Deposits

Carrying amount currently or previously 

hedged

Basis adjustments included in carrying 

amount1
Borrowings

Carrying amount currently or previously 

hedged

Basis adjustments included in carrying 

amount—Outstanding hedges

Basis adjustments included in carrying 

amount—Terminated hedges

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

16,288  $ 

(39)  $ 

917 

14 

15,059  $ 

5,435 

93  $ 

(7) 

114,349  $ 

102,456 

6,575  $ 

2,593 

(756)  $ 

— 

1. Hedge accounting basis adjustments are primarily related to outstanding hedges.

Designated as accounting hedges

Derivatives with Credit Risk-Related Contingencies

Interest rate

Foreign exchange

Total

$ 

—  $ 

71  $ 

—  $ 

9   

9   

2   

73   

—   

—   

71 

11 

82 

Not designated as accounting hedges

Net Derivative Liabilities and Collateral Posted

Interest rate

Credit

Foreign exchange

Equity

Commodity and other

Total

4,185    6,866   

666    11,717 

$ in millions

153   

2,841   

455   

85   

84   

91   

—   

—   

—   

14   

515   

61   

237 

2,946 

970 

146 

7,719    7,041   

1,256    16,016 

Net derivative liabilities with credit risk-

related contingent features

Collateral posted

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

30,421  $ 

23,842   

21,620 

17,392 

The previous table presents the aggregate fair value of certain 
derivative contracts that contain credit risk-related contingent 
features that are in a net liability position for which the Firm 
has posted collateral in the normal course of business.

Incremental  Collateral  and  Termination  Payments  upon 
Potential Future Ratings Downgrade

$ in millions

One-notch downgrade

Two-notch downgrade

Bilateral downgrade agreements included in the amounts 

above1

At
December 31, 
2020

$ 

$ 

316 

134 

352 

1. Amount represents arrangements between the Firm and other parties where upon 
the  downgrade  of  one  party,  the  downgraded  party  must  deliver  collateral  to  the 
other  party.  These  bilateral  downgrade  arrangements  are  used  by  the  Firm  to 
manage the risk of counterparty downgrades.

The additional collateral or termination payments that may be 
called in the event of a future credit rating downgrade vary by 
contract  and  can  be  based  on  ratings  by  either  or  both  of 
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and S&P Global Ratings. The 
previous  table  shows  the  future  potential  collateral  amounts 
and termination payments that could be called or required by 
counterparties  or  exchange  and  clearing  organizations  in  the 
event  of  one-notch  or  two-notch  downgrade  scenarios  based 
on the relevant contractual downgrade triggers.

Total gross derivatives

$  7,728  $  7,114  $ 

1,256  $  16,098 

its  exposure. 

The  Firm  believes  that  the  notional  amounts  of  derivative 
In  most 
contracts  generally  overstate 
circumstances, notional amounts are used only as a reference 
point  from  which  to  calculate  amounts  owed  between  the 
parties to the contract. Furthermore, notional amounts do not 
reflect the benefit of legally enforceable netting arrangements 
or risk mitigating transactions.

Gains (Losses) on Accounting Hedges

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Fair value hedges—Recognized in Interest income

Interest rate contracts

Investment Securities—AFS

$ 

75  $ 

(33)   

(10)  $ 
10   

(4) 

4 

Fair value hedges—Recognized in Interest expense

Interest rate contracts
Deposits1

Borrowings

$  4,678  $  4,212  $  (1,529) 

(100)   

7   

— 

(4,692)   

(4,288)   

1,511 

Net investment hedges—Foreign exchange contracts

Recognized in OCI

$ 

(366)  $ 

14  $ 

295 

Forward points excluded from hedge 

effectiveness testing—Recognized in 
Interest income

16   

136   

68 

1. The  Firm  began  designating  interest  rate  swaps  as  fair  value  hedges  of  certain 

Deposits in the fourth quarter of 2019.

December 2020 Form 10-K

112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Maximum  Potential  Payout/Notional  of  Credit  Protection 
Sold1

Protection Purchased with CDS

Years to Maturity at December 31, 2020

< 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

Non-investment grade

7   

10   

17   

2   

$ 

9  $ 

19  $ 

32  $ 

9  $ 

$ 

16  $ 

29  $ 

49  $ 

11  $  105 

Total

$ in billions

Single name

Index and basket

Tranched index and basket

$ in billions

Single-name CDS

Investment grade

Total

Index and basket CDS

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

6   

9   

29   

14   

$ 

2  $ 

5  $ 

39  $ 

14  $ 

Total

Total CDS sold

Other credit contracts

$ 

$ 

8  $ 

14  $ 

68  $ 

28  $  118 

24  $ 

43  $  117  $ 

39  $  223 

—   

—   

—   

—   

— 

$ in millions

Single name

Index and basket

Total credit protection sold

$ 

24  $ 

43  $  117  $ 

39  $  223 

Tranched index and basket

CDS protection sold with identical protection purchased

$  196 

Total

Notional

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

116  $ 

116   

14   

246  $ 

118 

103 

15 

236 

Fair Value Asset (Liability)

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

(1,452)  $ 

(57)   

(329)   

$ 

(1,838)  $ 

(723) 

(1,139) 

(450) 

(2,312) 

69 

36 

60 

58 

75 

35 

68 

38 

Years to Maturity at December 31, 2019

< 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

$ in billions

Single-name CDS

Investment grade

Total

Index and basket CDS

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

9   

9   

16   

1   

$ 

16  $ 

17  $ 

33  $ 

9  $ 

$ 

25  $ 

26  $ 

49  $ 

10  $  110 

$ 

4  $ 

7  $ 

46  $ 

11  $ 

Non-investment grade

7   

4   

17   

10   

Total

Total CDS sold

Other credit contracts

$ 

$ 

11  $ 

11  $ 

63  $ 

21  $  106 

36  $ 

37  $  112  $ 

31  $  216 

—   

—   

—   

—   

— 

Total credit protection sold

$ 

36  $ 

37  $  112  $ 

31  $  216 

CDS protection sold with identical protection purchased

$  187 

Fair Value Asset (Liability) of Credit Protection Sold1

$ in millions

Single-name CDS

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

Total

Index and basket CDS

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

Total

Total CDS sold

Other credit contracts

Total credit protection sold

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

1,230  $ 

1,057 

(22)   

1,208  $ 

843  $ 

(824)   

19  $ 

1,227  $ 

(4)   

1,223  $ 

(540) 

517 

1,052 

134 

1,186 

1,703 

(17) 

1,686 

1. Investment  grade/non-investment  grade  determination  is  based  on  the  internal 
credit  rating  of  the  reference  obligation.  Internal  credit  ratings  serve  as  the  Credit 
Risk  Management  Department’s  assessment  of  credit  risk  and  the  basis  for  a 
comprehensive  credit  limits  framework  used  to  control  credit  risk.  The  Firm  uses 
quantitative models and judgment to estimate the various risk parameters related to 
each obligor.

The  Firm  enters  into  credit  derivatives,  principally  CDS, 
under which it receives or provides protection against the risk 
of  default  on  a  set  of  debt  obligations  issued  by  a  specified 
reference  entity  or  entities.  A  majority  of  the  Firm’s 
counterparties for these derivatives are banks, broker-dealers, 
and insurance and other financial institutions.

The  fair  value  amounts  as  shown  in  the  previous  tables  are 
prior to cash collateral or counterparty netting.

to 

its  exposure 

The purchase of credit protection does not represent the sole 
manner in which the Firm risk manages its exposure to credit 
derivatives.  The  Firm  manages 
these 
derivative  contracts  through  a  variety  of  risk  mitigation 
strategies, which include managing the credit and correlation 
risk  across  single-name,  non-tranched  indices  and  baskets, 
tranched  indices  and  baskets,  and  cash  positions.  Aggregate 
market risk limits have been established for credit derivatives, 
and  market  risk  measures  are  routinely  monitored  against 
these  limits.  The  Firm  may  also  recover  amounts  on  the 
underlying  reference  obligation  delivered  to  the  Firm  under 
CDS where credit protection was sold.

Single-Name  CDS.        A  CDS  protects  the  buyer  against  the 
loss of principal on a bond or loan in case of a default by the 
issuer.  The  protection  buyer  pays  a  periodic  premium 
(generally  quarterly)  over  the  life  of  the  contract  and  is 
protected for the period. The Firm, in turn, performs under a 
CDS  if  a  credit  event  as  defined  under  the  contract  occurs. 
Typical  credit  events  include  bankruptcy,  dissolution  or 
insolvency  of  the  referenced  entity,  failure  to  pay  and 
restructuring of the obligations of the referenced entity.

Index and Basket CDS.    Index and basket CDS are products 
where  credit  protection  is  provided  on  a  portfolio  of  single-
name CDS. Generally, in the event of a default on one of the 
underlying names, the Firm pays a pro rata portion of the total 
notional amount of the CDS.

The  Firm  also  enters  into  tranched  index  and  basket  CDS 
where credit protection is provided on a particular portion of 
the portfolio loss distribution. The most junior tranches cover 

113

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2019

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Amortized
Cost

$ in millions

AFS securities

U.S. government and agency securities:

U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. agency securities2

Total U.S. government and

agency securities

Corporate and other debt:

Agency CMBS

Corporate bonds

State and municipal 

securities 

FFELP student loan ABS3

Total corporate and other 

debt

Total AFS securities

HTM securities

$  32,465  $ 

224  $ 

111  $ 32,578 

20,725   

249   

100    20,874 

53,190   

473   

211    53,452 

4,810   

1,891   

481   

1,580   

55   

17   

22   

1   

57    4,808 

1    1,907 

—   

503 

28    1,553 

8,762   

61,952   

95   

568   

86    8,771 

297    62,223 

U.S. government and agency securities:

U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. agency securities2

Total U.S. government and

agency securities

Corporate and other debt:

Non-agency CMBS

Total HTM securities

Total investment 

securities

30,145   

12,589   

568   

151   

52    30,661 

57    12,683 

42,734   

719   

109    43,344 

768   

43,502   

22   

741   

1   

789 

110    44,133 

$  105,454  $ 

1,309  $ 

407  $ 106,356 

1. Amounts are net of any ACL.
2. U.S.  agency  securities  consist  mainly  of  agency-issued  debt,  agency  mortgage 

pass-through pool securities and CMOs.

3. Underlying loans are backed by a guarantee, ultimately from the U.S. Department 

of Education, of at least 95% of the principal balance and interest outstanding.

In  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  the  Firm  transferred  certain 
municipal  securities  from  Trading  assets  into  AFS  securities 
as a result of a change in intent due to the severe deterioration 
in  liquidity  for  these  instruments.  These  securities  had  a  fair 
value of $441 million at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

initial  defaults,  and  once  losses  exceed  the  notional  of  the 
tranche, they are passed on to the next most senior tranche in 
the capital structure.

Other Credit Contracts.    The Firm has invested in CLNs and 
CDOs,  which  are  hybrid  instruments  containing  embedded 
derivatives,  in  which  credit  protection  has  been  sold  to  the 
issuer  of  the  note.  If  there  is  a  credit  event  of  a  reference 
entity underlying the instrument, the principal balance of the 
note may not be repaid in full to the Firm.

8. Investment Securities 

AFS and HTM Securities

At December 31, 2020

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Amortized
Cost1

$ in millions

AFS securities

U.S. government and agency securities:

U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. agency securities2

Total U.S. government and 

agency securities

Corporate and other debt:

Agency CMBS

Corporate bonds

State and municipal 

securities

FFELP student loan ABS3

Other ABS

Total corporate and other 

debt

$  45,345  $ 

1,010  $ 

—  $  46,355 

37,389   

762   

25    38,126 

82,734   

1,772   

25    84,481 

19,982   

1,694   

1,461   

1,735   

449   

465   

42   

103   

7   

—   

25,321   

617   

9    20,438 

—   

1,736 

1   

1,563 

26   

1,716 

—   

449 

36    25,902 

61    110,383 

Total AFS securities

  108,055   

2,389   

HTM securities

U.S. government and agency securities:

U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. agency securities2

Total U.S. government and

agency securities

Corporate and other debt:

Agency CMBS

Non-agency CMBS

Total Corporate and other 

debt

Total HTM securities

Total investment 

securities

29,346   

1,893   

—    31,239 

38,951   

704   

8    39,647 

68,297   

2,597   

8    70,886 

2,632   

842   

3,474   

4   

58   

62   

2   

2,634 

—   

900 

2   

3,534 

71,771   

2,659   

10    74,420 

$  179,826  $ 

5,048  $ 

71  $ 184,803 

December 2020 Form 10-K

114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Investment Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position

$ in millions

At December 31,
2020

At December 31,
2019

Fair 
Value

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fair 
Value

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

U.S. government and agency securities:

U.S. Treasury securities

Less than12 months

$ 

151  $ 

—  $  4,793  $ 

12 months or longer

Total

U.S. agency securities

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

—   

151   

—   

7,904   

—    12,697   

5,808   

1,168   

6,976   

22   

2,641   

3   

7,697   

25    10,338   

Total U.S. government and agency securities:

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

Corporate and other debt:

Agency CMBS

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

Corporate bonds

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

State and municipal securities

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

FFELP student loan ABS

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

Total Corporate and other debt:

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

Total

5,959   

1,168   

7,127   

2,779   

46   

2,825   

—   

31   

31   

86   

36   

122   

—   

1,077   

1,077   

2,865   

1,190   

4,055   

22   

7,434   

3    15,601   

25    23,035   

9   

2,294   

—   

681   

9   

2,975   

—   

—   

—   

—   

1   

1   

—   

26   

26   

194   

44   

238   

—   

—   

—   

91   

1,165   

1,256   

9   

2,579   

27   

36   

1,890   

4,469   

28 

83 

111 

20 

80 

100 

48 

163 

211 

26 

31 

57 

1 

— 

1 

— 

— 

— 

— 

28 

28 

27 

59 

86 

Total AFS securities in an unrealized loss position

Less than12 months

12 months or longer

8,824   

2,358   

31    10,013   

30    17,491   

Total

$  11,182  $ 

61  $  27,504  $ 

75 

222 

297 

For AFS securities, the Firm believes there are no securities in 
an  unrealized  loss  position  that  have  credit  losses  after 
performing the analysis described in Note 2. Additionally, the 
Firm does not intend to sell the securities and is not likely to 
be  required  to  sell  the  securities  prior  to  recovery  of  the 
amortized  cost  basis.  Furthermore,  the  securities  have  not 
they  are  predominantly 
experienced  credit 
investment  grade  and  the  Firm  expects  to  recover  the 
amortized cost basis.

losses  as 

As  of  December  31,  2020,  the  HTM  securities  net  carrying 
amount reflects an ACL of $26 million related to Non-agency 
CMBS. See Note 2 for a description of the ACL methodology 
used  beginning  in  2020  following  the  Firm’s  adoption  of 
CECL and prior period credit loss considerations. There were 
no  HTM  securities  in  an  unrealized  loss  position  as  of 
that  were  other-than-temporarily 
December  31,  2019 

impaired. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 
Non-Agency  CMBS  HTM  securities  were  predominantly  on 
accrual status and investment grade.

See Note 16 for additional information on securities issued by 
VIEs, including U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, non-
agency CMBS, FFELP student loan ABS and other ABS.

Investment Securities by Contractual Maturity

At December 31, 2020

Amortized
Cost1

Fair
Value

Annualized
Average
Yield

$ in millions

AFS securities

U.S. government and agency 

securities:

U.S. Treasury securities:

Due within 1 year

$ 

14,813  $ 

14,888 

After 1 year through 5 years

25,630   

26,401 

After 5 years through 10 years

4,902   

5,066 

Total

U.S. agency securities:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

45,345   

46,355 

6   

173   

6 

177 

After 5 years through 10 years

1,247   

1,283 

After 10 years

Total

35,963   

36,660 

37,389   

38,126 

 1.1 %

 1.4 %

 1.2 %

 1.4 %

 1.5 %

 1.7 %

 1.5 %

82,734   

84,481 

 1.4 %

Total U.S. government and agency 

securities

Corporate and other debt:

Agency CMBS:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

95   

96 

1,385   

1,400 

After 5 years through 10 years

14,123   

14,544 

After 10 years

Total

Corporate bonds:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

After 5 years through 10 years

After 10 years

Total

State and municipal securities:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

After 5 years through 10 years

After 10 years

Total

FFELP student loan ABS:

After 1 year through 5 years

After 5 years through 10 years

After 10 years

Total

Other ABS:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

Total

4,379   

4,398 

19,982   

20,438 

286   

289 

1,193   

1,224 

204   

11   

212 

11 

1,694   

1,736 

3   

28   

87   

1,343   

1,461   

90   

239   

1,406   

1,735   

3   

446   

449   

3 

29 

91 

1,440 

1,563 

86 

228 

1,402 

1,716 

3 

446 

449 

Total corporate and other debt

Total AFS securities

25,321   

25,902 

108,055   

110,383 

 1.2 %

 1.0 %

 1.4 %

 1.3 %

 2.4 %

 2.6 %

 2.6 %

 1.7 %

 1.8 %

 1.7 %

 2.4 %

 2.7 %

 0.8 %

 0.9 %

 1.2 %

 0.3 %

 0.4 %

 1.5 %

 1.4 %

115

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

HTM securities

At December 31, 2020

Amortized
Cost1

Fair
Value

Annualized
Average
Yield

U.S. government and agency securities:

U.S. Treasury securities:

Due within 1 year

$ 

3,146  $ 

3,174 

After 1 year through 5 years

17,302   

18,111 

After 5 years through 10 years

After 10 years

Total

U.S. agency securities:

7,816   

1,082   

8,655 

1,299 

29,346   

31,239 

After 5 years through 10 years

604   

623 

After 10 years

Total

38,347   

39,024 

38,951   

39,647 

 2.3 %

 1.9 %

 2.2 %

 2.5 %

 2.0 %

 1.6 %

68,297   

70,886 

 1.8 %

Total U.S. government and agency 

securities

Corporate and other debt:

Agency CMBS:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

After 5 years through 10 years

After 10 years

Total

Non-agency CMBS:

Due within 1 year

After 1 year through 5 years

After 5 years through 10 years

After 10 years

Total

21   

1,215   

1,164   

232   

21 

1,215 

1,167 

231 

2,632   

2,634 

153   

35   

618   

36   

842   

153 

35 

671 

41 

900 

 2.4 %

 1.4 %

 1.3 %

 1.6 %

 1.3 %

 4.5 %

 3.2 %

 3.8 %

 4.4 %

 3.9 %

 2.0 %

 1.8 %

 1.6 %

Total corporate and other debt

Total HTM securities

3,474   

3,534 

71,771   

74,420 

Total investment securities

$  179,826  $  184,803 

1. Amounts are net of any ACL.

The risk related to a decline in the market value of collateral 
pledged or received is managed by setting appropriate market-
based  margin  requirements.  Increases  in  collateral  margin 
calls  on  secured  financing  due  to  market  value  declines  may 
be  mitigated  by  increases  in  collateral  margin  calls  on 
securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities 
transactions  with  similar  quality  collateral. 
borrowed 
Additionally,  the  Firm  may  request  lower  quality  collateral 
pledged  be  replaced  with  higher  quality  collateral  through 
collateral substitution rights in the underlying agreements.

The Firm actively manages its secured financings in a manner 
that  reduces 
the  potential  refinancing  risk  of  secured 
financings of less liquid assets and also considers the quality 
of  collateral  when  negotiating  collateral  eligibility  with 
term  secured 
counterparties.  The  Firm  utilizes  shorter 
financing  for  highly  liquid  assets  and  has  established  longer 
tenor limits for less liquid assets, for which funding may be at 
risk in the event of a market disruption. 

Offsetting of Certain Collateralized Transactions

At December 31, 2020

Gross
Amounts

Amounts
Offset

Balance 
Sheet Net 
Amounts

Amounts
Not Offset1

Net
Amounts

$ 264,140  $ (147,906)  $  116,234  $ (114,108)  $  2,126 

  124,921   

(12,530)    112,391    (107,434)   

4,957 

$ 198,493  $ (147,906)  $  50,587  $  (43,960)  $  6,627 

$ in millions

Assets

Securities 

purchased under 
agreements to 
resell

Securities 
borrowed

Liabilities

Securities sold 

under 
agreements to 
repurchase

Gross Realized Gains (Losses) on Sales of AFS Securities

Securities loaned

  20,261   

(12,530)   

7,731   

(7,430)   

301 

Net amounts for which master netting agreements are not in place or may 

$ in millions

Gross realized gains

Gross realized (losses)

Total1

2020

2019

2018

$ 

168  $ 

113  $ 

(31)   

(10)   

$ 

137  $ 

103  $ 

12 

(4) 

8 

not be legally enforceable

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

Securities borrowed

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Securities loaned

$  1,870 

596 

6,282 

128 

1. Realized  gains  and  losses  are  recognized  in  Other  revenues  in  the  income 

statements.

9. Collateralized Transactions 

The Firm enters into securities purchased under agreements to 
resell,  securities  sold  under  agreements 
to  repurchase, 
securities  borrowed  and  securities  loaned  transactions  to, 
among other things, acquire securities to cover short positions 
and  settle  other  securities  obligations,  to  accommodate 
customers’ needs and to finance its inventory positions. 

The Firm monitors the fair value of the underlying securities 
as compared with the related receivable or payable, including 
accrued  interest,  and,  as  necessary,  requests  additional 
collateral,  as  provided  under  the  applicable  agreement  to 
ensure  such  transactions  are  adequately  collateralized,  or  the 
return of excess collateral.

December 2020 Form 10-K

116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2019

Gross
Amounts

Amounts
Offset

Balance 
Sheet Net 
Amounts

Amounts
Not Offset1

Net
Amounts

$ 247,545  $ (159,321)  $  88,224  $  (85,200)  $  3,024 

  109,528   

(2,979)    106,549    (101,850)   

4,699 

$ 213,519  $ (159,319)  $  54,200  $  (44,549)  $  9,651 

$ in millions

Assets

Securities 

purchased under 
agreements to 
resell

Securities 
borrowed

Liabilities

Securities sold 

under 
agreements to 
repurchase

Securities loaned

  11,487   

(2,981)   

8,506   

(8,324)   

182 

Net amounts for which master netting agreements are not in place or may 

Gross  Secured  Financing  Balances  by  Class  of  Collateral 
Pledged

$ in millions

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

$ 

94,662  $ 

68,895 

State and municipal securities

Other sovereign government obligations

ABS

Corporate and other debt

Corporate equities

Other

Total

Securities loaned

505   

905 

71,140   

109,414 

1,230   

5,287   

2,218 

6,066 

24,692   

25,563 

977   

458 

198,493  $ 

213,519 

3,430  $ 

16,536   

295   

3,026 

8,422 

39 

20,261  $ 

11,487 

218,754  $ 

225,006 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

not be legally enforceable

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

Securities borrowed

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Securities loaned

$  2,255 

1,181 

8,033 

101 

Other sovereign government obligations

Corporate equities

Other

Total

Total included in the offsetting disclosure

1. Amounts  relate  to  master  netting  agreements  that  have  been  determined  by  the 
Firm to be legally enforceable in the event of default but where certain other criteria 
are not met in accordance with applicable offsetting accounting guidance.

For  information  related  to  offsetting  of  derivatives,  see  Note 
7.

Trading liabilities—Obligation to return securities received as collateral

Corporate equities

Other

Total

Total

$ 

$ 

$ 

16,365  $ 

23,873 

24   

4 

16,389  $ 

23,877 

235,143  $ 

248,883 

Gross  Secured  Financing  Balances  by  Remaining 
Contractual Maturity

Carrying  Value  of  Assets  Loaned  or  Pledged  without 
Counterparty Right to Sell or Repledge

$ in millions

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

Securities loaned

Total included in the 
offsetting disclosure

Trading liabilities—

Obligation to return 
securities received 
as collateral

Total

$ in millions

Securities sold under 

agreements to 
repurchase

Securities loaned

Total included in the

offsetting disclosure

Trading liabilities—

Obligation to return 
securities received as 
collateral

Total

At December 31, 2020

Overnight
and Open

Less than
30 Days

30-90
Days

Over
90 Days

Total

$  84,349  $  60,853  $ 26,221  $ 27,070  $ 198,493 

  15,267   

247   

—    4,747    20,261 

$  99,616  $  61,100  $ 26,221  $ 31,817  $ 218,754 

  16,389   

—   

—   

—    16,389 

$ 116,005  $  61,100  $ 26,221  $ 31,817  $ 235,143 

At December 31, 2019

Overnight
and Open

Less than
30 Days

30-90
Days

Over
90 Days

Total

$ in millions

Trading assets

Loans, before ACL

Total

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

30,954  $ 

41,201 

—   

750 

30,954  $ 

41,951 

The  Firm  pledges  certain  of  its  trading  assets  and  loans  to 
collateralize  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase, 
securities loaned, other secured financings and derivatives and 
to cover customer short sales. Counterparties may or may not 
have the right to sell or repledge the collateral.

Pledged financial instruments that can be sold or repledged by 
the secured party are identified as Trading assets (pledged to 
various parties) in the balance sheets.

$  67,158  $  81,300  $ 26,904  $ 38,157  $ 213,519 

2,378   

3,286   

516    5,307    11,487 

Fair  Value  of  Collateral  Received  with  Right  to  Sell  or 
Repledge

$  69,536  $  84,586  $ 27,420  $ 43,464  $ 225,006 

  23,877   

—   

—   

—    23,877 

$ in millions

Collateral received with right to sell

or repledge

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

724,818  $ 

679,280 

$  93,413  $  84,586  $ 27,420  $ 43,464  $ 248,883 

Collateral that was sold or repledged1

523,648   

539,412 

1. Does  not  include  securities  used  to  meet  federal  regulations  for  the  Firm’s  U.S. 

broker-dealers.

The  Firm  receives  collateral  in  the  form  of  securities  in 
connection  with  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to 
resell, 
securities-for-securities 
transactions,  derivative  transactions,  customer  margin  loans 
and  securities-based  lending.  In  many  cases,  the  Firm  is 

borrowed, 

securities 

117

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

permitted to sell or repledge this collateral to secure securities 
sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase,  to  enter  into  securities 
to 
lending  and  derivative 
counterparties to cover short positions.

transactions  or  for  delivery 

Securities Segregated for Regulatory Purposes 

$ in millions
Segregated securities1

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

34,106  $ 

25,061 

1. Securities  segregated  under  federal  regulations  for  the  Firm’s  U.S.  broker-dealers 
are  sourced  from  Securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell  and  Trading 
assets in the balance sheets.

Concentration Based on the Firm’s Total Assets

U.S. government and agency securities 

and other sovereign government 
obligations

Trading assets1
Off balance sheet—Collateral received2

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

 10 %

 12 %

 10 %

 12 %

1. Other sovereign government obligations included in Trading assets primarily consist 
of obligations of the U.K., Japan and Brazil at December 31, 2020, and obligations 
of the U.K., Japan and Australia at December 31, 2019.

2. Collateral received is primarily related to Securities purchased under agreements to 

resell and Securities borrowed.

The  Firm  is  subject  to  concentration  risk  by  holding  large 
positions in certain types of securities, loans or commitments 
to  purchase  securities  of  a  single  issuer,  including  sovereign 
governments and other entities, issuers located in a particular 
country  or  geographic  area,  public  and  private  issuers 
involving  developing  countries  or  issuers  engaged  in  a 
particular industry.

Positions taken and underwriting and financing commitments, 
including  those  made  in  connection  with  the  Firm’s  private 
equity,  principal  investment  and  lending  activities,  often 
involve  substantial  amounts  and  significant  exposure  to 
individual issuers and businesses, including investment grade 
and non-investment grade issuers.

Customer Margin and Other Lending

$ in millions

Margin and other lending

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

74,714  $ 

31,916 

The  Firm  provides  margin  lending  arrangements  that  allow 
customers to borrow against the value of qualifying securities. 
Receivables under margin lending arrangements are included 
within  Customer  and  other  receivables  in  the  balance  sheets. 
Under  these  agreements  and  transactions,  the  Firm  receives 
collateral,  which  includes  U.S.  government  and  agency 
securities,  other  sovereign  government  obligations,  corporate 
and  other  debt,  and  corporate  equities.  Margin  loans  are 
collateralized by customer-owned securities held by the Firm. 
The  Firm  monitors  required  margin  levels  and  established 
credit  terms  daily  and,  pursuant  to  such  guidelines,  requires 

December 2020 Form 10-K

118

customers to deposit additional collateral, or reduce positions, 
when necessary.

Margin  loans  are  extended  on  a  demand  basis  and  generally 
are not committed facilities. Factors considered in the review 
of  margin  loans  are  the  amount  of  the  loan,  the  intended 
purpose,  the  degree  of  leverage  being  employed  in  the 
account  and  the  amount  of  collateral,  as  well  as  an  overall 
evaluation of the portfolio to ensure proper diversification or, 
in the case of concentrated positions, appropriate liquidity of 
the  underlying  collateral  or  potential  hedging  strategies  to 
reduce  risk.  Underlying  collateral  for  margin  loans  is 
reviewed  with  respect  to  the  liquidity  of  the  proposed 
collateral  positions,  valuation  of  securities,  historic  trading 
range,  volatility  analysis  and  an  evaluation  of  industry 
concentrations.  For  these  transactions,  adherence  to  the 
Firm’s  collateral  policies  significantly 
its  credit 
exposure  in  the  event  of  a  customer  default.  The  Firm  may 
request  additional  margin  collateral  from  customers,  if 
appropriate,  and,  if  necessary,  may  sell  securities  that  have 
not been paid for or purchase securities sold but not delivered 
from customers.

limits 

Also  included  in  the  amounts  in  the  previous  table  is  non-
purpose  securities-based  lending  on  non-bank  entities  in  the 
Wealth Management business segment.

Other Secured Financings

Other  secured  financings  include  the  liabilities  related  to 
transfers  of  financial  assets  that  are  accounted  for  as 
financings  rather  than  sales,  consolidated  VIEs  where  the 
Firm  is  deemed  to  be  the  primary  beneficiary,  and  certain 
ELNs  and  other  secured  borrowings.  These  liabilities  are 
generally  payable  from  the  cash  flows  of  the  related  assets, 
which are accounted for as Trading assets (see Notes 14 and 
16).

10.  Loans,  Lending  Commitments  and  Related 
Allowance for Credit Losses 

The  Firm’s  held-for-investment  and  held-for-sale 
portfolios consist of the following types of loans:

loan 

• Corporate.    Corporate  includes  revolving  lines  of  credit, 
term loans and bridge loans made to corporate entities for a 
variety of purposes.

• Secured 

lending 

lending  facilities 
facilities.    Secured 
include  loans  provided  to  clients,  which  are  collateralized 
by various assets, including residential and commercial real 
estate mortgage loans, corporate loans and other assets.

• Residential  Real  Estate.    Residential  real  estate  loans 

mainly include non-conforming loans and HELOC.

• Securities-based  lending  and  Other. 

• Commercial  Real  Estate.    Commercial  real  estate  loans 
include owner-occupied loans and income-producing loans.
  Securities-based 
lending  includes  loans  which  allow  clients  to  borrow 
money  against  the  value  of  qualifying  securities  for  any 
suitable purpose other than purchasing, trading, or carrying 

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

securities or refinancing margin debt. The majority of these 
loans  are  structured  as  revolving  lines  of  credit.  Other 
primarily  includes  certain  loans  originated  in  the  tailored 
lending  business  within  the  Wealth  Management  business 
segment.

Loans by Type1

$ in millions

Corporate

Secured lending facilities

Commercial real estate

Residential real estate

Securities-based lending 

and Other loans

Total loans, before ACL

ACL

Total loans, net

Fixed rate loans, net

At December 31, 2020

Loans Held
for Investment

Loans Held
for Sale

Total Loans

$ 

6,046  $ 

8,580  $ 

14,626 

25,727   

7,346   

35,268   

3,296   

29,023 

822   

8,168 

48   

35,316 

64,232   

67   

64,299 

138,619   

12,813   

151,432 

(835) 

(835) 

$ 

137,784  $ 

12,813  $ 

150,597 

Floating or adjustable rate loans, net

Loans to non-U.S. borrowers, net

$ 

32,796 

117,801 

21,081 

For  Commercial  real  estate  loans,  the  credit  evaluation  is 
focused  on  property  and  transaction  metrics,  including 
property type, LTV ratio, occupancy levels, debt service ratio, 
prevailing capitalization rates and market dynamics.

For  Residential  real  estate  and  Securities-based  loans,  the 
initial  credit  evaluation  typically  includes,  but  is  not  limited 
to,  review  of  the  obligor’s  income,  net  worth,  liquidity, 
collateral,  LTV 
information. 
Subsequent credit monitoring for residential real estate loans 
is  performed  at  the  portfolio  level.  Securities-based  loan 
collateral values are monitored on an ongoing basis.

ratio  and  credit  bureau 

For information related to credit quality indicators considered 
in developing the ACL, see Note 2.

Loans  Held  for  Investment  before  Allowance  by  Origination 
Year

At December 31, 2020

Corporate

$ in millions

Investment Grade

Non-Investment Grade

Total

Revolving

$ 

1,138  $ 

3,231  $ 

4,369 

$ in millions

Corporate

Secured lending facilities

Commercial real estate

Residential real estate

Securities-based lending 

and Other loans

Total loans, gross

At December 31, 2019

Loans Held
for Investment

Loans Held
for Sale

Total Loans

$ 

5,426  $ 

6,192  $ 

11,618 

24,502   

7,859   

30,184   

4,200   

28,702 

2,049   

9,908 

13   

30,197 

50,438   

123   

50,561 

118,409   

12,577   

130,986 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Prior

Total

585   

204   

195   

—   

115   

132   

80   

202   

—   

64   

—   

100   

665 

406 

195 

64 

115 

232 

$ 

2,369  $ 

3,677  $ 

6,046 

At December 31, 2020

Secured lending facilities

Allowance for credit losses

(349)   

—   

(349) 

$ 

118,060  $ 

12,577  $ 

130,637 

Total loans, net

Fixed rate loans, net

Floating or adjustable rate loans, net

Loans to non-U.S. borrowers, net

$ 

22,716 

107,921 

21,617 

1. Loans  previously  classified  as  corporate  have  been  further  disaggregated;  prior 

period balances have been revised to conform with current period presentation

See  Note  5  for  further  information  regarding  Loans  and 
lending  commitments  held  at  fair  value.  See  Note  15  for 
details of current commitments to lend in the future.

Credit Quality

least  annually 

CRM  evaluates  new  obligors  before  credit  transactions  are 
initially  approved  and  at 
thereafter  for 
corporate  and  commercial  real  estate  loans.  For  Corporate, 
Secured lending facilities and Other loans, credit evaluations 
typically  involve  the  evaluation  of  financial  statements, 
assessment  of  leverage,  liquidity,  capital  strength,  asset 
composition  and  quality,  market  capitalization  and  access  to 
capital  markets,  cash  flow  projections  and  debt  service 
requirements,  and  the  adequacy  of  collateral,  if  applicable. 
CRM  also  evaluates  strategy,  market  position,  industry 
dynamics, obligor’s management and other factors that could 
affect an obligor’s risk profile. 

$ in millions

Investment Grade

Non-Investment Grade

Total

Revolving

$ 

4,711  $ 

14,510  $ 

19,221 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Prior

Total

162   

260   

614   

245   

—   

—   

253   

1,904   

1,432   

581   

654   

401   

415 

2,164 

2,046 

826 

654 

401 

$ 

5,992  $ 

19,735  $ 

25,727 

At December 31, 2020

Commercial real estate

$ in millions

Investment Grade

Non-Investment Grade

Total

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Prior

Total

$ 

95  $ 

1,074   

746   

412   

100   

—   

943  $ 

1,848   

774   

387   

594   

373   

1,038 

2,922 

1,520 

799 

694 

373 

$ 

2,427  $ 

4,919  $ 

7,346 

119

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2020

Residential real estate

by FICO Scores

by LTV Ratio

$ in millions

≥ 740

680-739

≤ 679

≤ 80%

> 80%

Total

Revolving

$ 

85  $ 

32  $ 

5  $ 

122  $  —  $ 

122 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Prior

Total

8,948   

1,824    149 

  10,338   

5,592   

1,265    168 

2,320   

2,721   

604   

690   

75 

89 

3,324   

884    118 

4,465   

1,626    284 

6,584   

2,756   

3,251   

4,035   

5,684   

583 

441 

243 

249 

291 

691 

10,921 

7,025 

2,999 

3,500 

4,326 

6,375 

$ 27,455  $  6,925  $  888  $  32,770  $  2,498  $  35,268 

Securities-
based 
lending1

$ in millions

At December 31, 2020
Other2

Investment 
Grade

Non-Investment 
Grade

Total

Troubled Debt Restructurings

$ in millions

Loans, before ACL

Lending commitments

Allowance for loan losses and lending 

commitments

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

167  $ 

27   

36   

92 

32 

16 

Troubled  debt  restructurings  typically  include  modifications 
of interest rates, collateral requirements, other loan covenants 
and  payment  extensions.  See  Note  2  for  further  information 
on  TDR  guidance  issued  by  Congress  in  the  CARES  Act  as 
well as by the U.S. banking agencies.

Allowance for Credit Losses Rollforward—Loans 

Secured 
lending 
facilities

CRE

Residential 
real estate

SBL 
and 
Other

Total

Revolving

$ 

51,667  $ 

4,816  $ 

555  $ 

57,038 

$ in millions

Corporate 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Prior

Total

—   

18   

232   

—   

—   

16   

$ 

51,933  $ 

1,073   

1,156   

407   

654   

566   

1,066   

9,738  $ 

590   

623   

403   

122   

111   

157   

1,663 

1,797 

1,042 

776 

677 

1,239 

2,561  $ 

64,232 

1.  Securities-based  loans  are  subject  to  collateral  maintenance  provisions,  and  at 
December  31,  2020,  these  loans  are  predominantly  over-collateralized.  For  more 
information on the ACL methodology related to securities-based loans, see Note 2.
2. Other loans primarily include certain loans originated in the tailored lending business 

within the Wealth Management business segment.

Past  Due  Status  of  Loans  Held  for  Investment  before 
Allowance

$ in millions

Corporate

Secured lending facilities

Commercial real estate

Residential real estate

Securities-based lending and 

Other loans

At December 31, 2020
Past Due1

Total

Current

$ 

6,046  $ 

25,727   

7,346   

34,936   

—  $ 

—   

—   

332   

6,046 

25,727 

7,346 

35,268 

64,201   

31   

64,232 

Total

$ 

138,256  $ 

363  $ 

138,619 

1. The majority of the amounts are past due for a period of less than 60 days.

Nonaccrual Loans Held for Investment before Allowance

$ in millions
Corporate

Commercial real estate

Residential real estate

Securities-based lending and 

Other loans
Total1

Nonaccrual loans without an ACL

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

164  $ 

152   

97   

178   

591  $ 

90  $ 

299 

85 

94 

5 

483 

120 

December 31, 

2019

Effect of CECL 

adoption

Gross charge-

offs

Recoveries

Net                  
(charge-offs) 
recoveries

Provision 
(release)

Other

December 31, 

2020

$ 

115  $ 

101  $ 

75  $ 

25  $  33  $  349 

(2)   

(42)   

34   

21   

(2)   

9 

(39)   

4   

—   

—   

(64)   

—   

(1)   

(1)   

(105) 

—   

4   

8 

(35)   

—   

(64)   

(1)   

3   

(97) 

225   

136   

197   

14   

(13)    559 

6   

3   

(31)   

—   

37   

15 

$ 

309  $ 

198  $  211  $ 

59  $  58  $  835 

$ in millions

Corporate 

Secured 
lending 
facilities

CRE

Residential 
real estate

SBL 
and 
Other

Total

December 31, 

2018

Gross charge-

offs

Provision 
(release)

Other

December 31, 

2019

$ 

62  $ 

60  $ 

67  $ 

20  $  29  $  238 

—   

—   

—   

(2)    —   

(2) 

59   

(6)   

42   

(1)   

8   

—   

7   

4    120 

—    —   

(7) 

$ 

115  $ 

101  $ 

75  $ 

25  $  33  $  349 

$ in millions

Corporate 

Secured 
lending 
facilities

CRE

Residential 
real estate

SBL 
and 
Other

Total

December 31, 

2017

Gross charge-

offs

Recoveries

Net    

(charge-offs) 
recoveries

Provision 
(release)1

Other

December 31, 

2018

$ 

63  $ 

41  $ 

70  $ 

24  $  26  $  224 

(1)   

54   

—   

—   

—   

—   

(1)   

(4)   

(6) 

—    —   

54 

53   

—   

—   

(1)   

(4)   

48 

(53)   

(1)   

20   

(1)   

5   

(8)   

(3)   

7   

(24) 

—    —   

(10) 

$ 

62  $ 

60  $ 

67  $ 

20  $  29  $  238 

1. Includes all HFI loans that are 90 days or more past due.

related loan charged off in 2017.

1. During  2018,  the  release  was  primarily  due  to  the  recovery  of  an  energy  industry 

December 2020 Form 10-K

120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Allowance for Credit Losses Rollforward—Lending 
Commitments

Employee Loans

$ in millions

Corporate 

Secured 
lending 
facilities

CRE

Residential 
real estate

SBL 
and 
Other

Total

December 31, 

2019

Effect of CECL 

adoption

Provision 
(release)

Other

December 31, 

2020

$ 

201  $ 

27  $ 

7  $ 

—  $ 

6  $  241 

(41)   

(11)   

1   

2   

(1)   

(50) 

161   

2   

22   

—   

7   

(4)   

(1)   

14    203 

—   

4   

2 

$ 

323  $ 

38  $ 

11  $ 

1  $  23  $  396 

$ in millions

Corporate 

Secured 
lending 
facilities

CRE

Residential 
real estate

SBL 
and 
Other

Total

December 31, 

2018

Provision 
(release)

Other

December 31, 

2019

$ 

177  $ 

16  $ 

3  $ 

—  $ 

7  $  203 

27   

(3)   

11   

—   

4   

—   

—    —   

42 

—   

(1)   

(4) 

$ 

201  $ 

27  $ 

7  $ 

—  $ 

6  $  241 

$ in millions

Corporate 

Secured 
lending 
facilities

CRE

Residential 
real estate

SBL 
and 
Other

Total

December 31, 

2017

Provision 
(release)

Other

December 31, 

2018

$ 

177  $ 

12  $ 

3  $ 

—  $ 

6  $  198 

3   

(3)   

4   

—   

1   

(1)   

—   

1   

—    —   

9 

(4) 

$ 

177  $ 

16  $ 

3  $ 

—  $ 

7  $  203 

CRE—Commercial real estate
SBL—Securities-based lending

the 

Institutional  Securities  business 

The aggregate allowance for loans and lending commitments 
increased  in  2020,  reflecting  the  provision  for  credit  losses 
within 
segment 
principally  resulting  from  the  continued  economic  impact  of 
COVID-19, partially offset by charge-offs. The provision was 
primarily the result of actual and forecasted changes in asset 
quality  trends,  as  well  as  risks  related  to  uncertainty  in  the 
outlook  for  the  sectors  in  focus  due  to  COVID-19.  Charge-
offs in 2020 were primarily related to certain Commercial real 
estate  and  Corporate  loans  in  the  Institutional  Securities 
business segment. The base scenario used in our ACL models 
as of December 31, 2020 was generated using a combination 
of industry consensus economic forecasts, forward rates, and 
internally  developed  and  validated  models.  Given  the  nature 
of  our  lending  portfolio,  the  most  sensitive  model  input  is 
U.S. GDP. The base scenario, among other things, assumes a 
continued  recovery 
through  2021,  supported  by  fiscal 
stimulus and monetary policy measures. 

See Note 2 for a description of the ACL calculated under the 
CECL methodology, including credit quality indicators, used 
for  HFI  loans  beginning  in  2020  and  for  a  summary  of  the 
differences  compared  with  the  Firm’s  ACL  methodology 
under the prior incurred loss model. 

$ in millions
Currently employed by the Firm1
No longer employed by the Firm2

Employee loans
ACL3

Employee loans, net of ACL

Remaining repayment term, weighted 

average in years

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,100 

140 

3,240  $ 

(165)   

3,075  $ 

5.3

N/A

N/A

2,980 

(61) 

2,919 

4.8

1. These loans are predominantly current.
2. These loans are predominantly past due for a period of 90 days or more.
3. The change in ACL includes a $124 million increase due to the adoption of CECL in 

the first quarter of 2020.

Employee  loans  are  granted  in  conjunction  with  a  program 
established  primarily  to  recruit  certain  Wealth  Management 
representatives,  are  full  recourse  and  generally  require 
periodic repayments, and are due in full upon termination of 
employment  with  the  Firm.  These  loans  are  recorded  in 
Customer  and  other  receivables  in  the  balance  sheets.  The 
ACL  as  of  December  31,  2020  was  calculated  under  the 
CECL  methodology,  while  the  ACL  at  December  31,  2019 
was  calculated  under  the  prior  incurred  loss  model.  The 
related  provision  is  recorded  in  Compensation  and  benefits 
expense  in  the  income  statements.  See  Note  2  for  a 
description  of  the  CECL  allowance  methodology,  including 
credit quality indicators, for employee loans.

11. Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

Goodwill Rollforward

$ in millions

IS

WM

IM

Total

At December 31, 2018¹

$ 

274  $  5,533  $ 

881  $  6,688 

Foreign currency and other
Acquired2

(13)   

(1)   

—   

469   

—   

—   

(14) 

469 

At December 31, 2019¹

$ 

261  $  6,001  $ 

881  $  7,143 

Foreign currency and other
Acquired3
At December 31, 20201
Accumulated impairments4

15   

7   

—   

22 

200    4,270   

—    4,470 

476  $ 10,278  $ 

881  $ 11,635 

673  $  —  $ 

27  $ 

700 

$ 

$ 

IS—Institutional Securities
WM—Wealth Management
IM—Investment Management
1. Balances  represent 

the  amount  of 

impairments.

the  Firm’s  goodwill  after  accumulated 

2. Amounts  reflect  the  impact  of  the  Firm's  acquisition  of  Solium  Capital  Inc.  in  the 

second quarter of 2019.

3. The  Wealth  Management  amount  reflects  the  impact  of  the  Firm's  acquisition  of 

E*TRADE in the fourth quarter of 2020.

4. Accumulated impairments were recorded prior to the periods shown. There were no 

impairments recorded in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

The  Firm's  annual  goodwill  impairment  testing  as  of  July  1, 
2020 and 2019 did not indicate any goodwill impairment, as 
reporting  units  with  goodwill  had  a  fair  value  that  was  in 
excess of carrying value.

121

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Net Amortizable Intangible Assets Rollforward

$ in millions

At December 31, 2018
Acquired1

Disposals

Amortization expense

Other

At December 31, 2019
Acquired2
Disposals

Amortization expense

Other

IS

WM

IM 

Total

$ 

270  $  1,828  $ 

60  $  2,158 

3   

270   

(29)   

—   

(35)   

(271)   

18   

1   

—   

—   

(8)   

—   

273 

(29) 

(314) 

19 

$ 

227  $  1,828  $ 

52  $  2,107 

14    3,309   

—    3,323 

(79)   

—   

(35)   

(330)   

—   

2   

—   

(8)   

—   

(79) 

(373) 

2 

At December 31, 2020

$ 

127  $  4,809  $ 

44  $  4,980 

1. Amounts principally reflect the impact of the Firm's acquisition of Solium Capital Inc. 

in the second quarter of 2019.

2. The  Wealth  Management  amount  principally  reflects  the  impact  of  the  Firm's 

acquisition of E*TRADE in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Gross Amortizable Intangible Assets by Type

$ in millions

Tradenames

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

$ 

460  $ 

82  $ 

291  $ 

Customer relationships

7,420   

2,984   

4,321   

Management contracts

Other

Total

178   

187   

120   

79   

482   

217   

$  8,245  $ 

3,265  $  5,311  $ 

Estimated annual amortization expense for the next five years

$ 

71 

2,703 

327 

103 

3,204 

470 

12.  Other  Assets—Equity  Method  Investments 
and Leases 

Equity Method Investments 

$ in millions

Investments

$ in millions
Income (loss)1

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

2,410  $ 

2,363 

2020

2019

2018

$ 

—  $ 

(81)  $ 

20 

1. Includes  impairments  of  the  Investment  Management  business  segment’s  equity 
method investments as follows: $41 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 related to a 
third-party asset manager, and $46 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to a 
separate third-party asset manager.

Equity method investments, other than investments in certain 
fund  interests,  are  summarized  above  and  are  included  in 
Other assets in the balance sheets with related income or loss 
included  in  Other  revenues  in  the  income  statements.  See 
“Net  Asset  Value  Measurements—Fund  Interests”  in  Note  5 
for the carrying value of certain of the Firm’s fund interests, 
which  are  comprised  of  general  and  limited  partnership 
interests, as well as any related carried interest. 

Japanese Securities Joint Venture

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Income from investment in MUMSS

$ 

80  $ 

17  $ 

105 

The  Firm  and  Mitsubishi  UFJ  Financial  Group,  Inc. 
(“MUFG”)  formed  a  joint  venture  in  Japan  comprising  their 
respective  investment  banking  and  securities  businesses  by 

December 2020 Form 10-K

122

forming two joint venture companies, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan 
Stanley Securities Co., Ltd. (“MUMSS”) and Morgan Stanley 
MUFG Securities Co., Ltd. (“MSMS”) (the “Joint Venture”). 
The Firm owns a 40% economic interest in the Joint Venture, 
and MUFG owns the other 60%.

The  Firm’s  40%  voting  interest  in  MUMSS  is  accounted  for 
under  the  equity  method  within  the  Institutional  Securities 
business  segment  and  is  included  in  the  equity  method 
investment  balances  above.  The  Firm  consolidates  MSMS 
into the Institutional Securities business segment, based on its 
51% voting interest.

The  Firm  engages  in  transactions  in  the  ordinary  course  of 
business  with  MUFG  and 
its  affiliates;  for  example, 
investment  banking,  financial  advisory,  sales  and  trading, 
derivatives,  investment  management,  lending,  securitization 
and other financial services transactions. Such transactions are 
on  substantially  the  same  terms  as  those  that  would  be 
for  comparable 
available 
transactions. 

third  parties 

to  unrelated 

Leases

The  Firm’s  leases  are  principally  non-cancelable  operating 
real estate leases.

Balance Sheet Amounts Related to Leases

$ in millions

Other assets—ROU assets

Other liabilities and accrued expenses—

Lease liabilities

Weighted average:

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

4,419 

$ 

3,998 

5,327 

4,778 

Remaining lease term, in years

Discount rate

9.5

 3.2 %

9.7

 3.6 %

Lease Liabilities

$ in millions

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total undiscounted cash flows

Imputed interest

Amount on balance sheet

Committed leases not yet commenced

$ 

$ 

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

—  $ 

841   

793   

740   

639   

532   

2,685   

6,230   

(903)   

5,327  $ 

278  $ 

763 

703 

646 

593 

524 

439 

2,406 

6,074 

(1,296) 

4,778 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Lease Costs

$ in millions

Fixed costs
Variable costs1
Less: Sublease income

Total lease cost, net

14. Borrowings and Other Secured Financings

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

762  $ 

154   

(5)   

911  $ 

670 

152 

(6) 

816 

Maturities and Terms of Borrowings

$ in millions

Parent Company

Subsidiaries

Fixed 
Rate1

Variable 
Rate2

Fixed 
Rate1

Variable 
Rate2

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

Original maturities of one year or less:

1. Includes common area maintenance charges and other variable costs not included 

Next 12 months

$ 

—  $ 

1  $  —  $  3,690  $ 

3,691  $ 

2,567 

in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities.

Original maturities greater than one year:

Cash Flows Statement Supplemental Information

$ in millions

2020

2019

Cash outflows—Lease liabilities

$ 

765  $ 

Non-cash—ROU assets recorded for new 

and modified leases

991   

685 

514 

Rent Expense

$ in millions

Rent expense

Occupancy  lease  agreements,  in  addition  to  base  rentals, 
generally  provide  for  rent  and  operating  expense  escalations 
resulting from increased assessments for real estate taxes and 
other charges.

13. Deposits 

Deposits

$ in millions

Savings and demand deposits

Time deposits

Total

Deposits subject to FDIC insurance

Time deposits that equal or exceed the 

FDIC insurance limit

Time Deposit Maturities

$ in millions

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

2018

Total borrowings

$ 133,417  $ 26,406  $ 11,738  $ 45,518  $ 

217,079  $ 

192,627 

753 

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

$ 

—  $  —  $  —  $  —  $ 

—  $ 

20,402 

  14,341 

  3,329 

616 

  5,955 

6,909 

  9,703 

764 

  4,833 

  10,853 

  6,299 

123 

  5,615 

  14,096 

  2,013 

387 

  5,231 

  10,719 

617 

  1,547 

  5,753 

24,241 

22,209 

22,890 

21,727 

18,636 

  76,499 

  4,444 

  8,301 

  14,441 

103,685 

26,085 

19,888 

14,615 

21,106 

14,642 

73,322 

$ 133,417  $ 26,405  $ 11,738  $ 41,828  $ 

213,388  $ 

190,060 

Weighted average 
coupon at period 
end3

 3.3 %

 1.0 %

 0.9 %

N/M

 2.9 %

 3.4 %

1. Fixed rate borrowings include instruments with step-up, step-down and zero coupon 

features.

2. Variable  rate  borrowings  include  those  that  bear  interest  based  on  a  variety  of 
indices, including LIBOR, federal funds rates and SOFR, in addition to certain notes 
carried  at  fair  value  with  various  payment  provisions,  including  notes  linked  to  the 
performance  of  a  specific  index,  a  basket  of  stocks,  a  specific  equity  security,  a 
commodity, a credit exposure or basket of credit exposures. 

3. Only  includes  borrowings  with  original  maturities  greater  than  one  year.  Weighted 
average  coupon  is  calculated  utilizing  U.S.  and  non-U.S.  dollar  interest  rates  and 
excludes financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected. Virtually 
all  of  the  variable  rate  notes  issued  by  subsidiaries  are  carried  at  fair  value  so  a 
weighted average coupon is not meaningful.

Borrowings with Original Maturities Greater than One Year

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

279,221  $ 

149,465 

31,561   

40,891 

310,782  $ 

190,356 

234,211  $ 

149,966 

$ in millions

Senior

Subordinated

16  $ 

12 

Total

Weighted average stated maturity, in years

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

202,305  $ 

179,519 

11,083   

10,541 

213,388  $ 

190,060 

7.3

6.9

At
December 31, 
2020

$ 

18,477 

4,982 

4,094 

2,718 

778 

512 

$ 

31,561 

Certain senior debt securities are denominated in various non-
U.S.  dollar  currencies  and  may  be  structured  to  provide  a 
return  that  is  linked  to  equity,  credit,  commodity  or  other 
indices (e.g., the consumer price index). Senior debt also may 
be  structured  to  be  callable  by  the  Firm  or  extendible  at  the 
option of holders of the senior debt securities.

The Firm’s Borrowings include notes carried and managed on 
a fair value basis. These include instruments whose payments 
and  redemption  values  are  linked  to  the  performance  of  a 
specific index, a basket of stocks, a specific equity security, a 
commodity,  a  credit  exposure  or  basket  of  credit  exposures; 
and  instruments  with  various  interest-rate-related  features, 
including  step-ups,  step-downs  and  zero  coupons.  To 
minimize  the  exposure  from  such  instruments,  the  Firm  has 
entered  into  various  swap  contracts  and  purchased  options 
that effectively convert the borrowing costs into floating rates. 
The swaps and purchased options used to economically hedge 
the embedded features are derivatives and also are carried at 
fair  value.  Changes  in  fair  value  related  to  the  notes  and 
economic hedges are reported in Trading revenues. See Notes 

123

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 and 6 for further information on borrowings carried at fair 
value.

Maturities and Terms of Other Secured Financings1

At December 31, 2020

Fixed
Rate

Variable
Rate2

Total

At
December 31,
2019 

Senior Debt Subject to Put Options or Liquidity Obligations

$ in millions

$ in millions

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

Original maturities of one year or less:

Next 12 months

$ 

6,099  $  4,354 

$ 10,453 

$ 

7,103 

Original maturities greater than one year:

Put options embedded in debt agreements
Liquidity obligations1

$ 

$ 

94  $ 

1,483  $ 

290 

1,344 

1. Includes obligations to support secondary market trading.

Subordinated Debt

Contractual weighted average coupon

 4.5 %

 4.5 %

2020

2019

Subordinated  debt  generally  is  issued  to  meet  the  capital 
requirements  of  the  Firm  or  its  regulated  subsidiaries  and 
primarily 
is  U.S.  dollar  denominated.  Maturities  of 
subordinated debt range from 2022 to 2027. 

Rates  for  Borrowings  with  Original  Maturities  Greater  than 
One Year

Contractual weighted average coupon1

Effective weighted average coupon after swaps

At December 31,

2020

2019

2018

 2.9 %  3.4 %  3.5 %

 1.7 %  2.9 %  3.6 %

1. Weighted average coupon was calculated utilizing U.S. and non-U.S. dollar interest 
rates and excludes financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected.

In  general,  other  than  securities  inventories  and  customer 
balances financed by secured funding sources, the majority of 
the Firm’s assets are financed with a combination of deposits, 
short-term  funding,  floating  rate  long-term  debt  or  fixed  rate 
long-term  debt  swapped  to  a  floating  rate.  The  Firm  uses 
interest rate swaps to more closely match these borrowings to 
the duration, holding period and interest rate characteristics of 
the assets being funded and to manage interest rate risk. These 
swaps  effectively  convert  certain  of  the  Firm’s  fixed  rate 
borrowings into floating rate obligations. In addition, for non-
U.S.  dollar  currency  borrowings  that  are  not  used  to  fund 
assets  in  the  same  currency,  the  Firm  has  entered  into 
currency  swaps  that  effectively  convert  the  borrowings  into 
U.S. dollar obligations.

The  Firm’s  use  of  swaps  for  asset  and  liability  management 
affects its effective average borrowing rate.

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

Weighted average 

coupon at period-end3

$ 

—  $  — 

$  — 

$ 

1,270   

605   

191   

—   

38   

23   

385 

800 

88 

96 

— 

385 

  1,655 

  1,405 

279 

96 

38 

408 

$ 

2,127  $  1,754 

$  3,881 

$ 

1,663 

1,110 

227 

2,655 

12 

36 

777 

6,480 

N/M

 0.5 %

 0.6 %

 2.4 %

1. Excludes transfers of assets accounted for as secured financings. See subsequent 

table.

2. Variable  rate  other  secured  financings  bear  interest  based  on  a  variety  of  indices, 
including  LIBOR  and  federal  funds  rates.  Amounts  include  notes  carried  at  fair 
value  with  various  payment  provisions,  including  notes  linked  to  equity,  credit, 
commodity or other indices.

3. Includes  only  other  secured  financings  with  original  maturities  greater  than  one 
year.  Weighted  average  coupon  is  calculated  utilizing  U.S.  and  non-U.S.  dollar 
interest rates and excludes other secured financings that are linked to non-interest 
indices and for which the fair value option was elected.

Other  secured  financings  include  the  liabilities  related  to 
certain  ELNs,  transfers  of  financial  assets  that  are  accounted 
for  as  financings  rather  than  sales,  pledged  commodities, 
consolidated  VIEs  where  the  Firm  is  deemed  to  be  the 
primary  beneficiary  and  other  secured  borrowings.  These 
liabilities  are  generally  payable  from  the  cash  flows  of  the 
related assets accounted for as Trading assets. See Note 16 for 
further  information  on  other  secured  financings  related  to 
VIEs and securitization activities. 

Maturities  of  Transfers  of  Assets  Accounted  for  as  Secured 
Financings1

$ in millions

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

—  $ 

303   

159   

626   

14   

—   

427   

$ 

1,529  $ 

208 

225 

46 

334 

— 

— 

302 

1,115 

Other Secured Financings

1. Excludes Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Securities loaned.

$ in millions

Original maturities:

One year or less

Greater than one year

Total

Transfers of assets accounted for as 

secured financings

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

10,453  $ 

5,410   

7,103 

7,595 

15,863  $ 

14,698 

1,529   

1,115 

For transfers of assets that fail to meet accounting criteria for 
a sale, the Firm continues to record the assets and recognizes 
the associated liabilities in the balance sheets. 

December 2020 Form 10-K

124

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

15. Commitments, Guarantees and 
Contingencies 

Commitments

$ in millions

Lending:

Corporate

Secured lending 

facilities

Commercial and 
Residential real 
estate

Securities-based 
lending and 
Other

Forward-starting 

secured financing 
receivables

Central 

counterparty1

Underwriting

$  15,362  $  37,720  $  39,886  $  5,896  $  98,864 

5,574   

4,790   

1,399   

271    12,034 

432   

244   

88   

244   

1,008 

  12,178   

3,063   

225   

483    15,949 

  57,164   

—   

—   

—    57,164 

Investment activities  
Letters of credit and 

other financial 
guarantees

300   

3,037   

—   

—   

804   

215   

—   

—   

73   

9,286   

9,586 

—   

3,037 

316   

1,408 

174   

1   

—   

3   

178 

Total

$  95,025  $  46,033  $  41,671  $  16,499  $ 199,228 

Lending commitments participated to third parties

Forward-starting secured financing receivables settled within three 

business days

$  9,035 

$  54,542 

1. Beginning 

in  2020,  commitments 

to  central  counterparties  are  presented 
separately;  these  commitments  were  previously  included  in  Corporate  Lending 
commitments and Forward-starting secured financing receivables depending on the 
type of agreement. 

Central  Counterparty.    These  commitments  relate  to  the 
Firm’s  membership 
in  certain  clearinghouses  and  are 
contingent  upon  the  default  of  a  clearinghouse  member  or 
other stress events.

Years to Maturity at December 31, 2020

Less 
than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

Underwriting Commitments.  The Firm provides underwriting 
commitments in connection with its capital raising sources to 
a diverse group of corporate and other institutional clients.

Investment  Activities.    The  Firm  sponsors  several  non-
consolidated  investment  management  funds  for  third-party 
investors  where  it  typically  acts  as  general  partner  of,  and 
investment  advisor  to,  these  funds  and  typically  commits  to 
invest  a  minority  of  the  capital  of  such  funds,  with 
subscribing  third-party  investors  contributing  the  majority. 
The  Firm  has  contractual  capital  commitments,  guarantees 
and  counterparty  arrangements  with 
these 
investment management funds.

respect 

to 

third-party  banks 

Letters of Credit and Other Financial Guarantees.  The Firm 
has outstanding letters of credit and other financial guarantees 
issued  by 
the  Firm’s 
counterparties. The Firm is contingently liable for these letters 
of  credit  and  other  financial  guarantees,  which  are  primarily 
used  to  provide  collateral  for  securities  and  commodities 
traded  and  to  satisfy  various  margin  requirements  in  lieu  of 
depositing cash or securities with these counterparties.

to  certain  of 

Since  commitments  associated  with  these  instruments  may 
expire  unused,  the  amounts  shown  do  not  necessarily  reflect 
the actual future cash funding requirements.

Types of Commitments

Lending  Commitments.    Lending  commitments  primarily 
represent the notional amount of legally binding obligations to 
provide  funding  to  clients  for  different  types  of  loan 
transactions.  For  syndications  that  are  led  by  the  Firm,  the 
lending  commitments  accepted  by  the  borrower  but  not  yet 
closed are net of the amounts agreed to by counterparties that 
will  participate  in  the  syndication.  For  syndications  that  the 
Firm participates in and does not lead, lending commitments 
accepted by the borrower but not yet closed include only the 
amount that the Firm expects it will be allocated from the lead 
syndicate  bank.  Due  to  the  nature  of  the  Firm’s  obligations 
under  the  commitments,  these  amounts  include  certain 
commitments participated to third parties.

Forward-Starting  Secured  Financing  Receivables.    This 
amount  includes  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to 
resell  and  securities  borrowed  that  the  Firm  has  entered  into 
prior to the balance sheet date that will settle after the balance 
sheet  date.  These  transactions  are  primarily  secured  by 
collateral  from  U.S.  government  agency  securities  and  other 
sovereign government obligations when they are funded.

125

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Guarantees

Obligations  under  Guarantee  Arrangements at  December  31, 
2020

Maximum Potential Payout/Notional

Years to Maturity

Less
than 1

1-3

3-5

Over 5

Total

$ 

24,428  $  43,350  $  116,780  $  38,830  $  223,388 

— 

194 

— 

91 

285 

  1,308,747 

 1,010,126 

  337,949 

  805,802 

  3,462,624 

1,136 

1,395 

1,217 

3,676 

7,424 

87 

4,425 

— 

— 

150 

87 

25 

— 

— 

— 

120 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

112 

4,425 

24 

23,157 

23,181 

— 

66,556 

66,556 

32 

— 

118 

— 

420 

87 

$ in millions

Credit derivatives

Other credit contracts

Non-credit derivatives

Standby letters of credit 
and other financial 
guarantees issued1

Market value guarantees

Liquidity facilities

Whole loan sales 

guarantees

Securitization 

representations and 
warranties

General partner 
guarantees

Client clearing guarantees

$ in millions
Credit derivatives2

Carrying
Amount
Asset
(Liability)

$  1,227 

(4) 

  (65,640) 

111 

— 

5 

— 

(42) 

(70) 

— 

Other credit contracts
Non-credit derivatives2
Standby letters of credit and other financial guarantees issued1

Market value guarantees

Liquidity facilities

Whole loan sales guarantees
Securitization representations and warranties3

General partner guarantees

Client clearing guarantees

1. These amounts include certain issued standby letters of credit participated to third 
parties, totaling $0.6 billion of notional and collateral/recourse, due to the nature of 
the  Firm’s  obligations  under  these  arrangements.  As  of  December  31,  2020,  the 
carrying  amount  of  standby  letters  of  credit  and  other  financial  guarantees  issued 
includes an allowance for credit losses of $81 million.

2. The carrying amounts of derivative contracts that meet the accounting definition of 
a  guarantee  are  shown  on  a  gross  basis.  For  further  information  on  derivatives 
contracts, see Note 7. 

3. Primarily related to residential mortgage securitizations.

Types of Guarantees

Derivative  Contracts.  Certain  derivative  contracts  meet  the 
accounting definition of a guarantee, including certain written 
options,  contingent  forward  contracts  and  CDS  (see  Note  7 
regarding credit derivatives in which the Firm has sold credit 
protection  to  the  counterparty).  All  derivative  contracts  that 
could  meet  this  accounting  definition  of  a  guarantee  are 
included in the previous table, with the notional amount used 
as  the  maximum  potential  payout  for  certain  derivative 
contracts, such as written interest rate caps and written foreign 
currency  options.  The  Firm  evaluates  collateral  requirements 
for all derivatives, including derivatives that do not meet the 
accounting  definition  of  a  guarantee.  For  the  effects  of  cash 
collateral and counterparty netting, see Note 7.

In  certain  situations,  collateral  may  be  held  by  the  Firm  for 
those  contracts  that  meet  the  definition  of  a  guarantee. 
requirements  by 
Generally, 

sets  collateral 

the  Firm 

December 2020 Form 10-K

126

counterparty so that the collateral covers various transactions 
and  products  and  is  not  allocated  specifically  to  individual 
contracts. Also, the Firm may recover amounts related to the 
underlying  asset  delivered  to  the  Firm  under  the  derivative 
contract.

Standby  Letters  of  Credit  and  Other  Financial  Guarantees 
Issued. In connection with its corporate lending business and 
other corporate activities, the Firm provides standby letters of 
credit  and  other  financial  guarantees  to  counterparties.  Such 
arrangements represent obligations to make payments to third 
parties if the counterparty fails to fulfill its obligation under a 
borrowing  arrangement  or  other  contractual  obligation.  A 
majority  of  the  Firm’s  standby  letters  of  credit  are  provided 
on  behalf  of  counterparties  that  are  investment  grade.  If  the 
counterparty fails to fulfill its contractual obligation, the Firm 
has access to collateral or recourse that would approximate its 
obligation.

Market Value Guarantees. Market value guarantees are issued 
to guarantee timely payment of a specified return to investors 
in  certain  affordable  housing 
tax  credit  funds.  These 
guarantees are designed to return an investor’s contribution to 
a  fund  and  the  investor’s  share  of  tax  losses  and  tax  credits 
expected to be generated by a fund.

Liquidity  Facilities.  The  Firm  has  entered  into  liquidity 
facilities  with  SPEs  and  other  counterparties,  whereby  the 
Firm is required to make certain payments if losses or defaults 
occur.  Primarily,  the  Firm  acts  as  liquidity  provider  to 
municipal  bond  securitization  SPEs  and  for  standalone 
municipal  bonds  in  which  the  holders  of  beneficial  interests 
issued  by  these  SPEs  or  the  holders  of  the  individual  bonds, 
respectively,  have  the  right  to  tender  their  interests  for 
purchase  by  the  Firm  on  specified  dates  at  a  specified  price. 
The  Firm  often  may  have  recourse  to  the  underlying  assets 
held  by  the  SPEs  in  the  event  payments  are  required  under 
such  liquidity  facilities,  as  well  as  make-whole  or  recourse 
provisions with the trust sponsors. The recourse amount often 
exceeds  the  maximum  potential  payout  amount  of  the 
guarantee.  Substantially  all  of  the  underlying  assets  in  the 
SPEs  are  investment  grade.  Liquidity  facilities  provided  to 
municipal 
trusts  are  classified  as 
derivatives.

tender  option  bond 

Whole  Loan  Sales  Guarantees.  The  Firm  has  provided,  or 
otherwise  agreed  to  be  responsible  for,  representations  and 
warranties  regarding  certain  whole  loan  sales.  Under  certain 
circumstances,  the  Firm  may  be  required  to  repurchase  such 
assets  or  make  other  payments  related  to  such  assets  if  such 
representations  and  warranties  are  breached.  The  Firm’s 
maximum potential payout related to such representations and 
warranties is equal to the current UPB of such loans. Since the 
Firm no longer services these loans, it has no information on 
the current UPB of those loans, and accordingly, the amount 
included in the previous table represents the UPB at the time 
of  the  whole  loan  sale  or  at  the  time  when  the  Firm  last 
serviced any of those loans. The current UPB balances could 
be  substantially  lower  than  the  maximum  potential  payout 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

amount  included  in  the  previous  table.  The  related  liability 
primarily  relates  to  sales  of  loans  to  the  federal  mortgage 
agencies.

assets 

business 

regarding 

transferred 

Institutional 

Securitization Representations and Warranties. As part of the 
Firm’s 
segment’s 
Securities 
securitizations and related activities, the Firm has provided, or 
otherwise  agreed  to  be  responsible  for,  representations  and 
warranties 
in 
certain 
securitization transactions sponsored by the Firm. The extent 
and nature of the representations and warranties, if any, vary 
among different securitizations. Under certain circumstances, 
the Firm may be required to repurchase certain assets or make 
other  payments  related  to  such  assets  if  such  representations 
and warranties are breached. The maximum potential amount 
of future payments the Firm could be required to make would 
be  equal  to  the  current  outstanding  balances  of,  or  losses 
associated  with,  the  assets  subject  to  breaches  of  such 
representations  and  warranties.  The  amount  included  in  the 
previous table for the maximum potential payout includes the 
current UPB or historical losses where known, and the UPB at 
the time of sale when the current UPB is not known.

General  Partner  Guarantees.  As  a  general  partner  in  certain 
investment  management  funds,  the  Firm  receives  certain 
distributions  from  the  partnerships  when  the  return  exceeds 
specified  performance  targets  according  to  the  provisions  of 
the  partnership  agreements.  The  Firm  may  be  required  to 
return  all  or  a  portion  of  such  distributions  to  the  limited 
partners  in  the  event  the  limited  partners  do  not  achieve  a 
certain  return  as  specified 
the  various  partnership 
agreements, subject to certain limitations.

in 

Client  Clearing  Guarantees.  In  2019,  the  Firm  became  a 
sponsoring member of the Government Securities Division of 
the FICC's Sponsored Clearing Model. Clients of the Firm, as 
sponsored  members,  can  transact  in  overnight  securities 
repurchase and resale agreements, which are cleared through 
the FICC. As sponsoring member, the Firm guarantees to the 
FICC  the  prompt  and  full  payment  and  performance  of  its 
clients’  obligations.  In  2020,  the  FICC’s  sponsored  clearing 
model  was  updated  such  that  the  Firm  could  be  responsible 
for  liquidation  of  a  sponsored  member’s  account  and 
guarantees  any  resulting  loss  to  the  FICC  in  the  event  the 
sponsored  member  fails  to  fully  pay  any  net  liquidation 
amount  due  from  the  sponsored  member  to  the  FICC. 
Accordingly,  the  Firm’s  maximum  potential  payout  amount 
reflects the total of the estimated net liquidation amounts for 
sponsored  member  accounts.  The  Firm  minimizes  credit 
exposure under this guarantee by obtaining a security interest 
in 
their 
contractual  rights  under  sponsored  member  transactions. 
Therefore,  the  Firm's  exposure  is  estimated  to  be  an  amount 
substantially  lower  than  the  maximum  potential  payout 
amount.  The  collateral  amount  in  which  the  Firm  has  a 
security  interest  is  approximately  equal  to  the  maximum 
potential payout amount of the guarantee.

its  sponsored  member  clients’  collateral  and 

Other Guarantees and Indemnities

In  the  normal  course  of  business,  the  Firm  provides 
guarantees  and  indemnifications  in  a  variety  of  transactions. 
These  provisions  generally  are  standard  contractual  terms. 
Certain  of 
indemnifications  are 
described below:

these  guarantees  and 

• Indemnities.  The  Firm  provides  standard  indemnities  to 
counterparties  for  certain  contingent  exposures  and  taxes, 
including  U.S.  and  foreign  withholding  taxes,  on  interest 
and  other  payments  made  on  derivatives,  securities  and 
stock  lending  transactions,  certain  annuity  products  and 
other  financial  arrangements.  These  indemnity  payments 
could  be  required  based  on  a  change  in  the  tax  laws,  a 
change  in  interpretation  of  applicable  tax  rulings  or  a 
change  in  factual  circumstances.  Certain  contracts  contain 
provisions that enable the Firm to terminate the agreement 
upon  the  occurrence  of  such  events.  The  maximum 
potential amount of future payments that the Firm could be 
required  to  make  under  these  indemnifications  cannot  be 
estimated.

• Exchange/Clearinghouse Member Guarantees. The Firm is 
a  member  of  various  exchanges  and  clearinghouses  that 
trade  and  clear  securities  and/or  derivative  contracts. 
Associated with its membership, the Firm may be required 
to  pay  a  certain  amount  as  determined  by  the  exchange  or 
the clearinghouse in case of a default of any of its members 
or pay a proportionate share of the financial obligations of 
another  member  that  may  default  on  its  obligations  to  the 
exchange  or  the  clearinghouse.  While  the  rules  governing 
different  exchange  or  clearinghouse  memberships  and  the 
forms  of  these  guarantees  may  vary,  in  general  the  Firm’s 
obligations  under  these  rules  would  arise  only  if  the 
exchange  or  clearinghouse  had  previously  exhausted  its 
resources.

In  addition,  some  clearinghouse  rules  require  members  to 
assume  a  proportionate  share  of  losses  resulting  from  the 
clearinghouse’s investment of guarantee fund contributions 
and  initial  margin,  and  of  other  losses  unrelated  to  the 
default  of  a  clearing  member,  if  such  losses  exceed  the 
specified  resources  allocated  for  such  purpose  by  the 
clearinghouse.

The maximum potential payout under these rules cannot be 
estimated.  The  Firm  has  not  recorded  any  contingent 
liability in its financial statements for these agreements and 
believes  that  any  potential  requirement  to  make  payments 
under these agreements is remote.

• Merger  and  Acquisition  Guarantees.  The  Firm  may,  from 
time  to  time,  in  its  role  as  investment  banking  advisor  be 
required  to  provide  guarantees  in  connection  with  certain 
European  merger  and  acquisition  transactions.  If  required 
by the regulating authorities, the Firm provides a guarantee 
that  the  acquirer  in  the  transaction  has  or  will  have 
sufficient funds to complete the transaction and would then 
be  required  to  make  the  acquisition  payments  in  the  event 

127

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

the acquirer’s funds are insufficient at the completion date 
of  the  transaction.  These  arrangements  generally  cover  the 
time frame from the transaction offer date to its closing date 
and, therefore, are generally short term in nature. The Firm 
believes  the  likelihood  of  any  payment  by  the  Firm  under 
these  arrangements  is  remote  given  the  level  of  its  due 
diligence in its role as investment banking advisor.

the  debt  and/or  certain 

In  addition,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  the  Firm 
guarantees 
trading  obligations 
(including  obligations  associated  with  derivatives,  foreign 
exchange  contracts  and 
settlement  of  physical 
the 
commodities)  of  certain  subsidiaries.  These  guarantees 
generally  are  entity  or  product  specific  and  are  required  by 
investors  or  trading  counterparties.  The  activities  of  the 
Firm’s  subsidiaries  covered  by  these  guarantees  (including 
any  related  debt  or  trading  obligations)  are  included  in  the 
financial statements.

Contingencies

Legal

In  addition  to  the  matters  described  in  the  following 
paragraphs,  in  the  normal  course  of  business,  the  Firm  has 
been named, from time to time, as a defendant in various legal 
actions, 
including  arbitrations,  class  actions  and  other 
litigation, arising in connection with its activities as a global 
diversified financial services institution. Certain of the actual 
or  threatened  legal  actions  include  claims  for  substantial 
compensatory  and/or  punitive  damages  or  claims  for 
indeterminate amounts of damages. In some cases, the entities 
that would otherwise be the primary defendants in such cases 
are  bankrupt  or  are  in  financial  distress.  These  actions  have 
included,  but  are  not  limited  to,  residential  mortgage  and 
credit crisis-related matters.

the  Firm  has 

identified  below  any 

While 
individual 
proceedings  where  the  Firm  believes  a  material  loss  to  be 
reasonably possible and reasonably estimable, there can be no 
assurance that material losses will not be incurred from claims 
that have not yet been asserted or those where potential losses 
have not yet been determined to be probable or possible, and 
reasonably estimable.

The  Firm  contests  liability  and/or  the  amount  of  damages  as 
appropriate 
in  each  pending  matter.  Where  available 
information  indicates  that  it  is  probable  a  liability  had  been 
incurred  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements  and  the  Firm 
can  reasonably  estimate  the  amount  of  that  loss,  the  Firm 
accrues the estimated loss by a charge to income.

$ in millions

Legal expenses

2020

2019

2018

$ 

336  $ 

221  $ 

206 

The  Firm’s  legal  expenses  can,  and  may  in  the  future, 
fluctuate from period to period, given the current environment 
regarding  government  investigations  and  private  litigation 
affecting global financial services firms, including the Firm.

December 2020 Form 10-K

128

In  many  proceedings  and  investigations,  however,  it  is 
inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable 
or  even  possible  or  to  estimate  the  amount  of  any  loss.  In 
addition, even where a loss is possible or an exposure to loss 
exists in excess of the liability already accrued with respect to 
a  previously  recognized  loss  contingency,  it  is  not  always 
possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or 
range  of  loss,  particularly  for  proceedings  and  investigations 
where  the  factual  record  is  being  developed  or  contested  or 
where  plaintiffs  or  government  entities  seek  substantial  or 
indeterminate damages, restitution, disgorgement or penalties. 
Numerous  issues  may  need  to  be  resolved  before  a  loss  or 
additional  loss,  or  range  of  loss  or  additional  range  of  loss, 
can be reasonably estimated for a proceeding or investigation, 
lengthy  discovery  and 
including 
determination  of  important  factual  matters,  determination  of 
issues  related  to  class  certification  and  the  calculation  of 
damages or other relief, and by addressing novel or unsettled 
legal questions relevant to the proceedings or investigations in 
question.

through  potentially 

For  certain  other  legal  proceedings  and  investigations,  the 
Firm  can  estimate  reasonably  possible  losses,  additional 
losses, ranges of loss or ranges of additional loss in excess of 
amounts  accrued  but  does  not  believe,  based  on  current 
knowledge  and  after  consultation  with  counsel,  that  such 
losses  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Firm’s 
financial  statements  as  a  whole,  other  than  the  matters 
referred to in the following paragraphs.

On  July  15,  2010,  China  Development  Industrial  Bank 
(“CDIB”)  filed  a  complaint  against  the  Firm,  styled  China 
Development  Industrial  Bank  v.  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co. 
Incorporated et al., which is pending in the Supreme Court of 
the  State  of  New  York,  New  York  County  (“Supreme  Court 
of  NY”).  The  complaint  relates  to  a  $275  million  CDS 
referencing  the  super  senior  portion  of  the  STACK  2006-1 
CDO.  The  complaint  asserts  claims  for  common  law  fraud, 
fraudulent 
inducement  and  fraudulent  concealment  and 
alleges that the Firm misrepresented the risks of the STACK 
2006-1 CDO to CDIB, and that the Firm knew that the assets 
backing  the  CDO  were  of  poor  quality  when  it  entered  into 
the  CDS  with  CDIB.  The  complaint  seeks  compensatory 
damages related to the approximately $228 million that CDIB 
alleges  it  has  already  lost  under  the  CDS,  rescission  of 
CDIB’s obligation to pay an additional $12 million, punitive 
damages,  equitable  relief,  fees  and  costs.  On  February  28, 
2011,  the  court  denied  the  Firm’s  motion  to  dismiss  the 
complaint.  On  December  21,  2018,  the  court  denied  the 
Firm’s motion for summary judgment and granted in part the 
Firm’s motion for sanctions relating to spoliation of evidence. 
On  January  18,  2019,  CDIB  filed  a  motion  to  clarify  and 
resettle  the  portion  of  the  court’s  December  21,  2018  order 
granting  spoliation  sanctions.  On  January  24,  2019,  CDIB 
filed  a  notice  of  appeal  from  the  court’s  December  21,  2018 
order,  and  the  Firm  filed  a  notice  of  appeal  from  the  same 
order. On March 7, 2019, the court denied the relief sought by 
CDIB in its January 18, 2019 motion. On May 21, 2020, the 
Appellate  Division,  First  Department  (“First  Department”), 

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

modified the Supreme Court of NY’s order to deny the Firm’s 
motion  for  sanctions  relating  to  spoliation  of  evidence  and 
otherwise  affirmed  the  denial  of  the  Firm’s  motion  for 
summary  judgment.  On  June  19,  2020,  the  Firm  moved  for 
leave  to  appeal  the  First  Department’s  decision  to  the  New 
York Court of Appeals (“Court of Appeals”), which the First 
Department  denied  on  July  24,  2020.  Based  on  currently 
available information, the Firm believes it could incur a loss 
in  this  action  of  up  to  approximately  $240  million  plus  pre- 
and post-judgment interest, fees and costs.

On  September  23,  2014,  Financial  Guaranty  Insurance 
Company (“FGIC”) filed a complaint against the Firm in the 
Supreme  Court  of  NY  styled  Financial  Guaranty  Insurance 
Company v. Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. et al. relating 
to  the  Morgan  Stanley  ABS  Capital  I  Inc.  Trust  2007-NC4. 
The  complaint  asserts  claims  for  breach  of  contract  and 
fraudulent  inducement  and  alleges,  among  other  things,  that 
the  loans  in  the  trust  breached  various  representations  and 
warranties  and  defendants  made  untrue  statements  and 
material  omissions  to  induce  FGIC  to  issue  a  financial 
guaranty  policy  on  certain  classes  of  certificates  that  had  an 
original  balance  of  approximately  $876  million.  The 
complaint seeks, among other relief, specific performance of 
the  loan  breach  remedy  procedures  in  the  transaction 
documents,  compensatory,  consequential  and  punitive 
damages,  attorneys’  fees,  interest  and  costs.  On  January  23, 
2017,  the  court  denied  the  Firm’s  motion  to  dismiss  the 
complaint.  On  February  24,  2017,  the  Firm  filed  a  notice  of 
appeal of the denial of its motion to dismiss the complaint and 
perfected  its  appeal  on  November  22,  2017.  On  September 
13, 2018, the First Department affirmed in part and reversed 
in  part  the  lower  court’s  order  denying  the  Firm’s  motion  to 
dismiss  the  complaint.  On  December  20,  2018,  the  First 
Department  denied  plaintiff’s  motion  for  leave  to  appeal  to 
the  Court  of  Appeals  or,  in  the  alternative,  for  re-argument. 
Based  on  currently  available  information,  the  Firm  believes 
that it could incur a loss in this action of up to approximately 
$277  million,  the  total  original  unpaid  balance  of  the 
mortgage  loans  for  which  the  Firm  received  repurchase 
demands from a certificate holder and FGIC that the Firm did 
not repurchase, plus pre- and post- judgment interest, fees and 
costs, as well as claim payments that FGIC has made and will 
make in the future. In addition, plaintiff is seeking to expand 
the  number  of  loans  at  issue  and  the  possible  range  of  loss 
could increase.

On  January  23,  2015,  Deutsche  Bank  National  Trust 
Company, in its capacity as trustee, filed a complaint against 
the  Firm  styled  Deutsche  Bank  National  Trust  Company 
solely  in  its  capacity  as  Trustee  of  the  Morgan  Stanley  ABS 
Capital  I  Inc.  Trust  2007-NC4  v.  Morgan  Stanley  Mortgage 
Capital  Holdings  LLC  as  Successor-by-Merger  to  Morgan 
Stanley  Mortgage  Capital  Inc.,  and  Morgan  Stanley  ABS 
Capital  I  Inc.,  pending  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  NY.  The 
complaint  asserts  claims  for  breach  of  contract  and  alleges, 
among other things, that the loans in the trust, which had an 
original  principal  balance  of  approximately  $1.05  billion, 

consequential, 

compensatory, 

breached  various 
representations  and  warranties.  The 
complaint seeks, among other relief, specific performance of 
the  loan  breach  remedy  procedures  in  the  transaction 
documents, 
rescissory, 
equitable  and  punitive  damages,  attorneys’  fees,  costs  and 
other  related  expenses,  and  interest.  On  December  11,  2015, 
the court granted in part and denied in part the Firm’s motion 
to  dismiss  the  complaint.  On  October  19,  2018,  the  court 
granted the Firm’s motion for leave to amend its answer and 
to stay the case pending resolution of Deutsche Bank National 
Trust  Company’s  appeal  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  another 
case,  styled  Deutsche  Bank  National  Trust  Company  v. 
Barclays  Bank  PLC,  regarding  the  applicable  statute  of 
limitations.  On  January  17,  2019,  the  First  Department 
reversed the trial court’s order to the extent that it had granted 
in part the Firm’s motion to dismiss the complaint. On June 4, 
2019,  the  First  Department  granted  the  Firm’s  motion  for 
leave to appeal its January 17, 2019 decision to the Court of 
Appeals.  On  March  19,  2020,  the  Firm  filed  a  motion  for 
partial  summary  judgment.  Based  on  currently  available 
information, the Firm believes that it could incur a loss in this 
action of up to approximately $277 million, the total original 
unpaid  balance  of  the  mortgage  loans  for  which  the  Firm 
received  repurchase  demands  from  a  certificate  holder  and  a 
monoline  insurer  that  the  Firm  did  not  repurchase,  plus  pre- 
and  post-judgment  interest,  fees  and  costs,  but  plaintiff  is 
seeking  to  expand  the  number  of  loans  at  issue  and  the 
possible range of loss could increase.

Tax

In  matters  styled  Case  number  15/3637  and  Case  number 
15/4353,  the  Dutch  Tax  Authority  (“Dutch  Authority”)  is 
challenging in the Dutch courts, the prior set-off by the Firm 
of  approximately  €124  million  (approximately  $152  million) 
plus  accrued  interest  of  withholding  tax  credits  against  the 
Firm’s  corporation  tax  liabilities  for  the  tax  years  2007  to 
2013.  The  Dutch  Authority  alleges  that  the  Firm  was  not 
entitled  to  receive  the  withholding  tax  credits  on  the  basis, 
inter  alia,  that  a  Firm  subsidiary  did  not  hold  legal  title  to 
certain  securities  subject  to  withholding  tax  on  the  relevant 
dates.  The  Dutch  Authority  has  also  alleged  that  the  Firm 
failed  to  provide  certain  information  to  the  Dutch  Authority 
and keep adequate books and records. On April 26, 2018, the 
District Court in Amsterdam issued a decision dismissing the 
Dutch  Authority’s  claims  with  respect  to  certain  of  the  tax 
years  in  dispute.  On  May  12,  2020,  the  Court  of  Appeal  in 
Amsterdam  granted  the  Dutch  Authority’s  appeal  in  matters 
re-styled Case number 18/00318 and Case number 18/00319. 
On  June  22,  2020,  the  Firm  filed  an  appeal  against  the 
decision  of  the  Court  of  Appeal  in  Amsterdam  before  the 
Dutch High Court.

129

December 2020 Form 10-K

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16. Variable Interest Entities and Securitization 
Activities 

Overview

The Firm is involved with various SPEs in the normal course 
of  business.  In  most  cases,  these  entities  are  deemed  to  be 
VIEs.

The Firm’s variable interests in VIEs include debt and equity 
interests,  commitments,  guarantees,  derivative  instruments 
and  certain  fees.  The  Firm’s  involvement  with  VIEs  arises 
primarily from:

• Interests  purchased  in  connection  with  market-making 
activities,  securities  held  in  its  Investment  securities 
interests  held  as  a  result  of 
portfolio  and  retained 
securitization 
re-securitization 
transactions.
• Guarantees 

issued  and  residual 
connection with municipal bond securitizations.

interests  retained 

activities, 

including 

in 

• Loans  made  to  and  investments  in  VIEs  that  hold  debt, 

equity, real estate or other assets.
• Derivatives entered into with VIEs.
• Structuring  of  CLNs  or  other  asset-repackaging  notes 

designed to meet the investment objectives of clients.

• Other  structured  transactions  designed  to  provide  tax-

efficient yields to the Firm or its clients.

The Firm determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a 
VIE upon its initial involvement with the VIE and reassesses 
whether  it  is  the  primary  beneficiary  on  an  ongoing  basis  as 
long as it has any continuing involvement with the VIE. This 
determination  is  based  upon  an  analysis  of  the  design  of  the 
VIE, including the VIE’s structure and activities, the power to 
make significant economic decisions held by the Firm and by 
other parties, and the variable interests owned by the Firm and 
other parties.

in 

The  power  to  make  the  most  significant  economic  decisions 
may  take  a  number  of  different  forms  in  different  types  of 
VIEs. The Firm considers servicing or collateral management 
decisions  as  representing  the  power  to  make  the  most 
significant  economic  decisions 
transactions  such  as 
securitizations  or  CDOs.  As  a  result,  the  Firm  does  not 
consolidate securitizations or CDOs for which it does not act 
as  the  servicer  or  collateral  manager  unless  it  holds  certain 
other rights to replace the servicer or collateral manager or to 
require  the  liquidation  of  the  entity.  If  the  Firm  serves  as 
servicer  or  collateral  manager,  or  has  certain  other  rights 
described  in  the  previous  sentence,  the  Firm  analyzes  the 
interests in the VIE that it holds and consolidates only those 
VIEs for which it holds a potentially significant interest in the 
VIE.

For  many  transactions,  such  as  re-securitization  transactions, 
CLNs  and  other  asset-repackaging  notes,  there  are  no 
significant economic decisions made on an ongoing basis. In 
these  cases,  the  Firm  focuses  its  analysis  on  decisions  made 

December 2020 Form 10-K

130

prior  to  the  initial  closing  of  the  transaction  and  at  the 
termination of the transaction. The Firm concluded in most of 
these  transactions  that  decisions  made  prior  to  the  initial 
closing were shared between the Firm and the initial investors 
based  upon  the  nature  of  the  assets,  including  whether  the 
assets were issued in a transaction sponsored by the Firm and 
the  extent  of  the  information  available  to  the  Firm  and  to 
investors,  the  number,  nature  and  involvement  of  investors, 
other 
the 
standardization  of  the  legal  documentation  and  the  level  of 
continuing  involvement  by  the  Firm,  including  the  amount 
and  type  of  interests  owned  by  the  Firm  and  by  other 
investors. The Firm focused its control decision on any right 
held by the Firm or investors related to the termination of the 
VIE.  Most  re-securitization  transactions,  CLNs  and  other 
asset-repackaging notes have no such termination rights.

rights  held  by 

the  Firm  and 

investors, 

Consolidated VIE Assets and Liabilities by Type of Activity

$ in millions

VIE Assets VIE Liabilities VIE Assets VIE Liabilities

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

OSF
MABS1
Other2
Total

$ 

551  $ 

350  $ 

696  $ 

590   

977   

17   

47   

265   

987   

$ 

2,118  $ 

414  $ 

1,948  $ 

391 

4 

66 

461 

OSF—Other structured financings
1. Amounts  include  transactions  backed  by  residential  mortgage  loans,  commercial 
mortgage  loans  and  other  types  of  assets,  including  consumer  or  commercial 
assets  and  may  be  in  loan  or  security  form.  The  value  of  assets  is  determined 
based on the fair value of the liabilities and the interests owned by the Firm in such 
VIEs as the fair values for the liabilities and interests owned are more observable.
2. Other  primarily  includes  operating  entities,  investment  funds  and  structured 

transactions.

Consolidated  VIE  Assets  and  Liabilities  by  Balance  Sheet 
Caption

$ in millions

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trading assets at fair value

Customer and other receivables

Intangible assets

Other assets

Total

Liabilities

Other secured financings

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

Total

Noncontrolling interests

At
December 31, 
2020

At
December 31, 
2019

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

269  $ 

1,445   

23   

98   

283   

488 

943 

18 

111 

388 

2,118  $ 

1,948 

366  $ 

48   

414  $ 

196  $ 

422 

39 

461 

192 

Consolidated  VIE  assets  and  liabilities  are  presented  in  the 
previous  tables  after  intercompany  eliminations.  Generally, 
most  assets  owned  by  consolidated  VIEs  cannot  be  removed 
unilaterally  by  the  Firm  and  are  not  available  to  the  Firm 
while  the  related  liabilities  issued  by  consolidated  VIEs  are 
non-recourse  to  the  Firm.  However,  in  certain  consolidated 
VIEs, the Firm either has the unilateral right to remove assets 
or  provides  additional  recourse  through  derivatives  such  as 
total return swaps, guarantees or other forms of involvement.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In general, the Firm’s exposure to loss in consolidated VIEs is 
limited to losses that would be absorbed on the VIE net assets 
recognized  in  its  financial  statements,  net  of  amounts 
absorbed by third-party variable interest holders.

Non-consolidated VIEs

$ in millions

MABS1

CDO

MTOB

OSF

Other2

At December 31, 2020

VIE assets (UPB)
Maximum exposure to loss3
Debt and equity 

$ 184,153  $  3,527  $  6,524  $  2,161  $  48,241 

interests

$  26,247  $ 

257  $ 

—  $  1,187  $  11,008 

Derivative and other 

contracts

Commitments, 

guarantees and other

—   

—   

4,425   

—   

5,639 

929   

—   

—   

—   

749 

Total

$  27,176  $ 

257  $  4,425  $  1,187  $  17,396 

The  Firm’s  maximum  exposure  to  loss  is  dependent  on  the 
nature of the Firm’s variable interest in the VIE and is limited 
to the notional amounts of certain liquidity facilities and other 
credit  support,  total  return  swaps  and  written  put  options,  as 
well  as  the  fair  value  of  certain  other  derivatives  and 
investments the Firm has made in the VIE.

The Firm’s maximum exposure to loss in the previous tables 
does  not  include  the  offsetting  benefit  of  hedges  or  any 
reductions  associated  with  the  amount  of  collateral  held  as 
part  of  a  transaction  with  the  VIE  or  any  party  to  the  VIE 
directly against a specific exposure to loss.

Liabilities  issued  by  VIEs  generally  are  non-recourse  to  the 
Firm.

Carrying value of variable interests—Assets

Detail of Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securitization Assets

$  26,247  $ 

257  $ 

—  $  1,187  $  11,008 

At December 31, 2020

At December 31, 2019

Debt and equity 

interests

Derivative and other 

contracts

—   

—   

5   

—   

851 

Total
Additional VIE assets owned4
Carrying value of variable interests—Liabilities

$  26,247  $ 

257  $ 

5  $  1,187  $  11,859 

$  20,019 

Derivative and other 

contracts

$ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

222 

$ in millions

MABS1

CDO

MTOB

OSF

Other2

At December 31, 2019

VIE assets (UPB)
Maximum exposure to loss3
Debt and equity 

$ 125,603  $  2,976  $  6,965  $  2,288  $  51,305 

interests

$  16,314  $ 

240  $ 

—  $  1,009  $  11,977 

Derivative and other 

contracts

Commitments, 

guarantees and other

—   

—   

4,599   

—   

2,995 

631   

—   

—   

—   

266 

Total

$  16,945  $ 

240  $  4,599  $  1,009  $  15,238 

Carrying value of variable interests—Assets

Debt and equity 

interests

Derivative and other 

contracts

$  16,314  $ 

240  $ 

—  $  1,008  $  11,977 

—   

—   

6   

—   

388 

Total
Additional VIE assets owned4
Carrying value of variable interests—Liabilities

$  16,314  $ 

240  $ 

6  $  1,008  $  12,365 

$  11,453 

Derivative and other 

contracts

$ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

444 

MTOB—Municipal tender option bonds
1. Amounts  include  transactions  backed  by  residential  mortgage  loans,  commercial 
mortgage  loans  and  other  types  of  assets,  including  consumer  or  commercial 
assets. and may be in loan or security form. 

2. Other  primarily  includes  exposures  to  commercial  real  estate  property  and 

investment funds.

3. Where notional amounts are utilized in quantifying the maximum exposure related 
to  derivatives,  such  amounts  do  not  reflect  changes  in  fair  value  recorded  by  the 
Firm.

4. Additional VIE assets owned represents the carrying value of total exposure to non-
consolidated  VIEs  for  which  the  maximum  exposure  to  loss  is  less  than  specific 
thresholds, primarily interests issued by securitization SPEs. The Firm’s maximum 
exposure to loss generally equals the fair value of the assets owned. These assets 
are  primarily  included  in  Trading  assets  and  Investment  securities  and  are 
measured at fair value (see Note 5). The Firm does not provide additional support 
in these transactions through contractual facilities, guarantees or similar derivatives.

The majority of the VIEs included in the previous tables are 
sponsored  by  unrelated  parties;  examples  of  the  Firm’s 
involvement  with  these  VIEs  include  its  secondary  market-
making  activities  and  the  securities  held  in  its  Investment 
securities portfolio (see Note 8).

$ in millions

UPB

Debt and
Equity
Interests

UPB

Debt and
Equity
Interests

Residential mortgages

$  17,775  $ 

3,175  $  30,353  $ 

Commercial mortgages

  62,093   

4,131    53,892   

3,993 

3,881 

U.S. agency collateralized 

mortgage obligations

Other consumer or 
commercial loans

Total

  99,182   

17,224    36,366   

6,365 

5,103   

1,717   

4,992   

2,075 

$ 184,153  $ 

26,247  $ 125,603  $ 

16,314 

Securitization Activities

In  a  securitization  transaction,  the  Firm  transfers  assets 
(generally  commercial  or  residential  mortgage  loans  or 
securities) to an SPE, sells to investors most of the beneficial 
interests, such as notes or certificates, issued by the SPE, and, 
in many cases, retains other beneficial interests. The purchase 
of  the  transferred  assets  by  the  SPE  is  financed  through  the 
sale of these interests.

In  many  securitization  transactions  involving  commercial 
mortgage  loans,  the  Firm  transfers  a  portion  of  the  assets  to 
the  SPE  with  unrelated  parties  transferring  the  remaining 
assets.  In  addition,  mainly  in  securitization  transactions 
involving residential mortgage loans, the Firm may also enter 
into  derivative  transactions,  primarily  interest  rate  swaps  or 
interest rate caps, with the SPE.

Although not obligated, the Firm generally makes a market in 
the securities issued by SPEs in securitization transactions. As 
a market maker, the Firm offers to buy these securities from, 
and  sell  these  securities  to,  investors.  Securities  purchased 
through  these  market-making  activities  are  not  considered  to 
be  retained  interests;  these  beneficial  interests  generally  are 
included in Trading assets—Corporate and other debt and are 
measured at fair value.

The Firm enters into derivatives, generally interest rate swaps 
and interest rate caps, with a senior payment priority in many 
securitization transactions. The risks associated with these and 
similar  derivatives  with  SPEs  are  essentially  the  same  as 
similar  derivatives  with  non-SPE  counterparties  and  are 

131

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

managed  as  part  of  the  Firm’s  overall  exposure.  See  Note  7 
for further information on derivative instruments and hedging 
activities.

Investment Securities

The  Firm  holds  securities  issued  by  VIEs  within  the 
Investment securities portfolio. These securities are composed 
of  those  related  to  transactions  sponsored  by  the  federal 
mortgage  agencies  and  predominantly 
the  most  senior 
securities  issued  by  VIEs  backed  by  student  loans  and 
commercial  mortgage  loans.  Transactions  sponsored  by  the 
federal  mortgage  agencies  include  an  explicit  or  implicit 
guarantee provided by the U.S. government. Additionally, the 
Firm  holds  certain  commercial  mortgage-backed  securities 
issued by VIEs retained as a result of the Firm's securitization 
activities.  See  Note  8  for  further  information  on  the 
Investment securities portfolio.

Municipal Tender Option Bond Trusts

In a municipal tender option bond trust transaction, the client 
transfers  a  municipal  bond  to  a  trust.  The  trust  issues  short-
term securities that the Firm, as the remarketing agent, sells to 
investors. The client generally retains a residual interest. The 
short-term  securities  are  supported  by  a  liquidity  facility 
pursuant  to  which  the  investors  may  put  their  short-term 
interests.  In  most  programs,  a  third-party  provider  will 
provide  such  liquidity  facility;  in  some  programs,  the  Firm 
provides this liquidity facility.

The Firm may, in lieu of purchasing short-term securities for 
remarketing,  decide  to  extend  a  temporary  loan  to  the  trust. 
The client can generally terminate the transaction at any time. 
The liquidity provider can generally terminate the transaction 
upon the occurrence of certain events. When the transaction is 
terminated, the municipal bond is generally sold or returned to 
the client. Any losses suffered by the liquidity provider upon 
the  sale  of  the  bond  are  the  responsibility  of  the  client.  This 
obligation  is  generally  collateralized.  Liquidity  facilities 
provided to municipal tender option bond trusts are classified 
as  derivatives.  The  Firm  consolidates  any  municipal  tender 
option bond trusts in which it holds the residual interest.

Credit Protection Purchased through Credit-Linked Notes

CLN  transactions  are  designed  to  provide  investors  with 
exposure  to  certain  credit  risk  on  referenced  assets.  In  these 
transactions, the Firm transfers assets (generally high-quality 
securities  or  money  market  investments)  to  an  SPE,  enters 
into a derivative transaction in which the SPE sells protection 
on an unrelated referenced asset or group of assets, through a 
credit derivative, and sells the securities issued by the SPE to 
investors. In some transactions, the Firm may also enter into 
interest  rate  or  currency  swaps  with  the  SPE.  Depending  on 
the  structure,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  SPE  may  be 
consolidated  and  recognized  in  the  Firm’s  balance  sheets  or 
accounted for as a sale of assets.

December 2020 Form 10-K

132

Upon the occurrence of a credit event related to the referenced 
asset, the SPE will deliver securities collateral as payment to 
the  Firm,  which  exposes  the  Firm  to  changes  in  the 
collateral’s value.

Derivative payments by the SPE are collateralized. The risks 
associated  with  these  and  similar  derivatives  with  SPEs  are 
essentially the same as those with non-SPE counterparties and 
are managed as part of the Firm’s overall exposure.

Other Structured Financings

The  Firm  invests  in  interests  issued  by  entities  that  develop 
and  own  low-income  communities  (including  low-income 
housing projects) and entities that construct and own facilities 
that  will  generate  energy  from  renewable  resources.  The 
interests  entitle  the  Firm  to  a  share  of  tax  credits  and  tax 
losses  generated  by  these  projects.  In  addition,  the  Firm  has 
issued guarantees to investors in certain low-income housing 
funds.  The  guarantees  are  designed  to  return  an  investor’s 
contribution  to  a  fund  and  the  investor’s  share  of  tax  losses 
and  tax  credits  expected  to  be  generated  by  the  fund.  The 
Firm  is  also  involved  with  entities  designed  to  provide  tax-
efficient yields to the Firm or its clients.

Collateralized Loan and Debt Obligations

CLOs  and  CDOs  are  SPEs  that  purchase  a  pool  of  assets 
consisting  of  corporate  loans,  corporate  bonds,  ABS  or 
synthetic exposures on similar assets through derivatives, and 
issue  multiple  tranches  of  debt  and  equity  securities  to 
investors.  The  Firm  underwrites  the  securities  issued  in 
certain  CLO  transactions  on  behalf  of  unaffiliated  sponsors 
and provides advisory services to these unaffiliated sponsors. 
The  Firm  sells  corporate  loans  to  many  of  these  SPEs,  in 
some  cases  representing  a  significant  portion  of  the  total 
assets purchased. Although not obligated, the Firm generally 
makes  a  market  in  the  securities  issued  by  SPEs  in  these 
transactions and may retain unsold securities. These beneficial 
interests  are  included  in  Trading  assets  and  are  measured  at 
fair value.

Equity-Linked Notes

ELN  transactions  are  designed  to  provide  investors  with 
exposure to certain risks related to the specific equity security, 
equity index or other index. In an ELN transaction, the Firm 
typically transfers to an SPE either a note issued by the Firm, 
the  payments  on  which  are  linked  to  the  performance  of  a 
specific  equity  security,  equity  index  or  other  index,  or  debt 
securities issued by other companies and a derivative contract, 
the terms of which will relate to the performance of a specific 
equity  security,  equity  index  or  other  index.  These  ELN 
transactions  with  SPEs  were  not  consolidated  at  December 
31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Transferred Assets with Continuing Involvement

At December 31, 2020

RML

CML

U.S. Agency
CMO

CLN and
Other1

$  7,515  $ 84,674  $ 

21,061  $  12,978 

$ in millions
SPE assets (UPB)2
Retained interests

Investment grade

$ 

49  $ 

822  $ 

Non-investment grade

16   

195   

Total

$ 

65  $  1,017  $ 

Interests purchased in the secondary market 

Investment grade

$  —  $ 

96  $ 

Non-investment grade

43   

80   

Total

Derivative assets 

Derivative liabilities 

$ 

43  $ 

176  $ 

$  —  $  —  $ 

—   

—   

615  $ 

—   

615  $ 

116  $ 

—   

116  $ 

—  $ 

—   

— 

114 

114 

— 

21 

21 

400 

436 

December 31, 2019

RML

CML

U.S. Agency
CMO

CLN and
Other1

$  9,850  $ 86,203  $ 

19,132  $  8,410 

$ in millions
SPE assets (UPB)2
Retained interests

Investment grade

$ 

29  $ 

720  $ 

2,376  $ 

Non-investment grade

17   

254   

—   

Total

$ 

46  $ 

974  $ 

2,376  $ 

Interests purchased in the secondary market 

Investment grade

$ 

6  $ 

197  $ 

Non-investment grade

75   

51   

Total

Derivative assets 

Derivative liabilities 

$ 

81  $ 

248  $ 

$  —  $  —  $ 

—   

—   

77  $ 

—   

77  $ 

—  $ 

—   

1 

92 

93 

— 

— 

— 

339 

145 

Fair Value at December 31, 2020

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$ 

$ 

663  $ 

6   

669  $ 

196  $ 

62   

258  $ 

388  $ 

435   

—  $ 

63   

63  $ 

16  $ 

82   

98  $ 

12  $ 

1   

663 

69 

732 

212 

144 

356 

400 

436 

$ in millions

Retained interests

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

Total

Interests purchased in the secondary market

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

Total

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

$ in millions

Retained interests

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

Total

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2,407  $ 

101  $ 

2,508 

Interests purchased in the secondary market

Investment grade

Non-investment grade

Total

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

$ 

$ 

$ 

278  $ 

68   

346  $ 

337  $ 

144   

2  $ 

58   

60  $ 

2  $ 

1   

280 

126 

406 

339 

145 

RML—Residential mortgage loans
CML—Commercial mortgage loans
1. Amounts include CLO transactions managed by unrelated third parties.
2. Amounts include assets transferred by unrelated transferors.

The  previous  tables  include  transactions  with  SPEs  in  which 
the Firm, acting as principal, transferred financial assets with 
continuing  involvement  and  received  sales  treatment.  The 

fair  value  prior 

transferred  assets  are  carried  at 
to 
securitization, and any changes in fair value are recognized in 
the  income  statements.  The  Firm  may  act  as  underwriter  of 
the beneficial interests issued by these securitization vehicles, 
for  which  Investment  banking  revenues  are  recognized.  The 
Firm may retain interests in the securitized financial assets as 
one  or  more  tranches  of  the  securitization.  These  retained 
interests  are  generally  carried  at  fair  value  in  the  balance 
sheets  with  changes  in  fair  value  recognized  in  the  income 
statements.  Fair  value  for  these  interests  is  measured  using 
techniques  that  are  consistent  with  the  valuation  techniques 
applied to the Firm’s major categories of assets and liabilities 
as  described  in  Notes  2  and  5.  Further,  as  permitted  by 
applicable  guidance,  certain  transfers  of  assets  where  the 
Firm’s  only  continuing  involvement  is  a  derivative  are  only 
reported in the following Assets Sold with Retained Exposure 
table.

Proceeds from New Securitization Transactions and Sales of 
Loans

$ in millions
New transactions1
Retained interests
Sales of corporate loans to CLO SPEs1, 2

2020

2019

2018

$  51,814  $  34,464  $  23,821 

9,346   

7,403   

2,904 

763   

2   

317 

1. Net gains on new transactions and sales of corporate loans to CLO entities at the 

time of the sale were not material for all periods presented.

2. Sponsored by non-affiliates.

The Firm has provided, or otherwise agreed to be responsible 
for,  representations  and  warranties  regarding  certain  assets 
transferred  in  securitization  transactions  sponsored  by  the 
Firm (see Note 15).

Assets Sold with Retained Exposure

$ in millions
Gross cash proceeds from sale of assets1
Fair value

Assets sold

Derivative assets recognized in the balance 

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

45,051  $ 

38,661 

46,609  $ 

39,137 

1,592   

64   

647 

152 

The  Firm  enters  into  transactions  in  which  it  sells  securities, 
into 
primarily  equities,  and  contemporaneously  enters 
bilateral  OTC  derivatives  with 
the 
the  purchasers  of 
securities,  through  which  it  retains  exposure  to  the  sold 
securities.

17. Regulatory Requirements 

Regulatory Capital Framework

The Firm is an FHC under the Bank Holding Company Act of 
1956,  as  amended,  and  is  subject  to  the  regulation  and 
oversight  of  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Federal  Reserve 
System (“Federal Reserve”). The Federal Reserve establishes 

133

December 2020 Form 10-K

Fair Value at December 31, 2019

sheets

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Derivative liabilities recognized in the 

balance sheets

2,401  $ 

4  $ 

2,405 

1. The carrying value of assets derecognized at the time of sale approximates gross 

6   

97   

103 

cash proceeds.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

capital  requirements  for  the  Firm,  including  well-capitalized 
standards,  and  evaluates  the  Firm’s  compliance  with  such 
capital  requirements.  The  OCC  establishes  similar  capital 
the  Firm’s  U.S.  bank 
requirements  and  standards  for 
subsidiaries 
and 
MSPBNA.  The  regulatory  capital  requirements  are  largely 
based  on  the  Basel  III  capital  standards  established  by  the 
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and also implement 
certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 
Consumer Protection Act.

among  others,  MSBNA 

including, 

Regulatory Capital Requirements

The  Firm  is  required  to  maintain  minimum  risk-based  and 
leverage-based  capital 
regulatory  capital 
requirements.  A  summary  of  the  calculations  of  regulatory 
capital and RWA follows.

ratios  under 

Minimum  risk-based  capital  ratio  requirements  apply  to 
Common  Equity  Tier  1  capital,  Tier  1  capital  and  Total 
capital  (which  includes  Tier  2  capital).  Capital  standards 
require  certain  adjustments  to,  and  deductions  from,  capital 
for purposes of determining these ratios.

In  2020,  the  U.S.  banking  agencies  adopted  a  final  rule, 
consistent with an interim final rule that was effective March 
31, 2020, altering, for purposes of the regulatory capital rules, 
the required adoption time period for CECL. As of December 
31,  2020,  the  risk-based  and  leverage-based  capital  amounts 
and  ratios,  as  well  as  RWA,  adjusted  average  assets  and 
supplementary leverage exposure are calculated excluding the 
effect of the adoption of CECL based on the Firm’s election 
to  defer  this  effect  over  a  five-year  transition  period  in 
accordance with the interim final rule. 

Risk-Based Regulatory Capital Ratio Requirements

At
December 31,
2020

Standardized Advanced

At
December 31,
2019

Standardized 
and Advanced

— 

 5.7% 

 3.0% 

0%

 8.7% 

 2.5% 

N/A

 3.0% 

0%

 5.5% 

 2.5% 

N/A

 3.0% 

0%

 5.5% 

Capital buffers

Capital conservation buffer

Stress capital buffer (“SCB”)

G-SIB capital surcharge
CCyB1

Capital buffer requirement2

December 2020 Form 10-K

134

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019

Regulatory 
Minimum Standardized Advanced

Standardized 
and Advanced

Required ratios3
Common Equity Tier 1 

capital ratio

Tier 1 capital ratio

Total capital ratio

 4.5% 

 6.0% 

 8.0% 

 13.2% 

 14.7% 

 16.7% 

 10.0% 

 11.5% 

 13.5% 

 10.0% 

 11.5% 

 13.5% 

1. The CCyB can be set up to 2.5%, but is currently set by the U.S. banking agencies 

at zero.

2. The  capital  buffer  requirement  represents  the  amount  of  Common  Equity  Tier  1 
capital the Firm must maintain above the minimum risk-based capital requirements 
in  order  to  avoid  restrictions  on  the  Firm’s  ability  to  make  capital  distributions, 
including  the  payment  of  dividends  and  the  repurchase  of  stock,  and  to  pay 
discretionary bonuses to executive officers. Beginning October 1, 2020, the Firm’s 
Standardized Approach capital buffer requirement is equal to the sum of the SCB, 
G-SIB  capital  surcharge  and  CCyB,  and  the  Advanced  Approach  capital  buffer 
requirement  is  equal  to  the  2.5%  capital  conservation  buffer,  G-SIB  capital 
surcharge and CCyB.

3. Required  ratios  represent 

the  regulatory  minimum  plus 

the  capital  buffer 

requirement.

Risk-Weighted Assets

RWA reflects both the Firm’s on- and off-balance sheet risk, 
as  well  as  capital  charges  attributable  to  the  risk  of  loss 
arising from the following:

• Credit  risk:  The  failure  of  a  borrower,  counterparty  or 

issuer to meet its financial obligations to the Firm;

• Market  risk:  Adverse  changes  in  the  level  of  one  or  more 
market  prices,  rates,  indices,  volatilities,  correlations  or 
other market factors, such as market liquidity; and

• Operational risk: Inadequate or failed processes or systems, 
from  human  factors  or  from  external  events  (e.g.,  fraud, 
theft,  legal  and  compliance  risks,  cyber  attacks  or  damage 
to physical assets).

risk  RWA 

risk  and  operational 

The Firm’s risk-based capital ratios are computed under both 
(i) the standardized approaches for calculating credit risk and 
market  risk  RWA  (“Standardized  Approach”)  and  (ii)  the 
applicable  advanced  approaches  for  calculating  credit  risk, 
market 
(“Advanced 
Approach”).  The  credit  risk  RWA  calculations  between  the 
two  approaches  differ  in  that  the  Standardized  Approach 
requires  calculation  of  RWA  using  prescribed  risk  weights, 
whereas the Advanced Approach utilizes models to calculate 
exposure  amounts  and  risk  weights.  At  December  31,  2020 
and  December  31,  2019,  the  differences  between  the  actual 
and  required  ratio  were  lower  under  the  Standardized 
Approach.

Minimum leverage-based capital requirements include a Tier 
1 leverage ratio and an SLR. The Firm is required to maintain 
a  Tier  1  SLR  of  5%,  inclusive  of  an  enhanced  SLR  capital 
buffer of at least 2%.

 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Firm’s Regulatory Capital and Capital Ratios

At December 31, 2020

Required 
Ratio1

Amount

Ratio

 13.2 % $ 

 14.7 %  

 16.7 %  

78,650 

88,079 

97,213 

453,106 

 17.4 %

 19.4 %

 21.5 %

Required 
Ratio1

At December 31, 
2020

$ 

1,053,310 

 4.0 %

 8.4 %

$ 

1,192,506 

 5.0 %

 7.4 %

At December 31, 2019

Required
 Ratio1

Amount

Ratio

 10.0 % $ 

 11.5 %  

 13.5 %  

64,751 

73,443 

82,708 

394,177 

 16.4 %

 18.6 %

 21.0 %

Required 
Ratio1

At December 31, 
2019

$ 

889,195 

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Common Equity Tier 1 capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Total RWA

$ in millions

Leverage-based capital
Adjusted average assets2
Tier 1 leverage ratio

Supplementary leverage 

exposure3, 4

SLR3

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Common Equity Tier 1 capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Total RWA

$ in millions

Leverage-based capital
Adjusted average assets2
Tier 1 leverage ratio

Supplementary leverage 

exposure4

SLR

1. Required  ratios  are  inclusive  of  any  buffers  applicable  as  of  the  date  presented. 
Failure  to  maintain  the  buffers  would  result  in  restrictions  on  the  Firm’s  ability  to 
make  capital  distributions,  including  the  payment  of  dividends  and  the  repurchase 
of stock, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

2. Adjusted  average  assets  represents  the  denominator  of  the  Tier  1  leverage  ratio 
and  is  composed  of  the  average  daily  balance  of  consolidated  on-balance  sheet 
assets  for  the  quarters  ending  on  the  respective  balance  sheet  dates,  reduced  by 
disallowed  goodwill,  intangible  assets,  investments  in  covered  funds,  defined 
benefit  pension  plan  assets,  after-tax  gain  on  sale  from  assets  sold  into 
securitizations,  investments  in  the  Firm’s  own  capital  instruments,  certain  defined 
tax assets and other capital deductions.

3. Based  on  a  Federal  Reserve  interim  final  rule  in  effect  until  March  31,  2021,  the 
Firm’s SLR and Supplementary leverage exposure as of December 31, 2020 reflect 
the exclusion of U.S. Treasury securities and deposits at Federal Reserve Banks.
4. Supplementary  leverage  exposure  is  the  sum  of Adjusted  average  assets  used  in 
the  Tier  1  leverage  ratio  and  other  adjustments,  primarily:  (i)  for  derivatives, 
potential  future  exposure  and  the  effective  notional  principal  amount  of  sold  credit 
protection  offset  by  qualifying  purchased  credit  protection;  (ii)  the  counterparty 
credit risk for repo-style transactions; and (iii) the credit equivalent amount for off-
balance sheet exposures.

Certain  U.S.  Bank  Subsidiaries’  Regulatory  Capital  and 
Capital Ratios

The OCC establishes capital requirements for the Firm’s U.S. 
bank  subsidiaries,  which  as  of  December  31,  2020  include, 
among  others,  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA,  and  evaluates  their 
compliance with such capital requirements. Regulatory capital 
requirements  for  MSBNA  and  MSPBNA  are  calculated  in  a 
similar manner to the Firm’s regulatory capital requirements, 
although  G-SIB  capital  surcharge  and  stress  capital  buffer 
requirements do not apply to the U.S. bank subsidiaries.

The  OCC’s  regulatory  capital  framework  includes  Prompt 
Corrective  Action  (“PCA”)  standards, 
including  “well-
capitalized”  PCA  standards  that  are  based  on  specified 
regulatory capital ratio minimums. For the Firm to remain an 
FHC, its U.S. bank subsidiaries must remain well-capitalized 
in  accordance  with  the  OCC’s  PCA  standards.  In  addition, 
failure by the U.S. bank subsidiaries to meet minimum capital 
requirements  may 
in  certain  mandatory  and 
discretionary  actions  by  regulators  that,  if  undertaken,  could 
have  a  direct  material  effect  on  the  U.S.  bank  subsidiaries’ 
and the Firm’s financial statements.

result 

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, MSBNA and 
MSPBNA  risk-based  capital  ratios  are  based  on 
the 
Standardized  Approach  rules.  At  December  31,  2020,  the 
risk-based  and  leverage-based  capital  amounts  and  ratios  are 
calculated excluding the effect of the adoption of CECL based 
on  MSBNA’s  and  MSPBNA’s  elections  to  defer  this  effect 
over a five-year transition period.

MSBNA’s Regulatory Capital

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Common Equity Tier 1 

capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Common Equity Tier 1 

capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Leverage-based capital

Tier 1 leverage

SLR

At December 31, 2020

Well-Capitalized 
Requirement

Required 
Ratio1

Amount

Ratio

 6.5 %

 8.0 %

 7.0 % $  17,238 

 8.5 %   17,238 

 10.0 %

 10.5 %   17,882 

 18.7 %

 18.7 %

 19.4 %

 5.0 %

 6.0 %

 4.0 % $  17,238 

 10.1 %

 3.0 %   17,238 

 8.0 %

At December 31, 2019

Well-Capitalized 
Requirement

Required 
Ratio1

Amount

Ratio

 6.5 %

 8.0 %

 7.0 % $  15,919 

 8.5 %   15,919 

 10.0 %

 10.5 %   16,282 

 18.5 %

 18.5 %

 18.9 %

 5.0 %

 6.0 %

 4.0 % $  15,919 

 11.3 %

 3.0 %   15,919 

 8.7 %

MSPBNA’s Regulatory Capital

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Common Equity Tier 1 

capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Leverage-based capital

Tier 1 leverage

SLR

At December 31, 2020

Well-Capitalized 
Requirement

Required 
Ratio1

Amount

Ratio

 6.5 %

 8.0 %

 7.0 % $  8,213 

 8.5 %  

8,213 

 10.0 %

 10.5 %  

8,287 

 21.3 %

 21.3 %

 21.5 %

 5.0 %

 6.0 %

 4.0 % $  8,213 

 3.0 %  

8,213 

 7.2 %

 6.9 %

135

December 2020 Form 10-K

 4.0 %

 8.3 %

Leverage-based capital

$ 

1,155,177 

 5.0 %

 6.4 %

Tier 1 leverage

SLR

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

Risk-based capital

Common Equity Tier 1 

capital

Tier 1 capital

Total capital

Leverage-based capital

Tier 1 leverage

SLR

At December 31, 2019

Well-Capitalized 
Requirement

Required 
Ratio1

Amount

Ratio

 6.5 %

 8.0 %

 7.0 % $  7,962 

 8.5 %  

7,962 

 10.0 %

 10.5 %  

8,016 

 24.8 %

 24.8 %

 25.0 %

 5.0 %

 6.0 %

 4.0 % $  7,962 

 3.0 %  

7,962 

 9.9 %

 9.4 %

1. Required  ratios  are  inclusive  of  any  buffers  applicable  as  of  the  date  presented. 
Failure  to  maintain  the  buffers  would  result  in  restrictions  on  the  ability  to  make 
capital distributions, including the payment of dividends.

U.S. Broker-Dealer Regulatory Capital Requirements

MS&Co. Regulatory Capital

regulations,  and  capital  adequacy  requirements  promulgated 
by the regulatory and exchange authorities of the countries in 
which they operate. These subsidiaries have also consistently 
operated with capital in excess of their local capital adequacy 
requirements.

Restrictions on Payments

The  regulatory  capital  requirements  referred  to  above,  and 
certain covenants contained in various agreements governing 
indebtedness  of  the  Firm,  may  restrict  the  Firm’s  ability  to 
withdraw  capital  from  its  subsidiaries.  The  following  table 
represents net assets of consolidated subsidiaries that may be 
restricted as to the payment of cash dividends and advances to 
the Parent Company.

At
December 31,
2020

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

40,502  $ 

33,213 

$ in millions

Net capital

Excess net capital

At
December 31, 2020

At
December 31, 2019

$ in millions

Restricted net assets

$ 

12,869  $ 

9,034   

13,708 

10,686 

18. Total Equity 

MS&Co.  is  a  registered  U.S.  broker-dealer  and  registered 
futures  commission  merchant  and,  accordingly,  is  subject  to 
the  minimum  net  capital  requirements  of  the  SEC  and  the 
CFTC.  MS&Co.  has  consistently  operated  with  capital  in 
excess of its regulatory capital requirements.

in 
As  an  Alternative  Net  Capital  broker-dealer,  and 
accordance with Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange 
Act”)  Rule  15c3-1,  Appendix  E,  MS&Co.  is  subject  to 
minimum net capital and tentative net capital requirements. In 
addition,  MS&Co.  must  notify  the  SEC  if  its  tentative  net 
capital falls below certain levels. At December 31, 2020 and 
December  31,  2019,  MS&Co.  exceeded  its  net  capital 
requirement  and  had  tentative  net  capital  in  excess  of  the 
minimum and notification requirements.

Other Regulated Subsidiaries

MSSB, a registered U.S. broker-dealer and introducing broker 
for the futures business, is subject to the minimum net capital 
requirements  of  the  SEC.  MSIP,  a  London-based  broker-
dealer subsidiary, is subject to the capital requirements of the 
PRA,  and  the  Morgan  Stanley  Europe  Holdings  SE  Group 
(“MSEHSE Group”) is subject to the capital requirements of 
the  European  Central  Bank,  BaFin  and  the  German  Central 
Bank.  MSSB,  MSIP  and  the  MSEHSE  Group,  including 
MSESE,  a  Germany-based  broker  dealer,  have  consistently 
operated  with  capital  in  excess  of  their  respective  regulatory 
capital  requirements.  Additionally,  E*TRADE  Bank  and 
E*TRADE  Savings  Bank  are  subject 
the  capital 
requirements  of  the  OCC,  and  E*TRADE  Securities  LLC  is 
subject to the minimum net capital requirements of the SEC; 
each of these entities has consistently operated with capital in 
excess of their respective regulatory capital requirements. 

to 

Certain  other  U.S.  and  non-U.S.  subsidiaries  of  the  Firm  are 
subject  to  various  securities,  commodities  and  banking 

December 2020 Form 10-K

136

Morgan Stanley Shareholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

Shares
Outstanding

At
December 31,
2020 

Carrying Value

Liquidation
Preference
per Share

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

44,000  $ 

25,000  $ 

1,100  $ 

1,100 

519,882   

1,000   

34,500   

25,000   

34,000   

25,000   

52,000   

25,000   

40,000   

25,000   

60,000   

25,000   

40,000   

25,000   

20,000   

25,000   

400,000   

1,000   

3,000   

100,000   

408   

862   

850   

1,300   

1,000   

1,500   

1,000   

500   

430   

300   

408 

862 

850 

1,300 

1,000 

1,500 

1,000 

500 

— 

— 

$ in millions, 
except per 
share data

Series

A
C1
E

F

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

Total

$ 

9,250  $ 

8,520 

1. Series C preferred stock is held by MUFG.

The Firm is authorized to issue 30 million shares of preferred 
stock. The preferred stock has a preference over the common 
stock upon liquidation. The Firm's preferred stock qualifies as 
and is included in Tier 1 capital in accordance with regulatory 
capital requirements (see Note 17).

On November 25, 2019, the Firm announced the redemption 
in  whole  of  its  outstanding  Series  G  preferred  stock.  On 
notice  of  redemption,  the  amount  due  to  holders  of  Series  G 
Preferred  Stock  was  reclassified  to  Borrowings,  and  on 
January 15, 2020, the redemption settled at the carrying value 
of $500 million.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Preferred Stock Issuance Description

Shares
Issued

Depositary
Shares
per Share

Price
per Share3

Redemption

Date4

44,000   

1,000  $ 

25,000  Currently redeemable

  1,160,791 

N/A  

1,100  Currently redeemable

34,500   

34,000   

52,000   

1,000 

1,000 

25 

25,000 

25,000 

October 15, 2023

January 15, 2024

25,000  Currently redeemable

40,000   

1,000 

25,000 

October 15, 2024

60,000   

40,000   

20,000   

25 

1,000 

1,000 

25,000  Currently redeemable

25,000 

25,000 

April 15, 2027

January 15, 2025

  400,000 

N/A  

1,000 

September 15, 2026

3,000   

100 

100,000 

October 2, 2025

Series1, 2
A
C5
E

F

H

I

J

K
L6
M7
N7

1. All shares issued are non-cumulative. Each share has a par value of $0.01, except 

Series C.

2. Dividends on Series A are based on a floating rate, and dividends on Series C and 
L are based on a fixed rate. Dividends on all other Series are based on a fixed-to-
floating rate.

3. Series A  and  C  are  redeemable  at  the  redemption  price  plus  accrued  and  unpaid 
dividends,  regardless  of  whether  dividends  are  actually  declared,  up  to  but 
excluding  the  date  of  redemption.  All  other  Series  are  redeemable  at  the 
redemption price plus any declared and unpaid dividends, up to but excluding the 
date fixed for redemption.

4. Series A  and  C  are  currently  redeemable  at  the  Firm’s  option,  in  whole  or  in  part, 
from time to time. Series H and J are currently redeemable, and all other Series are 
redeemable,  at  the  Firm’s  option  (i)  in  whole  or  in  part,  from  time  to  time,  on  any 
dividend payment date on or after the redemption date or (ii) in whole but not in part 
at  any  time  within  90  days  following  a  regulatory  capital  treatment  event  (as 
described in the terms of that series).

5. Series  C  is  non-voting  perpetual  preferred  stock.  Dividends  on  the  Series  C 
preferred stock are payable, on a non-cumulative basis, as and if declared by the 
Board, in cash, at the rate of 10% per annum of the liquidation preference of $1,000 
per share.

6. Series L Preferred Stock was issued on November 25, 2019.
7. Series  M  and  N  Preferred  Stock  were  issued  on  October  2,  2020  as  part  of  the 

acquisition of E*TRADE.

Common Stock

Rollforward of Common Stock Outstanding

in millions

Shares outstanding at beginning of period
Treasury stock purchases1

Issuance for the acquisition of E*TRADE
Other2
Shares outstanding at end of period

2020

2019

1,594   

1,700 

(39)   

233   

22   

(135) 

— 

29 

1,810   

1,594 

1. The  Firm’s  Board  has  authorized  the  repurchase  of  the  Firm’s  outstanding  stock 
under  a  share  repurchase  program  (“Share  Repurchase  Program”).  In  addition  to 
the  Firm’s  Share  Repurchase  Program,  Treasury  stock  purchases 
include 
repurchases of common stock for employee tax withholding.

2. Other  includes  net  shares  issued  to  and  forfeited  from  Employee  stock  trusts  and 

issued for RSU conversions.

Share Repurchases

$ in millions

2020

2019

Repurchases of common stock under the Firm’s 

Share Repurchase Program

$ 

1,347  $ 

5,360 

The  Firm’s  2019  Capital  Plan  (“Capital  Plan”)  includes  the 
share repurchase of up to $6.0 billion of outstanding common 
stock for the period beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 
2020.  Additionally,  the  Capital  Plan  includes  quarterly 
common stock dividends of up to $0.35 per share, beginning 
with the common stock dividend announced on July 18, 2019.
On March 15, 2020, the Financial Services Forum announced 
that each of its eight member banks, including the Firm, had 
voluntarily  suspended  their  share  repurchase  programs.  On 

June  25,  2020,  the  Federal  Reserve  published  summary 
results  of  CCAR  and  announced  that  large  BHCs,  including 
the  Firm,  generally  would  be  restricted  in  making  share 
repurchases  during  the  third  quarter,  and  on  September  30, 
2020,  the  restrictions  were  extended  through  the  fourth 
quarter of 2020. On December 18, 2020 the Federal Reserve 
published summary results of the second round of supervisory 
stress  tests  for  each  large  BHC,  including  the  Firm,  and 
permitted  the  resumption  of  share  repurchases  in  the  first 
quarter of 2021.

A portion of common stock repurchases was conducted under 
a sales plan with MUFG, whereby MUFG sold shares of the 
Firm’s common stock to the Firm, as part of the Firm’s Share 
Repurchase  Program.  The  sales  plan,  which  was  suspended 
on December 10, 2020, has no impact on the strategic alliance 
between MUFG and the Firm, including the joint ventures in 
Japan,  and  is  only  intended  to  maintain  MUFG’s  ownership 
percentage  below  24.9%  in  order  to  comply  with  MUFG’s 
passivity  commitments  to  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the 
Federal Reserve System. 

to 

the  Share  Repurchase  Program, 

Pursuant 
the  Firm 
considers,  among  other  things,  business  segment  capital 
needs,  as  well  as  stock-based  compensation  and  benefit  plan 
requirements.  Share  repurchases  under  the  program  will  be 
exercised  from  time  to  time  at  prices  the  Firm  deems 
appropriate  subject  to  various  factors,  including  the  Firm’s 
capital position and market conditions. The share repurchases 
may  be  effected  through  open  market  purchases  or  privately 
negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans, 
and may be suspended at any time. Share repurchases by the 
Firm are subject to regulatory non-objection.

Common Shares Outstanding for Basic and Diluted EPS

in millions

2020

2019

2018

Weighted average common shares outstanding, 

basic

  1,603    1,617    1,708 

Effect of dilutive Stock options, RSUs and PSUs

21   

23   

30 

Weighted average common shares 

outstanding and common stock equivalents, 
diluted

Weighted average antidilutive common stock 

equivalents (excluded from the computation of 
diluted EPS)

  1,624    1,640    1,738 

5   

2   

1 

137

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Dividends

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

$ in millions, except per 

share data

Per 
Share1

Total

Per
Share1

Total

Per
Share1

Total

2020

2019

2018

Preferred Stock Series

$ 1,017  $ 

44  $ 1,014  $ 

44  $ 1,011  $ 

100   

  1,781   

  1,719   

52 

60 

60 

  100   

  1,781   

  1,719   

  —    — 

  1,242   

  1,143   

  1,594   

  1,213   

  1,463   

  1,219   

60 

64 

74 

59 

23 

  1,418   

  1,594   

  1,388   

  1,463   

52 

60 

60 

24 

74 

64 

84 

59 

100   

  1,781   

  1,719   

  1,656   

  1,363   

  1,594   

  1,388   

  1,463   

45 

52 

61 

58 

33 

71 

64 

83 

59 

  169   

3 

  —    — 

  —    — 

  —    — 

  —    — 

  —    — 

  —    — 

  —    — 

A

C

E

F
G2

H

I
J3

K

L
M4
N5

Total Preferred stock

$  496 

$  524 

$  526 

Common stock

$  1.40  $ 2,295  $  1.30  $ 2,161  $  1.10  $ 1,930 

1. Common  and  Preferred  Stock  dividends  are  payable  quarterly,  unless  otherwise 

noted.

2. Series G preferred stock was redeemed during the first quarter of 2020. Dividends 
declared  on  Series  G  following  the  issuance  of  the  notice  of  redemption  were 
recognized as Interest expense and are excluded from 2019 amounts.

3. Series  J  was  payable  semiannually  until  July  15,  2020,  and  is  now  payable 

quarterly. 

4. Series  M  will  be  payable  semiannually  beginning  on  March  15,  2021  until 

September 15, 2026, and thereafter will be payable quarterly.

5. Series N will be payable semiannually beginning on March 15, 2021 until March 15, 

2023, and thereafter will be payable quarterly.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)1 

$ in millions

CTA

AFS 
Securities

Pensions
and Other

DVA

Total

December 31, 2017

$ 

(767)  $ 

(547)  $ 

(591)  $ (1,155)  $ (3,060) 

Cumulative adjustment 
for accounting change2

OCI during the period

December 31, 2018

OCI during the period

(8)   

(114)   

(889)   

(111)   

(272)   

(930)   

(124)   

(194)   

(437) 

137    1,454    1,205 

(578)   

105    (2,292) 

(8)   

1,137   

(66)    (1,559)   

(496) 

December 31, 2019

(897)   

207   

(644)    (1,454)    (2,788) 

OCI during the period

102   

1,580   

146    (1,002)   

826 

December 31, 2020

$ 

(795)  $ 

1,787  $ 

(498)  $ (2,456)  $ (1,962) 

CTA—Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
1. Amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interests.
2. The  cumulative  adjustment  for  accounting  changes  is  primarily  the  effect  of  the 
adoption  of  the  accounting  update  Reclassification  of  Certain  Tax  Effects  from 
Accumulated  Other  Comprehensive  Income.  This  adjustment  was  recorded  as  of 
January 1, 2018 to reclassify certain income tax effects related to the enactment of 
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from AOCI to Retained earnings, primarily related to the 
remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the reduction in 
the corporate income tax rate to 21%.

Components of Period Changes in OCI

$ in millions

CTA

OCI activity

2020

Pre-tax
Gain
(Loss)

Income 
Tax Benefit 
(Provision)

After-tax
Gain
(Loss)

Non-
controlling
Interests

Net

$ 

74  $ 

99  $ 

173  $ 

68  $  105 

Cumulative Adjustments to Retained Earnings Related to 
Adoption of Accounting Updates

$ in millions

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses

$ in millions

Leases

$ in millions

Revenues from contracts with customers

Derivatives and hedging—targeted improvements to 

accounting for hedging activities

Reclassification of certain tax effects from AOCI
Other1

Total

2020

2019

2018

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

$ 

(3)   

71  $ 

—   

(3)   

—   

(3) 

99  $ 

170  $ 

68  $  102 

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities

(100) 

OCI activity

$ 2,194  $ 

(508)  $  1,686  $ 

—  $  1,686 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

(137)   

31   

(106)   

—   

(106) 

$ 2,057  $ 

(477)  $  1,580  $ 

—  $  1,580 

Pension and other

OCI activity

$  162  $ 

(34)  $ 

128  $ 

—  $  128 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

23   

(5)   

18   

—   

18 

$  185  $ 

(39)  $ 

146  $ 

—  $  146 

Change in net DVA

OCI activity

$ (1,385)  $ 

337  $  (1,048)  $ 

(26)  $ (1,022) 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

26   

(6)   

20   

—   

20 

$ (1,359)  $ 

331  $  (1,028)  $ 

(26)  $ (1,002) 

63 

(32) 

(99) 

443 

(6) 

306 

1. Other  includes  the  adoption  of  accounting  updates  related  to  Recognition  and 
Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (other than the provision 
around presenting unrealized DVA in OCI, which the Firm previously adopted) and 
Derecognition  of  Nonfinancial  Assets. The  impact  of  these  adoptions  on  Retained 
earnings was not significant.

$ in millions

CTA

OCI activity

2019

Pre-tax
Gain
(Loss)

Income Tax 
Benefit 
(Provision)

After-tax
Gain
(Loss)

Non-
controlling
Interests

Net

$ 

6  $ 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

$ 

—   

6  $ 

(3)  $ 

—   

(3)  $ 

3  $ 

—   

3  $ 

11  $ 

—   

11  $ 

(8) 

— 

(8) 

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities

OCI activity

$ 1,588  $ 

(373)  $  1,215  $ 

—  $  1,215 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

(103)   

25   

(78)   

—   

(78) 

$ 1,485  $ 

(348)  $  1,137  $ 

—  $  1,137 

Pension and other

OCI activity

$ 

(98)  $ 

25  $ 

(73)  $ 

—  $ 

(73) 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

$ 

12   

(86)  $ 

(5)   

7   

—   

7 

20  $ 

(66)  $ 

—  $ 

(66) 

Change in net DVA

OCI activity

$ (2,181)  $ 

533  $  (1,648)  $ 

(80)  $ (1,568) 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

11   

(2)   

9   

—   

9 

$ (2,170)  $ 

531  $  (1,639)  $ 

(80)  $ (1,559) 

December 2020 Form 10-K

138

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

19. Interest Income and Interest Expense 

Pre-tax
Gain
(Loss)

Income Tax 
Benefit 
(Provision)

20181
After-tax
Gain
(Loss)

Non-
controlling
Interests

Net

$ in millions

Interest income

$ in millions

CTA

OCI activity

2020

2019

2018

$  2,282  $  2,175  $  1,744 

4,142   

4,783   

4,249 

(194)   

3,485   

1,976 

2,417   

2,899   

2,392 

1,515   

3,756   

3,531 

$ 

(11)  $ 

(79)  $ 

(90)  $ 

24  $  (114) 

Investment securities

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

$ 

—   

—   

—   

—   

— 

Loans

(11)  $ 

(79)  $ 

(90)  $ 

24  $  (114) 

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities

OCI activity

$  (346)  $ 

80  $ 

(266)  $ 

—  $  (266) 

(8)   

2   

(6)   

—   

(6) 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

Securities purchased under agreements to 

resell and Securities borrowed1

Trading assets, net of Trading liabilities
Customer receivables and Other2

$  (354)  $ 

82  $ 

(272)  $ 

—  $  (272) 

Total interest income

$  10,162  $  17,098  $  13,892 

Pension and other

OCI activity

$  156  $ 

(37)  $ 

119  $ 

—  $  119 

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

26   

(8)   

18   

—   

18 

$  182  $ 

(45)  $ 

137  $ 

—  $  137 

Change in net DVA

OCI activity

$ 1,947  $ 

(472)  $  1,475  $ 

63  $  1,412 

Interest expense

Deposits

Borrowings

Securities sold under agreements to 
repurchase and Securities loaned3

Customer payables and Other4

Reclassified to earnings  
Net OCI

56   

(14)   

42   

—   

42 

Total interest expense

$ 2,003  $ 

(486)  $  1,517  $ 

63  $  1,454 

Net interest

$ 

953  $  1,885  $  1,255 

3,250   

5,052   

5,031 

983   

2,609   

1,898 

(1,337)   

2,858   

1,902 

$  3,849  $  12,404  $  10,086 

$  6,313  $  4,694  $  3,806 

1. Exclusive  of  cumulative  adjustments  related  to  the  adoption  of  certain  accounting 
updates in 2018. Refer to the previous Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 
(Loss) table for further information.

Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

$ in millions

Associated with net investments in 
subsidiaries with a non-U.S. dollar 
functional currency

Hedges, net of tax

Total

Carrying value of net investments in non-

U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries 
subject to hedges

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(1,406)  $ 

(1,874) 

611   

(795)  $ 

977 

(897) 

15,746  $ 

13,440 

to 

their 

from 

respective 

functional 

statements 

Cumulative  foreign  currency  translation  adjustments  include 
gains  or  losses  resulting  from  translating  foreign  currency 
financial 
functional 
currencies  to  U.S.  dollars,  net  of  hedge  gains  or  losses  and 
related  tax  effects.  The  Firm  uses  foreign  currency  contracts 
its  net 
the  currency  exposure  relating 
to  manage 
investments 
currency 
in  non-U.S.  dollar 
subsidiaries and determines the amount of exposure to hedge 
on  a  pre-tax  basis.  The  Firm  may  also  elect  not  to  hedge  its 
net  investments  in  certain  foreign  operations  due  to  market 
conditions  or  other  reasons,  including  the  availability  of 
various  currency  contracts  at  acceptable  costs.  Information 
relating  to  the  effects  on  cumulative  foreign  currency 
translation  adjustments  that  resulted  from  the  translation  of 
foreign  currency  financial  statements  and  from  gains  and 
losses from hedges of the Firm’s net investments in non-U.S. 
dollar  functional  currency  subsidiaries  is  summarized  in  the 
previous table.

1. Includes fees paid on Securities borrowed.
2. Includes interest from Cash and cash equivalents.
3. Includes fees received on Securities loaned.
4. Includes fees received from prime brokerage customers for stock loan transactions 

entered into to cover customers’ short positions.

Interest  income  and  Interest  expense  are  classified  in  the 
income statements based on the nature of the instrument and 
related market conventions. When included as a component of 
the instrument’s fair value, interest is included within Trading 
revenues  or  Investments  revenues.  Otherwise,  it  is  included 
within Interest income or Interest expense.

Accrued Interest

$ in millions

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

Customer and other receivables

$ 

Customer and other payables

1,652  $ 

2,119   

1,661 

2,223 

20.  Deferred  Compensation  Plans  and  Carried 
Interest Compensation 

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Certain current and former employees of the Firm participate 
in  the  Firm's  stock-based  compensation  plans.  These  plans 
include  RSUs  and  PSUs,  the  details  of  which  are  further 
outlined below.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

$ in millions

RSUs

Stock options

PSUs

Total

Retirement-eligible awards1

2020

2019

2018

$  1,170  $  1,064  $ 

892 

—   

142   

—   

89   

$  1,312  $  1,153  $ 

$ 

157  $ 

111  $ 

— 

28 

920 

110 

1. Included in total expense is stock-based compensation anticipated to be awarded in 
January of the following year that does not contain a future service requirement.

139

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Tax Benefit Related to Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Vested and Unvested RSU Activity

$ in millions
Tax benefit1

2020

2019

2018

$ 

270  $ 

243  $ 

193 

1. Excludes  income  tax  consequences  related  to  employee  share-based  award 

conversions.

Unrecognized  Compensation  Cost  Related  to  Stock-Based 
Awards Granted

$ in millions

To be recognized in:

2021

2022

Thereafter

Total

At 
December 31,
20201

$ 

$ 

383 

159 

28 

570 

shares in millions

RSUs at beginning of period

Awarded

Conversions to common stock

Forfeited
RSUs at end of period1
Aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs at end of period 

(dollars in millions)

Weighted average award date fair value

RSUs awarded in 2019

RSUs awarded in 2018

2020

Weighted
Average
Award Date
Fair Value

Number of
Shares

65  $ 

21   

(25)   

(1)   

60  $ 

$ 

$ 

44.38 

55.01 

39.81 

48.29 

49.82 

4,087 

43.05 

55.40 

1. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining term until delivery for the 

outstanding RSUs was approximately 1.2 years.

1. Amounts  do  not  include  cancellations,  accelerations,  future  adjustments  to  fair 
value  for  certain  awards,  or  2020  performance  year  compensation  awarded  in 
January 2021, which will begin to be amortized in 2021.

Unvested RSU Activity

connection  with 

stock-based 
In 
compensation plans, the Firm is authorized to issue shares of 
common stock held in treasury or newly issued shares.

awards  under 

its 

The  Firm  generally  uses  treasury  shares,  if  available,  to 
deliver shares to employees or employee stock trusts and has 
an ongoing repurchase authorization that includes repurchases 
in 
stock-based 
compensation  plans.  Share  repurchases  by  the  Firm  are 
subject to regulatory non-objection.

connection  with 

awards  under 

its 

Common  Shares  Available  for  Future  Awards  under  Stock-
Based Compensation Plans

in millions

Shares

At
December 31,
2020 

110 

See  Note  18  for  additional  information  on  the  Firm’s  Share 
Repurchase Program.

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs are subject to vesting over time, generally one to seven 
years  from  the  date  of  award,  contingent  upon  continued 
employment  and  subject  to  restrictions  on  sale,  transfer  or 
assignment  until  conversion  to  common  stock.  All  or  a 
portion  of  an  award  may  be  forfeited  if  employment  is 
terminated  before  the  end  of  the  relevant  vesting  period  or 
canceled after the relevant vesting period in certain situations. 
Recipients  of  RSUs  may  have  voting  rights,  at  the  Firm’s 
discretion,  and  generally  receive  dividend  equivalents  if  the 
awards vest.

December 2020 Form 10-K

140

shares in millions

Unvested RSUs at beginning of period

Awarded

Vested

Forfeited
Unvested RSUs at end of period1

2020

Weighted
Average
Award Date
Fair Value

Number of
Shares

37  $ 

21   

(24)   

(1)   

33  $ 

44.58 

55.01 

44.12 

48.29 

51.27 

1. Unvested  RSUs  represent  awards  where  recipients  have  yet  to  satisfy  either  the 

explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligible requirements.

Fair Value of RSU Activity

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Conversions to common stock

$  1,295  $  1,497  $  1,790 

Vested

1,289   

1,292   

1,504 

Performance-Based Stock Units

PSUs will vest and convert to shares of common stock only if 
the  Firm  satisfies  predetermined  performance  and  market-
based  conditions  over  a  three-year  performance  period.  The 
number of PSUs that will vest ranges from 0% to 150% of the 
target award, based on the extent to which the Firm achieves 
the  specified  performance  goals.  One-half  of  the  award  will 
be  earned  based  on  the  Firm’s  average  return  on  equity, 
excluding  certain  adjustments  specified  in  the  plan  terms 
(“MS  Adjusted  ROE”).  The  other  half  of  the  award  will  be 
earned based on the Firm’s total shareholder return, relative to 
the total shareholder return of the S&P 500 Financials Sector 
Index  (“Relative  MS  TSR”).  PSUs  have  vesting,  restriction 
and cancellation provisions that are generally similar to those 
of  RSUs.  At  December  31,  2020,  approximately  3  million 
PSUs were outstanding.

PSU Fair Value on Award Date

MS Adjusted ROE

Relative MS TSR

2020

2019

2018

$  57.05  $  43.29  $  56.84 

65.31   

48.28   

65.81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The  Relative  MS  TSR  fair  values  on  the  award  date  were 
estimated  using  a  Monte  Carlo  simulation  and  the  following 
assumptions.

21. Employee Benefit Plans 

Pension Plans

Monte Carlo Simulation Assumptions

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income)

Risk-Free
Interest Rate

Expected
Stock Price
Volatility

Correlation
Coefficient

$ in millions

Pension Plans

2020

2019

2018

Award Year

2020

2019

2018

 1.6 %

 2.6 %

 2.2 %

 24.0 %  

 26.5 %  

 26.8 %  

0.88 

0.89 

0.89 

The risk-free interest rate was determined based on the yields 
available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues. The expected 
stock  price  volatility  was  determined  using  historical 
volatility. The correlation coefficient was developed based on 
historical price data of the Firm and the S&P 500 Financials 
Sector  Index.  The  model  uses  an  expected  dividend  yield 
equivalent to reinvesting dividends.

Deferred Cash-Based Compensation Plans

Deferred  cash-based  compensation  plans  generally  provide  a 
return to the plan participants based upon the performance of 
each participant’s referenced investments.

Deferred Cash-Based Compensation Expense

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Deferred cash-based awards

$  1,263  $  1,233  $  1,174 

Return on referenced investments

856   

645   

(48) 

Total

Retirement-eligible awards1

$  2,119  $  1,878  $  1,126 

$ 

194  $ 

195  $ 

193 

1. Included  in  total  expense  is  deferred  cash-based  compensation  anticipated  to  be 
awarded  in  January  of  the  following  year  that  does  not  contain  a  future  service 
requirement.

Carried Interest Compensation

Service cost, benefits earned during the 

period

$ 

17  $ 

16  $ 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

121   

139   

16 

134 

Expected return on plan assets

(77)   

(114)   

(112) 

Net amortization of prior service cost (credit)

Net amortization of actuarial loss

1   

26   

1   

13   

Net periodic benefit expense

$ 

88  $ 

55  $ 

(1) 

26 

63 

Certain current and former U.S. employees of the Firm and its 
U.S. affiliates who were hired before July 1, 2007 are covered 
by the U.S. pension plan, a non-contributory defined benefit 
pension plan that is qualified under Section 401(a) of the 
Internal Revenue Code (“U.S. Qualified Plan”). The U.S. 
Qualified Plan has ceased future benefit accruals.

Unfunded supplementary plans (“Supplemental Plans”) cover 
certain  executives.  Liabilities  for  benefits  payable  under  the 
Supplemental  Plans  are  accrued  by  the  Firm  and  are  funded 
when  paid.  The  Morgan  Stanley  Supplemental  Executive 
Retirement  and  Excess  Plan  (“SEREP”),  a  non-contributory 
defined benefit plan that is not qualified under Section 401(a) 
of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  has  ceased  future  benefit 
accruals.

Certain of the Firm’s non-U.S. subsidiaries also have defined 
benefit  pension  plans  covering  their  eligible  current  and 
former employees.

The  Firm’s  pension  plans  generally  provide  pension  benefits 
that  are  based  on  each  employee’s  years  of  credited  service 
and on compensation levels specified in the plans.

The Firm generally recognizes compensation expense for any 
portion  of  carried  interest  (both  realized  and  unrealized)  that 
is allocated to employees.

Rollforward of Pre-tax AOCI

Carried Interest Compensation Expense

$ in millions

Expense

$ in millions

Beginning balance

Net gain (loss)

2020

2019

2018

$ 

215  $ 

534  $ 

156 

Prior service credit (cost) 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

Amortization of net loss 

Pension Plans

2020

2019

2018

$ 

(877)  $ 

(779)  $ 

(947) 

161   

(112)   

(2)   

1   

26   

—   

1   

13   

158 

(15) 

(1) 

26 

Changes recognized in OCI

186   

(98)   

168 

Ending balance

$ 

(691)  $ 

(877)  $ 

(779) 

The  Firm  generally  amortizes  into  net  periodic  benefit 
expense  (income)  the  unrecognized  net  gains  and  losses 
exceeding  10%  of  the  greater  of  the  projected  benefit 
obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. The U.S. 
pension plans amortize the unrecognized net gains and losses 
over 
life  expectancy  of  participants.  The 
remaining  plans  generally  amortize  the  unrecognized  net 

the  average 

141

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

gains  and  losses  and  prior  service  credit  over  the  average 
remaining service period of active participants.

Pension Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of the Fair 
Value of Plan Assets

Weighted  Average  Assumptions  Used  to  Determine  Net 
Periodic Benefit Expense (Income)

$ in millions

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

Discount rate

 3.08 %

 4.01 %

 3.46 %

Fair value of plan assets

Pension Plans

Projected benefit obligation

$ 

2020

2019

2018

Accumulated benefit obligation

708  $ 

692   

76   

637 

624 

66 

Expected long-term rate of return on plan 

assets

 2.35 %

 3.52 %

 3.50 %

Rate of future compensation increases 

 3.28 %

 3.34 %

 3.38 %

The  accounting 
involves  certain 
for  pension  plans 
assumptions  and  estimates.  The  expected  long-term  rate  of 
return  for 
the  U.S.  Qualified  Plan  was  estimated  by 
computing  a  weighted  average  of  the  underlying  long-term 
expected  returns  based  on  the  investment  managers’  target 
allocations.

Benefit Obligation and Funded Status

Rollforward  of  the  Benefit  Obligation  and  Fair  Value  of  Plan 
Assets

$ in millions

Rollforward of benefit obligation

Pension Plans

2020

2019

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

$ 

4,026  $ 

3,563 

Service cost

Interest cost
Actuarial loss (gain)1

Plan amendments

Plan settlements

Benefits paid
Other2

17   

121   

362   

2   

(2)   

(222)   

30   

16 

139 

497 

— 

(9) 

(191) 

11 

Benefit obligation at end of year

$ 

4,334  $ 

4,026 

Rollforward of fair value of plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 

3,553  $ 

3,203 

Actual return on plan assets

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Plan settlements
Other2

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded (unfunded) status

Amounts recognized in the balance sheets

Assets

Liabilities

Net amount recognized

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

600   

35   

(222)   

(2)   

21   

3,985  $ 

(349)  $ 

283  $ 

(632)   

(349)  $ 

499 

36 

(191) 

(9) 

15 

3,553 

(473) 

98 

(571) 

(473) 

1. Primarily reflects the impact of year-over-year discount rate fluctuations.
2. Includes foreign currency exchange rate changes.

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

$ in millions

Pension plans

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

4,318  $ 

4,013 

December 2020 Form 10-K

142

The  pension  plans  included  in  the  table  above  may  differ 
based on their funding status as of December 31 of each year.

Weighted  Average  Assumptions  Used  to  Determine  Benefit 
Obligation

Pension Plans

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

Discount rate

Rate of future compensation increase

 2.43 %

 3.25 %

 3.08 %

 3.28 %

The discount rates used to determine the benefit obligation for 
the  U.S.  pension  plans  were  selected  by  the  Firm,  in 
consultation  with  its  independent  actuary,  using  a  pension 
discount yield curve based on the characteristics of the plans, 
each  determined  independently.  The  pension  discount  yield 
curve  represents  spot  discount  yields  based  on  duration 
implicit  in  a  representative  broad-based  Aa-rated  corporate 
bond  universe  of  high-quality  fixed  income  investments.  For 
all non-U.S. pension plans, the Firm set the assumed discount 
rates  based  on  the  nature  of  liabilities,  local  economic 
environments and available bond indices.

Plan Assets

Fair Value of Plan Assets

$ in millions

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

At December 31, 2020

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents1
U.S. government and agency 

securities

Corporate and other debt—CDO  
Derivative contracts

Other investments
Other receivables1

Total

Assets Measured at NAV

Commingled trust funds:

Money market

Foreign funds:

Fixed income

Liquidity

Targeted cash flow

Total

Liabilities
Other payables1

Total liabilities

$ 

4  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

4 

3,038 

321   

— 

—   

— 

— 

4   

2   

—   

53   

— 

— 

—   

61 

— 

3,359 

4 

2 

61 

53 

$  3,042  $ 

380  $ 

61  $  3,483 

48 

169 

54 

250 

521 

(19) 

(19) 

$ 

— 

(19)   

— 

$ 

—  $ 

(19)  $ 

—  $ 

Fair value of plan assets

$  3,985 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$ in millions

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

At December 31, 2019

investment  returns  in  the  underlying  assets  and  not  to 
circumvent portfolio restrictions.

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents1
U.S. government and agency 

securities

Corporate and other debt—CDO  
Other investments
Other receivables1
Total

$ 

3  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

3 

2,658   

292   

—   

—   

—   

9   

—   

48   

—   

—   

53   

—   

2,950 

9 

53 

48 

$  2,661  $ 

349  $ 

53  $  3,063 

Assets Measured at NAV

Commingled trust funds:

Money market

Foreign funds:

Fixed income

Liquidity

Targeted cash flow

Total

Liabilities

Derivative contracts
Other payables1

Total liabilities

137 

136 

30 

240 

543 

(1) 

(52) 

(53) 

$ 

—   

—   

(1)   

(52)   

—   

—   

$ 

—  $ 

(53)  $ 

—  $ 

Fair value of plan assets

$  3,553 

1. Cash  and  cash  equivalents,  other  receivables  and  other  payables  are  valued  at 

their carrying value, which approximates fair value.

Rollforward of Level 3 Plan Assets

$ in millions

Balance at beginning of period

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

Purchases, sales and settlements, net

Balance at end of period

2020

2019

$ 

$ 

53  $ 

5   

3   

61  $ 

48 

3 

2 

53 

There were no transfers between levels during 2020 and 2019.

The U.S. Qualified Plan’s assets represent 87% of the Firm’s 
total  pension  plan  assets.  The  U.S.  Qualified  Plan  uses  a 
combination  of  active  and  risk-controlled  fixed  income 
investment  strategies.  The  fixed  income  asset  allocation 
consists  primarily  of  fixed  income  securities  and  related 
derivative  instruments  designed  to  approximate  the  expected 
cash flows of the plan’s liabilities in order to help reduce plan 
exposure  to  interest  rate  variation  and  to  better  align  assets 
with 
income 
allocation is expected to help protect the plan’s funded status 
and maintain the stability of plan contributions over the long 
run.  The  investment  portfolio  performance  is  assessed  by 
comparing actual investment performance with changes in the 
estimated  present  value  of  the  U.S.  Qualified  Plan’s  benefit 
obligation.

longer-duration  fixed 

the  obligation.  The 

Derivative  instruments  are  permitted  in  the  U.S.  Qualified 
Plan’s  investment  portfolio  only  to  the  extent  that  they 
comply with all of the plan’s investment policy guidelines and 
are consistent with the plan’s risk and return objectives.

As a fundamental operating principle, any restrictions on the 
underlying  assets  apply  to  the  respective  derivative  product. 
This  includes  percentage  allocations  and  credit  quality. 
Derivatives  are  used  solely  for  the  purpose  of  enhancing 

Plan  assets  are  measured  at  fair  value  using  valuation 
techniques  that  are  consistent  with  the  valuation  techniques 
applied to the Firm’s major categories of assets and liabilities 
as  described  in  Notes  2  and  5.  OTC  derivative  contracts 
consist  of  investments  in  interest  rate  swaps  and  total  return 
swaps.  Other  investments  consist  of  pledged  insurance 
annuity contracts held by non-U.S.-based plans. The pledged 
insurance annuity contracts are valued based on the premium 
reserve  of  the  insurer  for  a  guarantee  that  the  insurer  has 
given  to  the  employee  benefit  plan  that  approximates  fair 
value.  The  pledged 
insurance  annuity  contracts  are 
categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Commingled trust funds are privately offered funds regulated, 
supervised  and  subject  to  periodic  examination  by  a  U.S. 
federal  or  state  agency  and  available  to  institutional  clients. 
The trust must be maintained for the collective investment or 
reinvestment  of  assets  contributed  to  it  from  U.S.  tax-
qualified employee benefit plans maintained by more than one 
employer or controlled group of corporations. The sponsor of 
the commingled trust funds values the funds based on the fair 
value  of  the  underlying  securities.  Commingled  trust  funds 
are redeemable at NAV at the measurement date or in the near 
future.

Some non-U.S.-based plans hold foreign funds that consist of 
investments in fixed income funds, target cash flow funds and 
liquidity  funds.  Fixed  income  funds  invest  in  individual 
securities quoted on a recognized stock exchange or traded in 
a  regulated  market.  Certain  fixed  income  funds  aim  to 
produce returns consistent with certain Financial Times Stock 
Exchange  indexes.  Target  cash  flow  funds  are  designed  to 
provide  a  series  of  fixed  annual  cash  flows  achieved  by 
investing  in  government  bonds  and  derivatives.  Liquidity 
funds  place  a  high  priority  on  capital  preservation,  stable 
value and a high liquidity of assets. Foreign funds are readily 
redeemable at NAV.

The  Firm  generally  considers  the  NAV  of  commingled  trust 
funds and foreign funds provided by the fund manager to be 
the best estimate of fair value.

Expected Contributions

The Firm’s policy is to fund at least the amount sufficient to 
meet  minimum  funding  requirements  under  applicable 
employee  benefit  and  tax  laws.  At  December  31,  2020,  the 
Firm expected to contribute approximately $50 million to its 
pension  plans  in  2021  based  upon  the  plans’  current  funded 
status and expected asset return assumptions for 2021.

143

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Expected Future Benefit Payments

22. Income Taxes 

$ in millions

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026-2030

401(k) Plans

$ in millions

Expense

At December 31, 2020

Pension Plans

$ 

153 

155 

161 

163 

171 

940 

2020

2019

2018

$ 

293  $ 

280  $ 

272 

U.S.  employees  meeting  certain  eligibility  requirements  may 
participate in the Firm’s 401(k) plans.

Morgan Stanley 401(k) Plan

Eligible  employees  receive  discretionary  401(k)  matching 
cash  contributions  as  determined  annually  by  the  Firm.  For 
2020,  2019  and  2018, 
the  Firm  matched  employee 
contributions  up  to  4%  of  eligible  pay,  up  to  the  IRS  limit. 
Matching contributions were invested among available funds 
according  to  each  participant’s  investment  direction  on  file. 
Eligible  employees  with  eligible  pay  less  than  or  equal  to 
$100,000 also received a fixed contribution under the 401(k) 
Plan  equal  to  2%  of  eligible  pay.  Transition  contributions 
relating to acquired entities or frozen employee benefit plans 
are  allocated  to  certain  eligible  employees.  The  Firm  match, 
fixed  contribution  and  transition  contribution  are  included  in 
the Firm’s 401(k) expense.

Non-U.S. Defined Contribution Pension Plans

$ in millions

Expense

2020

2019

2018

$ 

130  $ 

121  $ 

116 

The  Firm  maintains  separate  defined  contribution  pension 
plans  that  cover  eligible  employees  of  certain  non-U.S. 
subsidiaries.  Under  such  plans,  benefits  are  generally 
determined  based  on  a  fixed  rate  of  base  salary  with  certain 
vesting requirements.

Components of Provision for Income Taxes

$ in millions

Current

U.S.:

Federal

State and local

Non-U.S.:

U.K.

Japan

Hong Kong
Other1

Total

Deferred

U.S.:

Federal

State and local

Non-U.S.:

U.K.

Japan

Hong Kong
Other1

Total

Provision for income taxes from continuing 

operations

Provision for income taxes from discontinued 

operations

2020

2019

2018

$  1,641  $ 

873  $ 

399   

260   

395   

185   

185   

684   

166   

177   

82   

341   

686 

207 

328 

268 

94 

318 

$  3,489  $  1,899  $  1,901 

$ 

(249)  $ 

185  $ 

330 

(38)   

46   

56 

(2)   

12   

(3)   

30   

5   

11   

—   

(82)   

54 

(10) 

(3) 

22 

$ 

(250)  $ 

165  $ 

449 

$  3,239  $  2,064  $  2,350 

$ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

(1) 

1. Other Non-U.S. tax provisions for 2020, 2019 and 2018 primarily include Brazil, the 

Netherlands, and India.

Reconciliation of the U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate 
to the Effective Income Tax Rate

U.S. federal statutory income tax rate

U.S. state and local income taxes, net of 

U.S. federal income tax benefits

Domestic tax credits and tax exempt income

Non-U.S. earnings

Employee share-based awards

Other

2020

 21.0 

2019

2018

 21.0 %

 21.0 %

 2.0 

 (0.8) 

 1.7 

 (0.7) 

 (0.7) 

 2.2 

 (1.6) 

 (0.8) 

 (1.1) 

 (1.4) 

 2.0 

 (1.3) 

 1.3 

 (1.5) 

 (0.6) 

Effective income tax rate

 22.5 %

 18.3 %

 20.9 %

The increase in the Firm’s effective tax rate in 2020 compared 
with  the  prior  year  is  primarily  due  to  the  higher  level  of 
earnings  and  lower  net  discrete  tax  benefits.  In  2020,  net 
discrete  tax  benefits  were  $122  million,  primarily  related  to 
the conversion of employee share-based awards.

The Firm’s effective tax rates for 2019 and 2018 include net 
discrete  tax  benefits  of  $475  million  and  $368  million, 
respectively,  primarily  associated  with  remeasurement  of 
reserves  and  related  interest  as  a  result  of  new  information 
pertaining 
tax 
examinations,  as  well  as  benefits  related  to  conversion  of 
employee  share-based  awards.  The  fourth  quarters  of  2019 
and 2018 include net discrete tax benefits of $158 million and 
$111 million, respectively. 

resolution  of  multi-jurisdiction 

the 

to 

December 2020 Form 10-K

144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

$ in millions

Gross deferred tax assets

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

Net operating loss and tax credit 

carryforwards

$ 

Employee compensation and benefit plans

Allowance for credit losses and other 

reserves

Valuation of inventory, investments and 

receivables

Other

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets valuation allowance

Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance $ 
Gross deferred tax liabilities

Fixed assets

Intangibles, goodwill and other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets

$ 

$ 

330  $ 

2,248   

669   

19   

43   

3,309   

236   

3,073  $ 

1,130   

1,156   

2,286  $ 

787  $ 

287 

2,075 

318 

368 

— 

3,048 

156 

2,892 

983 

411 

1,394 

1,498 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary 
differences  between  the  financial  reporting  and  tax  bases  of 
assets  and  liabilities  and  are  measured  using  the  enacted  tax 
rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are 
expected to reverse.

The Firm believes the recognized net deferred tax assets (after 
valuation  allowance)  at  December  31,  2020  are  more  likely 
than  not  to  be  realized  based  on  expectations  as  to  future 
taxable income in the jurisdictions in which it operates.

The  earnings  of  certain  foreign  subsidiaries  are  indefinitely 
reinvested due to regulatory and other capital requirements in 
foreign 
the 
unrecognized deferred tax liability attributable to indefinitely 
reinvested earnings is immaterial.

jurisdictions.  As  of  December  31,  2020, 

Rollforward of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Balance at beginning of period

$ 

755  $  1,080  $  1,594 

Increase based on tax positions related to 

the current period

Increase based on tax positions related to 

prior periods

Increase based on the acquisition of 

E*TRADE

Decrease based on tax positions related to 

prior periods

Decreases related to settlements with taxing 

authorities

Decreases related to lapse of statute of 

limitations

Balance at end of period
Net unrecognized tax benefits1

139   

57   

178   

61   

26   

—   

83 

34 

— 

(297)   

(419)   

(404) 

(36)   

(17)   

(139) 

(10)   

(7)   

(88) 

$ 

$ 

755  $ 

755  $  1,080 

665  $ 

549  $ 

746 

1. Represent ending unrecognized tax benefits adjusted for the impact of the federal 
benefit  of  state  issues,  competent  authority  arrangements  and  foreign  tax  credit 
offsets.  If  recognized,  these  net  benefits  would  favorably  impact  the  effective  tax 
rate in future periods.

It  is  reasonably  possible  that  significant  changes  in  the 
balance  of  unrecognized  tax  benefits  may  occur  within  the 
next  12  months.  At  this  time,  however,  it  is  not  possible  to 
reasonably  estimate  the  expected  change  to  the  total  amount 

of  unrecognized  tax  benefits  and  the  impact  on  the  Firm’s 
effective tax rate over the next 12 months.

Interest Expense (Benefit) Associated with Unrecognized Tax 
Benefits, Net of Federal and State Income Tax Benefits

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Recognized in income statements

$ 

56  $ 

8  $ 

(40) 

Accrued at end of period

134   

92   

91 

Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are 
recognized as a component of the provision for income taxes. 
Penalties  related  to  unrecognized  tax  benefits  for  the  years 
mentioned above were immaterial.

Earliest  Tax  Year  Subject  to  Examination  in  Major  Tax 
Jurisdictions

Jurisdiction

U.S.

New York State and New York City

Hong Kong

U.K.

Japan

Tax Year

2017

2010

2014

2011

2015

The  Firm  is  under  continuous  examination  by  the  IRS  and 
other  tax  authorities  in  certain  countries,  such  as  Japan  and 
the U.K., and in states and localities in which it has significant 
business operations, such as New York.

that 

resolution  of 

The  Firm  believes 
tax 
the 
examinations  will  not  have  a  material  effect  on  the  annual 
financial  statements,  although  a  resolution  could  have  a 
material impact in the income statement and on the effective 
tax rate for any period in which such resolutions occur.

these 

23.  Segment,  Geographic 
Information 

and  Revenue 

The  Firm  structures  its  segments  primarily  based  upon  the 
nature  of  the  financial  products  and  services  provided  to 
customers  and  its  management  organization.  The  Firm 
provides a wide range of financial products and services to its 
customers  in  each  of  its  business  segments:  Institutional 
Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management. 
For a further discussion of the business segments, see Note 1.

Revenues  and  expenses  directly  associated  with  each 
respective  business  segment  are  included  in  determining  its 
operating  results.  Other  revenues  and  expenses  that  are  not 
directly  attributable  to  a  particular  business  segment  are 
generally  allocated  based  on  each  business  segment’s 
respective  net  revenues,  non-interest  expenses  or  other 
relevant measures.

As  a  result  of  revenues  and  expenses  from  transactions  with 
other  operating  segments  being  treated  as  transactions  with 
external parties for purposes of segment disclosures, the Firm 
includes  an  Intersegment  Eliminations  category  to  reconcile 
the business segment results to the consolidated results.

145

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Selected Financial Information by Business Segment

$ in millions

IS

WM

2020

IM

I/E

Total

Investment banking

$  7,204  $  559  $  —  $ 

(89)  $  7,674 

Trading

  13,106   

844   

(34)   

76    13,992 

Investments
Commissions and fees1
Asset management1
Other

166   

12   

808   

—   

986 

  2,935    2,291   

1   

(376)   

4,851 

461    10,955    3,013   

(157)    14,272 

(214)   

372   

(39)   

(9)   

110 

Total non-interest revenues

  23,658    15,033    3,749   

(555)    41,885 

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

Income from continuing 

operations before income 
taxes

  5,809    4,771   

14   

(432)    10,162 

  3,519   

749   

29   

(448)   

3,849 

  2,290    4,022   

(15)   

16   

6,313 

$ 25,948  $ 19,055  $  3,734  $  (539)  $ 48,198 

$  9,151  $  4,387  $  870  $ 

10  $ 14,418 

Provision for income taxes

  2,040    1,026   

171   

2   

3,239 

Income from continuing 

operations

Income (loss) from 

discontinued operations, 
net of income taxes

  7,111    3,361   

699   

8    11,179 

—   

—   

—   

—   

— 

Net income

  7,111    3,361   

699   

8    11,179 

Net income applicable to 
noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable to 

Morgan Stanley

99   

—   

84   

—   

183 

$  7,012  $  3,361  $  615  $ 

8  $ 10,996 

$ in millions

IS

WM

2019

IM

I/E

Total

Investment banking

$  5,734  $  509  $  —  $ 

(80)  $  6,163 

Trading

  10,318   

734   

(8)   

51    11,095 

$ in millions

IS

WM

2018

IM

I/E

Total

Investment banking

$  6,088  $  475  $  —  $ 

(81)  $  6,482 

Trading

  11,191   

279   

25   

56    11,551 

Investments
Commissions and fees1
Asset management1

Other

182   

1   

254   

—   

437 

  2,671    1,804   

—   

(285)   

4,190 

421    10,158    2,468   

(149)    12,898 

535   

248   

(30)   

(10)   

743 

Total non-interest revenues

  21,088    12,965    2,717   

(469)    36,301 

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

Income from continuing 

operations before income 
taxes

  9,271    5,498   

57   

(934)    13,892 

  9,777    1,221   

28   

(940)    10,086 

(506)    4,277   

29   

6   

3,806 

$ 20,582  $ 17,242  $  2,746  $  (463)  $ 40,107 

$  6,260  $  4,521  $  464  $ 

(8)  $ 11,237 

Provision for income taxes

  1,230    1,049   

73   

(2)   

2,350 

Income from continuing 

operations

Income (loss) from 

discontinued operations, 
net of income taxes

  5,030    3,472   

391   

(6)   

8,887 

(6)   

—   

2   

—   

(4) 

Net income

  5,024    3,472   

393   

(6)   

8,883 

Net income applicable to 
noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable to 

Morgan Stanley

118   

—   

17   

—   

135 

$  4,906  $  3,472  $  376  $ 

(6)  $  8,748 

I/E–Intersegment Eliminations 
1. Substantially all revenues are from contracts with customers.
2. The 

fourth  quarter  of  2019 

included  specific  severance-related  costs  of 
approximately  $172  million,  which  are  included  in  Compensation  and  benefits 
expenses  in  the  Income  statement.  These  costs  were  recorded  in  the  business 
segments  approximately  as  follows:  Institutional  Securities  $124  million,  Wealth 
Management $37 million and Investment Management $11 million.

Investments
Commissions and fees1
Asset management1

Other

325   

2    1,213   

—   

1,540 

  2,484    1,726   

1   

(292)   

3,919 

Detail of Investment Banking Revenues

413    10,199    2,629   

(158)    13,083 

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

632   

345   

(46)   

(6)   

925 

Institutional Securities—Advisory

$ 2,008 

$ 2,116 

$ 2,436 

Total non-interest revenues

  19,906    13,515    3,789   

(485)    36,725 

Institutional Securities—Underwriting

  5,196 

  3,618 

  3,652 

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

Income from continuing 

operations before income 
taxes2

  12,193    5,467   

20   

(582)    17,098 

  11,713    1,245   

46   

(600)    12,404 

480    4,222   

(26)   

18   

4,694 

$ 20,386  $ 17,737  $  3,763  $  (467)  $ 41,419 

$  5,490  $  4,832  $  985  $ 

(6)  $ 11,301 

Provision for income taxes

769    1,104   

193   

(2)   

2,064 

Income from continuing 

operations

Income (loss) from 

discontinued operations, 
net of income taxes

  4,721    3,728   

792   

(4)   

9,237 

—   

—   

—   

—   

— 

Net income

  4,721    3,728   

792   

(4)   

9,237 

Net income applicable to 
noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable to 

Morgan Stanley

122   

—   

73   

—   

195 

$  4,599  $  3,728  $  719  $ 

(4)  $  9,042 

Firm Investment banking revenues from 

contracts with customers

 92 %

 90 %

 86 %

Trading Revenues by Product Type

$ in millions

Interest rate

Foreign exchange
Equity security and index1
Commodity and other

Credit

Total

2020

2019

2018

$  2,978  $  2,773  $  2,696 

902   

395   

914 

6,200   

5,246   

6,157 

1,771   

1,438   

1,174 

2,141   

1,243   

610 

$  13,992  $  11,095  $  11,551 

1. Dividend income is included within equity security and index contracts.

The previous table summarizes realized and unrealized gains 
and  losses,  from  derivative  and  non-derivative  financial 
instruments,  included  in  Trading  revenues  in  the  income 
statements.  The  Firm  generally  utilizes  financial  instruments 
across  a  variety  of  product  types  in  connection  with  its 
market-making  and  related  risk  management  strategies.  The 
trading revenues presented in the table are not representative 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  Firm  manages  its  business 
activities  and  are  prepared  in  a  manner  similar  to  the 
presentation  of  trading  revenues  for  regulatory  reporting 
purposes.

December 2020 Form 10-K

146

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Investment Management Investments Revenues—Net 
Cumulative Unrealized Carried Interest

$ in millions

Net cumulative unrealized performance-

based fees at risk of reversing

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

735  $ 

774 

The Firm’s portion of net cumulative performance-based fees 
in the form of unrealized carried interest, for which the Firm 
is  not  obligated  to  pay  compensation,  is  at  risk  of  reversing 
when  the  return  in  certain  funds  fall  below  specified 
performance  targets.  See  Note  15  for  information  regarding 
general  partner  guarantees,  which 
include  potential 
obligations to return performance fee distributions previously 
received.

Investment  Management  Asset  Management  Revenues—
Reduction of Fees Due to Fee Waivers

$ in millions

Fee waivers

2020

2019

2018

$ 

135  $ 

43  $ 

56 

The  Firm  waives  a  portion  of  its  fees  in  the  Investment 
Management business segment from certain registered money 
market funds that comply with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 
of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Certain Other Fee Waivers

the  Firm’s  employees, 

Separately, 
its  senior 
officers, may participate on the same terms and conditions as 
other  investors  in  certain  funds  that  the  Firm  sponsors, 
primarily  for  client  investment,  and  the  Firm  may  waive  or 
lower applicable fees and charges for its employees.

including 

Net Revenues by Region

$ in millions

Americas

EMEA

Asia

Total

Income  from  Continuing  Operations  before  Income  Tax 
Expense (Benefit)

$ in millions

U.S.
Non-U.S.1
Total

2020

2019

2018

$  10,027  $  9,464  $  7,804 

4,391   

1,837   

3,433 

$  14,418  $  11,301  $  11,237 

1. Non-U.S.  income  is  defined  as  income  generated  from  operations  located  outside 

the U.S.

Net Discrete Tax Provisions (Benefits) by Segment

$ in millions

IS

WM

IM

Total

2020

2019

2018

$ 

(68)  $ 

(400)  $ 

(286) 

(50)   

(4)   

(50)   

(25)   

(50) 

(32) 

$ 

(122)  $ 

(475)  $ 

(368) 

The  Firm  operates  in  both  U.S.  and  non-U.S.  markets.  The 
Firm’s non-U.S. business activities are principally conducted 
and  managed  through  EMEA  and  Asia  locations.  The  net 
revenues  disclosed  in  the  previous  table  reflect  the  regional 
view  of  the  Firm’s  consolidated  net  revenues  on  a  managed 
basis, based on the following methodology:

Institutional Securities: client location for advisory and equity 
underwriting,  syndicate  desk  location  for  debt  underwriting, 
trading desk location for sales and trading.

Wealth Management: representatives operate in the Americas.

Investment  Management:  client 
closed-end funds, which are based on asset location.

location,  except  certain 

Revenues Recognized from Prior Services

$ in millions

Non-interest revenues

2020

2019

$  2,298  $  2,705 

The  previous  table  includes  revenues  from  contracts  with 
customers  recognized  where  some  or  all  services  were 
performed  in  prior  periods  and  are  primarily  composed  of 
investment banking advisory fees and distribution fees.

Receivables from Contracts with Customers

$ in millions

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

Customer and other receivables

$ 

3,200  $ 

2,916 

Receivables  from  contracts  with  customers,  which  are 
included within Customer and other receivables in the balance 
sheets,  arise  when  the  Firm  has  both  recorded  revenues  and 
has the right per the contract to bill the customer.

Assets by Business Segment

2020

2019

2018

$  35,017  $  30,226  $  29,301 

6,430   

6,061   

6,092 

$ in millions

6,751   

5,132   

4,714 

Institutional Securities

$  48,198  $  41,419  $  40,107 

Wealth Management

Investment Management
Total1

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

753,322  $ 

691,201 

355,595   

197,682 

6,945   

6,546 

$ 

1,115,862  $ 

895,429 

1. Parent assets have been fully allocated to the business segments.

Total Assets by Region

$ in millions

Americas

EMEA

Asia

Total

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

815,048  $ 

194,598   

106,216   

622,979 

185,093 

87,357 

$ 

1,115,862  $ 

895,429 

147

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

24. Parent Company 

Parent Company Only—Condensed Balance Sheets

Parent  Company  Only—Condensed  Income  Statements  and 
Comprehensive Income Statements

$ in millions

Revenues

2020

2019

2018

Dividends from bank subsidiaries

$  2,811  $  3,531  $  2,969 
Dividends from BHC and non-bank subsidiaries   1,170    1,998    2,004 
Total dividends from subsidiaries

  3,981    5,529    4,973 

Trading

Other

Total non-interest revenues

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest

Net revenues

Non-interest expenses

Income before income taxes

(244)   

51   

(54)   

80   

54 

(5) 

  3,788    5,555    5,022 

  3,666    5,121    5,172 

  3,087    4,661    4,816 

  4,367    6,015    5,378 

387   

300   

225 

  3,980    5,715    5,153 

579   

460   

356 

Bank and BHC

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

(109)   

(73)   

22 

Net income before undistributed gain 

of subsidiaries

Undistributed gain of subsidiaries

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

  4,089    5,788    5,131 

  6,907    3,254    3,617 

  10,996    9,042    8,748 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

102   

(8)   

(114) 

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) 

on available-for-sale securities

Pensions and other

  1,580    1,137   

(272) 

146   

(66)   

137 

$ in millions, except share data

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trading assets at fair value

Investment securities (includes $20,037 and 
$19,824 at fair value; $24,248 and $4,606 
were pledged to various parties)

Securities purchased under agreement to 

resell to affiliates

Advances to subsidiaries:

Bank and BHC

Non-bank

Equity investments in subsidiaries:

Non-bank

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Trading liabilities at fair value

Securities sold under agreements to 

repurchase from affiliates

Payables to and advances from subsidiaries

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

Borrowings (includes $18,804 and $20,461 at 

fair value)

Total liabilities

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

7,102  $ 

6,862   

8,010 

5,747 

39,225   

37,253 

34,698   

10,114 

22,692   

27,667 

121,731   

104,345 

52,951   

47,450   

454   

36,093 

43,667 

244 

333,165  $ 

273,140 

1,623  $ 

1,130 

24,349   

43,252   

2,181   

4,631 

35,470 

2,153 

159,979   

231,384   

148,207 

191,591 

$ 

$ 

Change in net debt valuation adjustment

(1,002)   

(1,559)    1,454 

Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note 15)

Comprehensive income

Net income

Preferred stock dividends and other

Earnings applicable to Morgan Stanley 

common shareholders

$ 11,822  $  8,546  $  9,953 

$ 10,996  $  9,042  $  8,748 

496   

530   

526 

$ 10,500  $  8,512  $  8,222 

Equity

Preferred stock

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

Shares authorized: 3,500,000,000; Shares 

issued: 2,038,893,979; Shares outstanding: 
1,809,624,144 and 1,593,973,680

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Employee stock trusts

Accumulated other comprehensive income 

(loss)

Common stock held in treasury at cost, $0.01 
par value (229,269,835 and 444,920,299 
shares)

Common stock issued to employee stock 

trusts

Total shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and equity

9,250   

8,520 

20   

25,546   

78,694   

3,043   

20 

23,935 

70,589 

2,918 

(1,962)   

(2,788) 

(9,767)   

(18,727) 

(3,043)   

101,781   

(2,918) 

81,549 

$ 

333,165  $ 

273,140 

December 2020 Form 10-K

148

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Parent Company Only—Condensed Cash Flow Statements

$ in millions

2020

2019

2018

Net cash provided by (used for) operating 

activities

$ 14,202  $ 24,175  $  (1,136) 

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from (payments for):

Investment securities:

Purchases

Proceeds from sales

(9,310)    (22,408)   

(8,155) 

  2,013    4,671    1,252 

Proceeds from paydowns and maturities

  5,651    3,157    3,729 

Securities purchased under agreements to 

resell with affiliates

Securities sold under agreements to 

repurchase with affiliates

  (24,584)    15,422    13,057 

  19,719    4,631   

(8,753) 

Advances to and investments in subsidiaries

  (13,832)   

(9,210)    11,841 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing 

activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from:

Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance 

costs

Issuance of Borrowings

Payments for:

Borrowings

Repurchases of common stock and 

employee tax withholdings

Cash dividends

  (20,343)   

(3,737)    12,971 

—   

497   

— 

  25,587    8,337    14,918 

  (22,105)    (24,282)    (21,418) 

(1,890)   

(5,954)   

(5,566) 

(2,739)   

(2,627)   

(2,375) 

Net change in advances from subsidiaries

  7,194    4,378    2,122 

Other financing activities

(498)   

12   

— 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing 

activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and 

cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash 

equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of 

  5,549    (19,639)    (12,319) 

(316)   

(271)   

(166) 

(908)   

528   

(650) 

period

  8,010    7,482    8,132 
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period $  7,102  $  8,010  $  7,482 

Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash and due from banks

$ 

20  $ 

9  $ 

6 

Deposits with bank subsidiaries

  7,082    8,001    7,476 
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period $  7,102  $  8,010  $  7,482 

Restricted cash

$ 

381  $  —  $  — 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

Cash payments for:

Interest
Income taxes, net of refunds1

$  3,472  $  4,677  $  4,798 

  1,364    1,186   

437 

1. Represents  total  payments,  net  of  refunds,  made  to  various  tax  authorities  and 
includes  taxes  paid  on  behalf  of  certain  subsidiaries  that  are  subsequently  settled 
between  the  Parent  Company  and  these  subsidiaries.  The  settlements  received 
from subsidiaries were $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion and $1.6 billion for 2020, 2019 and 
2018, respectively.

On  November  25,  2019,  the  Parent  Company  issued  $500 
million of Series L Preferred Stock, and on January 15, 2020, 
the Parent Company redeemed in whole its outstanding Series 
G Preferred Stock. For further information on preferred stock, 
see Note 18.

Parent Company’s Borrowings with Original Maturities 
Greater than One Year

$ in millions

Senior

Subordinated

Total

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

$ 

148,885  $ 

137,138 

11,094   

10,570 

159,979  $ 

147,708 

Transactions with Subsidiaries

The  Parent  Company  has  transactions  with  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries  determined  on  an  agreed-upon  basis  and  has 
guaranteed  certain  unsecured  lines  of  credit  and  contractual 
obligations on certain of its consolidated subsidiaries.

Guarantees

In  the  normal  course  of  its  business,  the  Parent  Company 
guarantees  certain  of  its  subsidiaries’  obligations  on  a 
transaction-by-transaction  basis  under  various 
financial 
arrangements. The Parent Company has issued guarantees on 
behalf  of  its  subsidiaries  to  various  U.S.  and  non-U.S. 
exchanges  and  clearinghouses  that  trade  and  clear  securities 
and/or futures contracts. Under these guarantee arrangements, 
the  Parent  Company  may  be  required  to  pay  the  financial 
obligations of its subsidiaries related to business transacted on 
or  with  the  exchanges  and  clearinghouses  in  the  event  of  a 
subsidiary’s  default  on  its  obligations  to  the  exchange  or  the 
clearinghouse.  The  Parent  Company  has  not  recorded  any 
contingent  liability  in  its  condensed  financial  statements  for 
these  arrangements  and  believes 
that  any  potential 
requirements to make payments under these arrangements are 
remote.

taxes, 

The  Parent  Company  also,  in  the  normal  course  of  business, 
provides  standard  indemnities  to  counterparties  on  behalf  of 
its  subsidiaries  for 
including  U.S.  and  foreign 
withholding  taxes,  on  interest  and  other  payments  made  on 
derivatives,  securities  and  stock  lending  transactions,  and 
certain annuity products, and may also provide indemnities to 
or  on  behalf  of  affiliates  from  time  to  time  for  other 
arrangements.  These  indemnity  payments  could  be  required, 
as  applicable,  based  on  a  change  in  the  tax  laws,  change  in 
interpretation of applicable tax rulings or claims arising from 
contractual  relationships  between  affiliates.  Certain  contracts 
contain  provisions  that  enable  the  Parent  Company  to 
terminate the agreement upon the occurrence of such events. 
The  maximum  potential  amount  of  future  payments  that  the 
Parent  Company  could  be  required  to  make  under  these 
indemnifications  cannot  be  estimated.  The  Parent  Company 
has  not  recorded  any  contingent  liability  in  its  condensed 
financial  statements  for  these  indemnifications  and  believes 
that the occurrence of any events that would trigger payments 
under these contracts is remote.

149

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Guarantees  of  Debt  Instruments  and  Warrants  Issued  by 
Subsidiaries

$ in millions

Aggregate balance

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

39,745  $ 

32,996 

Guarantees under Subsidiary Lease Obligations

At
December 31,
2020 

At
December 31,
2019 

$ 

865  $ 

925 

$ in millions
Aggregate balance1

1. Amounts primarily relate to the U.K. 

Finance Subsidiary

The Parent Company fully and unconditionally guarantees the 
securities  issued  by  Morgan  Stanley  Finance  LLC,  a  wholly 
owned  finance  subsidiary.  No  other  subsidiary  of  the  Parent 
Company guarantees these securities.

Resolution and Recovery Planning

As indicated in the Firm’s 2019 resolution plan submitted to 
the  Federal  Reserve  and  the  FDIC,  the  Parent  Company  has 
amended and restated its support agreement with its material 
entities (including its wholly owned, direct subsidiary Morgan 
Stanley Holdings LLC (the “Funding IHC”) and certain other 
subsidiaries),  as  defined  in  the  Firm’s  2019  resolution  plan. 
Under the secured, amended and restated support agreement, 
in  the  event  of  a  resolution  scenario,  the  Parent  Company 
would be obligated to contribute all of its material assets that 
can  be  contributed  under  the  terms  of  the  amended  and 
restated  support  agreement  (other  than  shares  in  subsidiaries 
of 
the  Parent  Company  and  certain  other  assets) 
(“Contributable  Assets”)  to  the  material  entities  and/or  the 
Funding  IHC.  The  Funding  IHC  would  be  obligated  to 
provide  capital  and  liquidity,  as  applicable,  to  the  material 
entities.

December 2020 Form 10-K

150

Table of Contents
Financial Data Supplement (Unaudited)

Average Balances and Interest Rates and Net Interest Income

Effect of Volume and Rate Changes on Net Interest Income

2020

2019

$ in millions

Average
Daily
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

Average
Daily
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

Interest earning assets

Investment 
securities1

$ 136,502  $  2,282 

 1.7 % $ 101,696  $  2,175 

 2.1 %

Loans1
Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities borrowed2:

  143,350    4,142 

  121,002    4,783 

 2.9 

 4.0 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

  130,525   

55 

 — 

  142,089    3,378 

  59,099   

(249) 

 (0.4) 

  76,577   

107 

Trading assets, net of Trading liabilities3:

U.S.

  76,273    2,000 

Non-U.S.

  22,604   

417 

Customer receivables and Other4:

U.S.

  87,775    1,188 

Non-U.S.

  63,301   

327 

 2.6 

 1.8 

 1.4 

 0.5 

  77,481    2,531 

  14,654   

368 

  61,501    2,697 

  58,601    1,059 

 2.4 

 0.1 

 3.3 

 2.5 

 4.4 

 1.8 

$ in millions

Interest earning assets

Investment
securities1

Loans1

2020 versus 2019

Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in:

Volume

Rate

Net Change

$ 

744  $ 

(637)  $ 

883   

(1,524)   

107 

(641) 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities borrowed2:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Trading assets, net of Trading liabilities3:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Customer receivables and Other4:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

(275)   

(3,048)   

(3,323) 

(24)   

(332)   

(356) 

(39)   

200   

(492)   

(151)   

(531) 

49 

1,152   

(2,661)   

(1,509) 

85   

(817)   

(732) 

Total

$ 719,429  $ 10,162 

 1.4 % $ 653,601  $ 17,098 

 2.6 %

Change in interest income

$ 

2,726  $ 

(9,662)  $ 

(6,936) 

Interest bearing liabilities

$ 241,487  $  953 

Deposits1
Borrowings1, 5
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Securities loaned6:

 0.4 % $ 180,116  $  1,885 

  202,498    3,250 

  192,770    5,052 

 1.6 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

  29,983   

  28,363   

532 

451 

 1.8 

 1.6 

  32,437    1,916 

  31,808   

693 

Customer payables and Other7:

  125,982    (1,176) 

 (0.9) 

  118,775    1,792 

  64,958   

(161) 

 (0.2) 

  65,196    1,066 

 1.0 %

 2.6 

 5.9 

 2.2 

 1.5 

 1.6 

$ 693,271  $  3,849 

 0.6 % $ 621,102  $ 12,404 

 2.0 %

Net interest income and 

net interest rate spread $  6,313 

 0.8 %

$  4,694 

 0.6 %

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Total

Interest bearing liabilities
Deposits1
Borrowings1, 5
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Securities loaned6:

(1,574)  $ 

(2,057)   

642  $ 

255   

$ 

(932) 

(1,802) 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Customer payables and Other7:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Change in interest expense

Change in net interest income

$ 

$ 

(145)   

(1,239)   

(1,384) 

(75)   

(167)   

(242) 

109   

(3,077)   

(2,968) 

(4)   

(1,223)   

(1,227) 

782  $ 

(9,337)  $ 

(8,555) 

1,944  $ 

(325)  $ 

1,619 

151

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Financial Data Supplement (Unaudited)

Average Balances and Interest Rates and Net Interest Income

Effect of Volume and Rate Changes on Net Interest Income

$ in millions

2018

Average
Daily
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

$ in millions

Volume

Rate

Net Change

2019 versus 2018

Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in:

Interest earning assets
Investment securities1
Loans1
Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities borrowed2:

$  81,977  $  1,744 

  109,681   

4,249 

 2.1 %

 3.9 

Interest earning assets
Investment securities1
Loans1
Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities borrowed2:

420  $ 

439   

11  $ 

95   

$ 

431 

534 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

  134,223   

2,262 

86,430   

(286) 

 1.7 

 (0.3) 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Trading assets, net of Trading liabilities3:

Trading assets, net of Trading liabilities3:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Customer receivables and Other4:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Total

57,780   

2,144 

9,014   

248 

73,695   

2,592 

54,396   

939 

 3.7 

 2.8 

 3.5 

 1.7 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Customer receivables and Other4:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

133   

33   

731   

155   

(429)   

73   

983   

360   

1,116 

393 

(344)   

(35)   

534   

47   

387 

120 

105 

120 

$  607,196  $  13,892 

 2.3 %

Change in interest income

$ 

1,555  $ 

1,651  $ 

3,206 

Interest bearing liabilities
Deposits1
Borrowings1, 5
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Securities loaned6:

549  $ 

81  $ 

28   

(7)   

$ 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Customer payables and Other7:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

462   

(72)   

(13)   

(67)   

46   

275   

744   

292   

630 

21 

508 

203 

731 

225 

Change in interest expense

Change in net interest income

$ 

$ 

419  $ 

1,899  $ 

2,318 

1,136  $ 

(248)  $ 

888 

1. Amounts include primarily U.S. balances.
2. Includes fees paid on Securities borrowed.
3. Excludes  non-interest  earning  assets  and  non-interest  bearing  liabilities,  such  as 

equity securities.

4. Includes Cash and cash equivalents.
5. Includes borrowings carried at fair value, whose interest expense is considered part 

of fair value and therefore is recorded within Trading revenues.

6. Includes  fees  received  on  Securities  loaned.  The  annualized  average  rate  was 
calculated  using  (a)  interest  expense  incurred  on  all  securities  sold  under 
agreements to repurchase and securities loaned transactions, whether or not such 
transactions  were  reported  in  the  balance  sheets  and  (b)  net  average  on-balance 
sheet balances, which exclude certain securities-for-securities transactions

7. Includes fees received from prime brokerage customers for stock loan transactions 

entered into to cover customers’ short positions.

Deposits

$ in 
millions
Deposits1:
Savings

Time

Total

Average Daily Deposits

2020

2019

2018

Average
Amount

Average
Rate

Average
Amount

Average
Rate

Average
Amount

Average
Rate

$ 202,035 

 0.1 % $ 144,017 

 0.6 % $ 142,753 

  39,452 

 1.8 %   36,099 

 2.8 %   26,473 

$ 241,487 

 0.4 % $ 180,116 

 1.0 % $ 169,226 

 0.4 %

 2.4 %

 0.7 %

1. The Firm’s deposits were primarily held in U.S. offices.

Interest bearing liabilities
Deposits1
Borrowings1, 5
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Securities loaned6:

$  169,226  $  1,255 

  191,692   

5,031 

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Customer payables and Other7:

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Total

24,426   

1,408 

37,319   

490 

  120,228   

1,061 

70,855   

841 

$  613,746  $  10,086 

Net interest income and net interest rate spread

$  3,806 

 0.7 %

 2.6 

 5.8 

 1.3 

 0.9 

 1.2 

 1.6 %

 0.7 %

December 2020 Form 10-K

152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Financial Data Supplement (Unaudited)

Ratios

Net income to average total assets
ROE1
Return on total equity2
Dividend payout ratio3

2020

2019

2018

 1.1 %  1.0 %  1.0 %

 13.1 %  11.7 %  11.8 %

 12.4 %  11.1 %  11.1 %

 21.7 %  25.0 %  23.3 %

Total average common equity to average total assets

 8.2 %  8.2 %  8.1 %

Total average equity to average total assets
Net charge-off ratio4

 9.1 %  9.2 %  9.1 %

 0.07 %  — %  (0.05) %

1. ROE represents Earnings applicable to Morgan Stanley common shareholders as a 

percentage of average common equity.

2. Return  on  total  equity  represents  Net  income  applicable  to  Morgan  Stanley  as  a 

percentage of average total equity.

3. Dividend  payout  ratio  represents  dividends  declared  per  common  share  as  a 

percentage of earnings per diluted common share.

4. Net charge-off ratio represents gross charge-offs net of recoveries divided by total 

average loans held for investment before ACL.

Securities  Sold  under  Agreements  to  Repurchase  and 
Securities Loaned

$ in millions

Period-end balance
Average balance1

2020

2019

2018

$ 58,318 

$ 62,706 

$ 61,667 

 58,346 

 64,245 

 61,745 

Maximum balance at any month-end

 61,336 

 78,327 

 72,161 

Weighted average interest rate during the 

period2

Weighted average interest rate on 

period-end balance2

 1.7 %

 4.1 %

 3.1 %

 0.6 %

 4.0 %

 4.1 %

1. The Firm calculated its average balances based upon daily amounts.
2. The  weighted  average  interest  rate  was  calculated  using  (a)  interest  expense 
incurred  on  all  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  and  securities 
loaned transactions, whether or not such transactions were reported in the balance 
sheets and (b) net average or period-end balances excluding certain securities-for-
securities transactions.

Cross-Border Outstandings

At December 31, 2020

$ in millions

Banks Governments

Non-banking
Financial
Institutions

Other

Total

Cayman Islands

$ 

20  $ 

2  $ 

40,347  $ 12,477  $ 52,846 

Japan

  11,592   
United Kingdom   11,659   
France

  3,569   

Germany

Ireland

China

Canada

Brazil

  1,699   

123   

  1,122   

  7,624   

  1,337   

8,659   

26,340    6,013    52,604 

12,079   

17,796    8,561    50,095 

3,552   

3,715   

65   

424   

507   

27,078    8,474    42,673 

6,919    5,457    17,790 

10,816    4,232    15,236 

678    11,863    14,087 

1,600    3,299    13,030 

3,587   

1,339    6,656    12,919 

At December 31, 2019

$ in millions

Banks Governments

Non-banking
Financial
Institutions

Other

Total

Japan

U.K.

$ 18,282  $ 

7,146  $ 

20,376  $ 11,565  $ 57,369 

  6,021   

11,515   

15,623    10,431    43,590 

Cayman Islands

12   

—   

24,693    5,987    30,692 

France

Canada

Ireland

European 

Central Bank

China

Brazil

Luxembourg

Australia

Netherlands

Germany

  4,454   

  6,794   

274   

1,927   

1,205   

126   

9,447    6,363    22,191 

2,606    4,163    14,768 

9,161    4,410    13,971 

—   

11,464   

—   

—    11,464 

  1,451   

  2,765   

82   

  2,265   

  2,149   

  1,210   

168   

2,116   

1,320    7,907    10,846 

1,287    4,509    10,677 

27   

7,596    1,947   

9,652 

2,366   

2,481    2,486   

9,598 

107   

838   

2,163    4,788   

9,207 

2,444    4,471   

8,963 

$ in millions

Banks Governments

Non-banking
Financial
Institutions

Other

Total

At December 31, 2018

Japan

U.K.

Cayman Islands

France

Canada

Ireland

European 

Central Bank

Brazil

Germany

Luxembourg

$ 16,130  $ 

14,974  $ 

30,301  $  9,951  $ 71,356 

3,978

14

3,750

6,808

664

—

2,464

822

101

7,683

—

1,420

2,153

24

12,008

5,074

1,499

291

20,168

11,083   42,912 

28,164

17,343

2,005

8,466

—

579

4,137

7,139

5,342   33,520 

6,584   29,097 

2,455   13,421 

4,191   13,345 

—   12,008 

2,133   10,250 

3,022  

9,480 

1,289  

8,820 

the  FFIEC 
Cross-border  outstandings  are  based  upon 
regulatory  guidelines  for  reporting  cross-border  information 
and represent the amounts that we may not be able to obtain 
from  a  foreign  country  due  to  country-specific  events, 
including  unfavorable  economic  and  political  conditions, 
economic  and  social  instability,  and  changes  in  government 
policies. Claims include cash, customer and other receivables, 
securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell,  securities 
instruments,  but  exclude 
borrowed  and  cash 
commitments. Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
and  securities  borrowed  are  presented  based  on  the  domicile 
of  the  counterparty,  without  reduction  for  related  securities 
collateral  held.  For  information  on  the  Firm’s  country  risk 
exposure, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about 
Risk—Country and Other Risks.”

trading 

There can be substantial differences between our cross-border 
risk  exposure  and  our  country  risk  exposure.  For  instance, 
unlike  the  country  risk  exposure,  our  cross-border  risk 
exposure does not include the effect of certain risk mitigants. 
In  addition,  the  basis  for  determining  the  domicile  of  the 
cross-border  risk  exposure  is  different  from  the  basis  for 
determining  the  country  risk  exposure.  Cross-border  risk 
exposure  is  reported  based  on  the  country  of  jurisdiction  for 
the  obligor  or  guarantor.  For  country  risk  exposure,  we 
consider factors in addition to that of country of jurisdiction, 
including  physical  location  of  operations  or  assets,  location 

153

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
Financial Data Supplement (Unaudited)

and  source  of  cash  flows  or  revenues,  and  location  of 
collateral  (if  applicable),  in  order  to  determine  the  basis  for 
risk 
country 
exposure 
is 
purchased,  while  country  risk  exposure  incorporates  CDS 
where protection is purchased or sold.

incorporates  CDS  only  where  protection 

risk  exposure.  Furthermore,  cross-border 

The  cross-border  outstandings  tables  set  forth  cross-border 
outstandings for each country, excluding derivative exposure, 
in  which  cross-border  outstandings  exceed  1%  of  the  Firm’s 
consolidated  assets  or  20%  of  the  Firm’s  total  capital, 
whichever is less, in accordance with the FFIEC guidelines.

$ in millions

At December 31, 2020

Cross-
Border Exposure1

European Central Bank, Australia, Luxembourg, Republic 

$ 

50,420 

of Korea, and Netherlands

At December 31, 2019

Switzerland, Republic of Korea and Taiwan

At December 31, 2018

Netherlands

$ 

$ 

21,947 

7,338 

1. Cross-border  exposure,  including  derivative  contracts,  that  exceeds  0.75% 

but does not exceed 1% of the Firm’s consolidated assets.

December 2020 Form 10-K

154

Table of Contents
Glossary of Common Terms and Acronyms

ABS

ACL

AFS

AML

AOCI

AUM

Asset-backed securities

Allowance for credit losses

Available-for-sale

Anti-money laundering

Accumulated other comprehensive income 
(loss)

Assets under management or supervision

Balance sheets

Consolidated balance sheets

BHC

bps

Cash flow 
statements

Bank holding company

Basis points; one basis point equals 
1/100th of 1%

Consolidated cash flow statements

CCAR

CCyB

CDO

CDS

CECL

CFTC

CLN

CLO

Comprehensive Capital Analysis and 
Review

Countercyclical capital buffer

Collateralized debt obligation(s), including 
Collateralized loan obligation(s)

Credit default swaps

Current Expected Credit Losses, as 
calculated under the Financial 
Instruments—Credit Losses accounting 
update

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission

Credit-linked note(s)

Collateralized loan obligation(s)

CMBS

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

FFELP

FFIEC

FHC

FICC

FICO

Financial 
statements

FVA

G-SIB

Federal Family Education Loan Program

Federal Financial Institutions Examination 
Council

Financial Holding Company

Fixed Income Clearing Corporation

Fair Isaac Corporation

Consolidated financial statements

Funding valuation adjustment

Global systemically important banks

HELOC

Home Equity Line of Credit

HQLA

HTM

I/E

IHC

IM

Income
statements

IRS

IS

LCR

High-quality liquid assets

Held-to-maturity

Intersegment eliminations

Intermediate holding company

Investment Management

Consolidated income statements

Internal Revenue Service

Institutional Securities

Liquidity coverage ratio, as adopted by the 
U.S. banking agencies

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

LTV

M&A

Loan-to-value

Merger, acquisition and restructuring 
transaction

Collateralized mortgage obligation(s)

MSBNA

Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

CMO

CVA

DVA

Credit valuation adjustment

Debt valuation adjustment

EBITDA

Earnings before interest, taxes, 
depreciation and amortization

ELN

EMEA

EPS

E.U.

FDIC

Equity-linked note(s)

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Earnings per common share

European Union

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

MS&Co.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

MSIP

MSMS

MSPBNA

MSSB

MUFG

MUMSS

Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc

Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., 
Ltd.

Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National 
Association

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities 
Co., Ltd.

155

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents
Glossary of Common Terms and Acronyms

MWh

N/A

N/M

NAV

Megawatt hour

Not Applicable

Not Meaningful

Net asset value

Non-GAAP

Non-generally accepted accounting 
principles

NSFR

OCC

OCI

OIS

OTC

PRA

PSU

RMBS

ROE

ROTCE

ROU

RSU

Net stable funding ratio, as adopted by the 
U.S. banking agencies

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Overnight index swap

Over-the-counter

Prudential Regulation Authority

Performance-based stock unit

Residential mortgage-backed securities

Return on average common equity

Return on average tangible common 
equity

Right-of-use

Restricted stock unit

RWA

SEC

SLR

SOFR

S&P

SPE

SPOE

TDR

TLAC

U.K.

UPB

U.S.

Risk-weighted assets

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Supplementary leverage ratio

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

Standard & Poor’s

Special purpose entity

Single point of entry

Troubled debt restructuring

Total loss-absorbing capacity

United Kingdom

Unpaid principal balance

United States of America

U.S. GAAP

Accounting principles generally accepted 
in the United States of America

VaR

VIE

Value-at-Risk

Variable interest entity

WACC

Implied weighted average cost of capital

WM

Wealth Management

December 2020 Form 10-K

156

Table of Contents

in 

Changes 
and  Disagreements  with 
Accountants  on  Accounting  and  Financial 
Disclosure

None.

Controls and Procedures

Conclusion  Regarding  the  Effectiveness  of  Disclosure 
Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Firm’s 
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial  Officer,  the  Firm  conducted  an  evaluation  of 
disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  such  term  is  defined 
under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on this evaluation, 
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer 
concluded that the Firm’s disclosure controls and procedures 
were  effective  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this 
annual report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting

The  Firm’s  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and 
maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. 
The  Firm’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is 
designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 
reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of 
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States 
of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

The  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  includes  those 
policies and procedures that:

• Pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable 
detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the  transactions  and 
dispositions of the assets of the Firm;

• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded 
as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance  with  U.S.  GAAP,  and  that  receipts  and 
expenditures  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with 
authorizations of the Firm’s management and directors; and
• Provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or 
timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use  or 
disposition of Firm assets that could have a material effect 
on the Firm’s financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future 
periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that  controls  may  become 
inadequate  because  of  changes  in  conditions,  or  that  the 
degree  of  compliance  with  the  policies  or  procedures  may 
deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Firm’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In 
making  this  assessment,  management  used  the  criteria  set 
forth  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the 
Treadway  Commission  (“COSO”)  in  Internal  Control—
Integrated  Framework  (2013).  Based  on  management’s 
assessment  and  those  criteria,  management  believes  that  the 
Firm  maintained  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2020.

The Firm’s independent registered public accounting firm has 
audited and issued a report on the Firm’s internal control over 
financial reporting, which appears below.

157

December 2020 Form 10-K

 
Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and 
evaluating  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  internal 
control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other 
procedures  as  we  considered  necessary  in  the  circumstances. 
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our 
opinion.

Definition  and  Limitations  of  Internal  Control  over 
Financial Reporting

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a 
process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding 
the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of 
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  A  company’s 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  includes  those 
policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of 
records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect 
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; 
transactions  are 
(2)  provide  reasonable  assurance 
recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial 
statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting 
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company 
are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of 
management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection 
of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use,  or  disposition  of  the 
company’s  assets  that  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the 
financial statements.

that 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future 
periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that  controls  may  become 
inadequate  because  of  changes  in  conditions,  or  that  the 
degree  of  compliance  with  the  policies  or  procedures  may 
deteriorate.

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Morgan Stanley: 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting 
of  Morgan  Stanley  and  subsidiaries  (the  “Firm”)  as  of 
December  31,  2020,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal 
Control  —  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the 
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Firm maintained, in 
all  material  respects,  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting  as  of  December  31,  2020,  based  on  criteria 
established  in  Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework 
(2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the 
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB),  the  financial  statements  of  the  Firm  as  of  and  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2020  and  our  report  dated 
February 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those 
financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

in 

the 

included 

reporting, 

The  Firm’s  management  is  responsible  for  maintaining 
effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  and  for  its 
assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over 
financial 
accompanying 
Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  Over  Financial 
Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Firm’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  based  on  our 
audit.  We  are  a  public  accounting  firm  registered  with  the 
PCAOB  and  are  required  to  be  independent  with  respect  to 
the  Firm  in  accordance  with  the  U.S.  federal  securities  laws 
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of 
the  PCAOB.  Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and 
perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about 
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was 
maintained  in  all  material  respects.  Our  audit  included 
obtaining  an  understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting,

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 26, 2021

December 2020 Form 10-K

158

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No  change  in  the  Firm’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting  (as  such  term  is  defined  in  Exchange  Act  Rule 
13a-15(f))  occurred  during  the  quarter  ended  December  31, 
2020  that  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to 
materially  affect,  the  Firm’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting.

Other Information

None.

Unresolved Staff Comments

The Firm, like other well-known seasoned issuers, from time 
to time receives written comments from the staff of the SEC 
regarding  its  periodic  or  current  reports  under  the  Exchange 
Act.  There  are  no  comments  that  remain  unresolved  that  the 
Firm  received  not  less  than  180  days  before  the  end  of  the 
year  to  which  this  report  relates  that  the  Firm  believes  are 
material.

Properties

We  have  offices,  operations  and  data  centers  located  around 
the  world.  Our  global  headquarters  and  principal  executive 
offices are located at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York. 
Our other principal offices include locations in Manhattan and 
the greater New York metropolitan area, London, Hong Kong 
and Tokyo. Our current facilities are adequate for our present 
and  future  operations  for  each  of  our  business  segments, 
although  we  may  add  regional  offices,  depending  upon  our 
future operations.

Legal Proceedings

In  addition  to  the  matters  described  below,  in  the  normal 
course  of  business,  the  Firm  has  been  named,  from  time  to 
time,  as  a  defendant  in  various  legal  actions,  including 
arbitrations,  class  actions  and  other  litigation,  arising  in 
connection with its activities as a global diversified financial 
services  institution.  Certain  of  the  actual  or  threatened  legal 
actions  include  claims  for  substantial  compensatory  and/or 
punitive  damages  or  claims  for  indeterminate  amounts  of 
damages. In some cases, the entities that would otherwise be 
the  primary  defendants  in  such  cases  are  bankrupt  or  are  in 
financial distress.

The Firm is also involved, from time to time, in other reviews, 
investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by 
governmental  and  self-regulatory  agencies  regarding  the 
Firm’s  business,  and  involving,  among  other  matters,  sales 
trading  activities,  financial  products  or  offerings 
and 
sponsored,  underwritten  or  sold  by  the  Firm,  and  accounting 
and  operational  matters,  certain  of  which  may  result  in 
adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or 
other relief.

The  Firm  contests  liability  and/or  the  amount  of  damages  as 
appropriate 
in  each  pending  matter.  Where  available 
information  indicates  that  it  is  probable  a  liability  had  been 
incurred  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements  and  the  Firm 
can  reasonably  estimate  the  amount  of  that  loss,  the  Firm 
accrues the estimated loss by a charge to income. The Firm’s 
future  legal  expenses  may  fluctuate  from  period  to  period, 
given 
regarding  government 
investigations and private litigation affecting global financial 
services firms, including the Firm.

the  current  environment 

In  many  proceedings  and  investigations,  however,  it  is 
inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable 
or  even  possible,  or  to  estimate  the  amount  of  any  loss.  The 
Firm  cannot  predict  with  certainty  if,  how  or  when  such 
proceedings  or  investigations  will  be  resolved  or  what  the 
eventual  settlement,  fine,  penalty  or  other  relief,  if  any,  may 
be,  particularly  for  proceedings  and  investigations  where  the 
factual  record  is  being  developed  or  contested  or  where 
plaintiffs  or  government  entities  seek  substantial  or 
indeterminate damages, restitution, disgorgement or penalties. 
Numerous  issues  may  need  to  be  resolved  before  a  loss  or 
additional loss or range of loss or additional range of loss can 
be  reasonably  estimated  for  a  proceeding  or  investigation, 
including 
lengthy  discovery  and 
determination  of  important  factual  matters,  determination  of 
issues  related  to  class  certification  and  the  calculation  of 
damages or other relief, and by addressing novel or unsettled 
legal questions relevant to the proceedings or investigations in 
question.  Subject  to  the  foregoing,  the  Firm  believes,  based 
on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that 
the  outcome  of  such  proceedings  and  investigations  will  not 
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the 
Firm,  although 
the  outcome  of  such  proceedings  or 
investigations  could  be  material  to  the  Firm’s  operating 
results  and  cash  flows  for  a  particular  period  depending  on, 
among  other  things,  the  level  of  the  Firm’s  revenues  or 
income for such period.

through  potentially 

While the Firm has identified below certain proceedings that 
the Firm believes to be material, individually or collectively, 
there can be no assurance that additional material losses will 
not be incurred from claims that have not yet been asserted or 
are not yet determined to be material.

Residential Mortgage and Credit Crisis Related Matters

On  July  15,  2010,  China  Development  Industrial  Bank 
(“CDIB”)  filed  a  complaint  against  the  Firm,  styled  China 
Development  Industrial  Bank  v.  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co. 
Incorporated et al., which is pending in the Supreme Court of 
the  State  of  New  York,  New  York  County  (“Supreme  Court 
of  NY”).  The  complaint  relates  to  a  $275  million  CDS 
referencing  the  super  senior  portion  of  the  STACK  2006-1 
CDO.  The  complaint  asserts  claims  for  common  law  fraud, 
fraudulent 
inducement  and  fraudulent  concealment  and 
alleges that the Firm misrepresented the risks of the STACK 
2006-1 CDO to CDIB, and that the Firm knew that the assets 
backing  the  CDO  were  of  poor  quality  when  it  entered  into 

159

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

the  CDS  with  CDIB.  The  complaint  seeks  compensatory 
damages related to the approximately $228 million that CDIB 
alleges  it  has  already  lost  under  the  CDS,  rescission  of 
CDIB’s obligation to pay an additional $12 million, punitive 
damages,  equitable  relief,  pre-  and  post-judgment  interest, 
fees  and  costs.  On  February  28,  2011,  the  court  denied  the 
Firm’s  motion  to  dismiss  the  complaint.  On  December  21, 
2018,  the  court  denied  the  Firm’s  motion  for  summary 
judgment and granted in part the Firm’s motion for sanctions 
related  to  the  spoliation  of  evidence.  On  January  18,  2019, 
CDIB filed a motion to clarify and resettle the portion of the 
court’s  December  21,  2018  order  granting  spoliation 
sanctions. On January 24, 2019, CDIB filed a notice of appeal 
from the court’s December 21, 2018 order, and the Firm filed 
a notice of appeal from the same order. On March 7, 2019, the 
court denied the relief sought by CDIB in its January 18, 2019 
motion.  On  May  21,  2020,  the  Appellate  Division,  First 
Department  (“First  Department”),  modified  the  Supreme 
Court of NY’s order to deny the Firm’s motion for sanctions 
relating  to  spoliation  of  evidence  and  otherwise  affirmed  the 
denial of the Firm’s motion for summary judgment. On June 
19,  2020,  the  Firm  moved  for  leave  to  appeal  the  First 
Department’s  decision  to  the  New  York  Court  of  Appeals 
(“Court  of  Appeals”),  which  the  First  Department  denied  on 
July 24, 2020. 

On  May  17,  2013,  the  plaintiff  in  IKB  International  S.A.  in 
Liquidation, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. filed a complaint 
against the Firm and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of 
NY.  The  complaint  alleges  that  defendants  made  material 
misrepresentations  and  omissions  in  the  sale  to  plaintiff  of 
certain  mortgage  pass-through  certificates  backed  by 
securitization  trusts  containing  residential  mortgage  loans. 
The 
total  amount  of  certificates  allegedly  sponsored, 
underwritten  and/or  sold  by  the  Firm  to  plaintiff  was 
approximately $133 million. The complaint alleges causes of 
action  against  the  Firm  for  common  law  fraud,  fraudulent 
concealment,  aiding  and  abetting  fraud,  and  negligent 
misrepresentation, 
things, 
seeks, 
compensatory  and  punitive  damages.  On  October  29,  2014, 
the court granted in part and denied in part the Firm’s motion 
to  dismiss.  All  claims  regarding  four  certificates  were 
dismissed.  After  these  dismissals,  the  remaining  amount  of 
certificates allegedly issued by the Firm or sold to plaintiff by 
the  Firm  was  approximately  $116  million.  On  August  11, 
2016,  the  First  Department  affirmed  the  trial  court’s  order 
denying in part the Firm’s motion to dismiss the complaint. 

among 

other 

and 

On  July  2,  2013,  Deutsche  Bank,  in  its  capacity  as  trustee, 
became  the  named  plaintiff  in  Federal  Housing  Finance 
Agency,  as  Conservator 
the  Federal  Home  Loan 
for 
Mortgage  Corporation,  on  behalf  of  the  Trustee  of  the 
Morgan  Stanley  ABS  Capital  I  Inc.  Trust,  Series  2007-NC1 
(MSAC 2007-NC1) v. Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc., and 
filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of NY styled Deutsche 
Bank  National  Trust  Company,  as  Trustee  for  the  Morgan 
Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust, Series 2007-NC1 v. Morgan 
Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. On February 3, 2014, the plaintiff 
filed  an  amended  complaint,  which  asserts  claims  for  breach 

December 2020 Form 10-K

160

in 

the 

of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith 
and  fair  dealing  and  alleges,  among  other  things,  that  the 
loans in the trust, which had an original principal balance of 
approximately $1.25 billion, breached various representations 
and  warranties.  The  amended  complaint  seeks,  among  other 
relief,  specific  performance  of  the  loan  breach  remedy 
transaction  documents,  unspecified 
procedures 
damages, rescission, interest and costs. On April 12, 2016, the 
court granted in part and denied in part the Firm’s motion to 
dismiss the amended complaint, dismissing all claims except 
a  single  claim  alleging  failure  to  notify,  regarding  which  the 
motion was denied without prejudice. On December 9, 2016, 
the Firm renewed its motion to dismiss that notification claim. 
On January 17, 2017, the First Department affirmed the lower 
court’s  April  12,  2016  order.  On  April  13,  2017,  the  First 
Department  denied  plaintiff’s  motion  for  leave  to  appeal  to 
the  Court  of  Appeals.  On  March  8,  2018,  the  trial  court 
denied the Firm’s renewed motion to dismiss the notification 
claims.

On  July  8,  2013,  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  in  its 
capacity  as  trustee,  filed  a  complaint  against  the  Firm  styled 
U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  solely  in  its  capacity  as 
the  Morgan  Stanley  Mortgage  Loan  Trust 
Trustee  of 
2007-2AX  (MSM  2007-2AX)  v.  Morgan  Stanley  Mortgage 
Capital  Holdings  LLC,  Successor-by-Merger  to  Morgan 
Stanley  Mortgage  Capital  Inc.  and  GreenPoint  Mortgage 
Funding,  Inc.,  pending  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  NY.  The 
complaint  asserts  claims  for  breach  of  contract  and  alleges, 
among other things, that the loans in the trust, which had an 
original  principal  balance  of  approximately  $650  million, 
representations  and  warranties.  The 
breached  various 
complaint seeks, among other relief, specific performance of 
the  loan  breach  remedy  procedures  in  the  transaction 
documents,  unspecified  damages,  interest  and  costs.  On 
November  24,  2014,  the  court  granted  in  part  and  denied  in 
part  the  Firm’s  motion  to  dismiss  the  complaint.  On  August 
13,  2018,  the  Firm  filed  a  motion  to  renew  its  motion  to 
dismiss. On April 4, 2019, the court denied the Firm’s motion 
to  renew  its  motion  to  dismiss.  On  September  2,  2020,  the 
parties  entered  into  a  settlement  agreement,  which  was 
approved  in  a  Trust  Instructional  Proceeding  on  October  20, 
2020.  Under  the  terms  of  that  agreement,  the  Trustee  has 
released its repurchase claims for a majority of the mortgage 
loans in the Trust after receiving the settlement payment.

On  November  6,  2013,  Deutsche  Bank,  in  its  capacity  as 
trustee,  became  the  named  plaintiff  in  Federal  Housing 
Finance Agency, as Conservator for the Federal Home Loan 
Mortgage  Corporation,  on  behalf  of  the  Trustee  of  the 
Morgan  Stanley  ABS  Capital  I  Inc.  Trust,  Series  2007-NC3 
(MSAC  2007-NC3)  v.  Morgan  Stanley  Mortgage  Capital 
Holdings LLC, and filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of 
NY styled Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, solely in 
its capacity as Trustee for Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. 
Trust, Series 2007-NC3 v. Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital 
Holdings  LLC,  as  Successor-by-Merger  to  Morgan  Stanley 
Mortgage  Capital  Inc.  The  complaint  asserts  claims  for 
breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good 

Table of Contents

faith and fair dealing and alleges, among other things, that the 
loans in the trust, which had an original principal balance of 
approximately  $1.3  billion,  breached  various  representations 
and  warranties.  The  complaint  seeks,  among  other  relief, 
specific performance of the loan breach remedy procedures in 
the  transaction  documents,  unspecified  damages,  rescission, 
interest  and  costs.  On  April  12,  2016,  the  court  granted  the 
Firm’s  motion  to  dismiss  the  complaint,  and  granted  the 
plaintiff  the  ability  to  seek  to  replead  certain  aspects  of  the 
complaint.  On  January  17,  2017,  the  First  Department 
affirmed  the  lower  court’s  order  granting  the  motion  to 
dismiss  the  complaint.  On  January  9,  2017,  plaintiff  filed  a 
motion  to  amend  its  complaint.  On  April  13,  2017,  the  First 
Department  denied  plaintiff’s  motion  for  leave  to  appeal  to 
the  Court  of  Appeals.  On  March  8,  2018,  the  trial  court 
granted  plaintiff’s  motion  to  amend  its  complaint  to  include 
failure to notify claims. On March 19, 2018, the Firm filed an 
answer to plaintiff’s amended complaint. 

in 

the 

the 

that 

loans 

On  September  23,  2014,  FGIC  filed  a  complaint  against  the 
Firm in the Supreme Court of NY styled Financial Guaranty 
Insurance Company v. Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. et 
al.  relating  to  the  Morgan  Stanley  ABS  Capital  I  Inc.  Trust 
2007-NC4.  The  complaint  asserts  claims  for  breach  of 
contract and fraudulent inducement and alleges, among other 
things, 
trust  breached  various 
representations  and  warranties  and  defendants  made  untrue 
statements and material omissions to induce FGIC to issue a 
financial guaranty policy on certain classes of certificates that 
had  an  original  balance  of  approximately  $876  million.  The 
complaint seeks, among other relief, specific performance of 
the  loan  breach  remedy  procedures  in  the  transaction 
documents,  compensatory,  consequential  and  punitive 
damages,  attorneys’  fees,  interest  and  costs.  On  January  23, 
2017,  the  court  denied  the  Firm’s  motion  to  dismiss  the 
complaint.  On  February  24,  2017,  the  Firm  filed  a  notice  of 
appeal of the denial of its motion to dismiss the complaint and 
perfected  its  appeal  on  November  22,  2017.  On  September 
13, 2018, the First Department affirmed in part and reversed 
in  part  the  lower  court’s  order  denying  the  Firm’s  motion  to 
dismiss  the  complaint.  On  December  20,  2018,  the  First 
Department  denied  plaintiff’s  motion  for  leave  to  appeal  to 
the Court of Appeals or, in the alternative, for re-argument. 

On  January  23,  2015,  Deutsche  Bank  National  Trust 
Company, in its capacity as trustee, filed a complaint against 
the  Firm  styled  Deutsche  Bank  National  Trust  Company 
solely  in  its  capacity  as  Trustee  of  the  Morgan  Stanley  ABS 
Capital  I  Inc.  Trust  2007-NC4  v.  Morgan  Stanley  Mortgage 
Capital  Holdings  LLC  as  Successor-by-Merger  to  Morgan 
Stanley  Mortgage  Capital  Inc.,  and  Morgan  Stanley  ABS 
Capital  I  Inc.,  pending  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  NY.  The 
complaint  asserts  claims  for  breach  of  contract  and  alleges, 
among other things, that the loans in the trust, which had an 
original  principal  balance  of  approximately  $1.05  billion, 
breached  various 
representations  and  warranties.  The 
complaint seeks, among other relief, specific performance of 
the  loan  breach  remedy  procedures  in  the  transaction 
rescissory, 
documents, 

compensatory, 

consequential, 

equitable  and  punitive  damages,  attorneys’  fees,  costs  and 
other  related  expenses,  and  interest.  On  December  11,  2015, 
the court granted in part and denied in part the Firm’s motion 
to  dismiss  the  complaint.  On  October  19,  2018,  the  court 
granted the Firm’s motion for leave to amend its answer and 
to stay the case pending resolution of Deutsche Bank National 
Trust  Company’s  appeal  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  another 
case,  styled  Deutsche  Bank  National  Trust  Company  v. 
Barclays  Bank  PLC,  regarding  the  applicable  statute  of 
limitations.  On  January  17,  2019,  the  First  Department 
reversed the trial court’s order to the extent that it had granted 
in part the Firm’s motion to dismiss the complaint. On June 4, 
2019,  the  First  Department  granted  the  Firm’s  motion  for 
leave to appeal its January 17, 2019 decision to the Court of 
Appeals.  On  March  19,  2020,  the  Firm  filed  a  motion  for 
partial summary judgment. On December 22, 2020, the Court 
of  Appeals  reversed  the  First  Department  and  reinstated  the 
trial  court’s  order  to  the  extent  it  had  granted  in  part  the 
Firm’s motion to dismiss the complaint.

Antitrust Related Matters

The  Firm  and  other  financial  institutions  are  responding  to  a 
number  of  governmental  investigations  and  civil  litigation 
matters  related  to  allegations  of  anticompetitive  conduct  in 
various  aspects  of  the  financial  services  industry,  including 
the matters described below.

Beginning  in  February  of  2016,  the  Firm  was  named  as  a 
defendant  in  multiple  purported  antitrust  class  actions  now 
consolidated  into  a  single  proceeding  in  the  United  States 
District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York 
(“SDNY”)  styled  In  Re:  Interest  Rate  Swaps  Antitrust 
Litigation. Plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that the Firm, together 
with  a  number  of  other  financial  institution  defendants, 
violated  U.S.  and  New  York  state  antitrust  laws  from  2008 
through  December  of  2016  in  connection  with  their  alleged 
efforts  to  prevent  the  development  of  electronic  exchange-
based  platforms  for  interest  rates  swaps  trading.  Complaints 
were  filed  both  on  behalf  of  a  purported  class  of  investors 
who  purchased  interest  rates  swaps  from  defendants,  as  well 
as  on  behalf  of  two  swap  execution  facilities  that  allegedly 
were  thwarted  by  the  defendants  in  their  efforts  to  develop 
such  platforms.  The  consolidated  complaints  seek,  among 
other relief, certification of the investor class of plaintiffs and 
treble  damages.  On  July  28,  2017,  the  court  granted  in  part 
and  denied  in  part  the  defendants’  motion  to  dismiss  the 
complaints.

In  August  of  2017,  the  Firm  was  named  as  a  defendant  in  a 
purported  antitrust  class  action  in  the  United  States  District 
Court  for 
the  SDNY  styled  Iowa  Public  Employees’ 
Retirement  System  et  al.  v.  Bank  of  America  Corporation  et 
al.  Plaintiffs  allege,  inter  alia,  that  the  Firm,  together  with  a 
number of other financial institution defendants, violated U.S. 
antitrust  laws  and  New  York  state  law  in  connection  with 
their alleged efforts to prevent the development of electronic 
exchange-based  platforms  for  securities  lending.  The  class 
action  complaint  was  filed  on  behalf  of  a  purported  class  of 

161

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

into  stock 

borrowers  and 
loan 
lenders  who  entered 
transactions  with  the  defendants.  The  class  action  complaint 
seeks,  among  other  relief,  certification  of  the  class  of 
plaintiffs  and  treble  damages.  On  September  27,  2018,  the 
court  denied  the  defendants’  motion  to  dismiss  the  class 
action complaint.

European Matters

On  October  11,  2011,  an  Italian  financial  institution,  Banco 
Popolare  Societá  Cooperativa  (“Banco  Popolare”),  filed  a 
civil claim against the Firm in the Milan courts, styled Banco 
Popolare  Societá  Cooperativa  v  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co. 
International  plc  &  others,  related  to  its  purchase  of  €100 
million  of  bonds  issued  by  Parmalat.  The  claim  asserted  by 
Banco Popolare alleges, inter alia, that the Firm was aware of 
Parmalat’s impending insolvency and conspired with others to 
deceive  Banco  Popolare  into  buying  bonds  by  concealing 
both  Parmalat’s  true  financial  condition  and  certain  features 
of  the  bonds  from  the  market  and  Banco  Popolare.  Banco 
Popolare  seeks  damages  of  €76  million  (approximately  $93 
million)  plus  damages  for  loss  of  opportunity  and  moral 
damages.  The  Firm  filed  its  answer  on  April  20,  2012.  On 
September  11,  2018,  the  court  dismissed  in  full  the  claim 
against  the  Firm.  On  March  11,  2019,  the  plaintiff  filed  an 
appeal in the Court of Appeal of Milan. On May 31, 2019, the 
Firm  filed  its  response  to  the  plaintiff’s  appeal.  The  parties 
filed  final  submissions  in  the  Court  of  Appeal  of  Milan  in 
November  2020.  On  February  2,  2021,  the  Firm  was  served 
with  the  Court  of  Appeal's  judgment,  which  partially  upheld 
Banco  Popolare's  appeal  on  limited  grounds  and  awarded 
Banco  Popolare  approximately  €2.3  million  (approximately 
$2.8  million)  in  damages  plus  interest  and  certain  legal  and 
other expenses.

In  matters  styled  Case  number  15/3637  and  Case  number 
15/4353,  the  Dutch  Tax  Authority  (“Dutch  Authority”)  is 
challenging in the Dutch courts the prior set-off by the Firm 
of  approximately  €124  million  (approximately  $152  million) 
plus  accrued  interest  of  withholding  tax  credits  against  the 
Firm’s  corporation  tax  liabilities  for  the  tax  years  2007  to 
2013.  The  Dutch  Authority  alleges  that  the  Firm  was  not 
entitled  to  receive  the  withholding  tax  credits  on  the  basis, 
inter  alia,  that  a  Firm  subsidiary  did  not  hold  legal  title  to 
certain  securities  subject  to  withholding  tax  on  the  relevant 
dates.  The  Dutch  Authority  has  also  alleged  that  the  Firm 
failed  to  provide  certain  information  to  the  Dutch  Authority 
and keep adequate books and records. On April 26, 2018, the 
District Court in Amsterdam issued a decision dismissing the 
Dutch  Authority’s  claims  with  respect  to  certain  of  the  tax 
years  in  dispute.  On  May  12,  2020,  the  Court  of  Appeal  in 
Amsterdam  granted  the  Dutch  Authority's  appeal  in  matters 
re-styled Case number 18/00318 and Case number 18/00319. 
On  June  22,  2020,  the  Firm  filed  an  appeal  against  the 
decision  of  the  Court  of  Appeal  in  Amsterdam  before  the 
Dutch High Court.

December 2020 Form 10-K

162

On  October  5,  2017,  various  institutional  investors  filed  a 
claim  against  the  Firm  and  another  bank  in  a  matter  now 
styled Case number B-803-18 (previously BS 99-6998/2017), 
in  the  City  Court  of  Copenhagen,  Denmark  concerning  their 
roles as underwriters of the initial public offering (“IPO”) in 
March  2014  of  the  Danish  company  OW  Bunker  A/S.  The 
claim  seeks  damages  of  approximately  DKK  529  million 
(approximately $87 million) plus interest in respect of alleged 
losses arising from investing in shares in OW Bunker, which 
entered  into  bankruptcy  in  November  2014.  Separately,  on 
November  29,  2017,  another  group  of  institutional  investors 
joined  the  Firm  and  another  bank  as  defendants  to  pending 
proceedings  in  the  High  Court  of  Eastern  Denmark  against 
various  other  parties  involved  in  the  IPO  in  a  matter  styled 
Case number B-2073-16. The claim brought against the Firm 
and  the  other  bank  has  been  given  its  own  Case  number 
B-2564-17.  The  investors  claim  damages  of  approximately 
DKK 767 million (approximately $126 million) plus interest, 
from the Firm and the other bank on a joint and several basis 
with  the  Defendants  to  these  proceedings.  Both  claims  are 
based  on  alleged  prospectus  liability;  the  second  claim  also 
alleges  professional  liability  of  banks  acting  as  financial 
intermediaries.  On  June  8,  2018, 
the  City  Court  of 
Copenhagen,  Denmark  ordered  that  the  matters  now  styled 
Case  number  B-803-18,  B-2073-16  and  Case  number 
B-2564-17 be heard together before the High Court of Eastern 
Denmark. On June 29, 2018, the Firm filed its defense to the 
matter  now  styled  Case  number  B-2564-17.  On  February  4, 
2019, the Firm filed its defense to the matter now styled Case 
number B-803-18.

The following matter was terminated during or following 
the quarter ended December 31, 2020:

On  June  22,  2017,  the  public  prosecutor  for  the  Court  of 
Accounts  for  the  Republic  of  Italy  filed  a  claim  against  the 
Firm styled Case No. 2012/00406/MNV, which is pending in 
the Regional Prosecutor’s Office at the Judicial Section of the 
Court of Auditors for Lazio, Italy. The claim related to certain 
derivative transactions between the Republic of Italy and the 
Firm.  The  transactions  were  originally  entered  into  between 
1999  and  2005,  and  were  restructured  (and  certain  of  the 
transactions were terminated) in December 2011 and January 
2012.  The  claim  alleged,  inter  alia,  that  the  Firm  effectively 
acted  as  an  agent  of  the  state  in  connection  with  these 
transactions and asserts claims related to, among other things, 
whether the Ministry of Finance was authorized to enter into 
these transactions, whether the transactions were appropriate, 
and whether the Firm’s conduct related to the termination of 
certain  transactions  was  proper.  The  prosecutor  sought 
damages  through  an  administrative  process  against  the  Firm 
for  €2.76  billion  (approximately  $3.4  billion).  On  March  30, 
2018,  the  Firm  filed  its  defense  to  the  claim.  On  June  15, 
2018,  the  Court  issued  a  decision  declining  jurisdiction  and 
dismissing the claim against the Firm. A hearing of the public 
prosecutor’s appeal was held on January 10, 2019. On March 
7, 2019, the Appellate Division of the Court of Accounts for 
the Republic of Italy issued a decision affirming the decision 

Table of Contents

below declining jurisdiction and dismissing the claim against 
the  Firm.  On  April  19,  2019,  the  public  prosecutor  filed  an 
appeal with the Italian Supreme Court seeking to overturn this 
decision. On June 14, 2019, the Firm filed its response to the 
public prosecutor’s appeal. On November 17, 2020, an appeal 
hearing  took  place  before  the  Italian  Supreme  Court.  On 
February  1,  2021,  the  Italian  Supreme  Court  affirmed  the 
earlier  decisions 
lacked 
jurisdiction  to  hear  the  claim  against  the  Firm,  thereby 
dismissing the public prosecutor’s claim against the Firm.

the  Court  of  Accounts 

that 

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Market 
Related  Stockholder  Matters  and 
Purchases of Equity Securities

for  Registrant’s  Common  Equity, 
Issuer 

Morgan  Stanley’s  common  stock  trades  under  the  symbol 
“MS” on the New York Stock Exchange. As of February 15, 
2021,  the  Firm  had  52,386  holders  of  record;  however,  the 
Firm believes the number of beneficial owners of the Firm’s 
common stock exceeds this number.

The  table  below  sets  forth  the  information  with  respect  to 
purchases  made  by  or  on  behalf  of  the  Firm  of  its  common 
stock  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  the  year  ended  December 
31, 2020.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 

Total Number 
of Shares 
Purchased1

Average 
Price 
Paid per 
Share

Total Shares 
Purchased as 
Part of Share 
Repurchase 
Program2, 3

Dollar Value 
of Remaining 
Authorized 
Repurchase

903,959  $  47.34   

9,868  $  48.27   

101,944  $  61.87   

1,015,771  $  48.81   

—  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

— 

— 

— 

— 

$ in millions, except 

per share data

October

November

December

Total

1. Refers  to  shares  acquired  by  the  Firm  in  satisfaction  of  the  tax  withholding 
the  Firm's  stock-based 

obligations  on  stock-based  awards  granted  under 
compensation plans during the three months ended December 31, 2020.

2. Share purchases under publicly announced programs are made pursuant to open-
market purchases, Rule 10b5-1 plans or privately negotiated transactions (including 
with  employee  benefit  plans)  as  market  conditions  warrant  and  at  prices  the  Firm 
deems appropriate and may be suspended at any time. On April 18, 2018, the Firm 
entered into a sales plan with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (“MUFG”). See 
Note 18 to the financial statements for further information on the sales plan. 

3. The  Firm’s  Board  of  Directors  has  authorized  the  repurchase  of  the  Firm’s 
outstanding  stock  under  a  share  repurchase  program  (the  “Share  Repurchase 
Program”)  from  time  to  time  as  conditions  warrant  and  subject  to  regulatory  non-
objection.  The  Share  Repurchase  Program  is  a  program  for  capital  management 
purposes that considers, among other things, business segment capital needs, as 
well  as  equity-based  compensation  and  benefit  plan  requirements.  The  Share 
Repurchase Program has no set expiration or termination date. 

Share repurchases by the Firm are subject to regulatory non-
objection.  On  June  27,  2019,  the  Federal  Reserve  published 
summary  results  of  CCAR  and  the  Firm  received  a  non-
objection  to  its  2019  Capital  Plan.  The  Firm’s  2019  Capital 
Plan  included  a  share  repurchase  of  up  to  $6.0  billion  of  its 
outstanding  common  stock  during  the  period  beginning  July 

1,  2019  through  June  30,  2020.  On  March  15,  2020,  the 
Financial  Services  Forum  announced  that  each  of  its  eight 
member banks, including the Firm, had voluntarily suspended 
their  share  repurchase  programs.  As  a  result,  $1.7  billion  of 
share  repurchase  authorization  expired  unused  on  June  30, 
2020.  On  June  25,  2020,  the  Federal  Reserve  published 
summary  results  of  CCAR  and  announced  that  large  BHCs, 
including  the  Firm,  generally  would  be  restricted  in  making 
share repurchases during the third quarter, and on September 
30,  2020,  the  restrictions  were  extended  through  the  fourth 
quarter of 2020. On December 18, 2020 the Federal Reserve 
published summary results of the second round of supervisory 
stress  tests  for  each  large  BHC,  including  the  Firm,  and 
permitted  the  resumption  of  share  repurchases  in  the  first 
quarter  of  2021.  Also  on  December  18,  2020,  our  Board  of 
Directors  authorized  the  repurchases  of  outstanding  common 
stock  of  up  to  $10  billion  in  2021,  subject  to  limitations  on 
distributions 
further 
information,  see  “Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources—Capital 
Plans, Stress Tests and the Stress Capital Buffer.”

the  Federal  Reserve.  For 

from 

Stock Performance Graph

the  cumulative 

following  graph  compares 

total 
The 
shareholder return (rounded to the nearest whole dollar) of the 
Firm’s common stock, the S&P 500 Stock Index and the S&P 
500 Financials Sector Index for the last five years. The graph 
the  closing  price  on 
assumes  a  $100 
December  31,  2015  and  reinvestment  of  dividends  on  the 
respective dividend payment dates without commissions. This 
graph  does  not  forecast  future  performance  of  the  Firm’s 
common stock.

investment  at 

Cumulative Total Return

December 31, 2015 – December 31, 2020

Morgan Stanley

S&P 500 Stock 

Index

S&P 500 Financials 

Sector Index

At December 31,

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

$ 100.00  $ 136.06  $ 172.28  $ 133.06  $ 176.51  $ 243.68 

  100.00    111.95    136.38    130.39    171.09    202.55 

  100.00    122.75    148.70    129.31    170.80    167.80 

163

December 2020 Form 10-K

Morgan StanleyS&P 500 Stock IndexS&P 500 Financials Sector IndexDec-2015Dec-2016Dec-2017Dec-2018Dec-2019Dec-2020$0$100$200 
 
 
 
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Documents filed as part of this report

• The financial statements required to be filed in this annual 
report  on  Form  10-K  are  included  in  the  section  titled 
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Exhibit Index1

Certain of the following exhibits, as indicated parenthetically, 
were  previously  filed  as  exhibits  to  registration  statements 
filed  by  Morgan  Stanley  or  its  predecessor  companies  under 
the Securities Act or to reports or registration statements filed 
by  Morgan  Stanley  or  its  predecessor  companies  under  the 
Exchange  Act  and  are  hereby  incorporated  by  reference  to 
such  statements  or  reports.  Morgan  Stanley’s  Exchange  Act 
file  number  is  1-11758.  The  Exchange  Act  file  number  of 
Morgan  Stanley  Group 
Inc.,  a  predecessor  company 
(“MSG”), was 1-9085.

Exhibit

 No. Description
3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 
of Morgan Stanley, as amended to date (Exhibit 3.1 
to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended September 30, 2020).
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Morgan Stanley, 
to  Morgan 
to  date  (Exhibit  3.1 
as  amended 
Stanley’s current report on Form 8-K dated October 
29, 2015).

4.1* Description  of  Securities  Registered  Pursuant  to 

4.2

Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 
Amended and Restated Senior Indenture dated as of 
May  1,  1999  between  Morgan  Stanley  and  The 
Bank  of  New  York,  as  trustee  (Exhibit  4-e  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  Registration  Statement  on 
Form S-3/A (No. 333-75289) as amended by Fourth 
Supplemental  Senior 
Indenture  dated  as  of 
October  8,  2007  (Exhibit  4.3  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year 
ended November 30, 2007).

Table of Contents

Directors,  Executive  Officers  and  Corporate 
Governance

Information  relating  to  the  Firm’s  directors  and  nominees  in 
the  Firm’s  definitive  proxy  statement  for  its  2021  annual 
meeting  of 
(“Morgan  Stanley’s  proxy 
shareholders 
statement”) is incorporated by reference herein.

Information  relating  to  the  Firm’s  executive  officers  is 
contained  in  the  “Business”  section  of  this  report  under 
“Information about our Executive Officers.” 

Morgan  Stanley’s  Code  of  Ethics  and  Business  Conduct 
applies  to  all  directors,  officers  and  employees,  including  its 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy 
Chief Financial Officer. You can find the Code of Ethics and 
Business Conduct on the webpage, www.morganstanley.com/
about-us-governance/ethics.html.  The  Firm  will  post  any 
amendments to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, and 
any  waivers  that  are  required  to  be  disclosed  by  the  rules  of 
either  the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or  the 
New York Stock Exchange LLC, on the webpage.

Executive Compensation

Information  relating 
compensation 
incorporated by reference herein.

to  director  and  executive  officer 
is 

in  Morgan  Stanley’s  proxy  statement 

3.2

Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial 
Owners 
and  Related 
Stockholder Matters

and  Management 

Information  relating  to  equity  compensation  plans  and 
security  ownership  of  certain  beneficial  owners  and 
is 
management 
incorporated by reference herein. 

in  Morgan  Stanley’s  proxy  statement 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 
and Director Independence

Information  regarding  certain  relationships  and  related 
transactions 
is 
incorporated by reference herein.

in  Morgan  Stanley’s  proxy  statement 

Information  regarding  director  independence  in  Morgan 
Stanley’s proxy statement is incorporated by reference herein.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information  regarding  principal  accountant  fees  and  services 
in  Morgan  Stanley’s  proxy  statement  is  incorporated  by 
reference herein.

December 2020 Form 10-K

164

 
Table of Contents

Exhibit

Exhibit

 No. Description
4.3

Senior  Indenture  dated  as  of  November  1,  2004 
between  Morgan  Stanley  and  The  Bank  of  New 
York,  as  trustee  (Exhibit  4-f  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-3/A 
(No. 
333-117752),  as  amended  by  First  Supplemental 
Senior  Indenture  dated  as  of  September  4,  2007 
(Exhibit  4.5  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 
2007), Second Supplemental Senior Indenture dated 
as  of  January  4,  2008  (Exhibit  4.1  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  current  report  on  Form  8-K  dated 
January  4,  2008),  Third  Supplemental  Senior 
Indenture dated as of September 10, 2008 (Exhibit 4 
to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q 
for  the  quarter  ended  August  31,  2008),  Fourth 
Indenture  dated  as  of 
Supplemental  Senior 
December 1, 2008 (Exhibit 4.1 to Morgan Stanley’s 
current  report  on  Form  8-K  dated  December  1, 
2008), Fifth Supplemental Senior Indenture dated as 
of  April  1,  2009  (Exhibit  4  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
March  31,  2009),  Sixth  Supplemental  Senior 
Indenture  dated  as  of  September  16,  2011  (Exhibit 
4.1  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form 
10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended  September  30,  2011), 
Seventh Supplemental Senior Indenture dated as of 
November  21,  2011  (Exhibit  4.4 
to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year 
ended  December  31,  2011),  Eighth  Supplemental 
Senior  Indenture  dated  as  of  May  4,  2012 
(Exhibit 4.1 to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on 
Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended  June  30,  2012), 
Ninth  Supplemental  Senior  Indenture  dated  as  of 
March  10,  2014  (Exhibit  4.1  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
March  31,  2014)  and  Tenth  Supplemental  Senior 
Indenture dated as of January 11, 2017 (Exhibit 4.1 
to  Morgan  Stanley’s  current  report  on  Form  8-K 
dated January 11, 2017).
The Unit Agreement Without Holders’ Obligations, 
dated  as  of  August  29,  2008,  between  Morgan 
Stanley and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Unit 
Agent,  as  Trustee  and  Paying  Agent  under  the 
Senior Indenture referred to therein and as Warrant 
Agent  under  the  Warrant  Agreement  referred  to 
therein  (Exhibit  4.1  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  current 
report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 2008).
Subordinated Indenture dated as of October 1, 2004 
between  Morgan  Stanley  and  The  Bank  of 
New  York,  as  trustee  (Exhibit  4-g  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-3/A 
(No. 333-117752)).
Junior  Subordinated 
Indenture  dated  as  of 
October 12, 2006 between Morgan Stanley and The 
Bank  of  New  York,  as  trustee  (Exhibit  4.1  to 
Morgan Stanley’s current report on Form 8-K dated 
October 12, 2006).
Deposit Agreement dated as of July 6, 2006 among 
Morgan  Stanley,  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.  and 
the  holders  from  time  to  time  of  the  depositary 
receipts  described  therein  (Exhibit  4.3  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the 
quarter ended May 31, 2006).

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

 No. Description
4.8

4.9

4.10

Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing  interests  in  the  Series  A  Preferred 
Stock  described  therein  (Exhibit  2.4  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated 
July 5, 2006).
for  Depositary  Shares, 
Depositary  Receipt 
representing 
Floating  Rate  Non-Cumulative 
Preferred  Stock,  Series  A  (included  in  Exhibit  4.8 
hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing  interests  in  the  Series  E  Preferred 
Stock  described  therein  (Exhibit  2.6  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated 
September 27, 2013).
4.11 Depositary  Receipt 
for  Depositary  Shares, 
representing 
Non-
Fixed-to-Floating 
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  E  (included  in 
Exhibit 4.10 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing interests in the Series F Preferred stock 
described  therein  (Exhibit  2.4  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
Registration  Statement  on  Form  8-A  dated 
December 9, 2013).

Rate 

4.12

4.14

4.16

Rate 

Rate 

4.13 Depositary  Receipt 
for  Depositary  Shares, 
representing 
Non-
Fixed-to-Floating 
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  F  (included  in 
Exhibit 4.12 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing  interests  in  the  Series  H  Preferred 
stock  described  therein  (Exhibit  4.6  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  current  report  on  Form  8-K  dated 
April 29, 2014).
4.15 Depositary  Receipt 
for  Depositary  Shares, 
representing 
Non-
Fixed-to-Floating 
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  H  (included  in 
Exhibit 4.14 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing interests in the Series I Preferred stock 
described  therein  (Exhibit  2.4  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
Registration  Statement  on  Form  8-A  dated 
September 17, 2014).
4.17 Depositary  Receipt 
for  Depositary  Shares, 
representing 
Non-
Fixed-to-Floating 
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  I  (included  in 
Exhibit 4.16 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing interests in the Series J Preferred Stock 
described  therein  (Exhibit  4.3  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
current report on Form 8-K dated March 18, 2015).

Rate 

4.18

165

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

Exhibit

Exhibit

 No. Description
10.5† Morgan Stanley 401(k) Plan, amended and restated 
as  of  January  1,  2013  (Exhibit  10.6  to  Morgan 
Stanley  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year 
ended  December  31,  2012),  as  amended  by 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.5  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2013),  Amendment  (Exhibit  10.6  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2013),  Amendment 
(Exhibit 10.5 to Morgan Stanley’s annual report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014), 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.5  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2015),  Amendment  (Exhibit  10.4  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2016),  Amendment 
(Exhibit 10.4 to Morgan Stanley’s annual report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017), 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.5  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2017),  Amendment  (Exhibit  10.4  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2018)  and 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.4  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2019).

10.6†* Amendment  to  Morgan  Stanley  401(k)  Plan,  dated 

December 14, 2020.

10.7† Tax Deferred Equity Participation Plan as amended 
and restated as of November 26, 2007 (Exhibit 10.9 
to  Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K 
for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007).

10.8† Directors’  Equity  Capital  Accumulation  Plan  as 
amended  and  restated  as  of  November  1,  2018 
(Exhibit 10.6 to Morgan Stanley’s annual report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2018).

restated 

10.9† Employees’ Equity Accumulation Plan as amended 
and 
as  of  November  26,  2007 
(Exhibit 10.12 to Morgan Stanley’s annual report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 
2007).

10.10† Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  as  amended  and 
restated  as  of  February  1,  2009  (Exhibit  10.20  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the fiscal year ended November 30, 2008).

4.20

Rate 

 No. Description
4.19 Depositary  Receipt 
for  Depositary  Shares, 
representing 
Non-
Fixed-to-Floating 
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  J  (included  in 
Exhibit 4.18 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing  interests  in  the  Series  K  Preferred 
Stock  described  therein  (Exhibit  2.4  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  current  report  on  Form  8-A  dated 
January 30, 2017).

4.22

Rate 

for  Depositary  Shares, 
4.21 Depositary  Receipt 
representing 
Non-
Fixed-to-Floating 
Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  K  (included  in 
Exhibit 4.20 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing  interests  in  the  Series  L  Preferred 
Stock  described  therein  (Exhibit  2.4  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated 
November 22, 2019).
4.23 Depositary  Receipt 

for  Depositary  Shares, 
representing  4.875%  Non-Cumulative  Preferred 
Stock, Series L (included in Exhibit 4.22 hereto).
Form  of  Deposit  Agreement  among  Morgan 
Stanley,  The  Bank  of  New  York  Mellon  and  the 
holders from time to time of the depositary receipts 
representing  interests  in  the  Series  N  Preferred 
Stock  described  therein  (Exhibit  4.5  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s current report on Form 8-K dated October 
2, 2020).
Form of Depositary Receipt representing interests in 
the  Morgan  Stanley  Series  N  Preferred  Stock, 
(included in Exhibit 4.24 hereto).

4.24

4.25

10.1 Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated as of 
January  1,  2018  by  and  between  Morgan  Stanley 
and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Exhibit 
10.1 to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018).
10.2 Amended and Restated Investor Agreement dated as 
of  June  30,  2011  by  and  between  Morgan  Stanley 
and  Mitsubishi  UFJ  Financial  Group,  Inc.  (Exhibit 
10.1 to Morgan Stanley’s current report on Form 8-
K  dated  June  30,  2011),  as  amended  by  Third 
Amendment, dated October 3, 2013 (Exhibit 10.1 to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q 
for  the  quarter  ended  September  30,  2013)  and 
Fourth  Amendment,  dated  April  6,  2016  (Exhibit 
10.1 to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016).
10.3* Fifth  Amendment  to  Investor  Agreement,  dated 
October  4,  2018,  by  and  between  Morgan  Stanley 
and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

10.4 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 
7,  2020,  by  and  among  Morgan  Stanley,  Mirror 
Merger Sub 1, Inc., Mirror Merger Sub 2, LLC and 
Eaton  Vance  Corp.  (Exhibit  2.1 
to  Morgan 
Stanley’s current report on Form 8-K dated October 
8, 2020).

December 2020 Form 10-K

166

Table of Contents

Exhibit

Exhibit

 No. Description
10.11† Morgan 

Stanley 

Supplemental 

Executive 
Retirement  and  Excess  Plan,  amended  and  restated 
effective  December  31,  2008  (Exhibit  10.2  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 31, 2009) as amended 
by  Amendment  (Exhibit  10.5  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
June  30,  2009),  Amendment  (Exhibit  10.19  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2010),  Amendment 
(Exhibit  10.3  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011) 
and Amendment (Exhibit 10.1 to Morgan Stanley’s 
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2014).

as 

10.12† 1995  Equity  Incentive  Compensation  Plan  (Annex 
A  to  MSG’s  proxy  statement  for  its  1996  Annual 
Meeting  of  Stockholders) 
amended  by 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.39  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year 
ended  November  30,  2000),  Amendment  (Exhibit 
10.5 to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on Form 
10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended  August  31,  2005), 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.3  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
February  28,  2006),  Amendment  (Exhibit  10.24  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the  fiscal  year  ended  November  30,  2006)  and 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.22  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year 
ended November 30, 2007).

10.13† Form  of  Deferred  Compensation  Agreement  under 
the  Pre-Tax  Incentive  Program  2  (Exhibit  10.12  to 
MSG’s  annual  report  for  the  fiscal  year  ended 
November 30, 1996).

10.14† Morgan Stanley UK Share Ownership Plan (Exhibit 
4.1  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  Registration  Statement  on 
Form S-8 (No. 333-146954)).

10.15† Supplementary  Deed  of  Participation  for 

the 
Morgan  Stanley  UK  Share  Ownership  Plan,  dated 
as  of  November  5,  2009  (Exhibit  10.36  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2009).

10.16† Aircraft  Time  Sharing  Agreement,  dated  as  of 
January  1,  2010,  by  and  between  Corporate 
Services  Support  Corp.  and  James  P.  Gorman 
(Exhibit  10.1  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report 
on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended  March  31, 
2010).

10.17† Agreement  between  Morgan  Stanley  and  James  P. 
Gorman,  dated  August  16,  2005,  and  amendment 
dated  December  17,  2008  (Exhibit  10.2  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the 
quarter  ended  March  31,  2010),  as  amended  by 
Amendment  (Exhibit  10.25  to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2013).

10.18† Form  of  Restrictive  Covenant  Agreement  (Exhibit 
10 to Morgan Stanley’s current report on Form 8-K 
dated November 22, 2005).

10.19†* Equity  Incentive  Compensation  Plan,  as  amended 

and restated as of December 14, 2020.

 No. Description
10.20† Morgan  Stanley  2006  Notional  Leveraged  Co-
Investment  Plan,  as  amended  and  restated  as  of 
November  28,  2008  (Exhibit  10.47  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended November 30, 2008).

10.21† Form of Award Certificate under the 2006 Notional 
Leveraged  Co-Investment  Plan  (Exhibit  10.7  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q 
for the quarter ended February 29, 2008).
10.22† Morgan  Stanley  2007  Notional  Leveraged  Co-
Investment  Plan,  amended  as  of  June  4,  2009 
(Exhibit  10.6  to  Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).

10.23† Form of Award Certificate under the 2007 Notional 
for  Certain 
Leveraged  Co-Investment  Plan 
Management  Committee  Members  (Exhibit  10.8  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q 
for the quarter ended February 29, 2008).
10.24†* Morgan  Stanley  Compensation  Incentive  Plan,  as 

amended and restated as of December 14, 2020.

10.25† Morgan  Stanley  Schedule  of  Non-Employee 
Directors  Annual  Compensation,  effective  as  of 
November  1,  2018  (Exhibit  10.24  to  Morgan 
Stanley’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended December 31, 2018).

10.26† Morgan Stanley UK Limited Alternative Retirement 
Plan,  dated  as  of  October  8,  2009  (Exhibit  10.2  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 31, 2013).

10.27† Agreement  between  Morgan  Stanley  and  Colm 
Kelleher,  dated  January  5,  2015  (Exhibit  10.1  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  quarterly  report  on  Form  10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 31, 2015).

10.28† Description  of  Operating  Committee  Medical 
Coverage  (Exhibit  10.2 
to  Morgan  Stanley’s 
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
March 31, 2015).

10.29† Form  of  Award  Certificate  for  Discretionary 
Retention Awards of Stock Units. (Exhibit 10.33 to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the year ended December 31, 2017).

10.30† Form  of  Award  Certificate  for  Discretionary 
Retention  Awards  under 
the  Morgan  Stanley 
Compensation  Incentive  Plan.  (Exhibit  10.34  to 
Morgan  Stanley’s  annual  report  on  Form  10-K  for 
the year ended December 31, 2017).

10.31†* Form of Award Certificate for Long-Term Incentive 

Program Awards.

10.32† Form of Aircraft Time-Sharing Agreement (Exhibit 
10.1 to Morgan Stanley’s quarterly report on Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020).
Subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley.

21*
22* Guarantor  and  Subsidiary  Issuer  of  Registered 

Guaranteed Securities. 

23.1* Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

24

Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).

31.1* Rule  13a-14(a)  Certification  of  Chief  Executive 

Officer.

31.2* Rule  13a-14(a)  Certification  of  Chief  Financial 

Officer.

167

December 2020 Form 10-K

Table of Contents

Exhibit

 No. Description
32.1** Section  1350  Certification  of  Chief  Executive 

Officer.

32.2** Section  1350  Certification  of  Chief  Financial 

101

Officer.
Interactive  Data  Files  pursuant  to  Rule  405  of 
Regulation  S-T  formatted  in  Inline  eXtensible 
Business Reporting Language (“Inline XBRL”).
104 Cover  Page  Interactive  Data  File  (formatted  in 
Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

1. For purposes of this Exhibit Index, references to “The Bank of New York” mean in 
some instances the entity successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or J.P. Morgan 
Trust Company, National Association; references to “JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.” 
mean the entity formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank, in some instances 
as  the  successor  to  Chemical  Bank;  references  to  “J.P.  Morgan  Trust  Company, 
N.A.”  mean  the  entity  formerly  known  as  Bank  One  Trust  Company,  N.A.,  as 
successor to The First National Bank of Chicago.

*
Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
† Management  contract  or  compensatory  plan  or 
arrangement  required  to  be  filed  as  an  exhibit  to  this 
Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b).

Note: Other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-
term debt securities of Morgan Stanley and its subsidiaries are 
omitted  pursuant  to  Section  (b)(4)(iii)  of  Item  601  of 
Regulation  S-K.  Morgan  Stanley  hereby  agrees  to  furnish 
copies  of  these  instruments  to  the  U.S.  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission upon request.

Form 10-K Summary

None.

Signatures

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the 
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the  Registrant  has  duly 
caused  this  report  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the 
undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized,  on  February  26, 
2021.

MORGAN STANLEY
(REGISTRANT)
By:

/s/ JAMES P. GORMAN

(James P. Gorman)
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We,  the  undersigned,  hereby  severally  constitute  Jonathan 
Pruzan, Eric F. Grossman and Martin M. Cohen, and each of 
them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to 
them and each of them to sign for us, and in our names in the 
capacities  indicated  below,  any  and  all  amendments  to  the 
annual  report  on  Form  10-K  filed  with  the  Securities  and 
Exchange  Commission,  hereby  ratifying  and  confirming  our 

December 2020 Form 10-K

168

signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys to any 
and all amendments to said annual report on Form 10-K.

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act 
of  1934,  this  report  has  been  signed  below  by  the  following 
persons  on  behalf  of  the  Registrant  and  in  the  capacities 
indicated on the 26th day of February, 2021.

Signature

Title

/s/ JAMES P. GORMAN

(James P. Gorman)

Chairman of the Board and 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ JONATHAN PRUZAN

(Jonathan Pruzan)

Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ RAJA J. AKRAM
(Raja J. Akram)

Deputy Chief Financial Officer
(Chief Accounting Officer and 
Controller)

/s/ ELIZABETH CORLEY
(Elizabeth Corley)

/s/ ALISTAIR DARLING
(Alistair Darling)

/s/ THOMAS H. GLOCER
(Thomas H. Glocer)

/s/ ROBERT H. HERZ
(Robert H. Herz)

/s/ NOBUYUKI HIRANO
(Nobuyuki Hirano)

/s/ SHELLEY B. 
LEIBOWITZ
(Shelley B. Leibowitz)

/s/ STEPHEN J. LUCZO
(Stephen J. Luczo)

/s/ JAMI MISCIK
(Jami Miscik)

/s/ DENNIS M. NALLY
(Dennis M. Nally)

/s/ TAKESHI 
OGASAWARA
(Takeshi Ogasawara)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Table of Contents

Signature
/s/ HUTHAM S. OLAYAN
(Hutham S. Olayan)

/s/ MARY L. SCHAPIRO
(Mary L. Schapiro)

/s/ PERRY M. TRAQUINA
(Perry M. Traquina)

/s/ RAYFORD WILKINS, 
JR.
(Rayford Wilkins, Jr.)

Title
Director

Director

Director

Director

December 2020 Form 10-K

169