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TCF Financial Corporation

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Industry Banks - Diversified
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2011 Annual Report · TCF Financial Corporation
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Foundational strength. Visionary future.

TCF Financial Corporation  |  2011 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)

2011

2010

% Change

    At or For the Year Ended December 31,

Operating Results:

Net interest income

Provision for credit losses

  Net interest income after provision for credit losses

Non-interest income:

Fees and other revenue

  Gains on securities, net

  Gains on auto loans held for sale, net

Total non-interest income

Non-interest expense

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Income after income tax expense

Income attributable to non-controlling interests

 $699,688 

 $699,202 

 200,843 

 498,845 

 436,038 

 7,263 

 1,133 

 444,434 

 764,451 

 178,828 

 64,441 

 114,387 

 4,993 

 236,437 

 462,765 

 508,862 

 29,123 

 537,985 

 756,335 

 244,415 

 90,171 

 154,244 

 3,297 

–

               N.M.  

  Net income available to common stockholders

 $109,394 

 $150,947 

Per Common Share Information:

Basic earnings

Diluted earnings

Dividends declared

Stock price:

  High

Low

  Close

Book value

Price to book value

Financial Ratios:

Return on average assets

Return on average common equity

Net interest margin

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases 

Tier 1 common risk-based capital ratio (1)

N.M. Not Meaningful 

(1)  See page 47 under Management’s Discussion and Analysis  

for reconcilation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures.

           $ 

   .71 

         $ 

.71 

 .20 

 17.37 

8.61 

 10.32 

 11.65 

1.08 

1.08 

.20 

18.89 

12.90 

14.81 

10.30 

.89 X   

1.44 X  

.61% 

.85%  

 6.32 

 3.99 

 1.45 

 11.74 

10.67 

4.15 

 1.47 

 9.59 

 .1%

 (15.1)

 7.8 

(14.3)

 (75.1)

(17.4)

 1.1 

 (26.8)
 (28.5)

 (25.8)
 51.4 

 (27.5)

(34.3)%

 (34.3)

  –

 (8.0)

 (33.3)

 (30.3)

 13.1 

 (38.4)

 (28.2)

 (40.8)

 (3.9)

 (1.4)

 22.4 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1923

Twin City Building 
and Loan Association 
begins business

1972

First $1 billion in 
assets achieved

1986

TCF becomes a 
publicly-traded 
company

1997

TCF enters leasing business 
with acquisition of Winthrop 
Resources Corporation

1999

One-millionth 
retail checking 
account opened

2008

2011

TCF expands into 
inventory finance business 
in the U.S. and Canada

TCF enters auto finance business 
with acquisition of Gateway One 
Lending & Finance, LLC

2012

Evolution of TCF focusing 
on disciplined asset growth, 
especially national specialty 
finance programs

Throughout its history, TCF has maintained  

its strong foundation of a conservative banking 

philosophy emphasizing convenience, conservative 

underwriting and a secured lending portfolio.  

As a result of today’s legislative and regulatory 

environment, TCF is taking proactive steps to 

position itself for success in the changing banking 

world while staying true to the philosophy that  

has made it the successful and profitable bank  

it is today.

Table of Contents
02  Letter to Our Stockholders
12  Board of Directors

Annual Report on Form 10-K

01  Business
08  Risk Factors
18  Selected Financial Data
19  Management’s Discussion and Analysis
56  Consolidated Financial Statements
60  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
103  Other Financial Data

Additional Information 

116  Corporate Information
119  Stockholder Information
121  Corporate Philosophy

2011 Annual Report

01

Dear Stockholders:

2011 was one of the most challenging 

regional and national lending businesses 

that the current financial crisis we are 

years I’ve experienced in my 39 years  

funded by a regional, core deposit 

experiencing was largely the result of 

in the banking industry. For the past 

platform. We have implemented a new 

the risky lending practices demonstrated  

couple of years, we have all believed 

functional management structure that 

by many of our peers. TCF is not 

that the “next year” will be the year 

will better support this growth strategy.

entirely blameless for some of the 

everything turns around. This has not 

proven to be the case as economic 

issues such as high unemployment  

and deflated home values have shown 

minimal improvement. Also, legislation 

such as the Dodd-Frank Act, is  

negatively impacting revenues. In 

addition, record low interest rates are 

impacting the margin. All in all, the 

banking industry is changing and it  

will be those banks that can adapt  

and stay ahead of the curve that will 

come out ahead.

Despite this evolution of TCF, we are 

committed to staying true to the 

conservative banking philosophy that 

has made TCF the successful and 

profitable company it is today. This 

year marked TCF’s 21st consecutive year 

problems we have experienced. For 

example, we should have foreseen the 

burst of the rapidly expanding housing 

bubble. However, we did not engage  

in many of the risky activities used by 

other financial institutions.

of profitability. Our commitment to 

• As a result of the continued imple-

convenience, conservative underwriting, 

mentation of legislative and regulatory 

and secured and diversified loan and 

requirements, TCF again spent a 

lease portfolios are just part of the 

significant amount of time and money, 

philosophy that has been the foundation 

not only on compliance, but research-

of our company for so many years.  

ing and implementing various new 

I believe that applying this philosophy to 

strategies to allow us to be successful 

2012 will be a year in which we pro-

the changing banking environment will 

in the new banking environment. 

actively build and invest in TCF’s future, 

allow us to stay ahead of the curve and 

Considerations of strategic shift include 

regardless of the state of the economy. 

make TCF a premier investment choice. 

the following:

An evolution is already taking place at 

TCF that will position us to take advan-

tage of new marketplace opportunities 

A Look at 2011
• Throughout 2011, we continued to see 

and be successful in the changing 

the same economic problems that have 

banking environment. We are now 

affected us since the financial crisis 

focused on growing our diversified 

began. It is important to remember  

Durbin Amendment Impact  TCF spent 

a great deal of effort with its legal 

challenge of the constitutionality of  

the Durbin Amendment and its impact 

on debit card interchange. While we 

ultimately decided to drop our lawsuit, 

we felt that it highlighted many key 

areas of concern in the Durbin 

Amendment that proved to be a factor 

in the Federal Reserve’s final rule 

allowing for banks to receive more than 

double the interchange compared to 

their initial proposed rule. That being 

said, the Durbin Amendment will still 

cost TCF approximately $60 million  

per year in lost interchange revenue. 

We have to look to recover this lost 

revenue where we can.

William A. Cooper,  
Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer

02    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Asset Growth and Diversification   

As a result of competition from large 

national banks in our markets, it has 

become more difficult for regional 

banks to continue to add high-quality 

loans and leases within a regional 

footprint. To be successful, regional 

banks must be able to make loans on  

a national platform. As a result, over 

the last several years TCF has begun 

shifting its lending focus toward its 

already successful national niche 

lending programs. These national 

platforms include equipment finance, 

inventory finance, mortgage lending 

and now auto finance. In 2011, TCF 

announced an agreement to provide 

inventory financing to the dealers of 

Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. 

(BRP) in the U.S. and Canada as well as 

an acquisition of Gateway One Lending 

& Finance, Inc. (Gateway One), an 

indirect auto finance company head-

quartered in California. While these 

new programs will result in additional 

operational risks, I am confident that 

with the extensive due diligence 

completed, their experienced manage-

ment teams, and TCF’s successful track 

record of integrating and operating 

national specialty finance programs,  

we will be able to manage these risks. 

These high-quality, secured lending 

programs will provide TCF with an 

avenue for growth in 2012. These new 

programs will be a great complement 

to our current specialty finance 

portfolio and accretive to our business, 

all while staying true to our conserva-

tive lending philosophy.

Functionally Organized Management 

Structure  As a result of the evolution 

taking place at TCF, it was necessary to 

Net Interest Margin
Net Interest Margin

Percent

Percent

%
4
9
.
3

%
1
9
.
3

%
7
8
.
3

%
5
1
.
4

%
9
9
.
3

Diluted Earnings Per 
Diluted Earnings 
Common Share
Per Common Share

Dollars

Dollars

3
1
.
2
$

8
8
.
$

0
6
.
$

8
0
.
1
$

1
7
.
$

07

08

09

10

11

07

08

09

10

11

Diluted EPS

Dividends Paid

reevaluate the responsibilities of our 

and a slowly improving economy, I  

experienced executive management 

look forward to improving these results.

team to more efficiently manage and 

implement strategies moving forward. 

Our new functionally organized 

management structure will allow us to 

better manage our four key initiatives: 

1) Enterprise Risk Management,  

2) Lending, 3) Funding and 4) Corporate 

Development. This structure is well 

suited to both protect and increase 

shareholder value into the future.

• TCF’s net interest margin was 3.99 

percent for the full year of 2011, down 

16 basis points from the full year of 

2010. In 2011, we continued to take 

actions to increase the asset sensitivity 

of the balance sheet, such as changing 

the mix of fixed- and variable-rate 

loans, in anticipation of rising interest 

rates. Despite recent guidance from the 

Federal Reserve suggesting rates will 

• TCF continued its consistency of 

likely not rise until late 2014, rates will 

profitability in 2011, earning $109.4 

eventually rise and we will be ready to 

million, down 28 percent from 2010. 

take advantage when they do. In the 

Diluted earnings per common share 

meantime, with our increased focus on 

was $.71. These results remain below 

national specialty finance programs, we 

TCF’s historical performance while  

have laid the groundwork for significant 

we continue to operate in a difficult 

growth in our higher-yielding portfolios. 

economic and regulatory environment. 

Overall, TCF’s net interest margin 

With the continued evolution of TCF 

continues to be strong when compared 

to the Top 50 Banks.

2011 Annual Report

03

• On March 15, 2011, TCF raised gross 

We actively review these factors on a 

• At December 31, 2011, TCF’s stock 

proceeds of $230 million through a 

quarterly basis as returning capital to 

price closed at $10.32 per share, down 

public common stock offering of 

our stockholders remains an important  

from $14.81 per share on December 31, 

15,081,968 shares. As we have done  

part of how we deliver value.

2010. Several key factors weighed 

in the past, we chose to take advantage 

of market conditions and raised the 

capital when we could. This additional 

capital allowed us to pay off our senior 

unsecured notes and continue the 

growth of our very successful specialty 

finance businesses. TCF’s capital 

management strategy is prudent and 

provides flexibility to take advantage  

of balance sheet opportunities.

• TCF is financially strong and remains 

a safe and sound bank. We are solidly 

capitalized and have ample liquidity  

to conduct business. TCF’s tangible 

realized common equity, which we feel 

is the most important capital metric, 

was $1.6 billion, or 8.42 percent of 

tangible assets at December 31, 2011. 

We continue to exceed all well-capital-

ized requirements as defined by the 

• With TCF’s annual dividend rate of 

regulatory agencies. At December 31, 

$.20 per share in 2011, TCF has paid a 

2011, TCF had $647.3 million of total 

common stock dividend 95 consecutive 

risk-based capital in excess of the 

quarters. When capital accumulation 

stated well-capitalized requirement. 

from earnings exceeds capital required 

We also anticipate exceeding the 

for asset growth and risk parameters 

minimum standards under the Basel III  

permit, TCF will raise its dividend.  

capital guidelines.

Tangible Realized 
Tangible Realized 
Common Equity 
Common Equity

Millions of Dollars

Millions of Dollars

Total Deposits
Total Deposits

Billions of Dollars

Billions of Dollars

9
7
5
,
1
$

4
3
3
,
1
$

6
.
1
1
$

6
.
1
1
$

2
.
2
1
$

2
.
0
1
$

6
.
9
$

7
5
9
$

9
6
9
$

0
2
0
,
1
$

07

08

09

10

11

07

08

09

10

11

Tangible Realized Common Equity

Certificates of Deposit

Tangible Realized Common Equity Ratio

Core Deposits

04    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

heavily on stock prices across the 

industry in 2011, including regulatory 

uncertainty such as the Durbin 

Amendment and macroeconomic 

concerns including depressed home 

values, elevated unemployment and 

the European debt crisis. Until the 

economy shows more consistent  

signs of improvement, pressure  

on the stock price may continue. 

Retail Banking
TCF’s Retail Banking division consists 

of branch banking and retail lending.  

In branch banking, our focus has been 

on growing low-cost deposits to fund 

both our regional and national lending 

programs. Similar to 2010, we have 

recently spent a significant amount of 

time developing products that can help 

increase the level of convenience for 

our customers in the ever-changing 

competitive environment. Deposit 

balances totaled $12.2 billion at 

year-end, up 5.3 percent from 2010. 

We are committed to providing our 

customers with the most convenient 

products possible, including the launch 

of free TCF Mobile Banking in early  

2011. Our recent product changes have 

increased the simplicity and conve-

nience to our customers with the 

intention of also increasing profitability 

for the bank, however, changes to our 

deposit account products are still 

evolving. We are currently evaluating 

additional ideas and expect to make 

further enhancements in 2012.

Retail lending loan balances totaled 

$6.9 billion at year-end, down 3.7 

percent from 2010. With the continued 

depressed home values and a more 

competitive environment for borrowers 

who meet TCF’s underwriting criteria, 

we have reduced the consumer real 

estate portfolio and made investments 

in other higher-yielding asset catego-

ries. Despite the current economic 

conditions, TCF continued to fund new 

consumer real estate loans to credit-

worthy customers during 2011. The 

new loans have performed well with 

low delinquencies and minimal 

1972
In 1972, TCF eclipsed $1 billion in total assets. Today, TCF  

has nearly $19 billion in total assets including a loan and lease 

charge-offs. We expect to have more 

portfolio that is well-diversified by both type and geography.

opportunities to add loans in this 

portfolio as home values stabilize.

Wholesale Banking
TCF’s Wholesale Banking division 

consists of commercial banking and 

specialty finance (TCF Equipment 

Finance, Winthrop Resources 

Corporation, TCF Inventory Finance  

and Gateway One). Loan balances 

in the current economic environment 

this run-off activity, the core portfolio 

largely as a result of our conservative 

continues to grow as balances increased 

underwriting philosophy and our 

6 percent from 2010. Our $3.1 billion 

commitment to relationship banking 

leasing and equipment finance portfolio 

with long-term customers. 

is well-diversified by equipment type, 

decreased 5.4 percent in our commercial 

Loan and lease balances in specialty 

portfolio, which totaled $3.4 billion at 

finance decreased 4.5 percent to $3.8 

year-end, largely due to higher levels  

billion at year-end. In specialty finance, 

of payments exceeding increased  

new origination volume. Demand  

home to TCF’s highest yielding loans 

and leases, we were able to minimize 

for commercial loans has remained 

concentration risk by diversifying our 

somewhat tempered by the sluggish 

businesses by industry, transaction 

economy but we are seeing some signs 

size, geography and collateral type.  

of growing demand. We saw many of 

We continue to emphasize specialty 

our peers being much more competi-

finance as a key vehicle for asset 

tive from a pricing perspective on the 

growth because of our proven expertise 

commercial deals that were available 

in acquiring, integrating and operating 

these national niche businesses. 

transaction size and geography.  

Our leasing and equipment finance 

operation, which is comprised of TCF 

Equipment Finance and Winthrop 

Resources Corporation, is the 28th 

largest in the U.S. and the 13th largest 

bank-affiliated leasing company in  

the U.S. Despite the overall decrease  

in leasing and equipment finance 

balances, 2011 originations were up 

19.2 percent from 2010. Future growth 

opportunities are strong as we have an 

uninstalled backlog of $455.3 million  

at year-end. The portfolio is currently 

during the year. As a result of our 

various avenues for asset growth  

in specialty finance, we have not  

been forced to compete for deals  

with substandard pricing. Overall, our 

commercial portfolio is performing well 

TCF’s leasing and equipment finance 

yielding 6 percent. 

business balances decreased by  

.4 percent from 2010 as past portfolio 

purchases continue to run off. Excluding 

TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. (TCFIF) 

continues to be a business where we 

2011 Annual Report

05

are seeing opportunity for growth. 

the program matures. In addition, 

In November 2011, TCF acquired 

TCFIF ended the year with a portfolio 

TCFIF entered the recreation vehicle 

Gateway One Lending & Finance. 

balance of $625 million, down 21.2 

and marine products industries in 2011 

Gateway One originates and services 

percent from 2010, at an average yield 

through agreements with Jayco, Inc. 

primarily used retail auto loans 

of 7.19 percent. The portfolio decrease 

and Alumacraft Boat Co. in 2011.

acquired from over 3,400 franchised 

during the year was largely due to  

the termination of a lawn and garden 

program and the transitioning of an 

electronics and appliance program to a 

servicing-only program. Following the 

entrance into the powersports industry 

in 2010 with the acquisition of Arctic 

Cat® Canadian powersports equipment 

floorplan programs, TCF built on its 

powersports market share in 2011 

through an agreement with BRP to 

finance BRP’s Ski-Doo®, Sea-Doo® and 

Can-Am® dealers across the U.S. and 

Canada. The BRP agreement has the 

potential for approximately $600 

million in average net receivables when 

TCFIF, which TCF started in 2008, is  

now becoming a significant player in 

the inventory finance marketplace. 

TCFIF has proven that it can provide 

excellent service and financing for 

some of the largest manufacturers in 

their respective industries. Our proven 

track record is now resonating with 

some of the smaller manufacturers  

as well. Our increased presence and 

credibility in the market will only help 

as we continue to grow this profitable 

business for TCF. We are continuing  

to pursue future programs as well as 

renew contracts with existing manu-

facturers in a very competitive market. 

1986
In 1986, TCF became one of the first banks to offer free 

and independent dealers across the 

country. The acquisition of Gateway 

One was another step toward the 

further diversification of TCF by 

growing high-quality assets with 

strong risk-adjusted returns through 

national specialty finance lending 

programs in the second largest 

consumer finance market in the U.S. 

The lower cost of funding that TCF 

provides will allow Gateway One to 

reach more dealers and compete for 

higher quality loans. The experienced 

management team from Gateway One, 

along with the TCF’s proven track 

record of integrating and operating 

these types of businesses, make this 

acquisition an ideal fit.

At December 31, 2011, Gateway One 

had managed assets totaling $437.7 

million and loan balances of $3.6 

million. We expect to see asset balances 

ramp up throughout 2012 with start-up 

expenses in the near-term. Gateway 

One will be an important component  

of TCF’s 2012 success. 

Credit Quality
While we started to see some stabiliza-

tion, credit losses continued to be a 

challenge for TCF in 2011 and impacted 

TCF’s results. Net charge-offs decreased 

only 2 percent, or 2 basis points, in 

2011. Overall, credit metrics showed 

some improvement from peak 2010 

levels, but until we see unemployment 

checking. To this day, TCF continues to develop convenient 

decline and home values start to recover, 

and innovative deposit account products.

credit costs are likely to remain elevated.

06    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Non-performing assets declined 

steadily throughout 2011, down $53.1 

million, or 10.9 percent, from 2010 and 

have now decreased five consecutive 

quarters. This decline in non-performing 

assets is primarily due to decreases in 

commercial and leasing and equipment 

finance non-accrual loans and leases. 

Despite the continued economic stress 

on unemployment and home values,  

we saw some stabilization in consumer 

real estate delinquencies. To help our 

customers avoid home foreclosure, TCF 

Net Charge-Offs & Allowance 
Net Charge-Offs & Allowance 
for Loan & Lease Losses
for Loan & Lease Losses

Non-Performing Assets
Non-Performing Assets

Millions of Dollars

Percent

Percent

%
9
2
.
1

%
5
6
.

%
0
8
.
1

%
1
8
.
1

%
8
6
.
1

Millions of Dollars

6
8
4
$

3
3
4
$

2
0
4
$

4
3
2
$

6
0
1
$

has continued its program of providing 

07

08

09

10

11

07

08

09

10

11

loan modifications which are accounted 

for as troubled debt restructurings 

(TDRs). The TDRs extend payment 

dates, reduce interest rates and/or 

reduce payment amounts for a term  

of up to five years. These TDRs are 

underwritten individually. Our goal is  

to extend these TDRs to customers who 

can make a payment and truly want to 

stay in their homes.

At December 31, 2011, TCF held $433.1 

million of accruing modified consumer 

TDRs, up 28.4 percent from 2010, with  

a weighted average interest rate of  

3.7 percent. The TDR reserves are 

based on the present value of expected 

cash flows, or 13.5 percent, with a 

fourth quarter annualized net charge-off 

rate of 6.5 percent. To date, these TDRs 

are performing as expected and have 

proven to be an effective way to help 

mitigate losses. 

TCF’s Wholesale Banking division saw 

some credit stabilization throughout 

2011. Commercial net charge-offs and 

provision tend to be lumpy as credits 

are worked out, especially in this 

Allowance for Loan & Lease Losses

Net Charge-Offs

challenging workout environment. 

At December 31, 2011, TCF’s allowance 

Overall, our specialty finance loans and 

for loan and lease losses totaled $255.7 

leases continue to perform very well. 

million, or 1.81 percent of loans and 

We continue to closely monitor our 

leases, a decrease of $10.1 million from 

wholesale customers, and in particular, 

December 31, 2010. The decrease in 

those customers in distressed indus-

allowance for loan and lease losses  

tries and geographies. Our relationship 

was primarily due to charge-offs of 

banking strategy provided us with the 

commercial loans during the first 

ability to effectively work out many 

quarter of 2011 that had previously been 

distressed loans. Wholesale Banking 

specifically reserved for. TCF’s provision 

continues to be a very profitable, 

for credit losses of $200.8 million 

well-managed and highly diversified 

decreased 15.1 percent from last year.

segment. 

Overall, we saw some good signs of 

Real estate owned properties decreased 

credit stabilization in 2011, not the least 

throughout 2011. This was an encour-

of which was the consistent decline in 

aging sign as the length of time in the 

non-performing assets. That being said, 

foreclosure process continues to be 

we still experienced elevated levels of 

lengthy. At December 31, 2011, TCF 

credit losses and delinquencies due to 

owned 465 consumer real estate 

the persistent economic conditions.  

properties and 33 commercial real 

We are encouraged by the trends and 

estate properties, compared with  

feel we are on the right track, but 

520 and 28 properties, respectively,  

ultimate success will only occur when 

at December 31, 2010.

the economy gets back on track. 

2011 Annual Report

07

Revenue
TCF’s total revenue in 2011 was $1.1 

billion, down 8 percent from last year 

with net interest income remaining flat 

and non-interest income decreasing  

17 percent.

Banking fees and service charges 

declined 20 percent from 2010 primarily 

due to the full annual impact in 2011  

of Regulation E, the opt-in regulations 

regarding ATM transactions and 

one-time debit card transactions that 

became effective in August 2010. While  

I feel TCF did a good job educating 

customers on opt-in, this regulation still 

had a sizeable impact on overdraft 

revenue in 2011. The full impact is  

now built in and the opt-in initiative is 

largely behind us. The fee revenue lost 

to Regulation E was partially offset  

by the implementation of monthly 

Leasing and equipment finance 

maintenance fees for retail customers 

continued to be an important revenue 

not meeting certain account criteria. In 

source for TCF in 2011. These revenues 

late 2011, we implemented the new 

totaled $89.2 million, which remained 

fee waiver criteria which included a 

flat compared with 2010.

minimum of 15 qualifying transactions 

per month to waive the monthly 

maintenance fee. This product is 

Expenses
TCF’s operating expenses were again 

different than many of our competitors. 

very well controlled in 2011. We 

Instead of requiring a high minimum 

continued to streamline our business 

balance, we are just asking that our 

processes and operations to make  

customers simply use their account.

them as efficient as possible. Our new 

TCF’s card revenue of $96.1 million in 

2011 was down 13 percent from 2010, 

which was attributable to the imple-

mentation of the Durbin Amendment 

in October 2011. The impact of the 

Durbin Amendment in the fourth 

quarter of 2011 resulted in decreased 

revenue of $14.7 million.

functionally organized management 

structure will provide more opportuni-

ties for TCF to improve efficiencies  

and reduce operating expenses 

moving forward. During the third 

quarter of 2011, TCF discontinued its 

debit card reward program as a result 

of the implementation of the Durbin 

Amendment. We continue to look  

for additional expense savings opportu-

nities as a way to help contribute to 

the bottom line in the challenging 

economic and regulatory environment. 

Non-Interest expense totaled $764.5 

million in 2011, up slightly from 2010. We 

saw increased FDIC insurance expenses 

related to changes in the rate calculations 

for banks over $10 billion in total assets, 

which were implemented in April 2011. 

Foreclosed real estate and repossessed 

asset expenses also increased in 2011 

primarily due to valuation writedowns  

on commercial real estate.

Even during this difficult operating 

environment, TCF remains committed 

to the ongoing professional develop-

ment of its employees and continues to 

recognize and motivate hard working 

individuals through job promotions, 

incentive compensation, tuition 

reimbursement and other reward 

Total Revenue
Total Revenue

Millions of Dollars

Fees & Service Charges
Fees & Services Charges

Millions of Dollars

Millions of Dollars

Millions of Dollars

2
9
0
,
1
$

2
9
0
,
1
$

7
3
2
,
1
$

9
5
1
,
1
$

4
4
1
,
1
$

8
7
2
$

1
7
2
$

7
8
2
$

3
7
2
$

9
1
2
$

07

08

09

10

11

07

08

09

10

11

Fees & Other Revenue

Net Interest Income

08    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

programs. We strongly believe that 

maintaining an experienced and 

motivated team creates a competitive 

advantage and is crucial to enhancing 

stockholder value.

TCF also continues to support the 

communities in which we serve, both 

financially and through volunteerism. 

During 2011, TCF and its employees 

contributed nearly $2.8 million to 

charitable organizations in human 

services, education, community 

1997
In 1997, TCF entered the specialty finance market through  

development and the arts. In addition, 

its acquisition of Winthrop Resources Corporation. Today, 

numerous TCF employees generously 

gave their time by volunteering and 

providing leadership to local nonprofit 

TCF Specialty Finance is made up of a diverse group of 

nationally-oriented businesses and is the fastest growing 

organizations. TCF and its employees 

division at TCF.

continue to express a commitment to 

make a difference for people in need 

and for the communities we serve.

Keys to Success in 2012
In 2011, TCF laid the groundwork for 

more efficient. We must also continue 

enhancements. As the economy 

to look for additional asset growth 

improves, there will also be opportuni-

success in 2012. We have taken proactive 

opportunities in specialty finance. Our 

ties to reduce credit costs, such as 

steps to position ourselves for success in 

proven track record and increased 

foreclosed real estate expenses.

the future. This process will continue into 

credibility in the industry will benefit  

2012. While 2011 was a transition year for 

us with this initiative.

• Carefully monitor credit quality.  It will 

be important for TCF to stay true to our 

TCF, 2012 will be a building and investing 

year. Below are some of the keys to 

success for TCF in 2012: 

• Implement company-wide, revenue-

conservative lending philosophy. We 

producing and expense reduction 

are a secured and diversified lender  

strategies.  We must successfully 

with conservative underwriting and this  

• Execute strategy of growing assets 

implement various revenue-producing 

will continue going forward. We will 

through national lending programs.  

and expense reduction strategies 

continue to extend loan modifications 

TCF made significant investments in 

throughout the company. Revenue-

to qualified borrowers and work 

this strategy in late 2011 with the 

producing strategies could include new 

through commercial real estate non-

addition of BRP’s inventory finance 

deposit account products and features 

performing assets in this challenging 

program and the acquisition of the 

as well as revenues related to TCF’s 

environment. In 2012, we expect to see 

Gateway One auto lending business.  

new specialty finance programs.  

continued declines in non-performing 

In 2012, we will need to successfully 

The implementation of new deposit 

assets through sales of real estate 

integrate these businesses to take 

account products will be influenced by 

owned, paydowns and loans returning 

advantage of the growth prospects  

the competitive landscape as a whole. 

to accrual status based on performance. 

they provide. Our new management 

Expense reductions will likely come 

We also expect delinquencies and 

structure will make this process much 

from various productivity 

charge-offs to remain elevated in the 

2011 Annual Report

09

near-term due to the sluggish economy. 

• Continue our longstanding commit-

• With the current economy and TCF’s 

Despite our efforts, we will need to see 

ment to strong corporate governance.  

changing product structure, customer 

significant improvement in the economy 

Our customers and stockholders entrust 

behavior is still an unknown and could 

to see more substantial improvement in 

us with their money and confidential 

impact future fee revenue. We spent time 

credit quality.

information and therefore, our manage-

researching, testing and piloting our 

• Demonstrate strong enterprise risk 

management.  In today’s regulatory 

environment, a strong enterprise risk 

management program is essential.  

At TCF, we have enhanced our program 

under our new management structure. 

It will be important to appropriately 

manage our risks and maintain clear and 

open communication with our regulators.

ment practices demand the highest of 

various product changes but it generally 

standards. Reputation for honesty and 

takes an extended period of time to fully 

integrity continues to rank at the top of 

understand how customer behavior will 

our priorities.

Risks to Our  
Business Strategy
• Congressional and regulatory actions 

continue to produce a cloud of uncer-

tainty over the banking industry. While 

respond in the long run. This will be the 

case with any additional changes we 

make. We will monitor how our customers 

respond and react accordingly.

• Managing interest-rate risk and the 

continued low levels of interest rates 

with an eye toward the possibility of 

rapidly increasing inflation continues  

to be a challenge.

• Use capital wisely.  TCF is solidly 

the  Durbin  Amendment  has  been 

capitalized. We will continue to be good 

implemented, uncertainty continues as 

stewards of our stockholders’ capital 

Congress has introduced a bill to repeal 

and think in terms of the best long-term 

it while the retailers have filed a lawsuit 

• Potential reductions in our borrowing 

interest of the company. It will be 

stating the Federal Reserve did not 

capacity because of restrictions put on 

important that we prudently monitor 

reduce debit card interchange enough.

the Federal Home Loan Banks or the 

our capital position to ensure we are in 

a position to take advantage of various 

balance sheet opportunities. Prudent 

capital management, which includes 

making wise investment decisions, is a 

top priority as well as staying cognizant 

of maintaining a strong liquidity 

position for unanticipated situations.

• Monitor corporate development 

opportunities.  Under the new function-

ally organized management structure, 

corporate development will be key. 

With this evolution of TCF comes the 

need for an executive presence to 

oversee corporate development issues 

on both the asset and liability sides of 

the balance sheet, as well as evaluate 

potential new business lines. In 2012, 

we must actively monitor and be ready 

to act on these opportunities that will 

increase stockholder value.

• The economic climate remains a 

major risk for all banks, including TCF. 

Unemployment and depressed home 

and commercial real estate values 

Federal Reserve Discount Window could 

reduce our liquidity and inhibit growth 

or force higher deposit costs. Growing 

core deposits reduces this risk.

reduce consumer spending and loan 

• Growth expectations of our new 

demand, which impacts the ability of 

specialty finance businesses may not 

banks to generate fee income and earn 

be achieved. While we have the track 

interest on new loans. 

record and experience to successfully 

operate national specialty finance 

businesses, the ability to retain existing 

business relationships and attract new 

customers is challenging in the current 

competitive environment. We will also 

have to work to mitigate the integration 

and operational risks associated with 

these new businesses.

• The competitive landscape in the 

banking industry is changing. With 

banks exploring various ways to 

recover lost revenue, trends may 

emerge with the types of fees charged 

going forward. Fee strategies may be 

impacted by the changes we make as 

well as the ensuing public perception. 

We already saw this in 2011 when 

public outcry caused Bank of America 

to back off of their plan to charge a 

debit card usage fee.

10    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

In Closing
Despite the troubled economy and 

Total Loans & Leases
Total Loans & Leases

Billions of Dollars

Specialty Finance1
Specialty Finance1
Billions of Dollars

legislative and regulatory environment, 

TCF has continued to be a profitable 

and successful bank. Our conservative 

philosophy and hard work have made 

us the bank we are today and this will 

not change. The business strategies 

around this philosophy and hard work 

are evolving to allow us to stay ahead 

of the curve in the newly forming banking 

environment. Given the new wave of 

regulations, it is not likely banks will 

ever be as profitable as they once were. 

But this will not stop us from positioning 

ourselves to continue to be successful  

and profitable as times change. 

I am confident and excited about the 

direction we are heading. Once our new 

specialty finance programs fully take off 

in the second half of 2012, I think we 

will be in a great position for growth 

and success. My role at TCF has been 

and will continue to be to maintain and 

increase stockholder value.

We continue to have a mutuality of 

interest with our stockholders. Our 

senior management and board of 

directors own over 6.8 million shares, 

or 4.3 percent of TCF stock. Eighty 

percent of our match-eligible employees  

participate in TCF’s Employees Stock 

Purchase Plan, which at year-end held 

over 8.2 million shares. 

Billions of Dollars

Billions of Dollars

6
.
4
1
$

8
.
4
1
$

2
.
4
1
$

3
.
3
1
$

5
.
2
1
$

0
.
4
$

8
.
3
$

6
.
3
$

5
.
2
$

2
.
2
$

07

08

09

10

11

07

08

09

10

11

1  Leasing & Equipment Finance 
  (includes operating leases), 
  Inventory Finance & Gateway One

years and have provided invaluable 

now take over as Vice Chairman of 

contributions to TCF and our stockhold-

Lending. I am excited about these  

ers during their tenure. We appreciate 

new additions to the board and 

the exceptional leadership and guidance 

welcome their insights and counsel. 

they have provided over the years.

I would also like to give a special thank 

With these changes come opportunities 

you to all of our employees for all of 

to welcome new members to the board. 

their hard work during another challeng-

During the past year, we welcomed  

ing year. Without their hard work and 

Jim Ramstad to the board of directors. 

dedication, TCF would not be able to 

Jim brought with him a wealth of 

provide a high level of convenience  

knowledge and experience in the 

and service to our customers and the 

political arena from his nine terms as  

returns to our stockholders. I am proud 

a Minnesota Congressman in the U.S. 

of our team and the accomplishments 

House of Representatives. In addition, 

we have achieved in 2011 and I look 

Tom Jasper and Craig Dahl were also 

forward to a successful 2012. 

I would like to take a moment to thank 

added to the board of directors at the 

our board of directors for their hard 

beginning of 2012. Tom has previously 

work and guidance. I am very proud  

served as TCF’s Chief Financial Officer 

of this group. I especially want to thank 

and has now assumed the role of Vice 

Ralph Strangis and Luella Goldberg, 

Chairman of Funding, Operations and 

who decided to leave the board in early 

Finance. Craig was previously Executive 

Thank you for your continued support 

and investment in TCF.

2012. Ralph and Luella have each served 

Vice President overseeing TCF’s 

William A. Cooper

on TCF’s board of directors for 20-plus 

specialty finance division and will  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2011 Annual Report

11

Board of Directors

William A. Cooper
Chairman of the Board  
and Chief Executive Officer,  
TCF Financial Corporation

Chairman since 1987

Raymond L. Barton
Chairman,  
Great Clips, Inc.

Director since 2011

Peter Bell
Former Chair,  
Metropolitan Council

William F. Bieber
Chairman and Owner,  
ATEK Companies, Inc.

Director since 2009

Director since 1997

Theodore J. Bigos
Owner, 
Bigos Management, Inc.

Director since 2008

Thomas A. Cusick
Retired Vice Chairman, 
TCF Financial Corporation

Director since 1988

Craig R. Dahl 
Vice Chairman and 
Executive Vice President, 
Lending,  
TCF Financial Corporation

Director since 2012

Luella G. Goldberg
Past Chair,  
University of  
Minnesota Foundation,  
Former Acting President, 
Wellesley College

Director since 1988

Karen L. Grandstrand
Partner,  
Fredrikson & Byron PA

Director since 2010

Thomas F. Jasper
Vice Chairman and  
Executive Vice President, 
Funding, Operations  
and Finance,  
TCF Financial Corporation

Director since 2012

George G. Johnson
CPA/Managing Director,  
George Johnson & Company

Director since 1998

Vance K. Opperman
President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
Key Investment, Inc.

Director since 2009

James M. Ramstad
Former U.S. Congressman

Director since 2011

Gerald A. Schwalbach
Chairman,  
Spensa Development  
Group, LLC

Director since 1999

Ralph Strangis
Senior Partner,  
Kaplan, Strangis and  
Kaplan, P.A.

Director since 1991

Barry N. Winslow
Vice Chairman,  
Corporate Development, 
TCF Financial Corporation

Director since 2008

Richard A. Zona
Retired Vice Chairman, 
U.S. Bancorp

Director since 2011

12    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

UNITED STATES  
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
or
  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _________ to _________ 

Commission File No. 001-10253
TCF Financial Corporation
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DElAWARE 
(State or other jurisdiction of  
incorporation or organization)

41-1591444
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

200 lake Street East, Mail Code EX0-03-A,
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391-1693
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 952-745-2760
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock (par value $.01 per share) 
Warrants (expiring November 14, 2018) 
(Title of each class) 

New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
(Name of exchange on which registered)

No  

No  

No  

No   x  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes   x   
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. 
Yes  
Indicate by check mark whether the 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 the registrant was required  
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   x   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   x   
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) 
is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information 
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer,  
or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting  
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  x   
Non-accelerated filer 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the 
average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed 
second fiscal quarter as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, was $2,013,384,593.
As of January 31, 2012, there were 161,737,391 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, 
its only outstanding class of common stock.

Accelerated filer  
Smaller reporting company 

   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 

    No   x  

Specific portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on 
April 25, 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Description 

Part I
Item 1. 
Item 1A. 
Item 1B. 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4. 

Part II
Item 5. 

Item 6. 
Item 7. 
Item 7A. 
Item 8. 

Item 9. 
Item 9A. 

Item 9B. 

Part III
Item 10. 
Item 11. 
Item 12. 
Item 13. 
Item 14. 

Business 
Risk Factors 
Unresolved Staff Comments 
Properties 
Legal Proceedings 
Mine Safety Disclosures 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters 

and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

Selected Financial Data 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 
  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
  Other Financial Data 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 
Controls and Procedures 
  Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Other Information 

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 Accounting Fees and Services 

Part IV
Item 15. 
Signatures 
Index to Exhibits 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 

Page

1
8
14
14
15
15

15
18
19
51
55
55
56
60
103
104
104
105
106
107

107
107
108
108
108

109
110
111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part I

Item 1. Business

General
TCF Financial Corporation (“TCF” or the “Company”),  
a Delaware Corporation incorporated on April 28, 1987, 
is a national bank holding company based in Wayzata, 
Minnesota. Its principal subsidiary is TCF National Bank 
(“TCF Bank”), which is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South 
Dakota. TCF Bank operates bank branches in Minnesota, 
Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona 
and South Dakota (TCF’s primary banking markets). TCF’s 
focus is on the delivery of retail and commercial banking 
products in markets served by TCF Bank. TCF also conducts 
commercial leasing and equipment finance business in all 
50 states and, to a limited extent, in foreign countries, 
commercial inventory finance in the U.S. and Canada, and 
indirect auto finance business in over 30 states.

At December 31, 2011, TCF had total assets of $19 billion  

and was the 34th largest publicly traded bank holding 
company in the United States based on total assets as of 
September 30, 2011. Unless otherwise indicated, references 
herein to “TCF” include its direct and indirect subsidiaries.  
References herein to the “Holding Company” or “TCF 
Financial” refer to TCF Financial Corporation on an  
unconsolidated basis.

TCF’s core businesses include Retail Banking, Wholesale 

Banking and Treasury Services. Retail Banking includes 
branch banking and retail lending. Wholesale Banking 
includes commercial banking, leasing and equipment 
finance, inventory finance and auto finance. TCF refers to 
its combined leasing and equipment finance, inventory  
finance and auto finance businesses as Specialty Finance. 
Treasury Services includes the Company’s investment and 
borrowing portfolios and management of capital, debt and 
market risks, including interest-rate and liquidity risks. 
See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of 
Operations — Operating Segment Results” and Note 25 of 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information 
regarding TCF’s reportable operating segments.

Retail Banking
At December 31, 2011, TCF had 434 retail banking branches, 
consisting of 195 traditional branches, 231 supermarket 

branches and 8 campus branches. TCF operates 196 
branches in Illinois, 110 in Minnesota, 53 in Michigan,  
36 in Colorado, 26 in Wisconsin, 7 in Arizona, 5 in Indiana 
and 1 in South Dakota.

TCF makes consumer loans for personal, family or 
household purposes, such as home purchases, debt 
consolidation, financing of home improvements, autos, 
vacations and education. TCF’s retail lending origination 
activity primarily consists of consumer real estate secured 
lending. It also includes originating loans secured by 
personal property and, to a limited extent, unsecured 
personal loans. Consumer loans are made on a fixed-term 
basis or revolving line of credit. TCF does not have any 
subprime lending programs nor did it ever originate 2/28 
adjustable-rate mortgages (“ARM”) or option ARM loans.
Deposits from consumers and small businesses are a 
primary source of TCF’s funds for use in lending and for 
other general business purposes. Deposit inflows and 
outflows are significantly influenced by economic and 
competitive conditions, interest rates, money market 
conditions and other factors. Consumer, small business 
and commercial deposits are attracted from within TCF’s 
primary banking markets through the offering of a broad 
selection of deposit products including consumer interest-
bearing checking accounts, money market accounts, 
regular savings accounts, certificates of deposit and 
retirement savings plans. 

TCF’s marketing strategy emphasizes attracting deposits,  
primarily in checking and savings accounts. These accounts 
are a source of low-interest cost funds and provide fee 
income, including banking fees and service charges.
Campus banking represents an important part of 
TCF’s Retail Banking business. TCF has alliances with the 
University of Minnesota, the University of Michigan, the 
University of Illinois and 2 other colleges. These alliances 
include exclusive marketing, naming rights and other 
agreements. Branches have been opened on many of these 
college campuses. TCF provides multi-purpose campus 
cards for many of these colleges. These cards serve as a 
school identification card, ATM card, library card, security 
card, health care card, phone card and stored value card 
for vending machines or similar uses. TCF is ranked 5th 
largest in number of campus card banking relationships in 
the U.S. At December 31, 2011, there were $274.3 million 
in campus deposits. TCF has a 25-year naming rights 

2011 Form 10-K

1

agreement with the University of Minnesota to sponsor its 
on-campus football stadium called “TCF Bank Stadium®” 
which opened in 2009.

Non-interest income is a significant source of revenue 
for TCF and an important factor in TCF’s results of operations.  
Maintaining fee and service charge revenue has been 
challenging as a result of economic conditions, changing 
customer behavior and the impact of regulations. Providing 
a wide range of retail banking services is an integral 
component of TCF’s business philosophy and a major 
strategy for generating additional non-interest income. 
TCF offers retail checking account customers inexpensive, 
convenient access to funds at local merchants and ATMs 
through its debit card programs. TCF’s debit card programs 
are supported by interchange fees charged to retailers. Key 
drivers of non-interest income are the number of deposit 
accounts and related transaction activity. 

TCF’s card revenues have been impacted by the Durbin 
Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Dodd-Frank Wall 
Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-
Frank Act”), which regulated debit-card interchange fees. 
The final rule, which became effective on October 1, 2011, 
sets a base interchange fee limit of 21 cents, plus a per 
transaction component of 5 basis points, and a one cent 
charge if issuers comply with certain fraud protection 
provisions. The impact of the rule resulted in a $14.7 million,  
or slightly more than 50%, decrease in TCF’s card revenue 
in the fourth quarter of 2011. See “Item 7. Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations — Consolidated Income Statement 
and Analysis — Non-Interest Income” and “Item 7. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations — Forward-Looking 
Information” for additional information.

Wholesale Banking
Commercial Real Estate lending   Commercial real 
estate loans are loans originated by TCF that are secured 
by commercial real estate including retail centers, multi-
family housing, office buildings and, to a lesser extent, 
commercial real estate construction loans, mainly to 
borrowers based in its primary banking markets.

Commercial Business lending   Commercial business 
loans are loans originated by TCF that are generally secured 
by various types of business assets including inventory, 
receivables, equipment or financial instruments. In very 
limited cases, loans may be originated on an unsecured 
basis. Commercial business loans are used for a variety 
of purposes including working capital and financing the 
purchase of equipment.

TCF concentrates on originating commercial business 

loans to middle-market companies with borrowing 
requirements of less than $25 million. Substantially all  
of TCF’s commercial business loans outstanding at 
December 31, 2011 were to borrowers based in its primary 
banking markets.

Commercial Banking   Small business and commercial 
deposits are attracted from within TCF’s primary banking 
market areas through the offering of a broad selection 
of deposit instruments including small business and 
commercial demand deposit accounts, interest-bearing 
checking accounts, money market accounts, regular 
savings accounts and certificates of deposit. 

leasing and Equipment Finance   TCF provides a broad 
range of comprehensive lease and equipment finance 
products addressing the financing needs of diverse types 
of small to large companies. TCF’s leasing and equipment 
finance businesses, TCF Equipment Finance, Inc.  
(“TCF Equipment Finance”) and Winthrop Resources 
Corporation (“Winthrop Resources”), finance equipment  
in all 50 states and, to a limited extent, in foreign 
countries. TCF Equipment Finance delivers equipment 
finance solutions primarily to small and mid-size 
companies in various industries with significant diversity 
in the types of underlying equipment. Winthrop Resources 
focuses on providing customized lease financing to meet 
the special needs of mid-size and large companies and 
health care facilities that procure high-tech business 
essential equipment such as computers, servers, 
telecommunication and other technology equipment. 
During 2009, Winthrop Resources acquired all of the 
outstanding shares of Fidelity National Capital, Inc. 
(“FNCI”), which provided technology equipment financing 
through leasing solutions similar to those provided by 
Winthrop, which broadened its market diversification.

2    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Inventory Finance   TCF’s Inventory Finance business 
originates commercial variable-rate loans which are 
secured by the underlying floorplan equipment and 
supported by repurchase agreements from original 
equipment manufacturers. The operation is focused on 
establishing relationships with distributors, dealer buying 
groups and manufacturers, giving access to thousands of 
independent lawn and garden, electronics and appliance, 
powersports, recreation vehicle, marine, and specialty 
vehicle retailers. TCF Inventory Finance operates in the  
U.S. and Canada. TCF Inventory Finance commenced lending 
operations in December of 2008. In 2009, TCF Inventory 
Finance formed a joint venture with The Toro Company 
(“Toro”) called Red Iron Acceptance, LLC (“Red Iron”). 
Red Iron provides U.S. distributors and dealers and select 
Canadian distributors of the Toro® and Exmark® brands with 
reliable, cost-effective sources of financing. TCF and Toro 
maintain a 55% and 45% ownership interest, respectively, 
in Red Iron. 

Auto Finance   On November 30, 2011, TCF entered the 
auto lending market with the acquisition of Gateway One 
Lending & Finance, LLC (“Gateway One”). Headquartered 
in Anaheim, California, Gateway One originates and 
services loans on new and used autos to customers through 
relationships established with over 3,400 independent 
dealers in 30 states. While auto finance is considered a 
component of TCF’s specialty finance business, which is 
included in wholesale banking, the loans in this business are 
either a component of consumer loans or loans held for sale.

Treasury Services
TCF Bank has authority to invest in various types of liquid  
assets, including United States Department of the Treasury  
(“U.S. Treasury”) obligations and securities of various 
federal agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, 
deposits of insured banks, bankers’ acceptances and 
federal funds. TCF Bank’s investments do not include 
commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper,  
asset-backed securities secured by credit cards or auto 
loans, trust preferred securities or preferred stock of  
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. TCF Bank also has not 
participated in structured investment vehicles and does  
not have any bank-owned life insurance. TCF Bank must 
also meet reserve requirements of the Federal Reserve, 
which are imposed based on amounts on deposit in various 
deposit categories. TCF’s reserve requirements are largely 
met through TCF’s vault cash levels.

Sources of Funds
Deposits   Deposits from customers are a primary source of 
TCF’s funds for use in lending and for other general business 
purposes. Consumer, small business and commercial 
deposits are a source of low-interest cost funds attracted 
from within TCF’s primary banking markets through the 
offering of a broad selection of deposit instruments 
including consumer interest-bearing checking accounts, 
regular savings accounts, money market accounts and 
certificates of deposits. 

Borrowings   Borrowings may be used to compensate for 
reductions in deposit inflows or net deposit outflows, or 
to support expanded lending, leasing and other expansion 
activities. These borrowings may include Federal Home 
Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, repurchase agreements, 
federal funds, other borrowings and advances from the 
Federal Reserve Discount Window. TCF Bank, as a member 
of the FHLB system, is required to own a minimum level 
of FHLB stock and is authorized to apply for advances on 
the security of such stock, mortgage-backed securities, 
loans secured by real estate and other assets (principally 
securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the 
U.S. Government), provided certain standards related to 
creditworthiness have been met. FHLB advances are made 
pursuant to several different credit programs. Each credit 
program has its own interest rates and range of maturities. 
The FHLB prescribes the acceptable uses to which the 
advances pursuant to each program may be made as well 
as limitations on the size of advances. In addition to the 
program limitations, the amounts of advances for which 
an institution may be eligible are generally based on the 
FHLB’s assessment of the institution’s creditworthiness.

As an additional source of funds, TCF may sell securities 

subject to its obligation to repurchase these securities 
(repurchase agreements) with major investment banks 
or the FHLB utilizing government securities or mortgage-
backed securities as collateral. Generally, securities with 
a market value in excess of the amount borrowed are 
required to be maintained as collateral with the counter-
party to a repurchase agreement. The creditworthiness 
of the counterparty is important in establishing that the 
overcollateralized amount of securities delivered by TCF  
is protected. TCF only enters into repurchase agreements 
with institutions having a satisfactory credit profile.

Information concerning TCF’s FHLB advances, repurchase 
agreements, subordinated notes, junior subordinated notes  
(trust preferred securities) and other borrowings is set forth  

2011 Form 10-K

3

in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of  
Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Consolidated 
Financial Condition Analysis — Borrowings” and in Notes 11 
and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Information
Activities of Subsidiaries of TCF Financial 
Corporation   TCF’s business operations include those 
conducted by direct and indirect subsidiaries of TCF 
Financial, all of which are consolidated for purposes of 
preparing TCF’s consolidated financial statements. TCF 
does not utilize unconsolidated subsidiaries or special 
purpose entities to provide off-balance sheet borrowings. 
TCF Bank’s subsidiaries principally engage in leasing and 
equipment finance, inventory finance and auto finance 
activities. See “Item 1. Business — Wholesale Banking”  
for more information.

Competition   TCF competes with a number of depository 
institutions and financial service providers in its primary 
banking market areas and nationally, and experiences 
significant competition in attracting and retaining deposits 
and in lending funds. Direct competition for deposits 
comes primarily from banks, savings institutions, credit 
unions and investment banks. Additional significant 
competition for deposits comes from institutions selling 
money market mutual funds and corporate and government 
securities. TCF competes for the origination of loans with 
banks, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, consumer, 
commercial and auto finance companies, credit unions, 
insurance companies and savings institutions. TCF also 
competes nationwide with other companies and banks in 
the financing of autos, equipment and inventory. Expanded 
use of the Internet has increased competition affecting TCF 
and its loan, lease and deposit products.

Employees   As of December 31, 2011, TCF had 7,143 
employees, including 2,172 part-time employees. TCF 
provides its employees with a comprehensive program of 
benefits, some of which are provided on a contributory 
basis, including comprehensive medical and dental plans, a 
401(k) savings plan with a company matching contribution, 
life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.

Regulation
The banking industry is generally subject to extensive 
regulatory oversight. TCF Financial, as a publicly held 
bank holding company, and TCF Bank, which has deposits 
insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

(“FDIC”), are subject to a number of laws and regulations. 
Many of these laws and regulations have undergone 
significant change in recent years. These laws and 
regulations impose restrictions on activities, minimum 
capital requirements, lending and deposit restrictions and 
numerous other requirements. Future changes to these 
laws and regulations, and other new financial services laws 
and regulations, are likely and cannot be predicted with 
certainty. TCF Financial’s primary regulator is the Federal 
Reserve and TCF Bank’s primary regulator is the Office of 
the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”).

Regulatory Capital Requirements   TCF Financial and 
TCF Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements of 
the Federal Reserve and the OCC, respectively, as described 
below. These regulatory agencies are required by law to 
take prompt action when institutions are viewed to be 
unsafe or unsound or do not meet certain minimum capital 
standards. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) defines five levels 
of capital condition, the highest of which is “well-
capitalized.” It requires that undercapitalized institutions 
be subjected to various restrictions such as limitations 
on dividends or other capital distributions, limitations on 
growth or restrictions on activities. Undercapitalized banks 
must develop a capital restoration plan and the parent 
bank holding company is required to guarantee compliance 
with the plan. TCF Financial and TCF Bank are “well-
capitalized” under the FDICIA capital standards.

Additionally, the Federal Reserve and the OCC have 
adopted rules that could permit them to quantify and 
account for interest-rate risk exposure and market risk 
from trading activity and to potentially reflect these risks 
in higher capital requirements. New legislation, additional 
rulemaking, or changes in regulatory policies may affect 
future regulatory capital requirements applicable to TCF 
Financial and TCF Bank. 

Restrictions on Distributions   TCF Financial’s ability 
to pay dividends is subject to limitations imposed by the 
Federal Reserve. In general, Federal Reserve regulatory 
guidelines require the board of directors of a bank holding 
company to consider a number of factors when considering 
the payment of dividends, including the quality and level of 
current and future earnings.

Dividends or other capital distributions from TCF Bank 
to TCF Financial are an important source of funds to enable 
TCF Financial to pay dividends on its common stock, to 
make payments on TCF Financial’s borrowings, or to meet 

4    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

its other cash needs. The ability of TCF Financial and TCF 
Bank to pay dividends depends on regulatory policies and 
regulatory capital requirements and may be subject to 
regulatory approval. 

In general, TCF Bank may not declare or pay a dividend 

to TCF Financial in excess of 100% of its net retained 
profits for the current year combined with its net retained 
profits for the preceding two calendar years without prior 
approval of the OCC. TCF Bank’s ability to make future 
capital distributions will depend on its earnings and ability 
to meet minimum regulatory capital requirements in effect 
during current and future periods. These capital adequacy 
standards may be higher in the future than existing 
minimum regulatory capital requirements, including 
the potential effects of any U.S. regulatory rule-making 
relating to the implementation of the capital and liquidity 
standards under Basel III, the international regulatory 
framework for banks. The OCC also has the authority to 
prohibit the payment of dividends by a national bank when 
it determines such payments would constitute an unsafe 
and unsound banking practice. 

In addition, income tax considerations may limit the 
ability of TCF Bank to make dividend payments in excess of 
its current and accumulated tax earnings and profits. Annual 
dividend distributions in excess of earnings and profits 
could result in a tax liability based on the amount of 
excess earnings distributed and current tax rates.

Regulation of TCF and Affiliates and Insider 
Transactions   TCF Financial is subject to Federal Reserve 
regulations, examinations and reporting requirements 
relating to bank holding companies. Subsidiaries of bank 
holding companies like TCF Bank are subject to certain 
restrictions in their dealings with holding company affiliates.
A holding company must serve as a source of strength 

for its subsidiary banks, and the Federal Reserve may 
require a holding company to contribute additional capital 
to an under-capitalized subsidiary bank. In addition, 
the OCC may assess TCF if it believes the capital of TCF 
Bank has become impaired. If TCF were to fail to pay 
such an assessment within three months, the Board of 
Directors must cause the sale of TCF Bank’s stock to cover 
a deficiency in the capital. In the event of a bank holding 
company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank 
holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to 
maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank would be assumed 
by the bankruptcy trustee and may be entitled to priority 
over other creditors.

Under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHCA”), 

Federal Reserve approval is required before acquiring 
more than 5% control, or substantially all of the assets, 
of another bank, or bank holding company, or merging 
or consolidating with such a bank or bank holding 
company. The BHCA also generally prohibits a bank holding 
company, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct 
or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the 
voting shares of any company which is not a bank or bank 
holding company, or from engaging directly or indirectly 
in activities other than those of banking, managing or 
controlling banks, providing services for its subsidiaries, 
or conducting activities permitted by the Federal Reserve 
as being closely related to the business of banking. Further 
restrictions or limitations on acquisitions or establishing 
financial subsidiaries may also be imposed by TCF’s 
regulators or examiners.

Restrictions on Acquisitions and Changes in Control    
Under federal law, interstate merger transactions may 
be approved by federal bank regulators without regard to 
whether such transactions are prohibited by the law of any 
state, unless the home state of one of the banks opted out 
of the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Act 
of 1994 by adopting a law after the date of enactment of 
such act, and prior to June 1, 1997, which applies equally 
to all out-of-state banks and expressly prohibits merger 
transactions involving out-of-state banks. Interstate 
acquisitions of branches by banks are permitted if the 
law of the state in which the branches are located permits 
such acquisitions for a state bank chartered in such state. 
Interstate mergers and branch acquisitions may also 
be subject to certain nationwide and statewide insured 
deposit maximum concentration levels or other limitations. 
In addition, federal and state laws and regulations contain 
a number of provisions which impose restrictions on 
changes in control of financial institutions such as TCF 
Bank, and which require regulatory approval prior to any 
such changes in control.

Insurance of Accounts   As a result of the FDIC issuing  
a Final Rule implementing section 343 of the Dodd-Frank 
Act in 2010, all non-interest bearing transaction accounts 
at all FDIC-insured institutions are fully insured through 
December 31, 2012, regardless of the balance of the 
account. The unlimited insurance coverage is available 
to all depositors, including consumers, businesses, and 
government entities. This unlimited insurance coverage is 
separate from, and in addition to, the insurance coverage 

2011 Form 10-K

5

provided to a depositor’s other deposit accounts held at an 
FDIC-insured institution.

The FDIC reserve ratio will be increased to 1.35% ($1.35 
for each $100 of insured deposits) by September 30, 2020 
for the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), pursuant to the 
requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Federal Deposit 
Insurance Reform Act of 2005 provides the FDIC Board of 
Directors the authority to set the designated reserve ratio 
and it cannot be less than 1.35%. The FDIC must adopt a 
restoration plan when the reserve ratio falls below 1.35% 
and may begin paying dividends when the reserve ratio 
exceeds 1.50%. The DIF reserve ratio calculated by the  
FDIC at September 30, 2011 was .12%. In 2011, the annual 
insurance premiums on bank deposits insured by the DIF for 
banks with at least $10 billion in total assets ranged from 
$.025 to $.45 per $100 of deposits. 

On April 1, 2011, the FDIC adopted a final rule requiring 
changes in the FDIC insurance rate calculations for banks 
over $10 billion in total assets. In addition to risk-based 
deposit insurance premiums, additional assessments 
may be imposed by the Financing Corporation, a separate 
U.S. government agency affiliated with the FDIC, on 
insured deposits to pay for the interest cost of Financing 
Corporation bonds. Financing Corporation assessment rates 
for 2011 ranged from $.0066 to $.0100 for each $100 of 
deposits. Financing Corporation assessments of $1.2 million 
in each of 2011, 2010 and 2009 were paid by TCF Bank.
Under federal law, deposits and certain claims for 
administrative expenses and employee compensation 
against an insured depository institution are afforded a 
priority over other general unsecured claims against such 
an institution, including federal funds and letters of credit, 
in the liquidation or other resolution of such an institution 
by any receiver appointed by regulatory authorities. Such 
priority creditors would include the FDIC.

Examinations and Regulatory Sanctions   TCF is subject 
to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve, the OCC, 
the FDIC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
(“CFPB”). Bank regulatory authorities may impose a 
number of restrictions or new requirements on institutions, 
including, but not limited to, growth limitations, dividend 
restrictions, increased regulatory capital requirements, 
increased loan, lease and real estate loss reserve 
requirements, increased supervisory assessments, activity 
limitations or other restrictions that could have an adverse 
effect on such institutions, their holding companies 
or holders of their debt and equity securities. Certain 
enforcement actions may not be publicly disclosed by 

TCF or its regulatory authorities. Various enforcement 
remedies, including civil money penalties, may be assessed 
against an institution or an institution’s directors, officers, 
employees, agents or independent contractors. Under 
the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (the “BSA” or “Bank Secrecy 
Act”), the OCC is obligated to take enforcement action 
where it finds a statutory or regulatory violation that would 
constitute a program violation. 

In its 2009 examinations of TCF’s compliance with the 

BSA, the OCC identified instances of non-compliance 
that constitute a program violation. On July 20, 2010, TCF 
National Bank agreed to the issuance of a Consent Order 
(the “Order”) by the OCC, TCF Bank’s primary banking 
regulator, addressing certain matters related to the BSA. 
The Order requires TCF Bank to address deficiencies in 
TCF Bank’s BSA program identified by the OCC, including 
review and revision of TCF Bank’s BSA risk assessment, BSA 
Compliance Program, and Suspicious Activity Report filing 
procedures and processes. The OCC did not identify any 
systemic undetected criminal activity or money laundering. 
TCF Bank is also required to address performing appropriate 
due diligence when an account is opened, and to review 
transactions since November 2008 for compliance. TCF 
Bank is implementing or has implemented corrective 
action for each deficiency and expects to satisfy all of 
the requirements of the Order in a timely fashion. While 
the Order does not call for the payment of a civil money 
penalty, material failure to comply with the Order could 
result in additional enforcement actions by the OCC, 
including payment of a civil money penalty. Such penalties 
could be required for identified program violations, for 
violating the Order, or for other deficiencies in TCF’s 
compliance with the BSA in past or future periods, and 
TCF believes the OCC will be issuing a written notice to TCF 
related to TCF’s BSA compliance deficiencies. Under this 
notice, TCF will be provided the opportunity to respond to 
the OCC and its findings outlined in this notice. After the 
OCC’s review of TCF’s response to the notice, the OCC may 
impose a penalty related to these findings. 

Subsidiaries of TCF may also be subject to state  
and/or self-regulatory organization licensing, regulation 
and examination requirements in connection with  
certain activities.

National Bank Investment limitations   Permissible 
investments by national banks are limited by the National 
Bank Act of 1864 and by rules of the OCC. Non-traditional 
bank activities permitted by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 
1999 will subject a bank to additional regulatory limitations 

6    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

or requirements, including a required regulatory capital 
deduction and application of transactions with affiliates 
limitations in connection with such activities.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act   Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act in 
July 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB and gave 
it broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry 
out the purposes and objectives of the federal consumer 
financial laws, with respect to all financial institutions 
that offer financial products and services to consumers. 
The CFPB is authorized to prescribe rules identifying and 
prohibiting acts or practices that are unfair, deceptive or 
abusive in connection with any transaction with a consumer 
for a consumer financial product or service, or the offering 
of a consumer financial product or service. The CFPB has 
examination and enforcement authority over all banks and 
savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, 
which includes TCF Bank.

Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act:
•  Directed the Federal Reserve to issue rules limiting 

debit-card interchange fees;

•  After a three-year phase-in period beginning  

January 1, 2013, removes trust preferred securities  
as a permitted component of a holding company’s  
tier 1 capital;

•  Provided for an increase in the FDIC assessment for 
depository institutions with assets of $10 billion or 
more, increased the minimum reserve ratio for the 
deposit insurance fund to 1.35% and changed the  
basis for determining FDIC premiums from deposits  
to assets;

•  Changes standards for federal preemption that have 

been applicable for national banks and federal savings 
associations;

•  Provided for new disclosure and other requirements 
relating to executive compensation and corporate 
governance, including requiring an advisory vote on 
executive compensation (“Say on Pay”);

•  Provides for mortgage reform addressing a customer’s 
ability to repay, restricts variable-rate lending by 
requiring the ability to repay to be determined for 
variable-rate loans by using the maximum rate that will 
apply during the first five years of a variable rate, and 
makes more loans subject to requirements for higher cost 
loans, new disclosures and certain other restrictions; 

•  Permanently increased the maximum amount of 

deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and 
credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to 

January 1, 2008, provided that non-interest bearing 
transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance 
through December 31, 2012 and allows depository 
institutions to pay interest on business checking 
accounts; and

•  Required publicly-traded bank holding companies 
with assets of $10 billion or more to establish a risk 
committee of the Board of Directors responsible for 
enterprise-wide risk management practices.

Taxation
Federal Taxation   The statute of limitations on TCF’s 
consolidated federal income tax return is closed  
through 2007.

State Taxation   TCF and/or its subsidiaries currently file 
tax returns in all states which impose corporate income and 
franchise taxes and local tax returns in certain cities and 
other taxing jurisdictions. TCF’s primary banking activities 
are in the states of Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, 
Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona and South Dakota. The methods 
of filing, and the methods for calculating taxable and 
apportionable income, vary depending upon the laws of  
the taxing jurisdiction. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Consolidated 
Income Statement Analysis — Income Taxes” and Notes 1 
and 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
additional information regarding TCF’s income taxes.

Available Information
TCF’s website, http://ir.tcfbank.com, includes free 
access to Company news releases, investor presentations, 
conference calls to discuss published financial results, 
TCF’s Annual Report and periodic filings required by the 
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), 
including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on 
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments 
to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after 
electronic filing or furnishing of such material to the SEC.

TCF’s Compensation/Nominating/Corporate Governance 

Committee and Audit Committee charters, Corporate 
Governance Guidelines, Codes of Ethics and changes to 
Codes of Ethics and information on all TCF’s securities are 
also available on this website. Stockholders may request 
these documents in print free of charge by contacting the 
Corporate Secretary at TCF Financial Corporation, 200 Lake 
Street East, Mail Code EX0-03-A, Wayzata, MN 55391-1693.

2011 Form 10-K

7

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Various risks and uncertainties may affect TCF’s business. 
Any of the risks described below or elsewhere in this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K or TCF’s other SEC filings may have  
a material impact on TCF’s financial condition or results  
of operations. 

TCF’s earnings are significantly affected by 
general economic conditions.
TCF’s operations and profitability are impacted by general 
business and economic conditions in the local markets 
in which TCF operates, the U.S. generally and abroad. 
Economic conditions have a significant impact on the 
demand for TCF’s products and services, as well as the 
ability of its customers to repay loans, the value of the 
collateral securing loans and the stability of its deposit 
funding sources. A significant decline in general economic 
conditions caused by inflation, recession, unemployment, 
changes in securities markets, changes in housing market 
prices or other factors could impact economic conditions 
and, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on TCF’s 
financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, adverse economic conditions may result 
in a decline in demand for some types of equipment that 
TCF leases or finances, which could result in a decline in the 
amount of new equipment being placed in service, as well 
as declines in equipment values for equipment already in 
service. Adverse economic conditions may also hinder TCF 
from expanding the specialty finance businesses by limiting 
its ability to attract and retain customers as expected. Any 
such difficulties in TCF’s specialty finance businesses could 
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition 
and results of operations.

Proposed and future legislative and regulatory 
initiatives may substantially increase compliance 
burdens, which could have a material adverse 
effect on TCF’s financial condition and results  
of operations.
Future legislative and regulatory initiatives cannot be 
fully or accurately predicted. Such proposals may impose 
more stringent standards than currently applicable 
or anticipated with respect to capital and liquidity 
requirements for depository institutions. For example, 
Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act in July 2010. 

Uncertainty remains as to its ultimate impact, which could 
have a material adverse effect on the financial services 
industry as a whole and, specifically, on TCF’s financial 
condition and results of operations. 

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) and gave the CFPB 
broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry out the 
purposes and objectives of the federal consumer financial 
laws, with respect to all financial institutions that offer 
financial products and services to consumers. The CFPB is 
authorized to prescribe rules identifying and prohibiting 
acts or practices that are unfair, deceptive or abusive in 
connection with any transaction with a consumer for a 
consumer financial product or service, or the offering of a 
consumer financial product or service. The term “abusive” 
is new and untested, and TCF cannot predict how it will 
be enforced. The CFPB has examination and enforcement 
authority over all banks and savings institutions with more 
than $10 billion in assets, which includes TCF Bank.

Based on the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and 
anticipated implementing regulations, it is highly likely 
that banks and bank holding companies will be subject 
to significantly increased regulation and compliance 
obligations that expose TCF to noncompliance risk and 
consequences, which could have a material adverse effect 
on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

An inability to obtain needed liquidity could 
have a material adverse effect on TCF’s financial 
condition and results of operations. 
TCF’s liquidity could be limited by an inability to access 
the capital markets or unforeseen outflows of cash, which 
could arise due to circumstances outside of its control  
such as a general market disruption or an operational 
problem that affects TCF or third parties. TCF’s credit  
rating is important to its liquidity. A reduction or 
anticipated reduction in TCF’s credit ratings could adversely 
affect its liquidity and competitive position, increase its 
borrowing costs, limit its access to the capital markets, 
affect its ability to hedge foreign currency exposure or 
trigger unfavorable contractual obligations. An inability 
to meet its funding needs on a timely basis could have a 
material adverse effect on TCF’s financial condition and 
results of operations.

8    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Loss of customer deposits could increase TCF’s 
funding costs. 
TCF relies on bank deposits to be a low cost and stable 
source of funding. TCF competes with banks and other 
financial institutions for deposits. If TCF’s competitors 
raise the rates they pay on deposits, TCF’s funding costs may 
increase through either a loss of deposits or an increase in 
rates paid by TCF to avoid losing deposits. Increased funding 
costs could reduce TCF’s net interest margin and net interest 
income, which could have a material adverse effect on TCF’s 
financial condition and results of operations.

TCF is subject to interest-rate risk. 
TCF’s earnings and cash flows largely depend upon its net 
interest income. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many 
factors that are beyond TCF’s control, including general 
economic conditions and policies of various governmental 
and regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve. 
Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest 
rates, could influence not only the interest TCF receives on 
loans and other investments and the amount of interest TCF 
pays on deposits and other borrowings, but such changes 
could also affect: (i) TCF’s ability to originate loans 
and obtain deposits; (ii) the fair value of TCF’s financial 
assets and liabilities; and (iii) the average duration of 
TCF’s interest-earning assets. If the interest rates paid 
on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster 
rate than the interest rates received on loans and other 
investments, then TCF’s net interest income and earnings 
could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be 
adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans 
and other investments fall more quickly than the interest 
rates paid on deposits and other borrowings. Although 
management believes it has implemented effective asset 
and liability management strategies, any substantial, 
unexpected and prolonged change in market interest 
rates could have a material adverse effect on its financial 
condition and results of operations. 

The soundness of other financial institutions 
could adversely affect TCF. 
TCF’s ability to engage in routine funding transactions 
could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial 
soundness of other financial institutions. TCF routinely 
executes transactions with counterparties in the financial 
industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks 
and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or 

even rumors regarding, any financial institutions, or the 
financial services industry generally, could lead to losses 
or defaults by TCF. Many of these transactions expose TCF 
to credit risk in the event of default of the counterparty or 
client. In addition, TCF’s credit risk may be exacerbated when 
the collateral held by TCF cannot be realized or is liquidated at 
prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial 
exposure. Any such losses could have a material adverse 
effect on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

TCF’s framework for managing risks may not be 
effective in mitigating risk and any resulting loss. 
TCF’s risk management framework seeks to mitigate risk 
and any resulting loss. TCF has established processes 
intended to identify, measure, monitor, report and analyze 
the types of risk to which TCF is subject, including liquidity, 
credit, market, interest rate, operational, legal and 
compliance and reputational risk. However, as with any 
risk management framework, there are inherent limitations 
to TCF’s risk management strategies. There may exist, or 
develop in the future, risks that TCF has not appropriately 
anticipated or identified. Any future breakdowns in TCF’s 
risk management framework could have a material adverse 
effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

TCF is subject to extensive government 
regulation and supervision. 
TCF, its subsidiary TCF Bank and certain indirect subsidiaries 
are subject to extensive federal and state regulation and 
supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended 
to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance 
funds and the banking system as a whole, not stockholders. 
These regulations affect TCF’s lending practices, capital 
structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, 
among other things. While TCF has policies and procedures 
designed to prevent violations of the extensive federal and 
state regulation it is subject to, there can be no assurance 
that such violations will not occur and failure to comply 
with these statutes, regulations or policies could result in 
sanctions against TCF by regulatory agencies, civil money 
penalties and reputational damage, any of which could 
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition 
and results of operations. 

Further, the Uniting and Strengthening America by 
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and 
Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”) and the 
Bank Secrecy Act require financial institutions to develop 

2011 Form 10-K

9

programs to prevent financial institutions from being 
used for money laundering and terrorist activities. If such 
activities are detected, financial institutions are obligated 
to file suspicious activity reports with the U.S. Treasury’s 
Office of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. These 
rules require financial institutions to establish procedures 
for identifying and verifying the identity of customers 
seeking to open new accounts. Failure to comply with these 
regulations could result in sanctions and possibly fines. 
In July 2010, TCF Bank agreed to the issuance of a 
Consent Order (the “Order”) by the OCC requiring TCF Bank 
to address deficiencies in its BSA program. The Order does 
not call for the payment of a civil money penalty, however 
such penalties could be required for identified program 
violations, for violating the Order, or for other deficiencies 
in TCF Bank’s compliance with the BSA in past or future 
periods. TCF believes the OCC will be issuing a written notice 
to TCF related to TCF’s BSA deficiencies. Under this notice, 
TCF will be provided the opportunity to respond to the OCC 
and its findings outlined in this notice. After the OCC’s 
review of TCF’s Response to the Notice, the OCC may impose 
a penalty related to these findings. 

Increased competition in an already highly 
competitive financial services industry could have 
a material adverse effect on TCF’s financial 
condition and results of operations. 
The financial services industry is highly competitive 
and could become even more competitive as a result of 
legislative, regulatory and technological changes, as well 
as continued industry consolidation which may increase in 
connection with current economic and market conditions. 
TCF competes with other commercial banks, savings 
and loan associations, mutual savings banks, finance 
companies, mortgage banking companies, credit unions 
and investment companies. In addition, technology has 
lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-
banks to offer products and services traditionally only 
provided by banks. Some of TCF’s competitors have fewer 
regulatory constraints or lower cost structures. Also, the 
potential need to adapt to industry changes in information 
technology systems, on which TCF and the financial services 
industry generally are highly dependent, could present 
operational issues and require considerable capital 
spending. As a result, any increased competition in the 
already highly competitive financial services industry could 
have a material adverse effect on TCF’s financial condition 
and results of operations.

The allowance for loan and lease losses 
maintained by TCF may not be sufficient. 
All borrowers carry the potential to default and TCF’s 
remedies to recover may not fully satisfy the obligations 
owed to TCF. TCF maintains an allowance for loan losses, 
which is a reserve established through a provision for loan 
losses charged to expense, which represents management’s 
best estimate of probable credit losses that have been 
incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The level 
of the allowance for loan losses reflects management’s 
continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific 
credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio 
quality, present economic, political and regulatory 
conditions and unidentified losses in the current loan 
portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of 
the allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of 
subjectivity and requires management to make significant 
estimates of current credit risks using qualitative and 
quantitative factors, each of which is subject to significant 
change. Changes in economic conditions affecting 
borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, 
identification of additional problem loans and other 
factors may require an increase in the allowance for loan 
losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically 
review TCF’s allowance for loan losses and may require an 
increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition 
of additional loan charge-offs, based on judgments 
different than those of management. An increase in the 
allowance for loan losses would result in a decrease in net 
income, and possibly risk-based capital, and could have 
a material adverse effect on TCF’s financial condition and 
results of operations.

TCF’s earnings are significantly affected by 
the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal 
government and its agencies. 
The policies of the Federal Reserve impact TCF significantly. 
The Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money and 
credit in the U.S. Its policies directly and indirectly 
influence the rate of interest earned on loans and paid on 
borrowings and interest-bearing deposits and also affect 
the value of financial instruments that TCF holds. Those 
policies determine to a significant extent the cost of funds 
for lending and investing. Changes in those policies are 
beyond TCF’s control and are difficult to predict. Federal 
Reserve policies can also affect TCF’s borrowers, potentially 
increasing the risk that they may fail to repay their loans. 

10    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

For example, a tightening of the money supply by the 
Federal Reserve could reduce the demand for a borrower’s 
products and services. This could adversely affect the 
borrower’s earnings and ability to repay its loan. As a 
result, changes to the fiscal and monetary policies by the 
Federal Reserve could have a material adverse effect on 
TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

The success of TCF’s supermarket branches 
depends on the continued long-term success 
and viability of TCF’s supermarket partners 
and TCF’s ability to maintain licenses or lease 
agreements for its supermarket locations. 
A significant financial decline of one of TCF’s supermarket 
partners could result in the loss of supermarket branches or 
could increase costs to operate the supermarket branches. 
At December 31, 2011, TCF had 231 supermarket branches. 
Supermarket banking continues to play an important role 
in TCF’s growth, as these branches have been consistent 
generators of account growth and deposits. TCF is subject 
to the risk, among others, that its license or lease for a 
location or locations will terminate upon the sale or closure 
of that location or locations by the supermarket partner. 
Also, continued difficult economic conditions, or financial 
or labor difficulties in the supermarket industry, may 
reduce activity in TCF’s supermarket branches. As a result, 
economic difficulties for any of TCF’s supermarket partners 
could have a material adverse effect on its financial 
condition and results of operations.

New lines of business or new products and 
services may subject TCF to additional risk. 
From time to time, TCF may implement new lines of business 
or offer new products and services within existing lines 
of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties 
associated with these efforts, particularly in instances 
where the markets are not fully developed. In developing 
and marketing new lines of business and new products or 
services, TCF may invest significant time and resources. 
Initial timetables for the introduction and development 
of new lines of business and new products or services may 
not be achieved and price and profitability targets may 
not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance 
with regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting 
market preferences may also impact the successful 

implementation of a new line of business or a new product 
or service. Furthermore, any new line of business or new 
product or service could have a significant impact on the 
effectiveness of TCF’s system of internal controls. Failure 
to successfully manage these risks in the development and 
implementation of new lines of business and new products 
or services could have a material adverse effect on TCF’s 
financial condition and results of operations.

Consumers may decide not to use banks to 
complete their financial transactions. 
Technology and other changes are allowing consumers 
to complete financial transactions through alternative 
methods that historically have involved banks. For 
example, consumers can now maintain funds that would 
have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage 
accounts, mutual funds or general-purpose reloadable 
prepaid cards. Consumers can also complete transactions 
such as paying bills and transferring funds directly without 
the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks 
as intermediaries could result in the loss of fee income, 
as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related 
income generated from those deposits. The loss of these 
revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source 
of funds could have a material adverse effect on TCF’s 
financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to keep pace with technological change 
could adversely affect TCF’s business. 
The financial services industry is continually undergoing 
rapid technological change with frequent introductions 
of new technology-driven products and services. TCF’s 
future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address 
the needs of its customers by using technology to provide 
products and services that will satisfy customer demands, 
as well as to create additional efficiencies in its operations. 
Many of TCF’s competitors have substantially greater 
resources to invest in technological improvements. TCF 
may not be able to effectively implement new technology-
driven products and services or be successful in marketing 
these products and services to its customers. Failure to 
successfully keep pace with technological change affecting 
the financial services industry could have a material adverse 
effect on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

2011 Form 10-K

11

TCF relies on its systems and counterparties,  
and any failures could have a material  
adverse effect on its financial condition and 
results of operations. 
TCF settles funds on behalf of financial institutions, 
other businesses and consumers and receives funds from 
payment networks, consumers and other paying agents. 
TCF’s businesses depend on their ability to process, record 
and monitor a large number of complex transactions. If 
any of TCF’s financial, accounting or other data processing 
systems fail or are otherwise compromised, or if personal 
information of TCF’s customers or clients were mishandled, 
misused (whether by employees, counterparties or 
hackers), TCF could suffer regulatory consequences, 
reputational damage and financial losses, any of which 
could have a material adverse effect on its financial 
condition and results of operations. 

Additionally, TCF may be subject to disruptions of its 
operating systems arising from events that are wholly or 
partially beyond its control, which may include, for example, 
computer viruses, electrical or telecommunications 
outages, natural disasters, terrorist acts or other damage  
to property or physical assets. Such disruptions may give rise 
to loss of services to customers and loss or liability to TCF. 
Any system failure could have a material adverse effect on 
TCF’s financial condition and results of operations. 

Financial institutions depend on the accuracy 
and completeness of information about customers 
and counterparties. 
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other 
transactions, TCF may rely on information furnished by  
or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including 
financial statements, credit reports and other financial 
information. TCF may also rely on representations of those 
customers, counterparties or other third parties, such as 
independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness 
of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or misleading 
financial statements, credit reports or other financial 
information could cause TCF to enter into unfavorable 
transactions, which could have a material adverse effect  
on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

Negative publicity could damage TCF’s reputation.
Reputation risk, or the risk to earnings and capital from 
negative public opinion, is inherent in TCF’s business. 
Negative public opinion could adversely affect TCF’s 
ability to keep and attract customers and expose it to 
adverse legal and regulatory consequences. Negative 
public opinion could result from TCF’s actual or alleged 
conduct in any number of activities, including lending 
practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, 
mergers and acquisitions, disclosure, sharing or inadequate 
protection of customer information or from actions taken 
by government regulators and community organizations in 
response to that conduct. Because TCF conducts most of its 
businesses under the “TCF” brand, negative public opinion 
about one business could affect its other businesses.

TCF’s internal controls may be ineffective. 
Management regularly reviews and updates the internal 
controls, disclosure controls and procedures and corporate 
governance policies and procedures. Any system of 
controls, however well designed and operated, is based 
in part on certain assumptions and can provide only 
reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives 
of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of 
TCF’s controls and procedures or failure to comply with 
regulations related to controls and procedures could have 
a material adverse effect on its financial condition and 
results of operations.

Failure to attract and retain key personnel could 
have a material adverse effect on TCF’s financial 
condition and results of operations. 
TCF’s success depends to a large extent upon its ability  
to attract and retain key personnel. The loss of key 
personnel could have a material adverse impact on TCF’s 
business because of their skills, market knowledge, industry 
experience and the difficulty of promptly finding a qualified 
replacement. Additionally, portions of TCF’s business 
are relationship driven, and many of its key personnel 
have extensive customer relationships. Loss of such key 
personnel to a competitor could result in the loss of some 
of TCF’s customers. As a result, a failure to attract and 
retain key personnel could have a material adverse effect 
on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

12    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

TCF relies on other companies to provide key 
components of its business infrastructure. 
Third party vendors provide key components of TCF’s 
business infrastructure, such as internet connections, 
network access and transaction and other processing 
services. While TCF has selected these third party vendors 
carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problems 
caused by these third parties, including as a result of 
inadequate or interrupted service, could adversely 
affect TCF’s ability to deliver products and services to its 
customers and otherwise to conduct its business. Replacing 
these third party vendors could also entail significant delay 
and expense.

TCF relies on dividends from TCF Bank for 
most of its revenue. 
TCF is a separate and distinct legal entity from its banking 
and other subsidiaries. A substantial portion of TCF’s 
revenue comes from dividends from TCF Bank. These 
dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends 
and interest and principal on its debt. Various federal and 
state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends 
that TCF Bank may pay to it. In the event TCF Bank is unable 
to pay dividends to it, TCF may not be able to pay obligations 
or pay dividends, which would have a material adverse 
effect on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in accounting policies or in  
accounting standards could materially affect  
how TCF reports its financial condition and 
results of operation. 
TCF’s accounting policies are fundamental to the 
understanding its financial condition and results of 
operations. Some of these policies require the use of 
estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of 
TCF’s assets or liabilities and results of operations. Some of 
TCF’s accounting policies are critical because they require 
management to make difficult, subjective and complex 
judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain 
and because materially different amounts would be 
reported if different estimates or assumptions were used. 
If such estimates or assumptions underlying the financial 
statements are incorrect, TCF could experience material 

losses. From time to time, the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC change the financial 
accounting and reporting standards or the interpretation 
of those standards that govern the preparation of TCF’s 
external financial statements. These changes are beyond 
TCF’s control, can be difficult to predict and could 
materially impact how TCF reports its financial condition 
and results of operations. Additionally, TCF could be 
required to apply a new or revised standard retrospectively, 
resulting in the restatement of prior period financial 
statements in material amounts.

TCF is subject to examinations and challenges  
by tax authorities. 
TCF is subject to federal and state income tax regulations, 
which often require interpretation due to their complexity. 
Changes in income tax regulations or in how the regulations 
are interpreted could have a material adverse effect on 
TCF’s results of operations. In the normal course of business, 
TCF is routinely subject to examinations and challenges 
from federal and state taxing authorities regarding the 
amount of taxes due in connection with investments TCF 
has made and the businesses in which it has engaged. 
Recently, federal and state taxing authorities have become 
increasingly aggressive in challenging tax positions taken 
by financial institutions. These tax positions may relate to 
tax compliance, sales and use, franchise, gross receipts, 
payroll, property and income tax issues, including tax base, 
apportionment and tax credit planning. The challenges 
made by taxing authorities may result in adjustments to the 
timing or amount of taxable income or deductions, or the 
allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. If any such 
challenges are made and are not resolved in TCF’s favor, 
they could have a material adverse effect on its financial 
condition and results of operations.

Additionally, if TCF’s Real Estate Investment Trust 

(“REIT”) affiliate fails to qualify as a REIT, or should states 
enact legislation taxing REITs or related entities, TCF’s tax 
expense would increase. The REIT and related companies 
must meet specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986, as amended, and state tax laws. Use of REITs 
is and has been the subject of federal and state audits, 
litigation with state taxing authorities and tax policy 
debates by various state legislatures.

2011 Form 10-K

13

Significant legal actions could subject TCF  
to substantial uninsured liabilities. 
TCF is subject to various claims related to its operations. 
These claims and legal actions, including supervisory 
actions by its regulators, could involve large monetary 
claims or monetary penalties, as well as significant 
defense costs. To protect itself from the cost of these 
claims, TCF maintains insurance coverage in amounts and 
with deductibles that it believes are appropriate for its 
operations. However, TCF’s insurance coverage only covers 
certain types of liability, and such insurance may not 
continue to be available to TCF at a reasonable cost, or at 
all. As a result, TCF may be exposed to substantial uninsured 
liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on 
TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, customers may make claims and take 
legal action pertaining to the performance by TCF of its 
fiduciary responsibilities. Whether customer claims and 
legal action related to the performance of TCF’s fiduciary 
responsibilities are founded or unfounded, such claims and 
legal actions may result in significant financial liability and 
could adversely affect the market perception of TCF and its 
products and services, as well as impact customer demand 
for those products and services. Any financial liability or 
reputational damage could have a material adverse effect 
on TCF’s financial condition and results of operations.

TCF is subject to environmental liability risk 
associated with lending activities. 
A significant portion of TCF’s loan portfolio is secured 
by real property. In the ordinary course of business, TCF 
may foreclose on and take title to properties securing 
certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous 
or toxic substances could be found on these properties. 
If hazardous or toxic substances are found, TCF may be 
liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury 
and property damage. Environmental laws may require TCF 
to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce 
the affected property’s value or limit TCF’s ability to use 
or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or 
more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies 
with respect to existing laws may increase TCF’s exposure 
to environmental liability. The remediation costs and any 
other financial liabilities associated with an environmental 
hazard could have a material adverse effect on TCF’s 
financial condition and results of operations.

Acquisitions may disrupt TCF’s business  
and dilute stockholder value. 
TCF regularly evaluates merger and acquisition 
opportunities and conducts due diligence activities 
related to possible transactions with banks or other 
financial institutions. As a result, negotiations may take 
place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, 
debt or equity securities may occur at any time. TCF 
seeks merger or acquisition partners that are culturally 
similar, have experienced management and possess 
either significant market presence or have potential for 
improved profitability through financial management, 
economies of scale or expanded services. Acquiring other 
banks, businesses or branches involves potential adverse 
impact to TCF’s results of operations and various other 
risks commonly associated with acquisitions, such as: 
difficulty in estimating the value of the target company; 
payment of a premium over book and market values that 
may dilute TCF’s tangible book value and earnings per share 
in the short and long term; potential exposure to unknown 
or contingent liabilities of the target company; exposure 
to potential asset quality issues of the target company; 
volatility in reported income as goodwill impairment losses 
could occur irregularly and in varying amounts; difficulty 
and expense of integrating the operations and personnel 
of the target company; inability to realize the expected 
revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic 
or product presence or other projected benefits; potential 
disruption to TCF’s business; potential diversion of TCF 
management’s time and attention; potential loss of key 
employees and customers of the target company; and 
potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations  
that may affect the target company.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

Item 2. Properties
Offices   At December 31, 2011, TCF owned the buildings 
and land for 144 of its bank branch offices, owned the 
buildings but leased the land for 23 of its bank branch 
offices and leased or licensed the remaining 266 bank 
branch offices, all of which are functional and appropriately 
maintained. Bank branch properties owned by TCF had an 

14    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

aggregate net book value of approximately $281.2 million at 
December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, the aggregate 
net book value of leasehold improvements associated with 
leased bank branch office facilities was $20.3 million. In 
addition to the branch offices, TCF owned and leased other 
facilities with an aggregate net book value of $49.5 million 
at December 31, 2011. For more information on premises 
and equipment, see Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s 
Common Equity, Related 
Stockholder Matters and Issuer 
Purchases of Equity Securities
TCF’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange 
under the symbol “TCB”. The following table sets forth 
the high and low prices and dividends declared for TCF’s 
common stock. The stock prices represent the high and low 
sale prices for the common stock on the New York Stock 
Exchange Composite Tape, as reported by Bloomberg.
As of January 31, 2012, there were 7,016 holders of 

record of TCF’s common stock.

High

 $11.68 
 17.37 
 16.04 
 17.37 

 $16.63 
 17.66 
 18.89 
 16.83 

Dividends 
Declared

Low

 $  8.61 
 8.66 
 13.37 
 14.60 

 $12.90 
 13.87 
 14.95 
 13.40 

 $.05 
 .05 
 .05 
 .05 

 $.05 
 .05 
 .05 
 .05 

2011
Fourth Quarter
Third Quarter
Second Quarter
First Quarter
2010
Fourth Quarter
Third Quarter
Second Quarter
First Quarter

2011 Form 10-K

The Board of Directors of TCF Financial and TCF Bank 

have adopted a Capital Plan and Dividend Policy. The 
policies define how enterprise risk related to capital 
will be managed, how the adequacy of capital will be 
measured and the process by which capital strategy, 
capital management and common stock dividend 
recommendations will be presented to TCF’s Board of 
Directors. TCF’s management is charged with ensuring 
that capital strategy actions, including the declaration 
of common stock dividends, are prudent, efficient and 
provide value to TCF’s stockholders, while ensuring that 
past and prospective earnings retention is consistent with 
TCF’s capital needs, asset quality, risk profile and overall 
financial condition. The Board of Directors intends to 
continue its practice of paying quarterly cash dividends on 
TCF’s common stock as justified by the financial condition 
of TCF. The declaration and amount of future dividends will 
depend on circumstances existing at the time, including 
TCF’s earnings, level of internally generated common 
capital excluding earnings, financial condition and capital 
requirements, the cash available to pay such dividends 
(derived mainly from dividends and distributions from TCF 
Bank), as well as regulatory and contractual limitations 
and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem 
relevant. In general, TCF Bank may not declare or pay a 
dividend to TCF in excess of 100% of its net retained profits 
for that year combined with its net retained profits for the 
preceding two calendar years without prior approval of 
the OCC. Restrictions on the ability of TCF Bank to pay cash 
dividends or possible diminished earnings of TCF may limit 
the ability of TCF Financial to pay dividends in the future 
to holders of its common stock. In addition, the ability of 
TCF Financial and TCF Bank to pay dividends is dependent 
on regulatory policies and capital requirements and may 
be subject to regulatory approval. See “Item 1. Business — 
Regulation — Regulatory Capital Requirements”, “Item 1. 
Business — Regulation — Restrictions on Distributions” and 
Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

15

Total Return Performance
The following graph compares the cumulative total 
stockholder return on TCF Stock over the last five fiscal 
years with the cumulative total return of the Standard and 
Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the SNL All Bank and Thrift Index, 
and a TCF Financial-selected group of peer institutions  
over the same period (assuming the investment of $100  
in each index on December 31, 2006 and reinvestment of  
all dividends). 

The New TCF Peer Group for 2012 consists of the publicly-

traded banks and thrifts with total assets ranging from 

$10 billion to $50 billion as of December 31, 2011. This 
is a change from TCF’s previously defined peer group 
which consisted of 30 publicly-traded banks and thrifts, 
15 immediately larger than and 15 immediately smaller 
than TCF. TCF changed its peer group to align itself with 
financial institutions that are similarly impacted by 
recent regulatory and legislative changes because TCF 
believes that the New Peer Group represents a more 
relevant group of companies in the financial services 
industry. The New and Old TCF Peer Groups are shown 
below for comparison purposes.

TCF Stock Performance Chart
Total Return Performance

TCF Financial Corporation

SNL Bank and Thrift Index(1) 

S&P 500 Index  

New TCF Peer Group(2)

Old TCF Peer Group(3)

$140

120

100

80

60

40

e
u
l
a
V

x
e
d
n
I

12/31/06

12/31/07

12/31/08

12/31/09

12/31/10

12/31/11

Index
TCF Financial Corporation
SNL Bank and Thrift (1)
S&P 500 Index
New TCF Peer Group (2)
Old TCF Peer Group (3)

12/31/06
 100.00 
 100.00 
 100.00 
100.00
 100.00 

12/31/07
 67.96 
 76.26 
 105.49 
84.38
 80.30 

Period Ending

12/31/08
 55.03 
 43.85 
 66.46 
77.39
 71.95 

12/31/09
 56.49 
 43.27 
 84.05 
71.04
 64.65 

12/31/10
 62.23 
 48.30 
 96.71 
78.72
 71.79 

12/31/11
 44.01 
 37.56 
 98.76 
65.64
 61.86 

(1)  Includes all major exchange (NYSE, NYSE Amex, NASDAQ) banks and thrifts in SNL’s coverage universe (476 companies as of December 31, 2011).
(2)  The New TCF Peer Group consists of the publicly-traded banks and thrifts with total assets ranging from $10 billion to $50 billion as of December 31, 2011. The New TCF 
Peer Group includes: Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.; New York Community Bancorp, Inc.; Popular, Inc.; First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.; First Republic Bank; People’s 
United Financial, Inc.; Synovus Financial Corp.; BOK Financial Corporation; First Horizon National Corporation; City National Corporation; East West Bancorp, Inc.; 
Associated Banc-Corp; First Citizens BancShares, Inc.; Commerce Bancshares, Inc.; Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.; SVB Financial Group; Hancock Holding Company; Webster 
Financial Corporation; Astoria Financial Corporation; Fulton Financial Corporation; Wintrust Financial Corporation; Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.; Signature Bank; First 
Merit Corporation; Valley National Bancorp; Bank of Hawaii Corporation; Washington Federal, Inc.; Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.; UMB Financial Corporation; First BanCorp.; 
BancorpSouth, Inc.; PrivateBancorp, Inc.; IBERIABANK Corporation; International Bancshares Corporation; Umpqua Holdings Corporation; BankUnited, Inc.; TFS Financial 
Corporation (MHC); Investors Bancorp, Inc. (MHC); and Cathay General Bancorp.

(3)  The Old TCF Peer Group consisted of 30 publicly-traded banks and thrifts, 15 immediately larger than and 15 immediately smaller than TCF Financial Corporation in total 

assets as of September 30, 2011. The Old Peer Group included: Popular, Inc.; First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.; Synovus Financial Corporation; People’s United Financial, Inc.; 
First Republic Bank; First Horizon National Corporation; BOK Financial Corporation; City National Corporation; Associated Banc-Corp; East West Bancorp, Inc.; First Citizens 
BancShares, Inc.; Commerce Bancshares, Inc.; Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.; Hancock Holding Company; SVB Financial Group; Webster Financial Corporation; Astoria Financial 
Corporation; Fulton Financial Corporation; Wintrust Financial Corporation; FirstMerit Corporation; Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.; Valley National Bancorp; Signature Bank; 
Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.; First BanCorp.; Washington Federal, Inc.; Bank of Hawaii Corporation; BancorpSouth, Inc.; UMB Financial Corporation; and PrivateBancorp, Inc. 

Source: SNL Financial LC and Standard & Poor’s ©2012

16    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
Repurchases of TCF Stock
The following table summarizes common stock share repurchase activity for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

Period 
October 1 to October 31, 2011
  Share repurchase program (1)
  Employee transactions (2)
November 1 to November 30, 2011
  Share repurchase program (1)
  Employee transactions (2)
December 1 to December 31, 2011
  Share repurchase program (1)
  Employee transactions (2)
Total
  Share repurchase program (1)
  Employee transactions (2)

Total Number  
of Shares   
Purchased

Average  
Price Paid  
Per Share

Total Number of Shares  
Purchased as Part of  
Publicly Announced Plan

Maximum Number of  
Shares that May Yet be  
Purchased Under the Plan

 – 
 6,564 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 6,564 

 $      – 
 $9.45 

 $      – 
 $      – 

 $      – 
 $      – 

$      – 
 $9.45 

 5,384,130 
N.A.

 5,384,130 
N.A.

 5,384,130 
N.A.

 – 
N.A.

 – 
N.A.

 – 
N.A.

 – 
N.A.

N.A. Not Applicable.
(1)  The current share repurchase authorization was approved by the Board of Directors on April 14, 2007 and was announced in a press release dated April 16, 2007. The 

authorization was for a repurchase of up to an additional 5% of TCF’s common stock outstanding at the time of the authorization, or 6.5 million shares. This authorization 
does not have an expiration date.

(2)  Shares withheld pursuant to the terms of awards under the TCF Financial Incentive Stock Program to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting and release 
of restricted shares. The TCF Financial Incentive Stock Program provides that the value of shares withheld shall be the average of the high and low prices of common stock 
of TCF Financial Corporation on the date the relevant transaction occurs.

2011 Form 10-K

17

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected five-year financial summary presented below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and related notes. Prior period financial data has been revised, as applicable, for a retrospective change in 
accounting principle. See Note 28 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. 

Five-Year Financial Summary
Consolidated Income:

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Total revenue 
Net interest income
Provision for credit losses
Fees and other revenue
Gains on securities, net
Gains on auto loans held for sale, net
Visa share redemption
Gains on sales of branches  
  and real estate
Non-interest expense

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Income after income tax expense

Income (loss) attributable to  
  non-controlling interest
  Net Income
Preferred stock dividends
  Net income available to  
  common stockholders
Per common share:
  Basic earnings
  Diluted earnings
  Dividends declared
Consolidated Financial Condition:

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Loans and leases 
Securities available for sale
Total assets
Checking, savings and money  
  market deposits
Certificates of deposit

Total deposits

Borrowings
Stockholders’ equity
Book value per common share
Key Ratios and Other Data:

Year Ended December 31, 

2011
 $  1,144,122 
 $      699,688 
 200,843 
 436,038 
 7,263 
 1,133 
– 

2010
 $  1,237,187 
 $      699,202 
 236,437 
 508,862 
 29,123 
 –
 – 

2009
 $1,158,861 
 $    633,006 
 258,536 
 496,468 
 29,387 
 –
 – 

2008
 $1,092,108 
 $    593,673 
 192,045 
 474,061 
 16,066 
 –
8,308 

2007
 $  1,091,634  
 $      550,177  
 56,992  
 490,285  
 13,278  
 –  
– 

 – 
 764,451 
 178,828 
64,441
114,387

 4,993 
 109,394 
 – 

 – 
 756,335 
 244,415 
 90,171 
 154,244 

 3,297 
 150,947 
 – 

 – 
 756,655 
 143,670 
 49,811 
 93,859 

 (410)
 94,269 
 18,403 

 – 
 718,853 
 181,210 
 68,096 
 113,114 

 – 
 113,114 
 2,540 

 37,894 
 653,887  
 380,755  
 108,535  
 272,220  

 – 
 272,220  
 – 

Compound Annual  
Growth Rate

1-Year 
2011/2010

5-Year 
2011/2006

(7.5)%
.1 
(15.1)
(14.3)
(75.1)
N.M.
  –

  –
1.1 
(26.8)
(28.5)
(25.8)

 51.4
(27.5)
 –

2.2% 
5.4 
57.6 
(2.1)
N.M.  
N.M.  
– 

(100.0)
3.5 
(13.2)
(9.3)
(15.0)

N.M. 
(15.8)
– 

 $      109,394 

 $      150,947 

 $      75,866 

 $    110,574 

 $      272,220  

(27.5)

(15.8)

 $             1.08 
 $                .71 
 $                .71  $             1.08 
 $               .20 
 $                .20 

 $             .60 
 $             .60 
 $             .40 

 $             .88 
 $             .88 
 $           1.00 

 $             2.13  
 $             2.13   
 $               .97 

(34.3)
(34.3)
 –

(18.4)
(18.4)
(26.3)

Compound Annual  
Growth Rate

1-Year 
2011/2010

5-Year 
2011/2006

At December 31, 

2011
 $14,150,255 
 2,324,038 
 18,979,388 

2010
 $14,788,304 
 1,931,174 
 18,465,025 

2009
 $14,590,744 
 1,910,476 
 17,885,175 

2008

2007
 $13,345,889   $12,494,370  
 1,963,681  
 15,977,054  

 1,966,104 
 16,740,357 

 11,136,389 
 1,065,615 
 12,202,004 
 4,388,080 
 1,868,133 
 $           11.65 

 10,556,788 
 1,028,327 
 11,585,115 
 4,985,611 
 1,471,663 
 $           10.30 

 10,380,814 
 1,187,505 
 11,568,319 
 4,755,499 
 1,175,362 
 $             9.10 

 7,647,069 
 2,596,283 
 10,243,352 
 4,660,774 
 1,493,776 

 7,322,014  
 2,254,535  
 9,576,549  
 4,973,448  
 1,099,012  
 $             8.99  $             8.68  

(4.3)%  
20.3 
2.8 

5.5 
3.6 
5.3 
(12.0)
26.9 
13.1 

Return on average assets
Return on average common equity
Net interest margin 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases
Average total equity to average assets

N.M. Not Meaningful.

18    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

2011

.61% 
6.32 
3.99 
1.45 
9.24 

2008
.69%  

2010
.85%   

At or For the Year Ended December 31,
2009
.54%  
6.57 
3.87 
1.34   
7.20 

10.67
4.15 
1.47 
7.83 

10.03
3.91
.78
7.04

4.3% 
5.1 
5.3 

8.9 
(15.6)
4.5 
4.1 
12.6 
8.0 

2007
1.80% 
26.34
3.94 
.29 
6.82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Item 7. Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations   

Table of Contents 

Overview 
Results of Operations 

Performance Summary 
  Operating Segment Results 
Consolidated Income Statement Analysis 
  Net Interest Income 

Provision for Credit Losses 

  Non-Interest Income 
  Non-Interest Expense 

Income Taxes 

Consolidated Financial Condition Analysis 

Securities Available for Sale 
Loans and Leases 
Credit Quality 

  Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed  

and Returned Equipment 

Liquidity Management 

  Deposits 

Borrowings 
Contractual Obligations and Commitments 
Equity 

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements 
Fourth Quarter Summary 
Legislative, Legal and Regulatory Developments 
Forward-Looking Information 

 Page
19
20 
20 
21 
21 
21 
25 
25 
28
29 
30 
30 
30 
34 

42 
44 
44 
44 
45 
45 
47 
48 
48
49 
49

Management’s discussion and analysis of the consolidated 
financial condition and results of operations of TCF 
Financial Corporation should be read in conjunction with 
the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and 
selected financial data in Item 6.

Overview
TCF Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“TCF” or 
the “Company”), is a national bank holding company based 
in Wayzata, Minnesota. Its principal subsidiary, TCF National 
Bank (“TCF Bank”), is headquartered in South Dakota. TCF 
had 434 branches in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, 
Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona and South Dakota (TCF’s primary 
banking markets) at December 31, 2011.

TCF provides convenient financial services through 
multiple channels in its primary banking markets. TCF has 

developed products and services designed to meet the 
needs of all consumers. The Company focuses on attracting 
and retaining customers through service and convenience, 
including branches that are open seven days a week and 
on most holidays, extensive full-service supermarket 
branches, automated teller machine (“ATM”) networks and 
internet, mobile and telephone banking. TCF’s philosophy is 
to generate interest income, fees and other revenue growth 
through business lines that emphasize higher yielding 
assets and low or no interest-cost deposits. The Company’s 
growth strategies include the development of new products 
and services, new branch expansion and acquisitions. New 
products and services are designed to build on existing 
businesses and expand into complementary products and 
services through strategic initiatives.

TCF’s core businesses include Retail Banking, Wholesale 

Banking and Treasury Services. Retail Banking includes 
branch banking and retail lending. Wholesale Banking 
includes commercial banking, leasing and equipment 
finance, inventory finance and auto finance. TCF refers to 
its combined leasing and equipment finance, inventory 
finance and auto finance businesses as Specialty Finance. 
Treasury Services includes the Company’s investment and 
borrowing portfolios and management of capital, debt and 
market risks, including interest rate and liquidity risks.

TCF’s lending strategy is to originate high credit quality 
and primarily secured loans and leases. TCF’s retail lending 
operation offers fixed- and variable-rate loans and lines 
of credit secured by residential real estate properties. 
Commercial loans are generally made on properties or to 
customers located within TCF’s primary banking markets. 
The leasing and equipment finance businesses consist of TCF 
Equipment Finance, Inc., which delivers equipment finance 
solutions to businesses in select markets, and Winthrop 
Resources Corporation, which primarily leases technology 
and data processing equipment. TCF’s leasing and 
equipment finance businesses have equipment installations 
in all 50 states and, to a limited extent, in foreign countries. 
TCF Inventory Finance originates commercial variable-rate 
loans which are secured by equipment under a floorplan 
arrangement and supported by repurchase agreements 
from original equipment manufacturers to businesses 
in the United States and Canada. In November 2011, TCF 
entered into the auto finance business with its acquisition 
of Gateway One Lending & Finance, LLC (“Gateway One”). 
Gateway One currently originates and services loans on new 
and used autos in 30 states and is expected to expand into  
a nationwide business.

2011 Form 10-K

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income, the difference between interest 
income earned on loans and leases, securities available 
for sale, investments and other interest-earning assets 
and interest paid on deposits and borrowings, represented 
61.2% of TCF’s total revenue in 2011. Net interest income 
can change significantly from period to period based on 
general levels of interest rates, customer prepayment 
patterns, the mix of interest-earning assets and the mix 
of interest-bearing and non-interest bearing deposits 
and borrowings. TCF manages the risk of changes in 
interest rates on its net interest income through an Asset/
Liability Committee and through related interest-rate 
risk monitoring and management policies. See “Item 1A. 
Risk Factors” and “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative 
Disclosures about Market Risk” for further discussion.

Non-interest income is a significant source of revenue 

for TCF and an important factor in TCF’s results of 
operations. Increasing fee and service charge revenue 
has been challenging as a result of economic conditions, 
changing customer behavior and the impact of the 
implementation of new regulation. Providing a wide range 
of retail banking services is an integral component of TCF’s 
business philosophy and a major strategy for generating 
additional non-interest income. Key drivers of non-interest 
income are the number of deposit accounts and related 
transaction activity. 

In response to new regulations, TCF introduced a new 
anchor checking account product that replaced the TCF 
Totally Free Checking product. The new product carries 
a monthly maintenance fee on accounts not meeting 
certain specific requirements. In addition, the success of 
the Michigan pilot of TCF’s daily overdraft product did not 
transfer well to other markets. As a result, TCF introduced 
additional overdraft product options in 2012.

The Company’s Visa® debit card program has grown 
significantly since its inception in 1996. TCF is the 15th 
largest issuer of Visa consumer debit cards in the United 
States, based on payments volume for the three months 
ended September 30, 2011, as published by Visa. TCF earns 
interchange revenue from customer card transactions paid 
primarily by merchants, not TCF’s customers. Card products 
represent 27.1% of banking fee revenue for the year ended 
December 31, 2011. Visa has significant litigation against 
it regarding interchange pricing and there is a risk this 
revenue could be impacted by any settlement or adverse 
rulings in such litigation.

TCF’s card revenues have been impacted by the Durbin 
Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer 
Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which 
directed the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System (“Federal Reserve”) to establish rules related to 
debit-card interchange fees. The final rule, which became 
effective on October 1, 2011, sets a base interchange fee 
limit of 21 cents, plus a per transaction component of 5 
basis points, and a one cent charge if issuers comply with 
certain fraud protection provisions. This rule resulted in a 
$14.7 million, or slightly more than 50%, reduction in TCF’s 
card interchange revenue during the fourth quarter of 2011. 
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations — Consolidated Income Statement Analysis” 
for more information. 

On November 30, 2011, TCF’s wholly-owned subsidiary,  

TCF Bank, completed the acquisition of Gateway One. 
Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Gateway One utilizes 
its more than 3,400 active dealer relationships to originate 
loans and services to consumers in 30 states on new and 
used autos. As part of the acquisition, TCF is retaining 
Gateway One’s seasoned executive management team. The 
addition of Gateway One further diversifies TCF’s lending 
business and provides ample growth opportunities within 
the U.S. auto lending marketplace, the second largest 
consumer finance market in the U.S.

The following portions of Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
focus in more detail on the results of operations for 2011,  
2010 and 2009 and on information about TCF’s balance 
sheet, loan and lease portfolio, liquidity, funding resources,  
capital and other matters.

Results of Operations
Performance Summary   TCF reported diluted earnings 
per common share of $.71 for 2011, compared with $1.08 
for 2010 and $.60 for 2009. Net income was $109.4 million 
for 2011, compared with $150.9 million for 2010 and 
$94.3 million for 2009. Net income available to common 
stockholders for 2009 includes a non-cash deemed 
preferred stock dividend of $12 million, or 9 cents per 
common share.

Return on average assets was .61% in 2011, compared with 
.85% in 2010 and .54% in 2009. Return on average common 
equity was 6.32% in 2011, compared with 10.67% in 2010 
and 6.57% in 2009. The effective income tax rate for 2011 
was 36%, compared with 36.9% in 2010 and 34.7% in 2009.

20    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Operating Segment Results   RETAIL BANKING — Retail 
Banking, consisting of branch banking and retail lending, 
reported net income of $49.6 million for 2011, down from 
$93 million in 2010 primarily due to decreased fee income in 
branch banking. Retail Banking net interest income for 2011 
was $448.1 million, up 1.2% from $443 million for 2010.
The Retail Banking provision for credit losses totaled 

$162.2 million in 2011, up 15.3% from $140.6 million 
in 2010. This increase was primarily due to higher net 
charge-offs and troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) 
reserves for consumer real estate loans. Refer to “Item 
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations — Consolidated Income 
Statement Analysis — Provision for Credit Losses” for 
further discussion.

Retail Banking non-interest income totaled $337.7 
million in 2011, compared with $409.6 million in 2010. Fees 
and service charges were $213 million for 2011, down 20.4% 
from $267.5 million in 2010. Card revenues were $96.1 
million for 2011, down 13.4% from $111 million in 2010. 
The decrease in card revenues was primarily attributable 
to debit card interchange regulation which took effect on 
October 1, 2011. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
— Consolidated Income Statement Analysis — Non-Interest 
Income” for further discussion.

Retail Banking non-interest expense totaled $545.3 
million in 2011, down 3.1% from $562.8 million in 2010. The 
decrease was primarily due to decreases in compensation 
and employee benefit expenses and occupancy expenses as 
a result of certain branch closures during 2011.

WHOLESALE BANKING — Wholesale Banking, consisting 
of commercial banking, leasing and equipment finance, 
inventory finance and auto finance, reported net income of 
$76.5 million for 2011, up 93.4% from $39.5 million in 2010. 
Net interest income for 2011 was $274.7 million, up 8.5% 
from $253.1 million in 2010, as a result of increased income 
from inventory finance loans primarily due to average 
balance growth of $179 million, partially offset by decreases 
in leasing and equipment finance and commercial real 
estate portfolio balances and average yields.

The provision for credit losses for Wholesale Banking 
totaled $36.1 million in 2011, down from $94 million in 
2010. The decrease in the provision for credit losses from 
2010 was primarily due to decreased net charge-offs and 

decreased non-accrual loans in commercial lending and 
leasing and equipment finance.

Wholesale Banking non-interest income totaled $98.7 

million in 2011, essentially flat from 2010. Decreases in 
operating lease revenues and floorplan inventory inspection 
fees were offset by increases resulting from gains on 
sales-type lease activity, gains on sales of auto loans and 
increases in commercial loan prepayment fees. 

Wholesale Banking non-interest expense totaled $208.7 

million in 2011, up $17.4 million from $191.3 million in 
2010, primarily as a result of increased FDIC insurance 
premiums resulting from changes in the FDIC insurance 
rate calculations for banks over $10 billion in total assets, 
increased valuation write-downs of commercial real 
estate properties owned, and the ramp-up of expenses 
related to the exclusive financing program for Bombardier 
Recreational Products (“BRP”) that will begin funding 
early in 2012, partially offset by decreased operating lease 
depreciation due to the reduction in the operating lease 
portion of the portfolio. 

TREASURY SERVICES — Treasury Services reported a  
net loss of $17 million in 2011, down from net income 
of $16.2 million in 2010. The $33.2 million change was 
primarily due to gains on sales of securities of $31.5 million 
in 2010 compared with gains of $8 million in 2011, along 
with the impact of increased asset liquidity and increased 
asset sensitivity, partially offset by a lower average cost  
of borrowing. 

Consolidated Income Statement Analysis
Net Interest Income   Net interest income, the difference 
between interest earned on loans and leases, investments 
and other interest-earning assets (interest income), and 
interest paid on deposits and borrowings (interest expense), 
represented 61.2% of TCF’s total revenue in 2011, 56.5% 
in 2010 and 54.6% in 2009. Net interest income divided by 
average interest-earning assets is referred to as the net 
interest margin, expressed as a percentage. Net interest 
income and net interest margin are affected by changes 
in prevailing short- and long-term interest rates, loan and 
deposit pricing strategies and competitive conditions, the 
volume and the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-
bearing liabilities, the level of non-performing assets, and 
the impact of modified loans and leases.

2011 Form 10-K

21

The following tables summarize TCF’s average balances, interest, dividends and yields and rates on major categories of TCF’s 
interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on a fully tax equivalent basis. 

(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Investments and other
U.S. Government sponsored entities:
Mortgage-backed securities

U.S. Treasury securities 
Other securities

Total securities available for sale (1)

Loans and leases held for sale
Loans and leases:

Consumer real estate:

Fixed-rate
Variable-rate
Consumer — other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial:

Fixed- and adjustable-rate
Variable-rate

Total commercial
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total loans and leases (2)

Total interest-earning assets

Other assets (3)
Total assets

liabilities and Equity:
Non-interest bearing deposits:

Retail
Small business
Commercial and custodial

Total non-interest bearing deposits

Interest-bearing deposits:

Checking
Savings
Money market
Subtotal

Certificates of deposit

Total interest-bearing deposits

Total deposits

Borrowings:

Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Total borrowings

Total interest-bearing liabilities

Total deposits and borrowings

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Total TCF Financial Corp. stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

Net interest income and margin

     Year Ended  
December 31, 2011

     Year Ended  
December 31, 2010

Average  
Balance

Interest

Average 
Yields  
and  
Rates

Average  
Balance

Interest

Average 
Yields  
and  
Rates

  Change

Average  
Balance

Interest

Average 
Yields and 
Rates  
(bps)

 $      820,981 

 $     7,836 

.95%

 $      337,279 

 $     5,509 

1.63% 

 $  483,702 

 $    2,327 

 (68)

 2,198,188 
 48,178 
 329 
 2,246,695 
 1,215 

 85,138 
 34 
 16 
 85,188 
 131 

3.87 
.07 
4.86 
3.79 
10.78 

 1,817,413 
 71,233 
 454 
 1,889,100 
  – 

 80,332 
 93 
 20 
 80,445 
  – 

 281,427 
 122,532 
 1,715 
 405,674 

 164,368 
 30,742 
 195,110 
 184,575 
 61,583 
 846,942 
 940,097 

 4,451 
 28,942 
 2,951 
 36,344 
 8,764 
 45,108 
 45,108 

 171 
 192,984 
 193,155 
 238,263 
 238,263 

6.08 
5.13 
8.71 
5.77 

5.76 
4.33 
5.47 
6.00 
7.19 
5.83 
5.34 

.21 
.51 
.45 
.43 
.79 
.47 
.38 

.35 
4.29 
4.24 
1.69 
1.44 

 4,627,047 
 2,386,234 
 19,687 
 7,032,968 

 2,854,327 
 710,758 
 3,565,085 
 3,074,207 
 856,271 
 14,528,531 
 17,597,422 
 1,194,550 
 $18,791,972 

 $   1,414,659 
 698,903 
 291,986 
 2,405,548 

 2,114,098 
 5,671,889 
 658,693 
 8,444,680 
 1,103,231 
 9,547,911 
 11,953,459 

 49,442 
 4,500,564 
 4,550,006 
 14,097,917 
 16,503,465 
 551,206 
 17,054,671 
 1,729,660 
 7,641 
 1,737,301 
 $18,791,972 

 313,573 
 116,436 
 2,303 
 432,312 

 176,018 
 30,604 
 206,622 
 196,570 
 49,881 
 885,385 
 971,339 

 6,466 
 40,023 
 4,532 
 51,021 
 10,208 
 61,229 
 61,229 

 474 
 208,972 
 209,446 
 270,675 
 270,675 

 5,082,487 
 2,148,171 
 26,576 
 7,257,234 

 2,956,699 
 730,325 
 3,687,024 
 3,056,006 
 677,214 
 14,677,478 
 16,903,857 
 1,286,683 
 $18,190,540 

 $  1,429,436 
 641,412 
 284,750 
 2,355,598 

 2,071,990 
 5,410,681 
 656,691 
 8,139,362 
 1,054,179 
 9,193,541 
 11,549,139 

 124,891 
 4,580,786 
 4,705,677 
 13,899,218 
 16,254,816 
 511,589 
 16,766,405 
 1,415,161 
 8,974 
 1,424,135 
 $18,190,540 

4.42 
.13 
4.41 
4.26 
  – 

6.17 
5.42 
8.67 
5.96 

5.95 
4.19 
5.60 
6.43 
7.37 
6.03 
5.75 

.31 
.74 
.69 
.63 
.97 
.67 
.53 

.38 
 4.56 
4.45 
1.95 
1.66 

 380,775 
 (23,055)
 (125)
 357,595 
 1,215 

 4,806 
 (59)
 (4)
 4,743 
 131 

 (55)
 (6)
 45 
 (47)
 1,078 

 (9)
 (29)
 4 
 (19)

 (19)
 14 
 (13)
 (43)
 (18)
 (20)
 (41)

 (10)
 (23)
 (24)
 (20)
 (18)
 (20)
 (15)

 (3)
 (27)
 (21)
 (26)
 (22)

 (32,146)
 6,096 
 (588)
 (26,638)

 (11,650)
 138 
 (11,512)
 (11,995)
 11,702 
 (38,443)
 (31,242)

 (2,015)
 (11,081)
 (1,581)
 (14,677)
 (1,444)
 (16,121)
 (16,121)

 (303)
 (15,988)
 (16,291)
 (32,412)
 (32,412)

 (455,440)
 238,063 
 (6,889)
 (224,266)

 (102,372)
 (19,567)
 (121,939)
 18,201 
 179,057 
 (148,947)
 693,565 
 (92,133)
 $  601,432 

 $  (14,777)
 57,491 
 7,236 
 49,950 

 42,108 
 261,208 
 2,002 
 305,318 
 49,052 
 354,370 
 404,320 

 (75,449)
 (80,222)
 (155,671)
 198,699 
 248,649 
 39,617 
 288,266 
 314,499 
 (1,333)
 313,166 
 $  601,432 

 $701,834 

 3.99% 

 $700,664 

 4.15%

 $    1,170 

 (16)

(1) Average balances and yields of securities available for sale are based upon the historical amortized cost and exclude equity securities. 
(2) Average balances of loans and leases include non-accrual loans and leases, and are presented net of unearned income. 
(3) Includes operating leases.

22    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Investments and other
U.S. Government sponsored entities:
Mortgage-backed securities
Debentures

U.S. Treasury securities 
Other securities

Total securities available for sale (1)

Loans and leases:

Consumer real estate:

Fixed-rate
Variable-rate
Consumer — other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial:

Fixed- and adjustable-rate
Variable-rate

Total commercial
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total loans and leases (2)

Total interest-earning assets

Other assets (3)
Total assets

liabilities and Equity:
Non-interest bearing deposits:

Retail
Small business
Commercial and custodial

Total non-interest bearing deposits

Interest-bearing deposits:

Checking
Savings
Money market
Subtotal

Certificates of deposit

Total interest-bearing deposits

Total deposits

Borrowings:

Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Total borrowings

Total interest-bearing liabilities

Total deposits and borrowings

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Total TCF Financial Corp. stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

Net interest income and margin

     Year Ended  
December 31, 2010

     Year Ended  
December 31, 2009

Average  
Balance

Interest

Average 
Yields  
and  
Rates

Average  
Balance

Interest

Average 
Yields  
and  
Rates

  Change

Average  
Balance

Interest

Average 
Yields and 
Rates  
(bps)

 $      337,279 

 $     5,509 

1.63% 

 $      375,396 

 $     4,370 

1.16% 

 $  (38,117)

 $    1,139 

 47 

4.42 
 – 
.13 
4.41 
4.26 

6.17 
5.42 
8.67 
5.96 

5.95 
4.19 
5.60 
6.43 
7.37 
6.03 
5.75 

.31 
.74 
.69 
.63 
.97 
.67 
.53 

.38 
 4.56 
4.45 
1.95 
1.66 

 1,817,413 
  – 
 71,233 
 454 
 1,889,100 

 80,332 
  – 
 93 
 20 
 80,445 

 313,573 
 116,436 
 2,303 
 432,312 

 176,018 
 30,604 
 206,622 
 196,570 
 49,881 
 885,385 
 971,339 

 6,466 
 40,023 
 4,532 
 51,021 
 10,208 
 61,229 
 61,229 

 474 
 208,972 
 209,446 
 270,675 
 270,675 

 5,082,487 
 2,148,171 
 26,576 
 7,257,234 

 2,956,699 
 730,325 
 3,687,024 
 3,056,006 
 677,214 
 14,677,478 
 16,903,857 
 1,286,683 
 $18,190,540 

 $  1,429,436 
 641,412 
 284,750 
 2,355,598 

 2,071,990 
 5,410,681 
 656,691 
 8,139,362 
 1,054,179 
 9,193,541 
 11,549,139 

 124,891 
 4,580,786 
 4,705,677 
 13,899,218 
 16,254,816 
 511,589 
 16,766,405 
 1,415,161 
 8,974 
 1,424,135 
 $18,190,540 

4.92 
2.18 
.07 
5.26 
4.36 

6.43 
5.74 
8.54 
6.26 

6.05 
3.81 
5.51 
6.81 
8.22 
6.21 
5.86 

.45 
1.24 
1.03 
1.02 
2.53 
1.34 
1.07 

.27 
 4.64 
4.55 
2.39 
2.05 

 1,645,544 
 389,245 
 17,123 
 494 
 2,052,406 

 80,902 
 8,487 
 12 
 26 
 89,427 

 348,400 
 106,987 
 3,061 
 458,448 

 165,999 
 33,221 
 199,220 
 192,575 
 14,797 
 865,040 
 958,837 

 8,137 
 58,556 
 7,006 
 73,699 
 48,413 
 122,112 
 122,112 

 233 
 202,830 
 203,063 
 325,175 
 325,175 

 5,421,081 
 1,862,267 
 35,849 
 7,319,197 

 2,741,563 
 870,810 
 3,612,373 
 2,826,835 
 179,990 
 13,938,395 
 16,366,197 
 1,157,314 
 $17,523,511 

 $  1,402,442 
 584,605 
 265,681 
 2,252,728 

 1,802,694 
 4,732,316 
 683,030 
 7,218,040 
 1,915,467 
 9,133,507 
 11,386,235 

 85,228 
 4,373,182 
 4,458,410 
 13,591,917 
 15,844,645 
 416,555 
 16,261,200 
 1,261,219 
 1,092 
 1,262,311 
 $17,523,511 

 (50)
 N.M.
 6 
 (85)
 (10)

 (26)
 (32)
 13 
 (30)

 (10)
 38 
 9 
 (38)
 (85)
 (18)
 (11)

 (14)
 (50)
 (34)
 (39)
 (156)
 (67)
 (54)

 11 
 (8)
 (10)
 (44)
 (39)

 171,869 
 (389,245)
 54,110 
 (40)
 (163,306)

 (570)
 (8,487)
 81 
 (6)
 (8,982)

 (338,594)
 285,904 
 (9,273)
 (61,963)

 (34,827)
 9,449 
 (758)
 (26,136)

 10,019 
 (2,617)
 7,402 
 3,995 
 35,084 
 20,345 
 12,502 

 (1,671)
 (18,533)
 (2,474)
 (22,678)
 (38,205)
 (60,883)
 (60,883)

 241 
 6,142 
 6,383 
 (54,500)
 (54,500)

 215,136 
 (140,485)
 74,651 
 229,171 
 497,224 
 739,083 
 537,660 
 129,369 
 $ 667,029 

 $   26,994 
 56,807 
 19,069 
 102,870 

 269,296 
 678,365 
 (26,339)
 921,322 
 (861,288)
 60,034 
 162,904 

 39,663 
 207,604 
 247,267 
 307,301 
 410,171 
 95,034 
 505,205 
 153,942 
 7,882 
 161,824 
 $ 667,029 

 $700,664 

 4.15%

 $633,662 

 3.87%

 $ 67,002 

 28 

N.M. Not Meaningful.
(1) Average balances and yields of securities available for sale are based upon the historical amortized cost and exclude equity securities. 
(2) Average balances of loans and leases include non-accrual loans and leases, and are presented net of unearned income. 
(3) Includes operating leases.

2011 Form 10-K

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
The following table presents the components of the changes in net interest income by volume and rate.

(In thousands)
Interest income:

Investments and other

  U.S. Government sponsored entities:

  Mortgage-backed securities, fixed rate
  Debentures
  U.S. Treasury securities

  Other securities

Total securities available for sale

  Loans and leases held for sale
  Loans and leases:

  Consumer home equity:

  Fixed-rate
  Variable-rate
  Consumer — other

Total consumer real estate and other

  Commercial:

  Fixed- and adjustable-rate
  Variable-rate

Total commercial
  Leasing and equipment finance

Inventory finance

Total loans and leases 

Total interest income
Interest expense:
  Checking
  Savings
  Money market
  Certificates of deposit
  Borrowings:

  Short-term borrowings
  Long-term borrowings
Total borrowings

Total interest expense
Net interest income

   Year Ended  
   December 31, 2011  
   Versus Same Period in 2010
   Increase (Decrease) Due to

Year Ended 
 December 31, 2010  
Versus Same Period in 2009
Increase (Decrease) Due to

Volume(1)  

Rate(1) 

Total 

Volume(1) 

Rate(1) 

Total 

 $    5,355 

 $  (3,028)

 $    2,327 

 $     (480)

 $    1,619 

 $    1,139 

 15,522 
 – 
 (24)
 (8)
 14,171 
 131 

 (27,755)
 12,443 
 (600)
 (13,151)

 (5,992)
 (832)
 (6,740)
 1,165 
 12,903 
 (8,915)
38,821

 129 
 1,851 
 14 
 460 

 (10,716)
 – 
 (35)
 2 
 (9,428)
– 

 (4,391)
 (6,347)
 12 
 (13,487)

 (5,658)
 970 
 (4,772)
 (13,160)
 (1,201)
 (29,528)
(70,063)

 (2,144)
 (12,932)
 (1,595)
 (1,904)

 4,806 
 – 
 (59)
 (6)
 4,743 
 131 

 (32,146)
 6,096 
 (588)
 (26,638)

 (11,650)
 138 
 (11,512)
 (11,995)
 11,702 
 (38,443)
 (31,242)

 (2,015)
 (11,081)
 (1,581)
 (1,444)

 (264)
 (3,614)
 (6,802)
 4,081 
 $  28,190 

 (39)
 (12,374)
 (9,489)
 (36,493)
 $  (27,020)

 (303)
 (15,988)
 (16,291)
 (32,412)
 $    1,170 

 8,017 
 (8,487)
 64 
 (2)
 (6,990)
– 

 (21,230)
 15,747 
 (803)
 (3,853)

 12,846 
 (5,687)
 4,154 
 15,096 
 36,778 
 45,028 
 31,118 

 1,093 
 7,507 
 (261)
 (16,107)

 131 
 9,556 
 11,123 
 8,230 
 $ 21,274 

 (8,587)
 – 
 17 
 (4)
 (1,992)
– 

 (13,597)
 (6,298)
 45 
 (22,283)

 (2,827)
 3,070 
 3,248 
 (11,101)
 (1,694)
 (24,683)
 (18,616)

 (2,764)
 (26,040)
 (2,213)
 (22,098)

 (570)
 (8,487)
 81 
 (6)
 (8,982)
– 

 (34,827)
 9,449 
 (758)
 (26,136)

 10,019 
 (2,617)
 7,402 
 3,995 
 35,084 
 20,345 
 12,502 

 (1,671)
 (18,533)
 (2,474)
 (38,205)

 110 
 (3,414)
 (4,740)
 (62,730)
 $  45,728 

 241 
 6,142 
 6,383 
 (54,500)
 $ 67,002 

(1)  Changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate. Changes 

due to volume and rate are calculated independently for each line item presented.

Net interest income, including the impact of tax 
equivalent adjustments, was $701.8 million for 2011, up 
.2% from $700.7 million in 2010, which was up 10.6% from 
$633.7 million in 2009. The increase in net interest income 
in 2011 was primarily due to reductions in deposit rates, 
reduced interest expense on long-term borrowings and 
additional interest earned due to loan growth in inventory 
finance, mostly offset by decreases in interest earned on 
consumer loans and equipment finance loans and leases. 
The increase in 2010 was primarily due to a $739.1 million, 
or 5.3%, increase in average loans and leases and a 28 basis 

point increase in net interest margin. Net interest margin 
was 3.99% in 2011, down from 4.15% in 2010, which was up 
from 3.87% in 2009. The decrease in 2011 was primarily due 
to increased asset liquidity and decreased levels of higher 
yielding loans and leases as a result of the lower interest 
rate environment, partially offset by lower average cost 
of deposits and borrowings. The increase in 2010 was 
primarily due to lower average costs of deposits, partially 
offset by lower yields on new loan and lease production 
and the impact of higher average balances of non-accrual 
loans and leases.

24    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provision for Credit losses   The following table summarizes the composition of TCF’s provision for credit losses and 
percentage of the total provision for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. 

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate and other
Commercial
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

      2011
 $166,575   82.9%  
 25,555   12.7 
3.7 
 7,395  
.7 
 1,318  

Total

 $200,843   100.0% 

Change

Year Ended December 31,
     2010
 $141,960   60.1% 
 67,374   28.5 
 24,883   10.5 
 .9 
 2,220  

     2009
 $180,719   69.9% 
 36,881   14.3 
 39,325   15.2 
.6 
 1,611  
 $236,437   100.0%  $258,536   100.0%  $(35,594)  (15.1)% $(22,099)  

 $ 24,615     17.3%  $(38,759)  (21.4)%
 (41,819)  (62.1)
 (17,488)   (70.3)
 (902)   (40.6)

82.7 
 30,493   
(14,442)   (36.7)
 609     37.8 

         2010/2009

      2011/2010

(8.5)%

TCF provided $200.8 million for credit losses in 2011, 
compared with $236.4 million in 2010 and $258.5 million  
in 2009. The decrease in 2011 was driven by decreases  
in commercial and leasing and equipment finance net 
charge-offs and reserves as customer performance 
improved, partially offset by higher net charge-offs and  
TDR reserves for consumer real estate loans. The increase  
in provision for TDRs was primarily due to growth in TDRs,  
in part due to a new accounting standard, and use of longer 
term modifications. The decrease in 2010 was primarily due 
to decreased levels of provision in excess of net charge-offs 
in the consumer real estate portfolio.

Net loan and lease charge-offs were $211 million, or 
1.45% of average loans and leases, in 2011, compared  
with $215.1 million, or 1.47% of average loans and leases, 
in 2010 and $186.5 million, or 1.34% of average loans and 
leases, in 2009.

Consumer real estate charge-off rates increased 
throughout 2011 due primarily to increased delinquencies 
and declines in real estate values. As a result, TCF increased 
consumer real estate allowance levels. The increase in 
consumer real estate net charge-offs was partially due to 
a policy modification to require more frequent valuations 
after loans are moved to non-accrual status until clear 
title is received, in response to longer foreclosure timelines 
due to court backlogs. The initial impact of the non-accrual 
loan policy change accelerated the timing of charge-offs 
on non-accrual consumer real estate loans by $2.2 million 
in the third quarter of 2011. It had no impact on TCF’s 

provision or net income since these losses were previously 
provided for in the allowance for loan and lease losses. 
The decrease in 2010 was driven by decreased levels of 
provision in excess of net charge-offs in the consumer real 
estate portfolio.

The provision for credit losses is calculated as part of 

the determination of the allowance for loan and lease 
losses. The determination of the allowance for loan and 
lease losses and the related provision for credit losses is 
a critical accounting estimate which involves a number 
of factors such as historical trends in net charge-offs, 
delinquencies in the loan and lease portfolio, year of loan 
or lease origination, value of collateral, general economic 
conditions and management’s assessment of credit risk  
in the current loan and lease portfolio. Also see “Item 7.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations — Consolidated 
Financial Condition Analysis — Credit Quality — Allowance 
for Loan and Lease Losses”.

Non-Interest Income   Non-interest income is a 
significant source of revenue for TCF, representing 38.8% 
of total revenues in 2011, 43.5% in 2010 and 45.4% in 2009, 
and is an important factor in TCF’s results of operations. 
Providing a wide range of retail banking services is an 
integral component of TCF’s business philosophy and a major 
strategy for generating additional non-interest income. Total 
fees and other revenue was $436 million for 2011, compared 
with $508.9 million in 2010 and $496.5 million in 2009.

2011 Form 10-K

25

 
The following table presents the components of non-interest income.

Year Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)
Fees and service charges
Card  revenue
ATM revenue
  Subtotal
Leasing and equipment finance 
Other

  Fees and other revenue

Gains on securities, net
Gains on auto loans held for sale, net
Gains on sales of branches  
  and real estate
Visa share redemption

Total non-interest income

Fees and other revenue as a  
  percentage of total revenue

N.M. Not Meaningful.

2011
 $219,363 
 96,147 
 27,927 
 343,437 
 89,167 
 3,434 
 436,038 
 7,263 
 1,133 

 – 
 – 
 $444,434 

2010
 $273,181 
 111,067 
 29,836 
 414,084 
 89,194 
 5,584 
 508,862 
 29,123 
– 

 – 
 –
 $537,985 

2009 
 $286,908 
 104,770 
 30,438 
 422,116 
 69,113 
 5,239 
 496,468 
 29,387 
– 

 – 
 – 
 $525,855 

2008
 $270,739 
 103,082 
 32,645 
 406,466 
 55,488 
 12,107 
 474,061 
 16,066 
– 

 – 
 8,308 
 $498,435 

2007
 $278,046 
 98,880 
 35,620 
 412,546 
 59,151 
 18,588 
 490,285 
 13,278 

 –  

 37,894 

 –  

 $541,457 

 38.1% 

41.1%

42.8%

43.4%

44.9%   

Compound Annual 
Growth Rate

1-Year 
2011/2010

5-Year 
2011/2006

(19.7)%   
 (13.4)  
 (6.4)  
 (17.1)  
    –
 (38.5)  
 (14.3)  
 (75.1)  
 N.M. 

 –  
 –  
 (17.4)  

(4.1)%
 .9 
 (5.9)
 (3.0)
 11.0 
 (36.1)
 (2.1)
 N.M. 
 N.M.

 (100.0)
 –  
 (1.9)

Fees and Service Charges  Fees and service charges 
decreased $53.8 million, or 19.7%, to $219.4 million for 
2011, compared with $273.2 million for 2010 and $286.9 
million in 2009. Retail Banking activity based fee revenue 
was $173.3 million, down from $217.6 million in 2010 
and $254.3 million in 2009. During 2011, Retail Banking 
activity-based fee revenues decreased 20.4%, compared 
with a decrease of 14.4% in 2010 and an increase of 8.4% 
in 2009. The decrease in fees and service charges in 2011 
was primarily due to changes in customer behavior and 
increased levels of checking account attrition, some of 
which is in connection with new fees and service charges 
introduced in the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease in 
fees and service charges in 2010 was primarily due to a 
decrease in activity-based fee revenue as a result of the 

implementation of overdraft fee regulations and changes in 
customer banking and spending behavior, partially offset 
by increased monthly maintenance fee income.

Card Revenue  During 2011, card revenue, primarily 
interchange fees, totaled $96.1 million, down from $111.1 
million in 2010 and $104.8 million in 2009. The decrease 
in card revenue in 2011 was primarily due to a decrease in 
the average interchange rate per transaction as a result 
of regulation that took effect during the fourth quarter 
of 2011 and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in the number 
of average active card users. The increase in card revenue 
in 2010 was primarily the result of increases in average 
spending per active account, transaction volume and a 
small increase in interchange rates, partially offset by a 
decrease in active accounts.

The following table sets forth information about TCF’s card business.

(Dollars in thousands)
Average number of checking accounts with a TCF card
Average active card users
Average number of transactions per card per month
Sales volume for the year ended:
  Off-line (Signature)
  On-line (PIN)
Total

Average transaction size (in dollars)
Percentage off-line
Average interchange rate
Average interchange fee per transaction

26    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

At or For the Year Ended December 31,

2011
 1,233,271 
 764,331 
 23.4 

2010
 1,399,730 
 807,519 
 22.2 

2009
 1,533,234 
 843,825 
 20.7 

 $6,723,989 
 962,615 
 $7,686,604 
 $                36

 $6,645,374 
 984,134 
 $7,629,508 
$               35

 87.48% 
 1.18% 

 87.10% 
 1.38% 

 $6,394,041 
 914,302 
 $7,308,343 
$               35  
 87.49% 
 1.34% 

$               .42 

$              .49 

$              .47 

Percentage Increase  
(Decrease)

2011/2010

2010/2009

(11.9)%  
(5.3)
 5.4 

 1.2 
 (2.2)
 .7 
2.9  
38 bps
(20)
(14.3)%  

 (8.7)%
(4.3)
 7.2 

 3.9 
 7.6 
 4.4 
–  
 (39)bps
 4
 4.3% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The continued success of TCF’s debit card program is 
highly dependent on the success and viability of Visa and the 
continued use by customers and acceptance by merchants 
of its cards. On June 29, 2011, the Federal Reserve issued its 
final debit card interchange rule, establishing a debit card 
interchange fee cap. These rules became effective October 
1, 2011, and apply to issuers that, together with their 
affiliates, have assets of $10 billion or more. Compared with 
the fourth quarter of 2010, the average interchange rate per 
transaction decreased slightly more than 50% during the 
fourth quarter of 2011 and resulted in a reduction of TCF’s 
interchange revenue of $14.7 million. See “Item 1A. Risk 
Factors” for more information.

ATM Revenue  ATM revenue totaled $27.9 million for 2011, 
down from $29.8 million in 2010 and $30.4 million in 2009. 
The declines in ATM revenue were primarily due to fewer fee 
generating transactions and reduced ATM fleet.

Leasing and Equipment Finance Revenue  Leasing 
and equipment finance revenue in 2011 was relatively 
flat compared with 2010. Leasing and equipment finance 
revenues in 2010 increased $20.1 million, or 29%, from 2009. 
The increase in 2010 from 2009 was primarily due to increased 
operating lease revenue resulting from the acquisition 
of Fidelity National Capital, Inc (“FNCI”) in 2009, which 
also had a corresponding increase in operating lease 
depreciation of $14.4 million in 2010.

Leasing and equipment finance revenues may fluctuate 
from period to period based on customer-driven factors not 
within TCF’s control.

Other Non-Interest Income  Total other non-interest 
income in 2011 decreased $2.2 million from 2010 compared 
with an increase in 2010 of $345 thousand from 2009. The 
decrease in 2011 from 2010 was primarily due to reduced 
inventory finance inspection fees. The increase in 2010 
from 2009 was primarily due to a gain on a non-marketable 
investment of $538 thousand. 

The following table presents the components of other non-interest income.

Year Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)
Investments and insurance
Gains on sales of education loans
Other

Total other earnings

2011
 $1,105 
– 
2,329
$3,434 

2010
 $1,111 
– 
 4,473 
 $5,584 

2009 
 $    643 
– 
 4,596 
 $5,239 

2008
 $   9,405 
 1,456 
 1,246 
 $12,107 

2007
 $10,318 
 2,011 
 6,259 
 $18,588 

Compound Annual 
Growth Rate

1-Year 
2011/2010

5-Year 
2011/2006

 –

(.5)%   

47.9
 (38.5)  

(36.5)%
(100.0)
 (30.5)
 (36.1)

Gains on Securities, Net  In 2011, TCF recognized gross gains of $8 million on sales of $522.5 million in mortgage-backed 
securities and recognized other-than-temporary losses on certain investments of $768 thousand. In 2010, TCF recognized gross 
gains of $31.5 million on sales of $1.3 billion in mortgage-backed securities and agency U.S. Treasury Bills and recognized 
other-than-temporary losses on certain investments of $2.1 million. In 2009, TCF recognized gross gains of $31.9 million, on 
sales of $2.1 billion of mortgage-backed securities and agency debentures and U.S. Treasury Bills and recognized other-than-
temporary losses on certain investments of $2 million. 

Gains on Auto Loans Held for Sale, Net  Following the acquisition of Gateway One on November 30, 2011, TCF sold 
$37.4 million of auto loans and recognized $1.1 million in associated gains. TCF increased its portfolio of managed auto 
assets, which include auto loans held for investment, auto loans held for sale and auto loans sold and serviced to $437.7 
million at December 31, 2011.

2011 Form 10-K

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Interest Expense   Non-interest expense increased $8.1 million, or 1.1%, in 2011, decreased $320 thousand in 2010, 
and increased $37.8 million, or 5.3%, in 2009. The following table presents the components of non-interest expense.

2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Compensation and employee benefits  $348,792 
Occupancy and equipment
 126,437 
FDIC insurance
 28,747 
Deposit account premiums
 22,891 
Advertising and marketing
 10,034 
Other
 146,909 
  Subtotal
 683,810 
Foreclosed real estate and  
repossessed assets, net   
Operating lease depreciation
Other credit costs, net
FDIC special assessment
Visa indemnification expense
Total non-interest expense

 49,238 
 30,007 
 2,816 
– 
 (1,420)
 $764,451 

N.M. Not Meaningful.

Year Ended December 31,

2010
 $346,072 
 126,551 
 23,584 
 17,304 
 13,062 
 147,884 
 674,457 

 40,385 
 37,106 
 6,018 
– 
 (1,631)
 $756,335 

2009 
 $345,868 
 126,292 
 19,109 
 30,682 
 17,134 
 143,697 
 682,782 

 31,886 
 22,368 
 12,137 
 8,362 
 (880)
 $756,655 

2008
 $365,653 
 127,953 
 2,990 
 16,888 
 19,150 
 150,061 
 682,695 

 19,170 
 17,458 
 3,296 
–

 (3,766)
 $718,853 

Compound Annual 
Growth Rate

1-Year 
2011/2010

5-Year 
2011/2006

.8% 
 (.1)  

 21.9 
 32.3 
 (23.2)  
 (.7)  
 1.4 

 21.9 
 (19.1)  
 (53.2)  
–  
 (12.9)
 1.1 

 .8% 
 2.0 
 90.7 
 35.3 
 (14.4)
 .2 
 1.8 

 63.8 
 15.9 
 48.0 
– 
N.M. 
 3.5 

2007
 $338,232  
 120,824  
 1,145  
 4,849  
 16,829  
 139,248  
 621,127  

 5,673  
 17,588  
 1,803  
– 
 7,696  
 $653,887  

Compensation and Employee Benefits    
Compensation and employee benefits represented 45.6%, 
45.8% and 45.7% of total non-interest expense in 2011, 
2010 and 2009, respectively. Compensation and employee 
benefits increased $2.7 million, or .8%, in 2011, compared 
with a slight increase of $204 thousand, or .1%, in 2010 and 
a decrease of $19.8 million, or 5.4%, in 2009. The increase 
in 2011 was primarily due to an increase in commissions 
and incentives due to growth in Specialty Finance, which 
continued to expand its core business with new programs 
during 2011, the ramp-up of expenses related to the 
exclusive financing program for BRP that will begin 
funding in early 2012, and increased payroll taxes. These 
increases were partially offset by a decrease in employee 
medical costs, an increase in net gains recognized on the 
re-measurement of retirement benefit plan assets and 
liabilities during the fourth quarter of 2011 and decreases 
in branch banking compensation expense as a result of 
branch closures during 2011. The increase in 2010 was 
primarily due to an increase in net losses recognized on 
the annual re-measurement of retirement benefit plan 
assets and liabilities during the fourth quarter of 2010, 
and increased costs in the Specialty Finance businesses 
as a result of expansion and growth, partially offset by 
headcount reductions in branch banking and decreased 
employee medical plan expenses. 

Occupancy and Equipment  Occupancy and equipment 
expenses decreased $114 thousand in 2011, increased 
$259 thousand in 2010 and decreased $1.7 million in 2009. 
The decrease in 2011 was primarily due to a decrease in 
cash servicing expenses as a result of streamlining the 
process of balancing cash and deposits and a decrease in 
facility expenses, partially offset by increased software 
amortization expense in the Specialty Finance businesses 
as new technologies are implemented to better service 
customers. The increase in 2010 was primarily due to 
increased amortization of software offset by decreased 
building expenses. The decrease in 2009 was primarily due to 
the closing of six branches. 

FDIC Insurance  FDIC premiums expense totaled $28.7 
million in 2011, up $5.2 million from $23.6 million in 2010, 
which was up $4.5 million from $19.1 million in 2009. The 
increase in 2011 was primarily the result of changes in the 
FDIC insurance rate calculations for banks over $10 billion 
in total assets, which were implemented on April 1, 2011. 
The increase in 2010 was primarily due to higher deposit 
insurance rates. 

Deposit Account Premiums  Deposit account 
premium expense increased $5.6 million to $22.9 million 
in 2011, decreased $13.4 million to $17.3 million in 2010 
and increased $13.8 million to $30.7 million in 2009. The 

28    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
increase in 2011 was primarily due to changes in the account 
premium programs beginning in April 2011, which increased 
the premiums paid for each qualified account opening. The 
decrease in 2010 was primarily due to revised marketing 
strategies and lower checking account production. New 
checking accounts increased 3.1% in 2011 compared with 
2010 and decreased 37% in 2010 compared with 2009.

Advertising and Marketing  Advertising and marketing 
expenses totaled $10 million in 2011, compared to $13.1 
million in 2010 and $17.1 million in 2009. The decrease 
in 2011 was primarily due to the discontinuation of the 
debit card rewards program in the third quarter of 2011 in 
response to new federal regulation regarding debit card 
interchange fees. The decrease in 2010 was primarily the 
result of retail banking product strategies and a related 
decrease in spending on media advertisements. 

Other Non-Interest Expense  Other non-interest 
expense totaled $146.9 million in 2011, relatively flat 
compared with 2010. Other non-interest expense totaled 
$147.9 million in 2010, up $4.2 million from 2009, primarily 
attributable to increased consulting costs related to the 
administration of the Company’s Bank Secrecy Act program 
and other legal costs related to the challenge of the Durbin 
Amendment of the Dodd-Frank Act. 

Foreclosed Real Estate and Repossessed Assets, Net    
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets expense, 
net totaled $49.2 million in 2011, compared to $40.4 
million in 2010 and $31.9 million in 2009. The increase 
in 2011 was primarily due to increased valuation write-
downs on commercial real estate properties. The increase 
in 2010 was primarily due to an increase in the average 
number of consumer real estate properties owned and the 
associated expenses, continued valuation write-downs of 
both consumer and commercial real estate properties, and 
increased property tax expenses.

Operating Lease Depreciation  Operating lease 
depreciation totaled $30 million in 2011, down $7.1 million 
from $37.1 million in 2010, which was up $14.7 million from 
$22.4 million in 2009. The decrease in 2011 was primarily 
due to the reduction in the operating lease portion of the 
portfolio. The increase in 2010 was primarily due to the 
acquisition of FNCI in 2009.

Other Credits Costs, Net  Other credit costs, net is 
comprised of consumer real estate loan pool insurance, 
write-downs on carrying values of operating leases due to 
customer defaults and reserve requirements for expected 
losses on unfunded commitments. Other credit costs, net 
totaled $2.8 million for 2011, down from $6 million in 2010, 
which was down from $12.1 million in 2009. The decrease 
in 2011 was primarily due to reduced premium related 
expense on consumer real estate loan pool insurance. The 
decrease in 2010 was primarily attributable to the reversal 
of reserves on several unfunded commitments that were 
closed and lower premium costs related to consumer real 
estate loan pool insurance. 

Visa Indemnification Expense  TCF is a member of Visa 
U.S.A. for issuance and processing of its card transactions. 
As a member of Visa, TCF has an obligation to indemnify 
Visa U.S.A. under its bylaws and Visa under a retrospective 
responsibility plan, for contingent losses in connection 
with certain covered litigation disclosed in Visa’s public 
filings with the SEC based on its membership proportion. TCF 
is not a party to the lawsuits brought against Visa U.S.A. 
TCF’s membership proportion in Visa U.S.A. is .16234% at 
December 31, 2011.

As of December 31, 2011, TCF held 308,219 Visa Inc. 
Class B shares with no recorded value that are generally 
restricted from sale, other than to other Class B share-
holders, and are subject to dilution as a result of TCF’s 
indemnification obligation.

At December 31, 2011, TCF had no remaining Visa  

contingent indemnification obligation. TCF’s indemnification  
obligation for Visa’s covered litigation is a highly judgmental 
estimate. TCF must rely on Visa’s public disclosures about 
the covered litigation in making estimates of the Visa 
contingent indemnification obligation.

Income Taxes   Income tax expense represented 36.04% of 
income before income tax expense during 2011, compared 
with 36.89% and 34.67% in 2010 and 2009, respectively. 
The lower effective income tax rate for 2011 as compared 
to 2010 is primarily due to changes in state income tax 
expense related to tax return filings. The lower effective 
income tax rate for 2009 as compared to 2010 is primarily 
due to significant favorable developments in uncertain tax 
positions in 2009.

2011 Form 10-K

29

The determination of current and deferred income taxes 
is a critical accounting estimate which is based on complex 
analyses of many factors including interpretation of 
income tax laws, the evaluation of uncertain tax positions, 
differences between the tax and financial reporting basis 
of assets and liabilities (temporary differences), estimates 
of amounts due or owed such as the timing of reversal of 
temporary differences and current financial accounting 
standards. Additionally, there can be no assurance that 
estimates and interpretations used in determining income 
tax liabilities may not be challenged by taxing authorities. 
Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates 
and tax law interpretations used in determining the current 
and deferred income tax liabilities.

In addition, under generally accepted accounting 
principles, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are 
recorded at the income tax rates expected to apply to 
taxable income in the periods in which the deferred income 
tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized. If such 
rates change, deferred income tax assets and liabilities 
must be adjusted in the period of change through a charge 

or credit to the Consolidated Statements of Income. Also,  
if current period income tax rates change, the impact on 
the annual effective income tax rate is applied year-to-
date in the period of enactment.

Consolidated Financial Condition Analysis
Securities Available for Sale   Securities available for 
sale were $2.3 billion, or 12.2% of total assets, at December 
31, 2011. TCF’s securities available for sale portfolio 
primarily consists of fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities 
issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Net unrealized 
pre-tax gains on securities available for sale totaled $88.8 
million at December 31, 2011, compared with unrealized 
pre-tax losses of $25.8 million at December 31, 2010. TCF 
may, from time to time, sell treasury and agency securities 
and utilize the proceeds to reduce borrowings, fund growth 
in loans and leases or for other corporate purposes.

TCF’s securities portfolio does not contain commercial 
paper, asset-backed commercial paper or asset-backed 
securities secured by credit cards or auto loans. TCF also 
has not participated in structured investment vehicles.

loans and leases   The following tables set forth information about loans and leases held in TCF’s portfolio.

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate and other:
  Consumer real estate: 
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

  Other

Total consumer real estate  
  and other
Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance (1)
Inventory finance

Total loans and leases

Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

2009 

2008

Compound Annual 
Growth Rate

1-Year 
2011/2010

5-Year 
2011/2006

2007

 $  4,742,423 
 2,152,868 
 6,895,291 
 38,513 

 $  4,893,887 
 2,262,194 
 7,156,081 
 39,188 

 $  4,961,347 
 2,319,222 
 7,280,569 
 51,422 

 $  4,881,662 
 2,420,116 
 7,301,778 
 62,561 

 $  4,706,568  
 2,344,113   
 7,050,681   
 223,691   

 6,933,804 
 3,198,698 
 250,794 
 3,449,492 
 3,142,259 
 624,700 
 $14,150,255 

 7,195,269 
 3,328,216 
 317,987 
 3,646,203 
 3,154,478 
 792,354 
 $14,788,304 

 7,331,991 
 3,269,003 
 449,516 
 3,718,519 
 3,071,429 
 468,805 
 $14,590,744 

 7,364,339 
 2,984,156 
 506,887 
 3,491,043 
 2,486,082 
 4,425 
 $13,345,889 

 7,274,372  
 2,557,330  
 558,325  
 3,115,655  
 2,104,343  
–  
 $12,494,370 

(3.1)% 
(4.8)  
(3.6)  
(1.7)  

 (3.6)  
 (3.9)  
 (21.1)
 (5.4)  
 (.4)  
 (21.2)  
 (4.3)

 1.5% 
 .5 
 1.2 
 (28.6)

.6 
 6.0 
 (14.6)
 3.2 
 11.6 
 N.M. 
 4.3 

N.M. Not Meaningful. 
(1) Excludes operating leases included in other assets.

30    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)

Geographic Distribution:
Minnesota
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
Colorado
California
Texas
Florida
Ohio
Indiana
New York
Canada
Arizona
Pennsylvania
Other

Total

Consumer  
Real Estate  
and Other
 $2,750,344 
 2,118,618 
 924,252 
 459,741 
 574,569 
 2,395 
 209 
 3,694 
 2,268 
 23,417 
 2,162 
 – 
 53,461 
 57 
 18,617 
 $6,933,804 

At December 31, 2011
leasing and 
 Equipment 
 Finance(1)
 $      91,258 
 102,565 
 124,583 
 57,573 
 42,950 
 395,319 
 248,477 
 167,160 
 128,136 
 58,945 
 175,707 
 3,069 
73,983
 137,162 
 1,335,372 
 $3,142,259 

Commercial
 $    873,759 
 794,389 
 671,296 
 621,271 
 104,749 
 17,505 
 2,549 
 55,592 
 46,838 
 101,912 
–
 – 
 33,702 
 – 
 125,930 
 $3,449,492 

Inventory 
Finance
 $  14,755 
 17,814 
 16,484 
 16,708 
 4,093 
 18,176 
 32,171 
 29,358 
 25,378 
 15,653 
 18,948 
 168,405 
 5,992 
 23,579 
 217,186 
 $624,700 

Total
 $  3,730,116 
 3,033,386 
 1,736,615 
 1,155,293 
 726,361 
 433,395 
 283,406 
 255,804 
 202,620 
 199,927 
 196,817 
 171,474 
 167,138 
 160,798 
 1,697,105 
 $14,150,255 

(1) Excludes operating leases included in other assets.

Loans and leases outstanding at December 31, 2011 are shown by contractual maturity in the following table.

(In thousands)
Amounts due:
  Within 1 year
  1 to 2 years
  2 to 3 years
  3 to 5 years
  5 to 10 years
  10 to 15 years
  Over 15 years

Total after 1 year

Total

Amounts due after 1 year on:
  Fixed-rate loans and leases
  Variable- and adjustable-rate loans (1)

Total after 1 year

Consumer  
Real Estate  
and Other

 $    317,606 
 268,127 
 248,567 
 498,476 
 1,296,687 
 1,272,697 
 3,031,644 
 6,616,198 
 $6,933,804 

At December 31, 2011(3)
leasing and  
Equipment  
Finance(2)

Commercial

 $    613,488 
 670,565 
 594,613 
 958,330 
 569,477 
 39,540 
 3,479 
 2,836,004 
 $3,449,492 

 $  1,183,709 
 831,993 
 568,939 
 485,217 
 72,401 
 – 
 – 
 1,958,550 
 $  3,142,259 

Inventory 
Finance

 $624,700 
 – 
  – 
  – 
  – 
  – 
  – 
  – 
 $624,700 

Total

 $  2,739,503 
 1,770,685 
 1,412,119 
 1,942,023 
 1,938,565 
 1,312,237 
 3,035,123 
 11,410,752 
 $14,150,255 

 $4,242,325 
 2,373,873 
 $6,616,198 

 $1,657,383 
 1,178,621 
 $2,836,004 

 $  1,954,544 
 4,006 
 $  1,958,550 

 $              – 
 – 
  $              – 

 $  7,854,252 
 3,556,500 
 $11,410,752 

(1) Excludes fixed-term amounts under lines of credit which are included in closed-end loans.
(2) Excludes operating leases included in other assets. 
(3)  Gross of deferred fees and costs. This table does not include the effect of prepayments, which is an important consideration in management’s interest-rate risk analysis. 

Company experience indicates that loans and leases remain outstanding for significantly shorter periods than their contractual terms.

Retail Lending   TCF’s consumer real estate loan 
portfolio represents 48.7% of its total loan and lease 
portfolio. The consumer real estate portfolio decreased 
3.6% in 2011 and 1.7% in 2010. TCF’s consumer real estate 
portfolio is secured by mortgages filed on residential real  
estate. At December 31, 2011, 69% of loan balances were  
secured by first mortgages with 31% secured by second  

mortgages. The average loan size secured by a first 
mortgage was $116 thousand and the average balance of 
loans secured by a junior lien position was $37 thousand 
at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, 35% of the 
consumer real estate portfolio carried a variable interest  
rate tied to the prime rate, compared with 33% at 
December 31, 2010. 

2011 Form 10-K

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2011, 74% of TCF’s consumer real estate 
loan balance consisted of closed-end loans, compared with 
75% at December 31, 2010. TCF’s closed-end consumer real 
estate loans require payments of principal and interest 
over a fixed term. The average home value, which is based 
on original values securing the loans and lines of credit in 
this portfolio, was $258 thousand as of December 31, 2011. 
Substantially all of TCF’s consumer real estate loans are in 
TCF’s primary banking markets. TCF’s consumer real estate 
lines of credit require regular payments of interest and do 
not require regular payments of principal. The average Fair 
Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) credit score at loan origination 
for the retail lending portfolio was 727 as of December 31, 
2011 and 726 as of December 31, 2010. As part of TCF’s 
credit risk monitoring, TCF obtains updated FICO score 
information quarterly. The average updated FICO score for 
the retail lending portfolio was 727 at December 31, 2011, 
compared with 725 at December 31, 2010.

TCF’s consumer real estate underwriting standards 
are intended to produce adequately secured loans to 
customers with good credit scores at the origination date. 
Beginning in 2008, TCF generally has not made new loans 
in excess of 90% loan-to-value (LTV) at origination. TCF 
does not have any subprime lending programs and did not 
originate 2/28 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) or Option 
ARM loans. TCF also has not originated consumer real estate 
loans with multiple payment options or loans with “teaser” 
interest rates. Although TCF does not have any programs 

that target subprime borrowers, in the normal course of 
lending to customers, loans at lower LTV ratios have been 
originated to borrowers with FICO scores below 620. At 
December 31, 2011, 26% of the consumer real estate loan 
balance had been originated since January 1, 2009, with net 
charge-offs of .20%. TCF’s consumer real estate portfolio is 
subject to the risk of falling home values and to the general 
economic environment, particularly unemployment.

At December 31, 2011, total consumer real estate lines 

of credit outstanding were $2.1 billion, down from $2.2 
billion at December 31, 2010. Outstanding balances on 
consumer real estate lines of credit were 61% of total lines 
of credit at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. 

Commercial Banking  Commercial real estate 
loans decreased $129.5 million in 2011 to $3.2 billion 
at December 31, 2011. Variable- and adjustable-rate 
loans represented 42% of commercial real estate loans 
outstanding at December 31, 2011. Commercial business 
loans decreased $67.2 million in 2011 to $250.8 million 
at December 31, 2011. Decreases in commercial loan 
balances were primarily due to higher levels of payments 
in excess of new origination volume. With a focus on 
secured lending, approximately 99% of TCF’s commercial 
real estate and commercial business loans were secured 
either by properties or other business assets at December 
31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, approximately 93% of 
TCF’s commercial real estate loan portfolio was secured by 
properties located in its primary banking markets.

The following table summarizes TCF’s commercial real estate loan portfolio by property and loan type.

At December 31, 

2011

2010

(Dollars in thousands) 
Apartments
Retail services (1)
Office buildings
Warehouse/industrial buildings
Hotels and motels
Health care facilities
Residential home builders
Other

Total

Number  
of loans
 797 
 441 
 232 
 238 
 39 
 24 
 41 
 97 
 1,909 

Permanent
$    861,504 
  793,515 
 508,330 
 395,188 
 205,697 
 126,136 
 31,540 
 117,578 
 $3,039,488 

Construction  
and  
Development

Total
$  54,379  $    915,883 
 799,044 
 532,216 
 408,134 
 205,703 
 145,357 
 49,430 
 142,931 
 $3,198,698 

 5,529 
 23,886 
 12,946 
 6 
 19,221 
 17,890 
 25,353 
 $159,210 

Number  
of Loans

Permanent
 716  $    754,915 
 865,784 
 463 
 564,631 
 256 
 459,904 
 262 
 203,794 
 41 
 111,543 
 35 
 32,071 
 31 
 119 
 133,195 
 $3,125,837 
 1,923 

(1) Primarily retail shopping centers and stores, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants and auto dealerships.

32    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Construction 
and  
Development

Total
 $  20,338  $    775,253 
 877,551 
 597,482 
 470,379 
 232,181 
 136,504 
 51,881 
 186,985 
 $202,379   $3,328,216 

11,767 
 32,851 
 10,475 
 28,387 
 24,961 
 19,810 
 53,790 

 
Leasing and Equipment Finance  The following tables summarize TCF’s leasing and equipment finance portfolio by 
marketing segment and by equipment type, excluding operating leases.

(Dollars in thousands)

Market Segment
Middle market (1)
Small ticket (2)
Winthrop
Other

Total

At December 31,

2011

Balance
 $1,641,898 
 865,169 
 448,822 
 186,370 
 $3,142,259 

Percent  
of Total

 52.3%  
 27.5 
 14.3 
 5.9 
 100.0%

2010

Balance
 $1,632,829 
 833,053 
 530,063 
 158,533 
 $3,154,478 

(1)Middle market consists primarily of loan and lease financing of construction and manufacturing equipment and specialty vehicles.
(2) Small ticket includes loan and lease financings to small- and mid-size companies through programs with vendors, manufacturers,distributors, buying groups,  

and franchise organizations.

(Dollars in thousands)

Equipment Type
Specialty vehicles
Manufacturing
Medical
Construction
Golf cart and turf
Technology and data processing
Furniture and fixtures
Exercise equipment
Printing
Other

Total

At December 31,

2011

2010

Balance
 $    693,435 
 476,963 
 424,591 
 336,563 
 296,871 
 286,596 
 169,004 
 95,981 
 74,309 
 287,946 
 $3,142,259 

Percent  
of Total

 22.1% 
 15.2 
 13.5 
 10.7 
 9.4 
 9.1 
 5.4 
 3.1 
 2.4 
 9.1 
 100.0%

Balance
 $   624,149 
 567,622 
 432,973 
 349,841 
 211,796 
 321,279 
 162,131 
 99,342 
 84,187 
 301,158 
 $3,154,478 

Percent  
of Total

 51.8% 
 26.4 
 16.8 
 5.0 
 100.0% 

Percent  
of Total

 19.8% 
 18.0 
 13.7 
 11.1 
 6.7 
 10.2 
 5.1 
 3.1 
 2.7 
 9.6 
 100.0%

The leasing and equipment finance portfolio was  
$3.1 billion at December 31, 2011, relatively flat with 
December 31, 2010, and consisted of $2 billion of leases 
and $1.1 billion of loans. Total loan and lease originations 
within TCF’s leasing and equipment finance portfolios  
were $1.5 billion for 2011, an increase of 17.8% from  
$1.3 billion in 2010. Total loan and lease purchases within 
TCF’s leasing and equipment finance portfolios were 
$67.1 million within the small ticket segment during 2011, 
compared with $186.8 million within the middle market 
segment during 2010. The backlog of approved transactions 
was $455.3 million at December 31, 2011, compared with 
$402.6 million at December 31, 2010. The average size of 
transactions originated during 2011 was $93.9 thousand, 
compared with $81.6 thousand during 2010. TCF’s leasing 
and equipment finance activity is subject to risk of cyclical 
downturns and other adverse economic developments. In 
an adverse economic environment, there may be a decline 
in the demand for some types of equipment, resulting in 
a decline in the amount of new equipment being placed 
into service as well as a decline in equipment values for 
equipment previously placed in service. Declines in the value 

of leased equipment increase the potential for impairment 
losses and credit losses due to diminished collateral value, 
and may result in lower sales-type revenue at the end of the 
contractual lease term. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements — Summary of Significant Accounting 
Policies — Policies Related to Critical Accounting Estimates 
for information on lease accounting.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, $121.7 million and 
$212.4 million, respectively, of TCF’s lease portfolio was 
discounted on a non-recourse basis with third-party 
financial institutions and, consequently, TCF retains no 
credit risk on such amounts. The leasing and equipment 
finance portfolio tables above include lease residuals. 
Lease residuals represent the estimated fair value of the 
leased equipment at the expiration of the initial term of 
the transaction and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Any 
downward revisions in estimated fair value are recorded in 
the periods in which they become known. At December 31, 
2011, lease residuals totaled $129.1 million, or 11.2% of 
original equipment value, compared with $109.6 million, or 
10.1% of original equipment value, at December 31, 2010.

2011 Form 10-K

33

 
 
TCF Inventory Finance  The following table summarizes the TCF Inventory Finance portfolio by marketing segment. 

(Dollars in thousands)

Equipment Type
Lawn and garden
Powersports and other
Electronics and appliances

Total

At December 31,

2011

Balance
 $324,607 
 247,490 
 52,603 
 $624,700 

Percent  
of Total

 52.0% 
 39.6 
 8.4 
 100.0%

2010

Balance
 $441,691 
 220,472 
 130,191 
 $792,354 

Percent  
of Total

 55.8% 
 27.8 
 16.4 
 100.0% 

TCF Inventory Finance continues to expand its core 

•  Accruing TDRs include loans to borrowers where a 

programs during 2011 and signed exclusive agreements with 
Alumacraft Boat Co. (“Alumacraft”) and BRP. TCF expects 
to ramp-up funding of BRP dealers during the first half of 
2012. Decreases in inventory finance loans were primarily 
due to the termination of one lawn and garden program and 
the transitioning of an electronics and appliance program to 
a servicing-only program. In the third quarter of 2010, TCF 
expanded into the powersports industry by entering into an 
agreement with Arctic Cat Sales Inc. to become the exclusive 
inventory finance source for Arctic Cat’s Canadian dealers. 
This agreement led to the acquisition of $125.8 million in 
loans towards the end of the third quarter of 2010. 

Credit Quality   The following tables summarize TCF’s loan 
and lease portfolio based on what TCF believes are the 
most important credit quality data that should be used to 
understand the overall condition of the portfolio.

•  Within the performing loans and leases, TCF classifies 
customers within regulatory classification guidelines. 
Loans and leases that are “classified” mean that 
management has concerns regarding the ability of the 
borrowers to meet existing loan or lease terms and 
conditions, but may never become non-performing or 
result in a loss.

•  Performing loans that are 60+ days delinquent have  
a higher potential to become non-performing and  
generally are a leading indicator for future charge- 
off trends.

payment modification (but not a reduction of principal) 
has been made such that TCF has granted a concession  
in terms to improve the likelihood of collection of  
all principal and interest owed. 

•  Non-accrual loans and leases generally have been 
charged down to the estimated fair value of the 
collateral less selling costs or reserved for expected 
loss upon workout.

Included in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 

Statements are disclosures of loans considered to be 
“impaired” for accounting purposes. Impaired loans 
comprise a portion of non-accrual loans and accruing 
TDRs and therefore are not additive to the information 
in the following table. Impaired loan accounting policies 
prescribe specific methodologies for determining the 
related allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, 
TCF has modified certain loans and leases to troubled 
borrowers where a concession was not granted and thus 
are not considered TDRs. These other modified loans and 
leases totaled $39.4 million and $135.5 million at December 
31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and are further discussed 
under “Loan Modifications”.

34    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
December 31, 2011

Performing loans and leases

Non- 
classified
 $  6,271,575 

Classified(1)
 $             –   

Total
 $  6,271,575 

60+ Days  
Delinquent 
and  
Accruing(2)
 $79,765 

 2,987,876 
 3,093,194 
 616,677 
 $12,969,322 

 234,501 
 21,451 
 7,040 
 $262,992 

 3,222,377 
 3,114,645 
 623,717 
 $13,232,314 

 1,148 
 6,255 
 160 
 $87,328 

Accruing  
TDRs
 $433,078 

 98,448 
 776 
–   
 $532,302 

Non-accrual 
loans and 
leases
 $149,386 

Total loans 
and leases
 $  6,933,804 

 127,519 
 20,583 
 823 
 $298,311 

 3,449,492 
 3,142,259 
 624,700 
 $14,150,255 

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate and other
Commercial real estate and  
  commercial business
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total loans and leases

Percent of total loans and leases

 91.6% 

 1.9%  

 93.5% 

 .6%  

 3.8% 

 2.1% 

 100.0%

December 31, 2010

Performing Loans and Leases

Non- 
classified
 $   6,613,610 

Classified(1)
 $              –   

Total
 $   6,613,610 

 3,091,911 
 3,073,347 
 785,245 
 $ 13,564,113 
 91.7%

 354,185 
 35,695 
 5,710 
 $ 395,590 
 2.7%

 3,446,096 
 3,109,042 
 790,955 
 $ 13,959,703 
 94.4%

60+ Days  
Delinquent  
and  
Accruing(2)
 $ 76,711 

 9,021 
 11,029 
 344 
 $ 97,105 

Accruing  
TDRs
 $ 337,401 

 48,838 
 –   
 –   
 $386,239 

Non-accrual 
Loans and 
Leases
 $ 167,547 

Total Loans 
and Leases
 $   7,195,269 

 142,248 
 34,407 
 1,055 
 $345,257 

 3,646,203 
 3,154,478 
 792,354 
 $14,788,304 

 .7%  

 2.6%  

 2.3%  

 100.0%

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate and other
Commercial real estate and  
  commercial business
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total loans and leases

Percent of total loans and leases

(1) Excludes classified loans and leases that are 60+ days delinquent and accruing or accruing TDRs.
(2) Excludes accruing TDRs that are 60+ days delinquent.

The combined balance of performing classified loans and leases, over 60-day delinquent and accruing loans and leases, 

accruing TDRs and non-accrual loans and leases, was $1.2 billion at December 31, 2011, a decrease of $43.3 million from 
December 31, 2010. This was primarily due to decreases in classified and non-accrual commercial loans and decreases in 
consumer non-accrual loans, partially offset by increases in accruing TDRs both in the commercial real estate and consumer 
real estate portfolios due to higher levels of modifications and implementation of new TDR accounting standards in the third 
quarter of 2011. 

2011 Form 10-K

35

 
 
Past Due Loans and Leases  The following tables set forth information regarding TCF’s delinquent loan and lease 
portfolio, excluding non-accrual loans and leases, and will not agree to the above table, as these amounts include accruing 
TDRs that are delinquent. Delinquent balances are determined based on the contractual terms of the loan or lease. See  
Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(Dollars in thousands)
Principal Balance
  60-89 days
  90 days or more

Total

Percentage of Loans and Leases
  60-89 days
  90 days or more

Total

2011

 $  45,531 
 72,105 
 $117,636 

2011

 .33%
 .52 
 .85% 

At December 31,
2009

2010

2008

2007

 $   55,618 
 59,425 
 $115,043 

 $  54,073 
 52,056 
 $106,129 

 $41,851 
 37,619 
 $79,470 

 $20,445 
 15,384 
 $35,829 

At December 31,
2009

2010

 .39% 
 .41 
 .80% 

 .38% 
 .36 
 .74% 

2008

 .32% 
 .28 
 .60% 

2007

 .17% 
 .12 
.29%

The following table summarizes TCF’s over 60-day delinquent loan and lease portfolio by loan type, excluding non-accrual 
loans and leases.

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate and other:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

  Consumer other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance:
  Middle market
  Small ticket
  Winthrop
  Other

Total leasing and equipment finance

Inventory finance
  Subtotal (1)
Delinquencies in acquired portfolios (2)

Total 

At December 31,

2011

2010

Principal  
Balances

Percentage  
of Portfolio

Principal  
Balances

Percentage  
of Portfolio

 $   87,358 
 22,277 
 41 
 109,676 
 1,099 
 49 
 1,148 

 1,061 
 2,018 
 235 
 198 
 3,512 
 160 
114,496 
 3,140 
 $117,636 

 1.89% 
 1.04 
 .12 
 1.62 
 .04 
 .02 
 .03 

 .07 
 .28 
 .07 
 .11 
 .13 
 .03 
 .85 
 .84 
 .85% 

 $  73,848 
 20,763 
 39 
 94,650 
 8,856 
 165 
 9,021 

 2,589 
 2,003 
 462 
 – 
 5,054 
 318 
 109,043 
 6,000 
 $115,043 

 1.55% 
 .93 
 .10 
 1.35 
 .27 
 .06 
 .26 

 .18 
 .30 
 .13 
 – 
 .19 
 .05 
 .79 
 1.00 
 .80% 

(1)  Excludes delinquencies and non-accrual loans in acquired portfolios as delinquency and non-accrual migration in these portfolios are not expected to result in losses 

exceeding the credit reserves netted against the loan balances.

(2) Remaining balances of acquired loans and leases were $368.3 million and $600.5 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

36    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan Modifications  TCF has maintained several 
programs designed to assist consumer real estate 
customers by extending payment dates or reducing 
customers’ contractual payments (but not forgiving 
principal). Under these programs, TCF reduces a customer’s 
contractual payments for a period of time appropriate 
for the borrower’s condition. All loan modifications are 
made on a case-by-case basis. Loan modifications are not 
reported in the calendar years after modification if the 
loans were modified at an interest rate equal to or greater 
than the yields of new loan originations with comparable 
risk and the loan is performing based on the terms of the 
restructuring agreements. 

If TCF has not granted a concession as a result of the 

modification, compared with the original terms, the 
loan is not considered a TDR. Modifications that are not 
classified as TDRs primarily involve interest rate changes 
to current market rates for similarly situated borrowers 
who have access to alternative funds. Loan modifications 
to borrowers who are not experiencing financial 
difficulties are not included in the following reporting  
of loan modifications. 

Although loans classified as TDRs are considered 
impaired, TCF was able to receive more than 50% of the 
contractual interest due on accruing consumer real estate 
TDRs during 2011 by modifying the loan to a qualified 
customer instead of foreclosing on the property. Only 7% 
of accruing consumer real estate TDRs were more than 
60-days delinquent at December 31, 2011, compared 
with 5.3% at December 31, 2010. Approximately 10% of 
the $316.6 million accruing consumer real estate TDR 
modifications during the 24 months preceding December 
31, 2011 defaulted during 2011. Of the $479.8 million 
of consumer real estate TDRs at December 31, 2011, 

$183.2 million were permanent modifications. Temporary 
modifications are no longer classified as TDRs once 
they complete the temporary modification term and the 
customer is performing for three months under the original 
contractual terms. 

A commercial loan may be modified through a term 
extension with a reduction of contractual payments or a 
change in interest rate. Commercial loan modifications 
which are not classified as TDRs primarily involve loans 
on which interest rates were modified to current market 
rates for similarly situated borrowers who have access 
to alternative funds or on which TCF received additional 
collateral or loan conditions. Reserves for losses on 
accruing commercial loan TDRs were $1.4 million, or  
1.4% of the outstanding balance, at December 31, 2011,  
and $695 thousand, or 1.4% of the outstanding balance,  
at December 31, 2010.

Commercial loans that are 90 or more days past due 
and not well secured at the time of modification remain 
on non-accrual status. Regardless of whether contractual 
principal and interest payments are well-secured at the 
time of modification, equipment finance loans that are 90 
or more days past due remain on non-accrual status. All 
loans modified when on non-accrual status continue to 
be reported as non-accrual loans until there is sustained 
repayment performance for six months. At December 31, 
2011, over 54% of total commercial TDRs were accruing and 
TCF was able to recognize essentially all of the contractual 
interest due on accruing commercial TDRs during 2011. Only 
five of the 63 accruing commercial TDRs that were modified 
within the 24 months preceding December 31, 2011, 
totaling $32.2 million, defaulted during 2011.

See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 

Statements for additional information.

2011 Form 10-K

37

The following tables summarize the balance of accruing modified loans as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(Dollars in thousands)
TDRs
Other loan modifications

Total accruing loan modifications

Over 60-day delinquency as a percentage of balance:

TDRs

  Other loan modifications

Total accruing loan modifications

(Dollars in thousands)
TDRs
Other loan modifications

Total accruing loan modifications

Over 60-day delinquency as a percentage of balance:

TDRs

  Other loan modifications

Total accruing loan modifications

Consumer  
Real Estate  
and Other
 $433,078 
 13,397 
 $446,475 

 7.00%
 20.66 
 7.41 

Consumer  
Real Estate  
and Other
 $337,401 
 24,145 
 $361,546 

At December 31, 2011

Commercial
 $  98,448 
 13,318 
 $111,766 

leasing and  
 Equipment   
Finance
 $      776 
 4,829 
 $  5,605 

Total
 $532,302 
 31,544 
 $563,846 

– %
–
–

 –% 

 2.40 
 2.07 

 5.69% 
 9.14 
 5.89 

At December 31, 2010

Commercial
 $  48,838 
 68,484 
 $117,322 

Leasing and  
 Equipment   
Finance
 $           – 
 22,624 
 $22,624 

 5.32% 
 9.22 
 5.58 

–%
–
–

 –% 

 .55 
 .55 

Total
 $386,239 
 115,253 
 $501,492 

 4.64% 
 2.04 
 4.05 

Non-accrual Loans and Leases  Non-accrual 
loans and leases decreased $46.9 million, or 13.6%, from 
December 31, 2010, primarily due to a $28.6 million 
decrease in commercial and leasing and equipment 
finance loans and leases as fewer loans and leases were 
placed on non-accrual status and customer payments 
increased on commercial non-accrual loans in 2011, 
compared with 2010, and an $18.1 million decrease  in 
consumer real estate loans, as fewer loans were placed 
on non-accrual status and more loans returned to accrual 
status. Consumer real estate loans are charged-off to their 
estimated realizable values upon entering non-accrual 

status. Any necessary additional reserves are established for 
commercial loans, leasing and equipment finance loans and 
leases and inventory finance loans when reported as non-
accrual. Most of TCF’s non-accrual loans and past due loans 
are secured by real estate. Given the nature of these assets 
and the related mortgage foreclosure, property sale and, 
if applicable, mortgage insurance claims processes, it can 
take 18 months or longer for a loan to migrate from initial 
delinquency to final disposition. This resolution process 
generally takes much longer for loans secured by real estate 
than for unsecured loans or loans secured by other property 
primarily due to state real estate foreclosure laws.

Non-accrual loans and leases are summarized in the following table.

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Consumer other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total non-accrual loans and leases

38    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

2011

 $129,114 
 20,257 
 149,371 
 15 
 149,386 
 104,744 
 22,775 
 127,519 
 20,583 
 823 
 $298,311 

At December 31,
2009

2010

2008

2007

 $140,871 
 26,626 
 167,497 
 50 
 167,547 
 104,305 
 37,943 
 142,248 
 34,407 
 1,055 
 $345,257 

 $118,313 
 20,846 
 139,159 
 141 
 139,300 
 77,627 
 28,569 
 106,196 
 50,008 
 771 
 $296,275 

 $  71,078 
 11,793 
 82,871 
 65 
 82,936 
 54,615 
 14,088 
 68,703 
 20,879 
 – 
 $172,518 

 $23,750 
 5,391 
 29,141 
 6 
 29,147 
 19,999 
 2,658 
 22,657 
 8,050 
 –
 $59,854 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, non-accrual loans and leases include $130.9 million and $49.3 million, respectively, of 
loans that were modified and categorized as TDRs. The increase in non-accrual TDRs in 2011 was primarily due to an increase 
in commercial non-accrual TDRs of $65.7 million and an increase in consumer real estate non-accrual TDRs.

Changes in the amount of non-accrual loans and leases for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized 

in the following tables.

(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
  Additions
  Charge-offs

Transfers to other assets
  Return to accrual status
  Payments received
  Other, net
Balance, end of year

(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
  Additions
  Charge-offs

Transfers to other assets
  Return to accrual status
  Payments received
  Other, net
Balance, end of year

Consumer Real 
Estate and 
Other
 $167,547 
 231,104 
 (72,043)
 (83,138)
 (79,602)
 (13,273)
 (1,209)
 $149,386 

Consumer Real 
Estate and 
Other
 $139,300 
 245,695 
 (57,194)
 (98,446)
 (48,999)
 (8,576)
 (4,233)
 $167,547 

At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
leasing and 
Equipment 
Finance            
 $ 34,407 
 29,261 
 (13,217)
 (6,724)
 (2,943)
 (20,113)
 (88)
 $ 20,583 

Commercial
 $142,248 
106,259 
 (42,098)
 (23,142)
– 
 (60,859)
 5,111 
 $127,519 

Inventory 
Finance
 $ 1,055 
 6,875 
 (61)
 (755)
 (4,278)
 (2,100)
 87 
 $     823 

At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
Leasing and 
Equipment 
Finance            
 $50,008 
 56,033 
 (27,938)
 (15,291)
 (4,364)
 (24,041)
 – 
 $34,407 

Commercial
 $106,196 
 137,585 
 (45,804)
 (33,127)
– 
 (26,546)
 3,944 
 $142,248 

Inventory 
Finance
 $    771 
 6,278 
 (79)
 (288)
 (4,115)
 (1,575)
 63 
 $1,055 

Total
 $ 345,257 
 373,499 
 (127,419)
 (113,759)
 (86,823)
 (96,345)
 3,901 
 $ 298,311 

Total
 $296,275 
 445,591 
 (131,015)
 (147,152)
 (57,478)
 (60,738)
 (226)
 $345,257 

Total additions to non-accrual loans and leases decreased $72.1 million and consumer loans that returned to accrual 

status increased $30.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared with 2010. 

Charge-offs and allowance recorded to date against non-accrual loans and leases as a percentage of the remaining 

contractual loan balance as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized in the following tables.

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer
Commercial
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total at December 31, 2011

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer
Commercial
Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total at December 31, 2010

At December 31, 2011

Charge-offs  
and Allowance 
Recorded
 $  62,744 
45,435
 3,651 
 44 
 $111,874 

Net  
Exposure
 $146,770 
 111,093 
 16,932 
 779 
 $275,574 

Impairment(1)
 29.9% 
29.0
 17.7 
 5.3 
28.9% 

At December 31, 2010

Charge-offs  
and Allowance 
Recorded
 $   46,780 
 71,182 
 8,384 
 185 
 $126,531 

Net  
Exposure
 $ 166,029 
 114,173 
 26,074 
 870 
 $ 307,146 

Impairment(1)
 22.0% 
 38.4 
 24.3 
 17.5 
 29.2% 

Contractual  
loan Balance
 $209,514 
156,528
 20,583 
 823 
 $387,448 

Contractual  
Loan Balance
 $212,809 
 185,355 
 34,458 
 1,055 
 $433,677 

(1) Represents the ratio of charge-offs and allowance recorded to the contractual loan balances for the respective period.

2011 Form 10-K

39

 
 
 
 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses  The 
determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses 
is a critical accounting estimate. TCF’s methodologies for 
determining and allocating the allowance for loan and 
lease losses focus on ongoing reviews of larger individual 
loans and leases, historical net charge-offs, delinquencies 
in the loan and lease portfolio, the level of impaired and 
non-accrual assets, values of underlying loan and lease 
collateral, the overall risk characteristics of the portfolios, 
changes in character or size of the portfolios, geographic 
location, year of origination, prevailing economic 
conditions and other relevant factors. The various factors 
used in the methodologies are reviewed on a periodic basis.
The Company considers the allowance for loan and 

lease losses of $255.7 million appropriate to cover 
probable losses incurred in the loan and lease portfolios 
as of December 31, 2011. However, no assurance can be 
given that TCF will not, in any particular period, sustain 
loan and lease losses that are sizable in relation to the 
amount reserved, or that subsequent evaluations of the 
loan and lease portfolio, in light of factors then prevailing, 

including economic conditions, TCF’s ongoing credit 
review process or regulatory requirements, will not require 
significant changes in the balance of the allowance for 
loan and lease losses. Among other factors, an economic 
slowdown, increasing levels of unemployment and/or a 
decline in commercial or residential real estate values in 
TCF’s markets may have an adverse impact on the current 
adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses by 
increasing credit risk and the risk of potential loss.

The total allowance for loan and lease losses is generally 

available to absorb losses from any segment of the 
portfolio. The allocation of TCF’s allowance for loan and 
lease losses disclosed in the following table is subject to 
change based on changes in the criteria used to evaluate 
the allowance and is not necessarily indicative of the trend 
of future losses in any particular portfolio.

In conjunction with Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements, the following includes detailed 
information regarding TCF’s allowance for loan and lease 
losses and net charge-offs. 

The allocation of TCF’s allowance for loan and lease losses and credit loss reserves is as follows. 

At December 31,

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Allowance as a Percentage of Total 
Loans and Leases Outstanding
At December 31,
2009

2008

2010

2011

2007

 $115,740 
 67,695 
 183,435 
 1,114 

 $105,634 
 67,216 
 172,850 
 1,653 

 $  89,542 
 75,424 
 164,966 
 2,476 

 $  47,279 
 51,157 
 98,436 
 2,664 

 $16,494 
 15,102 
 31,596 
 2,059 

 2.44% 
 3.14 
 2.66 
 2.89 

 2.16% 
 2.97 
 2.42 
 4.22 

 1.80% 
 3.25 
 2.27 
 4.82 

 .97% 
 2.11 
 1.35 
 4.26 

 .35% 
 .64 
 .45 
 .92 

 184,549 
 40,446 
 6,508 
 46,954 
 21,173 
 2,996 

 174,503 
 50,788 
 11,690 
 62,478 
 26,301 
 2,537 

 167,442 
 37,274 
 6,230 
 43,504 
 32,063 
 1,462 

 101,100 
 39,386 
 11,865 
 51,251 
 20,058 
 33 

 33,655 
 25,891 
 7,077 
 32,968 
 14,319 
 – 

 2.66 
 1.26 
 2.59 
 1.36 
 .67 
 .48 

 2.43 
1.53
3.68
 1.71 
 .83 
 .32 

 2.28 
1.14
1.39
 1.17 
 1.04 
 .31 

 1.37 
1.32
2.34
 1.47 
 .81 
 .75 

 .46 
1.01
1.27
 1.06 
 .68 
 –   

 $255,672 

 $265,819 

 $244,471 

 $172,442 

 $80,942 

 1.81 

 1.80 

 1.68 

 1.29 

 .66 

 1,829 
 $257,501 

 2,353 
 $268,172 

 3,850 
 $248,321 

 1,510 
 $173,952 

 399 
 $81,341 

N.A.
 1.82% 

N.A.
N.A.
 1.81%  1.70%  1.30% 

N.A.

N.A.
 .66%

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Consumer other

Total consumer real estate 
  and other
Commercial real estate
Commercial business
Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total allowance for loan  
  and lease losses
Other credit loss reserves:
Reserves for unfunded  
  commitments
Total credit loss reserves
N.A. Not Applicable.

40    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The increase in the consumer real estate allowance was 
primarily due to increases in the provision for credit losses 
as a result of increased levels of TDRs. The increased level  
of allowance on TDRs was primarily due to growth in TDRs,  
in part due to a new required accounting standard, and  
use of longer term modifications. The adoption of  
this standard during the third quarter of 2011 increased 
accruing consumer real estate TDRs by $20.7 million,  
and reserves on impaired consumer real estate loans by 
$2.2 million, related to loans that were modified in 2011, 
but were not TDRs under standards in place at that time. 

The level of commercial lending allowances is generally 
volatile due to reserves for specific loans based on 
individual facts and collateral values as loans migrate to 
classified commercial loans or to non-accrual. Charge-offs 
are taken against such specific reserves. The decrease in 
the allowance for commercial lending in 2011 was primarily 
due to charge-offs of commercial loans that had previously 
been specifically reserved. The leasing and equipment 
finance allowance decreased $5.1 million compared to  
2010 primarily due to improved customer performance in  
the middle market and small ticket segments. 

The following tables set forth information detailing the allowance for loan and lease losses. 

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, at beginning of year
Charge-offs:
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Consumer other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial real estate
Commercial business
Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance

Total charge-offs

Recoveries:
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Consumer other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial real estate
Commercial business
Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance
Inventory finance
Total recoveries
  Net charge-offs

Provision charged to operations
Other
Balance,  at end of year
Net charge-offs as a percentage  
  of average loans and leases

Year Ended December 31,

2011
 $  265,819 

2010
 $  244,471 

2009
 $  172,442 

2008
 $    80,942 

2007
 $  58,543 

 (94,724)
 (62,130)
 (156,854)
 (12,680)
 (169,534)
 (32,890)
 (9,843)
 (42,733)
 (16,984)
 (1,044)
 (230,295)

 510 
 3,233 
 3,743 
 9,262 
 13,005 
 1,502 
 152 
 1,654 
 4,461 
 193 
 19,313 
 (210,982)
 200,843 
 (8)
 $  255,672 

 (78,605)
 (56,125)
 (134,730)
 (16,377)
 (151,107)
 (45,682)
 (4,045)
 (49,727)
 (34,745)
 (1,484)
 (237,063)

 2,237 
 2,633 
 4,870 
 11,338 
 16,208 
 724 
 603 
 1,327 
 4,100 
 339 
 21,974 
 (215,089)
 236,437 
– 
 $  265,819 

 (55,420)
 (53,137)
 (108,557)
 (18,498)
 (127,055)
 (35,956)
 (9,810)
 (45,766)
 (29,372)
 (205)
 (202,398)

 808 
 1,129 
 1,937 
 10,741 
 12,678 
 440 
 697 
 1,137 
 2,053 
 23 
 15,891 
 (186,507)
 258,536 
– 
 $  244,471 

 (30,262)
 (32,937)
 (63,199)
 (20,830)
 (84,029)
 (11,884)
 (5,731)
 (17,615)
 (13,156)
–
 (114,800)

 210 
 625 
 835 
 11,525 
 12,360 
 30 
 130 
 160 
 1,735 
– 
 14,255 
 (100,545)
 192,045 
 – 
 $  172,442 

 (9,809)
 (11,977)
 (21,786)
 (19,455)
 (41,241)
 (2,409)
 (1,264)
 (3,673)
 (7,507)
– 
 (52,421)

 260 
 948 
 1,208 
 13,019 
 14,227 
 – 
 16 
 16 
 3,585 
–
 17,828 
 (34,593)
 56,992 
– 
 $  80,942 

 1.45% 

 1.47% 

 1.34% 

 .78% 

 .29%

2011 Form 10-K

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer real estate net charge-offs during 2011 
increased $23.3 million from 2010, including Illinois where 
economic conditions are lagging other TCF markets and 
where foreclosure times are longer, thus exposing TCF to 
continued losses caused by declining home values. TCF’s 
consumer real estate charge-off policy was recently 
modified to require an increase in the frequency of 
valuations after loans are moved to non-accrual status 
until clear title is received. While the initial impact of the 
policy change accelerated the timing of charge-offs on 
non-accrual consumer real estate loans by $2.2 million 
in the third quarter of 2011, it had no impact on TCF’s 
provision for credit losses or net income, since these 

losses were previously provided for in the allowance 
for loan and lease losses. During 2011, commercial net 
charge-offs decreased $7.3 million from 2010, primarily due 
to decreased net charge-offs on office buildings and land 
development. Leasing and equipment finance net charge-
offs in 2011 decreased $18.1 million from 2010, primarily 
due to decreases in the middle market and small ticket 
segments, as customer performance continued to improve 
in these areas.

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed and 
Returned Equipment    Other real estate owned and 
repossessed and returned equipment are summarized in  
the following table.

(In thousands)
Other real estate owned (1):
  Consumer real estate
  Commercial real estate

Total other real estate owned
Repossessed and returned equipment
Total other real estate owned  

Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

 $  87,792 
 47,106 
 134,898 
 4,758 

 $  90,115 
 50,950 
 141,065 
 8,325 

 $  66,956 
 38,812 
 105,768 
 17,166 

 $38,632 
 23,033 
 61,665 
 10,927 

 $28,752 
 17,013 
 45,765 
 2,292 

  and repossessed and returned equipment

$139,656 

$149,390 

$122,934 

$72,592 

$48,057 

(1) Includes properties owned and foreclosed properties subject to redemption.

Other real estate owned is recorded at the lower of 
cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell the property. 
At December 31, 2011, TCF owned 465 consumer real 
estate properties, a decrease of 55 from 2010, due to the 
sale of 1,077 properties exceeding the addition of 1,022 
properties. The average length of time to sell consumer  
real estate properties during 2011 was 6.1 months from  
the date they were classified as other real estate owned. 

The consumer real estate portfolio is secured by a total 
of 83,761 properties of which 723, or .86%, were owned or 
foreclosed properties subject to redemption and included 
within other real estate owned as of December 31, 2011. 
This compares with 813, or .94%, owned or in the process of 
foreclosure and included within other real estate owned as 
of December 31, 2010.

42    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
The changes in the amount of other real estate owned for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized in the 
following tables.

(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year

Transferred in, net of charge-offs

  Sales
  Write-downs
  Other, net
Balance, end of year

(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year

Transferred in, net of charge-offs

  Sales
  Write-downs
  Other, net
Balance, end of year

At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
Commercial
Consumer
 $    50,950 
 $    90,115 
 22,293 
 99,639 
 (15,070)
 (97,021)
 (12,030)
 (13,033)
 963 
 8,092 
 $    47,106 
 $    87,792 

Total
 $    141,065 
 121,932 
 (112,091)
 (25,063)
 9,055 
 $    134,898 

At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
Commercial
 $     38,812 
 29,541 
 (10,617)
 (4,040)
 (2,746)
 $     50,950 

Consumer
 $     66,956 
 121,555 
 (88,358)
 (12,640)
 2,602 
 $     90,115 

Total
 $     105,768 
 151,096 
 (98,975)
 (16,680)
 (144)
 $     141,065 

Transfers into other real estate owned decreased by $29.2 million and sales of other real estate owned increased  

$13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared with the same 2010 period. 

The charge-offs and write-downs recorded to date on other real estate owned compared with the contractual loan balances 
prior to non-performing status at December 31, 2011 are summarized in the following table.

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer
Commercial
Total

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer
Commercial
Total

Contractual loan 
Balance Prior to Non-

performing Status(1)

 $137,605 
 82,058 
 $219,663 

December 31, 2011

Charge-offs and 
Write-downs 
Recorded
 $49,813 
 34,952 
 $84,765 

Other Real  
Estate Owned  
Balance
 $  87,792 
 47,106 
 $134,898 

Contractual Loan 
Balance Prior to Non-

performing Status(1)

 $ 134,437 
 65,473 
 $ 199,910 

December 31, 2010

Charge-offs and 
Write-downs 
Recorded
 $ 44,322 
 14,523 
 $58,845 

Other Real  
Estate Owned  
Balance
 $   90,115 
 50,950 
 $141,065 

Impairment (2)
 36.2% 
 42.6 
 38.6% 

Impairment (2)
 33.0% 
 22.2 
 29.4%

(1) Net of any inflows or outflows during non-performing status, excluding charge-offs and write-downs.
(2)   Represents the ratio of charge-offs and write-downs recorded to the contractual loan balances prior to non-performing status, net of any inflows or outflows during  

non-performing status, excluding charge-offs and write-downs.

2011 Form 10-K

43

 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, TCF had 
$4.8 million and $8.3 million, respectively, of repossessed 
and returned equipment held for sale in its Wholesale 
Banking segment. The overall economic environment 
influences the level of repossessed and returned 
equipment, the demand for these types of used equipment 
in the marketplace and the fair value or ultimate sales 
prices at disposition. TCF periodically determines the fair 
value of this equipment and, if fair value is lower than its 
recorded basis, makes adjustments.

liquidity Management    TCF manages its liquidity 
position to ensure that the funding needs of depositors and 
borrowers are met promptly and in a cost-effective manner. 
Asset liquidity arises from the ability to convert assets to 
cash as well as from the maturity of assets. Liability liquidity 
results from the ability of TCF to maintain a diverse set of 
funding sources to promptly meet funding requirements.
TCF’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) and the  
Board of Directors have adopted a Liquidity Management  
Policy to direct management of the Company’s liquidity  
risk. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures  
About Market Risk for more information. Given the current  
economic condition and continued emergence of regulatory  
guidance, the Company increased asset liquidity by  
$905 million during 2011 to $1.4 billion by increasing 
interest-bearing deposits held at the Federal Reserve  
and unencumbered securities. At December 31, 2011,  
TCF had $914 million of interest-bearing deposits at the 
Federal Reserve. 

Deposits are the primary source of TCF’s funds for 
use in lending and for other general business purposes. 
In addition to deposits, TCF derives funds from loan and 
lease repayments and borrowings. Deposit inflows and 
outflows are significantly influenced by general interest 
rates, money market conditions, competition for funds, 
customer service and other factors. TCF’s deposit inflows 
and outflows have been and will continue to be affected 
by these factors. Borrowings may be used to compensate 
for reductions in normal sources of funds, such as deposit 

inflows at less than projected levels, net deposit outflows 
or to fund balance sheet growth. Historically, TCF has 
borrowed from the FHLB, institutional sources under 
repurchase agreements and other sources. At December 
31, 2011, TCF had $2.4 billion in unused secured borrowing 
capacity under these funding sources. 

Deposits   Deposits totaled $12.2 billion at December 31, 
2011, up $616.9 million from December 31, 2010. Checking, 
savings and money market deposits are an important 
source of low-cost funds and fee income for TCF. Checking, 
savings and money market deposits totaled $11.1 billion at 
December 31, 2011, up $579.6 million from December 31, 
2010, and comprised 91.3% of total deposits at December 
31, 2011, compared with 91.1% of total deposits at 
December 31, 2010. The average balance of these deposits 
for 2011 was $10.9 billion, an increase of $355.2 million 
over the $10.5 billion average balance for 2010. Certificates 
of deposit totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 2011, up 
$37.3 million from December 31, 2010. Non-interest bearing 
deposits represented 20% of total deposits at December 
31, 2011, compared with 21% at December 31, 2010. TCF’s 
weighted-average cost for deposits, including non-
interest bearing deposits, was .29% at December 31, 2011, 
compared with .41% at December 31, 2010. The decrease in 
the weighted-average rate for deposits was due to pricing 
strategies on certain deposit products and mix changes. TCF 
had no brokered deposits at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

Borrowings   Borrowings totaled $4.4 billion at December 
31, 2011, down $597.5 million from December 31, 2010.

See Notes 11 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for detailed information on TCF’s borrowings. 
The weighted-average rate on borrowings was 4.26% at 
December 31, 2011 and 4.17% at December 31, 2010. 
The increase in the weighted-average rate on borrowings 
was primarily due to a decrease in low rate short-
term borrowings. TCF does not utilize unconsolidated 
subsidiaries or special purpose entities to provide off-
balance sheet borrowings.

44    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments   As disclosed in Notes 11 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements, TCF has certain obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts. At December 31, 2011, 
the aggregate contractual obligations (excluding bank deposits) and commitments are as follows.

(In thousands)

Contractual Obligations
Total borrowings (1)
Annual rental commitments under non-cancelable  
  operating leases
Campus marketing agreements

Total

(In thousands)

Commitments
Commitments to lend:
  Consumer real estate and other
  Commercial
  Leasing and equipment finance

Total commitments to lend

Standby letters of credit and guarantees
  on industrial revenue bonds

Total

(1) Total borrowings excludes interest.

Payments Due by Period

less than  
1 Year
 $  64,038 

 26,193 
 3,159 
 $  93,390 

1-3 Years
 $523,671 

3-5 Years
 $2,134,348 

More than  
5 Years
 $1,666,023 

 52,359 
 7,164 
 $583,194 

 44,964 
 6,033 
 $2,185,345 

 90,615 
 30,858 
 $1,787,496 

Amount of Commitment – Expiration by Period

less than  
1 Year

 $  89,852 
 156,461 
 177,534 
 423,847 

1-3 Years

3-5 Years

More than  
5 Years

 $106,718 
 49,401 
– 
 156,119 

 $      79,754 
 47,239 
– 
 126,993 

 $1,073,455 
 25,975 
– 
 1,099,430 

Total
 $4,388,080 

 214,131 
 47,214 
 $4,649,425 

Total

 $1,349,779 
 279,076 
 177,534 
 1,806,389 

 26,964 
 $1,833,353 

 19,842 
 $443,689 

 415 
 $156,534 

 6,707 
 $    133,700 

– 
 $1,099,430 

Commitments to lend are agreements to lend to a 
customer provided there is no violation of any condition 
in the contract. These commitments generally have fixed 
expiration dates or other termination clauses and may 
require payment of a fee. Since certain of the commitments 
are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the 
total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent 
future cash requirements. By contract, the Company, in 
its sole discretion, may terminate or otherwise modify the 
credit arrangement in place with a customer. Collateral 
predominantly consists of residential and commercial 
real estate. The credit facilities established for inventory 
finance customers are discretionary credit arrangements 
which do not obligate the Company to lend.

Campus marketing agreements consist of fixed or 
minimum obligations for exclusive marketing and naming 
rights with seven campuses. TCF is obligated to make 
various annual payments for these rights in the form of 
royalties and scholarships through 2029. TCF also has 
various renewal options, which may extend the terms of 

these agreements. Campus marketing agreements are an 
important element of TCF’s campus banking strategy.
See Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 

Statements for information on standby letters of credit  
and guarantees on industrial revenue bonds.

Equity   Total equity at December 31, 2011 was $1.9 billion, 
or 9.90% of total assets, up from $1.5 billion, or 8.02% of 
total assets, at December 31, 2010. The increase in total 
equity was primarily the result of TCF’s public offering 
of common stock in March 2011 and increased retained 
earnings. Dividends to common stockholders on a per share 
basis totaled 20 cents in both 2011 and 2010. TCF’s dividend 
payout ratio was 28.1% and 18.3% in 2011 and 2010, 
respectively. The Company’s primary funding sources for 
dividends are dividends received from TCF Bank.

At December 31, 2011, TCF had 5.4 million shares 

remaining in its stock repurchase program authorized by its 
Board of Directors, but would need approval from the Federal 
Reserve before repurchasing stock under this authorization.

2011 Form 10-K

45

 
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2011, average total 
equity to average assets was 9.24%, compared with 7.83% 
for 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, tangible 
realized common equity to tangible assets was 8.42%, 
compared with 7.28% for 2010. Tangible realized common 
equity is a non-GAAP measure and represents common 
equity less goodwill, other intangible assets, accumulated 
other comprehensive income and non-controlling interest 
in subsidiaries. Tangible realized common equity was $1.6 
billion at December 31, 2011, compared with $1.3 billion 

at December 31, 2010. Tangible assets represent common 
equity less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible 
assets were $18.7 billion at December 31, 2011, compared 
with $18.3 billion at December 31, 2010. Management 
reviews tangible realized common equity to tangible assets 
as an ongoing measure and has included this information 
because of current interest by investors, rating agencies and 
banking regulators. The methodology for calculating tangible 
realized common equity may vary between companies.

The following table is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure of tangible realized common equity to tangible assets to the 
GAAP measure of total equity to total assets.

(Dollars in thousands)
Computation of total equity to total assets:

Total equity
Total assets

Total equity to total assets
Computation of tangible realized common equity to tangible assets:

 Total equity

  Less: Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries

Total TCF Financial Corporation stockholders’ equity

  Less:

  Goodwill
  Other intangibles
  Accumulated other comprehensive income

  Add:

  Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Tangible realized common equity

Total assets
Less:

  Goodwill
  Other intangibles
Tangible assets

Tangible realized common equity to tangible assets

At December 31,

2011

2010

$  1,878,627 
 18,979,388 

 9.90% 

 $  1,878,627 
 10,494 
 1,868,133 

 225,640 
 7,134 
 56,826 

 – 
 $  1,578,533 
 $18,979,388 

 225,640 
 7,134 
 $18,746,614 
 8.42% 

 $   1,480,163 
 18,465,025 

 8.02% 

 $  1,480,163 
 8,500 
 1,471,663 

 152,599 
 1,232 
– 

 15,692 
 $   1,333,524 
 $18,465,025 

 152,599 
 1,232 
 $18,311,194 

 7.28% 

At December 31, 2011, TCF Financial and TCF Bank exceeded their regulatory capital requirements and are considered 

“well-capitalized” under guidelines established by the Federal Reserve and the OCC. See Notes 14 and 15 of Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Tier 1 risk-based capital at December 31, 2011 was $1.7 billion, or 12.67% of risk-weighted assets, compared with $1.5 
billion, or 10.47% of risk-weighted assets, at December 31, 2010. Tier 1 common capital at December 31, 2011 was $1.6 billion, 
or 11.74% of the risk-weighted assets, compared to $1.3 billion, or 9.59% of risk-weighted assets, at December 31, 2010. 

46    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In contrast to GAAP-basis measures, the total tier 1 common risk-based capital ratio excludes the effect of qualifying 

trust preferred securities, qualifying non-controlling interest in subsidiaries and cumulative perpetual preferred stock. 
Management reviews the total tier 1 common risk-based capital ratio as an ongoing measure and has included this 
information because of current interest by investors, rating agencies and banking regulators. The methodology for  
calculating total tier 1 common risk-based capital may vary between companies. The following table is a reconciliation  
of GAAP to non-GAAP measures.

At December 31,

2011

2010

$   1,706,926 
 13,475,330 
 12.67%

$  1,459,703 
 13,936,629 

 10.47% 

$   1,706,926 

$  1,459,703 

 115,000 
 10,494 
 $   1,581,432 
 $13,475,330 

 115,000 
 8,500 
 $  1,336,203 
 $13,936,629 

 11.74% 

 9.59% 

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
Critical accounting estimates occur in certain accounting 
policies and procedures and are particularly susceptible to 
significant change. Policies that contain critical accounting 
estimates include the determination of the allowance for 
loan and lease losses, lease financing and income taxes. 
See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
for further discussion of critical accounting estimates.

(Dollars in thousands)
Total tier 1 risk-based capital ratio:

Total tier 1 capital 
Total risk-weighted assets 

Total tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 
Computation of tier 1 common capital ratio:

Total tier 1 capital 

  Less:

  Qualifying trust preferred securities 
  Qualifying non-controlling interest in subsidiaries 

Total tier 1 common capital 

Total risk-weighted assets 
Total tier 1 common capital ratio 

One factor considered in TCF’s capital planning process 
is the amount of dividends paid to common stockholders as 
a component of common capital generated.

TCF’s common capital generated for the year ended 

December 31, 2011 is as follows.

(Dollars in thousands)
Net income available to common stockholders
Common shares purchased by TCF employee benefit plans
Amortization of stock compensation
Cancellation of common shares
Other

Total internally generated capital

Issuance of common stock

Total common capital generated

Less: Common stock dividends
Net common capital generated
Common dividend as a percentage of total  
  common capital generated

2011
$109,394 
 17,971 
 11,105 
 (3,692)
 280 
 25,664 
 219,666 
 354,724 
 (30,772)
 $323,952 

 8.7% 

2011 Form 10-K

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recent Accounting Developments
On April 29, 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards 
Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-03, Reconsideration of Effective 
Control for Repurchase Agreements (Topic 860), which 
removes the collateral maintenance provision that is 
currently required when determining whether a transfer of a 
financial instrument is accounted for as a sale or a secured 
borrowing. The adoption of the ASU will be required for TCF’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2012 
and is not expected to have a material impact on TCF. 
On May 12, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, 
Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement 
and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS 
(Topic 820), which is a joint effort between the FASB and 
International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) to 
converge fair value measurement and disclosure guidance. 
The ASU permits measuring financial assets and liabilities 
on a net credit risk basis, if certain criteria are met. The ASU 
also increases disclosure surrounding company determined 
fair values for level 3 financial instruments and also requires 
the fair value hierarchy disclosure of financial assets 
and liabilities that are not recognized at fair value in the 
statement of financial position but included in disclosures 
at fair value. The adoption of the ASU will be required for 
TCF’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 
2012 and is not expected to have a material impact on TCF. 
On June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, 

Presentation of Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), 
which requires companies to report total net income, 
each component of comprehensive income including 
reclassifications between net income and other 
comprehensive income, and total comprehensive income 
on the face of the income statement, or as two consecutive 
statements. The components of comprehensive income will 
not be changed, nor does the ASU affect how earnings per 
share is calculated or reported. These amendments will be 
reported retrospectively upon adoption. The adoption of 
the ASU will be required for TCF’s Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q for the first quarter of 2012 and is not expected to 
have a material impact on TCF. 

On December 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11,  

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities 
(Topic 210), which requires companies that have financial 
and derivative instruments subject to a master netting 
agreement to disclose the gross amount of the financial 
assets and liabilities, the amounts that are offset on 
the balance sheet, the net amounts presented, and the 
amounts subject to a master netting arrangement that are 

not offset. The adoption of the ASU will be required for TCF’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2013 
and is not expected to have a material impact on TCF. 

On December 23, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12,  

Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the 
Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated 
Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update 
No. 2011-05 (Topic 220), which defers the requirement within 
ASU No. 2011-05 to present the reclassification amounts from 
other comprehensive income to net income as a separate 
component on the income statement. The FASB has not yet 
established a new effective date for these provisions. The 
remaining requirements of ASU No. 2011-05 were not deferred. 

Fourth Quarter Summary
For the quarter ended December 31, 2011, TCF reported net 
income of $16.4 million, compared with $33.9 million for 
the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Diluted earnings 
per common share was 10 cents for the quarter ended 
December 31, 2011, compared with 24 cents for the quarter 
ended December 31, 2010.

Net interest income was $173.4 million for the quarter 
ended December 31, 2011, down $852 thousand, or .5%, 
from the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The decrease 
in net interest income was primarily due to the following 
changes in loans and leases: reduced levels of higher 
yielding fixed-rate consumer real estate loans and 
decreases in leasing and equipment finance and commercial 
real estate portfolio balances and average yields, partially 
offset by reductions in average deposit rates. Net interest 
margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 was 3.92%, 
compared with 4.05% for the quarter ended December 31, 
2010. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily due 
to increased asset liquidity and decreased levels of higher 
yielding loans and leases as a result of the lower interest 
rate environment. These changes were partially offset by  
a lower average cost of deposits and borrowings. 

TCF provided $59.2 million for credit losses in the 
quarter ended December 31, 2011, compared with $77.6 
million in the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The 
decrease was primarily due to decreased net charge-offs 
and reserves in the commercial real estate and leasing 
and equipment finance portfolios. For the quarter ended 
December 31, 2011, net loan and lease charge-offs were 
$57.9 million, or 1.63%, annualized, of average loans and 
leases outstanding, compared with $64.9 million, or 1.75%, 
annualized, of average loans and leases outstanding during 
the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The decrease was 

48    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

primarily due to decreases in charge-offs in commercial 
real estate and leasing and equipment finance, partially 
offset by increases in charge-offs in consumer real estate.

Total non-interest income in the quarter ended December 

$325 thousand and $1 million, respectively, along with  
the effects of favorable developments in uncertain tax 
positions and changes in state taxes of $1.3 million and 
$577 thousand, respectively.

31, 2011 was $98.3 million, compared with $141.5 million in 
the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in non-
interest income was primarily due to net gains on sales of 
securities of $21.2 million in 2010, compared with net gains 
on sales of securities of $5.8 million in 2011. In addition, 
during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, TCF’s card 
revenues decreased $14 million, or 50.6% from the quarter 
ended December 31, 2010. The average interchange rate 
per transaction decreased slightly more the 50%, compared 
to the quarter ended December 31, 2010, due to new debit 
card interchange regulations which took effect on October 
1, 2011. Leasing and equipment finance revenues were $18.5 
million in the quarter ended December 31, 2011, down $4.9 
million or 21%, from the quarter ended December 31, 2010 
due to lower levels of customer initiated lease activity. 
Non-interest expense totaled $187.5 million for the 
quarter ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $1.6 
million, or .8%, from $186 million for the quarter ended 
December 31, 2010. Compensation and employee benefits 
decreased $248 thousand, or .3%, for the quarter ended 
December 31, 2011, primarily due to compensation 
decreases in branch banking as the result of branch 
closures during 2011, offset by compensation related to 
increased headcount from the acquisition of Gateway One. 
Deposit account premiums increased $4.8 million to $6.5 
million for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 primarily 
due to changes in the account premium programs beginning 
in April 2011, that increased the premiums paid for each 
qualifying account. Advertising and marketing expense 
decreased $904 thousand or 28.7% for the quarter ended 
December 31, 2011 primarily due to the discontinuation 
of the debit card rewards program in the third quarter of 
2011 in response to a new Federal regulation regarding 
debit card interchange fees. Foreclosed real estate and 
repossessed asset expense decreased $1.5 million, or 
11.4%, for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 primarily 
due to decreases in the number of consumer real estate 
properties owned and the associated expense. 

In the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the effective 
income tax rate was 29.8% of income before tax expense, 
down from 33.3% for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. 
The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 
2011 and 2010 included the effects of year-to-date changes 
in the estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 

Legislative, Legal and Regulatory Developments
Federal and state legislation imposes numerous legal and 
regulatory requirements on financial institutions. Future 
legislative or regulatory change, or changes in enforcement 
practices or court rulings, may have a dramatic and 
potentially adverse impact on TCF and its bank and other 
subsidiaries. TCF expects that the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and 
Education Reconciliation Act, will not have a significant 
effect on future results.

Forward-Looking Information
Any statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 
10-K regarding the outlook for the Company’s businesses 
and their respective markets, such as projections of future 
performance, guidance, statements of the Company’s 
plans and objectives, forecasts of market trends and 
other matters, are forward-looking statements based on 
the Company’s assumptions and beliefs. Such statements 
may be identified by such words or phrases as “will likely 
result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “outlook,” 
“will benefit,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” 
“management believes” or similar expressions. These 
forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks 
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to 
differ materially from those discussed in such statements 
and no assurance can be given that the results in any 
forward-looking statement will be achieved. For these 
statements, TCF claims the protection of the safe harbor 
for forward-looking statements contained in the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-
looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it 
is made, and we disclaim any obligation to subsequently 
revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or 
circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence 
of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Certain factors could cause the Company’s future results 

to differ materially from those expressed or implied in 
any forward-looking statements contained herein. These 
factors include the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of 
this report under the heading “Risk Factors,” the factors 
discussed below and any other cautionary statements, 

2011 Form 10-K

49

written or oral, which may be made or referred to in 
connection with any such forward-looking statements. Since 
it is not possible to foresee all such factors, these factors 
should not be considered as complete or exhaustive.

Adverse Economic or Business Conditions, Credit 
and Other Risks   Deterioration in general economic and 
banking industry conditions, including defaults, anticipated 
defaults or rating agency downgrades of sovereign debt 
(including debt of the U.S.), or continued high rates of 
or increases in unemployment in TCF’s primary banking 
markets; adverse economic, business and competitive 
developments such as shrinking interest margins, deposit 
outflows, deposit account attrition or an inability to 
increase the number of deposit accounts; adverse changes 
in credit quality and other risks posed by TCF’s loan, lease, 
investment and securities available for sale portfolios, 
including declines in commercial or residential real estate 
values or changes in the allowance for loan and lease 
losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory 
requirements; interest-rate risks resulting from fluctuations 
in prevailing interest rates or other factors that result in a 
mismatch between yields earned on TCF’s interest-earning 
assets and the rates paid on its deposits and borrowings; 
foreign currency exchange risks; counterparty risk, including 
the risk of defaults by our counterparties or diminished 
availability of counterparties who satisfy our credit 
quality requirements; decreases in demand for the types of 
equipment that TCF leases or finances; limitations on TCF’s 
ability to attract and retain manufacturers and dealers to 
expand the inventory finance business.

legislative and Regulatory Requirements   New 
consumer protection and supervisory requirements and 
regulations, including those resulting from action by the 
CFPB and changes in the scope of Federal preemption 
of state laws that could be applied to national banks; 
the imposition of requirements with an adverse impact 
relating to TCF’s lending, loan collection and other business 
activities as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, or other 
legislative or regulatory developments such as mortgage 
foreclosure moratorium laws or imposition of underwriting 
or other limitations that impact the ability to use certain 
variable-rate products; reduction of interchange revenue 
from debit card transactions resulting from the Durbin 
Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act; impact of legislative, 
regulatory or other changes affecting customer account 
charges and fee income; changes to bankruptcy laws 
which would result in the loss of all or part of TCF’s security 

interest due to collateral value declines; deficiencies in 
TCF’s compliance under the Bank Secrecy Act in past or 
future periods, which may result in regulatory enforcement 
action including monetary penalties; increased health 
care costs resulting from Federal health care reform 
legislation; adverse regulatory examinations and resulting 
enforcement actions or other adverse consequences 
such as increased capital requirements or higher deposit 
insurance assessments; heightened regulatory practices, 
requirements or expectations, including, but not limited to, 
requirements related to the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-
money laundering compliance activity.

Earnings/Capital Risks and Constraints, liquidity 
Risks   Limitations on TCF’s ability to pay dividends or 
to increase dividends in the future because of financial 
performance deterioration, regulatory restrictions or 
limitations; increased deposit insurance premiums, special 
assessments or other costs related to adverse conditions in 
the banking industry, the economic impact on banks of the 
Dodd-Frank Act and other regulatory reform legislation; the 
impact of financial regulatory reform, including the phase 
out of trust preferred securities in tier 1 capital called for 
by the Dodd-Frank Act, or additional capital, leverage, 
liquidity and risk management requirements or changes in 
the composition of qualifying regulatory capital (including 
those resulting from U.S. implementation of Basel III 
requirements); adverse changes in securities markets directly 
or indirectly affecting TCF’s ability to sell assets or to fund 
its operations; diminished unsecured borrowing capacity 
resulting from TCF credit rating downgrades and unfavorable 
conditions in the credit markets that restrict or limit various 
funding sources; costs associated with new regulatory 
requirements or interpretive guidance relating to liquidity; 
uncertainties relating to customer opt-in preferences with 
respect to NSF fees on point of sale and ATM transactions 
which may have an adverse impact on TCF’s fee revenue; 
uncertainties relating to future retail deposit account 
changes, including limitations on TCF’s ability to predict 
customer behavior and the impact on TCF’s fee revenues.

Competitive Conditions; Supermarket Branching 
Risk; Growth Risks   Reduced demand for financial 
services and loan and lease products; adverse 
developments affecting TCF’s supermarket banking 
relationships or any of the supermarket chains in which TCF 
maintains supermarket branches; customers completing 
financial transactions without using a bank; the effect of 
any negative publicity; slower than anticipated growth in 

50    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

existing or acquired businesses; inability to successfully 
execute on TCF’s growth strategy through acquisitions or 
cross-selling opportunities; failure to expand or diversify 
our balance sheet through programs or new opportunities; 
failure to successfully attract and retain new customers.

Technological and Operational Matters   Technological 
or operational difficulties, loss or theft of information, 
counterparty failures and the possibility that deposit 
account losses (fraudulent checks, etc.) may increase; 
failure to keep pace with technological change.

litigation Risks   Results of litigation, including class 
action litigation concerning TCF’s lending or deposit 
activities including account servicing processes or fees or 
charges, or employment practices, and possible increases 
in indemnification obligations for certain litigation against 
Visa U.S.A. and potential reductions in card revenues 
resulting from such litigation or other litigation against Visa.

Accounting, Audit, Tax and Insurance Matters    
Changes in accounting standards or interpretations of 
existing standards; federal or state monetary, fiscal or tax 
policies, including adoption of state legislation that would 
increase state taxes; ineffective internal controls; adverse 
state or Federal tax assessments or findings in tax audits; 
lack of or inadequate insurance coverage for claims against 
TCF; potential for claims and legal action related to TCF’s 
fiduciary responsibilities.

Item 7A. Quantitative and 
Qualitative Disclosures about 
Market Risk
The Company’s market risk profile consists of four main 
categories: credit risk, interest-rate risk, liquidity risk and 
foreign currency risk. 

Credit Risk 
Credit risk is defined as the risk to earnings or capital if 
an obligor fails to meet the terms of any contract with the 
Company or otherwise fails to perform as agreed, such as 
the failure of customers and counterparties to meet their 
contractual obligations, as well as contingent exposures from 
unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. Credit 
risk also includes the failure of counterparties to settle a 
securities transaction on agreed-upon terms or the failure of 
issuers in connection with mortgage-backed securities held 
in the Company’s securities available for sale portfolio.

TCF has a Concentration Credit Risk Management 
Committee that meets regularly and is responsible for 
monitoring the loan and lease portfolio composition and 
risk tolerance within the various segments of the portfolio. 
The Concentration Credit Risk Management Committee 
and the Board of Directors have adopted a Concentration 
Policy to direct management of the Company’s 
concentration risk. To manage credit risk arising from 
lending and leasing activities, management has adopted 
and maintains underwriting policies and procedures, and 
periodically reviews the appropriateness of these policies 
and procedures. Customers and guarantors or recourse 
providers are evaluated as part of initial underwriting 
processes and through periodic reviews. For consumer 
loans, credit scoring models are used to help determine 
eligibility for credit and terms of credit. These models are 
periodically reviewed to verify that they are predictive 
of borrower performance. Limits are established on the 
exposure to a single customer (including affiliates) and on 
concentrations for certain categories of customers. Loan 
and lease credit approval levels are established so that 
larger credit exposures receive managerial review at the 
appropriate level through the credit committees.

Management continuously monitors asset quality 
in order to manage the Company’s credit risk and to 
determine the appropriateness of valuation allowances, 
including, in the case of commercial loans and leases, a 
risk rating methodology under which a rating of one through 
nine is assigned to each loan or lease. The rating reflects 
management’s assessment of the potential impact on 
repayment of the customer’s financial and operational 
condition. Asset quality is monitored separately based on 
the type or category of loan or lease. The rating process 
allows management to better define the Company’s 
loan and lease portfolio risk profile. Management also 
uses various risk models to estimate probable impact 
on payment performance under various scenarios, both 
expected and unexpected.

The Company manages securities transaction risk by 
monitoring all unsettled transactions. All counterparties 
and transaction limits are reviewed and approved annually 
by both ALCO and the Bank Credit Committee of TCF Bank. 
To further manage credit risk in the securities portfolio, 
99.9% of the securities held in the securities available for 
sale portfolio are issued and guaranteed by the Federal 
National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal 
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) or the 
Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”).

2011 Form 10-K

51

Interest-Rate Risk
Interest-rate risk is defined as the exposure of net interest 
income and fair value of financial instruments (interest-
earning assets, deposits and borrowings) to adverse 
movements in interest rates. TCF’s results of operations 
are dependent to a large degree on its net interest income 
and its ability to manage interest-rate risk. As such, the 
Company considers interest-rate risk to be one of its 
most significant market risks. ALCO meets regularly and 
is responsible for reviewing the Company’s interest-rate 
sensitivity position and establishing policies to monitor and 
limit exposure to interest-rate risk. The principal objective 
of TCF’s asset/liability management activities is to provide 
maximum levels of net interest income while maintaining 
acceptable levels of interest-rate risk and liquidity risk and 
facilitating the funding needs of the Company. 

Interest-rate risk arises mainly from the structure 
of the balance sheet. Since TCF does not hold a trading 
portfolio, the Company is not exposed to market risk 
from trading activities. As such, the major sources of the 
Company’s interest-rate risk are timing differences in 
the maturity and repricing characteristics of assets and 
liabilities, changes in the shape of the yield curve, changes 
in customer behavior and changes in relationships between 
rate indices (basis risk). Management measures these risks 
and their impact in various ways, including through the 
use of simulation and valuation analyses. The interest rate 
scenarios may include gradual or rapid changes in interest 
rates, spread narrowing and widening, yield curve twists 
and changes in assumptions about customer behavior in 
various interest rate scenarios. 

TCF utilizes net interest income simulation models to 
estimate the near-term effects (next one to two years) 
of changing interest rates on its net interest income. 
Net interest income simulation involves forecasting net 
interest income under a variety of scenarios, including 
through variation of interest rate levels, the shape of 
the yield curve and the spreads between market interest 
rates. Management exercises its best judgment in making 
assumptions regarding both events that management can 
influence, such as non-contractual deposit repricings, 
and events outside of its control, such as customer 
behavior on loan and deposit activity, and the effect that 
competition has on both loan and deposit pricing. These 
assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, net 
interest income simulation results will likely differ from 

actual results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency 
of interest rate changes, changes in market conditions, 
customer behavior and management strategies, among 
other factors.

At December 31, 2011, net interest income is estimated to 
increase by 2% compared with the base case scenario over 
the next 12 months if short- and long-term interest rates 
were to sustain an immediate increase of 100 basis points.
Management also uses valuation analyses to measure 

risk in the balance sheet that might not be taken into 
account in the net interest income simulation analyses. 
Net interest income simulation highlights exposure over 
a relatively short time period (12 or 24 months), while 
valuation analysis incorporates all cash flows over the 
estimated remaining life of all balance sheet positions. 
The valuation of the balance sheet, at a point in time, 
is defined as the discounted present value of asset cash 
flows minus the discounted value of liability cash flows. 
Valuation analysis addresses only the current balance 
sheet and does not incorporate the growth assumptions 
that are used in the net interest income simulation model. 
As with the net interest income simulation model, valuation 
analysis is based on key assumptions about the timing and 
variability of balance sheet cash flows and does not take 
into account any potential responses by management to 
anticipated changes in interest rates.

Additionally, management utilizes an interest-rate 

gap measurement, which is calculated by taking the 
difference between interest-earning assets and interest-
bearing liabilities repricing within a given period. While 
the interest-rate gap measurement has some limitations, 
including a lack of assumptions regarding future asset or 
liability production and a static interest rate assumption, 
it represents the net asset or liability sensitivity at a 
point in time. An interest-rate gap measurement could 
be significantly affected by external factors such as loan 
prepayments, early withdrawals of deposits, changes in 
the correlation of various interest-bearing instruments, 
competition or a rise or decline in interest rates. 

TCF’s one-year interest-rate gap was a positive $2.1 
billion, or 10.9% of total assets, at December 31, 2011, 
compared with a positive $515.5 million, or 2.8% of total 
assets at December 31, 2010. The change in the gap 
from 2010 is primarily due to decreased levels of fixed-
rate loans, an increase in non-contractual deposits and 
increased equity. A positive interest-rate gap position 

52    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

exists when the amount of interest-earning assets 
maturing or repricing exceeds the amount of interest-
bearing liabilities maturing or repricing, including 
assumed prepayments, within a particular time period. 
A negative interest-rate gap position exists when the 
amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing 
exceeds the amount of interest-earning assets maturing 
or repricing, including assumed prepayments, within a 
particular time period.

TCF estimates that an immediate 25 basis point 
decrease in current mortgage loan interest rates would 
increase prepayments on the $6.8 billion of fixed-rate 
mortgage-backed securities and consumer real estate 
loans at December 31, 2011, by approximately $120 million, 
or 15.4%, in the first year. An increase in prepayments 
would decrease the estimated life of the portfolios 

and may adversely impact net interest income or net 
interest margin in the future. Although prepayments on 
fixed-rate portfolios are currently at a relatively low 
level, TCF estimates that an immediate 100 basis point 
increase in current mortgage loan interest rates would 
reduce prepayments on the fixed-rate mortgage-backed 
securities, residential real estate loans and consumer loans 
at December 31, 2011, by approximately $269 million, or 
34.5%, in the first year. A slowing in prepayments would 
increase the estimated life of the portfolios and may also 
adversely impact net interest income or net interest margin 
in the future. The level of prepayments that would actually 
occur in any scenario will be impacted by factors other than 
interest rates, such as lenders’ willingness to lend funds, 
which can be impacted by the value of assets underlying 
loans and leases.

(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
  Consumer loans (1) (2)
  Commercial loans (1) (2)
  Leasing and equipment finance (2)
  Securities available for sale (2)

Investments
Inventory finance

  Loans and leases held for sale

Total

Interest-bearing liabilities:
  Checking deposits(3)
  Savings deposits(3)
  Money market deposits(3)
  Certificates of deposits(3)
  Short-term borrowings
  Long-term borrowings(4)

Total

Interest-earning assets (under) 
  over interest-bearing liabilities
Cumulative gap
Cumulative gap as a percentage  
  of total assets:
  At December 31, 2011
  At December 31, 2010

Maturity/Rate Sensitivity

Within 
30 Days

30 Days to  
6 Months

6 Months 
to 1 Year

1-3 Years

3+ Years

Total

 $1,252,747 
 422,300 
 167,546 
 33,812 
 1,049,126 
 284,338 
14,321
 3,224,190 

 602,242 
 268,264 
 318,655 
 165,011 
 6,416 
 5,957 
 1,366,545 

 $    438,998 
 297,840 
 621,443 
 151,785 
 119,114 
 199,628 
–
 1,828,808 

 44,379 
 1,155,534 
 13,811 
 418,020 
– 
 261,638 
 1,893,382 

 $    476,545 
 381,710 
 584,807 
 172,275 
 35 
 140,734 
–
 1,756,106 

 50,488 
 1,054,016 
 14,530 
 336,050 
 – 
 27,521 
 1,482,605 

 $1,899,673 
 1,397,195 
 1,336,363 
 521,416 
 251 
– 
–
 5,154,898 

 $   2,865,841 
 950,447 
 432,100 
 1,444,750 
 38,375 
– 
–
 5,731,513 

 $  6,933,804 
 3,449,492 
 3,142,259 
 2,324,038 
 1,206,901 
 624,700 
 14,321
 17,695,515 

 919,985 
 1,656,405 
 255,166 
 136,657 
– 
 455,274 
 3,423,487 

 3,012,655 
 1,721,044 
 49,215 
 9,877 
 – 
 3,631,274 
 8,424,065 

 4,629,749 
 5,855,263 
 651,377 
 1,065,615 
 6,416 
 4,381,664 
 16,590,084

 1,857,645 
 $1,857,645 

 (64,574)
 $1,793,071 

 273,501 
 $2,066,572 

 1,731,411 
 $3,797,983 

 (2,692,552)
 $   1,105,431 

 1,105,431 
 $  1,105,431 

 9.8 % 
 (1.8)%

 9.4 %
 (.3)%

 10.9%
 2.8% 

 20.0% 
 13.0% 

 5.8% 
 3.8% 

 5.8% 
 3.8% 

(1)  At January 1, 2012, $1.2 billion of variable-rate consumer loans and $338 million of variable-rate commercial loans were modeled as fixed-rate loans as their current interest 

rate is below their contractual interest rate floor. An increase in short-term interest rates may not result in a change in the interest rate on these variable-rate loans.

(2)  Based upon contractual maturity, repricing date, if applicable, scheduled repayments of principal and projected prepayments of principal based upon experience and 

third-party projections.

(3)  Includes non-interest bearing deposits. At December 31, 2011, 15% of checking deposits, 42% of savings deposits, and 53% of money market deposits are included in 

amounts repricing within one year. At December 31, 2010, 16% of checking deposits, 47% of savings deposits, and 55% of money market deposits are included in amounts 
repricing within one year.

(4)  Includes $300 million of callable borrowings.

2011 Form 10-K

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidity Risk 
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk to earnings or capital 
arising from the Company’s inability to meet its obligations 
when they come due without incurring unacceptable losses.

ALCO and the Board of Directors have adopted a 
Liquidity Management Policy to direct management of 
the Company’s liquidity risk. The objective of the Liquidity 
Management Policy is to ensure that TCF meets its cash and 
collateral obligations promptly, in a cost-effective manner 
and with the highest degree of reliability. The maintenance 
of adequate levels of asset and liability liquidity will 
provide TCF with the ability to meet both expected and 
unexpected cash flows and collateral needs. Key liquidity 
ratios, asset liquidity levels and the amount available 
from existing funding sources are reported to ALCO on a 
monthly basis. At year end, TCF’s Liquidity Management 
Policy and current operating practices established a daily 
asset liquidity, in excess of the daily market risk collateral 
requirement of $800 million, a maximum unsecured short-
term daily borrowing limit of $225 million and collateral 
pledged at the Federal Reserve Discount Window having a 
borrowing capacity of $500 million.

TCF’s asset liquidity may be held in the form of 

on-balance sheet cash invested with the Federal Reserve 
or through the use of overnight Federal Funds Sold to highly 
rated counterparties or short-term U.S. Treasury Bills or 
Notes. Other asset liquidity can be provided by unpledged, 
highly rated securities which could be sold or pledged to 
various counterparties under existing master repurchase 
agreements. At December 31, 2011, TCF had asset liquidity 
of $1.4 billion.

Deposits are TCF’s primary source of funding. In 
addition, TCF maintains secured sources of funding,  
which include $1.9 billion in secured borrowing capacity 
at the FHLB of Des Moines and $518 million of secured 
borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Discount 
Window. TCF’s secured borrowing capacity with the FHLB 
is dependent upon the maintenance by TCF of a Borrowing 
Base Certificate which pledges consumer and commercial 
real estate loans to the FHLB under a blanket lien. The  
FHLB also relies upon its own internal credit analysis of 
TCF’s financial results when determining TCF’s secured 
borrowing capacity. Additionally, TCF has developed and 
maintains a contingency funding plan should certain 
liquidity needs arise.

Foreign Currency Risk 
The Company is also exposed to foreign currency risk 
as changes in foreign exchange rates may impact the 
Company’s investment in TCF Commercial Finance Canada, 
Inc. or results of other transactions in countries outside 
of the United States. TCF has entered into forward foreign 
exchange contracts in order to minimize the risk of changes 
in foreign exchange rates on its investment in and  
loans to TCF Commercial Finance Canada and on certain 
other foreign lease transactions. The value of forward 
foreign exchange contracts vary over their contractual lives 
as the related currency exchange rates fluctuate. TCF may 
also experience realized and unrealized gains or losses on 
forward foreign exchange contracts as a result of changes 
in foreign exchange rates.

54    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Repo rt  of I ndependent Registered Pub li c   
Acc ounti ng Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
TCF Financial Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated 
statements of financial condition of TCF Financial 
Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of 
December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated 
statements of income, equity and cash flows for each 
of the years in the three-year period ended December 
31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements 
are the responsibility of the Company’s management. 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the 
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States). Those standards require that we 
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the financial statements are free of material 
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the 
accounting principles used and significant estimates made 
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial 
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide 
a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements 
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,  
the financial position of TCF Financial Corporation and  

subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and  
the results of their operations and their cash flows  
for each of the years in the three year period ended 
December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally 
accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the  
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States), TCF Financial Corporation’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31,  
2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO), and our report dated February 21, 2012 expressed 
an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

As discussed in Notes 1 and 28 to the consolidated 

financial statements, the Company has elected to 
change its method of accounting for pension and other 
postretirement benefits in 2011. All periods have been 
retrospectively restated for this accounting change.

Minneapolis, Minnesota 
February 21, 2012

2011 Form 10-K

55

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

            At December 31,

2011

2010

 $  1,389,704 
 157,780 
 2,324,038 
 14,321 

 6,933,804 
 3,449,492 
 3,142,259 
 624,700 
 14,150,255 
 (255,672)
 13,894,583 
 436,281 
 225,640 
 537,041 
$18,979,388 

 $  4,629,749 
 5,855,263 
 651,377 
 1,065,615 
 12,202,004 
 6,416 
 4,381,664 
 4,388,080 
 510,677 
 17,100,761 

 $      663,901 
 179,768 
 1,931,174 
– 

 7,195,269 
 3,646,203 
 3,154,478 
 792,354 
 14,788,304 
 (265,819)
 14,522,485 
 443,768 
 152,599 
 571,330 
$18,465,025 

 $  4,530,064 
 5,390,802 
 635,922 
 1,028,327 
 11,585,115 
 126,790 
 4,858,821 
 4,985,611 
 414,136 
 16,984,862 

–

–

 1,604 
 715,247 
 1,127,823 
 56,826 
 (33,367)
 1,868,133 
 10,494 
 1,878,627 
$18,979,388 

 1,430 
 459,884 
 1,049,156 
 (15,692)
 (23,115)
 1,471,663 
 8,500 
 1,480,163 
$18,465,025 

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)

Assets
Cash and due from banks
Investments
Securities available for sale
Loans and leases held for sale
Loans and leases:
  Consumer real estate and other
  Commercial
  Leasing and equipment finance

 Inventory finance

Total loans and leases

 Allowance for loan and lease losses
  Net loans and leases
Premises and equipment, net
Goodwill
Other assets

Total assets

liabilities and Equity
Deposits:
  Checking
  Savings
  Money market
  Certificates of deposit
 Total deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Total borrowings

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 Total liabilities

Equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized;  

  none issued and outstanding

  Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 280,000,000 shares authorized;  

  160,366,380 and 142,965,012 shares issued, respectively

  Additional paid-in capital
  Retained earnings, subject to certain restrictions
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Treasury stock at cost, 42,566 and 51,160 shares, respectively, and other

Total TCF Financial Corporation stockholders' equity

  Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries

Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

56    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per-share data)
Interest income:
  Loans and leases 
  Securities available for sale
Investments and other
Total interest income

Interest expense:
  Deposits
  Borrowings

Total interest expense
  Net interest income

Provision for credit losses

  Net interest income after provision for credit losses

Non-interest income:
  Fees and service charges
  Card revenue
  ATM revenue
  Subtotal

  Leasing and equipment finance
  Other

  Fees and other revenue

  Gains on securities, net
  Gains on auto loans held for sale, net
Total non-interest income

Non-interest expense:
  Compensation and employee benefits
  Occupancy and equipment
  FDIC insurance
  Deposit account premiums
  Advertising and marketing
  Other

  Subtotal

  Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets, net
  Operating lease depreciation
  Other credit costs, net
  FDIC special assessment

Total non-interest expense

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Income after income tax expense

Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income
  Preferred stock dividends
  Non-cash deemed preferred stock dividend
Net income  available to common stockholders
Net income per common share:
  Basic
  Diluted
Dividends declared per common share

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

2009

 $844,796 
 85,188 
 7,967 
 937,951 

 45,108 
 193,155 
 238,263 
 699,688 
 200,843 
 498,845 

 219,363 
 96,147 
 27,927 
 343,437 
 89,167 
 3,434 
 436,038 
 7,263 
 1,133 
 444,434 

 348,792 
 126,437 
 28,747 
 22,891 
 10,034 
 145,489 
 682,390 
 49,238 
 30,007 
 2,816 
 – 
 764,451 
 178,828 
 64,441 
 114,387 
 4,993 
 109,394 
– 
 – 
 $109,394 

 $          .71 
$          .71 
$          .20 

 $883,923 
 80,445 
 5,509 
 969,877 

 61,229 
 209,446 
 270,675 
 699,202 
 236,437 
 462,765 

 273,181 
 111,067 
 29,836 
 414,084 
 89,194 
 5,584 
 508,862 
 29,123 
 – 
 537,985 

 346,072 
 126,551 
 23,584 
 17,304 
 13,062 
 146,253 
 672,826 
 40,385 
 37,106 
 6,018 
 – 
 756,335 
 244,415 
 90,171 
 154,244 
 3,297 
 150,947 
 – 
 – 
 $150,947 

 $       1.08 
 $       1.08 
 $         .20 

 $864,384 
 89,427 
 4,370 
 958,181 

 122,112 
 203,063 
 325,175 
 633,006 
 258,536 
 374,470 

 286,908 
 104,770 
 30,438 
 422,116 
 69,113 
 5,239 
 496,468 
 29,387 
 – 
 525,855 

 345,868 
 126,292 
 19,109 
 30,682 
 17,134 
 142,817 
 681,902 
 31,886 
 22,368 
 12,137 
 8,362 
 756,655 
 143,670 
 49,811 
 93,859 
 (410)
 94,269 
 6,378 
 12,025 
 $  75,866 

 $         .60 
 $         .60 
 $         .40 

2011 Form 10-K

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Equity

TCF Financial Corporation

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2008

Change in accounting principle

Subtotal
Comprehensive income (loss):
Income after income tax expense
Other comprehensive loss 

Comprehensive income (loss)

Net investment by non–controlling interest
Dividends on preferred stock
Dividends on common stock
Non-cash deemed preferred stock dividend
Redemption of preferred stock
Issuance of 719,727 common shares
Treasury shares sold to TCF employee 
benefit plans, 1,448,640 shares

Cancellation of common shares
Cancellation of common shares for  

tax withholding

Amortization of stock compensation
Exercise of stock options,  

108,800 shares

Stock compensation tax benefits
Change in shares held in trust for 

deferred compensation plans, at cost

Cost of issuance of common warrants
Balance, December 31, 2009
Comprehensive income (loss):
Income after income tax expense
Other comprehensive loss 

Comprehensive income (loss)

Public offering of common stock 
Net investment by non-controlling interest
Dividends on common stock
Grants of restricted stock, 347,916 shares
Common shares purchased by TCF   

employee benefit plans

Treasury shares sold to TCF employee  
benefit plans, 757,612 shares

Cancellation of shares of restricted stock
Cancellation of common shares for  

tax withholding

Amortization of stock compensation
Stock compensation tax benefits
Change in shares held in trust for 

deferred compensation plans, at cost

Balance, December 31, 2010
Comprehensive income:
Income after income tax expense
Other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income

Public offering of common stock
Net distribution to non-controlling interest
Dividends on common stock
Grants of restricted stock, 1,256,094 shares
Common shares purchased by TCF  

employee benefit plans

Cancellation of shares of restricted stock
Cancellation of common shares  

for tax withholding

Amortization of stock compensation
Stock compensation tax benefits
Change in shares held in trust for deferred  

compensation plans, at cost

Balance, December 31, 2011

Number of 
Common 
Shares  
Issued
 130,839,378 
 –   
 130,839,378 

Preferred 
Stock
 $ 348,437 
 –   
 348,437 

Common 
Stock
 $ 1,308 
 –   
1,308 

Additional 
Paid-in 
Capital

Retained 
Earnings
 $ 330,474  $    927,893 
 (27,377)
900,516 

 –   
330,474 

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
(Loss)/Income

Treasury 
Stock  
Total
and Other
 $  (3,692) $(110,644) $ 1,493,776 
 –   
 (110,644)  1,493,776 

 27,377 
 23,685 

 –   

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 710 
 – 
 12,025 
 (361,172)
 – 

 – 
 (481,000)

 (18,878)
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (18,638)

 94,269 
 – 
 94,269 
 – 
 (6,378)
 (50,828)
 (12,025)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 (5)

 (18,367)
 (818)

 – 
 243 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 (250)
 8,615 

 (1,279)
 (1,058)

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 (22,025)
 (22,025)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 18,638 

 37,514 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 2,817 
 – 

 94,269 
 (22,025)
 72,244 
 – 
 (5,668)
 (50,828)
 – 
 (361,172)
 – 

 19,147 
 (580)

 (250)
 8,615 

 1,538 
 (1,058)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 130,339,500  $              – 

 – 
 – 
 $1,303 

 (848)
 (402)
 $297,429 

 – 
 – 
 $   925,797 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 (402)
$    1,660   $  (50,827)  $1,175,362 

 848 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 12,322,250 
 – 
 – 
 20,000 

 442,579 

 – 
 (23,723)

 (135,594)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 124 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 4 

 – 
 – 

 (1)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 164,443 
 – 
 – 
 (8,491)

 6,358 

 (7,893)
 (247)

 (1,946)
 9,534 
 298 

 150,947 
 – 
 150,947 
 – 
 – 
 (27,617)
 – 

 – 
 (17,352)
 (17,352)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 29 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 8,491 

 150,947 
 (17,352)
 133,595 
 164,567 
 – 
 (27,617)
 – 

 – 

 6,362 

 19,620 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 11,727 
 (218)

 (1,947)
 9,534 
 298 

 – 
 142,965,012 

 – 
 $              – 

 – 
 $ 1,430 

 399 

 – 
 $ 459,884  $ 1,049,156 

 – 

 – 
 $(15,692) $  (23,115)  $1,471,663 

 (399)

Non- 
controlling 
Interests
Total
 $            –     $  1,493,776 
 –   
 1,493,776 

–   
           – 

 (410)
 – 
 (410)
 4,803 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 93,859 
 (22,025)
 71,834 
 4,803 
 (5,668)
 (50,828)
 – 
 (361,172)
 – 

 19,147 
 (580)

 (250)
 8,615 

 1,538 
 (1,058)

 – 
 – 
 $   4,393 

 – 
 (402)
 $1,179,755 

 3,297 
 – 
 3,297 
 – 
 810 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 154,244 
 (17,352)
 136,892 
 164,567 
 810 
 (27,617)
 – 

 6,362 

 11,727 
 (218)

 (1,947)
 9,534 
 298 

 – 
 $   8,500 

 – 
 $ 1,480,163 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 15,081,968 
 – 
 – 
 1,247,500 

 1,402,505 
 (120,886)

 (209,719)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

 – 
 – 
 – 
 151 
 – 
 – 
 12 

 14 
 (1)

 (2)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 219,515 
 – 
 – 
 (234)

 17,957 
 (620)

 (3,114)
 11,105 
 280 

 109,394 
 – 
 109,394 
 – 
 – 
 (30,772)
 – 

 – 
 45 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 72,518 
 72,518 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 222 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 109,394 
 72,518 
 181,912 
 219,666 
 – 
 (30,772)
 – 

 17,971 
 (576)

 (3,116)
 11,105 
 280 

 4,993 
 – 
 4,993 
 – 
 (2,999)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 114,387 
 72,518 
 186,905 
 219,666 
 (2,999)
 (30,772)
 – 

 17,971 
 (576)

 (3,116)
 11,105 
 280 

 – 
 160,366,380 

–
 $              – 

 – 
 $1,604 

 10,474 

 – 
 $715,247  $1,127,823 

 – 

 – 
 (10,474)
 $ 56,826   $ (33,367)  $1,868,133 

 – 
 $10,494 

 – 
 $1,878,627 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

58    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

  Provision for credit losses
  Depreciation and amortization
  Proceeds from sales of auto loans held for sale
  Originations of auto loans held for sale
  Net increase (decrease) in other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities
  Gains on sales of assets and deposits, net
  Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
  Other, net

Total adjustments
  Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Principal collected on loans and leases, net of loan originations and purchases
  Purchases of equipment for lease financing
  Purchases of leasing and equipment financing portfolios
  Purchase of inventory finance portfolios
  Acquisition of Gateway One Lending & Finance, LLC, net of cash acquired
  Proceeds from sales of loans
  Proceeds from sales of lease receivables
  Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
  Purchases of securities available for sale
  Proceeds from maturities of and principal collected on securities available for sale
  Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
  Redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
  Proceeds from sales of real estate owned
  Purchases of premises and equipment
  Acquisition of Fidelity National Capital, Inc., net of cash acquired
  Other, net

  Net cash used by investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net increase in deposits
  Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings
  Payments on long-term borrowings
  Net proceeds from public offering of common stock
  Redemption of preferred stock
  Net (distribution to) investment by non-controlling interest
  Dividends paid on common stock
  Dividends paid on preferred stock
  Stock compensation tax benefits (expenses)
  Common shares sold to TCF employee benefit plans
Treasury shares sold to TCF employee benefit plans

  Other, net

  Net cash provided by financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year
Cash and due from banks at end of year
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Cash paid (received) for:

Interest on deposits and borrowings
Income taxes

Transfer of loans and leases to other assets

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2011 Form 10-K

    Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

2009

$    109,394 

$     150,947 

$        94,269 

 200,843 
 73,183 
 37,395 
 (32,987)
 92,176 
 (16,465)
 4,993 
 28,011 
 387,149 
 496,543 

 812,988 
 (894,593)
 (68,848)
 (5,905)
 (94,323)
 168,834 
 125,072 
 181,696 
 (1,039,379)
 586,816 
 (6,663)
 29,093 
 107,428 
 (34,865)
 – 
 34,334 
 (98,315)

 616,889 
 (120,374)
 1,898 
 (376,087)
 219,666 
 – 
 (2,999)
 (30,772)
 – 
 280 
 17,971 
–
 1,103 
 327,575 
 725,803 
 663,901 
 $1,389,704 

 236,437 
 77,135 
 – 
 – 
62,397
 (32,483)
 3,297 
 17,994 
 364,777 
 515,724 

 429,228 
 (802,587)
 (186,779)
 (168,612)
 – 
 1,456 
 10,670 
 1,330,955 
 (1,788,142)
 436,574 
 (34,925)
 26,042 
 103,236 
 (36,088)
 – 
 32,420 
 (646,552)

 16,796 
 (117,814)
 574,876 
 (135,704)
 164,567 
 – 
 810 
 (27,617)
 – 
 298 
6,362
11,727
 1,301 
 495,602 
 364,774 
 299,127 
 $     663,901 

 258,536 
 68,491 
 – 
 – 
 (34,882)
 (30,539)
 (410)
 3,798 
 264,994 
 359,263 

 40,158 
 (801,569)
 (339,860)
 (274,722)
 – 
 937 
 – 
 2,293,739 
 (2,436,163)
 327,856 
 (18,882)
 11,129 
 25,913 
 (40,276)
 (57,728)
 28,758 
 (1,240,710)

 1,324,967 
 17,743 
 31,393 
 (141,012)
 – 
 (361,172)
 4,803 
 (50,828)
 (7,925)
 (1,058)
 – 
19,147
 2,136 
 838,194 
 (43,253)
 342,380 
 $299,127 

 $    231,353 
 $    (12,012)
 $    175,361 

 $       258,750 
 $          72,777 
 $       214,079 

 $       329,609 
 $            7,788 
 $       135,682 

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant 
Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation    The consolidated financial 
statements include the accounts of TCF Financial Corporation  
and its wholly owned subsidiaries. TCF Financial Corporation,  
a Delaware corporation (“TCF” or the “Company”), is a 
national bank holding company engaged primarily in retail 
banking and wholesale banking through its primary subsidiary, 
TCF National Bank (“TCF Bank”). TCF Bank owns leasing and 
equipment finance, inventory finance, auto finance and 
Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) subsidiaries. These 
subsidiaries are consolidated with TCF Bank and are included 
in the consolidated financial statements of TCF Financial 
Corporation. All significant intercompany accounts and 
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior 

years’ financial statements to conform to the current year 
presentation. For Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
purposes, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due 
from banks.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity 

with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles  
(“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the 
reported amount of revenues and expenses during the 
reporting period. These estimates are based on information 
available to management at the time the estimates are 
made. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Policies Related to Critical Accounting Estimates

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates   Critical 
accounting estimates occur in certain accounting policies 
and procedures and are particularly susceptible to 
significant change. Policies that contain critical accounting 
estimates include the determination of the allowance for 
loan and lease losses, lease financings and income taxes. 
Critical accounting policies are discussed with and reviewed 
by TCF’s Audit Committee.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses  The allowance 
for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level believed 
by management to be appropriate to provide for probable 
loan and lease losses incurred in the portfolio as of the 

balance sheet date, including known or anticipated 
problem loans and leases, as well as for loans and 
leases which are not currently known to require specific 
allowances. TCF evaluates the allowance for loans and lease 
losses on impaired commercial, equipment finance and 
inventory finance loans, as defined in Note 7, Allowance for 
Loan and Lease Losses and Credit Quality Information, non-
accrual leases and certain accruing classified commercial, 
equipment finance, and inventory finance loans and leases 
on an individual basis. Loans evaluated on an individual 
basis are classified as “individually evaluated for loss 
potential.” Loan impairment on commercial, equipment 
finance and inventory finance loans is generally based 
upon the present value of the expected future cash flows 
discounted at the loan’s initial effective interest rate. The 
fair value of the collateral for fully collateral-dependent 
loans may be used to measure loan impairment. Accruing 
consumer real estate loans classified as troubled debt 
restructurings (“TDRs”) are also considered to be impaired 
loans, as defined, with the allowance for loan losses for 
such loans being determined using the present value of 
expected future cash flows. See the discussion in Note 7 for 
further information on the determination of the allowance 
for losses on accruing consumer real estate TDRs.

The allowance for all other loans and leases is evaluated 
collectively by portfolio type and classified as “collectively 
evaluated for loss potential.” The collective evaluation 
of incurred losses in these portfolios is based upon the 
overall risk characteristics of the portfolios, changes in 
the character or size of the portfolios, geographic location 
and prevailing economic conditions. Additionally, the level 
of historical net charge-off amounts, delinquencies in the 
loan and lease portfolios, values of underlying loan and 
lease collateral and other relevant factors are reviewed to 
determine the amount of the allowance. 

Loans and leases are charged off to the extent they 

are deemed to be uncollectible. Charge-offs related 
to confirmed losses are utilized in the historical data 
which is used in the allowance for loan and lease losses 
calculations. Consumer real estate loans are charged-off 
to the estimated fair value of underlying collateral, less 
estimated costs to sell, when they are placed on non-
accrual status. Additional review of the fair value, less 
cost to sell, compared with the recorded value occurs upon 
foreclosure and additional charge-offs are recorded if 

60    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

necessary. Valuation adjustments on residential properties 
made within 90 days after foreclosure are recorded as 
charge-offs. Subsequent valuation adjustments are 
recorded as real estate owned expense. Deposit account 
overdrafts, which are included within consumer other, are 
charged-off no later than 60 days past due. Commercial 
loans, leasing and equipment finance and inventory 
finance loans, which are considered collateral dependent, 
are charged-off to estimated fair value, less estimated 
costs to sell, when it becomes probable, based on current 
information and events, all principal and interest amounts 
will not be collectible in accordance with the contractual 
terms. Loans which are not dependent on underlying 
collateral are charged-off when deemed uncollectible 
based on specific facts and circumstances.

The amount of the allowance for loan and lease losses 

is highly dependent upon management’s estimates of 
variables affecting valuation, appraisals of collateral, 
evaluations of performance and status, and the amounts 
and timing of future cash flows expected to be received. 
Such estimates, appraisals, evaluations and cash flows 
may be subject to frequent adjustments due to changing 
economic prospects of borrowers, lessees or properties. 
These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments, 
if necessary, are recorded in the provision for credit losses 
in the periods in which they become known. 

Lease Financing  TCF provides various types of 
commercial lease financing that are classified for 
accounting purposes as direct financing, sales-type or 
operating leases. Leases that transfer substantially all 
of the benefits and risks of ownership to the lessee are 
classified as direct financing or sales-type leases and 
are included in loans and leases. Direct financing and 
sales-type leases are carried at the combined present 
value of the future minimum lease payments and the 
lease residual values. The determination of the lease 
classification requires various judgments and estimates by 
management including the fair value of the equipment at 
lease inception, useful life of the equipment under lease, 
estimate of the lease residual value and collectability of 
minimum lease payments.

Sales-type leases generate dealer profit which is 
recognized at lease inception by recording lease revenue 
net of the lease cost. Lease revenue consists of the present 
value of the future minimum lease payments. Lease cost 
consists of the leased equipment’s book value, less the 
present value of its residual. The revenues associated  

with other types of leases are recognized over the term  
of the underlying leases. Interest income on direct 
financing and sales-type leases is recognized using 
methods which approximate a level yield over the fixed, 
non-cancelable term of the lease. TCF typically receives pro 
rata rent payments for the interim period until the lease 
contract commences and the fixed non-cancelable, lease 
term begins. TCF recognizes these interim payments in the 
month they are earned and records the income in interest 
income on direct finance leases. Management has policies 
and procedures in place for the determination of lease 
classification and review of the related judgments and 
estimates for all lease financings.

Some lease financings include a residual value 
component, which represents the estimated fair value  
of the leased equipment at the expiration of the initial 
term of the transaction. The estimation of residual values 
involves judgment regarding product and technology 
changes, customer behavior, shifts in supply and  
demand and other economic assumptions. TCF reviews 
residual assumptions on the portfolio at least annually  
and downward adjustments, if necessary, are charged  
to non-interest expense in the periods in which they 
become known.

From time to time, TCF sells minimum lease payments  

to third-party financial institutions, at fixed rates,  
on a non-recourse basis with its underlying equipment 
as collateral as a credit risk reduction tool. For those 
transactions which achieve sale treatment, the related 
lease cash flow stream and the non-recourse financing 
are not recognized on TCF’s Consolidated Statements of 
Financial Condition. For those transactions which do not 
achieve sale treatment, the underlying lease remains on 
TCF’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and 
non-recourse debt is recorded equal to the amount of the 
proceeds received. TCF typically retains servicing of these 
leases and bills, collects and remits funds to the third-
party financial institution. Upon default by the lessee, 
the third-party financial institutions may take control of 
the underlying collateral which TCF would otherwise retain 
as residual value within the Consolidated Statements of 
Financial Condition. In these non-recourse financings, the 
other financial institution has no further recourse against TCF.
Leases which do not transfer substantially all benefits 

and risks of ownership to the lessee are classified as 
operating leases. Such leased equipment and related 
initial direct costs are included in other assets on the 

2011 Form 10-K

61

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the 
lease to its estimated salvage value. Depreciation expense 
is recorded as operating lease expense and included in 
non-interest expense. Operating lease rental income is 
recognized when it is due and is reflected as a component 
of non-interest income. An allowance for lease losses is not 
provided on operating leases.

Income Taxes  Income taxes are accounted for using the 
asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred 
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax 
consequences attributable to differences between the 
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and 
liabilities and their respective tax-basis carrying amounts. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using 
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the 
years in which those temporary differences are expected to 
be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and 
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in 
the period in which the enactment date occurs.

The determination of current and deferred income taxes 
is a critical accounting estimate which is based on complex 
analyses of many factors including interpretation of federal 
and state income tax laws, the evaluation of uncertain 
tax positions, differences between the tax and financial 
reporting bases of assets and liabilities (temporary 
differences), estimates of amounts due or owed such as 
the timing of reversal of temporary differences and current 
financial accounting standards. Additionally, there can be 
no assurance that estimates and interpretations used in 
determining income tax liabilities will not be challenged 
by federal and state taxing authorities. Actual results 
could differ significantly from the estimates and tax 
law interpretations used in determining the current and 
deferred income tax liabilities.

In the preparation of income tax returns, tax positions 

are taken based on interpretation of federal and state 
income tax laws for which the outcome is uncertain. 
Management periodically reviews and evaluates the status 
of uncertain tax positions and makes estimates of amounts 
ultimately due or owed. The benefits of tax positions 
are recorded in income tax expense in the Consolidated 
Statements of Income, net of the estimates of ultimate 
amounts due or owed including any applicable interest and 
penalties. Changes in the estimated amounts due or owed 
may result from closing of the statute of limitations on tax 
returns, new legislation, clarification of existing legislation 

through government pronouncements, the courts and 
through the examination process. TCF’s policy is to report 
interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized 
tax benefits in income tax expense in the Consolidated 
Statements of Income.

Other Significant Accounting Policies

Investments   Investments are carried at cost, adjusted 
for amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts, 
using a level yield method. TCF periodically evaluates 
investments for “other than temporary” impairment with 
losses, if any, recorded in non-interest income as a loss  
on securities.

Securities Available for Sale   Securities available for 
sale are carried at fair value with the unrealized holding 
gains or losses, net of related deferred income taxes, 
reported as accumulated other comprehensive income 
(loss), a separate component of equity. The cost of 
securities sold is determined on a specific identification 
basis and gains or losses on sales of securities available 
for sale are recognized on trade dates. TCF periodically 
evaluates securities available for sale for “other than 
temporary” impairment. Declines in the value of securities 
available for sale that are considered other than temporary 
are recorded in non-interest income as a loss on securities. 
Discounts and premiums on securities available for sale are 
amortized using a level yield method over the expected life 
of the security.

loans and leases Held for Sale   Consumer auto loans 
and equipment finance leases designated as held  
for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Any 
cost amount exceeding an individual loan or lease’s fair 
value is recorded as a valuation allowance and recognized 
within the Consolidated Statements of Income as a 
reduction of gains on loans and leases held for sale.

loans and leases    Loans and leases are reported 
at historical cost including net direct fees and costs 
associated with originating and acquiring loans and leases. 
The net direct fees and costs for sales-type leases are 
offset against revenues recorded at the commencement 
of sales-type leases. Discounts and premiums on loans 
purchased, net direct fees and costs, unearned discounts 
and finance charges, and unearned lease income are 
amortized to interest income using methods which 
approximate a level yield over the estimated remaining 
lives of the loans and leases. Net direct fees and costs on 

62    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

all lines of credit are amortized on a straight line basis 
over the contractual life of the line of credit and adjusted 
for payoffs. Net deferred fees and costs on consumer real 
estate lines of credit are amortized to service fee income.
Loans and leases, including loans that are considered 

to be impaired, are reviewed regularly by management. 
Consumer real estate loans are placed on non-accrual 
status when the collection of interest and principal is 150 
days or more past due or six payments are owed. Consumer 
real estate loans are also placed on non-accrual status 
if, upon notification of bankruptcy, the loan is 60 days 
or more past due. If the loan is current at notification 
of bankruptcy, the loan is placed on non-accrual status 
at 90 days past due or when four payments are owed, or 
after a partial charge-off, which management feels is 
appropriate based on the experience of TCF’s customer 
activity and loan type. There is no industry-wide practice 
for placing a consumer real estate loan on non-accrual 
status and therefore TCF’s non-accrual information is 
not always comparable to other banks. Consumer loans, 
other than consumer real estate, are charged-off at 120 
days or more past due or when five payments are owed. 
Commercial real estate and commercial business, leasing 
and equipment finance and inventory finance loans and 
leases are generally placed on non-accrual status when 
the collection of interest or principal is 90 days or more 
past due, unless the loan or lease is adequately secured 
and in the process of collection. 

When a loan or lease is placed on non-accrual status, 
uncollected interest accrued in prior years is charged off 
against the allowance for loan and lease losses and interest 
accrued in the current year is reversed. For non-accrual 
leases that have been funded on a non-recourse basis by 
third-party financial institutions, the related liability is also 
placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received 
on loans and leases in non-accrual status are generally 
applied to principal unless the remaining principal balance 
has been determined to be fully collectible. Loans on non-
accrual status are reported as non-accrual loans until there 
is sustained repayment performance for six months.

Premises and Equipment   Premises and equipment, 
including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost and 
are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over 
estimated useful lives of owned assets and for leasehold 
improvements over the estimated useful life of the related 
asset or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Maintenance 
and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Rent 

expense for leased land with facilities is recognized in 
occupancy and equipment expense. Rent expense for leases 
with free rent periods or scheduled rent increases is 
recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Other Real Estate Owned    Other real estate owned is 
recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated 
costs to sell the property at the date of transfer to other 
real estate owned. The fair value of other real estate is 
determined through independent third-party appraisals or 
property evaluations. Within 90 days of a loan transferring 
to other real estate owned, any carrying amount in excess 
of the fair value less estimated costs to sell the property 
is charged off to the allowance for loan and lease losses. 
Subsequently, if the fair value of an asset, less the 
estimated costs to sell, declines to less than the carrying 
amount of the asset, the deficiency is recognized in the 
period in which it becomes known and is included in other 
non-interest expense. Net operating expenses of properties 
and recoveries on sales of other real estate owned are 
recorded in foreclosed real estate owned and repossessed 
assets, net. Other real estate owned at December 31, 
2011 and 2010 was $134.9 million and $141.1 million, 
respectively. Repossessed and returned equipment at 
December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $4.8 million and $8.3 
million, respectively.

Investments in Affordable Housing limited 
Partnerships   Investments in affordable housing consist 
of investments in limited partnerships that operate 
qualified affordable housing projects or that invest in 
other limited partnerships formed to operate affordable 
housing projects. TCF generally utilizes the effective yield 
method to account for these investments with the tax 
credits and amortization of the investment reflected in 
the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction of 
income tax expense. However, depending on circumstances, 
the equity or cost methods may be utilized. The amount 
of the investment along with any unfunded equity 
contributions which are unconditional and legally binding 
are recorded in other assets. A liability for the unfunded 
equity contributions is recorded in other liabilities. At 
December 31, 2011, TCF’s investments in affordable housing 
limited partnerships were $22.7 million, compared with 
$30.2 million at December 31, 2010.

Five of these investments in affordable housing limited 

partnerships are considered variable interest entities. 
These partnerships are not consolidated with TCF. As 

2011 Form 10-K

63

of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the carrying amount 
of these five investments was $22.1 million and $29.4 
million, respectively. The maximum exposure to loss on 
these five investments was $22.1 million at December 31, 
2011; however, the general partner of these partnerships 
provides various guarantees to TCF including guaranteed 
minimum returns. These guarantees are backed by a BBB 
credit-rated company and limit any risk of loss. In addition 
to the guarantees, the investments are supported by the 
performance of the underlying real estate properties which 
also mitigates the risk of loss.

Interest Only Strips   TCF periodically sells auto loans 
to third party financial institutions, at fixed rates, on 
a limited-recourse basis. For those transactions which 
achieve sales treatment, the underlying loan is not 
recognized on TCF’s Consolidated Statements of Financial 
Condition. TCF sells these loans at par value and retains a 
participation in the expected future cash flows of borrower 
loan payments which represents the deferral of a portion 
of the purchase price known as an interest only strip. The 
interest only strip is recorded at fair value at the time of 
sale in other assets within the Consolidated Statements 
of Financial Condition. The fair value of the interest only 
strip represents the present value of future cash flows to 
be generated by the loans, in excess of the interest paid to 
investors, and costs of servicing the loans and completing 
the sale. After initial recording of the interest only strip, 
the accretable yield is measured as the difference between 
the fair value and the cash flows expected to be collected. 
The accretable yield is amortized into interest income over 
the life of the interest only strip using the effective yield 
method. The expected cash flows are evaluated quarterly to 
determine if they have changed from previous projections. 
If the present value of the original cash flows expected to 
be collected is less than the present value of the current 
estimate of cash flows to be collected, the change is 
adjusted prospectively over the remaining life of the 
interest only strip. If the present value of the original cash 
flows expected to be collected is greater than the present 
value of the current estimate, an other than temporary 
impairment is recorded.

Intangible Assets   Goodwill is tested for impairment 
annually. Other intangibles are amortized over their 
estimated useful life. The Company reviews the recoverability 
of these assets at least annually or earlier whenever an event 
occurs indicating that they may be impaired.

Stock-Based Compensation   The fair value of restricted 
stock and stock options is determined on the date of 
grant and amortized to compensation expense, with a 
corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital, over 
the longer of the service period or performance period, 
but in no event beyond an employee’s retirement date. 
For performance-based restricted stock, TCF estimates 
the degree to which performance conditions will be met 
to determine the number of shares that will vest and the 
related compensation expense. Compensation expense 
is adjusted in the period such estimates change. Non-
forfeitable dividends, if any, paid on shares of restricted 
stock are recorded to retained earnings for shares that are 
expected to vest and to compensation expense for shares 
that are not expected to vest.

Income tax benefits related to stock compensation 
in excess of grant date fair value less any proceeds on 
exercise are recognized as an increase to additional paid-in 
capital upon vesting or exercise and delivery of the stock. 
Any income tax benefits that are less than grant date  
fair value less any proceeds on exercise would be 
recognized as a reduction of additional paid in capital  
to the extent of previously recognized income tax benefits 
and then as income tax expense for the remaining 
amount. See Note 16, Stock Compensation for additional 
information concerning stock-based compensation.

Employee Benefits Plans  During the fourth quarter of 2011, 
TCF retrospectively changed its method of accounting for 
pension and other postretirement benefits. TCF’s prior 
policy was to report net actuarial gains and losses as a 
component of stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated 
Statements of Financial Condition on an annual basis.  
TCF’s policy for actuarial gains and losses is now to 
immediately recognize them in its operating results in the 
year in which the gains and losses occur. Additionally, 
for purposes of calculating the expected return on plan 
assets, TCF will no longer use an averaging technique for 
the market-related value of plan assets, but will instead 
use the actual fair value of plan assets. While both the 
prior and new policies are permitted under U.S. GAAP, 
TCF believes that the new policies are preferable as the 
economic results of the Pension and Postretirement Plans 
will be recognized in earnings in the year they occur. 
Financial data for all periods presented has been adjusted 
to reflect the effect of these accounting changes. See  
Note 28 for additional information.

64    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Deposit Account Overdrafts   Deposit account 
overdrafts are reported in consumer or commercial loans. 
Net losses on uncollectible overdrafts are reported as net 
charge-offs in the allowance for loan and lease losses 
within 60 days from the date of overdraft. Uncollectible 
deposit fees are reversed against fees and service charges 
and a related reserve for uncollectible deposit fees is 
maintained in other liabilities. Other deposit account 
losses are reported in other non-interest expense.

the following pro forma financial information. The pro 
forma financial information does not necessarily reflect 
the results of operations that would have occurred had 
TCF and Gateway One constituted a single entity during 
such periods. Growth opportunities are expected to be 
achieved in various amounts at various times during the 
years subsequent to the acquisition and not ratably over, 
or at the beginning or end of such periods. No adjustments 
have been reflected in the following pro forma financial 
information for anticipated growth opportunities.

Note 2. Business Combinations

(In thousands, except per-share data)

On November 30, 2011, TCF Bank acquired 100% of the 
outstanding common shares of Gateway One Lending & 
Finance, LLC (“Gateway One”), a privately held lending 
company that indirectly originates loans on new and 
used autos to consumers through established dealer 
relationships. The acquisition of Gateway One further 
diversifies the Company’s lending business and provides 
growth opportunities within the U.S. auto lending 
marketplace. As a result of the acquisition, Gateway 
One became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCF Bank and, 
accordingly, its results of operations since November 30,  
2011 have been included within TCF’s consolidated 
financial statements. TCF’s Consolidated Statement of 
Income for the year ended December 31, 2011 included 
net interest income, non-interest income and net income 
of Gateway One totaling $282 thousand, $1.9 million and 
$89 thousand, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 
2011, TCF recognized $2 million of acquisition costs. These 
expenses are reported in other non-interest expense within 
the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended 
December 31, 2011.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information 

presents the combined results of operations of TCF and 
Gateway One as if the acquisition had been effective 
January 1, 2010. These results include the impact of 
amortizing certain purchase accounting adjustments such 
as intangible assets, compensation expenses and the 
impact of the acquisition on income tax expense. There 
were no material nonrecurring pro forma adjustments 
directly attributable to the acquisition included within 

Interest income         
Net interest income
Non-interest income
Net income
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share

Year Ended December 31,
2010

2011

         (Unaudited)

 $943,776 
 704,693 
 458,998 
 107,597 
 $          .70 
 $          .69 

 $978,623 
 706,556 
 547,940 
 150,613 
 $       1.08 
 $       1.08 

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for 
Gateway One and the amounts of the assets acquired and 
liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.

At November 30, 2011
 $115,218

(In thousands) 
Cash Consideration
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets  
  acquired and liabilities assumed:
  Cash and cash equivalents
  Restricted cash
  Loans held for sale
  Loans held for investment

Intangible assets
Interest only strip
  Deferred tax asset
  Deferred stock compensation 
  Other assets
  Accounts payable
  Loan sale liability
  Debt assumed
  Servicing funds to be remitted
  Other liabilities

Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

Total net assets acquired

 $    2,210 
 18,685 
 13,711 
 3,779 
 6,170 
 21,210 
 11,286 
 2,600 
 1,588 
 (1,043)
 (5,972)
 (9,988)
 (17,901)
 (4,158)
 $  42,177 
 73,041 
 $115,218 

2011 Form 10-K

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All of Gateway One’s loans held for investment had 
evidence of deteriorated credit quality. The goodwill of 
$73 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of 
expected incremental balance sheet and fee growth and 
cross selling opportunities. The goodwill was assigned to TCF’s 
Wholesale Banking segment. None of the goodwill recognized 
is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Pursuant to the terms of the acquisition, three key 
members of Gateway One’s management team acquired 
shares of TCF common stock in the aggregate value of 
$2.6 million with proceeds received by them from the 
acquisition. These shares of TCF common stock will be 
retained by a trustee for three years pursuant to the terms 
of custodial agreements entered into between the trustee, 
TCF and each individual. Ownership of these shares will 
be forfeited to TCF if during the three year period the 
individual terminates his employment with TCF without 
cause, or TCF terminates their employment for cause, and 
has been accounted for separately from the acquisition. 
The value of these shares has been recorded within other 
assets and will be recognized as compensation expense 
ratably throughout the duration of the three-year period.  
In addition, TCF provided Gateway One $10 million in interim 
funding prior to the acquisition to facilitate its closing in a 
timely manner. This loan was executed at prevailing market 
pricing and terms. 

Note 3. Cash and Due from Banks

At December 31, 2011, TCF was required by Federal  
Reserve regulations to maintain reserves of $42.1 million  
in cash on hand or at the Federal Reserve.

TCF maintains cash balances that are restricted as 

to their use in accordance with certain contractual 
agreements related to the sale and servicing of auto loans. 
Cash proceeds from loans serviced for third parties are 
held in restricted accounts until remitted. TCF also retains 
restricted cash balances for potential loss recourse on 
certain sold auto loans. Restricted cash totaling $17.5 
million was included within cash and due from banks at 
December 31, 2011.

Note 4. Investments

The carrying values of investments consist of the following.

(In thousands)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost
Other

Total investments

At December 31,
2010
2011
$141,516
$119,086
 30,684 
 31,711 
 7,568 
 6,983 
 $179,768 
 $157,780 

The investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”)  

stock are required investments related to TCF’s current 
borrowings from the FHLB Des Moines. FHLBs obtain their 
funding primarily through issuance of consolidated 
obligations of the FHLB system. The U.S. Government does 
not guarantee these obligations, and each of the 12 FHLBs 
are generally jointly and severally liable for repayment 
of each other’s debt. Therefore, TCF’s investments in 
these banks could be adversely impacted by the financial 
operations of the FHLBs and actions of their regulator, 
the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Other investments 
primarily consist of non-traded mortgage-backed securities 
and other bonds which qualify for investment credit under 
the Community Reinvestment Act.

During 2011, TCF recorded an impairment charge of 
$16 thousand on other investments, which had a carrying 
value of $7 million at December 31, 2011, as full recovery 
is not expected. During 2010, TCF recorded an impairment 
charge of $241 thousand on other investments, which had a 
carrying value of $7.6 million at December 31, 2010.
The carrying values and yields on investments at 

December 31, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown below.

(Dollars in thousands)
Due in one year or less
Due in 1-5 years
Due in 5-10 years
Due after 10 years
No stated maturity

Total

Carrying 
Value
 $             –
 700 
 2,000 
 4,283 
 150,797 
 $157,780 

Yield

 –% 

 2.71 
 3.25 
 5.01 
 2.84 
 2.90%

66    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
Note 5. Securities Available for Sale

Securities available for sale consist of the following.

2011

2010

At December 31, 

Amortized 
Cost

Gross  
Unrealized 
Gains

Gross  
Unrealized  
losses

Fair 
Value

Amortized 
Cost

Gross  
Unrealized 
Gains

Gross  
Unrealized  
Losses

Fair 
Value

 $2,233,307 
 152 
 – 
 1,742 
 $2,235,201 

3.79% 

 $89,029 
  – 
  – 
  – 
 $89,029 

$     – 
  – 
  – 
 192 
 $192 

 $2,322,336 
 152 
  – 
 1,550 
 $2,324,038 

 $1,929,098 
 222 
 24,999 
 2,610 
 $1,956,929 

 $16,579 
  – 
 1 
  – 
 $16,580 

 $42,141   $1,903,536 
 222 
 25,000 
 2,416 
 $42,335   $1,931,174 

  – 
  – 
 194 

3.87% 

(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage-backed securities:
  U.S. Government sponsored
  enterprises and federal  
  agencies

  Other
U.S. Treasury securities
Other securities
Total

Weighted-average yield

Gross gains of $8 million, $31.5 million and $31.8 million were recognized on sales of securities during 2011, 2010 and 2009, 
respectively. Mortgage-backed securities of $1.8 billion were pledged as collateral to secure certain deposits and borrowings 
at December 31, 2011. Mortgage-backed securities and U.S. treasury securities of $1.9 billion were pledged as collateral to 
secure deposits and borrowings at December 31, 2010. See Notes 11 and 12 for additional information. During 2011 and 2010, 
TCF recorded impairment charges of $768 thousand and $2.1 million, respectively, on other securities as full recovery is not 
expected. The other securities had a fair value of $1.6 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. 
The following table shows the securities available for sale portfolio’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by 

investment category and length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. Unrealized 
losses on securities available for sale are due to lower values for equity securities or changes in interest rates and not due to 
credit quality issues. TCF has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value occurs.

(In thousands)
Other securities 

Total

(In thousands)
Mortgage-backed securities:  
  U.S. Government sponsored enterprises  

  and federal agencies

Other securities 

Total

less than 12 months

Fair Value
 $    1,450 
 $    1,450 

Unrealized 
losses
 $      192 
 $      192 

At December 31, 2011
12 months or more

Total

Fair Value
 $     – 
$     –   

Unrealized 
losses
 $     – 
 $     –   

Fair Value
 $    1,450 
 $    1,450 

Unrealized 
losses
 $      192 
 $      192 

Less than 12 months

At December 31, 2010
12 months or more

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized 
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized 
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized 
Losses

 $988,753 
 2,216 
 $990,969 

 $42,141 
 194 
 $42,335 

 $     –   
 – 
 $     –   

 $     –   
 – 
 $     –   

 $988,753 
 2,216 
 $990,969 

 $42,141 
 194 
 $42,335 

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at December 31, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown 
below. The remaining contractual principal maturities do not consider prepayments. Remaining expected maturities will differ 
from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay.

(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
Due in 1-5 years
Due in 5-10 years
Due in after 10 years
No stated maturity

Total

2011 Form 10-K

          At December 31, 2011

Amortized Cost
$             100
99
168
2,233,192
1,642
$2,235,201

Fair Value
$             100
105
169
2,322,214
1,450
$2,324,038

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 6. Loans and Leases

The following table sets forth information about loans and leases.

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate and other:
  Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

  Other

Total consumer real estate and other

Commercial:
  Commercial real estate:

  Permanent
  Construction and development
Total commercial real estate

  Commercial business

Total commercial
Leasing and equipment finance (1):
  Equipment finance loans
  Lease financings:

  Direct financing leases
  Sales-type leases
  Lease residuals
  Unearned income and deferred lease costs

Total lease financings

Total leasing and equipment finance

Inventory finance

Total loans and leases

 At December 31,

2011

2010

Percentage 
Change

 $  4,742,423 
 2,152,868 
 6,895,291 
 38,513 
 6,933,804 

 $  4,893,887 
2,262,194 
7,156,081 
39,188 
 7,195,269 

 3,039,488 
 159,210 
 3,198,698 
 250,794 
 3,449,492 

3,125,837 
202,379 
3,328,216 
317,987 
3,646,203 

(3.1)%
 (4.8)
 (3.6)
 (1.7)
 (3.6)

 (2.8)
 (21.3)
 (3.9)
 (21.1)
 (5.4)

 1,110,803 

939,474 

 18.2 

 2,039,096 
 29,219 
 129,100 
 (165,959)
 2,031,456 
 3,142,259 
 624,700 
 $14,150,255 

2,277,753 
29,728 
109,555 
(202,032)  
2,215,004 
3,154,478 
792,354 
 $14,788,304 

 (10.5)
 (1.7)
 17.8 
 (17.9)
 (8.3)
 (.4)
 (21.2)
 (4.3)%

(1)  Operating leases of $69.6 million and $77.4 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, are included in other assets in the Consolidated Statements 

of Financial Condition.

From time to time, TCF sells minimum lease payments 

to third-party financial institutions at fixed rates. For 
those transactions which achieve sale treatment, the 
related lease cash flow stream is not recognized on TCF’s 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. During 
the year ended December 31, 2011, TCF sold $119.2 million 
of minimum lease payment receivables, received cash 
of $125.1 million and recognized a gain of $5.9 million. 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, TCF sold 
$10.7 million of minimum lease payment receivables, 
received cash of $10.7 million and recognized a loss of 
$25 thousand. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, TCF’s 
lease residuals reported within the table above included 
$9.1 million and $183 thousand, respectively, related to all 
historical sales of minimum lease payment receivables. 

68    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsequent to the acquisition of Gateway One in 
2011, TCF sold $37.4 million of consumer auto loans with 
servicing retained and received cash of $37.4 million, 
resulting in gains of $1.1 million. Related to these sales, 
TCF retained an interest-only strip of $2.2 million and 
assumed contractual recourse liabilities of $321 thousand. 
At December 31, 2011, interest only strips and contractual 
recourse liabilities totaled $22.4 million and $6 million, 
respectively. No servicing assets or liabilities were 
recorded within TCF’s Consolidated Statements of Financial 
Condition, as the contractual servicing fees are adequate 
to compensate TCF for its servicing responsibilities. The 
unpaid principal balance of auto loans serviced for third 
parties was $425.1 million at December 31, 2011. 

Future minimum lease payments receivable for direct 
financing, sales-type leases and operating leases as of 
December 31, 2011 are as follows.

(In thousands)
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Thereafter
Total

Total
 $    838,237 
 574,518 
 354,925 
 187,331 
 77,801 
 23,499 
 $2,056,311 

The aggregate amount of loans to non-management 

directors of TCF and their related interests was $21.3 
million and $7.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, 
respectively. During 2011, $19.5 million in new loans were 
made and $5.5 million of loans were repaid. All loans to 
outside directors and their related interests were made 
in the ordinary course of business on normal credit terms, 
including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing 
at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated 
persons. The aggregate amount of loans to executive 
officers of TCF was $97 thousand at December 31, 2011  
and 2010. In the opinion of management, the above 
mentioned loans to outside directors and their related 
interests and executive officers do not represent more  
than a normal risk of collection.

Acquired loans and leases   During the year ended 
2011, TCF paid $67.1 million to acquire leasing and equipment 
finance loans and leases having remaining contractual 
principal cash flows including residuals on leases of $69.9 
million and paid $5.9 million to acquire inventory finance 
loans having a portfolio balance of $6 million. See Note 2 
for information regarding loans acquired with Gateway One. 
During the year ended 2010, TCF paid $186.8 million and 
$168.6 million to acquire leasing and equipment finance and 
inventory finance loans and leases, respectively, with portfolio 
balances of $186.8 million and $168.4 million, respectively.
Within TCF’s $371.9 million acquired loan and lease 
portfolios at December 31, 2011, there are certain loans 
which had experienced credit quality deterioration at the 
time of acquisition. These loans had outstanding principal 
balances of $10.8 million and $13.7 million at December 31, 
2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. 

The excess of expected cash flows to be collected over 
the initial fair value of the acquired portfolios is referred to 
as the accretable yield and is accreted into interest income 
over the estimated life of the acquired portfolios using the 
effective yield method. The accretable yield is affected by 
changes in interest rate indices for variable-rate acquired 
portfolios, changes in prepayment assumptions and 
changes in the expected principal and interest payments 
over the estimated life of the loan or lease. These loans 
and leases are classified as accruing and interest income 
continues to be recognized unless expected credit losses 
exceed the non-accretable discount. These acquired 
loans and leases do not have an allowance for loan and 
lease losses recorded against them as the non-accretable 
discount is adequate to absorb expected remaining credit 
losses. In the future, if TCF is unable to collect the expected 
cash flows or reduces its expectations for cash flows below 
the current level, an allowance for credit losses will be 
established on these acquired portfolios. 

The non-accretable discount on loans acquired with 
deteriorated credit quality was $946 thousand and $769 
thousand at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 
respectively. The accretable discount to be recognized in 
income for these loans was $754 thousand at December 31, 
2011 and $207 thousand at December 31, 2010. Accretion 
of $157 thousand and $169 thousand was recorded for the 
years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. 

2011 Form 10-K

69

 
Note 7. Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Credit Quality Information

The following tables provide the allowance for loan and lease losses, other credit loss reserves and other information 
regarding the allowance for loan and lease losses and balances by type of allowance methodology. TCF’s key credit  
quality indicator is the receivable’s performance status, defined as accruing or non-accruing. 

(In thousands)
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance, at beginning of year
  Charge-offs
  Recoveries

  Net charge-offs

  Provision for credit losses
  Other
  Balance, at end of year
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
  Collectively evaluated for loss potential
Individually evaluated for loss potential

Total

Loans and leases outstanding:
  Collectively evaluated for loss potential
Individually evaluated for loss potential

  Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

Total 

(In thousands)
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
Balance, at beginning of year
  Charge-offs
  Recoveries

  Net charge-offs

  Provision for credit losses
  Balance, at end of year
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
  Collectively evaluated for loss potential
Individually evaluated for loss potential

Total

Loans and leases outstanding:
  Collectively evaluated for loss potential
Individually evaluated for loss potential

  Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

Total 

Consumer Real 
Estate and 
Other

At December 31, 2011
leasing and 
Equipment 
Finance            

Commercial

 $    174,503 
 (169,534)
 13,005 
 (156,529)
 166,575 
– 
 $    184,549 

 $      62,478 
 (42,733)
 1,654 
 (41,079)
 25,555 
 – 
  $      46,954 

 $      26,301 
 (16,984)
 4,461 
 (12,523)
 7,395 
 – 
 $      21,173 

Inventory 
Finance

 $     2,537 
 (1,044)
 193 
 (851)
 1,318 
 (8)
 $     2,996 

Total

 $      265,819 
 (230,295)
 19,313 
 (210,982)
 200,843 
 (8)
 $      255,672 

 $    183,429 
 1,120 
 $    184,549 

 $       24,842 
 22,112 
 $      46,954 

 $      17,339 
 3,834 
 $      21,173 

 $     2,583 
 413 
 $     2,996 

 $      228,193 
 27,479 
 $      255,672 

 $6,922,512 
 7,664 
 3,628 
 $6,933,804 

 $2,811,046 
 638,446 
– 
 $3,449,492 

 $3,112,864 
 22,200 
 7,195 
 $3,142,259 

 $616,496 
 8,204 
 – 
 $624,700 

 $13,462,918 
 676,514 
 10,823 
 $14,150,255 

Consumer Real 
Estate and 
Other

At December 31, 2010
Leasing and 
Equipment 
Finance            

Commercial

$     167,442 
 (151,107)
 16,208 
 (134,899)
 141,960 
 $     174,503 

 $       43,504 
 (49,727)
 1,327 
 (48,400)
 67,374 
 $       62,478 

 $       32,063 
 (34,745)
 4,100 
 (30,645)
 24,883 
  $       26,301 

Inventory 
Finance

 $     1,462 
 (1,484)
 339 
 (1,145)
 2,220 
 $     2,537 

Total

 $       244,471 
 (237,063)
 21,974 
 (215,089)
 236,437 
 $       265,819 

 $     173,726 
 777 
 $     174,503 

 $       26,928 
 35,550 
 $       62,478 

  $       17,478 
 8,823 
  $       26,301 

 $     2,097 
 440 
 $     2,537 

 $       220,229 
 45,590 
 $       265,819 

  $ 7,182,753 
 12,516 
 – 
 $ 7,195,269 

  $ 2,933,466 
 712,737 
 – 
 $ 3,646,203 

 $3,102,581 
 38,243 
 13,654 
 $3,154,478 

 $785,231 
 7,123 
 – 
 $792,354 

 $14,004,031 
 770,619 
 13,654 
 $ 14,788,304 

70    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing and Non-accrual loans and leases    The following tables set forth information regarding TCF’s performing 
and non-accrual loans and leases. Performing loans and leases are considered to have a lower risk of loss and are on accruing 
status. Non-accrual loans and leases are those which management believes have a higher risk of loss than performing loans 
and leases. Delinquent balances are determined based on the contractual terms of the loan or lease.

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate and other:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

  Other

Total consumer real estate  
  and other
Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance:
  Middle market
  Small ticket
  Winthrop
  Other

Total leasing and equipment  
  finance
Inventory finance
  Subtotal

Portfolios acquired with  
  deteriorated credit quality

Total

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate and other:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

  Other

Total consumer real estate  
  and other
Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance:
  Middle market
  Small ticket
  Winthrop
  Other

Total leasing and equipment  
  finance
Inventory finance
  Subtotal

Portfolios acquired with  
  deteriorated credit quality

Total

At December 31, 2011

0-59 Days 
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 60-89 Days 
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 90 Days  
or More  
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 Total  
60+ Days  
Delinquent  
and Accruing

 Total  
Performing

 Non- 
accrual

 Total

 $ 4,525,951 
 2,110,334 
 34,829 

 $32,571 
 7,813 
 20 

 6,671,114 
 3,092,855 
 227,970 
 3,320,825 

 1,627,369 
 792,566 
 447,334 
 185,563 

 3,052,832 
 623,717 
 13,668,488 

 40,404 
 98 
 49 
 147 

 1,260 
 2,368 
 235 
 198 

 4,061 
 153 
 44,765 

 $54,787 
 14,464 
 21 

 69,272 
 1,001 
– 
 1,001 

 84 
 613 
 – 
 – 

 $  87,358 
 22,277 
 41 

 $  4,613,309 
 2,132,611 
 34,870 

 $129,114 
 20,257 
 15 

 $  4,742,423 
 2,152,868 
 34,885 

 109,676 
 1,099 
 49 
 1,148 

 1,344 
 2,981 
 235 
 198 

 6,780,790 
 3,093,954 
 228,019 
 3,321,973 

 1,628,713 
 795,547 
 447,569 
 185,761 

 149,386 
 104,744 
 22,775 
 127,519 

 13,185 
 5,535 
 1,253 
 610 

 6,930,176 
 3,198,698 
 250,794 
 3,449,492 

 1,641,898 
 801,082 
 448,822 
 186,371 

 697 
 7 
 70,977 

 4,758 
 160 
 115,742 

 3,057,590 
 623,877 
 13,784,230 

 20,583 
 823 
 298,311 

 3,078,173 
 624,700 
 14,082,541 

 65,820 
 $13,734,308 

 766 
 $45,531 

 1,128 
 $72,105 

 1,894 
 $117,636 

 67,714 
 $13,851,944 

 – 

 67,714 
 $298,311  $14,150,255 

At December 31, 2010

0-59 Days 
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 60-89 Days 
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 90 Days 
 or More  
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 Total  
60+ Days  
Delinquent 
and Accruing

 Total  
Performing

 Non-  
accrual

 Total

$  4,679,168 
 2,214,805 
 39,099 

  $30,910 
 7,398 
 30 

  $42,938 
 13,365 
 9 

  $  73,848 
 20,763 
 39 

  $  4,753,016 
 2,235,568 
 39,138 

  $140,871 
 26,626 
 50 

  $  4,893,887 
 2,262,194 
 39,188 

 6,933,072 
 3,215,055 
 279,879 
 3,494,934 

 1,606,125 
 695,491 
 529,467 
 158,431 

 2,989,514 
 790,955 
 14,208,475 

 38,338 
 8,856 
 165 
 9,021 

 3,221 
 3,172 
 462 
 –  

 6,855 
 189 
 54,403 

 56,312 
 –  
 –  
 –  

 330 
 727 
 –  
 –  

 94,650 
 8,856 
 165 
 9,021 

 3,551 
 3,899 
 462 
 –  

 7,027,722 
 3,223,911 
 280,044 
 3,503,955 

 1,609,676 
 699,390 
 529,929 
 158,431 

 167,547 
 104,305 
 37,943 
 142,248 

 23,153 
 11,018 
 134 
 102 

 7,195,269 
 3,328,216 
 317,987 
 3,646,203 

 1,632,829 
 710,408 
 530,063 
 158,533 

 1,057 
 155 
 57,524 

 7,912 
 344 
 111,927 

 2,997,426 
 791,299 
 14,320,402 

 34,407 
 1,055 
 345,257 

 3,031,833 
 792,354 
 14,665,659 

 119,529 
 $14,328,004 

 1,215 
 $55,618 

 1,901 
 $59,425 

 3,116 
 $115,043 

 122,645 
 $14,443,047 

 –  
 $345,257 

 122,645 
$14,788,304 

2011 Form 10-K

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table provides interest income recognized on loans and leases in non-accrual status and contractual interest 
that would have been recorded had the loans and leases performed in accordance with their original contractual terms.

(In thousands)
Contractual interest due on non-accrual loans and leases
Interest income recognized on loans and leases in non-accrual status
  Unrecognized interest income

For the Year Ended December 31,

2011
 $37,645 
 7,371 
 $30,274 

2010
 $40,016 
 6,773 
 $33,243 

2009
 $31,368 
 3,010 
 $28,358 

The following table summarizes consumer real estate loans to customers in bankruptcy.

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate loans to customers in bankruptcy:
  0-59 days delinquent and accruing
  60+ days delinquent and accruing
  Non-accrual

Total consumer real estate loans to customers in bankruptcy

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, 

interest income would have been reduced by approximately 
$70 thousand and $79 thousand, respectively, had the 
accrual of interest income been discontinued upon 
notification of bankruptcy. 

loan Modifications for Borrowers with Financial 
Difficulties   Included within loans and leases are certain 
loans that have been modified in order to maximize 
collection of loan balances. If, for economic or legal 
reasons related to a customer’s financial difficulties, TCF 
grants a concession from the original terms and conditions 
on the loan, the modified loan is classified as a TDR. 
During the third quarter of 2011, TCF adopted 
Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-02,  
A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a 
Troubled Debt Restructuring (Topic 310), which modified 
guidance for identifying modifications of receivables that 
constitute a TDR. As a result of adopting the provisions of 
ASU 2011-02, TCF reassessed all loan modifications that 
occurred after December 31, 2010 for identification as 
TDRs. TCF adopted the provisions of the ASU that require 
impaired loan accounting and reporting for newly identified 
TDRs as of July 1, 2011. The total of newly identified TDRs 
was $46.3 million, of which $20.7 million were accruing 
consumer real estate loans and $23.7 million were accruing 
commercial loans. Due to the increase in accruing TDRs,  

At December 31,

2011

2010

 $74,347 
 1,112 
 17,531 
$92,990

$66,166
 1,849 
22,782 
 $90,797 

the consumer real estate provision for credit losses on 
impaired loans increased $2.2 million in the third quarter 
of 2011. There was no increase in commercial provision as a 
result of the newly identified TDRs. 

TCF held consumer real estate loan TDRs of $479.8 
million and $367.9 million at December 31, 2011 and 
December 31, 2010, respectively, of which $433.1 million 
and $337.4 million were accruing at December 31, 2011 
and December 31, 2010, respectively. TCF also held $181.6 
million and $66.3 million of commercial loan TDRs at 
December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, 
of which $98.4 million and $48.8 million were accruing at 
December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. 
The amount of additional funds committed to commercial 
borrowers in TDR status was $8.5 million and $2.2 million  
at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
When a loan is modified as a TDR, there is not a direct, 

material impact on the loans within the Consolidated 
Statements of Financial Condition, as principal balances 
are generally not forgiven. Loan modifications are not 
reported in calendar years after modification if the loans 
were modified at an interest rate equal to the yields of 
new loan originations with comparable risk and the loans 
are performing based on the terms of the restructuring 
agreements. All loans classified as TDRs are considered  
to be impaired.

72    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
The financial effects of TDRs are presented in the following tables and represent the difference between interest income 
recognized on accruing TDRs and the contractual interest that would have been recorded under the original contractual terms.

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance:
  Middle market

Total leasing and equipment finance

Total

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Total

(In thousands)
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Total

For the Year Ended December 31, 2011

Contractual  
Interest Due on TDRs

Interest Income  
Recognized on TDRs

Unrecognized  
Interest Income

 $23,815 
 1,712 
 25,527 
 3,249 
 306 
 3,555 

 78 
 78 
 $29,160 

 $12,225 
 955 
 13,180 
 3,066 
 306 
 3,372 

 79 
 79 
 $16,631 

 $11,590 
 757 
 12,347 
 183 
 – 
 183 

 (1)
 (1)
 $12,529 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2010

Contractual  
Interest Due on TDRs

Interest Income  
Recognized on TDRs

Unrecognized  
 Interest Income

 $19,649 
 1,450 
 21,099 
 200 
 – 
 200 
 $21,299 

 $10,416 
 719 
 11,135 
 182 
– 
 182 
 $11,317 

 $  9,233 
 731 
 9,964 
 18 
– 
 18 
 $  9,982 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Contractual  
Interest Due on TDRs

Interest Income  
Recognized on TDRs

Unrecognized  
 Interest Income

 $   6,056 
 252 
 6,308 
 $  6,308 

 $  3,086 
 129 
 3,215 
 $  3,215 

 $  2,970 
 123 
 3,093 
 $  3,093 

2011 Form 10-K

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below summarizes TDRs that defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and whose modification  

date was within 12 months of the beginning of the respective reporting period. TCF considers a loan to have defaulted when 
it becomes 90 or more days delinquent under the modified terms, has been transferred to non-accrual status or has been 
transferred to other real estate owned.

(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Commercial real estate

Total defaulted modified loans
Loans modified in the applicable period
Defaulted modified loans as a percent of loans  
  modified in the applicable period

For the Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

Number of loans

loan Balance(1)

Number of Loans

Loan Balance(1)

147
42
189
5
194
2,017

 $   26,693 
 4,934 
 31,627 
 32,161 
 $63,788 
 $482,197 

 203 
 35 
 238 
 – 
 238 
 2,022 

 $  40,241 
 2,355 
 42,596 
 – 
 $  42,596 
 $419,331 

9.6% 

13.2% 

11.8% 

 10.2%

(1) The loan balances presented are not materially different than the pre-modification loan balances as TCF’s loan modifications generally do not forgive principal amounts.

Consumer real estate TDRs are evaluated separately 

in TCF’s allowance methodology based on the present 
value of expected cash flows for loans in this status as 
the repayments of such loans is not expected from the 
foreclosure and liquidation of the collateral at the time 
of the modification. The allowance on accruing consumer 
real estate loan TDRs was $58.3 million, or 13.5% of the 
outstanding balance at December 31, 2011, and $36.8 
million, or 10.9% of the outstanding balance at December 31,  
2010. The reserve percentage increased for December 31,  
2011 compared with December 31, 2010 primarily due 
to more modifications being extended, longer expected 
modification periods and lower expected realizable values 
on re-defaulted loans due to declines in property values. 
For consumer real estate TDRs, TCF utilized re-default rates 
ranging from 10% to 25%, depending on modification type, 
in determining impairment, which is consistent with actual 
experience. The allowance on accruing commercial loan 
TDRs was $1.4 million, or 1.4% of the outstanding balance, 
at December 31, 2011 and $695 thousand, or 1.4% of the 
outstanding balance, at December 31, 2010.

Consumer real estate loans that are less than 150 days  
past due, or six payments owing, at the time of modification 
remain on accrual status if payment in full under the 

modified loan is expected. Certain borrowers are also 
required to demonstrate performance with a reduced 
payment amount prior to the actual legal modification. 
Otherwise, the loans are placed on non-accrual status  
and reported as non-accrual until there is sustained 
repayment performance for six consecutive payments.  
All eligible loans are re-aged to current delinquency  
status upon modification.

Impaired loan   TCF considers impaired loans to include 
non-accrual commercial loans, non-accrual equipment 
finance loans and non-accrual inventory finance loans,  
as well as consumer TDR loans, commercial TDR loans and 
leasing and equipment finance TDR loans. Non-accrual 
impaired loans are included in the previous tables within 
the amounts disclosed as non-accrual and the accruing 
consumer real estate TDRs and accruing commercial TDRs 
have been previously disclosed as performing within the 
tables of performing and non-accrual loans and leases.  
In the following table, the loan balance of impaired  
loans represents the amount recorded within loans and 
leases on the Consolidated Statements of Financial 
Condition whereas the unpaid contractual balance 
represents the balances legally owed by the borrowers, 
excluding write-downs. 

74    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes impaired loans.

(In thousands)
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded:
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance:
  Middle market
  Small ticket
  Other

Total leasing and equipment finance

Inventory finance

Total impaired loans with an allowance recorded

Impaired loans without an allowance recorded:
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Total impaired loans

(In thousands)
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded:
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Commercial real estate
Commercial business

Total commercial

Leasing and equipment finance:
  Middle market
  Small ticket
  Other

Total leasing and equipment finance

Inventory finance

Total impaired loans with an allowance recorded

Impaired loans without an allowance recorded:
Consumer real estate:
  First mortgage lien

Junior lien

Total consumer real estate

Total impaired loans

At December 31, 2011

Unpaid  
Contractual 
Balance

loan Balance

Related  
Allowance 
Recorded

Year-to-Date 
Average loan 
Balance

Year-to-Date 
Interest Income 
Recognized

 $396,754 
 33,796 
 430,550 
 224,682 
 36,043 
 260,725 

 9,501 
 532 
 610 
 10,643 
 823 
 702,741 

 67,954 
 3,810 
 71,764 
 $774,505 

 $395,513 
 33,404 
 428,917 
 196,784 
 29,183 
 225,967 

 9,501 
 532 
 610 
 10,643 
 823 
 666,350 

 49,099 
 1,790 
 50,889 
 $717,239 

 $55,642 
 5,397 
 61,039 
 13,819 
 4,019 
 17,838 

 1,130 
 114 
 127 
 1,371 
 44 
80,292 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 $80,292 

 $355,183 
 27,561 
 382,744 
 174,964 
 33,563 
 208,527 

 11,341 
 528 
 356 
 12,225 
 939 
 604,435 

 39,394 
 1,723 
 41,117 
 $645,552 

 $12,040 
 930 
 12,970 
 3,078 
 307 
 3,385 

 123 
 9 
– 
 132 
 71 
 16,558 

 1,194 
 79 
 1,273 
 $17,831 

At December 31, 2010

Unpaid  
Contractual 
Balance

Loan Balance

Related  
Allowance 
Recorded

Year-to-Date 
Average Loan 
Balance

Year-to-Date 
Interest Income 
Recognized

 $315,289 
 21,679 
 336,968 
 192,426 
 41,168 
 233,594 

 13,181 
 524 
 102 
 13,807 
 1,055 
 585,424 

 37,822 
 2,972 
 40,794 
 $626,218 

 $314,852 
 21,717 
 336,569 
 153,143 
 37,943 
 191,086 

 13,181 
 524 
 102 
 13,807 
 1,055 
 542,517 

 29,688 
 1,655 
 31,343 
 $573,860 

 $35,340 
 3,006 
 38,346 
 20,214 
 8,558 
 28,772 

 2,745 
 155 
 2 
 2,902 
 185 
 70,205 

– 
 – 
 – 
 $70,205 

 $279,167 
 18,248 
 297,415 
 115,385 
 33,256 
 148,641 

 13,147 
 599 
 260 
 14,006 
 913 
 460,975 

 19,232 
 1,300 
 20,532 
 $481,507 

 $10,311 
 687 
 10,998 
 115 
 4 
 119 

 80 
 1 
 8 
 89 
 48 
 11,254 

 664 
 65 
 729 
 $11,983 

2011 Form 10-K

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TCF leases certain premises and equipment under 

operating leases. Net lease expense including utilities and 
other operating expenses was $34.4 million, $34.7 million 
and $35.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
At December 31, 2011, the total minimum rental 

payments for operating leases were as follows.

(In thousands)
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Thereafter
Total

 $  26,193 
 26,885 
 25,474 
 23,996 
 20,968 
 90,615 
 $214,131 

The increase in the loan balance of impaired loans 
from December 31, 2010 was primarily due to an increase 
of $95.7 million in accruing consumer loan TDRs and an 
increase of $49.6 million in accruing commercial TDRs. 
Included in impaired loans were $413.7 million and  
$326.1 million of accruing consumer real estate loan TDRs 
less than 90 days past due as of December 31, 2011 and 
December 31, 2010, respectively. 

Note 8. Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are summarized as follows.

(In thousands)
Land
Office buildings
Leasehold improvements
Furniture and equipment
  Subtotal
Less accumulated depreciation  
  and amortization

Total

At December 31,
2010
2011
 $145,304 
 $145,583 
 272,155 
 272,036 
 62,433 
 63,612 
 323,745 
 319,679 
 803,637 
 800,910 

 364,629 
 $436,281 

 359,869 
 $443,768 

76    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets are summarized as follows. 

At December 31,

2011

2010

Weighted-
average  
Amortization 
Period  
(In Years)

Gross 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Net  
Amount

Weighted-
average  
Amortization 
Period  
(In Years)

Gross 
Amount

Accumulated 
Amortization

Net  
Amount

 11 
 5    
 2    
 7 

 $     2,730 
 4,590  
 300  
 $     7,620 

 $360 
 113  
 13  
 $486 

 $     2,370 
 4,477  
 287  
 $     7,134

 9 
 3
 –    
 9 

 $     1,400 
 50  
 –  
$     1,450 

 $197  $    1,203 
 29  
 –  
 $    1,232 

 21  
 –  
 $218 

 $141,245 

 84,395 
 $225,640 

 $141,245 

 84,395 
 $225,640 

 $141,245 

 11,354 
$152,599 

 $141,245 

 11,354 
 $152,599 

(Dollars in thousands)
Amortizable intangible assets:
  Customer base intangibles
  Non-compete agreements

Tradename
Total

Unamortizable intangible assets:
  Goodwill related to Retail  

  Banking segment

  Goodwill related to Wholesale  

  Banking segment

Total

As a result of the acquisition of Gateway One in 2011, TCF recorded goodwill and other intangibles of $73 million and  
$6.2 million, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be $1.3 million for 2012, $1.5 million  
for 2013, $1.3 million for 2014, $1.2 million for 2015 and $1.1 million for 2016. There was no impairment of goodwill or 
intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, or 2009.

Note 10. Deposits

Deposits are summarized as follows.

(Dollars in thousands)
Checking:
  Non-interest bearing
Interest bearing
Total checking

Savings
Money market

Total checking, savings and money market

Certificates of deposit
Total deposits

                      2011

2010

Rate at  
Year-end

Amount

% of Total

Rate at  
Year-end

Amount

% of Total

 – % 

 .16 
 .07 
 .37 
 .36 
 .25 
 .75 
 .29 

 $  2,442,522 
 2,187,227 
 4,629,749 
 5,855,263 
 651,377 
 11,136,389 
 1,065,615 
 $12,202,004 

 20.0% 
 18.0 
 38.0 
 48.0 
 5.3 
 91.3 
 8.7 
 100.0%

 – % 
 .26 
 .12 
 .55 
 .54 
 .37 
 .84 
 .41 

 $  2,429,061 
 2,101,003 
 4,530,064 
 5,390,802 
 635,922 
 10,556,788 
 1,028,327 
 $11,585,115 

21.0% 
 18.1 
 39.1 
 46.5 
 5.5 
 91.1 
 8.9 
 100.0% 

Certificates of deposit had the following remaining maturities at December 31, 2011.

(In thousands)
Maturity
0-3 months
4-6 months
7-12 months
13-24 months
Over 24 months

Total

2011 Form 10-K

$100,000+
 $213,611 
 67,993 
 89,169 
 35,175 
 3,225 
 $409,173 

Other
 $146,035 
 155,394 
 246,880 
 93,481 
 14,652 
 $656,442 

Total
 $    359,646 
 223,387 
 336,049 
 128,656 
 17,877 
 $1,065,615 

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 11. Short-term Borrowings

The following table sets forth selected information for short-term borrowings (borrowings with an original maturity of less 
than one year) for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2011.

(Dollars in thousands)
At December 31,
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  Federal funds purchased
  Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  U.S. Treasury, tax and loan borrowings
  Line of Credit – TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc.

Total

Year ended December 31, average daily balance
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  Federal funds purchased
  Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  U.S. Treasury, tax and loan borrowings
  Line of Credit – TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc.

Total

Maximum month-end balance
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  Federal funds purchased
  Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  U.S. Treasury, tax and loan borrowings
  Line of Credit – TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc.

N.A. Not Applicable.

              2011

Amount

Rate

          2010
Amount

Rate

          2009
Amount

Rate

$           –
–
6,416
–
–
$  6,416

$23,483
15,784
7,677
2,105
393
$49,442

$           –
20,000
12,024
2,675
5,794

–
–
.10
–
–
.10

.24%
.20
.10
–
19.08
.35

–
 N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.

$100,000
15,000
7,534
3,054
1,202
$126,790

$  63,548
43,151
12,211
3,139
2,842
$124,891

$200,000
205,000
19,913
5,029
10,202

.27%
.15
.10
–
4.00
.27

.25%
.21
.16
–
7.07
.38

N.A.
 N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.

$200,000
17,000
24,485
3,119
–
$244,604

$  15,959
45,795
20,934
2,540
–
$  85,228

$200,000
228,000
24,994
3,119
–

.22%
.11
.20
–
–
.20

.22%
.14
.61
.20
–
.27

N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
–

Securities underlying repurchase agreements are book entry securities. During the borrowing period, book entry securities 

were delivered by entry into the counterparties’ accounts through the Federal Reserve System. The dealers may sell, loan 
or otherwise dispose of such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations, but have agreed to resell 
to TCF identical or substantially identical securities upon the maturities of the agreements. At December 31, 2011, all of 
the securities sold under short-term repurchase agreements provided for the repurchase of identical securities and were 
collateralized by mortgage-backed securities having a fair value of $15.1 million.

78    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 12. Long-term Borrowings

Long-term borrowings consist of the following. 

(Dollars in thousands)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and securities  

sold under repurchase agreements

  Subtotal
Subordinated bank notes

  Subtotal
Junior subordinated notes (trust preferred)
Senior unsecured term note 
Discounted lease rentals

  Subtotal

Total long-term borrowings

Year of 
Maturity

2011
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018

2014
2015
2016

2068
2012
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

At December 31,

2011

2010

Amount

 $                 – 
 400,000 
 900,000 
 1,100,000 
 1,250,000 
 300,000 
 3,950,000 
 71,020 
 50,000 
 74,661 
 195,681 
 114,236 
–
–
 57,622 
 36,009 
 16,641 
 5,662 
 4,026 
 1,787 
 121,747 
 $4,381,664 

Weighted- 
average  
Rate

– %

 .97
4.18
4.49
4.60
3.51
4.02
2.21
2.14
5.63
3.49
12.83
–
–
5.32
5.28
5.12
5.04
4.98
4.98
5.25
4.26%

Amount

 $   300,000 
 400,000 
 900,000 
 1,100,000 
 1,250,000 
 300,000 
 4,250,000 
 71,020 
 50,000 
 74,589 
 195,609 
 111,061 
 89,787 
 84,101 
 61,829 
 39,155 
 16,463 
 5,211 
 3,818 
 1,787 
 212,364 
 $4,858,821 

Weighted- 
average  
Rate

 4.64%
.97 
 4.18 
 4.49 
 4.60 
 3.51 
 4.07 
 1.96 
 1.89 
 5.63 
 3.34 
 12.28 
 3.83 
 5.30 
 5.31 
 5.28 
 5.12 
 5.02 
 4.98 
 4.98 
 5.27 
 4.27% 

At December 31, 2011, TCF has pledged loans secured by 

The next call year and stated maturity year for the 

residential real estate, commercial real estate loans and 
FHLB stock with an aggregate carrying value of $6.9 billion 
as collateral for FHLB advances. Included in FHLB advances 
and repurchase agreements at December 31, 2011 are 
$300 million of fixed-rate FHLB advances and repurchase 
agreements, which are callable quarterly by counterparties 
at par until maturity.  

The probability that the advances and repurchase 
agreements will be called by counterparties depends 
primarily on the level of related interest rates during the 
call period. If FHLB advances are called, replacement 
funding will be available from the FHLB at the then-
prevailing market rate of interest for the term selected by 
TCF, subject to standard terms and conditions. 

callable FHLB advances and repurchase agreements 
outstanding at December 31, 2011 were as follows.

(Dollars in thousands) 

Year
2012
2015
2017
2018
2019

Total

Weighted-  
Stated 
average 
Rate
Maturity
 4.04%  $             –    
200,000 
 100,000 
 –    
 –    
 $300,000 

–
–
–
–
 4.04 

Next Call
 $300,000 
–
–
–
–
 $300,000 

Weighted-  
average 
Rate

 –%   
 3.88 
 4.37 
 –    
 –    
 4.04 

During the first quarter of 2011, TCF repaid its $90 
million senior unsecured variable-rate term note. TCF was 
not in default with respect to any of its covenants under the 
variable-rate term note agreement prior to or at the time 
of repayment. 

2011 Form 10-K

79

 
 
 
 
 
The $71 million of subordinated notes due 2014 reprice 
quarterly at the three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.63%. These  
subordinated notes may be redeemed by TCF Bank at  
par once a quarter at TCF’s discretion. The $50 million of  
subordinated notes due 2015 reprice quarterly at the three- 
month LIBOR rate plus 1.56%. These subordinated notes  
may be redeemed by TCF Bank at par once a quarter at TCF’s  
discretion. The $74.6 million of subordinated notes due  
2016 have a fixed-rate coupon of 5.5% until February 1, 2016.  
All of these subordinated notes qualify as Tier 2 or 
supplementary capital for regulatory purposes, subject  
to certain limitations.

TCF’s trust preferred securities are callable, with Federal 

Reserve approval, at par beginning August 15, 2013 or 
within 90 days of the occurrence of a “capital treatment 
event,” as defined by TCF’s trust preferred securities 
Supplemental Indenture dated August 19, 2008.

TCF will have to seek approval from the Federal Reserve 
to redeem the trust preferred securities. While TCF believes 
it will be granted such approval based on the approval it 
has previously received, TCF cannot be assured that the 
Federal Reserve will be willing to approve the redemption. 

Note 13. Income Taxes

(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2011:
  Federal
  State

Total

Year ended December 31, 2010:
  Federal
  State

Total

Year ended December 31, 2009:
  Federal
  State

Total

Current

Deferred

Total

 $(2,737)
 16,740 
 $14,003 

 $49,462 
 11,695 
 $61,157 

 $  4,311 
 6,285 
 $10,596 

 $56,144 
 (5,706)
 $50,438 

 $27,100 
 1,914 
 $29,014 

 $37,636 
 1,579 
 $39,215 

 $53,407 
 11,034 
 $64,441 

 $76,562 
 13,609 
 $90,171 

 $41,947 
 7,864 
 $49,811 

The effective income tax rate differs from the federal income tax rate of 35% as a result of the following. 

Year Ended December 31,

2011
35.00%  

4.01
 (.69)  
 (.34)  
 .05 
 .22 
 (1.01)  
(.82)  
 (.38)  
 36.04%   

2010
35.00%  

        2009

35.00%

 3.62 
 (.76)
 (.25)
 (.14)
 .17 
 (.48)
(.41)
 .14
 36.89%   

 3.56 
 (1.31)
 (.78)
 (3.16)
 .69 
 .10 
(.22)
 .79 
34.67% 

Federal income tax rate
Increase (decrease) in income tax expense resulting from:
  State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit

Investments in affordable housing

  Deductible stock dividends
  Changes in uncertain tax positions
  Compensation deduction limitations
  Non-controlling interest tax effect

Tax exempt income

  Other, net
Effective income tax rate

80    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A reconciliation of the change in the gross amount, 
before related tax effects, of unrecognized tax benefits 
from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 is as follows.

(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2011

Increases for tax positions  

related to the current year
Increases for tax positions  
related to prior years
  Decreases for tax positions  
related to prior years

  Settlements with taxing authorities
  Decreases related to lapses of applicable  

statutes of limitation
Balance at December 31, 2011

$2,464

273

605

(261)
(84)

(620)
$2,377

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, 

if recognized, would affect the tax provision and the 
effective income tax rate is $1 million, net of related tax 
benefit effects. The gross amount of accrued interest on 
unrecognized tax benefits was $240 thousand at December 
31, 2011. TCF recorded an increase in accrued interest of 
$22 thousand for 2011 and a reduction in accrued interest 
of $154 thousand during 2010.

TCF’s federal income tax returns are open and subject 

to examination for the 2008 and later tax return years. 
TCF’s various state income tax returns are generally open 
for the 2007 and later tax return years based on individual 
state statutes of limitation. Changes in the amount of 
unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months 
from normal expirations of statutes of limitation are not 
expected to be material. 

The significant components of the Company’s deferred 

tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows.

(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
  Allowance for loan and lease losses
  Stock compensation and deferred  

  compensation plans
  Securities available for sale
  Net operating losses
  Valuation allowance
  Accrued expense
  Other

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:
  Lease financing
  Securities available for sale
  Loan fees and discounts
  Premises and equipment
  Prepaid expenses
  Goodwill and other intangibles
Investments in FHLB stock

  Other

Total deferred tax liabilities
  Net deferred tax liabilities

At December 31,
2011

2010

 $  92,031 

 $    93,159 

 23,464 
– 
 16,316 
 (5,094)
 3,469 
 6,462 
 136,648 

 18,910 
 9,442 
 8,988 
 (4,159)
 3,200 
 8,655 
 138,195 

 304,996 
 32,568 
 21,938 
 20,505 
 9,092 
 5,532 
 2,509 
 6,385 
 403,525 
 $266,877 

 252,951 
–
 23,124 
 16,434 
 9,431 
 2,780 
 3,183 
 4,471 
 312,374 
 $174,179 

The net operating losses at December 31, 2011 consist 
of federal net operating losses of $3.4 million that expire in 
years 2027 through 2031 and state net operating losses of 
$12.9 million that expire in years 2012 through 2031.

2011 Form 10-K

81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 14. Equity

Restricted Retained Earnings   Retained earnings at 
TCF Bank at December 31, 2011 includes approximately 
$134.4 million for which no provision for federal income 
taxes has been made. This amount represents earnings 
legally appropriated to thrift bad debt reserves and 
deducted for federal income tax purposes in prior years and 
is generally not available for payment of cash dividends 
or other distributions to stockholders. Future payments 
or distributions of these appropriated earnings could 
invoke a tax liability for TCF based on the amount of the 
distributions and the tax rates in effect at that time.

Treasury Stock and Other   Treasury stock and other 
consists of the following.

(In thousands)
Treasury stock, at cost
Shares held in trust for deferred  
  compensation plans, at cost

Total

2011
$  (1,102)

2010
$  (1,325)

(32,265)
$(33,367)

(21,790)
$(23,115)

No repurchases of common stock were made in 2011, 2010  
or 2009. At December 31, 2011, TCF had 5.4 million shares 
remaining in its stock repurchase programs authorized by 
the Board. Prior consultation with the Federal Reserve is 
required by regulation before TCF could begin to repurchase 
its common stock. 

Public Offering of Common Stock   In March of 2011 
and February of 2010, TCF completed public offerings of 
common stock which raised net proceeds of $219.7 million 
and $164.6 million, respectively, through the issuance of 
15,081,968 and 12,322,250 common shares, respectively. 

Shares Held in Trust for Deferred Compensation 
Plans   TCF has maintained certain deferred compensation 
plans that previously allowed eligible executives, senior 
officers and certain other employees to defer payment of 
up to 100% of their base salary and bonus as well as grants 
of restricted stock. In October of 2008, TCF terminated 
these plans for those participants who elected to do so. 
Directors are allowed to defer up to 100% of their fees and 

restricted stock awards. TCF also has a supplemental  
nonqualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan in which 
certain employees can contribute from 0% to 50% of their 
salary and bonus. TCF matching contributions to this 
plan totaled $474 thousand and $807 thousand in 2011 
and 2010, respectively. TCF made no other contributions 
to these plans, other than payment of administrative 
expenses. The amounts deferred were invested in TCF stock 
or other publicly traded stocks, bonds or mutual funds. 
At December 31, 2011, the fair value of the assets in the 
plans totaled $34.2 million and included $24.4 million 
invested in TCF common stock compared with a total fair 
value of $31.4 million, including $22.3 million invested in 
TCF common stock at December 31, 2010. The cost of TCF 
common stock held by TCF’s deferred compensation plans 
is reported separately in a manner similar to treasury stock 
(that is, changes in fair value are not recognized) with a 
corresponding deferred compensation obligation reflected 
in additional paid-in capital.

Warrants   At December 31, 2011, TCF had 3,199,988 
warrants outstanding with a strike price of $16.93 per 
share, which expire on November 14, 2018. Upon the 
completion of the U.S. Treasury’s secondary public offering 
of the warrants issued under the Capital Purchase Program 
(CPP), in December of 2009, the warrants became publicly 
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 
“TCBWS”. As a result, TCF has no further obligations to the 
Federal Government in connection with the CPP.

Joint Venture   TCF has a joint venture with The Toro 
Company (“Toro”) called Red Iron Acceptance, LLC (“Red 
Iron”). Red Iron provides U.S. distributors and dealers and 
select Canadian distributors of the Toro® and Exmark® 
branded products with reliable, cost-effective sources of 
financing. TCF and Toro maintain a 55% and 45% ownership 
interest, respectively, in Red Iron. As TCF has a controlling 
financial interest in Red Iron, its financial results are 
consolidated in TCF’s financial statements. Toro’s interest 
is reported as a non-controlling interest within equity and 
qualifies as tier 1 regulatory capital.  

82    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
Note 15. Regulatory Capital Requirements

TCF is subject to various regulatory capital requirements 
administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to 
meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain 
mandatory, and possible additional discretionary, actions 
by the federal banking agencies that could have a material 
adverse effect on TCF. In general, TCF Bank may not declare 
or pay a dividend to TCF in excess of 100% of its net retained 
profits for the current year combined with its retained net 
profits for the preceding two calendar years, which was 

$329.4 million at December 31, 2011, without prior approval 
of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”).  
TCF Bank’s ability to make capital distributions in the future 
may require regulatory approval and may be restricted by its 
regulatory authorities. TCF Bank’s ability to make any such 
distributions will also depend on its earnings and ability to 
meet minimum regulatory capital requirements in effect 
during future periods. These capital adequacy standards 
may be higher in the future than existing minimum 
regulatory capital requirements.

The following table sets forth TCF’s and TCF Bank’s regulatory tier 1 leverage, tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based  
capital levels, and applicable percentages of adjusted assets, together with the stated minimum and well-capitalized  
capital ratio requirements.

(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2011:
Tier 1 leverage capital (2)

TCF
TCF Bank

Tier 1 risk-based capital

TCF
TCF Bank

Total risk-based capital

TCF
TCF Bank

As of December 31, 2010:
Tier 1 leverage capital

TCF
TCF Bank

Tier 1 risk-based capital

TCF
TCF Bank

Total risk-based capital

TCF
TCF Bank

          Actual

Amount

Ratio

 Minimum 
Capital Requirement(1)
Amount

Ratio

Well-Capitalized  
Capital Requirement(1)
Ratio
Amount

 $1,706,926 
 1,553,381 

9.15% 
 8.33 

$    745,887 
 745,940 

4.00% 
 4.00 

 N.A.
 $   932,426 

 N.A. 
 5.00% 

 1,706,926 
 1,553,381 

 1,994,875 
 1,841,273 

 12.67 
 11.53 

 14.80 
 13.67 

 539,013 
 538,829 

 1,078,026 
 1,077,658 

 4.00 
 4.00 

 8.00 
 8.00 

 808,520 
 808,243 

 1,347,533 
 1,347,072 

 6.00 
 6.00 

 10.00 
 10.00 

 $1,459,703 
 1,503,379 

 7.91% 
 8.15 

 $    738,105 
 737,702 

4.00% 
 4.00 

 N.A. 
 $   922,128

 N.A. 
 5.00%

 1,459,703 
 1,503,379 

 1,792,683 
 1,836,233 

 10.47 
 10.80 

 12.86 
 13.19 

 557,465 
 557,057 

 1,114,930 
 1,114,114 

 4.00 
 4.00 

 8.00 
 8.00 

 836,198 
 835,585 

 1,393,663 
 1,392,642 

 6.00 
 6.00 

 10.00 
 10.00 

N.A. Not Applicable.
(1)  The minimum and well-capitalized requirements are determined by the Federal Reserve for TCF and by the OCC for TCF Bank pursuant to the FDIC Improvement Act of 1991. 

At December 31, 2011, TCF and TCF Bank exceeded their regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well-capitalized.” 

(2)  The minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio for bank holding companies and banks is 3.0 or 4.0 percent depending on factors specified in regulations issued by federal banking 

agencies.

2011 Form 10-K

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 16. Stock Compensation

The TCF Financial Incentive Stock Program (the “Program”) was adopted to enable TCF to attract and retain key personnel.  
At December 31, 2011, there were 3,633,405 shares reserved for issuance under the Program.

At December 31, 2011, there were 126,809 shares of performance-based restricted stock that will vest only if certain 
return on equity goals or service conditions, as defined in the Program, are achieved. Failure to achieve the goals and service 
conditions will result in all or a portion of the shares being forfeited. Other restricted stock grants vest over periods from one 
year to seven years. Information about restricted stock is summarized as follows.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock per share
Compensation expense for restricted stock
Unrecognized stock compensation expense for restricted stock awards and options
Tax benefit recognized for stock compensation expense
Weighted average amortization (years)

    At or For the Year Ended December 31,

2011
 $  12.36 
 $10,273 
 15,723 
 $  3,984 
 1.0 

2010
 $  13.36 
 $  9,121 
 12,377 
 $  3,513 
 .9 

2009
 $  10.33 
 $  7,852 
 17,346 
 $  3,034 
 1.6 

TCF has also issued stock options under the Program that generally become exercisable over a period of one to ten years 
from the date of the grant and expire after ten years. All outstanding options have a fixed exercise price equal to the market 
price of TCF common stock on the date of grant.

The following table reflects TCF’s stock option and restricted stock transactions under the Program since December 31, 2008.

Restricted Stock

Stock Options

Outstanding at December 31, 2008
  Granted
  Exercised
  Forfeited
  Vested
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
  Granted
  Forfeited
  Vested
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
  Granted
  Forfeited
  Vested
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
Exercisable at December 31, 2011

N.A. Not Applicable.

Shares
 1,887,517 
 718,761 
– 
 (481,000)
 (254,433)
 1,870,845 
 307,433 
 (20,000)
 (387,653)
 1,770,625 
 1,247,500 
 (120,886)
 (613,125)
 2,284,114 
 N.A. 

     Price Range
 $9.41 - 30.28 
 8.29 - 13.43 
–
 10.37 - 28.71 
 17.33 - 30.28 
7.57 - 30.28 
11.50 - 14.60 
10.37 - 28.02 
8.29 - 28.71 
7.57 - 30.13 
 6.16 - 14.89 
 7.57 - 28.02 
 7.57 - 30.13 
 6.16 - 28.64 
  N.A.

Shares 
 2,373,419 
 – 
 (108,800)
 (56,000)
 – 
 2,208,619 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2,208,619 
 – 
 (9,875)
 – 
 2,198,744 
 1,109,640 

     Price Range
 $11.78 -15.75
        –
 11.78 -14.52
 11.78 -15.75
        –
12.85 -15.75
        –
        –
        –
12.85 -15.75
        –
15.75 -15.75
        –
 12.85 -15.75
 12.85 -15.75

Weighted-
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life in Years
 9.26 

 8.26 

 7.26 

 5.72 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise 
Price
 $14.44 
 – 
 14.14
 14.95 
 – 
 14.44 
 – 
 – 

 14.44 
 – 
 15.75 
 – 
 14.43 
 14.44 

84    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
Note 17. Employee Benefit Plans

Employees Stock Purchase Plan   The TCF Employees 
Stock Purchase Plan, a qualified 401(K) and employee 
stock ownership plan, generally allows participants to make 
contributions of up to 50% of their covered compensation 
on a tax-deferred basis, subject to the annual covered 
compensation limitation imposed by the Internal Revenue 
Service (“IRS”). TCF matches the contributions of all 
participants with TCF common stock at the rate of 50 
cents per dollar for employees with one through four 
years of service, up to a maximum company contribution 
of 3% of the employee’s covered compensation, 75 cents 
per dollar for employees with five through nine years of 
service, up to a maximum company contribution of 4.5% of 
the employee’s covered compensation, and $1 per dollar 
for employees with 10 or more years of service, up to a 
maximum company contribution of 6% of the employee’s 
covered compensation, subject to the annual covered 
compensation limitation imposed by the IRS. Employee 
contributions vest immediately while the Company’s 
matching contributions are subject to a graduated vesting 
schedule based on an employee’s years of service with full 
vesting after five years. Employees have the opportunity 
to diversify and invest their account balance, including 
matching contributions, in various mutual funds or TCF 
common stock. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of 
the assets in the plan totaled $138.9 million and included 
$84 million invested in TCF common stock. The Company’s 
matching contributions are expensed when made. TCF’s 
contributions to the plan were $7.6 million in 2011 and  
$6.9 million in both 2010 and 2009.

 Pension Plan   The TCF Cash Balance Pension Plan (the 
“Pension Plan”) is a qualified defined benefit plan covering 
eligible employees who are at least 21 years old and have 
completed a year of eligibility service with TCF. Employees 
hired after June 30, 2004 are not eligible to participate in 
the Pension Plan. Effective March 31, 2006, TCF amended 
the Pension Plan to discontinue compensation credits 
for all participants. Interest credits will continue to be 
paid until participants’ accounts are distributed from the 
Pension Plan. Each month TCF credits participant accounts 
with interest on the account balance based on the five-
year Treasury rate plus 25 basis points determined at the 
beginning of each year. All participant accounts are vested.
The measurement of the projected benefit obligation, 
prepaid pension asset, pension liability and annual pension 
expense involves complex actuarial valuation methods and 
the use of actuarial and economic assumptions. Due to the 
long-term nature of the pension plan obligation, actual 
results may differ significantly from the actuarial-based 
estimates. Differences between estimates and actual 
experience are recorded in the year they occur. TCF closely 
monitors all assumptions and updates them annually. TCF 
does not consolidate the assets and liabilities associated 
with the Pension Plan.

Postretirement Plan   TCF provides health care benefits 
for eligible retired employees (the “Postretirement Plan”). 
Effective January 1, 2000, TCF modified the Postretirement 
Plan for employees not yet eligible for benefits under the 
Postretirement Plan by eliminating the Company subsidy. 
The plan provisions for full-time and retired employees then 
eligible for these benefits were not changed. Employees 
retiring after December 31, 2009 are no longer eligible to 
participate in the Postretirement Plan. The Postretirement 
Plan is not funded.

2011 Form 10-K

85

The following table sets forth the status of the Pension Plan and the Postretirement Plan at the dates indicated. Amounts 
have been restated for the effects of a change in accounting principle. See Note 28 for additional information.

(In thousands)
Benefit obligation:
  Accrued participant balance – vested
  Present value of future service and benefits
Total projected benefit obligation

  Accumulated benefit obligation
Change in benefit obligation
  Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  Service cost – benefits earned during the year
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

  Plan amendment
  Actuarial (gain) loss
  Benefits paid

  Projected benefit obligation at end of year

Change in fair value of plan assets:
  Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  Actual return on plan assets
  Benefits paid

TCF Contributions
  Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status of plans at end of year
Amounts recognized in the Statements of Financial Condition:
  Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost at end of year
  Amounts not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost and included  

in accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax:

Transition obligation

  Prior service cost

  Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, before tax
Total recognized asset (liability)

N.A. Not Applicable.

                   Pension Plan

              Postretirement Plan

Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

 $47,449  
 (1,229)  
 $46,220 
 $46,220 

 $48,916 
 –  
 2,223 
 –  
 (1,718)
 (3,201)
 46,220 

 56,355 
 3,975 
 (3,201)
 –  
 57,129 
 $10,909 

 $48,473 
 443 
 $48,916 
 $48,916 

 $48,824 
 –  
 2,554 
 –  
 1,726 
 (4,188)
 48,916 

 50,605 
 9,938 
 (4,188)
 –  
 56,355 
 $  7,439 

2011

 N.A. 
 N.A. 
 N.A. 
 N.A. 

 $  9,555 
 2 
 431 
 (304)
 (1,426)
 (526)
 7,732 

 –  
 –  
 (526)
 526 
 –  
 $(7,732)

2010

 N.A. 
 N.A. 
 N.A. 
 N.A. 

 $  9,166 
 1 
 455 
 –  
 461 
 (528)
 9,555 

 –  
 –  
 (528)
 528 
 –  
 $(9,555)

 $10,909 

 $  7,439 

 $(7,732)

 $(9,555)

 –  
 –  
 –  
 $10,909 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 $  7,439 

 –  
 (301)
 (301)
 $(8,033)

 7 
 –  
 7 
 $(9,548)

TCF’s Pension Plan investment policy states that assets may be invested in direct obligations of the U.S. government, U.S. 
treasury bills, notes or bonds, with maturity dates not exceeding ten years. At December 31, 2011, assets held in trust for the 
Pension Plan included U.S. treasury notes. The fair value of these assets is based upon quotes from independent asset pricing 
services for identical assets based on active markets, which are considered level 1 under Financial Accounting Standards 
Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and are 
measured on a recurring basis.

86    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth the changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss at the dates indicated.

(In thousands)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at the beginning of the year
Prior service cost
Adjustment to transition obligation
Amortizations (recognized in net periodic benefit plan cost):

Transition obligation

Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) 

Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss at end of year, before tax

Postretirement Plan
Year Ended December 31,

2011
 $       7 
 (301)
 (3)

 (4)
 (308)
 $(301)

2010
 $11 
–
 – 

 (4)
 (4)
 $  7 

2009
 $15 
– 
 – 

 (4)
 (4)
 $11 

The measurement dates used for determining the Pension Plan and the Postretirement Plan projected and accumulated 
benefit obligations and the dates used to value plan assets were December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The discount 
rate used to measure the benefit obligations of the Pension Plan and the Postretirement Plan was 4% for the year ended 
December 31, 2011 and 4.75% for the year ended December 31, 2010. 

Net periodic benefit plan (income) cost included in compensation and employee benefits expense consists of the following.

(In thousands)
Interest cost
Return on plan assets
Service cost
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss
Amortization of transition obligation
  Net periodic benefit plan (income) cost

           Pension Plan
           Year Ended December 31,
2011
 $  2,223 
 (3,975)
 –  
 (1,718)
 –  
 $(3,470)

2010
 $  2,554 
 (9,938)
 –  
 1,726 
 –  
 $(5,658)

2009
 $    2,918 
 (13,560)
 –  
 936 
 –  
 $   (9,706)

           Postretirement Plan
           Year Ended December 31,

2011
 $      431 
 –  
 2 
 (1,426)
 4 
 $    (989)

2010
 $455 
 –  
 1 
 461 
 4 
 $921 

2009
 $    495 
 –  
 7 
 891 
 4 
 $1,397 

Pension Plan actual return on plan assets, net of administrative expenses was 7% for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 
21.1% for the year ended December 31, 2010. The actual gain on plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2011 totaled  
$4 million and reduced net periodic benefit cost during 2011.

The discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used to determine the estimated net benefit plan cost 
were as follows.

Assumptions used to  
  determine net benefit plan cost
Discount rate
Expected long-term rate  
  of return on plan assets

N.A. Not Applicable.

           Pension Plan
           Year Ended December 31,

           Postretirement Plan
           Year Ended December 31,

2011
4.75%

5.00

2010
5.50%

8.50

2009
6.25%

8.50

2011
4.75%

N.A.

2010
5.25%

N.A.

2009
6.25%

N.A.

2011 Form 10-K

87

 
 
 
Prior service credits of the Postretirement Plan totaling 

$29 thousand are included within accumulated other 
comprehensive income at December 31, 2011 and are 
expected to be recognized as components of net periodic 
benefit cost during 2012.

The actuarial assumptions used in the Pension Plan 
valuation are reviewed annually. The expected long-term 
rate of return on plan assets is determined by reference 
to historical market returns and future expectations. The 
10-year average return of the index consistent with the 
Pension Plan’s current investment strategy was 3.9%, net 
of administrative expenses. Although past performance is 
no guarantee of the future results, TCF is not aware of any 
reasons why it should not be able to achieve the assumed 
future average long-term annual returns of 1.5%, net of 
administrative expenses, on plan assets over complete 
market cycles. A 1% difference in the expected return on 
plan assets would result in a $550 thousand change in net 
periodic benefit cost.

The discount rate used to determine TCF’s Pension 
Plan and Postretirement Plan benefit obligations as of 
December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, was determined 
by matching estimated benefit cash flows to a yield 
curve derived from corporate bonds rated AA by Moody’s. 
Bonds containing call or put provisions were excluded. 
The average estimated duration of TCF’s Pension and 
Postretirement Plans varied between seven and eight years.
Included within the net periodic benefit plan cost for the 

Pension Plan are recognized actuarial gains and losses.  
The decrease in the discount rate from 4.75% at December 
31, 2010 to 4% at December 31, 2011 increased net periodic 
pension cost by $2.4 million during 2011. The reduction of 
the interest crediting rate from 4.5% at December 31, 2010 
to 3.5% at December 31, 2011 and other interest crediting 
assumption changes reduced net periodic pension cost 
for 2011 by $3.7 million. Various plan participant census 
changes decreased the 2011 net periodic pension cost by 
$400 thousand.

Included in the net periodic benefit plan cost for the 
Postretirement Plan are recognized actuarial gains and 
losses. The Postretirement Plan change in actuarially 
estimated cost per participant as of December 31, 2011 
reduced net periodic benefit cost by $1.3 million. Actual 
claims paid during 2011 totaled $453 thousand less than 
expected, reducing net periodic benefit cost. The decrease 

in the discount rate from 4.75% at December 31, 2010 to 
4% at December 31, 2011 increased net periodic benefit 
cost by $410 thousand. Various plan demographic changes 
decreased the net periodic pension cost by $72 thousand.
For 2011, TCF is eligible to contribute up to $18 million 
to the Pension Plan until the 2011 federal income tax return 
extension due date under various IRS funding methods. 
During 2011, TCF made no cash contributions to the Pension 
Plan. TCF does not expect to be required to contribute 
to the Pension Plan in 2012. TCF expects to contribute 
$823 thousand to the Postretirement Plan in 2012. TCF 
contributed $526 thousand and $528 thousand to the 
Postretirement Plan for the years ended December 31, 2011 
and 2010, respectively. TCF currently has no plans to pre-
fund the Postretirement Plan in 2012.

The following are expected future benefit payments  

used to determine projected benefit obligations.

(In thousands)
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017-2021

Pension  
Plan
 $  4,288 
 3,646 
 4,097 
 3,182 
 3,201 
 14,773 

Postretirement 
Plan
 $    823 
 799 
 770 
 738 
 705 
 2,984 

The following table presents assumed health care cost 

trend rates for the Postretirement Plan at December 31, 
2011 and 2010.

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
Final health care cost trend rate
Year that final health care trend rate is reached

2011
6.75% 
5% 

2023

2010
 7.50% 
 5% 

2023

Assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on 

the amounts reported for the Postretirement Plan. A 1% 
change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have 
the following effects.

(In thousands)
Effect on total service and  
interest cost components

Effect on postretirement  
  benefits obligations

    1-Percentage-Point
Increase

Decrease

$  19

354 

$  (18)

(321)

88    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
Commitments to Extend Credit   Commitments to extend 
credit are agreements to lend provided there is no violation 
of any condition in the contract. These commitments 
generally have fixed expiration dates or termination clauses 
and may require payment of a fee. Since certain of the 
commitments are expected to expire without being drawn 
upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily 
represent future cash requirements. Collateral to secure 
these commitments predominantly consists of residential 
and commercial real estate.

Standby letters of Credit and Guarantees on 
Industrial Revenue Bonds   Standby letters of credit and 
guarantees on industrial revenue bonds are conditional 
commitments issued by TCF guaranteeing the performance 
of a customer to a third-party. These conditional 
commitments expire in various years through 2016. 
Collateral held primarily consists of commercial real estate 
mortgages. Since the conditions under which TCF is required 
to fund these commitments may not materialize, the 
cash requirements are expected to be less than the total 
outstanding commitments.

Note 18. Financial Instruments with  
Off-Balance Sheet Risk

TCF is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet 
risk, primarily to meet the financing needs of its customers. 
These financial instruments, which are issued or held for 
purposes other than trading, involve elements of credit and 
interest-rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

TCF’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of non-

performance by the counterparty to the financial 
instrument, for commitments to extend credit and standby 
letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount 
of the commitments. TCF uses the same credit policies in 
making these commitments as it does for making direct 
loans. TCF evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on 
a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained is 
based on a credit evaluation of the customer.

Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk are 

summarized as follows.

(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit:
  Consumer real estate and other
  Commercial
  Leasing and equipment finance

Total commitments to extend credit

Standby letters of credit and  
  guarantees on industrial revenue bonds

Total

At December 31,
2010
2011

$1,349,779  $1,444,619 
 277,427 
 148,597 
 1,870,643 

 279,076 
 177,534 
 1,806,389 

 26,964 

 31,062 
$1,833,353   $1,901,705 

2011 Form 10-K

89

 
 
 
 
 
Note 19. Foreign Exchange Contracts

Forward foreign exchange contracts to sell a foreign currency 
are used to manage the foreign exchange risk associated 
with certain assets, liabilities and forecasted transactions. 
Forward foreign exchange contracts represent agreements 
to exchange a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at an agreed-
upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. 

All forward foreign exchange contracts are recognized 

within other assets or other liabilities at fair value on 

the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. 
These contracts typically settle within 30 days with the 
exception of contracts associated with cash flow hedges 
which have maturities as long as seven months. The 
following table summarizes the forward foreign exchange 
contracts, recorded at fair value, that are reflected within 
other assets and other liabilities on TCF’s Consolidated 
Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 20, Fair  
Value Measurement for additional information.

(In thousands)
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Netting adjustments (1)
  Net receivable / payable

Notional 
Amount
 $176,979 

Designated  
as Hedges
 $     – 
 – 
  $     – 

(In thousands)
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Netting adjustments (1)
  Net receivable / payable

Notional 
Amount
 $185,540 

Designated  
as Hedges
 $   12 
 (12)
 $     – 

Receivables 
Not  
Designated  
as Hedges
 $  396 
 (396)
 $       – 

Receivables 
Not  
Designated  
as Hedges
 $       3 
 (3)
$       – 

December 31, 2011

Total
 $  396 
 (396)
 $       – 

Designated  
as Hedges
 $    3 
 (3)
 $    – 

December 31, 2010

Total
 $     15 
 (15)
 $       – 

Designated  
as Hedges
 $198 
 (12)
 $186 

Payables
Not  
Designated  
as Hedges
 $    662 
 (378)
 $    284 

Payables
Not  
Designated  
as Hedges
 $1,659 
 (3)
 $1,656 

Total
 $   665 
 (381)
 $   284 

Total
 $1,857 
 (15)
 $1,842 

(1)  Foreign exchange contract receivables and payables, and the related cash collateral received and paid are netted when a legally enforceable master netting agreement 

exists between TCF and a counterparty. Includes $150 thousand of cash collateral received and $135 thousand of cash collateral posted at December 31, 2011.

The value of forward foreign exchange contracts will vary 
over their contractual term as the related currency exchange 
rates fluctuate. The accounting for changes in the fair value 
of a forward foreign exchange contract depends on whether 
or not the contract has been designated and qualifies as 
a hedge. To qualify as a hedge, a contract must be highly 
effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure 
being hedged. In addition, for a contract to be designated 
as a hedge, the risk management objective and strategy 
must be documented. Hedge documentation must also 
identify the hedging instrument, the asset or liability and 
type of risk to be hedged and how the effectiveness of the 
contract is assessed prospectively and retrospectively. To 
assess effectiveness, TCF uses statistical methods such as 
regression analysis. The extent to which a contract has been, 

and is expected to continue to be effective at offsetting 
changes in cash flows or the net investment must be 
assessed and documented quarterly. If it is determined that 
a contract is not highly effective at hedging the designated 
exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued. 

Upon origination of a forward foreign exchange 

contract, the contract is designated either as a hedge of 
a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows 
to be paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash 
flow hedge”); or a hedge of the volatility of an investment 
in foreign operations driven by changes in foreign currency 
exchange rates (“net investment hedge”). To the extent 
that a hedge is effective, changes in fair value are recorded 
within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), 
with any ineffectiveness recorded in non-interest expense. 

90    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recorded within other comprehensive income 
(loss) are subsequently reclassified to non-interest expense 
upon completion of the related transaction. Changes in net 
investment hedges recorded within other comprehensive 
income (loss) are subsequently reclassified to non-interest 
expense during the period in which the foreign investment 
is substantially liquidated or when other elements of the 
currency translation adjustment are reclassified to income. 
If a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, 
hedge accounting is ceased and any gain or loss included in 
other comprehensive income (loss) is reported in earnings 
immediately. Changes in the values of forward foreign 
exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges are 
reflected in non-interest expense.

Cash Flow Hedges   Foreign exchange contracts, which 
include forward contracts, were used to manage the 
foreign exchange risk associated with certain minimum 
lease payment streams. TCF had less than $1 thousand of 
unrealized gains and $2 thousand of unrealized losses, at 
December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, classified as 
cash flow hedges and recorded in other comprehensive 
income (loss). During 2011, TCF recorded gains on foreign 
exchange contracts totaling $289 thousand within other 
comprehensive income, which were also reclassified into 
earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2011, losses of 
$24 thousand were excluded from the assessment of hedge 
effectiveness of TCF’s cash flow hedges, while the amount 
excluded in 2010 was less than $1 thousand.

Net Investment Hedges   Foreign exchange contracts, 
which include forward contracts and currency options, are 
used to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with 
the Company’s net investment in TCF Commercial Finance 
Canada, Inc., a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, along 
with certain assets, liabilities and forecasted transactions 
of that subsidiary. The gross amount of related gains or 
losses included in the cumulative translation adjustment 
within other comprehensive income (loss) for the year 
ended December 31, 2011 was a gain of $259 thousand. For 
the year ending December 31, 2010, a loss of $195 thousand 
was included in the cumulative translation adjustment 
within other comprehensive income (loss). 

The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact 

of foreign exchange activity on other non-interest 
expense within the Consolidated Statements of Income 
and Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, by 
accounting designation. 

(In thousands)
Consolidated Statements of Income:
  Foreign exchange (losses) gains
  Forward foreign exchange contract losses:

  Cash flow hedge
  Not designated as hedges

Total forward foreign exchange  
  contract gains (losses)

  Net realized losses

Accumulated other comprehensive income  
  (loss):
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
  Net investment hedge
  Cash flow hedge

  Net unrealized (loss) gain

For the Year Ended  
December 31,
2011

2010

 $(4,751)

 $  1,720 

 $      265 
 3,062 

 $          – 
 (1,976)

3,327
(1,424)

 (1,976) 
(256)

 (433) 
 259 
 2 
 $  (172) 

 575 
 (195)
 (1)
 $     379 

TCF executes all of its foreign exchange contracts in 
the over-the-counter market with large, international 
financial institutions pursuant to International Swaps and 
Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements. 
These agreements include credit risk-related features 
that enhance the creditworthiness of these instruments 
as compared with other obligations of the respective 
counterparty with whom TCF has transacted by requiring 
that additional collateral be posted under certain 
circumstances. At December 31, 2010, TCF had posted  
$854 thousand of U.S. Treasury securities as collateral 
under such agreements in the normal course of business. 
The amount of collateral required depends on the contract 
and is determined daily based on market and currency 
exchange rate conditions. 

In connection with certain over-the-counter forward 

foreign exchange contracts, TCF could be required to 
terminate transactions with certain counterparties in the 
event that, among other things, TCF Bank’s long-term debt 
is rated less than BBB- by Standard and Poor’s or Baa3 
by Moody’s. At December 31, 2011, credit risk-related 
contingent features existed on forward foreign exchange 
contracts with a notional value of $76.4 million. In the 
event TCF was rated less than BB- by Standard and Poor’s, 
the contract could be terminated or TCF may be required to 
provide approximately $1.5 million of additional collateral. 
There were $344 thousand of forward foreign exchange 
contracts containing credit risk related features in a net 
liability position at December 31, 2011 with cash collateral 
posted by TCF of $135 thousand to offset these contracts. 

2011 Form 10-K

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 20. Fair Value Measurement

Fair values represent the estimated price that would  
be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a 
liability, otherwise known as an “exit price.” The following  
is a descrip tion of valuation methodologies used for  
assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis at 
December 31, 2011. 

Securities Available for Sale   Securities available 
for sale consist primarily of U.S. Government sponsored 
enterprise securities and federal agencies and U.S. Treasury 
securities. The fair value of U.S. Government sponsored 
enterprise securities is recorded using prices obtained 
from independent asset pricing services that are based on 
observable transactions, but not quoted markets, and are 
classified as Level 2 assets. The fair value of U.S. Treasury 
bills and notes is recorded using prices obtained from 
independent asset pricing services that obtain prices from 
brokers and active market participants, and are classified as 
Level 1 assets. Management reviews the prices obtained from 
independent asset pricing services for unusual fluctuations 
and comparisons to current market trading activity. 
However, management does not adjust these prices. 

Other securities, for which there is little or no market 
activity, are categorized as Level 3 assets. Other securities 

classified as Level 3 assets include equity investments in 
other thinly traded financial institutions and foreign debt 
securities. The fair value of these assets is determined by 
using quoted prices, when available, and incorporating 
results of internal pricing techniques and observable 
market information, which is adjusted for security specific 
information, such as financial statement strength, earnings 
history, disclosed fair value measurements, recorded 
impairments and key financial ratios, to determine fair 
value. Other securities, for which there are active markets 
and routine trading volume, are categorized as Level 1 assets. 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   Forward foreign 
currency contract assets and liabilities are carried at fair 
value, which is net of the related cash collateral received 
and paid when a legally enforceable master netting 
agreement exists between TCF and the counterparty.

Assets Held in Trust for Deferred Compensation    
Assets held in trust for deferred compensation plans 
include investments in publicly traded stocks, excluding 
TCF common stock reported in treasury and other equity, 
and U.S. Treasury notes. The fair value of these assets is 
based upon prices obtained from independent asset pricing 
services based on active markets.

92    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. 

(In thousands)
At December 31, 2011:
  Securities available for sale:

  Mortgage-backed securities:

  U.S. Government sponsored enterprises and federal agencies
  Other

  Other securities 

  Forward foreign currency contracts
  Assets held in trust for deferred compensation plans (4)

Total assets

  Forward foreign currency contracts

Total liabilities
At December 31, 2010:
  Securities available for sale:

  Mortgage-backed securities:

  U.S. Government sponsored enterprises and federal agencies

  Other 
  U.S. Treasury securities
  Other securities 

  Forward foreign currency contracts
  Assets held in trust for deferred compensation plans (4)

Total assets

  Forward foreign currency contracts

Total liabilities

Readily  
Available  
Market Prices(1)

Observable  
Market Prices(2)

Company  
Determined 
Market Prices(3) 

Total at  
Fair Value

 $           – 
 – 
 252 
 – 
 9,833 
 $10,085 
$           – 
 $           – 

 $           – 
 – 
 25,000 
 – 
 – 
 9,178 
 $34,178 
 $           – 
 $           – 

 $2,322,336 
 – 
 – 
 396 
 – 
 $2,322,732 
 $             665 
$             665 

 $ 1,903,536 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 15 
 – 
 $ 1,903,551 
 $          1,857 
 $          1,857 

 $         – 
 152 
 1,298 
 – 
 – 
 $1,450 
$         – 
 $         – 

 $        – 
 222 
 – 
 2,416 
 – 
 – 
 $2,638 
 $        – 
 $        – 

 $2,322,336 
 152 
 1,550 
 396 
 9,833 
 $2,334,267 
 $             665 
 $             665 

 $ 1,903,536 
 222 
 25,000 
 2,416 
 15 
 9,178 
 $ 1,940,367 
 $         1,857 
 $         1,857 

(1) Considered Level 1 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
(2) Considered Level 2 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
(3)  Considered Level 3 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and are based on valuation models that use significant assumptions that are not observable in 

an active market.

(4) A corresponding liability is recorded in other liabilities for TCF’s obligation to the participants in these plans.

2011 Form 10-K

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The change in total assets carried at fair value using 
Company Determined Market Prices, from December 31, 
2010 to December 31, 2011, was the result of decreases 
in fair values of $672 thousand recorded within non-
interest expense, decreases in fair value of $82 thousand 
recorded through other comprehensive income, sales of 
$100 thousand and reductions due to principal paydowns 
of $70 thousand. Transfers to securities measured at fair 
value using Readily Available Market Prices from securities 
measured using Company Determined Market Prices were 
$264 thousand.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies  

used for assets measured on a non-recurring basis.

loans   Impaired loans for which repayment of the loan is 
expected to be provided solely by the value of the underlying 
collateral are considered collateral dependent and are 
valued based on the estimated fair value of such collateral.

Real Estate Owned and Repossessed and Returned 
Equipment   The fair value of real estate owned is based 
on independent full appraisals, real estate broker’s price 
opinions, or automated valuation methods, less estimated 
selling costs. Certain properties require assumptions that 
are not observable in an active market in the determination 
of fair value. The fair value of repossessed and returned 
equipment is based on available pricing guides, auction 
results or price opinions, less estimated selling costs. 
Assets acquired through foreclosure, repossession or 
returned to TCF are initially recorded at the lower of the 
loan or lease carrying amount or fair value less estimated 
selling costs at the time of transfer to real estate owned or 
repossessed and returned equipment. Real estate owned 
and repossessed and returned equipment were written down 
$26.4 million, which is included in foreclosed real estate 
and repossessed assets, net expense, during the year ended 
December 31, 2011.

The table below presents the balances of assets which were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

(In thousands)
At December 31, 2011:
loans (4)
Real estate owned (5)
Repossessed and returned equipment (5)
Investments (6)

Total

At December 31, 2010:
Loans (4)
Real estate owned (5)
Repossessed and returned equipment (5)
Investments (6)

Total

Readily  
Available  
Market Prices(1)

Observable  
Market Prices(2)

Company  
Determined 
Market Prices(3) 

 $    –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 $    –  

 $    –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 $    –  

 $         –  
 –  
 3,889 
 –  
 $3,889 

 $        –  
 –  
 5,731 
 –  
 $5,731 

 $  29,003 
 122,263 
 270 
 4,244 
 $155,780 

 $   42,683 
 127,295 
 1,180 
 4,296 
 $ 175,454 

Total at  
Fair Value

 $  29,003 
 122,263 
 4,159 
 4,244 
 $159,669 

 $   42,683 
 127,295 
 6,911 
 4,296 
 $181,185 

(1) Considered Level 1 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
(2) Considered Level 2 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
(3)  Considered Level 3 under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and are based on valuation models that use significant assumptions that are not observable in 

an active market.

(4) Represents the carrying value of loans for which impairment reserves are determined based on the appraisal value of the collateral.
(5) Amounts do not include assets held at cost at December 31, 2011 or 2010.
(6)  Represents the carrying value of other investments which were recorded at fair value determined by using quoted prices, when available, and incorporating results of 

internal pricing techniques and observable market information.

94    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
Note 21. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

TCF is required to disclose the estimated fair value of 
financial instruments, both assets and liabilities on 
and off the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to 
estimate fair value. These fair value estimates were made 
at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 based on 
relevant market information and information about the 
financial instruments. Fair value estimates are intended 
to represent the price at which an asset could be sold or a 
liability could be settled. However, given there is no active 
market or observable market transactions for many of TCF’s 
financial instruments, the Company has made estimates 
of fair values which are subjective in nature, involve 

uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and 
therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in 
assumptions could significantly affect the estimated values.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of 
TCF’s remaining financial instruments are set forth in the 
following table. This information represents only a portion 
of TCF’s balance sheet, and not the estimated value of 
the Company as a whole. Non-financial instruments such 
as the value of TCF’s branches and core deposits, leasing 
operations and the future revenues from TCF’s customers 
are not reflected in this disclosure. Therefore, this 
information is of limited use in assessing the value of TCF.

At December 31,

       2011

       2010

Carrying 
Amount

Estimated  
Fair Value

Carrying 
Amount

Estimated  
Fair Value

 $  1,389,704 
 157,780 
 2,324,038 
 14,321 
 22,436 

 $   1,389,704 
 157,780 
 2,324,038 
 14,524 
 22,436 

 $      663,901 
 179,768 
 1,931,174 
 –  
 –  

 6,933,804 
 3,198,698 
 250,794 
 1,110,803 
 624,700 
 (255,672)
 $15,771,406 

 6,583,570 
 3,154,724 
 242,331 
 1,118,271 
 623,651 
 –  
 $15,631,029 

 $11,136,389 
 1,065,615 
 6,416 
 4,381,664 
 284 
 $16,590,368 

 $11,136,389 
 1,068,793 
 6,416 
 4,913,637 
 284 
 $17,125,519 

 7,195,269 
 3,328,216 
 317,987 
 939,474 
 792,354 
 (265,819)
 $15,082,324 

 $10,556,788 
 1,028,327 
 126,790 
 4,858,821 
 1,842 
 $16,572,568 

 $      663,901 
 179,768 
 1,931,174 
 –  
 –  

 6,907,960 
 3,222,201 
 303,172 
 942,167 
 792,940 
 –  
 $14,943,283 

 $10,556,788 
 1,031,090 
 126,790 
 5,280,615 
 1,842 
 $16,997,125 

 $         31,210 
 (71)
$         31,139 

 $         31,210 
 (71)
$         31,139 

 $         33,909 
 (92)
$         33,817 

 $         33,909 
 (92)
 $         33,817 

(In thousands)
Financial instrument assets:
  Cash and due from banks

Investments

  Securities available for sale
  Loans and leases held for sale

Interest only strips

  Loans:

  Consumer real estate and other
  Commercial real estate
  Commercial business
  Equipment finance loans
Inventory finance loans
  Allowance for loan losses (1)

Total financial instrument assets

Financial instrument liabilities:
  Checking, savings and money market deposits
  Certificates of deposit
  Short-term borrowings
  Long-term borrowings
  Forward foreign currency contracts

Total financial instrument liabilities

Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk: (2)
  Commitments to extend credit (3)
  Standby letters of credit (4)

Total financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk

(1) Expected credit losses are included in the estimated fair values.
(2) Positive amounts represent assets, negative amounts represent liabilities.
(3) Carrying amounts are included in other assets.
(4) Carrying amounts are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities.  

2011 Form 10-K

95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The carrying amounts of cash and due from banks and 

accrued interest payable and receivable approximate 
their fair values due to the short period of time until their 
expected realization. Securities available for sale, forward 
foreign exchange contracts and assets held in trust for 
deferred compensation plans are carried at fair value (see 
Note 20). Certain financial instruments, including lease 
financings, discounted lease rentals and all non-financial 
instruments are excluded from fair value of financial 
instrument disclosure requirements. The following methods 
and assumptions are used by TCF in estimating fair value for 
its remaining financial instruments, all of which are issued 
or held for purposes other than trading.

Investments   The carrying value of investments in FHLB 
stock and Federal Reserve stock approximates fair value. 
The fair value of other investments is estimated based 
on discounted cash flows using current market rates and 
consideration of credit exposure.

loans and leases Held for Sale   Auto loans and 
equipment finance leases held for sale are carried at the 
lower of cost or fair value. The cost of auto loans held for 
sale includes the unpaid principal balance, net of deferred 
loan fees and cost and dealer participation premiums. 
Estimated fair values are based upon recent loan sale 
transactions and any available price quotes on loans with 
similar coupons, maturities and credit quality.

Interest Only Strips   The fair value of the interest only 
strip represents the present value of future cash flows to 
be generated by the loans, in excess of the interest paid to 
investors and servicing revenue received on the loans, and 
is included in other assets in the Consolidated Statements 
of Financial Condition. This excess interest represents 
future proceeds and is generated as the contractual loan 
rate less the fixed rate that will be paid to the investor as 
specified in the loan sale agreements. TCF uses available 
market data, along with its own empirical data and 
discounted cash flow models, to arrive at the estimated 
fair value of its interest only strips. The present value of 

the estimated expected future cash flows to be received is 
determined by using discount, loss and prepayment rates 
that the Company believes are commensurate with the 
risks associated with the cash flows. These assumptions 
are inherently subject to volatility and uncertainty, and as 
a result, the estimated fair value of the interest only strip 
will potentially fluctuate from period to period and such 
fluctuations could be significant. 

loans   The fair value of loans is estimated based on 
discounted expected cash flows. These cash flows include 
assumptions for prepayment estimates over the loans’ 
remaining life, consideration of the current interest rate 
environment compared to the weighted average rate of each 
portfolio, a credit risk component based on the historical 
and expected performance of each portfolio and a liquidity 
adjustment related to the current market environment.

Deposits   The fair value of checking, savings and money 
market deposits is deemed equal to the amount payable 
on demand. The fair value of certificates of deposit is 
estimated based on discounted cash flows using currently 
offered market rates. The intangible value of long-term 
relationships with depositors is not taken into account in 
the fair values disclosed.

Borrowings   The carrying amounts of short-term 
borrowings approximate their fair values. The fair values 
of TCF’s long-term borrowings are estimated based on 
observable market prices and discounted cash flows using 
interest rates for borrowings of similar remaining maturities 
and characteristics.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet 
Risk   The fair values of TCF’s commitments to extend 
credit and standby letters of credit are estimated using 
fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements as 
commitments and standby letters of credit similar to TCF’s 
are not actively traded. Substantially all commitments to 
extend credit and standby letters of credit have floating 
rates and do not expose TCF to interest-rate risk; therefore 
fair value is approximately equal to carrying value.

96    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Note 22. Earnings Per Common Share

TCF’s restricted stock awards that pay non-forfeitable common stock dividends meet the criteria of a participating security. 
Accordingly, earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method, under which earnings are allocated to both 
common shares and participating securities. 

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
Net income
Preferred stock dividends
Non-cash deemed preferred stock dividend
  Net income available to common stockholders
  Earnings allocated to participating securities

  Earnings allocated to common stock

Weighted-average share outstanding
Restricted stock
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic earnings  

  per common share

Basic earnings per common share

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings allocated to common stock
Weighted-average number of common share outstanding adjusted  

for effect of dilutive securities: 

  Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in basic earnings  

  per common share calculation

  Net dilutive effect of:

  Non-participating restricted stock
  Stock options
  Warrants

  Weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings  

  per common share
Diluted earnings per common share

Year Ended December 31,
2010

2011

2009

 $        109,394 
 –  
 –  
 109,394 
 292 
 $        109,102 
 155,938,871 
 (1,716,565)

 $        150,947 
 –  
 –  
 150,947 
 752 
 $        150,195 
 139,681,722 
 (1,065,206)

 $           94,269 
 6,378 
 12,025 
 75,866 
 257 
 $           75,609 
 127,592,824 
 (999,580)

 154,222,306 
 $                  .71 

 138,616,516 
 $               1.08 

 126,593,244 
 $                  .60 

 $        109,102 

 $        150,195 

 $           75,609 

 154,222,306 

 138,616,516 

 126,593,244 

 204,354 
 82,560 
 –  

 56,844 
 139,155 
 –  

 229 
 167 
 –  

 154,509,220 
 $                  .71 

 138,812,515 
 $               1.08 

 126,593,640 
 $                  .60 

All shares of restricted stock are deducted from 

weighted-average shares outstanding for the computation 
of basic earnings per common share. Shares of 
performance-based restricted stock are included in the 
calculation of diluted earnings per common share, using 
the treasury stock method, at the beginning of the quarter 
in which the performance goals have been achieved. All 
other shares of restricted stock, which vest over specified 
time periods, stock options, and warrants are included 

in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share, 
using the treasury stock method.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 

2009, 5 million, 4.1 million and 6.5 million shares, 
respectively, related to non-participating restricted stock, 
stock options, and warrants were not included in the 
computation of diluted earnings per share because they 
were anti-dilutive.

2011 Form 10-K

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 23. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is the total of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). The following table summarizes the 
components of comprehensive income. 

(In thousands)
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss):
  Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the year on securities  

  available for sale

  Recognized postretirement prior service cost and transition obligation
  Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
  Foreign currency hedge

Income tax (expense) benefit

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income

Note 24. Other Expense

Other expense consists of the following. 

(In thousands)
Card processing and issuance 
Professional fees
Telecommunications
Outside processing
Postage and courier
Deposit account losses
Office supplies
ATM processing
Other

Total other expense

              Year Ended December 31,
2011
 $109,394 

2010
 $150,947 

2009
 $ 94,269 

 122,638 
 308 
 (8,045)
 (433)
 261 
 (42,211)
 72,518 
 $181,912 

 3,342 
 4 
 (31,484)
 575 
 (196)
 10,407 
 (17,352)
 $133,595

 (3,253)
 4 
 (31,828)
 251 
 – 
 12,801 
 (22,025)
 $ 72,244 

              Year Ended December 31,
2011
 $  18,593 
 15,466 
 12,420 
 11,910 
 10,241 
 8,435 
 6,684 
 4,902 
 56,838 
 $145,489 

2010
 $  19,167 
 17,742 
 11,915 
 11,487 
 11,926 
 12,590 
 8,342 
 5,820 
 47,264 
 $146,253 

2009
 $  19,792 
 8,504 
 11,726 
 10,821 
 13,816 
 14,076 
 9,281 
 6,615 
 48,186 
 $142,817 

Note 25. Business Segments

Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Treasury Services 
and Support Services have been identified as reportable 
operating segments. Retail Banking includes branch 
banking and retail lending. Wholesale Banking includes 
commercial banking, leasing and equipment finance, 
inventory finance and auto finance. Treasury Services 
includes TCF’s investment and borrowing portfolios and 
management of capital, debt and market risks, including 

interest-rate and liquidity risks. Support Services includes 
holding company and corporate functions that provide data 
processing, bank operations and other professional services 
to the operating segments. 

TCF evaluates performance and allocates resources 

based on each segment’s net income. The business 
segments follow U.S. GAAP as described in Note 1, Summary 
of Significant Accounting Policies. TCF generally accounts 
for inter-segment sales and transfers at cost. 

98    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
The following tables set forth certain information of each of TCF’s reportable segments, including a reconciliation of TCF’s 
consolidated totals.

(In thousands)
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2011:
Revenues from external customers:

Interest income

  Non-interest income (expense)

Total

Net interest income (expense)
Provision for credit losses
Non-interest income
Non-interest expense
Income tax expense (benefit)

Income (loss) after income tax expense
Income attributable to non-controlling interest
  Net income (loss)

Total assets

At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Revenues from external customers:

Interest income

  Non-interest income (expense)

Total

Net interest income (expense)
Provision for credit losses
Non-interest income
Non-interest expense
Income tax expense (benefit) 

Income (loss) after income tax expense
Income attributable to non-controlling interest
  Net income (loss)

Total assets

At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:
Revenues from external customers:

Interest income

  Non-interest income (expense)

Total

Net interest income (expense)
Provision for credit losses
Non-interest income
Non-interest expense
Income tax expense (benefit)

Income after income tax expense

  Loss attributable to non-controlling interest

  Net income 

Total assets

Retail 
Banking

Wholesale 
Banking

Treasury 
Services

Support 
Services

Eliminations 

and Other(1) Consolidated

 $    388,903 
 337,725 
 $    726,628 
 $    448,144 
 162,164 
 337,725 
 545,323 
 28,810 
 49,572 
 –  
 $       49,572 
 $7,284,842 

 $    442,632 
 98,687 
 $    541,319 
 $    274,696 
 36,132 
 98,687 
 208,690 
 47,087 
 81,474 
 4,993 
 $      76,481 
 $7,541,242 

 $    106,416 
 8,558 
 $    114,974 
 $     (21,023)
 2,547 
 25,417 
 28,216 
 (9,361)
 (17,008)
 –  
 $    (17,008)
 $7,249,289 

 $              –  
 (536)

 $                    –  
 –  
 $       (536)  $                    –  
 $         (2,145)
 $            16 
 –  
 –  
 (156,471)
 139,076 
 (164,153)
 146,375 
 597 
 (2,692)
 4,940 
 (4,591)
 –  
 –  
 $   (4,591)  $           4,940 
 $(3,222,752)
 $126,767 

 $      937,951 
 444,434 
 $  1,382,385 
 $      699,688 
 200,843 
 444,434 
 764,451 
 64,441 
 114,387 
 4,993 
 $      109,394 
 $18,979,388 

 $     412,038 
 409,601 
 $     821,639 
 $     442,984 
 140,616 
 409,601 
 562,799 
 56,124 
 93,046 
 –  
 $       93,046 
 $ 7,590,148 

 $     454,154 
 98,714 
 $     552,868 
 $     253,122 
 94,040 
 98,714 
 191,320 
 23,631 
 42,845 
 3,297 
 $        39,548 
 $ 7,823,331 

$     103,685 
 31,584 
 $     135,269 
 $         5,725 
 1,781 
 33,188 
 9,767 
 11,138 
 16,227 
 –  
 $       16,227 
 $ 6,200,121 

 $              –  
 (1,914)

 $                   –  
 –  
 $   (1,914)  $                   –  
 $   (1,167)  $         (1,462)
 –  
 (141,887)
 (148,676)
 944 
 4,383 
 –  
 $    (2,257)  $           4,383 
 $ (3,365,444)
 $ 216,869 

 –  
 138,369 
 141,125 
 (1,666)
 (2,257)
 –  

 $       969,877 
 537,985 
 $   1,507,862 
 $       699,202 
 236,437 
 537,985 
 756,335 
 90,171 
 154,244 
 3,297 
 $       150,947 
 $ 18,465,025 

 $    433,296 
 418,046 
 $    851,342 
 $    403,179 
 178,030 
 418,046 
 599,044 
 17,525 
 26,626 
 –  
 $       26,626 
 $7,582,747 

 $     408,875 
 77,238 
 $     486,113 
 $     206,933 
 78,693 
 77,238 
 156,262 
 18,065 
 31,151 
 (410)
 $       31,561 
 $ 7,544,365 

 $     116,010 
 32,292 
 $     148,302 
 $       22,988 
 1,813 
 32,292 
 8,256 
 17,790 
 27,421 
 –  
 $       27,421 
 $ 5,549,107 

 $             –  
 (1,721)

 $                    –  
 –  
 $   (1,721) $                   –  
 $             (655)
 $         561 
–  
 –  
 (125,508)
 123,787 
 (136,636)
 129,729 
 3,302 
 (6,871)
 7,171 
 1,490 
 –  
 –  
 $            7,171 
 $     1,490 
 $(2,988,724)
 $197,680 

 $       958,181 
 525,855 
 $   1,484,036 
 $       633,006 
258,536 
 525,855 
 756,655 
 49,811 
 93,859 
 (410)
 $          94,269 
 $ 17,885,175 

(1) Includes the portion of pension and other postretirement benefits (expenses) attributable to the annual determination of actuarial gains and losses.

2011 Form 10-K

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 26. Parent Company Financial Information
TCF Financial Corporation’s (parent company only) condensed statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2011  
and 2010, and the condensed statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009  
are as follows.

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

(In thousands)
Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents

Investment in bank subsidiaries

  Accounts receivable from bank subsidiary
  Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

Junior subordinated notes (trust preferred)

  Senior unsecured term note
  Other liabilities

Total liabilities

  Equity

Total liabilities and equity

Condensed Statements of Income

(In thousands)
Interest income
Interest expense
  Net interest expense
Dividends from TCF Bank
Other non-interest income:
  Affiliate service fees
  Other

Total other non-interest income

Non-interest expense:
  Compensation and employee benefits 
  Occupancy and equipment
  Other

Total non-interest expense

Income (loss) before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed  
  earnings of subsidiaries
Income tax benefit

Income (loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

Equity in undistributed earnings of bank subsidiaries
Net income
Preferred stock dividend
Non-cash deemed preferred stock dividend
Net income available to common stockholders

100    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

                        Year Ended December 31,

2011

2010

 $    133,120 
 1,829,588 
 16,897 
 15,313 
 $1,994,918 

 $114,236 
– 
 12,549 
 126,785 
 1,868,133 
 $1,994,918 

Year Ended December 31, 
2010
 $           37
 14,789 
 (14,752)
 4,000 

 12,712 
 (1,549)
 11,163 

 13,058 
 298 
 2,182 
 15,538 

 (15,127)
 6,442 
 (8,685)
 159,632 
 150,947 
 – 
 – 
 $150,947 

 $      17,772 
 1,630,341 
 20,571 
 15,421 
 $1,684,105 

 $111,061 
 89,787 
 11,594 
 212,442 
 1,471,663 
 $1,684,105 

2009
 $           44 
 12,369 
 (12,325)
 32,000 

 9,127 
 (1,984)
 7,143 

 9,844 
 365 
 1,487 
 11,696 

 15,122 
 5,170 
 20,292 
 73,977 
 94,269 
 6,378 
 12,025 
 $  75,866 

2011
 $         432 
 16,227 
 (15,795)
 29,500 

 14,736 
 (1,006)
 13,730 

 14,367 
 318 
 4,020 
 18,705 

 8,730 
 7,118 
 15,848 
 93,546 
 109,394 
 – 
 – 
 $109,394 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

  Equity in undistributed earnings of bank subsidiaries
  Other, net

Year Ended December 31
2010

2009

2011

 $109,394 

 $ 150,947 

 $   94,269 

 (93,546)
 28,320 
 (65,226)
 44,168 

 (33,000)
 (133)
 21 
 (33,112)

 (30,772)
– 
 219,666 
 – 
 – 
 (12,364)
 17,971 
 280 
 (90,489)
 – 
 104,292 
 115,348 
 17,772 
 $133,120 

 (159,632)
 16,743 
 (142,889)
 8,058 

 (255,000)
 (142)
 – 
 (255,142)

 (27,617)
 – 
 164,748 
 – 
 – 
 (12,364)
 18,089 
 298 
 89,640 
 – 
 232,794
 (14,290)
 32,062 
 $    17,772 

 (73,977)
 29,794 
 (44,183)
 50,086 

 (50)
 (40)
 – 
 (90)

 (50,828)
 (7,925)
 – 
 361,172 
 (361,172)
 (12,364)
 19,147 
 (1,058)
– 
 1,537 
 (51,491)
 (1,495)
 33,557 
 $   32,062 

or distributions of these appropriated earnings could 
invoke a tax liability for TCF based on the amount of the 
distributions and the tax rates in effect at that time.

Note 27. Litigation Contingencies

From time to time, TCF is also a party to other legal 
proceedings arising out of its lending, leasing and deposit 
operations. TCF is and expects to become engaged in a 
number of foreclosure proceedings and other collection 
actions as part of its lending and leasing collections 
activities. TCF may also be subject to enforcement 
action by federal regulators, including the Securities 
and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve and the 
OCC. From time to time, borrowers and other customers, 
or employees or former employees, have also brought 
actions against TCF, in some cases claiming substantial 
damages. Financial services companies are subject to the 

Total adjustments

  Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital infusions to bank subsidiary
  Purchase of premises and equipment, net
  Other, net

  Net cash used by investing activities

Cash Flows from financing activities:
  Dividends paid on common stock
  Dividends paid on preferred stock

Issuance of common stock

  Recission of capital contribution to bank subsidiary
  Redemption of preferred securities

Interest paid on trust preferred securities
  Shares sold to Employees Stock Purchase Plans
  Stock Compensation tax benefits (expense)

(Repayments of) proceeds from senior unsecured term note

  Other, net

  Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

TCF Financial Corporation’s (parent company only) 
operations are conducted through its banking subsidiaries 
and other subsidiaries. As a result, TCF’s cash flow and ability 
to make dividend payments to its common stockholders 
depend on the earnings of its subsidiaries. The ability of 
TCF’s banking subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other 
payments to TCF is limited by their obligations to maintain 
sufficient capital and by other regulatory restrictions on 
dividends. At December 31, 2011, TCF’s banking subsidiary 
could pay a total of approximately $329.4 million in 
dividends to TCF without prior regulatory approval.

Additionally, retained earnings at TCF’s bank subsidiary,  

at December 31, 2011 includes approximately $134.4 
million for which no provision for federal income taxes 
has been made. This amount represents earnings legally 
appropriated to thrift bad debt reserves and deducted 
for federal income tax purposes in prior years and is 
generally not available for payment of cash dividends 
or other distributions to stockholders. Future payments 

2011 Form 10-K

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
risk of class action litigation, and TCF is subject to such 
actions brought against it from time to time. Litigation 
is often unpredictable and the actual results of litigation 
cannot be determined and therefore the ultimate resolution 
of a matter and the possible range of loss associated 
with certain potential outcomes cannot be established. 
Based on our current understanding of these pending legal 
proceedings, management does not believe that judgments 
or settlements arising from pending or threatened legal 
matters, individually or in the aggregate, would have a 
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial 
position, operating results or cash flows of TCF. TCF is also 
subject to regulatory examinations and TCF’s regulatory 
authorities may impose sanctions on TCF for a failure to 
maintain regulatory compliance. TCF is currently subject to 
a Consent Order with the OCC relating to its Bank Secrecy Act 
(“BSA”) compliance. Although the Consent Order does not 
call for the payment of a civil money penalty, TCF believes 
the OCC will be issuing written notice to TCF related to TCF’s 
BSA compliance deficiencies. Under this notice, TCF will be 
provided the opportunity to respond to the OCC and its 

findings outlined in this notice. After the OCC’s review  
of TCF’s response to the notice, the OCC may impose a  
penalty related to these findings. TCF is currently not  
able to estimate a reasonable range of losses relating  
to that possibility. 

Note 28. Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting 
Policies, the financial data for all periods presented has 
been adjusted to reflect the effect of these accounting 
changes. The cumulative effect of the change on 
retained earnings as of January 1, 2009 was a decrease 
of $27.4 million, with the corresponding adjustment 
to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). 
The significant effects of the change in accounting for 
pension and other postretirement benefits on TCF’s 
Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated 
Statements of Financial Condition for the periods 
presented are included below.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Consolidated Statements of Income:
  Prior accounting:

  Compensation and employee benefits

Income tax expense

  Net income available to common stockholders
  Net income per common share

  Basic
  Diluted

  Accounting under new polices:

  Compensation and employee benefits

Income tax expense

  Net income available to common stockholders
  Net income per common share

  Basic
  Diluted

(In thousands)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
  Prior accounting:

  Retained earnings, subject to certain restrictions
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  Accounting under new policies:

  Retained earnings, subject to certain restrictions
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

102    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

                        Year Ended December 31,

2010

2009

 $    352,861 
 87,765 
 146,564 

$           1.05 
$           1.05 

 $    346,072 
 90,171 
 150,947 

 $           1.08 
 $           1.08 

 $    356,996 
 45,854 
 68,694 

 $             .54 
  $             .54 

 $   345,868 
 49,811
 75,866 

 $             .60 
$             .60 

At December 31, 2010

 $1,064,978 
 (31,514)

 $1,049,156 
 (15,692)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Financial Data
The selected quarterly financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and related notes. Prior period financial data has been revised, as applicable, for a retrospective change  
in accounting principle. See Note 28 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Select ed  Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud ited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Selected Financial Condition Data: 
Total loans and leases
Securities available for sale
Goodwill
Total assets
Deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Total equity

Selected Operations Data:
Net interest income
Provision for credit losses

Net interest income after provision  

for credit losses

Non-interest income:

Fees and other revenue
Gains (losses) on securities, net
Gains on auto loans held for sale
Total non-interest income

Non-interest expense

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Income after income tax expense
Income attributable to non-controlling  

interest

Net income available to common  

stockholders
Per common share:
Basic earnings
Diluted earnings
Dividends declared

Financial Ratios:
Return on average assets (1)
Return on average common equity (1)
Net interest margin (1)
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average  

loans and leases (1)

Average total equity to average assets

(1) Annualized.

Dec. 31,  
2011

Sept. 30,  
2011

June 30,  
2011

At
March 31, 
2011

Dec. 31,  
2010

Sept. 30,  
2010

June 30,  
2010

March 31,  
2010

 $14,150,255   $14,339,715   $14,631,945   $14,796,541   $14,788,304   $14,896,601   $14,639,893   $14,706,423 
 1,899,825 
 152,599 
 18,187,102 
 11,882,373 
 17,590 
 4,496,574 
 1,393,405 

 2,324,038 
 225,640 
 18,979,388 
 12,202,004 
 6,416 
 4,381,664 
 1,878,627 

 1,940,331 
 152,599 
 18,029,622 
 11,523,043 
 14,805 
 4,600,820 
 1,474,113 

 1,931,174 
 152,599 
 18,465,025 
 11,585,115 
 126,790 
 4,858,821 
 1,480,163 

 2,463,367 
 152,599 
 18,834,416 
 11,939,476 
 9,514 
 4,415,362 
 1,769,619 

 2,172,017 
 152,599 
 18,712,136 
 12,043,684 
 12,898 
 4,533,176 
 1,724,471 

 1,947,462 
 152,599 
 18,312,978 
 11,461,519 
 344,681 
 4,581,511 
 1,505,327 

 2,600,806 
 152,599 
 19,092,027 
 12,320,502 
 7,204 
 4,397,750 
 1,872,044 

Dec. 31,
2011

Sept. 30,
2011

June 30,
2011

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2011

Dec. 31,
2010

Sept. 30,
2010

June 30,
2010

March 31,
2010

$     173,434  $      176,064  $      176,150   $      174,040   $      174,286  $      173,755  $      176,499  $      174,662 
 50,491 

 52,315 

 59,287 

 77,646 

 45,274 

 44,005 

 49,013 

 59,249 

 114,185 

 123,749 

 132,145 

 128,766 

 96,640 

 114,468 

 127,486 

 124,171 

 91,315 
 5,842 
1,133
 98,290 
 187,533 
 24,942 
 7,424 
 17,518 

 116,108 
 1,648 
 –  
 117,756 
 188,848 
 52,657 
 19,159 
 33,498 

 114,369 
 (227)
 –  
 114,142 
 195,091 
 51,196 
 19,086 
 32,110 

 114,246 
 – 
 –  
 114,246 
 192,979 
 50,033 
 18,772 
 31,261 

 120,309 
 21,185 
 –  
 141,494 
 185,972 
 52,162 
 17,391 
 34,771 

 129,437 
 8,505 
 –  
 137,942 
 190,908 
 61,502 
 23,226 
 38,276 

 136,043 
 (137)
 –  
 135,906 
 188,361 
 75,031 
 28,438 
 46,593 

 123,073 
 (430)
 –  
 122,643 
 191,094 
 55,720 
 21,116 
 34,604 

 1,075 

 1,243 

 1,686 

 989 

 898 

 912 

 1,186 

 301 

 $        16,443   $         32,255   $         30,424   $         30,272   $         33,873   $         37,364   $         45,407   $         34,303 

$                .10  $                .20   $                .19   $                .21  $                .24   $                .26   $                .32   $                .26 
$                .10  $                .20   $                .19   $                .21   $                .24    $                .26   $                .32   $                .26 
$                .05   $                .05   $                .05   $                .05   $                .05   $                .05   $                .05   $                .05 

.37 
3.55 
3.92 

1.63 
9.81 

.71 
7.12 
3.96 

1.48 
9.58 

.68 
7.00 
4.02 

1.19 
9.32 

.68 
8.00 
4.06 

1.51 
8.24 

.75 
9.09 
4.05 

1.75 
8.05 

.85 
10.08 
4.14 

1.58 
8.28 

1.03 
12.82 
4.19 

1.30 
7.88 

.77 
10.80 
4.21 

1.22 
7.10 

2011 Form 10-K

103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9. Changes in and 
Disagreements With  
Accountants on Accounting  
and Financial Disclosure
None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures   The Company 
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with 
the participation of the Company’s management, including 
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive 
Officer), the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (Principal 
Financial Officer) and its Controller and Managing Director 
of Corporate Development (Principal Accounting Officer), 
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the 
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant 
to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). 
Based upon that evaluation, management concluded that 
the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are 
effective, as of December 31, 2011.

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to 
ensure that information required to be disclosed by TCF 

in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is 
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within 
the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. 
Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective 
of ensuring that such information is accumulated and 
communicated to the Company’s management, including 
the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer),  
the Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) 
and the Controller and Managing Director of Corporate 
Development (Principal Accounting Officer), as 
appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure. TCF’s disclosure controls also include 
internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable 
assurance that transactions are properly authorized, assets 
are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use and 
that transactions are properly recorded and reported.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting     
There were no changes to TCF’s internal controls over 
financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the 
Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 
2011 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely 
to materially affect, TCF’s internal control over financial 
reporting. During the fourth quarter of 2011, TCF completed 
the acquisition of Gateway One Lending & Finance, LLC 
(“Gateway One”), which adopted key controls within TCF’s 
internal controls over financial reporting upon acquisition. 

104    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and 
maintaining adequate internal control over financial 
reporting for TCF Financial Corporation (the Company). 
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.

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 Company; provide reasonable assurance 
that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit 
preparation of financial statements in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles, and that 
receipts and expenditures of the Company are only being 
made in accordance with authorizations of management 
and directors of the Company; and 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.

Management, with the participation of the Chief 
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Chief 
Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) and the 
Controller and Managing Director of Corporate Development 
(Principal Accounting Officer), completed an assessment 
of TCF’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2011. This assessment was based on criteria 
for evaluating internal control over financial reporting 
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission. The scope of the assessment 
excluded Gateway One, which was acquired on November 
30, 2011. Consolidated revenues for the Company were 
$1.1 billion during 2011, of which Gateway One represented 
$2.2 million, or .2%. The consolidated total assets of the 
Company as of December 31, 2011 were $19 billion, of which 
Gateway One represented $69.9 million, or .4%. Based on 

this assessment, management concluded that TCF’s  
internal control over financial reporting was effective  
as of December 31, 2011.

KPMG LLP, TCF’s independent registered public 

accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial 
statements included in this annual report, has issued an 
unqualified attestation report on the effectiveness of the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2011.

Any control system, no matter how well conceived  
and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, 
assurance that the objectives of the control system  
are met. The design of a control system inherently has  
limitations, and the benefits of controls must be weighed  
against their costs. Additionally, controls can be 
circumvented by the individual acts of some persons,  
by collusion of two or more people, or by management 
override of the controls. Therefore, no assessment of a 
cost-effective system of internal controls can provide 
absolute assurance that all control issues and instances  
of fraud, if any, will be detected.

William A. Cooper
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Michael S. Jones
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

David M. Stautz
Senior Vice President, Controller and Managing Director  
of Corporate Development

February 21, 2012

2011 Form 10-K

105

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders 
TCF Financial Corporation:

We have audited TCF Financial Corporation’s internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based 
on criteria established in Internal Control  — Integrated 
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). TCF 
Financial Corporation’s management is responsible for 
maintaining effective internal control over financial 
reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of 
internal control over financial reporting, included in the 
accompanying Management Report. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on TCF Financial Corporation’s internal 
control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the 
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States). Those standards require that we 
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether effective internal control over financial 
reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit 
included obtaining an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design 
and operating effectiveness of internal control based 
on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing 
such other procedures as we considered necessary in 
the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting 

is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes 
in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles. A company’s internal control over financial 
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) 
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable 
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide 
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as 
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of  

106    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

management and directors of the company; and  
(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention 
or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or 
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control 

over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of 
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes 
in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, TCF Financial Corporation maintained, 

in all material respects, effective internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated 
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

TCF Financial Corporation acquired Gateway One Lending 

and Finance, LLC (“Gateway One”) on November 30, 2011,  
and management excluded Gateway One’s internal 
control over financial reporting from its assessment of 
the effectiveness of TCF Financial Corporation’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. 
Consolidated revenues for TCF Financial Corporation were 
$1.1 billion during 2011, of which Gateway One represented 
$2.2 million, or .2%. The consolidated total assets of TCF 
Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2011 were  
$19 billion, of which Gateway One represented $69.9 million, 
or .4%. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting 
of TCF Financial Corporation also excluded an evaluation of 
the internal control over financial reporting of Gateway One.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards 

of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board  
(United States), the consolidated statements of financial 
condition of TCF Financial Corporation and subsidiaries 
as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, equity and cash 
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
December 31, 2011, and our report dated February 21, 2012 
expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated 
financial statements.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 21, 2012

 
Item 9B. Other Information
None. 

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive 
Officers and Corporate Governance
Information regarding directors and executive officers of TCF 
is set forth in the following sections of TCF’s definitive Proxy 
Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to 
be held on April 25, 2012 (the “2012 Proxy Statement”) and 
incorporated herein by reference: “Proposal 1: Election of 
Directors”; “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting 
Compliance” and “Background of Executive Officers Who 
are Not Directors.”

Information regarding procedures for nominations of 
Directors is set forth in the sections entitled “Proposal 1:  
Election of Directors: Corporate Governance – Director 
Nominations” and Additional Information in TCF’s 2012  
Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Audit Committee and Financial Expert
Information regarding TCF’s separately standing Audit 
Committee, its members and financial experts is set  
forth in the 2012 Proxy Statement under “Proposal 1: 
Election of Directors: Background of the Nominees” and 
“Corporate Governance: Board Committees, Committee 
Memberships, and Meetings in 2011” and is incorporated 
herein by reference.

TCF’s Board of Directors is required to determine 
whether it has at least one Audit Committee Financial 
Expert and that the Audit Committee Financial Expert is 
independent. An Audit Committee Financial Expert is a 
committee member who has an understanding of generally 
accepted accounting principles and financial statements 
and has the ability to assess the general application 
of these principles in connection with the accounting 
for estimates, accruals and reserves. Additionally, this 
individual should have experience preparing, auditing, 
analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present 
the breadth and level of complexity of accounting 
issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and 
complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to 

be raised by TCF’s Financial Statements, or experience 
actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such 
activities. The member should also have an understanding 
of internal control over financial reporting as well as an 
understanding of audit committee functions.

The Board has determined that Gerald A. Schwalbach, 

the Audit Committee Chairman, Thomas A. Cusick,  
George G. Johnson, Vance K. Opperman and Richard A. Zona, 
meet the requirements of Audit Committee Financial Expert. 
The Board has also determined that Messrs. Schwalbach, 
Cusick, Johnson, Opperman and Zona are independent. 

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Management
TCF has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to the Principal 
Executive Officer (“PEO”), Principal Financial Officer 
(“PFO”) and Principal Accounting Officer (“PAO”) (the 
“Senior Financial Management Code of Ethics”) as well as a 
code of ethics generally applicable to all officers (including 
the PEO, PFO and PAO), directors and employees of TCF  
(the “Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics and Senior 
Financial Management Code of Ethics are both available 
for review at TCF’s website at www.tcfbank.com by clicking 
on “Investor Relations,” then “Corporate Governance” 
and then “Code of Ethics” and “Code of Ethics for Senior 
Financial Management,” respectively. Any changes to the 
Code of Ethics or Senior Financial Management Code of 
Ethics will be posted on this site, and any waivers granted 
to or violations by the PEO, PFO and PAO of the Code of 
Ethics or Senior Financial Management Code of Ethics will 
also be posted on this site.

Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information regarding compensation of directors and 
executive officers of TCF is set forth in the 2012 Proxy 
Statement under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors: Board 
Committees, Committee Memberships and Meetings in 
2011: Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider 
Participation”; “Proposal 1: Compensation of Directors”; 
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis”; “Compensation 
Committee Report”; “Summary Compensation Table”; 
“Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2011”; “Outstanding 
Equity Awards at December 31, 2011”; “Option Exercises 
and Stock Vested in 2011”; “Pension Benefits in 2011”; 
“Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in 2011” and 
“Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in 
Control” and is incorporated herein by reference.

2011 Form 10-K

107

Item 12. Security Ownership 
of Certain Beneficial Owners 
and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters
Information regarding ownership of TCF’s common stock 
by TCF’s directors, executive officers, and certain other 
stockholders and shares authorized under plans is set forth 
in the 2012 Proxy Statement under “Proposal 1: Election of 
Directors: TCF Stock Ownership of Directors, Officers and 
5% Owners” and “Equity Compensation Plans Approved by 
Stockholders” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships  
and Related Transactions, and 
Director Independence
Information regarding certain director independence 
and relationships and transactions between TCF and 
management is set forth in the 2012 Proxy Statement  
under “Corporate Governance: Director Independence  
and Related Party Transactions” and is incorporated  
herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting  
Fees and Services
Information regarding principal accounting fees and 
services and the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies 
and procedures relating to audit and non-audit services 
provided by the Company’s independent registered public 
accounting firm is set forth in the 2012 Proxy Statement 
under “Independent Registered Public Accountants” and  
is incorporated herein by reference.

108    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and Exhibits

1. F inancial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of TCF and its subsidiaries, are filed as part of this report:

Description 
Selected Financial Data 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and 2010 
Consolidated Statements of Income 

for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011  

Consolidated Statements of Equity 

for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Other Financial Data 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

P ag e
18
56

57

58

 59
60
103
105
55, 106

2. F inancial Statement Schedules

All schedules to the Consolidated Financial Statements normally required by the applicable 
accounting regulations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.

3. E xhibits

See Index to Exhibits on page 111 of this report.

2011 Form 10-K

109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 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.

TCF Financial Corporation
Registrant
By /s/ William A. Cooper
William A. Cooper
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: February 21, 2012
        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 and on the dates indicated.
Na me  

Title  

Da te

/s/  William A. Cooper 
William A. Cooper 
/s/  Michael S. Jones 
Michael S. Jones 
/s/  David M. Stautz 
David M. Stautz 
/s/  Raymond L. Barton 
Raymond L. Barton 

/s/  Peter Bell 
Peter Bell 
/s/  William F. Bieber 
William F. Bieber 
/s/  Theodore J. Bigos 
Theodore J. Bigos 
/s/  Thomas A. Cusick 
Thomas A. Cusick 

/s/  Craig R. Dahl 
Craig R. Dahl 
/s/  Luella G. Goldberg 
Luella G. Goldberg 
/s/  Karen L. Grandstrand 
Karen L. Grandstrand 

/s/  Thomas F. Jasper 
Thomas F. Jasper 
/s/  George G. Johnson 
George G. Johnson 
/s/  Vance K. Opperman 
Vance K. Opperman 
/s/  James M. Ramstad  
James M. Ramstad 
/s/  Gerald A. Schwalbach 
Gerald A. Schwalbach 

/s/  Ralph Strangis 
Ralph Strangis 

/s/  Barry N. Winslow 
Barry N. Winslow 
/s/  Richard A. Zona 
Richard A. Zona 

110    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer) 
Senior Vice President, Controller and Managing Director  
of Corporate Development (Principal Accounting Officer)
Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director and Vice Chairman 

Director 

Director 

Director and Vice Chairman 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director and Vice Chairman 

Director 

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Index to Exhibits

Ex h ibit

N o. 
3(a) 

3(b) 

4(a) 

4(b) 

4(c) 

4(d) 

4(e) 

4(f) 

4(g) 

4(h) 

4(i) 

4(j) 

10(a)* 

Description
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TCF Financial Corporation, as amended through April 
27, 2011 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011]

Amended and Restated Bylaws of TCF Financial Corporation [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to 
TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 28, 2008]

Warrant Agreement dated December 15, 2009 by and among TCF Financial Corporation, Computershare, Inc.  
and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to TCF Financial 
Corporation’s Form 8-A filed December 16, 2009]

Specimen Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of TCF Financial Corporation [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Form 8-A filed December 16, 2009]

Indenture dated August 19, 2008 between TCF Financial Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Trustee [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed August 19, 2008]

Supplemental Indenture dated August 19, 2008 between TCF Financial Corporation and Wilmington Trust 
Company, as Trustee [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed August 19, 2008]

Form of 10.75% Junior Subordinated Note, Series I [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to TCF Financial 
Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 19, 2008]

Certificate of Trust of TCF Capital I [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to TCF Financial Corporation’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed August 11, 2008]

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of TCF Capital I dated August 19, 2008 by and among TCF Financial 
Corporation, as Depositor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees named therein and the Several Holders named therein 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
August 19, 2008]

Form of 10.75% Capital Security, Series I for TCF Capital I [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to TCF 
Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 19, 2008]

Guarantee Agreement for TCF Capital I dated August 19, 2008 by and between TCF Financial Corporation and 
Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to TCF Financial 
Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 19, 2008]

Copies of instruments with respect to long-term debt will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission upon request

Stock Option and Incentive Plan of TCF Financial Corporation, as amended [incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 33-14203 filed May 
12, 1987]; Second Amendment, Third Amendment and Fourth Amendment to the Plan [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(a) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 1987, No. 0-16431]; Fifth Amendment to the Plan [incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10(a) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 

2011 Form 10-K

111

31, 1989]; amendment dated January 21, 1991 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to TCF Financial 
Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990]; and as further 
amended by amendment dated January 28, 1992 and amendment dated March 23, 1992 (effective April 15, 
1992) [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991]

Amended and Restated TCF Financial Incentive Stock Program, as amended and restated January 1, 2011 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
May 2, 2011]

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-1 of 
TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 29, 2005]

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement and Non-Solicitation/Confidentiality Agreement [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(b)-2 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2005]

Summary of Stock Award Program for Consumer Lending and Business Banker Divisions [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(b)-3 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2005]

Form of Year 2006 Executive Stock Grant Award Agreement dated January 23, 2006 [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(b)-4 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 25, 2006]

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement and Non-Solicitation/Confidentiality Agreement dated January 22, 2007  
(“Performance-Based Stock Award”) [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-5 to TCF Financial 
Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 25, 2007]

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement and Non-Solicitation/Confidentiality Agreement, dated January 22, 
2007 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-6 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed January 25, 2007]

Form of the 2008 Restricted Stock Agreement as executed by certain executives effective January 21, 2008 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-9 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed January 25, 2008] 

Form of the 2008 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement as executed by certain executives effective January 
21, 2008 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-10 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed January 25, 2008]

Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement as executed by Mr. Cooper, effective July 31, 2008 [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(b)-11 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2008]

Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement as executed by Mr. Cooper, effective January 20, 2009 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-13 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed January 23, 2009]

Form of Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement as executed by certain executives, effective 
January 20, 2009 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-14 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed January 23, 2009]

10(b)* 

10(b)-1* 

10(b)-2* 

10(b)-3* 

10(b)-4* 

10(b)-5* 

10(b)-6* 

10(b)-7* 

10(b)-8* 

10(b)-9* 

10(b)-10* 

10(b)-11* 

112    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

10(b)-12* 

10(b)-13* 

10(b)-14* 

10(b)-15* 

10(b)-16* 

10(b)-17* 

10(b)-18* 

10(b)-19* 

10(b)-20* 

10(b)-21* 

10(c)* 

10(d)* 

Form of Year 2009 Executive Stock Award as executed by certain executives, effective January 20, 2009 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-15 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed January 23, 2009]

Form of Letter Agreement entered into by certain executive officers effective December 14, 2009 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-15 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed December 18, 2009]

Form of Agreement Termination Award Agreement entered into by certain executive officers effective 
December 14, 2009 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-16 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed December 18, 2009]

Form of 2010 Restricted Stock Award Agreement entered into by certain executive officers effective 
December 14, 2009 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-17 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed December 18, 2009]

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement and Non-Solicitation/Confidentiality Agreement as executed by 
certain executives, effective February 16, 2011 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-16 to TCF 
Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2011]

Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement as executed by Barry N. Winslow, effective July 31, 2008 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-17 of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2011]

Restricted Stock Agreement as executed by Barry N. Winslow, effective December 14, 2009 [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(b)-18 of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 2011]

Restricted Stock Agreement and Non-Solicitation/Confidentiality Agreement as executed by James J. Urbanek,  
effective January 25, 2010 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-19 of TCF Financial Corporation’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011]

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement as executed by William A. Cooper, effective January 17, 2012 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
January 20, 2012]

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement as executed by certain executives, effective January 17, 2012 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
January 20, 2012]

TCF Financial Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated through January 
24, 2005 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed January 27, 2005]

Restated Trust Agreement as executed with First National Bank in Sioux Falls as trustee effective as of 
October 1, 2000 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000]; as amended by amendment adopted April 
30, 2001 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001]; and as amended by amendments adopted May 3, 2002 
[incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002]; and as amended by Third Amendment of Trust Agreement for TCF 
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of June 30, 2003 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10(d) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003]

2011 Form 10-K

113

10(e)* 

10(f)* 

 10(f)-1* 

 10(g)* 

10(h)* 

10(i)* 

10(j)* 

10(j)-1* 

10(k)* 

10(k)-1* 

10(l)* 

10(m)* 

10(m)-1* 

Amended and Restated Agreement (2012) with William A. Cooper between William A. Cooper and TCF 
Financial Corporation effective as of January 25, 2012 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TCF 
Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012]

TCF Financial Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan — ESPP Plan as amended and restated 
through January 24, 2005 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed January 27, 2005]

TCF Employees Stock Purchase Plan - Supplemental Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 
2011 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j)-1 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed May 2, 2011]

Trust Agreement for TCF Employees Stock Purchase Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) 
effective January 1, 2009 and dated November 20, 2008 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to TCF 
Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008]

TCF Financial Corporation Senior Officer Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated through 
January 24, 2005 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed January 27, 2005]

Trust Agreement for TCF Financial Senior Officer Deferred Compensation Plan as executed with First 
National Bank in Sioux Falls as trustee effective as of October 1, 2000 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10(m) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2000]; as amended by amendment adopted April 30, 2001 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) 
of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001]; 
and as amended by Second Amendment of Trust Agreement for TCF Financial Senior Officers Deferred 
Compensation Plan effective as of June 30, 2003 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) of TCF 
Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003] 

Directors Stock Grant Program [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(n) of TCF Financial Corporation’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2010]

Resolution adopting Directors Stock Grant Program goal for fiscal year 2009 and after [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(n)-1 of TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 23, 2009]

Form of 2011 Management Incentive Plan – Executive as executed by certain executives of TCF, effective 
January 1, 2011 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(o) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed January 24, 2011]

Form of 2012 Management Incentive Plan – Executive as executed by certain executives of TCF, effective 
January 1, 2012 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed January 20, 2012]

TCF Performance-Based Compensation Policy for Covered Executive Officers, as approved effective January 
1, 2011 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(p) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed May 2, 2011]

TCF Financial Corporation TCF Directors Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated through 
January 24, 2005 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed January 27, 2005]

TCF Financial Corporation TCF Directors 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted effective as of January 
6, 2005, as amended and restated through January 24, 2005 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r)-1 
of TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 27, 2005]; and as amended by 

114    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Amendment of Directors 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan effective July 19, 2010 [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(r)-1 of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended September 30, 2010]

Trust Agreement for TCF Directors Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10(d) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2000]; as amended by amendment adopted April 30, 2001 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) 
of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001]; as 
amended by amendment adopted October 10, 2001 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) of TCF 
Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001]; and as 
amended by amendments adopted May 3, 2002 [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) of TCF Financial 
Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002]; and as amended by 
Third Amendment of TCF Directors Deferred Compensation Trust effective as of June 30, 2003 [incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10(s) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended June 30, 2003]

Amended and Restated TCF Director Retirement Plan effective as of October 17, 2011 [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(t) of TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter 
ended September 30, 2011]

TCF Employees Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2011 [incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10(u) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2011]

Form of Rabbi Trust Agreement for the TCF Employees Deferred Stock Compensation Plan [incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10(v) to TCF Financial Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2011]

10(n)* 

10(o)* 

10(p)* 

10(q)* 

10(r)*# 

Summary on Non-Employee Director Compensation 

12# 

18# 

21# 

23# 

31# 

32# 

99.1* 

99.2* 

101# 

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for periods ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 
and 2007

Letter on Change in Accounting Principles 

Subsidiaries of TCF Financial Corporation (as of December 31, 2011)

Consent of KPMG LLP dated February 21, 2012

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications (Section 302 Certifications)

Statement Furnished Pursuant to Title 18 United States Code Section 1350 (Section 906 Certifications)

Form of Consent Order, dated July 20, 2010, issued by the Comptroller of the Currency in the matter of TCF 
National Bank. [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010]

Form of Stipulation and Consent to the Issuance of a Consent Order dated July 20, 2010, issued by the 
Comptroller of the Currency in the matter of TCF National Bank [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to 
TCF Financial Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010]

Financial Statements of the Company for the period ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL: (i) the 
Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, (iii) the 
Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements

* Indicates management contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K
# Filed herein 

2011 Form 10-K

115

Board of Directors

Senior Officers

TCF Financial Corporation

TCF lending

Chairman of the Board  
and Chief Executive Officer 
William A. Cooper

Vice Chairman and Executive 
Vice President, Lending
Craig R. Dahl

Vice Chairman,  
Corporate Development
Barry N. Winslow

Chief Risk Officer
Neil W. Brown

Vice Chairman and Executive 
Vice President, Lending
Craig R. Dahl

Vice Chairman and Executive 
Vice President, Funding, 
Operations and Finance
Thomas F. Jasper

Executive Vice President  
and Chief Financial Officer
Michael S. Jones

Executive Vice President  
and Chief Operations Officer
Earl D. Stratton

Senior Vice Presidents
James S. Broucek
Steven D. Christensen
Joseph T. Green 
Jason E. Korstange
Barbara E. Shaw
David M. Stautz

TCF Retail Lending 

Managing Director
Mark W. Rohde

Executive Vice Presidents
Robert J. Brueggeman
Joseph W. Doyle
Claire M. Graupmann
Matthew R. Wiley

Senior Vice Presidents
Bradley C. Barthels
Rose M. Dickey
Michael A. Dill
Calvin E. Fuoss
Donald J. Hawkins
Daniel B. Hoffman
Vicki L. Makowka
Carol B. Schirmers
Thomas K. Torossian
Jason R. Voronyak
Katrina Williams

TCF Commercial Lending

Managing Director
James J. Urbanek

Executive Vice Presidents
Douglas W. Benner
Thomas R. Bobak
J. Thomas Finnegan
Michael R. Klemz

Senior Vice Presidents
John E. Boyle
Michael Y. Chin
Jeffrey T. Doering
Mark W. Lucke
Russell P. McMinn
Douglas A. Ortyn
William R. Patterson
Guy J. Rau
Janelle Rietz-Kamenar
Michael Roidt
Elisabeth A. Rojas
Lisa M. Salazar
Patrick P. Skiles

William A. Cooper  5
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Raymond L. Barton  1,3,4,5,6
Chairman, Great Clips, Inc.

Peter Bell  3,6
Former Chair, Metropolitan Council

William F. Bieber  1,3,4,6
Chairman and Owner, ATEK Companies, Inc.

Theodore J. Bigos  1,3,4,6
Owner, Bigos Management, Inc.

Thomas A. Cusick  2,3,6,7
Retired Vice Chairman, TCF Financial Corporation

Craig R. Dahl 
Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Lending

Luella G. Goldberg  1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Past Chair, University of Minnesota Foundation,  
Former Acting President, Wellesley College

Karen L. Grandstrand  2,3,6,7
Partner, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Thomas F. Jasper
Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Funding,  
Operations and Finance 

George G. Johnson  2,3,6,7
CPA/Managing Director, George Johnson & Company

Vance K. Opperman  1,2,3,4,5,6,7
President and Chief Executive Officer, Key Investment, Inc.

James M. Ramstad  3,6
Former U.S. Congressman

Gerald A. Schwalbach  1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Chairman, Spensa Development Group, LLC

Ralph Strangis  3,5,6
Senior Partner, Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.

Barry N. Winslow 
Vice Chairman, Corporate Development

Richard A. Zona  2,3,5,6,7
Retired Vice Chairman, U.S. Bancorp

1  Advisory Committee – 
TCF Employees Stock Purchase Plan

2 Audit Committee

3 BSA Compliance Committee

4  Compensation/Nominating/ 
Corporate Governance Committee

5 Executive Committee

6 Finance Committee

7 Risk Committee

116    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

TCF Equipment Finance, Inc. 

President and  
Chief Operating Officer
William S. Henak 

Executive Vice President
Bradley C. Gunstad

Senior Vice Presidents
Gary W. Anderson
Gloria J. Charley
Richard J. Chenitz
Peter C. Darin
Walter E. Dzielsky
Michael A. Kloos
Brick W. Moore
Jodie L. Palmer
Gary A. Peterson
Charles A. Sell, Jr.
Robert J. Stark
Mark H. Valentine
Frederick M. Van Etten
Judy I. VanOsdel

Winthrop Resources 
Corporation

Co-Presidents
Paul L. Gendler
Richard J. Pieper

Senior Vice Presidents
Gary W. Anderson
Abigail R. Nesbitt
Dean J. Stinchfield
Bradley R. Swenson

TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.

President and  
Chief Executive Officer
Rosario A. Perrelli

Executive Vice Presidents
Vincent E. Hillery
Peter D. Kelley
Christopher Meals

Senior Vice Presidents
Peter J. Baranowski
Thomas E. Evans
Kevin L. Harrington
James S. Raymond
Larry M. Tagli
Mark J. Wrend
Dornett Wright

TCF Commercial Finance  
Canada, Inc.

President 
Peter D. Kelley

Gateway One Lending  
and Finance, LLC

Chief Executive Officer
G. Brian MacInnis

President
David G. MacInnis

Executive Vice President
Todd A. Pierson

Senior Vice Presidents
Scott R. Fjellman
Andrew B. Sturm

TCF Funding

Vice Chairman and Executive 
Vice President, Funding, 
Operations and Finance
Thomas F. Jasper

TCF Branch Banking 

Executive Vice President  
and Chief Operations Officer
Earl D. Stratton

Managing Director
Mark L. Jeter

Executive Vice Presidents
Robert C. Borgstrom
Luis J. Campos
Timothy G. Doyle
James L. Koon
Timothy B. Meyer
Michael J. Olson

Senior Vice Presidents
Delia M. Conrad
Peter R. Daugherty 
Mark W. Gault
Jennifer K. Rohling

TCF Finance / Treasury

Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer
Michael S. Jones

Executive Vice President and 
Treasurer, TCF National Bank
James S. Broucek

Senior Vice Presidents
Barbara L. Buss
Scott D. Campbell
Andrew D. Clark
Larry M. Czekaj
Martin J. Krogman
   Kathleen M. Wacker

TCF Human Resources 

Executive Vice President and 
Corporate Human Resources 
Director, TCF National Bank
Barbara E. Shaw

Senior Vice Presidents
Edward J. Gallagher
Viane R. Hoefs
Roger T. Sorensen 

TCF Internal Audit

Senior Vice President  
and Chief Audit Executive
Steven D. Christensen

TCF Legal / Compliance

Executive Vice President, 
General Counsel and Secretary, 
TCF National Bank
Joseph T. Green

Executive Vice Presidents
Bradley C. Gunstad
Brian J. Hurd

Senior Vice Presidents
Neysa M. Alecu
Gary L. Fineman
Linda J. Firth-Hawkins
Shelley A. Fitzmaurice
Douglass B. Hiatt
Charles P. Hoffman, Jr.
Kirk D. Johnson
Gloria J. Karsky
Janella Jane Miller
R. Elizabeth Topoluk

Executive Vice President, 
Controller and Managing 
Director of Corporate 
Development, TCF National Bank
David M. Stautz

Senior Vice Presidents
Susan D. Bode
James M. Dunne
Brian P. Engels
Christy A. Powers

TCF Operations

Executive Vice President and 
Chief Operations Officer, TCF 
Financial Corporation
Earl D. Stratton

Executive Vice Presidents
Gregg R. Goudy
James C. LaPlante 

Senior Vice Presidents
Michael J. Beier
Ronald L. Britz 
Beverly L. Burman
Patricia A. Buss
Carol Jean F. Felth
Christopher N. Germann
Beatrice Lingen
James M. Matheis
Anton J. Negrini
Richard J. Nelson
Leonard D. Steele
William N. Welch
Cathleen L. Wilkins

TCF Enterprise  
Risk Management

Chief Risk Officer
Neil W. Brown

Managing Director of Enterprise 
Risk Management
Paul B. Brawner

TCF Credit Quality

Executive Vice President  
and Chief Credit Officer
Mark D. Nyquist

Executive Vice Presidents
Robert A. Henry
David J. Veurink

2011 Annual Report

117

Offices

Executive Offices

TCF Financial Corporation
200 Lake Street East
Mail Code: EX0-03-A
Wayzata, MN 55391-1693
(952) 745-2760

TCF National Bank

Headquarters
2508 South Louise Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Minnesota/South Dakota

TCF Equipment Finance, Inc.

Headquarters
11100 Wayzata Boulevard
Suite 801
Minnetonka, MN 55305
(952) 656-5080

Winthrop Resources Corporation

Headquarters
11100 Wayzata Boulevard
Suite 800
Minnetonka, MN 55305
(952) 936-0226

TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.

Headquarters
1475 East Woodfield Road
Suite 1100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(877) 872-8234

TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc.

Headquarters
700 Dorval Drive
Suite 705
Oakville, Ontario L6K 3V3
Canada
(877) 800-4430

Gateway One lending & Finance, llC

Headquarters
160 North Riverview Drive
Suite 100
Anaheim, CA 92808
(888) 810-8740

Traditional Branches 
Minneapolis/St. Paul Area (45)
Greater Minnesota (2)
South Dakota (1)

Supermarket Branches 
Minneapolis/St. Paul Area (55)
Greater Minnesota (4)

Campus Branches
Minneapolis/St. Paul Area (2)
Greater Minnesota (2)

Illinois/Wisconsin/Indiana

Traditional Branches
Chicagoland (39)
Milwaukee Area (10)
Kenosha/Racine Area (6)

Supermarket Branches
Chicagoland (154)
Milwaukee Area (8)
Kenosha/Racine Area (2)
Indiana (5)

Campus Branches
Chicagoland (2)
Greater Illinois (1)

Michigan

Traditional Branches 
Metro Detroit Area (51)

Supermarket Branches
Metro Detroit Area (1)

Campus Branches
Metro Detroit Area (1)

Colorado/Arizona

Traditional Branches
Metro Denver Area (26)
Colorado Springs (8)
Metro Phoenix Area (7)

Supermarket Branches
Metro Denver Area (2)

118    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

Stockholder Information

Stock Data

Year 

2011
Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 
2010
Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 
2009
Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 
2008
Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 
2007 
Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 

Close  

High 

  Dividends 
Paid 
Low   Per Share

$10.32 
  9.16 
16.04 
15.86 

$14.81 
16.19 
16.61 
15.94 

$13.62 
13.04 
13.37 
11.76 

$13.66 
18.00 
12.03 
17.92 

$17.93 
26.18 
27.80 
26.36 

$11.68 
17.37 
13.80 
17.37 

$16.63 
17.66 
18.89 
16.83 

$14.72 
15.83 
16.67 
14.31 

$20.00 
28.00 
19.31 
22.04 

$27.95 
28.25 
28.99 
27.91 

$8.61 
  8.66 
13.37 
14.60 

$12.90 
13.87 
14.95 
13.40 

$11.36 
12.71 
11.37 
8.74 

$11.22 
9.25 
11.91 
14.65 

$17.17 
22.69 
25.39 
24.93 

$    .05
.05
.05
.05

$   .05
.05
.05
.05

$    .05
.05
.05 
.25

$    .25
.25
.25
.25

$.2425
.2425
.2425
.2425

For more historical information on TCF’s stock price and 
dividend, visit http://ir.tcfbank.com.

Trading of Common Stock
The common stock of TCF Financial Corporation is listed on 
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TCB. At 
December 31, 2011, TCF had approximately 160.3 million 
shares of common stock outstanding.

2012 Common Stock Dividend Dates
Expected Record: 
January 27 
April 27 
July 27 
October 26 

Expected Payment:
February 29
May 31
August 31
November 30

Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of TCF will be held  
on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 3:00 p.m. (local time) at  
the Marriott Minneapolis West, 9960 Wayzata Boulevard,  
St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
PO Box 43078
Providence, RI  02940-3078
(800) 443-6852
www.computershare.com

Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. offers the Computershare  
Investment Plan, a direct stock purchase and dividend 
reinvestment plan for TCF Financial Corporation common 
stock. This stockholder-paid program provides a low-cost 
alternative to traditional retail brokerage methods of 
purchasing, holding and selling TCF common stock. The  
Plan is sponsored and administered by our Transfer Agent, 
Computershare, Inc. Information is available from:

Computershare Investment Plan for TCF Financial Corporation
c/o Computershare
PO Box 43078
Providence, RI  02940-3078
(800) 443-6852
www.computershare.com

Note to Stockholders
It is important for registered stockholders to keep the 
transfer agent informed of their current address and to 
cash their dividend payments; otherwise, TCF may be 
required by state law to report and deliver (or “escheat”) 
these shares and any unclaimed dividends as unclaimed 
property, even if TCF does not have physical possession  
of the stock certificate. In other words, TCF is required to 
escheat shares and un-cashed dividends if there has been 
no stockholder-initiated activity or no stockholder contact 
with the transfer agent within the state’s dormancy period. 
Unclaimed property rules vary by state. Some states do  
not consider the act of reinvesting dividends in a dividend 
reinvestment plan as account activity that would signify a 
stockholder’s continued interest in the underlying shares of 
stock. Your failure to keep an active account can result in 
the escheatment of your shares and any un-cashed 
dividends to the state, in which case you will need to 
request a refund of the unclaimed property from the state. 

Stockholders holding shares in street name should contact 
their broker regarding questions about escheatment and 
unclaimed property laws.

TCF is not providing legal advice on unclaimed property laws.

2011 Annual Report

119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investor/Analyst Contact 
Jason Korstange
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
(952) 745-2755

Justin Horstman
Assistant Vice President
Investor Relations
(952) 745-2756

Credit Ratings

Available Information 
Please visit our website at http://ir.tcfbank.com for free 
access to TCF investor information, news releases, investor 
presentations, quarterly conference calls, annual reports, 
and SEC filings. Information may also be obtained, free of 
charge, from:

TCF Financial Corporation
Corporate Communications
200 Lake Street East
Mail Code: EX0-01-C
Wayzata, MN  55391-1693
(952) 745-2760

Standard & Poor’s 
Outlook 
TCF Financial Corporation:
Long-term Counterparty 
Short-term Counterparty 

TCF National Bank:

Long-term Counterparty 
Short-term Counterparty 

Trust Preferred 

Last Review 
January 2012
Negative

Fitch Ratings 
Outlook 
TCF Financial Corporation:

Last Review 
September 2011
Negative

BBB 
A-2

BBB+
A-2
BB+

Long-term IDR  
Short-term  IDR 
TCF National Bank:
Long-term IDR 
Short-term IDR 

Trust Preferred 

A-
F1

A-
F1
BBB

Moody’s 
Outlook 
TCF National Bank:
Long-term Issuer 
Long-term Deposits 
Short-term Deposits 
Bank Financial Strength 

Trust Preferred 

Last Review 
January 2012
Stable

A2
A2
Prime-1
C+
Baa2

Stock Price Performance (In Dollars) 

$35

30

25

20

15

10

5

Year 
Ending

Stock Price*
Dividends*

5
9
/
0
3
/
1
1
t
i
l
p
S
k
c
o
t
S

7
9
/
8
2
/
1
1

t
i
l
p
S
k
c
o
t
S

4
0
/
3
/
9

t
i
l
p
S
k
c
o
t
S

$1.50

1.25

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

0.00

6-86

12-86

12-88

12-90

12-92

12-94

12-96

12-98

12-00

12-02

12-04

12-06

12-08

12-10 12-11

*Stock split adjusted
  For more historical information on TCF’s stock price and dividend, visit http://ir.tcfbank.com.

120    TCF Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Philosophy

Functionally Organized  TCF’s new functionally organized 
management structure, which emphasizes four key initiatives:  
1) Enterprise Risk Management, 2) Lending, 3) Funding and  
4) Corporate Development is supported by focused profit center 
reporting. This functionally organized management structure  
creates a highly responsive and performance driven culture.

Capital and Liquidity  TCF focuses on prudent capital and 
liquidity management which strengthens our capital position, 
increases our borrowing capacity, and reduces our costs and 
risks. We are solidly capitalized and have access to ample 
liquidity to conduct business. TCF’s financial strength makes  
us a safe and sound financial institution.

Stockholder Value  TCF focuses on increasing long-term 
stockholder value by making sound business decisions, taking 
advantage of marketplace opportunities, and preparing for vari-
ous economic conditions through balance sheet diversification. 
Our goal is to make TCF stock a strong, long-term investment.

Convenience  TCF emphasizes convenience in banking; we’re 
open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days per year. TCF 
banks a large and diverse customer base. We provide customers 
innovative products through multiple banking channels, includ-
ing traditional, supermarket and campus branches, TCF Express 
Teller® and other ATMs, debit cards, phone banking, Internet 
banking and mobile banking.

Checking Accounts  TCF focuses on growing and retaining   
its large number of low-interest cost checking accounts by 
offering convenient hours and delivery channels, and products 
with many free features. TCF uses the checking account as the 
anchor account to build additional customer relationships.

Deposits  TCF earns a significant portion of its profits from the 
deposit side of the bank. We accumulate a large number of low 
cost accounts through convenient services and products targeted 
to a broad range of customers. As a result of the profits we earn 
from the deposit business, we can minimize credit risk on the 
asset side.

Secured and Diversified Lender  TCF maintains a secured 
loan and lease portfolio that is well-diversified by type  
(consumer, commercial, specialty finance) and by geography.  
We further diversify our asset portfolio by industry, product and 
collateral type to minimize concentration risk. In addition, we 
require our loans and leases to be supported by collateral to 
provide an alternate repayment source beyond cash flow from 
the borrower, which helps mitigate losses. We emphasize credit 
quality over asset growth as the costs of poor credit quality  
far outweigh the benefits of unwise asset growth.

Conservative Underwriting  TCF’s diversified asset portfolio 
and our extensive credit review practices reduce our credit risks 
while creating profitability and sustainable growth, even in the 
most challenging economic environments. We extend credit to 
high-quality customers and invest only in programs that add 
value to the organization and yield solid returns.

Expansion  TCF grows both through de novo expansion and acqui-
sition. We are growing by starting and acquiring new businesses, 
opening new branches and offering new products and services.

The Customer First  TCF strives to place The Customer First. 
We believe providing great service helps to retain existing custom-
ers, attract new customers, create value for our stockholders, and 
build pride in our employees. We also respect customers’ concerns 
about privacy and know they place their trust in us. TCF is com-
mitted to protecting the private information of our customers  
and retaining that trust is our priority.

Stock Ownership  TCF encourages stock ownership by our 
officers, directors and employees. We have a mutuality of  
interest with our stockholders, and our goal is to earn for  
them an above-average return.

Technology  TCF places a high priority on the development 
of technology to enhance productivity, customer service and 
new products. Properly applied technology increases revenue, 
reduces costs and enhances customer service. We centralize 
back office activities and decentralize the banking process.

Conservative Accounting  TCF utilizes conservative 
accounting and financial reporting principles that accurately 
and honestly report our financial condition and results of 
operations. We believe good accounting drives good business 
decision-making. 

Bank Regulators  Bank regulators play an essential role in the 
banking industry. TCF is committed to maintaining strong, positive 
and professional working relationships with its regulators. Open 
and effective communication with regulators throughout the 
organization is essential to ensuring effective, efficient and 
productive bank supervision.

Open Employee Communication  TCF encourages open 
employee communication and promotes from within whenever 
possible. TCF places the highest priority on honesty, integrity 
and ethical behavior.

Equal Treatment  TCF does not discriminate against anyone  
in employment or the extension of credit. As a result of TCF’s 
community banking philosophy, we market our products and 
services to everyone in the communities we serve.

Interest-rate Risk  TCF believes interest-rate risk should  
be minimized. Interest-rate speculation does not generate 
consistent profits and is high risk.

Community Participation  TCF believes in community  
participation, both financially and through volunteerism.  
We feel a responsibility to help those less fortunate.

TCF Financial Corporation

200 Lake Street East

Wayzata, MN 55391-1693

www.tcfbank.com

TCFIR9350