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The Bank of New York Mellon

bk · NYSE Financial Services
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Employees 10,000+
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FY2015 Annual Report · The Bank of New York Mellon
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Vision, Values, Results.

 TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN       BNY MELLON ANNUAL REPORT

ACHIEVING OUR VISION OF IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH INVESTING 
We play an important role in the financial marketplace and describe ourselves 
as the Investments Company for the World. Our mission is to help people 
realize their full potential by leveraging our distinctive expertise to power 
investment success. In doing so, we seek to improve the lives of countless 
people globally – a goal that motivates us to be the very best at what we do. 

We hold a unique position in the global financial industry. We manage and 
service assets for financial institutions, corporations and individual investors, 
delivering data-driven insights and innovative solutions to complex issues 
and investment excellence to our clients, all of which drive long-term value for 
our shareholders. In the process, we help companies raise and invest capital 
to create jobs, drive economic growth and raise living standards. We help 
governments raise and invest capital to serve citizens. We help institutions 
and individuals invest to achieve their financial and life goals, including 
retirement, health care and education needs.

We have a clear strategy that not only positions us to realize our vision 
but also, we believe, uniquely situates us to be more successful and become 
an even more important partner to our clients. Our strategy is also designed 
to help us capture the largest, fastest-growing investment activities, 
stay ahead of changing marketplace forces and capitalize on new and 
emerging opportunities.

LIVING OUR VALUES
Our high-performance culture is built on a foundation of enduring values that 
we commit to live each and every day: client focus, integrity, teamwork and 
excellence. We put the client at the center of all that we do, acting with the 
highest ethical standards. We foster collaboration and diversity to empower 
employees to build relationships and deliver insights. And we aim to set the 
standard for leading-edge solutions, innovation and continuous improvement.

MANAGING CHANGE THROUGH ALL INVESTMENT CYCLES 
The financial services industry has experienced unprecedented change 
since the 2008 crisis. Globalization, increased regulatory oversight and 
revolutionary developments in technology have all accelerated the pace 
of change in the financial markets beyond what Alexander Hamilton, our 
founder, could have ever imagined. In fact, one could argue that the 
changes we have experienced in recent history have been greater than 
any since our company was founded in 1784. As modern-day stewards 
of our institution, we recognize that in order to thrive, we need to embrace 
inherent uncertainties, continuously innovate and transform our 
organization to remain important to our clients and be successful in 
the competitive marketplace.  

Dear Fellow Shareholders, Clients and Employees,

In 2015, we executed against our strategic priorities, and 
the results were evident in our financial performance. 

We are proud of what we accomplished this year as our 
financial performance improved against many of the 
measures that matter most. We are meeting our three-year 
Investor Day goals and positioning the company to be even 
more effective and successful. Yet, we realize that we have 
more to do. 

We are energized and up for the challenges our industry 
is facing, with a strategic plan designed to tackle them 
and drive success. We remain dedicated to managing our 
company to create long-term shareholder value regardless 
of the environment. 

Our company, like many other financial services firms, has 
been grappling with the pace of global change and post-
crisis economic, geopolitical and regulatory complexities. 
These challenges have required us to evolve in order to 
thrive in the years ahead. 

With a largely new leadership team in place, we have been 
transforming culturally, structurally and operationally. We 
have re-examined our competitive strengths and strategic 
priorities, while adapting to changing regulation. We have 
realigned our organization to focus our energies on what we 
do best. Importantly, we have also been letting go of what 
is not working for us through the sale or closing of under-
performing businesses. And we have been investing in next-
generation technology platforms to simplify our operating 
environment, lower structural costs and deliver innovative 
and strategic solutions for our clients.

We are also committed to improving and transforming 
the client experience. We are convinced that innovating 
and collaborating with our clients will deliver better, more 
efficient solutions for them and will accelerate our revenue 
growth in the years ahead. The world expects us to have the 
highest levels of service, resiliency and reliability. We are 
determined to deliver.

We are playing in a competitive space, but we have a 
distinctive strategy we believe in. And we remain confident 
that we can deliver on our Investor Day goals. 

We are positioning the 
company to be even more 
effective and successful in 
this competitive marketplace.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

INCREASED EARNINGS PER SHARE: 
On a GAAP basis, we earned $2.71 per share in 2015, up 26 percent 
compared to 2014. On an adjusted basis, we earned $2.85 per share, 
up 19 percent from last year’s adjusted EPS.i Nearly all business lines 
were positive contributors to this improvement.

2014          2015

$2.85

$2.39

+19%NONINTEREST EXPENSE ($ IN MILLIONS)

$10,453

$10,645

REDUCED EXPENSES: 
On an adjusted basis, we reduced our expenses 2 percent 
compared to 2014.i Our business improvement process 
and cost discipline more than offset continued strategic 
investments to enhance client service delivery, improve our 
technology platforms, and strengthen our risk management, 
compliance and control functions. 

PRE-TAX OPERATING MARGIN

INCREASED PRE-TAX OPERATING MARGIN: 
Our adjusted pre-tax operating margin was 31 percent, 
up 270 basis points versus 2014, and we generated 
420 basis points of positive operating leverage.i

31%

28%

RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY

INCREASED RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY (TCE):  
We achieved an adjusted return on TCE of 21 percent, up from 
18 percent in 2014.i Return on TCE reflects the value we are 
creating from the investments we are making.  

20.7%

17.6%

2014          2015

(2%)+270 bps+310 bps Delivering Results in 
Difficult Market Conditions

It was a challenging revenue environment in 2015. Yet, we remained on 
track to meet our three-year performance goals set in late 2014 – goals 
which called for healthy earnings growth not reliant on improved market 
conditions. Our success during 2015 notwithstanding, we are far from 
satisfied. Our journey is just beginning. 

REVENUE

EPS

RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY

Three-year Goals i,ii

 2015 Actuals i

3.5-4.5%

7-9%

17-19%

2%

19%

21%

Our total shareholder return for 2015 was more 
than 3 percent, outpacing the S&P Financials
Index, which declined 2 percent.

III

 
 
 
 
Invested in Our Strategy to Drive Success

We have a clear set of strategic priorities designed to capitalize on our expertise, scale and trust while strengthening the 
client experience. Our goal: driving economic value for our company and our clients.

DRIVING PROFITABLE REVENUE GROWTH
Our improved performance reflects our heightened focus on profitable and disciplined revenue growth. We are not focused 
on driving gross revenue and expanding our market share at any cost.

We leverage our insight and expertise to continually create new sources of value for clients and shareholders. At the same time, 
we are also examining each business and solution we offer to ensure they are working well for us and our clients. 

LEVERAGING EXPERTISE AND SCALE
–  We are making strategic platform investments in high- 
  growth markets that enable clients to leverage our 
  expertise and scale. In the process, we are improving  
  our clients’ efficiency as we lower our costs. We are  
  also improving our services and providing clients with  
  sophisticated tools and insights to manage increased  
  marketplace and regulatory complexities. We are seeing  
  evidence that our solutions are resonating with clients  
  and our investments are paying off. As an example, we  
  won a significant middle-office contract to service  
  approximately $770 billion in assets for a prominent  

investment manager. 

–  We are involving clients in co-creating solutions to meet  
  their evolving needs and incorporating their feedback  
  on the innovative solutions we have under development.  
  We now have six innovation centers in strategic locations  
  globally, including Silicon Valley. They enable us to   
  harness emerging and disruptive technologies and to tap  

into the best talent in the world for our clients’ benefit.

DELIVERING INNOVATIVE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS TO CLIENTS
–  In Investment Management, our efforts to align our  

investment portfolio with the fastest growing strategies  
  are contributing to our results. Our U.S. retail initiative is  

focused on extending the reach of our investment   
  strategies to third-party intermediary advisors and  
  growing the Dreyfus distribution platform. Our Wealth  
  Management sales force expansion in the fastest-  
  growing U.S. wealth markets, combined with the  
  broadened service offering from the collaboration with  
  our Pershing subsidiary, has enabled us to grow our  
  private banking offering nationally.  
–  Our acquisition of Cutwater Asset Management, a U.S.- 
  based fixed-income and solutions specialist, has enabled  
  us to extend our liability-driven investment strategies  
  offered by Insight, our highly successful LDI boutique, into  
the U.S. market. The acquisition also enhanced Insight’s  
research resources and increased their capacity in the  
  strategies most widely used by our international clients. 
–  We continue to enhance our collateral management  
  systems and foreign exchange (FX) electronic trading  
  platforms to provide broader capabilities for term   
  financing, securities lending, managing collateral and  
  capturing more FX trading volume.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

GENERATING EXCESS 
CAPITAL AND DEPLOYING 
IT EFFECTIVELY

ATTRACTING, DEVELOPING 
AND RETAINING TALENT

BEING A STRONG, 
SAFE, TRUSTED 
COUNTERPARTY

EXECUTING ON OUR 
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
PROCESS

DRIVING 
PROFITABLE 
REVENUE
GROWTH

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCREASING OUR TECHNOLOGICAL EDGE TO 
REVOLUTIONIZE THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE 
Technology is one vital component of our quest to deliver 
excellence to our clients. 

Our technology innovations will make it easier for clients 
to do business with us. They will also reduce costs for 
them and us. Our innovations will also enable us to create 
new solutions for our clients, providing additional revenue 
streams and enhanced future profitability. 

We are boldly advancing our use of new technologies to 
create a more digital enterprise, ensuring delivery of the 
next generation of innovations for our clients. We have 
made significant investments and advances already, but 
we recognize that we have more work to do. 

We are making further investments in the resiliency and 
reliability of our proprietary systems to help ensure the 
seamless delivery of critical services to our clients. 

The world depends on us to have a highly reliable network. 
We hold ourselves to that standard. 

NEXEN, our next-generation technology platform, enables 
client and developer innovation and consolidates solutions 
from BNY Mellon, select third parties and clients onto 
one secure, intuitive and powerful platform. The open 
architecture platform will allow us to integrate with 
complementary third-party providers and fintech solutions 
emerging in the industry. It will provide a consistent client 
experience across businesses and regions while offering 
clients increased flexibility and new opportunities to 
leverage services and data. 

NEXEN embodies innovation, both in its use of leading-edge 
technology and its establishment of a digital ecosystem for 
financial services. We believe NEXEN is a real game-changer 
for us and our clients.

V

EXECUTING ON OUR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS
Our business improvement process is leveraging our scale and expertise to deliver efficiency benefits to clients and improved 
results for our company. It is strengthening service quality and client and employee productivity, while reducing risk and 
structural costs.   

Our success on this front is reflected in 1) a better client experience; 2) lower expenses in nearly all categories; and 3) improved 
margins in our businesses.

Here are some examples of our business improvement process at work:

OPTIMIZING OUR BUSINESS MIX

–  Sold Meriten, our German-based 
  boutique

–  Realigned our UK transfer agency operating  
  model to improve profitability

–  Exited the derivatives clearing business

–  Streamlined our APAC Investment Management 
  operations

–  Shut down our separately managed account  
  offering for APAC

Redeploying our capital

BOOSTING OUR PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFECTIVENESS  

–  Simplifying and automating our end-to-end  
  global processes

–  Reducing our real estate footprint; balancing 
  our workforce globally

–  Optimizing and streamlining our technology  

infrastructure; lowering annual infrastructure  
investment

–  Analyzing and measuring our service delivery 
  costs to better align our costs with client pricing

Improving service quality, while reducing risk and cost

BEING A STRONG, SAFE, TRUSTED COUNTERPARTY
We recognize the importance of our organization to the financial marketplace. We have maintained the strong capital and liquidity 
positions and high credit ratings that our clients expect of us. We have also continued to invest in and focus on compliance, risk 
management and control functions to help ensure our continued safety and soundness.

ACTIONS TO INCREASE OUR SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS

–  Reduced and simplified our counterparty exposures

–  Made significant investments in our resolution and 

–  Implemented a new system to meet Volcker reporting  

recovery plans

requirements

–  Completed a program to reduce intraday credit 

–  Strengthened our capital adequacy process

risk exposure in our tri-party repo business

–  Invested in and focused on compliance, risk management 

  and control functions

VI

 
 
 
 
 
 
GENERATING EXCESS CAPITAL AND DEPLOYING 
IT EFFECTIVELY
We are using our capital wisely and maintaining a strong 
balance sheet. Over the last four years, we generated more 
than $12 billion of tangible capital. In 2015, we returned $3.1 
billion of that capital to shareholders in the form of share 
repurchases and dividends even as we have increased our 
capital to meet new higher regulatory requirements. Our 
payout ratio in 2015 was 97 percent on an adjusted basis,i 
near the top end of our targeted range of approximately 
80-100 percent. Over the last four years we have reduced our 
shares outstanding by 13 percent, which is among the best 

in the industry.

ATTRACTING, DEVELOPING AND RETAINING 
TOP TALENT 
Our people are our ultimate competitive advantage and we 
are continuing to invest in them globally. We are focused 
on attracting, developing and retaining top talent. Our 
philosophy is simple: if we are committed to attracting and 
developing highly talented people and helping them reach 
their full potential, it will manifest itself in positive ways for 
our clients and all our stakeholders. It is a reliable formula. 
We do this by providing an inclusive and collaborative 
culture with unique opportunities to learn, grow and take 
career ownership. 

Invested in Being Socially Responsible

Corporate and personal accountability is at the core of our business strategy. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 
practices help us to earn the trust of our clients and other stakeholders. They also promote transparency and encourage 
innovation for a better world.

We focus on three CSR strategy pillars: 
–  Market Integrity: As the Investments Company for the World,  
  we play a significant role in helping financial markets remain  
  stable, efficient and resilient. We are committed to a rigorous  

risk culture across our businesses.

–  Our People: Our progress on this front was evident in our  
improvement in employee engagement globally, driven by  
increases in leadership, performance management, career   

  opportunities and risk management, and continued  
  strengthening in measures of diversity and inclusion.

–  Our World: We continue to demonstrate our commitment  
  to promoting sustainable practices. We are advocates for 

  the rule of law and recognized leaders on climate change.

Our total employee and company contributions to charities 
in communities around the world increased in 2015 to 
nearly $40 million, including donations to support flood 
relief efforts in Chennai, India. As part of our Powering 
Potential philanthropic focus, we continued to work with 
our non-profit partners to provide workforce development 
opportunities for underrepresented groups. Over the past six 
years, we estimate that this support has helped more than 
100,000 people around the world. 

Reflecting our continued progress in these areas, our 
company was named for the second consecutive year to the 
Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), one of 
the most highly regarded global sustainability indices. 

VII

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our ultimate competitive  
advantage is our people.

Looking Forward

We remain confident in our ability to achieve our three-year performance targets. 

Given the challenging market conditions as we begin 2016, it is critical for us to drive efficiencies and stay focused on executing 
well on our priorities. We continue to identify opportunities to reduce corporate overhead and to leverage scale in operations, 
technology and distribution – while investing in revenue, technology and regulatory initiatives and delivering a high level of 
service to our clients. 

I want to thank all of our team members and my Executive Committee partners for rising to the occasion to meet the heightened 
expectations we’ve set for ourselves, beyond those of our clients and shareholders. 

I would also like to thank our Board of Directors for their strategic counsel and for continuing to challenge us to ask more of 
ourselves and our company. My special thanks to William C. Richardson and Richard J. Kogan, who will not stand for re-election 
to our board. Both have served our company for nearly 20 years. They have made significant contributions during an extended 
period of growth, change and strategic realignment, and I am personally grateful for their guidance and support.

Thank you to my fellow shareholders for recognizing our tremendous potential and having faith that we will continue to realize it.

Gerald L. Hassell

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

i   For a reconciliation and explanation of these non-GAAP measures, see pages 125-131 of our 2015 Annual Report.
ii  Three-year performance goal assuming a flat interest-rate scenario.

VIII

 
About BNY Mellon

WHO WE ARE
BNY Mellon is a global investments company. We service and manage financial assets. Our business model is driven by twin 
engines of growth that span the entire investment lifecycle: Investment Services and Investment Management. We hold a 
unique position in the financial services industry due to the breadth and depth of the services we offer to our clients, 
equipping us with insights that provide us and the clients we serve with distinct competitive advantages. 

WHERE WE PLAY
We service financial assets on both the buy side and sell side through Investment Services. We also manage assets through 
our investment management boutiques within Investment Management, and provide investment advice through our Wealth 
Management offices located in the fastest-growing U.S. wealth markets.

This broad and diverse set of capabilities is centered on a simple idea – that over time, financial asset growth will exceed 
economic growth, creating the opportunity for excess return. Given our global scale and diversity, we see more and can deliver 
more, placing us in a strong position competitively.  

Our business model is largely fee-based, with fees representing nearly 80 percent of our revenues. The vast majority of those 
fees provide recurring revenue streams. Our credit ratings and payout ratio are each among the highest in the industry.

LONG-TERM TRENDS FUEL OUR GROWTH
The drivers that create demand for our business model remain strong. Our businesses benefit from global growth in financial 
assets, the globalization of the investment process, changes in demographics and the continued evolution of the regulatory 
landscape – each providing us with opportunities to service and advise clients to enable their investment success.

-  Investors are seeking strategies and insights that appropriately balance the risk/return rewards throughout the 

investment cycle. 

-  Investors are requiring investment strategies with greater transparency and better risk analytics. 
-  Individuals increasingly need to save and invest for their long-term needs. 
-  Cost and capital pressures are compelling financial institutions to seek scalable, more variable-cost servicing models,    
including technology platforms that offer a variety of applications that can help them succeed with their customers.
-  Capital rules and other regulations are dictating that investment managers and capital markets providers become the  
  suppliers of capital.
-  Maturing economies are investing in infrastructure and other economic development programs to improve and stimulate  

their own growth rates. 

We are a global leader in almost every aspect of servicing financial assets. Our broad set of capabilities and advanced 
technology platforms enable speed to market, and drive innovative, cost-effective solutions and growth opportunities unique 
to BNY Mellon.

We also have a comprehensive array of investment management strategies, with solutions for every risk profile, strategy and 
asset class. We have become the seventh largest investment manager in the world by working across the investment spectrum 
to offer clients a diverse portfolio that fosters innovation and financial performance across cycles. 

IX

 
 
 
 
OUR CLIENTS
As a result of our leading and broad-based positions in both Investment Services and Investment Management, our clients 
comprise financial market leaders – buy side, sell side, governments and market infrastructure providers. Our clients include 
three-quarters of the Fortune 500, central banks that hold approximately 90 percent of all capital and more than two-thirds 
of the top 1,000 pension funds. Most of our clients utilize both of our major business lines, giving us dual revenue streams. 
Approximately 75 percent of our top 100 clients are enterprise clients – utilizing the services of both Investment Services and 
Investment Management – contributing approximately $3 billion in revenue.

We are organized to deliver our services through relationship teams focused on key market segments, such as investment 
managers; insurance companies; banks, broker-dealers and advisors; corporate and public finance; and alternative asset 
managers. This alignment positions us to develop more sophisticated and innovative solutions.

The breadth of our capabilities and diversity of the clients we serve enable us to leverage our insight and expertise to address 
their evolving needs. We are collaborating with our clients to develop solutions to better manage their risk positions and make 
better-informed investment decisions. This means creating and delivering solutions that make a difference to our clients while 
delivering profitable, risk-adjusted returns and growth for our shareholders.  

HOW WE EMPOWER SUCCESS
Our global strategy is powered by a strong and engaged leadership team, board of directors and more than 50,000 investments 
professionals – experts in their field. We leverage our competitive strengths, which are rooted in the quality of our client 
experience, our expertise and scale, and the trust we have built over time. We deliver data-driven insights, innovative solutions 
to complex issues and investment excellence to our clients - performance that also drives long-term value for our shareholders.

Our Competitive Strengths Defined

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

–  Flexibility in accessing our investment strategies
–  Penetrating resource-intensive distribution channels
–  Delivering high-quality products and services 

EXPERTISE

–  Specialized talent
–  Global capabilities
–  Breadth of solutions

SCALE

TRUST

–  Providing central investment management distribution 
  and infrastructure
–  Delivering productivity and efficiency
–  Enabling sustainable cost improvement

–  Integrity and focus on doing what’s right
–  Financial strength and stability
–  High level of reliability and transparency

Financial Highlights

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)
(dollar amounts in millions, except per common share amounts and unless otherwise noted)

2015

2014

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net income applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Preferred stock dividends

$        3,158
(105)

$        2,567
(73)

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation 

Earnings per common share – diluted (a) 

$       3,053
$          2.71

$       2,494
$          2.15

KEY DATA

Total revenue 
Total expenses 
Fee revenue as a percentage of total revenue excluding net securities gains 
Percentage of non-U.S. total revenue (b) 
Assets under management at year end (in billions) (c) 
Assets under custody and/or administration at year end (in trillions) (d)
Cash dividends per common share 

BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31

  $     15,194
10,799

$     15,692
12,177

79%
36%

$       1,625
$         28.9
$         0.68

80%
38%

$        1,686
$          28.5
$          0.66

Total assets
Total deposits 
Total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’ equity 

  $   393,780
279,610
35,485

  $  385,303
265,869
35,879

CAPITAL RATIOS AT DECEMBER 31
Consolidated regulatory capital ratios: (e)
Common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) ratio 
Tier 1 capital ratio 
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio 
Leverage capital ratio

BNY Mellon common shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio (f) 
BNY Mellon tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets of 
operations ratio – Non-GAAP (f) 

Selected regulatory capital ratios – fully phased-in – Non-GAAP: (f)(g)
Estimated CET1 ratio:

Standardized Approach 
Advanced Approach 

Estimated supplementary leverage ratio (“SLR”) (h) 

10.8%
12.3%
12.5%
6.0%

9.0%

6.5%

10.2%
9.5%
4.9%

11.2%
12.2%
12.5%
5.6%

9.3%

6.5%

10.6%
9.8%
4.4%

(a) 

(b) 
(c) 

(d) 
(e) 

(f) 
(g) 
(h) 

Diluted earnings per share under the two class method are determined on the net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation reported 
on the income statement less earnings allocated to participating securities, and the change in the excess of redeemable value over the fair value of noncontrolling interests.
Includes fee revenue, net interest revenue and income from consolidated investment management funds, net of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
Excludes securities lending cash management assets and assets managed in the Investment Services business.  In 2015, prior periods’ AUM was restated to reflect the reclassification 
of Meriten Investment Management GmbH from the Investment Management business to the Other segment.
Includes the assets under custody and/or administration of CIBC Mellon Global Securities Services Company, a joint venture.
The CET1, Tier 1 and Total risk-based regulatory capital ratios are based on Basel III components of capital, as phased-in, and credit risk asset risk-weightings using the U.S. capital rules’  
advanced approaches framework (the “Advanced Approach”).  The leverage capital ratios are based on Basel III’s definition of Tier 1 capital, as phased-in, and quarterly average total assets.   
For additional information on these ratios, see “Capital” beginning on page 58.
See “Supplemental Information – Explanation of GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures” beginning on page 125 for a reconciliation of these ratios.
The estimated fully phased-in CET1 ratios are based on our interpretation of U.S. capital rules, which are being gradually phased in over a multi-year period. 
The estimated fully phased-in SLR is based on our interpretation of the U.S. capital rules.  When the SLR becomes effective, we expect to maintain an SLR of over 5%.  The minimum 
required SLR is 3% and there is a 2% buffer, in addition to the minimum, that is applicable to U.S. G-SIBs.

XII

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Section

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORPORATION
2015 Annual Report
Table of Contents 

Exhibit 13.1

Financial Summary

Page
2

Financial Statements:

Page

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial

Condition and Results of Operations:
Results of Operations:

General
Overview
Key 2015 and subsequent events
Summary of financial highlights
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue
Noninterest expense
Income taxes
Review of businesses
International operations
Critical accounting estimates
Consolidated balance sheet review
Liquidity and dividends
Commitments and obligations
Off-balance sheet arrangements
Capital
Trading activities and risk management
Asset/liability management

Risk Management
Supervision and Regulation
Risk Factors
Recent Accounting Developments
Business Continuity
Supplemental information (unaudited):

Explanation of GAAP and Non-GAAP financial 

measures (unaudited)

Rate/volume analysis (unaudited)
Selected Quarterly Data (unaudited)
Forward-looking Statements
Acronyms
Glossary

Report of Management on Internal Control Over 

Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public 

Accounting Firm

4
4
6
8
11
14
17
18
18
30
33
40
52
57
57
58
65
67
69
75
95
122
124

125
131
132
133
135
136

140

141

Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:

Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting and 

reporting policies

Note 2 - Accounting changes and new accounting 

guidance

Note 3 - Acquisitions and dispositions
Note 4 - Securities
Note 5 - Loans and asset quality
Note 6 - Goodwill and intangible assets
Note 7 - Other assets
Note 8 - Deposits
Note 9 - Net interest revenue
Note 10 - Noninterest expense
Note 11 - Restructuring charges
Note 12 - Income taxes
Note 13 - Long-term debt
Note 14 - Securitizations and variable interest 

entities

Note 15 - Shareholders’ equity
Note 16 - Other comprehensive income (loss)
Note 17 - Stock-based compensation
Note 18 - Employee benefit plans
Note 19 - Company financial information (Parent 

Corporation)

Note 20 - Fair value measurement
Note 21 - Fair value option
Note 22 - Commitments and contingent liabilities
Note 23 - Derivative instruments
Note 24 - Lines of business
Note 25 - International operations
Note 26 - Supplemental information to the 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Report of Independent Registered Public 

Accounting Firm

Directors, Executive Committee and Other 

Executive Officers

142
144
145
146
147

150

159
160
161
166
172
174
175
175
175
175
176
178

179
180
184
184
186

193
195
209
209
214
221
223

224

225

226

Performance Graph
Corporate Information

227
Inside back cover

 
 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Financial Summary

(dollar amounts in millions, except per common share
amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Year ended Dec. 31
Fee revenue
Net securities gains
Income from consolidated investment management funds
Net interest revenue
Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests (a)

Net income applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York

Mellon Corporation

Preferred stock dividends

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New

York Mellon Corporation

Earnings per diluted common share applicable to common

shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation:

Net income applicable to common stock

At Dec. 31

Interest-earning assets
Assets of operations
Total assets
Deposits
Long-term debt
Preferred stock
Total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’

equity

At Dec. 31

Assets under management (in billions) (b)
Assets under custody and/or administration (in trillions) (c)
Market value of securities on loan (in billions) (d)

$

$

$

$

$

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

11,999
83
86
3,026
15,194
160
10,799
4,235
1,013
3,222
(64)

3,158

(105)

3,053

2.71

338,955
392,379
393,780
279,610
21,547
2,552

$

$

$

$

12,558
91
163
2,880
15,692
(48)
12,177
3,563
912
2,651
(84)

2,567

(73)

2,494

2.15

317,646
376,021
385,303
265,869
20,264
1,562

$

$

$

$

11,715
141
183
3,009
15,048
(35)
11,306
3,777
1,592
2,185
(81)

2,104

(64)

2,040

1.73

305,169
363,244
374,516
261,129
19,864
1,562

$

$

$

$

11,286
162
189
2,973
14,610
(80)
11,333
3,357
842
2,515
(78)

2,437

(18)

2,419

2.03

292,887
347,745
359,226
246,095
18,530
1,068

$

$

$

$

11,566
48
200
2,984
14,798
1
11,112
3,685
1,122
2,563
(53)

2,510

—

2,510

2.02

259,231
314,078
325,425
219,094
19,933
—

35,485

35,879

35,935

35,346

33,408

$

1,625
28.9
277

1,686
28.5
289

$

$

1,557
27.6
235

1,349
26.3
237

$

1,226
25.1
266

(a)  Primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests related to consolidated investment management funds. 
(b)  Excludes securities lending cash management assets and assets managed in the Investment Services business.  In 2015, prior periods’ AUM was restated 
to reflect the reclassification of Meriten Investment Management GmbH from the Investment Management business to the Other segment.  Also excludes 
assets under management related to Newton’s private client business that was sold in 2013.
Includes the assets under custody and/or administration (“AUC/A”) of CIBC Mellon Global Securities Services Company (“CIBC Mellon”), a joint 
venture with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, of $1 trillion at Dec. 31, 2015, $1.1 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014, $1.2 trillion at Dec. 31, 2013 and 
$1.1 trillion at Dec. 31, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011.

(c) 

(d)  Represents the total amount of securities on loan managed by the Investment Services business.  Excludes securities for which BNY Mellon acts as an 

agent, beginning in  2013, on behalf of CIBC Mellon clients, which totaled $55 billion at Dec. 31, 2015, $65 billion at Dec. 31, 2014 and $62 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2013. 

 2 BNY Mellon

 
 
 
 
 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Financial Summary (continued)

(dollar amounts in millions, except per common share
amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Net income basis:
Return on common equity (a)

Non-GAAP adjusted (a)(b)

Return on tangible common equity – Non-GAAP (a)(b)

Non-GAAP adjusted (a)(b)

Return on average assets
Pre-tax operating margin (b)

Non-GAAP adjusted (a)(b)

Fee revenue as a percentage of total revenue excluding net securities

gains

Percentage of non-U.S. total revenue (c)
Net interest margin (on a fully taxable equivalent basis)
Cash dividends per common share
Common dividend payout ratio
Common dividend yield
Closing stock price per common share
Market capitalization (in billions)
Book value per common share – GAAP (a)
Tangible book value per common share – Non-GAAP  (a)(b)
Full-time employees
Year-end common shares outstanding (in thousands)
Average total equity to average total assets
Capital ratios at Dec. 31 (e)

CET1 ratio (a)(f)(g)
Tier 1 capital ratio (f)(g)
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio (f)(g)
Leverage capital ratio (g)
BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio (a)
BNY Mellon common shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio (a)
BNY Mellon tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets 

of operations ratio – Non-GAAP (a)

Estimated CET1 ratio, fully phased-in – Non-GAAP (a)(f)(h):

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Estimated SLR, fully phased-in – Non-GAAP (a)(i)

2015

8.6%
9.5
19.7
20.7
0.82
28
31

79

36
0.98
0.68

25%
1.6%

$

$

41.22
44.7
32.69
15.27
51,200
1,085,343

10.2%

10.8%
12.3
12.5
6.0
9.7
9.0

6.5

10.2
9.5
4.9

2014

6.8%
8.1
16.0
17.6
0.67
23
28

80

38
0.97
0.66

$

2013

5.9%
8.3
15.3
19.7
0.60
25
28

79

37
1.13
0.58

$

31% (d)
1.6%

34% (d)
1.7%

$

2012

2011

7.0%
8.8
19.3
21.8
0.77
23
29

78

37
1.21
0.52

26%
2.0%

$

7.5%
9.0
22.6
24.5
0.86
25
30

78

37
1.36
0.48

24%
2.4%

$

40.57
45.4
32.09
14.70
50,300
1,118,228

$

34.94
39.9
31.46
13.95
51,100
1,142,250

$

25.70
29.9
30.38
12.81
49,500
1,163,490

$

19.91
24.1
27.62
10.56
48,700
1,209,675

10.2%

10.6%

11.0%

11.5%

11.2%
12.2
12.5
5.6
9.7
9.3

6.5

10.6
9.8
4.4

14.5%
16.2
17.0
5.4
10.0
9.6

6.8

10.6
11.3
N/A

13.5%
15.0
16.3
5.3
10.1
9.8

6.3

N/A
9.8
N/A

13.4%
15.0
17.0
5.2
10.3
10.3

6.4

N/A
N/A
N/A

(a)  See “Supplemental information – Explanation of GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures” beginning on page 125 for the reconciliation of Non-GAAP 

measures.

(b)  Non-GAAP excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management funds, M&I, litigation and restructuring 

charges, amortization of intangible assets, the impairment charge related to a recent court decision, the gains on the sales of our investment in Wing Hang 
Bank Limited (“Wing Hang”) and our One Wall Street building, the benefit primarily related to a tax carryback claim, the charge related to investment 
management funds, net of incentives, and the net charge related to the disallowance of certain foreign tax credits, if applicable.
Includes fee revenue, net interest revenue and income from consolidated investment management funds, net of net income attributable to noncontrolling 
interests.

(c) 

(d)  The common dividend payout ratio was 25% for 2014 after adjusting for increased litigation expense, and 26% for 2013 after adjusting for the net impact 

of the U.S. Tax Court’s decisions regarding certain foreign tax credits.

(e)  See “General” on page 4 for a clarification of the references to Basel I and Basel III used throughout this Annual Report.
(f)  Risk-based capital ratios at Dec, 31, 2015 reflect the adoption of new accounting guidance related to Consolidations (ASU 2015-02).  See Note 2 for 
additional information.  At Dec. 31, 2014, risk-based capital ratios include the net impact of the total consolidated assets of certain consolidated 
investment management funds in risk-weighted assets.  These assets were not included in prior periods’ risk-based ratios.  The leverage capital ratio was 
not impacted. 

(g)  At Dec. 31. 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, the CET1, Tier 1 and Total risk-based consolidated regulatory capital ratios are based on Basel III components of 
capital, as phased-in, and credit risk asset risk-weightings using the U.S. capital rules’ advanced approaches framework (the “Advanced Approach”).  
The leverage capital ratio at these dates is based on Basel III’s definition of Tier 1 capital, as phased-in, and quarterly average total assets.  The capital 
ratios prior to Dec. 31, 2014 are based on Basel I rules (including Basel I Tier 1 common in the case of the CET1 ratio).  For additional information on 
these ratios, see “Capital” beginning on page 58.  

(h)  The estimated fully phased-in CET1 ratios (Non-GAAP) are based on our interpretation of the U.S. capital rules, which are being gradually phased-in 

over a multi-year period.  For additional information on these ratios, see “Capital” beginning on page 58.

(i)  The estimated fully phased-in SLR (Non-GAAP) is based on our interpretation of the U.S. capital rules.  When the SLR becomes effective, we expect to 

maintain an SLR of over 5%.  The minimum required SLR is 3% and a 2% buffer, in addition to the minimum, that is applicable to U.S. global 
systemically important banks (“G-SIBs”).  For additional information on these Non-GAAP  ratios, see “Capital” beginning on page 58.

BNY Mellon 3 

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

Results of Operations

General

In this Annual Report, references to “our,” “we,” 
“us,” “BNY Mellon,” the “Company” and similar 
terms refer to The Bank of New York Mellon 
Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.  The 
term “Parent” refers to The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation but not its subsidiaries.

BNY Mellon’s actual results of future operations may 
differ from those estimated or anticipated in certain 
forward-looking statements contained herein for 
reasons which are discussed below and under the 
heading “Forward-looking Statements.”  When used 
in this Annual Report, words such as “estimate,” 
“forecast,” “project,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” 
“intend,” “continue,” “seek,” “believe,” “plan,” 
“goal,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “will,” 
“strategy,” “synergies,” “opportunities,” “trends,” and 
words of similar meaning, may signify forward-
looking statements. 

Certain business terms and commonly used acronyms 
used in this Annual Report are defined in the 
Glossary and Acronyms sections. 

The following should be read in conjunction with the 
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 
report.  Investors should also read the section titled 
“Forward-looking Statements.” 

How we reported results

Throughout this Annual Report, certain measures, 
which are noted as “Non-GAAP financial measures,” 
exclude certain items or otherwise include 
components that differ from GAAP.  BNY Mellon 
believes that these measures are useful to investors 
because they permit a focus on period-to-period 
comparisons using measures that relate to our ability 
to enhance revenues and limit expenses in 
circumstances where such matters are within our 
control.  We also present the net interest revenue and 
net interest margin on an FTE basis.  We believe that 
this presentation allows for comparison of amounts 
arising from both taxable and tax-exempt sources and 
is consistent with industry practice.  Certain 
immaterial reclassifications have been made to prior 
periods to place them on a basis comparable with the 
current period presentation.  See “Supplemental 
information - Explanation of GAAP and Non-GAAP 

 4 BNY Mellon

financial measures” beginning on page 125 for a 
reconciliation of financial measures presented in 
accordance with GAAP to adjusted Non-GAAP 
financial measures.

In the second quarter of 2015, BNY Mellon elected to 
early adopt the new accounting guidance included in 
ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): 
Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” 
retrospectively to Jan. 1, 2015.  As a result, we 
restated the first quarter 2015 financial statements.  
See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information.

When in this Annual Report we refer to BNY 
Mellon’s or our bank subsidiary’s “Basel I” capital 
measures, we mean those capital measures, as 
calculated under the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System’s (the “Federal Reserve”) 
risk-based capital rules that are based on the 1988 
Basel Accord, which is often referred to as “Basel I.”  
When we refer to BNY Mellon’s “Basel III” capital 
measures (e.g., CET1), we mean those capital 
measures as calculated under the U.S. capital rules.

Overview

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY 
Mellon) was the first company listed on the New 
York Stock Exchange (NYSE symbol: BK).  With a 
rich history of maintaining our financial strength and 
stability through all business cycles, BNY Mellon is a 
global investments company dedicated to improving 
lives through investing. 

We manage and service assets for financial 
institutions, corporations and individual investors in 
35 countries and more than 100 markets.  As of Dec. 
31, 2015, BNY Mellon had $28.9 trillion in assets 
under custody and/or administration, and $1.6 trillion 
in assets under management.  

BNY Mellon is focused on enhancing our clients’ 
experience by leveraging our scale and expertise to 
deliver innovative and strategic solutions for our 
clients, building trusted relationships that drive value.  
We hold a unique position in the global financial 
services industry.  We service both the buy-side and 
sell-side, providing us with unique marketplace 
insights that enable us to support our clients’ success. 

Results of Operations (continued)

BNY Mellon’s businesses benefit from the global 
growth in financial assets, the globalization of the 
investment process, changes in demographics and the 
continued evolution of the regulatory landscape - 
each providing us with opportunities to advise and 
service clients.  

Strategy and priorities 

Our strategy is designed to create economic value by 
differentiating our services to create competitive 
advantages that will deliver value to our clients and 
shareholders. 

In late 2014, we shared our three-year strategic plan 
at our Investor Day - a plan designed to set us on a 
path of continuous improvement as we transform our 
organization to drive growth across the enterprise and 
power investment success for our clients.  

In 2015, we demonstrated that our strategic plan has 
positioned us to perform well.  Even with geopolitical 
instability, emerging market weakness, higher 
regulatory compliance requirements and low interest 
rates, we executed on our strategic priorities and 
focused on what was within our control. 

Our top priorities, as outlined in our strategic plan, 
include: 
• 

driving profitable revenue growth by leveraging 
our expertise and scale to offer broad-based, 
innovative solutions to clients; 
executing our business improvement processes to 
increase productivity and effectiveness while 
controlling expenses and enhancing our 
efficiency; 
being a strong, trusted counterparty by 
maintaining our safety and soundness, low-risk 
profile, and strong liquidity and capital positions; 
generating excess capital and deploying it 
effectively; and 
attracting, developing and retaining top talent. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Key initiatives 

•  Enhancing the Client Experience 

In 2015, we continued to focus on deepening our 
client relationships by leveraging our expertise and 
scale.  We are dedicated to innovation and developing 
strategic solutions that enable our clients’ success.  

We have made strategic platform investments to 
enhance our clients’ experience and we are working 
with them to determine how we can add further value 
to their experience while ensuring we also receive 
value for the solutions we deliver.  Importantly, we 
remain committed to the highest levels of service, 
reliability and resiliency as we advance the use of 
new technologies to create a more digital enterprise.  
While we made progress against our priorities, we 
realize that there is still untapped potential for 
improvement in 2016 and beyond.    

•  Leveraging Technology to Drive Investment 

Success 

A key, ongoing initiative is revolutionizing our 
clients’ experience by investing in best-in-class 
technology solutions to enable investment success.  

With a history of innovation in financial services, we 
have kept close to emerging trends in digital 
technology by establishing innovation centers in six 
locations globally, including Silicon Valley.  Our 
investments in Silicon Valley and in digital “hubs” 
globally have allowed us to tap great talent, exposing 
us to new digital methodologies and standards.  

This year we launched our next generation digital 
technology ecosystem called NEXEN which 
generates predictive data and insights to anticipate 
client needs and enhance their experience.  This is a 
gateway that utilizes leading-edge “open-source” 
technology to provide our clients with one source for 
all their transactional and data needs from us and 
select third parties - creating a powerful, cohesive 
experience.  

We are the first in the trust bank space to embrace and 
deploy this leading edge “open source” platform 
strategy.  We believe that this capability, combined 
with Digital Pulse, our “Big Data” analytics platform, 
and our private cloud, provide a holistic and powerful 
way for our clients to conduct business with us and 
deliver excellence to their clients.  

While we are in the early stages of our deployment, 
we will continue to add capabilities, enabling clients 
to lower costs, reduce capital investments and 
improve profitability.  Importantly, we will be able to 
co-create applications with our clients to offer new 
business solutions and insights much faster than we 
could before, providing our clients with a competitive 
advantage.  

BNY Mellon 5 

Results of Operations (continued)

•  Executing our Business Improvement Process 

In addition to the work we have done to simplify and 
further automate, optimize and streamline our global 
processes, we have reduced our real estate footprint, 
creating significant structural expense savings.  We 
relocated to new, more cost-efficient headquarters in 
New York City and continued to rationalize our real 
estate portfolio globally.  

As part of this effort, we have continued to build out 
our Global Delivery Centers in lower-cost locations 
to allow for further expansion and position 
migrations.  In 2015, we moved more than 1,000 full-
time positions to these cost-effective locations.  

Within Investment Services, we have:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

continued to transform our company through a 
continuous business improvement process, which 
is helping to fund new client solutions and 
regulatory change and transformation initiatives, 
while increasing efficiency and improving our 
operating margin;  

introduced a more robust data governance 
framework designed to strengthen our data 
collection and analytical capabilities which are 
important to meet our regulatory requirements 
globally.  We are also making significant 
investments in our resolution and recovery plans; 

examined and enhanced our vendor management 
practices following the SunGard incident, 
incorporating and sharing with our clients lessons 
learned; 

established significant strategic partnerships, 
leveraging our strategic platform capabilities to 
help clients lower their costs, reduce capital 
investments and improve profitability;  

formed a Client Pricing Strategy group to analyze 
and measure service delivery costs to better align 
our costs with client pricing; and   

enhanced our comprehensive collateral services 
and foreign exchange trading platforms to 
provide clients with broader capabilities - all to 
drive efficiencies, capture more volume and 
improve opportunities for future revenue growth.  

Within Investment Management, we have:  

• 

extended our US retail distribution reach by 
focusing on intermediary channels, through 

 6 BNY Mellon

realigning and bolstering our sales, marketing and 
product functions; 

completed the expansion of our Wealth 
Management sales force in targeted U.S. markets;  

continued to leverage our Wealth Management 
solutions by offering them to our Pershing 
clients; and 

enhanced our liability-driven investment 
strategies in the U.S. market through our 
Cutwater acquisition. 

• 

• 

• 

Increasing Safety and Soundness 

As we execute our strategy, we are continuing to 
drive efficient regulatory compliance for us and for 
our clients globally.  Excellence in risk management 
is essential, and we continue to invest in systems to 
comply with evolving global regulations.  
Maintaining our strong capital position is a priority as 
we seek to maintain our balance sheet strength and 
deploy our capital efficiently to fuel future growth 
and to return value to shareholders.  

With respect to our CET1 ratio, which is a measure of 
our financial strength, we expect to maintain our ratio 
at least 100 basis points above the regulatory 
minimum requirement plus the applicable buffers.  As 
a U.S. G-SIB, we will be subject to the 
Supplementary Leverage Ratio.  We currently expect 
to maintain a ratio of at least 50 to 70 basis points 
above the regulatory minimum requirement plus the 
applicable buffers.  

As we discussed at our Investor Day, our key growth 
initiatives -- including driving profitable revenue 
growth, lowering costs and reducing risks -- will 
extend into the foreseeable future as we continue to 
transform our company to remain a global leader in 
investment services and investment management.  

Key 2015 and subsequent events

Agreement to acquire Atherton Lane Advisers, LLC

In January 2016, BNY Mellon signed a definitive 
agreement to acquire the assets of Menlo Park, CA-
based Atherton Lane Advisers, LLC.  With 
approximately $2.7 billion in assets under 
management, Atherton Lane Advisers is one of 
Silicon Valley’s premier independent investment 
managers serving approximately 700 high net-worth 

Results of Operations (continued)

clients.  The transaction is expected to close in the 
second quarter of 2016. 

a German-based investment management boutique 
with approximately $23 billion in assets under 
management. 

Impairment charge related to court decision on 
Sentinel Management Group, Inc.

Outsourcing agreement

In January 2016, the United States Seventh Circuit 
Court of Appeals entered a decision with respect to 
the status of BNY Mellon’s $312 million secured loan 
to Sentinel Management Group, Inc. (“Sentinel”), 
which filed for bankruptcy in 2007.  The Seventh 
Circuit invalidated our lien on the collateral 
supporting the loan but rejected the trustee’s request 
for equitable subordination.  The impact of this 
decision is that we now have an unsecured claim in 
the Sentinel bankruptcy.  As a result, BNY Mellon 
recorded an impairment charge in the fourth quarter 
of 2015 of $170 million on a pre-tax basis, or $106 
million on an after-tax basis.  

Corporate headquarters

In October 2015, BNY Mellon relocated its corporate 
headquarters to Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan.  
This move is part of the Company’s previously-
announced decision to consolidate and streamline 
operations and reduce structural costs.  The previous 
corporate headquarters was located at One Wall Street 
in lower Manhattan and was sold in the third quarter 
of 2014. 

SunGard matter

In August 2015, the SunGard U.S. InvestOne fund 
accounting platform environment we use to process 
net asset values (“NAVs”) became corrupted during 
an operating system upgrade undertaken by SunGard, 
impacting certain mutual fund, exchange-traded fund 
and unregistered collective fund clients.  The 
resulting outage delayed or prevented us from being 
able to deliver system-generated NAVs and client 
reports to these clients in a timely manner during the 
week of Aug. 24-28, 2015.  During the period when 
system-generated NAVs were delayed, we were 
generally able to provide our fund clients with daily 
NAVs using alternative procedures, as directed by 
them.  System-generated NAVs returned to daily 
production on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.

Sale of Meriten Investment Management

In July 2015, BNY Mellon completed the sale of 
Meriten Investment Management GmbH (“Meriten”), 

In June 2015, BNY Mellon was selected to provide 
portfolio and fund accounting services to support T. 
Rowe Price’s investment operation, which had assets 
valued in excess of $770 billion as of March 31, 
2015.  In addition to supporting T. Rowe Price’s 
portfolio accounting services through our Eagle/
OnCore platform, BNY Mellon is providing a range 
of fund accounting and administration services.

In August 2015, approximately 220 T. Rowe Price 
associates – the majority based in the Baltimore area 
– became BNY Mellon employees.

Settlement agreement with the UK Financial Conduct 
Authority

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) 
has been conducting an investigation into compliance 
by subsidiaries of the Company, The Bank of New 
York Mellon, London Branch and The Bank of New 
York Mellon (International) Limited (the “firms”), 
with the FCA’s Client Assets Sourcebook (“CASS 
Rules”).  On April 15, 2015, the firms reached a 
settlement agreement with the FCA in which the 
firms agreed to pay a fine in the amount of £126 
million (or approximately $190 million).  This 
amount was fully covered by pre-existing Company 
legal reserves. 

The firms engaged in a remediation process and put 
in place a framework of new and improved policies 
and operational procedures to reinforce their 
compliance with CASS Rules.  The firms’ clients 
suffered no loss as a result of the identified areas of 
CASS non-compliance.

Capital plan, share repurchase program and issuance 
of preferred stock

In March 2015, BNY Mellon received confirmation 
that the Federal Reserve did not object to our 2015 
comprehensive capital plan submitted in connection 
with the Federal Reserve’s Comprehensive Capital 
Analysis and Review (“CCAR”).  The board of 
directors subsequently approved the repurchase of up 
to $3.1 billion worth of common stock over a five-
quarter period beginning in the second quarter of 

BNY Mellon 7 

Results of Operations (continued)

2015 and continuing through the second quarter of 
2016, including employee benefit plan repurchases.  
Of the $3.1 billion authorization, common stock 
repurchases of $700 million were contingent on a 
prior issuance of $1 billion of qualifying preferred 
stock.  In conjunction with our capital plan, in April 
2015, we completed a $1 billion offering of preferred 
stock.  For additional information on our preferred 
stock, see Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

We repurchased 45.3 million common shares for $2.0 
billion in 2015 under the current program, which 
began in the second quarter of 2015 and continues 
through the second quarter of 2016, including 
employee benefit plan repurchases.  We expect to 
continue to repurchase shares in the first half of 2016 
under the 2015 capital plan. 

Settlement of standing instruction foreign exchange 
related actions

In March 2015, the Company reached settlement 
agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice, the 
New York Attorney General, the U.S. Department of 
Labor, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 
and private customer class plaintiffs.  BNY Mellon 
agreed to pay a total of $714 million.  These 
settlements fully resolve the lawsuits and 
enforcement matters pursued by these parties relating 
to certain of the standing instruction foreign exchange 
services that BNY Mellon provided to custody clients 
prior to early 2012.

In May 2015, BNY Mellon reached a settlement in a 
standing instruction foreign exchange-related putative 
class action lawsuit asserting securities law 
violations.  BNY Mellon paid $180 million, which 
resulted in a pre-tax charge of $50 million in the 
second quarter of 2015.  Collectively, these 
settlements, which are final except for an agreement 
in principle with the SEC staff, effectively resolves 
virtually all of the pending foreign exchange-related 
actions, with the exception of two lawsuits brought 
by individual customers and a derivative lawsuit. 

Real estate fund administration outsourcing 

In February 2015, BNY Mellon announced an 
outsourcing agreement with Deutsche Asset & Wealth 
Management.  Under the agreement, BNY Mellon 
will provide direct real estate and infrastructure fund 
finance, fund accounting, asset management 

 8 BNY Mellon

accounting, and client and financial reporting 
functions for Deutsche Asset & Wealth 
Management’s approximately $46 billion in assets 
under administration.

Acquisition of Cutwater Asset Management

In January 2015, BNY Mellon completed the 
acquisition of Cutwater Asset Management 
(“Cutwater”), a U.S.-based fixed income and 
solutions specialist with approximately $23 billion in 
assets under management at acquisition.  Cutwater 
will work closely with Insight Investment, one of our 
investment management boutiques.

Summary of financial highlights

We reported net income applicable to common 
shareholders of $3.1 billion, or $2.71 per diluted 
common share, in 2015, or $3.2 billion, or $2.85 per 
diluted common share, adjusted for the impairment 
charge related to a recent court decision, litigation 
and restructuring charges.  In 2014, net income 
applicable to common shareholders was $2.5 billion, 
or $2.15 per diluted common share, or $2.8 billion, or 
$2.39 per diluted common share, adjusted for gains 
related to the sales of our equity investment in Wing 
Hang and our One Wall Street building, the benefit 
primarily related to a tax carryback claim, litigation 
and restructuring charges and the charge related to 
investment management funds, net of incentives.  See 
“Supplemental information - Explanation of GAAP 
and Non-GAAP financial measures” beginning on 
page 125 for the reconciliation of Non-GAAP 
measures.

Highlights of 2015 results

•  AUC/A totaled $28.9 trillion at Dec. 31, 2015 
compared with $28.5 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014.  
The increase of 1% primarily reflects net new 
business, partially offset by the unfavorable 
impact of a stronger U.S. dollar and lower market 
values.  (See “Investment Services business” 
beginning on page 26).

•  AUM totaled $1.63 trillion at Dec. 31, 2015 

compared with $1.69 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014.  
The decrease of 4% primarily resulted from the 
unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, net 
outflows and lower market values, partially offset 
by the January 2015 acquisition of Cutwater 
Asset Management.  AUM excludes securities 
lending cash management assets and assets 

Results of Operations (continued)

• 

• 

managed in the Investment Services business.  
Additionally, in 2015, prior period AUM was 
restated to reflect the reclassification of Meriten 
from the Investment Management business to the 
Other segment.  (See “Investment Management 
business” beginning on page 22).

Investment services fees totaled $7.1 billion in 
2015, an increase of 2% compared with $6.9 
billion in 2014.  Higher asset servicing fees, 
reflecting growth in the Global Collateral 
Services, Broker-Dealer Services and Asset 
Servicing businesses, and higher clearing services 
fees, primarily driven by higher mutual fund fees, 
were partially offset by lower treasury services 
fees. (See “Investment Services business” 
beginning on page 26).

Investment management and performance fees 
totaled $3.4 billion in 2015 compared with $3.5 
billion in 2014, a decrease of 2%, or an increase 
of 3% on a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP).  
The increase on a constant currency basis (Non-
GAAP) primarily reflects the impact of the 
January 2015 acquisition of Cutwater and 
strategic initiatives, lower money market fee 
waivers and higher equity market values, partially 
offset by the impact of the July 2015 sale of 
Meriten and lower performance fees.  (See 
“Investment Management business” beginning on 
page 22).

•  Foreign exchange and other trading revenue 

totaled $768 million in 2015 compared with $570 
million in 2014.  Foreign exchange revenue 
totaled $743 million in 2015, an increase of 29% 
compared with $578 million in 2014.  The 
increase primarily reflects lower volumes in 
standing instruction programs, which were more 
than offset by higher volumes in the other trading 
programs, higher volatility and the impact of 
hedging activity for foreign currency placements.  
(See “Fee and other revenue” beginning on page 
11).

•  Financing-related fees totaled $220 million in 

2015 compared with $169 million in 2014.  The 
increase primarily reflects fees related to secured 
intraday credit provided to dealers in connection 
with their tri-party repo activity and higher 
underwriting fees.  (See “Fee and other revenue” 
beginning on page 11).

• 

Investment and other income totaled $316 million 
in 2015 compared with $1.2 billion in 2014.  The 
decrease primarily reflects gains on the sales of 

our equity investment in Wing Hang and our One 
Wall Street building in 2014.  (See “Fee and other 
revenue” beginning on page 11).

•  Net interest revenue totaled $3.0 billion in 2015 

compared with $2.9 billion in 2014.  The increase 
primarily reflects the shift out of cash and into 
securities and loans, lower interest expense on 
deposits and higher average interest-earning 
assets driven by higher deposits, partially offset 
by lower accretion.  Net interest margin (FTE) 
was 0.98% in 2015 compared with 0.97% in 
2014.  The increase reflects lower interest rates 
on deposits.  (See “Net interest revenue” 
beginning on page 14).

•  The provision for credit losses was $160 million 
in 2015 and a credit of $48 million in 2014.  The 
provision in 2015 is primarily driven by the 
impairment charge related to a recent court 
decision.  (See “Asset quality and allowance for 
credit losses” beginning on page 47).

•  Noninterest expense totaled $10.8 billion in 2015 

compared with $12.2 billion in 2014.  The 
decrease reflects lower expenses in nearly all 
categories, except incentives and software.  The 
lower expenses primarily reflect the favorable 
impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, lower consulting 
and legal expenses and the benefit of the business 
improvement process which focuses on reducing 
structural costs.  (See “Noninterest expense” 
beginning on page 17).

•  The provision for income taxes was $1.0 billion 

(23.9% effective tax rate) in 2015.  (See “Income 
taxes” on page 18).

•  The net unrealized pre-tax gain on the investment 

securities portfolio was $357 million at Dec. 31, 
2015 compared with $1.3 billion at Dec. 31, 
2014.  The decrease was primarily driven by 
higher market interest rates.  (See “Investment 
securities” beginning on page 41).

•  Our estimated CET1 ratio (Non-GAAP) 

calculated under the Advanced Approach on a 
fully phased-in basis was 9.5% at Dec. 31, 2015 
and 9.8% at Dec. 31, 2014.  The decrease 
primarily reflects higher RWA resulting from an 
increase in operational risk, driven by external 
financial services industry losses, and the impact 
of no longer using the simple VaR methodology, 
partially offset by the deconsolidation of certain 
investment management funds.  Our estimated 
CET1 ratio (Non-GAAP) calculated under the 
Standardized Approach on a fully phased-in basis 

BNY Mellon 9 

•  The provision for income taxes was $912 million 
(25.6% effective tax rate) in 2014 including a net 
benefit primarily related to litigation expense and 
the approval of a tax carryback claim, offset by 
the sales of our investment in Wing Hang and our 
One Wall Street building.

Results for 2013

In 2013 we reported net income applicable to 
common shareholders of BNY Mellon of $2.0 billion, 
or  $1.73 per diluted common share.  These results 
were primarily driven by:

• 

• 

Investment services fees totaled $6.8 billion 
reflecting higher core asset servicing fees driven 
by organic growth and higher market values, 
higher clearing services fees and higher 
Depositary Receipts revenue, partially offset by 
lower Corporate Trust fees reflecting the 
continued run-off of high margin structured debt 
securitizations.

Investment management and performance fees 
totaled $3.4 billion reflecting higher equity 
market values, net new business and the full-year 
impact of the acquisition of the remaining 50% 
interest in Meriten, partially offset by the 
unfavorable impact of the stronger U.S. dollar 
and higher money market fee waivers.

•  Foreign exchange and other trading revenue 

totaled $674 million reflecting higher volumes 
and volatility in foreign exchange revenue, 
partially offset by lower fixed income trading 
revenue.

•  The provision for credit losses was a credit of $35 
million primarily driven by a broad improvement 
in the credit quality of the loan portfolio and a 
reduction in our qualitative allowance. 

•  Noninterest expense totaled $11.3 billion 

reflecting lower litigation expense, primarily 
offset by higher staff, software and our branding 
initiatives.

Results of Operations (continued)

was 10.2% at Dec. 31, 2015 and 10.6% at Dec. 
31, 2014.  (See “Capital” beginning on page 58).

Results for 2014

In 2014 we reported net income applicable to 
common shareholders of BNY Mellon of $2.5 billion, 
or $2.15 per diluted common share.  These results 
were primarily driven by:

• 

• 

Investment services fees totaled $6.9 billion in 
2014, an increase of 2% compared with $6.8 
billion in 2013.  Higher asset servicing fees, 
reflecting organic growth, higher market values, 
higher collateral management fees in Global 
Collateral Services and net new business, as well 
as higher clearing services fees, primarily driven 
by higher mutual fund and asset-based fees, were 
partially offset by lower Corporate Trust fees and 
lower corporate actions and dividend fees in 
Depositary Receipts.

Investment management and performance fees 
totaled $3.5 billion in 2014, a 3% increase 
compared with $3.4 billion in 2013.  The increase 
was primarily driven by higher equity market 
values, net new business and the favorable impact 
of a weaker U.S. dollar, partially offset by higher 
money market fee waivers and lower 
performance fees.

•  Foreign exchange and other trading revenue 
totaled $570 million in 2014, compared with 
$674 million in 2013.  The decrease reflects 
lower volatility, partially offset by higher 
volumes.

•  The provision for credit losses was a credit of $48 
million in 2014 compared with a credit of $35 
million in 2013.  The credit in 2014 is primarily 
driven by the continued improvement in the 
credit quality of the loan portfolio.

•  Noninterest expense totaled $12.2 billion in 2014 

compared with $11.3 billion in 2013.  The 
increase primarily reflects higher litigation 
expense and restructuring charges, partially offset 
by lower staff expense.

 10 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Fee and other revenue

Fee and other revenue

(dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Investment services fees:
Asset servicing (a)
Clearing services
Issuer services
Treasury services

Total investment services fees

Investment management and performance fees
Foreign exchange and other trading revenue
Financing-related fees
Distribution and servicing
Investment and other income
Total fee revenue

Net securities gains

Total fee and other revenue

2015

2014

2013

$ 4,187
1,375
978
555
7,095
3,438
768
220
162
316
11,999
83
$ 12,082

$

4,075
1,335
968
564
6,942
3,492
570
169
173
1,212
12,558
91
$ 12,649

$

3,905
1,264
1,090
554
6,813
3,395
674
172
180
481
11,715
141
$ 11,856

2015
vs.
2014

3 %
3
1
(2)
2
(2)
35
30
(6)
  N/M
(4)
N/M

(4)%

2014
vs.
2013

4%
6
(11)
2
2
3
(15)
(2)
(4)

N/M
7
N/M

7%

Fee revenue as a percentage of total revenue excluding net securities gains

79%

80%

79%

(4)%
AUM at period end (in billions) (b)
1 %
AUC/A at period end (in trillions) (c)
(a)  Asset servicing fees include securities lending revenue of $176 million in 2015, $158 million in 2014 and $155 million in 2013.
(b)  Excludes securities lending cash management assets and assets managed in the Investment Services business.  In 2015, prior periods’ 

$ 1,625
28.9
$

1,557
27.6

1,686
28.5

$
$

$
$

8%
3%

AUM were restated to reflect the reclassification of Meriten from the Investment Management business to the Other segment.

(c)  Includes the AUC/A of CIBC Mellon of $1.0 trillion at Dec. 31, 2015, $1.1 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014 and $1.2 trillion at Dec. 31, 2013.

Fee and other revenue

Fee and other revenue totaled $12.1 billion in 2015, a 
decrease of 4% compared with $12.6 billion in 2014.  
The decrease primarily reflects the gains on the sales 
of our equity investment in Wing Hang and our One 
Wall Street building, both recorded in 2014, and 
lower investment management and performance fees, 
partially offset by higher foreign exchange and other 
trading revenue, asset servicing fees, financing-
related fees and clearing services fees. 

Investment services fees

Investment services fees were impacted by the 
following compared with 2014: 

•  Asset servicing fees increased 3% primarily 

reflecting growth in global collateral services, 
broker-dealer services and asset servicing, 
partially offset by the unfavorable impact of a 
stronger U.S. dollar.  

•  Clearing services fees increased 3% primarily 
driven by higher mutual fund and asset-based 
fees, partially offset by lost business.  

• 

Issuer services fees increased 1% primarily 
reflecting higher Corporate Trust fees, partially 
offset by lower fees in Depositary Receipts 
driven by fewer corporate actions.  

•  Treasury services fees decreased 2% primarily 
reflecting lower lockbox fees and higher 
compensating balance credits provided to clients, 
partially offset by higher payment volumes. 

See the “Investment Services business” in “Review of 
businesses” for additional details.

Investment management and performance fees 

Investment management and performance fees totaled 
$3.4 billion in 2015, a decrease of 2%, or an increase 
of 3% on a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP), 
compared with 2014.  The increase primarily resulted 
from the impact of the January 2015 acquisition of 
Cutwater and strategic initiatives, lower money 
market fee waivers and higher equity market values, 
partially offset by the impact of the July 2015 sale of 
Meriten and lower performance fees.  Performance 

BNY Mellon 11 

Results of Operations (continued)

fees were $97 million in 2015 and $115 million in 
2014.  

Total AUM for the Investment Management business 
was $1.6 trillion at Dec. 31, 2015, a decrease 
compared with $1.7 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The 
decrease reflects the unfavorable impact of a stronger 
U.S. dollar, net outflows and lower market values, 
partially offset by the January 2015 acquisition of 
Cutwater.  Net long-term outflows in 2015 totaled 
$17 billion driven by active equity and index 
investments, partially offset by continued strength in 
liability-driven investments.  Net short-term outflows 
were $18 billion in 2015.

See the “Investment Management business” in 
“Review of businesses” for additional details 
regarding the drivers of investment management and 
performance fees.

Foreign exchange and other trading revenue

Foreign exchange and other trading revenue
2015
(in millions)
Foreign exchange
Other trading revenue (loss)

25

2014
2013
$ 743 $ 578 $ 608
66

(8)

Total foreign exchange and other
trading revenue

$ 768 $ 570 $ 674

Foreign exchange and other trading revenue increased 
$198 million, or 35%, from $570 million in 2014.  In 
2015, foreign exchange revenue totaled $743 million, 
an increase of 29% compared with $578 million in 
2014.  The increase primarily reflects lower volumes 
in standing instruction programs, which were more 
than offset by higher volumes in the other trading 
programs, higher volatility and the impact of hedging 
activity for foreign currency placements.  Total other 
trading revenue was $25 million in 2015, compared 
to a loss of $8 million in 2014.  The increase 
primarily reflects higher fixed income trading and 
losses on hedging activities within a boutique 
recorded in 2014.  Foreign exchange revenue is 
reported in the Investment Services business and the 
Other segment.  Other trading revenue is reported in 
all three business segments.  

Our foreign exchange trading generates revenues 
which are influenced by the volume of client 
transactions and the spread realized on these 
transactions.  Revenues are impacted by market 
pressures which continue to be increasingly 

 12 BNY Mellon

competitive.  The level of volume and spreads is 
affected by market volatility, the level of cross-border 
assets held in custody for clients, the level and nature 
of underlying cross-border investments and other 
transactions undertaken by corporate and institutional 
clients.  These revenues also depend on our ability to 
manage the risk associated with the currency 
transactions we execute and program pricing.   

Generally speaking, custody clients enter into foreign 
exchange transactions in one of three ways: 
negotiated trading with BNY Mellon, BNY Mellon’s 
standing instruction programs, or transactions with 
third-party foreign exchange providers.  Negotiated 
trading generally refers to orders entered by the client 
or the client’s investment manager, with all decisions 
related to the transaction, usually on a transaction-
specific basis, made by the client or its investment 
manager.  The preponderance of the notional value of 
our trading volume with clients is in negotiated 
trading.  Our standing instruction programs, which 
are Session Range and our standard Defined Spread 
program, provide custody clients and their investment 
managers with an end-to-end solution that allows 
them to shift to BNY Mellon the cost, management 
and execution risk, often in small transactions or 
transactions in restricted and difficult to trade 
currencies.   

A shift by custody clients from the standing 
instruction programs to other trading options 
combined with competitive market pressures on the 
foreign exchange business is negatively impacting 
our foreign exchange revenue.  For the year ended 
Dec. 31, 2015, our total revenue for all types of 
foreign exchange trading transactions was $743 
million, or approximately 5% of our total revenue.  In 
2015, approximately 33% of our foreign exchange 
revenue resulted from foreign exchange transactions 
undertaken through our standing instruction 
programs, compared with 35% in 2014 and 41% in 
2013.   

Financing-related fees

Financing-related fees, which are primarily reported 
in the Other segment, include capital markets fees, 
loan commitment fees and credit-related fees.  
Financing-related fees totaled $220 million in 2015 
and $169 million in 2014.  The increase primarily 
reflects fees related to secured intraday credit 
provided to dealers in connection with their tri-party 
repo activity and higher underwriting fees.  

Results of Operations (continued)

Distribution and servicing fees

Distribution and servicing fee revenue earned from 
mutual funds are primarily based on average assets in 
the funds and the sales of funds that we manage or 
administer and are primarily reported in the 
Investment Management business.  These fees, which 
include 12b-1 fees, fluctuate with the overall level of 
net sales, the relative mix of sales between share 
classes, the funds’ market values and money market 
fee waivers.

The $11 million decrease in distribution and servicing 
fee revenue compared with 2014 primarily reflects 
the unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, 
partially offset by lower money market fee waivers.  
The impact of distribution and servicing fees on 
income in any one period is partially offset by 
distribution and servicing expense paid to other 
financial intermediaries to cover their costs for 
distribution and servicing of mutual funds.  
Distribution and servicing expense is recorded as 
noninterest expense on the income statement.  

Investment and other income

Investment and other income
(in millions)
Corporate/bank-owned life insurance
Expense reimbursements from joint
venture
Lease residual gains
Seed capital gains (a)
Private equity gains
Asset-related gains
Transitional services agreements
Equity investment (loss) revenue
Other income

Total investment and other income

2015

2013
2014
$ 139 $ 131 $ 144

55
63
45
49
35
20
1
6
— 872
—
—
(19)
1
52
78

42
18
34
6
71
11
98
57
$ 316 $1,212 $ 481

(a)  Does not include the gain (loss) on seed capital investments 
in consolidated investment management funds which are 
reflected in operations of consolidated investment 
management funds, net of noncontrolling interests.

Investment and other income includes corporate and 
bank-owned life insurance contracts, expense 
reimbursements from our CIBC Mellon joint venture, 
lease residual gains, seed capital gains and losses, 
gains and losses on private equity investments, asset-
related gains and losses, transitional services 
agreements, equity investment revenue and loss and 
other income.  Expense reimbursements from our 
CIBC Mellon joint venture relate to expenses 
incurred by BNY Mellon on behalf of the CIBC 

Mellon joint venture.  Asset-related gains include real 
estate, loans and other asset dispositions.  Transitional 
services agreements primarily relate to the 
Shareowner Services business, which was sold on 
Dec. 31, 2011.  Other income primarily includes 
foreign currency remeasurement gain (loss), other 
investments and various miscellaneous revenues.  
Investment and other income was $316 million in 
2015 compared with $1,212 million in 2014.  The 
decrease primarily reflects the gains on the sales of 
our equity investment in Wing Hang and our One 
Wall Street building, both recorded in 2014.  

Net securities gains

Net securities gains totaled $83 million in 2015 
compared with $91 million in 2014, reflecting the 
rebalancing of the investment securities portfolio.

2014 compared with 2013

Fee and other revenue totaled $12.6 billion in 2014 
compared with $11.9 billion in 2013.  The increase 
was primarily driven by higher investment and other 
income, asset servicing revenue and investment 
management and performance fees, partially offset by 
lower issuer services revenue and foreign exchange 
and other trading revenue.

Investment and other income increased $731 million 
compared with 2013 primarily reflecting the gains on 
the sales of our equity investment in Wing Hang and 
our One Wall Street building, partially offset by lower 
equity investment revenue.  

Investment services fees increased 2% compared with 
2013 primarily reflecting higher asset servicing fees, 
driven by organic growth, higher market values and 
net new business, and higher clearing services fees, 
primarily driven by higher mutual fund and asset-
based fees, partially offset by higher money market 
fee waivers.

Investment management and performance fees 
increased 3% compared with 2013 primarily 
reflecting higher equity market values, net new 
business and the favorable impact of a weaker U.S. 
dollar (primarily versus the British Pound), partially 
offset by higher money market fee waivers and lower 
performance fees.

Foreign exchange and other trading revenue 
decreased 15% compared with 2013.  Foreign 

BNY Mellon 13 

Results of Operations (continued)

exchange revenue decreased 5% compared with 2013 
driven by lower volatility, partially offset by higher 
volumes.  Other trading revenue decreased $74 
million, primarily reflecting lower fixed income 

derivatives trading revenue due to exiting the 
derivative sales and trading business and losses on 
hedging activities within an Investment Management 
boutique.

Net interest revenue 

Net interest revenue

(dollars in millions)
Net interest revenue (non-FTE)
Tax equivalent adjustment
Net interest revenue (FTE) – Non-GAAP
Average interest-earning assets
Net interest margin (FTE)

Net interest revenue totaled $3.0 billion in 2015, an 
increase of $146 million compared with 2014 
primarily resulting from the shift out of cash and into 
securities and loans, lower interest expense on 
deposits and higher average interest-earning assets 
driven by higher deposits, partially offset by lower 
accretion.

The net interest margin (FTE) was 0.98% in 2015 
compared with 0.97% in 2014.  The increase in the 
net interest margin (FTE) reflects lower interest rates 
on deposits.

Average interest-earning assets were $314 billion in 
2015 compared with $304 billion in 2014.  The 
increase was due to higher client deposits. Average 
total securities increased to $126 billion in 2015, 
from $113 billion in 2014.  Average loans increased 
to $61 billion in 2015, from $54 billion in 2014.  
Average assets related to interest-bearing deposits 
with banks and the Federal Reserve and other central 
banks decreased to $104 billion in 2015, from $122 
billion in 2014.  Increases in average securities and 
loans and 

2015

$

3,026
58
$
3,084
$ 313,763

$

2014
2,880
62
$
2,942
$ 303,991

$

2013
3,009
63
$
3,072
$ 272,841

0.98%

0.97%

1.13%

2015
vs
2014
5%
(6)
5%
3%
1 bps

2014
vs
2013
(4)%
(2)
(4)%
11%
(16) bps

decreases in interest-bearing deposits with banks and 
the Federal Reserve and other central banks primarily 
reflect our strategy to shift out of cash deposits and 
into securities and loans. 

Average non-U.S. dollar deposits comprised 
approximately 25% of our average total deposits in 
2015.  Approximately half of the average non-U.S 
dollar deposits were euro-denominated in 2015.

2014 compared with 2013 

Net interest revenue totaled $2.9 billion in 2014, a 
decrease of $129 million compared with 2013 
primarily resulting from lower yields, lower accretion 
and the impact of interest rate hedging.  The decrease 
was partially offset by a change in the mix of assets 
and higher average interest-earning assets driven by 
higher deposits.  The net interest margin (FTE) was 
0.97% in 2014 compared with 1.13% in 2013.  The 
decline in the net interest margin (FTE) primarily 
reflects the factors noted above. 

 14 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Average balances and interest rates

(dollar amounts in millions, presented on an FTE basis)

Assets
Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing deposits with banks (primarily foreign banks)
Interest-bearing deposits held at the Federal Reserve and other central banks
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Margin loans
Non-margin loans:
Domestic offices:

Consumer
Commercial
Foreign offices

Total non-margin loans

Securities:

U.S. Government obligations
U.S. Government agency obligations
State and political subdivisions – tax-exempt
Other securities:

Domestic offices
Foreign offices

Total other securities

Trading securities (primarily domestic)

Total securities
Total interest-earning assets

Allowance for loan losses
Cash and due from banks
Other assets
Assets of consolidated investment management funds

Total assets

Liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:

Domestic offices:

Money market rate accounts
Savings
Demand deposits
Time deposits

Total domestic offices

Foreign offices:

Banks
Government and official institutions
Other

Total foreign offices
Total interest-bearing deposits

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Trading liabilities
Other borrowed funds:
Domestic offices
Foreign offices

Total other borrowed funds

Commercial paper
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Long-term debt

Total interest-bearing liabilities

Total noninterest-bearing deposits
Other liabilities
Liabilities and obligations of consolidated investment management funds

Total liabilities

Temporary equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Permanent equity
Total BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity
Noncontrolling interests

Total permanent equity

Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity

Net interest margin (FTE)
Percentage of assets attributable to foreign offices (c)
Percentage of liabilities attributable to foreign offices
(a) 

Average
balance

2015

Interest

Average
rates

104
170
147
207

217
346
164
727

378
967
128

302
176
478
78
2,029
3,384

(a)

(b)

6
4
6
14
30

10
—
(3)
7
37
(6)
9

4
5
9
2
7
242
300

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

20,531
83,029
23,384
19,917

7,145
19,647
13,963
40,755

25,904
55,044
4,712

14,644
22,889
37,533
2,954
126,147
313,763
(186)
6,180
50,320
2,110
372,187

7,272
1,312
2,792
44,162
55,538

16,626
5,591
87,341
109,558
165,096
16,452
634

162
652
814
1,549
11,649
20,832
217,026
86,338
29,127
832
333,323

240

37,812
812
38,624
372,187

30%
37

0.51%
0.20
0.63
1.04

3.03
1.76
1.18
1.78

1.46
1.76
2.73

2.06
0.77
1.27
2.65
1.61
1.08%

0.08%
0.28
0.23
0.03
0.06

0.06
—
—
0.01
0.02
(0.04)
1.39

2.77
0.71
1.12
0.10
0.06
1.16
0.14%

0.98%

Includes fees of $21 million in 2015.  Non-accrual loans are included in the average loan balance; the associated income, recognized on the cash basis, is 
included in interest.

(b)  The tax equivalent adjustment was $58 million in 2015, and is based on the applicable tax rate (35%).
(c) 

Includes the Cayman Islands branch office.

BNY Mellon 15 

Results of Operations (continued)

Average balances and interest rates (continued)

(dollar amounts in millions, presented on an FTE basis)

2014

2013

Average
balance

Interest

Average
rates

Average
balance

Interest

Average
rates

Assets
Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing deposits with banks (primarily foreign banks)
Interest-bearing deposits held at the Federal Reserve and other central

banks

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Margin loans
Non-margin loans:
Domestic offices:

Consumer
Commercial
Foreign offices

Total non-margin loans

Securities:

U.S. Government obligations
U.S. Government agency obligations
State and political subdivisions – tax-exempt
Other securities:

Domestic offices
Foreign offices

Total other securities

Trading securities (primarily domestic)

Total securities
Total interest-earning assets

Allowance for loan losses
Cash and due from banks
Other assets
Assets of consolidated investment management funds

Total assets

Liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:

Domestic offices:

Money market rate accounts
Savings
Demand deposits
Time deposits

Total domestic office

Foreign offices:

Banks
Government and official institutions
Other

Total foreign offices
Total interest-bearing deposits

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Trading liabilities
Other borrowed funds:
Domestic offices
Foreign offices

Total other borrowed funds

Commercial paper
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Long-term debt

Total interest-bearing liabilities

Total noninterest-bearing deposits
Other liabilities
Liabilities and obligations of consolidated investment management funds

Total liabilities

Temporary equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Permanent equity
Total BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity
Noncontrolling interests

Total permanent equity

Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity

Net interest margin (FTE)
Percentage of assets attributable to foreign offices (c)
Percentage of liabilities attributable to foreign offices
(a) 

$ 35,588

$

238

0.67% $ 41,222

$

279

0.68%

0.23

0.56
1.12

3.20
2.04
1.30
1.98

1.70
1.92
2.46

3.20
0.73
1.92
2.59
1.96
1.25%

0.22%
0.26
0.07
0.04
0.07

0.60
0.01
0.04
0.07
0.07
(0.15)
1.46

1.05
0.37
0.55
0.06
0.09
1.05
0.17%

207

86
182

199
328
170
697 (a)

310
781
154

235
283
518
123
1,886

$ 3,296 (b)

86,594

14,704
17,484

6,461
16,923
13,342
36,726

20,545
45,313
6,070

15,116
20,827
35,943
5,024
112,895
$ 303,991
(195)
5,472
52,648
10,650
$ 372,566

150

47
160

192
322
160
674 (a)

292
859
158

512
126
638
158
2,105

$ 3,415 (b)

0.24

0.59
1.04

3.08
1.93
1.28
1.90

1.51
1.72
2.56

67,073

8,412
14,288

6,001
15,742
12,285
34,028

17,148
44,815
6,463

15,978
1.56
17,304
1.36
33,282
1.44
6,110
2.43
1.67
107,818
1.08% $272,841
(230)
5,662
52,438
11,600
$342,311

7
3
4
15
29

31
—
23
54
83
(13)
25

2
4
6
2
9
242
354

$

$

5,605
1,186
2,810
41,779
51,380

7,303
4,572
97,543
109,418
160,798
18,631
2,199

183
844
1,027
2,546
9,502
20,601
$ 215,304
81,741
26,912
9,315
333,272

242

38,180
872
39,052
$ 372,566

$

13
2
2
18
35

38
1
31
70
105
(16)
38

4
3
7
—
8
201
343

$

0.12% $
0.28
0.14
0.04
0.06

5,891
932
3,271
40,975
51,069

0.42
0.01
0.02
0.05
0.05
(0.07)
1.12

6,362
4,047
90,930
101,339
152,408
10,942
2,611

322
1.32
855
0.45
1,177
0.61
690
0.08
9,038
0.09
1.17
19,103
0.16% $195,969
73,288
25,514
10,295
305,066

$

196

36,220
829
37,049
$342,311

31%
35

33%
33

0.97%

1.13%

Includes fees of $29 million in 2014 and $37 million in 2013.  Non-accrual loans are included in the average loan balance; the associated income, 
recognized on the cash basis, is included in interest.

(b)  The tax equivalent adjustment was $62 million in 2014 and $63 million in 2013, and is based on the applicable tax rate (35%).
(c) 

Includes the Cayman Islands branch office.

 16 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Noninterest expense

Noninterest expense

(dollars in millions)
Staff:

Compensation
Incentives
Employee benefits
Total staff

Professional, legal and other purchased services
Software
Net occupancy
Distribution and servicing
Furniture and equipment
Sub-custodian
Business development
Other
Amortization of intangible assets
M&I, litigation and restructuring charges
Total noninterest expense – GAAP

2015

2014

2013

$ 3,580
1,415
842
5,837
1,230
627
600
381
280
270
267
961
261
85
$ 10,799

$ 3,630
1,331
884
5,845
1,339
620
610
428
322
286
268
1,031
298
1,130
$ 12,177

$ 3,620
1,384
1,015
6,019
1,252
596
629
435
337
280
317
1,029
342
70
$ 11,306

2015
 vs.
2014

2014
 vs.
2013

(1)%
6
(5)
—
(8)
1
(2)
(11)
(13)
(6)
—
(7)
(12)
N/M
(11)%

— %
(4)
(13)
(3)
7
4
(3)
(2)
(4)
2
(15)
—
(13)
N/M

8 %

Total staff expense as a percentage of total revenue

38%

37 %

40 %

Full-time employees at year end

51,200

50,300

51,100

2 %

(2)%

Memo:
Total noninterest expense excluding amortization of intangible assets, M&I, 
litigation and restructuring charges and the charge related to investment 
management funds, net of incentives – Non-GAAP (a)

$ 10,453

$ 10,645

$ 10,882

(2)%

(2)%

(a)  The charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives was $ - million in 2015, $104 million in 2014 and $12 million in 

2013. 

Total noninterest expense was $10.8 billion in 2015, a 
decrease of 11% compared with $12.2 billion in 2014. 
The decrease primarily reflects lower litigation 
expense and restructuring charges.  Excluding 
amortization of intangible assets, M&I, litigation and 
restructuring charges and the charge related to 
investment management funds, net of incentives 
(Non-GAAP), noninterest expense decreased 2% 
compared with 2014 primarily reflecting lower 
expenses in all categories, except incentives and 
software expense.  The lower expenses primarily 
reflect the favorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, 
lower consulting and legal expenses and the benefit 
of the business improvement process which focuses 
on reducing structural costs. 

We continue to invest in our risk management, 
regulatory compliance and other control functions in 
light of increasing regulatory requirements.  As a 
result, we expect an increase in our expense run rate 
relating to these functions. 

Staff expense

Given our mix of fee-based businesses, which are 
staffed with high-quality professionals, staff expense 
comprised 56% of total noninterest expense in 2015 
and 55% in 2014, excluding amortization of 
intangible assets, M&I, litigation and restructuring 
charges and the charge related to investment funds, 
net of incentives (Non-GAAP). 

Staff expense consists of: 

•  compensation expense, which includes:

• 

-  salary expense, primarily driven by headcount;
-  the cost of temporary services and overtime; and
-  severance expense;
incentive expense, which includes:
-  additional compensation earned under a wide 
range of sales commission and incentive plans 
designed to reward a combination of individual, 
business unit and corporate performance goals; 
as well as,

-  stock-based compensation expense; and

BNY Mellon 17 

Results of Operations (continued)

•  employee benefit expense, primarily medical 
benefits, payroll taxes, pension and other 
retirement benefits.

charge related to investment management funds, net 
of incentives (Non-GAAP), noninterest expense 
decreased 2% compared with 2013.

Staff expense was $5.8 billion in 2015, down slightly 
compared with 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects 
the favorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, the 
impact of curtailing the U.S. pension plan, partially 
offset by higher incentive expense reflecting better 
performance.

Non-staff expense

Non-staff expense includes certain expenses that vary 
with the levels of business activity and levels of 
expensed business investments, fixed infrastructure 
costs and expenses associated with corporate 
activities related to technology, compliance, legal, 
productivity initiatives and business development.

Non-staff expense, excluding amortization of 
intangible assets, M&I, litigation and restructuring 
charges, and the charge related to investment 
management funds, net of incentives (Non-GAAP), 
totaled $4.6 billion in 2015, a decrease of 4% 
compared with 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects 
the favorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, lower 
consulting and legal expenses and the benefit of the 
business improvement process which focuses on 
reducing structural costs.  The decrease in consulting 
expense was driven by the implementation of 
strategic platforms in 2014.  The decrease in legal 
expenses primarily reflects the resolution of several 
legal proceedings that resulted in legal expense in 
2014.

In 2015, we incurred $85 million of M&I, litigation 
and restructuring charges compared with $1.1 billion 
in 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects lower 
litigation expense.

For additional information on restructuring charges, 
see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

2014 compared with 2013

Noninterest expense totaled $12.2 billion in the 2014, 
an increase of 8%, compared with 2013.  The increase 
primarily reflects higher litigation expense and 
restructuring charges, partially offset by lower staff 
expense.  Excluding amortization of intangible assets, 
M&I, litigation and restructuring charges and the 

 18 BNY Mellon

Income taxes

BNY Mellon recorded an income tax provision of 
$1.0 billion (23.9% effective tax rate) in 2015.  The 
income tax provision was $912 million (25.6% 
effective tax rate) in 2014 including a net benefit 
primarily related to litigation expense and the 
approval of a tax carryback claim, offset by the sales 
of our investment in Wing Hang and our One Wall 
Street building.  The income tax provision was $1.6 
billion (42.1% effective tax rate) in 2013 including a 
15.7% net charge, or $593 million, resulting from the 
U.S. Tax Court’s decisions related to the disallowance 
of certain foreign tax credits. 

We expect the effective tax rate to be approximately 
25-26% in 2016. 

Review of businesses

We have an internal information system that produces 
performance data along product and service lines for 
our two principal businesses and the Other segment.

Business accounting principles

Our business data has been determined on an internal 
management basis of accounting, rather than the 
generally accepted accounting principles used for 
consolidated financial reporting.  These measurement 
principles are designed so that reported results of the 
businesses will track their economic performance. 

For information on the accounting principles of our 
businesses, the primary types of revenue by business 
and how our businesses are presented and analyzed, 
see Note 24 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Business results are subject to reclassification 
whenever organizational changes are made or when 
improvements are made in the measurement 
principles.  On July 31, 2015, BNY Mellon 
completed the sale of Meriten, a German-based 
investment management boutique.  In 2015, we 
reclassified the results of Meriten from the 
Investment Management business to the Other 
segment.  The reclassifications did not impact the 

Results of Operations (continued)

consolidated results.  All prior periods have been 
restated. 

The results of our businesses may be influenced by 
client and other activities that vary by quarter.  In the 
first quarter, incentive expense typically increases 
reflecting the vesting of long-term stock awards for 
retirement eligible employees.  In the second quarter, 
we typically experience an increase in securities 
lending fees due to an increase in demand to borrow 
securities outside of the United States.  In the third 
quarter, Depositary Receipts and related foreign 
exchange revenue is typically higher due to an 
increased level of client dividend payments paid in 
the quarter.  Also in the third quarter, volume-related 
fees may decline due to reduced client activity.  In the 
fourth quarter, we typically incur higher business 
development and marketing expenses.  In our 
Investment Management business, performance fees 
are typically higher in the fourth quarter, as the fourth 
quarter represents the end of the measurement period 
for many of the performance fee-eligible 
relationships. 

The results of our businesses may also be impacted 
by the translation of financial results denominated in 

foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar.  We are 
primarily impacted by activities denominated in the 
British pound sterling, euro and the Indian rupee.  On 
a consolidated basis and in our Investment Services 
business, we typically have more foreign currency 
denominated expenses than revenues.  However, our 
Investment Management business typically has more 
foreign currency denominated revenues than 
expenses.  Overall, currency fluctuations impact the 
year-over-year growth rate in the Investment 
Management business more than the Investment 
Services business.  However, currency fluctuations, in 
isolation, are not expected to significantly impact net 
income on a consolidated basis.

Net securities gains (losses) are recorded in the Other 
segment.  M&I expense is a corporate-level item and 
is recorded in the Other segment.  Restructuring 
charges (recoveries) recorded in 2015 and 2014 relate 
to corporate-level initiatives and were therefore 
recorded in the Other segment.  In the fourth quarter 
of 2013, restructuring charges were recorded in the 
businesses.  Prior to the fourth quarter of 2013, 
restructuring charges were reported in the Other 
segment.

The following table presents key market metrics at period end and on an average basis.

Key market metrics

S&P 500 Index (a)
S&P 500 Index – daily average
FTSE 100 Index (a)
FTSE 100 Index – daily average
MSCI World Index (a)
MSCI World Index – daily average
Barclays Capital Global Aggregate BondSM Index (a)(b)
NYSE and NASDAQ share volume (in billions)
JPMorgan G7 Volatility Index – daily average (c)
Average Fed Funds effective rate
Foreign exchange rates vs. U.S. dollar:

British pound – average rate
Euro – average rate

2015

2044
2061
6242
6590
1663
1718
342
776
9.97
0.13%

2014
2059
1931
6566
6681
1710
1694
357
754
7.19
0.09%

2013
1848
1644
6749
6472
1661
1496
354
705
9.19
0.11%

2014 vs. 
2013

Increase/(Decrease)
2015 vs. 
2014
(1) %
7
(5)
(1)
(3)
1
(4)
3
39
4 bps

11 %
17
(3)
3
3
13
1
7
(22)
(2) bps

$

$

1.53
1.11

$

1.65
1.33

1.56
1.33

(7) %
(17)

6 %
—

(a)  Period end.
(b)  Unhedged in U.S. dollar terms.
(c)  The JPMorgan G7 Volatility Index is based on the implied volatility in 3-month currency options.

Fee revenue in Investment Management, and to a 
lesser extent in Investment Services, is impacted by 
the value of market indices.  At Dec. 31, 2015, we 
estimate that a 5% change in global equity markets, 
spread evenly throughout the year, would impact fee 

revenue by less than 1% and diluted earnings per 
common share by $0.02 to $0.04. 

Fee waivers are highly sensitive to changes in the Fed 
Funds effective rate.  Assuming no change in client 
behavior, we expect to recover approximately 70% of 

BNY Mellon 19 

Results of Operations (continued)

the pre-tax income related to fee waivers with a 50 
basis point increase in the Fed Funds effective rate, 

inclusive of the 25 basis point increase in December 
2015. 

The following consolidating schedules show the contribution of our businesses to our overall profitability.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2015
(dollar amounts in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

Income (loss) before taxes

Pre-tax operating margin (c)
Average assets
Excluding amortization of intangible assets:

Noninterest expense
Income (loss) before taxes
Pre-tax operating margin (c)

$

$

$

$

Investment
Management

3,600
319
3,919
—
2,869
1,050

Investment
Services
8,026
2,495
10,521
—
7,383
3,138

 (a)  $

 (a) 

 (a)  $

27%

30%

30,928

$ 283,886

$

2,772
1,147

29%

(a)

7,221
3,300

31%

$

$

$

$

Other
474
212
686
160
543
(17)
N/M
57,373

541
(15)
N/M

(a) 

(a) 

Consolidated  
12,100
$
3,026
15,126
160
10,795
4,171

$

(b)
(a)(b) 

$

$

28%

372,187

10,534
4,432

29%

(a)(b)

(a)  Both fee and other revenue and total revenue include the net income from consolidated investment management funds of $18 million, 

representing $86 million of income and noncontrolling interests of $68 million.  Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of 
$68 million. 

(b)  Includes a loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $4 million related to other consolidated subsidiaries.
(c)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2014
(dollar amounts in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

Income before taxes
Pre-tax operating margin (b)
Average assets
Excluding amortization of intangible assets:

Noninterest expense
Income before taxes
Pre-tax operating margin (b)

$

$

$

$

Investment
Management
3,672
274
3,946
—
3,049
897
23%

Investment
Services
7,719
2,339
10,058
—
8,116
1,942

19%

(a)

$

(a)

(a)

$

37,655

$ 266,495

$

2,931
1,015

26%

(a)

7,941
2,117

21%

$

$

$

$

Other
1,337
267
1,604
(48)
1,012
640
N/M
68,416

1,007
645
N/M

Consolidated

$

$

$

$

12,728
2,880
15,608
(48)
12,177
3,479

(a)

(a)

(a)

22%

372,566

11,879
3,777

(a)

24%

(a)  Both fee and other revenue and total revenue include the net income from consolidated investment management funds of $79 million, 

representing $163 million of income and noncontrolling interests of $84 million.  Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of 
$84 million.

(b)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.

 20 BNY Mellon

 
 
 
Results of Operations (continued)

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2013
(dollar amounts in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

Income (loss) before taxes

Pre-tax operating margin (b)
Average assets
Excluding amortization of intangible assets:

Noninterest expense
Income (loss) before taxes
Pre-tax operating margin (b)

Investment
Management
3,608
260
3,868
—
2,903
965
25%

Investment
Services
7,640
2,514
10,154
1
7,398
2,755

27%

(a)

$

(a)

(a)

$

38,420

$ 247,431

2,760
1,108

(a)

$

7,204
2,949

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Other
711
235
946
(36)
1,005
(23)
N/M
56,460

1,000
(18)
N/M

Consolidated

$

$

$

$

11,959
3,009
14,968
(35)
11,306
3,697

(a)

(a)

(a)

25%

342,311

10,964
4,039

(a)

27%
(a)  Both fee and other revenue and total revenue include net income from consolidated investment management funds of $103 million, 

29%

29%

representing $183 million of income and noncontrolling interests of $80 million.  Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of 
$80 million.

(b)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.

BNY Mellon 21 

 
Results of Operations (continued)

Investment Management business

(dollar amounts in millions)
Revenue:

Investment management fees:

Mutual funds
Institutional clients
Wealth management

Investment management fees

Performance fees

Investment management and performance fees

Distribution and servicing
Other (a)

Total fee and other revenue (a)

Net interest revenue
Total revenue

Noninterest expense (ex. amortization of intangible assets and the charge related

to investment management funds, net of incentives)

Income before taxes (ex. amortization of intangible assets and the charge

related to investment management funds, net of incentives)

Amortization of intangible assets
Charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives

Income before taxes

Pre-tax operating margin
Adjusted pre-tax operating margin (b)

Average balances:
Average loans
Average deposits

2015

2014

2013

$

$

1,208
1,425
630
3,263
97
3,360
152
88
3,600
319
3,919

2,772

1,147
97
—
1,050

$

$

1,231
1,466
624
3,321
111
3,432
157
83
3,672
274
3,946

2,827

1,119

118
104
897

$

$

1,194
1,428
583
3,205
130
3,335
167
106
3,608
260
3,868

2,748

1,120

143
12
965

27%
34%

23%
34%

25%
35%

2015
vs.
2014

(2)%
(3)
1
(2)
(13)
(2)
(3)
N/M
(2)
16
(1)

(2)

3
(18)
N/M
17 %

2014
vs.
2013

3 %
3
7
4
(15)
3
(6)
N/M
2
5
2

3

—

(17)
N/M
(7)%

$
$

12,545
15,160

$
$

10,589
14,154

$
$

9,361
13,753

18 %
7 %

13 %
3 %

(a)  Total fee and other revenue includes the impact of the consolidated investment management funds, net of noncontrolling interests.  See 

“Supplemental information – Explanation of GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures” beginning on page 125 for the reconciliation of Non-
GAAP measures.  Additionally, other revenue includes asset servicing, treasury services, foreign exchange and other trading revenue and 
investment and other income. 

(b)  Excludes the net negative impact of money market fee waivers, amortization of intangible assets and the charge related to investment 

management funds, net of incentives, and is net of distribution and servicing expense.  See “Supplemental information – Explanation of GAAP 
and Non-GAAP financial measures” beginning on page 125 for the reconciliation of this Non-GAAP measure.

 22 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

AUM trends (a)
(dollar amounts in billions)
AUM at period end, by product type:
Equity
Fixed income
Index
Liability-driven investments (b)
Alternative investments
Cash

Total AUM

AUM at period end, by client type:
Institutional
Mutual funds
Private client

Total AUM

Changes in AUM:
Beginning balance of AUM
Net inflows (outflows):
Long-term:
Equity
Fixed income
Index
Liability-driven investments (b)
Alternative investments

Total long-term inflows (outflows)

Short term:
Cash

Total net inflows (outflows)

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

224 $
216
329
514
63
279
1,625 $

1,127 $
420
78
1,625 $

260 $
204
356
504
65
297
1,686 $

1,164 $
438
84
1,686 $

272 $
200
322
403
61
299
1,557 $

1,047 $
426
84
1,557 $

232 $
188
239
329
59
302
1,349 $

864 $
410
75
1,349 $

208
164
193
276
57
328
1,226

730
426
70
1,226

1,686 $

1,557 $

1,349 $

1,226 $

1,135

$

$

$

$

$

(31)
(1)
(27)
35
7
(17)

(13)
4
5
46
6
48

—
11
20
65
2
98

—
20
9
25
3
57

(10)
10
29
52
4
85

(18)
(35)
(26)
1,625 $

—
48
81
1,686 $

5
103
105
1,557 $

(20)
37
86
1,349 $

(14)
71
20
1,226

Net market/currency impact/acquisition
Ending balance of AUM
(a)  Excludes securities lending cash management assets and assets managed in the Investment Services business.  In 2015, prior periods’ 

$

AUM was restated to reflect the reclassification of Meriten from the Investment Management business to the Other segment.

(b)  Includes currency overlay AUM.

Business description

Our Investment Management business comprises the 
seventh largest global asset manager and the seventh 
largest U.S. wealth manager.  

It encompasses 13 affiliated investment management 
boutiques that deliver a diversified portfolio of 
focused investment strategies over our distribution 
network to institutional and retail clients across North 
America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.  Our multi-
boutique model is designed to deliver the best 
elements of investment focus and infrastructure scale 
to benefit clients.

The investment management boutiques offer a broad 
range of equity, fixed income, alternative/overlay and 
cash products.  In addition to the investment 
subsidiaries, this business includes BNY Mellon 
Investment Management EMEA Limited, BNY 
Mellon Investment Management Hong Kong and 
BNY Mellon Investment Management Singapore, 

which are responsible for managing and distributing 
locally registered investment products, and the 
Dreyfus Corporation and its affiliates, which are 
responsible for U.S. investment management and 
distribution of retail mutual funds, separately 
managed accounts and annuities.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management is ranked the 
seventh largest U.S. wealth manager in 2015 by 
Barron’s.  We offer private banking, discretionary 
portfolio management and tax, wealth and estate 
planning services to high and ultra-high net worth 
individuals, families and family offices as well as to 
charitable gift programs, endowments and 
foundations.  We provide these services through an 
extensive network of more than 35 U.S. locations and 
offices in London, Hong Kong, Toronto and the 
Cayman Islands.  Our client satisfaction rates are 
among the highest in our industry.  BNY Mellon 
Wealth Management was named in 2015 by Family 
Wealth Report as the top National Private Asset 
Manager and top Private Bank serving family offices.

BNY Mellon 23 

Results of Operations (continued)

The results of the Investment Management business 
are driven by the period-end, average level and mix 
of assets managed and the level of activity in client 
accounts.  The overall level of AUM for a given 
period is determined by:

• 
• 

• 

the beginning level of AUM;
the net flows of new assets during the period 
resulting from new business wins and existing 
client enrichments, reduced by the loss of clients 
and withdrawals; and
the impact of market price appreciation or 
depreciation, the impact of any acquisitions or 
divestitures and foreign exchange rates.

The mix of AUM is determined principally by client 
asset allocation decisions among equities, fixed 
income, index, liability-driven investments and 
alternative investments.

Managed equity assets typically generate higher 
percentage fees than liability-driven investments and 
fixed-income assets.  Also, actively managed assets 
typically generate higher management fees than 
indexed or passively managed assets of the same 
type.  

Management fees are typically subject to fee 
schedules based on the overall level of assets 
managed for a single client or by individual asset 
class and style.  This is most prevalent for 
institutional assets where amounts we manage for 
individual clients are typically large.  

A key driver of organic growth in investment 
management and performance fees is the amount of 
net new AUM flows.  Overall market conditions are 
also key drivers, with a significant long-term 
economic driver being growth of global financial 
assets.  

Performance fees are generally calculated as a 
percentage of a portfolio’s performance in excess of a 
benchmark index or a peer group’s performance.  

Net interest revenue is determined by loan and 
deposit volumes and the interest rate spread between 
customer rates and internal funds transfer rates on 
loans and deposits.  Expenses in this business are 
mainly driven by staffing costs, incentives and 
distribution and servicing expense.  

 24 BNY Mellon

Review of financial results

Investment management and performance fees are 
dependent on the overall level and mix of AUM and 
the management fees expressed in basis points (one-
hundredth of one percent) charged for managing 
those assets.  Assets under management were $1.63 
trillion at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with $1.69 trillion 
at Dec. 31, 2014, a decrease of 4%.  The decrease 
resulted from the unfavorable impact of a stronger 
U.S. dollar, net outflows and lower market values, 
partially offset by the January 2015 acquisition of 
Cutwater.  

Net long-term outflows were $17 billion in 2015 
driven by equity and index investments, partially 
offset by continued strength in liability-driven 
investments.  Net short-term outflows were $18 
billion in 2015.

Total revenue was $3.9 billion in 2015, a decrease of 
1% compared with 2014.  The decrease primarily 
reflects the unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. 
dollar, net outflows and lower performance fees, 
partially offset by higher net interest revenue, the 
impact of the Cutwater acquisition and strategic 
initiatives, and lower money market fee waivers.

Revenue generated in the Investment Management 
business included 42% from non-U.S. sources in 
2015 compared with 44% in 2014.

Investment management fees in the Investment 
Management business were $3.3 billion in 2015, a 
decrease of 2%, or an increase of 3% on a constant 
currency basis (Non-GAAP), compared with 2014.  
The increase primarily reflects lower money market 
fee waivers, the impact of the Cutwater acquisition 
and strategic initiatives, and higher equity market 
values, partially offset by net outflows.

In 2015, 37% of investment management fees in the 
Investment Management business were generated 
from managed mutual fund fees.  These fees are 
based on the daily average net assets of each fund and 
the management fee paid by that fund.  Managed 
mutual fund fee revenue decreased 2% in 2015 
compared with 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects 
net outflows and the unfavorable impact of a stronger 
U.S. dollar, partially offset by lower money market 
fee waivers.

Results of Operations (continued)

Performance fees were $97 million in 2015 compared 
with $111 million in 2014.  The decrease primarily 
reflects the unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. 
dollar.

Distribution and servicing fees were $152 million in 
2015 compared with $157 million in 2014.  The 
decrease was primarily driven by the unfavorable 
impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by 
lower money market fee waivers.

Other revenue was $88 million in 2015 compared 
with $83 million in 2014.  The increase primarily 
reflects higher other trading revenue related to losses 
on hedging activities within a boutique recorded in 
2014.

Net interest revenue was $319 million in 2015 
compared with $274 million in 2014.  The increase 
primarily resulted from higher average loans and 
deposits.  Average loans increased 18% in 2015 
compared with 2014, while average deposits 
increased 7% in 2015 compared with 2014.

Noninterest expense, excluding amortization of 
intangible assets and the charge related to investment 
management funds, net of incentives, was $2.8 billion 
in 2015, a decrease of $55 million, or 2%, compared 
with 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects the 
favorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar and lower 
incentives, partially offset by investments in strategic 
initiatives. 

2014 compared with 2013

Income before taxes totaled $897 million in 2014, a 
decrease of 7% compared with $965 million in 2013.  
Income before taxes excluding amortization of 
intangible assets and the charge related to investment 
management funds, net of incentives, was $1.1 billion 
in 2014, a decrease of $1 million compared with 
2013.  Fee and other revenue increased $64 million in 
2014, or 2% compared with 2013, primarily resulting 
from higher investment management fees, partially 
offset by lower performance fees, distribution and 
servicing revenue and lower other trading revenue 
related to losses on hedging activities within a 
boutique.  Net interest revenue increased $14 million 
in 2014, or 5% compared with 2013 primarily 
resulting from higher average loans and deposits.  
Noninterest expense excluding amortization of 
intangible assets and the charge related to investment 
management funds, net of incentives, increased $79 
million in 2014, or 3% compared with 2013.  The 
increase primarily resulted from higher staff, business 
development and purchased services expenses 
resulting from investments in strategic initiatives as 
well as the unfavorable impact of a weaker U.S. 
dollar. 

BNY Mellon 25 

Results of Operations (continued)

Investment Services business 

(dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)

2015

2014

2013

Revenue:

Investment services fees:

Asset servicing
Clearing services
Issuer services
Treasury services
Total investment services fees

Foreign exchange and other trading revenue
Other (a)

Total fee and other revenue

Net interest revenue

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense (ex. amortization of intangible assets)

Income before taxes (ex. amortization of intangible assets)

Amortization of intangible assets

Income before taxes

Pre-tax operating margin
Pre-tax operating margin (ex. amortization of intangible assets)

Investment services fees as a percentage of noninterest expense (b)

$

$

4,084
1,370
976
546
6,976
713
337
8,026
2,495
10,521
—
7,221
3,300
162
3,138

$

$

3,968
1,329
966
555
6,818
627
274
7,719
2,339
10,058
—
7,941
2,117
175
1,942

$

$

3,800
1,258
1,087
544
6,689
693
258
7,640
2,514
10,154
1
7,204
2,949
194
2,755

30%
31%

98%

19%
21%

95%

27 %
29 %

93 %

2015
vs.
2014

3 %
3
1
(2)
2
14
23
4
7
5
N/M
(9)
56
(7)
62 %

2014
vs.
2013

4 %
6
(11)
2
2
(10)
6
1
(7)
(1)

N/M
10
(28)
(10)
(30)%

Securities lending revenue

$

140

$

120

$

117

17 %

3 %

Metrics:
Average loans
Average deposits

AUC/A at period end (in trillions) (c)
Market value of securities on loan at period end (in billions) (d)

Asset servicing:
Estimated new business wins (AUC/A) (in billions) (e)

Depositary Receipts:
Number of sponsored programs

Clearing services:
Global DARTS volume (in thousands)
Average active clearing accounts (U.S. platform) (in thousands)
Average long-term mutual fund assets (U.S. platform)
Average investor margin loans (U.S. platform)

Broker-Dealer:
Average tri-party repo balances (in billions)

$ 37,736
$ 232,050

$
33,466
$ 221,453

$ 28,407
$ 206,793

$
$

$

28.9
277

1,191

$
$

$

28.5
289

$
$

27.6
235

554

$

639

13 %
5 %

1 %
(4)%

18 %
7 %

3 %
23 %

1,145

1,279

1,335

(10)%

(4)%

245
$
$
6,023
$ 451,924
$ 11,627

222
$
$
5,788
$ 434,959
9,687
$

214
$
$
5,602
$ 376,852
8,538
$

10 %
4 %
4 %
20 %

4 %
3 %
15 %
13 %

$

2,156

$

2,042

$

2,016

6 %

1 %

(a)  Other revenue includes investment management fees, financing-related fees, distribution and servicing revenue and investment and other income.
(b)  Noninterest expense excludes amortization of intangible assets and litigation expense.
(c) 
(d)  Represents the total amount of securities on loan managed by the Investment Services business.  Excludes securities for which BNY Mellon acts as agent 

Includes the AUC/A of CIBC Mellon of $1.0 trillion at Dec. 31, 2015, $1.1 trillion at Dec. 31, 2014 and $1.2 trillion at Dec. 31, 2013.

on behalf of CIBC Mellon clients, which totaled $55 billion at Dec. 31, 2015, $65 billion Dec. 31, 2014 and $62 billion at Dec. 31, 2013.

(e)  Beginning in 2015, estimated new business wins are determined based on finalization of the contract as compared to the prior methodology of receipt of a 

mandate.  New business wins for 2014 have been restated for comparative purposes.

 26 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Business description

Our Investment Services business provides global 
custody and related services, government clearing, 
global collateral services, corporate trust and 
depositary receipt and clearing services, as well as 
global payment/working capital solutions to global 
financial institutional clients.

Our comprehensive suite of financial solutions 
includes: global custody, global fund services, 
securities lending, investment manager outsourcing, 
performance and risk analytics, alternative investment 
services, securities clearance, collateral management, 
corporate trust, American and global depositary 
receipt programs, cash management solutions, 
payment services, liquidity services and other linked 
revenues, principally foreign exchange, global 
clearing and execution, managed account services 
and global prime brokerage solutions.  Our clients 
include corporations, public funds and government 
agencies, foundations and endowments; global 
financial institutions including banks, broker-dealers, 
asset managers, insurance companies and central 
banks; financial intermediaries and independent 
registered investment advisors; hedge fund managers; 
and funds that we manage through our Investment 
Management business.  We help our clients service 
their financial assets through a network of offices and 
service delivery centers in 35 countries across six 
continents.

The results of this business are driven by a number of 
factors, which include: the level of transaction 
activity; the range of services provided, which may 
include custody, accounting, fund administration, 
daily valuations, performance measurement and risk 
analytics, securities lending, and investment manager 
back-office outsourcing; the number of accounts; and 
the market value of assets under custody and/or 
administration.  Market interest rates impact both 
securities lending revenue and the earnings on client 
balances.  Business expenses are driven by staff, 
technology investment, equipment and space required 
to support the services provided by the business and 
the cost of execution, clearance and custody of 
securities.  

We are one of the leading global securities servicing 
providers with $28.9 trillion of AUC/A at Dec. 31, 
2015.  We are one of the largest custodians for U.S. 
corporate and public pension plans and we service 
50% of the top 50 endowments.  We are a leading 

custodian in the UK, servicing around a fifth of UK 
pensions that require a custodian, and with 
approximately 20% of such assets for the sector in 
our custody.  Globalization tends to drive cross-
border investment and capital flows, which increases 
the opportunity to provide solutions to our clients.  
The changing regulatory environment is also driving 
client demand for new solutions and services.

BNY Mellon is a leader in both global and U.S. 
Government securities clearance.  We settle securities 
transactions in over 100 markets and handle most of 
the transactions cleared through the Federal Reserve 
Bank of New York for 18 of the 22 primary dealers.  
We are a leader in servicing tri-party collateral with 
approximately $2.2 trillion serviced globally.  We 
currently service approximately $1.3 trillion, or 
approximately 85%, of the $1.6 trillion tri-party repo 
market in the U.S. 

Global Collateral Services serves broker-dealers and 
institutional investors facing expanding collateral 
management needs as a result of current and 
emerging regulatory and market requirements.  
Global Collateral Services brings together BNY 
Mellon’s global capabilities in segregating, 
optimizing, financing and transforming collateral on 
behalf of clients, including its market leading broker-
dealer collateral management, securities lending, 
collateral financing, liquidity and derivatives services 
teams.

In securities lending, we are one of the largest lenders 
of U.S. Treasury securities and depositary receipts 
and service a lending pool of approximately $2.9 
trillion in 33 markets.

We served as depositary for 1,145 sponsored 
American and global depositary receipt programs at 
Dec. 31, 2015, acting in partnership with leading 
companies from 64 countries - an estimated 58% 
global market share.

Pershing and its affiliates provide business solutions 
to approximately 1,500 financial organizations 
globally by delivering dependable operational 
support, robust trading services, flexible technology 
and an expansive array of investment solutions, 
practice management support and service excellence.

BNY Mellon 27 

Results of Operations (continued)

Role of BNY Mellon, as a trustee, for mortgage-
backed securitizations

BNY Mellon acts as trustee and document custodian 
for certain mortgage-backed security (“MBS”) 
securitization trusts.  The role of trustee for MBS 
securitizations is limited; our primary role as trustee 
is to calculate and distribute monthly bond payments 
to bondholders.  As a document custodian, we hold 
the mortgage, note, and related documents provided 
to us by the loan originator or seller and provide 
periodic reporting to these parties.  BNY Mellon, 
either as document custodian or trustee, does not 
receive mortgage underwriting files (the files that 
contain information related to the creditworthiness of 
the borrower).  As trustee or custodian, we have no 
responsibility or liability for the quality of the 
portfolio; we are liable only for performance of our 
limited duties as described above and in the trust 
documents.  BNY Mellon is indemnified by the 
servicers or directly from trust assets under the 
governing agreements.  BNY Mellon may appear as 
the named plaintiff in legal actions brought by 
servicers in foreclosure and other related proceedings 
because the trustee is the nominee owner of the 
mortgage loans within the trusts. 

BNY Mellon also has been named as a defendant in 
legal actions brought by MBS investors alleging that 
the trustee has expansive duties under the governing 
agreements, including to investigate and pursue 
claims against other parties to the MBS transaction.  
For additional information on our legal proceedings 
related to this matter, see Note 22 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Review of financial results

AUC/A totaled $28.9 trillion, an increase from $28.5 
trillion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The increase was primarily 
driven by net new business, partially offset by the 
unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar and 
lower market values.  AUC/A consisted of 36% 
equity securities and 64% fixed income securities at 
both Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014.

Investment services fees were $7.0 billion, an 
increase of 2% compared with 2014, reflecting the 
following factors:

•  Asset servicing fees (global custody, broker-

dealer services and Global Collateral Services) 
were $4.1 billion compared with $4.0 billion in 

 28 BNY Mellon

the 2014.  The increase primarily reflects growth 
in global collateral services, broker-dealer 
services and asset servicing, partially offset by 
the unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar. 
•  Clearing services fees were $1.4 billion compared 
with $1.3 billion in the 2014.  The increase was 
primarily driven by higher mutual fund and asset-
based fees, partially offset by lost business.
Issuer services fees (Corporate Trust and 
Depositary Receipts) were $976 million 
compared with $966 million in the 2014.  The 
increase primarily reflects higher Corporate Trust 
fees, partially offset by lower fees in Depositary 
Receipts driven by fewer corporate actions. 

• 

•  Treasury services fees were $546 million 

compared with $555 million in the 2014.  The 
decrease primarily reflects lower lockbox fees 
and higher compensating balance credits 
provided to clients, partially offset by higher 
payment volumes.

Foreign exchange and other trading revenue totaled 
$713 million compared with $627 million in 2014.  
The increase primarily reflects higher volatility and 
higher volumes.

Net interest revenue was $2.5 billion compared with 
$2.3 billion in 2014.  The increase primarily reflects 
higher average deposits and loans, as well as higher 
internal crediting rates for deposits. 

Noninterest expense, excluding amortization of 
intangible assets, was $7.2 billion compared with 
$7.9 billion in 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects 
lower litigation, consulting and occupancy expenses, 
partially offset by higher staff expense.

2014 compared with 2013

Income before taxes totaled $1.9 billion in 2014, a 
decrease of 30% compared with $2.8 billion in the 
full-year of 2013.  Excluding amortization of 
intangible assets, income before taxes decreased $832 
million, or 28% compared with the full-year of 2013.  
Fee and other revenue increased $79 million, or 1%, 
compared with the full-year of 2013 primarily 
reflecting higher asset servicing fees reflecting 
organic growth, higher market values and net new 
business, partially offset by lower Corporate Trust 
revenue reflecting lower customer reimbursements, 
and lower corporate actions and dividend fees in 
Depositary Receipt.  The $175 million, or 7% 

Results of Operations (continued)

decrease in net interest revenue primarily reflects 
lower yields and lower accretion, partially offset by 
higher average loans and deposits.  Noninterest 
expense, excluding amortization of intangible assets, 
increased $737 million, compared with 2013 
primarily due to higher litigation expense, and higher 

Other segment 

(dollars in millions)
Revenue:

Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue
Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense (ex. amortization of intangible assets, M&I and restructuring charges

(recoveries))

(Loss) income before taxes (ex. amortization of intangible assets, M&I and restructuring

charges (recoveries))

Amortization of intangible assets
M&I and restructuring charges (recoveries)

(Loss) income before taxes

Average loans and leases

Business description

Expenses include:

professional, legal and other purchased services 
expense primarily driven by increased expenses 
related to implementation of strategic platforms, 
partially offset by lower staff expense.

2015

2014

2013

474 $
212
686
160

1,337 $
267
1,604
(48)

543

830

711
235
946
(36)

965

(17)
2
(2)
(17) $
10,391 $

822
5
177
640 $
10,155 $

17
5
35
(23)
10,548

$

$
$

The Other segment primarily includes:

• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

• 
• 

• 

credit-related services;
the leasing portfolio;
corporate treasury activities, including our 
investment securities portfolio;
the derivatives business;
our equity investment in Wing Hang prior to the 
sale in 2014;
a 33.9% equity interest in ConvergEx;
business exits, including the results of Meriten, 
and Newton’s private client business in 2013; and
corporate overhead.

Revenue primarily reflects:

• 

• 

• 

• 

net interest revenue from the credit services and 
lease financing portfolios;
interest revenue remaining after transfer pricing 
allocations;
fee and other revenue from corporate and bank 
owned life insurance, credit-related financing 
revenue, Meriten, and Newton’s private client 
business; and
gains (losses) associated with the valuation of 
investment securities and other assets.

•  M&I expenses;
• 

restructuring charges recorded in 2015 and 2014 
that relate to corporate-level initiatives and were 
therefore recorded in the Other segment.  In the 
fourth quarter of 2013, restructuring charges were 
recorded in the businesses.  Prior to the fourth 
quarter of 2013, restructuring charges were 
reported in the Other segment;
direct expenses supporting credit-related services, 
leasing, investing, and funding activities; and
certain corporate overhead not directly 
attributable to the operations of other businesses.  

• 

• 

Review of financial results 

The Other segment had a pre-tax loss of $17 million 
in 2015 compared with pre-tax income of $640 
million in 2014.

Total fee and other revenue decreased $863 million  
compared with 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects 
the gains on the sales of our equity investment in 
Wing Hang and our One Wall Street building, both 
recorded in 2014, and the impact of the July 2015 
sale of Meriten, partially offset by the impact of 
hedging activity for foreign currency placements. 

BNY Mellon 29 

Results of Operations (continued)

Net interest revenue decreased $55 million compared 
with 2014.  The decrease primarily reflects higher 
internal crediting rates to the businesses for deposits.

The provision for credit losses was $160 million in 
2015 reflecting the impairment charge related to a 
recent court decision.

We conduct business through subsidiaries, branches, 
and representative offices in 35 countries.  We have 
operational centers based in Brussels, Cork, Dublin, 
Wexford, Luxembourg, Singapore, Wroclaw, 
throughout the UK including London, Manchester, 
Brentwood, Edinburgh and Poole, and Chennai and 
Pune in India.

Noninterest expense, excluding amortization of 
intangible assets, M&I and restructuring charges 
(recoveries), decreased $287 million compared with 
2014.  The decrease primarily reflects lower litigation 
expense, the impact of curtailing the U.S. pension 
plan, and the impact of the July 2015 sale of Meriten.

2014 compared with 2013 

Income before taxes in the Other segment was $640 
million in 2014 compared with a pre-tax loss of $23 
million in 2013.  Total revenue increased $658 
million primarily resulting from the gains on the sales 
of our equity investment in Wing Hang and our One 
Wall Street building, partially offset by lower equity 
investment revenue, lower securities gains and the 
impact of the sale of Newton’s private client business.   
Noninterest expense, excluding amortization of 
intangible assets, M&I and restructuring charges 
(recoveries), decreased $135 million primarily 
reflecting lower staff expense, lower business 
development expense as a result of discretionary 
expense control and the 2013 corporate branding 
campaign, and a decrease in the cost of generating 
certain tax credits, partially offset by higher litigation 
expense.

International operations

Our primary international activities consist of 
securities services and global payment services in our 
investment services business, and asset management 
in our investment management business.  

Our clients include some of the world’s largest asset 
managers, insurance companies, corporations, 
financial intermediaries, local authorities and pension 
funds.  Through our global network of offices, we 
have developed a deep understanding of local 
requirements and cultural needs, and we pride 
ourselves in providing dedicated service through our 
multilingual sales, marketing and client service 
teams.

 30 BNY Mellon

At Dec. 31, 2015, we had approximately 8,900 
employees in EMEA, approximately 13,500 
employees in APAC and approximately 700 
employees in other global locations, primarily Brazil. 

BNY Mellon Investment Management operates on a 
multi-boutique model, bringing investors the skills of 
our specialist boutique asset managers, which 
together manage investments spanning virtually all 
asset classes.

We are the seventh largest global asset manager.  At 
Dec. 31, 2015, our international operations managed 
46% of BNY Mellon’s AUM compared with 44% at 
Dec. 31, 2014.  The AUM at Dec. 31, 2014 was 
restated to reflect the reclassification of Meriten from 
the Investment Management business to the Other 
segment.  The increase in international AUM 
primarily resulted from net new business, partially 
offset by the unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. 
dollar.

In Europe, we maintain a significant presence in the 
Undertakings for Collective Investment in 
Transferable Securities Directives (“UCITS”) 
servicing field.  In Ireland, BNY Mellon is one of the 
largest administrators (by total net assets) for fund 
administration services across domiciled and non-
domiciled funds.  We offer a full range of tailored 
solutions for investment companies, financial 
institutions and institutional investors in Germany.  
We settle securities transactions in over 100 markets.  
We are a leader in servicing tri-party repo collateral 
with approximately $2.2 trillion serviced globally. 

We served as depositary for 1,145 sponsored 
American and global depositary receipt programs at 
Dec. 31, 2015, acting in partnership with leading 
companies from 64 countries - an estimated 58% 
global market share.

We have over 50 years of experience providing trade 
and cash services to financial institutions and central 
banks outside of the U.S.  In addition, we offer a 
broad range of servicing and fiduciary products to 

Results of Operations (continued)

financial institutions, corporations and central banks 
depending on the state of market development.  In 
emerging markets, we lead with global payments and 
issuer services, introducing other products as the 
markets mature.  For more established markets, our 
focus is on global, not local, investment services.

We are also a full-service global provider of foreign 
exchange services, actively trading in over 100 of the 
world’s currencies.  We serve clients from trading 
desks located in Europe, Asia and North America.

Our financial results, as well as our level of AUM and 
AUC/A, are impacted by the translation of financial 
results denominated in foreign currencies to the U.S. 
dollar.  We are primarily impacted by activities 
denominated in the British pound sterling and the 
euro.  If the U.S. dollar depreciates against these 
currencies, the translation impact is a higher level of 
fee revenue, net interest revenue, noninterest expense 
and AUM and AUC/A.  Conversely, if the U.S. dollar 
appreciates, the translated levels of fee revenue, net 
interest revenue, noninterest expense and AUM and 
AUC/A will be lower.

Foreign exchange rates vs.
U.S. dollar
Spot rate (at Dec. 31):
British pound
Euro

Yearly average rate:

2015

2014

2013

$ 1.4799
1.0883

$1.5609
1.2155

$ 1.6526
1.3767

British pound
Euro

$ 1.5282
1.1100

$1.6475
1.3257

$ 1.5645
1.3281

International clients accounted for 36% of revenues 
in 2015 compared with 38% in 2014 and 37% in 
2013.  Net income from international operations was 
$1.7 billion in 2015 compared with $1.8 billion in 
2014 and $1.6 billion in 2013.

In 2015, revenues from EMEA were $3.9 billion, 
compared with $3.9 billion in 2014 and $3.8 billion 
in 2013.  Revenues from EMEA were flat for 2015 
compared with 2014, primarily reflecting lower 
investment management and corporate trust fees, 
partially offset by higher asset servicing fees, treasury 
services and broker dealer services.  Investment 
Services generated 66% and Investment Management 
generated 33% of EMEA revenues.  Net income from 
EMEA was $1.2 billion in 2015 compared with $775 
million in 2014 and $822 million in 2013.  

Revenues from APAC were $904 million in 2015 
compared with $1.4 billion in 2014 and $936 million 
in 2013.  Revenues from APAC were down 35% for 
2015 compared with 2014.  The decrease in 2015 
primarily reflects the gain on the sale of our 
investment in Wing Hang recorded in 2014, partially 
offset by higher asset servicing fees.  Revenue from 
APAC in 2015 was generated by Investment Services 
78% and Investment Management 22%.  Net income 
from APAC was $365 million in 2015 compared with 
$719 million in 2014 and $399 million in 2013.  

For additional information regarding our International 
operations, including certain key subjective 
assumptions used in determining the results, see Note 
25 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Country risk exposure

We have exposure to certain countries and territories 
that have had a heightened focus due to recent events.  
Where appropriate, we offset the risk associated with 
the exposure in these countries with collateral that has 
been pledged, which primarily consists of cash or 
marketable securities, or by transferring the risk to a 
third-party guarantor in another country or territory.  
Exposure described below reflects the country of 
operations and risk of the immediate counterparty.  
We continue to monitor our exposure to these and 
other countries as part of our Risk Management 
process.  See “Risk management” for additional 
information on how our exposures are managed.

BNY Mellon has a limited economic interest in the 
performance of assets of consolidated investment 
management funds, and therefore they are excluded 
from this disclosure.

Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece

Over the past several years, there have been concerns 
about European sovereign debt and its impact on the 
European banking system, as a number of European 
countries, including Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and 
Greece, experienced credit deterioration.  We have 
total net exposure to Ireland, Italy and Spain of $4.9 
billion at Dec. 31, 2015 including $1.3 billion to 
Ireland, $1.6 billion to Italy and $2.0 billion to Spain.  
The total net exposure was $5.2 billion at Dec. 31, 
2014, including $1.4 billion to Ireland, $1.6 billion to 
Italy and $2.2 billion to Spain.  Exposure to Ireland, 
Italy and Spain primarily consisted of investment 
grade sovereign debt and European Floating Rate 

BNY Mellon 31 

Results of Operations (continued)

notes.  At Dec. 31, 2015, investment securities 
exposure totaled $895 million in Ireland, $1.4 billion 
in Italy and $2.0 billion in Spain.  At Dec. 31, 2014, 
investment securities exposure totaled $818 million in 
Ireland, $1.5 billion in Italy and $2.0 billion in Spain.  
At Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014, BNY Mellon had 
exposure of less than $1 million to Portugal and 
Greece.  

Brazil

Current conditions in Brazil have resulted in 
increased focus on its economic and political stability.  
We have operations in Brazil providing investment 
services and investment management services.  In 
addition, we have total net exposure to Brazil of $2.2 
billion, including $2.1 billion in loans, which are 
primarily short-term trade finance loans extended to 
large financial institutions, and $95 million of 
investment grade sovereign debt.  

Russia and Ukraine

Events in Russia and Ukraine significantly increased 
geopolitical tensions in Central and Eastern Europe.  
We provide investment services, including acting as a 
depositary receipt bank, for companies in Russia, and 
investment management services primarily through 
our noncontrolling interest in an asset manager.  At 
Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014, our exposure to Russia was 
$63 million and $243 million, respectively, and our 
exposure to Ukraine was less than $1 million.  To 
date, our businesses with Russian exposure have not 
been materially impacted by the ongoing tensions, 
sanctions or impact of the decline in oil prices. 

Puerto Rico

Recent concerns regarding financial conditions in 
Puerto Rico have resulted in increased focus on its 

ability to repay its debt.  At Dec. 31, 2015, BNY 
Mellon had margin loan exposure of approximately 
$50 million where the collateral received has a 
concentration of Puerto Rican securities.  We have 
increased our margin requirements and believe the 
impact of potential negative outcomes in Puerto Rico 
would not be material.

Cross-border risk

Cross-border outstandings are based on the Federal 
Financial Institutions Examination Council’s 
(“FFIEC”) regulatory guidelines for reporting cross-
border risk.  Cross-border outstandings in the table 
below include loans, acceptances, interest-bearing 
deposits with other banks, other interest-bearing 
investments, and other monetary assets which are 
denominated in U.S. dollars or other non-local 
currency.  Also included are local currency 
outstandings not hedged or funded by local 
borrowings.  Under the FFIEC guidelines, cross-
border outstandings are reported based on the 
domicile of the counterparty, issuer of collateral or 
guarantor.

Foreign assets are subject to the general risks 
attendant on the conduct of business in each foreign 
country, including economic uncertainties and each 
foreign government’s regulations.  In addition, our 
foreign assets may be affected by changes in demand 
or pricing resulting from fluctuations in currency 
exchange rates or other factors.  

The table below shows our cross-border outstandings 
at Dec. 31 of each of the last three years where cross-
border exposure exceeds 1.00% of total assets 
(denoted with “*”) or exceeds 0.75% but less than or 
equal to 1.00% of total assets (denoted with “**”).

 32 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Cross-border outstandings

(in millions)
2015:

United Kingdom*
France*
Germany**

2014:

France*
United Kingdom**
China**
Germany**
Netherlands**

2013:

China*
Netherlands*
Australia*
Germany*
France*
Japan**
United Kingdom**

Banks and other 
financial 
institutions (a)

Public sector

Commercial,
industrial and
other

Total cross-border 
outstandings (b)

$

$

$

1,732 $
968
1,882

410 $

2,583
3,459
1,207
526

5,668 $
2,116
4,125
1,885
2,474
3,710
2,859

569 $

2,855
1,666

3,770 $
544
—
1,505
1,737

— $

2,154
16
2,020
1,551
—
45

$

$

$

2,265
120
363

183
655
30
569
664 (c)

11
829 (c)
251
196
59
6
641

4,566
3,943
3,911

4,363
3,782
3,489
3,281
2,927

5,679
5,099
4,392
4,101
4,084
3,716
3,545

(a)  Primarily short-term interest-bearing deposits with banks.  Also includes global trade finance loans.
(b)  Excludes assets of consolidated investment management funds.
(c)  Primarily European floating rate notes.

Emerging markets exposure

We determine our emerging markets exposures using 
the MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) IMI Index.  Our 
emerging markets exposures totaled $13 billion at 
both Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, primarily 
reflecting higher global trade finance loans to India, 
South Korea and Brazil, offset by lower global trade 
finance loans to China.

Critical accounting estimates

Our significant accounting policies are described in 
Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements under “Summary of significant 
accounting and reporting policies”.  Our critical 
accounting estimates are those related to the 
allowance for loan losses and allowance for lending-
related commitments, fair value of financial 
instruments and derivatives, other-than-temporary 
impairment, goodwill and other intangibles, and 
pension accounting.  Further information on policies 
related to the allowance for loan losses and allowance 
for lending-related commitments can be found under 
“Summary of significant accounting and reporting 
policies” in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.  Additionally, further 
information can be found in the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements related to the 
following: the valuation of derivatives and securities 
where quoted market prices are not available can be 

found under “Fair value measurement” in Note 20; 
information on other-than-temporary impairment can 
be found in “Securities” in Note 4; policies related to 
goodwill and intangible assets can be found in 
“Goodwill and intangible assets” in Note 6; and 
information on pensions can be found in “Employee 
benefit plans” in Note 18.

Allowance for loan losses and allowance for lending-
related commitments

The allowance for loan losses and allowance for 
lending-related commitments represent 
management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in 
our credit portfolio.  This evaluation process is 
subject to numerous estimates and judgments.  

We utilize a quantitative methodology and qualitative 
framework for determining the allowance for loan 
losses and the allowance for lending-related 
commitments.  Within this qualitative framework, 
management applies judgment when assessing 
internal risk factors and environmental factors to 
compute an additional allowance for each component 
of the loan portfolio. 

The three elements of the allowance for loan losses 
and the allowance for lending-related commitments 
include the qualitative allowance framework.  The 
three elements are:  

BNY Mellon 33 

Results of Operations (continued)

• 

• 

• 

an allowance for impaired credits of $1 million or 
greater;  
an allowance for higher risk-rated credits and 
pass-rated credits; and  
an allowance for residential mortgage loans. 

Our lending is primarily to institutional customers.  
As a result, our loans are generally larger than $1 
million.  Therefore, the first element, impaired 
credits, is based on individual analysis of all impaired 
loans of $1 million or greater.  The allowance is 
measured by the difference between the recorded 
value of impaired loans and their impaired value.  
Impaired value is either the present value of the 
expected future cash flows from the borrower, the 
market value of the loan, or the fair value of the 
collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. 

The second element, higher risk-rated credits and 
pass-rated credits, is based on our probable loss 
model.  Individual credit analyses are performed on 
such loans before being assigned a credit rating.  All 
borrowers are assigned to pools based on their credit 
rating.  The probable loss inherent in each loan in a 
pool incorporates the borrower's credit rating, loss 
given default rating and maturity.  The loss given 
default incorporates a recovery expectation and an 
estimate of the use of the facility at default (usage 
given default).  The borrower's probability of default 
is derived from the associated credit rating.  Borrower 
ratings are reviewed at least annually and are 
periodically mapped to third-party databases, 
including rating agency and default and recovery 
databases, to ensure ongoing consistency and validity.  
Higher risk-rated credits are reviewed quarterly. 

The third element, the allowance for residential 
mortgage loans, is determined by segregating five 
mortgage pools into delinquency periods ranging 
from current through foreclosure.  Each of these 
delinquency periods is assigned a probability of 
default.  A specific loss given default is assigned for 
each mortgage pool.  BNY Mellon assigns all 
residential mortgage pools, except home equity lines 
of credit, a probability of default and loss given 
default based on default and loss data derived from 
internal historical data related to our residential 
mortgage portfolio.  The resulting probable loss 
factor (the probability of default multiplied by the 
loss given default) is applied against the loan balance 
to determine the allowance held for each pool.  For 
home equity lines of credit, probability of default and 
loss given default are based on external data from 

 34 BNY Mellon

third-party databases due to the small size of the 
portfolio and insufficient internal data. 

The qualitative framework is used to determine an 
additional allowance for each portfolio based on the 
factors below: 

Internal risk factors: 
•  Nonperforming loans to total non-margin loans;  
•  Criticized assets to total loans and lending-related 

commitments; 

•  Borrower concentration; and  
•  Significant concentrations in high risk industries 

and countries. 

Environmental risk factors:  
•  U.S. non-investment grade default rate;  
•  Unemployment rate; and  
•  Change in real GDP. 

The objective of the qualitative framework is to 
capture incurred losses that may not have been fully 
captured in the quantitative reserve, which is based 
primarily on historical data.  Management determines 
the qualitative allowance each period based on 
judgment informed by consideration of internal and 
external risk factors and other considerations that 
may be deemed relevant during the period.  Once 
determined in the aggregate, our qualitative 
allowance is then allocated to each of our loan classes 
based on the respective classes’ quantitative 
allowance balances with the allocations adjusted, 
when necessary, for class specific risk factors.  

For each risk factor, we calculate the minimum and 
maximum values, and percentiles in-between, to 
evaluate the distribution of our historical experience.  
The distribution of historical experience is compared 
to the risk factor’s current quarter observed 
experience to assess the current risk inherent in the 
portfolio and overall direction/trend of a risk factor 
relative to our historical experience.   

Based on this analysis, we assign a risk level - no 
impact, low, moderate, high and elevated - to each 
risk factor for the current quarter.  Management 
assesses the impact of each risk factor to determine 
an aggregate risk level.  We do not quantify the 
impact of any particular risk factor.  Management’s 
assessment of the risk factors, as well as the trend in 
the quantitative allowance, supports management’s 
judgment for the overall required qualitative 
allowance.  A smaller qualitative allowance may be 

Results of Operations (continued)

required when our quantitative allowance has 
reflected incurred losses associated with the 
aggregate risk level.  A greater qualitative allowance 
may be required if our quantitative allowance does 
not yet reflect the incurred losses associated with the 
aggregate risk level. 

To the extent actual results differ from forecasts or 
management’s judgment, the allowance for credit 
losses may be greater or less than future charge-offs. 

The credit rating assigned to each credit is a 
significant variable in determining the allowance.  If 
each credit were rated one grade better, the allowance 
would have decreased by $70 million, while if each 
credit were rated one grade worse, the allowance 
would have increased by $132 million.  Similarly, if 
the loss given default were one rating worse, the 
allowance would have increased by $46 million, 
while if the loss given default were one rating better, 
the allowance would have decreased by $36 million.  
For impaired credits, if the net carrying value of the 
loans was 10% higher or lower, the allowance would 
have decreased or increased by less than $1 million, 
respectively.

Fair value of financial instruments

The guidance related to Fair Value Measurement 
included in ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a 
framework for measuring fair value, and expands 
disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at 
fair value.  The standard also established a three-level 
hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the 
transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or 
liability as of the measurement date.  

Fair value - Securities

Level 1 - Securities - Recent quoted prices from 
exchange transactions are used for debt and equity 
securities that are actively traded on exchanges and 
for U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government 
securities that are actively traded in highly liquid 
over-the-counter markets.

Level 2 - Securities - For securities where quotes 
from recent transactions are not available for identical 
securities, we determine fair value primarily based on 
pricing sources with reasonable levels of price 
transparency.  The pricing sources employ financial 
models or obtain comparisons to similar instruments 
to arrive at “consensus” prices.

Specifically, the pricing sources obtain recent 
transactions for similar types of securities (e.g., 
vintage, position in the securitization structure) and 
ascertain variables such as discount rate and speed of 
prepayment for the type of transaction and apply such 
variables to similar types of bonds.  We view these as 
observable transactions in the current market place 
and classify such securities as Level 2.

In addition, we have significant investments in more 
actively traded agency RMBS and other types of 
securities such as sovereign debt.  The pricing sources 
derive the prices for these securities largely from 
quotes they obtain from three major inter-dealer 
brokers.  The pricing sources receive their daily 
observed trade price and other information feeds from 
the inter-dealer brokers.

For securities with bond insurance, the financial 
strength of the insurance provider is analyzed and that 
information is included in the fair value assessment 
for such securities.

The pricing sources discontinue pricing any specific 
security whenever they determine there is insufficient 
observable data to provide a good faith opinion on 
price.  The pricing sources did not discontinue pricing 
for any securities in our investment securities 
portfolio at Dec. 31, 2015.

We obtain prices for our Level 1 and Level 2 
securities from multiple pricing sources.  We have 
designed controls to develop an understanding of the 
pricing sources’ securities pricing methodology and 
have implemented specific internal controls over the 
valuation of securities. 

As appropriate, we review the quality control 
procedures and pricing methodologies used by the 
pricing sources, including the process for obtaining 
prices provided by the pricing sources, their valuation 
methodology and controls for each class of security. 

Prices received from pricing sources are subject to 
validation checks that help determine the 
completeness and accuracy of the prices.  These 
validation checks are reviewed by management and, 
based on the results, may be subject to additional 
review and investigation.  We also review securities 
with no price changes (stale prices) and securities 
with zero values.

BNY Mellon 35 

Results of Operations (continued)

We have a surveillance process in place to monitor 
the accuracy of prices provided by the pricing 
sources.  We utilize a hierarchy that compares 
security prices obtained from multiple pricing sources 
against established thresholds.  Discrepancies that fall 
outside of these thresholds are challenged with the 
pricing services and adjusted if necessary.  

Level 3 - Derivative financial instruments - Level 3 
derivatives include derivatives for which valuations 
are based on inputs that are unobservable and 
significant to the overall fair value measurement, and 
may include certain long-dated or highly structured 
contracts.  At Dec. 31, 2015, we have no derivatives 
included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

If further research is required, we review and validate 
these prices with the pricing sources.  We also 
validate prices from pricing sources by comparing 
prices received to actual observed prices from actions 
such as purchases and sales, when possible.

Level 3 - Securities - Where we have used our own 
cash flow models, which included a significant input 
into the model that was deemed unobservable, to 
estimate the value of securities, we classify them in 
Level 3 of the ASC 820 hierarchy.  All of our 
securities are valued by pricing sources with 
reasonable levels of price transparency.  At Dec. 31, 
2015, we have no instruments included in Level 3 of 
the fair value hierarchy.

See Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for details of our securities by ASC 820 
hierarchy level.

Fair value - Derivative financial instruments

Level 1 - Derivative financial instruments - Includes 
derivative financial instruments that are actively 
traded on exchanges, principally listed equity options.

Level 2 - Derivative financial instruments - Includes 
the vast majority of our over-the-counter derivative 
financial instruments.  Derivatives classified as Level 
2 are valued utilizing discounted cash flow analysis 
and financial models for which the valuation inputs 
are observable or can be corroborated, directly or 
indirectly, for substantially the full term of the 
instrument.  Valuation inputs include interest rate 
yield curves, foreign exchange rates, equity prices, 
credit curves, option volatilities and other factors.  
Where appropriate, valuation adjustments are made to 
account for various factors such as credit worthiness 
of the counterparty, credit worthiness of the Company 
and model and liquidity risks.  Level 2 over-the-
counter derivatives generally include interest rate 
swaps and options, foreign exchanges forwards, 
foreign exchange swaps and options, forward rate 
agreements, equity swaps and options, and credit 
default swaps.

 36 BNY Mellon

To test the appropriateness of the valuations, we 
subject the models to review and approval by an 
independent internal risk management function, 
benchmark the models against similar instruments 
and validate model estimates to actual cash 
transactions.  In addition, we perform detailed 
reviews and analyses of profit and loss.  Valuation 
adjustments are determined and controlled by a 
function independent of the area initiating the risk 
position.  As markets and products develop and the 
pricing for certain products becomes more 
transparent, we refine our valuation methods.  Any 
changes to the valuation models are reviewed by 
management to ensure the changes are justified.

To confirm that our valuation policies are consistent 
with exit prices as prescribed by ASC 820, observable 
inputs are utilized to determine pricing where 
available.  In addition, where available, we review 
our derivative valuations using recent transactions in 
the marketplace, pricing services and the results of 
similar types of transactions. 

For details of our derivative financial instruments by 
level of the valuation hierarchy, see Note 20 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair value option

ASC 825 provides the option to elect fair value as an 
alternative measurement basis for selected financial 
assets, financial liabilities, unrecognized firm 
commitments and written loan commitments which 
are not subject to fair value under other accounting 
standards.  Under ASC 825, fair value is used for both 
the initial and subsequent measurement of the 
designated assets, liabilities and commitments, with 
the changes in fair value recognized in income.  See 
Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional disclosure regarding the fair 
value option.

Results of Operations (continued)

Fair value - Judgments

In times of illiquid markets and financial stress, 
actual prices and valuations may significantly diverge 
from results predicted by models.  In addition, other 
factors can affect our estimate of fair value, including 
market dislocations, incorrect model assumptions, 
and unexpected correlations.  These valuation 
methods could expose us to materially different 
results should the models used or underlying 
assumptions be inaccurate. See “Summary of 
significant accounting and reporting policies” in Note 
1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other-than-temporary impairment

The guidance included in ASC 320 defines the OTTI 
model for investments in debt securities.  Under this 
guidance, a debt security is considered impaired if its 
fair value is less than its amortized cost basis.  An 
OTTI is triggered if (1) the intent is to sell the 
security; (2) the security will more likely than not 
have to be sold before the impairment is recovered, or 
(3) the amortized cost basis is not expected to be 
recovered.  When an entity does not intend to sell the 
security before recovery of its cost basis, it will 
recognize the credit component of an OTTI of a debt 
security in earnings and the remaining portion in 
accumulated other comprehensive income.

The determination of whether a credit loss exists is 
based on best estimates of the present value of cash 
flows to be collected from the debt security.  
Generally, cash flows are discounted at the effective 
interest rate implicit in the debt security at the time of 
acquisition.  For debt securities that are beneficial 
interests in securitized financial assets and are not 
high credit quality, ASC 325 provides that cash flows 
be discounted at the current yield used to accrete the 
beneficial interest.

For each security in the investment securities 
portfolio (including, but not limited to, those whose 
fair value is less than their amortized cost basis), an 
extensive, regular review is conducted to determine if 
an OTTI has occurred.  For example, to determine if 
an unrealized loss on non-agency RMBS is other-
than-temporary, we project total estimated defaults of 
the underlying assets (mortgages) and multiply that 
calculated amount by an estimate of realizable value 
upon sale of these assets in the marketplace (severity) 
in order to determine the projected collateral loss.  We 
also evaluate the current credit enhancement 

underlying the bond to determine the impact on cash 
flows.  If we determine that a given non-agency 
RMBS will be subject to a write-down or loss, we 
record the expected credit loss as a charge to 
earnings.

In recent years, improving home prices helped to 
stabilize the credit performance of non-agency RMBS 
transactions.  This in turn enabled us to maintain 
generally stable assumptions for these transactions 
with regard to estimated defaults and the amount we 
expect to receive to cover the value of the loans 
underlying the securities.  See Note 4 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for projected 
weighted-average default rates and loss severities at 
Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014 for the 2007, 2006 and 
late-2005 non-agency RMBS and the securities 
previously held in the Grantor Trust we established in 
connection with the restructuring of our investment 
securities portfolio in 2009.  If actual delinquencies, 
default rates and loss severity assumptions worsen, 
we would expect additional impairment losses to be 
recorded in future periods.

Net securities gains in 2015 were $83 million 
compared with $91 million in 2014.  The low interest 
rate environment in 2015 and 2014 created the 
opportunity for us to realize gains as we rebalanced 
and managed the duration risk of the investment 
securities portfolio.

At Dec. 31, 2015, if we were to increase each of our 
projected loss severity and default rates by 100 basis 
points on each of the positions in our Alt-A, subprime 
and prime RMBS portfolios, including the securities 
previously held by the Grantor Trust, credit-related 
impairment charges on these securities would have 
increased by $1 million (pre-tax).  If we were to 
decrease each of our projected loss severity and 
default rates by 100 basis points on each of the 
positions, credit-related impairment charges on these 
securities would have decreased by less than $1 
million (pre-tax).

Goodwill and other intangibles

We initially record all assets and liabilities acquired 
in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill, 
indefinite-lived intangibles and other intangibles, in 
accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations.  
Goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and other 
intangibles are subsequently accounted for in 
accordance with ASC 350 Intangibles - Goodwill and 

BNY Mellon 37 

Results of Operations (continued)

Other.  The initial measurement of goodwill and 
intangibles requires judgment concerning estimates of 
the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities.  
Goodwill ($17.6 billion at Dec. 31, 2015) and 
indefinite-lived intangible assets ($2.7 billion at Dec. 
31, 2015) are not amortized but subject to tests for 
impairment annually or more often if events or 
circumstances indicate it is more likely than not they 
may be impaired.  Other intangible assets are 
amortized over their estimated useful lives and are 
subject to impairment if events or circumstances 
indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying 
amount.

BNY Mellon’s three business segments include seven 
reporting units for which annual goodwill impairment 
testing is performed in accordance with ASC 350.  
The Investment Management segment is comprised 
of two reporting units; the Investment Services 
segment is comprised of four reporting units; and one 
reporting unit is included in the Other segment.

The goodwill impairment test is performed in two 
steps.  The first step compares the estimated fair 
value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, 
including goodwill.  If the estimated fair value of the 
reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill 
of the reporting unit is considered not impaired.  
However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit 
were to exceed its estimated fair value, a second step 
would be performed that would compare the implied 
fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the 
carrying amount of that goodwill.  An impairment 
loss would be recorded to the extent that the carrying 
amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  A 
substantial goodwill impairment charge would not 
have a significant impact on our financial condition, 
but could have an adverse impact on our results of 
operations.  In addition, due to regulatory restrictions, 
the Company’s subsidiary banks could be restricted 
from distributing available cash to the Parent 
resulting in the Parent needing to issue additional 
long-term debt.

In the second quarter of 2015, we performed our 
annual goodwill test on all seven reporting units using 
an income approach to estimate the fair values of 
each reporting unit.  Estimated cash flows used in the 
income approach were based on management’s 
projections as of April 1, 2015.  The discount rate 
applied to these cash flows ranged from 10.0% to 
11.5% and incorporated a 7.0% market equity risk 
premium.  Estimated cash flows extend far into the 

 38 BNY Mellon

future, and, by their nature, are difficult to estimate 
over such an extended time frame.  

As of the date of the annual test, the fair values of six 
of the Company’s reporting units were substantially 
in excess of the respective reporting units’ carrying 
value.  The fair value of the Asset Management 
reporting unit, which is one of the two reporting units 
in the Investment Management segment, exceeded its 
carrying value by approximately 16%.  The Asset 
Management reporting unit had $7.4 billion of 
allocated goodwill.  For the Asset Management 
reporting unit, in the future, small changes in the 
assumptions could produce a non-cash goodwill 
impairment, which would have no effect on our 
regulatory capital ratios.  In addition, certain money 
market fee waiver practices and changes in the level 
of AUM could have an effect on Asset Management 
broadly, as well as the fair value of this reporting unit. 

Key judgments in accounting for intangibles include 
useful life and classification between goodwill and 
indefinite-lived intangibles or other intangibles 
requiring amortization.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for 
impairment at least annually by comparing their fair 
values, estimated using discounted cash flow 
analyses, to their carrying values.  Other amortizing 
intangible assets ($1.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2015) are 
evaluated for impairment if events and circumstances 
indicate a possible impairment.  Such evaluation of 
other intangible assets is initially based on 
undiscounted cash flow projections.

See Notes 1 and 6 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information 
regarding goodwill, intangible assets and the annual 
and interim impairment testing.

Pension accounting

BNY Mellon has defined benefit pension plans 
covering approximately 15,400 U.S. employees and 
approximately 13,200 non-U.S. employees.

BNY Mellon has two qualified and several non-
qualified defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. 
and several pension plans overseas.  As of Dec. 31, 
2015, the U.S. plans accounted for 78% of the 
projected benefit obligation.  The pension credit for 
BNY Mellon plans was $10 million in 2015 

Results of Operations (continued)

compared with pension expense of $68 million in 
2014 and $176 million in 2013.

On Jan. 29, 2015, the board of directors approved an 
amendment to freeze benefit accruals under the U.S. 
qualified and nonqualified defined benefit plans 
effective June 30, 2015.  This change resulted in no 
additional benefits being earned by participants in 
those plans based on service or pay after June 30, 
2015.  These plans were previously closed to new 
participants effective Dec. 31, 2010 at which time a 
non-elective contribution was added to the 
Company’s defined contribution plan for employees 
not eligible to join the pension plan.  Employees 
previously participating in the pension plan received 
this non-elective contribution starting July 1, 2015.  

A total net pension credit of $44 million is expected 
to be recorded by BNY Mellon in 2016, assuming 
currency exchange rates at Dec. 31, 2015.  The 
expected increase in the net pension credit in 2016 
compared with 2015 is primarily driven by a decrease 
in pension costs due to higher discount rates and the 
freeze of benefit accruals for the U.S. plans, partially 
offset by an increase in pension costs due to a 
reduction in the expected long-term rate of return on 
plan assets for U.S. plans.  The increase in the net 
pension credit compared with 2015 will be offset by a 
$13 million increase in the expense related to our 
defined contribution plans for participants that began 
receiving the 2% non-elective annual contribution to 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation 401(k) 
Savings Plan as a result of freezing benefit accruals 
under the U.S. qualified and nonqualified defined 
benefit plans effective June 30, 2015.

A number of key assumption and measurement date 
values determine pension expense.  The key elements 
include the long-term rate of return on plan assets, the 
discount rate, the market-related value of plan assets 
and the price used to value stock in the Employee 
Stock Ownership Plan.  Since 2013, these key 
elements have varied as follows:

(dollars in millions,
except per share
amounts)

Domestic plans:

Long-term rate of return

on plan assets
Discount rate (a)
Market-related value of 

plan assets (b)

ESOP stock price (b)
Net U.S. pension credit/

(expense)

All other net pension
credit/(expense)

Total net pension credit/

(expense)

2016

2015

2014

2013

7.00% 7.25% 7.25%

4.48% 4.13% 4.99%

7.25%

4.25%

$ 4,830

$ 4,696

$ 4,430

$ 4,121

$ 41.66

$ 39.18

$ 32.81

$ 24.60

N/A $

52

$

(34) $ (133)

N/A

(42)

(34)

(43)

N/A $

10

$

(68) $ (176)

(a)  As a result of the amendment to the U.S. pension plans, liabilities for 
2015 were re-measured as of Jan. 29, 2015 at a discount rate of 
3.73%.

(b)  Market-related value of plan assets and ESOP stock price are for 
the beginning of the plan year.  See “Summary of significant 
accounting and reporting policies” in Note 1 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.  The market-related value of 
plan assets was $4,713 million as of the Jan. 29, 2015 re-
measurement.

The discount rate for U.S. pension plans was 
determined after reviewing equivalent rates 
obtained by discounting the pension plans’ 
expected cash flows using various high-quality, 
long-term corporate bond yield curves.  We also 
reviewed the results of several models that 
matched bonds to our pension cash flows.  After 
reviewing the various indices and models, we 
recommended a discount rate of 4.48% as of Dec. 
31, 2015.

The discount rates for foreign pension plans are 
based on high-quality corporate bond rates in 
countries that have an active corporate bond 
market.  In those countries without an active 
corporate bond market, discount rates are based 
on local government bond rates plus a credit 
spread.

Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 
is based on anticipated returns for each applicable 
asset class.  Anticipated returns are weighted for the 
expected allocation for each asset class and are based 
on forecasts for prospective returns in the equity and 
fixed income markets, which should track the long-
term historical returns for these markets.  We also 
consider the growth outlook for U.S. and global 
economies, as well as current and prospective interest 
rates.

The market-related value of plan assets also 
influences the level of pension expense.  Differences 

BNY Mellon 39 

Results of Operations (continued)

between expected and actual returns are recognized 
over five years to compute an actuarially derived 
market-related value of plan assets. 

Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses are 
amortized over the future service period of active 
employees if they exceed a threshold amount.  As of 
Dec. 31, 2015, BNY Mellon had $1.4 billion of 
unrecognized losses which are being amortized.  As a 
result of the amendment to the U.S. pension plans 
described above, future unrecognized actuarial gains 
and losses for the U.S. pension plans that exceed a 
threshold amount will be amortized over the average 
future life expectancy of plan participants with a 
maximum of 15 years.

The annual impacts of hypothetical changes in the 
key assumptions on pension costs are shown in the 
table below.

Pension expense
(dollar amounts in
millions, except per
share amounts)

Long-term rate of
return on plan
assets
Change in pension
expense
Discount rate
Change in pension
expense
Market-related
value of plan assets
Change in pension
expense
ESOP stock price
Change in pension
expense

Increase in
pension expense

(Decrease) in
pension expense

(100) bps 

(50) bps 

50 bps 

100 bps 

$ 57

$ 29

$ (29)

$ (57)

(50) bps 

(25) bps 

25 bps 

50 bps 

$ 28

$ 14

$ (13)

$ (26)

(20) %

(10) %

10 %

20 %

$ 168

$ (10)

$

7

$ 84

$ (5)

$

3

$ (83)

$

$

5

(3)

$(161)

$ 10

$

(6)

In addition to its pension plans, BNY Mellon has an 
ESOP.  Benefits payable under The Bank of New 
York Mellon Corporation Pension Plan are offset by 
the equivalent value of benefits earned under the 
ESOP for employees who participated in the legacy 
Retirement Plan of The Bank of New York Company, 
Inc.

Consolidated balance sheet review

At Dec. 31, 2015, total assets were $394 billion 
compared with $385 billion at Dec. 31, 2014. Total 
assets averaged $372 billion in 2015 compared with 
$373 billion in 2014.  Fluctuations in the period-end 
and average total assets were primarily driven by 
higher customer deposits, partially offset by the 
adoption of new accounting guidance related to 

 40 BNY Mellon

consolidations effective Jan.1, 2015. Deposits totaled 
$280 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and $266 billion at Dec. 
31, 2014. Total deposits averaged $251 billion in 
2015 and $243 billion in 2014.  At Dec. 31, 2015, 
total interest-bearing deposits were 54% of total 
interest-earning assets, compared with 51% at Dec. 
31, 2014.

At Dec. 31, 2015, we had $39 billion of liquid funds 
(which include interest-bearing deposits with banks 
and federal funds sold and securities purchased under 
resale agreements) and $120 billion of cash 
(including $113 billion of overnight deposits with the 
Federal Reserve and other central banks) for a total of 
$159 billion of available funds.  This compares with 
available funds of $143 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The 
increase in available funds primarily reflects the 
increase of overnight deposits with the Federal 
Reserve and central banks, partially offset by our 
strategic effort to reduce our level of interbank 
deposits.  Total available funds as a percentage of 
total assets was 40% at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with 
37% at Dec. 31, 2014.  Of the $39 billion in liquid 
funds held at Dec. 31, 2015, $15 billion was placed in 
interest-bearing deposits with large, highly-rated 
global financial institutions with a weighted-average 
life to maturity of approximately 39 days.  Of the $15 
billion, $3 billion was placed with banks in the 
Eurozone.

Investment securities were $119.2 billion, or 30% of 
total assets, at Dec. 31, 2015, compared with $119.3 
billion, or 31% of total assets, at Dec. 31, 2014.  The 
decrease primarily reflects lower unrealized gains and 
a decrease in sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed 
and state and political subdivisions, partially offset by 
additional investments in Agency RMBS and U.S. 
Government agencies securities.

Loans were $63.7 billion, or 16% of total assets, at 
Dec. 31, 2015, compared with $59.1 billion, or 15% 
of total assets, at Dec. 31, 2014.  The increase 
primarily reflects higher financial institution loans, 
wealth management loans and mortgages and 
commercial real estate loans, partially offset by lower 
overdrafts.

Long-term debt totaled $21.5 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 
and $20.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  In 2015, the 
Parent issued $5.0 billion of senior debt and $3.05 
billion of long-term debt matured.  Additionally, the 
Parent called $600 million of senior debt in 2015.

Results of Operations (continued)

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation total 
shareholders’ equity increased to $38.0 billion from 
$37.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The increase 
primarily reflects earnings retention, the issuance of 
$1 billion of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock 
and approximately $662 million resulting from stock 
awards, the exercise of stock options and stock issued 
for employee benefit plans.  The increase was 
partially offset by share repurchases, foreign currency 
translation adjustments, and a decrease in the 
unrealized gain on our investment securities portfolio.

Investment securities

In the discussion of our investment securities 
portfolio, we have included certain credit ratings 
information because the information indicates the 
degree of credit risk to which we are exposed.  
Significant changes in ratings classifications for our 
investment securities portfolio could indicate 
increased credit risk for us and could be accompanied 
by a reduction in the fair value of our investment 
securities portfolio.  

The following table presents the distribution of our total investment securities portfolio.

Investment securities

portfolio

(dollars in millions)
Agency RMBS
U.S. Treasury
Sovereign debt/sovereign 

guaranteed (b)

Non-agency RMBS (c)
Non-agency RMBS
European floating rate 

notes (d)

Commercial MBS
State and political

subdivisions

Foreign covered bonds (e)
Corporate bonds
CLOs
U.S. Government agencies
Consumer ABS
Other (f)

Total investment

securities

Dec. 31,
2014

 Fair
value

$ 46,762
24,857

18,253

2,214
1,113

1,959

4,997

5,271

2,866
1,785
2,111
684
3,240
3,032

2015
change in
unrealized
gain (loss)

$

(309) $
(317)

Dec. 31, 2015

Amortized
cost

Fair
value
49,585 $ 49,464
23,920
24,019

Fair value
as a % of 
amortized
cost (a)

Ratings

Unrealized
gain (loss)

AAA/
AA-

A+/
A-

BBB+/
BBB-

BB+
and
lower

Not
rated

100 % $
100

(121)
(99)

100 % — % — % — % — %
—
100 —

— —

(26)

(113)
(4)

(16)

(81)

6

(37)
(26)
(14)
(5)
(15)
38

16,574

16,708

1,435
900

1,369

5,868

3,988

2,201
1,740
2,363
1,817
2,909
3,654

1,789
914

1,345

5,826

4,065

2,242
1,752
2,351
1,810
2,893
3,700

101

81
94

98

99

102

102
101
99
100
99
101

134

354
14

(24)

(42)

77

41
12
(12)
(7)
(16)
46

75 —

—
7

68

95

80

1
5

27

4

17

100 —
21
66
100 —
100 —
100 —
45 —

25

1
18

5

1

—

—
13
—
—
—
51

— —

90
69

8
1

— —

— —

—

3

— —
— —
— —
— —
— —
4
—

$ 119,144 (g) $

(919) $ 118,422 $ 118,779 (g)

100% $

357 (g)(h)

90% 2%

6% 2% —%

(a)  Amortized cost before impairments.
(b)  Primarily consists of exposure to UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
(c)  These RMBS were included in the former Grantor Trust and were marked-to-market in 2009.  We believe these RMBS would receive higher credit ratings 

if these ratings incorporated, as additional credit enhancements, the difference between the written-down amortized cost and the current face amount of 
each of these securities.
Includes RMBS and commercial MBS.  Primarily consists of exposure to UK and Netherlands.

(d) 
(e)  Primarily consists of exposure to Canada, UK and Netherlands.
(f) 

Includes commercial paper with a fair value of $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion and money market funds with a fair value of $763 million and $886 million at 
Dec. 31, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2015, respectively.
Includes net unrealized losses on derivatives hedging securities available-for-sale of $313 million at Dec. 31, 2014 and $292 million at Dec. 31, 2015.

(g) 
(h)  Unrealized gains of $465 million at Dec. 31, 2015 related to available-for-sale securities.

The fair value of our investment securities portfolio 
was $118.8 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with 
$119.1 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The decrease 
primarily reflects lower unrealized gains and a 
decrease in sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed and 
state and political subdivisions, partially offset by 
additional investments in Agency RMBS and U.S. 
Government agencies securities. 

At Dec. 31, 2015, the total investment securities 
portfolio had a net unrealized pre-tax gain of $357 
million compared with $1.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2014, 
including the impact of related hedges.  The decrease 
in the net unrealized pre-tax gain was primarily 
driven by an increase in interest rates.  The unrealized 
gain net of tax on our available-for-sale investment 
securities portfolio included in accumulated other 
comprehensive income was $329 million at Dec. 31, 
2015, compared with $675 million at Dec. 31, 2014.

BNY Mellon 41 

Results of Operations (continued)

At both Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, 90% of the 
securities in our portfolio were rated AAA/AA-.

We routinely test our investment securities for OTTI.  
See “Critical accounting estimates” for additional 
information regarding OTTI.

The following table presents the amortizable purchase premium (net of discount) related to the investment securities 
portfolio and accretable discount related to the 2009 restructuring of the investment securities portfolio.

Net premium amortization and discount accretion of investment securities (a)
(dollars in millions)
Amortizable purchase premium (net of discount) relating to investment securities:

Balance at period end
Estimated average life remaining at period end (in years)
Amortization

Accretable discount related to the prior restructuring of the investment securities portfolio:

2015

2014

$

$

2,319 $
4.7
693 $

2,432 $
4.8
626 $

2013

2,377
5.2
625

Balance at period end
Estimated average life remaining at period end (in years)
Accretion

642
6.0
218
(a)  Amortization of purchase premium decreases net interest revenue while accretion of discount increases net interest revenue.  Both were 

413 $
5.9
163 $

355 $
6.1
126 $

$

$

recorded on a level yield basis.

The following table presents pre-tax net securities 
gains (losses) by type.

Equity investments

Net securities gains (losses)
(in millions)
U.S. Treasury
Non-agency RMBS
Commercial MBS
State and political subdivisions
European floating rate notes
Other

Total net securities gains

2015

2014

45 $
7
5
4
2
20
83 $

25 $
17
1
13
1
34
91 $

2013
60
(1)
16
13
8
45
141

$

$

The following table shows the fair value of the 
European floating rate notes by geographical location 
at Dec. 31, 2015.  The unrealized loss on these 
securities was $24 million at Dec. 31, 2015, 
compared with $8 million at Dec. 31, 2014.

European floating rate notes at Dec. 31, 2015 (a)

(in millions)
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Ireland
Other

RMBS

$

772 $
379
121
2

Total fair value

$ 1,274 $

Other

Total
fair
value
843
71 $
379
—
121
—
—
2
71 $ 1,345

(a)  68% of these securities are in the AAA to AA- ratings 

category.

See Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for details of securities by level in the fair 
value hierarchy.

 42 BNY Mellon

Our equity in joint venture and other investments are 
primarily categorized as other assets.  The following 
table presents the carrying values at Dec. 31, 2015 
and 2014.

Equity in joint venture and other
investments
(in millions)
Equity in joint venture and other
investments:
CIBC Mellon
Siguler Guff
ConvergEx
Other equity investments

Total equity in joint venture and other
investments

Tax advantaged low income housing
investments
Federal Reserve Bank stock
Seed capital
Renewable energy investments
Private equity investments

Dec. 31

2015

2014

$

473 $
262
86
218

550
272
105
203

1,039

1,130

918
453
245
640
34

853
447
406
383
68

Total equity in joint venture and other
investments

$ 3,329 $ 3,287

Dividends on the Federal Reserve Bank stock were 
paid quarterly at a 6% annual rate in 2015.  
Beginning in 2016, the dividend on the Federal 
Reserve Bank stock will be paid quarterly at the 
lesser of (a) the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury 
note at the last auction prior to the payment of the 
dividend, and (b) 6% annual rate.

Results of Operations (continued)

For additional information on the fair value of certain 
seed capital investments and our private equity 
investments, see Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

Private equity activities consist of investments in 
private equity funds, mezzanine financings, small 
business investment companies (“SBICs”) and direct 
equity investments.  The carrying and fair value of 
our private equity investments was $34 million at 
Dec. 31, 2015, a decrease of $34 million from Dec. 
31, 2014.  At Dec. 31, 2015, all of our private equity 
investments are Volcker-compliant SBICs and totaled

$34 million.  Income on these investments was $1 
million in 2015.

At Dec. 31, 2015, we had $58 million of unfunded 
investment commitments to Volcker-compliant 
SBICs.  If unused, the commitments expire between 
2022 and 2025.  

Commitments to private equity limited partnerships 
may extend beyond the expiration period shown 
above to cover certain follow-on investments, claims 
and liabilities, and organizational and partnership 
expenses.

Loans 

Total exposure – consolidated

(in billions)
Non-margin loans:

Financial institutions
Commercial

Subtotal institutional

Wealth management loans and mortgages
Commercial real estate
Lease financings
Other residential mortgages
Overdrafts
Other

Subtotal non-margin loans

Margin loans
Total

Dec. 31, 2015
Unfunded
commitments

Loans

Total
exposure

Dec. 31, 2014
Unfunded
commitments

Loans

Total
exposure

$

$

15.9 $
2.3
18.2
13.3
3.9
1.9
1.1
4.5
1.2
44.1
19.6
63.7 $

36.0 $
18.2
54.2
1.6
3.3
—
—
—
—
59.1
0.6
59.7 $

51.9
20.5
72.4
14.9
7.2
1.9
1.1
4.5
1.2
103.2
20.2
123.4

$

$

13.3 $
1.7
15.0
11.2
2.5
2.2
1.2
5.9
1.1
39.1
20.0
59.1 $

15.5 $
18.7
34.2
1.7
2.7
—
—
—
—
38.6
0.7
39.3 $

28.8
20.4
49.2
12.9
5.2
2.2
1.2
5.9
1.1
77.7
20.7
98.4  

At Dec. 31, 2015, total exposures were $123.4 
billion, an increase of 25% from $98.4 billion at Dec. 
31, 2014.  The increase in total exposure primarily 
reflects higher unfunded commitments in the 
financial institutions portfolio related to secured 
intraday credit provided to dealers in connection with 
their tri-party repo activity.

Our financial institutions and commercial portfolios 
comprise our largest concentrated risk.  These 
portfolios comprised 59% of our total lending 
exposure at Dec. 31, 2015 and 50% at Dec. 31, 2014.  
The increase reflects higher unfunded commitments 
related to secured intraday credit provided to dealers 
in connection with their tri-party repo activity.  
Additionally, a substantial portion of our overdrafts 
relate to financial institutions.

BNY Mellon 43 

Results of Operations (continued)

Financial institutions

The diversity of the financial institutions portfolio is shown in the following table.

% Inv.
grade
99%
86
99
99
94
98
96%

% due
<1 yr

99% $
91
83
16
64
22
82% $

Loans
3.1
7.6
2.0
0.1
0.1
0.4
13.3

Dec. 31, 2014
Unfunded
commitments
1.1
$
1.7
4.8
4.0
2.9
1.0
15.5

$

Total
exposure
4.2
9.3
6.8
4.1
3.0
1.4
28.8  

$

$

classification at Dec. 31, 2015.  Each customer is 
assigned an internal credit rating, which is mapped to 
an equivalent external rating agency grade based 
upon a number of dimensions which are continually 
evaluated and may change over time.  The exposure 
to financial institutions is generally short-term.  Of 
these exposures, 82% expire within one year and 20% 
expire within 90 days.  In addition, 62% of the 
financial institutions exposure is secured.  For 
example, securities industry and asset managers often 
borrow against marketable securities held in custody.

For ratings of non-U.S. counterparties, as a 
conservative measure, our internal credit rating is 
generally capped at a rating equivalent to the 
sovereign rating of the country where the 
counterparty resides regardless of the internal credit 
rating assigned to the counterparty or the underlying 
collateral.

Our bank exposure primarily relates to our global 
trade finance and U.S. dollar-clearing businesses.  
These exposures are predominately to investment 
grade counterparties and are short term in nature.  

The asset manager portfolio exposures are high-
quality with 99% of the exposures meeting our 
investment grade equivalent ratings criteria as of Dec. 
31, 2015.  These exposures are generally short-term 
liquidity facilities, with the vast majority to regulated 
mutual funds. 

Financial institutions
portfolio exposure
(dollar amounts in billions)
Securities industry
Banks
Asset managers
Insurance
Government
Other

Total

Loans
3.1
9.4
2.0
0.2
0.1
1.1
15.9

$

$

Unfunded
commitments
20.6
$
2.1
5.6
4.5
1.9
1.3
36.0

Dec. 31, 2015
Total
exposure
23.7
$
11.5
7.6
4.7
2.0
2.4
51.9

$

$

The financial institutions portfolio exposure was 
$51.9 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with $28.8 
billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The increase primarily 
reflects higher unfunded commitments in the 
securities industry portfolio related to secured 
intraday credit provided to dealers in connection with 
their tri-party repo activity.

In April 2015, we reduced the amount of secured 
intraday credit we provide to dealers in connection 
with dealers’ tri-party repo activity by fully 
converting the secured intraday credit from 
uncommitted credit to committed credit.  The 
committed credit requires dealers to fully secure the 
outstanding intraday credit with high-quality liquid 
assets having a market value in excess of the amount 
of the outstanding credit.  At Dec. 31, 2015, the 
secured intraday credit provided to dealers in 
connection with their tri-party repo activity totaled 
$19.6 billion and was primarily included in the 
securities industry portfolio.

Moving forward, BNY Mellon will continue to invest 
in and enhance its tri-party repo capabilities, 
including working closely with market participants to 
improve the process for settling Interbank General 
Collateral Finance repo trades.

Financial institution exposures are high-quality, with 
96% of the exposures meeting the investment grade 
equivalent criteria of our internal credit rating 

 44 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Commercial

The diversity of the commercial portfolio is presented in the following table.

Commercial portfolio exposure

(dollar amounts in billions)
Manufacturing
Services and other
Energy and utilities
Media and telecom

Total

Loans
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.3
2.3

$

$

Unfunded
commitments
6.3
$
5.5
4.9
1.5
18.2

$

Dec. 31, 2015
Total
exposure
6.9
$
6.3
5.5
1.8
20.5

$

% Inv.
grade
92%
94
97
93
94%

% due
<1 yr

13% $
17
14
—
13% $

Loans
0.3
0.8
0.5
0.1
1.7

Dec. 31, 2014
Unfunded
commitments
5.7
$
5.9
5.6
1.5
18.7

$

Total
exposure
6.0
$
6.7
6.1
1.6
20.4  

$

The commercial portfolio exposure increased slightly 
to $20.5 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 from $20.4 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2014, primarily reflecting an increase in 
exposure in the manufacturing and media and 
telecom portfolios, partially offset by a decrease in 
exposure to the energy and utilities and services and 
other portfolios.  Utilities-related exposure represents 
approximately three-quarters of the energy and 
utilities portfolio.  The remaining exposure in the 
energy and utilities portfolio, which includes 
exposure to refining, integrated companies, 
exploration and production companies and pipelines, 
was 94% investment grade at Dec. 31, 2015.

The table below summarizes the percentage of the 
financial institutions and commercial portfolio 
exposures that are investment grade.

Percentage of the portfolios
that are investment grade
Financial institutions
Commercial

Dec. 31,
2014
93%
94%

2015
96%
94%

2013
93%
94%

Our credit strategy is to focus on investment grade 
names to support cross-selling opportunities.  The 
execution of our strategy has resulted in 96% of our 
financial institutions portfolio and 94% of our 
commercial portfolio rated as investment grade at 
Dec. 31, 2015. 

Wealth management loans and mortgages 

Our wealth management exposure was $14.9 billion 
at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with $12.9 billion at Dec. 
31, 2014.  Wealth management loans and mortgages 
primarily consist of loans to high-net-worth 
individuals, which are secured by marketable 
securities and/or residential property.  Wealth 
management mortgages are primarily interest-only 

adjustable rate mortgages with a weighted-average 
loan-to-value ratio of 61% at origination.  In the 
wealth management portfolio, less than 1% of the 
mortgages were past due at Dec. 31, 2015.

At Dec. 31, 2015, the wealth management mortgage 
portfolio consisted of the following geographic 
concentrations:  California - 23%; New York - 21%;  
Massachusetts - 13%; Florida - 8%; and other - 35%.

Commercial real estate

Our income producing commercial real estate 
facilities are focused on experienced owners and are 
structured with moderate leverage based on existing 
cash flows.  Our commercial real estate lending 
activities also include construction and renovation 
facilities.  Our client base consists of experienced 
developers and long-term holders of real estate assets.  
Loans are approved on the basis of existing or 
projected cash flows, and supported by appraisals and 
knowledge of local market conditions.  Development 
loans are structured with moderate leverage, and in 
many instances, involve some level of recourse to the 
developer.  Our commercial real estate exposure 
totaled $7.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with 
$5.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.

At Dec. 31, 2015, 61% of our commercial real estate 
portfolio was secured.  The secured portfolio is 
diverse by project type, with 53% secured by 
residential buildings, 27% secured by office 
buildings, 14% secured by retail properties and 6% 
secured by other categories.  Approximately 98% of 
the unsecured portfolio consists of real estate 
investment trusts (“REITs”), which are predominantly 
investment grade, and real estate operating 
companies.

BNY Mellon 45 

Results of Operations (continued)

At Dec. 31, 2015, our commercial real estate 
portfolio consists of the following concentrations: 
New York metro - 41%; REITs and real estate 
operating companies - 39%; and other - 20%.

Lease financings

The leasing portfolio exposure totaled $1.9 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2015, compared with $2.2 billion at Dec. 31, 
2014.  At Dec. 31, 2015, approximately 86% of the 
leasing portfolio exposure was investment grade, or 
investment grade equivalent.

At Dec. 31, 2015, the lease financing portfolio 
consisted of exposures backed by well-diversified 
assets, primarily large-ticket transportation 
equipment.  The largest component is rail, consisting 
of both passenger and freight train cars.  Assets are 
both domestic and foreign-based, with primary 
concentrations in the United States and Germany.  
Approximately 46% of this portfolio is additionally 
secured by highly rated securities and/or letters of 
credit from investment grade issuers.  Counterparty 
rating equivalents at Dec. 31, 2015 were as follows:

• 
• 
• 

39% of the counterparties were A, or equivalent;
47% were BBB; and 
14% were non-investment grade.

that are predominantly prime mortgage loans, with a 
small portion of Alt-A loans.  As of Dec. 31, 2015, 
the purchased loans in this portfolio had a weighted-
average loan-to-value ratio of 76% at origination and 
16% of the serviced loan balance was at least 60 days 
delinquent.  The properties securing the prime and 
Alt-A mortgage loans were located (in order of 
concentration) in California, Florida, Virginia, the tri-
state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) 
and Maryland.

To determine the projected loss on the prime and Alt-
A mortgage portfolios, we calculate the total 
estimated defaults of these mortgages and multiply 
that amount by an estimate of realizable value upon 
sale in the marketplace (severity).

Overdrafts

Overdrafts primarily relate to custody and securities 
clearance clients.  Overdrafts occur on a daily basis in 
the custody and securities clearance business and are 
generally repaid within two business days.

Other loans

Other loans primarily include loans to consumers that 
are fully collateralized with equities, mutual funds 
and fixed income securities.

The lease financing portfolio is part of our tax 
management strategy.

Margin loans

Other residential mortgages

The other residential mortgages portfolio primarily 
consists of 1-4 family residential mortgage loans and 
totaled $1.1 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and $1.2 billion 
at Dec. 31, 2014.  Included in this portfolio at Dec. 
31, 2015 are $283 million of mortgage loans 
purchased in 2005, 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 

Margin loans are collateralized with marketable 
securities and borrowers are required to maintain a 
daily collateral margin in excess of 100% of the value 
of the loan.  Margin loans included $7.8 billion of 
loans at Dec. 31, 2015 and $8.7 billion at Dec. 31, 
2014 related to a term loan program that offers fully 
collateralized loans to broker-dealers. 

 46 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Loans by category

The following table shows trends in the loans outstanding at year-end over the last five years.

Loans by category – at year-end
(in millions)
Domestic:

Financial institutions
Commercial
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Commercial real estate
Lease financings
Other residential mortgages
Overdrafts
Other
Margin loans

Total domestic

Foreign:

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$

6,640 $
2,115
13,247
3,899
1,007
1,055
911
1,137
19,340
49,351

5,603 $
1,390
11,095
2,524
1,282
1,222
1,348
1,113
20,034
45,611

4,511 $
1,534
9,743
2,001
1,322
1,385
1,314
768
15,652
38,230

5,455 $
1,306
8,796
1,677
1,329
1,632
2,228
639
13,397
36,459

4,606
752
7,342
1,449
1,558
1,923
2,958
623
12,760
33,971

Financial institutions
Commercial
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Commercial real estate
Lease financings
Other (primarily overdrafts)
Margin loans

6,538
528
—
—
1,051
1,891
—
10,008
43,979
(a)  Net of unearned income of $674 million at Dec. 31, 2015, $866 million at Dec. 31, 2014, $1,020 million at Dec. 31, 2013, $1,135 million 

7,716
252
89
6
889
4,569
—
13,521
59,132 $

5,833
111
68
63
1,025
3,070
—
10,170
46,629 $

9,848
113
75
9
945
2,437
—
13,427
51,657 $

9,259
227
100
46
850
3,637
233
14,352
63,703 $

Total foreign
Total loans (a)

$

at Dec. 31, 2012 and $1,343 million at Dec. 31, 2011, primarily on domestic and foreign lease financings.

Maturity of loan portfolio

International loans

The following table shows the maturity structure of 
our loan portfolio at Dec. 31, 2015.

Maturity of loan portfolio at Dec. 31, 2015 (a)

Within
1 year

Between
1 and 5

years  

After
5 years  

Total

$ 5,279
389

$

693
1,606

$

668
120

$ 6,640
2,115

2,064
—
—
500
4,863
596

598
911
1,137
18,840
27,154
12,650
$ 39,804

3,899
911
1,137
19,340
34,042
13,402
$ 5,459 (b) $ 2,181 (b) $47,444
(a)  Excludes loans collateralized by residential properties, lease 
financings and wealth management loans and mortgages.
(b)  Variable rate loans due after one year totaled $7.4 billion 

1,237
—
—
—
2,025
156

Foreign

Total

and fixed rate loans totaled $79 million.

(in millions)
Domestic:
Financial
institutions
Commercial
Commercial
real estate
Overdrafts
Other
Margin loans
Subtotal

We have credit relationships in the international 
markets, particularly in areas associated with our 
securities servicing and trade finance activities.  
Excluding lease financings, these activities resulted in 
outstanding international loans of $13.5 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2015 and $12.6 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  
The increase primarily resulted from higher loans to 
financial institutions and margin loans, partially offset 
by lower overdrafts.

Asset quality and allowance for credit losses

Over the past several years, we have improved our 
risk profile through greater focus on clients who are 
active users of our non-credit services, de-
emphasizing broad-based loan growth.  Our primary 
exposure to the credit risk of a customer consists of 
funded loans, unfunded formal contractual 
commitments to lend, standby letters of credit and 
overdrafts associated with our custody and securities 
clearance businesses.

BNY Mellon 47 

 
Results of Operations (continued)

The role of credit has shifted to one that complements 
our other services instead of as a lead product.  We 
believe credit solidifies customer relationships and, 

through a disciplined allocation of capital, can earn 
acceptable rates of return as part of an overall 
relationship.

The following table details changes in our allowance for credit losses.

Allowance for credit losses activity
(dollar amounts in millions)
Margin loans
Non-margin loans
Total loans
Average loans outstanding

Balance, Jan. 1
Domestic
Foreign

Total allowance at Jan. 1

Charge-offs:

Commercial
Commercial real estate
Financial institutions
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Other residential mortgages
Foreign

Total charge-offs

Recoveries:

Commercial
Financial institutions
Other residential mortgages

Total recoveries
Net charge-offs

Provision for credit losses
Balance, Dec. 31,
Domestic
Foreign

Total allowance, Dec. 31,

Allowance for loan losses
Allowance for lending-related commitments
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
Net charge-offs to total allowance for credit losses
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-margin loans
Total allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans
Total allowance for credit losses as a percentage of non-margin loans

Net charge-offs of $165 million in 2015 were 
primarily reflected in the financial institution 
portfolios and included a portion of the unsecured 
loan to Sentinel that was reestablished in December 
2015.  Net charge-offs of $16 million in 2014 were 
primarily reflected in the commercial loan and 
foreign loan portfolios.  Net charge-offs of $8 million 
in 2013 were primarily reflected in the other 
residential mortgages, commercial loan and foreign 
loan portfolios. 

The provision for credit losses was $160 million in 
2015, a credit of $48 million in 2014 and a credit of 
$35 million in 2013.

 48 BNY Mellon

$

$
$

$

$
$

$

$
$

$

2015

19,573
43,708
63,281
60,672

236
44
280

—
—
(170)
—
(2)
—
(172)

—
1
6
7
(165)
160

$

$
$

$

2014
20,034
39,077
59,111
54,210

288
56
344

(12)
(2)
—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(20)

1
1
2
4
(16)
(48)

$

$
$

$

2013
15,652
36,005
51,657
48,316

339
48
387

(4)
(1)
—
(1)
(8)
(3)
(17)

1
4
4
9
(8)
(35)

$

$
$

$

2012
13,397
33,232
46,629
43,060

439
58
497

(2)
—
(13)
(1)
(22)
—
(38)

2
—
6
8
(30)
(80)

2011

12,760
31,219
43,979
40,919

511
60
571

(6)
(4)
(8)
(1)
(56)
(8)
(83)

3
2
3
8
(75)
1

$
$

240
35
275
157
118
0.27%
60.00
0.25
0.36
0.43
0.63

$
$

236
44
280
191
89
0.03%
5.71
0.32
0.49
0.47
0.72

$
$

288
56
344
210
134
0.02%
2.33
0.41
0.58
0.67
0.96

$
$

339
48
387
266
121
0.07%
7.75
0.57
0.80
0.83
1.16

439
58
497
394
103
0.18%
15.09
0.90
1.26
1.13
1.59

The total allowance for credit losses was $275 million 
at Dec. 31, 2015, $280 million at Dec. 31, 2014 and 
$344 million at Dec. 31, 2013.  The ratio of the total 
allowance for credit losses to non-margin loans was 
0.63% at Dec. 31, 2015, 0.72% at Dec. 31, 2014 and 
0.96% at Dec. 31, 2013.  The ratio of the allowance 
for loan losses to non-margin loans was 0.36% at 
Dec. 31, 2015 compared with 0.49% at Dec. 31, 2014 
and 0.58% at Dec. 31, 2013.  The decrease in the total 
allowance for credit losses and the lower ratios at 
Dec. 31, 2015 compared with Dec. 31, 2014 primarily 
reflects an improvement in the credit quality in the 
loan portfolio.

Results of Operations (continued)

We had $19.6 billion of secured margin loans on our 
balance sheet at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with $20.0 
billion at Dec. 31, 2014 and $15.7 billion at Dec. 31, 
2013.  We have rarely suffered a loss on these types 
of loans and do not allocate any of our allowance for 
credit losses to them.  As a result, we believe that the 
ratio of total allowance for credit losses as a 
percentage of non-margin loans is a more appropriate 
metric to measure the adequacy of the reserve.

The allowance for loan losses and allowance for 
lending-related commitments represent 
management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in 
our credit portfolio.  This evaluation process is 
subject to numerous estimates and judgments. 

Based on an evaluation of the allowance for credit 
losses as discussed in “Critical accounting estimates” 
and Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements, we have allocated our allowance for 
credit losses as follows.

Nonperforming assets

Allocation of
allowance

Commercial
Commercial real estate
Foreign
Other residential

mortgages

Financial institutions
Wealth management (a)
Lease financing

Total

Dec. 31,
2013
24%
12
16

2014
21%
18
16

2015
30%
22
13

2012
27%
8
12

2011
18%
7
12

12

14

16

23

31

11
7
5

14
7
11
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

11
8
12

13
6
13

9
8
13

(a) 

Includes the allowance for wealth management mortgages.

The allocation of the allowance for credit losses is 
inherently judgmental, and the entire allowance for 
credit losses is available to absorb credit losses 
regardless of the nature of the loss.  

The following table shows the distribution of nonperforming assets at the end of each of the last five years.

Nonperforming assets
(dollars in millions)
Loans:

2015

2014

Dec. 31,
2013

2012

2011

$

$

$

Other assets owned

Total nonperforming loans

Financial institutions
Other residential mortgages
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Foreign

23
203
32
40
21
10
329
12
341
0.78%
Nonperforming assets ratio
1.1
Nonperforming assets ratio, excluding margin loans
119.8
Allowance for loan losses/nonperforming loans
115.5
Allowance for loan losses/nonperforming assets
151.1
Total allowance for credit losses/nonperforming loans
145.7
Total allowance for credit losses/nonperforming assets
(a)  Loans of consolidated investment management funds are not part of BNY Mellon’s loan portfolio.  Included in the loans of consolidated 

— $
117
11
4
15
6
153
3
156
0.30%
0.4
137.3
134.6
224.8
220.5

— $
112
12
1
—
—
125
3
128
0.22%
0.3
152.8
149.2
224.0
218.8

3
158
30
18
27
9
245
4
249
0.53%
0.7
108.6
106.8
158.0
155.4

171
102
11
2
—
—
286
6
292
0.46%
0.7
54.9
53.8
96.2
94.2

Total nonperforming assets (a)

$

$

$

$

investment management funds are nonperforming loans of $53 million at Dec. 31, 2014, $16 million at Dec. 31, 2013, $174 million at 
Dec. 31, 2012, and $101 million at Dec. 31, 2011.  These loans are recorded at fair value and therefore do not impact the provision for 
credit losses and allowance for loan losses, and accordingly are excluded from the nonperforming assets table above.  In the second 
quarter of 2015, BNY Mellon adopted the new accounting guidance included in ASU 2015-02, Consolidations.  As a result, we 
deconsolidated substantially all of the loans of consolidated investment management funds retrospectively to Jan. 1, 2015.

BNY Mellon 49 

Results of Operations (continued)

Nonperforming assets activity
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period

Additions
Return to accrual status
Charge-offs
Paydowns/sales

Balance at end of period

2015

2014

$

$

128 $
360
(3)
(172)
(21)
292 $

156
35
(14)
(9)
(40)
128

31, 2014.  Interest-bearing deposits were $183.3 
billion at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with $161.6 billion 
at Dec. 31, 2014.

The aggregate amount of deposits by foreign 
customers in domestic offices was $28.1 billion and 
$28.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Nonperforming assets were $292 million at Dec. 31, 
2015, an increase of $164 million compared with 
$128 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  The increase in 
nonperforming loans primarily reflect the addition of 
an unsecured loan in the financial institutions 
portfolio related to Sentinel.

The following table shows loans past due 90 days or 
more and still accruing interest.

Deposits in foreign offices totaled $138.8 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2015 and $116.7 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  
The majority of these deposits were in amounts in 
excess of $100,000 and were primarily overnight 
foreign deposits.

The following table shows the maturity breakdown of 
domestic time deposits of $100,000 or more at Dec. 
31, 2015.

Domestic time deposits > $100,000 at Dec. 31, 2015
Other time
deposits

Certificates
of deposit

(in millions)
3 months or less
Between 3 and 6 months
Between 6 and 12 months
Over 12 months
Total

$

$

26 $
6
14
3
49 $

Total
41,595 $ 41,621
6
14
4
41,596 $ 41,645

—
—
1

Short-term borrowings

We fund ourselves primarily through deposits and, to 
a lesser extent, other short-term borrowings and 
long-term debt.  Short-term borrowings consist of 
federal funds purchased and securities sold under 
repurchase agreements, payables to customers and 
broker-dealers and other borrowed funds.  Certain 
other borrowings, for example, securities sold under 
repurchase agreements, require the delivery of 
securities as collateral.

See “Liquidity and dividends” below for a discussion 
of long-term debt and liquidity metrics that we 
monitor.

Information related to federal funds purchased and 
securities sold under repurchase agreements is 
presented below.

Past due loans >90 days still accruing interest at year-end
2015
(in millions)
Domestic:

2014

2013

2012

2011

$

Consumer
Commercial
Total domestic
Foreign

Total past due loans $

5 $
—
5
—
5 $

6 $
—
6
—
6 $

7 $
—
7
—
7 $

6 $
—
6
—
6 $

13
—
13
—
13

Loans past due 90 days or more at Dec. 31, 2015 
primarily consisted of other residential mortgage 
loans.  See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information on 
our past due loans.  See “Nonperforming assets” in 
Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for our policy for placing loans on 
nonaccrual status.

Deposits

We receive client deposits through a variety of 
investment management and investment servicing 
businesses and we rely on those deposits as a low-
cost and stable source of funding.

Total deposits were $279.6 billion, an increase of 5% 
compared with $265.9 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The 
increase in deposits primarily reflects higher interest-
bearing deposits in non-U.S. offices primarily driven 
by higher client deposits in our Investment Services 
business.

Noninterest-bearing deposits were $96.3 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2015 compared with $104.3 billion at Dec. 

 50 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
repurchase agreements

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
during the year
Average daily balance
Weighted-average rate
during the year
Ending balance at 
Dec. 31
Weighted-average rate at
Dec. 31

2015

2014

2013

$30,238
$16,452

$ 29,522
$ 18,631

$ 23,022
$ 10,942

(0.04)% (0.07)%

(0.15)%

$15,002

$ 11,469

$ 9,648

0.10 % (0.02)%

(0.11)%

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
repurchase agreements

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
during the quarter
Average daily balance
Weighted-average rate
during the quarter
Ending balance
Weighted-average rate at
period end

Quarter ended
Sept. 30,
2015

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

$ 30,238
$ 20,349

$ 26,813
$ 14,796

$ 26,777
$ 20,285

(0.03)% (0.04)%

(0.05)%

$ 15,002

$ 8,824

$ 11,469

0.10 % (0.08)%

(0.02)%

Fluctuations of federal funds purchased and 
securities sold under repurchase agreements between 
periods resulted from overnight borrowing 
opportunities.  The weighted-average rates in all 
periods presented reflect revenue earned on securities 
sold under repurchase agreements related to certain 
securities for which we were able to charge for 
lending them.

Information related to payables to customers and 
broker-dealers is presented below.  

Payables to customers and broker-dealers

2015

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
$ 26,988
during the year
Average daily balance (a) $ 22,062
Weighted-average rate 
during the year (a)
Ending balance at Dec. 31 $ 21,900
Weighted-average
rate at Dec. 31

0.06%

0.07%

2014

2013

$ 25,224
$ 17,950

$ 17,290
$ 15,365

0.09%

0.09%

$ 21,181

$ 15,707

0.09%

0.07%

(a)  The weighted-average rate is calculated based on, and is 
applied to, the average interest-bearing payables to 
customers and broker-dealers, which were $11,649 million 
in 2015, $9,502 million in 2014 and $9,038 million in 2013.

Payables to customers and broker-dealers

Quarter ended
Sept. 30,
2015

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
$ 24,736
during the quarter
Average daily balance (a) $ 22,654
Weighted-average rate 
during the quarter (a)
Ending balance
Weighted-average rate at
period end

$ 21,900

0.06%

0.07%

$ 24,135
$ 21,941

$ 22,112
$ 20,707

0.06%

0.08%

$ 22,236

$ 21,181

0.06%

0.09%

(a)  The weighted-average rate is calculated based on, and is 
applied to, the average interest-bearing payables to 
customers and broker-dealers, which were $12,904 million 
in the fourth quarter of 2015, $11,504 million in the third 
quarter of 2015 and $10,484 million in the fourth quarter of 
2014.

Payables to customers and broker-dealers represent 
funds awaiting re-investment and short sale proceeds 
payable on demand.  Payables to customers and 
broker-dealers are driven by customer trading 
activity levels and market volatility.  

Information related to commercial paper is presented 
below.

Commercial paper

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
during the year
Average daily balance
Weighted-average rate
during the year
Ending balance at Dec. 31 $
Weighted-average rate at
Dec. 31

2015

2014

2013

$ 4,849
$ 1,549

$
$

5,003
2,546

$
$

4,873
690

0.10%

0.08%

— $

— $

0.06%
96

—%

—%

0.03%

Commercial paper

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
during the quarter
Average daily balance
Weighted-average rate
during the quarter
Ending balance
Weighted-average rate at
period end

$
$

$

Quarter ended
Sept. 30,
2015

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

— $
— $

4,801
2,195

$
$

4,800
4,400

—%
— $

0.11%

— $

0.09%
—

—%

—%

—%

The Parent’s commercial paper program was 
terminated in August 2015.

BNY Mellon 51 

Results of Operations (continued)

Information related to other borrowed funds is 
presented below. 

Other borrowed funds

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
during the year
Average daily balance
Weighted-average rate
during the year
Ending balance
Weighted-average rate at
Dec. 31

2015

2014

2013

$ 3,821
814
$

1.12%
523

$

$
$

$

2,413
1,027

0.61%
786

$
$

$

7,383
1,177

0.55%
663

0.97%

1.15%

0.81%

Other borrowed funds

(dollars in millions)
Maximum daily balance
during the quarter
Average daily balance
Weighted-average rate
during the quarter
Ending balance
Weighted-average rate at
period end

Quarter ended
Sept. 30,
2015

Dec. 31,
2015

$
$

$

1,687
733

1.13%
523

$
$

$

1,065
628

1.18%
648

$
$

$

Dec. 31,
2014

2,413
870

1.06%
786

0.97%

1.15%

1.15%

Other borrowed funds primarily include overdrafts of 
sub-custodian account balances in our Investment 
Services businesses and borrowings under lines of 
credit by our Pershing subsidiaries.  Overdrafts 
typically relate to timing differences for settlements.  
Fluctuations in other borrowed funds balances 
primarily reflect changes in overdrafts of sub-
custodian account balances in our Investment 
Services businesses.

Liquidity and dividends

BNY Mellon defines liquidity as the ability of the 
Parent and its subsidiaries to access funding or 
convert assets to cash quickly and efficiently, or to 
rollover or issue new debt, especially during periods 
of market stress and in order to meet its short-term 
(up to one year) obligations.  Liquidity risk is the risk 
that BNY Mellon cannot meet its cash and collateral 
obligations at a reasonable cost for both expected and 
unexpected cash flows, without adversely affecting 
daily operations or our financial condition.  Liquidity 
risk can arise from cash flow mismatches, market 
constraints from the inability to convert assets to 
cash, inability to raise cash in the markets, deposit 
run-off, or contingent liquidity events.  We also 
manage liquidity risks on an intra-day basis, in a 

 52 BNY Mellon

manner designed to ensure that we can access 
required funds during the business day to make 
payments or settle immediate obligations, often in 
real time.  Changes in economic conditions or 
exposure to credit, market, operational, legal, and 
reputational risks also can affect BNY Mellon’s 
liquidity risk profile and are considered in our 
liquidity risk framework.

For additional information on our liquidity policy, see 
“Risk Management - Liquidity risk”.

Our overall approach to liquidity management is to 
ensure that sources of liquidity are sufficient in 
amount and diversity such that changes in funding 
requirements at the Parent and at our significant bank 
and broker-dealer subsidiaries can be accommodated 
routinely without material adverse impact on 
earnings, daily operations or our financial condition.

BNY Mellon seeks to maintain an adequate liquidity 
cushion in both normal and stressed environments 
and seeks to diversify funding sources by line of 
business, customer and market segment.  In addition, 
we monitor and control liquidity exposures and 
funding needs within and across significant legal 
entities, branches, currencies and business lines, 
taking into account, among other factors, any 
applicable restrictions on the transfer of liquidity 
among entities.

Additionally, we seek to maintain liquidity ratios 
within approved limits and liquidity risk tolerance, 
maintain a liquid asset buffer that can be liquidated, 
financed and/or pledged as necessary, and control the 
levels and sources of wholesale funds.  Moreover, 
BNY Mellon also manages potential intraday 
liquidity risks, which are the risks that the firm cannot 
fund or settle obligations during the business day.  
Sources of intraday liquidity risks include timing 
mismatches of inflows and outflows, inability to hold 
or raise intraday cash, and unexpected market or 
idiosyncratic events.  We monitor and manage 
intraday liquidity against existing and expected 
intraday liquid resources (such as cash balances, 
remaining intraday credit capacity, intraday 
contingency funding, and available collateral) to 
enable BNY Mellon to meet its obligations under 
normal and reasonably severe stressed conditions.

Potential uses of liquidity include withdrawals of 
customer deposits and client drawdowns on unfunded 
credit or liquidity facilities.  We actively monitor 

Results of Operations (continued)

unfunded lending-related commitments, thereby 
reducing unanticipated funding requirements.

When monitoring liquidity, we evaluate multiple 
metrics in order to have ample liquidity for expected 
and unexpected events.  Metrics include cash flow 
mismatches, asset maturities, debt spreads, peer 
ratios, liquid assets, unencumbered collateral, funding 
sources and balance sheet liquidity ratios.  We also 
maintain various internal liquidity limits as part of 
our standard analysis to monitor depositor and market 
funding concentration, liability maturity profile and 
potential liquidity draws due to off-balance sheet 
exposure.  

U.S. regulators have established a liquidity coverage 
ratio (“LCR”) that requires certain banking 
organizations, including BNY Mellon, to maintain a 
minimum amount of unencumbered high-quality 
liquid assets (“HQLA”) sufficient to withstand the net 
cash outflow under a hypothetical standardized acute 
liquidity stress scenario for a 30-day time horizon.   

The following table presents the Company’s 
consolidated HQLA and LCR as of Dec. 31, 2015.

Consolidated HQLA and LCR
(in billions)
Securities (a)
Cash (b)

Total consolidated HQLA (c)

Dec. 31,
2015
108
110
218

$

$

Liquidity coverage ratio (d)

106%

(a)  Primarily includes U.S. Treasury, U.S. agency, sovereign 
securities, securities of U.S. Government-sponsored 
enterprises, investment-grade corporate debt and publicly 
traded common equity.

(b)  Primarily includes cash on deposit with central banks.
(c)  Consolidated HQLA presented before haircuts.  After 
haircuts, consolidated HQLA totaled $196 billion.

(d)  Based on our interpretation of the final rule issued by the 

U.S. federal banking agencies to implement the LCR in the 
U.S. (“Final LCR Rule”).

Starting on Jan. 1, 2015, we and our domestic bank 
subsidiaries were required to meet an LCR of 80%, 
calculated monthly through June 30, 2015 and 
calculated daily since July 1, 2015.  The required 
minimum LCR level will increase annually by 10% 
increments until Jan. 1, 2017, at which time, we will 
be required to meet an LCR of 100%.  As of Dec. 31, 
2015, based on our interpretation of the Final LCR 

Rule, we believe we and our domestic bank 
subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable LCR 
requirements on a fully phased-in basis.  We are 
evaluating the FDIC’s brokered deposits’ FAQ to 
determine the implications, if any, on our deposit 
balances relative to the LCR and other requirements.  
For additional information on the LCR, see 
“Supervision and Regulation - Liquidity Standards - 
Basel III and U.S. Proposals.”

We also perform liquidity stress tests to ensure the 
Company maintains sufficient liquidity resources 
under multiple stress scenarios.  Stress tests are based 
on scenarios that measure liquidity risks under 
unlikely but plausible events.  We perform these tests 
under various time horizons ranging from one day to 
one year in a base case, as well as supplemental tests 
to determine whether the Company’s liquidity is 
sufficient for severe market events and firm-specific 
events.  Under our scenario testing program, the 
results of the tests indicate that the Company has 
sufficient liquidity.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, BHCs with total 
consolidated assets of $50 billion or more were 
subject to the Federal Reserve’s Enhanced Prudential 
Standards, which include liquidity standards, 
described under “Supervision and Regulation - 
Enhanced Prudential Standards”.  BNY Mellon has 
taken actions to comply with these standards, 
including the adoption of various liquidity risk 
management standards and maintenance of a liquidity 
buffer of unencumbered highly liquid assets based on 
the results of internal liquidity stress testing.

We define available funds for internal liquidity 
management purposes as liquid funds (which include 
interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds 
sold and securities purchased under resale 
agreements), cash and due from banks, and interest-
bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other 
central banks.  The table below presents our total 
available funds including liquid funds at period-end 
and on an average basis.  The increase in available 
funds at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with Dec. 31, 2014 
primarily reflects an increase of overnight deposits 
with the Federal Reserve and other central banks, 
partially offset by our strategic effort to reduce our 
level of interbank deposits. 

BNY Mellon 53 

Results of Operations (continued)

Available and liquid funds
(in millions)
Available funds:
Liquid funds:

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

Average

2015

2014

2013

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements

Total liquid funds

Cash and due from banks
Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks

Total available funds
Total available funds as a percentage of total assets

$ 15,146
24,373
39,519
6,537
113,203
$ 159,259

$ 19,495
20,302
39,797
6,970
96,682
$ 143,449

$ 20,531
23,384
43,915
6,180
83,029
$ 133,124

$ 35,588
14,704
50,292
5,472
86,594
$ 142,358

$ 41,222
8,412
49,634
5,662
67,073
$ 122,369

40%

37%

36%

38%

36%  

On an average basis for 2015 and 2014, non-core 
sources of funds, such as money market rate 
accounts, federal funds purchased and securities sold 
under repurchase agreements, trading liabilities, 
commercial paper and other borrowings, were $26.7 
billion and $30.0 billion, respectively.  The decrease 
primarily reflects lower levels of securities sold under 
repurchase agreements and trading liabilities, 
partially offset by higher levels of money market rate 
accounts.  Average foreign deposits, primarily from 
our European-based Investment Services business, 
were $109.6 billion for 2015 compared with $109.4 
billion for 2014.  The increase reflects growth in 
client deposits.  Domestic savings, interest-bearing 
demand and time deposits averaged $48.3 billion for 
2015 compared with $45.8 billion for 2014.  The 
increase primarily reflects higher time deposits.

Average payables to customers and broker-dealers 
were $11.6 billion for 2015 and $9.5 billion for 2014.  
Payables to customers and broker-dealers are driven 
by customer trading activity and market volatility.  
Long-term debt averaged $20.8 billion for 2015 and 
$20.6 billion for 2014.  Average noninterest-bearing 
deposits increased to $86.3 billion for 2015 from 
$81.7 billion for 2014, reflecting growth in client 
deposits.  A significant reduction in our Investment 
Services business would reduce our access to 
deposits.  See “Asset/liability management” for 
additional factors that could impact our deposit 
balances.

The Parent has three major sources of liquidity:

• 
• 
• 

cash on hand;
dividends from its subsidiaries; and
access to the debt and equity markets.

Subsequent to Dec. 31, 2015, our bank subsidiaries 
could declare dividends to the Parent of 
approximately $3.1 billion, without the need for a 

 54 BNY Mellon

regulatory waiver.  Currently, The Bank of New York 
Mellon, our primary subsidiary, is no longer paying 
regular dividends to the Parent in order to build 
capital in advance of implementing the SLR.  In 
addition, at Dec. 31, 2015, non-bank subsidiaries of 
the Parent had liquid assets of approximately $1.3 
billion. 

The Parent’s liquidity policy is to have sufficient 
unencumbered cash and cash equivalents on hand at 
each quarter-end to meet its forecasted debt 
redemptions, net interest payments and net tax 
payments over a minimum of the next 18 months 
without the need to receive dividends from its bank 
subsidiaries or issue debt.  As of Dec. 31, 2015, the 
Parent was in compliance with this policy.

In 2015, BNY Mellon paid a quarterly common stock 
cash dividend of $0.17 per common share.  Our 
common stock dividend payout ratio was 25% for 
2015.  The Federal Reserve’s current guidance 
provides that, for large bank holding companies like 
us, dividend payout ratios exceeding 30% of after-tax 
net income will receive particularly close scrutiny. 

Restrictions on our ability to obtain funds from our 
subsidiaries are discussed in more detail in 
“Supervision and Regulation - Capital Planning and 
Stress Testing - Payment of Dividends, Stock 
Repurchases and Other Capital Distributions” and in 
Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

In 2015 and 2014, the Parent’s average commercial 
paper borrowings were $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, 
respectively.  The Parent’s commercial paper program 
ended in August 2015.  There was no overnight 
commercial paper outstanding issued by the Parent at 
Dec. 31, 2014. 

Results of Operations (continued)

The Parent had cash of $9.1 billion at Dec. 31, 2015, 
compared with $7.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2014, an 
increase of $1.7 billion primarily reflecting the 
issuance of long-term debt and preferred stock and a 
net increase in loans from subsidiaries, partially offset 
by maturities of long-term debt and net common 
share repurchases.

The Parent’s major uses of funds are payment of 
dividends, repurchases of common stock, principal 
and interest payments on its borrowings, acquisitions 

and additional investments in and loans to its 
subsidiaries.

In 2015, we repurchased 55.6 million common shares 
at an average price of $42.35 per common share for a 
total cost of $2.4 billion. 

Our ability to access the capital markets on favorable 
terms, or at all, is partially dependent on our credit 
ratings, which are as follows:

Credit ratings

Parent:
Long-term senior debt
Subordinated debt
Preferred stock
Trust preferred securities
Outlook - Parent:

The Bank of New York Mellon:
Long-term senior debt
Long-term deposits
Short-term deposits

BNY Mellon, N.A.:
Long-term senior debt
Subordinated debt
Long-term deposits
Short-term deposits

Outlook - Banks:
(a)  Represents senior debt issuer default rating.
NR - Not rated.

On Dec. 2, 2015, S&P removed the government 
support assumptions on the eight U.S. G-SIBs, 
including the Parent.  The withdrawal of the assumed 
government support resulted in a one-notch 
downgrade of the Parent’s long-term senior and 
subordinated debt as well as the subordinated debt of 
The Bank of New York Mellon.  For further 
discussion on the impact of a credit rating 
downgrade, see Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements and our Risk Factor - “Any 
material reduction in our credit ratings or the credit 
ratings of our principal bank subsidiaries, The Bank 
of New York Mellon or BNY Mellon, N.A., could 
increase the cost of funding and borrowing to us and 
our rated subsidiaries and have a material adverse

Moody’s

A1
A2
Baa1
A3
Stable

Aa2
Aa1
P1

Aa2
Aa3
Aa1
P1

Stable

S&P

A
A-
BBB
BBB
Stable

AA-
AA-
A-1+

AA-
A
AA-
A-1+

Stable

Fitch

AA-
A+
BBB
BBB+
Stable

AA
AA+
F1+

AA  (a)
A+
AA+
F1+

Stable

DBRS

AA (low)
A (high)
A (low)
A (high)
Stable

AA
AA
R-1 (high)

AA
NR
AA
R-1 (high)

Stable

effect on our results of operations and financial 
condition and on the value of the securities we issue.”

Long-term debt totaled $21.5 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 
and $20.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  In 2015, the 
Parent issued $5.0 billion of senior debt, partially 
offset by the maturity of $3.05 billion of long-term 
debt.  Additionally, the Parent called $600 million of 
senior debt in 2015.  The Parent has $2.45 billion of 
long-term debt that will mature in 2016.

In February 2016, we issued $1.0 billion of senior 
medium-term notes maturing in 2021 at an annual 
interest rate of 2.5%.

BNY Mellon 55 

Results of Operations (continued)

The following table presents the long-term debt 
issued by the Parent in 2015.

Debt issuances
(in millions)
Senior medium-term notes:

1.6% senior medium-term notes due 2018
3-month LIBOR + 38 bps senior medium-term

notes due 2018

2.15% senior medium-term notes due 2020
2.6% senior medium-term notes due 2020
3-month LIBOR + 87 bps senior medium-term

notes due 2020

2.45% senior medium-term notes due 2020
3.0% senior medium-term notes due 2025

Total debt issuances

$

2015

$

500

300
1,250
1,100

300
800
750
5,000

The double leverage ratio is the ratio of investment in 
the equity of our subsidiaries divided by our 
consolidated equity, which includes our 
noncumulative perpetual preferred stock plus trust 
preferred securities.  Our double leverage ratio was 
115.7% at Dec. 31, 2015 and 112.0% at Dec. 31, 
2014.  The double leverage ratio is monitored by 
regulators and rating agencies and is an important 
constraint on our ability to invest in our subsidiaries 
and expand our businesses.

Pershing LLC, an indirect subsidiary of BNY Mellon, 
has uncommitted lines of credit in place for liquidity 
purposes which are guaranteed by the Parent.  
Pershing LLC has eight separate uncommitted lines 
of credit amounting to $1.5 billion in aggregate. 
Average daily borrowing under these lines was $5 
million, in aggregate, in 2015.  Pershing Limited, an 
indirect UK-based subsidiary of BNY Mellon, has 
two separate uncommitted lines of credit amounting 
to $250 million in aggregate in place for liquidity 
purposes, which are guaranteed by the Parent.  
Average borrowings under these lines were $34 
million, in aggregate, in 2015.

Statement of cash flows

Cash provided by operating activities was $4.1 billion 
in 2015 compared with $4.5 billion in 2014 and $642 
million used for operations in in 2013.  In 2015, cash 
flows from operations were principally the result of 
earnings.  In 2014, cash flows from operations were 
principally the result of earnings and changes in

 56 BNY Mellon

trading activities, partially offset by changes in 
accruals and other balances.  In 2013, cash flows used 
for operations were principally the result of changes 
in trading activities and accruals, partially offset by 
earnings.

Cash used for investing activities was $19.8 billion in 
2015 compared with $11.7 billion in 2014 and $13.2 
billion in 2013.  In 2015, purchases of securities, an 
increase in interest-bearing deposits with the Federal 
Reserve and other central banks, changes in loans and 
changes in federal funds sold and securities 
purchased under resale agreements were significant 
uses of funds, partially offset by sales, paydowns and 
maturities of securities and a decrease in interest 
bearing deposits with banks.  In 2014, purchases of 
securities, changes in federal funds sold and securities 
purchased under resale agreements and an increase in 
loans were significant uses of funds, partially offset 
by sales, paydowns and maturities of securities and 
decreases in deposits with banks and with the Federal 
Reserve and other central banks.  In 2013, purchases 
of securities, changes in interest-bearing deposits 
with the Federal Reserve and other central banks, 
loans and federal funds sold and securities purchased 
under resale agreements were a significant use of 
funds, partially offset by sales, paydowns and 
maturities of securities and a decrease in interest-
bearing deposits with banks. 

Cash provided by financing activities was $15.2 
billion in 2015 compared with $7.8 billion in 2014 
and $15.6 billion in 2013.  In 2015, an increase in 
deposits, the issuance of long-term debt and changes 
in federal funds purchased and securities sold under 
repurchase agreements were significant sources of 
funds, partially offset by the repayment of long-term 
debt and common stock repurchases.  In 2014, 
increases in payables to broker-dealers and the 
proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt were 
significant sources of funds, partially offset by the 
repayment of long-term debt and treasury stock 
repurchases.  In 2013, an increase in deposits, the net 
proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and 
changes in federal funds purchased and securities 
sold under repurchase agreements were significant 
sources of funds, partially offset by repayment of 
long-term debt and common stock repurchases.

Results of Operations (continued)

Commitments and obligations

We have contractual obligations to make fixed and 
determinable payments to third parties as indicated in 
the table below.  The table excludes certain 
obligations such as trade payables and trading 
liabilities, where the obligation is short-term or 
subject to valuation based on market factors.  In 

addition to the amounts shown in the table below, at 
Dec. 31, 2015, $649 million of unrecognized tax 
benefits have been recorded as liabilities in 
accordance with ASC 740.  Related to these 
unrecognized tax benefits, we have also recorded a 
liability for potential interest of $194 million.  At this 
point, it is not possible to determine when these 
amounts will be settled or resolved.

Contractual obligations at Dec. 31, 2015

Payments due by period

(in millions)
Deposits without a stated maturity
Term deposits
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Other borrowed funds
Long-term debt (a)
Unfunded pension and post-retirement benefits
Capital leases
Investment commitments (b)

Total

Less than
1 year

$ 110,230 $ 110,230 $

73,103
15,002
21,900
523
24,225
320
56
393

73,097
15,002
21,900
523
2,981
38
25
221

Total contractual obligations

$ 245,752 $ 224,017 $

1-3 years

3-5 years

— $
4
—
—
—
5,818
82
29
153
6,086 $

— $
1
—
—
—
8,868
60
2
7
8,938 $

Over
5 years
—
1
—
—
—
6,558
140
—
12
6,711

(a)  Includes interest.
(b)  Includes Community Reinvestment Act commitments.

We have entered into fixed and determinable commitments as indicated in the table below:

Other commitments at Dec. 31, 2015

Amount of commitment expiration per period
Less than
1 year

(in millions)
Securities lending indemnifications (a)
Lending commitments
Standby letters of credit
Operating leases
Purchase obligations (b)
Commercial letters of credit
Private equity commitments
Total commitments

Over
5 years
—
242
—
773
20
5
—
1,040
(a)  Excludes the indemnifications for securities booked at BNY Mellon beginning in late 2013 resulting from the CIBC Mellon joint venture 

14,166
244
406
34
—
50
14,900 $

31,077
2,771
343
538
298
—

54,505
4,915
2,073
922
303
58

9,020
1,900
551
330
—
8

$ 356,884 $ 329,135 $

$ 294,108 $ 294,108 $

11,809 $

1-3 years

3-5 years

— $

— $

Total

which totaled $54 billion at Dec. 31, 2015.

(b)  Purchase obligations are defined as agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and specify all 

significant terms.

See “Liquidity and dividends” and Note 22 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a 
further discussion of the source of funds for our 
commitments and obligations and known material 
trends in our capital resources.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements discussed in this 
section are limited to guarantees, retained or 
contingent interests and obligations arising out of 
unconsolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  

For BNY Mellon, these items include certain credit 
guarantees and securitizations.  Guarantees include 
lending-related guarantees issued as part of our 
corporate banking business and securities lending 
indemnifications issued as part of our Investment 
Services business.  See Note 22 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for a further 
discussion of our off-balance sheet arrangements.

BNY Mellon 57 

Results of Operations (continued)

Capital

Capital data
(dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts; common shares in thousands)
At period end:
BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio – GAAP (a)
BNY Mellon common shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio – GAAP (a)
BNY Mellon tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets of operations ratio – Non-GAAP (a)
Total BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity – GAAP
Total BNY Mellon common shareholders’ equity – GAAP
BNY Mellon tangible common shareholders’ equity – Non-GAAP (a)
Book value per common share – GAAP (a)
Tangible book value per common share – Non-GAAP (a)
Closing stock price per common share
Market capitalization
Common shares outstanding

2015

2014

9.7%
9.0%
6.5%

9.7%
9.3%
6.5%

$
$
$
$
$
$
$

38,037
35,485
16,574
32.69
15.27
41.22
44,738
1,085,343

$
$
$
$
$
$
$

37,441
35,879
16,439
32.09
14.70
40.57
45,366
1,118,228

Full-year:
Average common equity to average assets
Cash dividends per common share
31%
Common dividend payout ratio
Common dividend yield (annualized)
1.6%
(a)  See “Supplemental information – Explanation of GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures” beginning on page 125 for a reconciliation 

9.6%
0.68

9.8%
0.66

25%
1.6%

$

$

of GAAP to Non-GAAP.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation total 
shareholders’ equity increased to $38.0 billion at Dec. 
31, 2015 from $37.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  The 
increase primarily reflects earnings retention, the 
issuance of $1 billion of noncumulative perpetual 
preferred stock and approximately $662 million 
resulting from stock awards, the exercise of stock 
options and stock issued for employee benefit plans.  
The increase was partially offset by share 
repurchases, foreign currency translation adjustments, 
and a decrease in the unrealized gain on our 
investment securities portfolio. 

The unrealized gain net of tax on our investment 
securities portfolio recorded in accumulated other 
comprehensive income was $329 million Dec. 31, 
2015 compared with $675 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  
The decrease in the unrealized gain, net of tax, was 
primarily driven by an increase in interest rates.

In 2015, we repurchased 55.6 million common shares 
at an average price of $42.35 per common share for a 
total cost of $2.4 billion.

On Jan. 21, 2016, The Bank of New York Mellon 
Corporation declared a quarterly common stock 
dividend of $0.17 per common share.  This cash 
dividend was paid on Feb. 12, 2016 to shareholders 
of record as of the close of business on Feb. 2, 2016.

 58 BNY Mellon

BNY Mellon’s tangible common shareholders’ equity 
to tangible assets of operations ratio (Non-GAAP) 
was 6.5% at both Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014. 

Capital adequacy

Regulators establish certain levels of capital for bank 
holding companies and banks, including BNY Mellon 
and our bank subsidiaries, in accordance with 
established quantitative measurements.  For the 
Parent to maintain its status as a financial holding 
company, our bank subsidiaries and BNY Mellon 
must, among other things, qualify as “well 
capitalized”. 

As of Dec. 31, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2014, BNY Mellon 
and our bank subsidiaries were considered “well 
capitalized” on the basis of the Tier 1 and Total 
capital ratios and, in the case of our bank subsidiaries, 
the CET1 ratio and the leverage capital ratio (Tier 1 
capital to quarterly average assets as defined for 
regulatory purposes). 

Failure to satisfy regulatory standards, including 
“well capitalized” status or capital adequacy rules 
more generally, could result in limitations on our 
activities and adversely affect our financial condition.  
See the discussion of these matters in “Supervision 
and Regulation - Regulated Entities of BNY Mellon 
and Ancillary Regulatory Requirements” and “Risk 

Results of Operations (continued)

Factors - Operational and Business Risk - Failure to 
satisfy regulatory standards, including “well 
capitalized” and “well managed” status or capital 
adequacy and liquidity rules more generally, could 
result in limitations on our activities and adversely 
affect our business and financial condition.”

The U.S. banking agencies’ capital rules have been 
based on the framework adopted by the Basel 
Committee on Banking Supervision, as amended 
from time to time.  For additional information on 
these capital requirements see “Supervision and 
Regulation.”  BNY Mellon is subject to U.S. capital 
rules, which are being gradually phased-in over a 
multi-year period through 2018.  Effective in the 
second quarter of 2014, BNY Mellon was approved 
to exit parallel run reporting for U.S. regulatory 
capital purposes related to the U.S. capital rules’ 
Advanced Approaches.  In the first quarter of 2015, 
we implemented the Basel III Standardized Approach 
which replaced the Basel I-based calculation of RWA 
with a revised methodology using a broader array of 
more risk sensitive risk-weighting categories.  

Our estimated CET1 ratios on a fully phased-in basis 
are based on our current interpretation of the U.S. 
capital rules.  RWA at Dec. 31, 2014 for credit risk 
under the estimated fully phased-in Advanced 
Approach reflected the use of a simple VaR 
methodology for repo-style transactions (including 
agented indemnified securities lending transactions), 
eligible margin loans, and similar transactions.  The 
estimated fully phased-in Advanced Approach RWA 
at Dec. 31, 2015 no longer assumes the use of this 
methodology. 

Our risk-based capital adequacy is determined using 
the higher of RWA determined using the Advanced 
Approach and Standardized Approach.  The 
consolidated and The Bank of New York Mellon 
ratios included in the table below are based on the 
Advanced Approach as the related RWA were higher 
using that framework at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 
2014.  Our consolidated and largest bank subsidiary, 
The Bank of New York Mellon, regulatory capital 
ratios are shown below. 

Consolidated and largest bank subsidiary regulatory
capital ratios

Well
capitalized

Dec. 31, 2015

Minimum
required

Consolidated regulatory capital ratios:

CET1 ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio
Leverage capital ratio

Selected regulatory capital ratios – fully phased-in – 

Non-GAAP:

Estimated CET1 ratio:

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Estimated SLR

The Bank of New York Mellon regulatory 
capital ratios:
CET1 ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio
Leverage capital ratio

Selected regulatory capital ratios – fully phased-in –

Non-GAAP:
Estimated SLR

N/A (a)
6%
10%
N/A (a)

(b)
(b)
(b)

6.5% (c)
8% (c)
10% (c)
5%

4.5%
6%
8%
4%

4.5%
4.5%
3%

4.5%
6%
8%
4%

Capital
ratios

10.8%
12.3%
12.5%
6.0%

10.2%
9.5%
4.9%

11.8%
12.3%
12.5%
5.9%

Dec. 31,
2014

11.2%
12.2%
12.5%
5.6%

10.6%
9.8%
4.4%

N/A
12.4%
12.6%
5.2%

6%

3%

4.8%

N/A

(a)  The Federal Reserve’s regulations do not establish well-capitalized thresholds for these measures for bank holding companies.
(b)  See page 61 for the capital ratios with the phase-in of the capital conservation buffer and the estimated U.S. G-SIB surcharge. 
(c)  On a fully phased-in basis, bank-level minimum capital ratio thresholds plus anticipated buffers are expected to exceed bank-level “well 

capitalized” thresholds.

BNY Mellon 59 

Results of Operations (continued)

Our estimated CET1 ratio (Non-GAAP) calculated 
under the Advanced Approach on a fully phased-in 
basis was 9.5% at Dec. 31, 2015 and 9.8% at Dec. 31, 
2014.  Our estimated CET1 ratio (Non-GAAP) 
calculated under the Standardized Approach on a 
fully phased-in basis was 10.2% at Dec. 31, 2015 and 
10.6% at Dec. 31, 2014.  The decrease in the 
estimated CET1 ratio (Non-GAAP) calculated under 
the Advanced Approach from Dec. 31, 2014 was 
primarily driven by higher RWA driven by an 
increase in operational risk and the negative impact of 
no longer using the simple VaR methodology, 
partially offset by the deconsolidation of certain 
consolidated investment management funds.

The estimated fully phased-in SLR (Non-GAAP) of 
4.9% at Dec. 31, 2015 and 4.4% at Dec. 31, 2014 was 
based on our interpretation of the U.S. capital rules, 
as supplemented by the Federal Reserve’s final rules 
on the SLR.  We expect to be compliant with the SLR 
as we move closer to implementation in 2018.

For additional information on the U.S. capital rules, 
see “Supervision and Regulation - Capital 
Requirements - Generally.”  

The Basel III Advanced Approach capital ratios are 
significantly impacted by RWA for operational risk.  
Our operational loss risk model is informed by 
external losses, including fines and penalties levied 
against institutions in the financial services industry, 
particularly those that relate to businesses in which 
we operate, and as a result external losses have 
impacted and could in the future impact the amount 
of capital that we are required to hold.

Management views the estimated fully phased-in 
CET1 and other risk-based capital ratios and SLR as 
key measures in monitoring BNY Mellon’s capital 
position and progress against future regulatory capital 
standards.  Additionally, the presentation of the 
estimated fully phased-in CET1 and other risk-based 
capital ratios and SLR are intended to allow investors 
to compare these ratios with estimates presented by 
other companies. 

Our capital ratios are necessarily subject to, among 
other things, BNY Mellon’s further review of 
applicable rules, anticipated compliance with all 
necessary enhancements to model calibration, 
approval by regulators of certain models used as part 
of RWA calculations, further implementation 
guidance from regulators, market practices and 

 60 BNY Mellon

standards and any changes BNY Mellon may make to 
its businesses.  As a consequence of these factors, our 
capital ratios may materially change, and may be 
volatile over time and from period to period.

Minimum capital ratios and capital buffers

The U.S. capital rules include a series of buffers and 
surcharges over required minimums that apply to 
bank holding companies, including BNY Mellon, 
which are being phased-in over time.  Banking 
organizations with a risk-based ratio or SLR above 
the minimum required level, but with a risk-based 
ratio or SLR below the minimum level with buffers, 
will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases 
and compensation based on the amount of the 
shortfall. Different regulatory capital minimums, 
buffers and surcharges apply to our banking 
subsidiaries.

The U.S. capital rules introduced a capital 
conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer 
that add to the minimum regulatory capital ratios 
presented above.  The capital conservation buffer is 
designed to absorb losses during periods of economic 
stress and applies to all banking organizations.  
During periods of excessive growth, the capital 
conservation buffer may be expanded up to an 
additional 2.5% through the imposition of a 
countercyclical capital buffer.  The countercyclical 
capital buffer, when applicable, applies only to 
Advanced Approach banking organizations.  The 
countercyclical capital buffer is initially set to zero, 
but it could increase if the banking agencies 
determine that excessive credit in the broader markets 
could result in systemic disruption.  

BNY Mellon is subject to an additional G-SIB 
surcharge, which will be implemented as an extension 
of the capital conservation buffer and must be 
satisfied with CET1 capital.  On July 20, 2015, the 
Federal Reserve published final rules to implement 
the G-SIB surcharge.  For 2016, the G-SIB surcharge 
applicable to BNY Mellon is 1.5%, subject to 
applicable phase-ins.

In addition, the U.S. capital rules include an SLR to 
become effective on Jan. 1, 2018, although 
commencing in January 2015 each Advanced 
Approach banking organization was required to 
calculate and report its SLR.  BNY Mellon will be 
subjected to an enhanced SLR, which will require a 
buffer in excess of 2% over the minimum SLR of 3%.  

Results of Operations (continued)

The insured depository institution subsidiaries of the 
U.S. G-SIBs, including those of BNY Mellon, must 
maintain a 6% SLR to be considered “well 
capitalized.”

These buffers, other than the SLR buffer, and 
surcharges will be phased in beginning on Jan. 1, 
2016 until fully implemented on Jan. 1, 2019.  The 
following table presents the minimum capital ratio 

requirements with buffers and surcharges, as phased-
in, applicable to the Parent.  This table does not 
include the imposition of a countercyclical capital 
buffer.  The U.S. capital rules also provide for 
transitional arrangements for qualifying instruments, 
deductions, and adjustments, which are not reflected 
in this table.  Buffers and surcharges are not 
applicable to the leverage capital ratio. 

Consolidated capital ratio requirements

Well
capitalized

Minimum
ratios

Capital conservation buffer (CET1)
U.S. G-SIB surcharge (CET1) (a)
CET1 ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total capital ratio

Enhanced SLR buffer (Tier 1 capital)
SLR

(a)  The U.S. G-SIB surcharge is subject to change.

N/A
6.0%
10.0%

N/A
N/A

4.5%
6.0%
8.0%

3.0%

Minimum ratios with buffers, as phased-in

2015
N/A
N/A
4.5%
6.0%
8.0%

N/A
N/A

2016
0.625%
0.375%
5.5%
7.0%
9.0%

2017
2018
1.25% 1.875%
0.75% 1.125%
7.5%
6.5%
8.0%
9.0%
11.0%
10.0%

N/A
N/A

N/A
N/A

2.0%
5.0%

2019
2.5%
1.5%
8.5%
10.0%
12.0%

2.0%
5.0%

The table below presents the factors that impacted fully phased-in CET1 (Non-GAAP).

Estimated CET1 generation presented on a fully phased-in basis – Non-GAAP
(in millions)
Estimated fully phased-in CET1 – Non-GAAP – Beginning of year
Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation – GAAP
Goodwill and intangible assets, net of related deferred tax liabilities

Gross CET1 generated

Capital deployed:

Dividends
Common stock repurchased
Total capital deployed

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency translation
Unrealized (loss) on assets available-for-sale
Pension liabilities
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
Total other comprehensive (loss)

Additional paid-in capital (a)
Other additions (deductions):
Net pension fund assets
Deferred tax assets
Cash flow hedges
Embedded goodwill
Other

Total other additions
Net CET1 generated
Estimated fully phased-in CET1 – Non-GAAP – End of year

(a)  Primarily related to stock awards, the exercise of stock options and stock issued for employee benefit plans.

2015
15,931
3,053
529
3,582

(762)
(2,355)
(3,117)

(563)
(415)
4
8
(966)
636

(29)
(2)
—
54
(7)
16
151
16,082

$

$

BNY Mellon 61 

Results of Operations (continued)

The following table presents the components of our transitional and fully phased-in CET1, Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital, 
the RWA determined under both the Standardized and Advanced Approaches, the average assets used for leverage 
capital purposes and the total leverage exposure for estimated SLR purposes. 

Capital components and ratios

(dollars in millions)
CET1:

Common shareholders’ equity
Goodwill and intangible assets
Net pension fund assets
Equity method investments
Deferred tax assets
Other

Total CET1

Other Tier 1 capital:

Preferred stock
Trust preferred securities
Disallowed deferred tax assets
Net pension fund assets
Other

Total Tier 1 capital

Tier 2 capital:

Trust preferred securities
Subordinated debt
Allowance for credit losses
Other

Total Tier 2 capital - Standardized Approach

Excess of expected credit losses
Less: Allowance for credit losses

Total Tier 2 capital - Advanced Approach

Total capital:

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Risk-weighted assets:

Standardized Approach (b)
Advanced Approach:

Credit Risk
Market Risk
Operational Risk

Total Advanced Approach

Standardized Approach:

CET1 ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio

Advanced Approach:

CET1 ratio
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Transitional
Approach (a)

Fully 
phased-in - 
Non-GAAP

Transitional
Approach (a)

Fully 
phased-in - 
Non-GAAP

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

36,067
(17,295)
(46)
(296)
(8)
(5)
18,417

2,552
74
(12)
(70)
(25)
20,936

222
149
275
(12)
634
37
275
396

21,570
21,332

159,893

106,974
2,148
61,262
170,384

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

35,485
(18,911)
(116)
(347)
(20)
(9)
16,082

2,552
—
—
—
(22)
18,612

—
149
275
(12)
412
37
275
174

19,024
18,786

158,015

105,099
2,148
61,262
168,509

11.5%
13.1%
13.5%

10.8%
12.3%
12.5%

10.2%
11.8%
12.0%

9.5%
11.0%
11.1%

36,326
(17,111)
(17)
(314)
(4)
4
18,884

1,562
156
(14)
(69)
(17)
20,502

156
298
280
(11)
723
13
280
456

21,225
20,958

125,562

120,122
3,046
45,112
168,280

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

15.0%
16.3%
16.9%

11.2%
12.2%
12.5%

35,879
(19,440)
(87)
(401)
(18)
(2)
15,931

1,562
—
—
—
(12)
17,481

—
298
280
(11)
567
24
280
311

18,048
17,792

150,881

114,105
3,046
45,112
162,263

10.6%
11.6%
12.0%

9.8%
10.8%
11.0%

Average assets for leverage capital purposes
Total leverage exposure for estimated SLR purposes - Non-GAAP
(a)  Reflects transitional adjustments to CET1, Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital required in 2015 and 2014 under the U.S. capital rules.
(b)  RWA under the Standardized Approach at Dec. 31, 2014 was determined using a Basel I-based calculation.  Effective Jan. 1, 2015, we 

351,435

368,140

382,810

398,813

$

$

$

$

implemented the Basel III Standardized Approach which used a broader array of more risk sensitive risk-weighting categories.

 62 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

The following table presents the amount of capital by 
which BNY Mellon and our largest bank subsidiary, 
The Bank of New York Mellon, exceeded the capital 
thresholds determined under the transitional rules at 
Dec. 31, 2015.

Capital above thresholds at Dec. 31, 2015

$

Consolidated

(in millions)
CET1
Tier 1 capital
Total capital
Leverage capital
(a)  Based on minimum required standards.
(b)  Based on well-capitalized standards.

10,750 (a) $
10,713 (b)
4,294 (b)
6,879 (a)

The Bank of 
New York 
Mellon (b)
7,333
5,837
3,394
2,464

The following table shows the impact of a $1 billion 
increase or decrease in RWA, quarterly average assets 
or total leverage exposure, or a $100 million increase 
or decrease in common equity on the consolidated 
capital ratios at Dec. 31, 2015.

Sensitivity of consolidated capital ratios at Dec. 31, 2015
Increase or decrease of

$100 million
in common 
equity

$1 billion in 
RWA, quarterly 
average assets, 
or total leverage 
exposure

(in basis points)
CET1:

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

6 bps
6

7 bps
6

Tier 1 capital:

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Total capital:

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Leverage capital

Estimated CET1 ratio, fully
phased-in – Non-GAAP:
Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Estimated SLR, fully
phased-in – Non-GAAP

6
6

6
6

3

6
6

3

8
7

8
7

2

6
6

1

At Dec. 31, 2015, we had $296 million of outstanding 
trust preferred securities, of which 25% qualifies as 
Tier 1 capital in 2015 and none of which will qualify 
as Tier 1 capital in 2016, although a portion of the 
trust preferred securities are eligible for inclusion in 
Tier 2 capital.  Any decision to take action with 
respect to these trust preferred securities will be based 
on several considerations including interest rates and 
the availability of cash and capital. 

Capital ratios vary depending on the size of the 
balance sheet at quarter-end and the level and types of 
investments in assets.  The balance sheet size 
fluctuates from quarter to quarter based on levels of 
customer and market activity.  In general, when 
servicing clients are more actively trading securities, 
deposit balances and the balance sheet as a whole are 
higher.  In addition, when markets experience 
significant volatility or stress, our balance sheet size 
may increase considerably as client deposit levels 
increase.

Supplementary Leverage Ratio

BNY Mellon has presented its consolidated and 
largest bank subsidiary estimated fully phased-in SLR 
based on its interpretation of the U.S. capital rules, 
which are being gradually phased-in over a multi-
year period and on the application of such rules to 
BNY Mellon’s businesses as currently conducted. 

BNY Mellon 63 

Results of Operations (continued)

The following table presents the components of our estimated SLR using fully phased-in components of capital.

Estimated fully phased-in SLR – Non-GAAP
(dollars in millions)
Total estimated fully phased-in CET1 – Non-GAAP
Additional Tier 1 capital
Total Tier 1 capital

Total leverage exposure:
Quarterly average total assets
Less: Amounts deducted from Tier 1 capital
Total on-balance sheet assets, as adjusted

Off-balance sheet exposures:

Potential future exposure for derivatives contracts (plus certain other items)
Repo-style transaction exposures included in SLR
Credit-equivalent amount of other off-balance sheet exposures (less SLR exclusions)

Total off-balance sheet exposures
Total leverage exposure

Dec. 31,
2015

16,082
2,530
18,612

368,590
19,403
349,187

7,158
440
26,025
33,623
382,810

$

$

$

$

Dec. 31,
2014
15,931
1,550
17,481

385,232
19,947
365,285

11,376
302
21,850
33,528
398,813

$

$

$

$

Estimated fully phased-in SLR – Non-GAAP

4.9% (a)

4.4%

(a)  The estimated SLR on a fully phased-in basis (Non-GAAP) for our largest bank subsidiary, The Bank of New York Mellon, was 4.8% at 
Dec. 31, 2015.  At Dec. 31, 2015, total Tier 1 capital was $15,142 million and total leverage exposure was $316,270 million for The 
Bank of New York Mellon.

Issuer purchases of equity securities

Share repurchases - fourth quarter of 2015

Maximum approximate dollar
value of shares that may yet
be purchased under the
publicly announced plans or
programs at Dec. 31, 2015
1,315
$
1,315
1,101
1,101 (b)
(a)  Includes 22 thousand shares repurchased at a purchase price of $1 million from employees, primarily in connection with the employees’ 

(dollars in millions, except per share
information; common shares in thousands)
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015

Total shares
repurchased as part
of a publicly
announced plan or
program
5,096
4
5,014
10,114

Average price
per share
42.56
41.89
42.66
42.61

Total shares
repurchased
5,096
4
5,014
10,114

Fourth quarter of 2015 (a)

$

payment of taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock.  The average price per share of open market purchases was $42.61.

(b)  Represents the maximum value of the shares authorized to be repurchased through the second quarter of 2016, including employee 

benefit plan repurchases, in connection with the Federal Reserve’s non-objection to our 2015 capital plan.

On March 11, 2015, in connection with the Federal 
Reserve’s non-objection to our 2015 capital plan, 
BNY Mellon announced a stock purchase program 
providing for the repurchase of an aggregate of $3.1 
billion of common stock, of which $700 million was 
contingent on a prior issuance of $1 billion of 
qualifying preferred stock.  The Company completed 
the issuance of preferred stock on April 28, 2015.

The 2015 capital plan began in the second quarter of 
2015 and continues through the second quarter of 
2016. 

Share repurchases may be executed through 
repurchase plans designed to comply with Rule 
10b5-1 and through derivative, accelerated share 
repurchase and other structured transactions.

 64 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Trading activities and risk management

Our trading activities are focused on acting as a 
market-maker for our customers and facilitating 
customer trades in compliance with the Volcker Rule.  
The risk from market-making activities for customers 
is managed by our traders and limited in total 
exposure through a system of position limits, VaR 
methodology based on a Monte Carlo simulation, 
stop loss advisory triggers, and other market 
sensitivity measures.  The calculation of our VaR 
used by management and presented below assumes a 
one-day holding period, utilizes a 99% confidence 
level, and incorporates the non-linear characteristics 
of options.  See Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information on 
the VaR methodology.

The following tables indicate the calculated VaR 
amounts for the trading portfolio for the designated 
periods.

VaR (a)
(in millions)
Interest rate
Foreign exchange
Equity
Credit
Diversification
Overall portfolio

2015
Average Minimum Maximum Dec. 31,
5.2
$
1.2
0.6
0.3
(2.2)
5.1  

3.6 $
0.5
0.5
—
N/M
3.9

8.0 $
1.9
1.9
0.3
N/M
8.5

5.1 $
1.0
1.0
—
(1.9)
5.2

2014

Average Minimum Maximum
$

VaR (a)
(in millions)
Interest rate
Foreign exchange
Equity
Diversification
Overall portfolio
(a)  VaR figures do not reflect the impact of the CVA guidance in 

13.4 $
2.7
4.0
N/M
13.0

3.8 $
0.4
0.6
N/M
4.0

6.8 $
1.0
1.6
(2.3)
7.1

Dec. 31,
3.8
0.7
0.8
(1.3)
4.0

ASC 820.  This is consistent with the regulatory treatment.  VaR 
exposure does not include the impact of the Company’s 
consolidated investment management funds and seed capital 
investments.

N/M - Because the minimum and maximum may occur on different 
days for different risk components, it is not meaningful to 
compute a minimum and maximum portfolio diversification 
effect.

The interest rate component of VaR represents 
instruments whose values predominantly vary with 
the level or volatility of interest rates.  These 
instruments include, but are not limited to: debt 
securities, mortgage-backed securities, swaps, 
swaptions, forward rate agreements, exchange-traded 

futures and options, and other interest rate derivative 
products.

The foreign exchange component of VaR represents 
instruments whose values predominantly vary with 
the level or volatility of currency exchange rates or 
interest rates.  These instruments include, but are not 
limited to: currency balances, spot and forward 
transactions, currency options, exchange-traded 
futures and options, and other currency derivative 
products.

The equity component of VaR consists of instruments 
that represent an ownership interest in the form of 
domestic and foreign common stock or other equity-
linked instruments.  These instruments include, but 
are not limited to: common stock, exchange-traded 
funds, Depositary Receipts, listed equity options (puts 
and calls), OTC equity options, equity total return 
swaps, equity index futures and other equity 
derivative products.

The credit component of VaR represents instruments 
whose values predominantly vary with the credit 
worthiness of counterparties.  These instruments 
include, but are not limited to credit derivatives 
(credit default swaps and exchange traded credit 
index instruments).  Credit derivatives are used to 
hedge various credit exposures.

The diversification component of VaR is the risk 
reduction benefit that occurs when combining 
portfolios and offsetting positions, and from the 
correlated behavior of risk factor movements.

During 2015, interest rate risk generated 72% of 
average gross VaR, foreign exchange risk generated 
14% of average gross VaR and equity risk accounted 
for 14% of average gross VaR.  During 2015, our 
daily trading loss exceeded our calculated VaR 
amount of the overall portfolio on one occasion. 

The following table of total daily trading revenue or 
loss illustrates the number of trading days in which 
our trading revenue or loss fell within particular 
ranges during the past five quarters.  The year-over-
year and sequential variances are driven by lower 
revenue volatility in interest rate derivatives.

BNY Mellon 65 

Results of Operations (continued)

Distribution of trading revenue (loss) (a)

(dollar amounts
in millions)

Dec. 31,
2015

Revenue range:
Less than $(2.5)
$(2.5) - $0
$0 - $2.5
$2.5 - $5.0
More than $5.0

—
4
23
29
6

Quarter ended
June 30,
2015

Sept. 30,
2015

March 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

Number of days

—
7
27
21
10

—
3
27
26
8

1
2
18
24
16

—
7
28
18
9

(a)  Trading revenue (loss) includes realized and unrealized gains and 
losses primarily related to spot and forward foreign exchange 
transactions, derivatives, and securities trades for our customers 
and excludes any associated commissions, underwriting fees and net 
interest revenue.

Trading assets include debt and equity instruments 
and derivative assets, primarily interest rate and 
foreign exchange contracts, not designated as hedging 
instruments.  Trading assets were $7 billion at Dec. 
31, 2015 and $10 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  

Trading liabilities include debt and equity instruments 
and derivative liabilities, primarily interest rate and 
foreign exchange contracts, not designated as hedging 
instruments.  Trading liabilities were $5 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2015 and $7 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.

Under our fair value methodology for derivative 
contracts, an initial “risk-neutral” valuation is 
performed on each position assuming time-
discounting based on a AA credit curve.  In addition, 
we consider credit risk in arriving at the fair value of 
our derivatives.  

We reflect external credit ratings as well as 
observable credit default swap spreads for both 
ourselves as well as our counterparties when 

measuring the fair value of our derivative positions.  
Accordingly, the valuation of our derivative positions 
is sensitive to the current changes in our own credit 
spreads, as well as those of our counterparties. 

At Dec. 31, 2015, our OTC derivative assets of $4.7 
billion included a CVA deduction of $46 million.  Our 
OTC derivative liabilities of $4.3 billion included a 
DVA of $6 million related to our own credit spread.  
Net of hedges, the CVA increased by $2 million and 
the DVA increased $1 million in 2015.  The net 
impact of these adjustments decreased foreign 
exchange and other trading revenue by $1 million in 
2015.  During 2015, a $2 million realized loss was 
charged off against CVA reserves.

At Dec. 31, 2014, our OTC derivative assets of $6.2 
billion included a CVA deduction of $49 million.  Our 
OTC derivative liabilities of $7.2 billion included a 
DVA of $6 million related to our own credit spread.  
Net of hedges, the CVA decreased $8 million and 
DVA increased $1 million in 2014.  The net impact of 
these adjustments increased foreign exchange and 
other trading revenue by $9 million in 2014.  During 
2014, a $5 million realized loss was charged off 
against CVA reserves.

The table below summarizes the risk ratings for our 
foreign exchange and interest rate derivative 
counterparty credit exposure.  This information 
indicates the degree of risk to which we are exposed.  
Significant changes in ratings classifications for our 
foreign exchange and other trading activity could 
result in increased risk for us.

Foreign exchange and other trading counterparty risk rating profile (a)

Quarter ended

Rating:
AAA to AA-
A+ to A-
BBB+ to BBB-
Non-investment grade (BB+ and lower)

Total

(a)  Represents credit rating agency equivalent of internal credit ratings.

Dec. 31,
2015

Sept. 30,
2015

June 30,
2015

March 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

43%
42
13
2
100%

46%
38
14
2
100%

41%
42
13
4
100%

37%
47
14
2
100%

37%
46
14
3
100%

 66 BNY Mellon

Results of Operations (continued)

Asset/liability management

Our diversified business activities include processing 
securities, accepting deposits, investing in securities, 
lending, raising money as needed to fund assets, and 
other transactions.  The market risks from these 
activities are interest rate risk and foreign exchange 
risk.  Our primary market risk is exposure to 
movements in U.S. dollar interest rates and certain 
foreign currency interest rates.  We actively manage 
interest rate sensitivity and use earnings simulation 
and discounted cash flow models to identify interest 
rate exposures. 

An earnings simulation model is the primary tool 
used to assess changes in pre-tax net interest revenue.  
The model incorporates management’s assumptions 
regarding interest rates, balance changes on core 
deposits, market spreads, changes in the prepayment 
behavior of loans and securities and the impact of 
derivative financial instruments used for interest rate 
risk management purposes.  These assumptions have 
been developed through a combination of historical 
analysis and future expected pricing behavior and are 
inherently uncertain.  As a result, the earnings 
simulation model cannot precisely estimate net 

interest revenue or the impact of higher or lower 
interest rates on net interest revenue.  Actual results 
may differ from projected results due to timing, 
magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, and 
changes in market conditions and management’s 
strategies, among other factors. 

These scenarios do not reflect strategies that 
management could employ to limit the impact as 
interest rate expectations change.  The table below 
relies on certain critical assumptions regarding the 
balance sheet and depositors’ behavior related to 
interest rate fluctuations and the prepayment and 
extension risk in certain of our assets.  To the extent 
that actual behavior is different from that assumed in 
the models, there could be a change in interest rate 
sensitivity. 

We evaluate the effect on earnings by running various 
interest rate ramp scenarios from a baseline scenario.  
The interest rate ramp scenarios are reviewed to 
examine the impact of large interest rate movements.  
Interest rate sensitivity is quantified by calculating 
the change in pre-tax net interest revenue between the 
scenarios over a 12-month measurement period.  

The following table shows net interest revenue sensitivity for BNY Mellon. 

Estimated changes in net interest revenue 
(dollars in millions)
up 200 bps parallel rate ramp vs. baseline (a)
up 100 bps parallel rate ramp vs. baseline (a)
Long-term up 50 bps, short-term unchanged (b)
Long-term down 50 bps, short-term unchanged (b)
(a)  In the parallel rate ramp, both short-term and long-term rates move in four equal quarterly increments.
(b)  Long-term is equal to or greater than one year.

Sept. 30,
2015
275 $
290
20
(81)

Dec. 31,
2015
179 $
191
33
(91)

$

June 30,
2015
224 $
245
28
(73)

March 31,
2015
210 $
262
14
(69)

Dec. 31,
2014
363
326
28
(54)

The Dec. 31, 2015 calculations in the estimated 
changes in net interest revenue table above are based 
on a forecast that uses our year-end balance sheet and 
an updated forward yield curve to take into 
consideration significant market changes that 
occurred subsequent to year-end.  The 100 basis point 
ramp scenario assumes rates increase 25 basis points 
above the forward yield curve in each of the next four 
quarters and the 200 basis point ramp scenario 
assumes a 50 basis point per quarter increase.  
Because it is our practice to utilize forward yield 
curves in this analysis, the estimated impact of rate 
changes that have occurred since the prior quarter is 
embedded in the starting point, or base forecast, of 
the current quarter calculation.  For example, the 

impact of the Federal Reserve’s Dec. 16, 2015 rate 
hike is embedded in the Dec. 31, 2015 base forecast.  
As a result, the change in sensitivity is largely driven 
by an increase in the net interest revenue base 
forecast as well as higher outflows of noninterest-
bearing deposits than previously forecasted.  

Our net interest revenue sensitivity table above 
incorporates assumptions about the impact of changes 
in interest rates on depositor behavior based on 
historical experience.  Given the current historically 
low interest rate environment and the potential 
change to implementation of monetary policy, the 
impact of depositor behavior is highly uncertain.  

BNY Mellon 67 

Results of Operations (continued)

Growth or contraction of deposits could also be 
affected by the following factors: 

•  Monetary policy; 
•  Global economic uncertainty; 
•  Our ratings relative to other financial institutions’ 

ratings; and 

•  Money market mutual fund and other regulatory 

reform. 

Any of these events could change our assumptions 
about depositor behavior and have a significant 
impact on our balance sheet and net interest revenue. 

We also project future cash flows from our assets and 
liabilities over a long-term horizon and then discount 
these cash flows using instantaneous parallel shocks 
to prevailing interest rates.  This measure reflects the 
structural balance sheet interest rate sensitivity by 
discounting all future cash flows.  The aggregation of 
these discounted cash flows is the economic value of 
equity (“EVE”).  The following table shows how the 
EVE would change in response to changes in interest 
rates.  

Estimated changes in EVE

Rate change:

up 200 bps vs. baseline
up 100 bps vs. baseline

Dec. 31,
2015

(8.0)%
(3.5)%

The asymmetrical accounting treatment of the impact 
of a change in interest rates on our balance sheet may 
create a situation in which an increase in interest rates 
can adversely affect reported equity and regulatory 
capital, even though economically there may be no 
impact on our economic capital position.  For 
example, an increase in rates will result in a decline 
in the value of our available-for-sale securities 
portfolio, which will be reflected through a reduction 
in accumulated other comprehensive income in our 

shareholders’ equity thereby affecting our tangible 
common equity (“TCE”) ratios.  Under current 
accounting rules, to the extent the fair value option 
provided in ASC 825 is not applied, there is no 
corresponding change on our fixed liabilities, even 
though economically these liabilities are more 
valuable as rates rise.

We project the impact of this change using the same 
interest rate shock assumptions described earlier and 
compare the projected mark-to-market on the 
investment securities portfolio at Dec. 31, 2015, 
under the higher rate environments versus a stable 
rate scenario.  The table below shows the impact of a 
change in interest rates on the TCE ratio.

Estimated changes in TCE ratio
(in basis points)
up 200 bps vs. baseline
up 100 bps vs. baseline

Dec. 31,
2015
(70)
(34)

These results do not reflect strategies that 
management could employ to limit the impact as 
interest rate expectations change.

To manage foreign exchange risk, we fund foreign 
currency-denominated assets with liability 
instruments denominated in the same currency.  We 
utilize various foreign exchange contracts if a liability 
denominated in the same currency is not available or 
desired, and to minimize the earnings impact of 
translation gains or losses created by investments in 
foreign markets.  The foreign exchange risk related to 
the interest rate spread on foreign currency-
denominated asset/liability positions is managed as 
part of our trading activities.  We use forward foreign 
exchange contracts to protect the value of our net 
investment in foreign operations.  At Dec. 31, 2015, 
net investments in foreign operations totaled $11 
billion and were spread across 13 foreign currencies.  

 68 BNY Mellon

Risk Management

Risk management overview

Governance 

Risk management and oversight begins with the 
board of directors and two key board committees: the 
Risk Committee and the Audit Committee. 

The Risk Committee is comprised entirely of 
independent directors and meets on a regular basis to 
review and assess the control processes with respect 
to the Company’s inherent risks.  They also review 
and assess the risk management activities of the 
Company and the Company’s fiduciary risk policies 
and activities.  Policy formulation and day-to-day 
oversight of the Risk Management Framework is 
delegated to the Chief Risk Officer, who, together 
with the Chief Auditor and Chief Compliance Officer, 
helps ensure an effective risk management 
governance structure.  The roles and responsibilities 
of the Risk Committee are described in more detail in 
its charter, a copy of which is available on our 
website, www.bnymellon.com. 

The Audit Committee is also comprised entirely of 
independent directors, all of whom are financially 
literate within the meaning of the NYSE listing 
standards, and two of whom have been determined to 
be an audit committee financial expert as set out in 
the rules and regulations under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange 
Act”), with accounting or related financial 
management expertise within the meaning of the 
NYSE listing standards.  All members of the Audit 
Committee have been determined to have banking 
and financial management expertise within the 
meaning of the FDIC rules.  The Audit Committee 
meets on a regular basis to perform an oversight 
review of the integrity of the financial statements and 
financial reporting process, compliance with legal 
and regulatory requirements, our independent 
registered public accountant’s qualifications and 
independence, and the performance of our registered 
public accountant and internal audit function.  The 
Audit Committee also reviews management’s 
assessment of the adequacy of internal controls.  The 
functions of the Audit Committee are described in 
more detail in its charter, a copy of which is available 
on our website, www.bnymellon.com. 

The Senior Risk Management Committee (“SRMC”) 
is the most senior management body responsible for 
ensuring that emerging risks are weighed against the 
corporate risk appetite and that any material 
amendments to the risk appetite statement are 
properly vetted and recommended to the Executive 
Committee and the Board for approval.  The SRMC 
also reviews any material breaches to our risk 
appetite and approves action plans required to 
remediate the issue.  SRMC provides oversight for 
the risk management, compliance and ethics 
framework.  The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Risk 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer are among 
SRMC’s members. 

Primary risk types 

The understanding, identification and management of 
risk are essential elements for the successful 
management of BNY Mellon.  Our primary risk 
categories are: 

Type of risk Description
Operational/
business

Market

Credit

Liquidity

The risk of loss resulting from inadequate or
failed internal processes, human factors and
systems, breaches of technology and
information systems, or from external events.
Also includes fiduciary risk, reputational risk,
and litigation risk.
The risk of loss due to adverse changes in the 
financial markets.  Our market risks are 
primarily interest rate, foreign exchange, and 
equity risk.  Market risk particularly impacts 
our exposures that are marked-to-market such 
as the securities portfolio, trading book, and 
equity investments.
The possible loss we would suffer if any of our 
borrowers or other counterparties were to 
default on their obligations to us.  Credit risk is 
resident in the majority of our assets, but 
primarily concentrated in the loan and 
securities books, as well as off-balance sheet 
exposures such as lending commitments, 
letters of credit, and securities lending 
indemnifications.
The risk that BNY Mellon cannot meet its cash 
and collateral obligations at a reasonable cost 
for both expected and unexpected cash flows, 
without adversely affecting daily operations or 
financial conditions.  Liquidity risk can arise 
from cash flow mismatches, market constraints 
from inability to convert assets to cash, 
inability to raise cash in the markets, deposit 
run-off, or contingent liquidity events. Thus, 
liquidity risk can be inherent in the majority of 
our balance sheet exposures. 

BNY Mellon 69 

Risk Management (continued)

The following table presents the primary types of risk 
typically embedded in on- and off-balance sheet 
instruments.

credit

Risks of our on- and off-balance sheet instruments
Assets:
Interest-bearing deposits with
banks
Federal funds sold and securities
purchased under resale
agreements
Securities
Trading assets
Loans
Goodwill
Intangible assets

market, credit
market, credit
market, credit
credit
operational/business, market
operational/business, market

Liabilities:
Deposits
Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under
repurchase agreements
Trading liabilities
Payables to customers and
broker-dealers

liquidity

liquidity
market, liquidity

liquidity

Off-balance sheet instruments:
Lending commitments
Standby letters of credit
Commercial letters of credit
Securities lending
indemnifications

credit, liquidity
credit, liquidity
credit, liquidity

market, credit

The following chart provides a guide to the primary 
risks inherent in our businesses.  Liquidity risk is 
managed on a stand-alone basis at the Consolidated 
and Bank levels.  Management of liquidity risk is the 
responsibility of Corporate Treasury which is 
reported in the Other segment.  The percentages 
below are based on the allocation of economic capital 
at Dec. 31, 2015 to protect against unexpected 
economic losses over a one-year period at a level 
consistent with the solvency of a target debt rating.

 70 BNY Mellon

Operational/business risk

Overview 

In providing a comprehensive array of products and 
services, we may be exposed to operational/business 
risk.  Operational/business risk may result from, but 
is not limited to, errors related to transaction 
processing, breaches of internal control systems and 
compliance requirements, fraud by employees or 
persons outside BNY Mellon or business interruption 
due to system failures or other events.  Operational/
business risk may also include breaches of our 
technology and information systems resulting from 
unauthorized access to confidential information or 
from internal or external threats, such as cyber 
attacks.  Operational/business risk also includes 
potential legal or regulatory actions that could arise as 
a result of noncompliance with applicable laws and/or 
regulatory requirements.  In the case of an operational 
event, we could suffer a financial loss as well as 
damage to our reputation.  

To address these risks, we maintain comprehensive 
policies and procedures and an internal control 
framework designed to provide a sound operational 
environment.  These controls have been designed to 
manage operational/business risk at appropriate levels 
given our financial strength, the business 
environment and markets in which we operate, the 
nature of our businesses, and considering factors such 
as competition and regulation.  Our internal auditors 
and internal control group monitor and test the overall 
effectiveness of our internal controls and financial 
reporting systems on an ongoing basis. 

Risk Management (continued)

We have also established procedures that are designed 
to ensure compliance with generally accepted 
conduct, ethics and business practices which are 
defined in our corporate policies.  These include 
training programs such as for our “Code of Conduct,” 
and “Know Your Customer” programs, and 
compliance training programs such as those regarding 
information protection, suspicious activity reporting, 
and operational risk. 

Operational/business risk management

We have established operational/business risk 
management as an independent risk discipline.  The 
organizational framework for operational/business 
risk is based upon a strong risk culture that 
incorporates both governance and risk management 
activities comprising:

•  Board Oversight and Governance - The Risk 

Committee of the Board approves and oversees 
our operational/business risk management 
strategy in addition to credit and market risk.  The 
Risk Committee meets regularly to review 
operational/business risk management initiatives, 
discuss key risk issues, and review the 
effectiveness of the risk management systems. 

•  Accountability of Businesses - Business 

managers are responsible for maintaining an 
effective system of internal controls 
commensurate with their risk profiles and in 
accordance with BNY Mellon policies and 
procedures. 

•  The Operational Risk Management Group is 
responsible for developing risk management 
policies and tools for assessing, measuring, 
monitoring and managing operational risk for 
BNY Mellon.  The primary objectives of the 
Operational Risk Management Group are to 
promote effective risk management, identify 
emerging risks, create incentives for generating 
continuous improvement in controls, and to 
optimize capital.  

•  The Information Risk Management Group is 

internal and external threats such as cyber 
attacks. 

Market risk

In addition to the Risk Committee and SRMC, 
oversight of market risk is performed by certain 
committees and through executive review meetings.  
Detailed reviews of derivative trading positions and 
stress tests results are conducted during the Markets 
Group Weekly Risk Review.  Senior managers from 
Risk Management, Finance and Sales and Trading 
attend the review.  

Regarding the Corporate Treasury function, oversight 
is provided by the Treasury Risk Committee, bi-
weekly Portfolio Management Group risk meetings, 
Business Risk Committee, and numerous portfolio 
reviews.  

The Business Risk Committee for the Markets Group 
business also provides a forum for market risk 
oversight.  The goal of the Business Risk Committee 
meeting, which is held at least quarterly, is to review 
key risk and control issues and related initiatives 
facing all lines of business including the Markets 
Group.  The following activities are also addressed 
during Business Risk Committee meetings:

•  Reporting of all new Monitoring Limits and 

changes to existing limits; and

•  Monitoring of trading exposures, VaR, market 

sensitivities and stress testing results.

The Markets Group Documentation Committee 
reviews and approves variations in the Company’s 
documentation standards as it relates to derivative 
transactions.  In addition, this committee reviews all 
outstanding confirmations to identify potential 
exposure to the Company.  Finally, the Risk 
Quantification and Modeling Committee reviews 
backtesting results for the Company’s VaR model.

Credit risk  

responsible for developing policies, methods and 
tools for identifying, assessing, measuring, 
monitoring and governing information and 
technology risk for BNY Mellon.  The 
Information Risk Management Group partners 
with the businesses to help maintain and protect 
the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of 
the firm’s information and technology assets from 

To balance the value of our activities with the credit 
risk incurred in pursuing them, we set and monitor 
internal credit limits for activities that entail credit 
risk, most often on the size of the exposure and the 
quality of the counterparty.  For credit exposures 
driven by changing market rates and prices, exposure 
measures include an add-on for such potential 
changes. 

BNY Mellon 71 

Risk Management (continued)

We manage credit risk at both the individual exposure 
level as well as the portfolio level.  Credit risk at the 
individual exposure level is managed through our 
credit approval system and involves four approval 
levels up to and including the Chief Risk Officer of 
the Company.  The requisite approvals are based upon 
the size and relative risk of the aggregate exposure 
under consideration.  The Credit Risk Group is 
responsible for approving the size, terms and maturity 
of all credit exposures as well as the ongoing 
monitoring of the creditworthiness of the 
counterparty.  In addition, they are responsible for 
assigning and maintaining the internal risk ratings on 
each exposure. 

Credit risk management at the portfolio level is 
supported by the Basel & Capital Adequacy Group, 
within the Risk Management and Compliance Sector.  
The Basel & Capital Adequacy Group is responsible 
for calculating two fundamental credit measures.  
First, we project a statistically probable credit loss, 
used to help determine the appropriate loan loss 
reserve and to measure customer profitability.  Credit 
loss considers three basic components:  the estimated 
size of the exposure whenever default might occur, 
the probability of default before maturity and the 
severity of the loss we would incur, commonly called 
“loss given default.”  For institutional lending, where 
most of our credit risk is created, unfunded 
commitments are assigned a usage given default 
percentage.  Borrowers/Counterparties are assigned 
ratings by Credit Portfolio Managers on an 18-grade 
scale, which translate to a scaled probability of 
default.  Additionally, transactions are assigned loss-
given-default ratings (on a 7-grade scale) that reflect 
the transactions’ structures including the effects of 
guarantees, collateral, and relative seniority of 
position. 

The second fundamental measurement of credit risk 
calculated by the Basel & Capital Adequacy Group is 
called economic capital.  Our economic capital model 
estimates the capital required to support the overall 
credit risk portfolio.  Using a Monte Carlo simulation 
engine and measures of correlation among borrower 
defaults, the economic model examines extreme and 
highly unlikely scenarios of portfolio credit loss in 
order to estimate credit-related capital, and then 
allocates that capital to individual borrowers and 
exposures.  The credit-related capital calculation 
supports a second tier of policy standards and limits 
by serving as an input to both profitability analysis 

 72 BNY Mellon

and concentration limits of capital at risk with any 
one borrower, industry or country. 

The Basel & Capital Adequacy Group is responsible 
for the calculation methodologies and the estimates of 
the inputs used in those methodologies for the 
determination of expected loss and economic capital.  
These methodologies and input estimates are 
regularly evaluated to ensure their appropriateness 
and accuracy.  As new techniques and data become 
available, Basel & Capital Adequacy attempts to 
incorporate, where appropriate, those techniques or 
data. 

Credit risk is intrinsic to much of the banking 
business.  However, BNY Mellon seeks to limit both 
on- and off-balance sheet credit risk through prudent 
underwriting and the use of capital only where risk-
adjusted returns warrant.  We seek to manage risk and 
improve our portfolio diversification through 
syndications, asset sales, credit enhancements, credit 
derivatives, and active collateralization and netting 
agreements.  In addition, we have a separate Credit 
Risk Review Group, which is part of Internal Audit, 
made up of experienced loan review officers who 
perform timely reviews of the loan files and credit 
ratings assigned to the loans. 

Liquidity risk

Our overall approach to liquidity management is to 
ensure that sources of liquidity are sufficient in 
amount and diversity such that changes in funding 
requirements at the Parent and at the various bank 
subsidiaries can be accommodated routinely without 
material adverse impact on earnings, daily operations 
or our financial condition.

The board of directors is ultimately responsible for 
the liquidity risk of the Company and approves the 
liquidity risk tolerances.  The Asset Liability 
Committee (“ALCO”) is the senior management 
committee responsible for the oversight of liquidity 
management.  ALCO is responsible to ensure that 
Board approved strategies, policies, and procedures 
for managing liquidity are appropriately executed.  
Senior management is also responsible for regularly 
reporting the liquidity position of the Company to the 
board of directors.  The Treasury Risk Committee is 
responsible for reviewing liquidity stress tests and 
various liquidity metrics including contractual cash 
flow gaps for liquidity, liquidity stress metrics and 
ratios, Liquidity Coverage Ratio, Net Stable Funding 

Risk Management (continued)

Ratio and client deposit concentration.  The Treasury 
Risk Committee approves and validates stress test 
methodologies and assumptions.

BNY Mellon seeks to maintain an adequate liquidity 
cushion in both normal and stressed environments 
and seeks to diversify funding sources by line of 
business, customer and market segment.  
Additionally, we seek to maintain liquidity ratios 
within approved limits and liquidity risk tolerance, 
maintain a liquid asset buffer that can be liquidated, 
financed and/or pledged as necessary, and control the 
levels and sources of wholesale funds.

Potential uses of liquidity include withdrawals of 
customer deposits and client drawdowns on unfunded 
credit or liquidity facilities.  We actively monitor 
unfunded lending-related commitments, thereby 
reducing unanticipated funding requirements.

When monitoring liquidity, we evaluate multiple 
metrics to ensure ample liquidity for expected and 
unexpected events.  Metrics include cash flow 
mismatches, asset maturities, debt spreads, peer 
ratios, liquid assets, unencumbered collateral, funding 
sources and balance sheet liquidity ratios.  We 
monitor the LCR, as well as various internal liquidity 
limits as part of our standard analysis to monitor 
depositor and market funding concentration, liability 
maturity profile and potential liquidity draws due to 
off-balance sheet exposure. 

We also perform liquidity stress tests to ensure the 
Company maintains sufficient liquidity resources 
under multiple stress scenarios, including stress tests 
required by rules adopted by the Federal Reserve 
under the Dodd-Frank Act.  Stress tests are based on 
scenarios that measure liquidity risks under unlikely 
but plausible events.  The Company performs these 
tests under various time horizons ranging from one 
day to one year in a base case, as well as 
supplemental tests to determine whether the 
Company’s liquidity is sufficient for severe market 
events and firm-specific events.  Under our scenario 
testing program, the results of the tests indicate that 
the Company has sufficient liquidity.

Stress Testing

It is the policy of the Company to perform Enterprise-
wide Stress Testing at regular intervals as part of its 
Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process 
(“ICAAP”).  Additionally, the Company performs an 

analysis of capital adequacy in a stressed 
environment in its Enterprise-Wide Stress Test 
Framework, as required by the enhanced prudential 
standards issued pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. 

Enterprise-Wide Stress Testing performs analyses 
across the Company’s lines of business, products, 
geographic areas, and risk types incorporating the 
results from the different underlying models and 
projections given a certain stress-test scenario.  It is 
an important component of assessing the adequacy of 
capital (as in the ICAAP) as well as identifying any 
high risk touch points in business activities. 
Furthermore, by integrating enterprise-wide stress 
testing into the Company’s capital planning process, 
the results provide a forward-looking evaluation of 
the ability to complete planned capital actions in a 
more-adverse-than-anticipated economic 
environment. 

Economic capital required

BNY Mellon has implemented a methodology to 
quantify economic capital.  We define economic 
capital as the capital required to protect against 
unexpected economic losses over a one-year period at 
a level consistent with the solvency of a target debt 
rating.  We quantify economic capital requirements 
for the risks inherent in our business activities using 
statistical modeling techniques and then aggregate 
them at the consolidated level.  A capital reduction, or 
diversification benefit, is applied to reflect the 
unlikely event of experiencing an extremely large loss 
in each type of risk at the same time.  Economic 
capital requirements are directly related to our risk 
profile.  As such, they have become a part of our 
ICAAP and, along with regulatory capital, are a key 
component to ensuring that the actual level of capital 
is commensurate with our risk profile and sufficient 
to provide the financial flexibility to undertake future 
strategic business initiatives. 

The framework and methodologies to quantify each 
of our risk types have been developed by the Basel & 
Capital Adequacy Group and are designed to be 
consistent with our risk management principles.  The 
framework has been approved by senior management 
and has been reviewed by the Risk Committee of the 
board of directors.  Due to the evolving nature of 
quantification techniques, we expect to continue to 
refine the methodologies used to estimate our 
economic capital requirements. 

BNY Mellon 73 

Risk Management (continued)

The following table presents our economic capital 
required at Dec. 31, 2015, on a consolidated basis.

Economic capital required at Dec. 31, 2015
(in millions)
Credit
Market
Operational
Other (a)

Economic capital required - consolidated

CET1

Capital cushion

(a)  Includes interest rate risk, reputational risk and 

diversification benefit.

$

$

$

$

5,018
2,504
5,271
540
13,333

18,417

5,084

Global compliance

Our global compliance function provides leadership, 
guidance, and oversight to help our businesses 
identify applicable laws and regulations and 
implement effective measures to meet the specific 
requirements.  Compliance takes a proactive 
approach by anticipating evolving regulatory 
standards and remaining aware of industry best 

practices, legislative initiatives, competitive issues, 
and public expectations and perceptions.  The 
function uses its global reach to disseminate 
information about compliance-related matters 
throughout BNY Mellon.  The Chief Compliance and 
Ethics Officer reports to the Chief Risk Officer, is a 
member of key committees of BNY Mellon and 
provides regular updates to the Risk Committee of the 
board of directors.

Internal audit

Internal Audit is an independent, objective assurance 
function that reports directly to the Audit Committee 
of the Company’s Board of Directors.  It assists the 
Company in accomplishing its objectives by bringing 
a systematic, disciplined, risk-based approach to 
evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the 
Company’s risk management, control, and 
governance processes.  The scope of Internal Audit’s 
work includes the review and evaluation of the 
adequacy, effectiveness, and sustainability of risk 
management procedures, internal control systems, 
information systems and governance processes.

 74 BNY Mellon

Supervision and Regulation

Evolving Regulatory Environment

Enhanced Prudential Standards and Large Exposures

BNY Mellon engages in banking, investment 
advisory and other financial activities in the U.S. and 
34 other countries, and is subject to extensive 
regulation in the jurisdictions in which it operates.  
Global supervisory authorities generally are charged 
with ensuring the safety and soundness of financial 
institutions, protecting the interests of customers, 
including depositors in banking entities and investors 
in mutual funds and other pooled vehicles, 
safeguarding the integrity of securities and other 
financial markets and promoting systemic resiliency 
and financial stability in the relevant country.  They 
are not, however, generally charged with protecting 
the interests of our shareholders or non-deposit 
creditors.  This discussion outlines the material 
elements of selected laws and regulations applicable 
to us.  Changes in these standards, or in their 
application, cannot be predicted, but may have a 
material effect on our businesses and results of 
operations.  

The financial services industry has been the subject of 
enhanced regulatory scrutiny in recent years globally, 
and we expect this trend to continue in the future.  
Our businesses have been subject to a significant 
number of new global reform measures.  In particular, 
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and 
its implementing regulations are significantly 
restructuring the financial regulatory regime in the 
United States and enhancing supervision and 
prudential standards for large BHCs like BNY 
Mellon.  The implications of the Dodd-Frank Act for 
our businesses depend to a large extent on the manner 
in which its implementing regulations are established 
and interpreted by the primary U.S. financial 
regulatory agencies - the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, 
the OCC, the SEC and the CFTC.  The implications 
are also dependent on changes in market practices 
and structures in response to the requirements of the 
Dodd-Frank Act and financial reforms in other 
jurisdictions.  Certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act 
remain subject to further rulemaking, take effect over 
various transition periods, or contain other elements 
that make it difficult to precisely anticipate their full 
impact.  In addition, other national and global reform 
measures that have been adopted by various policy 
makers or are being considered may materially 
impact us.  Relevant regulatory initiatives are 
discussed further below.  

Sections 165 and 166 of the Dodd-Frank Act direct 
the Federal Reserve to enact heightened prudential 
standards and early remediation requirements 
applicable to BHCs with total consolidated assets of 
$50 billion or more, such as BNY Mellon, and certain 
designated nonbank financial companies (generally 
referred to as “SIFIs”).  The Dodd-Frank Act 
mandates that the requirements applicable to SIFIs be 
more stringent than those applicable to other financial 
companies.  In December 2011, the Federal Reserve 
issued for public comment a notice of proposed 
rulemaking, which we refer to as the “Proposed SIFI 
Rules,” establishing enhanced prudential standards 
for:

•  risk-based capital requirements and leverage 

limits;

• 

liquidity requirements;

•  single-counterparty credit exposure limits;

•  stress testing of capital;

•  overall risk management requirements; and

•  remedial actions that SIFIs must take during the 

early stages of financial distress if specified trigger 
events occur (referred to as the “early remediation 
provisions”).

In addition, in the release accompanying the Proposed 
SIFI Rules, the Federal Reserve indicated it would 
consider whether to institute limits on short-term 
debt. 

The Federal Reserve has adopted rules (“Final SIFI 
Rules”) to implement the liquidity, stress testing of 
capital and risk management requirements of the 
Proposed SIFI Rules.  Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, BNY 
Mellon has been required to comply with enhanced 
liquidity and overall risk management standards, 
which include maintenance of a buffer of highly 
liquid assets based on projected funding needs for 30 
days.  The liquidity buffer is in addition to the U.S. 
banking agencies’ rules regarding the LCR, discussed 
below and is described by the Federal Reserve as 
being “complementary” to those liquidity standards. 

BNY Mellon 75 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

The Final SIFI Rules do not address single-
counterparty credit limits or early remediation 
provisions.  The Federal Reserve noted that it is still 
developing the single-counterparty credit limit rule, 
and that, in finalizing that rule, it would take into 
account the Basel Committee’s framework for large 
exposure limits.

The Basel Committee’s framework for large 
exposures scheduled to become effective on Jan. 1, 
2019:

•  Limits exposures between a banking 

organization and a single counterparty or a 
group of connected counterparties to 25% of 
Tier 1 capital;

•  Limits exposures between G-SIBs to 15% of 

Tier 1 capital;

•  Excludes from the limit intraday interbank 
exposures and sovereign and central bank 
exposures; and

•  Requires actions that SIFIs must take during 

the early stages of financial distress if 
specified trigger events occur (referred to as 
the “early remediation provisions”).

The framework is conceptually analogous to the 
single-counterparty credit limits in the Proposed 
SIFI Rules.  It will become binding on U.S. banking 
organizations only to the extent that the U.S. 
banking agencies implement the framework, 
including through the Federal Reserve’s adoption of 
final single counterparty credit limits implementing 
section 165(e) of the Dodd-Frank Act.

The Basel Committee’s large exposures framework 
does not specify a methodology to measure exposures 
from securities financing transactions (“SFTs”), such 
as securities lending and repurchase agreements.  
Instead, the Basel Committee expects to use the 
forthcoming revised comprehensive approach and 
supervisory haircuts or an equivalent method that 
does not rely on internal models to measure SFT 
exposures.  The Basel Committee expects to finish its 
review of this revised approach before the 2019 
deadline, but in the event of a delay, banks may 
continue to use the method they currently use to 
calculate their risk-based capital requirements for 
SFTs.

 76 BNY Mellon

Capital Planning and Stress Testing

Payment of Dividends, Stock Repurchases and Other 
Capital Distributions

The Parent is a legal entity separate and distinct from 
its bank and other subsidiaries.  Dividends and 
interest from its subsidiaries are the Parent’s principal 
sources of funds to make capital contributions or 
loans to its subsidiaries, to service its own debt, to 
honor its guarantees of debt issued by its subsidiaries 
or of trust preferred securities issued by a trust or to 
make its own capital distributions.  Various federal 
and state laws and regulations limit the amount of 
dividends that may be paid to the Parent by our bank 
subsidiaries without regulatory consent.  If, in the 
opinion of the applicable federal regulatory agency, a 
depository institution under its jurisdiction is engaged 
in or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound 
practice (which, depending on the financial condition 
of the bank, could include the payment of dividends), 
the regulator may require, after notice and hearing, 
that the bank cease and desist from such practice.  
The OCC, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have 
indicated that the payment of dividends would 
constitute an unsafe and unsound practice if the 
payment would reduce a depository institution’s 
capital to an inadequate level.  Moreover, under the 
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (the “FDI 
Act”), an insured depository institution may not pay 
any dividends if the institution is undercapitalized or 
if the payment of the dividend would cause the 
institution to become undercapitalized.  In addition, 
the federal bank regulatory agencies have issued 
policy statements which provide that FDIC-insured 
depository institutions and their holding companies 
should generally pay dividends only out of their 
current operating earnings.

In general, the amount of dividends that may be paid 
by our U.S. banking subsidiaries, including to the 
Parent, is limited to the lesser of the amounts 
calculated under a “recent earnings” test and an 
“undivided profits” test.  Under the recent earnings 
test, a dividend may not be paid if the total of all 
dividends declared and paid by the entity in any 
calendar year exceeds the current year’s net income 
combined with the retained net income of the two 
preceding years, unless the entity obtains prior 
regulatory approval.  Under the undivided profits test, 
a dividend may not be paid in excess of the entity’s 
“undivided profits” (generally, accumulated net 
profits that have not been paid out as dividends or 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

transferred to surplus).  The ability of our bank 
subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Parent may also 
be affected by various minimum capital requirements 
for banking organizations.  

BNY Mellon’s capital distributions are subject to 
Federal Reserve oversight.  The major component of 
that oversight is the Federal Reserve’s CCAR, 
implementing its capital plan rule.  That rule requires 
BHCs having $50 billion or more in total 
consolidated assets (including BNY Mellon) to 
submit annual capital plans to their respective Federal 
Reserve Bank.  We are also required to collect and 
report certain related data on a quarterly basis to 
allow the Federal Reserve to monitor progress against 
the annual capital plans.  BNY Mellon and other 
affected BHCs may pay dividends, repurchase stock, 
and make other capital distributions only in 
accordance with a capital plan that has been reviewed 
by the Federal Reserve and as to which the Federal 
Reserve has not objected.  The Federal Reserve may 
object to a capital plan if the plan does not show that 
the covered BHC will meet, for each quarter 
throughout the nine-quarter planning horizon covered 
by the capital plan, all minimum regulatory capital 
ratios under applicable capital rules as in effect for 
that quarter on a pro forma basis under the base case 
and stressed scenarios (including a severely adverse 
scenario provided by the Federal Reserve).  The 
capital plan rule also stipulates that a covered BHC 
may not make a capital distribution unless after 
giving effect to the distribution it will meet all 
minimum regulatory capital ratios.  

The purpose of CCAR is to ensure that these BHCs 
have robust, forward-looking capital planning 
processes that account for their unique risks and that 
permit continued operations during times of 
economic and financial stress.  The 2016 CCAR 
instructions, consistent with prior Federal Reserve 
guidance, provide that capital plans contemplating 
dividend payout ratios exceeding 30% of projected 
after-tax net income will receive particularly close 
scrutiny.  BNY Mellon’s common stock dividend 
payout ratio was 25% for 2015.

In March 2015, BNY Mellon received confirmation 
that the Federal Reserve did not object to our 2015 
CCAR.  The board of directors subsequently 
approved the repurchase of up to $3.1 billion worth of 
common stock for a five-quarter period beginning in 
the second quarter of 2015 and continuing through 
the second quarter of 2016, including employee 

benefit plan repurchases.  Of the $3.1 billion 
authorization, common stock repurchases of $700 
million were contingent on a prior issuance of $1 
billion of qualifying preferred stock, which issuance 
was completed in April 2015.  We repurchased 45.3 
million common shares for $2.0 billion in 2015 under 
the current program, which began in the second 
quarter of 2015 and continues through the second 
quarter of 2016.  We expect to continue to repurchase 
shares in the first half of 2016 under the 2015 capital 
plan. 

In October 2014, the Federal Reserve revised aspects 
of its rules pertaining to CCAR and Dodd Frank Act 
stress tests (“DFAST”).  These revisions include, 
among other changes, an adjusted timeline for the 
submission of capital plans and stress tests for BHCs 
subject to CCAR and the limitations on capital 
distributions to the extent that actual capital issuances 
are less than the amounts indicated in the capital plan.  
Beginning in 2016, BHCs, including BNY Mellon, 
are required to submit their capital plans and stress 
testing results to the Federal Reserve on or before 
April 5.

On Nov. 25, 2015, the Federal Reserve modified 
certain aspects of the CCAR and DFAST regulations, 
including the following: 

•  Removing the requirement to calculate a 5% Tier 1 

common ratio;

•  Delaying, for purposes of the DFAST and CCAR, 

implementation of the SLR as a quantitative 
measure until the 2017 stress-testing cycle; and

•  Indefinitely deferring the use of the U.S. capital 
rules’ Advanced Approach RWA framework in 
CCAR and DFAST.

In December 2015 the Federal Reserve issued 
guidance that consolidates capital planning 
expectations, including expectations for CCAR.  The 
guidance makes explicit that the Federal Reserve 
maintains heightened expectations regarding capital 
planning by large BHCs such as BNY Mellon.  In 
particular, the Federal Reserve expects firms such as 
BNY Mellon to exceed the minimum expectations set 
forth in the Federal Reserve’s guidance and maintain 
highly sophisticated, comprehensive, and robust 
capital planning practices.

BNY Mellon 77 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

Regulatory Stress-Testing Requirements

The U.S. capital rules, among other matters:

In addition to the CCAR stress testing requirements, 
Federal Reserve regulations also include DFAST.  
The CCAR and DFAST requirements substantially 
overlap, and the Federal Reserve implements them at 
the BHC level on a coordinated basis.  Under these 
DFAST regulations, we are required to undergo 
regulatory stress tests conducted by the Federal 
Reserve annually, and to conduct our own internal 
stress tests pursuant to regulatory requirements twice 
annually.  In addition, The Bank of New York Mellon 
is required to conduct its own annual internal stress 
test (although this bank is permitted to combine 
certain reporting and disclosure of its stress test 
results with the results of BNY Mellon).  These 
requirements involve both company-run and 
supervisory-run testing of capital under various 
scenarios, including baseline, adverse and severely 
adverse scenarios provided by the appropriate 
banking regulator.  Results from our annual company-
run stress tests are reported to the appropriate 
regulators and published.  We published the results of 
our most recent company-run annual stress test on 
March 11, 2015, and the results of our company-run 
mid-year stress test on July 13, 2015.

Capital Requirements - Generally

As a BHC, we are subject to U.S. capital rules, 
administered by the Federal Reserve.  Our bank 
subsidiaries are subject to similar capital 
requirements administered by the Federal Reserve in 
the case of The Bank of New York Mellon and by the 
OCC in the case of our national bank subsidiaries, 
BNY Mellon, N.A. and The Bank of New York 
Mellon Trust Company, National Association.  These 
requirements are intended to ensure that banking 
organizations have adequate capital given the risk 
levels of their assets and off-balance sheet exposures.  

The U.S. capital rules are largely based on the Basel 
Committee’s December 2010 final capital framework 
for strengthening international capital standards, now 
officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel 
III”, and also implement, through the new 
“Standardized Approach” discussed below, a revised 
calculation of RWA, effective Jan. 1, 2015.  
Notwithstanding the detailed U.S. capital rules, the 
federal banking agencies retain significant discretion 
to set higher capital requirements for categories of 
banks or for an individual bank as situations warrant.  

 78 BNY Mellon

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

define the components of capital in the numerator 
of regulatory capital ratios in a more narrow way 
than previous capital standards;

introduce a minimum CET1 risk-based capital 
ratio and increase the minimum required Tier 1 
risk-based capital ratio;

designate their new “Standardized Approach” as 
the “generally applicable risk-based capital” 
standard;

change the calculation of risk-weighted assets in 
the denominator of the risk-based capital ratios in 
the Advanced Approaches rules (defined below);

establish a capital conservation buffer;

introduce a countercyclical capital buffer for 
banking organizations subject to the Advanced 
Approaches (“Advanced Approaches banking 
organizations”); and 

establish an SLR for Advanced Approaches 
banking organizations.

The U.S. capital rules allow a graduated 
implementation schedule and will be substantially 
phased-in by 2019.  BNY Mellon began using the 
new Standardized Approach risk-weightings on Jan. 
1, 2015.  In addition, BNY Mellon began meeting the 
minimum ratios for the capital conservation buffer 
and countercyclical capital buffer, including the G-
SIB surcharge, during the transition period beginning 
on Jan. 1, 2016 and must begin compliance with the 
SLR on Jan. 1, 2018.

U.S. Capital Rules - New Minimum Capital Ratios 
and Capital Buffers

Consistent with the terms of the Basel III framework 
and the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. capital rules  
require Advanced Approaches banking organizations, 
such as BNY Mellon, to satisfy three minimum risk-
based capital ratios using both the new Standardized 
Approach risk-weightings on Jan. 1, 2015 (during 
2014, the U.S. capital rules used the Basel I-based 
risk weightings in lieu of the Standardized Approach) 
and the Advanced Approaches: 

•  a CET1 ratio of 4.5% beginning Jan. 1, 2015;
•  a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% beginning Jan. 1, 

2015; and

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

•  a Total capital ratio of 8.0% (unchanged from the 

earlier general risk-based capital rules).

In addition, these minimum ratios will be 
supplemented by a new capital conservation buffer 
required threshold that began being phased in on Jan. 
1, 2016, in increments of 0.625% per year until it 
reaches 2.5% on Jan. 1, 2019.  The capital 
conservation buffer required threshold can only be 
satisfied with CET1 capital.

The capital conservation buffer required threshold is 
designed to enable a banking organization to absorb 
losses during periods of economic stress and applies 
to all banking organizations that are subject to the 
U.S. capital rules.  Banking organizations with a 
CET1 ratio above the minimum but below the 
conservation buffer required threshold (or below the 
combined capital conservation buffer and 
countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is 
applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity 
repurchases and compensation based on the amount 
of the shortfall.  

During periods of excessive growth, the capital 
conservation buffer may be expanded up to an 
additional 2.5% through the imposition of a 
countercyclical capital buffer.  For internationally 
active banks such as BNY Mellon, the countercyclical 
capital buffer required threshold is a weighted 
average of the countercyclical capital buffers 
deployed in each of the jurisdictions in which the 
bank has private sector credit exposures.  In 
December 2015, the Federal Reserve issued a 
proposed policy statement outlining the framework 
for calculating the countercyclical capital buffer 
applicable to banks’ U.S. exposures.  Under the 
proposed policy statement, the countercyclical capital 
buffer is designed to increase the resilience of large 
banking organizations when the Federal Reserve sees 
an elevated risk of above-normal losses and 
supplements existing capital requirements to account 
for various financial system vulnerabilities and 
quantitative indicators.  The Federal Reserve, in 
consultation with the OCC and FDIC, also voted to 
affirm the current countercyclical capital buffer level 
for U.S. exposures of 0% and noted that any future 
modifications to the buffer would generally be subject 
to a 12-month phase-in period.  Any countercyclical 
capital buffer required threshold arising from 
exposures outside the United States will also 
generally be subject to a 12-month phase-in period.

The U.S. capital rules’ buffers are also 
supplemented by a risk-based capital surcharge on 
G-SIBs.  On July 20, 2015, the Federal Reserve 
published final rules to implement the G-SIB 
surcharge (the “Final U.S. G-SIB Rule”).  The 
final rule requires G-SIBs to calculate their 
surcharges under two methods (referred to as 
“method 1” and “method 2”) and use the higher of 
the two surcharges.  The first method is based on 
the Basel Committee’s framework and considers a 
G-SIB’s size, interconnectedness, cross-
jurisdictional activity, substitutability, and 
complexity.  The second method uses similar 
inputs, but is calibrated to result in significantly 
higher surcharges and replaces substitutability 
with a measure of reliance on short-term 
wholesale funding.  The Final U.S. G-SIB Rule 
does not add the G-SIB surcharge to post-stress 
minimum risk-based capital ratios for purposes of 
DFAST or CCAR.  Consistent with the phase-in of 
the capital conservation buffer, the G-SIB capital 
surcharge began to be phased-in beginning on Jan. 
1, 2016 and will become fully effective on Jan. 1, 
2019.  For 2016, the G-SIB surcharge applicable 
to BNY Mellon is 1.5%, subject to applicable 
phase-ins.

At Dec. 31, 2015, calculated on a transitionally 
phased-in basis and under the Advanced Approach, 
BNY Mellon’s CET1 ratio was 10.8%, the Tier 1 
capital ratio was 12.3%, the Total capital ratio was 
12.5% and its leverage ratio was 6.0%.

At Dec. 31, 2015, our estimated fully phased-in CET 
1 ratio was 9.5% under the Advanced Approach and 
10.2% under the Standardized Approach, based on 
our current interpretations of the U.S. capital rules 
and the final market risk rules.  

U.S. Capital Rules - Deductions from and 
Adjustments to Capital Elements

The U.S. capital rules, like Basel III, provide for a 
number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1 
capital.  These include, for example, providing that 
unrealized gains and losses on all available-for-sale 
debt securities may not be filtered out for regulatory 
capital purposes, and the requirement that mortgage 
servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon 
future taxable income and significant investments in 
non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from 
CET1 to the extent that any one such category 

BNY Mellon 79 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the 
aggregate exceed 15% of CET1.

exposures to counterparties on over-the-counter 
derivatives.

The U.S. capital rules redefine regulatory capital 
elements resulting in, among other things, trust 
preferred instruments no longer qualifying as Tier 1 
capital, subject to a phase-out schedule. At Dec. 31, 
2015, BNY Mellon had $296 million of outstanding 
trust preferred securities, of which 25% qualifies as 
Tier 1 capital in 2015 and none of which will qualify 
as Tier 1 capital in 2016, although a portion of the 
trust preferred securities are eligible for inclusion in 
Tier 2 capital.

U.S. Capital Rules - Advanced Approach Risk-Based 
Capital Rules

The U.S. capital rules’ Advanced Approach asset risk-
weighting framework (the “Advanced Approach”) is 
based on Basel II’s Advanced Approach.  Under the 
U.S. capital rule’s Advanced Approaches framework, 
credit risk risk-weightings are generally based on 
risk-sensitive approaches that largely rely on the use 
of internal credit models and parameters, whereas 
under the Standardized Approach credit risk risk-
weightings are generally based on supervisory risk-
weightings which vary primarily by counterparty type 
and asset class. BNY Mellon is required to comply 
with Advanced Approach reporting and public 
disclosures commencing on June 30, 2014.  Under the 
U.S. capital rules, this means, among other things, for 
purposes of determining whether we meet minimum 
risk-based capital requirements, starting with the 
second quarter of 2014 our CET1 ratio, Tier 1 capital 
ratio, and total capital ratio is the lower of that 
calculated under the generally applicable risk-based 
capital standard and under the Advanced Approach 
rule.

U.S. Capital Rules - New Generally Applicable Risk-
Based Capital Rules:  Standardized Approach 

The agencies’ generally applicable risk-based capital 
rules calculate risk-weighted assets in the 
denominator of capital ratios using a broad array of 
risk weighting categories that are intended to be risk 
sensitive (the “Standardized Approach”).  The risk-
weights for the Standardized Approach generally 
range from 0% to 1,250%.  Higher risk-weights under 
the Standardized Approach apply to a variety of 
exposures, including certain securitization exposures, 
equity exposures, claims on securities firms and 

 80 BNY Mellon

Concerning securities finance transactions, including 
transactions in which we serve as agent and provide 
securities replacement indemnification to a securities 
lender, the U.S. capital rules do not permit a banking 
organization to use a simple VaR approach to 
calculate exposure amounts for repo-style 
transactions or to use internal models to calculate the 
exposure amount for the counterparty credit exposure 
for repo-style transactions under the Standardized 
Approach (although these methodologies are included 
in the Advanced Approach).  Under the Standardized 
Approach, a banking organization may use a 
collateral haircut approach to recognize the credit risk 
mitigation benefits of financial collateral that secures 
a repo-style transaction, including an agented 
securities lending transaction, among other 
transactions.  To apply the collateral haircut approach, 
a banking organization must determine the exposure 
amount and the relevant risk weight for the 
counterparty or guarantor.  Banking organizations 
may calculate market price volatility and foreign 
exchange volatility using their own internal estimates 
with prior written approval of their primary Federal 
supervisor. 

In December 2015, the Basel Committee issued a 
consultative document proposing revisions to the 
Standardized Approach.  Among other things, the 
proposal maintains external credit ratings as the 
primary basis for determining risk weights for 
financial institution and corporate exposures, but 
requires additional due diligence by firms to confirm 
the credit risk exposure.  The new proposal offers 
alternative approaches for jurisdictions that do not 
allow the use of credit ratings, such as the United 
States.  The new proposal also includes a framework 
for credit risk mitigation and for commitments.  The 
U.S. banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve, 
have issued a joint statement stating that they intend 
to consider the new Basel Committee proposal with 
the goal of developing a stronger and more 
transparent risk-based capital framework for the 
largest financial institutions.

Leverage Ratios

The U.S. capital rules require a minimum 4% 
leverage ratio for all banking organizations.  At Dec. 
31, 2015, the Tier 1 leverage ratio for the Parent was 
6.0% and the Tier 1 leverage ratio for our primary 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

banking subsidiary, The Bank of New York Mellon, 
was 5.9%.

The U.S. capital rules also implement a new 3% 
Basel III-based SLR for Advanced Approach banking 
organizations, including BNY Mellon, to become 
effective Jan. 1, 2018.  Unlike the Tier 1 leverage 
ratio, the SLR includes certain off-balance sheet 
exposures in the denominator, including the potential 
future credit exposure of derivative contracts and 
10% of the notional amount of unconditionally 
cancelable commitments.  

The U.S. G-SIBs (including BNY Mellon) and their 
insured depository institution subsidiaries are subject 
to an enhanced SLR, which requires BNY Mellon and 
other U.S. G-SIBs to maintain an SLR of greater than 
5% (composed of the current minimum requirement 
of 3% plus a greater than 2% buffer) and requires 
bank subsidiaries of those bank holding companies to 
maintain at least a 6% SLR in order to qualify as 
“well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action 
regulations discussed below.  The final enhanced SLR 
rule for U.S. G-SIBs, like the SLR more generally 
applicable to all Advanced Approach banking 
organizations, will become effective on Jan. 1, 2018.

Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book

On June 8, 2015, the Basel Committee issued a 
consultative document on the risk management, 
capital treatment, and supervision of interest rate risk 
in the banking book (“IRRBB”).  This IRRBB 
proposal expands upon and is intended to replace the 
Basel Committee’s 2004 Principles for the 
Management and Supervision of Interest Rate Risk.  
The proposal presents two options for the capital 
treatment of IRRBB: a uniform quantitative measure 
that imposes minimum capital requirements, and a 
supervisory approach that includes quantitative 
calculation and disclosure.  Historically, IRRBB has 
been regulated under a supervisory approach.  The 
Basel Committee has not yet finalized IRRBB or 
proposed an implementation timeline.

Fundamental Review of the Trading Book

The Basel Committee released revised minimum 
capital requirements for market risk in January 2016.  
The purpose of the revised market risk framework is 
to ensure that the standardized and internal model 
approaches to market risk deliver credible capital 
outcomes and promote consistent implementation of 

the standards across jurisdictions.  BNY Mellon is 
assessing the final framework but does not expect any 
material business issues or compliance matters should 
the framework be implemented in the U.S.

Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity

On Oct. 30, 2015, the Federal Reserve issued a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (the “Proposed TLAC 
Rules”) to establish external total loss-absorbing 
capacity (“TLAC”) and related requirements for U.S. 
G-SIBs at the top-tier holding company level, 
including BNY Mellon.  Except as stated below, the 
proposed requirements would be effective on Jan. 1, 
2019.  Under the proposal, U.S. G-SIBs would be 
required to maintain a minimum external TLAC of 
the greater of 16% of risk-weighted assets and 9.5% 
of the denominator of the SLR in 2019, increasing to 
the greater of 18% of risk-weighted assets and 9.5% 
of the denominator of the SLR in 2022.  The external 
TLAC requirement would be met using a 
combination of Tier 1 capital and eligible external 
long-term debt (“ELTD”).  The proposal would apply 
an additional buffer to the external TLAC 
requirement consisting of the sum of 2.5% of risk-
weighted assets, the G-SIB surcharge calculated 
under method 1, and any applicable countercyclical 
buffer to be met using CET1.  Separately, ELTD 
would be required to be maintained in an amount 
equal to the greater of 6% of risk-weighted assets 
plus the G-SIB surcharge (calculated using the greater 
of method 1 and method 2), and 4.5% of the 
denominator of the SLR.  In order to qualify as 
ELTD, debt instruments must be unsecured, not be 
structured notes, be governed by U.S. law and have a 
remaining maturity of more than one year.  In 
addition, the proposal requires that ELTD generally 
not have acceleration rights, other than in the event of 
non-payment or the bankruptcy or insolvency of the 
issuer.  Instruments that have a maturity of less than 
two years but more than one year would be subject to 
a 50% haircut.  Further, the top-tier holding 
companies of U.S. G-SIBs would not be permitted to 
issue certain guarantees of subsidiary liabilities, incur 
certain liabilities guaranteed by subsidiaries, issue 
short-term debt to third parties, or enter into 
derivatives and certain other financial contracts with 
external counterparties.  Finally, under the proposal, 
certain liabilities of the top-tier holding companies of 
U.S. G-SIBs that are junior to or pari passu with 
ELTD would be capped at 5% of the value of the U.S. 
G-SIB’s eligible external TLAC instruments.  

BNY Mellon 81 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

The Proposed TLAC Rules would disqualify from 
ELTD, among other instruments, senior debt 
securities that permit acceleration for reasons other 
than an issuer insolvency or payment default.  The 
currently outstanding senior long-term debt of U.S. 
G-SIBs, including BNY Mellon, typically permits 
acceleration for reasons other than an issuer 
insolvency or payment default and, as a result, neither 
such outstanding senior long-term debt, nor any 
subsequently issued senior long-term debt with 
similar terms would qualify as ELTD under the 
Proposed TLAC Rules.  The steps that the U.S. G-
SIBs, including BNY Mellon, may need to take to 
come into compliance with the final TLAC rules, 
including the amount and form of long-term debt that 
must be refinanced or issued, will depend in 
substantial part on the ultimate eligibility 
requirements for senior long-term debt and any 
grandfathering provisions included in the final TLAC 
rules.  

The Proposed TLAC Rules could have a materially 
negative impact on BNY Mellon, unless modified 
prior to becoming final.  Please see the Risk Factor - 
“We are subject to extensive government regulations 
and supervision and have been impacted by the 
significant amount of rulemaking since the 2008 
financial crisis.  These rules and regulations have, and 
in the future may, compel us to change how we 
manage our businesses, which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, 
and results of operations.  In addition, these rules and 
regulations have increased our compliance and 
operational risks and costs.”

The Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) has also issued 
a final TLAC standard on Nov. 9, 2015.  There are 
several important differences between the final FSB 
TLAC standard and the Proposed TLAC Rules:

•  The Federal Reserve proposal and the FSB 

standard have the same minimum external TLAC 
requirement using risk-weighted assets, but the 
Federal Reserve proposal has a higher leverage 
ratio backstop of 9.5% as opposed to the FSB’s 
6.75%. 

•  The Federal Reserve proposal has a minimum 

ELTD requirement, as described above, which is 
not required by the FSB.

•  The final FSB standard sets an “internal” TLAC 
requirement requiring material sub-groups of G-
SIBs that are not themselves resolution entities to 

 82 BNY Mellon

maintain 75-90% of the external TLAC minimum.  
Under the U.S. Proposed TLAC Rules, the Federal 
Reserve is considering requiring internal TLAC at 
domestic subsidiaries of U.S. G-SIBs, but has not 
yet proposed rules implementing such internal 
TLAC requirements.

Prompt Corrective Action 

The FDI Act, as amended by the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 
(“FDICIA”), requires the federal banking agencies to 
take “prompt corrective action” in respect of 
depository institutions that do not meet specified 
capital requirements.  FDICIA establishes five capital 
categories for FDIC-insured banks: “well 
capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” 
“undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” 
and “critically undercapitalized.”  The FDI Act 
imposes progressively more restrictive constraints on 
operations, management and capital distributions the 
less capital the institution holds.  

Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the U.S. capital rules 
established revised “well capitalized” thresholds for 
insured depository institutions under the federal 
banking agencies’ prompt corrective action 
framework.  Under the U.S. capital rules, an insured 
depository institution is deemed to be “well 
capitalized” if it has:

•  a CET1 of at least 6.5%; 
•  a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8%; 
•  a Total capital ratio of at least 10%; and 
•  a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%. 

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the U.S. capital rules also 
require an Advanced Approach banking organization 
to maintain a SLR of at least 3% to qualify for the 
“adequately capitalized” status.

In addition, as noted above, the U.S. federal banking 
agencies’ revisions to the enhanced SLR establish a 
SLR “well capitalized” threshold of 6% for covered 
insured depository institutions, including The Bank of 
New York Mellon and BNY Mellon N.A.

FDICIA’s prompt corrective action provisions only 
apply to depository institutions and not to BHCs.  The 
Federal Reserve’s regulations applicable to BHCs 
separately define “well capitalized” for BHCs to 
require maintaining a total risk-based capital ratio of 
at least 10.0% and a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

at least 6.0% (but not a leverage measure).  A 
financial holding company that is not well capitalized 
and well managed (or whose bank subsidiaries are not 
well capitalized and well managed under applicable 
prompt corrective action standards) may be restricted 
in certain of its activities and ultimately may lose 
financial holding company status. 

At Dec. 31, 2015, BNY Mellon and all of its bank 
subsidiaries were “well capitalized” based on the 
ratios and rules applicable to them noted above.  A 
bank’s capital category, however, is determined solely 
for the purpose of applying the prompt corrective 
action rules and may not be an accurate 
representation of the bank’s overall financial 
condition or prospects.

Liquidity Standards - Basel III and U.S. Rules and 
Proposals

Historically, regulation and monitoring of bank and 
BHC liquidity principally have been addressed as a 
supervisory matter, both in the U.S. and 
internationally, without required quantitative 
measures.  The Basel III framework requires banks 
and BHCs to measure their liquidity against specific 
liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects 
to liquidity measures historically applied on a 
discretionary basis by banks and regulators for 
management and supervisory purposes, are now 
mandatory.  One test, the LCR, is designed to ensure 
that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of 
unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to the 
entity’s expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time 
horizon under an acute liquidity stress scenario.  The 
other, referred to as the NSFR, is designed to promote 
more medium- and long-term funding of the assets 
and activities of banking entities over a one-year time 
horizon.  The Basel Committee issued the final LCR 
document in January 2013 and the final NSFR 
document in October 2014.  The Basel III liquidity 
framework, as modified in January 2013, 
contemplates that the NSFR will be subject to an 
observation period through mid-2016 and, subject to 
any revisions resulting from the analyses conducted 
and data collected during the observation period, 
implemented as a minimum standard by Jan. 1, 2018.  
The U.S. banking agencies finalized rules 
implementing the LCR (as discussed below) but have 
not yet proposed rules implementing the NSFR.

The U.S. banking agencies issued a final rule (the 
“Final LCR Rule”) to implement the Basel III LCR in 

the U.S.  The Final LCR Rule is more stringent than 
the Basel III LCR in several respects, including 
additional restrictions on the eligibility of HQLA and 
an accelerated implementation timeline.

Since Jan. 1, 2015, covered companies, including 
BNY Mellon, The Bank of New York Mellon and 
BNY Mellon, N.A., have been required to meet an 
LCR of 80%, calculated monthly for a six month 
period, after which the LCR was required to be 
calculated daily.  The required minimum LCR level 
will increase annually by 10% increments until Jan. 1, 
2017, at which time covered companies would be 
required to meet an LCR of 100%.  As of Dec. 31, 
2015, based on our current interpretation of the Final 
LCR Rule, we believe that we and our domestic bank 
subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable LCR 
requirements on a fully phased in basis.

Separately, as noted above, the Final SIFI Rules 
address liquidity requirements for BHCs with $50 
billion or more in total assets, including BNY Mellon.  
These enhanced liquidity requirements became 
effective on Jan. 1, 2015 and include an independent 
review of liquidity risk management; establishment of 
cash flow projections; a contingency funding plan, 
and liquidity risk limits; liquidity stress testing under 
multiple stress scenarios and time horizons tailored to 
the specific products and profile of the company; and 
maintenance of a liquidity buffer of unencumbered 
highly liquid assets sufficient to meet projected net 
cash outflows over 30 days under a range of stress 
scenarios.  In the release accompanying those rules, 
the Federal Reserve states that these enhanced 
liquidity requirements are designed to complement 
the LCR.  The LCR would provide a standardized 
measure to allow comparison across BHCs, while the 
Final SIFI Rules’ internal stress test requirements 
provide a view of the BHC under various scenarios 
and time horizons which is tailored to the profile of 
the company.  The Federal Reserve has also issued a 
proposed rule that would require BNY Mellon and 
other BHCs subject to the LCR to publicly disclose 
on quarterly basis quantitative and qualitative 
information regarding their LCR calculations 
beginning in the third quarter of 2016.

Volcker Rule

The Dodd-Frank Act imposed broad prohibitions and 
restrictions on proprietary trading and investments in 
or sponsorship of hedge funds and private equity 

BNY Mellon 83 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

funds by banking organizations and their affiliates, 
commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule.”

Banking organizations, including BNY Mellon, and 
their affiliates generally were required to conform 
their covered activities and investments with the final 
Volcker Rule regulations by July 21, 2015.  The 
Federal Reserve extended this conformance period by 
one year (until July 21, 2016) for investments in and 
relationships with covered funds and foreign funds 
that were in place prior to Dec. 31, 2013.  The 
Federal Reserve also stated that it intends to act to 
grant an additional one-year extension of this 
conformance period until July 21, 2017.  We are 
expected to engage in good-faith efforts that will 
result in conformance of all of our covered activities 
and investments by no later than the end of this 
conformance period.  The final Volcker Rule 
regulations also require us to develop and maintain an 
extensive compliance program, subject to CEO 
attestation, addressing proprietary trading and 
covered fund activities.

The Volcker Rule, subject to certain exceptions, 
prohibits “banking entities,” including BNY Mellon, 
from engaging in proprietary trading and limits our 
sponsorship of, and investments in, private equity and 
hedge funds (“covered funds”), including our ability 
to own or provide seed capital to covered funds and 
the ability for a covered fund to share the same or 
similar name with a BNY Mellon affiliate.  In 
addition, the Volcker Rule restricts us from engaging 
in certain transactions with covered funds (including, 
without limitation, certain U.S. funds for which BNY 
Mellon acts as both sponsor/manager and custodian).

The restrictions concerning proprietary trading do not 
contain a broad exemption for asset-liability 
management functions, but contain more limited 
exceptions for, among other things, bona fide 
liquidity risk management and risk-mitigating 
hedging activities, as well as certain classes of 
exempted instruments, including government 
securities.  Ownership interests in covered funds that 
banking organizations organize and offer are 
generally limited to 3% of the total number or value 
of the outstanding ownership interests of any 
individual fund at any time more than one year after 
the date of its establishment, and with respect to the 
aggregate value of all such ownership interests in 
covered funds (when combined with ownership 
interests in covered funds held under the Volcker 
Rule’s ABS issuer exemption and underwriting and 

 84 BNY Mellon

market-making exemption), 3% of the banking 
organization’s Tier 1 capital.  Moreover, a banking 
entity relying on the final Volcker Rule’s exemption 
for sponsoring covered funds must deduct from its 
Tier 1 capital, the value of related ownership 
interests, calculated in accordance with the final rule. 

Derivatives

U.S., EU and APAC regulators are in the process of 
implementing comprehensive rules governing the 
supervision, structure, trading and regulation of 
cleared and over-the-counter derivatives markets and 
participants.  The Dodd-Frank Act, the European 
regulation on OTC derivatives, central counterparties 
and trade repositories, and APAC regulations each 
require or impose, or are in the process of 
formulating, as the case may be, a large number of 
requirements in this area, not all of which are final.  
However, increasingly, these regulatory regimes, 
individually and collectively, tend to affect the way 
various BNY Mellon subsidiaries operate, including 
where and with whom they transact, and therefore 
any such changes may impact business models and 
profitability of certain BNY Mellon subsidiaries.

In October 2015 the U.S. prudential regulators 
adopted joint final rules establishing minimum 
margin requirements for the uncleared swap 
transactions engaged in by those dealers subject to 
their jurisdiction (each, a “Covered Swap Entity”).  
The effective date of these new rules is April 2016, 
with compliance requirements set to begin in 
September 2016.  From this latter point forward, 
variation margin requirements will be phased in over 
a six month period while initial margin requirements 
will be phased in over a four year period.  In each 
instance, the higher a Covered Swap Entity’s 
derivatives exposure, the earlier in the phase-in 
period it will be required to comply.  In addition, the 
new rules will require the initial margin posted to or 
by a Covered Swap Entity be segregated at a third-
party custodian.  Based on its current derivatives 
exposure, BNY Mellon does not expect to be required 
to comply with these requirements in 2016.

Money Market Fund Reforms

In July 2014, the SEC finalized rules (the “MMF 
Rules”) that will require institutional prime money 
market funds (including institutional municipal 
money market funds) to maintain a floating NAV 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

based on the current market value of the securities in 
their portfolios rounded to the fourth decimal place.

Previously, such funds could maintain a stable NAV 
of $1.00.  Government MMFs and retail MMFs are 
exempt from these requirements and may continue to 
maintain a stable NAV, provided each type of fund 
continues to satisfy certain definitional requirements 
under the new rule.  The MMF Rules also provide 
new tools to MMFs’ boards of directors to address 
high net redemption activity during periods of 
market stress.  In particular the MMF Rules allow a 
MMF’s board of directors to impose liquidity fees or 
temporarily suspend redemptions if a MMF’s level 
of weekly liquid assets falls below certain thresholds.  
Government MMFs are not required to adopt the 
liquidity fees and redemption gates provision, but 
they may opt to do so.  In addition, there is a two 
year transition period before implementation of the 
floating NAV and fees and gating structures is 
required.

Beyond these primary reforms, the MMF Rules also 
expand disclosure requirements, tighten the 
diversification requirements and impose additional 
stress testing requirements.  There is a transition 
period concluding in April 2016 before mandatory 
implementation is required.  The MMF Rules also 
introduce a new Form N-CR, which will require 
MMFs to disclose certain events (for example, the 
imposition or removal of fees or gates, the primary 
consideration or factors taken into account by a 
board of directors, in its decision related to fees and 
gates, and portfolio security defaults).  The MMF 
Rules requiring reporting on Form N-CR went into 
effect in July 2015.  

The final MMF Rules are highly complex, and we 
are continuing to evaluate their impact.  The 
compliance date for the amendments related to the 
fundamental reforms (floating NAV and liquidity 
fees and sales etc.) is Oct. 14, 2016.  It is possible 
that the MMF Rules could result in changes to the 
size and composition of our AUM, AUC/A, and total 
deposits.

The European Union’s proposed Money Market 
Funds Regulation (“MMFR”) continues its 
progression through the EU legislative process. 
Under the version of MMFR proposed by the 
European Parliament, constant value net asset value 
MMFs would be available only in a very limited 
number of circumstances, and low volatility net asset 

value MMFs would be subject to a sunset clause.  
Other significant restrictions would apply, such as the 
need for MMFs to apply liquidity fees and 
redemption gates, to diversify asset portfolios, 
extensive valuation and reporting requirements and 
limits on external support.  During 2016, we expect 
the Council of the European Union  to continue work 
developing its own version of the MMFR proposal.

Tri-Party Repo Reform

BNY Mellon offers tri-party collateral agency 
services to dealers and cash investors active in the tri-
party repurchase, or repo, market and currently has 
approximately 85% of the market share of the U.S. 
tri-party repo market.  As agent, we facilitate 
settlement between sellers (cash borrowers) and 
buyers (cash lenders).  Our involvement in a 
transaction commences after a seller and buyer agree 
to a tri-party repo trade and send instructions to us.  
We settle the trade, maintain custody of the collateral 
(the subject securities of the repo), monitor the 
eligibility and sufficiency of the collateral, and 
execute the payment and delivery instructions agreed 
to and provided by the principles.

Regulatory agencies worldwide have re-examined 
systemic risks in various financial markets, including 
the tri-party repo market.  The Payment Risk 
Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York 
sponsored a Task Force on Tri-Party Repo 
Infrastructure Reform to examine the risks in the tri-
party repo market and to decide what changes should 
be implemented so that such risks may be mitigated 
or avoided in the future.  The Task Force issued its 
final report regarding the tri-party repo market in 
2012.  

BNY Mellon has reduced the amount of secured 
intraday credit it provides to sellers in connection 
with their tri-party repo trades in a number of ways.  
Moving forward, BNY Mellon will continue to invest 
in and enhance its tri-party repo capabilities, 
including working closely with market participants to 
improve the process for settling Interbank General 
Collateral Finance repo trades.

Recovery and Resolution 

As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal 
Reserve and FDIC have jointly issued a final rule 
requiring certain organizations, including each BHC 
with consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such 

BNY Mellon 85 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

as BNY Mellon, to submit annually to the Federal 
Reserve and the FDIC a plan for its rapid and orderly 
resolution in the event of material financial distress or 
failure.  In addition, the FDIC has issued a final rule 
that requires insured depository institutions with $50 
billion or more in total assets, such as The Bank of 
New York Mellon, to submit annually to the FDIC a 
plan for resolution in the event of the institution’s 
failure. 

The two resolution plan rules are complementary, and 
we have been submitting our resolution plans in 
conformity with both rules since 2012.  Most 
recently, BNY Mellon and The Bank of New York 
Mellon filed their 2015 resolution plan on July 1, 
2015.  A public portion of our resolution plan is 
available on the Federal Reserve’s and FDIC’s 
websites. 

If the Federal Reserve and FDIC jointly determine 
that a covered BHC’s resolution plan is not credible 
and the covered BHC fails to address the deficiencies 
in a timely manner, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve 
may jointly impose more stringent capital, leverage or 
liquidity requirements or restrictions on a covered 
BHC’s growth, activities or operations.  If the 
covered BHC continues to fail to adequately remedy 
any deficiencies, it could be required to divest assets 
or operations that the regulators determine necessary 
to facilitate its orderly resolution.

BNY Mellon is also subject to heightened supervisory 
expectations for recovery and resolution 
preparedness.  These expectations, issued by the 
Federal Reserve in January 2014, apply to eight 
domestic bank holding companies designated by the 
Federal Reserve, including BNY Mellon, and relate to 
capabilities critical to operational resilience and 
contingency planning, including: effective processes 
for managing, identifying, and valuing collateral; a 
comprehensive understanding of obligations and 
exposures associated with payment, clearing, and 
settlement activities; the ability to analyze liquidity 
and funding sources, uses, and risks; demonstrated 
management information systems capabilities on a 
legal entity basis; and robust arrangements for the 
continued provision of shared and outsourced 
services.  The Federal Reserve incorporates reviews 
of these key capabilities as part of its ongoing 
supervision of BNY Mellon.

The European Union Bank Recovery and Resolution 
Directive (“BRRD”) was required to be transposed 

 86 BNY Mellon

into national law by Member States of the European 
Union by Dec. 31, 2014 and applied from Jan. 1, 
2015.  The BRRD includes bail-in provisions, which 
are required to be adopted from Jan. 1, 2016, at the 
latest.  The implementing legislation in respect of the 
BRRD applies to various subsidiaries and branches of 
BNY Mellon.

This directive provides for recovery and resolution 
planning and a set of harmonized powers to resolve 
or implement recovery of relevant institutions, 
including branches of non-European Economic Area 
(“EEA”) banks operating within the EEA.  The 
directive includes the preparation of recovery and 
resolution plans, giving relevant EEA regulators 
powers to impose requirements on an institution 
before resolution actions become necessary; a set of 
resolution tools and powers to facilitate the resolution 
of failing entities, such as the power to “bail-in” the 
debt of an institution (including certain deposit 
obligations); and the power to require a firm to 
change its structure to remove impediments to 
resolvability.  

BRRD provides for a “multiple points of entry” 
approach coupled with intra-group bail-in 
requirements.  The BRRD also includes a minimum 
requirement for own funds, defined as regulatory 
capital, and eligible liabilities (“MREL”) to ensure 
that institutions maintain enough capital capable of 
being written down and/or bailed-in.  Following the 
final proposals of the European Banking Authority 
(“EBA”) in regard to MREL, the European Union 
institutions intend to finalize their legislative proposal 
for MREL during 2016.  It is expected that MREL 
will be set on a case-by-case basis for each institution 
subject to the BRRD, based on six criteria: 
resolvability, capital, exclusions from bail-in, deposit 
guarantee schemes, institution-specific risk, and 
systemic risk.  MREL is the EU equivalent of TLAC, 
and is generally aligned with the FSB’s TLAC 
proposals.  In contrast with TLAC, MREL will apply 
to all institutions subject to the BRRD (not only G-
SIBs). 

In addition, BRRD requires EU-domiciled credit 
institutions, and certain other firms, to prepare 
recovery plans.  We submitted recovery plans in 
respect of the following EMEA entities during 2015: 
The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, The Bank of 
New York Mellon (Luxembourg) SA, BNY Mellon 
Holdings (UK) Limited (a UK group recovery plan 
encompassing The Bank of New York Mellon 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

(International) Limited), and BNY Mellon Capital 
Markets EMEA Limited. We will submit our first 
group recovery plan for Pershing Holdings (UK) 
Limited during 2016. We will submit updated 
recovery plans during 2016 as required under 
applicable timescales. 

The FSB is also focused on cross-border resolution 
and measures to promote resolvability.  On Nov. 3, 
2015, the FSB published a consultative document on 
Arrangements to Support Operational Continuity in 
Resolution and a separate consultative document on 
Temporary Funding Needed to Support the Orderly 
Resolution of a Global Systemically Important Bank.  
The proposed guidance on operational continuity sets 
out arrangements to ensure the continuity of critical 
shared services that are necessary to maintain a firm’s 
critical functions in resolution.  The proposed 
guidance on funding addresses the risk of G-SIBs not 
having sufficient liquidity to maintain critical 
operations during resolution, and proposes principles 
to ensure that temporary funding is available to allow 
the effective resolution of G-SIBs.

The FSB consultation on operational continuity is 
closely linked with similar efforts in the UK.  In 
October and December 2015, the UK Prudential 
Regulation Authority (“PRA”) published a 
consultation paper and addendum regarding 
“Ensuring Operational Continuity in Resolution.”   
Under the UK proposals, BNY Mellon may be 
required to review and update intra-group services 
agreements and service levels in order to support 
operational continuity.  BNY Mellon may be required 
to hold additional financial resources to support the 
provision of shared services under the “financial 
resilience” criteria of operational continuity 
proposals.

The EU proposals also require each EU Member 
State (either individually, or collectively with other 
EU Member States) to establish a resolution fund, 
which is to be funded by the banking industry.  Most 
EU Member States will participate in a Single 
Resolution Fund (“SRF”), under the control of a 
Single Resolution Board (“SRB”).  The SRB 
commenced operation on Jan. 1, 2015, and has broad 
powers in case of bank resolution.  Contributions to 
the SRF start in 2016, and the SRF will build up over 
eight years, to a target level of 1% of covered 
deposits.  Certain BNY Mellon entities will be subject 
to contributions to the SRF, most notably The Bank of 
New York Mellon SA/NV.  The Bank of New York 

Mellon SA/NV believes that its contributions to the 
SRF will constitute a meaningful cost for The Bank 
of New York Mellon SA/NV during the calendar 
years 2016 to 2023.  The UK is not participating in 
the SRB or SRF.  The Bank of England is the 
equivalent resolution authority in the UK, with 
similarly broad powers in case of bank resolution. 

BNY Mellon agreed to adhere to the 2015 Resolution 
Stay Protocol developed by the International Swaps 
and Derivatives Association, Inc.  The Resolution 
Stay Protocol provides for the contractual recognition 
of cross-border stays under various statutory 
resolution regimes and a contractual stay on certain 
cross-default rights.  BNY Mellon entities that 
currently engage in relevant transactions have 
adhered to the Protocol.

Insolvency of an Insured Depository Institution or a 
Bank Holding Company; Orderly Liquidation 
Authority

If the FDIC is appointed as conservator or receiver 
for an insured depository institution such as The Bank 
of New York Mellon or BNY Mellon, N.A., upon its 
insolvency or in certain other circumstances, the 
FDIC has the power to: 

•  Transfer any of the depository institution’s assets 
and liabilities to a new obligor, including a newly 
formed “bridge” bank without the approval of the 
depository institution’s creditors; 

•  Enforce the terms of the depository institution’s 

contracts pursuant to their terms without regard to 
any provisions triggered by the appointment of the 
FDIC in that capacity; or 

•  Repudiate or disaffirm any contract or lease to 
which the depository institution is a party, the 
performance of which is determined by the FDIC 
to be burdensome and the disaffirmance or 
repudiation of which is determined by the FDIC to 
promote the orderly administration of the 
depository institution.

In addition, under federal law, the claims of holders 
of domestic deposit liabilities and certain claims for 
administrative expenses against an insured depository 
institution would be afforded a priority over other 
general unsecured claims against such an institution, 
including claims of debt holders of the institution, in 
the “liquidation or other resolution” of such an 
institution by any receiver.  As a result, whether or 

BNY Mellon 87 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

not the FDIC ever sought to repudiate any debt 
obligations of The Bank of New York Mellon or BNY 
Mellon, N.A., the debt holders would be treated 
differently from, and could receive, if anything, 
substantially less than, the depositors of the bank.  

The Dodd-Frank Act created a new resolution regime 
(known as the “orderly liquidation authority”) for 
systemically important financial companies, 
including BHCs and their affiliates.  Under the 
orderly liquidation authority, the FDIC may be 
appointed as receiver for the systemically important 
institution, and its failed non-bank subsidiaries, for 
purposes of liquidating the entity if, among other 
conditions, it is determined at the time of the 
institution’s failure that it is in default or in danger of 
default and the failure poses a risk to the stability of 
the U.S. financial system. 

If the FDIC is appointed as receiver under the orderly 
liquidation authority, then the powers of the receiver, 
and the rights and obligations of creditors and other 
parties who have dealt with the institution, would be 
determined under the Dodd-Frank Act’s orderly 
liquidation authority provisions, and not under the 
insolvency law that would otherwise apply.  The 
powers of the receiver under the orderly liquidation 
authority were based on the powers of the FDIC as 
receiver for depository institutions under the FDI Act.  
However, the provisions governing the rights of 
creditors under the orderly liquidation authority were 
modified in certain respects to reduce disparities with 
the treatment of creditors’ claims under the U.S. 
Bankruptcy Code as compared to the treatment of 
those claims under the new authority.  Nonetheless, 
substantial differences in the rights of creditors exist 
as between these two regimes, including the right of 
the FDIC to disregard the strict priority of creditor 
claims in some circumstances, the use of an 
administrative claims procedure to determine 
creditors’ claims (as opposed to the judicial procedure 
utilized in bankruptcy proceedings), and the right of 
the FDIC to transfer claims to a “bridge” entity.

In December 2013, the FDIC released a notice 
outlining the single point of entry (“SPOE”) strategy 
and soliciting comments on how a SPOE resolution 
approach would be implemented in the U.S.  A SPOE 
approach would replace a distressed BHC with a 
bridge holding company, which could then continue 
subsidiary bank operations. 

 88 BNY Mellon

Depositor Preference 

Under U.S. federal law, certain 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. 

In September 2014, the UK PRA, as the successor to 
the prudential functions of the FSA, published 
“Supervisory Statement SS10/14 - Supervising 
international banks: the PRA’s approach to branch 
supervision”.  In SS10/14, the PRA expressed 
concern with non-EEA national depositor preference 
regimes, and stated that the PRA would consider a 
range of options, such as liaising with non-EEA 
regulatory authorities in regard to the non-EEA 
institution’s recovery plan and the adequacy of the 
recovery plan from the perspective of the UK branch, 
or to require certain non-EEA institutions to convert 
their UK branch into a UK subsidiary.

Transactions with Affiliates

Transactions between BNY Mellon’s banking 
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Parent and
its non-bank subsidiaries and affiliates, on the other, 
are subject to certain restrictions, limitations and 
requirements, which include limits on the types and 
amounts of transactions (including extensions of 
credit and asset purchases by our banking 
subsidiaries) that may take place and generally 
require those transactions to be on arm’s-length 
terms.  In general, extensions of credit by a BNY 
Mellon banking subsidiary to any nonbank affiliate, 
including the Parent, must be secured by designated 
amounts of specified collateral and are limited in the 
aggregate to 10% of the relevant bank’s capital and 
surplus for transactions with a single affiliate and to 
20% of the relevant bank’s capital and surplus for 
transactions with all affiliates.  There are also 
limitations on affiliate credit exposures arising from 
derivative transactions and securities lending and 
borrowing transactions.

Deposit Insurance

Our U.S. banking subsidiaries, including The Bank of 
New York Mellon and BNY Mellon, N.A., accept 
deposits, and those deposits have the benefit of FDIC 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

insurance up to the applicable limit.  The current limit 
for FDIC insurance for deposit accounts is $250,000 
for each depositor account.  Under the FDI Act, 
insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC 
upon a finding that the insured depository institution 
has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an 
unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or 
has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, 
order or condition imposed by a bank’s federal 
regulatory agency.

The FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) is 
funded by assessments on insured depository 
institutions.  The FDIC assesses DIF premiums based 
on a bank’s average consolidated total assets, less the 
average tangible equity of the insured depository 
institution during the assessment period.  For larger 
institutions, such as The Bank of New York Mellon 
and BNY Mellon, N.A., assessments are determined 
based on CAMELS ratings and forward-looking 
financial measures to calculate the assessment rate, 
which is subject to adjustments by the FDIC, and the 
assessment base. 

The Dodd-Frank Act also directed the FDIC to 
determine whether and to what extent adjustments to 
the assessment base are appropriate for custody 
banks.  Under the FDIC’s regulations, a custody bank 
may deduct 100% of cash and balances due from 
depository institutions, securities, federal funds sold, 
and securities purchased under agreement to resell 
with a Standardized Approach risk-weight of 0% and 
may deduct 50% of such asset types with a 
Standardized Approach risk-weight of greater than 
0% and up to and including 20%.  This assessment 
base deduction may not exceed the average value of 
deposits that are classified as transaction accounts 
and are identified by the bank as being directly linked 
to a fiduciary or custodial and safekeeping account.

On Oct. 22, 2015, the FDIC issued a proposed rule 
that would implement an increase in the reserve ratio 
of the DIF from 1.15% to 1.35% of total insured 
deposits.  The FDIC would increase the reserve ratio 
by imposing a surcharge on the quarterly assessments 
of insured depository institutions with $10 billion or 
more in total consolidated assets, including The Bank 
of New York Mellon and BNY Mellon, N.A.  The 
annual 4.5 basis point surcharge would take effect in 
the first calendar quarter after the reserve ratio 
reaches 1.15% or the quarter in which the final rule 
becomes effective (whichever occurs later) and 
continue through the quarter in which the reserve 

ratio reaches or exceeds 1.35%.  FDIC staff estimate 
that the reserve ratio will reach 1.15% in the first 
quarter of 2016 or earlier, and project that the 
proposed surcharges are sufficient to raise the reserve 
ratio to 1.35% before the end of 2018.  If the ratio 
does not reach 1.35% by Dec. 31, 2018, the proposed 
rule would impose a further “shortfall assessment” on 
institutions with $10 billion or more in total 
consolidated assets.  Based on Dec. 31, 2015 assets, 
we estimate the annualized FDIC expense would 
increase by approximately $35 million if the 
proposed rule were finalized as proposed.

Source of Strength and Liability of Commonly 
Controlled Depository Institutions

Federal Reserve policy historically has required 
BHCs to act as a source of strength to their bank 
subsidiaries and to commit capital and financial 
resources to support those subsidiaries.  The Dodd-
Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory 
requirement.  Such support may be required by the 
Federal Reserve at times when we might otherwise 
determine not to provide it.  In addition, any loans by 
BNY Mellon to its bank subsidiaries would be 
subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to 
certain other indebtedness of its banks.  In the event 
of a BHC’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the BHC 
to a federal bank regulator to maintain the capital of a 
subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy 
trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.  In 
addition, in certain circumstances BNY Mellon’s 
insured depository institution subsidiaries could be 
held liable for losses incurred by another BNY 
Mellon insured depository institution subsidiary.  In 
the event of impairment of the capital stock of one of 
BNY Mellon’s national bank subsidiaries or The 
Bank of New York Mellon, BNY Mellon, as the 
banks’ stockholder, could be required to pay such 
deficiency.

Incentive Compensation Arrangements Proposal 

The Dodd-Frank Act requires federal regulators to 
prescribe regulations or guidelines regarding 
incentive-based compensation practices at certain 
financial institutions.  On April 14, 2011, federal 
regulators including, among other agencies, the 
FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the SEC, issued a 
proposed rule which, among other things, would 
require certain executive officers of covered financial 
institutions with total consolidated assets of $50 
billion or more, such as ours, to defer at least 50% of 

BNY Mellon 89 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

their annual incentive-based compensation for a 
minimum of three years. The comment period on the 
proposed rule closed May 31, 2011.  Final regulations 
have not been issued as of the date of this Annual 
Report.

Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act

A major focus of governmental policy on financial 
institutions has been aimed at combating money 
laundering and terrorist financing.  The USA 
PATRIOT Act of 2001 contains numerous anti-money 
laundering requirements for financial institutions that 
are applicable to BNY Mellon’s bank, broker-dealer 
and investment adviser subsidiaries and mutual funds 
and private investment companies advised or 
sponsored by our subsidiaries.  Those regulations 
impose obligations on financial institutions to 
maintain appropriate policies, procedures and 
controls to detect, prevent and report money 
laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the 
identity of their customers.  Certain of those 
regulations impose specific due diligence 
requirements on financial institutions that maintain 
correspondent or private banking relationships with 
non-U.S. financial institutions or persons.

In December 2015, the New York Department of 
Financial Services (“NYDFS”) proposed regulations 
expanding anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism 
laws for its regulated institutions, including The Bank 
of New York Mellon.  The proposed regulation would 
require an institution’s senior compliance officer to 
make an annual certification to the institution’s 
compliance with the requirements of the regulation, 
with the potential for criminal penalties for the officer 
if the certification is incorrect or false.  Among other 
requirements, the proposed regulation requires a 
financial institution to:

•  Maintain a “Transaction Monitoring Program” to 
monitor transactions after their execution for 
potential anti-money laundering violations and 
suspicious activity reporting;

•  Maintain a “Watch List Filtering Program” to 

prevent transactions that are prohibited by certain 
applicable sanctions; and

•  Ensure that the Transaction Monitoring Program 
and the Watch List Filtering Program use all 
relevant data sources, provide for validation of 
data quality, are subject to governance and 

 90 BNY Mellon

management oversight and are appropriately 
funded and staffed.

Privacy 

The privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley 
Act generally prohibit financial institutions, including 
BNY Mellon, from disclosing nonpublic personal 
financial information of consumer customers to third 
parties for certain purposes (primarily marketing) 
unless customers have the opportunity to “opt out” of 
the disclosure.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act 
restricts information sharing among affiliates for 
marketing purposes.

Acquisitions/Transactions

Federal and state laws impose notice and approval 
requirements for mergers and acquisitions involving 
depository institutions or BHCs.  The BHC Act 
requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve for 
the direct or indirect acquisition by a BHC of more 
than 5% of any class of the voting shares or all or 
substantially all of the assets of a commercial bank, 
savings and loan association or BHC.  In reviewing 
bank acquisition and merger applications, the bank 
regulatory authorities will consider, among other 
things, the competitive effect of the transaction, 
financial and managerial resources including the 
capital position of the combined organization, 
convenience and needs of the community factors, 
including the applicant’s record under the Community 
Reinvestment Act of 1977 which requires U.S. banks 
to help serve the credit needs of their communities 
(including credit to low and moderate income 
individuals and geographies), the effectiveness of the 
subject organizations in combating money laundering 
activities and the risk to the stability of the U.S. 
banking or financial system.  In addition, prior 
Federal Reserve approval would be required for 
certain large non-banking acquisitions and 
investments.

Regulated Entities of BNY Mellon and Ancillary 
Regulatory Requirements

BNY Mellon is registered as a BHC an FHC under 
the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended 
by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and by the Dodd-
Frank Act (the “BHC Act”).  We are subject to 
supervision by the Federal Reserve.  In general, the 
BHC Act limits an FHC’s business activities to 
banking, managing or controlling banks, performing 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

certain servicing activities for subsidiaries, engaging 
in activities incidental to banking, and engaging in 
any activity, or acquiring and retaining the shares of 
any company engaged in any activity, that is either 
financial in nature or complementary to a financial 
activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the 
safety and soundness of depository institutions or the 
financial system generally.  

A BHC’s ability to maintain FHC status is dependent 
upon a number of factors, including:

• 

its U.S. depository institution subsidiaries 
qualifying on an ongoing basis as “well 
capitalized” and “well managed” under the prompt 
corrective regulations of the appropriate regulatory 
agency (discussed above under “Prompt 
Corrective Action”); and

• 

the BHC itself, qualifying on an ongoing basis as 
“well capitalized” and “well managed” under 
applicable Federal Reserve regulations.  

An FHC that does not continue to meet all the 
requirements for FHC status will, depending on 
which requirements it fails to meet, lose the ability to 
undertake new activities, or make acquisitions, that 
are not generally permissible for BHCs without FHC 
status or to continue such activities.  At Dec. 31, 
2015, BNY Mellon and all of its bank subsidiaries 
were “well capitalized” based on the ratios and rules 
applicable to them. 

The Bank of New York Mellon, which is BNY 
Mellon’s largest banking subsidiary, is a New York 
state-chartered bank, and a member of the Federal 
Reserve System and is subject to regulation, 
supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve, 
the FDIC and the NYDFS.  BNY Mellon’s national 
bank subsidiaries, BNY Mellon, N.A. and The Bank 
of New York Mellon Trust Company, National 
Association, are chartered as national banking 
associations subject to primary regulation, 
supervision and examination by the OCC.

We operate a number of broker-dealers that engage in 
securities underwriting and other broker-dealer 
activities in the United States.  These companies are 
SEC-registered broker-dealers and members of 
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(“FINRA”), a securities industry self-regulatory 
organization.  BNY Mellon’s non-bank subsidiaries 
engaged in securities-related activities are regulated 

by supervisory agencies in the countries in which 
they conduct business.  

Certain of BNY Mellon’s public finance and advisory 
activities are regulated by the Municipal Securities 
Rulemaking Board.  The SEC issued its final 
Municipal Advisors Rule, effective July 2014, to 
require municipal advisors to register with the SEC if 
they provide advice to municipal entities or certain 
other persons on the issuance of municipal securities, 
or about certain investment strategies or municipal 
derivatives.

Certain of BNY Mellon’s subsidiaries are registered 
with the CFTC as commodity pool operators or 
commodity trading advisors and, as such, are subject 
to CFTC regulation.  The Bank of New York Mellon 
is provisionally registered as a Swap Dealer (as 
defined in the Dodd-Frank Act) with the CFTC, 
through the National Futures Association (“NFA”).  
As a Swap Dealer, The Bank of New York Mellon is 
subject to regulation, supervision and examination by 
the CFTC and NFA.  In connection with certain 
Dodd-Frank clearing requirements, The Bank of New 
York Mellon is a member of LCH Clearnet Limited’s 
SwapClear interest rate swap clearing service.

Certain of our subsidiaries are registered investment 
advisors under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, 
as amended, and as such are supervised by the SEC.  
They are also subject to various U.S. federal and state 
laws and regulations and to the laws and regulations 
of any countries in which they conduct business.  Our 
subsidiaries advise both public investment companies 
which are registered with the SEC under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “‘40 Act”), 
including the Dreyfus family of mutual funds, and 
private investment companies which are not 
registered under the ‘40 Act.  

Certain of our investment management, trust and 
custody operations provide services to employee 
benefit plans that are subject to the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended 
(“ERISA”), administered by the U.S. Department of 
Labor (“DOL”).  ERISA imposes certain statutory 
duties, liabilities, disclosure obligations, and 
restrictions on fiduciaries, as applicable, related to the 
services being performed and fees being paid. 

BNY Mellon 91 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

Department of Labor Proposed Fiduciary Rule

The U.S. Department of Labor has recently proposed 
a regulation that, among other things, would expand 
the definition of who is designated a “fiduciary” of an 
employee benefit plan or individual retirement 
account (IRA) under ERISA and the Internal Revenue 
Code, respectively.  If designated an ERISA fiduciary, 
the entity or individual will be subject to various 
duties, liabilities, disclosure obligations, and 
restrictions related to the services it performs for 
ERISA plans and IRAs, as well as the compensation 
or other benefits the fiduciary receives in connection 
with those services.  Certain BNY Mellon businesses 
may need to modify their practices in order to comply 
with the rule or modify how they transact with third 
parties that are impacted by the rule, both of which 
could adversely affect the financial results of such 
businesses.  The final rule is expected to be issued in 
the second quarter of 2016.

Operations and Regulations Outside the United 
States

In Europe, branches of The Bank of New York 
Mellon are subject to regulation in the countries in 
which they are established, in addition to being 
subject to oversight by the US regulators referred to 
above.  The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV is a 
public limited liability company incorporated under 
the laws of Belgium.  The Bank of New York Mellon 
SA/NV, has been granted a banking license by the 
National Bank of Belgium (“NBB”) and is authorized 
to carry out all banking and savings activities as a 
credit institution.  In 2014, the European Central 
Bank (“ECB”) assumed responsibility for the 
supervision of 120 significant banks and banking 
groups in the euro area, including The Bank of New 
York Mellon SA/NV.  The ECB’s supervision is 
carried out in conjunction with the relevant national 
prudential regulator (NBB in The Bank of New York 
Mellon SA/NV’s case).  The Bank of New York 
Mellon SA/NV conducts its activities in Belgium as 
well as through branch offices in the United 
Kingdom, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, 
France and Germany.

Certain of our financial services operations in the UK 
are subject to regulation and supervision by the FCA 
and PRA.  The PRA is responsible for the 
authorization and prudential regulation of firms that 
carry on PRA-regulated activities, including banks.  
PRA-authorized firms are also subject to regulation 

 92 BNY Mellon

by the FCA for conduct purposes.  In contrast, FCA-
authorized firms (such as investment management 
firms) have the FCA as their sole regulator for both 
prudential and conduct purposes although subject to 
the residual overarching jurisdiction of the PRA, if 
matters of systemic significance are in issue.  As a 
result, FCA-authorized firms must comply with FCA 
prudential and conduct rules and the FCA’s Principles 
for Businesses, while dual-regulated firms must 
comply with the FCA conduct rules and FCA 
Principles, as well as the applicable PRA prudential 
rules and the PRA’s Principles for Businesses.

The PRA regulates The Bank of New York Mellon 
(International) Limited, our UK incorporated bank, as 
well as the UK branch of The Bank of New York 
Mellon and, to a more limited extent, The Bank of 
New York Mellon SA/NV.  Certain of BNY Mellon’s 
UK incorporated subsidiaries are authorized to 
conduct investment business in the UK.  Their 
investment management advisory activities and their 
sale and marketing of retail investment products are 
regulated by the FCA.  Certain UK investment funds, 
including BNY Mellon Investment Funds, are 
registered with the FCA and are offered for retail sale 
in the UK.

Since the financial crisis, the European Union and its 
Member States have engaged in a significant 
overhaul of bank regulation and supervision.  To 
increase the resilience of banks and to reduce the 
impact of potential bank failures, new rules on capital 
requirements for banks and bank recovery and 
resolution have been adopted.  The European Union’s 
Banking Union has been launched.  Further measures 
are under way, including providing for a structural 
separation of the risks associated with certain banks’ 
trading activities from their deposit-taking function.

Aspects of the Banking Union entered into force on 
Nov. 4, 2014 in most EU jurisdictions.  The UK is not 
participating in the Banking Union.  The key 
components of the Banking Union include a single 
resolution mechanism (“SRM”) and a single 
supervisory mechanism (“SSM”).

The SRM approach endorses the bail-in rules 
established in the BRRD.  The SRM provides for a 
Single Resolution Fund, which is to be funded by the 
banking industry.  It also provides for a Single 
Resolution Board with broad powers in case of bank 
resolution.  Finally, it provides for EU Member States 
entering into cooperation agreements with non-EEA 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

countries with the caveat that in certain circumstances 
they can refuse to recognize proceedings.  Various 
BNY Mellon subsidiaries and branches will fall 
within the scope of the SRM.

In addition, the Capital Requirements Directive IV 
(and related Regulation) (“CRD IV”) affects BNY 
Mellon’s EU subsidiaries by implementing Basel III 
and other changes, including the enhancement of the 
quality of capital, and the strengthening of capital 
requirements for counterparty credit risk, resulting in 
higher capital requirements.  In the EU Member 
States, CRD IV also introduces substantive parts of 
the new European supervisory architecture, including 
the development of a single set of harmonized 
prudential rules for financial services.  This set of 
rules would replace existing separately implemented 
rules within EU Member States, with a harmonized 
approach to implementation across the EU.  Elements 
of CRD IV apply not only to BNY Mellon banking 
branches and subsidiaries but also to investment 
management and brokerage entities.  CRD IV became 
effective on Jan. 1, 2014, with certain provisions 
phased in from 2014 to 2019.

Our Investment Management and Investment 
Services businesses are subject to significant 
regulation in numerous jurisdictions around the world 
relating to, among other things, the safeguarding, 
administration and management of client assets and 
client funds.  Various new and revised European 
directives and regulations will impact our provision 
of these services, including the Markets in Financial 
Instruments Directive II and Markets in Financial 
Instruments Regulations ( collectively, “MiFID II”), 
the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive 
(“AIFMD”), the Directive on Undertakings for 
Collective Investments in Transferable Securities 
(“UCITS V”), the Central Securities Depositories 
Regulation (“CSDR”), and the regulation on OTC 
derivatives, central counterparties and trade 
repositories.  These European directives and 
regulations may impact our operations and risk 
profile but may also provide new opportunities for the 
provision of BNY Mellon products and services.  
Several of these European directives and regulations  
are still subject to finalization by the legislature and/
or substantial secondary legislation.  This creates 
uncertainty as to business impact.

The types of activities in which the foreign branches 
of our banking subsidiaries and our international 
subsidiaries may engage are subject to various 

restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve.  Those 
foreign branches and international subsidiaries are 
also subject to the laws and regulatory authorities of 
the countries in which they operate and, in the case of 
banking subsidiaries, may be subject to regulatory 
capital requirements in the jurisdictions in which they 
operate.  As of Dec. 31, 2015, each of BNY Mellon’s 
non-U.S. banking subsidiaries had capital ratios 
above their specified minimum requirements.

European Central Bank SSM and Comprehensive 
Assessments

In October 2013, the Council of the European Union 
adopted a regulation creating an SSM to oversee 
banks and other credit institutions.  The SSM is 
composed of the ECB and the supervisory authorities 
of the member states.  It covers the prudential 
supervision of all major banks in the 19 euro area 
countries as well as any non-euro area countries that 
choose to participate through close cooperation 
agreements. 

In advance of the SSM, the ECB began in November 
2013 a comprehensive assessment of certain credit 
institutions, which due to their size and systemic 
characteristics, fall under direct supervision by the 
ECB.  The assessment consisted of a supervisory risk 
assessment of key risks, an asset quality review to 
enhance transparency of bank assets, and a stress test 
to review the resiliency of bank balance sheets, which 
was conducted in conjunction with the European 
Banking Authority.  The Bank of New York Mellon 
SA/NV, our Belgian banking subsidiary, was included 
in this exercise, and passed successfully.

European Resolution Legislation and Structural 
Reform Proposals

Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive.  Under the 
recast Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive, the 
scope of deposit protection in the EU is being 
extended to cover most corporate entities, and 
contributions to deposit guarantee schemes are 
expected to move to a risk-based calculation method. 
BNY Mellon expects that the extension of deposit 
protection to most corporate entities will require 
certain BNY Mellon entities to contribute to relevant 
deposit protection schemes.  The contributions and 
required systems enhancements may constitute a 
meaningful cost for those BNY Mellon entities.

BNY Mellon 93 

Supervision and Regulation (continued)

The European Commission has proposed a European 
Deposit Insurance Scheme (“EDIS”) for euro area 
member states.  Under the EDIS proposal, existing 
euro area deposit guarantee schemes would transition 
over a number of years to a mutualized deposit 
guarantee scheme applicable in the Eurozone.

Structural Reform.  In addition, European and 
Member State regulators (for example, the PRA in the 
UK) continue to develop proposals in regard to bank 
structural reform.  The details of the European Union 
Bank Structural Reform proposal continue to be 
developed, and at this stage the final outcome of such 
proposal is not certain.  Bank structural reform 
proposals, if implemented, may require BNY Mellon 
to review its existing corporate structure, and may 
impact upon the business activities that BNY Mellon 
subsidiaries and branches can undertake.  It is not 
clear whether bank structural reforms in the European 
Union will operate on the basis of changes to 
corporate structure or prohibitions on certain forms of 
trading (including proprietary trading), or a 
combination of these approaches.  The proposal on 
structural reform of European Union banks is 
intended to apply only to the largest and most 
complex European Union banks with significant 
trading activities.

Transactions with the Shadow Banking Sector

In December 2015, the EBA finalized its guidance on 
large exposure limits of credit institutions to shadow 
banking entities.  The guidelines impose a large 
exposure limit to the shadow banking sector as a 
whole.  The EBA has used a broad definition of the 
shadow banking sector (for example, money market 
funds are in scope).  EU member states are expected 
to implement the guidelines by January 2017.

On Jan. 29, 2014, in addition to the proposed new 
rules on structural reform of the European Union 
banking sector referred to above, the European 
Commission proposed measures aimed at increasing 
transparency of certain transactions in the “shadow 
banking” sector, including for providing for enhanced 
transparency and reporting of SFTs (securities 
financing transactions).  In January 2016, the 
resulting Securities Financing Transactions 
Regulation entered into force.

 94 BNY Mellon

European Financial Markets and Market 
Infrastructure

The EU continues to develop proposals and 
regulations in relation to financial markets and 
market infrastructures.  The MiFID II, Markets in 
Financial Instruments Regulation (“MiFIR”) and 
European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”) 
are at the detailed rule-making stage, and involve a 
significant volume of change to be implemented in 
relatively short timeframes.  MiFID II/MiFIR/EMIR 
may create new business opportunities in European 
markets, but will also require existing business 
activities and processes to be reviewed.  The volume 
of change required may result in some 
implementation/execution risk. 

A key policy objective of the 2014-19 European 
Commission is to develop a Capital Markets Union 
(“CMU”) in the EU.  In September 2015, the 
European Commission published its CMU Action 
Plan, which set out a range of initiatives that the 
Commission intends to undertake between 2015-19. 
Some examples of CMU-related initiatives include a 
review of the EU regulatory framework for financial 
services, a review of the macroprudential framework, 
a new Prospectus Regulation, a review of the Capital 
Requirements Regulation and a project to address 
national barriers to free movement of capital and 
cross-border funds distribution.

Investment Services in Europe 

The AIFMD has a direct effect on our alternative fund 
manager clients and our depository business and 
other products offered across Europe.  AIFMD 
imposes heightened obligations upon depositories, 
which have both operational and, potentially, capital 
effects.  The European Securities and Markets 
Authority is expected to publish guidelines on asset 
segregation under AIFMD in late 2016.

Our businesses servicing regulated funds in Europe 
will also be affected by the revised directive 
governing undertakings for collective investment in 
transferable securities, known as UCITS V, will take 
effect in March 2016. 

Risk Factors

Making or continuing an investment in securities 
issued by us involves certain risks that you should 
carefully consider. The following discussion sets forth 
the most significant risk factors that could affect our 
business, financial condition or results of operations. 
However, other factors, other than those discussed 
below or in other of our reports filed with or 
furnished to the SEC, also could adversely affect our 
business, financial condition or results of operations. 
We cannot assure you that the risk factors described 
below or elsewhere in our reports address all potential 
risks that we may face. These risk factors also serve 
to describe factors which may cause our results to 
differ materially from those described in forward-
looking statements included herein or in other 
documents or statements that make reference to this 
Annual Report. See “Forward-looking Statements.” 

Operational and Business Risk

An information security event or technology 
disruption that results in a loss of confidential 
information or impacts our ability to provide 
services to our clients may materially adversely 
affect our business and results of operations. 

We rely on communications and information systems 
to conduct our business. Our businesses rely heavily 
on technology, and are vulnerable to attacks and 
technology disruptions, which are occurring globally 
with greater frequency. Our information systems have 
been subjected to cyber threats, including hacker 
attacks, computer viruses or other malicious software, 
denial of service efforts, limited unavailability of 
service, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access 
attempts. We deploy a broad range of sophisticated 
defenses, but notwithstanding these efforts, it is 
possible we could suffer a material impact or 
disruption. The security of our computer systems, 
software and networks, and those functions that we 
may outsource, may continue to be subjected to cyber 
threats that could result in failures or disruptions in 
our business.  In addition, as our business areas 
evolve due to the introduction of technology, new 
service offering requirements for our clients and 
customers, or changes in regulation relative to these 
service offerings, the business processes which this 
technology supports could introduce unforeseen risks 
that could materially impact business operations.  
Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our 
systems and information, it is possible that we may 
not be able to anticipate or to implement effective 
preventive measures against all cyber threats, or 

detect all such threats, especially because the 
techniques used change frequently or are not 
recognized until launched, and because attacks can 
originate from a wide variety of sources, including 
outside third parties such as persons who are involved 
with organized crime or who may be linked to 
terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. 
Those parties may also attempt to place individuals 
within BNY Mellon or fraudulently induce 
employees, customers or other users of our systems to 
disclose sensitive information in order to gain access 
to our data or that of our customers or clients. 

Security events may occur through intentional or 
unintentional acts by individuals or groups having 
authorized or unauthorized access to our systems or 
our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential 
information. These individuals or groups include 
employees, vendors and customers, as well as 
hackers. An event that results in the loss of 
information may require us to reconstruct lost data, 
reimburse clients for data and credit monitoring 
services, result in loss of customer business, or 
damage to our computers or systems and those of our 
customers and counterparties. These impacts could be 
costly and time-consuming and materially negatively 
impact our business operations and reputation. 
Additionally, security events or disruptions of our 
information systems, or those of our service 
providers, could impact our ability to provide services 
to our clients, which could expose us to liability for 
damages, result in the loss of business, damage our 
reputation, subject us to regulatory scrutiny or expose 
us to litigation, any of which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations. In addition, the failure to 
upgrade or maintain our computer systems, software 
and networks, as necessary, could also make us 
vulnerable to attack and unauthorized access and 
misuse. There can be no assurance that any such 
failures, interruptions or security events will not 
occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately 
addressed. We may be required to expend significant 
additional resources to modify, investigate or 
remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising 
from information systems security risks. Furthermore, 
attacks on us or other large financial institutions, 
service providers or industry utilities could disrupt 
the overall functioning of the financial system. 

As a result of the importance of communications and 
information systems to our business, we could also be 
adversely affected if attacks affecting the third party 

BNY Mellon 95 

Risk Factors (continued)

providers of our technology, communications or other 
services impair our ability to process transactions and 
communicate with customers and counterparties. For 
a discussion of operational risk, see “Risk 
Management - Operational/business risk” and 
“Business Continuity” in the MD&A section in this 
Annual Report.  

If our technology or that of a third party or vendor 
fails, or if we neglect to update our technology, 
develop and market new technology to meet our 
clients’ needs or protect our intellectual property, 
our business may be materially adversely affected. 

Our businesses are highly dependent on our ability to 
process large volumes of data requiring global 
capabilities and scale from our technology platforms.  
As our businesses evolve, the technology used 
becomes increasingly complex and relies on the 
continued effectiveness of the programming code and 
integrity of the data that is inputted.  We maintain 
controls designed to reduce the risk of flaws in our 
data, models, systems or processes.  Nevertheless, 
such risk cannot be completely eliminated.  In 
addition, our BNY Mellon businesses and their 
service offerings rely upon the employees and 
technology of unaffiliated third parties and a failure 
on their part could lead to a failure of our technology 
systems or the inability to service our clients.  

As a result of financial entities and technology 
systems across the globe becoming more 
interdependent and complex, a technology failure that 
significantly degrades, deletes or compromises the 
systems or data of one or more financial entities or 
suppliers could have a material impact on 
counterparties or other market participants, including 
us.  Any such failure could, among other things, 
adversely affect our ability to effect transactions, 
service our clients, manage our exposure to risk or 
expand our businesses.

Rapid technological changes, together with 
competitive pressures, require us to make significant 
and ongoing investments in technology to develop 
competitive new products and services or adopt new 
technologies. Our financial performance depends in 
part on our ability to develop and market these new 
products and services, adopt or develop new 
technologies that differentiate our products or provide 
cost efficiencies and deliver these products and 
services to the market in a timely manner at a 
competitive price. The unsuccessful implementation 

 96 BNY Mellon

of technological upgrades and new products and 
services may adversely impact our ability to service 
and retain customers. The costs we incur in enhancing 
our technology could be substantial and may not 
ultimately improve our competitiveness or 
profitability. 

The failure to maintain an adequate technology 
infrastructure with effective cybersecurity controls 
relative to the type, size and complexity of 
operations, markets and products traded, access to 
trading venues and our market interconnectedness 
could impact operations and impede our productivity 
and growth, which could cause our earnings to 
decline or could impact our ability to comply with 
regulatory obligations leading to regulatory fines and 
sanctions.  In addition, the failure to ensure adequate 
review and consideration of critical business changes 
prior to and during introduction and deployment of 
key technological systems or failure to adequately 
align evolving client commitments and expectations 
with operational capabilities could have a negative 
impact on our operations. 

We rely on a variety of measures to protect our 
intellectual property and proprietary information, 
including copyrights, trademarks, patents and 
controls on access and distribution. These measures 
may not prevent misappropriation or infringement of 
our intellectual property or proprietary information 
and a resulting loss of competitive advantage. 
Furthermore, if a third party were to assert a claim of 
infringement or misappropriation of its proprietary 
rights, obtained through patents or otherwise, against 
us, we could be required to spend significant amounts 
to defend such claims, develop alternative methods of 
operations, pay substantial money damages, obtain a 
license from the third party or possibly stop providing 
one or more products or services. 

We are subject to extensive government regulation 
and supervision and have been impacted by the 
significant amount of rulemaking since the 2008 
financial crisis.  These rules and regulations have, 
and in the future may, compel us to change how we 
manage our businesses, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition and results of operations.  In addition, 
these rules and regulations have increased our 
compliance and operational risks and costs.

We operate in a highly regulated environment, and 
are subject to a comprehensive statutory and 

Risk Factors (continued)

regulatory regime, including oversight by 
governmental agencies both in the U.S. and outside 
the U.S.  Since the 2008 financial crisis, domestic and 
international policy makers and regulators have 
substantially increased their focus on the financial 
services industry. New or modified regulations and 
related regulatory guidance and supervisory oversight 
are significantly altering the regulatory framework in 
which we operate and have affected how we analyze 
certain business opportunities, increased our 
regulatory capital and liquidity requirements, altered 
the revenue profile of certain of our core activities 
and imposed additional costs on us. In addition, they 
could otherwise materially adversely affect our 
business, financial condition and results of operations 
and have other negative consequences. The regulatory 
and supervisory focus of U.S. banking agencies is 
primarily intended to protect the safety and soundness 
of the banking system and federally insured deposits, 
and not to protect investors in our securities or 
creditors. Additionally, banking regulators have wide 
supervisory discretion in the ongoing examination 
and the enforcement of applicable banking statutes, 
regulations, and guidelines, and may restrict our 
ability to engage in certain activities or acquisitions, 
or may require us to maintain more capital or highly 
liquid assets.

In common with their U.S. counterparts, European 
policy makers and regulators have also increased 
their focus on financial services providers, and our 
European operations are directly affected and will 
continue to be affected by changes to the regulatory 
environment.

The most significant risks of the regulatory 
environment in which we operate are discussed 
below. See “Supervision and Regulation” in this 
Annual Report for additional information regarding 
the potential impact of the regulatory environment on 
our business. The Dodd-Frank Act, which became 
law in July 2010, has had, and will continue to have, 
a significant impact on the regulatory structure of the 
global financial markets and has imposed, and is 
expected to continue to impose, significant additional 
costs on us. While U.S. regulators have finalized 
many regulations to implement various provisions of 
the Dodd-Frank Act, they plan to propose or finalize 
additional implementing regulations in the future. In 
light of the further rule-making required, as well as 
the discretion afforded to federal regulators, the full 
impact of this legislation on us, our business 
strategies and financial performance is not known at 

this time, may not be known for a number of years 
and could materially adversely impact us.  In 
addition, new bodies created by the Dodd-Frank Act 
(including the Financial Stability Oversight Council 
and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) have 
commenced operations. The related findings of 
various regulatory and commission studies, the 
interpretations issued as part of the rulemaking 
process and the final regulations that are issued with 
respect to various elements of the Dodd-Frank Act 
may cause changes that impact the profitability of our 
business activities and require that we change certain 
of our business practices and plans. These changes 
will continue to expose us to additional regulatory 
costs and require us to invest significant management 
attention and resources to make any necessary 
changes, all of which could impact our profitability. 

Several provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, such as the 
Volcker Rule and enhanced prudential standards for 
financial institutions designated as SIFIs, impose or 
are expected to impose significant additional 
operational, compliance and risk management costs 
both in the near-term, as we develop and integrate 
appropriate systems and procedures, and on a 
recurring basis thereafter, as we monitor, support and 
refine those systems and procedures.

The U.S. capital rules subject us and our U.S. 
banking subsidiaries to more stringent capital 
requirements, which could restrict growth, activities 
or operations, trigger divestiture of assets or 
operations or limit our ability to return capital to 
shareholders. We must also separately obtain final 
approval from the agencies for the use of certain 
models used to calculate risk-weighted assets under 
the Advanced Approach. As discussed in additional 
detail in “Supervision and Regulation,” the U.S. G-
SIB capital surcharge began to be phased in 
beginning on Jan. 1, 2016 and will become fully 
effective on Jan. 1, 2019.  For 2016, the G-SIB 
surcharge applicable to BNY Mellon is 1.5%, subject 
to applicable phase-ins. Failure to meet current or 
future capital requirements could materially adversely 
affect our financial condition.  Additional impacts 
relating to compliance with these rules could include, 
but are not limited to, potential dilution of existing 
shareholders and competitive disadvantage compared 
to financial institutions not under the same regulatory 
framework.  In addition, the SLR subjects us a more 
stringent leverage requirement, which could restrict 
growth, activities, operations or could result in certain 

BNY Mellon 97 

Risk Factors (continued)

restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary 
bonus payments.

The LCR requires us to increase our holdings of high-
quality and potentially lower-yielding liquid assets.  
When the final rule regarding the NSFR is ultimately 
implemented in the U.S., those requirements could 
also require BNY Mellon to increase its holdings of 
high-quality, and potentially lower-yielding, liquid 
assets, and to reevaluate the composition of its 
liabilities structure to include more longer-dated debt.  
To the extent that these and other reforms, such as the 
proposed TLAC Rules, differ from BNY Mellon’s 
current funding profile, we may need to materially 
increase our aggregate long-term debt levels and/or 
alter the composition and terms of our assets and 
liabilities, which could lead to increased costs of 
funds and have a negative impact on net interest 
revenue, among other potential impacts.

Title II of the Dodd-Frank Act established an orderly 
liquidation process in the event the failure of a large 
systemically important financial institution, such as 
BNY Mellon, would have serious adverse effects on 
the U.S. financial system and that resolution under 
the orderly liquidation authority would avoid or 
mitigate those effects.  Specifically, when a 
systemically important financial institution such as 
BNY Mellon is in default or danger of default, the 
FDIC may be appointed receiver under the orderly 
liquidation authority instead of the U.S. Bankruptcy 
Code. In certain circumstances under the orderly 
liquidation authority, the FDIC could permit payment 
of obligations it determines to be systemically 
significant (e.g., short-term creditors or operating 
creditors) in lieu of paying other obligations (e.g., 
long-term senior and subordinated unsecured 
creditors, among others) without the need to obtain 
creditors’ consent or prior court review. The 
insolvency and resolution process could also lead to a 
large reduction in or total elimination of the value of 
a BHC’s outstanding equity. Additionally, under the 
orderly liquidation authority, amounts owed to the 
U.S. government generally receive a statutory 
payment priority. A “single point of entry” approach 
would replace a distressed BHC with a bridge holding 
company, which could continue subsidiary bank 
operations.  U.S. supervisors have indicated that a 
single point of entry strategy may be a desirable 
strategy to resolve a large financial institution such as 
BNY Mellon in a manner that would, among other 
things, impose losses on shareholders, unsecured debt 
holders and other unsecured creditors of the top-tier 

 98 BNY Mellon

holding company (in our case, The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation), while permitting the holding 
company’s subsidiaries to continue to operate.  Under 
such a strategy, assuming The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation entered resolution proceedings 
and its subsidiaries remained solvent, losses at the 
subsidiary level could be transferred to The Bank of 
New York Mellon Corporation and ultimately borne 
by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s 
security holders (including holders of The Bank of 
New York Mellon Corporation’s unsecured debt 
securities), while third-party creditors of The Bank of 
New York Mellon Corporation’s subsidiaries could 
receive full recoveries on their claims.  Accordingly, 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s security 
holders (including unsecured debt securities and other 
unsecured creditors) could face losses in excess of 
what otherwise would have been the case.

In addition, the Federal Reserve has released for 
comment proposed rules (“proposed TLAC Rules”) 
that would require U.S. G-SIBs, including BNY 
Mellon, to maintain minimum amounts of eligible 
long-term debt (“LTD”) and TLAC by Jan. 1, 2019.  
Under the proposed TLAC Rules, U.S. G-SIBs would 
be required to maintain a minimum amount of 
external TLAC and LTD measured against both RWA 
and the denominator of the SLR.  The proposed 
TLAC Rules would disqualify from eligible LTD, 
among other instruments, senior debt securities that 
permit acceleration for reasons other than issuer 
insolvency or payment default.  The currently 
outstanding senior LTD of U.S. G-SIBs, including 
BNY Mellon, typically permits acceleration for 
reasons other than insolvency or payment default and, 
as a result, neither such outstanding senior LTD, nor 
any subsequently issued senior LTD  with similar 
terms would qualify as eligible LTD under the 
proposed rules.  The steps that the U.S. G-SIBs, 
including BNY Mellon, may need to take to come 
into compliance with the final TLAC Rules, including 
the amount and form of LTD that must be refinanced 
or issued, will depend in substantial part on the 
ultimate eligibility requirements for senior LTD and 
any grandfathering provisions.  The proposed TLAC 
Rules could have a materially negative impact on 
U.S. G-SIBs, including BNY Mellon, unless modified 
prior to becoming a final rule.  The proposed TLAC 
Rules could lead to increased cost of funds, place us 
at a competitive disadvantage compared to financial 
institutions not subject to this requirement, require us 
to issue a material amount of long-term debt, capital 

Risk Factors (continued)

instruments, or other instruments, among other 
potential impacts.

Large BHCs must develop and submit to the FDIC 
and the Federal Reserve for review plans for their 
rapid and orderly resolution in the event of material 
financial distress or failure.  BNY Mellon and The 
Bank of New York Mellon each file annual 
complementary resolution plans.  We have been 
submitting our resolution plans since 2012.  Most 
recently, BNY Mellon and The Bank of New York 
Mellon filed their 2015 resolution plans on July 1, 
2015.  If the FDIC and the Federal Reserve jointly 
determine that our resolution plan is not credible and 
we fail to address the deficiencies in a timely manner, 
the FDIC and the Federal Reserve may jointly impose 
more stringent capital, leverage or liquidity 
requirements or restrictions on our growth, activities 
or operations.  If we continue to fail to adequately 
remedy any deficiencies, we could be required to 
divest assets or operations that the regulators 
determine necessary to facilitate our orderly 
resolution.  BNY Mellon is also subject to heightened 
supervisory expectations for recovery and resolution 
preparedness.  These expectations, issued by the 
Federal Reserve in January 2014, apply to the U.S. G-
SIBs, including BNY Mellon, and relate to 
capabilities deemed critical to operational resilience 
and contingency planning, including collateral 
management; payment, clearing and settlement 
activities; liquidity and funding; management 
information systems; and shared and outsourced 
services. 

Our businesses are also subject to significant 
regulation in numerous jurisdictions around the world 
relating to, among other things, the safeguarding, 
administration and management of client assets and 
client funds. Various new and revised European 
directives and regulations have an impact on our 
provision of these services, including revisions to the 
Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II 
(“MiFID II”), the Alternative Investment Fund 
Managers Directive (“AIFMD”), the Directive on 
Undertakings for Collective Investments in 
Transferable Securities (“UCITSV”), the Central 
Securities Depository Regulation (“CSDR”), and the 
European Market Infrastructure Regulation 
(“EMIR”). Implementing these new and revised 
European directives and regulations has affected our 
operations and risk profile.  

In addition to the direct effects on us, many of our 
clients are subject to significant regulatory 
requirements and retain our services in order for us to 
assist them in complying with those legal 
requirements. Changes in these regulations can 
significantly affect the services that we are asked to 
provide, as well as our costs. 

The evolving regulatory environment, including 
changes to existing regulations and the introduction 
of new regulations, may contribute to decisions we 
may make to suspend, reduce or withdraw from 
existing businesses, activities or initiatives, which 
may result in potential lost revenue or significant 
restructuring or related costs or exposures.

Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies 
applicable to our business could result in sanctions by 
regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and 
reputational damage, which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations. Although we have policies 
and procedures designed to prevent any such 
violations, there can be no assurance that such 
violations will not occur. If violations do occur, they 
could damage our reputation, increase our legal and 
compliance costs, and ultimately adversely impact 
our results of operations. Laws, regulations or 
policies currently affecting us and our subsidiaries 
may change at any time. Regulatory authorities may 
also change their interpretation of these statutes and 
regulations. Therefore, our business may also be 
adversely affected by future changes in laws, 
regulations, policies or interpretations or regulatory 
approaches to compliance and enforcement. 

Failure to satisfy regulatory standards, including 
“well capitalized” and “well managed” status or 
capital adequacy and liquidity rules more generally, 
could result in limitations on our activities and 
adversely affect our business and financial 
condition. 

Under regulatory capital adequacy rules and other 
regulatory requirements, BNY Mellon and our 
subsidiary banks must meet thresholds that include 
quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain 
off-balance sheet items, subject to qualitative 
judgments by regulators about components, risk 
weightings and other factors. As discussed under 
“Supervision and Regulation” in this Annual Report, 
BNY Mellon is registered with the Federal Reserve as 
a BHC and an FHC. An FHC’s ability to maintain its 

BNY Mellon 99 

Risk Factors (continued)

status as an FHC is dependent upon a number of 
factors, including its U.S. bank subsidiaries’ 
qualifying on an ongoing basis as “well capitalized” 
and “well managed” under the banking agencies’ 
prompt corrective action regulations and upon it 
qualifying on an ongoing basis as “well capitalized” 
and “well managed” under applicable Federal 
Reserve regulations. Failure by an FHC or one of its 
U.S. bank subsidiaries to qualify as “well capitalized” 
and “well managed”, if unremedied over a period of 
time, would cause it to lose its status as an FHC and 
could affect the confidence of clients in it, 
compromising its competitive position. Additionally, 
an FHC that does not continue to meet all the 
requirements for FHC status could lose the ability to 
undertake new activities or make acquisitions that are 
not generally permissible for BHCs without FHC 
status or to continue such activities. Our U.S. bank 
subsidiaries are also subject to regulatory capital 
requirements and the failure by one of our bank 
subsidiaries to maintain its status as “well 
capitalized” could lead to, among other things, higher 
FDIC assessments and could have reputational and 
associated business consequences. A further failure 
by BNY Mellon or one of our U.S. bank subsidiaries 
to maintain its status as “adequately capitalized” 
would lead to regulatory sanctions and limitations 
and could lead the federal banking agencies to take 
“prompt corrective action.” 

If our company or our subsidiary banks failed to meet 
the minimum capital rules and other regulatory 
requirements, we may not be able to deploy capital in 
the operation of our business or distribute capital to 
stockholders, which may adversely affect our 
business. If we are not able to meet the additional, 
more stringent, capital adequacy standards that were 
recently promulgated, we may not remain “well 
capitalized.” See “Supervision and Regulation” and 
the “Liquidity and dividends” and “Capital - Capital 
adequacy” sections in the MD&A - Results of 
Operations section in this Annual Report. 

BNY Mellon and its domestic subsidiary banks must 
generally maintain an LCR at least equal to 100% on 
a fully phased-in basis in 2017 (and 90% in 2016) to 
satisfy regulatory minimums.  However, under certain 
circumstances it may be necessary for a banking 
organization’s LCR to fall below these thresholds to 
fund unanticipated liquidity needs.  We must notify 
our primary banking regulator on any day when our 
LCR falls below the regulatory threshold, and provide 
a plan for achieving LCR compliance if our LCR is 

 100 BNY Mellon

below the regulatory threshold for three consecutive 
business days, or if our regulator determines an 
instance of material noncompliance with the LCR.  
Failure to comply with the LCR requirements may 
result in supervisory or enforcement actions.  

Failure to meet current or future capital or liquidity 
requirements, including those imposed by the U.S. 
capital rules, the LCR, or by regulators in 
implementing other portions of the Basel III 
framework, could materially adversely affect our 
financial condition.  The current regulatory 
environment is fluid, with requirements frequently 
being introduced and amended.  Compliance with the 
regulatory capital and liquidity requirements may 
impact our ability to return capital to shareholders 
and may impact our operations by requiring us to 
liquidate assets, increase borrowings, issue additional 
equity or other securities, or cease or alter certain 
operations, which may adversely affect our results of 
operations.

Although we expect to continue to satisfy our 
regulatory capital and liquidity requirements, there 
can be no assurances that we will not need to hold 
significantly more regulatory capital and liquid assets 
than we currently estimate in order to satisfy 
applicable standards. An inability to meet regulatory 
expectations regarding these matters may also 
negatively impact the assessment of BNY Mellon and 
its U.S. banking subsidiaries by U.S. banking 
regulators and our ability to make capital 
distributions. 

Finally, our estimated regulatory capital ratios, 
liquidity metrics, and related components are based 
on our current interpretation, expectations and 
understanding of the applicable rules and are subject 
to, among other things, ongoing regulatory review, 
regulatory approval of certain statistical models, 
additional refinements, modifications or 
enhancements (whether required or otherwise) to our 
models, and further implementation guidance. Any 
modifications resulting from these ongoing reviews 
or the continued implementation of the U.S. capital 
rules, the LCR and related amendments could result 
in changes in our risk weighted assets, capital 
components, liquidity inflows and outflows, HQLA, 
or other elements involved in the calculation of these 
measures, which could negatively impact these ratios. 
Further, because operational risk is measured based 
not only upon our historical operational loss 
experience but also upon ongoing events in the 

Risk Factors (continued)

banking industry generally, our level of operational 
risk-weighted assets could significantly increase or 
otherwise remain elevated for the foreseeable future 
and may potentially be subject to significant 
volatility, negatively impacting our capital and 
liquidity ratios.  The uncertainty caused by these 
factors could ultimately impact our ability to meet our 
goals, supervisory requirements, and regulatory 
standards.

Regulatory actions or litigation could materially 
adversely affect our results of operations or harm 
our businesses or reputation. 

Like many major financial institutions, we and our 
affiliates are the subject of inquiries, investigations, 
lawsuits and proceedings by counterparties, clients, 
other third parties and regulatory and other 
governmental agencies in the U.S. and abroad, as 
well as the Department of Justice and state attorneys 
general. See “Legal proceedings” in Note 22 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this 
Annual Report for a discussion of material legal and 
regulatory proceedings in which we are involved. The 
number of these investigations and proceedings, as 
well as the amount of penalties and fines sought, has 
increased substantially in recent years for many firms 
in the financial services industry, including us. We 
may become subject to heightened regulatory 
scrutiny, inquiries or investigations, and potentially 
client-related inquiries or claims, relating to broad, 
industry-wide concerns that could lead to increased 
expenses or reputational damage. For example, many 
participants in the foreign exchange industry are 
currently receiving heightened regulatory scrutiny 
concerning alleged potential manipulation with 
respect to published foreign exchange benchmarks 
and we, like a number of others, have received 
inquiries from government authorities seeking 
information. Since the 2008 financial crisis, 
significant settlements by a number of large financial 
institutions with governmental entities have been 
publicly announced. The trend of large settlements 
with governmental entities may adversely affect the 
outcomes for other financial institutions in similar 
actions, especially where governmental officials have 
announced that the large settlements will be used as 
the basis or a template for other settlements.  
Separately, policy makers in the European Union 
continue to focus on conduct rules around the 
protection of client assets. 

The complexity of the federal and state regulatory 
and enforcement regimes in the U.S., coupled with 
the global scope of our operations and the increasing 
aggressiveness of the regulatory environment 
worldwide, also means that a single event may give 
rise to a large number of overlapping investigations 
and regulatory proceedings, either by multiple federal 
and state agencies in the U.S. or by multiple 
regulators and other governmental entities in different 
jurisdictions.  Responding to inquiries, investigations, 
lawsuits and proceedings, regardless of the ultimate 
outcome of the matter, is time-consuming and 
expensive and can divert the attention of our senior 
management from our business. The outcome of such 
proceedings may be difficult to predict or estimate 
until late in the proceedings, which may last a number 
of years. 

Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to periodic 
examination, special inquiries and potential 
proceedings by regulatory authorities. These 
examinations, inquiries and proceedings could, if 
compliance failures or other violations are found, 
cause a regulatory agency to institute proceedings and 
impose sanctions for violations, including, for 
example, regulatory agreements, cease and desist 
orders, civil monetary penalties or termination of a 
license and could lead to litigation by investors or 
clients, any of which could cause our earnings to 
decline. 

Our businesses involve the risk that clients or others 
may sue us, claiming that we or third parties for 
whom they say we are responsible have failed to 
perform under a contract or otherwise failed to carry 
out a duty perceived to be owed to them, including 
perceived fiduciary or contractual duties. This risk 
may be heightened during periods when credit, equity 
or other financial markets are deteriorating in value or 
are particularly volatile, or when clients or investors 
are experiencing losses. In addition, as a publicly held 
company, we are subject to the risk of claims under 
the federal securities laws, and volatility in our stock 
price increases this risk. 

Actions brought against us may result in lawsuits, 
enforcement actions, injunctions, settlements, 
damages, fines or penalties, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our financial condition or 
results of operations or require changes to our 
business. Claims for significant monetary damages 
are asserted in many of these legal actions, while 
claims for disgorgement, penalties and/or other 

BNY Mellon 101 

Risk Factors (continued)

remedial sanctions may be sought in regulatory 
matters. Although we establish accruals for our 
litigation and regulatory matters in accordance with 
applicable accounting guidance when those matters 
proceed to a stage where they present loss 
contingencies that are both probable and reasonably 
estimable, nonetheless there may be a possible 
material exposure to loss in excess of any amounts 
accrued, or in excess of any loss contingencies 
disclosed as reasonably possible. Such loss 
contingencies may not be probable and reasonably 
estimable until the proceedings have progressed 
significantly, which could take several years and 
occur close to resolution of the matter. 

Any or all of the risks outlined above could result in 
increased regulatory supervision and affect our ability 
to attract and retain customers or maintain access to 
the capital markets.  

Our businesses may be negatively affected by 
adverse publicity, government scrutiny or other 
reputational harm. 

We are subject to reputational, legal and regulatory 
risk in the ordinary course of our business. The 2008 
financial crisis and current political and public 
sentiment regarding financial institutions have 
resulted in a significant amount of adverse media 
coverage of financial institutions. Harm to our 
reputation can result from numerous sources, 
including adverse publicity arising from events in the 
financial markets, our perceived failure to comply 
with legal and regulatory requirements, the purported 
actions of our employees, alleged financial reporting 
irregularities involving ourselves or other large and 
well-known companies and perceived conflicts of 
interest. Our reputation could also be harmed by the 
failure of an affiliate, joint venture or a vendor or 
other third party with which we do business to 
comply with laws or regulations. Damage to our 
reputation could affect the confidence of clients, 
rating agencies, regulators, employees, stockholders 
and other stakeholders and could in turn have an 
impact on our business and results of operations. 

Additionally, governmental scrutiny from regulators, 
legislative bodies and law enforcement agencies with 
respect to financial services companies has increased 
dramatically. Press coverage and other public 
statements that assert some form of wrongdoing often 
result in some type of investigation by regulators, 
legislators and law enforcement officials or in 

 102 BNY Mellon

lawsuits. Certain regulators, including the SEC, have 
announced policies that make it more likely that they 
will seek an admission of wrongdoing as part of any 
settlement of a matter brought by them against a 
regulated entity or individual, which could lead to 
increased exposure to civil litigation and could 
adversely affect our reputation and ability to do 
business in certain jurisdictions with so-called “bad 
actor” disqualification laws and could have other 
negative effects, such as loss of our well-known 
seasoned issuer status.  In addition, the DOJ has 
announced a policy of requiring companies to provide 
investigators with all relevant facts relating to the 
individuals responsible for the alleged misconduct in 
order to qualify for any cooperation credit in civil and 
criminal investigations of corporate wrongdoing, 
which may result in our incurring increased fines and 
penalties if the DOJ determines that we have not 
provided sufficient information about applicable 
individuals in connection with an investigation, as 
well as increased costs in responding to DOJ 
investigations. It is possible that other governmental 
authorities will adopt similar policies.

Additionally, a failure to deliver appropriate standards 
of service and quality by either us or our vendors, or a 
failure to appropriately describe our products and 
services can result in customer dissatisfaction, lost 
revenue, higher operating costs, heightened 
regulatory scrutiny and litigation. Should any of these 
or other events or factors that can undermine our 
reputation occur, there is no assurance that the 
additional costs and expenses that we may need to 
incur to address the issues giving rise to the 
reputational harm would not adversely affect our 
earnings and results of operations.

New lines of business, new products and services or 
strategic project initiatives may subject us to 
additional risks, and the failure to implement these 
initiatives could affect our results of operations. 

From time to time, we may launch 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. We 
invest significant time and resources in developing 
and marketing new lines of business, products and 
services. Regulatory requirements can affect whether 
initiatives are able to be brought to market in a 
manner that is timely and attractive to our customers. 
Initial timetables for the development and 
introduction of new lines of business and/or new 

  
Risk Factors (continued)

products or services may not be achieved and price 
and profitability targets may not be met. Furthermore, 
our revenues and costs may fluctuate because new 
businesses or products and services generally require 
startup costs while revenues may take time to 
develop, which may adversely impact our results of 
operations. 

Additionally from time to time we undertake strategic 
project initiatives. Significant effort and resources are 
necessary to manage and oversee the successful 
completion of these initiatives. These initiatives often 
place significant demands on management and a 
limited number of employees with subject matter 
expertise and may involve significant costs to 
implement as well as increase operational risk as 
employees learn to process transactions under new 
systems. The failure to properly execute on these 
strategic initiatives could adversely impact our 
business and results of operations. 

Our strategic transactions present risks and 
uncertainties and could have an adverse effect on 
our business, results of operations and financial 
condition. 

From time to time, to achieve our strategic objectives, 
we have acquired, disposed of, or invested in 
(including through joint venture relationships) 
companies and businesses, and may do so in the 
future. Our ability to pursue or complete strategic 
transactions is in certain instances subject to 
regulatory approval and we cannot be certain when or 
if, or on what terms and conditions, any required 
regulatory approvals would be granted.   Moreover, to 
the extent we pursue a strategic transaction, there can 
be no guarantee that the transaction will close when 
anticipated, or at all. If a strategic transaction does 
not close, or if the strategic transaction fails to 
maximize shareholder value or required regulatory 
approval is not obtained, it could have an adverse 
effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial condition.

Each acquisition poses integration challenges, 
including successfully retaining and assimilating 
clients and key employees, capitalizing on certain 
revenue synergies and integrating the acquired 
company’s systems and technology. In some cases, 
acquisitions involve entry into new businesses or new 
geographic or other markets, and these situations also 
present risks and uncertainties in instances where we 
may be inexperienced in these new areas. We may be 

required to spend a significant amount of time and 
resources to integrate these acquisitions. The 
anticipated integration benefits may take longer to 
achieve than projected and the time and cost needed 
to consolidate platforms and systems may 
significantly exceed our estimates. If we fail to 
successfully integrate strategic acquisitions, including 
doing so in a timely and cost-effective manner, we 
may not realize the expected benefits regarding such 
acquisitions, which could have an adverse impact on 
our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. In addition, we may incur expenses, costs, 
losses, penalties, taxes and other liabilities which are 
related to the conduct of the acquired businesses prior 
to the date of our ownership (including in connection 
with the defense and/or settlement of legal and 
regulatory claims, investigations and proceedings) 
which may not be recoverable through 
indemnification or otherwise. 

Each disposition also poses challenges, including 
separating the disposed businesses and systems in a 
way that is cost-effective and is not disruptive to our 
customers. In addition, the inherent uncertainty 
involved in the process of evaluating, negotiating or 
executing a potential sale of one of our companies or 
businesses may cause the loss of key clients, 
employees, and business partners which could have 
an adverse impact on our business, financial 
condition and results of operations. 

Joint ventures and non-controlling investments 
contain potentially increased financial, legal, 
reputational, operational, regulatory and/or 
compliance risks. Notwithstanding our controls and 
risk management framework, which are designed to 
manage these risks, we may be dependent on joint 
venture partners, controlling shareholders or 
management who may have business interests, 
strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours. 
Business decisions or other actions or omissions of 
the joint venture partner, controlling shareholders or 
management may adversely affect the value of our 
investment, impacting our results of operations, result 
in litigation or regulatory action against us and 
otherwise damage our reputation and brand.  

Our business may be materially adversely affected 
by operational risk. 

We are exposed to operational risk due to the nature 
of our businesses and business model. Examples of 
operational risk include: the risk of loss resulting 

BNY Mellon 103 

Risk Factors (continued)

from errors related to transaction processing; 
breaches of the internal control system and 
compliance requirements; fraud by employees or 
persons outside BNY Mellon; business interruption 
due to system failures; failed transaction processing 
or process management; unsuccessful or difficult 
implementation of computer systems upgrades or new 
technology; vendor disruption; unsuccessful or 
difficult implementation of new products or services; 
loss or damage to physical assets from natural 
disasters or other events; and other risk of loss 
resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, 
people and systems or from external events. 
Operational risk may also include breaches of our 
technology and information systems resulting from 
unauthorized access to confidential information or 
from internal or external threats, such as cyber 
attacks. Operational risk also includes fiduciary risk 
and potential legal or regulatory actions that could 
arise as a result of noncompliance with applicable 
laws, regulatory requirements or contracts which 
could have an adverse effect on our reputation and 
could result in the imposition of fines or civil money 
penalties or the payment of damages. 

Third parties with which we do business or that 
facilitate our business activities, including exchanges, 
clearing houses, financial intermediaries or vendors 
that provide services or security solutions for our 
operations, could also be sources of operational risk 
to us, including from breakdowns or failures of their 
own systems or capacity constraints.  For example, in 
August 2015, the SunGard U.S. InvestOne fund 
accounting platform environment we use to process 
net asset values (NAVs) became corrupted during an 
operating system upgrade undertaken by SunGard, 
impacting certain mutual fund, exchange-traded fund 
and unregistered collective fund clients.    

We regularly assess and monitor operational risk in 
our business and provide for disaster and business 
recovery planning, including geographical 
diversification of our facilities. However, despite our 
efforts to assess and monitor operational risk, our risk 
management program may not be effective in all 
cases. The occurrence of various events, including 
unforeseeable and unpreventable events, such as 
systems failures or natural disasters, could damage 
our physical facilities or our computer systems or 
software, cause delay or disruptions to operational 
functions, impair our clients, vendors and 
counterparties and ultimately negatively impact our 

 104 BNY Mellon

results of operations due to potentially higher 
expenses and lower revenues. 

Operational losses can impact our capital ratios and 
results of operations. In addition, our operational loss 
risk model is informed by external losses, including 
certain fines and penalties levied against other 
institutions in the financial services industry, 
particularly those that relate to businesses in which 
we operate, and as a result such external losses could 
impact the amount of capital that we are required to 
hold. When we record balance sheet reserves for 
probable and estimable loss contingencies related to 
litigation and governmental and regulatory matters 
(or when we disclose a range of reasonably possible 
loss for reasonably possible and estimable loss 
contingencies), our estimated exposure may not be 
sufficient to cover our actual exposure, which could 
have a material adverse effect on our results of 
operations in the period in which such actions or 
matters are resolved or when a loss contingency 
otherwise becomes probable and reasonably 
estimable.  In addition, in light of policy makers’ 
continued focus on global asset safety, we continue to 
assess our operational models and risks.  For a 
discussion of operational risk see “Risk Management 
- Operational/business risk” and “Business 
Continuity” in the MD&A section in this Annual 
Report. 

A failure or circumvention of our controls and 
procedures could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, reputation, results of operations and 
financial condition. 

Management regularly reviews and updates our 
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 will be met. Any 
failure or circumvention of our controls and 
procedures or failure to comply with regulations 
related to controls and procedures could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, reputation, 
results of operations and financial condition. If we 
identify material weaknesses in our internal control 
over financial reporting or are otherwise required to 
restate our financial statements, we could be required 
to implement expensive and time-consuming 
remedial measures and could lose investor confidence 
in the accuracy and completeness of our financial 

Risk Factors (continued)

reports. In addition, there are risks that individuals, 
either employees or contractors, may circumvent 
established control mechanisms in order to, for 
example, exceed exposure, liquidity, trading or 
investment management limitations, or commit fraud.

We are subject to competition in all aspects of our 
business, which could negatively affect our ability to 
maintain or increase our profitability. 

Many businesses in which we operate are intensely 
competitive around the world. Competitors include 
other banks, trading firms, broker dealers, investment 
banks, asset managers, insurance companies, 
financial technology firms and a variety of other 
financial services and advisory companies whose 
products and services span the local, national and 
global markets in which we conduct operations. We 
compete on the basis of several factors, including 
transaction execution, capital or access to capital, 
products and services, innovation, reputation, and 
price. Larger and more geographically diverse 
companies may be able to offer financial products 
and services at more competitive prices than we are 
able to offer. Pricing pressures, as a result of the 
willingness of competitors to offer comparable or 
improved products or services at a lower price, may 
result in a reduction in the price we can charge for our 
products and services, which could, and in some 
cases has, negatively affected our ability to maintain 
or increase our profitability.  In addition, 
technological advances have made it possible for 
other types of non-depository institutions, such as 
outsourcing companies and data processing 
companies, to offer a variety of products and services 
competitive with certain areas of our business. 
Competitors may develop technological advances that 
could negatively impact our transaction execution or 
the pricing of our clearing, settlement, payments and 
trading activities. Increased competition in any of 
these areas may require us to make additional capital 
investments in our businesses in order to remain 
competitive. 

Furthermore, recently implemented and proposed 
regulations may impact our ability to conduct certain 
of our businesses in a cost-effective manner or at all. 
Regulations comparable to those required by several 
provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have not been 
enacted by governments and regulatory agencies 
outside the U.S. and may not be implemented into 
law in most countries. The more restrictive laws and 
regulations applicable to the largest U.S. financial 

services institutions, including the U.S. capital rules, 
can put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to 
both our non-U.S. competitors and certain U.S. 
competitors.  See “Supervision and Regulation” in 
this Annual Report. A decline in our competitive 
position could adversely affect our ability to maintain 
or increase our profitability.  

Our risk management framework may not be 
effective in mitigating risk and reducing the 
potential for losses. 

Our risk management framework seeks to mitigate 
risk and loss to us. We have established 
comprehensive policies and procedures and an 
internal control framework designed to provide a 
sound operational environment for the types of risk to 
which we are subject, including operational risk, 
credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, business risk 
and fiduciary risk. However, as with any risk 
management framework, there are inherent 
limitations to our current and future risk management 
strategies, including risks that we have not 
appropriately anticipated or identified.  

In certain instances, we rely on models to measure, 
monitor and predict risks. However, these models are 
inherently limited because they involve techniques, 
including the use of historical data in some 
circumstances, and judgments that cannot anticipate 
every economic and financial outcome in the markets 
in which we operate, nor can they anticipate the 
specifics and timing of such outcomes. There is no 
assurance that these models will appropriately capture 
all relevant risks or accurately predict future events or 
exposures. The 2008 financial crisis and resulting 
regulatory reform highlighted both the importance 
and some of the limitations of managing 
unanticipated risks, and our regulators remain 
focused on ensuring that financial institutions build 
and maintain robust risk management policies.  If our 
regulators perceive the quality of our risk models and 
framework to be insufficient, it may negatively 
impact our regulators’ evaluations of our capital plans 
and stress tests.  Accurate and timely enterprise-wide 
risk information is necessary to enhance 
management’s decision-making in times of crisis. If 
our risk management framework proves ineffective or 
if our enterprise-wide management information is 
incomplete or inaccurate, we could suffer unexpected 
losses, which could materially adversely affect our 
results of operations or financial condition. 

BNY Mellon 105 

Risk Factors (continued)

In addition, our businesses and the markets in which 
we operate are continuously evolving. We may fail to 
fully understand the implications of changes in our 
businesses or the financial markets or fail to 
adequately or timely enhance our risk framework to 
address those changes. If our risk framework is 
ineffective, either because it fails to keep pace with 
changes in the financial markets, regulatory 
requirements, our businesses, our counterparties, 
clients or service providers or for other reasons, we 
could incur losses, suffer reputational damage or find 
ourselves out of compliance with applicable 
regulatory or contractual mandates or expectations. 

An important aspect of our risk management 
framework is creating a risk culture in which all 
employees fully understand that there is risk in every 
aspect of our business and the importance of 
managing risk as it relates to their job functions. We 
continue to enhance our risk management program to 
support our risk culture, ensuring that it is sustainable 
and appropriate to our role as a major financial 
institution. Nonetheless, if we fail to create the 
appropriate environment that sensitizes all of our 
employees to managing risk, our business could be 
adversely impacted. For more information on how we 
monitor and manage our risk management 
framework, see “Risk Management - Risk 
management overview” in this Annual Report.  

Change or uncertainty in monetary, tax and other 
governmental policies may impact our businesses, 
profitability and ability to compete. 

The monetary, tax and other policies of various 
governments, agencies and regulatory authorities both 
in the U.S. and globally have a significant impact on 
interest rates, currencies, commodity pricing 
(including oil) and overall financial market 
performance, which can impact our business and 
results of operations. As a result of the 2008 financial 
crisis, there have been significant changes in these 
policies, which have imposed additional compliance, 
legal, review and response costs that have impacted 
our profitability. Changes in these policies are beyond 
our control and can be difficult to predict and we 
cannot determine the ultimate effect that any such 
changes would have upon our business, financial 
condition or results of operations.  For example, the 
Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money and 
credit in the U.S. and its policies influence our cost of 
funds for lending, investing and capital raising 
activities and the return we earn on those loans and 

 106 BNY Mellon

investments, both of which affect our net interest 
margin. Current low interest rate policies have 
resulted in waivers of money market fund fees in 
addition to reductions in our spread-based income 
and net interest revenue.  While the recent rate 
increase has reduced the amount of such fee waivers, 
they have not been eliminated.   

The actions of the Federal Reserve also could 
materially affect the value of financial instruments we 
hold, activity levels, liquidity and volatility in the 
financial markets, and impact our borrowers, 
potentially increasing the risk that they may fail to 
repay their loans.  For example, in accordance with 
proposed TLAC Rules and other influences, we have 
ended our Parent commercial paper program and are 
evaluating other changes.  

We are subject to political, economic, legal, 
operational and other risks that are inherent in 
operating globally and which may adversely affect 
our business. 

In conducting our business and maintaining and 
supporting our global operations, which includes 
vendors and other third parties, we are subject to risks 
of loss from the outbreak of hostilities and various 
unfavorable political, economic, legal or other 
developments, including social or political instability, 
changes in governmental policies or policies of 
central banks, sanctions, expropriation, 
nationalization, confiscation of assets, price, capital 
and exchange controls, unfavorable tax rates and tax 
court rulings and changes in laws and regulations. 

Our international clients accounted for 36% of our 
revenue in 2015. Our non-U.S. businesses are subject 
to extensive regulation by various non-U.S. 
regulators, including governments, securities 
exchanges, central banks and other regulatory bodies, 
in the jurisdictions in which those businesses operate. 
In many countries, the laws and regulations 
applicable to the financial services industry are 
uncertain and evolving, and may be applied with 
extra scrutiny to non-domestic companies, and it may 
be difficult for us to determine the exact requirements 
of local laws in every market or manage our 
relationships with multiple regulators in various 
jurisdictions. Our inability to remain in compliance 
with local laws in a particular market and manage our 
relationships with regulators could have an adverse 
effect not only on our businesses in that market but 
also on our reputation generally. 

Risk Factors (continued)

The failure to properly mitigate such risks, or the 
failure of our operating infrastructure to support such 
international activities could result in operational 
failures and regulatory fines or sanctions, which 
could adversely affect our business and results of 
operations. 

In addition, we are subject in our global operations to 
rules and regulations relating to corrupt and illegal 
payments and money laundering, economic sanctions 
and embargo programs administered by the U.S. 
Office of Foreign Assets Control and similar bodies 
and governmental agencies worldwide, and laws 
relating to doing business with certain individuals, 
groups and countries, such as the U.S. Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the 
Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 
2012 and the UK Bribery Act. While we have 
invested and continue to invest significant resources 
in training and in compliance monitoring, the 
geographical diversity of our operations, employees, 
clients and customers, as well as the vendors and 
other third parties that we deal with, presents the risk 
that we may be found in violation of such rules, 
regulations or laws and any such violation could 
subject us to significant penalties or adversely affect 
our reputation. In addition, such rules could impact 
our ability to engage in business with certain 
individuals, entities, groups and countries, which 
could materially adversely affect certain of our 
businesses and results of operations. 

Further, our businesses and operations from time to 
time enter into new regions throughout the world, 
including emerging and frontier markets. Various 
emerging and frontier market countries have 
experienced severe economic and financial 
disruptions, including significant devaluations of their 
currencies, defaults or threatened defaults on 
sovereign debt, capital and currency exchange 
controls, and low or negative growth rates in their 
economies. Crime, corruption, war or military 
actions, and a lack of an established legal and 
regulatory framework are additional challenges in 
certain emerging and frontier markets. Revenue from 
international operations and trading in non-U.S. 
securities and other obligations may be subject to 
negative fluctuations as a result of the above 
considerations. The possible effects of any of these 
conditions may adversely affect our business and 
results of operations. 

Our business may be adversely affected if we are 
unable to attract and retain employees. 

Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to 
attract new employees, retain and motivate our 
existing employees, and continue to compensate our 
employees competitively amid heightened regulatory 
restrictions. Competition for the best employees in 
most activities in which we engage can be intense, 
and we may not be able to recruit and retain key 
personnel. We may also rely on certain employees 
with subject matter expertise to assist in the 
implementation of important initiatives. Factors that 
affect our ability to attract and retain talented and 
diverse employees include our compensation and 
benefits programs, our profitability and our reputation 
for rewarding and promoting qualified employees. 
Our ability to attract and retain key executives and 
other employees may be hindered as a result of 
regulations applicable to incentive compensation and 
other aspects of our compensation programs. These 
regulations, which include and are expected to 
include mandatory deferrals, clawback requirements 
and other limits on incentive compensation, may not 
apply to some of our competitors and to other 
institutions with which we compete for talent. Our 
ability to recruit and retain key talent may be 
adversely affected by these regulations. In addition, 
aspects of our compensation programs are 
performance-based. If we do not achieve applicable 
performance thresholds for a relevant period, 
employee compensation may be adversely affected, 
which could impact retention. The loss of employees’ 
skills, knowledge of the market, industry experience, 
and the cost of finding replacements may hurt our 
business. If we are unable to continue to attract and 
retain highly qualified employees, our performance, 
including our competitive position, could be 
adversely affected.

Acts of terrorism, natural disasters, pandemics and 
global conflicts may have a negative impact on our 
business and operations. 

Acts of terrorism, natural disasters, pandemics, global 
conflicts or other similar catastrophic events could 
have a negative impact on our business and 
operations. While we have in place business 
continuity and disaster recovery plans, such events 
could still damage our facilities, disrupt or delay the 
normal operations of our business (including 
communications and technology), result in harm or 
cause travel limitations on our employees, and have a 

BNY Mellon 107 

Risk Factors (continued)

similar impact on our clients, suppliers and 
counterparties.  For example, our disaster recovery 
plan was activated due to the recent severe floods in 
Chennai, India, resulting in the temporary closure of 
our Global Delivery Center.  While this closure was 
not material to BNY Mellon, it negatively impacted 
our Chennai employees and facilities and diverted the 
resources of those employees outside of Chennai in a 
recovery role. Catastrophic events could also 
negatively impact the purchase of our products and 
services to the extent that those acts or conflicts result 
in reduced capital markets activity, lower asset price 
levels, or disruptions in general economic activity in 
the U.S. or abroad, or in financial market settlement 
functions, which could negatively impact our 
business and results of operation. In addition, war, 
terror attacks, political unrest, global conflicts, the 
national and global efforts to combat terrorism and 
other potential military activities and outbreaks of 
hostilities may lead to an increase in delinquencies, 
bankruptcies or defaults that could result in our 
experiencing higher levels of nonperforming assets, 
net charge-offs and provisions for credit losses, 
negatively impacting our business and operations. 

Market Risk

Weakness in financial markets and the economy 
generally may materially adversely affect our 
business, results of operations and financial 
condition. 

Our results of operations may be materially affected 
by conditions in the financial markets and the 
economy generally, both in the U.S. and elsewhere 
around the world. A variety of factors impact global 
economies and financial markets, including interest 
rates, commodity pricing, such as the continued 
weakness in oil prices, instability of certain emerging 
markets, volatile debt and equity market values, the 
strong U.S. dollar, high unemployment and 
governmental budget deficits (including, in the U.S., 
at the federal, state and municipal level), contagion 
risk from possible default by other countries on 
sovereign debt, declining business and consumer 
confidence and the risk of increased inflation. Any 
resulting economic pressure on consumers and lack 
of confidence in the financial markets may adversely 
affect certain portions of our business, financial 
condition and results of operations. In particular, we 
face the following risks in connection with these 
factors, some of which are discussed at greater length 
in separate risk factors: 

 108 BNY Mellon

•  A continuing low interest rate environment, 

geopolitical tension, continuing low oil prices, 
and economic instability in China have increased 
the demand for low-risk investments, particularly 
in U.S. Treasuries and the dollar. A “flight to 
safety” has historically increased BNY Mellon’s 
balance sheet, which has negatively impacted, 
and could continue to negatively impact, our 
leverage-based regulatory capital measures. A 
sustained “flight to safety” has historically 
triggered a decline in trading, capital markets and 
cross-border activity. Declining volumes in these 
activities would likely decrease our revenue, 
which would negatively impact our results of 
operations, financial condition and, if sustained in 
the long term, our business. 

•  Our businesses may be impacted by the 

translation of financial results denominated in 
foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar, primarily in 
activities denominated in the British pound 
sterling, euro and the Indian rupee. On a 
consolidated basis and in our Investment Services 
business we typically have more foreign currency 
denominated expenses than revenues.  However, 
our Investment Management business typically 
has more foreign currency denominated revenues 
than expenses.  

•  The fees earned by our Investment Management 
business are higher as assets under management 
and/or investment performance increase. Those 
fees are also impacted by the composition of the 
assets under management, with higher fees for 
some asset categories as compared to others. 
Uncertain and volatile capital markets could 
result in reductions in assets under management 
because of investors’ decisions to withdraw assets 
or from simple declines in the value of assets 
under management as markets decline. Uncertain 
and volatile financial markets may also result in 
changes in customer allocations of funds among 
money market, equity, fixed income or other 
investment alternatives. Those changes in 
allocation may be from higher fee investments to 
lower fee investments. For example, at Dec. 31, 
2015, we estimate that a 5% change in global 
equity markets, spread evenly throughout the 
year, would impact fee revenue by less than 1% 
and diluted earnings per common share by $0.02 
to $0.04.

Risk Factors (continued)

•  Market conditions resulting in lower transaction 
volumes could have an adverse effect on the 
revenues and profitability of certain of our 
businesses such as clearing, settlement, payments 
and trading. 

•  Uncertain and volatile capital markets, 

particularly declines, could reduce the value of 
our investments in securities, including pension 
and other post-retirement plan assets. 

•  Derivative instruments we hold to hedge and 
manage exposure to market risks including 
interest rate risk, equity price risk, foreign 
currency risk, as well as credit risk associated 
with our products and businesses might not 
perform as intended or expected, resulting in 
higher realized losses and unforeseen stresses on 
liquidity. Our derivative-based hedging strategies 
also rely on the performance of counterparties to 
such derivatives. These counterparties may fail to 
perform for various reasons resulting in losses on 
under-collateralized positions. 

•  Our ability to continue to operate certain 

commingled investment funds at a net asset value 
of $1.00 per unit and to allow unrestricted cash 
redemptions by investors in those commingled 
funds (or by investors in other funds managed by 
us which are invested in those commingled 
investment funds) may be adversely affected by 
depressed mark-to-market prices of the 
underlying portfolio securities held by such 
funds, or by material defaults on such securities 
or by the level of liquidity that could be achieved 
from the portfolio securities in such funds.  We 
may be faced with claims from investors and 
exposed to financial loss as a result of our 
operation of such funds. 

•  Continuing low interest rates will result in the 
continued voluntary waiving of fees on certain 
money market mutual funds and related 
distribution fees by us in order to prevent clients’ 
yields on such funds from becoming uneconomic, 
which has had, and will continue to have, an 
adverse impact on our revenue and results of 
operations.  The recent U.S. short-term rate 
increase has reduced, but not eliminated, the 
amount of such waivers. 

•  Continuing weakness in oil prices may continue 
to negatively impact capital markets and may 

impact the ability of certain of our clients, 
including oil and gas exploration and production 
companies and sovereign funds in oil-exporting 
countries, to continue using our services or repay 
outstanding loans.  Increased defaults among oil 
and gas exploration and production companies 
may also negatively impact the high yield market 
and our high yield funds. 

•  The process we use to estimate our projected 
credit losses and to ascertain the fair value of 
securities held by us is subject to uncertainty in 
that it requires use of statistical models and 
difficult, subjective and complex judgments, 
including forecasts of economic conditions and 
how these conditions might impair the ability of 
our borrowers and others to meet their 
obligations. In uncertain and volatile capital 
markets, our ability to estimate our projected 
credit losses may be impaired, which could 
adversely affect our overall profitability and 
results of operations. 

Market volatility may adversely impact our business, 
financial condition and results of operations and 
our ability to manage risk. 

As a financial institution, our businesses, including 
our Investment Management, Global Markets, 
Corporate Trust, Depositary Receipts and Securities 
Lending businesses, are particularly sensitive to 
economic and market conditions, including in the 
capital and credit markets. When these markets are 
volatile or disruptive, we could experience a decline 
in our marked-to-market assets, such as our securities 
portfolio and equity investments, including seed 
capital. Market volatility may be caused by concerns 
about the liquidity of the global financial markets; the 
level and volatility of debt and equity prices, interest 
rates and currency and commodities prices, including 
oil; investor sentiment; events that reduce confidence 
in the financial markets; inflation and unemployment; 
the economic effects of natural disasters, severe 
weather conditions, acts of war or terrorism; 
dissolution of agreements among member states 
facilitating trade, such as the Schengen Agreement; 
monetary policies and actions taken by the Federal 
Reserve and other central banks and the health of 
U.S. or international economies. A market downturn 
could also cause a decline in the value of the assets 
that we manage for clients, hold in custody or 
administer, adversely impacting fee revenue and 
certain of our capital ratios, while the costs of 

BNY Mellon 109 

Risk Factors (continued)

providing the related services remain constant due to 
the high fixed costs associated with these businesses. 
A significant and sustained market downturn could 
materially adversely impact our business, financial 
condition, results of operations and ability to manage 
risk. Fluctuations in global market activity could also 
impact the flow of investment capital into or from 
assets under custody and/or administration and the 
way customers allocate capital among money market, 
equity, fixed income or other investment alternatives, 
which could negatively impact our results of 
operations. In addition, market volatility could 
produce downward pressure on our stock price and 
credit availability without regard to our underlying 
financial strength. If the market price of our common 
stock were to decline below certain levels, we could 
be required to perform goodwill impairment testing. 
While a substantial goodwill impairment charge 
would not have a significant impact on our financial 
condition, it would have an adverse impact on our 
results of operations. For a discussion of goodwill, 
see “Critical accounting estimates - Goodwill and 
other intangibles” in the MD&A - Results of 
Operations section in this Annual Report. 

We use various models and strategies to assess and 
control our market risk exposures but those are 
subject to inherent limitations. Our models, which 
rely on historical trends and assumptions, may not be 
sufficiently predictive of future results due to limited 
historical patterns, extreme or unanticipated market 
movements and illiquidity, especially during severe 
market downturns or stress events. The models that 
we use to assess and control our market risk 
exposures also reflect assumptions about the degree 
of correlation among prices of various asset classes or 
other market indicators. In addition, market 
conditions in recent years have involved 
unprecedented dislocations and highlight the 
limitations inherent in using historical data to manage 
risk. In times of market stress or other unforeseen 
circumstances, such as the market conditions 
experienced in 2008 and 2009, previously 
uncorrelated indicators may become correlated, or 
previously correlated indicators may move in 
different directions. These types of market 
movements have at times limited the effectiveness of 
our hedging strategies and have caused us to incur 
significant losses, and they may do so in the future.  
For a discussion of our management of market risk, 
see “Risk Management-Market risk” in the MD&A 
section in this Annual Report. 

 110 BNY Mellon

Ongoing concerns about the financial stability of 
certain countries, the failure or instability of any of 
our significant global counterparties, or a breakup 
of the European Union or Eurozone could have a 
material adverse effect on our business and results 
of operations. 

There remain ongoing concerns about the financial 
stability of certain countries, including the possibility 
of sovereign debt defaults, bank failures and the exit 
of countries from the European Union or the 
Eurozone. This has led to, and could continue to lead 
to, declines in market liquidity, a contraction of 
available credit, and diminished economic growth 
and business confidence in those countries, with 
potential collateral consequences to other countries as 
well. We are primarily exposed to disruptions in 
global markets in a number of principal areas - on our 
balance sheet, in certain interest-bearing deposits 
with banks, loans, trading assets and investment 
securities, as well as fee revenue. Additionally, 
market disruptions could lead to a “flight to safety,” 
triggering increased client deposits and altering the 
size and composition of our balance sheet, which 
could adversely impact our leverage-based regulatory 
capital measures. For additional information 
regarding our exposure to certain countries, please 
see “International operations - Country risk exposure” 
in the MD&A - Results of operations section in this 
Annual Report. 

A potential consequence of global financial instability 
could be a partial or full break-up of the European 
Union or Eurozone.  While a European Union or 
Eurozone break-up does not appear to be imminent, if 
one were to occur it would be unprecedented and its 
impact highly uncertain. The exit of Greece, Britain 
or other countries from the European Union or 
Eurozone or the dissolution of those bodies could 
lead to redenomination of certain obligations of 
obligors in exiting countries. Any such exit and 
redenomination would cause significant uncertainty 
with respect to outstanding obligations of 
counterparties and debtors in any exiting country, 
whether sovereign or otherwise, and could lead to 
complex and lengthy disputes and litigation. The 
resulting uncertainty and market stress could also 
cause, among other things, severe disruption to equity 
markets, significant increases in bond yields 
generally, potential failure or default of financial 
institutions, including those of systemic importance, a 
significant decrease in global liquidity, a freeze-up of 

Risk Factors (continued)

global credit markets and a potential worldwide 
recession. 

the yields on such funds from becoming 
uneconomic. 

The interdependencies among world economies, 
particularly the Eurozone, and financial institutions 
have contributed to concerns regarding the stability of 
financial markets generally and certain institutions in 
particular. Financial services institutions are 
interdependent as a result of trading, clearing, 
counterparty or other relationships. We routinely 
execute transactions with global counterparties, 
including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, 
investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other 
institutional clients. As a result, defaults or non-
performance by, or even rumors or questions about, 
one or more global financial institutions, or the 
financial markets generally, have in the past led to 
market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to 
losses by us or by other institutions in the future. 
Given the scope of our global operations, clients and 
counterparties, persistent disruptions in the global 
financial markets, the failure of a significant global 
financial institution, even if not an immediate 
counterparty to us, or the attempt of a country to 
abandon the euro and persistent weakness in a leading 
global currency could have a material adverse impact 
on our business or results of operations.  

Continuing low or volatile interest rates could have 
a material adverse effect on our profitability. 

Our net interest revenue and cash flows are sensitive 
to changes in short-term interest rates and changes in 
valuations in the debt or equity markets over which 
we have no control. Our net interest revenue is the 
difference between the interest income earned on our 
interest-earning assets, such as the loans we make and 
the securities we hold in our investment portfolio, and 
the interest expense incurred on our interest-bearing 
liabilities, such as deposits and borrowed money. 

A continuing low short-term rate environment will 
likely adversely impact our revenue and results of 
operations by: 

• 

• 

continued compression of our net interest 
spreads, depending on our balance sheet position; 
and 

sustained weakness of our spread-based revenues, 
resulting in continued voluntary waiving of fees 
on certain money market mutual funds and 
related distribution fees by us in order to prevent 

A rise in interest rates could trigger one or more of 
the following, which could impact our business, 
results of operations and financial condition, 
including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

less liquidity in bonds and fixed income funds in 
the case of a sharp rise in interest rates resulting 
in lower performance, yield and fees; 

increased number of delinquencies, bankruptcies 
or defaults and more nonperforming assets and 
net charge-offs, as borrowers may have more 
difficulty making higher interest payments; 

decreases in deposit levels and higher 
redemptions from our fixed income funds or 
separate accounts, as clients move funds into 
investments with higher rates of return; 

a decline in our capital ratios; 

reduction in other comprehensive income in our 
shareholders’ equity and therefore our tangible 
common equity due to the impact of rising long 
term rates on our largely fixed-income securities 
portfolio; and 

• 

higher funding costs. 

A more detailed discussion of the interest rate and 
market risks we face is contained under “Risk 
Management” in the MD&A section in this Annual 
Report. 

We may experience write-downs of securities that we 
own and other losses related to volatile and illiquid 
market conditions, reducing our earnings and 
impacting our financial condition. 

We maintain an investment securities portfolio of 
various holdings, types and maturities. At Dec. 31, 
2015, these securities were primarily classified as 
available-for-sale, which are recorded on our balance 
sheet at fair value with unrealized gains or losses 
reported as a component of accumulated other 
comprehensive income, net of tax. In 2015, we 
increased the amount of securities in our held to 
maturity portfolio, recorded on our balance sheet at 
amortized cost, from $21.1 billion and approximately 

BNY Mellon 111 

Risk Factors (continued)

18% of the portfolio at Dec. 31, 2014 to $43.2 billion 
and approximately 36% at Dec. 31, 2015. 

Our investment securities portfolio includes U.S. 
Agency RMBS, U.S. Treasuries, sovereign and 
sovereign-guaranteed debt, non-agency U.S. and non- 
U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities, 
European floating rate notes, commercial mortgage-
backed securities, state and political subdivision debt, 
foreign covered bonds, corporate bonds, 
collateralized loan obligations, U.S. government 
agency debt, consumer asset-backed securities and 
other securities, the values of which are subject to 
market price volatility to the extent unhedged.  Many 
of these securities experienced significant liquidity, 
valuation and credit quality deterioration during the 
2008 financial crisis and could experience a similar 
deterioration in another financial crisis. Non-U.S. 
mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities with 
exposures to European countries, whose sovereign-
debt markets have experienced increased stress since 
2011, may continue to experience stress in the future. 
U.S. state and municipal bonds have also experienced 
stress in light of the fiscal concerns that a number of 
states and municipalities face. If these or any of the 
other available-for-sale securities experience an 
other-than-temporary impairment, it would negatively 
impact our earnings. If our held-to-maturity securities 
experience a loss in fair value, it would negatively 
impact the fair value of our securities portfolio, 
although it would not impact our earnings unless a 
credit event occurred.  The low interest-rate 
environment that has persisted since the financial 
crisis began, notwithstanding the short-term rate 
increase announced by the Federal Reserve in 
December 2015, could constrain our ability to 
achieve a net interest margin consistent with 
historical averages.

Our investment securities portfolio represents a 
greater proportion of our consolidated total assets 
(approximately 30% at Dec. 31, 2015), and our loan 
and lease portfolios represent a smaller proportion of 
our consolidated total assets (approximately 16% at 
Dec. 31, 2015), in comparison to many other major 
U.S. financial institutions due to our custody and trust 
bank business model. As such, our capital levels and 
results of operations and financial condition are 
materially exposed to the risks associated with our 
investment portfolio. For example, the accounting 
and regulatory treatment of our investment securities 
portfolio in an available-for-sale accounting 
environment may have more volatility than a more 

 112 BNY Mellon

traditional held-for-investment loan portfolio, or a 
securities portfolio comprised exclusively U.S. 
Treasury securities.  Under the U.S. capital rules, 
after-tax changes in the fair value of available-for-
sale investment securities will be included in Tier 1 
capital. For example, decreases in the general level of 
interest rates, and corresponding increases in 
mortgage prepayment speeds, which can be caused by 
refinancing activity, could adversely impact the value 
of fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities we hold. 
Conversely, increases in the general level of interest 
rates may adversely impact the fair value of fixed-rate 
debt securities we hold and, accordingly, for debt 
securities classified as available-for-sale, may 
adversely affect accumulated other comprehensive 
income and, thus, capital levels. Since loans held for 
investment, or securities in a held-to-maturity 
accounting environment, are not subject to a fair-
value accounting framework, changes in the fair 
value of these instruments (other than incurred credit 
losses) are not similarly included in the determination 
of Tier 1 capital under the U.S. capital rules. As a 
result, we may experience increased variability in our 
Tier 1 capital relative to other major financial 
institutions who maintain a lower proportion of their 
consolidated total assets in an available-for-sale 
accounting environment.

Generally, the fair value of securities in the securities 
investment portfolio held as available-for-sale is 
determined based upon market values available from 
third-party sources. During periods of market 
disruption, it may be difficult to value certain of our 
investment securities if trading becomes less frequent 
and/or market data becomes less observable. As a 
result, valuations may include inputs and assumptions 
that are less observable or require greater estimation 
and judgment as well as valuation methods which are 
more complex. These values may not be ultimately 
realizable in a market transaction, and such values 
may change very rapidly as market conditions change 
and valuation assumptions are modified. Decreases in 
value may have a material adverse effect on our 
results of operations or financial condition. If any of 
our securities suffer credit losses, as we experienced 
with some of our investments in 2009, we may 
recognize the credit losses as an other-than-temporary 
impairment which could impact our revenue in the 
quarter in which we recognize the losses. The 
decision on whether to record an other-than-
temporary impairment or write-down is determined in 
part by management’s assessment of the financial 
condition and prospects of a particular issuer, 

Risk Factors (continued)

projections of future cash flows and recoverability of 
the particular security. Management’s conclusions on 
such assessments are highly judgmental and include 
assumptions and projections of future cash flows 
which may ultimately prove to be incorrect as 
assumptions, facts and circumstances change. On the 
other hand, securities held in a held-to-maturity 
accounting environment are limited in the actions we 
can take absent a significant deterioration in the 
issuer’s creditworthiness. Therefore we may be 
constrained in our ability to liquidate a held-to-
maturity security that is deteriorating in value, which 
would negatively impact the fair value of our 
securities portfolio. If our assertions change about our 
intention or ability to not sell securities that have 
experienced a reduction in fair value below its 
amortized cost we could be required to recognize an 
other-than-temporary loss in earnings for the entire 
difference between fair value and amortized cost. 

For information regarding our investment securities 
portfolio, refer to “Consolidated balance sheet review 
- Investment securities” and for information regarding 
the sensitivity of and risks associated with the market 
value of portfolio investments and interest rates, refer 
to the “Critical accounting estimates - Fair value - 
Securities” and “- Other-than-temporary impairment” 
sections both of which are in the MD&A - Results of 
Operations section in this Annual Report and Note 4 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in 
this Annual Report. 

We are dependent on fee-based business for a 
substantial majority of our revenue and our fee-
based revenues could be adversely affected by a 
slowing in market activity, weak financial markets, 
underperformance and/or negative trends in savings 
rates or in investment preferences. 

Our principal operational focus is on fee-based 
business, which is distinct from commercial banking 
institutions that earn most of their revenues from 
loans and other traditional interest-generating 
products and services. In 2015, approximately 79% of 
our revenue was fee-based (excluding net securities 
gains).  Our fee-based businesses include investment 
management, custody, corporate trust, depositary 
receipts, clearing, collateral management and treasury 
services, which are highly competitive businesses. 

Fees for many of our products and services are based 
on the volume of transactions processed, the market 
value of assets managed and administered, securities 

lending volume and spreads, and fees for other 
services rendered. Corporate actions, cross-border 
investing, global mergers and acquisitions activity, 
new debt and equity issuances, and secondary trading 
volumes all affect the level of our revenues. If the 
volumes of these activities decrease due to weak 
financial markets or otherwise, our revenues will also 
decrease, which would negatively impact our results 
of operations. 

In addition, poor investment returns in our investment 
management business, due to either weak market 
conditions or underperformance (relative to our 
competitors or to benchmarks) by funds or accounts 
that we manage or investment products that we 
design or sell, result in reduced market values of 
portfolios that we manage and/or administer and 
affect our ability to retain existing assets and to attract 
new clients or additional assets from existing clients. 
This could affect the management and incentive fees 
that we earn on assets under management. Similarly, 
significant declines in the volume of capital markets 
activity would reduce the number of transactions we 
process and the amount of securities we lend and 
therefore would also have an adverse effect on our 
results of operations. Continuing low interest rates 
have also resulted in, and may continue to result in, 
waivers of money market fund fees.  The recent U.S. 
short-term rate increase has reduced, but not 
eliminated, the amount of such waivers.

Our business generally benefits when individuals 
invest their savings in mutual funds and other 
collective funds, unit investment trusts or exchange 
traded funds, or contribute more to defined 
contribution plans. If there is a decline in the savings 
rates of individuals, or if there is a change in 
investment preferences that leads to less investment 
in mutual funds or other collective funds, or a shift to 
lower fee investment products, our revenues could be 
adversely affected. In addition, to the extent that we 
are forced to compete on the basis of price with other 
financial institutions, fee reductions on existing or 
future new business could cause revenues and profit 
margins to decline. 

The profitability of certain of our businesses has 
declined since the financial crisis. For example, due 
to changes in fee structures, the margins on our 
clearing and corporate trust businesses have lowered, 
and we do not expect those margins to return to their 
historically high levels.   

BNY Mellon 113 

Risk Factors (continued)

Our FX revenue may be adversely affected by 
decreases in market volatility and the cross-border 
investment activity of our clients. 

Our foreign exchange trading generates revenues 
which are influenced by market pressures, which 
continue to be increasingly competitive, the volume 
of client transactions and the spread realized on these 
transactions.  The level of volume and spreads is 
affected by market volatility, the level of cross-border 
assets held in custody for clients, the level and nature 
of underlying cross-border investments and other 
transactions undertaken by corporate and institutional 
clients.  Our clients’ cross-border investing activity 
could decrease in reaction to economic and political 
uncertainties, including changes in laws or 
regulations governing cross-border transactions, such 
as currency controls. Uncertainties resulting from 
terrorist attacks and/or military actions may also 
negatively affect cross-border investments activity. 
Volumes and/or spreads in some of our products tend 
to benefit from currency volatility and are likely to 
decrease during times of lower currency volatility.  
These revenues also depend on our ability to manage 
the risk associated with the currency transactions we 
execute and program pricing.   

Furthermore, a shift by custody clients from the 
standing instruction programs to other trading options 
combined with competitive market pressures on the 
foreign exchange business is negatively impacting 
our FX revenue.  Continued growth of electronic FX 
trading capabilities may also accelerate a shift of 
volume to lower margin channels.

Credit and Liquidity Risk 

The failure or perceived weakness of any of our 
significant counterparties, many of whom are major 
financial institutions and sovereign entities, and our 
assumption of credit and counterparty risk, could 
expose us to loss and adversely affect our business. 

We have exposure to many different industries and 
counterparties, particularly financial institutions as a 
result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other 
relationships.  We routinely execute transactions with 
counterparties in the financial industry, including 
brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment 
banks, mutual and hedge funds, insurance companies, 
as well as sovereigns and other governmental or 
quasi-governmental entities, and other institutional 
clients. As a result, our ability to engage in routine 

 114 BNY Mellon

funding or other transactions could be adversely 
affected by the actions and commercial soundness of 
other financial institutions or sovereign entities, as 
defaults or non-performance by (or even rumors or 
questions about such default or non-performance) one 
or more financial institutions, or the financial services 
industry generally, have in the past led to market-
wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or 
defaults by us or by other institutions (including our 
counterparties and/or clients) in the future. For 
example, as a result of our membership in several 
industry clearing or settlement exchanges, we may be 
required to guarantee obligations and liabilities or 
provide financial support in the event that other 
members do not honor their obligations or default. 
These obligations may be limited to members that 
dealt with the defaulting member or to the amount (or 
a multiple of the amount) of our contribution to a 
member’s guarantee fund, or, in a few cases, the 
obligation may be unlimited. The consolidation of 
financial institutions during the recent financial crisis 
and the failures of other financial institutions have 
increased the concentration of our counterparty risk. 

In addition to our counterparty exposure to financial 
institutions, we are from time to time exposed to 
concentrated credit risk at the industry or country 
level, potentially exposing us to a single market or 
political event or a correlated set of events. For 
example, defaults by companies located in certain 
countries, such as Brazil and China, may increase 
meaningfully as a result of deteriorating economic 
conditions. 

The degree of client demand for short-term credit also 
tends to increase during periods of market turbulence, 
exposing us to further counterparty-related risks. For 
example, investors in collective investment vehicles 
for which we act as custodian may engage in 
significant redemption activity due to adverse market 
or economic news that was not anticipated by the 
fund’s manager.  We may then extend short-term 
credit to clients as a result of our relationship with 
such clients and the nature of various cash and 
securities settlement processes. For some types of 
clients, we provide credit to allow them to leverage 
their portfolios, which may expose us to potential loss 
if the client experiences credit difficulties.  We are 
also generally not able to net exposures across 
counterparties that are affiliated entities and may not 
be able in all circumstances to net exposures to the 
same legal entity across multiple products.  In 
addition, we may incur a loss in relation to one entity 

Risk Factors (continued)

or product even though our exposure to one of the 
entities’ affiliates is over-collateralized. Moreover, 
not all of our counterparty exposure is secured and, 
when our exposure is secured, the realizable market 
value of the collateral may have declined by the time 
we exercise our rights against that collateral. This risk 
may be particularly acute if we are required to sell the 
collateral into an illiquid or temporarily-impaired 
market. In addition, disputes with counterparties as to 
the valuation of collateral significantly increase in 
times of market stress and illiquidity. 

We act as lender’s agent in securities lending 
transactions between our customers, acting as lenders, 
and financial counterparties, including broker-dealers, 
acting as borrowers, wherein securities are lent by our 
customers and the loans are secured by a pledge of 
cash or securities posted by such financial 
counterparties. Typically, in the case of cash 
collateral, we invest the cash collateral pursuant to 
each customer’s investment guidelines and 
instructions. In certain cases, we agree to indemnify 
our customers against a default by the borrower under 
a securities lending transaction and, therefore, may 
have to buy-in the loaned securities with the cash 
collateral or the proceeds from the liquidation of the 
non-cash collateral. In those instances, we, rather than 
our customers, are exposed to the risks of the 
defaulting counterparty in the securities lending 
transaction. 

From time to time, we assume concentrated credit 
risk at the individual obligor, counterparty or group 
level. Such concentrations may be material. Our 
material counterparty exposures change daily, and the 
counterparties or groups of related counterparties to 
which our risk exposure is material also varies during 
any reported period; however, our largest exposures 
tend to be to other financial institutions, clearing 
organizations, and governmental entities, both inside 
and outside of the U.S. Concentration of counterparty 
exposure presents significant risks to us and to our 
clients because the failure or perceived weakness of 
our counterparties (or in some cases of our clients’ 
counterparties) has the potential to expose us to risk 
of financial loss. Changes in market perception of the 
financial strength of particular financial institutions or 
sovereign issuers can occur rapidly, are often based 
on a variety of factors and are difficult to predict. 

Under evolving regulatory restrictions on credit 
exposure, which include a broadening of the measure 
of credit exposure, we may be required to limit our 

exposures to specific issuers or groups, including 
financial institutions, to levels that we may currently 
exceed. These credit exposure restrictions under such 
evolving regulations may adversely affect our 
businesses and may require that we modify our 
operating models or the policies and practices we use. 

Although our overall business is subject to these 
interdependencies, several of our businesses are 
particularly sensitive to them, including our currency 
and other trading activities, our securities lending and 
securities finance businesses and our investment 
management business. There is no assurance that any 
such losses would not materially and adversely affect 
our results of operations. 

We have credit, regulatory and reputational risks as 
a result of our tri-party repo collateral agency 
services, which could adversely affect our business 
and results of operations. 

BNY Mellon offers tri-party collateral agency 
services to dealers and cash investors active in the tri-
party repurchase, or repo, market and currently has 
approximately 85% of the market share of the U.S. 
tri-party repo market. As agent, we facilitate 
settlement between sellers (cash borrowers) and 
buyers (cash lenders). Our involvement in a 
transaction commences after a seller and buyer agree 
to a tri-party repo trade and send instructions to us. 
We settle the trade, maintain custody of the collateral 
(the subject securities of the repo), monitor the 
eligibility and sufficiency of the collateral, and 
execute payment and delivery instructions provided 
by the principals. 

Providing tri-party repo agent services to repo 
counterparties exposes BNY Mellon to credit risk at 
certain points in time. To facilitate trade settlement 
and collateral substitutions, we extend secured 
committed intraday credit to certain dealers. The 
committed credit requires dealers to fully secure the 
outstanding intraday credit with high-quality liquid 
assets having a market value in excess of the amount 
of the outstanding credit.  In the event of a default by 
a dealer to whom we have extended secured 
committed intraday credit, we would be at risk for the 
market value of the collateral securing such intraday 
credit, and for any shortfall in value after the 
liquidation of such collateral, which could adversely 
affect our results of operations. 

BNY Mellon 115 

Risk Factors (continued)

We are in the process of implementing new platforms 
and systems relating to the tri-party repo business. As 
with the implementation of any new technology, we 
may experience operational errors that could lead to 
system failures and business interruptions and 
adversely impact our business. 

If a BNY Mellon client that is party to a repurchase 
transaction cleared by BNY Mellon becomes 
bankrupt or insolvent, BNY Mellon may become 
involved in disputes and litigation with the client’s 
bankruptcy estate and other creditors, or involved in 
regulatory investigations, all of which can increase 
BNY Mellon’s operational and litigation costs and 
may result in losses if the securities in the repurchase 
transaction decline in value. 

We anticipate that regulators will continue to monitor 
the actions of market participants and use available 
supervisory tools to encourage constructive and 
timely action to reduce sources of risk in the tri-party 
repo market. Failure to meet regulatory expectations 
could result in regulatory and reputational risk and 
additional costs. 

Additionally, in the event that a significant number of 
tri-party repo transactions are cleared through a 
central clearinghouse, our revenues associated with 
tri-party repo transactions could be negatively 
impacted.  

Any material reduction in our credit ratings or the 
credit ratings of our principal bank subsidiaries, 
The Bank of New York Mellon or BNY Mellon, 
N.A., could increase the cost of funding and 
borrowing to us and our rated subsidiaries and have 
a material adverse effect on our results of 
operations and financial condition and on the value 
of the securities we issue. 

Our debt, preferred stock and trust preferred 
securities and the debt and deposits of our bank 
subsidiaries, The Bank of New York Mellon and BNY 
Mellon, N.A., are currently rated investment grade by 
the major rating agencies. These rating agencies 
regularly evaluate us and our rated subsidiaries and 
their outlook on us and our rated subsidiaries. Their 
credit ratings are based on a number of factors, 
including our financial strength, performance, 
prospects and operations as well as factors not 
entirely within our control, including conditions 
affecting the financial services industry generally as 
well as the U.S. government. In addition, rating 

 116 BNY Mellon

agencies employ different models and formulas to 
assess the financial strength of a rated company, and 
from time to time rating agencies have, in their 
discretion, altered these models. Changes to rating 
agency models, general economic conditions, or other 
circumstances outside of our control could impact a 
rating agency’s judgment of the rating or outlook it 
assigns us or our rated subsidiaries. For example, in 
2015 S&P changed its methodology for rating global 
banks, resulting in a one-notch downgrade of the 
Parent and a one-notch downgrade of The Bank of 
New York Mellon’s subordinated debt. 

In view of the difficulties experienced in recent years 
by many financial institutions, we believe that the 
rating agencies have heightened their level of 
scrutiny, increased the frequency and scope of their 
credit reviews, have requested additional information, 
and have adjusted upward the requirements employed 
in their models for maintenance of rating levels. 
There can be no assurance that we or our rated 
subsidiaries will maintain our respective credit ratings 
or outlook on our securities. 

A material reduction in our credit ratings or the credit 
ratings of our rated subsidiaries could have a material 
adverse effect on our access to credit markets, the 
related cost of funding and borrowing, our credit 
spreads, our liquidity and on certain trading revenues, 
particularly in those businesses where counterparty 
creditworthiness is critical. In addition, in connection 
with certain over-the-counter derivatives contracts 
and other trading agreements, counterparties may 
require us or our rated subsidiaries to provide 
additional collateral or to terminate these contracts 
and agreements and collateral financing arrangements 
in the event of a credit ratings downgrade below 
certain ratings levels. The requirement to provide 
additional collateral or terminate these contracts and 
agreements could impair our liquidity by requiring us 
to find other sources of financing or to make 
significant cash payments or securities movements. A 
downgrade by any one rating agency, depending on 
the agency’s relative ratings of the firm at the time of 
the downgrade, may have an impact which is 
comparable to the impact of a downgrade by all 
rating agencies. If a rating agency downgrade were to 
occur during broader market instability, our options 
for responding to events may be more limited and 
more expensive. An increase in the costs of our 
funding and borrowing, or an impairment of our 
liquidity, could have a material adverse effect on our 
results of operations and financial condition. A 

Risk Factors (continued)

material reduction in our credit ratings also could 
decrease the number of investors and counterparties 
willing or permitted to do business with or lend to us 
and adversely affect the value of the securities we 
have issued or may issue in the future. 

We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may 
take, or what actions we may elect or be required to 
take in response thereto, which may adversely affect 
us. Our and our subsidiaries’ ratings could be 
downgraded at any time and without any notice by 
any of the rating agencies. For further discussion on 
the impact of a credit rating downgrade, see 
“Disclosure of contingent features in over-the-counter 
(“OTC”) derivative instruments” in Note 23 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this 
Annual Report. 

Our business, financial condition and results of 
operations could be adversely affected if we do not 
effectively manage our liquidity. 

Our business is dependent in part on our ability to 
meet our cash and collateral obligations at a 
reasonable cost for both expected and unexpected 
cash flows. We receive client deposits through a 
variety of investment management and investment 
servicing businesses and we rely on those deposits as 
a low-cost and stable source of funding. Our ability to 
continue to receive those deposits, and other short-
term funding sources, is subject to variability based 
on a number of factors, including volume and 
volatility in the global securities markets, the relative 
interest rates that we are prepared to pay for those 
deposits, and the perception of the safety of those 
deposits or other short-term obligations relative to 
alternative short-term investments available to our 
clients. We could lose deposits if we suffer a 
significant decline in the level of our business 
activity, our credit ratings are materially downgraded 
or we are subject to significant negative press or 
significant regulatory action or litigation, among 
other reasons. If we were to lose a significant amount 
of deposits we may need to replace such funding with 
more expensive funding and/or reduce assets, which 
would reduce our net interest revenue. In addition, the 
Parent’s access to the debt capital markets is a 
significant source of liquidity.  If the TLAC Rules are 
adopted as proposed, the majority of BNY Mellon 
and other U.S. G-SIBs’ outstanding LTD would be 
ineligible under the final rules, which could result in 
BNY Mellon and the other U.S. G-SIBs issuing or 
refinancing a substantial amount of long-term debt in 

a concentrated period of time, which could 
significantly increase our cost of funding.

Events or circumstances often outside of our control, 
such as market disruptions, government fiscal and 
monetary policies, or loss of confidence of securities 
purchasers or counterparties in us or in the funds 
markets, could limit our access to capital markets, 
increase our cost of borrowing, adversely affect our 
liquidity, or impair our ability to execute our business 
plan. In addition, clearing organizations, regulators, 
clients and financial institutions with which we 
interact may exercise the right to require additional 
collateral based on market perceptions or market 
conditions, which could further impair our access to 
and cost of funding. Market perception of sovereign 
default risks can also lead to inefficient money 
markets and capital markets, which could further 
impact BNY Mellon’s funding availability and cost. 
Conversely, if we experience too much liquidity, it 
could increase interest expense, limit our financial 
flexibility, and increase the size of our total assets in a 
manner that could have a negative impact on our 
capital ratios. 

Recently adopted and proposed regulations have been 
designed to address certain liquidity risks of large 
banking organizations, including BNY Mellon. The 
LCR and the Dodd-Frank Act’s enhanced prudential 
standards impose liquidity management requirements 
on us that require us to increase our holdings of 
highly liquid, but potentially lower-yielding assets. 
These regulations also impact our ability to hold 
certain deposits deemed to pose a higher risk of 
runoff in the event of financial distress. Under the 
U.S. capital rules, the size of the capital surcharge 
that will apply to large U.S. banking organizations is 
based in part on a banking organization’s reliance on 
short-term wholesale funding, including certain types 
of deposit funding, which effectively may increase 
the cost of such funding. Furthermore, certain non-
U.S. regulators have proposed legislation or 
regulations requiring large banks to incorporate a 
separate subsidiary in countries in which they 
operate, and to maintain independent capital and 
liquidity at foreign subsidiaries. If adopted, these 
requirements could hinder our ability to efficiently 
manage our funding and liquidity in a centralized 
manner. There can be no assurances that these 
measures will be successful in limiting BNY Mellon’s 
liquidity risk. 

BNY Mellon 117 

Risk Factors (continued)

As a holding company, we also rely on dividends and 
interest from our subsidiaries for funding. The 
Parent’s policy is to have sufficient unencumbered 
cash and cash equivalents at its holding company on 
hand to meet its forecasted debt redemptions, net 
interest payments and net tax payments over a 
minimum of the next 18 months without the need to 
receive dividends from its bank subsidiaries or issue 
debt. As of Dec. 31, 2015, the Parent was in 
compliance with this policy. However, there are 
various legal limitations on the extent to which our 
bank and other subsidiaries can finance or otherwise 
supply funds to us (by dividend or otherwise) and 
certain of our affiliates. If we are not able to obtain 
funds from our subsidiaries, we could be required to 
replace such funds through more expensive means 
and/or reduce assets.  The Bank of New York Mellon, 
our primary subsidiary, is not currently paying regular 
dividends to the Parent so that it may retain capital in 
advance of upcoming capital rule implementation, 
which may impact the Parent’s future liquidity. 

If we are unable to raise funds using the methods 
described above, we would likely need to finance or 
liquidate unencumbered assets, such as our 
investment portfolio, central bank deposits and bank 
placements, to meet funding needs. We may be 
unable to sell some of our assets, or we may have to 
sell assets at a discount from market value, either of 
which could adversely affect our financial condition 
and results of operations. Further, our ability to sell 
assets may be impaired if other market participants 
are seeking to sell similar assets at the same time, 
which could occur in a liquidity or other market 
crisis. Additionally, if we experience cash flow 
mismatches, deposit run-off or market constraints 
resulting from our inability to convert assets to cash 
or access capital markets, our liquidity could be 
severely impacted. During periods of market 
uncertainty, our level of client deposits has in recent 
years tended to increase; however, since such deposits 
have a foreseeable potential not to be permanent, we 
have historically deposited these so-called excess 
deposits with central banks and in other highly liquid 
and low-yielding instruments. These levels of excess 
client deposits, as a consequence, have increased our 
net interest revenue. 

If we are unable to continue to fund our assets 
through deposits or access capital markets on 
favorable terms or if we suffer an increase in our 
borrowing costs or otherwise fail to manage our 
liquidity effectively, our liquidity, net interest margin, 

 118 BNY Mellon

financial results and condition may be materially 
adversely affected. In certain cases, this could require 
us to raise additional capital through the issuance of 
preferred or common stock, which could dilute the 
ownership of existing stockholders, or reduce our 
common stock dividend to preserve capital. For a 
further discussion of our liquidity, see “Liquidity and 
dividends” in the MD&A - Results of Operations in 
this Annual Report. 

We could incur charges through provision expense 
if our reserves for credit losses, including loan 
reserves, are inadequate. 

When we loan money, commit to loan money or 
provide credit or enter into another contract with a 
counterparty, we incur credit risk, or the risk of losses 
if our borrowers do not repay their loans or our 
counterparties fail to perform according to the terms 
of their agreements. Our credit exposure is comprised 
of six classes of financing receivables: financial 
institutions, commercial, commercial real estate, lease 
financings, wealth management loans and mortgages, 
and other residential mortgages. Our revenues and 
profitability are adversely affected when our 
borrowers default in whole or in part on their loan 
obligations to us or when there is a significant 
deterioration in the credit quality of our loan 
portfolio. We reserve for credit losses by establishing 
an allowance through a charge to earnings. The 
allowance for loan losses and allowance for lending-
related commitments represents management’s 
estimate of probable losses inherent in our credit 
portfolio. We utilize a quantitative methodology, 
which is supplemented with a qualitative framework 
that takes into account internal and external 
environmental factors that are not captured within the 
quantitative methodology, to determine the allowance 
for credit losses. This process requires us to make 
numerous complex and subjective estimates and 
assumptions relating to probable losses which are 
inherently uncertain. As is the case with any such 
assessments, there is always the chance that we will 
fail to identify the proper factors or that we will fail 
to accurately estimate the impact of factors that we do 
identify. We cannot provide any assurance as to 
whether charge-offs related to our credit exposure 
may occur in the future. Current and future market 
and economic developments may increase default and 
delinquency rates and negatively impact the quality 
of our credit portfolio, which may impact our charge-
offs. If the allowance for credit losses is inadequate 
due to deterioration in the credit quality of the 

Risk Factors (continued)

portfolio or significant charge-offs, we would be 
required to record credit loss provisions against 
current earnings, which could adversely impact our 
net income. See “Critical accounting estimates” in the 
MD&A - Results of Operations section in this Annual 
Report.  

Other Risks

Tax law changes or challenges to our tax positions 
with respect to historical transactions may adversely 
affect our net income, effective tax rate and our 
overall results of operations and financial condition. 

In the course of our business, we receive inquiries 
and challenges from both U.S. and non-U.S. tax 
authorities on the amount of taxes we owe. If we are 
not successful in defending these inquiries and 
challenges, we may be required to adjust the timing 
or amount of taxable income or deductions or the 
allocation of income among tax jurisdictions, all of 
which can require a greater provision for taxes or 
otherwise negatively affect earnings. Probabilities 
and outcomes are reviewed as events unfold, and 
adjustments to the reserves are made when necessary, 
but the reserves may prove inadequate because we 
cannot necessarily accurately predict the outcome of 
any challenge, settlement or litigation or the extent to 
which it will negatively affect us or our business. In 
addition, new tax laws or the expiration of or changes 
in existing tax laws, or the interpretation of those 
laws worldwide, could have a material impact on our 
business or net income. Our actions taken in response 
to, or reliance upon, such changes in the tax laws may 
impact our tax position in a manner that may result in 
lower earnings. See Note 12 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual 
Report for further information. 

Changes in accounting standards governing the 
preparation of our financial statements and future 
events could have a material impact on our reported 
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows 
and other financial data. 

From time to time, the FASB, the IASB, the SEC and 
bank regulators change the financial accounting and 
reporting standards governing the preparation of our 
financial statements or the interpretation of those 
standards. See “Recent Accounting Developments” in 
the MD&A section and Note 2 to the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual 
Report. These changes are difficult to predict and can 

materially impact how we record and report our 
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows 
and other financial data. In some cases, we may be 
required to apply a new or revised standard 
retroactively or to apply an existing standard 
differently, also retroactively, in each case potentially 
resulting in the restatement of our prior period 
financial statements. 

Additionally, our accounting policies and methods are 
fundamental to how we record and report our 
financial condition and results of operations. Some of 
these policies and methods require use of estimates 
and assumptions, such as allowance for loan losses 
and allowance for lending-related commitments, fair 
value of financial instruments and derivatives, other-
than-temporary impairment, goodwill and other 
intangibles, and pension accounting, which may 
affect the reported value of our assets or liabilities 
and results of operations. These estimates and 
assumptions are critical because they require 
management to make difficult, subjective and 
complex judgments about matters that are inherently 
uncertain. If subsequent events occur that are 
materially different than the assumptions and 
estimates we used, future results may be materially 
different than estimated.  

The Parent is a non-operating holding company, 
and as a result, is dependent on dividends from its 
subsidiaries, including its principal subsidiary 
banks, to meet its obligations, including its 
obligations with respect to its securities, and to 
provide funds for payment of dividends to its 
stockholders and stock repurchases. 

The Parent is a non-operating holding company, 
whose principal assets and sources of income are its 
principal U.S. bank subsidiaries - The Bank of New 
York Mellon and BNY Mellon, N.A. - and its other 
subsidiaries. The Parent is a legal entity separate and 
distinct from its banks and other subsidiaries and, 
therefore, it relies in part on dividends, interest, 
distributions, and other payments from these bank 
and other subsidiaries to meet its obligations, 
including its obligations with respect to its securities, 
and to provide funds for payment of common and 
preferred dividends to its stockholders, to the extent 
declared by the Board of Directors.  Currently, The 
Bank of New York Mellon, our primary subsidiary, is 
no longer paying regular dividends to the Parent to 
build capital in advance of upcoming capital rule 

BNY Mellon 119 

Risk Factors (continued)

implementation, which may impact our future 
liquidity.

There are various legal limitations on the extent to 
which our bank and other subsidiaries can finance or 
otherwise supply funds to the Parent (by dividend or 
otherwise) and certain of our affiliates. Many of our 
subsidiaries, including our bank subsidiaries, are 
subject to laws and regulations that restrict dividend 
payments or authorize regulatory bodies to block or 
reduce the flow of funds from those subsidiaries to 
the parent company or other subsidiaries. These 
restrictions can reduce the amount of funds available 
to meet the Parent’s obligations. In addition, our bank 
subsidiaries would not be permitted to distribute a 
dividend if doing so would constitute an unsafe and 
unsound practice or if the payment would reduce their 
capital to an inadequate level. Our bank subsidiaries 
are also subject to restrictions on their ability to lend 
to or transact with affiliates, minimum regulatory 
capital and liquidity requirements, and restrictions on 
their ability to use funds deposited with them in bank 
or brokerage accounts to fund their businesses. 

We evaluate and manage liquidity on a legal entity 
basis. Legal entity liquidity is an important 
consideration as there are legal and other limitations 
on our ability to utilize liquidity from one legal entity 
to satisfy the liquidity requirements of another, 
including the Parent. 

Although we maintain cash positions for liquidity at 
the holding company level, if our bank subsidiaries or 
other subsidiaries were unable to supply the Parent 
with cash over time, the Parent could become unable 
to meet its obligations (including its obligations with 
respect to its securities), declare or pay dividends in 
respect of its capital stock, or perform stock 
repurchases. See “Supervision and Regulation” and 
“Liquidity and dividends” in the MD&A - Results of 
Operations and Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements in this Annual Report. 

Because the Parent is a holding company, its rights 
and the rights of its creditors, including the holders of 
its securities, to a share of the assets of any subsidiary 
upon the liquidation or recapitalization of the 
subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of the 
subsidiary’s creditors (including, in the case of our 
banking subsidiaries, their depositors) except to the 
extent that the Parent may itself be a creditor with 
recognized claims against the subsidiary. The rights 
of holders of securities issued by the Parent to benefit 

 120 BNY Mellon

from those distributions will also be junior to those 
prior claims. Consequently, securities issued by the 
Parent will be effectively subordinated to all existing 
and future liabilities of our subsidiaries.

Our ability to return capital to shareholders is 
subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors 
and may be limited by U.S. banking laws and 
regulations, including those governing capital and 
the approval of our capital plan, applicable 
provisions of Delaware law or our failure to pay full 
and timely dividends on our preferred stock. 

Holders of our common and preferred stock are only 
entitled to receive such dividends or other 
distributions of capital as our Board of Directors may 
declare out of funds legally available for such 
payments. Although we have historically declared 
cash dividends on our common and preferred stock, 
we are not required to do so. In addition to the Board 
of Directors’ approval, our ability to take certain 
actions, including our ability to make certain 
acquisitions, declare dividends or repurchase our 
common stock, is dependent on, among other things, 
Federal Reserve non-objection under the annual 
regulatory review of the results of the CCAR process 
required by the Federal Reserve and the supervisory 
stress tests required under the Dodd-Frank Act. These 
evaluations, in turn, are dependent on, among other 
things, our successful demonstration that we can 
maintain capital levels above regulatory minimums in 
the event of a stressed market environment, as well as 
the Federal Reserve’s assessment of the robustness of 
our capital adequacy qualitative process and the 
assumptions and analysis underlying the capital plan. 
There can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve 
will respond favorably to our future capital plans or 
that we will perform adequately on our supervisory 
stress tests. If the Federal Reserve objects to our 
proposed capital actions or we underperform on our 
stress tests, we may be required to revise our stress-
testing or capital management approaches, resubmit 
our capital plan or postpone, cancel or alter our 
planned capital actions, and we would not be 
permitted to make any capital distributions other than 
those to which the Federal Reserve has indicated in 
writing its non-objection. In addition, if there have 
been or will be changes in our risk profile (including 
a material change in business strategy or risk 
exposure), financial condition or corporate structure, 
we may be required to resubmit our capital plan to the 
Federal Reserve. 

Risk Factors (continued)

Our ability to accurately predict or explain the 
outcome of the CCAR process is influenced by 
evolving supervisory criteria.  The Federal Reserve’s 
annual assessment of our capital adequacy and 
planning process involves not only a quantitative 
assessment through the Federal Reserve’s proprietary 
stress test models but also a qualitative assessment.  
The qualitative assessment involves a number of 
factors and is expected to continue to evolve and may 
be revised on an ongoing basis as a result of the 
Federal Reserve’s cross-firm review of capital plan 
submissions.  Similarly, the Federal Reserve may, as 
part of its stated goal to continually evolve its annual 
stress testing requirements, adjust several parameters 
of the annual stress testing process, including the 
severity of the stress test scenario and the addition of 
components deemed important by the Federal 
Reserve (e.g., a counterparty failure).  Further, 
because it is not clear how the Federal Reserve’s 
proprietary stress test models and qualitative 
assessment may differ from the modeling techniques 
and capital planning practices employed by us, it is 
foreseeable that our stress test results (using our own 
models, estimation methodologies and processes) 
may not be consistent with those disclosed by the 
Federal Reserve.  In addition, the Federal Reserve 
may consider, at some point in the future, that some 
or all of the G-SIB surcharge be integrated into its 
post-stress test minimum capital requirements.

The Federal Reserve’s current guidance provides that, 
for large BHCs like BNY Mellon, common stock 
dividend payout ratios exceeding 30% of after-tax net 
income available to common shareholders under 
certain baseline scenarios will receive particularly

 close scrutiny. A failure to increase dividends along 
with our competitors, or any reduction of, or 
elimination of, our common stock dividend would 
likely adversely affect the market price of our 
common stock, impact our return on equity, and 
market perceptions of BNY Mellon. 

Our ability to declare or pay dividends on, or 
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, shares of our 
common stock or any of our shares that rank junior to 
preferred stock as to the payment of dividends and/or 
the distribution of any assets on any liquidation, 
dissolution or winding-up of BNY Mellon will be 
prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, in the event 
that we do not declare and pay in full dividends for 
the then current dividend period of our Series A 
preferred stock or the last preceding dividend period 
of our Series C, Series D or Series E preferred stock. 

In addition, regulatory capital rules that are or will be 
applicable to us including the U.S. capital rules, the 
SLR, TLAC, or the U.S. G-SIB Rule may limit or 
otherwise restrict how we utilize our capital, 
including common stock dividends and stock 
repurchases, and may require us to increase or alter 
the mix of our outstanding regulatory capital 
instruments. Any requirement to increase our 
regulatory capital ratios or alter the composition of 
our capital could require us to liquidate assets or 
otherwise change our business and/or investment 
plans, which may negatively affect our financial 
results. Further, any requirement to maintain higher 
levels of capital may constrain our ability to return 
capital to shareholders either in the form of common 
stock dividends or share repurchases.

BNY Mellon 121 

Recent Accounting Developments

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

ASU 2016-02, Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, 
“Leases.”  The standard introduces a new accounting 
model for lessees and was issued primarily to address 
concerns related to off-balance sheet financing 
arrangements available to lessees under current 
guidance.  The standard requires lessees to account 
for all leases on the balance sheet, except for certain 
short-term leases that have a maximum possible lease 
term of 12 months.  A lessee will recognize on its 
balance sheet (1) an asset for its right to use the 
underlying asset over the lease term, including 
optional payment periods only if the lessee is 
reasonably certain to exercise the option and (2) a 
liability representing its obligation to make lease 
payments over the lease term.  The classification of 
leases and income statement impact for lessees will 
depend on whether the leases meet certain criterion, 
including those criterion in which the lessee obtains 
effective control of the underlying asset.  The 
accounting for lessors is largely unchanged from the 
previous accounting guidance; except for leverage 
lease accounting which is not be permitted for leases 
entered into or modified after the effective date of the 
new standard.  The FASB requires a modified 
retrospective method of adoption.  The final guidance 
is effective for reporting periods beginning after Dec. 
15, 2018.

ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of 
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, 
“Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets 
and Financial Liabilities.”  The new ASU requires 
investments in equity securities that do not result in 
consolidation and are not accounted for under the 
equity method to be measured at fair value with 
changes in the fair value recognized through net 
income, unless one of two available exceptions apply.  
The first exception, a scope exception, allows Federal 
Reserve Bank Stock, Federal Home Loan Bank stock 
and other exchange memberships held by broker 
dealers to remain accounted for at cost, less 
impairment.  It also does not apply to derivative 
instruments that are subject to the requirements of 
ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  The second 
exception, a practicability exception, will be available 
for equity investments that do not have readily 
determinable fair values and do not qualify for the 

 122 BNY Mellon

practical expedient to estimate fair value under ASC 
820, Fair Value Measurement.

The amendments also require an entity to present 
separately in other comprehensive income the portion 
of the total change in the fair value of a liability 
resulting from the entity’s “own credit risk” when the 
entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value.  
The amendments also eliminate the requirement to 
disclose the methods and significant assumptions 
used to estimate the fair values of financial 
instruments measured at amortized cost that are on 
the balance sheet.

This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after 
Dec. 15, 2017, including interim periods within those 
fiscal years.  If certain requirements are met, early 
adoption of the “own credit risk” provision is 
permitted; early adoption of the other provisions is 
not permitted.  BNY Mellon is assessing the impacts 
of the new standard.

ASU - 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU, “Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an 
entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it 
expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers.  The ASU will 
replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in 
U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective.  The new 
standard is effective for the Company on Jan. 1, 2018 
with early adoption permitted no earlier than Jan. 1, 
2017.  The standard permits the use of either the 
retrospective or cumulative effect transition method.  
The Company is evaluating the effect that this ASU 
will have on its consolidated financial statements and 
related disclosures.  The Company has not yet 
selected a transition method nor has it determined the 
effect of the standard on its ongoing financial 
reporting.

Proposed Accounting Standards

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment 
Accounting

In June 2015, the FASB issued a proposed ASU, 
“Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment 
Accounting.”  This proposed ASU would simplify 
several aspects of the accounting for share-based 
payment transactions, including income tax 

Recent Accounting Developments (continued)

consequences, classification of awards as either 
equity or liabilities, and classification on the 
statement of cash flows.  Comments were due on this 
proposed ASU by Aug. 14, 2015.  The effective date 
and whether to permit early adoption will be 
determined after considering stakeholder feedback.

for those changes.  The FASB has decided on a 
current expected credit loss model for financial assets 
measured at amortized cost.  The FASB recently 
concluded its re-deliberations.  A final standard is 
estimated to be issued in the first quarter of 2016 with 
an anticipated effective date Jan.1, 2019. 

Simplifying the Equity Method of Accounting

Adoption of new accounting standards

In June 2015, the FASB issued a proposed ASU, 
“Simplifying the Equity Method of Accounting.”  
This proposed ASU would eliminate the requirement 
to account for the difference between the cost of an 
investment and the investor’s proportionate share of 
the net assets of the investee (the basis difference), 
and also eliminates the requirement to retrospectively 
apply the equity method when an increase in 
ownership interest in the investee prompts a change 
from the cost method to the equity method.  
Comments were due on this proposed ASU by Aug. 
4, 2015.  The effective date and whether to permit 
early adoption will be determined after considering 
stakeholder feedback.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In December 2012, the FASB issued a proposed ASU, 
“Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.”  This 
proposed ASU would result in a single model to 
account for credit losses on financial assets.  The 
proposal would remove the probable threshold for 
recognizing credit losses and require a current 
estimate of the expected contractual cash flows an 
entity does not expect to collect on financial assets 
that are not measured at fair value through the income 
statement.  The proposal would also change current 
practice for recognizing OTTI and interest income on 
debt securities.  In addition, the proposal would result 
in the recognition of an allowance for credit losses for 
nearly all types of debt instruments.  The proposal 
would expand the credit quality disclosures to require 
information about changes in the factors that 
influence estimates of credit losses and the reasons

For a discussion of the adoption of new accounting 
standards, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

IFRS

IFRS are a set of standards and interpretations 
adopted by the IASB.  Commencing with the 
issuance of the “roadmap” in November 2008, the 
SEC has considered potential methods of 
incorporation of IFRS in the United States.  The use 
of IFRS for U.S. companies with global operations 
would allow for streamlined reporting, easier access 
to foreign capital markets and investments, and 
facilitate cross-border acquisitions, ventures or spin-
offs.

In July 2012, the SEC staff released its final report on 
IFRS.  This Final Report will be used by the SEC 
Commissioners to decide whether and, if so, when 
and how to incorporate IFRS into the financial 
reporting system for U.S. companies.  It is not known 
when the SEC will make a final decision on the 
adoption of IFRS in the United States. 

While the SEC decides whether IFRS will be required 
to be used in the preparation of our consolidated 
financial statements, a number of countries have 
mandated the use of IFRS by BNY Mellon’s 
subsidiaries in their statutory reports filed in those 
countries.  Such countries include Belgium, Brazil, 
the Netherlands, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and 
South Korea.  

BNY Mellon 123 

Business Continuity

We are prepared for events that could damage our 
physical facilities, cause delay or disruptions to 
operational functions, including telecommunications 
networks, or impair our employees, clients, vendors 
and counterparties.  Key elements of our business 
continuity strategies are extensive planning and 
testing, and diversity of business operations, data 
centers and telecommunications infrastructure.

We have established multiple geographically diverse 
locations for our funds transfer and broker-dealer 
services operational units, which provide redundant 
functionality to facilitate uninterrupted operations.

Our securities clearing, commercial paper, mutual 
fund accounting and custody, securities lending, 
master trust, Unit Investment Trust, corporate trust, 
item processing, wealth management and treasury 
units have common functionality in multiple sites 
designed to facilitate continuance of operations or 
rapid recovery.  In addition, we have recovery 
positions for approximately 12,700 employees on a 
global basis of which over 6,800 are proprietary.

We continue to enhance geographic diversity for 
business operations by moving additional personnel 
to growth centers outside of existing major urban 
centers.  We replicate 100% of our critical production 
computer data to multiple recovery data centers.

We have an active telecommunications diversity 
program.  All major buildings are provisioned with 
connectivity from diverse telecommunication 
carriers.  Additionally, we design our critical 
connectivity to take advantage of separate carrier 
entrances built into our facilities.  This maximizes 
resiliency by allowing for end to end separation of 
primary and alternative communications.

In 2003, the Federal Reserve, OCC and SEC jointly 
published the Interagency Paper, “Sound Practices to 
Strengthen the Resilience of the U.S. Financial 
System” (“Sound Practices Paper”).  The purpose of 
the document was to define the guidelines for the 

financial services industry and other interested parties 
regarding “best practices” related to business 
continuity planning.  Under these guidelines, we are a 
key clearing and settlement organization required to 
meet a higher standard for business continuity.

We believe we meet substantially all of the 
requirements of the Sound Practices Paper.  As a core 
clearing and settlement organization, we believe that 
we are at the forefront of the industry in improving 
business continuity practices.  

We are committed to seeing that requirements for 
business continuity are met not just within our own 
facilities, but also within those of our service 
providers whose operation is critical to our safety and 
soundness.  To that end, we have a Third Party 
Governance Program in place to review new and 
existing service providers to see that they meet our 
standards for business continuity, as well as for 
information security, financial stability, personnel 
practices, etc.

We have developed a comprehensive plan to prepare 
for the possibility of a flu pandemic, which 
anticipates significant reduced staffing levels and will 
provide for increased remote working by staff for one 
or more periods lasting several weeks.

Although we are committed to observing best 
practices as well as meeting regulatory requirements, 
geopolitical uncertainties and other external factors 
will continue to create risk that cannot always be 
identified and anticipated.

Due to BNY Mellon’s robust business recovery 
systems and processes, we are not materially 
impacted by climate change, nor do we expect 
material impacts in the near term.  We have, and will 
continue to, implement processes and capital projects 
to deal with the risks of the changing climate.  The 
Company has invested in the development of 
products and services that support the markets related 
to climate change.

 124 BNY Mellon

Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Supplemental information - Explanation of 
GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures

BNY Mellon has included in this Annual Report 
certain Non-GAAP financial measures based on fully 
phased-in Basel III CET1 and other risk-based capital 
ratios, SLR and tangible common shareholders’ 
equity.  BNY Mellon believes that the Basel III CET1 
and other risk-based capital ratios on a fully phased-
in basis, the SLR on a fully phased-in basis and the 
ratio of tangible common shareholders’ equity to 
tangible assets of operations are measures of capital 
strength that provide additional useful information to 
investors, supplementing the capital ratios which are, 
or were, required by regulatory authorities.  The 
tangible common shareholders’ equity ratio includes 
changes in investment securities valuations which are 
reflected in total shareholders’ equity.  In addition, 
this ratio is expressed as a percentage of the actual 
book value of assets, as opposed to a percentage of a 
risk-based reduced value established in accordance 
with regulatory requirements, although BNY Mellon 
in its reconciliation has excluded certain assets which 
are given a zero percent risk-weighting for regulatory 
purposes and the assets of consolidated investment 
management funds to which BNY Mellon has limited 
economic exposure.  Further, BNY Mellon believes 
that the return on tangible common equity measure, 
which excludes goodwill and intangible assets net of 
deferred tax liabilities, is a useful additional measure 
for investors because it presents a measure of those 
assets that can generate income.  BNY Mellon has 
provided a measure of tangible book value per share, 
which it believes provides additional useful 
information as to the level of tangible assets in 
relation to shares of common stock outstanding.

BNY Mellon has presented revenue measures which 
exclude the effect of noncontrolling interests related 
to consolidated investment management funds, gains 
on the sales of our equity investment in Wing Hang 
and our One Wall Street building; and expense 
measures which exclude M&I expenses, litigation 
charges, restructuring charges, the impairment charge 
related to a recent court decision, the charge related to 
investment management funds, net of incentives, and 
amortization of intangible assets.  Earnings per share, 
and return on equity, operating leverage and operating 
margin measures, which exclude some or all of these 
items, are also presented.  Earnings per share and 
return on equity measures also exclude the tax benefit 
primarily related to a tax carryback claim and the net 
charge related to the disallowance of certain foreign 
tax credits.  Operating margin measures may also 
exclude amortization of intangible assets and the net 

negative impact of money market fee waivers, net of 
distribution and servicing expense.  BNY Mellon 
believes that these measures are useful to investors 
because they permit a focus on period-to-period 
comparisons, which relate to the ability of BNY 
Mellon to enhance revenues and limit expenses in 
circumstances where such matters are within BNY 
Mellon’s control.  The excluded items, in general, 
relate to certain gains or charges as a result of prior 
transactions.  M&I expenses primarily relate to 
acquisitions and generally continue for approximately 
three years after the transaction.  Litigation charges 
represent accruals for loss contingencies that are both 
probable and reasonably estimable, but exclude 
standard business-related legal fees.  Restructuring 
charges relate to our streamlining actions, Operational 
Excellence Initiatives and migrating positions to 
Global Delivery Centers.  Excluding these charges 
mentioned above permits investors to view expenses 
on a basis consistent with how management views the 
business. 

The presentation of revenue growth on a constant 
currency basis permits investors to assess the 
significance of changes in foreign currency exchange 
rates.  Growth rates on a constant currency basis were 
determined by applying the current period foreign 
currency exchange rates to the prior period revenue.  
BNY Mellon believes that this presentation, as a 
supplement to GAAP information, gives investors a 
clearer picture of the related revenue results without 
the variability caused by fluctuations in foreign 
currency exchange rates.

The presentation of income from consolidated 
investment management funds, net of net income 
attributable to noncontrolling interests related to the 
consolidation of certain investment management 
funds permits investors to view revenue on a basis 
consistent with how management views the business.  
BNY Mellon believes that these presentations, as a 
supplement to GAAP information, give investors a 
clearer picture of the results of its primary businesses.

In this Annual Report, the net interest revenue and net 
interest margin is presented on an FTE basis.  We 
believe that this presentation provides comparability 
of amounts arising from both taxable and tax-exempt 
sources, and is consistent with industry practice.  The 
adjustment to an FTE basis has no impact on net 
income.  Each of these measures as described above 
is used by management to monitor financial 
performance, both on a company-wide and on a 
business-level basis.

BNY Mellon 125 

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

The following table presents the reconciliation of net income and diluted earnings per common share.

Reconciliation of net income and diluted EPS – GAAP to Non-GAAP
(in millions, except per common share amounts)
Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporation – GAAP
Less:  Gain on the sale of our equity investment in Wing Hang
Gain on the sale of our One Wall Street building
Benefit primarily related to a tax carryback claim

Add:  Litigation and restructuring charges

Impairment charge related to a recent court decision
Charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives
Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York
Mellon Corporation – Non-GAAP

(a)  Does not foot due to rounding.

Net income
2015

2014

Diluted EPS
2015

2014

Inc

$ 3,053 $ 2,494
315
204
150
860
N/A
81

N/A
N/A
N/A
56
106
N/A

$ 2.71 $ 2.15
0.27
0.18
0.13
0.74
N/A
0.07

N/A
N/A
N/A
0.05
0.09
N/A

$ 3,215 $ 2,766

$ 2.85 $ 2.39 (a)

19%

The following table presents the total payout ratio.

Total payout ratio
(dollars in millions)
Capital deployed:

Dividends
Common stock repurchased
Total capital deployed

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation – GAAP
Add: Litigation and restructuring

 Impairment charge related to a recent court decision

$

$

$

2015

762
2,355
3,117

3,053
56
106

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation – excluding impairment charge
related to a recent court decision, litigation and restructuring

$

3,215

Payout ratio
Payout ratio - Non-GAAP

102%
97%

 126 BNY Mellon

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

The following table presents the reconciliation of the pre-tax operating margin ratio.

Reconciliation of income before income taxes – pre-tax operating margin
(dollars in millions)
Income before income taxes – GAAP
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated

investment management funds

Gain on the sale of our equity investment in Wing Hang
Gain on the sale of our One Wall Street building

Add:  Amortization of intangible assets

M&I, litigation and restructuring charges
Impairment charge related to a recent court decision
Charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives

Income before income taxes, as adjusted – Non-GAAP (a)

Fee and other revenue – GAAP
Income from consolidated investment management funds – GAAP
Net interest revenue – GAAP
Total revenue – GAAP

Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated

investment management funds

Gain on the sale of our equity investment in Wing Hang
Gain on the sale of our One Wall Street building

Total revenue, as adjusted – Non-GAAP (a)

2015

$ 4,235

68
—
—
261
85
170
—
$ 4,683

$12,082
86
3,026
15,194

68
—
—
$15,126

2014
$ 3,563

2013
$ 3,777

2012
$ 3,357

84
490
346
298
1,130
—
104
$ 4,175

$ 12,649
163
2,880
15,692

84
490
346
$ 14,772

80
—
—
342
70
—
12
$ 4,121

$ 11,856
183
3,009
15,048

80
—
—
$ 14,968

76
—
—
384
559
—
16
$ 4,240

$11,448
189
2,973
14,610

76
—
—
$14,534

2011

$ 3,685

50
—
—
428
390
—
—
$ 4,453

$ 11,614
200
2,984
14,798

50
—
—
$ 14,748

Pre-tax operating margin (b)
Pre-tax operating margin – Non-GAAP (a)(b)
(a)  Non-GAAP excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management funds, the gains on the 
sales of our equity investment in Wing Hang and our One Wall Street building, amortization of intangible assets, M&I, litigation and 
restructuring charges, the impairment charge related to a recent court decision and the charge related to investment management funds, 
net of incentives, if applicable. 

28% (c)
31% (c)

25%
28%

23%
28%

23%
29%

25%
30%

(b)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue. 
(c)  Our GAAP earnings include tax-advantaged investments such as low income housing, renewable energy, bank-owned life insurance and 
tax-exempt securities.  The benefits of these investments are primarily reflected in tax expense.  If reported on a tax-equivalent basis 
these investments would increase revenue and income before taxes by $242 million and would increase our pre-tax operating margin by 
approximately 1.1% for 2015.

The following table presents the reconciliation of operating leverage.

Pre-tax operating leverage
(dollars in millions)
Total revenue - GAAP
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management
funds

Gain on the sale of our investment in Wing Hang Bank
Gain on the sale of the One Wall Street building
Total revenue, as adjusted - Non-GAAP

Total noninterest expense - GAAP
Less:  Amortization of intangible assets

M&I, litigation and restructuring charges
Charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives

Total noninterest expense, as adjusted - Non-GAAP

Pre-tax operating leverage, as adjusted - Non-GAAP (a)(b)

2015
15,194 $

68
—
—
15,126 $

10,799 $
261
85
—
10,453 $

2014
15,692

84
490
346
14,772

12,177
298
1,130
104
10,645

$

$

$

$

2015 vs.
2014

2.40%

(1.80)%

420 bps

(a)  Pre-tax operating leverage is the rate of increase (decrease) in total revenue less the rate of increase (decrease) in total noninterest 

expense.

(b)  Non-GAAP excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management funds, the gains on the 
sales of our investment in Wing Hang Bank and the One Wall Street building, amortization of intangible assets, M&I, litigation and 
restructuring charges and the charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives, if applicable. 

BNY Mellon 127 

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

The following table presents the reconciliation of the returns on common equity and tangible common equity.

Return on common equity and tangible common equity 
(dollars in millions) 
Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon

Corporation – GAAP

Add:  Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York
Mellon Corporation excluding amortization of intangible assets – Non-
GAAP

Less:  Gain on the sale of our equity investment in Wing Hang
Gain on the sale of our One Wall Street building
Benefit primarily related to a tax carryback claim

Add:  M&I, litigation and restructuring charges

Impairment charge related to a recent court decision
Charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives
Net charge related to the disallowance of certain foreign tax credits

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$ 3,053
172

$ 2,494
194

$ 2,040
220

$ 2,419
247

$ 2,510
269

3,225
—
—
—
56
106
—
—

2,688
315
204
150
860
—
81
—

2,260
—
—
—
45
—
9
593

2,666
—
—
—
339
—
12
—

2,779
—
—
—
240
—
—
—

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York 

Mellon Corporation, as adjusted – Non-GAAP (a)

$ 3,387

$ 2,960

$ 2,907

$ 3,017

$ 3,019

Average common shareholders’ equity
Less:  Average goodwill

Average intangible assets

Add:  Deferred tax liability – tax deductible goodwill (b)
Deferred tax liability – intangible assets (b)

Average tangible common shareholders’ equity – Non-GAAP

$35,564
17,731
3,992
1,401
1,148
$16,390

$ 36,618
18,063
4,305
1,340
1,216
$ 16,806

$ 34,832
17,988
4,619
1,302
1,222
$ 14,749

$ 34,333
17,967
4,982
1,130
1,310
$ 13,824

$ 33,519
18,129
5,498
967
1,459
$ 12,318

Return on common equity – GAAP
Return on common equity – Non-GAAP (a)

8.6%
9.5%

6.8%
8.1%

5.9%
8.3%

7.0%
8.8%

7.5%
9.0%

Return on tangible common equity – Non-GAAP (a)
Return on tangible common equity – Non-GAAP adjusted (a)
(a)  Non-GAAP excludes amortization of intangible assets, net of tax, the gains on the sales of our equity investment in Wing Hang and our 

16.0%
17.6%

15.3%
19.7%

19.3%
21.8%

19.7%
20.7%

22.6%
24.5%

One Wall Street building, the benefit primarily related to a tax carryback claim, M&I, litigation and restructuring charges, the 
impairment charge related to a recent court decision, the charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives, and the net 
charge related to the disallowance of certain foreign tax credits, if applicable.

(b)  Deferred tax liabilities are based on fully phased-in Basel III rules.

 128 BNY Mellon

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

The following table presents the reconciliation of the equity to assets ratio and book value per common share.

Equity to assets and book value per common share
(dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)
BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity at period end – GAAP
Less:  Preferred stock

BNY Mellon common shareholders’ equity at period end – GAAP

Less:  Goodwill

Intangible assets

Add:  Deferred tax liability – tax deductible goodwill (a)
Deferred tax liability – intangible assets (a)

BNY Mellon tangible common shareholders’ equity at period end –

Non-GAAP

2015

$ 38,037
2,552
35,485
17,618
3,842
1,401
1,148

2014
$ 37,441
1,562
35,879
17,869
4,127
1,340
1,216

Dec. 31,

2013
$ 37,497
1,562
35,935
18,073
4,452
1,302
1,222

2012
$ 36,414
1,068
35,346
18,075
4,809
1,130
1,310

2011

$ 33,408
—
33,408
17,904
5,152
967
1,459

$ 16,574

$ 16,439

$ 15,934

$ 14,902

$ 12,778

Total assets at period end – GAAP
Less:  Assets of consolidated investment management funds

Subtotal assets of operations – Non-GAAP

Less:  Goodwill

Intangible assets
Cash on deposit with the Federal Reserve and other central

banks (b)

Tangible total assets of operations at period end – Non-GAAP

$ 393,780
1,401
392,379
17,618
3,842

$ 385,303
9,282
376,021
17,869
4,127

$ 374,516
11,272
363,244
18,073
4,452

$ 359,226
11,481
347,745
18,075
4,809

$ 325,425
11,347
314,078
17,904
5,152

116,211
$ 254,708

99,901
$ 254,124

105,384
$ 235,335

90,040
$ 234,821

90,230
$ 200,792

BNY Mellon shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio – GAAP
BNY Mellon common shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio – GAAP
BNY Mellon tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets of
operations ratio – Non-GAAP

9.7%
9.0%

6.5%

9.7%
9.3%

6.5%

10.0%
9.6%

10.1%
9.8%

10.3%
10.3%

6.8%

6.3%

6.4%

Period-end common shares outstanding (in thousands)

1,085,343

1,118,228

1,142,250

1,163,490

1,209,675

Book value per common share – GAAP
Tangible book value per common share – Non-GAAP
(a)  Deferred tax liabilities are based on fully phased-in Basel III rules.
(b)  Assigned a zero percentage risk-weighting by the regulators.

$
$

32.69
15.27

$
$

32.09
14.70

$
$

31.46
13.95

$
$

30.38
12.81

$
$

27.62
10.56

The following table presents income from consolidated investment management funds, net of noncontrolling 
interests.

Income from consolidated investment management funds, net of noncontrolling interests 
2015
(in millions)
Income from consolidated investment management funds
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated

$

86 $

investment management funds

2014
163 $

2013
183 $

2012
189 $

84

80

76

2011
200

50

68

Income from consolidated investment management funds, net of noncontrolling

interests

$

18 $

79 $

103 $

113 $

150

The following table presents the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our consolidated 
investment management and performance fees.

Investment management and performance fees - Consolidated
(dollars in millions)
Investment management and performance fees – GAAP
Impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

Investment management and performance fees, as adjusted – Non-GAAP

2015
3,438 $
—
3,438 $

2014
3,492
(151)
3,341

$

$

2015 vs.
2014

(2)%

3 %

BNY Mellon 129 

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

The following table presents the revenue line items in the Investment Management business impacted by the 
consolidated investment management funds.

Income from consolidated investment management funds, net of noncontrolling interests - Investment Management business
(in millions)
Investment management fees
Other (Investment income)

15 $
3

66 $
13

80 $
23

81 $
32

2012

2015

2013

2014

$

2011
107
43

Income from consolidated investment management funds, net of
noncontrolling interests

$

18 $

79 $

103 $

113 $

150

The following table presents the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investment management 
fees reported in the Investment Management segment.

Investment management fees - Investment Management business
(dollars in millions)
Investment management fees – GAAP
Impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

Investment management fees, as adjusted – Non-GAAP

2015
3,263 $
—
3,263 $

2014
3,321
(142)
3,179

$

$

2015 vs.
2014

(2)%

3 %

The following table presents the reconciliation of the pre-tax operating margin for the Investment Management 
business. 

Pre-tax operating margin - Investment Management business
(dollars in millions)
Income before income taxes – GAAP
Add:  Amortization of intangible assets
Money market fee waivers
Charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives

Income before income taxes excluding amortization of intangible assets, money market fee waivers and

the charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives – Non-GAAP

Total revenue – GAAP
Less:  Distribution and servicing expense

Money market fee waivers benefiting distribution and servicing expense

Add:  Money market fee waivers impacting total revenue
Total revenue net of distribution and servicing expense and excluding money market fee 

waivers – Non-GAAP

$

2015

$ 1,050
97
113
—

$

2014
897
118
125
104

2013
965
143
108
12

$ 1,260

$ 1,244

$ 1,228

$ 3,919
378
137
250

$ 3,946
423
150
275

$ 3,868
429
147
255

$ 3,654

$ 3,648

$ 3,547

Pre-tax operating margin (a)
Pre-tax operating margin, excluding amortization of intangible assets, money market fee waivers, the 

charge related to investment management funds, net of incentives and net of distribution and servicing 
expense – Non-GAAP (a)

27%

23%

25%

34%

34%

35%

(a)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.

 130 BNY Mellon

Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

Rate/volume analysis

Rate/volume analysis (a)

(dollar amounts in millions, presented on an FTE basis)

Interest revenue
Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing deposits with banks (primarily foreign banks)
Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Margin loans
Non-margin loans:

Domestic offices:
Consumer
Commercial
Foreign offices

Total non-margin loans

Securities:

U.S. Government obligations
U.S. Government agency obligations
State and political subdivisions - tax exempt
Other securities:

Domestic offices
Foreign offices

Total other securities

Trading securities (primarily domestic)

Total securities

Total interest revenue

Interest expense
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:

Domestic offices:

Money market rate accounts
Savings
Demand deposits
Time deposits

Total domestic offices

Foreign offices:
Banks
Other

Total foreign offices

Total interest-bearing deposits

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Trading liabilities
Other borrowed funds:
Domestic offices
Foreign offices

Total other borrowed funds

Commercial paper
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Long-term debt

Total interest expense

Changes in net interest revenue

2015 over (under) 2014

2014 over (under) 2013

Due to change in
Average
balance

Average
rate

Net
change

Due to change in
Average
balance

Average
rate

Net
change

$

(85) $
(8)
54
25

$

(49) $
(29)
7
—

(134)
(37)
61
25

(38) $
46
37
34

(3) $
11
2
(12)

(41)
57
39
22

21
49
7
77

79
171
(36)

(3)
(31)
(13)
(47)

(11)
15
10

(7)
25
18
(55)
177
240 $

74
(132)
(58)
10
(34)
(152) $

1 $
1
—
1
3

19
(2)
17
20
2
(21)

—
(1)
(1)
—
1
3
4 $
236 $

(2) $
—
2
(2)
(2)

(40)
(24)
(64)
(66)
5
5

2
2
4
—
(3)
(3)
(58) $
(94) $

18
18
(6)
30

68
186
(26)

67
(107)
(40)
(45)
143
88

(1)
1
2
(1)
1

(21)
(26)
(47)
(46)
7
(16)

2
1
3
—
(2)
—
(54)
142

$

$

$
$

$

$

$
$

7
6
10
23

18
(78)
(4)

(277)
157
(120)
(35)
(219)
(119)

(6)
1
2
(3)
(6)

(7)
(9)
(16)
(22)
3
(13)

14
23
13
50

53
9
(10)

(7)
(17)
(3)
(27)

(35)
(87)
6

(26)
30
4
(26)
30
159 $

(251)
127
(124)
(9)
(249)
(278) $

(1) $
1
—
—
—

5
2
7
7
(8)
(5)

(2)
—
(2)
2
1
16
11 $
148 $

(5) $
—
2
(3)
(6)

(12)
(11)
(23)
(29)
11
(8)

—
1
1
—
—
25
— $
(278) $

(2)
1
(1)
2
1
41
11
(130)

(a)  Changes which are solely due to balance changes or rate changes are allocated to such categories on the basis of the respective percentage changes in 

average balances and average rates.  Changes in interest revenue or interest expense arising from the combination of rate and volume variances are 
allocated proportionately to rate and volume based on their relative absolute magnitudes.

BNY Mellon 131 

 
 
Selected Quarterly Data (unaudited)

Selected Quarterly Data

(dollar amounts in millions,
except per share amounts)

Consolidated income statement

Total fee and other revenue

Income (loss) from consolidated investment

management funds

Net interest revenue

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses

Noninterest expense

Income before taxes

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

Net income

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling

interests

Net income applicable to shareholders of The

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

Preferred stock dividends

Net income applicable to common shareholders
of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

Basic earnings per common share

Diluted earnings per common share
Average balances

Quarter ended

2015

2014

Dec. 31

Sept. 30

June 30 March 31

Dec. 31

Sept. 30

June 30 March 31

$

2,950

$

3,053

$

3,067

$

3,012

$

2,935

$

3,851

$

2,980

$

2,883

16

760

3,726

163

2,692

871

175

696

(3)

693

(56)

$

$

$

$

637

0.58

0.57

(22)

759

3,790

1

2,680

1,109

282

827

6

833

(13)

820

0.74

0.74

$

$

40

779

3,886

(6)

2,727

1,165

276

889

(36)

853

(23)

830

0.74

0.73

$

$

52

728

3,792

2

2,700

1,090

280

810

(31)

779

(13)

766

0.67

0.67

42

712

3,689

1

3,524

164

(93)

257

(24)

233

(24)

$

$

$

$

209

0.18

0.18

39

721

4,611

(19)

2,968

1,662

556

1,106

(23)

1,083

(13)

1,070

0.93

0.93

46

719

3,745

(12)

2,946

811

217

594

(17)

577

(23)

$

$

$

$

554

0.48

0.48

36

728

3,647

(18)

2,739

926

232

694

(20)

674

(13)

661

0.57

0.57

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

$ 104,181

$ 104,724

$ 102,081

$ 103,231

$ 122,063

$ 123,595

$ 126,970

$ 116,016

Securities

Trading assets

Loans

Total interest-earning assets

Assets of operations

Total assets

Deposits

Long-term debt

Preferred stock

Total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

common shareholders’ equity

Net interest margin (FTE)
Annualized return on common equity (a)
Pre-tax operating margin
Common stock data (a)

Market price per share range:

119,532

121,188

128,641

123,476

117,243

112,055

101,420

100,534

2,786

61,964

312,610

366,875

368,590

246,212

21,418

2,552

2,737

61,657

315,672

371,328

373,453

254,799

21,070

2,552

3,253

61,076

318,596

375,999

378,279

255,606

20,625

2,313

3,046

57,935

308,104

366,083

368,411

249,112

20,199

1,562

3,922

56,844

318,608

375,609

385,232

248,479

21,187

1,562

5,435

54,835

311,603

370,167

380,409

246,567

20,429

1,562

5,532

53,449

300,758

357,807

369,212

240,494

20,361

1,562

5,217

51,647

284,532

343,638

354,992

234,416

20,420

1,562

35,664

35,588

35,516

35,486

36,859

36,751

36,565

36,289

0.99%

7.1%

23%

0.98%

9.1%

29%

1.00%

9.4%

30%

0.97%

8.8%

29%

0.91%

2.2%

4%

0.94%

11.6%

36%

0.98%

6.1%

22%

1.05%

7.4%

25%

High

Low

Average

Period end close

Cash dividends per common share
Market capitalization (b)

$

44.73
37.48

42.02

41.22

0.17

$

45.45
36.46

41.56

39.15

0.17

$

44.10
39.87

42.61

41.97

0.17

$

41.44
35.63

38.95

40.24

0.17

$

$

$

$

41.79

35.06

39.13

40.57

0.17

40.80

37.12

38.88

38.73

0.17

37.95

32.66

34.60

37.48

0.17

35.88

30.82

33.03

35.29

0.15

44,738

42,789

46,441

45,130

45,366

43,599

42,412

40,244

(a)  At Dec. 31, 2015, there were 29,136 shareholders registered with our stock transfer agent, compared with 30,525 at Dec. 31, 2014 and 29,231 at Dec. 31, 
2013.  In addition, there were 44,626 of BNY Mellon’s current and former employees at Dec. 31, 2015 who participate in BNY Mellon’s 401(k) Retirement 
Savings Plan.  All shares of BNY Mellon’s common stock held by the Plan for its participants are registered in the name of The Bank of New York Mellon 
Corporation, as trustee.  

(b)  At period end.  

 132 BNY Mellon

Forward-looking Statements

Some statements in this document are forward-
looking.  These include all statements about the 
usefulness of Non-GAAP measures, the future results 
of BNY Mellon, our businesses, financial, liquidity 
and capital condition, results of operations, goals, 
strategies, outlook, objectives, expectations 
(including those regarding our performance results, 
regulatory, market, economic or accounting 
developments, legal proceedings and other 
contingencies), effective tax rate, estimates (including 
those regarding capital ratios), intentions, targets, 
opportunities and initiatives. 

In this report, any other report, any press release or 
any written or oral statement that BNY Mellon or its 
executives may make, words, such as “estimate,” 
“forecast,” “project,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” 
“intend,” “continue,” “seek,” “believe,” “plan,” 
“goal,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “will,” 
“strategy,” “synergies,” “opportunities,” “trends” and 
words of similar meaning, may signify forward-
looking statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those 
expressed or implied as a result of a number of 
factors, including those discussed in “Risk Factors” 
such as: an information security event or technology 
disruption that results in a loss of confidential 
information or impacts our ability to provide services 
to our clients and any material adverse effect on our 
business and results of operations; failure of our 
technology or that of a third party or vendor, or if we 
neglect to update our technology, develop and market 
new technology to meet clients’ needs or protect our 
intellectual property and any material adverse effect 
on our business; extensive government regulation and 
supervision and the impact of the significant amount 
of rulemaking since the 2008 financial crisis, which 
have, and in the future may, compel us to change how 
we manage our businesses, could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations and have increased our 
compliance and operational risks and costs; failure to 
satisfy regulatory standards, including “well 
capitalized” and “well managed” status or capital 
adequacy and liquidity rules, and any resulting 
limitations on our activities, or adverse effects on our 
business and financial condition; regulatory actions or 
litigation and any adverse effect on our results of 
operations or harm to our businesses or reputation; 
adverse publicity, government scrutiny or other 
reputational harm and any negative effect on our 
businesses; the risks relating to new lines of business, 

new products and services or strategic project 
initiatives and the failure to implement these 
initiatives, which could affect our results of 
operations; the risks and uncertainties relating to our 
strategic transactions and any adverse effect on our 
business, results of operations and financial 
condition; operational risk and any material adverse 
effect on our business; failure or circumvention of our 
controls and procedures and any material adverse 
effect on our business, reputation, results of 
operations and financial condition; competition in all 
aspects of our business and any negative effect on our 
ability to maintain or increase our profitability; 
failure of our risk management framework to be 
effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential 
for losses; change or uncertainty in monetary, tax and 
other governmental policies and the impact on our 
businesses, profitability and ability to compete; 
political, economic, legal, operational and other risks 
inherent in operating globally and any material 
adverse effect on our business; failure to attract and 
retain employees and any adverse effect on our 
business; acts of terrorism, natural disasters, 
pandemics and global conflicts and any negative 
impact on our business and operations; weakness in 
financial markets and the economy generally and any 
material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations and financial condition; market volatility 
and any adverse impact on our business, financial 
condition and results of operations and our ability to 
manage risk; ongoing concerns about the financial 
stability of certain countries, the failure or instability 
of any of our significant global counterparties, or a 
breakup of the European Union or Eurozone and any 
material adverse effect on our business and results of 
operations; continuing low or volatile interest rates 
and any material adverse effect on our profitability; 
write-downs of securities that we own and other 
losses related to volatile and illiquid market 
conditions and any reduction in our earnings or 
impact on our financial condition; our dependence on 
fee-based business for a substantial majority of our 
revenue and the potential adverse effects of a slowing 
in market activity, weak financial markets, 
underperformance and/or negative trends in savings 
rates or in investment preferences; any adverse effect 
on our foreign exchange revenues from decreased 
market volatility or cross-border investment activity 
of our clients; the failure or perceived weakness of 
any of our significant counterparties, and our 
assumption of credit and counterparty risk, which 
could expose us to loss and adversely affect our 
business; credit, regulatory and reputational risks as a 

BNY Mellon 133 

Forward-looking Statements (continued)

result of our tri-party repo collateral agency services, 
which could adversely affect our business and results 
of operations; any material reduction in our credit 
ratings or the credit ratings of our principal bank 
subsidiaries, which could increase the cost of funding 
and borrowing to us and our rated subsidiaries and 
have a material adverse effect on our results of 
operations and financial condition and on the value of 
the securities we issue; any adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition and results of operations 
of not effectively managing our liquidity; inadequate 
reserves for credit losses, including loan reserves, and 
any resulting charges through provision expense; tax 
law changes or challenges to our tax positions and 
any adverse effect on our net income, effective tax 
rate and overall results of operations and financial 
condition; changes in accounting standards and any 
material impact on our reported financial condition, 
results of operations, cash flows and other financial 
data; risks associated with being a non-operating 
holding company, including our dependence on 
dividends from our subsidiaries to meet obligations, 
to provide funds for payment of dividends and for 
stock repurchases; and the impact of provisions of 
U.S. banking laws and regulations, including those 
governing capital and the approval of our capital 
plan, applicable provisions of Delaware law or failure 
to pay full and timely dividends on our preferred 
stock, on our ability to return capital to shareholders.

Investors should consider all risks in our 2015 Annual 
Report and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC 
by BNY Mellon pursuant to the Exchange Act.  All 
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date 
on which such statements are made, and BNY Mellon 
undertakes no obligation to update any statement to 
reflect events or circumstances after the date on 
which such forward-looking statement is made or to 
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  The 
contents of BNY Mellon’s website or any other 
websites referenced herein are not part of this report. 

 134 BNY Mellon

Acronyms

Assets Under Management
Bank holding companies
basis points
Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review
Certificates of deposit
Common Equity Tier 1 capital
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Collateralized loan obligation
Credit valuation adjustment

ABS
Asset-backed security
APAC
Asia-Pacific region
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
AUC/A Assets under custody and/or administration
AUM
BHC
bps
CCAR
CD
CET1
CFTC
CLO
CVA
DARTS Daily average revenue trades
DFAST Dodd Frank Act stress tests
DVA
Debit valuation adjustment
ECB
European Central Bank
EMEA
Europe, the Middle East and Africa
ERISA
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Economic Value of Equity
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Financial Conduct Authority
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Financial holding company

ESOP
EVE
FASB
FCA
FDIC
FHC
FINRA Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
FSA
FTE
GAAP
GDP
G-SIBs
HQLA
IASB
IFRS

Financial Services Authority
Fully taxable equivalent
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Gross domestic product
Global systemically important banks
High-quality liquid assets
International Accounting Standards Board
International Financial Reporting Standards

Internal Revenue Service

IRS
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
LCR
MD&A Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Liquidity coverage ratio

M&I
MBS
MMF
N/A
NAV
N/M
NPR
NSFR
NYSE
OCC
OCI
OTC
OTTI
PSU
REIT
RMBS
RSU
RWA
S&P
SBIC
SBLC
SEC
SIFIs
SLR
TCE
TDR
TLAC
VaR
VIE
VME

Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Merger and integration
Mortgage-backed security
Money market funds
Not applicable or Not available
Net asset value
Not meaningful
Notice of proposed rulemaking
Net stable funding ratio
New York Stock Exchange
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Other comprehensive income
Over-the-counter
Other-than-temporary impairment
Performance units
Real estate investment trust
Residential mortgage-backed security
Restricted stock units
Risk-weighted assets
Standard & Poor’s
Small Business Investment Company
Standby letters of credit
Securities and Exchange Commission
Systemically important financial institutions
Supplementary Leverage Ratio
Tangible common equity
Troubled debt restructuring
Total loss-absorbing capacity
Value-at-risk
Variable interest entity
Voting model entity

BNY Mellon 135 

Glossary

Accumulated benefit obligation - The actuarial 
present value of benefits (vested and non-vested) 
attributed to employee services rendered.

Alt-A securities - A mortgage risk categorization that 
falls between prime and subprime.  Borrowers behind 
these mortgages will typically have clean credit 
histories but the mortgage itself will generally have 
issues that increase its risk profile.

Alternative investments - Usually refers to 
investments in hedge funds, leveraged loans, 
subordinated and distressed debt, real estate and 
foreign currency overlay.  Examples of alternative 
investment strategies are: long-short equity, event-
driven, statistical arbitrage, fixed income arbitrage, 
convertible arbitrage, short bias, global macro and 
equity market neutral.

Asset-backed security (“ABS”) - A financial 
security backed by a loan, lease or receivables against 
assets other than real estate and mortgage-backed 
securities.

Assets under custody and/or administration 
(“AUC/A”) - Assets that we hold directly or 
indirectly on behalf of clients under a safekeeping or 
custody arrangement or for which we provide 
administrative services for clients.  The following 
types of assets under administration are not and 
historically have not been included in AUC/A: 
performance and risk analytics, transfer agency and 
asset aggregation services.  To the extent that we 
provide more than one AUC/A service for a client’s 
assets, the value of the asset is only counted once in 
the total amount of AUC/A.

Assets under management (“AUM”) - Includes 
assets beneficially owned by our clients or customers 
which we hold in various capacities that are either 
actively or passively managed, as well as the value of 
hedges supporting customer liabilities.  These assets 
and liabilities are not on our balance sheet.

CAMELS - An international bank-rating system 
where bank supervisory authorities rate institutions 
according to six factors.  The six factors are Capital 
adequacy, Asset quality, Management quality, 
Earnings, Liquidity and Sensitivity to Market Risk.

Collateral management - A comprehensive program 
designed to simplify collateralization and expedite 
securities transfers for buyers and sellers.  

 136 BNY Mellon

Collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) - A debt 
security backed by a pool of commercial loans.

Collective trust fund - An investment fund formed 
from the pooling of investments by investors.

Common Equity Tier 1 capital (“CET1”) - The 
sum of surplus (net of treasury stock), retained 
earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income 
(loss), and common equity Tier 1 minority interest 
subject to certain limitations, minus certain regulatory 
adjustments and deductions.

Counterparty risk (default risk) - The risk that a 
counterparty will not pay as obligated on a contract, 
trade or transaction.

Credit derivatives - Contractual agreements that 
provide insurance against a credit event of one or 
more referenced credits.  Such events include 
bankruptcy, insolvency and failure to meet payment 
obligations when due.  

Credit risk - The risk of loss due to borrower or 
counterparty default.

Credit valuation adjustment (“CVA”) - The market 
value of counterparty credit risk on OTC derivative 
transactions.  

Currency swaps - An agreement to exchange 
stipulated amounts of one currency for another 
currency.

Daily average revenue trades (“DARTS”) - 
Represents the number of trades from which an entity 
can expect to generate revenue through fees or 
commissions on a given day. 

Debit valuation adjustment (“DVA”) - The market 
value of our credit risk on OTC derivative 
transactions.  

Depositary Receipts - A negotiable security that 
generally represents a non-U.S. company’s publicly 
traded equity.  

Derivative - A contract or agreement whose value is 
derived from changes in interest rates, foreign 
exchange rates, prices of securities or commodities, 
credit worthiness for credit default swaps or financial 
or commodity indices.

Glossary (continued)

Earnings allocated to participating securities - 
Amount of undistributed earnings, after payment of 
taxes, preferred stock dividends and the required 
adjustment for common stock dividends declared, 
that is allocated to securities that are eligible to 
receive a portion of the Company’s earnings.

Economic capital - The amount of capital required to 
absorb potential losses and reflects the probability of 
remaining solvent over a one-year time horizon. 

Economic value of equity (“EVE”) - An 
aggregation of discounted future cash flows of assets 
and liabilities over a long-term horizon.

Eurozone - Formed by European Union Member 
States whose currency is the euro (€) and in which a 
single monetary policy is conducted under the 
responsibility of the Governing Council of the ECB.  
The Eurozone currently includes Germany, France, 
Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, 
Finland, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, 
Estonia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia 
and Lithuania.

Fiduciary risk - The risk arising from our role as 
trustee, executor, investment agent or guardian in 
accordance with governing documents, prudent 
person principles and applicable laws, rules and 
regulations.

Foreign currency options - Similar to interest rate 
options except they are based on foreign exchange 
rates.  Also, see interest rate options in this glossary.

Foreign currency swaps - An agreement to exchange 
stipulated amounts of one currency for another 
currency at one or more future dates.

Foreign exchange contracts - Contracts that provide 
for the future receipt or delivery of foreign currency 
at previously agreed-upon terms.

Forward rate agreements - Contracts to exchange 
payments on a specified future date, based on a 
market change in interest rates from trade date to 
contract settlement date.

Fully taxable equivalent (“FTE”) - Basis for 
comparison of yields on assets having ordinary 
taxability with assets for which special tax 
exemptions apply.  The FTE adjustment reflects an 
increase in the interest yield or return on a tax-exempt 

asset to a level that would be comparable had the 
asset been fully taxable. 

Generally accepted accounting principles 
(“GAAP”) - Accounting rules and conventions 
defining acceptable practices in preparing financial 
statements in the U.S.  The FASB is the primary 
source of accounting rules.

Grantor Trust - A legal, passive entity through 
which pass-through securities are sold to investors.

Hedge fund - A fund which is allowed to use diverse 
strategies that are unavailable to mutual funds, 
including selling short, leverage, program trading, 
swaps, arbitrage and derivatives.  

High-quality liquid assets (“HQLA”) - Assets that 
can be converted into cash at little or no loss of value 
in private markets and are considered unencumbered.

Impairment - When an asset’s market value is less 
than its carrying value.

Interest rate options - Contracts to modify interest 
rate risk in exchange for the payment of a premium 
when the contract is initiated.  As a writer of interest 
rate options, we receive a premium in exchange for 
bearing the risk of unfavorable changes in interest 
rates.  Conversely, as a purchaser of an option, we 
pay a premium for the right, but not the obligation, to 
buy or sell a financial instrument or currency at 
predetermined terms in the future.

Interest rate sensitivity - The exposure of net 
interest income to interest rate movements.

Interest rate swaps - Contracts in which a series of 
interest rate flows in a single currency are exchanged 
over a prescribed period.  Interest rate swaps are the 
most common type of derivative contract that we use 
in our asset/liability management activities.  

Investment grade - Represents Moody’s long-term 
rating of Baa3 or better; and/or a Standard & Poor’s, 
Fitch or DBRS long-term rating of BBB- or better; or 
if unrated, an equivalent rating using our internal risk 
ratings.  Instruments that fall below these levels are 
considered to be non-investment grade.

Joint venture - A company or entity owned and 
operated by a group of companies for a specific 
business purpose, no one of which has a majority 
interest.

BNY Mellon 137 

Glossary (continued)

Leverage ratio - Tier 1 capital divided by quarterly 
average total assets, as defined by the regulators.

balance sheet and its value is not expected to recover 
through the holding period of the security. 

Liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”) - A Basel III 
framework requirement for banks and BHCs to 
measure liquidity.  It is designed to ensure that certain 
banking organizations, including BNY Mellon, 
maintain a minimum amount of unencumbered 
HQLA sufficient to withstand the net cash outflow 
under a hypothetical standardized acute liquidity 
stress scenario for a 30-day time horizon. 

Liquidity risk - The risk of being unable to fund our 
portfolio of assets at appropriate maturities and rates, 
and the risk of being unable to liquidate a position in 
a timely manner at a reasonable price.

Litigation risk - Arises when in the ordinary course 
of business, we are named as defendants or made 
parties to legal actions.

Market risk - The potential loss in value of 
portfolios and financial instruments caused by 
movements in market variables, such as interest and 
foreign exchange rates, credit spreads, and equity and 
commodity prices.

Master netting agreement - An agreement between 
two counterparties that have multiple contracts with 
each other that provides for the net settlement of all 
contracts through a single payment in the event of 
default or termination of any one contract.

Mortgage-backed security (“MBS”) - An asset-
backed security whose cash flows are backed by the 
principal and interest payments of a set of mortgage 
loans.

Net interest margin - The result of dividing net 
interest revenue by average interest-earning assets.

Notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPR”) - A public 
notice issued by law when one of the independent 
agencies of the U.S. Government wishes to add, 
remove, or change a rule or regulation as part of the 
rulemaking process. 

Operational risk - The risk of loss resulting from 
inadequate or failed processes or systems, human 
factors or external events.

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) - An 
impairment charge taken on a security whose fair 
value has fallen below the carrying value on the 

 138 BNY Mellon

Performance fees - Fees received by an investment 
advisor based upon the fund’s performance for the 
period relative to various predetermined benchmarks.

Pre-tax operating leverage - The rate of increase 
(decrease) in total revenue less the rate of increase 
(decrease) in total noninterest expense.

Pre-tax operating margin - Income before taxes for 
a period divided by total revenue for that period.

Prime securities - A classification of securities 
collateralized by loans to borrowers who have a high-
value and/or a good credit history.

Private equity/venture capital - Investment in start-
up companies or those in the early processes of 
developing products and services with perceived, 
long-term growth potential.

Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) - The 
actuarial present value of all benefits accrued on 
employee service rendered prior to the calculation 
date, including allowance for future salary increases 
if the pension benefit is based on future compensation 
levels.

Rating agency - An independent agency that assesses 
the credit quality and likelihood of default of an issue 
or issuer and assigns a rating to that issue or issuer. 

Real estate investment trust (“REIT”) - An 
investor-owned corporation, trust or association that 
sells shares to investors and invests in income-
producing property.

Repurchase agreement (“Repo”) - An instrument 
used to raise short term funds whereby securities are 
sold with an agreement for the seller to buy back the 
securities at a later date. 

Reputational risk - Arises when events or actions 
that negatively impact our reputation lead to a loss of 
existing clients and could make it more challenging to 
acquire new business.

Residential mortgage-backed security (“RMBS”) - 
An asset-backed security whose cash flows are 
backed by principal and interest payments of a set of 
residential mortgage loans.

Glossary (continued)

Restructuring charges - Typically result from the 
consolidation and/or relocation of operations.  

Return on assets - Net income applicable to common 
shareholders divided by average assets.

Return on common equity - Net income applicable 
to common shareholders divided by average common 
shareholders’ equity.

Return on tangible common equity - Net income 
applicable to common shareholders, excluding 
amortization of intangible assets, divided by average 
tangible common shareholders’ equity.

Securities lending transaction - A fully 
collateralized transaction in which the owner of a 
security agrees to lend the security through an agent 
(such as The Bank of New York Mellon) to a 
borrower, usually a broker/dealer or bank, on an 
open, overnight or term basis, under the terms of a 
prearranged contract, which generally matures in less 
than 90 days.

Sub-custodian - A local provider (e.g., a bank) 
contracted to provide specific custodial-related 
services in a selected country or geographic area.  

Subprime securities - A classification of securities 
collateralized by loans to borrowers who have a 
tarnished or limited credit history.  

Supplementary Leverage Ratio (“SLR”) - An 
Advanced Approach banking organization’s Basel III 
Supplementary Leverage Ratio is the simple 
arithmetic mean of the ratio of its Tier 1 capital to 
total leverage exposure (which is broadly defined to 
capture both on- and off-balance sheet exposures.) 

Tangible common shareholders’ equity - Common 
equity less goodwill and intangible assets adjusted for 
deferred tax liabilities associated with non-tax 
deductible intangible assets and tax deductible 
goodwill.

Unfunded commitments - Legally binding 
agreements to provide a defined level of financing 
until a specified future date.

Value-at-risk (“VaR”) - A measure of the dollar 
amount of potential loss at a specified confidence 
level from adverse market movements in an ordinary 
market environment.

Variable interest entity (“VIE”) - An entity that: (1) 
lacks enough equity investment at risk to permit the 
entity to finance its activities without additional 
financial support from other parties; (2) has equity 
owners that lack the right to make significant 
decisions affecting the entity’s operations; and/or (3) 
has equity owners that do not have an obligation to 
absorb or the right to receive the entity’s losses or 
return.

BNY Mellon 139 

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of BNY Mellon is responsible for 
establishing and maintaining adequate internal 
control over financial reporting for BNY Mellon, as 
such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 
Exchange Act.

BNY Mellon’s management, including its principal 
executive officer and principal financial officer, has 
assessed the effectiveness of BNY Mellon’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2015.  In making this assessment, management used 
the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013).  
Based upon such assessment, management believes 
that, as of December 31, 2015, BNY Mellon’s 
internal control over financial reporting is effective 
based upon those criteria.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public 
accounting firm that audited BNY Mellon’s 2015 
financial statements included in this Annual Report 
under “Financial Statements and Notes,” has issued a 
report with respect to the effectiveness of BNY 
Mellon’s internal control over financial reporting.  
This report appears on page 141.

 140 BNY Mellon

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation:

We have audited The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s (“BNY Mellon”) internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  BNY Mellon’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 Report of 
Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on BNY 
Mellon’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 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, BNY Mellon maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated balance sheets of BNY Mellon as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related 
consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years 
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified 
opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP 

New York, New York 
February 26, 2016

BNY Mellon 141 

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Income Statement

(in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Investment services fees:

Asset servicing
Clearing services
Issuer services
Treasury services

Total investment services fees

Investment management and performance fees
Foreign exchange and other trading revenue
Financing-related fees
Distribution and servicing
Investment and other income
Total fee revenue

Net securities gains — including other-than-temporary impairment
Noncredit-related portion of other-than-temporary impairment
(recognized in other comprehensive income)

Net securities gains
Total fee and other revenue

Operations of consolidated investment management funds
Investment income
Interest of investment management fund note holders

Income from consolidated investment management funds

Net interest revenue
Interest revenue
Interest expense

Net interest revenue
Provision for credit losses

Net interest revenue after provision for credit losses

Noninterest expense
Staff
Professional, legal and other purchased services
Software
Net occupancy
Distribution and servicing
Furniture and equipment
Sub-custodian
Business development
Other
Amortization of intangible assets
Merger and integration, litigation and restructuring charges

Total noninterest expense

Income
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes

Net income

Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests (includes $(68), $(84) and $(80) related to
consolidated investment management funds, respectively)

Net income applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

Preferred stock dividends

$

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

4,187 $
1,375
978
555
7,095
3,438
768
220
162
316
11,999
82

(1)
83
12,082

115
29
86

3,326
300
3,026
160
2,866

5,837
1,230
627
600
381
280
270
267
961
261
85
10,799

4,235
1,013
3,222

(64)
3,158
(105)

4,075 $
1,335
968
564
6,942
3,492
570
169
173
1,212
12,558
92

1
91
12,649

503
340
163

3,234
354
2,880
(48)
2,928

5,845
1,339
620
610
428
322
286
268
1,031
298
1,130
12,177

3,563
912
2,651

(84)
2,567
(73)

3,905
1,264
1,090
554
6,813
3,395
674
172
180
481
11,715
146

5
141
11,856

548
365
183

3,352
343
3,009
(35)
3,044

6,019
1,252
596
629
435
337
280
317
1,029
342
70
11,306

3,777
1,592
2,185

(81)
2,104
(64)

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporation

$

3,053 $

2,494 $

2,040

 142 BNY Mellon

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Income Statement (continued) 

Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon 

Corporation used for the earnings per share calculation

(in millions)
Net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Less:  Earnings allocated to participating securities

Change in the excess of redeemable value over the fair value of noncontrolling interests

Net income applicable to the common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporation after required adjustment for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per
common share

$

$

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015
3,053 $
43
N/A

2014
2,494 $
43
N/A

2013
2,040
37
1

3,010 $

2,451 $

2,002

Average common shares and equivalents outstanding of The Bank of New York Mellon 

Corporation

(in thousands)
Basic
Common stock equivalents
Less: Participating securities
Diluted

Anti-dilutive securities (a)

Earnings per share applicable to the common shareholders of The Bank of New York 

Mellon Corporation (b)

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015
1,104,719
17,290
(9,498)
1,112,511

2014
1,129,897
20,037
(12,454)
1,137,480

2013
1,150,689
16,874
(13,122)
1,154,441

28,736

43,735

75,847

Year ended Dec. 31,

(in dollars)
Basic
Diluted
(a)   Represents stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and participating securities outstanding but not included in the 

2015
2.73 $
2.71 $

2014
2.17 $
2.15 $

$
$

2013
1.74
1.73

computation of diluted average common shares because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

(b)  Basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method are determined on the net income applicable to common shareholders 
of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation reported on the income statement less earnings allocated to participating securities, and 
the change in the excess of redeemable value over the fair value of noncontrolling interests, if applicable.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BNY Mellon 143 

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement

(in millions)
Net income
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized (loss) gain on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized (loss) gain arising during the period
Reclassification adjustment

Total unrealized (loss) gain on assets available-for-sale

Defined benefit plans:

Prior service cost arising during the period
Net (loss) gain arising during the period
Foreign exchange adjustment
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic

benefit cost
Total defined benefit plans

Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

Total other comprehensive (loss), net of tax (a)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net comprehensive income

$

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015
3,222 $

2014
2,651 $

2013
2,185

$

(599)

(363)
(52)
(415)

—
(65)
—

69
4
8
(1,002)
(64)
36
2,192 $

(806)

413
(58)
355

2
(479)
(1)

77
(401)
(15)
(867)
(84)
125
1,825 $

192

(889)
(74)
(963)

(1)
429
—

126
554
9
(208)
(81)
(41)
1,855

(a)  Other comprehensive  (loss) attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders was $(966) million for the year 

ended Dec. 31, 2015, $(742) million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014 and $(249) million  for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 144 BNY Mellon

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Assets
Cash and due from:

Banks
Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Securities:

Held-to-maturity (fair value of $43,204 and $21,127)
Available-for-sale

Total securities

Trading assets
Loans (includes $422 and $21, at fair value)
Allowance for loan losses

Net loans

Premises and equipment
Accrued interest receivable
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Other assets (includes $1,087 and $1,916, at fair value)

Subtotal assets of operations

Assets of consolidated investment management funds, at fair value:

Trading assets
Other assets

Subtotal assets of consolidated investment management funds, at fair value

Total assets

Liabilities
Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing (principally U.S. offices)
Interest-bearing deposits in U.S. offices
Interest-bearing deposits in Non-U.S. offices

Total deposits

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Trading liabilities
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Other borrowed funds
Accrued taxes and other expenses 
Other liabilities (including allowance for lending-related commitments of $118 and $89, also includes $392 and $451, at

fair value)

Long-term debt (includes $359 and $347, at fair value)
Subtotal liabilities of operations

Liabilities of consolidated investment management funds, at fair value:

Trading liabilities
Other liabilities

Subtotal liabilities of consolidated investment management funds, at fair value

Total liabilities

Temporary equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Permanent equity
Preferred stock – par value $0.01 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 25,826 and 15,826 shares
Common stock – par value $0.01 per share; authorized 3,500,000,000 shares; issued 1,312,941,113 and 1,290,222,821

shares

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Less: Treasury stock of 227,598,128 and 171,995,262 common shares, at cost

Total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders’ equity

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management funds

Total permanent equity
Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$

6,537 $

113,203
15,146
24,373

43,312
75,867
119,179
7,368
63,703
(157)
63,546
1,379
562
17,618
3,842
19,626
392,379

6,970
96,682
19,495
20,302

20,933
98,330
119,263
9,881
59,132
(191)
58,941
1,394
607
17,869
4,127
20,490
376,021

1,228
173
1,401
393,780 $

8,678
604
9,282
385,303

96,277 $
51,704
131,629
279,610
15,002
4,501
21,900
523
5,986

5,490
21,547
354,559

229
17
246
354,805

104,240
53,236
108,393
265,869
11,469
7,434
21,181
786
6,903

5,025

20,264
338,931

7,660
9
7,669
346,600

200

229

2,552

1,562

13
25,262
19,974
(2,600)
(7,164)
38,037
738
38,775
393,780 $

13
24,626
17,683
(1,634)
(4,809)
37,441
1,033
38,474
385,303

$

$

$

BNY Mellon 145 

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(in millions)
Operating activities
Net income
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$

3,222 $
(64)
3,158

2,651 $
(84)
2,567

Provision for credit losses
Pension plan contributions
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred tax (benefit)
Net securities (gains) and venture capital (income)

Change in trading activities
Originations of loans held-for-sale
Proceeds from the sales of loans originated for sale
Change in accruals and other, net

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

Investing activities

Change in interest-bearing deposits with banks
Change in interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity
Paydowns of securities held-to-maturity
Maturities of securities held-to-maturity
Purchases of securities available-for-sale
Sales of securities available-for-sale
Paydowns of securities available-for-sale
Maturities of securities available-for-sale
Net change in loans
Sales of loans and other real estate
Change in federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Change in seed capital investments
Purchases of premises and equipment/capitalized software
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment
Acquisitions, net of cash
Dispositions, net of cash
Other, net

Net cash (used for) investing activities

Financing activities

Change in deposits
Change in federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Change in payables to customers and broker-dealers
Change in other borrowed funds
Change in commercial paper
Net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
Issuance of common stock
Issuance of preferred stock
Treasury stock acquired
Common cash dividends paid
Preferred cash dividends paid
Other, net

Net cash provided by financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Change in cash and due from banks
Change in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
Cash and due from banks at end of period

Supplemental disclosures

Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Income taxes refunded

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 146 BNY Mellon

160
(70)
1,457
47
(84)
(414)
(1,106)
725
254
4,127

4,225
(16,521)
(16,060)
3,698
1,222
(33,785)
19,016
8,776
14,689
(4,615)
362
(4,071)
287
(601)
—
(9)
17
3,583
(19,787)

11,890
3,533
719
(394)
—
4,986
(3,659)
326
26
990
(2,355)
(760)
(105)
(12)
15,185
42

(48)
(72)
1,292
(853)
(97)
2,636
—
—
(941)
4,484

16,010
7,677
(3,498)
1,885
102
(69,101)
31,254
7,253
11,012
(7,904)
312
(11,141)
(253)
(791)
585
(28)
64
4,887
(11,675)

2,247
1,821
5,474
135
(96)
4,686
(4,376)
370
26
—
(1,669)
(760)
(73)
44
7,829
(128)

$

$

(433)
6,970
6,537 $

510
6,460
6,970 $

295 $

344 $

1,015
901

1,363
144

2013

2,185
(81)
2,104

(35)
(68)
1,389
526
(147)
(3,946)
—
—
(465)
(642)

10,667
(14,249)
(6,740)
1,545
43
(28,622)
19,455
9,621
3,911
(5,092)
104
(2,568)
(171)
(609)
—
(19)
84
(560)
(13,200)

13,960
2,221
(388)
(672)
(242)
3,892
(2,035)
263
25
494
(1,026)
(680)
(64)
(127)
15,621
(46)

1,733
4,727
6,460

347
400
29

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders

Preferred
stock

Common
stock

Additional
paid-in
capital

Retained
earnings

Accumulated
other
comprehensive 
(loss),
net of tax

Treasury
stock

Non-
redeemable
noncontrolling
interests of
consolidated
investment
management
funds

Total
permanent
equity

Redeemable
non-
controlling
interests/
temporary
equity

$

1,562 $

13 $

24,626 $ 17,683 $

(1,634) $ (4,809) $

1,033 $

38,474 (a) $

229

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

602

602

—

(866)

(866)

24,626

17,683

(1,634)

(4,809)

769

38,210

—

—

(26)

—
—

—

—
—

25

21

—

616

—

—

—

3,158
—

(762)

(105)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
(966)

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—
— (2,355)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(73)

68
(26)

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(99)

3,226
(992)

(762)

(105)
(2,355)

25

21

990

616

—

229

48

(92)

29

(4)
(10)

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

(in millions, except per
share amounts)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014
Adjustment for the cumulative

effect of applying ASU 2015-02
for the consolidation of a legal
entity

Adjustment for the cumulative

effect of applying ASU 2015-02
for the deconsolidation of a legal
entity

Adjusted balance at Jan. 1,

2015

Shares issued to shareholders of

noncontrolling interests

Redemption of subsidiary shares
from noncontrolling interests

Other net changes in

noncontrolling interests

Net income
Other comprehensive (loss)
Dividends:

Common stock at $0.68 per
share
Preferred stock

Repurchase of common stock
Common stock issued under:
Employee benefit plans
Direct stock purchase and

dividend reinvestment plan

Preferred stock issued
Stock awards and options

exercised

—

—

1,562

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—

—

—

990

—

—

—

13

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

Balance at Dec. 31, 2015

$

2,552 $

13 $

25,262 $ 19,974 $

(2,600) $ (7,164) $

738 $

38,775 (a) $

200

(a) 

Includes total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’ equity of $35,879 million at Dec. 31, 2014 and $35,485 million at Dec. 
31, 2015.

BNY Mellon 147 

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (continued)

(in millions, except per
share amounts)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2013
Shares issued to shareholders of

noncontrolling interests

Redemption of subsidiary shares
from noncontrolling interests

Other net changes in

noncontrolling interests

Net income
Other comprehensive (loss)
Dividends:

Common stock at $0.66 per
share
Preferred stock

Repurchase of common stock
Common stock issued under:
Employee benefit plans
Direct stock purchase and

dividend reinvestment plan

Stock awards and options

exercised

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders

Preferred
stock

Common
stock

Additional
paid-in
capital

Retained
earnings

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss),
net of tax

Treasury
stock

Non-
redeemable
noncontrolling
interests of
consolidated
investment
management
funds

Total
permanent
equity

Redeemable
non-
controlling
interests/
temporary
equity

$

1,562 $

13 $

24,002 $ 15,952 $

(892) $ (3,140) $

783 $

38,280 (a) $

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

(31)

10

—
—

—

—
—

24

21

600

—

—

—

2,567
—

(763)

(73)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
(742)

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—
— (1,669)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

277

84
(111)

—

—
—

—

—

—
1,033 $

—

(31)

287

2,651
(853)

(763)

(73)
(1,669)

24

21

600

38,474 (a) $

230

63

(103)

53

—
(14)

—

—
—

—

—

—

229

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

$

1,562 $

13 $

24,626 $ 17,683 $

(1,634) $ (4,809) $

(a) 

Includes total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’ equity of $35,935 million at Dec. 31, 2013 and  $35,879 million at Dec. 
31, 2014.

 148 BNY Mellon

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries)

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (continued)

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders

Preferred
stock

Common
stock

Additional
paid-in
capital

Retained
earnings

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss),
net of tax

Treasury
stock

Non-
redeemable
noncontrolling
interests of
consolidated
investment
management
funds

Total
permanent
equity

Redeemable
non-
controlling
interests/
temporary
equity

$

1,068 $

13 $

23,485 $ 14,605 $

(643) $ (2,114) $

833

37,247 (a) $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

494

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

21

—

—

—

—
—

25

20

—

451

—

—

—

2,104

(12)

(681)

(64)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(249)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
— (1,026)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(161)

80

31

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(140)

2,184

(230)

(681)

(64)
(1,026)

25

20

494

451

178

49

(81)

73

1

10

—

—

—

—

—

—

(in millions, except per
share amounts)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2012
Shares issued to shareholders of

noncontrolling interests

Redemption of subsidiary shares
from noncontrolling interests

Other net changes in

noncontrolling interests

Net income
Other comprehensive income

(loss)

Dividends:

Common stock at $0.58 per
share
Preferred stock

Repurchase of common stock
Common stock issued under:
Employee benefit plans
Direct stock purchase and

dividend reinvestment plan

Preferred stock issued
Stock awards and options

exercised

Balance at Dec. 31, 2013

$

1,562 $

13 $

24,002 $ 15,952 $

(892) $ (3,140) $

783 $

38,280 (a) $

230

(a) 

Includes total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’ equity of $35,346 million at Dec. 31, 2012 and $35,935 million at Dec. 
31, 2013.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BNY Mellon 149 

  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting 
and reporting policies

Basis of presentation

The accounting and financial reporting policies of 
BNY Mellon, a global financial services company, 
conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting 
principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing industry 
practices.  

In the opinion of management, all adjustments 
necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, 
results of operations and cash flows for the periods 
presented have been made.  These financial 
statements should be read in conjunction with BNY 
Mellon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended Dec. 31, 2015.  Certain immaterial 
reclassifications have been made to prior periods to 
place them on a basis comparable with current period 
presentation.  

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity 
with U.S. GAAP requires management to make 
estimates based upon assumptions about future 
economic and market conditions which affect 
reported amounts and related disclosures in our 
financial statements.  Although our current estimates 
contemplate current conditions and how we expect 
them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible 
that actual conditions could be worse than anticipated 
in those estimates, which could materially affect our 
results of operations and financial condition.  
Amounts subject to estimates are items such as the 
allowance for loan losses and lending-related 
commitments, the fair value of financial instruments 
and derivatives, other-than-temporary impairment, 
goodwill and other intangibles and pension 
accounting.  Among other effects, such changes in 
estimates could result in future impairments of 
investment securities, goodwill and intangible assets 
and establishment of allowances for loan losses and 
lending-related commitments as well as changes in 
pension and post-retirement expense.

Equity method investments

The consolidated financial statements include the 
accounts of BNY Mellon and its subsidiaries.  Equity 
investments of less than a majority but at least 20% 

 150 BNY Mellon

ownership are accounted for by the equity method 
and classified as other assets.  Earnings on these 
investments are reflected in fee and other revenue as 
investment services fees, investment management and 
performance fees or investment and other income, as 
appropriate, in the period earned.  

A loss in value of an equity investment that is 
determined to be other-than-temporary, is recognized 
by reducing the carrying value of the equity 
investment down to its fair value.  

Our most significant equity method investments are: 

Equity method investments at Dec. 31, 2015
Percentage
ownership Book value
473
262
86 (a)

(dollars in millions)
CIBC Mellon
Siguler Guff
ConvergEx
(a)  In addition to the common ownership interest noted, BNY 

50.0% $
20.0% $
33.9% $

Mellon also holds an interest in ConvergEx nonvoting Series 
B preferred units.  The book value at Dec. 31, 2015 is 
reflective of our combined common and preferred interests in 
ConvergEx.

Acquired businesses

The income statement and balance sheet include 
results of acquired businesses accounted for under the 
acquisition method of accounting pursuant to ASC 
805, Business Combinations and equity investments 
from the dates of acquisition.  For acquisitions 
completed after Jan. 1, 2009, contingent purchase 
consideration was measured at its fair value and 
recorded on the purchase date.  Any subsequent 
changes in the fair value of a contingent consideration 
liability will be recorded through the income 
statement.

Parent financial statements

The Parent financial statements in Note 19 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements include 
the accounts of the Parent; those of a wholly-owned 
financing subsidiary that functions as a financing 
entity for BNY Mellon and its subsidiaries; and 
MIPA, LLC, a single-member limited liability 
company, created to hold and administer corporate-
owned life insurance.  Financial data for the Parent, 
the financing subsidiary and the single-member 
limited liability company are combined for financial 
reporting purposes because of the limited function of 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

these entities and the unconditional guarantee by 
BNY Mellon of their obligations.

Nature of operations

We consider the underlying facts and circumstances 
of individual entities when assessing whether or not 
an entity is a VIE.  An entity is determined to be a 
VIE if the equity investors:  

BNY Mellon is a global leader in providing a broad 
range of financial products and services in domestic 
and international markets.  Through our two principal 
businesses, Investment Management and Investment 
Services, we serve the following major classes of 
customers - institutions, corporations, and high net 
worth individuals.  For institutions and corporations, 
we provide the following services:

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

investment management;
trust and custody;
foreign exchange;
fund administration;
global collateral services;
securities lending;
depositary receipts;
corporate trust;
global payment/cash management;
banking services; and
clearing services.

For individuals, we provide mutual funds, separate 
accounts, wealth management and private banking 
services.  BNY Mellon’s investment management 
businesses provide investment products in many asset 
classes and investment styles on a global basis.

Variable interest and voting model entities

When evaluating an entity for possible consolidation, 
the Company must determine whether or not it has a 
variable interest in the entity.  Variable interests are 
investments or other interests that absorb portions of 
an entity’s expected losses or receive portions of the 
entity’s expected returns.  BNY Mellon’s variable 
interests may include its decision maker or service 
provider fees, its direct and indirect investments and 
investments made by related parties, including related 
parties under common control.  If it is determined that 
BNY Mellon does not have a variable interest in the 
entity, no further analysis is required and BNY 
Mellon does not consolidate the entity. 

If BNY Mellon holds a variable interest in the entity 
an analysis must be performed to determine if the 
entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or a voting 
model entity (“VME”). 

do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity 
to finance its activities without additional 
subordinated financial support; or   
lack one or more of the following characteristics 
of a controlling financial interest:   
• 

the power, through voting rights or similar 
rights, to direct the activities of an entity that 
most significantly impact the entity’s 
economic performance.   
the obligation to absorb the expected losses 
of the entity.   
the right to receive the expected residual 
returns of the entity.   

• 

• 

BNY Mellon is required to consolidate a VIE if it is 
determined to have a controlling financial interest in 
the entity and therefore is deemed to be the primary 
beneficiary of the VIE.  BNY Mellon is determined to 
have a controlling financial interest in a VIE when it 
has both 1) the power to direct the activities of the 
VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s 
economic performance and 2) the obligation to 
absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the 
VIE that could potentially be significant to that VIE. 

For entities that do not meet the definition of a VIE, 
the entity is considered a VME.  For these entities, if 
the Company can exert control over the financial and 
operating policies of an investee, which can occur if it 
has a 50% or more voting interest in the entity, BNY 
Mellon consolidates the entity. 

BNY Mellon’s VIEs generally include certain retail, 
institutional and alternative investment funds, 
including CLOs offered to its retail and institutional 
customers in which it acts as the fund’s investment 
manager.  The funds are established to provide our 
clients access to investment vehicles with specific 
investment objectives and strategies that address the 
client’s investment needs.  BNY Mellon earns 
investment management fees on these funds as well 
as performance fees in certain funds.  We may also 
provide start-up capital for new funds.  The VIEs are 
primarily financed by the client’s investments in the 
funds’ equity or debt. 

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02, effective Jan. 
1, 2015, the accounting guidance on the consolidation 

BNY Mellon 151 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

of VIEs was included in ASC 810 Consolidation, 
ASU 2009-17 “Improvements to Financial Reporting 
by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest 
Entities,” and ASU 2010-10 “Amendments for 
Certain Investment Funds,” which deferred ASU 
2009-17 for certain asset managers’ interests in 
entities that apply the specialized accounting 
guidance for investment companies or that have the 
attributes of investment companies and for interests 
in money market funds. 

As a result of ASU 2010-10, BNY Mellon continued 
to apply ASC 810 to its mutual funds, hedge funds, 
private equity funds, collective investment funds and 
real estate investment trusts.  If these entities were 
determined to be VIEs, primary beneficiary 
calculations were prepared in accordance with ASC 
810 to determine whether or not BNY Mellon was the 
primary beneficiary and required to consolidate the 
VIE.  The primary beneficiary of a VIE was the party 
that absorbed a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, 
received a majority of its expected residual returns or 
both. 

BNY Mellon had two securitizations and several 
CLOs, which were assessed for consolidation in 
accordance with ASU 2009-17.  The primary 
beneficiary of these VIE’s was the party that has both: 
(1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that 
most significantly impact that entity’s economic 
performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses, 
or the right to receive benefits, from the VIE that 
could potentially be significant to the VIE. 

Trading account securities, available-for-sale 
securities, and held-to-maturity securities

Securities are accounted for under ASC 320 
Investments - Debt and Equity Securities.  Securities 
are classified in the trading, available-for-sale 
investment or the held-to-maturity investment 
securities portfolios when they are purchased.  
Securities are classified as trading securities when our 
intention is to resell the securities.  Securities are 
classified as available-for-sale securities when we 
intend to hold the securities for an indefinite period of 
time or when the securities may be used for tactical 
asset/liability purposes and may be sold from time to 
time to effectively manage interest rate exposure, 
prepayment risk and liquidity needs.  Securities are 
classified as held-to-maturity securities when we 
intend to hold them until maturity.  

 152 BNY Mellon

Trading securities are measured at fair value.  Trading 
revenue includes both realized and unrealized gains 
and losses.  The liability incurred on short-sale 
transactions, representing the obligation to deliver 
securities, is included in trading liabilities at fair 
value.

Available-for-sale securities are measured at fair 
value.  The difference between fair value and 
amortized cost representing unrealized gains or losses 
on assets classified as available-for-sale, are recorded 
net of tax as an addition to or deduction from OCI, 
unless a security is deemed to have OTTI.  Gains and 
losses on sales of available-for-sale securities are 
reported in the income statement.  The cost of debt 
and equity securities sold is determined on a specific 
identification and average cost method, respectively.  
Held-to-maturity securities are measured at amortized 
cost.

Income on investment securities purchased is 
adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion 
of discount on a level yield basis.  

We routinely conduct periodic reviews to identify and 
evaluate each investment security to determine 
whether OTTI has occurred.  We examine various 
factors when determining whether an impairment, 
representing the fair value of a security being below 
its amortized cost, is other than temporary.  The 
following are examples of factors that BNY Mellon 
considers:

•  The length of time and the extent to which the 
fair value has been less than the amortized cost 
basis;

•  Whether management has an intent to sell the 

security;

•  Whether the decline in fair value is attributable to 
specific adverse conditions affecting a particular 
investment;

•  Whether the decline in fair value is attributable to 
specific conditions, such as conditions in an 
industry or in a geographic area;

•  Whether a debt security has been downgraded by 

a rating agency; 

•  Whether a debt security exhibits cash flow 

deterioration; and

•  For each non-agency RMBS, we compare the 
remaining credit enhancement that protects the 
individual security from losses against the 
projected losses of principal and/or interest 
expected to come from the underlying mortgage 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

collateral, to determine whether such credit losses 
might directly impact the relevant security.

When we do not intend to sell the security and it is 
more likely than not that BNY Mellon will not be 
required to sell the security prior to recovery of its 
cost basis, the credit component of an OTTI of a debt 
security is recognized in earnings and the non-credit 
component is recognized in OCI.

The determination of whether a credit loss exists is 
based on the best estimate of the present value of cash 
flows to be collected from the debt security.  
Generally, cash flows are discounted at the effective 
interest rate implicit in the debt security at the time of 
acquisition.  For debt securities that are beneficial 
interests in securitized financial assets and are not 
high credit quality, ASC 325 provides that cash flows 
be discounted at the current yield used to accrete the 
beneficial interest.

If we intend to sell the security or it is more likely 
than not that BNY Mellon will be required to sell the 
security prior to recovery of its cost basis, the non-
credit component of OTTI is recognized in earnings 
and subsequently accreted to interest income on an 
effective yield basis over the life of the security.

For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of 
OTTI recorded in OCI for the non-credit portion of a 
previous OTTI is amortized prospectively, as an 
increase to the carrying amount of the security, over 
the remaining life of the security on the basis of the 
timing of future estimated cash flows of the 
securities. 

The accounting policies for the determination of the 
fair value of financial instruments and OTTI have 
been identified as “critical accounting estimates” as 
they require us to make numerous assumptions based 
on available market data.  See Note 4 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for these 
disclosures.

Loans and leases

Unearned revenue on direct financing leases is 
accreted over the lives of the leases in decreasing 
amounts to provide a constant rate of return on the net 
investment in the leases.  Revenue on leveraged 
leases is recognized on a basis to achieve a constant 
yield on the outstanding investment in the lease, net 
of the related deferred tax liability, in the years in 
which the net investment is positive.  Gains and 
losses on residual values of leased equipment sold are 
included in investment and other income.  
Considering the nature of these leases and the number 
of significant assumptions, there is risk associated 
with the income recognition on these leases should 
any of the assumptions change materially in future 
periods.

A modified loan is considered a TDR if the debtor is 
experiencing financial difficulties and the creditor 
grants a concession to the debtor that would not 
otherwise be considered.  A TDR may include a 
transfer of real estate or other assets from the debtor 
to the creditor, or a modification of the term of the 
loan.  TDRs are accounted for as impaired loans (see 
the Nonperforming assets policy).

Nonperforming assets

Commercial loans are placed on nonaccrual status 
when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more, 
or when there is reasonable doubt that interest or 
principal will be collected. 

When a first lien residential mortgage loan reaches 90 
days delinquent, it is subject to an impairment test 
and may be placed on nonaccrual status.  At 180 days 
delinquent, the loan is subject to further impairment 
testing.  The loan will remain on accrual status if the 
realizable value of the collateral exceeds the unpaid 
principal balance plus accrued interest.  If the loan is 
impaired, a charge-off is taken and the loan is placed 
on nonaccrual status.  At 270 days delinquent, all first 
lien mortgages are placed on nonaccrual status.  
Second lien mortgages are automatically placed on 
nonaccrual status when they reach 90 days 
delinquent.  

Loans are reported net of any unearned income and 
deferred fees and costs.  Certain loan origination and 
upfront commitment fees, as well as certain direct 
loan origination and commitment costs, are deferred 
and amortized as a yield adjustment over the lives of 
the related loans.  Loans held for sale are carried at 
the lower of cost or fair value.

When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, 
previously accrued and uncollected interest is 
reversed against current period interest revenue.  
Interest receipts on nonaccrual and impaired loans are 
recognized as interest revenue or are applied to 
principal when we believe the ultimate collectability 
of principal is in doubt.  Nonaccrual loans generally 

BNY Mellon 153 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

are restored to an accrual basis when principal and 
interest become current and remain current for a 
specified period. 

A loan is considered to be impaired when it is 
probable that we will be unable to collect all principal 
and interest amounts due according to the contractual 
terms of the loan agreement.  An impairment 
allowance on loans $1 million or greater is required 
to be measured based upon the loan’s market price, 
the present value of expected future cash flows, 
discounted at the loan’s initial effective interest rate, 
or at fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral 
dependent.  If the loan valuation is less than the 
recorded value of the loan, an impairment allowance 
is established by a provision for credit loss.  
Impairment allowances are not needed when the 
recorded investment in an impaired loan is less than 
the loan valuation.  

Allowance for loan losses and allowance for lending-
related commitments

The allowance for loan losses, shown as a valuation 
allowance to loans, and the allowance for lending-
related commitments recorded in other liabilities are 
referred to as BNY Mellon’s allowance for credit 
losses.  The accounting policy for the determination 
of the adequacy of the allowances has been identified 
as a “critical accounting estimate” as it requires us to 
make numerous complex and subjective estimates 
and assumptions relating to amounts which are 
inherently uncertain. 

The allowance for loan losses is maintained to absorb 
losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance 
sheet date based on our judgment.  The allowance 
determination methodology is designed to provide 
procedural discipline in assessing the appropriateness 
of the allowance.  Credit losses are charged against 
the allowance.  Recoveries are added to the 
allowance. 

The methodology for determining the allowance for 
lending-related commitments considers the same 
factors as the allowance for loan losses, as well as an 
estimate of the probability of drawdown.  We utilize a 
quantitative methodology and qualitative framework 
for determining the allowance for loan losses and the 
allowance for lending-related commitments.  Within 
this qualitative framework, management applies 
judgment when assessing internal risk factors and 

 154 BNY Mellon

environmental factors to compute an additional 
allowance for each component of the loan portfolio.

The three elements of the allowance for loan losses 
and the allowance for lending-related commitments 
include the qualitative allowance framework.  The 
three elements are: 

• 

• 

• 

an allowance for impaired credits of $1 million or 
greater;
an allowance for higher risk-rated credits and 
pass-rated credits; and 
an allowance for residential mortgage loans.

Our lending is primarily to institutional customers.  
As a result, our loans are generally larger than $1 
million.  Therefore, the first element, impaired 
credits, is based on individual analysis of all impaired 
loans of $1 million and greater.  The allowance is 
measured by the difference between the recorded 
value of impaired loans and their impaired value.  
Impaired value is either the present value of the 
expected future cash flows from the borrower, the 
market value of the loan, or the fair value of the 
collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent.

The second element, higher risk-rated credits and 
pass-rated credits, is based on our probable loss 
model.  Individual credit analyses are performed on 
such loans before being assigned a credit rating.  All 
borrowers are assigned to pools based on their credit 
rating.  The probable loss inherent in each loan in a 
pool incorporates the borrower's credit rating, loss 
given default rating and maturity.  The loss given 
default incorporates a recovery expectation and an 
estimate of the use of the facility at default (usage 
given default).  The borrower's probability of default 
is derived from the associated credit rating.  Borrower 
ratings are reviewed at least annually and are 
periodically mapped to third-party databases, 
including rating agency and default and recovery 
databases, to ensure ongoing consistency and validity.  
Higher risk-rated credits are reviewed quarterly. 

The third element, the allowance for residential 
mortgage loans, is determined by segregating five 
mortgage pools into delinquency periods ranging 
from current through foreclosure.  Each of these 
delinquency periods is assigned a probability of 
default.  A specific loss given default is assigned for 
each mortgage pool.  BNY Mellon assigns all 
residential mortgage pools, except home equity lines 
of credit, a probability of default and loss given 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

default based on default and loss data derived from 
internal historical data related to our residential 
mortgage portfolio.  The resulting probable loss 
factor (the probability of default multiplied by the 
loss given default) is applied against the loan balance 
to determine the allowance held for each pool.  For 
home equity lines of credit, probability of default and 
loss given default are based on external data from 
third-party databases due to the small size of the 
portfolio and insufficient internal data.

The qualitative framework is used to determine an 
additional allowance for each portfolio based on the 
factors below:

Internal risk factors:
•  Nonperforming loans to total non-margin loans; 
•  Criticized assets to total loans and lending-related 

commitments; 

•  Borrower concentration; and 
•  Significant concentrations in high risk industries 

and countries.

Environmental risk factors:
•  U.S. non-investment grade default rate; 
•  Unemployment rate; and 
•  Change in real GDP.

The objective of the qualitative framework is to 
capture incurred losses that may not have been fully 
captured in the quantitative reserve, which is based 
primarily on historical data.  Management determines 
the qualitative allowance each period based on 
judgment informed by consideration of internal and 
external risk factors and other considerations that 
may be deemed relevant during the period.  Once 
determined in the aggregate, our qualitative 
allowance is then allocated to each of our loan classes 
based on the respective classes’ quantitative 
allowance balances with the allocations adjusted, 
when necessary, for class specific risk factors.  

For each risk factor, we calculate the minimum and 
maximum values, and percentiles in-between, to 
evaluate the distribution of our historical experience.  
The distribution of historical experience is compared 
to the risk factor’s current quarter observed 
experience to assess the current risk inherent in the 
portfolio and overall direction/trend of a risk factor 
relative to our historical experience.  

Based on this analysis, we assign a risk level - no 
impact, low, moderate, high and elevated - to each 

risk factor for the current quarter.  Management 
assesses the impact of each risk factor to determine 
an aggregate risk level.  We do not quantify the 
impact of any particular risk factor.  Management’s 
assessment of the risk factors, as well as the trend in 
the quantitative allowance, supports management’s 
judgment for the overall required qualitative 
allowance.  A smaller qualitative allowance may be 
required when our quantitative allowance has 
reflected incurred losses associated with the 
aggregate risk level.  A greater qualitative allowance 
may be required if our quantitative allowance does 
not yet reflect the incurred losses associated with the 
aggregate risk level.

The allocation of the allowance for credit losses is 
inherently judgmental, and the entire allowance for 
credit losses is available to absorb credit losses 
regardless of the nature of the loss. 

Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment are carried at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and amortization.  
Depreciation and amortization is computed using the 
straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 
the owned asset and, for leasehold improvements, 
over the lesser of the remaining term of the leased 
facility or the estimated economic life of the 
improvement.  For owned and capitalized assets, 
estimated useful lives range from 2 to 40 years.  
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as 
incurred, while major improvements are capitalized 
and amortized to operating expense over their 
identified useful lives. 

Software

BNY Mellon capitalizes costs relating to acquired 
software and internal-use software development 
projects that provide new or significantly improved 
functionality.  We capitalize projects that are expected 
to result in longer-term operational benefits, such as 
replacement systems or new applications that result in 
significantly increased operational efficiencies or 
functionality.  All other costs incurred in connection 
with an internal-use software project are expensed as 
incurred.  Capitalized software is recorded in other 
assets.

BNY Mellon 155 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Identified intangible assets and goodwill

Identified intangible assets with estimable lives are 
amortized in a pattern consistent with the assets’ 
identifiable cash flows or using a straight-line method 
over their remaining estimated benefit periods if the 
pattern of cash flows is not estimable.  Intangible 
assets with estimable lives are reviewed for possible 
impairment when events or changed circumstances 
may affect the underlying basis of the asset.  
Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives are not 
amortized, but are assessed annually for impairment, 
or more often if events and circumstances indicate it 
is more likely than not they may be impaired.  The 
accounting policy for valuing and impairment testing 
of identified intangible assets and goodwill has been 
identified as a “critical accounting estimate” as it 
requires us to make numerous complex and 
subjective estimates.  See Note 6 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional 
disclosures related to goodwill and intangible assets.

Investments in qualified affordable housing projects

Investments in qualified affordable housing projects 
through a limited liability entity are accounted for 
utilizing the proportional amortization method.  
Under the proportional amortization method, the 
initial cost of the investment is amortized in 
proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits 
received and the net investment performance is 
recognized in the income statement as a component 
of income tax expense.  Additionally, the value of the 
commitments to fund qualified affordable housing 
projects is included in other assets on the balance 
sheet and a liability is recorded for the unfunded 
portion.

Seed capital

Seed capital investments are classified as other assets 
and carried at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses 
on seed capital investments are recorded in 
investment and other income.

Noncontrolling interests

Noncontrolling interests included in permanent equity 
are adjusted for the income or (loss) attributable to 
the noncontrolling interest holders and any 
distributions to those shareholders.  Redeemable 
noncontrolling interests are reported as temporary 
equity.  BNY Mellon recognizes changes in the 

 156 BNY Mellon

redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling 
interests as they occur and adjusts the carrying value 
to be equal to the redemption value.

Fee revenue

We record investment services fees, investment 
management fees, foreign exchange and other trading 
revenue, financing-related fees, distribution and 
servicing, and other revenue when the services are 
provided and earned based on contractual terms, 
when amounts are determined and collectability is 
reasonably assured.

Additionally, we recognize revenue from non-
refundable, upfront implementation fees under 
outsourcing contracts using a straight-line method, 
commencing in the period the ongoing services are 
performed through the expected term of the 
contractual relationship.  Incremental direct set-up 
costs of implementation, up to the related 
implementation fee or minimum fee revenue amount, 
are deferred and amortized over the same period that 
the related implementation fees are recognized.  If a 
client terminates an outsourcing contract prematurely, 
the unamortized deferred incremental direct set-up 
costs and the unamortized deferred up-front 
implementation fees related to that contract are 
recognized in the period the contract is terminated.

Performance fees are recognized in the period in 
which the performance fees are earned and become 
determinable.  Performance fees are generally 
calculated as a percentage of the applicable 
portfolio’s performance in excess of a benchmark 
index or a peer group’s performance.  When a 
portfolio underperforms its benchmark or fails to 
generate positive performance, subsequent years’ 
performance must generally exceed this shortfall 
prior to fees being earned.  Amounts billable, which 
are subject to a clawback if future performance 
thresholds in current or future years are not met, are 
not recognized since the fees are potentially 
uncollectible.  These fees are recognized when it is 
determined that they will be collected.  When a multi-
year performance contract provides that fees earned 
are billed ratably over the performance period, only 
the portion of the fees earned that are non-refundable 
are recognized.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Net interest revenue

Revenue on interest-earning assets and expense on 
interest-bearing liabilities is recognized based on the 
effective yield of the related financial instrument.  
Negative interest incurred on assets or charged on 
liabilities is presented as contra interest income and 
contra expense respectively.

Foreign currency translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the rate of 
exchange on the balance sheet date.  Transaction 
gains and losses are included in the income statement.  
Translation gains and losses on investments in foreign 
entities with functional currencies that are not the 
U.S. dollar are recorded as foreign currency 
translation adjustments in OCI.  Revenue and expense 
transactions are translated at the applicable daily rate 
or the weighted average monthly exchange rate when 
applying the daily rate is not practical.  

Pension

The measurement date for BNY Mellon’s pension 
plans is Dec. 31.  Plan assets are determined based on 
fair value generally representing observable market 
prices.  The projected benefit obligation is determined 
based on the present value of projected benefit 
distributions at an assumed discount rate.  The 
discount rate utilized is based on the yield curves of 
high-quality corporate bonds available in the 
marketplace.  The net periodic pension expense or 
credit includes service costs, interest costs based on 
an assumed discount rate, an expected return on plan 
assets based on an actuarially derived market-related 
value, amortization of prior service cost and 
amortization of prior years’ actuarial gains and losses.

Actuarial gains and losses include gains or losses 
related to changes in the amount of the projected 
benefit obligation or plan assets resulting from 
demographic or investment experience different than 
assumed, changes in the discount rate or other 
assumptions.  To the extent an actuarial gain or loss 
exceeds 10% of the greater of the projected benefit 
obligation or the market-related value of plan assets, 
the excess is recognized over the future service 
periods of active employees.  As a result of an 
amendment adopted on Jan. 29, 2015 to freeze benefit 
accruals under the U.S. pension plans effective June 
30, 2015, future unrecognized actuarial gains and 

losses for the U.S. plans that exceed a threshold 
amount are amortized over the average future life 
expectancy of plan participants with a maximum of 
15 years.

Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 
is based on anticipated returns for each applicable 
asset class.  Anticipated returns are weighted for the 
expected allocation for each asset class and are based 
on forecasts for prospective returns in the equity and 
fixed income markets, which should track the long-
term historical returns for these markets.  We also 
consider the growth outlook for U.S. and global 
economies, as well as current and prospective interest 
rates.

The market-related value utilized to determine the 
expected return on plan assets is based on the fair 
value of plan assets adjusted for the difference 
between expected returns and actual performance of 
plan assets.  The difference between actual experience 
and expected returns on plan assets is included as an 
adjustment in the market-related value over a five-
year period.

BNY Mellon’s accounting policy regarding pensions 
has been identified as a “critical accounting estimate” 
as it requires management to make numerous 
complex and subjective assumptions relating to 
amounts which are inherently uncertain.  See Note 18 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
additional disclosures related to pensions.

Severance

BNY Mellon provides separation benefits for U.S.-
based employees through The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation Supplemental Unemployment 
Benefit Plan.  These benefits are provided to eligible 
employees separated from their jobs for business 
reasons not related to individual performance.  Basic 
separation benefits are generally based on the 
employee’s years of continuous benefited service.  
Severance for employees based outside of the U.S. is 
determined in accordance with local agreements and 
legal requirements.  Severance expense is recorded 
when management commits to an action that will 
result in separation and the amount of the liability can 
be reasonably estimated.

BNY Mellon 157 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Income taxes

We record current tax liabilities or assets through 
charges or credits to the current tax provision for the 
estimated taxes payable or refundable for the current 
year.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded 
for future tax consequences attributable to differences 
between the financial statement carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  
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.  A deferred tax 
valuation allowance is established if it is more likely 
than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets 
will not be realized.  A tax position that fails to meet a 
more-likely-than-not recognition threshold will result 
in either reduction of current or deferred tax assets, 
and/or recording of current or deferred tax liabilities.  
Interest and penalties related to income taxes are 
recorded as income tax expense.  

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative contracts, such as futures contracts, 
forwards, interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps 
and options and similar products used in trading 
activities are recorded at fair value.  Gains and losses 
are included in foreign exchange and other trading 
revenue in fee and other revenue.  Unrealized gains 
are recognized as trading assets and unrealized losses 
are recognized as trading liabilities, after taking into 
consideration master netting agreements.

We enter into various derivative financial instruments 
for non-trading purposes primarily as part of our 
asset/liability management process.  These 
derivatives are designated as either fair value or cash 
flow hedges of certain assets and liabilities when we 
enter into the derivative contracts.  Gains and losses 
associated with fair value hedges are recorded in 
income as well as any change in the value of the 
related hedged item associated with the designated 
risks being hedged.  Gains and losses on cash flow 
hedges are recorded in OCI, until reclassified into 
earnings in the same period the hedged item impacts 
earnings.  Foreign currency transaction gains and 
losses related to a hedged net investment in a foreign 
operation, net of their tax effect, are recorded with 
cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments 
within OCI.

 158 BNY Mellon

We formally document all relationships between 
hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our 
risk-management objectives and strategy for 
undertaking various hedging transactions.

We formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and 
on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are 
used in hedging transactions are highly effective and 
whether those derivatives are expected to remain 
highly effective in future periods.  At inception, the 
potential causes of ineffectiveness related to each of 
our hedges is assessed to determine if we can expect 
the hedge to be highly effective over the life of the 
transaction and to determine the method for 
evaluating effectiveness on an ongoing basis.

Recognizing that changes in the value of derivatives 
used for hedging or the value of hedged items could 
result in significant ineffectiveness, we have 
processes in place that are designed to identify and 
evaluate such changes when they occur.  Quarterly, 
we perform a quantitative effectiveness assessment 
and record any ineffectiveness in current earnings.

We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when 
we determine that a derivative is no longer an 
effective hedge, the derivative expires, is sold, or 
management discontinues the derivative’s hedge 
designation.  Subsequent gains and losses on these 
derivatives are included in foreign exchange and 
other trading revenue.  For discontinued fair value 
hedges, the accumulated gain or loss on the hedged 
item is amortized on a yield basis over the remaining 
life of the hedged item.  Accumulated gains and 
losses, net of tax effect, from discontinued cash flow 
hedges are reclassified from OCI and recognized in 
current earnings in foreign exchange and other 
trading revenue as the hedged item impacts earnings.
The accounting policy for the determination of the 
fair value of derivative financial instruments has been 
identified as a “critical accounting estimate” as it 
requires us to make numerous assumptions based on 
the available market data.  See Note 23 of the Notes 
to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional 
disclosures related to derivative financial instruments.

Statement of cash flows

We have defined cash as cash and due from banks.  
Cash flows from hedging activities are classified in 
the same category as the items hedged.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Stock-based compensation

Compensation expense relating to all share-based 
payments is recognized in the income statement, on a 
straight-line basis, over the applicable vesting period.

Certain of our stock compensation grants vest when 
the employee retires.  New grants with this feature are 
expensed by the first date the employee is eligible to 
retire. 

Note 2 - Accounting changes and new 
accounting guidance

ASU - 2015-02 - Consolidation (Topic 810): 
Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 
“Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” an 
amendment to ASC 810, Consolidation.  

This ASU eliminated the indefinite deferral of ASU 
2010-10 “Amendments for Certain Investment 
Funds” for asset management funds with 
characteristics of an investment company and also 
eliminated the presumption that a general partner 
should consolidate a limited partnership.  Entities that 
comply with or operate in accordance with the 
requirements that are similar to those of Rule 2a-7 of 
the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered 
money market funds are excluded from the scope of 
the ASU.  This ASU also changed the consolidation 
analysis, particularly when a reporting entity has fee 
arrangements that meet certain requirements and for 
related party relationships.  

The ASU is effective Jan. 1, 2016, with early 
adoption permitted during an interim period in fiscal 
year 2015. 

In the second quarter of 2015, we elected to early 
adopt the new accounting guidance retrospectively to 
Jan. 1, 2015.  As a result we restated the first quarter 
2015 financial statements.  The adoption of this ASU 
did not change the economic risks related to our 
businesses and therefore, our computation of 
economic capital did not change. 

Adoption of the ASU resulted in a net decrease in 
consolidated total assets on our balance sheet at Jan. 
1, 2015 of $7.7 billion, a decrease of approximately 
2%.  

As of Dec. 31, 2015, we had $1.4 billion in assets 
included in our consolidated financial statements 
related to investment management funds (VIEs and 
VMEs) we are required to consolidate and presented 
as assets of consolidated investment management 
funds.  Approximately $1.2 billion of these assets are 
classified as trading assets while the remainder is 
classified as other assets.  The net assets of any 
consolidated investment management fund are solely 
available to settle the liabilities of the entity and to 
settle any investors’ ownership liquidation requests, 
including any seed capital invested by BNY Mellon.

Additionally, BNY Mellon had $189 million included 
in other assets in its consolidated financial statements 
for non-consolidated VIE assets as of Dec. 31, 2015 
where we are not the primary beneficiary of the 
entity.  These assets relate solely to seed capital or 
residual interests invested in the VIEs.

ASU - 2015-07 - Fair Value Measurement (Topic 
820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities 
That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its 
Equivalent)

In May 2015, the FASB issued an ASU, “Fair Value 
Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for 
Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net 
Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent).”  An 
entity’s investments, where fair value is measured at 
net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) 
using the practical expedient, should not be 
categorized in the fair value hierarchy.  The fair value 
will be included in aggregate to permit the 
reconciliation of the fair value with line items 
presented in the statement of financial position.  The 
ASU is effective Jan. 1, 2016, with early adoption 
permitted during interim periods in fiscal year 2015.  
The Company adopted the ASU in the second quarter 
of 2015 and restated its disclosures for comparative 
periods in Note 20 “Fair value measurement” and 
Note 18 “Employee benefit plans.”

ASU - 2014-11 - Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): 
Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase 
Financings, and Disclosures

In June 2014, the FASB issued an ASU, “Transfers 
and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity 
Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and 
Disclosures,” which amends the accounting guidance 
for “repo-to-maturity” transactions and repurchase 

BNY Mellon 159 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

agreements executed as repurchase financings.  This 
ASU requires public entities to apply the accounting 
changes for the first interim or annual reporting 
period beginning after Dec. 15, 2014, and to comply 
with the enhanced disclosure requirements in the 
second quarter of 2015.  The impact of adopting this 
ASU did not have a material impact on our results of 
operations.  See Note 23 “Derivative instruments” for 
the related disclosure. 

Note 3 - Acquisitions and dispositions

We sometimes structure our acquisitions with both an 
initial payment and later contingent payments tied to 
post-closing revenue or income growth.  There were 
no contingent payments in 2015.

At Dec. 31, 2015, we are potentially obligated to pay 
additional consideration that could amount to $4 
million over the next 3 months for our acquired 
companies, based on contractual agreements.  The 
acquisitions and dispositions described below did not 
have a material impact on BNY Mellon’s results of 
operations.

Acquisitions in 2015

On Jan. 2, 2015, BNY Mellon acquired Cutwater 
Asset Management, a U.S.-based fixed income and 
solutions specialist with approximately $23 billion in 
assets under management. 

Dispositions in 2015

On July 31, 2015, BNY Mellon sold Meriten 
Investment Management GmbH, a German-based 
investment management boutique for $40 million.  As 
a result of this sale, we recorded an after-tax loss of 
$12 million.  In addition, goodwill of $22 million and 
customer relationship intangible assets of $9 million 
were removed from the balance sheet as a result of 
this sale.

Acquisitions in 2014

On May 1, 2014, BNY Mellon acquired the 
remaining 65% interest of HedgeMark International, 
LLC for $26 million.  Since 2011, BNY Mellon held 
a 35% ownership stake in HedgeMark.  Goodwill 
related to this acquisition totaled $47 million and is 
included in the Investment Services business.  The 
customer relationship intangible asset related to this 
acquisition is included in our Investment Services 
business and totaled $1 million at acquisition.

Dispositions in 2014

On April 23, 2014, BNY Mellon sold the subsidiary 
that conducted corporate trust business in Mexico that 
was part of our Investment Services business, for $65 
million.  As a result of this sale, we recorded an after-
tax gain of $4 million.  In addition, goodwill of $8 
million and customer relationship intangible assets of 
$1 million were removed from the balance sheet as a 
result of this sale.

Dispositions in 2013

On May 31, 2013, BNY Mellon sold SourceNet 
Solutions, our accounts payable outsourcing support 
services provider that was part of our Investment 
Services business, for $11 million.  As a result of this 
sale, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $2 million and an 
after-tax gain of $10 million. 

On Sept. 27, 2013, Newton Management Limited, 
together with Newton Investment Management 
Limited, an investment boutique of BNY Mellon, 
sold Newton’s private client business, for $120 
million.  As a result of this sale, we recorded a pre-tax 
gain of $27 million and an after-tax gain of $5 
million.  In addition, goodwill of $69 million and 
customer relationship intangible assets of $7 million 
were removed from the balance sheet as a result of 
this sale.

 160 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 4 - Securities

The following tables present the amortized cost, the 
gross unrealized gains and losses and the fair value of 
securities at Dec. 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

Securities at 
Dec. 31, 2015
(in millions)
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government

agencies

State and political

subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial

MBS

Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed

securities

Foreign covered bonds
Corporate bonds
Sovereign debt/

sovereign guaranteed

Other debt securities
Equity securities
Money market funds
Non-agency RMBS (a)

Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
Gains Losses

Fair
value

$

12,693 $ 175 $

36 $

12,832

386

3,968
23,549
782
1,072
1,400

4,031
2,363

2,909
2,125
1,740

13,036
2,732
3
886
1,435

2

91
239
31
10
8

24
1

1
46
26

211
46
1
—
362

1

13
287
20
21
16

35
13

17
3
14

30
3
—
—
8

387

4,046
23,501
793
1,061
1,392

4,020
2,351

2,893
2,168
1,752

13,217
2,775
4
886
1,789

Total securities 
available-for-sale (b) $

75,110 $1,274 $ 517 $

75,867

Held-to-maturity:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government

agencies

State and political

subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial

MBS

Foreign covered bonds
Sovereign debt/

sovereign guaranteed

Other debt securities

Total securities held-

to-maturity
Total securities

$

11,326 $

25 $

51 $

11,300

1,431

20
26,036
118
224
9

503
76

3,538
31

—

—
134
5
1
—

—
—

22
—

6

1
205
2
10
—

9
—

11
—

1,425

19
25,965
121
215
9

494
76

3,549
31

43,312 $ 187 $ 295 $

$
43,204
$ 118,422 $1,461 $ 812 $ 119,071

(a)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust 

(b) 

was dissolved in 2011.
Includes gross unrealized gains of $84 million and gross 
unrealized losses of $248 million recorded in accumulated other 
comprehensive income related to investment securities that were 
transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity.  The 
unrealized gains and losses primarily are related to Agency 
RMBS and will be amortized into net interest revenue over the 
estimated lives of the securities.

Securities at 
Dec. 31, 2014
(in millions)
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government

agencies

State and political

subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial

MBS

Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed

securities

Foreign covered bonds
Corporate bonds
Sovereign debt/

sovereign guaranteed

Other debt securities
Equity securities
Money market funds
Non-agency RMBS (a)

Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
Gains Losses

Fair
value

$

19,592 $ 420 $

15 $

19,997

342

5,176

32,568
942
1,551
1,927

3,105

2,128

3,241

2,788
1,747

17,062

2,162
94
763
1,747

3

95

357
37
25
39

36

9

5

80
45

224

7
1
—
471

2

24

325
26
25
7

9

7

6

—
7

2

—
—
—
4

343

5,247

32,600
953
1,551
1,959

3,132

2,130

3,240

2,868
1,785

17,284

2,169
95
763
2,214

Total securities 
available-for-sale (b) $

96,935 $1,854 $ 459 $

98,330

Held-to-maturity:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government

agencies

State and political

subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Sovereign debt/

sovereign guaranteed
Total securities held-

to-maturity
Total securities

$

5,047 $

32 $

16 $

5,063

344

24

14,006
153
315
13

1,031

—

1

200
9
2
—

24

3

1

44
2
8
—

—

341

24

14,162
160
309
13

1,055

$

20,933 $ 268 $

74 $

21,127

$ 117,868 $2,122 $ 533 $ 119,457

(a)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust 

(b) 

was dissolved in 2011.
Includes gross unrealized gains of $60 million and gross 
unrealized losses of $282 million recorded in accumulated other 
comprehensive income related to investment securities that were 
transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity.  The 
unrealized gains and losses are primarily related to Agency 
RMBS and will be amortized into net interest revenue over the 
estimated lives of the securities.

BNY Mellon 161 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Securities at 
Dec. 31, 2013
(in millions)
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government

agencies

State and political

subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial

MBS

Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed

securities

Foreign covered bonds
Corporate bonds
Other debt securities
Sovereign debt/

sovereign guaranteed

Equity securities
Money market funds
Non-agency RMBS (a)

Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
Gains Losses

Fair
value

$

13,363 $

94 $ 605 $

12,852

937

16

5

948

6,706

25,564
1,148
2,299
2,324

1,822

1,551

2,894

2,798
1,808
1,793

11,284

18
938
2,131

60

307
44
43
60

1

11

6

73
32
4

87

1
—
567

92

550
50
57
27

34

—

9

—
25
—

18

—
—
3

6,674

25,321
1,142
2,285
2,357

1,789

1,562

2,891

2,871
1,815
1,797

11,353

19
938
2,695

Total securities 
available-for-sale (b) $

79,378 $1,406 $1,475 $

79,309

Held-to-maturity:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government

agencies

State and political

subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Sovereign debt/

sovereign guaranteed
Total securities held-

to-maturity
Total securities

$

$

$

3,324 $

28 $

84 $

3,268

419

44

14,568
186
466
16

720

—

—

20
10
3
1

—

13

—

236
3
20
—

6

406

44

14,352
193
449
17

714

19,743 $

62 $ 362 $

19,443

99,121 $1,468 $1,837 $

98,752

(a)   Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust 

(b) 

was dissolved in 2011.
Includes gross unrealized gains of $74 million and gross 
unrealized losses of $343 million recorded in accumulated other 
comprehensive income related to investment securities that were 
transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity.  The 
unrealized gains and losses are primarily related to Agency 
RMBS and will be amortized into net interest revenue over the 
estimated lives of the securities.

 162 BNY Mellon

The following table presents the gross securities 
gains, losses and impairments.

Net securities gains (losses)
(in millions)
Realized gross gains
Realized gross losses
Recognized gross impairments

Total net securities gains

2015

90 $
(2)
(5)
83 $

2014
114 $
(4)
(19)
91 $

2013
186
(10)
(35)
141

$

$

At Dec. 31, 2015, the book value and the fair value of 
UK sovereign debt of $4.7 billion and $4.8 billion 
respectively, exceeded 10% of BNY Mellon’s 
shareholders’ equity.

In 2015, Agency MBS, sovereign debt and U.S. 
Treasury securities with an aggregate amortized cost 
of $11.6 billion and fair value of $11.6 billion were 
transferred from available-for-sale securities to held-
to-maturity securities.  Additionally, in 2013, Agency 
RMBS securities with an amortized cost of $7.3 
billion and fair value of $7.0 billion were transferred 
from available-for-sale securities to held-to-maturity 
securities.  These actions, in addition to realizing 
gains on the sales of securities, is expected to mute 
the impact to our accumulated other comprehensive 
income in the event of a rise in interest rates. 

Temporarily impaired securities

At Dec. 31, 2015, the unrealized losses on the 
investment securities portfolio were primarily 
attributable to an increase in interest rates from date 
of purchase, and for certain securities that were 
transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-
maturity, an increase in interest rates through the date 
they were transferred.  Specifically, $248 million of 
the unrealized losses at Dec. 31, 2015 and $282 
million at Dec. 31, 2014 reflected in the available-for-
sale sections of the tables below relate to certain 
securities (primarily Agency RMBS) that were 
transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-
maturity.  The unrealized losses will be amortized 
into net interest revenue over the estimated lives of 
the securities.  The transfer created a new cost basis 
for the securities.  As a result, if these securities have 
experienced unrealized losses since the date of 
transfer, the corresponding fair value and unrealized 
losses would be reflected in the held-to-maturity 
sections of the following tables.  We do not intend to 
sell these securities and it is not more likely than not 
that we will have to sell these securities.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following tables show the aggregate related fair value of investments with a continuous unrealized loss position 
for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more at 
Dec. 31, 2015, and  Dec. 31, 2014.

Temporarily impaired securities at Dec. 31, 2015

Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Total

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

(in millions)
Available-for-sale:

U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
State and political subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial MBS
Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed securities
Corporate bonds
Sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed
Non-agency RMBS (a)
Other debt securities
Foreign covered bonds

Total securities available-for-sale (b)

Held-to-maturity:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
State and political subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Agency commercial MBS
Sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed
Total securities held-to-maturity
Total temporarily impaired securities

$

$

$

$

$

$

6,343 $
148
143
8,500
72
2
567
2,551
1,599
2,001
338
2,063
45
505
515
25,392 $

36
1
2
44
—
—
9
31
10
10
10
30
1
3
3
190

9,121 $
1,122
4
16,491
40
9
494
2,161
29,442 $
54,834 $

51
6
1
171
—
—
9
11
249
439

— $
10
117
1,316
417
298
224
172
455
546
128
43
52
—
—
3,778 $

— $
—
11
243
20
21
7
4
3
7
4
—
7
—
—
327

$

6,343 $
158
260
9,816
489
300
791
2,723
2,054
2,547
466
2,106
97
505
515
29,170 $

36
1
13
287
20
21
16
35
13
17
14
30
8
3
3
517

— $
—
—
1,917
29
166
—
—
2,112 $
5,890 $

— $
— $
—
34
2
10
—
—
46
373

$
$

9,121 $
1,122
4
18,408
69
175
494
2,161
31,554 $
60,724 $

51
6
1
205
2
10
9
11
295
812

$
$
(a)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust was dissolved in 2011.
(b)  Includes gross unrealized losses for less than 12 months of $8 million and gross unrealized losses for 12 months or more of $240 million 
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income related to investment securities that were transferred from available-for-sale to 
held-to-maturity.  The unrealized losses primarily related to Agency RMBS and will be amortized into net interest revenue over the 
estimated lives of the securities. 

$
$

BNY Mellon 163 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Temporarily impaired securities at Dec. 31, 2014

Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Total

(in millions)
Available-for-sale:

U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
State and political subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial MBS
Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed securities
Corporate bonds
Sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed
Non-agency RMBS (a)

Total securities available-for-sale (b)

Held-to-maturity:
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
State and political subdivisions
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS

$

$

$

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

6,049 $
32
410
3,385
143
—
175
719
1,376
1,078
51
2,175
42
15,635 $

15
—
18
13
1
—
1
1
7
2
—
2
1
61

$

$

$

— $
100
393
5,016
382
449
394
550
—
539
230
—
34
8,087 $

— $
2
6
312
25
25
6
8
—
4
7
—
3
398

$

6,049 $
132
803
8,401
525
449
569
1,269
1,376
1,617
281
2,175
76
23,722 $

15
2
24
325
26
25
7
9
7
6
7
2
4
459

1,066 $
—
5
551
40
—
1,662 $
17,297 $

6
—
1
3
—
—
10
71

1,559 $
340
—
3,808
33
219
5,959 $
14,046 $

$

10
3
—
41
2
8
64
462

2,625 $
340
5
4,359
73
219
7,621 $
31,343 $

16
3
1
44
2
8
74
533

Total securities held-to-maturity
Total temporarily impaired securities

$
$
(a)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust was dissolved in 2011.
(b)  Includes gross unrealized losses for 12 months or more of $282 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income related to 

$
$

$
$

investment securities that were transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity.  The unrealized losses primarily related to Agency 
RMBS and will be amortized into net interest revenue over the estimated lives of the securities. 

The following table shows the maturity distribution by carrying amount and yield (on a tax equivalent basis) of our 
investment securities portfolio at Dec. 31, 2015.

U.S.
Treasury

U.S.
Government
agencies

State and
political
subdivisions

Other bonds,
notes and
debentures

Mortgage/
asset-backed and
equity
securities

Amount Yield (a)

Amount Yield (a)

Amount Yield (a)

Amount Yield (a)

Amount Yield (a)

Total

Maturity distribution and yield 
on investment securities at 
Dec. 31, 2015

(dollars in millions)
Securities available-for-sale:

One year or less
Over 1 through 5 years
Over 5 through 10 years
Over 10 years
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities
Equity securities (b)

Total

Securities held-to-maturity:

$ 3,766
4,445
1,217
3,404
—
—
—
$ 12,832

0.48% $
1.53
2.09
3.11
—
—
—

1.69% $

51
169
167
—
—
—
—
387

One year or less
Over 1 through 5 years
Over 5 through 10 years
Over 10 years
Mortgage-backed securities

—
1,431
—
—
—
1.28% $ 1,431
(a)  Yields are based upon the amortized cost of securities.
(b)  Includes money market funds.

$ 1,160
7,605
2,561
—
—
$ 11,326

0.71% $
1.10
2.06
—
—

Total

 164 BNY Mellon

2.56% $
1.24
2.45
—
—
—
—

655
2,002
1,189
200
—
—
—
1.94% $ 4,046

—% $

1.06
—
—
—

1.06% $

—
1
4
15
—
20

1.99% $ 4,811
12,937
2.70
1,963
3.98
201
1.03
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.88% $ 19,912

—% $ 1,442
1,473
730
—
—
5.75% $ 3,645

7.01
6.80
5.34
—

0.90% $
1.11
1.33
1.69
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
32,556
5,244
890
1.09% $ 38,690

0.24% $
0.61
0.71
—
—

—
—
—
—
26,890
0.48% $ 26,890

—% $ 9,283
19,553
—
4,536
—
3,805
—
32,556
2.65
5,244
1.30
890
—
2.41% $ 75,867

—% $ 2,602
10,510
—
3,295
—
15
—
26,890
2.73
2.73% $ 43,312

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Other-than-temporary impairment

We routinely conduct periodic reviews of all 
securities to determine whether OTTI has occurred. 
Such reviews may incorporate the use of economic 
models.  Various inputs to the economic models are 
used to determine if an unrealized loss on securities is 
other-than-temporary.  For example, the most 
significant inputs related to non-agency RMBS are:

•  Default rate - the number of mortgage loans 

expected to go into default over the life of the 
transaction, which is driven by the roll rate of 
loans in each performance bucket that will 
ultimately migrate to default; and

•  Severity - the loss expected to be realized when a 

loan defaults.

To determine if an unrealized loss is other-than-
temporary, we project total estimated defaults of the 
underlying assets (mortgages) and multiply that 
calculated amount by an estimate of realizable value 
upon sale of these assets in the marketplace (severity) 
in order to determine the projected collateral loss.  In 
determining estimated default rate and severity  
assumptions, we review the performance of the 
underlying securities, industry studies, market 
forecasts, as well as our view of the economic 
outlook affecting collateral.  We also evaluate the 
current credit enhancement underlying the bond to 
determine the impact on cash flows.  If we determine 
that a given security will be subject to a write-down 
or loss, we record the expected credit loss as a charge 
to earnings. 

The table below shows the projected weighted-
average default rates and loss severities for the 2007, 
2006 and late 2005 non-agency RMBS and the 
securities previously held in the Grantor Trust that we 
established in connection with the restructuring of our 
investment securities portfolio in 2009, at Dec. 31, 
2015 and Dec. 31, 2014.

Projected weighted-average default rates and loss severities

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Default rate
33%
52%
18%

Severity Default rate
38%
55%
23%

57%
72%
40%

Severity
58%
74%
42%

Alt-A
Subprime
Prime

The following table provides net pre-tax securities 
gains (losses) by type. 

Net securities gains (losses)
(in millions)
U.S. Treasury
Non-agency RMBS
Commercial MBS
State and political subdivisions
European floating rate notes
Other

Total net securities gains

2015

2014

45 $
7
5
4
2
20
83 $

25 $
17
1
13
1
34
91 $

2013
60
(1)
16
13
8
45
141

$

$

The following tables reflect investment securities 
credit losses recorded in earnings.  The beginning 
balance represents the credit loss component for 
which OTTI occurred on debt securities in prior 
periods.  The additions represent the first time a debt 
security was credit impaired or when subsequent 
credit impairments have occurred.  The deductions 
represent credit losses on securities that have been 
sold, are required to be sold, or for which it is our 
intention to sell.

Debt securities credit loss roll forward
(in millions)
Beginning balance as of Jan. 1
Add: Initial OTTI credit losses

 Subsequent OTTI credit losses
Less: Realized losses for securities sold
Ending balance as of Dec. 31

2015

2014
93 $ 119
—
2
5
10
7
38
91 $
93

$

$

Pledged assets

At Dec. 31, 2015, BNY Mellon had pledged assets of 
$101 billion, including $84 billion pledged as 
collateral for potential borrowings at the Federal 
Reserve Discount Window.  The components of the 
assets pledged at Dec. 31, 2015 included $88 billion 
of securities, $8 billion of loans, $3 billion of trading 
assets and $2 billion of interest-bearing deposits with 
banks. 

If there has been no borrowing at the Federal Reserve 
Discount Window, the Federal Reserve generally 
allows banks to freely move assets in and out of their 
pledged assets account to sell or repledge the assets 
for other purposes.  BNY Mellon regularly moves 
assets in and out of its pledged asset account at the 
Federal Reserve.

BNY Mellon 165 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

At Dec. 31, 2014, BNY Mellon had pledged assets of 
$99 billion, including $74 billion pledged as 
collateral for potential borrowing at the Federal 
Reserve Discount Window.  The components of the 
assets pledged at Dec. 31, 2014 included $90 billion 
of securities, $6 billion of loans, $2 billion of trading 
assets and $1 billion of interest-bearing deposits with 
banks.  

At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, pledged 
assets included $7 billion and $9 billion, respectively, 
for which the recipients were permitted to sell or 
repledge the assets delivered.

We also obtain securities as collateral including 
receipts under resale agreements, securities borrowed, 
derivative contracts and custody agreements on terms 
which permit us to sell or repledge the securities to 
others.  At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, the 
market value of the securities received that can be 
sold or repledged was $52 billion and $47 billion, 
respectively.  We routinely sell or repledge these 
securities through delivery to third parties.  As of 
Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, the market value of 
securities collateral sold or repledged was $17 billion 
and $19 billion, respectively.

Restricted cash and securities

Cash and securities may also be segregated under 
federal and other regulations or requirements.  At 
Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, cash segregated 
under federal and other regulations or requirements 
was $4 billion and $6 billion, respectively.  
Segregated cash is included in interest-bearing 
deposits with banks on the consolidated balance 
sheet.  Securities segregated for these purposes were 
$1 billion at Dec. 31, 2015.  There were no securities 
segregated for these purposes at Dec. 31, 2014.  
Segregated securities are included in trading assets on 
the consolidated balance sheet.  

Note 5 - Loans and asset quality

Loans

The table below provides the details of our loan 
portfolio and industry concentrations of credit risk at 
Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014.

Loans
(in millions)
Domestic:

Financial institutions
Commercial
Wealth management loans and
mortgages
Commercial real estate
Lease financings
Other residential mortgages
Overdrafts
Other
Margin loans

Total domestic

Foreign:

Financial institutions
Commercial
Wealth management loans and
mortgages
Commercial real estate
Lease financings
Other (primarily overdrafts)
Margin loans

Total foreign
Total loans (a)

Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$

6,640 $
2,115

5,603
1,390

13,247
3,899
1,007
1,055
911
1,137
19,340
49,351

9,259
227

100
46
850
3,637
233
14,352
63,703 $

$

11,095
2,524
1,282
1,222
1,348
1,113
20,034
45,611

7,716
252

89
6
889
4,569
—
13,521
59,132

(a)  Net of unearned income of $674 million at Dec. 31, 2015 
and $866 million at Dec. 31, 2014 primarily on domestic 
and foreign lease financings.

Our loan portfolio consists of three portfolio 
segments: commercial, lease financings and 
mortgages.  We manage our portfolio at the class 
level which consists of six classes of financing 
receivables: commercial, commercial real estate, 
financial institutions, lease financings, wealth 
management loans and mortgages and other 
residential mortgages.  

The following tables are presented for each class of 
financing receivable, and provide additional 
information about our credit risks and the adequacy 
of our allowance for credit losses.

 166 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Allowance for credit losses

Transactions in the allowance for credit losses are summarized as follows:

Allowance for credit losses activity for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)

Beginning balance

Charge-offs
Recoveries

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

Provision
Ending balance
Allowance for:
Loan losses
Lending-related commitments

Individually evaluated for

impairment:

Loan balance
Allowance for loan losses

Collectively evaluated for

impairment:

Loan balance
Allowance for loan losses

Commercial

Commercial
real estate

Financial
institutions

Lease
financings

Wealth
management
loans and
mortgages

Other
residential
mortgages

All
Other

Foreign

Total

$

$

$

$

$

60 $
—
—
—
22
82 $

24 $
58

— $
—

50 $
—
—
—
9
59 $

37 $
22

31 $

(170)
1
(169)
169

31 $

9 $
22

32 $
—
—
—
(17)
15 $

15 $
—

22 $
—
—
—
(3)
19 $

15 $
4

41 $
(2)
6
4
(11)
34 $

34 $
—

1 $
1

171 $
—

— $
—

8 $
1

— $
—

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—
—

$

$

$

$

44 $
—
—
—
(9)
35 $

23 $
12

— $
—

280
(172)
7
(165)
160
275

157
118

180
2

2,115 $
24

3,496 $
36

6,469 $
9

1,007 $
15

13,239 $
14

1,035 $ 21,388 (a) $ 14,352 $ 63,101
155

23

—

34

(a) 

Includes $911 million of domestic overdrafts, $19,340 million of margin loans and $1,137 million of other loans at Dec. 31, 2015.

Allowance for credit losses activity for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)

Beginning balance

Charge-offs
Recoveries

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

Provision
Ending balance
Allowance for:
Loan losses
Lending-related commitments

Individually evaluated for

impairment:

Loan balance
Allowance for loan losses

Collectively evaluated for

impairment:

Loan balance
Allowance for loan losses

Commercial

Commercial
real estate

Financial
institutions

Lease
financings

Wealth
management
loans and
mortgages

Other
residential
mortgages

All
Other

Foreign

Total

$

$

$

$

$

83 $
(12)
1
(11)
(12)
60 $

17 $
43

— $
—

41 $
(2)
—
(2)
11
50 $

32 $
18

— $
—

49 $
—
1
1
(19)
31 $

17 $
14

— $
—

37 $
—
—
—
(5)
32 $

32 $
—

— $
—

24 $
(1)
—
(1)
(1)
22 $

17 $
5

54 $
(2)
2
—
(13)
41 $

41 $
—

8 $
1

— $
—

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—
—

$

$

$

$

56 $
(3)
—
(3)
(9)
44 $

35 $
9

— $
—

344
(20)
4
(16)
(48)
280

191
89

8
1

1,390 $
17

2,503 $
32

5,603 $
17

1,282 $
32

11,087 $
16

1,222 $ 22,495 (a) $ 13,521 $ 59,103
190

—

35

41

(a) 

Includes $1,348 million of domestic overdrafts, $20,034 million of margin loans and $1,113 million of other loans at Dec. 31, 2014.

BNY Mellon 167 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Allowance for credit losses activity for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013

(in millions)

Beginning balance

Charge-offs
Recoveries

Net (charge-offs)

Provision
Ending balance
Allowance for:
Loan losses
Lending-related commitments

Individually evaluated for

impairment:

Loan balance
Allowance for loan losses

Collectively evaluated for

impairment:

Loan balance
Allowance for loan losses

Commercial

Commercial
real estate

Financial
institutions

Lease
financings

Wealth
management
loans and
mortgages

Other
residential
mortgages

All
Other

Foreign

Total

$

$

$

$

$

104 $
(4)
1
(3)
(18)
83 $

21 $
62

15 $
2

30 $
(1)
—
(1)
12
41 $

21 $
20

3 $
1

36 $
—
4
4
9
49 $

10 $
39

— $
—

49 $
—
—
—
(12)
37 $

37 $
—

— $
—

30 $
(1)
—
(1)
(5)
24 $

19 $
5

12 $
3

88 $
(8)
4
(4)
(30)
54 $

54 $
—

— $
—

2
—
—
—
(2)
—

—
—

—
—

$

$

$

$

48 $
(3)
—
(3)
11
56 $

48 $
8

387
(17)
9
(8)
(35)
344

210
134

6 $
1

36
7

1,519 $
19

1,998 $
20

4,511 $
10

1,322 $
37

9,731 $
16

1,385 $ 17,734 (a) $ 13,421 $ 51,621
203

54

—

47

(a) 

Includes $1,314 million of domestic overdrafts, $15,652 million of margin loans and $768 million of other loans at Dec. 31, 2013.

Lost interest

The table below presents the amount of lost interest 
income.

Lost interest
(in millions)
Amount by which interest income recognized
on nonperforming loans exceeded reversals

Total
Foreign

Amount by which interest income would have
increased if nonperforming loans at year-
end had been performing for the entire year

2015

2014

2013

$ — $
—

1 $
—

2
—

Total

Foreign

$

6 $
—

7 $

—

9

—

Nonperforming assets

The table below presents the distribution of our 
nonperforming assets. 

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

$

171 $
102

—
112

Nonperforming assets
(in millions)
Nonperforming loans:
Financial institutions
Other residential mortgages
Wealth management loans and
mortgages
Commercial real estate

$

Other assets owned

Total nonperforming loans

Total nonperforming assets (a)

11
2
286
6
292 $

12
1
125
3
128
(a)  Loans of consolidated investment management funds are not 
part of BNY Mellon’s loan portfolio.  Included in the loans of 
consolidated investment management funds are 
nonperforming loans of $53 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  These 
loans are recorded at fair value and therefore do not impact 
the provision for credit losses and allowance for loan losses, 
and accordingly are excluded from the nonperforming assets 
table above.  In the second quarter of 2015, BNY Mellon 
adopted the new accounting guidance included in ASU 
2015-02, Consolidations.  As a result, we deconsolidated 
substantially all of the loans of consolidated investment 
management funds retrospectively to Jan. 1, 2015. 

At Dec. 31, 2015, undrawn commitments to 
borrowers whose loans were classified as nonaccrual 
or reduced rate were not material.

 168 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Impaired loans

The tables below provide information about our impaired loans.  We use the discounted cash flow method as the 
primary method for valuing impaired loans. 

Impaired loans

(in millions)
Impaired loans with an allowance:

Commercial
Commercial real estate
Financial institutions
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Foreign

Total impaired loans with an allowance

Impaired loans without an allowance:

2015

2014

2013

Average
recorded
investment

Interest
income
recognized

Average
recorded
investment

Interest
income
recognized

Average
recorded
investment

Interest
income
recognized

$

— $
1
—
6
—
7

— $
—
—
—
—
—

11 $
2
—
8
3
24

— $
—
—
—
—
—

37 $
5
1
17
8
68

1
—
—
—
—
1

Commercial
Commercial real estate
Financial institutions
Wealth management loans and mortgages

—
—
—
—
—
—
2
—
2
—
9 $
1
(a)  When the discounted cash flows, collateral value or market price equals or exceeds the carrying value of the loan, then the loan does not 

Total impaired loans without an allowance (a)
Total impaired loans

—
—
—
—
—
— $

—
—
—
—
—
— $

2
6
1
3
12
80 $

—
1
—
2
3
27 $

$

require an allowance under the accounting standard related to impaired loans.

Impaired loans

(in millions)
Impaired loans with an allowance:

Wealth management loans and mortgages
Commercial real estate

Total impaired loans with an allowance

Impaired loans without an allowance:

Dec. 31, 2015

Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance (a)

Recorded
investment

Dec. 31, 2014

Unpaid
principal
balance

Related
allowance (a)

$

6 $
1
7

7 $
3
10

$

1
1
2

6 $
—
6

6 $
—
6

1
—
1

Financial institutions
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Commercial real estate

312
2
—
314
324 $
(a)  The allowance for impaired loans is included in the allowance for loan losses.
(b)  When the discounted cash flows, collateral value or market price equals or exceeds the carrying value of the loan, then the loan does not 

Total impaired loans without an allowance (b)
Total impaired loans (c)

171
2
—
173
180 $

—
2
3
5
11 $

—
2
1
3
9 $

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2

$

$

require an allowance under the accounting standard related to impaired loans.

(c)  Excludes an aggregate of $2 million and less than $1 million of impaired loans in amounts individually less than $1 million at Dec. 31, 
2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, respectively.  The allowance for loan loss associated with these loans totaled less than $1 million at both Dec. 
31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014.

BNY Mellon 169 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Past due loans

The table below sets forth information about our past due loans. 

Past due loans and still accruing interest

(in millions)
Commercial real estate
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Other residential mortgages
Total past due loans

Dec. 31, 2015

Days past due

30-59

60-89

>90

$

$

57 $
69
22
148 $

11 $
2
5
18 $

— $
1
4
5 $

Total
past due
68
72
31
171

Dec. 31, 2014

Days past due

30-59

60-89

>90

$

$

79 $
45
23
147 $

— $
—
3
3 $

— $
1
5
6 $

Total
past due
79
46
31
156  

Troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”)

A modified loan is considered a TDR if the debtor is 
experiencing financial difficulties and the creditor 
grants a concession to the debtor that would not 
otherwise be considered.  A TDR may include a 

transfer of real estate or other assets from the debtor 
to the creditor, or a modification of the term of the 
loan.  Not all modified loans are considered TDRs.

The following table presents TDRs that occurred in 2015 and 2014.

TDRs

(dollars in millions)
Other residential mortgages
Wealth management loans and mortgages
Foreign

Total TDRs

2015

Outstanding
recorded investment

2014

Outstanding
recorded investment

Number of
contracts
68
4
—
72

Pre-
modification
13
$
—
—
13

$

Post-
modification
16
$
—
—
16

$

Number of
contracts
108
1
1
110

Pre-
modification
17
$
—
5
22

$

Post-
modification
20
$
—
4
24

$

Other residential mortgages

The modifications of the other residential mortgage 
loans in 2015 and 2014 consisted of reducing the 
stated interest rates and in certain cases, a forbearance 
of default and extending the maturity dates.  The 
modified loans are primarily collateral dependent for 
which the value is based on the fair value of the 
collateral.  

TDRs that subsequently defaulted

There were two residential mortgage loans that had 
been restructured in a TDR during the previous 12 

months and have subsequently defaulted in 2015.  
The total recorded investment of these loans was less 
than $1 million.

Credit quality indicators

Our credit strategy is to focus on investment grade 
names to support cross-selling opportunities.  Each 
customer is assigned an internal credit rating which is 
mapped to an external rating agency grade equivalent, 
if possible, based upon a number of dimensions 
which are continually evaluated and may change over 
time.

 170 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following tables set forth information about credit quality indicators.

Commercial loan portfolio

Commercial loan portfolio – Credit risk profile by creditworthiness category

(in millions)
Investment grade
Non-investment grade

Total

Commercial

Commercial real estate

Dec. 31,
2015
2,026
316
2,342

$

$

Dec. 31,
2014
1,381
261
1,642

Dec. 31,
2015
2,678
1,267
3,945

$

$

Dec. 31,
2014
1,641
889
2,530

$

$

$

$

$

$

Financial institutions
Dec. 31,
2015
13,965
1,934
15,899

Dec. 31,
2014
11,576
1,743
13,319

$

$

The commercial loan portfolio is divided into 
investment grade and non-investment grade 
categories based on rating criteria largely consistent 
with those of the public rating agencies.  Each 
customer in the portfolio is assigned an internal credit 
rating.  These internal credit ratings are generally 
consistent with the ratings categories of the public 
rating agencies.  Customers with ratings consistent 
with BBB- (S&P)/Baa3 (Moody’s) or better are 
considered to be investment grade.  Those clients 
with ratings lower than this threshold are considered 
to be non-investment grade.

Wealth management loans and mortgages

Wealth management loans and mortgages – Credit risk
profile by internally assigned grade

(in millions)
Wealth management loans:

Investment grade
Non-investment grade

Wealth management mortgages

Total

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

$

$

6,529 $
171
6,647
13,347 $

5,621
29
5,534
11,184

Wealth management non-mortgage loans are not 
typically rated by external rating agencies.  A 
majority of the wealth management loans are secured 
by the customers’ investment management accounts 
or custody accounts.  Eligible assets pledged for these 
loans are typically investment grade, fixed-income 
securities, equities and/or mutual funds.  Internal 
ratings for this portion of the wealth management 
portfolio, therefore, would equate to investment grade 
external ratings.  Wealth management loans are 
provided to select customers based on the pledge of 
other types of assets, including business assets, fixed 
assets or a modest amount of commercial real estate.  
For the loans collateralized by other assets, the credit 
quality of the obligor is carefully analyzed, but we do 

not consider this portfolio of loans to be investment 
grade.

Credit quality indicators for wealth management 
mortgages are not correlated to external ratings.  
Wealth management mortgages are typically loans to 
high-net-worth individuals, which are secured 
primarily by residential property.  These loans are 
primarily interest-only adjustable rate mortgages with 
a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio of 61% at 
origination.  In the wealth management portfolio, less 
than 1% of the mortgages were past due at Dec. 31, 
2015.

At Dec. 31, 2015, the wealth management mortgage 
portfolio consisted of the following geographic 
concentrations:  California - 23%; New York - 21%;  
Massachusetts - 13%; Florida - 8%; and other - 35%.

Other residential mortgages

The other residential mortgage portfolio primarily 
consists of 1-4 family residential mortgage loans and 
totaled $1,055 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $1,222 
million at Dec. 31, 2014.  These loans are not 
typically correlated to external ratings.  Included in 
this portfolio at Dec. 31, 2015 are $283 million of 
mortgage loans purchased in 2005, 2006 and the first 
quarter of 2007 that are predominantly prime 
mortgage loans, with a small portion of Alt-A loans.  
As of Dec. 31, 2015, the purchased loans in this 
portfolio had a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio 
of 76% at origination and 16% of the serviced loan 
balance was at least 60 days delinquent.  The 
properties securing the prime and Alt-A mortgage 
loans were located (in order of concentration) in 
California, Florida, Virginia, the tri-state area (New 
York, New Jersey and Connecticut) and Maryland.

BNY Mellon 171 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Overdrafts

Note 6 - Goodwill and intangible assets

Overdrafts primarily relate to custody and securities 
clearance clients and totaled $4,483 million at Dec. 
31, 2015 and $5,882 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  
Overdrafts occur on a daily basis in the custody and 
securities clearance business and are generally repaid 
within two business days.

Other loans

Other loans primarily include loans to consumers that 
are fully collateralized with equities, mutual funds 
and fixed income securities.

Margin loans

We had $19,573 million of secured margin loans on 
our balance sheet at Dec. 31, 2015 compared with 
$20,034 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  Margin loans are 
collateralized with marketable securities and 
borrowers are required to maintain a daily collateral 
margin in excess of 100% of the value of the loan.  
We have rarely suffered a loss on these types of loans 
and do not allocate any of our allowance for credit 
losses to margin loans.

Reverse repurchase agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions fully 
collateralized with high-quality liquid securities.  
These transactions carry minimal credit risk and 
therefore are not allocated an allowance for credit 
losses.

Impairment testing

BNY Mellon’s three business segments include seven 
reporting units for which goodwill impairment testing 
is performed on an annual basis.  The Investment 
Management segment consists of two reporting units.  
The Investment Services segment consists of four 
reporting units.  One reporting unit is included in the 
Other segment.

The goodwill impairment test is performed in two 
steps.  The first step compares the estimated fair 
value of the reporting unit with the carrying amount, 
including goodwill.  If the estimated fair value of the 
reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill 
of the reporting unit is considered not impaired.  
However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit 
were to exceed its estimated fair value, a second step 
would be performed that would compare the implied 
fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the 
carrying amount of that goodwill.  An impairment 
loss would be recorded to the extent that the carrying 
amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

BNY Mellon conducted an annual goodwill 
impairment test on a quantitative basis on all seven 
reporting units in the second quarter of 2015.  The 
estimated fair value of the Company’s seven 
reporting units exceeded the carrying value and no 
goodwill impairment was recognized.

Intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested 
annually for impairment or more often if events or 
circumstances indicate they may be impaired.

Goodwill

Total goodwill decreased in 2015 compared with 
2014 primarily reflecting the impact of foreign 
exchange translation on non-U.S. dollar denominated 
goodwill.  The tables below provide a breakdown of 
goodwill by business.

 172 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Goodwill by business 
(in millions)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition/dispositions
Foreign currency translation
Other (b)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

Acquisitions/dispositions
Foreign currency translation
Other (b)

Balance at Dec. 31, 2015

(a)

Investment
Management
9,446
—
(118)
—
9,328
10
(128)
(3)
9,207

$

$

$

$

$

$

Investment
Services
8,550
39
(124)
2
8,467
—
(105)
—
8,362

(a)

Other
77
—
(3)
—
74
(22)
(3)
—
49

Consolidated
18,073
39
(245)
2
17,869
(12)
(236)
(3)
17,618

$

$

$

$

$

$

(a)  Includes the reclassification of goodwill associated with Meriten from Investment Management to the Other segment.
(b)   Other changes in goodwill include purchase price adjustments and certain other reclassifications.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets decreased in 2015 compared with 
2014 primarily reflecting amortization.  Amortization 
of intangible assets was $261 million in 2015, $298 
million in 2014 and $342 million in 2013.  In 2013, 

we recorded an $8 million impairment charge related 
to the write-down of the value of a customer contract 
intangible in the Investment Services business to its 
fair value.  The tables below provide a breakdown of 
intangible assets by business.

Intangible assets – net carrying amount by business
(in millions)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013
Amortization
Foreign currency translation
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

Acquisitions/dispositions
Amortization
Foreign currency translation
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015

(a)

Investment
Management
2,047
(118)
(18)
1,911
9
(97)
(16)
1,807

$

$

$

$

$

$

Investment
Services
1,538
(175)
(8)
1,355
—
(162)
(7)
1,186

(a)

Other
867
(5)
(1)
861
(9)
(2)
(1)
849

Consolidated
4,452
(298)
(27)
4,127
—
(261)
(24)
3,842

$

$

$

$

$

$

(a)  Includes the reclassification of intangible assets associated with Meriten from Investment Management to the Other segment.

The table below provides a breakdown of intangible assets by type.

Intangible assets

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)
Subject to amortization:

Gross
carrying
amount

Accumulated
amortization

Net
carrying
amount

Remaining
weighted-
average
amortization
period

Gross
carrying
amount

Accumulated
amortization

Net
carrying
amount

Customer relationships—Investment
Management
Customer contracts—Investment Services
Other

Total subject to amortization

Not subject to amortization: (a)

Trade name
Customer relationships

Total not subject to amortization
Total intangible assets

$

$

1,709 $
2,313
75
4,097

1,358
1,307
2,665
6,762 $

(1,351) $
(1,503)
(66)
(2,920)

N/A
N/A
N/A
(2,920) $

358
810
9
1,177

1,358
1,307
2,665
3,842

$

11 years
10 years
3 years
10 years

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A $

1,945 $
2,328
81
4,354

1,360
1,315
2,675
7,029 $

(1,481) $
(1,354)
(67)
(2,902)

N/A
N/A
N/A
(2,902) $

464
974
14
1,452

1,360
1,315
2,675
4,127

(a)  Intangible assets not subject to amortization have an indefinite life.

BNY Mellon 173 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Estimated annual amortization expense for current 
intangibles for the next five years is as follows:

Certain seed capital and private equity investments 
valued using net asset value per share

In our Investment Management business, we manage 
investment assets, including equities, fixed income, 
money market and alternative investment funds for 
institutions and other investors.  As part of that 
activity we make seed capital investments in certain 
funds.  BNY Mellon also holds private equity 
investments, which consist of investments in private 
equity funds, mezzanine financings, SBICs and direct 
equity investments.  Seed capital and private equity 
investments are included in other assets. 

The fair value of certain of these investments has 
been estimated using the net asset value (“NAV”) per 
share of BNY Mellon’s ownership interest in the 
funds.  The table below presents information about 
BNY Mellon’s investments in seed capital and private 
equity investments that have been valued using NAV.

For the year ended
Dec. 31,
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Estimated amortization expense
(in millions)
238
214
180
108
97

$

Note 7 - Other assets 

Other assets
(in millions)
Corporate/bank owned life insurance
Accounts receivable
Equity in joint venture and other 
investments (a)
Income taxes receivable
Fails to deliver
Software
Prepaid pension assets
Fair value of hedging derivatives
Prepaid expenses
Due from customers on acceptances
Other

Total other assets

Dec. 31,

2015
4,704 $
3,535

3,329
1,554
1,494
1,355
727
716
464
258
1,490
19,626 $

2014
4,598
4,166

3,287
2,142
1,351
1,332
708
851
451
247
1,357
20,490

$

$

(a)  Includes Federal Reserve Bank stock of $453 million and 

$447 million, respectively, at cost. 

Seed capital and private equity investments valued using NAV
Dec. 31, 2015

(dollar amounts in millions)

Seed capital and other funds (a)
Private equity investments (b)(c)

Total

Fair
value

Unfunded 
commitments

$ 83
34
$ 117

$

$

1
58
59

Redemption 
frequency
Daily-
quarterly
N/A

Dec. 31, 2014

Redemption 
notice period

Fair
value

Unfunded
commitments

1-180 days
N/A

$ 307
35
$ 342

$ —
45
45

$

Redemption 
frequency
Daily-
quarterly
N/A

Redemption 
notice period

0-180 days
N/A

(a)  Other funds include various leveraged loans, structured credit funds and hedge funds.  Redemption notice periods vary by fund.
(b)  Private equity funds primarily include numerous venture capital funds that invest in various sectors of the economy.  Private equity funds 

do not have redemption rights.  Distributions from such funds will be received as the underlying investments in the funds are liquidated.

(c)  Includes investments and unfunded commitments related to SBICs, which are compliant with the Volcker Rule, of $34 million and $58 

million, respectively, at Dec. 31, 2015 and $18 million and $45 million, respectively, at Dec. 31, 2014.

N/A - Not applicable.

Qualified affordable housing project investments

We invest in affordable housing projects primarily to 
satisfy the Company’s requirements under the 
Community Reinvestment Act.  Our total investment 
in qualified affordable housing projects totaled $918 
million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $853 million at Dec. 31, 
2014.  Commitments to fund future investments in 
qualified affordable housing projects totaled $393 

 174 BNY Mellon

million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $358 million at Dec. 31, 
2014.  A summary of the commitments to fund future 
investments is as follows: 2016—$221 million; 2017
—$53 million; 2018—$100 million; 2019—$2 
million; 2020—$5 million and 2021 and thereafter—
$12 million.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized were 
$130 million in 2015, $128 million in 2014, and $118 
million in 2013. 

Amortization expense included in the provision for 
income taxes was $99 million in 2015, $96 million in 
the 2014, and $88 million in 2013.

Note 8 - Deposits

Total time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or 
greater was $72.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2015, and $46.5 
billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  At Dec. 31, 2015, the 
scheduled maturities of all time deposits are as 
follows: 2016 – $73.1 billion; 2017 – $2 million; 
2018 – $2 million; 2019 – $- million; 2020 – $- 
million; and 2021 and thereafter – $1 million.

Note 9 - Net interest revenue

The following table provides the components of net 
interest revenue presented on the consolidated income 
statement.

Net interest revenue
(in millions)
Interest revenue
Non-margin loans
Margin loans
Securities:
Taxable
Exempt from federal income
taxes

Total securities
Deposits with banks
Deposits with the Federal Reserve
and other central banks
Federal funds sold and securities
purchased under resale
agreements
Trading assets

Total interest revenue

Interest expense
Deposits in domestic offices
Deposits in foreign offices
Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under repurchase
agreements
Trading liabilities
Other borrowed funds
Commercial paper
Customer payables
Long-term debt

Total interest expense

Net interest revenue

2015

2014

2013

$

727 $
207

697 $
182

674
160

1,813

1,603

1,782

82
1,895
104

100
1,703
238

103
1,885
279

170

207

150

147
76
3,326

30
7

86
121
3,234

29
54

47
157
3,352

35
70

(6)
9
9
2
7
242
300

(16)
38
7
—
8
201
343
$ 3,026 $ 2,880 $ 3,009

(13)
25
6
2
9
242
354

Note 10 - Noninterest expense

The following table provides a breakdown of 
noninterest expense presented on the consolidated 
income statement.

Noninterest expense
(in millions)
Staff:
Compensation
Incentives
Employee benefits
Total staff

Professional, legal and other

purchased services

Software
Net occupancy
Distribution and servicing
Furniture and equipment
Sub-custodian
Business development
Clearing
Communications
Other
Amortization of intangible assets
Litigation
Merger and integration and
restructuring charges
Total noninterest expense

2015

2014

2013

$ 3,580 $ 3,630 $ 3,620
1,384
1,015
6,019

1,415
842
5,837

1,331
884
5,845

1,230
627
600
381
280
270
267
150
103
708
261
87

1,339
620
610
428
322
286
268
129
119
783
298
953

1,252
596
629
435
337
280
317
130
131
768
342
24

(2)

46
$ 10,799 $ 12,177 $ 11,306

177

Note 11 - Restructuring charges

Aggregate restructuring charges are included in M&I, 
litigation and restructuring charges on the income 
statement.  Restructuring charges recorded in 2014 
related to corporate-level initiatives and were 
therefore recorded in the Other segment.  In the 
fourth quarter of 2013, restructuring charges were 
recorded in the businesses.  Prior to the fourth quarter 
of 2013, restructuring charges were reported in the 
Other segment.  Severance payments are primarily 
paid over the salary continuance period in accordance 
with the separation plan.  We recorded net 
restructuring recoveries of $2 million in 2015, net 
charges of $177 million in 2014 and net charges of 
$45 million in 2013.

Streamlining actions

In 2014, we disclosed streamlining actions which 
included rationalizing our staff and simplifying and 
automating global processes primarily related to 
actions taken across investment services, technology, 
and operations.  The initial restructuring charge 
consisted of $125 million of severance costs.  We 

BNY Mellon 175 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

recorded total restructuring charges of $16 million in 
2015 primarily related to severance.  The following 
table presents the activity in the reserve through Dec. 
31, 2015.

Streamlining actions 2014 – restructuring reserve activity
(in millions)
Original restructuring charge
Net additional charges
Utilization

$

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

Net additional charges
Utilization

Balance at Dec. 31, 2015

$

Total
125
59
(92)
92
16
(79)
29

Operational Excellence Initiatives 2011 – restructuring
reserve activity
(in millions)
Original restructuring charge
Net additional charges (net
recovery/gain)
Utilization

Severance
$

Other

78 $

29 $

Balance at Dec. 31, 2013

Net additional (recovery)
Utilization

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014

Net additional (recovery)
Utilization

Balance at Dec. 31, 2015

$

9 $ — $

100
(98)
80
(7)
(45)
28
(9)
(10)

(57)
28
—
—
—
—
—
—

Total
107

43
(70)
80
(7)
(45)
28
(9)
(10)
9

The table below presents the restructuring charge if it 
had been allocated by business.  

The table below presents the restructuring charge if it 
had been allocated by business.  

Operational Excellence Initiatives 2011 –
restructuring charge (recovery) by business

(in millions)
Investment Management
Investment Services
Other segment (including
Business Partners)
Total restructuring
charge (recovery)

2015

2014

2013

$

(2) $
(2)

(1) $
(1)

4 $
25

(5)

(5)

16

3

$

(9) $

(7) $

45 $

134  

Total
charges
since
inception
49
82

Note 12 - Income taxes

The components of the income tax provision are as 
follows:

Provision (benefit) for
income taxes
(in millions)
Current taxes:

Federal
Foreign
State and local

Total current tax expense
Deferred tax expense (benefit):

Federal
Foreign
State and local

Total deferred tax expense

(benefits)

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

$

551 $ 1,273 $
306
109
966

337
155
1,765

714
286
66
1,066

114
(1)
(66)

47

(672)
(98)
(83)

536
(30)
20

526
(853)
912 $ 1,592

Provision for income taxes

$ 1,013 $

Streamlining actions 2014 – restructuring charge
by business

(in millions)
Investment Management
Investment Services
Other segment (including
Business Partners)
Total restructuring charge

Total
charges
since
inception
35
85

23 $
83

78
184 $

80
200

2015

2014

$

$

12 $
2

2
16 $

Operational Excellence Initiatives

In 2011, we announced our Operational Excellence 
Initiatives which include an expense reduction 
initiative impacting approximately 1,500 positions, as 
well as additional initiatives to transform operations, 
technology and corporate services that will increase 
productivity and reduce the growth rate of expenses.  
We recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $107 
million related to the Operational Excellence 
Initiatives in 2011.  This charge consisted of $78 
million of severance costs and $29 million primarily 
for operating lease-related items and consulting costs.  
We recorded a $9 million net recovery in 2015 related 
to this program.  The following table presents the 
activity in the restructuring reserve related to the 
Operational Excellence Initiatives through Dec. 31, 
2015.

 176 BNY Mellon

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The components of income before taxes are as 
follows:

The statutory federal income tax rate is reconciled to 
our effective income tax rate below:

Components of income before
taxes
(in millions)
Domestic
Foreign

Income before taxes

2014

Year ended Dec. 31,
2015

2013
$ 2,698 $ 2,456 $ 2,428
1,349
$ 4,235 $ 3,563 $ 3,777

1,107

1,537

The components of our net deferred tax liability are 
as follows:

Net deferred tax liability
(in millions)
Depreciation and amortization
Lease financings
Securities valuation
Pension obligation
Equity investments
Employee benefits
Reserves not deducted for tax
Credit losses on loans
Other assets
Other liabilities

Net deferred tax liability

Dec. 31,

2015

2014
$ 2,631 $ 2,646
761
230
117
115
(616)
(536)
(113)
(99)
277
$ 2,779 $ 2,782

569
156
155
113
(470)
(274)
(102)
(109)
110

As of Dec. 31, 2015, we have an available German 
net operating loss carryforward of $90 million with 
an indefinite life.  Also, we have a U.S. foreign tax 
credit carryforward of approximately $36 million that 
will expire in 2025.  We believe it is more likely than
not that we will fully realize our deferred tax assets.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, we had approximately $6.2 
billion of earnings attributable to foreign subsidiaries 
that have been permanently reinvested abroad and for 
which no incremental U.S. income tax provision has 
been recorded.  If these earnings were to be 
repatriated, the estimated U.S. tax liability as of Dec. 
31, 2015 would be up to $1.1 billion.  Management 
has no intention of repatriating these earnings to the 
U.S. in the foreseeable future.

Effective tax rate

Federal rate
State and local income taxes, net
of federal income tax benefit
Leverage lease adjustment
Tax-exempt income
Foreign operations
Tax credits
Tax litigation
Carryback claim
Nondeductible litigation expense
Other – net

Effective tax rate

Year ended Dec. 31,
2015
2013
2014
35.0% 35.0% 35.0%

1.3
0.6
(1.3)
(1.1)
(2.5)
(3.3)
(6.6)
(3.0)
(1.4)
(0.8)
—
—
—
(4.7)
—
2.1
0.1
0.1
23.9% 25.6% 42.1%

1.6
(2.1)
(3.1)
(4.4)
(2.0)
16.5
—
—
0.6

Unrecognized tax positions
(in millions)
Beginning balance at Jan. 1, –
 gross
Prior period tax positions:

Increases
Decreases

Current period tax positions
Settlements

Ending balance at Dec. 31, –
 gross

2015

2014

2013

$

669 $

866 $

340

13
(21)
14
(26)

58
(257)
19
(17)

570
(19)
21
(46)

$

649 $

669 $

866

Our total tax reserves as of Dec. 31, 2015 were $649 
million compared with $669 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  
If these tax reserves were unnecessary, $649 million 
would affect the effective tax rate in future periods.  
We recognize accrued interest and penalties, if 
applicable, related to income taxes in income tax 
expense.  Included in the balance sheet at Dec. 31, 
2015 is accrued interest, where applicable, of $194 
million.  The additional tax expense related to interest 
for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015 was $2 million 
compared with $1 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 
2014.

It is reasonably possible the total reserve for uncertain 
tax positions could decrease within the next 12 
months by approximately $60 million as a result of 
adjustments related to tax years that are still subject 
to examination.

On Nov. 10, 2009, BNY Mellon filed a petition with 
the U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRS’s 
disallowance of certain foreign tax credits claimed for 
the 2001 and 2002 tax years.  Trial was held from 

BNY Mellon 177 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

April 16 to May 17, 2012.  On Feb. 11, 2013, BNY 
Mellon received an adverse decision from the U.S. 
Tax Court.  On Sept. 23, 2013, the U.S. Tax Court 
amended its prior ruling to allow BNY Mellon an 
interest expense deduction and to exclude certain 
items from taxable income.  The net impact of the 
court rulings for all years involved and related 
interest decreased after-tax income in 2013 by $593 
million.

The U.S. Tax Court ruling was finalized on Feb. 20, 
2014.  On March 5, 2014, BNY Mellon appealed the 
decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  On 
Sept. 25, 2014, the government filed its response to 
our appeal.  On Sept. 9, 2015, the Second Circuit 

affirmed the Tax Court decision.  On Nov. 2, 2015, 
BNY Mellon filed a petition for review with the 
Supreme Court of the United States, seeking reversal 
of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision.  See 
Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information.

Our federal income tax returns are closed to 
examination through 2010.  Our New York State tax 
returns are closed to examination through 2012.  Our 
New York City income tax returns are closed to 
examination through 2010.  Our UK income tax 
returns are closed to examination through 2012. 

Note 13 - Long-term debt

Long-term debt
(in millions)
Senior debt:
Fixed rate
Floating rate

Subordinated debt (a)
Junior subordinated debentures (a)

Total

(a)  Fixed rate.

Dec. 31, 2015

Rate

Maturity

Amount

Dec. 31, 2014
Rate

Amount

0.70 - 5.94%
0.41 - 1.48%
5.45 - 7.50%
6.37%

2016 - 2025 $
2018 - 2038
2016 - 2021
2036

$

17,724
2,378
1,150
295
21,547

0.70 - 6.92% $
0.06 - 0.82%
4.95 - 7.50%
6.37%

$

16,122
2,178
1,655
309
20,264

Total long-term debt that matures during the next five 
years for BNY Mellon is as follows: 2016 – $2.45 
billion, 2017 – $1.25 billion, 2018 – $3.65 billion, 
2019 – $4.25 billion and 2020 – $4.01 billion. 

Trust-preferred securities

Mellon Capital III, a Delaware statutory trust owned 
by BNY Mellon, issued trust preferred securities in 
2006.  At Dec. 31, 2015, the sole assets of Mellon 
Capital III are junior subordinated debentures of BNY 
Mellon with maturities and interest rates that match 
the trust preferred securities.  BNY Mellon's 
obligations provide a full and unconditional guarantee 
of payment of distributions and other amounts due on 
the trust preferred securities.  The guarantee does not 
guarantee payment of distributions or other amounts 
due when Mellon Capital III does not have funds 
available to make such payments. 

Mellon Capital IV, a Delaware statutory trust owned 
by BNY Mellon, issued trust preferred securities in 
June 2007.  The sole assets of Mellon Cap IV 
originally were junior subordinated debentures and a 
stock purchase contract for preferred stock.  Through 
a remarketing in May 2012, the junior subordinated 
debentures issued by BNY Mellon and held by 
Mellon Capital IV were sold to third party investors 
and then exchanged for BNY Mellon's senior notes, 
which were sold in a public offering.  The proceeds of 
the sale of the senior notes were used to fund the 
purchase by Mellon Capital IV of $500 million of 
BNY Mellon’s Series A preferred stock, which was 
issued on June 20, 2012.  At Dec. 31, 2015, the Series 
A preferred stock was the sole asset of Mellon Capital 
IV.  See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional disclosures 
related to preferred stock, including the Series A 
preferred stock.

 178 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following tables summarize the trust preferred securities issued by the Trusts as of Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014.

Trust preferred securities at Dec. 31, 2015

(dollar amounts in millions)
MEL Capital III (b)
MEL Capital IV
Total

Trust-preferred 
securities issued 
by the trust
296
$
—
296

Interest
rate
6.37% $
—%

Assets of
the trust
295
500
795

(a)

Due date Call date
2016
—

2036
—

Call
price
Par
—

$
(a)  Represents junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of BNY Mellon in the case of MEL Capital III and BNY Mellon’s Series A 

$

preferred stock in the case of MEL Capital IV.

(b)  Amount was translated from Sterling into U.S. dollars on a basis of U.S. $1.48 to £1, the rate of exchange on Dec. 31, 2015.

Trust preferred securities at Dec. 31, 2014

(dollar amounts in millions)
MEL Capital III (b)
MEL Capital IV
Total

Trust-preferred
securities issued
by the trust
312
$
—
312

Interest
rate
6.37% $
—%

Assets of
the trust
309
500
809

(a)

Due date Call date
2016
—

2036
—

Call
price
Par
—

$
(a)  Represents junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of BNY Mellon in the case of MEL Capital III and BNY Mellon’s Series A 

$

preferred stock in the case of MEL Capital IV.

(b)  Amount was translated from Sterling into U.S. dollars on a basis of U.S. $1.56 to £1, the rate of exchange on Dec. 31, 2014.

Note 14 - Securitizations and variable interest 
entities

BNY Mellon’s VIEs generally include retail, 
institutional and alternative investment funds, 
including collateralized loan obligation structures in 
which we provide asset management services.  The 
funds are offered to our retail and institutional clients 
to provide them with access to investment vehicles 
with specific investment objectives and strategies that 
address the client’s investment needs. 

BNY Mellon earns management fees from these 
funds as well as performance fees in certain funds 
and may also provide start-up capital for its new 
funds.  The VIEs are primarily financed by our 
customer’s investments in the funds’ equity or debt.  
These VIEs are included in the scope of ASU 
2015-02 and are reviewed for consolidation based on 
the guidance in ASC 810.

We reconsider and reassess whether or not we are the 
primary beneficiary of a VIE when governing 
documents or contractual arrangements are changed 
which would reallocate the obligation to absorb 
expected losses or receive expected residual returns 
between BNY Mellon and the other investors, when 
BNY Mellon disposes of its variable interests in the 
fund or when additional variable interests are issued 
to other investors and when we acquire additional 
variable interests in the VIE.

The following tables present the incremental assets 
and liabilities included in BNY Mellon’s consolidated 
financial statements, after applying intercompany 
eliminations, as of Dec. 31, 2015 based on the 
assessments performed in accordance with ASC 810, 
as amended by ASU 2015-02, and as of Dec. 31, 
2014 based on the assessments performed in 
accordance with ASC 810, prior to the adoption of 
ASU 2015-02.  The net assets of any consolidated 
VIE are solely available to settle the liabilities of the 
VIE and to settle any investors’ ownership liquidation 
requests, including any seed capital invested in the 
VIE by BNY Mellon. 

Investments consolidated under ASC 810 as amended by ASU
2015-02 at Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)
Available-for-sale

securities
Trading assets
Other assets

Total assets

Trading liabilities
Other liabilities

Total liabilities
Nonredeemable
noncontrolling
interests

$

$
$

$

$

Investment
Management

funds Securitizations

Total
consolidated
investments

$

—
1,228
173

1,401 (a) $
$

229
17
246 (a) $

400 $
—
—
400 $
— $
359
359 $

400
1,228
173
1,801
229
376
605

738 (a) $

— $

738  

(a) 

Includes VMEs with assets of $190 million, liabilities of $1 
million and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $5 
million.

BNY Mellon 179 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments consolidated under ASC 810 and ASU 2009-17 

Note 15 - Shareholders’ equity

Investment
Management

funds Securitizations

Total
consolidated
investments

Common stock

BNY Mellon has 3.5 billion authorized shares of 
common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.  
At Dec. 31, 2015, 1,085,342,985 shares of common 
stock were outstanding.  

Common stock repurchase program

On March 26, 2014, in connection with the Federal 
Reserve’s non-objection to our 2014 capital plan, the 
board of directors authorized a stock purchase 
program providing for the repurchase of an aggregate 
of $1.74 billion of common stock beginning in the 
second quarter of 2014 and continuing through the 
first quarter of 2015.  On March 11, 2015, in 
connection with the Federal Reserve’s non-objection 
to our 2015 capital plan, the board of directors 
authorized a new stock purchase program providing 
for the repurchase of an aggregate of $3.1 billion of 
common stock beginning in the second quarter of 
2015 and continuing through the second quarter of 
2016.  Of the $3.1 billion authorization, common 
stock repurchases of $700 million was contingent on 
a prior issuance of $1 billion of qualifying preferred 
stock.  The Company completed the issuance of 
preferred stock on April 28, 2015.  Share repurchases 
may be executed through repurchase plans designed 
to comply with Rule 10b5-1 and through derivative, 
accelerated share repurchase and other structured 
transactions.  In 2015, we repurchased 55.6 million 
common shares at an average price of $42.35 per 
common share for a total of $2.4 billion.  At Dec. 31, 
2015, the maximum dollar value of shares that may 
yet be purchased under the March 11, 2015 program, 
including employee benefit plan repurchases, totaled 
$1.1 billion.

at Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)
Available-for-sale

securities
Trading assets
Other assets

Total assets

Trading liabilities
Other liabilities

Total liabilities
Nonredeemable
noncontrolling
interests

$

$
$

$

$

$

—

8,678
604

9,282 (a) $
7,660
$
9

7,669 (a) $

414 $

—
—
414 $
— $
363
363 $

414

8,678
604
9,696
7,660
372
8,032

1,033 (a) $

— $

1,033

(a)   Includes VMEs with assets of $855 million, liabilities of $148 

million and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $544 
million.

BNY Mellon is not contractually required to provide 
financial or any other support to any of our VIEs.  
Additionally, creditors of any consolidated VIEs do 
not have any recourse to the general credit of BNY 
Mellon.

Non-consolidated VIEs

As of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, the following 
assets related to the VIEs where BNY Mellon is not 
the primary beneficiary are included in our 
consolidated financial statements.

Non-consolidated VIEs at Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)
Other

Assets

Liabilities

$

189 $

— $

Maximum
loss exposure
189

Non-consolidated VIEs at Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)
Other

Assets

Liabilities

$

148 $

— $

Maximum
loss exposure
148

The maximum loss exposure indicated in the above 
tables relates solely to BNY Mellon’s seed capital or 
residual interests invested in the VIEs.

 180 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Preferred stock

BNY Mellon has 100 million authorized shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01.  The table below 
summarizes BNY Mellon’s preferred stock issued and outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014.

Preferred stock summary

(dollars in millions, unless 
otherwise noted)
Series A

Noncumulative
Perpetual Preferred
Stock
Noncumulative
Perpetual Preferred
Stock
Noncumulative
Perpetual Preferred
Stock

Noncumulative
Perpetual Preferred
Stock

Series C

Series D

Series E

Total

Liquidation
preference
per share
(in dollars)

$

100,000

Total shares issued
and outstanding
Dec. 31,
2015
5,001

Dec. 31,
2014
5,001

Carrying value (a)
Dec. 31,
2015
500 $

Dec. 31,
2014
500

$

Per annum dividend rate
Greater of (i) three-month LIBOR
plus 0.565% for the related
distribution period; or (ii) 4.000%

5.2% $

100,000

5,825

5,825

100,000

5,000

5,000

568

494

568

494

4.50% commencing Dec. 20, 2013
to but excluding June 20, 2023, then
a floating rate equal to the three-
month LIBOR plus 2.46%
4.95% commencing Dec. 20, 2015
to and including June 20, 2020, then
a floating rate equal to the three-
month LIBOR plus 3.42%

$

$

100,000

10,000

—

990

—

25,826

15,826

$

2,552 $

1,562

(a)  The carrying value of the Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock is recorded net of issuance costs.

Holders of both the Series A and Series C preferred 
stock are entitled to receive dividends on each 
dividend payment date (March 20, June 20, 
September 20 and December 20 of each year), if 
declared by BNY Mellon’s Board of Directors.  
Holders of the Series D preferred stock are entitled to 
receive dividends, if declared by our board of 
directors, on each June 20 and December 20, to but 
excluding June 20, 2023; and on each March 20, June 
20, September 20 and December 20, from and 
including June 20, 2023.  Holders of the Series E 
preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends, if 
declared by our board of directors, on each June 20 
and December 20, to and including June 20, 2020; 
and on each March 20, June 20, September 20 and 
December 20, from and including September 20, 
2020.  BNY Mellon’s ability to declare or pay 
dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise 
acquire, shares of our common stock or any of our 
shares that rank junior to the preferred stock as to the 
payment of dividends and/or the distribution of any 
assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up 
of BNY Mellon will be prohibited, subject to certain 
restrictions, in the event that we do not declare and 
pay in full preferred dividends for the then current 
dividend period of the Series A preferred stock or the 
last preceding dividend period of the Series C, Series 
D and Series E preferred stock.

All of the outstanding shares of the Series A preferred 
stock are owned by Mellon Capital IV, which will 
pass through any dividend on the Series A preferred 
stock to the holders of its Normal Preferred Capital 
Securities.  All of the outstanding shares of the Series 
C, Series D and Series E preferred stock are held by 
the depositary of the depositary shares, which will 
pass through the applicable portion of any dividend 
on the Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock 
to the holders of record of their respective depositary 
shares.  

On Dec. 21, 2015, The Bank of New York Mellon 
Corporation paid the following dividends for the 
noncumulative perpetual preferred stock for the 
dividend period ending in December 2015 to holders 
of record as of the close of business on Dec. 5, 2015:

• 

• 

• 

$1,011.11 per share on the Series A Preferred 
Stock (equivalent to $10.1111 per Normal 
Preferred Capital Security of Mellon Capital IV, 
each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of 
Series A Preferred Stock);
$1,300.00 per share on the Series C Preferred 
Stock (equivalent to $0.3250 per depositary 
share, each representing a 1/4,000th interest in a 
share of the Series C Preferred Stock);
$2,250.00 per share on the Series D Preferred 
Stock (equivalent to $22.50 per depositary share, 

BNY Mellon 181 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

• 

each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of 
the Series D Preferred Stock); and
$3,190.00 per share on the Series E Preferred 
Stock (equivalent to $31.90 per depositary share, 
each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of 
the Series E Preferred Stock).

The preferred stock is not subject to the operation of a 
sinking fund and is not convertible into, or 
exchangeable for, shares of our common stock or any 
other class or series of our other securities.  Subject to 
the restrictions in BNY Mellon’s 2007 replacement 
capital covenant, subsequently amended on May 8 
and Sept. 11, 2012, we may redeem the Series A 
preferred stock, in whole or in part, at our option.  We 
may also, at our option, redeem the shares of the 
Series C preferred stock in whole or in part, on or 
after the dividend payment date in September 2017, 
the Series D preferred stock in whole or in part, on or 
after the dividend payment date in June 2023 and the 
Series E preferred stock in whole or in part, on or 
after the dividend payment date in June 2020.  The 
Series C, Series D or Series E preferred stock can be 
redeemed in whole but not in part at any time within 
90 days following a regulatory capital treatment event 
(as defined in each of the Series C, Series D and 
Series E’s Certificates of Designation).

Terms of the Series A, Series C, Series D and Series E 
preferred stock are more fully described in each of 
their Certificate of Designations, each of which is 
filed as an Exhibit to BNY Mellon’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015.

Temporary equity

Temporary equity was $200 million at Dec. 31, 2015 
and $229 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  Temporary equity 
represents amounts recorded for redeemable non-
controlling interests resulting from equity-classified 
share-based payments and other investment 
arrangements that are currently redeemable or are 
expected to become redeemable.  The current 
redemption value of such awards is classified as 
temporary equity and is adjusted to its redemption 
value at each balance sheet date.

Capital adequacy

Regulators establish certain levels of capital for bank 
holding companies and banks, including BNY Mellon 
and our bank subsidiaries, in accordance with 
established quantitative measurements.  For the 

 182 BNY Mellon

Parent to maintain its status as a financial holding 
company, our bank subsidiaries and BNY Mellon 
must, among other things, qualify as “well 
capitalized”.  

As of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, BNY Mellon 
and our bank subsidiaries were considered “well 
capitalized” on the basis of the Tier 1 and Total 
capital ratios and, in the case of our bank subsidiaries,  
the CET1 ratio and the leverage capital ratio (Tier 1 
capital to quarterly average assets as defined for 
regulatory purposes).  

Our consolidated and largest bank subsidiary, The 
Bank of New York Mellon, regulatory capital ratios 
are shown below.

Consolidated and largest bank 
subsidiary regulatory capital ratios (a)
Consolidated regulatory capital ratios:

CET1
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio
Leverage capital ratio

Dec. 31,

2015

2014

10.8% 11.2%
12.3
12.5
6.0

12.2
12.5
5.6

The Bank of New York Mellon
regulatory capital ratios:
CET1
Tier 1 capital ratio
Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratio
Leverage capital ratio

11.8%
12.3
12.5
5.9

N/A
12.4%
12.6
5.2

(a)  The CET1, Tier 1 and Total risk-based regulatory capital 

ratios are based on Basel III components of capital, as 
phased-in, and the Advanced Approach framework as the 
related RWA were higher using that framework.  The 
leverage capital ratio is based on Basel III components of 
capital and quarterly average total assets, as phased-in.  
For BNY Mellon to qualify as “well capitalized,” its Tier 1 
and Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital ratios must be at least 
6% and 10%, respectively.  For The Bank of New York 
Mellon, our largest bank subsidiary, to qualify as “well 
capitalized,” its CET1, Tier 1, Total and leverage capital 
ratios must be at least 6.5%, 8%, 10% and 5%, respectively.  
For The Bank of New York Mellon to qualify as “adequately 
capitalized,” it’s CET1, Tier 1, Total and leverage capital 
ratios must be at least 4.5%, 6%, 8% and 4%, respectively.

If a financial holding company such as BNY Mellon 
fails to qualify as “well capitalized”, it may lose its 
status as a financial holding company, which may 
restrict its ability to undertake or continue certain 
activities or make acquisitions that are not generally 
permissible for bank holding companies without 
financial holding company status.  If The Bank of 
New York Mellon or BNY Mellon, N.A. fails to 
qualify as “well capitalized”, it may be subject to 
higher FDIC assessments.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

If a bank holding company such as BNY Mellon or 
bank such as The Bank of New York Mellon or BNY 
Mellon, N.A. fails to qualify as “adequately 
capitalized”, regulatory sanctions and limitations are 
imposed.  

The following table presents the components of our 
transitional CET1, Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital, the RWA 
determined under both the Standardized and 
Advanced Approaches and the average assets used for 
leverage capital purposes.

Components of transitional capital (a)
(in millions)
CET1:

Common shareholders’ equity
Goodwill and intangible assets
Net pension fund assets
Equity method investments
Deferred tax assets
Other

Total CET1

Other Tier 1 capital:

Preferred stock
Trust preferred securities
Disallowed deferred tax assets
Net pension fund assets
Other

Total Tier 1 capital

Tier 2 capital:

Trust preferred securities
Subordinated debt
Allowance for credit losses
Other

Total Tier 2 capital - Standardized Approach

Excess of expected credit losses
Less: Allowance for credit losses

Total Tier 2 capital - Advanced Approach

Total capital:

Standardized Approach
Advanced Approach

Risk-weighted assets:

Standardized Approach (b)
Advanced Approach:

Credit Risk
Market Risk
Operational Risk

Total Advanced Approach

Dec. 31,

2015

36,067 $
(17,295)
(46)
(296)
(8)
(5)
18,417

2,552
74
(12)
(70)
(25)
20,936

222
149
275
(12)
634
37
275
396 $

2014

36,326
(17,111)
(17)
(314)
(4)
4
18,884

1,562
156
(14)
(69)
(17)
20,502

156
298
280
(11)
723
13
280
456

21,570 $
21,332 $

21,225
20,958

159,893 $

125,562

106,974 $
2,148
61,262
170,384 $

120,122
3,046
45,112
168,280

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

Average assets for leverage capital purposes
(a)  Reflects transitional adjustments to CET1, Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital required in 2015 under the U.S. capital rules.
(b)  RWA under the Standardized Approach at Dec. 31, 2014 was determined using a Basel I-based calculation.  Effective Jan. 1, 2015, we 

351,435 $

368,140

$

implemented the Basel III Standardized Approach which used a broader array of more risk sensitive risk-weighting categories.

The following table presents the amount of capital by 
which BNY Mellon and our largest bank subsidiary, 
The Bank of New York Mellon, exceeded the capital 
thresholds determined under the transitional rules at 
Dec. 31, 2015.

Capital above thresholds at Dec. 31, 2015

Consolidated
$

(in millions)
10,750 (a) $
CET1
10,713 (b)
Tier 1 capital
4,294 (b)
Total capital
Leverage capital
6,879 (a)
(a)  Based on minimum required standards.
(b)  Based on well capitalized standards.

The Bank of
New York

Mellon (b)

7,333
5,837
3,394
2,464

BNY Mellon 183 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 16 - Other comprehensive income (loss)

Components of other comprehensive income (loss)

(in millions)

Foreign currency translation:

Foreign currency translation adjustments arising 

during the period (a)
Total foreign currency translation

Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:

Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period
Reclassification adjustment (b)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-

for-sale

Defined benefit plans:

Prior service cost arising during the period
Net gain (loss) arising during the period
Foreign exchange adjustment
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and 

initial obligation included in net periodic 
benefit cost (b)
Total defined benefit plans

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:

Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during

period

Reclassification adjustment (b)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
Total other comprehensive income (loss)

Dec. 31, 2015

Pre-tax
amount

Tax
(expense)
benefit

After-tax
amount

Pre-tax
amount

Year ended
Dec. 31, 2014

Tax
(expense)
benefit

After-tax
amount

Pre-tax
amount

Dec. 31, 2013

Tax
(expense)
benefit

After-tax
amount

$

(518) $

(81) $

(599) $

(715) $

(91) $

(806) $

130 $

(518)

(81)

(599)

(715)

(91)

(806)

130

62 $

62

192

192

(535)
(83)

(618)

—
(105)
—

104

(1)

—

11
11

172
31

203

—
40
—

(35)

5

—

(3)
(3)

(363)
(52)

(415)

—
(65)
—

69

4

—

8
8

$ (1,126) $

124 $ (1,002) $

582
(91)

491

3
(766)
(2)

127

(638)

(169)
33

413
(58)

(1,466)
(129)

(136)

355

(1,595)

(1)
287
1

(50)

237

2
(479)
(1)

77

(401)

(2)
732
—

209

939

577
55

632

1
(303)
—

(83)

(385)

23

(13)

10

(41)
(18)
(880) $

16
3
13 $

(25)
(15)
(867) $

136

(124)
12
(514) $

(54)

51
(3)
306 $

(889)
(74)

(963)

(1)
429
—

126

554

82

(73)
9
(208)

Includes the impact of hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries.  See Note 23 for additional information.

(a) 
(b)  The reclassification adjustment related to the unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale is recorded as net securities gains on the Consolidated 

Income Statement.  The amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost is recorded as staff expense 
on the Consolidated Income Statement.  See Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the location of the reclassification adjustment 
related to cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Income Statement.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders

(in millions)

2012 ending balance
Change in 2013

2013 ending balance

Change in 2014

2014 ending balance

Change in 2015

2015 ending balance

ASC 820 Adjustments

Foreign
currency
translation

Other post-
retirement
benefits

Pensions

Unrealized
gain (loss) on
assets
available-for-
sale

Unrealized
gain (loss) on
cash flow
hedges

$

$

$

$

(539) $
151
(388) $
(681)
(1,069) $
(563)
(1,632) $

(1,394) $
554
(840) $
(396)
(1,236) $
(14)
(1,250) $

(60) $
—
(60) $
(5)
(65) $
18
(47) $

1,350 $
(963)
387 $
355
742 $
(415)
327 $

Total
accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss), net
of tax
(643)
(249)
(892)
(742)
(1,634)
(966)
(2,600)

— $
9
9 $

(15)
(6) $
8
2 $

Note 17 - Stock-based compensation

Our Long-Term Incentive Plans provide for the 
issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted 
stock units (“RSUs”) and other stock-based awards to 
employees and directors of BNY Mellon.  At Dec. 31, 
2015, under the Long-Term Incentive Plan approved 
in April 2014, we may issue 42,097,582 new stock-

based awards.  Of this amount, 27,453,939 shares 
(subject to potential increase as provided in the Long-
Term Incentive Plan) may be issued as restricted 
stock or RSUs.  Stock-based compensation expense 
related to retirement eligibility vesting totaled $97 
million in 2015, $88 million in 2014 and $65 million 
in 2013.

 184 BNY Mellon

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Stock options

Our Long-Term Incentive Plans provide for the 
issuance of stock options at fair market value at the 
date of grant to officers and employees of BNY 
Mellon.  Generally, each option granted is exercisable 
between one and ten years from the date of grant.  No 
stock options were granted in 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The compensation cost that has been charged against 
income was $10 million for 2015, $28 million for 
2014 (including $1 million recorded in restructuring 
expense) and $49 million for 2013.  The total income 
tax benefit recognized in the income statement was 
$4 million for 2015, $11 million for 2014 and $20 
million for 2013.

A summary of the status of our options as of Dec. 31, 2015, and changes during the year, is presented below:

Stock option activity

Balance at Dec. 31, 2014
Granted
Exercised
Canceled/Expired
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015
Vested and expected to vest at Dec. 31, 2015
Exercisable at Dec. 31, 2015

Stock options outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015

Shares subject
to option
48,420,255 $

—
(10,862,315)
(1,822,676)
35,735,264 $
35,734,694
33,703,283

Weighted-average
exercise price
33.06
—
30.15
40.36
33.57
33.57
34.27

Weighted-
average remaining
contractual term
(in years)
4.2

3.4
3.4
3.2  

Options outstanding
Weighted-average 
remaining 
Weighted-average
contractual life
exercise price
(in years)
26.22
4.9
39.73
1.0
44.38
2.0
34.27
3.4
(a)  At Dec. 31, 2014 and 2013, 42,137,574 and 52,130,525 options were exercisable at an average price per common share of $34.38 and 

Range of exercise prices
$ 18 to 31
$ 31 to 41
$ 41 to 51
$ 18 to 51

Weighted-average
exercise price
25.78
39.73
44.38
33.57

Outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2015
19,256,469
6,044,363
10,434,432
35,735,264

Exercisable at
Dec. 31, 2015
17,224,488
6,044,363
10,434,432
33,703,283

Options exercisable (a)

$

$

$

$

$34, respectively.

Aggregate intrinsic value of 
options
(in millions)
Outstanding at Dec. 31,
Exercisable at Dec. 31,

2015
306 $
267 $

2014
409 $
307 $

2013
336
212

$
$

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was 
$130 million in 2015, $118 million in 2014 and $67 
million in 2013.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, $1 million of total unrecognized 
compensation cost related to nonvested options is 
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average 
period of less than 3 months.

Cash received from option exercises totaled $326 
million in 2015, $370 million in 2014 and $263 
million in 2013.  The actual tax benefit realized for 
the tax deductions from options exercised totaled $21 
million in 2015, $17 million in 2014 and less than $8 
million in 2013.

Restricted stock and RSUs

Restricted stock and RSUs are granted under our 
long-term incentive plans at no cost to the recipient.  
These awards are subject to forfeiture until certain 
restrictions have lapsed, including continued 
employment, for a specified period.  The recipient of 
a share of restricted stock is entitled to voting rights 
and generally is entitled to dividends on the common 
stock.  An RSU entitles the recipient to receive a 

BNY Mellon 185 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

share of common stock after the applicable 
restrictions lapse.  The recipient generally is entitled 
to receive cash payments equivalent to any dividends 
paid on the underlying common stock during the 
period the RSU is outstanding but does not receive 
voting rights.

The fair value of restricted stock and RSUs is equal to 
the fair market value of our common stock on the 
date of grant.  The expense is recognized over the 
vesting period, which is generally one to four years.  
The total compensation expense recognized for 
restricted stock and RSUs was $235 million in 2015, 
$243 million in 2014 (including $13 million recorded 
in restructuring expense) and $201 million in 2013.  
The total income tax benefit recognized in the income 
statement was $83 million for 2015, $94 million for 
2014 and $79 million for 2013.

BNY Mellon’s Executive Committee members were 
granted a target award of 630,100 performance units 
(“PSUs”) in 2015 that cliff vest in three years based 
on operating earnings per share with the potential of a 
risk modifier based on appropriate growth in risk-
weighted assets.  These awards are marked-to-market 
as the earnout percentages are determined at the 
discretion of the Human Resources Compensation 
Committee based on a payout table.

BNY Mellon’s Executive Committee members were 
granted a target award of 719,947 PSUs in 2014 and 
942,428 in 2013 that are earned annually based on an 
earnout percentage calculated using a metric of net 
income divided by risk-weighted assets under Basel 
III.  The awards earned in each of the three 
performance periods vest at the end of the third 
performance period.  Certain of the awards are 
granted to MRT (Material Risk Takers under the 
European Banking Authority) and are required to be 
marked to market due to discretionary claw-back 
language contained in their grants.

 186 BNY Mellon

The following table summarizes our nonvested PSU, 
restricted stock and RSU activity for 2015. 

Nonvested PSU, restricted stock
and RSU activity

Number of
shares

Weighted-
average
fair value

Nonvested PSUs, restricted stock
and RSUs at Dec. 31, 2014
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Nonvested PSUs, restricted stock
and RSUs at Dec. 31, 2015

21,400,291 $
6,948,487
(10,880,844)
(483,963)

16,983,971 $

27.72
39.58
25.34
33.20

34.07

As of Dec. 31, 2015, $190 million of total 
unrecognized compensation costs related to 
nonvested PSUs, restricted stock and RSUs is 
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average 
period of 1.6 years.

The total fair value of restricted stock and RSUs that 
vested was $429 million in 2015, $229 million in 
2014 and $117 million in 2013.

Subsidiary Long-Term Incentive plans

BNY Mellon also has several subsidiary Long-Term 
Incentive Plans which have issued restricted 
subsidiary shares to certain employees.  These share 
awards are subject to forfeiture until certain 
restrictions have lapsed, including continued 
employment for a specified period of time.  The 
shares are non-voting and non-dividend paying.  
Once the restrictions lapse, which generally occurs in 
zero to three years, the shares can only be sold, at the 
option of the employee, to BNY Mellon at a price 
based generally on the fair value of the subsidiary at 
the time of repurchase.  In certain instances BNY 
Mellon has an election to call the shares. 

Note 18 - Employee benefit plans

BNY Mellon has defined benefit and/or defined 
contribution retirement plans covering substantially 
all full-time and eligible part-time employees and 
other post-retirement plans providing healthcare 
benefits for certain retired employees.  On Jan. 29, 
2015, the board of directors approved an amendment 
to freeze benefit accruals under the U.S. qualified and 
nonqualified defined benefit plans effective June 30, 
2015.  This change resulted in no additional benefits 
being earned by participants in those plans based on 
service or pay after June 30, 2015.  As a result of the 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

amendment to the U.S. pension plans, liabilities were 
re-measured as of Jan. 29, 2015 at a discount rate of 

3.73%.  The market-related value of plan assets was 
$4,713 million at Jan. 29, 2015.

Pension and post-retirement healthcare plans

The following tables report the combined data for our domestic and foreign defined benefit pension and post-
retirement healthcare plans.

(dollar amounts in millions)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit
obligations

Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Change in benefit obligation (a)
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
Service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Amendments
Actuarial gain (loss)
(Acquisitions) divestitures
Curtailments
Special termination benefits
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange adjustment

Benefit obligation at end of period
Change in fair value of plan assets
Fair value at beginning of period
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Acquisitions (divestitures)
Benefit payments
Foreign exchange adjustment
Fair value at end of period
Funded status at end of period

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
(income) loss consist of:

Net loss (gain)
Prior service cost (credit)

Total (before tax effects)

Pension Benefits

Healthcare Benefits

Domestic
2015

Foreign

2014

2015

2014

Domestic
2015

Foreign

2014

2015

2014

4.48%
N/A

4.13%
3.00

3.45%
3.51

3.33%
3.29

4.48%
3.00

4.13%
3.00

3.60%
—

3.10%
—

$ (4,460)
(30)
(170)
—
—
178
—
94
—
211
N/A
(4,177)

$ (3,712)
(58)
(180)
—
—
(687)
—
—
(1)
178
N/A
(4,460)

4,942
(61)
19
—
—
(211)
N/A

4,721
383
16
—
—
(178)
N/A

4,689
512

$

4,942
482

$

$ (1,177)
(32)
(38)
(1)
—
(1)
12
—
—
17
73
(1,147)

997
40
51
1
1
(17)
(59)
1,014
$ (133)

$ 1,678
—
$ 1,678

$ 1,668
(31)
$ 1,637

$

$

368
1
369

$ (1,021)
(33)
(43)
(1)
3
(169)
—
—
—
19
68
(1,177)

$ (210)
(1)
(8)
—
—
17
—
—
—
18
N/A
(184)

930
88
56
1
—
(19)
(59)
997
(180)

382
1
383

$

$

$

93
(1)
18
—
—
(18)
N/A
92
(92)

111
(69)
42

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(224)
(1)
(11)
—
—
(8)
—
—
—
34
N/A
(210)

86
7
34
—
—
(34)
N/A
93
(117)

146
(79)
67

$

$

$

$

(8)
—
—
—
—
1
2
—
—
—
1
(4)

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(4)

(1)
—
(1)

$

$

(7)
—
—
—
—
(1)
—
—
—
—
—
(8)

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(8)

$ —
—
$ —

(a)  The benefit obligation for pension benefits is the projected benefit obligation and for healthcare benefits, it is the accumulated benefit obligation.

BNY Mellon 187 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

Pension Benefits

Healthcare Benefits

(dollar amounts in millions)
Weighted-average assumptions
as of Jan. 1:
Market-related value of plan assets
Discount rate
Expected rate of return on plan
assets
Rate of compensation increase
Components of net periodic
benefit cost (credit):

Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on assets
Amortization of:

Prior service cost (credit)
Net actuarial (gain) loss

Settlement (gain) loss
Curtailment (gain) loss
Special termination benefit charge
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

$

Domestic
2014

2015

2013

2015

Foreign
2014

2013

2015

Domestic
2014

2013

2015

Foreign
2014

2013

$ 4,696

$ 4,430

4.13% 4.99%

$ 4,121

$ 959

N/A
$
4.25% 3.33% 4.29% 4.49% 4.13% 4.99% 4.25% 3.10% 4.21% 4.50%

$ 790

$ 898

N/A

N/A

80

92

86

$

$

7.25

3.00

7.25

3.00

7.25

3.00

5.25

3.29

6.26

3.71

6.04

3.49

7.25

3.00

7.25

3.00

7.25

3.00

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

$

30
170
(333)

$

58
180
(315)

$

63
170
(292)

$ 32
38
(51)

$ 33
43
(58)

$ 36
38
(46)

(1)
111
1
(30)
—
(52)

$

(15)
125
—
—
1
34

$

(16)
205
3
—
—
133

—
23
—
—
—
$ 42

1
15
—
—
—
$ 34

—
15
—
—
—
$ 43

$

$

1
8
(6)

(10)
10
—
—
—
3

$

$

1
11
(6)

(10)
11
—
—
—
7

$

$

2
9
(6)

(10)
12
—
—
—
7

$ — $ — $ —
—
—

—
—

—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—
$ — $ — $ —

—
—
—
—
—

Changes in other comprehensive (income) loss in 2015
(in millions)
Net loss (gain) arising during period
Recognition of prior years’ net (loss)
Prior service cost (credit) arising during period
Recognition of prior years’ service credit
Foreign exchange adjustment

Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss (before tax effects)

Pension Benefits

Domestic
122
(112)
—
31
N/A
41

$

$

$

$

$

Foreign
9
(23)
—
—
—
(14) $

Amounts expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit
cost (income) in 2016 (before tax effects)
(in millions)
Loss recognition
Prior service (credit) recognition

Pension Benefits

$

Domestic
69
—

$

Foreign
20
—

$

Healthcare Benefits
Domestic

(25) $
(10)
—
10
N/A
(25) $

Foreign
(1)
—
—
—
—
(1)  

Healthcare Benefits
Domestic
8
(10)

Foreign
—
—

$

(in millions)
Pension benefits:
Prepaid benefit cost
Accrued benefit cost

Total pension benefits

Healthcare benefits:
Accrued benefit cost

Total healthcare benefits

$

$

$
$

Domestic
2015

2014

Foreign

2015

2014

724 $ 708
(212)
(226)
512 $ 482

$

3 $ —
(180)
$ (133) $ (180)

(136)

Plans with obligations in
excess of plan assets
(in millions)
Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Domestic
2015

2014
$ 233 $ 227
225
—

233
20

Foreign

2015

2014
$ 132 $ 392
375
313

115
79

(92) $ (117) $
(92) $ (117) $

(4) $
(4) $

(8)
(8)

For information on pension assumptions see “Critical 
accounting estimates.”

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined 
benefit plans was $5.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and 
$5.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.

 188 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Assumed healthcare cost trend - Domestic post-
retirement healthcare benefits

The assumed healthcare cost trend rate used in 
determining benefit expense for 2016 is 6.50% 
decreasing to 4.75% in 2022.  This projection is based 
on various economic models that forecast a 
decreasing growth rate of healthcare expenses over 
time.  The underlying assumption is that healthcare 
expense growth cannot outpace gross national 
product (“GNP”) growth indefinitely, and over time a 
lower equilibrium growth rate will be achieved.  
Further, the growth rate assumed in 2022 bears a 
reasonable relationship to the discount rate.  

An increase in the healthcare cost trend rate of one 
percentage point for each year would increase the 
accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation by 
$12 million, or 6%, and the sum of the service and 
interest costs by $1 million, or 7%.  Conversely, a 
decrease in this rate of one percentage point for each 
year would decrease the benefit obligation by $10 
million, or 6%, and the sum of the service and interest 
costs by $1 million, or 6%.

Assumed healthcare cost trend - Foreign post-
retirement healthcare benefits

An increase in the healthcare cost trend rate of one 
percentage point for each year would increase the 
accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation by 
less than $1 million and the sum of the service and 
interest costs by less than $1 million.  Conversely, a 
decrease in this rate of one percentage point for each 
year would decrease the benefit obligation by less 
than $1 million and the sum of the service and 
interest costs by less than $1 million.

The following benefit payments for BNY Mellon’s 
pension and healthcare plans, which reflect expected 
future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid: 

Expected benefit payments
(in millions)
Pension benefits:
2016
Year
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021-2025

Total pension benefits
Healthcare benefits:
2016
Year
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021-2025
Total healthcare benefits

Plan contributions

Domestic

Foreign

$

$

$

$

252
267
254
250
253
1,275
2,551

14
14
14
14
14
62
132

$

$

$

$

16
15
17
17
20
116
201

—
—
—
—
—
1
1

BNY Mellon expects to make cash contributions to 
fund its defined benefit pension plans in 2016 of $22 
million for the domestic plans and $22 million for the 
foreign plans.

BNY Mellon expects to make cash contributions to 
fund its post-retirement healthcare plans in 2016 of 
$14 million for the domestic plans and less than $1 
million for the foreign plans.

Investment strategy and asset allocation

BNY Mellon is responsible for the administration of 
various employee pension and healthcare post-
retirement benefits plans, both domestically and 
internationally.  The domestic plans are administered 
by BNY Mellon’s Benefits Administration 
Committee, a named fiduciary.  Subject to the 
following, at all relevant times, BNY Mellon’s 
Benefits Investment Committee, another named 
fiduciary to the domestic plans, is responsible for the 
investment of plan assets.  The Benefits Investment 
Committee’s responsibilities include the investment 
of all domestic defined benefit plan assets, as well as 
the determination of investment options offered to 
participants in all domestic defined contribution 
plans.  The Benefits Investment Committee conducts 
periodic reviews of investment performance, asset 
allocation and investment manager suitability.  In 
addition, the Benefits Investment Committee has 
oversight of the Regional Governance Committees 
for the foreign defined benefit plans.

BNY Mellon 189 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Our investment objective for U.S. and foreign plans is 
to maximize total return while maintaining a broadly 
diversified portfolio for the primary purpose of 
satisfying obligations for future benefit payments.  

Equities are the main holding of the plans.  
Alternative investments (including private equities) 
and fixed income securities provide diversification 
and, in certain cases, lower the volatility of returns.  
In general, equity securities and alternative 
investments within any domestic plan’s portfolio can 
be maintained in the range of 30% to 70% of total 
plan assets, fixed-income securities can range from 
20% to 50% of plan assets and cash equivalents can 
be held in amounts ranging from 0% to 5% of plan 
assets.  Actual asset allocation within the approved 
ranges varies from time to time based on economic 
conditions (both current and forecast) and the advice 
of professional advisors.

as well as the general classification of such assets 
pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.  

Cash and currency

This category consists primarily of foreign currency 
balances and is included in Level 1 of the valuation 
hierarchy.  Foreign currency is translated monthly 
based on current exchange rates.

Common and preferred stock, exchange traded funds 
and equity funds

These investments include equities, exchange traded 
funds and equity funds and are valued at the closing 
price reported in the active market in which the 
individual securities are traded, if available.  Where 
there are no readily available market quotations, we 
determine fair value primarily based on pricing 
sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

Our pension assets were invested as follows at Dec. 
31, 2015 and 2014:

Collective trust funds

Asset allocations

Equities
Fixed income
Private equities
Alternative investment
Real estate
Cash

Domestic
2015
2014
63% 63%
31
1
3
—
2

31
2
3
—
1

Foreign

2015
2014
57% 56%
34
—
3
5
1

36
—
2
5
1

Total pension benefits

100% 100%

100% 100%

Our pension plans did not hold any shares of The 
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common 
stock at Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014.  Assets of the U.S. 
post-retirement healthcare plan are invested in an 
insurance contract.  

Fair value measurement of plan assets

In accordance with ASC 715, BNY Mellon has 
established a three-level hierarchy for fair value 
measurements of its pension plan assets based upon 
the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset 
as of the measurement date.  The valuation hierarchy 
is consistent with guidance in ASC 820 which is 
detailed in Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

The following is a description of the valuation 
methodologies used for assets measured at fair value, 

 190 BNY Mellon

Collective trust funds include commingled and U.S. 
equity funds that have no readily available market 
quotations.  The fair value of the funds are based on 
the securities in the portfolio, which typically are the 
amount that the fund might reasonably expect to 
receive for the securities upon a sale.  These funds are 
valued using observable inputs on either a daily or 
monthly basis.  Collective trust funds are included as 
Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Fixed income investments

Fixed income investments include U.S. Treasury 
securities, U.S. Government agencies, sovereign 
government obligations, U.S. corporate bonds and 
foreign corporate debt funds.  U.S. Treasury securities 
are valued at the closing price reported in the active 
market in which the individual security is traded and 
included as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.  U.S. 
Government agencies, sovereign government 
obligations, U.S. corporate bonds and foreign 
corporate debt funds are valued based on quoted 
prices for comparable securities with similar yields 
and credit ratings.  When quoted prices are not 
available for identical or similar bonds, the bonds are 
valued using discounted cash flows that maximize 
observable inputs, such as current yields of similar 
instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks 
that may not be observable, such as credit and 
liquidity risks.  U.S. Government agencies, sovereign 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

government obligations, U.S. corporate bonds and 
foreign corporate debt funds are primarily included as 
Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy with a small 
portion of U.S. corporate debt funds included as 
Level 1.

Other assets measured at NAV

Other assets measured at NAV include venture capital 
investments and partnership interests, funds of funds, 
property funds and other funds.  There are no readily 
available market quotations for these funds.  The fair 
value of the venture capital investments is based on 
the pension plan’s ownership percentage of the fair 
value of the underlying funds as provided by the fund 
managers.  These funds are typically valued on a 
quarterly basis.  The pension plan’s venture capital 
investments and partnership interests are valued at 
NAV as a practical expedient for fair value.  The fair 
value of the funds of funds is based on NAVs of the 
funds in the portfolio, which reflects the value of the 
underlying securities.  The fair value of the 
underlying securities is typically the amount that the 
fund might reasonably expect to receive upon selling 
those hard to value or illiquid securities within the 
portfolios. 

The following tables present the fair value of each 
major category of plan assets as of Dec. 31, 2015 and 
Dec. 31, 2014, by captions and by ASC 820 valuation 
hierarchy.  There were no transfers between Level 1 
and Level 2.

Plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis—
domestic plans at Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Common and preferred stock:

Total
fair
value

U.S. equity
Non-U.S. equity
Collective trust funds:

Commingled
U.S. equity
Fixed income:

U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. Government agencies
Sovereign government

obligations

U.S. corporate bonds
Other

Exchange traded funds
Other assets measured at NAV
Total domestic plan assets, at

fair value

$ 1,473 $ — $ — $ 1,473
132

132

—

—

—
318
— 1,181

—
318
— 1,181

450
—

—

—
—
60

—
20

77

726
39
—

—
—

—

—
—
—

450
20

77

726
39
60
213

$ 2,115 $ 2,361 $ — $ 4,689  

Plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis—
foreign plans at Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Equity funds
Sovereign/government

obligation funds
Corporate debt funds
Cash and currency
Other assets measured at NAV
Total foreign plan assets, at

fair value

$

375 $

163 $ — $

52

—
5

84

158
—

—

19
—

$

432 $

405 $

19 $

136

177
5
80

936  

Total fair
value
538

Plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis—
domestic plans at Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Common and preferred stock:

Total fair
value

U.S. equity
Non-U.S. equity
Collective trust funds:

Commingled
U.S. equity
Fixed income:

U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. Government agencies
Sovereign government

obligations

U.S. corporate bonds
Other

Exchange traded funds
Other assets measured at NAV
Total domestic plan assets, at

fair value

$ 1,468 $ — $ — $
—

132

—

—
342
— 1,344

438
—

—

—
—
70

—
59

91

724
32
—

—
—

—
—

—

—
—
—

1,468
132

342
1,344

438
59

91

724
32
70
242

$ 2,108 $ 2,592 $ — $

4,942  

Plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis—
foreign plans at Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Equity funds
Sovereign/government

obligation funds
Corporate debt funds
Cash and currency
Other assets measured at NAV
Total foreign plan assets, at fair

value

Total fair
value
557

$

432 $

125 $ — $

75

60
13

130

74
—

—

20
—

$

580 $

329 $

20 $

205

154
13
68

997  

BNY Mellon 191 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Changes in Level 3 fair value measurements

Assets valued using NAV—Dec. 31, 2014

The table below includes a roll forward of the plan 
assets for the years ended Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014 
(including the change in fair value), for financial 
instruments classified in Level 3 of the valuation 
hierarchy.

Fair value measurements using significant unobservable
inputs—foreign plans—for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2014
Transfers into Level 3
Total gains or (losses) included in earnings (or
changes in net assets)

Fair value at Dec. 31, 2015

Change in unrealized gains or (losses) for the
period included in earnings (or changes in net
assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting
period

Corporate
debt funds
20
$
—

(1)
19

(1)

$

$

Fair value measurements using significant unobservable
inputs—foreign plans—for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2013
Transfers into Level 3
Total gains or (losses) included in earnings (or
changes in net assets)

Fair value at Dec. 31, 2014

Change in unrealized gains or (losses) for the
period included in earnings (or changes in net
assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting
period

Corporate
debt funds
19
$
—

1
20

1

$

$

Assets valued using net asset value per share

BNY Mellon had pension and post-retirement plan 
assets invested in venture capital and partnership 
interests, funds of funds, property funds and other 
contracts valued using NAV.  The fund of funds 
investments are redeemable at NAV under agreements 
with the fund of funds managers.

Assets valued using NAV—Dec. 31, 2015

(dollar amounts
in millions)

Fair
value

Unfunded
commitments

Redemption
frequency

Redemption
notice
period

Venture capital and 

partnership 
interests (a)

$

60 $

Funds of funds (b)

177

Property funds (c)

49

Other contracts (d)

Total

7
$ 293 $

N/A

N/A

Monthly
Daily-
Quarterly

30-45 days

0-90 days

N/A

N/A

8

—

—
—

8  

 192 BNY Mellon

(dollar amounts
in millions)

Fair
value

Unfunded
commitments

Redemption
frequency

Redemption
notice
period

Venture capital and 

partnership 
interests (a)

Funds of funds (b)

Total

$ 159 $

151
$ 310 $

N/A

N/A

Monthly

30-45 days

11

—
11  

(a)  Venture capital and partnership interests do not have redemption 
rights. Distributions from such funds will be received as the 
underlying investments are liquidated.

(b)  Funds of funds include multi-strategy hedge funds that utilize 

investment strategies that invest over both long-term investment and 
short-term investment horizons.

(c)  Property funds include funds invested in regional real estate 
vehicles that hold direct interest in real estate properties.
(d)  Other contracts include assets invested in pooled accounts at 

insurance companies that are privately valued by the asset manager.

Defined contribution plans

BNY Mellon sponsors defined contribution plans in 
the U.S. and in certain non-U.S. locations, all of 
which are administered in accordance with local laws. 
The most significant defined contribution plan is The 
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation 401(k) 
Savings Plan sponsored by the Company in the U.S 
and covers substantially all U.S. employees.  

Under The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation 
401(k) Savings Plan, the Company matched 100% of 
the first 4% of an employee’s eligible base pay plus 
50% of the next 2% of eligible pay contributed by the 
participant for a maximum matching contribution of 
5% for 2015, 2014 and 2013, subject to statutory 
limits. 

The U.S. qualified and nonqualified defined benefit 
plans were closed to new participants effective Dec. 
31, 2010, at which time an annual non-elective 
contribution equal to 2% of eligible base pay was 
added to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation 
401(k) Savings Plan.  For 2014 and 2013, employees 
who were hired on or after Jan. 1, 2010 and were not 
eligible to earn benefits in The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation Pension Plan received the annual 
non-elective contribution.

On Jan. 29, 2015, the board of directors approved an 
amendment to freeze benefit accruals under the U.S. 
qualified and nonqualified defined benefit plans 
effective June 30, 2015.  Employees, who were hired 
before Jan. 1, 2010 and were eligible to earn benefits 
in the pension plan prior to freezing the benefit 
accrual, received the non-elective contribution 
starting July 1, 2015.  All Company contributions are 

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

invested according to participants’ individual 
elections.

At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, The Bank of 
New York Mellon Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan 
owned 15.6 million and 16.7 million shares of our 
common stock, respectively.  The fair value of total 
assets was $5.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and $5.3 
billion at Dec. 31, 2014.  We recorded expense of 
$209 million in 2015, $198 million in 2014 and $192 
million in 2013 primarily for contributions to our 
defined contribution plans.

We also have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan 
(“ESOP”) covering certain domestic full-time 
employees hired on or before July 1, 2008.  The 
ESOP works in conjunction with the defined benefit 
pension plan.  Employees are entitled to the higher of 
their benefit under the ESOP or such defined benefit 
pension plan at retirement.  Benefits payable under 
the defined benefit pension plan are offset by the 
equivalent value of benefits earned under the ESOP. 

At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, the ESOP 
owned 6.0 million and 6.4 million shares of our 
common stock, respectively.  The fair value of total 
ESOP assets was $251 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and 
$263 million at Dec. 31, 2014.  The ESOP was 
amended effective June 30, 2015 to discontinue the 
ability of the Company to make contributions to the 
ESOP.  There were no contributions to the ESOP in 
2015, 2014 or 2013.

The Benefits Investment Committee appointed 
Fiduciary Counselors, Inc. to serve as the 
independent fiduciary to (i) make certain fiduciary 
decisions related to the continued prudence of 
offering the common stock of BNY Mellon or its 
affiliates as an investment option under the plans 
other than with respect to plan sponsor decisions, and 
(ii) select and monitor any managed investments 
(active or passive, including mutual funds) of BNY 
Mellon or its affiliates to be offered to participants as 
investment options under the plans.

Note 19 - Company financial information 
(Parent Corporation)

Our bank subsidiaries are subject to dividend 
limitations under the Federal Reserve Act, as well as 
national and state banking laws.  Under these statutes, 
prior regulatory consent is required for dividends in 
any year that would exceed the bank’s net profits for 

such year combined with retained net profits for the 
prior two years.  Additionally, such bank subsidiaries 
may not declare dividends in excess of net profits on 
hand, as defined, after deducting the amount by 
which the principal amount of all loans, on which 
interest is past due for a period of six months or more, 
exceeds the allowance for credit losses.  

The payment of dividends also is limited by 
minimum capital requirements imposed on banks.  As 
of Dec. 31, 2015, BNY Mellon’s bank subsidiaries 
exceeded these minimum requirements.

Subsequent to Dec. 31, 2015, our bank subsidiaries 
could declare dividends to the Parent of 
approximately $3.1 billion without the need for a 
regulatory waiver.  In addition, at Dec. 31, 2015, non-
bank subsidiaries of the Parent had liquid assets of 
approximately $1.3 billion.

The bank subsidiaries declared dividends of $182 
million in 2015, $809 million in 2014 and $1.0 billion 
in 2013.  The Federal Reserve and the OCC have 
issued additional guidelines that require bank holding 
companies and national banks to continually evaluate 
the level of cash dividends in relation to their 
respective operating income, capital needs, asset 
quality and overall financial condition.

The Federal Reserve policy with respect to the 
payment of cash dividends by bank holding 
companies provides that, as a matter of prudent 
banking, a bank holding company should not 
maintain a rate of cash dividends unless its net 
income available to common shareholders has been 
sufficient to fully fund the dividends, and the 
prospective rate of earnings retention appears to be 
consistent with the holding company’s capital needs, 
asset quality and overall financial condition.  The 
Federal Reserve can also prohibit a dividend if 
payment would constitute an unsafe or unsound 
banking practice.  Any increase in BNY Mellon’s 
ongoing quarterly dividends would require approval 
from the Federal Reserve.  The Federal Reserve’s 
current guidance provides that, for large bank holding 
companies like us, dividend payout ratios exceeding 
30% of projected after-tax net income will receive 
particularly close scrutiny.

The Federal Reserve requires U.S. bank holding 
companies with total consolidated assets of $50 
billion or more, like BNY Mellon, to submit annual 
capital plans for review.  The Federal Reserve will 

BNY Mellon 193 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

evaluate the bank holding companies’ capital 
adequacy, internal capital adequacy assessment 
processes, and their plans to make capital 
distributions, such as dividend payments or stock 
repurchases.  

BNY Mellon and other affected BHCs may pay 
dividends, repurchase stock, and make other capital 
distributions only in accordance with a capital plan 
that has been reviewed by the Federal Reserve and as 
to which the Federal Reserve has not objected.  The 
Federal Reserve may object to a capital plan if the 
plan does not show that the covered BHC will meet, 
for each quarter throughout the nine-quarter planning 
horizon covered by the capital plan, all minimum 
regulatory capital ratios under applicable capital rules 
as in effect for that quarter on a pro forma basis under 
the base case and stressed scenarios (including a 
severely adverse scenario provided by the Federal 
Reserve).  The capital plan rules also stipulate that a 
covered BHC may not make a capital distribution 
unless after giving effect to the distribution it will 
meet all minimum regulatory capital ratios.  As part 
of this process, BNY Mellon also provides the 
Federal Reserve with estimates of the composition 
and levels of regulatory capital, risk-weighted assets 
and other measures under Basel III under an 
identified scenario.  In March 2015, BNY Mellon 
received confirmation that the Federal Reserve did 
not object to our 2015 capital plan.  The board of 
directors subsequently approved the repurchase of up 
to $3.1 billion worth of common stock for a five-
quarter period beginning in the second quarter of 
2015 and continuing through the second quarter of 
2016, including employee benefit plan repurchases.  
Of the $3.1 billion authorization, common stock 
repurchases of $700 million were contingent on a 
prior issuance of $1 billion of qualifying preferred 
stock, which issuance was completed in April 2015.

The Federal Reserve Act limits and requires collateral 
for extensions of credit by our insured subsidiary 
banks to BNY Mellon and certain of its non-bank 

affiliates.  Also, there are restrictions on the amounts 
of investments by such banks in stock and other 
securities of BNY Mellon and such affiliates, and 
restrictions on the acceptance of their securities as 
collateral for loans by such banks.  Extensions of 
credit by the banks to each of our affiliates are limited 
to 10% of such bank’s regulatory capital, and in the 
aggregate for BNY Mellon and all such affiliates to 
20%, and collateral must be between 100% and 130% 
of the amount of the credit, depending on the type of 
collateral. 

Our insured subsidiary banks are required to maintain 
reserve balances with Federal Reserve Banks under 
the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation D.  Required 
balances averaged $6.5 billion and $6.3 billion for the 
years 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In the event of impairment of the capital stock of one 
of the Parent’s national banks or The Bank of New 
York Mellon, the Parent, as the banks’ stockholder, 
could be required to pay such deficiency. 

The Parent guarantees the debt issued by Mellon 
Funding Corporation, a wholly-owned financing 
subsidiary of the Company.  The Parent also 
guarantees committed and uncommitted lines of 
credit of Pershing LLC and Pershing Limited 
subsidiaries.  The Parent guarantees described above 
are full and unconditional and contain the standard 
provisions relating to parent guarantees of subsidiary 
debt.  Additionally, the Parent guarantees or 
indemnifies obligations of its consolidated 
subsidiaries as needed.  Generally, there are no stated 
notional amounts included in these indemnifications 
and the contingencies triggering the obligation for 
indemnification are not expected to occur.  As a 
result, we are unable to develop an estimate of the 
maximum payout under these indemnifications.  
However, we believe the possibility is remote that we 
will have to make any material payment under these 
guarantees and indemnifications.

 194 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The Parent’s condensed financial statements are as 
follows:

Condensed Income Statement—The Bank of New 
York Mellon Corporation (Parent Corporation)  

(in millions)
Dividends from bank subsidiaries
Dividends from nonbank subsidiaries
Interest revenue from bank subsidiaries
Interest revenue from nonbank

subsidiaries

Gain on securities held for sale
Other revenue

Total revenue

Interest (including, $69, $62, $50, to

subsidiaries, respectively)

Other expense

Total expense

Income before income taxes and equity

in undistributed net income of
subsidiaries

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
Equity in undistributed net income:

Bank subsidiaries
Nonbank subsidiaries

Net income
Preferred stock dividends
Net income applicable to common

shareholders of The Bank of New York
Mellon Corporation

Year ended Dec. 31,
2015

2014

$

145 $
207
68

2013
775 $ 1,010
210
44
60
67

91

3
25
539

288

64
352

98

1
24
1,009

257

71
328

101

32
26
1,439

245

94
339

187

(98)

681

(155)

1,100

(93)

2,004
869
3,158
(105)

910
821
2,567
(73)

184
727
2,104
(64)

$ 3,053 $ 2,494 $ 2,040

Condensed Balance Sheet—The Bank of New 
York Mellon Corporation (Parent Corporation) 

(in millions)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks
Securities
Loans, net of allowance
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and

associated companies:

Banks
Other
Subtotal

Corporate-owned life insurance
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities:
Deferred compensation
Affiliate borrowings
Other liabilities
Long-term debt

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$

9,383 $
26
20

7,517
30
76

30,156
27,405
57,561
728
1,509

28,600
26,471
55,071
712
1,361
$ 69,227 $ 64,767

$

473 $

501
6,120
1,194
19,511
27,326
37,441
$ 69,227 $ 64,767

8,243
1,623
20,851
31,190
38,037

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows—The Bank 
of New York Mellon Corporation (Parent 
Corporation)

(in millions)
Operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net

cash provided by/ (used in) operating
activities:
Amortization
Equity in undistributed net (income) of

subsidiaries

Change in accrued interest receivable
Change in accrued interest payable
Change in taxes payable (a)
Other, net

Net cash provided by operating

activities
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of securities
Change in loans
Acquisitions of, investments in, and

advances to subsidiaries

Other, net

Net cash (used in) provided by

investing activities

Financing activities:
Net change in commercial paper
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Repayments of long-term debt
Change in advances from subsidiaries
Issuance of common stock
Treasury stock acquired
Issuance of preferred stock
Cash dividends paid
Tax benefit realized on share based

payment awards

Net cash provided by financing

activities

Change 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
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Income taxes refunded

Year ended Dec. 31,
2015

2014

2013

$ 3,158 $ 2,567 $ 2,104

—

—

1

(2,873)

(1,731)

(911)

(4)
15
132
66

23
18
91
2

21
(5)
63
(22)

494

970

1,251

3
56

7
(57)

(358)

(1,603)

14

107

(285)

(1,546)

67
(6)

722

11

794

—
4,986
(3,650)
2,123
352
(2,355)
990
(865)

(96)
4,686
(4,071)
2,704
396
(1,669)
—
(833)

(242)
3,892
(2,023)
78
288
(1,026)
494
(744)

76

17

15

1,657

1,866

1,134

732

558

2,777

7,517

6,959

4,182

$ 9,383 $ 7,517 $ 6,959

$

302 $
158
103

275 $
946
54

241
94
14

(a) 

Includes payments received from subsidiaries for taxes of $24 
million in 2015, $452 million in 2014 and $192 million in 2013.

Note 20 - Fair value measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be 
received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, 
in an orderly transaction between market participants 
at the measurement date.  A three-level hierarchy for 
fair value measurements is utilized based upon the 
transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or 
liability as of the measurement date.  BNY Mellon’s 

BNY Mellon 195 

  
  
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

own creditworthiness is considered when valuing 
liabilities.

Fair value focuses on exit price in an orderly 
transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or 
distressed sale) between market participants at the 
measurement date under current market conditions.  
If there has been a significant decrease in the volume 
and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change 
in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation 
techniques may be appropriate.  In such instances, 
determining the price at which willing market 
participants would transact at the measurement date 
under current market conditions depends on the facts 
and circumstances and requires the use of significant 
judgment.  The objective is to determine from 
weighted indicators of fair value a reasonable point 
within the range that is most representative of fair 
value under current market conditions.

Determination of fair value

We have established processes for determining fair 
values.  Fair value is based upon quoted market prices 
in active markets, where available.  For financial 
instruments where quotes from recent exchange 
transactions are not available, we determine fair value 
based on discounted cash flow analysis, comparison 
to similar instruments, and the use of financial 
models.  Discounted cash flow analysis is dependent 
upon estimated future cash flows and the level of 
interest rates.  Model-based pricing uses inputs of 
observable prices, where available, for interest rates, 
foreign exchange rates, option volatilities and other 
factors.  Models are benchmarked and validated by an 
independent internal risk management function.  Our 
valuation process takes into consideration factors 
such as counterparty credit quality, liquidity, 
concentration concerns, and observability of model 
parameters.  Valuation adjustments may be made to 
ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair 
value.

Most derivative contracts are valued using internally 
developed models which are calibrated to observable 
market data and employ standard market pricing 
theory for their valuations.  An initial “risk-neutral” 
valuation is performed on each position assuming 
time-discounting based on an AA credit curve.  Then, 
to arrive at a fair value that incorporates counter-party 
credit risk, a credit adjustment is made to these results 
by discounting each trade’s expected exposures to the 
counterparty using the counterparty’s credit spreads, 

 196 BNY Mellon

as implied by the credit default swap market.  We also 
adjust expected liabilities to the counterparty using 
BNY Mellon’s own credit spreads, as implied by the 
credit default swap market.  Accordingly, the 
valuation of our derivative position is sensitive to the 
current changes in our own credit spreads as well as 
those of our counterparties.

In certain cases, recent prices may not be observable 
for instruments that trade in inactive or less active 
markets.  Upon evaluating the uncertainty in valuing 
financial instruments subject to liquidity issues, we 
make an adjustment to their value.  The determination 
of the liquidity adjustment includes the availability of 
external quotes, the time since the latest available 
quote and the price volatility of the instrument.

Certain parameters in some financial models are not 
directly observable and, therefore, are based on 
management’s estimates and judgments.  These 
financial instruments are normally traded less 
actively.  We apply valuation adjustments to mitigate 
the possibility of error and revision in the model 
based estimate value.  Examples include products 
where parameters such as correlation and recovery 
rates are unobservable.  

The methods described above for instruments that 
trade in inactive or less active markets may produce a 
current fair value calculation that may not be 
indicative of net realizable value or reflective of 
future fair values.  We believe our methods of 
determining fair value are appropriate and consistent 
with other market participants.  However, the use of 
different methodologies or different assumptions to 
value certain financial instruments could result in a 
different estimate of fair value.

Valuation hierarchy

A three-level valuation hierarchy is used for 
disclosure of fair value measurements based upon the 
transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or 
liability as of the measurement date.  The three levels 
are described below.

Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are 
quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or 
liabilities in active markets.  Level 1 assets and 
liabilities include certain debt and equity securities, 
derivative financial instruments actively traded on 
exchanges and U.S. Treasury securities that are 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

actively traded in highly liquid over-the-counter 
markets.

securities, sovereign debt, corporate bonds and 
foreign covered bonds.

Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, 
for example, quoted prices for similar assets and 
liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for 
identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that 
are not active, and inputs that are observable or can 
be corroborated, either directly or indirectly, for 
substantially the full term of the financial instrument.  
Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt instruments 
that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded 
securities and derivative instruments whose model 
inputs are observable in the market or can be 
corroborated by market-observable data.  Examples 
in this category are agency and non-agency 
mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities 
and over-the-counter derivative contracts.

Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are 
unobservable and significant to the fair value 
measurement.  Examples in this category include  
certain private equity investments, derivative 
contracts that are highly structured or long-dated, and 
interests in certain securitized financial assets.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the 
valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of 
input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  

Following is a description of the valuation 
methodologies used for instruments measured at fair 
value, as well as the general classification of such 
instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Securities

For securities where quotes from recent transactions 
are not available for identical securities, we determine 
fair value primarily based on pricing sources with 
reasonable levels of price transparency that employ 
financial models or obtain comparison to similar 
instruments to arrive at “consensus” prices.

Specifically, the pricing sources obtain recent 
transactions for similar types of securities (e.g., 
vintage, position in the securitization structure) and 
ascertain variables such as discount rate and speed of 
prepayment for the types of transaction and apply 
such variables to similar types of bonds.  We view 
these as observable transactions in the current 
marketplace and classify such securities as Level 2.  
Pricing sources discontinue pricing any specific 
security whenever they determine there is insufficient 
observable data to provide a good faith opinion on 
price.

In addition, we have significant investments in more 
actively traded agency RMBS and other types of 
securities such as sovereign debt.  The pricing sources 
derive the prices for these securities largely from 
quotes they obtain from three major inter-dealer 
brokers.  The pricing sources receive their daily 
observed trade price and other information feeds from 
the inter-dealer brokers.

For securities with bond insurance, the financial 
strength of the insurance provider is analyzed and that 
information is included in the fair value assessment 
for such securities.

Where quoted prices are available in an active 
market, we classify the securities within Level 1 of 
the valuation hierarchy.  Securities include both long 
and short positions.  Level 1 securities include highly 
liquid government bonds, money market funds, 
foreign covered bonds and exchange-traded equities.  

In certain cases where there is limited activity or less 
transparency around inputs to the valuation, we 
classify those securities in Level 3 of the valuation 
hierarchy.  Securities classified within Level 3 may 
include securities of state and political subdivisions 
and distressed debt securities.

If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate 
fair values using pricing models, quoted prices of 
securities with similar characteristics or discounted 
cash flows.  Examples of such instruments, which 
would generally be classified within Level 2 of the 
valuation hierarchy, include agency and non-agency 
mortgage-backed securities, state and political 
subdivisions, commercial mortgage-backed 

At Dec. 31, 2015, all of our securities were valued by 
pricing sources with reasonable levels of price 
transparency.  We have no instruments included in 
Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.  

Consolidated collateralized loan obligations

BNY Mellon values assets in consolidated CLOs 
using observable market prices observed from the 

BNY Mellon 197 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

secondary loan market.  The returns to the note 
holders are solely dependent on the assets and 
accordingly equal the value of those assets.  Based on 
the structure of the CLOs, the valuation of the assets 
is attributable to the note holders.  Changes in the 
values of assets and liabilities are reflected in the 
income statement as investment and other income and 
interest of investment management fund note holders, 
respectively.  Assets in consolidated CLOs are 
generally classified within Level 2 of the valuation 
hierarchy.

Derivatives

We classify exchange-traded derivatives valued using 
quoted prices in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.  
Examples include exchange-traded equity and foreign 
exchange options.  Since few other classes of 
derivative contracts are listed on an exchange, most 
of our derivative positions are valued using internally 
developed models that use as their basis readily 
observable market parameters, and we classify them 
in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.  Such 
derivatives include swaps and options, foreign 
exchange spot and forward contracts and credit 
default swaps.  

Derivatives valued using models with significant 
unobservable market parameters in markets that lack 
two-way flow are classified in Level 3 of the 
valuation hierarchy.  Examples include long-dated 
swaps and options, where parameters may be 
unobservable for longer maturities; and certain highly 
structured products, where correlation risk is 
unobservable.  As of Dec. 31, 2015 we have no Level 
3 derivatives.  Additional disclosures of derivative 
instruments are provided in Note 23 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loans and unfunded lending-related commitments

Where quoted market prices are not available, we 
generally base the fair value of loans and unfunded 
lending-related commitments on observable market 
prices of similar instruments, including bonds, credit 
derivatives and loans with similar characteristics.  If 
observable market prices are not available, we base 
the fair value on estimated cash flows adjusted for 
credit risk which are discounted using an interest rate 
appropriate for the maturity of the applicable loans or 
the unfunded lending-related commitments.

 198 BNY Mellon

Unrealized gains and losses, if any, on unfunded 
lending-related commitments carried at fair value are 
classified in other assets and other liabilities, 
respectively.  Loans and unfunded lending-related 
commitments carried at fair value are generally 
classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Seed capital

In our Investment Management business, we manage 
investment assets, including equities, fixed income, 
money market and alternative investment funds for 
institutions and other investors.  As part of that 
activity, we make seed capital investments in certain 
funds.  Seed capital is included in other assets.  When 
applicable, we value seed capital based on the 
published NAV of the fund. 

For other types of investments in funds, we consider 
all of the rights and obligations inherent in our 
ownership interest, including the reported NAV as 
well as other factors that affect the fair value of our 
interest in the fund. 

Certain interests in securitizations

For certain interests in securitizations that are 
classified in securities available-for-sale, trading 
assets and long-term debt, we use discounted cash 
flow models, which generally include assumptions of 
projected finance charges related to the securitized 
assets, estimated net credit losses, prepayment 
assumptions and estimates of payments to third-party 
investors.  When available, we compare our fair value 
estimates and assumptions to market activity and to 
the actual results of the securitized portfolio.  

Private equity investments

Our Other segment includes holdings of nonpublic 
private equity investments through funds managed by 
third-party investment managers.  We value private 
equity investments initially based upon the 
transaction price, which we subsequently adjust to 
reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing 
and sale transactions with third parties or through 
ongoing reviews by the investment managers.

Private equity investments also include publicly held 
equity investments, generally obtained through the 
initial public offering of privately held equity 
investments.  These equity investments are often held 
in a partnership structure.  Publicly held investments 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

are marked-to-market at the quoted public value less 
adjustments for regulatory or contractual sales 
restrictions or adjustments to reflect the difficulty in 
selling a partnership interest.

Discounts for restrictions are quantified by analyzing 
the length of the restriction period and the volatility 
of the equity security.  Publicly held private equity 
investments are primarily classified in Level 2 of the 
valuation hierarchy.

The following tables present the financial instruments 
carried at fair value at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 
2014, by caption on the consolidated balance sheet 
and by valuation hierarchy (as described above).  We 
have included credit ratings information in certain of 
the tables because the information indicates the 
degree of credit risk to which we are exposed, and 
significant changes in ratings classifications could 
result in increased risk for us.  There were no material 
transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2015.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at Dec. 31, 2015

(dollar amounts in millions)
Available-for-sale securities:

U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
Sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed
State and political subdivisions (b)
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial MBS
Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed securities
Equity securities
Money market funds (b)
Corporate bonds
Other debt securities
Foreign covered bonds
Non-agency RMBS (c)

Total available-for-sale securities

Trading assets:

Debt and equity instruments (b)
Derivative assets not designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange
Equity and other contracts

Total derivative assets not designated as hedging
Total trading assets

Loans
Other assets:
Derivative assets designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange

Total derivative assets designated as hedging

Other assets (d)
Other assets measured at net asset value

Total other assets

Subtotal assets of operations at fair value

Percentage of assets prior to netting

Assets of consolidated investment management funds:

Trading assets
Other assets

Total assets of consolidated investment management funds
Total assets

Percentage of assets prior to netting

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting (a)

Total carrying
value

$ 12,832
—
35
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4
886
—
—
1,966
—
15,723

$

— $
387
13,182
4,046
23,501
793
1,061
1,392
4,020
2,351
2,893
—
—
1,752
2,775
202
1,789
60,144

1,232

2,167

10
—
15
25
1,257
—

—
—
—
192

10,034
4,905
120
15,059
17,226
422

497
219
716
62

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

(8,071)
(2,981)
(63)
(11,115)
(11,115)
—

—
—
—
—

192
17,172

778
78,570

18%

82%

455
157
612
$ 17,784

773
16
789
$ 79,359

$

18%

82%

—
—
—%

—
—
—
— $
—%

—
(11,115)

—
—
—
(11,115) $

12,832
387
13,217
4,046
23,501
793
1,061
1,392
4,020
2,351
2,893
4
886
1,752
2,775
2,168
1,789
75,867

3,399

1,973
1,924
72
3,969
7,368
422

497
219
716
254
117
1,087
84,744

1,228
173
1,401
86,145

BNY Mellon 199 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at Dec. 31, 2015

(dollar amounts in millions)
Trading liabilities:

Debt and equity instruments
Derivative liabilities not designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange
Equity and other contracts

Total derivative liabilities not designated as hedging
Total trading liabilities

Long-term debt (b)
Other liabilities - derivative liabilities designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange

Total other liabilities - derivative liabilities designated as hedging

Subtotal liabilities of operations at fair value

Percentage of liabilities prior to netting

Liabilities of consolidated investment management funds:

Trading liabilities
Other liabilities

Total liabilities of consolidated investment management funds
Total liabilities

$

Percentage of liabilities prior to netting

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting (a)

Total carrying
value

$

422

$

152

$

— $

— $

574

5
—
5
10
432
—

—
—
—
432

9,957
4,682
147
14,786
14,938
359

372
20
392
15,689

3%

97%

—
1
1
433

229
16
245
$ 15,934

3%

97%

$

—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—%

(8,235)
(2,567)
(67)
(10,869)
(10,869)
—

—
—
—
(10,869)

—
—
—
— $
—%

—
—
—
(10,869) $

1,727
2,115
85
3,927
4,501
359

372
20
392
5,252

229
17
246
5,498

(a)  ASC 815 permits the netting of derivative receivables and derivative payables under legally enforceable master netting agreements and 
permits the netting of cash collateral.  Netting is applicable to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments included in trading 
assets or trading liabilities, and derivatives designated as hedging instruments included in other assets or other liabilities.  Netting is 
allocated to the derivative products based on the net fair value of each product.

(b)  Includes certain interests in securitizations.
(c)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust was dissolved in 2011.
(d)  Includes private equity investments and seed capital.

 200 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at Dec. 31, 2014

(dollar amounts in millions)
Available-for-sale securities:

U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
Sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed
State and political subdivisions (b)
Agency RMBS
Non-agency RMBS
Other RMBS
Commercial MBS
Agency commercial MBS
Asset-backed CLOs
Other asset-backed securities
Equity securities
Money market funds (b)
Corporate bonds
Other debt securities
Foreign covered bonds
Non-agency RMBS (c)

Total available-for-sale securities

Trading assets:

Debt and equity instruments (b)
Derivative assets not designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange
Equity

Total derivative assets not designated as hedging
Total trading assets

Loans
Other assets:

Derivative assets designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange

Total derivative assets designated as hedging

Other assets (d)(e)
Other assets measured at net asset value (e)

Total other assets

Subtotal assets of operations at fair value

Percentage of assets prior to netting

Assets of consolidated investment management funds:

Trading assets
Other assets

Total assets of consolidated investment management funds
Total assets

Percentage of assets prior to netting

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting (a)

Total carrying
value

$ 19,997
—
40
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
95
763
—
—
2,250
—
23,145

$

— $
343
17,244
5,236
32,600
953
1,551
1,959
3,132
2,130
3,240
—
—
1,785
2,169
618
2,214
75,174

2,204

2,217

7
—
96
103
2,307
—

—
—
—
174

17,137
6,280
278
23,695
25,912
21

477
374
851
514

174
25,626

1,365
102,472

20%

80%

100
457
557
$ 26,183

8,578
147
8,725
$ 111,197

$

19%

81%

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

(13,942)
(4,246)
(159)
(18,347)
(18,347)
—

—
—
—
—

—
(18,347)

—
—
—
(18,347) $

$

— $
—
—
11
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
11

—

6
—
3
9
9
—

—
—
—
35

35
55
—%

—
—
—
55
—%

19,997
343
17,284
5,247
32,600
953
1,551
1,959
3,132
2,130
3,240
95
763
1,785
2,169
2,868
2,214
98,330

4,421

3,208
2,034
218
5,460
9,881
21

477
374
851
723
342
1,916
110,148

8,678
604
9,282
119,430

BNY Mellon 201 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at Dec. 31, 2014

(dollar amounts in millions)
Trading liabilities:

Debt and equity instruments
Derivative liabilities not designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange
Equity and other contracts

Total derivative liabilities not designated as hedging
Total trading liabilities

Long-term debt (b)
Other liabilities:

 Derivative liabilities designated as hedging:

Interest rate
Foreign exchange

Total derivative liabilities designated as hedging

Other liabilities

Total other liabilities

Subtotal liabilities of operations at fair value

Percentage of liabilities prior to netting

Liabilities of consolidated investment management funds:

Trading liabilities
Other liabilities

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 Netting (a)

Total carrying
value

$

367

$

294

$

— $

— $

661

3
—
47
50
417
—

—
—
—
4
4
421

17,645
6,367
499
24,511
24,805
347

385
62
447
—
447
25,599

2%

98%

—
1
1
422

7,660
8
7,668
$ 33,267

1%

99%

$

6
—
3
9
9
—

—
—
—
—
—
9
—%

—
—
—
9
—%

(14,467)
(3,149)
(181)
(17,797)
(17,797)
—

—
—
—
—
—
(17,797)

3,187
3,218
368
6,773
7,434
347

385
62
447
4
451
8,232

—
—
—
(17,797) $

$

7,660
9
7,669
15,901

Total liabilities of consolidated investment management funds
Total liabilities

$

Percentage of liabilities prior to netting

(a)  ASC 815 permits the netting of derivative receivables and derivative payables under legally enforceable master netting agreements and 
permits the netting of cash collateral.  Netting is applicable to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments included in trading 
assets or trading liabilities, and derivatives designated as hedging instruments included in other assets or other liabilities.  Netting is 
allocated to the derivative products based on the net fair value of each product.

(b)  Includes certain interests in securitizations.
(c)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust was dissolved in 2011.
(d)  Includes private equity investments and seed capital.
(e)  Other assets measured at fair value at Dec. 31, 2014 were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting new disclosure 

guidance contained in ASU 2015-07 related to investments in certain entities that use NAV as a practical expedient when measuring fair 
value.  See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 202 BNY Mellon

—% —%
—
—
3
1%

—
21
5
9%

83% 17%
100
65
83
100
82% 15%

—
21
17
—

100% —%
100
100
100
100% —%

—
—
—

83% 17%
100
—
99
79% 12%

—
—
1

100% —%
100
—
100
—
100
100
—
81
76% —%

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—%
—
19
27
19%

—%
—
14
—
—
3%

—%
—
—
—
—%

—%
—
—
—
—%

—%
—
100
—
100
—
—
100
19
24%

100%
100
60
65
71%

—%
—
—
—
—
—%

—%
—
—
—
—%

—%
—
100
—
9%

—%
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—%

Dec. 31, 2015

Ratings

AAA/
AA-

A+/
A-

BBB+/
BBB-

BB+ and
lower

Total
carrying
value (a)

Total
carrying 
value (a)

Dec. 31, 2014

Ratings

AAA/
AA-

A+/
A-

BBB+/
BBB-

BB+ and
lower

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Details of certain items measured at fair value

 on a recurring basis

(dollar amounts in millions)
Non-agency RMBS, originated in:

2007
2006
2005
2004 and earlier

Total non-agency RMBS

Commercial MBS - Domestic, originated in:

2009-2015
2008
2007
2006
2005 and earlier

Total commercial MBS - Domestic

Foreign covered bonds:

Canada
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Other

Total foreign covered bonds

European floating rate notes - available-for-sale:

United Kingdom
Netherlands
Ireland
Other

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

66
115
234
378
793

626
16
304
384
—
1,330

1,014
363
214
577
2,168

780
222
121
—
1,123

—% —% —% 100% $
—
—
13
19
4
26
8% 4% 16%

100
59
66
72% $

—
9
4

83% 17% —%
100
62
76
—
76% 20%

—
16
—
—
4%

—
22
24
—

100% —% —%
—
100
—
100
100
—
100% —% —%

—
—
—

85% 15% —%
100
—
—
79% 15%

—
55
—
6%

—
45
—

—% $
—
—
—
—
—% $

—% $
—
—
—
—% $

—% $
—
—
—
—% $

78
138
284
453
953

639
19
353
599
277
1,887

1,266
690
244
668
2,868

1,172
296
144
25
1,637

Total European floating rate notes - available-for-sale $

Sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed:

United Kingdom
France
Spain
Germany
Italy
Belgium
Netherlands
Ireland
Other

Total sovereign debt/sovereign guaranteed

Non-agency RMBS (b), originated in:

$

2,941
2,008
1,955
1,683
1,398
1,108
1,055
772
297
$ 13,217

100% —% —%
—
100
—
—
—
100
—
—
—
100
—
100
—
—
68
—
68% —% 32%

—
100
—
100
—
—
100
32

—% $
5,076
—
3,550
—
1,978
—
1,522
—
1,427
—
829
—
1,800
—
672
—
430
—% $ 17,284

2007
2006
2005
2004 and earlier

100%
99
96
89
98%
(a)  At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, foreign covered bonds and sovereign debt were included in Level 1 and Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.  All other 

—% —% —% 100% $
—
—
1
—
9
—
1%
—% 1%

—% —%
—
—
—
—%

99
97
88
98% $

620
653
727
214
2,214

502
530
580
177
1,789

Total non-agency RMBS (b)

—%
1
1
7
1%

—
3
4
1%

1
2
3

$

$

assets in the table are Level 2 assets in the valuation hierarchy.

(b)  Previously included in the Grantor Trust.  The Grantor Trust was dissolved in 2011.

Changes in Level 3 fair value measurements

Our classification of a financial instrument in Level 3 
of the valuation hierarchy is based on the significance 
of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value 
measurement.  However, these instruments generally 
include other observable components that are actively 
quoted or validated to third-party sources; 
accordingly, the gains and losses in the table below 
include changes in fair value due to observable 
parameters as well as the unobservable parameters in 
our valuation methodologies.  We also frequently 
manage the risks of Level 3 financial instruments 

using securities and derivatives positions that are 
Level 1 or 2 instruments which are not included in the 
table; accordingly, the gains or losses below do not 
reflect the effect of our risk management activities 
related to the Level 3 instruments.

The Company has a Level 3 Pricing Committee 
which evaluates the valuation techniques used in 
determining the fair value of Level 3 assets and 
liabilities.

BNY Mellon 203 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The tables below include a roll forward of the balance sheet amounts for the years ended Dec. 31, 2015 and 2014 
(including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.  There 
were no Level 3 instruments as of Dec. 31, 2015.

Fair value measurements for assets using significant unobservable inputs for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2014
Transfers out of Level 3
Total gains or (losses) for the period:

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

Purchases, sales and settlements:

Purchases
Sales
Settlements

Fair value at Dec. 31, 2015
Change in unrealized gains or (losses) for the period included in
earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of
the reporting period

Available-for-
sale securities
State and  political
subdivisions
11
$
—

Trading
assets
Derivative

assets (a)
9
(3)

Other
assets
35
—

$

$

— (b) 

(1) (c) 

10 (d) 

—
—
(11)
—

$

—
—
(5)
—

—

$

$

3
(48)
—
—

—

$

$

Total
assets
55
(3)

9

3
(48)
(16)
—

—

$

$

$

(a)  Derivative assets are reported on a gross basis.
(b)  Realized gains (losses) are reported in securities gains (losses).  Unrealized gains (losses) are reported in accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss) except for the credit portion of OTTI losses which are recorded in securities gains (losses).  

(c)  Reported in foreign exchange and other trading revenue.
(d)  Reported in investment and other income.

Fair value measurements for liabilities using significant unobservable inputs for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015

Trading liabilities
Derivative liabilities (a)
$

9
(3)

(1) (b)
(5)
—

—

(in millions)
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2014
Transfers out of Level 3
Total (gains) or losses for the period:

Included in earnings (or changes in net liabilities)

Settlements
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2015
Change in unrealized (gains) or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for liabilities
held at the end of the reporting period

$

$

(a)  Derivative liabilities are reported on a gross basis.
(b)  Reported in foreign exchange and other trading revenue.

 204 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Fair value measurements for assets using significant unobservable inputs for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2013
Transfers out of Level 3
Transfers into Level 3
Total gains or (losses) for the period:

Available-for-
sale securities

State and
 political
subdivisions
11
$
—
—

Trading assets

Debt and
equity
instruments
1
$
—
—

Derivative

$

assets (a)
22
(12)
—

$

Other
assets
—
—
38

Total
assets (b)
34
$
(12)
38

Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

— (c)

— (d)

12 (d)

(2) (e)

Purchases, sales and settlements:

Purchases
Sales
Settlements

Fair value at Dec. 31, 2014
Change in unrealized gains or (losses) for the period
included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for
assets held at the end of the reporting period

$

—
—
—
11

$

$

—
—
(1)
—

—

$

$

—
—
(13)
9

13

$

$

1
(2)
—
35

(2)

$

$

10

1
(2)
(14)
55

11

(a)  Derivative assets are reported on a gross basis.
(b)  Total assets measured at fair value at Dec. 31, 2014 were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting new disclosure 

guidance contained in ASU 2015-07 related to investments in certain entities that use NAV as a practical expedient when measuring fair 
value.  See Note 2 for additional information.

(c)  Realized gains (losses) are reported in securities gains (losses).  Unrealized gains (losses) are reported in accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss) except for the credit portion of OTTI losses which are recorded in securities gains (losses).  

(d)  Reported in foreign exchange and other trading revenue.
(e)  Reported in investment and other income.

Fair value measurements for liabilities using significant unobservable inputs for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014

Trading liabilities
Derivative liabilities (a)
$

75
(39)

(14) (b)

3
(16)
9

9

(in millions)
Fair value at Dec. 31, 2013
Transfers out of Level 3
Total (gains) or losses for the period:

Included in earnings (or changes in net liabilities)

Purchases and settlements:

Purchases
Settlements

Fair value at Dec. 31, 2014
Change in unrealized (gains) or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for liabilities
held at the end of the reporting period

$

$

(a)  Derivative liabilities are reported on a gross basis.
(b)  Reported in foreign exchange and other trading revenue.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a 
nonrecurring basis

Under certain circumstances, we make adjustments to 
fair value our assets, liabilities and unfunded lending-
related commitments although they are not measured 
at fair value on an ongoing basis.  An example would 
be the recording of an impairment of an asset.

The following tables present the financial instruments 
carried on the consolidated balance sheet by caption 
and by level in the fair value hierarchy as of Dec. 31, 
2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, for which a nonrecurring 
change in fair value has been recorded during the 
years ended Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014.

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at Dec. 31, 2015
(in millions)
Loans (a)
Other assets (b)

$

Total assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

$

Level 1

— $
—
— $

Level 2
97
6
103

$

$

Level 3
174
—
174

Total carrying
value
271
6
277  

$

$

BNY Mellon 205 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at Dec. 31, 2014
(in millions)
Loans (a)
Other assets (b)

Total carrying
value
114
6
120
(a)  During the years ended Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, the fair value of these loans decreased $2 million and $6 million, respectively, 

Total assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Level 2
112
6
118

Level 3
2
—
2

— $
—
— $

Level 1

$

$

$

$

$

$

based on the fair value of the underlying collateral as allowed by ASC 310, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a loan, with an 
offset to the allowance for credit losses.

(b)  Includes other assets received in satisfaction of debt and loans held for sale.  Loans held for sale are carried on the balance sheet at the 

lower of cost or fair value.

Estimated fair value of financial instruments

The carrying amounts of our financial instruments 
(i.e., monetary assets and liabilities) are determined 
under different accounting methods - see Note 1 of 
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The 
following disclosure discusses these instruments on a 
uniform fair value basis.  However, active markets do 
not exist for a significant portion of these 
instruments.  For financial instruments where quoted 
prices from identical assets and liabilities in active 
markets do not exist, we determine fair value based 
on discounted cash flow analysis and comparison to 
similar instruments.  Discounted cash flow analysis is 
dependent upon estimated future cash flows and the 
level of interest rates.  Other judgments would result 
in different fair values.  The fair value information 
supplements the basic financial statements and other 
traditional financial data presented throughout this 
report.

A summary of the practices used for determining fair 
value and the respective level in the valuation 
hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities not 
recorded at fair value follows.

Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve 
and other central banks and interest-bearing deposits 
with banks

The estimated fair value of interest-bearing deposits 
with the Federal Reserve and other central banks is 
equal to the book value as these interest-bearing 
deposits are generally considered cash equivalents.  
These instruments are classified as Level 2 within the 
valuation hierarchy.  The estimated fair value of 
interest-bearing deposits with banks is generally 
determined using discounted cash flows and duration 
of the instrument to maturity.  The primary inputs 
used to value these transactions are interest rates 
based on current LIBOR market rates and time to 
maturity.  Interest-bearing deposits with banks are 
classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 206 BNY Mellon

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under 
resale agreements

The estimated fair value of federal funds sold and 
securities purchased under resale agreements is based 
on inputs such as interest rates and tenors.  Federal 
funds sold and securities purchased under resale 
agreements are classified as Level 2 within the 
valuation hierarchy.

Securities held-to-maturity

Where quoted prices are available in an active market 
for identical assets and liabilities, we classify the 
securities as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy.  
Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury securities 
and foreign covered bonds.  

If quoted market prices are not available for identical 
assets, we estimate fair value using pricing models, 
quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics 
or discounted cash flows.  Examples of such 
instruments, which would generally be classified as 
Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy, include certain 
agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities, 
commercial mortgage-backed securities and state and 
political subdivision securities.  For securities where 
quotes from active markets are not available for 
identical securities, we determine fair value primarily 
based on pricing sources with reasonable levels of 
price transparency that employ financial models or 
obtain comparison to similar instruments to arrive at 
“consensus” prices.

Specifically, the pricing sources obtain active market 
prices for similar types of securities (e.g., vintage, 
position in the securitization structure) and ascertain 
variables such as discount rate and speed of 
prepayment for the types of transaction and apply 
such variables to similar types of bonds.  We view 
these as observable transactions in the current 
marketplace and classify such securities as Level 2 
within the valuation hierarchy.  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Loans

For residential mortgage loans, fair value is estimated 
using discounted cash flow analysis, adjusting where 
appropriate for prepayment estimates, using interest 
rates currently being offered for loans with similar 
terms and maturities to borrowers.  The estimated fair 
value of margin loans and overdrafts is equal to the 
book value due to the short-term nature of these 
assets.  The estimated fair value of other types of 
loans, including our term loan program, is determined 
using discounted cash flows.  Inputs include current 
LIBOR market rates adjusted for credit spreads.  
These loans are generally classified as Level 2 within 
the valuation hierarchy.

Other financial assets

Other financial assets include cash, the Federal 
Reserve Bank stock and accrued interest receivable.  
Cash is classified as Level 1 within the valuation 
hierarchy.  The Federal Reserve Bank stock is not 
redeemable or transferable.  The estimated fair value 
of the Federal Reserve Bank stock is based on the 
issue price and is classified as Level 2 within the 
valuation hierarchy.  Accrued interest receivable is 
generally short-term.  As a result, book value is 
considered to equal fair value.  Accrued interest 
receivable is included as Level 2 within the valuation 
hierarchy.

Noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing deposits

Interest-bearing deposits are comprised of money 
market rate and demand deposits, savings deposits 
and time deposits.  Except for time deposits, book 
value is considered to equal fair value for these 
deposits due to their short duration to maturity or 
payable on demand feature.  The fair value of 
interest-bearing time deposits is determined using 
discounted cash flow analysis.  Inputs primarily 
consist of current LIBOR market rates and time to 
maturity.  For all noninterest-bearing deposits, book 
value is considered to equal fair value as a result of 
the short duration of the deposit.  Interest-bearing and 
noninterest-bearing deposits are classified as Level 2 
within the valuation hierarchy.

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under 
repurchase agreements

The estimated fair value of federal funds purchased 
and securities sold under repurchase agreements is 
based on inputs such as interest rates and tenors.  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under 
repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2 
within the valuation hierarchy.

Payables to customers and broker-dealers

The estimated fair value of payables to customers and 
broker-dealers is equal to the book value, due to the 
demand feature of the payables to customers and 
broker-dealers, and are classified as Level 2 within 
the valuation hierarchy.

Borrowings 

Borrowings primarily consist of overdrafts of 
subcustodian account balances in our Investment 
Services businesses and accrued interest payable.  
The estimated fair value of overdrafts of subcustodian 
account balances in our Investment Services 
businesses is considered to equal book value as a 
result of the short duration of the overdrafts and is 
included as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.  
Overdrafts are typically repaid within two days.  
Accrued interest payable is generally short-term.  As 
a result, book value is considered to equal fair value.  
Accrued interest payable is included as Level 2 
within the valuation hierarchy.

Long-term debt

The estimated fair value of long-term debt is based on 
current rates for instruments of the same remaining 
maturity or quoted market prices for the same or 
similar issues.  Long-term debt is classified as Level 
2 within the valuation hierarchy.

The following tables present the estimated fair value 
and the carrying amount of financial instruments not 
carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet 
at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, by caption on the 
consolidated balance sheet and by the valuation 
hierarchy. 

BNY Mellon 207 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Summary of financial instruments

Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)
Assets:

Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Securities held-to-maturity
Loans
Other financial assets

Total

Liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing deposits
Interest-bearing deposits
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Borrowings
Long-term debt

Total

Summary of financial instruments

(in millions)
Assets:

Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other central banks
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
Securities held-to-maturity
Loans
Other financial assets

Total

Liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing deposits
Interest-bearing deposits
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
Payables to customers and broker-dealers
Borrowings
Long-term debt

Total

$

$

$

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total
estimated
fair value

$

— $ 113,203 $
—
—
11,376
—
6,537

15,150
24,373
31,828
61,421
1,096

$ 17,913 $ 247,071 $

— $ 96,277 $
— 182,410
15,002
—
21,900
—
—
698
—
21,494
— $ 337,781 $

— $ 113,203
15,150
—
24,373
—
43,204
—
61,421
—
—
7,633
— $ 264,984

— $ 96,277
— 182,410
15,002
—
21,900
—
698
—
—
21,494
— $ 337,781

Dec. 31, 2014

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total
estimated
fair value

— $ 96,682 $
—
—
5,063
—
6,970

19,505
20,302
16,064
56,840
1,121

$ 12,033 $ 210,514 $

$

$

— $ 104,240 $
— 160,688
11,469
—
21,181
—
—
956
—
20,401
— $ 318,935 $

— $ 96,682
19,505
—
20,302
—
21,127
—
56,840
—
—
8,091
— $ 222,547

— $ 104,240
— 160,688
11,469
—
21,181
—
956
—
—
20,401
— $ 318,935

Carrying
amount

$ 113,203
15,146
24,373
43,312
61,267
7,633
$ 264,934

$ 96,277
183,333
15,002
21,900
698
21,188
$ 338,398

Carrying
amount

$ 96,682
19,495
20,302
20,933
56,749
8,091
$ 222,252

$ 104,240
161,629
11,469
21,181
956
19,917
$ 319,392

The table below summarizes the carrying amount of the hedged financial instruments, the notional amount of the 
hedge and the unrealized gain (loss) (estimated fair value) of the derivatives.

Hedged financial instruments
(in millions)
Dec. 31, 2015

Securities available-for-sale
Long-term debt

Dec. 31, 2014

Securities available-for-sale
Long-term debt

 208 BNY Mellon

Carrying amount

Notional amount
of hedge

Unrealized
Gain

(Loss)

$

$

7,978 $
18,231

7,294 $
16,469

7,918 $
17,850

7,045 $
16,100

16 $
479

4 $

470

(359)
(14)

(370)
(14)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 21 - Fair value option

We elected fair value as an alternative measurement 
for selected financial assets, financial liabilities, 
unrecognized firm commitments and written loan 
commitments.

The following table presents the assets and liabilities, 
by type, of consolidated investment management 
funds recorded at fair value. 

debt was $359 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $347 
million at Dec. 31, 2014.  The long-term debt is 
valued using observable market inputs and is 
included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table presents the changes in fair value 
of the loans and long-term debt and the location of 
the changes in the consolidated income statement.

Impact of changes in fair value in the income statement (a)

Assets and liabilities of consolidated investment
management funds, at fair value

(in millions)
Assets of consolidated investment
management funds:
Trading assets
Other assets

Total assets of consolidated
investment management funds
Liabilities of consolidated investment
management funds:
Trading liabilities
Other liabilities

Total liabilities of consolidated
investment management funds

Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$

1,228 $
173

8,678
604

$

1,401 $

9,282

$

$

229 $
17

7,660
9

246 $

7,669

BNY Mellon values the assets and liabilities of its 
consolidated asset management funds using quoted 
prices for identical assets or liabilities in active 
markets or observable inputs such as quoted prices 
for similar assets or liabilities.  Quoted prices for 
either identical or similar assets or liabilities in 
inactive markets may also be used.  Accordingly, fair 
value best reflects the interests BNY Mellon holds in 
the economic performance of the consolidated asset 
management funds.  Changes in the value of the 
assets and liabilities are recorded in the income 
statement as investment income of consolidated 
investment management funds and in the interest of 
investment management fund note holders, 
respectively.

We have elected the fair value option on $419 million 
and $21 million of loans at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 
31, 2014, respectively.  The fair value of these loans 
was $422 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $21 million at 
Dec. 31, 2014.  The loans were valued using 
observable market inputs to discount expected loan 
cash flows.  These loans are included in Level 2 of 
the valuation hierarchy.

We have elected the fair value option on $240 million 
of long-term debt.  The fair value of this long-term 

(in millions)
Loans:

Year ended Dec. 31,
2015

2014

2013

Investment and other income

Long-term debt:

Foreign exchange and other
trading revenue

$

$

3 $ — $ —

(12) $

(26) $

24

(a)  The changes in fair value of the loans and long-term debt 
are approximately offset by economic hedges included in 
foreign exchange and other trading revenue.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingent 
liabilities

In the normal course of business, various 
commitments and contingent liabilities are 
outstanding that are not reflected in the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Our significant trading and off-balance sheet risks are 
securities, foreign currency and interest rate risk 
management products, commercial lending 
commitments, letters of credit and securities lending 
indemnifications.  We assume these risks to reduce 
interest rate and foreign currency risks, to provide 
customers with the ability to meet credit and liquidity 
needs and to hedge foreign currency and interest rate 
risks.  These items involve, to varying degrees, credit, 
foreign currency and interest rate risk not recognized 
in the balance sheet.  Our off-balance sheet risks are 
managed and monitored in manners similar to those 
used for on-balance sheet risks.  Significant industry 
concentrations related to credit exposure at Dec. 31, 
2015 are disclosed in the financial institutions 
portfolio exposure table and the commercial portfolio 
exposure table below.  

BNY Mellon 209 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Dec. 31, 2015
Unfunded
commitments

Loans

Financial institutions
portfolio exposure
(in billions)
Securities industry
Banks
Asset managers
Insurance
Government
Other

Total

Commercial portfolio
exposure
(in billions)
Manufacturing
Services and other
Energy and utilities
Media and telecom

Total

$

$

$

$

3.1 $
9.4
2.0
0.2
0.1
1.1
15.9 $

0.6 $
0.8
0.6
0.3
2.3 $

Total
exposure
23.7
11.5
7.6
4.7
2.0
2.4
51.9  

20.6 $
2.1
5.6
4.5
1.9
1.3
36.0 $

Total
exposure
6.9
6.3
5.5
1.8
20.5

6.3 $
5.5
4.9
1.5
18.2 $

Dec. 31, 2015
Unfunded
commitments

Loans

Major concentrations in securities lending are 
primarily to broker-dealers and are generally 
collateralized with cash.  Securities lending 
transactions are discussed below.

The following table presents a summary of our off-
balance sheet credit risks, net of participations.

Dec. 31,

Off-balance sheet credit risks
2014
(in millions)
$ 54,505 $ 33,273
Lending commitments
Standby letters of credit (a)
5,767
255
Commercial letters of credit
Securities lending indemnifications (b)
304,386
(a)  Net of participations totaling $809 million at Dec. 31, 2015 

4,915
303
294,108

2015

and $894 million at Dec. 31, 2014. 

(b)  Excludes the indemnification for securities for which BNY 
Mellon acts as an agent on behalf of CIBC Mellon clients, 
which totaled $54 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and $64 billion at 
Dec. 31, 2014.

Beginning in 2015, lending commitments include 
secured intraday credit provided to dealers in 
connection with their tri-party repo activity.  The 
committed credit requires dealers to fully secure the 
outstanding intraday credit with high-quality liquid 
assets having a market value in excess of the amount 
of the outstanding credit.  At Dec. 31, 2015, the 
secured intraday credit provided to dealers in 
connection with their tri-party repo activity totaled 
$19.6 billion.

Also included in lending commitments are facilities 
that provide liquidity for variable rate tax-exempt 
securities wrapped by monoline insurers.  The credit 

 210 BNY Mellon

approval for these facilities is based on an assessment 
of the underlying tax-exempt issuer and considers 
factors other than the financial strength of the 
monoline insurer.

The total potential loss on undrawn lending 
commitments, standby and commercial letters of 
credit, and securities lending indemnifications is 
equal to the total notional amount if drawn upon, 
which does not consider the value of any collateral.

Since many of the commitments are expected to 
expire without being drawn upon, the total amount 
does not necessarily represent future cash 
requirements.  A summary of lending commitment 
maturities is as follows: $31.1 billion in less than one 
year, $23.2 billion in one to five years and $242 
million over five years.

Standby letters of credit (“SBLC”) principally 
support corporate obligations and were collateralized 
with cash and securities of $299 million and $421 
million at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2014, 
respectively.  At Dec. 31, 2015, $2.8 billion of the 
SBLCs will expire within one year and $2.1 billion in 
one to five years.

We must recognize, at the inception of standby letters 
of credit and foreign and other guarantees, a liability 
for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in 
issuing the guarantee.  The fair value of the liability, 
which was recorded with a corresponding asset in 
other assets, was estimated as the present value of 
contractual customer fees.

The estimated liability for losses related to these 
commitments and SBLCs, if any, is included in the 
allowance for lending-related commitments.  The 
allowance for lending-related commitments was $118 
million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $89 million at Dec. 31, 
2014.

Payment/performance risk of SBLCs is monitored 
using both historical performance and internal ratings 
criteria.  BNY Mellon’s historical experience is that 
SBLCs typically expire without being funded.  
SBLCs below investment grade are monitored closely 
for payment/performance risk.  The table below 
shows SBLCs by investment grade:

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Standby letters of credit

Investment grade
Non-investment grade

Dec. 31,

2015
86%
14%

2014
88%
12%

A commercial letter of credit is normally a short-term 
instrument used to finance a commercial contract for 
the shipment of goods from a seller to a buyer.  
Although the commercial letter of credit is contingent 
upon the satisfaction of specified conditions, it 
represents a credit exposure if the buyer defaults on 
the underlying transaction.  As a result, the total 
contractual amounts do not necessarily represent 
future cash requirements.  Commercial letters of 
credit totaled $303 million at Dec. 31, 2015 compared 
with $255 million at Dec. 31, 2014.

A securities lending transaction is a fully 
collateralized transaction in which the owner of a 
security agrees to lend the security (typically through 
an agent, in our case, The Bank of New York 
Mellon), to a borrower, usually a broker-dealer or 
bank, on an open, overnight or term basis, under the 
terms of a prearranged contract, which normally 
matures in less than 90 days.  

We typically lend securities with indemnification 
against borrower default.  We generally require the 
borrower to provide collateral with a minimum value 
of 102% of the fair value of the securities borrowed, 
which is monitored on a daily basis, thus reducing 
credit risk.  Market risk can also arise in securities 
lending transactions.  These risks are controlled 
through policies limiting the level of risk that can be 
undertaken.  Securities lending transactions are 
generally entered into only with highly-rated 
counterparties.  Securities lending indemnifications 
were secured by collateral of $306 billion at Dec. 31, 
2015 and $316 billion at Dec. 31, 2014.

CIBC Mellon, a joint venture between BNY Mellon 
and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 
(“CIBC”), engages in securities lending activities.  
CIBC Mellon, BNY Mellon, and CIBC jointly and 
severally indemnify securities lenders against specific 
types of borrower default.  At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 
31, 2014, $54 billion and $64 billion, respectively, of 
borrowings at CIBC Mellon for which BNY Mellon 
acts as agent on behalf of CIBC Mellon clients, were 
secured by collateral of $56 billion and $67 billion, 
respectively.  If, upon a default, a borrower’s 
collateral was not sufficient to cover its related 

obligations, certain losses related to the 
indemnification could be covered by the indemnitors. 

We expect many of these guarantees to expire without 
the need to advance any cash.  The revenue 
associated with guarantees frequently depends on the 
credit rating of the obligor and the structure of the 
transaction, including collateral, if any.

Operating leases

Net rent expense for premises and equipment was 
$329 million in 2015, $328 million in 2014 and $335 
million in 2013.

At Dec. 31, 2015, we were obligated under various 
noncancelable lease agreements, some of which 
provide for additional rents based upon real estate 
taxes, insurance and maintenance and for various 
renewal options.  A summary of the future minimum 
rental commitments under noncancelable operating 
leases, net of related sublease revenue, is as follows: 
2016—$343 million; 2017—$323 million; 2018—
$228 million; 2019—$213 million; 2020—$193 
million and 2021 and thereafter—$773 million. 

Exposure for certain administrative errors

In connection with certain offshore tax-exempt funds 
that we manage, we may be liable to the funds for 
certain administrative errors.  The errors relate to the 
resident status of such funds, potentially exposing the 
Company to a tax liability related to the funds’ 
earnings.  The Company is in discussions with tax 
authorities regarding the funds.  With the charge 
recorded in 2014 for this matter, we believe we are 
appropriately accrued and the additional reasonably 
possible exposure is not significant.

Indemnification arrangements

We have provided standard representations for 
underwriting agreements, acquisition and divestiture 
agreements, sales of loans and commitments, and 
other similar types of arrangements and customary 
indemnification for claims and legal proceedings 
related to providing financial services that are not 
otherwise included above.  Insurance has been 
purchased to mitigate certain of these risks.  
Generally, there are no stated or notional amounts 
included in these indemnifications and the 
contingencies triggering the obligation for 
indemnification are not expected to occur.  

BNY Mellon 211 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Furthermore, often counterparties to these 
transactions provide us with comparable 
indemnifications.  We are unable to develop an 
estimate of the maximum payout under these 
indemnifications for several reasons.  In addition to 
the lack of a stated or notional amount in a majority 
of such indemnifications, we are unable to predict the 
nature of events that would trigger indemnification or 
the level of indemnification for a certain event.  We 
believe, however, that the possibility that we will 
have to make any material payments for these 
indemnifications is remote.  At Dec. 31, 2015 and 
Dec. 31, 2014, we have not recorded any material 
liabilities under these arrangements.

Clearing and settlement exchanges

We are a noncontrolling equity investor in, and/or 
member of, several industry clearing or settlement 
exchanges through which foreign exchange, 
securities, derivatives or other transactions settle.  
Certain of these industry clearing and settlement 
exchanges require their members to guarantee their 
obligations and liabilities or to provide financial 
support in the event other members do not honor their 
obligations.  We believe the likelihood that a clearing 
or settlement exchange (of which we are a member) 
would become insolvent is remote.  Additionally, 
certain settlement exchanges have implemented loss 
allocation policies that enable the exchange to 
allocate settlement losses to the members of the 
exchange.  It is not possible to quantify such mark-to-
market loss until the loss occurs.  In addition, any 
ancillary costs that occur as a result of any mark-to-
market loss cannot be quantified.  At Dec. 31, 2015 
and Dec. 31, 2014, we have not recorded any material 
liabilities under these arrangements.

Legal proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, BNY Mellon and 
its subsidiaries are routinely named as defendants in 
or made parties to pending and potential legal actions. 
We also are subject to governmental and regulatory 
examinations, information-gathering requests, 
investigations and proceedings (both formal and 
informal).  Claims for significant monetary damages 
are often asserted in many of these legal actions, 
while claims for disgorgement, restitution, penalties 
and/or other remedial actions or sanctions may be 
sought in regulatory matters. It is inherently difficult 
to predict the eventual outcomes of such matters 
given their complexity and the particular facts and 

 212 BNY Mellon

circumstances at issue in each of these matters. 
However, on the basis of our current knowledge and 
understanding, we do not believe that judgments, 
settlements or orders, if any, arising from these 
matters (either individually or in the aggregate, after 
giving effect to applicable reserves and insurance 
coverage) will have a material adverse effect on the 
consolidated financial position or liquidity of BNY 
Mellon, although they could have a material effect on 
net income in a given period.

In view of the inherent unpredictability of outcomes 
in litigation and governmental and regulatory matters, 
particularly where (i) the damages sought are 
substantial or indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are 
in the early stages, or (iii) the matters involve novel 
legal theories or a large number of parties, as a matter 
of course there is considerable uncertainty 
surrounding the timing or ultimate resolution of 
litigation and governmental and regulatory matters, 
including a possible eventual loss, fine, penalty or 
business impact, if any, associated with each such 
matter.  In accordance with applicable accounting 
guidance, BNY Mellon establishes accruals for 
litigation and governmental and regulatory matters 
when those matters proceed to a stage where they 
present loss contingencies that are both probable and 
reasonably estimable.  In such cases, there may be a 
possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts 
accrued.  BNY Mellon will continue to monitor such 
matters for developments that could affect the amount 
of the accrual, and will adjust the accrual amount as 
appropriate.  If the loss contingency in question is not 
both probable and reasonably estimable, BNY Mellon 
does not establish an accrual and the matter will 
continue to be monitored for any developments that 
would make the loss contingency both probable and 
reasonably estimable.  BNY Mellon believes that its 
accruals for legal proceedings are appropriate and, in 
the aggregate, are not material to the consolidated 
financial position of BNY Mellon, although future 
accruals could have a material effect on net income in 
a given period.

For certain of those matters described here for which 
a loss contingency may, in the future, be reasonably 
possible (whether in excess of a related accrued 
liability or where there is no accrued liability), BNY 
Mellon is currently unable to estimate a range of 
reasonably possible loss.  For those matters described 
here where BNY Mellon is able to estimate a 
reasonably possible loss, the aggregate range of such 
reasonably possible loss is up to $640 million in 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

excess of the accrued liability (if any) related to those 
matters.

The following describes certain judicial, regulatory 
and arbitration proceedings involving BNY Mellon:

Sentinel Matters
On Jan. 18, 2008, The Bank of New York Mellon 
filed a proof of claim in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy 
proceeding of Sentinel Management Group, Inc. 
(“Sentinel”) pending in federal court in the Northern 
District of Illinois, seeking to recover approximately 
$312 million loaned to Sentinel and secured by 
securities and cash in an account maintained by 
Sentinel at The Bank of New York Mellon.  On 
March 3, 2008, the bankruptcy trustee filed an 
adversary complaint against The Bank of New York 
Mellon seeking to disallow The Bank of New York 
Mellon’s claim and seeking damages for The Bank of 
New York Mellon’s allegedly aiding and abetting 
Sentinel insiders in misappropriating customer assets 
and improperly using those assets as collateral for the 
loan.  In a decision dated Nov. 3, 2010, the court 
found for The Bank of New York Mellon and against 
the bankruptcy trustee, holding that The Bank of New 
York Mellon’s loan to Sentinel is valid, fully secured 
and not subject to equitable subordination.  The 
bankruptcy trustee appealed this decision, and on 
Aug. 9, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for 
the Seventh Circuit issued a decision affirming the 
trial court’s judgment.  On Sept. 7, 2012, the 
bankruptcy trustee filed a petition for rehearing and, 
on Nov. 30, 2012, the Court of Appeals withdrew its 
opinion and vacated its judgment.  On Aug. 26, 2013, 
the Court of Appeals reversed its own prior decision 
and the district court’s decision, and remanded the 
case to the district court for further proceedings.  On 
Dec. 10, 2014, the district court issued a decision in 
favor of The Bank of New York Mellon holding that 
the transfers from Sentinel cannot be reversed and 
that The Bank of New York Mellon’s lien is valid and 
not subject to equitable subordination.  The 
bankruptcy trustee appealed the decision.  On Jan. 8, 
2016, the Court of Appeals invalidated The Bank of 
New York Mellon’s lien but rejected the trustee’s 
request for equitable subordination.  The impact of 
this decision is that The Bank of New York Mellon 
will have an unsecured claim in the Sentinel 
bankruptcy. 

In November 2009, the Division of Enforcement of 
the U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission 
(“CFTC”) indicated that it is considering a 

recommendation to the CFTC that it file a civil 
enforcement action against The Bank of New York 
Mellon for possible violations of the Commodity 
Exchange Act and CFTC regulations in connection 
with its relationship to Sentinel.  The Bank of New 
York Mellon responded in writing to the CFTC on 
Jan. 29, 2010 and provided an explanation as to why 
an enforcement action is unwarranted.

Standing Instruction Matters
Beginning in December 2009, government authorities 
conducted inquiries seeking information relating 
primarily to standing instruction foreign exchange 
transactions in connection with custody services BNY 
Mellon provides to custody clients.  On various dates 
beginning in 2009, BNY Mellon was named as a 
defendant in lawsuits by various government and 
private entities alleging BNY Mellon’s pricing of 
standing instruction foreign exchange transactions 
was improper.

On March 19, 2015, BNY Mellon announced that it 
had resolved substantially all of the pending standing 
instruction-related actions, resulting in a total of $714 
million in settlement payments.  On May 21, 2015, 
BNY Mellon settled a putative class action lawsuit 
asserting securities law violations.  The settlements 
are now final, except for an agreement in principle 
with the SEC staff to pay a $30 million penalty, 
which is subject to Commission approval.  With these 
settlements, BNY Mellon has effectively resolved 
virtually all of the standing instruction FX-related 
actions, with the exception of several lawsuits 
brought by individual customers or shareholders 
asserting derivative claims. 

Tax Litigation
On Aug. 17, 2009, BNY Mellon received a Statutory 
Notice of Deficiency disallowing tax benefits for the 
2001 and 2002 tax years in connection with a 2001 
transaction that involved the payment of UK 
corporate income taxes that were credited against 
BNY Mellon’s U.S. corporate income tax liability.  
The Notice alleged that the transaction lacked 
economic substance and business purpose.  On Nov. 
10, 2009, BNY Mellon filed a petition with the U.S. 
Tax Court contesting the disallowance of the benefits.  
Following a trial, the Tax Court upheld the IRS’s 
Notice of Deficiency and disallowed BNY Mellon’s 
tax credits and associated transaction costs on Feb. 
11, 2013.  On Sept. 23, 2013, the Tax Court issued a 
supplemental opinion, partially reducing the tax 
implications to BNY Mellon of its earlier decision.  

BNY Mellon 213 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The Tax Court entered a decision formally 
implementing its prior rulings on Feb. 20, 2014.  
BNY Mellon appealed the decision to the Second 
Circuit Court of Appeals.  On Sept. 9, 2015, the 
Second Circuit affirmed the Tax Court decision.  
BNY Mellon has sought review by the United States 
Supreme Court.  See Note 12 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional 
information.

Mortgage-Securitization Trusts Proceedings
The Bank of New York Mellon has been named as a 
defendant in a number of legal actions brought by 
MBS investors alleging that the trustee has expansive 
duties under the governing agreements, including the 
duty to investigate and pursue breach of 
representation and warranty claims against other 
parties to the MBS transactions.  These actions 
include a lawsuit brought in New York State court on 
June 18, 2014, and later re-filed in federal court, by a 
group of institutional investors who purport to sue on 
behalf of 260 MBS trusts. 

Matters Related to R. Allen Stanford
In late December 2005, Pershing LLC became a 
clearing firm for Stanford Group Co. (“SGC”), a 
registered broker dealer that was part of a group of 
entities ultimately controlled by R. Allen Stanford.  
Stanford International Bank (“SIB”), also controlled 
by Stanford, issued certificates of deposit (“CDs”).  
Some investors allegedly wired funds from their SGC 
accounts to purchase CDs.  In 2009, the SEC charged 
Stanford with operating a Ponzi scheme in connection 
with the sale of CDs, and SGC was placed into 
receivership.  Alleged purchasers of CDs have filed 
12 pending lawsuits against Pershing in Texas, 
including a putative class action.  The purchasers 
allege that Pershing, as SGC’s clearing firm, assisted 
Stanford in a fraudulent scheme and assert 
contractual, statutory and common law claims.  In 
addition, five FINRA arbitration claims brought by 
alleged purchasers remain pending. 

Brazilian Postalis Litigation
BNY Mellon Servicos Financeiros DTVM S.A. 
(“DTVM”), a subsidiary that provides a number of 
asset services in Brazil, acts as administrator for 
certain investment funds in which the exclusive 
investor is a public pension fund for postal workers 
called Postalis-Instituto de Seguridade Social dos 
Correios e Telégrafos (“Postalis”).  On Aug. 22, 2014, 
Postalis sued DTVM in Brazil for losses related to a 
Postalis investment fund for which DTVM serves as 

 214 BNY Mellon

fund administrator.  Postalis alleges that DTVM 
failed to properly perform alleged duties, including 
duties to conduct due diligence of and exert control 
over the fund manager, Atlântica Administração de 
Recursos (“Atlântica”), and Atlântica’s investments.  
On March 12, 2015, Postalis filed a lawsuit in Brazil 
against DTVM and BNY Mellon Administração de 
Ativos Ltda. (“Ativos”) alleging failure to properly 
perform alleged duties relating to another fund of 
which DTVM is administrator and Ativos is 
investment manager.  On Dec. 14, 2015, Associacão 
Dos Profissionais Dos Correiros, a Brazilian postal 
workers association, filed a lawsuit in Brazil against 
DTVM and other defendants alleging that DTVM 
improperly contributed to investment losses in the 
Postalis portfolio.  On Dec. 17, 2015, Postalis filed 
three additional lawsuits in Brazil against DTVM and 
Ativos alleging failure to properly perform alleged 
duties with respect to investments in several other 
funds.  On Feb. 4, 2016, Postalis filed another lawsuit 
in Brazil against DTVM, Ativos and BNY Mellon 
Alocação de Patrimônio Ltda., an investment 
management subsidiary, alleging failure to properly 
perform duties with respect to investments in various 
other funds of which defendants were administrator 
and/or manager.  

Depositary Receipt Matters
Between late December 2015 and February 2016, 
four putative class action lawsuits were filed against 
BNY Mellon in federal courts in the Southern and 
Eastern Districts of New York asserting claims 
relating to BNY Mellon’s foreign exchange pricing 
when converting dividends and other distributions 
from non-U.S. companies in its role as depositary 
bank to Depositary Receipt issuers.  The primary 
claims are for breach of contract and violations of 
ERISA.  The lawsuits are in their earliest stages.

Note 23 - Derivative instruments 

We use derivatives to manage exposure to market risk 
including interest rate risk, equity price risk and 
foreign currency risk, as well as credit risk.  Our 
trading activities are focused on acting as a market-
maker for our customers and facilitating customer 
trades in compliance with the Volcker Rule. 

The notional amounts for derivative financial 
instruments express the dollar volume of the 
transactions; however, credit risk is much smaller.  
We perform credit reviews and enter into netting 
agreements and collateral arrangements to minimize 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

the credit risk of derivative financial instruments.  We 
enter into offsetting positions to reduce exposure to 
foreign currency, interest rate and equity price risk. 

Use of derivative financial instruments involves 
reliance on counterparties.  Failure of a counterparty 
to honor its obligation under a derivative contract is a 
risk we assume whenever we engage in a derivative 
contract.  Recoveries of less than $1 million were 
recorded in 2015.  There were $5 million of 
counterparty default losses, net of recoveries, 
recorded in 2014. 

Hedging derivatives

We utilize interest rate swap agreements to manage 
our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  For hedges 
of available-for-sale investment securities, deposits 
and long-term debt, the hedge documentation 
specifies the terms of the hedged items and the 
interest rate swaps and indicates that the derivative is 
hedging a fixed rate item and is a fair value hedge, 
that the hedge exposure is to the changes in the fair 
value of the hedged item due to changes in 
benchmark interest rates, and that the strategy is to 
eliminate fair value variability by converting fixed 
rate interest payments to LIBOR.  

The available-for-sale investment securities hedged 
consist of sovereign debt, U.S. Treasury bonds, 
agency commercial mortgage-backed securities and 
covered bonds that had original maturities of 30 years 
or less at initial purchase.  The swaps on all of these 
investment securities are not callable.  All of these 
securities are hedged with “pay fixed rate, receive 
variable rate” swaps of similar maturity, repricing and 
fixed rate coupon.  At Dec. 31, 2015, $7.8 billion face 
amount of securities were hedged with interest rate 
swaps that had notional values of $7.9 billion.

The fixed rate long-term debt instruments hedged 
generally have original maturities of five to 30 years.  
We issue both callable and non-callable debt.  The 
non-callable debt is hedged with “receive fixed rate, 
pay variable rate” swaps with similar maturity, 
repricing and fixed rate coupon.  Callable debt is 
hedged with callable swaps where the call dates of 
the swaps exactly match the call dates of the debt.  At 
Dec. 31, 2015, $17.9 billion par value of debt was 
hedged with interest rate swaps that had notional 
values of $17.9 billion.

In addition, we enter into foreign exchange hedges.  
We use forward foreign exchange contracts with 

maturities of nine months or less to hedge our British 
pound sterling, euro, Hong Kong dollar, Indian rupee 
and Singapore dollar foreign exchange exposure with 
respect to foreign currency forecasted revenue and 
expense transactions in entities that have the U.S. 
dollar as their functional currency.  As of Dec. 31, 
2015, the hedged forecasted foreign currency 
transactions and designated forward foreign exchange 
contract hedges were $274 million (notional), with a 
pre-tax loss of less than $1 million recorded in 
accumulated other comprehensive income.  This loss 
will be reclassified to income or expense over the 
next nine months.

Forward foreign exchange contracts are also used to 
hedge the value of our net investments in foreign 
subsidiaries.  These forward foreign exchange 
contracts have maturities of less than two years.  The 
derivatives employed are designated as hedges of 
changes in value of our foreign investments due to 
exchange rates.  Changes in the value of the forward 
foreign exchange contracts offset the changes in value 
of the foreign investments due to changes in foreign 
exchange rates.  The change in fair market value of 
these forward foreign exchange contracts is deferred 
and reported within accumulated translation 
adjustments in shareholders’ equity, net of tax.  At 
Dec. 31, 2015, forward foreign exchange contracts 
with notional amounts totaling $6.6 billion were 
designated as hedges.

In addition to forward foreign exchange contracts, we 
also designate non-derivative financial instruments as 
hedges of our net investments in foreign subsidiaries.  
Those non-derivative financial instruments 
designated as hedges of our net investments in 
foreign subsidiaries were all long-term liabilities of 
BNY Mellon in various currencies, and, at Dec. 31, 
2015, had a combined U.S. dollar equivalent value of 
$462 million.

Ineffectiveness related to derivatives and hedging 
relationships was recorded in income as follows:

Ineffectiveness

Year ended Dec. 31,

(in millions)
Fair value hedges of securities $
Fair value hedges of deposits
and long-term debt
Cash flow hedges
Other (a)
Total

$

2015

4.1 $

(6.3)
—
—
(2.2) $

2014
(20.6) $

2013
14.1

(14.6)
0.1
(0.1)
(35.2) $

3.7
(0.1)
0.1
17.8

(a)  Includes ineffectiveness recorded on foreign exchange 

hedges.

BNY Mellon 215 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following table summarizes the notional amount and credit exposure of our total derivative portfolio at Dec. 31, 
2015 and Dec. 31, 2014.

Impact of derivative instruments on the balance sheet

(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (a):
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (b):
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Equity contracts
Credit contracts

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Total derivatives fair value (c)
Effect of master netting agreements (d)

Fair value after effect of master netting agreements

Notional value

Asset derivatives
fair value

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

Liability derivatives
fair value

Dec. 31,
2015

Dec. 31,
2014

$

25,768 $
6,839

23,145
7,344

$ 519,428 $ 731,628
528,401
10,842
—

576,253
1,923
319

$

$

$

$
$

$

497 $
219
716 $

477
374
851

10,044 $
4,905
127
8

15,084 $
15,800 $
(11,115)

4,685 $

17,150
6,280
377
—
23,807
24,658
(18,347)
6,311

$

$

$

$
$

$

372 $
20
392 $

385
62
447

9,962 $
4,682
151
1

14,796 $
15,188 $
(10,869)

4,319 $

17,654
6,367
549
—
24,570
25,017
(17,797)
7,220

(a)  The fair value of asset derivatives and liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments is recorded as other assets and other 

liabilities, respectively, on the balance sheet.

(b)  The fair value of asset derivatives and liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments is recorded as trading assets and 

trading liabilities, respectively, on the balance sheet.

(c)  Fair values are on a gross basis, before consideration of master netting agreements, as required by ASC 815.
(d)  Effect of master netting agreements includes cash collateral received and paid of $792 million and $546 million, respectively, at Dec. 31, 

2015, and $1,589 million and $1,039 million, respectively, at Dec. 31, 2014.

At Dec. 31, 2015, $273 billion (notional) of interest rate contracts will mature within one year, $142 billion between 
one and five years and $130 billion after five years.  At Dec. 31, 2015, $572 billion (notional) of foreign exchange 
contracts will mature within one year, $7 billion between one and five years and $4 billion after five years.

Impact of derivative instruments on the income statement
(in millions)

Derivatives in fair value
hedging relationships

Location of gain or
(loss) recognized in 
income on 
derivatives

Gain or (loss) recognized in income
on derivatives
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

Location of gain or
(loss) recognized in
income on hedged
item

Gain or (loss) recognized
in hedged item
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

Interest rate contracts

Net interest revenue

$

(85) $

(921) $

486 Net interest revenue

$

83

$

886

$

(468)

Gain or (loss) 
recognized
in accumulated
OCI on derivatives
(effective portion)
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

Location of gain or
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
OCI into income
(effective portion)

$

(1) $
—
9
(8)

$ — $

(27) Net interest revenue
(3) Other revenue
154 Trading revenue

Salary expense

(2) $
(6)
36
(6)
7
22 $ 131

Gain or (loss) 
reclassified
from accumulated
OCI into income
(effective portion)
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

Location of gain or
(loss) recognized in
income on derivatives
(ineffective portion and
amount excluded from
effectiveness testing)

$

$

(1) $
—
9
(19)
(11) $

(28) Net interest revenue
(1) Other revenue
154 Trading revenue
(1) Salary expense

(2) $
(3)
36
10
41 $ 124

Gain or (loss) recognized 
in income on derivatives 
(ineffectiveness portion 
and amount excluded from 
effectiveness testing)
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$ — $ — $

—
—
—
$ — $

0.1
—
—
0.1 $

2013
—
(0.1)
—
—
(0.1)

Derivatives in 
cash flow hedging
relationships

FX contracts
FX contracts
FX contracts
FX contracts

Total

 216 BNY Mellon

  
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Gain or (loss) 
recognized in 
accumulated OCI 
on derivatives
(effective portion)
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

Location of gain or
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
OCI into income
(effective portion)

Gain or (loss) 
reclassified
from accumulated
OCI into income
(effective portion)
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

2013

Location of gain or
(loss) recognized in
income on derivative
(ineffective portion and
amount excluded from
effectiveness testing)

Derivatives in net
investment hedging
relationships

FX contracts

$ 474 $ (367) $

(50) Net interest revenue

$

1 $

(1) $

2 Other revenue

Gain or (loss) recognized
in income on derivatives
(ineffectiveness portion 
and amount excluded from
effectiveness testing)
Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

2014

$ — $ (0.1) $

2013
0.1

Trading activities (including trading derivatives)

We manage trading risk through a system of position 
limits, a VaR methodology based on Monte Carlo 
simulations, stop loss advisory triggers and other 
market sensitivity measures.  Risk is monitored and 
reported to senior management by a separate unit on a 
daily basis.  Based on certain assumptions, the VaR 
methodology is designed to capture the potential 
overnight pre-tax dollar loss from adverse changes in 
fair values of all trading positions.  The calculation 
assumes a one-day holding period for most 
instruments, utilizes a 99% confidence level and 
incorporates the non-linear characteristics of options.  
The VaR model is one of several statistical models 
used to develop economic capital results, which is 
allocated to lines of business for computing risk-
adjusted performance.

As the VaR methodology does not evaluate risk 
attributable to extraordinary financial, economic or 
other occurrences, the risk assessment process 
includes a number of stress scenarios based upon the 
risk factors in the portfolio and management’s 
assessment of market conditions.  Additional stress 
scenarios based upon historical market events are also 
performed.  Stress tests, by their design, incorporate 
the impact of reduced liquidity and the breakdown of 
observed correlations.  The results of these stress tests 
are reviewed weekly with senior management.

Revenue from foreign exchange and other trading 
included the following:

Foreign exchange and other

trading revenue

(in millions)
Foreign exchange
Other trading revenue (loss)

Total foreign exchange and

other trading revenue

Year ended Dec. 31,
2015

2014

743 $
25

578 $
(8)

2013
608
66

768 $

570 $

674

$

$

Foreign exchange includes income from purchasing 
and selling foreign currencies and currency forwards, 
futures and options.  Other trading revenue (loss) 

reflects results from futures and forward contracts, 
interest rate swaps, structured foreign currency 
swaps, options, equity derivatives and fixed income 
and equity securities.

Counterparty credit risk and collateral

We assess credit risk of our counterparties through 
regular examination of their financial statements, 
confidential communication with the management of 
those counterparties and regular monitoring of 
publicly available credit rating information.  This and 
other information is used to develop proprietary 
credit rating metrics used to assess credit quality. 

Collateral requirements are determined after a 
comprehensive review of the credit quality of each 
counterparty.  Collateral is generally held or pledged 
in the form of cash or highly liquid government 
securities.  Collateral requirements are monitored and 
adjusted daily.

Additional disclosures concerning derivative financial 
instruments are provided in Note 20 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Disclosure of contingent features in over-the-counter 
(“OTC”) derivative instruments

Certain OTC derivative contracts and/or collateral 
agreements of The Bank of New York Mellon, our 
largest banking subsidiary and the subsidiary through 
which BNY Mellon enters into the substantial 
majority of its OTC derivative contracts and/or 
collateral agreements, contain provisions that may 
require us to take certain actions if The Bank of New 
York Mellon’s public debt rating fell to a certain 
level.  Early termination provisions, or “close-out” 
agreements, in those contracts could trigger 
immediate payment of outstanding contracts that are 
in net liability positions.  Certain collateral 
agreements would require The Bank of New York 
Mellon to immediately post additional collateral to 
cover some or all of The Bank of New York Mellon’s 
liabilities to a counterparty.  

BNY Mellon 217 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following table shows the fair value of contracts 
falling under early termination provisions that were in 
net liability positions as of Dec. 31, 2015 for three 
key ratings triggers:

If The Bank of New York
Potential close-out 
Mellon’s rating was changed to
exposures (fair value) (a)
(Moody’s/S&P)
A3/A-
117 million
Baa2/BBB
1,076 million
2,061 million
Ba1/BB+
(a)  The amounts represent potential total close-out values if The 
Bank of New York Mellon’s rating were to immediately drop 
to the indicated levels. 

$
$
$

The aggregated fair value of contracts impacting 
potential trade close-out amounts and collateral 
obligations can fluctuate from quarter to quarter due 
to changes in market conditions, changes in the 
composition of counterparty trades, new business, or 
changes to the agreement definitions establishing 
close-out or collateral obligations. 

Additionally, if The Bank of New York Mellon’s debt 
rating had fallen below investment grade on Dec. 31, 
2015, existing collateral arrangements would have 
required us to have posted an additional $243 million 
of collateral.  

Offsetting assets and liabilities

The following tables present derivative instruments and financial instruments that are either subject to an 
enforceable netting agreement or offset by collateral arrangements.  There were no derivative instruments or 
financial instruments subject to a netting agreement for which we are not currently netting.

Offsetting of derivative assets and financial assets at Dec. 31, 2015

Gross
amounts
offset in the
balance
sheet

Net assets
recognized
on the
balance sheet

(a)

Gross amounts not offset in
the balance sheet

Financial
instruments

Cash
collateral
received Net amount

Gross assets
recognized

$

9,554 $
3,981
123

8,071
2,981
63

$

13,658

11,115

1,483 $
1,000
60

2,543

432 $
63
—

495

— $
—
—

—

1,051
937
60

2,048

(in millions)
Derivatives subject to netting
arrangements:
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Equity and other contracts

Total derivatives subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives not subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives
Reverse repurchase agreements
Securities borrowing
Total

357 (b)
—
11,472
(a)  Includes the effect of netting agreements and net cash collateral received.  The offset related to the over-the-counter derivatives was 

$

$

2,142
4,685
16,731
7,630
29,046 $

—
495
16,726
7,373
24,594 $

2,142
15,800
17,088
7,630
40,518 $

—
—
—
—
— $

—
11,115

2,142
4,190
5
257
4,452

allocated to the various types of derivatives based on the net positions.

(b)  Offsetting of reverse repurchase agreements relates to our involvement in the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, where we settle 

government securities transactions on a net basis for payment and delivery through the Fedwire system.

 218 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Offsetting of derivative assets and financial assets at Dec. 31, 2014
Gross
amounts
offset in the
balance
sheet

Gross assets
recognized

(in millions)
Derivatives subject to netting
arrangements:
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Equity contracts

Total derivatives subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives not subject to netting
arrangements

$

15,457 $
5,291
303

21,051

13,942
4,246
159

18,347

—
18,347

Net assets 
recognized 
on the 
balance sheet

(a)

Gross amounts not offset in
the balance sheet

Financial
instruments

Cash
collateral
received

Net amount

$

1,515 $
1,045
144

2,704

408 $
176
6

590

— $
—
—

—

1,107
869
138

2,114

Total derivatives
Reverse repurchase agreements
Securities borrowing
Total

434 (b)
—
18,781
(a)  Includes the effect of netting agreements and net cash collateral received.  The offset related to the over-the-counter derivatives was 

$

$

3,607
6,311
11,200
9,033
26,544 $

—
590
11,198
8,733
20,521 $

3,607
24,658
11,634
9,033
45,325 $

—
—
—
—
— $

3,607
5,721
2
300
6,023

allocated to the various types of derivatives based on the net positions.

(b)  Offsetting of reverse repurchase agreements relates to our involvement in the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, where we settle 

government securities transactions on a net basis for payment and delivery through the Fedwire system.

Offsetting of derivative liabilities and financial liabilities at Dec. 31, 2015

(in millions)
Derivatives subject to netting
arrangements:
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Equity and other contracts

Total derivatives subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives not subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives
Repurchase agreements
Securities lending
Total

Gross
liabilities
recognized

Gross
amounts
offset in the
balance
sheet

Net liabilities
recognized
on the
balance sheet

(a)

Gross amounts not offset in
the balance sheet

Financial
instruments

Cash
collateral
pledged

Net amount

$

$

10,188 $
3,409
145

8,235
2,567
67

$

1,953 $
842
78

1,795 $
274
71

13,742

10,869

2,873

2,140

1,446
15,188
7,737
1,801
24,726 $

—
10,869

357 (b)
—
11,226

$

1,446
4,319
7,380
1,801
13,500 $

—
2,140
7,380
1,727
11,247 $

— $
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
— $

158
568
7

733

1,446
2,179
—
74
2,253

(a)  Includes the effect of netting agreements and net cash collateral paid.  The offset related to the over-the-counter derivatives was 

allocated to the various types of derivatives based on the net positions.

(b)  Offsetting of repurchase agreements relates to our involvement in the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, where we settle government 

securities transactions on a net basis for payment and delivery through the Fedwire system.

BNY Mellon 219 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Offsetting of derivative liabilities and financial liabilities at Dec. 31, 2014

(in millions)
Derivatives subject to netting
arrangements:
Interest rate contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Equity contracts

Total derivatives subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives not subject to netting
arrangements

Total derivatives
Repurchase agreements
Securities lending
Total

Gross
liabilities
recognized

Gross
amounts
offset in the
balance
sheet

Net liabilities 
recognized 
on the 
balance sheet

(a)

Gross amounts not offset in
the balance sheet

Financial
instruments

Cash
collateral
pledged

Net amount

$

$

16,884 $
4,241
481

21,606

3,411
25,017
9,160
2,571
36,748 $

14,467
3,149
181

17,797

—
17,797

434 (b)
—
18,231

$

$

2,417 $
1,092
300

1,815 $
399
250

3,809

2,464

3,411
7,220
8,726
2,571
18,517 $

—
2,464
8,722
2,494
13,680 $

— $
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
— $

602
693
50

1,345

3,411
4,756
4
77
4,837

(a)  Includes the effect of netting agreements and net cash collateral paid.  The offset related to the over-the-counter derivatives was 

allocated to the various types of derivatives based on the net positions.

(b)  Offsetting of repurchase agreements relates to our involvement in the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, where we settle government 

securities transactions on a net basis for payment and delivery through the Fedwire system.

Secured borrowings

The following table presents the contract value of repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions 
accounted for as secured borrowings by the type of collateral provided to counterparties.  

Repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings at Dec. 31, 2015

Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

(in millions)
Repurchase agreements:

U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government agencies
Agency RMBS
Corporate bonds
Other debt securities
Equity securities

Total

Securities lending:

U.S. Government agencies
Other debt securities
Equity securities

Total

Total borrowings

Overnight and

continuous Up to 30 days

30 days or
more

$

$

$

$
$

2,226 $
319
3,158
372
106
664
6,845 $

35 $
254
1,512
1,801 $
8,646 $

— $
42
—
—
—
—
42 $

— $
—
—
— $
42 $

— $
5
—
665
149
31
850 $

— $
—
—
— $
850 $

Total

2,226
366
3,158
1,037
255
695
7,737

35
254
1,512
1,801
9,538

BNY Mellon’s repurchase agreements and securities 
lending transactions primarily encounter risk 
associated with liquidity.  We are required to pledge 
collateral based on predetermined terms within the 
agreements.  If we were to experience a decline in the 
fair value of the collateral pledged for these 
transactions, additional collateral could be required to 

be provided to the counterparty; therefore, decreasing 
the amount of assets available for other liquidity 
needs that may arise.  BNY Mellon also offers tri-
party collateral agency services in the tri-party repo 
market where we are exposed to credit risk.  In order 
to mitigate this risk, we require dealers to fully secure 
intraday credit.

 220 BNY Mellon

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 24 - Lines of business

We have an internal information system that produces 
performance data along product and services lines for 
our two principal businesses and the Other segment.  

Business accounting principles

Our business data has been determined on an internal 
management basis of accounting, rather than the 
generally accepted accounting principles used for 
consolidated financial reporting.  These measurement 
principles are designed so that reported results of the 
businesses will track their economic performance.  

Business results are subject to reclassification when 
organizational changes are made or whenever 
improvements are made in the measurement 
principles.  On July 31, 2015, BNY Mellon 
completed the sale of Meriten, a German-based 
investment management boutique.  In 2015, we 
reclassified the results of Meriten from the 
Investment Management business to the Other 
segment.  The reclassifications did not impact the 
consolidated results.  All prior periods have been 
restated.  

The accounting policies of the businesses are the 
same as those described in Note 1 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

The primary types of revenue for our two principal businesses and the Other segment are presented below:

Business
Investment Management

Primary types of revenue
•   Investment management and performance fees from:

Investment Services

Other segment

Mutual funds
Institutional clients
Private clients
High-net-worth individuals and families, endowments and foundations and related 

entities

•   Distribution and servicing fees
•   Asset servicing fees, including institutional trust and custody fees, broker-dealer services, 

global collateral services and securities lending

•   Issuer services fees, including Corporate Trust and Depositary Receipts
•   Clearing services fees, including broker-dealer services, registered investment advisor 

services and prime brokerage services

•   Treasury services fees, including global payment services and working capital solutions
•   Foreign exchange

•   Credit-related activities
•   Leasing operations
•   Corporate treasury activities
•   Derivatives business
•   Global markets and institutional banking services
•   Business exits

The results of our businesses are presented and 
analyzed on an internal management reporting basis:

•  Revenue amounts reflect fee and other revenue 
generated by each business.  Fee and other 
revenue transferred between businesses under 
revenue transfer agreements is included within 
other revenue in each business.  

•  Revenues and expenses associated with specific 

client bases are included in those businesses.  For 
example, foreign exchange activity associated 
with clients using custody products is allocated to 
Investment Services.  

•  Net interest revenue is allocated to businesses 
based on the yields on the assets and liabilities 

generated by each business.  We employ a funds 
transfer pricing system that matches funds with 
the specific assets and liabilities of each business 
based on their interest sensitivity and maturity 
characteristics.  
Incentive expense related to restricted stock and 
certain corporate overhead charges are allocated 
to the businesses.  

• 

•  Support and other indirect expenses are allocated 
to businesses based on internally-developed 
methodologies.  

•  Recurring FDIC expense is allocated to the 

businesses based on average deposits generated 
within each business.  

BNY Mellon 221 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

•  Litigation expense is generally recorded in the 

business in which the charge occurs.  
•  Management of the investment securities 

portfolio is a shared service contained in the 
Other segment.  As a result, gains and losses 
associated with the valuation of the securities 
portfolio are included in the Other segment.  
•  Client deposits serve as the primary funding 

source for our investment securities portfolio.  
We typically allocate all interest revenue to the 
businesses generating the deposits.  Accordingly, 
accretion related to the portion of the investment 
securities portfolio restructured in 2009 has been 
included in the results of the businesses.  
•  M&I expense is a corporate level item and is 

recorded in the Other segment.  

•  Restructuring charges recorded in 2014 relate to 
corporate-level initiatives and were therefore 

recorded in the Other segment.  In the fourth 
quarter of 2013, restructuring charges were 
recorded in the businesses.  Prior to the fourth 
quarter of 2013, restructuring charges were 
reported in the Other segment.  

•  Balance sheet assets and liabilities and their 
related income or expense are specifically 
assigned to each business.  Businesses with a net 
liability position have been allocated assets.  
•  Goodwill and intangible assets are reflected 

within individual businesses.  

Total revenue includes approximately $2.3 billion in 
2015, $2.3 billion in 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013 of 
international operations domiciled in the UK which 
comprised 15%, 15% and 15% of total revenue, 
respectively.  

The following consolidating schedules show the contribution of our businesses to our overall profitability.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2015
(dollar amounts in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

Investment
Management
$

(a)  $

(a)

3,600
319
3,919
—
2,869
1,050

$

Investment
Services
8,026
2,495
10,521
—
7,383
3,138

Other Consolidated

474 $
212
686
160
543
(17) $

12,100
3,026
15,126
160
10,795
4,171

(a) 

(a)

(b)
(a)(b)

Income (loss) before taxes
Pre-tax operating margin (c)
Average assets
(a)  Both fee and other revenue and total revenue include the net income from consolidated investment management funds of $18 million, 

N/M
57,373 $

283,886

372,187

30,928

27%

28%

30%

(a)  $

$

$

$

$

$

representing $86 million of income and noncontrolling interests of $68 million.  Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of 
$68 million.

(b)  Includes a loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $4 million related to other consolidated subsidiaries.
(c)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2014
(dollar amounts in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

Income before taxes

$

$

Investment
Management
3,672
274
3,946
—
3,049
897
23%

Investment
Services
7,719
2,339
10,058
—
8,116
1,942

$

$

(a)  $

(a)

(a)  $

Other Consolidated
1,337 $
267
1,604
(48)
1,012

12,728
2,880
15,608
(48)
12,177
3,479

(a) 

(a)

(a)

640 $
N/M
68,416 $

Pre-tax operating margin (b)
Average assets
(a)  Both fee and other revenue and total revenue include the net income from consolidated investment management funds of $79 million, 

266,495

372,566

37,655

19%

22%

$

$

$

representing $163 million of income and noncontrolling interests of $84 million.  Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of 
$84 million.  

(b)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.

 222 BNY Mellon

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2013
(dollar amounts in millions)
Fee and other revenue
Net interest revenue

Total revenue

Provision for credit losses
Noninterest expense

$

(a)  $

(a)

Investment
Management
3,608
260
3,868
—
2,903
965
25%

Investment
Services
7,640
2,514
10,154
1
7,398
2,755

Other Consolidated

$

711 $
235
946
(36)
1,005

11,959
3,009
14,968
(35)
11,306
3,697

(a) 

(a)

(a) 

Income (loss) before taxes
Pre-tax operating margin (b)
Average assets
(a)  Both fee and other revenue and total revenue include net income from consolidated investment management funds of $103 million, 

N/M
56,460 $

342,311

247,431

38,420

(a)  $

(23) $

27%

25%

$

$

$

$

$

representing $183 million of income and noncontrolling interests of $80 million.  Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of 
$80 million.

(b)  Income before taxes divided by total revenue.  

Note 25 - International operations

International activity includes Investment 
Management and Investment Services fee revenue 
generating businesses, foreign exchange trading 
activity, loans and other revenue producing assets and 
transactions in which the customer is domiciled 
outside of the United States and/or the international 
activity is resident at an international entity.  Due to 
the nature of our international and domestic activities, 
it is not possible to precisely distinguish between 
internationally and domestically domiciled 
customers.  

As a result, it is necessary to make certain subjective 
assumptions such as:

• 

Income from international operations is 
determined after internal allocations for interest 
revenue, taxes, expenses and provision for credit 
losses.

•  Expense charges to international operations 

include those directly incurred in connection with 
such activities, as well as an allocable share of 
general support and overhead charges.

Total assets, total revenue, income before income taxes and net income of our international operations are shown in 
the table below.

International operations
(in millions)
2015

Total assets at period end (a)
Total revenue
Income before income taxes
Net income

Total assets at period end (a)
Total revenue
Income before income taxes
Net income

2014

2013

EMEA

International
APAC

Total
International

Other

Total
Domestic

$ 76,679 (b) $ 17,829 $

3,932 (b)
1,436
1,163

904
451
365

$ 86,189 (b) $ 16,812 $

3,931 (b)

985
775

1,383
913
719

1,176 $
577
269
218

1,516 $
645
365
287

$

$

95,684
5,413
2,156
1,746

104,517
5,959
2,263
1,781

$

$

298,096
9,781
2,079
1,476

280,786
9,733
1,300
870

Total

393,780
15,194
4,235
3,222

385,303
15,692
3,563
2,651

Total assets at period end (a)
Total revenue
Income before income taxes
Net income

374,516
15,048
3,777
2,185
(a)  Total assets include long-lived assets, which are not considered by management to be significant in relation to total assets. Long-lived 

1,808 $
738
414
335

282,164
9,553
1,855
629

3,821 (b)
1,015
822

92,352
5,495
1,922
1,556

$ 70,046 (b) $ 20,498 $

936
493
399

$

$

assets are primarily located in the United States.

(b)  Includes revenue of approximately $2.3 billion, $2.3 billion and $2.3 billion and assets of approximately $33.2 billion, $46.2 billion and 
$36.4 billion in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, of international operations domiciled in the UK, which is 15%, 15% and 15% of 
total revenue and 8%, 12% and 10% of total assets, respectively.

BNY Mellon 223 

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 26 - Supplemental information to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Noncash investing and financing transactions that, appropriately, are not reflected in the Consolidated Statement of 
Cash Flows are listed below.

Noncash investing and financing transactions
(in millions)
Transfers from loans to other assets for other real estate owned (“OREO”)
Change in assets of consolidated VIEs
Change in liabilities of consolidated VIEs
Change in noncontrolling interests of consolidated VIEs
Securities purchased not settled
Securities sales not settled
Available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity
Premises and equipment/capitalized software funded by capital lease obligations

Year ended Dec. 31,

2015

7 $

2014

4 $

$

7,881
7,423
295
—
11
11,602
49

1,990
2,462
250
55
750
—
31

2013
5
209
50
50
518
88
7,032

26  

 224 BNY Mellon

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and 
subsidiaries (“BNY Mellon”) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of 
income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period 
ended December 31, 2015.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of BNY Mellon’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 BNY Mellon as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their 
cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, 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), BNY Mellon’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an 
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of BNY Mellon’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP 

New York, New York 
February 26, 2016

BNY Mellon 225 

Michael Cole-Fontayn
Chairman,
Europe, Middle East and Africa

Thomas P. (Todd) Gibbons *
Chief Financial Officer

Mitchell E. Harris *
Chief Executive Officer,
Investment Management

Monique R. Herena *
Chief Human Resources Officer

Kurtis R. Kurimsky *
Corporate Controller

Suresh Kumar
Chief Information Officer

Stephen D. Lackey
Chairman,
Asia Pacific

J. Kevin McCarthy *
General Counsel

Michelle M. Neal *
President,
BNY Mellon Markets Group

Karen B. Peetz *
President

Brian T. Shea *
Chief Executive Officer,
Investment Services

Douglas H. Shulman
Head of Client Service Delivery

James S. Wiener *
Chief Risk Officer

Directors, Executive Committee and Other Executive Officers

Effective February 26, 2016

Directors

Nicholas M. Donofrio
Retired Executive Vice President,
Innovation and Technology
IBM Corporation
Developer, manufacturer and provider of
advanced information technologies and services

Joseph J. Echevarria
Retired Chief Executive Officer
Deloitte LLP
Global provider of audit, consulting, financial
advisory, risk management, tax and related
services

John A. Luke, Jr.
Non-Executive Chairman
WestRock Company
Global paper and packaging company

Mark A. Nordenberg
Chancellor Emeritus,
Chair of the Institute of Politics and
Distinguished Service Professor of Law
University of Pittsburgh
Major public research university

Edward P. Garden
Chief Investment Officer and a founding partner, MetLife, Inc.
Trian Fund Management, L.P.
Alternative investment management firm

Catherine A. Rein
Retired Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer

Insurance and financial services company

Jeffrey A. Goldstein
Managing Director, Hellman & Friedman LLC
Private equity firm

Gerald L. Hassell
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

John M. Hinshaw
Executive Vice President and
Chief Customer Officer at
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company
Global provider of IT, technology and enterprise
products and solutions

Edmund F. (Ted) Kelly
Retired Chairman
Liberty Mutual Group
Multi-line insurance company

Richard J. Kogan
Retired Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Schering-Plough Corporation
Global healthcare company

* 

Designated as an Executive Officer.

William C. Richardson
President and Chief Executive Officer Emeritus
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Retired Chairman and Co-Trustee of
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation Trust
Private foundation

Samuel C. Scott III
Retired Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Ingredion Incorporated (formerly Corn Products
International, Inc.)
Global ingredient solutions provider

Wesley W. von Schack
Chairman
AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc.
Mutual liability and property insurance company

Executive Committee and Other Executive
Officers

Gerald L. Hassell *
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 226 BNY Mellon

Performance Graph

Cumulative shareholder returns (a)
2012
(in dollars)
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
88.7
S&P 500 Financial Index
106.8
S&P 500 Index
118.5
108.2
Peer Group
(a)  Returns are weighted by market capitalization at the beginning of the measurement period.

2011
67.2
82.9
102.1
85.5

2010
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

$

$

$

Dec. 31,

$

$

2013
123.0
144.9
156.8
154.3

$

2014
145.5
166.9
178.3
178.1

2015
150.3
164.4
180.8
177.8

This graph shows The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s cumulative total shareholder returns over the five-
year period from Dec. 31, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2015.  Our peer group is composed of financial services companies 
which provide investment management and investment servicing.  We also utilize the S&P 500 Financial Index as a 
benchmark against our performance.  The graph shows the cumulative total returns for the same five-year period of 
the S&P 500 Financial Index, the S&P 500 Index as well as our peer group listed below.  The comparison assumes a 
$100 investment on Dec. 31, 2010 in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common stock, in the S&P 500 
Financial Index, in the S&P 500 Index and in the peer group detailed below and assumes that all dividends were 
reinvested.

Peer Group
BlackRock, Inc.
The Charles Schwab Corporation
Franklin Resources, Inc.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Morgan Stanley
Northern Trust Corporation
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Prudential Financial, Inc.

State Street Corporation
U.S. Bancorp
Wells Fargo & Company

BNY Mellon 227 

Corporate Information

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment 
lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment 
management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. At December 31, 2015, BNY Mellon had $28.9 trillion in assets 
under custody and/or administration, and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking 
to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon 
Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com, or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286
+ 1 212 495 1784
www.bnymellon.com

ANNUAL MEETING 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in New York at 
101 Barclay Street at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. 

EXCHANGE LISTING 
BNY Mellon’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange 
under the trading symbol BK. Mellon Capital IV’s 6.244% Fixed-to-Float-
ing Rate Normal Preferred Capital Securities fully and unconditionally 
guaranteed by BNY Mellon (symbol BK/P) and depositary shares, each 
representing a 1/4,000th interest in a share of BNY Mellon’s Series C 
Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (symbol BK PrC), also are 
listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

STOCK PRICES 
Prices for BNY Mellon’s common stock can be viewed at 
www.bnymellon.com/investorrelations.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
Corporate governance information is available at 
www.bnymellon.com/governance.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 
Information about BNY Mellon’s commitment to corporate social 
responsibility is available at www.bnymellon.com/csr.

BNY Mellon’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, which 
includes our Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action 
policies, can be viewed and printed at www.bnymellon.com/csr.

INVESTOR RELATIONS 
Visit www.bnymellon.com/investorrelations or call
+1 212 635 1855.

COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND PAYMENTS 
Subject to approval of the board of directors, dividends are paid 
on BNY Mellon’s common stock quarterly in February, May, August 
and November.

FORM 10-K AND SHAREHOLDER PUBLICATIONS 
For a free copy of BNY Mellon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, includ-
ing the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, 
or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission, send a request by email to investorrelations@
bnymellon.com, or by mail to Investor Relations at The Bank of New York 
Mellon Corporation, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286.

The 2015 Annual Report, as well as Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and 
quarterly earnings and other news releases can be viewed and printed 
at www.bnymellon.com/investorrelations.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Computershare 
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX  77842
www.computershare.com

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 
Computershare maintains the records for our registered shareholders 
and can provide a variety of services such as those involving:
• Change of name or address
• Consolidation of accounts
• Duplicate mailings
• Dividend reinvestment enrollment
• Direct deposit of dividends
• Transfer of stock to another person

For assistance from Computershare, visit 
www.computershare.com or call +1 800 205 7699.

DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE AND DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT PLAN    
The Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan provides 
a way to purchase shares of common stock directly from BNY Mellon 
at the current market value. Nonshareholders may purchase their first 
shares of BNY Mellon’s common stock through the Plan, and sharehold-
ers may increase their shareholding by reinvesting cash dividends and 
through optional cash investments. Plan details are in a prospectus, 
which may be viewed online at www.computershare.com, or obtained 
in printed form by calling +1 800 205 7699.

ELECTRONIC DEPOSIT OF DIVIDENDS 
Registered shareholders may have quarterly dividends paid on
BNY Mellon’s common stock deposited electronically to their checking 
or savings accounts. To have dividends deposited electronically, go to 
www.computershare.com to set up your account(s) for direct deposit. 
If you prefer, you may also send a request by mail to Computershare, 
Shareholder Relations, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX  77842. 

For more information, call  +1 800 205 7699.

SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT ACCESS

BY INTERNET
www.computershare.com

Shareholders can register to receive shareholder information 
electronically. To enroll, visit www.computershare.com. 

BY PHONE
Toll-free in the U.S. +1 800 205 7699
Outside the U.S. +1 201 680 6578

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) lines:
  Toll-free in the U.S. +1 800 952 9245
  Outside the U.S. +1 201 680 6610

BY MAIL 
Computershare
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842

The contents of the listed Internet sites are not incorporated in this Annual Report.

 
 
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORPORATION

225 LIBERT Y STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10286

UNITED STATES

+1 212 495 1784

bnymellon.com