Axos Financial, Inc.AX
Axos Financial, Inc. Revenue Disclosure
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard affects all entities that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other guidance.
Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain non-interest income streams such as gain or loss associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and income from bank owned life insurance are also not within the scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to non-interest income such as deposit related fees, interchange fees, merchant related income. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606. Non-interest income considered to be within the scope of Topic 606 is discussed below.
Deposit Service Fees. Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e., net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders, and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied and related revenue recognized, when incurred. Payment
for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.
Fees, Exchange, and Other Service Charges. Fees, exchange, and other service charges are primarily comprised of debit and credit card income, ATM fees, merchant services income, and other service charges. Debit and credit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Visa. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees. Other service charges include revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.
Broker-dealer clearing fees. The Company earns revenues for executing, settling and clearing securities transactions for other broker-dealers on a fully disclosed basis. Trade execution and clearing services, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Revenues associated with combined trade execution and clearing services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, are recognized at a point in time on trade-date. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying security or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to/from the customer. The Company also earns revenues for custody services which are separately identifiable and represent a distinct performance obligation which is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits. Certain clearing or custody related fees represent a modification of the original contract as they are distinct services. All trade and execution services are priced at their standalone selling price. Clearing and other fees are generally deducted from the introducing brokers’ commissions on a monthly basis.
Bankruptcy Trustee and Fiduciary Service Fees. Bankruptcy Trustee and Fiduciary Service income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the Monthly Basis Point Fee and Bank Account Service Charge. The products and services provided to the Trustee also indirectly provide additional deposits to the other banks. One of the uses of the increased deposits by the other banks is to fund the fees paid. The performance obligation is satisfied when the deposits are increased (or decreased) at the end of each month. The expected value method will be used to calculate and record the estimated revenue at the beginning of each month with a subsequent reconciliation to actual at the end of each month.
The following presents non-interest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the periods indicated:
June 30, | |||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Non-interest income | |||||||
Deposit service fees | $ | 4,240 | $ | 3,513 | |||
Card fees | 5,040 | 5,340 | |||||
Broker-dealer clearing fees | 23,210 | 11,737 | |||||
Bankruptcy trustee and fiduciary service fees | 1,272 | 7,036 | |||||
Non-interest income (in-scope of Topic 606) | 33,762 | 27,626 | |||||
Non-interest income (out-of-scope of Topic 606) | 69,225 | 55,131 | |||||
Total non-interest income | $ | 102,987 | $ | 82,757 | |||
Contract Balances. A contract asset or receivable is recognized if the Company performs a service or transfers a good in advance of receiving consideration. A contract liability is recognized if the Company receives consideration (or has the unconditional right to receive consideration) in advance of performance. As of June 30, 2019, the Company’s contract assets and liabilities were not considered material.
Contract Acquisition Costs. The Company uses the practical expedient to expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in less than one year. In adopting the guidance in Topic 606, the Company did not capitalize any contract acquisition costs.
Other. Income from bank owned life insurance is accounted for in accordance with ASC 325, Investments - Other. Lending related income includes fees earned from gains or losses on the sale of loans, SBA income, and letter of credit fees. Gains and losses on the sale of loans and SBA income are recognized pursuant to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing. Fees related to standby
letters of credit are accounted for in accordance with ASC 440, Commitments. Net gain or loss on sales / valuations of repossessed and other assets is presented as a component of non-interest expense, but may also be presented as a component of non-interest income in the event that a net gain is recognized. Net gain or loss on sales of repossessed and other assets are accounted for in accordance with ASC 610, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets.About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.