BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.BFH
BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC. Fair Value Disclosure
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair value is defined under GAAP as the price that would be required to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; with such a transaction based on the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the specific instrument. GAAP provides for a three-level fair value hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, defined as follows:
Level 1: Inputs that are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity can access.
Level 2: Inputs, other than those included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable (e.g., internally derived assumptions) and reflect an entity’s assumptions about estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. In particular, Level 3 inputs and valuation techniques involve judgment and as a result are not necessarily indicative of amounts we would realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions or estimation techniques may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
We monitor the market conditions and evaluate the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3, and no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.
The following table summarizes the carrying values and fair values of our financial assets and financial liabilities as of December 31:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit card and other loans, net | $ | 16,699 | $ | 18,747 | $ | 16,655 | $ | 19,011 | |||||||||||||||
| Investment securities | 221 | 221 | 217 | 217 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | 13,916 | 13,928 | 13,082 | 13,087 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issued by consolidated VIEs | 3,422 | 3,442 | 4,558 | 4,572 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term and other debt | 886 | 931 | 999 | 1,085 | |||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
Credit card and other loans, net: Our Credit card and other loans are recorded at amortized cost, less the Allowance for credit losses, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating the fair values, we use a discounted cash flow model (i.e., Level 3 inputs), primarily because a comparable whole loan sales market for similar loans does not exist, and therefore there is a lack of observable pricing inputs. We use various internally derived inputs, including projected income, discount rates and forecasted charge-offs. Economic value attributable to future loans generated by the cardholder accounts is not included in the fair values.
Investment securities: Investment securities consist of AFS debt securities, including both mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds, as well as equity securities, which are mutual funds, and are recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Quoted prices of identical or similar investment securities in active markets are used to estimate the fair values (i.e., Level 1 or Level 2 inputs).
Derivative assets and liabilities: We use derivatives to manage our interest rate and foreign currency risk exposures. When quoted market prices are available and used to value our derivatives, we classify them as Level 1. However, the majority of our derivatives do not have readily available quoted market prices. Therefore, we value most of our derivatives using vendor-based models. We primarily rely on market observable inputs for these models, including, for example, interest rate yield curves and currency rates. These inputs can vary depending on the type of derivatives and nature of the underlying rate, price or index upon which the value of the derivative is based. We typically classify derivatives as Level 2 as significant inputs can be observed in a liquid market and the underlying model itself does not require significant judgment. At least annually, we reaffirm our understanding of the valuation techniques applied in our vendor-based models and validate the valuation output on a quarterly basis. Our derivatives are included in Other assets or Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value impacts of our derivative assets and liabilities were insignificant to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented on both a gross basis and, where applicable, a net basis.
Deposits: Money market and other non-maturity deposits carrying values approximate their fair values because they are short-term in duration and have no defined maturity. GAAP requires that the fair values of deposit liabilities with no stated maturities equal their carrying values and does not permit recognition of the inherent funding value of the instruments. Certificates of deposit are recorded at their historical issuance cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, adjusted for unamortized fees, with the fair value being estimated based on the currently observable market rates available to us for similar deposits with similar remaining maturities (i.e., Level 2 inputs). Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Debt issued by consolidated VIEs: We record Debt issued by our consolidated VIEs at amortized cost (including unamortized fees, issuance costs, premiums and discounts, where applicable) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair value is estimated based on the currently observable market rates available to us for similar debt instruments with similar remaining maturities or quoted market prices for the same transaction (i.e., Level 2 inputs). Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Long-term and other debt: We record Long-term and other debt at amortized cost (including unamortized fees, issuance costs, premiums and discounts, where applicable) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair value is estimated based on the currently observable market rates available to us for similar debt instruments with similar remaining maturities, or quoted market prices for the same transaction (i.e., Level 2 inputs). Interest payable is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables summarize our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by the fair value hierarchy described in the preceding paragraphs, as of December 31:
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment securities | $ | 221 | $ | 50 | $ | 171 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets measured at fair value | $ | 221 | $ | 50 | $ | 171 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment securities | $ | 217 | $ | 47 | $ | 170 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets measured at fair value | $ | 217 | $ | 47 | $ | 170 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, including equity method investments, property and equipment, right-of-use assets, deferred contract costs, goodwill and intangible assets. These assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as upon impairment. We did not have any impairments for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we wrote off the remaining $6 million of our equity method investment in LVI.
Financial Instruments Disclosed but Not Carried at Fair Value
The fair values of financial instruments that are measured at amortized cost are estimates, and require management’s judgment; therefore, these fair value estimates may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can our fair value be estimated by aggregating all of the amounts presented. The following tables summarize our financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at amortized cost, and not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31:
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit card and other loans, net | $ | 18,747 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,747 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 18,747 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,747 | |||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | 13,928 | $ | — | $ | 13,928 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Debt issued by consolidated VIEs | 3,442 | — | 3,442 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term and other debt | 931 | — | 931 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 18,301 | $ | — | $ | 18,301 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit card and other loans, net | $ | 19,011 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,011 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 19,011 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,011 | |||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | 13,087 | $ | — | $ | 13,087 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Debt issued by consolidated VIEs | 4,572 | — | 4,572 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term and other debt | 1,085 | — | 1,085 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 18,744 | $ | — | $ | 18,744 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 13, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2020 | Feb 26, 2021 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.