Synchrony Financial (SYF): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Synchrony Financial (SYF) Information


A Brief History of Synchrony Financial

Company Overview

Synchrony Financial, a leading consumer financial services company, specializes in providing private label credit cards, promotional financing, and other consumer financing products. As of September 30, 2024, Synchrony reported total loan receivables of $102.2 billion, reflecting a 4.4% increase from $97.9 billion in the prior year. This growth was driven by lower customer payment rates and the acquisition of Ally Lending, despite a decrease in purchase volume.

Financial Performance

For the third quarter of 2024, Synchrony achieved net earnings of $789 million, up from $628 million in the same period of 2023. For the nine months ending September 30, 2024, net earnings totaled $2.7 billion, compared to $1.8 billion in 2023. The increase in earnings was primarily attributed to higher net interest income and a significant after-tax gain of $802 million from the sale of Pets Best.

Loan Portfolio Composition

Loan Category Amount ($ in millions) % of Total Loan Receivables
Credit Cards 94,008 92.0%
Consumer Installment Loans 6,125 6.0%
Commercial Credit Products 1,936 1.9%
Other 124 0.1%
Total 102,193 100%

Key Financial Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, Synchrony reported net interest income of $4.6 billion for the quarter, an increase of 5.7% year-over-year, while total interest and fees on loans rose by 7.2% to $1.8 billion. The company's provision for credit losses was $1.6 billion, reflecting a 7.3% increase from the previous year, influenced by higher net charge-offs.

Charge-Offs and Delinquencies

Net charge-offs for the three months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $1.55 billion, representing a charge-off rate of 6.06%, compared to 4.60% in the same quarter of 2023. Over-30 day loan delinquencies increased to 4.78% at September 30, 2024, from 4.40% a year earlier.

Dividends and Share Repurchases

Synchrony declared cash dividends totaling $301 million during the first nine months of 2024, maintaining a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share. Additionally, the company repurchased $900 million of its common stock during this period, with an incremental share repurchase program approved for up to $1.0 billion through June 2025.

Recent Acquisitions and Dispositions

In March 2024, Synchrony completed the acquisition of Ally Lending for $2.0 billion, which included loan receivables with an unpaid principal balance of $2.2 billion. Concurrently, the sale of Pets Best resulted in a gain of $1.1 billion, contributing significantly to the company's financial performance.

Market Position and Future Outlook

As of September 30, 2024, Synchrony’s total deposits were $82.3 billion, representing 84% of its total funding sources. The company is positioned well in the consumer finance market, with a robust loan receivables portfolio and continued focus on strategic acquisitions to enhance growth.



A Who Owns Synchrony Financial (SYF)

Ownership Structure

As of 2024, Synchrony Financial (SYF) has a diverse ownership structure comprising institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. The following table outlines the major shareholders and their respective ownership percentages:

Shareholder Type Shareholder Name Ownership Percentage
Institutional Investor The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.5%
Institutional Investor BlackRock, Inc. 7.2%
Mutual Fund Fidelity Management & Research Company 5.1%
Institutional Investor State Street Corporation 4.8%
Institutional Investor Wellington Management Company LLP 3.6%
Individual Shareholders Various retail investors 70.8%

Recent Shareholder Changes

In 2024, Synchrony Financial experienced notable changes in its shareholder composition. The company repurchased approximately $900 million of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which reduced the total shares outstanding and may have influenced the percentage of ownership among existing shareholders.

Preferred Stock Ownership

Synchrony Financial has issued preferred shares that also contribute to its ownership structure. The details of the preferred stock as of September 30, 2024, are as follows:

Series Issuance Date Total Shares Outstanding Dividend Rate Liquidation Preference
Series A November 14, 2019 750,000 5.625% $1,000
Series B February 23, 2024 500,000 8.25% $1,000

Market Performance and Stock Trends

The stock performance of Synchrony Financial (SYF) has seen fluctuations in 2024, with a reported stock price of approximately $35.12 as of September 30, 2024. The company's market capitalization stands at approximately $13 billion.

Institutional Ownership Trends

Institutional ownership has remained stable, with significant institutions holding a combined total of approximately 29.2% of the company's stock. This trend indicates strong confidence from major investors in Synchrony Financial's long-term growth potential.

Conclusion of Ownership Analysis

As of 2024, Synchrony Financial's ownership landscape is characterized by a mix of institutional and individual investors, with a significant portion of shares held by retail investors. The company's strategic stock buybacks and the presence of large institutional shareholders reflect its robust market position and investor confidence.



Synchrony Financial (SYF) Mission Statement

Mission Overview

Synchrony Financial's mission is to provide a range of financial services and solutions that empower consumers and businesses to achieve their financial goals. The company focuses on fostering strong partnerships with retailers and other businesses to offer tailored financing solutions.

Core Values

  • Customer Commitment: Delivering exceptional service and innovative financial products.
  • Integrity: Upholding transparency and ethical practices in all interactions.
  • Collaboration: Working together with partners to enhance customer experiences.
  • Excellence: Striving for the highest standards in performance and efficiency.

Strategic Goals

Synchrony aims to enhance customer engagement through digital solutions and robust analytics, ensuring that it remains a leader in the consumer financing market.

Financial Performance Metrics as of September 30, 2024

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Net Earnings ($ millions) 789 628 25.7
Earnings per Share (EPS) - Basic ($) 1.96 1.49 31.6
Total Assets ($ millions) 119,389 110,335 8.2
Loan Receivables ($ millions) 102,193 97,873 4.2
Net Interest Income ($ millions) 4,609 4,362 5.7
Provision for Credit Losses ($ millions) 1,597 1,488 7.3
Charge-Off Rate (%) 6.06 4.60 31.6
Return on Equity (%) 19.8 18.1 9.4

Partnerships and Market Position

Synchrony has established over 55 new partnerships in 2024, enhancing its presence in various sectors including healthcare, retail, and automotive. These partnerships are critical to support the company's mission of delivering customized financial solutions to consumers.

Digital Innovations

In 2024, Synchrony has increased its focus on digital solutions, integrating advanced analytics to better understand consumer behavior and preferences, thereby optimizing its product offerings.

Community Engagement

The company is committed to community engagement through various initiatives aimed at financial literacy and supporting local businesses, further aligning with its mission of empowerment.



How Synchrony Financial (SYF) Works

Company Overview

Synchrony Financial (SYF) operates as a consumer financial services company, offering a range of credit products across various sectors including retail, health, automotive, and home improvement. The company primarily provides private label credit cards, promotional financing, and installment loans.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Synchrony Financial reported the following key financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Net Earnings ($ millions) 789 628 25.6
Net Interest Income ($ millions) 4,609 4,362 5.7
Provision for Credit Losses ($ millions) 1,597 1,488 7.3
Net Charge-Offs ($ millions) 1,553 1,116 39.1
Total Assets ($ millions) 119,389 110,335 8.6
Total Equity ($ millions) 15,815 13,758 14.9

Loan Portfolio

As of September 30, 2024, the company's loan receivables included:

Loan Type Amount ($ millions) Percentage of Total Loans (%)
Credit Cards 93,757 92.4
Consumer Installment Loans 5,644 5.6
Commercial Credit Products 1,957 1.9

Credit Losses and Allowance

The allowance for credit losses totaled $11.0 billion at September 30, 2024, reflecting an increase from $10.6 billion at December 31, 2023. The allowance represented 10.79% of total period-end loan receivables.

Funding Sources

Synchrony Financial's funding sources include:

Funding Source Amount ($ millions) Percentage of Total Funding (%)
Deposits 82,100 83.9
Securitized Financings 7,817 8.0
Senior and Subordinated Unsecured Notes 7,968 8.1

Market Activity and Partnerships

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Synchrony Financial expanded its partnership agreements with over 55 new collaborations, diversifying its portfolio across various sectors, including health, automotive, and digital sales.

Capital Structure and Ratios

As of September 30, 2024, the company's capital ratios were as follows:

Capital Measure Amount ($ millions) Ratio (%)
Total Risk-Based Capital 16,864 16.4
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital 14,723 14.3
Tier 1 Leverage 14,723 12.5

Stockholder Returns

Synchrony Financial declared and paid cash dividends totaling $301 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, with a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.25 per share.



How Synchrony Financial (SYF) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Synchrony Financial generates revenue primarily through:

  • Net Interest Income: This includes interest and fees from loans, which amounted to $16.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, up from $14.6 billion for the same period in 2023.
  • Other Income: This category includes interchange revenue, protection product revenue, and fees from loyalty programs, totaling $1.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Net Interest Income Breakdown

Net interest income for Synchrony Financial is derived from various products and services, mainly credit cards and consumer installment loans. The following table summarizes key figures:

Category Average Loan Receivables ($ in millions) Interest Income ($ in millions) Net Interest Margin (%)
Credit Cards 93,785 15,345 21.86
Consumer Installment Loans 6,107 630 14.91
Commercial Credit Products 1,992 134 9.15
Total 101,484 16,116 21.21

Other Income Sources

Other income includes various fees and revenues from services provided:

Type of Other Income Q3 2024 ($ in millions) Q3 2023 ($ in millions)
Interchange Revenue 256 267
Protection Product Revenue 145 131
Loyalty Programs (346) (358)
Other Income 64 52

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses has increased significantly due to higher net charge-offs, which reflects the credit quality of the loan portfolio:

Period Provision for Credit Losses ($ in millions) Net Charge-Off Rate (%)
Q3 2024 1,597 6.06
Q3 2023 1,488 4.60

Loan Receivables and Charge-Offs

As of September 30, 2024, loan receivables totaled $102.2 billion, reflecting a 4.4% increase from the previous year. The following table shows charge-off details:

Category Net Charge-Offs ($ in millions) Charge-Off Rate (%)
Credit Cards 4,392 6.26
Consumer Installment Loans 263 6.22
Commercial Credit Products 103 7.03
Total 4,759 6.26

Funding Sources and Costs

Synchrony Financial's funding strategy includes deposits, securitized financings, and senior notes:

Funding Source Average Balance ($ in millions) Average Rate (%)
Deposits 82,100 4.7
Securitized Financings 7,817 5.5
Senior and Subordinated Unsecured Notes 7,968 5.0

Net Earnings

Synchrony Financial reported net earnings of $789 million for Q3 2024, compared to $628 million in Q3 2023. The following table summarizes net earnings:

Period Net Earnings ($ in millions)
Q3 2024 789
Q3 2023 628

Conclusion

As of 2024, Synchrony Financial's business model is heavily reliant on its credit products, interest income, and effective management of credit losses, while diversifying its revenue through various other income streams.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Synchrony Financial (SYF) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Synchrony Financial (SYF)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Synchrony Financial (SYF)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.