Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Derivatives

v2.4.0.6
Derivatives
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivatives
Note 6.
Derivatives

A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from an underlying instrument or index, such as interest rates, equity security prices, currencies, commodity prices or credit spreads. Derivatives include futures, forwards, swaps, option contracts, and other financial instruments with similar characteristics. Derivative contracts often involve future commitments to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount (e.g., interest rate swaps or currency forwards) or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specified terms on a specified date (e.g., options to buy or sell securities or currencies).

Derivatives Accounting establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (“embedded derivatives”) and for hedging activities. Derivatives Accounting requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. The fair value of all derivatives is recorded on a net-by-counterparty basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets where Merrill Lynch believes a legal right of setoff exists under an enforceable netting agreement. All derivatives, including bifurcated embedded derivatives within structured notes, are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as trading assets and liabilities.

The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative instrument depends on its intended use and if it is designated and qualifies as an accounting hedging instrument under Derivatives Accounting.

Trading derivatives

Merrill Lynch enters into derivatives to facilitate client transactions, for trading and financing purposes, and to manage risk exposures arising from trading assets and liabilities. Changes in fair value for these derivatives are reported in current period earnings as principal transactions revenues.

Derivatives that contain a significant financing element

In the ordinary course of trading activities, Merrill Lynch enters into certain transactions that are documented as derivatives where a significant cash investment is made by one party. Certain derivative instruments that contain a significant financing element at inception and where Merrill Lynch is deemed to be the borrower are included in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The cash flows from all other derivative transactions that do not contain a significant financing element at inception are included in operating activities.

Non-trading derivatives

Merrill Lynch also enters into derivatives in order to manage risk exposures arising from assets and liabilities not carried at fair value as follows:

1.
Merrill Lynch's debt was issued in a variety of maturities and currencies to achieve the lowest cost financing possible. Merrill Lynch enters into derivative transactions to hedge these liabilities. Derivatives used most frequently include swap agreements that:

•
Convert fixed-rate interest payments into variable-rate interest payments;

•
Change the underlying interest rate basis or reset frequency; and

•
Change the settlement currency of a debt instrument.

Changes in the fair value of interest rate and foreign currency derivatives are reported in interest expense or other revenues.

2.
Merrill Lynch uses foreign-exchange forward contracts, foreign-exchange options, and currency swaps to hedge its net investments in foreign operations, as well as other foreign currency exposures (e.g., non-U.S. dollar denominated debt and expenses). These derivatives are used to mitigate the impact of changes in exchange rates. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are reported in OCI, other revenue and interest expense when net investment hedge accounting is applied; otherwise changes in fair value are reported in other revenues.

3.
Merrill Lynch enters into futures, swaps, options and forward contracts to manage the price risk of certain commodity inventory and forecasted commodity purchases and sales. Changes in fair value of these derivatives are reported in principal transactions revenues, unless cash flow hedge accounting is applied.

4.
Merrill Lynch enters into CDS to manage the credit risk on certain loans that are not part of trading activities. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are reported in other revenue.

Derivatives that qualify as accounting hedges under the guidance in Derivatives Accounting are designated as one of the following:

1.  A hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges of interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and commodity price risk, along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings as interest expense, other revenues, or principal transactions.

2.  A hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in OCI until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged asset or liability or when the forecasted purchase or sale occurs.

3.  A hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (“net investment hedge”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account within OCI. Changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments that are associated with the difference between the spot rate and the contracted forward rate are recorded in current period earnings in other revenues and in interest expense.

Merrill Lynch formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items. Merrill Lynch uses regression analysis at the hedge's inception and for each reporting period thereafter to assess whether the derivative used in its hedging transaction is expected to be and has been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, Merrill Lynch discontinues hedge accounting.

Hedge accounting activity for 2011 and 2010 included the following:
Fair value hedges

(dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
2010
 
Derivative (1)
Hedged Item (1)(2)
Hedge Ineffectiveness (1)
Derivative (1)
Hedged Item (1)(2)
Hedge Ineffectiveness (1)
For the year ended December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate risk on USD denominated long-term borrowings
$
1,696

$
(2,203
)
$
(507
)
$
1,208

$
(1,651
)
$
(443
)
Interest rate risk on foreign currency denominated long-term borrowings
120

(333
)
(213
)
(413
)
105

(308
)
Commodity price risk on commodity inventory
16

(16
)
—

19

(20
)
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate risk on USD denominated long-term borrowings
$
(2,464
)
$
1,944

$
(520
)
 
 
 
Interest rate risk on foreign currency denominated long-term borrowings
(268
)
66

(202
)
 
 
 
Commodity price risk on commodity inventory
(51
)
52

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 Trading Assets
 Trading Liabilities
 
 Trading Assets
 Trading Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying value of hedging derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term borrowings
$
6,940

$
841

 
$
4,442

$
484

 
Commodity inventory
70

5

 
80

6

 
Notional amount of hedging derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term borrowings
44,180

11,092

 
43,924

13,967

 
Commodity inventory
152

6

 
232

14

 
(1)
Amounts are recorded in interest expense and other revenues for long-term borrowings and principal transactions for commodity inventory.
(2)
Excludes the impact of the accretion of purchase accounting adjustments made to certain long-term borrowings in connection with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America.







Cash flow hedges
(dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
2010
 
Gains (losses) Recognized in Accumulated OCI on derivatives
Gains (losses) in Income Reclassified from Accumulated OCI (1)
Hedge Ineffectiveness and Amounts Excluded from Effectiveness Testing (1)
Gains (losses) Recognized in Accumulated OCI on derivatives
Gains (losses) in Income Reclassified from Accumulated OCI (1)
Hedge Ineffectiveness and Amounts Excluded from Effectiveness Testing (1)
For the year ended December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity price risk on forecasted purchases and sales (2)
$
(3
)
$
6

$
(3
)
$
32

$
25

$
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity price risk on forecasted purchases and sales (2)
$
72

$
71

$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 Trading Assets
 Trading Liabilities
 
 Trading Assets
 Trading Liabilities
 
As of December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying value of hedging derivatives (3)
$
—

$
—

 
$
109

$
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notional amount of hedging derivatives (3)
—

—

 
255

134

 
(1)
Amounts are recorded in principal transactions.
(2)
The amount that is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months included in principal transactions at December 31, 2011 is ($1) million.
(3)
All cash flow hedges were de-designated during the year ended December 31, 2011.
Net investment hedges of foreign operations
(dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
2010
 
 
Gains (losses) Recognized in Accumulated OCI
Gains (losses) in Income Reclassified from Accumulated OCI (1)
Hedge Ineffectiveness and Amounts Excluded from Effectiveness Testing (2)
 
Gains (losses) Recognized in Accumulated OCI
Gains (losses) in Income Reclassified from Accumulated OCI (1)
Hedge Ineffectiveness and Amounts Excluded from Effectiveness Testing (2)
For the year ended December 31:
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
Foreign exchange risk
$
447

$
(43
)
$
(378
)
 
$
(672
)
$
(35
)
$
(211
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31:
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange risk
$
(1,826
)
$
—

$
(142
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
2010
 
As of December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying value of hedging derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Trading Assets
 
$
690

 
 
 
$
468

 
   Trading liabilities
 
492

 
 
 
930

 
Carrying value of non-derivative hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Long-term borrowings
 
61

 
 
 
536

 
Notional amount of hedging derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   in an asset position
 
20,068

 
 
 
6,639

 
   in a liability position
 
7,338

 
 
 
19,180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Amounts are recorded in other revenues.
(2)
Amounts are recorded in other revenues and interest expense.
Net gains (losses) on economic hedges
(dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011(1)
 
2010(1)
2009(1)
For the year ended December 31:
 
 

 
 

 
Interest rate risk
 
$
185

 
$
314

$
(832
)
Foreign currency risk
 
(550
)
 
(1,583
)
(437
)
Credit risk
 
47

 
(35
)
(129
)
(1)
Amounts are recorded in other revenues and interest expense.

The amounts in the “Net gains (losses) on economic hedges” table above represent net gains (losses) on derivatives that are not used for trading purposes and are not used in accounting hedging relationships. Interest rate risk primarily relates to derivatives used to economically hedge long-term borrowings. Foreign currency risk primarily relates to economic hedges of foreign currency denominated transactions that generate earnings upon remeasurement in accordance with ASC 830-20, Foreign Currency Transactions (“Foreign Currency Transactions”). As both the remeasurement of the foreign currency risk on the transaction and the changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded in earnings, hedge accounting is not applied. Credit risk relates to credit default swaps used to economically manage the credit risk on certain loans not included in trading activities.

Derivative balances by primary risk

Derivative instruments contain numerous market risks. In particular, most derivatives have interest rate risk, as they contain an element of financing risk that is affected by changes in interest rates. Additionally, derivatives expose Merrill Lynch to counterparty credit risk, although this is generally mitigated by collateral margining and netting arrangements. For disclosure purposes below, the primary risk of a derivative is largely determined by the business that is engaging in the derivative activity. For instance, a derivative that is initiated by an equities derivative business will generally have equity price risk as its primary underlying market risk and is classified as such for the purposes of this disclosure, despite the fact that there may be other market risks that affect the value of the instrument.

The following tables identify the primary risk for derivative instruments, which includes trading, non-trading and bifurcated embedded derivatives, at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The primary risk is provided on a gross basis, prior to the application of the impact of counterparty and cash collateral netting.

(dollars in millions)
 
As of December 31, 2011
 
Contract/
Notional
 
Trading Assets-
Derivative Contracts
 
Contract/
Notional
 
Trading Liabilities-
Derivative Contracts
Interest rate contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
$
8,196,809

 
$
564,696

 
$
7,978,404

 
$
560,638

Futures and forwards
2,117,971

 
1,510

 
2,003,741

 
1,339

Written options
—

 
—

 
1,419,278

 
66,733

Purchased options
1,336,149

 
69,812

 
—

 
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
766,899

 
27,312

 
798,173

 
35,299

Spot, futures and forwards
104,356

 
3,887

 
98,411

 
3,791

Written options
—

 
—

 
249,575

 
7,437

Purchased options
236,465

 
7,220

 
—

 
—

Equity contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
23,233

 
1,028

 
22,887

 
1,141

Futures and forwards
30,791

 
1,747

 
20,988

 
1,450

Written options
—

 
—

 
345,947

 
14,596

Purchased options
341,731

 
14,816

 
—

 
—

Commodity contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
35,681

 
4,823

 
36,391

 
5,799

Futures and forwards
233,567

 
5,254

 
236,919

 
3,183

Written options
—

 
—

 
140,600

 
9,443

Purchased options
139,312

 
9,426

 
—

 
—

Credit derivatives
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased protection:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps
174,857

 
20,124

 
67,664

 
1,416

Total return swaps
2,771

 
407

 
3,493

 
291

Other credit derivatives
274

 
3

 
25

 
—

Written protection:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Credit default swaps
66,841

 
1,737

 
179,907

 
19,061

Total return swaps
4,350

 
226

 
1,239

 
129

Other credit derivatives
—

 
—

 
25

 
1

Gross derivative assets/liabilities
$
13,812,057

 
$
734,028

 
$
13,603,667

 
$
731,747

Less: Legally enforceable master netting
 

 
(672,524
)
 
 

 
(672,524
)
Less: Cash collateral applied
 

 
(26,491
)
 
 

 
(32,984
)
Total derivative assets and liabilities
 

 
$
35,013

 
 

 
$
26,239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in millions)
 
As of December 31, 2010
 
Contract/
Notional
 
Trading Assets-
Derivative Contracts
 
Contract/
Notional
 
Trading Liabilities-
Derivative Contracts
Interest rate contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
$
8,492,025

 
$
452,115

 
$
8,333,391

 
$
452,564

Futures and forwards
1,916,110

 
1,549

 
1,955,861

 
1,608

Written options
—

 
—

 
1,708,493

 
46,064

Purchased options
1,836,089

 
48,185

 
—

 
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
93,721

 
10,396

 
98,987

 
11,947

Spot, futures and forwards
118,363

 
5,637

 
105,671

 
5,702

Written options
—

 
—

 
280,290

 
10,673

Purchased options
273,375

 
10,501

 
—

 
—

Equity contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
17,411

 
1,622

 
20,764

 
1,871

Futures and forwards
35,483

 
2,897

 
43,257

 
2,122

Written options
—

 
—

 
221,791

 
15,677

Purchased options
174,313

 
15,338

 
—

 
—

Commodity contracts
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
39,284

 
8,872

 
50,710

 
9,158

Futures and forwards
215,588

 
4,122

 
198,130

 
2,817

Written options
—

 
—

 
86,241

 
6,628

Purchased options
84,554

 
6,565

 
—

 
—

Credit derivatives
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchased protection:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps
322,230

 
29,670

 
251,679

 
8,001

Total return swaps
2,127

 
301

 
3,243

 
208

Other credit derivatives
440

 
8

 
47

 
—

Written protection:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps
248,509

 
7,978

 
326,448

 
23,755

Total return swaps
3,802

 
245

 
1,607

 
475

Other credit derivatives
—

 
—

 
214

 
1

Gross derivative assets/liabilities
$
13,873,424

 
$
606,001

 
$
13,686,824

 
$
599,271

Less: Legally enforceable master netting
 

 
(538,055
)
 
 

 
(538,055
)
Less: Cash collateral applied
 

 
(28,575
)
 
 

 
(29,019
)
Total derivative assets and liabilities
 

 
$
39,371

 
 

 
$
32,197

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Trading revenues

Merrill Lynch enters into trading derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments to facilitate client transactions, for trading and financing purposes, and to manage risk exposures arising from trading assets and liabilities. The resulting risk from derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments is managed on a portfolio basis as part of Merrill Lynch's sales and trading activities and the related revenue is recorded on different income statement line items, including principal transactions, commissions, other revenues and net interest income (expense).

Sales and trading revenue includes changes in fair value and realized gains and losses on the sales of trading and other assets, which are included in principal transactions and other revenues, net interest income, and commissions. Initial trading related revenue is generated by the difference in the client price for an instrument and the price at which the trading desk can execute the trade in the dealer market. That revenue is included within principal transactions on the Consolidated Statement of (Loss) Earnings. For equity securities, commissions related to purchases and sales are recorded in commissions on the Consolidated Statement of (Loss) Earnings. Changes in the fair value of these equity securities are included in principal transactions. These amounts are reflected in equity risk in the tables below. For debt securities, revenue, with the exception of interest, is typically included in principal transactions. Unlike commissions for equity securities, the initial revenue related to broker/dealer services for debt securities is included in the pricing of the instrument rather than charged through separate fee agreements. Therefore, this revenue is recorded in principal transactions as part of the initial mark to fair value. In transactions where Merrill Lynch acts as an agent, fees are earned and recorded in commissions. In the tables below, most sovereign government debt securities are reflected in interest rate risk. All other government debt securities (including, for example, municipal bonds and emerging markets sovereign debt) and corporate debt securities are included in credit risk.

For derivatives, revenue is typically included in principal transactions. Similar to debt securities, the initial revenue related to dealer services is included in the initial pricing of the instrument rather than charged through separate fee agreements. Therefore, this revenue is recorded in principal transactions as part of the initial mark to fair value. In transactions where Merrill Lynch acts as agent, which includes exchange traded futures and options, fees are earned and recorded in commissions. Derivatives are included in the tables below based on their predominant risk (e.g., credit default swaps are included in credit risk).

Certain instruments, primarily available-for-sale securities and loans, are not considered trading assets or liabilities. Gains/losses on sales and changes in fair value of these instruments, where applicable (e.g., the fair value option has been elected), are recorded in other revenues. These instruments are typically reflected in credit risk.

Interest revenue for debt securities and loans is included in net interest (expense) income.

The following tables identify the amounts in the income statement line items attributable to trading and non-trading activities, including both derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments categorized by primary risk for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Non-trading related amounts include activities in connection with principal investment, wealth management, and certain lending activities; economic hedging activity discussed in the Non-trading derivatives section above; and the impact of changes in Merrill Lynch's own creditworthiness on borrowings accounted for at fair value.
For The Year Ended December 31, 2011
(dollars in millions)
 
Principal
Transactions
 
Commissions
 
Other Revenues(1)
 
Net Interest
Income (Expense)
 
Total
Interest rate risk
$
818

 
$
82

 
$
22

 
$
816

 
$
1,738

Foreign exchange risk
98

 
—

 
—

 
6

 
104

Equity risk
2,297

 
3,078

 
122

 
(791
)
 
4,706

Commodity risk
615

 
—

 
—

 
(113
)
 
502

Credit risk
(57
)
 
60

 
248

 
2,597

 
2,848

Total trading related
3,771

 
3,220

 
392

 
2,515

 
9,898

Non-trading related
2,157

 
2,478

 
1,404

 
(3,297
)
 
2,742

Total
$
5,928

 
$
5,698

 
$
1,796

 
$
(782
)
 
$
12,640

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






For The Year Ended December 31, 2010
(dollars in millions)
 
Principal
Transactions
 
Commissions
 
Other Revenues(1)
 
Net Interest
Income (Expense)
 
Total
Interest rate risk
$
1,046

 
$
76

 
$
59

 
$
756

 
$
1,937

Foreign exchange risk
55

 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
54

Equity risk
1,940

 
3,093

 
262

 
(490
)
 
4,805

Commodity risk
284

 
—

 
7

 
(123
)
 
168

Credit risk
3,789

 
41

 
701

 
3,337

 
7,868

Total trading related
7,114

 
3,210

 
1,029

 
3,479

 
14,832

Non-trading related
(40
)
 
2,550

 
3,295

 
(3,797
)
 
2,008

Total
$
7,074

 
$
5,760

 
$
4,324

 
$
(318
)
 
$
16,840

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

For The Year Ended December 31, 2009
(dollars in millions)
 
Principal
Transactions
 
Commissions
 
Other Revenues(1)
 
Net Interest
Income (Expense)
 
Total
Interest rate risk
$
1,859

 
$
61

 
$
27

 
$
1,161

 
$
3,108

Foreign exchange risk
308

 
—

 
1

 
11

 
320

Equity risk
2,561

 
3,295

 
125

 
(228
)
 
5,753

Commodity risk
1,050

 
—

 
—

 
(157
)
 
893

Credit risk
4,814

 
52

 
559

 
3,753

 
9,178

Total trading related
10,592

 
3,408

 
712

 
4,540

 
19,252

Non-trading related
(5,471
)
 
2,600

 
2,254

 
(1,105
)
 
(1,722
)
Total
$
5,121

 
$
6,008

 
$
2,966

 
$
3,435

 
$
17,530

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Includes other income and other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale debt securities.

Derivatives as guarantees

Merrill Lynch enters into certain derivative contracts that meet the definition of a guarantee under ASC 460, Guarantees (“Guarantees Accounting”). Guarantees are defined to include derivative contracts that contingently require a guarantor to make payment to a guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying (such as changes in the value of interest rates, security prices, currency rates, commodity prices, indices, etc.) that relate to an asset, liability or equity security of a guaranteed party. Derivatives that meet the accounting definition of a guarantee include certain OTC written options (e.g., written interest rate and written currency options). Merrill Lynch does not track, for accounting purposes, whether its clients enter into these derivative contracts for speculative or hedging purposes. Accordingly, Merrill Lynch has disclosed information about all credit derivatives, credit-related notes and certain types of written options that can potentially be used by clients to protect against changes in an underlying, regardless of how the contracts are actually used by the client.

Merrill Lynch’s derivatives that act as guarantees at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized below:
(dollars in millions)
 
Maximum
Payout/
Notional
 
Less than
1 year
 
1 − 3 years
 
3 − 5 years
 
Over 5 years
 
Carrying
Value(1)
At December 31, 2011:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative contracts:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit derivatives:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade(2)
$
130,770

 
$
22,021

 
$
47,593

 
$
46,918

 
$
14,238

 
$
4,189

Non-investment grade(2)
121,592

 
13,263

 
26,428

 
38,301

 
43,600

 
15,002

Total credit derivatives
252,362

 
35,284

 
74,021

 
85,219

 
57,838

 
19,191

Credit related notes:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade(2)
2,038

 
—

 
5

 
132

 
1,901

 
2,038

Non-investment grade(2)
1,026

 
123

 
66

 
58

 
779

 
1,026

Total credit related notes
3,064

 
123

 
71

 
190

 
2,680

 
3,064

Other derivatives
2,050,754

 
579,510

 
731,458

 
236,782

 
503,004

 
93,370

Total derivative contracts
$
2,306,180

 
$
614,917

 
$
805,550

 
$
322,191

 
$
563,522

 
$
115,625

At December 31, 2010:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative contracts:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit derivatives:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade(2)
$
394,704

 
$
35,231

 
$
138,666

 
$
98,617

 
$
122,190

 
$
13,742

Non-investment grade(2)
185,876

 
23,272

 
61,365

 
49,556

 
51,683

 
10,489

Total credit derivatives
580,580

 
58,503

 
200,031

 
148,173

 
173,873

 
24,231

Credit related notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade(2)
3,580

 
—

 
132

 
—

 
3,448

 
3,580

Non-investment grade(2)
1,358

 
9

 
20

 
156

 
1,173

 
1,358

  Total credit related notes(3)
4,938

 
9

 
152

 
156

 
4,621

 
4,938

Other derivatives
1,379,874

 
421,080

 
296,885

 
190,062

 
471,847

 
50,505

Total derivative contracts
$
1,965,392

 
$
479,592

 
$
497,068

 
$
338,391

 
$
650,341

 
$
79,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Derivative contracts are shown on a gross basis prior to counterparty or cash collateral netting.
(2)
Refers to the creditworthiness of the underlying reference obligations.
(3)
Total credit related note amounts have been revised from approximately $2.4 billion (as previously reported) to approximately $4.9 billion to reflect CDOs and CLOs held by certain consolidated VIEs.

Credit derivatives

Credit derivatives derive value based on an underlying third party referenced obligation or a portfolio of referenced obligations. Merrill Lynch is both a seller and a buyer of credit protection. A seller of credit protection is required to make payments to a buyer upon the occurrence of a predefined credit event. Such credit events generally include bankruptcy of the referenced credit entity and failure to pay under their credit obligations, as well as acceleration of indebtedness and payment repudiation or moratorium. Merrill Lynch considers credit derivatives to be guarantees where it is the seller of credit protection. For credit derivatives based on a portfolio of referenced credits or credit indices, Merrill Lynch as a seller of credit protection may not be required to make payment until a specified amount of loss has occurred and/or may only be required to make payment up to a specified amount.

For most credit derivatives, the notional value represents the maximum amount payable by Merrill Lynch as a seller of credit protection. However, Merrill Lynch does not exclusively monitor its exposure to credit derivatives based on notional value. Instead, a risk framework is used to define risk tolerances and establish limits to help to ensure that certain credit risk-related losses occur within acceptable, predefined limits. Merrill Lynch discloses internal categorizations (i.e., investment grade, non-investment grade) consistent with how risk is managed to evaluate the payment status of its freestanding credit derivative instruments.

Merrill Lynch economically hedges its exposure to credit derivatives by entering into a variety of offsetting derivative contracts and security positions. For example, in certain instances, Merrill Lynch purchases credit protection with identical underlying referenced names to offset its exposure. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the notional value and carrying value of credit protection purchased and credit protection sold by Merrill Lynch with identical underlying referenced names was:

(dollars in millions)
 
Maximum
Payout/
Notional
 
Less than
1 year
 
1 − 3 years
 
3 − 5 years
 
Over 5 years
 
Carrying
Value(1)
At December 31, 2011:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit derivatives purchased
$
219,358

 
$
31,335

 
$
63,284

 
$
77,485

 
$
47,254

 
$
15,563

Credit derivatives sold
219,669

 
33,852

 
61,797

 
77,527

 
46,493

 
15,502

At December 31, 2010:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit derivatives purchased
543,233

 
53,741

 
179,809

 
140,764

 
168,919

 
17,875

Credit derivatives sold
567,828

 
57,954

 
198,656

 
147,121

 
164,097

 
21,600

(1)
Derivative contracts are shown on a gross basis prior to counterparty or cash collateral netting.

Credit related notes

Credit related notes in the guarantees table above include investments in securities issued by CDO, CLO and credit linked note vehicles. These instruments are classified as trading securities. Most of the entities that issue these instruments have either the ability to enter into, or have entered into, credit derivatives that meet the definition of a guarantee (in this case, the sale of credit protection). Since most of these securities could potentially have embedded credit derivatives that would meet the definition of a guarantee, Merrill Lynch includes all of its investments in these securities above.

The carrying value of these instruments equals Merrill Lynch's maximum exposure to loss. Merrill Lynch is not obligated to make any payments to the entities under the terms of the securities owned. Merrill Lynch discloses internal categorizations (i.e., investment grade, non-investment grade) consistent with how risk is managed for these instruments.

Other derivative contracts

Other derivative contracts in the guarantees table above primarily include OTC written interest rate options and written currency options. For such contracts the maximum payout could theoretically be unlimited, because, for example, the rise in interest rates or changes in foreign exchange rates could theoretically be unlimited. Merrill Lynch does not monitor its exposure to derivatives based on the theoretical maximum payout because that measure does not take into consideration the probability of the occurrence. As such, rather than including the maximum payout, the notional value of these contracts has been included to provide information about the magnitude of involvement with these types of contracts. However, it should be noted that the notional value is not a reliable indicator of Merrill Lynch's exposure to these contracts. Instead, as previously noted, a risk framework is used to define risk tolerances and establish limits to help ensure that certain risk-related losses occur within acceptable, predefined limits.

As the fair value and risk of payment under these derivative contracts are based upon market factors, such as changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, the carrying values in the table above reflect the best estimate of Merrill Lynch's performance risk under these transactions at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Merrill Lynch economically hedges its exposure to these contracts by entering into a variety of offsetting derivative contracts and security positions.

Credit risk management of derivatives

Merrill Lynch defines counterparty credit risk as the potential for loss that can occur as a result of an individual, counterparty, or issuer being unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations. Merrill Lynch mitigates its credit risk to counterparties through a variety of techniques, including, where appropriate, the right to require initial collateral or margin, the right to terminate transactions or to obtain collateral should unfavorable events occur, the right to call for collateral when certain exposure thresholds are exceeded, the right to call for third party guarantees, and the purchase of credit default protection.

Merrill Lynch enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or their equivalent (“master netting agreements”) with almost all derivative counterparties. Master netting agreements provide protection in bankruptcy in certain circumstances and, where legally enforceable, enable receivables and payables with the same counterparty to be offset for accounting and risk management purposes. Netting agreements are generally negotiated bilaterally and can require complex terms. While Merrill Lynch makes reasonable efforts to execute such agreements, it is possible that a counterparty may be unwilling to sign such an agreement and, as a result, would subject Merrill Lynch to additional credit risk.

Where Merrill Lynch has entered into legally enforceable netting agreements with counterparties, it reports derivative assets and liabilities, and any related cash collateral, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet-Offsetting. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, cash collateral received of $26.5 billion and $28.6 billion, respectively, and cash collateral paid of $33.0 billion and $29.0 billion, respectively, was netted against derivative assets and liabilities. The enforceability of master netting agreements under bankruptcy laws in certain countries or in certain industries is not free from doubt, and receivables and payables with counterparties in these countries or industries are accordingly reported on a gross basis.

Merrill Lynch considers the impact of counterparty credit risk on the valuation of derivative contracts. Factors used to determine the credit valuation adjustments on the derivatives portfolio include current exposure levels (i.e., fair value prior to credit valuation adjustments) and expected exposure levels profiled over the maturity of the contracts. CDS market information, including either quoted single name CDS or index or other proxy CDS, is also considered. In addition, the credit valuation adjustments also take into account the netting and credit provisions of relevant agreements including collateral margin agreements and master netting agreements. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, valuation adjustments (net of hedges) of approximately $1.0 billion of losses and $0.1 billion of gains, respectively, were recognized in principal transactions for counterparty credit risk. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the cumulative counterparty credit risk valuation adjustment that was reflected in derivative assets was $1.5 billion and $5.9 billion, respectively. The decrease in the valuation adjustment related to counterparty credit risk primarily relates to the changes in the monoline exposures discussed below. In addition, the fair value of derivative liabilities is adjusted to reflect the impact of Merrill Lynch's credit quality. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, valuation adjustments (net of hedges) of approximately $0.5 billion and $0.1 billion in gains were recognized in principal transactions for changes in Merrill Lynch's credit risk. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the cumulative credit risk valuation adjustment that was reflected in the derivative liabilities balance was $1.1 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively.

Monoline derivative credit exposure at December 31, 2011 had a notional value of $15.8 billion compared with $32.0 billion at December 31, 2010. Mark-to-market monoline derivative credit exposure was $1.7 billion at December 31, 2011 compared with $8.8 billion at December 31, 2010. This decrease was driven by terminated monoline contracts and the reclassification of certain exposures. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Merrill Lynch terminated all of its monoline contracts referencing super senior ABS CDOs. In addition, Merrill Lynch reclassified approximately $1.3 billion (gross receivable of $4.7 billion less impairment) of net monoline exposure from trading assets - derivative contracts to other assets, because of the inherent default risk and given that these contracts no longer provide a hedge benefit, they are no longer considered derivative trading instruments. This monoline exposure relates to a single counterparty and is recorded at fair value based on current net recovery projections. The net recovery projections take into account the present value of projected payments expected to be received from the counterparty. At December 31, 2011, the counterparty credit valuation adjustment related to monoline derivative trading instruments exposure was $382 million compared with $5.0 billion at December 31, 2010, which reduced Merrill Lynch's net mark-to-market exposure to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2011. Monoline related mark-to-market losses for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $50 million.

Bank of America has guaranteed the performance of Merrill Lynch on certain derivative transactions. The aggregate amount of such derivative liabilities was approximately $0.6 billion at December 31, 2011.
Credit-risk related contingent features

Most of Merrill Lynch's derivative contracts contain credit risk related contingent features, primarily in the form of ISDA master netting agreements and credit support documentation that enhance the creditworthiness of these instruments compared to other obligations of the respective counterparty with whom Merrill Lynch has transacted. These contingent features may be for the benefit of Merrill Lynch as well as its counterparties with respect to changes in Merrill Lynch's creditworthiness and the mark-to-market exposure under the derivative transactions. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, Merrill Lynch held cash and securities collateral of $40.9 billion and $44.0 billion and posted collateral of $45.2 billion and $38.2 billion in the normal course of business under derivative agreements.

At December 31, 2011, the amount of collateral, calculated based on the terms of the contracts that Merrill Lynch could be required to post to counterparties but had not yet posted to counterparties was approximately $3.0 billion. That amount included collateral that could be required to be posted, but has not yet been posted, as a result of the downgrades by rating agencies in 2011.

Some counterparties are able to unilaterally terminate certain contracts, or Merrill Lynch may be required to take other action such as find a suitable replacement or obtain a guarantee. At December 31, 2011, the current liability for these derivative contracts was $0.9 billion, against which Merrill Lynch had posted $1.0 billion of collateral.

In addition, under the terms of certain OTC derivative contracts and other trading agreements, in the event of a further credit rating downgrade of ML&Co. or certain subsidiaries that have entered into these transactions, counterparties to those agreements may require ML&Co. or certain subsidiaries to provide additional collateral or to terminate these contracts or agreements or provide other remedies. At December 31, 2011, if the rating agencies had downgraded their long-term senior debt ratings for ML & Co. or certain subsidiaries by one incremental notch, the amount of additional collateral contractually required by such derivative contracts and other trading agreements would have been approximately $0.4 billion. If the rating agencies had downgraded their long-term senior debt ratings for ML & Co. or certain subsidiaries by a second incremental notch, approximately $0.3 billion in additional collateral would have been required.

Also, if the rating agencies had downgraded their long-term senior debt ratings for ML & Co. or certain subsidiaries by one incremental notch, the derivative liability that would be subject to unilateral termination by the counterparties as of December 31, 2011 was $0.5 billion, against which $0.3 billion of collateral had been posted. Further, if the rating agencies had downgraded their long-term debt ratings for ML & Co. or certain subsidiaries by a second incremental notch, the derivative liability that would be subject to unilateral termination by the counterparties as of December 31, 2011 was an incremental $3.5 billion, against which $3.4 billion of collateral had been posted.