Net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $226 million, up $24 million from the second quarter of 2008. Net income for the second quarter of 2009 includes approximately $295 million (after-tax) related to the Visa/MasterCard antitrust litigation settlement.

Highlights

• Managed loans of $51 billion were essentially unchanged from the prior quarter and up 7% from the prior year; Discover Card sales volume declined 4% from the prior year to $21 billion.
• Managed net yield on loan receivables rose to 9.26%, an increase of 15 basis points from the prior quarter and 69 basis points from the prior year.
  
• The second-quarter managed net charge-off rate was 7.79% and the managed over 30 days delinquency rate was 5.08%. The company added $108 million to reserves in excess of charge-offs.
  
• Total deposits grew 18% from the prior year to $29 billion, including $8 billion of deposit balances originated through direct-to-consumer and affinity relationships.
  
• Third-Party Payments segment volume grew 25% from the prior year to $37 billion, including $6 billion of Diners Club International volume.
• Expenses, which included a $20 million charge related to reduction in workforce, were down 8% from the prior year.
• Tangible common equity as a percentage of managed assets was 9.0%.

"While the rise in unemployment continued to have a significant impact on our financial results, I am pleased with our strong relative performance in both credit management and sales volumes," said David Nelms, chairman and chief executive officer of Discover Financial Services. "We continue to focus on reducing expenses and maintaining a strong capital position as we manage through these challenging times."

Segment Results (Managed Basis):

U.S. Card

Managed loans ended the quarter at $51 billion, essentially unchanged from the prior quarter and up 7% from the prior year, reflecting lower cardmember payments and growth in both personal and student loans, partially offset by decreased consumer spending. Sales volume decreased 4% versus the second quarter of 2008, reflecting lower gas prices and a general decline in consumer spending.

Pretax income was $388 million in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to $309 million for the second quarter of 2008.

Net yield on loan receivables rose to 9.26%, an increase of 15 basis points from the prior quarter, and 70 basis points from the prior year. The increase from the prior year reflects lower cost of funds, accretion of balance transfer fees and an increase in revolving balances, partially offset by higher interest charge-offs and lower yields on variable rate assets. The second quarter of 2009 includes a $16 million charge related to an industry-wide FDIC special assessment which had the effect of reducing net yield by 12 basis points.

The over 30 days delinquency rate on managed loans was 5.08%, down 17 basis points from the first quarter of 2009, reflecting seasonal trends and up 127 basis points from the prior year due primarily to higher levels of unemployment and the economic downturn. The managed net charge-off rate increased to 7.79% for the second quarter of 2009, up 131 basis points and 280 basis points from the prior quarter and the prior year, respectively. The managed net charge-off rate for the third quarter of 2009 is expected to be between 8.5% and 9%.

Provision for loan losses increased $530 million, or 91%, from the prior year due to higher net charge-offs and the addition of $108 million in loan loss reserves in excess of charge-offs in the quarter. The addition in excess of charge-offs was due to an increase in reserve rate to 7.24%, reflecting higher anticipated charge-offs, partially offset by lower on-balance sheet loans.

Other income increased $380 million, or 83%, from the prior year, including $473 million related to the Visa/MasterCard antitrust litigation settlement. This was partially offset by a $93 million charge related to the estimated fair value of the interest only strip receivable, $49 million higher than a year ago. Other income also reflected lower fee revenues and a decline in merchant revenue reflecting lower sales volumes. As previously disclosed, the second quarter of 2008 also included a $31 million impairment charge related to an investment.

Expenses decreased $57 million, or 10%, from the prior year, principally due to lower marketing spending and a decrease in compensation and other costs. The second quarter of 2009 includes a $20 million charge related to a reduction in force.

Third-Party Payments

The Third-Party Payments segment transaction volume was $37 billion, up 25% from the prior year, reflecting the addition of Diners Club International volume of $6 billion, as well as a 5% increase in volume on the PULSE network.

Pretax income of $27 million was up $10 million from the second quarter of 2008. Revenues increased $21 million, reflecting the acquisition of Diners Club International in June 2008, as well as increased transaction volume and fees. Expenses increased $11 million, reflecting the Diners Club acquisition and integration.

Effective Tax Rate

The company's effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2009 includes $31 million of adjustments to tax expense mainly from the write-off of a deferred tax asset resulting from sale of the Goldfish business in the second quarter of 2008.

Dividends

The company's board declared a cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on July 22, 2009, to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 1, 2009.

Preferred dividends of $13 million (an impact of approximately $.03 per share ) were accrued in the second quarter of 2009 related to shares of preferred stock issued in March 2009 under the U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program. These preferred dividends are a component of net income available to common stockholders and earnings per share.

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