Revenue Recognition.
Investment Banking. Underwriting revenues and advisory fees from mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions are recorded when services for the transactions are determined to be substantially completed, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenues. Underwriting revenues are presented net of related expenses. Non-reimbursed expenses associated with advisory transactions are recorded within Non-interest expenses.
Commissions and fees. Commission and fee revenues primarily arise from agency transactions in listed and over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity securities; services related to sales and trading activities; and sales of mutual funds, futures, insurance products and options. Commission and fee revenues are recognized in the accounts on trade date.
Asset Management, Distribution and Administration Fees. Asset management, distribution and administration fees are recognized over the relevant contract period. Sales commissions paid by the Company in connection with the sale of certain classes of shares of its open-end mutual fund products are accounted for as deferred commission assets. The Company periodically tests the deferred commission assets for recoverability based on cash flows expected to be received in future periods. In certain management fee arrangements, the Company is entitled to receive performance-based fees (also referred to as incentive fees) when the return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark returns or other performance targets. In such arrangements, performance fee revenues are accrued (or reversed) quarterly based on measuring account/fund performance to date versus the performance benchmark stated in the investment management agreement. Performance-based fees are recorded within Investments or Asset management, distribution and administration fees depending on the nature of the arrangement. The amount of performance-based fee revenue at risk of reversing if fund performance falls below stated investment management agreement benchmarks was approximately $489 million at December 31, 2013 and approximately $205 million at December 31, 2012.
Trading and Investments. See “Financial Instruments and Fair Value” below for Trading and Investments revenue recognition discussions.