DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES

[Pages:35]UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 24, 2018

DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 001-33378

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

2500 Lake Cook Road, Riverwoods, Illinois 60015

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(224) 405-0900

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

36-2517428

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (?230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (?240.12b-2 of this chapter). o Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with o any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 24, 2018 , Discover Financial Services (the "Company") released financial information with respect to the quarter ended December 31, 2017 . Copies of the press release, financial data supplement and financial results presentation containing this information are attached hereto as exhibits and incorporated herein by reference.

The quotation immediately preceding the caption "Segment Results" included in Exhibit 99.1 (the "Excluded Quote") and Exhibit 99.3 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The information included in Exhibit 99.1, other than in the Excluded Quote, and Exhibit 99.2 shall be deemed "filed" for purposes of the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits

Exhibit No. 99.1

99.2 99.3

Description Press Release of the Company dated January 24, 2018 containing financial information for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 Financial Data Supplement of the Company for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 Financial Results Presentation of the Company for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: January 24, 2018

DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES

By: /s/ D. Christopher Greene Name: D. Christopher Greene Title: Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

99.1 99.2 99.3

Description Press Release of the Company dated January 24, 2018 containing financial information for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 Financial Data Supplement of the Company for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 Financial Results Presentation of the Company for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017

Exhibit 99.1

DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER NET INCOME OF $387 MILLION OR $0.99 PER DILUTED SHARE

NET INCOME INCLUDED ONE-TIME CHARGES OF $189 MILLION RESULTING FROM ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT

Riverwoods, IL, January 24, 2018 - Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) today reported net income of $387 million or $0.99 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2017 , as compared to $563 million or $1.40 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2016 . The company's return on equity for the fourth quarter of 2017 was 14% . Net income included non-recurring charges of $189 million resulting from actions taken by the company in connection with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"). These charges had the effect of reducing diluted earnings per share by $0.52.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

? Total loans grew $7.0 billion ( 9% ) from the prior year to $84.2 billion .

? Credit card loans grew $5.8 billion ( 9% ) to $67.3 billion , on Discover card sales volume of $35.3 billion .

? Total net charge-off rate excluding PCI loans increased 53 basis points from the prior year to 2.92% and the total 30+ day delinquency rate excluding PCI loans increased 23 basis points from the prior year to 2.20% .

? Consumer deposits grew $3.4 billion ( 9% ) from the prior year to $39.4 billion .

? Payment Services transaction dollar volume was $54.0 billion , up 17% from the prior year.

? Income tax expense includes a one-time adjustment of $179 million to reflect the impact of the Tax Act.

"Our earnings in the fourth quarter and full year were driven by strong loan and revenue growth across our businesses, the result of continued execution of our strategy," said David Nelms, chairman and CEO of Discover. "As we move forward in 2018, this strong momentum, enhanced by the favorable economic environment, should position us well for sustained growth, strong ROE and continued return of excess capital to shareholders. While the new tax law impacted the current quarter, I am excited about the opportunity it provides to further invest in growth, our people and our communities."

Segment Results:

Direct Banking

Direct Banking pretax income of $870 million in the quarter rose by $2 million from the prior year as increased revenue was largely offset by higher provision for loan losses and operating expenses.

Total loans ended the quarter at $ 84.2 billion, up 9% compared to the prior year. Credit card loans ended the quarter at $67.3 billion , up 9% from the prior year. Personal loans increased $893 million ( 14% ) from the prior year. Private student loans increased $183 million ( 2% ) year-over-year, and grew $683 million ( 11% ) excluding purchased student loans.

Net interest income increased $228 million ( 12% ) from the prior year, driven by loan growth and a higher net interest margin. Net interest margin was 10.28% , up 21 basis points from the prior year. Card yield was 12.79% , an increase of 17 basis points from the prior year because of increases in the prime rate, partially offset by higher interest charge-offs and a change in portfolio mix. Interest expense as a percent of total loans increased 16 basis points from the prior year, as higher market rates were partially offset by tighter credit spreads on refinanced long-term debt.

Other income increased $22 million ( 5% ) from the prior year, driven by higher discount and interchange revenue.

The delinquency rate for credit card loans over 30 days past due was 2.28% , up 24 basis points from the prior year and 14 basis points from the prior quarter. The credit card net charge-off rate for the fourth quarter was 3.03% , up 56 basis points from the prior year and 23 basis points from the prior quarter. The student loan net charge-off rate excluding purchased credit-impaired ("PCI") loans was 1.34% , down 8 basis points from the prior year. The personal loans net charge-off rate of 3.62% increased by

92 basis points from the prior year. Net charge-off rates were generally higher because of supply-driven credit normalization and the seasoning of loan growth from the last few years.

Provision for loan losses of $678 million increased $99 million from the prior year due to higher net charge-offs, partially offset by a smaller reserve build. The reserve build for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $94 million, compared to a reserve build of $144 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Expenses increased $149 million from the prior year as a result of higher employee compensation, marketing and professional fees. Employee compensation increased as a result of higher staffing levels and higher average salaries. In addition, employee compensation includes a $16 million charge associated with a one-time bonus granted to eligible employees following passage of the new tax legislation. Marketing expenses increased as a result of higher acquisition costs and brand advertising relative to the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in professional fees is primarily due to investments in technology and analytic capabilities.

Payment Services

Payment Services pretax income was $29 million in the quarter, up $14 million from the prior year, primarily driven by lower operating expenses as well as higher transaction processing and interchange revenue.

Payment Services transaction dollar volume was $54.0 billion , up 17% versus the prior year. PULSE transaction dollar volume was up 19% year-over-year. Diners Club volume increased 14% year-over-year driven by continued strength of newer franchise relationships.

Share Repurchases

During the fourth quarter of 2017 , the company repurchased approximately 8.1 million shares of common stock for $555 million. Shares of common stock outstanding declined by 2.2% from the prior quarter.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter results on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. Central time. Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a live audio webcast at .

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of retail and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit pany.

Contacts:

Investors: Craig Streem, 224-405-5923 craigstreem@

Media: Jon Drummond, 224-405-1888 jondrummond@

A financial summary follows. Financial, statistical, and business related information, as well as information regarding business and segment trends, is included in the financial supplement filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( " SEC " ). Both the earnings release and the financial supplement are available online at the SEC's website () and the company's website ().

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, which speak to our expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "aim," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would," "likely," and similar expressions. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and there is no undertaking to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: changes in economic variables, such as the availability of consumer credit, the housing market, energy costs, the number and size of personal bankruptcy filings, the rate of unemployment, the levels of consumer confidence and consumer debt, and investor sentiment; the impact of current, pending and future legislation, regulation, supervisory guidance, and regulatory and legal actions, including, but not limited to, those related to tax reform, financial regulatory reform, consumer financial services practices, anti-corruption, and funding, capital and liquidity; the actions and initiatives of current and potential competitors; the company's ability to manage its expenses; the company's ability to successfully achieve card acceptance across its networks and maintain relationships with network participants; the company's ability to sustain and grow its non-card products; difficulty obtaining regulatory approval for, financing, closing, transitioning, integrating or managing the expenses of acquisitions of or investments in new businesses, products or technologies; the company's ability to manage its credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, compliance and legal risk, and strategic risk; the availability and cost of funding and capital; access to deposit, securitization, equity, debt and credit markets; the impact of rating agency actions; the level and volatility of equity prices, commodity prices and interest rates, currency values, investments, other market fluctuations and other market indices; losses in the company's investment portfolio; limits on the company's ability to pay dividends and repurchase its common stock; limits on the company's ability to receive payments from its subsidiaries; fraudulent activities or material security breaches of key systems; the company's ability to remain organizationally effective; the company's ability to increase or sustain Discover card usage or attract new customers; the company's ability to maintain relationships with merchants; the effect of political, economic and market conditions, geopolitical events and unforeseen or catastrophic events; the company's ability to introduce new products or services; the company's ability to manage its relationships with third-party vendors; the company's ability to maintain current technology and integrate new and acquired systems; the company's ability to collect amounts for disputed transactions from merchants and merchant acquirers; the company's ability to attract and retain employees; the company's ability to protect its reputation and its intellectual property; and new lawsuits, investigations or similar matters or unanticipated developments related to current matters. The company routinely evaluates and may pursue acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products, technologies, loan portfolios or deposits, which may involve payment in cash or the company's debt or equity securities.

Additional factors that could cause the company's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found under "Risk Factors," "Business - Competition," "Business - Supervision and Regulation" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and "Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017, and March 31, 2017, which are filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's internet site ().

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