Contingencies |
6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2025 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Contingencies | Contingencies Legal and Regulatory Matters In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are involved in disputes, litigation, and governmental or regulatory inquiries and investigations, both pending and threatened. These matters, if resolved adversely against us or settled, may result in monetary awards or payments, fines and penalties or require changes in our business practices. The resolution or settlement of these matters is inherently difficult to predict. Based on our assessment of these pending matters, we do not believe that the amount of any judgment, settlement or other action arising from any pending matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition. However, an adverse outcome or development in certain of the matters described below could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations for the period in which such matter is resolved, or an accrual is determined to be required, on our consolidated financial condition, or on our reputation. We evaluate our needs for accruals of loss contingencies related to legal and regulatory proceedings on a case-by-case basis. When we have a liability that we deem probable, and we deem the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated as of the date of our consolidated financial statements, we accrue our estimate of the amount of loss. We also consider a loss probable and establish an accrual when we make, or intend to make, an offer of settlement. Once established, an accrual is subject to subsequent adjustment as a result of additional information. The resolution of legal and regulatory proceedings and the amount of reasonably estimable loss (or range thereof) are inherently difficult to predict, especially in the early stages of proceedings. Even if a loss is probable, an amount (or range) of loss might not be reasonably estimated until the later stages of the proceeding due to many factors such as the presence of complex or novel legal theories, the discretion of governmental authorities in seeking sanctions or negotiating resolutions in civil and criminal matters, the pace and timing of discovery and other assessments of facts and the procedural posture of the matter (collectively, "factors influencing reasonable estimates"). As of June 30, 2025, our aggregate accruals for loss contingencies for legal, regulatory and related matters totaled approximately $6 million, including potential fines by government agencies and civil litigation with respect to the matters specifically discussed below. To the extent that we have established accruals in our consolidated statement of condition for probable loss contingencies, such accruals may not be sufficient to cover our ultimate financial exposure associated with any settlements or judgments. Any such ultimate financial exposure, or proceedings to which we may become subject in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses, on our future consolidated financial statements or on our reputation. As of June 30, 2025, for those matters for which we have accrued probable loss contingencies and for other matters for which loss is reasonably possible (but not probable) in future periods, and for which we are able to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss, our estimate of the aggregate reasonably possible loss (in excess of any accrued amounts) ranges up to approximately $45 million. Our estimate with respect to the aggregate reasonably possible loss is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions and known and unknown uncertainties, which may change quickly and significantly from time to time, particularly if and as we engage with applicable governmental agencies or plaintiffs in connection with a proceeding. Also, the matters underlying the reasonably possible loss will change from time to time. As a result, actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. In certain pending matters, it is not currently feasible to reasonably estimate the amount or a range of reasonably possible loss, and such losses, which may be significant, are not included in the estimate of reasonably possible loss discussed above. This is due to, among other factors, the factors influencing reasonable estimates described above. An adverse outcome in one or more of the matters for which we have not estimated the amount or a range of reasonably possible loss, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses, on our future consolidated financial statements or on our reputation. Given that our actual losses from any legal or regulatory proceeding for which we have provided an estimate of the reasonably possible loss could significantly exceed such estimate, and given that we cannot estimate reasonably possible loss for all legal and regulatory proceedings as to which we may be subject now or in the future, no conclusion as to our ultimate exposure from current pending or potential legal or regulatory proceedings should be drawn from the current estimate of reasonably possible loss. The following discussion provides information with respect to significant legal, governmental and regulatory matters. Edmar Financial Company, LLC et al v. Currenex, Inc. et al In August 2021, two former Currenex clients filed a putative civil class action lawsuit in the Southern District of New York alleging antitrust violations, fraud and a civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act violation against Currenex, State Street and others. Pension Risk Transfer Litigation State Street Global Advisors Trust Company (Trust Co) is named as a defendant in a series of purported class action complaints filed by participants in pension plans where, in each case, Trust Co was hired as independent fiduciary on behalf of the pension plan to conduct an ERISA-compliant due diligence review of potential insurers who could assume the plan’s liabilities and satisfy its payment obligations through the purchase of a group annuity contract, consistent with DOL guidance. The complaints, collectively, allege violations of ERISA’s fiduciary and prohibited transaction rules against Trust Co, the plan sponsors, and others. German Tax Matter In connection with a routine audit including the period 2013-2015, German tax authorities have determined that State Street should have withheld, and is secondarily liable for, certain taxes on dividends paid on securities of German issuers held as collateral over dividend record dates in client lending transactions with counterparties outside of Germany. This determination is subject to review in proceedings in which State Street will in due course contest these conclusions, in addition to separately seeking relief from those determined to be primarily liable. State of Texas et al v. Blackrock, Inc. et al In November 2024, eleven state Attorneys General filed a complaint in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Texas against State Street, BlackRock and Vanguard, alleging antitrust violations on the theory that the three companies conspired to artificially suppress coal supply, resulting in harm to American consumers in the form of higher electricity costs. Income Taxes In determining our provision for income taxes, we make certain judgments and interpretations with respect to tax laws in jurisdictions in which we have business operations. Because of the complex nature of these laws, in the normal course of our business, we are subject to challenges from U.S. and non-U.S. income tax authorities regarding the amount of income taxes due. These challenges may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions or the allocation of taxable income among tax jurisdictions. We recognize a tax benefit when it is more likely than not that our position will result in a tax deduction or credit. Unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $242 million and $237 million as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. We are presently under audit by a number of tax authorities. The earliest tax year open to examination in jurisdictions where we have material operations is 2017. Management believes that we have sufficiently accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2025 for potential tax exposures.
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