73124--2/26/2010--NORTHERN_TRUST

related topics

{condition, economic, financial}

{system, service, information}

{regulation, change, law}

{loss, insurance, financial}

{regulation, government, change}

{operation, international, foreign}

{cost, operation, labor}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{product, market, service}

{cost, contract, operation}

{financial, litigation, operation}

{debt, indebtedness, cash}

{loan, real, estate}

{personnel, key, retain}

{control, financial, internal}

{gas, price, oil}

{tax, income, asset}

If we fail to continue to successfully identify and manage significant risks, we could incur financial loss. We may also suffer damage to our reputation that would restrict our ability to grow or conduct business profitably, or become subject to regulatory penalties or constraints that would limit some of our activities or make them significantly more expensive Economic, Market, and Monetary Policy Risks A downturn in economic conditions, such as the current severe global economic downturn, can negatively affect our earnings A slowing of the globalization of investment activity or pension reform could limit our revenue growth Instability, disruption or a lack of confidence in the political, economic, legal or regulatory systems of the emerging markets in which we operate could expose us to liability or loss Changes in interest rates can negatively affect our earnings Fluctuations and volatility in foreign currency exchange rates can negatively affect our earnings Fluctuations and volatility in foreign currency exchange rates can negatively affect our earnings Declines in the value of securities held in our investment portfolio can negatively affect our earnings Changes in a number of particular market conditions can negatively affect our earnings Changes in the monetary and other policies of the various regulatory authorities or central banks of the United States, non-U.S. governments and international agencies can reduce our earnings and negatively affect our growth prospects Failure to develop and implement contingency plans to address market disruptions could adversely affect us. Governmental action to combat current economic weakness and financial market disruption may not succeed, with various adverse effects on us. Governmental action to combat current economic weakness and financial market disruption may not succeed, with various adverse effects on us. Errors, breakdowns in controls or other mistakes in the provision of services to clients or in carrying out transactions for our own account can subject us to liability, result in losses or negatively affect our earnings in other ways Many types of operational risks can negatively affect our earnings Our dependence on automation exposes us to risks that can also result in losses We may fail to detect errors resulting in losses that continue until the problems are detected and fixed Our business continuity plans may not work and thus fail to prevent losses from operational failures Our business continuity plans may not work and thus fail to prevent losses from operational failures Investment Performance, Fiduciary and Asset Servicing Risks Failure to produce adequate and competitive returns can negatively affect our earnings and growth prospects If we fail to comply with legal standards, we could incur liability to our clients or lose clients, which would negatively affect our earnings We may take actions to maintain client satisfaction that result in losses or reduced earnings Failure to evaluate accurately the prospects for repayment when we extend credit or maintain adequate reserves for credit losses can result in losses or the need to make additional provisions for credit losses, both of which reduce our earnings Weakened economic conditions can result in losses or the need for additional provisions for credit losses, both of which reduce our earnings Weakened economic conditions can result in losses or the need for additional provisions for credit losses, both of which reduce our earnings The failure or instability of any of our significant counterparties could expose us to loss Many events or circumstances could adversely affect our capital costs, our ability to raise capital and, in turn, our ability to meet our commitments Our success with large, complex clients can put strains on our balance sheet and impose substantial liquidity requirements. If the Bank or the other subsidiaries of the Corporation were unable to supply the Corporation with funds over time, the Corporation could be unable to meet its various obligations If the Bank or the other subsidiaries of the Corporation were unable to supply the Corporation with funds over time, the Corporation could be unable to meet its various obligations Failure to comply with regulations can result in penalties and regulatory constraints that restrict our ability to grow or even conduct our business, or that reduce earnings as a result of higher costs Changes in laws and regulation could result in reduced earnings Compliance with evolving regulations applicable to banks and other financial services companies may impact us in ways that are difficult to predict. Many of our new activities and expansion plans require regulatory approvals, and failure to obtain them will restrict our growth These claims can result in significant liability or damage to our reputation, which could result in a loss. We may fail to set aside adequate reserves or otherwise make a mistake in evaluating our liability, with a negative effect on our earnings These challenges can result in reduced earnings in a number of ways Our provision for structured lease transactions may prove to be inadequate, resulting in additional tax provisions or reduced earnings Changes in tax laws and interpretations can negatively affect our earnings Changes in accounting principles can negatively affect our earnings and capital ratios Intervention of the U.S. and other governments in the financial services industry may heighten the challenges we face If we do not successfully execute expansion plans, we will not grow as we have planned and our earnings growth will be negatively impacted Failure to execute our other strategies could also negatively affect our prospects We face a variety of competitive challenges that could negatively affect our ability to maintain satisfactory prices and grow our earnings Failure to attract and retain skilled people could negatively affect our prospects. We need to constantly invest in innovation, and the inability or failure to do so will negatively affect our businesses and earnings We need to constantly invest in innovation, and the inability or failure to do so will negatively affect our businesses and earnings Failure to understand or fully appreciate the risks associated with development or delivery of new product and service offerings will negatively affect our businesses and earnings Failure to adequately control our costs could negatively affect our ability to compete and thus reduce our earnings Our success with large, complex clients requires understanding of the market and legal, regulatory and accounting standards in new jurisdictions. Damage to our reputation can have a direct and negative effect on our ability to compete, grow and generate revenue Maintaining our reputation is important in other key relationships that affect our businesses and our earnings Reputation risk has many facets that could negatively affect our businesses and earnings

Full 10-K form ▸

73124--2/26/2010--NORTHERN_TRUST_CORP