820027--3/2/2009--AMERIPRISE_FINANCIAL

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{condition, economic, financial}

{loan, real, estate}

{capital, credit, financial}

{stock, price, operating}

{tax, income, asset}

{system, service, information}

{personnel, key, retain}

{provision, law, control}

{financial, litigation, operation}

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{competitive, industry, competition}

{stock, price, share}

Risks Relating to Our Business Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by market fluctuations and by economic and other factors. Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs, access to capital and cost of capital. The impairment of other financial institutions could adversely affect us. The failure of other insurers could require us to pay higher assessments to state insurance guaranty funds. Third-party defaults, bankruptcy filings, legal actions and other events may limit the value of or restrict our access and our clients' access to cash and investments. Governmental initiatives intended to address capital market and general economic conditions may not be effective and may give rise to additional requirements for our business, including new capital requirements or other regulations, that could materially impact our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict. Defaults in our fixed maturity securities portfolio or consumer credit products would adversely affect our earnings. If the counterparties to our reinsurance arrangements or to the derivative instruments we use to hedge our business risks default, we may be exposed to risks we had sought to mitigate, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments taken on certain investments is subject to management's evaluation and judgment and could materially impact our results of operations or financial position. Our valuation of fixed maturity and equity securities may include methodologies, estimations and assumptions which are subject to differing interpretations and could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially adversely impact our results of operations or financial condition. Some of our investments are relatively illiquid. Intense competition and the economics of changes in our product revenue mix and distribution channels could negatively impact our ability to maintain or increase our market share and profitability. A drop in investment performance as compared to our competitors could negatively impact our ability to increase profitability. We face intense competition in attracting and retaining key talent. Our businesses are heavily regulated, and changes in legislation or regulation may reduce our profitability, limit our growth, or impact our ability to pay dividends or achieve targeted return-on-equity levels. We face risks arising from acquisitions. A failure to appropriately deal with conflicts of interest could adversely affect our businesses. Misconduct by our employees and affiliated financial advisors is difficult to detect and deter and could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition. Legal and regulatory actions are inherent in our businesses and could result in financial losses or harm our businesses. A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. If our reserves for future policy benefits and claims or for our bank lending portfolio are inadequate, we may be required to increase our reserve liabilities, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Morbidity rates or mortality rates that differ significantly from our pricing expectations could negatively affect profitability. We may face losses if there are significant deviations from our assumptions regarding the future persistency of our insurance policies and annuity contracts. We may be required to accelerate the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, which would increase our expenses and reduce profitability. Breaches of security, or the perception that our technology infrastructure is not secure, could harm our business. Protection from system interruptions is important to our business. If we experience a sustained interruption to our telecommunications or data processing systems, it could harm our business. Risk management policies and procedures may not be fully effective in mitigating risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk, including employee and financial advisor misconduct. As a holding company, we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us to pay dividends and to meet our obligations. Changes in U.S. federal income or estate tax law could make some of our products less attractive to clients. We are subject to tax contingencies that could adversely affect our provision for income taxes. Risks Relating to Our Common Stock The market price of our shares may fluctuate. Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the market value of our common stock.

Full 10-K form ▸

820027--3/2/2009--AMERIPRISE_FINANCIAL_INC