Cat Financial reported revenues of $2.78 billion for 2013, an increase of $90 million, or 3%, compared with 2012. Profit after tax was $530 million, a $98 million, or 23%, increase from 2012.

The increase in revenues was primarily due to a $229 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets, partially offset by a $123 million unfavorable impact from lower average financing rates on new and existing finance receivables and operating leases and a $14 million unfavorable impact from returned or repossessed equipment.

Profit before income taxes was $718 million for 2013, compared with $591 million for 2012. The increase was primarily due to a $97 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets and a $67 million decrease in the provision for credit losses. These increases were partially offset by a $14 million unfavorable impact from returned or repossessed equipment.

The provision for income taxes reflects an annual tax rate of 25 % for both 2013 and 2012. The 2013 annual tax rate of 25% excludes a benefit of $7 million, reflecting the impact of the American Taxpayer Relief Act.

New retail financing for 2013 was $13.08 billion, a decrease of $877 million, or 6%, from 2012. New retail financing decreased across all operating segments with the exception of North America, which increased.

At the end of 2013, past dues were 2.37%, compared with 2.45% at the end of the third quarter of 2013 and 2.26% at the end of 2012. Write-offs, net of recoveries, were $123 million for 2013, compared with $102 million for 2012. Full-year 2013 write-offs, net of recoveries, were 0.46% of average annual retail portfolio, compared with 0.42% in 2012. The increase in write-offs was primarily related to Cat Financial’s European marine portfolio and was previously provided for in the allowance for credit losses.

At year-end 2013, Cat Financial’s allowance for credit losses totaled $378 million or 1.30% of net finance receivables, compared with $426 million or 1.49% of net finance receivables at year-end 2012. The overall decrease of $48 million in allowance for credit losses during the year reflects a $55 million decrease associated with the lower allowance rate and a $7 million increase in allowance due to an increase in the Cat Financial net finance receivables portfolio.

Cat Financial reported fourth-quarter 2013 revenues of $711 million, an increase of $32 million, or 5%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. Fourth-quarter 2013 profit after tax was $160 million, a $61 million, or 62%, increase from the fourth quarter of 2012.

The increase in revenues was primarily due to a $33 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets.

Profit before income taxes was $208 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $124 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase was primarily due to a $61 million decrease in the provision for credit losses, a $16 million favorable impact from currency gains and losses and a $14 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets.

The provision for income taxes reflects an annual tax rate of 25% for the fourth quarters of both 2013 and 2012.

New retail financing in the fourth quarter of 2013 was $3.63 billion, a decrease of $221 million, or 6%, from the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease was primarily related to our Latin America and Asia/Pacific operating segments, partially offset by improvements in our Europe and Caterpillar Power Finance operating segment.

“We are pleased with the continued growth in our earning assets and the solid performance of our portfolio during 2013,” said Kent Adams, president of Cat Financial and vice president with responsibility for the Financial Products Division of Caterpillar Inc. “With our ongoing focus on expanding our ability to serve Caterpillar customers globally through financial services excellence, we remain well positioned to serve the needs of Caterpillar, Cat dealers and our growing customer base worldwide.”

To download the full version of the Cat Financial Q4/13 results release, including statistical highlights click here.