View Filing Data

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Vantiv, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001533932
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float		$ 864.9
Class A Common Stock
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	142,243,680
Class B Common Stock
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	70,219,136

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue:
External customers	$ 1,787,119	$ 1,553,069	$ 1,099,057
Related party revenues	76,120	69,352	63,075
Total revenue	1,863,239	1,622,421	1,162,132
Network fees and other costs	840,597	756,735	595,995
Sales and marketing	280,644	236,917	98,418
Other operating costs	158,374	143,420	124,383
General and administrative	118,231	86,870	58,091
Depreciation and amortization	160,538	155,326	110,964
Income from operations	304,855	243,153	174,281
Interest expense—net	(54,572)	(111,535)	(116,020)
Non-operating expenses	(92,672)	(14,499)	(4,300)
Income before applicable income taxes	157,611	117,119	53,961
Income tax expense (benefit)	46,853	32,309	(956)
Net income	110,758	84,810	54,917
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(53,148)	(48,570)	(32,924)
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 57,610	$ 36,240	$ 21,993
Class A Common Stock
Net income per share of Class A common stock attributable to Vantiv, Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.40	$ 0.25
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.40	$ 0.25
Shares used in computing net income per share of Class A common stock:
Basic (in shares)	116,258,204	89,515,617	89,515,617
Diluted (in shares)	122,747,362	89,515,617	89,515,617

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net income	$ 110,758	$ 84,810	$ 54,917
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for losses on hedging activity included in net income	23,929	0	0
Unrealized loss on hedging activities	0	(23,929)	0
Comprehensive income	134,687	60,881	54,917
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(67,563)	(34,155)	(32,924)
Comprehensive income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 67,124	$ 26,726	$ 21,993

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Net of tax amount of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment of accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges realized in net income. Also includes reclassification adjustments of an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss) realized in net income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e689-108580

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 18, 19
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 31, 46
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Net of tax amount, before reclassification adjustments, of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 17, 20
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 121
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 46
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4K
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733213&loc=SL4591552-111686

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4J
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733213&loc=SL4591551-111686

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(1)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A1, A4, A5
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 67,058	$ 370,549
Accounts receivable—net	397,664	368,658
Related party receivable	4,415	4,361
Settlement assets	429,377	46,840
Prepaid expenses	10,629	8,642
Other	11,934	20,947
Total current assets	921,077	819,997
Customer incentives	28,927	17,493
Property and equipment—net	174,940	152,310
Intangible assets—net	884,536	916,198
Goodwill	1,804,592	1,532,374
Deferred taxes	141,361	4,292
Other assets	24,096	47,046
Total assets	3,979,529	3,489,710
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	215,998	193,706
Related party payable	1,625	3,814
Settlement obligations	542,564	208,669
Current portion of note payable to related party	28,800	3,803
Current portion of note payable	63,700	12,408
Deferred income	9,667	7,313
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	5,505	4,607
Other	1,609	6,400
Total current liabilities	869,468	440,720
Long-term liabilities:
Note payable to related party	292,000	373,592
Note payable	871,605	1,364,906
Tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	484,700	0
Capital lease obligations	8,275	12,322
Deferred taxes	8,207	9,263
Other	1,039	33,187
Total long-term liabilities	1,665,826	1,793,270
Total liabilities	2,535,294	2,233,990
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 11 - Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees)
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Paid-in capital	766,337	581,241
Retained earnings	69,494	51,970
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	(9,514)
Treasury stock, at cost; 978,226 shares at December 31, 2012	(17,906)	0
Total Vantiv, Inc. equity	817,926	623,698
Non-controlling interests	626,309	632,022
Total equity	1,444,235	1,255,720
Total liabilities and equity	3,979,529	3,489,710
Class A Common Stock
Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.00001 par value; 890,000,000 shares authorized; 142,243,680 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012; 89,515,617 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, Class B common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 70,219,136 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011	1	1
Class B Common Stock
Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.00001 par value; 890,000,000 shares authorized; 142,243,680 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012; 89,515,617 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, Class B common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 70,219,136 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00001	$ 0.00001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	978,226
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00001	$ 0.00001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	890,000,000	890,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	142,243,680	89,515,617
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	142,243,680	89,515,617
Class B Common Stock
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	70,219,136	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	70,219,136	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 110,758	$ 84,810	$ 54,917
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	160,538	155,326	110,964
Loss on derivative assets	0	800	4,300
Amortization of customer incentives	6,372	3,511	1,619
Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs	59,407	19,544	1,717
Share-based compensation expense	33,444	2,974	2,799
Deferred taxes	352	31,133	(8,755)
Other non-cash items	1,208	303	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable and related party receivable	(28,517)	(25,715)	(80,181)
(Decrease) increase in net settlement assets and obligations	(48,668)	(38,258)	91,472
Increase in customer incentives	(9,306)	(11,385)	(6,524)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid and other assets	11,053	(10,532)	(4,911)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(3,415)	30,693	46,371
Decrease in payable to related party	(2,189)	(8,652)	(16,312)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,077	(1,098)	(1,140)
Net cash provided by operating activities	293,114	233,454	196,336
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(51,435)	(62,714)	(33,655)
Acquisition of customer portfolios and related assets	(13,213)	(3,906)	(985)
Purchase of investments	(313)	(3,300)	0
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(352,330)	0	(662,511)
Net cash used in investing activities	(417,291)	(69,920)	(697,151)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs of $39,091	460,913	0	0
Proceeds from follow-on offering, net of offering costs of $1,951	33,512	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,338,750	0	1,755,751
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,859,199)	(20,373)	(1,237,771)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(28,949)	(6,276)	(43,565)
Purchase of Class B units in Vantiv Holding from Fifth Third Bank	(33,512)	0	0
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligations)	(17,906)	0	0
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation	14,747	0	0
Distribution to funds managed by Advent International Corporation	(40,086)	0	0
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(47,584)	(2,848)	(26,257)
Net cash used in financing activities	(179,314)	(29,497)	448,158
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(303,491)	134,037	(52,657)
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of period	370,549	236,512	289,169
Cash and cash equivalents—End of period	67,058	370,549	236,512
Cash Payments:
Interest	60,886	106,459	101,137
Taxes	29,261	12,127	7,745
Non-cash Items:
Issuance of tax receivable agreements	484,700	0	0
Assets acquired under capital lease obligations	1,202	19,711	0
Assets acquired under debt obligations	0	19,302	0
Accrual of secondary offering costs	$ 3,000	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Proceeds from initial public offering, offering costs	$ 39,091
Proceeds from follow-on offering, offering costs	$ 1,951

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Treasury Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Non-Controlling Interests	Class A Common Stock	Class A Common Stock Common Stock	Class B Common Stock	Class B Common Stock Common Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,162,642	$ 0	$ 577,989	$ (6,263)	$ 0	$ 590,915		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		0						89,516,000		0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	54,917			21,993		32,924
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(26,257)					(26,257)
Share-based compensation	3,411		1,737			1,674
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,194,713	$ 0	579,726	15,730	0	599,256		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		0						89,516,000		0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	84,810			36,240		48,570
Unrealized loss on hedging activities, net of tax	(23,929)				(9,514)	(14,415)
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(2,848)					(2,848)
Share-based compensation	2,974		1,515			1,459
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,255,720	$ 0	581,241	51,970	(9,514)	632,022		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		0					89,515,617	89,516,000	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	110,758			57,610		53,148
Issuance of Class A common stock upon initial public offering, net of offering costs	457,913		457,913
Issuance of Class A common stock upon initial public offering, net of offering costs (in shares)								29,412,000
Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with follow-on offering, net of offering costs	33,512		33,512
Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with follow-on offering, net of offering costs (in shares)								2,086,000
Issuance of Class A common stock to prior unit holders under the Vantiv Holding Management Phantom Equity Plan (in shares)								8,716,000
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation	14,747		14,747
Issuance of Class A common stock to JPDN in exchange for Class A and Class B units in Vantiv Holding held by JPDN			4,074			(4,074)
Issuance of Class A common stock to JPDN in exchange for Class A and Class B units in Vantiv Holding held by JPDN (in shares)								240,000
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation)	(17,906)	$ (17,906)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation) (in shares)		(978,000)						(978,000)
Issuance of Class B common stock under Recapitalization Agreement (in shares)										86,005,000
Purchase of Class B units in Vantiv Holding from Fifth Third Bank and cancellation of related Class B common stock	(33,512)					(33,512)
Purchase of Class B units in Vantiv Holding from Fifth Third and cancellation of related Class B common stock (in shares)										(2,086,000)
Issuance of Class A common stock and cancellation of Class B common stock in connection with secondary offering								13,700,000		13,700,000
Issuance of tax receivable agreements	(346,700)		(346,700)
Cash flow hedge reclassification adjustment	23,929				9,514	14,415
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(47,584)					(47,584)
Distribution to funds managed by Advent International Corporation	(40,086)			(40,086)
Share-based compensation	33,444		20,223			13,221
Forfeitures of restricted stock awards (in shares)								(448,000)
Reallocation of non-controlling interests of Vantiv Holding			1,327			(1,327)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,444,235	$ (17,906)	$ 766,337	$ 69,494	$ 0	$ 626,309		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		978,000					142,243,680	142,244,000	70,219,136	70,219,000

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of Business

Vantiv, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company that conducts its operations through its majority-owned subsidiary, Vantiv Holding, LLC (“Vantiv Holding”). Vantiv, Inc. and Vantiv Holding are referred to collectively as the “Company,” “Vantiv,” “we,” “us” or “our,” unless the context requires otherwise.

The Company provides electronic payment processing services to merchants and financial institutions throughout the United States of America. The Company markets its services through diverse distribution channels, including a direct sales force, relationships with a broad range of independent sales organizations (“ISOs”), merchant banks, value-added resellers and trade associations as well as arrangements with core processors.

Segments

The Company’s segments consist of the Merchant Services segment and the Financial Institution Services segment. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), evaluates the performance and allocates resources based on the operating results of each segment. Below is a summary of each segment:

•

Merchant Services—Provides merchant acquiring and payment processing services to large national merchants, regional and small-to-mid sized businesses. Merchant services are sold to small to large businesses through both direct and indirect distribution channels. Merchant Services includes all aspects of card processing including authorization and settlement, customer service, chargeback and retrieval processing and interchange management.

•

Financial Institution Services—Provides card issuer processing, payment network processing, fraud protection, card production, prepaid program management, automated teller machine (“ATM”) driving and network gateway and switching services that utilize the Company’s proprietary Jeanie debit payment network to a diverse set of financial institutions, including regional banks, community banks, credit unions and regional personal identification number ("PIN") networks. Financial Institution Services also provides statement production, collections and inbound/outbound call centers for credit transactions, and other services such as credit card portfolio analytics, program strategy and support, fraud and security management and chargeback and dispute services.

Initial Public Offering and Reorganization Transactions

On March 21, 2012, Vantiv, Inc. completed the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its Class A common stock. Immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, the Company executed several reorganization transactions, collectively referred to as the “Reorganization Transactions.” The Reorganization Transactions included, among other things, the following:


•	Amendment and restatement of Vantiv, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation to provide for Class A and Class B common stock (see Note 13 - Capital Stock for further discussion);


•	Reclassification of Vantiv, Inc.’s existing common stock into shares of Class A common stock and a 175.76 for 1 stock split of the Class A common stock, which has been retrospectively reflected within these consolidated financial statements;


•	Amendment and restatement of the Vantiv Holding Limited Liability Company Agreement and a 1.7576 for 1 split of the Class A units and Class B units of Vantiv Holding;

•

Execution of an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) among the Company and Fifth Third Bank, a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp, and FTPS Partners, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank, collectively referred to as “Fifth Third,” to provide for a 1 to 1 ratio between the units of Vantiv Holding and the common stock of Vantiv, Inc., and the exchange of Class B units and Class C non-voting units of Vantiv Holding for Class A common stock of Vantiv, Inc. on a one-for-one basis, or, at Vantiv, Inc.’s option, for cash;


•	Exchange of Class A and Class B units of Vantiv Holding held by JPDN Enterprises, LLC (“JPDN”), an affiliate of Charles D. Drucker, the Company’s CEO, for shares of Vantiv, Inc.’s Class A common stock;

•

Execution of four tax receivable agreements (“TRAs”) with Vantiv Holding’s pre-IPO investors, which obligate the Company to make payments to such investors equal to 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax that the Company realizes as a result of certain tax basis increases and net operating losses (“NOLs”) (see Note 8 - Tax Receivable Agreements for a discussion of the TRAs);

•

Execution of a recapitalization agreement with Vantiv Holding’s pre-IPO investors, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company paid Fifth Third a $15.0 million fee related to the modification of its consent rights under the Amended and Restated Vantiv Holding Limited Liability Company Agreement, which is reflected as a distribution to non-controlling interests within the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows and equity for the year ended December 31, 2012. Additionally, the Company made a $40.1 million cash distribution to funds managed by Advent International Corporation (“Advent”), which is reflected as such in the accompanying statements of cash flows and equity for the year ended December 31, 2012; and


•	Conversion of outstanding awards under the Vantiv Holding Management Phantom Equity Plan (“Phantom Equity Plan”) into unrestricted and restricted Class A common stock issued under the 2012 Vantiv, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (“2012 Equity Incentive Plan”) (see Note 14 - Share-Based Compensation Plans for a discussion of the Company’s share-based compensation plans).

In the IPO, Vantiv, Inc. issued and sold 29,412,000 shares of Class A common stock at a public offering price of $17.00 per share for net proceeds of $457.9 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, including $3.0 million accrued for offering costs associated with contractually obligated future offerings. The Company used the net proceeds to pay down a portion of the amount outstanding under its senior secured credit facilities. Vantiv, Inc. also issued 86,005,200 shares of Class B common stock, which give voting rights, but no economic interests, to Fifth Third. No proceeds were generated from the issuance of the Class B common stock.

In connection with the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option, an additional 4,411,800 shares of Class A common stock were sold to the public at an offering price of $17.00 per share. Of the shares sold in the overallotment, 2,325,736 shares were sold by the selling stockholders and 2,086,064 shares were sold by Vantiv, Inc. Vantiv, Inc. used the net proceeds resulting from the shares it sold in the overallotment option to redeem an equivalent number of Class B units of Vantiv Holding held by Fifth Third pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

On August 2, 2012, a secondary offering took place in which Advent sold 14,064,500 shares of Vantiv Class A common stock at a price of $21.90 per share. On December 6, 2012, a secondary offering took place in which Fifth Third sold 13,700,000 shares of Vantiv Class A common stock at a price of $20.10 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds from these sales. See Note 10 - Controlling and Non-controlling Interests in Vantiv Holding for changes in non-controlling interests.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations and accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries thereof and all intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

As of December 31, 2012, Vantiv, Inc. and Fifth Third owned interests in Vantiv Holding of 66.95% and 33.05%, respectively. Prior to the IPO, Vantiv, Inc., Fifth Third and JPDN owned interests in Vantiv Holding of 50.93%, 48.93% and 0.14%, respectively.

The Company accounts for non-controlling interests in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation. Non-controlling interests represent the minority shareholders’ share of net income or loss of and equity in Vantiv Holding. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests does not include expenses incurred directly by Vantiv, Inc., including income tax expense attributable to Vantiv, Inc. All of the Company’s non-controlling interests are presented after Vantiv Holding income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of income as “Net income attributable to non-controlling interests.” Non-controlling interests are presented as a component of equity in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of Vantiv, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiary, Vantiv Holding, LLC. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Sponsorship

In order to provide electronic payment processing services, Visa, MasterCard and other payment networks require sponsorship of non-financial institutions by a member clearing bank. In June 2009, the Company entered into a ten-year agreement with Fifth Third (the “Sponsoring Member”), to provide sponsorship services to the Company. The Company also has agreements with certain other banks that provide sponsorship into the card networks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2134480

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 852
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2209116

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122150

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197480

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=SL6228881-111685

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 720
-SubTopic 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122524

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668296&loc=d3e288-107754

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 915
-SubTopic 235
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472506&loc=d3e38932-110933

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=d3e5614-111684

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6359566&loc=d3e326-107755

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 94-6
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 2-6
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 46R
-Paragraph 4, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)-8
-Paragraph 8, C1, C7
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition

The Company has contractual agreements with its clients that set forth the general terms and conditions of the relationship including line item pricing, payment terms and contract duration. Revenues are recognized as earned (i.e., for transaction based fees, when the underlying transaction is processed) in conjunction with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, establishes guidance as to when revenue is realized or realizable and earned by using the following criteria: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the seller’s price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.

The Company follows guidance provided in ASC 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations. ASC 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations, states that whether a company should recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed to a customer or the net amount retained is a matter of judgment that depends on the facts and circumstances of the arrangement and that certain factors should be considered in the evaluation. The Company recognizes processing revenues net of interchange fees, which are assessed to the Company’s merchant customers on all processed transactions. Interchange rates are not controlled by the Company, which effectively acts as a clearing house collecting and remitting interchange fee settlement on behalf of issuing banks, debit networks, credit card associations and its processing customers. All other revenue is reported on a gross basis, as the Company contracts directly with the end customer, assumes the risk of loss and has pricing flexibility.

The Company generates revenue primarily by processing electronic payment transactions. Set forth below is a description of the Company’s revenue by segment.

Merchant Services

The Company’s Merchant Services segment revenue is primarily derived from processing credit and debit card transactions. Merchant Services revenue is primarily comprised of fees charged to businesses, net of interchange fees, for payment processing services, including authorization, capture, clearing, settlement and information reporting of electronic transactions. The fees charged consist of either a percentage of the dollar volume of the transaction or a fixed fee, or both, and are recognized at the time of the transaction. Merchant Services revenue also includes a number of revenue items that are incurred by the Company and are reimbursable as the costs are passed through to and paid by the Company’s clients. These items primarily consist of Visa, MasterCard and other payment network fees. In addition, for sales through ISOs and certain other referral sources in which the Company is the primary party to the contract with the merchant, the Company records the full amount of the fees collected from the merchant as revenue. Merchant Services segment revenue also includes revenue from ancillary services such as fraud management, equipment sales and terminal rent. Merchant Services revenue is recognized as services are performed.

Financial Institution Services

The Company’s Financial Institution Services segment revenues are primarily derived from debit, credit and ATM card transaction processing, ATM driving and support, and PIN debit processing services. Financial Institution Services revenue associated with processing transactions includes per transaction and account related fees, card production fees and fees generated from the Company’s Jeanie network. Financial Institution Services revenue related to card transaction processing is recognized when consumers use their client-issued cards to make purchases. Financial Institution Services also generates revenue through other services, including statement production, collections and inbound/outbound call centers for credit transactions and other services such as credit card portfolio analytics, program strategy and support, fraud and security management and chargeback and dispute services. Financial Institution Services revenue is recognized as services are performed.

Financial Institution Services provides certain services to Fifth Third. Revenues related to these services are included in the accompanying statements of income as related party revenues.

Expenses

Set forth below is a brief description of the components of the Company’s expenses:


•	Network fees and other costs consists of certain expenses incurred by the Company in connection with providing processing services to its clients, including Visa and MasterCard network association fees, payment network fees, card production costs, telecommunication charges, postage and other third party processing expenses.


•	Sales and marketing expense primarily consists of salaries and benefits paid to sales personnel, sales management and other sales and marketing personnel, advertising and promotional costs and residual payments made to ISOs, agent banks and other third party resellers.


•	Other operating costs primarily consist of salaries and benefits paid to operational and IT personnel, costs associated with operating the Company’s technology platform and data centers, information technology costs for processing transactions, product development costs, software consulting fees and maintenance costs.


•	General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits paid to executive management and administrative employees, including finance, human resources, product development, legal and risk management, share-based compensation costs, equipment and occupancy costs and consulting costs.


•	Non-operating expenses consist of charges related to the refinancing of the Company’s senior secured credit facilities (see Note 7 - Long-Term Debt), the early termination of the Company’s interest rate swaps (see Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities) and a one-time activity fee of $6.0 million assessed by MasterCard as a result of the IPO.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company expenses employee share-based payments under ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which requires compensation cost for the grant-date fair value of share-based payments to be recognized over the requisite service period. The Company estimates the grant date fair value of the share-based awards issued in the form of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock awards is measured based on the market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period and the impact of securities that would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. See Note 17 - Net Income Per Share for further discussion.

Income Taxes

Vantiv, Inc. is taxed as a C corporation for U.S. income tax purposes and is therefore subject to both federal and state taxation at a corporate level.

Income taxes are computed in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, and reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the corresponding income tax amounts. The Company has deferred tax assets and liabilities and maintains valuation allowances where it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. To the extent the Company determines that it will not realize the benefit of some or all of its deferred tax assets, such deferred tax assets will be adjusted through the Company’s provision for income taxes in the period in which this determination is made. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 the Company had recorded no valuation allowances against deferred tax assets.

See Note 15 - Income Taxes for further discussion of income taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Investments with original maturities of three months or less (that are readily convertible to cash) are considered to be cash equivalents and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents consist primarily of overnight EuroDollar sweep accounts which are maintained at reputable financial institutions with high credit quality and therefore are considered to bear minimal credit risk.

Accounts Receivable—net

Accounts receivable primarily represent processing revenues earned but not collected. For a majority of its customers, the Company has the authority to debit the client’s bank accounts through the Federal Reserve’s Automated Clearing House; as such, collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company records a reserve for doubtful accounts when it is probable that the accounts receivable will not be collected. The Company reviews historical loss experience and the financial position of its customers when estimating the allowance. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the allowance for doubtful accounts was not material to the Company’s statement of financial position.

Customer Incentives

Customer incentives represent signing bonuses paid to customers. Customer incentives are paid in connection with the acquisition or renewal of customer contracts, and are therefore deferred and amortized generally using the straight-line method based on the contractual agreement. Related amortization is recorded as contra-revenue.

Property and Equipment—net

Property and equipment consists of the Company’s corporate headquarters facility, furniture and equipment, software, leasehold improvements and construction in progress. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives, which are 15 to 40 years for the Company’s corporate headquarters facility and related improvements, 2 to 10 years for furniture and equipment, 3 to 5 years for software and 3 to 10 years for leasehold improvements or the lesser of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the term of lease.

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to computer software developed for internal use and amortizes such costs on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 3 to 5 years. Research and development costs incurred prior to establishing technological feasibility are charged to operations as such costs are incurred. Once technological feasibility has been established, costs are capitalized until the software is placed in service.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, the Company tests goodwill for impairment for each reporting unit on an annual basis, or when events occur or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The Company performed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test for all reporting units as of July 31, 2012 in accordance with ASU 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Testing Goodwill for Impairment," which permits the Company to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to the determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Based on this analysis, it was determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units is less than the carrying value.

Intangible assets consist primarily of acquired customer relationships amortized over their estimated useful lives and an indefinite lived trade name not subject to amortization. The Company reviews the acquired customer relationships for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The indefinite lived trade name is tested for impairment annually. The Company performed its most recent annual trade name impairment test as of July 31, 2012, which indicated there was no impairment.

Settlement Assets and Obligations

Settlement assets and obligations result from Financial Institution Services when funds are transferred from or received by the Company prior to receiving or paying funds to a different entity. This timing difference results in a settlement asset or obligation. The amounts are generally collected or paid the following business day.

The settlement assets and obligations recorded by Merchant Services represent intermediary balances due to differences between the amount the Sponsoring Member receives from the card associations and the amount funded to the merchants. Such differences arise from timing differences, interchange expenses, merchant reserves and exception items. In addition, certain card associations limit the Company from accessing or controlling merchant settlement funds and, instead, require that these funds be controlled by the Sponsoring Member. The Company follows a net settlement process whereby, if the settlement received from the card associations precedes the funding obligation to the merchant, the Company temporarily records a corresponding liability. Conversely, if the funding obligation to the merchant precedes the settlement from the card associations, the amount of the net receivable position is recorded by the Company, or in some cases, the Sponsoring Member may cover the position with its own funds in which case a receivable position is not recorded by the Company.

Derivatives

The Company accounts for derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. This guidance establishes accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are required to be recorded on the statement of financial position at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item will be recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative will be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and will be recognized in the statement of income when the hedged item affects earnings. For a derivative that does not qualify as a hedge (“free-standing derivative”), changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2011-4, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” The amendments in ASU 2011-4 result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. As such, ASU 2011-4 changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For several of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in ASU 2011-4 to result in a change in the application of the requirements in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2011-4 is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company’s adoption of this principle did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other," which amends the guidance in ASC 350-30 on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment by allowing an entity to perform a qualitative impairment assessment before proceeding to the two-step impairment test. If the entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) impaired, the entity would not need to calculate the fair value of the asset. In addition, the ASU does not amend the requirement to test these assets for impairment between annual tests if there is a change in events or circumstances; however, it does revise the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider in interim periods. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption being permitted. Our adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Acquisition of Litle & Co., LLC

On November 30, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Litle & Co., LLC (“Litle”), acquiring all of the outstanding voting interests. Litle is an ecommerce payment processor, providing a fully-integrated payments solution for companies that sell goods and services to consumers over the internet and through direct response marketing. This acquisition significantly increases the Company's capabilities in ecommerce, expands its customer base of online merchants, and enables the delivery of Litle's innovative ecommerce solutions to the Company's clients.

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill, all of which is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill, assigned to Merchant Services, consists primarily of tax benefits resulting from the acquisition, the acquired workforce and growth opportunities, none of which qualifies as an amortizable intangible asset. The preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	10,326
Property and equipment	13,503
Non-current assets	30
Goodwill	272,218
Customer relationship intangible assets	73,600
Trade name	1,300
Current liabilities	(10,388		)
Total purchase price	$	360,589

The pro forma results of the Company reflecting the acquisition of Litle as if it had occurred at the beginning of the year were not material and therefore have not been presented.

The Company incurred expenses of approximately $3.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2012 in conjunction with the acquisition of Litle, which are included within general and administrative expenses on the accompanying statement of income.

Acquisition of NPC Group, Inc.

On November 3, 2010, Vantiv Holding acquired all of the outstanding voting securities of NPC Group, Inc. (“NPC”). NPC is a provider of payment processing services focused on the small to mid-sized merchant processing market. The acquisition of NPC enhances the Company's access to small to mid-sized merchants. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill, approximately $240.0 million of which is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill, assigned to Merchant Services, consists primarily of processing cost synergies between NPC and the Company and the acquired workforce, neither of which qualifies as an amortizable intangible asset. The purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	14,849
Property and equipment	8,031
Non-current assets	24,700
Goodwill	456,326
Customer relationship intangible assets	111,000
Trade name	41,000
Current liabilities	(28,643		)
Non-current liabilities	(7,280		)
Total purchase price	$	619,983

From the acquisition date of November 3, 2010 through December 31, 2010, revenue and net income included in the accompanying statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2010 attributable to NPC was approximately $49.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

The following unaudited pro forma results reflect the results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010 assuming the acquisition of NPC had occurred on July 1, 2009 (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2010
Total revenue	$	1,410,150
Income from operations	214,678
Net income including non-controlling interests	74,519
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	31,977

The Company incurred expenses of approximately $2.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 in conjunction with the acquisition of NPC, which are included within general and administrative expenses on the accompanying statement of income.

Acquisition of Town North Bank, N.A. Assets

On July 6, 2010, the Company acquired certain assets of Town North Bank, N.A. (“TNB”) to broaden the Company's market position with credit unions. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill, which is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill is attributable primarily to growth opportunities, synergies and the acquired workforce, none of which qualifies as an amortizable intangible asset. Goodwill is included within Financial Institution Services. The purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	19,836
Customer relationship intangible assets	28,865
Trade name	238
Goodwill	26,898
Current liabilities	(19,220		)
Non-current liabilities	(4,175		)
Total purchase price	$	52,442

The acquisition of TNB was not material to the Company's financial statements and accordingly, pro forma results have not been presented.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1497-128463

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1490-128463

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e7008-128479

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1486-128463

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1500-128463

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1524-128463

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e7000-128479

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4922-128472

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4934-128472

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4926-128472

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6996-128479

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1383-128463

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 88-16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph F4
-Subparagraph e
-Appendix F

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51, 52
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 67-73
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of the Company's property and equipment is as follows (in thousands):



	Estimated Useful Life	December 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
Building and improvements	15 - 40 years	$	18,645		$	18,708
Furniture and equipment	2 - 10 years	75,913			62,224
Software	3 - 5 years	146,322			96,010
Leasehold improvements	3 - 10 years	3,558			1,458
Construction in progress		16,304			15,737
Accumulated depreciation		(85,802		)	(41,827		)
Total		$	174,940		$	152,310

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $40.7 million, $31.7 million and $12.5 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References + Details

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

A summary of changes in goodwill through December 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):



	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2010	$	957,524	$	574,850	$	1,532,374
Balance as of December 31, 2011	957,524		574,850		1,532,374
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Litle	272,218		—		272,218
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,229,742	$	574,850	$	1,804,592

Intangible assets consist primarily of acquired customer relationships and trade names. The useful lives of customer relationships are determined based on forecasted cash flows, which include estimates for customer attrition associated with the underlying portfolio of customers acquired. The customer relationships acquired in conjunction with acquisitions are amortized based on the pattern of cash flows expected to be realized, resulting in accelerated amortization on certain acquired assets. The trade name acquired in conjunction with the Company's acquisition of NPC is expected to remain in use for the foreseeable future and has therefore been deemed an indefinite lived intangible asset not subject to amortization. The trade name is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. The Company reviews finite lived intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Customer relationship intangible assets	$	1,212,919	$	1,139,319
Trade name	42,300		41,000
Customer portfolios and related assets	16,780		3,567
	1,271,999		1,183,886

Less accumulated amortization on:
Customer relationship intangible assets	383,962		267,108
Customer portfolios and related assets	3,501		580
	387,463		267,688
	$	884,536	$	916,198

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, customer relationship intangible assets had estimated remaining weighted-average lives of 7.6 years and 8.4 years, respectively. Amortization expense on intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $119.9 million, $123.6 million and $98.5 million, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):



2013	$	124,191
2014	117,882
2015	113,864
2016	110,759
2017	107,728

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

CAPITAL LEASES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Leases [Abstract]

CAPITAL LEASES

The Company has various lease agreements for equipment that are classified as capital leases. The cost of equipment under capital leases as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, approximately $20.9 million and $19.7 million, respectively, is included on the accompanying statement of financial position within property and equipment. Depreciation expense associated with capital leases for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $4.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively. There was no depreciation expense in 2010 associated with capital leases.

The future minimum lease payments required under capital leases and the present value of net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):



	Amount
2013	$	5,807
2014	5,334
2015	3,112
Total minimum lease payments	$	14,253
Less: Amount representing interest	(473		)
Present value of minimum lease payments	$	13,780
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations	(5,505		)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	8,275

LONG-TERM DEBT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

November 2010 Debt Refinancing

Prior to the November 2010 debt refinancing the Company held a $1,250.0 million senior secured note due to Fifth Third. The senior secured note had a term of seven years. In addition, the Company entered into a $125.0 million secured revolving credit facility with Fifth Third. Both the senior secured note and the revolving credit facility were secured by certain assets of the Company. The interest rates on the senior secured note and the revolving credit facility were 9.50% and 7.75%, respectively. The commitment rate for the revolving credit facility was 0.50% per year.

On November 3, 2010, the Company entered into two credit facilities with a syndicate of banks. The credit facilities were used to refinance debt held by Fifth Third and fund the acquisition of NPC, as discussed in Note 3 - Business Combinations. The revolving credit facility held by Fifth Third was also terminated in conjunction with the refinancing. The refinanced credit facilities consisted of a first lien and second lien loan agreement.

First Lien

The first lien loan agreement consisted of a $1,575.0 million term loan and a revolving credit commitment of $150.0 million. The term loan was issued with an original term of six years, and required quarterly principal payments equal to 0.25% of the original principal balance. The term loan bore interest at a rate based on LIBOR or the prime rate, at the Company's option, plus an applicable margin. The weighted-average interest rate for the term loan during 2010 was 5.5%.

The revolving credit commitment was issued with a term of five years. Any draws on the revolving credit commitment were due at the maturity of the agreement, with interest payments due quarterly. At the Company's option, unpaid principal balances bore interest at a rate based on LIBOR or the prime rate, plus an applicable margin. The commitment fee rate for the unused portion of the revolving credit commitment was 0.50%. Under the revolving credit commitment, the Company had $40.0 million available for the issuance of letters of credit and $50.0 million available for swing loans.

Second Lien

The second lien loan agreement consisted of a $200.0 million term loan with an original term of seven years. The loan bore interest, at the Company's option, at a rate based on LIBOR or the prime rate, plus an applicable margin. The weighted- average rate for the term loan during 2010 was 8.25%.

May 2011 Debt Refinancing

On May 17, 2011, the Company refinanced $1,771.1 million of debt outstanding under the existing first and second lien loan agreements described above (the “original debt”). Outstanding debt under the original first and second lien loan agreements was $1,571.1 million and $200.0 million, respectively, and matured in November 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The original debt was refinanced into a single first lien loan agreement (the “2011 refinanced debt”) consisting of two tranches, “term B-1” and “term B-2,” and a $150.0 million revolving credit facility. As of the date of refinancing, term B-1 had a balance of $1,621.1 million, while term B-2 carried a non-amortizing balance of $150.0 million. The original second lien loan agreement was repaid in connection with the refinancing. The maturity dates of term B-1 and term B-2 were November 3, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The revolving credit facility matures on November 3, 2015. The primary change under the 2011 refinanced debt was the reduced rate at which it bears interest.

As of December 31, 2011, Fifth Third held approximately $377.4 million of term B-1, which is recorded within note payable to related party on the accompanying statement of financial position.

March 2012 Debt Refinancing

Upon the completion of the Company’s IPO, the Company used net proceeds and cash on hand of $538.9 million to repay outstanding debt under the Company’s 2011 refinanced debt agreement. Contemporaneous with the repayment, the Company refinanced the remaining debt outstanding under the 2011 refinanced debt agreement, which consisted of two tranches, “term B-1” and “term B-2”, the terms of which are disclosed in the table below, and terminated its $150.0 million revolving credit facility.

The first lien loan agreement of the 2011 refinanced debt was refinanced into a new loan agreement (“refinanced debt”) consisting of term A loans and term B loans and a $250.0 million revolving credit facility. As of the date of refinancing, the term A loans and term B loans had balances of $1,000.0 million and $250.0 million, respectively. The maturity dates and debt service requirements related to the term A loans and term B loans are listed in the table below. The revolving credit facility matures in March 2017 and includes a $75.0 million swing line facility and a $40.0 million letter of credit facility. As of December 31, 2012, $40.0 million was borrowed under the revolving credit facility. This borrowing was repaid in January 2013. The commitment fee rate for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility is 0.50% per year.

As of December 31, 2012, Fifth Third held $308.0 million of the term A loans and $12.8 million of the $40.0 million borrowed under the revolving credit facility.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s debt consisted of the following:



	December 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
$1,621.1 million term B-1 loans, expiring on November 3, 2016 and bearing interest payable quarterly at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (325 basis points) with a floor of 125 basis points (total rate of 4.5% at December 31, 2011)	$	—		$	1,608,905
$150.0 million term B-2 loans, expiring on November 3, 2017 and bearing interest payable quarterly at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (350 basis points) with a floor of 150 basis points (total rate of 5.0% at December 31, 2011)	—			150,000
$1,000.0 million term A loans, expiring on March 27, 2017, bearing interest payable quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (175 to 250 basis points) (total rate of 2.46% at December 31, 2012) and amortizing on a basis of 1.25% during each of the first eight quarters, 1.875% during each of the second eight quarters and 2.5% during each of the following three quarters with a balloon payment due at maturity	962,500			—
$250.0 million term B loans, expiring on March 27, 2019, bearing interest payable quarterly at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (275 basis points) with a floor of 100 basis points (total rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2012) and amortizing on a basis of 1.0% per year with a balloon payment due at maturity	248,125			—
Borrowings under revolving credit facility (rate of 4.50% at December 31, 2012)	40,000			—
$10.1 million leasehold mortgage, expiring on August 10, 2021 and bearing interest payable monthly at a fixed rate (rate of 6.22% at December 31, 2012)	10,131			10,131
Less: Current portion of note payable and current portion of note payable to related party	(92,500		)	(16,211		)
Less: Original issue discount	(4,651		)	(14,327		)
Note payable and note payable to related party	$	1,163,605		$	1,738,498

Original Issue Discount and Deferred Financing Fees

2012 Debt Refinancing

As a result of the Company's 2012 debt refinancing discussed above, the Company expensed approximately $55.6 million, which consisted primarily of the write-offs of unamortized deferred financing fees and original issue discount (“OID”) associated with the component of the refinancing accounted for as a debt extinguishment, as well as a call premium equal to 1% of the outstanding balance of the original debt, or approximately $12.2 million. Amounts expensed in connection with the refinancing are recorded as a component of non-operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2012, deferred financing fees of approximately $14.0 million and OID of approximately $4.7 million are recorded as a component of other non-current assets and as a reduction of note payable, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position.

2011 Debt Refinancing

As a result of the Company's 2011 debt refinancing discussed above, the Company expensed approximately $13.7 million, which consisted primarily of the write-offs of unamortized deferred financing fees and original issue discount associated with the component of the refinancing accounted for as a debt extinguishment, as well as a call premium equal to 2% of the outstanding balance of the original debt, or approximately $4.0 million. Amounts expensed in connection with the refinancing are recorded as a component of non-operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, deferred financing fees of approximately $33.5 million and OID of approximately $14.3 million were recorded as a component of other non-current assets and as a reduction of note payable, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position.

Guarantees and Security

Our debt obligations at December 31, 2012 are unconditional and are guaranteed by Vantiv Holding and certain of Vantiv Holding’s existing and subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries. The refinanced debt and related guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis (subject to liens permitted under the Loan Agreement) in substantially all the capital stock (subject to a 65% limitation on pledges of capital stock of foreign subsidiaries and domestic holding companies of foreign subsidiaries) and personal property of Vantiv Holding and any obligors as well as any real property in excess of $5 million in the aggregate held by Vantiv Holding or any obligors (other than Vantiv Holding), subject to certain exceptions.

Covenants

There are certain financial and non-financial covenants contained in the loan agreement for the refinanced debt, which are tested quarterly.

Building Loan

On July 12, 2011, the Company entered into a term loan agreement for approximately $10.1 million for the purchase of our corporate headquarters facility. The interest rate is fixed at 6.22%, with interest only payments required for the first 84 months. Thereafter, until maturity, we will pay interest and principal based upon a 30 year amortization schedule, with the remaining principal amount due at maturity, August 2021.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References + Details

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Tax Receivable Agreements Disclosure [Abstract]

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS

In connection with its IPO, the Company entered into four TRAs with its pre-IPO investors, which consisted of certain funds managed by Advent, Fifth Third and JPDN. A description of each TRA is as follows:

•

TRA with Fifth Third: Provides for the payment by the Company to Fifth Third equal to 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax that the Company realizes as a result of the increases in tax basis that results from the purchase of Vantiv Holding units from Fifth Third or from the exchange of Vantiv Holding units by Fifth Third for cash or shares of Class A common stock, as well as the tax benefits attributable to payments made under such TRA. Any actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the TRA, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the price of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of the exchange, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, and the amount and timing of the Company’s income.

Subsequent to the IPO, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase additional shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. As a result, the Company purchased units of Vantiv Holding from Fifth Third. In connection with the secondary offering which took place in December 2012, as discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, Fifth Third exchanged Class B units of Vantiv Holding for Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock. As a result of the increase in tax basis generated by these transactions, the Company recorded a liability under the TRA of $165.1 million.


•	TRA with Advent: Provides for the payment by the Company to Advent equal to 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax that the Company realizes as a result of the use of the Company’s tax attributes in existence prior to the effective date of the Company’s IPO.

•

TRA with all pre-IPO investors: Provides for the payment by the Company to its pre-IPO investors of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax that NPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, realizes as a result of its use of its NOLs and other tax attributes, with any such payment being paid to Advent, Fifth Third and JPDN according to their respective ownership interests in Vantiv Holding immediately prior to the IPO.

•

TRA with JPDN: Provides for the payment to JPDN of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax that the Company realizes as a result in the increase of tax basis that may result from the Vantiv Holding units exchanged for the Company’s Class A common stock by JPDN, as well as the tax benefits attributable to payments made under such TRA. As part of the recapitalization of Vantiv, Inc. and Vantiv Holding immediately prior to the IPO, JPDN contributed its units of Vantiv Holding to Vantiv, Inc. in exchange for shares of Class A common stock of Vantiv, Inc. creating a TRA obligation.

The Company will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of the cash savings associated with each of the TRAs discussed above.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s liability pursuant to the TRAs was as follows (in thousands):



	December 31, 2012
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	165,100
TRA with Advent	183,800
TRA with all pre-IPO investors	134,100
TRA with JPDN	1,700
Total	$	484,700

As a result of the exchanges of units of Vantiv Holding discussed above, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset of $138.0 million, associated with the increase in tax basis. The Company recorded a corresponding reduction to paid-in capital for the difference between the TRA liability and the related deferred tax asset.

For each of the TRAs discussed above, the cash savings realized by the Company are computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of the Company to the amount of such taxes the Company would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the assets of Vantiv Holding as a result of the purchase or exchange of Vantiv Holding units, had there been no tax benefit from the tax basis in the intangible assets of Vantiv Holding on the date of the IPO and had there been no tax benefit as a result of the NOLs and other tax attributes at NPC. Subsequent adjustments of the tax receivable agreement obligations due to certain events (e.g. changes to the expected realization of NOLs or changes in tax rates) will be recognized in the statement of income.

The timing and/or amount of aggregate payments due under the TRAs may vary based on a number of factors, including the amount and timing of the taxable income the Company generates in the future and the tax rate then applicable, the use of loss carryovers and amortizable basis. Payments under the TRAs, if necessary, are required to be made no later than January 5th of the second year immediately following the current taxable year. Therefore, the Company does not expect to make any payments under the TRAs during the year ended December 31, 2013. The term of the TRAs will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless the Company exercises its right to terminate the TRA for an amount based on the agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement.

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company entered into derivative financial instruments to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of its known or expected cash payments related to its variable-rate debt. As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s derivative instruments consisted of interest rate swaps, which hedged the variable cash flows associated with its variable-rate debt by converting floating-rate payments to fixed-rate payments. In connection with the March 2012 debt refinancing discussed in Note 7 - Long-Term Debt, the Company terminated its interest rate swaps and discontinued hedge accounting accordingly.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments

The Company recognized derivatives in other non-current assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position at their fair values. Refer to Note 16 - Fair Value Measurements for a detailed discussion of the fair value of its derivatives. The Company designated its interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of forecasted interest rate payments related to its variable-rate debt.

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and underlying hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to forecasted transactions. A formal assessment of hedge effectiveness is performed both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis to determine whether the hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the underlying hedged item. Hedge effectiveness is assessed using a regression analysis. If it is determined that a derivative ceases to be highly effective during the term of the hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively for such derivative.

The Company’s interest rate swaps qualified for hedge accounting under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Therefore, the effective portion of changes in fair value were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affected earnings.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

As part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, the interest rate swap agreements added stability to interest expense and managed exposure to interest rate movements. Such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. As of December 31, 2011, the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk had a total notional value of $887.5 million. Included within this total notional value was $687.5 million to which Fifth Third was the counterparty. Upon termination of the interest rate swaps in March 2012, the Company prospectively discontinued hedge accounting on the interest rate swap agreements as they no longer met the requirements for hedge accounting.

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges included within the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position (in thousands):



	Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Location	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities	$	—	$	30,094

Any ineffectiveness associated with such derivative instruments was recorded immediately as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. As a result of the refinancing of the Company’s debt during March 2012, the Company accelerated the reclassification of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings as a result of the hedged forecasted transactions becoming no longer probable of occurring. The accelerated amounts were a loss of approximately $31.1 million, which was recorded as a component of non-operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2012. The table below presents the effect of the Company’s interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Amount of loss recognized in OCI (effective portion)(1)	$	(4,256	)	$	(36,643	)	$	—
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)	(2,600		)	(7,220		)	—
Amount of loss recognized in earnings (2)	(31,079		)	(3,492		)	—


(1)	"OCI” represents other comprehensive income.


(2)	For the year ended December 31, 2012, amount represents loss due to missed forecasted transaction and is recorded as a component of non-operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. For the year ended December 31, 2011, amount represents ineffectiveness and is recorded as a component of interest expense—net in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.

Free-standing Derivative

In conjunction with the separation from Fifth Third on June 30, 2009, Vantiv, Inc. received put rights, exercisable by Vantiv, Inc., or Vantiv, Inc.'s stockholders, at its option, from Fifth Third. The put rights are accounted for under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, as free-standing derivatives with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. The put rights were contingently exercisable in the event of three scenarios occurring prior the IPO (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Vantiv Holding), at which time the put rights were terminated. Each of the scenarios is described below:


•	Scenario 1- During the first 12 months following the effective date of the separation from Fifth Third, either a government investment or a non-competitor change of control occurs at Fifth Third; or


•	Scenario 2- During the first 54 months following the effective date of the separation from Fifth Third, a competitor change of control occurs at Fifth Third; or


•	Scenario 3- During the first two years following the effective date of the separation from Fifth Third, a bankruptcy event occurs for Fifth Third.

Due to the passage of time, Scenarios 1 and 3 are no longer applicable. Based on the passage of time and industry and regulatory conditions, the probability of occurrence of Scenario 2 above was considered remote as of December 31, 2011, and as such, the put rights were assigned a fair value of zero as of December 31, 2011.

The following table reflects the notional amount and fair value of the put rights included within other non-current assets in the accompanying statements of financial position as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):



	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
			Fair Value				Fair Value
	Notional Amount		Derivative Asset		Notional Amount		Derivative Asset
Free-standing put rights	$	978,883	$	—	$	870,402	$	800

The net losses recorded as a component of non-operating expenses within the statements of income related to the put rights are summarized in the following table (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2011			Year Ended December 31, 2010
Free-standing put rights	$	(800	)	$	(4,300	)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising therefrom, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41620-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579240-113959

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80784-113994

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41641-113959

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4H
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624258-113959

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4K
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5708775-113959

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80748-113994

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41635-113959

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4J
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5708773-113959

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4E
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624181-113959

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN VANTIV HOLDING

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN VANTIV HOLDING

As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, Vantiv, Inc. owns a controlling interest in Vantiv Holding, and therefore consolidates the financial results of Vantiv Holding and records non-controlling interest for the economic interests in Vantiv Holding held by Fifth Third, with respect to periods subsequent to the IPO, and held by Fifth Third and JPDN, with respect to periods prior to the IPO. In connection with the IPO, various recapitalization and reorganization transactions were executed, as discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation. Further, as discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, the Exchange Agreement entered into prior to the IPO provides for a 1 to 1 ratio between the units of Vantiv Holding and the common stock of Vantiv, Inc.

As of December 31, 2012, Vantiv, Inc.’s interest in Vantiv Holding was 66.95%. Changes in units and related ownership interest in Vantiv Holding are summarized as follows:



	Vantiv, Inc.		Fifth Third		JPDN		Total
As of December 31, 2011	50,930,455		48,933,182		136,363		100,000,000
% of ownership	50.93	%	48.93	%	0.14	%
Recapitalization transactions:
Incremental units as a result of split	38,585,162		37,072,018		103,309		75,760,489
JPDN exchange of units for Class A common stock	239,672		—		(239,672	)	—
IPO transactions:
Issuance of Class A units of Vantiv Holding in connection with issuance of Class A common stock to public	31,498,064		(2,086,064	)	—		29,412,000
Issuance of Class A units of Vantiv Holding in connection with issuance of Class A common stock under equity plan	8,716,141		—		—		8,716,141
Fifth Third exchange of Vantiv Holding units for shares of Class A common stock in connection with December 2012 secondary offering	13,700,000		(13,700,000	)	—		—
Equity plan activity (a)	(1,425,814	)	—		—		(1,425,814	)
As of December 31, 2012	142,243,680		70,219,136		—		212,462,816
% of ownership	66.95	%	33.05	%	0.00	%


(a)	Includes treasury stock, forfeitures of Restricted Class A common stock awards and the conversion of restricted stock units to Class A common stock.

As a result of the changes in ownership interests in Vantiv Holding, an adjustment of $1.3 million has been recognized during the year ended December 31, 2012 in order to reflect the portion of net assets of Vantiv Holding attributable to non-controlling unit holders based on ownership interests in Vantiv Holding at the time of the IPO and the secondary offering in December 2012.

The table below provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to non-controlling interests based on relative ownership interests in Vantiv Holding as discussed above (in thousands):



	Year Ended December, 31
	2012		2011		2010
Net income	$	110,758	$	84,810	$	54,917
Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:
Miscellaneous expenses (a)	—		861		4,379
Vantiv, Inc. income tax expense (b)	21,274		13,310		7,800
Vantiv Holding net income	132,032		98,981		67,096
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (c)	$	53,148	$	48,570	$	32,924

(a) Represents miscellaneous expenses incurred by Vantiv, Inc., primarily consisting of losses associated with the put rights received in conjunction with the separation from Fifth Third in 2009.

(b) Represents income tax expense related to Vantiv, Inc.

(c) Net income attributable to non-controlling interests reflects the allocation of Vantiv Holding’s net income based on the proportionate ownership interests in Vantiv Holding held by the non-controlling unitholders. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the net income attributable to non-controlling unitholders reflects the changes in ownership interests summarized in the table above.

In connection with the separation from Fifth Third, Fifth Third received a warrant that allows for the purchase of up to 20.4 million Class C Non-Voting Units of Vantiv Holding. The warrant is exercisable, in whole or in part, and from time to time, but not during a restricted period. A restricted period means a period during which Vantiv Holding (or any successor thereto) is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided that the restricted period shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) a change of control, and (ii) in the event Vantiv, Inc. is no longer a public company owning Vantiv Holding, both as defined in the warrant agreement. In addition, the warrant is exercisable if Fifth Third delivers an opinion of counsel to Vantiv Holding that concludes, based on any Treasury regulations or guidance then in effect, that the exercise of the warrant will not cause an immediate taxable event to the other members of Vantiv Holding. The warrant expires upon the earliest to occur of (i) the 20th anniversary of the issue date, (ii) 60 days following an exercise by Vantiv, Inc. of its put rights (refer to Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities), subject to extension in specified circumstances, and (iii) a change of control where the price paid per unit in such change of control minus the exercise price of the warrant in less than zero. Fifth Third is entitled to purchase the underlying Units of the warrant at a price of $15.98 per unit. The warrant was valued at approximately $65.4 million at June 30, 2009, the issuance date, using a Black-Scholes option valuation model using probability weighted scenarios, assuming expected terms of 10 to 20 years, expected volatilities of 37.5% to 44.4%, risk free rates of 4.03% to 4.33% and expected dividend rates of 0%. The expected volatilities were based on historical and implied volatilities of comparable companies assuming similar expected terms. The warrant is recorded as a component of the non-controlling interest on the accompanying statements of financial position as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries, which could include the name of the subsidiary, the ownership percentage held by the parent, the ownership percentage held by the noncontrolling owners, the amount of the noncontrolling interest, the location of this amount on the balance sheet (when not reported separately), an explanation of the increase or decrease in the amount of the noncontrolling interest, the noncontrolling interest share of the net Income or Loss of the subsidiary, the location of this amount on the income statement (when not reported separately), the nature of the noncontrolling interest such as background information and terms, the amount of the noncontrolling interest represented by preferred stock, a description of the preferred stock, and the dividend requirements of the preferred stock.

+ References + Details

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

Leases

The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases that expire between October 2013 and June 2020. Future minimum commitments under these leases are as follows (in thousands):



Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	6,745
2014	4,902
2015	2,971
2016	1,456
2017	766
Thereafter	8,689
Total	$	25,529

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $6.6 million, $9.8 million and $7.8 million, respectively. Rent expense for 2011 and 2010 primarily reflects the lease agreement between the Company and Fifth Third entered into on July 1, 2009.

Legal Reserve

From time to time, the Company is involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of its business. While it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate resolution or range of financial liability with respect to these contingent matters, management believes none of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company offers a defined contribution savings plan to virtually all Company employees. The plan provides for elective, tax-deferred participant contributions, Company matching contributions and discretionary Company contributions. Expenses associated with the defined contribution savings plan for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $4.5 million, $3.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

CAPITAL STOCK	12 Months Ended
CAPITAL STOCK	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
CAPITAL STOCK	CAPITAL STOCK Common Stock Under the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 890,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.00001 per share and 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with no par value per share. The Class A and Class B common stock each provide holders with one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders; however, the holders of shares of Class B common stock shall be limited to voting power, including voting power associated with any Class A common stock held, of 18.5% at any time other than in connection with a stockholder vote with respect to a change of control. Also, holders of Class B common stock do not have any of the economic rights (including rights to dividends and distributions upon liquidation) provided to the holders of Class A common stock. Shares of Class B common stock, together with the corresponding Vantiv Holding Class B units, may be exchanged for shares of Class A common stock on a 1 for 1 basis. All shares of Class A and Class B common stock vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Fifth Third holds all shares of the Class B common stock. As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, on March 21, 2012, the Company completed the IPO of its Class A common stock. In the IPO, an aggregate of 33,823,800 shares of Class A common stock were issued and sold to the public (including 4,411,800 Class A shares representing an over-allotment option granted by the Company and the selling stockholders to the underwriters in the IPO) at a price per share of $17.00. In conjunction with the IPO, the Company also issued 86,005,200 shares of Class B common stock. As of December 31, 2012, 142,243,680 shares of Class A common stock and 70,219,136 shares of Class B common stock were issued and outstanding. Preferred Stock Under the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.00001 per share. As of December 31, 2012, there was no preferred stock outstanding.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity, comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, if any, including other comprehensive income (as applicable). Including, but not limited to: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms, and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables, effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6228006&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23285-112656

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Section B
-Paragraph 7, 11A
-Chapter 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph d
-Article 4

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Article 4

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 23: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

Prior to the IPO, certain employees and directors of Vantiv Holding participated in the Phantom Equity Plan. As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, in connection with the IPO, outstanding awards under the Phantom Equity Plan were converted into unrestricted and restricted Class A common stock, issued under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

Phantom Equity Plan

Effective June 30, 2009, Vantiv Holding established the Phantom Equity Plan for certain employees and directors. The aggregate number of units that were available to be issued under the Phantom Equity Plan was limited to approximately 15.3 million. Awards under the Phantom Equity Plan vested upon either the occurrence of certain events (“Time Awards”) or the achievement of specified performance goals (“Performance Awards”). Time Awards fully vested on the earliest of the fifth anniversary of the grant date, subject to the participant’s continued service through the end of the seventh anniversary of the grant date, or the date of the consummation of a change of control. The Performance Awards contained certain vesting conditions that were triggered upon the earlier of the consummation of a change of control or an IPO. Vantiv Holding had the choice to settle both Time Awards and Performance Awards in either cash or equity units, except in the event of an IPO, which required settlement in equity shares.

On September 29, 2010, Vantiv Holding authorized for issuance approximately 15.3 million Class D Units to be used for the settlement of Time Awards and Performance Awards. The authorization of such Units permitted Vantiv Holding to account for share-based payments as equity awards. Prior to the authorization, Time Awards and Performance Awards were accounted for as liability awards, with changes in fair value of Time Awards recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period. Upon authorization of the Class D Units, Vantiv Holding remeasured the existing awards to a weighted-average fair value of $4.11 per award, with the adjustment recorded in the year ended December 31, 2010 as compensation expense.

ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, requires compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of share-based payments to be recognized over the requisite service period. Further, the fair value of liability awards is required to be remeasured at the reporting date, with changes in fair value recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period. Based on the vesting criteria and continued service requirements, compensation expense related to Time Awards was recognized on a straight-line basis over seven years. Compensation expense associated with Time Awards issued under the Phantom Equity Plan was $3.0 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

The table below presents the number and weighted-average grant-date fair value of non-vested Time Awards at the beginning and end of the year, as well as those granted, vested and forfeited during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.



	Year Ended			Year Ended
	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	Number	Fair Value		Number	Fair Value
Non-vested, beginning of period	7,669,121	$	3.74	4,170,566	$	3.71
Granted	1,156,479	3.68		3,997,052	3.78
Vested	—	—		—	—
Forfeited	94,324	3.74		498,497	3.66
Non-vested, end of period	8,731,276	$	3.97	7,669,121	$	3.74

The value of the Time Awards during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporated the weighted-average assumptions below (assumptions below also reflect the expected option life at the date of remeasurement during 2010):



	2011	2010
Expected option life at grant (in years)	7.0	7.0
Expected option life at remeasurement (in years)	0.0	6.3
Expected volatility	35.0%	36.0%
Expected dividend yield	—%	—%
Risk-free interest rate	2.6%	1.7%

The expected option life represented the requisite service period associated with Time Awards. Due to the lack of Company-specific historical data, the expected volatility was based on the average historical and implied volatility of the Company's peer group. The expected dividend yield reflected the assumption that dividends would not be paid by the Company to holders of Time Awards. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury strip rate in effect at the time of grant or remeasurement.

The value of Performance Awards outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $17.1 million and $15.6 million, respectively. However, no compensation expense attributable to Performance Awards for 2011 and 2010 was recognized as the achievement of related performance conditions was not deemed probable.

During 2010, 222,884 Time and 111,443 Performance Awards were granted to a non-employee. The grant date fair value of the Time Awards was $4.12, resulting in total expense of $0.9 million, which was recorded in 2010 earnings. The information presented throughout the above discussion incorporates these awards. No expense was recorded for the Performance Awards as related performance measures were not deemed probable.

During 2012, prior to the IPO there were no new grants or vestings under the Phantom Equity Plan. Activity under the Phantom Equity Plan during 2012 prior to the IPO consisted only of forfeitures of 92,274 awards. There were no exercisable Time Awards or Performance Awards outstanding at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

2012 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2012 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted by the Company’s board of directors in March 2012. The 2012 Equity Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based awards. The maximum number of shares of Class A common stock available for issuance pursuant to the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan is 35.5 million shares.

In connection with the IPO, vested Time Awards originally issued under the Phantom Equity Plan were converted into Class A common stock based on a formula as defined in the Phantom Equity Plan. Unvested Time Awards and Performance Awards were converted into restricted Class A common stock, which was issued under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

In connection with the IPO and conversion of phantom units, the Company issued 1,381,135 shares of unrestricted Class A common stock related to vested Time Awards and 3,073,118 shares of restricted Class A common stock related to unvested Time Awards. As the shares of restricted Class A common stock were issued in connection with the conversion of the Time Awards under the Phantom Equity Plan, compensation expense to be recognized associated with the shares of restricted Class A common stock is equal to the remaining compensation expense previously associated with the Time Awards. This compensation expense will be recognized prospectively, beginning on the date of the IPO and continuing over the remaining vesting period determined in accordance with the original Phantom Equity Plan award agreements.

The Company issued 3,560,223 shares of restricted Class A common stock in connection with the conversion of Performance Awards under the Phantom Equity Plan. The fair value of restricted Class A common stock was based on the IPO price of $17.00 per share. Prior to the IPO, the occurrence of a qualifying event underlying the Performance Awards had not been considered probable, thus, no compensation expense related to the Performance Awards had been recognized. Upon the IPO and conversion of Performance Awards into restricted Class A common stock, compensation expense was recognized in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, as an “improbable-to-probable” modification. As such, compensation expense associated with the converted Performance Awards will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period of the underlying restricted Class A common stock based on the fair value of restricted Class A common stock on the date the awards were granted.

Also in connection with the IPO, the Company issued 74,110 restricted stock units to members of the Company’s board of directors, which vest on the earlier of one year from the date of the grant or the next annual stockholder meeting and will be settled in shares of Class A common stock following the termination of the director’s service. Additionally, upon the IPO, the Company issued a total of 231,100 restricted stock units to 2,311 active employees of the Company, with each employee receiving 100 restricted stock units. Subject to recipients’ continued service, these units will cliff vest on the fourth anniversary of the IPO. Subsequent to the IPO, the Company periodically issues restricted stock units to directors and employees.

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards at December 31, 2012:



	Time Awards Converted to Restricted Class A Common Stock		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Performance Awards Converted to Restricted Class A Common Stock		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Conversion of Phantom Units in connection with the IPO	3,073,118		$	4.04	3,560,223		$	17.00	—		$	—
Conversion of Restricted Class A common stock and units to Class A common stock upon vesting	(835,802	)	4.04		(12,068	)	17.00		(123	)	19.63
Issuance of Restricted Stock Units to directors and employees	—		—		—		—		359,465		17.72
Forfeitures	(242,367	)	4.05		(205,344	)	17.00		(59,516	)	17.00
Non-vested at December 31, 2012	1,994,949		$	4.04	3,342,811		$	17.00	299,826		$	17.87

For the year ended December 31, 2012 share-based compensation expense was $33.4 million. At December 31, 2012, there was approximately $51.6 million of share-based compensation expense not yet recognized related to restricted Class A common stock and restricted stock units. This expense is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6406099&loc=d3e25284-112666

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418621&loc=d3e17540-113929

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5444-113901

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65, A240
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
-Paragraph 53
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, income taxes are recognized for the amount of taxes payable for the current year and for the impact of deferred tax liabilities and assets, which represent future tax consequences of events that have been recognized differently in the financial statements than for tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established using the enacted statutory tax rates and are adjusted for any changes in such rates in the period of change. Vantiv, Inc. is taxed as a C Corporation, which is subject to both federal and state taxation at a corporate level. Therefore, tax expense (benefit) and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect such status.

The following is a summary of applicable income taxes (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Current income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	$	40,747		$	(1,462	)	$	5,364
State and local income taxes	5,754			2,638			2,435
Total current tax expense	46,501			1,176			7,799
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. income taxes	366			30,997			4,261
State and local income taxes	(14		)	136			(13,016		)
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	352			31,133			(8,755		)
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)	$	46,853		$	32,309		$	(956	)

The deferred income tax benefit for state and local income taxes in 2010 is primarily related to the recording of a deferred income tax benefit for the reduction of the state and local tax rate on future reversal of deferred tax liabilities as a result of the relocation of the Company's headquarters to a lower tax jurisdiction.

A reconciliation of the U.S. income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate for all periods is provided below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State taxes-net of federal benefit	3.1		4.1		3.3
Change in state and local tax law	(0.2	)	(1.3	)	(23.1	)
Non-controlling interest	(8.4	)	(11.0	)	(16.9	)
Other-net	0.2		0.3		(0.1	)
Effective tax rate	29.7	%	27.1	%	(1.8	)%

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):



	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses	$	30,764		$	34,919
Employee benefits	40			11
Other assets	217			213
Other accruals and reserves	748			831
Partnership basis	141,892			—
Deferred tax assets	173,661			35,974
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	(1,723		)	(629		)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(32,278		)	(27,014		)
Partnership basis	—			(7,136		)
Deferred tax liability	(34,001		)	(34,779		)
Deferred tax asset-net	$	139,660		$	1,195

As part of the acquisition of NPC, the Company acquired federal and state tax loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 2012, the cumulative federal and state tax loss carryforwards were approximately $85.9 million and $6.2 million, respectively. Federal tax loss carryforwards will expire between 2024 and 2030, and state tax loss carryforwards will expire between 2013 and 2030.

The partnership basis included in the above table is the result of a difference between the tax basis and book basis of Vantiv, Inc.'s investment in Vantiv Holding. Included in partnership basis are deferred tax assets resulting from the increase in tax basis generated by the exchange of units of Vantiv Holding by Fifth Third and JPDN in connection with the IPO and the secondary offering which took place in December 2012. As a result of these exchanges, the Company recorded liabilities under the TRAs of $166.8 million and deferred tax assets of $138.0 million, with a corresponding reduction to paid in capital for the difference. See Note 8 - Tax Receivable Agreements for further discussion of TRAs.

Deferred tax assets are reviewed to determine whether the available evidence allows the Company to recognize the tax benefits. To the extent that a tax asset would be not be recognized, the Company records a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. The Company has recorded no valuation allowance during the year ended December 31, 2012 or 2011.

A provision for state and local income taxes has been recorded on the statements of income for the amounts of such taxes the Company is obligated to pay or amounts refundable to the Company. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded an income tax receivable of approximately $4.2 million and $13.8 million, respectively.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no material uncertain tax positions. If a future liability does arise related to uncertainty in income taxes, the Company has elected an accounting policy to classify interest and penalties, if any, as income tax expense. Accordingly, a loss contingency is recognized when it is probably that a liability has been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Any amount recognized would be subject to estimate and management judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each uncertain tax position. The amount that is ultimately sustained for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax positions in the aggregate could differ from the amount recognized.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

+ Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses the hierarchy prescribed in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, based upon the available inputs to the valuation and the degree to which they are observable or not observable in the market. The three levels in the hierarchy are as follows:


•	Level 1 Inputs—Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible as of the measurement date.


•	Level 2 Inputs—Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly, including but not limited to quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and observable inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rates or yield curves.


•	Level 3 Inputs—Unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	2012						2011
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	30,094	$	—

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company’s interest rate swaps were terminated in conjunction with the March 2012 debt refinancing discussed in Note 7 - Long-Term Debt. Prior to the March 2012 debt refinancing, the Company used interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. The fair value of interest rate swaps were determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) were based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves. In addition, to comply with the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, were incorporated in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk. In adjusting the fair value of its interest rate swaps for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company considered any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Although the Company determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate swaps fell within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its interest rate swaps utilized Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of December 31, 2011, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its interest rate swaps and determined that the credit valuation adjustment was not significant to the overall valuation of its interest rate swaps. As a result, the Company classified its interest rate swap valuations in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further discussion of the Company’s interest rate swaps.

The following table summarizes carrying amounts and estimated fair values for financial assets and liabilities, excluding assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	2012				2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,058	$	67,058	$	370,549	$	370,549
Liabilities:
Note payable	1,256,105		1,262,945		1,754,709		1,769,035

Due to the short-term nature of cash and cash equivalents, the carrying value approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s note payable was estimated based on rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities and is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13504-108611

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15B
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44A, 44B
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph a-d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15C, 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32, 33, 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. by the weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the period.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, potentially dilutive securities include restricted stock awards, the warrant held by Fifth Third which allows for the purchase of Class C units of Vantiv Holding and 70,219,136 of Class B units of Vantiv Holding ("Class B units") which, pursuant to the Exchange Agreement are convertible into shares of Class A common stock. Class B units are considered in computing diluted net income per share on an "if-converted" basis. During the year ended December 31, 2012, Class B units have been excluded in computing diluted net income per share because including them on an "if-converted" basis would have an anti-dilutive effect.

During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, potentially dilutive securities consisted of phantom equity awards issued under the Phantom Equity Plan and the warrant held by Fifth Third. Phantom equity awards issued by and settled in units of Vantiv Holding had an anti-dilutive effect on the Company’s net income per share and were therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share. The warrant held by Fifth Third was out of the money and was therefore also excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share. Class B units of Vantiv Holding were not considered in the calculation of diluted net income per share during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 as the Exchange Agreement permitting the conversion of Class B units of Vantiv Holding to Class A common stock of the Company was not in place.

The shares of Class B common stock do not share in the earnings or losses of the Company and are therefore not participating securities. Accordingly, basic and diluted net income per share of Class B common stock has not been presented.

The weighted-average Class A common shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per share reflect the retrospective application of the stock split which occurred in connection with the IPO. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Basic:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. (in thousands)	$	57,610	$	36,240	$	21,993
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	116,258,204		89,515,617		89,515,617
Basic net income per share	$	0.50	$	0.40	$	0.25
Diluted:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. (in thousands)	$	57,610	$	36,240	$	21,993
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	116,258,204		89,515,617		89,515,617
Restricted stock and phantom equity awards	1,553,857		—		—
Warrant	4,935,301		—		—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	122,747,362		89,515,617		89,515,617
Diluted net income per share	$	0.47	$	0.40	$	0.25

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The activity of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cash flow hedging activities was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
Pretax activity	$	29,424		$	(29,424	)
Tax effect	(5,495		)	5,495
Net activity	23,929			(23,929		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	14,415			(14,415		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	9,514		$	(9,514	)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e689-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e716-108580

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e709-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14-26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In connection with the Company's separation from Fifth Third on June 30, 2009, the Company entered into various agreements which provide for services provided to or received from Fifth Third. Subsequent to the separation from Fifth Third, the Company continues to enter into various business agreements with Fifth Third. Transactions under these agreements are discussed below and throughout these notes to the consolidated financial statements. As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, Fifth Third currently holds 70,219,136 shares of Class B common stock representing 18.5% of voting interests in Vantiv, Inc. and 70,219,136 Class B units of Vantiv Holding representing a 33.05% ownership interest. Debt Agreements As discussed in Note 7 - Long-Term Debt, the Company had certain debt arrangements outstanding and available from Fifth Third. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, interest expense associated with these arrangements was $10.2 million, $18.4 million, and $101.6 million, respectively, and commitment fees were $0.4 million, $0.3 million, and $0.6 million, respectively. Master Lease Agreement/Master Sublease Agreement On July 1, 2009, the Company entered into a five-year Master Lease Agreement and a five-year Master Sublease Agreement with Fifth Third and certain of its affiliates for the lease or sublease of a number of office and/or data center locations. Related party rent expense was approximately $3.7 million, $6.8 million and $6.5 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Beginning in February of 2012, this amount was substantially reduced as a result of our exercise of termination rights and the purchase and relocation to our new corporate headquarters. Referral Agreement On June 30, 2009, the Company entered into an exclusive referral arrangement with Fifth Third. Commercial and retail merchant clients of Fifth Third and its subsidiary depository institutions that request merchant (credit or debit card) acceptance services are referred exclusively to us. In return for these referrals and the resulting merchant relationships, we make ongoing incentive payments to Fifth Third. The agreement also provides for our referral of prospective banking clients to Fifth Third, in return for certain incentive payments. This agreement terminates in June 2019. Costs associated with this agreement totaled $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Clearing, Settlement and Sponsorship Agreement and Treasury Management Agreement As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation, Fifth Third is a member of the Visa, MasterCard and other payment network associations. Fifth Third is the Company's primary sponsor into the respective card associations. Fifth Third also provides access to certain cash and treasury management services to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company paid Fifth Third approximately $1.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for these services. As discussed in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies, the Company holds certain cash and cash equivalents on deposit at Fifth Third. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, approximately $21.3 million and $288.4 million, respectively, was held on deposit at Fifth Third. Interest income on such amounts during years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $0.9 million, $0.7 million, and $1.0 million, respectively. Transition Services Agreement In conjunction with the Company's separation from Fifth Third, the Company entered into a transition services agreement (“TSA”) with Fifth Third. Under the TSA, Fifth Third provided services that were required to support the Company as a stand-alone entity during the period following the separation from Fifth Third. These services involved IT services, back-office support, employee related services, product development, risk management, legal, accounting and general business resources. The TSA terminated on October 31, 2011. Subsequent to such date, the Company continues to receive certain non-material services from Fifth Third. The total for services provided by Fifth Third for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1.1 million, $23.2 million and $51.3 million, respectively. Management Agreement In connection with the Company's separation from Fifth Third, the Company entered into a management agreement with Advent for management services including consulting and business development services related to sales and marketing activities, acquisition strategies, financial and treasury requirements and strategic planning. The Company was required to pay Advent $0.5 million the first year and $1.0 million annually thereafter. The fee is payable in full the beginning of each year and is not subject to proration if the contract is terminated prior to years end. The Company paid Advent $1.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Pursuant to its terms, the agreement was terminated in connection with the IPO.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39678-107864

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39691-107864

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph b
-Article 3A

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph k
-Article 4

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 57
-Paragraph 1-4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Segment operating results are presented below (in thousands). The results reflect revenues and expenses directly related to each segment. The Company does not evaluate performance or allocate resources based on segment asset data, and therefore such information is not presented.

Segment profit reflects total revenue less network fees and other costs and sales and marketing costs of the segment. The Company’s CODM evaluates this metric in analyzing the results of operations for each segment.



	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		General Corporate/Other		Total
Total revenue	$	1,409,158	$	454,081	$	—	$	1,863,239
Network fees and other costs	709,341		131,256		—		840,597
Sales and marketing	255,887		24,757		—		280,644
Segment profit	$	443,930	$	298,068	$	—	$	741,998



	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		General Corporate/Other			Total
Total revenue	$	1,185,253	$	437,168	$	—		$	1,622,421
Network fees and other costs	620,852		135,883		—			756,735
Sales and marketing	211,062		24,046		1,809			236,917
Segment profit	$	353,339	$	277,239	$	(1,809	)	$	628,769



	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		General Corporate/Other			Total
Total revenue	$	756,930	$	405,202	$	—		$	1,162,132
Network fees and other costs	476,932		119,063		—			595,995
Sales and marketing	73,441		22,964		2,013			98,418
Segment profit	$	206,557	$	263,175	$	(2,013	)	$	467,719

A reconciliation of total segment profit to the Company’s income before applicable income taxes is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Total segment profit	$	741,998		$	628,769		$	467,719
Less: Other operating costs	(158,374		)	(143,420		)	(124,383		)
Less: General and administrative	(118,231		)	(86,870		)	(58,091		)
Less: Depreciation and amortization	(160,538		)	(155,326		)	(110,964		)
Less: Interest expense—net	(54,572		)	(111,535		)	(116,020		)
Less: Non-operating expenses	(92,672		)	(14,499		)	(4,300		)
Income before applicable income taxes	$	157,611		$	117,119		$	53,961

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth our unaudited results of operations on a quarterly basis for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.



	Three Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2012		Sep 30, 2012		Jun 30, 2012		Mar 31, 2012			Dec 31, 2011		Sep 30, 2011		Jun 30, 2011		Mar 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenue	$	494,092	$	466,736	$	469,622	$	432,789		$	439,047	$	409,364	$	402,564	$	371,446
Network fees and other costs	222,906		208,239		209,244		200,208			196,359		192,466		185,694		182,216
Net revenue	271,186		258,497		260,378		232,581			242,688		216,898		216,870		189,230
Sales and marketing	68,042		69,313		70,532		72,757			64,633		56,495		59,570		56,219
Other operating costs	38,572		40,376		40,417		39,009			35,672		35,028		34,980		37,740
General and administrative	31,844		28,600		29,190		28,597			18,367		18,896		28,224		21,383
Depreciation and amortization	41,357		40,618		39,667		38,895			39,559		40,066		39,001		36,700
Income from operations	$	91,371	$	79,590	$	80,572	$	53,323		$	84,457	$	66,413	$	55,095	$	37,188
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	28,754	$	24,264	$	22,956	$	(18,364	)	$	15,713	$	11,648	$	5,380	$	3,499
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vantiv, Inc.:
Basic	$	0.23	$	0.20	$	0.19	$	(0.20	)	$	0.18	$	0.13	$	0.06	$	0.04
Diluted	$	0.22	$	0.19	$	0.18	$	(0.38	)	$	0.18	$	0.13	$	0.06	$	0.04

Our results of operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations in our revenue as a result of consumer spending patterns. Historically our revenues have been the strongest in the fourth quarter and weakest in our first quarter.

* * * * *

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

+ References + Details

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Segments

•

Principles of Consolidation

Use of Estimates

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue primarily by processing electronic payment transactions. Set forth below is a description of the Company’s revenue by segment.

Merchant Services

Financial Institution Services

Financial Institution Services provides certain services to Fifth Third. Revenues related to these services are included in the accompanying statements of income as related party revenues.

Expenses

Set forth below is a brief description of the components of the Company’s expenses:


•	Network fees and other costs consists of certain expenses incurred by the Company in connection with providing processing services to its clients, including Visa and MasterCard network association fees, payment network fees, card production costs, telecommunication charges, postage and other third party processing expenses.


•	Sales and marketing expense primarily consists of salaries and benefits paid to sales personnel, sales management and other sales and marketing personnel, advertising and promotional costs and residual payments made to ISOs, agent banks and other third party resellers.


•	Other operating costs primarily consist of salaries and benefits paid to operational and IT personnel, costs associated with operating the Company’s technology platform and data centers, information technology costs for processing transactions, product development costs, software consulting fees and maintenance costs.


•	General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits paid to executive management and administrative employees, including finance, human resources, product development, legal and risk management, share-based compensation costs, equipment and occupancy costs and consulting costs.


•	Non-operating expenses consist of charges related to the refinancing of the Company’s senior secured credit facilities (see Note 7 - Long-Term Debt), the early termination of the Company’s interest rate swaps (see Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities) and a one-time activity fee of $6.0 million assessed by MasterCard as a result of the IPO.

Share-Based Compensation

Earnings Per Share

Income Taxes

Vantiv, Inc. is taxed as a C corporation for U.S. income tax purposes and is therefore subject to both federal and state taxation at a corporate level.

See Note 15 - Income Taxes for further discussion of income taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivable—net

Customer Incentives

Property and Equipment—net

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Settlement Assets and Obligations

Derivatives

New Accounting Pronouncements

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Litle & Company, LLC [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of recognized identified assets aquired and liabilities assumed

The preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	10,326
Property and equipment	13,503
Non-current assets	30
Goodwill	272,218
Customer relationship intangible assets	73,600
Trade name	1,300
Current liabilities	(10,388		)
Total purchase price	$	360,589

NPC Group, Inc. [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of recognized identified assets aquired and liabilities assumed

The purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	14,849
Property and equipment	8,031
Non-current assets	24,700
Goodwill	456,326
Customer relationship intangible assets	111,000
Trade name	41,000
Current liabilities	(28,643		)
Non-current liabilities	(7,280		)
Total purchase price	$	619,983

Schedule of pro forma results

The following unaudited pro forma results reflect the results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010 assuming the acquisition of NPC had occurred on July 1, 2009 (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2010
Total revenue	$	1,410,150
Income from operations	214,678
Net income including non-controlling interests	74,519
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	31,977

Town North Bank, N.A. [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of recognized identified assets aquired and liabilities assumed

The purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	19,836
Customer relationship intangible assets	28,865
Trade name	238
Goodwill	26,898
Current liabilities	(19,220		)
Non-current liabilities	(4,175		)
Total purchase price	$	52,442

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pro forma results of operations for a material business acquisition or series of individually immaterial business acquisitions that are material in the aggregate.

+ References + Details

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Summary of the Company's property and equipment

A summary of the Company's property and equipment is as follows (in thousands):



	Estimated Useful Life	December 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
Building and improvements	15 - 40 years	$	18,645		$	18,708
Furniture and equipment	2 - 10 years	75,913			62,224
Software	3 - 5 years	146,322			96,010
Leasehold improvements	3 - 10 years	3,558			1,458
Construction in progress		16,304			15,737
Accumulated depreciation		(85,802		)	(41,827		)
Total		$	174,940		$	152,310

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

A summary of changes in goodwill through December 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):



	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2010	$	957,524	$	574,850	$	1,532,374
Balance as of December 31, 2011	957,524		574,850		1,532,374
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Litle	272,218		—		272,218
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,229,742	$	574,850	$	1,804,592

Schedule of intangible assets

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Customer relationship intangible assets	$	1,212,919	$	1,139,319
Trade name	42,300		41,000
Customer portfolios and related assets	16,780		3,567
	1,271,999		1,183,886

Less accumulated amortization on:
Customer relationship intangible assets	383,962		267,108
Customer portfolios and related assets	3,501		580
	387,463		267,688
	$	884,536	$	916,198

Schedule of expected amortization expense

The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):



2013	$	124,191
2014	117,882
2015	113,864
2016	110,759
2017	107,728

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total which includes a rollforward schedule.

+ References + Details

CAPITAL LEASES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Leases [Abstract]

Future minimum lease payments required under capital leases and the present value of net minimum lease payments

The future minimum lease payments required under capital leases and the present value of net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):



	Amount
2013	$	5,807
2014	5,334
2015	3,112
Total minimum lease payments	$	14,253
Less: Amount representing interest	(473		)
Present value of minimum lease payments	$	13,780
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations	(5,505		)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	8,275

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Company's debt

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s debt consisted of the following:



	December 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
$1,621.1 million term B-1 loans, expiring on November 3, 2016 and bearing interest payable quarterly at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (325 basis points) with a floor of 125 basis points (total rate of 4.5% at December 31, 2011)	$	—		$	1,608,905
$150.0 million term B-2 loans, expiring on November 3, 2017 and bearing interest payable quarterly at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (350 basis points) with a floor of 150 basis points (total rate of 5.0% at December 31, 2011)	—			150,000
$1,000.0 million term A loans, expiring on March 27, 2017, bearing interest payable quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (175 to 250 basis points) (total rate of 2.46% at December 31, 2012) and amortizing on a basis of 1.25% during each of the first eight quarters, 1.875% during each of the second eight quarters and 2.5% during each of the following three quarters with a balloon payment due at maturity	962,500			—
$250.0 million term B loans, expiring on March 27, 2019, bearing interest payable quarterly at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (275 basis points) with a floor of 100 basis points (total rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2012) and amortizing on a basis of 1.0% per year with a balloon payment due at maturity	248,125			—
Borrowings under revolving credit facility (rate of 4.50% at December 31, 2012)	40,000			—
$10.1 million leasehold mortgage, expiring on August 10, 2021 and bearing interest payable monthly at a fixed rate (rate of 6.22% at December 31, 2012)	10,131			10,131
Less: Current portion of note payable and current portion of note payable to related party	(92,500		)	(16,211		)
Less: Original issue discount	(4,651		)	(14,327		)
Note payable and note payable to related party	$	1,163,605		$	1,738,498

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Tax Receivable Agreements Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of the company's liability pursuant to the TRAs

As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s liability pursuant to the TRAs was as follows (in thousands):



	December 31, 2012
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	165,100
TRA with Advent	183,800
TRA with all pre-IPO investors	134,100
TRA with JPDN	1,700
Total	$	484,700

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of fair value of derivative instruments



	Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Location	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities	$	—	$	30,094

Schedule of effect of the Company's interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of income

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Amount of loss recognized in OCI (effective portion)(1)	$	(4,256	)	$	(36,643	)	$	—
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)	(2,600		)	(7,220		)	—
Amount of loss recognized in earnings (2)	(31,079		)	(3,492		)	—


(1)	"OCI” represents other comprehensive income.


(2)	For the year ended December 31, 2012, amount represents loss due to missed forecasted transaction and is recorded as a component of non-operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. For the year ended December 31, 2011, amount represents ineffectiveness and is recorded as a component of interest expense—net in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.

Schedule of notional amount and fair value of put rights included in other non-current assets



	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
			Fair Value				Fair Value
	Notional Amount		Derivative Asset		Notional Amount		Derivative Asset
Free-standing put rights	$	978,883	$	—	$	870,402	$	800

Schedule of net losses recorded as a component of non-operating expenses

The net losses recorded as a component of non-operating expenses within the statements of income related to the put rights are summarized in the following table (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2011			Year Ended December 31, 2010
Free-standing put rights	$	(800	)	$	(4,300	)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pertinent information about a derivative or group of derivatives on a disaggregated basis, such as for individual instruments, or small groups of similar instruments. May include a combination of the type of instrument, risks being hedged, notional amount, hedge designation, related hedged item, inception date, maturity date, or other relevant item.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41641-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579240-113959

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41620-113959

+ Details

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN VANTIV HOLDING (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in units and related ownership interest

Changes in units and related ownership interest in Vantiv Holding are summarized as follows:



	Vantiv, Inc.		Fifth Third		JPDN		Total
As of December 31, 2011	50,930,455		48,933,182		136,363		100,000,000
% of ownership	50.93	%	48.93	%	0.14	%
Recapitalization transactions:
Incremental units as a result of split	38,585,162		37,072,018		103,309		75,760,489
JPDN exchange of units for Class A common stock	239,672		—		(239,672	)	—
IPO transactions:
Issuance of Class A units of Vantiv Holding in connection with issuance of Class A common stock to public	31,498,064		(2,086,064	)	—		29,412,000
Issuance of Class A units of Vantiv Holding in connection with issuance of Class A common stock under equity plan	8,716,141		—		—		8,716,141
Fifth Third exchange of Vantiv Holding units for shares of Class A common stock in connection with December 2012 secondary offering	13,700,000		(13,700,000	)	—		—
Equity plan activity (a)	(1,425,814	)	—		—		(1,425,814	)
As of December 31, 2012	142,243,680		70,219,136		—		212,462,816
% of ownership	66.95	%	33.05	%	0.00	%


(a)	Includes treasury stock, forfeitures of Restricted Class A common stock awards and the conversion of restricted stock units to Class A common stock.

Schedule of reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

The table below provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to non-controlling interests based on relative ownership interests in Vantiv Holding as discussed above (in thousands):



	Year Ended December, 31
	2012		2011		2010
Net income	$	110,758	$	84,810	$	54,917
Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:
Miscellaneous expenses (a)	—		861		4,379
Vantiv, Inc. income tax expense (b)	21,274		13,310		7,800
Vantiv Holding net income	132,032		98,981		67,096
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (c)	$	53,148	$	48,570	$	32,924

(a) Represents miscellaneous expenses incurred by Vantiv, Inc., primarily consisting of losses associated with the put rights received in conjunction with the separation from Fifth Third in 2009.

(b) Represents income tax expense related to Vantiv, Inc.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases

The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases that expire between October 2013 and June 2020. Future minimum commitments under these leases are as follows (in thousands):



Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	6,745
2014	4,902
2015	2,971
2016	1,456
2017	766
Thereafter	8,689
Total	$	25,529

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Time Award and Performance Award transactions



	Year Ended			Year Ended
	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	Number	Fair Value		Number	Fair Value
Non-vested, beginning of period	7,669,121	$	3.74	4,170,566	$	3.71
Granted	1,156,479	3.68		3,997,052	3.78
Vested	—	—		—	—
Forfeited	94,324	3.74		498,497	3.66
Non-vested, end of period	8,731,276	$	3.97	7,669,121	$	3.74

Schedule of weighted-average assumptions



	2011	2010
Expected option life at grant (in years)	7.0	7.0
Expected option life at remeasurement (in years)	0.0	6.3
Expected volatility	35.0%	36.0%
Expected dividend yield	—%	—%
Risk-free interest rate	2.6%	1.7%

Schedule of activity in non-vested Time Awards

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards at December 31, 2012:



	Time Awards Converted to Restricted Class A Common Stock		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Performance Awards Converted to Restricted Class A Common Stock		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Conversion of Phantom Units in connection with the IPO	3,073,118		$	4.04	3,560,223		$	17.00	—		$	—
Conversion of Restricted Class A common stock and units to Class A common stock upon vesting	(835,802	)	4.04		(12,068	)	17.00		(123	)	19.63
Issuance of Restricted Stock Units to directors and employees	—		—		—		—		359,465		17.72
Forfeitures	(242,367	)	4.05		(205,344	)	17.00		(59,516	)	17.00
Non-vested at December 31, 2012	1,994,949		$	4.04	3,342,811		$	17.00	299,826		$	17.87

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of summary of applicable income taxes

The following is a summary of applicable income taxes (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Current income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	$	40,747		$	(1,462	)	$	5,364
State and local income taxes	5,754			2,638			2,435
Total current tax expense	46,501			1,176			7,799
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. income taxes	366			30,997			4,261
State and local income taxes	(14		)	136			(13,016		)
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	352			31,133			(8,755		)
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)	$	46,853		$	32,309		$	(956	)

Schedule of reconciliation of the U.S. income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate

A reconciliation of the U.S. income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate for all periods is provided below:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State taxes-net of federal benefit	3.1		4.1		3.3
Change in state and local tax law	(0.2	)	(1.3	)	(23.1	)
Non-controlling interest	(8.4	)	(11.0	)	(16.9	)
Other-net	0.2		0.3		(0.1	)
Effective tax rate	29.7	%	27.1	%	(1.8	)%

Schedule of deferred income tax assets and liabilities

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):



	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses	$	30,764		$	34,919
Employee benefits	40			11
Other assets	217			213
Other accruals and reserves	748			831
Partnership basis	141,892			—
Deferred tax assets	173,661			35,974
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	(1,723		)	(629		)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(32,278		)	(27,014		)
Partnership basis	—			(7,136		)
Deferred tax liability	(34,001		)	(34,779		)
Deferred tax asset-net	$	139,660		$	1,195

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	2012						2011
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	30,094	$	—

Schedule of carrying amounts and estimated fair values for assets and liabilities, excluding assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis



	2012				2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,058	$	67,058	$	370,549	$	370,549
Liabilities:
Note payable	1,256,105		1,262,945		1,754,709		1,769,035

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Such certain disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate) and (2) the methodology and assumptions used in developing such estimates of fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13476-108611

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13467-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6447952&loc=d3e13220-108610

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 19
-Subparagraph a, b, c(1), d(1)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph b-d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 18
-Subparagraph c(2), d, e, f
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph a, c(1), c(2), c(3), d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of computation of basic and diluted net income per share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Basic:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. (in thousands)	$	57,610	$	36,240	$	21,993
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	116,258,204		89,515,617		89,515,617
Basic net income per share	$	0.50	$	0.40	$	0.25
Diluted:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. (in thousands)	$	57,610	$	36,240	$	21,993
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	116,258,204		89,515,617		89,515,617
Restricted stock and phantom equity awards	1,553,857		—		—
Warrant	4,935,301		—		—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	122,747,362		89,515,617		89,515,617
Diluted net income per share	$	0.47	$	0.40	$	0.25

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of activity of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The activity of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cash flow hedging activities was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
Pretax activity	$	29,424		$	(29,424	)
Tax effect	(5,495		)	5,495
Net activity	23,929			(23,929		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	14,415			(14,415		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	9,514		$	(9,514	)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of results of operations for each segment



	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		General Corporate/Other		Total
Total revenue	$	1,409,158	$	454,081	$	—	$	1,863,239
Network fees and other costs	709,341		131,256		—		840,597
Sales and marketing	255,887		24,757		—		280,644
Segment profit	$	443,930	$	298,068	$	—	$	741,998



	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		General Corporate/Other			Total
Total revenue	$	1,185,253	$	437,168	$	—		$	1,622,421
Network fees and other costs	620,852		135,883		—			756,735
Sales and marketing	211,062		24,046		1,809			236,917
Segment profit	$	353,339	$	277,239	$	(1,809	)	$	628,769



	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		General Corporate/Other			Total
Total revenue	$	756,930	$	405,202	$	—		$	1,162,132
Network fees and other costs	476,932		119,063		—			595,995
Sales and marketing	73,441		22,964		2,013			98,418
Segment profit	$	206,557	$	263,175	$	(2,013	)	$	467,719

Schedule of reconciliation of total segment profit to the company's income before applicable income taxes

A reconciliation of total segment profit to the Company’s income before applicable income taxes is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
Total segment profit	$	741,998		$	628,769		$	467,719
Less: Other operating costs	(158,374		)	(143,420		)	(124,383		)
Less: General and administrative	(118,231		)	(86,870		)	(58,091		)
Less: Depreciation and amortization	(160,538		)	(155,326		)	(110,964		)
Less: Interest expense—net	(54,572		)	(111,535		)	(116,020		)
Less: Non-operating expenses	(92,672		)	(14,499		)	(4,300		)
Income before applicable income taxes	$	157,611		$	117,119		$	53,961

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References + Details

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of quarterly financial information

The following table sets forth our unaudited results of operations on a quarterly basis for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.



	Three Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2012		Sep 30, 2012		Jun 30, 2012		Mar 31, 2012			Dec 31, 2011		Sep 30, 2011		Jun 30, 2011		Mar 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenue	$	494,092	$	466,736	$	469,622	$	432,789		$	439,047	$	409,364	$	402,564	$	371,446
Network fees and other costs	222,906		208,239		209,244		200,208			196,359		192,466		185,694		182,216
Net revenue	271,186		258,497		260,378		232,581			242,688		216,898		216,870		189,230
Sales and marketing	68,042		69,313		70,532		72,757			64,633		56,495		59,570		56,219
Other operating costs	38,572		40,376		40,417		39,009			35,672		35,028		34,980		37,740
General and administrative	31,844		28,600		29,190		28,597			18,367		18,896		28,224		21,383
Depreciation and amortization	41,357		40,618		39,667		38,895			39,559		40,066		39,001		36,700
Income from operations	$	91,371	$	79,590	$	80,572	$	53,323		$	84,457	$	66,413	$	55,095	$	37,188
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	28,754	$	24,264	$	22,956	$	(18,364	)	$	15,713	$	11,648	$	5,380	$	3,499
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vantiv, Inc.:
Basic	$	0.23	$	0.20	$	0.19	$	(0.20	)	$	0.18	$	0.13	$	0.06	$	0.04
Diluted	$	0.22	$	0.19	$	0.18	$	(0.38	)	$	0.18	$	0.13	$	0.06	$	0.04

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 06, 2012 $ / shares shares	Aug. 02, 2012 $ / shares shares	Mar. 21, 2012 USD ($) TRAs $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Conversion ratio for conversion of LLC units into common stock			1
Payment to Fifth Third for modification of consent rights \| $				$ (47,584)	$ (2,848)	$ (26,257)
Distribution of funds \| $				$ 40,086	0	0
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 17	$ 17
Net proceeds from issue of shares \| $				$ 460,913	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Conversion ratio for conversion of LLC units into common stock			1
Class A Common Stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Stock split ratio			175.76
Conversion ratio for conversion of non-voting LLC units into common stock			1
Number of common stock issued (in shares)			29,412,000
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 17
Net proceeds from issue of shares \| $			$ 457,900
Accrued offering costs associated with contractually obligated future offerings \| $							$ 3,000
Common stock issued to underwriters under an over-allotment option (in shares)			4,411,800
Common stock issued to underwriters under an over-allotment option sold by selling shareholders (in shares)			2,325,736
Class A Common Stock \| Common stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Number of common stock issued (in shares)				29,412,000
Class B Common Stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Number of common stock issued (in shares)			86,005,200
Fifth Third \| Class A Common Stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 20.10
Common stock issued to underwriters under an over-allotment option sold by company (in shares)	13,700,000
Advent \| Class A Common Stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 21.90
Common stock issued to underwriters under an over-allotment option sold by company (in shares)		14,064,500
Vantiv Holding
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Number of tax receivable agreements executed with pre-IPO investors of subsidiary (in TRAs) \| TRAs			4
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax			85.00%
Vantiv Holding \| Class A units
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Stock split ratio			1.7576
Vantiv Holding \| Fifth Third
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Conversion ratio for conversion of units into common stock			1
Payment to Fifth Third for modification of consent rights \| $			$ 15,000
Vantiv Holding \| Fifth Third \| Class A Common Stock
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Purchase of shares in subsidiary by the entity (in shares)				2,086,064
Vantiv Holding \| Advent
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Distribution of funds \| $			$ 40,100
Fifth Third
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax			85.00%

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details 2)	1 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details 2)	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 19, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Sponsorship agreement
Sponsorship agreement term	10 years
Fifth Third
Principles of consolidation
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners		18.50%
Vantiv Holding
Principles of consolidation
Ownership percentage by parent		66.95%	50.93%
Vantiv Holding \| Fifth Third
Principles of consolidation
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners		33.05%
Ownership percentage by non-controlling interest		33.05%	48.93%	48.93%
Vantiv Holding \| JPDN
Principles of consolidation
Ownership percentage by non-controlling interest		0.00%	0.14%	0.14%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Non-operating expenses
One-time activity fee assessed by MasterCard as a result of the IPO	$ 6.0
Building and improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	15 years
Building and improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	40 years
Furniture and equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
Furniture and equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Software \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Software \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Leasehold improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Leasehold improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Software development \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Software development \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 03, 2010	Jul. 06, 2010
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 1,532,374	$ 1,804,592				$ 1,532,374				$ 1,804,592	$ 1,532,374	$ 1,532,374
Revenue		$ 494,092	$ 466,736	$ 469,622	$ 432,789	$ 439,047	$ 409,364	$ 402,564	$ 371,446	1,863,239	1,622,421	1,162,132
Net income										110,758	$ 84,810	54,917
Litle & Company, LLC [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Current assets													$ 10,326
Property and equipment													13,503
Non-current assets													30
Goodwill													272,218
Current liabilities													(10,388)
Total purchase price													360,589
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Incurred expenses from acquisition										$ 3,500
NPC Group, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes														$ 240,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Current assets														14,849
Property and equipment														8,031
Non-current assets														24,700
Goodwill														456,326
Current liabilities														(28,643)
Non-current liabilities														(7,280)
Total purchase price														619,983
Revenue	49,400
Net income	$ 3,300
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Total revenue												1,410,150
Income from operations												214,678
Net income including non-controlling interests												74,519
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.												31,977
Incurred expenses from acquisition												$ 2,400
Town North Bank, N.A. [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Current assets															$ 19,836
Goodwill															26,898
Current liabilities															(19,220)
Non-current liabilities															(4,175)
Total purchase price															52,442
Customer relationship intangible assets \| Litle & Company, LLC [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Intangible assets													73,600
Customer relationship intangible assets \| NPC Group, Inc. [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Intangible assets														111,000
Customer relationship intangible assets \| Town North Bank, N.A. [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Intangible assets															28,865
Trade name \| Litle & Company, LLC [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Intangible assets													$ 1,300
Trade name \| NPC Group, Inc. [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Intangible assets														$ 41,000
Trade name \| Town North Bank, N.A. [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Intangible assets															$ 238

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	$ (85,802)	$ (41,827)
Total	174,940	152,310
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment	40,700	31,700	$ 12,500
Building and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 18,645	18,708
Building and improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	15 years
Building and improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	40 years
Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 75,913	62,224
Furniture and equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
Furniture and equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 146,322	96,010
Software \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Software \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,558	1,458
Leasehold improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Leasehold improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 16,304	$ 15,737

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill at beginning of period	$ 1,532,374
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Litle	272,218
Goodwill at end of period	1,804,592
Merchant Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill at beginning of period	957,524
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Litle	272,218
Goodwill at end of period	1,229,742
Financial Institution Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill at beginning of period	574,850
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Litle	0
Goodwill at end of period	$ 574,850

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 72
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-Clause 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph l
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 1,271,999	$ 1,183,886
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	387,463	267,688
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	884,536	916,198
Amortization expense on intangible assets	119,900	123,600	$ 98,500
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five years
2013	124,191
2014	117,882
2015	113,864
2016	110,759
2017	107,728
Customer relationship intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,212,919	1,139,319
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 383,962	$ 267,108
Estimated remaining weighted-average lives of intangible assets	7 years 6 months 24 days	8 years 4 months 24 days
Customer portfolios and related assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 16,780	$ 3,567
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	3,501	580
Trade name
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	$ 42,300	$ 41,000

CAPITAL LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
CAPITAL LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases [Abstract]
Cost of equipment under capital leases	$ 20,900	$ 19,700
Depreciation expense associated with capital leases	4,100	3,600
Future minimum lease payments required under capital leases and the present value of net minimum lease payments
2013	5,807
2014	5,334
2015	3,112
Total minimum lease payments	14,253
Less: Amount representing interest	(473)
Present value of minimum lease payments	13,780
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations	(5,505)	(4,607)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$ 8,275	$ 12,322

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) $ in Thousands					1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 12, 2011 USD ($)	May 17, 2011 USD ($) Tranches	Nov. 03, 2010 USD ($) credit_facility	Oct. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($) Tranches	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term debt
Less: Current portion of note payable and current portion of note payable to related party						$ (92,500)	$ (16,211)
Less: Original issue discount						(4,651)	(14,327)
Note payable and note payable to related party						1,163,605	1,738,498
Revolving credit facility
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt							0
Credit facility outstanding						$ 40,000
Interest rate (as a percent)						4.50%
Term B-1 loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt						$ 0	1,608,905
Face value of debt							$ 1,621,100
Variable base rate							LIBOR
Spread rate (as a percent)							3.25%
Interest rate (as a percent)							4.50%
Term B-1 loan \| Minimum
Long-term debt
Spread rate (as a percent)							1.25%
Term B-2 loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt						0	$ 150,000
Face value of debt							$ 150,000
Variable base rate							LIBOR
Spread rate (as a percent)							3.50%
Interest rate (as a percent)							5.00%
Term B-2 loan \| Minimum
Long-term debt
Spread rate (as a percent)							1.50%
Term A loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt						962,500	$ 0
Face value of debt						$ 1,000,000
Variable base rate						LIBOR
Interest rate (as a percent)						2.46%
Term A loan \| First eight quarters
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)						1.25%
Term A loan \| Second eight quarters
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)						1.875%
Term A loan \| Following three quarters
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)						2.50%
Term A loan \| Minimum
Long-term debt
Spread rate (as a percent)						1.75%
Term A loan \| Maximum
Long-term debt
Spread rate (as a percent)						2.50%
Term B loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt						$ 248,125	0
Face value of debt						$ 250,000
Variable base rate						LIBOR
Spread rate (as a percent)						2.75%
Interest rate (as a percent)						3.75%
Annual amortization percentage						1.00%
Term B loan \| Minimum
Long-term debt
Spread rate (as a percent)						1.00%
Leasehold mortgages
Long-term debt
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	6.22%					6.22%
Additional borrowings	$ 10,100
Outstanding amount of debt						$ 10,131	10,131
Face value of debt						10,100	10,100
Debt repayment period, interest only payment required	84 months
Period of amortization schedule used to compute periodic interest and principal repayment	30 years
November 2010 Debt Refinancing
Long-term debt
Debt Instrument, Number of Credit Facilities \| credit_facility			2
November 2010 Debt Refinancing \| Fifth Third \| Senior notes
Long-term debt
Loan held by Fifth Third Bank				$ 1,250,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)				9.50%
Debt Instrument Term				7 years
November 2010 Debt Refinancing \| Fifth Third \| Revolving credit facility
Long-term debt
Loan held by Fifth Third Bank				$ 125,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)				7.75%
Commitment fee				0.50%
First Lien Loan Agreement
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt		$ 1,571,100
First Lien Loan Agreement \| Revolving credit facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 150,000
Debt Instrument Term			5 years
Commitment fees (as a percent)			0.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			$ 40,000
First Lien Loan Agreement \| Term loan
Long-term debt
Additional borrowings			$ 1,575,000
Debt Instrument Term			6 years
Periodic payment, percentage of principal			0.25%
Interest rate								5.50%
First Lien Loan Agreement \| Letter of credit facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 50,000
Second Lien Loan Agreement
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt		200,000
Second Lien Loan Agreement \| Term loan
Long-term debt
Additional borrowings			$ 200,000
Debt Instrument Term			7 years
Interest rate								8.25%
May 2011 Debt Refinancing
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt		$ 1,771,100
Number of tranches under the loan agreement (in tranches) \| Tranches		2
May 2011 Debt Refinancing \| Revolving credit facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 150,000
May 2011 Debt Refinancing \| Term B-1 loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt		1,621,100
May 2011 Debt Refinancing \| Term B-2 loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt		150,000
May 2011 Debt Refinancing \| Fifth Third \| Term B-1 loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt		$ 377,400
March 2012 Debt Refinancing
Long-term debt
Repayment of debt					$ 538,900
Number of tranches under the loan agreement (in tranches) \| Tranches					2
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Revolving credit facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 250,000
Commitment fees (as a percent)					0.50%
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Letter of credit facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 40,000
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Terminated line of credit
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity					150,000
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Term A loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt					1,000,000
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Term B loan
Long-term debt
Outstanding amount of debt					250,000
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Swing line credit facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 75,000
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Fifth Third \| Revolving credit facility
Long-term debt
Credit facility outstanding						12,800
March 2012 Debt Refinancing \| Fifth Third \| Term A loan
Long-term debt
Loan held by Fifth Third Bank						308,000
Debt Refinancing 2012 [Member]
Long-term debt
Unamortized deferred financing cost written off						55,600
Unamortized deferred financing fee remained capitalized						14,000	$ 33,500
Debt issue discount						$ 4,700
Call premium on debt refinancing (as a percent)						1.00%	2.00%
Call premium on debt refinancing						$ 12,200	$ 4,000
Debt Refinancing 2011 [Member]
Long-term debt
Unamortized deferred financing cost written off							13,700
Debt issuance cost expensed at the date of refinancing							$ 14,300
New Loan Agreement
Long-term debt
Percentage of capital stock of the entity's domestic and foreign subsidiaries pledged as collateral for borrowings						65.00%
Minimum aggregate value of real property held by obligors provided as security on first priority basis						$ 5,000

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 21, 2012 TRAs	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Tax receivable agreement
Cash savings associated with TRAs	15.00%
Tax receivable agreement, liability recorded	$ 166,800
Deferred tax assets attributable to exchange of units of subsidiary	138,000
Obligation under tax receivable agreement	484,700		$ 0
Vantiv Holding
Tax receivable agreement
Number of tax receivable agreements executed (in TRAs) \| TRAs		4
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax		85.00%
Fifth Third
Tax receivable agreement
Tax receivable agreement, liability recorded	165,100
Pre-IPO investors
Tax receivable agreement
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax		85.00%
Obligation under tax receivable agreement	134,100
Fifth Third
Tax receivable agreement
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax		85.00%
Obligation under tax receivable agreement	165,100
Advent
Tax receivable agreement
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax		85.00%
Obligation under tax receivable agreement	183,800
JPDN
Tax receivable agreement
Payments to pre-IPO investors as percentage of cash saving in income tax		85.00%
Obligation under tax receivable agreement	1,700
Vantiv Holding [Member]
Tax receivable agreement
Deferred tax assets attributable to exchange of units of subsidiary	$ 138,000

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

scenario

Dec. 31, 2010

USD ($)

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Notional amount

$ 887,500

Notional amount to which Fifth Third Bank was the counterparty

687,500

Fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges

Fair value of interest rate swap

$ 0

30,094

Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:

Amount of loss recognized in OCI (effective portion)

^[1]

(4,256)

(36,643)

$ 0

Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)

(2,600)

(7,220)

Amount of loss recognized in earnings

^[2]

(31,079)

$ (3,492)

Free-standing Derivative

Number of scenarios in which options are exercisable (in scenario) | scenario

Net losses recorded as a component of non-operating expenses

$ 0

$ (800)

(4,300)

Free-standing put rights

Free-standing Derivative

Period for exercise of options under scenario one, if a government investment or a non-competitor change of control occurs

12 months

Period for exercise of options under scenario two, if a competitor change of control occurs

54 months

Period for exercise of options under scenario three, if a bankruptcy event occurs

2 years

Notional Amount

$ 978,883

870,402

Fair value of derivative asset

800

Net losses recorded as a component of non-operating expenses

$ (800)

$ (4,300)

[1]	"OCI” represents other comprehensive income.
[2]	For the year ended December 31, 2012, amount represents loss due to missed forecasted transaction and is recorded as a component of non-operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. For the year ended December 31, 2011, amount represents ineffectiveness and is recorded as a component of interest expense—net in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN VANTIV HOLDING (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2009

USD ($)

$ / shares

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2012

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2012

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2011

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2011

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2010

USD ($)

Mar. 21, 2012

Controlling and non-controlling interests in Vantiv Holding

Conversion ratio for conversion of units into common stock

IPO transactions:

Net income | $

$ 110,758

$ 84,810

$ 54,917

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Vantiv, Inc. income tax expense | $

46,853

32,309

(956)

Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. | $

$ 28,754

$ 24,264

$ 22,956

$ (18,364)

$ 15,713

$ 11,648

$ 5,380

$ 3,499

57,610

36,240

21,993

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | $

53,148

48,570

32,924

Vantiv, Inc.

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Miscellaneous expenses | $

^[1]

861

4,379

Vantiv, Inc. income tax expense | $

^[2]

$ 21,274

$ 13,310

7,800

Common Stock

Controlling and non-controlling interests in Vantiv Holding

Conversion ratio for conversion of units into common stock

Warrant | Fifth Third

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Expiration term of warrant following an exercise of put rights by parent

60 days

Price per unit minus exercise price threshold restriction | $ / shares

$ 0

Warrant price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 15.98

Warrant fair value | $

$ 65,400

Expected dividend rate

0.00%

Vantiv, Inc. | Vantiv, Inc.

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Opening balance (in units)

50,930,455

Opening percentage of ownership by parent

50.93%

Recapitalization transactions:

Incremental units as a result of split (in shares)

38,585,162

IPO transactions:

Equity plan activity (in shares)

^[3]

1,425,814

Closing balance (in units)

142,243,680

50,930,455

142,243,680

50,930,455

Closing percentage of ownership by parent

66.95%

50.93%

66.95%

50.93%

Vantiv Holding

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Opening balance (in units)

100,000,000

Recapitalization transactions:

Incremental units as a result of split (in shares)

75,760,489

IPO transactions:

Equity plan activity (in shares)

^[3]

1,425,814

Closing balance (in units)

212,462,816

100,000,000

212,462,816

100,000,000

Closing percentage of ownership by parent

66.95%

Adjustment to net assets attributable to non-controlling interest as a result of change in ownership interest | $

$ 1,300

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. | $

132,032

$ 98,981

67,096

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | $

^[4]

$ 53,148

$ 48,570

$ 32,924

Vantiv Holding | Fifth Third

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Opening balance (in units)

48,933,182

Opening percentage of ownership, non-controlling interest

48.93%

Recapitalization transactions:

Incremental units as a result of split (in shares)

37,072,018

IPO transactions:

Closing balance (in units)

70,219,136

48,933,182

70,219,136

48,933,182

Closing percentage of ownership, non-controlling interest

33.05%

48.93%

33.05%

48.93%

Vantiv Holding | JPDN

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Opening balance (in units)

136,363

Opening percentage of ownership, non-controlling interest

0.14%

Recapitalization transactions:

Incremental units as a result of split (in shares)

103,309

IPO transactions:

Closing balance (in units)

136,363

Closing percentage of ownership, non-controlling interest

0.00%

0.14%

0.00%

0.14%

Class C Non-Voting Units | Vantiv Holding | Warrant | Fifth Third

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Warrants issued | $

$ 20,400

Class A Common Stock

IPO transactions:

Equity plan activity (in shares)

142,243,680

89,515,617

142,243,680

89,515,617

Class A Common Stock | Common Stock

IPO transactions:

Issuance of Class A common stock under equity plan (in shares)

8,716,000

Class A Common Stock | Vantiv, Inc. | Vantiv, Inc.

Recapitalization transactions:

JPDN exchange for Class A common stock (in shares)

239,672

IPO transactions:

Issuance of Class A common stock to public (in shares)

31,498,064

Issuance of Class A common stock under equity plan (in shares)

8,716,141

Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with December 2012 secondary offering (in shares)

13,700,000

Class A Common Stock | Vantiv Holding

IPO transactions:

Issuance of Class A common stock to public (in shares)

29,412,000

Issuance of Class A common stock under equity plan (in shares)

8,716,141

Class A Common Stock | Vantiv Holding | Fifth Third

IPO transactions:

Purchase of shares in subsidiary by the entity (in shares)

2,086,064

Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with December 2012 secondary offering (in shares)

13,700,000

Class A Common Stock | Vantiv Holding | JPDN

Recapitalization transactions:

JPDN exchange for Class A common stock (in shares)

239,672

Minimum | Warrant | Fifth Third

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Expected terms

10 years

Expected volatilities

37.50%

Risk free rates

4.03%

Maximum | Warrant | Fifth Third

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Expected terms

20 years

Expected volatilities

44.40%

Risk free rates

4.33%

[1]	Represents miscellaneous expenses incurred by Vantiv, Inc., primarily consisting of losses associated with the put rights received in conjunction with the separation from Fifth Third in 2009.
[2]	Represents income tax expense related to Vantiv, Inc.
[3]	Includes treasury stock, forfeitures of Restricted Class A common stock awards and the conversion of restricted stock units to Class A common stock.
[4]	Net income attributable to non-controlling interests reflects the allocation of Vantiv Holding’s net income based on the proportionate ownership interests in Vantiv Holding held by the non-controlling unitholders. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the net income attributable to non-controlling unitholders reflects the changes in ownership interests summarized in the table above.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases
2013	$ 6,745
2014	4,902
2015	2,971
2016	1,456
2017	766
Thereafter	8,689
Total	25,529
Future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases	$ 6,600	$ 9,800	$ 7,800

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Expenses associated with the defined contribution savings plan	$ 4.5	$ 3.6	$ 5.1

CAPITAL STOCK (Details)		12 Months Ended
CAPITAL STOCK (Details)	Mar. 21, 2012 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2012 vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 $ / shares shares
Common Stock
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17	$ 17
Preferred Stock
Authorized preferred stock (in shares)		10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 0.00001	$ 0.00001
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		0	0
Class A Common Stock
Common Stock
Authorized common stock (in shares)		890,000,000	890,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 0.00001	$ 0.00001
Number of votes per share to which holders are entitled on all matters submitted to a vote \| vote		1
Aggregate number of common stock issued and sold in public in IPO (in shares)	33,823,800
Common stock issued to underwriters under an over-allotment option (in shares)	4,411,800
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17
Number of common stock issued and sold in public in IPO (in shares)	29,412,000
Common stock issued and outstanding (in shares)		142,243,680	89,515,617
Class A Common Stock \| Class B units \| Vantiv Holding
Common Stock
Conversion ratio for conversion of units into common stock		1
Class B Common Stock
Common Stock
Authorized common stock (in shares)		100,000,000	100,000,000
Number of common stock issued and sold in public in IPO (in shares)	86,005,200
Common stock issued and outstanding (in shares)		70,219,136	0
Class B Common Stock \| Maximum
Common Stock
Voting power as percentage of total voting power		18.50%

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) employee $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 21, 2012 $ / shares	Sep. 29, 2010 shares	Jun. 30, 2009 shares
Additional disclosures
Compensation cost \| $	$ 33.4
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17			$ 17
Share-based compensation expense not yet recognized \| $	$ 51.6
Share-based compensation expense not yet recognized, period for recognition	2 years 4 months 24 days
Restricted Stock Units
Shares
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	123
Forfeited (in shares)	59,516
Non-vested, end of period (in shares)	299,826
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	19.63
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	17.00
Non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17.87
Restricted Stock Units \| Board of Directors
Shares
Granted (in shares)	74,110
Additional disclosures
Vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock Units \| Active employees
Shares
Granted (in shares)	231,100
Additional disclosures
Vesting period	4 years
Number of active employees to whom awards have been issued (in employees) \| employee	2,311
Number of shares per employee (in shares)	100
Restricted Stock Units \| Directors and employees
Shares
Granted (in shares)	359,465
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17.72
Class D Units
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 4.11
Additional disclosures
Aggregate number of shares authorized under the plan (in shares)					15,300,000
Class A Common Stock
Additional disclosures
Issue price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares				$ 17
Time awards
Shares
Non-vested, beginning of period (in shares)	8,731,276	7,669,121	4,170,566
Granted (in shares)		1,156,479	3,997,052
Vested (in shares)		0	0
Forfeited (in shares)		94,324	498,497
Non-vested, end of period (in shares)		8,731,276	7,669,121
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Non-vested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 3.97	$ 3.74	$ 3.71
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		3.68	3.78
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		0.00	0.00
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		3.74	3.66
Non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 3.97	$ 3.74
Weighted-average assumptions
Expected option life at grant		7 years	7 years
Expected option life at remeasurement		0 years	6 years 3 months 18 days
Expected volatility		35.00%	36.00%
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate		2.60%	1.70%
Additional disclosures
Requisite service period	7 years
Compensation cost \| $		$ 3.0	$ 2.8
Time awards \| Nonemployee
Shares
Granted (in shares)			222,884
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 4.12
Additional disclosures
Compensation cost \| $			$ 0.9
Time awards \| Restricted Class A Common Stock
Shares
Granted (in shares)	3,073,118
Vested (in shares)	835,802
Forfeited (in shares)	242,367
Non-vested, end of period (in shares)	1,994,949
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 4.04
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	4.04
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	4.05
Non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 4.04
Time awards \| Restricted Class A Common Stock \| Directors and employees
Shares
Granted (in shares)	0
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Performance awards
Additional disclosures
Value of awards outstanding \| $		$ 17.1	$ 15.6
Performance awards \| Nonemployee
Shares
Granted (in shares)			111,443
Performance awards \| Restricted Class A Common Stock
Shares
Granted (in shares)	3,560,223
Vested (in shares)	12,068
Forfeited (in shares)	205,344
Non-vested, end of period (in shares)	3,342,811
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17.00
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	17.00
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	17.00
Non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17.00
Additional disclosures
Requisite service period	3 years
Performance awards \| Restricted Class A Common Stock \| Directors and employees
Shares
Granted (in shares)	0
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Phantom Equity Plan
Shares
Forfeited (in shares)	92,274
Additional disclosures
Aggregate number of shares authorized under the plan (in shares)						15,300,000
Requisite service period	7 years
Vesting period	5 years
2012 Equity Incentive Plan \| Class A Common Stock
Additional disclosures
Aggregate number of shares authorized under the plan (in shares)	35,500,000
2012 Equity Incentive Plan \| Vested Time Awards \| Class A Common Stock
Additional disclosures
Number of shares issued (in shares)	1,381,135
2012 Equity Incentive Plan \| Unvested time awards \| Restricted Class A Common Stock
Shares
Granted (in shares)	3,073,118
2012 Equity Incentive Plan \| Performance awards \| Restricted Class A Common Stock
Shares
Granted (in shares)	3,560,223

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	$ 40,747	$ (1,462)	$ 5,364
State and local income taxes	5,754	2,638	2,435
Total current tax expense	46,501	1,176	7,799
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. income taxes	366	30,997	4,261
State and local income taxes	(14)	136	(13,016)
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	352	31,133	(8,755)
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)	$ 46,853	$ 32,309	$ (956)
Reconciliation of the U.S. income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes-net of federal benefit	3.10%	4.10%	3.30%
Change in state and local tax law	(0.20%)	(1.30%)	(23.10%)
Non-controlling interest	(8.40%)	(11.00%)	(16.90%)
Other-net	0.20%	0.30%	(0.10%)
Effective tax rate	29.70%	27.10%	(1.80%)
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses	$ 30,764	$ 34,919
Employee benefits	40	11
Other assets	217	213
Other accruals and reserves	748	831
Partnership basis	141,892	0
Deferred tax assets	173,661	35,974
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	(1,723)	(629)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(32,278)	(27,014)
Partnership basis	0	(7,136)
Deferred tax liability	(34,001)	(34,779)
Deferred tax asset-net	$ 139,660	$ 1,195

INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax receivable agreement, liability recorded	$ 166.8
Deferred tax assets attributable to exchange of units of subsidiary	138.0
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards	85.9
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards	6.2
Income tax receivable	$ 4.2	$ 13.8

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Liabilities:
Fair value of interest rate swap	$ 0	$ 30,094
Recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Interest rate swaps
Liabilities:
Fair value of interest rate swap	0	0
Recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Interest rate swaps
Liabilities:
Fair value of interest rate swap	0	30,094
Recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Interest rate swaps
Liabilities:
Fair value of interest rate swap	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Settlement assets	$ 429,377	$ 46,840
Liabilites:
Settlement obligations	542,564	208,669
Non-recurring basis \| Carrying Amount
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	67,058	370,549
Liabilites:
Note payable	1,256,105	1,754,709
Non-recurring basis \| Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	67,058	370,549
Liabilites:
Note payable	$ 1,262,945	$ 1,769,035

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References + Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basic:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. (in thousands)	$ 28,754	$ 24,264	$ 22,956	$ (18,364)	$ 15,713	$ 11,648	$ 5,380	$ 3,499	$ 57,610	$ 36,240	$ 21,993
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.20	$ 0.19	$ (0.20)	$ 0.18	$ 0.13	$ 0.06	$ 0.04
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.18	$ (0.38)	$ 0.18	$ 0.13	$ 0.06	$ 0.04
Class A Common Stock
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares (in shares)									116,258,204	89,515,617	89,515,617
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.50	$ 0.40	$ 0.25
Diluted:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc. (in thousands)									$ 57,610	$ 36,240	$ 21,993
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares (in shares)									116,258,204	89,515,617	89,515,617
Restricted stock and phantom equity awards (in shares)									1,553,857	0	0
Warrant (in shares)									4,935,301	0	0
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)									122,747,362	89,515,617	89,515,617
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.47	$ 0.40	$ 0.25

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Pretax activity	$ 29,424	$ (29,424)
Tax effect	(5,495)	5,495
Net activity	23,929	(23,929)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	14,415	(14,415)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 9,514	$ (9,514)

- Definition

Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the parent entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569643-111683

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Tax effect of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18498875&loc=d3e39076-109324

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 36
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 31
-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 24
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

- Definition

Tax effect of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569643-111683

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2009	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners		18.50%
Interest expense		$ 10.2	$ 18.4	$ 101.6
Commitment fees		0.4	0.3	0.6
Payments to related party		1.4	1.2	1.3
Deposits held with related party		21.3	288.4
Interest income on deposit		0.9	0.7	1.0
MLA \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Term of agreement with related party	5 years
MSA \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Term of agreement with related party	5 years
MLA / MSA \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of services received		3.7	6.8	6.5
Referral agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of services received		0.5	0.2	0.2
TSA \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of services received		1.1	23.2	51.3
Management agreement \| Advent
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments to related party		1.0	$ 1.0	$ 1.0
Amount due under agreement in year one		0.5
Amount due under agreement annually after year one		$ 1.0
Vantiv Holding \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners		33.05%
Class B Common Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		70,219,136	0

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue	$ 494,092	$ 466,736	$ 469,622	$ 432,789	$ 439,047	$ 409,364	$ 402,564	$ 371,446	$ 1,863,239	$ 1,622,421	$ 1,162,132
Network fees and other costs	222,906	208,239	209,244	200,208	196,359	192,466	185,694	182,216	840,597	756,735	595,995
Sales and marketing	$ 68,042	$ 69,313	$ 70,532	$ 72,757	$ 64,633	$ 56,495	$ 59,570	$ 56,219	280,644	236,917	98,418
Segment profit									741,998	628,769	467,719
Merchant Services
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue									1,409,158	1,185,253	756,930
Network fees and other costs									709,341	620,852	476,932
Sales and marketing									255,887	211,062	73,441
Segment profit									443,930	353,339	206,557
Financial Institution Services
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue									454,081	437,168	405,202
Network fees and other costs									131,256	135,883	119,063
Sales and marketing									24,757	24,046	22,964
Segment profit									298,068	277,239	263,175
General Corporate/Other
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue									0	0	0
Network fees and other costs									0	0	0
Sales and marketing									0	1,809	2,013
Segment profit									$ 0	$ (1,809)	$ (2,013)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of total segment profit to the company's (loss) income before applicable income taxes
Total segment profit									$ 741,998	$ 628,769	$ 467,719
Less: Other operating costs	$ (38,572)	$ (40,376)	$ (40,417)	$ (39,009)	$ (35,672)	$ (35,028)	$ (34,980)	$ (37,740)	(158,374)	(143,420)	(124,383)
Less: General and administrative	(31,844)	(28,600)	(29,190)	(28,597)	(18,367)	(18,896)	(28,224)	(21,383)	(118,231)	(86,870)	(58,091)
Less: Depreciation and amortization	$ (41,357)	$ (40,618)	$ (39,667)	$ (38,895)	$ (39,559)	$ (40,066)	$ (39,001)	$ (36,700)	(160,538)	(155,326)	(110,964)
Less: Interest expense—net									(54,572)	(111,535)	(116,020)
Less: Non-operating expenses									(92,672)	(14,499)	(4,300)
Income before applicable income taxes									$ 157,611	$ 117,119	$ 53,961

- Definition

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

+ References + Details

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 494,092	$ 466,736	$ 469,622	$ 432,789	$ 439,047	$ 409,364	$ 402,564	$ 371,446	$ 1,863,239	$ 1,622,421	$ 1,162,132
Network fees and other costs	222,906	208,239	209,244	200,208	196,359	192,466	185,694	182,216	840,597	756,735	595,995
Net revenue	271,186	258,497	260,378	232,581	242,688	216,898	216,870	189,230
Sales and marketing	68,042	69,313	70,532	72,757	64,633	56,495	59,570	56,219	280,644	236,917	98,418
Other operating costs	38,572	40,376	40,417	39,009	35,672	35,028	34,980	37,740	158,374	143,420	124,383
General and administrative	31,844	28,600	29,190	28,597	18,367	18,896	28,224	21,383	118,231	86,870	58,091
Depreciation and amortization	41,357	40,618	39,667	38,895	39,559	40,066	39,001	36,700	160,538	155,326	110,964
Income from operations	91,371	79,590	80,572	53,323	84,457	66,413	55,095	37,188	304,855	243,153	174,281
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 28,754	$ 24,264	$ 22,956	$ (18,364)	$ 15,713	$ 11,648	$ 5,380	$ 3,499	$ 57,610	$ 36,240	$ 21,993
Net income per share of Class A common stock attributable to Vantiv, Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.20	$ 0.19	$ (0.20)	$ 0.18	$ 0.13	$ 0.06	$ 0.04
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.18	$ (0.38)	$ 0.18	$ 0.13	$ 0.06	$ 0.04

Label	Element	Value
Merchant Services [Member]
Goodwill	us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 957,524,000
Financial Institution Services [Member]
Goodwill	us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 574,850,000

- Definition

+ References

+ Details