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DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Vantiv, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001533932
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float		$ 5.5
Class A Common Stock
Entity Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	155,488,326
Class B Common Stock
Entity Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	35,042,826

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue:
External customers	$ 3,079,506	$ 2,496,899	$ 2,028,681
Related party revenues	80,432	80,304	79,396
Total revenue	3,159,938	2,577,203	2,108,077
Network fees and other costs	1,478,202	1,174,665	935,441
Sales and marketing	503,949	396,353	312,044
Other operating costs	284,066	242,439	200,630
General and administrative	182,369	173,986	121,707
Depreciation and amortization	276,942	275,069	185,453
Income from operations	434,410	314,691	352,802
Interest expense—net	(105,736)	(79,701)	(40,902)
Non-operating income (expense)	(31,268)	177	(20,000)
Income before applicable income taxes	297,406	235,167	291,900
Income tax expense	88,177	66,177	83,760
Net income	209,229	168,990	208,140
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(61,283)	(43,698)	(74,568)
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 147,946	$ 125,292	$ 133,572
Class A Common Stock
Net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.88	$ 0.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.95	$ 0.75	$ 0.87
Shares used in computing net income per share of Class A common stock:
Basic (in shares)	145,044,577	141,936,933	138,836,314
Diluted (in shares)	200,934,442	199,170,813	206,027,557

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 209,229	$ 168,990	$ 208,140
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges and other	(8,209)	(6,172)	663
Comprehensive income	201,020	162,818	208,803
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(58,510)	(41,558)	(74,967)
Comprehensive income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 142,510	$ 121,260	$ 133,836

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 197,096	$ 411,568
Accounts receivable—net	680,033	607,674
Related party receivable	3,999	6,164
Settlement assets	143,563	135,422
Prepaid expenses	31,147	26,906
Other	61,661	27,002
Total current assets	1,117,499	1,214,736
Customer incentives	57,984	39,210
Property, equipment and software—net	308,009	281,715
Intangible assets—net	863,066	1,034,692
Goodwill	3,366,528	3,291,366
Deferred taxes	731,622	429,623
Other assets	20,718	44,741
Total assets	6,465,426	6,336,083
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	364,878	299,771
Related party payable	4,698	2,035
Settlement obligations	677,502	501,042
Current portion of note payable to related party	10,353	10,353
Current portion of note payable	106,148	106,148
Current portion of tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	31,232	22,789
Current portion of tax receivable agreement obligations	64,227	0
Deferred income	14,470	5,480
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	7,931	8,158
Other	13,940	7,557
Total current liabilities	1,295,379	963,333
Long-term liabilities:
Note payable to related party	181,169	191,521
Note payable	2,762,469	3,085,716
Tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	801,829	597,273
Tax receivable agreement obligations	126,980	152,420
Capital lease obligations	21,801	14,779
Deferred taxes	15,836	24,380
Other	34,897	6,075
Total long-term liabilities	3,944,981	4,072,164
Total liabilities	5,240,360	5,035,497
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10 - 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	553,145	629,353
Retained earnings	476,304	328,358
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,204)	(3,768)
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,593,242 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2,173,793 shares at December 31, 2014	(67,458)	(50,931)
Total Vantiv, Inc. equity	952,788	903,013
Non-controlling interests	272,278	397,573
Total equity	1,225,066	1,300,586
Total liabilities and equity	6,465,426	6,336,083
Class A Common Stock
Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.00001 par value; 890,000,000 shares authorized; 155,488,326 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015; 145,455,008 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014, Class B common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 35,042,826 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015; 43,042,826 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014	1	1
Class B Common Stock
Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.00001 par value; 890,000,000 shares authorized; 155,488,326 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015; 145,455,008 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014, Class B common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 35,042,826 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015; 43,042,826 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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)	2,593,242	2,173,793
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 outstanding (in shares)	155,488,326	145,455,008
Class B Common Stock
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	35,042,826	43,042,826
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	35,042,826	43,042,826

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 209,229	$ 168,990	$ 208,140
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	276,942	240,802	185,453
Write-off of intangible asset	0	(34,267)	0
Amortization of customer incentives	18,256	12,032	10,139
Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs	8,376	31,956	24,427
Share-based compensation expense	30,492	42,171	29,729
Deferred taxes	55,280	32,469	31,340
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(16,707)	(13,420)	(5,464)
Tax receivable agreements non-cash items	28,171	(25,838)	0
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	(945)	0	491
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and related party receivable	(70,194)	(94,326)	(71,614)
Net settlement assets and obligations	168,319	157,663	93,318
Customer incentives	(32,892)	(17,108)	(13,034)
Prepaid and other assets	11,324	(25,557)	(5,127)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	57,861	53,172	(7,250)
Payable to related party	2,663	(433)	756
Other liabilities	11,703	(3,935)	(682)
Net cash provided by operating activities	757,878	592,905	480,622
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(84,730)	(103,179)	(61,578)
Acquisition of customer portfolios and related assets	(41,997)	(29,596)	(7,892)
Purchase of investments	0	(7,487)	(3,174)
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(1,658,694)	(155,654)
Net cash used in investing activities	(126,727)	(1,798,956)	(228,298)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	3,443,000	1,850,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	177,000	0	0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(503,462)	(1,870,540)	(1,304,966)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	(38,092)	(26,288)
Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options	13,630	4,492	0
Warrant termination	(200,219)	0	0
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(200,406)	(59,364)	(503,225)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligations)	(16,527)	(17,801)	(15,224)
Settlement of certain tax receivable agreements	(94,022)	0	(112,562)
Payments under tax receivable agreements	(22,805)	(8,639)	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	16,707	13,420	5,464
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(12,892)	(22,911)	(41,154)
(Decrease) increase in cash overdraft	(2,627)	2,627	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(845,623)	1,446,192	(147,955)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(214,472)	240,141	104,369
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of period	411,568	171,427	67,058
Cash and cash equivalents—End of period	197,096	411,568	171,427
Cash Payments:
Interest	98,971	70,751	37,975
Taxes	6,565	35,157	46,198
Non-cash Items:
Issuance of tax receivable agreements to related parties	376,597	109,400	329,400
Issuance of tax receivable agreement as contingent consideration	0	137,860	0
Assets acquired under capital lease obligations	$ 0	$ 12,997	$ 20,345

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, 2012	$ 1,444,235	$ (17,906)	$ 766,337	$ 69,494	$ 0	$ 626,309		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		978,000						142,244,000		70,219,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	208,140			133,572		74,568
Issuance of Class A common stock under employee stock plans, net of forfeitures (in shares)								4,000
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation	5,464		5,464
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation), value	(15,224)	$ (15,224)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation) (in shares)		629,000						629,000
Issuance of Class A common stock and cancellation of Class B common stock in connection with secondary offering, (in shares)								(21,396,000)		21,396,000
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, value	(503,225)		(503,225)
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)								(20,904,000)
Termination of certain tax receivable agreements	140,694		140,694
Issuance of tax receivable agreements	(93,000)		(93,000)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges and other	663				264	399
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(41,154)					(41,154)
Share-based compensation	29,729		21,239			8,490
Forfeitures of restricted stock awards (in shares)								(352,000)
Reallocation of non-controlling interests of Vantiv Holding due to change in ownership			260,221			(260,221)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,176,322	$ (33,130)	597,730	203,066	264	408,391		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		1,607,000						141,759,000	48,800,000	48,823,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	168,990			125,292		43,698
Issuance of Class A common stock under employee stock plans, net of forfeitures, value	4,492		4,492
Issuance of Class A common stock under employee stock plans, net of forfeitures (in shares)								419,000
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation	13,420		13,420
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation), value	(17,801)	$ (17,801)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation) (in shares)		567,000						567,000
Issuance of Class A common stock and cancellation of Class B common stock in connection with secondary offering, (in shares)								(5,780,000)		5,780,000
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, value	(59,364)		(59,364)
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)								(1,936,000)
Issuance of tax receivable agreements	(17,400)		(17,400)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges and other	(6,172)				(4,032)	(2,140)
Formation of joint venture	18,839					18,839
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(22,911)					(22,911)
Share-based compensation	42,171		32,103			10,068
Reallocation of non-controlling interests of Vantiv Holding due to change in ownership			58,372			(58,372)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,300,586	$ (50,931)	629,353	328,358	(3,768)	397,573		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		2,174,000					145,455,008	145,455,000	43,042,826	43,043,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	209,229			147,946		61,283
Issuance of Class A common stock under employee stock plans, net of forfeitures, value	13,630		13,630
Issuance of Class A common stock under employee stock plans, net of forfeitures (in shares)								1,523,000
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation	16,707		16,707
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation), value	(16,527)	$ (16,527)
Warrant retirement	(144,568)		(129,173)			(15,395)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligation) (in shares)		419,000						419,000
Issuance of Class A common stock and cancellation of Class B common stock in connection with secondary offering, (in shares)								8,000,000		(8,000,000)
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, value	(200,406)		(200,406)
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)								(4,446,000)
Termination of certain tax receivable agreements	58,191		58,191
Issuance of common shares in connection with warrant exercise								5,375,000
Partial exercise of warrant			25,022			(25,022)
Issuance of tax receivable agreements	(21,167)		(21,167)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges and other	(8,209)				(5,436)	(2,773)
Distribution to non-controlling interests	(12,892)					(12,892)
Share-based compensation	30,492		23,588			6,904
Reallocation of non-controlling interests of Vantiv Holding due to change in ownership			137,400			(137,400)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,225,066	$ (67,458)	$ 553,145	$ 476,304	$ (9,204)	$ 272,278		$ 1		$ 0
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		2,593,000					155,488,326	155,488,000	35,042,826	35,043,000

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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 national, regional and mid-market sales teams, third-party reseller clients and a telesales operation. The Company also has relationships with a broad range of referral partners that include merchant banks, independent software vendors ("ISVs"), value-added resellers ("VARs"), payment facilitators, independent sales organizations ("ISOs") 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 diverse 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.

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of Vantiv, Inc. and all subsidiaries thereof, including its majority-owned subsidiary, Vantiv Holding, LLC. The accompanying 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.

As of December 31, 2015, Vantiv, Inc. and Fifth Third owned interests in Vantiv Holding of 81.61% and 18.39%, respectively (see Note 9 - Controlling and Non-controlling Interests for changes in non-controlling interests).

The Company accounts for non-controlling interests in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, Consolidation. Non-controlling interests primarily represent Fifth Third's minority 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 in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as "Net income attributable to non-controlling interests." Non-controlling interests are presented as a component of equity in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position.

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

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, which states that the determination of 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 primarily consist of pass through expenses incurred by the Company in connection with providing processing services to its clients, including Visa and MasterCard network association fees, payment network fees, third party processing fees, telecommunication charges, postage and card production costs.


•	Sales and marketing expense primarily consists of salaries and benefits paid to sales personnel, sales management and other sales and marketing personnel, residual payments made to ISOs and referral partners, and advertising and promotional costs.


•	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 income (expense):


◦	The 2015 amount primarily relates to the change in the fair value of the Mercury TRA entered into as part of the acquisition of Mercury (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements).

◦

The 2014 amount consists of non-operating income of $41.3 million related to a benefit recorded as a result of a reduction in certain TRA liabilities (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements), partially offset by non-operating expenses of $41.1 million related to the refinancing of our senior secured credit facilities in June 2014 (see Note 6 - Long-Term Debt) and the change in fair value of the Mercury TRA (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements).


◦	The 2013 amount relates to the refinancing of the Company's senior secured credit facilities in May 2013 (see Note 6 - Long-Term Debt).

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 and performance awards is measured based on the market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. See Note 13 - Share-Based Compensation Plans for further discussion.

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., adjusted as necessary for the impact of potentially dilutive securities, 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 16 - 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, 2015 and 2014, the Company had recorded no valuation allowances against deferred tax assets. See Note 14 - Income Taxes for further discussion of income taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash on hand and investments with original maturities of three months or less (that are readily convertible to cash) are considered to be cash equivalents. 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, 2015 and 2014, the allowance for doubtful accounts was not material to the Company’s statements 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 using the straight-line method based on the contractual agreement. Related amortization is recorded as contra-revenue.

Property, Equipment and Software—net

Property, equipment and software consists of the Company’s facilities, furniture and equipment, software, land and leasehold improvements. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives, which are 15 to 40 years for the Company’s facilities 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. Also included in property, equipment and software is work in progress consisting of costs associated with software developed for internal use which has not yet been placed in service.

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 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 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, 2015 using market data and discounted cash flow analyses. Based on this analysis, it was determined that the fair value of all reporting units were substantially in excess of the carrying value. There have been no other events or changes in circumstances subsequent to the testing date that would indicate impairment of these reporting units as of December 31, 2015.

Intangible assets consist of acquired customer relationships, trade names and customer portfolios and related assets that are amortized over their estimated useful lives. 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, 2015, there have been no such events or circumstances that would indicate potential impairment of finite lived intangible assets. Subsequent to the Mercury acquisition in June 2014, the Company decided to phase out an existing trade name used in the ISO channel within the Merchant Services segment. As a result of this decision, the remaining useful life was changed from indefinite to definite which resulted in the Company recording a charge to amortization expense of $34.3 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The remaining fair value is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of two years.

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) ("AOCI") and will be recognized in the statement of income when the hedged item affects earnings. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The update simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in the balance sheet. The update is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance may be adopted prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has elected to early adopt this ASU on a prospective basis and therefore, prior years were not retrospectively adjusted.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. The update provides additional guidance to ASU 2015-03, which did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. The update noted that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. These updates require retrospective application and represent a change in accounting principle. The change in accounting principle, resulting from the Company's adoption of this ASU, has been implemented and the results are not material to the Company's consolidated statement of financial position.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers." The ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. The new standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized, based upon the core principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also requires additional disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard, as amended, is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The amendment allows companies to use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this ASU. The Company is currently evaluating which transition approach to use and assessing the impact of the adoption of this principle on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Acquisition of Mercury Payment Systems, LLC

On June 13, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Mercury Payment Systems, LLC ("Mercury"), acquiring all of the outstanding voting interest. Mercury was a payment technology and service leader whose solutions are integrated into point-of-sale software applications and brought to market through dealer and developer partners. This acquisition helps to accelerate the Company's growth in the integrated payments channel.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments to the trade name and to the Mercury TRA. The adjustment to the trade name, which is included in intangible assets below, is based on a change in the underlying assumptions used to value the trade name due to the refinement of estimates. The trade name was initially assigned a value of $59.1 million and a weighted average estimated useful life of 9.5 years utilizing the relief from royalty method. As a result of a change in the underlying assumptions due to the refinement of estimates, the Company assigned the trade name a value of $15.0 million based on a weighted average estimated useful life of 2.5 years. The adjustment to the Mercury TRA is due to a change in the inputs used in determining the fair value of the TRA as a result of refining estimates. Both measurement period adjustments are reflected in the table below and have no effect on the accompanying statement of income.

The following is the estimated fair value of the purchase price for Mercury (in thousands):



Cash purchase price paid at closing	$	1,681,179
Fair value of contingent consideration related to a TRA	192,507
Total purchase price	$	1,873,686

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"). The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and the 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, a significant portion of which is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill, assigned to Merchant Services, consists primarily of the acquired workforce and growth opportunities, none of which qualify as an intangible asset. The final purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Cash acquired	$	22,485
Current assets	47,421
Property, equipment and software	32,257
Intangible assets	347,000
Goodwill	1,422,916
Deferred tax assets	43,054
Other non-current assets	767
Current and non-current liabilities	(42,214		)
Total purchase price	$	1,873,686

Simultaneously and in connection with the completion of the Mercury acquisition, the Company entered into a Tax Receivable Agreement (the "Mercury TRA") with pre-acquisition owners of Mercury ("Mercury TRA Holders"). See Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements for further discussion of the Mercury TRA. The Mercury TRA is considered contingent consideration under ASC 805 as it is part of the consideration payable to the former owners of Mercury. In accordance with ASC 805, the contingent consideration is initially measured at fair value at the acquisition date and recorded as a liability. The Mercury TRA liability is therefore recorded at fair value based on estimates of discounted future cash flows associated with estimated payments to the Mercury TRA Holders. The liability recorded by the Company for the Mercury TRA obligations will be re-measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in earnings as a non-operating expense.

Intangible assets consist of customer relationship assets of $332.0 million and a trade name of $15.0 million having weighted average estimated useful lives of 10 years and 2.5 years, respectively. The trade name was valued utilizing a relief from royalty method.

The Company incurred transaction and integration expenses of approximately $17.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 in conjunction with the acquisition of Mercury, which are included within general and administrative expenses and other operating costs on the accompanying consolidated statement of income. From the acquisition date of June 13, 2014 through December 31, 2014, revenue included in the accompanying statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2014 attributable to Mercury was approximately $217 million. Net income for the period could not be determined due to integration activities that were implemented subsequent to the acquisition.

Under the terms of the Mercury transaction agreement, the Company replaced unvested employee stock options held by certain employees of Mercury. The number of replacement stock options was based on a conversion factor into equivalent stock options of the Company on the acquisition date. The weighted average fair value of the replacement options was $32.1 million and was calculated on the acquisition date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The portion of the fair value of the replacement awards related to services provided prior to the acquisition of $17.7 million was part of the consideration transferred to acquire Mercury. The remaining portion of the fair value is associated with future service and will be recognized as expense over the future service period. See additional discussion in Note 13 - Share-Based Compensation Plans.

The following unaudited pro forma information shows the Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 as if the Mercury acquisition had occurred January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what would have occurred if the acquisition had been made as of that date, nor is it intended to be indicative of future operating results.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands, except share data)
Total revenue	$	2,737,024	$	2,435,234
Income from operations	322,746		354,517
Net income including non-controlling interests	174,797		155,145
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	129,630		95,819
Net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock:
Basic	$	0.91	$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.78	$	0.61
Shares used in computing net income per share of Class A common stock:
Basic	141,936,933		138,836,314
Diluted	199,170,813		206,027,557

The unaudited pro forma results include certain pro forma adjustments that were directly attributable to the business combination as follows:


•	additional amortization expense that would have been recognized relating to the acquired intangible assets,


•	adjustment of interest expense to reflect the additional borrowings of the Company in conjunction with the acquisition and removal of Mercury historical debt, and


•	a reduction in non-operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 and a corresponding increase for the year ended December 31, 2013 for acquisition-related transaction costs and debt refinancing costs incurred by the Company.

Acquisition of Element Payment Services, Inc.

On July 31, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Element Payment Services, Inc. ("Element"), acquiring all of the outstanding voting interest. Element was a provider of integrated payment processing solutions. This acquisition provides the Company with strategic capabilities to partner with integrated point-of-sale developers and dealers and positions the Company to increase its presence in the integrated payments channel.

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805. 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, none of which is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill, assigned to Merchant Services, consists primarily of the acquired workforce and growth opportunities, none of which qualifies as an identifiable intangible asset. The final purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):



Current assets	$	11,359
Equipment and software	8,193
Goodwill	135,068
Customer relationship intangible assets	29,300
Trade name	500
Current liabilities	(8,189		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(13,772		)
Total purchase price	$	162,459

Customer relationship intangible assets and the trade name have weighted average useful lives of 10 years and 1 year, respectively.

The pro forma results of the Company reflecting the acquisition of Element were not material to our financial results and therefore 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=56956515&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=56956515&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=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e7008-128479

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1486-128463

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&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=56956791&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
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-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&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=56956515&loc=d3e1524-128463

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
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-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e7000-128479

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 20
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-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956791&loc=d3e4922-128472

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956791&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=56956791&loc=d3e4926-128472

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1383-128463

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6996-128479

+ Details

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE

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



	Estimated Useful Life	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Land	N/A	$	6,401		$	6,401
Building and improvements	15 - 40 years	33,938			33,454
Furniture and equipment	2 - 10 years	134,191			116,065
Software	5 years	319,866			259,495
Leasehold improvements	3 - 10 years	8,885			8,753
Work in progress		45,061			60,309
Accumulated depreciation		(240,333		)	(202,762		)
Total		$	308,009		$	281,715

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, equipment and software for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $76.6 million, $70.0 million and $56.8 million, respectively.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by business segment, are as follows (in thousands):



	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	1,368,763	$	574,850	$	1,943,613
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Mercury	1,347,753		—		1,347,753
Balance as of December 31, 2014	2,716,516		574,850		3,291,366
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Mercury ⁽¹⁾	75,162		—		75,162
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	2,791,678	$	574,850	$	3,366,528

⁽¹⁾ Amount represents adjustments to goodwill associated with the acquisition of Mercury as a result of the finalization of purchase accounting.

Intangible assets consist of acquired customer relationships, trade names and customer portfolios and related assets. 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 taking into consideration expected revenues and customer attrition, which are based on historical data and the Company's estimates of future performance. These estimates result in accelerated amortization on certain acquired intangible assets.

Indefinite lived trade names are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Subsequent to the Mercury acquisition in June 2014, the Company decided to phase out an existing trade name used in the ISO channel. The trade name was originally expected to remain in use for the foreseeable future and therefore was deemed an indefinite lived intangible asset not subject to amortization. As a result of this decision, the remaining useful life was changed from indefinite to definite which resulted in the Company recording a charge to amortization expense of $34.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. The trade name was revalued utilizing an income approach using the relief-from-royalty method. The revised fair value of $6.7 million is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of two years.

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, 2015 and 2014, the Company's finite lived intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Customer relationship intangible assets	$	1,596,581	$	1,596,581
Trade name	21,733		65,833
Customer portfolios and related assets	129,734		57,383
Patents	366		—
	1,748,414		1,719,797
Less accumulated amortization on:
Customer relationship intangible assets	821,580		655,017
Trade name	14,350		5,105
Customer portfolios and related assets	49,418		24,983
	885,348		685,105
	$	863,066	$	1,034,692

Customer portfolios and related assets acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, have weighted-average amortization periods of 4.8 years and 4.2 years, respectively. Amortization expense on intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $200.4 million, $205.1 million and $128.6 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, intangible amortization expense included the $34.3 million charge related to the phasing out of a trade name discussed above.

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



2016	$	192,296
2017	171,382
2018	161,930
2019	153,530
2020	81,470

- 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, 2015

Leases [Abstract]

CAPITAL LEASES

The Company has various lease agreements for equipment that are classified as capital leases. The cost and accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases included in the accompanying statements of financial position within property and equipment were $36.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and $33.4 million and $8.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. Depreciation expense associated with capital leases for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $7.8 million, $6.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively.

The future minimum lease payments required under capital leases and the present value of net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):



	Amount
2016	$	8,454
2017	8,969
2018	8,969
2019	4,484
Total minimum lease payments	30,876
Less: Amount representing interest	(1,144		)
Present value of minimum lease payments	29,732
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations	(7,931		)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	21,801

LONG-TERM DEBT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
$2,050.0 million term A loan, maturing on June 13, 2019, and bearing interest at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (200 basis points) (total rate of 2.33% at December 31, 2015) and amortizing on a basis of 1.25% per quarter during each of the first twelve quarters, 1.875% per quarter during the next four quarters and 2.50% during the next three quarters with a balloon payment due at maturity	$	1,896,250		$	1,998,750
$1,400.0 million term B loan, maturing on June 13, 2021, and bearing interest at a variable base rate (LIBOR) with a floor of 75 basis points plus a spread rate (300 basis points) (total rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2015) and amortizing on a basis of 0.25% per quarter, with a balloon payment due at maturity	1,179,000			1,393,000
$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, 2015)	10,131			10,131
Less: Current portion of note payable and current portion of note payable to related party	(116,501		)	(116,501		)
Less: Original issue discount	(6,024		)	(8,143		)
Less: Debt issuance costs	(19,218		)	—
Note payable and note payable to related party	$	2,943,638		$	3,277,237

2014 Debt Refinancing

On June 13, 2014, Vantiv, LLC completed a debt refinancing by entering into an amended and restated loan agreement ("Amended Loan Agreement"). The Amended Loan Agreement provides for senior secured credit facilities comprised of a $2.05 billion term A loan, a $1.4 billion term B loan and a $425 million revolving credit facility. Proceeds from the refinancing were primarily used to fund the Mercury acquisition and repay the prior term A loan discussed below with an outstanding balance of approximately $1.8 billion as of the date of refinancing. The prior revolving credit facility was also terminated. The maturity date and debt service requirements relating to the new term A and term B loans are listed in the table above. The new revolving credit facility matures in June 2019 and includes a $100 million swing line facility and a $40 million letter of credit facility. The commitment fee rate for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility is 0.375% per year. The Company borrowed $177 million under its revolving credit facility in December 2015 and repaid the amount prior to year-end. There were no outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Fifth Third held $191.5 million and $201.9 million, respectively, of the term A loans, which are presented as note payable to related party on the consolidated statements of financial position.

On January 6, 2015, the Company made an early principal payment of $200 million on the term B loan. The Company expensed approximately $1.8 million in non-operating expenses related to the write-off of deferred financing fees and OID in connection with the early principal payment. At December 31, 2015, deferred financing fees of approximately $19.2 million and OID of approximately $6.0 million are recorded as a reduction of note payable in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position as a result of implementing the change in accounting principle discussed in ASU 2015-03 under New Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

As a result of the Company's 2014 debt refinancing, the Company expensed approximately $26.5 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 and certain third party costs incurred in connection with the refinancing. 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, 2014. At December 31, 2014, deferred financing fees of approximately $25.5 million and OID of approximately $8.1 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. Fifth Third participated in the debt both prior and subsequent to the refinancing pursuant to terms and conditions consistent with third-party lenders, and therefore the refinancing of the component of the Company's debt held by Fifth Third was treated consistently with the overall refinancing.

2013 Debt Refinancing

In May 2013, the Company entered into a $1.85 billion term A loan (the "2013 term A loan"), of which a portion of the proceeds were used to repay outstanding debt under the Company's 2012 refinanced debt agreement with an aggregate outstanding balance of approximately $1.2 billion as of the date of refinancing. The related revolving credit facility was also terminated. In addition to the 2013 term A loan, the new debt agreement included a $250 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility originally matured in May 2018 and included a $75 million swing line facility and a $40 million letter of credit facility. The commitment fee rate for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility was 0.375% per year.

As a result of the Company's 2013 debt refinancing, the Company expensed approximately $20.0 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. 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, 2013. Fifth Third participated in the debt both prior and subsequent to the refinancing pursuant to terms and conditions consistent with third-party lenders, and therefore the refinancing of the component of the Company's debt held by Fifth Third was treated consistently with the overall refinancing.

Guarantees and Security

The Company's debt obligations at December 31, 2015 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 Amended Loan Agreement) by 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 $10 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 Amended Loan Agreement for the refinanced debt, which are tested on a quarterly basis. The financial covenants require maintenance of certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. At December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Tax Receivable Agreements Disclosure [Abstract]

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS

The Company entered into several TRAs in which the Company agrees to make payments to various parties of 85% of the federal, state, local and foreign income tax benefits realized by the Company as a result of certain tax deductions. Payments under the TRAs will be based on the tax reporting positions of the Company and are only required to the extent the Company realizes cash savings as a result of the underlying tax attributes. 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 deductions related to the tax attributes discussed below. The Company will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of the cash savings associated with the TRAs. The Company has entered into the following three TRAs:


•	TRAs with pre-IPO investors for its use of NOLs and other tax attributes existing at the IPO date, all of which is currently held by Fifth Third.

•

TRAs with Fifth Third, Advent and JPDN Enterprises, LLC ("JPDN"), an affiliate of Charles D. Drucker, our Chief Executive Officer, in which the Company realizes tax deductions as a result of the increases in tax basis from the purchase of Vantiv Holding units or from the exchange of Vantiv Holding units for cash or shares of Class A common stock, as well as the tax benefits attributable to payments made under such TRAs.


•	A TRA with Mercury shareholders as part of the acquisition of Mercury as a result of the increase in tax basis of the assets of Mercury resulting from the acquisition and the use of the net operating losses and other tax attributes of Mercury that were acquired as part of the acquisition.

Obligations recorded pursuant to the TRAs are based on estimates of future taxable income and future tax rates. On an annual basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions underlying the TRA obligations. As a result of this process, obligations under the tax receivable agreements with Fifth Third were adjusted in 2014 to reflect the impact of tax planning strategies implemented during the year which are expected to reduce the amount of future obligations. The Company recorded a benefit of $41.3 million in non-operating income (expense) during the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of the reduction in the TRA obligations with Fifth Third.

As discussed in Note 2 - Business Combinations, the Company entered into the Mercury TRA and recorded a liability of $192.5 million for the Mercury TRA and non-operating expenses of $28.9 million and $14.6 million related to the change in fair value of the Mercury TRA during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

From time to time, the Company enters into repurchase addendums to the TRA agreements. The following table presents the Company's TRA settlements and the impact of these settlements on the Company's consolidated statement of financial position (in thousands):



TRA	Settlement Date	Cash Buyout Payment			Balance Sheet Obligation Prior to Settlement		Deferred Taxes and Other		Net Gain Recorded in Equity
Advent & JPDN	October 2013	$	(112,562	)	$	254,400	$	1,144	$	140,694
Mercury	July 2015	(44,800		)	44,800		—		—
Fifth Third	October 2015	(48,866		)	140,024		32,967		58,191

In addition to the Mercury TRA settlement presented in the table above, the Mercury TRA Addendum contains the following provisions to acquire a significant portion of the remaining Mercury TRA:

•

Beginning December 1st of each of 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, and ending June 30th of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, the Company is granted call options (collectively, the "Call Options") pursuant to which certain additional obligations of the Company under the Mercury TRA would be terminated in consideration for cash payments of $41.4 million, $38.1 million, $38.0 million, and $43.0 million, respectively.

•

In the unlikely event the Company does not exercise the relevant Call Option, the Mercury TRA Holders are granted put options beginning July 10th and ending July 25th of each of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively (collectively, the "Put Options"), pursuant to which certain additional obligations of the Company would be terminated in consideration for cash payments with similar amounts to the Call Options.

Except to the extent the Company’s obligations under the Mercury TRA have been terminated and settled in full in accordance with the terms of the Mercury TRA Addendum, the Mercury TRA will remain in effect, and the parties thereto will continue to have all rights and obligations thereunder.

The Company’s President, Integrated Payments, is a Mercury TRA Holder. Pursuant to the initial payment under the Mercury TRA Addendum, this individual is entitled to receive an aggregate of $0.6 million, and could receive as much as an additional $2.2 million with respect to payments made pursuant to the Mercury TRA Addendum.

All TRA obligations are recorded based on the full and undiscounted amount of the expected future payments, except for the Mercury TRA which represents contingent consideration relating to an acquired business, and is recorded at fair value for financial reporting purposes (see Note 15 - Fair Value Measurements). The following table reflects TRA activity and balances for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):



	Balance as of December 31, 2012		2013 Secondary Offerings		2013 TRA Settlements			Balance as of December 31, 2013
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	165,100	$	329,400	$	—		$	494,500
TRA with Advent	183,800		—		(183,800		)	—
TRA with all pre-IPO investors	134,100		—		(68,900		)	65,200
TRA with JPDN	1,700		—		(1,700		)	—
Total	$	484,700	$	329,400	$	(254,400	)	$	559,700



	Balance as of December 31, 2013		2014 TRA Payment			2014 Secondary Offering		Acquisition of Mercury		Change in Value			Balance as of December 31, 2014
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	559,700	$	(8,639	)	$	109,400	$	—	$	(40,399	)	$	620,062
Mercury TRA	—		—			—		137,860		14,560			152,420
Total	$	559,700	$	(8,639	)	$	109,400	$	137,860	$	(25,839	)	$	772,482



	Balance as of December 31, 2014		2015 TRA Payment			2015 TRA Settlements			2015 Secondary Offering		Purchase Accounting Adjustment		Change in Value			Balance as of December 31, 2015
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	620,062	$	(22,805	)	$	(140,024	)	$	376,597	$	—	$	(769	)	$	833,061
Mercury TRA	152,420		—			(44,800		)	—		54,647		28,940			191,207
Total	$	772,482	$	(22,805	)	$	(184,824	)	$	376,597	$	54,647	$	28,171		$	1,024,268

As a result of the secondary offerings and exchange of units of Vantiv Holding discussed in Note 12 - Capital Stock, the Company recorded the following (in thousands):



Secondary Offerings by Year	TRA Liability		Deferred Tax Asset		Net Equity
2015	$	376,597	$	355,430	$	21,167
2014	109,400		92,000		17,400
2013	329,400		236,400		93,000

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 5^th of the second year immediately following the taxable year in which the obligation occurred. Therefore, the Company was not required to make any payments under the TRAs during the year ended December 31, 2013. The first contractually obligated payment under the TRA obligations of approximately $8.6 million was paid during January 2014. An additional payment under the TRA obligations of approximately $22.8 million was paid during January 2015. Additionally, the Company made a payment under the TRA obligations of approximately $53.5 million in January 2016. The January 2016 payment is recorded as current portion of tax receivable agreement obligations on the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position. 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, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company enters 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, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s derivative instruments consisted of interest rate swaps, which hedged the variable rate debt by converting floating-rate payments to fixed-rate payments. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments

The Company recognizes derivatives in other current and non-current assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position at their fair values. Refer to Note 15 - Fair Value Measurements for a detailed discussion of the fair value of its derivatives. The Company designates 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 transactions, 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 for such derivative.

The Company’s interest rate swaps qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Therefore, the effective portion of changes in fair value were recorded in AOCI and will be reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transactions affected earnings.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company's objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, the Company uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had a total of 14 outstanding interest rate swaps that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. Of the 14 outstanding interest rate swaps, 8 of them cover an exposure period from June 2015 through June 2017 and have a combined notional balance of $1.2 billion (amortizing to $1.1 billion). The remaining 6 interest rate swaps cover an exposure period from January 2016 through January 2019 and have a combined notional balance of $500 million. Fifth Third is the counterparty to 5 of the 14 outstanding interest rate swaps with notional balances ranging from $293.8 million to $250.0 million.

The Company does not offset derivative positions in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 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, 2015		December 31, 2014
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term assets	$	—	$	104
Interest rate swaps	Other current liabilities	9,343		5,205
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities	9,885		2,283

Any ineffectiveness associated with such derivative instruments will be recorded immediately as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. As of December 31, 2015, the Company estimates that $10.0 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income as an increase to interest expense during the next 12 months.

The table below presents the pre-tax effect of the Company’s interest rate swaps on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion) ⁽¹⁾	$	(18,836	)	$	(11,240	)	$	244
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)	(6,990		)	(3,040		)	(573		)
Amount of loss recognized in earnings ⁽²⁾	—			(1		)	—


⁽¹⁾	"OCI" represents other comprehensive income.


⁽²⁾	For the year ended December 31, 2014, amount represents hedge ineffectiveness.

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features

The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $20.4 million. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at December 31, 2015, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $20.4 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Company has various non-controlling interests that are accounted for in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810"). As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Vantiv, Inc. owns a controlling interest in Vantiv Holding, and therefore consolidates the financial results of Vantiv Holding and its subsidiaries and records non-controlling interest for the economic interests in Vantiv Holding held by Fifth Third. 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.

In May 2014, the Company entered into a joint venture with a bank partner which provides customers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions. Vantiv Holding owns 51% and the bank partner owns 49% of the joint venture. The joint venture is consolidated by the Company in accordance with ASC 810, with the associated non-controlling interest included in “Net income attributable to non-controlling interests" in the consolidated statements of income. The bank partner contributed a merchant asset portfolio to the joint venture valued at $18.8 million which was recorded to non-controlling interests in the 2014 consolidated statement of equity.

As of December 31, 2015, Vantiv, Inc.’s interest in Vantiv Holding was 81.61%. Changes in units and related ownership interest in Vantiv Holding are summarized as follows:



	Vantiv, Inc.		Fifth Third		Total
As of December 31, 2013	141,758,681		48,822,826		190,581,507
% of ownership	74.38	%	25.62	%
Fifth Third exchange of Vantiv Holding units for shares of Class A common stock in connection with June 2014 secondary offering	5,780,000		(5,780,000	)	—
Share repurchases	(1,936,400	)	—		(1,936,400	)
Equity plan activity ⁽¹⁾	(147,273	)	—		(147,273	)
As of December 31, 2014	145,455,008		43,042,826		188,497,834
% of ownership	77.17	%	22.83	%
Fifth Third exchange of Vantiv Holding units for shares of Class A common stock in connection with December 2015 secondary offering	8,000,000		(8,000,000	)	—
Fifth Third exchange of Class C units of Vantiv Holding for shares of Class A common stock in connection with partial warrant exercise	5,374,592		—		5,374,592
Share repurchases	(4,445,551	)	—		(4,445,551	)
Equity plan activity ⁽¹⁾	1,104,277		—		1,104,277
As of December 31, 2015	155,488,326		35,042,826		190,531,152
% of ownership	81.61	%	18.39	%


⁽¹⁾	Includes stock issued under the equity plans less Class A common stock withheld to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon vesting or exercise of employee equity awards and forfeitures of restricted Class A common stock awards.

As a result of the changes in ownership interests in Vantiv Holding, adjustments of $137.4 million and $58.4 million were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in order to reflect the portion of net assets of Vantiv Holding attributable to non-controlling unit holders based on changes in the proportionate ownership interests in Vantiv Holding during those periods.

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



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Net income	$	209,229	$	168,990	$	208,140
Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:
Vantiv, Inc. expenses ⁽¹⁾	55,111		7,725		58,520
Vantiv Holding net income	$	264,340	$	176,715	$	266,660
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests of Fifth Third ⁽²⁾	$	58,938	$	43,022	$	74,568
Net income attributable to joint venture non-controlling interest ⁽³⁾	2,345		676		—
Total net income attributable to non-controlling interests	$	61,283	$	43,698	$	74,568

⁽¹⁾ Primarily represents income tax expense related to Vantiv, Inc. and TRA related expense (credits) (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements).

⁽²⁾ Net income attributable to non-controlling interests of Fifth Third reflects the allocation of Vantiv Holding’s net income based on the proportionate ownership interests in Vantiv Holding held by the non-controlling unit holders. The net income attributable to non-controlling unit holders reflects the changes in ownership interests summarized in the table above.


⁽³⁾	Reflects net income attributable to the non-controlling interest of the joint venture.

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 currently exercisable, in whole or in part, and from time to time. The warrant expires upon the earliest to occur of June 30, 2029 or a change of control where the price paid per unit in such change of control minus the exercise price of the warrant is 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. The warrant is recorded as a component of the non-controlling interest on the accompanying statements of financial position.

On December 2, 2015, the Company entered into a warrant cancellation agreement (the "Warrant Cancellation Agreement") with Fifth Third to cancel a portion of the warrant. The Warrant Cancellation Agreement cancels the rights under the warrant to purchase 4.8 million Class C Units of Vantiv Holding for aggregate consideration of $200 million paid by the Company to Fifth Third.

Following the effectiveness of the Warrant Cancellation Agreement discussed above, Fifth Third net exercised a portion of the remaining warrants to purchase 5.4 million Class C Units of Vantiv Holding.

After giving effect to the above transactions, at December 31, 2015, Fifth Third holds the rights to purchase 7.8 million Class C Units of Vantiv Holding under the warrant at an exercise price of $15.98 per unit.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

Leases

The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases that expire between January 2016 and December 2045. Future minimum commitments under these leases are as follows (in thousands):



Year Ending December 31,
2016	$	9,539
2017	7,250
2018	5,222
2019	4,941
2020	3,873
Thereafter	13,350
Total	$	44,175

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $11.6 million, $9.9 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

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, 2015
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 and Company matching contributions. Expenses associated with the defined contribution savings plan for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $9.1 million, $7.3 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

CAPITAL STOCK

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

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. The holders of Class B common stock hold one share of Class B common stock for each Vantiv Holding Class B unit they hold. The Class B units of Vantiv Holding may be exchanged for shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or, at the Company's option, for cash equal to the fair value of the shares tendered for exchange. Upon exchange of any Class B units of Vantiv Holding, an equal number of shares of Class B common stock automatically will be cancelled. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class, except that the holders of Class B common stock are entitled to elect a number of the Company's directors equal to the percentage of the voting power of all of the outstanding common stock represented by the Class B common stock but not exceeding 18.5% of the board of directors. Fifth Third holds all of the issued and outstanding Class B common stock.

As of December 31, 2015, 155,488,326 shares of Class A common stock and 35,042,826 shares of Class B common stock were issued and outstanding.

Secondary Offerings

In May 2013, a secondary offering took place in which selling shareholders sold 40.7 million shares of Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock. In August and November 2013, secondary offerings took place in which selling shareholders sold 20.0 million and 15.0 million shares, respectively, of Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock. The Company did not receive any proceeds from these sales.

In March 2014, a secondary offering took place in which Advent sold its remaining 18.8 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock. In June 2014, a secondary offering took place in which Fifth Third sold 5.8 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock. The Company did not receive any proceeds from these sales.

On December 8, 2015, subsequent to the Warrant Cancellation Agreement and the Partial Warrant Exercise described in Note 9 - Controlling and Non-controlling Interests, a secondary offering took place in which Fifth Third sold 13.4 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock. The Company did not receive any proceeds from this sale.

Share Repurchases

In connection with the May 2013 secondary offering discussed above, the Company repurchased approximately 17.5 million shares of its Class A common stock for approximately $400 million. The repurchased shares were retired and accounted for as a reduction to equity in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In connection with the share repurchase, the Company incurred costs of approximately $0.6 million, which are also reflected as a reduction to equity in the accompanying consolidated statement of equity.

On October 22, 2013, the Company's board of directors approved a program to repurchase up to $137 million of the Company's Class A common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2013, approximately 3.5 million shares were repurchased under this program for approximately $103 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 1.1 million shares were repurchased for approximately $34 million, which completed the repurchases under this authorization. The repurchased shares were immediately retired.

On February 12, 2014, the Company's board of directors approved a program to repurchase up to an additional $300 million of the Company's Class A common stock. Purchases under the program may be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The manner, timing, and amount of any purchases are determined by management based on an evaluation of market conditions, stock price, and other factors. The share repurchase program has no expiration date and the Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. During the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 828,000 shares were repurchased under this program for approximately $25 million. During the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately 4.4 million shares were repurchased for approximately $200 million. The repurchased shares were immediately retired. There is approximately $75 million of share repurchase authority remaining as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, there was no preferred stock outstanding.

Dividend Restrictions

The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends on its Class A common stock in the foreseeable future. Vantiv, Inc. is a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of its own. As a result, Vantiv, Inc.’s ability to pay cash dividends on its common stock, if any, is dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers from Vantiv Holding. The amounts available to Vantiv, Inc. to pay cash dividends are subject to the covenants and distribution restrictions in its subsidiaries’ loan agreements. As a result of the restrictions on distributions from Vantiv Holding and its subsidiaries, essentially all of the Company's consolidated net assets are held at the subsidiary level and are restricted as of December 31, 2015.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The activity of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cash flow hedging and other activities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is presented below (in thousands):



				Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	AOCI Beginning Balance			Pretax Activity			Tax Effect			Net Activity			Attributable to non-controlling interests			Attributable to Vantiv, Inc.			AOCI Ending Balance
Year ended December 31, 2015
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	(5,288	)	$	(18,836	)	$	5,490		$	(13,346	)	$	4,298		$	(9,048	)	$	(14,336	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	1,732			6,990			(2,065		)	4,925			(1,525		)	3,400			5,132
Other	(212		)	212			—			212			—			212			—
Net change	$	(3,768	)	$	(11,634	)	$	3,425		$	(8,209	)	$	2,773		$	(5,436	)	$	(9,204	)

Year ended December 31, 2014
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	(5	)	$	(11,240	)	$	3,114		$	(8,126	)	$	2,843		$	(5,283	)	$	(5,288	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	269			3,040			(874		)	2,166			(703		)	1,463			1,732
Other	—			(212		)	—			(212		)	—			(212		)	(212		)
Net change	$	264		$	(8,412	)	$	2,240		$	(6,172	)	$	2,140		$	(4,032	)	$	(3,768	)

Year ended December 31, 2013
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	—		$	244		$	3		$	247		$	(252	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	—			573			(157		)	416			(147		)	269			269
Net change	$	—		$	817		$	(154	)	$	663		$	(399	)	$	264		$	264

(a) The reclassification adjustment on cash flow hedge derivatives affected the following lines in the accompanying consolidated statements of income:



OCI Component		Affected line in the accompanying consolidated statements of income
Pretax activity⁽¹⁾		Interest expense-net
Tax effect		Income tax expense
OCI attributable to non-controlling interests		Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

⁽¹⁾ The years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, reflect amounts of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings, representing the effective portion of the hedging relationships, and are recorded in interest expense-net.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ 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=26873400&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
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&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
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-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-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=27012166&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 SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

+ Details

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The company accounts for share-based compensation plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of share-based payments to be recognized over the requisite service period.

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.

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company grants restricted stock awards to certain employees which vest based on the recipient's continued employment or service to the Company ("Time Awards").

The Company also grants restricted stock awards to certain employees subject to the achievement of certain financial performance measures ("Performance Awards"). These Performance Awards typically vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Participants have the right to earn 0% to 200% of the target number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, determined by the level of achievement of the financial performance measures during the performance period.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards is based on the quoted fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock awards vested was $18.0 million, $20.1 million and $22.4 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Restricted Class A Common Stock - Time Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Class A Common Stock - Performance Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	240,087		$	4.01	1,013,211		$	17.00
Granted	153,327		38.74		347,934		37.82
Vested	(202,477	)	4.07		(1,013,211	)	17.00
Forfeited	(24,483	)	8.82		(15,094	)	37.10
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	166,454		$	35.22	332,840		$	37.86

Restricted Stock Units

The Company issues restricted stock units to directors and certain employees, which typically vest on the first anniversary of the grant date (for directors) and in equal annual increments over three to four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant (for employees). The grant date fair value of the restricted stock units is based on the quoted fair market value of our common stock at the award date. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested was $6.8 million, $3.7 million and $0.1 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	980,495		$	26.41
Granted	435,594		38.42
Vested	(258,480	)	26.41
Forfeited	(169,602	)	29.03
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	988,007		$	31.24

Stock Options

The Company grants stock options to certain key employees. The stock options vest in 25% annual increments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the participant's continued service through each such vesting date. All stock options are nonqualified stock options and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, under the terms of the Mercury transaction agreement, the Company replaced unvested employee stock options held by certain employees of Mercury. The number of replacement stock options was based on a conversion factor into equivalent stock options of the Company on the acquisition date. The weighted average fair value of the replacement options was calculated on the acquisition date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The replacement stock options typically vest over four and a half years with 22.22% of the awards vesting after one year and the remainder in quarterly increments, subject to the participant's continued service through each such vesting date. Per the applicable option agreement, if a participant is terminated without cause within the prescribed acceleration period (which range from 12 to 24 months following the acquisition), then such replacement options shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable at the time of such termination to the extent not then vested and not previously cancelled. The replacement options are nonqualified stock options and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. See Note 2 - Business Combinations for additional details.

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding options at December 31, 2014	2,732,760		$	21.10	8.40	$	35,039
Granted	707,738		37.10
Exercised	(777,204	)	17.54			$	17,531
Expired	—		—
Forfeited	(353,051	)	24.11
Outstanding options at December 31, 2015	2,310,243		$	26.74	8.01	$	47,780

Options exercisable at December 31, 2015	540,231		$	21.20	7.28	$	14,166

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the total grant date fair value of options vested was $13.9 million and $10.2 million, respectively. There were no options vested or exercisable during 2013. The weighted-average grant date fair value was estimated by the Company using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions below:



		2014
	2015	Vantiv Grant	Mercury Replacement Options	2013
Number of options granted	707,738	710,297	1,750,519	659,938
Weighted average exercise price	$37.10	$31.02	$10.18 - $29.79	$21.95
Expected option life at grant (in years)	6.25	6.25	3.00 - 6.00	6.25
Expected volatility	26.33%	25.00%	24.80% - 30.80%	30.60%
Expected dividend yield	—%	—%	—%	—%
Risk-free interest rate	1.67%	1.93%	0.93% - 1.96%	1.15%
Fair value	$11.04	$9.07	$17.75 - $22.10	$7.10

The expected option life represents the period of time the stock options are expected to be outstanding and is based on the "simplified method" allowed under SEC guidance. The Company used the "simplified method" due to the lack of sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to otherwise estimate the expected life of the stock options. Since the Company's publicly traded stock history is relatively short, expected volatility is based on the Company's historical volatility and the historical volatility of a group of peer companies. The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Company used an expected dividend yield of zero. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.

Performance Share Units

The Company issues performance share units to certain employees subject to the achievement of certain financial performance measures. These performance share units vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Participants have the right to earn 0% to 200% of the target number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, determined by the level of achievement of the financial performance measures during the three year performance period. In 2015 the Company also issued performance share units to certain employees subject to the achievement of certain financial and non-financial performance measures through 2018.

Additionally, associated with an acquisition in 2013 the Company issued performance share units to certain employees subject to the achievement of certain financial and non-financial performance measures through 2016.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance share units is based on the quoted fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, total grant date fair value of performance share units vested was $0.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively. There were no performance share units vested during 2013.

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance share units for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Performance Share Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	508,097		$	27.76
Granted	122,134		39.16
Vested	(26,358	)	31.60
Forfeited	(131,355	)	30.51
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	472,518		$	29.73

The share-based compensation expense related to the performance share units granted in 2013 ("2013 PSUs") was initially estimated based on target performance and was adjusted as appropriate throughout the performance period based on the shares expected to be earned at that time. The 2013 PSUs are included in the table above as non-vested at December 31, 2015 at target, or 100%. On February 1, 2016, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors certified the achievement of the performance goals for the 2013 PSUs, which had a performance period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, at the maximum 200% of the target number of shares (173,714 shares incremental to those included in the table above for the 2013 PSUs).

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, total share-based compensation expense was $30.5 million, $42.2 million and $29.7 million, respectively. Related tax benefits recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income totaled $8.8 million in 2015, $12.9 million in 2014 and $8.5 million in 2013. At December 31, 2015, there was approximately $51.1 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.

INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect such status.

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



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Current income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	$	28,586		$	29,234		$	48,494
State and local income taxes	4,311			4,474			3,926
Total current tax expense	32,897			33,708			52,420
Deferred income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	55,553			36,070			30,264
State and local income taxes	(273		)	(3,601		)	1,076
Total deferred tax expense	55,280			32,469			31,340
Applicable income tax expense	$	88,177		$	66,177		$	83,760

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,
	2015		2014		2013
Federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State taxes-net of federal benefit	2.7		2.6		2.7
Effect of changes in deferred tax rates	(1.9	)	(3.1	)	—
Non-controlling interest	(5.9	)	(5.6	)	(8.5	)
Other-net	(0.3	)	(0.8	)	(0.5	)
Effective tax rate	29.6	%	28.1	%	28.7	%

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



	2015			2014
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses	$	25,569		$	29,296
Employee benefits	55			46
Other assets	2,316			813
Other accruals and reserves	79,925			55,427
Partnership basis	728,532			430,525
Deferred tax assets	836,397			516,107
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	(9,840		)	(7,849		)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(109,988		)	(98,675		)
Deferred tax liability	(119,828		)	(106,524		)
Deferred tax asset-net	$	716,569		$	409,583

As part of the acquisitions of NPC Group, Inc. ("NPC") and Mercury, the Company acquired federal and state tax loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 2015, the cumulative federal and state tax loss carryforwards were approximately $58.5 million and $106.5 million, respectively. Federal tax loss carryforwards will expire between 2027 and 2034, and state tax loss carryforwards will expire between 2016 and 2035.

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. Vantiv Holding, a partnership for tax purposes, has an Internal Revenue Code election in place to adjust the tax basis of partnership property to fair market value related to the portion of the partnership interest transferred, through an exchange of units of Vantiv Holding by its members. Included in partnership basis in the table above 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 subsequent secondary offerings. See Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements for discussion of deferred tax assets as a result of the secondary offerings and exchange of units of Vantiv Holding.

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 is not expected to be realized, the Company records a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. The Company has recorded no valuation allowance during the years ended December 31, 2015 or 2014.

A provision for federal, 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, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded an income tax receivable of approximately $53.2 million and $9.4 million, respectively, which is included in other current assets on the Company's consolidated statements of financial position.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 probable 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.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	2015						2014
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	104	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	19,228	$	—	$	—	$	7,488	$	—
Mercury TRA	—		—		191,207		—		—		152,420

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. The fair value of interest rate swaps is 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) are 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, are 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 has 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, 2015 and 2014, 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 8 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further discussion of the Company’s interest rate swaps.

Mercury TRA

The Mercury TRA is considered contingent consideration as it is part of the consideration payable to the former owners of Mercury. Such contingent consideration is measured at fair value and is based on significant inputs not observable in the market, which is classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Mercury TRA is recorded at fair value based on estimates of discounted future cash flows associated with the estimated payments to the Mercury TRA Holders. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Mercury TRA are the discount rate, projections of taxable income and effective tax rates. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. The liability recorded is re-measured at fair value at each reporting period with the change in fair value recognized in earnings as a non-operating expense. See Note 2 - Business Combinations and Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements for further discussion of the Mercury TRA including the roll forward of the fair value.

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, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	2015				2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Liabilities:
Note payable	$	3,060,139	$	3,064,989	$	3,393,738	$	3,310,181

We consider that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value (level 1) given the short-term nature of these items. 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 + Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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.

Diluted net income per share is calculated assuming that Vantiv Holding is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vantiv, Inc., therefore eliminating the impact of Fifth Third's non-controlling interest. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Class B units of Vantiv Holding ("Class B units"), which are held by Fifth Third and represent the non-controlling interest in Vantiv Holding, are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Based on this conversion feature, diluted net income per share is calculated assuming the conversion of the Class B units on an "if-converted" basis. Due to the Company's structure as a C corporation and Vantiv Holding's structure as a pass-through entity for tax purposes, the numerator in the calculation of diluted net income per share is adjusted accordingly to reflect the Company's income tax expense assuming the conversion of the Fifth Third non-controlling interest into Class A common stock. The adjusted effective tax rate used in the calculation was 36.0%, 36.5% and 38.5% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were approximately 35.0 million, 43.0 million and 48.8 million Class B units outstanding, respectively.

In addition to the Class B units discussed above, potentially dilutive securities during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 included restricted stock awards, the warrant held by Fifth Third which allows for the purchase of Class C units of Vantiv Holding (the "Fifth Third Warrant"), stock options and performance share units. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 472,518, 508,097 and 430,490, respectively, performance share units have been excluded as the applicable performance metrics had not been met as of the reporting dates.

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 following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except share data):



			Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Basic:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	147,946	$	125,292	$	133,572
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	145,044,577		141,936,933		138,836,314
Basic net income per share	$	1.02	$	0.88	$	0.96
Diluted:
Consolidated income before applicable income taxes	$	297,406	$	235,167	$	291,900
Income tax expense excluding impact of non-controlling interest	107,066		85,836		112,382
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	190,340	$	149,331	$	179,518
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	145,044,577		141,936,933		138,836,314
Weighted-average Class B units of Vantiv Holding	42,521,087		45,472,332		57,906,592
Warrant	11,866,595		10,121,483		7,522,801
Restricted stock awards	696,273		1,321,890		1,751,816
Stock options	545,180		318,175		10,034
Performance share units	260,730		—		—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	200,934,442		199,170,813		206,027,557
Diluted net income per share	$	0.95	$	0.75	$	0.87

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

CAPITAL STOCK

Common Stock

As of December 31, 2015, 155,488,326 shares of Class A common stock and 35,042,826 shares of Class B common stock were issued and outstanding.

Secondary Offerings

Share Repurchases

Preferred Stock

Dividend Restrictions

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)



				Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	AOCI Beginning Balance			Pretax Activity			Tax Effect			Net Activity			Attributable to non-controlling interests			Attributable to Vantiv, Inc.			AOCI Ending Balance
Year ended December 31, 2015
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	(5,288	)	$	(18,836	)	$	5,490		$	(13,346	)	$	4,298		$	(9,048	)	$	(14,336	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	1,732			6,990			(2,065		)	4,925			(1,525		)	3,400			5,132
Other	(212		)	212			—			212			—			212			—
Net change	$	(3,768	)	$	(11,634	)	$	3,425		$	(8,209	)	$	2,773		$	(5,436	)	$	(9,204	)

Year ended December 31, 2014
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	(5	)	$	(11,240	)	$	3,114		$	(8,126	)	$	2,843		$	(5,283	)	$	(5,288	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	269			3,040			(874		)	2,166			(703		)	1,463			1,732
Other	—			(212		)	—			(212		)	—			(212		)	(212		)
Net change	$	264		$	(8,412	)	$	2,240		$	(6,172	)	$	2,140		$	(4,032	)	$	(3,768	)

Year ended December 31, 2013
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	—		$	244		$	3		$	247		$	(252	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	—			573			(157		)	416			(147		)	269			269
Net change	$	—		$	817		$	(154	)	$	663		$	(399	)	$	264		$	264

(a) The reclassification adjustment on cash flow hedge derivatives affected the following lines in the accompanying consolidated statements of income:



OCI Component		Affected line in the accompanying consolidated statements of income
Pretax activity⁽¹⁾		Interest expense-net
Tax effect		Income tax expense
OCI attributable to non-controlling interests		Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

⁽¹⁾ The years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, reflect amounts of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings, representing the effective portion of the hedging relationships, and are recorded in interest expense-net.

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	Dec. 31, 2015
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 accompanying consolidated financial statements. As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Fifth Third currently holds 35,042,826 shares of Class B common stock representing 18.4% of the voting interests in Vantiv, Inc. and 35,042,826 Class B units of Vantiv Holding representing a 18.4% ownership interest in Vantiv Holding. In addition, 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. As discussed in Note 9 - Controlling and Non-Controlling Interests, as a result of the Warrant Cancellation Agreement and the Fifth Third net exercise of a portion of the remaining warrant, at December 31, 2015, Fifth Third holds the rights to purchase 7,791,956 Class C Units of Vantiv Holding under the warrant. Debt Agreements As discussed in Note 6 - Long-Term Debt, the Company had certain debt arrangements outstanding and available from Fifth Third. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, interest expense associated with these arrangements was $4.4 million, $5.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and commitment fees were $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 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, that remains in effect in accordance with its terms, for the lease or sublease of a number of office and/or data center locations. Related party rent expense was approximately $3.8 million, $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. 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 $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Clearing, Settlement and Sponsorship Agreement and Treasury Management Agreement As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company paid Fifth Third approximately $2.3 million, $2.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for these services. As discussed in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company holds certain cash and cash equivalents on deposit at Fifth Third. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately $149.7 million and $362.8 million, respectively, was held on deposit at Fifth Third. Interest income on such amounts during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $1.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The interest income on such amounts during 2015 was immaterial. 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. 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

- 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 + Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Total revenue	$	2,656,906	$	503,032	$	3,159,938
Network fees and other costs	1,321,312		156,890		1,478,202
Sales and marketing	478,736		25,213		503,949
Segment profit	$	856,858	$	320,929	$	1,177,787



	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Total revenue	$	2,100,367	$	476,836	$	2,577,203
Network fees and other costs	1,033,801		140,864		1,174,665
Sales and marketing	367,998		28,355		396,353
Segment profit	$	698,568	$	307,617	$	1,006,185



	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Total revenue	$	1,639,157	$	468,920	$	2,108,077
Network fees and other costs	801,463		133,978		935,441
Sales and marketing	286,200		25,844		312,044
Segment profit	$	551,494	$	309,098	$	860,592

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



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Total segment profit	$	1,177,787		$	1,006,185		$	860,592
Less: Other operating costs	(284,066		)	(242,439		)	(200,630		)
Less: General and administrative	(182,369		)	(173,986		)	(121,707		)
Less: Depreciation and amortization	(276,942		)	(275,069		)	(185,453		)
Less: Interest expense—net	(105,736		)	(79,701		)	(40,902		)
Less: Non-operating income (expense)	(31,268		)	177			(20,000		)
Income before applicable income taxes	$	297,406		$	235,167		$	291,900

- 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=51669610&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=51669610&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015 and 2014.




	Dec 31, 2015		Sep 30, 2015		Jun 30, 2015		Mar 31, 2015		Dec 31, 2014		Sep 30, 2014		Jun 30, 2014			Mar 31, 2014
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenue	$	852,334	$	815,998	$	785,995	$	705,611	$	733,785	$	697,109	$	608,731		$	537,578
Network fees and other costs	399,159		385,548		362,349		331,146		331,635		316,592		277,392			249,046
Net revenue	453,175		430,450		423,646		374,465		402,150		380,517		331,339			288,532
Sales and marketing	132,488		132,481		122,925		116,055		116,169		111,233		90,507			78,444
Other operating costs	72,213		66,563		76,551		68,739		64,657		60,659		56,754			60,369
General and administrative	45,974		41,492		47,060		47,843		47,406		45,422		48,552			32,606
Depreciation and amortization	70,843		70,638		67,659		67,802		70,893		65,289		89,041			49,846
Income from operations	$	131,657	$	119,276	$	109,451	$	74,026	$	103,025	$	97,914	$	46,485		$	67,267
Net income	$	70,392	$	59,148	$	52,693	$	26,996	$	81,741	$	42,845	$	3,313		$	41,091
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	50,929	$	41,492	$	36,536	$	18,989	$	68,579	$	29,986	$	(1,409	)	$	28,136
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock:
Basic	$	0.35	$	0.29	$	0.25	$	0.13	$	0.48	$	0.21	$	(0.01	)	$	0.20
Diluted	$	0.31	$	0.27	$	0.24	$	0.13	$	0.35	$	0.20	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18

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.

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Vantiv, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

(In thousands)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
General and administrative	$	745		$	181		$	—
Income (loss) from operations	(745		)	(181		)	—
Non-operating income (expense), net	(359		)	40,399			—
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries	(1,104		)	40,218			—
Income tax expense	54,007			47,943			58,520
Loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries	(55,111		)	(7,725		)	(58,520		)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	203,057			133,017			192,092
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	147,946		$	125,292		$	133,572

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Parent Company only).

SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Vantiv, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

(In thousands)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	147,946		$	125,292		$	133,572
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,436		)	(4,032		)	264
Comprehensive income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	142,510		$	121,260		$	133,836

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Parent Company only).

SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Vantiv, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

(In thousands)



	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Assets
Current assets:
Tax refund receivable	$	51,998	$	9,714
Receivable from subsidiaries	—		27,016
Total current assets	51,998		36,730
Investment in subsidiaries	1,008,907		1,056,716
Deferred taxes	731,258		429,629
Total assets	$	1,792,163	$	1,523,075
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	795	$	—
Payable to subsidiaries	5,519		—
Current portion of tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	31,232		22,789
Total current liabilities	37,546		22,789
Long-term liabilities:
Tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	801,829		597,273
Total long-term liabilities	801,829		597,273
Total liabilities	839,375		620,062
Equity:
Total Vantiv, Inc. equity	952,788		903,013
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,792,163	$	1,523,075

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Parent Company only).

SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Vantiv, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

(In thousands)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Operating Activities:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	147,946		$	125,292		$	133,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	(203,057		)	(133,017		)	(192,092		)
Deferred taxes	24,662			27,395			13,658
Tax receivable agreements non-cash items	(769		)	(40,399		)	—
Distributions from subsidiaries	68,892			58,551			126,895
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(16,707		)	(13,420		)	(5,464		)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net	28,834			(9,151		)	10,497
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,801			15,251			87,066
Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of Class A units in Vantiv Holding	216,933			77,165			518,449
Purchase of Class A units in Vantiv Holding	(13,630		)	(4,492		)	—
Net cash provided by investing activities	203,303			72,673			518,449
Financing Activities:
Advances from subsidiaries, net	5,519			(20,032		)	20,032
Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options	13,630			4,492			—
Repurchase of Class A common stock	(200,406		)	(59,364		)	(503,225		)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligations)	(16,527		)	(17,801		)	(15,224		)
Settlement of certain tax receivable agreements	(49,222		)	—			(112,562		)
Payments under tax receivable agreements	(22,805		)	(8,639		)	—
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	16,707			13,420			5,464
Net cash used in financing activities	(253,104		)	(87,924		)	(605,515		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of period	—			—			—
Cash and cash equivalents—End of period	$	—		$	—		$	—

Cash Payments:
Taxes	$	2,323		$	28,583		$	31,874
Non-cash Items:
Issuance of tax receivable agreements	$	376,597		$	109,400		$	329,400

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Parent Company only).

SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Vantiv, Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

For Vantiv, Inc.'s presentation (Parent Company only), the investment in subsidiaries is accounted for using the equity method. The condensed parent company financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of Vantiv, Inc. appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Vantiv, Inc., is a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of its own and therefore its assets consist primarily of investments in subsidiaries. Vantiv Inc.'s cash inflows are primarily from cash dividends and distributions and other transfers from Vantiv Holding. Vantiv, Inc. may not be able to access cash generated by its subsidiaries in order to fulfill cash commitments or to pay cash dividends on its common stock. The amounts available to Vantiv, Inc. to fulfill cash commitments or to pay cash dividends are also subject to the covenants and distribution restrictions in its subsidiaries’ loan agreements. For a discussion on the tax receivable agreements, see Note 7- Tax Receivable Agreements in the consolidated financial statements and notes of Vantiv, Inc. appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Segments

•

Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and 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 primarily consist of pass through expenses incurred by the Company in connection with providing processing services to its clients, including Visa and MasterCard network association fees, payment network fees, third party processing fees, telecommunication charges, postage and card production costs.


•	Sales and marketing expense primarily consists of salaries and benefits paid to sales personnel, sales management and other sales and marketing personnel, residual payments made to ISOs and referral partners, and advertising and promotional costs.


•	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 income (expense):


◦	The 2015 amount primarily relates to the change in the fair value of the Mercury TRA entered into as part of the acquisition of Mercury (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements).

◦


◦	The 2013 amount relates to the refinancing of the Company's senior secured credit facilities in May 2013 (see Note 6 - Long-Term Debt).

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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivable—net

Customer Incentives

Property and Equipment—net

Property, Equipment and Software—net

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Settlement Assets and Obligations

Derivatives

New Accounting Pronouncements

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, pro forma information



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands, except share data)
Total revenue	$	2,737,024	$	2,435,234
Income from operations	322,746		354,517
Net income including non-controlling interests	174,797		155,145
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	129,630		95,819
Net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock:
Basic	$	0.91	$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.78	$	0.61
Shares used in computing net income per share of Class A common stock:
Basic	141,936,933		138,836,314
Diluted	199,170,813		206,027,557

Mercury Payment Systems, LLC

Business Acquisition

Schedule of business acquisitions by acquisition, contingent consideration

The following is the estimated fair value of the purchase price for Mercury (in thousands):



Cash purchase price paid at closing	$	1,681,179
Fair value of contingent consideration related to a TRA	192,507
Total purchase price	$	1,873,686

Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed

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



Cash acquired	$	22,485
Current assets	47,421
Property, equipment and software	32,257
Intangible assets	347,000
Goodwill	1,422,916
Deferred tax assets	43,054
Other non-current assets	767
Current and non-current liabilities	(42,214		)
Total purchase price	$	1,873,686

Element Payment Services, Inc.

Business Acquisition

Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed

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



Current assets	$	11,359
Equipment and software	8,193
Goodwill	135,068
Customer relationship intangible assets	29,300
Trade name	500
Current liabilities	(8,189		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(13,772		)
Total purchase price	$	162,459

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Summary of the Company's property and equipment

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



	Estimated Useful Life	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Land	N/A	$	6,401		$	6,401
Building and improvements	15 - 40 years	33,938			33,454
Furniture and equipment	2 - 10 years	134,191			116,065
Software	5 years	319,866			259,495
Leasehold improvements	3 - 10 years	8,885			8,753
Work in progress		45,061			60,309
Accumulated depreciation		(240,333		)	(202,762		)
Total		$	308,009		$	281,715

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by business segment, are as follows (in thousands):



	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	1,368,763	$	574,850	$	1,943,613
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Mercury	1,347,753		—		1,347,753
Balance as of December 31, 2014	2,716,516		574,850		3,291,366
Goodwill attributable to acquisition of Mercury ⁽¹⁾	75,162		—		75,162
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	2,791,678	$	574,850	$	3,366,528

⁽¹⁾ Amount represents adjustments to goodwill associated with the acquisition of Mercury as a result of the finalization of purchase accounting.

Schedule of intangible assets

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company's finite lived intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Customer relationship intangible assets	$	1,596,581	$	1,596,581
Trade name	21,733		65,833
Customer portfolios and related assets	129,734		57,383
Patents	366		—
	1,748,414		1,719,797
Less accumulated amortization on:
Customer relationship intangible assets	821,580		655,017
Trade name	14,350		5,105
Customer portfolios and related assets	49,418		24,983
	885,348		685,105
	$	863,066	$	1,034,692

Schedule of expected amortization expense

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



2016	$	192,296
2017	171,382
2018	161,930
2019	153,530
2020	81,470

CAPITAL LEASES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):



	Amount
2016	$	8,454
2017	8,969
2018	8,969
2019	4,484
Total minimum lease payments	30,876
Less: Amount representing interest	(1,144		)
Present value of minimum lease payments	29,732
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations	(7,931		)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	21,801

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of the Company's debt

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
$2,050.0 million term A loan, maturing on June 13, 2019, and bearing interest at a variable base rate (LIBOR) plus a spread rate (200 basis points) (total rate of 2.33% at December 31, 2015) and amortizing on a basis of 1.25% per quarter during each of the first twelve quarters, 1.875% per quarter during the next four quarters and 2.50% during the next three quarters with a balloon payment due at maturity	$	1,896,250		$	1,998,750
$1,400.0 million term B loan, maturing on June 13, 2021, and bearing interest at a variable base rate (LIBOR) with a floor of 75 basis points plus a spread rate (300 basis points) (total rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2015) and amortizing on a basis of 0.25% per quarter, with a balloon payment due at maturity	1,179,000			1,393,000
$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, 2015)	10,131			10,131
Less: Current portion of note payable and current portion of note payable to related party	(116,501		)	(116,501		)
Less: Original issue discount	(6,024		)	(8,143		)
Less: Debt issuance costs	(19,218		)	—
Note payable and note payable to related party	$	2,943,638		$	3,277,237

- 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
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section S99
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Topic 505
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
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-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
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-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

+ Details

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Tax Receivable Agreements Disclosure [Abstract]

Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation Settlements

The following table presents the Company's TRA settlements and the impact of these settlements on the Company's consolidated statement of financial position (in thousands):



TRA	Settlement Date	Cash Buyout Payment			Balance Sheet Obligation Prior to Settlement		Deferred Taxes and Other		Net Gain Recorded in Equity
Advent & JPDN	October 2013	$	(112,562	)	$	254,400	$	1,144	$	140,694
Mercury	July 2015	(44,800		)	44,800		—		—
Fifth Third	October 2015	(48,866		)	140,024		32,967		58,191

Schedule of the Company's Liability Pursuant to the TRAs

The following table reflects TRA activity and balances for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):



	Balance as of December 31, 2012		2013 Secondary Offerings		2013 TRA Settlements			Balance as of December 31, 2013
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	165,100	$	329,400	$	—		$	494,500
TRA with Advent	183,800		—		(183,800		)	—
TRA with all pre-IPO investors	134,100		—		(68,900		)	65,200
TRA with JPDN	1,700		—		(1,700		)	—
Total	$	484,700	$	329,400	$	(254,400	)	$	559,700



	Balance as of December 31, 2013		2014 TRA Payment			2014 Secondary Offering		Acquisition of Mercury		Change in Value			Balance as of December 31, 2014
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	559,700	$	(8,639	)	$	109,400	$	—	$	(40,399	)	$	620,062
Mercury TRA	—		—			—		137,860		14,560			152,420
Total	$	559,700	$	(8,639	)	$	109,400	$	137,860	$	(25,839	)	$	772,482



	Balance as of December 31, 2014		2015 TRA Payment			2015 TRA Settlements			2015 Secondary Offering		Purchase Accounting Adjustment		Change in Value			Balance as of December 31, 2015
TRA with Fifth Third Bank	$	620,062	$	(22,805	)	$	(140,024	)	$	376,597	$	—	$	(769	)	$	833,061
Mercury TRA	152,420		—			(44,800		)	—		54,647		28,940			191,207
Total	$	772,482	$	(22,805	)	$	(184,824	)	$	376,597	$	54,647	$	28,171		$	1,024,268

Tax Receivable Agreements- Impact of Secondary Offerings

As a result of the secondary offerings and exchange of units of Vantiv Holding discussed in Note 12 - Capital Stock, the Company recorded the following (in thousands):



Secondary Offerings by Year	TRA Liability		Deferred Tax Asset		Net Equity
2015	$	376,597	$	355,430	$	21,167
2014	109,400		92,000		17,400
2013	329,400		236,400		93,000

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of fair value of derivative instruments

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, 2015		December 31, 2014
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term assets	$	—	$	104
Interest rate swaps	Other current liabilities	9,343		5,205
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities	9,885		2,283

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



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion) ⁽¹⁾	$	(18,836	)	$	(11,240	)	$	244
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)	(6,990		)	(3,040		)	(573		)
Amount of loss recognized in earnings ⁽²⁾	—			(1		)	—


⁽¹⁾	"OCI" represents other comprehensive income.


⁽²⁾	For the year ended December 31, 2014, amount represents hedge ineffectiveness.

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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		Total
As of December 31, 2013	141,758,681		48,822,826		190,581,507
% of ownership	74.38	%	25.62	%
Fifth Third exchange of Vantiv Holding units for shares of Class A common stock in connection with June 2014 secondary offering	5,780,000		(5,780,000	)	—
Share repurchases	(1,936,400	)	—		(1,936,400	)
Equity plan activity ⁽¹⁾	(147,273	)	—		(147,273	)
As of December 31, 2014	145,455,008		43,042,826		188,497,834
% of ownership	77.17	%	22.83	%
Fifth Third exchange of Vantiv Holding units for shares of Class A common stock in connection with December 2015 secondary offering	8,000,000		(8,000,000	)	—
Fifth Third exchange of Class C units of Vantiv Holding for shares of Class A common stock in connection with partial warrant exercise	5,374,592		—		5,374,592
Share repurchases	(4,445,551	)	—		(4,445,551	)
Equity plan activity ⁽¹⁾	1,104,277		—		1,104,277
As of December 31, 2015	155,488,326		35,042,826		190,531,152
% of ownership	81.61	%	18.39	%


⁽¹⁾	Includes stock issued under the equity plans less Class A common stock withheld to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon vesting or exercise of employee equity awards and forfeitures of restricted Class A common stock awards.

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 as discussed above (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Net income	$	209,229	$	168,990	$	208,140
Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:
Vantiv, Inc. expenses ⁽¹⁾	55,111		7,725		58,520
Vantiv Holding net income	$	264,340	$	176,715	$	266,660
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests of Fifth Third ⁽²⁾	$	58,938	$	43,022	$	74,568
Net income attributable to joint venture non-controlling interest ⁽³⁾	2,345		676		—
Total net income attributable to non-controlling interests	$	61,283	$	43,698	$	74,568

⁽¹⁾ Primarily represents income tax expense related to Vantiv, Inc. and TRA related expense (credits) (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements).


⁽³⁾	Reflects net income attributable to the non-controlling interest of the joint venture.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 January 2016 and December 2045. Future minimum commitments under these leases are as follows (in thousands):



Year Ending December 31,
2016	$	9,539
2017	7,250
2018	5,222
2019	4,941
2020	3,873
Thereafter	13,350
Total	$	44,175

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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

Schedule of Restricted Stock

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Restricted Class A Common Stock - Time Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Class A Common Stock - Performance Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	240,087		$	4.01	1,013,211		$	17.00
Granted	153,327		38.74		347,934		37.82
Vested	(202,477	)	4.07		(1,013,211	)	17.00
Forfeited	(24,483	)	8.82		(15,094	)	37.10
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	166,454		$	35.22	332,840		$	37.86

Schedule of Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	980,495		$	26.41
Granted	435,594		38.42
Vested	(258,480	)	26.41
Forfeited	(169,602	)	29.03
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	988,007		$	31.24

Schedule of Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding options at December 31, 2014	2,732,760		$	21.10	8.40	$	35,039
Granted	707,738		37.10
Exercised	(777,204	)	17.54			$	17,531
Expired	—		—
Forfeited	(353,051	)	24.11
Outstanding options at December 31, 2015	2,310,243		$	26.74	8.01	$	47,780

Options exercisable at December 31, 2015	540,231		$	21.20	7.28	$	14,166

Schedule of weighted-average Assumptions Options

The weighted-average grant date fair value was estimated by the Company using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions below:



		2014
	2015	Vantiv Grant	Mercury Replacement Options	2013
Number of options granted	707,738	710,297	1,750,519	659,938
Weighted average exercise price	$37.10	$31.02	$10.18 - $29.79	$21.95
Expected option life at grant (in years)	6.25	6.25	3.00 - 6.00	6.25
Expected volatility	26.33%	25.00%	24.80% - 30.80%	30.60%
Expected dividend yield	—%	—%	—%	—%
Risk-free interest rate	1.67%	1.93%	0.93% - 1.96%	1.15%
Fair value	$11.04	$9.07	$17.75 - $22.10	$7.10

Schedule of Performance Share Units

The following table presents the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance share units for the year ended December 31, 2015:



	Performance Share Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	508,097		$	27.76
Granted	122,134		39.16
Vested	(26,358	)	31.60
Forfeited	(131,355	)	30.51
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	472,518		$	29.73

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015			2014			2013
Current income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	$	28,586		$	29,234		$	48,494
State and local income taxes	4,311			4,474			3,926
Total current tax expense	32,897			33,708			52,420
Deferred income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	55,553			36,070			30,264
State and local income taxes	(273		)	(3,601		)	1,076
Total deferred tax expense	55,280			32,469			31,340
Applicable income tax expense	$	88,177		$	66,177		$	83,760

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,
	2015		2014		2013
Federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State taxes-net of federal benefit	2.7		2.6		2.7
Effect of changes in deferred tax rates	(1.9	)	(3.1	)	—
Non-controlling interest	(5.9	)	(5.6	)	(8.5	)
Other-net	(0.3	)	(0.8	)	(0.5	)
Effective tax rate	29.6	%	28.1	%	28.7	%

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):



	2015			2014
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses	$	25,569		$	29,296
Employee benefits	55			46
Other assets	2,316			813
Other accruals and reserves	79,925			55,427
Partnership basis	728,532			430,525
Deferred tax assets	836,397			516,107
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	(9,840		)	(7,849		)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(109,988		)	(98,675		)
Deferred tax liability	(119,828		)	(106,524		)
Deferred tax asset-net	$	716,569		$	409,583

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	2015						2014
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	104	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	19,228	$	—	$	—	$	7,488	$	—
Mercury TRA	—		—		191,207		—		—		152,420

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



	2015				2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Liabilities:
Note payable	$	3,060,139	$	3,064,989	$	3,393,738	$	3,310,181

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 (in thousands, except share data):



			Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Basic:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	147,946	$	125,292	$	133,572
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	145,044,577		141,936,933		138,836,314
Basic net income per share	$	1.02	$	0.88	$	0.96
Diluted:
Consolidated income before applicable income taxes	$	297,406	$	235,167	$	291,900
Income tax expense excluding impact of non-controlling interest	107,066		85,836		112,382
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	190,340	$	149,331	$	179,518
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares	145,044,577		141,936,933		138,836,314
Weighted-average Class B units of Vantiv Holding	42,521,087		45,472,332		57,906,592
Warrant	11,866,595		10,121,483		7,522,801
Restricted stock awards	696,273		1,321,890		1,751,816
Stock options	545,180		318,175		10,034
Performance share units	260,730		—		—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	200,934,442		199,170,813		206,027,557
Diluted net income per share	$	0.95	$	0.75	$	0.87

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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

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



				Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	AOCI Beginning Balance			Pretax Activity			Tax Effect			Net Activity			Attributable to non-controlling interests			Attributable to Vantiv, Inc.			AOCI Ending Balance
Year ended December 31, 2015
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	(5,288	)	$	(18,836	)	$	5,490		$	(13,346	)	$	4,298		$	(9,048	)	$	(14,336	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	1,732			6,990			(2,065		)	4,925			(1,525		)	3,400			5,132
Other	(212		)	212			—			212			—			212			—
Net change	$	(3,768	)	$	(11,634	)	$	3,425		$	(8,209	)	$	2,773		$	(5,436	)	$	(9,204	)

Year ended December 31, 2014
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	(5	)	$	(11,240	)	$	3,114		$	(8,126	)	$	2,843		$	(5,283	)	$	(5,288	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	269			3,040			(874		)	2,166			(703		)	1,463			1,732
Other	—			(212		)	—			(212		)	—			(212		)	(212		)
Net change	$	264		$	(8,412	)	$	2,240		$	(6,172	)	$	2,140		$	(4,032	)	$	(3,768	)

Year ended December 31, 2013
Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI	$	—		$	244		$	3		$	247		$	(252	)	$	(5	)	$	(5	)
Net realized loss reclassified into earnings ^(a)	—			573			(157		)	416			(147		)	269			269
Net change	$	—		$	817		$	(154	)	$	663		$	(399	)	$	264		$	264

(a) The reclassification adjustment on cash flow hedge derivatives affected the following lines in the accompanying consolidated statements of income:



OCI Component		Affected line in the accompanying consolidated statements of income
Pretax activity⁽¹⁾		Interest expense-net
Tax effect		Income tax expense
OCI attributable to non-controlling interests		Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

⁽¹⁾ The years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, reflect amounts of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings, representing the effective portion of the hedging relationships, and are recorded in interest expense-net.

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of results of operations for each segment



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Total revenue	$	2,656,906	$	503,032	$	3,159,938
Network fees and other costs	1,321,312		156,890		1,478,202
Sales and marketing	478,736		25,213		503,949
Segment profit	$	856,858	$	320,929	$	1,177,787



	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Total revenue	$	2,100,367	$	476,836	$	2,577,203
Network fees and other costs	1,033,801		140,864		1,174,665
Sales and marketing	367,998		28,355		396,353
Segment profit	$	698,568	$	307,617	$	1,006,185



	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Merchant Services		Financial Institution Services		Total
Total revenue	$	1,639,157	$	468,920	$	2,108,077
Network fees and other costs	801,463		133,978		935,441
Sales and marketing	286,200		25,844		312,044
Segment profit	$	551,494	$	309,098	$	860,592

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,
	2015			2014			2013
Total segment profit	$	1,177,787		$	1,006,185		$	860,592
Less: Other operating costs	(284,066		)	(242,439		)	(200,630		)
Less: General and administrative	(182,369		)	(173,986		)	(121,707		)
Less: Depreciation and amortization	(276,942		)	(275,069		)	(185,453		)
Less: Interest expense—net	(105,736		)	(79,701		)	(40,902		)
Less: Non-operating income (expense)	(31,268		)	177			(20,000		)
Income before applicable income taxes	$	297,406		$	235,167		$	291,900

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015 and 2014.




	Dec 31, 2015		Sep 30, 2015		Jun 30, 2015		Mar 31, 2015		Dec 31, 2014		Sep 30, 2014		Jun 30, 2014			Mar 31, 2014
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenue	$	852,334	$	815,998	$	785,995	$	705,611	$	733,785	$	697,109	$	608,731		$	537,578
Network fees and other costs	399,159		385,548		362,349		331,146		331,635		316,592		277,392			249,046
Net revenue	453,175		430,450		423,646		374,465		402,150		380,517		331,339			288,532
Sales and marketing	132,488		132,481		122,925		116,055		116,169		111,233		90,507			78,444
Other operating costs	72,213		66,563		76,551		68,739		64,657		60,659		56,754			60,369
General and administrative	45,974		41,492		47,060		47,843		47,406		45,422		48,552			32,606
Depreciation and amortization	70,843		70,638		67,659		67,802		70,893		65,289		89,041			49,846
Income from operations	$	131,657	$	119,276	$	109,451	$	74,026	$	103,025	$	97,914	$	46,485		$	67,267
Net income	$	70,392	$	59,148	$	52,693	$	26,996	$	81,741	$	42,845	$	3,313		$	41,091
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$	50,929	$	41,492	$	36,536	$	18,989	$	68,579	$	29,986	$	(1,409	)	$	28,136
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock:
Basic	$	0.35	$	0.29	$	0.25	$	0.13	$	0.48	$	0.21	$	(0.01	)	$	0.20
Diluted	$	0.31	$	0.27	$	0.24	$	0.13	$	0.35	$	0.20	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Sponsorship agreement
Sponsorship agreement term	10 years
Vantiv Holding
Principles of consolidation
Ownership percentage by Vantiv, Inc		81.61%	77.17%	74.38%
Fifth Third \| Vantiv Holding
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership by noncontrolling interest		18.39%	22.83%	25.62%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Nonoperating Income	$ 41.3
Other nonoperating expense	$ 41.1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Valuation allowance against deferred assets	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES Property, Equipment and Software- net (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
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
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 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
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Write-off of intangible asset		$ (34,300)	$ 0	$ (34,267)	$ 0
Remaining amortization period of Trade name used in ISO Channel	2 years	2 years

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Estimated Fair Value of Purchase Price (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition
Issuance of tax receivable agreement as contingent consideration		$ 0	$ 137,860	$ 0
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Business Acquisition
Cash purchase price paid at closing	$ 1,681,179
Issuance of tax receivable agreement as contingent consideration	192,507
Total purchase price	$ 1,873,686

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended	7 Months Ended
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 13, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Purchase Price Allocation
Goodwill				$ 3,291,366	$ 3,366,528	$ 1,943,613
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Business Acquisition
Percentage of voting interests acquired	100.00%
Incurred expenses from acquisition				17,900
Actual revenue of Mercury since acquisition date				$ 217,000
Fair value of Mercury replacement options	$ 32,100
Fair value of Mercury replacement options related to services provided prior to the acquisition	17,700
Purchase Price Allocation
Cash acquired	22,485
Current assets	47,421
Property, equipment and software	32,257
Intangible assets	347,000
Goodwill	1,422,916
Deferred tax assets	43,054
Other non-current assets	767
Current and non-current liabilities	(42,214)
Total purchase price	1,873,686
Element Payment Services, Inc.
Business Acquisition
Percentage of voting interests acquired		100.00%
Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$ 11,359
Property, equipment and software		8,193
Goodwill		135,068
Current liabilities		(8,189)
Deferred tax liabilities		(13,772)
Total purchase price		$ 162,459
Customer relationships intangible assets \| Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Business Acquisition
Mercury finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 332,000
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired, weighted average useful life	10 years
Customer relationships intangible assets \| Element Payment Services, Inc.
Business Acquisition
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired, weighted average useful life		10 years
Purchase Price Allocation
Intangible assets		$ 29,300
Trade name - finite lived \| Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Business Acquisition
Mercury finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 15,000		$ 15,000
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired, weighted average useful life	2 years 6 months		2 years 6 months
Trade name - finite lived \| Element Payment Services, Inc.
Business Acquisition
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired, weighted average useful life		1 year
Purchase Price Allocation
Intangible assets		$ 500
Scenario, Previously Reported \| Trade name - finite lived \| Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Business Acquisition
Mercury finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 59,100
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired, weighted average useful life	9 years 6 months

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Pro Forma (Details) - Mercury Payment Systems, LLC - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition
Pro forma revenue	$ 2,737,024	$ 2,435,234
Pro forma income from operations	322,746	354,517
Pro forma net income including noncontrolling interest	174,797	155,145
Pro forma net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc	$ 129,630	$ 95,819
Pro Forma Net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock [Abstract]
Pro forma earnings per share, basic	$ 0.91	$ 0.69
Pro forma earnings per share, diluted	$ 0.78	$ 0.61
Pro Forma Shares used in computing net income per share of Class A common stock [Abstract]
Pro forma weighted average basic shares outstanding	141,936,933	138,836,314
Pro forma weighted average diluted shares outstanding	199,170,813	206,027,557

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total	$ 308,009	$ 281,715
Depreciation and amortization	276,942	240,802	$ 185,453
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, gross	6,401	6,401
Building and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 33,938	33,454
Building and improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	15 years
Building and improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	40 years
Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 134,191	116,065
Furniture and equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
Furniture and equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Software
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 319,866	259,495
Software \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Software \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 8,885	8,753
Leasehold improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Leasehold improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Work in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 45,061	60,309
Property equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment
Accumulated depreciation	(240,333)	(202,762)
Total	308,009	281,715
Depreciation and amortization	$ 76,600	$ 70,000	$ 56,800

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill

Goodwill at beginning of period

$ 3,291,366

$ 1,943,613

Goodwill attributable to acquisition

75,162

^[1]

1,347,753

Goodwill at end of period

3,366,528

3,291,366

Merchant Services

Goodwill

Goodwill at beginning of period

2,716,516

1,368,763

Goodwill at end of period

2,791,678

2,716,516

Financial Institution Services

Goodwill

Goodwill at beginning of period

574,850

Goodwill at end of period

574,850

Mercury Payment Systems, LLC | Merchant Services

Goodwill

Goodwill attributable to acquisition

75,162

^[1]

1,347,753

Mercury Payment Systems, LLC | Financial Institution Services

Goodwill

Goodwill attributable to acquisition

$ 0

^[1]

$ 0

[1]	Amount represents adjustments to goodwill associated with the acquisition of Mercury as a result of the finalization of purchase accounting.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross			$ 1,748,414	$ 1,719,797
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization			885,348	685,105
Intangible assets—net			863,066	1,034,692
Amortization expense on finite lived intangible assets			200,400	205,100	$ 128,600
Write-off trade name used in ISO channel		$ 34,300	0	34,267	$ 0
Revised value of trade name used in ISO channel	$ 6,700	$ 6,700
Remaining amortization period of Trade name used in ISO Channel	2 years	2 years
Estimate amortization expense of finite lived intangible assets for the next five years
2016			192,296
2017			171,382
2018			161,930
2019			153,530
2020			81,470
Customer relationships intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross			1,596,581	1,596,581
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization			821,580	655,017
Trade name - finite lived
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross			21,733	65,833
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization			14,350	5,105
Customer Portfolios and related assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross			129,734	57,383
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization			$ 49,418	$ 24,983
Estimate remaining weighted-average lives of finite lived intangible assets			4 years 9 months 19 days	4 years 2 months 13 days
Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross			$ 366

CAPITAL LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
CAPITAL LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]
Cost of equipment under capital leases	$ 36,600	$ 33,400
Accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases	4,400	8,300
Depreciation expense associated with equipment under capital leases	7,800	6,000	$ 6,700
Future minimum lease payments required under capital leases and the present value of net minimum lease payments
2016	8,454
2017	8,969
2018	8,969
2019	4,484
Total minimum lease payments	30,876
Less: Amount representing interest	(1,144)
Present value of minimum lease payments	29,732
Less: Current maturities of capital lease obligations	(7,931)	(8,158)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$ 21,801	$ 14,779

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term debt
Note payable and note payable to related party	$ 2,943,638	$ 3,277,237
Term loan for corporate headquarters
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross	10,131	10,131
June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Less: Current portion of note payable and current portion of note payable to related party	(116,501)	(116,501)
Less: Original issue discount	(6,024)	(8,143)
Debt issuance cost	(19,218)	(25,500)
June 2014 debt refinancing \| Term A loan
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross	1,896,250	1,998,750
June 2014 debt refinancing \| Term B loan
Long-term debt
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,179,000	$ 1,393,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details 2) - USD ($)				8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details 2) - USD ($)	Jan. 06, 2015	Jun. 13, 2014	May 15, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-term debt
Borrowings on revolving credit facility					$ 177,000,000	$ 0	$ 0
Repayments of revolving credit facility					$ (177,000,000)
Unamortized deferred financing cost written off						26,500,000
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					$ 10,000,000
June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Borrowings on revolving credit facility					177,000,000
Debt Issuance Cost					19,218,000	25,500,000
Unamortized debt original issue discount					$ 6,024,000	8,143,000
May 2013 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Unamortized deferred financing cost written off			$ 20,000,000
March 2012 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Repayments of Debt			1,200,000,000
Term A loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Face value of debt		$ 2,050,000,000.00
Variable base rate		LIBOR
Spread rate (as a percent)		2.00%
Interest rate (as a percent)					2.33%
Term A loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing \| First Twelve Quarters
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)		1.25%
Term A loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing \| Second Four Quarters
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)		1.875%
Term A loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing \| Following three quarters
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)		2.50%
Term A loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing \| Fifth Third
Long-term debt
Notes Payable, Related Parties					$ 191,500,000	$ 201,900,000
Term A loan \| May 2013 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Face value of debt			1,850,000,000
Repayments of Debt		$ 1,800,000,000
Term B loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Face value of debt		$ 1,400,000,000.0
Variable base rate		LIBOR
Spread rate (as a percent)		3.00%
Interest rate (as a percent)					3.75%
Repayments of Debt	$ 200,000,000
Unamortized deferred financing cost written off	$ 1,800,000
Term B loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing \| Minimum
Long-term debt
Spread rate (as a percent)		0.75%
Term B loan \| June 2014 debt refinancing \| Quarterly Amortization
Long-term debt
Amortization rate during given period (as a percent)		0.25%
Term loan for corporate headquarters
Long-term debt
Face value of debt					$ 10,131,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)					6.22%
Swing line credit facility \| June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 100,000,000
Swing line credit facility \| May 2013 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			75,000,000
Revolving credit facility \| June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 425,000,000
Commitment fees (as a percent)		0.375%
Revolving credit facility \| May 2013 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			250,000,000
Commitment fees (as a percent)				0.375%
Letter of credit facility \| June 2014 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 40,000,000
Letter of credit facility \| May 2013 debt refinancing
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 40,000,000

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax receivable agreement
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements	$ (94,022)	$ 0	$ (112,562)
TRA obligations Settled under cash buyout payment	184,824		254,400
Net gain recorded related to TRA settlements	58,191		140,694
Advent International Corporation and JPDN
Tax receivable agreement
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements			(112,562)
TRA obligations Settled under cash buyout payment			254,400
Deferred tax adjustments related to TRA obligation settlements			1,144
Net gain recorded related to TRA settlements			$ 140,694
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Tax receivable agreement
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements	(44,800)
TRA obligations Settled under cash buyout payment	44,800
Deferred tax adjustments related to TRA obligation settlements	0
Net gain recorded related to TRA settlements	0
Fifth Third
Tax receivable agreement
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements	(48,866)
TRA obligations Settled under cash buyout payment	140,024
Deferred tax adjustments related to TRA obligation settlements	32,967
Net gain recorded related to TRA settlements	$ 58,191

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			19 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Tax receivable agreement
TRA obligations, beginning balance	$ 772,482	$ 559,700	$ 484,700
Payments under tax receivable agreements	(22,805)	(8,639)	0
TRA obligations settled, balance sheet obligations prior to settlement	(184,824)		(254,400)
TRA liability recorded related to secondary offerings	376,597	109,400	329,400
TRA liability recorded related to acquisitions	54,647	137,860
TRAs change in value	28,171	(25,839)
TRA obligations, ending balance	1,024,268	772,482	559,700	$ 1,024,268
Fifth Third
Tax receivable agreement
TRA obligations, beginning balance	620,062	494,500	165,100
Payments under tax receivable agreements	(22,805)	(8,639)
TRA obligations settled, balance sheet obligations prior to settlement	(140,024)
TRA liability recorded related to secondary offerings	376,597	109,400	329,400
TRAs change in value	(769)	(40,399)
TRA obligations, ending balance	833,061	620,062	494,500	833,061
Advent International Corporation
Tax receivable agreement
TRA obligations, beginning balance		0	183,800
TRA obligations settled, balance sheet obligations prior to settlement			(183,800)
TRA obligations, ending balance			0
Pre IPO Investors
Tax receivable agreement
TRA obligations, beginning balance		65,200	134,100
TRA obligations settled, balance sheet obligations prior to settlement			(68,900)
TRA obligations, ending balance			65,200
JPDN
Tax receivable agreement
TRA obligations, beginning balance		0	1,700
TRA obligations settled, balance sheet obligations prior to settlement			(1,700)
TRA obligations, ending balance			0
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Tax receivable agreement
TRA obligations, beginning balance	152,420	0
TRA obligations settled, balance sheet obligations prior to settlement	(44,800)
TRA liability recorded related to acquisitions	54,647	137,860		192,500
TRAs change in value	28,940	14,560
TRA obligations, ending balance	$ 191,207	$ 152,420	$ 0	$ 191,207

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax receivable agreement
TRA liability recorded related to secondary offerings	$ 376,597	$ 109,400	$ 329,400
Adjustment to additional paid in capital related to TRA	21,167	17,400	93,000
Fifth Third
Tax receivable agreement
TRA liability recorded related to secondary offerings	376,597	109,400	329,400
Fifth Third \| Vantiv Holding
Tax receivable agreement
Deferred tax assets attributable to exchange of units of subsidiary	$ 355,430	$ 92,000	$ 236,400

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENTS (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			19 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jul. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Tax receivable agreement
Percent of TRA cash savings paid to various parties			85.00%			85.00%
Percent of TRA cash savings retained by the Company			15.00%			15.00%
Other Nonoperating Income				$ 41,300
Mercury TRA liability recorded			$ 54,647	137,860
Other nonoperating expense				41,100
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements			94,022	0	$ 112,562
Payments under tax receivable agreements			22,805	8,639	$ 0
Subsequent event
Tax receivable agreement
Payments under tax receivable agreements	$ 53,500
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Tax receivable agreement
Mercury TRA liability recorded			54,647	137,860		$ 192,500
Other nonoperating expense			28,900	$ 14,600
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements			44,800
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC \| Minimum \| President
Tax receivable agreement
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements		$ 600
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC \| Maximum \| President
Tax receivable agreement
Cash payments to settle certain tax receivable agreements		$ 2,200
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC \| Call Option
Tax receivable agreement
2016 cash payment to terminate Mercury TRA under Call Options			41,400			41,400
2017 cash payment to terminate Mercury TRA under Call Options			38,100			38,100
2018 cash payment to terminate Mercury TRA under Call Options			38,000			38,000
2019 cash payment to terminate Mercury TRA under Call Options			$ 43,000			$ 43,000

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

USD ($)

swap

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

Derivative, number of instruments held | swap

Cash flow hedge loss to be reclassified within twelve months

$ 10,000

Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)

^[1]

(18,836)

$ (11,240)

$ 244

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

(6,990)

(3,040)

(573)

Amount of gain (loss) recognized on interest rate cash flow hedge ineffectiveness

^[2]

(1)

$ 0

Aggregate fair value of derivatives, net liability position

$ 20,400

Covering period from June 2015 through June 2017

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

Derivative, number of instruments held | swap

Notional amount

$ 1,200,000

Amortized value of notional amount

$ 1,100,000

Covering period from January 2016 through January 2019

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

Derivative, number of instruments held | swap

Notional amount

$ 500,000

Other long-term assets

Fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges

Fair value of hedge assets

104

Other current liabilities

Fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges

Fair value of hedge liabilities

9,343

5,205

Other long-term liabilities

Fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges

Fair value of hedge liabilities

$ 9,885

$ 2,283

Fifth Third

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

Derivative, number of instruments held | swap

Fifth Third | Maximum

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

Notional amount

$ 293,800

Fifth Third | Minimum

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

Notional amount

$ 250,000

[1]	"OCI" represents other comprehensive income.
[2]	For the year ended December 31, 2014, amount represents hedge ineffectiveness.

CONTROLLING AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN JOINT VENTURE (Details) - Joint Venture $ in Millions	May 31, 2014 USD ($)
Controlling and non-controlling interest in Joint Venture
Ownership percentage by Vantiv, Inc	51.00%
Bank Partner
Controlling and non-controlling interest in Joint Venture
Percentage of ownership by noncontrolling interest	49.00%
Noncontrolling Interest in Joint Ventures	$ 18.8

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

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

May 15, 2013

Jun. 30, 2009

USD ($)

$ / shares

Dec. 31, 2015

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2014

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2014

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2015

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

Mar. 21, 2012

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Payments for repurchase of warrants under the Warrant Cancellation Agreement | $

$ 200,219,000

$ 0

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Net income | $

$ 70,392,000

$ 59,148,000

$ 52,693,000

$ 26,996,000

$ 81,741,000

$ 42,845,000

$ 3,313,000

$ 41,091,000

209,229,000

168,990,000

208,140,000

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Vantiv, Inc. expenses | $

^[1]

55,111,000

7,725,000

58,520,000

Net income attributable to Vantiv Holding | $

264,340,000

176,715,000

266,660,000

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | $

61,283,000

43,698,000

74,568,000

Bank Partner

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | $

^[2]

2,345,000

676,000

Fifth Third

Items not allocable to non-controlling interests:

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | $

^[3]

$ 58,938,000

$ 43,022,000

$ 74,568,000

Vantiv Holding

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Balance (in shares)

188,497,834

190,581,507

188,497,834

190,581,507

Opening percentage of ownership by parent

77.17%

74.38%

77.17%

74.38%

Issuance of common shares in connection with warrant exercise

5,374,592

Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)

(4,445,551)

(1,936,400)

Equity plan activity (in shares)

1,104,277

^[4]

(147,273)

^[1]

Balance (in shares)

190,531,152

188,497,834

190,531,152

188,497,834

190,581,507

Closing percentage of ownership by parent

81.61%

77.17%

81.61%

77.17%

74.38%

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

$ 137,400,000

$ 58,400,000

$ 137,400,000

$ 58,400,000

Common Stock

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Conversion ratio for conversion of LLC units into common stock

Vantiv, Inc. | Vantiv Holding

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Balance (in shares)

145,455,008

141,758,681

145,455,008

141,758,681

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

8,000,000

5,780,000

Issuance of common shares in connection with warrant exercise

5,374,592

Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)

(4,445,551)

(1,936,400)

Equity plan activity (in shares)

1,104,277

^[4]

(147,273)

^[1]

Balance (in shares)

155,488,326

145,455,008

155,488,326

145,455,008

141,758,681

Warrant | Fifth Third

Changes in units and related ownership interest

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

$ 0

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

$ 15.98

Warrant fair value | $

$ 65,400,000

Fifth Third | Vantiv Holding

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Balance (in shares)

43,042,826

48,822,826

43,042,826

48,822,826

Opening percentage of ownership by noncontrolling interest

22.83%

25.62%

22.83%

25.62%

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

(8,000,000)

(5,780,000)

Balance (in shares)

35,042,826

43,042,826

35,042,826

43,042,826

48,822,826

Closing percentage of ownership by noncontrolling interest

18.39%

22.83%

18.39%

22.83%

25.62%

Class A Common Stock

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Balance (in shares)

145,455,008

Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)

(17,500,000)

Balance (in shares)

155,488,326

145,455,008

155,488,326

145,455,008

Class A Common Stock | Common Stock

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Balance (in shares)

145,455,000

141,759,000

145,455,000

141,759,000

142,244,000

Issuance of common shares in connection with warrant exercise

5,375,000

Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)

(4,446,000)

(1,936,000)

(20,904,000)

Balance (in shares)

155,488,000

145,455,000

155,488,000

145,455,000

141,759,000

Class A Common Stock | Warrant

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Issuance of common shares in connection with warrant exercise

5,400,000

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

Changes in units and related ownership interest

Warrants outstanding | $

$ 20,400,000

$ 7,791,956

Class C units cancelled under the Warrant Cancellation Agreement

4,800,000

Payments for repurchase of warrants under the Warrant Cancellation Agreement | $

$ 200,000,000

[1]	Primarily represents income tax expense related to Vantiv, Inc. and TRA related expense (credits) (see Note 7 - Tax Receivable Agreements).
[2]	Reflects net income attributable to the non-controlling interest of the joint venture
[3]	Net income attributable to non-controlling interests of Fifth Third reflects the allocation of Vantiv Holding’s net income based on the proportionate ownership interests in Vantiv Holding held by the non-controlling unit holders. The net income attributable to non-controlling unit holders reflects the changes in ownership interests summarized in the table above.
[4]	Includes stock issued under the equity plans less Class A common stock withheld to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon vesting or exercise of employee equity awards and forfeitures of restricted Class A common stock awards.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases
2016	$ 9,539
2017	7,250
2018	5,222
2019	4,941
2020	3,873
Thereafter	13,350
Total	44,175
Rent expense	$ 11,600	$ 9,900	$ 7,000

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Expenses associated with the defined contribution savings plan	$ 9.1	$ 7.3	$ 5.9

CAPITAL STOCK (Details)								2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
CAPITAL STOCK (Details)	Dec. 08, 2015 shares	Jun. 30, 2014 shares	Mar. 10, 2014 shares	Nov. 06, 2013 shares	Aug. 07, 2013 shares	May 15, 2013 shares	May 15, 2013 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) shares	Feb. 12, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 22, 2013 USD ($)
Common Stock
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, value \| $									$ 200,406,000	$ 59,364,000	$ 503,225,000
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
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)									155,488,326	145,455,008
Shares of stock sold by selling shareholders in secondary offering issued to underwriters	13,400,000	5,800,000	18,800,000	15,000,000	20,000,000	40,700,000
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)							17,500,000
Stock repurchase and retired during period, value, excluding costs associated with stock repurchase \| $							$ 400,000,000
Adjustments to additional paid in capital, other \| $							$ 600,000
Class A Common Stock \| October 2013 Authorized Share Repurchase Program
Common Stock
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount \| $													$ 137,000,000
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)								3,500,000.0		1,100,000.0
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, value \| $								$ 103,000,000		$ 34,000,000
Class A Common Stock \| February 2014 Authorized Share Repurchase Program
Common Stock
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount \| $												$ 300,000,000
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, (in shares)									4,400,000.0	828,000
Class A common stock repurchased and retired during period, value \| $									$ 200,000,000	$ 25,000,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount \| $									$ 75,000,000
Class A Common Stock \| Capital Unit, Class B \| Vantiv Holding
Common Stock
Conversion ratio for conversion of Class B units into Class A common stock									1
Class B Common Stock
Common Stock
Authorized common stock (in shares)									100,000,000	100,000,000
Voting power as percentage of total voting power									18.40%
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)								48,800,000	35,042,826	43,042,826	48,800,000
Class B Common Stock \| Maximum
Common Stock
Voting power as percentage of total voting power									18.50%

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS- RESTRICTED STOCK (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 21, 2012
Equity Incentive Plan 2012 \| Performance Shares
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Non-vested beginning of period	508,097
Grants in period	122,134
Vested in period	(26,358)
Forfeited in period	(131,355)
Non-vested end of period	472,518	508,097
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 27.76
Grants in period, weighted average grant date fair value	39.16
Vested in period, weighted average grant date fair value	31.60
Forfeitures, weighted average grant date fair value	30.51
Non-vested end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 29.73	$ 27.76
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Performance awards, period of participants service in years	3 years
Total grant date fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$ 0.8	$ 1.9
Performance share units minimum number of shares authorized to award	0.00%
Performance share units maximum number of shares authorized to award	200.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2012 \| Restricted Stock
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Total grant date fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$ 18.0	$ 20.1	$ 22.4
Time Awards \| Equity Incentive Plan 2012 \| Restricted Stock
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Non-vested beginning of period	240,087
Grants in period	153,327
Vested in period	(202,477)
Forfeited in period	(24,483)
Non-vested end of period	166,454	240,087
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 4.01
Grants in period, weighted average grant date fair value	38.74
Vested in period, weighted average grant date fair value	4.07
Forfeitures, weighted average grant date fair value	8.82
Non-vested end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 35.22	$ 4.01
Performance Awards \| Restricted Stock
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Performance awards, period of participants service in years	3 years
Performance Awards \| Equity Incentive Plan 2012 \| Restricted Stock
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Non-vested beginning of period	1,013,211
Grants in period	347,934
Vested in period	(1,013,211)
Forfeited in period	(15,094)
Non-vested end of period	332,840	1,013,211
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 17.00
Grants in period, weighted average grant date fair value	37.82
Vested in period, weighted average grant date fair value	17.00
Forfeitures, weighted average grant date fair value	37.10
Non-vested end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 37.86	$ 17.00
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Performance share units minimum number of shares authorized to award	0.00%
Performance share units maximum number of shares authorized to award	200.00%
Class A Common Stock \| Equity Incentive Plan 2012
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Maximum number of shares of Class A stock authorized under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan				35,500,000.0

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS- RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Incentive Plan 2012
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Non-vested beginning of period	980,495
Grants in period	435,594
Vested in period	(258,480)
Forfeited in period	(169,602)
Non-vested end of period	988,007	980,495
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 26.41
Grants in period, weighted average grant date fair value	38.42
Vested in period, weighted average grant date fair value	26.41
Forfeitures, weighted average grant date fair value	29.03
Non-vested end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 31.24	$ 26.41
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested	$ 6.8	$ 3.7	$ 0.1
Board of Directors
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted stock units vesting period	1 year
Minimum \| Active Employees
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted stock units vesting period	3 years
Maximum \| Active Employees
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted stock units vesting period	4 years

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS- STOCK OPTIONS (Details) - Employee Stock Option - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Options outstanding beginning of period	2,732,760
Options, grants in period	707,738
Options, exercises in period	(777,204)
Options, expirations in period	0
Options, forfeitures in period	(353,051)
Options outstanding end of period	2,310,243	2,732,760
Options exercisable end of period	540,231
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price[Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price at December 31, 2014	$ 21.10
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	37.10
Options, exercises in period, weighted average exercise price	17.54
Options, expirations in period, weighted average exercise price	0.00
Options, forfeitures in period, weighted average exercise price	24.11
Weighted average exercise price at December 31, 2015	26.74	$ 21.10
Options exercisable end of period, weighted average exercise price	$ 21.20
Weighted average remaining contractual term of options outstanding in years	8 years 4 days	8 years 4 months 23 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term of options exercisable in years	7 years 3 months 11 days
Intrinsic value of options outstanding	$ 47,780	$ 35,039
Intrinsic value of options exercised in period	17,531
Intrinsic value of options exercisable end of period	14,166
Total grant date fair value of options vested	$ 13,900	$ 10,200
Mercury Replacement Options
Options, grants in period	707,738
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 37.10
Options expiration period in years	10 years
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC 2010 Unit Incentive Plan
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Options, grants in period		1,750,519
Mercury Replacement Options
Options, grants in period		1,750,519
Expected dividend yield		0.00%
Mercury replacement options vesting period	4 years 6 months
Equity Incentive Plan 2012
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Options, grants in period	707,738	710,297	659,938
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price[Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 37.10	$ 31.02	$ 21.95
Mercury Replacement Options
Options, grants in period	707,738	710,297	659,938
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 37.10	$ 31.02	$ 21.95
Expected option life at grant (in years)	6 years 3 months	6 years 3 months	6 years 3 months
Expected volatility	26.33%	25.00%	30.60%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.67%	1.93%	1.15%
Fair value	$ 11.04	$ 9.07	$ 7.10
Minimum \| Mercury Payment Systems, LLC 2010 Unit Incentive Plan
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price[Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	10.18
Mercury Replacement Options
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 10.18
Expected option life at grant (in years)		3 years
Expected volatility		24.80%
Risk-free interest rate		0.93%
Fair value		$ 17.75
Prescribed acceleration period of options	12 months
Maximum \| Mercury Payment Systems, LLC 2010 Unit Incentive Plan
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price[Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 29.79
Mercury Replacement Options
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 29.79
Expected option life at grant (in years)		6 years
Expected volatility		30.80%
Risk-free interest rate		1.96%
Fair value		$ 29.79
Prescribed acceleration period of options	24 months
Four annual increments \| Equity Incentive Plan 2012
Mercury Replacement Options
Annual incremental percentage of stock options vested	25.00%
Vesting percentage after one year \| Mercury Payment Systems, LLC 2010 Unit Incentive Plan
Mercury Replacement Options
Annual incremental percentage of stock options vested	22.22%

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS- PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Total allocated share-based compensation Expense		$ 30.5	$ 42.2	$ 29.7
Tax benefits related to share-based compensation		8.8	$ 12.9	$ 8.5
Unrecognized share-based compensation		$ 51.1
Period for recognition of unrecognized share-based compensation		2 years 6 months 22 days
Equity Incentive Plan 2012 \| Performance Shares
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Non-vested beginning of period	472,518	508,097
Grants in period		122,134
Vested in period		(26,358)
Forfeited in period		(131,355)
Non-vested end of period		472,518	508,097
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 29.73	$ 27.76
Grants in period, weighted average grant date fair value		39.16
Vested in period, weighted average grant date fair value		31.60
Forfeitures, weighted average grant date fair value		30.51
Non-vested end of period, weighted average grant date fair value		$ 29.73	$ 27.76
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Performance share units minimum number of shares authorized to award		0.00%
Performance share units maximum number of shares authorized to award		200.00%
Performance Share Awards Target Number of Shares Authorized to Award		100.00%
Total grant date fair value of performance share units vested		$ 0.8	$ 1.9
Subsequent event \| Equity Incentive Plan 2012 \| Performance Shares
2012 Equity Incentive Plan, Roll Forwards (in Shares)
Grants in period	173,714
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Performance share units maximum number of shares authorized to award	200.00%

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	$ 28,586	$ 29,234	$ 48,494
State and local income taxes	4,311	4,474	3,926
Total current tax expense	32,897	33,708	52,420
Deferred income tax expense:
U.S. income taxes	55,553	36,070	30,264
State and local income taxes	(273)	(3,601)	1,076
Total deferred tax expense	55,280	32,469	31,340
Applicable income tax expense	$ 88,177	$ 66,177	$ 83,760
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	2.70%	2.60%	2.70%
Effect of changes in deferred tax rates	(1.90%)	(3.10%)	0.00%
Non-controlling interest	(5.90%)	(5.60%)	(8.50%)
Other-net	(0.30%)	(0.80%)	(0.50%)
Effective tax rate	29.60%	28.10%	28.70%
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses	$ 25,569	$ 29,296
Employee benefits	55	46
Other assets	2,316	813
Other accruals and reserves	79,925	55,427
Partnership basis	728,532	430,525
Deferred tax assets	836,397	516,107
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	(9,840)	(7,849)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(109,988)	(98,675)
Deferred tax liability	(119,828)	(106,524)
Deferred tax asset-net	$ 716,569	$ 409,583

INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation allowance against deferred assets	$ 0	$ 0
Income tax receivable	53,200,000	$ 9,400,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards	58,500,000
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax loss carryforwards	$ 106,500,000

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Liabilities:
Mercury TRA	$ 1,024,268	$ 772,482	$ 559,700	$ 484,700
Recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Interest rate swaps
Assets:
Fair value of hedge assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Fair value of hedge liabilities	0	0
Recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Interest rate swaps
Assets:
Fair value of hedge assets	0	104
Liabilities:
Fair value of hedge liabilities	19,228	7,488
Recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Interest rate swaps
Assets:
Fair value of hedge assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Fair value of hedge liabilities	0	0
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC
Liabilities:
Mercury TRA	191,207	152,420	$ 0
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC \| Recurring basis \| Level 1
Liabilities:
Mercury TRA	0	0
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC \| Recurring basis \| Level 2
Liabilities:
Mercury TRA	0	0
Mercury Payment Systems, LLC \| Recurring basis \| Level 3
Liabilities:
Mercury TRA	$ 191,207	$ 152,420

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Carrying Amount
Liabilites:
Note payable	$ 3,060,139	$ 3,393,738
Fair Value
Liabilites:
Note payable	$ 3,064,989	$ 3,310,181

NET INCOME PER SHARE NET INCOME PER SHARE NARRATIVE (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate	36.00%	36.50%	38.50%
Class A Common Stock
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	155,488,326	145,455,008
Class B Common Stock
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	35,042,826	43,042,826	48,800,000
Subsidiaries \| Capital Unit, Class B \| Class A Common Stock
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method
Conversion ratio for conversion of Class B units into Class A common stock	1

NET INCOME PER SHARE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Performance Share Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Number of shares attributable to conversion of performance share units into shares of Class A common stock excluded from computation of diluted EPS (in shares)	472,518	508,097	430,490

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Basic:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 50,929	$ 41,492	$ 36,536	$ 18,989	$ 68,579	$ 29,986	$ (1,409)	$ 28,136	$ 147,946	$ 125,292	$ 133,572
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.29	$ 0.25	$ 0.13	$ 0.48	$ 0.21	$ (0.01)	$ 0.20
Diluted:
Income before applicable income taxes									297,406	235,167	291,900
Income tax expense excluding impact of non-controlling interest									$ 107,066	$ 85,836	$ 112,382
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.27	$ 0.24	$ 0.13	$ 0.35	$ 0.20	$ (0.01)	$ 0.18
Class A Common Stock
Shares used in computing basic net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares (in shares)									145,044,577	141,936,933	138,836,314
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)									$ 1.02	$ 0.88	$ 0.96
Diluted:
Net income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.									$ 190,340	$ 149,331	$ 179,518
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares (in shares)									145,044,577	141,936,933	138,836,314
Warrant (in shares)									11,866,595	10,121,483	7,522,801
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)									200,934,442	199,170,813	206,027,557
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.95	$ 0.75	$ 0.87
Class A Common Stock \| Restricted Stock
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Class A common stock equivalents included in the computation of diluted net income per share									696,273	1,321,890	1,751,816
Class A Common Stock \| Employee Stock Option
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Class A common stock equivalents included in the computation of diluted net income per share									545,180	318,175	10,034
Class A Common Stock \| Performance Shares
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Class A common stock equivalents included in the computation of diluted net income per share									260,730	0	0
Class B Common Stock
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average Class A common shares (in shares)									42,521,087	45,472,332	57,906,592

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

$ (3,768)

Net activity

8,209

$ 6,172

$ (663)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(9,204)

(3,768)

Non-Controlling Interests

Other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gain (loss), net of tax

4,298

2,843

(252)

Net realized loss reclassified into earnings, net of tax

^[1]

(1,525)

(703)

(147)

other, net of tax

Net activity

2,773

2,140

(399)

AOCI Attributable to Parent

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(3,768)

264

Other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gain (loss), net of tax

9,048

5,283

Net realized loss reclassified into earnings, net of tax

^[1]

(3,400)

(1,463)

(269)

other, net of tax

(212)

212

Net activity

5,436

4,032

(264)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(9,204)

(3,768)

264

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(5,288)

(5)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(14,336)

(5,288)

(5)

AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI, before reclassifications, before tax

(18,836)

(11,240)

244

Net realized loss reclassified into earnings, before tax

^[1]

(6,990)

(3,040)

(573)

Net realized loss reclassified into earnings, tax

^[1]

(2,065)

(874)

(157)

Net change in fair value recorded in accumulated OCI, before reclassifications, tax

5,490

3,114

Other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gain (loss), net of tax

13,346

8,126

(247)

Net realized loss reclassified into earnings, net of tax

^[1]

(4,925)

(2,166)

(416)

Other, before tax

212

(212)

Other, tax

other, net of tax

(212)

212

Pretax activity

(11,634)

(8,412)

817

Tax effect

3,425

2,240

(154)

Net activity

8,209

6,172

(663)

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

^[1]

1,732

269

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

^[1]

5,132

1,732

269

Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(212)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

$ 0

$ (212)

$ 0

[1]

The reclassification adjustment on cash flow hedge derivatives affected the following lines in the accompanying consolidated statements of income: OCI Component Affected line in the accompanying consolidated statements of incomePretax activity(1) Interest expense-netTax effect Income tax expenseOCI attributable to non-controlling interests Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (1) The years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, reflect amounts of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings, representing the effective portion of the hedging relationships, and are recorded in interest expense-net.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 02, 2009	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2009
Vantiv Holding
Related Party Transaction
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding		190,531,152	188,497,834	190,581,507
Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Interest expense		$ 4,400,000	$ 5,400,000	$ 7,300,000
Deposits held with related party		$ 149,700,000	362,800,000
Interest income on deposit			$ 1,700,000	$ 1,400,000
Fifth Third \| Vantiv Holding
Related Party Transaction
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding		35,042,826	43,042,826	48,822,826
Percentage of ownership by noncontrolling interest		18.39%	22.83%	25.62%
Class B Common Stock
Related Party Transaction
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding		35,042,826	43,042,826	48,800,000
Voting power as percentage of total voting power		18.40%
Commitment Fees \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Cost of services received		$ 200,000	$ 200,000	$ 300,000
Master Lease Agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Term of agreement with related party	5 years
Master Sublease Agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Term of agreement with related party	5 years
Master Lease Agreement / Master Sublease Agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Cost of services received		3,800,000	3,800,000	3,600,000
Referral Agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Cost of services received		300,000	300,000	400,000
Clearing Settlement and Sponsorship Agreement and Treasury Management Agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Cost of services received		2,300,000	2,800,000	2,200,000
Transition Services Agreement \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Cost of services received		400,000	$ 500,000	$ 500,000
Warrant \| Class C Non-Voting Units \| Vantiv Holding \| Fifth Third
Related Party Transaction
Warrants outstanding		$ 7,791,956			$ 20,400,000

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue	$ 852,334	$ 815,998	$ 785,995	$ 705,611	$ 733,785	$ 697,109	$ 608,731	$ 537,578	$ 3,159,938	$ 2,577,203	$ 2,108,077
Network fees and other costs	399,159	385,548	362,349	331,146	331,635	316,592	277,392	249,046	1,478,202	1,174,665	935,441
Sales and marketing	$ 132,488	$ 132,481	$ 122,925	$ 116,055	$ 116,169	$ 111,233	$ 90,507	$ 78,444	503,949	396,353	312,044
Segment profit									1,177,787	1,006,185	860,592
Operating Segments \| Merchant Services
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue									2,656,906	2,100,367	1,639,157
Network fees and other costs									1,321,312	1,033,801	801,463
Sales and marketing									478,736	367,998	286,200
Segment profit									856,858	698,568	551,494
Operating Segments \| Financial Institution Services
Result of operation for each segment
Total revenue									503,032	476,836	468,920
Network fees and other costs									156,890	140,864	133,978
Sales and marketing									25,213	28,355	25,844
Segment profit									$ 320,929	$ 307,617	$ 309,098

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of total segment profit to the company's (loss) income before applicable income taxes
Total segment profit									$ 1,177,787	$ 1,006,185	$ 860,592
Less: Other operating costs	$ (72,213)	$ (66,563)	$ (76,551)	$ (68,739)	$ (64,657)	$ (60,659)	$ (56,754)	$ (60,369)	(284,066)	(242,439)	(200,630)
Less: General and administrative	(45,974)	(41,492)	(47,060)	(47,843)	(47,406)	(45,422)	(48,552)	(32,606)	(182,369)	(173,986)	(121,707)
Less: Depreciation and amortization	$ (70,843)	$ (70,638)	$ (67,659)	$ (67,802)	$ (70,893)	$ (65,289)	$ (89,041)	$ (49,846)	(276,942)	(275,069)	(185,453)
Less: Interest expense—net									(105,736)	(79,701)	(40,902)
Less: Non-operating income (expense)									(31,268)	177	(20,000)
Income before applicable income taxes									$ 297,406	$ 235,167	$ 291,900

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 852,334	$ 815,998	$ 785,995	$ 705,611	$ 733,785	$ 697,109	$ 608,731	$ 537,578	$ 3,159,938	$ 2,577,203	$ 2,108,077
Network fees and other costs	399,159	385,548	362,349	331,146	331,635	316,592	277,392	249,046	1,478,202	1,174,665	935,441
Net revenue	453,175	430,450	423,646	374,465	402,150	380,517	331,339	288,532
Sales and marketing	132,488	132,481	122,925	116,055	116,169	111,233	90,507	78,444	503,949	396,353	312,044
Other operating costs	72,213	66,563	76,551	68,739	64,657	60,659	56,754	60,369	284,066	242,439	200,630
General and administrative	45,974	41,492	47,060	47,843	47,406	45,422	48,552	32,606	182,369	173,986	121,707
Depreciation and amortization	70,843	70,638	67,659	67,802	70,893	65,289	89,041	49,846	276,942	275,069	185,453
Income from operations	131,657	119,276	109,451	74,026	103,025	97,914	46,485	67,267	434,410	314,691	352,802
Net income	70,392	59,148	52,693	26,996	81,741	42,845	3,313	41,091	209,229	168,990	208,140
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 50,929	$ 41,492	$ 36,536	$ 18,989	$ 68,579	$ 29,986	$ (1,409)	$ 28,136	$ 147,946	$ 125,292	$ 133,572
Net income per share attributable to Vantiv, Inc. Class A common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.29	$ 0.25	$ 0.13	$ 0.48	$ 0.21	$ (0.01)	$ 0.20
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.27	$ 0.24	$ 0.13	$ 0.35	$ 0.20	$ (0.01)	$ 0.18

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Parent Company Only) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
General and administrative	$ 45,974	$ 41,492	$ 47,060	$ 47,843	$ 47,406	$ 45,422	$ 48,552	$ 32,606	$ 182,369	$ 173,986	$ 121,707
Income (loss) from operations	131,657	119,276	109,451	74,026	103,025	97,914	46,485	67,267	434,410	314,691	352,802
Non-operating income (expense)									(31,268)	177	(20,000)
Income before applicable income taxes									297,406	235,167	291,900
Income tax expense									88,177	66,177	83,760
Net income	70,392	59,148	52,693	26,996	81,741	42,845	3,313	41,091	209,229	168,990	208,140
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 50,929	$ 41,492	$ 36,536	$ 18,989	$ 68,579	$ 29,986	$ (1,409)	$ 28,136	147,946	125,292	133,572
Vantiv, Inc.
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
General and administrative									745	181	0
Income (loss) from operations									(745)	(181)	0
Non-operating income (expense)									(359)	40,399	0
Income before applicable income taxes									(1,104)	40,218	0
Income tax expense									54,007	47,943	58,520
Net income									(55,111)	(7,725)	(58,520)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									203,057	133,017	192,092
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.									$ 147,946	$ 125,292	$ 133,572

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parent Company Only) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 50,929	$ 41,492	$ 36,536	$ 18,989	$ 68,579	$ 29,986	$ (1,409)	$ 28,136	$ 147,946	$ 125,292	$ 133,572
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges and other									(8,209)	(6,172)	663
Comprehensive income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.									142,510	121,260	133,836
Vantiv, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.									147,946	125,292	133,572
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges and other									(5,436)	(4,032)	264
Comprehensive income attributable to Vantiv, Inc.									$ 142,510	$ 121,260	$ 133,836

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Parent Company Only) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Related party receivable	$ 3,999	$ 6,164
Total current assets	1,117,499	1,214,736
Deferred taxes	731,622	429,623
Total assets	6,465,426	6,336,083
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	364,878	299,771
Related party payable	4,698	2,035
Current portion of tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	31,232	22,789
Total current liabilities	1,295,379	963,333
Long-term liabilities:
Tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	801,829	597,273
Total long-term liabilities	3,944,981	4,072,164
Total liabilities	5,240,360	5,035,497
Equity:
Total Vantiv, Inc. equity	952,788	903,013
Total liabilities and equity	6,465,426	6,336,083
Vantiv, Inc.
Current assets:
Taxes refund receivable	51,998	9,714
Related party receivable	0	27,016
Total current assets	51,998	36,730
Investment in subsidiaries	1,008,907	1,056,716
Deferred taxes	731,258	429,629
Total assets	1,792,163	1,523,075
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	795	0
Related party payable	5,519	0
Current portion of tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	31,232	22,789
Total current liabilities	37,546	22,789
Long-term liabilities:
Tax receivable agreement obligations to related parties	801,829	597,273
Total long-term liabilities	801,829	597,273
Total liabilities	839,375	620,062
Equity:
Total Vantiv, Inc. equity	952,788	903,013
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,792,163	$ 1,523,075

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parent Company Only) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.	$ 50,929	$ 41,492	$ 36,536	$ 18,989	$ 68,579	$ 29,986	$ (1,409)	$ 28,136	$ 147,946	$ 125,292	$ 133,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred taxes									55,280	32,469	31,340
Tax receivable agreements non-cash items									28,171	(25,838)	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation									(16,707)	(13,420)	(5,464)
Net cash provided by operating activities									757,878	592,905	480,622
Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities									(126,727)	(1,798,956)	(228,298)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options									13,630	4,492	0
Repurchase of Class A common stock									(200,406)	(59,364)	(503,225)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligations)									(16,527)	(17,801)	(15,224)
Settlement of certain tax receivable agreements									(94,022)	0	(112,562)
Payments under tax receivable agreements									(22,805)	(8,639)	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation									16,707	13,420	5,464
Net cash used in financing activities									(845,623)	1,446,192	(147,955)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents									(214,472)	240,141	104,369
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of period				411,568				171,427	411,568	171,427	67,058
Cash and cash equivalents—End of period	197,096				411,568				197,096	411,568	171,427
Cash Payments:
Taxes									6,565	35,157	46,198
Non-cash Items:
Issuance of tax receivable agreements to related parties									376,597	109,400	329,400
Vantiv, Inc.
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vantiv, Inc.									147,946	125,292	133,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									(203,057)	(133,017)	(192,092)
Deferred taxes									24,662	27,395	13,658
Tax receivable agreements non-cash items									(769)	(40,399)	0
Distributions from subsidiaries									68,892	58,551	126,895
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation									(16,707)	(13,420)	(5,464)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net									28,834	(9,151)	10,497
Net cash provided by operating activities									49,801	15,251	87,066
Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of Class A units in Vantiv Holding									216,933	77,165	518,449
Net cash used in investing activities									203,303	72,673	518,449
Financing Activities:
Advances from subsidiaries, net									5,519	(20,032)	20,032
Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options									13,630	4,492	0
Repurchase of Class A common stock									(200,406)	(59,364)	(503,225)
Repurchase of Class A common stock (to satisfy tax withholding obligations)									(16,527)	(17,801)	(15,224)
Settlement of certain tax receivable agreements									(49,222)	0	(112,562)
Payments under tax receivable agreements									(22,805)	(8,639)	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation									16,707	13,420	5,464
Net cash used in financing activities									(253,104)	(87,924)	(605,515)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of period				$ 0				$ 0	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—End of period	$ 0				$ 0				0	0	0
Cash Payments:
Taxes									2,323	28,583	31,874
Non-cash Items:
Issuance of tax receivable agreements to related parties									376,597	109,400	329,400
Class A Common Stock \| Vantiv, Inc.
Investing Activities:
Purchase of Class A units in Vantiv Holding									$ (13,630)	$ (4,492)	$ 0