Below is a condensed listing of the assets and liabilities of General Motors as of December 31, 2005. All amounts are in millions of U.S. dollars

1. Among its assets, General Motors lists more than $218 billion in loans receivable. This represents loans that General Motors has made and expects to collect in the future. This is exactly the kind of asset reported among the assets of banks. Given what you know about General Motors' business, how do you think the company acquired these loans receivable?
2. The difference between the reported amount of General Motors' assets and liabilities is $15.636 billion ($476.078 - $460.442). What does this difference represent?

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Assets Liabilities Loans receivable Inventories Property&equipment Other assets Total assets $50,452 218,236 14,354 82,740 110,296 $476,078 Payables Pensions Other retiree benefits Other liabilities $315,663 11,304 33,997 99,478 Total liabilities