IFRS Publishes Statement on Its Work During the COVID-19 Crisis
IFRS, in its statement, emphasized that it shares global concerns about the impact of COVID–19 and is supporting its stakeholders by reconsidering timelines of its meetings and publications, providing information on the application of IFRS 9 on financial instruments, and offering calendar updates on ongoing activities. IFRS published a document responding to questions about the application of IFRS 9 during the enhanced economic uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The document acknowledges that estimating expected credit losses on financial instruments is challenging in the current circumstances and highlights the importance of companies using all available reasonable and supportable information—historic, current, and forward-looking to the extent possible—when determining whether lifetime losses should be recognized on loans and in measuring expected credit losses. IASB will also postpone to May 2020 the publication of several narrow-scope amendments to IFRS standards originally planned for March and April 2020.
The document regarding application of IFRS 9 is prepared for educational purposes, highlighting requirements within the standard that are relevant for companies considering how the pandemic affects their accounting for expected credit loss. This material is intended to support the consistent and robust application of IFRS 9. The document reinforces that IFRS 9 does not provide bright lines nor a mechanistic approach in accounting for expected credit loss. Accordingly, companies may need to adjust their approaches to forecasting and determining when lifetime losses should be recognized to reflect the current environment. The IFRS Foundation and IASB continue to work in close cooperation with regulators and others regarding the application of IFRS 9 and the document encourages companies to consider guidance provided by prudential and securities regulators.
Furthermore, despite the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, IASB and its technical staff continue to advance time-sensitive projects, such as the projects on interbank offered rate (IBOR) reform and amendments to IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts, in accordance with the original project plans. Recognizing the importance of giving the stakeholders enough time to respond effectively to its work, the Board will discuss specific measures during its April meeting.
Keywords: International, Banking, Insurance, Securities, IFRS 9, COVID-19, Financial Instruments, Expected Credit Loss, IBOR Reform, IFRS 17, Insurance Contracts, IASB, IFRS
Featured Experts

Masha Muzyka
CECL, IFRS 9, and IFRS 17 expert; credit risk and insurance risk specialist; strategic planning and credit analytics solutions consultant

Metin Epözdemir
Metin Epözdemir helps European and African banks with design and implementation of credit risk, stress testing, capital management, and credit loss accounting solutions.

Dieter Van der Stock
IFRS subject matter expert; LDTI subject matter expert; accounting authority; risk management specialist
Previous Article
IAIS Adjusts Work Program to Address Impact of COVID-19 on InsurersRelated Articles
EU Agencies Update LCR Rule and Macro-Prudential Policy Recommendation
The European Commission (EC) published the Delegated Regulation 2022/786 with regard to the liquidity coverage requirements for credit institutions under the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR).
EBA Publishes Regulatory Standards to Identify Shadow Banking Entities
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final draft regulatory technical standards specifying the criteria to identify shadow banking entities for the purposes of reporting large exposures.
EIOPA Examines Physical Climate Risk Exposure, SII Non-Compliance
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published a report assessing insurers' exposure to physical climate change risks
NGFS Report Explores Quantification of Climate Risk Differentials
The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) published two reports to aid central banks and regulators in their oversight of the financial sector and in their central bank operations
EC Publishes Results on Review of Web Accessibility Directive
The European Commission (EC) published the results of a public consultation, held in October 2021, on the review of the Web Accessibility Directive.
MAS Consults on Adjustment Spreads for Conversion of SOR Contracts
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the SC-STS are jointly consulting, until June 10, 2022, on setting adjustment spreads for the conversion of legacy SOR contracts to SORA reference rate.
OSFI Discusses Benchmark Rate Transition, Sets Out Work Priorities
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) published the strategic plan for 2022-2025 and the departmental plan for 2022-23.
EBA Proposes Standards to Support Secondary NPL Markets
The European Banking Authority (EBA) is consulting, until August 31, 2022, on the draft implementing technical standards specifying requirements for the information that sellers of non-performing loans (NPLs) shall provide to prospective buyers.
EU Confirms Agreement on Rules on Cybersecurity and Banking Resolution
The European Council and the Parliament reached an agreement on the revised Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS2 Directive).
EBA Issues Standards for Crowdfunding Service Providers Under ECSPR
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final draft regulatory technical standards specifying information that crowdfunding service providers shall provide to investors on the calculation of credit scores and prices of crowdfunding offers.