FRC Welcomes Report on Recommendations for IFRS 9 ECL Disclosures

The report first sets out the disclosure principles used by the Taskforce in developing its recommendations as well as considerations applicable to all the recommended disclosures in respect of the scope, timing, frequency, location, and granularity. It then summarizes what the Taskforce views as the most important ECL considerations while explaining the related disclosures, why they matter to users, and where in the report the related recommendation can be found. As per the Taskforce, the most important considerations for ECL relate to policies and methodologies; alignment between accounting for credit losses and credit risk management activities; forward-looking information; movement and coverage across stages; changes in the balance sheet ECL estimate; credit risk profile; regulatory capital; governance and oversight; and measurement uncertainty, future economic conditions, and critical judgments and estimates. Finally, the report sets out the disclosure recommendations of the Taskforce in tabular format, along with the relevant IFRS disclosure requirements. 

The ECL impairment model introduced by IFRS 9 will have a significant effect on how banks calculate loan-loss provisions. Given the complexity of these models and the high degree of management judgment involved in these calculations, high-quality disclosures are an essential element of successfully implementing this new requirement. These disclosures should, among other things, clearly set out the accounting judgments exercised by management and provide information about the estimation uncertainty inherent in the calculations. To facilitate the provision of high-quality disclosures, FRC, along with PRA and FCA, sponsored the Taskforce, which comprises preparers and users, to build on the existing disclosures in IFRS 7 and develop further guidance on high-quality disclosures about ECL. The report acknowledges that some of the recommendations are stretching and may require a number of years to be implemented.

Related Links

• Press Release
• Letter of Taskforce Co-Chairs (PDF)
• Report on Recommendations (PDF)

Keywords: Europe, UK, Banking, Accounting, IFRS 9, ECL, Disclosures, Task Force, PRA, FCA, FRC