US Agencies Publish FAQs on Accounting Standard on Credit Losses
US Agencies (FED, FDIC, NCUA, and OCC) issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the new accounting standard for credit losses, in an effort to assist institutions and examiners. The FAQs focus on the application of the current expected credit losses methodology (CECL) for estimating credit loss allowances and related supervisory expectations and regulatory reporting guidance. The periodic issuance and updating of the FAQs is part of the efforts by the US Agencies to support institutions as they prepare to implement CECL.
The FAQ document also includes the questions and answers issued in September 2017 and December 2016. US Agencies published nine additional questions, updated responses to four existing questions, and added an appendix with links to relevant resources that are available to banks for help with the implementation of CECL. The nine additional FAQs cover the following topics:
- Consideration of stress testing models, scenarios, and forecast periods when forecasting future economic conditions for CECL
- Accounting implementation issues related to expected future changes in collateral when using the collateral-dependent practical expedient and related to the borrower payment behaviors as a risk characteristic for credit card portfolios
- Internal control considerations for CECL implementation
- Clarification of US Agencies’ use of the term “smaller and less complex” related to the scalability of CECL
- Concepts in existing interagency policy statements related to the allowance for loan and lease losses that remain relevant
The four updated responses pertain to the existing questions 4, 18, 34, and 35. The updated responses reflect the new effective date for nonpublic business entities as announced in the FASB Accounting Standard Update 2018-19, titled “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses” and issued in November 2018; the updated responses also reflect the final rule that modifies regulatory capital rules. The new standard takes effect in 2020, 2021, or 2022, depending on the characteristics of an institution.
Related Links
Keywords: Americas, US, Banking, Accounting, CECL, IFRS 9, FAQ, Credit Risk, Financial Instruments, US Agencies
Featured Experts
James Partridge
Credit analytics expert helping clients understand, develop, and implement credit models for origination, monitoring, and regulatory reporting.
Scott Dietz
Scott is a Director in the Regulatory and Accounting Solutions team responsible for providing accounting expertise across solutions, products, and services offered by Moody’s Analytics in the US. He has over 15 years of experience leading auditing, consulting and accounting policy initiatives for financial institutions.
Emil Lopez
Credit risk modeling advisor; IFRS 9 researcher; data quality and risk reporting manager
Related Articles
BIS and Central Banks Experiment with GenAI to Assess Climate Risks
A recent report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub details Project Gaia, a collaboration between the BIS Innovation Hub Eurosystem Center and certain central banks in Europe
Nearly 25% G-SIBs Commit to Adopting TNFD Nature-Related Disclosures
Nature-related risks are increasing in severity and frequency, affecting businesses, capital providers, financial systems, and economies.
Singapore to Mandate Climate Disclosures from FY2025
Singapore recently took a significant step toward turning climate ambition into action, with the introduction of mandatory climate-related disclosures for listed and large non-listed companies
SEC Finalizes Climate-Related Disclosures Rule
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized the long-awaited rule that mandates climate-related disclosures for domestic and foreign publicly listed companies in the U.S.
EBA Proposes Standards Related to Standardized Credit Risk Approach
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has been taking significant steps toward implementing the Basel III framework and strengthening the regulatory framework for credit institutions in the EU
US Regulators Release Stress Test Scenarios for Banks
The U.S. regulators recently released baseline and severely adverse scenarios, along with other details, for stress testing the banks in 2024. The relevant U.S. banking regulators are the Federal Reserve Bank (FED), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Asian Governments Aim for Interoperability in AI Governance Frameworks
The regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence (AI), including the generative kind, is evolving rapidly, with governments and regulators aiming to address the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology.
EBA Proposes Operational Risk Standards Under Final Basel III Package
The European Union (EU) has been working on the final elements of Basel III standards, with endorsement of the Banking Package and the publication of the European Banking Authority (EBA) roadmap on Basel III implementation in December 2023.
EFRAG Proposes XBRL Taxonomy and Standard for Listed SMEs Under ESRS
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), which plays a crucial role in shaping corporate reporting standards in European Union (EU), is seeking comments, until May 21, 2024, on the Exposure Draft ESRS for listed SMEs.
ECB to Expand Climate Change Work in 2024-2025
Banking regulators worldwide are increasingly focusing on addressing, monitoring, and supervising the institutions' exposure to climate and environmental risks.