FASB Issues Tentative Board Decisions Related to Reference Rate Reform
FASB published a summary of the tentative decisions taken at its Board meeting on June 19, 2019. The key topics for tentative decisions were facilitation of the effects of the interbank offered rate (IBOR) transition on financial reporting and distinguishing liabilities from equity (including convertible debt). FASB took a major step toward approving accounting relief for companies and organizations that are required to modify contracts as a result of the new global reference rates.
The Board tentatively decided that, for a contract that meets certain criteria, a change in that contract’s reference interest rate would be accounted for as a continuation of that contract, rather than the creation of a new contract. This decision applies to loans, debt, leases, and other arrangements. Currently, trillions of dollars in loans, derivatives, and other financial contracts reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark interest rate banks use to make short-terms loans to each other. Consequently, the related cash flows are tied to that rate. With global capital markets expected to move away from LIBOR toward more transaction-based reference rates, FASB has launched a broad project to address the potential accounting concerns expected to arise from the transition. FASB will discuss other hedging-specific reference rate issues at a public meeting in July.
With respect to distinguishing liabilities from equity (including convertible debt), the Board discussed the results of the external review of the staff draft of the proposed update, sweep issues, comment period, and cost-benefit analysis. The Board directed the staff to draft a proposed Accounting Standards Update for vote by written ballot, with a comment period of 75 days.
Related Links
Keywords: Americas, US, Banking, Accounting, Securities, Tentative Decisions, Accounting Standards Update, Reference Rate Reform, LIBOR, Interest Rate Benchmark, Reporting, Derivatives and Hedging, FASB
Featured Experts
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.
Laurent Birade
Advises U.S. and Canadian financial institutions on risk and finance integration, CCAR/DFAST stress testing, IFRS9 and CECL credit loss reserving, and credit risk practices.
David Fihrer
Skilled life insurance actuary; subject matter expert on IFRS 17 and source of earnings
Previous Article
OCC Issues Capital and Dividends Booklet of the Comptroller HandbookNext Article
EBA Single Rulebook Q&A: Third Update for June 2019Related Articles
OSFI Issues Phase2 Consultation on Climate Scenario Exercise for Banks
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) recently announced a consultation on the second phase of the Standardized Climate Scenario Exercise (SCSE) for banks and other financial institutions it regulates in Canada.
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.