US Agencies Issue Policy Statement on Allowance for Credit Losses
US Agencies (FDIC, FED, NCUA, and OCC) issued a policy statement on allowance for credit losses and a guidance on credit risk review systems. The policy statement on credit loss allowances describes the measurement of expected credit losses using the current expected credit losses (CECL) methodology and updates the concepts and practices detailed in the existing supervisory guidance that remain applicable. The guidance on credit risk review systems discusses sound management of credit risk; a system of independent, ongoing credit review; and appropriate communication about the performance of the loan portfolio of an institution to its management and board of directors.
The final policy statement is intended to promote consistency in the interpretation and application of FASB credit losses accounting standard, as codified in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326. This accounting standard is covered in the FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 and it introduces the current expected credit losses (CECL) methodology. It describes the CECL methodology for determining allowances for credit losses that are applicable to loans held-for-investment, net investments in leases, and held-to-maturity debt securities accounted for at amortized cost. It also describes the estimation of the allowances for credit losses for an available-for-sale debt security in accordance with the Subtopic 326-30. The final policy statement becomes applicable to an institution upon the adoption of Topic 326 by than institution. After the Topic 326 becomes effective for all institutions, the agencies will rescind the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses policy statements.
The final guidance on credit risk review systems outlines principles that an institution should consider when developing and maintaining an effective credit risk review system. It also describes a broad set of practices that can be used either within a dedicated unit or across multiple units throughout an institution to form a credit risk review system that is consistent with the safe and sound lending practices. The guidance is relevant to all institutions supervised by the agencies and aligns with the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness; the interagency guidelines set out safety and soundness standards for insured depository institutions to establish a system for independent, ongoing credit risk review, including regular communication to its management and board of directors. The agencies have adopted the guidance on credit risk review systems post certain revisions to the proposed guidance from October 2019. The final guidance is intended to be flexible and consistent with CECL, but it does not incorporate the FASB Topic 326.
Related Links
Keywords: Americas, US, Banking, Accounting, Credit Risk, CECL, IFRS 9, Credit Losses Standard, Topic 326, ALLL, US Agencies
Featured Experts
Blake Coules
Across 35 years in banking, Blake has gained deep insights into the inner working of this sector. Over the last two decades, Blake has been an Operating Committee member, leading teams and executing strategies in Credit and Enterprise Risk as well as Line of Business. His focus over this time has been primarily Commercial/Corporate with particular emphasis on CRE. Blake has spent most of his career with large and mid-size banks. Blake joined Moody’s Analytics in 2021 after leading the transformation of the credit approval and reporting process at a $25 billion bank.
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.
Anna Krayn
CECL adoption expert; engagement manager for loss estimation, internal risk capability enhancement, and counterparty credit risk management
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.
