FINAL Version of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments

The IASB published the final version of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments in July 2014. The final version of IFRS 9 brings together the Classification and Measurement, Impairment and Hedge Accounting phases of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments : Recognition and Measurement.

IFRS 9 is built on a logical, single classification and measurement approach for financial assets that reflects the business model in which they are managed and their cash flow characteristics. Built upon this is a forward-looking expected credit loss model that will result in more timely recognition of loan losses and is a single model that is applicable to all financial instruments subject to impairment accounting.

In addition, IFRS 9 addresses the so-called ‘own credit’ issue, whereby banks and others book gains through profit or loss as a result of the value of their own debt falling due to a decrease in credit worthiness when they have elected to measure that debt at fair value.

The Standard also includes an improved hedge accounting model to better link the economics of risk management with its accounting treatment.

As disclosed within the IFRS.org Press Release dated 24 July 2014, the package of improvements introduced by IFRS 9 includes a logical model for classification and measurement, a single, forward-looking ‘expected loss’ impairment model and a substantially-reformed approach to hedge accounting.

The IASB has previously published versions of IFRS 9 that introduced new classification and measurement requirements (in 2009 and 2010) and a new hedge accounting model (in 2013). The July 2014 publication represents the final version of the Standard, replaces earlier versions of IFRS 9 and completes the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments : Recognition and Measurement.

The new Standard of IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with early application permitted.

Following is the link to : Project Summary of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (July 2014)

Using the With-and-without Method in Presenting the Compound Instruments in the Financial Statements

Sometimes issued nonderivative financial instruments contain both liability and equity elements. In other words, one component of the instruments meets the definition of a financial liability and another component of the instrument meets the definition of an equity instrument. Such instruments are referred to as compound instruments.

A common form of compound financial instrument is a debt instrument with an embedded conversion option, such as a bond convertible into ordinary shares of the issuer, and without any other embedded derivative features.

Para. 28 of IAS 32 Financial Instruments : Presentation states that the issuer of a non-derivative financial instrument shall evaluate the terms of the financial instrument to determine whether it contains both a liability and an equity component. Such components shall be classified separately as financial liabilities, financial assets or equity instruments, as follows :

1. The issuer’s obligation to make scheduled payments of interest and principal is a financial liability that exists as long as the instrument is not converted. On initial recognition, the fair value of the liability component is the present value of the contractually determined stream of future cash flows discounted at the rate of interest applied at the time by the market to instruments of comparable credit status and providing substantially the same cash flows, on the same terms, but without the conversion option.
2. The equity instrument is an embedded option to convert the liability into equity of the issuer. The fair value of the option comprises its time value and its intrinsic value, if any. This option has value on initial recognition even when it is out of the money.

How to recognize the initial carrying amounts of the liability and equity components of the compound instrument ?

As stated in the : IFRS – Practical Implementation Guide and Workbook, by Abbas Ali Mirza, Magnus Orrell and Graham J.Holt, to determine the initial carrying amounts of the liability and equity components, entities apply the so-called with-and-without method. The fair value of the instrument is determined first including the equity component. The fair value of the instrument as a whole generally equals the proceeds (consideration) received in issuing the instrument. The liability component is then measured separately without the equity component. The equity component is assigned the residual amount after deducting from the fair value of the compound instrument as a whole the amount separately determined for the liability component.

Example :

Entity A issues a bond with a principal amount of $100,000. The holder of the bond has the right to convert the bond into ordinary shares of Entity A. On issuance, Entity A receives proceeds of $100,000. By discounting the principal and interest cash flows of the bond using interest rates for similar bonds without an equity component, Entity A determines that the fair value of a similar bond without any equity component would have been $91,000. Therefore, the initial carrying amount of the liability component is $91,000. The initial carrying amount of the equity component is computed as the difference between the total proceeds (fair value) of $100,000 and the initial carrying amount of the liability component of $91,000. Thus the initial carrying amount of the equity component is $90,000. Entity A makes this journal entry :

Cash	100,000
Financial Liability		91,000
Equity		9,000

Source of this article :

1. IFRS – Practical Implementation Guide and Workbook, by Abbas Ali Mirza, Magnus Orrell and Graham J.Holt (2nd Edition)
2. IAS 32 Financial Instruments : Presentation

Japanese translation of the ED of Fair value Option for Financial Liabilities

The IASC Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of the following:

• Japanese translation of the Exposure draft: Fair Value Option for Financial Liabilities (ED/2010/4) that was published in English by the IASB in May 2010. Comments to be received by 16 July 2010.

Access the documents online

The Japanese translation of the exposure draft can be accessed online via the "Get Involved/Comment on a proposal" section on http://www.iasb.org or by going to the project page.

IASB published its proposed changes to the accounting for financial liabilities

IASB on May 11, 2010 announced a press release concerning the changes to the accounting for liabilities based on IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) today published for public comment its proposed changes to the accounting for financial liabilities. This proposal follows work already completed on the classification and measurement of financial assets (IFRS 9 Financial Instruments).

The IASB is proposing limited changes to the accounting for liabilities, with changes to the fair value option. The proposals respond to the view expressed by many investors and others in the extensive consultations that the IASB has undertaken—that volatility in profit or loss resulting from changes in the credit risk of liabilities that an entity chooses to measure at fair value is counter-intuitive and does not provide useful information to investors.

When the IASB introduced IFRS 9 many stakeholders around the world advised the IASB that the existing requirements for financial liabilities work well, except for the effects of changes in the credit risk of a financial liability (‘own credit’) that an entity chooses to measure at fair value.

Building on that global consultation on IFRS 9, the IASB sought the views of investors, preparers, audit firms, regulators and others on the ‘own credit’ issue. The views received were consistent with the earlier consultations—that volatility in profit or loss resulting from changes in ‘own credit’ does not provide useful information except for derivatives and liabilities that are held for trading.

The IASB is therefore proposing that all gains and losses resulting from changes in ‘own credit’ for financial liabilities that an entity chooses to measure at fair value should be transferred to ‘other comprehensive income’. Changes in ‘own credit’ will therefore not affect reported profit or loss.

No other changes are proposed for financial liabilities. Therefore, the proposals will affect only those entities that choose to apply the fair value option to their financial liabilities. Importantly, those who prefer to bifurcate financial liabilities when relevant may continue to do so. That is consistent with the widespread view that the existing requirements for financial liabilities work well, other than the ‘own credit’ issue that these proposals cover.

Commenting on the proposals, Sir David Tweedie, Chairman of the IASB, said:

Whilst there are theoretical arguments for treating financial assets and liabilities in the same way it is hard to defend the accounting as providing useful information when a company suffering deterioration in credit quality is able to book a corresponding large profit, especially when investors tell us that such information is often excluded from their financial models.

An IASB ‘Snapshot’, a high level summary of the proposals, is available to download free of charge from the IASB website at http://go.iasb.org/financial+liabilities.

The exposure draft Fair Value Option for Financial Liabilities is open for comment until 16 July 2010. It can be accessed via the ‘Comment on a proposal’ section on www.iasb.org from today.

Source : www.IASB.org

Three New Standards on Financial Instruments

(New York/January 19, 2010) -  The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has published three new standards that cover all aspects of the accounting for and disclosure of financial instruments: International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) 28, Financial Instruments: Presentation; IPSAS 29, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement; and IPSAS 30, Financial Instruments: Disclosures. They fill a significant gap in the IPSASB literature.

"These new IPSASs provide a coherent set of requirements that enhance accountability for financial instruments in the public sector; this need was reinforced by the global financial crisis, and the scale and range of interventions made by governments," states Andreas Bergmann, who became Chair of the IPSASB on January 1, 2010.

The three new IPSASs are primarily drawn from the International Accounting Standards Board's standards, but address a number of public sector-specific issues:

• IPSAS 28, Financial Instruments: Presentation, primarily draws on IAS 32 and establishes principles for presenting financial instruments as liabilities or equity, and for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities.
• IPSAS 29, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, primarily draws on IAS 39, establishing principles for recognizing and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities, and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items.
• IPSAS 30, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, draws on IFRS 7 and requires disclosures for the types of loans described in IPSAS 29. It enables users to evaluate: the significance of the financial instruments in the entity's financial position and performance; the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments to which the entity is exposed; and how those risks are managed.

These IPSASs address some key public sector issues, including financial guarantee contracts provided for nil or nominal consideration and concessionary loans.

• Financial guarantee contracts provided for nil or nominal consideration have been a feature of government interventions during the global crisis--often, they are for very large amounts and could not be provided by private sector guarantors. IPSAS 29 provides guidance on the accounting treatment of such guarantees, both at initial recognition and subsequently.
• Concessionary loans are granted or received at below market terms, often for social policy objectives. IPSAS 29 provides guidance on the determination of fair value. It also addresses the treatment of the difference between the fair value of a loan and the loan proceeds. IPSAS 30 requires disclosures relating to such loans.

"The IPSASB recognizes the need to closely monitor global developments in the accounting for financial instruments and to evaluate such changes promptly in a public sector context," says Mr. Bergmann, adding that, together with the soon-to-be-issued IPSAS on intangible assets, IPSASs 28-30 represent the substantial attainment of IPSAS convergence with IFRSs (dated December 2008).

IPSASs 28-30 are available to download free of charge from the IPSASB section of IFAC's Publications and Resources site (web.ifac.org/publications). The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, regional accountancy bodies, and firms to use these materials and to promote their availability to members and employees.

Source : IFAC.org

IASB issued IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued today a new International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) on the classification and measurement of financial assets. Publication of the IFRS represents the completion of the first part of a three-part project to replace IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement with a new standard - IFRS 9Financial Instruments. Proposals addressing the second part, the impairment methodology for financial assets were published for public comment at the beginning of November, while proposals on the third part, on hedge accounting, continue to be developed.

he new standard enhances the ability of investors and other users of financial information to understand the accounting of financial assets and reduces complexity – an objective endorsed by the Group of 20 leaders (G20) and other stakeholders internationally. IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortised cost or fair value, replacing the many different rules in IAS 39. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments (its business model) and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The new standard also requires a single impairment method to be used, replacing the many different impairment methods in IAS 39. Thus IFRS 9 improves comparability and makes financial statements easier to understand for investors and other users.

The IASB has received broad support for its approach. This became evident during the unprecedented global scale of consultation and outreach activity it undertook in order to refine proposals contained within the exposure draft published in July 2009. Round table discussions were held in Asia, Europe and the United States. Interactive webcasts, each attracting thousands of registered participants, have been held, often on a weekly basis. In addition, more than a hundred meetings have been held with interested parties around the world during the past four months.

The views expressed to the IASB during its consultations resulted in the proposals being modified to address concerns raised and to improve the standard. For example, IFRS 9 requires the business model of an entity to be assessed first to avoid the need to consider the contractual cash flow characteristics of every individual asset. It requires reclassification of assets if the business model of an entity changes. The IASB changed the accounting that was proposed for structured credit-linked investments and for purchases of distressed debt. The IASB also addressed concerns expressed about the problems created by the mismatch in timings between the mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 and the likely effective date of a new standard on insurance contracts.

Furthermore, in response to suggestions made by some respondents, the IASB decided not to finalise requirements for financial liabilities in IFRS 9. The IASB has begun the process of giving further consideration to the classification and measurement of financial liabilities and it expects to issue final requirements during 2010.

A feedback statement providing comprehensive details of how the IASB has responded to comments received through the consultation process is available for download by clicking here.

The effective date for mandatory adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments is 1 January 2013. Consistent with requests by the G20 leaders and others, early adoption is permitted for 2009 year-end financial statements.

Commenting on IFRS 9, Sir David Tweedie, Chairman of the IASB, said:

We have delivered on our commitment to the G20 and stakeholders internationally to provide an improved financial instrument standard for the classification and measurement of financial assets for use in 2009. Benefiting from unprecedented levels of consultation with stakeholders around the world, the IASB has made significant changes in its initial proposals to improve the standard, provide enhanced transparency and respond to stakeholder concerns.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments is available for eIFRS subscribers from today.

Source : www.IASB.org

ED on the amortised cost measurement and impairment of financial instruments

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) today (5 Nov 2009) published for public comment an exposure draft on the amortised cost measurement and impairment of financial instruments. The proposals form the second part of a three-part project to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement with a new standard, to be known as IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. Proposals on the classification and measurement of financial instruments were published in July, with a final standard expected shortly, while proposals on hedge accounting continue to be developed.

Both International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) currently use an incurred loss model for the impairment of financial assets. An incurred loss model assumes that all loans will be repaid until evidence to the contrary (known as a loss or trigger event) is identified. Only at that point is the impaired loan (or portfolio of loans) written down to a lower value.
The global financial crisis has led to criticism of the incurred loss model for presenting an initial, over-optimistic assessment of no credit losses, only to be followed by a large adjustment once a trigger event occurs.

Responding to requests by the G20 leaders and others, in June 2009 the IASB published a Request for Information on the practicalities of moving to an expected loss model. The responses have been taken into account by the IASB in developing the exposure draft.

Under the proposals expected losses are recognised throughout the life of the loan (or other financial asset measured at amortised cost), and not just after a loss event has been identified. This would avoid the front-loading of interest revenue that occurs today before a loss event is identified, and would better reflect the lending decision. Therefore, under the proposals, a provision against credit losses would be built up over the life of the financial asset. Extensive disclosure requirements would provide investors with an understanding of the loss estimates that an entity judges necessary.

The IASB is aware of the significant practical challenges of moving to an expected loss model. For this reason an Expert Advisory Panel (EAP) comprising experts in credit risk management is being established to advise the board. An eight-month comment period has been provided to allow adequate time for entities to consider the impact of such a change within their organisation.

The IASB will continue the unprecedented level of outreach activity currently being undertaken in reforming the accounting for financial instruments. The IASB will also co operate closely with the US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) with a view to agreeing a common approach to the impairment of financial assets.

Introducing the exposure draft, Sir David Tweedie, Chairman of the IASB, said:

Consistent with requests from the G20 and others, the IASB has moved swiftly to reform the accounting for financial instruments. These proposals on the impairment of financial assets measured at amortised cost form the second part of this project.

Although moving to a single impairment model significantly reduces complexity, the challenges of applying an expected loss approach should not be underestimated. For this reason the IASB will tread carefully and seek input from a broad range of interests before deciding how to proceed.

An IASB ‘Snapshot’, a high level summary of the proposals, is available to download free of charge from the IASB website - click here.

The proposals in the exposure draft Financial Instruments: Amortised Cost and Impairment are open for comment until 30 June 2010. After considering comments received on the exposure draft, the IASB plans to issue an IFRS in 2010 that would become mandatory about three years later with early application permitted. The exposure draft is available on the ‘Open for Comment’ section on the IASB website. Subscribers may also view the document in eIFRS.

Source : IASB.org