Fair Value Accounting Requires Judgment

When SFAS Statement 157, Fair Value Measurements was issued in September 2006, the Statement’s underlying concepts of fair value (an exit price) and the fair value hierarchy (more emphasis is to be placed on market transactions when determining a security’s fair value) seemed reasonable.  It was understood at the time that a level 3 price, which is a fair value calculated based on unobservable market inputs, would carry less weight by market analysts.  However, in that benign market environment it was not a challenging task to obtain reasonable and observable market data to support fair value measurements.  Today, with liquidity and trading volumes near all time lows, it can be difficult to obtain observable market data to support a fair value.  Further, even when there is observable market data, it can be challenging to ascertain if the market data is related to orderly transactions between two willing parties, which should only be used to support a true exit price, or if the transactions are a result of distressed sales or forced liquidations.

This past September the FASB and the SEC released a document that answered questions surrounding fair value accounting.  Below are several excerpts from the memo:

  • “The determination of fair value often requires significant judgment”
  • “Determining whether a particular transaction is forced or disorderly requires judgment”
  • “The determination of whether a market is active or not requires judgment”
  • “Determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary is a matter that often requires the exercise of reasonable judgment based upon the specific facts and circumstances of each investment”

The individuals who are deeply involved with establishing the fair values of investments or making impairment decisions should completely agree with the bullet points above.  There are several characteristics that are indicative of an impaired security (length of time and severity of unrealized loss position) or transactions resulting from an inactive market (significant spread between bid and ask prices). However. making these ultimate decisions requires the input and judgment of those most familiar with the underlying facts and circumstances of the particular situation.  Therefore, I would first like to encourage insurance companies to review their internal policies surrounding the determination of impaired securities and consider using the wording “reasonable judgment” as a component of your impairment policy.  Secondly, I encourage these insurance companies to schedule some time with their asset manager to discuss the specific details surrounding any securities that, on the surface, appear to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

We recently met with a well respected Chicago based accounting firm to discuss FASB 157 and OTTI related issues.  The members of this firm were impressed to see the level of security-specific information available to AAM’s clients and believed that their firm’s audit procedures could be completed much more efficiently if this information was available to them.  It is apparent that auditors will be requiring more investment related information in discussions regarding impairments.  AAM acknowledges this, believes the audit community should agree with this concept of reasonable judgment and is prepared to provide you with the necessary information to be prepared for your upcoming audit.

Joseph A. Borgmann, CPA
Vice President – Investment Accounting

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Disclaimer: Asset Allocation & Management Company, LLC (AAM) is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specializing in fixed-income asset management services for insurance companies. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This information was developed using publicly available information, internally developed data and outside sources believed to be reliable. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the facts stated and the opinions given are accurate, complete and reasonable, liability is expressly disclaimed by AAM and any affiliates (collectively known as “AAM”), and their representative officers and employees. This report has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent a complete analysis of any security, company or industry discussed. Any opinions and/or recommendations expressed are subject to change without notice and should be considered only as part of a diversified portfolio. Any opinions and statements contained herein of financial market trends based on market conditions constitute our judgment. This material may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events, targets or expectations, and is only current as of the date indicated. There is no assurance that such events or targets will be achieved, and may be significantly different than that discussed here. The information presented, including any statements concerning financial market trends, is based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons. Although the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements that may be contained herein are believed to be reasonable they can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. AAM assumes no duty to provide updates to any analysis contained herein. A complete list of investment recommendations made during the past year is available upon request. Past performance is not an indication of future returns. This information is distributed to recipients including AAM, any of which may have acted on the basis of the information, or may have an ownership interest in securities to which the information relates. It may also be distributed to clients of AAM, as well as to other recipients with whom no such client relationship exists. Providing this information does not, in and of itself, constitute a recommendation by AAM, nor does it imply that the purchase or sale of any security is suitable for the recipient. Investing in the bond market is subject to certain risks including market, interest-rate, issuer, credit, inflation, liquidity, valuation, volatility, prepayment and extension. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission.