These amendments are the latest in a series of steps that the IASB has undertaken to respond to the credit crisis. The IASB has worked with a number of other regional and international bodies, including the Financial Stability Forum (FSF), to address financial reporting issues associated with the credit crisis. In responding to the crisis, the IASB notes the concern expressed by EU leaders and finance ministers through the ECOFIN Council to ensure that ‘European financial institutions are not disadvantaged vis-à-vis their international competitors in terms of accounting rules and of their interpretation.’
The amendments today address the desire to reduce differences between IFRSs and US GAAP in a manner that produces high quality financial information for investors across the global capital markets.
Sir David Tweedie, Chairman of the IASB, said:
In addressing the rare circumstances of the current credit crisis, the IASB is committed to taking urgent action to ensure that transparency and confidence are restored to financial markets. The IASB has acted quickly to address the concerns raised by EU leaders and others regarding the issue of reclassification. Our response is consistent with the request made by European leaders and finance ministers; it is important that these amendments are permitted for use rapidly and without modification.
For more information about the IASB’s response to the credit crisis, please click here.
Reclassification of Financial Assets (Amendments to IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures) is available for eIFRS subscribers from today.
Those wishing to subscribe to eIFRSs should visit the online shop or contact:
IASC Foundation Publications Department,
30 Cannon Street, London EC4M 6XH, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7332 2730
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Printed copies (ISBN 978-1-905590-78-0) will be available shortly, at £10.00 plus shipping, from the IASC Foundation Publications Department.