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NAFCU calls on lawmakers to consider CECL elimination bill
NAFCU's Brad Thaler Wednesday asked House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Ranking Member Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., to hold a hearing to explore the impact the Financial Accounting Standard Board's (FASB) current expected credit loss (CECL) standard will have on financial institutions, particularly small credit unions, and consider committee member Blaine Luetkemeyer's, R-Mo., proposed legislation to not require compliance with the standard.
NAFCU maintains that credit unions should not be subject to CECL. It will be among key issues discussed by the association, lawmakers, and regulators during next month's Virtual Congressional Caucus. Access resources on the standard here; learn more about Caucus and register now.
"The CECL standard is an unnecessarily complex accounting method for credit unions and only adds to mounting regulatory stress," wrote Thaler, NAFCU's vice president of legislative affairs. "In such a climate, we urge continued attention to the detrimental costs that will likely result from implementation of the standard, particularly for small credit unions."
Luetkemeyer introduced the Eliminating CECL Accounting Standard Act, H.R. 7914, last week, which specifies that "no person shall be required to comply with the CECL Rule under any Federal statute or regulation."
Although CECL isn't set to take effect for credit unions until 2023, Thaler noted that "credit unions have wrestled with its potential impact on data warehousing processes and loan loss reserves. Although the majority of credit unions remain well-capitalized, NAFCU continues to hear from credit unions about the significant investments that are necessary to implement CECL and the serious impact to operations that could soon take place."
Luetkemeyer has long criticized the CECL standard, arguing that it could negatively impact credit unions' ability to lend to consumers in need. He was part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who introduced a "stop and study" bill last year to further investigate the standard's impact and earlier this year urged FASB to suspend and further delay its implementation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger recently sent a letter to FASB's new chairman urging an exemption, citing concerns about procyclicality and the standard’s propensity to exacerbate capital and liquidity issues during economic downturns as well as lawmakers’ calls for additional studies on the impact of CECL.
The NCUA has proposed a three-year phase-in plan of the day-one adverse impacts of CECL on federally-insured credit unions' net worth ratios, which is on par with a rule issued by banking regulators for community banks. The proposed rule would also exempt credit unions under $10 million from complying with CECL. NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood has backed NAFCU's call for an exemption for credit unions under the standard.
Related Resources
Add to Calendar 2020-12-14 14:00:00 2020-12-14 14:00:00 Understanding Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) Hear directly from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) staff regarding the credit loss accounting standard – Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL). In addition to covering recent FASB staff Q&A documents, including the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (WARM) method, the FASB staff will answer your questions. PROGRAM UNDERWRITTEN BY Key Takeaways Review FASB’s Post Implementation Review activities regarding CECL Understand the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (WARM) method Learn more about other FASB Staff CECL Q&A documents Register Now For On-Demand AccessRegistration is complimentary, but you must register to attend.One registration gives your entire credit union access to the on-demand recording until December 14, 2021.Already registered? Go to the Online Training Center to view live. Who Should Attend? Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) Accounting titles Education Credits CPA credit information is below; recommended 1.5 CPE credits. CPA Certification Credit Information Reviewer: Josie Collins, Associate Director of Education, NAFCU Learning Objectives: Review FASB’s Post Implementation Review activities regarding CECL. Understand the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (WARM) method. Learn more about other FASB Staff CECL Q&A documents. Program Level: Basic Prerequisites Needed: None Advance Preparation Needed: None Delivery Method: Group Internet-Based Recommended CPE Credits: 1.5 credits Recommended Field of Study: Accounting – Technical National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Learn more. About Our Webinars Our webinars are streamed live from NAFCU headquarters near Washington, D.C. Your audio/video feed of the presenters includes presentation slides and downloadable handouts. You can easily submit your questions to the presenters at any time during the live broadcast, with no dialing over the phone! The audio and video stream directly through your computer. Web NAFCU digital@nafcu.org America/New_York public
Understanding Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL)
Credits: CPE
Program underwritten by NAFCU Services
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