V. CONCLUSION
In this study, we examine how the FASB/IASB proposal to account for lease renewal options is likely to affect lending decisions. In the most recent FASB/IASB exposure draft, the boards have proposed that lease renewal periods included in the longest term more likely than not to occur should be capitalized and recognized as part of total lease assets and liabilities. Although this treatment is likely to reduce the opportunities for preparers to structure lease arrangements to avoid balance sheet recognition, treating lease renewal options as present obligations is inconsistent with the boards’ conceptual definition of liabilities, and it potentially puts financial statement users at an informational disadvantage because they cannot distinguish present obligations from those that can be avoided.