The IASB did some targeted
outreach with investors and
analysts during August 2015 to
find out directly whether this is
indeed a concern for those using
the financial statements. That
preliminary outreach showed a
mix of views on the need to do
anything about the gap in timing.
Some investors, in fact, felt that
it could be helpful to see the
effect of IFRS 9 and to digest that
before subsequently seeing the
effect of changing the approach
to measuring insurance contracts.
Others noted that they are already
accustomed to seeing additional
explanations of volatility by
insurers, so this was really ‘more
of the same’. Some did, however,
share the concern that having
this effect for a short period and
having two sets of changes, which
would upset trend analysis, was
not helpful.1
We are very keen to
hear more views on this to assist in
finalising our position on this issue.
What the IASB is proposing
IFRS 9 introduces substantial
improvements to the accounting
for financial instruments. In
particular, IFRS 9 introduces a more
forward-looking expected credit
loss model. This is an important
response to the financial crisis and
it is desirable that this impairment
model is applied on a timely basis.
The IASB is therefore concerned
about any deferral of IFRS 9 that
has broad applicability. With this
in mind it has developed proposals
that seek to ensure that as many
entities as possible apply IFRS 9
from 2018 while targeting the
concerns raised. It is difficult to
achieve this, because separating
out those financial assets that
relate only to insurance activities
is complicated, particularly in
the case of reporting entities
that conduct a range of business
activities such as conglomerates.
Two approaches are proposed
that are designed to co-exist: the
deferral approach and the overlay
approach.
Deferral approach
The IASB proposes that a deferral
of IFRS 9 be allowed, but only
for reporting entities that are
predominantly insurers—ie it
would be available to a ‘pure
insurer’. This narrow scope is
consistent with the IASB’s objective
of targeting the concerns raised.
It also reflects the fact that many
users of financial statements we
have spoken to do not think any
action is necessary and many
dislike the idea of any deferral of
the application of IFRS 9.