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7/25/24, 10:18 AM

FRB: Press Release -- Agencies clarify guidance on the accounting and reporting for loans held for sale -- March 27, 2001

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
National Credit Union Administration
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Office of Thrift Supervision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2001

Agencies Clarify Guidance on the Accounting and Reporting
for Loans Held for Sale
WASHINGTON -- The federal financial institution regulatory agencies today issued
guidance to institutions and examiners about the appropriate accounting and reporting
treatment for certain loans that are sold directly from the loan portfolio or transferred to a
held-for-sale account.
The Interagency Guidance applies when:
an institution decides to sell loans that were not originated or otherwise acquired with
the intent to sell, and
the fair value of those loans has declined for any reason other than a change in the
general market level of interest or foreign exchange rates.
Selling loans has become an increasingly important portfolio risk management tool for
institutions seeking to manage concentrations, change risk profiles, improve returns, and
generate liquidity. Examiners, however, have noted differences among institutions in the
accounting for and reporting of these transactions. Specifically, accounting inconsistencies
relate to how and where initial and subsequent fair value adjustments are recorded, and the
reporting of past-due and nonaccrual loans that have been designated as held for sale.
The Interagency Guidance clarifies existing instructions and promotes accounting
transparency consistent with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The
guidance reminds institutions to appropriately report reductions in the value of loans
transferred to held-for-sale through a write-down of the recorded investment to fair value
upon transfer. At the same time, there should be a charge to the institution's allowance for
loan and lease losses. Institutions are also reminded that loans transferred to a held-for-sale
account should continue to be accorded the same past-due and nonaccrual treatment as other
loans.
The Securities and Exchange Commission said in the attached letter to the agencies that it
had reviewed the Interagency Guidance and determined that the guidance will assist in
promoting consistent accounting and reporting treatment for the loan sales and transfers of
loans to held- for-sale accounts that are within the scope of the agencies' guidance.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/general/2001/20010327/default.htm

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7/25/24, 10:18 AM

FRB: Press Release -- Agencies clarify guidance on the accounting and reporting for loans held for sale -- March 27, 2001

SEC letter (27 KB PDF)
Interagency Guidance on Certain Loans Held for Sale (27 KB PDF)
Media Contacts:
FDIC:
Federal Reserve:
OCC:
OTS:
NCUA:

David Barr
Dave Skidmore
Dean DeBuck
Sam Eskenazi
Cheryl Umbel

(202) 898-6992
(202) 452-2955
(202) 874-4876
(202) 906-6677
(703) 518-6337

2001 Banking and consumer regulatory policy
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https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/general/2001/20010327/default.htm

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