I guess they went ahead with this as discussed a week ago. I am not sure what impact this has, and I am sure not going to read the 158 page rule document to try and figure it out.
http://www.financialweek.com/apps/pb.../71108009/1036
http://www.financialweek.com/apps/pb.../71108009/1036
QuoteDislikedThe Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering delaying the effective date for Financial Accounting Standard 157 for some issuers and in some situations. It will likely decide the matter at next week’s board meeting.
FAS 157 provides guidance for companies that report the fair value of assets and liabilities as opposed to their historical costs. Last month, the seven-member board voted 4-3 not to delay implementation of the standard, with members like Donald Young arguing that current market conditions made fair-value information on financial instruments all the more important for investors
The potential deferrals, however, won’t help companies facing the thorny issue of how to account for hard-to-value securities—notably the investment and commercial banks, most of which have already adopted the standard early.
Instead the board has asked FASB staff to develop potential deferral alternatives in three different contexts, according to FASB practice fellow Brian Stevens:
The board may defer the standard for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. “Asset impairments and the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations are the most common situations that would be affected,” Mr. Stevens said.
Private companies may get an extra year to comply with the standard.
Smaller public companies may also be granted an extension on compliance. The board would have to determine some cutoff threshold based on size or market capitalization. “I would be surprised if they went down that road,” Mr. Stevens said.