2. Forgivable Loans

In order to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, CRA may issue forgivable loans to employees and non-employee experts, certain of which loans may be denominated in local currencies. A portion of these loans is collateralized. The forgivable loans have terms that are generally between three and eight years with interest rates currently ranging up to 3.25%. The principal amount of forgivable loans and accrued interest is forgiven by CRA over the term of the loans, so long as the employee or non-employee expert continues employment or affiliation with CRA and complies with certain contractual requirements. During fiscal years 2017 and 2016, there were no balances due under these loans for which the full principal and interest were not collected. The expense associated with the forgiveness of the principal amount of the loans is recorded as compensation expense over the service period, which is consistent with the term of the loans. CRA has not typically recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts for these loans due to its collection experience and its assessment of collectability. For fiscal years 2017 and 2016, no allowances or write offs of these loans were recorded.

Forgivable loan activity for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	December 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Beginning balance	$	33,962		$	44,685
Advances		11,672			6,949
Accrued Advances		—			316
Repayments		(2,135	)		(709	)
Reclassification to other assets		(1,100	)		—
Amortization		(14,155	)		(16,575	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		384			(704	)

Ending balance	$	28,628		$	33,962


Current portion of forgivable loans	$	5,540		$	5,897


Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$	23,088		$	28,065

At December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, CRA had other loans to current and former employees, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, amounting to $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, net of allowances.