SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

This Form 10-K provides separate consolidated financial statements for the Company and the Operating Partnership. Due to the Company's ability as general partner to control the Operating Partnership, the Company consolidates the Operating Partnership within its consolidated financial statements for financial reporting purposes. The notes to consolidated financial statements apply to both the Company and the Operating Partnership, unless specifically noted otherwise.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their wholly owned subsidiaries, as well as entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest or entities where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE. For entities in which the Company has less than a controlling financial interest or entities where the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company's share of the net earnings or losses of these entities is included in consolidated net income (loss). The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting Guidance Adopted and Not Yet Effective

Accounting Guidance Adopted



Description	Date Adopted & Application Method	Financial Statement Effect and Other Information
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and related subsequent amendments	January 1, 2018 - Modified Retrospective (applied to contracts not completed as of the implementation date)	The objective of this guidance is to enable financial statement users to better understand and analyze revenue by replacing transaction and industry-specific guidance with a more principles-based approach to revenue recognition. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The Company expects the guidance including the impact of adoption to be immaterial as the majority of the Company’s revenues relate to leasing. See Note 3 for further details and the cumulative adjustment recorded.

ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory	January 1, 2018 - Modified Retrospective	The guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of intercompany sales or transfers of assets, other than inventory, when the sale or transfer occurs. The Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $11,433 to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 related to certain 2017 asset sales from several of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries to the Management Company.

ASU 2017-05, Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets	January 1, 2018 - Modified Retrospective	This guidance applies to the partial sale or transfer of nonfinancial assets, including real estate assets, to unconsolidated joint ventures and requires 100% of the gain to be recognized for nonfinancial assets transferred to an unconsolidated joint venture and any noncontrolling interest received in such nonfinancial assets to be measured at fair value. See Note 3 for further details including the impact of adoption and the cumulative adjustment recorded.

ASU 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting	January 1, 2018 - Prospective	The guidance clarifies the types of changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective



Description	Expected Adoption Date & Application Method	Financial Statement Effect and Other Information
ASU 2016-02, Leases, and related subsequent amendments	January 1, 2019 - Modified Retrospective (electing optional transition method to apply at adoption date and record cumulative-effect adjustment as of January 1, 2019)	The objective of the leasing guidance is to increase transparency and comparability by recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The Company completed an inventory of its leases in which it is a lessee and will record ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities, which approximate $4,358 as of January 1, 2019, related to eight ground leases and one office lease. These leases have a weighted-average remaining term of 43.7 years and a weighted-average discount rate of 8.00% as of January 1, 2019 with maturity dates ranging from January 2021 to October 2089. The guidance applied by a lessor is substantially similar to existing GAAP and the Company expects substantially all leases will continue to be classified as operating leases under the new guidance. The Company expects to expense certain deferred lease costs and overhead due to the narrowed definition of indirect costs that may be capitalized. Of the $3,887 in deferred lease costs and capitalized overhead recorded in 2018, approximately $938 relates to legal and other costs related to future leases which will not be capitalized under the new guidance. Additionally, non-lease components, which are primarily related to common area maintenance ("CAM"), which are combined with lease components under the guidance will be included in one line item with minimum lease payments and recognized on a straight-line basis beginning in 2019. Practical expedients and accounting policy elections: The Company elected a package of practical expedients pursuant to which it did not reassess contracts to determine if they contain leases, did not reassess lease classification and did not reassess capitalization of initial direct costs related to expired or existing leases as of the adoption date. The Company will use the land easements practical expedient and apply the short-term lease policy election to leases 12 months or less at inception. Additionally, the Company will apply the sales tax accounting policy election. The Company also adopted the practical expedient which allows lessors to combine lease and non-lease components if certain conditions are met. The majority of the Company's revenues will continue to be classified as leasing revenues. Other than the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities, the requirement to straight-line non-lease components which are combined with lease components, and additional disclosures, the Company does not expect the guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	January 1, 2020 - Modified Retrospective	The guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment model, which reflects credit events, with a current expected credit loss model, which recognizes an allowance for credit losses based on an entity's estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected. The Company is evaluating the impact that this update may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.



ASU 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract	January 1, 2020 - Prospective	The guidance addresses diversity in practice in accounting for the costs of implementation activities in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. Under the guidance, the Company is to follow Subtopic 350-40 on internal-use software to determine which implementation costs to capitalize and which to expense. The guidance also requires an entity to expense capitalized implementation costs over the term of the hosting arrangement and include that expense in the same line item as the fees associated with the service element of the arrangement. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Real Estate Assets

The Company capitalizes predevelopment project costs paid to third parties. All previously capitalized predevelopment costs are expensed when it is no longer probable that the project will be completed. Once development of a project commences, all direct costs incurred to construct the project, including interest and real estate taxes, are capitalized. Additionally, certain general and administrative expenses are allocated to the projects and capitalized based on the amount of time applicable personnel work on the development project. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

All acquired real estate assets have been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, the results of operations are included in the consolidated statements of operations from the respective dates of acquisition. The Company allocates the purchase price to (i) tangible assets, consisting of land, buildings and improvements, as if vacant, and tenant improvements, and (ii) identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, generally consisting of above-market leases, in-place leases and tenant relationships, which are included in other assets, and below-market leases, which are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The Company uses estimates of fair value based on estimated cash flows, using appropriate discount rates, and other valuation techniques to allocate the purchase price to the acquired tangible and intangible assets. Liabilities assumed generally consist of mortgage debt on the real estate assets acquired. Assumed debt is recorded at its fair value based on estimated market interest rates at the date of acquisition. The Company expects its future acquisitions will be accounted for as acquisitions of assets in which related transaction costs will be capitalized.

Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets

The Company monitors events or changes in circumstances that could indicate the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present that suggest that the carrying amounts of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the Company assesses the recoverability of the asset by determining whether the asset’s carrying value will be recovered through the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the Company’s probability weighted use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, the Company adjusts the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value and recognizes an impairment loss. The estimated fair value is calculated based on the following information, in order of preference, depending upon availability: (Level 1) recently quoted market prices, (Level 2) market prices for comparable properties, or (Level 3) the present value of future cash flows, including estimated salvage value. Certain of the Company’s long-lived assets may be carried at more than an amount that could be realized in a current disposition transaction. Projections of expected future operating cash flows require that the Company estimates future market rental income amounts subsequent to expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, the number of months it takes to re-lease the Property, and the number of years the Property is held for investment, among other factors. As these assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties, they are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter the assumptions used or management’s estimates of future possible outcomes. Therefore, the future cash flows estimated in the Company’s impairment analyses may not be achieved.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash of $32,374 and $35,546 was included in intangible lease assets and other assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Restricted cash consists primarily of cash held in escrow accounts for insurance, real estate taxes, capital expenditures and tenant allowances as required by the terms of certain mortgage notes payable.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company periodically performs a detailed review of amounts due from tenants to determine if accounts receivable balances are realizable based on factors affecting the collectability of those balances. The Company’s estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts requires management to exercise significant judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of collection losses, which affects the allowance and net income.

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

CBL conducts substantially all of its business through CBL & Associates Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership"), which is a variable interest entity ("VIE"). The Operating Partnership consolidates the financial statements of all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest or where it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

The Company evaluates its joint venture arrangements to determine whether they should be recorded on a consolidated basis. The percentage of ownership interest in the joint venture, an evaluation of control and whether a VIE exists are all considered in the Company’s consolidation assessment.

Initial investments in joint ventures that are in economic substance a capital contribution to the joint venture are recorded in an amount equal to the Company’s historical carryover basis in the real estate contributed. Initial investments in joint ventures that are in economic substance the sale of a portion of the Company’s interest in the real estate are accounted for as a contribution of real estate recorded in an amount equal to the Company’s historical

carryover basis in the ownership percentage retained and as a sale of real estate with profit recognized to the extent of the other joint venturers’ interests in the joint venture. Profit recognition assumes the Company has no commitment to reinvest with respect to the percentage of the real estate sold and the accounting requirements of the full accrual method are met.

The Company accounts for its investment in joint ventures where it owns a noncontrolling interest or where it is not the primary beneficiary of a VIE using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company’s cost of investment is adjusted for additional contributions to and distributions from the unconsolidated affiliate, as well as its share of equity in the earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate. Generally, distributions of cash flows from operations and capital events are first made to partners to pay cumulative unpaid preferences on unreturned capital balances and then to the partners in accordance with the terms of the joint venture agreements.

Any differences between the cost of the Company’s investment in an unconsolidated affiliate and its underlying equity as reflected in the unconsolidated affiliate’s financial statements generally result from costs of the Company’s investment that are not reflected on the unconsolidated affiliate’s financial statements, capitalized interest on its investment and the Company’s share of development and leasing fees that are paid by the unconsolidated affiliate to the Company for development and leasing services provided to the unconsolidated affiliate during any development periods. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the net difference between the Company’s investment in unconsolidated affiliates and the underlying equity of unconsolidated affiliates, which are amortized over a period equal to the useful life of the unconsolidated affiliates' asset/liability that is related to the basis difference, was $49,628 and $(6,038), respectively.

On a periodic basis, the Company assesses whether there are any indicators that the fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if the Company’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the estimated fair value of the investment. The Company's estimates of fair value for each investment are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, but not limited to, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and operating costs. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter the Company’s assumptions, the fair values estimated in the impairment analyses may not be realized.

In accordance with the guidance in ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, and ASU 2016-17, Interests Held Through Related Parties That Are under Common Control, the Operating Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries are deemed to have the characteristics of a VIE primarily because the limited partners of these entities do not collectively possess substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 and ASU 2016-17 was adopted as of January 1, 2017 on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2016-17 did not change any of the Company's consolidation conclusions made under ASU 2015-02 and did not change amounts within the consolidated financial statements.

The Company consolidates the Operating Partnership, which is a VIE, for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company, through the Operating Partnership, consolidates all VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. Generally, a VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. A limited partnership is considered a VIE when the majority of the limited partners unrelated to the general partner possess neither the right to remove the general partner without cause, nor certain rights to participate in the decisions that most significantly affect the financial results of the partnership. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of the Company's investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Company or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to the Company's business activities and the business activities of the other investors.

Deferred Financing Costs

Net deferred financing costs related to the Company's lines of credit of $2,005 and $3,301 were included in intangible lease assets and other assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net deferred financing costs related to the Company's other indebtedness of $15,963 and $18,938 were included in net mortgage and other indebtedness at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain financing and are amortized on a straight-line basis to interest expense over the terms of the related indebtedness.

Revenue Recognition

See Note 3 for a description of the Company's revenue streams and information related to the implementation of the new revenue guidance, which was adopted on January 1, 2018.

Gain on Sales of Real Estate Assets

Gains on the sale of real estate assets, like all non-lease related revenue, are subject to a five-step model requiring that the Company identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue upon satisfaction of the performance obligations. In circumstances where the Company contracts to sell a property with material post-sale involvement, such involvement must be accounted for as a separate performance obligation in the contract and a portion of the sales price allocated to each performance obligation. When the post-sale involvement performance obligation is satisfied, the portion of the sales price allocated to it will be recognized as gain on sale of real estate assets. Property dispositions with no continuing involvement will continue to be recognized upon closing of the sale.

Income Taxes

The Company is qualified as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. To maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders and meet certain other requirements.

As a REIT, the Company is generally not liable for federal corporate income taxes. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Even if the Company maintains its qualification as a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed income. State tax expense was $4,147, $3,772 and $3,458 during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company has also elected taxable REIT subsidiary status for some of its subsidiaries. This enables the Company to receive income and provide services that would otherwise be impermissible for REITs. For these entities, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided if the Company believes all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from the change in circumstances that causes a change in our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset is included in income or expense, as applicable.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s tenants include national, regional and local retailers. Financial instruments that subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of tenant receivables. The Company generally does not obtain collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk, but monitors the credit standing of tenants.

Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit

Earnings per Share of the Company

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS assumes the issuance of common stock for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding. The limited partners’ rights to convert their noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership into shares of common stock are not dilutive.

Earnings per Unit of the Operating Partnership

Basic earnings per unit ("EPU") is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common unitholders by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding for the period. Diluted EPU assumes the issuance of common units for all potential dilutive common units outstanding.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of the Company / Operating Partnership

Comprehensive Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of the Company

Comprehensive income (loss) of the Company included all changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests and total equity during the period, except those resulting from investments by shareholders and partners, distributions to shareholders and partners and redemption valuation adjustments. Other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI/L”) included changes in unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate hedge agreements.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of the Operating Partnership

Comprehensive income (loss) of the Operating Partnership included all changes in redeemable common units and partners' capital during the period, except those resulting from investments by unitholders, distributions to unitholders and redemption valuation adjustments. OCI/L included changes in unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate hedge agreements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurements

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company has categorized its financial assets and financial liabilities that are recorded at fair value into a hierarchy in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, ("ASC 820") based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as follows:


Level 1 -	Inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities as of the measurement date.


Level 2 -	Inputs, other than those included in Level 1, represent observable measurements for similar instruments in active markets, or identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and observable measurements or market data for instruments with substantially the full term of the asset or liability.


Level 3 -	Inputs represent unobservable measurements, supported by little, if any, market activity, and require considerable assumptions that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability. Market valuations must often be determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, pricing models or similar techniques based on the Company’s assumptions and best judgment.

The asset or liability's fair value within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Under ASC 820, fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an orderly transaction at the measurement date and under current market conditions. Valuation techniques used maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and consider assumptions such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and risk of nonperformance.