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Organization, Business Environment, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization, Business Environment, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1 — Organization, Business Environment, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) (Ocwen, we, us and our) is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, originates and services loans. We are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida with offices located throughout the United States (U.S.) and in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and with operations located in India and the Philippines. Ocwen is a Florida corporation organized in February 1988.
Ocwen owns all of the common stock of its primary operating subsidiary, Ocwen Mortgage Servicing, Inc. (OMS), and directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding stock of its other primary operating subsidiaries: Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (OLS), Ocwen Financial Solutions Private Limited (OFSPL), Homeward Residential, Inc. (Homeward), and Liberty Home Equity Solutions, Inc. (Liberty).
We perform primary and master servicer activities on behalf of investors and other servicers, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (collectively, the GSEs), the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) and private-label securitizations (non-Agency). As primary servicer, we may be required to make certain payments of property taxes and insurance premiums, default and property maintenance payments, as well as advances of principal and interest payments before collecting them from borrowers. As master servicer, we collect mortgage payments from primary servicers and distribute the funds to investors in the mortgage-backed securities. To the extent the primary servicer does not advance the scheduled principal and interest, as master servicer we are responsible for advancing the shortfall subject to certain limitations.
We primarily originate, purchase, sell and securitize conventional (conforming to the underwriting standards of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; collectively referred to as Agency loans) and government-insured (Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)) forward and reverse mortgages. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee these mortgage securitizations.
We had a total of approximately 9,700 employees at December 31, 2016 of which approximately 6,300 were located in India and approximately 800 were based in the Philippines. Our operations in India and the Philippines provide internal support services, principally to our loan servicing business as well as to our corporate functions. Of our foreign-based employees, more than 80% were engaged in supporting our loan servicing operations as of December 31, 2016.
Business Environment
We are facing certain challenges and uncertainties that could have significant adverse effects on our business, liquidity and financing activities. The ability of management to appropriately address these challenges and uncertainties in a timely manner is critical to our ability to successfully operate and grow our business.
We have incurred net losses in each of the last three years, which has eroded our equity and weakened our financial condition. However, we have generated positive operating cash flow in each of these years. We are reinvesting cash flows generated by our Servicing business to grow not only our residential mortgage lending business but also to grow other new business lines such as our Automotive Capital Services (ACS) business to diversify our income profile and drive improved financial performance. We believe asset generation, through our residential mortgage lending business and our ACS business, will be Ocwen’s primary drivers of growth for the future. We are also focused on improving our operations to enhance customer experiences and improve operating effectiveness, both of which we believe will drive stronger financial performance through lower overall costs and improved customer retention.
In the current regulatory environment, we have faced and expect to continue to face, heightened regulatory and public scrutiny as an organization as well as stricter and more comprehensive regulation of the entire mortgage sector. We have entered into a number of regulatory settlements, which subject us to ongoing monitoring or reporting and which have significantly impacted our ability to grow our servicing portfolio. We anticipate resolution of certain matters where we continue to face regulatory challenges and, upon such resolution, we may begin to consider opportunities for growing our servicing portfolio in addition to growing our lending businesses. See Note 24 — Regulatory Requirements and Note 26 — Contingencies for further information regarding regulatory requirements, regulatory settlements and regulatory-related contingencies.
With regard to the current maturities of our borrowings, we have $1.2 billion of debt coming due in the next 12 months, related to our servicing match funded liabilities and our mortgage loan warehouse facilities. Portions of our match funded liabilities and all of our mortgage loan warehouse facilities have 364-day terms consistent with market practice. We have historically renewed these facilities on or before their expiration in the ordinary course of financing our business. We expect to renew, replace or extend all such borrowings to the extent necessary to finance our business on or prior to their respective maturities consistent with our historical experience. See Note 13 — Borrowings for additional information.
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
Principles of Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP).
Our financial statements include the accounts of Ocwen, its majority-owned subsidiaries and any variable interest entity (VIE) for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We apply the equity method of accounting to investments when the entity is not a VIE, and we are able to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the policies and procedures of the entity but own 50% or less of the voting securities.
We have eliminated intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of each of our foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Re-measurement adjustments of foreign-denominated amounts to U.S. dollars are included in Other, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
Reclassifications
As a result of our retrospective adoption on January 1, 2016 of FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, and ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest: Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting, unamortized debt issuance costs that are not related to revolving line-of-credit arrangements have been reclassified from Other assets to Other secured borrowings ($20.0 million) and Senior notes ($4.5 million) on the consolidated balance sheets, resulting in a reduction to Ocwen’s total assets and total liabilities of $24.5 million at December 31, 2015.
Certain amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2015 and 2014 have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation as follows:
Within the operating activities section, we reclassified Amortization of debt discount and Net gain on valuation of mortgage loans held for investment and HMBS-related borrowings from Other to new separate line items. In addition, we reclassified amounts related to reverse mortgages from Gain on loans held for sale, net to Other.
Within the investing activities section, we reclassified Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment to Other.
Within the financing activities section, we reclassified Proceeds from exercise of stock options to Other.
These reclassifications had no impact on our consolidated cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management 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 reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those that relate to fair value measurements, the amortization of mortgage servicing rights, income taxes, the provision for potential losses that may arise from litigation proceedings, representation and warranty and other indemnification obligations, and our going concern evaluation. In developing estimates and assumptions, management uses all available information; however, actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Significant Accounting Policies
Cash
Cash includes both interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand deposits with financial institutions that have original maturities of 90 days or less.
Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSRs)
MSRs are assets representing our right to service portfolios of mortgage loans. We have primarily obtained MSRs through asset purchases or business combination transactions. We also retain MSRs on originated loans when they are sold in the secondary market. For servicing retained in connection with the securitization of reverse mortgage loans accounted for as secured financings, we do not recognize an MSR.
An agreement between the various parties to a mortgage securitization transaction typically specifies the rights and obligations of the holder of the MSRs, which include guidelines and procedures for servicing the loans. Two examples of these guidelines and procedures include remittance and reporting requirements. The UPB of the loans underlying the MSRs is not included on our balance sheet.
Custodial accounts, which hold funds representing collections of principal and interest that we receive from borrowers (float balances), are held in escrow by an unaffiliated bank and excluded from our balance sheet.
All newly acquired or retained MSRs are initially measured at fair value. We recognize a servicing liability for those portfolio contracts that are not expected to compensate us adequately for performing the servicing. For this purpose, we define contracts as conventional, government-insured or non-Agency (commonly referred to as non-prime, subprime or private-label loans) based on their general comparability with regard to servicing guidelines, underwriting standards and borrower risk characteristics. Servicing assets are not recognized for subservicing arrangements entered into with the entity that owns the MSRs. Subsequent to acquisition, we account for servicing assets and servicing liabilities using the amortization method or the fair value measurement method. The fair value election is irrevocable and can be made at the beginning of any fiscal year. Additionally, transferring servicing assets and servicing liabilities from a class subsequently measured using the amortization method to a class subsequently measured at fair value is permitted as of the start of any fiscal year. As discussed further in Note 8 — Mortgage Servicing, effective January 1, 2015, we elected fair value accounting for a newly-created class of non-Agency MSRs, which were previously accounted for using the amortization method. Once the fair value election is made for a particular class of MSRs, that election applies to all subsequently acquired or originated servicing assets and liabilities with characteristics consistent with the class. We defined our classes based on our strategy for managing the risks of the underlying portfolios. For certain of the servicing assets, we previously managed the effects of interest rate risk with derivative financial instruments. We elected to account for this class of servicing assets using the fair value measurement method.
For servicing assets or liabilities that we account for using the amortization method, we amortize the balances in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income (if servicing revenues exceed servicing costs) or net servicing loss (if servicing costs exceed servicing revenues). We assess servicing assets or liabilities for impairment or increased obligation based on fair value at each reporting date. Estimated net servicing income is primarily driven by the estimated future cash flows of the underlying mortgage loan portfolio, which, absent new purchases, declines over time from prepayments and scheduled loan amortization. We adjust MSR amortization prospectively in response to changes in estimated projections of future cash flows. We perform an impairment analysis based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value after grouping the underlying portfolios into the applicable strata. We recognize any impairment through a valuation allowance. We adjust the valuation allowance to reflect subsequent changes in the measurement of impairment. However, we do not recognize fair value in excess of the carrying amount of servicing assets for that stratum.
For servicing assets or liabilities that we account for at fair value on a recurring basis, we measure the balances at fair value at each reporting date and report changes in fair value in earnings in the period in which the changes occur.
We earn fees for servicing mortgage loans. We collect servicing fees, generally expressed as a percent of UPB, from the borrowers’ payments. We also include late fees, prepayment penalties, float earnings and other ancillary fees in servicing revenue. We recognize servicing fees as revenue when the fees are earned, which is generally when the borrowers’ payments are collected or when loans are modified or liquidated through the sale of the underlying real estate collateral or otherwise.
Advances and Match Funded Advances
During any period in which a borrower does not make payments, most of our servicing agreements require that we advance our own funds to meet contractual principal and interest remittance requirements for the investors, to pay property taxes and insurance premiums and to process foreclosures. We also advance funds to maintain, repair and market foreclosed real estate properties on behalf of investors. These advances are made pursuant to the terms of each servicing contract. Each servicing contract is associated with specific loans, identified as a pool.
When we make an advance on a loan under each servicing contract, we are entitled to recover that advance either from the borrower, for reinstated and performing loans, or from investors, for modified and liquidated loans. Most of our servicing contracts provide that the advances made under the respective agreement have priority over all other cash payments from the proceeds of the loan, and in the majority of cases, the proceeds of the pool of loans that are the subject of that servicing contract. As a result, we are entitled to repayment from loan proceeds before any interest or principal is paid on the bonds, and in the majority of cases, advances in excess of loan proceeds may be recovered from pool level proceeds.
We establish an allowance for losses through a charge to earnings to the extent that we believe advances are uncollectible under the provisions of each servicing contract taking into consideration our historical collection rates, length of delinquency and the amount of the advance. However, we are generally only obligated to advance funds to the extent that we believe the advances are recoverable from expected proceeds from the loan. We assess collectability using proprietary cash flow projection models that incorporate a number of different factors, depending on the characteristics of the mortgage loan or pool, including, for example, estimated time to a foreclosure sale, estimated costs of foreclosure action, estimated future property tax payments and the estimated value of the underlying property net of estimated carrying costs, commissions and closing costs.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale include residential mortgage loans that we originate or purchase and do not intend to hold until maturity. We report loans held for sale at either fair value or the lower of cost or fair value computed on an aggregate basis. For loans held for sale that are reported at the lower of cost or fair value, loan origination fees, as well as premium and discount, points and incremental direct origination costs, are initially recorded as an adjustment of the cost basis of the loan and are deferred until the loan is sold. For loans that we elected to measure at fair value on a recurring basis, we report changes in fair value in Gain on loans held for sale, net in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the changes occur. These loans are expected to be sold into the secondary market to the GSEs or into Ginnie Mae guaranteed securitizations.
For all other loans held for sale which we report at the lower of cost or fair value, we account for the excess of cost over fair value as a valuation allowance and include changes in the valuation allowance in Other, net, in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the change occurs.
We accrue interest income as earned. We place loans on non-accrual status after any portion of principal or interest has been delinquent for more than 89 days, or earlier if management determines the borrower is unable to continue performance. When we place a loan on non-accrual status, we reverse the interest that we have accrued but not yet received. We return loans to accrual status only when we reinstate the loan and there is no significant uncertainty as to collectability.
Loans Held for Investment
Loans held for investment include reverse residential mortgage loans that we originate and which we have elected to measure at fair value. These reverse mortgages are insured by the FHA and pooled into Ginnie Mae guaranteed securities that we sell into the secondary market with servicing rights retained. Loan transfers in these Ginnie Mae securitizations do not meet the definition of a participating interest and as a result, the transfers of the reverse mortgages do not qualify for sale accounting. Therefore, we account for these transfers as financings, with the reverse mortgages classified as Loans held for investment - reverse mortgages, at fair value, on our consolidated balance sheets, with no gain or loss recognized on the transfer.
Upfront costs and fees related to loans held for investment, including broker fees, are recognized in earnings as incurred and are not capitalized. However, we capitalize premiums on loans purchased via the correspondent channel, because they represent part of the purchase price.
Transfers of Financial Assets
We securitize, sell and service forward and reverse residential mortgage loans. Securitization transactions typically involve the use of VIEs and are accounted for either as sales or as secured financings. We typically retain economic interests in the securitized assets in the form of servicing rights and obligations. In order to efficiently finance our assets and operations and create liquidity, we may sell servicing advances, MSRs or the right to receive servicing fees, excluding ancillary income, relating to certain of our MSRs (Rights to MSRs).
In order to determine whether or not a VIE is required to be consolidated, we consider our ongoing involvement with the VIE. In circumstances where we have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant, we would conclude that we would consolidate the entity, which precludes us from recording an accounting sale in connection with the transfer of the financial assets. In the case of a consolidated VIE, we continue to report the underlying residential mortgage loans or servicing advances, and we record the securitized debt on our consolidated balance sheet.
In the case of transfers where either one or both of the power or economic criteria above are not met, we evaluate whether a sale has occurred for accounting purposes. In order to recognize a sale, the transferred assets must be legally isolated, not be constrained by restrictions from further transfer and be deemed to be beyond our control. If the transfer does not meet any of these three criteria, the accounting is consistent with a secured financing as described in the preceding paragraph. In certain situations, we may have continuing involvement in transferred loans through our retained servicing. Additionally, we may have the right, but not the obligation, to buy certain re-performing loans from the purchaser for which we have secured a commitment to re-pool those loans under a Ginnie Mae program. In both cases, transactions involving these situations typically would still be eligible for sale accounting, as we have ceded effective control of these loans to the purchaser. Subsequent to the determination that a transaction does not meet the accounting sale criteria, we may determine that we meet the criteria. In the event we subsequently meet the accounting sale criteria, we derecognize the transferred assets and related liabilities.
In the case of transfers of MSRs and Rights to MSRs where we retain the right to subservice, we defer the related gain or loss and amortize the balance over the life of the subservicing agreement.
Gains or losses on off-balance sheet securitizations take into consideration any retained interests, including servicing rights and representation and warranty obligations, both of which are initially recorded at fair value at the date of sale in Gain on loans held for sale, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.
Premises and Equipment
We report premises and equipment at cost and, except for land, depreciate them over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis as follows:
Computer software
2 – 3 years
Computer hardware
3 years
Buildings
40 years
Leasehold improvements
Term of the lease not to exceed useful life
Furniture and fixtures
5 years
Office equipment
5 years

Litigation
We monitor our legal matters, including advice from external legal counsel, and periodically perform assessments of these matters for potential loss accrual and disclosure. We establish a liability for settlements, judgments on appeal and filed and/or threatened claims for which we believe that it is probable that a loss has been or will be incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We recognize legal costs associated with loss contingencies as they are incurred.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We recognize all derivatives on our consolidated balance sheet at fair value. On the date that we enter into a derivative contract, we designate and document each derivative contract as one of the following at the time the contract is executed: (a) a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge); (b) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge); (c) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation; or (d) a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument. To qualify for hedge accounting, a derivative must be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged. In addition, the documentation must include the risk management objective and strategy. We assess and document quarterly the extent to which a derivative has been and is expected to continue to be effective in offsetting the changes in the fair value or the cash flows of the hedged item. To assess effectiveness, we use statistical methods, such as regression analysis, as well as non-statistical methods including dollar-offset analysis. For a fair value hedge, we record changes in the fair value of the derivative, to the extent that it is effective, and changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk in the same financial statement category as the hedged item on the face of the statement of operations. For a cash flow hedge, to the extent that it is effective, we record changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative in other comprehensive income. We subsequently reclassify these changes in estimated fair value to net income in the same period, or periods, that the hedged transaction affects earnings and in the same financial statement category as the hedged item. For derivative instruments not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes that were entered into as an economic hedge against changes in fair value of a recognized asset, we report changes in the fair value in the same financial statement category of the statement of operations as the changes in fair value of the related asset. For all other derivative instruments not designated as a hedging instrument, we report changes in their fair values in Other income (expense), net.
If a derivative instrument in a cash flow hedge is terminated or the hedge designation is removed, we reclassify related amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings in the same period or periods during which the cash flows that were hedged affect earnings. In a period where we determine it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, such as variable-rate interest payments on debt that has been repaid in advance, any related amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in that period.
The cash collateral held by counterparties to our derivative agreements is included in Other assets.
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. For equity awards with a service condition, we recognize the cost as compensation expense ratably over the vesting period. For equity awards with a market condition, we recognize the cost as compensation expense ratably over the expected life of the option that is derived from an options pricing model. When equity awards with a market condition meet their vesting requirements, any unrecognized compensation at the vesting date is recognized ratably over the vesting period. For equity awards with both a market condition and a service condition for vesting, we recognize cost as compensation expense over the requisite service period for each tranche of the award using the graded-vesting method.
Income Taxes
We file consolidated federal income tax returns. We allocate consolidated income tax among all subsidiaries included in the consolidated return as if each subsidiary filed a separate return or, in certain cases, a consolidated return.
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Additionally, we adjust deferred taxes to reflect estimated tax rate changes. We conduct periodic evaluations to determine whether it is more likely than not that some or all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Among the factors considered in this evaluation are estimates of future earnings, the future reversal of temporary differences and the impact of tax planning strategies that we can implement if warranted. We provide a valuation allowance for any portion of our deferred tax assets that, more likely than not, will not be realized. We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in Income tax expense.
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
We calculate basic earnings per share based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. We calculate diluted earnings per share based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted earnings per share includes the estimated impact of the exercise of the outstanding options to purchase common stock using the treasury stock method. The computation of diluted earnings per share also includes the potential shares of converted common stock associated with our previously outstanding Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock using the if-converted method.
Going Concern
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, we evaluate whether there are conditions that are known or reasonably knowable, such as those discussed in the “Business Environment” section, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that our financial statements are issued.
We perform a detailed review and analysis of relevant quantitative and qualitative information from across our organization in connection with this evaluation. To support this effort, senior management from key business units reviews and assesses the following information:
our current financial condition, including liquidity sources at the date that the financial statements are issued (e.g., available liquid funds and available access to credit, including covenant compliance);
our conditional and unconditional obligations due or anticipated within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (regardless of whether those obligations are recognized in our financial statements);
funds necessary to maintain operations considering our current financial condition, obligations and other expected cash flows within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (i.e., financial forecasting); and
other conditions and events, when considered in conjunction with the above items, that may adversely affect our ability to meet obligations within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (e.g., negative financial trends, indications of possible financial difficulties, internal matters such as a need to significantly revise operations and external matters such as adverse regulatory/legal proceedings or rating agency decisions).
If such conditions exist, management evaluates its plans that when implemented would mitigate the condition(s) and alleviate the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Such plans are considered only if information available as of the date that the financial statements are issued indicates both of the following are true:
it is probable management’s plans will be implemented within the evaluation period; and
it is probable management’s plans, when implemented individually or in the aggregate, will mitigate the condition(s) that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in the evaluation period.
Our evaluation of whether it is probable that management’s plans will be effectively implemented within the evaluation period is based on the feasibility of implementation of management’s plans in light of our specific facts and circumstances.
Our evaluation of whether it is probable that our plans, individually or in the aggregate, will be implemented in the evaluation period involves a degree of judgment, including about matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Consolidation: Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity (ASU 2014-13)
This ASU requires that when a reporting entity elects the measurement alternative included in this ASU for a consolidated collateralized financing entity, the reporting entity should measure both the financial assets and the financial liabilities of that collateralized financing entity in its consolidated financial statements using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities. A collateralized financing entity is a variable interest entity with no more than nominal equity that holds financial assets and issues beneficial interests in those financial assets; the beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the collateralized financing entity and are classified as financial liabilities. Our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (ASU 2014-15)
This ASU defines management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures, as applicable. In connection with preparing financial statements for each reporting period, an organization’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or are available to be issued, when applicable), based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued (or are available to be issued, when applicable). We have provided the disclosures required as a result of our adoption of this standard.
Derivatives and Hedging: Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity (ASU 2014-16)
This ASU clarifies how current GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. For hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share, an entity is required to determine the nature of the host contract by considering all stated and implied substantive terms and features of the hybrid financial instrument, weighing each term and feature on the basis of all relevant facts and circumstances. An entity should determine the nature of the host contract by considering the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument, including the embedded derivative feature that is being evaluated for separate accounting from the host contract. Our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items: Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (ASU 2015-01)
This ASU eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP. Under this standard, the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently has been retained and expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. Our prospective adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Consolidation—Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02)
This ASU improves targeted areas of consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions). This standard reduces the number of consolidation models from four to two by eliminating specialized guidance for limited partnerships and similar legal entities. It also places more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. A reporting organization may no longer have to consolidate a legal entity in certain circumstances based solely on its fee arrangement when certain criteria are met. Additionally, this standard reduces the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a VIE and changes consolidation conclusions for public and private companies that typically make use of limited partnerships or VIEs. Our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Interest—Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03)
This ASU simplifies presentation of debt issuance costs. Under this standard, debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability will be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability and amortization of debt issuance costs will be reported as interest expense, consistent with the accounting for debt discounts. Recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs will not be affected. Our retrospective adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Reclassifications section above.
Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (ASU 2015-05)
This ASU helps entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement by providing guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. Our prospective adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Interest—Imputation of Interest: Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (ASU 2015-15)
This ASU clarifies ASU 2015-03, Interest -- Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, by providing guidance regarding the presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance on this matter, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on that line-of-credit arrangement. Our retrospective adoption of this standard on January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (ASU 2015-17)
This ASU requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position, thereby aligning this presentation with International Financial Reporting Standards. The current requirement that deferred tax assets and liabilities of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by this guidance. Our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2017 will not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements, as we do not present a classified statement of financial position.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASU 2016-01)
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which is intended to provide users with more useful information regarding the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments and also improve the accounting model to better meet the requirements of today’s complex economic environment. Most changes in this ASU require the same information, but some changes will revise the geography of that information on the financial statements.
This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. Early adoption will be permitted only for the provision to record fair value changes for financial liabilities under the fair value option resulting from instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income. An entity should apply the amendments in this standard by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption of this ASU. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Leases (ASU 2016-02)
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements. A lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months, regardless of whether the lease is classified as a finance or operating lease. Additional disclosures will help investors and financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early application permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this standard.
Derivatives and Hedging: Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships (ASU 2016-05)
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05 to clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument under FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2017 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Derivatives and Hedging: Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments (ASU 2016-06)
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06 to clarify that in assessing whether embedded contingent put or call options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts, an entity is required to apply only the four-step decision sequence in FASB ASC 815-15-25-42 (as amended by this ASU). An entity does not have to separately assess whether the event that triggers its ability to exercise the contingent option is itself indexed only to interest rates or credit risk. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2017 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting (ASU 2016-07)
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07 to simplify the transition to the equity method of accounting as part of its simplification initiative to reduce cost and complexity in accounting standards while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements. This standard requires that an equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment qualifies for equity method accounting, rather than adjusting the investment retroactively. This standard also requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that qualifies for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment qualifies for use of the equity method. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2017 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Shared-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09)
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments. This standard simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows, as part of FASB’s simplification initiative to reduce cost and complexity in accounting standards while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2017 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13)
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. This standard aligns the accounting with the economics of lending by requiring banks and other lending institutions to immediately record the full amount of credit losses that are expected in their loan portfolios, providing investors with better information about those losses on a more timely basis. The new guidance requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users to better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. Additionally, the new guidance amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2020, with early application permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this standard.
Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15)
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 to clarify how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under FASB ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230). This standard addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for us on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (ASU 2016-16)
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory by requiring an entity to recognize such consequences when the transfer occurs. Currently, recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity transfer is prohibited until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ASU 2016-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this standard.
Consolidation: Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control (ASU 2016-17)
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17 to amend the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the reporting entity that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE and, therefore, consolidates the VIE. A reporting entity has an indirect interest in a VIE if it has a direct interest in a related party that, in turn, has a direct interest in the VIE. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2017 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18)
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 to clarify how changes in restricted cash are classified and presented in the statement of cash flows under ASC 230. This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Technical Corrections and Improvements (ASU 2016-19)
In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-19 to clarify, correct errors, and make minor improvements to FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. This standard makes the Accounting Standards Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. Most of the amendments are effective immediately. Our adoption of this standard on December 14, 2016 (for amendments that were effective upon issuance) and January 1, 2017 (for amendments that require transition guidance) did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01)
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. This standard provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business and also provides more consistency in applying the guidance, reduces the costs of application, and makes the definition of a business more operable. This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. We do not anticipate that our adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.