18. Accounting Changes

On January 1, 2016, the Company adopted ASU 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which changed the presentation of debt issuance costs. Whereas in prior periods debt issuance cost related to a recognized debt liability was presented on the balance sheet as an asset of the Company, the amendment requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The new method of accounting for debt issuance cost was adopted in accordance with the Update and comparative financial statements of prior years have been adjusted to apply the new method retrospectively. The guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures and subordinated debt financial statement line items for the periods ended June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were affected by this change in accounting principle.