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Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect financial statement balances, revenues and expenses and cash flows, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management considers available facts and knowledge of existing circumstances when establishing the estimates included in our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The most significant items that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to change in the future are the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), future policy benefit reserves and corresponding amounts recoverable from reinsurers, and income taxes. Estimates for these and other items are subject to change and are reassessed by management in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Consolidation

Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany profits, transactions, and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period amounts to conform to current-period reporting classifications. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or total stockholders’ equity.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for events and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation. Assets and liabilities of our Canadian subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates, and the translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses of our Canadian subsidiaries are translated monthly at amounts that approximate weighted-average exchange rates.

Investments

Investments. Investments are reported on the following bases:

 

Available-for-sale (“AFS”) fixed-maturity securities, including bonds and redeemable preferred stocks not classified as trading securities, are carried at fair value. When quoted market values are unavailable, we obtain estimates from independent pricing services or estimate fair value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or of other issuers with similar characteristics.

 

Held-to-maturity fixed-maturity security is carried at amortized cost.

 

Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are classified as AFS and are carried at fair value. When quoted market values are unavailable, we obtain estimates from independent pricing services or estimates fair value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or of other issuers with similar characteristics.

 

Trading securities, which primarily consist of bonds, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are included in net investment income in the period in which the change occurred.

 

Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances, which approximate fair value.

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. We use the specific-identification method to determine the realized gains or losses from securities transactions and report the realized gains or losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities are included as a separate component of other comprehensive income, except for other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) discussed below, in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis for OTTI. Credit risk, interest rate risk, the amount of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, actions taken by ratings agencies, and other factors are considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary. OTTI in our accompanying consolidated statements of income reflect the impairment on AFS securities that we intend to sell or would more-likely-than-not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For AFS fixed maturity securities that we have no intent to sell and believe that it is not more-likely-than-not we will be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of OTTI is recognized in our accompanying consolidated statements of income, while the remainder is recognized in other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The credit loss component of OTTI recognized in net income is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security. Any subsequent changes (if not an other-than-temporary impairment) in the fair value of AFS securities are recognized in other comprehensive income in the accompanying statements of comprehensive income.

Interest income on fixed-maturity securities is recorded when earned by determining the effective yield, which gives consideration to amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, and any previous OTTI. Dividend income on equity securities is recorded when declared. These amounts are included in net investment income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Included within fixed-maturity securities are loan-backed and asset-backed securities. Amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount uses the retrospective method. The effective yield used to determine amortization/accretion is calculated based on actual and historical projected future cash flows and updated quarterly.

Embedded conversion options associated with fixed-maturity securities are bifurcated from the fixed-maturity security host contracts and separately recognized as equity securities. The change in fair value of these bifurcated conversion options is recorded in realized gains (losses), including OTTI in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments, and all other highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance. We use reinsurance extensively, utilizing yearly renewable term (“YRT”) and coinsurance agreements. Under YRT agreements, we reinsure only the mortality risk, while under coinsurance, we reinsure a proportionate part of all risks arising under the reinsured policy. Under coinsurance, the reinsurer receives a proportionate part of the premiums, less commission allowances, and is liable for a corresponding part of all benefit payments.

All reinsurance contracts in effect for the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 transfer a reasonable possibility of substantial loss to the reinsurer or are accounted for under the deposit method of accounting.

Ceded premiums are treated as a reduction to direct premiums and are recognized when due to the assuming company. Ceded claims are treated as a reduction to direct benefits and are recognized when the claim is incurred on a direct basis. Ceded policy reserve changes are also treated as a reduction to benefits and claims expense and are recognized during the applicable financial reporting period.

Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements and benefits and reserves related to reinsured long-duration contracts are accounted for over the life of the underlying contracts using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liabilities and future policy benefits associated with reinsured policies. Ceded policy reserves and claims liabilities relating to insurance ceded are shown as reinsurance recoverables on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

We analyze and monitor the credit-worthiness of each of our reinsurance partners to minimize collection issues. For reinsurance contracts with unauthorized reinsurers, we require collateral such as letters of credit.

To the extent we receive ceding allowances to cover policy and claims administration under reinsurance contracts, these allowances are treated as a reduction to insurance commissions and expenses and are recognized when due from the assuming company. To the extent we receive ceding allowances reimbursing commissions that would otherwise be deferred, the amount of commissions deferrable will be reduced. The corresponding DAC balances are reduced on a pro rata basis by the portion of the business reinsured with reinsurance agreements that meet risk transfer provisions. The reduced DAC will result in a corresponding reduction of amortization expense.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

DAC. We defer incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisitions that result directly from and are essential to the contract transaction(s) and that would not have been incurred had the contract transaction(s) not occurred. These deferred policy acquisition costs mainly include commissions and policy issue expenses. All other acquisition-related costs, including unsuccessful acquisition and renewal efforts, are charged to expense as incurred. Also, administrative costs, rent, depreciation, occupancy, equipment, and all other general overhead costs are considered indirect costs and are charged to expense as incurred.

DAC for term life insurance policies is amortized over the initial premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to premium income. DAC for Canadian segregated funds is amortized over the life of the underlying policies at a constant rate based on the present value of the estimated gross profits expected to be realized over the life of the underlying policies. DAC is subject to recoverability testing annually and when impairment indicators exist.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Any intangible asset that was deemed to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test. An impairment exists if the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. For the other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, an impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset.

The components of intangible assets were as follows:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

Net carrying amount

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

Net carrying amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Indefinite-lived intangible asset

 

$

45,275

 

 

n/a

 

 

$

45,275

 

 

$

45,275

 

 

n/a

 

 

$

45,275

 

Amortizing intangible asset

 

 

84,871

 

 

 

(78,633

)

 

 

6,238

 

 

 

84,871

 

 

 

(75,231

)

 

 

9,640

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

130,146

 

 

$

(78,633

)

 

$

51,513

 

 

$

130,146

 

 

$

(75,231

)

 

$

54,915

 

We have an indefinite-lived intangible asset related to the 1989 purchase of the right to contract with our sales force. This asset represents the core distribution model of our business, which is our primary competitive advantage to profitably distribute term life insurance and investment and savings products on a significant scale, and as such, is considered to have an indefinite life. This indefinite-lived intangible asset is supported by a significant portion of the discounted cash flows of our future business. We assessed this asset for impairment as of October 1, 2017 and determined that no impairment had occurred. There have been no subsequent events requiring further analysis.

We also have an amortizing intangible asset related to a 1995 sales agreement termination payment to Management Financial Services, Inc. This asset is supported by a non-compete agreement with the founder of our business model. We calculate the amortization of this contract buyout on a straight-line basis over 24 years, which represents the life of the non-compete agreement. Intangible asset amortization expense was approximately $3.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015. The remaining amortization expense is expected to be approximately $3.4 million in 2018 and $2.8 million in 2019. No events have occurred during 2017, and no factors exist as of December 31, 2017 that would indicate that the net carrying value of our amortizing intangible asset may not be recoverable or will not be used throughout its estimated useful life.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment, which are included in other assets, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life, which is estimated as follows:

 

 

Estimated Useful Life

Data processing equipment and software

 

3 to 7 years

Leasehold improvements

 

Lesser of 15 years or remaining life of lease

Furniture and other equipment

 

5 to 15 years

Depreciation expense is included in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Depreciation expense was $10.1 million, $11.2 million, and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Property and equipment balances were as follows:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Data processing equipment and software

 

$

60,227

 

 

$

57,178

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

14,077

 

 

 

13,718

 

Other, principally furniture and equipment

 

 

24,841

 

 

 

23,571

 

 

 

 

99,145

 

 

 

94,467

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(71,044

)

 

 

(67,001

)

Net property and equipment

 

$

28,101

 

 

$

27,466

 

 

Separate Accounts

Separate Accounts. The separate accounts are primarily comprised of contracts issued by the Company through its subsidiary, Primerica Life Canada, pursuant to the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The Insurance Companies Act authorizes Primerica Life Canada to establish the separate accounts.

The separate accounts are represented by individual variable annuity contracts. Purchasers of variable annuity contracts issued by Primerica Life Canada have a direct claim to the benefits of the contract that entitles the holder to units in one or more investment funds (the “Funds”) maintained by Primerica Life Canada. The Funds invest in assets that are held for the benefit of the owners of the contracts. The benefits provided vary in amount depending on the fair value of the Funds’ assets. The Funds’ assets are administered by Primerica Life Canada and are held separate and apart from the general assets of the Company. The liabilities reflect the variable insurance annuity contract holders’ interests in variable annuity assets based upon actual investment performance of the respective Funds. Separate account operating results relating to contract holders’ interests are excluded from our consolidated statements of income.

Primerica Life Canada’s contract offerings guarantee the maturity value at the date of maturity (or upon death, whichever occurs first) to be equal to 75% of the sum of all contributions made, net of withdrawals, on a first-in first-out basis. Otherwise, the maturity value or death benefit will be the accumulated value of units allocated to the contract at the specified valuation date. The amount of this value is not guaranteed, but will fluctuate with the fair value of the Funds.

Future Policy Benefits Liability

Policyholder Liabilities. Future policy benefits are accrued over the current and expected renewal periods of the contracts. Liabilities for future policy benefits on traditional life insurance products have been computed using a net level method, including assumptions as to interest rates, mortality, persistency, and other assumptions based on our experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible adverse deviation. The underlying mortality tables are the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) 65-70, SOA 75-80, SOA 85-90, and the 91 Bragg, modified to reflect various underwriting classifications and assumptions. Interest rate reserve assumptions at December 31, 2017 and 2016 ranged from approximately 3.5% to 7.0%. For policies issued in 2010 and after, we have been using an increasing interest rate assumption to reflect the historically low interest rate environment. The liability for policy claims and other benefits payable on traditional life insurance products includes estimated unpaid claims that have been reported to us and claims incurred but not yet reported.

The future policy benefit reserves we establish are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions and our analysis of historical experience. We do not modify the assumptions used to establish future policy benefit reserves during the policy term unless recoverability testing deems them to be inadequate and there is no remaining DAC associated with the underlying policies. Our results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions we used in determining our future policy benefit reserves and pricing our products. Our future policy benefit reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. We cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments.

Other Policyholders’ Funds. Other policyholders’ funds primarily represent claim payments left on deposit with us.

Litigation

Litigation. The Company is involved from time to time in legal disputes, regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings in the normal course of business. Contingent litigation- related losses are recognized when probable and can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs, such as attorneys’ fees and other litigation-related expenses that are incurred in connection with resolving litigation are expensed as incurred. These disputes are subject to uncertainties, including indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation. Due to the difficulty of estimating costs of litigation, actual costs may be substantially higher or lower than any amounts reserved.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. We are subject to the income tax laws of the United States, its states, municipalities, and certain unincorporated territories, and those of Canada. These tax laws can be complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, we must make judgments and interpretations about the applicability of these tax laws. We also must make estimates about the future impact certain items will have on taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions, both domestic and foreign.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is more likely than not applicable to the periods in which we expect the temporary difference will reverse.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted in the United States. The Tax Reform Act includes a broad range of changes to federal tax legislation including changes to corporate and personal income tax rates, income tax deductions, and international tax provisions. We recognized the effect of tax law changes included in the Tax Reform Act during the year-ended December 31, 2017, as it is the period that includes the date of enactment. See Note 11 (Income Taxes) for details related to the tax effects recognized in connection with the Tax Reform Act.

Premium Revenues

Premium Revenues. Traditional life insurance products consist principally of those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits, and are primarily related to term products. Premiums are recognized as revenues when due.

Commissions and Fees

Commissions and Fees. We receive commission revenues from the sale of various non-life insurance products. Commissions are generally received on sales of mutual funds and annuities. We also receive trail commission revenues from mutual fund and annuity products based on the net asset value of shares sold by us. We, in turn, pay certain commissions to our sales force. Additionally, we receive marketing and support fees from product originators. We also receive management fees based on the average daily net asset value of managed investments and contracts related to separate account assets issued by Primerica Life Canada. We earn recordkeeping fees for administrative functions that we perform on behalf of several of our mutual fund providers and custodial fees for services performed as a non-bank custodian of our clients’ retirement plan accounts. We, in turn, pay a third-party provider for its servicing of certain of these accounts. Commissions and fees are recognized as income during the period in which they are earned.

Benefits And Expenses

Benefits and Expenses. Benefit and expense items are charged to income in the period in which they are incurred. Both the change in policyholder liabilities, which is included in benefits and claims, and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs will vary with policyholder persistency.

Share-based Transactions

Share-Based Transactions. For employee and director share-based compensation awards, we determine a grant date fair value based on the price of our publicly-traded common stock and recognize the related compensation expense, adjusted for actual forfeitures, in the statement of income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For non-employee share-based compensation, we recognize the impact during the period of performance, and the fair value of the award is measured as of the date performance is complete, which is the vesting date. To the extent that a share-based award contains sale restrictions extending beyond the vesting date, we reduce the recognized fair value of the award to reflect the corresponding illiquidity discount. Most non-employee share-based compensation is an incremental direct cost of successful acquisitions or renewals of life insurance policies that result directly from and are essential to the policy acquisition(s) and would not have been incurred had the policy acquisition(s) not occurred. We defer these expenses and amortize the impact in the same manner as all other DAC.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). The Company has outstanding common stock and equity awards that consist of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based stock units (“PSUs”), and stock options. The RSUs maintain non-forfeitable dividend rights that result in dividend payment obligations on a one-to-one ratio with common shares for any future dividend declarations. Unvested RSUs are deemed participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS as they maintain dividend rights.

See Note 13 (Earnings Per Share) for details related to the calculations of our basic and diluted EPS using the two-class method.

New Accounting Principles

New Accounting Principles. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No 2016-09 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 intends to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the recognition of income tax consequences of awards, the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, the method of recognizing award forfeitures, and the presentation of items within the statement of cash flows. The most notable impact on the Company’s financial statements involved the change in accounting for the income tax consequences associated with share-based payment transactions in the income statement. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the tax effect of the difference between the cumulative compensation cost of a share-based award recognized for financial reporting purposes and the deduction of the award for tax purposes (“excess tax benefits or deficiencies”) was recognized as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital in the statement of stockholders’ equity. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 require that the excess tax benefits or deficiencies be recognized as a reduction to or an increase of income tax expense in the income statement. We adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-09 pertaining to excess tax benefits or deficiencies in 2017 on a prospective basis, which resulted in a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $6.1 million for the excess tax benefit of share-based transactions for the year ended December 31, 2017.  ASU 2016-09 also changes the presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies in the cash flow statement from a financing activity to an operating activity. Therefore, we have presented the excess tax benefits or deficiencies as cash flows from operating activities within the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for all periods presented. The adoption of all other amendments outlined in ASU 2016-09 had either no impact to our financial statements or an immaterial impact to our financial statements.

Future Application of Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue by establishing the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. Insurance contracts are specifically excluded from the scope of ASU 2014-09 and therefore revenue from our insurance product lines will not be affected by the new standard. The amendments in ASU 2014-09, as updated by ASU No. 2015-14, are effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018 and can be adopted either retrospectively or by using the modified retrospective method. We will adopt the amendments in ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 by using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 will result in an immaterial increase to retained earnings on January 1, 2018. The adjustment to be recognized upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 primarily consists of recognizing the lifetime expected value of renewal commissions we anticipate collecting in future periods for the sale of prepaid legal service subscriptions and the referral of auto and homeowners’ insurance policies in our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment made prior to December 31, 2017.  After the initial product sale or referral, we earn commissions from product providers as clients pay monthly subscription fees for prepaid legal service subscriptions or premiums on auto and homeowners’ insurance policies purchased through our referral channel. We currently recognize commission revenue upon receipt of the commission revenue from the product providers, which is the point in time when revenue becomes fixed and determinable, as the commissions earned are dependent on our clients’ future renewal activity. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, we will recognize commission revenue equal to the expected value of the commissions we will earn over the life of the subscription or the referred policy when that initial subscription sale or policy referral occurs, which coincides with when we satisfy our performance obligation to the product provider. We do not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a notable impact on our results of operations given the immaterial amount of revenue associated with these product distributions and no significant accounting changes for revenue will be made in any of our other product lines.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10)Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 intends to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments and addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. ASU 2016-01 also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. The recognition and measurement provisions of ASU 2016-01 will be adopted by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 and its primary impact on the Company will be the recognition of all unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities in net income. Currently, all unrealized gains and losses (except for other-than-temporary impairment) on available-for-sale equity securities are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).  The impact of adopting this standard will result in an immaterial adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2018, equal to the value of the net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities as of December 31, 2017. See Note 4 (Investments) for more details of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities held by the Company as of December 31, 2017.

In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (ASC 842) that requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company intends to adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-02 beginning in the first quarter of 2019. We expect the primary impact will be the recognition of our operating lease obligations and corresponding right to use assets on our balance sheet, which mainly consist of our executive and home office operations and other real estate leases of office space as well as office equipment. We anticipate that the impact of adopting this standard will result in an increase to assets and liabilities that is generally consistent with our remaining lease obligations as listed in Note 16 “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” plus any new operating lease commitments agreed to before the effective date.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 introduces new guidance for accounting for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope by replacing the current approach that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred with a new approach that estimates an allowance for anticipated credit losses on the basis of an entity’s own expectations. The objective of the new approach for estimating credit losses is to require consideration of a broader range of forward-looking information, which is expected to result in earlier recognition of credit losses on financial instruments. AFS debt securities are excluded from the scope of financial instruments that require measurement of credit losses on the basis of a forward-looking expected loss estimate under ASU 2016-13. The incurred probable loss approach for measuring credit losses on AFS debt securities will remain under ASU 2016-13 but will be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. Therefore, an entity will be allowed to reverse credit losses previously recorded on AFS debt securities in situations where the estimate of credit losses on those securities has declined.  The amendments in ASU 2016-13 also preclude an entity from considering the length of time an AFS debt security has been in an unrealized loss position to avoid recording a credit loss and remove the requirement to consider recoveries or declines in fair value after the balance sheet date. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 are effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.