Recent Accounting Developments (Note)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Developments [Note Text Block]

Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year has had or is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”, which amends ASC 210, “Balance Sheet”. This ASU requires entities to disclose gross and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and those subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This would include derivatives and other financial securities arrangements. This guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The application of the requirements of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

INTANGIBLES – GOODWILL AND OTHER

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, "Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment," which amends ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other." This ASU gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors if it is more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying amount. If that assessment indicates no impairment, the quantitative impairment test is not required. This amendment was effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance in the first quarter of 2013.

HEDGE ACCOUNTING

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-10, "Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes," which amends ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging," to allow entities to use the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate, in addition to U.S. Treasury rates and LIBOR, as a benchmark interest rate in accounting for fair value and cash flow hedges in the United States. The ASU also eliminates the provision that prohibits the use of different benchmark rates for similar hedges except in rare and justifiable circumstances. The ASU was effective prospectively for qualifying new hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013 and for hedging relationships redesignated on or after that date. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

INCOME TAXES

In July 2013, the FASB also issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists," which provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance should be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date which is fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance.