Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents placed with high credit quality institutions and accounts receivable due from customers. MRV evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If the Company becomes aware of a customer's inability to meet its financial obligations after a sale has occurred, the Company records an allowance to reduce the net receivable to the amount which it reasonably believes to be collectable from the customer. For all other customers, the Company records allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due, the current business environment, and historical experience. If the financial conditions of MRV's customers were to deteriorate or if economic conditions worsen, additional allowances may be required in the future.

The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 (in thousands):



	Nine months ended
	September 30, 2011

Balance at beginning of period		$	3,492
Charged to expense, net of recoveries		325
Write-offs		(1,795		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		16
Balance at end of period		$	2,038