Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Regulators: accounting changes need global reach
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Regulators: accounting changes need global reach
By MARCY GORDON,AP Business Writer AP - Tuesday, September 15
WASHINGTON - Changes in accounting standards, rules and policies for financial institutions must be coordinated globally in the effort to help avoid a recurrence of the economic crisis, federal regulators said Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Now that some measure of confidence has been restored and financial strains are receding, it is time to turn our attention to the lessons learned in the crisis," Fed Gov. Elizabeth Duke told an accounting industry audience on the first anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the day before it filed for bankruptcy. "Accounting standard setters, regulators and policymakers around the world are discussing and proposing preventative measures. Now the challenge lies in integrating those changes smoothly and seamlessly."
President Barack Obama is speaking on Wall Street to detail steps the government has taken to bring the economy back from the precipice, and to discuss plans to wind down the government's role in the U.S. financial sector.
James Kroeker, the chief economist at the Securities and Exchange Commission, said the financial crisis that erupted last year "has highlighted for us the importance of global solutions, even on an accounting front, to complex issues."
Kroeker, who also addressed the gathering of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, noted differing approaches on so-called mark-to-market accounting rules between the U.S. standard setter, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and European standard setters. The rules compel banks to value assets on their balance sheets at current market prices even if they plan to hold them for years.
Still, Kroeker said, "Their differences at this point are more one of degree."
The Obama administration recently proposed stricter international standards for the capital reserves that banks are required to hold as a cushion against potential losses. The plan would require higher capital reserves for firms deemed to be so large and interconnected they pose a threat to the overall stability of the financial system.
Duke said the more stringent standards could constrain the availability of credit if they are accompanied by accounting standards that make it difficult for banks to rid their balance sheets of loans by selling them as securities.
Even with the economy recovering, banks' extension of credit isn't yet up to the level needed to fully pump up growth, said Douglas Duncan, chief economist of mortgage finance company Fannie Mae, which was seized by the government last September along with sibling company Freddie Mac.
The banking industry "has a long way to go to support the expansion," Duncan said at the conference.
Duncan said he thinks the recession is over, but that "it will be a mild recovery."
The SEC in August proposed a plan to allow all public companies to begin using international accounting standards for reporting financial results in two years. The agency may require them to do so starting in 2014.
The SEC's push toward acceptance of a single, global accounting standard has raised objections from some investor advocates and key lawmakers. Supporters _ including Wall Street interests and the accounting industry _ say it makes sense in an era of increasingly globalized financial markets and would help lure foreign companies to U.S. markets.
The international financial reporting standards, or IFRS, would replace the U.S. standards known as generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. U.S. public companies wold have the option of adopting the international standards starting next year.
Most of the comment letters on the proposal received by the agency show support for the idea "of moving to a single set of high-quality accounting standards," Kroeker said. However, many are "fairly downbeat" about being able to adopt the international standards soon, he added.
Duke, who is a member of the Fed panel that sets interest rates, and Kroeker said they were expressing their own views and not representing their agencies' position.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Judge: Hairspray triggered teen's alcohol monitorAP - 1 hour 27 minutes ago
Donated couch comes with stowaway kittenAP - 1 hour 31 minutes ago
Ecuador, Colombia talk again 1 1/2 yrs after invasionAP - 1 hour 33 minutes ago
New York residences raided in terrorism probeAP - 1 hour 36 minutes ago
Exit polls: Norway's government wins re-electionAP - 1 hour 41 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Nestle warns of possible exit from Switzerland
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
Study explains bacteria's resistance to antibiotics
Depression harms cancer survival rates: study
Britain apologises to WWII code-breaker hero
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 Bagram inmates can challenge detention: Pentagon
Europe to emerge from recession in 3rd qtr, says EU
US-TECH Summary
Intel restructures, senior exec leaves for EMC
Netanyahu: no complete West Bank building freeze
sells stake in Alibaba.com for 150 mln dlrs
Venezuela inks $2.2 bln weapons deal with Russia
Intuit buying Mint.com for 170 mln dlrs
Kissing quest makes Taiwan woman a web sensation
Norway left wins rare re-election: exit polls
| International
|
Iraqi court orders the release of Bush shoe thrower
Public trust in US media eroding: Pew study
U.S. behind attack on militant in Somalia: U.S. sources
| International
|
Web TV firm Joost ousts Chairman Mike Volpi
Student leader in dock as Iran resumes protesters' trial
Top U.N official to visit Sri Lanka, discuss refugees
| International
|
Dalai Lama briefed about US approach to Tibet
Obama touts Wall St. changes on Lehman anniversary
U.S. NATO envoy says Europeans firm on Afghanistan
Dalai Lama hopes to meet Obama in Nov: statement
Harkin: `Silent majority' back health care reform
Myanmar politicians' kin set to join new party
Obama urges financial industry to rebuild trust
Taiwan coast guard alerted after Japan nabs skipper
US joins UN rights council as member for 1st time
Outgoing Japan PM bids successor 'good luck'
Inspiration for movie 'Norma Rae' dies at 68
Regulators: accounting changes need global reach
New Islamic law in Indonesia's Aceh province
Obama: Some Wall St. firms ignoring Lehman lessons
Classes resume in riot-turn city of Urumqi, China
Indonesia's Aceh passes law on stoning to death
Tenn. ash spill community getting $40M from TVA
China lodges complaint at WTO over US tyre tariffs
Man accused of attacking mayor pleads insanity
Japanese high-tech giants in cellphone merger
Turkmenistan, Russia's Itera sign energy deal
New film Precious gets big push from Oprah
| Entertainment
|
Whitney Houston says mom rescued her from drugs
| Entertainment
|
Correction: Oprah Winfrey story
Winfrey, Tyler Perry push new film `Precious'
'Big Brother' reunion won't have booted contestant
Rocker Juanes' wife gives birth to son in Miami
Apocalypse now? Dark visions at Toronto film festival
| Entertainment
|
'Shakespeare in Love' set to be reborn as theater
World celebrities sing to stop global warming
Intel restructures, senior exec leaves for EMC
Mafia sank boat with radioactive waste: official
Iran agrees date for nuclear talks in move welcomed by US
Top al Qaeda militant killed in Somalia
| International
|
Europe to emerge from recession in 3rd qtr, says EU
U.S. senator promises look into cellphone-cancer link
Iran agrees date for nuclear talks in move welcomed by US
Magna says to cut 10,500 jobs at Opel
Iranian conservative harshly criticises regime
U.S. envoy meets Netanyahu over settlement freeze
| International
|
Broadcom files patent infringement suit against Emulex
Iran's talks with world powers to start next month
Chile to adopt Japanese digital TV standard: Bachelet
Netanyahu says won't freeze building in settlements
Microsoft testing 'Visual Search'
Obama lashes out at Wall Street
Japan cabinet takes shape, Fujii for finance: media
| International
|
New York Times warns readers of website virus
Norway's Stoltenberg set to stay in power
| International
|
UK's Conservatives have 14 point lead: poll
| International
|
U.S. concerned over Venezuela-Russia arms deal
| International
|
U.N. assembly votes for more powerful women's agency
| International
|
Swiss watchdog threatens to sue Google over Street View
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,344
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 752
HP shows off new ultra-thin PCs, stylish netbook
| Technology
|
Calif. judge gives ex assistant sheriff 27 months
DC subway worker dies after hit by train last week
3 New York residences raided in terrorism probe
Obama admin fights Bagram detainee court access
Rules on Wilson's outburst open to interpretation
U of Illinois faculty back leaders' ouster
Koreas exchange lists of families separated by war
U.S. senator promises look into cellphone-cancer link
| Technology
|
APNewsBreak: Report says punishment led to killing
Japan cabinet takes shape, Fujii for finance
Defense: Brooke Astor was lucid when changing will
Taiwan sub skipper falls overboard during training
Conservationists say 70 dolphins in Japan released
Classes resume after China syringe attacks
4th Guantanamo detainee agrees to move to Palau
Indonesia's Aceh to allow stoning for adulterers
Malaysian judge hands out 2nd caning for alcohol
Missile kills 4 in Pakistan; 18 die in stampede
US turns over seized prehistoric relics to China
Offshore holdings of NZ govt rise in August
S.Korea T-bonds inch up; eyes on jobs data
Actor Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Seoul shares gain as shipbuilders rally;techs down
S.Korea regulator calls for careful exit
Patrick Swayze dead at 57: report
US seeks fresh look at SKorea auto imports
Lowe, Garner blast Kanye West and 'You lie!' lawmaker
Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze dead at 57
| Entertainment
|
Leno launches U.S. prime-time television experiment
| Entertainment
|
Toyota says European demand won't recover till mid-2010
Venice Fest short on prizes for local fare
| Entertainment
|
AES shares rise on report of China interest
Whitney Houston says husband painted evil eyes in house
| Entertainment
|
Lame? Seinfeld stars reunite after 11 years
| Entertainment
|
Kanye West taking time off after debacle
| Entertainment
|
Keanu Reeves hams it up as webisode star
| Entertainment
|
Quentin Tarantino to open Mexican film festival
Actor Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Kiefer Sutherland to head new acting school
| Entertainment
|
New suspect emerges in possible Brian Jones murder
New suspect emerges in possible Brian Jones murder
| Entertainment
|
Marc Jacobs leads pack at NY Fashion Week
New suspect emerges in possible Brian Jones murder
| Entertainment
|
Neil Young taps No Doubt, Chris Martin for benefit
Film star Patrick Swayze dead at 57: reports
Whitney Houston says husband painted evil eyes in house
Lowe, Garner blast Kanye West and 'You lie!' lawmaker
Music world slams Kanye West over awards outburst
Rapper Kanye West taking time off after debacle
Recounts due at 10% of Afghan polling stations
Brown seeks to reassure unions before election
Google launches online news reader 'Fast Flip'
Obama lashes out at Wall Street
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush released from jail
| International
|
Iraqi shoe thrower released; says he was tortured
Iran says lays ground for more cooperation with IAEA
| International
|
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Afghan recount to cover 10 percent of polling stations
| International
|
Iran nuclear talks probably in Turkey: Solana
One in six Mediterranean mammals face extinction
China says 75 suspects held over far-west needle scare
| International
|
Recounts at 10 percent of Afghan polling stations
Russia's Medvedev says may run in 2012 vote: reports
| International
|
Iran talks likely in Turkey
Chinese schools quietly discard controversial Web filter
| International
|
US lawmakers to quiz military chief on Afghan war
Bagram inmates win right to challenge detention
No more reckless behavior: Obama warns Wall Street
Chinese schools quietly discard controversial Web filter
| Technology
|
Scientists find virtual reality helps relieve pain
| Technology
|
Police: College student kills intruder with sword
Plane crash plotter to appear in Indiana court
A paw and a prayer: Pilots save shelter animals
Obama back on the economy
The Nation's weather
Rights group suspends analyst over Nazi collection
Philippine July remittances surge to 9.3 percent
Iraq shoe-thrower freed, accuses guards of torture
China wants action on IMF at G-20 summit
Pakistan foreign investment falls 36 pct in July-Aug
Taiwan dollar rises on stocks, c.bank caps gains
Japan airline to cut 6,800 jobs and seek tie-up
WRAPUP 2-South Korea says economic support has to stay
San Miguel seeks new business opportunities
SLanka foreign reserves record high: central bank
Seoul shares hit 14-mth closing high; banks gain =2
Prince Harry turns 25
Taiwan's Formosa Plastics plans huge Vietnam port
Dan Brown returns after 6 year wait
Aussie rocker Garrett won't join climate change song
Ukraine dismisses Elton John's adoption bid
Marvel vs. Disney: Two very different Americas
Rightwing Czech hate groups target Roma: report
Indonesia flash floods kill 38: official
No drugs please, we're Singaporean goths
Indonesian rights groups condemn new stoning law
Freemasons hail Dan Brown's latest novel as good fun
| Entertainment
|
Leno launches U.S. prime-time television experiment
Flash floods hit Indonesian village, 25 missing
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dies at 57
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights