ASC

ASC 310-948

Financial Services—Mortgage Banking

310 Receivables

Download JSONDownload Markdown34 paragraphs · 13 sectionsIncludes SEC contentJump to summary

Source downloaded: .Record version c697e1284f72. Effective date must be checked in the source.

This subtopic governs how mortgage banking entities account for mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, including classification as held for sale versus held for long-term investment, related origination fees and costs, and transactions with affiliates. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value through a valuation allowance charged to income, while loans held for long-term investment are carried at amortized cost basis with credit losses measured under Subtopic 326-20. Transfers between classifications require reversal in earnings of any previously recorded allowance and re-measurement under the new classification.

Key points (7)
  • A mortgage loan may be classified as a long-term investment only if the entity has both the ability and the intent to hold it for the foreseeable future or until maturity, and the transfer occurs on the transfer date (310-948-25-1); such loans are measured at amortized cost basis (310-948-30-4).
  • For loans held for resale, origination fees and direct loan origination costs are deferred until the loan is sold; for loans held for investment they are deferred and recognized as a yield adjustment under 310-20-35-18 and 310-20-35-21 through 35-26 (310-948-25-3).
  • Mortgage loans held for sale are reported at the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value at the balance sheet date, with any excess of amortized cost over fair value recorded as a valuation allowance whose changes flow through net income; purchase discounts are not amortized as interest revenue while held for sale (310-948-35-1; 310-948-35-2).
  • Fair value of loans held for sale is measured by type of loan (residential and commercial separately, on an aggregate or individual basis), with committed loans valued based on investor commitments and uncommitted loans valued in the principal or most advantageous market under Topic 820 (310-948-35-3).
  • On transfer from held-for-long-term-investment to held-for-sale, the entity reverses any allowance for credit losses in earnings, transfers the loan at amortized cost basis, and then assesses whether a valuation allowance is needed; the reverse process applies for transfers into held-for-long-term-investment (310-948-35-2A; 310-948-35-5A).
  • Mortgage loans to be sold to an affiliate are adjusted to the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value as of the date management decides the sale will occur, with the adjustment charged to income; loans originated exclusively for an affiliate are transferred at the originator's acquisition cost because the originator acts as agent (310-948-30-1; 310-948-30-2).
  • After securitization qualifying as a sale under 860-10-40-5, MBS received as proceeds are classified under Topic 320, except that MBS committed to be sold before or during securitization must be classified as trading (310-948-40-1); the balance sheet must distinguish held-for-sale from held-for-investment loans, transfer-related allowance amounts must be presented gross, and the aggregate-or-individual method must be disclosed (310-948-45-1; 310-948-45-2; 310-948-50-1).

For students. The classification decision (held for sale vs. held for long-term investment) drives everything: fee deferral, measurement basis, and whether you record a valuation allowance or a CECL allowance. A common misunderstanding is treating transfers between classifications as simple reclassifications — the prior allowance must be reversed in earnings and presented gross, not netted.

Machine-generated study aid for ASC 310-948. Check the source paragraphs below.

310-948-00Status

Source downloaded: .Record version 5d2abc8a941c. Effective date must be checked in the source.

310-948-00-1
The following table identifies the changes made to this Subtopic.

310-948-05Overview and Background

Source downloaded: .Record version c28c1decfd7c. Effective date must be checked in the source.

310-948-05-1
This Subtopic addresses the accounting and reporting for mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, and related fees and costs. The Subtopic also provides measurement guidance for mortgage loan transactions with affiliates.

310-948-15Scope and Scope Exceptions

Source downloaded: .Record version 20bb065ea064. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Overall Guidance

310-948-15-1
This Subtopic follows the same Scope and Scope Exceptions as outlined in the Overall Subtopic, see Section 948-10-15.

310-948-25Recognition

Source downloaded: .Record version 3f4278426728. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Loans Held as Long-Term Investments

310-948-25-1
A mortgage loan transferred to a long-term-investment classification shall be transferred on the transfer date. A mortgage loan shall not be classified as a long-term investment unless the mortgage banking entity has both the ability and the intent to hold the loan for the foreseeable future or until maturity.

Fees and Costs

310-948-25-3
If a loan is held for resale, loan origination fees and the direct loan origination costs as specified in Topic 310 shall be deferred until the related loan is sold. If a loan is held for investment, such fees and costs shall be deferred and recognized as an adjustment of yield as specified in paragraphs 310-20-35-18, , and 310-20-50-2.
310-948-25-4
Fees and costs associated with originating or acquiring or committing to originate or acquire loans for investment shall be accounted for as prescribed in Topic 310.
310-948-25-5
Fees received for guaranteeing the funding of mortgage loans to borrowers, builders, or developers shall be accounted for as prescribed in paragraph 310-20-35-3.

310-948-30Initial Measurement

Source downloaded: .Record version 50f234b71f9c. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Affiliated Transactions

310-948-30-1
The carrying amount of mortgage loans to be sold to an affiliated entity shall be adjusted to the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value of the loans as of the date management decides that a sale to an affiliated entity will occur. The date shall be determined based on, at a minimum, formal approval by an authorized representative of the purchaser, issuance of a commitment to purchase the loans, and acceptance of the commitment by the selling entity. The amount of any adjustment shall be charged to income.
310-948-30-2
If a particular class of mortgage loans or all loans are originated exclusively for an affiliated entity, the originator is acting as an agent of the affiliated entity, and the loan transfers shall be accounted for at the originator's acquisition cost. Such an agency relationship, however, would not exist in the case of right of first refusal contracts or similar types of agreements or commitments if the originator retains all the risks associated with ownership of the loans.
310-948-30-3
The originator's acquisition cost must conform to the provisions set forth in Topic 310.

Loans Held as Long-Term Investments

310-948-30-4
A mortgage loan classified as held-for-long-term-investment shall be measured at amortized cost basis. See Subtopic 326-20 for guidance on the measurement of credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost basis.

310-948-35Subsequent Measurement

Source downloaded: .Record version 389841f4ad34. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Loans Held for Sale

310-948-35-1
Mortgage loans held for sale shall be reported at the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value, determined as of the balance sheet date. If a mortgage loan has been the hedged item in a fair value hedge that is not a portfolio layer method hedge (as addressed in Topic 815), the loan's amortized cost basis used in lower-of-amortized-cost-basis-or-fair-value accounting shall reflect the effect of the adjustments of its carrying amount made pursuant to paragraph 815-25-35-1(b).
310-948-35-1A
If a mortgage loan that is held for sale is included in a closed portfolio hedged in an existing portfolio layer method hedge, the loan’s amortized cost basis used in lower-of-amortized-cost-basis-or-fair-value accounting shall not reflect the effect of the adjustments made pursuant to paragraph 815-25-35-1(c). If that portfolio layer method hedge is discontinued pursuant to paragraphs , the loan’s amortized cost basis used in lower-of-amortized-cost-basis-or-fair-value accounting shall reflect the effect of the adjustments of its carrying amount made pursuant to paragraphs 815-25-35-1(b) and 815-25-40-9 through 40-9A.
310-948-35-2
The amount by which amortized cost basis exceeds fair value shall be accounted for as a valuation allowance. Changes in the valuation allowances shall be included in the determination of net income of the period in which the change occurs. Purchase discounts on mortgage loans shall not be amortized as interest revenue during the period the loans or securities are held for sale.
310-948-35-2A
For a mortgage loan that is transferred into the held-for-sale classification from the held-for-long-term-investment classification, an entity shall reverse in earnings any allowance for credit losses previously recorded on the mortgage loan held-for-long-term-investment at the transfer date. An entity shall then reclassify and transfer the mortgage loan into the held-for-sale classification at its amortized cost basis (which is reduced by any previous writeoffs but excludes any allowance for credit losses). An entity shall then determine if a valuation allowance is necessary by following the applicable guidance in this Subtopic.
310-948-35-3
The fair value of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held for sale shall be measured by type of loan. At a minimum, the fair value of residential (one- to four-family dwellings) and commercial mortgage loans shall be measured separately. Either the aggregate or individual loan basis may be used in determining the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value for each type of loan. Fair value for loans subject to investor purchase commitments (committed loans) and loans held on a speculative basis (uncommitted loans) shall be measured separately as follows:
  1. a
    Committed loans. Mortgage loans covered by investor commitments shall be based on the fair values of the loans.
  2. b
    Uncommitted loans. Fair value for uncommitted loans shall be based on principal market or, in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market (see paragraphs 820-10-35-5 through 35-6C). That determination relies on the principles in Topic 820 and would include consideration of the following:
    1. 1
      Market prices and yields sought by market participants in the principal or most advantageous market
    2. 2
      Quoted Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) security prices or other public market quotations for long-term mortgage loan rates
    3. 3
  3. c
310-948-35-3A
Paragraph 948-310-40-1 states that, after the securitization of a mortgage loan held for sale that meets paragraph 860-10-40-5's conditions for a sale, any mortgage-backed securities received by the transferor as proceeds shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of Topic 320. However, a mortgage banking entity shall classify as trading any retained mortgage-backed securities that it commits to sell before or during the securitization process. Paragraph 948-310-40-1 states that an entity is prohibited from reclassifying loans as investment securities unless the transfer of those loans meets paragraph 860-10-40-5's conditions for sale accounting.

Loans Held as Long-Term Investments

310-948-35-4
Any difference between the carrying amount of the loan and its outstanding principal balance shall be recognized as an adjustment to yield by the interest method. The interest method shall be applied as set forth in paragraphs 310-20-35-18, 310-20-35-26, and 310-20-50-2.
310-948-35-5A
For a mortgage loan that is transferred into the held-for-long-term-investment classification from the mortgage loans held-for-sale classification, an entity shall reverse in earnings any valuation allowance previously recorded on the mortgage loan held for sale at the transfer date. An entity shall then reclassify and transfer the mortgage loan into the held-for-long-term-investment classification at its amortized cost basis (which is reduced by any previous writeoffs but excludes any valuation allowance). An entity shall then determine if an allowance for credit losses is necessary by following the guidance in Subtopic 326-20.

Other Considerations

310-948-35-6
Capitalized costs of acquiring rights to service mortgage loans, associated with the purchase or origination of mortgage loans (see paragraph 860-50-25-1), shall be excluded from the cost of mortgage loans for the purpose of determining the lower of cost or fair value.
310-948-35-7
If a loan commitment expires without the loan being made or if a loan is repaid before the estimated repayment date, any related unrecognized fees shall be recognized as revenue or expense at that time.

310-948-40Derecognition

Source downloaded: .Record version fe08dead982c. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Securitization of a Mortgage Loan Held for Sale

310-948-40-1
After the securitization of a mortgage loan held for sale that meets paragraph 860-10-40-5's conditions for a sale, any mortgage-backed securities received by the transferor as proceeds shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of Topic 320. However, paragraph 948-310-35-3A states that a mortgage banking entity must classify as trading any mortgage-backed securities received as proceeds that it commits to sell before or during the securitization process. An entity is prohibited from reclassifying loans as investment securities unless the transfer of those loans meets paragraph 860-10-40-5's conditions for sale accounting.

310-948-45Other Presentation Matters

Source downloaded: .Record version 46075faf8512. Effective date must be checked in the source.

310-948-45-1
Mortgage banking entities using either a classified or unclassified balance sheet shall distinguish between mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for long-term investment.
310-948-45-2
An entity shall present the amounts reversed or established for the valuation allowance and the allowance for credit losses, as applicable, related to the transfer of a mortgage loan between classifications (see paragraphs 948-310-35-2A and 948-310-35-5A) on a gross basis in the income statement. An entity may present those amounts on the income statement or in the notes to financial statements.

310-948-50Disclosure

Source downloaded: .Record version d02a5b7ea317. Effective date must be checked in the source.

310-948-50-1
The method used in determining the lower of amortized cost basis or fair value of mortgage loans (that is, aggregate or individual loan basis) shall be disclosed.

310-948-60Relationships

Source downloaded: .Record version 41979884208c. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Receivables

310-948-60-1
For the accounting for fees and costs associated with originating or acquiring or committing to originate or acquire loans for investment, see Topic 310.

Not-for-Profit Entities

310-948-60-2
For reporting of mortgage-backed securities held by not-for-profit entities (NFPs), see Topic 958.

310-948-S00StatusSEC

Source downloaded: .Record version cf0bdad33b0d. Effective date must be checked in the source.

310-948-S00-1
The following table identifies the changes made to this Subtopic.
ParagraphActionAccounting Standards UpdateDate
948-310-S99-1AmendedAccounting Standards Update No. 2019-0707/26/2019

310-948-S50DisclosureSEC

Source downloaded: .Record version 7a1d8f46bd42. Effective date must be checked in the source.

Supplemental Schedule

310-948-S50-1
See paragraph 205-10-S99-6, Regulation S-X Rule 5-04(c), for the entities required to include Schedule IV—Mortgage Loans on Real Estate.
310-948-S50-2
See paragraph 948-310-S99-1, Regulation S-X Rule 12-29, for the disclosure requirements of Schedule IV—Mortgage Loans on Real Estate.
310-948-S50-3
See paragraph 970-10-S99-1, SAB Topic 7.C, for SEC Staff views on whether certain supplemental schedules are required in annual reports.

310-948-S99SEC MaterialsSEC

Source downloaded: .Record version 9e8439f60bea. Effective date must be checked in the source.

SEC Rules, Regulations, and Interpretations

310-948-S99-1
The following is the text of Regulation S-X Rule 12-29, Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (17 CFR 210.12-29).
  • Reg. § 210.12-29 Mortgage Loans on Real Estate 1 (For certain real estate companies) Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F Column G Column H "Description2,3,4" Interest rate Final maturity date Periodic payment terms5 Prior liens Face amount of mortgages "Carrying amount of mortgages3,6,7,8,9 " "Principal amount of loans subject to delinquent principal or interest10" 1 All money columns shall be totaled. 2 The required information is to be given for each individual mortgage loan which exceeds three percent of the total of column G. 3 "If the portfolio includes large numbers of mortgages most of which are less than three percent of column G, the mortgages not required to be reported separately should be grouped by classifications that will indicate the dispersion of the portfolio, i.e., for a portfolio of mortgages on single family residential housing. The description should also include number of loans by original loan amounts (e.g., over $100,000, $50,000-$99,999, $20,000-$49,000, under $20,000) and type loan (e.g., VA, FHA, Conventional). Interest rates and maturity dates may be stated in terms of ranges. Data required by columns D, E and F may be omitted for mortgages not required to be reported individually." 4 "Loans should be grouped by categories, e.g., first mortgage, second mortgage, construction loans, etc., and for each loan the type of property, e.g., shopping center, high rise apartments, etc., and its geographic locations should be stated." 5 "State whether principal and interest is payable at level amount over life to maturity or at varying amounts over life to maturity. State amount of balloon payment at maturity, if any. Also state prepayment penalty terms, if any." 6 "In a note to this schedule, furnish a reconciliation, in the following form, of the carrying amount of mortgage loans at the beginning of each period for which statements of comprehensive income are required, with the total amount shown in column G: Balance at beginning of period ....................................................................................... $ ............................ Additions during period: New mortgage loans................................................ $ ............................... Other (describe) ...................................................... ................................ ............................ Deductions during period: Collections of principal ............................................ $................................ Foreclosures .......................................................... ................................ Cost of mortgages sold ........................................... ................................ Amortization of premium .......................................... ................................. Other (describe) ..................................................... ................................. ............................ Balance at close of period $ ............................" "If additions represent other than cash expenditures, explain. If any of the changes during the period result from transactions, directly or indirectly with affiliates, explain the bases of such transactions, and state the amounts involved. State the aggregate mortgages (a) renewed and (b) extended. If the carrying amount of new mortgages is in excess of the unpaid amount of the extended mortgages, explain." 7 "If any item of mortgage loans on real estate investments has been written down or reserved against, describe the item and explain the basis for the write-down or reserve." 8 State in a note to column G the aggregate cost for Federal income tax purposes. 9 "The amount of all intercompany profits in the total of column G shall be stated, if material." 10 "(a) Interest in arrears for less than 3 months may be disregarded in computing the total amount of principal subject to delinquent interest. (b) Of the total principal amount, state the amount acquired from controlled and other affiliates."
[38 FR 6069, Mar. 6, 1973; 38 FR 7323, Mar. 20, 1973. Redesignated at 45 FR 63680, Sept. 25, 1980; 83 FR 50209, Oct. 4, 2018]

Related subtopics