| Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates. (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2018 |
| Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates. | |
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) and with the instructions provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The FHLBNY has identified certain accounting policies that it believes are significant because they require management to make subjective judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or by using different assumptions. These policies include estimating the allowance for credit losses on the advance and mortgage loan portfolios, evaluating the impairment of the FHLBNY’s securities portfolios, and estimating fair values of certain assets and liabilities. |
| Financial Instruments with Legal Right of Offset | Financial Instruments with Legal Right of Offset
The FHLBNY has derivative instruments, and from time to time, securities purchased under agreements to resell that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements. The FHLBNY has elected to offset its derivative asset and liability positions, as well as cash collateral received or pledged, when it has the legal right of offset under these master agreements. The FHLBNY did not have any offsetting liabilities related to its securities purchased under agreements to resell for the periods presented.
The net exposure for these financial instruments can change on a daily basis; therefore, there may be a delay between the time this exposure change is identified and additional collateral is requested, and the time when this collateral is received or pledged. Likewise, there may be a delay for excess collateral to be returned. For derivative instruments, any excess cash collateral received or pledged is recognized as a derivative liability or as a derivative asset based on the terms of the individual master agreement between the FHLBNY and its derivative counterparty. Additional information regarding these agreements is provided in Note 17. Derivatives and Hedging Activities. For securities purchased under agreements to resell, the FHLBNY did not have any unsecured amounts based on the fair value of the related collateral held at the end of the periods presented. Additional information about the FHLBNY’s investments in securities purchased under agreements to resell is disclosed in Note 4. Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell. |
| Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures | Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements , discusses how entities should measure fair value based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability between market participants at the measurement date. This definition is based on an exit price rather than transaction or entry price.
Valuation Techniques — Three valuation techniques are prescribed under the fair value measurement standards — Market approach, Income approach and Cost approach. Valuation techniques for which sufficient data is available and that are appropriate under the circumstances should be used.
In determining fair value, the FHLBNY uses various valuation methods, including both the market and income approaches.
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Market approach — This technique uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
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Income approach — This technique uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a single present amount (discounted), based on assumptions used by market participants. When the income approach is used, the fair value measurement reflects current market expectations about those future amounts. The present value technique used to measure fair value depends on the facts and circumstances specific to the asset or liability being measured and the availability of data.
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Cost approach — This approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (often referred to as current replacement cost).
The FHLBNY has complied with the accounting standards under Fair Value Measurement that defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosure about fair value measurement on assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the balance sheet.
For more information about the fair value hierarchy, and the hierarchy levels of the FHLBNY’s financial instruments, see Note 18. Fair Values of Financial Instruments.
On a recurring basis, fair values were measured and recorded in the Statements of Condition for derivatives, available-for-sale securities (AFS securities), securities designated as trading, equity investments, and financial instruments elected under the Fair Value Option (FVO).
On a non-recurring basis, credit impaired (OTTI) held-to-maturity securities were measured and recorded at their fair values in the Statements of Condition. When credit impaired mortgage loans held-for-portfolio were partially charged off, the loans were written down to their collateral values on a non-recurring basis.
Fair values of derivative positions — The FHLBNY is an end-user of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives to hedge assets, liabilities, and certain firm commitments to mitigate fair value risks. Valuations of derivative assets and liabilities reflect the value of the instrument including the value associated with counterparty risk. Derivative values also take into account the FHLBNY’s own credit standing. The computed fair values of the FHLBNY’s OTC derivatives take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow the FHLBNY to settle positive and negative positions and offset cash collateral with the same counterparty on a net basis. The agreements include collateral thresholds that reflect the net credit differential between the FHLBNY and its derivative counterparties. On a contract-by-contract basis, the collateral and netting arrangements sufficiently mitigated the impact of the credit differential between the FHLBNY and its derivative counterparties to an immaterial level such that an adjustment for nonperformance risk was not deemed necessary.
Fair values of investments classified as AFS securities — The FHLBNY’s investments classified as AFS are primarily mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which are GSE-issued variable-rate collateralized mortgage obligations and are recorded at fair values. The MBS fair values are estimated by management using specialized pricing services that employ pricing models or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. The FHLBNY has established that the pricing vendors use methods that generally employ, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, recent trades, dealer estimates, valuation models, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and/or matrix pricing.
Fair values of Other assets and liabilities — For more information about methodologies used by the FHLBNY to validate vendor pricing, and fair value “Levels” associated with assets and liabilities recorded on the FHLBNY’s Statements of Condition at December 31, 2018 and 2017, see financial statements, Note 18. Fair Values of Financial Instruments. |
| Classification of Investment Securities and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI) - Accounting and Governance Policies, and Impairment Analysis | Classification of Investment Securities
The FHLBNY classifies a debt security at the date of acquisition as trading, held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Investments designated as held-to-maturity and available-for-sale are primarily GSE-issued mortgage-backed securities. Investments designated as trading are primarily U.S. Treasury securities. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade date basis. Prepayments are estimated for purposes of amortizing premiums and accreting discounts on investment securities in accordance with accounting standards for investments in debt and equity securities, which requires premiums and discounts to be recognized in income at a constant effective yield over the life of the instrument. Because actual prepayments often deviate from the estimates, the effective yield is recalculated periodically to reflect actual prepayments to date. Adjustments of the effective yields for mortgage-backed securities are recorded on a retrospective basis, as if the new estimated life of the security had been known at its original acquisition date.
The Bank’s trading portfolio is to enhance the FHLBNY’s liquidity position, and is invested primarily in U.S. Treasury securities and GSE-issued bonds. The securities are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value of these investments recorded in Other income. The Bank does not participate in speculative trading practices and holds these investments indefinitely as the FHLBNY periodically evaluates its liquidity needs.
Held-to-Maturity Securities — The FHLBNY classifies debt securities for which it has both the ability and intent to hold to maturity as held-to-maturity investments. Such investments are recorded at amortized cost basis, which includes adjustments made to the cost of an investment for accretion and amortization of discounts and premiums, collection of cash and, if hedged, the fair value hedge accounting adjustments. If a held-to-maturity security is determined to be credit impaired or other-than-temporarily impaired (OTTI), the amortized cost basis of the security is adjusted for credit losses. Amortized cost basis of a held-to-maturity OTTI security is further adjusted for impairment related to all other factors (also referred as the non-credit component of OTTI) and recognized in AOCI; the adjusted amortized cost basis is the carrying value of the OTTI security as reported in the Statements of Condition. Carrying value for a held-to-maturity security that is not OTTI is its amortized cost basis. Interest earned on such securities is included in Interest income.
In accordance with accounting standards for investments in debt and equity securities, sales of debt securities that meet either of the following two conditions may be considered as maturities for purposes of the classification of securities: (1) the sale occurs near enough to its maturity date (or call date if exercise of the call is probable) such that interest rate risk is substantially eliminated as a pricing factor and the changes in market interest rates would not have a significant effect on the security’s fair value, or (2) the sale of a security occurs after the FHLBNY has already collected a substantial portion (at least 85%) of the principal outstanding at acquisition.
Available-for-Sale Securities — The FHLBNY classifies debt securities that it may sell before maturity as AFS and carries them at fair value. Until AFS securities are sold, changes in fair values are recorded in AOCI as Net unrealized gain or (loss) on AFS securities. The FHLBNY computes gains and losses on sales of debt securities using the specific identification method and includes these gains and losses in Other income (loss).
Trading Securities — Debt securities classified as trading are held for liquidity purposes and carried at fair value. We record changes in the fair value of these investments through Other income as net realized and unrealized gains or losses on trading securities. The Finance Agency prohibits speculative trading practices but allows permitted securities to be deemed held for liquidity if invested in a trading portfolio. We periodically evaluate our liquidity needs and may dispose these investments as deemed prudent by liquidity and market conditions.
Equity Securities — Adoption at January 1, 2018 of ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, as an amendment to Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10) provided
guidance on the measurement and classification of equity investments. Effective January 1, 2018, the FHLBNY measures its equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, thus eliminating eligibility for the available-for-sale category. Prior to the adoption of the ASU, the FHLBNY classified its equity investments as AFS. The FHLBNY’s equity investments comprise of mutual fund assets in grantor trusts owned by the FHLBNY. The intent of the grantor trusts is to set aside cash to meet current and future payments for supplemental unfunded pension plans. Prior period financial statements were not required to be restated under the transition provisions of this ASU.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI) — Accounting and Governance Policies, and Impairment Analysis
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance on the recognition and presentation of OTTI is primarily intended to provide greater clarity to investors about the credit and non-credit component of an OTTI event and to more effectively communicate when an OTTI event has occurred. The guidance is incorporated in the FHLBNY’s investment policies, and is summarized below.
The FHLBNY evaluates its investments for impairment quarterly, and determines if unrealized losses are temporary based in part on the creditworthiness of the issuers, and in part on the underlying collateral within the structure of the security and the cash flows expected to be collected on the security. A security is considered impaired if its fair value is less than its amortized cost basis.
To assess whether the amortized cost basis of the FHLBNY’s private-label MBS (PLMBS) will be recovered in future periods, the FHLBNY performs OTTI analysis by cash flow testing its entire portfolio of private-label MBS (PLMBS), all of which were classified as held-to-maturity. The FHLBNY evaluates its individual securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government agencies, or state and local housing agencies by considering the creditworthiness and performance of the debt securities and the strength of the guarantees underlying the securities. Additional testing is performed on housing agency bonds by a review of fair values of bonds that are in unrealized loss position to assess whether fair values are in line with pricing curves with similar credit parameters.
If a decision to sell the impaired investment has not been made, but management concludes that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell such a security before recovery of the amortized cost basis of the security, an OTTI is also considered to have occurred.
For the FHLBNY’s PLMBS, even if management does not intend to sell an impaired PLMBS, management determines whether an OTTI has occurred by comparing the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the security’s amortized cost, an OTTI exists, irrespective of whether management will be required to sell such a security. The FHLBNY’s methodology to calculate the present value of expected cash flows is to discount the expected cash flows (principal and interest) of a fixed-rate security that is being evaluated for OTTI, by using the effective interest rate of the security as of the date it was acquired. For a variable-rate security that is evaluated for OTTI, the expected cash flows are computed using a forward-rate curve and discounted using the forward rates.
If the FHLBNY determines that OTTI has occurred, it accounts for the investment security as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the other-than-temporary impairment. The investment security is written down to fair value, which becomes its new amortized cost basis. The new amortized cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.
For securities designated as AFS, subsequent unrealized changes to the fair values (other than OTTI) are recorded in AOCI. For securities designated as HTM or held-to-maturity, the amount of OTTI recorded in AOCI for the non-credit component of OTTI is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the securities based on the timing and amounts of estimated future cash flows. Amortization out of AOCI is offset by an increase in the carrying value of securities until the securities are repaid or are sold or additional OTTI is recognized in earnings.
If subsequent evaluation indicates a significant increase in cash flows greater than previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than previously expected, the increases are accounted for as a prospective adjustment to the acceptable yield through interest income. In subsequent periods, if the fair value of
the investment security has further declined below its then-current carrying value and there has been a decrease in the estimated cash flows the FHLBNY expects to collect, the FHLBNY will deem the security as OTTI. Accretion to interest income will be discontinued and will resume if improvements in cash flows are subsequently observed.
OTTI FHLBank System Governance Committee — The OTTI Governance Committee (OTTI Committee) of the FHLBanks has the responsibility for reviewing and approving key modeling assumptions, inputs, and methodologies to be used by the FHLBanks to generate the cash flow projections used in analyzing credit losses and determining OTTI for PLMBS, also referred to as the “Common platform”. The goal is to promote consistency among all FHLBanks in the process for determining OTTI for PLMBS. The OTTI Committee charter provides a formal process by which the FHLBanks can provide input on and approve the assumptions. FHLBanks that hold the same PLMBS are required to consult with one another to make sure that any decision that a commonly held PLMBS is OTTI, including the determination of fair value and the credit loss component of the unrealized loss, is consistent among those FHLBanks.
Consistent with guidelines provided by the OTTI Committee, the FHLBNY has contracted with the FHLBanks of San Francisco and Chicago to provide cash flows using the Common platform for certain of the FHLBNY’s PLMBS that had appropriate loan-level performance data that the Common platform could utilize to generate cash flows. Cash flows generated in the Common platform is the primary source for OTTI assumption parameters for those securities. The FHLBNY performs its own review of the cash flows generated by the Common platform.
For the remaining PLMBS securities, expected cash flows are generated by the FHLBNY using historical loan performance parameters and its own assumptions.
Cash Flow Analysis Derived from the FHLBNY’s Own Assumptions — Assessment for OTTI employed by the FHLBNY’s own techniques and assumptions are determined primarily using historical performance data. These are then benchmarked by comparing to performance parameters from the “Market consensus” measures.
The FHLBNY calculates the historical average of each bond’s prepayments, defaults, and loss severities, and considers other factors such as delinquencies and foreclosures, primarily based on performance statistics extracted from reports from trustees, loan servicers and other sources. Many of the FHLBNY’s PLMBS are insured by monoline insurers, and the FHLBNY makes an assessment of the monoline’s ability to fulfill its guarantee obligations to cover future cash flow shortfalls. The analysis also considers various characteristics of each security including, but not limited to, the following: the credit rating and related outlook or status; the creditworthiness of the issuers of the debt securities; the underlying type of collateral; the year of securitization or vintage, the duration and level of the unrealized loss, credit enhancements, if any; and other collateral-related characteristics such as FICO® credit scores, and delinquency rates. The relative importance of this information varies based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each security as well as the economic environment at the time of assessment.
Under the FHLBNY’s internal processes, each bond’s performance parameters, primarily prepayments, defaults and loss severities, and bond insurance financial guarantee predictors, as calculated by the FHLBNY’s internal approach are then input into the specialized bond cash flow model that allocates the projected collateral level losses to the various security classes in the securitization structure in accordance with its prescribed cash flow and loss allocation rules. In a securitization in which the credit enhancements for the senior securities are derived from the presence of subordinate securities, losses are generally allocated first to the subordinate securities until their principal balance is reduced to zero.
Cash Flows derived by the FHLBanks OTTI Committee — The Common platform considers borrower characteristics and the particular attributes of the loans underlying a security, in conjunction with assumptions about future changes in home prices and interest rates, to project prepayments, defaults and loss severities.
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the remaining payment terms for the security;
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reliance on monoline insurers to fulfill guarantees;
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prepayment speeds based on underlying loan-level borrower and loan characteristics;
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default rates based on underlying loan-level borrower and loan characteristics;
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loss severity on the collateral supporting each FHLBank’s security based on underlying loan-level borrower and loan characteristics;
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expected housing price changes; and
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interest-rate assumptions.
Future loan performance parameters, such as projected prepayments, defaults and loss severities, and others, are then input into a second model that allocates the projected loan level cash flows and losses to the various security classes in the securitization structure in accordance with its prescribed cash flow and loss allocation rules. In a securitization in which the credit enhancement for the senior securities is derived from the presence of subordinate securities, losses are generally allocated first to the subordinate securities until their principal balance is reduced to zero.
GSE-Issued Securities — The FHLBNY evaluates its individual securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or government agency, collectively GSE or Agency securities, by considering the creditworthiness and performance of the debt securities and the strength of the GSE’s guarantees of the securities. Based on the FHLBNY’s analysis, GSE securities are performing in accordance with their contractual agreements. The Housing Act contains provisions allowing the U.S. Treasury to provide support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The U.S. Treasury and the Finance Agency have placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship in an attempt to stabilize their financial conditions and their ability to support the secondary mortgage market. The FHLBNY believes that it will recover its investments in GSE and agency issued securities given the current levels of collateral and credit enhancements and guarantees that exist to protect the investments. |
| Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell | Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell
Federal Funds Sold . Federal funds sold are recorded at cost on settlement date and interest is accrued using contractual rates.
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell. As part of the FHLBNY’s banking activities with counterparties, the FHLBNY may enter into secured financing transactions that mature overnight, and can be extended only at the discretion of the FHLBNY. These transactions involve the lending of cash, against which securities are taken as collateral. The FHLBNY does not have the right to repledge the securities received. Securities purchased under agreements to resell generally do not constitute a transfer of the underlying securities. The FHLBNY treats securities purchased under agreements to resell as collateralized financings because the counterparty retains control of the securities. Interest from such securities is included in Interest income. The FHLBNY did not have any offsetting liabilities related to its securities purchased under agreements to resell for the periods presented. |
| Advances | Advances
Accounting for Advances. The FHLBNY reports advances at amortized cost, net of unearned commitment fees, discounts and premiums (discounts are generally associated with advances for the Affordable Housing Program). If the advance is hedged in a benchmark hedge, its carrying value will include hedging valuation adjustments, which will typically be the result of changes in the LIBOR index. If an advance is accounted under the Fair Value Option, the carrying value of the advances elected will be its fair value.
The FHLBNY records interest on advances to income as earned, and amortizes the premium and accretes the discounts on a contractual basis to interest income using a level-yield methodology. Typically, advances are issued at par.
Impairment Analysis of Advances . An advance will be considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the FHLBNY will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the advance agreement. The FHLBNY has established asset classification and reserve policies. All adversely classified assets of the FHLBNY will have a reserve established for probable losses. Following the requirements of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932 (FHLBank Act), as amended, the FHLBNY obtains sufficient collateral on advances to protect it from losses. The FHLBank Act limits eligible collateral to certain investment securities, residential mortgage loans, cash or deposits with the FHLBNY, and other eligible real estate related assets. Borrowing members pledge their capital stock of the FHLBNY as additional collateral for advances.
The FHLBNY has not incurred any credit losses on advances since its inception. Based upon the financial condition of its borrowers, the collateral held as security on the advances and repayment history, management of the FHLBNY believes that an allowance for credit losses on advances is unnecessary.
Advance Modifications. From time to time, the FHLBNY will enter into an agreement with a member to modify the terms of an existing advance. The FHLBNY evaluates whether the modified advance meets the accounting criteria under ASC 310-20 to qualify as a modification of an existing advance or as a new advance in accordance with provisions under creditor’s accounting for a modification or exchange of debt instruments. The evaluation includes analysis of (i) whether the effective yield on the new advance is at least equal to the effective yield for a comparable advance to a similar member that is not refinancing or restructuring, and (ii) whether the modification of the original advance is more than minor. If the FHLBNY determines that the modification is more than minor, the transaction is treated as an advance termination and the subsequent funding of a new advance, with gains or losses recognized in earnings for the period. If the advance is in a hedging relationship, and the modification is more than minor, the FHLBNY will consider the hedge relationship as terminated and previously recorded hedge basis adjustments are amortized over the life of the hedged advance through interest income as a yield adjustment. If the modification of the hedged item and the derivative instrument is considered minor, and if the hedge relationship is de-designated and contemporaneously re-designated, the FHLBNY would not require amortization of previously recorded hedge basis adjustments, although the assumption of no ineffectiveness is removed if the hedge was previously designated as a short-cut hedge.
The FHLBNY performs a “test of a modification” under the guidance provided in ASC 310-20-35-11 each time a new advance is borrowed within a short-period of time, typically 5 business days after a prepayment. If a prepayment fee is received on an advance that is determined to be a modification of the original advance, the fee would be deferred, recorded in the basis of the modified advance, and amortized over the life of the modified advance using the level-yield method. This amortization would be recorded as a component of interest income from advances.
Prepayment Fees on Advances . Generally, advances are prepaid by members at their fair values. The FHLBNY also charges the member a prepayment fee to make the FHLBNY financially indifferent to the early termination of the advance.
For a prepaid advance that had been hedged under a qualifying fair value hedge, the FHLBNY would terminate the hedging relationship. Typically, the FHLBNY would terminate the interest rate swap, and would record the fair value exchanged with the swap counterparty as its settlement value. Prepayment fees received from the prepaying member to make the FHLBNY financially indifferent is recognized in earnings as interest income from advances.
For prepaid advances that are not hedged or that are economically hedged, the FHLBNY would also charge the member the fair value of the advance, in addition to a prepayment fee that would make the FHLBNY financially indifferent to the early termination.
The FHLBNY offers a rebate, which is typically a portion of the prepayment fee. The rebate is contingent upon the prepaying member borrowing new advances within a 30-day period following prepayment, also satisfying conditions to qualify for the rebate, and complying with the then prevailing terms and conditions for borrowing new advances. At the time a prepayment fee is received from the borrowing member, a portion of the fee, deemed to be potentially rebatable, is not recognized in earnings. The rebatable amount is deferred as a liability as the FHLBNY considers the rebate opportunity for the member a contingency for the FHLBNY. Until no likelihood exists, such that the member has a potential claim to a rebate within the 30-day rebate period, the potential rebatable amount will be considered to be contingently payable. That amount will be deferred, based on the supposition that the rebatable portion of the prepayment fee may not be recognized as a revenue in its entirety because it may be subject to a claim payable to a third party, the borrowing member. Amounts would be recorded once the contingency has been resolved, i.e. when any future potential claims to rebatable funds have expired (30-day rebate period has expired) or has been otherwise settled and resolved (member enters into new qualifying advances within the 30-day period). Only after the member has no further claims on the funds, and the FHLBNY has no obligations to rebate funds, the deferred amounts may only then be released to earnings. The actual rebate would depend on the amount and the maturity duration of the new advance. |
| Mortgage Loans Held-for-Portfolio | Mortgage Loans Held-for-Portfolio
Credit Enhancement Obligations and Loss Layers. The FHLBNY and the PFI share the credit risks of the uninsured MPF loans by structuring potential credit losses into layers. Collectability of the loans is first supported by liens on the real estate securing the loan. For conventional mortgage loans, additional loss protection is provided by private mortgage insurance required for MPF loans with a loan-to-value ratio of more than 80% at origination, which is paid for by the borrower. Credit losses are absorbed by the FHLBNY to the extent of the First Loss Account (FLA) for which the maximum exposure is estimated to be $35.8 million at December 31, 2018 and $33.3 million at December 31, 2017. The aggregate amount of FLA is memorialized and tracked but is neither recorded nor reported as a loan loss reserve in the FHLBNY’s financial statements. If “second losses” beyond this layer are incurred, they are absorbed through a credit enhancement provided by the PFI. The credit enhancement held by PFIs ensures that the lender retains a credit stake in the loans it sells to the FHLBNY, or for the MPF 100 product that the PFI originates as an agent for the FHLBNY. For assuming the second loss credit risk, PFIs receive monthly credit enhancement fees from the FHLBNY. For most MPF products, the credit enhancement fee is accrued and paid monthly after the FHLBNY has accrued 12 months of credit enhancement fees. For new loans acquired after May 2017, the amount of the credit enhancement is computed with the use of a Standard & Poor’s model to determine the amount of credit enhancement necessary to bring a pool of uninsured loans to a “Single A” credit risk. Prior to May 2017, the credit enhancement was calculated to a “Double A” credit risk. The credit enhancement becomes an obligation of the PFI.
Delivery commitment fees are charged to a PFI for extending the scheduled delivery period of the loans. Pair-off fees may be assessed and charged to a PFI when the settlement of the delivery commitment (1) fails to occur, or (2) the principal amount of the loans purchased by the FHLBNY under a delivery commitment is not equal to the contract amount beyond established limits.
Accounting for Mortgage Loans. The FHLBNY has the intent and ability to hold these mortgage loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, and classifies mortgage loans as held-for-portfolio. Loans are reported at their principal amount outstanding, net of premiums and discounts, which is the fair value of the mortgage loan on settlement date. The FHLBNY defers premiums and discounts, and uses the contractual method to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on mortgage loans. The contractual method recognizes the income effects of premiums and discounts in a manner that is reflective of the actual behavior of the mortgage loans during the period in which the behavior occurs while also reflecting the contractual terms of the assets without regard to changes in estimated prepayments based upon assumptions about future borrower behavior.
Mortgage loans are written down to their fair values either at foreclosure or to their collateral values when collectability is doubtful, typically when delinquent 180 days or greater and the loan is not well collateralized. Mortgage loans are held-for-portfolio, and when a loan is partially charged off, the remaining loan balance is typically written down and recorded at its collateral value on a non-recurring basis (see Note 18. Fair Values of Financial Instruments).
The FHLBNY records credit enhancement fees as a reduction to mortgage loan interest income. Other non-origination fees, such as delivery commitment extension fees and pair-off fees, are considered as derivative income and recorded over the life of the commitment; all such fees were insignificant for all periods reported.
Non-Accrual Mortgage Loans. The FHLBNY places a mortgage loan on non-accrual status when the collection of the contractual principal or interest is seriously delinquent, which for the FHLBNY is typically 90 days or more past due. When a mortgage loan is placed on non-accrual status, accrued but uncollected interest is reversed against interest income. A loan on non-accrual status may be restored to accrual when (1) principal and interest is no longer delinquent, (2) the FHLBNY expects to collect the remaining interest and principal, and (3) the collection is not under legal proceedings. For mortgage loans on non-accrual status, impairment calculations would consider if the collection of the remaining principal and interest due is determined to be doubtful, and any cash received would be applied first to principal until the remaining principal amount due is collected, and then as a recovery of any charge-offs. Any remaining cash flows would be recorded as interest income. If the FHLBNY determines that the loan servicer on a non-accrual loan has paid the accrued interest receivable as an advance, which is likely to be subject to recovery by the borrower, the FHLBNY would consider the cash received as a liability until the impaired loan returns to a performing status. The cumulative amounts of cash received and recorded as a liability was $2.3 million at December 31, 2018 and $3.9 million at December 31, 2017.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Mortgage Loans. The FHLBNY reviews its portfolio to identify the losses inherent within the portfolio and to determine the likelihood of collection of the principal and interest. A valuation allowance for credit loss is separately established for each identified loan (individually evaluated) in order to provide for probable losses inherent in loans that are either classified under regulatory criteria (Special Mention, Sub-standard, Doubtful, or Loss) or seriously delinquent. The FHLBNY deems that foreclosure is probable when its mortgage loans become seriously delinquent. For the purposes of impairment, the FHLBNY deems loans that are in bankruptcy as impaired, regardless of their delinquency status. Loans discharged from bankruptcy are considered as Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs), and an impairment analysis is performed if the loan is seriously delinquent.
Mortgage loans that are not seriously delinquent or are performing are assessed for impairment on a collective basis under the accounting standards for evaluating “large groups of smaller-balance homogenous loans”. In determining our collective reserve, we base our impairment analysis by performing a “loss emergence analysis” that applies historical default rates and historical probability of default.
Credit losses calculated on a collective basis are aggregated with credit losses calculated on an individual basis. The aggregate allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans was $0.8 million at December 31, 2018 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2017.
Impairment Methodology and Portfolio Segmentation and Disaggregation — Except for VA and FHA insured mortgage loans, all MPF loans are measured for impairment and analyzed for credit losses. Measurement of credit losses is based on current information and events and when it is probable that the FHLBNY will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Credit losses are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs. It is assumed that repayment is expected to be provided solely by the sale of the underlying property, that is, there is no other available and reliable source of repayment. To the extent that the net fair value of the property (collateral) is less than the recorded investment in the loan, a loan loss allowance is recorded. FHA and VA are insured loans, and are excluded from the loan-by-loan analysis. FHA and VA insured mortgage loans have minimal inherent credit risk; risk generally arises mainly from the servicers defaulting on their obligations. FHA and VA insured mortgage loans, if adversely classified, would have reserves established only in the event of a default of a PFI, and reserves would be based on aging, collateral value and estimated costs to recover any uninsured portion of the MPF loan.
Aside from separating conventional mortgage loans from FHA and VA insured loans, the FHLBNY has determined that no further disaggregation or portfolio segmentation is needed as the credit risk is measured at the individual loan level.
Charge-Off Policy — The FHLBNY complies with the guidance provided by the FHFA to perform a charge-off analysis when a loan is on non-accrual status for 180 days or more and the loan is not well collateralized. The charge-off is calculated as the amount of the shortfall of the fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated selling costs, compared to the recorded investment in the loan.
Real Estate Owned (REO) — REO includes assets that have been received in satisfaction of mortgage loans through foreclosure. REO is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs of the REO. At the date of transfer, from mortgage loan to REO, the FHLBNY recognizes a charge-off to allowance for credit losses if the fair value of the REO is less than the recorded investment in the loan. Any subsequent realized gains, realized or unrealized losses and carrying costs are included in Other income (non-interest) in the Statements of Income. REO is recorded in Other assets in the Statements of Condition. |
| Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock | Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock
Generally, the FHLBNY’s capital stock is redeemable at the option of both the member and the FHLBNY, subject to certain conditions. The FHLBNY’s capital stock is accounted for under the guidance for financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. Dividends paid on capital stock classified as mandatorily redeemable stock are accrued at an estimated dividend rate and reported as interest expense in the Statements of Income.
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock at December 31, 2018 and 2017 represented capital stocks held by former members.
Accounting Considerations under the Capital Plan — There are three triggering events that could cause the FHLBNY to repurchase capital stock.
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a member requests redemption of excess membership stock;
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a member delivers notice of its intent to withdraw from membership; or
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a member attains non-member status (through merger into or acquisition by a non-member, charter termination, or involuntary termination from membership).
The member’s request to redeem excess Membership Stock will be considered to be revocable until the stock is repurchased. Since the member’s request to redeem excess Membership Stock can be withdrawn by the member without penalty, the FHLBNY considers the member’s intent regarding such request to not be substantive in nature; therefore, no reclassification to a liability will be made at the time the request is delivered.
Under the Capital Plan, when a member delivers a notification of its intent to withdraw from membership, the reclassification from equity to a liability will become effective upon receipt of the notification. The FHLBNY considers the member’s intent regarding such notification to be substantive in nature; therefore, reclassification to a liability will be made at the time the notification of the intent to withdraw is delivered. When a member is acquired by a non-member, the FHLBNY reclassifies stock of former members to a liability on the day the member’s charter is dissolved. Unpaid dividends related to capital stock reclassified as a liability are accrued at an estimated dividend rate and reported as interest expense in the Statements of Income. The repurchase of these mandatorily redeemable financial instruments is reflected as a cash outflow in the financing activities section of the Statements of Cash Flows.
The FHLBNY’s capital stock can only be acquired and redeemed at par value; and are not traded and no market mechanism exists for the exchange of stock outside the cooperative structure. |
| Affordable Housing Program | Affordable Housing Program
The FHLBank Act requires each FHLBank to establish and fund an AHP (see Note 13. Affordable Housing Program). The FHLBNY charges the required funding for AHP to earnings and establishes a liability. The AHP funds provide subsidies to members to assist in the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households. The AHP assessment is based on a fixed percentage of income before adjustment for dividends associated with mandatorily redeemable capital stock. Dividend payments are reported as interest expense in accordance with the accounting guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. If the FHLBNY incurs a loss for the entire year, no AHP assessment or assessment credit is due or accrued, as explained more fully in Note 13. Affordable Housing Program.
From time to time, the FHLBNY may also issue AHP advances at interest rates below the customary interest rates for non-subsidized advances. When the FHLBNY makes an AHP advance, the present value of the variation in the cash flow caused by the difference between the AHP advance interest rate and the FHLBNY’s related cost of funds for comparable maturity funding is charged against the AHP liability. The amounts are then recorded as a discount on the AHP advance. As an alternative, the FHLBNY has the authority to make the AHP subsidy available to members as a grant. |
| Commitment Fees | Commitment Fees
The FHLBNY records the present value of fees receivable from standby letters of credit as an asset and an offsetting liability for the obligation. Fees, which are generally received for one year in advance, are recorded as unrecognized standby commitment fees (deferred credit) and amortized monthly over the commitment period. The FHLBNY amortizes fees received to income using the straight line method. |
| Derivatives | Derivatives
All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their estimated fair values, including accrued unpaid interest as either a derivative asset or a derivative liability net of cash collateral received from and posted to derivative counterparties. The FHLBNY has no foreign currency assets, liabilities or hedges.
To qualify as an accounting hedge under the hedge accounting rules (versus an economic hedge where hedge accounting is not sought), a derivative must be highly effective in offsetting the risk designated as being hedged. The hedge relationship must be formally documented at inception, detailing the particular risk management objective and strategy for the hedge, which includes the item and risk that is being hedged and the derivative that is being used, as well as how effectiveness will be assessed and measured. The effectiveness of these hedging relationships is evaluated on a retrospective and prospective basis, typically using quantitative measures of correlation. For hedges that are highly effective, changes in the fair values of the hedging instrument and the offsetting changes in the fair values of the hedged item are recorded in current earnings. If a hedge relationship is found to be not highly effective, it will no longer qualify as an accounting hedge and hedge accounting would be prospectively withdrawn. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the offsetting changes of fair values of the hedged item are also discontinued.
Until ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities , was adopted on January 1, 2019, realized gains or losses attributable to the derivatives and changes in the fair values of derivatives are recognized in Other Income (loss) as a Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities. Upon adoption of ASU 2017-12, the entire hedging effects of the hedging instruments will be reported in the same income statement line item as the hedged item. While this is a change in presentation from the legacy hedging standards, the impact for the FHLBNY will not be material.
FHLBNY’s derivative and hedging policies summarized below are based on legacy hedging standards prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-12.
Each derivative is designated as one of the following:
(1)
a qualifying hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (a “Fair value” hedge);
(2)
a qualifying hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows that are to be received or paid in connection with a recognized asset or liability (a “Cash flow” hedge);
(3)
a non-qualifying hedge of an asset or liability (“economic hedge”) for asset-liability management purposes; or
(4)
a non-qualifying hedge of another derivative (an “intermediation” hedge) that is offered as a product to members or used to offset other derivatives with non-member counterparties.
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Fair value hedging . Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a Fair value hedge, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk (including changes that reflect losses or gains on firm commitments), are recorded in current period’s earnings in Other income (loss) as a Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities.
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Cash flow hedging . Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a Cash flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is highly effective, are reported in AOCI, a component of equity, until earnings are affected by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged transaction (i.e., until the recognition of interest on a variable rate asset or liability is recorded in earnings).
Measurement of the effects of hedging — For each financial statement reporting period, the FHLBNY measures the changes in the fair values of all derivatives, and changes in fair value of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged and reports changes through current earnings. To the extent the changes in fair values of the derivatives do not offset the changes in the fair values of the hedged item, the mismatch impacts current period earnings.
For hedged items eligible for the short-cut method, the FHLBNY will assume that during the life of the hedge the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the benchmark interest rates (LIBOR in the periods in this report) equals the change in fair value of the derivative. The short-cut method is employed only for highly effective hedging relationships that meet certain specific criteria under the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging that would qualify for an assumption of no ineffectiveness in a hedging relationship or a perfect hedge relationship.
Effectiveness testing — The FHLBNY has designed effectiveness testing criteria based on management’s knowledge of the hedged item and hedging instruments that are employed to create the hedging relationship. The FHLBNY uses statistical analyses to evaluate effectiveness results, which must fall within established tolerances. Effectiveness testing is performed at hedge inception and on at least a quarterly basis for both prospective considerations and retrospective evaluations.
Effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item relating to the risk being hedged. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis. The FHLBNY assesses hedge effectiveness in the following manner:
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Inception prospective assessment . Upon designation of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, the FHLBNY hedge documentation demonstrates that it expects the hedging relationship to be highly effective. This is a forward-looking consideration. A prospective assessment is performed at the designation of the hedging relationship. The assessment uses sensitivity analysis employing an option-adjusted valuation model to generate changes in market value of the hedged item and the swap. These projected market values are run under instantaneous parallel rate shocks, and the hedge is expected to be highly effective if the change in fair value of the swap divided by the change in the fair value of the hedged item is within the 80% - 125% dollar value offset boundaries.
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Retrospective assessment . At least quarterly, the FHLBNY’s hedge documentation demonstrates whether the hedging relationship was highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows through the date of the periodic assessment. This is an evaluation of the past experience. The retrospective test utilizes multiple regression and statistical validation parameters to determine that the hedging relationship was highly effective (i.e., it has remained within the 80% - 125% dollar value offset boundaries).
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Ongoing prospective assessment . For purposes of assessing effectiveness on an ongoing basis, the FHLBNY’s documentation utilizes the regression results from the retrospective assessment as a means of demonstrating that the hedge relationships are expected to be highly effective in future periods.
Measurement of effectiveness on Fair value hedging . For fair value hedges that are highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair values of the derivative and the offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item are recorded in current period’s earnings. The accruals of interest income and expense on derivatives designated as a qualifying fair value hedge are recognized as adjustments to the interest income or expense of the hedged item.
Measurement of effectiveness on Cash flow hedging . For cash flow hedges that qualify for hedge accounting treatment and are highly effective, the gains and losses on the derivative instruments are recorded in AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and are also presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Gains and losses on the derivative instrument representing either hedges that are not highly effective or hedge components excluded (none for the FHLBNY) from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized currently in current earnings.
Derivatives in economic hedges . Changes in the fair value of a derivative designated as economic hedges (also referred to as standalone hedges) and changes in the fair value of a derivative that no longer qualifies as an accounting hedge are recorded in current period earnings with no fair value adjustment to the asset or liability that is being hedged on an economic basis. The net interest associated with a standalone derivative is recorded together with changes in its fair value in Other income (loss) as a Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities. When derivatives are executed as intermediated derivatives for members, the derivatives are treated as standalone derivatives.
Trade date conventions . The FHLBNY records derivatives on trade date, but records the associated hedged Consolidated obligations and advances on settlement date. Hedge accounting commences on trade date, at which time subsequent changes to the derivative’s fair value are recorded along with the offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. On settlement date, the basis adjustments to the hedged item’s carrying amount are combined with the principal amounts and the basis becomes part of the total carrying amount of the hedged item. The FHLBNY has defined its market settlement conventions for hedged items to be five business days or less for advances and thirty calendar days or less, using a next business day convention, for Consolidated obligations bonds and discount notes. These market settlement conventions are the shortest period possible for each type of advance and Consolidated obligation from the time the instruments are committed to the time they settle.
The FHLBNY considers hedges of committed advances and Consolidated obligation bonds eligible for the “short cut” provisions (assumption of no-ineffectiveness), as long as settlement of the committed asset or liability occurs within the market settlement conventions for that type of instrument. A short-cut hedge is a perfectly effective hedging relationship that uses an interest rate swap as the hedging instrument to hedge a recognized asset or liability and that meets the criteria under the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging to qualify for an assumption of no ineffectiveness. To meet the short-cut provisions, which assume perfect effectiveness, hedge accounting standards also require the fair value of the swap to approximate zero on the date the FHLBNY designates the hedge.
Embedded Derivatives. The FHLBNY routinely issues debt to investors and makes advances to members. In certain such instruments, the FHLBNY may embed a derivative. Typically, such derivatives are call and put options to early terminate the instruments at par on pre-determined dates. The FHLBNY may also embed interest rate caps and floors, or step-up or step-down interest rate features within the instruments. The FHLBNY also routinely structures interest rate swaps to hedge the FHLBank debt and advances, and the FHLBNY may also embed derivative instruments, such as those identified in the previous discussion, in the swaps. When such instruments are conceived, designed and structured, our control procedures require the identification and evaluation of embedded derivatives, as defined under accounting standards for derivatives and hedging activities. This evaluation will consider whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the advance or debt (the host contract) and whether a separate, non-embedded instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. If the FHLBNY determines that (1) the embedded derivative has economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, and (2) a separate, standalone instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative would be separated from the host contract as prescribed for hybrid financial instruments under accounting standards for derivatives and hedge accounting, and carried at fair value. However, if the entire contract (the host contract and the embedded derivative) is to be measured at fair value, the changes in fair value would be reported in current earnings (such as an investment security classified as “trading”; or, if the FHLBNY cannot reliably identify and measure the embedded derivative for purposes of separating that derivative from its host contract, the entire contract would be carried on the balance sheet at fair value and no portion of the contract would be designated as a hedging instrument). The FHLBNY had no financial instruments with embedded derivatives that required separate accounting as a result of meeting the bifurcation test under ASC 815.
Discontinuation of Hedge Accounting . When hedge accounting is discontinued because the FHLBNY determines that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective Fair value hedge of an existing hedged item, the FHLBNY continues to carry the derivative on the balance sheet at its fair value, ceases to adjust the hedged asset or liability for changes in fair value, and amortizes the cumulative basis adjustment on the hedged item into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item (for callable as well as non-callable previously hedged debt and advances) using the level-yield methodology. When the hedged item is a firm commitment, and hedge accounting is discontinued because the hedged item no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, the FHLBNY would continue to carry the derivative on the balance sheet at its fair value, removing from the balance sheet any asset or liability that was recorded to recognize the firm commitment and recording it as a gain or loss in current period earnings.
When hedge accounting is discontinued because the FHLBNY determines that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective Cash flow hedge of an existing hedged item, the FHLBNY continues to carry the derivative on the balance sheet at its fair value and reclassifies the basis adjustment in AOCI to earnings when earnings are affected by the existing hedge item, which is the original forecasted transaction. Under limited circumstances, when the FHLBNY discontinues cash flow hedge accounting because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur in the originally expected period plus the following two months, but it is probable the transaction will still occur in the future, the gain or loss on the derivative remains in AOCI and is recognized into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. However, if it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within two months after that, the gains and losses that were included in AOCI are recognized immediately in earnings.
The FHLBNY treats modifications of hedged items (e.g. reduction in par amounts, change in maturity date, and change in strike rates) that are other than minor as a termination of a hedge relationship, and previously recorded hedge basis adjustments of the hedged items are amortized over the life of the hedged item.
Hedges of Similar Assets . It is not our practice to engage in portfolio hedging. However, from time to time, we may execute interest rate swaps in a portfolio hedge of advances if the hedge meets the specific provisions under hedge accounting. The FHLBNY has insignificant amounts of similar advances that were hedged in aggregate as a portfolio. For such hedges, the FHLBNY performs a similar asset test for homogeneity to ensure the hedged advances share the risk exposure for which they are designated as being hedged. Other than the very limited number of portfolio hedges, our other hedged items and derivatives are hedged as separately identifiable instruments.
Cash Collateral Associated with Derivative Contracts . The FHLBNY reports derivative assets and derivative liabilities in its Statements of Condition after giving effect to legally enforceable master netting, or when an agreement is not available as with OTC cleared derivatives, enforceability is based on a legal analysis or legal opinion.
Reported Derivative assets and liabilities include interest receivable and payable on derivative contracts and the fair values of the derivative contracts. The Bank records cash collateral received and posted in the Statements of Condition as an adjustment to Derivative assets and liabilities in the following manner — Cash collateral posted by the FHLBNY is reported as a deduction to Derivative liabilities; cash collateral received from derivative counterparties is reported as a deduction to Derivative assets. Cash posted by the FHLBNY in excess of margin requirements is recorded as a receivable in Derivative assets.
Variation margin exchanged with Derivative Clearing Organizations on cleared derivatives is treated as a settlement of the derivative itself — a reduction of the fair value of the derivative — and not as collateral.
When derivative counterparties pledge marketable securities, they typically retain title and the securities are treated as non-cash collateral. When the FHLBNY pledges securities to counterparties, we also retain title to the securities and treat the securities as collateral. Securities pledged or received are not netted against the derivative exposures on the Statements of Condition. |
| Premises, Software and Equipment | Premises, Software and Equipment
The Bank computes depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets ranging from four to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. The FHLBNY capitalizes improvements and major renewals but expenses ordinary maintenance and repairs when incurred, and would include gains and losses on disposal of premises and equipment in Other income (loss). |
| Consolidated Obligations | Consolidated Obligations
Accounting for Consolidated obligation debt . The FHLBNY reports Consolidated obligation bonds and discount notes at amortized cost, net of discounts and premiums. If the consolidated obligation debt is hedged in a benchmark hedge, its carrying value will include hedging valuation adjustments, which will typically be the changes in the LIBOR index. The carrying value of Consolidated obligation debt elected under the FVO will be its fair value. The FHLBNY records interest paid on Consolidated obligation bonds in interest expense. The FHLBNY expenses the discounts on Consolidated obligation discount notes, using the level-yield method, over the term of the related notes and amortizes the discounts and premiums on callable and non-callable Consolidated bonds, also using the contractual level-yield method, over the term to maturity of the Consolidated obligation bonds.
Concessions on Consolidated Obligations. Concessions are paid to dealers in connection with the issuance of certain Consolidated obligation bonds. The Office of Finance prorates the amount of the concession to the FHLBNY based upon the percentage of the debt issued that is assumed by the FHLBNY. Concessions paid on Consolidated obligation bonds elected under the FVO are expensed as incurred. Concessions paid on Consolidated obligation bonds not designated under the FVO are deferred and amortized, using the contractual level-yield method, over the term to maturity of the Consolidated obligation bond. Unamortized debt issuance costs are recorded in Consolidated obligation bond liabilities in the Statements of Condition. The FHLBNY charges to expense, as incurred, the concessions applicable to the sale of Consolidated obligation discount notes because of their short maturities; amounts are recorded in Consolidated obligations interest expense. |
| Finance Agency and Office of Finance Expenses | Finance Agency and Office of Finance Expenses
The FHLBNY is assessed for its proportionate share of the costs of operating the Finance Agency and the Office of Finance. The Finance Agency is authorized to impose assessments on the FHLBanks and two other GSEs, in amounts sufficient to pay the Finance Agency’s annual operating expenses.
The Office of Finance is also authorized to impose assessments on the FHLBanks, including the FHLBNY, in amounts sufficient to pay the Office of Finance’s annual operating and capital expenditures. Each FHLBank is assessed a prorated — (1) two-thirds based upon each FHLBank’s share of total Consolidated obligations outstanding and (2) one-third based upon an equal pro-rata allocation. |
| Earnings per Share of Capital | Earnings per Share of Capital
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Capital stock classified as mandatorily redeemable capital stock is excluded from this calculation. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same, as the FHLBNY has no additional potential shares that may be dilutive. |
| Cash Flows | Cash Flows
In the Statements of Cash Flows, the FHLBNY considers Cash and due from banks to be cash. Federal funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell are reported in the Statements of Cash Flows as investing activities.
Federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and deposits with other FHLBanks are deemed short-term under ASC 320 and therefore, net presentation is appropriate.
Derivative instruments — Cash flows from a derivative instrument that is accounted for as a fair value or cash flow hedge, including those designated as economic hedges, are reflected as cash flows from operating activities if the derivative instrument did not include “an other-than-insignificant” financing element at inception. When the FHLBNY executes an off-market derivative, which would typically require an up-front cash exchange, the FHLBNY will analyze the transaction and would deem it to contain a financing element if the cash exchange is more than insignificant. Financing elements are recorded as a financing activity in the Statements of Cash Flows.
Losses on debt extinguishment — Losses from debt retirement and transfers (debt retirement) are considered financing activities in the Statements of Cash Flows. Losses are added back as an adjustment to Net cash provided by operating activities, with an offsetting increase in payments on maturing Consolidated obligation bonds as a financing activity. |
| Recently Adopted Significant Accounting Policies | Recently Adopted Significant Accounting Policies
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, as an amendment to Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10). The amendments provide guidance on certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. We adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018.
This ASU required entities to present separately in OCI the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. We evaluated this provision by analyzing the FHLBank issued Consolidated obligation debt (CO debt) for which the fair value option was elected and estimated the instrument-specific credit risk of CO debt as de minimis, if any, and accordingly no cumulative catch-up reclassification was necessary upon adoption.
The ASU also required certain equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, thus eliminating eligibility for the available-for-sale category under pre-ASU legacy standards. Our analysis of this provision in the ASU identified certain mutual fund assets in grantor trusts that had been designated as available-for-sale and subject to this provision of the ASU. The adoption of the guidance on January 1, 2018, resulted in an immaterial cumulative catch-up reclassification of the fair values of the trust assets from AOCI to retained earnings. Prior period financial statements were not required to be restated under the transition provisions of this ASU.
Revenue Recognition . In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised 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. The guidance provided entities with the option of using either of the following adoption methods: a full retrospective method, retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented; or a modified retrospective method, retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The FHLBNY elected to use the modified retrospective method to adopt the guidance as of January 1, 2018, and adoption resulted in an immaterial impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our net income is derived principally from net interest income on financial assets and liabilities, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of this guidance. Certain other streams of non-interest revenues, which relate to fee revenues from commitments and financial letters of credit, were evaluated and we have concluded that such fees and associated expenses are out of scope of the standard and therefore will not be impacted by the adoption of this guidance. We have also analyzed the recognition of gains and losses when mortgage loans are foreclosed and transferred to real estate owned status, and concluded that while such line items are in-scope of the standard, they are not material for the FHLBNY. |
