Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Use of Estimates, Policy | These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make subjective assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expenses. The most significant of these estimates include but are not limited to, fair-value estimates, other-than-temporary impairment analysis, the allowance for loan losses, and deferred premium/discounts associated with prepayable assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates. |
Fair Value Measurement, Policy | We determine the fair-value amounts recorded on the statement of condition and in the note disclosures for the periods presented by using available market and other pertinent information, and reflect our best judgment of appropriate valuation methods. Although we use our best judgment in estimating the fair value of these financial instruments, there are inherent limitations in any valuation technique. Therefore, these fair values may not be indicative of the amounts that would have been realized in market transactions at the reporting dates. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy | In the statement of cash flows, we consider noninterest bearing cash and due from banks as cash and cash equivalents. Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits are not treated as cash equivalents for purposes of the statement of cash flows, but are instead treated as short-term investments and are reflected in the investing activities section of the statement of cash flows. |
Interest-Bearing Deposits, Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell, and Federal Funds Sold, Policy | These investments provide short-term liquidity and are carried at cost. Federal funds sold consist of short-term, unsecured loans transacted with counterparties that we consider to be of investment quality. Securities purchased under agreements to resell are treated as short-term collateralized loans that are classified as assets in the statement of condition. These securities purchased under agreements to resell are held in safekeeping in our name by third-party custodians, which we have approved. If the fair value of the underlying securities decreases below the fair value required as collateral, the counterparty has the option to provide additional securities in safekeeping in our name in an amount equal to the decrease or remit cash in such amount. If the counterparty defaults on this obligation, we will decrease the dollar value of the resale agreement accordingly. |
Investment, Policy | Premiums and Discounts. We amortize premiums and accrete discounts on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities. This method requires a retrospective adjustment of the effective yield each time we change the estimated life, based on actual prepayments received and changes in expected prepayments, as if the new estimate had been known since the original acquisition date of the securities. We estimate prepayment speeds on each individual security using the most recent three months of historical constant prepayment rates, as available, or may subscribe to third-party data services that provide estimates of future cash flows, from which we determine expected asset lives. We amortize premiums and accrete discounts on other investments using the level-yield method to the contractual maturity of the securities. |
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Gains and Losses on Sales. We compute gains and losses on sales of investment securities using the specific identification method and include these gains and losses in other income (loss). |
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Securities issued by GSEs and U.S. government-owned corporations are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. |
We classify investments as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity at the date of acquisition. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade date basis. |
We evaluate our individual available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities for other-than-temporary impairment each quarter. |
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Marketable Securities, Trading Securities, Policy | 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 unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities. FHFA regulation prohibits trading in or the speculative use of these instruments and limit the credit risks we have from these instruments. |
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy | We classify certain investments that are not classified as held-to-maturity or trading as available-for-sale and carry them at fair value. Changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities not being hedged by derivatives, or in an economic hedging relationship, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. For available-for-sale securities that have been hedged under fair-value hedge designations, we record the portion of the change in fair value related to the risk being hedged in other income as net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities together with the related change in the fair value of the derivative. The remainder of the change in the fair value of the investment is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. |
Marketable Securities, Held-to-maturity Securities, Policy | We carry at amortized cost certain investments for which we have both the ability and intent to hold to maturity, adjusted for periodic principal repayments, amortization of premiums, and accretion of discounts using the level-yield method, previous other-than-temporary impairment, and accretion of the noncredit portion of other-than-temporary impairment recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). |
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Changes in circumstances may cause us to change our intent to hold certain securities to maturity without calling into question our intent to hold other debt securities to maturity in the future. Thus, the sale or transfer of a held-to-maturity security due to certain changes in circumstances, such as evidence of significant deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness or changes in regulatory requirements, is not considered to be inconsistent with its original classification. Other events that are isolated, nonrecurring, and unusual for us that could not have been reasonably anticipated may cause us to sell or transfer a held-to-maturity security without necessarily calling into question our intent to hold other debt securities to maturity. In addition, sale of a debt security that meets either of the following two conditions would not be considered inconsistent with the original classification of that security: |
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• | the sale occurs near enough to its maturity date (or call date if exercise of the call is probable) 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 |
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• | the sale of a security occurs after we have already collected a substantial portion (at least 85 percent) of the principal outstanding at acquisition due either to prepayments on the debt security or to scheduled payments on a debt security payable in equal installments (both principal and interest) over its term. |
Impairment Of Investments, Policy | We evaluate our individual available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for other-than-temporary impairment each quarter. An investment is considered impaired when its fair value is less than its amortized cost. We consider other-than-temporary impairment to have occurred if we: |
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• | have an intent to sell the investment; |
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• | believe it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the investment before the recovery of its amortized cost based on available evidence; or |
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• | do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost of the debt security. |
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Recognition of Other-than-Temporary Impairment. If either of the first two conditions above is met, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment charge in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security's amortized cost and its fair value as of the statement of condition date. |
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For securities in an unrealized loss position that meet neither of the first two conditions (excluding agency MBS) and for each of our private-label MBS, we perform an analysis to determine if we will recover the entire amortized cost of each of these securities. The present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is compared with the amortized cost of the debt security to determine whether a credit loss exists. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the debt security, the security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired and the carrying value of the debt security is adjusted to its fair value. However, rather than recognizing the entire difference between the amortized cost and fair value in earnings, only the amount of the impairment representing the credit loss (that is, the credit component) is recognized in earnings, while the amount related to all other factors (that is, the noncredit component) is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). For a security that is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, in the event that the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the fair value of the security, the credit loss on the security is limited to the amount of that security's unrealized losses. |
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In performing a detailed cash-flow analysis, we identify the best estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected. If this estimate results in a present value of expected cash flows (discounted at the security's effective yield) that is less than the amortized cost basis of a security (that is, a credit loss exists), other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred. For determining the present value of variable-rate and hybrid private-label residential MBS, we use the effective interest rate derived from a variable-rate index, such as one-month LIBOR, plus the contractual spread, plus or minus a fixed-spread adjustment when there is an existing discount or premium on the security. Because the implied forward yield curve of a selected variable-rate index changes over time, the effective interest rates derived from that index will also change over time and would therefore impact the present value of the subject security. |
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The total other-than-temporary impairment is presented in the statement of operations with an offset for the amount of the noncredit portion of other-than-temporary impairment that is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The remaining amount in the statement of operations represents the credit loss for the period. |
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Accounting for Other-than-Temporary Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income. For subsequent accounting of other-than-temporarily impaired securities, we record an additional other-than-temporary impairment if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security. The total amount of this additional other-than-temporary impairment (both credit and non-credit, if any) is determined as the difference between the security's amortized cost less the amount of other-than-temporary impairment recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) prior to the determination of this additional other-than-temporary impairment and its fair value. Any additional credit loss is limited to that security's unrealized losses, or the difference between the security's amortized cost and its fair value as of the statement of condition date. This additional credit loss, up to the amount in other comprehensive income (loss) related to the security, is reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings. Any credit loss in excess of the amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) is also recognized in earnings. |
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Interest Income Recognition. Upon subsequent evaluation of a debt security when there is no additional other-than-temporary impairment, we adjust the accretable yield on a prospective basis if there is a significant increase in the security's expected future cash flows. This adjusted yield is used to calculate the amount to be recognized into income over the remaining life of the security so as to match the amount and timing of future cash flows expected to be collected. Subsequent changes in estimated cash flows that are deemed significant will change the accretable yield on a prospective basis. For debt securities classified as held-to-maturity, the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) is accreted to the carrying value of each security on a prospective basis, based on the amount and timing of future estimated cash flows (with no effect on earnings unless the security is subsequently sold or there are additional decreases in cash flows expected to be collected). The estimated cash flows and accretable yield are re-evaluated each quarter. |
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances , Policy | We report advances at amortized cost. Advances carried at amortized cost are reported net of premiums/discounts and any hedging adjustments, as discussed in Note 8 — Advances. We generally record our advances at par. However, we may record premiums or discounts on advances in the following cases: |
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• | Advances may be acquired from another FHLBank when one of our members acquires a member of another FHLBank. In these cases, we may purchase the advances from the other FHLBank at a price that results in a fair market yield for the acquired advance. |
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• | In the event that a hedge of an advance is discontinued, the cumulative hedging adjustment is recorded as a premium or discount and amortized over the remaining life of the advance. |
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• | When the prepayment of an advance is followed by disbursement of a new advance and the transactions effectively represent a modification of the previous advance the prepayment fee received is deferred, recorded as a discount to the modified advance, and accreted over the life of the new advance. |
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• | When an advance is modified under our advance restructuring program and our analysis of the restructuring concludes that the transaction is an extinguishment of the prior loan rather than a modification, the deferred prepayment fee is recognized into income immediately, recorded as premium on the new advance, and amortized over the life of the new advance. |
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• | When we make an AHP advance, the present value of the variation in the cash flow caused by the difference in the interest rate between the AHP advance rate and our related cost of funds for comparable maturity funding is charged against the AHP liability and recorded as a discount on the AHP advance. |
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We amortize the premiums and accrete the discounts on advances to interest income using the level-yield method. We record interest on advances to interest income as earned. |
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Prepayment Fees. We charge borrowers a prepayment fee when they prepay certain advances before the original maturity. We record prepayment fees net of hedging fair-value adjustments included in the carrying value of the advance as prepayment fees on advances, net in the interest income section of the statement of operations. |
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Advance Modifications. In cases in which we fund a new advance concurrently with or within a short period of time of the prepayment of an existing advance by the same member, we evaluate whether the new advance meets the accounting criteria to qualify as a modification of the existing advance or whether it constitutes a new advance. We compare the present value of cash flows on the new advance with the present value of cash flows remaining on the existing advance. If there is at least a 10 percent difference in the present value of cash flows or if we conclude the difference between the advances is more than minor based on a qualitative assessment of the modifications made to the advance's original contractual terms, the advance is accounted for as a new advance. In all other instances, the new advance is accounted for as a modification. |
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If a new advance qualifies as a modification of the existing advance, the net prepayment fee on the prepaid advance is deferred, recorded in the basis of the modified advance, and amortized to interest income over the life of the modified advance using the level-yield method. This amortization is recorded in advance-interest income. If the modified advance is hedged, changes in fair value are recorded after the amortization of the basis adjustment. This amortization results in offsetting amounts being recorded in net interest income and net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities in other income. |
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For prepaid advances that were hedged and met the hedge-accounting requirements, we terminate the hedging relationship upon prepayment and record the prepayment fee net of the hedging fair-value adjustment in the basis of the advance as prepayment fees on advances, net in interest income. If we fund a new advance to a member concurrent with or within a short period of time after the prepayment of a previous advance to that member, we evaluate whether the new advance qualifies as a modification of the original hedged advance. If the new advance qualifies as a modification of the original hedged advance, the hedging fair-value adjustment and the prepayment fee are included in the carrying amount of the modified advance and are amortized in interest income over the life of the modified advance using the level-yield method. If the modified advance is also hedged and the hedge meets the hedging criteria, the modified advance is marked to fair value after the modification, and subsequent fair-value changes are recorded in other income as net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities. |
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If a new advance does not qualify as a modification of an existing advance, prepayment of the existing advance is treated as an advance termination and any prepayment fee, net of hedging adjustments, is recorded to prepayment fees on advances, net in the interest income section of the statement of operations. |
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances, Prepayment Fees, Policy | We record prepayment fees received from borrowers on certain prepaid advances net of any associated basis adjustments related to hedging activities on those advances and net of deferred prepayment fees on advance prepayments considered to be loan modifications. Additionally, for certain advances products, the prepayment-fee provisions of the advance agreement could result in either a payment from the borrower or to the borrower when such an advance is prepaid, based upon market conditions at the time of prepayment (referred to as a symmetrical prepayment fee). Advances with a symmetrical prepayment fee provision are hedged with derivatives containing offsetting terms, so that we are financially indifferent to the borrower's decision to prepay such advances. The net amount of prepayment fees is reflected as interest income in the statement of operations. |
Commitment Fees, Policy | We record commitment fees for standby letters of credit to members as deferred fee income when received, and amortize these fees on a straight-line basis to service-fees income in other income over the term of the standby letter of credit. Based upon past experience, we believe the likelihood of standby letters of credit being drawn upon is remote based upon past experience. |
Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-investment, Policy | Accordingly, these investments are reported at their principal amount outstanding net of unamortized premiums, discounts, unrealized gains and losses from investments initially classified as mortgage loan commitments and the allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans. |
We classify our investments in mortgage loans for which we have the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff as held for portfolio. |
Loans and Leases Receivable, Origination Fees, Discounts or Premiums, and Direct Costs to Acquire Loans, Policy | Credit-enhancement fees are recorded as an offset to mortgage-loan-interest income. |
We compute the amortization of mortgage-loan-origination fees (premiums and discounts) as interest income using the level-yield method over the contractual term to maturity of each individual loan, which results in income recognition in a manner that is effectively proportionate to the actual repayment behavior of the underlying assets and reflects the contractual terms of the assets without regard to changes in estimated prepayments based on assumptions about future borrower behavior. |
We record other nonorigination fees in connection with our MPF program activities, such as delivery-commitment-extension fees, pair-off fees, price-adjustment fees, and counterparty fees in connection with the MPF Xtra® product in other income. Delivery-commitment-extension fees are charged when a participating financial institution requests to extend the period of the delivery commitment beyond the original stated expiration. Pair-off fees represent a make-whole provision; they are received when the amount funded under a delivery commitment is less than a certain threshold (under-delivery) of the delivery-commitment amount. Price-adjustment fees are received when the amount funded is greater than a certain threshold (over-delivery) of the delivery-commitment amount. To the extent that pair-off fees relate to under-deliveries of loans, they are recorded in service fee income. Fees related to over-deliveries represent purchase-price adjustments to the related loans acquired and are recorded as part of the carrying value of the loan. |
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonaccrual Loan and Lease Status, Policy | We place conventional mortgage loans on nonaccrual status when the collection of the contractual principal or interest is 90 days or more past due. When a conventional mortgage loan is placed on nonaccrual status, accrued but uncollected interest is reversed against interest income in the current period. We generally record cash payments received on nonaccrual loans first as interest income and then as a reduction of principal as specified in the contractual agreement, unless we consider the collection of the remaining principal amount due to be doubtful. If we consider the collection of the remaining principal amount to be doubtful, cash payments received are applied first solely to principal until the remaining principal amount due is expected to be collected and then as a recovery of any charge-off, if applicable, followed by recording interest income. A loan on nonaccrual status may be restored to accrual status when the collection of the contractual principal and interest is less than 90 days past due. We do not place government mortgage loans on nonaccrual status when the collection of the contractual principal or interest is 90 days or more past due because of the U.S. government guarantee of the loan and the contractual obligations of each related servicer, |
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming Loan and Lease, Policy | A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. |
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Loans that are on nonaccrual status and that are considered collateral-dependent are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying property less estimated selling costs. Loans are considered collateral-dependent if 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. Collateral-dependent loans are impaired if the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated selling costs is insufficient to recover the unpaid principal balance on the loan. Interest income on impaired loans is recognized in the same manner as nonaccrual loans as discussed above. |
Loans And Leases Receivable Charge Off, Policy | We evaluate whether to record a charge-off on a conventional mortgage loan upon the occurrence of a confirming event. Confirming events include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of foreclosure or notification of a claim against any of the credit enhancements. A charge-off is recorded if we determine that the recorded investment in the loan is not likely to be recovered. |
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy | Estimating a Margin of Imprecision. We also assess a factor for the margin of imprecision to the estimation of credit losses for the homogeneous population. The margin of imprecision is a factor in the allowance for credit losses that recognizes the imprecise nature of the measurement process and is included as part of the mortgage loan allowance for credit loss. This amount represents a subjective management judgment based on facts and circumstances that exist as of the reporting date that is unallocated to any specific measurable economic or credit event and is intended to cover other inherent losses that may not be captured in our methodology. The actual loss that may occur on homogeneous populations of mortgage loans may differ from the estimated loss. |
Our methodology for determining our loan loss reserve consists of estimating loan loss severity using a third-party model incorporating delinquency to default transition performance of the loans, relevant market conditions affecting the performance of the loans, and portfolio level credit protection, particularly credit enhancements, as discussed below under — Credit Enhancements. Our inputs to the third-party model consist of loan-related characteristics, such as credit scores, occupancy statuses, loan-to-value ratios, property types, and locations. We update our view of the loan transition performance and market conditions quarterly and periodically adjust our methodology to reflect the changes in the loans’ performances and the market. |
We have established an allowance methodology for each of our portfolio segments. A portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic method for determining its allowance for credit losses. We have developed and documented a systematic methodology for determining an allowance for credit losses for our: |
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• | credit products, such as our advances and letters of credit; |
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• | investments in government mortgage loans held for portfolio; |
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• | investments in conventional mortgage loans held for portfolio; |
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• | investments via term securities purchased under agreements to resell; and |
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• | investments via term federal funds sold. |
Loans and Leases Receivable, Valuation, Policy | Loans. Certain conventional mortgage loans, primarily impaired mortgage loans that are |
considered collateral dependent, may be specifically identified for purposes of calculating the allowance for credit losses. A |
mortgage loan is considered collateral dependent if repayment is only expected to be provided by the sale of the underlying |
property, that is, if it is considered likely that the borrower will default and there is no credit enhancement from a |
participating financial institution to offset losses under the master commitment. The estimated credit losses on impaired |
collateral-dependent loans may be separately determined because sufficient information exists to make a reasonable estimate |
of the inherent loss on these loans on an individual loan basis. We may estimate the fair value of this collateral by applying an appropriate loss severity rate or using third party estimates or a property valuation model. The resulting incurred loss is equal to the difference between the carrying value of the loan and the estimated fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. |
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Collectively Evaluated Mortgage Loans. We evaluate the credit risk of our investments in conventional mortgage loans for impairment on a collective basis that considers loan-pool-specific attribute data at the master commitment pool level, applies estimated loss severities, and incorporates available credit enhancements to establish our best estimate of probable incurred losses at the reporting date. We do not consider credit-enhancement cash flows that are projected and assessed as not probable of receipt in reducing estimated losses. Migration analysis is a methodology for estimating the rate of default experienced on pools of similar loans based on our historical experience. We apply migration analysis to conventional loans that are currently not past due, loans that are 30 to 59 days past due, 60 to 89 days past due, and 90 or more days past due. We then estimate the dollar amount of loans in these categories that we believe are likely to migrate to a realized loss position and apply a loss severity factor to estimate losses that would be incurred at the statement of condition date. Additionally, for our investments in loans modified under our temporary loan modification plan, on the effective date of a loan modification we measure the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate and reduce the carrying value of the loan accordingly. See — Troubled Debt Restructurings below for information on our temporary loan modification program and loans that have been discharged pursuant to Chapter 7 bankruptcy. |
Loans and Leases Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring, Policy | We consider a troubled debt restructuring of a financing receivable to have occurred when we grant a concession to a borrower that we would not otherwise consider for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties. We place conventional mortgage loans that are deemed to be troubled debt restructurings as a result of our modification program on nonaccrual when payments are 60 days or more past due. |
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We also consider troubled debt restructurings to have occurred when a borrower has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Chapter 7 bankruptcy) pursuant to which the bankruptcy court has discharged the borrower's obligation to us and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt. However, we do not consider a trouble debt restructuring of a financing receivable to have occurred when we expect to collect the recorded investment in full. |
We consider a troubled debt restructuring of a financing receivable to have occurred when we grant a concession to a borrower that we would not otherwise consider for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties. We have granted a concession when we do not expect to collect all amounts due to us under the original contract as a result of the restructuring. |
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We also consider troubled debt restructurings to have occurred when a borrower has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 bankruptcy pursuant to which the bankruptcy court has discharged the borrower's obligation to us and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt, except in certain cases where certain supplemental mortgage insurance policies are held or where all contractual amounts due are still expected to be collected as a result of certain credit enhancements or government guarantees. |
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Our program for mortgage loan troubled debt restructurings primarily involves modifying the borrower's monthly payment for a period of up to 36 months to achieve a housing expense ratio of no more than 31 percent of their qualifying monthly income. The principal amortization schedule for the outstanding principal balance is first recalculated to reflect a new principal and interest payment for a term not to exceed 40 years. This would result in a balloon payment at the original maturity date of the loan as the maturity date and number of remaining monthly payments are not adjusted. If the 31 percent housing expense ratio is not achieved through reamortization, the interest rate is reduced for the temporary modification period of up to 36 months in 0.125 percent increments below the original note rate, to a floor rate of 3.00 percent, resulting in reduced principal and interest payments, until the desired 31 percent housing expense ratio is met. |
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Loans and Leases Receivable, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Policy | REO includes assets that have been received in satisfaction of debt or as a result of actual foreclosures. REO is recorded as other assets in the statement of condition and is carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs. Fair value is derived from third-party valuations of the property. If the fair value of the REO less estimated selling costs is less than the recorded investment in the MPF loan at the date of transfer, we recognize a charge-off to the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent realized gains and realized or unrealized losses are included in other income (loss) in the statement of operations. |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy | We record premises, software, and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and compute depreciation on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from three to 10 years. We amortize leasehold improvements on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. We capitalize improvements and major renewals but expense ordinary maintenance and repairs when incurred. We include gains and losses on disposal of premises, software, and equipment in other income (loss) on the statement of operations. |
Internal Use Software, Policy | The cost of purchased software and certain costs incurred in developing computer software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over future periods. |
Derivatives, Policy | All derivatives are recognized on the statement of condition at fair value and are reported as either derivative assets or derivative liabilities, net of cash collateral, including initial and variation margin, and accrued interest received from or pledged to clearing members and/or counterparties. We offset fair-value amounts recognized for derivatives and fair-value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivatives recognized at fair value executed with the same clearing member and/or counterparty when the netting requirements have been met. If these netted amounts are positive, they are classified as an asset and, if negative, they are classified as a liability. Derivative assets and derivative liabilities reported on the statement of condition also include net accrued interest. Cash flows associated with derivatives are reflected as cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows unless the derivative meets the criteria to be a financing derivative. |
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Each derivative is designated as one of the following: |
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• | a qualifying hedge of the change in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair value hedge); |
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• | 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); or |
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• | a nonqualifying hedge of an asset or liability (an economic hedge) for asset-liability-management purposes. |
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Accounting for Fair-Value and Cash-Flow Hedges. If hedging relationships meet certain criteria, including, but not limited to, formal documentation of the hedging relationship and an expectation to be highly effective, they qualify for fair-value or cash-flow hedge accounting and the offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk are recorded either in earnings in the case of fair-value hedges or other comprehensive income (loss) in the case of cash-flow hedges. Our approaches to hedge accounting are: |
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• | long-haul hedge accounting, which generally requires us to formally assess (both at the hedge's inception and at least quarterly) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of hedged items attributable to the hedged risk or forecasted transactions and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain effective in future periods; and |
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• | short-cut hedge accounting, which can be used for transactions for which the assumption can be made that the change in fair value of a hedged item, due to changes in the benchmark rate, exactly offsets the change in fair value of the related derivative. Under the short-cut method, the entire change in fair value of the interest-rate swap is considered to be effective at achieving offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged asset or liability. Beginning in November 2014, to streamline certain operational processes, we voluntarily discontinued the use of short-cut hedge accounting for new hedge relationships entered into after that date; short-cut hedge relationships entered into prior to that date will continue as short-cut hedge relationships until they mature or are terminated. |
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Derivatives that are used in fair-value hedges are typically executed at the same time as the hedged items, and we designate the hedged item in a qualifying hedge relationship as of the trade date. In many hedging relationships that use the short-cut method, we may designate the hedging relationship upon our commitment to disburse an advance or trade a CO that settles within the shortest period of time possible for the type of instrument based on market-settlement conventions. In such circumstances, although the advance or CO will not be recognized in the financial statements until settlement date, the hedge meets the criteria for applying the short-cut method, provided all other short-cut criteria are also met. We then record the changes in fair value of the derivative and the hedged item beginning on the trade date. |
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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 other income (loss) as net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities. |
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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 effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), a component of capital, until earnings are affected by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged transaction. |
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For both fair-value and cash-flow hedges, any hedge ineffectiveness (which represents the amount by which the changes in the fair value of the derivative differ from the change in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk or the variability in the cash flows of the forecasted transaction) is recorded in other income (loss) as net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities. |
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Accounting for Economic Hedges. An economic hedge is defined as a derivative hedging specific or nonspecific assets, liabilities, or firm commitments that does not qualify or was not designated for fair-value or cash-flow hedge accounting, but is an acceptable hedging strategy under our risk-management policy. These economic hedging strategies also comply with FHFA regulatory requirements prohibiting speculative derivative transactions. An economic hedge by definition introduces the potential for earnings variability caused by the changes in fair value of the derivatives that are recorded in income but not offset by corresponding changes in the fair value of the economically hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments. As a result, we recognize only the net interest and the change in fair value of these derivatives in other income (loss) as net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities with no offsetting fair-value adjustments for the economically hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments. |
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Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable. The differential between accrual of interest receivable and payable on derivatives designated as a fair-value hedge or as a cash-flow hedge is recognized through adjustments to the interest income or interest expense of the designated hedged investment securities, advances, COs, deposits, or other financial instruments. The differential between accrual of interest receivable and payable on economic hedges is recognized in other income (loss), along with changes in fair value of these derivatives, as net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities. |
Managing Credit Risk on Derivatives. We are subject to credit risk on our hedging activities due to the risk of nonperformance by nonmember counterparties (including DCOs and their clearing members acting as agent to the DCOs as well as bilateral counterparties) to the derivative agreements. We manage credit risk through credit analysis, collateral requirements and adherence to the requirements set forth in our policies, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) regulations, and FHFA regulations. All counterparties must execute master-netting agreements prior to entering into any bilateral derivative with us. |
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Our master-netting agreements for bilateral derivatives contain bilateral-collateral exchange agreements that require that credit exposure beyond a defined threshold amount (which may be zero) be secured by readily marketable, U.S. Treasury or GSE securities, or cash. The level of these collateral threshold amounts (when applicable) varies according to the counterparty's Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) or Moody's Investors Service Inc. (Moody's) long-term credit ratings. Credit exposures are then measured daily and adjustments to collateral positions are made in accordance with the terms of the master-netting agreements. These master-netting agreements also contain bilateral ratings-tied termination events permitting us to terminate all outstanding derivatives transactions with a counterparty in the event of a specified rating downgrade by Moody's or S&P. Based on credit analyses and collateral requirements, we do not anticipate any credit losses on our derivative agreements. |
Derivatives, Hedge Discontinuances, Policy | We may discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when: |
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• | we determine that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item attributable to the hedged risk (including hedged items such as firm commitments or forecasted transactions); |
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• | the derivative and/or the hedged item expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; |
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• | it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur in the originally expected period; |
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• | a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment; or |
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• | we determine that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. |
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When hedge accounting is discontinued because we determine that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge of an existing hedged item, we either terminate the derivative or continue to carry the derivative on the statement of condition at its fair value and cease to adjust the hedged asset or liability for changes in fair value, and begin to amortize the cumulative basis adjustment on the hedged item into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item using the level-yield method. |
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When hedge accounting is discontinued because we determine that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective cash-flow hedge of an existing hedged item, we continue to carry the derivative on the statement of condition at its fair value and amortize the cumulative other comprehensive loss adjustment to earnings when earnings are affected by the existing hedged item. |
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If it is no longer probable that a forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally expected period or within two months thereafter, we immediately recognize the gain or loss that was in accumulated other comprehensive loss in earnings. |
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When hedge accounting is discontinued because the hedged item no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, we continue to carry the derivative on the statement of condition at its fair value, removing from the statement of condition any asset or liability that was recorded to recognize the firm commitment and recording it as a gain or loss in current period earnings. |
Derivatives, Embedded Derivatives, Policy | We may issue debt, make advances, or purchase financial instruments in which a derivative is embedded. Upon execution of these transactions, we assess whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the advance, debt, deposit, or other financial instrument (the host contract) and whether a separate, nonembedded instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative. When we determine 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, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract, carried at fair value, and designated as a stand-alone derivative instrument. If the entire contract (the host contract and the embedded derivative) is to be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current earnings (for example, an investment security classified as trading, as well as hybrid financial instruments) or if we cannot reliably identify and measure the embedded derivative for purposes of separating that derivative from its host contract, the entire contract is carried on the statement of condition at fair value and no portion of the contract is designated as a hedging instrument. |
Derivatives, Offsetting Fair Value Amounts, Policy | We present certain financial instruments on a net basis when they have a legal right of offset and all other requirements for netting are met (collectively referred to as the netting requirements). For these financial instruments, we have elected to offset our asset and liability positions, as well as cash collateral received or pledged, when we have met the netting requirements. |
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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 that meet the |
requirements for netting, any excess cash collateral received or pledged is recognized as a derivative liability or derivative |
asset. See Note 11 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities for additional information regarding these agreements. |
For cleared derivatives, the DCO is our counterparty. The DCO notifies the clearing member of the required initial and variation margin and our agent (clearing member) notifies us of the required initial and variation margin. We post initial margin and exchange variation margin through a clearing member who acts as our agent to the DCO and who guarantees our performance to the DCO, subject to the terms of relevant agreements. |
We have analyzed the rights, rules, and regulations governing our cleared derivatives and determined that those rights, rules, and regulations should result in a net claim through each of our clearing members with the related DCO upon an event of default including a bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding involving the DCO or one of our clearing members, or both. For this purpose, net claim generally means a single net amount reflecting the aggregation of all amounts indirectly owed by us to the relevant DCO and indirectly payable to us from the relevant DCO. Based on this analysis, we are presenting a net derivative receivable or payable for all of our transactions through a particular clearing member with a particular DCO. |
Debt, Policy | We record COs at amortized cost. |
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Discounts and Premiums. We accrete discounts and amortize premiums on COs to interest expense using the level-yield method over the contractual term to maturity of the CO. |
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Concessions on COs. We pay concessions to dealers in connection with the issuance of certain COs. The Office of Finance prorates the amounts paid to dealers based upon the percentage of debt issued that we assumed. We defer and amortize these dealer concessions using the level-yield method over the contractual term to maturity of the COs. Unamortized concessions are included in other assets on the statement of condition and the amortization of those concessions is included in CO interest expense on the statement of operations. |
Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Changes in Redemption Value, Policy | We reclassify stock subject to redemption from equity to a liability after a member exercises a written redemption request, gives notice of intent to withdraw from membership, or attains nonmember status by merger or acquisition, charter termination, or other involuntary termination from membership, since the shares meet the definition of a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument upon such instances. Member shares meeting this definition are reclassified to a liability at fair value. Dividends declared on mandatorily redeemable capital stock are accrued at the expected dividend rate and reflected as interest expense on the statement of operations. The repayment of these mandatorily redeemable financial instruments is reflected as cash outflows in the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows once settled. |
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We do not take into consideration our members' right to cancel a redemption request in determining when shares of capital stock should be classified as a liability because such cancellation would be subject to a cancellation fee equal to two percent of the par amount of the shares of Class B stock that is the subject of the redemption notice. If a member cancels its written notice of redemption or notice of withdrawal, we will reclassify mandatorily redeemable capital stock from a liability to equity. After the reclassification, dividends on the capital stock will no longer be classified as interest expense. |
Restricted Retained Earnings, Policy | Since the third quarter of 2011, the Joint Capital Agreement has required each FHLBank to contribute 20 percent of its quarterly net income to a separate restricted retained earnings account at that FHLBank until that account balance equals at least one percent of that FHLBank's average balance of outstanding COs for the previous quarter. Restricted retained earnings are not available to pay dividends, and we present them separate from other retained earnings on the statement of condition. |
Finance Agency Expenses, Policy | We fund a portion of the costs of operating the FHFA. The portion of the FHFA's expenses and working capital fund paid by the FHLBanks is allocated among the FHLBanks based on the pro rata share of the annual assessments based on the ratio between each FHLBank's minimum required regulatory capital and the aggregate minimum required regulatory capital of every FHLBank. We must pay an amount equal to one-half of our annual assessment twice each year. |
Office Of Finance Expenses, Policy | Each FHLBank's proportionate share of Office of Finance operating and capital expenditures has been calculated using a formula based upon the following components: (1) two-thirds based upon each FHLBank's share of total COs outstanding and (2) one-third based upon an equal pro rata allocation. |
Federal Home Loan Bank Assessments, Policy | The FHLBank Act requires us to establish and fund an AHP based on positive annual net earnings, providing grants to members to assist in the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of housing for very low- to moderate-income households. We charge the required funding for the AHP to earnings and establish a liability, except when annual net earnings are zero or negative, in which case there is no requirement to fund an AHP. We also issue AHP advances at interest rates below the customary interest rate for nonsubsidized advances. A discount on the AHP advance and charge against the AHP liability is recorded for the present value of the variation in the cash flow caused by the difference in the interest rate between the AHP advance rate and our related cost of funds for comparable maturity funding. The discount on AHP advances is accreted to interest income on advances using the level-yield method over the life of the advance. |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy | Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis |
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We measure certain held-to-maturity investment securities and REO at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, that is, they are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair-value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, upon recognizing an other-than-temporary impairment on a held-to-maturity security). |
Fair-Value Methodologies and Techniques |
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We have determined the fair-value amounts above using available market and other pertinent information and our best judgment of appropriate valuation methods. Although we use our best judgment in estimating the fair value of these financial instruments, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique or valuation methodology. For example, because an active secondary market does not exist for a portion of our financial instruments, in certain cases, fair values are not subject to precise quantification or verification and may change as economic and market factors and evaluation of those factors change. Therefore, these fair values are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in current market transactions, although they do reflect our judgment of how a market participant would estimate the fair values. |
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Fair-Value Hierarchy. Fair value is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a liability in the principal (or advantageous) market for the asset or liability at the measurement date (an exit price). |
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U.S. GAAP establishes a fair-value hierarchy and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The inputs are evaluated and an overall level for the fair-value measurement is determined. This overall level is an indication of market observability of the fair-value measurement for the asset or liability. |
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The fair-value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels: |
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Level 1 | Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the reporting entity can access on the measurement date. |
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Level 2 | Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified or contractual term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, and prepayment speeds); and (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data (e.g., implied spreads). |
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Level 3 | Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. |
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We review the fair-value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of the valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of certain assets or liabilities. These reclassifications are reported as transfers in/out as of the beginning of the quarter in which the changes occur. There were no such transfers during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. |
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Summary of Valuation Methodologies and Primary Inputs |
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Cash and Due from Banks. The fair value approximates the recorded carrying value. |
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Interest-Bearing Deposits. The fair value approximates the recorded carrying value. |
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Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell. The fair value is determined by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for securities with similar terms. |
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Federal Funds Sold. The fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for federal funds with similar terms. |
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Investment Securities. We determine the fair values of our investment securities, other than HFA floating-rate securities, based on prices obtained for each of these securities that we request from four designated third-party pricing vendors. The fair value of each such security is the average of such vendor prices that are within a cluster pricing tolerance range. A cluster is defined as a group of available vendor prices for a given security that is within a defined price tolerance range of the median vendor price depending on the security type. An outlier is any vendor price that is outside of the defined cluster and is evaluated for reasonableness. The use of the average of available vendor prices within a cluster and the evaluation of reasonableness of outlier prices does not discard available information. In addition, the fair values produced by this method are reviewed for reasonableness. |
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We request prices on each of our securities subject to this fair-value method from four third-party vendors, when available. These 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. We establish a median price for each security using a formula that is based on the number of prices received: |
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• | if four prices are received, the average of the two middle prices is used; |
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• | if three prices are received, the middle price is used; |
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• | if two prices are received, the average of the two prices is used; and |
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• | if one price is received, it is used subject to validation of outliers as described below. |
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Vendor prices that are outside of a defined cluster are identified as outliers and are subject to additional review including, but not limited to, comparison to prices provided by an additional third-party valuation vendor, prices for similar securities, and/or nonbinding dealer estimates, or the use of internal model prices, which we believe reflect the facts and circumstances that a market participant would consider. We also perform this analysis in those limited instances where no third-party vendor price or only one third-party vendor price is available to determine fair value. If the analysis indicates that an outlier (or outliers) is (are) not representative of fair value and that the average of the vendor prices within the tolerance threshold of the median price is the best estimate, then we use the average of the vendor prices within the tolerance threshold of the median price as the final price. If, on the other hand, we determine that an outlier (or some other price identified in the analysis) is a better estimate of fair value, then the outlier (or the other price as appropriate) is used as the final price. In all cases, the final price is used to determine the fair value of the security. |
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As of December 31, 2014, four vendor prices were received for 91.5 percent of our investment securities and the final prices for substantially all of those securities were computed by averaging the four prices. The relative proximity of the prices received supports our conclusion that the final computed prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Based on the current low level of market activity for private-label residential MBS, the nonrecurring fair-value measurements for such securities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, fell within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy. Our fixed-rate HFA securities also fall within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy due to the current lack of market activities for these bonds. |
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As an additional step, we reviewed the final fair-value estimates of our private-label MBS holdings as of December 31, 2014, for reasonableness using an implied yield test. We calculated an implied yield for each of our private-label MBS using the estimated fair value derived from the process described above and the security's projected cash flows from our other-than-temporary impairment process. This yield was compared to the implied yield for comparable securities according to price information from dealers and other third-party sources. Significant variances or inconsistencies were evaluated in conjunction with all of the other available pricing information to determine whether an adjustment to the fair-value estimate was appropriate. |
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Investment Securities – HFA Floating Rate Securities. The fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for securities with similar terms. Our floating rate HFA securities also fall within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy due to the current lack of market activity for these bonds. |
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Advances. We determine the fair value of advances by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the advances and excluding the amount of accrued interest receivable. The discount rates used in these calculations are the current replacement rates for advances with similar terms. We calculate our replacement advance rates at a spread to our cost of funds. Our cost of funds approximates the CO curve. See — COs within this note for a discussion of the CO curve. We use market-based expectations of future interest-rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options to estimate the fair values of advances with optionality. In accordance with the FHFA's advances regulations, advances with a maturity or repricing period greater than six months require a prepayment fee sufficient to make us financially indifferent to the borrower's decision to prepay the advances. Therefore, we do not assume prepayment risk when we determine the fair value of advances. Additionally, we do not account for credit risk in determining the fair value of our advances due to the strong credit protections that mitigate the credit risk associated with advances. Collateral requirements for advances provide surety for the repayment such that the probability of credit losses on advances is very low. We have the ability to establish a blanket lien on all financial assets of most members, and in the case of federally insured depository institutions, our lien has a statutory priority over all other creditors with respect to collateral that has not been perfected by other parties. All of these factors serve to mitigate credit risk on advances. |
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Mortgage Loans. The fair values for mortgage loans are determined based on quoted market prices of similar mortgage loans adjusted for credit and liquidity risk. |
REO. Fair value is derived from third-party valuations of the property, which fall within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy. |
Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable. The fair value approximates the recorded carrying value. |
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Derivative Assets/Liabilities - Interest-Rate-Exchange Agreements. We base the fair values of interest-rate-exchange agreements on available market prices of derivatives having similar terms, including accrued interest receivable and payable. The fair-value methodology uses standard valuation techniques for derivatives such as discounted cash-flow analysis and comparisons with similar instruments. |
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The fair values of all interest-rate-exchange agreements are netted by clearing member and/or by counterparty, including cash collateral received from or delivered to the counterparty. If these netted amounts are positive, they are classified as an asset, and if negative, they are classified as a liability. We generally use a midmarket pricing convention based on the bid-ask spread as a practical expedient for fair-value measurements. Because these estimates are made at a specific point in time, they are susceptible to material near-term changes. We have evaluated the potential for the fair value of the instruments to be affected by counterparty risk and our own credit risk and have determined that no adjustments were significant to the overall fair-value measurements. |
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The discounted cash-flow model uses market-observable inputs (inputs that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources), including the following: |
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• | Discount rate assumption. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we used either the overnight-index swap (OIS) curve or the LIBOR swap curve depending on the terms of the ISDA agreement we have with each derivative counterparty. |
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• | Forward interest-rate assumption. LIBOR swap curve. |
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• | Volatility assumption. Market-based expectations of future interest-rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options. |
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Derivative Assets/Liabilities – Commitments to Invest in Mortgage Loans. Commitments to invest in mortgage loans are recorded as derivatives in the statement of condition. The fair values of such commitments are based on the end-of-day delivery commitment prices provided by the FHLBank of Chicago and a spread, derived from MBS TBA delivery commitment prices with adjustment for the contractual features of the MPF program, such as servicing and credit-enhancement features. |
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Deposits. We determine the fair values of term deposits by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the deposits and reducing this amount by any accrued interest payable. The discount rates used in these calculations are the costs of currently issued deposits with similar terms. |
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COs. We estimate fair values based on the cost of issuing comparable term debt, excluding non-interest selling costs. Fair values of COs without embedded options are determined based on internal valuation models that use market-based yield curve inputs obtained from the Office of Finance. Fair values of COs with embedded options are determined by internal valuation models with market-based inputs obtained from the Office of Finance and derivative dealers. |
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The inputs used to determine the fair values of COs are as follows: |
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• | CO Curve. The Office of Finance constructs an internal yield curve, referred to as the CO curve, using the U.S. Treasury curve as a base yield curve that is then adjusted by adding indicative spreads obtained from market observable sources. These market indications are generally derived from pricing indications from dealers, historical pricing relationships, recent GSE debt trades, and secondary market activity. |
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• | Volatility Assumption. To estimate the fair values of COs with optionality, we use market-based expectations of future interest-rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options. |
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Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock. The fair value of capital stock subject to mandatory redemption is generally equal to its par as indicated by contemporaneous member purchases and sales at par value. Capital stock can only be acquired by our members at par value and redeemed at par value. Our capital stock is not traded and no market mechanism exists for the exchange of capital stock outside of our cooperative structure. |
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Commitments. The fair value of our standby bond-purchase agreements is based on the present value of the estimated fees we receive for providing these agreements discounted at yields comparable to those of the related bonds, taking into account the remaining terms of such agreements. For fixed-rate advance commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. |
Joint and Several Liability Policy | We evaluate the financial condition of the other FHLBanks primarily based on known regulatory actions, publicly available financial information, and individual long-term credit-rating action as of each period-end presented. |