The Impacts of New Financial Instrument Accounting Standards on Chinese Commercial Banks

Abstract

On March 31, 2017, the Ministry of Finance revised and issued three new financial instrument accounting standards including Accounting Standards for Enterprises No.22- Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments. The banks of China’s A and H stocks have implemented the new standards since January 1, 2018. From January 1, 2021, the scope of implementation of the standards covers all non-listed commercial banks. The new financial instrument standards have undergone great changes in the classification and impairment treatment of financial assets, which is bound to have a profound impact on Chinese commercial banks. This article analyzes the impacts of new standards on Chinese commercial banks from the aspects of financial asset classification and measurement, impairment, credit risk management, profit and earnings management. Finally, the paper puts forward several suggestions and measures on the system and model construction, credit policy and post-loan risk management and talent training, in order to facilitate banks smooth the transition to the new standards.