In recently issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) clarified that, for each reporting period, an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of paragraph 310-20-35-33 of the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Securities within the scope of this paragraph are those that have explicit, noncontingent call options that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates at prices less than the amortized cost basis of the security. ASU 2020-08 also points out that whether a security is subject to this paragraph may change depending on the amortized cost basis of the security and the terms of the next call option. 

As revised, ASC 310-20-35-33 requires that, for each reporting period, to the extent the amortized cost basis of an individual callable debt security exceeds the amount repayable by the issuer at the next call date, the excess (i.e., the premium) should be amortized to the next call date, unless the guidance in ASC 310-20-35-26 is applied to consider estimated prepayments. For purposes of this guidance, the next call date is the first date when a call option at a specified price becomes exercisable. Once that date has passed, the next call date is when the next call option at a specified price becomes exercisable, if applicable. If there is no remaining premium or if there are no further call dates, the entity should reset the effective yield using the payment terms of the debt security. 

For public business entities, ASU 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early application is not permitted. For all other entities, ASU 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early application is permitted for all other entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. All entities should apply ASU 2020-08 on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities.