ECCB 2015/2016 Annual Report

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(expressed in Eastern Caribbean dollars)

March 31, 2016

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies … continued

j)

Impairment of financial assets…continued

(a) Assets carried at amortised cost...continued

The methodology and assumptions used for estimating future cash flows are reviewed regularly by the Bank to reduce any differences between loss estimates and actual loss experience.

When an asset is uncollectible, it is written off against the related provision for impairment. Such assets are written off after all necessary procedures have been completed and the amount of the loss has been determined. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised (such as an improvement in the debtors’ credit rating), the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed by adjusting the allowance account. The amount of the reversal is recognised in the statement of income or loss in impairment charge for credit losses. The Bank assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired. In the case of equity investments classified as available- for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered in determining whether the asset is impaired. If any such evidence of impairment exists for available-for-sale financial assets, the cumulative loss, measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognised in the statement of income or loss, is removed from equity and recognised in the statement of income or loss. If in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as available-for-sale increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised in the statement of income or loss, the impairment loss is reversed through the statement of income or loss. Impairment losses recognised in the statement of income or loss on equity instruments are not reversed through the statement of income or loss. (b) Assets classified as available-for-sale

k)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise balances with original maturities of less than or equal to 90 days from the date of acquisition, including cash on hand, balances with other banks, short-term highly-liquid funds and investments.

Cash equivalents are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

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ECCB A nnual R eport 2015/2016