Lawmakers Ask FASB to Postpone Derivatives Plan

Twenty-three House Banking Committee members asked the Financial Accounting Standards Board Wednesday to delay its controversial derivatives accounting proposal.

In a letter to FASB Chairman Edmund L. Jenkins, the lawmakers said they were worried that reporting derivatives at fair market value on quarterly income statements would distort earnings, discourage prudent risk management, and disclose sensitive financial data to competitors.

They asked Mr. Jenkins to extend the comment period on the plan beyond the Oct. 14 deadline. In addition, FASB should delay the effective date of the accounting standard until Jan. 1, 2000, and give detailed guidance on how companies affected by the standard should estimate fair market value. The rule is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.

Mr. Jenkins is expected to appear today before the Senate Banking Committee's securities subcommittee to discuss the derivatives proposal. Also scheduled to testify are William J. Roberts, senior vice president and controller of First Chicago NBD Corp., and Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago President Alex J. Pollock.

The House Banking Committee's capital markets subcommittee held a similar hearing Oct. 1.

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