The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make subjective assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expense. The most significant of these estimates include the fair value of derivatives and certain investment securities that are reported at fair value on the Statements of Condition. Actual results could significantly differ from these estimates.

Fair Value. The fair value amounts, recorded on the Bank’s Statements of Condition and presented in the footnote disclosures, have been determined by the Bank using available market information and management’s best judgment of appropriate valuation methods. Although management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of 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. See “Note 17 — Fair Value” for more information.

The Bank has certain financial instruments, including derivative instruments and securities purchased under agreements to resell, that may be presented on a net basis when there is a legal right of offset and all other requirements for netting are met (collectively referred to as the netting requirements). The Bank has elected to offset its derivative instruments, related cash collateral, and associated accrued interest when it has met the netting requirements.

The net exposure for these financial instruments can change on a daily basis and 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. Additional information regarding these agreements is provided in “Note 11 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities.”

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Bank had $14 billion and $5 billion in securities purchased under agreements to resell. Based on the fair value of the related collateral held, the Bank’s securities purchased under agreements to resell were fully collateralized for the periods presented. There were no offsetting liabilities related to these securities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Interest-bearing deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and Federal funds sold provide short-term liquidity and are carried at cost. Interest-bearing deposits include deposits held with banks or counterparties that do not meet the definition of a security. The Bank treats securities purchased under agreements to resell as short-term secured investments. Should the market value of the underlying securities decrease below the market value required as collateral, the counterparty must either place an equivalent amount of additional securities in safekeeping in the name of the Bank or remit an equivalent amount of cash. Otherwise, the dollar value of the resale agreement will be decreased accordingly. Federal funds sold consist of short-term, unsecured loans generally transacted with counterparties that are considered by the Bank to be of investment quality.

The Bank classifies investment securities as trading, available-for-sale (AFS), and held-to-maturity (HTM) at the date of acquisition. Purchases and sales of investment securities are recorded on a trade date basis. The Bank records interest on investment securities to interest income as earned. The Bank generally amortizes/accretes premiums and discounts on AFS and HTM investment securities to income using the contractual level-yield method (level-yield method). In addition, the Bank uses this method to amortize/accrete fair value hedging adjustments. The level-yield method recognizes the income effects of these adjustments over the contractual life of the securities based on the actual behavior of the underlying assets, including adjustments for actual prepayment activities, and reflects the contractual terms of the securities without regard to changes in estimated prepayments based on assumptions about future borrower behavior. For non-MBS callable AFS and HTM investment securities purchased at a premium, the Bank amortizes the premium to the earliest contractual call date. The Bank computes gains and losses on sales of investment securities using the specific identification method and includes these gains and losses in other income (loss).

Trading. Securities classified as trading are carried at fair value and generally entered into for liquidity purposes. In addition, the Bank classifies certain securities as trading that do not qualify for hedge accounting, primarily in an effort to mitigate the potential income statement volatility that can arise when an economic derivative is adjusted for changes in fair value but the related hedged item is not. The Bank records changes in the fair value of these securities through other income (loss) as “Net gains (losses) on trading securities.” Finance Agency regulation prohibits trading in or the speculative use of these instruments.

Available-for-Sale. Securities that are not classified as trading or HTM are classified as AFS and carried at fair value. The Bank records changes in the fair value of these securities through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) as “Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.” Beginning January 1, 2019, the Bank adopted new hedge accounting guidance, which impacted the presentation of gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities for qualifying hedges, including fair value hedges of AFS securities. For AFS securities that have been hedged and qualify as a fair value hedge, the Bank records the portion of the change in the fair value of the security related to the risk being hedged in AFS interest income together with the related change in fair value of the derivative, and records the remainder of the change in fair value through AOCI as “Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.” Prior to January 1, 2019, for AFS securities that were hedged and qualified as a fair value hedge, the Bank recorded the portion of the change in the fair value of the security related to the risk being hedged together with the related change in fair value of the derivative through other income (loss) as “Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.”

Certain changes in circumstances may cause the Bank to change its intent to hold a security to maturity without calling into question its intent to hold other debt securities to maturity in the future. Thus, the sale or transfer of a HTM 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, non-recurring, and unusual for the Bank that could not have been reasonably anticipated may cause the Bank to sell or transfer an HTM security without necessarily calling into question its intent to hold other debt securities to maturity. In addition, the 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: (i) the sale occurs near enough to its maturity date (for example, within three months of maturity), 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 (ii) the sale occurs after the Bank has 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 the debt security payable in equal installments (both principal and interest) over its term.

The Bank evaluates its individual AFS and HTM securities in an unrealized loss position for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on a quarterly basis. A security is considered impaired when its fair value is less than its amortized cost basis. The Bank considers an OTTI to have occurred under any of the following conditions:

Recognition of OTTI. If either of the first two conditions is met, the Bank recognizes an OTTI charge in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value as of the reporting date. If neither of the first two conditions is met, the Bank performs an analysis to determine if it will recover the entire amortized cost basis of the debt security, which includes a cash flow analysis for private-label mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is compared to the amortized cost basis of the debt security to determine whether a credit loss exists. If there is a credit loss (the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis of the debt security), the carrying value of the debt security is adjusted to its fair value. However, rather than recognizing the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value in earnings, only the amount of the impairment representing the credit loss (i.e., the credit component) is recognized in earnings, while the amount related to all other factors is recognized in AOCI. The credit loss on a debt security is limited to the amount of that security’s unrealized losses. The total OTTI is presented on the Statements of Income with an offset for the amount of the non-credit portion of OTTI that is recognized in AOCI, if applicable. See “Note 7 — Other-Than-Temporary Impairment” for additional information.

The Bank reports advances (secured loans to members, former members, or eligible housing associates) at amortized cost, which is net of premiums, discounts, and fair value hedging adjustments unless the Bank has elected the fair value option, in which case, the advances are carried at fair value. The Bank records interest on advances to interest income as earned. The Bank amortizes/accretes premiums, discounts, and fair value hedging adjustments on advances to income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the advances.

Prepayment Fees. The Bank charges a borrower a prepayment fee when the borrower prepays certain advances before the original maturity. For advances with symmetrical prepayment features, the Bank may charge the borrower a prepayment fee or pay the borrower a prepayment credit, depending on certain circumstances, such as movements in interest rates, when the advance is prepaid. Prepayment fees and credits are recorded net of fair value hedging adjustments in advance interest income on the Statements of Income.

Advance Modifications. In cases in which the Bank funds a new advance to a borrower concurrently with or within a short period of time before or after the prepayment of an existing advance, the Bank evaluates whether the new advance meets the accounting criteria to qualify as a modification of an existing advance or whether it constitutes a new advance. The Bank compares the present value of cash flows on the new advance to the present value of cash flows remaining on the existing advance. If there is at least a ten percent difference in the present value of the cash flows or if the Bank concludes the difference between the advances is more than minor based on a qualitative assessment of the modifications made to the original contractual terms, then the advance is accounted for as a new advance and all prepayment fees or credits net of fair value hedging adjustments are recognized immediately to advance interest income on the Statements of Income. In all other instances, the advance is accounted for as a modification.

When a new advance qualifies as a modification of an existing advance, any prepayment fee, net of fair value hedging adjustments, as well as any outstanding premiums, discounts, or other adjustments on the prepaid advance are deferred, recorded in the basis of the modified advance, and amortized over the contractual life of the modified advance using a level-yield methodology to advance interest income.

The Bank classifies mortgage loans that it has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, as held for portfolio. Accordingly, these mortgage loans are reported net of premiums, discounts, basis adjustments from mortgage loan purchase commitments, charge-offs, and the allowance for credit losses. The Bank records interest on mortgage loans to interest income as earned. The Bank amortizes/accretes premiums, discounts, and basis adjustments on mortgage loan purchase commitments to income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the mortgage loans.

An allowance for credit losses is a valuation allowance separately established for each identified portfolio segment, if it is probable that impairment has occurred in the Bank’s portfolio as of the statement of condition date and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. To the extent necessary, an allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded as a liability. See “Note 10 — Allowance for Credit Losses” for details on each of the Bank’s allowance methodologies.

Portfolio Segments. A portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology for determining its allowance for credit losses. The Bank has developed and documented a systematic methodology for determining an allowance for credit losses for credit products (advances, standby letters of credit, and other extensions of credit to borrowers), government-insured mortgage loans held for portfolio, conventional Mortgage Partnership Finance Program (MPF) and Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP) loans held for portfolio, and term securities purchased under agreements to resell. Mortgage Partnership Finance and MPF are registered trademarks of the FHLBank of Chicago.

Classes of Financing Receivables. Classes of financing receivables generally are a disaggregation of a portfolio segment to the extent that it is needed to understand the exposure to credit risk arising from the financing receivables. The Bank assesses and measures its credit risk arising from financing receivables at the portfolio segment level. As such, it has determined that no further disaggregation of the portfolio segments identified above is needed.

Non-Accrual Loans. The Bank places a conventional mortgage loan on non-accrual status if it is determined that either the collection of interest or principal is doubtful or interest or principal is 90 days or more past due. The Bank does not place a government-insured mortgage loan on non-accrual status due to the U.S. Government guarantee or insurance on the loan and contractual obligation of the loan servicer to repurchase the loan when certain criteria are met. For those mortgage loans placed on non-accrual status, accrued but uncollected interest is reversed against interest income and cash payments received are recorded as a reduction of principal. In addition, premiums, discounts, and basis adjustments from mortgage loan purchase commitments are not amortized while a loan is on non-accrual status. A loan on non-accrual status may be restored to accrual status when none of its contractual principal and interest is due and unpaid and the Bank expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest.

Troubled Debt Restructurings. The Bank considers a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) to have occurred when a concession is granted to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties and that concession would not have been considered otherwise. The Bank’s TDRs include loans granted under its loan modification plans and loans discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy that have not been reaffirmed by the borrower. The Bank does not consider government-insured mortgage loans to be TDRs due to the U.S. Government guarantee or insurance on the loan and contractual obligation of the loan servicer to repurchase the loan when certain criteria are met. The Bank places all TDRs on non-accrual status at the time of modification.

Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans. The Bank individually evaluates all TDRs and collateral-dependent loans for impairment. The Bank generally measures impairment of TDRs based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Collateral-dependent loans are loans in which 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. The Bank’s collateral-dependent loans include loans in process of foreclosure, loans 180 days or more past due, and bankruptcy loans and TDRs 60 days or more past due. The Bank measures impairment of collateral-dependent loans based on the estimated fair value of the underlying property, less estimated selling costs and expected proceeds from primary mortgage insurance (PMI). Interest income on impaired loans is recognized in the same manner as non-accrual loans.

Charge-Off Policy. A charge-off is recorded if it is estimated that the recorded investment in a loan will not be recovered. The Bank evaluates 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 when a loan is deemed collateral-dependent. The Bank charges-off the portion of the outstanding conventional mortgage loan balance in excess of the fair value of the underlying collateral, which is determined using property values, less estimated selling costs and expected proceeds from PMI.

All derivatives are recognized on the Statements of Condition at their fair values and reported as either derivative assets or derivative liabilities, net of cash collateral and accrued interest received from or pledged to clearing agents and/or counterparties. The fair values of derivatives are netted by clearing agent and/or counterparty when the netting requirements have been met. If these netted amounts result in a receivable to the Bank, they are classified as a derivative asset and, if classified as a payable to the clearing agent or counterparty, they are classified as a derivative liability. Cash flows associated with derivatives are reflected as cash flows from operating activities on the Statements of Cash Flows unless the derivative meets the criteria to be a financing derivative.

The Bank transacts most of its derivative transactions with large banks and major broker-dealers. Over-the-counter derivative transactions may be either executed directly with a counterparty (uncleared derivatives) or cleared through a Futures Commission Merchant (i.e., a clearing agent) with a Derivative Clearing Organization (cleared derivatives). The Bank utilizes one Derivative Clearing Organization (Clearinghouse), CME Clearing, for all cleared derivative transactions. CME Clearing notifies the clearing agent of the required initial margin and daily variation margin payments, and the clearing agent in turn notifies the Bank. The Clearinghouse determines initial margin requirements which are considered cash collateral. Variation margin requirements with CME Clearing are based on changes in the fair value of cleared derivatives and are legally characterized as daily settlement payments, which are a component of the derivative fair value, rather than cash collateral.

Accounting for Fair Value Hedges. If hedging relationships meet certain criteria, including, but not limited to, formal documentation of the fair value hedging relationship and an expectation to be highly effective, they qualify for fair value hedge accounting. At the inception of each fair value hedge transaction, the Bank formally documents the hedge relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, and how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value attributable to the hedged risk will be assessed. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges to assets and liabilities on the Statements of Condition and firm commitments.

Beginning January 1, 2019, the Bank adopted new hedge accounting guidance, which impacted the presentation of gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities for qualifying hedges. 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, are recorded in net interest income in the same line as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Prior to January 1, 2019, any hedge ineffectiveness, which represented the amount by which the change in the fair value of the derivative differed from the change in fair value of the hedged item was recorded in other income (loss) as “Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.” Two approaches to fair value hedge accounting include:

Derivatives are typically executed at the same time as the hedged item, and the Bank designates the hedged item in a fair value hedge relationship at the trade date. In many hedging relationships, the Bank may designate the fair value hedging relationship upon its commitment to disburse an advance or trade a consolidated obligation in which settlement occurs within the shortest period of time possible for the type of instrument based on market settlement conventions. The Bank then records the changes in fair value of the derivative and the hedged item beginning on the trade date.

Accounting for Economic Hedges. An economic hedge is defined as a derivative hedging specific or non-specific underlying assets, liabilities, or firm commitments that does not qualify or was not designated for fair value hedge accounting, but is an acceptable hedging strategy under the Bank’s risk management program. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as economic hedges are recorded in other income (loss) as “Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities” with no offsetting fair value adjustments for the underlying assets, liabilities, or firm commitments, unless changes in the fair value of the assets or liabilities are normally marked to fair value through earnings (e.g., trading securities and fair value option instruments).

Accrued Interest Receivables and Payables. The net settlements of interest receivables and payables related to derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recognized as adjustments to the interest income or interest expense of the designated hedged item. The net settlements of interest receivables and payables related to derivatives designated as economic hedges are recognized in other income (loss) as “Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.”

Discontinuance of Hedge Accounting. The Bank discontinues fair value hedge accounting prospectively when either (i) it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of a hedged item due to changes in the benchmark interest rate, (ii) the derivative and/or the hedged item expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, (iii) a hedged firm commitment in a fair value hedge no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, or (iv) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.

When fair value hedge accounting is discontinued, the Bank either terminates the derivative or continues to carry the derivative on the Statements of Condition at its fair value. For any remaining hedged item, the Bank ceases to adjust the hedged item for changes in fair value and amortizes the cumulative basis adjustment on the hedged item into earnings over the remaining contractual life of the hedged item using the level-yield method.

When fair value hedge accounting is discontinued because the hedged item no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, the Bank continues to carry the derivative on the Statements of Condition at its fair value, removing from the Statements of Condition any hedged item that was recorded to recognize the firm commitment and recording it as a gain or loss in current period earnings.

Embedded Derivatives. The Bank may issue debt, make advances, or purchase financial instruments in which a derivative instrument is “embedded.” Upon execution of these transactions, the Bank assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the debt, advance, or purchased financial instrument (the host contract) and whether a separate, non-embedded instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. If the Bank determines that the embedded derivative has economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and 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 an economic derivative instrument. However, if the Bank elects to carry the entire contract (the host contract and the embedded derivative) at fair value on the Statements of Condition, changes in fair value of the entire contract will be reported in current period earnings.

Premises, software, and equipment are included in other assets on the Statements of Condition. The Bank records premises, software, and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and computes depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets, which range from approximately three years to 40 years. Leasehold improvements, if applicable, are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. The Bank may capitalize improvements and major renewals but expenses ordinary maintenance and repairs when incurred. The Bank may capitalize and amortize the cost of computer software developed or obtained for internal use over future periods. The Bank includes gains and losses on the disposal of premises, software, and equipment in other income (loss) on the Statements of Income.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, premises, software, and equipment totaled $66 million and $76 million, which was net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $36 million and $27 million. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, depreciation and amortization expense for premises, software, and equipment was $14 million, $9 million, and $6 million.

The Bank leases office space and office equipment to run its business operations. At December 31, 2019, the Bank included on the Statements of Condition $3 million of operating lease right-of-use assets in other assets as well as $3 million of operating lease liabilities in other liabilities. The Bank recognized operating lease costs in the other operating expense line item of the Statements of Income.

The Bank reports consolidated obligations at amortized cost, which is net of premiums, discounts, concessions, and fair value hedging adjustments unless the Bank has elected the fair value option, in which case, the consolidated obligations are carried at fair value. The Bank records interest on consolidated obligations bonds to interest expense as incurred. The Bank amortizes/accretes premiums, discounts, concessions, and fair value hedging adjustments on consolidated obligations to expense using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the consolidated obligations.

Concessions. The Bank pays concessions to dealers in connection with the issuance of certain consolidated obligations. The Office of Finance prorates the amount of the concession to each FHLBank based upon the percentage of the debt issued that is attributed to that FHLBank. Concessions paid on consolidated obligations designated under the fair value option are expensed as incurred and recorded in other expense. Concessions paid on consolidated obligations not designated under the fair value option are deferred and amortized over the contractual life of the consolidated obligations using the level-yield method. Unamortized concessions are included as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of “Consolidated obligation discount notes” or “Consolidated obligation bonds” on the Statements of Condition and the amortization of those concessions is included in consolidated obligation interest expense.

The Bank reclassifies capital stock subject to redemption from equity to a liability (mandatorily redeemable capital stock) at the time shares meet the definition of a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument. This occurs after a member provides written notice of redemption, gives notice of intention to withdraw from membership, becomes ineligible for continuing membership, or attains non-member status by merger or consolidation, charter termination, or other involuntary termination from membership. Shares meeting this definition are reclassified to a liability at fair value. Dividends on mandatorily redeemable capital stock are classified as interest expense on the Statements of Income. The repurchase or redemption of mandatorily redeemable capital stock is transacted at par value and is reflected as a cash outflow in the financing activities section of the Statements of Cash Flows.

The Bank recognized the net assets acquired from the merger with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle in 2015 (Merger) by recording the par value of capital stock issued in the transaction as capital stock, with the remaining portion of net assets acquired reflected in a capital account captioned “Additional capital from merger.” The Bank treated this additional capital from merger as a component of total capital for regulatory capital purposes. Dividends on capital stock were paid from this account following the Merger until the balance was depleted by the first quarter dividend payment in May 2017.

The Bank entered into a Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement (JCE Agreement) with all of the other FHLBanks in 2011. The JCE Agreement, as amended, is intended to enhance the capital position of the Bank over time. Under the JCE Agreement, each FHLBank is required to allocate 20 percent of its quarterly net income to a restricted retained earnings account until the balance of that account equals at least one percent of its average balance of outstanding consolidated obligations for the previous quarter. The restricted retained earnings are not available to pay dividends and are presented separately on the Statements of Condition.

Litigation settlement gains are considered realized and recorded when the Bank receives cash or assets that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash or claims to cash. In addition, litigation settlement gains are considered realizable and recorded when the Bank enters into a signed agreement that is not subject to appeal, where the counterparty has the ability to pay, and the amount to be received can be reasonably estimated. Prior to being realized or realizable, the Bank considers potential litigation settlement gains to be gain contingencies, and therefore they are not recorded on the Statements of Income.

The Bank records legal expenses related to litigation settlements as incurred in other expense on the Statements of Income with the exception of certain legal expenses related to litigation settlement awards that are contingent based fees for the attorneys representing the Bank. The Bank incurs and recognizes these contingent based legal fees only when litigation settlement awards are realized, at which time these fees are netted against the gains recognized on the litigation settlement through other income (loss) on the Statements of Income.

The Bank is assessed for a portion of the costs of operating the Office of Finance. The Office of Finance allocates its operating and capital expenditures to the FHLBanks as follows: (i) two-thirds based on each FHLBank’s share of total consolidated obligations outstanding and (ii) one-third based upon an equal pro-rata allocation.