Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

ADOPTED ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15)

On August 29, 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended guidance to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by this guidance.

The amendments require a customer in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance outlined in ASC Topic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. They require the customer to expense the capitalized implementation costs over the term of the hosting arrangement. The amendments also require the customer to present the expense in the same line item on the statement of income as the fees associated with the hosting element (service) and classify payments for capitalized implementation costs on the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element. Lastly, capitalized implementation costs should be presented on the statement of condition in the same line item that a prepayment for the fees of the associated hosting arrangement would be presented.

This guidance became effective for the Bank for the interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2020, and was adopted on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13)

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements to improve disclosure effectiveness. This guidance became effective for the Bank for the interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows; however, it reduced certain disclosures.

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13)

On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance for the accounting of credit losses on financial instruments. The amendments require entities to measure expected credit losses based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. The new guidance requires a financial asset, or a group of financial assets, measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The guidance also requires, among other things, the following:

• The statement of income to reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period.

• Entities to determine the allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of purchased credit deterioration (PCD) since origination that is measured at amortized cost in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost. The initial allowance for credit losses is required to be added to the purchase price of the assets acquired.

• Entities to record credit losses relating to AFS debt securities through an allowance for credit losses. The amendments limit the allowance for credit losses to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost.

• Public entities to further disaggregate the current disclosure of credit quality indicators in relation to the amortized cost of financing receivables by the year of origination (i.e., vintage).

The FASB issued subsequent amendments to clarify the scope of the credit losses standard and address issues including, but not limited to, accrued interest receivable balances, recoveries, variable interest rates and prepayments. All of this guidance became effective for the Bank for the interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2020 and was adopted on a modified retrospective basis. Upon adoption, the Bank recorded no credit losses on its advances, standby letters of credit, and other extensions of credit to borrowers (collectively, credit products) as well as its investment portfolio. For its mortgage loans held for portfolio, the Bank recorded a $1 million decrease in its allowance for credit losses through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2020. This decrease was attributable to recoveries on mortgage loans that were previously written down and have had their collateral values subsequently improve, partially offset by the incorporation of lifetime credit losses on its mortgage loan portfolio.

ISSUED ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

Reference Rate Reform (ASU 2020-04)

On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued guidance to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to GAAP on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). Entities can elect to not apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by rate reform, if certain criteria are met. Additionally, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform. Lastly, entities can make a one-time election to sell and/or transfer to AFS or trading any HTM debt securities that refer to an interest rate affected by reference rate reform and were classified as HTM before January 1, 2020.

This guidance becomes effective for the Bank upon election of any of the amendments and will be applied prospectively from the date elected until December 31, 2022. For certain hedge accounting optional expedients, they will be applied through the end of the hedging relationship, which could extend beyond December 31, 2022. The Bank is in the process of evaluating this guidance, and its effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows has not yet been determined.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (ASU 2018-14)

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans to improve disclosure effectiveness. This guidance becomes effective for the Bank for annual periods ending on December 31, 2020. Early adoption is permitted; however, the Bank does not intend to early adopt this guidance. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have any effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows; however, it may reduce certain disclosures.

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information.

Credit Loss, Financial Instrument [Policy Text Block]

Beginning January 1, 2020, the Bank adopted new accounting guidance pertaining to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments that requires a financial asset or group of financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new guidance also requires credit losses relating to these financial instruments as well as available-for-sale securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. Upon adoption of this guidance, the Bank recorded a $1 million decrease in its allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. See “Note 2 — Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Guidance” for additional information. The new guidance is summarized below. Consistent with the modified retrospective method of adoption, the prior period has not been revised to conform to the new basis of accounting. See “Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the 2019 Form 10-K for information on the prior accounting treatment.

Interest-Bearing Deposits, Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell, and Federal Funds Sold

The Bank invests in interest-bearing deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and Federal funds sold. These investments provide short-term liquidity and are carried at amortized cost. Accrued interest receivable is recorded separately on the Statements of Condition.

These investments are evaluated quarterly for expected credit losses. If applicable, an allowance for credit losses is recorded with a corresponding adjustment to the provision (reversal) for credit losses. The Bank uses the collateral maintenance provision practical expedient for securities purchased under agreements to resell. Consequently, a credit loss would be recognized if there is a collateral shortfall which the Bank does not believe the counterparty will replenish in accordance with its contractual terms. The credit loss would be limited to the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the investment’s amortized cost. See “Note 3 — Investments” for details on the allowance methodologies relating to these investments.

Investment Securities

Available for Sale. For securities classified as available-for-sale (AFS), the Bank evaluates an individual security for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing the security’s fair value to its amortized cost. Accrued interest receivable is recorded separately on the Statements of Condition. Impairment exists when the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost (i.e. in an unrealized loss position). In assessing whether a credit loss exists on an impaired security, the Bank considers whether there would be a shortfall in receiving all cash flows contractually due. When a shortfall is considered possible, the Bank compares the present value of cash flows to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows is less than amortized cost, an allowance for credit losses is recorded with a corresponding adjustment to the provision (reversal) for credit losses. The allowance is limited by the amount of the unrealized loss. The allowance for credit losses excludes uncollectible accrued interest receivable, which is measured separately, if applicable.

If management intends to sell an impaired security classified as AFS, or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before expected recovery of its amortized cost basis, any allowance for credit losses is written off and the amortized cost basis is written down to the security’s fair value at the reporting date with any incremental impairment reported in other income (loss). If management does not intend to sell an impaired security classified as AFS and it is not more likely than not that management will be required to sell the debt security, then the credit portion of the difference is recognized as an allowance for credit losses and any remaining difference between the security’s fair value and amortized cost is recorded to “Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities” within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI). Prior to January 1, 2020, credit losses, if applicable, were recorded as a direct write-down of the AFS security carrying value.

Held-to-Maturity. Securities that the Bank has both the ability and intent to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity (HTM) and are carried at amortized cost, which represents the amount at which an investment is acquired, adjusted for periodic principal repayments, amortization of premiums, and accretion of discounts. Accrued interest receivable is recorded separately on the Statements of Condition.

HTM securities are evaluated quarterly for expected credit losses on a pool basis unless an individual assessment is deemed necessary because the securities do not possess similar risk characteristics. An allowance for credit losses is recorded with a corresponding adjustment to the provision (reversal) for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses excludes uncollectible accrued interest receivable, which is measured separately, if applicable. Prior to January 1, 2020, credit losses, if applicable, were recorded as a direct write-down of the HTM security carrying value.

See “Note 3 — Investments” for details on the allowance methodologies relating to AFS and HTM securities.

Advances

Advances (secured loans to members, former members, or eligible housing associates) are carried at amortized cost,

which is net of premiums, discounts, and fair value hedging adjustments unless the Bank has elected the fair value option (FVO), in which case, the advances are carried at fair value. For advances carried at amortized cost, accrued interest receivable is recorded separately on the Statements of Condition. The advances carried at amortized cost are evaluated quarterly for expected credit losses. If deemed necessary, an allowance for credit losses is recorded with a corresponding adjustment to the provision (reversal) for credit losses. See “Note 4 — Advances” for details on the allowance methodology relating to advances.

Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio

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. Accrued interest receivable is recorded separately on the Statements of Condition.

The Bank performs a quarterly assessment of its mortgage loans held for portfolio to estimate expected credit losses. If deemed necessary, an allowance for credit losses is recorded with a corresponding adjustment to the provision (reversal) for credit losses.

The Bank measures expected credit losses on mortgage loans on a collective basis, pooling loans with similar risk characteristics. If a mortgage loan no longer shares risk characteristics with other loans, it is removed from the pool and evaluated for expected credit losses on an individual basis. When developing the allowance for credit losses, the Bank measures the estimated loss over the remaining life of a mortgage loan, which also considers how the Bank’s credit enhancements mitigate credit losses. The allowance excludes uncollectible accrued interest receivable, as the Bank writes off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income if a mortgage loan is placed on nonaccrual status.

The Bank does not purchase mortgage loans with credit deterioration present at the time of purchase. The Bank includes estimates of expected recoveries within the allowance for credit losses. See “Note 5 — Mortgage Loans” for details on the allowance methodology relating to mortgage loans.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

The Bank evaluates its off-balance sheet credit exposures on a quarterly basis for expected credit losses. If deemed necessary, an allowance for expected credit losses on these off-balance sheet exposures is recorded in other liabilities with a corresponding adjustment to the provision (reversal) for credit losses. See “Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.

Advance Prepayment Fees, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Bank generally charges a prepayment fee for advances that a borrower elects to terminate prior to the stated maturity or outside of a predetermined call or put date. The fees charged are priced to make the Bank financially indifferent to the prepayment of the advance. For certain 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 income on the Statements of Income.

Derivatives, Offsetting Fair Value Amounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Bank presents derivative instruments, related cash collateral received or pledged, and associated accrued interest on a net basis by clearing agent and/or by counterparty when it has met the netting requirements. Additional information regarding these agreements is provided in “Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the 2019 Form 10-K.

The Bank has analyzed the enforceability of offsetting rights incorporated in its cleared derivative transactions and has determined that the exercise of those offsetting rights by a non-defaulting party under these transactions should be upheld under applicable law upon an event of default, including a bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceeding involving the Clearinghouse or the clearing agent, or both. Based on this analysis, the Bank presents a net derivative receivable or payable for all of its transactions through a particular clearing agent with a particular Clearinghouse.

Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Changes in Redemption Value, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 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. Dividends on mandatorily redeemable capital stock are classified as interest expense on the Statements of Income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair value amounts are determined by the Bank using available market information and reflect the Bank’s best judgment of appropriate valuation methods. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., exit price). The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of significant observable inputs and minimize the use of significant unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The inputs are evaluated and an overall level for the fair value measurement is determined. This overall level is an indication of market observability of the fair value measurement for the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

• Level 1 Inputs. Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Bank can access on the measurement date. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which the transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2 Inputs. Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable inputs for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following: (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals and implied volatilities), and (iv) market-corroborated inputs.

• Level 3 Inputs. Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The Bank reviews its fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of the valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of certain assets or liabilities.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Bank records legal expenses related to litigation settlements as incurred in other expenses 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.