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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Investments  
Fixed maturity securities are purchased to support our investment strategies, which are developed based on factors including rate of return, maturity, credit risk, duration, tax considerations and regulatory requirements. Fixed maturity securities which may be sold prior to maturity to support our investment strategies are carried at fair value and are classified as available for sale as of the balance sheet dates. Fair values for fixed maturity securities are principally a function of current market conditions and are valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. Discount or premium is recorded for the difference between the purchase price and the principal amount. The discount or premium is amortized or accrued using the interest method and is recorded as an adjustment to interest and investment income. The interest method results in the recognition of a constant rate of return on the investment equal to the prevailing rate at the time of purchase or at the time of subsequent adjustments of book value. Changes in prepayment assumptions are accounted for retrospectively.
Equity securities and preferred stocks held are considered to be available for sale and carried at fair value as of the balance sheet dates. Our equity securities and certain preferred stocks are Level 1 financial assets and fair values are based on quoted prices in active markets. Other preferred stock holdings are Level 2 financial assets and are valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly.
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are recorded using the equity method of accounting.
Other long-term investments consist of various cost-method investments and company-owned life insurance policies. The cost-method investments are carried at historical cost. The carrying value of our cost-method investments is $78 million and $6 million, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Company-owned life insurance policies are carried at cash surrender value.
Short-term investments, which consist primarily of commercial paper and money market instruments, which have an original maturity of one year or less, are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of the cost of the specific investments sold and are credited or charged to income on a trade date basis. Unrealized gains or losses on securities which are classified as available for sale, net of applicable deferred income tax expenses (benefits), are excluded from earnings and credited or charged directly to a separate component of equity. If any unrealized losses on available for sale securities are determined to be other-than-temporary, such unrealized losses are recognized as realized losses. Unrealized losses are considered other-than-temporary if factors exist that cause us to believe that the value will not increase to a level sufficient to recover our cost basis. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary include: (i) our need and intent to sell the investment prior to a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in value; (ii) the duration and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; and (iii) the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. Such reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss.
Cash and Cash Equivalents  
Highly liquid instruments purchased as part of cash management with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these instruments approximate their fair value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments  
The fair values of financial instruments presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements are estimates of the fair values at a specific point in time using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and significant judgment in the interpretation of current market data. We do not necessarily intend to dispose of or liquidate such instruments prior to maturity.
Trade and Notes Receivable  
The carrying values reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for trade and notes receivables approximate their fair value.
Goodwill  
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and assumed in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, through a comparison of fair value to the carrying amount. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, we perform an annual goodwill impairment analysis based on a review of qualitative factors to determine if events and circumstances exist which will lead to a determination that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, prior to performing a full fair-value assessment.
Other Intangible Assets  
We have other intangible assets, not including goodwill, which consist primarily of customer relationships and contracts, trademarks and tradenames, and computer software, which are generally recorded in connection with acquisitions at their fair value. Intangible assets with estimable lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In general, customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally 10 years, using an accelerated method which takes into consideration expected customer attrition rates. Contractual relationships are generally amortized over their contractual life. Trademarks and tradenames are generally amortized over 10 years. Capitalized software includes the fair value of software acquired in business combinations, purchased software and capitalized software development costs. Purchased software is recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. Software acquired in business combinations is recorded at its fair value and amortized using straight-line or accelerated methods over its estimated useful life, ranging from 5 to 10 years. For internal-use computer software products, internal and external costs incurred during the preliminary project stage are expensed as they are incurred. Internal and external costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized on a product by product basis commencing on the date the software is ready for its intended use. We do not capitalize any costs once the software is ready for its intended use.
We recorded $1 million in impairment expense to other intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The impairment in 2017 was for computer software at ServiceLink. The impairment in 2016 was for customer relationships and tradenames at our real estate subsidiaries in our Corporate and Other segment. We recorded no impairment expense related to other intangible assets in the year ended December 31, 2015.
Title Plants
Title plants are recorded at the cost incurred to construct or obtain and organize historical title information to the point it can be used to perform title searches. Costs incurred to maintain, update and operate title plants are expensed as incurred. Title plants are not amortized as they are considered to have an indefinite life if maintained. Sales of title plants are reported at the amount received net of the adjusted costs of the title plant sold. Sales of title plant copies are reported at the amount received. No cost is allocated to the sale of copies of title plants unless the carrying value of the title plant is diminished or impaired. Title plants are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Property and Equipment  
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets: twenty to thirty years for buildings and three to twenty-five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the applicable lease or the estimated useful lives of such assets. Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Reserve for Title Claim Losses  
Our reserve for title claim losses includes known claims as well as losses we expect to incur, net of recoupments. Each known claim is reserved based on our review as to the estimated amount of the claim and the costs required to settle the claim. Reserves for claims which are incurred but not reported are established at the time premium revenue is recognized based on historical loss experience and also take into consideration other factors, including industry trends, claim loss history, current legal environment, geographic considerations and the type of policy written.
The reserve for title claim losses also includes reserves for losses arising from closing and disbursement functions due to fraud or operational error.
If a loss is related to a policy issued by an independent agent, we may proceed against the independent agent pursuant to the terms of the agency agreement. In any event, we may proceed against third parties who are responsible for any loss under the title insurance policy under rights of subrogation.
Secured Trust Deposits  
In the state of Illinois, a trust company is permitted to commingle and invest customers’ assets with its own assets, pending completion of real estate transactions.
Income Taxes  
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and laws, if any, is applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled and reflected in the financial statements in the period enacted.
Reinsurance  
In a limited number of situations, we limit our maximum loss exposure by reinsuring certain risks with other insurers. We also earn a small amount of additional income, which is reflected in our direct premiums, by assuming reinsurance for certain risks of other insurers. We cede a portion of certain policy and other liabilities under agent fidelity, excess of loss and case-by-case reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance agreements provide that in the event of a loss (including costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses) exceeding the retained amounts, the reinsurer is liable for the excess amount assumed. However, the ceding company remains primarily liable in the event the reinsurer does not meet its contractual obligations.
Revenue Recognition  
Title. Our direct title insurance premiums and escrow, title-related and other fees are recognized as revenue at the time of closing of the related transaction as the earnings process is then considered complete.
Premium revenues from agency operations and agency commissions include an accrual based on estimates using historical information of the volume of transactions that have closed in a particular period for which premiums have not yet been reported to us. The accrual for agency premiums is necessary because of the lag between the closing of these transactions and the reporting of these policies to us by the agent. Historically, the time lag between the closing of these transactions by our agents and the reporting of these policies, or premiums, to us has been up to 15 months, with 84 - 88% reported within three months following closing, an additional 9 - 12% reported within the next three months and the remainder within seven to fifteen months. In addition to accruing these earned but unreported agency premiums, we also accrue agent commission expense, which was 76.7%, of agent premiums earned in 2017, 76.1% of agent premiums earned in 2016, and 76.0% of agent premiums earned in 2015. We also record a provision for claim losses at the provision rate at the time we record the accrual for the premiums, which averaged 4.9% for 2017, 5.4%, excluding the release of excess reserves relating to prior years of $97 million, for 2016, and 5.7% for 2015 and accruals for premium taxes and other expenses relating to our premium accrual. The resulting impact to pretax earnings in any period is approximately 11% or less of the accrued premium amount. The impact of the change in the accrual for agency premiums and related expenses on our pretax earnings was an increase of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $4 million for the year ended 2016 and a decrease of $5 million for the year ended 2015. The amount due from our agents relating to this accrual, i.e., the agent premium less their contractual retained commission, was approximately $55 million and $53 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which represents agency premiums of approximately $280 million and $267 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and agent commissions of $225 million and $214 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Revenues from home warranty products are recognized over the life of the policy, which is one year. The unrecognized portion is recorded as deferred revenue in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)  
We report Comprehensive earnings (loss) in accordance with GAAP on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings. Total comprehensive earnings are defined as all changes in shareholders' equity during a period, other than those resulting from investments by and distributions to shareholders. While total comprehensive earnings is the activity in a period and is largely driven by net earnings in that period, accumulated other comprehensive earnings or loss represents the cumulative balance of other comprehensive earnings, net of tax, as of the balance sheet date. Amounts reclassified to net earnings relate to the realized gains (losses) on our investments and other financial instruments, excluding investments in unconsolidated affiliates, and are included in Realized gains and losses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest  
As these redeemable noncontrolling interests provide for redemption features not solely within our control, we classify the redeemable noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity. Redeemable noncontrolling interests held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by FNF is reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet outside permanent of equity; and the Consolidated Statement of Earnings reflects the respective redeemable noncontrolling interests in Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, the effect of which is removed from the net earnings attributable to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common shareholders.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share, as presented on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings, is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders in a given period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during such period. In periods when earnings are positive, diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the impact of assumed conversions of potentially dilutive securities. For periods when we recognize a net loss, diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings per share as the impact of assumed conversions of potentially dilutive securities is considered to be antidilutive. We have granted certain stock options, shares of restricted stock, convertible debt instruments and certain other convertible share based payments which have been treated as common share equivalents for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share for periods in which positive earnings have been reported.
Options or other instruments which provide the ability to purchase shares of our common stock that are antidilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
Basic earnings per share, as presented on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In periods when earnings are positive, diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the impact of assumed conversions of potentially dilutive securities. For periods when we recognize a net loss, diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings per share as the impact of assumed conversions of potentially dilutive securities is considered to be antidilutive. We have granted certain stock options, shares of restricted stock, convertible debt instruments and certain other convertible share based payments which have been treated as common share equivalents for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share for periods in which positive earnings have been reported.
Options or other instruments which provide the ability to purchase shares of our common stock that are antidilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans  
We account for stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method. Using the fair value method of accounting, compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the award at the grant date, using the Black-Scholes Model, and recognized over the service period.
Management Estimates  
The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU provides a new comprehensive revenue recognition model that requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. This update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations was issued by FASB in March 2016 to clarify the principal versus agent considerations within ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-10 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing was issued by the FASB in April 2016 to clarify how to determine whether goods and services are separately identifiable and thus accounted for as separate performance obligations. ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients was issued by the FASB in May 2016 to clarify certain terms from the aforementioned updates and to add practical expedients for contracts at various stages of completion. ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was issued by the FASB in December 2016 which includes thirteen technical corrections and improvements affecting narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2014-09.
We adopted these revenue standards on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As there was no impact to our historical revenue recognition, we did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the current year. See Note J. Revenue Recognition for further discussion of our revenue.
Other Adopted Pronouncements
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The primary amendments required by the ASU include: requiring equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value through net income rather than through other comprehensive income; allowing entities with equity investments without readily determinable fair values to report the investments at cost, adjusted for changes in observable prices, less impairment; requiring entities that elect the fair value option for financial liabilities to report the change in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income; and clarifying that entities should assess the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment of the balance sheet as of the beginning of the year of adoption. Early adoption of the ASU is not permitted, except for the provision related to financial liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected.
We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2018, which resulted in the reclassification of our unrealized gains and losses on our equity and preferred securities available for sale previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income to beginning retained earnings. Changes in the fair value of our investments in equity and preferred securities subsequent to January 1, 2018 are now included in our earnings from continuing operations. We reclassified a total of $109 million from Accumulated other comprehensive income to beginning Retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. The total cumulative effect on opening equity, including an increase in Retained earnings of $19 million attributable to an increase in value of certain Other long term investments resulting from recording at fair value, was an increase in Retained earnings of $128 million and decrease in Accumulated other comprehensive income of $109 million.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. GAAP currently does not include specific guidance on the cash flow classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash. The Company previously excluded cash pledged related to secured trust deposits, which generally meets the definition of restricted cash, from the reconciliation of beginning-of-period to end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented upon adoption.
We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this ASU resulted in the following retrospective changes to our Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017: an increase in the net change in cash and cash equivalents of $67 million due to the inclusion of the change in our cash pledged against secured trust deposits, an increase in investing cash inflow of $179 million related to the movement of cash paid for investments pledged against secured trust deposits from operating to investing activities, and an increase in financing cash outflow of $112 million related to the movement of the change in secured trust deposits from operating to financing activities.
Other Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU introduce broad changes to the accounting and reporting for leases by lessees. The main provisions of the new standard include: clarifications to the definitions of a lease, components of leases, and criteria for determining lease classification; requiring virtually all leased assets, including operating leases and related liabilities resulting from applying the fair value measurement, to be reflected on the lessee's balance sheet; and expanding and adding to the required disclosures for lessees. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the standard is permitted. The ASU requires a modified retrospective approach to transitioning which allows for the use of practical expedients to effectively account for leases commenced prior to the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. We are still evaluating the totality of the effects this new guidance will have on our business process and systems, consolidated financial statements, and related disclosures. We have identified a vendor with software suited to track and account for leases under the new standard. We have not concluded on the anticipated financial statement effects of adoption. We plan to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU introduce broad changes to accounting for credit impairment of financial instruments. The primary updates include the introduction of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model that is based on expected rather than incurred losses and amendments to the accounting for impairment of fixed maturity securities available for sale. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the effect this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have not yet concluded on its effects. We do not plan to early adopt the standard.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  The guidance simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by removing step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires the determination of the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit.  The new guidance requires goodwill impairment to be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis.  The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the effect this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have not yet concluded on its effects.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC Topic 606 by applying the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period.
The adoption of ASC Topic 606 did not have an impact on the recognition of our primary sources of revenue, direct and agency title premiums, as those revenue streams are subject to the accounting and reporting requirements under ASC Topic 944. Timing of recognition of substantially all of our remaining revenue was also not impacted and we therefore did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to opening equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU provides a new comprehensive revenue recognition model that requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. This update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations was issued by FASB in March 2016 to clarify the principal versus agent considerations within ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-10 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing was issued by the FASB in April 2016 to clarify how to determine whether goods and services are separately identifiable and thus accounted for as separate performance obligations. ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients was issued by the FASB in May 2016 to clarify certain terms from the aforementioned updates and to add practical expedients for contracts at various stages of completion. ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was issued by the FASB in December 2016 which includes thirteen technical corrections and improvements affecting narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2014-09.
We have completed our analysis of the impact of the standards and have concluded that these standards will not have a material impact on our accounting or reporting. 
Upon issuance of ASU 2015-14, the effective date of ASU 2014-09 was deferred to annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. We will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2018. Either of the following transition methods is permitted: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the new standard in each prior reporting period, or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year the new standard is first applied. We plan to transition to this new guidance using the modified retrospective approach.
Other Pronouncements
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The primary amendments required by the ASU include: requiring equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value through net income rather than through other comprehensive income; allowing entities with equity investments without readily determinable fair values to report the investments at cost, adjusted for changes in observable prices, less impairment; requiring entities that elect the fair value option for financial liabilities to report the change in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income; and clarifying that entities should assess the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment of the balance sheet as of the beginning of the year of adoption. Early adoption of the ASU is not permitted, except for the provision related to financial liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected. We have completed our evaluation of the effects this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have determined that the ASU will result in: (1) reclassification of our unrealized gains and losses on our equity and preferred securities available for sale currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income to beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 and (2) changes in fair value of our equity and preferred securities available for sale subsequent to January 1, 2018 to be included in our earnings from continuing operations. As of December 31, 2017, we held equity and preferred securities available for sale with combined net unrealized gains (net of losses) of $164 million and $12 million, respectively. Including the associated effects of deferred taxes, based on the net of tax balances as of December 31, 2017, we expect to reclassify a total of approximately $109 million from Accumulated other comprehensive income to beginning Retained earnings as of January 1, 2018.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU introduce broad changes to the accounting and reporting for leases by lessees. The main provisions of the new standard include: clarifications to the definitions of a lease, components of leases, and criteria for determining lease classification; requiring virtually all leased assets, including operating leases and related liabilities, to be reflected on the lessee's balance sheet; and expanding and adding to the required disclosures for lessees. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the standard is permitted. The ASU requires a modified retrospective approach to transitioning which allows for the use of practical expedients to effectively account for leases commenced prior to the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. We are still evaluating the totality of the effects this new guidance will have on our business process and systems, consolidated financial statements, related disclosures. We have identified a vendor with software suited to track and account for leases under the new standard. We have not concluded on the anticipated financial statement effects of adoption. We plan to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU introduce broad changes to accounting for credit impairment of financial instruments. The primary updates include the introduction of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model that is based on expected rather than incurred losses and amendments to the accounting for impairment of debt securities available for sale. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the effect this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have not yet concluded on its effects. We do not plan to early adopt the standard.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this ASU introduce clarifications to the presentation of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The primary updates include additions and clarifications of the classification of cash flows related to certain debt repayment activities, contingent consideration payments related to business combinations, proceeds from insurance policies, distributions from equity method investees, and cash flows related to securitized receivables. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted, including in interim periods. The ASU requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented upon adoption. We will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 and based on our preliminary analysis, we do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our resulting operating, investing, or financing cash flows.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. GAAP currently does not include specific guidance on the cash flow classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash. The Company currently excludes cash pledged related to secured trust deposits, which generally meets the definition of restricted cash, from the reconciliation of beginning-of-period to end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted, including in interim periods. The ASU requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented upon adoption. We will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018. Based on our preliminary analysis, we expect the adoption of this ASU to result in the movement of the change in our cash pledged against secured trust deposits from operating activities to the net change in cash, the change in investments pledged against secured trust deposits from operating to investing activities, and the change in secured trust deposits from operating to financing activities.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The new guidance requires a company to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of assets and activities is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in the guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. We will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018. Based on our historical acquisition activity, we do not expect this to have a material impact on our ongoing accounting or financial reporting.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  The guidance simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by removing step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires the determination of the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit.  The new guidance requires goodwill impairment to be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis.  The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the effect this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have not yet concluded on its effects.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in this ASU shortens the amortization period for the premium on certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date. The new guidance does not change the accounting for purchased callable debt securities held at a discount. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted, including in interim periods. We early adopted the standard as of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.