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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Parkway Properties, Inc. (the “Company") is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") specializing in the acquisition, ownership and management of quality office and parking properties in high-growth submarkets in the Sunbelt region of the United States.  At January 1, 2015, the Company owned or had an interest in a portfolio of 51 office and parking properties located in eight states with an aggregate of approximately 17.2 million square feet (unaudited) of leasable space. The Company offers fee-based real estate services through its wholly owned subsidiaries, which in total managed and/or leased approximately 6.0 million square feet (unaudited) for third-party property owners at January 1, 2015.  Unless otherwise indicated, all references to square feet represent net rentable area.

The Company is the sole general partner of Parkway Properties LP, (the "Operating Partnership" or "Parkway LP") and as of December 31, 2014, owned a 95.5% interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining 4.5% interest consists of common units of limited partnership interest issued by the Operating Partnership to limited partners in exchange for contributions of properties to the Operating Partnership. As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, the Company has full and complete authority over the Operating Partnership’s day-to-day operations and management.

The accompanying financial statements are prepared following U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest. The other partners' equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. The Company also consolidates subsidiaries where the entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE") and it is the primary beneficiary and has the power to direct the activities of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any VIEs that required consolidation. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in the accompanying financial statements.

The Company consolidates certain joint ventures where it exercises control over major operating and management decisions, or where the Company is the sole general partner and the limited partners do not possess kick-out rights or other substantive participating rights. The equity method of accounting is used for those joint ventures that do not meet the criteria for consolidation and where the Company does not control these joint ventures, but exercises significant influence. The cost method of accounting is used for investments in which the Company does not have significant influence. The investments are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.

Business

The Company's operations are exclusively in the real estate industry, principally the operation, leasing, acquisition, development and ownership of office buildings.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates made are reasonable and appropriate, as discussed in the applicable sections throughout these consolidated financial statements, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact reported results. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions; therefore, changes in market conditions could impact the Company's future operating results. The Company's most significant estimates relate to impairments on real estate and other assets and purchase price allocations.



Real Estate Properties

Real estate properties are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the carrying amount of the Company's investment plus any additional consideration paid, liabilities assumed, and improvements made subsequent to acquisition. Depreciation of buildings and building improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation of tenant improvements, including personal property, is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of useful life or the term of the lease involved. Maintenance and repair expenses are charged to expense as incurred.

Balances of major classes of depreciable assets (in thousands) and their respective estimated useful lives are:
 
 
 
 
December 31,
Asset Category
 
Estimated Useful Life
 
2014
 
2013
Land
 
Non-depreciable
 
$
412,578

 
$
278,780

Buildings and garages
 
40 years
 
2,535,757

 
1,973,668

Building improvements
 
7 to 40 years
 
52,715

 
78,450

Tenant improvements
 
Lesser of useful life or term of lease
 
332,850

 
217,138

 
 
  
 
$
3,333,900

 
$
2,548,036



Depreciation expense, excluding amounts recorded in discontinued operations, related to these assets of $102.2 million, $69.0 million, and $45.3 million was recognized in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company evaluates its real estate assets upon occurrence of significant adverse changes in its operations to assess whether any impairment indicators are present that affect the recovery of the carrying amount. The carrying amount includes the net book value of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities. Real estate assets are classified as held for sale or held and used. The Company classifies certain assets as held for sale based on management having the authority and intent of entering into commitments for sale transactions to close in the next twelve months. The Company considers an office and parking property as held for sale once it has executed a contract for sale, allowed the buyer to complete its due diligence review and received a substantial non-refundable deposit. Until a buyer has completed its due diligence review of the asset, necessary approvals have been received and substantive conditions to the buyer's obligation to perform have been satisfied, the Company does not consider a sale to be probable. When the Company identifies an asset as held for sale, it estimates the net realizable value of such asset and discontinues recording depreciation on the asset. The Company records assets held for sale at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. If the fair value of the asset net of estimated selling costs is less than the carrying amount, the Company records an impairment loss. With respect to assets classified as held and used, the Company recognizes an impairment loss if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the sum of undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Upon impairment, the Company recognizes an impairment loss to reduce the carrying value of the real estate asset to the estimate of its fair value. The cash flow and fair value estimates are based on assumptions about employing the asset for its remaining useful life. Factors considered in projecting future cash flows include, but are not limited to: existing leases, future leasing and terminations, market rental rates, capital improvements, tenant improvements, leasing commissions, inflation, discount rates, capitalization rates, and other known variables. This market information is considered a Level 3 input as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," ("ASC 820").
 
The Company recognizes gains on sales of real estate at times and in amounts determined in accordance with the accounting guidance for sales of real estate. The guidance takes into account the terms of the transaction and any continuing involvement, including in the form of management, leasing of space or financial assistance associated with the properties. If the sales criteria for the full accrual method are not met, then the Company defers gain recognition and accounts for the transaction by applying the deposit, finance, installment or cost recovery methods, as appropriate.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized an impairment loss on real estate of $11.7 million in connection with Raymond James Tower in Memphis, Tennessee. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized an impairment loss on real estate of $10.2 million in connection with Waterstone and Meridian in Atlanta, Georgia and Mesa Corporate Center in Phoenix, Arizona. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized an impairment loss on real estate of $9.2 million in connection with two assets in Jackson, Mississippi and Columbia, South Carolina.

At December 31, 2014, the Company classified Raymond James Tower in Memphis, Tennessee and Honeywell in Houston, Texas as assets held for sale. At December 31, 2013, the Company classified Mesa Corporate Center in Phoenix, Arizona and the Woodbranch Building in Houston, Texas as held for sale.

Condominium Units

    The Company also consolidates its Murano residential condominium project which it controls. The Company's unaffiliated partner's interest is reflected on its consolidated balance sheets under the "Noncontrolling Interests" caption. The Company's partner has a stated ownership interest of 27%. Net proceeds from the project will be distributed, to the extent available, based on an order of preferences described in the partnership agreement. The Company may receive distributions, if any, in excess of its stated 73% ownership interest if certain return thresholds are met.

Purchase Price Allocation

The Company allocates the purchase price of real estate to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on fair values. Tangible assets consist of land, building, garage, building improvements and tenant improvements. Intangible assets and liabilities consist of the value of above and below market leases, lease costs, the value of in-place leases, and any value attributable to above or below market debt assumed with the acquisition.

The Company may engage independent third-party appraisers to perform the valuations used to determine the fair value of these identifiable tangible and intangible assets. These valuations and appraisals use commonly employed valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow analyses. Factors considered in these analyses include an estimate of costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods depending on specific local market conditions and depending on the type of property acquired. Additionally, the Company estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses to the extent that such costs are not already incurred in connection with a new lease origination as part of the transaction.

The fair value of above or below market in-place lease values is the present value of the difference between the contractual amount to be paid pursuant to the in-place lease and the estimated current market lease rate expected over the remaining non-cancelable life of the lease. The capitalized above market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining term of the respective leases. The capitalized below market lease values are amortized as an increase to rental income over the remaining term of the respective leases. Total amortization for above and below market leases, excluding amounts classified as discontinued operations, was a net increase (reduction) of rental income of $13.7 million, $(2.2) million and $(5.0) million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the remaining amortization of net (above) and below market leases is projected as a net increase (decrease) to rental income as follows (in thousands):
 
Amount
2015
$
14,343

2016
4,448

2017
3,052

2018
1,845

2019
2,844

Thereafter
(6,456
)
Total
$
20,076



The fair value of in-place leases is the present value associated with re-leasing the in-place lease as if the property was vacant. Factors to be considered include estimates of costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating costs, the Company includes estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods. The value of at market in-place leases is amortized as a lease cost amortization expense over the expected life of the lease. Total amortization expense for the value of in-place leases, excluding amounts classified as discontinued operations, was $51.8 million, $26.9 million, and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.




As of December 31, 2014, the remaining amortization expense for the value of in-place leases is projected as follows (in thousands):
 
Amount
2015
$
42,602

2016
26,390

2017
18,097

2018
11,880

2019
9,006

Thereafter
21,254

Total
$
129,229


    
A separate component of the fair value of in-place leases is identified for the lease costs. The fair value of lease costs represents the estimated commissions and legal fees paid in connection with the current leases in place. Lease costs are amortized over the non-cancelable terms of the respective leases as lease cost amortization expense.

In no event does the amortization period for intangible assets exceed the remaining depreciable life of the building. Should a customer terminate its lease, the unamortized portion of the tenant improvement, in-place lease value, lease cost and customer relationship intangibles would be charged to expense. Additionally, the unamortized portion of above market in-place leases would be recorded as a reduction to rental income and the below market in-place lease value would be recorded as an increase to rental income.

The Company calculates the fair value of mortgage notes payable by discounting the remaining contractual cash flows on each instrument at the current market rate for these borrowings.

Capitalization of Costs

Costs related to planning, developing, leasing and constructing a property, including costs of development personnel working directly on projects under development, are capitalized. In addition, the Company capitalizes interest to qualifying assets under development based on average accumulated expenditures outstanding during the period. In capitalizing interest to qualifying assets, the Company first uses the interest incurred on specific project debt, if any, and next uses the Company's weighted average interest rate for non-project specific debt. The Company also capitalizes certain costs of leasing personnel in connection with the completion of leasing arrangements.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the year. In arriving at net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, preferred stock dividends are deducted. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if share equivalents such as employee stock options, restricted shares and deferred incentive share units were exercised or converted into common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that the Company estimates to be uncollectible. The receivable balance is comprised primarily of rent and expense reimbursement income due from the customers. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts considering such factors as the credit quality of the customers, delinquency of payment, historical trends and current economic conditions. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts for customer balances that are over 90 days past due and for specific customer receivables for which collection is considered doubtful.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.


Restricted Cash

Restricted cash, which is included in receivables and other assets, primarily consists of security deposits held on behalf of the Company's tenants as well as capital improvements and real estate tax escrows required under certain loan agreements. There are restrictions on the Company's ability to withdraw these funds other than for their specified usage.

Noncontrolling Interest

A noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is in most cases an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent company's equity. In addition, consolidated net income is required to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest are required to be disclosed on the face of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from real estate rentals is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under this method and contractual lease payment terms is recorded as straight-line rent receivable on the accompanying balance sheets. The straight-line rent adjustment increased revenue by $21.0 million, $14.6 million and $14.9 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

When the Company is the owner of the tenant improvements, the leased space is ready for its intended use when the tenant improvements are substantially completed, at which point revenue recognition begins. In limited instances, when the tenant is the owner of the customer improvements, straight-line rent is recognized when the tenant takes possession of the unimproved space.

The leases also typically provide for tenant reimbursement of a portion of common area maintenance, real estate taxes and other operating expenses.  Property operating cost recoveries from customers ("expense reimbursements") are recognized as revenue in the period in which the expenses are incurred. The computation of expense reimbursements is dependent on the provisions of individual customer leases. Most customers make monthly fixed payments of estimated expense reimbursements. The Company makes adjustments, positive or negative, to expense reimbursement income quarterly to adjust the recorded amounts to the Company's best estimate of the final property operating costs based on the most recent annual estimate. After the end of the calendar year, the Company computes each customer's final expense reimbursements and issues a bill or credit for the difference between the actual amount and the amounts billed monthly during the year. Differences between actual billed amounts and accrued amounts are considered immaterial.

Management company income represents market-based fees earned from providing management, construction, leasing, brokerage and acquisition services to unconsolidated joint ventures, related parties, and third parties. Management fee income is computed and recorded monthly in accordance with the terms set forth in the management service agreements. Leasing and brokerage commissions, as well as salary and administrative fees, are recognized pursuant to the terms of the agreements at the time underlying leases are signed, which is the point at which the earnings process is complete and collection of the fees is reasonably assured. Fees relating to the purchase or sale of property are recognized when the earnings process is complete and collection of the fees is reasonably assured, which usually occurs at closing. All fees on Company-owned properties and consolidated joint ventures are eliminated in consolidation. The Company recognizes its share of fees earned from unconsolidated joint ventures in management company income.

The Company has one high-rise condominium project. Under the provisions of FASB ASC 360-20, "Property, Plant and Equipment" subsection "Real Estate and Sales," revenue and costs for projects are recognized when all parties are bound by the terms of the contract, all consideration has been exchanged, any permanent financing for which the seller is responsible has been arranged and all conditions precedent to closing have been performed. This results in profit from the sale of condominium units recognized at closing. Revenue is recognized on the contract price of individual units. Total estimated costs are allocated to individual units which have closed on a relative value basis.

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The Company accounts for its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures under the equity method of accounting as the Company exercises significant influence, but does not maintain a controlling financial interest over these entities. These investments are recorded initially at cost and subsequently adjusted for cash contributions, distributions and equity in earnings (loss) of the unconsolidated joint ventures. Equity in earnings (loss) in unconsolidated joint ventures is allocated based on ownership or economic interest in each joint venture.

The Company's investments in real estate joint ventures are reviewed for impairment periodically, and it records impairment charges when events or circumstances change indicating that a decline in the fair values below the carrying values has occurred and such decline is other-than-temporary. The ultimate realization of the investment in real estate joint ventures is dependent on a number of factors, including the performance of each investment and market conditions. No impairment charges related to the Company's investments in real estate joint ventures were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Amortization of Debt Origination Costs and Leasing Costs

Debt origination costs are deferred and amortized using a method that approximates the effective interest method over the term of the loan. Leasing costs are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the respective lease.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

When outstanding debt is extinguished, the Company records any prepayment premium and unamortized loan costs.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive loss if a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction. The ineffective portion of the hedge, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings.

Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation

Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for service-based awards is recognized over the expected vesting period of such awards. The total compensation expense for the long-term equity incentive awards is based upon the fair value of the shares on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Time-vesting restricted shares, restricted share units ("RSUs"), and deferred incentive share units are valued based on the New York Stock Exchange closing market price of the Company's common shares as of the date of grant. The grant date fair value for awards that are subject to performance-based vesting and market conditions, including profits interest units ("LTIP units"), performance-vesting RSUs, and long-term equity incentive awards, is determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the awards. The total compensation expense for stock options is estimated based on the fair value of the options as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model.

Income Taxes

The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1997. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it currently distribute at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income to its stockholders. It is management's current intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain the Company's REIT status, and the Company was in compliance with all REIT requirements at December 31, 2014. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to corporate level federal income tax on taxable income it distributes currently to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. Even if the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through taxable REIT subsidiaries (collectively, the "TRS") is subject to federal, state and local income taxes.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges reflected in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) relate primarily to one-time termination benefits. The Company recognizes these severance and other charges when the requirements of FASB ASC 420, "Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations," have been met regarding a plan of termination and when communication has been made to employees.

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1 fair value inputs are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active, liquid and visible markets such as stock exchanges. Level 2 fair value inputs are observable information for similar assets or liabilities in active or inactive markets, and appropriately consider counterparty creditworthiness in the valuations. Level 3 fair value inputs reflect the Company's best estimate of inputs and assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the measurement date. These inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation estimate.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the 2013 and 2012 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2014 classifications with no impact on previously reported net income or equity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company adopted guidance issued by FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." This update amends the criteria for reporting discontinued operations to, among other things, raise the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations, and only disposals that represent a strategic shift in operations that is material will be presented as discontinued operations. This update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company presents 2014 property sales and will present future property sales, to the extent they do not represent a strategic shift in operations, in the continuing operations section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) with the exception of those properties previously included as held for sale at December 31, 2013. The Company's 2014 sales of the Woodbranch Building and Mesa Corporate Center are included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 as these properties were previously classified as held for sale at December 31, 2013. The Company's 2014 sales of the Schlumberger Building and 525 North Tryon are included in the continuing operations section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) as they were not previously classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2013 and do not qualify for inclusion in discontinued operations as they do not represent a strategic shift in the Company's operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This update was initiated in a joint project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards that would: (1) remove inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements; (2) provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; (3) improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; (4) provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements; and (5) simplify the preparation of financial statements by reducing the number of requirements to which an entity must refer. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. This update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, and early application is not permitted. The standard allows for either "full retrospective" adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or "modified retrospective" adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most recent period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently assessing this guidance for future implementation.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern." The amendments in this update provide guidance in GAAP about management's responsibilities to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The main provision of the amendments are for an entity's management, in connection with the preparation of financial statements, to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management's evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known or reasonably knowable at the date the financial statements are issued. When management identifies conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, the entity should disclose information that enables users of the financial statements to understand all of the following: (1) principal conditions or events that raised substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern (before consideration of management's plans); (2) management's evaluation of the significance of those conditions or events in relation to the entity's ability to meet its obligations; and (3) management's plans that alleviated substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern or management's plans that are intended to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods after December 15, 2016 and early application is permitted. The Company is currently assessing this guidance for future implementation.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items", (“ASU 2015-01”). ASU 2015-01 eliminates the concept of an extraordinary item from GAAP. As a result, an entity will no longer be required to segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations, to separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations or to disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. However, ASU 2015-01 will still retain the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature and occur infrequently. ASU 2015-01 will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016 and subsequent interim periods. The adoption of ASU 2015-015 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued new consolidation guidance which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model.  The new standard specifically eliminates the presumption in the current voting model that a general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity unless that presumption can be overcome.  Generally, only a single limited partner that is able to exercise substantive kick-out rights will consolidate.  The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2016 and early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  The new standard must be applied using a modified retrospective approach by recording either a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period presented.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.