New Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

Disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses – In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance on disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.  The guidance expands disclosures for the allowance for credit losses and financing receivables by requiring entities to disclose information at disaggregated levels.  It also requires disclosure of credit quality indicators, past due information and modifications of financing receivables.  Also, in April 2011, the FASB issued guidance clarifying when a restructuring of a receivable should be considered a troubled debt restructuring by providing additional guidance for determining whether the creditor has granted a concession and whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  For end of period balances, the new disclosures were effective December 31, 2010 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.  For activity during a reporting period, the disclosures were effective January 1, 2011 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements. The disclosures related to modifications of financing receivables, as well as the guidance clarifying when a restructured receivable should be considered a troubled debt restructuring were effective July 1, 2011 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.  See Note 4A for additional information.

Presentation of comprehensive income – In June 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income.  The guidance provides two options for presenting net income and other comprehensive income.  The total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income may be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. We elected to present two separate statements. This guidance was effective January 1, 2012.

Disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities – In December 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance on disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The guidance requires entities to disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions that are offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions that are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This guidance is effective January 1, 2013, with retrospective application required. We are currently reviewing the impact of this guidance on our financial statements and expect to complete this evaluation in 2012.