Future Application of Accounting Standards and Adoption of New Accounting Standards

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Future Application of Accounting Standards And Adoption Of New Accounting Standards [Abstract]

Future Application of Accounting Standards and Adoption of New Accounting Standards

14. Future Application of Accounting Standards and Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Future Application of Accounting Standards:

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The ASU requires disclosures to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosures include: a) gross amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities; b) amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities offset on the balance sheet; c) net amounts after taking into account (a) and (b); d) amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreements not otherwise included in (b); and e) net amounts after deducting amounts in (d) from the amounts in (c). ASU 2011-11 is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Retrospective application is required. Ambac will adopt ASU 2011-11 on January 1, 2013. Since this ASU requires enhanced disclosures only, the adoption of this ASU will not have a material effect on Ambac’s financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards:

Effective January 1, 2012, Ambac adopted ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income retrospectively for all periods presented. Upon the adoption of this ASU, Ambac presented the components of net income and other comprehensive income in a single continuous statement within the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income. Components of other comprehensive income are no longer included within the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.