[author: Rebecca Cousins]

In a press release dated 27 January 2016, the European Banking Authority (EBA) launched an impact assessment of IFRS 9 (dealing with financial Instruments) which is due to be implemented in the EU in 2018. The impact assessment is designed to assist the EBA to understand the likely impact of IFRS 9 on regulatory own funds, the interaction between IFRS 9 and other prudential requirements, and the way institutions are preparing for the application of IFRS 9. The assessment will be based on a sample of approximately 50 EU institutions. The EBA contemplates that the assessment process will need to be repeated in the run up to the implementation date for IFRS 9 as institutions are still developing their response to IFRS 9.