Nobody enjoys having to deal with debt covenant issues, but, particularly in times like these, they can be common and can have significant accounting consequences. Due to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, many companies may find themselves in violation of one or more of their bank covenants, either at the balance sheet date or before the financial statements are available to be issued. As a result, companies may have to ask their lender for a waiver or amendment to the violation(s).
Now more than ever companies should carefully review their loan agreements and waiver documents to determine how to appropriately treat the debt at the balance sheet date. Below discusses some of the issues surrounding classification of long-term debt when a company is in violation of its covenants.
ASC 470-10-45 discusses the classification of long-term debt when there has been a covenant violation or other default at the balance sheet date and, as a result, the debt is callable by the creditor. ASC 470-10-45 also covers situations when a violation or default is anticipated within the next year. Companies should possibly consider whether debt in default at the date the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued) should be viewed similarly to debt that is in default at the balance sheet date.
Some long-term loans require compliance with certain covenants that must be met on a quarterly or semiannual basis. If a covenant violation occurs that would otherwise give the lender the right to call the debt, a lender may waive its call right for a period greater than one year while retaining future covenant requirements. Unless facts and circumstances indicate otherwise, the borrower must classify the obligation as noncurrent, unless both of the following conditions exist:
Current liabilities include long-term obligations that are or will be callable by the creditor, either because the debtor's violation at the balance sheet date makes the obligation callable or because the violation, if not brought into compliance within a specified grace period, will make the obligation callable. Accordingly, callable obligations are classified as current liabilities unless either of the following conditions is met:
Drawing a distinction between significant violations of critical conditions and technical violations is not practicable. A violation that a debtor considers to be technical may be considered critical by the creditor. Furthermore, a creditor may choose to use a technical violation as a means to withdraw from its lending relationship with the debtor. If the violation is considered insignificant by the creditor, then the debtor should be able to obtain a waiver.
Let’s look at an example of how this works:
The issue is whether the waiver of the lender's rights, while retaining the periodic covenant tests, represents, in substance, a grace period. If viewed as a grace period, the borrower would classify the debt as current, unless it is probable the borrower can comply with the covenant within the grace period.
Specifically, the balance sheet classification of an obligation is considered in the following situations:
A. The debt covenants are applicable only after the balance sheet date, and it is probable the borrower will fail to meet the covenant requirement at the compliance date three months after the balance sheet date.
The debt would be classified as noncurrent, in which case the borrower would be required to disclose the adverse consequences of its probable failure to satisfy future covenants.
B. The borrower meets the current covenant requirement at the balance sheet date, and it is probable the borrower will fail to meet the same covenant requirement at the compliance date in three months.
C. The borrower meets the current covenant requirement, and it is probable the borrower will fail to meet a more restrictive covenant requirement applicable at the compliance date in three months.
D. The borrower has met the covenant requirement in the prior quarter, but before the balance sheet date is able to negotiate a change to the agreement that eliminates the covenant requirement at the balance sheet date or modifies the requirement so the borrower will be able to comply. Absent the modification, the borrower would have been in violation of the covenant at the balance sheet date. The same or a more restrictive covenant must be met at the compliance date in three months, and it is probable the borrower will fail to meet that requirement at that subsequent date.
The debt would be classified as current. However, if the debt is expected to be refinanced on a long-term basis and the borrower meets certain provisions, the debt would be classified as noncurrent.
E. The borrower is in violation of the current covenant requirement at the balance sheet date and, after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued, obtains a waiver. The same or a more restrictive covenant must be met at the compliance date in three months, and it is probable the borrower will fail to meet that requirement at that subsequent date.
The standards and the implementation guidance noted above (specifically, in scenarios A, B and C) indicate that, unless facts and circumstances allude otherwise, debt should be classified as noncurrent if there is no debt covenant violation at the balance sheet date but a violation is probable within the next year. This guidance seems to indicate that these situations are similar to non-recognized subsequent event situations and, accordingly, do not warrant adjustment to the noncurrent classification of the debt at the balance sheet date.
However, some view that debt in default prior to the issuance of financial statements should be evaluated like debt in default at the balance sheet date. It’s important for companies and their accountants to understand the terms of the loan agreements, waivers, etc. to determine the appropriate accounting presentation and disclosure.
In evaluating the debt classification guidance in ASC 470-10-45, a debtor should also consider whether the default impacts other debt instruments. There may be cross-default provisions that automatically trigger an event of default if any other obligations are in default. In those cases, the other debt instruments would also be considered in default and should be evaluated under the guidance to determine the appropriate classification.
As always, individual facts and circumstances should be considered when evaluating violations occurring on or expected to occur after the balance sheet date. Within the applicable financial reporting rules and guidance there are additional nuances to consider and fully prepare for. It’s imperative to understand all of the rules to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your financial statements.
Contact Gino Scipione or a member of your service team to discuss this topic further.
Cohen & Company is not rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. Information contained in this post is considered accurate as of the date of publishing. Any action taken based on information in this blog should be taken only after a detailed review of the specific facts, circumstances and current law with your professional advisers.