Discretionary Measurement of Level 3 Fair Values During the 2008 Financial Crisis

51 Pages Posted: 15 Dec 2009 Last revised: 26 Aug 2016

See all articles by Peter Fiechter

Peter Fiechter

University of Neuchatel - Institute of Financial Analysis

Conrad Meyer

University of Zurich - Institute for Accounting and Control

Date Written: February 1, 2011

Abstract

In the absence of quoted prices in active markets, the measurement of fair values is complex and difficult to verify. Prior literature finds that investors discount fair value estimates based on unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3). However, these value relevance tests cannot discern whether the discount is attributable to managerial opportunism or illiquidity concerns. This paper examines whether banks use Level 3 fair value estimates to manage earnings during the 2008 Financial Crisis. Based on a sample of 329 U.S. banks, we find that banks with earnings management incentives (i.e., low earnings, negative change in earnings, small negative earnings, and low Tier 1 capital) recognize lower-than-necessary losses on Level 3 positions. Our inferences are robust to alternative specifications including the use of bank fixed effects, placebo tests with Level 3 gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI), and benchmarking against discretionary loan loss provisions (LLP).

Keywords: Level 3 fair values, earnings management, Financial Crisis, loan loss provisions (LLP), other comprehensive income (OCI)

JEL Classification: G21, M41

Suggested Citation

Fiechter, Peter and Meyer, Conrad, Discretionary Measurement of Level 3 Fair Values During the 2008 Financial Crisis (February 1, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1522122 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1522122

Peter Fiechter (Contact Author)

University of Neuchatel - Institute of Financial Analysis ( email )

Rue A.-L. Breguet 2
Neuchatel, CH-2000
Switzerland

Conrad Meyer

University of Zurich - Institute for Accounting and Control ( email )

Plattenstrasse 14
CH-8032 Zurich
Switzerland

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