Author : Muzammal Rahim

IFRS 9 vs. IAS 39 in Kenya:

The global financial crisis of 2008 exposed a critical flaw in global accounting: the “too little, too late” problem of recognizing credit losses. When the crisis hit, banks were slow to provision for expected loan defaults because the prevailing standard, IAS 39 (Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement), only allowed them to recognize a loss after […]

Managing Data Gaps: Practical Data Solutions for IFRS 9 in Kenya

The adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments in Kenya, mandated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), introduced a fundamental shift in how financial institutions (FIs)—especially commercial banks and smaller entities like SACCOs—calculate loan loss provisions. The move from the backward-looking Incurred Credit Loss (ICL) model (under IAS 39) to a forward-looking Expected Credit Loss […]

IFRS 9 and NPL Resolution: Best Practices for Kenya Banks

The transition from the Incurred Credit Loss (ICL) model of IAS 39 to the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model of IFRS 9 has fundamentally reshaped credit risk management and Non-Performing Loan (NPL) resolution strategies for commercial banks in Kenya. Implemented since January 2018, IFRS 9 mandates a forward-looking approach, requiring banks to recognize potential credit […]

Building an IFRS 9 Roadmap for Kenya Financial Institutions

The International Financial Reporting Standard 9 (IFRS 9) marked a pivotal change in global accounting, moving financial institutions from the reactive ‘Incurred Loss’ (IAS 39) model to a proactive ‘Expected Credit Loss’ (ECL) model. For commercial banks, microfinance banks, and SACCOs in Kenya, building a robust IFRS 9 roadmap has been critical for strengthening financial […]

IFRS 9 Impairment: Navigating the Shift for Microfinance and SACCOs in Kenya

The implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard 9 (IFRS 9) has fundamentally changed how financial institutions in Kenya—including Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs)—account for loan losses. The shift from the backward-looking Incurred Credit Loss (ICL) model under IAS 39 to the forward-looking Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model under IFRS 9 […]

Exposure at Default (EAD):

Exposure at Default (EAD) is a crucial risk parameter used by financial institutions, particularly banks, to estimate the potential loss they would face if a borrower (counterparty) defaults on a debt obligation. It represents the gross exposure of a bank to a facility or counterparty at the time the default occurs. EAD is one of […]

IFRS 9 in Kenya: A Comprehensive Review of Implementation, Challenges, and Financial Sector Impact

The International Financial Reporting Standard 9 (IFRS 9) on Financial Instruments represents one of the most significant changes to accounting practices in the Kenyan financial sector in recent memory. Mandated for global adoption on January 1, 2018, this standard fundamentally altered how financial institutions—primarily commercial banks, microfinance banks, and Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs)—classify, […]

Understanding Probability of Default (PD)

In the world of finance, risk is an ever-present factor. Whether you’re a bank lending money, an investor buying bonds, or a business extending credit, assessing the likelihood that a borrower will fail to meet their financial obligations is paramount. This assessment is captured by a crucial metric known as the Probability of Default (PD). […]

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