We examine the relation between bank holdings of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and MBS prices. Theory suggests feedback between MBS holdings and underlying asset markets can be aggravated by mark-to-market accounting. We measure feedback by the relation between asset returns and the changes in bank MBS holdings. Consistent with the existence of feedback effects related to mark-to-market, we find that for banks with high MBS, more nonperforming loans, and lower total capital ratio, changes in bank MBS positions are positively associated with changes in MBS prices and that this relation is reduced after the April 2009 mark-to-market rule clarification. To assess the effect of feedback on shareholder value, we test whether the stock-price response of banks to the announcement of the mark-to-market accounting rule clarification is associated with the intensity of feedback behavior. We find that the stock market reaction to the rule change is more positive for banks with more MBS, higher nonperforming loans and higher pre-rule-change feedback. We also find positive bond-price reactions to the rule change. Overall, our results suggest feedback related to mark-to-market accounting had a measurable effect on shareholder value.

We study changes in borrower accounting recognition surrounding initiation of loans requiring the provision of aging schedules to the lender. Our purpose is to understand how scrutiny by lenders of underlying transactions affects financial reporting incentives. We find that allowance for doubtful accounts increases significantly after loan initiation controlling for current and future write-offs, receivable turnover, and the beginning allowance balance. This increase is more pronounced for loans with increased monitoring frequency. We also find that write-offs are less persistent following implementation of bank monitoring, consistent with increased timeliness. Further study of the customer base finds customer concentration declines and credit quality of largest customers improves after initiation of borrowing base loans. Lastly, we find borrowers increase the frequency of allowance-for-doubtful-accounts disclosure in their quarterly financial statements after loan initiation. Our results confirm two notions. Banks add to the oversight that already exists for public, audited companies and banks influence borrowers to adopt more conservative accounting policies. JEL: G14, G21, G24, G28