Accounting Measurement Rules in UK Bank Loan Contracts

Abstract

This paper examines the financial ratio covenants found in a sample of 25 UK bank loan contracts and 13 contract templates. Minimum net worth, interest cover and gearing are the most widely occurring ratios. GAAP are used as the basis for all definitions. The definitions of net worth, borrowings and interest are frequently modified in a conservative direction, drawing on information both from the notes to published accounts and from outside those accounts. The definitions of profit, current assets and current liabilities, however, rarely deviate from GAAP. Thus some definitions restrict corporate management's scope to avoid covenant violation through appropriate accounting method choice while other definitions appear to permit it. Furthermore the widespread use of ‘rolling’ GAAP means that standard setters need to bear in mind that new standards can cause covenant violations. The findings of this study are consistent with those of previous research in the US and Australia.