(a)
Study
The Securities and Exchange Commission, in consultation with the Board and the Secretary, shall conduct a study on mark-to-market accounting standards as provided in Statement Number 157 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, as such standards are applicable to financial institutions, including depository institutions. Such a study shall consider at a minimum—
(1)
the effects of such accounting standards on a financial institution’s balance sheet;
(2)
the impacts of such accounting on bank failures in 2008;
(3)
the impact of such standards on the quality of financial information available to investors;
(4)
the process used by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in developing accounting standards;
(5)
the advisability and feasibility of modifications to such standards; and
(6)
alternative accounting standards to those provided in such Statement Number 157.
(b)
Report
The Securities and Exchange Commission shall submit to Congress a report of such study before the end of the 90-day period beginning on October 3, 2008, containing the findings and determinations of the Commission, including such administrative and legislative recommendations as the Commission determines appropriate.