CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................52. BACKGROUND................................................................................................................................53. THE FAIR VALUE MODEL...............................................................................................................83.1 DEFINITION ...............................................................................................................................83.2 ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF FULL FAIR VALUE ...................................................................93.3 CRITICISMS OF THE FAIR VALUE MODEL............................................................................103.3.1 Relevance of fair value for banks' accounting practices ..............................................113.3.2 Reliability of fair value .....................................................................................................113.3.3 Comparability of financial information ...........................................................................123.3.4 Impact on the stability of the system..............................................................................134. APPLICATION OF THE FAIR VALUE MODEL .............................................................................134.1 GENERAL POINTS ..................................................................................................................134.2 APPLICATION OF FAIR VALUE TO FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS ..........................................144.2.1 Instruments with an active market..........................................................................................154.2.2 Financial instruments w ...