available-for-sale (AFS)
One of three defined categories established in FAS 115 for the classification of financial instruments held as assets on the books of an investor. Available-for-sale, or AFS, securities are securities that the investor is unable or unwilling to commit to hold to maturity. Designation of a security as AFS does not mean that the investor plans to sell it prior to maturity. FAS 115 requires investors to report unrealized gains or losses in AFS securities as changes in reported equity.
See FAS 115, held-to-maturity, and trading. American Banker Glossary
Financial and business terms. 2012.