SRLEV uses derivatives as part of asset and liability management and risk management. These instruments are used for hedging interest rate and foreign currency risks, including the risks of future transactions. SRLEV can designate certain derivatives as either:
1. A hedge of the risk of changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability or firm commitment (fair value hedge); or
2. A hedge of the possible variability of future cash flows that can be attributed to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge).
Hedge accounting is applied for derivatives that are thus designated and are in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
A hedge relationship is considered to be effective if SRLEV, at the inception of and during the term, can expect that adjustments in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged position will be almost fully offset by adjustments in the fair value or cash flows of the hedging instrument, insofar as they are attributable to the hedged risk, and the actual results remain within a bandwidth of 80% to 125% of the expected outcome.
SRLEV ceases the hedge relationship after a management decision to this end or as soon as it has been established that a derivative is no longer an effective hedging instrument, or when the derivative expires, is sold, terminated or exercised; when the hedged item expires, is sold or redeemed; or when an expected transaction is no longer deemed highly likely to occur.
Fair value hedge accounting
Derivatives designated as a hedge of the fair value of recognised assets or of a firm commitment are stated as fair value hedges. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are designated as a hedge are recognised directly in the income statement and reported together with corresponding fair value adjustments to the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.
If the hedge no longer meets the conditions for hedge accounting, an adjustment in the book value of a hedged financial instrument is amortised and taken to the income statement during the expected residual term of the hedged item. If the hedged item is no longer recognised, in other words, if it is sold or redeemed, the non-amortised fair value adjustment is taken directly to the income statement.
Cash flow hedge accounting
Derivatives can be designated as a hedge of the risk of future variability of the cash flows of a recognised asset or liability or highly probable forecast transaction. Adjustments in the fair value of the effective portion of derivatives that are designated as a cash flow hedge and that meet the conditions for cash flow hedge accounting are stated in the cash flow hedge reserve as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The underlying measurement of the hedged item, which is designated as part of a cash flow hedge, does not change.
If the forecast transaction leads to the actual inclusion of an asset or a liability, the accumulated gains and losses that were previously taken to the cash flow hedge reserve are transferred to the income statement and classified as income or expense in the period during which the hedged transaction influences the result.
When determining the portion of the fair value adjustment of the hedging instrument that is included in the cash flow hedge reserve, the portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is considered an effective hedge of the cash flow risk is included in shareholders’ equity, while the ineffective portion is recognised in the income statement.
If the hedging instrument itself expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer satisfies the conditions for hedge accounting, the accumulated result that was included in the cash flow hedge reserve remains in the cash flow hedge reserve (OCI) until the expected transaction actually takes place.
If the transaction in question is no longer expected to take place, the accumulated result reported in OCI is directly taken to the income statement.
17.5.5 Taxes
17.5.5.1 Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for tax loss carry forwards and for temporary differences between the tax base of assets and liabilities and the book value. This is based on the tax rates applicable as at the balance sheet date and the tax rates that will apply in the period in which the deferred tax assets or tax liabilities are settled. Deferred taxes are measured at nominal value.
Deferred tax assets are only recognised if sufficient tax profits are expected to be realised in the near future to
compensate these temporary differences. A provision for deferred taxes is made for temporary differences between the book value and the value for tax purposes of investments in group companies and associates, unless SRLEV can determine the time at which these temporary differences are realised or settled and if it is likely that these differences will not be realised or settled in the near future.
Deferred tax assets are assessed at the balance sheet date and if it is no longer likely that the related tax asset can be realised, the asset is reduced to the recoverable value.
The most significant temporary differences arise from the revaluation of tangible fixed assets, certain financial assets and
liabilities, including derivatives contracts and the application of hedge accounting, provisions for pensions and other post-retirement employee plans, technical provisions, deductible losses carried forward and, as far as acquisitions are concerned, from the difference between (a) the fair value balance of the acquired assets and obligations entered into and (b) the book value.
Deferred taxes with respect to the revaluation of the aforementioned assets and liabilities of which value adjustments are recognised directly in shareholders’ equity are also charged or credited to shareholders’ equity and upon realisation included in the income statement together with the deferred value adjustments.
17.5.5.2 Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities concern tax payable in future periods in connection with taxable temporary differences. The treatment is in accordance with the previous section.
17.5.5.3 Corporate income tax
Corporate income tax relates to payable or recoverable tax on the taxable profit for the period under review, and taxes due from previous periods, if any. Current tax receivables and payables are measured at nominal value according to the tax rate applicable at the reporting date.
17.5.6 Reinsurance contracts
Contracts entered into with reinsurance companies and by virtue of which SRLEV receives compensation for losses on insurance contracts SRLEV has issued are designated as ceded reinsurance contracts. Insurance contracts entered into where the contract holder is another insurance company are classified as incoming reinsurance contracts and are recognised as insurance contracts.
Reinsurance premiums, commissions, payments and technical provisions for reinsurance contracts are accounted for in the same way as the direct insurance policies that are reinsured. The share of reinsurance companies in the technical provisions and the benefits to which SRLEV is entitled by virtue of its reinsurance contracts are accounted for as a reinsurance asset. These assets comprise short-term receivables from reinsurance companies (presented under ‘other assets’), and long-term receivables (presented under ‘reinsurance contracts’). These receivables depend on the expected claims and benefits arising from the insurance contracts that SRLEV has reinsured. Deposit components of (re)insurance contracts that are within the scope of IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts will be recognised in the balance sheet under ‘insurance contracts’.
The amounts receivable from, and payable to, reinsurance companies are valued in accordance with the terms and conditions of each reinsurance contract. Reinsurance obligations relate primarily to premiums payable for reinsurance contracts. These premiums are recognised as an expense over the period in which they are due.
Reinsurance receivables are assessed for impairment at the reporting date.
17.5.7 Loans and advances to banks
These concern receivables to banks not in the form of interest-bearing securities. These receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, if necessary less any impairment losses.
17.5.8 Other assets
Other assets consist of receivables from direct insurance policies, other taxes (including VAT, payroll tax), other
receivables and accrued assets. The net amount of advances and provisions in relation to the deposit guarantee scheme (DGS) is accounted for under other receivables. Accrued assets also include the accumulated interest on financial instruments measured at amortised cost, as well as other accruals.
17.5.9 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include bank balances and demand deposits with a remaining maturity of less than one month.
17.5.10 Equity
17.5.10.1 Issued share capital and share premium reserve
The share capital comprises the issued and paid-up ordinary shares. The share premium reserve concerns the paid-in surplus capital in addition to the nominal value of the issued ordinary shares. Costs directly attributable to the issue of equity instruments are deducted net of tax from the share issue income.
17.5.10.2 Dividend
Dividend for a financial year, which is payable after the balance sheet date, is disclosed in ‘Provisions regarding profit or loss appropriation’ under ‘Other information’.
17.5.10.3 Revaluation reserve
Revaluations of property in own use (see paragraph 17.5.2.1 Land and buildings in own use) are included in the revaluation reserve.
17.5.10.4 Cash flow hedge reserve
The cash flow hedge reserve consists of the effective part of cumulative changes to the fair value of the derivatives used in the context of the application of cash flow hedge accounting, net of taxes, providing the hedged transaction has not yet taken place; see paragraph 17.5.4.4 (Derivatives).
17.5.10.5 Fair value reserve
Gains and losses as a result of changes in the fair value of assets that are classified as available for sale are taken to the fair value reserve, net of taxes. If the particular asset is sold or redeemed, in other words, the asset is no longer
recognised, the corresponding cumulative result will be transferred from the fair value reserve to the income statement (see paragraph 17.5.4.1 Investments). In addition, exchange rate differences on non-monetary financial assets that are classified as available for sale are stated in this reserve.
17.5.10.6 Other reserves
Other reserves mainly comprise SRLEV’s retained profits.
17.5.10.7 Capital securities and capital securities share premium reserve
The securities capital comprises of the share of SRLEV in the capital securities issued by SNS REAAL and paid up by the Dutch State. The capital securities share premium reserve concerns the paid-in surplus capital in addition to the nominal value of the issued securities. Costs directly attributable to the issue of the capital securities are deducted net of tax from the share issue income of the securities.
17.5.10.8 Securities dividend
The securities dividend amount for a financial year, which is payable after the balance sheet date, is disclosed in the paragraph 26.1.2 ( Provisions regarding profit or loss appropriation for core Tier 1 capital securities under ‘Other information').
17.5.11 Subordinated debt and final bonus account
17.5.11.1 Subordinated debt
The subordinated (bond) loans issued by SRLEV are included under the subordinated debt. The Dutch Central Bank includes these loans Tier 2 capital at SRLEV. They are initially measured at fair value, in other words, the issue income (the fair value of the received payment) net of the transaction costs incurred. Thereafter, they are measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.
17.5.11.2 Final bonus account
The final bonus account concerns final bonus commitments in relation to certain life insurance policies. Entitlement to a final bonus applies only to specific individual policies that become payable upon expiry of the agreed term or upon the death of the insured party. Entitlement to a final bonus is cancelled when the policy is surrendered. Entitlements to final bonuses not yet paid out are subordinated to all other debts. It is also stipulated that entitlement to a final bonus is cancelled if and insofar as the results erode the capital base to the extent that the regulatory solvency requirements can or may no longer be complied with.
The final bonus account is determined actuarially based on the same accounting principles that are applied for determining the profit additions, which form part of the provision for insurance contracts. In addition, the estimated probability of early termination of insurance contracts is taken into account.
Part of the final bonus account is converted annually, according to a fixed method, into an unconditional right of the policyholder and added to the provision for insurance contracts.
The obligations arising from the final bonus scheme are classified as debt capital in the financial statements. This item is part of the available regulatory capital in the solvency reports to the Dutch Central Bank of the Insurance activities.
17.5.12 Debt certificates
Outstanding debt certificates are measured at fair value upon initial recognition, in other words, the issue income (the fair value of the received payment) net of the transaction costs incurred. Thereafter, they are measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.
After initial recognition a specific category of outstanding debt certificates (the securitised mortgages through Holland Homes transactions) remains measured at fair value whereby subsequent value adjustments are accounted for in the income statement so that any inconsistency in the valuation is eliminated that would otherwise arise from the different valuation of assets and liabilities.
When SRLEV purchases its own debt securities, these debt certificates are derecognised
17.5.13 Insurance contracts
17.5.13.1 Life insurance
Life insurance contracts can be separated into individual policies and group contracts. These contracts provide mostly long-term insurance for events that lead to a payment in cash, or of the counter value of investment units, upon maturity or death of the insured.