1st Quarter Results 2019

RNS Number : 8623Y
Bank of Cyprus Holdings PLC
13 May 2019
 

                                                           

Announcement                                         

Group Financial Results for the quarter ended 31 March 2019

Nicosia, 13 May 2019 

                  

 

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014.

 

 

              

 

Key Highlights for the quarter ended 31 March 2019

 

Good Capital Position

·      CET1 ratio of 14.9% pro forma for Helix (13.4% as reported)

·      Total Capital ratio of 17.9% pro forma for Helix (16.2% as reported)

 

Continuing progress on Balance Sheet repair

·      Helix legal completion process underway, following ECB's "Significant Risk Transfer" approval received in March 2019. Completion expected during 2Q2019

·      Sixteen consecutive quarters of organic NPE reduction. NPEs down by c.70% since December 2014

·      NPEs reduced by €157 mn to €4.6 bn (€2.4 bn net) pro forma for Helix

·      NPE ratio at 35% and coverage at 48% pro forma for Helix

·      Management actively exploring strategies to further accelerate de-risking including further portfolio sales

 

Strong liquidity position

·      Significant liquidity surplus of €3.8 bn, pro forma for Helix

·      Deposits at €16.3 bn at quarter end, down by 3% qoq, up 1% yoy for Cyprus

·      Loan to deposit ratio of 67% pro forma for Helix

 

Positive Performance in 1Q2019

·      Total Income of €176 mn, Operating profit of €71 mn, Underlying profit after tax before restructuring costs of €23 mn

·      Cost of risk of 1.2% reflecting continued de-risking

·      Helix loss of €21 mn relating mainly to completion and timing adjustments

·      Positive impact of €109 mn following tax legislation amendments adopted in March 2019

·      Profit after tax of €95 mn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group Chief Executive Statement 

"Our results this quarter reflect continuing progress against our core objective of balance sheet repair.

 

We have continued to make good progress towards completion of the sale of c.€2.7 bn non-performing loans in Project Helix, including obtaining the required regulatory approvals from the ECB for the Significant Risk Transfer benefit from the Transaction. We expect completion during the second quarter of 2019.

 

Project Helix complements our on-going organic non-performing exposure (NPE) reduction, which amounted to €157 mn for the quarter, broadly in line with our organic target of c.€800 mn for 2019. This was the sixteenth consecutive quarter of organic reductions in NPEs.

 

Since the peak in 2014, and pro forma for the sale of the Helix portfolio, we have now reduced the stock of NPEs by c.70% to €4.6 bn. This stock of delinquent loans is covered by 48% provisions.

 

Even though we have reduced NPEs by c.70% since peak, there are still €4.6 bn of delinquent loans to be addressed, and for which we have plans in place. Approximately €900 mn of these are in fact fully performing but trapped in the regulatory definition, and approximately another €900 mn should be positively tackled over time by the Government's ESTIA scheme supporting lower value primary residences. This leaves a core of €2.8 bn of delinquent loans that we are actively addressing, exploring strategies to further accelerate our de-risking, including significant portfolio sales.

 

The Bank's capital position remains good. As at 31 March 2019 the CET1 ratio (IFRS 9 transitional) was 14.9% and the Total Capital ratio was 17.9%, both pro forma for Helix, well in excess of our regulatory requirements.

 

The Bank continues to operate with a significant liquidity surplus and, reflecting that, we have reduced our deposit gathering and willingness to pay for deposits. At the end of the first quarter, pro forma for Helix we had significant surplus liquidity of €3.8 bn. During the quarter our deposits reduced by 3% to €16.3 bn. New lending in Cyprus during the first quarter was €563 mn, flat year on year. Our loan to deposit ratio at the quarter-end stood at 67% pro forma for Helix.

                                               

During the first quarter of the year, the Group generated total income of €176 mn and a positive operating result of €71 mn. The underlying profit after tax result before restructuring costs for the quarter is a profit of €23 mn. The profit and loss account was positively impacted by €109 mn following tax legislation amendments adopted in March 2019 and negatively impacted by completion and timing adjustments of €21 mn for Project Helix. The result of these was a profit after tax for the first quarter of €95 mn.

 

2019 is a year in which management is putting in place the final significant steps to repair the balance sheet. We have also worked hard on revising our business model. Our Digital Transformation Programme that started in 2017 is now beginning to clearly deliver an improved customer experience and our branch network is now half the size it was in 2013. But there is a need to further rationalise, further modernise and reduce the cost of running the Bank. Considerable work is going on in this important area which is a key focus for management this year. 

 

 

We are pleased to have maintained our leading market position in a strengthening Cypriot economy, which expanded by 3.9% in 2018. We remain as focused as ever on continuing to seek solutions, both organic and inorganic, to make the Bank a stronger, safer, Cyprus- and future- focused institution, capable of supporting the local economy."

 

John Patrick Hourican

 

 

A. Group Financial Results - Underlying Basis

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

€ mn

1Q2019

1Q2018 represented2,3

4Q20183

qoq  +%

yoy +%

Net interest income

102

106

104

-1%

-3%

Net fee and commission income

40

39

43

-9%

1%

Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries

10

29

15

-32%

-65%

Insurance income net of claims and commissions

12

12

15

-19%

0%

Net gains from revaluation and disposal of investment properties and on disposal of stock of properties

4

19

3

30%

-79%

Other income

8

6

9

-3%

27%

Total income

176

211

189

-6%

-17%

Staff costs

(57)

(52)

(59)

-3%

9%

Other operating expenses

(42)

(37)

(44)

-3%

12%

Special levy and contribution to Single Resolution Fund

(6)

(7)

(7)

-7%

-13%

Total expenses

(105)

(96)

(110)

-3%

9%

Operating profit

71

115

79

-11%

-38%

Provision charge

(47)

(52)

(32)

49%

-10%

Impairments of other financial and non-financial assets

(1)

(6)

(7)

-93%

-91%

Provisions for litigation, regulatory and other matters

0

(2)

(13)

-102%

-114%

Total provisions and impairments

(48)

(60)

(52)

-11%

-21%

Share of profit from associates

2

1

0

97%

50%

Profit before tax and non-recurring items

25

56

27

-6%

-53%

Tax

(2)

(4)

7

-141%

-19%

(Profit)/loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(0)

2

(4)

-89%

-129%

Profit after tax and before non-recurring items

23

54

30

-25%

-58%

Advisory and other restructuring costs - excluding discontinued operations and NPE sale (Helix)

(7)

(8)

(16)

-60%

-9%

Profit after tax - Organic

16

46

14

15%

-66%

Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations (UK)

-

3

(1)

-

-

Restructuring costs relating to NPE sale (Helix)

(1)

(6)

(1)

-28%

-83%

Loss relating to NPE sale (Helix)

(21)

-

-

-

-

Reversal/(impairment) of DTA and tax receivables

101

-

(79)

-

-

Profit/(loss) after tax - attributable to the owners of the Company

95

43

(67)

-

119%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Performance Ratios3

1Q2019

1Q2018 represented2,3

4Q20183

qoq +

yoy +

Net Interest Margin (annualised)1

2.27%

2.38%

2.21%

+6 bps

-11 bps

Cost to income ratio

60%

46%

58%

+2 p.p.

+14 p.p.

Cost to income ratio excluding special levy and contribution to Single Resolution Fund

56%

42%

54%

+2 p.p.

+14 p.p.

Operating profit return on average assets (annualised)1

1.3%

2.1%

1.4%

-0.1 p.p.

-0.8 p.p.

Basic earnings per share attributable to the owners of the Company - Organic (€ cent)

3.61

10.48

3.12

0.49

(6.87)

Basic earnings/(losses) per share attributable to the owners of the Company (€ cent)

21.23

9.67

(14.93)

36.16

11.56

1. Ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio of €1,103 mn (NBV) and of the Velocity portfolio of €5 mn (NBV) as disposal groups held for sale. 2. Represented for the disposal of the UK subsidiary 3. Including the impact from IFRIC Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit-impaired financial asset (IFRS 9)).   ; p.p. = percentage points, bps = basis points, 100 basis points (bps) = 1 percentage point
 

 

A. Group Financial Results - Underlying Basis (continued)

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

€ mn

 

31.03.2019

31.12.2018

+%

Cash and balances with central banks

 

3,913

4,610

-15%

Loans and advances to banks

 

448

473

-5%

Debt securities, treasury bills and equity investments

 

1,711

1,515

13%

Net loans and advances to customers

 

10,955

10,922

0%

Stock of property

 

1,542

1,530

1%

Other assets

 

1,727

1,555

11%

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale

 

1,449

1,470

-1%

Total assets

 

21,745

22,075

-1%

Deposits by banks

 

480

432

11%

Funding from central banks

 

830

830

-

Repurchase agreements

 

251

249

1%

Customer deposits

 

16,298

16,844

-3%

Subordinated loan stock

 

254

271

-6%

Other liabilities

 

1,163

1,082

7%

Total liabilities

 

19,276

19,708

-2%

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

2,223

2,121

5%

Other equity instruments

 

220

220

-

Total equity excluding non-controlling interests

 

2,443

2,341

4%

Non-controlling interests

 

26

26

2%

Total equity

 

2,469

2,367

4%

Total liabilities and equity

 

21,745

22,075

-1%

 

 

 

 

 

Key Balance Sheet figures and ratios

31.03.2019

Before NPE Sale (Helix)1

31.03.2019

31.12.2018

+

Gross loans (€ mn)

15,882

13,155

13,148

0%

Accumulated provisions (€ mn) 

3,846

2,227

2,254

-1%

Customer deposits (€ mn) 

16,298

16,298

16,844

-3%

Loans to deposits ratio (net)

74%

67%

65%

+2 p.p.

NPE ratio

46%

35%

36%

-1 p.p.

NPE provisioning coverage ratio

53%

48%

47%

+1 p.p.

Leverage ratio

10.6%

10.6%

10.0%

0.6 p.p.

Capital ratios and risk weighted assets

31.03.2019

pro forma2

31.03.2019

31.12.2018

+

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio (transitional for IFRS 9)3

14.9%

13.4%

11.9%4

+150 bps

Total capital ratio

17.9%

16.2%

14.9%

+130 bps

Risk weighted assets (€ mn)

13,884

15,391

15,373

0%

p.p. = percentage points, bps = basis points, 100 basis points (bps) = 1 percentage point; 1. Ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio of €1,103 mn (NBV) and of the Velocity portfolio of €5 mn (NBV) as disposal groups held for sale. 2. Pro forma for Helix. 3. The CET1 FL ratio as at 31 March 2019 (including the full impact of IFRS 9) amounts to 11.9% and 13.3% pro forma for Helix (compared to 10.1% and 13.5% respectively for 31 December 2018). 4. The CET1 ratio transitional also for DTA as at 31 December 2018 stood at 12.1%.

                   

 

Commentary on Underlying Basis

Reclassifications to comparative information for 1Q2018 and 4Q2018 were made in order to present the financial information on a comparable basis to the current year presentation. They mainly relate to the following items: (i) unrecognised interest on previously credit impaired loans which have cured during the period in line with an IFRIC discussion, which took place in November 2018 (Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit impaired financial asset (IFRS 9)) was reclassified from net interest income to 'Credit losses to cover credit risk on loans and advances to customers'; (ii) the results of the discontinued operations in the UK were represented as discontinued operations; (iii) Interest income and interest expense relating to financial instruments classified at FVPL have been reclassified to 'Income similar to interest income' and 'Expense similar to interest expense' respectively in order to be consistent with the presentation requirements for the interest income calculated using the effective interest rate method, on financial instruments measured at amortised cost and financial assets measured at FVOCI following the adoption of IFRS 9. The reclassifications and representation did not have an impact on the results for the quarter or the equity of the Group.

 

A.1. Balance Sheet Analysis

A.1.1 Capital Base

Total equity (excluding non-controlling interests) totalled €2,443 mn at 31 March 2019, compared to €2,341 mn at 31 December 2018. Shareholders' equity totalled €2,223 mn at 31 March 2019, compared to €2,121 mn at 31 December 2018.

 

The Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1) ratio on an IFRS 9 transitional basis stood at 13.4% at 31 March 2019 (and 14.9% pro forma for Helix), compared to 11.9% at 31 December 2018. The CET1 ratio transitional also for deferred tax assets (DTA) stood at 12.1% as at 31 December 2018. The DTAs were fully phased in as of 1 January 2019. During 1Q2019 the CET1 ratio was positively affected by the tax legislation amendments relating to the conversion of deferred tax assets into deferred tax credits.

 

The Group has elected to apply the EU transitional arrangements for regulatory capital purposes (EU Regulation 2017/2395) where the impact on the impairment amount from the initial application of IFRS 9 on the capital ratios is phased-in gradually. The amount added each year decreases based on a weighting factor until the impact of IFRS 9 is fully absorbed back to CET1 at the end of the five years. The impact on the capital ratios for the year 2018 was 5% of the impact on the impairment amounts from the initial application of IFRS 9, increasing to 15% (cumulative) for the year 2019.

The CET1 ratio on a fully-loaded basis amounts to 11.9% at 31 March 2019 (and 13.3% pro forma for Helix), compared to 10.1% at 31 December 2018 (and 13.5% pro forma for DTC and Helix). On a transitional basis and on a fully phased-in basis after the five year period of transition is complete, the impact of IFRS 9 is expected to be manageable and within the Group's capital plans.

 

As at 31 March 2019, the Total Capital ratio stood at 16.2% (and 17.9% pro forma for Helix), compared to 14.9% at 31 December 2018.

 

The Group's capital ratios are above the minimum CET1 regulatory capital ratio of 10.5% (comprising a 4.5% Pillar I requirement, a 3.0% Pillar II requirement, the Capital Conservation Buffer of 2.5% and the Other Systemically Important Institution Buffer of 0.5%) and the overall Total Capital requirement of 14.0%, comprising an 8.0% Pillar I requirement (of which up to 1.5% can be in the form of Additional Tier 1 capital and up to 2.0% in the form of Tier 2 capital), a 3.0% Pillar II requirement (in the form of CET1), the Capital Conservation Buffer of 2.5% and the Other Systemically Important Institution Buffer of 0.5%. The ECB has also provided non-public guidance for an additional Pillar II CET1 buffer.

 

In accordance with the provisions of the Macroprudential Oversight of Institutions Law of 2015, the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) is also the responsible authority for the designation of banks that are Other Systemically Important Institutions (O-SIIs) and for the setting of the O-SII buffer requirement for these systemically important banks. The Group has been designated as an O-SII and the O-SII buffer currently set by the CBC for the Group is 2%. This buffer will be phased-in gradually, starting from 1 January 2019 at 0.5% and increasing by 0.5% every year thereafter, until being fully implemented (2.0%) on 1 January 2022.

 

Based on the SREP decisions of prior years, the Company and the Bank were under a regulatory prohibition for equity dividend distribution and therefore no dividends were declared or paid during years 2018 and 2017. Following the 2018 SREP decision, the Company and the Bank are still under equity dividend distribution prohibition. This prohibition does not apply if the distribution is made via the issuance of new ordinary shares to the shareholders which are eligible as CET1 capital. No prohibition applies to the payment of coupons on any AT1 capital instruments issued by the Company and the Bank.

 

 

 

The EBA final guidelines on Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) and supervisory stress testing in July 2018 and the Single Supervisory Mechanism's (SSM) 2018 SREP methodology provide that CET1 held for the purposes of Pillar II add-ons cannot be used to meet any other capital requirements (Pillar 1, P2R or the combined buffer requirements), and therefore cannot be used twice. Such restrictions are, however, only expected to apply with effect from the 2019 SREP cycle. Pillar II add-ons derive from the Group's individual capital guidance, which is a point in time assessment made in the context of the SREP process and, accordingly, they may vary over time.

 

Additional Tier 1

 

In December 2018, the Company proceeded with the issuance of €220 mn of Additional Tier 1 Capital Securities.

 

Legislative amendments for the conversion of DTA to DTC

 

Legislative amendments allowing for the conversion of specific deferred tax assets (DTA) into deferred tax credits (DTC) were adopted by the Cyprus Parliament on 1 March 2019 and published on the Official Gazette of the Republic on 15 March 2019. The law amendments cover the income tax losses transferred from Laiki Bank to the Bank in March 2013. The introduction of CRD IV in January 2014 and its subsequent phasing-in led to a more capital intensive treatment of this DTA for the Bank. The law amendments have resulted in improved regulatory capital treatment, under Capital Requirements Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 ("CRR"), of the DTA amounting to c.€285 mn or a CET1 uplift of c.190 bps.

 

Pro forma capital ratios

 

With the completion of Project Helix expected in 2Q2019, the CET1 ratio (IFRS 9 transitional basis) of 13.4% as at 31 March 2019 improves to 14.9% pro forma for Helix. The Total Capital ratio of 16.2% as at 31 March 2019 improves to 17.9% pro forma for Helix.

 

Share premium reduction of the Bank

 

The Bank (BOC PCL) will proceed (subject to approvals mainly by the Court of Cyprus and the ECB) with a capital reduction process which will result in the reclassification of c.€551 mn of the Bank's share premium account balance as distributable reserves which shall be available for distribution to the shareholders of the Bank, resulting in total net distributable reserves of c.€1 bn on a pro forma basis (31 December 2018). The reduction of capital will not have any impact on regulatory capital or the total equity position of BOC PCL or the Group.

 

The distributable reserves provide the basis for the calculation of distributable items under the CRR, which provides that coupons on AT1 capital instruments may only be funded from distributable items.

 

A.1.2 Funding and Liquidity

Funding

 

Funding from Central Banks

 

At 31 March 2019, the Bank's funding from central banks amounted to €830 mn, which relates to ECB funding, (at the same level as at 31 December 2018), comprising solely of funding through the Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO II).  

 

Deposits 

 

Customer deposits totalled €16,298 mn at 31 March 2019, compared to €16,844 mn at 31 December 2018. Customer deposits decreased by 3% qoq and increased by 1% yoy for deposits in Cyprus. Cyprus deposits account for 100% of Group customer deposits after the disposal of the UK subsidiary in 2018. 

 

The Bank's deposit market share in Cyprus reached 35.2% at 31 March 2019 (compared to 36.0% at 31 December 2018, on the same basis). Customer deposits accounted for 75% of total assets at 31 March 2019.

 

The Loan to Deposit ratio (L/D) stood at 74% at 31 March 2019 when ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio as a disposal group held for sale, compared to 72% at 31 December 2018, compared to a high of 151% at 31 March 2014. Post NPEs sales (Helix and Velocity), the L/D ratio is reduced by a further 7 p.p to 67%.

 

Subordinated Loan Stock

 

At 31 March 2019 the Bank's subordinated loan stock (including accrued interest) amounted to €254 mn (compared to €271 mn as at 31 December 2018) and relates to unsecured subordinated Tier 2 Capital Notes of nominal value €250 mn, issued by the Bank in January 2017.

Liquidity

 

At 31 March 2019 the Group Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) stood at 216% (compared to 231% at 31 December 2018) and was in compliance with the minimum regulatory requirement of 100%. 

 

The Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) has not yet been introduced. It will become a regulatory indicator when CRR2 is enforced with the limit set at 100%. At 31 March 2019, the Group's NSFR, on the basis of Basel ΙΙΙ standards, stood at 117% (compared to 119% at 31 December 2018).

 

A.1.3 Loans

Group gross loans totalled €15,882 mn at 31 March 2019, compared to €15,900 mn at 31 December 2018. Gross loans in Cyprus totalled €15,686 mn at 31 March 2019 and accounted for 99% of Group gross loans. The exposures remaining in the UK post the sale of BOC UK are being run down over time and have been categorised as non-core overseas exposures as of 30 September 2018.  

 

New loans granted in Cyprus reached €563 mn for 1Q2019, flat year on year.

 

At 31 March 2019, the Group net loans and advances to customers totalled €10,955 mn (compared to €10,922 mn at 31 December 2018).

 

In addition, at 31 March 2019, net loans and advances to customers of €1,103 mn were classified as a disposal group held for sale in line with IFRS 5 and relate to Helix, compared to €1,148 mn at 31 December 2018. Moreover, at 31 March 2019, net loans and advances to customers of €5 mn (compared to €6 mn as at 31 December 2018) were classified as a disposal group held for sale in line with IFRS 5 and relate to Project Velocity, an agreement to sell a non-performing loan portfolio of primarily retail unsecured exposures.

 

The Bank is the single largest credit provider in Cyprus with a market share of 46.7% at 31 March 2019, compared to 45.4% at 31 December 2018.

 

 

A.1.4 Loan portfolio quality

Tackling the Group's loan portfolio quality remains the top priority for management. The Group continues to make steady progress across all asset quality metrics and the loan restructuring activity continues. The Group has been successful in engineering restructuring solutions across the spectrum of its loan portfolio.

 

Non-performing exposures (NPEs) as defined by the European Banking Authority (EBA) were reduced by €146 mn or 2% during 1Q2019 to €7,273 mn at 31 March 2019, accounting for 46% of gross loans (ignoring the classification of the Helix (and Velocity) portfolio as a disposal group held for sale), compared to 47% at 31 December 2018 on the same basis.

 

The organic reduction of NPEs in 1Q2019 on the residual portfolio was €157 mn, broadly in line with an organic target of c.€800 mn for 2019. This included an amount of €104 mn, which relates to a reclassification between gross loans and accumulated provisions on loans and advances to customers classified as a disposal group held for sale.

 

The provisioning coverage ratio of NPEs stood at 53% at 31 March 2019 (ignoring the classification of the Helix (and Velocity) portfolio as a disposal group held for sale), compared to 52% at 31 December 2018 on the same basis.

 

When taking into account tangible collateral at fair value, NPEs are fully covered.

 

 

 

31.03.2019¹

 

31.12.20181

 

€ mn

% of gross

loans

€ mn

% of gross

loans

NPEs as per EBA definition

7,273

45.8%

7,419

46.7%

 

Of which, in pipeline to exit:

- NPEs with forbearance measures, no arrears2

1,084

6.8%

1,211

7.6%

1.  Ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio of €1,103mn (NBV) and of the Velocity portfolio of €5 mn (NBV) as disposal groups held for sale.     2. The analysis is performed on a customer basis.

 

 

Overall, the Group has recorded organic NPE reductions for sixteen consecutive quarters and expects the organic reduction of residual NPEs (post Helix) to continue during the coming quarters. 

 

 

 

Project Helix

 

During 2018, in addition to the organic reduction of NPEs, the Group accelerated balance sheet de-risking through reaching an agreement in August 2018 for the sale of a portfolio of loans (the 'Portfolio') with a gross book value of €2.8 bn (of which €2.7 bn relate to non-performing loans as at 30 June 2018), secured by real estate collateral ('NPLs') (known as 'Project Helix', or the 'Transaction'). The Portfolio had a contractual balance of c.€5.7 bn as at 31 March 2018.

 

Following the completion of Project Helix, the Bank's gross NPEs will be c.70% lower than its peak in 2014.

 

Project Helix reduces the NPE ratio by c.11 p.p. to 35% as at 31 March 2019. Ignoring the classification of the Helix (and Velocity) portfolios as disposal groups held for sale, the NPE ratio is 46%.

 

The NPE provision coverage as at 31 March 2019 is 48%, compared to 47% as at 31 December 2018. Ignoring the classification of the Helix (and Velocity) portfolios as disposal groups held for sale, the NPE provision coverage is 53%. 

 

In March 2019, the Bank received approval from the ECB for the Significant Risk Transfer ('SRT') benefit from the Transaction. This is an important step towards completion of the Transaction, which remains subject to various outstanding conditions precedent. All relevant figures and pro forma calculations are based on 31 March 2019 financial results, unless otherwise stated. Calculations on a pro forma basis assume completion of the Transaction, expected to occur in 2Q2019.

 

ESTIA

 

In July 2018, the Government announced a scheme aimed at addressing NPEs backed by primary residence, known as ESTIA. This Scheme is expected to positively impact c.€0.9 bn of retail core NPEs, subject to eligibility criteria and participation rate. This Estia eligible portfolio refers to the potentially eligible portfolio based on the Bank's available data. Eligibility criteria relate primarily to the Open Market Value (OMV) of the residence, total income and net wealth of the household. These will act as a clear definition of socially protected borrowers, acting as an enabler against strategic defaulters. In accordance with the Scheme, the eligible loans are to be restructured to the lower of contractual and OMV, and the Government to subsidise one third of the instalment. The terms of the Scheme are subject to finalisation. The Bank is currently awaiting the official launch of the Scheme by the Government.

 

Project Velocity 

 

In December 2018, the Bank entered into an agreement with APS Delta s.r.o, to sell a non-performing loan portfolio of primarily retail unsecured exposures, with a contractual balance of €245 mn and a gross book value of €34 mn as at 30 September 2018 (known as "Project Velocity" or the "Sale"). This portfolio comprises of 9,700 heavily delinquent borrowers, including 8,800 private individuals and 900 small-to-medium-sized enterprises. The gross book value of this portfolio as at 31 March 2019 was €33 mn.

 

The Sale is expected to be neutral to both the profit and loss account and to capital. The Sale is subject to the necessary approvals and is expected to be completed during 2Q2019.

 

The Group actively explores strategies to further accelerate de-risking, including significant portfolio sales.

 

 

A.1.5. Real Estate Management Unit (REMU)

The Real Estate Management Unit (REMU) on-boarded €45 mn of assets (including construction cost) in 1Q2019 (down by 61% qoq and 66% yoy), via the execution of debt for asset swaps and repossessed properties. The focus for REMU is increasingly shifting from on-boarding of assets resulting from debt for asset swaps towards the disposal of these assets. The Group completed disposals of €30 mn in 1Q2019 (compared to €42 mn in 4Q2018), resulting in a profit on disposal of €4 mn for 1Q2019. During the quarter ended 31 March 2019, the Group executed sale-purchase agreements (SPAs) with contract value of €37 mn (119 properties). In addition, the Group signed SPAs for disposals of assets with contract value of €103 mn.

 

Following the incorporation of Cyreit Variable Capital Investment Company PLC, properties of carrying value €166 mn were reclassified from the stock of properties (measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value under IAS 2) to investment properties (measured at fair value under IAS 40). In November 2018, the Bank signed an agreement for the disposal of its entire holding in the investment shares of the Cyreit Fund, resulting in a valuation loss of €14 mn recorded in 3Q2018, relating to both properties and other receivables. The completion of the disposal is subject to regulatory approvals and expected in 2Q2019.

 

As at 31 March 2019, assets held by REMU had a carrying value of €1.5 bn, in addition to assets reclassified to investment properties of €166 mn, which were subsequently classified as a disposal group held for sale. As at 31 March 2019, properties with carrying value of €98 mn were included in the portfolio for the NPE sale (Helix), compared to €74 mn as at 31 December 2018.

 

Assets held by REMU (Group)

€ mn

 

1Q2019

1Q2018

4Q2018

qoq

+%

yoy +%

Opening balance

 

1,530

1,641

1,558

-2%

-7%

On-boarded assets (including construction cost)

 

45

134

117

-61%

-66%

Sales

 

(30)

(55)

(42)

-29%

-45%

Transfer to investment properties

 

-

(166)

-

-

-

Transfer to non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale

 

(1)

-

(102)

-99%

-

Closing balance

 

1,542

1,552

1,530

1%

-1%

 

Analysis by type and country

Cyprus

Greece

Romania

Total

31 March 2019 (€ mn)

 

 

 

 

Residential properties

172

25

0

197

Offices and other commercial properties

226

42

7

275

Manufacturing and industrial properties

82

37

0

119

Hotels

35

0

-

35

Land (fields and plots)

904

7

4

915

Properties under construction

1

-

-

1

Total

1,420

111

11

1,542

 

 

Cyprus

Greece

Romania

Total

31 December 2018 (€ mn)

 

 

 

 

Residential properties

164

25

0

189

Offices and other commercial properties

228

44

7

279

Manufacturing and industrial properties

80

38

0

118

Hotels

35

0

-

35

Land (fields and plots)

896

8

4

908

Properties under construction

1

-

-

1

Total

1,404

115

11

1,530

 

 

 

A.1.6 Non-core overseas exposures

The remaining non-core overseas net exposures (including both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures) at 31 March 2019 are as follows:

 

€ mn

31 March 2019

31 December 2018

Greece

152

164

Romania

33

35

Serbia

7

7

Russia

21

23

UK

1

11

 

The Group continues its efforts for further deleveraging and disposal of non-essential assets and operations.

 

In addition to the above, at 31 March 2019 there were overseas exposures of €157 mn in Greece (compared to exposures of €144 mn at 31 December 2018), not identified as non-core exposures, since they are considered by management as exposures arising in the normal course of business. 

 

In accordance with the Group's strategy to exit from overseas non-core operations, the operations of the branch in Romania were terminated in January 2019, following the completion of deregistration formalities with respective authorities.

 

 

A.2. Income Statement Analysis

A.2.1 Total income

€ mn

1Q2019

1Q2018 represented2,3

4Q20183

qoq +%

 

Yoy2 +%

Net interest income

102

106

104

-1%

-3%

Net fee and commission income

40

39

43

-9%

1%

Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries

10

29

15

-32%

-65%

Insurance income net of claims and commissions

12

12

15

-19%

0%

Net gains from revaluation and disposal of investment properties and on disposal of stock of properties

4

19

3

30%

-79%

Other income

8

6

9

-3%

27%

Non-interest income

74

105

85

-13%

-30%

Total income

176

211

189

-6%

-17%

Net Interest Margin (annualised)1

2.27%

2.38%

2.21%

6 bps

-11 bps

Average interest earning assets (€ mn)1

18,243

17,981

18,468

-1%

1%

 

1. Ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio of €1,103 mn (NBV) and of the Velocity portfolio of €5 mn (NBV) as disposal groups held for sale.

2. Represented for the disposal of the UK subsidiary.

3. Including the impact from IFRIC Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit-impaired financial asset (IFRS 9))

 

p.p. = percentage points, bps = basis points, 100 basis points (bps) = 1 percentage point

 

Net interest income (NII) and net interest margin (NIM) for 1Q2019 amounted to €102 mn and 2.27% respectively, when ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio as a disposal group held for sale. NII remained at similar levels when compared to €104 mn for 4Q2018 and down by 3% compared to €106 mn a year earlier. The NIM for 1Q2019 improved by 6 bps to 2.27%, positively impacted by the reduction in the volume and cost of deposits. The yoy decline in NIM of 11 bps reflects the lower volume on loans and pressure on lending rates.

 

Quarterly average interest earning assets for 1Q2019 amounted to €18,243 mn, compared to €18,468 mn for 4Q2018, down by 1%, primarily driven by the decrease in the volume of deposits.

 

Non-interest income for 1Q2019 amounted to €74 mn, mainly comprising net fee and commission income of €40 mn, net foreign exchange gains and net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries of €10 mn, net insurance income of €12 mn, net gains from revaluation and disposal of investment properties and on disposal of stock of properties of €4 mn and other income of €8 mn.

 

Net fee and commission income for 1Q2019 amounted to €40 mn, at similar levels compared to 1Q2018 and compared to €43 mn in 4Q2018 (down by 9% qoq), reflecting quarterly seasonality.  

 

Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries of €10 mn for 1Q2019, comprising mainly net foreign exchange gains of €7 mn and net gains on revaluation of financial instruments of €3 mn, decreased by 65% yoy and 32% qoq. The yoy decrease is due to an ad-hoc gain on disposal of bonds during 1Q2018 of €19 mn. The qoq decrease is mainly due to elevated foreign exchange gains in 4Q2018 related to the closing of hedging positions of overseas / run down operations. 

 

Net insurance income of €12 mn for 1Q2019, at the same levels as for 1Q2018, but decreased by 19% qoq mainly due to elevated insurance claims in 1Q2019.

 

Net gains from revaluation and disposal of investment properties and on disposal of stock of properties for 1Q2019 amounted to €4 mn, relating to net gains on disposal of stock of properties (REMU gains), at similar levels to the previous quarter (net gains of €3 mn) and compared to net gains of €19 mn for 1Q2018, which comprised net profit from the disposal of stock of properties of €11 mn (REMU gains) and a valuation gain on reclassification of €8 mn.

 

Total income for 1Q2019 amounted to €176 mn, compared to €189 mn for 4Q2018 (down by 6% qoq) and to €211 mn for 1Q2018 (down by 17% yoy).

 

 

 

 

A.2.2 Total expenses

€ mn

1Q2019

1Q2018 represented2,3

4Q20183

qoq  +%

yoy +%

Staff costs

(57)

(52)

(59)

-3%

9%

Other operating expenses

(42)

(37)

(44)

-3%

12%

Total operating expenses

(99)

(89)

(103)

-3%

10%

Special levy and contribution to Single Resolution Fund (SRF)

(6)

(7)

(7)

-7%

-13%

Total expenses

(105)

(96)

(110)

-3%

9%

Cost to income ratio1

60%

46%

58%

+2 p.p.

+14 p.p.

Cost to income ratio excluding special levy and contribution to SRF1

56%

42%

54%

+2 p.p.

+14 p.p.

1

1 1. Ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio of €1,103 mn (NBV) and of the Velocity portfolio of €5 mn (NBV) as disposal groups held for sale.

   2. Represented for the disposal of the UK subsidiary.

   3. Including the impact from IFRIC Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit-impaired financial asset (IFRS 9))

 

  p.p. = percentage points, bps = basis points, 100 basis points (bps) = 1 percentage point
             

 

Total expenses for 1Q2019 were €105 mn (compared to €110 mn for 4Q2018), 54% of which related to staff costs
(€57 mn), 40% to other operating expenses (€42 mn) and 6% (€6 mn) to special levy and contribution to Single Resolution Fund (SRF).  

 

Total operating expenses for 1Q2019 were €99 mn, increased by 10% yoy, compared to €89 mn for 1Q2018 and decreased by 3% qoq, compared to €103 mn for 4Q2018.

 

Staff costs of €57 mn for 1Q2019 increased by 9% yoy (compared to €52 mn in 1Q2018) and decreased by 3% qoq when compared to €59 mn for 4Q2018, which included an amount of €4 mn recorded in 4Q2018 related to previous quarters and one-off transactional staff costs. The remaining increase of €2 mn relates to the increase in employer's social insurance contributions from the beginning of the year and the additional contributions to the new general healthcare system which commenced in March 2019.

 

Other operating expenses for 1Q2019 were €42 mn, decreased by 3% qoq (€44 mn in 4Q2018) and increased by 12% yoy (€37 mn in 1Q2018), driven mainly from projects relating to the Digital Transformation Programme and other professional services.

 

The cost to income ratio excluding special levy and contribution to Single Resolution Fund for 1Q2019 was 56%, (compared to 54% for 4Q2018), principally reflecting the decrease in total income. Management remains focused on cost reduction this year and considerable work is in progress.

 

 

A.2.3 Profit before tax and non-recurring items

 

€ mn

1Q2019

1Q2018 represented1,2

4Q20182

qoq +%

yoy +%

Operating profit

71

115

79

-11%

-38%

Provision charge

(47)

(52)

(32)

49%

-10%

Impairments of other financial and non-financial assets

(1)

(6)

(7)

-93%

-91%

Provisions for litigation, regulatory and other matters

0

(2)

(13)

-102%

-114%

Total provisions and impairments

(48)

(60)

(52)

-11%

-21%

Share of profit from associates

2

1

0

97%

50%

Profit before tax and non-recurring items

25

56

27

-6%

-53%

  1. Represented for the disposal of the UK subsidiary.

  2. Including the impact from IFRIC Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit-impaired financial asset (IFRS 9))

 

 

Operating profit for 1Q2019 was €71 mn, compared to €79 mn for 4Q2018, down by 11% qoq, and compared to €115 mn for 1Q2018, down by 38% yoy, mainly due to the lower volume on loans and pressure on lending rates.

 

The provision charge for 1Q2019 totalled €47 mn, compared to €32 mn for 4Q2018 (up by 49% qoq) and compared to €52 mn for 1Q2018 (down by 10% yoy). The qoq increase reflects further de-risking.


The annualised provisioning charge for 1Q2019, ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio as a disposal group held for sale and including the impact from IFRIC Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit-impaired financial asset (IFRS 9)), accounted for 1.2% of gross loans, compared to a provisioning charge of 0.8% for FY2018, on the same basis.

 

At 31 March 2019, accumulated provisions, including fair value adjustment on initial recognition and provisions for off-balance sheet exposures and ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio as a disposal group held for sale, totalled €3,846 mn (compared to €3,852 mn at 31 December 2018) and accounted for 24.2% of gross loans on the same basis (at the same levels as at 31 December 2018). Ignoring the classification of the Helix portfolio as a disposal group held for sale, the decrease in accumulated provisions in 1Q2019 amounted of €6.5 mn, whilst the decrease in accumulated provisions in the previous quarter amounted to €141 mn. 

 

Impairments of other financial and non-financial assets for 1Q2019 was €1 mn, compared to €7 mn for 4Q2018 (down by 93% qoq) and to €6 mn for 1Q2018 (down by 91% yoy). Impairments of other financial and non-financial assets for 4Q2018 primarily related to the discounting of Greek tax receivables.

 

Provisions for litigation, regulatory and other matters for 1Q2019 was less than €1 mn, compared to €13 mn for 4Q2018, which primarily related to litigation for securities issued by the BOC PCL between 2007 and 2011 and other provisions for regulatory matters.

 

 

 

 

A.2.4 Profit/(loss) after tax

€ mn

1Q2019

1Q2018 represented1,2

4Q20183

qoq  +%

yoy +%

Profit before tax and non-recurring items

25

56

27

-6%

-53%

Tax

(2)

(4)

7

-141%

-19%

(Profit)/loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(0)

2

(4)

-89%

-129%

Profit after tax and before non-recurring items

23

54

30

-25%

-58%

Advisory and other restructuring costs - excluding discontinued operations and NPE sale (Helix)

(7)

(8)

(16)

-60%

-9%

Profit after tax - Organic

16

46

14

15%

-66%

Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations (UK)

-

3

(1)

-

-

Restructuring costs relating to NPE sale (Helix)

(1)

(6)

(1)

-28%

-83%

Loss relating to NPE sale (Helix)

(21)

-

-

-

-

Reversal/(impairment) of DTA and tax receivables

101

-

(79)

-

-

Profit/(loss) after tax - attributable to the owners of the Company

95

43

(67)

-

119%

  1. Represented for the disposal of the UK subsidiary.

  2. Including the impact from IFRIC Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit-impaired financial asset (IFRS 9))

 

The tax charge for 1Q2019 totalled €2 mn, compared to a tax charge of €4 mn for 1Q2018 and a tax credit of €7 mn in 4Q2018 which comprised mainly reversals of tax provisions relating to prior years.

 

Profit after tax and before non-recurring items for 1Q2019 was €23 mn, compared to a profit of €30 mn for 4Q2018 and a profit of €54 mn for 1Q2018.

 

Advisory and other restructuring costs - excluding discontinued operations and NPE sale (Helix) for 1Q2019 amounted to €7 mn, compared to €16 mn for 4Q2018 and to €8 mn for 1Q2018.

 

Profit after tax arising from the organic operations of the Group for 1Q2019 amounted to €16 mn, compared to €14 mn for 4Q2018 and to €46 mn for 1Q2018.

 

Restructuring costs relating to NPE sale (Helix) for 1Q2019 were €1 mn, at the same level as for 4Q2018, comprising mainly advisory costs and legal fees.

 

Loss relating to NPE sale (Helix) for 1Q2019 was €21 mn, relating mainly to completion and timing adjustments.

 

Reversal/(impairment) of DTA and tax receivables totalled €101 mn for 1Q2019, comprising the positive impact of €109 mn following amendments to the Income Tax legislation in Cyprus adopted in March 2019, and an impairment of €8 mn relating to Greek tax receivables adversely impacted from legislative changes. The carrying value of the remaining receivable at the quarter end was c.€4 mn. The impairment of the DTA for 4Q2018 was €79 mn and resulted from the on-going review of the recoverability of the DTA.

 

Profit after tax attributable to the owners of the Company for 1Q2019 was €95 mn, compared to a loss of €67 mn for 4Q2018 and a profit of €43 mn for 1Q2018.
 

B. Operating Environment

In 2018 real GDP grew by 3.9% after growing by 4.5% in 2017 and by 4.8% in 2016 (Cyprus Statistical Service). Economic activity was driven by tourism, construction and professional services and by domestic demand on the expenditure side. Fixed investment remains sub-par, not accounting for ship registrations and driven by building and construction activity.

 

Looking forward, according to the European Commission, real GDP in 2019 and 2020 will slow further, to 3.1% and 2.7% respectively (European Economic Forecast, Spring 2019). With external demand weakening, export growth will be moderating. Slowing growth in the Euro Area and persistent uncertainties in major trading partners increase downside risks and weigh on the outlook. In the early part of the year developments have been relative restrictive evidenced in a drop in tourist arrivals in January-March, a decline in car registrations in January-April, and a slowdown in the volume of retail sales in January-March. The volume of building permits though had risen sharply January-February.

 

Cyprus has close trade and investment links with the UK, making its economy vulnerable to the impact of Brexit on the UK economy. Tourist arrivals from the UK accounted for about 34% of total arrivals in 2017-2018. A possible decline in tourist arrivals from the UK and a drop in their spending will need to be mitigated by increasing arrivals and revenues from other countries.

 

Demographic trends in Cyprus are not very favourable. Total population and the labour force will be growing at very slow pace, based on Eurostat's population projections. To mitigate problems that will ensue, policy will need to focus on retirement ages, labour force participation rates, and productivity growth especially as society and economy will be evolving to the digital revolution.

 

The fiscal consolidation of the programme years has been successful. The large budget deficits of 2009-14 have been reversed into substantial surplus positions. In 2018 the budget surplus reached 3.5% of GDP when the fiscal burden of the Cyprus Cooperative Bank transaction, is excluded. The primary surplus correspondingly reached 6% of GDP. Public debt as a ratio to GDP rose from 95.8% in 2017 to 102.5% in 2018 (Cyprus Statistical Service). The increase was driven by the Cyprus Cooperative Bank transaction and the underlying fundamentals remain favourable supporting a resumption of the declining trend in 2019.

 

The European Central Bank will maintain a very loose monetary policy in the medium term and policy rates will rise only gradually.

 

The labour market is recovering strongly. Employment increased by 5.9% in 2018, compared with an increase of 3,1% in 2017 (Cyprus Statistical Service). As a result, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.6% in the fourth quarter of 2018 seasonally adjusted and to an average of 8.4% in the year as a whole from 11% in 2017 and contributed to strong private consumption growth (Cyprus Statistical Service).

 

Consumer inflation accelerated modestly in 2018 up to 1.4% from 0.5% in 2017 (Cyprus Statistical Service). This was owed in large, to higher global energy prices, as the categories rising faster were those of housing and transport. In the first four months of 2019 inflation was 1,4% and was driven by food prices and housing expenditures. Overall prices are rising but inflationary pressures remain weak. Price increases will be determined by future developments regarding wages and disposable income on the one hand, and energy costs on the other.

 

In the banking sector, the stock of Non Performing Exposures (NPEs) dropped by about half in 2018 to €10.4 billion or 30.5% of gross loans in December, compared with a ratio of 42.5% a year earlier. The ratio of total impairments to total NPEs was 51.2% at the end of December 2018 (Central Bank of Cyprus). This followed the Cyprus Cooperative Bank transaction and the sale of a package of NPEs by Bank of Cyprus. Despite this steep reduction however, the NPE ratio remains high and constitutes a source of vulnerability for the banking sector and the economy at large.

 

Prudential oversight has been strengthened. In July 2018, the Cyprus government took additional steps to address regulatory issues relating to NPEs. Parliament voted on Cyprus government legislative proposals for strengthening the foreclosure and insolvency framework and facilitating the securitisation of NPEs and the sale of loans. Taken together, these measures, along with ESTIA, a scheme to aid households with non-performing exposures secured with primary homes, will support further reductions in the remaining stock of NPEs.

 

The sovereign risk ratings of the Cyprus government improved considerably in the recent period reflecting expectations of a sustained decline in public debt as a ratio to GDP, expected further declines in non-performing exposures and a more stable price environment following a protracted period of deflation and low inflation. In November 2018 Fitch Ratings upgraded its Long-Term Issuer Default ratings for Cyprus to investment grade (BBB-) affirming in April 2019. In September 2018, S&P Global Ratings also upgraded Cyprus to investment grade (BBB-). In July 2018 Moody's Investors Service upgraded Cyprus' sovereign rating to Ba2 from Ba3 affirmed in April 2019. All maintain stable outlook.

 

 

 

C. Business Overview

As the Cypriot operations account for 99% of gross loans and 100% of customer deposits, after the disposal of the UK operations, the Group's financial performance is highly correlated to the economic and operating conditions in Cyprus and will consequently benefit from the country's recovery. Most recently, in March 2019, Fitch Ratings affirmed their long-term issuer default rating of B- (positive outlook). In January 2019, Moody's Investors Service upgraded the Bank's long-term deposit rating to B3 from Caa1, with a positive outlook. The positive outlook reflects expectations of further improvements in the banks' financial fundamentals, mainly asset quality over the next 12-18 months, in the context of an improved operating environment in Cyprus. At the end of August 2018, Standard and Poor's upgraded their long-term issuer credit rating on the Bank to 'B+' from 'B' and changed the outlook to stable from positive. The key drivers for the ratings were the improvement in the Bank's financial fundamentals, mainly in asset quality, and its funding position.

 

Tackling the Bank's loan portfolio quality is of utmost importance for the Group. The Group has been successful in engineering restructuring solutions across the spectrum of its loan portfolio, and expects the reduction of residual NPEs (post the NPE sale (Helix)) to continue, with a target of c.€800 mn for 2019, as portfolio size and business line mix is expected to change radically post execution of Helix. In parallel, the Group is actively exploring strategies to further accelerate de-risking including further portfolio sales.

 

The strategic focus of the Group is to reshape its business model to grow in the core Cypriot market through prudent new lending. As at 31 March 2019, the Bank's capital position remains good and is strengthened pro forma Helix. The Group expects to continue to be able to support the recovery of the Cyprus economy through the provision of new lending. Growth in new lending in Cyprus is focused on selected industries that are more in line with the Bank's target risk profile, such as tourism, trade, professional services, information/communication technologies, energy, education and green projects.

 

Aiming at supporting investments by SMEs and mid-caps to boost the Cypriot economy, and create new jobs for young people, the Bank continues to provide joint financed schemes. To this end, the Bank continues its partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Cyprus Government. 

 

Management is also placing emphasis on diversifying income streams by optimising fee income from international transaction services, wealth management and insurance. The Group's insurance companies, EuroLife Ltd and General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd operating in the sectors of life and general insurance respectively, are leading players in the insurance business in Cyprus, with such businesses providing a recurring income, further diversifying the Group's income streams. The insurance income net of insurance claims for 1Q2019 amounted to €12 mn, at the same levels as for 1Q2018, contributing to 17% of non-interest income.

 

In order to further optimise its funding structure, the Bank continues to focus on the shape and cost of deposit franchise, taking advantage of the increased customer confidence towards the Bank, as well as improving macroeconomic conditions.

 

Management remains focused on cost reduction this year, for which considerable work is on-going. The Digital Transformation Programme that started in 2017 is beginning to deliver an improved customer experience (see below) and the branch network is half the size it was in 2013.

 

Digital Transformation

 

As part of its vision to be the leading financial hub in Cyprus, the Bank continues its Digital Transformation Programme in collaboration with IBM, the Bank's Strategic Digital Transformation Partner, which focuses on three strategic pillars: developing digital services and products that enhance the customer experience, streamlining internal processes and introducing new ways of working to improve the workplace environment. In the last few months, various new features were introduced on the new mobile app, such as the ability to apply for e-products and transfer amounts over €150 through QuickPay. Moreover, the introduction of the 1Bank B2B (business to business) APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) is gaining traction. These are interfaces that enable businesses to enjoy access to 1Bank functionality directly through their own systems without the need to access the 1Bank website. The BoC wallet was also launched, which allows mobile payments through Android devices. In addition, the IBU Gateway was introduced that provides 24/7 access to Professional Associates and IBU/Wealth customers to apply for products or services and get a ready-to-sign application form.

 

The Bank has led the way in Cyprus in establishing an open banking ecosystem, by being the first bank in Cyprus to launch its PSD2 APIs (Payment Service Directive2, Application Programming Interfaces) and also by integrating with eight UK banks allowing customers to view their account balances and transactions from the integrated banks together with their Bank of Cyprus accounts through 1Bank. Building on the success of the integration of the UK banks we are now working on integrating Cypriot banks. Furthermore, several other initiatives are in progress, including enhancing digital channels to improve customer experience, providing online services using digital signatures, automating internal end to end processes using a BPM (Business Process Management) platform and introducing collaboration and knowledge sharing tools across the organisation. The adoption of digital products and services has continued to increase and is gaining momentum. For example, the Digital Adoption rate which is a composite measure capturing customers' digital engagement with the Bank and the digital economy has increased to 65.9% at 31 March 2019 compared to 61.6% at 31 March 2018. Furthermore, the number of transfers and payments initiated via digital channels has also significantly increased over the last 12 months (936 thousand in March 2019 compared to 544 thousand in March 2018, i.e. 72% increase). As far as the mobile app usage is concerned, the number of active mobile users has increased by 21% since March 2018, while the average number of customer mobile logins per month has increased by 25% over the same period.

D. Strategy and Outlook

The Group remains on track for implementing its strategic objectives aiming to become a stronger, safer and a more focused institution capable of supporting the recovery of the Cypriot economy and delivering appropriate shareholder returns in the medium term.

 

The key pillars of the Group's strategy are to:

·      Materially reduce the level of delinquent loans

·      Further optimise the funding structure

·      Maintain an appropriate capital position by internally generating capital

·      Focus on the core Cyprus market

·      Achieve a lean operating model

·      Deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders

 

KEY PILLARS

PLAN OF ACTION

1.     Materially reduce the level of delinquent loans

 

•        Sustain momentum in restructuring and continue reduction of NPEs

•        Focus on terminated portfolios (in Recovery Unit) - "accelerated consensual foreclosures"

•        Real estate management via REMU

•        Continue to explore alternative measures for accelerating NPE reduction, such as NPE sales, securitisations etc.

2.     Further optimise the funding structure

 

•        Focus on shape and cost of deposit franchise

3.     Maintain an appropriate capital position

•        Internally generating capital

4.     Focus on core Cyprus market

 

•        Targeted lending in Cyprus into growing sectors to fund recovery

•        New loan origination, while maintaining lending yields

•        Revenue diversification via fee income from international business, wealth, and insurance

5.     Achieve a lean operating model

 

•        Implementation of digital transformation program underway, aimed at enhancing productivity through alternative distribution channels and reducing operating costs over time

•        Post the execution of further NPE reduction, the Bank is focusing on the need to manage costs

6.     Deliver value

•        Deliver appropriate medium term risk-adjusted returns

 

 

 

 

E.           Statutory Financial Results

Unaudited Interim Consolidated Income Statement

 

Three months ended

31 March

2019

2018 (represented)

€000

€000

Continuing operations

 

 

Turnover

237,102

254,216

Interest income

126,967

144,423

Income similar to interest income

13,199

12,731

Interest expense

(26,313)

(40,049)

Expense similar to interest expense

(11,807)

(11,486)

Net interest income

102,046

105,619

Fee and commission income

42,778

41,840

Fee and commission expense

(9,502)

(2,603)

Net foreign exchange gains

6,869

6,899

Net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries

3,953

18,719

Insurance income net of claims and commissions

12,413

12,440

Net (losses)/gains from revaluation and disposal of investment properties

(404)

8,272

Net gains on disposal of stock of property

4,400

10,516

Other income

8,075

6,369

 

170,628

208,071

Staff costs

(57,099)

(52,225)

Special levy on deposits on credit institutions in Cyprus and contribution to single Resolution Fund

(6,338)

(7,311)

Other operating expenses

(60,831)

(52,684)

 

46,360

95,851

Net gains on derecognition of financial assets measured at amortised cost

2,848

15,522

Credit losses to cover credit risk on loans and advances to customers

(59,822)

(63,969)

Credit losses of other financial instruments

(7,441)

(1,404)

Impairment of non-financial instruments

(1,389)

(5,006)

(Loss)/profit before share of profit from associates

(19,444)

40,994

Share of profit from associates

2,228

1,490

(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations

(17,216)

42,484

Income tax

112,353

(3,553)

Profit after tax from continuing operations

95,137

38,931

Discontinued operations

 

 

Profit after tax from discontinued operations

-

2,664

Profit for the period

95,137

41,595

 

Attributable to:

 

 

Owners of the Company - continuing operations (profit)

94,690

40,491

Owners of the Company - discontinued operations (profit)

-

2,664

Total profit attributable to the owners of the Company

94,690

43,155

Non-controlling interests - continuing operations

447

(1,560)

Profit for the period

95,137

41,595

 

Basic and diluted profit per share attributable to the owners of the Company

(€ cent) - continuing operations

21.2

9.1

Basic and diluted profit per share attributable to the owners of the Company

(€ cent)

21.2

9.7
 

 

Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

Three months ended

31 March

2019

2018

€000

€000

Profit for the period

95,137

41,595

Other comprehensive income (OCI)

 

 

OCI to be reclassified in the consolidated income statement in subsequent periods

 

 

Fair value reserve (debt instruments)

 

 

Net gains/( losses) on investments in debt instruments measured at fair value through OCI (FVOCI)

6,951

(5,468)

Transfer to the consolidated income statement on disposal

396

(18,474)

 

7,347

(23,942)

Foreign currency translation reserve

 

 

(Loss)/profit on translation of net investment in foreign branches and subsidiaries

(6,809)

3,105

Profit/(loss) on hedging of net investments in foreign branches and subsidiaries

6,019

(3,248)

Transfer to the consolidated income statement on disposal/dissolution of foreign operations

-

(47)

 

(790)

(190)

Total OCI that may be classified in the consolidated income statement in subsequent periods

6,557

(24,132)

OCI not to be reclassified in the consolidated income statement in subsequent periods

 

 

Fair value reserve (equity instruments)

 

 

Share of net gains/(losses) from fair value changes of associates

2,156

(868)

Net gains on investments in equity instruments designated at FVOCI

176

1,670

 

2,332

802

Property revaluation

 

 

Tax

29

16

 

 

 

Actuarial (losses)/gains on the defined benefit plans

 

 

Remeasurement (losses)/ gains on defined benefit plans

(1,991)

443

Total OCI not to be classified in the consolidated income statement in subsequent periods

370

1,261

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period net of taxation

6,927

(22,871)

Total comprehensive income for the period

102,064

18,724

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

Owners of the Company

101,599

20,284

Non-controlling interests

465

(1,560)

Total comprehensive income for the period

102,064

18,724

 

 

 

Unaudited Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

Assets

€000

€000

Cash and balances with central banks

3,913,391

4,610,491

Loans and advances to banks

448,043

472,532

Derivative financial assets

10,672

24,754

Investments

1,417,058

777,104

Investments pledged as collateral

293,939

737,587

Loans and advances to customers

10,954,529

10,921,786

Life insurance business assets attributable to policyholders

429,044

402,565

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets

302,053

256,002

Stock of property

1,542,011

1,530,388

Investment properties

24,517

24,475

Property and equipment

292,933

260,723

Intangible assets

170,311

170,411

Investments in associates and joint venture

119,090

114,637

Deferred tax assets

379,126

301,778

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale

1,448,721

1,470,038

Total assets

21,745,438

22,075,271

Liabilities

 

 

Deposits by banks

479,756

431,942

Funding from central banks

830,000

830,000

Repurchase agreements

251,432

248,945

Derivative financial liabilities

42,893

38,983

Customer deposits

16,298,250

16,843,558

Insurance liabilities

618,356

591,057

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities

332,759

285,483

Pending litigation, claims, regulatory and other matters

117,347

116,951

Subordinated loan stock

254,278

270,930

Deferred tax liabilities

44,404

44,282

Non‑current liabilities and disposal group held for sale

6,571

5,812

Total liabilities

19,276,046

19,707,943

Equity

 

 

Share capital

44,620

44,620

Share premium

1,294,358

1,294,358

Revaluation and other reserves

200,011

190,411

Retained earnings

683,940

591,941

Equity attributable to the owners of the Company

2,222,929

2,121,330

Other equity instruments

220,000

220,000

Total equity excluding non‑controlling interests

2,442,929

2,341,330

Non‑controlling interests

26,463

25,998

Total equity

2,469,392

2,367,328

Total liabilities and equity

21,745,438

22,075,271

 

The Group adopted the accounting standard IFRS 16 Leases on 1 January 2019. The impact on adoption was an increase in assets of €37,278 thousand and an increase in liabilities of €37,278 thousand with no impact on retained earnings or equity of the Group. The effect of the adoption of IFRS 16 remains subject to change until the Group finalises its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.

 

 

Reclassifications to comparative information were made to conform to current period presentation and relate to:

·      Unrecognised interest on previously credit impaired loans which have cured during the period in line with an IFRIC discussion, which has taken place in November 2018 (Presentation of unrecognised interest following the curing of a credit impaired financial asset (IFRS 9)) was reclassified from net interest income to 'Credit losses to cover credit risk on loans and advances to customers'.

·      The results of the discontinued operations in the UK (Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd and its subsidiary, Bank of Cyprus Financial Services Ltd) were represented as discontinued operations.

·      Interest income and interest expense relating to financial instruments classified at FVPL have been reclassified to 'Income similar to interest income' and 'Expense similar to interest expense' respectively in order to be consistent with the presentation requirements for the interest income calculated using the effective interest rate method, on financial instruments measured at amortised cost and financial assets measured at FVOCI following the adoption of IFRS 9.

·      Changes in expected cash flows have been reclassified from 'Net gains on derecognition of financial assets measured at amortised cost' to 'Credit losses to cover credit risk on loans and advances to customers'.

·      All credit losses of other financial instruments were reclassified out of 'Credit losses to cover credit risk on loans and advances to customers' to the face of the Interim Consolidated Income Statement.

 

 

Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

Attributable to the owners of the Company

Other equity instruments

Non- controlling interests

Total

 equity

Share

capital

Share

premium

Treasury shares

Retained earnings
Property revaluation reserve

Financial instruments fair value reserve

Life insurance in-force business reserve

Foreign currency translation reserve

Total

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

1 January 2019

44,620

1,294,358

(21,463)

591,941

79,433

15,289

101,001

16,151

2,121,330

220,000

25,998

2,367,328

Profit for the period

-

-

-

94,690

-

-

-

-

94,690

-

447

95,137

Other comprehensive (loss)/income after tax for the period

-

-

-

(1,991)

22

9,668

-

(790)

6,909

-

18

6,927

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

-

-

-

92,699

22

9,668

-

(790)

101,599

-

465

102,064

Increase in value of in-force life insurance business

-

-

-

(800)

-

-

800

-

-

-

-

-

Tax on increase in value of in-force life insurance business

-

-

-

100

-

-

(100)

-

-

-

-

-

31 March 2019

44,620

1,294,358

(21,463)

683,940

79,455

24,957

101,701

15,361

2,222,929

220,000

26,463

2,469,392

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to the owners of the Company

Non- controlling interests

Total

 equity

Share

capital

 

Share

premium

 

Treasury shares

 

Accumulated

losses

 
Property revaluation reserve

Financial instruments fair value reserve

Other reserves

Life insurance in-force business reserve

Foreign currency translation reserve

Total

 

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

1 January 2018

44,620

2,794,358

(21,463)

(527,128)

92,878

54,485

6,059

105,651

36,098

2,585,558

31,150

2,616,708

Impact of adopting IFRS 9 at 1 January 2018

-

-

-

(299,150)

-

(8,470)

-

-

-

(307,620)

-

(307,620)

Restated balance at 1 January 2018

44,620

2,794,358

(21,463)

(826,278)

92,878

46,015

6,059

105,651

36,098

2,277,938

31,150

2,309,088

Profit/(loss) for the period

-

-

-

43,155

-

-

-

-

-

43,155

(1,560)

41,595

Other comprehensive income/(loss) after tax for the period

-

-

-

443

16

(23,140)

-

-

(190)

(22,871)

-

(22,871)

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

-

-

-

43,598

16

(23,140)

-

-

(190)

20,284

(1,560)

18,724

Increase in value of in-force life insurance business

-

-

-

(800)

-

-

-

800

-

-

-

-

Tax on increase in value of in-force life insurance business

-

-

-

100

-

-

-

(100)

-

-

-

-

Transfer of gain on disposal of FVOCI equity investments to accumulated losses

-

-

-

89

-

(89)

-

-

-

-

-

-

Increase in non-controlling interests due to change in the shareholding of subsidiary

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

13,473

13,473

31 March 2018

44,620

2,794,358

(21,463)

(783,291)

92,894

22,786

6,059

106,351

35,908

2,298,222

43,063

2,341,285

 

 

F.           Notes

F.1         Reconciliation of income statement between statutory and underlying basis

€000

Underlying basis

Reclassification

Statutory basis

Net interest income

102,046

-

102,046

Net fee and commission income

39,532

(6,256)

33,276

Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries

10,191

631

10,822

Insurance income net of claims and commissions

12,413

-

12,413

Net gains from revaluation and disposal of investment properties and on disposal of stock of property

3,996

-

3,996

Other income

8,075

-

8,075

Total income

176,253

(5,625)

170,628

Total expenses

(105,331)

(18,937)

(124,268)

Operating profit

70,922

(24,562)

46,360

Provisions charge

(46,704)

(10,270)

(56,974)

Impairments of other financial and non-financial instruments

(580)

(8,250)

(8,830)

Reversal of provisions for litigation and regulatory matters

228

(228)

-

Share of profit from associates

2,228

-

2,228

Profit/(loss) before tax, restructuring costs and discontinued operations

26,094

(43,310)

(17,216)

Income tax

(2,875)

115,228

112,353

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests

(447)

-

(447)

Profit after tax and before restructuring costs, the NPE sale (Helix) and discontinued operations

22,772

71,918

94,690

Advisory and other restructuring costs-excluding the NPE sale (Helix)

(6,689)

6,689

-

Profit after tax (Organic)

16,083

78,607

94,690

Restructuring costs relating to NPE sale (Helix)

(1,075)

1,075

-

Loss relating to NPE sale (Helix)

(21,040)

21,040

-

Net reversal of impairment of deferred tax asset (DTA) and Greek tax asset

100,722

(100,722)

-

Profit after tax (attributable to the owners of the Company)

94,690

-

94,690

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The reclassification differences between the statutory and underlying bases mainly relate to the impact from the NPE sale (Helix) and related restructuring costs and impairment of DTA. In detail: 

 

·      €6.3 million fee and commission expense related to the revised income tax legislation disclosed within 'Net reversal of impairment of deferred tax asset (DTA) and Greek tax asset' under the underlying basis.

·      'Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on financial instrument transactions and disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries' under the statutory basis include an amount of €0.6 million relating to net gains on loans and advances to customers measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL) disclosed within 'Provisions charge' under the underlying basis.

·      'Restructuring costs relating to NPE sale (Helix)' of €1.1 million, 'Reversal of provisions for litigation and regulatory matters' of €0.3 million and 'Advisory and other restructuring costs-excluding the NPE sale (Helix)' of €6.7 million disclosed as expenses under the statutory basis are shown separately under the underlying basis.

·      The loss relating to NPE sale (Helix) of €9.6 million and loss of €11.4 million disclosed within 'Provisions charge' and 'Operating expenses' respectively under the statutory basis is separately disclosed under the underlying basis.

·      Impairment of Greek tax asset of €8.3 million and reversal of impairment of DTA of €115.2 million disclosed within 'Impairment of other financial and non-financial instruments' and 'Income tax' respectively under the statutory basis are separately disclosed in 'Net reversal of impairment of deferred tax asset (DTA) and Greek tax asset' per the underlying basis.

 

 

F.2         Customer deposits

Analysis of customer deposits is presented below:

 

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

By type of deposit

€000

€000

Demand

6,490,591

6,708,852

Savings

1,371,824

1,352,452

Time or notice

8,435,835

8,782,254

 

16,298,250

16,843,558

By currency

 

 

Euro

14,519,930

14,961,025

US Dollar

1,382,545

1,482,867

British Pound

291,460

292,640

Russian Rouble

23,474

25,529

Swiss Franc

7,921

7,994

Other currencies

72,920

73,503

 

16,298,250

16,843,558

By customer sector

 

 

 

Corporate

1,670,615

1,750,517

 

SMEs

726,667

800,671

 

Retail

9,825,733

10,032,047

 

Restructuring

 

 

 

- corporate

70,492

69,180

 

- SMEs

26,847

29,299

 

- retail other

14,178

16,773

 

Recoveries

 

 

 

- corporate

8,024

6,492

 

International banking services

3,537,237

3,707,713

 

Wealth management

418,457

430,866

 

 

16,298,250

16,843,558

 

 

All deposits are in Cyprus.

 

 

F.3         Loans and advances to customers

 

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

 

€000

€000

Gross loans and advances to customers at amortised cost

12,453,197

12,430,367

Allowance for ECL

(1,892,566)

(1,904,153)

Loans and advances to customers measured at amortised cost

10,560,631

10,526,214

Loans and advances to customers measured at FVPL

393,898

395,572

 

10,954,529

10,921,786

 

F.4         Credit risk concentration of gross loans and advances to customers

Geographical and industry and business line concentrations of Group gross loans and advances to customers at amortised cost are presented below:

31 March 2019

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By economic activity

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Trade

1,446,675

41,344

1,488,019

(23,758)

1,464,261

Manufacturing

444,006

10,168

454,174

(5,834)

448,340

Hotels and catering

951,651

3,811

955,462

(19,558)

935,904

Construction

947,480

5,791

953,271

(13,302)

939,969

Real estate

973,626

22,338

995,964

(17,415)

978,549

Private individuals

6,175,496

1,150

6,176,646

(125,270)

6,051,376

Professional and other services

914,513

47,723

962,236

(36,028)

926,208

Other sectors

714,901

779

715,680

(7,090)

708,590

 

12,568,348

133,104

12,701,452

(248,255)

12,453,197

By business line

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

3,501,016

120,476

3,621,492

(47,776)

3,573,716

SMEs

1,215,829

11,729

1,227,558

(16,392)

1,211,166

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

2,887,793

-

2,887,793

(43,942)

2,843,851

- consumer, credit cards and other

947,774

899

948,673

2,781

951,454

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

457,262

-

457,262

(7,512)

449,750

- SMEs

481,203

-

481,203

(9,765)

471,438

- retail housing

456,593

-

456,593

(4,064)

452,529

- retail other

306,001

-

306,001

(8,387)

297,614

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

134,818

-

134,818

(5,453)

129,365

- SMEs

598,689

-

598,689

(24,876)

573,813

- retail housing

728,280

-

728,280

(39,447)

688,833

- retail other

560,675

-

560,675

(38,742)

521,933

International banking services

180,147

-

180,147

(2,046)

178,101

Wealth management

112,268

-

112,268

(2,634)

109,634

 

12,568,348

133,104

12,701,452

(248,255)

12,453,197

 

 

 

31 December 2018

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By economic activity

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Trade

1,447,623

39,682

1,487,305

(24,096)

1,463,209

Manufacturing

437,030

7,572

444,602

(6,439)

438,163

Hotels and catering

877,501

3,806

881,307

(20,354)

860,953

Construction

991,122

2,552

993,674

(14,661)

979,013

Real estate

980,152

21,644

1,001,796

(16,231)

985,565

Private individuals

6,234,765

11,536

6,246,301

(135,603)

6,110,698

Professional and other services

866,093

45,758

911,851

(36,551)

875,300

Other sectors

720,876

4,704

725,580

(8,114)

717,466

 

12,555,162

137,254

12,692,416

(262,049)

12,430,367

By business line

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

3,363,298

125,138

3,488,436

(49,982)

3,438,454

SMEs

1,188,456

11,188

1,199,644

(16,537)

1,183,107

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

2,871,294

-

2,871,294

(45,016)

2,826,278

- consumer, credit cards and other

940,388

904

941,292

2,965

944,257

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

531,462

24

531,486

(7,907)

523,579

- SMEs

560,806

-

560,806

(11,637)

549,169

- retail housing

498,601

-

498,601

(4,481)

494,120

- retail other

328,952

-

328,952

(8,588)

320,364

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

164,821

-

164,821

(7,439)

157,382

- SMEs

630,968

-

630,968

(26,178)

604,790

- retail housing

697,212

-

697,212

(40,577)

656,635

- retail other

480,733

-

480,733

(39,923)

440,810

International banking services

192,646

-

192,646

(2,158)

190,488

Wealth management

105,525

-

105,525

(4,591)

100,934

 

12,555,162

137,254

12,692,416

(262,049)

12,430,367

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale

Industry and business lines concentrations and geographical analysis of Group loans and advances to customers at amortised cost classified as held for sale are presented in the table below:

31 March 2019

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By economic activity

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Trade

352,152

-

352,152

(11,347)

340,805

Manufacturing

206,599

-

206,599

(7,340)

199,259

Hotels and catering

258,536

-

258,536

(11,968)

246,568

Construction

989,017

-

989,017

(74,141)

914,876

Real estate

393,410

57,230

450,640

(11,192)

439,448

Private individuals

230,938

-

230,938

(8,560)

222,378

Professional and other services

142,066

-

142,066

(5,941)

136,125

Other sectors

195,280

6,222

201,502

(6,723)

194,779

 

2,767,998

63,452

2,831,450

(137,212)

2,694,238

By business line

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

4,800

-

4,800

(6)

4,794

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

2

-

2

-

2

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

838,986

-

838,986

(23,878)

815,108

- SMEs

208,544

-

208,544

(4,594)

203,950

- retail housing

265

-

265

-

265

- retail other

5,638

-

5,638

(195)

5,443

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

1,291,675

63,452

1,355,127

(86,461)

1,268,666

- SMEs

376,225

-

376,225

(18,229)

357,996

- retail housing

637

-

637

(114)

523

- retail other

41,218

-

41,218

(3,735)

37,483

International banking services

8

-

8

-

8

 

2,767,998

63,452

2,831,450

(137,212)

2,694,238

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale (continued)

31 December 2018

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By economic activity

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Trade

373,351

-

373,351

(12,213)

361,138

Manufacturing

202,193

-

202,193

(7,216)

194,977

Hotels and catering

258,529

-

258,529

(11,960)

246,569

Construction

995,430

-

995,430

(74,233)

921,197

Real estate

409,632

55,225

464,857

(11,765)

453,092

Private individuals

218,531

-

218,531

(9,098)

209,433

Professional and other services

140,748

-

140,748

(5,941)

134,807

Other sectors

191,463

6,011

197,474

(6,727)

190,747

 

2,789,877

61,236

2,851,113

(139,153)

2,711,960

By business line

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

15,249

-

15,249

(584)

14,665

SMEs

2,841

-

2,841

-

2,841

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

128

-

128

(1)

127

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

859,214

-

859,214

(24,379)

834,835

- SMEs

216,866

-

216,866

(4,858)

212,008

- retail housing

272

-

272

-

272

- retail other

5,773

-

5,773

(210)

5,563

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

1,274,835

61,236

1,336,071

(86,644)

1,249,427

- SMEs

374,336

-

374,336

(17,991)

356,345

- retail housing

635

-

635

(115)

520

- retail other

39,720

-

39,720

(4,371)

35,349

International banking services

8

-

8

-

8

 

2,789,877

61,236

2,851,113

(139,153)

2,711,960
 

 

 

F.5         Credit quality of gross loans and advances to customers

The following tables present the Group's loans and advances to customers at amortised cost by staging and by business line concentration:

31 March 2019

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

6,134,582

1,993,907

3,793,141

779,822

12,701,452

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

(75,113)

(20,280)

(40,240)

(112,622)

(248,255)

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

6,059,469

1,973,627

3,752,901

667,200

12,453,197

 

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 March 2019

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

2,362,349

805,905

367,809

85,429

3,621,492

SMEs

748,333

360,252

107,122

11,851

1,227,558

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

2,212,238

338,472

326,671

10,412

2,887,793

- consumer, credit cards and other

583,003

210,259

135,210

20,201

948,673

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

43,342

93,496

241,699

78,725

457,262

- SMEs

53,078

48,298

341,436

38,391

481,203

- retail housing

6,391

3,640

432,048

14,514

456,593

- retail other

4,195

593

283,805

17,408

306,001

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

101,453

33,365

134,818

- SMEs

-

-

487,036

111,653

598,689

- retail housing

-

-

546,216

182,064

728,280

- retail other

79

-

388,892

171,704

560,675

International banking services

67,686

77,950

31,404

3,107

180,147

Wealth management

53,888

55,042

2,340

998

112,268

 

6,134,582

1,993,907

3,793,141

779,822

12,701,452

 

 

 

 

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 March 2019

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

(22,121)

(12,058)

(12,619)

(978)

(47,776)

SMEs

(11,007)

(3,521)

(1,201)

(663)

(16,392)

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

(43,286)

161

(672)

(145)

(43,942)

- consumer, credit cards and other

3,335

(95)

(259)

(200)

2,781

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

(452)

(1,662)

(4,279)

(1,119)

(7,512)

- SMEs

(67)

(660)

(3,480)

(5,558)

(9,765)

- retail housing

(122)

-

(2,382)

(1,560)

(4,064)

- retail other

25

(13)

(3,927)

(4,472)

(8,387)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

(1,614)

(3,839)

(5,453)

- SMEs

-

-

(1,800)

(23,076)

(24,876)

- retail housing

-

-

(3,288)

(36,159)

(39,447)

- retail other

-

-

(4,372)

(34,370)

(38,742)

International banking services

(350)

(980)

(233)

(483)

(2,046)

Wealth management

(1,068)

(1,452)

(114)

-

(2,634)

 

(75,113)

(20,280)

(40,240)

(112,622)

(248,255)

 

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 March 2019

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

2,340,228

793,847

355,190

84,451

3,573,716

SMEs

737,326

356,731

105,921

11,188

1,211,166

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

2,168,952

338,633

325,999

10,267

2,843,851

- consumer, credit cards and other

586,338

210,164

134,951

20,001

951,454

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

42,890

91,834

237,420

77,606

449,750

- SMEs

53,011

47,638

337,956

32,833

471,438

- retail housing

6,269

3,640

429,666

12,954

452,529

- retail other

4,220

580

279,878

12,936

297,614

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

99,839

29,526

129,365

- SMEs

-

-

485,236

88,577

573,813

- retail housing

-

-

542,928

145,905

688,833

- retail other

79

-

384,520

137,334

521,933

International banking services

67,336

76,970

31,171

2,624

178,101

Wealth management

52,820

53,590

2,226

998

109,634

 

6,059,469

1,973,627

3,752,901

667,200

12,453,197

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2018

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

6,035,781

1,921,255

3,915,591

819,789

12,692,416

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

(77,738)

(20,673)

(40,432)

(123,206)

(262,049)

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

5,958,043

1,900,582

3,875,159

696,583

12,430,367

 

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 December 2018

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

2,215,264

793,249

387,093

92,830

3,488,436

SMEs

739,166

346,148

103,384

10,946

1,199,644

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

2,259,976

300,101

300,584

10,633

2,871,294

- consumer, credit cards and other

591,242

199,099

130,816

20,135

941,292

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

48,943

92,537

303,955

86,051

531,486

- SMEs

55,295

52,573

406,369

46,569

560,806

- retail housing

6,883

3,745

473,444

14,529

498,601

- retail other

5,140

1,226

304,076

18,510

328,952

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

120,234

44,587

164,821

- SMEs

-

-

515,542

115,426

630,968

- retail housing

-

-

512,175

185,037

697,212

- retail other

89

-

313,529

167,115

480,733

International banking services

69,620

78,109

41,352

3,565

192,646

Wealth management

44,163

54,468

3,038

3,856

105,525

 

6,035,781

1,921,255

3,915,591

819,789

12,692,416

 

 

 

 

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 December 2018

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

(25,159)

(11,564)

(12,282)

(977)

(49,982)

SMEs

(10,652)

(4,150)

(1,113)

(622)

(16,537)

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

(43,528)

(97)

(1,246)

(145)

(45,016)

- consumer, credit cards and other

3,248

352

(375)

(260)

2,965

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

(199)

(1,988)

(2,687)

(3,033)

(7,907)

- SMEs

28

(580)

(3,931)

(7,154)

(11,637)

- retail housing

(119)

(3)

(2,796)

(1,563)

(4,481)

- retail other

34

(40)

(3,971)

(4,611)

(8,588)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

(1,654)

(5,785)

(7,439)

- SMEs

-

-

(2,073)

(24,105)

(26,178)

- retail housing

-

-

(3,200)

(37,377)

(40,577)

- retail other

-

-

(4,695)

(35,228)

(39,923)

International banking services

(303)

(1,164)

(195)

(496)

(2,158)

Wealth management

(1,088)

(1,439)

(214)

(1,850)

(4,591)

 

(77,738)

(20,673)

(40,432)

(123,206)

(262,049)

 

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 December 2018

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

2,190,105

781,685

374,811

91,853

3,438,454

SMEs

728,514

341,998

102,271

10,324

1,183,107

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- housing

2,216,448

300,004

299,338

10,488

2,826,278

- consumer, credit cards and other

594,490

199,451

130,441

19,875

944,257

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

48,744

90,549

301,268

83,018

523,579

- SMEs

55,323

51,993

402,438

39,415

549,169

- retail housing

6,764

3,742

470,648

12,966

494,120

- retail other

5,174

1,186

300,105

13,899

320,364

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

118,580

38,802

157,382

- SMEs

-

-

513,469

91,321

604,790

- retail housing

-

-

508,975

147,660

656,635

- retail other

89

-

308,834

131,887

440,810

International banking services

69,317

76,945

41,157

3,069

190,488

Wealth management

43,075

53,029

2,824

2,006

100,934

 

5,958,043

1,900,582

3,875,159

696,583

12,430,367
 

 

The following table presents the credit quality of the Group's loans and advances to customers at amortised cost by geographical concentration:

31 March 2019

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By staging

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

6,133,175

1,407

6,134,582

(75,113)

6,059,469

Stage 2

1,993,907

-

1,993,907

(20,280)

1,973,627

Stage 3

3,661,444

131,697

3,793,141

(40,240)

3,752,901

POCI

779,822

-

779,822

(112,622)

667,200

 

12,568,348

133,104

12,701,452

(248,255)

12,453,197

 

31 December 2018

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By staging

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

6,023,870

11,911

6,035,781

(77,738)

5,958,043

Stage 2

1,921,234

21

1,921,255

(20,673)

1,900,582

Stage 3

3,790,269

125,322

3,915,591

(40,432)

3,875,159

POCI

819,789

-

819,789

(123,206)

696,583

 

12,555,162

137,254

12,692,416

(262,049)

12,430,367

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale

The credit quality of loans and advances to customers at amortised cost classified as held for sale by business line concentration is presented below:

31 March 2019

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

12,635

53,058

2,249,296

516,461

2,831,450

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

(292)

(1,291)

(26,058)

(109,571)

(137,212)

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

12,343

51,767

2,223,238

406,890

2,694,238

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale (continued)

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 March 2019

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

155

-

3,903

742

4,800

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

-

-

2

-

2

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

10,469

45,710

737,860

44,947

838,986

- SMEs

1,986

7,348

182,259

16,951

208,544

- retail housing

-

-

225

40

265

- retail other

25

-

5,411

202

5,638

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

987,545

367,582

1,355,127

- SMEs

-

-

301,133

75,092

376,225

- retail housing

-

-

488

149

637

- retail other

-

-

30,462

10,756

41,218

International banking services

-

-

8

-

8

 

12,635

53,058

2,249,296

516,461

2,831,450

 

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 March 2019

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

-

-

(6)

-

(6)

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

(89)

(752)

(15,634)

(7,403)

(23,878)

- SMEs

(203)

(539)

(1,471)

(2,381)

(4,594)

- retail other

-

-

(115)

(80)

(195)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

(5,089)

(81,372)

(86,461)

- SMEs

-

-

(3,466)

(14,763)

(18,229)

- retail housing

-

-

-

(114)

(114)

- retail other

-

-

(277)

(3,458)

(3,735)

 

(292)

(1,291)

(26,058)

(109,571)

(137,212)

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale (continued)

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 March 2019

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

155

-

3,897

742

4,794

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

-

-

2

-

2

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

10,380

44,958

722,226

37,544

815,108

- SMEs

1,783

6,809

180,788

14,570

203,950

- retail housing

-

-

225

40

265

- retail other

25

-

5,296

122

5,443

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

982,456

286,210

1,268,666

- SMEs

-

-

297,667

60,329

357,996

- retail housing

-

-

488

35

523

- retail other

-

-

30,185

7,298

37,483

International banking services

-

-

8

-

8

 

12,343

51,767

2,223,238

406,890

2,694,238

 

31 December 2018

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Gross loans at amortised cost  before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

7,148

94,600

2,222,931

526,434

2,851,113

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

(195)

(3,261)

(24,571)

(111,126)

(139,153)

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

6,953

91,339

2,198,360

415,308

2,711,960

 

Gross loans at amortised cost before fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 December 2018

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

165

-

14,343

741

15,249

SMEs

2,835

-

6

-

2,841

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

-

-

125

3

128

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

2,110

85,783

722,631

48,690

859,214

- SMEs

2,038

8,817

187,831

18,180

216,866

- retail housing

-

-

231

41

272

- retail other

-

-

5,575

198

5,773

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

967,761

368,310

1,336,071

- SMEs

-

-

300,509

73,827

374,336

- retail housing

-

-

484

151

635

- retail other

-

-

23,427

16,293

39,720

International banking services

-

-

8

-

8

 

7,148

94,600

2,222,931

526,434

2,851,113

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale (continued)

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 December 2018

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

-

-

(584)

-

(584)

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

-

-

-

(1)

(1)

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

(2,722)

(13,730)

(7,927)

(24,379)

- SMEs

(195)

(539)

(1,470)

(2,654)

(4,858)

- retail other

-

-

(132)

(78)

(210)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

(4,900)

(81,744)

(86,644)

- SMEs

-

-

(3,473)

(14,518)

(17,991)

- retail housing

-

-

-

(115)

(115)

- retail other

-

-

(282)

(4,089)

(4,371)

 

(195)

(3,261)

(24,571)

(111,126)

(139,153)

 

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

POCI

Total

31 December 2018

By business line

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Corporate

165

-

13,759

741

14,665

SMEs

2,835

-

6

-

2,841

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

- consumer, credit cards and other

-

-

125

2

127

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

2,110

83,061

708,901

40,763

834,835

- SMEs

1,843

8,278

186,361

15,526

212,008

- retail housing

-

-

231

41

272

- retail other

-

-

5,443

120

5,563

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

- corporate

-

-

962,861

286,566

1,249,427

- SMEs

-

-

297,036

59,309

356,345

- retail housing

-

-

484

36

520

- retail other

-

-

23,145

12,204

35,349

International banking services

-

-

8

-

8

 

6,953

91,339

2,198,360

415,308

2,711,960

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale (continued)

The following table presents the credit quality of the Group's loans and advances to customers at amortised cost classified as held for sale by geographical concentration:

31 March 2019

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment

on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By staging

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

12,635

-

12,635

(292)

12,343

Stage 2

53,058

-

53,058

(1,291)

51,767

Stage 3

2,185,844

63,452

2,249,296

(26,058)

2,223,238

POCI

516,461

-

516,461

(109,571)

406,890

 

2,767,998

63,452

2,831,450

(137,212)

2,694,238

 

31 December 2018

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Gross loans at amortised cost after fair value adjustment on initial recognition

By staging

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

7,148

-

7,148

(195)

6,953

Stage 2

94,600

-

94,600

(3,261)

91,339

Stage 3

2,161,695

61,236

2,222,931

(24,571)

2,198,360

POCI

526,434

-

526,434

(111,126)

415,308

 

2,789,877

61,236

2,851,113

(139,153)

2,711,960

 

F.6         Credit losses

F.6.1      Credit losses to cover credit risk on loans and advances to customers

 

Three months ended

31 March

 

2019

2018

(represented)

 

€000

€000

Impairment loss net of reversals on loans and advances to customers

69,798

72,841

Recoveries of loans and advances to customers previously written off

(8,302)

(2,615)

Changes in expected cash flows

(179)

(5,072)

Financial guarantees and commitments

(1,495)

(1,185)

 

59,822

63,969

 

 

 

F.6.2      Credit losses of loans and advances to customers, including loans and advances to customers held for sale

The movement in ECL of loans and advances, including the loans and advances to customers held for sale and the closing balance analysis by staging, is as follows:

31 March 2019

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

 

€000

€000

€000

1 January

3,315,259

146,746

3,462,005

Foreign exchange and other adjustments

1,719

3,489

5,208

Write offs

(104,071)

2,123

(101,948)

Interest provided not recognised in the income statement

41,058

2,243

43,301

Charge for the period

68,151

1,647

69,798

31 March

3,322,116

156,248

3,478,364

Stage 1

30,087

3

30,090

Stage 2

57,531

-

57,531

Stage 3

2,805,551

156,245

2,961,796

POCI

428,947

-

428,947

Total

3,322,116

156,248

3,478,364

 

The credit losses of loans and advances to customers include credit losses relating to loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale. Their balance at 31 March 2019 by staging and geographical area is presented in the table below:

 

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

31 March 2019

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

8,167

-

8,167

Stage 2

26,381

-

26,381

Stage 3

1,306,685

52,531

1,359,216

POCI

192,034

-

192,034

Total

1,533,267

52,531

1,585,798

 

 

 

 

31 March 2018 (represented)

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

€000

€000

€000

1 January

3,205,177

247,673

3,452,850

Change in the basis of calculation of gross carrying values (IFRS 9 grossing up adjustment)

1,632,322

57,175

1,689,497

Impact of adopting IFRS 9 at 1 January 2018

313,928

5,174

319,102

Restated balance at 1 January 2018

5,151,427

310,022

5,461,449

Foreign exchange and other adjustments

(161)

(749)

(910)

Write offs

(1,914,544)

(26,580)

(1,941,124)

Interest provided not recognised in the income statement

52,542

2,607

55,149

Charge/(credit) for the period - continuing operations

73,536

(695)

72,841

Credit for the period - discontinued operations

-

(518)

(518)

31 March

3,362,800

284,087

3,646,887

Stage 1

10,026

1,364

11,390

Stage 2

62,432

4,822

67,254

Stage 3

2,801,140

274,047

3,075,187

POCI

489,202

3,854

493,056

Total

3,362,800

284,087

3,646,887

 

The above tables do not include the fair value adjustments on initial recognition of loans acquired from Laiki Bank and ECL on financial guarantees which are part of other liabilities on the balance sheet. There were no loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale as at 31 March 2018.

 

As from 1 January 2018, to comply with the requirements of IFRS 9, relating to the measurement and presentation of the gross carrying amount and accumulated allowance for impairment as impacted from interest income on impaired loans, the gross carrying amounts of the loans have been increased by an amount of €1,689,497 thousand and an equivalent adjustment was effected on the accumulated allowance for impairment.  There was no impact on the net carrying amount of the customer loans and advances from this change in the presentation.

 

During the three months ended 31 March 2019 the total non‑contractual write‑offs recorded by the Group amounted to €56,244 thousand (year 2018: €2,264,902 thousand).

 

Assumptions have been made about the future changes in property values, as well as the timing for the realisation of the collateral, taxes and expenses on the repossession and subsequent sale of the collateral as well as any other applicable haircuts.  Indexation has been used to estimate updated market values of properties, while assumptions were made on the basis of a macroeconomic scenario for future changes in property values.

 

At 31 March 2019 the weighted average haircut (including liquidity haircut and selling expenses) used in the collectively assessed provision calculation for loans and advances to customers other than those classified as held for sale is c.32% under the baseline scenario (31 December 2018: c.32%).

 

The timing of recovery from real estate collaterals used in the collectively assessed provision calculation for loans and advances to customers other than those classified as held for sale has been estimated to be on average 7 years under the baseline scenario (year ended 31 December 2018: average 7 years).

 

For the calculation of individually assessed provisions, the timing of recovery of collaterals as well as the haircuts used are based on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.

 

 

 

For Stage 3 customers, the calculation of individually assessed provision is the weighted average of three scenarios; base, adverse and favourable. The base scenario focuses on the following variables, which are based on the specific facts and circumstances of each customer: the operational cash flows, the timing of recovery of collaterals and the haircuts from the realisation of collateral. The base scenario is used to derive additional scenarios for either better or worse cases. Under the adverse scenario operational cash flows are decreased by 50%, applied haircuts on real estate collateral are increased by 50% and the timing of recovery of collaterals is increased by 1 year with reference to the baseline scenario. Under the favourable scenario, applied haircuts are decreased by 5%, with no change in the recovery period with reference to the baseline scenario. Assumptions used in estimating expected future cash flows (including cash flows that may result from the realisation of collateral) reflect current and expected future economic conditions and are generally consistent with those used in the Stage 3 collectively assessed exposures. In the case of loans held for sale the Group has taken into consideration the timing of expected sale and the estimated sale proceeds in determining the ECL. Amounts previously written off which are expected to be recovered through sale are presented in 'Recoveries of loans and advances to customers previously written off'.

 

For the calculation of expected credit losses three scenarios were used; base, adverse and favourable with 50%, 30% and 20% probability respectively.

 

Any positive cumulative average future change in forecasted property values was capped to zero for the three months ended 31 March 2019 and the year 2018. This applies to all scenarios.

 

The above assumptions are also influenced by the ongoing regulatory dialogue BOC PCL maintains with its lead regulator, the ECB, and other regulatory guidance and interpretations issued by various regulatory and industry bodies such as the ECB and the EBA, which provide guidance and expectations as to relevant definitions and the treatment/classification of certain parameters/assumptions used in the estimation of provisions.

 

Any changes in these assumptions or differences between assumptions made and actual results could result in significant changes in the amount of required credit losses of loans and advances.

 

F.7       Rescheduled loans and advances to customers

Credit quality

 

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

31 March 2019

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

452,244

121

452,365

Stage 2

369,828

-

369,828

Stage 3

1,929,595

53,657

1.983,252

POCI

255,793

-

255,793

 

3,007,460

53,778

3,061,238

 

 

Cyprus

Other countries

Total

31 December 2018

€000

€000

€000

Stage 1

508,664

120

508,784

Stage 2

376,794

24

376,818

Stage 3

2,001,947

48,662

2,050,609

POCI

266,263

-

266,263

 

3,153,668

48,806

3,202,474

 

 

 

F.8         Credit risk disclosures

According to the EBA standards and European Central Bank's (ECB) Guidance to Banks on Non-Performing loans (which was published in March 2017), Non-Performing Exposures (NPEs) are defined as those exposures that satisfy one of the following conditions:

(i)         The debtor is assessed as unlikely to pay its credit obligations in full without the realisation of the collateral, regardless of the existence of any past due amount or of the number of days past due.

(ii)        Defaulted or impaired exposures as per the approach provided in the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) (Article 178).

(iii)       Material exposures (as defined below) which are more than 90 days past due.

(iv)       Performing forborne exposures under probation for which additional forbearance measures are extended.

(v)        Performing forborne exposures under probation that present more than 30 days past due within the probation period.

 

Exposures include all on and off balance sheet exposures, except those held for trading, and are categorised as such for their entire amount without taking into account the existence of collateral.

 

The following materiality criteria are applied:

·           When the problematic exposures of a customer that fulfil the NPE criteria set out above are greater than 20% of the gross carrying amount of all on balance sheet exposures of that customer, then the total customer exposure is classified as non-performing; otherwise only the problematic part of the exposure is classified as non-performing.

 

·           Material arrears/excesses are defined as follows:

-    Retail exposures:

-    Loans: Arrears amount greater than €500 or number of instalments in arrears is greater than one.

-    Overdrafts: Excess amount is greater than €500 or greater than 10% of the approved limit.

-    Exposures other than retail: Total customer arrears/excesses are greater than €1,000 or greater than 10% of the total customer funded balances.

 

NPEs may cease to be considered as non-performing only when all of the following conditions are met:

(i)         The extension of forbearance measures does not lead to the recognition of impairment or default.

(ii)        One year has passed since the forbearance measures were extended.

(iii)       Following the forbearance measures and according to the post-forbearance conditions, there is no past due amount or concerns regarding the full repayment of the exposure.

(iv)       No unlikely-to-Pay criteria exist for the debtor.

(v)        The debtor has made post-forbearance payments of a not-insignificant amount of capital (different capital thresholds exist according to the facility type).


 

 

The tables below present the analysis of loans and advances to customers in accordance with the EBA standards.

 

 

31 March 2019

Gross loans and advances to customers

Provision for impairment and fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Group gross customer

 loans and advances1

Of which NPEs

Of which exposures with forbearance measures

Total provision for impairment and fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Of which NPEs

Of which exposures with forbearance measures

Total exposures with forbearance measures

Of which on NPEs

Total exposures with forbearance measures

Of which on NPEs

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Loans and advances to customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General governments

65,766

1

1,258

-

3,577

-

459

-

Other financial corporations

135,243

18,263

25,596

2,754

10,669

6,601

2,532

931

Non-financial corporations

6,442,880

1,822,010

1,607,387

971,908

941,932

860,196

366,969

347,004

Of which: Small and Medium sized Enterprises2 (SMEs)

4,744,595

1,389,189

1,025,084

728,542

751,646

685,842

276,920

264,945

Of which: Commercial real estate2

4,493,409

1,177,144

1,073,825

685,261

556,404

493,380

228,679

214,446

Non-financial corporations by sector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction

915,266

365,314

 

 

181,845

 

 

 

Wholesale and retail trade

1,431,479

490,853

 

 

247,593

 

 

 

Accommodation and food service activities

1,078,229

85,398

 

 

58,750

 

 

 

Real estate activities

1,137,441

345,109

 

 

172,779

 

 

 

Manufacturing

478,765

142,390

 

 

63,898

 

 

 

Other sectors

1,401,700

392,946

 

 

217,067

 

 

 

Households

6,520,749

2,770,813

1,856,894

1,481,686

1,253,931

1,191,698

482,814

473,945

Of which: Residential mortgage loans2

4,968,375

2,085,512

1,495,309

1,173,780

823,351

769,597

342,982

335,416

Of which: Credit for consumption2

879,883

390,512

220,769

189,881

223,514

220,131

77,813

76,540

 

13,164,638

4,611,087

3,491,135

2,456,348

2,210,109

2,058,495

852,774

821,880

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale

2,831,450

2,765,693

1,474,481

1,439,200

1,723,010

1,686,830

833,244

814,163

Total on-balance sheet

15,996,088

7,376,780

4,965,616

3,895,548

3,933,119

3,745,325

1,686,018

1,636,043

_________________________________________________________________

1 Excluding loans and advances to central banks and credit institutions.

2 The analysis shown in lines 'non-financial corporations' and 'households' is non-additive across categories as certain customers could be in both categories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2018

Gross loans and advances to customers

Provision for impairment and fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Group gross customer

 loans and advances3

Of which NPEs

Of which exposures with forbearance measures

Total provision for impairment and fair value adjustment on initial recognition

Of which NPEs

Of which exposures with forbearance measures

Total exposures with forbearance measures

Of which on NPEs

Total exposures with forbearance measures

Of which on NPEs

 

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Loans and advances to customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General governments

70,638

3

1,595

-

3,681

-

468

-

Other financial corporations

167,910

21,338

28,028

5,621

13,378

8,471

3,374

2,076

Non-financial corporations

6,331,381

1,941,479

1,682,997

1,042,164

947,857

864,983

367,235

347,924

Of which: Small and Medium sized Enterprises4 (SMEs)

4,573,824

1,488,289

1,108,153

793,579

759,484

692,343

280,675

266,736

Of which: Commercial real estate4

4,473,159

1,284,145

1,124,078

742,839

569,351

501,842

231,694

216,486

Non-financial corporations by sector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction

972,059

382,697

 

 

184,282

 

 

 

Wholesale and retail trade

1,431,706

522,151

 

 

254,823

 

 

 

Accommodation and food service activities

1,005,691

96,702

 

 

58,563

 

 

 

Real estate activities

1,140,596

406,226

 

 

174,269

 

 

 

Manufacturing

428,828

134,950

 

 

74,884

 

 

 

Other sectors

1,352,501

398,753

 

 

201,036

 

 

 

Households

6,588,202

2,805,496

1,924,928

1,486,583

1,271,429

1,208,624

481,701

471,184

Of which: Residential mortgage loans4

5,022,617

2,112,152

1,552,445

1,180,705

828,205

774,656

336,651

327,956

Of which: Credit for consumption4

891,964

397,747

234,572

195,422

225,505

221,996

79,417

77,930

 

13,158,131

4,768,316

3,637,548

2,534,368

2,236,345

2,082,078

852,778

821,184

Loans and advances to customers classified as held for sale

2,851,113

2,749,301

1,492,083

1,437,851

1,697,005

1,646,091

825,977

797,692

Total on-balance sheet

16,009,244

7,517,617

5,129,631

3,972,219

3,933,350

3,728,169

1,678,755

1,618,876

_________________________________

3 Excluding loans and advances to central banks and credit institutions.

4 The analysis shown in lines 'non-financial corporations' and 'households' is non-additive across categories as certain customers could be in both categories.

 

F.9         Pending litigation, claims regulatory and other matters

The Group in the ordinary course of business is subject to enquiries and examinations, requests for information, audits, investigations and legal and other proceedings by regulators, governmental and other public bodies, actual and threatened, relating to the suitability and adequacy of advice given to clients or the absence of advice, lending and pricing practices, selling and disclosure requirements, record keeping, filings and a variety of other matters.  In addition, as a result of the deterioration of the Cypriot economy and banking sector in 2012 and the subsequent Restructuring of BOC PCL in 2013 as a result of the Bail-in Decrees, BOC PCL is subject to a large number of proceedings and investigations that either precede, or result from the events that occurred during the period of the Bail-in Decrees.  Most ongoing investigations and proceedings of significance relate to matters arising during the period prior to the issue of the Bail-in Decrees. Provisions have been recognised for those cases where the Group is able to estimate probable losses. Where an individual provision is material, the fact that a provision has been made is stated. Any provision recognised does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or legal liability.  While the outcome of these matters is inherently uncertain, management believes that, based on the information available to it, appropriate provisions have been made in respect of legal proceedings and regulatory matters.

 

F.10       Liquidity regulation

The Group has to comply with provisions on the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) under CRD IV/CRR (as supplemented by the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2015/61 which prescribes the criteria for liquid assets and methods of calculation as from 1 October 2015 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2016/322 which prescribes supervisory reporting requirements and applied from 10 September 2016). It also monitors its position against the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) as proposed under Basel III. The LCR is designed to promote short-term resilience of a Group's liquidity risk profile by ensuring that it has sufficient high quality liquid resources to survive an acute stress scenario lasting for 30 days. The NSFR has been developed to promote a sustainable maturity structure of assets and liabilities.

 

In October 2014, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision proposed the methodology for calculating the NSFR. It is noted that the NSFR did not become effective on 1 January 2018 as opposed to what was expected. It will become a regulatory indicator when Capital Requirements Regulation 2 (CRR2) is enforced with the limit set at 100%.

 

As at 31 March 2019 the Group was in compliance with all regulatory liquidity requirements. As at 31 March 2019 the LCR stood at 216% for the Group (compared to 231% at 31 December 2018) and was in compliance with the minimum regulatory requirement of 100% applicable as from 1 January 2018. As at 31 March 2019 the Group's NSFR, on the basis of the Basel ΙΙΙ standards, was 117% (compared to 119% at 31 December 2018).

 

F.11       Liquidity reserves

The below table sets out the Group's liquidity reserves:

Composition of the liquidity reserves

31 March 2019

31 December 2018

Internal

liquidity reserves

Liquidity reserves as per LCR Delegated Reg (EU)

2015/61 LCR eligible

Liquidity reserves as per LCR Delegated Reg (EU)

2015/61 LCR eligible

Level 1

Level 2A

Level 1

Level 2A

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Cash and balances with central banks

3,751,861

3,751,861

-

4,447,511

4,447,511

-

Nostro and overnight placements with banks

240,006

 

-

281,383

-

-

Liquid investments

1,084,893

1,070,720

130,609

881,091

929,380

93,165

Available ECB Buffer

271,810

-

-

108,374

-

-

Total

5,348,570

4,822,581

130,609

5,718,359

5,376,891

93,165

 

LCR Liquidity Reserves are as per LCR Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/61 definition of Liquid Assets.  As per the LCR definition the unencumbered High Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) form the Liquidity reserves. Level 1 assets, other than covered bonds (which have a 7% haircut) do not carry a haircut when calculating the LCR, while Level 2A assets have a 15% haircut. Internal Liquidity Reserves are as per the definition of the Bank's Liquidity Policy.

 

Internal Liquidity Reserves include the nostro and placements with banks with remaining maturity up to 3 months.  Liquid investments include the unencumbered bonds which are HQLA as per the LCR definition and/or ECB Eligible bonds. Such assets are shown at market value net of haircut (which is calculated based on the methodology of determining ECB haircuts).  Finally, the ECB buffer (this is the unutilised credit line with the ECB) is included.

 

 

F.12       Capital management  

The primary objective of the Group's capital management is to ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory capital requirements and to maintain strong credit ratings and healthy capital adequacy ratios in order to support its business and maximise shareholders' value.

 

With the exception of certain specified provisions, the CRR and Capital Requirements Directive IV (CRD IV) came into effect on 1 January 2014. The CRR and CRD IV transposed the new capital, liquidity and leverage standards of Basel III into the European Union's legal framework. CRR establishes the prudential requirements for capital, liquidity and leverage for credit institutions and investment firms. It is directly applicable in all EU member states. CRD IV governs access to deposit-taking activities and internal governance arrangements including remuneration, board composition and transparency. Unlike the CRR, member states were required to transpose the CRD IV into national laws and it allowed national regulators to impose additional capital buffer requirements. CRR introduced significant changes in the prudential regulatory regime applicable to banks including amended minimum capital adequacy ratios, changes to the definition of capital and the calculation of risk weighted assets and the introduction of new measures relating to leverage, liquidity and funding. CRR permits a transitional period for certain of the enhanced capital requirements and certain other measures, which are largely fully effective in 2019. In addition, the Regulation (EU) 2016/445 of the ECB on the exercise of options and discretions available in Union law (ECB/2016/4) provides certain transitional arrangements which supersede the national discretions unless they are stricter than the EU Regulation 2016/445.

 

The CET1 ratio of the Group at 31 March 2019 stands at 13.4% and the total capital ratio at 16.2% on a transitional basis.

 

The minimum Pillar I total capital requirement is 8.0% and may be met, in addition to the 4.5% CET1 requirement, with up to 1.5% by Additional Tier 1 capital and with up to 2.0% by Tier 2 capital.

 

The Group is also subject to additional capital requirements for risks which are not covered by the Pillar I capital requirements (Pillar II add-ons).

 

Following the annual Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) performed by the ECB in 2018 and based on the final 2018 SREP decision received on 27 March 2019, the Group's minimum phased-in CET1 capital ratio and Total capital ratio remain unchanged when ignoring the phasing-in of the Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) and the Other Systemically Important Institution Buffer. The Group's phased-in CET1 capital ratio requirement will be 10.5%, comprising of a 4.5% Pillar I requirement, a 3.0% Pillar II requirement, the CCB of 2.5% and the Other Systemically Important Institution Buffer of 0.5%. The Group's Total capital ratio requirement will be 14.0%, comprising of a 8.0% Pillar I requirement, a 3.0% Pillar II requirement, the Capital Conservation Buffer of 2.5% and the Other Systemically Important Institution Buffer of 0.5%. The final 2018 SREP decision applies from 1 April 2019.

 

The Group's minimum phased-in CET1 capital ratio for 2018 was 9.375%, comprising of a 4.50% Pillar I requirement, a 3.00% Pillar II requirement and the CCB of 1.875%. The ECB had also provided non-public guidance for an additional Pillar II CET1 buffer.

 

The overall Total Capital Ratio Requirement for 2018 was 12.875% comprising of 8.00% Pillar I requirement (of which up to 1.50% can be in the form of Additional Tier 1 capital and up to 2.00% in the form of Tier 2 capital), a 3.00% Pillar II requirement (in the form of CET1) and the CCB of 1.875% applicable as from 1 January 2018.

 

The above minimum ratios apply for both, BOC PCL and the Group. BOC PCL is 100% subsidiary of the Company and its principal activities are the provision of banking, financial services and management and disposal of property predominately acquired in exchange of debt.

 

The capital position of the Group and BOC PCL at 31 March 2019 exceeds both their Pillar I and their Pillar II add-on capital requirements. However, the Pillar II add-on capital requirements are a point-in-time assessment and therefore are subject to change over time.

 

Based on the provisions of the Macroprudential Oversight of Institutions Law of 2015 which came into force on 1 January 2016, the CBC is the designated Authority responsible for setting the macroprudential buffers that derive from the CRD IV.

 

In accordance with the provisions of the above law, the CBC sets, on a quarterly basis, the Countercyclical Capital buffer (CCyB) level in accordance with the methodology described in this law. The CCyB is effective as from 1 January 2016 and is determined for all the countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) by their local competent authorities ahead of the beginning of each quarter. The CBC has set the level of the CCyB for Cyprus at 0% for the six months up to June 2019 and year of 2018.

 

 

 

In accordance with the provisions of this law, the CBC is also the responsible authority for the designation of banks that are Other Systemically Important Institutions (O-SIIs) and for the setting of the O-SII buffer requirement for these systemically important banks. The Group has been designated as an O-SII and the CBC set the O-SII buffer for the Group at 2.0%. This buffer will be phased-in gradually, starting from 1 January 2019 at 0.5% and increasing by 0.5% every year thereafter, until being fully implemented (2.0%) on 1 January 2022.

 

The Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) is gradually phased-in at 0.625% in 2016, 1.25% in 2017, 1.875% in 2018 and has been fully implemented on 1 January 2019 at 2.5%.

 

The Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) requires that from January 2016 EU member states shall apply the BRRD's provisions requiring EU credit institutions and certain investment firms to maintain a minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL), subject to the provisions of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1450. Although the precise calibration and ultimate designation of the Group's MREL has not yet been finalised, BOC PCL is monitoring developments in this area very closely.

 

The insurance subsidiaries of the Group comply with the requirements of the Superintendent of Insurance including the minimum solvency ratio. The regulated investment firms of the Group comply with the regulatory capital requirements of the CySEC laws and regulations.

 

F.12.1    Capital position

The capital position of the Group and BOC PCL under CRD IV/CRR basis (after applying the transitional arrangements) is presented below.

Regulatory capital 

Group

BOC PCL

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

€000

€000

€000

€000

Transitional Common Equity Tier 1

(CET1)5,6

2,058,181

1,864,000

2,070,417

1,861,098

Transitional Additional Tier 1 capital (AT1)

220,000

220,000

220,000

220,000

Tier 2 capital (T2)

213,078

212,000

250,000

250,000

Transitional total regulatory capital6

2,491,259

2,296,000

2,540,417

2,331,098

Risk weighted assets - credit risk7

13,852,667

13,832,589

13,739,909

13,820,385

Risk weighted assets - market risk

-

2,182

-

-

Risk weighted assets - operational risk

1,538,588

1,538,588

1,411,788

1,411,788

Total risk weighted assets

15,391,255

15,373,359

15,151,697

15,232,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

%

          %

%

          %

Transitional Common Equity Tier 1 ratio

13.4

12.1

13.7

12.2

Transitional total capital ratio

16.2

14.9

16.8

15.3

 

IFRS 9 and Deferred Tax Asset fully loaded

Group

BOC PCL

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

€000

€000

€000

€000

Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (%)

11.9

10.1

12.2

10.2

Total capital ratio (%)

 14.9

13.2

15.3

13.4

_______________________________

5 CET1 includes regulatory deductions, primarily comprising intangible assets amounting to €42,879 thousand as at 31 March 2019 (31 December 2018: €43,364 thousand). As at 31 December 2018 CET1 included regulatory deductions comprising deferred tax assets amounting to €163,082 thousand.

6 Following the Regulation (EU) 2016/445 of the ECB of 14 March 2016 on the exercise of options and discretions available in Union law (ECB/2016/4), the deferred tax asset was phasing-in for 5 years, with effect as from the reporting of 31 December 2016, and fully phased-in on 1 January 2019.

7 Includes Credit Valuation Adjustments (CVA).

 

 

 

 

During the period ended 31 March 2019, the CET1 was negatively affected by the phased-in of transitional adjustments, mainly the IFRS 9, and it was positively affected by the profit for the period of €86,955 thousand (unaudited/un-reviewed profit for 31 March 2019) primarily driven by the tax legislation amendments relating to the conversion of deferred tax assets into deferred tax credits.

 

On 1 March 2019 the Cyprus Parliament adopted legislative amendments allowing for the conversion of deferred tax assets into deferred tax credits for regulatory purposes, under the CRR. For more details refer to Note 56.1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.

 

The Group has elected to apply the EU transitional arrangements for regulatory capital purposes (EU Regulation 2017/2395) where the impact on the impairment amount from the initial application of IFRS 9 on the capital ratios will be phased-in gradually. The amount that will be added each year will decrease based on a weighting factor until the impact of IFRS 9 is fully absorbed at the end of the five years.

 

F.12.2    Overview of RWA

 

RWAs

Minimum capital requirements

 

 

 

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

31 March

2019

 

 

€000

€000

€000

1

Credit risk (excluding CCR)

13,523,159

13,237,594

 1,081,853

2

Of which the Standardised Approach

13,523,159

13,237,594

 1,081,853

6

CCR

19,765

22,859

 1,581

7

Of which mark to market

12,615

13,996

 1,009

11

Of which risk exposure amount for contributions to the default fund of a CCP

-

-

 -

12

Of which CVA

7,150

8,863

 572

13

Settlement risk

-

-

 -

19

Market risk

-

2,182

 -

20

Of which the Standardised Approach

-

2,182

 -

22

Large exposures

-

-

 -

23

Operational risk

1,538,588

1,538,588

 123,087

25

Of which Standardised Approach

1,538,588

1,538,588

 123,087

27

Amounts below the thresholds for deduction (subject to 250% risk weight)

309,743

572,136

 24,779

29

Total

15,391,255

15,373,359

 1,231,300

             

 

On 1 March 2019 the Cyprus Parliament adopted legislative amendments allowing for the conversion of deferred tax assets into deferred tax credits for regulatory capital purposes, under the CRR. The law amendment decreased the amounts included in line 27 'Amounts below the thresholds for deduction (subject to 250% risk weight)' by €333 million and increased the amounts included in line 1 'Credit risk (excluding CCR)' by €379 million. Conversely, the law amendment created additional Financial Sector Entities (FSE) RWA included in line 27 of €71 million. The increase in the Credit Risk RWA in line 1 driven by the law amendment was partially offset by a change in the IFRS9 Transitional Ratio allowing for increased provision amounts to be recognised in the RWA calculation and a further decrease in the customer advances exposure values from repayments, debt-for-asset swaps and increased value adjustments.  The decrease in Counterparty Credit Risk (CCR) RWA observed in line 6 is the result of decreased derivative transactions exposure values.

 

 

Due to the small trading book, Article 94 of the CRR was applied allowing the RWA for trading book positions to be calculated in accordance with Article 92 paragraph 3(a) of the CRR and included in line 1 'Credit risk (excluding CCR)'. The size of the trading book business will be monitored on a quarterly basis in line with the specified thresholds described in Article 94 of the CRR.

 

There were no large exposures for institutions that exceeded the relevant limits.

 

F.12.3    Standardised approach - Credit risk exposure and Credit Risk Mitigation (CRM) effects

The table below illustrates the effect of all CRM techniques applied in accordance with the CRR under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

 

31 March 2019

31 December 2018

 

RWAs and RWA density

RWAs and RWA density

Exposure classes

RWAs

RWA density

RWAs

RWA density

 

€000

%

€000

%

Central governments or central banks

 380,392

7.4%

333,243

6.1%

Regional government or local authorities

 1,518

1.7%

701

1.2%

Public sector entities

 8

0.0%

7

0.0%

Multilateral development banks

 -

0.0%

-

0.0%

International organisations

 -

0.0%

-

0.0%

Institutions

 174,016

28.1%

177,904

29.8%

Corporates

 3,138,478

99.0%

3,016,593

98.8%

Retail

 1,038,745

71.1%

987,312

71.1%

Secured by mortgages on immovable property

 1,055,638

37.5%

1,077,148

37.4%

Exposures in default

 3,474,345

109.8%

3,695,591

110.8%

Higher-risk categories

 1,956,372

150.0%

2,032,341

150.0%

Covered bonds

 16,957

10.0%

14,153

10.0%

Collective investment undertakings (CIUs)

 248

51.3%

172

100.0%

Equity

 325,136

233.4%

254,220

229.9%

Other items

 2,271,049

93.5%

2,220,345

92.4%

Total

 13,832,902

66.6%

13,809,730

65.6%

 

On 1 March 2019 the Cyprus Parliament adopted legislative amendments allowing for the conversion of deferred tax assets into deferred tax credits for regulatory capital purposes, under the CRR. The law amendment increased the RWA density in exposure classes 'Central governments or central banks' which include the deferred tax asset amounts converted to deferred tax credits carrying a Risk Weight of 100% and 'Equity' which include the FSE amounts carrying a Risk Weight of 250%. The law amendment and the increased exposure values from Balance Sheet line 'Other assets' that take a 100% Risk Weight included in exposure class 'Other items' resulted in the overall increased RWA density. The increase in the overall RWA density was partially offset by the improvement in the RWA density of exposure class 'Exposures in default' from the change in the IFRS9 transitional ratio. The change in the IFRS9 transitional ratio allows increased provisions to be recognised in the RWA calculation hence more unsecured defaulted exposures are eligible for the 100% Risk Weight compared to a 150% Risk Weight. The RWA density of exposure class 'Institutions' has decreased due to the shift of the portfolio to lower Risk Weights from greater concentration of exposures to Institutions with higher grade external ratings.

 

 

The significant decrease in the RWA density of 'Collective investment undertakings (CIUs)' results from new investments in CIUs with a good quality external rating. 

 

The RWA density of all other exposure classes remained stable.

 

F.13       Leverage ratio

According to CRR Article 429, the leverage ratio, expressed as a percentage, is calculated as the capital measure divided by the total exposure measure of the Group.

 

The leverage ratio of the Group is presented below:

 

31 March

2019

31 December 2018

Transitional basis

€000

€000

Capital measure (Tier 1)

2,191,225

2,084,000

Total exposure measure

21,732,683

22,052,298

Leverage ratio (%)

10.08%

9.45%

 

 

 

IFRS 9 fully loaded

 

 

Capital measure (Tier 1)

1,928,769

1,745,473

Total exposure measure

21,516,543

21,893,785

Leverage ratio (%)

8.96%

7.97%

 

The decrease in the 'Total exposure measure' follows the movements in the Group's balance sheet assets. The decrease is offset by the law amendment adopted on 1 March 2019 by the Cyprus Parliament allowing for the conversion of deferred tax assets into deferred tax credits for regulatory capital purposes resulting in lower 'Asset amounts deducted from Tier 1 capital'.

 

The law amendments on Income Tax Law improved the regulatory capital treatment of the DTA under CRR and increased CET1 compared to 31 December 2018 transitional ratios, by c.170 bps (unaudited). This improvement includes the impact from the reversal of impairment of the related DTA of €109 million recognised in previous year, which was reversed in the Interim Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended 31 March 2019.

 

The leverage ratio including €86,955 thousand profit for the period ended 31 March 2019 (unaudited/un-reviewed) is calculated at 9.37% on a transitional basis and 10.48% on IFRS 9 fully loaded basis.

 

F.14       Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP), Internal Liquidity Assessment Process (ILAAP), Pillar II and SREP

The Group prepares the ICAAP and ILAAP reports annually. Both reports for 2018 were approved by the Board of Directors and submitted to the ECB on 25 April 2019.

 

The Group also undertakes a quarterly review of its ICAAP results (as at the end of June and as at the end of September) considering the latest actual and forecasted information. During the quarterly review, the Group's risk profile and risk management policies and processes are reviewed and any changes since the annual ICAAP exercise are taken into consideration. The ICAAP process demonstrates that the Group has sufficient capital under both the base case and stress scenarios under the Normative internal perspective. Under the Economic internal perspective there are shortfalls in the adverse scenario, which however can be largely neutralised by the available mitigants.

 

The Group also undertakes a quarterly review for the ILAAP through quarterly stress tests submitted to the Assets and Liabilities Committee (ALCO) and Board Risk Committee. During the quarterly review, the liquidity risk drivers are assessed and, if needed, the stress test assumptions are amended accordingly. The quarterly review identifies whether the Group has an adequate liquidity buffer to cover the stress outflows. The Group's ILAAP analysis demonstrates that the volume and capacity of liquidity resources available to the Group are adequate.

 

The ECB, as part of its supervisory role, has been conducting the SREP and onsite inspections on the Group. SREP is a holistic assessment of, amongst other things, the Group's business model, internal governance and institution-wide control arrangements, risks to capital and adequacy of capital to cover these risks and risks to liquidity and adequacy of liquidity resources to cover these risks. The objective of the SREP is for the ECB to form an up-to-date supervisory view of the Group's risks and viability and to form the basis for supervisory measures and dialogue with the Group. Additional capital and other requirements could be imposed on the Group as a result of these supervisory processes, including a revision of the level of Pillar II add-ons as the Pillar II add-ons capital requirements are a point-in-time assessment and therefore subject to change over time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G. Definitions & Explanations

Accelerated phase-in period

Following the Regulation (EU) 2016/445 of the ECB of 14 March 2016 on the exercise of options and discretions, the DTA was phasing-in by 60% for 2017, 80% for 2018 and 100% for 2019 (fully phased-in).

 

 

Accumulated provisions

Comprise (i) provisions for impairment of customer loans and advances, (ii) the fair value adjustment on initial recognition of loans acquired from Laiki Bank and on loans classified at FVPL, and (iii) provisions for off-balance sheet exposures disclosed on the balance sheet within other liabilities. 

 

 

Advisory and other restructuring costs

Comprise mainly: fees of external advisors in relation to: (i) disposal of operations and non-core assets, and (ii) customer loan restructuring activities

 

 

AT1

AT1 (Additional Tier 1)  is defined in accordance with Articles 51 and 52 of  the Capital Requirements Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

 

 

CET1 capital ratio (transitional basis)

CET1 capital ratio (transitional basis) is defined in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

 

 

CET1 fully loaded (FL)

 

The CET1 fully loaded (FL) ratio is defined in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

 

 

Contribution to SRF

Relates to the contribution made to the Single Resolution Fund.

 

 

Cost to Income ratio

 

Cost-to-income ratio comprises total expenses (as defined) divided by total income (as defined).

 

 

Data from the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus Statistical Service

The latest data was published on 9 May 2019.

 

 

ECB

European Central Bank

 

 

ELA

Emergency Liquidity Assistance

 

 

Gross loans

Gross loans are reported before the fair value adjustment on initial recognition relating to loans acquired from Laiki Bank (calculated as the difference between the outstanding contractual amount and the fair value of loans acquired) amounting to €445 mn at 31 March 2019 (compared to €462 mn at 31 December 2018, €480 mn at 30 September 2018, €514 mn at 30 June 2018 and to €566 mn at 31 March 2018).

 

Additionally, gross loans (i) include loans and advances to customers measured at fair value through profit and loss of €454 mn and (ii) are reported after the reclassification between gross loans and expected credit losses on loans and advances to customers classified as a disposal group held for sale of €104 mn.

 

 

Group

 

The Group consists οf Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, "BOC Holdings" or the "Company", its subsidiary Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited, the "Bank" and the Bank's subsidiaries.

 

 

Leverage ratio

The leverage ratio is the ratio of tangible total equity (including Other equity instruments) to total assets for the relevant period.

 

 

 
 

 

Market Shares

Both deposit and loan market shares are based on data from the Central Bank of Cyprus.

 

The Bank is the single largest credit provider in Cyprus with a market share of 46.7% at 31 March 2019, compared to 45.4% at 31 December 2018 and as at 30 September 2018 and compared to 38.6% at 30 June 2018 and 37.4% at 31 March 2018.

 

The market share on loans was affected during the quarter ended 31 March 2019 following a decrease in total loans in the banking sector of €1 bn, mainly attributed to reclassification, revaluation, exchange rate and other adjustments (CBC).

 

The market share on loans was affected as at 30 September 2018 following a decrease in total loans in the banking sector, mainly attributed to €6 bn non-performing loans of Cyprus Cooperative Bank (CyCB) which remained to SEDIPES as a result of the agreement between CyCB and Hellenic Bank.

 

The market share on loans was affected as at 30 June 2018 following a decrease in total loans in the banking sector of €2.1 bn, due to loan reclassifications, revaluations, exchange rate or other adjustments (CBC).

 

 

 

Net fee and commission income over total income

Net fee and commission income over total income is the net fee and commission income divided by the total income (as defined).

 

 

Net Interest Margin

 

Net interest margin is calculated as the net interest income (annualised) divided by the average interest earning assets. Interest earning assets include: cash and balances with central banks, plus loans and advances to banks, plus net customer loans and advances, plus investments (excluding equities and mutual funds).

 

 

Net loans and advances

Loans and advances net of accumulated provisions (as defined).

 

 

 

Net loan to deposit ratio

Net loan to deposits ratio is calculated as the net loans and advances to customers divided by customer deposits, including net loans and deposits held for sale, where applicable.

 

 

Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR)

The NSFR is calculated as the amount of "available stable funding" (ASF) relative to the amount of "required stable funding" (RSF), on the basis of Basel III standards. Its calculation is a SREP requirement. The European Banking Authority (EBA) is working on finalising the NSFR and enforcing it as a regulatory ratio under CRR2.

 

 

New lending

New lending includes the average YTD change (if positive) for overdraft facilities 

 

 

Non-interest income

Non-interest income comprises Net fee and commission income, Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on other financial instruments and loss on disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries, Insurance income net of claims and commissions, Net gains/(losses) from revaluation and disposal of investment properties and on disposal of stock of properties, and Other income.

 

 

Non-performing exposures (NPEs)

According to the EBA reporting standards on forbearance and non-performing exposures (NPEs), published in 2014, ECB's Guidance to Banks on Non-Performing Loans published in March 2017 and EBA Guidelines on management of non-performing and forborne exposures published in October 2018 and applicable from June 2019, a loan is considered an NPE if: (i) the debtor is assessed as unlikely to pay its credit obligations in full without the realisation of the collateral, regardless of the existence of any past due amount or of the number of days past due, or (ii) the exposures are impaired i.e. in cases where there is a specific provision, or (iii) there are material exposures which are more than 90 days past due, or (iv) there are performing forborne exposures under probation for which additional forbearance measures are extended, or (v) there are performing forborne exposures under probation that present more than 30 days past due within the probation period. The NPEs are reported before the deduction of accumulated provisions (as defined).

 

 

Non-recurring items

Non-recurring items as presented in the 'Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement - Underlying basis' relate to: (i) advisory and other restructuring costs, (ii) discontinued operations (UK sale), (iii) loss relating to NPE sale (Helix) and (iv) impairment of DTA and tax receivables.

 

 

NPE ratio

NPEs ratio is calculated as the NPEs as per EBA (as defined) divided by gross loans (as defined). 

 

 

Operating profit

Comprises profit before total provisions and impairments (as defined), share of profit from associates, tax, (profit)/loss attributable to non-controlling interests and non-recurring items (as defined).

 

 

Operating profit return on average assets

Operating profit return on average assets is calculated as the annualised operating profit (as defined) divided by the average of total assets for the relevant period.

 

 

Phased-in Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB)

In accordance with the legislation in Cyprus which has been set for all credit institutions, the applicable rate of the CCB is 1.25% for 2017, 1.875% for 2018 and 2.5% for 2019 (fully phased-in).

 

 

Pro forma for Helix

In addition to the impact from Project Helix, this pro forma also includes the impact from the agreement for the sale of a portfolio of retail unsecured NPEs, with gross book value €33 mn as at 31 March 2019, known as Project Velocity.

 

 

Profit/(loss) after tax and before non-recurring items

Excludes non-recurring items (as defined)

 

 

Provision charge

The provision charge comprises provisions for impairments of customer loans and provisions for off-balance sheet exposures, net of gain/(loss) on derecognition of loans and advances to customers and changes in expected cash flows.

 

 

Provisioning charge (cost of risk)

Provisioning charge (cost of risk) (year to date) is calculated as the provision charge (as defined) divided by average gross loans (the average balance calculated as the average of the opening balance and the closing balance).

 

 

Provisioning coverage ratio for NPEs

Provisioning coverage ratio for NPEs is calculated as accumulated provisions (as defined) over NPEs (as defined).

 

 

Quarterly average interest earning assets

Average of interest earning assets as at the beginning and end of the relevant quarter. Interest earning assets include: cash and balances with central banks, plus loans and advances to banks, plus net customer loans and advances, plus investments (excluding equities and mutual funds).

 

 

Qoq

Quarter on quarter change

 

 

Special levy

Relates to the special levy on deposits of credit institutions in Cyprus.

 

Total Capital ratio

Total capital ratio is defined in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

 

 

Total expenses

Total expenses comprise staff costs, other operating expenses and the special levy and contribution to the Single Resolution Fund. It does not include 'advisory and other restructuring costs-excluding discontinued operations and NPE sale (Helix)' or any restructuring costs or loss relating to NPE sale (Helix).

 

'Advisory and other restructuring costs-excluding discontinued operations and NPE sale (Helix)' amount to €7 mn for 1Q2019, €42 mn for FY2018 (€16 mn for 4Q2018, €11 mn for 3Q2018, €7 mn for 2Q2018 and €8 mn for 1Q2018) and €29 mn for the year ended 31 December 2017.

 

Restructuring costs relating to NPE sale (Helix) amount to €1 mn for 1Q2019, €18 mn for FY2018 (€1 mn for 4Q2018, €5 mn for 3Q2018, €6 mn for 2Q2018 and €6 mn for 1Q2018) and €Nil for the year ended 31 December 2017.

 

Loss relating to NPE sale (Helix) amounts to €21 mn for 1Q2019, €150 mn for FY2018 (€Nil for 4Q2018, €15 mn for 3Q2018, €135 mn for 2Q2018 and €Nil for 1Q2018) and €Nil for the year ended 31 December 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total income

Total income comprises net interest income and non-interest income (as defined).

 

 

Total provisions and impairments

Total provisions and impairments comprise provision charge (as defined), plus (provisions)/reversal of provisions for litigation, regulatory and other matters plus (impairments)/reversal of impairments of other financial and non-financial assets.

 

 

Underlying basis

Statutory basis adjusted for certain items as detailed in the Basis of Presentation.

 

 

Write offs

Loans together with the associated provisions are written off when there is no realistic prospect of future recovery. Partial write-offs, including non-contractual write-offs, may occur when it is considered that there is no realistic prospect for the recovery of the contractual cash flows. In addition, write-offs may reflect restructuring activity with customers and are part of the terms of the agreement and subject to satisfactory performance.

 

Yoy

Year on year change

 

 

 

 

Basis of Presentation

 

This announcement covers the results of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, "BOC Holdings" or "the Company", its subsidiary Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited, the "Bank" or "BOC PCL", and together with the Bank's subsidiaries, the "Group", for the quarter ended 31 March 2019.

 

At 31 December 2016, the Bank was listed on the CSE and the Athens Exchange. On 18 January 2017, BOC Holdings, incorporated in Ireland, was introduced in the Group structure as the new holding company of the Bank. On 19 January 2017, the total issued share capital of BOC Holdings was admitted to listing and trading on the LSE and the CSE.

 

Financial information presented in this announcement is being published for the purposes of providing an overview of the Group financial results for the quarter ended 31 March 2019. The financial information in this announcement does not constitute statutory financial statements of BOC Holdings within the meaning of section 340 of the Companies Act 2014. The Group statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018, upon which the auditors have given an unqualified report, were published on 28 March 2019 and are expected to be delivered to the Registrar of Companies of Ireland within 28 days of 30 September 2019. The Board of Directors approved the Group statutory financial statements for the quarter ended 31 March 2019 on 13 May 2019.

 

Statutory basis: Statutory information is set out on pages 20-25. However, a number of factors have had a significant effect on the comparability of the Group's financial position and results. Accordingly, the results are also presented on an underlying basis.

 

Underlying basis: The statutory results are adjusted for certain items (as described on page 26) to allow a comparison of the Group's underlying performance, as set out on pages 4-5.

 

The financial information included in this announcement is neither reviewed nor audited by the Group's external auditors.

 

This announcement and the presentation for the Group Financial Results for the quarter ended 31 March 2019 have been posted on the Group's website www.bankofcyprus.com (Investor Relations/Financial Results).

 

Definitions: The Group uses a number of definitions in the discussion of its business performance and financial position which are set out in section G.

 

The Group Financial Results for the quarter ended 31 March 2019 are presented in Euro (€) and all amounts are rounded as indicated. A comma is used to separate thousands and a dot is used to separate decimals.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This document contains certain forward-looking statements which can usually be identified by terms used such as "expect", "should be", "will be" and similar expressions or variations thereof or their negative variations, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Group's near term and longer term future capital requirements and ratios, intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections about the Group's future results of operations, financial condition, expected impairment charges, the level of the Group's assets, liquidity, performance, prospects, anticipated growth, provisions, impairments, business strategies and opportunities. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events, and depend upon circumstances, that will or may occur in the future. Factors that could cause actual business, strategy and/or results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements made by the Group include, but are not limited to: general economic and political conditions in Cyprus and other European Union (EU) Member States, interest rate and foreign exchange fluctuations, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments and information technology, litigation and other operational risks. Should any one or more of these or other factors materialise, or should any underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the actual results or events could  differ materially from those currently being anticipated as reflected in such forward looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this document are only applicable as from the date of publication of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statement contained in this document to reflect any change in the Group's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

 

 

Contacts

For further information please contact:

Investor Relations

+ 357 22 122239

investors@bankofcyprus.com

 

 

The Bank of Cyprus Group is the leading banking and financial services group in Cyprus, providing a wide range of financial products and services which include retail and commercial banking, finance, factoring, investment banking, brokerage, fund management, private banking, life and general insurance. The Bank of Cyprus Group operates through a total of 108 branches in Cyprus. Bank of Cyprus also has representative offices in Russia, Ukraine and China. The Bank of Cyprus Group employs 4,156 staff worldwide. At 31 March 2019, the Group's Total Assets amounted to €21.7 bn and Total Equity was €2.5 bn. The Bank of Cyprus Group comprises Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, its subsidiary Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited and its subsidiaries.


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