Annual Report • Apr 14, 2021
Annual Report
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This is a translation of the German Annual Report. In case of any divergences, the German original is legally binding.
| Consolidated balance sheet | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total assets | € bn | 76.5 | 75.2 |
| Capital investments | € bn | 51.3 | 49.0 |
| Senior fixed income securities | € bn | 12.4 | 13.0 |
| Senior debenture bonds | € bn | 25.8 | 24.0 |
| Building loans | € bn | 22.8 | 21.5 |
| Liabilities to customers | € bn | 22.5 | 21.6 |
| Technical provisions | € bn | 39.4 | 37.4 |
| Equity | € bn | 5.1 | 4.8 |
| Equity per share | € | 53.80 | 51.23 |
| Consolidated profit and loss statement | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|
| Net financial result (after credit risk adjustments) | € mn | 1,812.5 | 2,353.5 |
| Premiums/contributions earned (net) | € mn | 4,415.1 | 4,249.2 |
| Insurance benefits (net) | € mn | –4,455.4 | –4,650.5 |
| Earnings before income taxes from continued operations | € mn | 306.9 | 353.0 |
| Consolidated net profit | € mn | 210.8 | 249.1 |
| Total comprehensive income | € mn | 322.8 | 658.4 |
| Earnings per share | € | 2.24 | 2.65 |
| Other information | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Employees (full-time equivalent head count) | 6,473 | 6,754 | |
| Employees (number of employment contracts) | 7,666 | 7,991 | |
| Key sales figures | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|
| Group | |||
| Gross premiums written | € mn | 4,491.0 | 4,319.7 |
| New construction financing business (including brokering for third parties) | € mn | 6,748.8 | 6,347.7 |
| Sales of own and third-party investment funds | € mn | 530.2 | 481.7 |
| Housing | |||
| New home loan savings business (gross) | € mn | 12,560.8 | 13,545.6 |
| New home loan savings business (net) | € mn | 10,361.7 | 11,178.8 |
| Life and Health Insurance | |||
| Gross premiums written | € mn | 2,445.7 | 2,372.7 |
| New premiums | € mn | 815.3 | 731.5 |
| Property/Casualty Insurance | |||
| Gross premiums written | € mn | 2,054.7 | 1,954.4 |
New premiums (measured in terms of annual contributions to the portfolio) € mn 275.7 266.6
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Net,income | €,mn | 100.3 | 90.0 |
| Dividend,per,share1 | € | 0.65 | 0.65 |
| Share,price,at,year-end | € | 16.52 | 19.36 |
| Market,capitalisation,at,year-end | €,mn | 1,548.5 | 1,814.0 |
| 1 Subject,to,approval,by,the,Annual,General,Meeting. |
| Annual General Meeting | |
|---|---|
| Annual General Meeting | Thursday, 20 May 2021 |
| Financial reports | |
| 2020 Annual Report | Wednesday, 31 March 2021 |
| Interim management statement as at 31 March | Wednesday, 12 May 2021 |
| Half-yearly financial report as at 30 June | Friday, 13 August 2021 |
| Interim management statement as at 30 September | Friday, 12 November 2021 |
| Letter to shareholders | 4 |
|---|---|
| Management Board | 6 |
| Supervisory Board | 8 |
| Combined Management Report | 12 |
| Group fundamentals | 12 |
| Business report | 22 |
| Opportunity and risk report | 35 |
| Outlook | 83 |
| Other disclosures | 87 |
| Corporate governance statement | 92 |
| Report on equality and equal remuneration pursuant to the German Transparency in Remuneration Act (EntgTransG) |
102 |
| Consolidated Financial Statements of W&W Group (IFRS) | 104 |
| Consolidated balance sheet | 104 |
| Consolidated income statement | 106 |
| Consolidated statement of comprehensive income | 108 |
| Consolidated statement of changes in equity | 110 |
| Consolidated cash-flow statement | 112 |
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | 115 |
| Responsibility statement | 281 |
| Auditor's report | 282 |
| Financial statements of W&W AG (German Commercial Code) | 294 |
| Balance sheet | 294 |
| Income statement | 298 |
| Notes | 300 |
| Responsibility statement | 332 |
| Auditor's report | 333 |
| Report of the Supervisory Board | 340 |
| Glossary | 344 |

Letter to shareholders W&W AG Jürgen A. Junker, Chairman of the Executive Board
Dear shareholders,
In 2020 the W&W Group faced special challenges. The global coronavirus pandemic and its massive impact on the daily lives of all people were, for us, a test of our company's ability to withstand crisis and to adapt. The good news: The W&W Group passed this test with flying colours. At all times during the past year, we were fully capable of acting and ultimately posted gratifying growth. And we did not cease to invest in our future – in new products, in new digital processes and technologies, and in providing our employees with basic and advanced training.
The pandemic has shown that the venture into the digital future of the W&W Group that we embarked upon four years ago is successful and sustainable. Everything that we can influence and control is on the right path. Our Group has probably never been positioned as resiliently as it is today. In this regard, we have become more agile and nimble in the past years. Today, we are in a better position to identify changes in the market and convert them into innovative and attractive offers for our customers. With the aid of our new digital capabilities and our significantly expanded digital infrastructure, we stayed in close contact with our customers despite the pandemic and were able to increase new business further. Another gratifying point: In contrast to many other companies, we were able to avoid short-time working in the crisis year 2020 and did not need to establish a jobloss programme due to the crisis. On the contrary: We require a strong staff for the continued transformation of our Group, a process that is far from over.
The success of our transformation is most readily apparent in the key figures of the W&W Group. Because of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we adjusted our original earnings target for 2020 in the first half of the year, expecting consolidated net income after taxes to come in below the medium- to long-term target corridor of €220 to 250 million. At €210.8 million, consolidated net profit for the year as a whole is at a very solid level in view of the extraordinary conditions that prevailed last year. The net income of W&W AG pursuant to the German Commercial Code (HGB) came in at €100.3 million, following a profit of €90 million posted for the previous year. This, too, underscores the profitability of our company, particularly in view of the fact that we were once again very conservative in our accounting. It enables us to continue to invest in digitalisation, to grow under our own steam and to guarantee to you, dear shareholders, a stable ability to pay dividends.
In line with this objective, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose at the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2021 that a stable dividend of €0.65 per share be distributed. Based on the price of W&W stock at the end of 2020, this would mean a dividend yield of 3.93%, which as in past years is higher than the expected average dividend yield on the MDAX and the SDAX.
Under the present circumstances, we are satisfied with our financial performance in the past year. We expanded our market position and at the same time kept an eye on costs. In the first phase of our transformation that began in 2017, we focused primarily on making significant investments in new products and systems, optimising the investment portfolio and sharpening our market profile. Now, in the next phase, we are going a step further. This is because we want to penetrate our target markets even better and tap into new customer groups, but also service our existing customers even more intensively.
Towards this end, it is necessary for us to continue to push ahead with the digitalisation of products and processes, intensify the management of our customer data and lower our costs, which in some cases are too high, to at least the market level. The focus in the coming years will be more strongly on cost efficiency and at the same time on our customers. Since 2014 our Group has increased its efficiency by an average of five percent a year, and we are striving to achieve this rate for the coming years, as well.
Group-wide, we currently have more than 6.5 million existing customers. By 2025, our aim is not only to increase the number of new customers. We also want every customer of our mobile sales force to have at least three contracts with us on average. In this regard, we provide advice to our customers through whatever channel they desire: in person, by phone, digitally.
In the past years, we took many steps to lay the foundation for achieving this goal. For instance, we are rigorously continuing the expansion of our strong sales organisation in the Housing division as well as in the insurance divisions. An important role is also being played by the digital brand Adam Riese, which had more than 176,000 contracts in its portfolio at the end of 2020. We plan to develop Adam Riese – a genuine success story since the start of 2018 – into a direct brand, beyond property/casualty business. In addition, platforms such as "Wüstenrot Wohnwelt" and our initiative "Partner for SMEs" on the insurance side are very well suited for drawing new customer groups to our Group. The Wüstenrot and Württembergische brands thus remain our strong anchor on the market, as in the past.
If we continue to push ahead with the transformation as decisively as we have in past years, the W&W Group has every chance, including in the medium term, of becoming one of the leading providers in Germany for home loan savings, residential financing and insurance, as well as taking a top position in terms of direct offers for retail customers. In this regard, we will be efficiently positioned with an agile and flexible organisation.
At the same time, we want to be known as an employer that offers a variety of possibilities for advancement and where employees are happy to work. In addition, we are creating a work environment in the W&W Group that is further increasing the already high level of employee satisfaction and making our Group more attractive in the competition for top talents.
An important role in this process will be played by the new W&W campus in Kornwestheim, which is scheduled to be completed in 2023 and will facilitate new forms of cross-team collaboration. Nevertheless, flexible working-time models, working from home and digital communication will remain a part of our work life, even after the coronavirus pandemic is overcome. Moreover, we plan to dedicate ourselves to the issue of sustainability to an even greater degree than in the past.
For the current 2021 financial year, we are confident that we will able to continue the successful new business performance of past years. Because of restrictions on public and economic life occasioned by the coronavirus, the market environment remains uncertain and difficult to assess. In addition, the persistent level of zero and low interest rates and growing regulatory requirements in the financial sector remain burdensome factors for our businesses. On the whole, a reliable forecast of the Group net profit for 2021 is not possible due to the economic and political uncertainties posed by the covid pandemic. However, we stick to the target of W&W Group to reach a medium to long term Group result of €220 to € 250 million.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all employees, regardless of where they work in the W&W Group. They tackled the challenges of the past year in an outstanding manner and thus ensured that our customers could rely on W&W as their financial planning partner even in difficult times. I would also like to thank you, dear shareholders, for your continued trust in our company. The W&W Group is ready for the next phase of company development, in which we intend to unite growth that outpaces the market average with cost efficiency and resilience.
Sincerely yours,
Jürgen A. Junker, Vorstandsvorsitzender

The W&W Group has separated its activities into three divisions: Housing, Insurance and brandpool. The Excecutive Board of W&W AG and the heads of the divisions form the Management Board, which serves as the central steering entity of the W&W Group.

CEO of the W&W Executive Board Corporate Legal Audit Communication Strategy

Head of Housing Division Chairman of the Executive Board of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG

CFO of the W&W Executive Board (until 31 August 2020) Human Resources Capital Investments Accounting
CFO of the W&W Executive Board (as of 1 September 2020) Capital Investments Accounting

Head of Insurance Division (until 31 December 2020) Chairman of the Executive Board of Württembergische Versicherung AG, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Krankenversicherungs AG
Head of Insurance Division (as of 1 January 2021) Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Württembergische Versicherung AG and Member of the Executive Board of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG

CRO of the W&W Executive Board (as of 1 September 2020) Controlling Risk management Compliance
CIO of the W&W Executive Board IT


Head of Insurance Division (as of 1 January 2021) Chairman of the Executive Board of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and of the Executive Board of Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG
Head of brandpool division Managing Director of W&W brandpool Gmbh and Adam Riese GmbH

Former Chairman of the Executive Board Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and of Landeskreditbank Baden-Württemberg
Chairman of the Works Council Württembergische Versicherung AG/Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Karlsruhe site Chairman of the Group Works Council
Insurance employee Württembergische Versicherung AG
Member of the Executive Board Investors Marketing AG
Professor of the academic department of insurance and risk management at the Erlangen-Nürnberg Friedrich-Alexander-university
Former Chairman of the Executive Board Allianz Versicherungs-AG Former Member of the Executive Board Allianz AG
Chairwoman of the Works Council W&W Informatik GmbH
Task Group Chairman Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft ver.di
Linner Wirtschaftsprüfung
Managing Director & CEO and Member of the Supervisory Board of GFT Technologies SE
Head of Customerservice and Operations Württembergische Versicherung AG
Chairman of the Works Council Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg site
Former Member of the Executive Board Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG
Chairman of the Group Works Council Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG
Former Member of the Executive Board RheinLand-Versicherungsgruppe
Member of the Works Council Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg site
| Group fundamentals | 12 |
|---|---|
| Business model | 12 |
| Business management system | 18 |
| Employees | 19 |
| Ratings | 20 |
| Share | 20 |
| Business report | 22 |
| Business environment | 22 |
| Development of business and position of the W&W Group (IFRS) | 24 |
| Developement of business and position of W&W AG | 33 |
| Opportunity and Risk Report | 35 |
| Opportunity report | 35 |
| Risk report | 39 |
| Features of the internal control and risk management system in relation to the (Group) accounting process |
82 |
| Outlook | 83 |
| Macroeconomic outlook | 83 |
| Company outlook | 84 |
| Other disclosures | 87 |
| Disclosures pursuant to Sections 289a (1) and 315a (1) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) |
87 |
| Relationships with affiliated companies | 89 |
| Remuneration report | 90 |
| Declaration on Corporate Management/Corporate Governance | 92 |
| Working methods and composition of the Executive Board | 92 |
| Working methods and composition of the Supervisory Board | 94 |
| Statement of compliance | 98 |
| Information about corporate Governance practices | 100 |
The W&W Group, which came into existence in 1999 as a result of the merger of the two long-standing companies Wüstenrot and Württembergische today, consists of the Housing, Insurance and brandpool divisions. It offers approximately 6.5 million customers financial planning solutions that meet their needs. In doing so, the W&W Group focuses on omni-channel sales, ranging from its own mobile sales force to cooperation partners and sales agents, broker activities and digital initiatives. Today, approximately 13,000 people work as in-house staff or in the mobile sales force for the listed group headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The W&W Group operates almost exclusively in Germany and is represented there by two key offices in Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg/Kornwestheim.
In the Housing division, the focus is on the home loan savings business of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, along with the construction financing that it offers. Other areas include the property development business of Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH and real estate brokerage by Wüstenrot Immobilien GmbH.
The acquisition of Aachener Bausparkasse AG (ABAG) by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG was approved by the authorities in November 2019 following conclusion of the ownership control procedures, and ownership changed hands as at 1 January 2020. The purchase strengthens Wüstenrot Bausparkasse, Germany's most venerable home loan and savings bank, on its path to increased growth.
Effective 1 April 2020, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG sold its Czech subsidiaries Wüstenrot stavební sporitelna a.s. and Wüstenrot hypotecní banka a.s. to MONETA Money Bank.
In the Insurance division, the W&W Group offers a wide range of life and health insurance products as well as property/casualty insurance products. The key companies in this division are Württembergische Versicherung AG, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG.
Changes were made to the Executive Boards of Württembergische insurance group. With effect from 1 January 2021, Zeliha Hanning was appointed to the Executive Boards of
Württembergische Versicherung AG und Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, responsible for sales. At the same date she has taken over as Chair of the Executive Board of Württembergische Versicherung AG. As of 1 July 2020, Jacques Wasserfall has been appointed to the Executive Board of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and on 1 January 2021 took Chair of the Executive Boards of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG. Both are succeeding Thomas Bischof.
The brandpool division manages the digital brand Adam Riese and the digital activities of the W&W Group. It is also dedicated to financial planning and invests in further digital business models in the areas of housing, finance, health, family, education and mobility. The aim is to develop an ecosystem of independent, decentralised brands.
The Management Board is the central steering body of the W&W Group. It concerns itself with, among other things, Group control and with setting and developing the business strategy. In addition to the members of the Executive Board of W&W AG, the Management Board was composed of the division heads Bernd Hertweck (Housing), Thomas Bischof (Insurance) and Daniel Welzer (brandpool) in the 2020 financial year. Following the departure of Thomas Bischof, Zeliha Hanning will represent property insurance on the Management Board from 2021, and Jacques Wasserfall will represent life and health insurance. Operational and company-specific issues of the individual companies are handled at the divisional level.
head-quartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is the Group's strategic management holding company. It coordinates all activities, sets standards and manages capital. As an individual entity, its operations are almost exclusively restricted to reinsuring the insurance policies written by the Group. It also renders services for the Group as a whole. W&W AG is a publicly traded company.
The Executive Board of W&W AG also experienced changes during the reporting year: The Supervisory Board appointed Alexander Mayer as CFO to the Executive Board of the holding company W&W AG, effective 1 September 2020. He took the place of Dr Michael Gutjahr, who retired effective 1 September 2020 after 32 years with the W&W Group and its predecessor companies, including 21 years as a member of the Executive Board. Alexander Mayer has been CFO of Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG since 1 January 2019 and Director of W&W Asset
Management GmbH since 1 August 2009. As of 1 January 2015 he became management spokesman for W&W Asset Management GmbH. He has additionally assumed the investments and accounting remit on the Executive Board of W&W AG.
By building the new W&W campus at the Ludwigsburg/ Kornwestheim location, W&W AG, as builder-owner, is investing in the future of the corporate group. Employees moved into the first section of the building on schedule in late 2017, and work on the second section commenced in 2018. The entire project, located on an approximately six-hectare site, is scheduled to be completed by 2023. In all, the campus will then have seven interconnected office buildings with some 4,000 modern work stations for Wüstenrot and Württembergische employees.
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG
Combined Management Report
The vision of the W&W Group is high solidity and a sustainable increase in enterprise value. To achieve this, we are positioning ourselves as a company that makes it possible to obtain financial planning from a single source.
We have set ourselves the objective of becoming better every day. Therefore, we modified the strategic implementation of "W&W Besser!" in 2020 to conform to changed basic conditions and focus on four approaches:
"W&W Besser!" is not considered a rigid programme. Rather, it is an attitude that is intended to guide all actions of employees. With W&W Besser!, the W&W Group succeeded in continuing to grow, despite the coronavirus pandemic, the persistent phase of zero and negative interest rates and increasing regulatory requirements.
The digital transformation of the W&W Group accelerated further as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The new communications media have enabled us to stay in close contact with our customers, particularly during these uncertain times. Our employees also have been able to use all digital options in a flexible manner, sustained by a broad variety of information and qualification offers (e. g. virtual leadership). In 2020 we scored high marks in terms of employee satisfaction.
| "Inspiring customers and employees!" |
Service | Growth | "Doubling market growth in profitable segments!" |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Opening new customer segments and supporting existing customers even better" |
Sales | Cost | "Reducing costs to market standards!" |
| Each division shall make a positive contribution to Group income! |
"W&W Besser!" made it possible to post further implementation achievements in 2020. A few select examples:
The Housing division meanwhile represents building saving, construction financing, residential construction and brokerage. It is thus more and more a point of contact for customers in the field of housing. This is also made clear by the brand identity: Housing means Wüstenrot.
Despite the challenging year, the Insurance division continued to post growth in its segments.
were able to post sales figures that were 5% to 30% higher compared with the tied-agents organisation.
As we chart our course into the digital future, our digital business models in the brandpool division are tapping into new customer groups and market segments.
We will continue the "W&W Besser!" initiative in 2021 in order to rigorously ensure that products, services and processes remain aligned with customer benefits throughout the entire W&W Group.
Roughly 6.5 million W&W customers value the service quality, skills, expertise and close personal service provided by our employees, both on the in-house staff and in the mobile sales force. Our range of products is directed towards retail and well as commercial customers. Customers receive financial planning for all phases of life from a single source.
Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG continued to rigorously fine-tune its range of products to match market developments and trends in the 2020 financial year, such as the persistently low level of interest rates and increasing digitalisation. It provides a broad spectrum of financing and home loan savings products for every need: from shortterm construction, acquisition and renovation projects to long-range plans.
In 2020 home loan savings and new construction financing business benefited from various state aid instruments. For instance, the subsidy available to families for buying or building a home (known as Baukindergeld) was extended until 31 March 2021. Also, the home-building bonus, which will be enhanced starting in 2021, was already being used with greater frequency at the end of 2020 in home loan savings marketing. Construction financing business in the area of renovations was stimulated as a result of state support measures, which were considerably expanded in early 2020 as part of the Federal Government's climate package. In 2020 energy-related upgrades were a special focus. State aid measures in connection with the climate package were augmented in
terms of products by an especially low-cost offer by Wüstenrot (the "Klima" home loan).
The target-group portal "Wüstenrot Wohnwelt", which can be found on www.wuestenrot.de, offers tailored solutions for users with a wide range of housing needs. The benefits for visitors – getting access to information about topics relating to the home, conducting property searches in collaboration with ImmobilienScout24, looking for an advisor and browsing partner offers – create an added value for the Wüstenrot products Wohnsparen and Wohndarlehen.
In 2020 Wüstenrot received numerous awards, serving once again to confirm the outstanding quality of its products and services. For instance, in the online survey conducted by Focus Money with Service Value GmbH, which measured companies' level of expertise with respect to products and services, Wüstenrot was awarded "Highest Expertise", thus placing first among construction financing brokers. In addition, in the national representative survey KUBUS Bausparen 2020 conducted by the corporate consulting firm MSR Consulting, Wüstenrot was rated "very good" in the categories "value for money" and "service quality".
In order to be able to offer its customers high-quality products that are geared to their individual needs, Württembergische Versicherung AG services a broad product portfolio covering virtually all business lines of property and casualty insurance.
In 2020 the portfolio share of premium car policies remained at a very high level in the motor business segment. The flex policies were optimised and their complexity was reduced. The flex policies include those that expand the number of drivers under the vehicle policy or that can be concluded for a specific person and are not linked to a vehicle insured by Württembergische Versicherung AG, such as policies covering driver injury or vehicle breakdown. In addition, in the financial year just ended, Württembergische Versicherung AG introduced new products for the passenger vehicle (retail/commercial), motor home, caravan, taxi and rental car segments. In the fleet area, the passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle segments were restructured.
Growth in the corporate customers business segment continued despite a challenging year with the coronavirus pandemic and was above the market average. The core commercial product, "Firmen-Police", grew further. In the 2020 financial year, private liability insurance was restructured, and insurance policies for animal owners and builders were revised, as were those covering water damage and home and land owner liability. Insurance customers can now benefit from a market guarantee. The private liability insurance policy PremiumSchutz was rated as "outstanding" (FFF) by Franke & Bornberg.
For the fifth year in a row, FOCUS-MONEY awarded Württembergische Versicherung AG the title of "fairest insurer" for its residential housing insurance. As part of the KUBUS study conducted by MSR Consulting, Württembergische Versicherung AG was rated "outstanding" in 2020 as a full-service insurance provider in the category "service" and "very good" in the categories "customer satisfaction" and "value for money".
Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG has a wide range of products for risk coverage and private and occupational pension schemes.
Since the start of 2020, we have been offering our optimised term insurance policies PremiumSchutz, Kompakt-Schutz and KombiSchutz. The improvements include lower insurance premiums, simpler approval guidelines and better insurance terms. The rating agency Morgen & Morgen confirmed the very good quality of PremiumSchutz and KompaktSchutz, awarding both of them five stars, the highest mark.
In addition, in direct insurance, mixed financing in a contract has been possible since the start of 2020, taking into consideration the statutory vesting periods.
In July 2020, the range of products was strengthened in the area of employee insurance. For instance, the basic abilities insurance cover was redeveloped, and occupational disability insurance cover was revised. Basic abilities insurance cover offers protection against the financial consequences of a loss of a physical ability. Occupational disability insurance cover offers a number of additional ways to tailor the product to meet the customer's specific needs.
Various rating agencies attest to the quality of our products. For instance, the rating agency Franke & Bornberg gave our private annuity insurance policies KlassikClever, IndexClever and Genius 2020 the highest mark of "out-standing" (FFF+). In addition, the Institut für Vorsorge und Finanzplanung (IVFP) rated our expertise in occupational pension insurance as "excellent", its highest mark. As a result, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG for the first time achieved the highest mark in all individual areas.
In addition to comprehensive health insurance, Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG offers a broad portfolio of products in supplemental health insurance and supplemental long-term care insurance.
In addition, through collaborations, we further expanded the services for our customers in the area of healthcare. For instance, we expanded the features of our W&W app FinanzGuide to include the ability to submit medical billings, and with Kalmeda, we added a health app for the treatment of tinnitus to the range of benefits for holders of comprehensive insurance policies.
The quality of our products is evident from numerous awards, particularly by rating agencies and trade magazines. These include, for example, the awards by Wirtschaftswoche and Handelsblatt, both of which rated our in-patient supplemental policy as "very good", the highest mark. Finanztest confirmed the positioning of our premium policy in supplemental dental insurance and once again awarded it the mark of "very good". In addition, the Institut für Vorsorge und Finanzplanung (IVFP) again rated the range of products of Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG in occupational health insurance as "very good". Our supplemental care insurance policy, which we introduced in September, was awarded five stars by Morgen & Morgen, named "Insurance Product of the Month" by FOCUS Money Versicherungsprofi and placed first in the category "Biometrics" at the 2020 Cash. Financial Advisors Awards.
In 2021 Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG will continue to align and enhance its range of products and services to meet current customer needs and the challenges of demographic change, with the aim of successfully staying on track for continued growth.
Our wide distribution network, comprising partners, brokers and our own mobile sales force, gives us access to a market of millions of people throughout Germany. In this regard, we attach great importance to personal advice that is competent and reliable. Our mobile sales force, the main pillar in our sales organisation, consists of the two tied-agents sales forces at Wüstenrot and Württembergische. On the broker market, we collaborate with independent brokers.
In addition, we collaborate closely with numerous partners from the banking and insurance sector, and they have made a significant contribution to our business success. Wüstenrot partners for home loan savings products include three large private banking groups – Commerzbank, HypoVereinsbank (Member of UniCredit) and Santander. In addition, exclusive sales agreements are in place with Allianz, Oldenburgische Landesbank and the ERGO Group, as well as, through the purchase of ABAG in 2019, with HUK COBURG, LVM and Gothaer, among others. We supplement our sales concept with collaborations with other banks and brokers, various mobile sales forces, ver.di-Service GmbH and dbb vorsorgewerk GmbH. Collaboration with banks is also an important element of the sales strategy of Württembergische. It collaborates with numerous partners, such as BW-Bank, BBBank, Frankfurter Volksbank and Heidelberger Volksbank.
We augment traditional sales channels by exploiting the various opportunities afforded by digitalisation. They include the digital residential platform "Wüstenrot-Wohnwelt" and the online brand Adam Riese.
Responsible action and social commitment have a long tradition in the W&W Group and are an integral part of our corporate culture. Sustainability means acting in such a way that present and future generations will find suitable conditions in which to live. While the focus is primarily on economic and social aspects, the ecological factor is also becoming more important.
In order to also take sustainability aspects into greater consideration in our core business, the W&W Group has further honed its alignment in the area of investments. In addition to the Group-wide exclusion of investments in makers of cluster bombs and anti-personnel landmines, we also do not permit investments in companies that generate five percent or more of their turnover from the manufacture or trade of weapons or ten percent or more of their turnover from activities related to coal. Moreover, we do not invest in companies that have been proven to use forced labour or child labour (relates to the majority of investments). In addition, the W&W Group is investing increasingly in renewable energies, mainly wind and solar. Furthermore, the W&W Group does not make investments in food or farm land that is used for speculative purposes. For most indirect investments (funds), the foregoing investments are excluded systematically. Since the strategic asset allocation does not provide for investments in agricultural products, the W&W Group has not installed a systematic process in the sense of an ESG screening for the direct portfolio.
In addition, for retirement planning, the W&W Group recently began offering the annuity insurance product Genius with a stronger ecological focus. We also introduced the new fund "W&W Nachhaltige Strategie" for selection in Genius and for direct investment.
For the purpose of further strengthening its sustainability-focused orientation, the W&W Group signed on to the Principles for Responsible Investment and the Principles for Sustainable Insurance, both United Nations initiatives, in 2020. By signing on to the principles, the W&W Group is putting even greater emphasis on economic, ecological and social responsibility in the company. It commits to take environmental, social and corporate governance aspects into greater consideration in its investment and insurance business.
There are currently a variety of regulatory initiatives on the European level with respect to the transparency and disclosure of sustainability-related information. The requirements resulting from them are currently being implemented in the W&W Group.
As a result of the German Act Transposing the CSR Directive (CSR-Richtlinie-Umsetzungsgesetz), the W&W Group is obligated to publish a non-financial statement or a non-financial report.
Pursuant to Section 315b (3) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the combined non-financial report of the W&W Group is prepared separately and made available to the public on the website of the W&W Group at www.ww-ag.com/nachhaltigkeitsberichte (available in German only).
The W&W Group consists of several subgroups of companies that are consolidated for regulatory reporting purposes, namely the financial conglomerate and the Solvency II group. Therefore, the W&W Group is subject to a variety of regulatory requirements.
Until the middle of the year, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, as a financial holding company, was the parent undertaking of the financial holding group. With the revision and entry into force of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR II), and in combination with structural changes within the Group, such as the sale of credit institutions, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG applied with
the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaF-in) in June 2020 for elimination of the financial holding group. This application was approved by letter of 22 July 2020. The final supervisory notifications for the financial holding group were submitted as at the reporting date of 30 June 2020.
In connection with the review of the reporting requirements under Solvency II ("2020 Solvency II Review"), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and the European Commission conducted a number of consultations and impact assessments in 2020. The changes being discussed are associated with farreaching modifications with respect to both the qualitative and the quantitative requirements for insurance companies. In December 2020, EIOPA sent the European Commission a proposal for the revision of Solvency II. The legislative proceedings are not expected to be concluded before the end of 2022.
Furthermore, the consequences of the increasing digitalisation of the industry are manifesting themselves in additional supervisory requirements for IT.
As at the reporting date, the coverage ratios in the financial conglomerate and in the Solvency II group were likely well above 100%. For detailed remarks, please see the chapter "Regulatory solvency" in the notes.
Segment information was prepared in compliance with IFRS 8 on the basis of the internal reporting system. We report on the Housing, Life and Health Insurance and Property/Casualty Insurance segments. All other activities – asset management, real estate activities and W&W brandpool GmbH – are grouped under "All other segments". The third division, brandpool, does not yet constitute an independent reportable segment at this time. The products and services offered by the individual segments are broken down in detail in the segment reporting chapter in the notes.
The W&W Group's integrated business management system is designed to retain value. A three-year plan is drawn up on the basis of the business strategy and presented to the Supervisory Board for approval. The plan approved by the Supervisory Board for the following financial year is then used to establish the main management parameters in the form of quantitative targets. The key performance indicators are derived on this basis.
We review our operational plan with two extrapolations during the financial year. Management activities are performed throughout the year using a "management cockpit" that tracks targets on a monthly basis. Countermeasures are taken where necessary if actual performance deviates from the target.
The following key performance indicators have been defined to properly guide the W&W Group:
For the 2020 and 2021 financial years, consolidated net profit (IFRS) and general administrative expenses in the Group are used as the key performance indicators. For segments, the management parameters are segment net income after taxes and general administrative expenses. General administrative expenses include internal eliminations with other segments within the Group. These key figures appear in the W&W Group's consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the management parameter "Group customers" i.e. the number of customers in the W&W Group, is used as the key cross-segment performance indicator. We define customers as natural persons or legal entities that interact with us as contract holders, insurance companies, insured persons or users of our digital products.
In addition, we report net new business by home loan savings volume and new construction financing business (approvals) in the Housing segment, total premium in the Life and Health Insurance segment as well as new business (according to annual portfolio contributions) in the Property/Casualty Insurance segment under business development and in the outlook.
W&W AG manages the W&W Group in its capacity as strategic management holding company. The key performance indicator that is used as the basis for calculating dividend payments to our shareholders is annual net profit (as defined by the German Commercial Code [HGB]). A portion of net profit is allocated to retained earnings, which serves to strengthen the equity of the W&W Group.
As at 31 December 2020, the W&W Group had 6,473 employees (previous year: 6,754) in Germany and abroad, calculated based on full-time equivalents, excluding trainees and working students at the Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule, DH). As at the end of the year, a total of 313 trainees and DH students were employed.

Employees in W&W Group including abroad
In 2020 personnel work was substantially influenced by the coronavirus pandemic. Of special importance in this regard was maintaining business operations with the support of the employees. The focus was on ensuring the health and satisfaction of employees and their ability to work. Therefore, the W&W Group offered a variety of measures for meeting the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic:
For instance, the arrangements for mobile working were expanded. At peak times, approximately 80% of employees were able to work remotely in full or in part. To supplement this, the W&W Group further expanded the working time structure to make it possible to work even more flexibly in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, executives and employee representatives regularly spoke by phone in order to pass on information and answer questions – always with the close involvement of the occupational safety office and the company's medical staff. W&W introduced a hygiene plan to ensure that employees are at no time exposed to a risk of infection at
work, whether in the cafeteria or at on-site events or training sessions where physical presence is necessary. These measures certainly contributed to the rise in the degree of employee satisfaction once again in the 2020 employee survey.
The platform "Living and working in the coronavirus pandemic" was set up for the specific purpose of providing employees and executives with helpful information, documents and contact partners in various areas in a clear and concise manner. This includes formats for acquiring qualifications and exchanging information, such as on the topics of "virtual collaboration", "managing a virtual team" and "basic legal framework". Also available on the platform are many offers for virtual child care, care for family members and support in all life circumstances. In addition, the W&W health management office developed a number of well-designed offers, such as a virtual live-action break, a video on the topic "health and flexible working" and a virtual health coach in collaboration with the health insurer Techniker Krankenkasse.
Employee recruitment also shifted predominantly to a digital mode. For instance, job interviews take place mostly by phone or video using Skype for Business. In order to stay in contact with qualified students and present ourselves as an attractive employer, activities at universities were also conducted virtually: For instance, the W&W Group took part in three digital recruiting fairs at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the University of Ulm and the University of Hohenheim. The fair visits were augmented by two virtual company visits for students.
In order to make it easier for new employees to get acclimated in the W&W Group, the onboarding process was updated to include a "buddy programme". This ensures that new employees receive professional and personal support when starting work at the W&W Group. In this spirit, the introductory meeting for new W&W employees was modified and made digital – both the welcoming remarks by the Executive Board as well as specialist presentations and getting to know one another took place using Skype for Business. The W&W Group conducted the start of training in a hybrid manner: New trainees had the ability to get to know one another, the company and the trainers personally in small groups. Teaching videos, a virtual tour of the campus and the use of digital methods rounded out the opening programme.
We would like to extend our special thanks to our inhouse employees and our mobile sales force staff for their dedication, expertise, extraordinary commitment and loyalty in the 2020 financial year. We would also like to thank the employee representatives and their committees, the representatives of the mobile sales force organisations and the executive representative committees for their close cooperation.
In the year under review, Standard & Poor's (S&P) again confirmed the ratings of the W&W Group with a stable outlook. Thus the core companies of the W&W Group continue to have a rating of A-, while the holding company Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, as before, has a BBB+ rating.
The short-term rating of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG is unchanged at A-1.
| Financial Strength |
Issuer Credit Rating |
|
|---|---|---|
| W&W AG | BBB+ outlook stable |
BBB+ outlook stable |
| Württembergische Versicherung AG |
A– outlook stable |
A– outlook stable |
| Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG |
A– outlook stable |
A– outlook stable |
| Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG |
A– outlook stable |
The German mortgage covered bonds issued by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG maintain their top rating of AAA with a stable outlook.
The subordinated bonds issued by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG continue to be rated BBB.
Starting from a price of €19.36 at the end of 2019, W&W stock moved sideways at the start of 2020, just below the price of €20. It reached €19.84, its high for the year, in the second half of February. With the slump on the European equity markets triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact, W&W stock also fell sharply until mid-March, hitting its low for the year of €11.52. The sub-sequent recovery on the international stock markets also benefited W&W stock. By early June, it was again trading at around €17. Following a moderate price correction, W&W stock fluctuated between €14 and €15 for an extended period at the start of the second half of the year before beginning to rise notably starting in November. At the end of the year, it stood at €16.52, representing a price decline of 14.7% compared with the previous year. Taking into account the dividend distribution in the amount of €0.65, performance was –11.3% for the reporting period.
Whereas the DAX rose slightly by 3.6%, the Euro STOXX Banks index posted a price decline of 23.7% and the Euro STOXX Insurance index, 13.6%.
The first weeks of the 2021 financial year continued to be marked by the coronavirus pandemic and the high degree of uncertainty associated with it. However, as a result of the approval of various vaccines in Europe and the start of vaccinations in the population, the German equities markets responded to the second wave of infections more robustly. W&W stock rose since the start of the year by 3.15%, closing at €17.4 on 26 February 2021. Over the same period, the DAX posted a rise of 0.49%. The Euro STOXX Banks index rose by 13.7% and the Euro STOXX Insurance index by 4.0%.
Since 21 December 2020, the stock of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG has no longer been listed on the SDAX index of the Frankfurt stock exchange. Compared with more volatile securities, W&W stock has a low trading volume in free float, which is a key criterion for membership on the SDAX.
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares | in pieces | 93,749.720 | 93,749.720 | 93,749.720 |
| of which are treasury shares |
in pieces | 15,252 | 53,886 | 126,726 |
| Market cap as at 31.12. |
in mn € | 1,548.7 | 1,814.0 | 1,498.0 |
| Dividend per share | in € | 0.651 | 0.65 | 0.65 |
| Dividend yield | in % | 3.93 | 3.36 | 4.06 |
| High/Low | in € | 19.84/ 11.52 |
19.78/ 15.74 |
25.05/ 15.42 |
| Yearend share price | in € | 16.52 | 19.36 | 16.00 |
| Average daily XETRA-trading volume |
in pieces | 36,920 | 33,433 | 58,953 |
| 1 Dividend proposal. |
Further information and all basic data about W&W stock can be found on the company's website at ww-ag.com under "Investor Relations".
The W&W AG shareholder structure remained stable over the course of the reporting year. Our key shareholder is
the non-profit Wüstenrot Foundation. It maintains an indirect participation of 66.31% through two of its holding companies. Of this, 26.40% is held by WS Holding AG, Stuttgart and 39.91% by Wüstenrot Holding AG, Ludwigsburg.
The other major shareholder of W&W AG is FS W&W Holding GmbH, Munich (renamed in 2020; previously: Horus Finanzholding GmbH), with more than 10% of the shares. Approximately 9.2% (previous year: 11.0%) of all shares issued by W&W AG are held by foreign shareholders.
W&W AG strives for a stable and reliable dividend for its shareholders. Accordingly, the Executive Board will propose to the Annual General Meeting an unchanged dividend of €0.65 per share for the financial year just ended. Based on the final closing price for 2020, this corresponds to a dividend yield of 3.93%. Thus, W&W stock once again outperformed the expected average dividend yields of the MDAX (1.55%) and the SDAX (2.04%) for 2020.
The Annual General Meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, 20 May 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Shareholders will be notified in advance about the options for participating.
In April 2020 W&W AG once again issued employee shares across the whole Group. Eligible employees received a €5.00 discount on the XETRA closing price on 1 April 2020 for a maximum of 40 shares. By continuing this solid tradition, our company is seeking to further expand the shareholder value orientation among staff and

boost employer attractiveness and employee loyalty. In total, one-quarter of eligible employees took advantage of the offer. For more information we refer to the Notes of this report. Employees are to be offered shares again in 2021.
W&W AG is regularly tracked and valued by numerous financial analysts. The current analyst recommendations for W&W stock, as well as the target prices that analysts assign to the stock, can be retrieved on the website at ww-ag.com. The current average price potential from the latest target prices for W&W stock set by banks and securities firms is +24.41%, based on the XETRA closing price of 26 February 2021.
| Institution | Date | Recommendation / target price |
|---|---|---|
| Bankhaus Metzler | 23.11.2020 | BUY / €22.00 |
| Bankhaus Lampe | 18.11.2020 | BUY / €23.00 |
| LBBW | 13.11.2020 | BUY / €20.00 |
| Montega | 27.11.2020 | BUY / €21.00 |
| Commerzbank | 31.07.2020 | BUY / €20.00 |
In 2020 W&W AG continued its intensive dialogue with institutional investors, private investors and financial analysts despite the coronavirus pandemic. Because of the increased degree of digitalisation in IR work, we were able to intensify the communication with international investors, in particular, through roadshows and capital market conferences, e.g. by participating in the virtual Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum, which is normally held in Frankfurt am Main, and in the virtual Berenberg and Goldman Sachs German Corporate Conference in Munich. IR activities were augmented with virtual roadshows with investors from London, Malta and Zurich, for example. In addition, the IR team issues a regular newsletter with information about current topics.
W&W AG presented current business figures in the form of teleconferences and an online press conference presenting financial statements. Similarly, the Annual General Meeting in June 2020 was held virtually for the first time.
In 2020 the German economy recorded one of the worst economic collapses of the post-war era. According to preliminary calculations, gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 5%. The reason was the coronavirus pandemic, and to overcome it, extensive restrictions were repeatedly imposed on social and economic life. In particular, sectors such as tourism, hospitality, aviation and trade fair construction were severely affected by the coronavirus crisis. Central banks and governments responded quickly with extremely comprehensive monetary and fiscal policy measures. In the short term, the main objective was to prevent corporate and personal insolvencies in order to forestall the emergence of a financial crisis. In addition, stimulus packages were enacted to directly support supply and, in particular, demand, such as a temporary lowering of value-added tax rates, and these were able to prevent an even sharper collapse of economic activity.
On the bond markets, yields on long-term German government bonds began to fall again at the start of 2020. For instance, after the yield on 10-year German government bonds reached a temporary high of –0.15% in the initial trading days, the situation on the bond markets began to change in mid-January. This was triggered by the emergence of the coronavirus. The rapid spread of the pandemic led to expectations of a very weak development of the world economy. Interest rates fell. For instance, on 9 March, the yield on 10-year German government bonds reached a new record low of –0.91% during the course of the day, and the yield on 2-year bonds hit –1.03%.
Starting on 10 March, yields began to move in the opposite direction. Sweeping liquidity measures enacted by leading central banks, the prospect of substantial fiscal support packages by governments and comprehensive decisions taken to stem the pandemic all raised hopes that the medical crisis could soon be overcome, followed by a recovery of the world economy. In addition, the flood of government bonds issued to finance the announced stimulus packages caused interest rates to rise. Thereafter, interest rates began to move in the opposite direction, nearly in the form of a V. For instance, on 19 March, the yield on 10-year German government bonds climbed to –0.14% during the course of the day, putting it back at the precrisis level again.
As the year progressed, interest rate changes became noticeably less volatile. At the same time, yields once again began to trend moderately downward. This was due, in particular, to statements by the leading central banks in the EMU and the USA that even if the economy continues to recover in the coming years, there was very little prospect of a hike in benchmark rates. In this regard, the conduct by central banks and the bond markets was buttressed by a distinct downward movement in inflation rates. By the end of the year, the yield on 10-year German government bonds stood at –0.57%. It thus posted a year-on-year decline of 38 basis points. The yield on 2-year German government bonds was 10 basis points lower at –0.70%.
At the start of 2020, European equity markets initially continued their impressive upward trend of the previous year. On 19 February, the DAX posted a new all-time high of 13,789.
The escalating coronavirus pandemic then led to a drop in economic and profit expectations by companies and caused investors to flee to the asset class "liquidity", which occasioned a crash on the equity markets. As a result, the DAX fell in mid-March at times to below 8,300, amounting to a price drop of approximately 40% from the all-time high.
However, the comprehensive monetary and fiscal policy measures by central banks and governments, as well as rising hopes that the pandemic might have already peaked in Europe, led to an increase in prices starting in mid-March, which pushed the DAX back above 13,000 in July. As the year progressed, changes on the European equity markets were less volatile, moving within a broad sideways range. For instance, the DAX fluctuated between roughly 12,200 and 13,400, and the Euro STOXX 50 between 3,050 and 3,400. The two indexes only fell below these ranges in the second half of October. This was attributable to sharply rising infection rates in the course of the second wave of the coronavirus, imminent
new lockdown measures with corresponding adverse effects on the economic outlook and uncertainties associated with the up-coming elections in the USA. However, the outcome of the elections in the USA, which was ultimately viewed as positive, the avoidance of a disorderly Brexit and surprisingly positive reports on the development of vaccines then caused prices to rise quickly, with the DAX hitting 13,900 shortly before the end of the year, a new record high. Ultimately, the DAX rose by 3.6% in the 2020 calendar year, while the Euro STOXX 50 fell by 5.1%.
Looking at the SDAX, it essentially trended in the same way as its big brother "DAX". After the price collapse in February and early March that was occasioned by the coronavirus, prices recovered dynamically, followed in the summer months by sideways movement with large price fluctuations. However, in contrast to the DAX, the SDAX was able to leave its sideways range in mid-November and head upward to post a new record high. Ultimately, the SDAX rose by 18.0% in 2020, which was somewhat stronger than the performance by the DAX.
Low interest rates and regulatory requirements were once again the driving factors in the financial services industry in 2020. The implementation of changes made by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, as well as legal acts by the EU, continues to pose a challenge for the European banking sector. The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) was tasked by the European Commission with reviewing the Solvency II regulations. In December 2020, EIOPA sent the European Commission a proposal for the revision of Solvency II. The legislative proceedings are not expected to be concluded before the end of 2022. Studying and implementing these regulatory requirements constituted a key challenge in both the banking and insurance areas in 2020. This trend will continue in 2021 as well.
According to industry estimates, home loan savings volume in terms of net new business fell by about 13.5% to approximately €78 billion in the sector. Wüstenrot's net new business outpaced the market, allowing us to assume that we gained market share. Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG ranks second among home loan and savings banks, as measured by new business.
New business in private residential financing improved in 2020. According to the Deutsche Bundesbank, providers disbursed approximately €273 billion (previous year: approximately €263 billion) in residential construction loans to households. This equates to growth of 4%. Market volume was thus at a high level. Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG participated in this and was able to boost its market share. The positive trends on the market were aided by mortgage interest rates, which remained low on a longterm comparative basis. Experts estimate that fewer homes are being completed and that the demand for owner-occupied housing, primarily in large cities and conurbations, far exceeds supply. Residential construction is limited, in particular, by a shortage of building land and, in many places, a lack of capacity among builders and tradesmen. Property prices continued to rise, contributing to the high volume of construction financing. The good financing conditions are also resulting in existing properties changing hands more frequently, and thus in a high transaction value, as well as in upgrade and renovation work. The latter was additionally stimulated by improved governmental support measures, particularly for energy renovations.
In 2020 the life insurance industry posted a decline in new regular premiums by 2.1% to €5.7 billion, while single-premium business increased slightly by 0.8% to €37.0 billion. New premiums collected by life insurers rose in 2020 by 0.4% to €42.7 billion (previous year: €42.5 billion). Total premiums for new life insurance business fell by 0.8% to €171.1 billion (previous year: €172.4 billion).
At €99.4 billion, gross premiums written by life insurers in the reporting period were on the level of the previous year.
Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG recently came in 12th among its peer group of German life insurers based on gross premiums written. In terms of premiums written, the market share of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG rose to 2.1% (previous year: 2.0%).
Württembergische Versicherung AG is currently ranked ninth among property and casualty insurers based on gross premiums written in domestic direct business, as reported by the German Insurance Association (GDV).
According to provisional calculations by the GDV, premium income rose moderately by approximately 2.3% as at the end of the year despite the coronavirus crisis, but the rate of increase was considerably weaker than in the previous year, with income coming in at €74.9 billion (previous year: €73.2 billion). Claims expenses for the 2020 financial year declined by a projected –4.3%, following a rise of +1.6% in the previous year. This decline was driven, in particular, by the strong impact of the coronavirus crisis on motor insurance, where a drop about 12% is expected. There-fore, net underwriting income rose overall to €7.8 billion (previous year: €5.2 billion). At approximately 69%, the loss ratio for the 2020 financial year was lower than the previous year's level. The industry's combined ratio (combined ratio of claims and expenses) improved to approximately 89%.
The year 2020 was marked in both economic and social terms by the development of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite these challenging circumstances, the W&W Group posted consolidated net profit of €210.8 million (previous year: €249.1 million), which was only slightly below our medium- to long-term target corridor of €220 to 250 million.
Upheavals on the capital markets had a significant impact on results, particularly in the first quarter. However, the markets stabilised over the remainder of the year and trended upward again, and this nearly offset the negative effects on our net financial income. Results were also impacted by a considerably expanded risk provision for construction loans, as well as by expenses under business closure insurance policies.
By contrast, lower vehicle traffic as a result of the restrictions imposed by the authorities had a positive effect on our claims expenses. In addition, our efforts with respect to cost discipline contributed to the sharp drop in general administrative expenses. Against the backdrop of this extraordinary year, consolidated net profit thus shows that the W&W Group is solid.
| Consolidated net profit | 210.8 | 249.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Other segments/consolidation | 1.3 | 40.8 |
| Property/Casualty Insurance segment |
142.0 | 143.6 |
| Life and Health Insurance segment | 22.6 | 26.4 |
| Housing segment | 44.9 | 38.3 |
| in € million | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
The trend in gross premiums written in Property/Casualty Insurance was again very gratifying, growing by nearly 5%. Also in Life and Health Insurance, the previous year's value was exceeded by a solid 3%. Domestic construction financing business grew by more than 6%, also proving itself to be resilient to crisis despite new business having fallen off for a time in the course of the lockdowns that began in mid-March. By contrast, domestic gross new home loan savings business declined.
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | in € million | in % | |
| Gross premiums written | |||
| (Property/Casualty Insurance) |
2,055 | 1,954 | 5.1 |
| Gross premiums written (Life and Health Insurance) |
2,466 | 2,373 | 3.1 |
| Domestic construction financing business (including brokering for third parties) |
6,749 | 6,348 | 6.3 |
| Domestic home loan savings business (gross) |
12,561 | 13,546 | –7.3 |
Effective 1 January 2020, control of Aachener Bausparkasse AG (ABAG) was transferred to Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG (BSW). In the first quarter of 2020, ABAG was included for the first time in the consolidated financial statements of W&W AG. This resulted in badwill of €25.0 million. On 26 June 2020, ABAG was merged into Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG retroactive to 1 January 2020.
Effective 1 April 2020, the two Czech subsidiaries, Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s. and Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s., were transferred to the new owner, Moneta Money Bank a.s. The two subsidiaries were also deconsolidated at that time. The deconsolidation effect amounted to –€9.9 million. During the first quarter, we also collected dividends from the Czech subsidiaries totalling €7.9 million.
None of the changes to the scope of consolidation had any material effect on the comparability of the current year's figures with those for the previous year.
Total comprehensive income
As at 31 December 2020, consolidated net profit after taxes amounted to €210.8 million (previous year: €249.1 million). Earnings per share stood at €2.24 (previous year: €2.65).
Net financial income fell to €1,812.5 million (previous year: €2,353.5 million). This was attributable to market upheavals as a result of the coronavirus pandemic during the 2020 financial year, as well as to the relatively high net measurement gain in the previous year.
the losses recorded in the initial months were able to be largely recouped over the course of the year.
• Net income from disposals increased to €825.9 million (previous year: €591.7 million). Registered securities, in particular, posted a significant rise in net income.
Net premiums earned rose by €165.9 million to €4,415.1 million (previous year: €4,249.2 million). Both Property/ Casualty Insurance and Life and Health Insurance saw significant increases.
Net insurance benefits fell to €4,455.4 million (previous year: €4,650.5 million). This decline was the result of Life and Health Insurance, where net financial income adversely affected, in particular, the provision for unit-linked life insurance policies. Owing to our profitable insurance port-folio, Property/Casualty Insurance once again posted very good claims development. Although benefits rose there as a consequence of the welcome portfolio increase, they were lower than premiums.
The net commission expense amounted to –€497.2 million (previous year: –€490.2 million). Because of higher new business, commission expenses for insurance business increased. In addition, the previous year included the net commission income of Wüstenrot Bank AG Pfandbriefbank, which has since been sold.
General administrative expenses declined by €66.5 million to €1,014.0 million (previous year: €1,080.5 million). Despite collectively bargained salary increases, personnel expenses fell by nearly 2% due to, among other things, the immediate measures that we introduced as a result of the coronavirus. Materials costs fell even more substantially, by nearly 11%, as a result of lower advertising, travel and consulting costs, for example. On the one hand, this was attributable to costcutting occasioned by the coronavirus. On the other, we successfully continued our rigorous cost management in 2020 as well.
Net other operating income rose to €45.8 million (previous year: net expense of €28.5 million). This was mainly attributable to a one-off effect in the previous year. The deconsolidation of Wüstenrot Bank AG Pfandbriefbank at that time resulted in a shifting of individual results. This led to income of €48.4 million being added to net income from disposals (net financial income), whereas a charge of €38.6 was made to the net other operating expense for 2019. In addition, the figure for the current year includes badwill of €25 million from the sale of Aachener Bausparkasse AG, as well as, working in the opposite direction in
this context, created restructuring provisions of –€11.2 million.
Total comprehensive income for the 2020 financial year stood at €322.8 million (previous year: €658.4 million). It consists of consolidated net profit and other comprehensive income (OCI).
As at 31 December 2020, OCI stood at €112.0 million (previous year: €409.4 million). The extent of this result was predominantly an expression of the sensitivity of our investments to changes in interest rates. As in the previous year, interest rates fell again in the 2020 financial year. This again resulted in unrealised measurement gains, but to a lower extent than in the previous year. Therefore, after additions to the provision for deferred premium refunds and to deferred taxes, unrealised net income from these capital investments amounted to €235.9 million (previous year: €580.6 million). At the same time, lower interest rates had the opposite effect, including in the form of actuarial losses from defined benefit plans for pension schemes. The interest rate used for measuring pension commitments fell from 0.8% to 0.4% in the 2020 financial year. As a result, –€104.9 million (previous year: –€174.2 million) was recognised in other comprehensive income.
Because comprehensive income is highly dependent on changes in interest rates, it has only very limited suitability as a performance indicator for our Group. In an environment of rising interest rates, this currently positive unrealised effect would turn negative.
New construction financing business rose substantially by 9.5 % to €4,144 million (previous year: €3,786 million). Taking into account brokering for third parties, new business also rose substantially to €6,694 million (previous year: €6,301 million). The home loan and savings bank rigorously continued its growth course and considerably outperformed the market.
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | in € million | in % | |
| New construction financing |
4,144 | 3,786 | 9.5% |
| Construction financing business (including broke ring for third parties) |
6,694 | 6,301 | 6.2% |
| Gross new business | 12,561 | 13,546 | –7.3% |
| Net new business (paid-in new business) |
10,362 | 11,179 | –7.3% |
In terms of contract volume, gross new home loan savings business came in at €12,561 million (previous year: €13,546), falling short of the previous year's value because of the restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, market share was able to be increased again. In this regard, the performance by our mobile sales force improved, whereas in partnership business, the branch closures occasioned by the coronavirus had an adverse impact on partners. Net new business (paid-in new business) by contract volume amounted to €10,362 million, which was also below the figure for the previous year (€11,179 million).
Net income in the Housing segment increased to €44.9 million (previous year: €38.3 million) as at 31 December 2020.
Net financial income stood at €353.0 million (previous year: €365.3 million). This was mainly due to the following aspects:
in the amount of €34.0 million fully took into account, in particular, counterparty credit risks, which are showing signs of increasing but do not yet appear to have actually done so, due inter alia to governmental support measures.
The net commission expense amounted to –€11.2 million (previous year: –€11.3 million). The net commission income of the now-sold Wüstenrot Bank AG, which was included in the previous year, was essentially able to be offset by higher income from account maintenance fees at Aachener Bausparkasse AG.
General administrative expenses were able to be reduced to €316.3 million (previous year: €322.2 million) due to lower charges for Group offsetting and the general objective of improving all cost positions.
Net other operating income rose to €33.7 million (previous year: €23.5 million). This includes badwill of €25 million from the sale of Aachener Bausparkasse AG, as well as, working in the opposite direction in this context, created restructuring provisions of €11.2 million.
The decline in the segment's tax expenses to €14.4 million (previous year: €17.0 million) resulted, in particular, from the initial consolidation of Aachener Bausparkasse AG.
New premiums in the Life and Health Insurance segment rose by 11.5% in the year to €815.3 million (previous year: €731.5 million) despite the coronavirus crisis. Single-premium income rose to €708.6 million (previous year: €616.9 million). Regular premiums in life insurance amounted to €97.3 million (previous year: €104.1 million). Annual new premiums in health insurance fell from €10.5 million to €9.4 million (previous year: 10.5 million). In the case of supplemental policies, new business came in below the value of the previous year, whereas it was able to be increased in the case of full-cost policies.
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | in € million | in % | |
| New premiums (segment) | 815.3 | 731.5 | 11.5% |
| Single premiums, life | 708.6 | 616.9 | 14.9% |
| Regular premiums, life | 97.3 | 104.1 | –6.5% |
| Annual new premiums, health |
9.4 | 10.5 | –10.5% |
Total premiums for new life insurance business stood at €3,543.2 million (previous year: €3,711.1 million).
Gross premiums written increased to €2,445.7 million (previous year: €2,372.7 million) as a result of higher single-premium income. Health insurance posted an increase of 5.0% in gross premiums written.
Segment net income came in at €22.6 million (previous year: €26.4 million).
Net financial income in the Life and Health Insurance segment stood at €1,367.1 million (previous year: €1,754.2 million). The following income components were responsible for this:
on the equity markets led to high measurement gains. In the 2020 financial year, the coronavirus pandemic caused upheavals on the capital markets, which led to widening spreads and rating downgrades for interest-bearing securities. Equities and investment fund units also performed worse compared with the previous year. The measurement result from investments for unit-linked life insurance policies fell by €402.0 compared with the previous year.
• Net income from disposals increased to €700.4 million (previous year: €449.2 million). Market opportunities were able to be exploited for both registered and bearer instruments.
Net premiums earned rose to €2,491.8 million (previous year: €2,415.1 million), owing to the higher volume of single-premium insurance policies.
Net insurance benefits fell to €3,410.3 million (previous year: €3,665.0 million). In the previous year, the sharp rise on the equity markets in 2019 led to an increase in the provision for unit-linked insurance policies. By contrast, the provision for unit-linked insurance policies declined in the 2020 financial year due to weaker and more volatile trends on the equity markets compared with the previous year. Through the regular increase of the additional interest reserve (including interest rate reinforcement), we are already ensuring the fulfilment of future interest obligations and safeguarding benefits to our customers. The addition totalled €352.3 million (previous year: €364.8 million). The additional interest reserve as a whole thus now totals €2,918.2 million (previous year: €2,565.9 million).
The net commission expense stood at –€147.6 million (previous year: –€151.2 million). Sales commissions fell because new business included fewer commission-intensive products than in the previous year.
General administrative expenses fell considerably to €245.5 million (previous year: €270.9 million). Both personnel expenses and material costs were able to be lowered.
Tax expenses decreased to €4.9 million (previous year: €26.4 million), which was caused, in particular, by the decline in net income after taxes, the discontinuation of detrimental one-off effects and the settlement of prior-year taxes.
New business developed positively despite the coronavirus pandemic, coming in at €275.7 million (previous year: €266.6 million). The corporate customers area grew significantly. Our digital brand Adam Riese was also successful in terms of sales and continued to outperform our expectations. In the retail customers area, our own sales force succeeded in posting growth despite the challenging conditions, which however was outweighed by a major transaction that influenced the broker channel in the previous year.
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
Change |
|---|---|---|
| in € million | in € million | in % |
| 275.7 | 266.6 | 3.4% |
| 188.0 | 181.1 | 3.8% |
| 49.9 | 42.5 | 17.4% |
| 37.8 | 43.0 | –12.1% |
The portfolio in all business segments increased due to very strong net sales in the current financial year, which takes into account replacement business and cancellations in addition to new business. Despite the still challenging market environment, gross premiums written nevertheless once again increased by €100.3 million to €2,054.7 million (previous year: €1,954.4 million).
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | in € million | in % | |
| Segment total | 2,054.7 | 1,954.4 | 5.1% |
| Motor | 868.3 | 838.6 | 3.5% |
| Corporate customers | 479.6 | 444.1 | 8.0% |
| Private customers | 706.8 | 671.7 | 5.2% |
Segment net income declined slightly to €142.0 million (previous year: €143.6 million). Net financial income fell significantly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Claims development was again encouraging.
Net financial income stood at €65.4 million (previous year: €105.9 million). It consists of the following components:
Net premiums earned continued to perform very well. They rose by €76.5 million to €1,641.8 million (previous year: €1,565.3 million). All business segments made a contribution to this.
Net insurance benefits increased by €57.4 million to €880.7 million (previous year: €823.2 million) due to the significantly larger insurance portfolio. The coronavirus pandemic had an impact on claims development in two respects. On the one hand, claims expenses in the motor line fell as a consequence of the lockdown. In addition, because of the persistently low level of interest rates, we lowered the discount rates for some business lines in order to further strengthen our reserves by a mid-double-digit million range. Therefore, owing to our very good portfolio, the loss ratio (gross) stood at 64.2% (previous year: 62.2%). The expense ratio fell to 26.4% (previous year: 27.2%). The combined ratio (gross) came in at 90.6% (previous year: 89.4%). The combined ratio (net) amounted to 89.0% (previous year: 89.5%).
The net commission expense stood at –€260.7 million (previous year: –€262.9 million). Higher commission income from reinsurance within the Group with W&W AG, which was due to good claims development, contributed to this development. By contrast, the larger insurance portfolio led to higher commission expenses.
General administrative expenses fell to €371.0 million (previous year: €378.5 million). Personnel expenses came in at the level of the previous year. By contrast, material costs declined.
Net other operating income amounted to €15.7 million (previous year: net expense of –€11.2 million). This increase was mainly attributable to additions made in the previous year to restructuring provisions for planned measures to increase the sales efficiency, as well as portfolio and claims processing.
"All other segments" covers the divisions that cannot be allocated to any other segment. This includes, inter alia, W&W AG, W&W Asset Management GmbH, Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH, W&W brandpool GmbH and the Group's internal service providers.
All other segments posted net income after taxes of €10.8 million (previous year: €36.9 million).
Net financial income fell to €34.8 million (previous year: €100.6 million). The following income components contributed to the development:
Net premiums earned rose by €14.1 million to €296.3 million (previous year: €282.2 million). The volume ceded to W&W AG for reinsurance within the Group increased as a result of the positive business performance of Württembergische Versicherung AG. As this relates to quota share reinsurance, the insurance benefits increased as well. Working in the opposite direction, however, were received insurance premiums, which slowed the increase in benefits, meaning that they rose by only €2.0 million to €181.7 million (previous year: €179.7 million).
General administrative expenses fell significantly to €78.3 million (previous year: €115.1 million). Having an impact here were both our costcutting measures and the disposal of the Czech subsidiaries at the start of the year.
The W&W Group's total assets amounted to €76.5 billion (previous year: €75.2 billion). Assets mainly consist of construction loans of €22.8 billion (previous year: €21.5 billion) and capital investments of €51.3 billion (previous year: €49.0 billion). The construction loans item rose primarily as a result of the acquisition of Aachener Bausparkasse AG. Interest rates continued to fall, and this had a positive effect on the measurement of fixed-income investments in the portfolio, which likewise rose overall. Our investments are defined in the glossary.
Valuation reserves are formed if the current fair value of an asset is higher than the value at which it is carried in the balance sheet (carrying amount).
The W&W Group maintained valuation reserves primarily for financial assets at amortised cost in the amount of €623.8 million (previous year: €507.2 million), mainly for construction loans. In addition, it maintained appreciable reserves for investment property in the amount of €585.9 million (previous year: €533.2 million).
The business model of the W&W Group as a financial services group means that the liabilities side is dominated by technical provisions and liabilities to customers.
Technical provisions amounted to €39.4 billion (previous year: €37.4 billion). This includes €30.6 billion (previous year: €30.0 billion) for the provision for future policy benefits, €5.9 billion (previous year: €4.6 billion) for the provision for premium refunds, and €2.7 billion (previous year: €2.6 billion) for the provision for outstanding insurance claims. The increase was mainly due to the higher market values of securities in the portfolio that were occasioned by interest rates, with their change in value being credited to policy holders on a prorata basis through the provisions.
Liabilities primarily related to liabilities to customers in the amount of €22.5 billion (previous year: €21.6 billion). They largely consist of deposits from home loan savings business amounting to €19.4 billion (previous year: €18.3 billion) and savings and other deposits totalling €3.1 million (previous year: €3.3 million). The increase in home loan savings deposits was mainly attributable to the acquisition of Aachener Bausparkasse AG. The home loan savings deposits of the Czech subsidiaries, which were sold in the 2020 financial year, were reclassified in 2019 from the liabilities in the balance sheet item "Liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations" and are therefore no longer included in the values for the previous year.
The item "Liabilities evidenced by certificates" also increased by about €1.4 billion (previous year: €0.9 billion). The reason for this were the bearer covered bonds issued by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, including a "benchmark issue" with a nominal value of €500 million.
As at 31 December 2020, the W&W Group's equity rose to €5,085.2 million, compared with €4,835.1 million as at 31 December 2019. This includes consolidated net profit, as well as net income totalling €322.8 million. The dividend distribution reduced equity by €60.9 million. In addition, other effects decreased equity by €11.8 million.
The W&W Group had sufficient liquidity at all times in the year under review. We obtain liquidity from our insurance and home loan savings business and from financing activities. For more information on liquidity management, please see the risk report.
The cash flow statement shows cash inflows amounting to €435.0 million (previous year: cash outflows of €1,060.5 million) from operating activities and cash outflows amounting to €266.6 million (previous year: cash inflows of €1,317.5 million) for investing activities, including capital investments. Financing activities resulted in cash outflows of €21.0 million (previous year: €109.9 million). This resulted in a net change in cash of €147.4 million in the year under review. Further information is provided in the cash flow statement in the notes.
We made capital expenditures for non-current assets primarily in the Life and Health Insurance segment. They related mainly to investment property. The property subsidiary Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH is also investing heavily in this area. In "All other segments", most of the capital expenditures related to hardware and software purchased by our IT subsidiary. In addition, we are making capital expenditures to advance the construction of the new office buildings in Kornwestheim (W&W campus), for which nearly €106 million was capitalised in 2020 alone.
Another focus for capital expenditures was the digital transformation of our Group. The W&W Group's new digital business models have been grouped together in the brandpool division. This division continues to drive the development of new products and services in order to tap into new target groups for W&W and facilitate profitable growth with digital business models. It is already home to Adam Riese, our digital brand for the German insurance market, and FinanzGuide, an app that enables customers to view their personal portfolio of insurance, home loan savings and banking products on a smartphone, as well minority participations in other companies.
Research and development was performed above all in connection with software development for our own purposes.
New customers increased to 449.3 thousand (previous year: 424.4 thousand). The total number of customers stood at approximately 6.8 million, the same as in the previous year. We optimised our methodology for calculating the number of customers by enhancing the customer databases and modifying the counting method for individual contracts. The number for the previous year was updated accordingly. Under the old methodology, we had 389.7 thousand new customers and approximately 6.3 million existing customers.
A planned scaling back in the Housing division as a result of portfolio measures was offset by customer growth in our digital subsidiaries Treefin and Adam Riese. The latter have now succeeded in gaining approximately 250,000 customers for the W&W Group, having expanded their portfolios by nearly 100,000 customers compared with the previous year.
Because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, general uncertainty has increased in various areas. These include areas relevant for the financial statements, such as discretionary judgments made by management and assumptions and estimates made with respect to the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group. The estimates, assumptions and discretionary judgments that are relevant to the financial statements were made on the basis of management's best knowledge and currently available information. Despite increased uncertainties, the W&W Group believes that the assumptions and estimates utilised appropriately reflect the current situation. Nevertheless, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, deviations from these estimates cannot be ruled out. More extensive information can be found in the notes.
The W&W Group's net assets, financial position and financial performance are stable and orderly. Given the coronavirus pandemic and an environment marked by persistently low interest rates and increasing regulatory requirements, we are pleased with the net income we have achieved.
The following comparison of business performance in the year under review with the forecasts made in last year's annual report shows that the W&W Group has achieved sustainably positive performance despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the recovery on the capital market at the end of the year, this was also attributable to the immediate measures we introduced, our rigorous management of costs and the costcutting steps occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic. This is also reflected in lower general administrative expenses compared with the forecast.
In the Housing segment, general administrative expenses for the 2020 financial year were at the level of the previous year, in line with the forecast. Overall, general administrative expenses were approximately €6 million lower than in 2019.
Segment net income after taxes stood at €45 million in 2020. We met the forecast of a significant year-on-year increase, despite the creation of a larger risk provision.
General administrative expenses in the Life and Health Insurance segment for the 2020 financial year came in approximately €16 million below the previous year as a result, inter alia, of the above-mentioned measures and effects relating to the coronavirus pandemic. The forecast had expected general administrative expenses to come in at the level of 2019.
With segment net income after taxes of approximately €23 million, we met the forecasted expectations corridor.
In the Property/Casualty Insurance segment, general administrative expenses were at the level of the previous year, which was better than forecasted.
Net segment income of approximately €142 million was at the level of the previous year and was thus slightly better than forecasted.
In light of the continued commitment in the new business of the individual segments, as well as the increasing success of our digital business models, particularly Adam Riese, we had more than 6.5 million customers at the end of 2020, in line with our strategic targets. Owing to the described optimisations of the customer data base, we raised our target in last year's outlook from >6 million customers to >6.5 million customers. The forecast from the previous year was met.
Contrary to our forecast, general administrative expenses in 2020 were moderately lower than in the 2019 financial year. This was attributable, in particular, to the cost-cutting associated with the immediate measures that we took in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to our rigorous cost management.
The year under review was marked by the adverse economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated developments on the capital market. Therefore, the W&W Group adjusted its expectations for the 2020 financial year in the first half of 2020. Owing to the introduced immediate measures and the recovery on the capital market, and despite charges for the risk provision and business closure insurance policies, we posted net income that was only slightly below the strategic target corridor of €220 to 250 million.
Unlike the consolidated financial statements, the annual financial statements of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG are not prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), but instead in accordance with the provisions of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and the additional provisions of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).
The annual financial statements (HGB) of W&W AG and the combined management report are published simultaneously in the electronic German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).
W&W AG closed the financial year successfully with net income pursuant to the German Commercial Code (HGB) of €100.3 million (previous year: €90.0 million). Net income was characterised by dividends and profit transfers from subsidiaries.
W&W AG's net income (HGB) for the 2020 financial year stood at €100.3 million (previous year: €90.0 million). The Executive Board and Supervisory Board have decided to allocate €25.0 million (previous year: €15.0) to retained earnings for the purpose of strengthening equity. After carrying forward €5.5 million in retained earnings from 2019, the unappropriated surplus amounted to €80.8 million (previous year: €75.4 million). Based on this result, we will propose to the Annual General Meeting that a dividend of €0.65 (previous year: €0.65) per share be paid for the 2020 financial year and that €19.0 million (previous year: €4.0 million) be allocated to retained earnings and €0.9 million of retained earnings be carried forward.2020
In 2020 W&W AG's net investment income increased to €237.7 million (previous year: €228.0 million). In the year under review, we separated ourselves for strategic reasons from our Czech participations Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s. and Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s. As a result, we realised a disposal gain. The profit transfers of our subsidiaries declined.
The insurance business of W&W AG is significantly affected by the business ceded by the Group subsidiary Württembergische Versicherung AG.
Underwriting income before the claims equalisation provision amounted to €6.7 million, which was €0.2 million more than the previous year's value.
Gross premiums written increased by 4.4% to €407.0 million (previous year: €390.0 million) in the year under review, due to an increase in the premium income of Württembergische Versicherung AG and thus in the volume of reinsurance business ceded. Net premiums earned increased by 5.0% to €296.3 million (previous year: €282.2 million).
Net expenses for insurance benefits stood at €187.1 million (previous year: €181.1 million). The net loss ratio fell to 63.2% (previous year: 64.2%). Expenses for insurance business for own account increased from €96.2 million in the previous year to €107.4 million. Per the requirements, €4.3 million had to be added to the claims equalisation provision (previous year: €7.5 million). The claims equalisation provision stood at a comfortable €106.3 million (previous year: €102.1 million). This corresponds to 35.9% (previous year: 36.2%) of net premiums earned. After additions to the claims equalisation provision, the net underwriting gain stood at €2.5 million (previous year: net loss of €1.0 million).
Gross premiums increased from €166.3 million to €175.4 million in the fire and other property insurance lines. After additions of €3.5 million (previous year: €3.9 million) to the claims equalisation provision, a net underwriting loss of €3.6 million (previous year: net gain of €0.3 million) was recorded.
Gross premiums from the motor lines increased to €133.9 million (previous year: €129.8 million). After an allocation to the claims equalisation provision of €5.7 million (previous year: €3.3 million), the loss stood at €4.1 million (previous year: €10.2 million).
Gross premiums from the liability line increased to €36.9 million (previous year: €35.8 million). After releases of €4.2 million (previous year: additions of €0.8 million) from the claims equalisation provision, a gain of €10.8 million (previous year: €5.2 million) was recorded.
Gross premiums from the accident line grew slightly to €22.3 million (previous year: €21.7 million). After additions of the claims equalisation provision, a gain of €0.9 million (previous year: €2.8 million) was recorded.
Transport and aviation hull insurance premiums rose slightly to €3.9 million (previous year: €3.8 million). After additions to the claims equalisation provision, net under-writing income of €0.3 million was slightly worse than in the previous year (€0.7 million).
Gross premiums from other insurance lines (mainly legal expenses insurance) increased to €30.0 million (previous year: €27.3 million). After additions to the claims equalisation provision, a net underwriting expense of €2.4 million (previous year: €0.4 million) was posted.
Gross premiums from life insurance fell to €4.5 million (previous year: €5.3 million). Net income was again positive and amounted to €0.6 million (previous year: €0.7 million).
Taxes on income showed expenses of €66.9 million (previous year: €56.2 million) as at 31 December 2020. Tax expenses rose by €10.7 million. The increase resulted both from higher net income as calculated in accordance with the German Commercial Code and from current-account tax effects. The increase was tempered by effects from the tax-free sale of interests in limited companies and income from prior-year taxes.
W&W AG's total assets increased by €121.1 million in the 2020 financial year to €3,899.4 million (previous year: €3,778.3 million). Investments make up most of the assets. Receivables are another large item.
The liabilities side consists mainly of equity, other provisions and technical provisions.
As the holding company, W&W AG manages the equity of the W&W Group. As a rule, the equity of the subsidiaries meets or exceeds regulatory requirements.
As at 31 December 2020, W&W AG's equity amounted to €2,025.3 million (previous year: €1,986.2 million). On the one hand, equity increased by €0.5 million as a result of net income of €100.3 million and the sale of treasury
shares in connection with the employee share ownership programme in 2020. On the other, the dividend distribution of €60.9 million that was distributed for the 2019 financial year and the repurchase of our shares in the amount of €0.8 million had the opposite effect and decreased equity.2019 In total, equity thus increased by €39.1 million.
The retained earnings included in equity also increased. In accordance with the resolution adopted by the Annual General Meeting, €9.0 million from the unappropriated surplus and €25.0 million from net income were allocated to retained earnings.
W&W AG pursues a sustainable, conservative investment policy focused on high-quality borrowers. There were no bad-debt losses in the financial year.
The carrying amount of capital investments increased by €184.0 million to €3,585.4 million (previous year: €3,401.4 million). This figure mainly includes interests in affiliated companies and participations in the amount of €1,418.4 million (previous year: €1,501.7 million) and fixed-income securities in the amount of €551.1 million (previous year: €559.8 million).
Valuation reserves are formed if the fair value of an asset is higher than the value at which it is carried in the balance sheet (carrying amount). W&W AG's valuation reserves for investments amounted to €2,205.7 million (previous year: €1,394.7 million). This includes €1,836.9 million (previous year: €1,245.0 million) for interests in affiliated companies, €79.7 million (previous year: €61.6 million) for funds and €23.3 million (previous year: €22.4 million) for registered bonds and promissory notes. As in previous years, W&W AG elected not to exercise the option provided by Section 341b (2) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) to use the rules applicable to fixed assets when measuring securities classified as current assets.
Pension provisions in the amount of €1,098.0 million (previous year: €1,026.7 million), together with technical provisions in the amount of €513.8 million (previous year: €513.1 million), constituted a large share of W&W AG's liabilities. In addition to W&W AG's own pension provisions, this item includes the pension provisions for eight (previous year: eight) subsidiaries. W&W AG assumed
joint liability for the pension commitments of these subsidiaries, and it made an internal agreement with them to meet these pension obligations.
W&W AG always had sufficient liquidity in the year under review. We generate liquidity from our reinsurance business and financing activities. For more information on liquidity management, please see the risk report.
W&W AG's net assets, financial position and financial performance are stable and orderly. Given the coronavirus pandemic and an environment marked by persistently low interest rates and increasing regulatory requirements, we are pleased with the net income we have achieved.
Due to the holding company structure, net income after taxes is determined primarily by dividends and profit transfers from subsidiaries. In the 2020 financial year, net income after taxes stood at €100.3 million. We exceeded the forecast that net income after taxes would come in at the level of 2019.
Recognising and exploiting opportunities is a fundamental requirement for the successful development of our Group. Consequently, we pursue the goal of systematically identifying, analysing and evaluating opportunities and initiating suitable measures to utilise them.
The starting point is our firmly established strategy, planning and control processes. For this purpose, we evaluate market and environment scenarios and examine the orientation of our product portfolio, cost drivers and other critical success factors. The opportunities derived from this are discussed by the management within the scope of strategy retreats and then incorporated into strategic planning.
We also have suitable governance and control structures in place in order to evaluate and pursue opportunities on the basis of their potential, the required investment and the risk profile.
In the following, we concentrate on the main opportunities, and distinguish between opportunities arising from developments outside the company's control and opportunities resulting from our specific strengths as the W&W Group.

Unless indicated otherwise, the opportunities described concern all company segments to different extents. Where opportunities are likely to occur, we have included them in our business plans, our forecast and the mediumterm prospects. They are depicted in the course of this Management Report.
As the W&W Group, our aim is to provide people with financial planning from a single source. For us, this also includes offering our customers simple, transparent, individualised and flexible products, as well as networking across all interaction channels.
The need for financial security offers tremendous business opportunities. We adapt strategically to the changed financial planning market with our sustainable, comprehensive advisory approach – which includes the four pillars of financial security, residential property ownership, risk protection and savings and investment – as well as with our target group concepts and solutions.
Digital advances have materially changed the expectations of many existing and potential customers. The communication between customers, sales and companies is increasingly taking place on the basis of digital technology. In this regard, however, customers increasingly expect customised offers and approaches. The dissemination and use of digital media enables more intensive and targeted customer contact, along with the opportunity for corresponding sales potential. In this regard, we combine our personalised advisory approach with new digital opportunities. In the age of the internet, social media and the prevalent use of smartphones, speed is vital to achieving customer satisfaction and is thus increasingly becoming a critical success factor. Customers want to be able to contact us regardless of office hours or distance via their preferred medium and manage their affairs independently via self-service. Self-service offers opportunities to improve efficiency through automation.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed customer behaviour and led to increased awareness of the quality of one's home. The desire to have one's own home has become more fervent as a result of, among other things, the increasing need to work from home in times of the pandemic. In addition, the trend toward sustainable living is intensifying. This offers opportunities for us to serve not only as a reliable partner for all types of financing needs but also, and in particular, as a provider of digital advice in the online world and expertise in the physical world. For example, the Housing division offers financing for energyrelated renovations and upgrades – and in connection with this, customers can also be informed about government subsidies.
Demographic change and a changed society offer new growth opportunities.
People are living longer and are remaining active later in life. In the long run, the government pension alone will not be sufficient to finance this self-determined, independent lifestyle. Independence, mobility and remaining active in old age are increasingly financed with a private source of capital. In our view, society is demanding more flexibility with regard to products, advice and communication due to a change in lifestyle habits.
For us as the W&W Group, with our expertise in the field of financial planning and investments, this offers substantial market potential for our services, advisory approaches and target group concepts. By developing new and sustainable products with alternative guarantees or additional flexibility and using all manner of communication media, we are adapting to these changes.
We seek to operate our business in a way that is environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically successful. In this regard, we view sustainability not only as the consequence of stricter regulations (EU Taxonomy Regulation) but also as a way to accelerate the transformation of our business model. In this spirit, the W&W Group has signed on to the sustainability initiatives Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). By doing so, we are placing greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance aspects in our business.
The stronger focus on sustainability creates economic, social and ecological benefits for the W&W Group as well as the entire insurance industry. Among other things, our unit linked pension insurance Genius has a strong sustainability orientation, and this is enabling us to reach additional target groups. We also believe we owe a duty here to the current generation and those to follow.
The low interest rate policy in Europe continues to pose challenges for financial services providers, but also offers opportunities.
On the one hand, the importance of effective capital investment is rising. As a large investor with more than €51 billion in available capital, we have long-standing capital market expertise and a comprehensive risk management system. Our capital investment is based on a strategic asset allocation that we align with opportunities and risks in the course of a consistent value- and riskoriented investment strategy, while maintaining flexibility in order to make use of opportunities at short notice. We can also acquire new customers through products that are adapted to the current market environment (and in which sustainability aspects are being taken into account to a growing extent).
In addition, the increasing demand for new buildings, energy-related refurbishment and renovation, low interest rates and rising property prices offer the opportunity for sustained growth in construction financing volume.
Satisfying the growing regulatory requirements, such as for a consultation meeting, can be used to intensify the customer meeting and the customer relationship. Data protection regulations strengthen trust in the industry as a whole and therefore in us as a provider.
Government initiatives designed to promote residential property ownership and residential housing stock can boost the demand for property financing, residential construction and broker services dynamics. In particular, the residential construction premium, which was increased on 1 January 2021, is now available to a considerably greater number of citizens as a result of the adjusted income threshold. This will bolster home ownership in Germany.
Digital advances are enabling us to develop completely new, faster and more intensive customer interactions, meaning that we can approach customers' needs more directly and expand our ability to provide digital advice. Moreover, faster service and new kinds of products can be created.
Technical advances facilitate, among other things, the increasing automation of processes. The resultant productivity advances – and thus costcutting potentials – can be used to boost income but also to free up capital for investments in topics of relevance for the future.
The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are giving even greater impetus to this trend. In 2020 mobile working, including working from home, accelerated the digital transformation of how people work. It is expected that this new form of digital working will be relied on to an increasing degree even after the crisis ends.
The responsible, targeted use of customer data enables us to create ever more personalised products. With additional information, we can better assess risks and avoid claims. Moreover, additional sales potential arises through the use of data.
By creating collaboration networks, e.g. in all matters involving the home, we can better serve customer needs.
Digital networking can also dramatically reduce response times, which in the event of a claim, for instance, makes it possible to limit consequential damages or even to avoid them altogether.
Because of its diversification, our business model – with its Housing, Insurance and brandpool divisions – provides us with good opportunities to operate successfully on the market on a long-term basis.
The brandpool division focuses both on digital financial services and on additional digital business models in the areas of housing, finances, health, family, education and mobility for the purpose of broadly diversifying the product portfolio. In particular, by tapping into new target groups, it is contributing to the Group's customer growth.
In light of demographic trends, the comprehensive range of products that we offer as a financial planning group promises brisk customer demand in the future.
Through the combination of the two venerable brands Wüstenrot and Württembergische, we have substantial customer potential within our Group. This offers us income opportunities through further expansion of cross-selling.
With its broad range of products across a variety of business segments, our business model has a natural diversification: For instance, our property and casualty insurance companies are far less dependent on trends in interest rates than the home loan and savings bank, and they also require less capital. All stakeholder groups benefit from the diversification effect. The aim is to price our products so that we can offer customers lower risk premiums for the same level of security. For our shareholders, diversification reduces the part of the equity that is tied up through the assumption of risk and stabilises the income and risk profile.
Further information is available in the risk report of this Management Report.
Through our various sales channels with their different strengths, and owing to our good brand awareness, we are able to address a large, broad customer pool of millions of people in our core market of Germany.
Approaching customers via multiple sales channels enables us to place our financial planning products in a targeted manner. Our strategic aim is to meet the needs of our customers. When designing our products, we always focus on what they want. Accordingly our products regularly receive the highest ratings.
We also have opportunities through further optimisation of our sales channels. These consist, in particular, of the rigorous digitalisation of customer contact points and relieving employees of routine administrative tasks.
For the W&W Group as a service company, recruiting and retaining employees is a key component for ensuring future viability and competitiveness.
For that reason, the W&W Group has established the benefits package "Beruf+", which offers a variety of programmes and services relating to health management, mobility, family, qualification and agile, networked and flexible working, particularly digitally and at the new W&W campus. Similarly, the W&W Group offers various opportunities for retention and networking specifically for its trainees and working students from the Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule).
Pursuant to the provisions of the German Banking Act (KWG), the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG) and the German Act on the Supervision of Financial Conglomerates (FKAG), as well as the EU Financial Conglomerates Directive (FICOD), the W&W Group constitutes a financial conglomerate. Additionally, the Solvency II group (insurance group) and the insurance companies are subject to the regulations in Solvency II. All the specified legal provisions result in special requirements for risk management and controlling. Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG (W&W AG) is the superordinate under-taking of the financial conglomerate and the Solvency II group. As the superordinate undertaking, W&W AG is responsible for defining and further developing uniform risk management standards throughout the Group and monitoring compliance with those standards. By letter of 22 July 2020, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) approved the application for elimination of the financial holding group. For further information, please see the chapter "Business model – regulatory requirements".
The principles of the risk management approach and the elements of its design, as well as the general handling of material risks within the W&W Group, are described below. Further analyses and descriptions of the risk situation that arise from international accounting standards are provided in "Disclosures concerning risks under financial instruments and insurance contracts" in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
The W&W Group makes use of a comprehensive risk management and controlling system that consistently combines the systems and methods of the individual companies, which are geared to the particular business requirements.
The risk management and controlling system comprises the totality of all organisational regulations and measures that have been established to identify risks at an early stage and to handle the risks associated with business activity. Risk controlling is a part of risk management and includes the assessment, evaluation, monitoring and reporting of the risks encountered by the entities assuming them. It also monitors risk governance measures.
The principles of the risk management system as well as the organisation of our risk management as described in the 2019 Annual Report were also applicable in 2020, and with the exception of the changes and enhancements described below, they continue to be applied.
As required by BaFin, we submitted a general, non-eventdriven restructuring plan for the Solvency II group (insurance group) pursuant to Section 26 of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG), and it was integrated into the current organisational and operational structure of the risk management system.
For information on the enhancements planned for 2021, please see the chapter "Enhancements and planned measures".
Risk management at the W&W Group performs the following key functions:
Based on the key functions of risk management, the following overarching objectives are pursued:
Another task of risk management is to protect the reputation of the W&W Group with its two venerable brands, "Wüstenrot" and "Württembergische", and the new digital brand Adam Riese. The reputation of the W&W Group as a stable, reliable and trustworthy partner of our customers constitutes a key factor for our sustainable success.
The integrated risk strategy establishes the strategic framework of the risk management system of the W&W Group, the Solvency II group and W&W AG. The risk management system is an integral component of a proper and effective business organisation.
| Integrated risk strategy at W&W | Strategic level |
|---|---|
| Group risk policy | Organisational level |
| Technical specifications Work instructions |
Process level |
As part of this framework, definitions are established for risk appetite, which are derived from the business strategy and the risk profile, for the overall risk objectives and for the application of consistent standards, methods, procedures and tools. The risk strategy is in line with the W&W business strategy and the principles for long-term protection of the company as a going concern. It takes into account the nature, scope, complexity and risk content of the business operated by the individual companies that belong to the W&W Group.
The requirements specified in the integrated risk strategy contribute to securing the long-term entrepreneurial capacity to act and to promoting the Group-wide risk culture. The aim is to maintain an appropriate balance between taking advantage of business opportunities and incurring risks, while ensuring the effectiveness of the Group-wide risk management system.
The risk strategy of the W&W Group is adopted by the Executive Board of W&W AG and is discussed by the Supervisory Board at least once a year.
Our Group Risk Policy defines the organisational framework for risk management and is a prerequisite for an effective risk management system within the W&W Group. This framework ensures that the standard of quality is comparable across all business areas and that risk management is highly consistent on all levels of the W&W Group. As a key component of the common risk culture, the Group Risk Policy and the processes and systems defined in it promote the requisite risk awareness. The central elements of the Group-wide risk culture are:
Through their management style and the way they handle risks, the Executive Board of W&W AG, the executive boards and managements of the individual W&W companies and the managers in the W&W Group shape the W&W Group's risk culture to a decisive extent.
The individual companies of the financial conglomerate are integrated into the scope of risk consolidation and the Group-wide risk management system according to the statutory and regulatory provisions. The scope and intensity of risk management activities varies depending on the risk content of the business operated and on its nature, scope and complexity. The implementation of a risk classification procedure (risk classes 1-5) enables a risk-oriented structure of the risk management system in accordance with the principle of proportionality.
The following companies form the core of the scope of risk consolidation and are directly included in the risk management system at Group level:
The inclusion of companies in risk classes 3 to 5 in the management system of the W&W Group is undertaken pursuant to the proportionality principle and is ensured directly by the risk controlling of the respective parent company.
Effective 1 April 2020, control of Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s. and Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s. was transferred to MONETA Money Bank a.s. as the new owner of the companies after the supervisory authorities in the Czech Republic had granted their approval.
In June 2020, the takeover of Aachener Bausparkasse AG was finalised with its merger into Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG. Aachener Bausparkasse AG has been included in the Group-wide risk management system since the transfer of control to Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG. For further information, please see the chapter "Business model – over-view of the Group and W&W AG".
Our risk governance aims at managing our risks throughout the Group and at the individual company level. At the same time, it is intended to ensure that our overall risk profile corresponds to the objectives of the risk strategy.
For further information on our Corporate Governance, please see the section "Corporate governance statement".
The duties and responsibilities of all persons and committees involved in risk management issues are defined. With-in the organisational and operational structure, the individual areas of responsibility for all of the following bodies, committees and functions are defined, as well as their interfaces and reporting lines among one another, thus ensuring the regular and timely flow of information across all levels of the W&W Group.
The Executive Board of W&W AG bears overall responsibility for the proper business organisation of the W&W Group. It is the ultimate decision-making body on risk issues. This includes ensuring that the risk management system established Group-wide is effectively and appropriately implemented, maintained and enhanced. This also includes developing, promoting and integrating an appro-priate risk culture. The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is responsible for risk management on the Executive Board of W&W AG.
In its role as the control body overseeing the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board of W&W AG also monitors the appropriateness and effectiveness of the risk management system, as well as implementation of the risk strategy, including risk appetite. In addition, it is regularly informed about the current risk situation. Certain types of transactions require approval by the Supervisory Board or its Risk and Audit Committee.
The Risk and Audit Committee of W&W AG and the corresponding committees of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG are regularly presented with information required pursuant to the bylaws, including risk reports with a description of the current risk situation and the measures that have been initiated to manage it.
As the central body for the coordination of risk management, the Group Board Risk supports the Executive Board of W&W AG and the Management Board in risk issues. The permanent members of the Group Board Risk are the CRO of W&W AG and the CROs of the Housing and Insurance divisions. The risks in the brandpool division are covered by the Group-wide risk management in accordance with the processes specified in the Group risk policy. Other members of this body are the (independent) risk controlling function of W&W AG, which also handles the responsibilities on behalf of the Solvency II group, the two (independent) risk controlling functions of the Housing (Wüstenrot) and Insurance (Württembergische) divisions and select observers. The body meets once a month and, where necessary, on an ad hoc basis. The Group Board Risk monitors the risk profile of the W&W Group,
its appropriate capitalisation and its liquidity. Moreover, it advises on Group-wide risk organisation standards and on the deployment of uniform risk management methods and tools, and it proposes these to the Group's executive boards for approval.
The Insurance Risk Board manages and monitors risks in the Insurance division (Württembergische). The BSW Risk Board handles this duty in the Housing division
(Wüstenrot). The participation of the responsible Executive Board members and the departments concerned guarantees the integration of circumstances pertaining to individual companies as well as the speedy exchange of information and quick decision-making. We integrate risk-related aspects of the brandpool division via an established reporting line to the Group Board Risk.
The chart "Risk Board Structure" shows how the responsible bodies collaborate in risk-related decisions.

Group-wide committees have been set up to handle certain risk topics in detail:
Key functions have been implemented in our business organisation, structured in the form of three lines of defence.
• The business units that are responsible for the operational decentralised risk governance constitute the first line of defence. Within the scope of their competencies, these units deliberately decide to assume or avoid risks. In this context, they must observe centrally determined standards, risk limits and risk lines as well as the adopted risk strategies. Compliance with these competencies and standards is monitored by means of internal controls.
• The second line of defence comprises the (independent) risk controlling function/risk management function, the compliance function and the actuarial function.
The (independent) risk controlling function or risk management function handles, in particular, the operational implementation of risk management and reports to management on the overall risk profile, among other matters. The Risk and Compliance department at W&W AG ("Risk" section) is responsible for risk management at the level of the W&W Group and W&W AG. The head of the "Risk" section holds the key function of "risk management" in accordance with Section 26 German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG) at the level of the W&W Group and W&W AG. In addition, the Insurance (Württembergische) and Housing (Wüstenrot) divisions each have their own risk management units. In each case, they perform the duties of the risk controlling function at the level of the respective subsidiaries. They also remain in close contact with the risk controlling function at the Group level.
The compliance function is responsible for adequate legal monitoring and the effectiveness of the compliance with internal and external regulations. The compliance function is supported in the operational performance of its duties by the Risk and Compliance department ("Compliance" section) at W&W AG.
The actuarial function is responsible, inter alia, for the correct calculation of the technical provisions, and it assists the relevant (independent) risk controlling function or risk management function in risk assessment. The actuarial function at W&W AG is exercised by the head of the Actuary and Casualty Reinsurance department of Württembergische Versicherung AG. For the Solvency II group, it is carried out at the level of W&W AG in a dual-functional role by the head of the section Risk Management Life and Health Insurance, Actuarial Management of Württembergische Versicherung AG.
• The Internal Audit department represents the third line of defence. It independently audits the appropriateness and effectiveness of the internal control system as well as the effectiveness of corporate processes, including the first two lines of defence. The internal audit duties at the Group level and at W&W AG are performed by the Group Audit department at W&W AG. The head of this unit acts as the responsible function holder. Corresponding audit functions have been established at the level of the individual companies.
Persons or divisions charged with exercising these functions must be able to perform their duties objectively, fairly and independently. For this reason, they are set up as strictly separate from risk-taking units (functional separation to avoid conflicts of interest). This principle is already observed at the Executive Board level by means of stringent bylaws and assignment of responsibilities.
The chart "Risk Management: Responsibilities and Function Holders" shows the responsibilities in risk management.


Good and effective risk management improves the implementation of business and risk strategy goals. However, it cannot ensure full security, as the effectiveness of the risk management is limited:
Forecast risk. To a significant extent, risk management is based on forecasts of future developments. Though the forecasts used regularly take the latest insights into consideration, there is no guarantee that such future developments – especially extreme events – will always occur as forecast by risk management.
Model risk. Suitable models are used for risk measurement and governance purposes. These models use assumptions in order to reduce the complexity of reality. They map only the circumstances considered to be material. Thus there is a risk of selecting unsuitable assumptions (specification risk) and a mapping risk if relevant circum-stances are reflected insufficiently in the models (estimation risk). Furthermore, model risks can arise from faulty model input (input risk) and improper model use (use risk).
Human risk factor. As intrinsic human judgement in corporate decision-making processes may be faulty despite the implemented control measures (internal control system, principle of dual control), the unpredictability of human action represents a risk. Likewise, there is a risk in connection with the uncertainty of the correctness of decisions made (human behaviour risk).
We reduce such risks, especially operational risks and business risks, as part of risk management. Although our risk management system is inherently suitable, it is never-theless possible that risks may not be duly identified or responded to under certain circumstances.
The risk management process W&W-Group is based on the closed control loop described in the integrated risk strategy as well as in the following.
In connection with the risk inventory process, the corporate and working environment is constantly monitored for potential risks, and identified risks must be reported without delay. This high penetration throughout the organisation makes a decisive contribution to promoting an appropriate risk culture.
Moreover, we have implemented a uniform, Group-wide new-product process for the purposes of identifying risks associated with the introduction of new products and sales channels and with the cultivation of new markets. This process incorporates the risk controlling units at the level of the Group and the individual companies.
Risks are systematically identified in the course of the annual risk inventory and during reviews of the risk situation throughout the year, as warranted by events. Here, assumed or potential risks are continually recorded, updated and documented. On the basis of an initial assessment for the respective individual company, defined threshold values are used to differentiate risks into material and immaterial risks.
Also evaluated is the extent to which individual risks can take on a material character through interaction or accumulation (risk concentrations).
Risks that are classified as material are managed in the four steps of the risk management process described in more detail in the following. For risks that are classified as immaterial, the responsible business units monitor them during the year, using (early-warning) risk indicators in order to determine whether they have changed, and evaluate them in full at least once a year.
This process step includes all methods, processes and systems that serve to adequately assess identified risks. Risks are largely assessed by means of a stochastic procedure using the value-at-risk standard. If this procedure cannot be used for certain risk areas, analytical computational procedures or regulatory standard procedures are applied, as well as expert estimates.
At both the Group level as well as the level of the individual W&W companies, the relevant statutory and regulatory confidence levels are applied for measuring risks from an economic perspective:
For the W&W Group, risks are depicted with a confidence level of 99.5%. The target and minimum ratios for economic risk-bearing capacity at the Group level are derived from the capital requirements that result from compliance with the aforementioned confidence levels at the associated individual companies. Accordingly, an overall confidence level in excess of 99.5% is achieved.
In addition, risks are assessed from a supervisory (normative) perspective using regulatory risk parameters. If risk models are employed that are oriented toward the balance sheet or income statement specific to the individual company, a confidence level of at least 95.0% is applied to them.
We include the results of these assessments in the evaluation of risk-bearing capacity or in additional risk controlling tools, taking into consideration potential risk concentrations. We regularly conduct sensitivity analyses in connection with stress scenarios for specific risk areas and across risk areas. Indicator analyses, such as (early-warning) risk indicators, augment the range of tools used to evaluate risk.
We define risk governance as the operational implementation of risk strategies in the risk-bearing business units. The decision to assume risk is made within the scope of business- and risk-specific requirements by the decision-making body in each individual company. Based on the risk strategy, the respective departments in our operating companies manage their own risk positions. Thresholds, signal systems, and limit and line systems are used to support risk governance. If the specified thresholds are exceeded, predefined actions or escalation processes are initiated.
As a rule, the entity that assumed the risks is responsible for managing and controlling them. In performing this task, it decides about products and transactions. It must continuously check whether the assumed risks are in conformity with the risk profile specified by the risk strategy of the W&W Group or one of its companies and whether risk-bearing capacity as well as the risk limits and risk lines are observed. Risk-taking and risk-monitoring tasks are strictly separated in terms of function.
Key management parameters at the Group level are the IFRS result and division-specific indicators. In order to link earnings management with risk governance, we conduct supplementary analyses for the purpose of value-oriented management. For us, this includes, inter alia, a present-value earnings perspective, optimisation and allocation of capital and internal risk governance.
The sufficiency of risk capitalisation is evaluated on several dimensions, which as a rule are equally weighted but highlight different objectives and aspects:
In addition, in accordance with the requirements for managing the balance sheet and the income statement, specific risk models oriented toward them are applied at the level of the individual companies.
While the economic and financial risk-bearing capacity concept has been developed and parameterised internally, the regulatory procedure follows the externally specified methodology.
In order to identify risks early on, risk indicators are employed to monitor changes in the risk situation. Such indicators include financial and risk indicators (e.g. risk-bearing capacity ratios, limit utilisations), supervisory indicators (e.g. capital ratios, liquidity coverage ratio) and market indicators (e.g. stock prices, credit spreads).
Material, quantifiable risks are controlled by means of limits and lines. Limits are set at most in the amount that permits compliance with the respective minimum ratios for economic risk-bearing capacity even where the limits are maxed out. Business is transacted solely within the scope of these limits and lines. By creating a corresponding limit and line system, risk concentrations in particular are limited both at the level of the individual company and at the level of the financial conglomerate.
The monitoring of risks, which is independent of the assumption of risks, primarily takes place at the level of the individual company. Where material risks exist that affect more than just the individual company, they are also monitored at the Group level. Monitoring activities are used to develop recommendations for action, which lead to corrective intervention being taken early on with respect to the objectives set forth in the business and risk strategy, and are subject to corresponding measures controlling.
By means of the established reporting processes, regular and timely reports are generated about the risk position of various groups or individual companies.
In this regard, the flow of information concerning the risk situation of the individual companies in the W&W Group is accomplished through internal risk reporting, risk inventory and calculation of risk-bearing capacity. The results of the companies affiliated with the Group are transmitted to the risk controlling function responsible for the W&W Group, which then aggregates them and analyses them for their impact on the W&W Group.
The key element of the risk reporting system is the quarterly overall risk report, which is sent to the Group Board Risk, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. Presented in this report are, in particular, the amount of available capital, regulatory and economic capital adequacy, compliance with limits and lines, the results of stress testing and the risk governance measures that have already been taken and that still need to be taken. Also reported on in this connection are significant trends in early-warning risk indicators. The overall risk report is presented to the Group Board Risk and discussed with respect to risk assessment. On this basis, action recommendations and measures are established where necessary for the W&W Group, which are then implemented and tracked by the responsible risk management units.
Depending on how critical it is, information that is considered material from the standpoint of risk is forwarded immediately to the Group Board Risk, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. Processes and reporting procedures are in place for internal ad-hoc risk reporting at the Group and individual company level. Quantitative criteria are used as thresholds, which as a rule are in line with internal and supervisory parameters. In addition, pertinent ad-hoc risk reporting is performed when qualitatively material events occur.
The operability, appropriateness and effectiveness of our risk management system is audited by the Internal Audit department. As part of the audits of financial statements, an audit firm audits the establishment of early risk detection systems at the individual company level and the appropriateness and effectiveness of the risk management at the level of the credit institutions, as well as that of the W&W Group.
The individual companies and W&W AG maintain risk capital in order to cover losses if assumed risks should occur. Risk management is responsible for managing and monitoring the ratio of risk capital to risk capital requirements (capital adequacy, risk-bearing capacity). Risk is managed from two perspectives:
With respect to regulatory capital adequacy, the ratio of regulatory capital to regulatory solvency requirements is monitored. Statutory and supervisory requirements relating to capital resources, risk-bearing capacity and other regulatory indicators apply for the financial conglomerate, the Solvency II group and W&W AG as an individual company. For this purpose the provisions of the German Banking Act (KWG), the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG), the German Act on the Supervision of Financial Conglomerates (FKAG) and the EU Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) are applied.
Moreover, avoidance of the risk of overindebtedness is an integral aspect of managing the balance sheet of the individual companies that are subject to banking supervision law. Compliance with this target ratio is monitored operationally at the level of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG.
Within the scope of economic capital adequacy, economic risk capital requirements are determined on the basis of an economic risk-bearing capacity model and compared with the available economic capital.
In order to ensure appropriate risk-bearing capacity, internal target ratios and minimum ratios are specified for both supervisory and economic capital adequacy
An overarching framework has been implemented for capital management in the W&W Group, the Solvency II group and W&W AG, which specifies the goals and principles for capital management and defines the capital management process. In particular, our capital management aims at:
Regulatory provisions establish requirements for regulatory capitalisation at the level of the individual companies and at the consolidated level.
In its risk strategy, the W&W Group has set internal target solvency ratios for the large subsidiaries and W&W AG, as well as at the level of the Solvency II group and the financial conglomerate, that exceed the current statutory requirements. The minimum target ratio for the Solvency II group and for the financial conglomerate is 130% (in application of the transitional measures for technical provisions and the volatility adjustment).
Internal calculations on the basis of the data for 2020 and on the basis of the planning horizon show that the regulatory requirements concerning capital resources will be satisfied by the financial conglomerate and by the Solvency II group in the future as well, under the assumptions on which the planning is based.
We have developed a Group-wide, present-value-oriented risk-bearing capacity model for the quantitative evaluation of the overall risk profile of the W&W Group. The available risk capital is allocated on the basis of the calculations of this economic risk-bearing capacity model, and suitable limits are derived.
The limit process in the W&W Group is based on an itera-tive bottom-up and top-down process. In consultation with the individual companies, W&W AG determines the maximum risk capital requirements at the individual company level and at the risk area level. Following approval of the limits at the Executive Board level, their operational implementation takes place in the risk management cycle. The assessed risk capital requirements are compared with the derived limits in order to ensure that the risk taken does not exceed the designated capital components. Responsibility for implementation and limit monitoring lies with the individual decentralised risk controlling units and, for the Group as a whole, with the Risk and Compliance department.
The risk position presented below is based on the data used by company management for economic risk governance and internal risk reporting. Material risks, which are determined by means of a standardised approach, are aggregated to form the risk capital requirements and compared with the financial funds available for risk coverage. As at 31 December 2020, the W&W Group's total risk capital requirements amounted to €3,456.7 million (previous year: €3,022.5 million).
For materiality reasons, the economic risk-bearing capacity model includes, at a minimum, the individual companies of risk class 1 in the form of a partial model. For the other W&W individual companies, risk-bearing capacity is monitored on the basis of the simplified approaches defined in the Group Risk Policy for the respective risk class. If W&W individual companies are not included in the economic model of risk-bearing capacity in the form of a partial model, risks are monitored within the investment risk of the respective company at the parent company.
As part of the risk strategy, the W&W Group strives for an economic risk-bearing capacity ratio (ratio of risk coverage capital to risk capital requirements) of greater than 145%. For W&W AG, the target ratio is greater than 125%. Our calculations show that risk-bearing capacity was above this target ratio as at 31 December 2020.
The assumption and management of risks is a key aspect of the W&W Group's business model. The risk profiles for the home loan and savings bank, for the property and casualty insurance companies and for the life and health insurance companies differ considerably. Since the risks assumed by these companies usually do not occur at the same time, the risk capital requirements of the Group are lower than the sum of the risk capital requirements of the individual companies. For example, a drop in interest rates, which may constitute a risk for life insurance companies or, depending on positioning, the home loan and savings bank, is largely independent of the occurrence of a natural disaster, which mainly affects only property and casualty insurance companies. The extent of this risk diversification effect depends, on the one hand, on the intercorrelation of the risks and, on the other, on their size in the individual companies. In terms of confidence-based modelling, the economic risk-bearing capacity model at the Group level takes into account only diversification effects that arise between the individual companies within the individual risk areas. Diversification had the following impact on economic risk capital requirements at the Group level as at 31 December 2020:

Diversification is very important for our business model, which features a broad product portfolio over various business segments and regions. Diversification between business segments helps us to better manage our risks, as it limits the economic impact of a single event. Moreover, it contributes to a relatively stable earnings and risk profile. The extent to which the diversification effect can be realised depends on the correlation between the risks as well as on the relative concentration within a risk area. We regard diversification as one of the strategic success factors of the W&W Group.
Apart from risk and earnings diversification, further diversification effects can be used in different areas due to the structure of the W&W Group. For example, this concerns capital fungibility within the W&W Group and the networked approach across division borders (know-how transfer).
In order to depict our risks transparently, we uniformly consolidate similar risks into risk areas on a Group-wide basis (see also the chart "Risk landscape of the W&W Group").

All reportable segments are exposed to the above-described risk areas. The sole exception is our home loan and savings bank, which does not show any underwriting risks specific to its business model. We separately draw attention to any segment-specific risks and risk management methods within the risk areas.
In describing the risks depicted below, we follow the methodology established by our internal risk reporting regulations. Where figures are provided in millions of euros or thousands of euros, and in the case of percentage figures with a decimal point, totalled amounts may having rounding differences due to commercial rounding rules.
The risk profile of the quantified risk areas was determined in accordance with our methods for economic risk-bearing capacity measurement (see the section "Economic capital adequacy"). As at 31 December 2020, the risk profile was distributed as follows:

¹ Risk areas quantified via economic risk bearing capacity model
Market price risks currently account for the largest share of risk capital requirements at 51.6% (previous year: 45.6%). These include, as the key types of risk, credit spread risks, stock price risks, and interest rate risks. Underwriting risks account for 19.6% (previous year: 21.8%). Due to the exposures in our capital investment portfolios and our customer lending activities, counterparty credit risks also constituted a significant risk area, accounting for 18.1% (previous year: 20.7%).
The following sections describe the material risk areas and, where relevant to the overall appraisal, the individual risk types.
We define market price risk as potential losses resulting from the uncertainty concerning future trends (size, volatility and structure) in market risk factors. Such market risk factors include interest rates, stock prices, currency exchange rates, commodities prices, real estate prices and corporate assets, as well as risk premiums (credit spreads) for a given credit risk. In the W&W Group, all risk types (except for commodity risk) forming part of market price risk are considered to be material and are detailed below.
Interest rate trends. The decline in long-term interest rates on the German bond market continued in 2020. For instance, the yield on the benchmark 10-year German government bond fell from –0.19% at the end of 2019 to a record low of –0.91% on 9 March 2020.
At the end of 2020, the yield on 10-year German government bonds stood at –0.57%. It thus declined by 38 basis points.
By contrast, yields for bonds with short-term maturities showed little change in 2020. In 2020 the yield on twoyear German government bonds reached a new record low of –1.03%. At the end of 2020, the yield stood at –0.70%, or ten basis points lower than at the end of 2019.
Trends in equities. Following initial upward movement, prices collapsed in mid-March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The stock exchanges recovered over the further course of the year. Overall, the DAX rose by 3.6% in 2020, while the Euro Stoxx 50 fell by 5.1%. The U.S. S&P 500 posted a gain of 16.3%.
Credit spread trends. Credit spreads narrowed from their highs in the first quarter, although they still continued to fluctuate on an elevated level compared with the time prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
We present additional details concerning trends in interest rates and equities in the section "Business environment".
Interest rate risk. In the W&W Group, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, in particular, are exposed to interest rate risks in the form of interest rate change risks and interest guarantee risks. In addition, W&W AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG, among others, are also exposed to interest rate risks.
Current interest rates pose a risk to earnings, as new investments and reinvestments can be made only at lower interest rates, while previously assured interest rates and interest obligations (interest guarantee risk) still need to be fulfilled for customers. They are also having an increasingly negative impact on valuation reserves. When interest rates drop, long-term obligations experience more severe changes in value than do interest-bearing investments due to the mismatch of maturities on the assets side and the liabilities side. The result is an interest rate change risk, which manifests itself in falling economic capital.
Quickly rising interest rates can also pose risks for the balance sheet and precipitate a decline in income components. In such a scenario, valuation reserves may evaporate, hidden liabilities may arise and write-downs may become necessary. This limits the leeway for satisfying the corresponding yield requirements on the liabilities side. In addition, customers might make increased use of their option rights.
This trend poses fundamental challenges not only for our risk management but also for our asset liability management (ALM).
Declining income components and higher risk capital requirements must be managed in close interaction.
Current interest rates place greater demands on our risk-minimising measures.
In the Life and Health Insurance segment (primarily, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG), the following measures continue to be taken in order to manage interest rate risks:
With Section 5 of the German Regulation on Calculation of the Provision for Future Policy Benefits (DeckRV), the legislators expanded the framework, which is also recognised for tax purposes, for strengthening the provision for future policy benefits in the form of an additional interest reserve in the new portfolio. The amount of the additional interest reserve is determined by the reference interest rate, which is based on the average of Euro interest swap rates over 10 years. In 2020 the reference interest rate dropped to 1.73% (previous year: 1.92%).
Based on the regulations for the additional interest reserve, an interest rate reinforcement established in the business plan was provided in the old portfolio. The amount of interest rate reinforcement is determined by the measurement interest rate, which amounted to 1.73% (previous year: 1.92%) for Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and to 2.17% (previous year: 2.30%) for ARA Pensionskasse AG. In the Group, the additional interest reserve and interest rate reinforcement were strengthened by €352.3 million (previous year: €364.8 million) on this basis. In order to depict the build-up of the additional interest rate reserve and interest rate reinforcement as realistically as possible, capital disbursement probabilities were applied in this regard that are specific to each company. For 2021 we expect a further decline in the interest rates relevant to valuation and thus a further increase in the additional interest reserve and in interest rate reinforcement. Since 2010, we have gradually increased the security level of the computation basis "interest rate" for annuity insurance policies in the old portfolio by means of reserve reinforcements.
Persistently low interest rates also pose great challenges for pension funds, including Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG, in terms of financing the build-up of the additional interest reserve/interest rate reinforcement under the ancillary condition of regulatory solvency. In the current environment of low interest rates, the financing of this build-up by this company is considered challenging. If the current phase of low interest rates becomes exacerbated or more prolonged, this will aggravate the situation. The interest rate calculation basis is appropriate only in the short to medium term. Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG, working together with its sole shareholder Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and in coordination with the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), develops far-reaching proposed solutions, some of which have already been implemented. Pursuant to section 140 (1) of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG), Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG withdrew EUR 7.0 million from the provision for premium refunds in 2020, which was recognised as income. The funds are being used to build up the additional interest rate reserve and for interest rate reinforcement. Because of the willingness of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG to support Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG, the capital reserve was increased by EUR 30.0 million in the 2020 financial year. Other measures are being reviewed and implemented.
The interest rate risk was lowered in the technical provisions for Property/Casualty. This was achieved by lowering both the interest rate factor associated with reserving for long-term losses in the motor liability segment and the actuarial interest rate used to calculate the provisions for future annuity benefits in the segments motor liability insurance, accident insurance and general liability insurance.
In the Housing segment (mainly Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG), we continued to take the following risk-minimising measures:
Credit spread risk. Credit spread risk means the risk that the value of receivables will change because of a change to the applicable credit spread for the respective issuer or counterparty – despite an unchanged credit rating over time. The credit spread refers to the risk premium in the form of higher interest on a security subject to credit risk in relation to a comparable security without risk. Thus, a clear distinction is made between credit spread risk, migration risk and default risk. Accordingly, only credit spread changes that do not result from a change (migration, including default) of the rating are monitored for securities.
Owing to the structure of our investment portfolio – investment predominantly in fixed-income securities – credit spread risk is the most important of the market price risks. In interaction with risk controlling methods, counterparty credit risk is subject to stringent management of credit spread risks (e.g. risk lines). Among other things, coordination was intensified in the areas of emerging markets, convertible bonds and high yields.
Participation risk. Within the W&W Group, significant participations are held by W&W AG, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG as individual companies. As part of strategic asset allocation, the focus is increasingly on alternative investments, including private equity participations and participations in private debt funds. Alternative investments are accounted for in the economic risk-bearing capacity model mainly together with stock price risks.
As a result of the high proportion of participations in the capital investment portfolio, W&W AG is subject to very material participation risks due to its business model. When participation risks materialise, valuation losses can result in the writing down of participations, the non-payment of dividends or the need to make contributions to earnings.
We influence the business and risk policy of our participations, inter alia, through our representation in supervisory bodies, depending on the size and significance of the participations.
Stock price risk. Of the companies of the W&W Group, significant equity portfolios are held by Württembergische Versicherung AG, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and W&W AG. For Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, the conditions were created in the reporting year for investing in equities pursuant to the German Home Loan and Savings Bank Act (BausparkG).
Sudden and severe price slumps on the equity markets could impair the risk-bearing capacity of the Group companies that invest in equities by forcing write-downs.
Stock price risks are reduced with suitable hedging strategies using derivatives (e.g. put options, short futures).
For the holdings of our companies with significant stock portfolios, whose market value totalled €627.3 million, the market value changes in the case of an index fluctuation of the EURO STOXX 50 were as follows as at 31 December 2020:
| Market value | Change in market value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | Increase by 10% |
Increase by 20% |
Decrease by 10% |
Decrease by 20% |
|
| WL1 | 402.0 | 30.9 | 61.0 | –31.0 | –61.3 |
| WV1 | 154.4 | 13.0 | 25.9 | –12.9 | –25.4 |
| W&W AG1 | 70.9 | 5.8 | 11.5 | –5.8 | –11.4 |
| Total | 627.3 | 49.7 | 98.4 | –49.7 | –98.1 |
1 Market value of equities = physical market value of equities + market value of options + market-value equivalent of futures.
Foreign currency risk. Foreign currency risks can result from open net FX positions in globally aligned investment funds, as well as from foreign currency bonds and equity instruments held by our insurance companies (mainly Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG).
In accordance with our strategic orientation, our foreign currency exposure is concentrated in Danish krones and U.S. dollars. Within the scope of individual fund mandates, we also have minor exposure in other currencies.
We hold the material foreign currency portfolios on the assets side for the purpose of currency-congruent coverage of underwriting liabilities. To limit foreign currency risks, we mainly invest in investment products in the euro zone. Most of our foreign currency exposure is hedged against exchange rate fluctuations. As part of active foreign currency management, the insurance companies systematically make use of income opportunities through open foreign currency positions.
Real estate risk. Within the W&W Group, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, W&W AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG hold property portfolios in the form of direct investments and via fund mandates and participations. Our diversified property portfolios are an integral part of our investment portfolio.
Our property investments focus on direct investments in Germany with stable value development and high fungibility. In keeping with strategic asset allocation, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG has made investments for the purpose of further diversification, in line with the internationalisation of the property portfolio.
Real estate risks are to be minimised by means of an appropriate selection of properties. Real estate risk plays a minor role compared with the other types of market price risk. In view of recently rising property prices in various regions and segments, however, future price corrections cannot be ruled out, particularly in the event of a sharp downturn in the economy.
Commodity risk. As part of a comprehensive risk hierarchy, commodity risks, if any, are monitored and analysed. As at the reporting date, there were no material exposures in commodities.
Coronavirus pandemic. In 2020 the development of the coronavirus pandemic caused increased volatility on the capital markets.
Current interest rates are being shaped by continued expansive monetary policies, which are also being driven by the coronavirus, and the risk aversion of investors. Credit spreads reflect the current uncertainties concerning imminent counterparty credit risks created by the economic downturn (defaults, downgrades).
In the area of equity investments, the losses suffered at the start of the coronavirus pandemic were able to be recouped in part. Nevertheless, there is also a risk here of new price corrections. With regard to participations in alternative investments, the measurement declines occasioned by the coronavirus were able to be largely offset. Nevertheless, it is not possible to rule out delayed effects in the form of measurement declines or smaller distributions.
In the property area, there was a significant rise in rent arrears, particularly with key commercial lessees in the retail, hotel and office sectors. However, the vast majority of rent payments were made on time. It cannot be ruled out that rent losses will increase if the coronavirus pandemic does not abate.
For more information about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, please see the section "Coronavirus pandemic".
Despite the fact that the capital markets have partially recovered from the previous extreme distortions during the coronavirus pandemic, we expect that the W&W Group will be exposed to increased risks in the area of market price risk in 2021, as well.
Strategic asset allocation. Strategic asset allocation forms the basis of our investment policy and thus is one of the most significant factors that influence our risk situation in the market price risk area. In this context, the companies place emphasis on an appropriate mix and spread of asset classes, as well as on broad diversification by industry, region and investment style. With our capital investments, we pursue an investment policy that is in line with the principles of sufficient profitability, liquidity and security. The two main objectives are to maintain adequate liquidity and to ensure the required minimum return.
Organisation. The respective executive boards specify the strategic asset allocation at the level of the individual company. Operational management of the various asset classes (equities, bonds, alternative investments, real estate and currencies) is handled by the front-office units.
The property portfolio management unit develops investment concepts for the "real estate" asset class. The Alternative Investments section is responsible for investments in the area of private equity, private debt, renewable energies and infrastructure.
Our strategic participation activities are supervised by Group Controlling. The decentralised and centralised risk controlling units operate as independent monitoring units for capital investment risks, include by means of operational limit monitoring.
For the market price risk area and the described risk types, we mainly apply the following risk controlling methods and procedures (see the chart "Risk Management").
Q Asset Allocation Q Economic risk-bearing capacity model Q Limit system Q Deployment of financial instruments Q Sensitivity and scenario analyses Q Diversification Q Monitoring Q New-product process Q Reporting Q Risk indicators
| Company | Risk controlling (specific) | |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate risk | Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG Württembergische Versicherung AG |
Q Asset liability management Q Duration control Q Product and pricing policies |
| Credit spread risk | Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG Württembergische Versicherung AG |
Q Credit management Q Risk lines |
| Share risk | Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Württembergische Versicherung AG |
Q Hedging strategies (stop-loss) Q Monitoring of hedging ratios |
| Foreign exchange risk | Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Württembergische Versicherung AG |
Q Congruent coverage |
| Real estate risk | Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Württembergische Versicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Real estate portfolio management |
| Long-term equity investment risk |
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Württembergische Versicherung AG |
Q Long-term equity investment controlling Q Economic planning Q Projections during the year Q Monthly target/actual comparisons |
Economic risk-bearing capacity model. We quantify the risks from interest rate changes both on the assets side and on the liabilities side using economic models. The companies included in our economic risk-bearing capacity model at the Group level measure market price risk economically, i.e. they take future discounted cash flows and market values into consideration on the basis of a value-at-risk model. For this purpose, the assets and liabilities are measured in the risk-bearing capacity model of the respective individual companies on the basis of simulated capital market scenarios. Each individual company can draw on economic values in 10,000 capital market scenarios, both for the relevant overall portfolio and for the subportfolios that are exposed to risks associated with interest rates, spreads, stock prices, real estate and participations. These scenarios are used to calculate the value at risk for each individual company with respect to market price risks, as well as risks associated with interest rates, spreads, stock prices, real estate and participations. Correlations between the risk types are implicitly taken into consideration in simulated scenarios. Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG are included in this regard on the basis of scenarios derived from the standard formula scenarios under Solvency II.
Foreign currency risks are taken into consideration in the asset classes in which they are incurred. In the case of bonds/cash flows, exchange rate fluctuations that are closely tied to trends in foreign currency interest rates are monitored simultaneously along with interest rate fluctuations and are fully allocated to interest rate risk. Currency fluctuations of equities listed in foreign currency are duly taken into consideration in evaluating stock price risks.
We supplement our stochastic modelling with sensitivity analyses that pinpoint the value changes of the portfolios in connection with market fluctuations. Further model assumptions and procedural premises are explained in the section "Economic capital adequacy".
As at 31 December 2020, the risk profile for the market price risk area was determined according to our methods for risk-bearing capacity measurement (see the section "Economic capital adequacy"). It was distributed as follows:

In 2020 the market price risks that we accepted were in conformity with the risk strategy and the strategic asset allocation. The risk limit was consistently complied with at the Group level.
Company-specific procedures. In addition to our Groupwide perspective, the individual companies closely monitor their market price risks with comparable procedures.
In the Life and Health Insurance segment, the companies also made use of balance-sheet-oriented models for the calculation and analysis of whether planned or, as the case may be, currently projected net income can be achieved.
In the Housing segment, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG maintains a risk management system designed especially for German covered bond business pursuant to Section 27 of the German Pfandbrief Act (PfandBG).
Sensitivity and scenario analyses. From the Group perspective, we regularly run economic stress scenarios in order to identify credit spread and interest rate sensitivities and simulate trends on the equity and property markets under changed assumptions. The effects of possible market price scenarios on the Group's earnings and equity are presented and explained in Note 45 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Asset liability management. As part of asset liability management, asset and liability positions are managed and monitored in such a way that they correspond to the company's risk profile. We counter interest guarantee risks by managing durations and applying a dynamic product and pricing policy.
Financial instruments. In terms of strategic and tactical asset allocation, the companies of the W&W Group made use of derivative financial instruments in 2020. Stock price risks are reduced with suitable hedging strategies using derivatives (e.g. put options, short futures).
Participation controlling. Participations are subject to stringent controlling. Among other things, this comprises the annual planning of dividends, medium-term economic planning, projections during the year and monthly target/actual comparisons for material participations. Additionally, separate processes for risk governance and risk controlling are in place for private equities and alternative investments. In this way, impending participation risks can be responded to at an early stage.
Congruent coverage. Because we cover underwriting liabilities in foreign currency with suitable investments in the same currency, the currency risks resulting from these positions are limited due to maximum congruence, as well as due to the comparatively low volume.
Monitoring. We continually monitor trends on the capital markets in order to be able to promptly adjust our positioning and our hedging.
New-products process. Prior to their introduction, new products (lending and deposit products) are submitted to a new-products process, especially in order to ensure proper handling by the accounting department and in the risk controlling systems.
We define counterparty credit risk as potential losses that may result if borrowers or debtors default or experience a deterioration in creditworthiness.
Counterparty credit risks can arise from the default or changed rating of securities (counterparty credit risk as-sociated with capital investments), from the default of business partners in customer lending business (counter-party credit risk associated with customer lending business) and from the default on receivables due from our counterparties in reinsurance (other counterparty credit risk).
Credit spreads for financial securities and corporate bonds widened considerably as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in the first half of 2020. Thereafter, they narrowed again, although they still continued to fluctuate on an elevated level compared with the time prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the area of interest-bearing securities, a deterioration in creditworthiness was observed in several sectors, particularly in the first half of 2020. This was mainly attributable to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. There were no major changes in rating classifications in the second half of 2020.
Counterparty credit risk from investments. Primarily Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Württembergische Versicherung AG, W&W AG and Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG are exposed to counterparty credit risks from investments. In line with our strategic orientation, the credit rating structure of our interest-bearing investments is conservative, with 94.5% (prior year: 96.9%) of investments in the investment grade range.
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | ||
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % | ||
| Aaa | 15,146.7 | 35.8 | 16,469.0 | 41.0 | |
| Aa1 | 7,370.9 | 17.4 | 6,399.0 | 15.9 | |
| Aa2 | 4,809.9 | 11.4 | 4,250.6 | 10.6 | |
| Aa3 | 2,500.8 | 5.9 | 2,152.7 | 5.4 | |
| A1 | 1,491.7 | 3.5 | 1,532.6 | 3.8 | |
| A2 | 1,583.2 | 3.7 | 934.5 | 2.3 | |
| A3 | 2,045.6 | 4.8 | 1,790.0 | 4.5 | |
| Baa1 | 2,094.2 | 5.0 | 2,337.1 | 5.8 | |
| Baa2 | 1,362.8 | 3.2 | 1,423.9 | 3.5 | |
| Baa3 | 1,591.0 | 3.8 | 1,683.2 | 4.2 | |
| Non-investment grade / Not rated | 2,306.8 | 5.5 | 1,230.3 | 3.1 | |
| Total | 42,303.6 | 100.0 | 40,202.9 | 100.0 |
The presentation of our counterparty credit exposures is based on the scope of consolidation for accounting purposes.
Our risk exposure by rating class at the segment level is shown in the following table:
| Portfolio carrying amount | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaa - Aa | A - Baa | NIG/NR | Total | ||||
| in € million | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | ||
| Housing | 5,607.9 | 2,764.6 | 34.2 | 8,406.7 | 19.9 | ||
| Life and Health Insurance | 22,112.9 | 5,934.0 | 2,082.7 | 30,129.6 | 71.2 | ||
| Property and Casualty Insurance | 1,281.3 | 622.7 | 125.5 | 2,029.5 | 4.8 | ||
| All other segments | 826.2 | 847.1 | 64.5 | 1,737.8 | 4.1 | ||
| Total | 29,828.3 | 10,168.4 | 2,306.9 | 42,303.6 | 100.0 | ||
| Share of rating cluster, in % | 70.5 | 24.0 | 5.5 | 100.0 |
Note 46 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements presents all of our assets by rating class and maturity structure in accordance with international accounting requirements.
Our interest-bearing investments generally have a good collateralisation structure. Most of the capital investments with financial institutions are secured by government liability or liens.
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | |
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % | |
| Public | 18,020.3 | 42.6 | 16,148.0 | 40.2 |
| German covered bond | 9,947.9 | 23.5 | 10,712.4 | 26.6 |
| Deposit guarantee or government liability | 5,876.6 | 13.9 | 6,125.7 | 15.2 |
| Uncovered | 8,458.8 | 20.0 | 7,216.8 | 18.0 |
| Total | 42,303.6 | 100.0 | 40,202.9 | 100.0 |
| The presentation of our counterparty credit exposures is based on the scope of consolidation for accounting purposes. |
The collateralisation structure of the W&W Group's interest-bearing investments at the segment level is shown in the following table:
| Portfolio carrying amount | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public | German covered bond |
Deposit guarantee or government liability |
Uncovered | Total | ||||
| in € million | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | |||
| Housing | 2,709.2 | 2,235.1 | 1,122.8 | 2,339.7 | 8,406.8 | |||
| Life and Health Insurance | 14,336.1 | 6,488.7 | 4,440.0 | 4,864.9 | 30,129.7 | |||
| Property/Casualty Insurance | 586.4 | 773.2 | 176.6 | 493.2 | 2,029.4 | |||
| All other segments | 388.5 | 450.8 | 137.3 | 761.1 | 1,737.7 | |||
| Total | 18,020.2 | 9,947.8 | 5,876.7 | 8,458.9 | 42,303.6 | |||
| Share of collateralisation structure, in % | 42.6 | 23.5 | 13.9 | 20.0 | 100.0 |
| Portfolio carrying amount |
Share in total exposure in % |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | Germany | Europe | Central/ South America |
North America |
Asia | Africa | Other | Total | |
| Housing | 660.1 | 2,049.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2,709.1 | 15.0 |
| Life and Health Insurance | 5,461.6 | 7,130.7 | 224.6 | 543.5 | 68.4 | 253.4 | 653.9 | 14,336.1 | 79.6 |
| Property and Casualty Insurance | 174.0 | 221.0 | 24.8 | 21.3 | 5.2 | 29.9 | 110.3 | 586.5 | 3.3 |
| All other segments | 118.3 | 187.8 | 12.7 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 15.0 | 48.0 | 388.5 | 2.2 |
| Total | 6,414.0 | 9,588.5 | 262.1 | 568.5 | 76.6 | 298.3 | 812.2 | 18,020.2 | 100.0 |
| Share in % | 35.6 | 53.2 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 4.5 | 100.0 |
This presentation of our counterparty credit exposures is based on the scope of consolidation for accounting purposes.
In addition to classic government bonds, it also takes into consideration bonds of states/regional governments, municipalities/municipal associations and other public authorities. The presentation is broken down by economic zone (EEA, MERCOSUR, NAFTA, ASEAN, AU, Other).
As at 31 December 2020, we held bonds issued by peripheral EMU countries (Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain) totalling €1,457.0 million (previous year: €1,790.8 million). Of this amount, Spain accounted for €590.6 million (previous year: €810.9 million) and Italy for €178.5 million (previous year: €440.7 million).
In 2020 the global coronavirus pandemic, as well as individual country-specific developments, caused high volatility, particular in the emerging markets segment. The portfolios that invest predominantly in funds of insurance companies are subject to intensive monitoring.
Subordinate exposure. Although our subordinate exposures (profit participation rights, silent participations and other subordinate receivables) increased to €1,783.7 million (previous year: €1,679.9.0 million), they still account
for only a small proportion of the total volume of our investment portfolio.
On the financial markets, increased credit-rating-induced default risks persist for uncovered and subordinate exposures, especially for investments in the financial sector. Losses of interest and reductions in nominal value (haircuts) still cannot be ruled out.
The W&W Group's most significant counterparty credit risks from customer loans exist at Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG. Less important are the mortgage portfolios of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, which at the end of the year had a carrying amount pursuant to the German Commercial Code (HGB) of €1,385.0 million (previous year: €1,571.4 million).
| Portfolio | Share | Portfolio | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | ||
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % |
| 18,838.3 | 98.7 | 17,558.6 | 99.1 |
| 293.2 | 1.5 | 349.1 | 2.0 |
| 247.9 | 1.3 | 167.6 | 0.9 |
| 19,086.2 | 100.0 | 17,726.2 | 100.0 |
At the end of the year, the credit risk provision rate of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG pursuant to the German Commercial Code (HGB) (net credit risk provision in relation to the credit portfolio) amounted to an expense of 0.14% (prior year: expense of 0.04%), and the credit default rate pursuant to the HGB (credit default in relation to the credit portfolio) amounted to - 0.02% (prior year: 0.02%). As at the closing date, the expected probability of default of the credit portfolio was 1.50% (previous year: 1.82%). The average loss given default (LGD) amounted to 9.06% (previous year: 9.08%).
Our receivables portfolio mainly consists of loans, most of which are secured by land charges (Grundpfandrechte), which are similar to mortgages, and are intrinsically diversified. Because of the high granularity, there are no appreciable risk concentrations in our customer loan portfolio. Due to our strategic orientation, our loan portfolios are mainly subject to pool and structural risks.
For an additional examination of counterparty credit risks from customer business under IFRS accounting, please see Note 46.
Other counterparty credit risk. W&W AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG may be exposed to bad-debt risks vis-à-vis other contracting partners, particularly in connection with reinsurance. Bad-debt risks in reinsurance business (risk type "other counterparty credit risk") were determined on the basis of the economic risk-bearing capacity model, and they remain constant at a low level.
As at the reporting date, 98.9% (previous year: 96.1%) of the recognised receivables of W&W AG, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG from reinsurance business in the amount of €250.3 million (previous year: €258.4 million) were due from companies with a rating of A or better.
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | |
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % | |
| AAA | – | – | – | – |
| AA | 207.5 | 82.9 | 201.7 | 78.1 |
| A | 40.0 | 16.0 | 46.7 | 18.1 |
| BBB | – | – | – | – |
| BB | – | – | – | – |
| B | – | – | – | – |
| CCC and lower | – | – | – | – |
| No rating | 2.8 | 1.1 | 10.0 | 3.9 |
| Total | 250.3 | 100.0 | 258.4 | 100.0 |
1 Amounts receivable + funds withheld by ceding companies + shares of technical provisions, less collateral
Coronavirus pandemic. Deteriorated creditworthiness was observed in 2020 due to the impact that the coronavirus pandemic had in the area of interest-bearing investments in some sectors.
To date, there have been no payment defaults. In customer lending business, approximately 3,800 customers of the W&W Group made use of the statutory moratorium in 2020 in order to defer principal and interest payments. Most customers resumed making the agreed payments when the statutory moratorium expired. The risk provision was adjusted to conform to the higher uncertainty, as well as to the increased likelihood of payment defaults in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties about further developments, we expect that the W&W Group will be exposed to increased risks in the area of counterparty credit risk in 2021 as well.
Diversification and core business. We limit counterparty credit risks through the careful selection of issuers and reinsurance partners, as well as through broadly diversified investments. In this context, we take into consideration the investment rules applicable to the respective business area. Contracting partners and securities are mainly limited to those with good credit ratings in the investment grade range. In customer lending business, we
largely focus on construction financing loans for retail customers, which are secured with in-rem collateral. Our strategic focus on residential construction loans excludes individual loans that endanger the portfolio. Counterparty credit risks are strategically and structurally managed by the risk committees of the divisions on the basis of the requirements specified in the risk strategy.
Organisational structure. In customer lending business, operational risk governance is handled by the lending units and the back offices of our subsidiaries. We control and manage counterparty credit risks from customer lending business through careful credit review and scoring procedures, clear approval guidelines, loans secured with in-rem collateral, various monitored and limited (early-warning) risk indicators and a system that automatically determines any impairments.
The front office in the treasury of the Housing division and the financial controlling section of the Insurance division are responsible for the operational management of our investment activities. The responsible risk controlling areas operate as independent monitoring units.
The Group Credit Committee has been set up for over-arching credit management. It develops proposals for loan decisions in the institutional area and submits them to the Group Board Risk for adoption
For the counterparty credit risk area and the types of risks detailed here, we mainly apply the following risk controlling methods and procedures (see chart "Risk Management – Method Depiction").
| Risk management | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method depiction | ||||
| Underwriting | Risk controlling (Group-wide) Q Economic risk-bearing capacity model Q Limit system Q Actuarial analyses Q Reinsurance or retrocession Q Sensitivity and scenario analyses Q Reporting Q Risk-oriented product development and structure Q Risk indicators |
|||
| risk area | ||||
| Company | Risk controlling (specific) | |||
| Insurance risk life insurance |
Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Price and underwriting policies Q Determination of profit participation Q Management of inventories and services |
||
| Insurance risk health insurance |
Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Price and underwriting policies Q Determination of profit participation Q Management of inventories and services |
||
| Insurance risk property/casualty insurance |
Württembergische Versicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Reserves policy Q Portfolio and claims management Q Premium and underwriting policy |
Economic risk-bearing capacity model. With regard to our home loan savings bank and our insurance companies, we not only monitor counterparty credit risk from investment activities at an individual level but also evaluate them at the portfolio level with our credit portfolio model. This a based on a credit-value-at-risk approach that is standard in the industry. Risk capital requirements are calculated as value at risk applying one-year default and migration probabilities.
The loss distribution is generated with Monte Carlo simulations. The stochastic model is based on market data and takes default probabilities as well as the probability of migrations between different credit rating classes into consideration.
As a governance toolkit, our continually enhanced loan portfolio model enables us to dynamically adapt credit lines to rating changes.
The customer loan portfolios of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG are also measured with a standard credit-value-at-risk model. An analytical approach is used for this purpose.
The risk profile of the counterparty credit risk area was determined according to our methods for risk-bearing capacity measurement (see section "Economic capital adequacy"), and as at 31 December 2020 it was distributed as follows:

Risks from our investments constitute the greatest proportion of risk capital requirements for counterparty credit risks. Measured against total economic risk capital, the proportion amounted to 15.5% (previous year: 14.7%). In 2020 counterparty credit risks were in line with the risk strategy. The risk limit was consistently complied with at the Group level.
Sensitivity and scenario analyses. In the counterparty credit risk area, we regularly run stress scenarios at the Group level. On the basis of these, we analyse the effects of changed parameter assumptions and simulated defaults of material counterparties and reinsurance partners. Risk classification and scoring procedures. We manage and monitor counterparty credit risks in customer lending business with application and behaviour scoring procedures. The risk classification procedure implemented at Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG enables the management of customer loan portfolios through allocation to risk classes on the basis of loss potential.
Limit and line system. Risk limitation serves to limit risks to a maximum permissible level that corresponds to the risk appetite. It is carried out by allocating risk coverage capital to risk areas. In order to prevent risk concentrations from forming with respect to individual investment counterparties, a limit is set at the level of issuer groups (bor-rower units). A Group-wide risk line system is used for this purpose.
To assess counterparty credit risks from investments and determine lines, the W&W Group draws on the evaluations of international rating agencies, which it verifies and supplements with its own creditworthiness analyses. The lines are subject to regular review.
The utilisation of the limits and lines is monitored by the decentralised risk controlling units and comprehensively by the Risk and Compliance department ("Risk" section).
Owing to its business model, the W&W Group's investment portfolio is strongly focused on government bonds, financials (especially bank stocks) and corporate bonds. Counterparty credit risks that result from portfolio concentrations are reduced through a targeted selection of counterparties and by the risk line system, but they cannot of course be completely ruled out.
Collateral management. Collateral management is an integral element of the loan management process for the individual companies in the W&W Group that make loans. Our loan risk controlling units apply strict standards for the quality of accepted collateral. Property collateral is mainly furnished in the form of land charges (Grundpfandrechte), which are similar to mortgages. In addition, we use guaranties and financial collateral. In order to minimise counterparty credit risks from trading transactions, cash collateral is normally required. The foundation consists of master agreements with the respective counterparties, which are based on such market standards as the German Master Agreement for Financial Futures.
Risk provisions. Impending defaults relating to customer transactions, investments or reinsurance business are taken into account by means of appropriate impairments. The methodology for the creation of risk provisions and the taking of impairments, as well as how they changed in 2020, are presented in Note 46 "Counterparty credit risk" in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
In customer lending business at Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, risk provisions are calculated at the individual contract level with the aid of the parameters probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD) and exposure at default (EAD), and they are based on the expected loan default. All changes in the customer loan portfolio with respect to credit rating or collateral structure thus directly result in a change to the risk provisions.
Monitoring. We carefully monitor and analyse our investments in order to identify risks that may arise from trends on the capital markets. For this purpose, we draw on the economic expertise of W&W Asset Management GmbH. Furthermore, all indicators provided in the aforementioned instruments and procedures are included in the monitoring.
Underwriting risk means potential losses that arise in connection with previously calculated premiums from the uncertainty concerning future trends in claims and costs from concluded insurance contracts. Thus, it covers all specific risks of the insurance business, including premium and reserve risks, cancellation risks and disaster risks in property and casualty insurance, as well as biometric risks, cancellation risks, cost risks, revision risks and disaster risks in life and health insurance. Due to external events (e.g. natural disasters), risks associated with individual contracts may add up to accumulation risks. These risks occur only at insurance companies (primary insurance and reinsurance).
According to provisional calculations by the German In-surance Association (GDV), premium income earned by property/casualty insurers rose moderately by approximately 2.3% to €74.9 billion. As at the end of 2020, gross premiums written by life insurers stood amounted to €99.4 billion, which was at the level of the previous year. For further information, please see the Business Report in the section "Industry trends".
The loss ratio (net) for the 2020 financial year increased compared with the previous year. Year on year, 2020 saw slightly lower expenses of €52.1 million (previous year: €65.3 million) for natural disaster claims. The underwriting risk in life insurance is closely related to the interest guarantee risk, which is described in the chapter "Market price risk". Concerning the presentation of the risks from our insurance portfolio, please also see the information in Note 47 "Underwriting risk" in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Concerning net loss ratios and net settlement ratios, please see Note 19 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Biometric risk. Biometric risks result from the deviation of expected biometric trends from actual biometric trends. They are affected by exogenous influences, such as life expectancy, mortality, probability of invalidity and medical advances. Risks arise both from short-term fluctuations and from longer-term change trends.
Cancellation risk. Cancellation risk means the detrimental change in the value of insurance liabilities as a result of changes in the amount or volatility of the cancellation, termination, renewal and redemption rates of insurance contracts. Scenarios are run to analyse a direct permanent increase of the cancellation rates, a permanent decline in cancellation rates and mass cancellation.
In property and casualty insurance, underwriting risks consist primarily of premium and reserve risks.
Premiums risk. If costs and claims remain stable or increase, premiums may be inadequate if they fall or are not calculated in line with needs. Premiums risks mainly result from natural disasters, accumulation risks and catastrophes. The principle source of accumulation risks are natural disasters, like storms, hail, flooding and, in rare cases, also earthquakes.
The premiums risk of the W&W Group is significantly shaped by Württembergische Versicherung AG. The longterm trends in net loss ratios (ratio of net expenses for insured events to net premiums earned) and net settlement ratios (ratio of net settlement results from provisions for outstanding insurance claims to initial loss provisions) for Württembergische Versicherung AG were as follows:
| Loss ratios | Settlement ratios | |
|---|---|---|
| in % | ||
| 2010 | 69.5 | 7.8 |
| 2011 | 64.4 | 8.7 |
| 2012 | 67.2 | 7.5 |
| 2013 | 74.1 | 6.8 |
| 2014 | 68.5 | 4.9 |
| 2015 | 65.8 | 6.8 |
| 2016 | 63.8 | 6.7 |
| 2017 | 63.6 | 6.6 |
| 2018 | 61.8 | 7.1 |
| 2019 | 63.3 | 6.3 |
| 2020 | 64.1 | 2.8 |
Concerning net claims ratios and net settlement ratios, please see Note 19 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
W&W AG essentially acts as the reinsurer within the Group. We present the claims and settlement ratios in the section "Risk landscape and risk profile of W&W AG".
Reserve risk. Reserve risk means the risk of inadequate loss reserves. The settlement of claims can fluctuate with respect to time and amount, meaning that the reserves set up for claims benefits may not be sufficient. The change in loss reserves can be seen from the run-off triangles presented in Note 47 to the consolidated financial statements. This overview shows that adequate loss reserves have always been created thus far. The settlement ratios can be found in the table presented above.
Coronavirus pandemic. At the time that the authorities ordered the closure of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic, Württembergische Versicherung AG had business closure insurance policies in its portfolio. Since the coronavirus pathogen was not defined in the policies, the company believes that they do not cover a closure of entire types of businesses that is ordered by the authorities in order to disrupt chains of infection. Württembergische Versicherung AG has joined in the industry-wide ex gratia arrangement and is examining any ex gratia claims on a case-by-case basis. Provisions were created for this. For further details about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, please see the notes.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties about further developments and the ultimate loss/benefits volume, we expect that the W&W Group will be exposed in some cases to increased risks in the area of underwriting risk in 2021 as well.
Focus on domestic business. The W&W Group conducts primary insurance business in life and health insurance and in property and casualty insurance for private and commercial customers in its business-strategic core market of Germany. In doing so, it also relies on digital distribution channels (e.g. the digital brand Adam Riese). The discontinuation of new underwriting by the UK subsidiary of Württembergische Versicherung AG at end of 2007 and the sale of the Czech insurance companies in January 2016 have greatly reduced the international risk exposure of our Group. Despite the discontinuation of new under-writing by its UK subsidiary, Württembergische Versicherung AG is liable in this respect for business underwritten up to and including 2007.
In accordance with internal provisions, the companies of the W&W Group enter into insurance transactions only where the risks associated with them do not endanger the company as a going concern. This is supported by means of optimisation of cost and claims management. Incidental risks that cannot be influenced are limited with suitable and adequate protective instruments (e.g. reinsurance).
Low industrial risks. Industrial risks are underwritten only to a limited and clearly defined extent and are fur-thermore extensively reinsured, meaning that our portfolio is not jeopardised by large individual risks.
Limited assumed reinsurance business. Owing to the planned expansion of corporate customer business through integrated insurance programmes for German policyholders with primary domicile or primary risk in Germany, Württembergische Versicherung AG has begun underwriting facultative indirect business and foreign insurance pools. Württembergische Versicherung AG no longer conducts other active reinsurance business. With the exception of German market pools, W&W AG still does not underwrite any reinsurance outside the Group.
Organisational structure. The risk management of life and health insurance companies and property and casualty insurance companies, which is responsible for measuring underwriting risks, is closely interwoven with risk management at the Group level and integrated in the risk management system of the W&W Group through cross-company bodies. Within the segments, risk-relevant facts and analysis results are presented in the quarterly risk report and discussed by the Executive Board and by other bodies that meet regularly.
Economic risk-bearing capacity model. We use an economic model for measuring underwriting risks that is based on the value-at-risk approach. In property and casualty insurance, the calculation is performed with Monte Carlo simulations. In order to estimate disasters, the W&W Group makes use, inter alia, of simulation results provided by reinsurance companies and brokers that specialise in this area. These results are incorporated in our stochastic model.
At Württembergische Versicherung AG, underwriting risk is quantified on the basis of a stochastic approach. The risk is presented as value at risk, with a confidence level of 99.5%. W&W AG's underwriting risk is largely calculated on the basis of business that is assumed by Württembergische Versicherung AG and retained by W&W AG. It is therefore derived from the model of Württembergische Versicherung AG, taking into account the calculation of the underwriting risk of W&W AG in accordance with Solvency II. At Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, under-writing risk is quantified based on the stress scenarios provided for under Solvency II.
Risk capital requirements. The chart in the chapter "Economic capital adequacy" (section "Economic risk capital") shows the weighting of the risk capital required for underwriting risk. In all, underwriting risks accounted for 19.6% (previous year: 21.8%) of total risk capital requirements of the W&W Group. The main risk bearer is Württembergische Versicherung AG, followed by Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and W&W AG.
In 2020 underwriting risks were in line with the risk strategy. The risk limit was consistently complied with at the Group level.
Limitation. The potential loss from underwriting risks is limited by means of defined risk limits. The limit utilisation is monitored continually.
Pricing and underwriting policy. The principles and objectives of the underwriting policy and the definition of permissible transactions and the associated responsibilities are documented in strategies and underwriting guidelines and are reviewed at least once a year. Our pricing and underwriting policy is risk- and income-oriented. It is supported with suitable incentive systems for the mobile sales force. Risks are underwritten according to defined guidelines and under consideration of sector-specific maximum underwriting amounts. Natural disaster risk is countered with risk-oriented prices, contract terms and conditions adapted to critical disaster zones and risk exclusions.
Claims management. In addition to risk balancing through our sector and product mix, gross underwriting risk is limited by efficient claims management and a cautious loss reserve policy.
Reinsurance. Adequate reinsurance protection for individual risks and for accumulation risks reduces underwriting risks in property and casualty insurance. The reinsurance programme is adjusted on a yearly basis under consideration of risk-bearing capacity. Great emphasis is placed on the solvency of the reinsurers.
Controlling. As a rule, underwriting trends are continually analysed and monitored by controlling premiums, costs, claims and benefits. The operational run-off risks of the UK subsidiary are handled by QIC Global Services Limited via a service contract under close supervision and management by Württembergische Versicherung AG. We monitor settlement risks through direct management and collaboration on site in London in the case of material business transactions, as well as through external runoff reviews and continual checking of claims reserves.
Reserves. W&W insurers create appropriate provisions for reported claims in the form of both specific and general provisions. Technical provisions, as well as the structure of our provisions for future policy benefits, are explained in Note 19 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
For the underwriting risk area and the types of risks detailed here, we mainly apply the following risk controlling methods and procedures (see chart "Risk Management – Method Depiction").
| Underwriting | Risk controlling (Group-wide) Q Economic risk-bearing capacity model Q Limit system Q Actuarial analyses Q Reinsurance or retrocession Q Sensitivity and scenario analyses Q Reporting Q Risk-oriented product development and structure Q Risk indicators |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| risk area | |||
| Company | Risk controlling (specific) | ||
| Insurance risk life insurance |
Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Price and underwriting policies Q Determination of profit participation Q Management of inventories and services |
|
| Insurance risk health insurance |
Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Price and underwriting policies Q Determination of profit participation Q Management of inventories and services |
|
| Insurance risk property/casualty insurance |
Württembergische Versicherung AG Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG |
Q Reserves policy Q Portfolio and claims management Q Premium and underwriting policy |
For further information on underwriting risk (property and casualty insurance business and life and health insurance business), please see Note 47 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
We define operational risk as losses that may be incurred as a result of the unsuitability or failure of internal processes, people and systems or externally driven events. This also includes legal and tax risks.
Operational risks are unavoidable when enterprises engage in general business activities. In principle, all companies in the W&W Group are exposed to operational risks.
Legal risk. In terms of legal and supervisory requirements, we are seeing a growing thicket of regulations, including in supervisory law, in terms of creditor and consumer rights and with respect to disclosure obligations. Moreover, legal proceedings that are pending in the financial sector may lead to subsequent financial recovery claims. In particular, where authorities and courts reinterpret laws, this may entail material risks and significantly impair future financial performance. Of particular relevance here are the legal interpretation concerning the permissibility of account maintenance fees in the savings phase of home loan savings contracts, the prorata reimbursement of term-independent costs in the case of premature loan repayment, and a potentially evolving view on the part of the fiscal administration about the continued future existence of taxable entities with home loan and savings banks.
As at the reporting date, a total of 79 legal actions involving Württembergische Versicherung AG were pending regarding the question of coverage under business closure insurance policies. The judgments entered at the trial level as at the reporting date were in favour of Württembergische Versicherung AG. Appeals were lodged in some of the actions.
Compliance risk. Inadequate compliance with or implementation of statutes, legal provisions, regulatory requirements or ethical/moral standards, as well as internal regulations and provisions, can pose a compliance risk.
Personnel risk. Integration projects, internal reorganisation projects, regulatory reforms in the financial industry and new business strategies demand top performance from our employees and may result in increased staff workload. We rely on effective personnel management in order to support our employees.
Process risk. Where internal procedures or processes experience a complete or partial failure or are inappropriate, as well as in the case of human error, tangible and intangible losses may result. We counter risks arising from internal projects, particularly specialised, technical and infrastructure projects set up in the W&W Group that have high investment budgets, with appropriate project management. However, project and cost risks cannot be completely ruled out, particularly those incurred in connection with specialised, technical and infrastructure projects with high investment budgets and complex project content.
Information risk. Information risks arise from the threat to the availability, confidentiality and/or integrity of data. They mainly result from processes, IT systems, physical information storage devices, technical equipment or buildings that are relevant to the storage and processing of data. As a financial services provider, the W&W Group greatly depends on IT systems. However, this is associated with information security risks with respect to the goals of protecting the availability of applications, confidentiality and integrity of data, as well as with cyber threats. In addition, the W&W Group has undertaken numerous measures in connection with the further expansion of digitalisation (e.g. through new business models and sales channels, as well as internal process optimisation), and these may give rise to additional information security risks. Analyses are conducted regularly in order to determine data protection needs and take appropriate protective measures. Although some success has already been achieved in terms of system consolidation in the W&W Group, the diversity of the IT landscape has been marked by mergers, and this makes it difficult to collate and analyse data and automate processes.
Model risk. Model risk can be divided into risks that are considered in connection with the modelling and limiting of other risk types (estimation and specification risk) and risks that are part of conventional operational risk (input and use risk). The latter two concern conventional input
and use risks. As a result, losses can arise from decisions that are made on the basis of results of internal calculation models whose development, execution or use is faulty.
Service provider risk. Service provider risk mainly refers to risks resulting from contractual relationships with third parties. This includes outsourcing risks, especially out-sourcing outside the Group.
Coronavirus pandemic. Critical operational risks were able to be avoided though timely action, particularly through rigorous emergency and IT management. During the coronavirus pandemic, the W&W Group established a crisis team to coordinate the necessary measures, which was headed by the Chief Risk Officer of W&W AG. Business continuity management for business-critical processes was activated in accordance with the organisational guidelines, and they are being strictly continued with respect to possible coronavirus restrictions. However, in the event of a new outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Germany, we cannot rule out the emergence of operational risks to business processes as a result of employee absences.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties about further developments, we expect that the W&W Group will be exposed to increased risks in the area of operational risk in 2021, as well.
Risk minimisation and acceptance. The Executive Board of the W&W Group specifies the strategy and parameters for managing operational risks. Because they take many forms, however, they cannot be completely avoided in certain cases. Our goal is therefore to minimise operational risks. We accept residual risks. Consistent processes, uniform standards and an implemented internal control system facilitate the effective management of operational risks.
Organisational structure. As a rule, operational risks are managed on a decentralised basis by the responsible organisational units.
Compliance risks are identified, assessed and managed according to the Compliance Management System via the Compliance organisational unit of the Risk and Compliance department of W&W AG. The Group Compliance Committee is the central body for compliance-relevant matters.
The Customer Data Protection and Operational Security area (W&W/CO) coordinates the Group Security Committee, ensures an IT security management system, data protection organisation, a business continuity management system (BCM) and an internal control system (ICS) in line with uniform methods and standards.
Service provider risks are managed and monitored by centralised and decentralised outsourcing officers according to uniform methods and standards. These risks are regularly assessed and monitored through active outsourcing management via the Retained Organisation, e.g. in the form of risk analyses.
The Group's legal department is primarily in charge of identifying, evaluating and managing legal risks.
The HR department is responsible for appropriate personnel management and identifying, evaluating and managing personnel risks.
Model risks are analysed within the framework of a model risk inventory by the risk controlling units.
Economic risk-bearing capacity model. Our economic risk-bearing capacity model takes into account the risk capital requirements for operational risks. For our home loan and savings bank and W&W AG, the determination takes place on the basis of a mathematical-statistical model (value at risk), which is based on the simulation of potential loss events. For insurance companies, the standard approach pursuant to Solvency II is used.
The chart (section "Risk profile and material risks") depicts the weighting of the risk capital reserved for operational risks. In total, operational risks in the Group accounted for 8.9% (previous year: 9.7%) of total risk capital requirements.
In 2020 operational risks were in line with the risk strategy. The risk limit was consistently complied with at the Group level.
Risk assessment. Operational risks are managed system-atically at an aggregated level by a software application (Risk Assessment+). Based on findings from the risk controlling and risk governance procedures, the risks are classified with respect to their probability of occurrence and potential for damage. The results are consolidated by the risk controlling units and made available to the risk committees.
Claims database. In the W&W Group, claims databases are used to compile and evaluate operational claim events. They are recorded and documented Group-wide using the software application Risk Assessment+.
Internal control system. Processes and control mechanisms essential to business operations are systematically documented, regularly reviewed and updated in the internal control system of the W&W Group according to uniform standards. The process modelling and control documentation are technically supported by a software application. By linking processes and risks and by identifying key controls, risks inherent in processes are managed.
Organisational guidelines. Work procedures, conduct guidelines, company guidelines and comprehensive operational rules are in place to limit operational risks.
Monitoring and collaboration. Legal risks are countered through constant legal monitoring as well as observation and analysis of case law. In close collaboration with associations, various departments monitor relevant proposed legislation and developments in case law.
Compliance management. Compliance risks are categorised by means of a systematic procedure for identifying risks (differentiated according to existing and changed legal standards according to a risk-based perspective). For identified risks, their potential for damage is estimated and then evaluated based on occurrence probability. Through the definition of specific measures and the assessment of appropriateness and effectiveness, as well as, where necessary, additional monitoring procedures, the foundations are created for a continuous process to avoid and mitigate damage.
Fraud prevention. The W&W Group has put measures in place to prevent the risk of fraud. These are designed, on the one hand, to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements concerning controls and technical security systems and, on the other, to make employees aware of the issue of fraud prevention. For instance,
preventive threat analyses and implemented and documented process controls are used to counteract the risk of fraud.
Personnel management. The success of the W&W Group is largely dependent on qualified, committed employees. Through personnel development measures, we support our employees in fulfilling their responsibilities and duties. In order to manage turnover risk, we regularly analyse staff turnover within the W&W Group. For further information, please see the section "Employees" in the chapter "Group fundamentals".
Extensive testing and backup procedures for application and computing systems form the basis for the effective management of information security risks with respect to the goals of protecting availability, confidentiality and integrity. In order to ensure continued business operations in the event of process or system outages, critical processes are identified Group-wide in an impact analysis. We obtained cyber insurance to further minimise the risk from cyber threats. The contingency plans associated with the processes are subject to regular functionality checks. Our business continuity management system is designed to ensure that critical business processes will remain intact and continue to function even in the event of a major disruption to business operations. In this regard, the W&W standard for emergency and crisis management governs the organisational and operational structure in a crisis situation, such as requirements for setting up a crisis team for processes and communication channels.
Model governance. We minimise model risk by means of careful model governance that applies to all risk types. Within the scope of the Model Change Policy, model development is subject to standardised, transparent documentation. The policy regulates processes in the event of changes in the economic risk-bearing capacity model at the level of the W&W Group, including the procedures, models and data provided for its calibration in the individual companies. The assumption of material model changes in the economic risk-bearing capacity model is subject to the approval of the Group Board Risk. Validation and back-testing procedures are used to reduce and monitor model risks.
We define business risks, on the one hand, as potential losses that may be incurred from the strategic orientation and result in the insufficient or delayed achievement of targets. On the other, business risks may arise if the company's reputation changes for the worse, as well as if the external business environment experiences changes, such as legal, political or social changes and changed customer behaviour in the home loan savings pool.
Business risks are inevitable in general business operations and in the event of changes in the industry environment. All companies in the W&W Group are exposed to business risks.
Among business risks, the following types of risks are monitored:
Strategic risk. This risk results from the company's incorrect or insufficient strategic orientation, from the non-achievement of strategic goals or from the flawed implementation of strategic requirements. These risks particularly take the form of cost and income risks, including a delayed or limited impact on results or cost savings, as well as additional time and effort for achieving strategic measures.
In addition to cost risks due, e.g., to the required regulatory investments, our material earnings risks consist of potential negative deviations from projected economic earnings. Particularly exposed to this risk are, among others, life insurance companies in terms of their investment income as well as the home loan and savings bank in terms of its interest income. Failure to meet self-imposed targets with respect to sales, planned growth or the generation of earnings in the new digital business models
also would have a negative effect. In light of this, achieving the established yield targets puts high demands on our strategic asset allocation and on various front-office units.
We believe that significant volatility in business results remains possible due to the accounting rules in effect under IFRS 9, according to which financial instruments are now to be measured to a greater extent at fair value through profit or loss.
External risk. External risk means the risk of loss from potential changes in basic external conditions (e.g. political/legal, economic, technological). This also includes risks from changed customer behaviour in the home loan savings pool, which in home loan savings business may result from the exploitation of existing product options and elective opportunities, irrespective of trends in market interest rates.
Significant potential for risks is emanating, in particular, from the political and social environment (geopolitical, global trends, e.g. from military conflicts, trade disputes, terrorism, social unrest, migration/refugee movements).
Coronavirus pandemic. Because of the ongoing pandemic, there continue to be very high levels of uncertainty with respect to the forecast of further trends on the capital markets. Similarly, we cannot rule out that the coronavirus pandemic will have further effects on existing and new business and on expenses for insurance claims. Counter-measures by governments and central banks may in some cases afford relief. Accordingly, depending on how the coronavirus pandemic develops in future, it may also trigger a decline in results and put pressure on the financial position, net assets and risk position, particularly if the coronavirus pandemic persists for an extended period.
We present the development of new and existing business as well as net assets, financial position and financial performance in the Business Report in "Development of business and Group position".
Brexit. The future relationship between the EU and the UK has been laid out in a partnership agreement. On 30 December 2020, the agreement was ratified by the UK Parliament. It is being provisionally applied since 1 January 2021 with the approval of all 27 EU Member States.
Approval by the European Parliament is still required in order for the agreement to come into force definitively. The W&W Group actively prepared for the implementation of the UK's exit from the EU, particularly with respect to the settlement of derivatives. The necessary legal conditions for business operations were created for the UK branch of Württembergische Versicherung AG.
Regulatory issues. In the regulatory environment, we are faced with increasing governance, capitalisation and liquidity requirements, as well as comprehensive reporting and control obligations. The W&W Group is addressing the expanded statutory and regulatory requirements for banks and insurance companies. Regulatory and political issues with material or potentially material effects on the risk management of companies of the W&W Group:
In this regard, changed accounting rules may also have a negative impact on results and create higher volatility in results. We report on the Solvency II review in the section "Regulatory requirements" of the chapter "Group fundamentals".
Pool risk. Risks from changed customer behaviour in home loan savings business may result from the exploitation of existing product options and elective opportunities, irrespective of trends in market interest rates. For example, such changes in the field of home loan savings include the termination or suspension of savings, the use of the bonus interest or the selection or change of rates.
Reputation risk. If the company's reputation or brand were to suffer damage, there is a risk of losing business volume immediately or in the future. This could lower the enterprise value. We permanently monitor the W&W Group's public image, and we strive to maintain our reputation by means of a transparent communication policy when faced with critical situations.
Strategy process. A rolling strategy process has been implemented in the W&W Group. The Group business strategy forms the brackets for both the division substrategies and the cross-division strategies, such as risk and IT strategies. In accordance with internal Group risk governance regulations, each of the individual W&W companies in risk classes 1 and 2 has its own documented risk strategy, which is aligned with the company-specific business model and risk profile.
Focus on core business. The W&W Group operates almost exclusively in Germany. Outside of Germany, W&W AG focused on the Czech Republic, where it offered home loan savings and construction financing products. In addition to retail customers, the insurance companies also service the commercial customers segment.
W&W Better! For further information, please see the section "Group fundamentals/Business model".
Organisational structure. The principles and objectives of business policies and the sales and revenue goals derived from them are contained in the business strategy and the sales forecasts. The Group Executive Board is responsible for setting the business policy and managing the associated business risks Depending on the reach of a decision, it may be necessary to coordinate with the Supervisory Board.
We seek to achieve our strategic goals through the forward-looking evaluation of the critical internal and external factors that influence our business model. We strive to identify business risks at an early stage in order to be able to develop and introduce suitable risk governance measures.
Economic risk-bearing capacity model. Collective risks are depicted under the business risks of the home loan and savings banks, whose risk capital requirements accounted for 1.8% (previous year: 2.0%) of the Group's total risk capital requirements. Other business risks are deducted from the risk coverage capital. Business risks beyond these are assessed by means of event-based scenario calculations and expert estimates and then assigned risk coverage potential.
Risk assessment. Business risks are managed systemati-cally at an aggregated level by a software application (Risk Assessment+). Based on findings from the risk controlling and risk governance procedures, the risks are classified with respect to their probability of occurrence and potential for damage. The results are consolidated by the risk controlling units and made available to the risk committees.
Early risk identification. Risk indicators and early-warning risk indicators are used to optimally manage business risks, and they are analysed on a regular basis.
Sensitivity and scenario analyses. We use sensitivity analyses to assess risks, including those in the mid- to long term, as well as our options for action. As part of our planning, we develop a variety of scenarios in order to quantify the W&W Group's capitalisation risks and then introduce corresponding measures.
Liquidity risk means the risk that money can be borrowed only at higher market interest rates at the time it is needed (refinancing risk) or that it can be obtained only with discounts (market liquidity risk) in order to satisfy payment obligations at maturity (avoidance of illiquidity risk).
The rate for main refinancing operations, which was lowered in 2016, remained at 0.00%, and the rate for the marginal lending facility stood unchanged at 0.25%. The monetary policy of negative interest rates was maintained. The rate for the deposit facility remained unchanged at –0.50%.
Insolvency risk. In their capacity as financial services companies, several W&W companies are subject to specific statutory and supervisory requirements, which are intended to ensure that they are able to meet current and future payment obligations at all times.
Liquidity planning shows that the threshold for liquidity balances is being met at the level of the W&W Group over the entire period of 12 months, meaning that sufficient liquidity is available to ensure solvency.
Looking forward as well, the W&W Group and the individual companies have sufficient liquidity or can procure it on short notice, even under adverse scenarios, meaning that, as things stand today, we do not expect any acute liquidity shortages.
Refinancing risk. The sudden drying up of institutional refinancing sources constitutes a challenge for banks.
Because of its business model, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, in particular, requires careful liquidity management. Refinancing on a rolling basis is required in order to satisfy the demand for loans and to make loans. Its refinancing volume is assured through a diversified funding potential. The main sources of potential funding are the available offer volume for open-market operations/repos, issuing potential of German covered bonds, available money market and credit lines, issues of promissory notes and uncollateralised securities and funding from new deposit business. Applying a haircut of 20.4% on the funding potential, refinancing costs would be –€58.8 million (previous year: –€79.4 million applying a 25.5% haircut). That value assumes refinancing costs of 5.5% (maximum Euribor interest rate during the financial market crisis) on the arising maximum liquidity gap in the adverse scenario.
The Life and Health Insurance and the Property/Casualty Insurance segments normally exhibit a positive liquidity balance. This is due to the conditions of the business model, which is characterised by the continuous flow of premium income and returns on investments.
Market liquidity risk. Market liquidity risks mainly arise due to inadequate market depth or market disruptions in crisis situations. When these risks materialise, capital investments may be able to be sold, if at all, only in small volumes or by agreeing to discounts.
It does not appear from the current situation on the capital markets that there are any acute, material market liquidity risks for the capital investments of the W&W Group. Based on a haircut of 20.4 %, there would be a value loss of –€102.0 million (previous year: –€134.3 million).
For further information about the liquidity and refinancing structure, please see "Development of business" (section "Financial position: refinancing/liquidity") and the presentation of the measurement hierarchies for our financial instruments (Note 38).
Coronavirus pandemic. Following the decline in March/ April occasioned by the coronavirus, market liquidity improved in June, supported by extensive monetary and fiscal policy measures. Only individual market segments were unable to return to the precrisis level. A reemergence of the coronavirus pandemic could lead to a renewed increase in market liquidity risk.
Liquidity premise. Our liquidity management is geared towards being able to meet our financial commitments at all times and on a sustained basis. Our investment policy focuses, among other things, on ensuring liquidity at all times. In the process, existing statutory, supervisory and internal provisions must be satisfied at all times and on a sustained basis. Through forward-looking planning and operational cash management, the established systems are designed to identify liquidity shortages early on and to respond to expected liquidity shortages with suitable (emergency) measures.
Diversification. As a financial conglomerate, we benefit from the diversification of our refinancing sources, especially in difficult markets. In addition to having a lower funding risk, we also benefit from the reduction of our refinancing costs through diversification of funding potential. Through a defined share of good-quality securities that are eligible for central bank and repurchase transactions, our home loan and savings bank retains flexibility in refinancing. We use savings deposits and fixed-term deposits primarily in order to substitute short-term, uncovered funding. Aspects of maturity diversification form part of our investment policy. The maturity structure of our financial instruments is shown in Note 48 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Organisational structure. The individual companies manage cash and cash equivalents balances primarily on their own responsibility. The Risk and Compliance department ("Risk" section) monitors and consolidates the liquidity plans from a Group perspective. The Group Liquidity Committee is responsible for the Group-wide controlling of liquidity risks. The liquidity position is regularly discussed in the meetings of the Group Board Risk. Governance measures are initiated when necessary. Known or foreseeable liquidity risks are immediately reported to management as part of ad-hoc reporting.
Net liquidity and liquidity gaps. We assess liquidity risks by regularly calculating potential liquidity gaps and comparing them with the net liquidity available to us. In order to identify potential liquidity needs, we also compare our funding potential against the needed refinancing resources.
Regulatory indicators. The risk situation is monitored in particular by analysing regulatory indicators. In this context, the regulatory indicators liquidity coverage ratio and asset encumbrance are determined for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG.
Liquidity classes. In order to monitor the liquidity of our investments, we group them into liquidity classes so as to control concentrations in illiquid asset classes.
Sensitivity and scenario analyses. In the area of liquidity risks, we regularly view stress scenarios from a Group perspective. On this basis we analyse, among other things, the effects of changed cash inflows and outflows, simulated discounts to our funding potential, changed refinancing costs and our emergency liquidity.
Liquidity planning. Liquidity planning at the Group level is based on the liquidity data made available by the individual companies, which essentially comprise inflow and outflow balances from current business operations as well as available funding potential (e.g. securities issues, borrowing from central banks).
Contingency measures. Contingency plans and the monitoring of liquidity buffers are designed to ensure that we are able to handle even extraordinary situations. If a company is unable to cope with existing liquidity shortages on its own, internal Group refinancing options are available pursuant to contingency planning.
As the parent company of the financial conglomerate and the Solvency II group, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG (W&W AG) is responsible for defining and enhancing risk management standards, as well as for controlling compliance with these standards. Accordingly, the risk management and risk controlling system of W&W AG is closely interlocked with the monitoring system at the Group level and is structured so as to be congruent with respect to many processes, systems and methods (see the depictions in the section "Risk management system in the W&W Group"). The following depictions address the specifics of W&W AG as an individual company. W&W AG has the same risk areas as the W&W Group (see also the chart "Risk landscape of the W&W Group").
As at 31 December 2020, W&W AG's total risk capital requirements amounted to €1,737.1 million (previous year: €1,415.1 million). The risk profile of the quantified risk areas as at 31 December 2020, which was determined according to our methods for calculating risk-bearing capacity (see the section "Economic capital adequacy"), was distributed in accordance with the following chart.

We take business risks and liquidity risks into consideration in our calculation of risk-bearing capacity by performing a flat-rate discount in determining risk coverage capital. Owing to the volume of our participations, market price risks constituted the predominant risk area, accounting for 85.3% (previous year: 78.8%).
The following sections describe the individual material risk areas and, where relevant to the overall appraisal, the individual risk types.
Interest rate risk. W&W AG is subject to interest rate change risks and interest rate guarantee risks on account of interest obligations to employees (pension provisions) and investments consisting of interest-bearing assets.
As at 31 December 2020, under a parallel shift in the swap yield curve, fixed-income securities (direct and fund port-folios, including interest rate derivatives) with a market value of €1,855.7 million (previous year: €1,643.5 million) experienced the following changes in market value:
| Market value change | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | 31.12.2020 31.12.2019 |
||
| Increase by 100 basis points | –93.4 | –84.5 | |
| Increase by 200 basis points | –179.4 | –161.8 | |
| Decrease by 100 basis points | 101.9 | 95.0 | |
| Decrease by 200 basis points | 217.1 | 208.0 |
Credit spread risk. Credit spread risk means the risk that the value of receivables will change because of a change to the applicable credit spread for the respective issuer or counterparty – despite an unchanged credit rating over time. Credit spread risks result from the bond portfolio of W&W AG, which consists of bonds issued both outside and, in particular, within the Group.
Participation risk. Changes in the value of investments (write-downs), non-payment of dividends and the need to make contributions to earnings lead to participation risks. For W&W AG, the strategic participation portfolio constitutes the key risk. As at 31 December 2020, investments in affiliated companies and participations as well as in shares, interests or shares in investment assets and other variable-yield securities totalled €2,498.6 million (previous year: €2,487.8 million). Of this, interests in affiliated companies accounted for €1,344.2 million (previous year: €1,444.3 million). When participation risks materialise, valuation losses can result in the writing down of participations, the non-payment of dividends or the need to make contributions to earnings.
Stock price risk. Sudden and severe price slumps on the equity markets could impair the value of the stock portfo-lio held by W&W AG by forcing write-downs which
would be recognized as a loss. For our portfolios with a market value of €70.9 million (previous year: €96.0 million), the market value changes in the case of an index fluctuation in the EURO STOXX 50 were as follows as at 31 December 2020:
| Market value change | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | 31.12.2020 31.12.2019 |
||
| Increase by 20% | 11.5 | 16.2 | |
| Increase by 10% | 5.8 | 8.1 | |
| Decrease by 10% | –5.8 | –7.9 | |
| Decrease by 20% | –11.4 | –15.5 |
Risk capital requirements. Since W&W AG's investments mainly consist of participations, participation risks within market price risks were the most significant in terms of risk capital weighting. Measured against total economic risk capital, the proportion amounted to 57.4% (previous year: 50.9%).

The market price risks that we accepted were in conformity with the risk strategy and the strategic asset allocation throughout.2020 The risk limit of W&W AG was consistently complied with.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties about further developments, we expect that W&W AG will be exposed to increased risks in the area of market price risk in 2021, as well (see the remarks in the section "Market price risks" for the W&W Group).
W&W AG is exposed to counterparty credit risks from investments (proprietary business), as well as to counterparty credit risks with respect to contract partners in reinsurance.
Investments. In line with our strategic orientation, the credit rating structure of our interest-bearing investments is conservative, with over 94.5% (prior year: 97.2%) of investments in the investment grade range.
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | |
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % | |
| AAA | 535.0 | 30.7 | 562.1 | 36.2 |
| Aa1 | 76.3 | 4.4 | 88.9 | 5.7 |
| Aa2 | 96.1 | 5.5 | 47.4 | 3.1 |
| Aa3 | 107.4 | 6.2 | 63.1 | 4.1 |
| A1 | 25.5 | 1.5 | 11.5 | 0.7 |
| A2 | 64.9 | 3.7 | 46.8 | 3.0 |
| A3 | 180.6 | 10.4 | 131.7 | 8.5 |
| Baa1 | 450.5 | 25.8 | 462.5 | 29.8 |
| Baa2 | 48.3 | 2.8 | 28.2 | 1.8 |
| Baa3 | 63.1 | 3.6 | 66.3 | 4.3 |
| Non-investment-grade/non-rated | 95.5 | 5.5 | 43.5 | 2.8 |
| Total | 1,743.2 | 100.0 | 1,552.0 | 100.0 |
Our interest-bearing investments generally have a good collateralisation structure. Most of the investments with financial institutions are secured by government liability or liens.
| Seniority | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
| Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | Portfolio carrying amount |
Share | |
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % | |
| Public | 403.9 | 23.2 | 366.7 | 23.6 |
| German covered bond | 420.7 | 24.1 | 468.1 | 30.2 |
| Deposit guarantee or government liability | 128.6 | 7.4 | 87.6 | 5.6 |
| Uncovered | 790.0 | 45.3 | 629.6 | 40.6 |
| Total | 1,743.2 | 100.0 | 1,552.0 | 100.0 |
Subordinate exposure. Our subordinate exposures (profit participation rights, silent participations and other subordinate receivables) amounted to €248.0 million (previous year: €255.0 million).
Reinsurance. Counterparty credit risks in reinsurance business have consistently remained at a low level. Currently, no material risks are foreseeable. Also, our retrocessionaires have very good credit ratings.
Credit ratings. As at the end of the reporting period, 98.3% (previous year: 94.2%) of the recognised receivables from reinsurance business in the amount of €167.5 million (previous year: €178.4 million) were due from companies with a rating of A or better.
| Portfolio carrying amount1 |
Share | Portfolio carrying amount1 |
Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € million | in % | in € million | in % | |
| AAA | — | — | — | — |
| AA | 124.7 | 74.4 | 121.4 | 68.0 |
| A | 40.0 | 23.9 | 46.7 | 26.2 |
| BBB | – | – | – | – |
| BB | – | – | – | – |
| B | – | – | – | – |
| CCC and lower | – | – | – | – |
| No rating | 2.8 | 1.7 | 10.3 | 5.8 |
| Total | 167.5 | 100.0 | 178.4 | 100.0 |
1 Amounts receivable + funds withheld by ceding companies + shares of technical provisions, less collateral
As at the reporting date, €1.1 million (previous year: €4.8 million) of the recognised receivables due from reinsurers had been outstanding for more than 90 days. How-ever, it is expected that they will be settled in 2021.
Risk capital requirements. At 9.1% (previous year: 12.9%), counterparty credit risk accounted for the second-largest share of the total risk capital requirements of W&W AG. Among counterparty credit risks, the risks from our investments accounted for a significant share, at 8.4% (previous year: 12.0%).

In 2020 counterparty credit risks were consistently in line with the risk strategy. The risk limit of W&W AG was consistently complied with.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties about further developments, we expect that W&W AG will be exposed to increased risks in the area of counterparty credit risk in 2021, as well (see the remarks in the section "Counterparty credit risks" for the W&W Group).
W&W AG is subject to the same risk types as the W&W Group. Insurance risk is a particularly important type of risk in property and casualty insurance, and in this regard, W&W AG is exposed especially to premiums risk.
Premiums risk. If costs and claims remain stable or increase, premiums may be inadequate if they fall or are not calculated in line with needs. The long-term trends in net claims ratios (ratio of net expenses for insured events to net premiums) and net settlement ratios (ratio of net settlement results from provisions for outstanding insurance claims to initial loss provisions) for W&W AG were as follows:

Risk capital requirements. The chart "W&W AG risk profile" (see section "Risk profile and material risks of W&W AG") depicts the weighting of the risk capital reserved for underwriting risks. Underwriting risks accounted for a share of 4.1% (previous year: 5.7%) of the total risk capital requirements of W&W AG.
In 2020 underwriting risks were consistently in line with the risk strategy. The risk limit of W&W AG was consistently complied with.
Risk capital requirements. Risk capital requirements for operational risks are ascertained through simulations on the basis of the operational risks included in the risk inventory and their loss potential and probability of occurrence. The chart "W&W AG risk profile" (see the section "Risk profile and material risks of W&W AG") depicts the weighting of the risk capital reserved for operational risks. In all, operational risks at W&W AG accounted for 1.5% (previous year: 2.5%) of total risk capital requirements.
In 2019 the assumed operational risks were consistently in line with the risk strategy.2020 The risk limit of W&W AG was consistently complied with.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties about further developments, we expect that W&W AG will be exposed to increased risks in the area of operational risk in 2021, as well (see the remarks in the section "Operational risks" for the W&W Group).
As the superordinate undertaking of the financial conglomerate and the Solvency II group, W&W AG is subject to the same risks as presented for the W&W Group in the section "Business risks".
W&W AG benefits from the diversification of its refinancing sources. Please see the remarks in the section "Liquidity risks" for the W&W Group.
Emerging risks describe conditions, developments or trends that in future may have a significant negative impact on the financial strength, risk profile or competitive position of the W&W Group or an individual company. Emerging risks typically arise because of changing basic conditions, such as those of an economic, geopolitical, social, technological or environmental nature. The uncertainty with respect to the loss potential and the probability of occurrence is usually very high.
For our company, the main challenges are posed by technological trends (digitalisation, cybertechnologies), social trends (demographics, changed customer behaviour, pandemic) and economic trends (current interest rates, systemic risks).
In the risk management process, emerging risks are observed with the aim of identifying the strategic risks that result from them in a timely manner (early risk warning) and of taking them into consideration in setting the company's business strategy.
Risk concentration means potential losses that may result either from the accumulation of similar risks or from the accumulation of different risks, such as at a single counterparty, and that are large enough to jeopardise the solvency or financial position of the individual company or the Group.
The potential losses in terms of risk concentration may result either from intra-risk concentrations or from inter-risk concentrations. Intra-risk concentrations describe those risk concentrations that arise from the synchronisation of risk positions within a risk area or at the Group level through the accumulation of similar risks at several companies affiliated with the Group. Inter-risk concentrations describe those risk concentrations that arise from the synchronisation of risk positions across various risk areas at the level of the individual company and the Group.
Because of the business model of the W&W Group and its individual companies, potential risk concentrations may result, in particular, from investments and from the economic and regional structure of customer business (customer lending business, insurance business). However, owing to regulatory requirements and internal rating requirements, the W&W Group is heavily invested, in sectoral terms, in government bonds and financial services companies and, in regional terms, in Europe, which is typical for the industry. Accordingly, in addition to the credit risk associated with the relevant counterparty, the W&W Group in particular bears the systemic risk of the financial sector and the specific counterparties belonging to it.
On the other hand, because of their high granularity, our customer loan portfolios do not exhibit any appreciable risk concentrations.
Other concentrations exist through positions that we intentionally take in certain asset classes (equities, participations, bonds) through strategic asset allocation.
As a financial conglomerate, the W&W Group is influenced to an extensive degree by a variety of external factors (e.g. current interest rates, changed customer behaviour, digitalisation, regulatory pressure, industry reputation). The risks concentrations here intentionally form a part of the business strategy.
Operational risk concentrations may arise in connection with outsourcing (a single comprehensive mandate or several equivalent mandates) and through an accumulation of projects, particularly large projects.
Adequate instruments and methods are in place to manage concentrations.
We counter concentrations in the area of investments, inter alia, through diversification, the use of limit and line systems and the monitoring of exposure concentrations. In lending and insurance business, we apply clearly defined acceptance and underwriting policies and purchase appropriate reinsurance coverage from various providers with good credit ratings.
For each risk area, we measure intra-risk concentrations implicitly through risk quantification and accompanying stress tests. In this regard, concentrations of market price risk are limited in connection with strategic asset allocation through the observance of specific mix ratios across various asset classes. Concentrations of counterparty credit risk are limited through a risk line system that restricts the volume of investment in specific debtor groups.
Potential inter-risk concentrations result from a heightened interdependency of risks across risk areas and thus from various risk areas. The total risk capital requirements at the level of W&W AG and the W&W Group are quantified in an undiversified manner by totalling the risk capital requirements of the individual risk areas (e.g. market price risk, counterparty credit risk, underwriting risk), which thus takes into account a high degree of interdependence between the risk areas. In addition, we perform stress tests across all risk areas.
Sustainability risks may materialise from internal and external risk drivers or triggering events in the areas of the climate, the environment, social affairs, politics, corporate governance and compliance, which, in the individual risk areas, may have a negative impact on the net assets, financial position or financial performance of the W&W Group. Accordingly, sustainability risks are to be addressed in the organisation and actions of the W&W Group and the associated individual companies in such a way as to avoid manifestations that pose a threat to existence and to enable a forward-looking treatment of sustainability risks. In this regard, the risk strategy of the W&W Group also specifies the framework with which sustainability risks are integrated into risk management.
Of special importance in this regard are reputation risks, sustainability risks in investments and physical risks in the area of underwriting risks. In order to limit, in particular, reputation risks from sustainability aspects, the sustainability policy of the W&W Group specifies the principles for sustainable and responsible actions. Sustainability risks in the area of investments are limited by defining corresponding exclusion criteria. Physical risks in the area of underwriting risks are limited, inter alia, through under-writing policies and reinsurance agreements.
Further information about W&W's commitment to sustainability is contained in the chapter "Business model – commitment to sustainability" and in its annual sustainability report, which is published on the website of the W&W Group at www.ww-ag.com/nachhaltigkeitsberichte (available in German only).
In 2020 the W&W Group and W&W AG at all times had sufficient economic and supervisory risk-bearing capacity. Pursuant to our economic risk-bearing capacity model, we had sufficient financial resources in order to be able to cover the assumed risks with high certainty. The indicators are described in the section "Capital management in the W&W Group".
As a result of increasing economic uncertainties associated with geopolitical crises and economic developments (including the further course of the coronavirus pandemic, uncertainty with respect to the sustainability of an economic recovery, global trade disputes, the threat of a further economic downturn or an economic slump, the risk of a resurgence of the sovereign debt crisis, current interest rates and uncertainty about how interest rates and credit spreads will develop), the entire financial industry and thus also the W&W Group are exposed to risks that could lead to significant economic risks of loss in our scenario calculations and, in extreme scenarios, threaten us as a going concern.
Linkages within the financial sector give rise to a systemic risk of contagion that the W&W companies are, of course, not completely immune to.
Because the value of the W&W Group's bond portfolio is highly dependent on how interest rates, credit spreads and credit quality develop in the future, the further course of the coronavirus pandemic and the ECB's monetary policy are also very important. With respect to the W&W Group's stock portfolio, stock price risks in volatile markets are reduced through hedging strategies. Nevertheless, sudden and severe price slumps on the equity markets could impair the value of the stock portfolio.
In addition, the interest rate risk remains very significant in the W&W Group. The focus continues to be on risk-minimising measures to manage the W&W Group's interest rate change risks and interest rate guarantee risks. A prolonged period of negative interest rates can substantially compromise the profitability of endowment life insurance policies and home loan savings contracts. Here, the port-folio has significant risks from interest rate guarantees. On the other hand, a quick, sharp rise in interest rates would have a negative impact on investment reserves.
We pay close attention to changes in the regulatory environment in order to be able to respond flexibly and early on. Although we are meeting the requirements of tighter regulation, they tie up a significant amount of financial, technical and personnel resources and thus pose substantial cost and earnings risks. In addition, changes in the legal environment may create further, possibly significant potential for risk.
In addition to risk and earnings diversification, we use diversification effects as strategic factors for success in different areas on account of the structure of the W&W Group.
For instance, owing in part to our business model, we had a secure, diversified liquidity basis as at the reporting date.
Despite current interest rates and heightened regulatory requirements, the W&W Group has worked hard to achieve fundamental economic robustness, which has proved its worth during the coronavirus pandemic. This is manifested in our current risk-bearing capacity, particularly on the basis of our economic risk-bearing capacity model. Expanding the robustness of the W&W Group remains the subject of our ongoing risk management activities.
With respect to the defined risk horizon and the chosen confidence level, no risks were discernible as at the reporting date that could threaten the continued existence of the W&W Group or W&W AG.
It is difficult to estimate the duration and extent of the further course of the coronavirus pandemic. Accordingly, depending on the future development, a decline in results and pressure on the financial position, net assets and risk position cannot be ruled out, particularly if the coronavirus pandemic persists for an extended period.
We account for changes in the internal and external framework conditions and their effects on the risk position of the Group and individual companies by constantly enhancing and improving our systems, procedures and processes.
In July 2020, the rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) confirmed the ratings for the core W&W companies, not-withstanding the current environment marked by the coronavirus. The confirmation also reflects, inter alia, the positive assessment of the risk management system of the W&W Group, particularly with respect to the implemented risk controls and strategic risk management. Accordingly, ERM made a positive contribution to the rating "strong" for the business risk profile and to the rating "A-/stable" for financial strength.
Systematic advancement of the existing Group-wide risk management system is intended to ensure the stable, sustained development of the W&W Group also in future. In the 2021 financial year, we intend to continually and rigorously expand the standards achieved in our risk management system. For this purpose, we have defined a number of measures and projects in connection with our risk management process. In this regard, we are focussing on the following issues in particular:
All told, the W&W Group and Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG are well equipped to successfully implement the internal and external requirements for risk management.
Features of the internal control and risk management system in relation to the (Group) accounting process (report pur-suant to Sections 289 (4) and 315 (4) of the German Commercial Code (HGB))
As an integral component of risk management in the W&W Group, the internal control and risk management system with respect to the (Group) accounting process comprises principles, procedures and measures designed to ensure
The Executive Board bears overall responsibility for the internal control and risk management system with respect to the (Group) accounting process, as well as for preparing the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report, the condensed interim financial statements and interim management report and the annual financial statements of W&W AG.
In particular, the Executive Board has delegated responsibility for the internal control and risk management system in the W&W Group to the Risk and Compliance department, as well as to the Customer Data Protection and Operational Security departments. They are responsible, in particular, for designing the processes and for reporting deviations to the Group Board Risk and the Internal Audit department of W&W AG.
The companies are integrated by means of a clearly defined governance and reporting organisation. The IFRS consolidated financial statements and parts of the combined management report are prepared, in particular, by the Group Accounting department. The annual financial statements of W&W AG and parts of the combined management report are prepared, in particular, by the Accounting department of Württembergische Versicherung AG under an agency relationship.
As a component of the internal control system, the Group Audit department reviews the effectiveness and suitability of the risk management and internal control systems in a risk-oriented and process-independent manner.
The Supervisory Board and above all the Audit Committee also engage in their own audit activities in the W&W Group and W&W AG. Furthermore, the Group auditor reviews the consolidated financial statements, the annual financial statements and the combined management report independent of company processes.
In the W&W Group and at W&W AG, organisational measures have been adopted and procedures implemented that are designed to ensure that risks are monitored and managed with respect to the (Group) accounting process and that accounting is correct. Considered material are those components of the internal control and risk management system that could have an impact on whether the consolidated financial statements, the annual financial statements and the combined management report are in conformity with the rules and regulations. The material components are:
Business transactions and other circumstances are recognised and documented for the purposes of the consolidated and annual financial statements using a variety of systems, and they are booked via automated interfaces into accounts of a central system solution, taking into account the (Group) accounting guidelines. Key source systems are the SimCorp Dimension securities management system, the portfolio management systems for insurance policies, the commission settlement systems and the customer current accounts.
Information contained in the local accounting systems about business transactions and other circumstances at companies and investment funds is aggregated into Group reporting data for the purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements. The accounting depiction of investments in a management system for the purposes of the consolidated and annual financial statements, as well as their transformation to Group reporting data, is handled centrally by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in connection with a services agreement.
Group reporting data is supplemented with additional information to form standardised reporting packages at the level of the relevant fully consolidated company and subsequently checked for plausibility manually and in an automated manner.
The respective companies are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the standardised reporting packages. The standardised reporting packages are subsequently compiled centrally by the Group Accounting department in a system solution and subjected to a validation process.
All consolidation steps for preparing the consolidated financial statements by the Group Accounting department are performed and documented in this system solution. The individual consolidation steps contain plausibility checks and validations that are inherent in the system.
All quantitative information for the individual components of the consolidated financial statements, including the quantitative information in the notes, is mainly generated from this system solution.
Macroeconomic developments and relevant framework conditions are based on estimates of the company, which are derived from relevant analyses and publications of various well-respected business research institutes, Germany's federal government, the Deutsche Bundesbank, Bloomberg consensus and industry and business associations.
The outlook for 2021 is highly dependent on the further course of the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, we expect persistent or recurring restrictions on social and economic life, particularly in the first half of the year. That will put downward pressure on economic growth. With increasing vaccination coverage in the population, we expect the lockdown measures to be gradually eased, meaning that a dynamic economic recovery may set in starting at mid-year. This view is bolstered by the pent-up consumer demand, which should lead to very lively demand among households. Thus, consumer spending is likely to be the most important driver of growth in the German economy in 2021. Export business is also likely to experience a sharp upturn in 2021 in a global environment that is once again considerably more favourable. In terms of corporate investments, interest rates are expected to remain extremely low, and the business outlook will brighten noticeably again. However, many companies will prioritise the need to clean up their balance sheets, e.g. by paying down emergency loans that they took out during the time of the pandemic. The construction sector, whose positive growth rates were a laudable exception in 2020, should develop solidly again. Here, capacity bottlenecks may dampen growth, but not lack of demand. In summary, we expect that Germany will post economic growth in the range of three to four percent.
Leading central banks have pledged to keep benchmark rates at their crisis level for the foreseeable future, even in the event of an economic recovery, and this will anchor short-term interest rates at a low level in 2021, as well. In addition, it appears that the large central banks will continue their extensive bond purchases without reduction.
This also limits the potential for interest rate rises in the case of longer maturities. Nevertheless, an at least temporary increase in capital market interest rates cannot be ruled out entirely, particularly in the first half of 2021. This is because the inflation rate is expected to rise significantly due to basis effects in the case of energy prices and the increase back to former levels in the value-added tax rate in Germany. As a result, the inflation rate could temporarily reach as high as 2%, although it is expected to fall again quickly in the second half of the year. With respect to the end of 2021, we ultimately expect that interest rates in Germany will not change to any significant extent, i.e. they will remain at their current level.
Following a year of intense fluctuations on the exchanges in 2020, positive reports at the end of the year concerning vaccine developments boosted the hopes of investors for a normalisation of social life and a significant recovery of economic activity in 2021. As a consequence, the international equity markets have already anticipated a significant part of the improvement in company profits, meaning that equity market valuations are already very high from a historical perspective. In 2021 this will increase the risk of profit-taking and renewed price setbacks in the event of negative news and developments. On the other hand, the monetary environment will remain expansive, and a great amount of liquidity will continue to look for investments. In this regard, bond markets are rather unattractive, given that yields are currently very low, and equity markets will benefit from this trend. In sum, we consider the most likely scenario to be further, albeit moderate price gains in the coming months, although with persistently high fluctuations in prices.
As a general rule, the fundamental conditions for residential construction activity and construction financing business remain favourable, since there continues to be excess demand in the growth regions and the desire for residential property ownership tended to increase even more during the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, the employment and income situation and perspectives have worsened for some households. The market is being buttressed to a significant degree by the persistently low interest rates, as a result of which property prices will rise again to some extent, and by high governmental subsidies for energy renovations, which will be increased again at mid-year for complete overhauls. On whole, we expect
that in 2021 the housing and construction financing market will continue to move on the high level reached in the previous year, whereby, depending on the course of the pandemic and economic developments, setbacks cannot be ruled out.
In 2021 persistently low interest rates will also continue to present a great challenge for the life insurance industry. The German Insurance Association (GDV) expects a slight increase in 2021 in new regular premium business, as well as in new single-premium business. In this regard, it expects a relaxation of the restrictions imposed in the crisis year of 2020 and catch-up effects with regard to long-term financial planning. Overall, it anticipates a slight rise in premium income.
In terms of property and casualty insurance, the GDV expects a further fall in premium dynamic due to the gradual, emerging economic recovery and the after-effects in some sectors. For 2021 as a whole, it anticipates a rise in premium income of 1.6%. However, the trend forecast is associated with significant uncertainties.
The 2020 financial year was marked, in particular, by the development of the coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying measures of the W&W Group. Significant economic and political uncertainties also continue to exist in early 2021 with regard to the persistence of the pandemic situation.
In deriving our planned results and general administrative expenses for 2021, we assumed a recovery in basic macro-economic conditions, accompanied by low volatility on the capital markets with essentially moderately rising interest rates and equity prices through the end of the year, as well as no significant counterparty defaults. If the basic conditions should darken, this will also have an effect on the following forecasts.
Assuming that the macroeconomic recovery takes hold and the described developments occur on the capital markets, we are optimistic that we will post consolidated net profit within the medium- to long-term target corridor of €220 to 250 million. However, because significant
economic and political uncertainties persist, it is possible that consolidated net profit will come in outside of this target corridor.
In light of this framework, it is not currently possible to make a well-founded forecast of consolidated net profit. In any event, we are adhering to our medium- to longterm target corridor.
In 2020 general administrative expenses were able to be reduced through the immediate measures which were introduced, the savings occasioned by the coronavirus and our continued rigorous cost management. The relief afforded by the one-off effects is expected to lapse in part in 2021. The further trend in general administrative expenses will be influenced by the aforementioned uncertainties.
We will also continue the digital transformation in 2021. Because of the associated investments, we expect general administrative expenses in the Group to come in moderately above the level of the reporting year.
The W&W Besser! initiative will be continued in 2021. We will continue to rigorously ensure that products, services and processes are aligned with customer benefits throughout the entire W&W Group, which should result in increased efficiencies. In accordance with our strategic objective, we will service at least 6.5 million customers in 2021.
We manage our liquidity in such a way as to enable us to meet our financial obligations at all times and on a sustained basis. Liquidity planning shows that in 2021 we will have sufficient liquidity available at all times. For further information about the liquidity position, please see the opportunity and risk report in the section "Liquidity risks".
Opportunities and risks include, in particular, trends in interest rates and claims. Furthermore, developments in the capital markets, the economy or the political environment could have a positive or negative effect on the W&W Group. Additional opportunities may present themselves in connection with the strategic alignment of individual segments, new innovative products and business models, additional sales channels as well as further cost optimisation and the increased willingness of our customers to undertake financial planning. Other risks may arise from potential counterparty defaults and increased regulatory or statutory requirements, as well as from the further development of the coronavirus pandemic. For further information about opportunities and risks in the W&W Group, please see the opportunity and risk report.
Subject to the further development of the coronavirus pandemic, we are planning for the Housing segment to post net income after taxes that is once again considerably higher than the level of the reporting year.
General administrative expense for the 2021 financial year are expected to come in slightly higher than the level of the reporting year. In this regard, the 2020 financial year was influenced by the immediate measures which were introduced and the cost savings occasioned by the coronavirus.
We are planning for net new home loan savings business in 2021 that will be considerably higher than in 2020. In terms of new construction financing business (approvals), we expect in 2021 to reach the successful level of the previous year. In this regard, we are continuing to pay attention to profitability and risk.
Subject to the planned macroeconomic recovery, we expect that Life and Health Insurance segment will post net income after taxes of between €10 million and €40 million. As is the case with the other segments, the coronavirus pandemic poses considerable challenges, as do the persistent phase of low interest rates and the high volatility in results associated with IFRS accounting that is caused through capital market fluctuations. In light of the considerable uncertainties, it is not currently possible to make a well-founded forecast.
In 2021 we are planning for general administrative expenses that are moderately higher than the level of the reporting year.
In terms of new business, we are striving for the sale of products that are less dependent on interest rates, such as our Genius products as well as term life insurance and occupational disability insurance. In addition, we particularly want to push occupational pensions more strongly again, the sale of which could be accomplished in the 2020 financial year only under difficult conditions as a result of the physical access restrictions imposed by corporate customers due to the coronavirus. For this reason, we are planning to considerably increase total premiums for new business in 2021.
Depending on the macroeconomic development as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we are planning for net in-come after taxes at the level of the reporting year. In this regard, we are assuming moderate trends on the capital markets and a normalisation of claims development.
We also anticipate that on account of the growth course that we are continuing to plan, as well as strategic projects, general administrative expenses will be moderately higher than the level of the reporting year.
We will continue to strive for sales of profitable insurance policies to retail and corporate customers. Therefore, we expect that new business (annual portfolio contributions) will come in slightly higher than the level of the reporting year.
Due to its structure as a holding company, the net income of W&W AG after taxes is determined by the dividends and profit transfers from subsidiaries and participations.
For 2021 we are planning net income after taxes at the level of the previous year, provided that the fundamental macroeconomic conditions recover as planned. Should there be upheavals in this respect, net income may come in below the level of the previous year.
Under these general conditions, it is not currently possible to make a well-founded forecast of the net income after taxes of W&W AG. In the medium to long term, we expect net income of more than €100 million.
Opportunities and risks for W&W AG will result, in particular, from the earnings performance of subsidiaries and participations, as well as their valuations in the annual financial statements of W&W AG. In addition, directly held investments and trends in claims and costs will have an impact on W&W AG. In addition, risks may arise from the further development of the coronavirus pandemic.
This Annual Report and, in particular, the outlook contain forward-looking statements and information.
These forward-looking statements constitute estimates that were made on the basis of information that is available at the present time and is considered to be material. They can be associated with known and unknown risks and uncertainties, but also with opportunities. Because of the variety of factors that influence our business operations, actual results may differ from those currently anticipated.
Therefore we can assume no liability for the forward-looking statements. There is no obligation to adjust forward-looking statements to conform to actual events or to update them.
Pursuant to Sections 289a and 315a HGB, we are required to make the following statements as at 31 December 2020, provided they are relevant to Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG:
The share capital of W&W AG amounts to €490,311,035.60 and is divided into 93,749,720 registered no-par-value shares that are fully paid in.
A total of 460 shares are covered by the exclusion of vot ing rights within the meaning of Section 136 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), since they are owned by members of the Supervisory Board or the Executive Board. W&W AG holds a total of 15,252 treasury shares. Pursuant to Section 71b AktG, W&W AG is not entitled to any rights in connection with treasury shares. A total of 223,513 employee shares are subject to a restriction on sale. Of these, 72,039 employee shares may not be sold until April/May 2021, 72,840 employee shares until April/ May 2022 and 78,634 employee shares until April/May 2023. The restriction on sale starts on the day that the purchased employee shares are credited to the employee's custodial account. There are no further re strictions affecting voting rights or the transfer of the registered shares. Each share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at the Annual General Meeting. The amount of the company's profit to which shareholders are entitled is determined in accordance with the proportion of the share capital that they hold (Section 60 AktG). If the share capital is increased, the participation of new shares in profit may be determined in deviation from Section 60 (2) AktG.
Pursuant to Article 5 (3) of the Articles of Association, no shareholder is entitled to issuance of a share certificate.
Wüstenrot Holding AG with registered office in Ludwigsburg holds 39.91% and WS Holding AG with registered office in Stuttgart holds 26.40% of the shares in W&W AG. The other major shareholder with more than 10% of the shares is FS W&W Holding GmbH, which has its registered office in Munich. Treasury shares account for 0.02% of the company's stock.
There are no shares carrying special rights with powers of control. There are no voting rights mechanisms relating to employee participation schemes.
Members of the Executive Board are appointed and removed in accordance with Article 6 (1) of the Articles of Association, Sections 84 and 85 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) in conjunction with Section 31 of the German Codetermination Act (MitbestG) and Sections 24 and 47 of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG). Amendments to the Articles of Association take place in accordance with Sections 124 (2) sentence 3, 133 (1) and 179 et seq. AktG. However, pursuant to Article 18 (2) of the Articles of Association in conjunction with Section 179 (2) sentence 2 AktG, resolutions of the Annual General Meeting to amend the Articles of Association are adopted by a simple majority of the share capital represented at the time of adoption, unless required otherwise by law, for example with regard to a change of the company's purpose. Pursuant to Section 179 (1) sentence 2 AktG in conjunction with Article 10 (10) of the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board may make amendments to the Articles of Association that relate solely to their wording. The Executive Board has no powers over and above the general statutory rights and duties of a management board under German law of stock corporations.
Pursuant to Article 5 (5) of the Articles of Association, the Executive Board is authorised to increase the company's share capital, on one or more occasions on or before 12 June 2023, by up to €100,000,000.00 via issuance of new registered no-par-value shares in exchange for cash or contributions in kind, subject to approval by the Supervisory Board (Authorised Capital 2018). Shareholders are entitled to a statutory subscription right. Shareholders may also be accorded the statutory subscription right by having one or more credit institutions or companies equivalent thereto pursuant to Section 186 (5) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) subscribe to the new shares under an obligation to offer them to shareholders for subscription (indirect subscription right). Subject to
approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is however authorised to preclude shareholders from exercising the statutory subscription right in the following cases:
Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is authorised to specify the profit participation of the new shares in derogation from Section 60 (2) AktG and to stipulate the further details of capital increases out of Authorised Capital 2018 and their implementation, including the issue price and the contribution to be paid for the new no-par-value shares. The Supervisory Board is authorised to modify the wording of the Articles of Association after implementation of an increase of the share capital out of Authorised Capital 2018 to conform to the respective increase of the share capital, as well as after expiry of the term of the authorisation.
By resolution adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018, the Executive Board was authorised to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds, participation rights, profit participation bonds or a combination of these instruments on or before 12 June 2023. Article 5 (6) of the Articles of Association accordingly provides that the share capital is contingently increased by at most €240,000,003.46, divided into at most 45,889,102 no-parvalue registered shares (Contingent Capital 2018). The contingent capital increase is to be implemented only if
General Meeting on 13 June 2018, are issued by the company or a subordinate Group company or guaranteed by the company on or before 12 June 2023 shares of the company in lieu of cash payment, either in whole or in part,
and provided that neither cash settlement is granted nor shares from authorised capital, treasury shares or shares of some other publicly traded company are used to service it. The new shares are to be issued at the warrant or conversion price to be stipulated in accordance with the aforementioned authorisation resolution of 13 June 2018. The new shares participate in profit from the start of the financial year in which they come about. To the extent permitted by law, and subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is authorised to stipulate that in the event that, at the time of issue, a resolution on appropriation of profit has not been adopted for the financial year immediately preceding the year of issue, the new shares are to participate in profit from the start of the financial year immediately preceding the year of issue. Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is further authorised to stipulate the further details of the implementation of the contingent capital increase. Use may be made of the authorisation granted by resolution of the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018 to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds and profit participation rights only if the warrant bonds, convertible bonds or profit participation rights are structured in such a way that the capital that is paid in for them satisfies the supervisory requirements in effect at the time the authorisation is used for eligibility as own funds at the level of the company and/or the Group and/or the financial conglomerate and does not exceed any intake limits. Furthermore, use may be made of the authorisation granted by resolution of the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018 to permit subordinate Group companies to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds and profit participation rights and have them guaranteed by the company if this is permissible under the supervisory provisions applying in each case.
By resolution of the Annual General Meeting of 25 June 2020, the Executive Board was authorised pursuant to Section 71 (1), no. 8 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) until 24 June 2025 to purchase own shares with the approval of the Supervisory Board in an amount of up to 10% of the share capital in existence at the time of adoption of the resolution or – if this value is lower – of the share capital in existence at the time of exercise of the authorisation and to use such shares for other purposes. Taken together with other treasury shares in the possession of the company or that are attributable to them in accordance with Section 71a et seq. AktG, these shares must not at any point make up more than 10% of the share capital. The shares purchased pursuant to this authorisation may be used under exclusion of the subscription right of other shareholders for all legally permissible purposes, including those specified in the authorisation.
There are no material agreements of W&W AG or of W&W AG as parent company that are subject to the condition of a change of control as a result of a takeover offer.
Also, no remuneration agreements have been concluded with members of the Executive Board or employees covering the case of a takeover offer.
Wüstenrot Holding AG holds 39.91% of the shares, and WS Holding AG holds 26.40% of the shares. Both holding companies are wholly owned by Wüstenrot Stiftung.
Close relationships exist with various Group companies as a result of contracts for the outsourcing of services and functions. They govern services that have been transferred in whole or in part, including appropriate compensation. The compensation paid to W&W Asset Management GmbH is volume-dependent.
The following report on the remuneration paid to the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board was prepared in accordance with the rules of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
The full Supervisory Board resolves on the Executive Board remuneration system, including the material contractual elements. The Personnel Committee carries out all preparations necessary for the resolution. The full Supervisory Board reviews the remuneration system at least once a year.
The Executive Board remuneration system consists of a non-performance-related component and a performance-related component at a 4:1 ratio. The non-performance-related component consists of a fixed salary (with pension entitlement) and an allowance. The performance-related component consists of a targets bonus.
The performance-related bonus is linked to a targets agreement system. The amount of the bonus paid to a member of the Executive Board for a concluded financial year depends on the degree to which the relevant company targets and individual targets were achieved. The spectrum of the relevant target achievement ranges from 0% to 140%. Company targets correspond to the annual plan adopted by the Supervisory Board of W&W AG. Individual targets are coordinated between the individual Executive Board member and the Supervisory Board. The overall concept permits performance-related measurement of the variable remuneration component that is focused on operational targets and thus remuneration that is reasonably in line with performance.
The targets for the 2020 target agreements consisted of short-, medium- and long-term targets geared toward indicators like consolidated net income, general administrative expenses, Group customers, employee satisfaction and individual targets. The target weighting for performance-related remuneration is aligned towards stronger consideration being given to components with a multiple-year incentivising effect on sustainability.
Part of performance-related remuneration is paid out over time: Forty percent is paid out in the following year imme-diately after the degree of target achievement is determined, and the other 60% is deferred for a period of three years and is subject to forfeiture clauses. The deferred amount is paid out only if W&W Group has average IFRS net income of at least €100 million a year over the relevant three years and does not record a loss in any of the three years. If average consolidated net income falls below the threshold of €100 million a year, or if the Group records a loss in one or more years, the deferred amount is definitively and completely forfeited for the relevant financial year. The performance-related remuneration paid by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG to Dr Michael Gutjahr is like-wise distributed over time: Twenty percent of variable remuneration is paid out in the following year immediately after the degree of target achievement is determined, and an additional 20% after a further year following expiry of a socalled "disposition vesting period". The remaining 60% is paid out over a period of five years in five equal instalments in a pro rata temporis manner. Similarly, one half of each instalment is subject to a disposition vesting period of one year, following which this portion is available for disposition, at the earliest. The amounts subject to a disposition vesting period are tied to the development of the company's value. After expiry of the disposition vesting period, the withheld portion of the bonus is paid out accordingly. Achievement of targets for the target year concerned is once again checked for the existence of negative contributions to results prior to each disbursement of the deferred amounts. Negative contributions to results reduce the amount of variable remuneration or lead to its complete loss. Conduct that resulted in considerable losses or regulatory sanctions, infringement of internal or external rules with respect to suitability or conduct and conduct that is contra bonos mores or grossly in breach of duty likewise result in the complete or partial loss of the bonus. In addition, variable remuneration that has already been paid out may be claimed back.
No subscription rights or other share-based remuneration were granted in the W&W Group.
Each employment agreement is concluded for the period of the appointment.
Executive Board members normally receive a company car, group accident insurance coverage and luggage insurance as ancillary benefits.
In accordance with the requirements of stock corporation law, W&W AG has taken out insurance to cover each Executive Board member against risks associated with his or her professional activity for the company. The insurance provides for a deductible of 10% of the claim, up to a maximum of 150% of the Executive Board member's fixed annual remuneration.
Severance caps have been agreed on with all Executive Board members in the event that the agreement is terminated other than for cause. In such case, payments to Executive Board members, including ancillary benefits, in each case correspond to at most the value of two years' remuneration (severance cap) and do not exceed the remuneration for the remaining term of the employment agreement. Decisive for the calculation of the severance cap is the entire amount of remuneration paid for the calendar year (fixed salary, allowance and bonus) preceding the calendar year in which service on the Executive Board ends.
The pension for Dr Michael Gutjahr consists of a formerly customary defined-benefit pension commitment in the form of a fixed amount. The pension for the other members of the Executive Board takes the form of a defined-contribution pension plan. The defined-contribution pension commitment is linked to a reinsurance policy. The annual premium amounts to 23% of the fixed salary entitled to a pension.
A pension is generally granted upon reaching the age of 65. In the case of Dr Gutjahr, it can also be granted in the event of premature departure after reaching the age of 61. A pension is also granted in the event of occupational disability.
In the case of Dr Gutjahr, the pension is increased by the percentage points by which salaries are increased for the highest salary groups for the private insurance industry. Once pension benefits begin to be paid, the increase is limited to the rise in the cost-of-living index, plus 2%. Pursuant to Section 16 (3) of the German Occupational Pensions Act (BetrAVG), ongoing pension benefits under defined-contribution pension plans are adjusted annually by 1%.
Pensions include a widow/widower pension of 60% of the pension drawn and an orphan's pension of normally 20%.
Under defined-benefit pension plans, claims to retirement benefits against third parties, regardless of reason, are set off in whole or in part against pension claims.
Claims to pensions and survivor pensions are vested. This applies under the condition that a member of the Executive Board does not leave the company at his or her own request prior to reaching the statutory vesting period.
Detailed disclosures are contained in the full remuneration report in the notes.
At its meeting on 23 March 2021, the Supervisory Board will decide on the remuneration system for the Executive Board in accordance with the German Corporate Corporate Governance Code and Section 87a of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and present this remuneration system to the 2021 Annual General Meeting for approval. Thereafter, the resolution adopted by the Annual General Meeting and the remuneration system will be published on the W&W AG website.
The Supervisory Board remuneration is paid in the form of a fixed remuneration whose amount is determined by the Annual General Meeting. If the Annual General Meeting does not specify an amount, the amount of the prior year applies. Supplementary amounts are stipulated for the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, as well as for committee activities. In addition, fees are paid for attending Supervisory Board meetings.
Annual base remuneration payable after the close of the financial year amounted to €25.0 thousand (previous year: €25.0 thousand). Committee remuneration amounted to €8.0 thousand (previous year: €8.0 thousand) per year for the Risk and Audit Committee and for the Personnel Committee. Committee remuneration amounted to €4.0 thousand (previous year: €4.0 thousand) per year for the Conciliation Committee and the Nomination Committee. An attendance fee of €500 (previous year: €500) is paid per Supervisory Board meeting. No fees are paid for attending committee meetings.
Base remuneration and committee remuneration are increased by 150% for the Chair and by 75% for his deputies.
Detailed disclosures are contained in the full remuneration report in the notes.
At Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG (W&W AG) and in the entire W&W Group, corporate governance means responsible management and control of the companies in a manner aimed at long-term added value. We seek to affirm and continuously strengthen the trust placed in us by customers, investors, financial markets, business partners, employees and the public. Important factors in this regard are good relationships with shareholders, transparent and timely reporting, and effective and constructive collaboration between the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board.
In 2007 BaFin (Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) determined that Wüstenrot Holding AG, Stuttgart, which at that time held about 66% of the shares of W&W AG, and affiliates of Wüstenrot Holding AG constitute a financial conglomerate. In this regard, W&W AG was defined as the superordinate financial conglomerate undertaking. With the spin-off of WS Holding AG from Wüstenrot Holding AG in August 2016, the financial conglomerate now consists of W&W AG and the affiliates of W&W AG.
Moreover, W&W AG, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG and other relevant companies were subject to consolidated supervision as a financial holding group. W&W AG had been defined by BaFin as the superordinate enterprise of the financial holding group. Effective 1 July 2020, supervision was discontinued on the basis of the consolidated situation of W&W AG as a financial holding company pursuant to Article 4(1) No. 20of the CRR. Through the elimination of the financial holding group, numerous provisions of the German Banking Act (KWG) and the EBA Guidelines on Internal Governance (EBA/GL/2017/11) are no longer required to be applied to W&W AG. In light of this, the Supervisory Board resolved on 29 September 2020 to make corresponding modifications to the bylaws for the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board.
The insurance group of W&W AG is covered by the scope of Solvency II and thus is likewise subject to supervision by BaFin. W&W AG is the ultimate parent undertaking of the Solvency II group of W&W AG.
The Executive Board manages W&W AG on its own responsibility with the aim of sustainable valuation creation for the benefit of the W&W Group. It represents the company in transactions with third parties.
The Executive Board of W&W AG has four members.
| Members of the Executive Board |
|---|
| Jürgen Albert Junker (Chair) |
| Dr Michael Gutjahr (until 31 August 2020) |
| Alexander Mayer (from 1 September 2020) |
| Jürgen Steffan |
| Jens Wieland |
In view of the special features of the Housing, Insurance and brandpool divisions, as well as the common Group perspective, it is necessary for members of the Executive Board of W&W AG to have demonstrated experience, professional knowledge and expertise in the areas of insurance, banking and home loan and savings banking, as well as extensive management experience. All Executive Board members satisfy these criteria. This ensures that Executive Board members will meet the comprehensive fit-and-proper requirements under supervisory law.
As part of the diversity concept established by the Supervisory Board for the Executive Board, W&W AG is to strive to achieve sufficient diversity on the Executive Board in terms of gender, age and professional background, expertise and experience. In this regard, the Supervisory Board has resolved to have women make up at least 15% of the Executive Board and set a target deadline of 30 June 2022 for doing so. As a result, the Supervisory Board is seeking to place at least one woman on the Executive Board. In addition, attention must be paid to compliance with the age limit of 65 provided for as a target requirement in Section 1 (4) of the Executive Board bylaws. No current Executive Board member is older than age 65. The members of the Executive Board should complement one another in terms of their background and professional experience and expertise, such that proper company guidance is assured. This is reviewed and documented once a year by the Nomination Committee and the Supervisory Board.
Working together with the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board provides for long-term succession planning. When, as part of senior management development, the Executive Board identifies potential candidates for a manager position, it forwards their names to the Chair of the Supervisory Board. The Personnel Committee also includes these candidates in its regular discussion of longterm succession planning for the Executive Board. In doing do, it takes into account the company's senior management planning.
The Executive Board of W&W AG has stipulated that women are to make up 25% of the first senior management level below the Executive Board and 30% of the second senior management level and has set a target deadline of 30 June 2022 for doing so.
The main tasks of the Executive Board have to do with strategic alignment and control of the W&W Group, including maintaining and monitoring an efficient risk management system. The Executive Board is responsible for ensuring a suitable and effective internal auditing and control system. The Executive Board determines the strategies, ensures that the company has an organisational and operational structure that is suitable and transparent and sets company policy. Bylaws address in detail how the activities of the Executive Board are structured.
The central governance bodies in the W&W Group are: the Management Board, the division boards and the Group boards. The Management Board of W&W AG is composed of the members of the Executive Board, along with the heads of the Housing, Insurance and brandpool divisions. The Management Board is the central steering body of the W&W Group. The Management Board concerns itself with, among other things, Group control and the definition and development of the business strategy for the W&W Group. In addition, it facilitates the exchange of information between the Executive Board and the division heads with regard to the integration of the divisions into the Group strategy. The Management Board holds regular meetings, which are to take place at least twice per month. Those meetings are simultaneously considered to be meetings of the W&W AG Executive Board.
The division boards – i.e. the Housing division board and the Insurance division board – coordinate and decide on division-specific issues. They meet at least once per month, and those meetings are simultaneously considered to be meetings of the Executive Boards of the individual companies. The Group boards coordinate cross-division initiatives in the areas of sales, risk and capital investments.
The Chair of the Executive Board is in charge of the collaboration between the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. He is in regular contact with the Chair of the Supervisory Board and discusses the company's strategy, business performance and risk management with him. He promptly notifies the Chair of the Supervisory Board about important events that are of major significance for the assessment of the company's position and performance, as well as for its management. The Executive Board coordinates with the Supervisory Board on the strategic alignment of W&W AG and the W&W Group. In addition, the Executive Board regularly reports to the Supervisory Board in a timely and comprehensive manner about all issues of relevance to W&W AG and the W&W Group concerning strategy, planning, business performance, risk position, risk management and compliance. Details are addressed in bylaws for the Executive Board.
In accordance with the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board of W&W AG is composed of 16 members, of whom eight are shareholder representatives and eight are employee representatives.
| Shareholder representatives | Length of service |
|---|---|
| Hans Dietmar Sauer (Chair) | 16 years |
| Peter Buschbeck | 6 years |
| Prof. Dr Nadine Gatzert | 2 years |
| Dr Reiner Hagemann (financial expert) |
14 years |
| Corinna Linner | 5 years |
| Marika Lulay | 4 years |
| Hans-Ulrich Schulz | 4 years |
| Jutta Stöcker | 4 years |
| Employee representatives | |
| Frank Weber (Deputy Chair) | 14 years |
| Petra Aichholz | 1 year |
| Ute Hobinka | 9 years |
| Jochen Höpken | 9 years |
| Bernd Mader | 4 years |
| Andreas Rothbauer | 9 years |
| Christoph Seeger | 9 years |
| Susanne Ulshöfer | 1 year |
Bylaws likewise address in detail how the activities of the Supervisory Board are structured. The Supervisory Board holds at least two meetings in each calendar half-year. It also meets when necessary. In the 2020 financial year, the Supervisory Board held four ordinary meetings.
The Supervisory Board strives for a composition that ensures that the Executive Board of W&W AG will receive qualified supervision and advice. Therefore, special requirements are placed on Supervisory Board members with respect to their qualification, aptitude and independence. These aims take into account the statutory requirements concerning the composition of the Supervisory Board and the corresponding recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code. In addition to these personal requirements for each individual Supervisory Board member, an expertise profile and a diversity concept are in place for the body as a whole.
In view of the Housing, Insurance and brandpool divisions and the common Group perspective, the candidates nominated by the Supervisory Board for election to the body are evaluated in terms of their expertise, experience and professional knowledge, particularly in the sectors of insurance, banking and home loan and savings banking, as well as their individual abilities. Other criteria for Supervisory Board nominees who are proposed to the Annual General Meeting include whether the candidates are independent and have sufficient time to carry out their duties.
In the estimation of the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board, all shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board are independent.
Independent shareholder representatives
Hans Dietmar Sauer and Dr Reiner Hagemann have been members of the Supervisory Board of W&W AG for more than 12 years. This means that they exhibit one of the indicators that pursuant to Recommendation C.7 of the German Corporate Governance Code is to be given particular consideration in evaluating independence. However, the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board nevertheless consider Mr Sauer and Dr Hagemann to be independent. Essentially, the independence of the Supervisory Board may be called into question due to long length of service because and when the required distance to the Executive Board and the company is no longer maintained. That is not the case here. Because of their long length of service on the Supervisory Board, both of the Supervisory Board members are thoroughly familiar with the company's circumstances and its executives. As is shown by the collaborative work on the Supervisory Board, however, this familiarity does not compromise their independence. On the contrary, they employ this familiarity acquired over many years, as well as their expertise, in the work of the Supervisory Board in a way that promotes the proper fulfilment of duties by the Supervisory Board. Therefore, in the assessment of the shareholder representatives, Mr Sauer and Dr Hagemann are to be considered independent, notwithstanding that they have served on the Supervisory Board for many years.
Going forward as well, an appropriate number of independent members will belong to the Supervisory Board. In terms of shareholder representatives, the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board consider at least four independent members to be appropriate.
On account of the company-specific situation, the Supervisory Board does not consider it necessary to strive for a certain minimum number of members who represent, in particular, the quality of "internationality", since the main focus of the W&W Group's business operations are the national insurance and home loan savings sectors. Beyond the aspect of "internationality", however, the inclusion of and collaboration between Supervisory Board members with different backgrounds and ways of thinking fundamentally enriches the body and promotes the discussion culture. This ultimately leads to control and advisory activities that are more efficient and more effective.
The Supervisory Board does not consider it necessary to specify a regular limit to the length of service on the Supervisory Board. It is difficult to recruit qualified Supervisory Board members who meet the requirements of supervisory law, including with respect to whether candidates are fit and proper and do not exceed the maximum number of mandates.
In accordance with the expertise profile for the Supervisory Board, it is necessary for the body as a whole to have an appropriate representation of knowledge and experience in the following sectors: insurance industry, banking/home loan savings industry, supervisory law/regulatory requirements relating to banks and insurance companies, strategy, corporate planning/control, accounting, risk management, risk-bearing capacity, controlling and performance indicators, capital investment, IT/digitalisation and corporate governance/management.
Once a year, as well as at the time of each new appointment, the members of the Supervisory Board evaluate their strengths in the fields of investment, actuarial practice and accounting by means of a self-assessment. This forms the basis for a development plan that the Supervisory Board prepares each year. The plan identifies areas
where the Supervisory Board as a whole or its individual members wish to acquire more indepth knowledge. The self-assessment and the development plan are forwarded to the supervisory authority.
As part of the diversity concept, the Supervisory Board strives to achieve sufficient diversity in terms of gender, age and professional background, expertise and experience in the interest of achieving collaboration that is complementary. The company is required by law to have women make up at least 30% of the Supervisory Board. It currently is composed of nine men and seven women. Accordingly, women make up 44% of the Supervisory Board. The shareholder representatives consist of four women and four men, meaning that full gender parity is achieved in this case. Pursuant to Section 2 (2) of the bylaws for the Supervisory Board, members of the Supervisory should not be older than age 70 at the time of their election. The Annual General Meeting reelected Dr Reiner Hagemann, Hans Dietmar Sauer and Hans-Ulrich Schulz for a new term of office on the Supervisory Board, although they had already reached the age of 70. They were elected because of their demonstrated expertise and extensive knowledge of the company. The members of the Supervisory Board should complement one another in terms of their background and professional experience and expertise, such that the body can draw on a well of experience that is as deep as possible and on a wide variety of specialised expertise. This is reviewed and documented once a year by the Nomination Committee and the Supervisory Board.
The Supervisory Board regularly reviews the efficiency of its work. The next efficiency review will take place in the 2021 financial year. Supervisory Board work is reviewed on the basis of an internally prepared questionnaire. The focus is on the issues of Supervisory Board and committee information, conduct of Supervisory Board and committee meetings, structure and composition of the Supervisory Board and the committees and conflicts of interest/miscellaneous.
Conflicts of interest, particularly those that may arise because of giving advice to or serving on governing bodies of customers, suppliers, lenders or other third parties, are disclosed to the (Chair of the) Supervisory Board and noted in the report of the Supervisory Board.
In the 2020 financial year, the Supervisory Board of W&W AG had established four standing committees, i.e. the Risk and Audit, Nomination, Personnel (until 29 September 2020, Remuneration Control and Personnel) and Conciliation Committees.
The Risk and Audit Committee meets twice a year to prepare for Supervisory Board meetings dealing with the balance sheet and planning. In addition, it discusses halfyear financial reports with the Executive Board at a further meeting. It also meets when necessary. The Risk and Audit Committee met three times during the 2020 financial year. The committee also adopted by way of written circulation two resolutions concerning the approval of socalled "permissible non-audit services" by the auditor.
The Risk and Audit Committee concerns itself with accounting issues and the monitoring of the accounting process. It prepares the decisions of the Supervisory Board regarding the approval of the annual financial statements and the consolidated financial statements, the result of the auditing of the Management Report and the Group Management Report or, as the case may be, a combined Management Report, and the proposal for the appropriation of profit, as well as regarding submission of the corporate governance statement with the corporate governance report, including the remuneration report, and regarding the audit of the separate non-financial Group report. For this purpose, it is responsible for the advance review and, if necessary, preparation of the corresponding documentation.
The responsibilities of the Risk and Audit Committee also include monitoring the effectiveness of the internal control system, the risk management system and the internal auditing system, as well as dealing with issues involving the auditing of financial statements and compliance. In addition, it advises the Supervisory Board on current and future overall risk tolerance and business and risk strategies at the company and Group level and supports it in monitoring the implementation of these strategies. The Executive Board reports to the committee on business and risk strategies, as well as on the risk situation of the company and the W&W Group. In addition, reports are made to it about the work of the Internal Audit and Compliance departments, including the audit plan, as well as about especially serious findings and their handling. In consultation with the Executive Board, the chair of the committee may make direct enquiries to the head of Internal Audit, the Group Compliance Officer and the head of Risk Control.
Up until the enactment of the updated bylaws for the Supervisory Board on 29 September 2020, the Risk and Audit Committee monitored whether conditions in customer business are in line with the business model and risk structure of the company and the W&W Group. Where this was not the case, the committee requested proposals from the Executive Board on how to bring the conditions in customer business into line with the business model and risk structure and monitored their implementation. Similarly, the Risk and Audit Committee examined whether incentives provided by the remuneration system took into consideration the risk, capital and liquidity structure of the company and the W&W Group and the likelihood and timing of earnings. This was without prejudice to the tasks of the Remuneration Control and Personnel Committee.
The auditor is selected by the Supervisory Board at the recommendation of the Risk and Audit Committee.
The Risk and Audit Committee decides on the agreement with the auditor (in particular, the audit mandate, the specification of the main audit areas and the fee agreement), as well as on termination or continuation of the audit mandate. It adopts suitable measures in order to ascertain and monitor the independence of the auditor and the additional services provided by the auditor for the company. The Risk and Audit Committee can submit recommendations and proposals for ensuring the integrity of the accounting process. The Supervisory Board supports the Executive Board in monitoring the implementation of statutory audits of accounts.
The Risk and Audit Committee supports the Supervisory Board in monitoring the swift rectification by the Executive Board of the deficiencies identified by the auditor.
The Risk and Audit Committee consists of eight members, of whom four are shareholder representatives and four are employee representatives. The members satisfy the requirement of sector familiarity within the meaning of Section 100 (5) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG); one member has been appointed as a financial expert.
The chair of the Risk and Audit Committee should not be the Chair of the Supervisory Board or a former member of the company's Executive Board whose appointment ended less than two years ago. He or she should have special knowledge and experience in the fields of accounting, annual audits and internal controlling procedures and be independent of the company, the Executive Board and the controlling shareholder. The chair of the Risk and Audit Committee, Corinna Linner, meets these requirements.
| Corinna Linner (Chair) |
|---|
| Prof. Dr Nadine Gatzert |
| Dr Reiner Hagemann (financial expert) |
| Ute Hobinka |
| Bernd Mader |
| Andreas Rothbauer |
| Jutta Stöcker |
| Susanne Ulshöfer |
The Nomination Committee meets at least once per calendar year, as well as when necessary. It held two ordinary meetings during the 2020 financial year.
The Nomination Committee advises the Supervisory Board on a regular basis about long-term succession planning for the Executive Board. In doing so, it takes into consideration the company's senior-management planning. It supports the Supervisory Board
The Nomination Committee consists of the Chair of the Supervisory Board, his deputy by virtue of his or her office, two additional shareholder representatives and two additional employee representatives. The Chair of the Supervisory Board is the committee chair.
| Hans Dietmar Sauer (Chair) | |
|---|---|
| Peter Buschbeck | |
| Dr Reiner Hagemann | |
| Jochen Höpken | |
| Christoph Seeger | |
| Frank Weber |
The Personnel Committee (until 29 September 2020, the Remuneration Control and Personnel Committee) meets at least once per calendar year, as well as when necessary. In the 2020 financial year, the Personnel Committee met twice.
The Personnel Committee prepares the personnel decisions of the Supervisory Board, in particular the appointment and dismissal of members of the Executive Board and the appointment of the Chair of the Executive Board. Attention is to be paid to diversity in the composition of the Executive Board. The Personnel Committee regularly deliberates on the long-term succession planning for the Executive Board. In doing do, it takes into account the company's senior management planning.
The Personnel Committee decides in place of the Supervisory Board, in particular, on the conclusion, amendment and termination of the employment and pension agreements of Executive Board members. This does not apply to the setting of remuneration or to decisions pursuant to Section 87 (2) sentences 1 and 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG). The Supervisory Board makes these decisions following preparation by the Personnel Committee, whereby, in the resolution it proposes to the Supervisory Board, the committee takes into account, in particular, the impact of the resolution on the company's risks and risk management as well as the long-term interests of shareholders, investors and other involved parties and the public interest (until 29 September 2020).
The Personnel Committee (until 29 September 2020, the Remuneration Control and Personnel Committee)
The Personnel Committee consists of the Chair of the Supervisory Board, his deputy by virtue of his or her office, one additional shareholder representative and one additional employee representative. The Chair of the Supervisory Board is the committee chair.
At least one member the Personnel Committee was required to have at least one member with sufficient expertise and professional experience in the area of risk management and risk control, in particular with respect to mechanisms for aligning the remuneration systems with the company's overall risk tolerance and strategy and with its capital resources (until 29 September 2020).
| Hans Dietmar Sauer (Chair) | |
|---|---|
| Christoph Seeger | |
| Hans-Ulrich Schulz | |
| Frank Weber |
In addition, the Supervisory Board has at its disposal the Conciliation Committee, which is required to be formed by the German Codetermination Act (MitbestG). The Conciliation Committee makes personnel proposals to the Supervisory Board where the required majority is lacking for the appointment and dismissal of Executive Board members. The Conciliation Committee did not meet during the 2020 financial year.
The Conciliation Committee consists of the Chair of the Supervisory Board, his deputy by virtue of his or her office, one member elected by the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board and one member elected by the employee representatives on the Supervisory Board. The Chair of the Supervisory Board is the committee chair.
| Hans Dietmar Sauer (Chair) | |
|---|---|
| Ute Hobinka | |
| Marika Lulay | |
| Frank Weber |
Statement of compliance by Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG with the German Corporate Governance Code pursuant to Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) dated December 2020
Since the submission of the last statement of compliance on 6 December 2019 until 19 March 2020, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG has complied with the recommendations of the Government Commission for the German Corporate Governance Code, in the version of 7 February 2017 (the "2017 Code"), which were made public by the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection in the official part of the German Federal Gazette, other than as follows:
information with the Supervisory Board or the Risk and Audit Committee before being published. Discussion of the consolidated financial statements and the Group Management Report (including the CSR report), as well as the annual financial statements and the half-year financial statements, are a fixed part of the agenda for meetings of the Supervisory Board or the Risk and Audit Committee. In addition, the Supervisory Board, particularly its Chair, regularly exchanges information with the Executive Board about all issues of importance to the W&W Group, as well as about strategy, planning, business performance, risk position, risk management and compliance. The Executive Board promptly notifies the Chair of the Supervisory Board about important events that are of major significance for the assessment of the company's position and performance, as well as for its management. As a result, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG does not consider it necessary to have the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board or Audit Committee separately discuss additional financial information, particularly quarterly reports.
In the period from 20 March 2020, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG has complied with, and in future will continue to comply with, the recommendations of the Government Commission for the German Corporate Governance Code, in the version of 16 December 2019 (the "2020 Code"), which were made public by the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection in the official part of the German Federal Gazette, other than as follows:
• According to Recommendation B.3 of the 2020 Code, the first-time appointment of Executive Board members should be for a period of not more than three years. In departure from that, the appointment of Alexander Mayer as the new member of the Executive Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG from 1 September 2020 was made for a period of five years. The recommendation is based on the consideration that there is typically greater uncertainty about whether a candidate is suitable in the case of a firsttime appointment. This consideration does not apply here. Alexander Mayer has worked for many years in a leading position in the W&W Group (including managing director of W&W Asset Management GmbH since 2009 and as a member of the Executive Board of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG since the start of 2019). In light of this, it was elected to dispense with an abbreviated initial mandate period as member of the Executive Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG.
Section G.I. of the 2020 Code contains new recommendations concerning the remuneration of the Executive Board. The company does not comply with all of the new recommendations. The departures concern the following recommendations:
• Recommendation G.10 sentence 1 of the 2020 Code: Variable remuneration may not be predominantly invested by Executive Board members in company
shares or be granted predominantly as share-based remuneration. Because of the way the remuneration system is structured in other respects, this has so far been considered unnecessary so that incentives can be created for Executive Board members that are aimed at sustainable, long-term company development.
The Supervisory Board will adopt a new system for the remuneration of Executive Board members and present it to the 2021 Annual General Meeting for approval. In connection with the design and development of the new system, the Supervisory Board will decide about future compliance with the foregoing recommendations.
W&W AG works to ensure compliance with national and European statutory requirements and internal company
guidelines by means of a Group-wide compliance organisation. The compliance function is an essential component of the W&W compliance management system, and it is embedded in the W&W governance system and forms part of the internal control system of the W&W Group.
The Group Compliance Officer coordinates the operational implementation of the compliance control loop, i.e. particularly the handling of rules violations and the compliance with regulations.
In order to further enhance integrity in the sales-related tied-agents organisations of the W&W Group, the Group Compliance Officer is supported by Sales Compliance Officers, who take into account each of their sales-specific features and are available as separate points of contact and coordinators specifically for sales issues. In addition, the Compliance Officer is supported by various compliance points of contact in each of the subsidiaries.
In order to enhance efficiency, as well as provide a basis for the regular exchange of information, a Group Compliance Committee has been set up, which is convened by the Compliance Officer on a regular basis. It is composed of representatives from all compliance-relevant areas (e.g. Group Legal, Group Risk Management, Group Audit, Group Accounting and Taxes, Sales Compliance, Money Laundering, Securities Compliance, Data Protection, Fraud Prevention, etc.).
A Code of Conduct is in place to provide employees in the W&W Group with binding orientation for their daily work, and it is regularly updated. It applies to all members of governing bodies, managers, in-house employees and the mobile sales force. The Code of Conduct specifies the minimum standard for dealings between company employees, as well as in relation to customers, competitors, business partners, government authorities and shareholders. There are also specific codes of conduct for the sales organisations.
Together with its subsidiaries that conduct primary insurance business, W&W AG has acceded to the "Code of Conduct for the Sale of Insurance Products" enacted by the German Insurance Association (GDV). Following the amendment of the Code on 25 September 2018, audits are conducted every three years for whether a company has adopted the arrangements contained in the Code in its (internal) rules and is practising them. In April 2020, the independent bodies successfully completed the audit prescribed in the Code of Conduct. The Code and the audit reports can be viewed at www.gdv.de.
In addition to the Compliance Officer, an external ombudsman is available to all W&W Group employees should they wish to bring to light events that are harmful to it or are criminally significant. This is intended to ensure that notifications can be made anonymously if desired.
Managers and all employees are provided with extensive documentation to keep them abreast of insider-trading legislation, antitrust legislation, money laundering and the issues of corruption and compliance. The legal areas are explained in understandable terms using examples and self-monitoring options.
The W&W Group conducts its business in a sustainable manner. As a financial planning specialist in the areas of financial coverage, residential property, risk protection and savings and investment, we generate sustainable growth that retains value. This understanding is not only part of the W&W business strategy, but it also has expressly been made binding in the sustainability policy of W&W AG. This policy covers such areas as resource use and procurement, employees, products and services and compliance with legal requirements as elements of the concept of sustainability.
Since the start of 2020, the task of comprehensive sustainability management has been assigned to the Group Development department in order to further intensify the sustainability activities of the W&W Group and meet the increasing requirements. In the course of this, a Sustainability Board was established, which is composed of the head of the W&W Group Development department (chair of the Sustainability Board), members of the Executive Board of W&W AG and persons in charge of various areas of the Group. Every three months, the Board analyses social developments and trends with respect to sustainability, evaluates current and anticipated standards and rules, and initiates and monitors the sustainability activities that result from this.
In addition, the company signed on to the Principles for Sustainable Insurance and the Principles for Responsible Investment in 2020. By doing so, the W&W Group is, on the one hand, placing greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects in its insurance business and, on the other, underscoring the sustainable orientation of its investment business.
In our 2017 Annual Report, we published a report on equality and equal remuneration pursuant to the German Transparency in Wage Structures Act (EntgTransG).
In accordance with the five-year rule in Section 22 (1) EntgTransG, we did not prepare a new report for 2020.
| Consolidated balance sheet | 104 |
|---|---|
| Consolidated income statement | 106 |
| Consolidates statement of comprehensive income | 108 |
| Consolidated statement of changes in equity | 110 |
| Consolidated cash flow statement | 112 |
| Notes to the consolidated financial statements | 115 |
| General accounting principles and application of IFRS | 115 |
| Accounting policies | 118 |
| Accounting and measurements methods | 123 |
| Utilisation of discretionary judgments and estimates | 148 |
| Consolidation | 153 |
| Segment reporting | 159 |
| Notes concerning the consolidated balance sheet | 163 |
| Notes concerning the consolidated income statement | 191 |
| Notes concerning the consolidated statement of comprehensive income | 200 |
| Notes concerning financial instruments and fair value | 201 |
| Disclosures concerning risks under financial instruments and insurance contracts | 223 |
| Capital management | 256 |
| Other disclosures | 258 |
| Responsibility statement | 281 |
| Auditor's report | 282 |
| Assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | cf. Note no.1 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 1.1.2019 |
| Cash reserves | 1 | 75,120 | 35,758 | 83,898 |
| Non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations | 2 | — | 2,636,760 | 1,236,580 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 3 | 8,800,316 | 8,299,631 | 6,778,739 |
| thereof sold under repurchase agreements or lent under securities lending transactions |
— | — | 29,606 | |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | 4 | 38,862,768 | 36,808,770 | 32,044,702 |
| thereof sold under repurchase agreements or lent under securities lending transactions |
796,850 | 1,029,181 | — | |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 5 | 25,173,973 | 23,984,047 | 28,102,415 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 165,834 | 163,978 | 133,380 | |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 34,808 | 30,898 | 1,084,841 | |
| Senior fixed-income securities | — | — | 1,054,900 | |
| Construction loans | 22,830,677 | 21,493,189 | 23,002,519 | |
| Other loans and receivables | 2,074,187 | 2,220,544 | 2,727,380 | |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | 68,467 | 75,438 | 99,395 | |
| Positive market values from hedges | 6 | 16,071 | 88,994 | 61,686 |
| Financial assets accounted for using the equity method | 7 | 88,710 | 100,100 | 93,016 |
| Investment property3 | 8 | 1,873,561 | 1,855,224 | 1,827,055 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | 9 | 278,047 | 276,064 | 297,212 |
| Other assets | 1,319,076 | 1,065,8192 | 980,2882 | |
| Intangible assets | 10 | 104,764 | 99,939 | 99,701 |
| Property, plant and equipment3 | 11 | 488,440 | 397,777 | 287,461 |
| Inventories | 12 | 178,204 | 152,828 | 190,254 |
| Current tax assets | 13 | 41,202 | 34,398 | 37,372 |
| Deferred tax assets | 14 | 454,673 | 339,2492 | 291,9692 |
| Other assets | 15 | 51,793 | 41,628 | 73,531 |
| Total assets | 76,487,642 | 75,151,1672 | 71,505,5912 | |
1 See numbered notes to the consolidated financial statements starting on page 163.
2 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes according to IAS 8".
| Liabilities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 1.1.2019 |
| Liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations |
2 | — | 2,427,916 | 952,652 |
| Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 16 | 44,188 | 80,287 | 455,318 |
| Liabilities | 17 | 27,825,524 | 26,320,204 | 27,585,077 |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates | 1,412,976 | 947,565 | 1,286,568 | |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 2,193,839 | 2,232,992 | 1,454,518 | |
| Liabilities to customers | 22,481,152 | 21,641,444 | 23,580,660 | |
| Lease liabilities | 83,215 | 77,268 | 20,133 | |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | 1,322,509 | 1,373,138 | 1,243,198 | |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | 331,833 | 47,797 | — | |
| Negative market values from hedges | 18 | 15,688 | 216,195 | 126,449 |
| Technical provisions | 19 | 39,402,291 | 37,429,141 | 34,728,212 |
| Other provisions | 20 | 3,134,620 | 2,955,370 | 2,653,801 |
| Other liabilities | 637,018 | 462,1221 | 332,2751 | |
| Current tax liabilities | 21 | 178,776 | 144,347 | 262,460 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 22 | 447,567 | 311,9811 | 36,6631 |
| Other liabilities | 23 | 10,675 | 5,794 | 33,152 |
| Subordinated capital | 24 | 343,162 | 424,850 | 435,476 |
| Equity | 25 | 5,085,151 | 4,835,082 | 4,236,331 |
| Interests of W&W shareholders in paid-in capital | 1,486,463 | 1,486,514 | 1,485,595 | |
| Interests of W&W shareholders in earned capital | 3,556,194 | 3,313,465 | 2,725,867 | |
| Retained earnings | 3,158,949 | 3,026,543 | 2,855,048 | |
| Other reserves (other comprehensive income) | 397,245 | 286,922 | —129,181 | |
| Non-controlling interests in equity | 42,494 | 35,103 | 24,869 |
1 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes according to IAS 8".
Further information that concerns several balance sheet items has been summarised under
Total liabilities 76,487,642 75,151,1671 71,505,5911
• "Other disclosures" (Notes 52 et seq.).
| in € thousands cf. Note no. |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Current net income | 26 | 1,096,550 | 1,153,281 |
| Net interest income | 862,441 | 868,638 | |
| Interest income | 1,334,441 | 1,484,011 | |
| thereof calculated using the effective interest method | 1,181,102 | 1,350,688 | |
| Interest expenses | –472,000 | –615,373 | |
| Dividend income | 185,570 | 215,134 | |
| Other current net income | 48,539 | 69,509 | |
| Net income/expense from risk provision | 27 | –54,678 | –4,035 |
| Income from risk provision | 98,393 | 86,310 | |
| Expenses from risk provision | –153,071 | –90,345 | |
| Net measurement gain/loss | 28 | –55,246 | 612,530 |
| Measurement gains | 2,272,656 | 2,337,276 | |
| Measurement losses | –2,327,902 | –1,724,746 | |
| Net income from disposals | 29 | 825,912 | 591,708 |
| Income from disposals | 899,935 | 630,945 | |
| Expenses from disposals | –74,023 | –39,237 | |
| thereof gains/losses from the disposal of financial assets at amortised cost | 43 | –18 | 200 |
| Net financial result | 1,812,538 | 2,353,484 | |
| thereof net income/expense from financial assets accounted for using the equity method | –6,082 | 11,335 | |
| Earned premiums (net) | 30 | 4,415,144 | 4,249,169 |
| Earned premiums (gross) | 4,561,357 | 4,385,203 | |
| Premiums ceded to reinsurers | –146,213 | –136,034 | |
| Insurance benefits (net) | 31 | –4,455,443 | –4,650,478 |
| Insurance benefits (gross) | –4,544 719 | –4,716 476 | |
| Received reinsurance premiums | 89,276 | 65,998 | |
| Net commission expense | 32 | –497,205 | –490,195 |
| Commission income | 257,689 | 256,769 | |
| Commission expenses | –754,894 | –746,964 | |
| Carryover | 1,275,034 | 1,461,980 |
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carryover | 1,275,034 | 1,461,980 | |
| General administrative expenses | 33 | –1,013,997 | –1,080,451 |
| Personnel expenses | –598,919 | –613,552 | |
| Materials costs | –337,659 | –381,550 | |
| Depreciation/amortisation | –77,419 | –85,349 | |
| Net other operating income/expense | 34 | 45,836 | –28,520 |
| Other operating income | 243,688 | 204,471 | |
| Other operating expenses | –197,852 | –232,991 | |
| C o n s o l i d a t e d n e t i n c o m e b e f o r e i n c o m e t a x e s f r o m c o n t i n u e d operations |
306,873 | 353,009 | |
| thereof from revenue1 | 6,412,721 | 6,481,478 | |
| Income taxes | 35 | –96,122 | –103,950 |
| Consolidated net profit | 210,751 | 249,059 | |
| Result attributable to shareholders of W&W AG | 209,907 | 248,076 | |
| Result attributable to non-controlling interests | 844 | 983 | |
| Basic (= diluted) earnings per share, in € | 36 | 2.24 | 2.65 |
| Thereof from continued operations, in € | 2.24 | 2.65 | |
| 1 Interest, dividend, commission, and rental income, as well as income from property development business and gross premiums written. |
| in € thousands cf. Note no. |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidated net profit | 210,751 | 249,059 |
| Other comprehensive income | ||
| Components not reclassified to the consolidated income statement: | ||
| Actuarial gains/losses (–) from pension commitments (gross) 20 |
–162,009 | -265,918 |
| Provision for deferred premium refunds | 12,744 | 15,045 |
| Deferred taxes | 44,371 | 76,711 |
| Actuarial gains/losses (–) from pension commitments (gross) | –104,894 | –174,162 |
| Components subsequently reclassified to the consolidated income statement: Unrealised gains/losses (–) from financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
1,516,550 | 2,502,025 |
| (gross) 42 |
||
| thereof from the reclassification of financial assets (gross) 37 |
— | 304,918 |
| Provision for deferred premium refunds | –1,180,267 | –1,665,736 |
| Deferred taxes | –100,415 | –255,709 |
| Unrealised gains/losses (–) from financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (net) |
235,868 | 580,580 |
| Unrealised gains/losses (–) from financial assets accounted for using the equity method (gross) 7, 37 |
24 | 42 |
| Provision for deferred premium refunds | — | — |
| Deferred taxes | — | –1 |
| Unrealised gains/losses (–) from financial assets accounted for using the equity method (net) | 24 | 41 |
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrealised gains/losses (–) from cash flow hedges (gross) | 37 | 68 | 153 |
| Provision for deferred premium refunds | — | — | |
| Deferred taxes | –21 | –47 | |
| Unrealised gains/losses (–) from cash flow hedges (net) | 47 | 106 | |
| Currency translation differences of economically independent foreign units | –19,003 | 2,819 | |
| Total other comprehensive income, gross | 1,335,630 | 2,239,121 | |
| Total provision for deferred premium refunds | –1,167,523 | –1,650,691 | |
| Total deferred taxes | –56,065 | –179,046 | |
| Total other comprehensive income, net | 112,042 | 409,384 | |
| T o t a l c o m p r e h e n s i v e i n c o m e f o r t h e p e r i o d | 322,793 | 658,443 | |
| Attributable to shareholders of W&W AG | 315,414 | 648,209 | |
| Attributable to non-controlling interests | 7,379 | 10,234 |
| cf. Note no. | Interests of W&W shareholders in paid-in capital |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital | Capital reserve |
||
| in € thousands | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity as at 1 January 2019 | 489 648 | 995 947 | |
| Changes to the scope of consolidation | — | — | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | |||
| Consolidated net profit | — | — | |
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | — | — | |
| Dividends to shareholders 25 |
— | — | |
| Treasury shares | 381 | 538 | |
| Other | — | — | |
| Equity as at 31 December 2019 | 490,029 | 996,485 | |
| Equity as at 1 January 2020 | 490,029 | 996,485 | |
| Changes to the scope of consolidation | — | — | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | |||
| Consolidated net profit | — | — | |
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | — | — | |
| Dividends to shareholders 25 |
— | — | |
| Treasury shares | 202 | –253 | |
| Other | — | — | |
| Equity as at 31 December 2020 | 490,231 | 996,232 | |
| Interests of W&W shareholders in earned capital | Equity attributable to W&W shareholders |
Non controlling interests in equity |
Total equity | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retained earnings |
Other reserves | |||||||
| Reserve for pension commitments |
Reserve for financial assets at fair value through other comprehen sive income Previous year: Reserve for finan cial assets available for sale |
Reserve for finan cial assets accounted for using the equity method |
Reserve for cash flow hedges |
Reserve for currency translation |
||||
| 2,855,048 | -558,568 | 413,314 | 41 | –153 | 16,185 | 4,211,462 | 24,869 | 4,236,331 |
| –15,970 | 15,970 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 248,076 | — | — | — | — | — | 248,076 | 983 | 249,059 |
| — –174,077 |
571,245 | 41 | 106 | 2,818 | 400,133 | 9,251 | 409,384 | |
| 248,076 | –174,077 | 571,245 | 41 | 106 | 2,818 | 648,209 | 10,234 | 658,443 |
| –60,902 | — | — | — | — | — | –60,902 | — | –60,902 |
| 364 | — | — | — | — | — | 1,283 | — | 1,283 |
| –73 | — | — | — | — | — | –73 | — | –73 |
| 3,026,543 | –716,675 | 984,559 | 82 | –47 | 19,003 | 4,799,979 | 35,103 | 4,835,082 |
| 3,026,543 | –716,675 | 984,559 | 82 | –47 | 19,003 | 4,799,979 | 35,103 | 4,835,082 |
| –4,816 | — | 4,816 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 209,907 | — | — | — | — | — | 209,907 | 844 | 210,751 |
| — –104,823 |
229,262 | 24 | 47 | –19,003 | 105,507 | 6,535 | 112,042 | |
| 209,907 | –104,823 | 229,262 | 24 | 47 | –19,003 | 315,414 | 7,379 | 322,793 |
| –60,927 | — | — | — | — | — | –60,927 | — | –60,927 |
| 193 | — | — | — | — | — | 142 | — | 142 |
| –11,951 | — | — | — | — | — | –11,951 | 12 | –11,939 |
| 3,158,949 | –821,498 | 1,218,637 | 106 | — | — | 5,042,657 | 42,494 | 5,085,151 |
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Equity as at 1 January 2019 489 648 995 947 Changes to the scope of consolidation — —
Consolidated net profit — — Other comprehensive income — — Total comprehensive income for the period — — Dividends to shareholders 25 — — Treasury shares 381 538 Other — — Equity as at 31 December 2019 490,029 996,485
Equity as at 1 January 2020 490,029 996,485 Changes to the scope of consolidation — —
Consolidated net profit — — Other comprehensive income — — Total comprehensive income for the period — — Dividends to shareholders 25 — — Treasury shares 202 –253 Other — — Equity as at 31 December 2020 490,231 996,232
in € thousands
Total comprehensive income for the period
Total comprehensive income for the period
cf. Note no.
Interests of W&W shareholders
Share capital
in paid-in capital
Capital reserve
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated net profit | 210,751 | 249,059 | |
| Non-cash items contained in consolidated net profit and reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities |
|||
| Net income from financial assets accounted for using the equity method | 7, 26 | 6,082 | –11,361 |
| Amortisation, depreciation, impairment losses (+)/reversals of impairment losses (–) on intangible assets and property, plant and equipment |
33 | 77,466 | 85,349 |
| Amortisation, depreciation, impairment losses (+)/reversals of impairment losses (–) on financial assets |
27, 28 | 57,836 | 63,054 |
| Increase (+)/decrease (–) in technical provisions | 19 | 805,628 | 1,047,394 |
| Increase (+)/decrease (–) in other provisions | 20 | 84,232 | 153,490 |
| Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities | 35 | –1,057 | 27,163 |
| Net gain (–)/loss (+) from the sale of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 34 | –7 | –281 |
| Net gain (–)/loss (+) from the sale of financial investments (not including participations) | 29 | –635,986 | –610,138 |
| Other non-cash expenses (+)/income (–) | 26-29 | –216,141 | –134,209 |
| Other adjustments | 5,259 | –11,527 | |
| Subtotal | 394,063 | 857,993 | |
| Change in assets and liabilities from operating activities | |||
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in building loans | 5 | –702,392 | –815,636 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in other assets | 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15 | 931,279 | 1,053,556 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in financial assets with positive or negative market values | 3, 16 | 491,306 | –95,752 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in liabilities evidenced by certificates | 17 | 465,411 | –339,003 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in liabilities to credit institutions | 17 | –47,351 | 867,573 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in liabilities from reinsurance business | 17 | –4,241 | 4,748 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in liabilities to customers | 17 | –560,916 | –1,036,100 |
| Increase (–)/decrease (+) in other liabilities | 17, 18, 20, 21, 23 | –532,205 | 563,150 |
| Subtotal | 40,891 | 202,536 | |
| I. Cash flow from operating activities | 434,954 | 1,060,529 |
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash receipts from the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 10, 11 | 1,652 | 1,191 |
| Cash payments for investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 10, 11 | –159,823 | –135,500 |
| Cash receipts from the disposal of financial assets | 3, 4, 5, 8 | 11,874,127 | 11,504,614 |
| Cash payments for investments in financial assets | 3, 4, 5, 8 | –12,365,223 | –12,696,462 |
| Cash receipts from the loss of control over subsidiaries and other business units | 175,000 | 9,812 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents in subsidiaries or other business entities over which control was lost | –35,108 | — | |
| Cash and cash equivalents in subsidiaries or other business entities over which control was obtained |
242,836 | — | |
| Cash payments for investments in financial assets accounted for using the equity method | 7 | –93 | –1,133 |
| II. Cash flow from investing activities | –266,632 | –1,317,478 | |
| Dividend payments to shareholders | 25 | –60,927 | –60,902 |
| Transactions between shareholders | –252 | 919 | |
| Change in funds resulting from subordinated capital | 24 | 79,895 | –10,000 |
| Interest payments on subordinated capital | 26 | –18,545 | –21,106 |
| Cash payments towards finance lease liabilities | 17 | –21,127 | –18,784 |
| III. Cash flow from financing activities | –20,956 | –109,873 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 January | 1,053,947 | 1,437,128 | |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents (I.+II.+III.) | 147,366 | –366,822 | |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents attributable to the effects of exchange rates and the scope of consolidation |
950 | –16,359 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December | 1,202,263 | 1,053,947 | |
| Components of cash and cash equivalents | |||
| Cash reserves | 1 | 75,120 | 35,758 |
| Cash available for sale | 2 | — | 26,203 |
| Balances with credit institutions payable on demand | 5 | 1,127,143 | 991,986 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year | 1,202,263 | 1,053,947 |
In the 2020 financial year, cash flow from interest received amounted to €906.0 million (previous year: €1,010.6 million), cash flow from interest paid amounted to –€192.9 million (previous year: –€240.9 million), cash flow from dividends received amounted to €176.9 million (previous year: €228.6 million) and cash flow from income taxes paid/received amounted to –€79.6 million (previous year: –€179.1 million). These amounts are included in cash flow from operating activities.
The W&W Group can freely dispose of its cash and cash equivalents.
| Subordinated capital | Leasing liabilities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 |
| As at 1 January. | 424,850 | 435,476 | 77,268 | 20,133 |
| Additional lease liabilities from the initial application of IFRS 16 as at 1 January 2019 |
— | — | — | 73,366 |
| As at 1 January, after adjustment | 424,850 | 435,476 | 77,268 | 93,499 |
| Coupons | –18,545 | –21,106 | — | — |
| Issue/redemption | –79,895 | –10,000 | –21,127 | –18,784 |
| Net change with an effect on cash | –98,440 | –31,106 | –21,127 | –18,784 |
| Addition of lease liabilities | — | — | 22,513 | 4,233 |
| Changes in scope of consolidation | — | — | 3,384 | — |
| Classified as held for sale | — | — | — | –3,233 |
| Change in accrued interest | 16,781 | 20,447 | — | — |
| Amortisation | –29 | 33 | 1,177 | 1,553 |
| Net change with no effect on cash | 16,752 | 20,480 | 27,074 | 2,553 |
| As at 31 December | 343,162 | 424,850 | 83,215 | 77,268 |
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG is a publicly traded company with registered office in Stuttgart, Germany (Gutenbergstraße 30, 70176 Stuttgart, Germany) and is the parent company of the W&W Group. The company is listed in the Commercial Register of the Local Court of Stuttgart under HRB 20203. The business of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG as an individual company consists of reinsurance business for the insurance companies of the W&W Group, as well as management of the W&W Group. The W&W Group operates almost exclusively in Germany and is represented there by two key offices in Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg/Kornwestheim.
The W&W Group is "The financial planning specialist" for modern financial planning, offering customised, innovative and attractive products in the following areas:
The Executive Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG authorised publication of the consolidated financial statements on 2 March 2021. They were presented to the Supervisory Board for approval on 23 March 2021.
The consolidated financial statements will be presented to the shareholders (virtually) at the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2021.
The consolidated financial statements of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG – consisting of the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated cash flow statement and the notes to the consolidated financial statements – were prepared on the basis of Section 315a (1) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application of IFRS international accounting standards, as they are to be applied in the European Union. In addition, a combined management report was prepared in accordance with the rules of commercial law.
In conformity with IFRS 4 "Insurance Contracts", insurance-specific business transactions for which IFRSs do not include any specific rules are recognised for domestic Group companies in accordance with the relevant rules of commercial law pursuant to Sections 341 et seq. HGB and the regulations based on them.
The consolidated financial statements of the W&W Group were drawn up in euros (€) on the basis of the going concern principle. Where figures are provided in millions of euros or thousands of euros, totalled amounts may have rounding differences due to commercial rounding rules, since the calculations for the individual items are based on whole numbers.
From the standpoint of supervisory law, there was one material change in 2020. Until the middle of the year, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, as a financial holding company, was the superordinate undertaking of the financial holding group. With the revision and entry into force of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR II), and in combination with structural changes within the Group, such as the sale of credit institutions, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG applied with the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in June 2020 for elimination of the financial holding group. This application was approved by letter of 22 July 2020. The final supervisory notifications for the financial holding group were submitted as at the reporting date of 30 June 2020.
Unless indicated otherwise, comparative information about items in the consolidated income statement relates to the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019, whereas comparative information about items in the consolidated balance sheet relates to 31 December 2019.
The business model of the W&W Group proved to be stable, including during the coronavirus pandemic. Its impact on the W&W Group will be depicted in the following.
In the 2020 reporting year, the basic business and economic conditions of the W&W Group were adversely influenced by the pandemic dissemination of the coronavirus. The crisis team of the W&W Group initiated a variety of measures early on in order to stem the spread in the W&W Group and curb the impact of the pandemic on business operations. In the process, our availability to our customers, as well as the ability of our employees to work, was assured at all times.
The financial statements of the W&W Group are affected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to varying degrees of intensity, particularly in customer lending business, in the area of capital investments and real estate and in insurance business. A variety of supportive measures by central banks and countries mitigated the effects on national economies. Particularly noteworthy is the German Act to Mitigate the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Gesetz zur Abmilderung der Folgen der Covid-19-Pandemie), which was enacted by the Bundestag on 25 March 2020. Among other things, the act provided for the ability to defer payments for three months (statutory moratorium), as well as a suspension until 30 September 2020 of the obligation to apply for commencement of insolvency proceedings on account of the risk of liability, and in some cases also criminal proceedings, that is associated with failure to comply with the obligation. In addition, due to the dynamic pace of infections during the second half of the year under review, the Federal government and the states enacted targeted temporary measures (November/December assistance and bridging assistance). As part of these extraordinary business aid packages, subsidies equal to 75% of turnover in the relevant prior-year month were in principle granted based on the number of days the business was closed, as were additional subsidies to cover fixed costs in the event of lower turnover occasioned by the coronavirus. Furthermore, suspension of the obligation to apply for commencement of insolvency proceedings was extended until 31 December 2020, but only for companies that were overindebted but not also illiquid, and with the German Act to Protect Employment as a Consequence of the Covid-19 Pandemic (Gesetz zur Beschäftigungssicherung infolge der Covid-19-Pandemie) of 3 December 2020, the legislators decided to extend the special arrangements concerning shorttime working benefits essentially until the end of 2021. These measures make it possible for companies and their workers to share in the anticipated upturn following the lockdown and thus have a stabilising effect. On the other hand, it can be anticipated that insolvency figures will rise significantly when these statutory measures expire.
Because of the duration and extent of the coronavirus pandemic, it is difficult to estimate the spread of the virus and the associated financial effects, as well as its impact on the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group. The estimates, assumptions and discretionary judgments that are relevant to the financial statements were made on the basis of management's best knowledge and currently available information. Despite increased uncertainties, the W&W Group believes that the assumptions and estimates utilised appropriately reflect the current situation. Nevertheless, particularly in light of the further development of the coronavirus pandemic, there may be deviations from these estimates.
Customer lending business primarily relates to customer lending by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG and, to a lesser extent, to the mortgage portfolios of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Versicherung AG. Despite the restrictions occasioned by the pandemic, the previous year's values were significantly exceeded in new construction financing business. By contrast, the pandemic triggered a decline in new home loan savings business. The main impact of the coronavirus pandemic in this area was that approximately 3,800 customers of the W&W Group made use of the statutory moratorium in order to defer principal and interest payments. The loans concerned were accounted for at amortised cost (taking into account risk provision) in the amount of €506.8 million. In the W&W Group, principal and interest payments that were deferred by up to three months reached €5.5 million, and they do not constitute a substantial modification within the meaning of IFRS 9. In line with the pronouncements by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the process for changing levels was modified. It did not appear to be appropriate to conclude that customers who made use of the statutory moratorium were all experiencing payment difficulties. Rather, some customers also used this tool as a precautionary measure in order ensure their liquidity during the pandemic and the associated period of uncertainty.
Most customers resumed making the agreed payments when the statutory moratorium expired. Since early July, cus-
tomers suffering financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have been offered a private moratorium, which enables them to defer principal and interest payments for up to six months. This moratorium was recognised by the banking supervisory authorities as a moratorium within the meaning of EBA/GL/2020/02. All told, the voluntary moratorium was granted to customers with a total loan volume in the mid eight figures. When the voluntary moratorium expires, the W&W Group will grant its customers the customary deferral options in order to enable borrowers to attenuate their financial difficulties.
The W&W Group decided on the basis of past experience and, in addition, external data whether an increased default risk should be assumed. On whole, we expect a higher default risk in future, although this is not yet visible in the current risk models. Therefore, we increased the probabilities of default and, in addition, used a higher probability of complete default by borrowers with lower creditworthiness. In this regard, the risk provision for customer lending was increased by €34.0 million. The adjustment of the risk provision to conform to the probability of default was primarily attributable to increased uncertainty, as well as to the greater risk of payment defaults in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
In the area of investments, the coronavirus pandemic brought about considerably greater volatility in the markets. In the area of equity investments, equity prices initially fell sharply during the first half of the year, but then recovered over the course of the rest of the year. As a result, measurement and disposal losses incurred at the start of the coronavirus pandemic were able to be recouped in part through recoveries in value.
As is customarily the case, participations in alternative investments tend to show delayed volatility compared with the equities market due to data availability and market transparency (Level 3 measurement). Therefore, measurement was not impacted as quickly by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as by the recovery effects, which move in the opposite direction. The value changes that have occurred overall so far can be seen in the disclosures concerning the measurement of fair value.
In the area of interest-bearing securities, a deterioration in creditworthiness was observed in several sectors, particularly in the first half of 2020. The risk provision created for this rose by a total of €6.2 million, which was primarily attributable to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, the high proportion of solvent debtors with investment-grade securities helped to cushion the increase in the risk provision. There were no major changes in rating classifications in the second half of 2020. In addition, the balanced diversification of the portfolio and the general recovery on the market had a positive effect. To date, there have been no defaults in interest payments or repayments. nterest rates remained low as a consequence of the very expansive monetary policy, which has been continued in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. In the case of new investments and reinvestments, this led to correspondingly lower interest income.
The coronavirus pandemic also had an impact on the property area of the W&W Group in the form of a rise in lease arrears, although the vast majority of lease payments were made on time. The statutory moratorium enabled lessees to defer their lease payments for up to three months, starting in April. Most of the lease payment arrears occasioned by the coronavirus involved only a few key commercial lessees in the retail, hotel and office sectors. They totalled €6.3 million as at the reporting date. The lease arrears occasioned by the coronavirus did not result in any modifications in the area of lease accounting under IFRS 16 (as lessor). In addition, the legislators amended Section 313 of the German Civil Code (BGB) to give commercial lessees more latitude for lease payment reductions, which triggered expenses in the very low seven figures in the W&W Group.
The selective choice of commercial lessees with appropriate business models had a positive impact. At the same time, the existing properties, which are mostly in very good locations, are normally used by lessees in a variety of ways.
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we recorded expenses of approximately €7.1 million in the property area in 2020. In connection with risk provision, these consist specifically of impairment provisions of approximately €5.3 million and provisions for the reclaiming of lease payments of approximately €1.8 million. In 2020 the pandemic led to a reduction of market values in the case of properties in the principally affected sectors. This did not result in any impairments recognised as an expense.
In insurance business, the W&W Group incurred expenses of €42.0 million, before accounting for reinsurance, in connection with business closure insurance policies. As at 31 December 2020, after making payments to policyholders totalling €15.3 million, provisions still amounted to €26.7 million. In the area of life and health insurance, there were no material effects. Our customers have an increased need for advice on legal issues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This caused expenses in the low seven figures in connection with claims under legal expenses insurance policies.
For further explanations about effects occasioned by the coronavirus, please see the management report.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) to be applied for the first time in the reporting period
With the exception of the standards described below, which were required to be applied for the first time, the same accounting policies were applied as in the consolidated financial statements as at 31 December 2019:
The foregoing amendments had no material impact on the presentation of the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group.
In connection with a regular review of the risk-appropriate depiction of the W&W consolidated financial statements, we determined that in the case of comparable financial instruments, the classification of financial instruments in accordance with IFRS 9 may result in a different class allocation under IFRS 7/IFRS 13. In the case of financial assets that are allocated to the business model "Other/trading" under IFRS 9, the SPPI criterion was left out of consideration for the IFRS 7/IFRS 13 classification. Irrespective of the features of the individual cash flows, the financial instruments were allocated to "Senior fixed-income securities". Taking into account the SPPI criterion, however, allocation to the class "Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test" would have been more appropriate for some financial instruments.
The new allocation merely involves a shifting of the recognition of the IFRS 7/IFRS 13 class from the item "Senior fixed-income securities" to the item "Financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test" in the amount of €557.4 million, without any effect on consolidated net profit. The IFRS 9 category of financial instruments ("Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss") remains unaffected by the change as a whole. The effects are shown in the following tables. In order to achieve a uniform depiction of all financial instruments in future, the SPPI criterion will be applied in the W&W Group even after allocation to the business model "Other/trading". The prior-year figures were adjusted accordingly.
| Carrying amount before adjustment |
Reclassifica tions |
Carrying amount after adjustment |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Participations other than in alternative investments | 219,034 | — | 219,034 |
| Participations in alternative investments, including private equity | 1,594,796 | — | 1,594,796 |
| Equities | 745,518 | — | 745,518 |
| Fund units | 1,148,701 | — | 1,148,701 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 1,482,665 | 557,363 | 2,040,028 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 147,084 | — | 147,084 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 723,814 | –557,363 | 166,451 |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies | 2,238,019 | — | 2,238,019 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 8,299,631 | — | 8,299,631 |
| Before adjustment |
Reclassifica tions |
After adjustment |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|
| Current net income | 1,153,281 | — | 1,153,281 |
| thereof interest income | 1,484,011 | — | 1,484,011 |
| thereof fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 46,222 | 1,991 | 48,213 |
| thereof senior fixed-income securities | 406,471 | –1,991 | 404,480 |
| Net measurement gain/loss | 612,530 | — | 612,530 |
| thereof net income from financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 728,084 | — | 728,084 |
| thereof senior fixed-income securities | 35,296 | –30,078 | 5,218 |
| thereof fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 40,981 | 30,078 | 71,059 |
| thereof currency expense | –94,008 | — | –94,008 |
| thereof fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 252 | 6,800 | 7,052 |
| thereof senior fixed-income securities | 62,135 | –6,800 | 55,335 |
| Total | 1,765,811 | — | 1,765,811 |
For investments in equity instruments, the original IFRS 7/IFRS 13 class "Participations, shares, fund units" was broken down for the first time in the 2020 financial year. Equity instruments are now recognised in the new IFRS 7/IFRS 13 classes "Participations other than in alternative investments", "Participations in alternative investments", "Equities" and "Investment fund units". The prior-year figures were likewise broken down into the new classes.
In accordance with the requirements of IAS 8.41 et seq., deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted from the reporting year onwards. The adjusted amounts in the comparative figures are indicated by the footnote "Prior-year figures adjusted".
| Carrying amo nunt before adjustment |
Reclassifica tions |
Carrying amount after adjustments |
Carrying amount before adjustments |
Reclassifica tions |
Carrying amount after adjustments |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 | 1.1.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | ||
| Other assets | 1 513 938 | –533,650 | 980,288 | 1,658,161 | –592,342 | 1,065,819 |
| Intangible assets | 99 701 | — | 99,701 | 99,939 | — | 99,939 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 287 461 | — | 287,461 | 397,777 | — | 397,777 |
| Inventories | 190 254 | — | 190,254 | 152,828 | — | 152,828 |
| Current tax assets | 37 372 | — | 37,372 | 34,398 | — | 34,398 |
| Deferred tax assets | 825 619 | –533,650 | 291,969 | 931,591 | –592,342 | 339,249 |
| Other assets | 73 531 | — | 73,531 | 41,628 | — | 41,628 |
| Total assets | 72 039 241 | –533,650 | 71,505,591 | 75,743,509 | –592,342 | 75,151,167 |
| Carrying amo nunt before adjustment |
Reclassifica tions |
Carrying amount after adjustments |
Carrying amount before adjustments |
Reclassifica tions |
Carrying amount after adjustments |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2019 | 1.1.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | ||
| Other liabilities | 865,925 | –533,650 | 332,275 | 1,054,644 | –592,342 | 462,302 |
| Tax liabilities | 262,460 | — | 262,460 | 144,347 | — | 144,347 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 570,313 | –533,650 | 36,663 | 904,323 | –592,342 | 311,981 |
| Other liabilities | 33,152 | — | 33,152 | 5,974 | — | 5,974 |
| Total assets | 72,039,241 | –533,650 | 71,505,591 | 75,743,509 | –592,342 | 75,151,167 |
In the area of the measurement of provisions for home loan savings business, an estimate was changed so that in future the technical margin will be left out of consideration with respect to the customer behaviour forecast. The application of the technical margin is no longer necessary because of the now very extensive data history covering many years, as well as experience with customer behaviour in the phase of low interest rates. Because of this change of estimate, the positive effect on results was €24.6 million in the year under review.
Due to the persistently low interest rates, the actuarial interest rates were lowered in individual property/casualty insurance lines in order to further strengthen the reserves by €60.0 million (gross) (increase in the provision for outstanding insurance claims).
IFRS 17 "Insurance Contracts" was published in May 2017. Following publication, criticism was expressed with respect to certain requirements in IFRS 17. As a result, on 25 June 2020, the IASB published "Amendments to IFRS 17", which, inter alia, postponed the date of initial application of IFRS 17 to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2023, as well as possible earlier initial application.
IFRS 17 replaces IFRS 4 "Insurance Contracts", which had been in effect since 1 January 2005. With regard to the recognition of insurance contracts, it for the first time introduces uniform requirements for the recognition, measurement and presentation of, as well as disclosures concerning, insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts. For adoption into EU law, IFRS 17 must still successfully pass the endorsement procedure.
Under the measurement model in IFRS 17, groups of insurance contracts are measured on the basis of probability-weighted discounted cash flows with an explicit risk adjustment for non-financial risk, as well as a contractual service margin, representing the unearned profit that the company will recognise as it provides services under the insurance contracts in the Group.
Instead of premium income for each period, the company will now be required to present the "insurance service result", i.e. insurance revenue, which depicts the changes in the obligation for the provision of coverage for which the insurance company receives compensation and the share of the premiums that covers the acquisition costs. Cash inflows and outflows from investment components are not to be presented in the result, i.e. as income or expenses in the income statement. Insurance financial income and expenses result from discounting effects and financial risks. Depending on the portfolio, they are recognised either in the income statement or in other comprehensive income. Changes in assumptions that are unrelated to interest rates or financial risk are not taken into account directly in the income statement but instead are booked against the contractual service margin and thus allocated over the duration of the services still to be provided. The changes in estimates are directly recognised only for those groups of insurance contracts for which losses are expected.
For short-term contracts, IFRS 17 provides for an approximation method, which, as in the past, depicts the obligation to provide insurance coverage through excess premium. Under IFRS 17, liabilities resulting from insured events that have occurred, but for which claims have not been settled, are to be discounted using current interest rates. For large parts of life insurance business with participation contracts, IFRS 17 modifies the general measurement model by also including in the contractual service margin the changes in the shareholder portion of the development of income sources underlying the participation contract and allocating them over the remaining duration of the provision of service.
In the W&W Group, the effects on the consolidated financial statements are currently being studied. At this time, we intend to apply IFRS 17 for the first time as at 1 January 2023. Initial application will have a material impact on the financial statements.
On 27 August 2020, the IASB issued Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2, which amends IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16, with initial application for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2021. The amendments were adopted into EU law on 13 January 2021. The Phase 2 amendments complement those issued in Phase 1 and are designed to assist companies in providing useful information with regard to the upcoming conversions in connection with the IBOR (Interbank Offered Rate) reform. The Phase 2 amendments address the effects of the reform on a company's financial statements that arise when, for example, an interest rate benchmark used to calculate interest on a financial asset is replaced with a nearly risk-free alternative benchmark rate. The amendments provide for temporary relief if a benchmark interest rate is replaced with a nearly risk-free alternative benchmark rate and this has an impact on the financial statements.
The W&W Group has studied the effects on the consolidated financial statements. An analysis revealed that EURIBOR constitutes an important variable interest rate in the W&W Group. As early as 2019, EURIBOR was able to be improved through more robust calculation and data collection. This improved EURIBOR, known as the "hybrid EURIBOR", thus became in conformity with the benchmark and was able to satisfy regulatory requirements. As a result of the adjustment made to EURIBOR, we expect only a minor conversion expense in connection with Phase 2 of the IBOR reform. Based on current information, other variable interest rates are of merely minor significance for the W&W Group. Therefore, as a whole, we do not expect the IBOR reform to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. We intend to apply the IBOR reform amendments for the first time on 1 January 2021.
In addition, the following changes have been published:
We are currently studying the effects that the amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2, as well as the amendments to IAS 8, will have on the W&W Group. With regard to the remaining amendments, we expect that adoption of these changes will not have any material impact on the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group. Although earlier application is generally permitted, the W&W Group does not plan to do so. EU endorsement has not yet been given for the amendments to IAS 1, the amendments to IAS 8, the amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2, the amendments to IFRS 3, IAS 16, IAS 37 and the Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 Cycle.
The annual financial statements of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG and the consolidated subsidiaries, including structured entities (public and special funds and certain investments in alternative investment funds) and consolidated associates, all of which are prepared according to accounting policies that are uniform throughout the Group, form the basis for the consolidated financial statements of the W&W Group.
The annual financial statements of the parent company, the consolidated subsidiaries and the consolidated associates were prepared as at 31 December 2020.
All subsidiaries are entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by W&W AG. Control exists where W&W AG has the power to direct the relevant activities of the entity, has a right to significant variable returns from the entity and has the ability to use its power of direction to influence the amount of the significant variable returns. W&W AG controls its subsidiaries based on the direct or indirect majority of voting rights.
The subsidiaries also include consolidated structured entities within the meaning of IFRS 12. These are entities that have been designed in such a way that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in determining whether control exists. With regard to W&W AG, these include public and special funds that are characterised, in particular, by narrowly circumscribed business activities, such as a specific capital investment strategy or limited investor rights (lack of voting rights).
Public and special funds are consolidated if, despite insufficient voting rights, they are directly or indirectly controlled by W&W AG on the basis of contractual agreements concerning management of the relevant activities.
Subsidiaries, including public and special funds, are included in the scope of consolidation unless they are of minor significance for the presentation of the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group. Consolidation begins when control is attained and ends when it is lost.
Interests in the acquired pro rata net assets of subsidiaries that are attributable to non-Group third parties are recognised under the item "Non-controlling interests in equity" in the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of changes in equity. The interests of non-Group third parties in the profits, losses and total income of companies included in the consolidated financial statements are recognised in the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under the item "Non-controlling interests in equity".
Interests in public and special funds that are attributable to non-Group third parties are recognised in the consolidated balance sheet under "Miscellaneous liabilities" (Note 17). Interests in the profits and losses of non-Group third parties can be found in the consolidated income statement under "Net other operating income/expense" (Note 34).
Subsidiaries, including public and special funds, of minor significance for the presentation of the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group are not consolidated but rather recognised under the item "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" (Note 3) in the classes "Participations other than in alternative investments", "Participations in alternative investments", "Equities" and "Investment fund units". They are measured using the same principles as for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (see the section "Financial instruments" in the chapter "Accounting policies: Notes concerning the consolidated balance sheet").
Associates are entities that are neither subsidiaries nor joint ventures and where the Group is in a position to exert significant influence over the entity's financial and operating policy decisions but does not exercise control. Significant influence generally means directly or indirectly holding 20-50% of the entity's voting rights. Where less than 20% of the voting rights are held, it is assumed that a significant influence does not exist, unless such influence can be unambiguously demonstrated.
Associates that are of more than minor significance for the presentation of the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group are included in the consolidated financial statements when significant influence is attained, and they are accounted for using the equity method. Inclusion ceases when significant influence ends. Under the equity method, the income effects and the carrying amount of financial investments generally correspond to the share of the entity's net income and net assets attributable to the Group. When acquired, holdings in associates are recognised in the consolidated financial statements at cost. In subsequent periods, the carrying amount of the holdings increases or decreases according to the W&W Group's share of the entity's net income for the period. Unrealised gains and losses, which are elements of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, are recognised under "Other reserves" under the reserve for financial assets accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.
Associates that are of minor significance for the presentation of the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group are accounted for using the same principles as for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (see the section "Financial instruments" in the chapter "Accounting policies: Notes concerning the consolidated balance sheet") and allocated to the item "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" (Note 3) in the classes "Participations other than in alternative investments", "Participations in alternative investments", "Equities" and "Investment fund units".
The euro is the functional currency and the reporting currency of W&W AG.
Transactions in foreign currencies are posted at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities that deviate from the functional currency of the respective Group company are translated into the functional currency using the reference rate of the European Central Bank (ECB) as at the reporting date. Non-monetary items that are recognised at fair value are likewise translated into the functional currency at the ECB's reference rate as at the reporting date. Other non-monetary assets and liabilities are measured at the rate prevailing on the date of the transaction (historical rate).
The translation differences for debt instruments in the category "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income" that are held in foreign currency are recognised as in the consolidated income statement as income or expense.
Pursuant to IAS 21, assets and liabilities of subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements whose functional currency is not the euro are translated into euros at the ECB's prevailing reference rate on the reporting date using the modified closing rate method. Income and expenses from the statements of comprehensive income of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the euro are translated at the average rate for the year. Translation differences are recognised directly in equity in the reserve for currency translation under "Other comprehensive income" and are first included in the income statement as income or expense upon disposal of the relevant subsidiary.
If disclosures are required for individual classes of financial instruments, these are based on the classification depicted in the following.
Each IFRS 7 class in the following table is derived from the combination of balance sheet item (columns) and risk category (rows):
Risk category
| Cash reserves | Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial assets | ||||
| Cash reserves | Amortised cost | |||
| Participations other than in alternative investments3 | Fair value | |||
| Participations in alternative investments3 | Fair value | |||
| Equities3 | Fair value | |||
| Investment funds units3 | Fair value | |||
| Senior fixed-income securities | Fair value | Fair value | ||
| Subordinated securities and receivables | Fair value | |||
| Derivative financial instruments | Fair value | |||
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | Fair value | |||
| Positive market values from hedges | ||||
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies | Fair value | |||
| Construction loans | ||||
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | Fair value | |||
| Other loans and advances | ||||
| Miscellaneous receivables1 | ||||
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | ||||
| Financial liabilities | ||||
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates | ||||
| Liabilities to credit institutions | ||||
| Liabilities to customers | ||||
| Lease liabilities | ||||
| Other liabilities | ||||
| Sundry liabilities1 | ||||
| Negative market values from hedges | ||||
| Subordinated capital | ||||
| Off-balance-sheet business | ||||
| Financial guarantees2 | ||||
| Irrevocable loan commitments2 | ||||
1 Financial instruments that constitute a class pursuant to IFRS 7 but are not covered by the scope of IFRS 7 and essentially contain receivables/liabilities from insurance business with disclosure requirements pursuant to IFRS 4.
2 Off-balance-sheet business figures are generally provided at nominal value. Provisions are created where necessary
3 The class allocation was adjusted in comparison to the previous year.
| Financial assets at amortised cost |
Positive market values from hedges |
Reinsurers' por tion of technical provisions |
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
Liabilities | Negative market values from hedges |
Subordinated capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amortised cost | ||||||
| Amortised cost | Fair value | |||||
| Fair value | ||||||
| Amortised cost Amortised cost |
||||||
| Amortised cost | ||||||
| Amortised cost Amortised cost Amortised cost |
||||||
| Amortised cost Amortised cost |
||||||
| Fair value | ||||||
| Amortised cost | ||||||
Classes of financial instruments
Cash reserves Amortised cost
2 Off-balance-sheet business figures are generally provided at nominal value. Provisions are created where necessary
Participations other than in alternative investments3 Fair value Participations in alternative investments3 Fair value Equities3 Fair value Investment funds units3 Fair value
Derivative financial instruments Fair value Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test Fair value
Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies Fair value
Senior fixed-income securities Fair value Fair value Subordinated securities and receivables Fair value
Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds Fair value
1 Financial instruments that constitute a class pursuant to IFRS 7 but are not covered by the scope of IFRS 7 and essentially contain receivables/liabilities from insurance business with disclosure
Cash reserves
Financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Risk category
Financial assets
Positive market values from hedges
Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions
Liabilities evidenced by certificates Liabilities to credit institutions Liabilities to customers
Negative market values from hedges
Off-balance-sheet business
Irrevocable loan commitments2
requirements pursuant to IFRS 4.
3 The class allocation was adjusted in comparison to the previous year.
Construction loans
Financial liabilities
Lease liabilities Other liabilities Sundry liabilities1
Subordinated capital
Financial guarantees2
Other loans and advances Miscellaneous receivables1
Pursuant to IFRS 9, financial assets and financial liabilities, including all derivative financial instruments, are recognised at the time that a company in the W&W Group becomes a party to the financial instrument. Exceptions to this concern, in particular, receivables and liabilities under insurance contracts, which are recognised in accordance with IFRS 4. Associates are measured in accordance with IAS 28.
In the W&W Group, financial instruments are recognised at the fair value on the settlement date. This does not include derivative financial instruments that are recognised at fair value at the time of contract conclusion. Interest income and expenses are recognised on an accrual basis. Accrued interest is recognised together with the corresponding balance sheet item. A financial instrument is derecognised once the contractual rights and obligations under it expire, or when it is transferred and the criteria for disposal are met.
The categorisation of financial assets (debt instruments) is based on both the company's business model for managing financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset. The subsequent measurement of financial assets is derived from these criteria. In this regard, a distinction is made between measurement at fair value through profit or loss, at fair value through other comprehensive income, and at amortised cost. The categorisation approach is presented in the following.
The exercise of discretionary judgment in the initial application of IFRS 9 is discussed in the section "Utilisation of discretionary judgments and estimates".
In connection with the classification of financial assets (debt instruments), a distinction is made in the W&W Group between the following business models:
Assignment to one of the business models takes place when the financial asset is acquired, and it is dependent on how the Group's companies manage a group of financial assets in order to achieve a specific business objective. Discretionary judgment needs to be exercised when assessing which business model is to be applied and how the assigned portfolios are specified, and in doing so, both quantitative and qualitative factors are taken into account. The quantitative factors primarily relate to the expected frequency and the expected value of sales. With regard to qualitative factors, it is assessed how reports about the financial assets are made to the executive board of the Group company concerned and how the risks are managed.
If a financial asset (debt instrument) is assigned to the business model "Hold to collect" or "Hold to collect and sell", the categorisation is to be assessed on the basis of contractual agreements. This assessment is also called the SPPI test (Solely Payments of Principal and Interest). In this regard, it is examined whether the cash flows contain only principal and interest payments (known as basic loan features) toward the outstanding capital. In this regard, interest payments may consist only of consideration for the time value of money and the assumed credit risk. In addition, other elements consist of consideration for the assumed liquidity risk and premiums for adminis-trative costs if these can be allocated to the holding of the financial asset. A profit margin is likewise an element of interest payments. It is also assessed whether criteria are present that are detrimental to the SPPI and have a material impact on cash flows during the reporting periods and the residual term to maturity.
In the case of minor changes in cash flows that the financial instrument would have had absent this contractual component, we have specified that these are to be deemed de minimis. In addition, we exercise discretionary judgment in assessing whether the impact on the contractual cash flows is to be classified extremely rare, highly abnormal and very unlikely to occur ("not genuine"). Consequently, these contracts meet the SPPI criterion. Contracts with termination options under which, at the time of repayment, payments of an amount are made that is equal to the outstanding contractual cash flows meet the SPPI criterion in the W&W Group.
Recognised in this item are cash on hand, deposits with central banks, deposits with foreign postal giro offices and debt instruments issued by public authorities with a term to maturity of less than three months. Cash reserves are recognised at cost.
Recognised here are financial assets that are assigned to the business model "Other/trading" or are assigned to the business models "Hold to collect" or "Hold to collect and sell" and do not pass the SPPI test. In addition, equity instruments, fund units, capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies and derivatives are recognised in this category. Financial instruments are assigned to individual risk categories based on their characteristics.
Changes in fair value and currency translations are recognised in the income statement under "Net measurement gain/loss". Interest components are shown under "Current net income/expense" and commissions under "Net commission income/expense". Initial recognition and subsequent measurement take place at fair value.
Financial assets (debt instruments) that are assigned to the business model "Hold to collect and sell" and pass the SPPI test are initially recognised at fair value, plus or minus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the financial asset. Fees that are not a part of effective interest are recognised under "Net commission income/expense" at the time they are collected. In the case of subsequent measurement, changes in fair value are recognised through other comprehensive income, currency effects under "Net measurement gain/loss" and interest components under "Current net in-come/expense". Premiums and discounts are depreciated using the constant effective interest method, and amortisation is recognised in the income statement. The risk provision is created/released through profit or loss and, for the purposes of accounting, shown in other comprehensive income. In the case of a disposal of the debt instrument, the changes in fair value that had previously been recognised in equity are recycled through profit or loss under "Net disposal in-come/expense".
In the W&W Group, this item mainly consists of bearer bonds, registered bonds, subordinated bonds and debenture bonds.
Financial assets that are assigned to the business model "Hold to collect" and pass the SPPI test are recognised at amortised cost. Costs at the time of acquisition correspond to fair value, plus or minus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue. Fees that are not a part of effective interest are recognised under "Net commission income/expense" at the time they are collected. In subsequent measurement, the carrying amount is amortised through profit or loss by depreciating transaction costs, premiums and discounts at a constant effective interest rate. Income and expenses for foreign currency, as well as changes in the risk provision, are likewise accounted for in the income statement under this item. Interest components are shown under "Current net income/expense".
In the W&W Group, this category primarily includes construction loans, registered bonds, bearer bonds and debenture bonds. Receivables from direct insurance business, funds withheld by ceding companies and amounts receivable on reinsurance business are generally recognised at amortised cost. Receivables from direct insurance business from policy-holders include acquisition costs recognised as claims against policyholders that are not yet due, which were determined using Zillmerisation.
Financial assets at amortised cost are tested for impairment as described in the section "Risk provision – financial assets".
This item includes the positive market values of derivatives that are accounted for as a hedging instrument in accordance with hedge accounting rules. Initial recognition and subsequent measurement take place at fair value.
Recognised under the item "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss" are the negative market values of derivative financial instruments that are not accounted for as a hedging instrument in connection with hedge accounting.
Changes in fair value and currency translations are recognised in the income statement under "Net measurement gain/loss". Interest components are shown under "Current net income/expense".
This item mainly includes liabilities to customers. Also recognised here are liabilities evidenced by certificates, liabilities to credit institutions, lease liabilities and miscellaneous liabilities.
Liabilities to customers and credit institutions, as well as liabilities evidenced by certificates, are recognised at amortised cost. Costs at the time of acquisition correspond to fair value, plus or minus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue. Fees that are not a part of effective interest are recognised under "Net commission in-come/expense" at the time they are collected. In subsequent measurement, the carrying amount is amortised through profit or loss by depreciating transaction costs, premiums and discounts at a constant effective interest rate. Interest components are shown under "Current net income/expense".
Lease liabilities are measured at the time of initial recognition at the present value of the lease payments not yet made at such time. Thereafter, they are measured at amortised cost, as increased by interest expenses and reduced by the repayment portion of the lease payments that are made.
Miscellaneous liabilities predominantly include liabilities from direct insurance business. Liabilities from direct insurance business consist of liabilities to policyholders, where premiums are received in advance but are not due until after the reporting date, as well as insurance benefits that have not yet been disbursed, profit participation accrued with interest and unclaimed premium refunds. Also recognised under "Miscellaneous liabilities" are liabilities to insurance agents and liabilities from reinsurance business. These liabilities are recognised in their repayment amount.
This item includes the negative market values of derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as a hedging instrument in accordance with hedge accounting rules. Initial recognition and subsequent measurement take place at fair value.
Subordinated capital consists of subordinated liabilities and profit participation certificates. The initial recognition of subordinated capital takes place at fair value. Costs at the time of acquisition correspond to fair value, plus or minus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue. Fees that are not a part of effective interest are recognised under "Net commission income/expense" at the time they are collected. In subsequent measurement, the carrying amount is amortised through profit or loss by depreciating transaction costs, premiums and discounts at a constant effective interest rate. Interest components are shown under "Current net income/expense".
Financial guarantees are measured in accordance with the rules in IFRS 9. Accordingly, financial guarantees are recognised at the time of issuance at fair value under "Other provisions". This normally corresponds to the present value of
the counter-performance received for assuming the financial guarantee. Thereafter, the liability is measured in the amount of the provision to be created pursuant to IAS 37 or at the original amount less subsequently recognised amortisation, whichever is higher.
Irrevocable loan commitments are fixed obligations under which the W&W Group is required to provide loans at predetermined terms. They are carried at their nominal value. If a pending liability under a contractual obligation to a third party is likely on the reporting date, a provision is created under the item "Other provisions". The risk provision for loan commitments is determined in accordance with the rules in IFRS 9.
The procedure described in the following is used to determine the fair value of financial instruments, irrespective of the category or class to which the financial instrument is assigned and regardless of whether the fair value so determined is used for measurement purposes or for information in the notes. As a rule, classification for the measurement of fair value pursuant to IFRS 13 corresponds to the classification that is made for the purpose of the extended disclosures for financial instruments pursuant to IFRS 7. The extension arises through the inclusion of noncurrent assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations, as well as, in analogous fashion, liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations, investment property and provisions for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts, in order to cover the relevant assets and liabilities.
The fair value of a financial instrument means the price that the W&W Group would receive if it were to sell an asset or pay if it were to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value is thus a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement.
The further procedure and the policies for measuring fair value are described in the chapter "Notes concerning financial instruments and fair value" in Note 38.
In connection with the accounting of economic hedging relationships, changes in the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Group's Housing division are depicted in dependence on the hedged risk (fair value hedge). In addition, the arrangements in IAS 39 are applied for hedge accounting.
The procedures applied and approaches established in connection with portfolio fair value hedges are consistent with the processes and objectives of the company's risk management, specifically internal interest rate risk management. The application of portfolio fair - value - hedge accounting is designed to depict the economic management of interest rate risks in accordance with the economic substance of the hedging relationships in IFRS accounting. The management of these risks is reflected, inter alia, in the way portfolios are created in connection with portfolio fair value hedges, which includes the definition of the hedged risk of the portfolio being created, the definition of the selection criteria for the financial instruments to be included in the respective portfolio, the generation of the associated cash flows per portfolio and allocation in maturity bands to be specified, as well as the identification of those derivatives that, with respect to their market fluctuations caused by changes in interest rates, generate a particularly good offsetting effect.
Fair value hedges are generally used to hedge the change in the fair value of a recognised asset, a recognised liability or a fixed, off-balance-sheet obligation or a precisely described part thereof that is attributable to a precisely defined risk and may have an effect on net income for the reporting period. Each change in the fair value of the derivative used as the hedging instrument is recognised in the consolidated income statement. The carrying amount of the hedged item is adjusted in the income statement by the profit or loss attributable to the hedged risk. When the hedge is terminated, the adjustment made to the carrying amount of the hedged item is amortised over the residual term to maturity, if applicable. Hedges are concluded for a term in line with their respective hedging purpose. Whereas hedging instruments at the individual transaction level are as a rule agreed upon for a longer designation period, those at the portfolio level are usually tied to a calendar month. One-month hedge periods for hedging at the portfolio level may mean that when the designation period expires at the end of month, fewer hedged items are designated than during the hedge period.
The cumulative changes in the fair value of the portfolio of financial assets that are attributable to the hedged risk are recognised as a separate subitem "Portfolio hedge adjustment" under the balance sheet item "Financial assets at amortised cost" on the assets side and under the balance sheet item "Liabilities" on the liabilities side. The respective subitem involves a measurement item from the interestrate-based measurement of hedged items designated in connection with the portfolio fair value hedge. Recognised in this regard is the change in the hedged item as relates to the hedged risk. In addition, the market-fluctuation component allotted to the hedged risk is recognised in "Net measurement gain/loss" in the income statement.
When entering into a hedge in accordance with the hedge accounting rules under IAS 39, the hedged item and the hedging instrument are unambiguously stipulated in formal documentation. This documentation also contains statements about the hedged risk, the objective of the hedge and the rhythm and form of initial and subsequent measurement of effectiveness.
For portfolio fair value hedges, the prospective measurement of a hedge's effectiveness, which is performed at the time the contracts are drawn up for the hedged item and the hedging instrument, is undertaken in accordance with the dollar offset method on the basis of interest rate scenarios for each portfolio (market data shifts). In the process, the relevant interest rate curves are adjusted by +/- 100 basis points, and effectiveness is then measured. In doing so, it is assessed whether the ratio created for the hedge adjustments to the hedged item and the hedging instrument, which are calculated from simulated changes in value, satisfies the effectiveness criterion. In accordance with IAS 39 AG 105, a hedge is regarded as prospectively effective if can be expected that it will offset changes in the fair value of the hedged item and the hedging instrument that are attributable to the hedged risk during the period for which the hedge is designated and if the actual fluctuation in value, i.e. the created ratio, is within a range of 80-125%.
The retrospective effectiveness test is performed on the basis of the change in the market interest rate per portfolio that actually occurred during the period for which the hedge was designated. Here as well, the dollar offset method is applied. In doing so, it is tested whether the ratio created for the hedge adjustments to the hedged item and the hedging instrument, which are calculated from changes in value during the period, satisfies the effectiveness criterion explained above. If the ratio is within a range of 80-125%, the hedge is also regarded as retrospectively effective.
Effectiveness is determined at the end of each month. The corresponds to the length of one-month hedge periods and applies to both the prospective and the retrospective view. As a rule, a hedge is ineffective if the changes in the value of the hedged item and the hedging instrument fall outside of the tolerance range. This would be the case, for example, if a hedged item is eliminated because of an impairment or if actual remeasurements deviate from expected remeasurements within a maturity band.
Existing portfolio fair value hedges serve to reduce the risk of changes in interest rates. The socalled "remaining-term-to-maturity effect" is not a component of the hedged risk. Interest rate swaps are the only hedging instruments used to hedge the risk of changes in interest rates in the form of value losses due to a changed interest rate level. The main hedged items were construction loans, registered bonds, debenture bonds and term deposits.
Hedge accounting ceases when the conditions for doing so are no longer met.
The risk provision is calculated under IFRS 9 using the expected credit loss model. This model requires estimates to be made with respect to the question of the degree to which trends in economic and macroeconomic factors may have an impact on expected credit losses. This assessment is made on the basis of weighted probabilities.
The arrangements in IFRS 9 concerning risk provision are applied to financial assets at amortised cost and to debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income, as well as to loan commitments and issued finance guarantees. In the case of assets at amortised cost, the risk provision is recognised directly in the risk provision position associated with the respective balance sheet item. In the case of assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, the risk provision is recognised in the income statement by adjusting the reserve for financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, which is recognised in equity. The risk provision for off-balance-sheet business is recognised as an expense under "Other provisions". This risk provision is essentially calculated the same
way as that for financial assets. In general, the risk provision model under IFRS 9 does not apply to financial assets at fair value through profit or loss or to debt instruments that are not subject to any credit risk.
Under IFRS 9, the risk provision is calculated using a three-level approach. In Level 1, impairments are determined upon initial recognition on the basis of 12-month credit losses. Expected credit losses are those that result from potential default events within the 12 months following the reporting date. If the credit risk (excluding collateral) has increased significantly as at the measurement date, the financial asset is transferred from Level 1 to Level 2, to the extent that a default event has not yet occurred. Owing to the possibility of default, the financial asset is measured in Level 2 over the residual term to maturity (lifetime view). If, as time progresses, disruptions in performance occur, meaning that there is objective evidence of impaired creditworthiness, the financial asset is assigned to Level 3. In Level 3, impairment is generally measured on the basis of the lifetime view, analogous to Level 2, taking into account the certain occurrence of a default event. In Levels 1 and 2, interest income is calculated on the basis of the gross carrying amount of the financial asset, whereas in Level 3, it is calculated on the basis of the gross carrying amount less the risk provision. The adjustments as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic and the impact on the risk provision due to agreed deferral measures (statutory and voluntary moratorium) are explained in more detail in the section on the coronavirus pandemic.
As a rule, contracts in customer lending business for which payments have been in default for 30 days or longer are considered to have a significantly increased credit risk and are assigned to Level 2. This assumption was refuted for only a small part of the overall portfolio, and despite being past due for more than 30 days, the contracts continued to be assigned to Level 1.
In lending business, a quantitative assessment is made as to whether a material credit deterioration has occurred since initial recognition using the change in the probability of default. Serving as the quantitative criterion for evaluating a credit deterioration is an actual or anticipated reduction of the borrower's internal credit rating, which is used for the internal evaluation of the default risk. Quantitative criteria also include past experience and credit ratings, as well as forward-looking macroeconomic factors. In general, the macroeconomic factors are used on the basis of qualitative considerations in risk management and professional considerations in order to ascertain point-in-time components. There is a demonstrated interdependence between the relevant forward-looking information and the relevant risk parameters in the sense of a true and fair view, which is considered within the calculation of the risk provision under IFRS 9. For further remarks, please see the section "Modelling of point-in-time components".
In the area of construction loans, the portfolios are assigned to an internal rating class using a scoring procedure, with each rating class being associated with a probability of default. At the time of acquisition, assignment to a rating class is accomplished by means of application scoring. As time progresses, credit quality is reviewed for changes by means of behavioural scoring, and the portfolio is assigned to the relevant rating class. The assessment of whether a significant credit deterioration has occurred is made on the basis of the relative change in the probability of default. In addition, in the case of the determination of a significant credit deterioration, a qualitative criterion is also used, namely, the carrying out of forbearance measures. For further remarks, please see the section "Concessions and renegotiations (forbearance measures)".
In the area of securities, we look at the external issuer rating and other criteria, such as price changes (average price over the past six months is consistently 20% below the book price, average price over the past 12 months is at least 10% below the book price). Securities with an investment grade rating are assigned to Level 1. If the rating changes from investment grade to non-investment grade, they are always shifted to Level 2. If in addition to significantly increased credit risk, there is objective evidence that a security is impaired, or if the occurrence of a default event with the issuer is 100% certain, the security is assigned to Level 3.
An assignment to Level 3 takes place if the impairment trigger and the supervisory definition in Article 178 CRR are met. As a rule, the following criteria are used for this purpose:
If a financial asset is impaired, its gross carrying amount is written down by the amount that is expected to be uncollectable. The asset will be written off (in part). Normally, an asset is first written off when, following successful realisation of the collateral, the remaining claim is classified as uncollectable. As a rule, a release is made from the previously created risk provision to cover this loss.
The Group's portfolio currently does not contain any financial assets that were already at risk of default at the time of initial recognition.
In connection with the calculation of the expected credit loss or the expected credit risk, the Group uses a model based on parameters for the probability of default (PD), the exposure at default (EAD) and the loss given default (LGD). In calculating the expected credit risk, we essentially draw on existing (one-year) parameters that are used for calculating the minimum capital requirements for credit institutions in connection with the internal ratings-based approach, as adjusted to meet the concerns in IFRS 9 (e.g. horizon of several years in the sense of a consideration of residual term to maturity, including macroeconomic factors). In doing so, we use existing one-year models and approximate the maturity-dependent probability of default with the aid of a series of one-year PDs. The key attribute used to determine multi-year, conditional PD profiles is the 12-month or one-year default indicator.
In lending business, the probability of default is determined on the basis of an internal rating system. In this regard, each loan in the W&W Group is assigned a probability of default on the basis of a master scale. The assignment of the rating is based on the customer's specific behaviour, taking into account such factors as general customer behaviour (e.g. income from employment, marital status), external data (e.g. credit rating by Schufa) and payment behaviour.
In connection with establishing the parameters for determining the exposure at default, we model contractually agreed interest and principal payments and optional unscheduled principal payments for all products.
In determining the loss given default, we model multiyear parameters on the basis of features that vary over time. In addition to the aforementioned exposure at default, these features that vary over time consist of, for instance, collateral or loan-to-value ratios. Here as well, we model a point-in-time component in order to capture the macroeconomic effects on the loss ratio. In the case of in rem collateral, the price index for existing residential properties is relevant, whereas in the case of non-in rem collateral, the long-term 10-year yield for German government bonds is referenced. For further remarks, please see the section "Modelling of point-in-time components".
In the course of calculating a risk provision under IFRS 9, it is also necessary to discount cash flows. In this regard, IFRS 9 requires that the effective interest rate be used for discounting purposes.
The modelling of point-in-time components is intended to cover not only past and current information but also forecasts about future changes in the economy. Because these components are viewed over a horizon of several years, information about economic trends that are expected in the future has to be taken into consideration when measuring the risk of default associated with a credit agreement. By means of the considered macroeconomic factors, the forecasts extend into the future for at most three years.
Implementation of such a forward-looking correction corresponds to a modification of the multiyear probabilities of default. A forward-looking perspective requires the inclusion of forecasts about economic factors that are relevant for the default rate. In this regard, a determination is first made as to the impact that the relevant macroeconomic factors have on the portfolio default rate. The point-in-time correction of the multiyear probabilities of default is then based on the forecast of this portfolio default rate.
Accordingly, a contract-specific settlement LGD with a point-in-time correction is also modelled.
In terms of macroeconomic factors, the change in the probability of default in customer lending business depends, in particular, on changes in the unemployment rate and nominal GDP growth. The probability of default tends to increase when the unemployment rate rises or nominal GDP growth falls. In terms of macroeconomic factors, the amount of the expected percentage loss in the event of default in customer lending business depends on trends in the price index for existing residential properties, as well as trends in the long-term 10-year yield for German government bonds.
The expected percentage loss at the time of default tends to rise when the price index for residential properties falls or the long-term 10-year yield for German government bonds rises.
With respect to the coronavirus pandemic, the current approach for calculating a risk provision under IFRS has essentially remained the same, but small modifications were necessary due to the new situation. This mainly related to the use of macroeconomic factors. Adjustments made beyond this are presented in the section on the coronavirus pandemic.
The model for calculating the risk provision requires estimates to be made with respect to the question of the degree to which trends in macroeconomic factors may have an impact on expected credit losses. In this regard, the derivation of the relevant macroeconomic factors under each scenario for the forecast for the IFRS 9 risk provision calculation was as a rule in line with internal company planning, as well as with the availability of the data bases for the forecasts. However, the coronavirus pandemic caused particular uncertainty here with respect to the further trends in these utilised forecasts for the respective factors. In particular, the duration of the second lockdown until 28 March 2021 is not yet being taken into consideration in the utilised forecasts. In addition, suspension of the obligation to apply for commencement of insolvency proceedings, which has been extended since the start of the coronavirus pandemic until 30 April 2021, as it currently stands, means that it is especially difficult to make a statement this year about the continued existence of many companies, about their employment situation and thus about unemployment rates.
In order to determine the sensitivity of the risk provision in accordance with IFRS 9, the following scenarios were considered in customer lending business. In addition, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, macroeconomic factors were used that are more stable in the medium to long term. This discretionary judgment is in line with the requirements of ESMA.
| Base scenario Alternative scena rio – optimistic |
Alternative scena rio – pessimistic |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price index for existing residential properties1 | 168.5 | 178.5 | 153.5 | |
| Unemployment rate, in %2 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 5.7 | |
| Nominal GDP growth, in %3 | 2.7 | 4.2 | 1.0 | |
| Long-term 10-year interest rate for German government bonds, in %4 | –0.5 | –0.2 | –0.8 |
1 Base year = 2010, data base of the German Federal Statistical Office at the quarterly level, forecast over three years
2 Data base of the OECD at the quarterly level, forecast over one year
3 Data base of the OECD at the quarterly level, forecast over one year
4 Data base of the OECD at the quarterly level, forecast over two years
The foregoing macroeconomic factors relate to Germany.
In the course of calculating an IFRS 9 risk provision for accounting purposes in customer lending business, the base scenario is exclusively applied, since the modelled risk parameters are themselves already based on various model scenarios (default, no default, recovery, settlement) and this base scenario remains well suited for making forecasts. The alternative scenarios are shown here merely for informational purposes. The employed characteristics of the various macro factors were estimated in light of the coronavirus pandemic, and a purely mechanistic adoption of the current macroeconomic situation was avoided. The forecast for the relevant factors was based on the objective of giving greater weight to assumptions that are more stable in the long term.
In connection with the derivation of risk parameters in the area of investments, we make use of information provided by rating agencies and by the capital market, particularly in the case of the derivation of multiyear default parameters, taking into account internal valuation interest rate curves and empirically observed (multiyear) default rates for bonds that are published on a regular basis by the rating agencies. We also use information provided by rating agencies when modelling multiyear parameters relating to the loss given default (LGD). The probabilities of default take into account forward-looking macroeconomic information in the form of a correction factor on the basis of market-implicit probabilities of default. This is because the macroeconomic factors listed above are implicitly included in the risk provision
calculation through the expectations of market participants. This correction factor describes the relationship between the current and long-term credit spread-based expectations of investors on the capital market concerning credit ratings. If this relationship is greater than 1 (less than 1) in the pessimistic (optimistic) scenario, the capital market assumes a higher (lower) probability of default for an issuer, which, in accordance with the correction factor, then has an effect on the calculation of the risk provision.
In the W&W Group as a whole, the risk provision in accordance with IFRS 9 would, in the pessimistic scenario, increase by €90.7 million for customer lending business and in the area of investments and, in the optimistic scenario, fall by €18.7 million for both areas.
The models used under IFRS 9 for calculating the expected credit loss are validated on a regular basis.
In justified exceptional cases, we enter into reorganisation/restructuring agreements with contract partners, irrespective of the coronavirus pandemic. These agreements generally call for a temporary or permanent reduction in the amount of loan repayment instalments in exchange for an extension of the total term of the loan, which ultimately is intended to lead to complete repayment. However, the changed basic conditions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic made it necessary to make adjustments to the current approach. The changes are described in more detail in the section on the coronavirus pandemic.
Such concessions may be granted to the borrower on account of existing or expected financial difficulties, and they normally contain terms that are more advantageous to the borrower as compared with the original contract. In order to be able to identify these commitments early on, all loan commitments in the W&W Group are regularly reviewed for whether there is evidence that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. In particular, arrears that trigger collection warnings constitute objective evidence that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties.
In advance of such restructuring, reorganisation and deferment measures, the customer's creditworthiness is once again verified on the basis of current economic circumstances. Measures taken in the past always form part of the decision-making process.
Forbearance measures essentially also have an impact on the level assignment in accordance with IFRS 9. In the spirit of a forward-looking concept for risk provision under IFRS 9, we augment the quantitative criteria for a change of level with a qualitative transfer criterion with respect to the forbearance measures that have been taken. This ensures that, as a rule, all forbearance measures trigger a change of level under IFRS 9 from Level 1 to Level 2. For further remarks, please see the section "Exercise of discretionary judgment in the application of IFRS 9 'Financial instruments'".
Loan commitments for which the evaluation of creditworthiness, taking into account an annuity reduction, is positive and that were not previously in default are converted directly to the new repayment terms. The effects from the undertaken modifications were not material in the W&W Group in the current financial year (unsubstantial modifications).
However, despite careful review of creditworthiness and the targeted measures taken, it cannot be ruled out that repayment problems will arise in the future. Should that occur, the customer's creditworthiness is once again critically reviewed on the basis of its current economic circumstances.
If the assessment of creditworthiness is negative, or if the loan is in default, it is first decided whether it appears reasonable under the given circumstances to restructure the existing loan or refinance the debt through a new loan. In all other cases, the settlement process is initiated for loans in default.
The loan claim is derecognised if no further payments are expected from liquidation of existing collateral or from the debtor.
Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations
A non-current asset is classified as held for sale if the associated carrying amount is to be realised primarily through a sale and not through continued use.
Such assets are recognised in the balance sheet under the item "Non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations". Income and expenses from individual assets held for sale or disposal groups are not recognised separately in the income statement but instead are included under the normal items.
Non-current assets that are classified as held for sale are recognised at the carrying amount or at fair value less costs of disposal, whichever is lower. If the carrying amount is higher than fair value less costs of disposal, the amount of the difference is recognised as a loss for the relevant period. Assets held for sale are not subject to scheduled depreciation.
Costs of disposal mean the additionally incurred costs that are directly attributable to the sale of an asset (or a disposal group), with the exception of financing costs and the income tax expense.
The criteria for classifying an asset as held for sale are considered met only if the sale is very likely and the asset or the disposal group can be immediately sold in its current condition. In principle, it may be expected that the planned sale will take place within one year of the time of classification.
The item "Investment property" consists of land and buildings, as well as right-of-use assets under leases, that are held for the purposes of generating rental income and/or appreciation in value.
Investment property is measured at acquisition or production cost, as reduced by scheduled use-related depreciation and, where applicable, impairment losses (cost model).
Each part of a property with an acquisition value that is significant in relation to the value of the entire property is subjected to separate scheduled depreciation. In so doing, a distinction is made, at a minimum, between shell construction and interior outfitting/technical systems.
The individual useful lives of shell construction and interior outfitting/technical systems are estimated by architects and engineers in the property division of the W&W Group. For shell construction, the maximum useful life is estimated to be 80 years (previous year: 80 years) for residential properties and 50 years (previous year: 50 years) for commercial properties, whereas for interior outfitting/technical systems, the maximum useful life is estimated to be 25 years (previous year: 25 years).
Shell construction and interior outfitting/technical systems are subjected to scheduled depreciation on a straight-line basis over the expected remaining useful life. Right-of-use assets from investment property are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of up to 99 years. In this regard, the expected useful life corresponds to the contract term.
Investment property is tested for impairment in two steps. First, it is examined whether there is evidence of impairment on the reporting date. If this is the case, the anticipated recoverable amount is determined as the net realisable value (fair value less costs of disposal). If this value is less than amortised cost, an impairment loss is taken in the corresponding amount. In addition, it is examined on the reporting date whether there is evidence that an impairment loss taken for investment property in earlier periods no longer exists or might have declined. If this is the case, the recoverable amount is likewise determined and, if appropriate, the carrying amount is modified to reflect the recoverable amount, paying regard to amortised cost.
The fair value of investment property is essentially determined using the discounted cash flow method, with deposits and withdrawals planned in detail. In this regard, significant non-observable inputs are used, for which reason this method for investment property is allocated to Level 3 in the measurement hierarchy for determining fair value.
In connection with determining fair value, expected future cash inflows (rents, other revenues) and cash outflows (maintenance, non-apportionable operating expenses, vacancy costs, costs for releasing) are discounted to present value for a 10-year forecast period and planned in detail.
Cash inflows and outflows are considered on an individual basis, i.e. each lease and each construction measure is planned separately. Likewise, vacancy periods, real estate agent costs, etc. in the commercial area are viewed separately for each rental unit. With regard to residential properties, market-based assumptions about the change in the average rents of all residential units over the forecast period are taken as a basis. Because residential units are similar, we dispense with individual planning.
In particular, the following significant non-observable inputs are used:
Investment property is initially valued using outside appraisers (see Note 8). Thereafter, it is valued on an ongoing basis by commercial and technical employees (portfolio managers, controllers, architects and engineers) from the Group's property division. Management's assumptions are taken into consideration in making valuations. With property investments under outside management, fair value is normally determined by outside appraisers. Property fair values shown in the notes to the consolidated financial statements were likewise determined using the above-described method.
The reinsurers' portion of technical provisions is recognised in the balance sheet on the assets side.
All reinsurance contracts concluded by W&W Group companies transfer significant insurance risk, i.e. they are insurance contracts within the meaning of IFRS 4. The reinsurers' portion of technical provisions is determined from gross technical provisions in conformity with the contractual terms (see also the notes on the corresponding liability items). The reinsurers' portion of technical provisions is tested for impairment on each reporting date.
Allocated to the item "Intangible assets" are software, brand names, copyrights and other intangible assets. An intangible asset must satisfy the following requirements: (a) it must be an asset, (b) it must be identifiable, (c) it must be devoid of any physical substance and (d) it must have a non-monetary character.
All intangible assets exhibit a limited useful life, are measured at amortised cost (cost model) and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life.
Internally developed software from which the Group is likely to receive a future economic benefit and that can be reliably measured is capitalised at its production cost and amortised on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. Production costs for internally developed software consist of all directly attributable costs that are necessary for developing and producing the respective asset and preparing it in such a way that it is capable of operating in the manner intended.
Research and development costs that are not required to be capitalised are treated as an expense in the period. If the acquisition or production of software takes longer than one year, the directly attributable borrowing costs incurred up to completion are capitalised as a component of the production costs for the qualified asset.
As a general rule, internally developed and acquired software is amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of three to five years. Brand names are amortised on a straight-line basis over a useful life of 20 years, and other acquired intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over a useful life of at most 15 years.
Scheduled amortisation of and impairment losses taken for intangible assets are recognised as general administrative expenses under the item "Depreciation/amortisation".
Recognised under "Property, plant and equipment" are property for own use, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets. Property for own use means land and buildings used by Group companies. Additional accounting policies concerning right-of-use assets can be found in the section "Leases".
Property, plant and equipment is measured pursuant to the cost model at acquisition or production cost, as reduced by scheduled use-related depreciation and, where applicable, impairment losses.
Property for own use is measured using the same valuation methods that apply to the recognition of investment property. Reference is therefore made to the corresponding comments. Right-of-use assets from property for own use are depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of up to 12 years.
Plant and equipment are subject to scheduled depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. Useful life normally amounts to up to 13 years but in some cases may extend to up to 50 years. Right-of-use assets – plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the useful life of up to 15 years. Acquired EDP equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, normally up to at most seven years.
Economic useful life is regularly reviewed in connection with preparation of the financial statements. Modifications that need to be made are recognised as a correction to scheduled depreciation over the remaining useful life of the respective asset.
In addition, as at each reporting date, it is reviewed whether there is evidence of impairment to the corresponding asset. If this is the case, impairment is determined by comparing the carrying amount with the recoverable amount (fair value less costs of disposal or value in use, whichever is higher). If an item of property, plant and equipment does not generate cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other items of property, plant and equipment or groups of property, plant and equipment, impairment is tested not on the level of the specific item of property, plant and equipment but rather on the level of the cash-generating unit to which the item of property, plant and equipment is to be allocated. If it is necessary to take an impairment loss, it corresponds to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount for the item of property, plant and equipment or, if applicable, for the cash-generating unit, whichever is lower. If fair value less costs of disposal cannot be determined, the recoverable amount corresponds to the value in use. The value in use is determined as the present value of forecast cash flows from continued use. Once there is evidence that the reasons for taking the impairment loss no longer exist, it is tested for reversal.
Scheduled depreciation of and impairment losses taken for property for own use and plant and equipment are recognised as general administrative expenses under the item "Depreciation/amortisation". Income for property for own use related to the pro rata temporis release of disposal gains in connection with sale-leaseback transactions is recognised as other operating income.
Inventories are recognised at acquisition or production cost or at net realisable value, whichever is lower.
Production costs are determined on the basis of individual costs and directly attributable overhead costs. The scope of production costs is determined by the costs expended up to the point of completion and readiness for use (total costs-of-conversion approach). Acquisition and production costs for non-interchangeable and special inventories are determined by specific allocation. Certain acquisition and production costs for interchangeable inventories are determined according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or the weighted average cost method.
Net realisable value corresponds to the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
A lease is a contract or part of a contract that entitles the lessee to control the use of an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. At inception of a contract, it must be assessed whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
The W&W Group began applying IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019. IFRS 16 is not being applied to intangible assets.
As a rule, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability are recognised in like amounts in the consolidated balance sheet on the commencement date. Recognised right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis until the end of the contract according to the same principles applicable to other comparable assets owned by the W&W Group (cost model). Recognised right-of-use assets are tested for impairment as at each reporting date. If the recoverable amount of the right-of-use asset is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is taken. If the reasons for taking the impairment loss no longer exist, it is tested for reversal. Scheduled depreciation and impairment expenses are recognised in the subitem "Depreciation/amortisation" under "General administrative expenses".
The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. In addition, the present value is calculated on the basis of the lease payments for the right to use the underlying asset that have not yet been made, which are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. Since that rate cannot be readily determined, we use our incremental borrowing rate, which is determined on the basis of an alternative borrowing in the form of an observable return over a period that corresponds to the term of the relevant lease. In addition, the lessee's credit default risk is taken into account in the interest rate, paying regard to term and creditworthiness.
Lease payments are divided into financing costs and a repayment portion, whereby the financing costs are recognised as an expense under "Current net income/expense" (interest expenses under "Net interest income/expense"). The repayment portion reduces the financial liability.
The W&W Group recognises its right-of-use assets in the same balance sheet item in which its own underlying assets are recognised, i.e. under "Property, plant and equipment" and under "Investment property".
Lease liabilities are recognised under "Liabilities" as a separate subitem in the consolidated balance sheet.
Short-term leases with a term of up to one year, as well as leases whose underlying asset is of low value, are recognised as a general administrative expense in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Every lease is classified by the lessor either as an operating lease or a finance lease. The classification is made at the start of the lease and is reevaluated only if the lease is amended.
The lessor classifies a lease as a finance lease if essentially all risks and opportunities associated with ownership are transferred to the lessee. The leased asset held at the time of contract conclusion is derecognised, and a receivable from the lessee in the amount of the net investment in the lease is recognised under "Other receivables". Payments of lease instalments are to be broken down into receivable amortisation and financial income. The derecognition and impairment rules of IFRS 9 are applied to the receivable.
If the lessor classifies a lease as an operating lease, the assets underlying the lease are capitalised in the corresponding balance sheet item, irrespective of the characteristics of these assets. Income from operating leases is recognised in the item "Other current net income/expense", generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Costs, including depreciation, incurred in connection with operating leases are recognised as an expense in the item "Other current net income/expense" in the consolidated income statement. The depreciation rates for depreciable leased assets are consistent with those for similar assets. Recognised leased assets are tested for impairment as at each reporting date. If the reasons for taking the impairment loss no longer exist, it is tested for reversal.
Current tax assets and liabilities are recognised in the amount that is most likely or corresponds to the expected value. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are created because of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet drawn up pursuant to IFRS and the tax carrying amounts pursuant to local tax rules of the Group companies. Deferred taxes are calculated at the respective country-specific tax rates that are in effect or that have been announced as at the reporting date. Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax loss carryfor-wards to the extent that, in accordance with planning calculations, it is probable that they can be utilised in the future. Deferred tax assets from temporary differences and loss carryforwards are tested for impairment as at each reporting date. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are shown netted.
Technical provisions are recognised on the liabilities side in gross amounts, i.e. before deduction of the reinsurers' portion of technical provisions. The reinsurance portion is determined in accordance with contractual reinsurance agreements and recognised separately on the assets side.
All insurance contracts concluded by W&W Group companies transfer significant insurance risk, i.e. they are insurance contracts within the meaning of IFRS 4.
Pursuant to IFRS 4.14 (a), liabilities may not be recognised for fluctuation reserves to be created in property and casualty insurance according to national rules or for reserves similar to fluctuation reserves.
Reserves are created for assumed reinsurance business according to the information provided by the prior insurer. If such information was unavailable, the reserves were determined by the data available to us. In the case of coinsurance and pools in which direction has been in the hands of outside companies, the same approach was taken.
The provision for unearned premiums corresponds to that portion of written premiums that constitutes income for a certain period of time after the reporting date. For each insurance contract, the provision for unearned premiums is accrued either to the precise day or to the precise month. The provision for unearned premiums in transport insurance in the area of property/casualty insurance is recognised under the item "Provision for outstanding insurance claims".
The provision for future policy benefits is determined according to actuarial principles for each contract prospectively, taking into account the month of commencement, as the present value of future guaranteed insurance benefits, less the present value of future premiums. Future administrative costs are mainly taken into account implicitly.
For times when no premiums are paid, a provision for administrative costs is created within the provision for future policy benefits. It is currently deemed to be sufficiently high. With unit-linked life and annuity insurance, only contingent guarantee components are recognised in the provision for future policy benefits.
In the case of insurance policies with regular premium payments, acquisition costs are explicitly recognised using Zillmerisation. To the extent permitted, claims that are not yet due are recognised under "Receivables from policyholders".
The applied actuarial interest rate and the biometric actuarial bases correspond to those that also form part of the calculation of premium rates. Interest rates ranged from 0.0% (previous year: 0.0%) to 4.0% (previous year: 4.0%). Exceptions to this are explained in the following sections. The average actuarial interest rate for the provision for future policy benefits was 1.7% (previous year: 1.8%), taking into account the created additional interest reserve/interest rate reinforcement. The standard industry tables recommended by the German Association of Actuaries (DAV) were used for the biometric actuarial bases. In exceptional cases, tables based on our own past experience were used.
As a result of European case-law, only so-called "unisex rates" have been permitted to be offered since 21 December
2012, which are calculated in a gender-neutral manner. For this purpose, the company uses its own, gender-neutral biometric actuarial bases, which are derived from the gender-neutral tables recommended by the DAV.
For insurance policies for which an actuarial interest rate was originally used that is no longer appropriate under Section 341f (2) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the provision for future policy benefits in the new portfolio was determined for the period of the next 15 years using the reference interest rate of 1.73% (previous year: 1.92%) specified in Section 5 (3) of the German Regulation on Calculation of the Provision for Future Policy Benefits (DeckRV) and thereafter using the original actuarial interest rate. In the old portfolio, interest reinforcement was created pursuant to the business plan in a manner analogous to the additional interest reserve. For this purpose, a measurement interest rate of 1.73% (previous year: 1.92%) was used for the insurance policies of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, and a measurement interest rate of 2.17 (previous year: 2.3%) was used for ARA Pensionskasse AG. In calculating interest reinforcement and the additional interest reserve, likelihoods of cancellation and capital disbursement were taken into account that are in part specific to each company. This led to a slightly higher addition in the mid seven figures. In the case of endowment insurance policies of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, the mortality table DAV 2008T was, in addition, used as the reserve level.
In order to take increased life expectancy into account with regard to annuity insurance, an additional provision for future policy benefits was created. Current mortality studies of annuity insurance have shown that the safety margins built into the original actuarial bases no longer meet the actuarial safety requirements. In order to maintain an appropriate safety level going forward, the safety margin was bolstered in the 2020 financial year in accordance with DAV recommendations as part of the ongoing review of trend assumptions, and the provision for future policy benefits for pensions was increased. This was based on the DAV-developed mortality tables DAV 2004 R-Bestand (at the rate of 4/20) and DAV 2004 R-B20 (at the rate of 16/20), on entity-specific capital disbursement probabilities, which were adjusted in 2020 for a partial portfolio, and on the principles for calculating the provision for future policy benefits that were published by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in January 2005. In this regard, the adjustment of capital disbursement probabilities resulted in a slightly higher addition.
(Supplemental) occupational disability insurance policies were collectively compared against the currently valid DAV actuarial bases. An additional provision for future policy benefits was not created.
For supplemental long-term care annuity insurance policies, actuarial bases are used that are deemed sufficient pursuant to the guideline "Reserving for (supplemental) long-term care annuity insurance policies in the portfolio" enacted by the DAV in the 2008 financial year.
The actuarial bases used for calculating the provision for future policy benefits are reviewed annually for sufficient safety margins, taking into consideration the actuarial bases recommended by the DAV and BaFin and the observable trends in the portfolio. The explanatory report by the responsible actuary pursuant to Section 141 (5) No. 2 and No. 4 sentence 2 of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG) demonstrates that all actuarial bases were selected with sufficient caution pursuant to regulatory and commercial law provisions.
The provision for outstanding insurance claims was created for future payment obligations that result from insurance claims that occurred on or before the reporting date but have not yet been settled. It also contains anticipated claim adjustment expenses. The amounts and disbursement times of insurance benefits are still uncertain.
The provision for insurance claims that have already been reported by the reporting date is generally determined separately (separate measurement). For insurance claims that had already occurred by the reporting date but were still unknown, a provision for late outstanding claims was created, whose amount was determined on the basis of operational experience in past years.
The provision for premium refunds consists of two parts. Assigned to the first part – the provision for premium refunds (premiums allocated according to commercial law rules) – is the portion of each insurance company's net profit that is attributable to policyholders. The second part of the provision for premium refunds – the provision for deferred premium refunds – contains the portions of the cumulative measurement differences between the annual financial statements of the individual companies under the HGB and the consolidated financial statements pursuant to IFRS that are attributable to policyholders. These temporary measurement differences are included in the provision for deferred premium refunds at the rate of 90% (previous year: 90%) at which policyholders participate at a minimum upon realisation.
Technical provisions in the area of life insurance, insofar as the investment risk is borne by policyholders, are deter-
mined for each individual contract using the retrospective method. In this regard, unless they are used for the purposes of financing guarantees, received premiums are invested in fund units. The risk and cost components are withdrawn from the fund balance on a monthly basis, where applicable subject to offsetting against the corresponding surplus components. The carrying amount of this item corresponds to the carrying amount of capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies under the item "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss".
In the case of unit-linked annuity insurance policies for which the guarantees are depicted as part of a dynamic hybrid concept, recognised as the provision for future policy benefits is the total of fund units and investments in other assets, but at least the prospectively calculated provision for the guarantee benefit.
In health insurance, the average actuarial interest rate for the provision for future policy benefits was 2.14% (previous year: 2.21%). The mortality tables published by BaFin were used for the biometric actuarial bases. In calculating the provision for future policy benefits in health insurance, assumptions are made about probabilities of withdrawal and about current health costs and those that increase with age. These assumptions are based on our own experience and on reference values ascertained industry-wide. The actuarial bases are reviewed on a regular basis in connection with premium adjustments and are then adjusted where applicable with the consent of the trustee.
In health insurance, provisions for outstanding insurance claims are extrapolated on the basis of claims made during the reporting year. The extrapolation is based on the average ratio of claims made in the previous year to those made in the three financial years preceding the reporting date.
In health insurance, the provision for premium refunds consists of two parts. Assigned to the first part – the provision for premium refunds (premiums allocated according to commercial law rules – is the portion of net profit that is attributable to policyholders and not directly credited. The minimum statutory requirements were observed in connection with this allocation. The second part of the provision for premium refunds – the provision for deferred premium refunds – contains the portions of the cumulative measurement differences between the annual financial statements of the health insurer under national law and the consolidated financial statements pursuant to IFRS that are attributable to policyholders. These temporary measurement differences are included in the provision for deferred premium refunds at the rate of 80% (previous year: 80%) at which policyholders participate at a minimum upon realisation.
In health insurance, other technical provisions include, in particular, the provision for cancellations. It is calculated on the basis of the negative parts of the ageing provision and the parts of the carryover values exceeding the standard ageing provisions.
One-off acquisition costs for health insurance (by type of life insurance product) are recognised using Zillmerisation, and the net positive provision for future policy benefits is accounted for under the item "Provision for future policy benefits".
The provision for outstanding insurance claims (provision for claims) is created on a policy-by-policy basis for future payment obligations that result from insurance claims that occurred on or before the reporting date but have not yet been settled. The amounts and disbursement times of insurance benefits are still uncertain.
The provision for late outstanding claims was determined from the databases of prior financial years, as well as based on past experience. In this regard, the provision for late outstanding claims is calculated using a method recommended by BaFin. Claims reported during the reporting year are allocated to the respective year of occurrence by number and expense and compared with the claims made during the corresponding years. These ratios are applied to the average unit cost for settled claims, resulting in the anticipated unit cost rates for claims that were reported after the reporting year but that occurred during the reporting year, and these are then multiplied by the anticipated unit figures to calculate the provision for late outstanding claims. The provisions for claims are not discounted, other than the provision for future annuity benefits in property insurance.
The provision for claim adjustment expenses was determined in accordance with the letter of the German Federal Minister of Finance of 2 February 1973.
The provision for future annuity benefits in property/casualty insurance is calculated for each individual contract according to actuarial principles and, as is the case with the provision for future policy benefits, using the prospective
method. The mortality tables recommended by the German Association of Actuaries (DAV), DAV HUR 2006, were used, and they contain suitable safety margins. For all annuity commitments, an interest rate of 0.25% was used to calculate the provision for future annuity benefits. Future administrative costs were measured at 2% of the provision for future annuity benefits, a rate that is deemed sufficiently conservative.
Other technical provisions in property/casualty insurance consist primarily of provisions for cancellations and the provision for unused premiums from dormant motor insurance policies. The provision for cancellations is created for the anticipated cessation or reduction of the technical risk associated with premiums to be refunded.
The company pension scheme in the W&W Group consists of both defined-contribution and defined-benefit commitments. Prior to reorganising the company pension scheme in 2002, all employees at Wüstenrot companies (Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Wüstenrot Immobilien GmbH, Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH and Gesellschaft für Marktund Absatzforschung mbH) were granted defined-benefit pension commitments. At Württembergische Versicherung AG, Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG, defined-contribution commitments were granted (Pensionskasse der Württembergische). In addition, managers, senior executives and directors received pension commitments (defined-benefit commitments). At Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, W&W Informatik GmbH and W&W Asset Management GmbH, both defined-benefit and defined-contribution commitments were granted. The various defined-benefit commitments in the Group are primarily structured in a manner dependent on salary and length of service and sometimes as fixed-amount commitments. Pension commitments for new hires between 2002 and 2017 have been financed Group-wide by ARA Pensionskasse AG (defined-contribution benefit commitments). For new hires from 2018, pension commitments have been carried out Group-wide through direct insurance policies at Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG (defined-contribution benefit commitments). Managers, senior executives and directors receive pension commitments (defined-contribution benefit commitments) that are reinsured by ARA Pensionskasse AG. In addition, all employees have the option of receiving a pension commitment in the form of a capital commitment through deferral of future remuneration, which is reinsured by Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG. If the pledged reinsurance qualifies as plan assets, its fair value is netted against the corresponding obligation.
Obligations under pension commitments are measured using the projected unit credit method on the basis of expert actuarial opinions. Taken into account in doing so are both the pensions and acquired pension entitlements known on the reporting date and the increases in salary and pensions expected in the future. Pursuant to IAS 19.83, the rate used to measure pension provisions is to be determined on each reporting date on the basis of yields on senior fixed-income corporate bonds. The currency and term of the underlying corporate bonds must be consistent with the currency and estimated term of the commitments to be met.
Actuarial gains and losses from experience-related adjustments and changes to actuarial assumptions are recognised directly in equity for the period in which they are incurred within the reserve for pension commitments and form a component of other comprehensive income.
Income and expenses from pension commitments are recognised in the consolidated income statement under "Personnel expenses" (service cost). Past service cost is recognised immediately in full as an expense under "Personnel expenses".
Assets transferred to an outside pension fund constitute plan assets, which are netted at their fair value against existing defined-benefit commitments.
Other long-term employee benefits include commitments for early retirement, agreements on phased-in early retirement ("Altersteilzeit"), the granting of long-service benefits, long-term occupational disability benefits, death benefits and other social benefits. Actuarial gains and losses arising in connection with the accounting for other long-term employee benefits are recognised in the income statement.
For information about the corresponding actuarial interest rates, please see Note 20.
Miscellaneous provisions are measured and recognised in the anticipated settlement amount, provided there are legal or constructive obligations to third parties based on past business events or occurrences and the outflow of resources is likely. The settlement amount is determined on the basis of best estimates. Miscellaneous provisions are recognised if they can be reliably determined. They are not set off against refund claims. The determined obligations are discounted at market interest rates that correspond to the risk and the period until settlement, provided that the resulting effects are material.
Provisions for restructuring are recognised if a detailed formal plan for the restructuring was approved and the main restructuring measures contained in it have been publicly announced, or the restructuring plan has already begun to be implemented.
Provisions are created for the refunding of closing fees in the event of loan waivers where concluded home loan savings contracts contain the obligation to refund closing fees to home loan savings customers when certain contractually agreed criteria are met (e.g. loan waiver). Under the assumption that, in the event of a loan waiver by home loan savings customers, the claim to closing fees was earned by the reporting date at the latest, the present value is calculated on the basis of a probability-based forward projection of past statistical data that constitutes the best estimate of the current obligation. Uncertainties in determining the future amount of the obligation arise, in particular, from the established assumptions concerning the input parameters used, such as statistical data, termination behaviour and loan waiver ratio.
Provisions for interest bonus options are created where the obligation to pay interest bonuses to home loan savings customers is contained in concluded home loan savings contracts. Taking as a basis the bonus claims earned by the reporting date that may potentially need to be disbursed, the present value is calculated on the basis of a probability-based forward projection that constitutes the best estimate of the current obligation. Uncertainties in determining the future amount of the obligation may arise, in particular, from the established assumptions concerning the input parameters used, such as termination behaviour and bonus utilisation behaviour.
Additional provisions include, for example, provisions for contingent losses from pending transactions, which are created if a contingent liability results from a pending transaction.
There are no assets for expected reimbursements in connection with recognised miscellaneous provisions.
This item consists of paid-in capital, earned capital and non-controlling interests in equity.
Paid-in capital consists of share capital and the capital reserve. Share capital consists of registered no-par-value shares that are fully paid up. Outstanding contributions to share capital are to be openly set off against it. The capital reserve is generated from the premium realised above the mathematical value when shares are issued.
Earned capital is composed of retained earnings and other reserves. Retained earnings consist of statutory reserves and reinvested profits. Other reserves include:
The reserve for financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income consists of unrealised gains and losses from the measurement of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. The reserve for financial assets accounted for using the equity method consists of unrealised gains and losses from the measurement of financial assets accounted for using the equity method. The reserve for cash flow hedges consists of unrealised gains and losses from the measurement of derivative financial instruments that are utilised for cash flow hedge accounting and meet the criteria of hedge accounting. The reserve for currency translation includes translation differences from the consolidation of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the euro. The reserve for pension commitments consists of actuarial gains and losses from defined-benefit plans.
The aforementioned components of other reserves are generally created by taking into consideration deferred taxes and, in the area of life and health insurance, also taking into consideration the provision for deferred premium refunds.
Non-controlling interests in equity consist of the interests of non-Group third parties in the equity of subsidiaries.
In the W&W Group, only genuine repurchase agreements (repos) are entered into. Genuine repurchase agreements are contracts under which securities are sold for consideration but where it is at the same time agreed that such securities have to be purchased back at a later point in exchange for payment to the seller of an amount agreed to in advance.
Securities sold in connection with repurchase agreements continue to be recognised in the seller's balance sheet in accordance with the prior categorisation, since it retains the risk and opportunities associated with ownership of the security. At the same time, the seller recognises a financial liability in the amount received. If there is a difference between the amount received upon sale of the security and the amount to be paid when repurchasing it, it is imputed over the term of the agreement using the effective interest method and recognised in the income statement. Current income is recognised in the consolidated income statement according to the rules for the relevant securities category.
Securities lending transactions are accounted for in the same way as repurchase agreements. Lent securities continue to be recognised in the balance sheet in the relevant category. By contrast, borrowed securities are not recognised. If borrowed securities are sold to a third party, the obligation to return them is recognised under "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss". A corresponding liability is recognised for received cash collateral, and a corresponding receivable is recognised for provided cash collateral. If securities are provided as collateral, they continue to be recognised by the collateral provider. Income and expenses from securities lending transactions are recognised in the consolidated income statement corresponding to the relevant term.
Detailed information about the scope of repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions entered into in the W&W Group can be found in Note 40 "Transfers of financial assets and granted and received collateral".
Trust business is generally characterised by a trustee acquiring property, assets or claims in its own name on behalf of the trustor and managing same in the interest of and at the instruction of the trustor. The trustee acts in its own name on behalf of others.
Trust assets and liabilities are recognised outside the balance sheet in the notes. Detailed information about the nature and scope of existing trust assets and liabilities in the W&W Group can be found in Note 41 "Trust business".
Contingent liabilities are potential obligations that arise from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the W&W Group.
Contingent liabilities are also current obligations that arise from past events but are not recognised because either it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.
Contingent liabilities are not recognised in the balance sheet.
If the outflow of resources is not probable, disclosures are made about these contingent liabilities in the notes (Note 55 "Contingent liabilities and other liabilities"). If contingent liabilities are assumed in connection with corporate mergers, they are recognised in the balance sheet at fair value at the time of acquisition.
The net financial income/expense of the W&W Group consists of several components, namely:
Recognised under "Current net income/expense" are interest income and expenses, dividend income, the prorata share of the net income/expense for financial assets accounted for using the equity method and the current net income/expense from investment property. Interest income and expenses in the IFRS 9 categories "Financial assets at amortised cost" and "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income" are recognised on an accrual basis using the effective interest method.
Recognised under "Net income/expense from risk provision" are all income and expenses that relate to lending business, securities business, primary insurance and reinsurance business and other business.
Recognised under "Net measurement gain/loss" are the following gains and losses:
Recognised under "Net income/expense from disposals" are disposal gains and losses for all financial assets and liabilities not at fair value through profit or loss (financial assets at amortised cost, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, financial assets accounted for using the equity method, investment property, receivables and liabilities, as well as subordinated capital). Pursuant to IFRS 9, financial assets must be remeasured at the time of derecognition. For this reason, all gains and losses from the derecognition of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are generally recognised under "Net measurement gain/loss".
The net financial result does not include any costs for the management of the financial instruments contained in them. These costs are recognised under "Commission expenses" and "General administrative expenses".
Recognised under "Gross premiums written" from direct insurance business and assumed reinsurance business is generally all income that results from contractual relationships with policyholders and cedants concerning the granting of insurance cover. Gross premiums written are accrued for each insurance contract. Earned premiums (net) result from taking into account the change in the provision for unearned premiums determined from accruals and the deduction of paid reinsurance premiums from gross premiums written and from the change in the provision for unearned premiums.
Recognised under "Insurance benefits (gross)" are payments on insurance claims as well as changes in the provision for future policy benefits, the provision for outstanding insurance claims, the provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts and other technical provisions. Also recognised under "Insurance benefits" are additions to the provision for premium refunds required by the German Commercial Code (HGB) and direct credits. Claim adjustment expenses are recognised under "General administrative expenses".
Changes in the provision for deferred premium refunds that are attributable to changes based on remeasurement through profit or loss between national rules and IFRS are likewise recognised under "Insurance benefits". A provision for deferred premium refunds owing to the participation of policyholders in unrealised gains and losses from financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income and financial assets accounted for using the equity method, as well as in actuarial gains and losses from pension provisions, is created and released in equity in all cases.
Insurance benefits (net) result from the deduction of received reinsurance premiums from insurance benefits (gross).
Recognised under "Net commission income/expense" are commission income and expenses, insofar as they are not recognised in connection with calculating the effective interest rate.
Commission income and expenses result in particular from home loan savings business, banking business, reinsurance business, investment business and brokering activities. Commission expenses also result from primary insurance business. Commission expenses are recognised at the time the service is received.
No commission income is recognised in primary insurance business, since customers are not billed separately for the costs associated with conclusion of insurance contracts.
Commission income from the conclusion of home loan savings contracts is recognised pursuant to IFRS 9, and commission income from reinsurance is recognised pursuant to IFRS 4, at the time the service is provided.
Commission income from home loan savings business, brokering activities and investment business is recognised pursuant to IFRS 15 as revenue from contracts with customers (see Note 52). Such revenue is considered to exist where it relates to the provision of services to customers in connection with normal business activity. Revenue is realised when existing performance obligations are satisfied through transfer of control over the subject of the contract or the service.
In the W&W Group, general administrative expenses consist of personnel expenses, materials costs, scheduled depreciation/amortisation, and impairment losses on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.
W&W Group expenses are allocated to materials costs and personnel expenses according to the principles of the nature-of-expense method.
The item "Net other operating income/expense" includes income and expenses from property development business. This income is generated, in terms of timing, based on the progress of the construction of the sold residential units, as well as on the contractually specified down payments that are received. Furthermore, pursuant to IAS 2, the associated residential units that are currently under construction or have not yet been turned over to customers are carried under inventories at cost of purchase or manufacture and then recognised upon sale as an expense under "Other operating expenses". It also includes income and expenses from additions to and the release of provisions, income and expenses from disposals, other technical income and expenses, other income and expenses from currency translation that primarily result from technical provisions and miscellaneous income and expenses.
Actual income taxes are calculated on the basis of the respective national tax results and rules for the financial year. In addition, the taxes actually recognised in the financial year also include adjustment amounts for tax payments or refunds likely due for periods that have not yet been finally assessed. Uncertain tax treatments are taken into consideration by calculating the amount from the most likely value or from the expected value of tax refunds or tax claims.
Income tax earnings and expenses are recognised in the consolidated income statement as income taxes and subdivided in the notes (Note 35) by actual and deferred taxes.
For the Group's cash flow statement, all cash flow is evaluated on the basis of the business models of the various Group entities – these are mainly the business models for the banks and the home loan and savings banks, as well as insurance companies – as to the extent to which it is contingent on operating activities or originates from investing or financing activities.
Cash flow from operating activities essentially consists of all payments from the credit and deposit business of the Group's banks and home loan and savings banks, the trading portfolio of the banks, the technical provisions and the receivables and liabilities from reinsurance business. It also includes tax payments, as well as cash flow from the receivables and liabilities of the operational business of all Group banks, insurance companies and other entities.
Cash flow from investing activities consists of investments in intangible assets and in property, plant and equipment both for bank and home loan savings business and for insurance business. It also includes deposits and disbursements under mortgage loans made by the insurance companies, real estate investments, equities, participations, assets accounted for using the equity method, various investment funds and fixed-income securities, as well as registered bonds and debenture bonds. Strategic investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and other business entities also generate cash flow that is allocated to investing activities.
Cash flow from financing activities consists of cash flow that results from transactions with owners of the parent company and non-controlling interests in the equity of subsidiaries. Cash flow from financing activities also includes cash flow from subordinated bonds issued for corporate financing purposes, as well as distributions made for the purpose of settling the lease liabilities of consolidated companies.
On whole, the cash flow statement is only of minor significance for the Group. It is not used for liquidity and financial planning or for control.
The recognised cash and cash equivalents consist of the cash reserves (cash on hand, deposits with central banks) and a portion of other receivables (balances with credit institutions payable on demand).
The application of accounting policies is subject to various discretionary judgments by management that may materially influence amounts in the consolidated financial statements of the W&W Group. For instance, discretion is exercised with respect to the application of the rules on hedge accounting pursuant to IAS 39, to forecasts in the combined management report, to the provision for claims, to the restructuring provision, to the fair values of property and to assets held for sale.
Furthermore, management exercises discretion in the application of accounting policies in such a way that the cost model rather than the fair value model is used as the accounting policy for all investment property and for all property, plant and equipment, including property for own use.
Another far-reaching discretionary decision by management relates to the recognition of insurance-specific business transactions for which IFRSs do not include any specific rules. In conformity with IFRS 4 "Insurance Contracts", these are recognised for domestic Group companies in accordance with the relevant rules of commercial law pursuant to Sections 341 et seq. of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and the regulations based on them.
In connection with the determination of control of certain public funds, discretionary decisions are sometimes necessary in order to define the role of the outside fund manager as principal or agent. In such cases, contractual arrangements are looked at in order to evaluate whether the outside fund manager is to be classified as a principal or an agent. Material indicators used in evaluating the duty to consolidate are the fund manager's decision-making authority, including potential participatory rights of investors, the existing termination rights of investors with respect to the fund manager and their structure, and the amount of participation in the fund's success, particularly through the holding of units.
In lease accounting, the determination of the term of each lease in the case of open-ended contracts in the area of rented properties is subject to discretion. For the determination of the term in the case of open-ended contracts, a period is estimated in which termination is not financially expedient for the lessee.
In connection with the accounting of the W&W Group's financial instruments under IFRS 9, management also made the following significant discretionary decisions, which had a material impact on the amounts in the consolidated financial statements.
Financial assets that are acquired with the intention to realise cash flows by collecting contractual payments over the life of the instrument are explicitly characterised as such in the W&W Group in connection with the purchase and are main-tained and reported on in a separate portfolio.
Sales are not inconsistent with the "Hold to collect" business model in the W&W Group in the following cases:
As a rule, contractual cash flows from financial assets are reviewed on the basis of each individual contract. For reasons of materiality, the W&W Group uses a cluster formation in the case of highly standardised portfolios. In connection with this cluster formation at the highest level, we first identify the most material financial assets of the W&W Group that are taken into consideration in the course of SPPI testing. In this regard, clustering takes place on the basis of either specific contract arrangements or portfolio features.
If a financial asset is classified as not SPPI-compliant, a quantitative test is performed in order to determine whether the reasons for the deviation are de minimis. In addition, it is tested whether the event is not genuine, i.e. is extremely rare, highly abnormal and very unlikely to occur. In each of these case, the exercise of discretion is necessary.
In the case of initial recognition, financial assets and liabilities may voluntarily be measured permanently at fair value in order to avoid or significantly reduce inconsistent measurement (accounting mismatch). The W&W Group currently does not have any portfolios for which this fair value option is applied.
Changes in the value of equity instruments are allowed to be shown in equity. In the case of a disposal of the equity instrument, the disposal income/expense remains in equity (recycling does not take place) and is not recognised in the consolidated income statement. The W&W Group currently does not make use of this option.
In connection with IFRS 9 requirements, a risk provision need is calculated for securities in the portfolio that fall within the scope of the risk provision rules. The way this need is calculated depends on the expected probability of default of the individual positions. IFRS 9 distinguishes between three levels in this regard. Categorised in Level 1 are those assets for which there has been no significant credit deterioration since acquisition. New acquisitions which do not evidence any payment problems are also assigned to this level. In this regard, the calculation of the risk provision is based on the 12-month expected credit loss approach.
If the assets show a significant deterioration in credit quality since initial recognition, they are categorised in Level 2. In this level, the risk provision is calculated based on the lifetime expected credit loss approach.
If there is objective evidence that a security is impaired, i.e. there is a specific payment problem, the issuer's probability of default is 100%, and this security or, as the case may be, all securities of the issuer are assigned to Level 3 as a rule.
We make use of the low credit risk exemption under IFRS 9 in the securities area, which allows us to assume that the credit risk on a financial instrument has not increased significantly since initial recognition if the financial instrument is determined to have low credit risk at the reporting date.
The determination of a significant increase in credit risk as at the reporting date is based on the rating at the time of initial recognition of the contract (initial rating) and the rating during the term of the customer relationship since that initial recognition (ongoing rating). Depending on the year of the relationship and the initial rating class, the contract is assigned to a different level under IFRS 9 if a relative threshold is exceeded. The determination of this relative threshold is based on a statistical distribution across the expected probability of default depending on the year of the relationship (quantile approach). In customer lending business, it is normally assumed that the credit risk has significantly increased if, for the remaining term of the contract, the probability of default based on current expectations exceeds the probability of default based on the original expectations.
In calculating the mathematically optimal quantile in connection with the quantile approach, two aspects of IFRS 9 are particularly relevant: The first aspect relates to the point prior to a default when a significant increase in credit risk should be identified. IFRS 9 states that there generally needs to be a significant increase in credit risk before default occurs. In this regard, the increase in credit risk should in principle be identified prior to the provision of default or modification information. Accordingly, in the course of calculating the quantile in the customer lending business of the W&W Group, the increase in credit risk is identified, at the latest, starting at the time that default or modification information is provided, unless an increase was identifiable prior to that date. The second aspect is likewise subject to the exercise of discretion and relates to the fact that reductions in credit risk are taken into consideration in the same way as increases. This means that level assignment is symmetrical, and customer loans in the W&W Group whose credit risk improves are included again in Level 1 under IFRS 9. As part of the quantile approach, two target parameters are derived from these two countervailing aspects: 1. maximisation of the share of defaulted loans that x months prior to default are considered as having significantly increased risk, and 2. minimisation of the share of non-defaulted loans that y months after a significant increase are still considered as having increased risk. These two countervailing target parameters are then mathematically optimised with the aid of a loss function. The calculation of an optimal quantile that takes into account both target parameters then constitutes an optimal compromise between the two target parameters, since in order to fulfil the first (second) target parameter, the smallest (largest) possible quantile must be chosen.
IFRS 9 requires that a lifetime expected credit loss be calculated for all financial instruments whose credit risk has increased significantly. Dividing contracts into those with and without a significant increase in credit risk is referred to as level assignment, since in this regard the contracts are assigned to one of three levels under IFRS 9. In customer lending business, this level assignment , as well as the determination of the need for a risk provision, always takes place at the level of the debtor's individual contract. In addition, with respect to this level assignment, and in the sense of the for-ward-looking risk provision concept of IFRS 9, the quantitative transfer criterion is augmented by a qualitative transfer criterion, and discretion is exercised accordingly. Forbearance measures are used as the qualitative criterion. As a rule, customer credit agreements with active forbearance measures remain in Level 2 for at least three years before being transferred back to the better Level 1 under IFRS 9. If the reasons for default (Level 3) no longer pertain, they are also transferred back to a better level under IFRS 9, and as described above, existing forbearance measures are taken into consideration when switching to a better level.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we exercised discretion in calculating the risk provision under IFRS 9 by essentially electing not to mechanically adopt currently available macroeconomic information. Rather, we focused on longerterm, more stable (inter alia, historical) macroeconomic information with an under-weighting of the short-term developments in the coronavirus pandemic. Depending on how the coronavirus pandemic develops further, the discretionary judgments will again be subjected in the coming months to a review of whether they remain valid. For further disclosures concerning the calculation of the risk provision, please see the section on modelling of point-in-time components.
In line with the pronouncements by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the process for changing levels under IFRS 9 was modified for customers that made use of the statutory moratorium. Other remarks are contained in the section on the coronavirus pandemic.
In drawing up the consolidated financial statements according to IFRS, estimates and assumptions have to be made that affect the carrying amount of assets, liabilities, income and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent liabilities. The application of several of the accounting principles described in the chapter "Accounting policies" presupposes material estimates that are based on complex, subjective evaluations and assumptions and may relate to issues that exhibit uncertainties.
The estimating methods used and the decision about the suitability of the assumptions require management to exercise good judgment and decision-making power in order to determine the appropriate values. Estimates and assumptions are moreover based on past experience and expectations with respect to future events that appear reasonable under the given circumstances. In so doing, carrying amounts are determined carefully and, taking into account all relevant information, as reliably as possible. In determining values, existing uncertainties are suitably taken into account in conformity with the relevant standards. However, actual results may vary from estimates, since new findings have to be taken into account when determining values. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are therefore continuously reviewed. The effects of changes in estimates are accounted for in the period in which the estimate changes.
General estimates and assumptions for the purpose of accounting are set forth in the chapter "Accounting policies". However, special and one-time circumstances are explained in greater detail in the relevant items or in the notes. Accounting principles whose application is based to a considerable extent on estimates and assumptions and that are classified as material for the W&W Group are presented in the following.
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same: to estimate the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining the fair value of assets and liabilities whose prices are quoted on an active market, estimates by management are necessary to only an insignificant extent. In a similar manner, only few subjective measurements or estimates are required for assets and liabilities that are measured with models customary in the industry and whose inputs are quoted on active markets.
When no observable market transactions or market information are available, fair value is measured using another valuation technique that maximises the use of relevant observable inputs.
The required degree of subjective measurement and estimates by management has a higher weight for those assets and liabilities that are measured using special, complex models and for which some or all inputs are not observable. The values determined in this way are significantly influenced by the assumptions that have to be made.
If fair value cannot be reliably determined, the carrying amount is used as an approximate value to measure fair value. This essentially relates to loans under home loan savings contracts from collective business, as well as preliminary and interim financing loans. The same applies also for deposits from home loan savings business due to the special features of home loan savings products and the variety of product configurations. Loans under home loan savings contracts are allocated to the item "Financial assets at amortised cost" and are accordingly measured for accounting purposes at amortised cost. Deposits under home loan savings contracts are allocated to the balance sheet item "Liabilities" and measured at amortised cost. For further quantitative information about this, please see Note 5 "Financial assets at amortised cost" and Note 17 "Liabilities".
Further information concerning the fair value measurement of financial instruments can be found in Note 38 "Disclosures concerning the measurement of fair value". The fair value measurement of investment property and property, plant and equipment is described in the chapter "Accounting policies".
With the exception of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, all financial and non-financial assets are tested at regular intervals for objective evidence of impairment. Impairment is also tested where events or changed underlying conditions indicate that the value of an asset might have declined.
For details about the impairment of financial assets, please see the chapter "Accounting policies: Notes concerning the consolidated balance sheet", in the section "Risk provision – Financial assets". The uncertainties that exist in connection with calculating the risk provision for financial assets are also explained there.
Beneficial changes in the amount of the risk provision for financial assets are recognised as reversals of impairment losses in the income statement. An impairment loss is reversed if, as a result of beneficial changes, the estimated amount of the risk provision falls below the originally estimated value that was taken into consideration in the estimated cash flows in connection with the calculation at the time of initial recognition.
In addition to the estimates that need to be made concerning the foregoing aspects, the amount of the impairment loss to be recognised is characterised by further uncertainties in estimation. These result, in particular, from assumptions and estimates concerning the time at which future cash flows will be received, as well as their amount at such time, which in turn are based on past experience with respect to the probabilities of occurrence and the assessment of future developments and long-term prospects for success. In addition, in the course of testing for impairment, estimates are made about incurred sales costs and trends in discount rates that are in line with the market.
In addition, an impairment loss is always required to be taken on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and investment property when the carrying amount of an asset is higher than its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount means an asset's fair value less costs of disposal or its value in use, whichever is higher. Fair value less costs of disposal corresponds to market value within the meaning of IFRS 13 less costs of disposal. Value in use means the present value of the estimated future cash flows from continued use by Group companies. Estimates need to be made with respect to the amount and timing of cash flows as well as costs of disposal.
The assumptions and estimates that are made may be subject to changes over time, which will lead to impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses in future periods.
In reliance on the method for identifying impaired assets, impairment losses are reversed if there are sufficiently objectifiable criteria indicating permanent value recovery and it is moreover permissible to reverse the impairment loss pursuant to the applicable standard. For instance, impairment losses to goodwill may not be reversed.
Among technical provisions, the following types of provisions, in particular, are materially influenced by estimates and assumptions (their carrying amounts and further information can be found starting at Note 19):
The provision for future policy benefits is estimated according to actuarial methods as the present value of future obligations less the present value of future premiums. The amount of the provision for future policy benefits is dependent on assumptions about trends in investment yields achievable on the capital market, life expectancy, policyholder behaviour and other statistical data, as well as, in some cases, the costs incurred in connection with management of the contracts. The assumptions are based on the reference interest rate specified in Section 5 (3) of the German Regulation on Calculation of the Provision for Future Policy Benefits (DeckRV) and on the measurement interest rate specified in the business plans for interest rate reinforcement approved by BaFin as yields for the company's expected income. Necessary adjustments to assumptions may have material effects on the amount of the provision for future policy benefits.
In determining the amount of the provision, forward-looking assumptions are necessary, such as about claim trends, claim adjustment costs and premium adjustments. Necessary adjustments to forward-looking assumptions may have material effects on the amount of the provision for outstanding insurance claims.
In calculating provisions for pensions and other long-term employee benefits, assumptions and estimates are necessary concerning the underlying conditions, such as actuarial interest rate, salary increases, future pension increases and mortality.
For further quantitative disclosures, please see Note 20 "Other provisions".
The amount recognised as a provision constitutes the best possible estimate of the expenditures needed to settle the current obligation as at the reporting date. The measurement and recognition of provisions are determined by the assumptions made with respect to probability of occurrence, expected payments and the underlying discount rate. Regarding the estimates underlying the provisions for interest bonus options, please see the chapter "Accounting policies", in the section "Miscellaneous provisions".
If the aforementioned criteria for creating provisions are not met, then the corresponding obligations are recognised as contingent liabilities (see Note 55).
Further information about all of the above types of provisions can be found in Note 19 "Technical provisions" and Note 20 "Other provisions".
Income taxes are subject to estimates. These are described in the chapter "Accounting policies" and there in the sections "Income taxes" and "Current tax assets, deferred tax assets, current tax liabilities and deferred tax liabilities".
W&W AG is the parent company of the W&W Group. As at the reporting date, the scope of consolidation was as follows:
| Domestic | Foreign | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidiaries | |||
| Included as at 31 December 2020 | 22 | 3 | 25 |
| Included as at 31 December 2019 | 22 | 5 | 27 |
| Structured entities (public and special funds) | |||
| Included as at 31 December 2020 | 17 | 5 | 22 |
| Included as at 31 December 2019 | 16 | 5 | 21 |
| Associated companies accounted for using the equity method | |||
| Included as at 31 December 2020 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Included as at 31 December 2019 | 2 | — | 2 |
The individual companies are presented in the "List of ownership interests".
Effective 1 January 2020, Aachener Bausparkasse AG (ABAG), Aachen, was taken over and included for the first time in the scope of consolidation. Further information about the inclusion of ABAG can be found in the following section on company mergers.
In addition, in the first half of 2020, Fonds LBBW AM Emerging Markets Bonds-Fonds 3, Stuttgart, which had previously not been consolidated, was consolidated for the first time. The initial consolidation had no material influence on net assets, financial position and financial performance.
In the first half of the year, ABAG was eliminated from the scope of consolidation as a result of the merger into Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg.
With the transfer to the new owners effective 1 April 2020, Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s., Prague, and Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s., Prague, were deconsolidated. Further information about the transaction involving the Czech companies can be found in Note 1 "Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations".
The changes to the scope of consolidation had no material effect on the comparability of the current year with the previous year.
Effective 1 January 2020, W&W AG, through its subsidiary Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG (BSW), Ludwigsburg, acquired 100% of the voting shares of Aachener Bausparkasse AG (ABAG) from various owners and thereby obtained control over this company. ABAG was a private home loan and savings bank with registered office in Aachen. In addition to home loan savings, its business also focused on the financing of measures relating to home ownership for private use. In the course of the takeover, BSW also acquired the voting interests held by ABAG in Aachener Bausparkasse Immobilien GmbH (100%) – since 1 November 2020 renamed Bausparkasse Wüstenrot Immo GmbH – with registered office in Aachen, and in Domus Beteiligungsgesellschaft der Privaten Bausparkassen mbH (8.91%), with registered office in Berlin. These two companies are currently not operational. With the takeover of ABAG, we rigorously continued our path of growth in home loan savings business. The additional new business volume is expected to be in the nine-figure range annually.
Transfer of control over ABAG took place with effect on 1 January 2020 following supervisory approval. ABAG's results were included in the consolidated financial statements of W&W AG starting with the time of initial consolidation. With the takeover, BSW entered into long-term sales partnerships in the home loan and savings area and the construction financing sector with nearly all of the insurance companies that previously owned the company, becoming their exclusive product partner. Multi-year sales targets have been agreed upon with these collaboration partners. On 26 June 2020, ABAG was merged into BSW retroactive to 1 January 2020.
The fair value of the transferred consideration amounted to –€0.5 million, which included the agreed and paid purchase price in the amount of one euro and any compensatory payments by the former owners. In the coming years, the compensatory payments may amount to as much as €5 million if the established sales targets are not reached. It currently appears unlikely that the compensatory payments will have to be made in the full amount. The fair value of the compensatory payment was remeasured as at the reporting date and now amounts to currently –€0.4 million. This remeasurement was attributable to the expiry of the first relevant calendar year in which the target for new business agreed upon with the sole owner was exceeded. The current measurement is based on an assumed probability of occurrence of 10% for the relevant calendar years still remaining.
The fair value of the acquired assets and the assumed liabilities that was calculated for the purpose of the acquisition can be found in the following tables.
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 |
|---|---|
| Cash reserves | 205,476 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | 457,544 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 824,279 |
| Other assets | 83,066 |
| Total assets | 1,570,365 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 |
|---|---|
| Liabilities | 1,417,620 |
| Thereof liabilities to customers | 1,246,748 |
| Thereof liabilities from negative customer relationships | 153,876 |
| Thereof liabilities to credit institutions | 8,198 |
| Thereof lease liabilities | 3,384 |
| Thereof other miscellaneous liabilities | 5,414 |
| Other provisions | 103,493 |
| Other liabilities | 24,768 |
| Equity | 24,484 |
| Total liabilities | 1,570,365 |
The acquired receivables consisted of loans and advances to credit institutions and loans and advances to customers. As at 1 January 2020, the acquired receivables were mainly assessed as unimpaired. The receivables are included in the two balance sheet items "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income" and "Financial assets at amortised cost".
| in € thousands | Fair value of the contrac tual receiva bles 1.1.2020 |
Gross amount of the contractual receivables 1.1.2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Loans and advances to credit institutions | 61,680 | 60,913 |
| Loans and advances to customers | 783,796 | 729,700 |
| Total | 845,476 | 790,613 |
The difference between the acquired net assets of ABAG, i.e. the recognised assets less the assumed liabilities, and the fair value of the transferred consideration amounted to –€25.0 million. Following a further review of the provisional purchase price allocation, this negative goodwill was recognised in the 2020 reporting year as other operating income under "Other operating income/expense".
Compared with the provisional allocation of the purchase price for this corporate merger, which was reported on in the notes to consolidated financial statements for the 2019 reporting year, mainly the following changes occurred, which in some cases also had an impact on negative goodwill:
Ultimately, the final difference between the acquired net assets of ABAG, i.e. the recognised assets less the assumed liabilities, and the fair value of the transferred consideration in the amount of €25.0 million, amounted to €22.7 million on the basis of the provisional purchase price allocation.
There were a number of reasons for this negative goodwill. In addition to the transferred consideration, the main reason was the level of interest rates that currently prevails, which resulted in the realisation of silent reserves in connection with loans and advances to customers. Having an opposite effect were the realisation of silent losses in the area of customer relationships and the increase of provisions, which reduced profit.
In connection with the purchase price allocation, silent reserves were identified. A significant portion of them (€54.7 million) were attributable to financial instruments that were held. The higher fair value of the financial instruments was essentially attributable to the currently low level of interest rates. In addition, with regard to properties owned by ABAG, silent reserves in the amount of €7.1 million were recognised, and with respect to the fair value of the sales partnerships, an intangible asset in the amount of €8.8 million was capitalised.
The recognised silent losses resulted, in particular, from the measurement of existing customer relationships. The main reason had to do with customer deposits, which bear interest at rates higher than current market interest rates. The liabilities recognised for customer relationships in the amount of €153.9 million are largely offset by charges under existing obligations on the basis of the expected run-off of existing business.
Furthermore, the existing legal risks in connection with terminations under Sections 313 and 314 of the German Civil Code (BGB) were reevaluated at the time of acquisition, and the current provisions were increased by €2.8 million. If the provisions actually have to be utilised depending on the run-off of existing business, then in addition, portions of them may be charged on to the former owners if necessary. Based on the assessment at the time of initial consolidation, the fair value of this seller guarantee was measured at €0, since it is not expected that the threshold established in the pur-chase contract will be exceeded for claims for legal risks under sections 313 and 314 BGB.
A contingent liability was created with respect to an obligation to provide additional funding in connection with the acquired interests in Domus Beteiligungsgesellschaft der Privaten Bausparkasse mbH. It had a fair value of €224 thousand at the time of acquisition. This contingent liability was reevaluated on the reporting date. Based on the expected out-flows, this contingent liability was not remeasured.
Following transfer of control on 1 January 2020, ABAG was merged into Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, ABAG was integrated extensively in the systems and completely in the management of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG. Therefore, since the merger, it is not possible to calculate the proceeds and profit of the former ABAG.
The costs of the merger in the amount of €45 thousand were mostly recognised as an expense in previous years and shown under general administrative expenses.
Statutory, contractual or regulatory restrictions, as well as protected rights of non-controlling interests, may restrict the ability of the Group, the parent company or a subsidiary to obtain access to assets and to make unimpeded transfers to or receive unimpeded transfers from other companies in the Group and to pay Group debts.
Since enactment of the German Life Insurance Reform Act (LVRG) in August 2014, the subsidiaries Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG are subject to a statutory ban on distributions until further notice.
As a credit institution, the subsidiary Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG must comply with extensive regulatory requirements. For example, the minimum liquidity standard (Liquidity Coverage Ratio, LCR) is intended to promote the shortterm resilience of a credit institution's liquidity risk profile over a 30-day horizon in a stress scenario. The LCR is the ratio of the volume of High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) that could be used to raise liquidity over a period of 30 days to the total volume of net stressed outflows in the same period arising from both actual and contingent exposures. As at 31 December 2020, the LCR was 229.03% (previous year: 208.99%) for the subsidiary Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG. The company has been obligated since the fourth quarter of 2015 to maintain its LCR, pursuant to further specifications.
The Group is subject to the following restrictions with respect to the use to which assets may be put:
With regard to assets and liabilities recognised in the consolidated financial statements that are subject to disposal restrictions, please also see Note 40 "Transfers of financial assets".
As a result of its business activities, the W&W Group holds interests in unconsolidated structured entities that have been formed either as investment funds (public or special funds) or as alternative investment companies in the legal form of a corporation or partnership. These structured entities serve to meet various customer needs with respect to investment in various assets. Group companies mainly assume the role of investor, sometimes also that of fund manager or custodian.
Structured entities are entities that have been designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity. Moreover, a structured entity is classified as such based on the following features or attributes:
As at the reporting date, other than interests in investment funds and alternative investment companies, no structured entities were identified, either with an investment interest or as structured entities supported by W&W without an investment interest.
As at 31 December 2020, the carrying amounts, the investment strategy, the maximum loss risk and the scope vis-àvis unconsolidated investment funds were as follows:
| Equity funds | Bond funds | Real estate funds |
Other funds | Funds of unit-linked life insurance policies3 |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Recognised assets (fund units held) | ||||||
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
160,872 | 882,167 | 2,043 | 347,814 | 2,079,699 | 3,472,595 |
| Total | 160,872 | 882,167 | 2,043 | 347,814 | 2,079,699 | 3,472,595 |
| Maximum loss risk1 | 160,872 | 882,167 | 2,043 | 347,814 | 2,079,699 | 3,472,595 |
| Total scope of fund assets as at the reporting date2 |
122,487,696 | 3,879,509 | 18,549,050 | 44,707,126 | 12,727,063 | 202,350,444 |
| Equity funds | Bond funds | Real estate funds |
Other funds | Funds of unit-linked life insurance policies3 |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Recognised assets (fund units held) | ||||||
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
133,626 | 837,851 | 2,149 | 175,075 | 2,238,019 | 3,386,720 |
| Total | 133,626 | 837,851 | 2,149 | 175,075 | 2,238,019 | 3,386,720 |
| Maximum loss risk1 | 133,626 | 837,851 | 2,149 | 175,075 | 2,238,019 | 3,386,720 |
| Total scope of fund assets as at the reporting date2 |
114,348 | 2,769,546 | 2,072,873 | 91,290 | 183,730,208 | 188,778,265 |
1 The maximum loss risk is determined on the basis of fund units held and, where applicable, capital contribution calls not yet made and guarantees.
2 Several funds are included in more than one fund category. In those cases, the total scope of fund assets was assigned to the category with the greatest value.
3 Capital investments are for the account and risk of policyholders.
Unconsolidated investment funds are financed by issuing redeemable unit certificates. The carrying amount of the units corresponds to fair value. The types of income that the W&W Group receives from these held interests are mainly interest income, dividend income, income from the fair value measurement of investment fund units, and in some cases fees for acquisition, management and investment advice. The amount of current income and net measurement income depends, in particular, on general market trends in the respective investment class and on the specific investment decisions made by the respective fund manager.
Alternative investment companies maintain holdings in the area of alternative energy production from wind, photovoltaic, biomass and water. In addition, there are investments in the area of private equity, such as venture capital financing. Scope and size are primarily determined on the basis of fair value. The carrying amount of interests in alternative investments, including private equity, corresponds to the fair value under the item "Financial assets at fair value – participations in alternative investments" and amounted to €1,750.4 million (previous year: €1,594.8 million). This carrying amount corresponds to the maximum loss risk. Financing is accomplished by issuing redeemable unit certificates.
The W&W Group as interest owner receives variable reflows, mainly in the form of distributions from alternative investments. In addition, the investments are subject to fluctuations in value. Variable reflows are dependent on general market trends in the respective industry and on the specific business decisions made by the respective investment company.
In conformity with IFRS 8 "Operating Segments", segment information is generated on the basis of internal reports that are regularly reviewed by the entity's chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources to the segment and assess its performance (socalled "management approach"). In the W&W Group, the chief operating decision maker is the Management Board.
The reportable segments are identified on the basis of both products and services and according to regulatory requirements. In this context, some business segments are combined within the Life and Health Insurance segment. The following section lists the products and services through which revenue is generated by the reportable segments. There is no dependence on individual major accounts.
The reportable segment Housing consists of one business segment and includes home loan savings and banking products primarily for retail customers, e.g. home loan savings contracts, bridging loans and mortgage loans.
The reportable segment Life and Health Insurance consists of various business segments, all of which have similar economic characteristics and are comparable in terms of the aggregation criteria in IFRS 8.
The reportable segment Life and Health Insurance offers a variety of life and health insurance products for individuals and groups, including classic and unit-linked life and annuity insurance, term insurance, classic and unit-linked "Riester" and basic pensions, and occupational disability insurance, as well as full and supplementary private health insurance and nursing care insurance.
The reportable segment Property/Casualty Insurance offers a comprehensive range of insurance products for private and corporate customers, including general liability, casualty, motor, household, residential building, legal protection, transport and technical insurance.
All other business activities of the W&W Group, such as central Group functions, asset management activities, property development and the marketing of home loan savings and banking products outside of Germany, are subsumed under "All other segments", since they are not directly related to the other reportable segments. It also includes interests in subsidiaries of W&W AG that are not consolidated in "All other segments" because they are allocated to another segment.
The column "Consolidation/reconciliation" includes consolidation adjustments required to reconcile segment figures to Group figures.
As in previous years, the performance of each segment was measured based on the segment earnings under IFRS. Transactions between the segments were carried out on an arm's length basis.
The measurement principles for segment reporting correspond to the accounting and measurement methods applied to the IFRS consolidated financial statements, with the following exceptions. In conformity with internal Group reporting and control, we are continuing to apply IAS 17 to leases within the Group. The interests in the subsidiaries of W&W AG that are not consolidated in "All other segments" are measured there at fair value through other comprehensive income and not reclassified to the consolidated income statement.
| Housing | Life and Health Insurance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
||
| Current net income | 273,872 | 208,169 | 724,669 | 801,465 | ||
| Net income/expense from risk provision | –44,248 | –6,617 | –11,141 | 2,832 | ||
| Net measurement gain/loss | 21,007 | 79,292 | –46,830 | 500,771 | ||
| Net income from disposals | 102,393 | 84,408 | 700,388 | 449,174 | ||
| Net financial income | 353,024 | 365,252 | 1,367,086 | 1,754,242 | ||
| thereof net income/expense from financial assets accounted for using the equity method |
— | — | –3,449 | 5,389 | ||
| Earned premiums (net) | — | — | 2,491,775 | 2,415,128 | ||
| Insurance benefits (net) | — | — | –3,410,309 | –3,665,042 | ||
| Net commission expense | –11,185 | –11,254 | –147,631 | –151,178 | ||
| General administrative expenses2 | –316,262 | –322,238 | –254,462 | –270,884 | ||
| Net other operating income/expense | 33,719 | 23,528 | –18,950 | –29,511 | ||
| S e g m e n t n e t i n c o m e f r o m c o n t i n u e d o p e r a t i o n s b e f o r e income taxes |
59,296 | 55,288 | 27,509 | 52,755 | ||
| Income taxes | –14,350 | –16,984 | –4,910 | –26,361 | ||
| Segment net income after taxes | 44,946 | 38,304 | 22,599 | 26,394 |
| Total revenue3 | 912,527 | 934,964 | 3,299,083 | 3,300,873 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| thereof with other segments | 25,939 | 26,412 | 17,892 | 22,337 | |
| thereof with external customers | 886,588 | 908,552 | 3,281,191 | 3,278,536 | |
| Interest income | 690,164 | 710,445 | 566,433 | 610,251 | |
| Interest expenses | –416,296 | –502,281 | –40,444 | –46,544 | |
| Scheduled depreciation | –11,661 | –8,477 | –45,780 | –44,773 | |
| Impairment losses4 | — | — | –966 | –1,267 | |
| Reversals of impairment losses4 | — | — | 1,028 | 3,616 | |
| Material non-cash items | 11,354 | 370 | 1,083,554 | 467,662 | |
| Segment assets5 | 30,496,057 | 29,013,2886 | 40,208,202 | 37,888,8146 | |
| Segment liabilities5 | 28,511,221 | 27,116,1626 | 39,197,328 | 37,029,6746 | |
| Financial assets accounted for using the equity method5 | — | — | 39,617 | 45,779 |
1 The column "Consolidation/reconciliation" includes the effects of consolidation between segments.
2 Includes rental and other service income with other segments.
3 Interest, dividend, commission and rental income, as well as income from property development business and gross premiums written.
4 Impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses relate to intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and investment property.
5 Values as at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, respectively.
6 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes in the presentation of the financial statements".
| Property/Casualty Insurance |
Total for reportable segments |
All other segments | Consolidation/ reconciliation1 |
Group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
| 66,560 | 72,525 | 1,065,101 | 1,082,159 | 31,479 | 74,434 | –30 | –3,312 | 1,096,550 | 1,153,281 |
| 468 | –430 | –54,921 | –4,215 | 271 | 139 | –28 | 41 | –54,678 | –4,035 |
| –21,224 | 26,987 | –47,047 | 607,050 | –536 | 23,109 | –7,663 | –17,629 | –55,246 | 612,530 |
| 19,572 | 6,770 | 822,353 | 540,352 | 3,559 | 2,926 | – | 48,430 | 825,912 | 591,708 |
| 65,376 | 105,852 | 1,785,486 | 2,225,346 | 34,773 | 100,608 | –7,721 | 27,530 | 1,812,538 | 2,353,484 |
| 2,478 | 3,259 | –971 | 8,648 | 816 | 556 | –5,927 | 2,131 | –6,082 | 11,335 |
| 1,641,765 | 1,565,315 | 4,133,540 | 3,980,443 | 296,261 | 282,232 | –14,657 | –13,506 | 4,415,144 | 4,249,169 |
| –880,661 | –823,242 | –4,290,970 | –4,488,284 | –181,715 | –179,673 | 17,242 | 17,479 | –4,455,443 | –4,650,478 |
| –260,712 | –262,936 | –419,528 | –425,368 | –68,300 | –55,312 | –9,377 | –9,515 | –497,205 | –490,195 |
| –371,019 | –378,472 | –941,743 | –971,594 | –78,345 | –115,120 | 6,091 | 6,263 | –1,013,997 | –1,080,451 |
| 15,663 | –11,188 | 30,432 | –17,171 | 16,008 | 13,388 | –604 | –24,737 | 45,836 | –28,520 |
| 210,412 | 195,329 | 297,217 | 303,372 | 18,682 | 46,123 | –9,026 | 3,514 | 306,873 | 353,009 |
| –68,389 | –51,769 | –87,649 | –95,114 | –7,865 | –9,231 | –608 | 395 | –96,122 | –103,950 |
| 142,023 | 143,560 | 209,568 | 208,258 | 10,817 | 36,892 | –9,634 | 3,909 | 210,751 | 249,059 |
| 2,290,933 | 2,197,989 | 6,502,543 | 6,433,826 | 568,602 | 680,997 | –658,424 | –633,345 | 6,412,721 | 6,481,478 |
| 158,978 | 147,020 | 202,809 | 195,769 | 455,615 | 437,576 | –658,424 | –633,345 | — | — |
| 2,131,955 | 2,050,969 | 6,299,734 | 6,238,057 | 112,987 | 243,421 | — | — | 6,412,721 | 6,481,478 |
| 49,887 | 59,135 | 1,306,484 | 1,379,831 | 57,279 | 130,863 | –29,322 | –26,683 | 1,334,441 | 1,484,011 |
| –9,840 | –32,003 | –466,580 | –580,828 | –33,678 | –63,150 | 28,258 | 28,605 | –472,000 | –615,373 |
| –9,509 | –9,186 | –66,950 | –62,436 | –53,032 | –56,946 | 1,424 | 1,454 | –118,558 | –117,928 |
| — | — | –966 | –1,267 | — | –10,338 | — | — | –966 | –11,605 |
| — | — | 1,028 | 3,616 | — | — | — | — | 1,028 | 3,616 |
| 157,240 | 4,888 | 1,252,148 | 472,920 | –11,213 | –50,490 | –11,622 | 11,834 | 1,229,313 | 434,264 |
| 4,907,492 | 4,762,7766 | 75,611,751 | 71,664,8786 | 5,784,320 | 7,600,1346 | –4,908,429 | –4,113,845 | 76,487,642 | 75,151,1676 |
| 3,390,641 | 3,329,9866 | 71,099,190 | 67,475,8226 | 2,086,415 | 4,457,9906 | –1,783,114 | –1,617,727 | 71,402,491 | 70,316,0856 |
| 54,716 | 54,950 | 94,333 | 100,729 | 9,475 | 8,542 | –15,098 | –9,171 | 88,710 | 100,100 |
| Revenue from external customers1 |
Non-current assets2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Germany | 6,386,686 | 6,388,503 | 2,465,978 | 2,339,214 |
| Czech Republic | 25,125 | 92,330 | — | — |
| Other countries | 910 | 645 | 787 | 861 |
| Total | 6,412,721 | 6,481,478 | 2,466,765 | 2,340,075 |
1 Revenue was allocated in accordance with the country in which the operational units are based. This involves interest, dividend, commission and rental income, as well as income from property development business and gross premiums written.
2 Non-current assets include investment property, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash on hand | 64 | 70 |
| Deposits with central banks | 74,779 | 35,192 |
| Deposits with foreign postal giro offices | 277 | 496 |
| Cash reserves | 75,120 | 35,758 |
The fair value of cash reserves corresponds to the carrying amount.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash reserves | — | 26,203 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | — | 6,491 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | — | 8,389 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | — | 2,572,303 |
| Investment property | — | 3,413 |
| Other assets | — | 19,961 |
| Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations | — | 2,636,760 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Liabilities | — | 2,409,254 |
| Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | — | 772 |
Other liabilities — 11,235 L i a b i l i t i e s u n d e r n o n - c u r r e n t a s s e t s c l a s s i f i e d a s h e l d f o r s a l e and discontinued operations — 2,427,916
Other provisions — 6,655
As at 31 December 2019, this item included one investment property and one disposal group.
The property held for sale as at 31 December 2019 has to do with a commercial building in third-party use allocated to the Life and Health Insurance segment. Ownership was transferred in early January 2020. The sale of the property resulted in a gain of €8.6 million, which was recognised in "Net income from disposals". The sale was made for reasons of diversification.
The disposal group held for sale as at 31 December 2019 included the assets and liabilities of Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s. and Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s., both with registered office in Prague. Both subsidiaries, which had been assigned to the segment "All other segments", were sold effective 1 April 2020. The sale resulted in a deconsolidation loss of €9.9 million. In the consolidated income statement, within "Net financial income", €1.6 million (reserve from financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income) was recognised under "Net income from disposals", €3.9 million (reserve from currency translation) under within "Net measurement gain/loss" and –€15.4 million under "Net other operating income/expense". The sale was made for strategic reasons.
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income included bearer bonds (€8.4 million). Financial assets at amortised cost mainly included construction loans (€2,147.3 million) and bearer bonds (€141.7 million). Liabilities principally included liabilities to customers (€2,194.3 million) and liabilities evidenced by certificates (€202.9 million). Cumulative unrealised gains and losses recognised under "Other reserves" amounted to €17.6 million. The currency translation reserve amounted to €19.0 million, and the reserve for fair value through other comprehensive income amounted to €1.4 million. The following assets within the disposal group were not measured pursuant to IFRS 5, but instead on the basis of the following standards:
The income statement of Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s. and Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s. as a disposal group after consolidation was as follows from 1 January 2020 until the time of deconsolidation:
| in € thousands | 31.03.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Current net income | 12,975 | 48,731 |
| Net interest income | 12,975 | 48,731 |
| Interest income | 22,953 | 83,999 |
| Interest expenses | –9,978 | –35,268 |
| Net income/expense from risk provision | –180 | 3,534 |
| Income from risk provision | 3,167 | 15,124 |
| Expenses from risk provision | –3,347 | –11,590 |
| Net measurement gain/loss | 94 | –1,977 |
| Measurement gains | 94 | — |
| Measurement losses | — | –1,977 |
| Net financial income | 12,889 | 50,288 |
| Net commission income | 909 | 2,747 |
| Commission income | 2,076 | 7,890 |
| Commission expenses | –1,167 | –5,143 |
| General administrative expenses | –5,392 | –37,176 |
| Personnel expenses | –3,194 | –12,948 |
| Materials costs | –2,198 | –9,841 |
| Depreciation/amortisation | — | –14,387 |
| Net other operating expense | –2,058 | –1,066 |
| Other operating income | 247 | 1,710 |
| Other operating expenses | –2,305 | –2,776 |
| Net income from the disposal group before income taxes | 6,348 | 14,793 |
| Income taxes | –1,001 | –2,740 |
| Net income from the disposal group after income taxes | 5,347 | 12,053 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Participations other than in alternative investments | 217,009 | 219,034 |
| Participations in alternative investments | 1,750,431 | 1,594,796 |
| Equities | 609,067 | 745,518 |
| Investment funds units | 1,392,896 | 1,148,701 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 2,406,974 | 2,040,0281 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 268,078 | 147,084 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 76,162 | 166,4511 |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies | 2,079,699 | 2,238,019 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 8,800,316 | 8,299,631 |
| 1 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes in the presentation of the financial statements". |
In connection with the acquisition of ABAG, the W&W Group was offered capitalisation products provided by some of the former owners. In the 2019 financial year, as well as at the start of 2020, the W&W Group subscribed to capitalisation products of a former owner of ABAG in the total amount of €100 million each. The capitalisation products were recognised under "Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test".
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 801,514 | 720,209 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 12,315,455 | 12,984,231 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 25,745,799 | 23,104,330 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | 38,862,768 | 36,808,770 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Subordinated securities and receivables | –1,090 | –817 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | –6,051 | –7,434 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –30,631 | –23,349 |
| Risk provision | –37,772 | –31,600 |
To enable a better understanding of the information, the following table provides a detailed breakdown of the carrying amounts of assets at amortised cost by risk provision:
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 165,834 | 163,978 |
| Credit institutions | 94,458 | 94,843 |
| Other financial companies | 30,468 | 36,110 |
| Other companies | 40,908 | 33,025 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 34,808 | 30,898 |
| Construction loans | 22,830,677 | 21,493,189 |
| Loans under home loan savings contracts | 1,537,337 | 1,610,040 |
| Preliminary and interim financing loans | 14,010,854 | 12,489,644 |
| Other construction loans | 7,282,486 | 7,393,505 |
| Other receivables | 2,074,187 | 2,220,544 |
| Other loans and advances1 | 1,767,604 | 1,892,175 |
| Miscellaneous receivables2 | 306,583 | 328,369 |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | 68,467 | 75,438 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 25,173,973 | 23,984,047 |
1 Receivables that constitute a class pursuant to IFRS 7.
2 Receivables that constitute a class pursuant to IFRS 7 but are not covered by the scope of IFRS 7 and essentially contain receivables from insurance business with disclosure requirements pursuant to IFRS 4.
Not including risk provision, the loans and advances to credit institutions included under "Other loans and advances" amounted to €1,458.2 million (previous year: €1,557.9 million), of which €1,259.7 million (previous year: €1,056.9 million) were due on demand and €162.5 million (previous year: €501.0 million) were not due on demand.
The item "Portfolio hedge adjustment" involves a measurement item from the interest-rate-based measurement of financial assets at amortised cost designated in connection with the portfolio fair value hedge. Recognised in this regard is the change in the hedged item as relates to the hedged risk.
| Risk provision by class for financial assets at amortised cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | –217 | –235 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | –43 | –29 |
| Construction loans | –102,428 | –66,747 |
| Other loans and advances | –40,489 | –25,811 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | –9,994 | –10,925 |
| Risk provision | –153,171 | –103,747 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Fair value hedges | 16,071 | 88,994 |
| Hedging of interest rate risk | 16,071 | 88,994 |
| Positive market values from hedges | 16,071 | 88,994 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying amount as at 1 January | 100,100 | 93,016 |
| Additions | 93 | 1,133 |
| Dividend payments | –5,425 | –5,452 |
| Pro rata share of net income/expense | –6,082 | 11,361 |
| Changes recognised directly in equity | 24 | 42 |
| Carrying amount as at 31 December | 88,710 | 100,100 |
For all financial assets in the portfolio that are accounted for using the equity method, the following table presents, among other things, all assets, liabilities, revenue and net income for each company, as well as the shares thereof attributable to the W&W Group:
| BWK GmbH Unternehmens beteiligungsgesellschaft |
V-Bank AG | |
|---|---|---|
| Participation purpose | Strategic investment | Strategic investment |
| Principal place of business | Stuttgart, Germany | Munich, Germany |
| Reporting date | 31 December | 31 December |
| Measurement standards | At equity | At equity |
| BWK GmbH Unternehmens beteiligungsgesellschaft |
V-Bank AG | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Share of capital, in % | 35.00 | 35.00 | 15.00 | 15.00 | ||
| Assets | 236,399 | 271,780 | 2,284,133 | 1,998,318 | 2,520,532 | 2,270,098 |
| Liabilities | 10,014 | 10,186 | 2,229,570 | 1,949,391 | 2,239,584 | 1,959,577 |
| Net assets (100%) | 226,385 | 261,594 | 54,563 | 48,927 | 280,948 | 310,521 |
| Group share of net assets | 79,235 | 91,558 | 8,185 | 7,339 | 87,420 | 98,897 |
| Reconciliation | — | — | 1,290 | 1,203 | 1,290 | 1,203 |
| C a r r y i n g a m o u n t o f f i n a n c i a l a s s e t s accounted for using the equity method |
79,235 | 91,558 | 9,475 | 8,542 | 88,710 | 100,100 |
| BWK GmbH Unternehmens beteiligungsgesellschaft |
V-Bank AG | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
| Income | 8,370 | 33,104 | 34,080 | 23,189 | 42,450 | 56,293 |
| Net income/expense for the year (100%) | –19,709 | 30,796 | 5,441 | 3,885 | –14,268 | 34,681 |
| Other comprehensive income (100%) | — | — | 160 | 277 | 160 | 277 |
| Total net income/expense (100%) | –19,709 | 30,796 | 5,601 | 4,162 | –14,108 | 34,958 |
| Group share of net income/expense for the year | –6,898 | 10,779 | 816 | 582 | –6,082 | 11,361 |
| Group share of other comprehensive income | — | — | 24 | 42 | 24 | 42 |
| Group share of net income/expense for the year | –6,898 | 10,779 | 840 | 624 | –6,058 | 11,403 |
| Dividends received | 5,425 | 5,425 | — | — | 5,425 | 5,425 |
In the case of V-Bank AG, although we hold less than 20% of the voting rights, we exercise significant influence over it as a result of our representation on its supervisory body.
No publicly quoted market prices are available for the interests in associates in the W&W Group that are accounted for using the equity method.
As at the end of the year, the fair value of investment properties amounted to €2,409.6 million (previous year: €2,388.4 million). There are no restrictions on the ability to sell investment property or on the ability to dispose of income and sales proceeds.
As at 31 December 2020, there were contractual obligations to purchase and construct investment properties amounting to €62.9 million (previous year: €107.6 million). There are no material contractual obligations to develop investment property or for repairs, maintenance or improvements.
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amounts as at 1 January | 2,232,638 | 2,196,900 |
| Additions of right-of-use assets as at 1 January 2019 as a result of initial application of IFRS 16 | — | 9,408 |
| Adjusted gross carrying amounts as at 1 January | 2,232,638 | 2,206,308 |
| Additions | 113,878 | 194,652 |
| Disposals | –72,370 | –17,568 |
| Reclassifications | 771 | 329 |
| Classified as held for sale | – | –151,083 |
| As at 31 December | 2,274,917 | 2,232,638 |
| Cumulative depreciation and impairments as at 1 January | –377,414 | –369,845 |
| Additions of right-of-use assets as at 1 January 2019 as a result of initial application of IFRS 16. | — | — |
| Adjusted amount of cumulative depreciation and impairments as at 1 January | –377,414 | –369,845 |
| Additions: depreciation (scheduled) | –41,079 | –43,060 |
| Additions: impairments | –965 | –1,267 |
| Disposals | 18,593 | 5,939 |
| Reversals of impairment losses | 1,028 | 3,616 |
| Reclassifications | –1,519 | — |
| Classified as held for sale | — | 27,203 |
| As at 31 December | –401,356 | –377,414 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 1 January | 1,855,224 | 1,827,055 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 31 December | 1,873,561 | 1,855,224 |
Additions included capitalised production costs of €17.2 million (previous year: €34.2 million).
Impairment expenses in the current period of €1.0 million (previous year: €1.3 million) relate to various residential and commercial properties whose net realisable value is lower than the carrying amount. One of the main reasons for this are ancillary acquisition costs.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Provision for unearned premiums | 10,357 | 13,861 |
| Provision for future policy benefits | 82,623 | 86,637 |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims | 188,970 | 178,310 |
| Other technical provisions | –3,903 | –2,744 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | 278,047 | 276,064 |
Further remarks can be found at the corresponding liability items starting at Note 19.
| Remaining amortisation period (years) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Software | 85,745 | 86,961 | 1–5 |
| Brand names | 11,257 | 12,865 | 7 |
| Other purchased intangible assets | 7,762 | 113 | 1–7 |
| I n t a n g i b l e a s s e t s | 104,764 | 99,939 | — |
| Externally procured software |
Internally developed software |
Brand names | Other acqui red intangible assets |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | |||||
| Gross carrying amounts as at 1 January | 372,658 | 6,048 | 32,162 | 17,025 | 443,620 |
| Additions | 22,717 | 855 | — | 1 | 23,573 |
| Disposals | –62,112 | –5,095 | — | –601 | –67,808 |
| Reclassifications | –1,131 | — | — | — | –1,131 |
| Changes in the scope of consolidation | 208 | 283 | — | 8,883 | 9,374 |
| As at 31 December | 332,340 | 2,091 | 32,162 | 25,308 | 407,628 |
| Cumulative amortisation and impairments as at 1 January |
–286,380 | –5,365 | –19,297 | –16,912 | –343,681 |
| Additions: amortisation (scheduled) | –25,025 | –254 | –1,608 | –1,229 | –28,116 |
| Disposals | 62,112 | 5,095 | — | 595 | 67,802 |
| Reclassifications | 1,131 | — | — | — | 1,131 |
| As at 31 December | –248,162 | –524 | –20,905 | –17,546 | –302,864 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 1 January | 86,278 | 683 | 12,865 | 113 | 99,939 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 31 December | 84,178 | 1,567 | 11,257 | 7,762 | 104,764 |
| Externally | Internally | Other purchased |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| procured | developed | intangible | |||
| software | software | Brand names | assets | Total | |
| in € thousands | |||||
| Gross carrying amounts as at 1 January | 397,501 | 52,482 | 32,162 | 17,620 | 515,492 |
| Additions | 33,355 | 605 | — | 1 | 33,961 |
| Disposals | –46,144 | –47,039 | — | –596 | –93,779 |
| Reclassifications | 3,441 | — | — | — | 3,441 |
| Classified as held for sale | –17,852 | — | — | — | –17,852 |
| Changes in the scope of consolidation | 2,151 | — | — | — | 2,151 |
| Changes from currency translation | 206 | — | — | — | 206 |
| As at 31 December | 372,658 | 6,048 | 32,162 | 17,025 | 443,620 |
| Cumulative amortisation and impairments as at 1 | |||||
| January | –312,685 | –52,284 | –17,689 | –17,406 | –415,791 |
| Additions: amortisation (scheduled) | –27,189 | –120 | –1,608 | –102 | –29,019 |
| Disposals | 46,045 | 47,039 | — | 596 | 93,680 |
| Reclassifications | –3,441 | — | — | — | –3,441 |
| Classified as held for sale | 13,073 | — | — | — | 13,073 |
| Changes in the scope of consolidation | –2,151 | — | — | — | –2,151 |
| Changes from currency translation | –32 | — | — | — | –32 |
| As at 31 December | –286,380 | –5,365 | –19,297 | –16,912 | –343,681 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 1 January | 84,816 | 198 | 14,473 | 214 | 99,701 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 31 December | 86,278 | 683 | 12,865 | 113 | 99,939 |
Wüstenrot Holding AG and W&W AG are parties to a brand name transfer and use agreement. As at 31 December 2020, the carrying amount of the resulting intangible asset amounted to €11.3 million (previous year: €12.9 million). The asset has a limited useful life, and it is being amortised on a straight-line basis over 20 years. Its remaining useful life is seven years. As at 31 December 2020, the capitalised brand name was offset by a financial liability to Wüstenrot Holding AG in the amount of €13.1 million (previous year: €15.1 million).
Total expenditures for research and development that were recognised in the income statement for the 2020 financial year amounted to €72.30 million (previous year: €30.0 million).
There were obligations to purchase intangible assets in the amount of €6.5 million (previous year: €8.5 million). These have to do with software licences of W&W Informatik GmbH.
There were obligations to purchase property, plant and equipment in the amount of €175.1 million (previous year: €240.3 million). This was mostly due to the construction of the campus in Ludwigsburg/Kornwestheim. The measurement was performed using the net asset value method.
Additions to property for own use included costs for assets under construction in the amount of €106.5 million (previous year: €73.4 million).
| Property for own use | Plant and equipment | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Gross carrying amounts as at 1 January | 586,600 | 507,224 | 145,770 | 173,908 | 732,370 | 681,132 |
| Additions of right-of-use assets as at 1 January 2019 as a result of initial application of IFRS 16 |
— | 60,523 | — | 3,436 | — | 63,959 |
| Adjusted gross carrying amounts as at 1 January | 586,600 | 567,747 | 145,770 | 177,344 | 732,370 | 745,091 |
| Additions | 116,083 | 75,808 | 14,565 | 22,784 | 130,648 | 98,592 |
| Disposals | –537 | –50,505 | –15,200 | –47,739 | –15,737 | –98,244 |
| Reclassifications | –1,048 | –328 | –29 | — | –1,077 | –328 |
| Classified as held for sale | — | –6,142 | — | –6,680 | — | –12,822 |
| Changes in the scope of consolidation | 7,708 | — | 3,872 | — | 11,580 | — |
| Changes from currency translation | — | 20 | 12 | 61 | 12 | 81 |
| As at 31 December | 708,806 | 586,600 | 148,990 | 145,770 | 857,796 | 732,370 |
| Cumulative depreciation and impairments as at 1 January |
–231,066 | –255,872 | –103,527 | –137,799 | –334,593 | –393,671 |
| Additions: depreciation (scheduled) | –30,568 | –27,681 | –18,734 | –18,169 | –49,302 | –45,850 |
| Disposals | 529 | 50,114 | 12,886 | 47,586 | 13,415 | 97,700 |
| Reclassifications | 1,107 | — | 29 | — | 1,136 | — |
| Classified as held for sale | — | 2,375 | – | 4,867 | — | 7,242 |
| Changes from currency translation | — | –2 | –12 | –12 | –12 | –14 |
| As at 31 December | –259,998 | –231,066 | –109,358 | –103,527 | –369,356 | –334,593 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 1 January | 355,534 | 251,352 | 42,243 | 36,109 | 397,777 | 287,461 |
| Net carrying amounts as at 31 December | 448,808 | 355,534 | 39,632 | 42,243 | 488,440 | 397,777 |
Inventories in the amount of €177.1 million (previous year: €151.4 million) related to property development business and primarily included land and buildings held for sale, as well as land with buildings under construction. The carrying amount of inventories recognised at the lower fair value less costs of disposal amounted to €11.7 million (previous year: €24.0 million). Also recognised under "Inventories" were raw materials and consumables in the amount of €0.2 million (previous year: €0.3 million).
An impairment provision in the amount of €0.1 million (previous year: €2.2 million) was created for inventories in the reporting year. Expenses for the utilisation of inventories during the reporting period amounted to €51.8 million (previous year: €25.4 million). Inventories in the amount of €1.1 million (previous year: €0) were pledged as collateral for liabilities in the reporting year.
Current tax assets relate to current tax receivables, and they are expected to be realised in the amount of €32.3 million (previous year: €8.7 million) within 12 months.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 49,511 | 36,951 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | — | 1,559 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 51,953 | — |
| Positive/negative market values from hedges | 16 | 138,545 |
| Liabilities | 187,356 | 61,872 |
| Technical provisions | 148,732 | 158,008 |
| Provisions for pensions and similar obligations | 377,734 | 335,023 |
| Other balance sheet items | 153,913 | 186,476 |
| Tax loss carryforward | 14,429 | 13,157 |
| Deferred tax assets before netting effects | 983,644 | 931,591 |
| Netting effects | –528,971 | –592,3421 |
| Deferred tax assets after netting effects | 454,673 | 339,2491 |
1 Prior-year figure adjusted, see chapter "Changes pursuant to IAS 8".
In the reporting year, the portion of the changes to deferred tax assets recognised directly in equity for some items can be seen in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The changes recognised in the income statement for some items are presented in Note 35.
Deferred taxes on provisions for pensions and other obligations in the amount of €360.2 million (previous year: €315.8 million) were recognised directly in the reserve for pension commitments.
Deferred tax assets in the amount of €210.2 million (previous year: €116.4 million) and deferred taxes on tax loss carryforwards in the amount of €14.7 million (previous year: €13.2 million) are expected to be realised within 12 months.
Deferred taxes for deductible temporary differences and tax loss carryforwards that related to corporate income and trade taxes in the amount of €31.9 million (previous year: €25.1 million) were not recognised, as they are not expected to be realised in the medium term.
Other assets mainly had to do with prepaid insurance benefits for the following year and deferred lease and maintenance costs.
The category "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss" includes derivatives in the amount of €44.2 million (previous year: €80.3 million). 44,2 80,3 Of this €31.5 million (previous year: €67.1 million) was attributable to interest-rate-related transactions, €1.2 million (previous year: €7.0 million) to currency-related transactions and €11.4 million (previous year: €6.2 million) to equity/index transactions.
| 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|
| 1,412,976 | 947,565 |
| 2,193,839 | 2,232,992 |
| 22,481,152 | 21,641,444 |
| 19,502,655 | 18,446,460 |
| 2,978,497 | 3,194,984 |
| 83,215 | 77,268 |
| 1,322,509 | 1,373,138 |
| 365,283 | 418,792 |
| 957,226 | 954,346 |
| 120,334 | 124,575 |
| 672,472 | 678,553 |
| 164,420 | 151,218 |
| 331,833 | 47,797 |
| 27,825,524 | 26,320,204 |
1 Liabilities that constitute a class pursuant to IFRS 7.
2 Liabilities that constitute a class pursuant to IFRS 7 but are not covered by the scope of IFRS 7 and essentially contain liabilities from insurance business with disclosure requirements pursuant to IFRS 4.
Other liabilities to credit institutions, which are included under "Liabilities to credit institutions", amounted to €2,1434.4 million (previous year: €2,219.8 million), of which €12.7 million (previous year: €12.0 million) were due on demand and €2,130.7 million (previous year: €2,207.8 million) were not due on demand.
2 249,5Of the other liabilities from liabilities to customers, €2,184.4 million (previous year: €2,249.5 million) are due on demand and €794.1 million (previous year: €945.5 million).
Of the liabilities from direct insurance business within sundry liabilities, €607.5 million (previous year: €622.5 million) were attributable to policyholders and €64.9 million (previous year: €56.0 million) to insurance agents.
The item "Portfolio hedge adjustment" involves a measurement item from the interest-rate-based measurement of liabilities designated in connection with the portfolio fair value hedge. Recognised in this regard is the change in the hedged item as relates to the hedged risk.
The fair value of each liability can be obtained from the measurement hierarchy. The carrying amount of sundry liabilities corresponds to fair value.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Fair value hedges | 15,688 | 216,195 |
| Hedging of interest rate risk | 15,688 | 216,195 |
| Negative market values from hedges | 15,688 | 216,195 |
| Gross | ||
|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Provision for unearned premiums | 240,636 | 241,497 |
| Provision for future policy benefits | 30,568,319 | 29,959,727 |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims | 2,695,829 | 2,591,943 |
| Provision for premium refunds | 5,862,892 | 4,594,755 |
| Other technical provisions | 34,615 | 41,219 |
| Technical provisions | 39,402,291 | 37,429,141 |
| Gross | Reinsurers portion |
Gross | Reinsurers portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2019 |
| As at 1 January | 241,497 | 13,861 | 242,680 | 12,629 |
| Additions | 240,636 | 10,357 | 241,497 | 13,861 |
| Withdrawals | –241,497 | –13,861 | –242,680 | –12,629 |
| As at 31 December | 240,636 | 10,357 | 241,497 | 13,861 |
| Gross | Reinsurers portion |
Gross | Reinsurers portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Life insurance | 29,571,190 | 82,623 | 29,072,557 | 86,637 |
| Health insurance | 997,129 | — | 887,170 | — |
| Provision for future policy benefits | 30,568,319 | 82,623 | 29,959,727 | 86,637 |
| Gross | Reinsurers portion |
Gross | Reinsurers portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2019 |
| Provision for future policy benefits | 26,834,538 | — | 26,478,755 | — |
| Provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts | 2,238,019 | — | 1,711,146 | — |
| Receivables not yet due from policyholders | –112,569 | — | –113,883 | — |
| As at 1 January | 28,959,988 | 86,637 | 28,076,018 | 81,388 |
| Additions from premiums1 | 1,801,976 | — | 1,725,697 | — |
| Use and release1 | –2,291,702 | — | –2,303,183 | — |
| Interest1 | 700,351 | — | 718,726 | — |
| Other changes1 | 290,624 | –4,014 | 742,730 | 5,249 |
| As at 31 December | 29,461,237 | 82,623 | 28,959,988 | 86,637 |
| Provision for future policy benefits | 27,491,491 | — | 26,834,538 | — |
| Provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts | 2,079,699 | — | 2,238,019 | — |
| Receivables not yet due from policyholders | –109,953 | — | –112,569 | — |
1 We determined the breakdown of changes in the financial year on the basis of preliminary profit sourcing. The figures for the previous year were adjusted to conform to definitive profit sourcing.
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| As at 1 January | 887,170 | 781,745 |
| Share of association rates | –80,818 | –68,362 |
| As at 1 January, not including association rates | 806,352 | 713,383 |
| Premiums from the provision for premium refunds | 9,869 | 7,043 |
| Additions from premiums | 65,210 | 61,731 |
| Interest | 18,326 | 16,793 |
| Direct credits | 6,571 | 7,402 |
| As at 31 December, not including association rates | 906,328 | 806,352 |
| Share of association rates | 90,801 | 80,818 |
| As at 31 December | 997,129 | 887,170 |
| Gross | Reinsurers portion |
Gross | Reinsurers portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Life and health insurance | 236,761 | 12,232 | 222,932 | 10,342 |
| Property/casualty insurance and reinsurance | 2,459,068 | 176,738 | 2,369,011 | 167,968 |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims | 2,695,829 | 188,970 | 2,591,943 | 178,310 |
In the area of life and health insurance, the provision for outstanding insurance claims changed as follows:
| Gross | Reinsurers portion |
Gross | Reinsurers portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2019 |
| As at 1 January | 222,932 | 10,342 | 208,507 | 7,309 |
| Changes recognised in the income statement | 13,829 | 1,890 | 14,425 | 3,033 |
| As at 31 December | 236,761 | 12,232 | 222,932 | 10,342 |
In the area of property/casualty insurance and reinsurance, the provision for outstanding insurance claims changed as follows:
| Gross | Reinsurers portion |
Gross | Reinsurers portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2019 |
| As at 1 January | 2,369,011 | 167,968 | 2,338,514 | 199,102 |
| Additions | 642,249 | 36,959 | 630,776 | 27,522 |
| Use | –500,271 | –41,532 | –463,406 | –46,020 |
| Release | –45,690 | 13,557 | –139,942 | –12,761 |
| Changes from currency translation | –6,231 | –214 | 3,069 | 125 |
| As at 31 December | 2,459,068 | 176,738 | 2,369,011 | 167,968 |
The run-off triangles (gross and net) depicted below show the run-off of the provision for outstanding insurance claims in the area of property/casualty insurance and reinsurance.
With the gross run-off triangle, the provision for outstanding insurance claims (gross) is reconciled on the reporting date after deduction of the provision for claim adjustment expenses. With the net run-off triangle, the reinsurers' portion is deducted, in addition, when reconciling the net provision.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2011 | 31.12.2012 | 31.12.2013 | 31.12.2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims (gross) |
2,138,684 | 2,115,807 | 2,298,051 | 2,307,159 |
| Less provision for claim adjustment expenses | 151,053 | 143,828 | 146,869 | 151,782 |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims (gross) |
1,987,631 | 1,971,979 | 2,151,182 | 2,155,377 |
| Payments, cumulative (gross) | ||||
| One year later | 323,446 | 342,885 | 423,322 | 364,833 |
| Two years later | 470,817 | 466,803 | 587,072 | 505,919 |
| Three years later | 554,140 | 568,052 | 682,855 | 591,536 |
| Four years later | 634,042 | 636,356 | 744,049 | 656,358 |
| Five years later | 690,416 | 686,623 | 797,797 | 701,745 |
| Six years later | 733,169 | 733,089 | 837,437 | 739,746 |
| Seven years later | 774,277 | 768,435 | 870,043 | — |
| Eight years later | 806,812 | 797,174 | — | — |
| Nine years later | 832,537 | — | — | — |
| Original provision, reestimated (gross) | ||||
| One year later | 1,864,927 | 1,867,591 | 2,075,251 | 2,021,321 |
| Two years later | 1,768,517 | 1,801,134 | 1,970,230 | 1,927,813 |
| Three years later | 1,727,154 | 1,746,498 | 1,917,310 | 1,837,551 |
| Four years later | 1,688,593 | 1,715,199 | 1,845,499 | 1,753,505 |
| Five years later | 1,675,483 | 1,671,041 | 1,782,454 | 1,657,418 |
| Six years later | 1,637,511 | 1,620,406 | 1,698,995 | 1,670,709 |
| Seven years later | 1,596,263 | 1,546,986 | 1,720,722 | — |
| Eight years later | 1,529,010 | 1,569,716 | — | — |
| Nine years later | 1,551,832 | — | — | — |
| Cumulative gross surplus (deficit) excluding currency rate effects |
435,798 | 402,263 | 430,460 | 484,669 |
| Cumulative gross surplus (deficit) including currency rate effects |
425,874 | 408,889 | 410,777 | 470,448 |
1 The run-off triangle retroactively includes Group companies newly consolidated and retroactively excludes Group companies deconsolidated.
| 31.12.2015 | 31.12.2016 | 31.12.2017 | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,320,346 | 2,317,581 | 2,345,648 | 2,338,514 | 2,369,011 | 2,459,068 |
| 149,474 | 152,178 | 159,303 | 154,968 | 161,650 | 160,234 |
| 2,170,872 | 2,165,403 | 2,186,345 | 2,183,546 | 2,207,361 | 2,298,834 |
| 348,789 | 344,452 | 381,744 | 394,733 | 427,287 | — |
| 480,556 | 483,154 | 474,709 | 538,011 | — | — |
| 568,893 | 553,855 | 562,341 | — | — | — |
| 623,787 | 613,205 | — | — | — | — |
| 670,206 | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2,028,815 | 2,017,472 | 2,035,807 | 2,028,907 | 2,145,862 | — |
| 1,899,667 | 1,880,631 | 1,841,344 | 1,974,114 | — | — |
| 1,798,574 | 1,741,332 | 1,811,824 | — | — | — |
| 1,678,098 | 1,726,665 | — | — | — | — |
| 1,680,576 | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 490,296 | 438,739 | 374,521 | 209,432 | 61,498 | — |
| 497,046 | 453,485 | 372,626 | 207,838 | 67,798 | — |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2011 | 31.12.2012 | 31.12.2013 | 31.12.2014 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims (gross) |
2,138,684 | 2,115,807 | 2,298,051 | 2,307,159 | |
| Reinsurers' portion | 240,553 | 213,375 | 316,616 | 237,472 | |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims (net) |
1,898,131 | 1,902,432 | 1,981,435 | 2,069,687 | |
| Less provision for claim adjustment expenses | 145,605 | 146,226 | 148,891 | 149,880 | |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims (net) |
1,752,526 | 1,756,206 | 1,832,544 | 1,919,807 | |
| Payments, cumulative (net) | |||||
| One year later | 292,000 | 314,905 | 307,660 | 323,041 | |
| Two years later | 420,514 | 427,222 | 438,212 | 440,783 | |
| Three years later | 493,036 | 518,813 | 512,108 | 516,509 | |
| Four years later | 564,039 | 576,288 | 564,949 | 572,962 | |
| Five years later | 609,585 | 619,557 | 610,641 | 615,086 | |
| Six years later | 645,340 | 658,478 | 643,259 | 648,445 | |
| Seven years later | 678,902 | 685,626 | 671,223 | — | |
| Eight years later | 701,758 | 710,197 | — | — | |
| Nine years later | 723,314 | — | — | — | |
| Original provision, reestimated (net) | |||||
| One year later | 1,631,744 | 1,652,034 | 1,734,546 | 1,793,132 | |
| Two years later | 1,533,715 | 1,580,346 | 1,638,230 | 1,702,937 | |
| Three years later | 1,486,977 | 1,532,754 | 1,588,680 | 1,618,970 | |
| Four years later | 1,454,094 | 1,502,142 | 1,523,096 | 1,536,901 | |
| Five years later | 1,441,670 | 1,463,334 | 1,462,090 | 1,459,426 | |
| Six years later | 1,409,041 | 1,414,419 | 1,393,485 | 1,461,441 | |
| Seven years later | 1,369,512 | 1,354,562 | 1,403,936 | — | |
| Eight years later | 1,314,341 | 1,366,032 | — | — | |
| Nine years later | 1,325,903 | — | — | — | |
| Cumulative net surplus (deficit) excluding currency rate effects |
426,623 | 390,174 | 428,608 | 458,366 | |
| Cumulative net surplus (deficit) including currency rate effects |
427,528 | 400,574 | 415,271 | 445,997 | |
| Net run-off ratios, in % | |||||
| Excluding currency rate effects | 24.34 | 22.22 | 23.39 | 23.88 | |
| Including currency rate effects | 24.39 | 22.81 | 22.66 | 23.23 | |
1 The run-off triangle retroactively includes Group companies newly consolidated and retroactively excludes Group companies deconsolidated.
| 31.12.2015 | 31.12.2016 | 31.12.2017 | 31.12.2018 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,320,346 | 2,317,581 | 2,345,648 | 2,338,514 | 2,369,011 | 2,459,068 |
| 218,041 | 199,237 | 211,467 | 199,102 | 167,968 | 176,738 |
| 2,102,305 | 2,118,344 | 2,134,181 | 2,139,412 | 2,201,043 | 2,282,330 |
| 151,350 | 153,953 | 160,848 | 153,402 | 160,751 | 159,402 |
| 1,950,955 | 1,964,391 | 1,973,333 | 1,986,010 | 2,040,292 | 2,122,928 |
| 308,063 | 314,233 | 334,172 | 349,320 | 387,458 | — |
| 427,759 | 436,488 | 457,349 | 474,617 | — | — |
| 502,780 | 512,766 | 532,383 | — | — | — |
| 560,603 | 566,642 | — | — | — | — |
| 602,380 | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1,817,162 | 1,826,697 | 1,829,213 | 1,842,017 | 1,964,860 | — |
| 1,697,479 | 1,693,847 | 1,698,806 | 1,783,405 | — | — |
| 1,598,995 | 1,586,644 | 1,661,015 | — | — | — |
| 1,503,456 | 1,560,909 | — | — | — | — |
| 1,494,349 | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — — |
— — |
— — |
— — |
— — |
— — |
| 456,606 | 403,482 | 312,318 | 202,605 | 75,433 | — |
| 465,779 | 420,671 | 313,526 | 198,820 | 79,463 | — |
| 23.40 | 20.54 | 15.83 | 10.20 | 3.70 | — |
| 23.87 | 21.41 | 15.89 | 10.01 | 3.89 | — |
Net run-off triangle1
Provision for outstanding insurance
Provision for outstanding insurance
Provision for outstanding insurance
Original provision, reestimated (net)
Cumulative net surplus (deficit)
Cumulative net surplus (deficit)
Net run-off ratios, in %
Payments, cumulative (net)
in € thousands 31.12.2011 31.12.2012 31.12.2013 31.12.2014
claims (gross) 2,138,684 2,115,807 2,298,051 2,307,159 Reinsurers' portion 240,553 213,375 316,616 237,472
claims (net) 1,898,131 1,902,432 1,981,435 2,069,687 Less provision for claim adjustment expenses 145,605 146,226 148,891 149,880
claims (net) 1,752,526 1,756,206 1,832,544 1,919,807
One year later 292,000 314,905 307,660 323,041 Two years later 420,514 427,222 438,212 440,783 Three years later 493,036 518,813 512,108 516,509 Four years later 564,039 576,288 564,949 572,962 Five years later 609,585 619,557 610,641 615,086 Six years later 645,340 658,478 643,259 648,445 Seven years later 678,902 685,626 671,223 — Eight years later 701,758 710,197 — — Nine years later 723,314 — — —
One year later 1,631,744 1,652,034 1,734,546 1,793,132 Two years later 1,533,715 1,580,346 1,638,230 1,702,937 Three years later 1,486,977 1,532,754 1,588,680 1,618,970 Four years later 1,454,094 1,502,142 1,523,096 1,536,901 Five years later 1,441,670 1,463,334 1,462,090 1,459,426 Six years later 1,409,041 1,414,419 1,393,485 1,461,441 Seven years later 1,369,512 1,354,562 1,403,936 — Eight years later 1,314,341 1,366,032 — — Nine years later 1,325,903 — — —
excluding currency rate effects 426,623 390,174 428,608 458,366
including currency rate effects 427,528 400,574 415,271 445,997
Excluding currency rate effects 24.34 22.22 23.39 23.88 Including currency rate effects 24.39 22.81 22.66 23.23
1 The run-off triangle retroactively includes Group companies newly consolidated and retroactively excludes Group companies deconsolidated.
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| As at 1 January | 4,594,755 | 2,928,607 |
| Provision for premium refunds as at 1 January | 1,562,671 | 1,488,284 |
| Additions | 345,281 | 317,1901 |
| Withdrawals with effect on liquidity | –169,246 | –152,469 |
| Withdrawals with no effect on liquidity | –92,113 | –90,334 |
| As at 31 December | 1,646,593 | 1,562,671 |
| Provision for deferred premium refunds as at 1 January | 3,032,084 | 663,267 |
| Changes recognised in the consolidated income statement | 14,105 | –58,930 |
| Changes recognised in other comprehensive income | 1,167,523 | 1,650,691 |
| Changes recognised directly in equity | 2,587 | — |
| As at 31 December | 4,216,299 | 3,032,084 |
| As at 31 December | 5,862,892 | 4,594,755 |
1 Additions for the 2019 financial year included a rectification for 2018 based on Section 4 of the German Regulation on Minimum Premium Refunds (MindZV) in the amount of €15,186 thousand.
| Gross | Reinsurers' portion |
Gross | Reinsurers' portion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2019 |
| As at 1 January | 41,219 | –2,744 | 38,258 | –3,216 |
| Additions | 34,615 | –3,903 | 41,219 | –2,744 |
| Use and release | –41,219 | 2,744 | –38,258 | 3,216 |
| As at 31 December | 34,615 | –3,903 | 41,219 | –2,744 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Provisions for pensions | 1,946,449 | 1,777,345 |
| Provisions for other long-term employee benefits | 39,486 | 42,784 |
| Provisions for pensions and other long-term employee benefits | 1,820,129 | |
| Miscellaneous provisions | 1,145,748 | 1,131,586 |
| Risk provision for issued loan commitments and financial guarantees | 2,937 | 3,655 |
| Other provisions | 3,134,620 | 2,955,370 |
The change in the projected benefit obligation is depicted in the following:
| Present value of pension commitments |
Fair value of plan assets | Net liabilities (net asset) of defined penisons plans/reported pension provisions |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 |
| As at 1 January | 2,065,805 | 1,806,698 | 288,460 | 293,389 | 1,777,345 | 1,513,309 |
| Income and expenses recognised in the consolidated income statement |
43,912 | 49,986 | 5,147 | 4,836 | 38,765 | 45,150 |
| Current service cost | 27,333 | 19,626 | 2,912 | — | 24,421 | 19,626 |
| Gains/losses from plan settlements and curtailments | 105 | 72 | — | — | 105 | 72 |
| Interest expense/income | 16,474 | 30,288 | — | — | 16,474 | 30,288 |
| Expected income from plan assets | — | — | 2,235 | 4,836 | –2,235 | –4,836 |
| Actuarial gains (-) or losses (+) recognised in "Other com prehensive income" |
157,750 | 272,171 | –4,259 | 8,214 | 162,009 | 263,957 |
| Pension payments (utilisation) | –66,991 | –65,197 | –18,263 | –17,979 | –48,728 | –47,218 |
| Additions to the scope of consolidation | 19,160 | 2,147 | 2,102 | — | 17,058 | 2,147 |
| As at 31 December | 2,219,636 | 2,065,805 | 273,187 | 288,460 | 1,946,449 | 1,777,345 |
There was no past service cost for either the current or the previous financial year. The projected benefit obligation corresponds to the carrying amount of the provision for pensions as at 1 January and 31 December of each financial year.
Current service cost is recognised in the consolidated income statement under "General administrative expenses". Interest expenses are recognised under "Current net income/expense".
The plan assets capable of being netted in connection with the outsourcing of pension commitments can be broken down as follows:
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial assets | 274,562 | 290,122 |
| Cash reserves | 17,682 | 37,229 |
| Equities | 45,325 | — |
| Investment funds units | 32,305 | 25,542 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 50,280 | 50,315 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 126,248 | 174,890 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 2,673 | 2,146 |
| thereof market price quoted on an active market | 1,858 | 109 |
| Other loans and advances | 49 | — |
| Financial liabilities | 1,375 | 1,662 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | 6 | — |
| Other liabilities | 73 | 111 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 1,296 | 1,551 |
| thereof market price quoted on an active market | 1,296 | 1,551 |
| Total | 273,187 | 288,460 |
With the exception of derivatives, prices quoted on an active market were not available for any other assets.
The following material actuarial assumptions were applied when calculating pension provisions under defined-benefit plans:
| in % | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Actuarial interest rate | 0.40 | 0.80 |
| Trend in pensions | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Trend in the projected benefit obligation | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Trend in salaries | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Trend in inflation | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Biometrics | Heubeck-Richttafeln 2018 G | Heubeck-Richttafeln 2018 G |
Changes in the assumptions would have had the following effects on the defined-benefit obligation. In the process, each sensitivity analysis is performed independently of the others.
| Present value of defined-benefit pension commitments | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |||||
| Present value in € millions |
Change in % | Present value in € millions |
Change in % | |||
| Discount rate | +50 bp | 2,038.6 | –8.0 | 1,903.1 | –7.9 | |
| –50 bp | 2,418.3 | 9.1 | 2,248.2 | 8.9 | ||
| Trend in pension/inflation | +25 bp | 2,278.5 | 2.8 | 2,121.6 | 2.7 | |
| –25 bp | 2,156.0 | –2.7 | 2,011.1 | –2.6 | ||
| Trends in salaries/projected benefit obligation | +25 bp | 2,224.5 | 0.4 | 2,073.5 | 0.4 | |
| –25 bp | 2,207.2 | –3.9 | 2,056.8 | –0.4 | ||
| Life expectancy | By one more year | 2,308.5 | 4.2 | 2,146.1 | 3.9 |
With respect to biometrics, the effects are depicted if life expectancy increases by one year. This is approximately achieved through a reduction of mortality probabilities by 10%.
There are no extraordinary company- or plan-specific risks. The change in obligations is depicted for the current and the subsequent three financial years through annual forecasts.
Internal financing through pension provisions without explicit plan assets is an intentional, proven strategy for financing pension commitments. In so doing, sufficient risk offsetting takes place. There was no liquidity problem. The weighted average term to maturity of benefit obligations (Macaulay duration) amounted to 15.7 years (previous year: 16.8 years).
In measuring other long-term employee benefits, actuarial interest rates were used that corresponded to the shorter terms to maturity of the commitments (e.g. for early retirement, –0.12% (previous year: 0.10%); contracts for phasedin early retirement ("Altersteilzeit"), –0.10% (previous year: 0.20%); long-term service benefits, –0.10% (previous year: 0.20%)).
| in € thousands | For restructuring |
For the refun ding of closing fees in the case of loan waivers |
For the interest bonus option |
Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 1 January | 18,226 | 33,854 | 1,031,424 | 48,082 | 1,131,586 |
| Additions | 12,546 | 1,225 | 85,533 | 25,162 | 124,466 |
| Use | –11,849 | –3,214 | –179,161 | –13,761 | –207,985 |
| Release | –6,024 | –742 | –10,796 | –8,347 | –25,909 |
| Interest effect | 26 | 1,577 | 35,815 | 36 | 37,454 |
| Reclassification | — | 100 | –100 | — | — |
| Changes from the scope of consolidation | — | 300 | 75,500 | 10,113 | 86,136 |
| Changes from currency translation | — | — | — | — | — |
| As at 31 December | 12,925 | 33,100 | 1,038,215 | 61,285 | 1,145,748 |
Additions in the amount of €11.2 million were made to restructuring provisions as a result of the purchase of Aachener Bausparkasse. They were utilised nearly in full in the 2020 financial year.
| For restruc | For the refunding of closing fees in the case of |
For the interest bonus |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| turing | loan waivers | option | Other | Total | |
| in € thousands | |||||
| As at 1 January | 2,164 | 32,236 | 1,014,835 | 42,517 | 1,091,752 |
| Additions | 17,556 | 2,204 | 138,226 | 28,764 | 186,750 |
| Use | –228 | –2,280 | –141,970 | –15,499 | –159,977 |
| Release | –1,246 | –79 | –18,015 | –6,960 | –26,300 |
| Classified as held for sale | — | — | –5,318 | –684 | –6,002 |
| Interest effect | — | 1,773 | 43,597 | 47 | 45,417 |
| Reclassification | — | — | — | –109 | –109 |
| Changes from the scope of consolidation | –20 | — | — | –3 | –23 |
| Changes from currency translation | — | — | 69 | 9 | 78 |
| As at 31 December | 18,226 | 33,854 | 1,031,424 | 48,082 | 1,131,586 |
The change in the risk provision for issued loan commitments and financial guarantees is presented in Note 46.
The expected maturities of the amounts recognised in the balance sheet can be broken down as follows:
| 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years |
Later than 5 years |
Undefined maturity |
Total | |
| in € thousands | |||||
| Other provisions for restructuring | 7,573 | 5,352 | — | — | 12,925 |
| Miscellaneous provisions for the refunding of closing fees in the event of loan waivers |
3,212 | 4,191 | 25,697 | — | 33,100 |
| Miscellaneous provisions for interest bonus options | 248,846 | 328,021 | 461,348 | — | 1,038,215 |
| Other | 36,475 | 14,303 | 5,489 | 5,241 | 61,508 |
| Miscellaneous provisions | 296,106 | 351,867 | 492,534 | 5,241 | 1,145,748 |
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years |
Later than 5 years |
Undefined maturity |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | |||||
| Miscellaneous provisions for restructuring | 12,715 | 5,511 | — | — | 18,226 |
| Miscellaneous provisions for the refunding of closing fees in | |||||
| the event of loan waivers | 4,216 | 4,845 | 24,793 | — | 33,854 |
| Miscellaneous provisions for interest bonus options | 243,730 | 306,963 | 480,731 | — | 1,031,424 |
| Other | 29,237 | 13,636 | 5,154 | 55 | 48,082 |
| Miscellaneous provisions | 289,898 | 330,955 | 510,678 | 55 | 1,131,586 |
Current tax liabilities amounted to €155.4 million (previous year: €125.7 million) and are expected to be realised within 12 months.
Deferred tax liabilities were recognised in connection with the following items:
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 153,444 | 140,006 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | 462,598 | 349,591 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 37,940 | 44,392 |
| Positive/negative market values from hedges | 7,697 | — |
| Financial assets accounted for using the equity method | 1,659 | 746 |
| Liabilities | 64,080 | 84,564 |
| Technical provisions | 164,425 | 164,175 |
| Other balance sheet items | 84,695 | 120,849 |
| Deferred tax assets before netting effects | 976,538 | 904,323 |
| Netting effects | –528,971 | –592,3421 |
| Deferred tax assets after netting effects | 447,567 | 311,9811 |
| 1 Prior-year figure adjusted, see chapter "Changes pursuant to IAS 8". |
The portion of the changes to deferred tax liabilities recognised directly in equity for some items can be seen in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The changes recognised in the income statement for some items are presented in Note 35.
Deferred tax liabilities in the amount of €138.9 million (previous year: €64.6 million) are expected to be realised within 12 months.
This item includes contract liabilities in the amount of €7.1 million (previous year: €3.4 million) and deferred income and accrued expenses in the amount of €3.5 million (previous year: €2.4 million).
Subordinated capital is depicted in the reporting about liquidity risk (Note 48) and takes into consideration existing options to repay it prior to final maturity.
| Carrying amount | Carrying amount | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Subordinated liabilities | 341,052 | 422,736 | 388,277 | 476,423 |
| Profit participation certificates | 2,110 | 2,114 | 2,607 | 2,652 |
| Subordinated capital | 343,162 | 424,850 | 390,884 | 479,075 |
| Equity | 5,085,151 | 4,835,082 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-controlling interests in equity | 42,494 | 35,103 |
| Interests of W&W shareholders in earned capital | 3,556,194 | 3,313,465 |
| Interests of W&W shareholders in paid-in capital | 1,486,463 | 1,486,514 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
We propose appropriating the unappropriated surplus of €80.8 million that was generated by W&W AG in the 2020 financial year as follows: distribution of a dividend in the amount of €0.65 for each share entitled to receive dividends: €60,927,404.20 (dividend).
The proposal takes into account the 15,252 treasury shares held directly by the company on 31 December 2020, which pursuant to Section 71b of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) are not entitled to receive dividends. The number of shares entitled to receive dividends may change by the time of the Annual General Meeting. In such case, a correspond-ingly modified proposal for the appropriation of profit will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting for adoption that provides for keeping the distribution unchanged at €0.65 per share entitled to receive dividends while adjusting the amounts for the total distributed amount and for retained earnings.
On 25 June 2020, the Annual General Meeting of W&W AG resolved to distribute a dividend in the amount of €0.65 (previous year: €0.65) per share from the unappropriated surplus for the 2019 financial year as calculated in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB), which amounted to €75.4 million (previous year: €65.3 million). Based on the shares entitled to receive dividends, this corresponded to a maximum distribution of €60.9 million (previous year: €60.9 million). Of the remaining amount, €9.0 million (previous year: €4.0 million) was allocated to "Other reserves", and €5.5 million (previous year: €0.4 million) was carried forward.
Share capital is divided into 93,734,468 outstanding registered no-par-value shares and is fully paid up. In legal terms, these are ordinary shares.
This means that they carry voting and dividend rights, a right to share in liquidation proceeds and subscription rights. There are no preferential rights or restrictions.
| 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
|---|---|---|
| As at 1 January | 93,695,834 | 93,622,994 |
| Repurchase of employee share ownership programme | –40,000 | — |
| Issuance to employees | 78,634 | 72,840 |
| As at 31 December | 93,734,468 | 93,695,834 |
Pursuant to Article 5 (5) of the Articles of Association of W&W AG, the Executive Board is authorised until 12 June 2023 to increase, on one or more occasions, the company's share capital by up to €100 million via issuance of new registered no-par-value shares in exchange for cash or contributions in kind, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board. Shareholders are entitled to a statutory subscription right.
By resolution adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018, the Executive Board was authorised to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds, participation rights, profit participation bonds or a combination of these instruments on or before 12 June 2023. Article 5 (6) of the Articles of Association accordingly provides that the share capital of WW AG is contingently increased by the nominal amount of not more than €240,000 thousand, divided into not more than 45,889,102 no-par-value registered shares.
The non-controlling interests in equity can be broken down as follows:
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Interest in unrealised gains and losses | 20,722 | 14,187 |
| Interest in consolidated net profit | 844 | 983 |
| Other interests | 20,928 | 19,933 |
| Non-controlling interests in equity | 42,494 | 35,103 |
The following table provides information for the WürttLeben subgroup, in which there are non-controlling interests that are material for W&W AG:
| WürttLeben subgroup, Stuttgart |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Participation of non-controlling interests, in % | 5.11 | 5.11 | |
| Assets (100%) | 38,982,323 | 36,774,2471 | |
| Liabilities (100%) | 38,044,921 | 35,981,8001 | |
| Net assets (100%) | 937,402 | 792,447 | |
| Net assets attributable to WürttLeben | 937,402 | 792,447 | |
| Net assets attributable to non-controlling interests | — | — | |
| Carrying amount of non-controlling interests in net assets | 47,901 | 40,494 | |
| Sales revenues | 2,978,566 | 2,992,914 | |
| Net income for year (100%) | 16,802 | 19,739 | |
| Net income for the year attributable to WürttLeben | 16,802 | 19,739 | |
| Net income for the year attributable to non-controlling interests | — | — | |
| Other comprehensive income (100%) | 128,153 | 180,763 | |
| Total net income (100%) | 144,955 | 200,502 | |
| Total net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 859 | 1,009 | |
| Dividends paid to non-controlling interests | — | — | |
| Cash flows (100%) | 196,949 | –180,773 | |
| 1 Prior-year figure adjusted. |
An employee share ownership programme was conducted once again in the first half-year of 2020. It enabled all employees of companies in the W&W Group to acquire up to 40 shares (previous year: 40 shares) of W&W AG at a price of €6.76 (previous year: €12.62) per share, which represented a discount of €5.00 (previous year: €5.00) per share. Employees are required to hold these shares for at least three years (previous year: three years). The purchase price was established based on the XETRA closing price on 23 March 2020.
In addition to issuing treasury shares from the portfolio, a further 40,000 shares were repurchased on the market for the programme and then issued. Employees acquired a total of 78,634 (previous year: 72,840) of these shares. This resulted in personnel expenses of €0.4 million (previous year: €0.4 million). Thus, as at 31 December 2020 W&W AG still held 15,252 (previous year: 53,886) treasury shares.
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Interest income | 1,334,441 | 1,484,011 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 24,972 | 21,560 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 55,333 | 48,2131 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 95,571 | 78,104 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 218,806 | 274,132 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 395,040 | 404,4801 |
| Construction loans | 510,120 | 600,167 |
| Other receivables | 27,627 | 45,940 |
| Other loans and advances | 15,896 | 21,072 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | 11,731 | 24,868 |
| Negative interest on liabilities | 6,972 | 11,415 |
| Interest expenses | -472,000 | –615,373 |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates | –6,957 | –11,880 |
| Deposit liabilities and other liabilities | –290,906 | –398,565 |
| Lease liabilities | –1,371 | –1,620 |
| Reinsurance liabilities | –2,470 | –2,461 |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | –8,057 | –29,327 |
| Subordinated capital | –18,065 | –20,449 |
| Derivative financial instruments | –121,743 | –109,852 |
| Negative interest on loans and advances | –6,218 | –8,074 |
| Other | –16,213 | –33,145 |
| Dividend income | 185,570 | 215,134 |
| Other current net income | 48,539 | 69,509 |
| Net income/expense from financial assets accounted for using the equity method | –6,082 | 11,335 |
| Net income from investment property | 54,595 | 58,167 |
| Other | 26 | 7 |
| Current net income | 1,096,550 | 1,153,281 |
1 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes in the presentation of the financial statements".
The indicated interest expenses mainly correspond to financing expenses of the W&W Group.
Net income from investment property contains income from leasing in the amount of €115.0 million (previous year: €124.8 million). In addition, it includes directly attributable operating expenses for repairs, maintenance and management, as well as depreciation. These expenses consisted of €55.8 million (previous year: €63.5 million) for investment property that generated rental income and €4.5 million (previous year: €3.1 million) for investment property that did not generate any rental income.
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Income from risk provision | 98,393 | 86,310 |
| Release of risk provision | 83,463 | 73,035 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 254 | 199 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 2,146 | 1,810 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 12,458 | 11,925 |
| Construction loans | 64,539 | 54,674 |
| Other receivables | 2,333 | 4,074 |
| Other loans and advances | 1,045 | 2,444 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | 1,288 | 1,630 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | 1,733 | 353 |
| Release of provisions in lending business, for irrevocable loan commitments, for financial guarantees | 4,254 | 2,681 |
| Write-ups/receipts on written-down securities and receivables | 10,676 | 10,594 |
| Expenses from risk provision | –153,071 | –90,345 |
| Additions to risk provision | –145,928 | –86,105 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | –528 | –466 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | –694 | –809 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –19,406 | –12,369 |
| Construction loans | –101,790 | –48,628 |
| Other receivables | –23,470 | –23,735 |
| Other loans and advances | –21,884 | –20,269 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | –1,586 | –3,466 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | –40 | –98 |
| Additions to provisions in lending business, for irrevocable loan commitments, for financial guarantees | –3,712 | –4,240 |
| Other expenses | –3,431 | — |
| Expenses from insignificant modifications - related to creditworthiness | –3,431 | — |
| Net income/expense from risk provision | –54,678 | –4,035 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Net income from financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 63,657 | 728,084 |
| Participations, shares, investment fund units | 11,784 | 198,013 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –6,369 | 5,2182 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 47,708 | 72,783 |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies | –20,944 | 381,011 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | 31,478 | 71,0592 |
| Net expense from the discounting of provisions for home loan savings business | –43,247 | –37,601 |
| Net income from hedges1 | 35,314 | 13,706 |
| Impairments/reversals of impairment losses taken on investment property | 63 | 2,349 |
| Net currency expense | –111,033 | –94,008 |
| Participations, shares, investment fund units | –107,614 | 19,918 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | — | 76 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | –56,929 | 7,0522 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –305,998 | 55,3352 |
| Other receivables | –37,466 | 13,353 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 423,059 | –194,630 |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies | –30,460 | 5,449 |
| Liabilities | 4,375 | –561 |
| Net measurement gain/loss | –55,246 | 612,530 |
| 1 Hedge accounting (hedged items and hedging instruments) |
2 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes in the presentation of the financial statements".
Net income from financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss included measurement gains in the amount of €899.4 million (previous year: €1,148.8 million) and measurement losses in the amount of €835.8 million (previous year: €420.7 million). Of this, measurement gains in the amount of €423.3 million (previous year: €331.3 million) and measurement losses in the amount of €375.6 million (previous year: €258.5 million) were attributable to derivatives, which mainly hedged interest-rate-dependent measurement gains and losses on investments.
The net currency expense included gains in the amount of €696.3 million (previous year: €211.3 million) and losses in the amount of €807.3 million (previous year: €305.3 million). Of this, currency gains in the amount of €657.4 million (previous year: €88.3 million) and currency losses in the amount of €234.3 million (previous year: €283.0 million) were attributable to currency derivatives, which hedged currency gains and losses on capital investments.
| 1.1.2020 to | 1.1.2019 to | |
|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Income from disposals | 899,935 | 630,945 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 4,356 | 4,021 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | 518,782 | 261,580 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 318,452 | 289,725 |
| Construction loans | — | 1 |
| Investment property | 58,343 | 75,618 |
| Other | 2 | — |
| Expenses from disposals | –74,023 | –39,237 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | –100 | –881 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | –520 | — |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –70,854 | –37,755 |
| Other receivables | –18 | — |
| Investment property | — | –551 |
| Other | –2,531 | –50 |
| Net income from disposals | 825,912 | 591,708 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross premiums written | 2,432,835 | 2,359,228 |
| Change in unearned premiums | 8,396 | 7,696 |
| Premiums from the provision for premium refunds | 69,544 | 64,367 |
| Earned premiums (gross) | 2,510,775 | 2,431,291 |
| Premiums ceded to reinsurers | –31,837 | –29,668 |
| Earned premiums (net) | 2,478,938 | 2,401,623 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross premiums written | 2,058,118 | 1,960,425 |
| Direct | 2,051,158 | 1,954,386 |
| Reinsurance | 6,960 | 6,039 |
| Change in unearned premiums | –7,536 | –6,513 |
| Earned premiums (gross) | 2,050,582 | 1,953,912 |
| Premiums ceded to reinsurers | –114,376 | –106,366 |
| Earned premiums (net) | 1,936,206 | 1,847,546 |
Benefits under insurance contracts from direct business are shown without claim adjustment expenses. These are in-cluded in general administrative expenses. Insurance benefits under reinsurance and the reinsurers' portion of insurance benefits may consist of both claim payments and adjustment expenses.
Recognised under the item "Change in the provision for premium refunds" is also the change in the provision for deferred premium refunds recognised in the income statement.
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Payments for insurance claims | –2,403,648 | –2,395,178 |
| Gross amount | –2,419,554 | –2,411,228 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | 15,906 | 16,050 |
| Change in the provision for outstanding insurance claims | –11,936 | –11,387 |
| Gross amount | –13,829 | –14,425 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | 1,893 | 3,038 |
| Change in the provision for future policy benefits | –618,075 | –982,653 |
| Gross amount | –614,062 | –987,902 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | –4,013 | 5,249 |
| Change in the provision for premium refunds | –359,288 | –258,167 |
| Gross amount | –359,288 | –258,167 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | — | — |
| Change in other technical provisions | –22 | –84 |
| Gross amount | –22 | –84 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | — | — |
| Insurance benefits (net) | –3,392,969 | –3,647,469 |
| Gross amount, total | –3,406,755 | –3,671,806 |
| Thereof to, total: Reinsurers' portion | 13,786 | 24,337 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Payments for insurance claims | –983,341 | –943,231 |
| Gross amount | –1,052,703 | –1,015,938 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | 69,362 | 72,707 |
| Change in the provision for outstanding insurance claims | –89,000 | –58,946 |
| Gross amount | –96,288 | –27,427 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | 7,288 | –31,519 |
| Change in the provision for premium refunds | –98 | –93 |
| Gross amount | –98 | –93 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | — | — |
| Change in other technical provisions | 9,965 | –739 |
| Gross amount | 11,125 | –1,212 |
| Thereof to: Reinsurers' portion | –1,160 | 473 |
| Insurance benefits (net) | –1,062,474 | –1,003,009 |
| Gross amount, total | –1,137,964 | –1,044,670 |
| Thereof to, total: Reinsurers' portion | 75,490 | 41,661 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Commission income | 257,689 | 256,769 |
| from the conclusion of home loans savings contracts | 131,080 | 123,010 |
| from home loan savings business | 34,426 | 36,020 |
| from reinsurance | 30,618 | 26,093 |
| from brokering activities | 57,017 | 66,841 |
| from investment business | 3,256 | 3,196 |
| from other business | 1,292 | 1,609 |
| Commission expenses | –754,894 | –746,964 |
| from insurance | –486,101 | –482,492 |
| from banking/home loan savings business | –188,549 | –185,826 |
| from reinsurance | –346 | –8 |
| from brokering activities | –13,820 | –13,160 |
| from investment business | –22,456 | –25,904 |
| from other business | –43,622 | –39,574 |
| Net commission expense | –497,205 | –490,195 |
The net commission expense includes income in the amount of €1.0 million (previous year: €0.5 million) and expenses in the amount of €2.2 million (previous year: €1.8 million) from trust and other fiduciary activities. These include the management or investment of assets on behalf of individuals, trusts, pension funds and other institutions.
During the reporting period, transactions involving financial instruments not at fair value through profit or loss generated commission income in the amount of €32.8 million (previous year: €36.1 million47,61) and commission expenses in the amount of €38.0 million (previous year: €47.6 million1 ).
| General administrative expenses | –1,013,997 | –1,080,451 |
|---|---|---|
| Intangible assets | –28,117 | –33,768 |
| Plant and equipment | –18,734 | –19,654 |
| Property for own use | –30,568 | –31,927 |
| Depreciation/amortisation | –77,419 | –85,349 |
| Materials costs | –337,659 | –381,550 |
| Other | –16,008 | –15,874 |
| Expenses for the pension scheme and support | –50,168 | –49,754 |
| Social remittances | –81,972 | –84,286 |
| Wages and salaries | –450,771 | –463,638 |
| Personnel expenses | –598,919 | –613,552 |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
During the reporting period, contributions totalling €16.4 million (previous year: €20.1 million) were paid towards defined-contribution plans. In addition, employer contributions totalling €40.7 million (previous year: €40.7 million) were paid towards statutory pension insurance.
General administrative expenses contain personnel expenses totalling €11.7 million (previous year: €14.7 million) for phased-in early retirement ("Altersteilzeit") and early retirement.
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Other operating income | 243,688 | 204,471 |
| Disposal revenue from inventories (property development business) | 22,342 | 78,627 |
| Release of miscellaneous provisions | 21,103 | 12,851 |
| Income from disposals | 295 | 377 |
| Other income from currency translation | 6,375 | 157 |
| Other technical income | 25,268 | 16,309 |
| Miscellaneous income | 168,305 | 96,150 |
| Other operating expenses | –197,852 | –232,991 |
| Other taxes | –3,895 | –1,758 |
| Expenses from inventories (property development business) | –106,257 | –108,990 |
| Additions to provisions | –18,026 | –27,316 |
| Losses from disposals | –15,726 | –38,684 |
| Other expenses from currency translation | –321 | –3,216 |
| Other technical expenses | –40,072 | –34,929 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | –13,555 | –18,098 |
| Net other operating income/expense | 45,836 | –28,520 |
1 Prior-year figure adjusted.
Wüstenrot Bank AG Pfandbriefbank, Ludwigsburg, which had been held for sale as at 31 December 2018, was sold on 31 May 2019, resulting in a disposal gain of €9.8 million. In the consolidated income statement, this gain was recognised under "Net income from disposals" within "Net financial income" in the amount of €48.4 million and under "Net other operating income/expense" in the amount of –€38.6 million.
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Current income taxes paid for the reporting period | –98,040 | –73,362 |
| Current taxes paid for other periods | –6,120 | 3,174 |
| Deferred taxes | 8,038 | –33,762 |
| Income taxes | –96,122 | –103,950 |
Deferred taxes recognised in the income statement were created in connection with the following items:
| Deferred taxes | ||
|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
| Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 5,839 | –170,992 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | –38,630 | 9,323 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 74,060 | –8,948 |
| Positive/negative market values from hedges | –146,207 | 118,643 |
| Financial assets accounted for using the equity method | –912 | 1,100 |
| Liabilities | 100,827 | 43,429 |
| Technical provisions | –9,526 | –2,451 |
| Provisions for pensions and similar obligations | –4,667 | –2,069 |
| Other balance sheet items | 27,030 | –34,947 |
| Tax loss carryforward | 224 | 13,150 |
| Deferred taxes | 8,038 | –33,762 |
The following reconciliation statement shows the relationship between the income taxes expected and those actually recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidated earnings before income taxes from continued operations | 306,873 | 353,009 |
| Consolidated tax rate, in % | 30.47 | 30.58 |
| Expected income taxes | –93,504 | –107,950 |
| Tax rate changes | –511 | – |
| Tax rate discrepancies of Group companies | 3,967 | 4,673 |
| Effects of tax-free income | 2,962 | 15,014 |
| Effects of non-deductible expenses | –9,244 | –11,441 |
| Prior-period effects (current and deferred) | 1,452 | –376 |
| Other | –1,244 | –3,870 |
| Income taxes | –96,122 | –103,950 |
The applicable income tax rate of 30.47% (previous year: 30.58%) selected as the basis for the reconciliation statement is composed of the corporate income tax rate of 15%, the solidarity surcharge on corporate income tax of 5.5%, and an average tax rate for trade tax of 14.64 (previous year: 14.75%).30,4730,58 The change in the average tax rate for trade tax was due to the reduction of the average assessment rate from factor 421.50 to 418.44.
222,9No deferred tax liabilities were recognised for temporary differences in the amount of €232.2 million (previous year: €222.9 million) in connection with interests in subsidiaries, branches and associated companies since the runoff of the release of temporary differences is not taxable and it is not probable that these temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future.
Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing the consolidated net profit by the weighted average number of shares:
| Basic (= diluted) earnings per share | in € | 2.24 | 2.65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weighted average number of shares | # | 93,724,836 | 93,677,674 |
| Number of treasury shares on the reporting date | # | –15,252 | –53,886 |
| Number of shares at the beginning of the financial year | # | 93,695,834 | 93,622,994 |
| Result attributable to shareholders of W&W AG | in € | 209,907,001 | 248,076,003 |
| 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
||
There currently are no potential shares that would have a diluting effect. Diluted earnings per share thus correspond to basic earnings per share.
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
Financial assets accounted for using the equity method |
Cash flow hedges | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
| Recognised in other comprehensive income | 2,297,348 | 3,016,060 | 24 | 42 | — | — |
| Reclassified to the consolidated income statement |
–780,798 | –514,035 | — | — | 68 | 153 |
| U n r e a l i s e d g a i n s / l o s s e s (gross) |
1,516,550 | 2,502,025 | 24 | 42 | 68 | 153 |
As at 1 January 2019, the W&W Group reclassified senior debenture bonds and registered bonds as well as senior bearer bonds from the business model "Hold to collect" to the business model "Hold to collect and sell". As a result, portfolios of in the category "Financial assets at amortised cost" with a carrying amount of €1,900.0 million were reclassified to the category "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income" with a carrying amount/fair value of €2,206.0 million, with unrealised gains of €304.9 million, gross, being recognised in other comprehensive income. The business model was adjusted as a consequence of the changed objective (particularly due to the sale of Wüstenrot Bank AG Pfandbriefbank) of earning income in future on a regular basis from cash flows and from the sale of financial assets. As at 1 January 2020, there were no reclassifications.
For reasons of comparability, consistency and quality of measurements, a hierarchical classification is undertaken for financial instruments measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet, and it takes into account the relevance of the factors forming part of the measurement. The inputs forming part of the measurement methods for determining fair value are assigned to three levels, and this level classification is used for all assets and liabilities that are measured regularly, once or for the purposes of preparing disclosures about fair value. The uniform standards and principles described below apply to this. In conceptual terms, the hierarchy is determined by the market basis of the input factors. It gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 inputs) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs).
The level to which the financial instrument is assigned in its entirety is determined on the basis of the lowest level input factor in the hierarchy that is significant to the entire measurement of fair value. For this purpose, the significance of an input factor is evaluated in relation to fair value in its entirety. In evaluating the significance of a given input factor, the specific features of the asset or liability are analysed and regularly reviewed during the reporting period.
Level 1: Assigned to this level are financial instruments that are measured using unadjusted quoted or market prices for identical assets and liabilities on an active market. In this regard, the essential features of an active market are regular trading frequency and a sufficiently traded market volume that guarantees reliable price information.
Level 2: If pricing is not available on active markets, fair value is derived from comparable financial instruments or determined through application of generally recognised measurement models using parameters that are directly or indirectly observable on the market (e.g. interest rate, exchange rate, volatility, prices offered by third parties) (Level 2).
Level 3: If measurement of financial instruments is impossible, or not fully possible, using quoted or market prices or by means of a measurement model using input factors that are directly or indirectly observable on the market, factors based on non-observable market data (non-observable input factors) are used to measure financial instruments (Level 3). Generally, the measurement method used is the one that market participants use to determine the price of a financial instrument and that provides a reliable estimate of a price under a market transaction.
Only a few estimates by management are necessary in order to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities whose prices are quoted on an active market. Similarly, only a few subjective measurements or estimates are needed for assets and liabilities that are measured using models customary in the industry and whose inputs are quoted on active markets.
The required degree of subjective measurement and estimates by management has a higher weight for those assets and liabilities that are measured using special, complex models and for which some or all inputs are not observable. The values determined in this way are significantly influenced by the assumptions that have to be made.
If fair value cannot be reliably determined, the carrying amount is used as an approximate value to measure fair value. In this case, such financial instruments are assigned to Level 3.
The level classification is determined on a regular basis throughout the reporting period. If the relevant input factors change, this may lead to regroupings between the levels at such time. Financial instruments in Level 1 are regrouped to Level 2 if the previously identified active market on which quoting took place no longer exists. In this regard, the essential features of an active market are regular trading frequency and a sufficiently traded market volume that guarantees reliable price information. As part of a price verification process, it is ensured in this regard that measurement prices are monitored daily. In the event of price anomalies, the quality of the price source is analysed, and where market liquidity is lacking, the classification is adjusted. In analogous fashion, it is possible to regroup from Level 2 to Level 1 once an active market can be identified.
Regroupings to Level 3 take place if fair value no longer can be measured on the basis of observable input parameters. However, if these are identified for financial instruments that had previously been grouped in Level 3, they can be switched to Level 1 or Level 2 if there are reliable price quotations on an active market or if input parameters are observable on the market.
There were no regroupings between levels during the reporting year or the previous year.
Unadjusted quoted or market prices are used as Level 1 input factors for financial instruments in the balance sheet items "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" and "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss". These mainly involve quoted equities as well as derivative financial instruments, such as futures, that are traded on a regulated market.
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents corresponds to the carrying amount, which is primarily due to the short term to maturity of these instruments. These financial instruments are recognised in the classes "Cash reserves" and "Other loans and advances". The class "Other loans and advances" includes credits, overnight and term deposits and margin exposures. They are measured at nominal value.
The measurement methods used for determining fair value in Levels 2 and 3 consist of generally accepted measurement models, such as the present-value method, under which anticipated future cash flows are discounted at current interest rates applicable to the relevant residual term to maturity, credit risks and markets. Here as well, measurement prices and detailed market parameters are monitored daily as part of the price verification process. This measurement method is used to measure securities, including debt securities, with agreed cash flows under the items "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss", "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss" and "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income". In addition, the fair value of financial assets at amortised cost can be calculated in this way. The present value method is used to measure unquoted derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps and non-optional forward transactions (e.g. currency forwards) in Level 2. These are included under the items "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss", "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss", "Positive market values from hedges" and "Negative market values from hedges". Fund units and investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies are also mainly assigned to Level 2. The most recently available redemption price for the underlying investment certificate is used for measurement. In the balance sheet item "Liabilities", cost or present value is normally used to calculate fair value and exclusively assigned to Levels 2 and 3.
The main measurement models and parameters for calculations of the fair value of individual assets and liabilities in Levels 2 and 3 are presented in the following overview.
| Class | Measurement model | Main parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets held for sale and disconti nued operations |
In accordance with the respective balance sheet items |
|
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
||
| Participations other than in alternative invest ments |
Capitalised earnings method Approximation method Net asset value method |
Discount rate, future cash flows |
| Participations in alternative investments | Capitalised earnings method Approximation method Adjusted net asset value method |
Discount rate, future cash flows |
| Equities | Approximation method Adjusted net asset value method |
|
| Investment funds units | Approximation method Adjusted net asset value method |
|
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test |
Present value method | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Derivative financial instruments | Present value method Black/Scholes model Libor market model, Hull/White model |
Foreign exchange rates (spot and forward), interest rate curves Quoted prices/index, volatilities, interest rate curves, basis price and remaining maturity Interest rate curves, volatilities |
| Senior fixed-income securities | Present value method | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of life insurance policyholders |
Redemption price Black/Scholes model | Index weighting, volatility |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
Present value method | |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | Redemption price Black/Scholes model | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | Present value method | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Senior fixed-income securities | Present value method | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | ||
| Subordinated securities and receivables | Present value method | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | Present value method | Liquidity and credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Construction loans (non-collective)1 | Present value method | Interest rate curves |
| Other loans and advances | Cost Amortised cost | Nominal value |
| Sundry loans and advances | Cost | |
| Investment property | Present value method | Discount rate, future cash flows |
| Positive market values from hedges | Present value method | Interest rate curves |
| Liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations |
In accordance with the respective balance sheet items |
|
| Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
In accordance with the respective balance sheet items |
|
| Derivative financial instruments | Present value method Black/Scholes model Libor market model, Hull/White model |
Foreign exchange rates (spot and forward), interest rate curves Quoted prices/index, volatilities, interest rate curves, basis price and remaining maturity Interest rate curves, |
volatilities
| Subordinated capital | Present value method | Credit spreads, interest rate curves |
|---|---|---|
| Negative market values from hedges | Present value method | Interest rate curves |
| Provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts |
In accordance with the corresponding asset item |
|
| Technical provisions | ||
| Sundry liabilities | Cost | Nominal value |
| Other liabilities | Cost | Nominal value |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | ||
| Lease liabilities | Present value method | Discount rate Future cash flows |
| Liabilities to customers | Cost | |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | Cost Approximation method | |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates | Present value method | Credit spreads, interest rate curves |
| Liabilities | ||
| Class | Measurement model | Main parameters |
1 For the fair value of collective loans under home loans savings contracts and preliminary and interim financing loans, the carrying amount is used as the approximate value, which is calculated based on amortised cost. By contrast, the present value method is used to calculate the fair value of non-collective construction loans.
The fair value of options not traded on an exchange is calculated using generally accepted option-pricing models that correspond to each option's type and the generally accepted underlying assumptions on which they are based. The value of options is determined, in particular, by the value of the underlying asset and its volatility, the agreed base price, interest rate or index, the risk-free interest rate and the contract's residual term to maturity. They are assigned to the class "Derivative financial instruments" in the items "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" and "Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss".
The fair values of the classes of financial instruments derived from the items "Financial assets at amortised cost", "Liabilities" and "Subordinated capital" and their fair values listed solely in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are in general likewise measured using the present-value method.
Level 3 for the item "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" is characterised by non-exchange-traded equities, as well as investments, including alternative investments. Fair value is mainly determined on the basis of the net asset value. The NAV, which is calculated quarterly in accordance with industry standards, is provided by fund managers and then reviewed by risk controlling units and, if necessary, adjusted to account for outstanding performance-related compensation claims. This also applies for indirect property investments, which are assigned to "Participations other than in alternative investments". In the case of participations that are not assigned to alternative investments or property participations, fair value is normally calculated based on the pro-rata interest in the equity shown in the respective current annual financial statements. If no information is available, amortised cost is used as an approximate value for fair value.
In addition to investment property, most Level 3 items that are not measured at fair value are construction loans and liabilities to customers, which mainly consist of deposits under home loan savings contracts.
With regard to investment property, the DCF method is applied, utilising payment flows on the lessee and property level, and the specific internal interest rate for the property investment class is used as the discount rate. In the process, the occupancy rate as at the measurement date is taken into consideration. Construction loans essentially relate to loans under home loan savings contracts from collective business, as well as preliminary and interim financing loans. Because of the home loan savings options included in the home loan savings contract and because of the dependence on the timing of allotments, reliable fair value is not calculated for these sub-items, and the carrying amount is used as an approximate value for the purpose of determining fair value. For the sub-item "Other construction loans", by contrast, fair value is calculated using the DCF method. On the other hand, deposits under home loan
savings contracts are assigned to the balance sheet item "Liabilities to customers" and likewise measured at amortised cost, which is also considered to be the approximate value for fair value.
Applicable to all classes is that liquidity and rating spreads observable on the financial market are taken into account when measuring active, interest-bearing financial instruments (Level 2). The measurement spread is determined by comparing reference curves with the financial instrument's corresponding risk-free money market and swap curves. Maturity-dependent spreads are used for the purposes of measurement, which also take into account the quality of the issuer within the various issuer groups within a rating class. The yield curves and rating- and maturity-dependent spreads that are made available by market data providers are automatically updated during the day. As a rule, the discounting curve in this regard is currency-specific. Swaps hedged under master agreements are measured with the aid of tenor-specific interest rate structure curves in the multi-curve approach.
Measurement gains and losses are significantly influenced by the underlying assumptions, particularly by the determination of cash flows and discount rates.
The following table "2020 measurement hierarchy (items that were measured at fair value)" presents all financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value. It shows the level applied in the respective balance sheet items.
For accounting purposes, the only financial instruments regularly measured at fair value in the W&W Group are those that are assigned to the categories
By contrast, the disclosures in the table "2020 measurement hierarchy (items that were not measured at fair value)" consist of those financial instruments and non-financial assets and liabilities for which fair value is provided in the notes.
| in € thousands 31.12.2020 31.12.2020 31.12.2020 31.12.2020 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 507,624 6,011,313 2,281,379 8,800,316 Participations other than in alternative investments1 — — 217,009 217,009 Participations in alternative investments1 — — 1,750,431 1,750,431 Other financial companies — — 1,621,910 1,621,910 Other companies — — 128,521 128,521 Equities1 502,367 — 106,700 609,067 Investment funds units1 — 1,220,564 172,332 1,392,896 Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test — 2,378,138 28,836 2,406,974 Derivative financial instruments 5,257 262,821 — 268,078 Interest-rate-based derivatives 7 72,280 — 72,287 Currency-based derivatives — 176,152 — 176,152 Equity- and index-based derivatives 5,250 14,266 — 19,516 Other derivatives — 123 — 123 Senior fixed-income securities — 76,162 — 76,162 Capital investments for the account and risk of life insurance policyholders — 2,073,628 6,071 2,079,699 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income — 38,862,768 — 38,862,768 Subordinated securities and receivables — 801,514 — 801,514 Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds — 12,315,455 — 12,315,455 Credit institutions — 7,793,330 — 7,793,330 Other financial companies — 165,848 — 165,848 Other companies — 44,667 — 44,667 Public authorities — 4,311,610 — 4,311,610 Senior fixed-income securities — 25,745,799 — 25,745,799 Credit institutions — 7,003,272 — 7,003,272 Other financial companies — 1,301,568 — 1,301,568 Other companies — 1,759,569 — 1,759,569 Public authorities — 15,681,390 — 15,681,390 Positive market values from hedges — 16,071 — 16,071 Total assets 507,624 44,890,152 2,281,379 47,679,155 |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair value/ carrying amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 The class allocation was adjusted in comparison to the previous year.
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair value/ carrying amount |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 2,488 | 41,700 | — | 44,188 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 2,488 | 41,700 | — | 44,188 |
| Interest-rate-based derivatives | 170 | 31,345 | — | 31,515 |
| Currency-based derivatives | — | 1,248 | — | 1,248 |
| Equity- and index-based derivatives | 2,318 | 9,107 | — | 11,425 |
| Technical provisions | — | 2,079,699 | — | 2,079,699 |
| Provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts | — | 2,079,699 | — | 2,079,699 |
| Negative market values from hedges | — | 15,688 | — | 15,688 |
| Total liabilities | 2,488 | 2,137,087 | — | 2,139,575 |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair value/ carrying amount |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations | — | 14,760 | 120 | 14,880 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 664,598 | 5,589,941 | 2,045,092 | 8,299,631 |
| Participations other than in alternative investments1 | — | — | 219,034 | 219,034 |
| Participations in alternative investments1 | — | — | 1,594,796 | 1,594,796 |
| Other financial companies | — | — | 1,449,528 | 1,449,528 |
| Other companies | — | — | 145,268 | 145,268 |
| Equities1 | 640,945 | — | 104,573 | 745,518 |
| Investment funds units1 | — | 1,061,471 | 87,230 | 1,148,701 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test | — | 2,006,8162 | 33,212 | 2,040,0282 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 23,653 | 123,431 | — | 147,084 |
| Interest-rate-based derivatives | — | 80,999 | — | 80,999 |
| Currency-based derivatives | — | 37,091 | — | 37,091 |
| Equity- and index-based derivatives | 23,653 | 5,233 | — | 28,886 |
| Other derivatives | — | 108 | — | 108 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | — | 166,4512 | — | 166,4512 |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of life insurance policyholders | — | 2,231,772 | 6,247 | 2,238,019 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | — | 36,808,770 | — | 36,808,770 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | — | 720,209 | — | 720,209 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | — | 12,984,231 | — | 12,984,231 |
| Credit institutions | — | 8,694,056 | — | 8,694,056 |
| Other financial companies | — | 157,339 | — | 157,339 |
| Public authorities | — | 4,132,836 | — | 4,132,836 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | — | 23,104,330 | — | 23,104,330 |
| Credit institutions | — | 6,852,781 | — | 6,852,781 |
| Other financial companies | — | 1,106,461 | — | 1,106,461 |
| Other companies | — | 1,360,503 | — | 1,360,503 |
| Public authorities | — | 13,784,585 | — | 13,784,585 |
| Positive market values from hedges | — | 88,994 | — | 88,994 |
| Total assets | 664,598 | 42,502,465 | 2,045,212 | 45,212,275 |
1 The class allocation was adjusted in comparison to the previous year.
2 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes in the presentation of the financial statements".
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair value/ carrying amount |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations |
— | 772 | — | 772 |
| Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 694 | 79,593 | — | 80,287 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 694 | 79,593 | — | 80,287 |
| Interest-rate-based derivatives | — | 67,079 | — | 67,079 |
| Currency-based derivatives | — | 6,958 | — | 6,958 |
| Equity- and index-based derivatives | 694 | 5,556 | — | 6,250 |
| Technical provisions | — | 2,238,019 | — | 2,238,019 |
| Provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance contracts | — | 2,238,019 | — | 2,238,019 |
| Negative market values from hedges | — | 216,195 | — | 216,195 |
| Total liabilities | 694 | 2,534,579 | — | 2,535,273 |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair value | Carrying amount |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cash reserves | 75,056 | — | — | 75,056 | 75,056 |
| Deposits with central banks | 74,779 | — | — | 74,779 | 74,779 |
| Deposits with foreign postal giro offices | 277 | — | — | 277 | 277 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 32,340 | 8,317,519 | 17,447,919 | 25,797,778 | 25,173,973 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | — | 186,595 | — | 186,595 | 165,834 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | — | 35,982 | — | 35,982 | 34,808 |
| Construction loans | — | 7,742,463 | 15,758,568 | 23,501,031 | 22,830,677 |
| Other receivables | 32,340 | 352,479 | 1,689,351 | 2,074,170 | 2,074,187 |
| Other loans and advances | 32,340 | 352,479 | 1,382,768 | 1,767,587 | 1,767,604 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | — | — | 306,583 | 306,583 | 306,583 |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 68,467 |
| Investment property | — | 10,037 | 2,449,388 | 2,459,425 | 1,873,561 |
| Total assets | 107,396 | 8,327,556 | 19,897,307 | 28,332,259 | 27,122,590 |
| Liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations |
— | — | — | — | — |
| Verbindlichkeiten | — | 3,903,877 | 23,660,450 | 27,564,327 | 27,825,524 |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates | — | 1,404,587 | — | 1,404,587 | 1,412,976 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | — | 1,634,037 | 569,338 | 2,203,375 | 2,193,839 |
| Liabilities to customers | — | 844,199 | 21,706,442 | 22,550,641 | 22,481,152 |
| Lease liabilities | — | — | 83,215 | 83,215 | 83,215 |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | — | 21,054 | 1,301,455 | 1,322,509 | 1,322,509 |
| Other liabilities | — | 20,050 | 345,233 | 365,283 | 365,283 |
| Sundry liabilities | — | 1,004 | 956,222 | 957,226 | 957,226 |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 331,833 |
| Subordinated capital | — | 390,885 | — | 390,885 | 343,162 |
| Total liabilities | — | 4,294,762 | 23,660,450 | 27,955,212 | 28,168,686 |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair value | Carrying amount |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations | 26,157 | 446,963 | 2,147,334 | 2,620,454 | 2,601,920 |
| Cash reserves | 35,688 | — | — | 35,688 | 35,688 |
| Deposits with central banks | 35,192 | — | — | 35,192 | 35,192 |
| Deposits with foreign postal giro offices | 496 | — | — | 496 | 496 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | — | 8,638,692 | 15,852,556 | 24,491,248 | 23,984,047 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | — | 179,569 | — | 179,569 | 163,978 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | — | 32,224 | — | 32,224 | 30,898 |
| Construction loans | — | 7,881,195 | 14,177,750 | 22,058,945 | 21,493,189 |
| Other receivables | — | 545,704 | 1,674,806 | 2,220,510 | 2,220,544 |
| Other loans and advances | — | 545,704 | 1,346,437 | 1,892,141 | 1,892,175 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | — | — | 328,369 | 328,369 | 328,369 |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 75,438 |
| Investment property | — | 40,906 | 2,347,530 | 2,388,436 | 1,855,224 |
| Total assets | 61,845 | 9,126,561 | 20,347,420 | 29,535,826 | 28,476,879 |
| Liabilities under non-current assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations |
— | 1,147,138 | 1,260,147 | 2,407,285 | 2,427,144 |
| Liabilities | — | 3,659,2981 | 2,684,3941 | 26,343,692 | 26,320,204 |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates | — | 922,614 | — | 922,614 | 947,565 |
| Liabilities to credit institutions | — | 1,698,709 | 549,086 | 2,247,795 | 2,232,992 |
| Liabilities to customers | — | 1,013,226 | 20,709,651 | 21,722,877 | 21,641,444 |
| Lease liabilities | — | 1,655 | 75,613 | 77,268 | 77,268 |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | — | 23,094 | 1,350,044 | 1,373,138 | 1,373,138 |
| Other liabilities | — | 21,836 | 396,956 | 418,792 | 418,792 |
| Sundry liabilities | — | 1,258 | 953,088 | 954,346 | 954,346 |
| Portfolio hedge adjustment | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 47,797 |
| Subordinated capital | — | 479,075 | — | 479,075 | 424,850 |
| Total liabilities | — | 5,285,5111 | 23,944,5411 | 29,230,052 | 29,172,198 |
| 1 Prior-year figure adjusted. |
| Participations other than in alternative investments |
Participations in alternative investments (other financial companies) |
Participations in alternative investments (other companies) |
Equities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | ||||
| As at 1 January 2019 | 228,349 | 262,5733 | 1,070,4703 | 63,574 |
| Total net income/expense for the period | 6,074 | 26,6833 | –3,2943 | –1,439 |
| Income recognised in the consolidated income statement1 | 11,820 | 86,1373 | 7,2383 | — |
| Expenses recognised in the consolidated income statement1 | –5,746 | –59,4543 | –10,5323 | –1,439 |
| Purchases | 3,767 | 446,7073 | 9,3933 | 42,438 |
| Sales | –19,061 | –191,4853 | –29,2103 | — |
| Reclassifications | — | 905,0503 | –902,0913 | — |
| Classified as held for sale | –120 | — | — | — |
| Changes in the scope of consolidation | 25 | — | — | — |
| As at 31 December 2019 | 219,034 | 1,449,5283 | 145,2683 | 104,573 |
| Income recognised in the consolidated income statement as at 31 December2 | 11,820 | 86,1373 | 7,2383 | — |
| Expenses recognised in the consolidated income statement as at 31 December2 | –5,746 | –59,3923 | –10,5323 | –1,439 |
| As at 1 January 2020 | 219,034 | 1,449,528 | 145,268 | 104,573 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net income/expense for the period | 2,576 | –73,001 | –8,632 | –1,377 |
| Income recognised in the consolidated income statement1 | 11,354 | 84,547 | 11,450 | — |
| Expenses recognised in the consolidated income statement1 | –8,778 | –157,548 | –20,082 | –1,377 |
| Purchases | 7,067 | 443,991 | 14,039 | 6,545 |
| Sales | –11,778 | –198,608 | –22,154 | –3,041 |
| Reclassifications | — | — | — | — |
| Changes in the scope of consolidation | 110 | — | — | — |
| As at 31 December 2020 | 217,009 | 1,621,910 | 128,521 | 106,700 |
| Income recognised in the consolidated income statement as at the end of the reporting period2 |
11,354 | 84,547 | 11,450 | — |
| Expenses recognised in the consolidated income statement as at the end of the reporting period2 |
–8,778 | –157,549 | –20,082 | –1,377 |
1 Income and expenses are mainly included in the net measurement gain/loss in the consolidated income statement.
2 Period income and expenses for assets still in the portfolio at the end of the reporting period.
3 Prior-year figure adjusted based on updated classification.
| Total | Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations |
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies |
Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test |
Investment fund units | |||
| 1,687,502 | 1,518 | 574 | 35,837 | 24,607 | |
| 34,445 | — | 2,867 | — | 3,554 | |
| 112,652 | — | 2,867 | — | 4,590 | |
| –78,207 | — | — | — | –1,036 | |
| 581,368 | — | 3,380 | 248 | 75,435 | |
| –256,610 | — | –574 | –2,873 | –13,407 | |
| — | — | — | — | –2,959 | |
| — | 120 | — | — | — | |
| –1,493 | –1,518 | — | — | — | |
| 2,045,212 | 120 | 6,247 | 33,212 | 87,230 | |
| 112,652 | — | 2,867 | — | 4,590 | |
| –78,148 | — | — | — | –1,036 | |
| 2,045,212 | 120 | 6,247 | 33,212 | 87,230 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| –73,951 | — | 1,900 | –741 | 5,324 |
| 116,524 | — | 1,900 | — | 7,273 |
| –190,475 | — | — | –741 | –1,949 |
| 572,910 | — | 4,171 | 929 | 96,168 |
| –262,782 | — | –6,247 | –4,564 | –16,390 |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| –10 | –120 | — | — | — |
| 2,281,379 | — | 6,071 | 28,836 | 172,332 |
| 116,524 | — | 1,900 | — | 7,273 |
| –190,476 | — | — | –741 | –1,949 |
Description of the applied measurement processes and effects of alternative assumptions in the case of financial instruments in Level 3.
Normally used in connection with the measurement process for calculating fair value are the capitalised earnings method, the adjusted net asset value method and the approximation method.
With regard to the capitalised earnings method, which is uniform throughout the Group, internal plan values and estimates are used as the basis for discounting future net cash flows and distributions under application of risk parameters derived on the market.
The adjusted net asset value method draws on the net asset value, whose individual investments are calculated outside the Group using recognised measurement methods, such as the DCF, multiplier and capitalised earnings methods. In this regard, the measurements are normally made in line with the IPEV Valuation Guidelines. Among other things, the pro-rata net asset value is adjusted to account for outstanding performance-related compensation claims of the fund manager. Thereafter, the W&W Group performs plausibility and validation checks of the net asset values supplied by the relevant fund companies, and, if appropriate, reviews the main portfolio entities held by each of the fund companies. In addition, carrying amounts, fair values, distributions and obligations to provide additional funding are monitored. An exception to the external supply of the pro-rata net asset value is made in the case of self-measured property participations that are assigned to "Participations other than in alternative investments".
With regard to the approximation method, amortised cost is used to measure fair value for reasons of simplicity. The approximation method is applied, for instance, in the case of no quotation and minor significance.
The securities in Level 3 mainly consist of unquoted interests in participations in alternative investments, including private equity, as well as other participations. The fair values of these Level 3 portfolios are customarily calculated by the management of the respective company. For the majority of all externally measured interests, namely in the amount of €1,884.4 million (previous year: €1,441.8 million), fair value is determined on the basis of the net asset value. By contrast, the net asset value of participations other than in alternative investments is calculated internally in all cases. Of the total amount of the interests measured externally using the net asset value, €78.2 million (previous year: €80.4 million) was attributable to unquoted equities and fund certificates, and €1,806.2 million (previous year: €1,331.4 million) to participations in alternative investments, including private equity. The calculation of the net asset value in the case of externally measured interests is based on specific information that is not publicly available and to which the W&W Group does not have access. Thus, it was not possible to subject them to a sensitivity analysis.
In the W&W Group, net asset values (2020: €175.1 million; previous year: €172.0 million) are measured internally for Group property participations that are assigned to "Participations other than in alternative investments". The value of the properties included there is calculated using income-based present value methods. These recognised measurement methods are based on discount rates of 2.77% to 5.74% (previous year: 2.89% to 7.54%), which determine the fair value of the property. A change in discount rates by +100 basis points in connection with a sensitivity analysis leads to a reduction in fair value to €162.4 million (previous year: €157.3 million), while a change in discount rates by -100 basis points leads to an increase to €189.1 million (previous year: €188.2 million).
The most significant measurement parameters for interests measured using the capitalised earnings method (2020: €48.2 million; previous year: €50.3 million) are the risk-adjusted discount rate and future net cash flows. A material increase in the discount rate reduces fair value, whereas a reduction in this rate increases fair value. However, a change by 10% has only a minor influence on the presentation of the net assets, financial position and financial performance of the W&W Group.
In addition, for certain interests, fair value is by way of exception deemed to be approximated by amortised cost. In this case, as well, a sensitivity analysis is not possible due to lack of the specific parameters used.
All changes in the category "Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" in Level 3 are reflected in the consolidated income statement. On the other hand, there are no financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income in Level 3.
The measurement methods used are listed in the following table "Quantitative information about the measurement of fair value in Level 3".
| Fair value | Measurement method |
Non-observable input factors |
Range, in % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | ||
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
2,281,379 | 2,045,092 | ||||
| Participations other than in alternative investments |
217,009 | 219,034 | ||||
| 21,397 | 25,465 | Capitalised earnings method |
Discount rate, future cash flows |
7.28-14.21 | 6.50-12.09 | |
| 13,124 | 11,881 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 182,488 | 181,688 | Net asset value method |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Participations in alternative investments |
1,750,431 | 1,594,796 | ||||
| Other financial companies | 1,621,910 | 1,449,528 | 4.24 | |||
| 56,364 | 198,282 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 1,565,546 | 1,251,246 | Adjusted net asset value method1 |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Other companies | 128,521 | 145,268 | ||||
| 26,753 | 24,850 | Capitalised earnings method |
Discount rate, future cash flows |
3.54 | 3.76 | |
| – | 2,836 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 101,768 | 117,582 | Adjusted net asset value method1 |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Equities | 106,700 | 104,573 | ||||
| 29,199 | 25,102 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 77,501 | 79,471 | Adjusted net asset value method1 |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Investment funds units | 172,332 | 87,230 | ||||
| 885 | 12,635 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 171,447 | 74,595 | Adjusted net asset value method1 |
n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass SPPI test |
28,836 | 33,212 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Capital investments for the account and risk of holders of life insurance policies |
6,071 | 6,247 | Black-Scholes model |
Index weighting, volatility |
n/a | n/a |
| Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations |
— | 120 | Approximation method |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
1 Supplied net asset values are calculated for individual investments outside the Group using recognised measurement methods, such as the DCF, multiplier and capitalised earnings methods. In this regard, the measurements are normally made in line with the IPEV Valuation Guidelines. Since calculation of the net asset value is based on a variety of investments, and since available information about the measurement methods and parameters used there is incomplete or not uniform (including, e.g. adjustment to account for outstanding performance-related compensation claims of the fund manager), a range is not disclosed.
| Fair value hedges | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedging of interest rate risk through interest rate swaps |
||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | ||
| Nominal values of hedges | 9,106,000 | 7,935,630 | ||
| Up to 1 year | 60,000 | 451,384 | ||
| 1-5 years | 2,331,000 | 1,105,600 | ||
| Longer than 5 years | 6,715,000 | 6,378,646 | ||
| Positive market values from hedges | 16,071 | 88,994 | ||
| Negative market values from hedges | 15,688 | 216,196 | ||
| Changes in fair value | 300,191 | 133,145 |
The hedging instruments are recognised in the items "Positive market values from hedges" and "Negative market values from hedges".
| Cash flow hedges Hedging of interest rate risk through interest rate swaps |
Fair value hedges Hedging of interest rate risk through interest rate swaps |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Existing hedges Terminated hedges |
Existing hedges | Terminated hedges | ||||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Carrying amount of hedges | — | — | ||||||
| Assets | — | — | — | — | 3,051,339 | 426,747 | — | — |
| Liabilities | — | — | — | — | 3,065,884 | 2,961,668 | — | — |
| Cumulative changes and changes attributable to the hedged risk |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Assets | — | — | — | — | –22,237 | 20,377 | –21,984 | –10,391 |
| Liabilities | — | — | — | — | –255,556 | 6,254 | 83,340 | 74,012 |
| Changes from the hedged risk | — | — | — | — | –259,141 | –75,507 | — | — |
| Reserve for cash flow hedges | — | — | — | –47 | — | — | — | — |
The hedged items are contained in the follow balance sheet items:
| Cash flow hedges | Fair value hedges | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedging of interest rate risk through interest rate swaps |
Hedging of interest rate risk through interest rate swaps |
||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Unrealised gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income | — | — | n/a | n/a | |
| Income/expenses from ineffective portions | — | — | 5,364 | 5,242 | |
| Reserves for cash flow hedges reclassified to the consolidated income statement |
–67 | –153 | n/a | n/a |
The income and expenses from ineffective portions and the reserves for cash flow hedges reclassified to the consolidated income statement are included in the net measurement gain/loss in the consolidated income statement.
During the reporting period and in the previous year, financial assets were transferred that were not or were not fully derecognised. In the W&W Group, all of these had to do with securities that were sold in connection with repurchase agreements or lent in connection with securities lending transactions. In the reporting period, these securities were allocated to the category "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income" and to the classes resulting from this, and they are subject to the same market price and counterparty credit risks.
Repurchase agreements are characterised by the fact that securities are sold for consideration, but at the same time it is agreed that such securities have to be purchased back at a later point against payment to the seller of an amount agreed to in advance. In addition to the purchase price, collateral is granted and received, depending on the market value of the securities sold. In securities lending transactions, securities are lent against the granting of cash or noncash collateral. After the borrowing period expires, the securities are returned to the lender. Sold or lent securities continue to be recognised in the balance sheet of the W&W Group in accordance with the previous categorisation. The ability of the W&W Group to dispose of these securities is restricted. At the same time, a financial liability is recognised in the amount of money received. Non-cash collateral is recognised only if the W&W Group is authorised to resell or pledge it without the issuer being in default in payment. This was not the case.
The relationship between securities that were sold in connection with repurchase agreements and those that were lent in connection with securities lending transactions, as well as the associated liabilities, is as follows:
| Transferred financial assets | |
|---|---|
| ------------------------------ | -- |
| Carrying amount | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repurchase agreements | Securities lending transactions |
Total | ||||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | ||
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
736,697 | 1,019,113 | — | 10,068 | 736,697 | 1,029,181 | ||
| Senior fixed-income securities | 736,697 | 1,019,113 | — | 10,068 | 736,697 | 1,029,181 | ||
| Total | 736,697 | 1,019,113 | — | 10,068 | 736,697 | 1,029,181 | ||
| Associated liabilities | 736,697 | 1,019,113 | — | — | 736,697 | 1,019,113 | ||
| Net position | — | — | — | 10,068 | — | 10,068 |
As was the case in the previous year, as at 31 December 2020 no securities had been taken in and then passed on in connection with reverse repurchase agreements.
Likewise, there were no other business transactions under which the W&W Group retained ongoing commitments from the transfer.
| Transferred | Open market operations with |
Other collateral | Granted but as yet unused |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| financial assets | central banks | granted | collateral | Total | |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other | |||||
| comprehensive income | 736,697 | 249,668 | — | 1,076,012 | 2,062,377 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 736,697 | 249,668 | — | 1,076,012 | 2,062,377 |
| Total | 736,697 | 249,668 | — | 1,076,012 | 2,062,377 |
| Transferred financial assets |
Open market operations with central banks |
Other collateral granted |
Granted but as yet unused collateral |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other com prehensive income |
1,029,181 | — | — | 472,244 | 1,501,425 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 1,029,181 | — | — | 472,244 | 1,501,425 |
| Total | 1,029,181 | — | 178,977 | 472,244 | 1,680,402 |
Granted but as yet unused collateral mainly has to do with securities on deposit with Clearstream International S.A., as well as with the Deutsche Bundesbank. In the reporting period just ended, as was the case in the previous year, no securities were pledged from the custodial account with Clearstream International S. A. for settlement and custodial services in connection with issued covered bonds.
Other collateral granted in the previous year has to do with loans in the amount of €179.0 million that were assigned in connection with the utilisation of promotional loan programmes.
The amount of cash collateral granted for derivatives amounted to €67.1 million (previous year: €363.0 million).
Aside from the securities pledged as collateral for the foregoing repurchase agreements, no cash collateral was provided for them, as was the case in the previous year.
As at the reporting date, loans of €249.7 million (previous year: €0) had been obtained from the Deutsche Bundesbank in connection with open market operations. To secure these loans, the Deutsche Bundesbank requires as collateral a correspondingly high deposit of securities in the Deutsche Bundesbank custodial account. Securities that are on deposit in the custodial account of Deutsche Bundesbank in order to collateralise loans may be substituted at will with other securities accepted by the European Central Bank, provided that they do not fall below the required collateral value.
In addition, in accordance with regulatory requirements, the underwriting liabilities of German primary insurers in the W&W Group are covered by assets allocated to guarantee assets (financial instruments and properties). Assets allocated to guarantee assets are primarily available to settle policyholder claims. The pro rata allocation of individual assets to guarantee assets is not evident from the IFRS consolidated financial statements.
Assets received as collateral may be liquidated only in the event of breach of contract. Collateral that can be resold or pledged without the issuer being in default in payment was not received.
Cash collateral received under repurchase agreements amounted to €736.7 million (previous year: €1,019.1 million).
The W&W Group nets financial assets and financial liabilities and presents the net amount if the relevant netting agreements under which they were concluded satisfy the offsetting criteria in IAS 32.42. The W&W Group offsets financial instruments in the balance sheet, which are cleared through the central counterparty Eurex Clearing AG. If the netting agreements do not fully satisfy the offsetting criteria in IAS 32, the financial instruments are not offset in the balance sheet. This is normally the case if in the event of payment default or insolvency of a counterparty and in the normal course of business, the right to set off the recognised amounts is not always legally enforceable or there is no intention to settle on a net basis. In the W&W Group, this applies, inter alia, to bilateral transactions that were concluded under master agreements without the use of a central counterparty. The offsetting effects underlying these netting agreements are to be shown in the notes and are presented in the following.
The following tables show the derivatives and repurchase agreements that are subject to a master netting agreement. They also include the collateral granted by or received from the respective counterparty. In the case of clearing through the central counterparty Eurex Clearing AG, the W&W Group makes use of the option to pledge securities for the initial margin.
| Gross amount of financial assets prior to offsetting |
Offset amount of financial liabilities |
Recognised net amount of financial assets |
Associated amounts that are not offset in the balance sheet |
Net amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial instruments |
Cash collateral received |
|||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Derivatives (netting legally enforceable) |
591,471 | –580,226 | 11,245 | — | — | 11,245 |
| Derivatives (netting not legally enforceable) |
278,928 | — | 278,928 | –9,742 | –219,751 | 49,435 |
| Gross amount of financial liabilities prior to offsetting |
Offset amount of financial liabilities |
Recognised net amount of financial liabilities |
Associated amounts that are not offset in the balance sheet |
Net amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial instruments |
(Cash) collateral granted |
|||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Derivatives (netting legally enforceable) |
580,226 | –580,226 | — | — | –140,000 | –140,000 |
| Derivatives (netting not legally enforceable) |
46,537 | — | 46,537 | –1,876 | –42,060 | 2,601 |
| Repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and similar agreements (netting not legally enforceable) |
736,697 | — | 736,697 | –736,697 | — | — |
| Gross amount of financial assets prior to offsetting |
Offset amount of financial liabilities |
Recognised net amount of financial assets |
Associated amounts that are not offset in the balance sheet |
Net amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial instruments |
Cash collateral received |
|||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Derivatives (netting legally enforceable) |
503,111 | –497,481 | 5,630 | — | — | 5,630 |
| Derivatives (netting not legally enforceable) |
85,968 | — | 85,968 | –1,515 | –68,184 | 16,269 |
| Gross amount of financial liabilities prior to offsetting |
Offset amount of financial liabilities |
Recognised net amount of financial liabilities |
Associated amounts that are not offset in the balance sheet |
Net amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial instruments |
Cash collateral received |
|||||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Derivatives (netting legally enforceable) |
497,481 | –497,481 | — | — | –148,668 | –148,668 |
| Derivatives (netting not legally enforceable) |
150,493 | — | 150,493 | –5,529 | –214,380 | –69,416 |
| Repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and similar agreements (netting not legally enforceable) |
1,019,113 | — | 1,019,113 | – 1,019,113 | — | — |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust assets pursuant to the German Building Code | 12,124 | 12,182 |
| Other | 3,715 | — |
| Trust assets | 15,839 | 12,182 |
| Trust liabilities pursuant to the German Building Code | 12,124 | 12,182 |
| Other | 3,715 | — |
| Trust liabilities | 15,839 | 12,182 |
Net gains and losses by category of financial instrument, which are depicted in the following table, consist of the following:
| Net gains/losses | ||
|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
| Financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 289,680 | 572,761 |
| Net gains | 1,562,224 | 1,280,181 |
| Net losses | –1,272,544 | –707,420 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | 1,976,733 | 3,060,748 |
| thereof recognised in other comprehensive income | 1,515,920 | 2,502,324 |
| thereof recognised in profit or loss | –309,823 | 48,895 |
| Net gains | 33,079 | 73,914 |
| Net losses | –342,902 | –25,019 |
| reclassified from net other income/expense to the income statement | 770,636 | 509,529 |
| Net gains | 841,590 | 548,165 |
| Net losses | –70,954 | –38,636 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | –88,540 | 10,451 |
| Net gains | 85,673 | 89,394 |
| Net losses | –174,213 | –78,943 |
| Financial liabilities at amortised cost | 1,846 | –612 |
| Net gains | 7,109 | 43 |
| Net losses | –5,263 | –655 |
For financial assets and liabilities at amortised cost, total interest income amounted to €551.7 million (previous year: €668.5 million), and total interest expenses amounted to €331.6 million (previous year: €469.9 million).
Total interest income from financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income amounted to €629.4 million (previous year: €682.2 million).
In addition, currency translation – with the exception of currency translation involving financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss – generated currency income in the amount of €33.5 million (previous year: €79.9 million) and currency expenses in the amount of €370.5 million (previous year: €18.6 million).
Financial assets at amortised cost amounted to €25,249.1 million (previous year: €24,019.8 million), and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss amounted to €8,816.4 million (previous year: €8,388.6 million).
Financial liabilities at amortised cost amounted to €28,168.7 million (previous year: €26,745.1 million), and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss amounted to €59.9 million (previous year: €296.5 million).
In the reporting year, there were no material gains or losses from the derecognition of financial assets at amortised cost.
The W&W Group makes use of a comprehensive risk management and controlling system that consistently combines the systems and methods of the individual companies, which are geared to the particular business requirements.
The risk management and controlling system comprises the totality of all organisational regulations and measures that have been established to identify risks at an early stage and to handle the risks associated with business activity. Risk controlling is a part of risk management and includes the assessment, evaluation, monitoring and reporting of the risks encountered by the entities assuming them. It also monitors risk governance measures. Risk management in the W&W Group consists of the following key functions:
Based on the key functions of risk management, the following overarching objectives are pursued:
Another task of risk management is to protect the reputation of the W&W Group with its two venerable brands, "Wüstenrot" and "Württembergische", and the new digital brand "Adam Riese". The reputation of the W&W Group as a stable, reliable and trustworthy partner of our customers constitutes a key factor for our sustainable success.
The W&W Group manages risks on the basis of a risk management framework.
The integrated risk strategy establishes the strategic framework of the risk management system of the W&W Group (W&W financial conglomerate), the Solvency II group (insurance group), the financial holding group and Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG. The risk management system is an integral component of a proper and effective business organisation. As part of this framework, definitions are established for risk appetite, which are derived from the business strategy and the risk profile, for the overall risk objectives and for the application of consistent standards, methods, procedures and tools.
The Group Risk Policy defines the organisational framework for risk management and is a prerequisite for an effective risk management system within the W&W Group. This framework ensures that the standard of quality is comparable across all business areas and that risk management is highly consistent on all Group levels. As a key component of the common risk culture, the Group Risk Policy and the processes and systems defined in it promote the requisite risk awareness.
The duties and responsibilities of all persons and committees involved in risk management issues are defined. Within the organisational and operational structure, the individual areas of responsibility for all of the following bodies, committees and functions are defined, as well as their interfaces and reporting lines among one another, thus ensuring the regular and timely flow of information across all levels of the W&W Group.
The Executive Board of W&W AG bears overall responsibility for the proper business organisation of the W&W Group. It is the ultimate decision-making body on risk issues. This includes ensuring that the risk management system established Group-wide is effectively and appropriately implemented, maintained and enhanced. This also includes developing, promoting and integrating an appropriate risk culture. The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is responsible for risk management on the Executive Board of W&W AG.
In its role as the control body overseeing the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board of W&W AG also monitors the appropriateness and effectiveness of the risk management system, as well as implementation of the risk strategy, including risk appetite. In addition, it is regularly informed about the current risk situation. Certain types of transactions require approval by the Supervisory Board or its Risk and Audit Committee.
The Risk and Audit Committee of W&W AG and the corresponding committees of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG are regularly presented with information required pursuant to the bylaws, including risk reports with a description of the current risk situation and the measures that have been initiated to manage it.
As the central body for the coordination of risk management, the Group Board Risk supports the Executive Board of W&W AG and the Management Board in risk issues. The permanent members of the Group Board Risk are the CRO of W&W AG and the CROs of the Housing and Insurance divisions. The risks in the brandpool division are covered by the Group-wide risk management in accordance with the processes specified in the Group risk policy. Other members of this body are the (independent) risk controlling function of W&W AG, which also handles the responsibilities on behalf of the Solvency II group, the two (independent) risk controlling functions of the Housing (Wüstenrot) and Insurance (Württembergische) divisions and select observers. The body meets once a month and, where necessary, on an ad hoc basis. The Group Board Risk monitors the risk profile of the W&W Group, its appropriate capitalisation and its liquidity. Moreover, it deliberates on Group-wide standards for risk organisation and for the deployment of uniform risk management methods and tools and proposes these to the members of the Executive Boards of the Group for approval.
The Insurance Risk Board manages and monitors risks in the Insurance division (Württembergische). The BSW Risk Board handles this duty in the Housing division (Wüstenrot). The participation of the responsible Executive Board members and the departments concerned guarantees the integration of circumstances pertaining to individual companies as well as the speedy exchange of information and quick decision-making. We integrate risk-related aspects of the brandpool division via an established reporting line to the Group Board Risk.
The risk management process in the W&W Group is based on the closed control loop described in the integrated risk strategy as well as in the following.
Risk identification. In connection with the risk inventory process, the corporate and working environment is constantly monitored throughout the Group for potential risks, and identified risks must be reported without delay. This high penetration throughout the organisation makes a decisive contribution to promoting an appropriate risk culture. Moreover, we have implemented a uniform Group-wide new-product process for the purposes of identifying risks associated with the introduction of new products and sales channels and with the cultivation of new markets. This process incorporates the risk controlling units at the level of the Group and the individual companies. The systematic identification of risks takes places in connection with the risk inventory. In addition, the risk situation is reviewed during the year, where called for. Here, assumed or potential risks are continually recorded, updated and documented. On the basis of an initial assessment for the respective individual company, defined threshold values are used to differentiate risks into material and immaterial risks. Also evaluated is the extent to which individual risks can take on a material character through interaction or accumulation (risk concentrations). Risks that are classified as material are actively managed in the four steps of the risk management process described in more detail in the following. For risks that are classified as immaterial, the responsible business units monitor them during the year, using (early-warning) risk indicators in order to determine whether they have changed, and evaluate them in full at least once a year.
Risk assessment. This process step includes all methods, processes and systems that serve to adequately assess identified risks. Risks are largely assessed by means of a stochastic procedure using the value-at-risk standard. If this procedure cannot be used for certain risk areas, analytical computational procedures or regulatory standard procedures are applied, as well as expert estimates.
At both the Group level as well as the level of the individual W&W companies, the relevant statutory and regulatory confidence levels are applied for measuring risks from an economic perspective:
For the W&W Group, risks are depicted with a confidence level of 99.5%. The target and minimum ratios for economic risk-bearing capacity at the Group level are derived from the capital requirements that result from compliance with the aforementioned confidence levels at the associated individual companies. Accordingly, an overall confidence level in excess of 99.5% is achieved.
In addition, risks are assessed from a supervisory (normative) perspective using regulatory risk parameters. If risk models are employed that are oriented toward the balance sheet or income statement specific to the individual company, a confidence level of at least 95.0% is applied to them.
We include the results of these assessments in the evaluation of risk-bearing capacity or in additional risk controlling tools, taking into consideration potential risk concentrations. We regularly conduct sensitivity analyses in connection with stress scenarios for specific risk areas and across risk areas. Indicator analyses, such as (early-warning) risk indicators, augment the range of tools used to evaluate risk.
Risk taking and risk governance. We define risk governance as the operational implementation of risk strategies in the risk-bearing business units. The decision to assume risk is made within the scope of business- and risk-specific requirements by the decision-making body in each individual company. Based on the risk strategy, the respective departments in our operating companies manage their own risk positions. Thresholds, signal systems and limit and line systems are used to support risk governance. If the specified thresholds are exceeded, predefined actions or escalation processes are initiated. As a rule, the entity that assumed the risks is responsible for managing and controlling them. In performing this task, it decides about products and transactions. It must continuously check whether the assumed risks are in conformity with the risk profile specified by the risk strategy of the W&W Group or one of its companies and whether risk-bearing capacity as well as the risk limits and risk lines are observed. Risk-taking and risk-monitoring tasks are strictly separated in terms of function. Key management parameters at the Group level are the IFRS result and divi-sion-specific indicators. In order to link earnings management with risk governance, we conduct supplementary analyses for the purpose of value-oriented management. For us, this includes, inter alia, a present-value earnings perspective, optimisation and allocation of capital and internal risk governance.
The sufficiency of risk capitalisation is evaluated on several dimensions, which as a rule are equally weighted but highlight different objectives and aspects:
In addition, in accordance with the requirements for managing the balance sheet and the income statement, specific risk models oriented toward them are applied at the level of the individual companies. While the economic and financial risk-bearing capacity concept has been developed and parameterised internally, the regulatory procedure follows the externally specified methodology.
Risk monitoring. In order to identify risks early on, risk indicators are employed to monitor changes in the risk situation. Such indicators include financial and risk indicators (e.g. risk-bearing capacity ratios, limit utilisations), supervisory indicators (e.g. capital ratios, liquidity coverage ratio) and market indicators (e.g. stock prices, credit spreads). Material, quantifiable risks are controlled by means of limits and lines. Limits are set at most in the amount that permits compliance with the respective minimum ratios for economic risk-bearing capacity even where the limits are maxed out. Business is transacted solely within the scope of these limits and lines. By creating a corresponding limit and line system, risk concentrations in particular are limited both at the level of the individual company and at the level of the financial conglomerate. The monitoring of risks, which is independent of the assumption of risks, primarily takes place at the level of the individual company. Where material risks exist that affect more than just the individual company, they are also monitored at the Group level. Monitoring activities are used to develop recommendations for action, which lead to corrective intervention being taken early on with respect to the objectives set forth in the business and risk strategy and are subject to corresponding measures controlling.
Risk reporting. By means of the established reporting processes, regular and timely reports are generated about the risk position of various groups or individual companies. In this regard, the flow of information concerning the risk situation of the individual companies in the W&W Group is accomplished through internal risk reporting, risk inventory and calculation of risk-bearing capacity. The results of the companies affiliated with the Group are transmitted to the risk controlling function responsible for the W&W Group, which then aggregates them and analyses them for their impact on the W&W Group.
The key element of the risk reporting system is the quarterly overall risk report, which is sent to the Group Board Risk, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. Presented in this report are, in particular, the amount of available capital, regulatory and economic capital adequacy, compliance with limits and lines, the results of stress testing and the risk governance measures that have already been taken and that still need to be taken. Also reported on in this connection are significant trends in early-warning risk indicators. This overall risk report is presented to the Group Board Risk and discussed with respect to risk assessment. On this basis, action recommendations and measures are established where necessary for the W&W Group, which are then implemented and tracked by the responsible risk management units.
Depending on how critical it is, information that is considered material from the standpoint of risk is forwarded immediately to the Group Board Risk, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. Processes and reporting procedures have been put in place for internal ad-hoc risk reporting at the Group and individual company level. Quantitative criteria are used as thresholds, which as a rule are in line with internal and supervisory parameters. In addition, pertinent ad-hoc risk reporting takes place when qualitatively material events occur.
The operability, appropriateness and effectiveness of our risk management system is audited by Internal Audit. As part of the audits of financial statements, an audit firm audits the establishment of early risk detection systems at the individual company level and the appropriateness and effectiveness of the risk management at the level of the credit institutions, as well as that of the W&W Group.
In managing the risk profile, attention is paid to avoiding risk concentrations from financial instruments and insurance contracts in order to maintain a balanced risk profile. In addition, in connection with risk governance, an effort is made to achieve an appropriate relationship between the risk capital requirements of the risk areas in order to limit susceptibility to individual risks.
Risk concentration means potential losses that may result either from the accumulation of similar risks or from the accumulation of different risks, such as at a single counterparty, and that are large enough to jeopardise the solvency or financial position of the individual company or the Group.
The potential losses in terms of risk concentration may result either from intra-risk concentrations or from inter-risk concentrations. Intra-risk concentrations describe those risk concentrations that arise from the synchronisation of risk positions within a risk area or at the Group level through the accumulation of similar risks at several companies affiliated with the Group. Inter-risk concentrations describe those risk concentrations that arise from the synchronisation of risk positions across various risk areas at the level of the individual company and the Group.
Because of the business model of the W&W Group and its individual companies, potential risk concentrations may result, in particular, from investments and from the economic and regional structure of customer business (customer lending business, insurance business). However, owing to regulatory requirements and internal rating requirements, the W&W Group is heavily invested, in sectoral terms, in government bonds and financial services companies and, in regional terms, in Europe, which is typical for the industry. Accordingly, in addition to the credit risk associated with the relevant counterparty, the W&W Group in particular bears the systemic risk of the financial sector and the specific counterparties belonging to it.
On the other hand, because of their high granularity, our customer loan portfolios do not exhibit any appreciable risk concentrations.
Other concentrations exist through positions that we intentionally take in certain assets classes (equities, participations, bonds) through strategic asset allocation. As a financial conglomerate, the W&W Group is influenced to an extensive degree by a variety of external factors (e.g. current interest rates, changed customer behaviour, digitalisation, regulatory pressure, industry reputation). This risk concentration intentionally forms a part of the business strategy. Operational risk concentrations may arise in connection with outsourcing (a single comprehensive mandate or several equivalent mandates) and through an accumulation of projects, particularly large projects.
Adequate instruments and methods are in place to manage concentrations. We counter concentrations in the area of capital investments, inter alia, through diversification, the use of limit and line systems and the monitoring of exposure concentrations. In lending and insurance business, we apply clearly defined acceptance and underwriting policies and purchase appropriate reinsurance coverage from various providers with good credit ratings.
For each risk area, we measure intra-risk concentrations implicitly through risk quantification and accompanying stress tests. In this regard, concentrations of market price risk are limited in connection with strategic asset allocation through the observance of specific mix ratios across various asset classes. Concentrations of counterparty credit risk are limited through a risk line system that restricts the volume of investment in specific debtor groups.
Potential inter-risk concentrations result from a heightened interdependency of risks across risk areas and thus from various risk areas. The total risk capital requirements at the level of W&W AG and the W&W Group are quantified in an undiversified manner by totalling the risk capital requirements of the individual risks areas (e.g. market price risk, counterparty credit risk, underwriting risk), which thus takes into account a high degree of interdependence between the risk areas. In addition, we perform stress tests across all risk areas.
For further information about risk management in the W&W Group, please see the risk reporting in the management report.
Interest rate change risk, which is a part of interest rate risk and a form of market price risk, describes the risk that assets and/or liabilities held in interest-bearing securities may change in value due to a shifting and/or twisting of market interest rate curves. The interest rate change risk results from the market value risk of investments in conjunction with the obligation to generate the guaranteed interest and the guaranteed surrender values for policyholders.
The current interest rate level poses income risks for the W&W Group (particularly Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG), since new investments and reinvestments can be made only at lower interest rates, while at the same time the interest rates and interest obligations pledged to customers (interest guarantee risk) still have to be met. Persistently low interest rates also pose great challenges for pension funds, including Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG, in terms of financing the build-up of the additional interest reserve/interest rate rein-forcement under the ancillary condition of regulatory solvency. The interest guarantee risk is managed through comprehensive asset liability management and a dynamic product and rate policy, as well as the corresponding creation of reserves.
With Section 5 of the German Regulation on Calculation of the Provision for Future Policy Benefits (DeckRV), the legislators expanded the framework, which is also recognised for tax purposes, for strengthening the provision for future policy benefits in the form of an additional interest reserve in the new portfolio. The amount of the additional interest reserve is determined by the reference interest rate, which is based on the average of Euro interest swap rates over 10 years. In 2020 the reference interest rate dropped to 1.73% (previous year: 1.92%).
Based on the regulations for the additional interest reserve, an interest rate reinforcement established in the business plan was provided in the old portfolio. The amount of interest rate reinforcement is determined by the measurement interest rate, which amounted to 1.73% (previous year: 1.92%) for Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and to 2.17% (previous year: 2.30%) for ARA Pensionskasse AG. In the W&W: Group, the additional interest reserve and interest rate reinforcement were strengthened by €352.3 million (previous year: €364.8 million) on this basis. In order to depict the build-up of the additional interest rate reserve and interest rate reinforcement as realistically as possible, capital disbursement probabilities were applied in this regard that are specific to each company. For 2021 we expect a further decline in the interest rates relevant to valuation and thus a further increase in the additional interest reserve and in interest rate reinforcement. Since 2010, we have gradually increased the security level of the computation basis "interest rate" for annuity insurance policies in the old portfolio by means of reserve reinforcements.
A breakdown of the provision for future policy benefits by type of insured risk and by insurance amount is provided in the notes to the consolidated balance sheet.
Financial derivatives are used in the W&W Group to manage interest rate risk. Derivative management instruments primarily consist of interest rate swaps and interest rate options (swaptions), as well as futures, forward purchases and forward sales. They are predominantly used to hedge interest rate risks, but also to reduce risk concentrations. They are shown in the risk management and controlling process as economic hedging instruments or as hedges for the future purchase of securities.
If these economic hedges meet the requirements for hedge accounting, the hedges for the Housing division are also depicted as such in the IFRS consolidated financial statements. At our home loan savings bank and our insurance companies, fixed-income positions are hedged against reinvestment risks and losses in asset value on both the individual transaction level and the portfolio level (fair value hedge). In addition, at the home loan savings bank, loans, advances and securities in the category "Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income" are measured at fair value.
The effects that a potential change in the interest rate level by 100 or 200 basis points (parallel shifting of the interest structure curve) would have on the consolidated income statement and on other comprehensive income are depicted in the following table. Because the interest rate level continues to remain very low, it was again elected to dispense with calculating a decline in the interest rate level by 200 bps, since the results did not appear meaningful. The changes in the consolidated income statement are due, in particular, to derivative positions and fixed-income securities of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG. The changes in other comprehensive income are primarily attributable to bonds, including debenture bonds, of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG.
In the Insurance division, the long duration in interest-bearing investments is reflected in the results. In addition, swaptions concluded to hedge against reinvestment risk in the case of low interest rates have an impact on the consolidated income statement, since their value rises sharply when interest rates fall but becomes worthless when interest rates rise. Furthermore, forward purchases of bonds that were concluded for the purpose of duration control and to limit reinvestment risks have a negative effect when interest rates rise and a positive effect on results when interest rates fall.
With respect to net income for the period and to net income recognised in other comprehensive income, there is no asset-value-oriented interest rate change risk for debt securities and construction loans that are carried at amortised cost.
| Change in the consolidated income statement |
Change in other comprehensive income |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| +100 basis points | –456,022 | –326,443 | –848,745 | –847,728 | |
| –100 basis points | 556,836 | 393,545 | 1,032,353 | 980,128 | |
| +200 basis points | –887,770 | –606,084 | –1,573,265 | –1,593,832 |
On the one hand, the risk of changes in the prices of equity instruments describes the general risk that assets and thus net income and/or equity may change negatively as a result of market movements. On the other, it also describes the specific risk characterised by issuer-related aspects.
In the W&W Group, the risk of changes in the prices of equity instruments is mainly characterised by equity and participation risk. Equity risk is the risk that losses may result from the change in the prices of open equity positions. Participation risk is the risk that losses may result from negative value changes regarding participations, from the cancellation of dividends or from the need to pay income subsidies. The risk of changes in the prices of equity instruments is managed through equity options and futures.
The following overview shows the effects that an increase or decrease in the market value of equity instruments by 10% and 20% would have on the consolidated income statement and on other comprehensive income. Also depicted are the effects after deferred taxes and, for life/health insurers, in addition the effects after the provision for deferred premium refunds.
The changes affect, in particular, equity positions, participations and alternative investments of Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG. Also having an effect are equity positions and participations of W&W AG, as well as corresponding positions in fund portfolios.
| Change in the consolidated income statement |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| + 10% | 88,208 | 94,225 | |
| –10% | –88,056 | –93,310 | |
| + 20% | 176,232 | 188,716 | |
| –20% | –175,566 | –185,108 |
Exchange rate risk describes the risk that losses may result from a change in exchange rates. The extent of this risk depends on the number of open positions and on the potential that the relevant currency will experience a rate change.
The effects that an increase or decrease in key exchange rates would have on the consolidated income statement are depicted in the following table. Also taken into account were the effects of deferred taxes and, for life/health insurers, moreover the effects of the provision for deferred premium refunds.
The depicted exchange rate risk results from both asset and liability positions and includes only monetary assets, i.e. means of payment and claims denominated in amounts of money, as well as obligations that have to be settled with a fixed or determinable amount of money. The exchange rate risk associated with equity instruments (non-monetary assets) is not included.
| Change in the consolidated income statement |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | ||
| USD | ||||
| + 10% | –1,007 | 6,921 | ||
| – 10% | 1,076 | –6,921 | ||
| DKK | ||||
| + 1% | 267 | 193 | ||
| – 1% | –267 | –193 |
In all, it can be seen from the table that, in accordance with the strategic positioning of our overall investment portfolio, exchange rate risk is of only minor significance. Compared with the previous year, USD sensitivity was considerably reduced through currency forwards.
For further information about the management of market price risk in the W&W Group, please see the risk reporting in the management report.
We define counterparty credit risk as potential losses that may result if borrowers or debtors default or experience a deterioration in creditworthiness.
Counterparty credit risks can arise from the default or changed rating of securities (counterparty credit risk associated with investments), from the default of business partners in customer lending business (counterparty credit risk associated with customer lending business) and from the default on receivables due from our counterparties in reinsurance (other counterparty credit risk).
We limit counterparty credit risks through the careful selection of issuers and reinsurance partners, as well as broadly diversified investments. In this context, we take into consideration the capital investment rules applicable to the respective business area. The contracting partners and securities, including debt securities, are mainly limited to good credit ratings in the investment grade range.
Our strategic focus on residential construction loans excludes individual loans that endanger the portfolio due to the high granularity and the predominant collateralisation with land charges.
The W&W Group monitors risks from the default on receivables due from policyholders, agents and reinsurers with the aid of EDP-supported controls of outstanding accounts. With regard to receivables from policyholders, the average default rate over the last three years to the reporting date amounted to 0.14% (previous year: 0.15%). With regard to receivables from agents, the average default rate over the last three years amounted to 2.2% (previous year: 2.2%). Because of the high credit rating of reinsurers, receivables from reinsurance do not constitute a material risk.
Reinsurance contracts are in place with counterparties on the reinsurance market that have flawless credit, meaning that the default risk is significantly reduced.
For further information about the management of counterparty credit risk in the W&W Group, please see the risk reporting in the management report.
| Opening balance as at 1.1.2020 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 1 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 2 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 3 |
Classified as held for sale |
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets |
Additions for finan cial assets currently in the portfolio |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | ||||||||
| Subordinated securities and recei vables |
–235 | — | — | — | — | –11 | –5 | |
| Level 1 | –235 | — | — | — | — | –11 | –5 | |
| Senior debenture bonds and regis tered bonds |
–29 | — | — | — | — | –22 | –1 | |
| Level 1 | –29 | — | — | — | — | –22 | –1 | |
| Construction loans | –66,747 | — | — | — | — | –10,290 | –78,008 | |
| Level 1 | –12,963 | 1,092 | –415 | –24 | — | –3,624 | –4,643 | |
| Level 2 | –28,363 | –826 | 4,751 | –849 | — | –2,340 | –53,097 | |
| Level 3 | –25,421 | –266 | –4,336 | 873 | — | –4,326 | –20,268 | |
| Other loans and advances | –25,811 | — | — | — | — | –21,204 | –555 | |
| Level 1 | –19,091 | — | — | — | — | –19,338 | –321 | |
| Level 2 | –1,132 | — | — | — | — | –338 | – | |
| Level 3 | –5,588 | — | — | — | — | –1,528 | –234 | |
| Sundry loans and advances | –10,925 | — | — | — | — | –357 | –1,229 | |
| Level 1 | –10,925 | — | — | — | — | –357 | –1,229 | |
| R i s k p r o v i s i o n f o r f i n a n c i a l a s s e t s m e a s u r e d at amortised cost |
–103,747 | — | — | — | — | –31,884 | –79,798 |
| Additions/relea ses as a result of changes to the models/risk parameters |
Releases of financial assets currently in the portfolio |
Releases of derecognised financial assets as a result of repayment of principal, modification or sale |
Utilisation/ reclassification (write-off) |
Changes from currency translation |
Interest effects | Reclassifica tions |
Closing balance as at 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 18 | 16 | — | — | — | — | –217 |
| — | 18 | 16 | — | — | — | — | –217 |
| — | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | –43 |
| — | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | –43 |
| –1,527 | 35,863 | 13,446 | 5,462 | — | –627 | – | –102,428 |
| 804 | 6,276 | 5,085 | 76 | — | — | — | –8,336 |
| –1,188 | 16,605 | 2,208 | 34 | — | — | — | –63,065 |
| –1,143 | 12,982 | 6,153 | 5,352 | — | –627 | — | –31,027 |
| — | — | 866 | 9,276 | — | — | –3,061 | –40,489 |
| — | — | 598 | 8,458 | — | — | –3,036 | –32,730 |
| — | — | 14 | – | — | — | –25 | –1,481 |
| — | — | 254 | 818 | — | — | — | –6,278 |
| — | — | 1,288 | 1,229 | — | — | — | –9,994 |
| — | — | 1,288 | 1,229 | — | — | — | –9,994 |
| –1,527 | 35,882 | 15,624 | 15,967 | — | –627 | –3,061 | –153,171 |
| Opening balance as at 1.1.2019 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 1 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 2 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 3 |
Classified as held for sale |
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets |
Additions for finan cial assets currently in the portfolio |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | ||||||||
| Subordinated securities and receivables |
–145 | — | — | — | — | –98 | –16 | |
| Level 1 | –145 | — | — | — | — | –98 | –16 | |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
–741 | — | — | — | — | — | –16 | |
| Level 1 | –741 | — | — | — | — | — | –16 | |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –468 | — | — | — | 110 | — | –3 | |
| Level 1 | –468 | — | — | — | 110 | — | –3 | |
| Construction loans | –128,293 | — | — | — | 49,908 | –8,249 | –40,368 | |
| Level 1 | –14,893 | 581 | –446 | –28 | 1,721 | –3,086 | –2,332 | |
| Level 2 | –38,806 | –500 | 3,263 | –1,668 | 7,448 | –3,309 | –16,983 | |
| Level 3 | –74,594 | –81 | –2,817 | 1,696 | 40,739 | –1,854 | –21,053 | |
| Other loans and advances | –29,623 | — | — | — | 1,003 | –15,577 | –3,893 | |
| Level 1 | –1,116 | — | — | — | 18 | –12,237 | –3,173 | |
| Level 2 | –26,486 | — | 1 | –2 | 10 | – | –5 | |
| Level 3 | –2,021 | — | –1 | 2 | 975 | –3,340 | –715 | |
| Other receivables | –10,634 | — | — | — | — | –1,921 | –1,545 | |
| Level 1 | –10,634 | — | — | — | — | –1,921 | –1,545 | |
| R i s k p r o v i s i o n f o r f i n a n c i a l a s s e t s a t amortised cost |
–169,904 | — | — | — | 51,021 | –25,845 | –45,841 |
| Additions/relea ses as a result of changes to the models/risk parameters |
Releases of financial assets currently in the portfolio |
Releases of derecognised financial assets as a result of repayment of principal, modification or sale |
Utilisation/ reclassification (write-off) |
Changes from currency translation |
Interest effects | Reclassifica tions |
Closing balance as at 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1 | 23 | — | — | — | — | –235 |
| — | 1 | 23 | — | — | — | — | –235 |
| — | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | 714 | –29 |
| — | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | 714 | –29 |
| — | 10 | 3 | — | –1 | — | 349 | — |
| — | 10 | 3 | — | –1 | — | 349 | — |
| — | 35,275 | 14,230 | 12,079 | –662 | –535 | –132 | –66,747 |
| — | 4,877 | 559 | 108 | –24 | — | — | –12,963 |
| — | 19,847 | 2,301 | 147 | –103 | — | — | –28,363 |
| — | 10,551 | 11,370 | 11,824 | –535 | –535 | –132 | –25,421 |
| — | 102 | 2,216 | 19,839 | –10 | — | 132 | –25,811 |
| — | 7 | 205 | 3,351 | — | — | –6,146 | –19,091 |
| — | 8 | 971 | 16,156 | — | — | 8,215 | –1,132 |
| — | 87 | 1,040 | 332 | –10 | — | –1,937 | –5,588 |
| — | — | 1,630 | 1,545 | — | — | — | –10,925 |
| — | — | 1,630 | 1,545 | — | — | — | –10,925 |
| — | 35,389 | 18,115 | 33,463 | –673 | –535 | 1,063 | –103,747 |
Breakdown of risk provision for financial assets at amortised cost in 2019
Reclassifications from Level 1
Reclassifications from Level 2
receivables –145 — — — — –98 –16 Level 1 –145 — — — — –98 –16
registered bonds –741 — — — — — –16 Level 1 –741 — — — — — –16 Senior fixed-income securities –468 — — — 110 — –3 Level 1 –468 — — — 110 — –3 Construction loans –128,293 — — — 49,908 –8,249 –40,368 Level 1 –14,893 581 –446 –28 1,721 –3,086 –2,332 Level 2 –38,806 –500 3,263 –1,668 7,448 –3,309 –16,983 Level 3 –74,594 –81 –2,817 1,696 40,739 –1,854 –21,053 Other loans and advances –29,623 — — — 1,003 –15,577 –3,893 Level 1 –1,116 — — — 18 –12,237 –3,173 Level 2 –26,486 — 1 –2 10 – –5 Level 3 –2,021 — –1 2 975 –3,340 –715 Other receivables –10,634 — — — — –1,921 –1,545 Level 1 –10,634 — — — — –1,921 –1,545
amortised cost –169,904 — — — 51,021 –25,845 –45,841
Reclassifications from Level 3
Classified as held for sale
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets
Additions for financial assets currently in the portfolio
Opening balance as at 1.1.2019
in € thousands
Subordinated securities and
Senior debenture bonds and
R i s k p r o v i s i o n f o r f i n a n c i a l a s s e t s a t
| Opening balance as at 1.1.2020 |
Reclassifications from Level 1 |
Additions for newly issued/acquired financial assets |
Additions for finan cial assets currently in the portfolio |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | ||||
| Subordinated securities and receivables | –817 | — | –442 | –45 |
| Level 1 | –817 | — | –442 | –45 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | –7,434 | — | –515 | –146 |
| Level 1 | –7,434 | — | –515 | –146 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –23,349 | — | –11,522 | –7,136 |
| Level 1 | –19,606 | 309 | –11,522 | –766 |
| Level 2 | –3,743 | –309 | — | –6,370 |
| R i s k p r o v i s i o n f o r f i n a n c i a l a s s e t s a t f a i r v a l u e t h r o u g h o t h e r comprehensive income |
–31,600 | — | –12,479 | –7,327 |
Breakdown of risk provision for financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income in 2019
| Opening balance as at 1.1.2020 |
Reclassifications from Level 1 |
Additions for newly issued/acquired financial assets |
Additions for finan cial assets currently in the portfolio |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | |||||
| Subordinated securities and receivables | –640 | — | –225 | –106 | |
| Level 1 | –640 | — | –225 | –106 | |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds | –7,931 | — | –111 | –551 | |
| Level 1 | –7,931 | — | –111 | –551 | |
| Senior fixed-income securities | –23,158 | — | –9,653 | –1,624 | |
| Level 1 | –16,106 | 7 | –9,650 | –1,371 | |
| Level 2 | –7,052 | –7 | –3 | –253 | |
| R i s k p r o v i s i o n f o r f i n a n c i a l a s s e t s a t f a i r v a l u e t h r o u g h o t h e r comprehensive income |
–31,729 | — | –9,989 | –2,281 |
Releases of financial assets currently in the
portfolio
Releases of derecognised financial assets as a result of repayment of principal, modification
or sale
Additions to the scope of
consolidation Reclassifications
148 — –12 –817 148 — –12 –817 1,314 — –631 –7,434 1,314 — –631 –7,434 3,231 8,186 — –331 –23,349 2,443 5,402 — –331 –19,606 2,784 — — –3,743
3,725 9,648 — –974 –31,600
Closing balance as at 31.12.2019
| Releases of financial assets currently in the portfolio |
Releases of derecognised financial assets as a result of repayment of principal, modification or sale |
Additions to the scope of consolidation |
Reclassifications | Closing balance as at 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 133 | — | 5 | –1,090 |
| 76 | 133 | — | 5 | –1,090 |
| 598 | 1,446 | — | — | –6,051 |
| 598 | 1,446 | — | — | –6,051 |
| 3,816 | 8,252 | –633 | –59 | –30,631 |
| 3,660 | 6,309 | –546 | –59 | –22,221 |
| 156 | 1,943 | –87 | — | –8,410 |
| 4,490 | 9,831 | –633 | –54 | –37,772 |
| Releases of financial assets currently in the portfolio |
Releases of derecognised financial assets as a result of repayment of principal, modification or sale |
Additions to the scope of consolidation |
Reclassifications | Closing balance as at 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 148 | — | –12 | –817 |
| 18 | 148 | — | –12 | –817 |
| 476 | 1,314 | — | –631 | –7,434 |
| 476 | 1,314 | — | –631 | –7,434 |
| 3,231 | 8,186 | — | –331 | –23,349 |
| 2,443 | 5,402 | — | –331 | –19,606 |
| 788 | 2,784 | — | — | –3,743 |
| 3,725 | 9,648 | — | –974 | –31,600 |
| in € thousands | Opening balance as at 1.1.2020 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 1 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 2 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 3 |
Classified as held for sale |
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets |
Additions for financial assets cur rently in the portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irrevocable loan commitments |
–3,655 | – | – | – | – | –2,340 | –1,054 |
| Level 1 | –1,625 | –29 | –2 | – | – | –1,448 | –194 |
| Level 2 | –1,803 | 25 | 20 | –2 | – | –826 | –541 |
| Level 3 | –227 | 4 | –18 | 2 | – | –66 | –319 |
| Provision for off b a l a n c e - s h e e t business |
–3,655 | – | – | – | – | –2,340 | –1,054 |
| in € thousands | Opening balance as at 1.1.2019 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 1 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 2 |
Reclassifi cations from Level 3 |
Classified as held for sale |
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets |
Additions for financial assets cur rently in the portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irrevocable loan commitments |
–3,207 | — | — | –1 | 654 | –2,188 | –1,474 |
| Level 1 | –2,143 | 27 | –2 | –1 | 366 | –1,473 | –30 |
| Level 2 | –924 | –20 | 8 | –1 | 20 | –529 | –1,234 |
| Level 3 | –140 | –7 | –6 | 1 | 268 | –186 | –210 |
| Provision for off b a l a n c e - s h e e t business |
–3,207 | — | — | –1 | 654 | –2,188 | –1,474 |
| Additions/releases as a result of chan ges to the models/ risk parameters |
Releases of financial assets currently in the portfolio |
Releases of dere cognised financial assets as a result of repayment of prin cipal, modification or sale |
Additions to the scope of consoli dation |
Changes from cur rency translation |
Reclassifications | Closing balance as at 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 397 | 1,154 | 2,580 | –19 | — | — | –2,937 |
| 315 | 428 | 1,061 | –16 | — | — | –1,510 |
| 50 | 375 | 1,428 | – | — | — | –1,274 |
| 32 | 351 | 91 | –3 | — | — | –153 |
| 397 | 1,154 | 2,580 | –19 | — | — | –2,937 |
Breakdown of provision for off-balance-sheet business in 2020
Reclassifications from Level 1
Breakdown of the risk provision for off-balance-sheet business in 2019
Reclassifications from Level 1
Opening balance as at 1.1.2019
Reclassifications from Level 2
commitments –3,655 – – – – –2,340 –1,054 Level 1 –1,625 –29 –2 – – –1,448 –194 Level 2 –1,803 25 20 –2 – –826 –541 Level 3 –227 4 –18 2 – –66 –319
business –3,655 – – – – –2,340 –1,054
Reclassifications from Level 2
commitments –3,207 — — –1 654 –2,188 –1,474 Level 1 –2,143 27 –2 –1 366 –1,473 –30 Level 2 –924 –20 8 –1 20 –529 –1,234 Level 3 –140 –7 –6 1 268 –186 –210
business –3,207 — — –1 654 –2,188 –1,474
Reclassifications from Level 3
Reclassifications from Level 3
Classified as held for sale
Classified as held for sale
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets
Additions for financial assets currently in the portfolio
Additions for financial assets currently in the portfolio
Opening balance as at 1.1.2020
in € thousands
Irrevocable loan
Provision for offb a l a n c e - s h e e t
in € thousands
Irrevocable loan
Provision for offb a l a n c e - s h e e t
| Additions/releases as a result of chan ges to the models/ risk parameters |
Releases of financial assets currently in the portfolio |
Releases of dere cognised financial assets as a result of repayment of prin cipal, modification or sale |
Additions to the scope of consoli dation |
Changes from cur rency translation |
Reclassifications | Closing balance as at 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 656 | 1,915 | — | –8 | –2 | –3,655 |
| — | 430 | 1,208 | — | –5 | –2 | –1,625 |
| — | 209 | 668 | — | — | — | –1,803 |
| — | 17 | 39 | — | –3 | — | –227 |
| — | 656 | 1,915 | — | –8 | –2 | –3,655 |
| in € thousands | Opening balance as at 1.1.2020 |
Additions for newly issued/ acquired financial assets |
Releases of derecognised financial assets as a result of repayment of principal, modification or sale |
Closing balance as at 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portion of the provision for outstanding insurance claims | –6,859 | –39 | 1,733 | –5,165 |
| Level 1 | –6,859 | –39 | 1,733 | –5,165 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | –6,859 | –39 | 1,733 | –5,165 |
| Releases of derecognised financial assets as |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additions for | a result of | |||
| newly issued/ | repayment | |||
| Opening | acquired | of principal, | Closing | |
| balance as at | financial | modification | balance as at | |
| 1.1.2019 | assets | or sale | 31.12.2019 | |
| in € thousands | ||||
| Portion of the provision for outstanding insurance claims | –7,114 | –98 | 353 | –6,859 |
| Level 1 | –7,114 | –98 | 353 | –6,859 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions | –7,114 | –98 | 353 | –6,859 |
Interest income accrued on impaired assets was recognised as an interest effect.
Newly issued construction loans totalling €5,105 million (previous year: €5,545 million) resulted in an increase in the risk provision in the amount of €10.3 million (previous year: €8.2 million). Repayments of principal totalling €4,500 million (previous year: €5,084 million) resulted in a release from the risk provision in the amount of €13.4 million (previous year: €14.2 million).
Newly acquired senior fixed-income securities at fair value through other comprehensive income totalling €6,618 million (previous year: €7,326 million) resulted in an increase in the risk provision in the amount of €11.5 million (previous year: €9.7 million). Disposals and scheduled repayments totalling €5,716 million (previous year: €5,638 million) resulted in a release from the risk provision in the amount of €8.3 million (previous year: €8.2 million).
Changes in the contractual cash flows of financial assets that did not lead to derecognition and whose risk provision was calculated in the amount of credit losses expected over the term resulted in a loss of €1.8 million. The carrying amount prior to the change in the contractual cash flows was €114.6 million.
For assets directly written off in the reporting year, we are continuing to attempt to collect the contractually agreed amounts of €4.3 million (previous year: €8.2 million) despite an estimation that they are uncollectable.
| Unimpaired assets | Impaired assets | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amount before held collateral |
Reduction of the maximum default risk through held collateral |
Net carrying amount |
Gross carrying amount before held collateral |
Reduction of the maximum default risk through held collateral |
Net carrying amount |
|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
33,298,814 | — | 33,298,814 | — | — | — |
| Subordinated securities and receiv ables |
762,478 | — | 762,478 | — | — | — |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
10,333,568 | — | 10,333,568 | — | — | — |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 22,202,768 | — | 22,202,768 | — | — | — |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 24,983,270 | 20,568,340 | 4,414,930 | 247,840 | 206,348 | 41,492 |
| Subordinated securities and receiv ables |
166,051 | — | 166,051 | — | — | — |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
34,851 | — | 34,851 | — | — | — |
| Senior fixed-income securities | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Construction loans | 22,693,411 | 20,534,125 | 2,159,286 | 239,694 | 206,348 | 33,346 |
| Construction loans secured with a land charge (Grundpfandrecht) |
20,440,320 | 20,440,320 | — | 205,301 | 205,301 | — |
| Construction loans secured oth erwise |
93,805 | 93,805 | — | 1,047 | 1,047 | — |
| Unsecured construction loans | 2,159,286 | — | 2,159,286 | 33,346 | — | 33,346 |
| Other receivables | 2,088,957 | 34,215 | 2,054,742 | 8,146 | — | 8,146 |
| Other loans and advances | 1,794,718 | 34,215 | 1,760,503 | 8,146 | — | 8,146 |
| Miscellaneous receivables | 294,239 | — | 294,239 | — | — | — |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions |
283,212 | — | 283,212 | — | — | — |
| Irrevocable loan commit - ments |
1,399,642 | — | 1,399,642 | 4,546 | — | 4,546 |
| Unimpaired assets | Impaired assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amount before held collateral |
Reduction of the maximum default risk through held collateral |
Net carrying amount |
Gross carrying amount before held collateral |
Reduction of the maximum default risk through held collateral |
Net carrying amount |
|||
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | ||
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
32,761,045 | — | 32,761,045 | — | — | — | ||
| Subordinated securities and receivables |
679,050 | — | 679,050 | — | — | — | ||
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
10,968,049 | — | 10,968,049 | — | — | — | ||
| Senior fixed-income securities | 21,113,946 | — | 21,113,946 | — | — | — | ||
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 23,766,145 | 19,380,508 | 4,385,637 | 195,340 | 146,303 | 49,037 | ||
| Subordinated securities and receivables |
164,213 | — | 164,213 | — | — | — | ||
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
30,927 | — | 30,927 | — | — | — | ||
| Senior fixed-income securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Construction loans | 21,375,003 | 19,380,508 | 1,994,495 | 184,933 | 146,303 | 38,630 | ||
| Construction loans secured with a land charge (Grundpfandrecht) |
19,259,133 | 19,259,086 | 47 | 145,564 | 145,488 | 76 | ||
| Construction loans secured otherwise |
121,422 | 121,422 | — | 815 | 815 | — | ||
| Unsecured construction loans | 1,994,448 | — | 1,994,448 | 38,554 | — | 38,554 | ||
| Other receivables | 2,196,002 | — | 2,196,002 | 10,407 | — | 10,407 | ||
| Other loans and advances | 1,863,193 | — | 1,863,193 | 10,407 | — | 10,407 | ||
| Miscellaneous receivables | 332,809 | — | 332,809 | — | — | — | ||
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions |
282,923 | — | 282,923 | — | — | — | ||
| I r r e v o c a b l e l o a n commitments |
1,218,420 | — | 1,218,420 | 2,024 | — | 2,024 |
In customer lending business, we largely focus on construction financing loans for retail customers, which are secured with inrem collateral. Construction loans are mainly secured with first-rank land charges (Grundpfandrechte).
In addition, loans and advance payments on insurance policies are fully secured with life insurance policies.
There were no significant changes in the quality of collateral in the financial year.
Because of sufficient collateralisation, no risk provision was created in the financial year for gross carrying amounts totalling €8.1 million (previous year: €1.3 million).
The irrevocable loan commitments mainly relate to construction loans, which are primarily secured with land charges (Grundpfandrechte) or otherwise.
For financial instruments to which the impairment rules of IFRS 9 are not applied, their carrying amount corresponds to the maximum default risk.
The following table provides a breakdown of gross carrying amounts according to external and internal rating classes.
| AAA | AA | A | BBB | BB | B or worse |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
6,659,111 | 12,770,824 | 8,831,359 | 2,932,140 | 840,230 | 1,265,150 | 33,298,814 |
| Subordinated securities and receiv ables |
— | 72,176 | 526,276 | 163,059 | — | 967 | 762,478 |
| Level 1 | — | 72,176 | 526,276 | 163,059 | — | 967 | 762,478 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
3,391,345 | 4,115,246 | 2,288,175 | 514,907 | — | 23,895 | 10,333,568 |
| Level 1 | 3,391,345 | 4,115,246 | 2,288,175 | 514,907 | — | 23,895 | 10,333,568 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 3,267,766 | 8,583,402 | 6,016,908 | 2,254,174 | 840,230 | 1,240,288 | 22,202,768 |
| Level 1 | 3,267,766 | 8,583,402 | 6,016,908 | 2,254,174 | 745,177 | 1,200,418 | 22,067,845 |
| Level 2 | — | — | — | — | 95,053 | 39,870 | 134,923 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | — | 11,186 | 95,015 | 80,300 | — | 14,401 | 200,902 |
| Subordinated securities and receiv ables |
— | — | 85,751 | 80,300 | — | — | 166,051 |
| Level 1 | — | — | 85,751 | 80,300 | — | — | 166,051 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
— | 11,186 | 9,264 | — | — | 14,401 | 34,851 |
| Level 1 | — | 11,186 | 9,264 | — | — | 14,401 | 34,851 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions |
— | 251,633 | 30,127 | — | — | 1,452 | 283,212 |
| Level 1 | — | 251,633 | 30,127 | — | — | 1,452 | 283,212 |
| Total | 6,659,111 | 12,782,010 | 8,926,374 | 3,012,440 | 840,230 | 1,279,551 | 33,499,716 |
| Total | 14,512,482 | 10,618,896 | 3,049,200 | 3,782,691 | 491,516 | 501,400 | 32,956,185 |
| AAA | AA | A | BBB | BB | B or worse |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
14,512,482 | 10,597,646 | 2,970,414 | 3,687,587 | 491,516 | 501,400 | 32,761,045 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables |
— | — | 109,985 | 562,034 | 6,690 | 341 | 679,050 |
| Level 1 | — | — | 109,985 | 562,034 | 6,690 | 341 | 679,050 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
7,341,009 | 3,308,523 | 283,326 | 35,191 | — | — | 10,968,049 |
| Level 1 | 7,341,009 | 3,308,523 | 283,326 | 35,191 | — | — | 10,968,049 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 7,171,473 | 7,289,123 | 2,577,103 | 3,090,362 | 484,826 | 501,059 | 21,113,946 |
| Level 1 | 7,171,473 | 7,289,123 | 2,577,103 | 3,087,767 | 447,036 | 457,770 | 21,030,272 |
| Level 2 | — | — | — | 2,595 | 37,790 | 43,289 | 83,674 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | — | 21,250 | 78,786 | 95,104 | — | — | 195,140 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables |
— | — | 69,109 | 95,104 | — | — | 164,213 |
| Level 1 | — | — | 69,109 | 95,104 | — | — | 164,213 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
— | 21,250 | 9,677 | — | — | — | 30,927 |
| Level 1 | — | 21,250 | 9,677 | — | — | — | 30,927 |
| Reinsurers' portion of technical provisions |
— | 242,996 | 38,187 | — | — | 1,740 | 282,923 |
| Level 1 | — | 242,996 | 38,187 | — | — | 1,740 | 282,923 |
| Total | 14,512,482 | 10,618,896 | 3,049,200 | 3,782,691 | 491,516 | 501,400 | 32,956,185 |
| Internal rating: A1-A2 |
Internal rating: B1-B2 |
Internal rating C1-C2: |
Internal rating: D-H |
Internal rating: I-M |
Internal rating: worse than M |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 3,684,293 | 9,378,181 | 2,901,663 | 4,132,839 | 297,462 | 251,183 | 22,933,105 |
| Construction loans secured by a land charge (Grundpfandrecht) |
3,684,293 | 9,378,181 | 2,901,663 | 4,132,839 | 297,462 | 251,183 | 20,645,621 |
| Level 1 | 3,684,293 | 9,376,739 | 2,866,573 | 3,451,821 | 8,154 | – | 19,387,580 |
| Level 2 | – | 1,442 | 35,090 | 680,867 | 289,308 | 46,033 | 1,052,740 |
| Level 3 | – | – | – | 151 | – | 205,150 | 205,301 |
| Construction loans secured otherwise | – | 15,471 | 42,857 | 19,902 | 15,171 | 1,451 | 94,852 |
| Level 1 | – | 15,448 | 41,823 | 16,059 | 13,664 | – | 86,994 |
| Level 2 | – | 23 | 1,034 | 3,843 | 1,507 | 404 | 6,811 |
| Level 3 | – | – | – | – | – | 1,047 | 1,047 |
| Unsecured construction loans | 416,701 | 1,146,979 | 370,266 | 199,052 | 23,130 | 36,504 | 2,192,632 |
| Level 1 | 416,701 | 1,145,775 | 358,559 | 152,253 | 289 | – | 2,073,577 |
| Level 2 | – | 1,204 | 11,707 | 46,799 | 22,841 | 3,158 | 85,709 |
| Level 3 | – | – | – | – | – | 33,346 | 33,346 |
| Irrevocable loan commitments1 | 40,504 | 271,689 | 324,346 | 746,999 | 14,059 | 6,591 | 1,404,188 |
| Level 1 | 40,504 | 271,689 | 323,974 | 738,425 | 2,186 | – | 1,376,778 |
| Level 2 | – | – | 372 | 8,574 | 11,873 | 2,045 | 22,864 |
| Level 3 | – | – | – | – | – | 4,546 | 4,546 |
| Total | 3,724,797 | 9,649,870 | 3,226,009 | 4,879,838 | 311,521 | 257,774 | 24,337,293 |
1 Nominal value.
| Internal rating: A1-A2 |
Internal rating: B1-B2 |
Internal rating C1-C2: |
Internal rating: D-H |
Internal rating: I-M |
Internal rating: worse than M |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 2,150,528 | 8,691,701 | 4,549,385 | 3,585,077 | 252,170 | 175,836 | 21,559,936 |
| Construction loans secured by a land charge (Grundpfandrecht) |
2,150,528 | 8,691,701 | 4,549,385 | 3,585,077 | 252,170 | 175,836 | 19,404,697 |
| Level 1 | 2,150,528 | 8,690,441 | 4,483,121 | 2,839,282 | 13,387 | 54 | 18,176,813 |
| Level 2 | — | 1,260 | 66,264 | 745,795 | 238,783 | 30,218 | 1,082,320 |
| Level 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 145,564 | 145,564 |
| Construction loans secured otherwise | — | 8,629 | 40,446 | 53,373 | 18,470 | 1,319 | 122,237 |
| Level 1 | — | 8,629 | 38,110 | 46,933 | 13,025 | — | 106,697 |
| Level 2 | — | — | 2,336 | 6,440 | 5,445 | 504 | 14,725 |
| Level 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 815 | 815 |
| Unsecured construction loans | 291,160 | 650,507 | 672,008 | 314,573 | 56,031 | 48,723 | 2,033,002 |
| Level 1 | 291,160 | 649,171 | 630,969 | 236,889 | 280 | — | 1,808,469 |
| Level 2 | — | 1,336 | 41,039 | 77,597 | 55,633 | 10,374 | 185,979 |
| Level 3 | — | — | — | 87 | 118 | 38,349 | 38,554 |
| Irrevocable loan commitments1 | 41,907 | 151,619 | 277,919 | 721,774 | 20,213 | 7,012 | 1,220,444 |
| Level 1 | 41,907 | 151,587 | 277,771 | 715,040 | 2,524 | — | 1,188,829 |
| Level 2 | — | 32 | 148 | 6,734 | 17,689 | 4,988 | 29,591 |
| Level 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2,024 | 2,024 |
| Total | 2,192,435 | 8,843,320 | 4,827,304 | 4,306,851 | 272,383 | 182,848 | 22,780,380 |
In the W&W Group, life and health insurance business consists of life insurance (endowment and term insurance), annuity insurance, occupational disability insurance and health insurance. Life insurance portfolios mainly contain longterm contracts with discretionary surplus participation. Unit-linked endowment life insurance policies and annuity insurance policies are covered congruently by fund units attributable to the policies.
Reinsurance acceptance business is conducted to only a negligible extent.
Life insurance is characterised by the long duration of the commitments entered into, for which reason calculations are made using conservative assumptions.
Risks from life insurance business mainly consist of biometric risk, interest guarantee risk and cancellation and cost risk. The assessment of the interest guarantee risk is dealt with in detail in Note 45.
Biometric actuarial bases, such as mortality, life expectancy and invalidity probabilities, are subject both to short-term risks of fluctuation and error, as well as to longer-term change trends. We control these risks on an ongoing basis through actuarial analyses and tests. In terms of product development, we take potential changes into account through corresponding actuarial modelling.
With annuity insurance, the assessment of life expectancy (longevity risk) is of particular importance for the provision for future policy benefits. In addition to monitoring our own results, we also rely on the findings, notices and guidelines of the German Association of Actuaries (DAV) for the purposes of stabilising the information basis. In light of the fact that the trend in mortality improvement has not yet sufficiently attenuated, the life insurance companies, as in previous years, once again adjusted the safety margins for longevity risk in the provision for future policy benefits in the 2020 financial year. Prospective findings concerning mortality trends or a renewed adjustment of safety margins recommended by the DAV may in future lead to further additions to the provision for future policy benefits.
The responsible actuary has judged the actuarial bases to be reasonable. The findings and notices of the DAV and the supervisory authority did not result in any different appraisal in this regard. Internal reporting to the supervisory authority contains an annual comparison with actual events. Minor changes in assumptions with respect to the biometric factors, interest rates and costs on which calculations are based are absorbed by the safety margins built into the actuarial bases. In the event that expectations as to risks, costs and/or interest rates should change, the effect on net income is substantially lessened by adjusting the future surplus participation of policyholders.
Biometrics risks are limited by obtaining suitable reinsurance from reinsurance companies with pristine investment-grade ratings.
In life insurance, actuarial bases with high safety margins are used to calculate premiums in order to account for longevity. Safety margins that are no longer required are returned to customers in the form of surplus participation. Short-term fluctuations are offset by reducing or increasing the additions to the provision for premium refunds intended for future surplus participation. In the event of longer-term changes, surplus participation is adjusted accordingly, in addition.
An increase in mortality has a negative effect on mortality insurance policies (endowment and term life insurance), whereas it has a positive effect on annuity insurance policies. Currently expected mortality rates lead to distinctly positive risk results on account of the existing safety margins. In accordance with the mechanism described above, deviations from the expected value have only negligible effects on gross income and can even be absorbed in their entirety. This effect is further reduced by obtaining reinsurance. The safety margin for annuity insurance policies has been adjusted at a high level through additional strengthening of the provisions for longevity risk.
In the area of occupational disability insurance, invalidity probabilities are subject to medical and legal changes, as well as to social and economic trends. As measured against current expectations, the safety margins built into the calculation remain sufficient, meaning that positive results can be expected. Deviations from expectations that have appreciable effects on either gross or net income are not considered to be realistic.
In the area of health insurance, the risk resulting from the increase in per capita claims is limited by the ability to adjust premiums that were contractually agreed with customers.
Changed cancellation behaviour by customers can result in greater liquidity outflows than expected.
In the past, cancellation rates were subject to very negligible fluctuations, meaning that only slight changes have to be classified as realistic. The effect on both gross and net income is insignificant.
Moreover, negative effects on net income arise only in the initial years following contract conclusion, provided that claims not yet due against the policyholder are recognised that are no longer collectable following cancellation. A suitable impairment is created to account for cancellations. The creation of impairments is based on conservative assumptions stemming from the experience of previous years.
As a general rule, a surrender in later years has no effect on income, and in the case of cancellation penalties, there is even a positive effect on net income, since the released provisions correspond at least to the paid surrender value.
Unit-linked insurance policies are covered congruently by the corresponding funds. If additional guarantee commitments are made, they are taken into account in the provision for future policy benefits. Increases or decreases in cancellations do not lead to any appreciable effects on net income.
Concentrations of underwriting risk in life and health insurance result from regional risk concentrations, as well as from high risks associated with individually insured persons.
The life and health insurers manage regional risk concentrations by selling their insurance products throughout the country. The risk concentration from individually insured persons (cluster risk) is reduced by obtaining reinsurance from first-rate reinsurers in the area of life insurance.
Remaining risk concentrations result from the respectively insured risks, i.e. mortality, longevity and disability risk. For the purposes of illustrating the existing risk concentration, the following table breaks down the provision for future policy benefits by insured risk.
| Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Area of life insurance | 29,571,190 | 29,488,567 | 29,072,557 | 28,985,920 |
| Predominantly mortality risk | 10,206,300 | 10,206,300 | 10,659,463 | 10,659,463 |
| Predominantly longevity risk (annuities) | 18,051,317 | 18,050,831 | 17,191,744 | 17,191,413 |
| Predominantly disability risk | 1,313,573 | 1,231,436 | 1,221,350 | 1,135,044 |
| Area of health insurance | 997,129 | 997,129 | 887,170 | 887,170 |
| Total | 30,568,319 | 30,485,696 | 29,959,727 | 29,873,090 |
The following overview shows the primary insurers' gross provision for future policy benefits for insurance contracts by insured amount (for annuity policies, 12 times the annual annuity).
| Gross | Gross | |
|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
| Less than €0.5 million | 28,756,599 | 28,376,897 |
| €0.5 million to €1 million | 261,824 | 260,760 |
| €1 million to €5 million | 346,528 | 268,960 |
| €5 million to €15 million | 206,239 | 165,940 |
| Total | 29,571,190 | 29,072,557 |
With unit-linked life and annuity insurance, the investment risk is borne by policyholders. There is no market risk, since all contracts are congruently covered. Products are designed so as to ensure that a corresponding reserve is created for the parts of the premium needed to cover the guaranteed minimum benefit.
For dynamic hybrid products with guaranteed minimum benefits, there is a risk of monetisation should the price of the capital protection fund ("Wertsicherungsfonds") fall, in which case the investment risk is transferred to the insurance company. If the capital protection fund does not achieve the required capital protection commitment, the guarantee commitment provided by the insurance company becomes effective, in addition. Where the price rises, a liquidity risk may result through the shifting from other assets into the capital protection fund.
Exercise of the lump-sum option is influenced by factors specific to the policyholder. Where the guaranteed interest rate is high, rational financial behaviour by customers during times of low interest rates can lower the rate of exercise of the lump-sum option. As a result, the expected reduction of the interest rate guarantee exposure would no longer exist.
The annuitisation option is carried out at the rates applicable to new contracts. This option has no effect on the balance sheet or the income statement.
With all contracts with a surrender option, the provision for future policy benefits is at least as high as the surrender value. The same applies to the provision for future policy benefits to be created for premium-exempt benefits in the case of premium waivers.
In life insurance, the option to increase insurance benefits by paying a greater premium without a reevaluation of risk is generally carried out at the original actuarial interest rate, but based on prior experience, the policyholder's decision is more strongly influenced by the insurance character of the contract or by the expectation of higher interest through surplus participation. Although rational financial behaviour by customers during times of low interest rates can increase the interest rate guarantee exposure, the terms and conditions for newer rate generations dealing with the increase of insurance provide for the ability to carry out the increase using the current actuarial bases. In health insurance, the risk of a negative selection generated by the above-described option is taken into account through an option premium or through the way the option is structured.
For further remarks about the interest rate guarantee, please see Note 45 "Market price risks".
In the Property/Casualty Insurance segment, Württembergische Versicherung AG conducts primary insurance business for private and commercial customers with a key focus on Germany. In this regard, Württembergische Versicherung AG insures risks in the traditional business lines of general liability insurance, motor insurance, property insurance, legal expenses insurance, casualty insurance, transport and aviation insurance and credit and suretyship insurance.
Reinsurance acceptance business is conducted to only a negligible extent.
Underwriting risk arises from the uncertainty about future trends in claims and costs under concluded insurance contracts, as a consequence of which unexpected claim and benefit obligations can lead to a negative net income situation.
In the area of property insurance, underwriting risks are mainly of a short-term nature, since claim adjustment can usually happen quickly. In the case of serious personal injuries in the areas of general liability insurance, motor liability insurance and casualty insurance, the risks are also subject to exogenous developments, such as medical advances and the life expectancy associated with them. Moreover, they are influenced by developments involving statutory damage compensation and liability rules.
Risks are underwritten solely on the basis of actuarial and statistical analyses. This means that Württembergische Versicherung AG has built sufficient safety margins into its rates in order to cover risk fluctuations.
Expert actuarial opinions and regular simulation and stress calculations are used to review the adequacy of provisions. The results of this study led to the finding that Württembergische Versicherung AG has sufficient reserves in the area of property/casualty insurance.
If claims or costs trend contrary to expectations, this can have negative effects on the income statement.
Underwriting risks are measured using companyspecific stochastic models or statistical and analytical factoring models that are customary in the industry. Claim scenario analyses are also carried out.
Risk concentrations result primarily from locally high market shares and the risks insured under the various business lines. For the purposes of illustrating the existing risk concentrations, the following table breaks down the provision for claims by business line. In this regard, it is evident that the portfolio, which is characterised by a broadly diversified mix of business lines, contributes to a reduction of risk exposures.
| Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| General liability, corporate customers | 383,508 | 371,638 | 374,804 | 364,428 |
| Property insurance, corporate customers | 290,307 | 241,470 | 270,691 | 223,303 |
| General liability, retail customers | 85,772 | 84,428 | 77,910 | 76,570 |
| Other, retail customers | 2,033 | 2,033 | 1,997 | 1,997 |
| Motor liability | 1,094,242 | 986,507 | 1,072,833 | 973,507 |
| Other motor | 809 | 809 | 974 | 974 |
| Household | 18,170 | 17,966 | 16,513 | 16,135 |
| Legal protection | 193,120 | 193,026 | 179,165 | 179,165 |
| Partial cover | 4,671 | 4,362 | 5,980 | 5,243 |
| Casualty | 237,989 | 237,223 | 216,597 | 215,947 |
| Full cover | 52,792 | 51,466 | 60,973 | 58,237 |
| Residential building | 93,641 | 89,442 | 89,030 | 83,994 |
| Other | 238,775 | 226,488 | 224,476 | 214,134 |
| Total | 2,695,829 | 2,506,858 | 2,591,943 | 2,413,634 |
For further information about the management of underwriting risk in the W&W Group, please see the risk reporting in the Management Report.
Liquidity risk describes the risk that a company will be unable to procure the financial resources necessary to settle the commitments it has made. Liquidity risks may also result where a financial asset cannot be sold promptly and at short notice at its fair value or where liquid resources can be obtained only under terms less favourable than anticipated. Liquidity risk thus consists of insolvency risk, market liquidity risk and refinancing risk. The consolidated liquidity plan constitutes the basis for managing liquidity risk at the Group level. It is based on liquidity planning by the individual companies. Liquidity fluctuations are monitored with a signal system in order to ensure minimum liquidity.
The following presents a breakdown of the residual term to maturity of select financial instruments:
| Within 3 mont | 3 months to 1 year |
1 to 5 years | Later than 5 years |
Undefined maturity |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | ||||||
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
237,869 | 110,447 | 881,875 | 1,521,023 | – | 2,751,214 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test |
74,074 | 69,320 | 810,706 | 1,452,874 | – | 2,406,974 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 158,624 | 25,443 | 15,862 | 68,149 | – | 268,078 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 5,171 | 15,684 | 55,307 | – | – | 76,162 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
502,961 | 174,582 | 4,052,843 | 34,132,382 | – | 38,862,768 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 20,644 | – | 69,376 | 711,494 | – | 801,514 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
131,587 | 59,758 | 871,315 | 11,252,795 | – | 12,315,455 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 350,730 | 114,824 | 3,112,152 | 22,168,093 | – | 25,745,799 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 2,276,780 | 1,602,631 | 6,893,700 | 14,026,241 | 306,154 | 25,105,506 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 3,301 | 1,498 | 59,716 | 101,319 | – | 165,834 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
194 | 19,374 | 5,995 | 9,245 | – | 34,808 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Construction loans | 685,536 | 1,450,065 | 6,768,090 | 13,879,998 | 46,988 | 22,830,677 |
| Other receivables | 1,587,749 | 131,694 | 59,899 | 35,679 | 259,166 | 2,074,187 |
| Positive market values from hedges | 736 | 65 | 133 | 15,137 | – | 16,071 |
| Reinsurers' portion of techni - cal provisions |
32,370 | 55,027 | 94,969 | 72,356 | 23,325 | 278,047 |
The following presents a breakdown of the residual term to maturity of select financial instruments:
| Reinsurers' portion of techni - cal provisions |
28,978 | 47,791 | 105,481 | 68,865 | 24,949 | 276,064 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive market values from hedges | 9,750 | 2,722 | 23,769 | 52,753 | — | 88,994 |
| Other receivables | 1,692,093 | 189,230 | 47,228 | 42,463 | 249,530 | 2,220,544 |
| Construction loans | 850,116 | 1,744,246 | 7,058,157 | 11,803,608 | 37,062 | 21,493,189 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
616 | 9,996 | 10,989 | 9,297 | — | 30,898 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 3,384 | 6,983 | — | 97,400 | 56,211 | 163,978 |
| Financial assets at amortised cost | 2,546,209 | 1,950,455 | 7,116,374 | 11,952,768 | 342,803 | 23,908,609 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 618,799 | 132,827 | 2,208,888 | 19,966,785 | 177,031 | 23,104,330 |
| Senior debenture bonds and registered bonds |
244,614 | 46,259 | 845,199 | 11,848,159 | — | 12,984,231 |
| Subordinated securities and receivables | 11,734 | — | 60,553 | 647,922 | — | 720,209 |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
875,147 | 179,086 | 3,114,640 | 32,462,866 | 177,031 | 36,808,770 |
| Senior fixed-income securities | 26,1791 | 44,8881 | 93,4721 | 1,9121 | — | 166,4511 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 40,597 | 14,262 | 25,564 | 66,661 | — | 147,084 |
| Fixed-income financial instruments that do not pass the SPPI test |
34,2921 | 115,0741 | 437,6141 | 1,382,4991 | 70,549 | 2,040,0281 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
101,068 | 174,224 | 556,650 | 1,451,072 | 70,549 | 2,353,563 |
| in € thousands | ||||||
| Within 3 mont | year | 1 to 5 years | years | maturity | Total | |
| 3 months to 1 | Later than 5 | Undefined |
1 Prior-year figures adjusted. See the chapter "Changes in the presentation of the financial statements".
The following overview depicts the contractually agreed future gross distributions at the earliest possible date for the financial instruments in the portfolio as at the reporting date. For the liability items resulting from insurance contracts, the expected maturity structure is shown:
| Within 3 months |
3 months to 1 year |
1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years |
10 to 15 years |
15 to 20 years |
Later than 20 years |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
31,650 | — | 7,146 | 6,098 | 288 | — | — | 45,182 |
| Derivative financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
31,650 | — | 7,146 | 6,098 | 288 | — | — | 45,182 |
| Negative market values from hedges |
7,168 | — | 17,184 | 9,508 | 727 | — | — | 34,587 |
| Liabilities | 4,688,770 | 19,535,013 | 1,234,703 | 1,010,730 | 206,572 | 3,422 | 22,528 | 26,701,738 |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates |
80,526 | — | 429,529 | 834,889 | 72,063 | — | — | 1,417,007 |
| Liabilities to credit institu tions |
1,887,655 | 50,493 | 240,273 | 16,078 | 897 | 935 | 2,889 | 2,199,220 |
| Liabilities to customers | 2,443,425 | 19,403,520 | 495,988 | 152,519 | 131,103 | — | — | 22,626,555 |
| Deposits from home loan savings business and other savings deposits |
— | 19,403,520 | — | — | — | — | — | 19,403,520 |
| Savings deposits with agreed termination period |
104,851 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 104,851 |
| Other deposits | 2,338,574 | — | 495,988 | 152,519 | 131,103 | — | — | 3,118,184 |
| Down payments received | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lease liabilities | 4,006 | 14,266 | 51,226 | 3,582 | 2,006 | 2,005 | 15,858 | 92,949 |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | 273,158 | 66,734 | 17,687 | 3,662 | 503 | 482 | 3,781 | 366,007 |
| Subordinated capital | 24,074 | — | 71,815 | 173,192 | 62,312 | 62,346 | 292,937 | 686,676 |
| Profit participation certifi cates |
296 | — | 2,592 | — | — | — | — | 2,888 |
| Subordinated liabilities | 23,778 | — | 69,223 | 173,192 | 62,312 | 62,346 | 292,937 | 683,788 |
| Irrevocable loan commit ments |
1,349,109 | 20,473 | 31,349 | 3,257 | — | — | — | 1,404,188 |
| Total | 6,100,771 19,555,486 | 1,362,197 | 1,202,785 | 269,899 | 65,768 | 315,465 | 28,872,371 |
| Within 3 months |
3 months to 1 year |
1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years |
10 to 15 years |
15 to 20 years |
Later than 20 years |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Financial liabilities at fair | ||||||||
| value through profit or loss | 38,220 | 1,809 | 20,643 | 35,653 | 3,628 | 290 | — | 100,243 |
| Derivative financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss |
38,220 | 1,809 | 20,643 | 35,653 | 3,628 | 290 | — | 100,243 |
| Negative market values from hedges |
41,497 | — | 108,515 | 78,756 | 1,644 | 220 | — | 230,632 |
| Liabilities | 4,841,040 | 18,404,166 | 878,279 | 993,224 | 214,889 | 25,306 | 10,175 | 25,367,079 |
| Liabilities evidenced by certificates |
69,931 | — | 157,011 | 653,274 | 73,559 | — | — | 953,775 |
| Liabilities to credit institu tions |
1,970,468 | 18 | 227,025 | 58,737 | 106 | 101 | 1,965 | 2,258,420 |
| Liabilities to customers | 2,465,918 | 18,334,031 | 415,736 | 274,459 | 138,500 | 20,235 | — | 21,648,879 |
| Deposits from home loan savings business and other savings deposits |
— | 18,334,031 | — | — | — | — | — | 18,334,031 |
| Savings deposits with agreed termination period |
112,430 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 112,430 |
| Other deposits | 2,353,488 | — | 415,736 | 274,459 | 138,500 | 20,235 | — | 3,202,418 |
| Down payments received | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lease liabilities | 2,797 | 13,251 | 51,341 | 4,917 | 2,244 | 2,243 | 3,873 | 80,666 |
| Miscellaneous liabilities | 331,926 | 56,866 | 27,166 | 1,837 | 480 | 2,727 | 4,337 | 425,339 |
| Subordinated capital | 58,985 | — | 127,446 | 179,541 | 62,312 | 62,312 | 302,036 | 792,632 |
| Profit participation certifi cates |
296 | — | 592 | 2,148 | — | — | — | 3,036 |
| Subordinated liabilities | 58,689 | — | 126,854 | 177,393 | 62,312 | 62,312 | 302,036 | 789,596 |
| Irrevocable loan commit ments |
1,154,244 | 31,115 | 35,085 | — | — | — | — | 1,220,444 |
| Total | 6,133,986 18,437,090 | 1,169,968 | 1,287,174 | 282,473 | 88,128 | 312,211 | 27,711,030 |
For further information about the management of liquidity risk in the W&W Group, please see the risk reporting in the management report.
| Within 3 months |
3 months to 1 year |
1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years |
10 to 15 years |
15 to 20 years |
Later than 20 years |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 |
| Liabilities from reinsurance business |
16,076 | 198 | — | — | — | — | — | 16,274 |
| Liabilities to customers from direct insurance business |
236,100 | 56,285 | 146,068 | 88,378 | 54,903 | 34,159 | 48,460 | 664,353 |
| Technical provisions | 962,104 | 2,744,119 | 8,204,293 | 6,434,850 | 4,163,165 | 2,730,930 | 7,062,072 | 32,301,533 |
| Provision for future policy benefits by type of business operated as life insurance |
413,707 | 1,888,283 | 7,219,853 | 5,872,637 | 3,708,922 | 2,296,573 | 6,091,516 | 27,491,491 |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims |
521,620 | 730,467 | 733,899 | 248,716 | 148,946 | 140,122 | 172,058 | 2,695,828 |
| Provision for unit-linked insurance contracts |
26,567 | 91,063 | 250,541 | 313,497 | 305,297 | 294,235 | 798,498 | 2,079,698 |
| Other technical provisions | 210 | 34,306 | — | — | — | — | — | 34,516 |
| Total | 1,214,280 | 2,800,602 | 8,350,361 | 6,523,228 | 4,218,068 | 2,765,089 | 7,110,532 | 32,982,160 |
| Within 3 months |
3 months to 1 year |
1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years |
10 to 15 years |
15 to 20 years |
Later than 20 years |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Liabilities from reinsurance business |
18,394 | 316 | — | — | — | — | — | 18,710 |
| Liabilities to customers from direct insurance business |
244,010 | 52,900 | 131,449 | 92,322 | 61,074 | 38,636 | 58,162 | 678,553 |
| Technical provisions | 956,890 | 2,386,394 | 7,962,183 | 6,363,443 | 4,329,031 | 2,851,000 | 6,856,778 | 31,705,719 |
| Provision for future policy benefits by type of business operated as life insurance |
439,550 | 1,586,808 | 6,909,447 | 5,731,019 | 3,827,301 | 2,403,589 | 5,936,824 | 26,834,538 |
| Provision for outstanding insurance claims |
499,321 | 686,758 | 707,289 | 244,854 | 147,829 | 138,163 | 167,729 | 2,591,943 |
| Provision for unit-linked insurance contracts |
17,809 | 71,819 | 345,447 | 387,570 | 353,901 | 309,248 | 752,225 | 2,238,019 |
| Other technical provisions | 210 | 41,009 | — | — | — | — | — | 41,219 |
| Total | 1,219,294 | 2,439,610 | 8,093,632 | 6,455,765 | 4,390,105 | 2,889,636 | 6,914,940 | 32,402,982 |
As the holding company, W&W AG manages the capital resources of the W&W Group. On the one hand, it collects dividends and transfers of profit or loss; on the other hand, it carries out capital measures, such as capital increases and decreases, and makes loans to Group companies.
The objectives of capital management are an efficient allocation of and an adequate return on IFRS equity. In order to ensure this, claims to income or loss are derived for the individual subsidiaries based on a minimum return on the respective IFRS equity.
As at 31 December 2020, the equity of the W&W Group according to IFRS amounted to €5,085.2 million (previous year: €4,835.1 million). The changes in the individual equity components are depicted in Note 25 "Equity".
Other objectives of capital management are, on the one hand, ensuring risk-bearing capacity on the basis of the internal risk-bearing capacity model of the W&W Group and, on the other hand, meeting the minimum regulatory capital requirements set forth in, among other things, the provisions of the EU Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), the German Banking Act (KWG), the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG) and the German Act on the Supervision of Financial Conglomerates (FKAG).
Another capital requirement is that the W&W Group as a whole, as well as the individual subsidiaries and W&W AG, maintain sufficient regulatory capital. In connection with efficient capital management, the W&W Group moreover deploys subordinated capital in order to satisfy supervisory requirements concerning solvency.
Internally, the W&W Group has set target solvency ratios for the large subsidiaries and W&W AG, as well as at the level of the Solvency II group and the financial conglomerate, that are considerably in excess of current statutory requirements in order to ensure the continued high stability of the groups and of the individual companies.
We provide further remarks about our capital management and its objectives in the risk report in the combined management report.
W&W AG and the W&W Group's insurance companies and credit and financial services institutions are subject at the company level to supervision by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the Deutsche Bundesbank pursuant to the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG), the German Banking Act (KWG), the EU Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) and the German Act on the Supervision of Financial Conglomerates (FKAG), as well as to the respective rules applicable in the country of registration of the W&W Group's supervised foreign companies. This supervision results in requirements concerning the capital resources of these companies.
W&W AG ensures that all supervised subsidiaries maintain, at a minimum, the capital resources that they require in order to satisfy regulatory requirements. In this respect, in accordance with supervisory laws, equity and subordinated capital form the basis for such capital management.
In the case of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, subordinated liabilities are allocated to regulatory capital pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.
In the case of Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, subordinated liabilities are allocated to regulatory capital pursuant to Section 89 (3) No. 2 of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG).
As at the reporting date, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG fulfilled the regulatory capital requirements. As at 31 December 2020, the total capital ratio of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG was 17.7% (previous year:2020 19.1%). As at the reporting date, the regulatory coverage ratios of the insurance companies that belong to the Group were likely well above 100%. The final results will be published in the second quarter of 2021 in the Solvency and Financial Conditions Reports (SFCR). The ratios calculated as at 31 December 2019 were reported to BaFin in the second quarter of 2020.20192020 They amounted to 395.3% for Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, to 521.8% for Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and to 181.1% for Württembergische Versicherung AG. Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG received approval from BaFin to apply transitional measures for technical provisions, and it is currently applying them.
In addition to supervision at the level of the individual company, W&W Group companies are also subject to sectoral supervision by BaFin at the consolidated level. For instance, W&W AG and its insurance companies constitute a Solvency II group. In addition, BaFin has classified the W&W Group as a financial conglomerate.
Moreover, until the middle of the year, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, as a financial holding company, was the superordinate undertaking of the financial holding group. With the revision and entry into force of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR II), and in combination with structural changes within the Group, such as the sale of credit institutions, Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG applied with BaFin in June 2020 for elimination of the financial holding group. This application was approved by letter of 22 July 2020. The final supervisory notifications for the financial holding group were submitted as at the reporting date of 30 June 2020.
W&W AG and the W&W Group's insurance companies constitute a Solvency II group. As at the reporting date, the regulatory coverage ratio was likely well above 100%. The final results will be published in the second quarter 2021 in the Solvency and Financial Condition Report (SFCR). The ratio for the previous year, which stood at 238.4%, was reported to BaFin in the second quarter of 2019.2020
As the superordinate undertaking of the financial conglomerate, W&W AG must ensure that the regulatory requirements for financial conglomerates are satisfied. These requirements include, among other things, that the W&W Group financial conglomerate maintains sufficient capital resources to satisfy minimum regulatory requirements at all times. As at the reporting date, the coverage ratio was likely well above 100%. In the previous year, the coverage ratio stood at 234.1% as at 31 December 2019.2019
Internal calculations on the basis of the data for and on the basis of the planning for 2021 and 2022 show that the regulatory requirements concerning capital resources can be more than satisfied in the financial conglomerate and in the Solvency II group in the future as well.2020
Please see our depiction in the risk report in the Group Management Report.
Please see the combined management report with respect to the current ratings of the W&W Group.
The following table presents a breakdown of revenues by type, as well as a reconciliation with the respective reporting segment.
| Life and | Property/ | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | Health Insurance |
Casualty Insurance |
All other segments |
Consolidation/ reconciliation |
Total | |
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
| Commission revenue | 89,040 | 13,603 | 14,658 | 45,079 | –66,389 | 95,991 |
| from home loan savings business | 32,697 | — | — | 1,729 | — | 34,426 |
| from brokering activities | 52,396 | 13,603 | 14,658 | 1,440 | –25,080 | 57,017 |
| from investment business | — | — | — | 41,000 | –37,744 | 3,256 |
| from other business | 3,947 | — | — | 910 | –3,565 | 1,292 |
| Net other operating income/expense | 7,087 | 477 | 5,192 | 37,578 | –2,759 | 47,575 |
| Disposal revenue from inventories (property development business) |
— | — | — | 22,342 | — | 22,342 |
| Disposal revenue from property, plant and equipment |
15 | — | — | 94 | — | 109 |
| Disposal revenue from intangible assets | — | — | — | 250 | — | 250 |
| Other revenue | 7,072 | 477 | 5,192 | 14,892 | –2,759 | 24,874 |
| Net income from disposals | — | 115,200 | — | — | — | 115,200 |
| Disposal revenue from investment property | — | 115,200 | — | — | — | 115,200 |
| Total | 96,127 | 129,280 | 19,850 | 82,657 | –69,148 | 258,766 |
| Type of revenue recognition | ||||||
| satisfied at a point in time | 68,022 | 129,280 | 19,850 | 46,046 | –46,115 | 217,083 |
| satisfied over time | 28,105 | — | — | 36,611 | –23,033 | 41,683 |
| Total | 96,127 | 129,280 | 19,850 | 82,657 | –69,148 | 258,766 |
| Life and | Property/ | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health | Casualty | All other | Consolidation/ | |||
| Housing | Insurance | Insurance | segments | reconciliation | Total | |
| 1.1.2019 to | 1.1.2019 to | 1.1.2019 to | 1.1.2019 to | 1.1.2019 to | 1.1.2019 to | |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Commission revenue | 99,312 | 15,243 | 15,677 | 49,977 | —72,543 | 107,666 |
| from home loan savings business | 29,585 | — | — | 6,443 | —8 | 36,020 |
| from brokering activities | 65,580 | 14,630 | 15,677 | 2,553 | —31,599 | 66,841 |
| from investment business | — | — | — | 40,356 | —37,160 | 3,196 |
| from other business | 4,147 | 613 | — | 625 | —3,776 | 1,609 |
| Net other operating income/expense | 18,169 | 591 | 5,435 | 101,615 | —2,792 | 123,018 |
| Disposal revenue from inventories (property development business) |
— | — | — | 78,627 | — | 78,627 |
| Disposal revenue from property, plant and equipment |
— | — | — | 315 | — | 315 |
| Other revenue | 18,169 | 591 | 5,435 | 22,673 | —2,792 | 44,076 |
| Net income from disposals | — | 204,060 | — | — | — | 204,060 |
| Disposal revenue from investment property | — | 204,060 | — | — | — | 204,060 |
| Total | 117,481 | 219,894 | 21,112 | 151,592 | —75,335 | 434,744 |
| Type of revenue recognition | ||||||
| satisfied at a point in time | 92,069 | 219,894 | 21,112 | 113,890 | —52,994 | 393,971 |
| satisfied over time | 25,412 | — | — | 37,702 | —22,341 | 40,773 |
| Total | 117,481 | 219,894 | 21,112 | 151,592 | —75,335 | 434,744 |
In home loan savings business, commission revenue mainly consists of fees that are collected for the administration of home loan savings contracts, such as account maintenance fees, as well as for payment transactions. The fees received for account maintenance are recognised in the income statement over time in the course of the ongoing provision of the service. The other fees are recognised as commission revenue at the point in time at which the one-time service is completed.
Commission revenue from brokering activities for our own banking/home loan savings products and those of other entities, as well as for the insurance products of other entities, is recognised in the income statement at the point in time at which the respective brokering service is completed. Portfolio commissions for brokering services relating to investment units are recognised in the income statement at the time of contract fulfilment.
Commission revenue from investment business consists of advisory services with respect to the purchase of investment fund units.
In property development business, disposal revenue is mainly generated from the construction and sale of residential housing units. This revenue is recognised in the income statement at a point in time based on the progress of the construction of the sold residential housing unit, as well as on the contractually specified down payments that are received. Furthermore, pursuant to IAS 2, the associated residential units that are currently under construction or have not yet been turned over to customers are carried under inventories at the cost of purchase or manufacture and then recognised upon sale as an expense under "Other operating expenses". In the case of new construction, the property developer is required to provide a five-year warranty for each purchased residential unit.
Disposal revenue from investment property is recognised at the time of transfer of ownership and relates exclusively to properties of life and health insurers.
Receivables from contracts with customers primarily consisted of fees owed by home loan savings customers in the amount of €11.1 million (previous year: €9.4 million) and receivables from property development business in the amount of €5.4 million (previous year: €16.8 million), and they are included in the item "Financial assets at amortised cost" (sub-items "Other receivables"). Impairment expenses amounted to €4.4 million (previous year: €3.9 million) for loan and advances to home loan savings customers and to €0.0 million (previous year: €3.0 million) for receivables from property development business.
In the area of property development business relating to the construction and sale of residential housing units, down payments received amounted to €0.0 million (previous year: €35.8 million). 0,0 35,8 Revenue from property development business was recognised in the reporting period in the amount of €35.8 million (previous year: €19.6 million), which was included at the start of the period in the liability balance under the sub-item for down payments received. 35,8 19,6 The rise in down payments received was attributable to the advanced state of construction in property development projects.
In addition, business activities in the other divisions did not result in any contract assets or contract liabilities.
At the end of the reporting period, there were unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied customer contracts in property development business, since the anticipated time required to construct residential housing units is normally somewhat longer than one year. This did not result in a material aggregate amount of the transaction price being allocated to unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations.
No significant judgments were made.
Contract costs are incurred solely in the area of property development business in the form of commissions paid for the sale of building plots and self-constructed residential housing units. Such contract costs are capitalised and then amortised in installments over the period of the service provision. As at the reporting date, contract costs amounted to €0.6 million (previous year: 0,6 2,0€2.0 million). Amortisation amounts totalled €1.4 million (previous year: 1,4 0,2 €0.2 million).
Currency translation – with the exception of currency translation involving financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss – generated total currency income in the amount of €21.5 million (previous year: €20.0 million) and currency expenses in the amount of €48.5 million (previous year: €10.36 million).
The W&W Group leases properties, vehicles and EDP equipment for own use, as well as investment properties.
Most of the properties for own use have indefinite terms. Renewal options exist in some cases. Price adjustment clauses are likewise agreed to, which are based on the consumer price index. There are normally no purchase options. EDP equipment and vehicles have fixed terms of up to three years. Investment properties have terms of up to 99 years.
The following overview shows the changes in right-of-use assets in the consolidated balance sheet from 1 January to 31 December 2019 and 2020.
| Investment | Property for | EDP equip | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| property | own use | Vehicles | ment | Total | |
| in € thousands | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 |
| Carrying amounts as at 1 January | 9,408 | 76,779 | 3,436 | 2,752 | 92,375 |
| Additions | 1,185 | 2,098 | 911 | — | 4,194 |
| Disposals | — | –391 | –30 | — | –421 |
| Classified as held for sale (carrying amount) | — | –4,220 | –298 | — | –4,518 |
| Scheduled depreciation | –175 | –14,451 | –1,596 | –1,065 | –17,287 |
| Classified as held for sale (impairment) | — | 1,182 | 125 | — | 1,307 |
| As at 31 December | 10,418 | 60,997 | 2,548 | 1,687 | 75,650 |
| Investment property |
Property for own use |
Vehicles | EDP equip ment |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 |
| Carrying amounts as at 1 January | 10,418 | 60,997 | 2,548 | 1,687 | 75,650 |
| Additions | 5,177 | 9,625 | 1,127 | 8,459 | 24,388 |
| Disposals | — | –3 | –14 | –1,711 | –1,728 |
| Scheduled depreciation | –103 | –17,299 | –1,608 | –1,773 | –20,783 |
| As at 31 December | 15,492 | 53,320 | 2,053 | 6,662 | 77,527 |
Recognised in the consolidated income statement were interest expenses from lease liabilities in the amount of €1.4 million (previous year: €1.6 million) and expenses for short-term leases in the amount of €0.1 million (previous year: €0.2 million).
Recognised under "Property for own use" are, in particular, the properties located at Friedrich-Scholl-Platz 1 in Karlsruhe, Germany, and at Presselstraße 10 in Stuttgart, Germany, which were sold in the 2011 and 2018 financial year, respectively, and then leased back for continued own use (known as sale-and-leaseback transactions).
The lease for the property at Friedrich-Scholl-Platz 1 in Karlsruhe has a term of 15 years and cannot be terminated. Also agreed upon was a one-time lease renewal option for a fixed term of five years. If the lessee intends to exercise the option, it must give the lessor notice thereof 16 months prior to expiry of the lease term. Moreover, the lease contains a general prospective price adjustment clause, which is based on how the consumer price index changes. In addition, neither a repurchase option nor contingent lease payments or restrictions were agreed to. Most of the property is used within the Group. A portion has been subleased outside the Group. This sublease is expected to generate future minimum payments of €5.2 million (previous year: €6.2 million).
The lease for the property on Presselstraße has a term of five years and cannot be terminated. Also agreed upon was a one-time lease renewal option for a fixed term of five years. If the lessee intends to exercise the option, it must give the lessor notice thereof six months prior to expiry of the lease term. Furthermore, the lease provides for annual rent in-creases of 3% from 1 January 2020. In addition, neither a repurchase option nor contingent lease payments or restrictions were agreed to. The property is used within the Group.
Payment outflows under leases in the amount of €21.1 million were recognised in the cash flow statement (previous year: €18.8 million).
For an analysis of the remaining term to maturity of lease liabilities, please see Note 48 "Liquidity risk".
We are the lessor under operating leases for investment property. Many of the leases entered into have open-ended terms. Some, however, have fixed terms. With regard to commercial properties, price adjustment clauses are regularly agreed to, which are based on the consumer price index. With regard to residential properties, such agreements have been entered into for properties that have been acquired since 2012 and for those that have undergone high-quality renovations. Rental income amounted to €115.0 million (previous year: €124.8 million). Variable rent payments recognised as income amounted to €1.4 million (previous year: €1.4 million).
| Lessor - operating leases | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Within 1 year | 79,647 | 83,127 | |
| 1 to 2 years | 65,983 | 69,912 | |
| 2 to 3 years | 61,649 | 63,031 | |
| 3 to 4 years | 51,131 | 58,683 | |
| 4 to 5 years | 41,045 | 46,784 | |
| Later than 5 years | 290,707 | 255,022 | |
| Total | 590,162 | 576,559 |
A finance lease under which we are the lessor is in place for the portion of the property at Friedrich-Scholl-Platz 1 in Karlsruhe which has been subleased outside the Group. The lease receivables from this sublease are due as follows:
| Lessor - finance leases | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Within 1 year | 1,032 | 1,032 | |
| 1 to 2 years | 1,032 | 1,032 | |
| 2 to 3 years | 1,032 | 1,032 | |
| 3 to 4 years | 1,032 | 1,032 | |
| 4 to 5 years | 1,032 | 1,032 | |
| Later than 5 years | — | 1,032 | |
| Gross investment value (also net investment value) | 5,160 | 6,192 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Contingent liabilities | 1,919,106 | 2,110,199 |
| from deposit protection funds | 296,653 | 347,501 |
| from sureties and warranties | 10,141 | 10,148 |
| from capital contribution calls not yet made | 1,375,104 | 1,388,257 |
| from contractual obligations to buy and build investment property | 62,880 | 107,631 |
| from contractual obligations to buy and build property, plant and equipment | 172,700 | 239,700 |
| Other contingent liabilities | 1,628 | 16,962 |
| Other obligations | 1,404,188 | 1,220,444 |
| Irrevocable loan commitments | 1,404,188 | 1,220,444 |
| Total | 3,323,294 | 3,330,643 |
Pursuant to Sections 221 et seq. of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG), German life insurers are required to be members of a protection fund. Pursuant to Section 221 (2) VAG, ARA Pensionskasse AG joined the protection fund for life insurers as a voluntary member. Based on the German Protection Fund Financing Regulation (Life), the protection fund for life insurers levies annual contributions of not more than 0.02% of total net technical provisions until a protection fund of 0,1% of total net technical provisions has been built up. The Group is not subject to any future obligations from this.
In addition, the protection fund can levy special contributions equal to an additional 0,1% of total net technical provisions. This corresponds to an obligation of €29.4 million (previous year: €34.5 million).
Following the underwriting of insurance contracts, the protection fund for health insurers can levy special contributions of not more than 0,2% of total net technical provisions in order to fulfil its duties. This resulted in a payment obligation of €2.3 million (previous year: €2.1 million).
In addition, the W&W Group's life insurers and pension funds have undertaken to provide the protection fund or, alternatively, Protektor Lebensversicherungs AG with financial resources in the event that the resources of the protection fund are insufficient in the case of a reorganisation. The obligation amounts to 1% of total net technical provisions, with off-setting of the contributions that have previously been made to the protection fund to date. Including the abovementioned payment obligation of 1%, the total obligation as at the reporting date amounted to €264.9 million (previous year: €310.9 million).
As at 31 December 2020, obligations for capital contribution calls not yet made as relate to investments in the W&W Group amounted to €1,375.1 million (previous year: €1,388.3 million).
Irrevocable loan commitments consisted of remaining obligations under loans and credit lines that have been granted but not yet drawn down or fully drawn down. The risk of a change in interest rates is low for irrevocable loan commitments due to their short terms.
Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG is a member of Entschädigungseinrichtung deutscher Banken GmbH, which is a company that operates the compensation scheme established by the Association of German Banks. Furthermore, Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG is a member of Bausparkassen-Einlagensicherungsfonds e.V., which is an association that operates the deposit protection fund established by the Association of Private Home Loan and Savings Banks. As a result of participation in the compensation scheme and the deposit protection funds, member institutions are obligated to provide additional funding when necessary.
In connection with the sale of Wüstenrot Bank Pfandbriefbank AG, the buyer has various claims against W&W AG under guarantees. As a rule, the claims are limited to a maximum liability and become time-barred in the short to medium term. There are currently no indications of any claims that will exceed the created provisions.
As a result of membership in Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V., which is an association that assists road accident victims through a guarantee fund established by German motor liability insurers, the W&W Group is obligated to provide this association with the resources necessary for carrying out its purpose. The amount that it is required to pay in each year is determined by its share of the premium revenue that member companies earned from direct insurance in the calendar year before last.
Employees who joined one of the two sponsoring undertakings, Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, prior to 1 January 2002 could be accepted as members in the pension fund Pensionskasse der Württembergischen VVaG (WürttPK). Being a legally independent, regulated pension fund, WürttPK is subject to supervision by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). WürttPK benefits are financed through contributions by members and subsidies by the sponsoring undertakings. Pursuant to their articles of association, Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung are obligated to pay subsidies. In accordance with the business plan, the sponsoring undertakings handle administration at no cost. In addition, there is secondary liability in some cases under the German Occupational Pensions Act (BetrAVG).
With regard to the calculation of tax refund claims and tax debts made as at the reporting date, it cannot be ruled out that the fiscal authorities will take a different position. In addition, the outcome of pending tax proceedings, both in and out of court, cannot be determined or predicted. Additional liabilities and receivables may need to be recognised in this area whose occurrence is not overwhelming likely, meaning that no corresponding liabilities and receivables were created.
Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG indemnified the pension institutions Versorgungseinrichtung Karlsruhe e.V. (VeK) and AVM – Arbeitnehmer Vorsorge Management – überbetriebliche Unterstützungskasse e.V. against claims for compensation of damages resulting from a mistake in the processing of the insurance contracts of the sponsoring undertakings.
Pursuant to an existing waiver of recourse and indemnification agreement, in the event that the company is sued as a result of an agent having provided faulty advice in connection with the brokering of an insurance product that the company sells, the company has agreed to waive potential recourse claims against the agent, unless the agent acted wilfully and the damage is covered by liability insurance. With respect to the agent's own liability in connection with the brokering of insurance or financial services products offered by an insurance company of the W&W Group, by a collaboration partner of one of these insurance companies or in the course of further advice for one of these companies or collaboration partners, the company has also agreed to provide an indemnity in the event faulty advice was provided. The minimum insurance cover is limited to €200 thousand per claim and a total of €300 thousand per year and, for damages in connection with faulty advice provided in insurance brokering, to €1,300 thousand per claim and €1,900 thousand per year.
The supreme controlling company is Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, Germany.
Natural persons considered to be related parties pursuant to IAS 24 are members of the key management personnel (the Management Board and Supervisory Board of W&W AG) and their close family members. For disclosures concerning the remuneration of the members of management in key positions, please see the remuneration report (Note 56).
Transactions with related persons of W&W AG were carried out in connection with the normal business activity of Group companies. This mainly had to do with business relationships in the areas of home loan savings business and life, health and property insurance.
All transactions were at arm's length and/or took place at preferential terms customary in the industry.
As at 31 December 2020, receivables from related persons amounted to €183 thousand (previous year: €598 thousand), and liabilities to related persons amounted to €591 thousand (previous year: €750 thousand). In 2020 interest income from loans made to related persons amounted to €10 thousand (previous year: €18 thousand), and interest expenses for savings deposits of related persons amounted to €17 thousand (previous year: €6 thousand). In the 2020 financial year, premiums in the amount of €61 thousand (previous year: €50 thousand) were paid by related persons for insurance policies in the areas of life, health and property insurance.
The W&W Group is a party to various services agreements with unconsolidated W&W AG subsidiaries and other related W&W AG companies, inter alia, in the area of investment management. Wüstenrot Holding AG and W&W AG are parties to a brand name transfer and use agreement. As at 31 December 2020, a financial liability was owed to Wüstenrot Holding AG under this agreement in the amount of €13.1 million (previous year: €15.1 million). W&W AG makes fixed annual amortisation payments (principal and interest) to Wüstenrot Holding AG in the amount of €2.5 million, plus value-added tax.
Wüstenrot Stiftung Gemeinschaft der Freunde Deutscher Eigenheimverein e.V., which is a charitable foundation, as well as Wüstenrot Holding AG, WS Holding AG and Pensionskasse der Württembergischen VVaG are recognised under "Other related parties" as the post-employment benefit plan for the benefit of employees.
The transactions were at arm's length.
As of the reporting date, the open balances from transactions with related companies were as follows:
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial assets with respect to related companies | 141,341 | 176,912 |
| Unconsolidated subsidiaries | 115,765 | 151,925 |
| Other related parties | 25,576 | 24,987 |
| Financial liabilities with respect to related companies | 144,200 | 194,752 |
| Unconsolidated subsidiaries | 45,765 | 73,889 |
| Associated companies | 70,220 | 80,442 |
| Other related parties | 28,215 | 40,421 |
As at the reporting date, the open transactions with related companies of W&W AG in its capacity as Group parent company amounted to €0.6 million (previous year: €0.6 million) on the assets side and to €16.0 million (previous year: €17.9 million) on the liabilities side.
Income and expenses from transactions with related companies were as follows:
| in € thousands | 1.1.2020 bis 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 bis 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Income from transactions with related companies | 51,823 | 49,406 |
| Affiliated undertakings | 1 | 1 |
| Unconsolidated subsidiaries | 49,673 | 47,289 |
| Associated companies | 30 | 7 |
| Other related parties | 2,119 | 2,109 |
| Expenses from transactions with related companies | –64,489 | –92,849 |
| Unconsolidated subsidiaries | –52,109 | –49,545 |
| Associated companies | –205 | –205 |
| Other related parties | –12,175 | –43,099 |
In the previous year, expenses from transactions with related companies included under "Other related parties" a voluntary subsidy in the amount of €27.0 million paid to Pensionskasse der Württembergischen VVaG.
In the reporting year, income from transactions with related companies of W&W AG in its capacity as Group parent company amounted to €1.2 million (previous year: €1.6 million) and expenses to €4.2 million (previous year: €4.4 million).
The outlines of the remuneration system are depicted in detail in the remuneration report contained in the management report. The following remarks contain the disclosures required under Section 314 (1) No. 6 of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
Total remuneration was examined by the Supervisory Board, and it bears a reasonable relationship to the duties and performance of Executive Board members, as well as to the company's condition.
Total remuneration paid to Executive Board members during the reporting year for performing their duties at Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG amounted to €3,823.0 thousand (previous year: €3,468.9 thousand) and is composed of the following elements:
| Non-performance Term of related remune office ends ration |
Performance-rela ted remuneration (short term) |
Performance related remunera tion (from previous years) |
Ancillary benefits | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| Active members of the Executive Board |
|||||||||||
| Jürgen A. Junker | 03/2026 | 1,040.0 | 1,040.0 | 109.2 | 117.6 | 134.1 | 81.2 | 140.2 | 146.8 | 1,423.5 | 1,385.6 |
| Dr Michael Gutjahr | 08/2020 | 377.2 | 565.8 | 35.9 | 58.5 | 78.6 | 80.7 | 11.5 | 18.0 | 503.2 | 723.0 |
| Alexander Mayer | 08/2025 | 450.7 | — | 44.4 | — | 20.0 | — | 12.1 | — | 527.2 | — |
| Jürgen Steffan | 06/2024 | 535.0 | 483.8 | 56.7 | 41.9 | 40.7 | 97.9 | 11.4 | 14.1 | 643.8 | 637.7 |
| Jens Wieland | 06/2025 | 565.8 | 565.8 | 79.6 | 78.6 | 58.0 | 55.6 | 21.9 | 22.6 | 725.3 | 722.6 |
| Total | 2,968.7 | 2,655.4 | 325.8 | 296.6 | 331.4 | 315.4 | 197.1 | 201.5 | 3,823.0 | 3,468.9 | 2,754.5 |
Of the ancillary benefits, remuneration for work as members of the Supervisory Board in the Group companies amounted to €120.0 thousand (previous year: €128.2 thousand).
Sustained performance-related remuneration for a prior financial year was earned with the close of the year 2020. This consisted, on the one hand, of remuneration from employment relationships with the insurance companies for the 2017 financial year, since in the years 2018 to 2020 the W&W Group posted average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a. and did not post a loss in any of the three years. On the other, for their work at Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Dr Michael Gutjahr and Jürgen Steffan earned remuneration for the 2017 to 2019 financial years in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV). This performance-related remuneration will be disbursed in 2021.
In addition to the earned performance-related remuneration shown in the above table, contingent claims to disbursement of performance-related remuneration for the years 2018 to 2020 were acquired (in each case, the amount of performance-related remuneration not yet disbursed). Disbursement is made only if the aforementioned conditions occur or do not occur in the years 2021 to 2023. Moreover, in the case of Dr Michael Gutjahr and Jürgen Steffan, the variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG is disbursed in instalments until 2026, in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applicable to major institutions. For 2020 the final amount will not be calculated until the Supervisory Board has ascertained whether targets were achieved.
Performance-related remuneration for the 2019 financial year, which was disbursed in 2020 after ascertaining the degree to which targets were achieved, resulted in a release totalling €0.9 thousand (previous year: 0,9 expense of €8.9 thousand). 8,9 The amount consists of an expense for Jürgen A. Junker in the amount of €1.2 thousand (previous year: €4.0 thousand) and for Alexander Mayer in the amount of €1.7 thousand (previous year: €0.0) and releases for Dr Michael Gutjahr in the amount of €0.8 thousand (previous year: expense of €4.5 thousand), for Jürgen Steffan in the
amount of €0.3 thousand (previous year: €0.0) and for Jens Wieland in the amount of €2.8 thousand (previous year: €0.4 thousand).
In the 2019 financial year, provisions in the amount of €335.2 thousand (previous year: €296.6 thousand) were created for acquired contingent claims against the insurance companies to disbursement in 2023 of performance-related remuneration for the 2019 financial year, as well as for the acquired contingent claims of Dr Michael Gutjahr and Jürgen Steffan against Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG until 2026. Since Jens Wieland is paid his performance-related remuneration in full by W&W Informatik GmbH and W&W Service GmbH after ascertainment in the following year of the degree to which targets were achieved, meaning that there are no contingent claims against these companies, the amount of the provisions for contingent claims is lower than for short-term performance-related remuneration. After achievement of targets was ascertained, an expense was incurred in the amount of €0.2 thousand (previous year: €10.1 thousand).
Aside from that, Group companies did not grant or pay any other remuneration that was not disbursed, remuneration converted into claims of another nature, remuneration used to increase other claims or other remuneration that to date has not been indicated in any annual financial statements.
The present value of pensions attributable to the Group amounted to €9,572.1 thousand (previous year: €7,213.2 thousand). Of this amount, attributable to Dr Michael Gutjahr is the amount of €4,680.3 thousand (previous year: €4,339.9 thousand), based on a retirement age of 61, and to Jürgen A. Junker the amount of €996.1 thousand (previous year: €714.6 thousand), to Jürgen Steffan the amount of €1,510.9 thousand (previous year: €1,344.2 thousand) and to Jens Wieland the amount of €1,004.7 thousand (previous year: €814.6 thousand), in each case based on a retirement age of 65. These benefits have to do with long-term post-employment benefits. Additions during the financial year attributable to the Group amounted to €1,207.8 thousand (previous year: €1,547.7 thousand). Of these additions, attributable to Jürgen A. Junker is the amount of €281.5 thousand (previous year: €329.0 thousand), to Alexander Mayer the amount of €228.9 thousand (previous year: €0), to Dr Michael Gutjahr the amount of €340.4 thousand (previous year: €524.3 thousand), to Jürgen Steffan the amount of €166.7 thousand (previous year: €435.0 thousand) and to Jens Wieland the amount of €190.1 thousand (previous year: €259.4 thousand).
133,0The pension of Dr Michael Gutjahr amounted to €136.7 thousand (previous year: €133.0 thousand), whereby the pension is offset by occupational pension benefits against third parties. 136,7 Because Dr Gutjahr may claim his pension when his term of office expires, he has no claim to a transitional allowance.
Past service cost was not incurred. No benefits were promised or granted in the financial year or in the previous year by a third party to a member of the Executive Board for his work.
The company did not grant any loans to members of the Executive Board. No liabilities were entered into in favour of Executive Board members.
Total remuneration paid to former Executive Board members in the financial year amounted to €1,894.2 thousand (previous year: €1,829.0 thousand). Of this amount, €433.2 thousand (previous year: €434.9 thousand) was attributable to survivor benefits.
A reserve in the amount of €25,676.7 thousand (previous year: €25,395.5 thousand) was created for pension commitments to former members of the Executive Board and their survivors.
There were no other encumbrances on the W&W Group during the financial year for benefits to former members of the Executive Board or Supervisory Board or their survivors through severance payments, pensions, survivor benefits or other benefits of a related nature.
The following table "Benefits granted" depicts the contractually granted benefits, ancillary benefits and the minimum and maximum remuneration that can be achieved for variable remuneration components for the 2020 reporting year. The table "Inflow in/for the reporting year" shows the amounts earned in the financial year from fixed remuneration and short-term and long-term variable remuneration.
| Jürgen A. Junker | Dr Michael Gutjahr (until 31 August 2020) |
Alexander Mayer (from 1 September 2020) |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Board Chairman Legal, Audit, Communication, Group |
Development | Personnel, Accounting, Finan cial Management, Retained |
Organisation | Financial Management, Retained | Accounting, Organisation |
|||||||
| Mini mum |
Maxi mum |
Mini mum |
Maxi mum |
Mini mum |
Maxi mum |
|||||||
| in € thousands | 2019 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 |
| Fixed remuneration | 1,040.0 | 1,040.0 | 1,040.0 | 1,040.0 | 565.8 | 377.2 | 377.2 | 377.2 | — | 450.7 | 450.7 | 450.7 |
| Ancillary benefits1 | 146.8 | 140.2 | 140.2 | 140.2 | 18.0 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | — | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| Total | 1,186.8 | 1,180.2 | 1,180.2 | 1,180.2 | 583.8 | 388.7 | 388.7 | 388.7 | — | 462.8 | 462.8 | 462.8 |
| One-year variable remuneration | 104.0 | 104.0 | — | 145.6 | 47.5 | 31.7 | — | 44.4 | — | 41.3 | — | 57.9 |
| One-year variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG |
— | — | — | — | 4.5 | 3.0 | — | 4.2 | — | — | — | — |
| Multi-year variable remuneration |
156.0 | 156.0 | — | 218.4 | 71.3 | 47.5 | — | 66.5 | — | 62.0 | — | 86.8 |
| FFinancial year 2019: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a. (financial years 2020-2022) |
156.0 | — | — | — | 71.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Financial year 2020: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a. (financial years 2021-2023) |
— | 156.0 | — | — | — | 71.3 | — | — | — | 62.0 | — | — |
| Financial year 2019: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüsten rot Bausparkasse AG in instalments until 2026 in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institu tions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applicable to major institutions |
— | — | — | — | 18.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Financial year 2020: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüsten rot Bausparkasse AG in instalments until 2027 in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institu tions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applicable to major institutions |
— | — | — | — | — | 12.1 | — | 17.0 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 1,446.8 | 1,440.2 | 1,180.2 | 1,544.2 | 725.2 | 483.0 | 388.7 | 520.8 | — | 566.1 | 462.8 | 607.5 |
| Pension expenses (= service cost pursuant to IAS 19) |
134.8 | 184.8 | 184.8 | 184.8 | — | — | — | — | — | 64.6 | 64.6 | 64.6 |
| T o t a l r e m u n e r a t i o n ( G e r m a n C o r p o r a t e Governance Code) |
1,581.6 | 1,625.0 | 1,365.0 | 1,729.0 | 725.2 | 483.0 | 388.7 | 520.8 | — | 630.7 | 527.4 | 672.1 |
| Jürgen Steffan | Jens Wieland | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Controlling, Personnel | Risk and Compliance, Group Controlling and |
Enterprise IT Management, Customer Data Protection and Operational Security |
||||||
| Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | |||||
| in € thousands | 2019 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 |
| Fixed remuneration | 483.8 | 535.0 | 535.0 | 535.0 | 565.8 | 565.8 | 565.8 | 565.8 |
| Ancillary benefits1 | 14.1 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 22.6 | 21.9 | 21.9 | 21.9 |
| Total | 497.9 | 546.4 | 546.4 | 546.4 | 588.4 | 587.7 | 587.7 | 587.7 |
| One-year variable remuneration | 27.0 | 54.0 | – | 75.6 | 77.0 | 77.0 | – | 107.8 |
| One-year variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG |
10.8 | – | – | 15.1 | – | – | – | – |
| Multi-year variable remuneration |
40.4 | 81.0 | – | 113.4 | 64.5 | 64.5 | – | 90.3 |
| FFinancial year 2019: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a. (financial years 2020-2022) |
40.4 | — | — | — | 64.5 | — | — | — |
| Financial year 2020: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a. (financial years 2021-2023) |
— | 81.0 | — | — | — | 64.5 | — | — |
| Financial year 2019: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüsten rot Bausparkasse AG in instalments until 2026 in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institu tions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applicable to major institutions |
43.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Financial year 2020: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüsten rot Bausparkasse AG in instalments until 2027 in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institu tions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applicable to major institutions |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 619.4 | 681.4 | 546.4 | 750.5 | 729.9 | 729.2 | 587.7 | 785.8 |
| Pension expenses (= service cost pursuant to IAS 19) |
72.4 | 99.4 | 99.4 | 99.4 | 82.6 | 105.2 | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| T o t a l r e m u n e r a t i o n ( G e r m a n C o r p o r a t e Governance Code) |
691.8 | 780.8 | 645.8 | 849.9 | 812.5 | 834.4 | 692.9 | 891.0 |
| Jürgen A. Junker | Dr Michael Gutjahr (until 31 August 2020) |
Alexander Mayer (from 1 September 2020) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Board Chairman Legal, Audit, Communication, Group Development |
Financial Management, Retai | Personnel, Accounting, ned Organisation |
Accounting, Financial Management, Retai ned Organisation |
||||
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| Fixed remuneration | 1,040.0 | 1,040.0 | 377.2 | 565.8 | 450.7 | — | |
| Ancillary benefits1 | 140.2 | 146.8 | 11.5 | 18.0 | 12.1 | — | |
| Total | 1,180.2 | 1,186.8 | 388.7 | 583.8 | 462.8 | — | |
| One-year variable remuneration | 109.2 | 117.6 | 35.9 | 58.5 | 44.4 | — | |
| Multi-year variable remuneration | 134.1 | 81.2 | 78.6 | 80.7 | 20.0 | — | |
| Financial year 2016: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a.(financial years 2017-2019) |
— | 81.2 | — | 72.0 | — | — | |
| Financial year 2017: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a.(financial years 2018-2020) |
134.1 | — | 67.0 | — | 20.0 | — | |
| Financial year 2017: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applica ble to major institutions (financial years 2018, 2019 and 2020) |
— | — | 2.3 | 2.3 | — | — | |
| Financial year 2018: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) appli cable to major institutions (financial years 2019 and 2020) |
— | — | 2.9 | 6.4 | — | — | |
| Financial year 2019: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applica ble to major institutions (financial year 2020) |
— | — | 6.3 | — | — | — | |
| T o t a l r e m u n e r a t i o n ( S e c t i o n 3 1 4 (1) No. 6 of the German Commer - cial Code [HGB]) |
1,423.5 | 1,385.6 | 503.2 | 723.0 | 527.2 | — | |
| Pension expenses (= service cost pursuant to IAS 19) |
184.8 | 134.8 | — | — | 64.6 | — | |
| Total remuneration (German Corpo - rate Governance Code) |
1,608.3 | 1,520.4 | 503.2 | 723.0 | 591.8 | — |
| Jürgen Steffan | Jens Wieland | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk and Compliance, Group Controlling and Cost Controlling, Personnel |
Enterprise IT Management, Customer Data Protection and Operational Security |
||||
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| Fixed remuneration | 535.0 | 483.8 | 565.8 | 565.8 | |
| Ancillary benefits1 | 11.4 | 14.1 | 21.9 | 22.6 | |
| Total | 546.4 | 497.9 | 587.7 | 588.4 | |
| One-year variable remuneration | 56.7 | 41.9 | 79.6 | 78.6 | |
| Multi-year variable remuneration | 40.7 | 97.9 | 58.0 | 55.6 | |
| Financial year 2016: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a.(financial years 2017-2019) |
— | 56.1 | — | 55.6 | |
| Financial year 2017: Average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a.(financial years 2018-2020) |
— | 58.0 | — | — | |
| Financial year 2017: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applica ble to major institutions (financial years 2018, 2019 and 2020) |
11.1 | 11.1 | — | — | |
| Financial year 2018: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) appli cable to major institutions (financial years 2019 and 2020) |
14.2 | 30.7 | — | — | |
| Financial year 2019: Disbursement of variable remuneration for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG in conformity with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the Supervisory Requirements for Institutions' Remuneration Systems (InstitutsVergV) applica ble to major institutions (financial year 2020) |
15.4 | — | — | — | |
| T o t a l r e m u n e r a t i o n ( S e c t i o n 3 1 4 (1) No. 6 of the German Commer - cial Code [HGB]) |
643.8 | 637.7 | 725.3 | 722.6 | |
| Pension expenses (= service cost pursuant to IAS 19) |
99.4 | 72.4 | 105.2 | 82.6 | |
| Total remuneration (German Corpo - rate Governance Code) |
743.2 | 710.1 | 830.5 | 805.2 |
The Supervisory Board remuneration is paid in the form of a fixed remuneration whose amount is determined by the Annual General Meeting. If the Annual General Meeting does not specify an amount, the amount of the prior year applies. Supplementary amounts are stipulated for the Chair and the Deputy Chair, as well as for committee activities. In addition, fees are paid for attending Supervisory Board meetings.
The annual base remuneration payable after the close of the financial year amounted to €25.0 thousand (previous year: €25.0 thousand). Committee remuneration amounted to €8.0 thousand (previous year: €8.0 thousand) per year for the Risk and Audit Committee and to €4.0 thousand (previous year: €4.0 thousand) per year for the Conciliation Committee and for the Nomination Committee. An attendance fee of €500 (previous year: €500) is paid per Supervisory Board meeting. No fees are paid for attending committee meetings.
Base remuneration and committee remuneration are increased by 150% for the Chair and by 75% for his deputies.
In the 2020 financial year, the company paid the members of the Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG total remuneration of €746.3 thousand (previous year: €781.7 thousand). Of this amount, further Supervisory Board mandates in the Group accounted for €86.0 thousand (previous year: €116.3 thousand). In the 2020 financial year, the company paid members of the Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG who had retired during the financial year pro rata temporis remuneration of €0 (previous year €60.5 thousand).
Members of the Supervisory Board are reimbursed for expenses and the value-added tax due on Supervisory Board remuneration. However, this is not included in the designated expenses.
Advances and loans to active members of the Supervisory Board of the W&W Group amounted to €188.3 thousand (previous year: €581.3 thousand). The loans were granted by Group companies. The agreed interest rates range from 1.6% to 7.9%. Loans amounting to €406.0 thousand (previous year: €7.2 thousand) were repaid by active members of the Supervisory Board. No liabilities were entered into in favour of these persons.
Subscription rights or other share-based remuneration for members of the Supervisory Board do not exist in the W&W Group. No provisions for current pensions or entitlements had to be created for members of the Supervisory Board or their survivors.
The company did not pay any remuneration or grant any benefits to members of the Supervisory Board for personally performed services, such as consulting or brokering services.
| Committee | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base remu neration |
Attendance fees |
remunera tion |
Group | Total | ||
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Hans Dietmar Sauer (Chair) | 62.5 | 2.0 | 40.0 | — | 104.5 | 107.9 |
| Frank Weber (Deputy Chair) | 43.8 | 2.0 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 77.8 | 78.3 |
| Petra Aichholz | 25.0 | 2.0 | — | — | 27.0 | 15.3 |
| Peter Buschbeck | 25.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | — | 31.0 | 34.5 |
| Prof. Dr Nadine Gatzert | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | — | 35.0 | 31.6 |
| Dr Reiner Hagemann | 25.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | — | 39.0 | 39.5 |
| Ute Hobinka | 25.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | — | 39.0 | 37.8 |
| Jochen Höpken | 25.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | — | 31.0 | 30.0 |
| Corinna Linner | 25.0 | 2.0 | 20.0 | — | 47.0 | 47.5 |
| Marika Lulay | 25.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | — | 31.0 | 31.5 |
| Bernd Mader | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | — | 35.0 | 35.5 |
| Andreas Rothbauer | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 24.0 | 59.0 | 59.5 |
| Hans-Ulrich Schulz | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | — | 35.0 | 35.5 |
| Christoph Seeger | 25.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 30.0 | 69.0 | 67.8 |
| Jutta Stöcker | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | — | 35.0 | 32.6 |
| Susanne Ulshöfer | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 16.0 | 51.0 | 36.4 |
| Subtotal | 456.3 | 32.0 | 172.0 | 86.0 | 746.3 | 721.2 |
| Gudrun Lacher (former) | — | — | — | — | — | 13.4 |
| Ruth Martin (former) | — | — | — | — | — | 12.0 |
| Gerold Zimmermann (former) | — | — | — | — | — | 35.1 |
| Total | 456.3 | 32.0 | 172.0 | 86.0 | 746.3 | 781.7 |
The total remuneration for persons of Group management in key positions (Management Board and Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG) amounted to €7,858.6 thousand (previous year: €6,563.6 thousand). Of this amount, short-term employee benefits accounted for €6,455.7 thousand (previous year: €5,329.6 thousand), post-employment benefits accounted for €857.0 thousand (previous year: €598.9 thousand), other long-term benefits accounted for €545.9 thousand (previous year: €635.1 thousand) and termination benefits accounted for €0 thousand (previous year: €0 thousand).
In terms of full-time equivalents, the number of employees of the W&W Group as at 31 December 2020 was 6,473 (previous year: 6,754). As at the reporting date, the number of employees was 7,666 (previous year: 7,991).
The average headcount in the last 12 months was 7,715 (previous year: 8,033). This average is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the end-of-quarter headcounts as of the reporting date between 31 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 and during the corresponding prior-year period and is distributed over the individual segments as follows:
| 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 2,261 | 2,166 |
| Life and Health Insurance | 631 | 836 |
| Property/Casualty Insurance | 3,794 | 3,583 |
| All other segments | 1,029 | 1,448 |
| Total | 7,715 | 8,033 |
The Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG engaged Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft to audit the consolidated financial statements. The cost of the audit firm's services for the W&W Group totalled €3,575 thousand (previous year: €4,655 thousand) for the financial year.3 574 655 115Of this amount, audit services accounted for €2,941 thousand (previous year: €4,285 thousand), other assurance services accounted for €35 thousand (previous year: €115 thousand), tax advisory services accounted for €0 (previous year: €21 thousand) and other services accounted for €599 thousand (previous year: €234 thousand).
The fee for the auditing services of Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft relates to the audit of the consolidated financial statements and the annual financial statements of W&W AG, as well as to other permissible services occasioned directly by the audit. In addition, Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft conducted audits of the annual financial statements and group reporting of various subsidiaries, as well as statutory audits in accordance with the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG), the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and other legal provisions. In addition to statutory audits, the firm was also engaged to perform voluntary audits in the Group.
The other assurance services consisted of audits under the WpHG and additional assurance services in connection with foreign bonuses. No use was made of tax advisory services in the financial year. The other services consisted of the provision of various professional advice, primarily concerning current and future accounting and regulatory issues. Also, a tool solution was provided for the structured processing of regulatory and legislative developments. In addition, audits were conducted in connection with new IT migration projects.
At this time, Brexit has had no materially significant impact on the UK branch of Württembergische Versicherung AG that would influence recognition or values.
In addition, no material events that require reporting occurred after the reporting date.
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of the publicly traded Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, Germany, submitted the statement of compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code pursuant to Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and have made it permanently available to shareholders on the website of the W&W Group at www.ww-ag.com (in German only). → Investor Relations → Publikationen → Weitere Publikationen
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, Germany, is the parent company of the W&W Group. The consolidated financial statements of the W&W Group are published in the German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).
The list of ownership interests of the W&W Group as at 31 December 2020 is presented below.2020 We made use of the exemption provided for in Section 313 (3) sentence 4 HGB in conjunction with Section 313 (2) No. 4 HGB.
| Name and registered office of the company | Interest in capital, in % |
Type of consolidation1 |
|---|---|---|
| Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart | F | |
| Affiliates | ||
| Germany | ||
| 3B Boden-Bauten-Beteiligungs-GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | F |
| Adam Riese GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Altmark Versicherungsmakler GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Altmark Versicherungsvermittlung GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Asendorfer Kippe ASK GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Bausparkasse Wüstenrot Immo GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Beteiligungs-GmbH der Württembergischen, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| City Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| City Immobilien II GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Ganzer GmbH & Co. KG, Harrislee | 100.00 | M |
| Gerber GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Gestorf GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| GMA Gesellschaft für Markt- und Absatzforschung mbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | M |
| Hinterbliebenenfürsorge der Deutschen Beamtenbanken GmbH, Karlsruhe | 100.00 | M |
| IVB – Institut für Vorsorgeberatung Risiko- und Finanzierungsanalyse GmbH, Karlsruhe | 100.00 | M |
| KLV BAKO Dienstleistungs-GmbH, Karlsruhe | 94.00 | M |
| KLV BAKO Vermittlungs-GmbH, Karlsruhe | 77.10 | M |
| Miethaus und Wohnheim GmbH i.L., Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | M |
| Rente.de AV GmbH, Stuttgart (formerly NIST GmbH, Berlin) | 100.00 | M |
| Schulenburg GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| treefin GmbH, Munich | 100.00 | M |
| W&W Asset Management GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | F |
| W&W brandpool GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Gesellschaft für Finanzbeteiligungen mbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Informatik GmbH, Ludwigsburg2 | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Produktion GmbH i.L., Berlin | 100.00 | M |
| W&W Service GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | F |
| Windpark Golzow GmbH & Co. KG, Rheine | 100.00 | M |
| WL Erneuerbare Energien Verwaltungs GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| WL Renewable Energy GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| WL Sustainable Energy GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Name and registered office of the company | Interest in capital, in % |
Type of consolidation1 |
|---|---|---|
| Wohnimmobilien GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | F |
| Württembergische Akademie GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Württembergische Immobilien AG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Württembergische Kö 43 GmbH, Stuttgart | 89.90 | M |
| Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Stuttgart | 94.89 | F |
| Württembergische Logistik I GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Württembergische Rechtsschutz Schaden-Service-GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Württembergische Versicherung AG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Württembergische Vertriebspartner GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Württembergische Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| Württfeuer Beteiligungs-GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | M |
| WürttLeben Alternative Investments GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| WürttVers Alternative Investments GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | F |
| Wüstenrot Grundstücksverwertungs-GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | M |
| Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | F |
| Wüstenrot Immobilien GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | M |
| Australia | ||
| REI Head Trust, Sydney | 100.00 | M |
| REI Property Sub Trust, Sydney | 100.00 | M |
| Finnland | ||
| Kiinteistö Oy Porkkalankatu 5, Helsinki | 100.00 | F |
| France | ||
| Württembergische France Immobiliere SARL, Strasbourg | 100.00 | M |
| Württembergische France Strasbourg SARL, Strasbourg | 100.00 | M |
| Ireland | ||
| W&W Asset Management Dublin DAC, Dublin | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Europe Life Limited i.L., Dublin | 100.00 | M |
| W&W Investment Managers DAC, Dublin | 100.00 | F |
| Austria | ||
| G6 Zeta Errichtungs- und VerwertungsGmbH & Co OG, Vienna | 99.90 | M |
| SAMARIUM drei GmbH & Co OG, Vienna3 | 100.00 | M |
| United States | ||
| BR Guthrie LLC, Wilmington | 100.00 | M |
| BR US Holdings I LLC, Wilmington | 100.00 | M |
| BR US Holdings II LLC, Wilmington | 100.00 | M |
| Guthrie Property Owner LP, Wilmington | 100.00 | M |
| Name and registered office of the company | Interest in capital, in % |
Type of consolidation1 |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidation through special structuring | ||
| Germany | ||
| LBBW AM-69, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-76, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-94, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-AROS, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM Emerging Markets Bonds-Fonds 1, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM Emerging Markets Bonds-Fonds 2, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM Emerging Markets Bonds-Fonds 3, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM High Yield Corporates Bonds Fonds, Stuttgart | 98.03 | F |
| LBBW AM REA-Fonds, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-Südinvest 160, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-US Municipals 1, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-USD Corporate Bond Fonds 1, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-USD Corporate Bond Fonds 2, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-WSV, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-WV Corp Bonds Fonds, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| LBBW AM-WV P&F, Stuttgart | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Real Estate International 1, Frankfurt am Main | 100.00 | F |
| Ireland | ||
| The W&W Global Income Fund ICAV - The W&W Private Debt Fund, Dublin | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Flexible Premium, Dublin | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Flexible Premium II, Dublin | 100.00 | F |
| W&W Global Strategies South East Asian Equity Fund, Dublin | 99.90 | F |
| W&W International Global Convertibles Fonds, Dublin | 91.46 | F |
| Name and registered office of the company | Interest in capital, in % |
Type of consolidation1 |
|---|---|---|
| Joint ventures | ||
| Germany | ||
| ver.di Service GmbH, Berlin | 50.00 | M |
| A s s o c i a t e s | ||
| Germany | ||
| BWK GmbH Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft, Stuttgart | 35.00 | E |
| BWK Holding GmbH Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft, Stuttgart | 35.00 | M |
| Domus Beteiligungsgesellschaft der Privaten Bausparkassen mbH, Berlin | 28.73 | M |
| Keleya Digital-Health Solutions GmbH, Hamburg | 21.96 | M |
| V-Bank AG, Munich | 15.00 | E |
| Hungary | ||
| Fundamenta-Lakáskassza-Lakástakarékpénztár Zrt., Budapest | 11.47 | M |
1 Explanation of types of entities and consolidation:
F = Companies included in the consolidated financial statements by way of full consolidation
E = Companies included in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method
M = Not included in the consolidated financial statements due to minor significance.
2 Pursuant to Section 264 (3) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), W&W Service GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, and W&W Informatik GmbH, Ludwigsburg, Germany, are exempt from the obligation to prepare, have audited and publish a management report in accordance with the rules applicable to corporations and limited liability companies. Pursuant to Section 264 b HGB, Wohnimmobilien GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart, Germany, is exempt from the obligation to prepare, have audited and publish a management report in accordance with the rules applicable to corporations and limited liability companies.
3 SAMARIUM drei GmbH & Co OG, Vienna, is a structured entity.
| Name and registered office of the company | Interest in capital, in % |
Currency | Reporting date |
Equity¹ | After-tax earnings¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other investments³ of 20% or more | |||||
| Germany | |||||
| Adveq Opportunity II Zweite GmbH, Frankfurt am Main | 29.31 | € | 31.12.2019 | 14,364,999 | 1,482,009 |
| DBAG Fund VI Feeder GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main | 30.71 | € | 31.12.2019 | 45,518,330 | 5,425,924 |
| DBAG Fund VIII Feeder GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main | 44.25 | New investment 25.9.2020 | |||
| Onshore Wind Portfolio 2012 GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main | 20.72 | € | 31.8.2020 | 96,605,871 | 5,168,397 |
| VC Fonds Baden-Württemberg GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 25.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 1,859,465 | -141,225 |
| VV Immobilien GmbH & Co. US City KG i.L., Munich | 23.10 | € | 31.12.2018 | 9,489 | -17,009 |
| Ireland | |||||
| BlackRock NTR Renewable Power Fund plc, Dublin | 89.55 | US\$² | 31.12.2019 | 38,762,000 | 12,790,000 |
| White Oak Yield Spectrum Feeder ICAV, Dublin | 37.30 | US\$² | 31.12.2019 | 339,715,326 | 20,939,104 |
| Luxembourg | |||||
| BlackRock Euro Investment Grade Infrastructure Debt Fund SCSp, Luxembourg |
22.50 | € | 31.12.2019 | 225,422,000 | 9,297,000 |
| CI III Lux Feeder Fund FCP-RAIF, Luxembourg | 35.88 | € | 31.12.2019 | 22,432,861 | -155,480 |
| Crescent Private Credit Partners Unitranche Fund (Ireland) LP, Luxembourg |
51.48 | US\$² | 31.12.2019 | 32,078,000 | -18,000 |
| Deerpath Capital SLP-RAIF, Luxembourg | 25.81 | US\$² | 31.12.2019 | 105,748,071 | 1,682,694 |
| HPS Speciality Loan Europe Fund V , SCSp, Luxembourg | 26.96 | New investment 30.11.2020 | |||
| Idinvest Lux Fund, SICAV-SIF SCA – Idinvest Private Debt III, Luxembourg |
23.80 | € | 31.12.2019 | 89,255,335 | -4,314,304 |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA - ecoprime TK I, Luxembourg | 41.28 | € | 30.9.2020 | 38,968,689 | 2,685,281 |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA - Energy (Ecoprime III), Luxembourg | 45.36 | € | 30.9.2020 | 27,875,165 | 3,681,244 |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA - Global PV Investments, Luxembourg | 46.25 | € | 30.9.2020 | 22,103,081 | 1,526,158 |
| Muzinich Pan-European Private Debt II, SCSp, Luxembourg | 26.19 | New investment 26.11.2020 | |||
| Secondary Opportunities SICAV-SIF - SOF III Feeder USD, Luxem bourg |
35.48 | US\$² | 31.12.2019 | 56,249,714 | 5,213,430 |
| StepStone European Fund SCS, SICAV-FIS – StepStone Capital Partners III, Luxembourg |
27.56 | US\$² | 31.12.2019 | 680,342,087 | 71,281,318 |
| Whitehelm European Infrastructure Fund II, Luxembourg | 25.62 | € | 30.6.2020 | 93,274,262 | -1,284,841 |
| United Kingdom | |||||
| Asper Renewable Power Partners 2 LP, London | 29.53 | € | 31.12.2019 | 59,458,756 | -7,987 |
| Capital Dynamics Clean Energy and Infrastructure Feeder L.P., Edinburgh |
30.21 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 141,842,687 | -16,189,558 |
| EIG Global Private Debt (Europe UL) , L.P., London | 29.67 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 131,121,000 | 7,228,000 |
| Project Glow Co-Investment Fund, L.P., George Town | 51.72 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 896,345 | 32,790,435 |
| United States | |||||
| Project Finale Co-Investment Fund Holdings LLC, Wilmington | 30.00 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 44,535,893 | 1,466,916 |
| Name and registered office of the company | Interest in capital, in % |
Currency | Reporting date |
Equity¹ | After-tax earnings¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other investments³ ab 5 % und bis 20 % | |||||
| Germany | |||||
| European Sustainable Power Fund Nr. 2 GmbH & Co. KG, Grünwald | 12.10 | € | 30.9.2019 | 448,339,782 | 21,897,412 |
| Ireland | |||||
| White Oak Summit Fund , ILP, Dublin | 15.66 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 207,506,253 | 7,068,133 |
| Luxembourg | |||||
| AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt Fund (EUR) III L.P., Luxembourg | 9.63 | € | 31.12.2019 | 361,075,376 | 20,669,083 |
| Barings Global Credit Fund (LUX) SCSp, SICAF-SIF - Barings Euro pean Private Loan Fund II, Luxembourg |
6.44 | € | 31.12.2019 | 30,888,361 | 74,295 |
| First State European Diversified Infrastructure Feeder Fund II SCA, SICAV-SIF, Luxembourg |
12.99 | € | 31.12.2019 | 285,274,939 | 27,266,538 |
| United Kingdom | |||||
| Brookfield Capital Partners Fund III (NR A) L.P., George Town | 12.20 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 562,181,000 | 450,214,000 |
| Global Infrastructure Partners III-C2, L.P., London | 9.60 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 467,608,176 | 21,979,753 |
| Kennet IV L.P., St Peter Port | 18.83 | € | 31.12.2019 | 199,834,722 | -1,997,296 |
| United States | |||||
| ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund (EU) L.P., Wilmington | 5.19 | US\$2 | 31.12.2019 | 2,687,861,249 | 137,857,386 |
1 The figures relate to the most recent annual financial statements available on the reporting date.
2 US\$/€ rate on 31 December 2019: 1.2271/1.0000. CA\$/€ rate on 31 December 2019: 1.5633/1.0000.
The participations listed in the following are structured entities.
To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with applicable accounting principles, the consolidated financial statements present a true and accurate view of the Group's net assets, financial position and financial performance, and the Group management report provides a true and accurate presentation of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the Group.
Stuttgart, 2 March 2021
Jürgen A. Junker
Alexander Mayer
Jürgen Steffan
Jens Wieland
To Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, Germany
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, consisting of the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2020, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated cash flow statement for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020, as well as the notes to the consolidated financial statements, together with a summary of significant accounting policies. In addition, we have audited the combined management report of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, for the financial year 1 January to 31 December 2020. In conformity with German statutory requirements, we have not audited the content of the Group corporate governance statement pursuant to Section 341j of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Section 315d HGB, which is contained in the section "Corporate governance statement".
In our opinion, based on the knowledge acquired in connection with the audit,
Pursuant to Section 322 (3) sentence 1 HGB, we declare that our audit has not led to any reservations concerning the regularity of the consolidated financial statements or the combined management report.
We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report in conformity with Section 317 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and with Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities (hereinafter, the "EU Audit Regulation"), as well as in accordance with the German standards for the proper auditing of financial statements promulgated by the IDW (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany). Our responsibility in accordance with those provisions and standards is described extensively in the section of our audit report entitled "Responsibility of the statutory auditor for the audit of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report". We are independent of the Group companies in accordance with the requirements of European and German commercial law, as well as professional rules, and we we have fulfilled our other German professional duties in accordance with these requirements and rules. In addition, pursuant to Article 10(2)(f) of the EU Audit Regulation, we declare that we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in Article 5(1) of the EU Audit Regulation. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions concerning the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020.2020 These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on them.
In the following, we describe the key audit matters in our view:
The calculation of the gross provision for future policy benefits in life insurance (without taking into account the provision for future policy benefits for unit-linked insurance policies) is performed in accordance with provisions of supervisory law largely on the basis of prospective methods and includes various assumptions about biometrics (inter alia, mortality, longevity, occupational disability), about the exercise of policyholder options (cancellation and lump-sum disbursement rates) and about the costs for and interest payable on technical obligations. Depending on the product, these actuarial bases are determined in some cases in a fully automated manner in the portfolio management systems and in other cases in subsequent calculations performed in connection with the preparation of the financial statements.
The actuarial bases are based, on the one hand, on the product-related actuarial bases for premium calculation and, on the other, on current actuarial bases. They result in part from statutory provisions (e.g. the reference interest rate pursuant to the German Regulation on Calculation of the Provision for Future Policy Benefits (DeckRV) and from publications of the German Association of Actuaries (DAV). In addition, they include assumptions derived for each individual company on the basis of past experience, taking into consideration current legal and economic developments, such as probabilities of cancellation and lump-sum disbursement and biometric assumptions. As a general rule, these assumptions are derived using mathematical methods from historical data, in some cases taking into consideration long-term assumptions in accordance with the proposals of the DAV.
In this regard, technical provisions are also to be created to the extent necessary in accordance with reasonable commercial judgment in order to ensure that the obligations under insurance policies can be satisfied at all times. Consideration is to be paid in this respect to the supervisory provisions enacted in the interest of policyholders concerning the actuarial bases to be applied when calculating provisions, including the actuarial interest rate to be applied and the allocation of certain capital income to the provisions.
Particularly with regard to the creation of the gross provision for future policy benefits, interest rate commitments to policyholders are also to be taken into consideration to the extent that current or expected income from assets is insufficient to cover these commitments. As part of the gross provision for future policy benefits, this results in the creation of a provision for additional interest, which consists of the additional interest reserve (new portfolio) and interest rate rein-forcement (old portfolio).
In calculating the provision for additional interest, use is made of the options described in the letter of the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) of 5 October 2016 entitled "Explanations concerning the calculation of the additional interest reserve for the new portfolio and the funding of interest rate reinforcement for the old portfolio". In this context, probabilities of cancellation and lump-sum disbursement are applied, the specification of which involves the exercise of discretion. Having an impact here are, in particular, assumptions about the future behaviour of policy-holders. In addition, for certain endowment policies, biometric actuarial bases are applied with reduced haircuts, which likewise involves the exercise of discretion.
On account of the estimation processes and the associated exercise of discretion, as well as on account of the amount of the gross provision for future policy benefits, there is a risk that the measurement will not be in conformity with accounting requirements. For this reason, we defined this matter to be a key audit matter.
As part of our audit, we examined the processes used to calculate the gross provision for future policy benefits (including the provision for additional interest) and tested the controls implemented in these processes for their effectiveness in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the insurance portfolio.
In addition, we performed statement-based audit procedures. By extrapolating the gross provision for future policy benefits on the basis of profit breakdowns of past years and current portfolio trends, we formulated our own expectations and compared them with the recognised values. In addition, we recalculated the product-based gross provision for future policy benefits and the provision for additional interest for a selection of partial portfolios and policies. Furthermore, we performed indicator and time-series analyses in order to evaluate the change in the gross provision for future policy benefits as a whole as well as for partial portfolios or partial components over time.
We analysed the derivation of the actuarial bases using current and historical portfolio trends, profit breakdown and expected future behaviour of policyholders. For this purpose, we in particular drew on the recommendations and publications of the DAV and BaFin.
In addition, we examined whether the gross provision for future policy benefits, including the provision for additional interest, was created pursuant to the approved business plans or the notifications in accordance with Section 143 of the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG) and in observance of other supervisory rules.
Furthermore, we analysed the explanatory report of the responsible actuary for the individual Group companies and also the results of the annual BaFin forecast calculation for whether the measurement of the gross provision for future policy benefits took into consideration all risks with respect to the appropriateness of the actuarial bases and the ability to satisfy insurance policies at all times.
As part of our audit, we used our own insurance mathematicians.
Our audit procedures did not result in any objections to the measurement of the gross provision for future policy benefits, taking into consideration the interest rate commitments to policyholders.
The disclosures concerning the recognition and measurement of the gross provision for future policy benefits are contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the section "Accounting policies: Technical provisions".
Measurement of the sub-provision for reported insurance claims in direct property and casual-ty business included in the gross provision for outstanding insurance claims
The gross provision for outstanding insurance claims is mainly allocated to direct property and casualty business.
The gross provision for reported insurance claims relates to most of the gross provision for outstanding insurance claims in direct property and casualty business.
The measurement of the gross provision for reported insurance claims in direct property and casualty business is performed individually and is based on an estimate made by the Executive Board on the basis of current information concerning claims development and on assumed future claims development based on knowledge about the settlement of comparable claims.
On account of the exercise of discretion and the estimation procedures applied, we determined that measurement of the sub-provision for reported insurance claims in direct property and casualty business included in the gross provision for outstanding insurance claims is a key audit matter. There is a risk here that the gross provision for reported insurance claims as a whole and in the individual insurance branches is not appropriately measured.
As part of our audit, we examined the processes for claims processing and the calculation of the gross provision for reported insurance claims and tested the implemented controls.
In this regard, for the gross provision for reported insurance claims in direct property and casualty business, we gained an understanding of the processing of individual insurance claims, from the processing and reserving of filed claims to the depiction in the consolidated financial statements.
Furthermore, we performed spot checks of insurance claims in direct property and casualty business and examined whether the provisions created in this respect for reported insurance claims were appropriately measured on the basis of current information and knowledge as at the reporting date. For this purpose, we used the records for various insurance branches and types to gain an understanding of the amount of the individual provisions and in the process examined whether discretion was exercised within a justifiable range with regard to the specification of compensation levels. We analysed the age structure of individual claims and on this basis evaluated the quality of the data set underlying this sub-provision. Moreover, we used multiyear comparisons to review loss ratios and average losses for abnormalities with respect to measurement. In addition, we analysed whether the data base included in the calculation in the form of a claims register was complete.
Using abnormalities in settlement results, we analysed the actual change in the provision for outstanding insurance claims that had been created in the previous year.
Furthermore, on the basis of mathematical and statistical procedures, we performed our own claims projections in order to evaluate the measurement of the gross provision for reported insurance claims in direct property and casualty business. In this regard, we used the best estimated value as determined by us for a selection of business lines that was made on a risk-oriented basis as the standard for evaluating the measurement of the provision for claims as a whole.
As part of our audit, we used our own insurance mathematicians.
Our audit procedures did not result in any objections concerning the measurement of the sub-provision for reported insurance claims in direct property and casualty business included in the gross provision for outstanding insurance claims.
The disclosures concerning the measurement of the gross provision for outstanding insurance claims are contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the section "Accounting policies: Technical provisions".
Measurement of interest-bearing receivables held for the purpose of investment, unlisted securities and derivative financial instruments
The Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG Group holds interest-bearing receivables for the purpose of investment, particularly registered bonds and debenture bonds, as well as unlisted interest-bearing securities and derivative financial instruments.
If quoted prices for identical financial instruments (Level 1 of the measurement hierarchy) are unavailable on active markets, recognised measurement methods are used to determine fair value. In determining value, derived market data are used as input factors to the greatest possible extent (Level 2 of the measurement hierarchy). If these are not sufficiently current, parameters are also used that are not based on market data (Level 3 of the measurement hierarchy).
The amount of receivables, securities and derivatives that are measured using the model (Levels 2 and 3 of the measurement hierarchy) in the consolidated balance sheet is considerable. These do not include registered bonds, which as a rule are measured on the basis of price data (blended prices) and not on models.
For the majority of interest-bearing receivables, unlisted securities and derivative financial instruments, fair values are calculated using recognised measurement procedures that are customary on the market, particularly discounted cash flow methods. Other recognised instrument-specific measurement procedures are used to only a limited extent. Primarily used as input data in this regard are measurement parameters that are observable on the market (in particular, yield curves, risk premiums and volatilities), but also to a lesser extent measurement parameters that are not observable on the market. Discretion is exercised in connection with the selection of the procedures and the specification of the measurement parameters and assumptions.
Because discretion is exercised in connection with the specification of the measurement procedures and the assumptions to be made about the material measurement parameters and assumptions in connection with model-based measurement and the (overall) volatility of the results of these financial instruments and the associated risk of a materially incorrect presentation in the consolidated financial statements, this has to do with a key audit matter.
As part of our audit, we first analysed the process for measuring interest-bearing receivables, unlisted securities and derivative financial instruments for risks of error and tested the implemented controls. The focus here was on controls that ensure the accuracy of the portfolio data.
For these financial instruments, we performed spot checks to gain an understanding of the applied measurement procedures in methodological and mathematical terms. Furthermore, for a partial portfolio of these financial instruments, we examined the discretion-dependent measurement parameters that are observable on the market for whether they are located within a range that is observable on the market. In this connection, we gained an understanding of the utilised measurement parameters by comparing them with publicly available measurement parameters for a selection. If parameters were not observable on the market, we evaluated them by remeasuring a select partial portfolio of the financial instruments.
In addition, for a partial portfolio of unlisted securities, interest-bearing receivables and derivative financial instruments, we performed our own calculations of fair value, drawing on the assistance of measurement specialists, and compared the results with the figures calculated by the Executive Board.
Our audit procedures did not result in any objections to the measurement of interest-bearing receivables, unlisted securities and derivative financial instruments.
The disclosures concerning the measurement of interest-bearing receivables, unlisted securities and derivative financial instruments are contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Note 38 "Disclosures concerning the measurement of fair value".
Measurement of provisions for home loan savings business
The provisions for home loan savings business include, in particular, provisions for expected charges for interest bonuses (interest bonus provisions) where the requirements defined in the product-specific General Terms and Conditions for Home Loan Savings Contracts (ABB) are met. The amount of the provisions to be created is determined on the basis of historical data (empirical forward projection) and, in the absence of sufficient historical data, on the basis of expert estimates.
The provisions for home loan savings business are fraught with uncertainties to a great extent and require that assumptions and estimates be made with respect to the relevant parameters and future customer behaviour. In addition, the measurement model is correspondingly complex. These circumstances may have a significant impact on the recognition and amount of the provision and thus on net assets and financial performance. Therefore, we determined the measurement of provisions for home loan savings business (interest bonus provisions) to be a key audit matter.
We examined the process for calculating the amount of the provision for expected charges for interest bonuses and evaluated the implemented controls.
We gained a methodological understanding of the measurement models used for the calculation and examined whether the material estimation parameters were taken into account in the model.
For the purpose of validating the estimation parameters, we analysed the annual comparison of the actual change during the financial year with the estimates made for the previous year (target/actual comparison).
Moreover, we gained an understanding of the mathematical accuracy of the calculations of the amount of the provisions.
On the basis of a selection of products, we examined whether the data base underlying the calculation of the provision rates and the bonus potential was complete. Moreover, for a selection of home loan savings contracts, we recalculated the bonus entitlement and gained an understanding of whether all relevant products were taken into account in the measurement model.
In connection with our audit of the model, we used our own specialists, who have special expertise in the area of home loan savings mathematics.
Our audit procedures did not result in any objections to the measurement of provisions for home loan savings business (interest bonus provisions).
The company's disclosures concerning the measurement of home loan savings provisions are contained in the notes
to the consolidated financial statements in the section "Accounting policies: Other provisions".
The Supervisory Board is responsible for the report of the Supervisory Board. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board are responsible for the statement pursuant to the Corporate Governance Code in accordance with section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), which is an element of the Group corporate governance statement. Beyond this, the Executive Board is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises: the aforementioned Group corporate governance statement. In addition, the other information comprises the combined, non-financial report of the W&W Group, a copy of which was provided to us prior to issuing this audit report. Furthermore, the other information comprises additional elements envisaged for the annual report, a copy of which was provided to us prior to issuing this audit report, in particular:
but not the consolidated financial statements, the disclosures in the combined management report that are included in the substantive audit or our associated audit report.
Our audit opinions concerning the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report do not cover the other information, and as a result, we do not provide an audit opinion or any other form of audit conclusion concerning it.
In connection with our audit, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, assess whether the other information
The Executive Board is responsible for preparing the consolidated financial statements in a manner that complies in all material respects with the IFRSs applicable in the EU and with the additional German statutory requirements that are applicable pursuant to Section 315e (1) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), as well as for ensuring that in compliance with those provisions, the consolidated financial statements present a true and accurate view of the Group's net assets, financial position and financial performance. Furthermore, the Executive Board is responsible for the internal controls that it has specified as necessary in order to facilitate the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Executive Board is responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. In addition, it is responsible for disclosing, as applicable, matters related to the going concern. Moreover, it is responsible for using the going concern basis of accounting unless it intends to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Furthermore, the Executive Board is responsible for preparing the combined management report that as a whole presents a true and accurate view of the Group's position and that in all material respects is consistent with the consolidated financial statements, complies with German statutory requirements and accurately depicts the opportunities and risks of future development. In addition, the Executive Board responsible for the arrangements and measures (systems) that it considers necessary in order to facilitate the preparation of a combined management report in conformity with applicable German statutory requirements and to enable sufficient and appropriate evidence to be provided for the statements in the combined management report.
The Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the Group's accounting process with respect to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and about whether the combined management report as a whole presents a true and accurate view of the Group's position and in all material respects is consistent with the consolidated financial statements and the knowledge gained in the audit, complies with German statutory requirements and accurately depicts the opportunities and risks of future development, as well as to issue an audit report containing our audit opinions concerning the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in conformity with Section 317 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and with the EU Audit Regulation, as well as in accordance with the German standards for the proper auditing of financial statements promulgated by the IDW (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany), will always detect a material misstatement. Misstatements may be the result of non-compliance or inaccuracies and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users that are taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
We exercise our best judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
We meet with the individuals responsible for monitoring in order to discuss, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We provide the individuals responsible for monitoring with a statement that we complied with the relevant independence requirements, and we discuss with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be presumed to influence our independence and the steps we have taken to guard against this.
From the matters that we discussed with the individuals responsible for monitoring, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements for the current reporting period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our audit report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter.
Report on the audit of the electronic reproductions of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report that are prepared for the purposes of disclosure pursuant to Section 317 (3b) of the German Commercial Code (HGB)
Pursuant to Section 317 (3b) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), we performed an audit with reasonable assurance of whether the reproductions of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report that are prepared for the purposes of disclosure (hereinafter, the "ESEF documents") and that are included in the attached file WW_AG_KLB+KA_ESEF-2020-12-31.zip comply with the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB concerning the electronic reporting format (the "ESEF format") in all material respects. In conformity with German statutory provisions, this audit covers only the transmission of the information in the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report in the ESEF format and therefore does not cover either the information included in those reproductions or other information included in the aforementioned file.
In our opinion, the reproductions of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report that are included in the aforementioned attached file and that are prepared for the purposes of disclosure comply with the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB concerning the electronic reporting format in all material respects. Other than this audit opinion and the audit opinions concerning the attached consolidated financial statements and the attached combined management report for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020 that are included in the foregoing "Report on the audit of the consolidated financial statements and of the combined management report", we do not provide any audit opinion concerning the information included in those reproductions or concerning the other information included in the aforementioned file.
We conducted our audit of the reproductions of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report that are included in the aforementioned attached file in conformity with Section 317 (3b) HGB and in observance of the draft standard promulgated by the IDW (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany) "Audit of electronic reproductions of financial statements and management reports prepared for the purposes of disclosure pursuant to Section 317 (3b) HGB" (IDW EPS 410). Our responsibility in accordance therewith is described extensively in the section "Responsibility of the Group statutory auditor for the audit of the ESEF documents". Our statutory auditor practice applied the requirements for the quality assurance system contained in the IDW quality assurance standard "Requirements for quality assurance in statutory auditor practice" (IDW QS 1).
The company's Executive Board is responsible for preparing the ESEF documents with the electronic reproductions of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report in accordance with Section 328 (1) sentence 4, no. 1 HGB and for marking up the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Section 328 (1) sentence 4, no. 2 HGB.
In addition, the company's Executive Board is responsible for the internal controls that it considers necessary in order to facilitate the preparation of ESEF documents that are free from material infringements, whether intentional or unintentional, of the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB concerning the electronic reporting format.
The company's Executive Board is moreover responsible for submitting the ESEF documents to the operator of the German Federal Gazette, together with the audit report and the attached audited consolidated financial statements and the audited combined management report, as well other documents to be disclosed.
The Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the preparation of the ESEF documents as part of the accounting process.
Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the ESEF documents are free from material infringements, whether intentional or unintentional, of the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB. We exercise our best judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
We were selected as the Group statutory auditor at the meeting of the Supervisory Board on 5 December 2018. We were given a mandate by the chair of the Supervisory Board's Risk and Audit Committee on 30 April 2020. We have served as the Group statutory auditor of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG since this financial year. We declare that the audit opinions contained in this audit report are consistent with the additional report to the Supervisory Board's Risk and Audit Committee in accordance with Article 11 of the EU Audit Regulation.
The auditor responsible for the audit is Martin Gehringer.
Stuttgart, 18 March 2021
Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
signed Wagner signed Gehringer Wirtschaftsprüfer Wirtschaftsprüfer
(German public auditor) (German public auditor)
| Balance sheet as at 31 December 2020 | 294 |
|---|---|
| Income statement | 298 |
| Notes | 300 |
| Notes concerning the annual financial statements | 300 |
| Notes concerning assets | 305 |
| Notes concerning liabilities | 308 |
| Notes concerning the income statement | 311 |
| Other mandatory disclosures | 315 |
| Annex to the notes | 325 |
| Versicherung der gesetzlichen Vertreter | 332 |
| Bestätigungsvermerk des unabhängigen Abschlussprüfers | 333 |
| Bericht des Aufsichtsrats | 340 |
| Glossar | 344 |
| Assets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | cf. Note no.1 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| B. Capital investments | ||||||
| I. | Land, land-type rights and buildings, including buildings on third-party land |
1 | 354,707 | 254,223 | ||
| II. | Capital investments in affiliated companies and participations | 2 | ||||
| 1. Interests in affiliated companies | 1,344,247 | 1,444,333 | ||||
| 2. Loans to affiliated companies | 387,500 | 411,500 | ||||
| 3. Participations | 74,147 | 57,411 | ||||
| 1,805,894 | 1,913,244 | |||||
| III. | Other capital investments | |||||
| 1. Shares, interests or shares in investment assets and other variable-yield securities |
3 | 692,680 | 574,536 | |||
| 2. Bearer bonds and other fixed-income securities | 315,781 | 273,928 | ||||
| 3. Other loans | 4 | 235,338 | 285,883 | |||
| 4. Deposits with credit institutions | 5 | 156,969 | 70,798 | |||
| thereof with affiliated companies: €99,700 thousand (previous year: €57,100 thousand) |
||||||
| 5. Other investments | 87 | 87 | ||||
| 1,400,855 | 1,205,232 | |||||
| IV. | Deposits from reinsurance accepted | 23,955 | 28,671 | |||
| 3,585,411 | 3,401,370 | |||||
| C. | Receivables | |||||
| I. | Amounts receivable on reinsurance business | 43,697 | 52,425 | |||
| II. | Other receivables | 6 | 244,678 | 253,178 | ||
| thereof with affiliated companies: €237,477 thousand (previ ous year: €245,273 thousand) |
288,375 | 305,603 | ||||
| Carryover | 3,873,786 | 3,706,973 | ||||
| 1 See the respective number in the notes. |
| Assets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
| Carryover | 3,873,786 | 3,706,973 | ||||
| D. | Other assets | |||||
| I. | Property, plant and equipment and inventories | 845 | 1,046 | |||
| II. | Current accounts with banks, cheques and cash | 18,099 | 62,086 | |||
| 18,944 | 63,132 | |||||
| E. | Deferred assets | |||||
| I. | Deferred interest and rental income | 5,558 | 7,264 | |||
| II. | Other deferred assets | 7 | 75 | 19 | ||
| 5,633 | 7,283 | |||||
| F. | Excess of plan assets over pension liabilities | 8 | 1,017 | 872 | ||
| Total Assets | 3,899,380 | 3,778,260 |
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. | Equity | |||||
| I. | Share capital1 | 9 | 490,311 | 490,311 | ||
| thereof less: mathematical value of own shares | 80 | 281 | ||||
| 490,231 | 490,030 | |||||
| II. | Capital reserve | 10 | 994,742 | 995,195 | ||
| III. | Retained earnings | 11 | ||||
| Other retained earnings | 459,577 | 425,577 | ||||
| 459,577 | 425,577 | |||||
| IV. | Unappropriated surplus | 12 | 80,795 | 75,444 | ||
| 2,025,345 | 1,986,246 | |||||
| B. | Technical provisions | |||||
| I. | Provision for unearned premiums | |||||
| 1. Gross amount | 19,378 | 22,609 | ||||
| 2. Thereof to: the portion for ceded reinsurance business | – | 3,931 | ||||
| 19,378 | 18,678 | |||||
| II. | Provision for future policy benefits | |||||
| 1. Gross amount | 24,152 | 28,552 | ||||
| 24,152 | 28,552 | |||||
| III. | Provision for outstanding insurance claims | |||||
| 1. Gross amount | 470,459 | 463,320 | ||||
| 2. Thereof to: the portion for ceded reinsurance business | 111,614 | 105,615 | ||||
| 358,845 | 357,705 | |||||
| IV. | Claims equalisation provision and similar provisions | 106,326 | 102,069 | |||
| V. | Other technical provisions | |||||
| 1. Gross amount | 3,877 | 5,333 | ||||
| 2. thereof to: the portion for ceded reinsurance business | –1 248 | –801 | ||||
| 5,125 | 6,134 | |||||
| 513,826 | 513,138 | |||||
| Carryover | 2,539,171 | 2,499,384 | ||||
| 1 Disclosures concerning authorised and contingent capital can be found in the notes. |
| in € thousands | cf. Note no. | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carryover | 2,539,171 | 2,499,384 | ||||
| C. | Other provisions | |||||
| I. | Provisions for pensions and similar obligations | 13 | 1,098,019 | 1,026,665 | ||
| II. | Tax provisions | 83,107 | 67,287 | |||
| III. | Other provisions | 14 | 32,714 | 29,658 | ||
| 1,213,840 | 1,123,610 | |||||
| D. | Deposits retained from ceded reinsurance business | 15 | 16,037 | 14,498 | ||
| E. | Other liabilities | |||||
| I. | Accounts payable on reinsurance business | 35,797 | 48,333 | |||
| thereof to affiliated companies: €32,180 thousand (previous year: €38,436 thousand) |
||||||
| II. | Miscellaneous liabilities | 16 | 94,525 | 92,364 | ||
| thereof for taxes: €2,354 thousand (previous year: €110 thousand) thereof to affiliated companies: €85,558 thousand (previous year: €89,445 thousand) |
130,322 | 140,697 | ||||
| F. | Deferred liabilities | 17 | 10 | 71 | ||
| Total Liabilities | 3,899,380 | 3,778,260 |
| in € thousands cf. Note no. |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 bis 31.12.2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I. | Technical account | ||||
| 1. | Earned premiums for own account | ||||
| a) Gross premiums written | 406,983 | 389,970 | |||
| b) Premiums ceded to reinsurers | 110,023 | 106,887 | |||
| 296,960 | 283,083 | ||||
| c) Change in provision for unearned premiums | 3,231 | –1,789 | |||
| d) Change in the reinsurers' portion of the gross provision for unearned premiums |
–3 931 | 938 | |||
| –700 | –851 | ||||
| 296,260 | 282,232 | ||||
| 2. | Income from technical interest for own account | 18 | 857 | 1,193 | |
| 3. | Other technical incomes for own account | 394 | 410 | ||
| 4. | Expenses for insurance claims for own account | ||||
| a) Payments for insurance claims | |||||
| aa) Gross amount | 250,137 | 243,985 | |||
| bb) Reinsurers' portion | 65,508 | 69,462 | |||
| 184,629 | 174,523 | ||||
| b) Change in the provision for outstanding insurance claims | 19 | ||||
| aa) Gross amount | 8,450 | –16,648 | |||
| bb) Reinsurers' portion | 5,956 | –23,255 | |||
| 2,494 | 6,607 | ||||
| 187,123 | 181,130 | ||||
| 5. | Change in other net technical provisions | ||||
| a) Net provision for future policy benefits | 4,400 | 1,351 | |||
| b) Other net technical provisions | 1,009 | 106 | |||
| 5,409 | 1,457 | ||||
| 6. | Expenses for insurance business for own account | 20 | |||
| a) Gross expenses for insurance business | 131,798 | 120,383 | |||
| b) thereof less received commissions and profit participations from ceded insurance business |
24,384 | 24,233 | |||
| 107,414 | 96,150 | ||||
| 7. | Other technical expenses for own account | 1,665 | 1,502 | ||
| 8 . | Subtotal | 6,718 | 6,510 | ||
| 9. | Change in the claims equalisation provision and similar provisions | –4,257 | –7,515 | ||
| 10. Technical result for own account | 2,461 | –1,005 | |||
| Carryover | 2,461 | –1,005 |
| in € thousands cf. Note no. |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020 |
1.1.2019 to 31.12.2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carryover | 2,461 | –1,005 | |||
| II. | Non-technical account | ||||
| 1. | Income from capital investments | ||||
| a) Income from participations | 14,149 | 33,490 | |||
| thereof from affiliated companies: €11,256 thousand (previous year: €30,321 thousand) |
|||||
| b) Income from other investments | 33,967 21 |
36,058 | |||
| thereof from affiliated companies: €20,557 thousand (previous year: €20,508 thousand) |
|||||
| c) Income from write-ups | 2,528 22 |
14,301 | |||
| d) Gains from the disposal of investments | 77,163 23 |
2,381 | |||
| e) Income from profit pools and profit transfer and partial pro fit transfer agreements |
145,309 | 177,188 | |||
| 273,116 | 263,418 | ||||
| 2. | Expenses for capital investments | ||||
| a) Expenses for the management of investments, interest expenses and other expenses for investments |
6,693 | 6,579 | |||
| b) Write-downs on investments | 15,799 24 |
10,511 | |||
| c) Losses from the disposal of investments | 7,613 25 |
6,261 | |||
| d) Expenses from loss assumption | 5,349 | 12,020 | |||
| 35,454 | 35,371 | ||||
| 237,662 | 228,047 | ||||
| 3. | Technical interest income | –853 | –1,190 | ||
| 236,809 | 226,857 | ||||
| 4. | Other income | 26 | 64,352 | 83,875 | |
| 5. | Other expenses | 27 | 136,287 | 164,022 | |
| –71,935 | –80,147 | ||||
| 6. | Result from normal business operations | 167,335 | 145,705 | ||
| 7. | Income taxes | 28 | 66,910 | 56,223 | |
| 8. | Other taxes | 147 | –526 | ||
| 67,057 | 55,697 | ||||
| 9 . | Net Profit | 100,278 | 90,008 | ||
| 10. Retained earnings carried forward from the previous year | 5,517 | 436 | |||
| 11. Allocation to retained earnings | |||||
| Other retained earnings | 25,000 | 15,000 | |||
| 12.Unappropriated surplus | 80,795 | 75,444 |
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG draws up its annual financial statements and prepares its Management Report in accordance with the statutory requirements of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (VAG) and the German Regulation on the Accounting of Insurance Undertakings (Rech-VersV).
Assets recognised under the item "Land, land-type rights and buildings" are measured at cost less scheduled straightline depreciation or at fair value, whichever is lower. Unscheduled depreciation takes place only in the event of expected permanent impairment, and the lower fair value is recognised. If the reasons for a lower carrying amount no longer exist, the asset is written up to a maximum of its historical depreciated cost.
Interests in affiliated companies are measured at cost. Pursuant to Section 341b (1) in conjunction with Section 253 (3) sentence 5 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), unscheduled write-downs to the lower fair value take place only in the event of expected permanent impairment (moderate lower-value principle). If the reasons for a lower carrying amount no longer exist, the asset is written up to a maximum of its historical cost.
Recognised under the item "Loans to affiliated companies" are bearer bonds, promissory notes and loans receivable. For recognition and measurement, please see the comments on the items below.
Participations are measured at cost. Pursuant to Section 341b (1) in conjunction with Section 253 (3) sentence 5 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), unscheduled write-downs to the lower fair value take place only in the event of expected permanent impairment (moderate lower-value principle). If the reasons for a lower carrying amount no longer exist, the asset is written up to a maximum of its historical cost.
Pursuant to Section 341b (2) in conjunction with Section 253 (4) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), interests or shares in investment assets are recognised at average cost less unscheduled write-downs in accordance with the strict lower-value principle. If the reasons for a lower carrying amount no longer exist, the asset is written up to a maximum of its historical cost.
Pursuant to Section 341b (2) in conjunction with Section 253 (4) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), bearer bonds and other fixed-income securities are recognised at average cost less unscheduled write-downs in accordance with the strict lower-value principle and are measured taking into account the requirement to reverse impairment losses.
The item "Other loans" contains registered bonds, promissory notes and loans receivable. These receivables are measured according to the rules applicable to fixed assets.
In departure from this, pursuant to Section 341c (1) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), registered bonds are recognised at their nominal value less repayments made. Premiums and discounts are spread on a straight-line basis over the term to maturity.
Pursuant to Section 341c (3) HGB, promissory notes and loans receivable are measured at amortised cost by spreading the difference between cost and the repayment amount over the residual maturity using the effective interest method.
In order to determine whether registered bonds, promissory notes or loans receivable are permanently impaired, ratings analyses are performed for issuers whose rating has deteriorated by two or more notches or whose securities are over-valued by at least 10.0%. If on the basis of the ratings analyses it can no longer be expected that the securities will be repaid in conformity with the contract, they are written down to the lower fair value. In addition, collective impairments are taken on registered bonds on a portfolio basis in accordance with experience in recent years.
Deposits with credit institutions are generally recognised in their nominal amounts.
Other investments are measured at cost.
As a rule, funds withheld by ceding companies for as-sumed reinsurance and amounts receivable from reinsurance business are recognised at nominal value. In addition, amounts receivable from reinsurance business include receivables that were measured using the default probability of the S&P rating model and for which collective impairments were taken.
We recognise the default risk of reinsurers by taking a collective impairment for amounts receivable on reinsurance business and by deducting on the liabilities side the part that relates to the reinsurers' portions of technical provisions for insurance claims.
Other receivables are measured at cost or in their nominal amounts.
Property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less scheduled straight-line depreciation over their normal useful life. Assets with a net cost of up to €800 are depreciated in full in the year of acquisition. Until 2019 assets with a net cost of more than €250 and up to €1,000 were recognised in full in the year of acquisition and depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of five years.
The excess of plan assets over pension liabilities relates to a surplus that results from the offsetting of reinsurance claims measured at fair value against liabilities under phased-in early retirement agreements. Insolvency-proof reinsurance claims are measured at the coverage capital specified in the business plan, plus irrevocably committed surplus participation, which, under compliance with the strict lower-value principle, corresponds to amortised cost in accordance with Section 253 (4) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and thus, in the absence of other measurement methods, to fair value within the meaning of Section 255 (4) sentence 4 HGB.
No use was made of the option to recognise deferred tax assets on the basis of the tax relief resulting under Section 274 (1) sentence 2 HGB.
For assets that were written down in previous years to a lower fair value, the impairment loss must be reversed if the reasons for taking the impairment no longer exist. In conformity with the principles in Section 253 (5) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), impairment losses are reversed to a maximum of amortised cost.
We conclude currency forwards in order to economically hedge German covered mortgage bonds and bearer bonds. They are measured on a transaction-specific basis. Provisions are created for contingent losses from these transactions.
Acquired option rights are measured at cost in the amount of the option premium less write-downs in accordance with the strict lower-value principle, taking into account the requirement to reverse impairment losses. Option premiums for sold options are recognised under "Miscellaneous liabilities" for as long as there is a duty to perform under the option. A risk of excess liability surplus under written options is accounted for by creating provisions for impending losses.
As a rule, we use the capitalised earnings values deter-mined by outside appraisers for the purpose of measuring properties used by the Group. New appraisals are commissioned at regular intervals. The W&W campus is measured using the net asset value method.
We base the fair value of investments in affiliated companies and participations on their capitalised earnings or on the fair value determined using the net asset value method, in some cases also on cost, the liquidation value or the proportional share of equity.
Recognised as the fair value of other investments is the most recently available exchange price or a market value determined on the basis of recognised mathematical models that are customary on the market.
Interests or shares in investment assets are recognised at their most recently available redemption price.
The provision for unearned premiums in assumed business is recognised in accordance with the information provided by the prior insurers and in compliance with supervisory rules.
The provision for future policy benefits for casualty insurance policies that provide for premium refunds and for life insurance business is created in accordance with the information provided by the prior insurers.
Provisions for outstanding insurance claims for assumed business are calculated in accordance with the information provided by the prior insurers, in some cases as augmented by our own findings.
The claims equalisation provision contained in item B. IV was created in accordance with the annex to Section 29 of the German Regulation on the Accounting of Insurance Undertakings (RechVersV).
The provisions for nuclear installation risks and for major pharmaceutical risks arising under product liability insurance are created in accordance with Section 30 RechVersV.
Other technical provisions are created in accordance with the information provided by the prior insurers, in some cases as augmented by our own findings.
The reinsurers' portion of technical provisions is calculated in accordance with the contractual agreements.
The provisions for pensions and similar obligations are calculated in accordance with actuarial principles. Pursuant to the German Accounting Law Modernisation Act (BilMoG), the amount needed to satisfy the obligation is determined using the projected unit credit method and recognised at the present value of the acquired pension entitlement. In determining these provisions, the following actuarial assumptions apply:
| In % | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actuarial interest rate | 2.31 | 2.71 | |
| Trend in pensions | 2.00 | 2.00 | |
| Trend in salaries | 3.00 | 3.00 | |
| Fluctuation: area of salaried employees | 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Fluctuation: area of individual contracts | 1.00 | 1.00 | |
| Biometrics | Heubeck-Richttafeln 2018 G | Heubeck-Richttafeln 2018 G |
Pursuant to Section 253 (2) sentence 1 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the actual interest rate applied is the average market interest rate over the past 10 years. The discount rates published by the Deutsche Bundesbank on 31 October 2020 with a 10-year average interest rate were modified by taking the average monthly decline in interest rates from 1 January to 31 October 2020 and extrapolating it for the months of November and December 2020. The difference between measurement of the provision for pensions and similar obligations using the 10-year average interest rate and that using the 7-year average interest rate pursuant to Section 253 (6) HGB amounted to €123.3 million. We elected to use the simplification rule in Section 253 (2) sentence 2 HGB.
The conversion expense from the first-time application of the BilMoG in 2010 amounted to €117.3 million and may be allocated over a period of up to 15 years. As at the reporting date, under-coverage totalling €0.8 million still existed for two of the companies for which Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG has assumed joint liability for pension commitments. In connection with required netting under Section 246 (2) HGB, pledged reinsurance policies (€5.0 million; previous year: €4.9 million) were taken into account at fair value (coverage assets). This is composed of the coverage capital plus irrevocably committed participation contracts.
Other provisions and tax provisions are recognised in the amount needed to satisfy the obligation. In accordance with Section 253 (1) sentence 2 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), provisions with a maturity of longer than one year are generally determined in the amount needed to satisfy the obligation, taking into account future price and cost increases. Price and cost increases are in line with the inflation rate and are taken into account over the respective maturity of the provision at 1.4%. The rate used to discount other provisions corresponds to the average rate of the past seven years published by the Deutsche Bundesbank pursuant to the German Regulation on the Discounting of Provisions (Rück-AbzinsV) for the respective assumed residual maturity. Results from discounting and compounding, from changes in the discounting rate, and from the interest rate effects of a changed estimate of remaining term to maturity are recognised as interest income or interest expenses under "Other income" or "Other expenses", as the case may be. Tax interest accrued as at the reporting date is recognised under "Miscellaneous provisions". Tax provisions are recognised in the amount needed to satisfy the obligation. If they are long term, then pursuant to IDW RS HFA 34, they are discounted using an interest rate of 6.0% in accordance with Section 233a of the German Fiscal Code (AO).
A provision is created for the legal obligations under phased-in early retirement contracts existing on the reporting date, taking into account employer expenses for social insurance, in the amount of the present value of future top-up benefits (salary and supplemental contributions towards pension insurance) and compensation payments due to reduced pension insurance claims and the satisfaction arrears from advance work performed by the employee. The provision is discounted in accordance with the specific maturities using the corresponding interest rates published by the Deutsche Bundesbank in accordance with the German Regulation on the Discounting of Provisions (RückAbzinsV). In addition, a salary trend of 2.2% p.a. is taken into account during measurement. Biometric factors are taken into account when calculating the provision via a flatrate discount of 2.0%. In addition, pursuant to Section 285, no. 25 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Section 246 (2) sentence 2 HGB, pledged reinsurance policies are taken into account at cost and netted with the phased-in early retirement commitments as coverage assets. The fair value consists of coverage capital plus irrevocably committed participation contracts.
The provisions for social affairs and for long-term service emoluments are determined in the amount needed to satisfy the obligation, as required by Section 253 (1) sentence 2 HGB, by applying the Heubeck mortality tables 2018 G and an interest rate of 0.86% under the projected benefit obligation method. Fluctuation and future salary increases are taken into account.
Deposits retained from ceded reinsurance business and other liabilities are recognised in the amount needed to satisfy them.
All business transactions are recognised in their original currency and translated into euros at the ECB's average spot exchange rate in effect on the relevant date. We comply in economic terms with the principle of congruent coverage per currency.
We translate items associated with foreign insurance business at the ECB's average spot exchange rate in effect on the reporting date. The corresponding income and expenses are recognised in the income statement at the relevant ECB average spot exchange rate in effect on the settlement date.
We generally measure investments denominated in foreign currency in accordance with the rules of individual measurement in conformity with the lower-value principle. They are subsequently measured at the ECB's average spot exchange rate.
Bank balances denominated in foreign currencies are measured at the ECB's average spot exchange rate in effect on the reporting date.
Pursuant to Section 256a of the German Commercial Code (HGB), translation gains and losses are recognised in the income statement where the residual maturities are one year or less.
Currency translation gains and losses from underwriting are recognised in the general section of the income statement under "Other income" or "Other expenses", as the case may be.
Exchange rate gains and losses from investments denominated in foreign currency are recognised under "Income from write-ups" and "Gains from the disposal of investments", while the corresponding losses are recognised under "Write-downs on investments" and "Losses from the disposal of investments".
Currency exchange rate gains and losses from current bank account balances denominated in foreign currency are recognised under "Other income" or "Other expenses", as the case may be.
Active, non-Group reinsurance business is recorded in the following year, since the necessary accounting information from cedants for the current accounting year is not available at the time the financial statements are drawn up. Business assumed by affiliated companies is recognised in the reporting year. As a result of later recording, premium income for 2019 in the amount of €5.4 million (previous year: €6.2 million) was recognised in the 2020 reporting year.
The change in investments is depicted in the notes under "Individual disclosures concerning assets".
As at the reporting date, our land used exclusively in the Group consisted of four (previous year: four) properties with a carrying amount of €354.7 million (previous year: €254.2 million), of which a significant portion is attributable to the first phase of the W&W campus project, which has now been completed, and to the second phase of the campus project currently underway.
Assets under construction have been in the portfolio since 2016 for the second phase of the campus project.
No properties were acquired or sold during the reporting year.
The underlying useful lives of the buildings amounts to 40 to 50 years.
Pursuant to Section 285, no.11 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Section 271 (1) HGB, the disclosures concerning participations are set forth in the table "List of shareholdings". The list sets forth all companies in which W&W AG owns at least 5% of the interests. Furthermore, we made use of the exemptions granted by Section 286 (3), no. 1 HGB.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Interests or shares in investment assets | 692,680 | 574,536 |
| Total | 692,680 | 574,536 |
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered bonds | 94,435 | 124,434 |
| Promissory notes and loans receivable | 140,903 | 161,449 |
| Total | 235,338 | 285,883 |
As at the end of the reporting year, we had overnight and term deposits invested in the amount of €157.0 million (previous year: €70.8 million), thereof €99.7 million (previous year: €57.1 million) in affiliated companies.
| Valuation reserves | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying amount |
Fair value | Valuation reserves1 |
Carrying amount |
Fair value | Valuation reserves1 |
|
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 | 31.12.2019 |
| Land, land-type rights and buildings, including buildings on third-party land |
354,707 | 365,271 | 10,564 | 254,223 | 261,920 | 7,697 |
| Interests in affiliated companies | 1,344 247 | 3,181,138 | 1,836,891 | 1,444,333 | 2,689,367 | 1,245,034 |
| Loans to affiliated companies | 387,500 | 424,519 | 37,019 | 411,500 | 446,698 | 35,198 |
| Participations | 74,147 | 92,415 | 18,268 | 57,411 | 68,997 | 11,586 |
| Shares, interests or shares in investment assets and other variable-yield securities |
692,680 | 772,420 | 79,740 | 574,536 | 636,175 | 61,639 |
| Bearer bonds and other fixed-income securities |
315,781 | 335,670 | 19,889 | 273,928 | 285,091 | 11,163 |
| Registered bonds | 94,435 | 107,660 | 13,225 | 124,434 | 138,277 | 13,843 |
| Promissory notes and loans receivable | 140,903 | 150,965 | 10,062 | 161,449 | 169,970 | 8,521 |
| Deposits with credit institutions | 156,969 | 157,050 | 81 | 70,798 | 70,846 | 48 |
| Other investments | 87 | 87 | – | 87 | 87 | – |
| Deposits from reinsurance accepted | 23,955 | 23,955 | – | 28,671 | 28,671 | – |
| Total | 3,585,411 | 5,611,150 | 2,025,739 | 3,401,370 | 4,796,099 | 1,394,729 |
| Carrying amount of all in - vestments, in % |
56.50 | 41.00 |
1 Net perspective, balance of valuation reserves and hidden liabilities.
In the case of debenture bonds, the carrying amounts of €30,000 thousand are €838 thousand higher than the market values.
They were not written down because the circumstances were unrelated to creditworthiness. We expect to receive interest and redemption payments as scheduled.
| Derivative instrument/grouping | Type | Nominal value | Fair value | Measure ment method applied |
Carrying amount and item1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | in € thousands | in € thousands | |||
| Share/index-related transactions | Option OTC | 74 | 673 | Mathematical option price model |
661 |
| Currency-related transactions | Currency for wards |
109,828 | 1,187 | Discounted cash flow method |
–15 |
| 1 Derivatives have to do with pending transactions that are not accounted for. An exception to this are paid option premiums. |
This table focuses on derivatives whose carrying amount does not correspond to fair value on the reporting date.
Derivatives have to do with transactions to be settled in the future, whose value is based on the change in the value of an underlying asset pursuant to the agreed contractual terms. Normally, there are no or only minor acquisition costs for these.
If on the reporting date the carrying amount of a derivative corresponds to fair value, it is nevertheless taken into account in the table if the recognised value is based on the imparity principle or results from the creation of a loss provision.
| Fund name | Investment objective | Certificate value under Section 36 of the German Investment Act (InvG) in € thousands |
Carrying amount in € thousands |
Discrepancy from the carrying amount in € thousands |
Distributions during the financial year in € thousands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LBBW AM-76 | Mixed fund (equities share of up to 70%) |
354,484 | 320,034 | 34,450 | — |
| LBBW AM-EMB3 | Pension fund | 120,346 | 95,504 | 24,842 | — |
| LBBW AM-W&W AG Corporate Bonds | Bond fund | 87,859 | 76,500 | 11,359 | — |
| W&W Flexible Point & Figure | Mixed fund (equities share of up to 70%) |
42,723 | 42,723 | – | — |
| LBBW AM-USD Corp. Bonds Fonds 3 | Bond fund | 41,386 | 40,686 | 700 | 1,034 |
| LBBW AM Cove.Call USA Fund | Equity fund | 21,373 | 19,600 | 1,773 | 261 |
| W&W Flexible Premium II Fund B | Mixed fund (equities share of up to 70%) |
17,787 | 17,787 | – | – |
| W&W South East Asian Equity | Equity fund | 19,612 | 16,823 | 2,789 | 15 |
None of the funds have any restrictions with respect to the daily sell option or to the termination notice period of three months in the event that all fund units are sold.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Receivables from settlement transactions with affiliated companies and companies in which a participation inter est is held |
85,227 | 62,110 |
| Receivables under profit and loss transfer agreements | 145,309 | 177,188 |
| Receivables from the tax office | 6,727 | 4,125 |
| Assets that have been pledged, deposited or assigned for the purposes of security1 | 6,941 | 5,996 |
| Miscellaneous other receivables | 474 | 3,759 |
| Total | 244,678 | 253,178 |
1 Thereof pledged cash collateral from margin requirements from the conclusion of OTC derivatives in the amount of €0 thousand (previous year: €20 thousand) and reinsurance policies with affiliated companies for the purpose of protecting pension commitments against insolvency in the amount of €6,941 thousand (previous year: €5,976 thousand).
Receivables with a remaining term to maturity of one year or more amount to €6,941 thousand and relate to receivables from reinsurance policies on pension commitments.
These mainly include deferrals of use fees in the amount of €75 thousand (previous year: €19 thousand).
Assets that serve to cover liabilities under pension obligations or similar long-term obligations and that are inaccessible to all other creditors are required to be netted against the provisions for such obligations. If, in the process, the fair value of such assets exceeds the carrying amount of the provisions, the item "Excess of plan assets over pension liabilities" is to be created on the assets side of the balance sheet. The offsetting pursuant to Section 246 (2) sentence 3 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) of claims under reinsurance policies in the amount of €1.7 million (previous year: €1.7 million) with partial amounts of the phased-in early retirement provisions for satisfaction arrears in the amount of €0.7 million (previous year: €0.8 million) resulted in an excess of €1.0 million (previous year: €0.9 million).
Another employee share ownership programme was conducted in the first half-year of 2020. It enabled all employees of companies in the W&W Group to acquire up to 40 shares of W&W AG at a price of €6.76 per share, which represented a discount of €5.00 per share. Employees are required to hold these shares for at least three years. In connection with this employee share ownership programme, W&W AG issued a total of 78,634 treasury shares within the Group in 2020 in exchange for payment of an acquisition price. That corresponds to an amount of €0.4 million (0.08%) of the relevant share capital. W&W AG has collected a total of €0.5 million from the issuance of treasury shares. A total of 40,000 shares were repurchased on the market for the programme. The remaining balance of 15,252 treasury shares, representing an amount of €79,767.96 (0.02%) of share capital, is to be used for further employee share ownership programmes.
Share capital of €490.2 million (previous year: €490.0 million) is divided into 93,749,720 (previous year: 93,749,720) registered no-par-value shares and is fully paid up, with each share mathematically representing €5.23 of share capital. In 2020 employees purchased a total of 78,634 treasury shares, resulting in an increase €0.8 million. The remaining 15,252 shares are deducted as treasury shares at €0.2 million.
| Share capital | |
|---|---|
| in € thousands | |
| As at 31 December 2019 | 490,030 |
| Purchase of treasury shares | –209 |
| Sale of treasury shares | 410 |
| As at 31 December 2020 | 490,231 |
As at the reporting date, the capital reserve amounted to €994.7 million (previous year: €995.2 million). It relates to the premium from the capital contribution of €271.9 million (previous year: €271.9 million) and other additional payments of €725.9 million (previous year: €725.9 million), less €3.1 million (previous year: €2.6 million), which constitutes the net amount of difference between, on the one hand, the mathematical value of treasury shares and, on the other, the difference between the acquisition costs and the sales proceeds for them, which was allocated to the capital reserve.
| 995,195 |
|---|
| –573 |
| 120 |
| 994,742 |
Retained earnings increased from €425.6 million to €459.6 million as a result of the resolution adopted by the Annual General Meeting to allocate €9.0 million from the 2019 unappropriated surplus and €25.0 million from the 2020 net profit.
| Retained earnings | |
|---|---|
| in € thousands | |
| As at 31 December 2019 | 425,577 |
| Allocation by the Annual General Meeting from the 2019 unappropriated surplus | 9,000 |
| Allocation from the 2020 net profit | 25,000 |
| As at 31 December 2020 | 459,577 |
The unappropriated surplus amounted to €80.8 million (previous year: €75.4 million). It includes retained earnings in the amount of €5.5 million (previous year: €0.4 million) carried forward from the previous year.
The unappropriated surplus amounts to €80,794,768.42. We propose that it be appropriated as follows:
| in € | 31.12.2020 |
|---|---|
| Dividend of €0.65 per share | 60,927,404.20 |
| Allocation to other retained earnings | 19,000,000.00 |
| Carry forward to new account | 867,364.22 |
| Total | 80,794,768.42 |
The proposal takes into account the 15,252 treasury shares held directly by the company on 31 December 2020, which pursuant to Section 71b of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) are not entitled to receive dividends. The number of shares entitled to receive dividends may change by the time of the Annual General Meeting. In such case, a correspondingly modified proposal for the appropriation of unappropriated surplus will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting for adoption, while keeping the distribution unchanged at €0.65 per share entitled to receive dividends.
In addition to pension provisions for Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG and employees of the former Württembergische Feuerversicherung AG and Gemeinschaft der Freunde Wüstenrot GmbH, also recognised here are the pension provisions for nine (previous year: nine) subsidiaries. Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG assumed joint liability for the pension commitments of these subsidiaries in exchange for a one-time compensation payment in the amount of the former partial value, and it made an internal agreement with the subsidiaries to meet these pension obligations. The income and expenses from the change in these pension obligations are settled annually in cash with the subsidiaries. As at the reporting date, the pension provisions amounted to €1,098.0 million (previous year: €1,026.7 million). This amount includes the netting of the asset value from reinsurance policies in the amount of €5.0 million (previous year: €4.9 million).
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Phased-in early retirement | 1,382 | 729 |
| Expenses for the annual financial statements | 1,933 | 2,992 |
| Holiday obligations and flex-time credits | 2,412 | 3,106 |
| Bonuses and performance incentives | 4,200 | 4,509 |
| Outstanding trade payables relating to land ownership | 1,306 | 347 |
| Expenses for omitted land maintenance | 64 | 85 |
| Employee long-service obligations | 234 | 224 |
| Legal risks | 5,474 | 6,842 |
| Interest expense under Section 233a of the German Fiscal Code (AO) | 9,207 | 7,462 |
| Provision for sureties | 1,134 | 994 |
| Contributions to the employers' liability insurance scheme, compensatory levy for disabled persons, etc. | 5,199 | 2,051 |
| Derivatives | 169 | 317 |
| Total | 32,714 | 29,658 |
"Miscellaneous provisions" also include benefits for phased-in early retirement. This item contains the portion of the provision that is not "out-financed" in an insolvency-proof manner through reinsurance. Pledged reinsurance policies for the credit balance under phased-in early retirement agreements, which are inaccessible to all other creditors and serve solely to satisfy these phased-in early retirement obligations, are netted with these. Income and expenses from discounting and from the assets to be offset are handled in an analogous manner. Pledged reinsurance policies are taken into account at their fair value. This is composed of the coverage capital plus irrevocably committed surplus participation.
As at 31 December, the item "Benefits for phased-in early retirement" was as follows:
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Amount needed to satisfy vested claims | 2,104 | 1,545 |
| Thereof capable of netting with reinsurance | 722 | 816 |
| Carrying amount | 1,382 | 729 |
Retained deposits have an indefinite term. Depending on individual trends in claims and the conditions on the capital market, the term may be longer than five years.
| in € thousands | 31.12.2020 | 31.12.2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous liabilities to affiliated companies | 85,558 | 89,445 |
| Trade payables | 116 | 1,251 |
| Taxes | 2,354 | 110 |
| Other miscellaneous liabilities | 6,497 | 1,558 |
| Total | 94,525 | 92,364 |
This item includes liabilities with a remaining term to maturity of up to one year in the amount of €93,782 thousand. Liabilities with a remaining term to maturity of more than one year amounted to €743 thousand.
These consist of discounts for registered bonds and deferred interest items in the amount of €10 thousand (previous year: €71 thousand).
Recognised here pursuant to Section 38 of the German Regulation on the Accounting of Insurance Undertakings (Rech-VersV) is interest on actuarial provisions after deduction of the reinsurers' portion. It also includes interest on the provision for future policy benefits for assumed reinsurance in life insurance business.
Losses in the amount of €0.9 million (previous year: gains of €13.8 million) resulted from the settlement of the provision for outstanding insurance claims that was assumed from the previous financial year. The losses mainly stemmed from the business lines life insurance (€9.4 million) and motor (€7.8 million). Settlement gains were posted by the business lines liability (€5.4 million), fire (€3.1 million) and other property insurance (€4.2 million).
Gross expenses for insurance business amounted to €131.8 million (previous year: €120.4 million), of which €131.4 million (previous year: €119.9 million) was attributable to acquisition costs and €0.4 million (previous year: €0.5 million) to general administrative expenses.
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Land, land-type rights and buildings, including buildings on third-party land | 9,141 | 8,956 |
| Other investments | 24,826 | 27,102 |
| Total | 33,967 | 36,058 |
The individual amounts are shown in the annex to the notes under "Individual disclosures concerning assets".
Currency write-ups in the amount of €30 thousand were recorded in 2020.
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Land, land-type rights and buildings, including buildings on third-party land | 2 | – |
| Affiliated companies | 71,016 | – |
| Participations1 | 2,444 | 113 |
| Shares, interests or shares in investment assets and other variable-yield securities | – | 322 |
| Bearer bonds and other fixed-income securities2 | 3,432 | 1,762 |
| Deposits with credit institutions3 | 269 | 184 |
| Total | 77,163 | 2,381 |
| 1 Thereof exchange rate gains of €22 thousand (previous year: €54 thousand) 2 Thereof exchange rate gains of €157 thousand (previous year: €2 thousand) 3 Thereof exchange rate gains of €269 thousand (previous year: €184 thousand) |
Through the sale of our participations in Wüstenrot stavebni sporitelna a.s. and Wüstenrot hypotecni banka a.s., we netted a disposal gain of €66.0 million.
The item includes unscheduled write-downs that were taken in accordance with Section 253 (3) sentences 5 and 6 and (4) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Section 277 (3) sentence 1 HGB. They can be broken down as follows:
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliated companies and participations | 650 | 2,155 |
| Securities and investment fund units | 7,316 | 2,352 |
| Other loans | 284 | 41 |
| Deposits with credit institutions | 1 581 | – |
| Total | 9,831 | 4,548 |
The write-downs on affiliated companies and participations involve balance-sheet items that are measured like fixed assets, while the write-downs on securities and interests or shares in investment assets concern balance-sheet items classified as current assets.
Currency write-downs in the amount of €2.2 million were recorded in 2020.
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliated companies | 5,041 | 4,099 |
| Participations1 | 982 | 1,395 |
| Shares and variable-yield securities | 386 | 421 |
| Bearer bonds and fixed-income securities2 | 201 | 81 |
| Other investments | 1,003 | 265 |
| Total | 7,613 | 6,261 |
| 1 Thereof exchange rate losses of €65 thousand (previous year: €1 thousand) |
2 Thereof exchange rate losses of €13 thousand (previous year: €57 thousand)
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Income from services provided to affiliated companies | 53,226 | 76,521 |
| Interest income from taxes | 6,012 | 3,758 |
| Exchange rate gains1 | 1,350 | 434 |
| Release of other provisions | 1,871 | 528 |
| Total | 62,459 | 81,241 |
1 Thereof realised exchange rate gains of €0 (previous year: €383 thousand)
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| General administrative expenses | 100,025 | 130,496 |
| thereof: expenses for services provided to affiliated companies1 | 53,226 | 76,521 |
| Interest expenses | 34,610 | 30,927 |
| thereof: interest due on credit accounts resulting from the assumption of joint liability for pension commitments | 13,001 | 14,729 |
| thereof: interest expenses for pension provisions | 12,393 | 14,861 |
| thereof: interest expenses from the compounding of provisions | 19 | 17 |
| Negative interest | 122 | 421 |
| Currency expenses2 | 213 | 481 |
| Total | 134,848 | 161,904 |
1 Includes a voluntary special supplement in the previous year for the flat-rate reinforcement of the actuarial reserve.
2 Thereof realised exchange rate losses of €201 (previous year: €0)
With respect to phased-in early retirement agreements, expenses from compounding in the amount of €3.0 thousand (previous year: €6.0 thousand) and income from discounting with respect to the assets to be offset in the amount of €36.8 thousand (previous year: €43.1 thousand) were offset against each other pursuant to Section 246 (2) second sentence of the German Commercial Code (HGB). Similarly, expenses from the compounding of the pension provision in the amount of €12,393.0 thousand (previous year: €14,861.0 thousand) and income from the discounting of assets under reinsurance polices in the amount of €106.0 thousand (previous year: €115.6 thousand) were offset against each other pursuant to Section 246 (2) second sentence HGB.
Taxes on income showed expenses of €66.9 million (previous year: €56.2 million) as at 31 December 2020. Tax expens-es rose by €10.7 million. The increase resulted both from higher net income as calculated in accordance with German commercial law and from current account tax effects. The increase was tempered by effects from the tax-free sale of interests in limited companies and income from prior-year taxes.
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulted from the carrying amounts for land, land-type rights and buildings, which differ from one another under commercial law and tax law accounting rules, and from shares, interests or shares in investment assets and other variable-yield securities, the provision for outstanding insurance claims and provisions for pensions. Deferred taxes were calculated using a tax rate of 30.4%. Expected future tax charges and tax reductions are netted when calculating the tax amounts to be deferred. We made use of the option provided in Section in 274 (1) sentence 2 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) not to recognise deferred tax assets in the balance sheet that exceed the netted amount.
Memberships on supervisory boards required to be created by law, as well as on comparable domestic and foreign con-trol bodies (disclosures pursuant to Section 285, no. 10 of the German Commercial Code (HGB):
a) Group mandates on domestic supervisory boards required to be created by law
b) Third-party mandates on domestic supervisory boards required to be created by law
c) Mandates on comparable control bodies
Former Chair of the Board of Managing Directors Landesbank Baden-Württemberg Former Chair of the Management Board Landeskreditbank Baden-Württemberg
Chair of the Works Council Württembergische Versicherung AG/Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Karlsruhe location Chair of the Group Works Council a) Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Stuttgart
Insurance employee Württembergische Versicherung AG
Peter Buschbeck Member of the Management Board Investors Marketing AG
Chair of Insurance Economics and Risk Management Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen/Nuremberg b) Nürnberger Beteiligungs-AG, Nuremberg
Nürnberger Lebensversicherung AG, Nuremberg ERGO Group AG, Düsseldorf (until 6 April 2020)
Former Chair of the Management Board Allianz Versicherungs-AG Former member of the Management Board Allianz AG
Chair of the Works Council W&W Informatik GmbH a) W&W Informatik GmbH, Ludwigsburg, Deputy Chair
Task Group Chair ver.di (multi-service trade union) b) FIDUCIA & GAD IT AG, Karlsruhe
1 Employee representatives.
Linner Wirtschaftsprüfung b) Donner & Reuschel AG, Munich/Hamburg
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Managing Director and member of the Supervisory Board of GFT Technologies SE b) EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Karlsruhe
Head of customer service – cross-department responsibilities Württembergische Versicherung AG
Chair of the Works Council Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg location a) Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg
Former member of the Executive Board Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG
Chair of the Central Works Council Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG a) Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg, Chair
Former member of the Management Board RheinLand Versicherungsgruppe b) RheinLand Lebensversicherung AG, Neuss (until 1 September 2020) RheinLand Versicherungs AG, Neuss RheinLand Holding AG, Neuss ERGO Group AG, Düsseldorf (until 6 April 2020)
Member of the Works Council Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg location a) Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg
Group Legal, Group Audit, Communication, Group Development (strategy, M&A, strategic brand management and corpo-rate identity, customer data) and Company Organisation
a) Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Stuttgart, Chair
(until 31 August 2020)
Group Personnel, Group Accounting, Financial Management, Retained Organisation
(from 1 September 2020)
Group Accounting, Financial Management, Retained Organisation
c) W&W Investment Managers Designated Activity Company (DAC), Dublin (until 31 December 2020) W&W Europe Life Limited i. L., Dublin, Chairman
BWK GmbH Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board (from 16 December 2020)
Risk and Compliance (money laundering/securities compliance), Group Controlling, Cost Controlling, Group Personnel a) Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG, Stuttgart, Deputy Chair
W&W Informatik GmbH, Ludwigsburg, Vorsitzender (from 22 April 2020)
Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s., Prague, Chair of the Supervisory Board (until 1 April 2020)
Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s, Prague, Chair of the Supervisory Board (until 1 April 2020)
Enterprise IT Management, Customer Data Protection and Operational Security
As a member of the German Reinsurance Pharma Pool (Pharma-Rückversicherungs-Gemeinschaft), we assumed pro rata liability in the amount of 1.41%. The pool currently has a total volume of €106.7 million. Based on the creditworthiness assessment of the German Reinsurance Pharma Pool, a drawdown is not expected.
By way of a release and hold harmless agreement dated 20 October 1993, Württembergische Versicherung AG assumed the risk under the contract executed by W&W AG via a London broker. Accordingly, Württembergische Versicherung AG recognised provisions for outstanding insurance claims in the amount of €19.3 million. Vis-à-vis third parties, W&W AG is liable for these obligations. From today's perspective, Württembergische Versicherung AG has sufficient reserves. As a result, liability on the part of W&W AG currently appears unlikely. Based on the creditworthiness assessment of the debtor, a drawdown is not expected.
Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG intends to collateralise loans of W&W AG that are not secured in rem. The loans were grant-ed for residential housing purposes. W&W AG provided a guaranty on behalf of Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG for the loan claim under the loans that existed at the time of contract conclusion. The guaranty will be reduced in step with loan re-payments. As at the reporting date, the guaranty amounted to €22.1 million, taking into account the provision in the amount of €1.1 million that was created for loan guaranties. Based on the creditworthiness assessment by Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG about the borrowers, a further drawdown is not expected.
In connection with an agreement concerning the takeover of staff that was concluded between W&W Service GmbH and WISAG Facility Management Süd-West GmbH & Co. KG, W&W AG provided WISAG Facility Management Süd-West GmbH & Co. KG with an unconditional, open-ended, directly enforceable guaranty, up to a total amount of €10.0 million. This guaranty constitutes surety for the fulfilment of all current and future financial liabilities of W&W Service GmbH under that agreement. Based on the creditworthiness assessment of the debtor, a drawdown under the guaranty is not expected.
The Stuttgart Regional Council approved subsidies in connection with the formation of the "Feuerseepiraten" day care centre at the Stuttgart site. In return, the Regional Council received a bank guaranty in the amount of €0.1 million. Since the subsidy terms stipulated by the Stuttgart Regional Council have been met, a drawdown is not expected.
To the best of our current knowledge, we also believe going forward that the risk of a claim under the aforementioned contingent liabilities, as in the past, will not lead to any additional expense for the company.
Outstanding obligations to pay in for participations and fund investments amounted to €84.5 million (of which for affili-ated companies are €5.6 million.
W&W AG has financial obligations in the amount of approximately €172.7 million under contracts concluded for the first and second phases of construction for the new W&W campus.
As a result of existing control and profit-and-loss transfer agreements, we expect compensatory payments in the amount of €10.8 million over the next three years for losses incurred by start-ups. Profits are expected in the intermediate term.
Expenses for internal Group services are expected to amount to €33.8 million in 2021.
Pursuant to Article 5 (5) of the Articles of Association of W&W AG, the Executive Board is authorised until 12 June 2023 to increase, on one or more occasions, the company's share capital by up to €100,000,000.00 via issuance of new registered no-par-value shares in exchange for cash or contributions in kind, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board (Authorised Capital 2018). Shareholders are entitled to a statutory subscription right. Shareholders may also be accorded the statutory subscription right by having one or more credit institutions or companies equivalent thereto pursuant to Section 186 (5) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) subscribe to the new shares under an obligation to offer them to shareholders for subscription (indirect subscription right). Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is authorised to preclude shareholders from exercising the statutory subscription right in the following cases:
Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is authorised to stipulate the further details of the capital increase, its implementation, including the issue price, and the contribution to be paid for the new no-par-value registered shares. The Supervisory Board is authorised to modify the wording of the Articles of Association after imple-mentation of an increase of the share capital out of Authorised Capital 2018 to conform to the respective increase of the share capital, as well as after expiry of the term of the authorisation.
By resolution adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018, the Executive Board was authorised to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds, participation rights, profit participation bonds or a combination of these instruments on or before 12 June 2023. Article 5 (6) of the Articles of Association accordingly provides that the share capital of W&W AG is contingently increased by the nominal amount of at most €240,000,003.46, divided into at most 45,889,102 no-par-value registered shares (Contingent Capital 2018). The contingent capital increase is to be imple-mented only if
• the company exercises a right to deliver to holders or creditors of warrant bonds, convertible bonds or profit participation rights that, on the basis of the authorisation granted to the Executive Board by the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018, are issued by the company or a subordinate Group company or guaranteed by the company on or before 12 June 2023 shares of the company in lieu of cash payment, either in whole or in part,
and provided that neither cash settlement is granted nor treasury shares or those of some other publicly traded company are used to service it. New shares are to be issued at the warrant or conversion price to be stipulated in accordance with the aforementioned authorisation resolution of 13 June 2018 or at the lower issue amount stipulated in accordance with the aforementioned authorisation resolution of 13 June 2018. The new shares participate in profit from the start of the financial year in which they come about. To the extent permitted by law, and subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is authorised to stipulate that, in the event that a resolution on appropriation of profit has not been adopted for the financial year immediately preceding the year of issue at the time of issue, the new shares are to participate in profit from the start of the financial year immediately preceding the year of issue. Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board is further authorised to stipulate the further details of the implementation of the contingent capital increase. Use may be made of the authorisation granted by resolution of the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018 to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds and profit participation rights only if the warrant bonds, convertible bonds or profit participation rights are structured in such a way that the capital that is paid in for them satis-fies the supervisory requirements in effect at the time the authorisation is used for eligibility as own funds at the level of the company and/or the Group and/or the financial conglomerate and does not exceed any intake limits. Furthermore, use may be made of the authorisation granted by resolution of the Annual General Meeting on 13 June 2018 to permit subordinate Group companies to issue warrant bonds, convertible bonds and profit participation rights and have them guaranteed by the company if this is permissible under the supervisory provisions applying in each case.
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of the company submitted the statement of compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code pursuant to Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and have made it permanently available to shareholders on the website of the W&W Group at www.ww-ag.com → Investor Relations → Publikationen → Weitere Publikationen (in German only). It can also be found in the corporate governance statement in the Management Report.
Transactions with related parties are concluded at arm's-length terms and conditions. Where employees are involved, preferential terms customary in the industry are used.
The control and profit-and-loss transfer agreements concluded with Württembergische Versicherung AG, W&W Informatik GmbH, W&W Asset Management GmbH, W&W Service GmbH and W&W brandpool GmbH remain in place.
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, Germany, is the parent company of the W&W Group. The consolidated financial statements of the W&W Group are published in the German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).
The company has received the following notifications pursuant to Section 33 (1) of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG):
| Company name | Registered office | Exceeds/falls below |
Reporting threshold |
Date | Share holding |
Number of votes |
Attribution pursuant to Section 22 WpHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wüstenrot Stiftung Gemein schaft der Freunde Deutscher Eigenheimverein e.V. (attribu tion via Wüstenrot Holding AG, Ludwigsburg) |
Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart |
Falls below | 50% | 17/08/2016 | 39.91% | 37,417,638 | Section 22 (1) sentence 1, no. 1 WpHG |
| Wüstenrot Stiftung Gemein schaft der Freunde Deutscher Eigenheimverein e.V. (attri bution via WS Holding AG, Stuttgart) |
Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart |
Exceeds | 25% | 17/08/2016 | 26.40% | 24,750,000 | Section 22 (1) sentence 1, no. 1 WpHG |
| Dr Lutz Helmig (attribution via HORUS Finanzholding GmbH) |
Hallbergmoos, Germany |
Exceeds | 10% | 11/12/2013 | 10.26% | 9,615,546 | Section 22 (1) sentence 1, no. 1 WpHG |
Wüstenrot & Württembergische Aktiengesellschaft maintains its registered office in Stuttgart and is recorded in the Commercial Register of the Local Court of Stuttgart under Number HRB 20203.
No events of special significance to the net assets, financial position and financial performance of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG occurred between the end of the financial year and the preparation of the annual financial statements,
The fee for the auditing services of Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft relates to the audit of the consolidated financial statements and the annual financial statements of W&W AG, as well as to other permissible ser-vices occasioned directly by the audit. In addition, Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft conducted audits of the annual financial statements and group reporting of various subsidiaries, as well as statutory audits in accordance with the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), the German Act on the Supervision of Insurance Undertak-ings (VAG), the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and other legal provisions.
Other assurance services include audits pursuant to the General Terms and Conditions of the Deutsche Bundesbank, the substantive audit of the sustainability report and other audits under the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), as well as other confirmation services in connection with foreign premiums. Tax advisory services consist of advisory and sup-port services for various Group companies. The other services consist of the provision of professional advice to Group companies from an accounting or regulatory standpoint, as well as a tool solution for the structured processing of regu-latory and legislative developments. In addition, for subsidiaries, audits were conducted in connection with new IT migration projects.
Information about auditor fees is contained in the consolidated financial statements of W&W AG. Based on the exemption for groups set forth in Section 285, no. 17 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), we have elected to dispense with publication here.
| Number1 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Total employees | 532 | 541 |
| thereof women | 280 | 279 |
| thereof men | 252 | 262 |
| thereof full-time | 387 | 409 |
| thereof part-time | 145 | 132 |
| 1 Average employee headcount for the year pursuant to Section 285, no. 7 of the German Commercial Code (HGB). |
The outlines of the remuneration system are depicted in detail in the remuneration report contained in the Management Report. The following remarks contain the disclosures required under Section 285, no. 9 of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
Total remuneration was examined by the Supervisory Board, and it bears a reasonable relationship to the duties and performance of Executive Board members, as well as to the company's condition. In addition to their work for the company, Dr Michael Gutjahr, Alexander Mayer and Jens Wieland serve as board members or managing directors for other W&W Group companies.
Total remuneration paid to Executive Board members during the reporting year for performing their duties at Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG amounted to €2,729.1 thousand (previous year: €2,475.2 thousand) and is composed of the following elements:
| Term of | Performance related |
Performance related remunera tion (sustained) |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| office ends |
Non-perfor mance-related remuneration |
remuneration (short term) |
from from 2017 2016 |
Ancillary benefits | Total | ||||||
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| Active members of the Executive Board |
|||||||||||
| Jürgen A. Junker | 03/2026 | 1,040.0 | 1,040.0 | 109.2 | 117.6 | 134.1 | 81.2 | 20.2 | 20.2 | 1,303.5 | 1,259.0 |
| Dr Michael Gutjahr | 08/2020 | 316.8 | 475.2 | 33.3 | 53.7 | 36.9 | 34.8 | 9.7 | 13.8 | 396.7 | 577.5 |
| Alexander Mayer | 08/2025 | 83.2 | – | 8.7 | – | – | – | 2.1 | – | 94.0 | – |
| Jürgen Steffan | 06/2024 | 535.0 | 267.5 | 56.7 | 30.5 | – | – | 11.4 | 7.0 | 603.1 | 305.0 |
| Jens Wieland | 06/2025 | 260.1 | 260.1 | 27.3 | 29.4 | 34.3 | 33.8 | 10.1 | 10.4 | 331.8 | 333.7 |
| Total | 2,235.1 | 2,042.8 | 235.2 | 231.2 | 205.3 | 149.8 | 53.5 | 51.4 | 2,729.1 | 2,475.2 |
Sustained performance-related remuneration for a prior financial year, i.e. the 2017 financial year, was earned with the close of the year 2020, since in the years 2018 to 2020 the W&W Group posted average IFRS after-tax earnings of at least €100 million p.a. and did not post a loss in any of the three years. This performance-related remuneration will be disbursed in 2021.
In addition to the earned performance-related remuneration shown in the above table, contingent claims to disbursement of performance-related remuneration for the years 2018 to 2020 were acquired (in each case, the amount of performance-related remuneration not yet disbursed). Disbursement is made only if the aforementioned conditions
occur or do not occur in the years 2021 to 2023. For 2020 the final amount will not be calculated until the Supervisory Board has ascertained whether targets were achieved.
Performance-related remuneration for the 2019 financial year, which was disbursed in 2020 after ascertaining the degree to which targets were achieved, resulted in a release totalling €2.3 thousand (previous year: €4.0 thousand). The amount consists of an expense for Jürgen A. Junker in the amount of €1.3 thousand (previous year: €4.0 thousand) and releases for Dr Michael Gutjahr in the amount of €0.9 thousand (previous year: expense of €0.4 thousand), for Jürgen Steffan in the amount of €0.8 thousand (previous year: €0.0) and for Jens Wieland in the amount of €1.9 thousand (previous year: €0.4 thousand).
In the 2019 financial year, provisions in the amount of €231.2 thousand (previous year: €186.3 thousand) were created for acquired contingent claims to disbursement in 2023 of performance-related remuneration for the 2019 financial year.
In addition, the company did not grant or pay remuneration that was not disbursed, remuneration converted into claims of another nature, remuneration used to increase other claims, or other remuneration that to date has not been indicated in any annual financial statements.
The present value of pensions attributable to the Group amounted to €5,220.8 thousand (previous year: €4,300.4 thou-sand). Of this amount, attributable to Dr Michael Gutjahr is the amount of €2,928.7 thousand (previous year: €2,716.1 thousand), based on a retirement age of 61, and to Jürgen A. Junker the amount of €591.6 thousand (previous year: €422.9 thousand), to Alexander Mayer the amount of €357.6 thousand (previous year: €0), to Jürgen Steffan the amount of €1,049.5 thousand (previous year: €925.0 thousand) and to Jens Wieland the amount of €293.4 thousand (previous year: €236.3 thousand), in each case based on a retirement age of 65. These benefits have to do with longterm post-employment benefits. Additions during the financial year that are attributable to the company amounted to €623.6 thousand (previous year: €636.7 thousand). Of these additions, attributable to Jürgen A. Junker is the amount of €168.7 thousand (previous year: €166.9 thousand), to Dr Michael Gutjahr the amount of €212.5 thousand (previous year: €161.3 thousand), to Alexander Mayer the amount of €60.8 thousand (previous year: €0), to Jürgen Steffan the amount of €124.5 thousand (previous year: €0) and to Jens Wieland the amount of €57.1 thousand (previous year: €58.8 thousand).
The pension of Dr Michael Gutjahr amounted to €114.8 thousand (previous year: €111.7 thousand), whereby the pension is offset by occupational pension benefits against third parties. Because Dr Gutjahr may claim his pension when his term of office expires, he has no claim to a transitional allowance.
The company did not grant any loans to members of the Executive Board. No liabilities were entered into in favour of Executive Board members.
Total remuneration paid to former Executive Board members in the financial year amounted to €1,894.2 thousand (previ-ous year: €1,829.0 thousand). Of this amount, €433.2 thousand (previous year: €434.9 thousand) was attributable to survivor benefits.
A reserve in the amount of €20,674.5 thousand (previous year: €20,511.1 thousand) was created for pension commit-ments to former members of the Executive Board and their survivors.
There were no other encumbrances on the company during the financial year for benefits to former members of the Executive Board or Supervisory Board or their survivors through severance payments, pensions, survivor benefits or other benefits of a related nature.
The Supervisory Board remuneration is paid in the form of a fixed remuneration whose amount is determined by the Annual General Meeting. If the Annual General Meeting does not specify an amount, the amount of the prior year applies. Supplementary amounts are stipulated for the Chair and the Deputy Chair, as well as for committee activities. In addition, fees are paid for attending Supervisory Board meetings.
Annual base remuneration payable after the close of the financial year amounted to €25.0 thousand (previous year: €25.0 thousand). Committee remuneration amounted to €8.0 thousand (previous year: €8.0 thousand) per year for the Risk and Audit Committee and for the Personnel Committee. Committee remuneration amounted to €4.0 thousand (previous year: €4.0 thousand) per year for the Nomination Committee and the Conciliation Committee. An attendance fee of €500 (previous year: €500) is paid per Supervisory Board meeting. No fees are paid for attending committee meetings.
Base remuneration and committee remuneration are increased by 150% for the Chair and by 75% for his deputies.
In the 2020 financial year, the company paid the members of the Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG total remuneration of €660.3 thousand (previous year: €665.4 thousand). In the 2020 financial year, the company paid members of the Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG who had retired during the financial year pro rata temporis remuneration of €0.0 (previous year: €30.2 thousand).
Members of the Supervisory Board are reimbursed for expenses and the value-added tax due on Supervisory Board remuneration. However, this is not included in the designated expenses.
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG has no receivables from members of the Supervisory Board as a result of granted advances or loans.
Subscription rights or other share-based remuneration for members of the Supervisory Board do not exist in the W&W Group. No provisions for current pensions or entitlements had to be created for members of the Supervisory Board or their survivors.
The company did not pay any remuneration or grant any benefits to members of the Supervisory Board for personally performed services, such as consulting or brokering services.
| Base Remuneration |
Attendance fee |
Committee Remuneration |
Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Hans Dietmar Sauer (Chair) | 62.5 | 2.0 | 40.0 | 104.5 | 107.9 |
| Frank Weber (Deputy Chair) | 43.8 | 2.0 | 16.0 | 61.8 | 62.3 |
| Petra Aichholz | 25.0 | 2.0 | – | 27.0 | 15.3 |
| Peter Buschbeck | 25.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 31.0 | 34.5 |
| Prof. Dr Nadine Gatzert | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 35.0 | 31.6 |
| Dr Reiner Hagemann | 25.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 39.0 | 39.5 |
| Ute Hobinka | 25.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 39.0 | 37.8 |
| Jochen Höpken | 25.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 31.0 | 30.0 |
| Corinna Linner | 25.0 | 2.0 | 20.0 | 47.0 | 47.5 |
| Marika Lulay | 25.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 31.0 | 31.5 |
| Bernd Mader | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 35.0 | 35.5 |
| Andreas Rothbauer | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 35.0 | 35.5 |
| Hans-Ulrich Schulz | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 35.0 | 35.5 |
| Christoph Seeger | 25.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 39.0 | 37.8 |
| Jutta Stöcker | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 35.0 | 32.6 |
| Susanne Ulshöfer | 25.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 35.0 | 20.4 |
| Subtotal | 456.3 | 32.0 | 172.0 | 660.3 | 635.2 |
| Gudrun Lacher (former) | – | – | – | – | 13.4 |
| Gerold Zimmermann (former) | – | – | – | – | 16.8 |
| Total | 456.3 | 32.0 | 172.0 | 660.3 | 665.4 |
| in € thousands | Carrying amounts 2019 |
Additions | Disposals | Reclassifi cations |
Write-ups | Write downs |
Carrying amounts 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. | I. Land, land-type rights and buildings, including buildings on third-party land |
254,223 | 106,457 | — | 5 | – | 5,968 | 354,707 |
| B. | II. Investments in affiliated companies and participations |
|||||||
| 1. | Interests in affiliated companies | 1,444,333 | 9,000 | — | 109,050 | – | 36 | 1,344,247 |
| 2. | Loans to affiliated companies | 411,500 | 49,500 | — | 73,500 | – | – | 387,500 |
| 3. | Participations | 57,411 | 21,109 | — | 4,452 | 693 | 614 | 74,147 |
| 4. | Loans to companies in which a participation is maintained |
– | – | — | – | – | – | – |
| Total B. II. | 1,913,244 | 79,609 | — | 187,002 | 693 | 650 | 1,805,894 | |
| B. | Other investments | |||||||
| 1. | Shares, interests or shares in invest ment assets and other variable-yield securities |
574,536 | 124,505 | — | 530 | 898 | 6,729 | 692,680 |
| 2. | Bearer bonds and other fixed-income securities |
273,928 | 92,232 | — | 50,445 | 653 | 587 | 315,781 |
| 3. | Other loans | |||||||
| a) Registered bonds | 124,434 | – | — | 30,000 | 284 | 283 | 94,435 | |
| b) Promissory notes and loans receivable |
161,449 | 120,954 | — | 141,500 | – | – | 140,903 | |
| 4. | Deposits with credit institutions | 70,798 | 113,950 | — | 26,198 | – | 1,581 | 156,969 |
| 5. | Other capital investments | 87 | – | — | – | – | – | 87 |
| Total B. III. | 1,205,232 | 451,641 | — | 248,673 | 1,835 | 9,180 | 1,400,855 | |
| Total | 3,372,699 | 637,707 | — | 435,680 | 2,528 | 15,798 | 3,561,456 |
| Name and registered office of the company | Direct interest in capital, in % |
Indirect interest in capital, in %3 |
Cur rency |
Reporting date |
Equity1 | Net income/ loss after taxes1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | ||||||
| 3B Boden-Bauten-Beteiligungs-GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 63,337,941 | 1,349,982 | |
| Adam Riese GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 25,000 | – | |
| Adveq Europe II GmbH, Frankfurt am Main | 16.77 | € | 31.12.2019 | 989,780 | –7,268 | |
| Adveq Opportunity II Zweite GmbH, Frankfurt am Main | 29.31 | € | 31.12.2019 | 14,364,999 | 1,482,009 | |
| Adveq Technology V GmbH, Frankfurt am Main | 16.50 | € | 31.12.2019 | 41,624,372 | 15,932,509 | |
| Allgemeine Rentenanstalt Pensionskasse AG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 47,525,555 | 9,230,148 | |
| Altmark Versicherungsmakler GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,969,382 | 551,470 | |
| Altmark Versicherungsvermittlung GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 382,266 | 65,645 | |
| Asendorfer Kippe ASK GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,777,701 | –212,076 | |
| Atlantic Labs IV GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin | 14.92 | 31.12.2019 | 11,179,934 | –894,252 | ||
| Auda Ventures GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs-KG, Munich | 5.79 | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,014,136 | –1,411,591 | |
| Bausparkasse Wüstenrot Immo GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | New investment 1.1.2020 | |||
| Beteiligungs-GmbH der Württembergischen, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 3,310,146 | 138,555 | |
| BPE2 Private Equity GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg | 10.00 | € | 30.6.2020 | 795,700 | 305 | |
| BWK GmbH Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft, Stuttgart | 35.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 246,025,883 | 19,598,712 | |
| BWK Holding GmbH Unternehmensbeteiligungsgesellschaft, Stuttgart |
35.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 11,416,484 | 852,614 | |
| City Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart |
100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 103,502,585 | 3,950,438 | |
| City Immobilien II GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart |
100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 104,432,380 | 3,045,434 | |
| CROWN Premium Private Equity III GmbH & Co. KG, Grünwald | 6.60 | € | 31.12.2019 | 15,010,676 | 653,646 | |
| DBAG Fund VI Feeder GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main | 30.71 | € | 31.12.2019 | 45,518,330 | 5,425,924 | |
| DBAG Fund VIII Feeder GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main | 44.25 | € | New investment 25.9.2020 | |||
| Deutscher Solarfonds "Stabilität 2010" GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main |
17.77 | € | 31.10.2019 | 80,955,146 | 12,629,940 | |
| Domus Beteiligungsgesellschaft der Privaten Bausparkassen mbH, Berlin |
28.73 | € | 31.12.2019 | 31,885 | –4,008 | |
| Earlybird DWES Fund VI Affiliates GmbH & Co. KG, Munich | 7.74 | € | 31.12.2019 | 84,818,324 | –6,031,872 | |
| Elvaston Capital Fund III GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin | 6.08 | 6.08 | 31.12.2019 | 125,277,554 | 190,734 | |
| Elvaston Capital Fund IV GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin | 1.16 | 6.60 | € | 31.12.2019 | 53,843,722 | –2,618,688 |
| EquiVest II GmbH & Co. Zweite Beteiligungs KG Nr. 1 für Vermögensanlagen, Munich |
8.47 | € | 31.12.2019 | 297,898 | –33,050,220 | |
| European Sustainable Power Fund Nr. 2 GmbH & Co. KG, Grünwald |
1.00 | 11.10 | 30.9.2019 | 448,339,782 | 21,897,412 | |
| familynet GmbH, Potsdam | 5.89 | 31.12.2018 | 1,337,961 | –1,474,358 | ||
| Ganzer GmbH & Co. KG, Harrislee | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,000,000 | 967,154 | |
| Gerber GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 264 234,695 | 1,926,589 | |
| Gestorf GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 472,024 | 32,930 | |
| GLL GmbH & Co. Messeturm Holding KG, Munich | 5.97 | € | 31.12.2019 | 133,118 | 136,499 | |
| GMA Gesellschaft für Markt- und Absatzforschung mbH, Ludwigsburg |
100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,028,403 | 207,581 | |
| Hinterbliebenenfürsorge der Deutschen Beamtenbanken GmbH, Karlsruhe |
100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 113,641 | –710 |
| Direct interest in capital, |
Indirect interest in capital, |
Cur | Reporting | Net income/ loss after |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and registered office of the company | in % | in %3 | rency | date | Equity1 | taxes1 |
| IVB - Institut für Vorsorgeberatung, Risiko- und Finanzierung sanalyse GmbH, Karlsruhe |
100,00 | € | 31.10.2019 | 78,181 | 1,653 | |
| IVZ Immobilien Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. Südeuropa KG, München |
10,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 624,438 | –250,591 | |
| Keleya Digital-Health Solutions GmbH, Hamburg | 21,96 | € | 31.12.2019 | 416,438 | –692,678 | |
| Kinderheldin GmbH, Berlin | 10,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 254,891 | –289,715 | |
| KLV BAKO Dienstleistungs-GmbH, Karlsruhe | 94,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 231,418 | 8,519 | |
| KLV BAKO Vermittlungs-GmbH, Karlsruhe | 77,10 | € | 31.12.2019 | 241,989 | 8,991 | |
| Miethaus und Wohnheim GmbH i.L., Ludwigsburg | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 1,961,603 | 194,420 | |
| NORD KB Micro-Cap V GmbH & Co. KG, Hannover | 10,21 | € | 31.12.2019 | 69,113,606 | –2,611,801 | |
| Onshore Wind Portfolio 2012 GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main |
4,41 | 16,31 | € | 31.08.2020 | 96,605,871 | 5,168,397 |
| Rente.de AV GmbH, Stuttgart2 (ehemals: Nist GmbH, Berlin) | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 25,000 | – | |
| Schulenburg GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 116,391 | –93,778 | |
| treefin GmbH, München2 | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 3,382,560 | – | |
| V-Bank AG, München | 15,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 48,591,247 | 3,748,858 | |
| VC Fonds Baden-Württemberg GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 25,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 1,859,465 | –141,225 | |
| ver.di Service GmbH, Berlin | 50,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 157,912 | 7,636 | |
| VV Immobilien GmbH & Co. United States KG i.L., München | 9,98 | € | 31.12.2018 | 10,000 | –23,899 | |
| VV Immobilien GmbH & Co. US City KG i.L., München | 23,10 | € | 31.12.2018 | 9,489 | –17,009 | |
| W&W Asset Management GmbH, Ludwigsburg2 | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 11,261,185 | – | |
| W&W brandpool GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 3,275,000 | – | |
| W&W Gesellschaft für Finanzbeteiligungen mbH, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 59,409,366 | –26,341 | |
| W&W Informatik GmbH, Ludwigsburg2 | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 473,025 | – | |
| W&W Produktion GmbH i.L., Berlin2 | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 25,000 | – | |
| W&W Service GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 100,153 | – | |
| Wellington Partners Life Sciences V Investment GmbH & Co. KG, München |
5,75 | € | 31.12.2020 | 89,757,205 | 2,331,335 | |
| Windpark Golzow GmbH & Co. KG, Rheine | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 7,917,096 | –483,718 | |
| WL Erneuerbare Energien Verwaltungs GmbH, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 76,488 | 2,913 | |
| WL Renewable Energy GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 94,718,381 | 9,882,966 | |
| WL Sustainable Energy GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 81,236,893 | 9,896,865 | |
| Wohnimmobilien GmbH & Co. KG der Württembergischen, Stuttgart |
100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 118,430,875 | 3,855,632 | |
| Württembergische Akademie GmbH, Stuttgart | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,098,062 | 17,103 | ||
| Württembergische Immobilien AG, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 120,257,087 | 673,389 | |
| Württembergische Kö 43 GmbH, Stuttgart | 89,90 | € | 31.12.2019 | 22,808,270 | 511,806 | |
| Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 49,048,122 | 5,600,000 | |
| Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Stuttgart | 94,89 | € | 31.12.2019 | 473,511,724 | 35,000,000 | |
| Württembergische Logistik I GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart | 100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 9,849,320 | –1,505,415 | |
| Württembergische Rechtsschutz Schaden-Service-GmbH, Stuttgart |
100,00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 76,694 | – |
| Direct interest in capital, |
Indirect interest in capital, |
Cur | Reporting | Net income/ loss after |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and registered office of the company | in % | in %3 | rency | date | Equity1 | taxes1 |
| Württembergische Versicherung AG, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 350,563,107 | — | |
| Württembergische Vertriebspartner GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 74,481 | — | |
| Württembergische Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2018 | 35,454 | 560 | |
| Württfeuer Beteiligungs-GmbH, Stuttgart | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2018 | 1,036,660 | –25,467 | |
| WürttLeben Alternative Investments GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 103,025,000 | — | |
| WürttVers Alternative Investments GmbH, Stuttgart2 | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 46,025,000 | — | |
| Wüstenrot Bausparkasse AG, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 830,563,506 | 30,238,795 | |
| Wüstenrot Grundstücksverwertungs-GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 2,057,024 | 10,082 | |
| Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2018 | 96,954,047 | 2,628,846 | |
| Wüstenrot Immobilien GmbH, Ludwigsburg | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2018 | 2,708,514 | 949,083 | |
| YIELCO Special Situations GmbH & Co. KG, München | 8.01 | € | 31.12.2018 | 40,388,574 | –199,123 | |
| Australia | ||||||
| REI Head Trust, Sydney | 100.00 | AU\$ | 30.6.2020 | 62,803,000 | 3,821,000 | |
| REI Property Sub Trust, Sydney | 100.00 | AU\$ | 30.6.2020 | 62,636,000 | 3,903,000 | |
| Finland | ||||||
| Kiinteistö Oy Porkkalankatu 5, Helsinki | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 42,285,756 | – | |
| France | ||||||
| Württembergische France Immobiliere SARL, Strasbourg | 100.00 | € | 30.9.2020 | 15,573,530 | 1,453,507 | |
| Württembergische France Strasbourg SARL, Strasbourg | 100.00 | € | 30.9.2020 | 45,854,772 | 1,941,761 | |
| Ireland | ||||||
| BlackRock NTR Renewable Power Fund plc, Dublin | 89.55 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 38,762,000 | 12,790,000 | |
| W&W Asset Management Dublin DAC, Dublin | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 11,599,131 | 5,172,073 | |
| W&W Europe Life Limited i.L., Dublin | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2014 | 18,834,772 | –733,611 | |
| W&W Investment Managers DAC, Dublin | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 8,541,199 | 3,753,168 | |
| White Oak Summit Fund ILP, Dublin | 15.66 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 207,506,253 | 7,068,133 | |
| White Oak Yield Spectrum Feeder ICAV, Dublin | 37.30 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 339,715,326 | 20,939,104 | |
| Luxembourg | ||||||
| Alcentra European Credit Fund II SCSp, Luxembourg | 9.44 | New investment 4.2.2019 | ||||
| Alcentra European Credit Fund III SCSp, Luxembourg | 5.97 | € | 30.6.2020 | 772,601,768 | –42,424,155 | |
| AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt Fund (EUR) III L.P., Luxembourg | 9.63 | € | 31.12.2019 | 361,075,376 | 20,669,083 | |
| AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt Fund IV (EUR) L.P., Luxembourg | 8.98 | € | 31.12.2019 | 223,130,065 | 7,724,716 | |
| Barings Global Credit Fund (LUX) SCSp, SICAV-SIF - Barings European Private Loan Fund II, Luxembourg |
6.44 | € | 31.12.2019 | 30,888,361 | 74,295 | |
| BlackRock Euro Investment Grade Infrastructure Debt Fund SCSp, Luxembourg |
22.50 | € | 31.12.2019 | 225,422,000 | 9,297,000 | |
| CI III Lux Feeder Fund FCP-RAIF, Luxembourg | 35.88 | € | 31.12.2019 | 22,432,861 | –155,480 |
| Name and registered office of the company | Direct interest in capital, in % |
Indirect interest in capital, in %3 |
Cur rency |
Reporting date |
Equity1 | Net income/ loss after taxes1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent Private Credit Partners Unitranche Fund (Ireland) L.P., Luxembourg |
51.48 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 32,078,000 | –18,000 | |
| Deerpath Capital SLP-RAIF, Luxembourg | 25.81 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 105,748,071 | 1,682,694 | |
| First State European Diversified Infrastructure Feeder Fund II SCA, SICAV-SIF, Luxembourg |
12.99 | € | 31.12.2019 | 285,274,939 | 27,266,538 | |
| HPS Speciality Loan Europe Fund V SCSp, Luxembourg | 26.96 | New investment 30.11.2020 | ||||
| Idinvest Lux Fund, SICAV-SIF SCA – Idinvest Private Debt III, Luxembourg |
23.80 | € | 31.12.2019 | 89,255,335 | –4,314,304 | |
| Idinvest Private Debt V SCSp SICAV-RAIF, Luxembourg | 19.96 | € | 31.12.2019 | 217,828,515 | 7,668,708 | |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA – Ecoprime Energy, Luxembourg | 18.81 | € | 30.9.2020 | 97,703,581 | 3,733,222 | |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA – ecoprime TK I, Luxembourg | 41.28 | € | 30.9.2020 | 38,968,689 | 2,685,281 | |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA – Global Energy (Ecoprime III), Luxembourg | 15.12 | 30.24 | € | 30.9.2020 | 27,875,165 | 3,681,244 |
| IKAV SICAV-FIS SCA – Global PV Investments, Luxembourg | 46.25 | € | 30.9.2020 | 22,103,081 | 1,526,158 | |
| Muzinich Pan-European Private Debt II, SCSp, Luxembourg | 26.19 | New investment 26.11.2020 | ||||
| Rotonda Infrastructure 1 SCSp, Luxembourg | 9.68 | € | 30.9.2019 | 117,548,988 | –947,014 | |
| Secondary Opportunities SICAV-SIF – SOF II Feeder USD, Lux embourg |
16.79 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 28,020,364 | 1,189,507 | |
| Secondary Opportunities SICAV-SIF – SOF III Feeder USD, Luxembourg |
35.48 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 56,249,714 | 5,213,430 | |
| StepStone European Fund SCS, SICAV-FIS – StepStone Capital Partners III, Luxembourg |
7.15 | 20.41 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 680,342,087 | 71,281,318 |
| Whitehelm European Infrastructure Fund II, Luxembourg | 25.62 | € | 30.6.2020 | 93,274,262 | –1,284,841 | |
| WhiteOak Yield Spectrum (Luxembourg) Feeder Fund V SCSp, Luxembourg |
19.11 | New investment 21.9.2020 | ||||
| Austria | ||||||
| G6 Zeta Errichtungs- und VerwertungsGmbH & Co OG, Vienna | 99.90 | € | 31.12.2019 | 24,202,338 | 2,712,744 | |
| SAMARIUM drei GmbH & Co OG, Vienna | 100.00 | € | 31.12.2019 | 9,623,088 | 595,235 | |
| Hungary | ||||||
| Fundamenta-Lakáskassza-Lakástakarékpénztár Zrt., Budapest | 11.47 | HUF | 31.12.2019 | 63,600,000,000 | 7,004,000,000 | |
| United Kingdom | ||||||
| ASF VI Infrastructure L.P., Edinburgh | 5.45 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 250,342,796 | 1,396,208 | |
| Asper Renewable Power Partners 2 L.P., London | 29.53 | € | 31.12.2019 | 59,458,756 | –7,987 | |
| Brookfield Capital Partners Fund III (NR A) L.P., George Town | 12.20 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 562,181,000 | 450,214,000 | |
| Capital Dynamics Clean Energy and Infrastructure III L.P., Birmingham |
16.21 | £ | 31.12.2019 | 71,215,125 | 919,788 | |
| Capital Dynamics Clean Energy and Infrastructure Feeder L.P., Edinburgh |
30.21 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 141,842,687 | –16,189,558 | |
| Carlyle Cardinal Ireland Fund L.P., George Town | 5.83 | € | 31.12.2019 | 158,675,000 | –2,973,000 | |
| EIG Global Private Debt (Europe UL) L.P., London | 29.67 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 131,121,000 | 7,228,000 | |
| Glennmont Clean Energy Fund Europe 1 'A' L.P., London | 11.52 | € | 31.12.2019 | 83,267,412 | 64,716,727 |
| Direct interest in capital, |
Indirect interest in capital, |
Cur | Reporting | Net income/ loss after |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and registered office of the company | in % | in %3 | rency | date | Equity1 | taxes1 |
| Global Infrastructure Partners III-C2, L.P., London | 9.60 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 467,608,176 | 21,979,753 | |
| Kennet III A L.P., St Peter Port | 6.73 | € | 31.12.2019 | 101,680,117 | 11,858,303 | |
| Kennet IV L.P., St Peter Port | 18.83 | € | 31.12.2019 | 199,834,722 | –1,997,296 | |
| Landmark Infrastructure Partners II Offshore, L.P., George Town | 7.80 | New investment 2.9.2020 | ||||
| Partners Group Emerging Markets 2007 L.P., Edinburgh | 9.38 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 74,838,000 | 4,140,000 | |
| Project Glow Co-Investment Fund, L.P., George Town | 51.72 | CA\$ | 31.12.2019 | 896,345 | 32,790,435 | |
| United States of America | ||||||
| ARDIAN North America Fund II L.P., Wilmington | 2.56 | 8.19 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 130,383,704 | –8,928,711 |
| BR Guthrie LLC, Wilmington4 | 100.00 | – | – | – | ||
| BR US Holdings I LLC, Wilmington | 100.00 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 38,030,214 | –1,250,644 | |
| BR US Holdings II LLC, Wilmington | 100.00 | US\$ | 31.12.2020 | 1,897,112 | –2,888 | |
| Guthrie Property Owner LP, Wilmington | 100.00 | US\$ | 30.11.2020 | 37,239,928 | 1,119,950 | |
| H.I.G. Whitehorse Offshore Loan Feeder Fund L.P., Miami | 11.06 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 231,150,526 | 26,954,957 | |
| ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund (EU) L.P., Wilmington | 5.19 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 2,687,861,249 | 137,857,386 | |
| Project Finale Co-Investment Fund Holdings LLC, Wilmington | 30.00 | US\$ | 31.12.2019 | 44,535,893 | 1,466,916 |
1 The figures relate to the most recent annual financial statements available on the reporting date.
2 Profit and loss transfer agreement in place.
3 Pursuant to Section 16 (4) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the indirect interest (or: ownership interest; or: ownership share) consists of interests that belong to a dependent company or to another company for the account of the company or a company dependent on it.
4 Information not available; consolidated in 2019.
| Net technical income/loss for own account (prior to claim |
Net technical income/loss for own account (after claim equalisation provisions) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross premiums written | equalisation provisions) | |||||
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Fire insurance | 71,147 | 68,172 | –1,919 | 1,481 | –1,058 | 737 |
| Other property insurance | 104,297 | 98,116 | 1,788 | 2,661 | –2,581 | –450 |
| Total fire and other property insurance | 175,444 | 166,288 | –131 | 4,142 | –3,639 | 287 |
| Motor insurance | 133,912 | 129,769 | 1,566 | –6,930 | –4,112 | –10,230 |
| Liability insurance | 36,939 | 35,838 | 6,555 | 5,973 | 10,756 | 5,177 |
| Casualty insurance | 22,273 | 21,695 | 937 | 2,838 | 938 | 2,838 |
| Transport and aviation hull insurance | 3,902 | 3,811 | –330 | 587 | 295 | 663 |
| Other insurance | 29,974 | 27,260 | –2,465 | –755 | –2,363 | -395 |
| Total property/casualty insurance | ||||||
| business | 402,444 | 384,661 | 6,132 | 5,855 | 1,875 | –1,660 |
| Life insurance | 4,539 | 5,309 | 586 | 655 | 586 | 655 |
| Total | 406,983 | 389,970 | 6,718 | 6,510 | 2,461 | –1,005 |
| in € thousands | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Wages and salaries | 38,503 | 39,520 |
| Social remittances and expenses for support | 7,355 | 6,440 |
| Expenses for the pension scheme | 4,245 | 3,885 |
| Total | 50,103 | 49,845 |
W&W AG does not have its own mobile sales force. As a result, the table required by the German Regulation on the Accounting of Insurance Undertakings (RechVersV) contains only personnel expenses and no commissions or other remuneration of insurance agents.
To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with applicable accounting principles, the annual financial statements present a true and accurate view of the company's net assets, financial position and financial performance, and the combined management report provides a true and accurate presentation of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company, together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the company.
Stuttgart, 1 March 2021
Jürgen A. Junker
Alexander Mayer
Jürgen Steffan
Jens Wieland
To Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart
We have audited the annual financial statements of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, consisting of the balance sheet as at 31 December 2020, the income statement for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020, and the notes, together with the presentation of accounting policies. In addition, we have audited the combined management report of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Stuttgart, for the financial year 1 January to 31 December 2020. In conformity with German statutory requirements, we have not audited the content of the corporate governance statement pursuant to Section 341a of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Section 289f HGB, which is contained in the section "Corporate governance statement".
In our opinion, based on the knowledge acquired in connection with the audit,
Pursuant to Section 322 (3) sentence 1 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), we declare that our audit has not led to any reservations concerning the regularity of the annual financial statements or the combined management report.
We conducted our audit of the audit financial statements and the combined management report in conformity with Section 317 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and with Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities (hereinafter, the "EU Audit Regulation"), as well as in accordance with the German standards for the proper auditing of financial statements promulgated by the IDW (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany). Our responsibility in accordance with those provisions and standards is described extensively in the section of our audit report entitled "Responsibility of the statutory auditor for the audit of the annual financial statements and the combined management report". We are independent of the company in accordance with the requirements of European and German commercial law, as well as professional rules, and we have fulfilled our other German professional duties in accordance with these requirements and rules. In addition, pursuant to Article 10(2)(f) of the EU Audit Regulation, we declare that we did not provide any prohibited non-audit services referred to in Article 5(1) of the EU Audit Regulation. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions concerning the annual financial statements and the combined management report.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the annual financial statements for the financial year from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the annual financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on them.
In the following, we describe the key audit matters in our view:
Interests in affiliated companies are not quoted, meaning that fair values as at the reporting date cannot be derived for them from active markets. For these investments, fair values are calculated using recognised measurement procedures that are customary on the market, particularly the capitalised earnings method and the net asset value method. Used as input data in connection with the capitalised earnings method are primarily measurement parameters that are not observable on the market (in particular, planning assumptions about anticipated income and expenses, such as premiums, interest surplus and claims and general administrative expenses), but also to a lesser extent measurement parameters derived from the market (particularly key specification factors of the capitalisation interest rate). Discretion is exercised in connection with the selection of the procedures and the specification of the measurement parameters and assumptions.
Because discretion is exercised in connection with the specification of the measurement procedures and the assumptions to be made about the material measurement parameters and assumptions in connection with model-based measurement and the write-downs and write-ups that may result from this, as well as the associated risk of a materially incorrect presentation in the annual financial statements, this has to do with a key audit matter.
We gained an understanding of the planning and measurement processes.
For a sample of interests in affiliated companies, we gained a methodological and mathematical understanding of the measurement models utilised.
Where fair value was determined using the capitalised earnings method, we reviewed, in particular, the most significant planning assumptions in connection with analysing planning. In the process, we also gained an understanding of the reasons for the deviations that occurred in the current year as compared with the previous year's planning and their anticipated one-time or ongoing effects, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic. For the planning analyses, we relied on current business performance, as well as on publicly available information.
Furthermore, we compared the planning presented to us with the planning approved by the Executive Board of the responsible company. Also, by means of a retrospective comparison, we analysed the planning from the previous year with the business performance actually achieved and reviewed the deviations.
We gained an understanding of the capitalisation interest rates used for discounting and how they were determined pursuant to the capital asset pricing model. This related to the base interest rate and the market risk premium, as well as the individually specified beta factors, country risk premiums and growth discounts. In addition, we gained an understanding of the calculation method presented to us and the parameters used by examining market data and available information about comparable companies, including a review of adjustments specific to the business model.
Moreover, we used our own specialists, who have special expertise in the area of company valuation, to perform a spot check of interests in affiliated companies.
For interests in affiliated companies whose fair value was determined using the net asset value method, we gained a methodological and mathematical understanding for a selection of value calculations.
Our audit procedures did not result in any objections to the measurement of interests in affiliated companies.
The disclosures concerning the measurement of interests in affiliated companies are contained in the notes in the sections "Accounting policies: Interests in affiliated companies" and "Calculation of fair value".
The Supervisory Board is responsible for the report of the Supervisory Board. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board are responsible for the statement pursuant to the Corporate Governance Code in accordance with section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), which is an element of the corporate governance statement. Beyond this, the Executive Board is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises: the aforementioned corporate governance statement. In addition, the other information comprises the combined, non-financial report of the W&W Group, a copy of which was provided to us prior to issuing this audit report. Furthermore, the other information comprises additional elements envisaged for the annual report, a copy of which was provided to us prior to issuing this audit report, in particular:
but not the annual financial statements, the disclosures in the combined management report that are included in the substantive audit or our associated audit report.
Our audit opinions concerning the annual financial statements and the combined management report do not cover the other information, and accordingly we do not provide an audit opinion or any other form of audit conclusion concerning it.
In connection with our audit, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, assess whether the other information
The Executive Board is responsible for preparing the annual financial statements in a manner that complies in all material respects with provisions of German commercial law applicable to insurance undertakings, as well as for ensuring that in compliance with German standards for proper accounting, the annual financial statements present a true and accurate view of the company's net assets, financial position and financial performance. Furthermore, the Executive Board is responsible for the internal controls that it has specified as necessary in compliance with German standards for proper accounting in order to facilitate the preparation of annual financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the annual financial statements, the Executive Board is responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern. In addition, it is responsible for disclosing, as applicable, matters related to the going concern. Moreover, it is responsible for using the going concern basis of accounting unless factual or legal circumstances prevent it from doing so.
Furthermore, the Executive Board is responsible for preparing the combined management report that as a whole presents a true and accurate view of the company's position and that in all material respects is consistent with the annual financial statements, complies with German statutory requirements and accurately depicts the opportunities and risks of future development. In addition, the Executive Board responsible for the arrangements and measures (systems) that it considers necessary in order to facilitate the preparation of a combined management report in conformity with applicable German statutory requirements and to enable sufficient and appropriate evidence to be provided for the statements in the combined management report.
The Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the company's accounting process with respect to the preparation of the annual financial statements and the combined management report.
Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the annual financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and about whether the combined management report as a whole presents a true and accurate view of the company's position and in all material respects is consistent with the annual financial statements and the knowledge gained in the audit, complies with German statutory requirements and accurately depicts the opportunities and risks of future development, as well as to issue an audit report containing our audit opinions concerning the annual financial statements and the combined management report.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in conformity with Section 317 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and with the EU Audit Regulation, as well as in accordance with the German standards for the proper auditing of financial statements promulgated by the IDW (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany), will always detect a material misstatement. Misstatements may be the result of non-compliance or inaccuracies and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users that are taken on the basis of these annual financial statements and the combined management report.
We exercise our best judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
• Perform audit procedures concerning the forward-looking statements made by the Executive Board in the combined management report. In doing so, on the basis of sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, we gain an understanding, in particular, of the key assumptions underlying the Executive Board's forward-looking statements and evaluate whether the statements were properly derived from those assumptions. We do not provide a separate audit opinion concerning the forward-looking statements or the underlying assumptions. There is a substantial, unavoidable risk that future events may significantly deviate from the forward-looking statements.
We meet with the individuals responsible for monitoring in order to discuss, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We provide the individuals responsible for monitoring with a statement that we complied with the relevant independence requirements, and we discuss with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be presumed to influence our independence and the steps we have taken to guard against this.
From the matters that we discussed with the individuals responsible for monitoring, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the annual financial statements for the current reporting period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our audit report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter.
Report on the audit of the electronic reproductions of the annual financial statements and the combined management report that are prepared for the purposes of disclosure pursuant to Section 317 (3b) of the German Commercial Code (HGB)
Pursuant to Section 317 (3b) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), we performed an audit with reasonable assurance of whether the reproductions of the annual financial statements and the combined management report that are prepared for the purposes of disclosure (hereinafter, the "ESEF documents") and that are included in the attached file WW_AG_KLB+JA_ESEF-2020-12-31.zip comply with the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB concerning the electronic reporting format (the "ESEF format") in all material respects. In conformity with German statutory provisions, this audit covers only the transmission of the information in the annual financial statements and the combined management report in the ESEF format and therefore does not cover either the information included in those reproductions or other information included in the aforementioned file.
In our opinion, the reproductions of the annual financial statements and the combined management report that are included in the aforementioned attached file and that are prepared for the purposes of disclosure comply with the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB concerning the electronic reporting format in all material respects. Other than this audit opinion and the audit opinions concerning the attached annual financial statements and the attached combined management report for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020 that are included in the foregoing "Report on the audit of the annual financial statements and of the combined management report", we do not provide any audit opinion concerning the information included in those reproductions or concerning the other information included in the aforementioned file.
We conducted our audit of the reproductions of the annual financial statements and the combined management report that are included in the aforementioned attached file in conformity with Section 317 (3b) HGB and in observance of the draft standard promulgated by the IDW (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany) "Audit of electronic reproductions of financial statements and management reports prepared for the purposes of disclosure pursuant to Section 317 (3b) HGB" (IDW EPS 410). Our responsibility in accordance therewith is described extensively in the section "Responsibility of the statutory auditor for the audit of the ESEF documents". Our statutory auditor practice applied the requirements for the quality assurance system contained in the IDW quality assurance standard "Requirements for quality assurance in statutory auditor practice" (IDW QS 1).
The company's Executive Board is responsible for preparing the ESEF documents with the electronic reproductions of the annual financial statements and the combined management report in accordance with Section 328 (1) sentence 4, no. 1 HGB.
In addition, the company's Executive Board is responsible for the internal controls that it considers necessary in order to facilitate the preparation of ESEF documents that are free from material infringements, whether intentional or unintentional, of the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB concerning the electronic reporting format.
The company's Executive Board is moreover responsible for submitting the ESEF documents to the operator of the German Federal Gazette, together with the audit report and the attached audited annual financial statements and the audited combined management report, as well other documents to be disclosed.
The Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the preparation of the ESEF documents as part of the accounting process.
Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the ESEF documents are free from material infringements, whether intentional or unintentional, of the requirements of Section 328 (1) HGB. We exercise our best judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
We were selected as the Group statutory auditor at the meeting of the Supervisory Board on 5 December 2018. We were given a mandate by the chair of the Supervisory Board's Risk and Audit Committee on 30 April 2020. We have served as the statutory auditor of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG since this financial year.
We declare that the audit opinions contained in this audit report are consistent with the additional report to the Supervisory Board's Risk and Audit Committee in accordance with Article 11 of the EU Audit Regulation.
In addition to the audit of the annual and consolidated financial statements for the audited company and its controlled companies, we essentially provided the following services:
The auditor responsible for the audit is Martin Gehringer.
Stuttgart, 18 March 2021
Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
signed Wagner signed Gehringer Wirtschaftsprüfer Wirtschaftsprüfer (German public auditor) (German public auditor)
The Supervisory Board fulfilled its duties in the 2020 financial year in accordance with statutory requirements, the Articles of Association and the bylaws. It monitored the management of business and was directly involved in all matters of fundamental importance for the company.
In accordance with the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG is composed of 16 members. The company is required by law to have women make up at least 30% of the Supervisory Board. It is composed of nine men and seven women. Accordingly, women make up 44% of the Supervisory Board. The shareholder representatives consist of four women and four men, meaning that full gender parity is achieved in this case. Further details about the composition of the Supervisory Board can be found in the corporate governance statement.
Over the course of the 2020 financial year, the Supervisory Board did not experience any changes in its member-ship.
In the year under review, the Supervisory Board had four ordinary meetings at which it considered at length the development of the company and the Group. The reports of the Executive Board, written presentations and meeting documentation were submitted to it in timely fashion for the purpose of preparing for the meetings. The Executive Board reported regularly to the Supervisory Board in writing and verbally and in a timely and comprehensive manner about all issues of relevance to the company and the Group concerning strategy, planning, business performance and risk position. In addition, the issue of risk management was addressed at length by the Supervisory Board and by the Risk and Audit Committee. To this end, detailed risk reports were prepared and then presented to the Supervisory Board for discussion. The business and risk strategy was submitted to and discussed with the Supervisory Board. The Executive Board submitted the report of the Internal Audit department and the report of the Group Compliance Officer to the Risk and Audit Committee and to the Supervisory Board. The head of the Internal Audit department and the Group Compliance Officer took part in the meeting of the Risk and Audit Committee. In addition, the Chair of the Executive Board and the Chair of the Supervisory Board exchanged information on an ongoing and, where warranted by events, prompt basis about all key developments and decisions.
At the forefront of the meetings of the Supervisory Board of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG was enhancement of the "W&W Besser!" programme and the W&W strategy concept 2025. In addition the Supervisory Board discussed the risk-bearing capacity of the W&W Group – particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic – and the strategies in the Housing and Insurance divisions. In this regard, the Supervisory Board invited representatives from the divisions to attend the meeting and discussed their strategies with them in depth.
The further discussions in the Supervisory Board focused on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, continuing digitalisation measures, digital business models and the consequences that these have for the Group structure, staff development and the IT structure within the Group. In particular, the environment of persistently low interest rates, increasing regulation and changed customer behaviour in the "new digital reality" were addressed. A further priority was the Group's strategic orientation, which was discussed in detail by the Supervisory Board. The Executive Board reported regularly about the W&W campus project, particularly concerning the planning process, construction progress and cost developments.
Business performance and trends in results in the individual segments were addressed at length, particularly with respect to the challenging conditions brought about the coronavirus pandemic, as were the current situation on the capital markets, current regulatory developments and the expected impact on the Group. In connection with the discussion of participation management, special attention was given to the development of W&W brandpool GmbH, as
well as to the successful sale of the Czech participations – Wüstenrot stavební spořitelna a.s. (Czech home loan and savings bank) and Wüstenrot hypoteční banka a.s. (Czech mortgage bank). The Supervisory Board received a comprehensive report on W&W AG's investments. In addition, it had detailed discussions about operational planning for 2021 and further medium-term planning,
All measures requiring approval by law or under the company's rules were submitted to the Supervisory Board. In addition, the Supervisory Board concerned itself with central issues of corporate governance. At its September 2020 meeting, the Supervisory Board discussed in details the elimination of the Wüstenrot & Württembergische financial holding group and the associated discontinuation of supervision on the basis of the consolidated situation of W&W AG as a financial holding company pursuant to Article 4(1) No. 20 of the CRR. On this basis, the Supervisory Board decided to modify its bylaws, as well as those for the Executive Board.
The Supervisory Board examined in depth the expertise profile for the full Supervisory Board and the development plan derived from it, as well as the parameters for the composition of the Supervisory Board. In the development plan adopted at the end of 2019, the measure was defined for broadening the expertise of Supervisory Board members in the area of compliance, and this was implemented during the 2020 financial year. In 2020 the Supervisory Board members once again evaluated their strengths in the fields of investment, actuarial practice and accounting by means of a self-assessment. This in turn forms the basis for the development plan that the Supervisory Board prepares each year. The plan identifies areas where the Supervisory Board as a whole or its individual members wish to acquire greater expertise. At its December meeting, the Supervisory Board adopted the development plan for 2021. The self-assessment and the development plan were forwarded to the supervisory authority.
The Supervisory Board concerned itself in detail with the amendments to the German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK). Together with the Executive Board, it adopted an updated statement of compliance in December 2020, both on the basis of the 2017 DGCK and on the basis of the 2020 DGCK. The statement of compliance was published on the company's website (in German only). In the course of the audit, the auditor found no evidence that the statement of compliance was inaccurate.
All 16 members of the Supervisory Board took part in all four meetings of the Supervisory Board in 2020. In addition, all eight members of the Risk and Audit Committee took part in all three meetings/teleconferences of the Risk and Audit Committee. Likewise, all six members of the Nomination Committee took part in both meetings of the Nomination Committee that were held in the 2020 financial year. Furthermore, all four members of the Personnel Committee (until 29 September 2020, the Remuneration Control and Personnel Committee) took part in both meetings in the 2020 financial year.
There were no conflicts of interest requiring disclosure in 2020.
In order to enable it to efficiently perform its duties, the Supervisory Board created four committees, which are able to prepare resolutions for deliberation and adoption by the full Supervisory Board, as well as adopt resolutions themselves. These are the Risk and Audit Committee, the Nomination Committee, the Personnel Committee (until 29 September 2020, the Remuneration Control and Personnel Committee) and the Conciliation Committee. Further details about the composition and working methods of the Supervisory Board committees can be found in the corporate governance statement.
In 2020 the Risk and Audit Committee had two ordinary meetings and a further meeting to discuss the half-year financial report. The committee also adopted by way of written circulation two resolutions concerning the approval of so-called "permissible non-audit services" by the auditor. The Personnel Committee had two ordinary meetings. The Nomination Committee had two ordinary meetings. The Conciliation Committee did not meet. The issues falling within the purview of the respective committees were thoroughly discussed at committee meetings. The committee chairs reported to the Supervisory Board about the work of the committees at its next meeting.
In addition to topics for which it is responsible by virtue of law and by virtue of the bylaws of the Supervisory Board, the Risk and Audit Committee principally concerned itself with the issue of risk-bearing capacity, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic. In organisational terms, the policy on the provision of non-audit services by the auditor and the internal investment policy were revised and adopted in amended form.
In addition, the Risk and Audit Committee monitored the auditor with respect to non-audit services and its independence. The committee reviewed the non-financial Group report at its meeting on 22 March 2021, at which the auditor provided the committee with verbal and written input about the methodology and key results of its audit. The audit report was sent to each member of the committee.
Following initial treatment of the subject by the Personnel Committee, the Supervisory Board also discussed remuneration matters, particularly the remuneration system for the Executive Board, and it took note of the report of the Executive Board on the structuring of the remuneration system for employees. The Supervisory Board and the Nomination Committee reviewed and evaluated the professional qualifications and aptitude of each member of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board in accordance with the Supervisory Board's policy on "Fit and proper requirements for managers and members of the Supervisory Board". The reporting by the Executive Board continued to cover current personnel issues.
The Supervisory Board examined at length the annual financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for the 2020 financial year, the combined management report for Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG and the W&W Group as at 31 December 2020, as well as the proposal of the Executive Board concerning the appropriation of unappropriated surplus. The annual financial statements, the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report are complete and in conformity with the estimates made by the Executive Board in the reports to be issued to the Supervisory Board in accordance with Section 90 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG). The proposal of the Executive Board concerning the appropriation of net income corresponds to consistent accounting policies that take into consideration the company's liquidity position and planned investments. Therefore the Supervisory Board agrees with the proposal of the Executive Board.
Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Stuttgart, which was appointed auditor by the Supervisory Board, duly audited the annual financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for the 2020 financial year prepared by the Executive Board, as well as the combined management report for Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG and the W&W Group for the 2020 financial year, and it issued an unqualified audit report.
The auditor reported the material results of its audit to the Supervisory Board verbally and in writing. The audit report was sent to each member of the Supervisory Board. In addition, the auditor reported both at the meeting of the Risk and Audit Committee on 22 March 2021 and at the accounting meeting of the Supervisory Board on 23 March 2021. The submitted audit report meets the statutory requirements of Section 321 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and was taken into account by the Supervisory Board in connection with its own audit. There were no circumstances that could call into question the independence of the auditor.
Following initial discussion by the Risk and Audit Committee at its meeting of 23 March 2021, the Supervisory Board reviewed the separate non-financial Group report (CSR report), which included verbal and written input from the auditor about the methodology and key results of its audit. The audit report was sent to each member of the Supervisory Board. The result of the auditor's audit of the CSR report is consistent with the result of the review by the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board raised no objections to the CSR report.
Following the definitive result of the audit of the annual financial statements, the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report, as well as the proposal of the Executive Board concerning the appropriation of unappropriated surplus, the Supervisory Board raised no objections, and at its meeting on 23 March 2021, it approved the annual financial statements prepared by the Executive Board as well as the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the annual financial statements are deemed approved pursuant to Section 172 sentence 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).
The Supervisory Board also discussed the solvency over-view for W&W AG and the W&W Group as at 31 December 2019, as well as the auditor's report on it.
The Executive Board experienced the following changes in its membership in the 2020 financial year:
Dr Michael Gutjahr stepped down from the Executive Board on 31 August 2020. The Supervisory Board would like to thank Dr Gutjahr for his dedication, his high level of commitment and his achievements over the past years. He played a key role in structuring the company. Effective 1 September 2020, Alexander Mayer, member of the Executive Board of Württembergische Versicherung AG and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG and managing director of W&W Asset Management GmbH, was appointed to the Executive Board of W&W AG.
As a result of integration of the unit Organisation and IT Management into the area Group Development and Company Organisation, the Executive Board's business allocation plan was modified effective 1 January 2020. In addition, in connection with the change on the Executive Board, the Executive Board's business allocation plan was modified again effective 1 September 2020.
The Supervisory Board expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Executive Board and to the employees at all Group companies for their work and their tireless commitment during these challenging times.
Stuttgart, 23 March 2021
The Supervisory Board
Hans Dietmar Sauer Chairman
Interest rate that is used by a life insurance company to calculate the provision for future policy benefits as well as, customarily, premiums, and that is guaranteed for the entire maturity. If a higher amount of interest is earned, customers receive most of this as profit participation.
An additional provision for future policy benefits mandated by statute for life insurance contracts in the new portfolio (see also interest reinforcement for the old portfolio) in order to cover interest obligations in an environment of low interest rates. The legal basis is Section 341f (2) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in conjunction with Section 5 of the German Policy Benefit Provision Regulation (DeckRV).
This term refers to the parent company (Group parent company) and all subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are companies over which the parent company can exercise a controlling influence on business policy. This is the case, for example, where the Group parent company directly or indirectly holds the majority of voting rights or has the right to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the Supervisory Board, or where there are contractual rights of control.
Asset liability management describes the coordination of the maturity structure of assets and liabilities, as well as control of the associated market and liquidity risks.
An associated company is a company over which the Group as owner has a decisive influence. It is neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture. Decisive influence typically exists where the Group maintains an ownership of 20-50%.
Measurement model for ascertaining the fair value of options, which takes into consideration the strike price, the maturity of the option, the current price of the underlying, the risk-free interest rate and the volatility of the underlying.
This is defined when the contract is concluded and normally determines the volume of the home loan savings resources available for allocation.
Contracts that are terminated or made non-contributory by the policyholder before an insured event occurs. The lapse rate is the proportion of cancellations based on the average insurance portfolio.
A cap is an agreement between the seller of the cap and the buyer that, when a fixed market interest rate rises above an agreed interest rate limit, the seller will refund to the buyer the amount of the difference as relates to an agreed nominal amount.
Premium income from the operations of insurance companies is typically allocated to provisions and reserves. Pursuant to statutory provisions, the assigned amounts must be invested in such a way as to achieve the greatest possible security and profitability while maintaining the insurance company's liquidity at all times. This is done by ensuring an appropriate mix and spread with respect to investment types. By capital investments, we mean:
These mainly include capital investments in unit-linked life insurance and additional capital investments designed to cover liabilities under contracts where the benefit is index-linked. Policyholders are entitled to the income earned from these capital investments, but they also have to bear any losses themselves.
The cash reserve consists of cash in hand, deposits with the German Bundesbank and central bank that are payable on demand, balances with foreign postal giro offices, and debt instruments issued by public sector entities.
Actuarial profitability indicator used by property/casualty insurance companies, total of the loss ratio and the operating expense ratio.
Compliance refers to all measures that are taken to ensure the legally and ethically correct behaviour of companies, governing bodies and employees. Compliance is designed to protect the company against misconduct, which can lead to pecuniary losses, damage to image and the failure to meet corporate objectives. It is also designed to protect the interests of employees, customers and business partners.
Unrecognised liabilities that are unlikely to occur, for example contingent liabilities arising from guaranty obligations.
The German Corporate Governance Code contains nationally and internationally recognised standards of good and responsible corporate governance. Apart from conditions that have to be observed by companies as applicable statutory law, the Code also contains recommendations and suggestions. Companies can deviate from recommendations, but they are obligated to disclose this annually. Suggestions can be deviated from without disclosure.
The credit provision ratio means the ratio of the individual and portfolio impairment provisions to the associated credit volume.
Directors & officers insurance is a type of liability insurance for managers. It covers executive board members, supervisory board members and senior executives against claims that may be brought against them as a result of a professional error.
Deferred taxes must be created for temporary differences resulting from the different valuation methods applied to assets and liabilities in the tax and IFRS balance sheets, where the tax effects arise in future periods.
Derivative financial instruments are forward transactions structured as a fixed or option transaction whose value depends on one or more underlying variables. Important examples of derivative financial instruments are options, futures, forwards and swaps.
The part of the surplus earned by the insurance company that is credited directly to customers during the financial year.
Earnings per share are calculated by dividing the consolidated net profit attributable to the common shareholders of the parent company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period.
Pursuant to IFRS 9, the effective interest rate method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or a financial liability. It is also used to allocate interest receivable or interest payable over the relevant period. Using the effective interest rate, for example, a discount is spread over the maturity of the financial instrument and reduced to zero.
Reserve to be created in accordance with officially established, actuarial-based methods in order to compensate for fluctuations in claims development in various years. In years with a relatively low/relatively high number of claims, additions/withdrawals are made.
Units or shares in associated companies and joint ventures are recognised in accordance with this method. In doing so, the valuation corresponds to the Group's share of equity of these companies.
Commissions, salaries, materials costs and other expenditure for the sale and ongoing management of insurance contracts.
The amount at which an asset is exchanged between knowledgeable, willing and unrelated business partners. The fair value is the current market value, insofar as there is an active market. If an active market does not exist, fair value is determined using recognised valuation methods.
Recognised here are financial assets that are assigned to the business model "Other/trading" or are assigned to the business models "Hold to collect" or "Hold to collect and sell" and do not pass the SPPI test. Changes in fair value are recognised in the income statement. Initial recognition and subsequent measurement take place at fair value.
Financial assets that are assigned to the business model "Hold to collect and sell" and pass the SPPI test are initially recognised at fair value. In the case of subsequent measurement, changes in fair value are recognised through other comprehensive income. In the case of a disposal of the debt instrument, the changes in fair value that had previously been recognised in equity are recycled through profit or loss.
Financial assets that are assigned to the business model "Hold to collect" and pass the SPPI test are recognised at amortised cost. Costs at the time of acquisition correspond to fair value. In subsequent measurement, the carrying amount is amortised through profit or loss by depreciating transaction costs, premiums and discounts at a constant effective interest rate.
A financial holding group is defined as a group of undertakings consisting of a superordinate undertaking and its consolidated undertakings in the banking sector. The supervisory authority thus has the ability to examine the financial situation from the standpoint of the group.
Recognised here are the negative market values of derivative financial instruments that are not accounted for as a hedging instrument in connection with hedge accounting. Changes in fair value are recognised in the income statement.
These are recognised at amortised cost. Costs at the time of acquisition correspond to fair value. In subsequent measurement, the carrying amount is amortised through profit or loss by depreciating transaction costs, premiums and discounts at a constant effective interest rate.
In insurance terminology, "for own account" (f.o.a.) means after deduction of the reinsurance component.
Standardised forward transactions under which a commodity available on a cash, capital, precious-metal or foreign exchange market is to be delivered or purchased at the exchange price at a particular time in the future.
A genuine securities repurchase transaction (repo) is a contract in which the buyer assumes the obligation to retransfer the securities acquired under a repurchase agreement at a predetermined time or at a time determined by the seller.
German covered bonds are:
In underwriting, gross/net means the respective position or ratio before or after deducting reinsurance.
For home loan and savings banks, gross new business describes new business as the sum of all building savings contracts applied for and accepted during a certain period of time.
Separate assets to be set aside by insurance companies in order to guarantee the claims of policyholders.
Guarantee needs have to do with the interest rate obligation under insurance contracts measured by taking into account a current market interest rate, less the provision for future policy benefits. Valuation reserves for fixed-income securities are to be taken into account with regard to the participation of policyholders in valuation reserves only to the extent that they exceed guarantee needs. Net profit may be distributed only to the extent that it exceeds the guarantee needs. The legal basis is Section 56a (2) et seq. of the Insurance Supervision Act (VAG) in conjunction with Section 8 of the German Regulation on the Minimum Premium Refund in Life Insurance (MindZV).
Hedge accounting is an accounting procedure for depicting how the value of a hedge (e.g. an interest rate swap) and the value of an underlying (e.g. a loan) trend in opposite directions. The object of hedging is to minimise the impact on the income statement that results from the measurement of derivatives and recognition of the results in profit or loss.
Coverage against price risks through an adequate counter-position, particularly through derivative financial instruments. There are two basic models, depending on the risk to be secured: fair value hedges are used to secure assets or liabilities against risks of changes in value, and cash flow hedges mitigate the risk of fluctuations in future cash flows.
The abbreviation IFRS stands for International Financial Reporting Standards and describes the international principles of financial reporting. Since 2002, the designation IFRS applies to the overall concept of the standards enacted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Standards already enacted continue to be called International Accounting Standards (IAS).
Interest book management means the active management of risks of interest rate changes, particularly with regard to credit institutions. In so doing, regulatory requirements need to be taken into account that aim at limiting potential risks of interest rate changes.
An interest rate swap is a contractual agreement between two parties to exchange interest payments in a currency.
An additional provision for future policy benefits required by BaFin for life insurance contracts in the old portfolio (see also additional interest reserve for the new portfolio) in order to cover interest obligations in an environment of low interest rates. The calculation rule is dealt with in connection with the business plan for the old portfolio.
Loan granted against a building savings contract that has reached the minimum savings balance but has not yet been allocated. It is subsequently replaced with the allocated building savings contract volume.
Banks, banking groups and financial holding groups may rely on their own internal estimates of risk components when determining minimum capital requirements and in providing backing for risk-weighted assets for counterparty risks. The approval of BaFin is required in order to use IRBA.
The ISDA is an international trading organisation of participants on the derivatives market. The main purpose of the association is to research and mitigate risks in derivatives trading and in risk management in general. The association has published an ISDA Master Agreement, which is used for the standardised settlement of derivative transactions.
An issuer rating (for banks and insurance companies) represents the current opinion of a rating agency about a debtor's general financial ability to meet its financial obligations. This opinion relates in particular to a debtor's ability and willingness to settle its financial liabilities in full and on time.
After allocation of a building savings contract, there is a claim to a loan under a building savings contract, which is granted for housing financing activities. The amount of the loan under a building savings contract is typically determined by the difference between the building savings contract volume and the building savings contract balance. Special features of this loan are a fixed low interest rate for the entire term, the ability to subordinate collateral and the right to make unscheduled payments at any time.
Percentage ratio of loss expenses to premiums attributable to the financial year, i.e. those that are "earned".
Investment funds that invest both in equities and in fixed-income securities.
Simulation of random numbers.
When calculating the net interest on capital investments, all realised income and expenses associated with the capital investments are taken into account and compared with the average value of the capital investment portfolio (according to carrying amounts). This also includes profits and losses from the disposal of capital investments, as well as depreciations. Net interest can therefore fluctuate considerably from year to year.
For home loan and savings banks, net new business describes the sum of all building-savings contracts paid in during a certain period of time.
Annual portfolio contributions in property/casualty business that are added to the total portfolio over the course of the year on account of new contracts or contract amendments with a new business character (new contract or contract change to a different contract group).
This contains annual premiums from new life insurance business, including one-off premiums.
They include the annual portfolio contributions in live business including single premiums
Interests in own funds of consolidated subsidiaries that, in the Group's view, are held by outside third parties.
The result from those types of income and expenses that are not allocated to direct insurance business.
Forward contracts where the buyer is entitled but not obligated to purchase (call option) or sell (put option) the subject of the option within a certain period at a price agreed to in advance. The seller of the option (writer) is obligated to provide or accept the subject of the option and receives a fee for granting the option.
Derivative financial instruments that are not standardised and not traded on a stock exchange but instead are individually negotiated between two contractual partners.
A newly concluded building savings contract is deemed paid in after payment in full of the conclusion fee.
The value recognised upon acquisition of an insurance company as the countervalue for the acquired insurance contracts.
The premium is the price for the benefit to be provided by the insurer. It can be paid either continually or as a oneoff premium. Written premiums are premium revenues received for the respective financial year. Earned premiums are the amounts attributable to the financial year.
Primary insurance is established through a direct contractual relationship between the insurance company and the policyholder and is described as direct insurance business.
The insurance company creates a provision for future policy benefits in order to be able to guarantee the promised insurance cover at any time.
This is a provision for expenses arising from claims that occurred in the respective financial year but have not yet been able to be settled. It also includes provisions for claims that occurred before the reporting date but have not yet been reported.
The provision for premium refunds comes from that part of gross profit that is not credited directly to policyholders. It therefore includes those shares of the profit that are directly credited to customers in subsequent financial years. Consistent profit participation can thus be granted to policyholders from this provision, irrespective of fluctuating annual results. In addition, a deferred provision for premium funds must be created in IFRS financial statements for valuation differences between HGB and IFRS.
These premium revenues are allocated to income from future financial years. They are calculated individually and to the day for each insurance contract.
Investment funds whose units can be purchased by anyone. Purchase and sale are possible when stock exchanges are open.
Bonds issued by a mortgage bank to public authorities for the purposes of refinancing loans.
Quoted prices are characterised by the fact that they are readily and regularly available. Quotes are made via a stock exchange, a broker, an industry group, a pricing service or a supervisory authority. Prices must be accessible to the public. Prices quoted on a stock exchange, as well as pricing on OTC markets, are publicly available if the prices are available to the public, for example via Reuters or Bloomberg.
An insurance company insures part of its risk with another insurance company (the reinsurer).
Includes the valuation reserves and free provisions for premium refunds, plus the amounts attributable to nontied final profit participation funds.
In this reserve market value changes to assets belonging to the category "Financial assets available for sale" are recognised directly in equity in the reserve for financial assets available for sale. It is a component of equity.
Shares in consolidated net profit that, in the Group's view, are attributable to outside third parties.
Recognised as retained earnings in individual HGB financial statements are only those amounts that were accrued from net income in the financial year or in previous financial years. They strengthen the company's financial matter.
Assumption of the risks of reinsurance companies by other reinsurers.
The arrangements in IFRS 9 concerning risk provision are applied to financial assets at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income, as well as to loan commitments and issued finance guarantees. In the case of assets at amortised cost, the risk provision is recognised directly in the risk provision position associated with the respective balance sheet item. In the case of assets at fair value through other comprehensive in-come, the risk provision is recognised in the income statement by adjusting the reserve for financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, which is recognised in equity. The risk provision for off-balance-sheet business is recognised as an expense under "Other provisions". This risk provision is essentially calculated the same way as that for financial assets.
Return on risk-adjusted capital is a key performance indicator for measuring income, taking into account the risk capital used.
A Solvency II group involves a group of insurance undertakings. The participations of the parent undertaking are pooled in an insurance group. The supervisory authority thus has the ability to examine the financial situation from the standpoint of the group.
Term from the insurance industry. The solvency ratio indicates the relationship between an insurance company's own funds and the value of its capital investments as weighted according to investment risk. The higher the ratio, the more risks the insurance company may assume pursuant to European investment regulations.
Investment funds that are open only to a limited group of investors. These are usually institutional investors, such as insurance companies, pension funds, foundations, etc.
If a financial asset is assigned to the business model "Hold to collect" or "Hold to collect and sell", it must be assessed on the basis of contractual agreements whether the cash flows contain only principal and interest payments, known as basic loan features (SPPI test).
The stress test simulates the effects that future negative developments on the capital markets – such as a drop in share prices accompanied by a rise in interest rates – can have on the coverage of guaranteed benefits and the solvency of the company.
With a structured entity, voting and comparable rights are not the definitive factors in determining who controls the company. Voting rights merely cover administrative duties, whereas material activities are performed pursuant to contractual arrangements.
The result from income and expenses from insurance business primarily comprises premiums, claims expenses, premium refunds and expenses for insurance operations. In addition, in life insurance business, the corresponding capital investment result and the change in the provision for future policy benefits form part of it.
Difference between the fair value and the carrying amount of certain asset classes. In HGB financial statements, this includes capital investments. In IFRS financial statements, this includes financial instruments that are not recognised at fair value and property held as a financial investment.
The VaR is a measure of risk that indicates what value the loss of a certain risk position will not exceed with a stipulated probability of default (confidence level) during a stipulated time interval.
New and replacement business less portfolio cancellations (in each case, according to annual contributions to the portfolio) of each insurance line in property/casualty insurance, weighted with factors. The factors are determined according to the respective profitability. As a rule, the more profitable the line, the higher the weighting factors. Positive value-oriented net sales means strong in-come growth.
Total premium from new business by product group, weighted with value-oriented factors. The factors are determined according to the profitability of each product group. As a rule, the more profitable a product group, the higher the weighting factor.
The standard deviation, translated to one year, of the logarithmic growth of a risk factor.
The term "Württembergische" includes Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG, Württembergische Versicherung AG and die Württembergische Krankenversicherung AG.
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG 70163 Stuttgart Germany phone + 49 711 662-0 www.ww-ag.com
W&W Service GmbH, Stuttgart
The financial reports of the W&W Group are available at www.ww-ag.com/reports. In case of any divergences, the German original is legally binding.
E-mail: [email protected] Investor relations hotline: + 49 711 662-725252
W&W AG is member of W&W AG is listed in


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