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NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY

Quarterly Report Nov 18, 2022

4690_ir_2022-11-18_025bd436-7bf1-4e09-9b2e-77c9b34604bf.pdf

Quarterly Report

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Interim Results

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

for the period ended 30 September 2022

Page 1

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Contents

Page
Chief Executive's review 4
Performance summary 6
Financial review 7
Risk report 14
Consolidated interim financial statements 63
Notes to the consolidated interim financial statements 69
Responsibility statement 91
Independent review report
to Nationwide Building Society
92
Other information 94
Contacts 94

Introduction

Unless otherwise stated, the income statement analysis compares the period from 5 April 2022 to 30 September 2022 to the corresponding six months of 2021 and balance sheet analysis compares the position at 30 September 2022 to the position at 4 April 2022.

Underlying profit

Profit before tax shown on a statutory and underlying basis is set out on page 8. The purpose of the underlying profit measure is to reflect management's view of the Group's underlying performance and to assist with like for like comparisons of performance across periods. Underlying profit is not designed to measure sustainable levels of profitability as that potentially requires exclusion of non-recurring items even though they are closely related to (or even a direct consequence of) the Group's core business activities.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this document are forward-looking with respect to plans, goals and expectations relating to the future financial position, business performance and results of Nationwide. Although Nationwide believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, Nationwide can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be an accurate reflection of actual results. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of Nationwide, including, amongst other things, UK domestic and global economic and business conditions, market-related risks such as fluctuation in interest rates and exchange rates, inflation/deflation, the impact of competition, changes in customer preferences, risks concerning borrower credit quality, delays in implementing proposals, the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or other combinations within relevant industries, the policies and actions of regulatory authorities and the impact of tax or other legislation and other regulations in the jurisdictions in which Nationwide operates. The economic outlook remains unusually uncertain and, as a result, Nationwide's actual future financial condition, business performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Due to such risks and uncertainties Nationwide cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Nationwide undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This document does not constitute or form part of an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Nationwide and will contain detailed information about Nationwide and management as well as financial statements.

Chief Executive's review

Nationwide's mutual model delivers a strong financial performance, enabling support for members through uncertain times

Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive, Nationwide Building Society, said:

"Nationwide's focus is on supporting members, today and for the long term.

"We continue to deliver competitive products, high-quality services and great customer experience. Nationwide has remained number 1 for customer satisfaction in our peer group for more than ten years1 .

"Our half year performance means we can invest more in new ways to support members; we have increased the current account switcher incentive and extended our support for members facing increases in the cost of living, including practical support provided in our branches, a dedicated telephone hotline and an online support hub.

"Nationwide is not immune to the current economic challenges and it's important to maintain financial strength. Our strategy is focused on growing the membership base, increasing value to members, and becoming simpler and more efficient in the way we operate. This will ensure the Society's future strength and ability to continue to support members and wider society."

Business and trading highlights

  • Total gross mortgage lending grew by £1.5bn to £19.7bn (H1 2021: £18.2bn), with net lending of £5.4bn (H1 2021: £3.2bn). Market share of balances was maintained at 4 April 2022 level of 12.4% in a highly competitive market
  • First for customer satisfaction among our peer group for over ten years, with a current lead of 3.4%pts1 . Ranked 37th (January 2022: Joint 22nd)2 in the all-sector UK Customer Satisfaction Index
  • Supported our members through the launch of Member Online Bond and Start to Save products, and extended our Branch Promise to 2024
  • Helped over 27,500 first time buyers into a home of their own (H1 2021: 30,000)
  • Committed members have continued to grow to 3.64m3 (4 April 2022: 3.62m)
  • Deposit market share was 9.3% (4 April 2022: 9.4%)
  • Continued growth in current accounts, maintaining market share of accounts at 10.3%4 (February 2022: 10.3%)
  • Proud to continue to commit 1% of pre-tax profits to good causes each year, which for 2022/23 includes £4m for our Community Grants programme and £1m cost of living support for charities. During the period we donated £817k to Shelter.
  • Remain committed to achieving net zero by 2050.

Financial highlights

  • Underlying profit increased to £980m (H1 2021: £850m) and statutory profit increased to £969m (H1 2021: £853m) due to income growth
  • Rising interest rates supported growth in total underlying income to £2,190m (H1 2021: £1,894m)
  • Net interest margin improved to 1.48% (H1 2021: 1.24%)
  • Credit impairment charges are higher at £108m (H1 2021: release of £34m). We have not yet seen a significant increase in arrears; however, higher interest rates, rising inflation and the uncertain economic outlook remain key risks
  • Total costs have increased to £1,083m (H1 2021: £1,025m) reflecting inflation and the cost of providing support to members and colleagues
  • Our balance sheet remains strong, with Tier 1 capital resources increasing by £0.5bn, a leverage ratio of 5.8% and CET1 ratio of 25.5% (4 April 2022: 5.4% and 24.1%)
  • Member financial benefit for H1 has increased to £320m (H1 2021: £145m), supported by our competitive mortgage and savings products; we passed a greater proportion of interest rate rises to savers than the market average

1 Lead at September 2022: 3.4%pts, March 2022: 4.6%pts. © Ipsos 2022, Financial Research Survey (FRS), for the 12 months ending 31 March 2013 to 12 months ending 30 September 2022. Results based on a sample of around 47,000 adults (aged 16+). The survey contacts around 51,000 adults (aged 16+) a year in total across Great Britain. Interviews were face to face, over the phone and online, taking into account (and weighted to) the overall profile of the adult population. The results reflect the percentage of extremely satisfied and very satisfied customers minus the percentage of customers who were extremely or very or fairly dissatisfied across those customers with a main current account, mortgage or savings. Those in our peer group are providers with more than 3.3% of the main current account market as of April 2022 – Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Santander and TSB. Prior to April 2017, those in our peer group were providers with more than 6% of the main current account market – Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank (Lloyds TSB prior to April 2015), NatWest and Santander.

2 Institute of Customer Service UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) as at July 2022 and January 2022.

3 The 3.64 million refers to 'committed members' who have their main personal current account with us or a mortgage of at least £5,000, or at least £1,000 in savings accounts, plus at least one other product.

4 CACI's Current Account and Savings Database, Stock (August 2022 and February 2022).

Chief Executive's review (continued)

Strategy update

  • We want Nationwide to be considered the number one choice for personal financial services, with customer experience that's amongst the best in any sector.
  • Following our strategic review, we will deliver a distinctive experience for our members today and in the future, shaped by our mutual model.
  • We will use our strength as the world's largest building society to increase the value that our products provide to members, to excel in the services we provide, and to become more flexible and efficient as an organisation. We will commit our mutual purpose to the benefit of society as well as our members.
  • We will increase member value and reward those who do more with us through tailored and competitive mortgage, savings and current account products. First time buyers will continue to trust us to help them into a home.
  • Our value will be beyond rates and products, with services that stand out for ease, accessibility, security and trust: We will enhance our mobile-first experience, twinned with modern branches that offer personal support when members need it the most.
  • Service excellence will be delivered through operational excellence: Simple, streamlined and flexible processes that respond when circumstances change and always grounded in resilient controls that protect our members and their money.
  • The singular focus on members that only a mutual has, combined with the strength that comes from Nationwide's scale, provides the best opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of our members and on society for today and for the future.

Outlook

  • The economic outlook remains highly uncertain, with increases in the cost of living and higher interest rates for borrowers putting further pressure on household finances and reducing consumer confidence. This is expected to lead to lower mortgage market activity in the second half of the year. These factors are fully reflected in the economic scenarios used within our credit loss provisions.
  • Overall, our borrowers are relatively well placed to withstand these challenges in the short to medium term, given the significant proportion of borrowing on fixed rates, and the relatively low number of borrowers who spend a high proportion of their income on debt repayments. However, the transition to higher interest payments is a challenge for households as they adjust their expenditure priorities. We will continue to support those borrowers who face payment difficulties.
  • Nationwide remains well positioned to use its financial strength to continue to support its members through the challenges ahead.

Debbie Crosbie Chief Executive

Performance summary

Half year to
30 September
2022
Half year to
30 September
2021
Financial performance £m £m
Total underlying income 2,190 1,894
Administrative expenses 1,083 1,025
Underlying profit before tax (note i) 980 850
Statutory profit before tax 969 853
Member financial benefit (note ii) 320 145
Mortgage Lending £bn % £bn %
Group residential –
gross/market share
19.7 11.8 18.2 11.4
Group residential –
net/market share
5.4 11.9 3.2 5.8
Average loan to value of new residential lending (by value) 69 70
Deposit balances £bn % £bn %
Member deposits balance movement/market share (note iii) 3.2 4.6 7.1 13.4
Key ratios % %
Underlying cost income ratio (note iv) 49.5 54.1
Statutory cost income ratio 49.7 54.0
Net interest margin 1.48 1.24
30 September Full year
Other key performance indicators 2022 Target
Core products satisfaction lead (%pts) 3.4%pts5 4%pts
UK Customer Satisfaction Index (rank) 37th6 5th
Committed members (m)
(note v)
3.64 3.75

30 September 4 April
2022 2022
Balance sheet £bn % £bn %
Total assets 279.9 272.4
Loans and advances to customers 213.4 208.1
Mortgage balances/market share
(note vi)
203.6 12.4 198.1 12.4
Member deposits/market share
(note iii)
181.2 9.3 178.0 9.4
Asset quality % %
Residential mortgages
Proportion of residential mortgage accounts 3 months+ in 0.32 0.34
arrears
Average indexed loan to value (by value) 51 52
Consumer banking
Proportion of customer balances with amounts past due
more than 3 months (excluding charged off balances)
1.28 1.13
Key ratios % %
Capital
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio 25.5 24.1
Leverage ratio (note vii) 5.8 5.4
Other balance sheet ratios
Liquidity Coverage Ratio (note viii) 179 183
Wholesale funding ratio (note ix) 28.7 28.8

Notes:

i. Underlying profit represents management's view of underlying performance. The following items are excluded from statutory profit to arrive at underlying profit:

  • FSCS costs and refunds arising from institutional failures, which are included within provisions for liabilities and charges.
  • Gains or losses from derivatives and hedge accounting, which are presented separately within total income in the consolidated income statement.
  • ii. We aim to provide at least £400 million of member financial benefit each year, through better incentives and pricing than the market average. For more information on member financial benefit see page 8.
  • iii. Member deposits include current account credit balances.
  • iv. The underlying cost income ratio represents management's view of underlying performance. Gains or losses from derivatives and hedge accounting and FSCS cost and refunds from institutional failures are excluded from the statutory cost income ratio to arrive at the underlying cost income ratio.
  • v. Committed members have their main personal current account with us or a mortgage of at least £5,000, or at least £1,000 in savings accounts, plus at least one other product.
  • vi. Mortgage balances are presented gross of credit provisions.
  • vii. We aim to have a minimum leverage ratio of at least 4.5%.
  • viii.The Liquidity Coverage Ratio represents a simple average of the ratios for the last 12 month ends.
  • ix. The wholesale funding ratio includes all balance sheet sources of funding (including securitisations).

5 ©Ipsos 2022, Financial Research Survey (FRS), for the 12 months ending 30 September 2022. For more information, see footnote 1 on page 4. 6 Institute of Customer Service UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) as at July 2022.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Financial review

Chris Rhodes, Chief Financial Officer, Nationwide Building Society, said:

"The sustained strength of our finances will allow us to support our members through a highly uncertain period and significant cost of living increases.

"We have continued to support our members' borrowing and savings needs during the period, and as a result have delivered growth in our mortgage and deposit balances.

"Due to the highly uncertain economic outlook, it is important that we maintain our financial strength and continue to focus on efficiency. This will mean we can face the future with confidence and continue to support our members."

Financial highlights

  • Underlying profit for the half year to 30 September 2022 increased to £980 million (H1 2021/22: £850 million) and statutory profit increased to £969 million (H1 2021/22: £853 million). This reflects income growth, partially offset by higher costs and charges for credit impairments, in contrast to provision releases in H1 2021/22.
  • Total income increased by £296 million due to rising interest rates, with H1 2022/23 net interest margin (NIM) increasing to 1.48% (H1 2021/22: 1.24%).
  • Member financial benefit has increased to £320 million (H1 2021/22: £145 million), supported by the strength of our mortgage and savings rates relative to the market average.
  • Mortgage balances increased to £203.6 billion (4 April 2022: £198.1 billion) in line with market growth. Member deposit balances increased by £3.2 billion to £181.2 billion (4 April 2022: £178.0 billion) although market share of deposits reduced slightly to 9.3% (4 April 2022: 9.4%).
  • Total administrative expenses increased by £58 million to £1,083 million (H1 2021/22: £1,025 million), reflecting higher inflation and additional support provided to members and colleagues, including £15 million relating to cost of living support to employees earning less than £35k.
  • The credit impairment charge of £108 million for the half year to 30 September 2022 (H1 2021/22: release of £34 million) reflects a deterioration in the economic outlook during the period. The credit quality of our lending portfolios remains very strong with low levels of arrears; however, some future increases are expected due to affordability pressures.
  • CET1 and leverage ratios increased to 25.5% and 5.8% (4 April 2022: 24.1% and 5.4%) respectively.

Financial review (continued)

The results are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Underlying results are shown below, together with a reconciliation to the statutory results.

Income statement

Underlying and statutory results
Half year to Half year to Net interest margin:
30 September 2022 30 September 2021 1.48%
£m £m
Net interest income 2,055 1,706 (H1 2021/22: 1.24%)
Net other income 135 188 Underlying cost income
Total underlying income 2,190 1,894 ratio (note iii):
Administrative expenses (1,083) (1,025)
Impairment (charge)/release (108) 34 49.5%
Provisions for liabilities and charges (19) (53) (H1 2021/22: 54.1%)
Underlying profit before tax (note i) 980 850 Statutory cost income
(Losses)/gains from derivatives and hedge accounting (note ii) (11) 3 ratio:
Statutory profit before tax 969 853
Taxation (241) (168) 49.7%
Profit after tax 728 685 (H1 2021/22: 54.0%)

Notes:

i. Underlying profit represents management's view of underlying performance. Gains or losses from derivatives and hedge accounting (presented separately within total income in the Consolidated income statement) and FSCS costs and refunds from institutional failures (included within provisions for liabilities and charges) are excluded from statutory profit to arrive at underlying profit.

  • ii. Although we only use derivatives to hedge market risks, income statement volatility can still arise due to hedge accounting ineffectiveness or because hedge accounting is either not applied or is not achievable. This volatility is largely attributable to accounting rules which do not fully reflect the economic reality of the hedging strategy.
  • iii. The underlying cost income ratio represents management's view of underlying performance. Gains or losses from derivatives and hedge accounting and FSCS costs and refunds from institutional failures are excluded from the statutory cost income ratio to arrive at the underlying cost income ratio.

Total income and net interest margin (NIM)

Net interest income increased by £349 million to £2,055 million (H1 2021/22: £1,706 million), with the net interest margin increasing to 1.48% (H1 2021/22: 1.24%). Increases in the bank base rate during the period have led to an increase in net interest income, reflecting the timing and the level of pass through of interest rate changes to savings products, partially offset by a decline in mortgage net interest income. Member financial benefit has increased in the period, reflecting the fact that Nationwide has passed a greater proportion of interest rate rises to savers than the market average.

Net other income has reduced by £53 million to £135 million (H1 2021/22: £188 million), with £25 million gains from investments in H1 2021/22 not repeated in the period, whilst in H1 2022/23 we have observed higher costs of providing travel insurance to packaged current account holders.

Member financial benefit

As a building society, we seek to maintain Nationwide's financial strength whilst providing value to our members through pricing, products and service. Through member financial benefit, we measure the additional financial value for members from the competitive mortgage, savings and banking products that we offer compared to the market average. Member financial benefit is calculated by comparing, in aggregate, Nationwide's average interest rates and incentives to the market, predominantly using market data provided by the Bank of England and CACI, alongside internal calculations. The value for individual members will depend on their circumstances and product choices. More information on how we calculate member financial benefit can be found in our Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Financial review (continued)

For the half year ended 30 September 2022, this measure shows we provided our members with a financial benefit of £320 million (H1 2021/22: £145 million). This increase is due to our strong mortgage and savings products which seek to provide good value to members. As interest rates have risen, we have passed through a higher proportion of the increase to savers than the market average. We expect to exceed our member financial benefit target of £400 million for this financial year.

Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses increased by £58 million to £1,083 million in the period (H1 2021/22: £1,025 million). Business-as-usual costs increased by £48 million, predominantly due to inflation, including cost of living support to colleagues earning less than £35k which amounted to £15 million. Investment in financial crime controls and the future resilience of payment systems increased expenses by £24 million and impairment charges relating to property estate restructure were £16 million (H1 2021/22: £nil). These increases were partly offset by a £14 million reduction in depreciation and other asset impairment charges.

Impairment charge/(release)

Impairment charge/(release) (note i)
Half year to Half year to
30 September 2022 30 September 2021
£m £m
Residential lending 69 (44)
Consumer banking 41 18
Retail lending 110 (26)
Commercial (2) (8)
Impairment charge/(release) 108 (34)

Note:

i. Impairment charge/(release) represents the net amount recognised in the income statement, rather than amounts written off during the period.

The net impairment charge in the period of £108 million (H1 2021/22: release of £34 million) is primarily due to a deterioration in the economic outlook, which is reflected in the economic scenarios and associated weightings used to model expected credit losses. Overall arrears performance of the lending portfolios was broadly stable during the period, although an increase in arrears from current levels is expected due to affordability pressures. More information regarding critical accounting judgements, and the forward-looking economic information used in impairment calculations, is included in note 8 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Provisions are held to cover the costs of remediation and redress in relation to historical quality control procedures, past sales and administration of customer accounts, and other regulatory matters. The customer redress charge of £19 million (H1 2021/22: £53 million) includes a £16 million (H1 2021/22: £29 million) charge relating to historical quality control procedures. More information is included in note 13 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

Taxation

The tax charge for the period of £241 million (H1 2021/22: £168 million) represents an effective tax rate of 24.9% (H1 2021/22: 19.7%) which is higher than the statutory UK corporation tax rate of 19% (H1 2021/22: 19%). The effective tax rate is higher primarily due to the banking surcharge of £54 million (H1 2021/22: £38 million). The effective tax rate in H1 2021/22 was also reduced by the impact of £22 million of non-recurring tax adjustments in respect of prior years. Further information is provided in note 9 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

Financial review (continued)

Balance sheet

Total assets have increased by 2.8% to £279.9 billion at 30 September 2022 (4 April 2022: £272.4 billion). This increase is predominantly due to mortgage growth and higher holdings of cash and liquid assets.

Mortgage lending has been robust during the period, with residential mortgage balances increasing to £203.6 billion (4 April 2022: £198.1 billion) in line with market growth. Member deposit balances have increased by £3.2 billion to £181.2 billion (4 April 2022: £178.0 billion) as a result of new current accounts opened and increases in balances on savings following the launch of competitive new products.

Assets
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m % £m %
Cash 32,890 30,221
Residential mortgages (note i) 203,633 95 198,120 95
Consumer banking 4,640 2 4,638 2
Commercial 5,940 3 6,054 3
214,213 100 208,812 100
Impairment provisions (814) (746)
Loans and advances to customers 213,399 208,066
Other financial assets 30,450 30,816
Other non-financial assets 3,195 3,251
Total assets 279,934 272,354

Asset quality % %
Residential mortgages (note i):
Proportion of residential mortgage accounts more than 3 months in arrears 0.32 0.34
Average indexed loan to value (by value) 51 52
Consumer banking:
Proportion of customer balances with amounts past due more than
3 months (excluding charged off balances)
1.28 1.13

Notes:

i. Residential mortgages include prime, buy to let and legacy lending.

ii. This represents a simple average of the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) for the last 12 month ends. The LCR ensures that sufficient high-quality liquid assets are held to survive a short-term severe but plausible liquidity stress.

Cash

Cash is liquidity held by our Treasury function amounting to £32.9 billion (4 April 2022: £30.2 billion). The £2.7 billion increase is driven by a combination of long-term wholesale funding issuance during the period and an increase in member deposits, which have been partially offset by mortgage lending.

The average Liquidity Coverage Ratio of 179% (4 April 2022: 183%) remains well above regulatory requirements. Liquidity continues to be managed against internal risk appetite, which is more prudent than regulatory requirements. Further details are included in the Liquidity and funding risk section of the Risk report.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Financial review (continued)

Residential mortgages

Total gross mortgage lending was higher than the prior period at £19.7 billion (H1 2021/22: £18.2 billion) and the market share of gross advances increased to 11.8% (H1 2021/22: 11.4%). Lending in the period was supported by our continued focus on first time buyers and growth in the remortgage market. Prime mortgage balances increased to £159.2 billion (4 April 2022: £154.4 billion) and buy to let and legacy mortgage balances increased to £44.4 billion (4 April 2022: £43.7 billion).

Arrears performance has improved slightly during the period, with cases more than three months in arrears representing 0.32% (4 April 2022: 0.34%) of the total portfolio. However, an increase in arrears from current levels is expected, due to rising inflation and increasing interest rates negatively impacting household finances. Impairment provision balances increased to £256 million (4 April 2022: £187 million) due to deterioration in the economic scenarios used to model expected credit losses, including an increase in provisions for the impact of increasing interest rates on mortgage affordability.

Consumer banking

Consumer banking balances remained stable at £4.6 billion (4 April 2022: £4.6 billion). Consumer banking comprises personal loan balances of £2.8 billion (4 April 2022: £2.9 billion), credit card balances of £1.5 billion (4 April 2022: £1.5 billion) and overdrawn current account balances of £0.3 billion (4 April 2022: £0.3 billion).

Arrears performance has deteriorated slightly during the period, with balances more than three months in arrears (excluding charged off accounts) representing 1.28% of the total portfolio (4 April 2022: 1.13%). Provision balances were £530 million (4 April 2022: £529 million) with underlying performance remaining stable. The provisions raised during the prior year to reflect concerns about the continued ability of some borrowers to repay in challenging economic circumstances have been maintained.

Commercial lending

During the period, commercial lending balances decreased to £5.9 billion (4 April 2022: £6.1 billion). Continuing the deleveraging activity in previous financial periods, the overall portfolio remains weighted towards public sector lending. This includes registered social landlords, with balances of £4.4 billion (4 April 2022: £4.3 billion), and project finance balances of £0.6 billion (4 April 2022: £0.6 billion). With a smaller book, and fewer active borrowers requiring further lending, commercial real estate balances have decreased to £0.5 billion (4 April 2022: £0.6 billion).

Impairment provision balances decreased to £28 million (4 April 2022: £30 million) due to an improvement in the expected outcome of a small number of individual loans.

Other financial assets

Other financial assets of £30.5 billion (4 April 2022: £30.8 billion) comprise investment assets held by Nationwide's Treasury function amounting to £25.1 billion (4 April 2022: £25.5 billion), loans and advances to banks and similar institutions of £4.0 billion (4 April 2022: £3.0 billion), derivatives with positive fair values of £11.0 billion (4 April 2022: £4.7 billion) and fair value adjustments and other assets of £(9.7) billion (4 April 2022: £(2.4) billion). Derivatives largely comprise interest rate and foreign exchange contracts which economically hedge financial risks inherent in Nationwide's lending and funding activities.

Members' interests, equity and liabilities Wholesale funding ratio:
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m £m 28.7%
Member deposits 181,177 177,967 (4 April 2022: 28.8%)
Debt securities in issue 30,691 25,629
Other financial liabilities 50,502 51,509
Other liabilities 1,276 1,550
Total liabilities 263,646 256,655
Members' interests and equity 16,288 15,699
Total members' interests, equity and liabilities 279,934 272,354

28.7% (4 April 2022: 28.8%)

Financial review (continued)

Member deposits

Member deposit balances grew by £3.2 billion (H1 2021/22: £7.1 billion) to £181.2 billion (4 April 2022: £178.0 billion). This increase is due to growth in current account credit balances of £1.9 billion (H1 2021/22: £2.9 billion) and retail savings balances of £1.3 billion (H1 2021/22: £4.2 billion). Current account balance growth was driven by strong new account openings as a result of switching incentives and increasing the credit interest rate payable on the Flex Direct current account to 5% on balances up to £1,500. Operating in a dynamic savings market, balance growth has been supported by competitive fixed rate products and our Triple Access Online Saver. Nationwide's market share of deposit balances reduced to 9.3% (4 April 2022: 9.4%).

Debt securities in issue and other financial liabilities

Debt securities in issue relate to wholesale funding but exclude subordinated debt which is included within other financial liabilities. Balances increased to £30.7 billion (4 April 2022: £25.6 billion) reflecting secured and unsecured wholesale funding issuances during the period. Other financial liabilities decreased to £50.5 billion (4 April 2022: £51.5 billion) primarily due to a reduction in repurchase agreement balances, partially offset by the receipt of derivative collateral. Nationwide's wholesale funding ratio remained stable at 28.7% (4 April 2022: 28.8%). Further details are included in the Liquidity and funding risk section of the Risk report.

Members' interests and equity

Members' interests and equity have increased to £16.3 billion (4 April 2022: £15.7 billion) largely as a result of retained profits.

Statement of comprehensive income

Statement of comprehensive income (note i)
Half year to Half year to
30 September 2022 30 September 2021
£m £m
Profit after tax 728 685
Net remeasurement of pension obligations (2) 195
Net movement in revaluation reserve 1 -
Net movement in cash flow hedge reserve 83 6
Net movement in other hedging reserve (9) 2
Net movement in fair value through other comprehensive income reserve (119) (7)
Total comprehensive income 682 881

Note:

i. Movements are shown net of related taxation. Gross movements are set out in the consolidated interim financial statements on page 65.

Financial review (continued)

Capital structure

Nationwide's capital position remains strong, with both the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio and leverage ratio comfortably above regulatory capital requirements of 11.1% and 3.6% respectively. The CET1 ratio increased to 25.5% (4 April 2022: 24.1%) and the leverage ratio increased to 5.8% (4 April 2022: 5.4%). The capital disclosures included in this report are in line with UK Capital Requirements Directive V (UK CRD V) with IFRS 9 transitional arrangements included.

Capital structure
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m £m
Capital resources
CET1 capital 12,957 12,471
Tier 1 capital 14,293 13,807
Total regulatory capital 16,349 16,466
Capital requirements
Risk weighted assets (RWAs) 50,791 51,823
Leverage exposure 248,187 255,407
UK CRD V capital ratios % %
CET1 ratio 25.5 24.1
Leverage ratio 5.8 5.4

The CET1 ratio increased to 25.5% (4 April 2022: 24.1%) as a result of an increase in CET1 capital of £0.5 billion, in conjunction with a reduction in RWAs of £1.0 billion. The CET1 capital resources increase was driven by £0.7 billion profit after tax, partially offset by £0.1 billion of capital distributions and a £0.1 billion reduction in the fair value through other comprehensive income reserve. RWAs reduced, with an increase in retail lending being more than offset by a reduction in the fair value accounting adjustment for portfolio hedged risk, driven by recent changes in the interest rate outlook.

The leverage ratio was 5.8% (4 April 2022: 5.4%), with Tier 1 capital increasing by £0.5 billion as a result of the CET1 capital movements referenced above. In addition, there was a decrease in leverage exposure of £7.2 billion, driven by the same movements as described above for RWAs. Leverage requirements continue to be Nationwide's binding Tier 1 capital constraint, as the combination of minimum and regulatory buffer requirements are in excess of the risk-based equivalent.

Further details of the capital position, the risk weighted asset movements and future regulatory developments are described in the Capital risk section of the Risk report.

Risk report

Contents

Page
Introduction 15
Top and emerging risks 15
Principal risks and uncertainties 16
Credit risk
-
Overview
17
-
Residential mortgages
20
-
Consumer banking
33
-
Commercial
40
-
Treasury assets
44
Liquidity and funding risk 49
Capital risk 56
Market risk 59
Pension risk 60
Model risk 61
Operational and conduct risk 61

Introduction

This report provides information on developments during the period in relation to the risks Nationwide's business is exposed to, and how those risks are managed. This information supports, and should be read in conjunction with, the material found in the Risk report in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022. Where there has been no change to the approach to managing risks, or there has been no material change to the relevant risk environment from that disclosed at year end, this information has not been repeated in these Interim results.

Top and emerging risks

Nationwide's top and emerging risks are managed through the process outlined in the Risk overview section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022 and remain broadly unchanged from those reported there. The external environment continues to present the most significant threats to the delivery of the Group's strategy, reflecting the volatile geopolitical and economic environment, with the key developments in the risk profile since 4 April 2022 described below.

Material developments in the geopolitical and macro-economic environment Internal or External Change
Nationwide's performance is naturally aligned to the UK's economic conditions, in particular household income and the corresponding impact
on the housing market. Overall economic conditions have deteriorated in the period, with high inflation, increasing interest rates and
heightened volatility, driven by challenging global economic conditions combined with UK-specific economic factors,
impacting both the
Group and our members.
External Increased level
of risk
It is expected that the bank
base rate will continue to rise in the short to medium term, increasing the interest rates members will pay on their
mortgages as well as potentially impacting both the housing market and mortgage trading volumes. This will exacerbate existing pressure on
members' finances from heightened living costs, driven by rising energy and food prices.
As a result, whilst credit performance remains strong, credit provisions have increased to reflect the
increased risk of default,
and additional
controls have been implemented, including adjusting affordability criteria used in credit decisions and enhanced monitoring of credit
portfolios for signs of stress.
Given the increasing pressure on Nationwide's members as a result of increases in
the cost of living, the fair treatment of customers in
vulnerable circumstances remains a key area of focus. We have therefore increased our capacity to support
members who are struggling with
the cost of living, with particular emphasis given to proactively identifying and supporting members who are most affected by sudden,
significant increases in mortgage repayments.
Market volatility, driven by the macro-economic environment, also has the potential to affect the cost and availability of wholesale funding for
UK-based institutions. A prudent approach continues to
be taken in
managing the Group's liquidity and funding position, maintaining financial
resources in excess of regulatory limits. Further information is included in the Liquidity and funding risk section of the Risk report. Since 30
September 2022
action has also been taken to support the Nationwide Pension Fund to manage its ongoing liquidity requirements effectively
during this period of volatility.
Further information is included in the Pension risk section of the Risk report.

The following internal and external risks, which were highlighted in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022, have not materially changed:

  • Competitive environment Regulation
  • Climate change Resilience
  • Data People risk

Principal risks and uncertainties

Nationwide operates an Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF), which ensures it remains safe and secure for its members. The principal risks set out below are the key risks relevant to Nationwide's business model and achievement of its strategic objectives.

The principal risk categories remain unchanged from those set out in the Risk report in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022 and are as follows:

  • Credit risk
  • Liquidity and funding risk
  • Capital risk
  • Market risk
  • Pension risk
  • Model risk
  • Business risk
  • Operational and conduct risk

Information on key developments in relation to the principal risks above are included within this report, except for business risk. Business risk is the risk that achievable volumes or margins decline relative to the cost base, affecting the sustainability of the business and delivery of its strategy. This risk is impacted by the geopolitical and macro-economic environment, and material developments to this are set out in Top and emerging risks on page 15.

Credit risk – Overview

Credit risk is the risk of loss as a result of a member, customer or counterparty failing to meet their financial obligations. Credit risk encompasses borrower/counterparty risk, security/collateral risk, concentration risk and refinance risk.

Nationwide manages credit risk for the following portfolios:

Portfolio Definition
Residential mortgages Loans secured on residential property
Consumer banking Unsecured lending comprising current account overdrafts, personal loans and credit cards
Commercial lending Loans to registered social landlords, project finance loans made under the Private Finance Initiative and commercial real estate lending
Treasury Treasury liquidity, derivatives and discretionary investment portfolios

Further detail on how Nationwide manages credit risk and what credit risk encompasses, together with information on the calculation of impairment provisions based on expected credit losses (ECLs), is included within the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Performance overview

During the period, the UK has experienced continued economic uncertainty, with rising energy prices driving an increase in the cost of living and contributing to a high inflationary environment. This has increased pressure on household affordability. In addition to this, increases in bank base rate have led to higher institutional borrowing costs and in turn higher interest rates for consumers. We therefore continue to hold a model adjustment to reflect the impact of rising inflation on those borrowers most impacted by the cost of living challenge. A further £16 million provision has been recognised at 30 September 2022, relating to the affordability risk associated with prime mortgage borrowers whose mortgage payments are expected to increase as their current fixed rate mortgage deal expires.

The housing market has retained a degree of momentum, with the latest Nationwide House Price Index showing year on year growth of 9.5%. However, with the continued squeeze on household finances and falling levels of consumer confidence, there is an increased sentiment that the challenges around affordability may begin to be reflected in the UK housing market as it begins to show signs of demand starting to cool.

Observed credit quality and performance remained broadly stable during the period, with arrears and forbearance for both residential and consumer banking remaining low and below prepandemic levels. However, arrears levels are expected to increase as cost of living pressures take effect, but to remain low relative to the industry.

Outlook

Continued uncertainty is expected within the UK economy, with interest rates continuing to rise in an effort to curb rising inflation. There is likely to be more pressure on household budgets, causing a deterioration in credit performance. The potential impact of this is captured by the economic scenarios used within the calculation of credit provisions.

Nationwide continues to support its members through the cost of living challenges with concessions granted based on consideration of their individual circumstances, to ensure that they have the help they need to meet their financial obligations.

Support options available to members also include a dedicated team of experts available through the Cost of Living freephone hotline.

Credit risk – Overview (continued)

Maximum exposure to credit risk

Nationwide's maximum exposure to credit risk has increased to £290 billion (4 April 2022: £284 billion), principally reflecting higher residential mortgages and cash balances.

Credit risk largely arises from loans and advances to customers, which account for 78% (4 April 2022: 78%) of Nationwide's total credit risk exposure. Within this, the exposure relates primarily to residential mortgages, which account for 95% (4 April 2022: 95%) of total loans and advances to customers and comprise high-quality assets with historically low occurrences of arrears and possessions.

In addition to loans and advances to customers, Nationwide is exposed to credit risk on all other financial assets. For all financial assets recognised on the balance sheet, the maximum exposure to credit risk represents the balance sheet carrying value after allowance for impairment, plus off-balance sheet commitments. For off-balance sheet commitments, the maximum exposure is the maximum amount that Nationwide would have to pay if the commitments were to be called upon. For loan commitments and other credit-related commitments that are irrevocable over the life of the respective facilities, the maximum exposure is the full amount of the committed facilities.

Maximum exposure to credit risk
30 September 2022 Gross Impairment Carrying Commitments Maximum % of total
balances provisions value (note i) credit risk credit risk
exposure exposure
£m £m £m £m £m %
Loans and advances to customers
-
amortised cost:
Residential mortgages 203,579 (256) 203,323 11,839 215,162 74
Consumer banking 4,640 (530) 4,110 29 4,139 2
Commercial lending 5,372 (28) 5,344 1,378 6,722 2
Fair value adjustment for micro hedged risk (note ii) 515 - 515 - 515 -
214,106 (814) 213,292 13,246 226,538 78
Loans and advances to customers
-
fair value
through
profit or loss (FVTPL):
Residential mortgages (note iii) 54 - 54 - 54 -
Commercial 53 - 53 - 53 -
107 - 107 - 107 -
Other items:
Cash 32,890 - 32,890 - 32,890 11
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 4,029 - 4,029 - 4,029 1
Investment securities – fair value through other comprehensive
income (FVOCI)
25,033 - 25,033 - 25,033 9
Investment securities –
amortised cost
57 - 57 - 57 -
Investment securities – FVTPL 17 - 17 - 17 -
Derivative financial instruments 10,995 - 10,995 - 10,995 4
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk (note ii) (9,681) - (9,681) - (9,681) (3)
63,340 - 63,340 - 63,340 22
Total 277,553 (814) 276,739 13,246 289,985 100

Credit risk – Overview (continued)

Maximum exposure to credit risk
4 April 2022 Gross Impairment Carrying Commitments Maximum % of total
balances provisions value (note i) credit risk credit risk
exposure exposure
£m £m £m £m £m %
Loans and advances to customers

amortised cost:
Residential mortgages 198,056 (187) 197,869 13,807 211,676 74
Consumer banking 4,638 (529) 4,109 35 4,144 2
Commercial lending 5,453 (30) 5,423 1,415 6,838 2
Fair value adjustment for micro hedged risk (note ii) 549 - 549 - 549 -
208,696 (746) 207,950 15,257 223,207 78
Loans and advances to customers
-
FVTPL:
Residential mortgages (note iii) 64 - 64 - 64 -
Commercial 52 - 52 - 52 -
116 - 116 - 116 -
Other items:
Cash 30,221 - 30,221 - 30,221 11
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 3,052 - 3,052 - 3,052 1
Investment securities –
FVOCI
25,349 - 25,349 - 25,349 9
Investment securities –
amortised cost
118 - 118 - 118 -
Investment securities –
FVTPL
17 - 17 1 18 -
Derivative financial instruments 4,723 - 4,723 - 4,723 2
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk (note ii) (2,443) - (2,443) - (2,443) (1)
61,037 - 61,037 1 61,038 22
Total 269,849 (746) 269,103 15,258 284,361 100

Notes:

i. In addition to the amounts shown above, Nationwide has revocable commitments of £10,487 million (4 April 2022: £10,622 million) in respect of credit card and overdraft facilities. These commitments represent agreements to lend in the future, subject to certain considerations. Such commitments are cancellable by Nationwide, subject to notice requirements, and given their nature are not expected to be drawn down to the full level of exposure.

ii. The fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk and the fair value adjustment for micro hedged risk (which relates to the commercial lending portfolio) represent hedge accounting adjustments.

iii. FVTPL residential mortgages include equity release and shared equity loans.

Commitments

Irrevocable undrawn commitments to lend are within the scope of provision requirements. The commitments in the table above consist of overpayment reserves and separately identifiable irrevocable commitments for the pipeline of residential mortgages, personal loans, commercial loans and investment securities. These commitments are not recognised on the balance sheet; the associated provision of £0.3 million (4 April 2022: £0.4 million) is included within provisions for liabilities and charges.

Revocable commitments relating to overdrafts and credit cards are included in the calculation of impairment provisions, with the allowance for future drawdowns included in the estimate of the exposure at default.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages

Summary

Nationwide's residential mortgages comprise prime, buy to let and legacy loans. Prime residential mortgages are mainly Nationwide-branded advances made through intermediary channels and the branch network. Since 2008 buy to let mortgages have only originated under The Mortgage Works (UK) plc (TMW) brand. Legacy mortgages are smaller portfolios in run-off.

Arrears rates on the residential mortgage portfolios remain low. However, higher inflation and rising interest rates are placing greater pressure on household finances, increasing the potential for future defaults.

The housing market remained strong over the period, with continued house price growth reducing the average LTV of the residential portfolios. There are, however, some signs of a slowdown in activity and this is expected to continue as the inflationary pressure on household budgets intensifies.

Residential mortgage gross balances
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m % £m %
Prime 159,170 78 154,363 78
Buy to let and legacy:
Buy to let (note i) 42,868 21 42,014 21
Legacy (note ii) 1,541 1 1,679 1
44,409 22 43,693 22
Amortised cost loans and advances to customers 203,579 100 198,056 100
FVTPL loans and advances to customers 54 64
Total residential mortgages 203,633 198,120

Notes:

i. Buy to let mortgages include £41,854 million (4 April 2022: £40,879 million) originated under the TMW brand, with other brands now closed to new originations.

ii. Legacy includes self-certified, near-prime and sub-prime lending, all of which were discontinued in 2009.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Impairment charge/(release) and write-offs for the period
Half year to Half year to
30 September 2022 30 September 2021
£m £m
Prime 18 (19)
Buy to let and legacy 51 (25)
Total impairment charge/(release) 69 (44)
% %
Impairment charge/(release) as a % of average gross
balance
0.03 (0.02)
£m £m
Gross write-offs 2 2

The impairment charge for the period includes the impact of updating macro-economic assumptions and scenario weightings to reflect the deterioration in economic outlook since 4 April 2022; further details are included in note 8 to the consolidated interim financial statements. Closing provisions have increased to £256 million (4 April 2022: £187 million). The prior period impairment releases reflected a decrease in provisions during a period where the economic outlook had improved.

The following table shows residential mortgage lending balances carried at amortised cost, the stage allocation of the loans, impairment provisions and the resulting provision coverage ratios.

Residential mortgages staging analysis
30 September 2022 Stage 1 Stage 2
total
Stage 2
Up to date
(note i)
Stage 2
1 – 30 DPD
(note i)
Stage 2
>30 DPD
(note i)
Stage 3 POCI
(note ii)
Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Gross balances
Prime 152,264 6,254 5,395 632 227 652 - 159,170
Buy to let and legacy 31,600 12,260 11,849 279 132 421 128 44,409
Total 183,864 18,514 17,244 911 359 1,073 128 203,579
Provisions
Prime 20 47 28 11 8 24 - 91
Buy to let and legacy 28 100 85 9 6 38 (1) 165
Total 48 147 113 20 14 62 (1) 256
Provisions as a % of total balance % % % % % % % %
Prime 0.01 0.75 0.51 1.77 3.61 3.59 - 0.06
Buy to let and legacy 0.09 0.82 0.72 3.33 4.70 9.12 - 0.37
Total 0.03 0.80 0.65 2.25 4.01 5.76 - 0.13

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Residential mortgages staging analysis
4 April 2022 Stage 1 Stage 2
total
Stage 2
Up to date
(note i)
Stage 2
1 – 30 DPD
(note i)
Stage 2
>30 DPD
(note i)
Stage 3 POCI
(note ii)
Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Gross balances
Prime 146,786 6,782 6,057 535 190 795 - 154,363
Buy to let and legacy 33,462 9,667 9,333 229 105 429 135 43,693
Total 180,248 16,449 15,390 764 295 1,224 135 198,056
Provisions
Prime 6 41 20 12 9 26 - 73
Buy to let and legacy 16 64 51 6 7 36 (2) 114
Total 22 105 71 18 16 62 (2) 187
Provisions as a % of total balance % % % % % % % %
Prime - 0.61 0.34 2.33 4.49 3.29 - 0.05
Buy to let and legacy 0.05 0.67 0.55 2.67 6.96 8.42 - 0.26
Total 0.01 0.64 0.46 2.43 5.37 5.09 - 0.09

Notes:

i. Days past due (DPD) is a measure of arrears status.

ii. POCI loans are those which were credit-impaired on purchase or acquisition. The POCI loans shown in the table above were recognised on the balance sheet when the Derbyshire Building Society was acquired in December 2008. These balances, which are mainly interest-only, were 90 days or more in arrears when they were acquired and so have been classified as credit-impaired on acquisition. The gross balance for POCI is shown net of the lifetime ECL of £5 million (4 April 2022: £5 million).

Total residential mortgage provisions have increased to £256 million (4 April 2022: £187 million), with £51 million of this increase relating to buy to let and legacy mortgages. This provision increase is largely the result of a deterioration in the economic outlook, including an update to the severe downside scenario to reflect an increasing interest rate environment. Further information regarding economic scenarios used in ECL modelling and associated weightings is provided in note 8 to the consolidated interim financial statements. The main driver of the prime mortgage provision increase to £91 million (4 April 2022: £73 million) is a new £16 million provision for the affordability risk associated with borrowers whose mortgage payments are expected to increase as their current fixed rate mortgage deal expires.

Stage 2 loans have increased in the period to £18,514 million (4 April 2022: £16,449 million), with this increase relating to buy to let mortgages. The increase is largely due to the impact of updating the economic scenarios to reflect expected increases in interest rates, with the buy to let portfolio stage allocation being sensitive to interest rate changes.

Credit performance continues to be strong. Stage 3 loans in the residential mortgage portfolio equate to 0.5% (4 April 2022: 0.6%) of the total residential mortgage exposure. Of the total £1,073 million (4 April 2022: £1,224 million) stage 3 loans, £537 million (4 April 2022: £552 million) is in respect of loans which are more than 90 days past due, with the remainder being impaired due to other indicators of unlikeliness to pay such as forbearance or the bankruptcy of the borrower.

For loans subject to forbearance, accounts are transferred from stage 3 to stages 1 or 2 only after being up to date and meeting contractual obligations for a period of 12 months; £200 million (4 April 2022: £346 million) of the stage 3 balances in forbearance are in this probation period.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

The table below summarises the movements between stages in the Group's residential mortgages held at amortised cost. The movements within the table are an aggregation of monthly movements over the period.

Reconciliation of movements
in gross residential mortgage balances and impairment provisions
Non-credit impaired Credit impaired (note i)
Subject to 12-month ECL Subject to lifetime ECL Subject to lifetime ECL Total
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 and POCI
Gross balances
Provisions
Gross balances Provisions Gross balances Provisions Gross balances Provisions
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 2022 180,248 22 16,449 105 1,359 60 198,056 187
Stage transfers:
Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2 (14,694) (4) 14,694 4 - - - -
Transfers to Stage 3 (107) - (329) (21) 436 21 - -
Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1 11,411 41 (11,411) (41) - - - -
Transfers from Stage 3 191 1 228 8 (419) (9) - -
Net remeasurement of ECL arising from transfer of stage (33) 71 (10) 28
Net movement arising from transfer of stage (3,199) 5 3,182 21 17 2 - 28
New assets originated or purchased 19,469 1 - - - - 19,469 1
Net impact of further lending and repayments (3,628) (1) (225) (1) (20) - (3,873) (2)
Changes in risk parameters in relation to credit quality - 22 - 30 - 8 - 60
Other items impacting income statement charge/(release) - - - - - (2) - (2)
(including recoveries)
Redemptions (9,026) (1) (892) (8) (146) (7) (10,064) (16)
Income statement charge for the period 69
Decrease due to write-offs - - - - (9) (2) (9) (2)
Other provision movements - - - - - 2 - 2
30 September 2022 183,864 48 18,514 147 1,201 61 203,579 256
Net
carrying amount
183,816 18,367 1,140 203,323

Note:

i. Gross balances of credit-impaired loans include £128 million (4 April 2022: £135 million) of POCI loans, which are presented net of lifetime ECL impairment provisions of £5 million (4 April 2022: £5 million).

Further information on movements in total gross loans and advances to customers and impairment provisions, including the methodology applied in preparing the table, is included in note 10 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Reason for residential mortgages being included in stage 2 (note i)
-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
30 September 2022 Prime Buy to let and legacy Total
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
£m £m % £m £m % £m £m %
Quantitative criteria:
Payment status (greater than 30 DPD) 227 8 3.61 132 6 4.70 359 14 4.01
Increase in PD since origination (less than 30 DPD) 5,844 39 0.66 10,502 66 0.63 16,346 105 0.64
Qualitative criteria:
Forbearance (less than 30 DPD) 143 - 0.02 4 - 0.14 147 - 0.04
Interest only –
significant risk of inability to refinance at maturity (less than 30 DPD)
- - 1,615 28 1.75 1,615 28 1.75
Other qualitative criteria 40 - 0.07 7 - 1.69 47 - 0.30
Total Stage 2 gross balances 6,254 47 0.75 12,260 100 0.82 18,514 147 0.80
Reason for residential mortgages being included in stage 2 (note i)
4 April 2022 Prime Buy to let and legacy Total
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
£m £m % £m £m % £m £m %
Quantitative criteria:
Payment status (greater than 30 DPD) 190 9 4.49 105 7 6.96 295 16 5.37
Increase in PD since origination (less than 30 DPD) 6,398 32 0.51 7,623 27 0.35 14,021 59 0.42
Qualitative criteria:
Forbearance (less than 30 DPD) 151 - 0.01 5 - 0.05 156 - 0.05
Interest only –
significant risk of inability to refinance at maturity (less than 30 DPD)
- - 1,926 30 1.58 1,926 30 1.58
Other qualitative criteria 43 - 0.40 8 - 0.44 51 - 0.11
Total Stage 2 gross balances 6,782 41 0.61 9,667 64 0.67 16,449 105 0.64

Note:

i. Where loans satisfy more than one of the criteria for determining a significant increase in credit risk, the corresponding gross balance has been assigned in the order in which the categories are presented above.

Loans which are reported within stage 2 are those which have experienced a significant increase in credit risk since origination. The Annual Report and Accounts 2022 sets out the main criteria used to determine whether a significant increase in credit risk has occurred since origination. There have been no changes to the criteria during the period.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

The value of loans reported in stage 2 as a result of being in arrears by 30 days or more has increased to £359 million, 0.18% of total gross balances (4 April 2022: £295 million, 0.15% of total gross balances). The majority of these loans are reported within stage 2 as a result of the probability of default (PD) having increased since origination. This category includes £4.5 billion (4 April 2022: £4.6 billion) of loans where the modelled PD has been uplifted to recognise the judgement that the improvements in borrower credit quality observed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic are temporary, and also to reflect an increase in affordability risk as a result of inflationary pressures. In both instances the uplift has resulted in the loans breaching existing quantitative PD thresholds.

Credit quality

The residential mortgages portfolio comprises many small loans which are broadly homogenous, have low volatility of credit risk outcomes and are geographically diversified. The table below shows the loan balances and provisions for residential mortgages held at amortised cost, by PD range. The PD distributions shown are based on 12-month IFRS 9 PDs at the reporting date.

Loan balance and provisions by PD
30 September 2022 Gross balances
(note i)
Provisions
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
and POCI
Total Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
and POCI
Total Provision
coverage
PD range £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
0.00 to < 0.15% 138,469 1,560 62 140,091 13 13 - 26 0.02
0.15 to < 0.25% 24,631 4,171 25 28,827 17 10 - 27 0.09
0.25 to < 0.50% 12,052 3,422 31 15,505 8 14 - 22 0.14
0.50 to < 0.75% 3,265 1,663 23 4,951 2 10 - 12 0.25
0.75 to < 2.50% 5,105 3,063 66 8,234 6 27 - 33 0.40
2.50 to < 10.00% 328 2,817 105 3,250 1 30 1 32 0.99
10.00 to < 100% 14 1,818 121 1,953 1 43 4 48 2.42
100% (default) - - 768 768 - - 56 56 7.23
Total 183,864 18,514 1,201 203,579 48 147 61 256 0.13
Loan balance and provisions by PD
4 April 2022 Gross balances
(note i)
Provisions
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
and POCI
Total Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
and POCI
Total Provision
coverage
PD range £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
0.00 to < 0.15% 150,439 4,594 124 155,157 11 11 - 22 0.01
0.15 to < 0.25% 13,639 1,863 35 15,537 3 4 - 7 0.05
0.25 to < 0.50% 9,507 2,381 52 11,940 3 9 - 12 0.10
0.50 to < 0.75% 2,852 743 31 3,626 1 4 - 5 0.15
0.75 to < 2.50% 3,637 2,292 89 6,018 3 16 - 19 0.32
2.50 to < 10.00% 173 2,097 108 2,378 1 18 1 20 0.84
10.00 to
< 100%
1 2,479 125 2,605 - 43 3 46 1.74
100% (default) - - 795 795 - - 56 56 7.04
Total 180,248 16,449 1,359 198,056 22 105 60 187 0.09

Note:

i. Includes POCI loans of £128 million (4 April 2022: £135 million).

At 30 September 2022, 97% (4 April 2022: 97%) of the portfolio had a PD of less than 2.5%, reflecting the high quality of the residential mortgage portfolios.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Risk report (continued)

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Distribution of new business by borrower type (by value)

Distribution of new business by borrower type (by value) (note i)

Half year to Half year to
30 September 2022 30 September 2021
% %
Prime:
First time buyers 28 29
Home movers 30 34
Remortgages 24 15
Other 1 1
Total prime 83 79
Buy to let:
New purchases 7 10
Remortgages 10 11
Total buy to let 17 21
Total new business 100 100

Note:

i. All new business measures exclude further advances and product switches.

The proportion of prime new lending from remortgages has increased to 24% (H1 2021/22: 15%), with activity likely to have been brought forward due to the expected future path of interest rates. Buy to let lending reduced as a proportion of all new business to 17% (H1 2021/22: 21%) as the volume of house purchases in the buy to let market reduced.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

LTV and credit risk concentration

Loan to value (LTV) is calculated by weighting the borrower level LTV by the individual loan balance to arrive at an average LTV. This approach is considered to reflect most appropriately the exposure at risk.

LTV distribution of new business (by value) (note i)
Half year to
Half year to
30 September 2022
30 September 2021
% %
0% to 60% 27 26
60% to 75% 36 35
75% to 80% 10 12
80% to 85% 13 15
85% to 90% 11 11
90% to 95% 3 1
Over 95% - -
Total 100 100
Average LTV of new business (by value) (note i)
Half year to Half year to
30 September 2022 30 September 2021
% %
Prime 70 71
Buy to let 67 67
Group 69 70
Average LTV of loan stock (by value) (note ii)
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
% %
Prime 50 51
Buy to let and legacy 54 54
Group 51 52

Notes:

i. The LTV of new business excludes further advances and product switches.

ii. The average LTV of loan stock includes both amortised cost and FVTPL balances. There have been no new FVTPL advances during the period.

The average LTV for all new lending has reduced slightly to 69% (H1 2021/22: 70%), with the proportion of new lending at or above 80% LTV remaining stable at 27% (H1 2021/22: 27%).

The Nationwide House Price Index has increased by 9.5% over the past 12 months. This has caused the Group average stock LTV to reduce to 51% (4 April 2022: 52%).

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Residential mortgage balances by LTV and region

Geographical concentration by stage

The following table shows residential mortgages, excluding FVTPL balances, by LTV and region across stages 1 and 2 (non-credit impaired) and stage 3 (credit-impaired).

Residential mortgage gross balances by LTV and region
30 September 2022 Greater
London
Central
England
Northern
England
South East
England
South West
England
Scotland Wales Northern
Ireland
Total Provision
Coverage
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
Stage 1 and 2 loans
Fully collateralised
LTV ratio:
Up to 50% 28,445 17,023 12,943 11,099 9,309 4,742 3,014 1,256 87,831 0.03
50% to 60% 12,772 8,146 6,901 5,088 4,302 2,474 1,508 484 41,675 0.09
60% to 70% 14,319 8,190 7,272 5,591 4,159 2,762 1,229 535 44,057 0.13
70% to 80% 9,258 3,530 3,564 2,163 1,515 1,235 584 280 22,129 0.21
80% to 90% 1,871 1,097 1,210 712 422 428 222 128 6,090 0.25
90% to 100% 118 88 135 52 32 66 18 33 542 1.14
66,783 38,074 32,025 24,705 19,739 11,707 6,575 2,716 202,324 0.09
Not fully collateralised
Over 100% LTV 5 2 7 1 3 17 - 19 54 12.55
Collateral value 4 2 6 1 2 15 - 18 48
Negative equity 1 - 1 - 1 2 - 1 6
Total stage 1 and 2 loans 66,788 38,076 32,032 24,706 19,742 11,724 6,575 2,735 202,378 0.10
Stage 3 and POCI loans
Fully collateralised
LTV ratio:
Up to 50% 257 117 91 71 53 27 21 12 649 1.65
50% to 60% 75 50 53 25 25 16 11 5 260 3.38
60% to 70% 46 31 45 19 13 13 5 3 175 6.66
70% to 80% 26 8 22 5 1 8 1 4 75 14.78
80% to 90% 4 1 10 1 1 3 - 3 23 28.01
90% to 100% 1 - 2 - - 1 - 4 8 35.14
409 207 223 121 93 68 38 31 1,190 4.33
Not fully collateralised
Over 100% LTV 1 - 4 - - 1 - 5 11 88.38
Collateral value 1 - 3 - - 1 - 4 9
Negative equity - - 1 - - - - 1 2
Total stage 3 and POCI loans 410 207 227 121 93 69 38 36 1,201 4.99
Total residential mortgages 67,198 38,283 32,259 24,827 19,835 11,793 6,613 2,771 203,579 0.13
Total geographical concentrations 33% 19% 16% 12% 10% 6% 3% 1% 100%

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Residential mortgage gross balances by LTV and region
4 April 2022 Greater
London
Central
England
Northern
England
South East
England
South West
England
Scotland Wales Northern
Ireland
Total Provision
Coverage
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
Stage 1 and 2 loans
Fully collateralised
LTV ratio:
Up to 50% 28,062 15,543 12,035 10,334 8,257 4,483 2,682 1,136 82,532 0.02
50% to 60% 12,499 7,740 6,631 4,887 4,074 2,417 1,430 449 40,127 0.06
60% to 70% 12,739 7,959 7,272 5,246 4,230 2,756 1,373 518 42,093 0.08
70% to 80% 10,195 4,627 3,841 2,972 2,167 1,546 634 379 26,361 0.11
80% to 90% 1,534 952 1,029 546 419 339 200 163 5,182 0.20
90% to 100% 44 54 67 25 24 52 18 43 327 1.39
65,073 36,875 30,875 24,010 19,171 11,593 6,337 2,688 196,622 0.06
Not fully collateralised
Over 100% LTV 5 3 9 1 3 13 - 41 75 9.27
Collateral value 4 2 8 1 2 12 - 38 67
Negative equity 1 1 1 - 1 1 - 3 8
Total stage 1 and 2 loans 65,078 36,878 30,884 24,011 19,174 11,606 6,337 2,729 196,697 0.06
Stage 3 and POCI loans
Fully collateralised
LTV ratio:
Up to 50% 286 118 95 81 54 27 22 12 695 1.32
50% to 60% 88 54 55 32 28 19 11 4 291 2.89
60% to 70% 49 42 53 23 20 16 8 6 217 5.10
70% to 80% 38 15 27 10 6 9 2 4 111 9.80
80% to 90% 3 1 10 1 1 4 - 4 24 26.61
90% to 100% - - 2 - - 2 - 3 7 50.19
464 230 242 147 109 77 43 33 1,345 3.71
Not fully collateralised
Over 100% LTV 1 - 3 1 - 1 - 8 14 84.71
Collateral value 1 - 2 1 - 1 - 7 12
Negative equity - - 1 - - - - 1 2
Total stage 3 and POCI loans 465 230 245 148 109 78 43 41 1,359 4.45
Total residential mortgages 65,543 37,108 31,129 24,159 19,283 11,684 6,380 2,770 198,056 0.09
Total geographical concentrations 33% 19% 16% 12% 10% 6% 3% 1% 100%

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Over the period, the geographical distribution of residential mortgages across the UK has remained stable. The highest concentration for both prime and buy to let portfolios is in Greater London, with proportions stable at 30% and 46% (4 April 2022: 30% and 46%) respectively.

In addition to balances held at amortised cost shown in the table above, £54 million (4 April 2022: £64 million) of residential mortgages are held at FVTPL. These have an average LTV of 33% (4 April 2022: 33%). The largest geographical concentration within the FVTPL balances is also in Greater London, at 59% (4 April 2022: 57%) of total FVTPL balances.

Arrears

Residential mortgage lending continues to have a low risk profile as demonstrated by the low level of arrears compared to the industry average:

Number of cases more than 3 months in arrears as % of total book (note i)
30 September 2022
4 April 2022
% %
Prime 0.28 0.30
Buy to let and legacy 0.43 0.50
Total 0.32 0.34
UK Finance industry average 0.72 0.77

Note:

i. The methodology for calculating mortgage arrears is based on the UK Finance definition of arrears, where months in arrears is determined by dividing the arrears balance outstanding by the latest monthly contractual payment.

The proportion of cases more than 3 months in arrears has decreased during the period to 0.32% (4 April 2022: 0.34%). Arrears levels are expected to increase as a result of the rising cost of living, including higher mortgage payments, but to remain low relative to the industry average.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Risk report (continued)

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Residential mortgages by payment status

The following table shows the payment status of all residential mortgages.

Residential mortgages gross balances by payment status
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Prime
Buy to let and
Total
legacy
Prime Buy to let and
legacy
Total
£m £m £m % £m £m £m %
Not past due 157,616 43,644 201,260 98.8 152,932 43,000 195,932 98.9
Past due 0 to 1 month 1,006 368 1,374 0.7 920 305 1,225 0.6
Past due 1 to 3 months 267 158 425 0.2 240 127 367 0.2
Past due 3 to 6 months 134 87 221 0.1 122 78 200 0.1
Past due 6 to 12 months 103 64 167 0.1 99 74 173 0.1
Past due over 12 months 88 69 157 0.1 109 95 204 0.1
Possessions 10 19 29 - 5 14 19 -
Total residential mortgages 159,224 44,409 203,633 100 154,427 43,693 198,120 100

The balance of cases past due by more than 3 months has reduced to £574 million (4 April 2022: £596 million). There has been an increase in possessions to £29 million (4 April 2022: £19 million) as activity which was put on hold early in the pandemic has since recommenced. The possession of a borrower's property is only undertaken where all reasonable attempts to resolve the situation have been unsuccessful.

Interest only mortgages

At 30 September 2022, interest only balances of £7,375 million (4 April 2022: £7,824 million) account for 5% (4 April 2022: 5%) of prime residential mortgages. Nationwide re-entered the prime market for interest only lending under a newly established credit policy in April 2020; however, over 85% of current interest only mortgage balances relate to historical accounts which were originally advanced as interest only mortgages or where a subsequent change in terms to an interest only basis was agreed. Maturities on interest only mortgages are managed closely, with regular engagement with borrowers to ensure the loan is redeemed or to agree a strategy for repayment.

Of the buy to let and legacy portfolio, £40,279 million (4 April 2022: £39,591 million) relates to interest only balances, representing 91% (4 April 2022: 91%) of balances. Buy to let remains open to new interest only lending under standard terms.

There is a risk that a proportion of interest only mortgages will not be redeemed at their contractual maturity date, because a borrower does not have a means of capital repayment or has been unable to refinance the loan. Interest only loans which are judged to have a significantly increased risk of inability to refinance at maturity are transferred to stage 2. The ability of a borrower to refinance is calculated using current lending criteria which consider LTV and affordability assessments. The impact of recognising this risk is to increase provisions by £47 million (4 April 2022: £46 million).

Interest only loans that are term expired (still open) are not considered to be past due where contractual interest payments continue to be met, pending renegotiation of the facility. These loans are, however, treated as credit-impaired and categorised as stage 3 balances from three months after the maturity date.

Credit risk – Residential mortgages (continued)

Forbearance

Nationwide is committed to supporting borrowers facing financial difficulty by working with them to find a solution through proactive arrears management and forbearance.

The Group applies the European Banking Authority (EBA) definition of forbearance in these disclosures. The Annual Report and Accounts 2022 sets out further details of concession events included within forbearance.

The table below provides details of residential mortgages held at amortised cost subject to forbearance. Accounts that are granted forbearance are transferred to either stage 2 or stage 3. Accounts are transferred back to stage 1 or 2 only after being up to date and meeting contractual obligations for a period of 12 months.

Gross balances subject to forbearance (note i)
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Prime
Buy to let and
Total
legacy
Prime Buy to let and Total
legacy
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Past term interest only (note ii) 112 153 265 113 141 254
Interest only concessions 626 30 656 639 32 671
Capitalisation 86 25 111 88 30 118
Capitalisation –
notification of death of borrower
78 107 185 81 93 174
Term extensions (within term) 36 16 52 32 16 48
Permanent interest only conversions 1 28 29 2 32 34
Total forbearance 939 359 1,298 955 344 1,299
Of which stage 2 257 80 337 204 73 277
Of which stage 3 418 252 670 565 240 805
% % % % % %
Total forbearance as a % of total gross balances 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.7
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Impairment provisions on forborne loans 11 21 32 12 18 30

Notes:

i. Where more than one concession event has occurred, balances are reported under the latest event.

ii. Includes interest only mortgages where a customer is unable to renegotiate the facility within six months of maturity and no legal enforcement is pursued. Should a concession event such as a term extension occur within the six-month period, this will also be classed as forbearance.

The average LTV for forborne accounts is 44% (4 April 2022: 46%). In addition to the amortised cost balances above, there are £54 million FVTPL balances (4 April 2022: £64 million), of which £5 million (4 April 2022: £4 million) are forborne.

Credit risk – Consumer banking

Summary

The consumer banking portfolio comprises balances on unsecured retail banking products: overdrawn current accounts, personal loans and credit cards. Over the period, total balances across these portfolios have remained stable at £4,640 million (4 April 2022: £4,638 million).

Arrears levels have increased slightly during the period but remain low. High levels of inflation and rising interest rates will put pressure on household budgets, stretching affordability for some borrowers. As a result, arrears levels are expected to increase over the short to medium term.

Consumer banking gross balances
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m % £m %
Overdrawn current accounts 250 6 286 6
Personal loans 2,843 61 2,864 62
Credit cards 1,547 33 1,488 32
Total consumer banking 4,640 100 4,638 100

All consumer banking loans are classified and measured at amortised cost.

Impairment charge and write-offs for the period
Half year to Half year to
30 September 2022 30 September 2021
£m £m
Overdrawn current accounts 10 4
Personal loans 29 8
Credit cards 2 6
Total
impairment charge
41 18
% %
Impairment charge as a % of average gross balance 0.87 0.41
£m £m
Gross write-offs 42 39

The total impairment charge is higher than that in the prior period, which reflected an improving economic outlook.

Credit risk – Consumer banking (continued)

The following table shows consumer banking balances by stage, with the corresponding impairment provisions and resulting provision coverage ratios:

Consumer banking product and staging analysis
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Gross balances
Overdrawn current accounts 99 116 35 250 121 131 34 286
Personal loans 1,543 1,158 142 2,843 1,735 989 140 2,864
Credit cards 867 588 92 1,547 790 600 98 1,488
Total 2,509 1,862 269 4,640 2,646 1,720 272 4,638
Provisions
Overdrawn current accounts 5 36 33 74 4 36 31 71
Personal loans 11 70 126 207 11 60 124 195
Credit cards 9 158 82 249 10 165 88 263
Total 25 264 241 530 25 261 243 529
Provisions as a % of total balance % % % % % % % %
Overdrawn current accounts 5.21 31.04 91.75 29.36 3.34 27.33 90.86 24.63
Personal loans 0.69 6.04 89.36 7.29 0.62 6.09 88.50 6.80
Credit cards 1.03 26.84 89.72 16.12 1.33 27.51 89.78 17.69
Total 0.99 14.16 89.80 11.43 0.95 15.18 89.25 11.40

During the period, provisions have remained broadly stable at £530 million (4 April 2022: £529 million). The additional provision recognised at 4 April 2022 to reflect higher affordability risks has been maintained at 30 September 2022.

Credit performance continues to be strong, with the proportion of total balances in stage 3 remaining unchanged at 6% (4 April 2022: 6%). Consumer banking stage 3 gross balances and provisions include charged off balances. These are accounts which are closed to future transactions and are held on the balance sheet for an extended period (up to 36 months) whilst recovery activities take place. Excluding these charged off balances and related provisions, provisions amount to 7.5% (4 April 2022: 7.6%) of gross balances.

Credit risk – Consumer banking (continued)

The table below summarises the movements in the Group's consumer banking balances held at amortised cost. The movements within the table are an aggregation of monthly movements over the period.

Reconciliation of movements in gross consumer banking balances and impairment provisions
Non-credit impaired Credit impaired
Subject to 12-month ECL Subject to lifetime ECL Subject to lifetime ECL Total
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Gross balances Provisions Gross balances Provisions Gross balances Provisions Gross balances Provisions
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 2022 2,646 25 1,720 261 272 243 4,638 529
Stage transfers:
Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2 (1,584) (21) 1,584 21 - - - -
Transfers to Stage 3 (3) - (71) (43) 74 43 - -
Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1 1,199 110 (1,199) (110) - - - -
Transfers from Stage 3 1 1 23 9 (24) (10) - -
Net remeasurement of ECL arising from transfer of stage (98) 114 3 19
Net movement arising from transfer of stage (387) (8) 337 (9) 50 36 - 19
New assets originated or purchased 834 23 - - - - 834 23
Net impact of further lending and repayments (387) (14) (68) (16) (10) (7) (465) (37)
Changes in risk parameters in relation to credit quality - (1) - 31 - 12 - 42
Other items impacting income statement (release)/charge
(including recoveries)
- - - - - (2) - (2)
Redemptions (197) - (127) (3) (1) (1) (325) (4)
Income statement charge for the period 41
Decrease due to write-offs - - - - (42) (42) (42) (42)
Other provision movements - - - - - 2 - 2
30 September 2022 2,509 25 1,862 264 269 241 4,640 530
Net carrying amount 2,484 1,598 28 4,110

Further information on movements in total gross loans and advances to customers and impairment provisions, including the methodology applied in preparing the table, is included in note 10 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

Credit risk – Consumer banking (continued)

30 September 2022 Overdrawn current accounts Personal loans Credit cards Total
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
£m £m % £m £m % £m £m % £m £m %
Quantitative criteria:
Payment status (greater than 30 DPD) (note i) 4 3 89 12 7 56 5 4 74 21 14 67
Increase in PD since origination (less than 30 DPD) 104 32 30 1,145 63 6 574 152 27 1,823 247 14
Qualitative criteria:
Forbearance (less than 30 DPD) (note ii) - - 22 - - 10 - - 27 - - 16
Other qualitative criteria (less than 30 DPD) 8 1 13 1 - 3 9 2 18 18 3 15
Total
Stage 2 gross balances
116 36 31 1,158 70 6 588 158 27 1,862 264 14

Reason for consumer banking balances being included in stage 2

Overdrawn current accounts
4 April 2022
Personal loans Credit cards Total
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
Gross
balances
Provisions Provisions
as a % of
balance
£m £m % £m £m % £m £m % £m £m %
Quantitative criteria:
Payment status (greater than 30 DPD) (note i) 3 2 78 7 5 69 4 4 84 14 11 76
Increase in PD since origination (less than 30 DPD) 120 33 27 978 55 6 582 159 27 1,680 247 15
Qualitative criteria:
Forbearance (less than 30 DPD) (note ii) - - 19 1 - 11 - - 27 1 - 15
Other qualitative criteria (less than 30 DPD) 8 1 11 3 - 3 14 2 17 25 3 13
Total Stage 2 gross balances 131 36 27 989 60 6 600 165 28 1,720 261 15

Notes:

i. This category includes all loans greater than 30 DPD, including those whose original reason for being classified as stage 2 was not arrears over 30 DPD.

ii. Stage 2 forbearance relates to cases where full repayment of principal and interest is still anticipated.

Balances reported within stage 2 represent loans which have experienced a significant increase in credit risk since origination. The significant increase is determined through both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Of the £1,862 million stage 2 balances (4 April 2022: £1,720 million), only 1% (4 April 2022: 1%) are in arrears by 30 days or more, with the majority of balances in stage 2 due to an increase in PD since origination. This category includes £698 million (4 April 2022: £700 million) of loans where the modelled PD has been uplifted to recognise the judgement that the improvements in borrower credit quality observed since the start of the pandemic are temporary, and also to reflect an increase in affordability risk as a result of inflationary pressures. The cumulative impact of these uplifts in PD has resulted in these loans breaching existing quantitative PD thresholds.

The Annual Report and Accounts 2022 sets out the main criteria used to determine whether a significant increase in credit risk has occurred since origination. There have been no changes to the criteria during the period.

Credit risk – Consumer banking (continued)

Credit quality

Nationwide adopts robust credit management policies and processes designed to recognise and manage the risks arising from the portfolio.

The following table shows gross balances and provisions for consumer banking balances held at amortised cost, by PD range. The PD distributions shown are based on 12-month IFRS 9 PDs at the reporting date.

Consumer banking gross balances and provisions by PD
30 September 2022 Gross balances Provision
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Stage 1 Provisions
Stage 2
Stage 3 Total coverage
PD range £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
0.00 to <0.15% 763 8 - 771 2 - - 2 0.22
0.15 to < 0.25% 326 36 - 362 1 1 - 2 0.38
0.25 to < 0.50% 430 179 - 609 2 2 - 4 0.66
0.50 to < 0.75% 218 161 - 379 1 3 - 4 1.10
0.75 to < 2.50% 474 536 - 1,010 6 21 - 27 2.69
2.50 to < 10.00% 265 547 1 813 10 74 - 84 10.31
10.00 to < 100% 33 395 3 431 3 163 2 168 38.97
100% (default) - - 265 265 - - 239 239 90.54
Total 2,509 1,862 269 4,640 25 264 241 530 11.43
Consumer banking gross balances and provisions by PD
4 April 2022 Gross balances Provision
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Stage 1 Stage 2 Provisions
Stage 3
Total coverage
PD range £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
0.00 to <0.15% 747 7 - 754 2 - - 2 0.25
0.15 to < 0.25% 386 36 - 422 1 1 - 2 0.44
0.25 to < 0.50% 546 136 - 682 2 3 - 5 0.75
0.50 to < 0.75% 255 164 - 419 2 4 - 6 1.33
0.75 to < 2.50% 450 507 1 958 6 24 - 30 3.19
2.50 to < 10.00% 238 537 2 777 9 80 - 89 11.50
10.00 to < 100% 24 333 6 363 3 149 2 154 42.66
100% (default) - - 263 263 - - 241 241 91.29
Total 2,646 1,720 272 4,638 25 261 243 529 11.40

The credit quality of the consumer banking portfolio has remained strong. 85% (4 April 2022: 87%) of the portfolio has a PD of less than 10%. Despite an increase in stage 2 balances, overall provisions against stage 2 balances have not increased significantly due to the change in mix of products within the consumer banking portfolio, as shown in the table on page 36.

Credit risk – Consumer banking (continued)

Consumer banking balances by payment due status

Credit risk in the consumer banking portfolios is primarily monitored and reported based on arrears status which is set out below.

Consumer banking gross balances by payment due status
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Overdrawn
current
accounts
Personal
loans
Credit
cards
Total Overdrawn
current
accounts
Personal
loans
Credit
cards
Total
£m £m £m £m % £m £m £m £m %
Not past due 199 2,646 1,439 4,284 92.3 240 2,681 1,377 4,298 92.7
Past due 0 to 1 month 13 39 16 68 1.5 11 35 14 60 1.3
Past due 1 to 3 months 5 14 9 28 0.6 4 11 8 23 0.5
Past due 3 to 6 months 5 16 5 26 0.6 4 16 6 26 0.6
Past due 6 to 12 months 3 12 1 16 0.3 3 8 1 12 0.2
Past due over 12 months 3 12 - 15 0.3 3 9 - 12 0.2
Charged off (note i) 22 104 77 203 4.4 21 104 82 207 4.5
Total 250 2,843 1,547 4,640 100.0 286 2,864 1,488 4,638 100.0

Note:

i. Charged off balances relate to accounts which are closed to future transactions and are held on the balance sheet for an extended period (up to 36 months, depending on the product) whilst recovery procedures take place.

Of total balances excluding charged off balances, £153 million (4 April 2022: £133 million) are subject to arrears, representing 3.4% (4 April 2022: 3.0%) of these balances. The level of arrears remains below pre-pandemic levels; however, arrears levels are expected to increase due to the affordability pressures which borrowers may face, due to high inflation and increasing interest rates.

Forbearance

Nationwide is committed to supporting customers facing financial difficulty by working with them to find a solution through proactive arrears management and forbearance.

The Group applies the European Banking Authority definition of forbearance. The Annual Report and Accounts 2022 sets out further details of concession events included in forbearance.

Credit risk – Consumer banking (continued)

The table below provides details of consumer banking balances subject to forbearance. Accounts subject to a concession are all assessed as either stage 2, or stage 3 (credit-impaired) where full repayment of principal and interest is no longer anticipated.

Gross balances subject to forbearance (note i)
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Overdrawn Personal Credit Total Overdrawn Personal Credit Total
current loans cards current loans cards
accounts accounts
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Payment concession 4 - 1 5 4 - 1 5
Interest suppressed payment concession 3 34 10 47 4 36 11 51
Balance re-aged/re-written - 2 2 4 - 2 2 4
Total forbearance (note ii) 7 36 13 56 8 38 14 60
Of which stage 2 3 3 3 9 3 6 4 13
Of which stage 3 4 32 9 45 5 30 10 45
% % % % % % % %
Total forbearance as a % of total gross balances 2.8 1.3 0.8 1.2 2.8 1.3 0.9 1.3
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Impairment provisions on forborne loans 6 29 8 43 6 28 9 43

Notes:

i. Where more than one concession event has occurred, balances are reported under the latest event.

ii. For loans subject to concession events, accounts are transferred back to stage 1 or 2 only after being up to date and meeting contractual obligations for a period of 12 months.

Credit risk – Commercial

Summary

The commercial portfolio comprises loans which have been provided to meet the funding requirements of registered social landlords, project finance initiatives and commercial real estate investors. The project finance and commercial real estate portfolios are closed to new business and are in run-off, and total balances have therefore continued to reduce. Overall credit quality has remained stable.

Commercial gross balances
30 September 4 April
2022 2022
£m £m
Registered social landlords (note i) 4,357 4,329
Project finance (note ii) 580 611
Commercial real estate (CRE) 435 513
Commercial balances at amortised cost 5,372 5,453
Fair value adjustment for micro hedged risk (note iii) 515 549
Commercial balances –
FVTPL
53 52
Total 5,940 6,054

Notes:

i. Loans to registered social landlords are secured on residential property.

ii. Loans advanced in relation to project finance are secured on cash flows from government or local authority backed contracts under the Private Finance Initiative.

iii. Micro hedged risk relates to loans hedged on an individual basis.

Impairment releases and write-offs for the period
Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Total impairment releases (2) (8)
Gross write-offs - -

Impairment releases relate to re-assessment of a limited number of individual cases.

Credit risk – Commercial (continued)

The following table shows commercial balances carried at amortised cost on the balance sheet, with the stage allocation of the exposures, impairment provisions and resulting provision coverage.

Commercial product and staging analysis
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Gross balances
Registered social landlords 4,320 37 - 4,357 4,292 37 - 4,329
Project finance 521 54 5 580 552 54 5 611
CRE 345 37 53 435 393 65 55 513
Total 5,186 128 58 5,372 5,237 156 60 5,453
Provisions
Registered social landlords 1 - - 1 1 - - 1
Project finance - 8 2 10 - 13 2 15
CRE - 1 16 17 - 1 13 14
Total 1 9 18 28 1 14 15 30
Provisions as a % of total balance % % % % % % % %
Registered social landlords 0.01 0.16 - 0.01 0.01 0.16 - 0.01
Project finance 0.02 15.28 42.14 1.82 0.02 23.40 46.69 2.46
CRE 0.15 1.70 29.88 3.91 0.15 1.22 23.41 2.80
Total 0.02 7.04 30.94 0.52 0.02 8.62 25.35 0.55

Over the period, the performance of the commercial portfolio has remained stable, with 97% (4 April 2022: 96%) of balances in stage 1. Of the £128 million (4 April 2022: £156 million) stage 2 loans, which represent 2.4% (4 April 2022: 2.9%) of total balances, £7 million (4 April 2022: £7 million) were in arrears by 30 days or more.

Loans in the project finance portfolio benefit from long-term cash flows, which typically emanate from the provision of assets such as schools, hospitals, police stations, government buildings and roads, procured under the Private Finance Initiative. The stage 2 provision relates to a specific distressed project.

Repayment of loans has resulted in the reduction in stage 2 CRE loan balances. A reduction in asset values for impaired loans has resulted in an increase to CRE stage 3 provisions to £16 million (4 April 2022: £13 million).

Credit risk – Commercial (continued)

Credit quality

Nationwide applies robust credit management policies and processes to identify and manage the risks arising from the portfolio.

The following table shows the CRE portfolio by risk grade and the provision coverage for each category. The table includes balances held at amortised cost only.

CRE gross balances by risk grade and provision coverage
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Provision Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Provision
coverage coverage
£m £m £m £m % £m £m £m £m %
Strong 215 7 - 222 0.0 258 5 - 263 0.0
Good 115 3 - 118 0.2 107 18 - 125 0.2
Satisfactory 15 4 - 19 1.2 26 16 - 42 0.8
Weak - 23 - 23 2.4 2 26 1 29 2.6
Impaired - - 53 53 29.9 - - 54 54 23.7
Total 345 37 53 435 3.9 393 65 55 513 2.8

The risk grades in the table above are based upon the IRB supervisory slotting approach for specialised lending exposures. Exposures are classified into categories depending on the underlying credit risk, with the assessment based upon financial strength, property characteristics, strength of sponsor and any other forms of security. The credit quality of the CRE portfolio has remained stable with 83% (4 April 2022: 84%) of the portfolio balances rated as strong, good or satisfactory.

Risk grades for the project finance portfolio use the same slotting approach as for CRE lending, with 90% (4 April 2022: 90%) of the exposure rated strong or good.

The registered social landlord portfolio is risk rated using an internal PD rating model, with the major drivers being financial strength, evaluations of the borrower's oversight and management, and their type and size. The distribution of exposures is weighted towards the stronger risk ratings and against a backdrop of zero defaults in the portfolio, the credit quality remains high, with an average 12-month PD of 0.03% (4 April 2022: 0.03%) across the portfolio.

In addition to the above, £53 million (4 April 2022: £52 million) of commercial lending balances are classified as FVTPL, comprising CRE balances of £51 million (4 April 2022: £50 million) and registered social landlord balances of £2 million (4 April 2022: £2 million).

CRE balances by LTV

The LTV distribution of CRE balances has remained stable with 90% (4 April 2022: 91%) of the portfolio having an LTV of 75% or less, and 58% (4 April 2022: 61%) of the portfolio having an LTV of 50% or less.

Credit risk – Commercial (continued)

Credit risk concentration by industry sector

Credit risk exposure continues to be spread across the retail, office, residential investment, industrial and leisure sectors. Where a CRE loan is secured on assets crossing different sectors, the sector allocation is based upon the value of the underlying assets in each sector. For the CRE portfolio the largest exposure is to the residential sector, which represents 46% (4 April 2022: 44%) of total CRE balances. The exposure to retail assets has reduced to £89 million (4 April 2022: £99 million), with a weighted average LTV of 51% (4 April 2022: 51%).

CRE balances by payment due status

Of the £486 million (4 April 2022: £563 million) CRE exposure, including FVTPL balances, £63 million (4 April 2022: £44 million) relates to balances with arrears. Of these, £28 million (4 April 2022: £24 million) have arrears greater than 3 months. The increase in arrears balances is driven principally by a small number of loans that are being actively managed.

Forbearance

Nationwide is committed to supporting borrowers facing financial difficulty by working with them to find a solution through proactive arrears management and forbearance.

Forbearance is recorded and reported at borrower level and applies to all commercial lending, including impaired exposures and borrowers subject to enforcement and recovery action. The Group applies the European Banking Authority definition of forbearance. The Annual Report and Accounts 2022 sets out further details of concession events included within forbearance.

The table below provides details of commercial loans that are currently subject to forbearance by concession event.

Gross balances subject to
forbearance (note i)
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m £m
Modifications:
Payment concession 96 125
Extension at maturity 32 37
Breach of covenant 23 14
Security amendment - 2
Refinance - 7
Total 151 185
Total impairment provision on forborne loans 27 27

Note:

i. Loans where more than one concession event has occurred are reported under the latest event.

Total forborne balances (excluding FVTPL) have reduced to £151 million (4 April 2022: £185 million), comprising CRE of £81 million (4 April 2022: £116 million) and project finance of £70 million (4 April 2022: £69 million), driven by loan repayments over the period.

In addition, there are £36 million (4 April 2022: £36 million) of FVTPL commercial lending balances which are forborne that relate to a single exposure.

Credit risk – Treasury assets

Summary

The treasury portfolio is held primarily for liquidity management and, in the case of derivatives, for market risk management. As at 30 September 2022 treasury assets represented 26.0% (4 April 2022: 23.3%) of total assets. There are no exposures to emerging markets, hedge funds or credit default swaps. The table below shows the classification of treasury asset balances.

Treasury asset balances
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Classification £m £m
Cash Amortised cost 32,890 30,221
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions Amortised cost 4,029 3,052
Investment securities (note i) FVOCI 25,033 25,349
Investment securities (note i) FVTPL 17 17
Investment securities Amortised cost 57 118
Liquidity and investment portfolio 62,026 58,757
Derivative instruments (note ii) FVTPL 10,995 4,723
Treasury assets 73,021 63,480

Notes:

i. Investment securities at FVOCI include £32 million (4 April 2022: £46 million) and investment securities at FVTPL include £17 million (4 April 2022: £17 million) which relate to investments not included within the Group's liquidity portfolio. These investments primarily relate to investments made in Fintech companies which are being held for strategic purposes.

ii. Derivatives are classified as assets where their fair value is positive and liabilities where their fair value is negative. As at 30 September 2022, derivative liabilities were £2,583 million (4 April 2022: £1,428 million).

Investment activity remains focused on high-quality liquid assets, including assets eligible for central bank operations. Derivatives are used to economically hedge financial risks inherent in core lending and funding activities and are not used for trading or speculative purposes.

Managing treasury credit risks

Credit risk within the treasury portfolio is managed and controlled by the Treasury Credit Risk function in accordance with Nationwide's risk governance framework, details of which are provided in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022. A monthly review is undertaken of the current and expected performance of treasury assets to determine expected credit loss (ECL) provision requirements. There were no impairment losses for the period ended 30 September 2022 (4 April 2022: £nil). For financial assets held at amortised cost or at FVOCI, all exposures within the table below are classified as stage 1, reflecting the strong and stable credit quality of treasury assets.

Impairment provisions on treasury assets
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Gross balances Provisions Gross balances Provisions
£m £m £m £m
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 4,029 - 3,052 -
Investment securities –
FVOCI
25,033 - 25,349 -
Investment securities –
amortised cost
57 - 118 -

Credit risk – Treasury assets (continued)

Liquidity and investment portfolio

The liquidity and investment portfolio of £62,026 million (4 April 2022: £58,757 million) comprises liquid assets and other securities as set out below.

Liquidity and investment portfolio by credit rating (note i)
30 September 2022 AAA AA A Other UK US Europe Japan Other
£m % % % % % % % % %
Liquid assets:
Cash and reserves at central banks 32,890 - 100 - - 100 - - - -
Government bonds (note ii) 18,595 36 47 17 - 29 29 15 14 13
Supranational bonds 1,885 52 48 - - - - - - 100
Covered bonds 2,721 100 - - - 48 - 17 - 35
Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) 624 100 - - - 68 - 32 - -
Other asset backed securities 248 100 - - - 91 - 9 - -
Liquid assets total 56,963 20 74 6 - 71 9 6 5 9
Other securities (note iii):
RMBS FVOCI 915 100 - - - 100 - - - -
RMBS amortised cost 57 100 - - - 100 - - - -
Other investments (note iv) 62 - 20 - 80 80 - 20 - -
Other securities total 1,034 94 1 - 5 99 - 1 - -
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 4,029 - 72 24 4 87 5 7 - 1
Total 62,026 20 73 7 - 72 9 6 4 9
4 April 2022 £m % % % % % % % % %
Liquid assets:
Cash and reserves at central banks 30,221 - 99 1 - 100 - - - -
Government bonds (note ii) 19,579 30 55 15 - 33 23 22 13 9
Supranational bonds 1,318 58 42 - - - - - - 100
Covered bonds 2,630 99 1 - - 48 - 19 - 33
Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) 584 100 - - - 71 - 29 - -
Other asset backed securities 289 100 - - - 89 - 11 - -
Liquid assets total 54,621 18 76 6 - 71 8 9 5 7
Other securities (note iii):
RMBS FVOCI 889 100 - - - 100 - - - -
RMBS amortised cost 118 100 - - - 100 - - - -
Other investments (note iv) 77 - 18 - 82 82 - 18 - -
Other securities total 1,084 93 1 - 6 99 - 1 - -
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 3,052 - 77 21 2 83 11 5 - 1
Total 58,757 19 75 6 - 72 8 9 4 7

Notes:

i. Ratings used are obtained from Standard & Poor's (S&P), Moody's or Fitch. For loans and advances to banks and similar institutions, internal ratings are used.

ii. Balances classified as government bonds include government guaranteed, agency and government sponsored bonds.

iii. Includes RMBS (UK buy to let and UK non-conforming) not eligible for the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR).

iv. Includes investment securities held at FVTPL of £17 million (4 April 2022: £17 million).

Credit risk – Treasury assets (continued)

Country exposures

This table summarises the exposure (shown at the balance sheet carrying value) to institutions outside the UK.

Country exposures
30 September 2022 Loans and advances
Government Mortgage-backed Covered Supranational to banks and Other
Bonds securities bonds bonds similar institutions assets Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Austria 324 - - - - - 324
Belgium 296 - - - - - 296
Denmark 170 - 9 - - - 179
Finland 344 - 23 - - - 367
France 896 - 139 - 230 12 1,277
Germany 322 - 57 - 76 22 477
Ireland 68 - - - - - 68
Netherlands 334 197 - - - - 531
Norway - - 127 - - - 127
Sweden - - 107 - - - 107
Spain - - - - 6 - 6
Total Europe 2,754 197 462 - 312 34 3,759
Australia - - 139 - 8 - 147
Canada 2,391 - 737 - 15 - 3,143
Japan 2,593 - - - - - 2,593
Singapore - - 74 - - - 74
USA 5,452 - - - 194 - 5,646
Supranational entities (note i) - - - 1,885 - - 1,885
Total 13,190 197 1,412 1,885 529 34 17,247

Credit risk – Treasury assets (continued)

Country exposures
4 April 2022 Loans and advances
Government Mortgage-backed Covered Supranational bonds to banks and Other
Bonds securities bonds similar institutions assets Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Austria 373 - - - - - 373
Belgium 571 - - - - - 571
Denmark 115 - 10 - - - 125
Finland 535 - 23 - - - 558
France 1,533 - 143 - 23 14 1,713
Germany 656 - 57 - 129 33 875
Ireland 130 - - - - - 130
Netherlands 440 170 - - - - 610
Norway - - 150 - - - 150
Sweden - - 108 - - - 108
Spain - - - - - - -
Total Europe 4,353 170 491 - 152 47 5,213
Australia - - 133 - 18 - 151
Canada 1,830 - 656 - 18 - 2,504
Japan 2,501 - - - - - 2,501
Singapore - - 70 - - - 70
USA 4,389 - - - 326 - 4,715
Supranational entities (note i) - - - 1,318 - - 1,318
Total 13,073 170 1,350 1,318 514 47 16,472

Note:

i. Exposures to Supranational entities are made up of bonds issued by highly rated multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international organisations (IOs).

Nationwide has no exposure to credit risk arising from Russian or Ukrainian assets as it does not invest in liquid assets or other securities issued by Russian or Ukrainian entities.

Credit risk – Treasury assets (continued)

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are used to manage exposure to market risks, and not for trading or speculative purposes, although the application of accounting rules can create volatility in the income statement. The fair value of derivative assets as at 30 September 2022 was £11.0 billion (4 April 2022: £4.7 billion) and the fair value of derivative liabilities was £2.6 billion (4 April 2022: £1.4 billion). Higher derivative balances reflect increases in interest rates in the period.

Nationwide, as a direct member of a central counterparty (CCP), has central clearing capability which it uses to clear standardised derivatives. Where derivatives are not cleared at a CCP they are transacted under the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement. A Credit Support Annex (CSA) is always executed in conjunction with the ISDA Master Agreement. Under the terms of a CSA collateral is passed between parties to mitigate the market-contingent counterparty risk inherent in the outstanding positions. CSAs are two-way agreements where both parties post collateral dependent on the exposure of the derivative. Collateral is paid or received on a regular basis (typically daily) to mitigate the mark-to-market exposures. Market standard CSA collateral allows GBP, EUR and USD cash, and in some cases extends to high grade sovereign debt securities; both cash and securities can be held as collateral by the Society.

Nationwide's CSA legal documentation for derivatives grants legal rights of set-off for transactions with the same counterparty. Accordingly, the credit risk associated with such positions is reduced to the extent that negative mark-to-market values offset positive mark-to-market values in the calculation of credit risk within each netting agreement.

Under the terms of CSA netting agreements, outstanding transactions with the same counterparty can be offset and settled on a net basis following a default, or another predetermined event. Under these arrangements, netting benefits of £2.1 billion (4 April 2022: £1.3 billion) were available and £8.7 billion (4 April 2022: £3.5 billion) of collateral was held.

This table shows the exposure to counterparty credit risk for derivative contracts after netting benefits and collateral.

Derivative credit exposure
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Counterparty credit quality AA A BBB Total AA A BBB Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Derivative assets 1,029 9,958 8 10,995 541 4,177 5 4,723
Netting benefits (422) (1,712) (6) (2,140) (212) (1,050) (1) (1,263)
Net current credit exposure 607 8,246 2 8,855 329 3,127 4 3,460
Collateral (cash) (525) (8,213) (2) (8,740) (329) (3,127) (4) (3,460)
Collateral (securities) - - - - - - - -
Net derivative credit exposure 82 33 - 115 - - - -

Liquidity and funding risk

Summary

Liquidity risk is the risk that Nationwide is unable to meet its liabilities as they fall due and maintain member and external stakeholder confidence. Funding risk is the risk that Nationwide is unable to maintain diverse funding sources in wholesale and retail markets and manage excessive concentrations of funding types.

Liquidity and funding risks are managed within a comprehensive risk framework which includes policies, strategy, limit setting and monitoring, stress testing and robust governance controls. This framework ensures that Nationwide maintains stable and diverse funding sources and a sufficient holding of high-quality liquid assets such that there is no significant risk that liabilities cannot be met as they fall due. Further details on how Nationwide manages liquidity and funding risk are included within the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Nationwide's Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), which ensures that sufficient high-quality liquid assets are held to survive a short-term severe but plausible liquidity stress, averaged 179% over the 12 months ended 30 September 2022 (4 April 2022: 183%). Nationwide continues to manage its liquidity against internal risk appetite which is more prudent than regulatory requirements.

The position against the longer-term funding metric, the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), is also monitored. Nationwide's average NSFR for the four quarters ended 30 September 2022 was 146% (4 April 2022: 146%), well in excess of the 100% minimum requirement.

Funding risk

Funding strategy

Nationwide's funding strategy is to remain predominantly retail funded, as set out below.

Funding profile
Assets 30 September 2022 4 April 2022 Liabilities 30 September 2022 4 April 2022
(note i) £bn £bn £bn £bn
Retail mortgages 203.4 197.9 Retail funding 181.2 178.0
Treasury assets (including liquidity portfolio) 62.0 58.8 Wholesale funding 71.0 67.3
Commercial lending 5.9 6.0 Other liabilities 3.8 3.0
Consumer lending 4.1 4.1 Capital and reserves (note ii) 23.9 24.1
Other assets 4.5 5.6
Total 279.9 272.4 Total 279.9 272.4

Notes:

i. Figures in the above table are stated net of impairment provisions where applicable.

ii. Includes all subordinated liabilities and subscribed capital.

At 30 September 2022, Nationwide's loan to deposit ratio, which represents loans and advances to customers divided by the total of shares and other deposits, was 113.6% (4 April 2022: 113.6%).

Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Wholesale funding

The wholesale funding portfolio comprises a range of secured and unsecured instruments to ensure that a stable and diversified funding base is maintained across a range of instruments, currencies, maturities, and investor types. Part of Nationwide's wholesale funding strategy is to remain active in core markets and currencies. A funding risk limit framework also ensures that a prudent funding mix and maturity concentration profile is maintained and limits the level of encumbrance to ensure that enough contingent funding capacity is retained in the event of a stress.

Wholesale funding has increased by £3.7 billion to £71.0 billion during the period driven by higher deposits arising from the receipt of derivative collateral, and issuance of covered bonds and medium term notes. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in repurchase (repo) agreements. The wholesale funding ratio (on-balance sheet wholesale funding as a proportion of total funding liabilities) at 30 September 2022 was 28.7% (4 April 2022: 28.8%).

The table below sets out Nationwide's wholesale funding by currency.

Wholesale funding by currency
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
GBP
EUR
USD
Other
Total
% of
GBP EUR USD Other Total % of
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn total £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn total
Repos 1.3 0.6 0.8 0.2 2.9 4 4.2 2.9 4.0 - 11.1 16
Deposits 15.4 0.2 - - 15.6 22 8.8 0.1 - - 8.9 13
Certificates of deposit 2.2 - - - 2.2 3 - - - - - -
Covered bonds 5.9 7.3 0.9 0.8 14.9 21 5.4 6.4 0.7 0.4 12.9 19
Medium term notes 1.6 4.9 5.3 1.1 12.9 18 1.8 3.8 3.8 0.6 10.0 15
Securitisations 2.2 - 0.2 - 2.4 3 2.6 - 0.4 - 3.0 4
Term Funding Scheme with additional incentives for SMEs (TFSME) 21.8 - - - 21.8 31 21.7 - - - 21.7 33
Other (note i) - (1.3) (0.3) (0.1) (1.7) (2) - (0.2) (0.1) - (0.3) -
Total 50.4 11.7 6.9 2.0 71.0 100 44.5 13.0 8.8 1.0 67.3 100

Note:

i. Other consists of balances which relate to (gains)/losses on the hedging of debt securities.

Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

The table below sets out Nationwide's residual maturity of wholesale funding, on a contractual maturity basis.

Wholesale funding –
residual maturity
30 September 2022 Not more than
one month
Over one month
but not
more than
three months
Over three
months but not
more than six
months
Over six months
but not more
than one year
Subtotal less
than one year
Over one year
but not more
than two years
Over two years Total
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
Repos 2.9 - - - 2.9 - - 2.9
Deposits 12.6 1.3 1.7 - 15.6 - - 15.6
Certificates of deposit 2.2 - - - 2.2 - - 2.2
Covered bonds 0.9 - 1.0 0.8 2.7 2.1 10.1 14.9
Medium term notes - - 1.5 0.7 2.2 1.5 9.2 12.9
Securitisations 0.2 - 0.2 1.1 1.5 0.4 0.5 2.4
TFSME 0.1 - - - 0.1 6.2 15.5 21.8
Other (note i) - - - - - (0.1) (1.6) (1.7)
Total 18.9 1.3 4.4 2.6 27.2 10.1 33.7 71.0
Of which secured 4.1 - 1.2 1.9 7.2 8.7 25.1 41.0
Of which unsecured 14.8 1.3 3.2 0.7 20.0 1.4 8.6 30.0
% of total 26.6 1.8 6.2 3.7 38.3 14.2 47.5 100.0
Wholesale funding –
residual maturity
4 April 2022 Not more than Over one month Over three months Over six months Subtotal less Over one year but Over two years Total
one month but not more than but not more than but not more than one year not more than
three months six months than one year two years
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
Repos 11.1 - - - 11.1 - - 11.1
Deposits 5.8 1.1 2.0 - 8.9 - - 8.9
Certificates of deposit - - - - - - - -
Covered bonds - - 1.0 1.7 2.7 2.3 7.9 12.9
Medium term notes 0.2 0.6 - 1.3 2.1 1.9 6.0 10.0
Securitisations 0.4 - 0.2 0.5 1.1 1.3 0.6 3.0
TFSME - - - - - - 21.7 21.7
Other
(note i)
- - - - - - (0.3) (0.3)
Total 17.5 1.7 3.2 3.5 25.9 5.5 35.9 67.3
Of which secured 11.5 - 1.2 2.2 14.9 3.6 30.1 48.6
Of which unsecured 6.0 1.7 2.0 1.3 11.0 1.9 5.8 18.7
% of total 26.0 2.5 4.8 5.2 38.5 8.2 53.3 100.0

Note:

i. Other consists of balances which relate to (gains)/losses on the hedging of debt securities.

At 30 September 2022, cash, government bonds and supranational bonds included in the liquid asset buffer represented 181% of wholesale funding maturing in less than one year, assuming no rollovers (4 April 2022: 153%).

Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Liquidity risk

Liquid assets

The table below sets out the sterling equivalent fair value of the liquidity portfolio, by issuing currency. It includes off-balance sheet liquidity, such as securities received through reverse repo agreements, and excludes securities encumbered through repo agreements and for other purposes.

Liquid assets
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
GBP EUR USD JPY Other
(note i)
Total GBP EUR USD JPY Other
(note i)
Total
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
Cash and reserves at central banks 32.9 - - - - 32.9 30.0 0.2 - - - 30.2
Government bonds (note ii) 3.9 2.8 5.5 1.3 1.1 14.6 2.2 2.0 0.9 2.0 0.9 8.0
Supranational bonds - 1.4 0.3 - 0.1 1.8 0.1 0.8 0.4 - - 1.3
Covered bonds 0.8 1.6 0.1 - - 2.5 0.9 1.6 0.1 - - 2.6
Residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS) (note iii) 0.2 0.2 - - - 0.4 0.1 0.1 - - - 0.2
Asset-backed securities and other securities 0.2 - - - 0.2 0.2 - - - - 0.2
Total 38.0 6.0 5.9 1.3 1.2 52.4 33.5 4.7 1.4 2.0 0.9 42.5

Notes:

i. Other currencies primarily consist of Canadian dollars.

ii. Balances classified as government bonds include government guaranteed, agency and government sponsored bonds.

iii. Balances include all RMBS held by the Society which can be monetised through sale or repo.

The table above primarily comprises LCR-eligible high-quality liquid assets which averaged £51.6 billion for the 12 months ended 30 September 2022 (4 April 2022: £52.8 billion). Further details can be found in the Group's interim Pillar 3 disclosure 2022-23 at nationwide.co.uk

Nationwide continues to work towards its investment target for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assets. Having reached its target of £1.0 billion of ESG assets at 4 April 2022, Nationwide is on track to meet its target of holding £1.5 billion by 4 April 2023. The Group's investment criteria for ESG assets are currently restricted to bonds issued by multilateral development banks and green issuances from selected government issuers. ESG investment criteria are subject to ongoing internal review.

Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Residual maturity of financial assets and liabilities

The table below segments the carrying value of financial assets and financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the final contractual maturity date (residual maturity).

Residual maturity (note i)
30 September 2022 Due less than
one month
(note ii)
Due between
one and
three months
Due between
three and
six months
Due between
six and
nine months
Due between
nine and
twelve months
Due between
one and
two years
Due between
two and
five years
Due after
more than
five years
Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Financial assets
Cash 32,890 - - - - - - - 32,890
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 2,981 - - - - - - 1,048 4,029
Investment securities 70 40 203 154 42 795 6,898 16,905 25,107
Derivative financial instruments 237 2 447 123 149 603 5,931 3,503 10,995
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk (11) 6 (642) (873) (440) (2,215) (4,717) (789) (9,681)
Loans and advances to customers 2,834 1,524 2,167 2,188 2,230 8,469 24,548 169,439 213,399
Total financial assets 39,001 1,572 2,175 1,592 1,981 7,652 32,660 190,106 276,739
Financial liabilities
Shares 161,232 968 2,175 2,484 5,178 7,543 634 963 181,177
Deposits from banks and similar institutions 11,927 13 3 - - 6,220 15,480 - 33,643
Of which repo 2,934 - - - - - - - 2,934
Of which TFSME 87 - - - - 6,220 15,480 - 21,787
Other deposits 3,555 1,272 1,693 77 53 29 6 - 6,685
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk 1 - 1 1 1 2 - - 6
Secured funding –
ABS and covered bonds
1,152 11 1,231 1,551 269 2,415 4,539 5,142 16,310
Senior unsecured funding 2,218 41 1,439 666 4 1,483 6,057 2,473 14,381
Derivative financial instruments 131 3 17 5 3 105 499 1,820 2,583
Subordinated liabilities 11 5 28 - 3 1,778 1,864 3,731 7,420
Subscribed capital (note iii) 1 - 1 - - - - 163 165
Total financial liabilities 180,228 2,313 6,588 4,784 5,511 19,575 29,079 14,292 262,370
Off-balance sheet commitments (note iv) 13,246 - - - - - - - 13,246
Net liquidity difference (154,473) (741) (4,413) (3,192) (3,530) (11,923) 3,581 175,814 1,123
Cumulative liquidity difference (154,473) (155,214) (159,627) (162,819) (166,349) (178,272) (174,691) 1,123 -

Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Residual maturity (note i)
4 April 2022 Due less than Due between Due between Due between Due between Due between Due between Due after Total
one month one and three and six and nine and one and two and more than
(note ii) three months six months nine months twelve months two years five years five years
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Financial assets
Cash 30,221 - - - - - - - 30,221
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 2,031 - - - - - - 1,021 3,052
Investment securities 61 17 68 50 279 784 7,419 16,806 25,484
Derivative financial instruments 90 119 5 118 43 255 2,609 1,484 4,723
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk 4 8 (134) (108) (93) (824) (1,140) (156) (2,443)
Loans and advances to customers 2,808 1,532 2,183 2,188 2,140 8,489 24,163 164,563 208,066
Total financial assets 35,215 1,676 2,122 2,248 2,369 8,704 33,051 183,718 269,103
Financial liabilities
Shares 157,455 2,395 7,238 1,725 1,880 5,272 1,015 987 177,967
Deposits from banks and similar institutions 14,712 2 - 11 - - 21,700 - 36,425
Of which repo 11,064 - - - - - - - 11,064
Of which TFSME - 1 - - - - 21,700 - 21,701
Other deposits 2,111 1,096 1,923 29 28 17 4 - 5,208
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk 1 3 2 - 1 3 1 - 11
Secured funding –
ABS and covered bonds
387 26 1,247 1,079 1,061 3,607 3,225 5,201 15,833
Senior unsecured funding 239 555 21 40 1,262 1,885 4,257 1,537 9,796
Derivative financial instruments 52 5 23 1 15 35 367 930 1,428
Subordinated liabilities 792 - 31 3 - 765 2,637 4,022 8,250
Subscribed capital (note iii) 1 - 1 - - - - 185 187
Total financial liabilities 175,750 4,082 10,486 2,888 4,247 11,584 33,206 12,862 255,105
Off-balance sheet commitments (note iv) 15,258 - - - - - - - 15,258
Net liquidity difference (155,793) (2,406) (8,364) (640) (1,878) (2,880) (155) 170,856 (1,260)
Cumulative liquidity difference (155,793) (158,199) (166,563) (167,203) (169,081) (171,961) (172,116) (1,260) -

Notes:

i. The analysis excludes certain non-financial assets (including property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, other assets, current tax assets, deferred tax assets and accrued income and prepaid expenses) and nonfinancial liabilities (including provisions for liabilities and charges, accruals and deferred income, current tax liabilities, deferred tax liabilities and other liabilities). The retirement benefit surplus and lease liabilities have also been excluded.

ii. Due less than one month includes amounts repayable on demand.

iii. The principal amount for undated subscribed capital is included within the due after more than five years column.

iv. Off-balance sheet commitments include amounts payable on demand for undrawn loan commitments, customer overpayments on residential mortgages where the borrower can draw down the amount overpaid, and commitments to acquire financial assets.

In practice, customer behaviours mean that liabilities are often retained for longer than their contractual maturities and assets are repaid earlier. This gives rise to funding mismatches on the balance sheet. The balance sheet structure and risks are managed and monitored by Nationwide's Assets and Liabilities Committee (ALCO). Judgement and past behavioural performance of each asset and liability class are used to forecast likely cash flow requirements.

In the six months to 30 September 2022, a reduction in deposits from banks and similar institutions is primarily due to a reduction in deposits via repo agreements. However, this has been partially offset by an increase in derivative collateral received following changes in market rates.

Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Asset encumbrance

Encumbrance arises where assets are pledged as collateral against secured funding and other collateralised obligations and therefore cannot be used for other purposes. The majority of asset encumbrance arises from the use of prime mortgage pools to collateralise the Covered Bond and securitisation programmes and from participation in the Bank of England's TFSME. Further information is included in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Certain unencumbered assets are readily available to secure funding or meet collateral requirements. These include prime mortgages and cash and securities held in the liquid asset buffer. Other unencumbered assets, such as non-prime mortgages, are capable of being encumbered with a degree of further management action. Assets which do not fall into either of these categories are classified as not being capable of being encumbered.

At 30 September 2022, Nationwide had £39,694 million (4 April 2022: £44,812 million) of externally encumbered assets with counterparties other than central banks. In addition, £75,616 million (4 April 2022: £74,047 million) of prepositioned and encumbered assets were held at central banks and £157,821 million (4 April 2022: £145,468 million) of assets were neither encumbered nor prepositioned but capable of being encumbered. The increase in assets prepositioned and encumbered at central banks provides Nationwide with future funding flexibility and ensures sufficient contingent funding capacity is retained in the event of a stress. The increase in assets that were neither encumbered nor prepositioned but capable of being encumbered reflects the increase in total assets and decrease in repo balances.

External credit ratings

The Group's long-term and short-term credit ratings are shown in the table below. The long-term rating for both Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Moody's is the senior preferred rating. The long-term rating for Fitch is the senior non-preferred rating.

Credit ratings
Senior Short-term Senior Tier 2 Date of last rating Outlook
preferred non-preferred action / confirmation
Standard & Poor's A+ A-1 BBB+ BBB August 2022 Stable
Moody's A1 P-1 A3 Baa1 October 2022 Stable
Fitch A+ F1 A BBB+ September 2022 Stable

In August 2022, S&P affirmed all ratings, and in September 2022 Fitch affirmed all ratings.

In October 2022, Moody's affirmed the Group's long term and senior preferred rating and confirmed the stable outlook. At the same time the Group's senior non-preferred, tier 2 and additional tier 1 ratings were all upgraded by one notch.

Capital risk

Capital risk is the risk that Nationwide fails to maintain sufficient capital to absorb losses throughout a full economic cycle and sufficient to maintain the confidence of current and prospective investors, members, the Board and regulators. Capital is held to protect members, cover inherent risks, provide a buffer for stress events and support the business strategy. In assessing the adequacy of capital resources, risk appetite is considered in the context of the material risks to which Nationwide is exposed and the appropriate strategies required to manage those risks.

Capital position

The capital disclosures included in this report are in line with UK Capital Requirements Directive V (UK CRD V) and on an end point basis with IFRS 9 transitional arrangements applied. In addition, the disclosures are on a consolidated Group basis, including all subsidiary entities, unless otherwise stated.

Capital ratios and requirements
30 September 4 April
2022 2022
Capital ratios % %
CET1 ratio 25.5 24.1
Tier 1 ratio 28.1 26.6
Total regulatory capital ratio 32.2 31.8
Leverage ratio 5.8 5.4
Capital requirements £m £m
Risk weighted assets (RWAs) 50,791 51,823
Leverage exposure 248,187 255,407

Risk-based capital ratios remain in excess of regulatory requirements with the CET1 ratio at 25.5% (4 April 2022: 24.1%), above Nationwide's CET1 capital requirement of 11.1%. The CET1 capital requirement includes a 7.6% minimum Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 requirement and the UK CRD V combined buffer requirements of 3.5% of RWAs.

The CET1 ratio increased to 25.5% (4 April 2022: 24.1%) as a result of an increase in CET1 capital of £0.5 billion, in conjunction with a reduction in RWAs of £1.0 billion. The CET1 capital resources increase was driven by £0.7 billion profit after tax, partially offset by £0.1 billion of capital distributions and a £0.1 billion reduction in the FVOCI reserve. RWAs reduced, with an increase in retail lending being more than offset by a reduction in the fair value accounting adjustment for portfolio hedged risk, driven by recent changes in the interest rate outlook.

UK CRD V requires firms to calculate a leverage ratio, which is non-risked based, to supplement risk-based capital requirements. Nationwide's leverage ratio is 5.8% (4 April 2022: 5.4%), with Tier 1 capital increasing by £0.5 billion as a result of the CET1 capital movements outlined above. In addition, there was a decrease in leverage exposure of £7.2 billion driven by the same movements as described above for RWAs.

The leverage ratio remains in excess of Nationwide's leverage capital requirement of 3.6%, which comprises a minimum Tier 1 capital requirement of 3.25% and buffer requirements of 0.35%. The buffer requirements reflect a 0% UK countercyclical leverage ratio buffer announced on 11 March 2020 as part of the Bank of England's response to the impacts of Covid-19, although this will increase to 0.4% in December 2022 and 0.7% in July 2023.

Leverage requirements continue to be Nationwide's binding Tier 1 capital constraint, as the combination of minimum and regulatory buffer requirements are in excess of the risk-based equivalent. The risk of excessive leverage is managed through regular monitoring and reporting of the leverage ratio, which forms part of risk appetite.

Further details on the leverage exposure can be found in the Group's interim Pillar 3 Disclosure 2022-23 at nationwide.co.uk

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Risk report (continued)

Capital risk (continued)

The table below shows how the components of members' interest and equity contribute to total regulatory capital and does not include non-qualifying instruments.

Total regulatory capital
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m £m
General reserve 13,391 12,753
Core capital deferred shares (CCDS) 1,334 1,334
Revaluation reserve 42 46
Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) reserve (30) 89
Cash flow hedge and other hedging reserves 215 142
Regulatory adjustments and deductions:
FVOCI reserve temporary relief (note i) 3 (21)
Cash flow hedge and other hedging reserves (note ii) (215) (142)
Foreseeable distributions (note iii) (70) (71)
Prudent valuation adjustment (note iv) (162) (80)
Own credit and debit valuation adjustments (note v) (20) (12)
Intangible assets (note vi) (872) (884)
Goodwill (note vi) (12) (12)
Defined
benefit pension fund asset (note vi)
(661) (654)
Excess of regulatory expected losses over impairment provisions (note vii) (1) (48)
IFRS 9 transitional arrangements (note viii) 15 31
Total regulatory adjustments and deductions (1,995) (1,893)
CET1 capital 12,957 12,471
Other equity instruments (Additional Tier 1) 1,336 1,336
Tier 1 capital 14,293 13,807
Dated subordinated debt (note ix) 2,018 2,643
Excess of impairment provisions over regulatory expected losses
(note vii)
48 37
IFRS 9 transitional arrangements (note viii) (10) (21)
Tier 2 capital 2,056 2,659
Total regulatory capital 16,349 16,466

Notes:

i. Includes a temporary adjustment to mitigate the impact of volatility in central government debt on capital ratios, in line with the Covid-19 banking package.

ii. In accordance with CRR article 33, institutions do not include the fair value reserves related to gains or losses on cash flow hedges of financial instruments that are not valued at fair value.

iii. Foreseeable distributions in respect of CCDS and AT1 securities are deducted from CET1 capital under UK CRD V.

iv. A prudent valuation adjustment (PVA) is applied in respect of fair valued instruments as required under regulatory capital rules.

v. Own credit and debit valuation adjustments are applied to remove balance sheet gains or losses of fair valued liabilities and derivatives that result from changes in own credit standing and risk, as per UK CRD V rules.

vi. Intangible, goodwill and defined benefit pension fund assets are deducted from capital resources after netting associated deferred tax liabilities.

vii. Where capital expected loss exceeds accounting provisions, the excess balance is removed from CET1 capital, gross of tax. In contrast, where provisions exceed capital expected loss, the excess amount is added to Tier 2 capital, gross of tax. This calculation is not performed for equity exposures, in line with Article 159 of CRR. The expected loss amounts for equity exposures are deducted from CET1 capital, gross of tax.

viii.The IFRS 9 transitional adjustments to capital resources apply scaled relief until 4 April 2023 due to the impact of the introduction of IFRS 9; the period for these adjustments was extended by the PRA for a further two years due to anticipated increases in expected credit losses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Further detail is provided in the Group's interim Pillar 3 disclosure 2022-2023 at nationwide.co.uk

ix. Subordinated debt includes fair value adjustments relating to changes in market interest rates, adjustments for unamortised premiums and discounts that are included in the consolidated balance sheet, and any amortisation of the capital value of Tier 2 instruments required by regulatory rules for instruments with fewer than five years to maturity.

Capital risk (continued)

In June 2022, Nationwide repurchased £0.7 billion of dated subordinated debt as part of a liability management exercise. This was the primary driver of the £0.6 billion reduction in Tier 2 capital as shown in the regulatory capital table above.

As part of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, the Bank of England, in its capacity as the UK resolution authority, has published its policy for setting the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) and provided firms with interim and end-state MREL. From 1 January 2022, Nationwide's end-state requirement is to hold twice the minimum capital requirements (amounting to 6.5% of leverage exposure), plus the applicable capital requirement buffers, which amount to 0.35% of leverage exposure. This equals a total loss-absorbing requirement of 6.85%.

At 30 September 2022, total MREL resources were 8.8% (4 April 2022: 8.4%) of leverage exposure, in excess of the 2022 loss-absorbing requirement of 6.85% described above. This requirement will increase to approximately 7.55% in July 2023 due to the upcoming increase in the UK countercyclical leverage ratio buffer.

Risk weighted assets

The table below shows the breakdown of risk weighted assets (RWAs) by risk type and business activity. Market risk has been set to zero as permitted by the CRR, as the exposure is below the threshold of 2% of own funds.

Risk weighted assets
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Credit Risk Operational Total Risk Credit Risk Operational Total Risk
(note i) Risk (note ii) Weighted Assets (note i) Risk (note ii) Weighted Assets
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Retail mortgages 34,340 3,054 37,394 34,935 3,054 37,989
Retail unsecured lending 4,971 1,045 6,016 4,694 1,045 5,739
Commercial loans 1,935 98 2,033 2,272 98 2,370
Treasury 1,541 409 1,950 1,865 409 2,274
Counterparty credit risk (note iii) 1,143 - 1,143 1,052 - 1,052
Other (note iv) 1,654 601 2,255 1,798 601 2,399
Total 45,584 5,207 50,791 46,616 5,207 51,823

Notes:

i. Includes credit risk exposures, securitisations, counterparty credit risk exposures and exposures below the thresholds for deduction which are subject to a 250% risk weight.

ii. RWAs have been allocated according to the business lines within the standardised approach to operational risk, as per article 317 of CRR.

iii. Counterparty credit risk relates to derivative financial instruments, securities financing transactions (repurchase agreements) and exposures to central counterparties.

iv. Other relates to equity, fixed and other assets.

RWAs reduced by £1.0 billion primarily due to a £0.6 billion reduction in retail mortgage RWAs. This was driven by a reduction in the fair value accounting adjustment for portfolio hedged risk, which is netted against the underlying loans when computing retail mortgage RWAs. This has more than offset the impact of the increase in net mortgage lending. In addition, commercial loan RWAs reduced primarily due to a reduction in the commercial loan portfolio size.

In line with 4 April 2022, a model adjustment continues to be included within RWAs to ensure outcomes consistent with revised IRB regulations in force from 1 January 2022. The impact of this is a £21.2 billion increase in risk weighted assets. In line with other industry participants, Nationwide continues to engage with the PRA regarding approval and implementation timings.

More detailed analysis of RWAs is included in the Group's interim Pillar 3 Disclosure 2022-23 at nationwide.co.uk

Capital risk (continued)

Regulatory developments

Key areas of regulatory change are set out below. Nationwide will remain engaged in the development of the regulatory approach to ensure it is prepared for any resulting change.

The Basel Committee published their final reforms to the Basel III framework in December 2017, now denoted by the PRA as Basel 3.1. The amendments include changes to the standardised approaches for credit and operational risks and the introduction of a new RWA output floor. The implementation of the reforms is expected to be from 2025 with a transitional period ending in 2030. The changes may lead to an increase in Nationwide's RWAs relative to the current position, mainly due to the application of standardised floors for mortgages. Based on the Basel text, the reported CET1 ratio will reduce to approximately 20%, compared to the 25.5% reported at 30 September 2022. However, final impacts are uncertain as they are subject to future balance sheet size and mix, and because of possible divergence by the Bank of England from the original Basel text. The Bank of England has confirmed its intention to consult on the implementation of the Basel 3.1 rules in the fourth quarter of 2022. The consultation is expected to include the proposal to implement these changes from January 2025, providing enough time to firms to implement the final policies.

On 12 October 2022 the FPC confirmed its intention to increase the UK countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) rate to 1% from 13 December 2022 and to 2% from 5 July 2023. This will lead to an increase in Nationwide's risk-based capital requirements. Nationwide's leverage requirements will also increase as the countercyclical leverage ratio buffer is calculated as approximately 35% of the risk-based CCyB rate. Capital surpluses will reduce as a result of these changes; however, they will remain comfortably above Board risk appetite based on current forecasts.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the net value of, or net income arising from, assets and liabilities is impacted as a result of changes in market prices or rates, primarily interest rates, currency rates or equity prices. Nationwide has limited appetite for market risk and does not have a trading book. Market risk is closely monitored and managed to ensure the level of risk remains within appetite. Market risks are not taken unless they are essential to core business activities and they provide stability of earnings, minimise costs or enable operational efficiency.

The principal market risks linked to Nationwide's balance sheet assets and liabilities include interest rate risk, basis risk, swap spread risk, currency risk and product option risk.

The UK economic environment has changed markedly since the Annual Report and Accounts 2022 as a result of higher inflation embedding within the economy. In response, the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise bank base rate on four consecutive occasions since April 2022 to a rate of 2.25% at 30 September 2022, with the aim of returning inflation to the 2% target in the medium term. It has also recently purchased long-dated UK government bonds to address the financial instability observed following the UK government's recent fiscal policy announcements, which led to sterling falling by 15% against the dollar and the 10-year gilt rate rising by 2.44% in the six-month period leading up to 30 September 2022. Since the period end the bank base rate has increased further to 3.0%.

Sterling has weakened considerably against the dollar over the course of the first half of the year; however, this movement has had negligible impact on the Group as it hedges exposure in foreign currencies.

Whilst economic conditions within the UK have an impact on the Group, market risk is closely managed to ensure it remains within risk appetite. Nationwide's market risk appetite, risk management and reporting measures, described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022, are unchanged.

Net Interest Income sensitivity (NII)

The sensitivities presented below measure the extent to which Nationwide's pre-tax earnings are exposed to changes in interest rates over a one-year period based on instantaneous parallel rises and falls in interest rates, with the shifts applied to the prevailing interest rates at the reporting date.

Market risk (continued)

The purpose of these sensitivities is to assess Nationwide's exposure to interest rate risk and therefore the sensitivities should not be considered as a guide to future earnings performance, with actual future earnings influenced by the extent to which changes in interest rates are passed through to product pricing, the timing of maturing assets and liabilities and changes to the balance sheet mix. In practice, earnings changes from actual interest rate movements will differ from those calculated in the sensitivity analysis because interest rate changes may not be passed through in full to those assets and liabilities that do not have a contractual link to base rate.

The sensitivities shown below are prepared based on a static balance sheet, with all assets and liabilities maturing within the year replaced with like for like products, and changes in interest rates being fully passed through to variable rate retail products, unless a 0% floor is reached when rates fall. No management actions are included in the sensitivities.

Potential favourable/(adverse) impact on annual pre-tax future earnings
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
£m £m
+100 basis point shift (35) (note i)
+50 basis point shift (14) 10
+25 basis point shift (7) 5
-25 basis point shift (4) (76)
-50 basis point shift (69) (220)
-100 basis point shift (309) (note i)

Note:

i. The +/-100 basis point shifts were not calculated at 4 April 2022 but have been presented at 30 September 2022 to reflect increased volatility in the interest rate environment.

The low levels of NII sensitivity reflect Nationwide's prudent management of interest rate risk. Minimal NII sensitivity continues to arise in the +25 and +50 basis point shifts given that rate changes are assumed to be fully passed through in these scenarios, with product margins held static.

The adverse impacts of positive basis point shifts at 30 September 2022 reflect the balance sheet composition, in particular the relative value of non-interest bearing assets to liabilities, with assets having increased significantly since 4 April 2022.

The reduced sensitivity to a -25 basis point shift at 30 September 2022 compared to 4 April 2022 is primarily due to an increase in interest rates on variable rate savings products, meaning that reductions in interest rates would apply to a greater proportion of balances as the 0% floor is not reached.

Pension risk

Nationwide has funding obligations to a number of defined benefit pension schemes, the largest of which is the Nationwide Pension Fund (the Fund) which represents over 99% of the Society's pension obligations. The Fund has approximately 29,000 participants (Fund members), the majority of whom are deferred members (former and current employee members, not yet retired). The Fund closed to new entrants in 2007 and closed to future accrual on 31 March 2021. Further information is set out in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

The Fund's net defined benefit pension surplus, which is shown within assets on the balance sheet, has increased from £1,008 million to £1,017 million since 4 April 2022. This was driven by a large reduction in pension liabilities, primarily due to an increase in the discount rate assumption as a result of increasing gilt yields and widening credit spreads. This was partly offset by a decrease in asset values, specifically liability-matching assets such as government bonds. Further information is included in note 15 to the consolidated interim financial statements.

On 14 October 2022, the Society provided two uncollateralised loans totalling £400 million to the Fund. This temporary support will allow the Fund to manage its ongoing liquidity requirements during a period of high market volatility. The loans are repayable on demand and accrue interest at market rates.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Risk report (continued)

Pension risk (continued)

The latest Triennial Valuation of the Fund, which has an effective date of 31 March 2022 is currently underway. Over the long term, the Trustee intends to reduce further the level of risk within the Fund, and Nationwide actively engages with the Trustee to ensure broad alignment on investment objectives and implementation. Potential risk management initiatives include, but are not limited to, adjusting the asset allocation (for example reducing the allocation to equities and increasing the allocation to bonds), longevity hedging and implementing derivative and other hedging strategies.

Model risk

Nationwide relies on models to support a broad range of business and risk management activities. Key examples include the use of model outputs in the credit approval process, capital and liquidity assessments, stress testing, loss provisioning, financial planning and pricing strategies. Nationwide also uses models which apply advanced machine learning techniques to other risk types such as climate change and economic crime. Further information on model risk can be found in the Risk report section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

The intensifying inflationary pressures, interest rate rises, cost of living crisis and market volatility experienced during 2022 have impacted the performance of some models. These changing economic conditions mean that the historical data on which some models were built have become less representative of the prevailing environment, increasing the need for model adjustments. As the economic uncertainty continues, model adjustments will remain a key area of focus within the Group's model risk management process. An enhanced framework for model adjustments has been implemented to ensure they are robustly governed, applied and monitored, with a particular focus on segments and exposures that are more susceptible to interest rates and inflation.

In June 2022, the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) published a consultation paper (CP6/22) and draft supervisory statement on model risk management. The proposals contain five principles and expectations which the PRA considers key to establishing an effective model risk management framework. Nationwide welcomes the consultation and the explicit regulatory framework for model risk. Work is underway to respond to the resulting Supervisory Statement which is expected to be published in early 2023 with an implementation date of 12 months later.

Changes in regulation have also continued to drive model development, validation and risk management activity during 2022. Development of the retail capital models to meet new IRB Roadmap regulatory requirements has progressed well and Nationwide continues to engage with the PRA regarding approval and implementation timings.

Operational and conduct risk

Nationwide's overall operational and conduct risk profile has remained broadly stable since 4 April 2022. The main risks continue to relate to IT and operational resilience, and cyber security. There remains a focus on being safe and secure in order to ensure both service availability and the protection of customer data. Operational structures and processes continue to be reviewed and enhanced, with particular attention on both the adequacy and effectiveness of controls relating to our main operational and conduct risk exposures, and controls in processes supporting products and services provided to our customers. Nationwide monitors the risk status and implementation of improvements in any areas identified for control enhancement. In addition, specific investment is being made to improve capabilities to meet existing and future financial crime laws and regulation.

Key developments during the period impacting other aspects of Nationwide's operational and conduct risk profile are set out below.

Cost of living and members in financial difficulty

The increased cost of living and more volatile interest rate environment pose challenges for Nationwide's management of conduct risk as more members are expected to face financial difficulty. Nationwide remains committed to ensuring that good customer outcomes are achieved and to meeting the expectations of regulators in relation to the fair treatment of customers, with a particular focus on customers in vulnerable circumstances. Consideration of the additional needs of these customers is embedded in Nationwide's culture and is the responsibility of all colleagues whose work impacts member products and services. To support members facing cost of living challenges, a dedicated freephone cost of living hotline has been launched to offer support for those who need it.

Operational and conduct risk (continued)

Regulatory change

There continues to be a high volume of complex regulatory change impacting the financial services industry, and Nationwide will respond to these changes while actively engaging with its regulators.

On 27 July 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) finalised a new Consumer Duty, comprising rules and guidance which set out a higher standard of consumer care and will require firms to be more proactive in the delivery of fair outcomes. Nationwide has mobilised a programme of work to deliver compliance with the Consumer Duty. The Group remains committed to ensuring that good customer outcomes are achieved and will continue to provide a safe and secure variety of products and services which meet the needs of members and customers.

The Group remains actively engaged in the ongoing development of the UK's Future Regulatory Framework, which will determine how regulatory rulemaking powers will be distributed following the UK's exit from the European Union, and the mechanisms for improving accountability and scrutiny of those exercising those powers.

People

Our people are fundamental to the success of Nationwide and attracting and retaining people with in-demand skills and capabilities continues to be a key area of focus. A highly competitive external labour market, upward pressure on pay in light of significant increases in inflation, and the rise of flexible working across the industry, present both opportunities and risks to the attraction and retention of diverse talent.

Nationwide recognises that the cost of living crisis impacts not only members, but also colleagues, and is committed to supporting them, with a wide range of resources put in place to help with colleague financial and emotional wellbeing. Nationwide continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure colleagues remain supported through these challenging times.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Consolidated interim financial statements

Contents

Page
Consolidated income statement 64
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 65
Consolidated balance sheet 66
Consolidated statement of movements in members' interests and equity 67
Consolidated cash flow statement 68
Notes to the consolidated interim financial statements 69

Consolidated income statement (Unaudited)

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
Notes £m £m
Interest receivable and similar income/(expense):
Calculated using the effective interest rate method 3 3,233 2,114
Other 3 18 6
Total interest receivable and similar income 3 3,251 2,120
Interest expense and similar charges 4 (1,196) (414)
Net interest income 2,055 1,706
Fee and commission income 209 227
Fee and commission expense (125) (108)
Other operating income 5 51 69
(Losses)/gains from derivatives and hedge accounting 6 (11) 3
Total income 2,179 1,897
Administrative expenses 7 (1,083) (1,025)
Impairment (charge)/release on loans and advances to customers 8 (108) 34
Provisions for liabilities and charges 13 (19) (53)
Profit before tax 969 853
Taxation 9 (241) (168)
Profit after tax 728 685

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (Unaudited)

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
Notes £m £m
Profit after tax 728 685
Other comprehensive (expense)/income
Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement
Remeasurements of retirement benefit obligations:
Retirement benefit remeasurements
15
(2) 300
Taxation - (105)
(2) 195
Revaluation reserve:
Revaluation
of property
2 1
Taxation (1) (1)
1 -
Movements in fair value of equity shares held at fair value through other
comprehensive income:
Fair value movements taken to members' interests and equity (15) 15
Taxation 4 (4)
(11) 11
Items that may subsequently be reclassified to the income statement
Cash flow hedge reserve
Fair value movements taken to members' interests and equity 136 27
Amount transferred to income statement (21) (18)
Taxation (32) (3)
83 6
Other hedging reserve
Fair value movements taken to members' interests and equity 2 1
Amount transferred to income statement (14) (3)
Taxation 3 4
(9) 2
Fair value through other comprehensive income reserve:
Fair value movements taken to members' interests and equity (88) 27
Amount transferred to income statement (62) (41)
Taxation 42 (4)
(108) (18)
Other comprehensive (expense)/income (46) 196
Total comprehensive income 682 881

Consolidated balance sheet (Unaudited)

30 September 4 April
2022 2022
Notes £m £m
Assets
Cash 32,890 30,221
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 4,029 3,052
Investment securities 25,107 25,484
Derivative financial instruments 10,995 4,723
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk (9,681) (2,443)
Loans and advances to customers 10 213,399 208,066
Intangible assets 899 913
Property, plant and equipment 796 880
Accrued income and prepaid expenses 231 252
Deferred tax 63 59
Current tax assets 46 33
Other assets 143 106
Retirement benefit asset 15 1,017 1,008
Total assets 279,934 272,354
Liabilities
Shares 181,177 177,967
Deposits from banks and similar institutions 33,643 36,425
Other deposits 6,685 5,208
Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk 6 11
Debt securities in issue 30,691 25,629
Derivative financial instruments 2,583 1,428
Other liabilities 470 668
Provisions for liabilities and charges 13 139 153
Accruals and deferred income 225 299
Subordinated liabilities 7,420 8,250
Subscribed capital 165 187
Deferred tax 442 430
Total liabilities 263,646 256,655
Members' interests and equity
Core capital deferred shares 1,334 1,334
Other equity instruments 1,336 1,336
General reserve 13,391 12,753
Revaluation reserve 42 46
Cash flow hedge reserve 267 184
Other hedging reserve (52) (43)
Fair value through other comprehensive income reserve (30) 89
Total members' interests and equity 16,288 15,699
Total members' interests, equity and liabilities 279,934 272,354

Consolidated statement of movements in members' interests and equity (Unaudited)

For the period ended 30 September 2022

Core capital Other equity General Revaluation Cash flow Other FVOCI Total
deferred
shares
instruments reserve reserve hedge
reserve
hedging
reserve
reserve
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 2022 1,334 1,336 12,753 46 184 (43) 89 15,699
Profit for the period - - 728 - - - - 728
Net remeasurements of retirement benefit obligations - - (2) - - - - (2)
Net revaluation of property - - - 1 - - - 1
Net movement in cash flow hedge reserve - - - - 83 - - 83
Net movement in other hedging reserve - - - - - (9) - (9)
Net movement in FVOCI reserve - - - - - - (119) (119)
Total comprehensive income - - 726 1 83 (9) (119) 682
Reserve transfer - - 5 (5) - - - -
Distribution to the holders of core capital deferred shares - - (54) - - - - (54)
Distribution to the holders of Additional Tier 1 capital - - (39) - - - - (39)
At 30 September 2022 1,334 1,336 13,391 42 267 (52) (30) 16,288
For the period ended 30 September 2021
Core capital Other equity General Revaluation Cash flow Other FVOCI Total
deferred instruments reserve reserve hedge hedging reserve
shares reserve reserve
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 2021 1,334 1,336 11,140 44 195 (46) 110 14,113
Profit for the period - - 685 - - - - 685
Net remeasurements of retirement benefit obligations - - 195 - - - - 195
Net movement in cash flow hedge reserve - - - - 6 - - 6
Net movement in other hedging reserve - - - - - 2 - 2
Net movement in FVOCI reserve - - - - - - (7) (7)
Total comprehensive income - - 880 - 6 2 (7) 881
Reserve transfer - - 1 (1) - - - -
Distribution to the holders of core capital deferred shares - - (54) - - - - (54)
Distribution to the holders of Additional Tier 1 capital - - (39) - - - - (39)
At 30 September 2021 1,334 1,336 11,928 43 201 (44) 103 14,901

Consolidated cash flow statement

(Unaudited)

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
Notes £m £m
Cash flows generated from operating activities
Profit before tax 969 853
Adjustments for:
Non-cash items included in profit before tax 17 438 196
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 17 3,590 27,364
Taxation (230) (150)
Net cash flows generated from operating activities 4,767 28,263
Cash flows (used in)/generated from investing activities
Purchase of investment securities (6,892) (3,841)
Sale and maturity of investment securities 6,741 5,804
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (23) (33)
Sale of property, plant and equipment 12 6
Purchase of intangible assets (136) (97)
Net cash flows (used in)/generated from investing activities (298) 1,839
Cash flows used in financing activities
Distributions paid to the holders of core capital deferred shares (54) (54)
Distributions paid to the holders of Additional Tier 1 capital (39) (39)
Redemption of subordinated liabilities (1,468) -
Interest paid on subordinated liabilities (92) (64)
Redemption of subscribed capital - (5)
Interest paid on subscribed capital (2) (2)
Repayment of lease liabilities (16) (13)
Net cash flows used in financing activities (1,671) (177)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 38 22
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 2,836 29,947
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 30,824 17,705
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 17 33,660 47,652

Notes to the consolidated interim financial statements

1. General information and reporting period

Nationwide Building Society ('the Society') and its subsidiaries (together, 'the Group') provide financial services to retail and commercial customers within the United Kingdom.

Nationwide is a building society incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Nationwide Building Society, Nationwide House, Pipers Way, Swindon, SN38 1NW.

There were no material changes in the composition of the Group in the half year to 30 September 2022.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements ('consolidated interim financial statements') have been prepared as at 30 September 2022 and show the financial performance for the period from, and including, 5 April 2022 to this date. They were approved for issue on 17 November 2022.

These consolidated interim financial statements have been reviewed, not audited.

2. Basis of preparation

The consolidated interim financial statements of the Group for the half year ended 30 September 2022 have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and UK-adopted International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 4 April 2022, which were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Building Societies Act 1986 and with those parts of the Building Societies (Accounts and Related Provisions) Regulations 1998 (as amended) that are applicable, UKadopted international accounting standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) adopted by the European Union.

Terminology used in these consolidated interim financial statements is consistent with that used in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022 and Glossary are available on the Group's website at nationwide.co.uk

Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted by the Group in the preparation of these consolidated interim financial statements and those which the Group currently expects to adopt in the Annual Report and Accounts 2023 are consistent with those disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Judgements in applying accounting policies and critical accounting estimates

Judgements are made in applying the Group's accounting policies which affect the amounts recognised in these consolidated interim financial statements. In addition, estimates and assumptions are made that could affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Due to the inherent uncertainty in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be based upon amounts which differ from those estimates.

Details of the significant judgements and estimates relevant to the Group, including any changes from those disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022, are disclosed in the relevant notes as follows:

  • impairment provisions on loans and advances to customers (note 8);
  • provisions for customer redress (note 13); and
  • retirement benefit obligations (note 15).

Going concern

The Group's business activities and financial position, the factors likely to affect its future development and performance, its objectives and policies in managing the financial risks to which it is exposed, and its capital, funding and liquidity positions are set out in the Financial review and the Risk report.

The directors have assessed the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, with reference to current and anticipated market conditions. The directors confirm they are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue in business for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of approval of these consolidated interim financial statements and that it is therefore appropriate to adopt the going concern basis.

3. Interest receivable and similar income

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
On financial assets measured at amortised cost:
Residential mortgages 2,230 2,100
Other loans 278 260
Other liquid assets 253 29
Investment securities 1 5
On investment securities measured at FVOCI 114 62
Net income/(expense) on financial instruments hedging assets in a
qualifying relationship 357 (342)
Total interest receivable and similar income calculated using the
effective interest rate method 3,233 2,114
Interest on net defined benefit pension surplus 13 2
Other interest and similar income (note i) 5 4
Total 3,251 2,120

Note:

i. Includes interest on financial instruments hedging assets that are not in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship.

4. Interest expense and similar charges

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
On shares held by individuals 469 218
On subscribed capital 5 7
On deposits and other borrowings:
Subordinated liabilities 129 124
Other 273 29
On debt securities in issue 294 221
Net expense/(income) on financial instruments hedging liabilities 26 (185)
Total 1,196 414

5. Other operating income

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
(Losses)/gains on financial assets measured at FVTPL (4) 27
Gains on disposal of FVOCI investment securities 62 41
Other (expense)/income (7) 1
Total 51 69

(Losses)/gains on financial assets measured at FVTPL in the period to 30 September 2021 included an unrealised gain of £25 million on an equity investment.

There were no gains or losses on disposal of financial assets measured at amortised cost in the period ended 30 September 2022 (H1 2021/22: £nil).

6. Losses/gains from derivatives and hedge accounting

As a part of its risk management strategy, the Group uses derivatives to economically hedge financial assets and liabilities. More information on the management of market risk can be found in the Risk report. Hedge accounting is employed by the Group to minimise the accounting volatility associated with the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments. This volatility does not reflect the economic reality of the Group's hedging strategy. Derivatives are only used for the hedging of risks; however, income statement volatility can still arise due to hedge accounting ineffectiveness or because hedge accounting is either not applied or is not currently achievable. The overall impact of derivatives will remain volatile from period to period as new derivative transactions replace those which mature to ensure that interest rate and other market risks are continually managed.

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Gains/(losses) from fair value hedge accounting 8 (5)
Gains from cash flow hedge accounting 2 1
Fair value (losses)/gains from other derivatives (note i) (33) 5
Foreign exchange retranslation (note ii) 12 2
Total (11) 3

Notes:

i. Gains or losses arise from derivatives used for economic hedging purposes, but which are not currently in a hedge accounting relationship, and include valuation adjustments applied at a portfolio level and not allocated to individual hedge accounting relationships.

ii. Gains or losses arise from the retranslation of foreign currency monetary items not subject to effective hedge accounting.

Losses of £33 million (H1 2021/22: gains of £5 million) from other derivatives include losses of £78 million (H1 2021/22: gains of £6 million) caused by a widening of bid-offer spreads as a result of the more volatile financial markets observed at the end of the reporting period. These losses were offset by gains of £35 million (H1 2021/22: £5 million) from derivatives that are economically hedging investment securities but where hedge accounting is not possible, and gains of £9 million (H1 2021/22: losses of £1 million) on swaps economically hedging the pipeline of new fixed rate mortgage business.

7. Administrative expenses

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Employee costs:
Wages, salaries and bonuses 299 292
Social security costs 41 33
Pension costs 76 70
416 395
Other administrative expenses 413 378
829 773
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 254 252
Total 1,083 1,025

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers

The following tables set out impairment charges and releases during the period and the closing provision balances which are deducted from the relevant asset values in the balance sheet:

Impairment charge/(release)
Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Prime residential 18 (19)
Buy to let and legacy residential 51 (25)
Consumer banking 41 18
Commercial lending (2) (8)
Total 108 (34)
Impairment provisions
30 September
2022
4 April
2022
£m £m
Prime residential 91 73
Buy to let and legacy residential 165 114
Consumer banking 530 529
Commercial lending 28 30
Total 814 746

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Impairment is measured as the impact of credit risk on the present value of management's estimate of future cash flows. In determining the required level of impairment provisions, outputs from statistical models are used, and judgements incorporated to determine the probability of default (PD), the exposure at default (EAD), and the loss given default (LGD) for each loan. Provisions represent a probability weighted average of these calculations under multiple economic scenarios. Adjustments are made in modelling provisions, applying further judgements to reflect model limitations, or to deal with instances where insufficient data exists to fully reflect credit risks in the models.

The most significant areas of judgement are:

  • the approach to identifying significant increases in credit risk;
  • the approach to identifying credit-impaired loans.

The most significant areas of estimation uncertainty are:

  • the use of forward-looking economic information using multiple economic scenarios;
  • the additional judgements made in modelling expected credit losses (ECL) these currently include the temporary nature of improvements in credit performance observed over the past two years, increased affordability risks due to rising inflation and interest rates reducing household disposable incomes, and property valuation risk arising from fire safety issues.

Identifying significant increases in credit risk (stage 2)

Loans are allocated to stage 1 or stage 2 according to whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. Judgement has been used to select both quantitative and qualitative criteria which are used to determine whether a significant increase in credit risk has taken place. These criteria are detailed within the Credit risk section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022. The primary quantitative indicators are the outputs of internal credit risk assessments. While different approaches are used within each portfolio, the intention is to combine current and historical data relating to the exposure with forward-looking economic information to determine the probability of default (PD) at each reporting date. For residential mortgage and consumer banking lending, the main indicators of a significant increase in credit risk are either of the following:

  • the residual lifetime PD exceeds a benchmark determined by reference to the maximum credit risk that would have been accepted at origination;
  • the residual lifetime PD is at least 75 basis points more than, and at least double, the original lifetime PD.

These complementary criteria have been reviewed through detailed back-testing, using management performance indicators and actual default experience, and found to be effective in capturing events which would constitute a significant increase in credit risk.

Identifying credit-impaired loans (stage 3)

The identification of credit-impaired loans is an important judgement within the staging approach. A loan is credit-impaired if it has an arrears status of more than 90 days past due, or is considered to be in default, or if it is considered unlikely that the borrower will repay the outstanding balance in full, without recourse to actions such as realising security.

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

Use of forward-looking economic information

Management exercises judgement in estimating future economic conditions which are incorporated into provisions through modelling of multiple scenarios. The economic scenarios are reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis. The provision recognised is the probability-weighted sum of the provisions calculated under a range of economic scenarios. The scenarios and associated probability weights are derived using external data and statistical methodologies, together with management judgement. The Group continues to model four economic scenarios, which together encompass an appropriate range of potential economic outcomes. The base case scenario is aligned to the Society's financial planning process. The upside and downside scenarios are reasonably likely favourable and adverse alternatives to the base case, and the severe downside scenario is aligned with the Society's internal stress testing. The impact of applying multiple economic scenarios (MES) is to increase provisions at 30 September 2022 by £125 million (4 April 2022: £98 million), compared with provisions based on the base case economic scenario.

Probability weightings for each scenario are reviewed quarterly and updated to reflect economic conditions as they evolve. The changes in scenario weightings during the period primarily reflect a deterioration in the economic outlook. The base case and downside scenario weightings increased (and upside scenario weighting decreased) during the period, to reflect increased risks associated with rising inflation, increases in bank base rate and the ongoing levels of economic uncertainty as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The probability weightings applied to the scenarios are shown in the table below.

Scenario probability weighting (%)
Upside
scenario
Base case
scenario
Downside
scenario
Severe
downside
scenario
30 September 2022 10 45 30 15
4 April 2022 20 40 25 15

In the base case scenario at 30 September 2022, a modest recession is forecast, with a fall in GDP of almost 1% expected over the next 12 months. This contraction in the economy is expected to result in an increase in the forecast peak unemployment rate to 5.0% (4 April 2022: 4.2%) in this scenario. The peak unemployment in both the downside scenario (7.0%) and severe downside scenario (10.0%) is unchanged from 4 April 2022, with these scenarios continuing to reflect a significant economic downturn.

House price growth is expected to be limited in the short term in the base case scenario. This is the result of ongoing affordability pressures due to increasing borrowing costs and inflation. The downside scenario assumes that house prices fall from early 2023, driven by a deterioration in economic conditions including an increase in unemployment, whilst the severe downside scenario reflects a severe long-lasting impact on the UK economy. As a result, the weighted average of all scenarios represents a fall in house prices by 8% between June 2022 and December 2024.

The bank base rate is forecast to increase to 4% by early 2023 in the base case scenario, reflecting tighter fiscal policy to mitigate inflation. Inflation in the base case scenario is expected to reach 13.5% by the end of 2022; this increases to 17% in the severe downside scenario.

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

The graphs below show the historical and forecasted GDP level, average house price and unemployment rate for the Group's current economic scenarios, as well as the previous base case economic scenario:

The tables below provide a summary of the values of the key UK economic variables used within the economic scenarios over the first five years of the scenario:

Economic variables
Rate/annual growth rate at December 2021-2026 5-year Dec-21 to
peak
Dec-21 to
trough
Actual Forecast average
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (note i) (notes ii (notes ii
30 September 2022 % % % % % % % and iii)
%
and iii)
%
GDP growth
Upside scenario 6.6 1.5 2.0 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.7 9.0 0.7
Base case scenario 6.6 0.4 (0.3) 1.5 1.4 1.4 0.9 4.5 (0.1)
Downside scenario 6.6 0.5 (3.3) 2.4 2.3 1.2 0.6 3.1 (2.8)
Severe downside scenario 6.6 0.2 (5.7) 3.3 2.6 1.6 0.3 1.8 (5.5)
HPI growth
Upside scenario 10.1 9.5 4.6 4.0 3.8 3.8 5.1 28.2 3.0
Base case scenario 10.1 7.8 0.8 1.7 3.2 3.2 3.3 17.8 3.0
Downside scenario 10.1 6.9 (5.9) (14.6) 4.0 6.8 (0.9) 6.9 (14.6)
Severe downside scenario 10.1 6.3 (22.1) (16.7) 2.2 7.7 (5.4) 6.3 (31.4)
Unemployment
Upside scenario 4.0 3.5 3.9 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.8 4.0 3.5
Base case scenario 4.0 4.0 4.8 4.8 4.3 4.3 4.4 5.0 3.7
Downside scenario 4.0 3.9 6.8 6.0 5.1 5.1 5.2 7.0 3.7
Severe downside scenario 4.0 4.9 8.3 9.0 7.7 6.6 7.1 10.0 3.7
Consumer price inflation
Upside scenario 5.4 8.0 1.2 1.8 2.0 2.0 3.4 11.0 1.2
Base case scenario 5.4 13.5 3.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 4.9 13.5 2.0
Downside scenario 5.4 15.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 1.2 4.0 15.0 0.3
Severe downside scenario 5.4 17.0 6.0 2.5 2.0 2.0 6.2 17.0 2.0

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

Economic variables
Rate/annual growth rate at December 2021-2026 5-year Dec-21 to Dec-21 to
Actual Forecast average peak trough
(note i) (notes ii (notes ii
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 and iii) and iii)
4 April 2022 % % % % % % % % %
GDP growth
Upside scenario 8.3 4.2 2.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 13.4 1.5
Base case scenario 8.3 2.3 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.7 8.6 0.7
Downside scenario 8.3 2.5 (3.9) 1.7 2.2 2.2 0.9 4.6 (1.5)
Severe downside scenario 8.3 (4.5) 2.6 2.0 1.9 1.6 0.7 3.6 (4.5)
HPI growth
Upside scenario 10.6 6.1 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.8 4.3 23.2 2.0
Base case scenario 10.6 3.5 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.2 3.1 16.2 1.5
Downside scenario 10.6 1.5 (10.6) (8.4) 5.6 5.0 (1.6) 2.0 (16.9)
Severe downside scenario 10.6 (1.8) (23.6) (5.5) 3.7 7.7 (4.6) 1.2 (29.2)
Unemployment
Upside scenario 4.1 3.5 3.6 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.9 3.5
Base case scenario 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.0
Downside scenario 4.1 4.7 6.9 5.3 5.0 4.9 5.3 7.0 3.6
Severe downside scenario 4.1 9.4 8.2 6.2 5.5 5.3 6.7 10.0 4.1
Consumer price inflation (CPI)
Upside scenario 5.4 5.0 1.6 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.9 7.5 1.3
Base case scenario 5.4 5.0 1.8 1.7 2.0 2.0 2.9 7.5 1.6
Downside scenario 5.4 10.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 1.2 3.1 10.0 0.3
Severe downside scenario 5.4 3.0 (0.2) 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.2 7.0 (0.4)

Notes:

i. The average rate for GDP and HPI is based on the cumulative annual growth rate over the forecast period. Average unemployment and CPI is calculated using a simple average using quarterly points.

ii. GDP growth and HPI are shown as the largest cumulative growth/fall from 31 December over the forecast period.

iii. The unemployment rate and CPI is shown as the highest/lowest rate over the forecast period from 31 December.

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

To give an indication of the sensitivity of ECLs to different economic scenarios, the table below shows the ECL if 100% weighting is applied to each scenario:

Expected credit losses
under 100% weighted scenarios
Proportion of balances in stage 2
under 100% weighted scenarios
Upside
scenario
Base case
scenario
Downside
scenario
Severe
downside
scenario
Reported
provision
Upside
scenario
Base case
scenario
Downside
scenario
Severe
downside
scenario
Reported
30 September 2022 £m £m £m £m £m % % % % %
Residential mortgages 141 149 192 828 256 9.9 7.9 7.6 33.3 9.1
Consumer banking 497 512 540 587 530 36.0 38.4 40.8 45.7 40.1
Commercial lending 28 28 29 29 28 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.4
Total 666 689 761 1,444 814
4 April 2022 £m £m £m £m £m % % % % %
Residential mortgages 134 131 184 465 187 8.9 8.0 8.8 23.9 8.3
Consumer banking 476 487 525 740 529 34.4 36.2 42.4 58.7 37.1
Commercial lending 29 30 30 31 30 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9
Total 639 648 739 1,236 746

The ECL in the severe downside scenario has increased over the period reflecting increased losses in the mortgage portfolios. This primarily reflects the change in the bank base rate forecast, with a peak of 6% forecast (4 April 2022: peak 0.75%).

The ECL for each scenario multiplied by the scenario probability will not reconcile to the overall provision. Whilst the stage allocation of loans varies in each individual scenario, each loan is allocated to a single stage in the overall provision calculation; this is based on a weighted average PD which takes into account the economic scenarios. A probability weighted 12-month or lifetime ECL (which takes into account the economic scenarios) is then calculated based on the stage allocation.

The table below shows the sensitivity at 30 September 2022 to movements in scenario probability weightings.

Sensitivity to changes in scenario probability weightings
Increase in provision
£m
10% increase in the probability of the downside scenario (reducing the upside by a corresponding 10%) 10
5% increase in the probability of the severe downside scenario (reducing the downside by a corresponding 5%) 34

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

The table below shows key adjustments made in modelling provisions in relation to the significant areas of estimation uncertainty for the retail portfolios (residential mortgages and consumer banking), with further details on each provided below. There are no significant areas of estimation uncertainty for the commercial portfolio.

Significant adjustments made in modelling
provisions
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Residential Consumer Residential Consumer Total
Mortgages Banking Total Mortgages Banking
£m £m £m £m £m £m
PD uplift in models
for:
Impact of affordability pressures on future credit performance 32 92 124 11 98 109
Temporary improvement in credit performance 6 45 51 2 48 50
Property valuation risk arising from fire safety issues 26 - 26 25 - 25
Total 64 137 201 38 146 184
Of which:
Stage 1 16 10 26 8 15 23
Stage 2 43 127 170 26 131 157
Stage 3 5 - 5 4 - 4

Impact of affordability pressures on future credit performance

Household disposable income is forecast to decrease in each of the four economic scenarios as a result of inflationary increases in the cost of living. Further to this, there has been a significant increase in interest rates since 4 April 2022. This increases the risk that borrowers will not be able to meet their contractual repayments, resulting in an increase in default rates. The data used in developing the provisioning models did not include a period of high inflation or a significant increase in interest rates, and therefore an adjustment is required in modelling provisions.

In consideration of the forecast inflation and interest rates, this adjustment assumes a 10% reduction in real wages for consumer banking and variable rate mortgage borrowers. This adjustment assumes a relationship between reduced disposable monthly income and default rates, particularly for borrowers with estimated negative disposable income. The impact of both reduced disposable monthly income and the relationship it has with default rates is to increase the PD at a borrower level. As at 30 September 2022 this has increased provisions by £108 million (4 April 2022: £109 million). When combined with the adjustment for the temporary improvement in credit performance, this results in approximately £4.5 billion of residential mortgages and £698 million of consumer banking balances moving from stage 1 to stage 2.

During the period, a £16 million provision has been introduced for the affordability risk associated with prime mortgage borrowers whose mortgage payments are expected to increase as their current fixed rate mortgage deal expires. This provision has been calculated by reducing the monthly disposable income used in provision modelling for those borrowers whose current fixed rate mortgage deal expires during the next two years. The staging of balances has not been adjusted, but the calculated provision has been applied across stage 1 and stage 2 (£12 million and £4 million respectively), in line with the current stage allocation of affected loans.

8. Impairment charge/release and provisions on loans and advances to customers (continued)

Temporary improvement in credit performance

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic arrears balances have reduced across all products, resulting in a reduction in modelled provisions. As at 30 September 2022, management judged this improvement in observed performance to be temporary and an adjustment was made to recognise the underlying risk, leading to additional provisions of £51 million (4 April 2022: £50 million) being held, primarily in relation to consumer banking balances.

Property valuation risk arising from fire safety issues

An adjustment is made to reflect the property valuation risk associated with flats subject to fire safety issues such as unsuitable cladding. Due to limited data available to identify affected properties individually, it is assumed that a proportion of the flats securing loans in the residential mortgage portfolios is affected, in line with UK market exposure estimates. Assumptions relating to property values have been applied based upon the height of the buildings and are unchanged from those used at 4 April 2022, increasing provisions by £26 million (4 April 2022: £25 million).

9. Taxation

The actual tax charge differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK as follows:

Reconciliation of tax charge
Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Profit before tax: 969 853
Tax calculated at a tax rate of 19% 184 162
Adjustments in respect of prior years - (22)
Tax credit on distribution to the holders of Additional Tier 1 capital (6) (8)
Banking surcharge 54 38
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 3 1
Effect of deferred tax provided at different tax rates 6 2
Temporary differences not previously recognised - (5)
Tax charge 241 168

It was announced in the Budget on 3 March 2021 that the main rate of corporation tax of 19% would increase to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. This legislative change was enacted on 10 June 2021. On 27 October 2021 it was announced that the banking surcharge would decrease from 8% to 3% also from 1 April 2023. This legislative change was enacted on 24 February 2022. The impact of these changes on deferred tax balances was recognised in the financial statements for the year ended 4 April 2022. Given that no further announced changes have been enacted at 30 September 2022, the closing deferred tax balances have been recognised with reference to these rates.

10. Loans and advances to customers

30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Loans held at amortised cost Loans held Total Loans held at amortised cost Total
Gross Provisions Other Total at FVTPL Gross Provisions Other Total Loans held
at FVTPL
(note i) (note i)
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Prime residential mortgages 159,170 (91) - 159,079 54 159,133 154,363 (73) - 154,290 64 154,354
Buy to let and legacy residential mortgages 44,409 (165) - 44,244 - 44,244 43,693 (114) - 43,579 - 43,579
Consumer banking 4,640 (530) - 4,110 - 4,110 4,638 (529) - 4,109 - 4,109
Commercial lending 5,372 (28) 515 5,859 53 5,912 5,453 (30) 549 5,972 52 6,024
Total 213,591 (814) 515 213,292 107 213,399 208,147 (746) 549 207,950 116 208,066

Note:

i. 'Other' represents a fair value adjustment for micro hedged risk for commercial loans that were previously hedged on an individual basis.

10. Loans and advances to customers (continued)

The tables below summarise the movements in, and stage allocations of, gross loans and advances to customers held at amortised cost, including the impact of ECL impairment provisions and excluding the fair value adjustment for micro hedged risk. The lines within the tables are an aggregation of monthly movements over the period. Tables summarising these movements for the Group's residential mortgages and consumer banking portfolios respectively are presented in the Credit risk sections of the Risk report.

Reconciliation of movements in gross balances and impairment provisions
Non-credit impaired Credit impaired (note i)
Subject to 12-month ECL Subject to lifetime ECL Subject to lifetime ECL Total
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 and POCI
Gross Gross Gross Gross
balances Provisions balances Provisions balances Provisions balances Provisions
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 2022 188,130 48 18,326 380 1,691 318 208,147 746
Stage transfers:
Transfers from stage 1 to stage 2 (16,296) (25) 16,296 25 - - - -
Transfers to stage 3 (110) - (410) (64) 520 64 - -
Transfers from stage 2 to stage 1 12,622 151 (12,622) (151) - - - -
Transfers from stage 3 193 2 253 17 (446) (19) - -
Net remeasurement of ECL arising from transfer of stage (132) 185 (7) 46
Net movement arising from transfer of stage (note ii) (3,591) (4) 3,517 12 74 38 - 46
New assets originated or purchased (note iii) 20,500 25 - - - - 20,500 25
Net impact of further lending and repayments (note iv) (4,016) (15) (295) (18) (31) (7) (4,342) (40)
Changes in risk parameters in relation to credit quality (note v) - 22 - 57 - 23 - 102
Other items impacting income statement charge/(reversal) including - - - - - (4) - (4)
recoveries
Redemptions (note vi) (9,464) (2) (1,044) (11) (155) (8) (10,663) (21)
Income statement charge for the period 108
Decrease due to write-offs - - - - (51) (44) (51) (44)
Other provision movements - - - - - 4 - 4
At 30 September 2022 191,559 74 20,504 420 1,528 320 213,591 814
Net carrying amount 191,485 20,084 1,208 212,777

10. Loans and advances to customers (continued)

Reconciliation of movements in gross balances and impairment provisions
Non-credit impaired Credit impaired (note i)
Subject to 12-month ECL
Subject to lifetime ECL
Subject to lifetime ECL Total
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 and POCI
Gross Gross Gross Gross
balances Provisions balances Provisions balances Provisions balances Provisions
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 2021 187,839 116 11,868 388 1,919 348 201,626 852
Stage transfers:
Transfers from Stage 1 to Stage 2 (6,565) (25) 6,565 25 - - - -
Transfers to Stage 3 (139) (2) (401) (53) 540 55 - -
Transfers from Stage 2 to Stage 1 7,544 133 (7,544) (133) - - - -
Transfers from Stage 3 117 2 217 14 (334) (16) - -
Net remeasurement of ECL arising from transfer of stage (105) 125 (4) 16
Net movement arising from transfer of stage (note ii) 957 3 (1,163) (22) 206 35 - 16
New assets originated or purchased (note iii) 19,293 22 - - - - 19,293 22
Net impact of further lending and repayments (note iv) (4,018) (18) (120) (16) (51) (10) (4,189) (44)
Changes in risk parameters in relation to credit quality (note v) - (14) - (7) - 20 - (1)
Other items impacting income statement charge/(reversal) including - - - - - (7) - (7)
recoveries
Redemptions (note vi) (11,088) (3) (636) (9) (171) (8) (11,895) (20)
Income statement reversal for the period (34)
Decrease due to write-offs - - - - (46) (41) (46) (41)
Other provision movements - - - - - 7 - 7
At 30 September 2021 192,983 106 9,949 334 1,857 344 204,789 784
Net carrying amount 192,877 9,615 1,513 204,005

Notes:

i. Gross balances of credit-impaired loans include £128 million (4 April 2022: £135 million) of purchased or originated credit-impaired (POCI) loans, which are presented net of lifetime ECL impairment provisions of £5 million (4 April 2022: £5 million).

ii. Remeasurement of provisions arising from a change in stage is reported within the stage to which the assets are transferred.

iii. If a new asset is generated in the month, the value included is the closing gross balance and provision for the month. All new business written is included in stage 1.

iv. Further lending and capital repayments where the asset is not derecognised. The value for gross balances is calculated as the closing gross balance for the month less the opening gross balance for the month. The value for provisions is calculated as the change in exposure at default (EAD) multiplied by opening provision coverage for the month.

v. Changes in risk parameters, and changes to modelling inputs and methodology. The provision movement for the change in risk parameters is calculated for assets that do not move stage in the month.

vi. For any asset that is derecognised in the month, the value disclosed is the provision at the start of that month.

11. Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities held at fair value

IFRS 13 requires an entity to classify assets and liabilities held at fair value, and those not measured at fair value but for which the fair value is disclosed, according to a hierarchy that reflects the significance of observable market inputs in calculating those fair values. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined in note 1 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Details of those financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair value are included in note 12.

The following table shows the Group's financial assets and liabilities held at fair value by fair value hierarchy, balance sheet classification and product type:

30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Fair values based on Fair values based on
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Financial assets
Government, government related entities
and supranational investments
20,480 - - 20,480 20,897 - - 20,897
Other debt investment securities 2,721 1,800 6 4,527 2,630 1,776 5 4,411
Investments in equity shares - - 43 43 - - 58 58
Total investment securities (note i) 23,201 1,800 49 25,050 23,527 1,776 63 25,366
Interest rate swaps - 6,535 - 6,535 - 2,683 - 2,683
Cross currency interest rate swaps - 3,542 - 3,542 - 1,695 - 1,695
Foreign exchange swaps - 11 - 11 - 15 - 15
Inflation swaps - 483 319 802 - - 260 260
Bond forwards and futures - 105 - 105 - 70 - 70
Total derivative financial instruments - 10,676 319 10,995 - 4,463 260 4,723
Loans and advances to customers - - 107 107 - - 116 116
Total financial assets 23,201 12,476 475 36,152 23,527 6,239 439 30,205
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps - (932) - (932) - (492) - (492)
Cross currency interest rate swaps - (1,510) - (1,510) - (743) - (743)
Foreign exchange swaps - (26) - (26) - (12) - (12)
Inflation swaps - (102) (4) (106) - - (176) (176)
Bond forwards and futures - (1) - (1) - (5) - (5)
Swaptions - (8) (8) - - - -
Total derivative financial instruments - (2,571) (12) (2,583) - (1,252) (176) (1,428)
Total financial liabilities - (2,571) (12) (2,583) - (1,252) (176) (1,428)

Note:

i. Investment securities shown here exclude £57 million (4 April 2022: £118 million) of investment securities held at amortised cost.

11. Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities held at fair value (continued)

Transfers between fair value hierarchies

Instruments may move between fair value hierarchies primarily due to increases or decreases in market activity or changes to the significance of unobservable inputs to their valuation. Transfers are recognised at the date of the relevant event or change in circumstances. There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period.

Level 1 and Level 2 portfolios

The Group's Level 1 portfolio comprises government and other highly rated securities for which traded prices are readily available. Asset valuations for Level 2 investment securities are sourced from consensus pricing or other observable market prices. None of the Level 2 investment securities are valued from models. Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities are valued using observable market data for all significant valuation inputs.

Level 3 portfolio

The Group's Level 3 portfolio primarily consists of:

  • certain loans and advances to customers, including a closed portfolio of residential mortgages and a small number of commercial loans;
  • certain investment securities, including investments made in Fintech companies; and
  • inflation swaps and swaptions.

The table below sets out movements in the Level 3 portfolio, including transfers in and out of Level 3:

Movements in Level 3 portfolio
Half year to 30 September 2022 Half year to 30 September 2021
Investment
Derivative
Derivative Loans and Investment Derivative Derivative Loans and
securities financial financial advances to securities financial financial advances to
assets liabilities customers assets liabilities customers
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 5 April 63 260 (176) 116 32 112 (52) 120
Gains/(losses) recognised in the income statement, within:
Net interest income - (172) (15) 2 - 23 (73) 1
Gains/(losses) from derivatives and hedge accounting (note i) - 718 72 - - (2) 12 -
Other operating income/(expense) 1 - (9) (7) 25 3 (13) 1
(Losses)/gains recognised in other comprehensive income, within:
Fair value through other comprehensive income reserve (15) - - - 16 - - -
Additions 1 - - - 20 - - -
Disposals (1) - 9 - - (2) 12 -
Settlements/repayments - (4) 5 (4) - (19) 4 (6)
Transfers out of Level 3 portfolio (note ii) - (483) 102 - - - - -
At 30 September 49 319 (12) 107 93 115 (110) 116
Unrealised gains/(losses) recognised in the income statement
attributable to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period
- 424 6 (7) - (2) 12 -
Notes:

i. Includes foreign exchange revaluation gains/(losses).

ii. The proportional impact of seasonality on the value of GBP-denominated inflation swaps reduced during the period, resulting in these instruments no longer being categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

11. Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities held at fair value (continued)

Level 3 portfolio sensitivity analysis of valuations using unobservable inputs

The fair value of financial instruments is, in certain circumstances, measured using valuation techniques based on market prices that are not observable in an active market or are significant unobservable market inputs. Reasonable alternative assumptions can be applied for the purposes of sensitivity analysis, taking account of the nature of valuation techniques used, as well as the availability and reliability of observable proxy and historic data. The following table shows the sensitivity of the Level 3 fair values to reasonable alternative assumptions (as set out in the table of significant unobservable inputs below) and the resultant impact of such changes in fair value on the income statement or members' interests and equity:

Sensitivity of Level 3 fair values
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Income statement Other comprehensive income Income statement Other comprehensive income
Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable
Fair value changes changes changes changes Fair value changes changes changes changes
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Investment securities 49 7 (4) 5 (4) 63 6 (4) 4 (4)
Net derivative financial instruments 307 39 (39) - - 84 75 (75) - -
Loans and advances to customers 107 2 (2) - - 116 2 (2) - -
Total 463 48 (45) 5 (4) 263 83 (81) 4 (4)

Alternative assumptions are considered for each product and varied according to the quality of the data and variability of the underlying market. The following table discloses the significant unobservable inputs underlying the above alternative assumptions for assets and liabilities recognised at fair value and classified as Level 3, along with the range of values for those significant unobservable inputs. Where sensitivities are described, the inverse relationship will also generally apply. Some of the significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement are interdependent. Where this is the case, a description of those interrelationships is included below:

Significant unobservable inputs
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Total
assets
Total
liabilities
Valuation
technique
Significant
unobservable
inputs
Range
(note i)
Units Total
assets
Total
liabilities
Valuation
technique
Significant
unobservable
inputs
Range
(note i)
Units
£m £m £m £m
Investment securities 49 - Internal
assessment
Various
(note ii)
- - £ 63 - Internal
assessment
Various (note ii) - - £
Derivative financial
instruments
319 (12) Discounted
cash flows
Seasonality 0.01 0.89 % 260 (176) Discounted
cash flows
Seasonality 0.01 0.77 %
Loans and advances to
customers
107 - Discounted
cash flows
Discount rate 3.31 9.75 % 116 - Discounted
cash flows
Discount rate 1.34 9.75 %

Notes:

i. The range represents the values of the highest and lowest levels used in the calculation of favourable and unfavourable changes as presented in the table of sensitivities above.

ii. Given the wide range of investments and variety of inputs to modelled values, which may include inputs such as observed market prices, discount rates or probability weightings of expected outcomes, the Group does not disclose ranges as they are not meaningful without reference to individual underlying investments, which would be impracticable. Changes have been made to the valuation approach during the period to incorporate additional inputs.

12. Fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortised cost

Valuation methodologies employed in calculating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortised cost are consistent with those disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

The following table summarises the carrying value and fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortised cost on the Group's balance sheet:

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortised cost (note i)
30 September 2022 4 April 2022
Carrying Fair Fair
value value Carrying
value
value
£m £m £m £m
Financial assets
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions 4,029 4,029 3,052 3,052
Investment securities 57 57 118 119
Loans and advances to customers:
Residential mortgages 203,323 188,035 197,869 195,637
Consumer banking 4,110 3,922 4,109 4,014
Commercial lending 5,859 4,777 5,972 5,683
Total 217,378 200,820 211,120 208,505
Financial liabilities
Shares 181,177 180,551 177,967 177,818
Deposits from banks and similar institutions 33,643 33,643 36,425 36,425
Other deposits 6,685 6,683 5,208 5,208
Debt securities in issue 30,691 30,891 25,629 26,150
Subordinated liabilities 7,420 7,313 8,250 8,347
Subscribed capital 165 186 187 194
Total 259,781 259,267 253,666 254,142

Note:

i. The table above excludes cash for which fair value approximates carrying value.

13. Provisions for liabilities and charges

Customer
redress
Other
provisions
Total
£m £m £m
At 5 April 2022 127 26 153
Provisions utilised (33) (8) (41)
Charge for the period 21 13 34
Release for the period (1) (6) (7)
Net income statement charge (note i) 20 7 27
At 30 September 2022 114 25 139

Note:

i. The net income statement charge relating to customer redress is included in provisions for liabilities and charges, with the exception of £1 million which is included in administrative expenses. The net income statement charge relating to other provisions is included in administrative expenses.

Customer redress

During the course of its business, the Group receives complaints from customers in relation to past sales or ongoing administration. The Group is also subject to enquiries from and discussions with its regulators and governmental and other public bodies, including the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), on a range of matters. Consideration of such customer redress matters may result in a provision, a contingent liability or both, depending upon relevant facts and circumstances. No provision is made where it is concluded that it is not currently possible to quantify a probable payment; this will include circumstances where the facts are unclear or further time is required to reasonably quantify the expected payment.

At 30 September 2022, the Group held provisions of £114 million (4 April 2022: £127 million) in respect of the potential costs of remediation and redress relating to issues with historical quality control procedures, past sales and administration of customer accounts, and other regulatory matters.

Provisions for customer redress relating to historical quality control procedures and past administration of customer accounts are based on detailed reviews of specific areas of concern and represent the Group's best estimate of the liabilities. As further work is undertaken, it is possible that the ultimate liabilities may be higher or lower than the amounts provided at 30 September 2022.

Other provisions

Other provisions primarily include amounts for a number of property-related provisions, severance costs and expected credit losses on irrevocable personal loan and mortgage lending commitments.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

There is significant estimation uncertainty in determining the probability, timing and amount of any cash outflows associated with customer redress provisions.

Provisions are recognised for matters relating to customer redress where an outflow is probable and can be estimated reliably. Amounts provided are based on management's best estimate of the number of customers impacted and anticipated remediation. As any new matters emerge, an estimate is made of the outcome, although in some cases uncertainties remain as to the eventual costs given the inherent difficulties in determining the number of impacted customers and the amount of any redress applicable.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Notes to the consolidated interim financial statements (continued)

14. Contingent liabilities

During the ordinary course of business, the Group may be subject to complaints and threatened or actual legal proceedings brought by or on behalf of current or former employees, customers, investors or other third parties, as well as legal and regulatory reviews, challenges, investigations and enforcement actions. Any such material cases are periodically reassessed, with the assistance of external professional advisers where appropriate, to determine the likelihood of incurring a liability.

The Group does not disclose amounts in relation to contingent liabilities associated with such claims where the likelihood of any payment is remote. The Group also does not disclose an estimate of the potential financial impact or effect on the Group of contingent liabilities where it is not currently practicable to do so. The Group does not expect the ultimate resolution of any current complaints, threatened or actual legal proceedings, regulatory or other matters to have a material adverse impact on its financial position.

15. Retirement benefit obligations

The Group continues to operate two defined contribution schemes and a number of defined benefit pension arrangements, the most significant being the Nationwide Pension Fund (the Fund). Further details are set out in note 30 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Defined benefit pension schemes

Retirement benefit obligations on the balance sheet
30 September 4 April
2022 2022
£m £m
Fair value of fund assets 5,463 7,411
Present value of funded obligations (4,439) (6,396)
Present value of unfunded obligations (7) (7)
Surplus 1,017 1,008

The principal actuarial assumptions used are as follows:

Financial assumptions
30 September 4 April
2022 2022
% %
Discount rate 4.95 2.55
Future pension increases (maximum 5%) 3.35 3.25
Retail price index (RPI) inflation 3.55 3.45
Consumer price index (CPI) inflation 2.95 2.80

Assumptions for inflation within the table above reflect the long-term average across the remaining duration of the scheme.

Mortality rates used in calculating pension liabilities are based on standard mortality tables which allow for future improvements in life expectancies and are adapted to represent the Fund's membership.

15. Retirement benefit obligations (continued)

Changes in the present value of the net defined benefit asset (including unfunded obligations) are as follows:

Movements in net defined benefit asset
Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Surplus at 5 April 1,008 172
Interest on net defined benefit asset 13 2
Return on assets (less than)/greater than discount rate (note i) (1,947) 390
Contributions by employer - 1
Administrative expenses (2) (3)
Actuarial gains on defined benefit obligations (note i) 1,945 (90)
Surplus at 30 September 1,017 472

Note:

i. The net impact before tax on the surplus of actuarial gains and return on assets is a decrease of £2 million (H1 2021/22: £300 million increase) in other comprehensive income.

The £1,947 million loss (H1 2021/22: £390 million gain) relating to the return on assets (less than)/greater than the discount rate is primarily driven by decreases in the value of UK government bonds.

Following the closure of the Fund to future accrual on 31 March 2021, no employer contributions have been made in respect of future benefit accrual (H1 2021/22: £nil). There have also been no employer deficit contributions required into the Fund following the completion of the 31 March 2019 valuation (H1 2021/22: £nil). Deficit contributions have been made in respect of the Group's defined benefit scheme relating to its Nationwide (Isle of Man) Limited subsidiary. For the period to 30 September 2022 these contributions were less than £1 million.

The £1,945 million actuarial gain (H1 2021/22: loss of £90 million) on defined benefit obligations is primarily driven by a 2.40% increase in the discount rate.

On 14 October 2022, the Society provided two uncollateralised loans totalling £400 million to the Fund. This temporary support will allow the Fund to manage its ongoing liquidity requirements during a period of high market volatility. The loans are repayable on demand and accrue interest at market rates.

16. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the period ended 30 September 2022 which were significant to the Group's financial position or performance. Full details of the Group's related party transactions for the year ended 4 April 2022 can be found in note 35 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

17. Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

Half year to Half year to
30 September 30 September
2022 2021
£m £m
Non-cash items included in profit before tax
Net increase/(decrease) in impairment provisions 68 (68)
Net (decrease)/increase in provisions for liabilities and charges (14) 31
Amortisation and losses/(gains) on investment securities 24 (82)
Write down of inventory 1 -
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 254 252
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment (1) (2)
Loss on the revaluation of property, plant and equipment 2 -
Net (gain)/charge in respect of retirement benefit obligations (11) 1
Interest on subordinated liabilities 102 65
Interest on subscribed capital 2 2
Losses/(gains) from derivatives and hedge accounting 11 (3)
Total 438 196
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions (794) 474
Net derivative financial instruments 5,010 506
Loans and advances to customers (5,435) (3,159)
Other operating assets (30) 94
Shares 3,210 7,118
Deposits from banks and similar institutions, customers and others (2,238) 12,653
Debt securities in issue 4,135 9,849
Contributions to defined benefit pension scheme - (1)
Other operating liabilities (268) (170)
Total 3,590 27,364
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash 32,890 46,498
Loans and advances to banks and similar institutions repayable in 3 months or less 770 1,154
Total 33,660 47,652

The Group is required to maintain balances with the Bank of England which, at 30 September 2022, amounted to £2,306 million (30 September 2021: £1,621 million). These balances are included within loans and advances to banks and similar institutions on the balance sheet and are not included in the cash and cash equivalents in the cash flow statement as they are not liquid in nature.

Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Responsibility statement

The directors listed below (being all the directors of Nationwide Building Society) confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

  • The consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting';
  • The Interim Results include a fair review of the information required by Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R, namely:
    • An indication of important events that have occurred in the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the consolidated interim financial statements and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and
    • Material related party transactions in the first six months of the financial year and any material changes in the related party transactions described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022.

Signed on behalf of the Board by

Chris Rhodes Chief Financial Officer

17 November 2022

Board of directors

Chairman Kevin Parry

Executive directors

Debbie Crosbie Chris Rhodes

Non-executive directors Mai Fyfield Tracey Graham Albert Hitchcock Alan Keir

Debbie Klein Tamara Rajah Gillian Riley Phil Rivett Gunn Waersted

Independent review report to Nationwide Building Society

Conclusion

We have been engaged by Nationwide Building Society ('the Society') and its subsidiaries (together, 'the Group') to review the consolidated interim financial statements in the Interim Results for the period ended 30 September 2022, which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 2022 and the related income statement, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in members' interests and equity and cash flow statement for the period then ended and explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the consolidated interim financial statements.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the consolidated interim financial statements in the Interim Results for the period ended 30 September 2022 are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" (ISRE) issued by the Financial Reporting Council. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards. The consolidated interim financial statements included in the Interim Results have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".

Conclusions relating to going concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that management have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with the ISRE; however, future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

Responsibilities of the directors

The directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Results in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's and Society's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Society or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the review of the financial information

In reviewing the Interim Results, we are responsible for expressing to the Group a conclusion on the consolidated interim financial statements in Interim Results. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions relating to going concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report.

Independent review report to Nationwide Building Society (continued)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Group in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Financial Reporting Council. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Group, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

Ernst & Young LLP London 17 November 2022 Nationwide Building Society – Interim Results

Other information

The Interim Results are unaudited and do not constitute accounts within the meaning of Section 73 of the Building Societies Act 1986.

The financial information for the year ended 4 April 2022 has been extracted from the Annual Report and Accounts 2022. The Annual Report and Accounts 2022 has been filed with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The independent auditor's report on the Annual Report and Accounts 2022 was unqualified.

Nationwide has continued to adopt the Code for Financial Reporting Disclosure ('the code'), published by the British Bankers' Association and subsequently adopted by UK Finance, in its Annual Report and Accounts 2022. The code sets out five disclosure principles together with supporting guidance. These principles have been applied, as appropriate, in the context of the Interim Results.

A copy of the Interim Results is placed on the website of Nationwide Building Society. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of information on the Society's website. Information published on the internet is accessible in many countries with different legal requirements. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Contacts

Media queries:

Sara Batchelor Mobile: +44 (0)7785 344 137 [email protected]

Eden Black Mobile: +44 (0)7793 596 317 [email protected] Investor queries:

Sarah Abercrombie Mobile: +44 (0)7587 886500 [email protected]

Vikas Sidhu Mobile: +44 (0)7501 093 181 [email protected]

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