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Banca Ifis

Annual Report Apr 1, 2020

4153_10-k_2020-04-01_92c17d4f-865e-443e-80d9-a3f61d5a620b.pdf

Annual Report

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Draft Annual reports 2019

Banca IFIS S.p.A - Registered office in Via Terraglio 63 30174 Venice - Mestre - Venice Companies Register Number and Tax Code 02505630109 VAT No. 04570150278 - Economic and Administrative Index (REA) number: VE – 0247118 Fully paid-up share capital: 53.811.095 Euro - Registered with the Official List of banks under no. 5508 Parent Company of the Banca IFIS S.p.A. banking group - Member of the National Guarantee Fund, the National Deposit Protection Fund, the Italian Factoring Association and Factors Chain International.

Letter from the Chairman to Shareholders

Sebastien Egon Fürstenberg

Chairman of Banca Ifis

Dear Shareholders,

2019 was a year of change and important decisions, which we made with a due sense of responsibility. A managerial change has taken place with a view to strengthening the growth enjoyed in recent years. The new management team will have the task of implementing the new Business Plan and growth strategy outlined for the next three years: a challenging entrepreneurial design that will need to go hand-in-hand with a suitable, appropriate monitoring of regulatory capital.

In the last 25 years, Banca IFIS's equity has grown by approximately 1,5 billion Euro and the Bank has paid approximately 0,4 billion Euro in dividends. At current stock market prices, the Bank offers one of the highest returns offered by the Italian banking system. In the last ten years, Banca IFIS stands fourth amongst the listed Italian banks in terms of profit generated and has not applied any capital increases.

The scenario uncertainties deriving from the spread of the Covid-19, which is striking our country and the whole world so severely, lead us to be cautious and pay careful attention, even if the history of Banca IFIS and the results always achieved put us in a position where we are aware that we will overcome this phase.

The majority shareholder maintains a long-term vision of creating value over time, thanks to a strategy focussed on the continuous production of sustainable profits and self-financing, thereby assuring its shareholders a suitable return.

This year we are again offering a larger dividend, confirming our strong track record of solidity, which once again makes it possible to reward those who have decided to invest in Banca IFIS.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped make Banca IFIS what it has become today: shareholders, collaborators, the management, customers and suppliers.

Sebastien Egon Fürstenberg, Banca IFIS Chairman

Letter from the CEO to Shareholders

Luciano Colombini CEO of Banca Ifis

Dear Shareholders,

In 2019 we laid the foundation and groundwork for the next three years.

The Business Plan, presented last 14 January, outlines the Bank's strategy and the objectives to be reached by 2022, calling for, thanks to the significant growth of the core businesses, a net profit of 147 million Euro, a return on tangible equity of 8,9%, 60 million Euro in new investments and 190 new employees.

We analysed our competitive positioning and capital and cost allocation to the various business units as part of the process of preparing the Business Plan to define the Group's strategy and offer increasing transparency to the market. These assets highlighted that all business units remain profitable and represent a leadership position in their markets of reference.

The activities and projects described in the Business Plan are already being implemented and will be pursued and monitored carefully in the next few quarters. One early step included the sale of the Milan property, which generated a pre-tax capital gain of approximately 25 million Euro that will be recorded in the 2020 financial statements, with annual savings, when fully organised, of around 1,5 million Euro in operating costs.

The 2020-22 Business Plan envisages a greater diversification of the funding mix, with the issue of 1,7 billion Euro in bonds over 3 years. In this context, on 18 February, a 400 million Euro senior bond was issued, which enjoyed high demand with final orders, more than 60% of which came from foreign investors, more than three times the amount allocated.

In 2019, in the NPL business, the acquisition was completed of the entire share capital of the servicer FBS, in order to speed up the synergies deriving from the complementary nature of the know-how of Banca IFIS (unsecured retail) and FBS (secured & corporate). The purchase objectives in terms of NPL have been achieved, thereby confirming our dynamic operation on the market and the excellent capacity for execution. In the coming years, the business should also expand into the secured segment through the acquisition of specialised small servicer teams.

In Commercial Banking, we continued to finance the real economy, confirming our role as a bank devoted to serving SMEs, while reaching our targets in terms of revenues and achieving a gradual decline in the loss rate, which in previous years reached extraordinary peak levels due to the crisis in the construction sector. In the near future we will further increase our presence in the small and medium enterprises segment and focus on constantly developing our distribution and operation model to include a wider range of products and investments in digital innovation that will allow us to further expand our customer base.

With the rebranding activity envisaged for this year, we aim to make the Bank's brand more recognisable and increase awareness of such on the reference market.

We will invest in sustainability both through the use in all Group offices of energy obtained 100% from renewable sources and the implementation of a "plastic free" corporate culture, as well as by introducing specific "green" financing programmes and products, focussed on supporting activities and investments for the environmental sustainability of the corporate business.

Finally, we must mention the rather specific events involving the country presently with the Coronavirus emergency. The scope of this major health issue, which is impacting both the economy and the everyday lives of the Italians, cannot currently be forecast, even if clearly we will suffer the slow-down, which we hope will be as brief as possible, of all public and private production activities.

Moreover, the equity and economic structure of Banca IFIS is without doubt well able to overcome the effects of this crisis, without any major issues in terms of its solidity and capacity to generate profit over time. We are certain that with the collaboration enjoyed as always, we will overcome these complicated times, with the enthusiasm and capacity that has always been the hallmark of the Bank.

Luciano Colombini, Chief Executive Officer of Banca Ifis

1. Corporate Bodies 8
2. Directors' report 10
2.1 Introductory notes on how to read the data 11
2.2. Highlights 12
2.3. KPI13
2.4. Context14
2.5. Impact of regulatory changes 16
2.6. Financial and income results 17
2.7. Main risks and uncertainties 28
2.8. Banca Ifis shares 29
2.9. Significant events occurred during the year31
2.10. Significant subsequent events32
2.11. Outlook33
2.12. Other information 34
2.13. Annual profit distribution proposal36
3. Financial Statements 37
3.1. Statement of financial position38
3.2. Income Statement39
3.3. Statement of Comprehensive Income40
3.4. Statement of Changes in Equity at 31 December 201941
3.5. Statement of Changes in Equity at 31 December 201842
3.6. Cash Flow Statement43
4. Notes to the Financial Statements 44
4.1. Part A - Accounting policies 45
4.2. Part B - Statement of financial position 71
4.3. Part C - Information on the income statement 103
4.4. Part D - Statement of comprehensive income116
4.5. Part E - Information on risks and risk management policies 117
4.6. Part F - Equity 150
4.7. Part G - Business combinations156
4.8. Part H - Related-party transactions 157
4.9. Part I - Share-based payments159
4.10. Part L - Segment reporting 160
4.11. Part M - Leasing disclosure 160
5. Attachments to the Separate Financial Statements 163
5.1. Statement of prices for the auditing of the accounts and services other than auditing in accordance with article 149-
duodecies of Consob Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999164
5.2. Certification of the financial statements pursuant to the provisions of art. 154-bis, paragraph 5, of the legislative decree
58 of February 24, 1998 and art. 81 ter of Consob Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999 as amended 165
5.3. Board of Statutory Auditors' report166
5.4. Independent auditors' report on the Separate Financial Statements 175

1. Corporate Bodies

Board of Directors

Chairman Sebastien Egon Fürstenberg Deputy Chairman Ernesto Fürstenberg Fassio CEO Luciano Colombini (1) Directors Simona Arduini Monica Billio Beatrice Colleoni Alessandro Csillaghy De Pacser Roberto Diacetti Divo Gronchi Luca Lo Giudice Antonella Malinconico Daniele Umberto Santosuosso

(1) The CEO has powers for the ordinary management of the Company.

Board of Statutory Auditors

Chairman Giacomo Bugna

Independent Auditors EY S.p.A.

Reporting Officer

Fully paid-up share capital: 53.811.095 Euro Bank Licence (ABI) No. 3205.2 Tax Code and Venice Companies Register Number: 02505630109 VAT No.: 04570150278 Enrolment in the Register of Banks No.: 5.508 Registered and administrative office Member of FCI Via Terraglio, 63 – 30174 Mestre – Venice Website: www.bancaifis.it

General Manager Alberto Staccione

Standing Auditors Marinella Monterumisi Franco Olivetti Alternate Auditors Alessandro Carducci Artenisio Giuseppina Manzo

Corporate Accounting Mariacristina Taormina

2. Directors' report

2.1 Introductory notes on how to read the data

In comparing the period numbers, consideration must be given to the first application of IFRS 16.

Starting 1 January 2019, the Bank adopted the new accounting standard IFRS 16 Leases. As permitted under the transitional provisions of IFRS 16, the Bank elected not to restate the comparative information in the year of initial application of IFRS 16; therefore, the amounts for 2018, calculated under IAS 17, are not fully comparable. In particular, the modified retrospective approach B (paragraph C5 letter b, C7 and C8 letter b.ii of appendix C to IFRS 16) has been applied, which provides for the possibility of recognising the asset consisting of the right of use at the date of initial application for an amount equal to the liability of the lease; according to this approach, at the date of first application, no difference emerges in the opening consolidated equity of Banca Ifis. The right of use, and consequently the related financial liability, amounted to 11,0 million Euro at 1 January 2019.

With regard to the economic data for the period of nine months ended 31 December 2019, based on the provisions of IFRS 16, it should be noted that:

  • net interest income includes, among interest expense, the interest accrued on financial liabilities for leases;
  • net impairment losses/reversals on property, plant and equipment include the amortisation of rights to use assets under lease contracts;
  • other administrative expenses no longer include lease payments relating to contracts falling within the scope of application of IFRS 16.

In view of the above, the economic data for the comparison periods is not fully comparable.

2.2. Highlights

Reclassified data: in the following statements, until the date the relevant business unit was spun off, net impairment losses/reversals on receivables related to NPL operations were entirely reclassified to Interest receivable and similar income to present more fairly this particular business and because they represent an integral part of the return on the investment.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION HIGHLIGHTS AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive
income
1.173.803 432.089 741.714 171,7%
Due from banks measured at amortised cost 460.578 394.151 66.427 16,9%
Receivables due from customers measured at amortised cost 6.912.409 6.741.482 170.927 2,5%
Total assets 10.126.884 9.099.498 1.027.386 11,3%
Payables due to banks 959.403 756.432 202.971 26,8%
Payables due to customers 6.328.711 5.577.057 751.654 13,5%
Debt securities issued 1.067.529 979.002 88.527 9,0%
Equity 1.352.244 1.368.465 (16.221) (1,2)%
INCOME STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS YEAR YEAR
(in thousands of Euro) 2019 2018 ABSOLUTE %
Net banking income 276.194 429.167 (152.973) (35,6)%
Net credit risk losses (87.005) (97.796) (10.791) (11,0)%
Net profit (loss) from financial activities 189.189 (331.371) (142.182) (42,9)%
Operating costs (150.441) (214.845) (64.404) (30,0)%
Gross profit 38.848 116.526 (77.678) (67,7)%-
Net profit 27.346 82.806 (55.460) (67,0)%

2.3. KPI

Reclassified data: in the following statements, until the date the relevant business unit was spun off, net impairment losses/reversals on receivables related to NPL operations were entirely reclassified to Interest receivable and similar income to present more fairly this particular business and because they represent an integral part of the return on the investment.

YEAR
KPI 2019 2018 CHANGE
ROE 2,0% 6,1% (4,1)%
ROA 0,4% 1,3% (0,9)%
Cost/Income ratio 54,5% 50,1% 4,4%
Ratio - Total Own Funds 21,03% 20,41% 0,6%
Ratio - Common Equity Tier 1 15,69% 15,11% 0,6%
Number of company shares (in thousands) 53.811 53.811 0,0%
Number of shares outstanding at year end(1) (in thousands) 53.452 53.441 0,0%
Book value per share 25,30 25,61 (1,2)%
EPS 0,51 1,55 (67,0)%
Dividend per share(2) 1,10 1,05 4,8%
Payout ratio 215,0% 67,8% 147,2%

(1) Outstanding shares are net of treasury shares held in the portfolio.

(2) Dividend proposed by Banca Ifis's Board of Directors.

2.4. Context

An analysis of the Italian economic scenario must include an assessment of global trends in an increasingly inter-connected context.

In general terms, 2019 saw the economy record constant growth, albeit fairly moderate, with an average development rate of +1,2% in the Eurozone and +3,1% in the rest of the world (Winter Forecast by the European Commission). In both cases, GDP growth slowed clearly on 2018.

Starting last autumn, some positive developments reduced global risks - see, amongst others, the "Phase One" agreement on trade between the USA and China - whilst other negative evolutions - such as the heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East and the difficulties seen in Latin American countries in achieving a recovery and above all the dissemination of the Covid-19 - have revealed new critical issues.

More specifically, it is presently difficult to forecast the economic impact in the medium/long-term of the new Coronavirus, as this depends on how extensively it effectively spreads, as well as on the tax and monetary policies the national and supranational authorities will implement, able to restore market trust.

According to an initial assessment by the OECD, there may well be a downturn to global growth in the first half of 2020, as a consequence of the impact on the procurement chains and raw materials, but also following the decline in tourist flows and, above all, the worsening of economic operators' expectations.

The performance of world trade will be key to the Italian economy, which is, and will remain, very much dependent on exports. Indeed, export demands for Italy rose by 1,3 percent in 2019, down from the 3,6% of the previous three years. In 2020, it is expected to grow by 1,7%, thereby making it basically in line with 2019, before afterwards speeding up to an average of +2,6% in the two-year period (Bank of Italy estimates in the January 2020 Economic Bulletin).

Italy should close 2019 with almost null growth in the domestic product (+0,2% according to ISTAT and European Commission estimates), mainly due to the slowing of world trade, which determined a reduction in industrial production (+1,3% downturn on 2018 measured by ISTAT), the first since 2014.

The forecasts for the next two years show an intrinsic weakness in the Italian economy: estimates regarding the change to the national GDP oscillate, according to the forecasting institute, within a range of +0,3/+0,5% for 2020 and between +0,6% and +0,9% in 2021. More specifically, the 2020 forecast is impacted by a slow start to the first part of the year.

Confirming the weakness of the forecasts in this start to 2020, is the level assumed by the PMI Manufacturing index (Sales Managers' forecasts) that, even before the latest events, had gone in swings and roundabouts during the month but unfortunately always below the critical level of 50 (47,9 is the value of January 2020), indicating a downturn to the manufacturing industry.

In a context of general uncertainty, however, it is important to also consider that the forecast may be positively impacted by the public finance manoeuvre approved late December 2019 and the specific interventions to be implemented to support the segments experiencing the greatest crisis. The Government's plans include a major increase to public investments, equal to approximately a cumulative 20 percentage points in the approach to the three-year period. Even if, at least at present, the issues remain unsolved infrastructural modernisation, justice and bureaucracy - and limit the competitiveness of the Italy system: at present, the OECD Global Competitiveness Index has Italy classed 30th (in 2019).

Reference markets

Enterprises

After having successfully embarked on the route of internalisation - exports grew by 2,5% even in a year as difficult as was 2019 - Italian businesses have now focussed on innovation, with significant growth rates seen in investments (gross fixed investments have increased by more than 3% per year in 2017 and 2018 and by 2,2% in 2019 too).

Italian SMEs, in particular, left the three-year period 2016-2018 stronger, with growing revenues, increasing profitability and a progressive improvement in financial sustainability. The analyses of the Banca Ifis Studies Offices (published in February 2020 with the new edition of the SME Market Watch) confirm this positive trend, highlighting, out of 9 key sectors of "Made in Italy", an average annual growth of 4,3% in revenues and an average ROE of 8%.

Development of investments to pursue the route of innovation constituted the distinctive trait in the approach taken by the SMEs: the average annual increase in assets available for production comes in at +3,4% in the last three years. Without doubt, public incentives for investments have proven key to sparking this virtuous cycle: 50% of the SMEs interviewed had used them and of these, 70% declared that they were essential to the choice made. For the future, 44% of enterprises have declared that they wish to continue investing, even without new incentives (2019 research carried out by Banca Ifis, in collaboration with Ca' Foscari University of Venice and Padua).

This investment development has not only increased production capacity, rather, indeed first and foremost, it has given rise to a different way of producing. This research has returned a scene whereby technologies play a role as enabler to compete in terms of flexibility (87% of enterprises), customisation of the supply (76%) and production efficiency (65%).

The analysis of the Banca Ifis observatory on SMEs also confirmed the tendency to assure solid financial stability, which has become concrete in the form of an average financial leverage (NFP/EBITDA) of 1,31 in the last three years of financial statements.

The balances of bank loans to enterprises (financial companies and manufacturing families), at the end of the third quarter of 2019, were down 4,4% on the 2018 closing figure and by more than 27%, if compared with December 2011.

Loans (amounts) - Non-financial companies and producer households (Billions of €)

This major decline in bank loans to the production system is hinged on both the greater liquidity of enterprises as a consequence of the increased capacity to self-finance and the lesser tendency of banks to disburse new credit - reduced margins and counterparty risk levels being the main factors - above all in regard to small and micro enterprises.

The reduction in the balances of the traditional bank loan also lies in the increased awareness of enterprises and, once again, particularly for SMEs, in the higher added value that can be achieved through specialised credit. Indeed, annual volumes of leases stipulated on instrumental assets, typically linked to the corporate business, in 2019 reached 9,4 billion Euro, up 45% on the same figure for 2015. Even more relevant is the capacity of factoring to support the liquidity of businesses: 255,5 billion Euro in turnover in 2019, corresponding to an increase of 38% on 2015.

Non-Performing Exposures

The non-performing exposure scenario in the Italian banking system shows the improvement in the gross stock of NPEs, which has halved with respect to the peak seen in 2015. The Banca Ifis Studies Office estimates a 2019 closure at around 145 billion Euro, corresponding to a ratio of NPE over total loans of 7,7%.

This latter figure shows, however, that there is still a long way to go: amongst all European countries, Italy has booked one of the sharpest reduction trends, but still has one of the highest ratios of NPE/loans (8% vs 3% for the European average and vs 5%, which is the target requested by the ECB, EBA data at the second quarter of 2019).

In trend terms, the performance of new flows of non-performing positions remains uncertain: the rate of deterioration of performing loans is lower than it was prior to the crisis (taking 2007 as reference) but the move from UtP (unlikely to pay) to non-performing (NPL) remains higher than that recorded in 2007, due to the negative trend of the Constructions segment.

The NPL (non-performing loan) portfolio transactions market has continued to work intensely in 2019 too, reaching an amount of 32 billion Euro (in terms of GBV) of portfolios sold, in addition to Euro 6 billion in transactions on UtP (unlikely to pay) portfolios. The portion of transactions on the secondary market is up (17% of the 2019 total), as a consequence of the disposals made by the previous investors seeking greater specialisation by portfolio type.

In 2020, portfolio sales will continue to support achievement of the ECB objective of reducing the stock of non-performing positions in the bank accounts: 37 billion are expected in new NPL transactions, with a rising portion of secondary market and another 7 billion in sales transactions on UtP (Banca Ifis NPL Market Watch, January 2020 edition).

2.5. Impact of regulatory changes

Starting 1 January 2019, the following changes have been made both in regard to international accounting standards and to tax matters and, more specifically: Accounting standard IFRS 16 Leases, endorsed by the European Commission with Regulation no. 1986/2017, which annulled and replaced IAS 17, IFRIC 4, SIC 15 and SIC 27; please refer to the paragraph "Impact of the first-time adoption of IFRS 16".

Reintroduction of the 30% depreciation increase for new capital goods (super depreciation) from 1 April 2019 until 31 December 2019, with a maximum ceiling for eligible investments of 2,5 million Euro (Growth Decree - Italian Law no. 58 of 28/06/2019 converting Italian Decree Law no. 34 of 30/04/2019).

Reintroduction of the regulations on aid for economic growth (ACE) with a national return on new capital of 1.3% (2020 Budget Law, Italian Law no. 160 of 27/12/2019)

Introduction of the facilitated definition (Tax peace) of tax disputes in which the Italian Revenue Agency is a party, concerning tax acts, pending in every state and level of justice, in which the first instance appeal was notified to the counterparty by the date of entry into force of the same decree, i.e. by 24 October 2018 (Italian Law no. 136 of 17/12/2018 converting Italian Decree Law no. 119 of 23/10/2018).

Introduction of amnesty to settle incorrect formal obligations (Formal Irregularities) that are not relevant for the purposes of determining the tax base and taxes paid (income tax, VAT and IRAP). In particular, it is provided that violations committed up to 24 October 2018 can be settled by paying 200 Euro for each tax period.

Reopening of the terms for the Tax realignment of the book values of certain corporate assets (2020 Budget Law Italian Law no. 160 of 27/12/2019).

Deferral to subsequent tax periods of the IRES and IRAP deductible portion of the impairment losses on receivables due from customers pursuant to Italian Decree Law no. 83/2015 (Italian Law no. 160 of 27/12/2019).

2.6. Financial and income results

It should be noted that net impairment losses/reversals on receivables of the NPL business till the spin-off (done the 1st of July 2018), were entirely reclassified to interest receivable and similar income to present more fairly this particular business.

Statement of financial positions items

MAIN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ITEMS
(in thousands of Euro)
AMOUNTS AT AMOUNTS AT
31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss 126.908 195.295 (68.387) (35,0)%
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 1.173.803 432.089 741.714 171,7%
Receivables due from banks 460.578 394.151 66.427 16,9%
Receivables due from customers 6.912.409 6.741.482 170.927 2,5%
Equity investments 610.861 530.161 80.700 15,2%
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 96.971 110.509 (13.538) (12,3)%
Tax assets 363.303 378.376 (15.073) (4,0)%
Other assets 382.021 317.406 64.615 20,4%
Total assets 10.126.884 9.099.498 1.027.386 11,3%
Payables due to banks 959.403 756.432 202.971 26,8%
Payables due to customers 6.328.711 5.577.057 751.654 13,5%
Debt securities issued 1.067.529 979.002 88.527 9,0%
Financial liabilities held for trading 21.844 31.188 (9.344) (30,0)%
Other liabilities 397.153 387.353 9.799 2,5%
Equity 1.352.244 1.368.466 (16.221) (1,2)%
Total liabilities and equity 10.126.884 9.099.498 1.027.387 11,3%

Financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss

This item mainly includes loans and debt securities that did not pass the SPPI test, equity securities represented by equity financial instruments, as well as UCITS units.

The reduction in the item is linked to the sale of units of a UCITS fund (held as a cash investment) for approximately 50,0 million Euro insofar as no longer consistent with the Bank's investment policies, to the sale of receivables at fair value for 29,0 million Euro and to the impairment of an equity instrument for 11 million Euro. Net of changes in fair value, this reduction was only partially offset by new subscriptions of units of UCITS funds, for a net amount of 28,0 million Euro, by the subscription of new loans measured at fair value for 14,9 million Euro.

Below is the breakdown of this line item.

FINANCIAL ASSETS MANDATORILY MEASURED AT FAIR AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
(in thousands of Euro)
31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Debt securities 91 1.935 (1.844) (95,4)%
Equity securities - 11.266 (11.266) (100,0)%
UCITS units 80.197 99.349 (19.152) (19,3)%
Loans 22.307 51.295 (28.988) (56,5)%
Total 102.595 163.845 (61.250) (37,4)%

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income amounted to 1.173,8 million Euro at 31 December 2019, up 171,7% from 31 December 2018. The item includes debt securities that have passed the SPPI test and equity securities for which the Bank has exercised the OCI Option.

FINANCIAL ASSETS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
THROUGH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands of Euro)
31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Debt securities 1.124.635 418.709 705.926 168,6%
Equity securities 49.168 13.380 35.788 267,5%
Total 1.173.803 432.089 741.714 171,7%

Debt securities held in the portfolio at 31 December 2019 amounted to 1.124,6 million Euro, up 168,6% compared to the balance at 31 December 2018, mainly driven by the purchase of Italian government securities. Specifically, the item includes 1.093,6 million Euro Italian government securities, whose relative net negative fair value reserve amounts to 0,4 million Euro compared to a net negative reserve of 8,4 million Euro at the end of the previous year.

Here below is the breakdown by maturity of the debt securities held.

Issuer/Maturity 1 year 2 years 3 years 5 years over 5 years Total
Government bonds 390.917 363.627 - 228.272 110.787 1.093.603
% of total 34,8% 32,3% - 20,3% 9,9% 97,2%
Banks - - - 9.198 6.014 15.212
% of total - - - 0,8% 0,5% 1,4%
Other issuers - - - 8.443 7.377 15.820
% of total - - - 0,8% 0,7% 1,4%
Total 390.917 363.627 - 245.913 124.178 1.124.635
% of total 34,8% 32,3% - 21,9% 11,0% 100,0%

This item includes also equity securities relating to minority interests, amounting to 49,2 million Euro, up 267,4% compared to 31 December 2018. The change is closely linked to the creation, starting from the second half of the year, of a portfolio of listed securities functional to generating income over time. The positive net fair value reserve for these securities totalled 3,0 million Euro.

Due from banks measured at amortised cost

Total Receivables due from banks measured at amortised cost at 31 December 2019 amounted to 460,6 million Euro, compared to 394,1 million Euro at 31 December 2018. The item includes a portion of Receivables due from central banks of 373,7 million Euro (up by 92,8 million Euro on the figure at 31 December 2018).

Receivables due from customers measured at amortised cost

Total receivables due from customers amounted to 6.912,4 million Euro, up 2,5% from 6.741,5 million Euro at the end of 2018. The increase is essentially driven by performing exposures, also due to the creation of a portfolio of mainly government securities, aiming to optimise the Bank's liquidity.

RECEIVABLES DUE FROM
CUSTOMERS
(in thousands of Euro)
BAD LOANS UNLIKELY TO
PAY
PAST DUE
EXPOSURES
TOTAL NON
PERFORMING
(STAGE 3)
PERFORMING
(STAGES 1
AND 2)
TOTAL LOANS
BALANCE AT 31.12.2019
Nominal amount 247.064 268.352 102.798 618.214 6.621.481 7.239.695
Impairment losses (166.556) (119.674) (6.184) (292.414) (34.872) (327.286)
Carrying amount 80.508 148.678 96.614 325.800 6.586.609 6.912.409
Coverage ratio 67,4% 44,6% 6,0% 47,3% 0,5% 4,5%
Gross ratio 3,4% 3,7% 1,4% 8,5% 91,5% 100,0%
Net ratio 1,2% 2,2% 1,4% 4,7% 95,3% 100,0%
BALANCE AT 31.12.2018
Nominal amount 258.726 265.648 104.851 629.225 6.416.645 7.045.870
Impairment losses (179.263) (85.412) (8.954) (273.629) (30.758) (304.387)
Carrying amount 79.463 180.236 95.897 355.596 6.385.887 6.741.483
Coverage ratio 69,3% 32,2% 8,5% 43,5% 0,5% 4,3%
Gross ratio 3,7% 3,8% 1,5% 8,9% 91,1% 100,0%
Net ratio 1,2% 2,7% 1,4% 5,3% 94,7% 100,0%

Net non-performing receivables due from customers measured at amortised cost come to 80,5 million, +1,3% on the 2018 figure and the ratio of net non-performing positions to loans remains at 1,2%.

The category of net unlikely to pay records a balance of 148,7 million, down -17,5% on 2018, with an increase of the coverage ratio that comes in at 44,6%.

Net non-performing past due exposures come to 96,6 million, in line with the previous year's figure (+0.7%). The coverage ratio comes in at 6,0%.

Equity investments

DESCRIPTION 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
IFIS Finance Sp. Z o.o. 26.356 26.356
IFIS Rental Services S.r.l. 120.895 120.895
FBS S.p.A. 70.700 -
IFIS NPL S.p.A. 362.000 362.000
Cap.Ital.Fin S.p.A. 22.110 12.110
Credifarma S.p.A. 8.800 8.800
Total 610.861 530.161

Equity investments in Group companies come to 610,9 million Euro as compared with the 530,2 million of 2018. The change was closely related to the transactions described in "Significant events occurred during the year" in this document.

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment comes to 77,8 million Euro, as compared with the 91,2 million in 2018 (-14,7%). The change is due to the reclassification to non-current assets under disposal of the property in Corso Venezia, Milan, for 25,6 million Euro, following the late 2019 stipulation of a binding offer for its sale. These changes have been prudently offset by the effect of booking 12,0 million Euro in right of use, as envisaged by the new standard IFRS 16 - Leases, in force from 1 January 2019. At the end of the period, the properties recognised under property, plant and equipment included the important historical building "Villa Marocco", located in Mestre – Venice and housing Banca Ifis's registered office.

Since this latter is a luxury property, it is not depreciated, but it is tested for impairment at least annually. To this end, they are appraised by experts specialising in luxury properties. During the year, there were no indications requiring to test the assets for impairment. Intangible assets consist entirely of software and total 19,1 million Euro, recording a slight downturn on last year (-1,0%).

Tax assets and liabilities

These items include current and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The following table shows the breakdown of current tax assets by type.

CURRENT TAX ASSETS AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 2019 2018 ABSOLUTE %
Irap (regional tax on productive activities) 10.009 10.102 (93) (0,9)%
Ires (corporate income tax) 11.718 12.262 (544) (4,4)%
Ires on sale of receivables 21.278 21.278 - 0,0%
Others 982 1.513 (531) (35,1)%
Total current tax assets 43.987 45.155 (1.168) (2,6)%

The change in current tax assets is mainly connected with the use offsetting the IRES receivables deriving from the 2018 declaration of income and partial reimbursements deriving from requests submitted during previous years.

Below are details of deferred tax assets:

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 2019 2018 ABSOLUTE %
Receivables due from customers (Italian Law no. 214/2011) 214.627 214.627 - 0,0%
Past tax losses that can be carried forward 59.725 76.023 (16.298) (21,4)%
Aid for economic growth that can be carried forward 18.308 22.819 (4.511) (19,8)%
Goodwill 12.573 - 12.573 n.a.
Provisions for risks and charges 7.864 10.320 (2.456) (23,8)%
Financial assets measured at fair value
through other comprehensive income
1.088 5.745 (4.657) (81,1)%
Others 5.131 3.687 1.444 60,8%
Total deferred tax assets 319.316 333.221 (13.905) (4,2)%

Deferred tax assets, totalling 319,3 million, mainly included 214,6 million Euro in impairment losses on receivables that can be deducted in the following years, 59,7 million Euro in past tax losses that can be carried forward, 18,3 million in ACE (Aid for Economic Growth) benefits that can be carried forward, 12,6 for the tax redemption of goodwill booked on the consolidated financial statements relative to the purchase of the controlling equity investment in FBS S.p.A. and 7,9 million Euro in temporary differences on provisions for risks and charges.

Finally, please note that, pursuant to the current Tax Consolidation arrangements, the deferred tax asset receivable related to the taxable profit for the period was included in Other Assets as an approximately 46,2 million Euro Receivable due from La Scogliera.

The main types of deferred tax liabilities are shown below:

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES AMOUNT AT CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 2019 2018 ABSOLUTE %
Receivables due from customers 3.020 3.211 (191) (5,9)%
Property, plant and equipment 5.964 9.193 (3.229) (35,1)%
Receivables for interest on arrears 27.260 25.763 1.497 5,8%
Financial assets 1.494 673 821 122,0%
Others 563 289 274 94,8%
Total deferred tax liabilities 38.301 39.129 (828) (2,1)%

Deferred tax liabilities, amounting to 38,3 million Euro, mainly include 27,1 million Euro on receivables recognised for interest on arrears that will be taxed upon collection, 6,0 million Euro on property revaluations and 3,0 million Euro on misalignments of trade receivables.

Other assets and liabilities

Other assets, of 406,4 million Euro as compared to a balance of 348,9 million Euro at 31 December 2018, include:

  • financial assets held for trading for 24,3 million Euro (31,5 million Euro at 31 December 2018), mainly relating to transactions hedged by opposite positions entered amongst financial liabilities held for trading;
  • Non-current assets under disposal for 25,6 million Euro (this item was not present at 31 December 2018), following the sale of the property in Corso Venezia, Milan.
  • other assets for 356,5 million Euro (317,4 million Euro at 31 December 2018), of which 46,2 million Euro refer to the receivable due from the parent company La Scogliera S.p.A. by virtue of the tax consolidation agreements (54,7 million Euro at 31 December 2018) and 29,8 million Euro to Group VAT credits.

Other liabilities come to 368 million Euro as compared with 387,4 million Euro at 31 December 2018, and consist of:

  • trading derivatives for 21,8 million Euro (31,2 million Euro at 31 December 2018), mainly referring to transactions hedged by opposite positions entered amongst financial assets held for trading;
  • 7,0 million Euro liabilities for post-employment benefits (7,1 million Euro at 31 December 2018);
  • 28,6 million Euro for provisions for risks and charges (22,0 million Euro at 31 December 2018);
  • 310,6 million Euro other liabilities (313,3 at 31 December 2018), whose most significant items relate to amounts to be credited to customers, awaiting allocation.

Funding

FUNDING AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 31.12.2019
31.12.2018
ABSOLUTE %
a) Payables due to banks 959.403 756.432 202.971 26,8%
- Eurosystem 792.168 695.075 97.093 14,0%
- Other payables 167.235 61.357 105.878 172,6%
b) Payables due to customers 6.328.711 5.577.057 751.654 13,5%
- Repurchase agreements/leasing IFRS 16 150.280 - 150.280 n.a.
- Rendimax and Contomax 4.790.954 4.424.467 366.487 8,3%
- Other term deposits 72.475 37.669 34.806 92,4%
- Lease payables 13.867 3.471 10.396 299,5%
- Other payables 1.301.135 1.111.450 189.685 17,1%
c) Debt securities issued 1.067.529 979.002 88.527 9,0%
Total funding 8.355.643 7.312.491 1.043.152 14,3%

Total funding at 31 December 2019 is 8.355,6 million Euro, up 14,3% on 2018. 75,7% of the item consists of Payables due to customers (substantially in line with 2018 in terms of weight), 11,5% Payables due to banks (10,3% in 2018) and 12,8% Securities issued (13,4% in December 2018).

Payables due to customers at 31 December 2019 amounted to 6.328,7 million Euro (+13,5% compared to 2018), due to the increase in retail funding (Rendimax and Contomax), from 4.424,5 at 31 December 2018 to 4.791,0 million Euro at 31 December 2019.

Payables due to banks come to 959,4 million Euro as compared with the 756,4 million in 2018, up 26,8%. This item mainly refers to the TLTRO tranche totalling 792,2 million Euro subscribed respectively in 2017 and at end 2019, deposits with other banks of 122,6 million Euro and 44,7 million Euro related to other accounts and loans.

Debt securities issued amounted to 1.067,5 million Euro. The item also comprised 605,1 million Euro (including interest) in senior bonds issued by Banca Ifis, as well as the 401,9 million Euro (including interest) Tier 2 bond. Debt securities issued at 31 December 2019 included 59,5 million Euro in a bond loan issued at the time by the merged entity Interbanca.

Provisions for risks and charges

PROVISIONS FOR RISKS AND CHARGES YEAR CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Provisions for credit risk related to commitments
and financial guarantees granted
3.583 3.623 (40) (1,1)%
Legal and tax disputes 19.403 12.966 6.436 49,6%
Other provisions 5.609 5.425 185 3,4%
Total provisions for risks and charges 28.595 22.014 6.581 29,9%

Provisions for credit risk related to commitments and financial guarantees granted

At 31 December 2018, this line item amounted to 3,6 million Euro and reflected the impairment losses on commitments and financial guarantees granted by the Bank recognised in accordance with standard IFRS 9.

Legal and tax disputes

At 31 December 2019, the Bank had set aside 19,4 million Euro in provisions. This amount mainly relates to the following legal disputes:

  • 12,0 million Euro for 44 disputes concerning the Trade Receivables Area (the plaintiffs seek 30,1 million Euro in damages), these disputes are mainly connected with the request for the repetition of amounts collected or payments under guarantee in relation to factoring positions without recourse;
  • 5,4 million Euro (the plaintiffs seek 64,8 million Euro in damages) for 27 disputes concerning the Corporate Banking and Commercial Lending Areas and linked for 4,9 million Euro to positions deriving from the former Interbanca;
  • 1,9 million Euro (the plaintiffs seek 4,0 million Euro in damages) for 61 disputes concerning the Leasing Area;

Other provisions for risks and charges

At 31 December 2019, there were "Other provisions" of 5,6 million Euro consisting mainly of 4,7 million Euro for supplementary indemnities for customers connected with the operations of the Leasing Area (3,7 million Euro in 2018), 0,6 million Euro for staffrelated charges (1,0 million Euro in 2018) and 0,3 million Euro for the provision for complaints.

Contingent liabilities

Here below are the most significant contingent liabilities outstanding at 31 December 2019. Based on the opinion of the legal advisers assisting the subsidiaries, they are considered possible, and therefore they are only disclosed.

Tax dispute

Dispute concerning the write-off of receivables. Company involved IFIS Leasing S.p.A. (former GE Capital Interbanca Group)

The Italian Revenue Agency has reclassified the write-off of receivables made by the Company in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and added in the years between 2005 and 2014 to losses on receivables - without any actual evidence.

Overall, the Agency assessed 242,7 thousand Euro in additional taxes and administrative penalties amounting to 100%.

Dispute concerning the Notice of Settlement of 3% registration tax. Companies involved: Banca Ifis as the acquiring company of Interbanca S.p.A. and IFIS Rental S.r.l. - (former GE Capital Interbanca Group)

The Italian Revenue Agency has reclassified the restructuring operation of the company GE Capital Services S.r.l. as a Transfer of business unit, requesting the application of the registration tax proportionally equal to 3% of the value of the company for a total of 3,6 million Euro.

Dispute concerning the assumed "permanent establishment" in Italy of the Polish company

Following the investigation carried out by the Guardia di Finanza [Financial Police Force] in regard to Direct Tax, VAT and other tax for the tax years 2016 and 2017 and 2013/2015 limited to transactions implemented with the Polish subsidiary IFIS Finance SP Zoo, Verification Notices were served in regard to the years 2013/2015.

The Guardia di Finanza claims that it has found evidence to suggest that in the foreign country (Poland), a "permanent establishment" of Banca Ifis has been set up and not an autonomous legal subject with capacity of self-determination.

In other words, by refusing to acknowledge the autonomous legal organisation of the Company with simultaneous tax residence of such in Poland, the costs and revenues of the Polish office would constitute positive or negative items producing income taxable in Italy (net of the tax credit for tax ultimately paid abroad).

In holding the Financial Administration's claim to be unfounded, the Bank will be filing an appeal against the Verification Notice pursuant to the law with the competent Tax Commissions, paying 1/3 of the tax as provisional enrolment on the tax register.

Regarding the above tax disputes, the Bank, supported by its tax advisers, evaluated the risk of defeat possible, but not probable and therefore, it did not allocate funds to the provision for risks and charges.

Reimbursements

In line with market practice, under the purchase agreement for the former GE Capital Interbanca Group, the seller made a series of representations and warranties related to Interbanca and other Investees. In addition, the agreement includes a series of special reimbursements paid by the seller related to the main legal and tax disputes involving the former GE Capital Interbanca Group companies.

With specific reference to some tax disputes relating to the former GE Capital Interbanca Group, requests were submitted for facilitated settlement of tax disputes pursuant to articles 6 and 7 of Italian Decree Law no. 119 of 23 October 2018, converted, with amendments, by Italian Law no. 136 of 17 December 2018, whose terms expired on 31 May 2019.

The settlement was completed with the incurrence of a total charge of 30,9 million Euro, recorded as Other administrative expenses, fully covered by a contractual indemnity to the extent such as not to have impacts on the net result from the closure of the dispute.

Equity

At 31 December 2019, equity totalled 1.352,2 million Euro, as compared with the 1.368,5 million Euro (-1,2%) at 31 December 2018. The breakdown of the item and the change compared to the previous year are detailed in the tables below:

EQUITY: BREAKDOWN AMOUNTS AT CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 2019 2018 ABSOLUTE %
Share capital 53.811 53.811 - 0,0%
Share premiums 102.285 102.116 169 0,2%
Valuation reserves: 2.691 (8.549) 11.240 (131,5)%
- Securities 2.737 (8.692) 11.429 (131,5)%
- Post-employment benefits (46) 143 (189) (132,2)%
Reserves 1.169.123 1.141.385 27.738 2,4%
Treasury shares (3.012) (3.103) 91 (2,9)%
Net profit 27.346 82.806 (55.460) (67,0)%
Equity 1.352.244 1.368.466 (16.222) (1,2)%
EQUITY: CHANGES (in thousands of Euro)
Equity at 31.12.2018 1.368.466
Change in opening balances -
Increases: 42.587
Profit for the year 27.346
Change in valuation reserve: 13.753
- Securities 13.753
Other changes 1.488
Decreases: 58.809
Dividends distributed 56.125
Change in valuation reserve: 2.513
- Securities 2.324
- Post-employment benefits 189
Other changes 171
Equity at 31.12.2019 1.352.244

The change in the valuation reserve for the year was attributable to the fair value adjustment of the financial instruments classified as Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

Own funds and capital adequacy ratios

OWN FUNDS AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS
(in thousands of Euro)
AMOUNTS AT
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital(1)(CET1) 1.176.460 1.139.483
Tier 1 capital (T1) 1.176.460 1.139.483
Total own funds 1.576.460 1.539.483
Total RWA 7.496.182 7.542.228
Ratio - Common Equity Tier 1 15,69% 15,11%
Ratio - Tier 1 Capital 15,69% 15,11%
Ratio – Total Own Funds 21,03% 20,41%

(1) Common Equity Tier 1 capital includes the profit for the year net of estimated dividends.

Individual own funds, risk-weighted assets and prudential ratios at 31 December 2019 were calculated based on the regulatory principles set out in Directive 2013/36/EU (CRD IV) and Regulation (EU) 575/2013 (CRR), which were transposed in the Bank of Italy's Circulars no. 285 and no. 286.

Income statements items

Formation of net banking income

Net banking income of 276,2 million Euro is down 35,6% on last year (429,2 million Euro in 2018). The data of the first half of 2018 includes the reclassification of net impairment losses/reversals of NPL business into interest receivables.

Adjusting from this reclassification the change was influenced by stable results of the Trade receivables (-1,0%) and positive results of the Leasing (+8,7%) and Fast Finance (+10,6%). These results were offset by the reduction in the Corporate Banking area (-28,2%) mainly linked to the lower contribution of the "reversal PPA" (77,8 million Euro at 31 December 2018 compared to 57,9 million Euro at 31 December 2019) and the recognition of negative changes in the fair value of financial assets held in portfolio (-11,0 million Euro).

NET BANKING INCOME YEAR CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Net interest income 202.054 340.085 (138.031) (40,6)%
Net commission income 83.632 81.489 2.143 2,6%
Other components of net banking income (9.492) 7.593 (17.085) (225,0)%
Net banking income 276.194 429.167 (152.973) (35,6)%

Net interest income dropped by 40,6% on 2018, coming in at 202,1 million Euro because of the reasons previously discussed with reference to net banking income.

Net commission income totalled 83,6 million Euro, up 2,6% from 31 December 2018.

Commission income, totalling 92,0 million Euro compared to 91,3 million Euro at 31 December 2018, came primarily from factoring commissions on the turnover generated by individual customers (with or without recourse, in a flat or monthly scheme), arrangement fees for structured finance transactions, leases, third-party servicing, as well as from other fees usually charged to customers for services.

Commission expense, totalling 8,4 million Euro compared to 9,7 million Euro in the prior year, largely referred to fees paid to banks and financial intermediaries such as management fees, fees paid to third parties for the distribution of leasing products, as well as brokerage operations carried out by approved banks and other credit brokers.

The other components of net banking income are made up as follows:

  • 0,8 million Euro from dividends (0,3 million Euro at 31 December 2018)
  • 4,0 million Euro in the negative result from trading activities (negative result of 0,8 million Euro at 31 December 2018), mainly driven by the cost of cross currency swaps entered into in order to neutralise the exchange rate risk deriving from loans to customers in currencies other than the Euro;
  • 2,9 million Euro in gains on the disposal of assets measured at amortised cost (10,3 million Euro at 31 December 2018);
  • 9,2 million Euro the net negative result of other financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss (negative 2,2 million Euro at 31 December 2018). This result is the combined effect on gains from the disposal of financial assets measured at fair value for 6,4 million Euro, juxtaposed by comprehensive changes in fair value of 15,6 million Euro, of which one connected with a single participating financial instrument for 11,3 million Euro.

Formation of net profit (loss) from financial activities

Net profit from financial activities totalled 189,2 million Euro, compared to 331,4 million Euro at 31 December 2018 (-42,9%).

FORMATION OF NET PROFIT FROM FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR CHANGE
(in thousands of Euro) 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Net banking income 276.194 429.167 (152.973) (35,6)%
Net credit risk losses/reversals (87.005) (97.796) 10.791 (11,0)%
Net profit (loss) from financial activities 189.189 331.371 (142.182) (42,9)%

The net banking income related to 2018 reflects the reclassification of net impairment losses/reversals of NPL business into interest receivables for 76,8 million Euro. So far net credit risk losses totalled 87,0 million Euro (compared to 97,8 million Euro at 31 December 2018, -11,0%) and were almost entirely driven by provisions made at year end, for a deterioration in clients already subject to restructuring.

Formation of profit for the year

FORMATION OF NET PROFIT
(in thousands of Euro)
YEAR CHANGE
31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Net profit (loss) from financial activities 189.189 331.371 (142.182) (42,9)%
Operating costs (150.441) (214.845) 64.404 (30,0)%
Profit (loss) on equity investments 100 - 100 n.a.
Pre-tax profit from continuing operations 38.848 116.526 (77.678) (66,7)%
Income tax expense (11.502) (33.720) 22.218 (65,9)%
Net profit 27.346 82.806 (55.460) (67,0)%

The cost/income ratio totalled 54,5%, compared to 50,1% at 31 December 2018. Operating costs dropped by 30,0%, because of the spin-off of the business unit NPL (occurred in second half 2018).

OPERATING COSTS
(in thousands of Euro)
YEAR CHANGE
31.12.2019 31.12.2018 ABSOLUTE %
Administrative expenses: 207.054 227.458 (20.404) (9,0)%
a) personnel expenses 95.815 98.032 (2.217) (2,3)%
b) other administrative expenses 111.239 129.426 (18.187) (14,1)%
Net allocations to provisions for risks and charges 10.621 1.146 9.475 826,8%
a) commitments and guarantees granted 1.190 311 879 282,6%
b) other net allocations 9.431 835 8.596 1029,5%
Net impairment losses/reversals on property, plant and equipment 5.397 4.538 859 18,9%
Net impairment losses/reversals on intangible assets 6.270 5.848 422 7,2%
Other operating income/expenses (78.901) (24.145) (54.756) 226,8%
Operating costs 150.441 214.845 (64.404) (30,0)%

Personnel expenses, of 95,8 million Euro, dropped 2,3% on last year. In total, the Bank has 1.195 employees, as compared with 1.174 at 31 December 2018.

Other administrative expenses also dropped by 14,1%, coming in at 111,2 million Euro as compared with 129,4 million Euro for the same period of 2018. This item includes the expense of 30,9 million Euro relating to the settlement of certain tax disputes regarding the former subsidiary Interbanca, the economic impact of which is fully offset in the item "other net operating income" for 46,2 million Euro (including the related tax effect) against the activation of outstanding guarantees.

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
(in thousands of Euro)
YEAR CHANGE
2019 2018 ABSOLUTE %
Expenses for professional services 23.283 38.985 (15.702) (40,3)%
Legal and consulting services 21.129 28.967 (7.838) (27,1)%
Auditing 449 444 5 1,1%
Outsourced services 1.705 9.574 (7.869) (82,2)%
Direct and indirect taxes 45.161 32.757 12.404 37,9%
Expenses for purchasing goods and other services 42.795 57.684 (14.889) (25,8)%
Software assistance and hire 13.660 14.580 (920) (6,3)%
FITD and Resolution fund 6.492 5.983 509 8,5%
Property expenses 4.681 6.262 (1.581) (25,2)%
Customer information 4.592 10.056 (5.464) (54,3)%
Telephone and data transmission expenses 2.308 3.167 (859) (27,1)%
Business trips and transfers 2.195 3.096 (901) (29,1)%
Car fleet management and maintenance 2.102 3.365 (1.263) (37,5)%
Advertising and inserts 1.886 2.547 (661) (26,0)%
Securitisation costs 1.422 1.642 (220) (13,4)%
Postage and archiving of documents 1.037 4.213 (3.176) (75,4)%
Other sundry expenses 2.420 2.773 (353) (12,7)%
Total administrative expenses 111.239 129.426 (18.187) (14,1)%

The sub-item "Legal and consulting services" comes to 21,1 million Euro at 31 December 2019, down 27,1% on the 29,0 million Euro of the previous year, due to the spin-off of the NPL business unit (during the second half of 2018). If we strip the 2018 figure of this effect, 2019 shows growth of 18,8%, mainly in connection with the legal consultancy connected with the corporate acquisitions and the reorganisation of the corporate structures of both the Bank and the Group.

In the same way, the sub-item "Outsourced services", with 1,7 million Euro at 31 December 2019, shows a clear downturn on last year (9,6 million Euro in 2018), as a result of the spin-off of the NPL business unit (the out-of-court collection costs, for activities entrusted to external agencies totalled 7,9 million Euro in 2018).

The item "Direct and indirect taxes", equal to 45,2 million Euro compared to 32,7 million Euro at 31 December 2018, is significantly influenced by the charge of 30,9 million Euro related to the requests for facilitated settlement of tax disputes presented during 2019. The item also includes stamp duty of 10,5 million Euro, the charge of which to customers is included in the item Other operating income.

"Expenses for purchasing goods and other services" amounted to 42,8 million Euro, down 25,8% from 57,7 million Euro in the same period of the previous year. The change in this item is due to the contrasting effect in the change in some of the most significant items, in particular:

  • Customer information expenses of 4,6 million Euro are down 54,3% on the previous year;
  • FITD and Resolution fund amounted to 6,5 million Euro, up 8,5% compared to 6,0 million Euro at 31 December 2018.
  • Property and car fleet management, which decreased by a total of 1,6 million Euro, essentially due to the application from 1 January 2019 of the new IFRS 16 standard.
  • Trips and transfers drop by 29,1% on last year, coming in at 2,2 million Euro.

Net allocations to provisions for risks and charges amounted to 10,6 million Euro compared with net allocations of 1,1 million Euro at 31 December 2018. Period net allocations mainly referred, for 6,2 million Euro, to disputes relating to trade receivables, for 1,8 million Euro to provisions made for leasing, for 1,6 million Euro to disputes deriving from the former Interbanca portfolio, for 1,0 million Euro to essential commitments to disburse funds.

Other net operating income amounted to 78,9 million Euro (24,1 million Euro at 31 December 2018) and included the effects of the aforementioned activation of guarantees in place in view of the closure of certain tax disputes for 46,2 million Euro at 31 December 2019; net of this amount, other net operating income mainly refers to revenues deriving from the recovery of expenses charged to third parties, the related cost item of which is included in other administrative expenses, in particular under legal expenses and indirect taxes, as well as from the recovery of expenses connected with leasing activities, in line with the previous year.

Income from equity investments includes the effects of the sale of the controlling interest in Two Solar Park 2008 S.r.l. at the end of the first half of 2019.

Pre-tax profit from continuing operations amounted to 38,8 million Euro (-66,6% compared to 31 December 2018).

Income taxes amounted to 11,5 million Euro (-65,88% compared to 31 December 2018). The tax rate for FY 2019 was 29,6%, compared to 29,0% in the prior year. Please note that the tax rate used in 2019 suffers the negative effects of the non-deductibility of the expense relating to requests for the facilitated settlement of tax disputes mentioned previously and partially offset by the positive effects of the reintroduction of the regulations on aid for economic growth (ACE), the tax redemption of goodwill entered in the consolidated financial statements in relation to the purchase of the controlling equity investment in FBS S.p.A., the tax alignment of the value of certain properties to their carrying amount and the positive outcome of an IRAP appeal relating to tax year 2018.

The net profit attributable to the Parent company amounted to 27,3 million Euro (-67,0% on the same period of last year).

2.7. Main risks and uncertainties

Taking into account the business carried out and the results achieved, the Bank's financial position is proportionate to its needs. Indeed, the Bank's financial policy is aimed at favouring funding stability and diversification rather than the immediate operating needs. The main risks and uncertainties deriving from the present conditions of financial markets, including following the new coronavirus, do not represent a particular problem for the Bank's financial balance and, in any case, they are not likely to threaten business continuity.

Reference should be made to Part E of the Notes to the Separate Financial Statements for further information on the Banca IFIS's risks, typical of the banking sector.

2.8. Banca Ifis shares

The share price

As from 29 November 2004, Banca Ifis S.p.A.'s ordinary shares have been listed on the STAR segment of Borsa Italiana (the Italian stock exchange). The transfer to STAR occurred a year after the listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario (MTA, an electronic stock market) of Borsa Italiana S.p.A.. Previously, as from 1990, the shares had been listed on the Mercato Ristretto (MR, a market for unlisted securities) of Borsa Italiana. The following table shows the share prices at the end of the year. As from 18 June 2012, Banca Ifis joined the Ftse Italia Mid Cap index.

Official share price 31.12.2019 31.12. 2018 31.12. 2017 31.12.2016 31.12.2015
Share price at period-end 14,00 15,44 40,77 26,00 28,83
Outstanding shares 31.12.2019 31.12. 2018 31.12. 2017 31.12.2016 31.12.2015
Number of shares outstanding at period
end (in thousands)(1)
53.452 53.441 53.433 53.431 53.072

(1) Outstanding shares are net of treasury shares held in the portfolio.

Payout ratio

For 2019, the Board of Directors proposed to the Shareholders' Meeting to distribute a dividend of 1,10 Euro per share.

Payout ratio (in thousands of Euro) 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net profit 27.346 82.806 154.906 71.722 160.743
Dividends 58.797 (1) 56.125 53.433 43.813 40.334
Payout ratio 215,0% 67,8% 34,5% 61,1% 25,1%

(1) Dividend proposed by the Board of Directors.

Shareholders

The share capital of Banca Ifis at 31 December 2019 amounted to 53.811.095 Euro and is broken down into 53.811.095 shares worth a nominal amount of 1 Euro each.

The following table shows Banca Ifis's shareholders that, either directly or indirectly, own equity instruments with voting rights representing over 3% of Banca Ifis's share capital, or 2% in the case of shareholders that are also Directors of the Bank:

Corporate governance rules

Banca Ifis has adopted the Corporate Governance Code for listed companies. The Bank's Board of Directors has established the Control and Risk Committee, the Appointments Committee and the Remuneration Committee. The Board of Directors has also appointed a Supervisory Body with autonomous powers of initiative and control pursuant to Italian Legislative Decree no. 231/2001.

Internal dealing rules

Banca Ifis regulations on internal dealing is aligned with the relevant EU legislation (EU Regulation no. 596/2014, Market Abuse Regulation).

The Policy currently in force governs the requirements placed on the Bank concerning trading by the Relevant Persons as well as the Persons Closely Associated with them in shares or other debt instruments issued by Banca Ifis as well as financial instruments linked to them. This is to ensure the utmost transparency in the Bank's disclosures to the market.

Specifically, this Policy governs:

  • the requirements related to identifying the Relevant Persons and Closely Related People;
  • the handling of information concerning the Transactions that the Relevant Persons submitted to the Bank;
  • the handling of closed periods, i.e. those periods during which the Relevant Persons must refrain from trading in shares or other debt instruments issued by Banca Ifis as well as financial instruments linked to them.

This document is available on Banca IFIS's website, www.bancaifis.it, in the "Corporate Governance" Section.

Rules for the handling of inside information

Internal procedures for handling inside information and the list of individuals who have access to inside information are aligned with the mentioned Market Abuse Regulation.

In compliance with article 115-bis of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58/1998, Banca Ifis has created a list of individuals who, in performing their professional and work duties or in carrying out their activity, have access to inside information (the list of insiders). Banca IFIS constantly updates this list.

In addition, it adopted a Group policy for the handling of inside information in order to:

  • prevent individuals who, based on their duties, have no reason to know such information from accessing it;
  • identify the individuals who have access to such information at all times.

It also describes the process of handling inside information of third-party issuers, also with reference to the management of passive market surveys.

2.9. Significant events occurred during the year

Banca Ifis transparently and timely discloses information to the market, constantly publishing information on significant events through press releases. Please visit the "Institutional Investor Relations" and "Media Press" sections of the institutional website www.bancaifis.it to view all press releases.

Here below is a summary of the most significant events occurred during the year and before the approval of this document:

Finalised acquisition of 90% of the capital of FBS S.p.A.

On 7 January 2019, the acquisition was finalised of FBS S.p.A., the fourth national operator specialising in the management of mortgage and corporate NPLs. The operation, announced on 15 May 2018 and financed entirely from the liquidity available to Banca Ifis, involved 90% of the capital of FBS for a total amount of 58,5 million Euro paid in cash.

The Shareholders' Meeting approves the 2018 financial statements. New Board of Directors elected, Luciano Colombini named Chief Executive Officer

The ordinary Shareholders' Meeting of Banca Ifis S.p.A. held on 19 April 2019 approved the 2018 financial statements, the distribution of a dividend of 1,05 Euro for each ordinary share with detachment of coupon (no. 22) on 29 April 2019, record date 30 April and payment from 2 May 2019. The Shareholders' Meeting approved the increase in the number of directors from 9 to 12, appointing members of the Board of Directors for the three-year period 2019-2021. Luciano Colombini became the new Chief Executive Officer of Banca Ifis S.p.A. on 19 April 2019.

Fitch confirms BB+ rating, outlook stable

On 19 July 2019, the agency Fitch Rating Inc. confirmed its Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of BB+, stable outlook.

Results of the Bank of Italy's inspection report

On 2 August 2019, the results of the Bank of Italy's inspection, which began on 28 January 2019 and ended on 30 April 2019, were received. It revealed no conformity issues and did not lead to the initiation of any sanction proceedings.

Abandoned negotiations between Banca Ifis and Credito Fondiario

With reference to the information disclosed in a press release dated 2 August 2019, concerning the subscription between Banca Ifis S.p.A. and the Group Credito Fondiario S.p.A. of a non-binding letter of intent aimed at studying the implementation of a partnership in the debt servicing segment, on 30 October 2019, the Board of Directors of Banca Ifis resolved to permanently abandon negotiations with Credito Fondiario and therefore to not go to the due diligence phase, due to the difficulties encountered in defining a negotiating agreement satisfactory to both parties in terms of governance structures.

Banca Ifis acquires full ownership of FBS S.p.A.

On 30 October 2019, Banca Ifis closed the purchase of the 10% interest in FBS S.p.A. held by minority shareholders for a total amount of 12,2 million Euro. By making Banca Ifis the sole shareholder of FBS S.p.A., this deal allows the integration of FBS into the Banca Ifis Group to be completed in the short term and permit even more effective development of the Italian Non-Performing Loans market, with coverage of all segments of non-performing loans, through flexible investment and management structures.

Sale of the property located on Corso Venezia in Milan to Merope A.M.

On 29 November 2019 Banca Ifis announced that it had signed a contract with Merope Asset Management for the sale of the property located at Corso Venezia 56 in Milan for the price of 50,5 million Euro, realising a pre-tax gain of approximately 25 million Euro, to be recognised in financial year 2020, in addition to annual savings on operating costs, once fully effective, of approximately 1,5 million Euro. The sale of the property, in line with the strategy pursued by Banca Ifis, is intended to optimise the use of owned properties, rationalise spaces and contain costs. The transaction will be completed in the first half of 2020.

The Shareholders' Meeting approves amendments to the Articles of Association and updates the Remuneration Policies

On 19 December 2019 the Shareholders' Meeting of Banca Ifis S.p.A., gathered in extraordinary and ordinary session, approved amendments to Articles 8, 10, 12, 13 and 20 of the Articles of Association and the addition of Articles 10-bis and 12-bis. The amendments to the Articles of Association relate to: the rules governing the chair of the Shareholders' Meeting and the role of secretary of the Shareholders' Meeting; the ratio of the fixed to the variable component of the remuneration of personnel; the introduction of the position of honorary Chairman of the Bank; the function of secretary of the Board of Directors and responsibility for appointment of the secretary; the express provision of internal board committees; the introduction of the "casting vote"; and the rules governing the powers of representation in the event of the absence or impediment of the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Shareholders' Meeting also approved the update to the Banca Ifis's Remuneration Policies for 2019.

2.10. Significant subsequent events

Presentation of the 2020/2022 Business Plan

On 14 January 2020 the Board of Directors of Banca Ifis, chaired by Vice Chairman Ernesto Fürstenberg Fassio, approved the 2020/2022 Strategic Plan, which calls for a net profit of 147 million Euro in 2022, investments of 60 million Euro and 190 new employees.

Preferred unsecured senior bond placement

On 18 February 2020, the placement was successfully concluded of a Senior Preferred 4-year bond issue, for an amount of 400 million Euro.

The 300 million Euro bond has a 5-year maturity and a 1,75% fixed coupon rate, and the issue price was 99,692%.

The bond, reserved to professional investors, was strongly in demand with final orders, more than 60% of which came from foreign investors, more than three times the allocated amount.

Covid-19

The figures entered on the separate financial statements at 31 December 2019 took into account estimates and assumptions based on the macroeconomic and financial indicators envisaged at the reporting date. The Bank considers the spread of the new Coronavirus in early January 2020, first throughout continental China and then in Italy in the second half of February, resulting in a suspension of economic and commercial business, as a subsequent event that does not entail any adjustment of the financial statements as prepared. At present, the situation is evolving rapidly, making it impossible to forecast the potential impact of said event on the Bank's prospective economic, equity and financial position. If present, this impact will be included in the estimates adopted by the Bank in 2020.

The Bank is monitoring the phenomenon daily, paying close attention both to how the situation evolves in the territory and the related institutional assessments, as well as to potential impacts on the various business lines in which the Bank operates, including the maintenance and constant monitoring of asset quality.

2.11. Outlook

The first few weeks of 2020 were favourable and benefited from the stabilisation of the world economy recorded in the second half of 2019, supported by the expansive monetary policies and the first stage in the commercial agreement between China and the USA, which opened up to a solution to the tariff war.

The latest estimates by Prometeia had Italy's gross domestic product booked as expected to grow by 0,5%. The Italian banking system was expected to benefit from growth of the gross domestic product and the demand for finance (mainly medium and long-term) from businesses and families looking to make the most of the low interest rates.

The bank's derisking process, aimed at improving the quality of assets, is expected to continue over the next few quarters, supporting the offer of NPL on the primary market. Banca Ifis will be playing an active part in all unsecured NPL disposal processes.

On 14 January 2020, Banca Ifis disclosed its 2020-22 Business Plan to the financial community, setting out the strategic guidelines and main economic-financial objectives set for the next few years. The 2020-22 Business Plan is based on macroeconomic estimates that forecast a slight improvement in the GDP in 2022 and negative interest rates through to 2022 (EURIBOR 3M -0,35% at 2022).

On 18 February, consistently with the objectives of the Business Plan that sees a greater diversification of the funding mix, a 400 million Euro senior bond was issued, which enjoyed high demand with final orders, more than 60% of which came from foreign investors, more than three times the amount allocated.

Additionally, and again in line with that defined by the 2020-22 Business Plan, the Bank has started a design process aimed at rationalising its corporate and organisational structures in the NPL business and redefining the operative processes, including through the creation of a new company and the merger of existing ones.

However, late February saw a slow-down to certain production activities as a result of the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic.

The financial markets reacted negatively and the stock market indexes recorded a downturn that eroded the earnings of the first few weeks of the year. From the start of the year through to 4 March 2020, the FTSMIB index has recorded a reduction of 6,6%; Italian banks book downturns that exceed the Italian index, anticipating the possible negative impacts on net banking income and the quality of assets deriving from the economic slow-down. Since the start of the year, the market price of the Banca Ifis share has dropped by 8,6%.

The Monetary Fund, and indeed Standard & Poor's, have reduced the Eurozone growth forecasts. The manoeuvres implemented both by the central banks, like the Federal Reserve, which has reduced rates by half a point, and the individual national governments, will be focussed on supporting the real economies and, accordingly, the aggregated demand. The Eurogroup is also striving to identify joint strategies to prevent the general slow-down to the economy from turning into a recession.

At present, the situation is evolving rapidly, making it impossible to quantitatively forecast the potential impact of said event on the Bank's prospective economic, equity and financial position and indeed said impact on the banking system as a whole.

As regards the specific Bank business segments, we note, however, that there has been a physiological slow-down to commercial development in terms of credit, connected with both the restrictions to travel imposed by the Bank on its networks and the measures defined autonomously by customers (potential and portfolio). Certain specific positions are also being assessed on sectors that are particularly impacted by the current crisis, such as tourism and food & beverage, on which the Bank has activated closer monitoring measures in order to intercept any possible signs of difficulty or tension in the positions.

At the time this document was drafted, no operating losses were recorded as due to COVID-19. We are operatively monitoring certain receivables due from ordinary counterparties (retail and corporate), which may be subject to suspension free of charge for the counterparties, as from the end of the first quarter 2020.

2.12. Other information

Adoption of Opt-Out Option Pursuant To Consob Regulation 18079 of 20 January 2012

On 21 January 2013, Banca Ifis's Board of Directors resolved, as per article 3 of Consob Regulation no. 18079 of 20 January 2012, to adopt the opt-out option pursuant to article 70, paragraph 8 and article 71, paragraph 1-bis, of Consob's Regulation on Issuers, thus exercising the right to depart from the obligations to publish information documents required in connection with significant operations like mergers, spin-offs, capital increases by contribution in kind, acquisitions and sales.

Report on Corporate Governance and Shareholding Structure

Pursuant to article 123 bis, paragraph three, of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998, a separate report has been prepared from this Report on Operations, which was approved by the Board of Directors and published together with the draft financial statements at 31 December 2019. This document is also made available on Banca IFIS's website, www.bancaifis.com, in the "Corporate Governance" Section.

The Report on Corporate Governance and Shareholding Structure has been drawn up according to the format provided by Borsa Italiana.

Together with this Report, the "Report on Remuneration" prepared pursuant to article 123-ter of the Consolidated Law on Finance, was also made available.

Privacy measures

Banca Ifis has consolidated a project to comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 in order to incorporate the relevant regulatory provisions into its internal privacy management model, planning a series of both technological and organisational steps.

Parent company management and coordination

Pursuant to articles 2497 to 2497 sexies of the Italian Civil Code, it should be noted that the parent company La Scogliera S.p.A. does not carry out any management and coordination activities with respect to Banca Ifis, notwithstanding article 2497 sexies of the Italian Civil Code, since the management and coordination of investee financial companies and banks is expressly excluded from La Scogliera's corporate purpose.

National consolidated tax regime

The companies Banca Ifis S.p.A., IFIS NPL S.p.A., IFIS Rental Services S.r.l. and Cap.Ital.Fin. S.p.A., together with the parent company, La Scogliera S.p.A., have opted for the application of group taxation (tax consolidation) in accordance with articles 117 et seq. of Italian Presidential Decree no. 917/86.

Transactions between these companies were regulated by means of a private written agreement between the parties. This agreement will lapse after three years.

As envisaged by applicable regulations, adhering entities have an address for the service of notices of documents and proceedings relating to the tax periods for which this option is exercised at the office of La Scogliera S.p.A., the consolidating company.

Under this tax regime, the taxable profits and tax losses reported by each entity for the fiscal year 2019 were transferred to the consolidating company La Scogliera S.p.A..

At 31 December 2019, the net receivable recorded as due from the parent company is 101,4 million.

Transactions on treasury shares

At 31 December 2018, Banca Ifis held 370.112 treasury shares recognised at a market value of 3,1 million Euro and a nominal amount of 370.112 Euro.

During the year, Banca Ifis, as variable pay for the 2015 financial results, awarded the Top Management 10.968 treasury shares at an average price of 15,33 Euro, for a total of 168 thousand Euro and a nominal amount of 10.968 Euro, making profits of 77 thousand Euro that, in compliance with IAS/IFRS standards, were recognised under the capital reserve.

The remaining balance at the end of 2019 was 359.144 treasury shares with a market value of 3,0 million Euro and a nominal amount of 359.144 Euro.

Related-party transactions

In compliance with the provisions of Consob resolution 17221 of 12 March 2010 and subsequently amended by means of Resolution 17389 dated 23 June 2010, as well as the prudential Supervisory provisions for banks in Circular no. 263 of 27 December 2006, Title V, Chapter V (12 December 2011 update) on Risk activities and conflicts of interest towards related parties issued by the Bank of Italy, any transactions with related parties and relevant parties are authorised pursuant to the procedure approved by the Board of Directors.

This document is publicly available on Banca IFIS's website, www.bancaifis.it, in the "Corporate Governance" Section.

For information on individual related party transactions, please refer to part H of the Notes.

Atypical or unusual transactions

During 2019, the Bank did not carry out atypical or unusual transactions as defined by Consob Communication no. 6064293 of 28 July 2006.

Research and development activities

Due to its business, the Bank did not implement any research and development programmes during the year.

2.13. Annual profit distribution proposal

Dear Shareholders,

The Board of Directors proposes distributing to shareholders a cash dividend (before tax withholdings required by law) of Euro 1,10 per ordinary share with coupon detachment (coupon no. 23) on 18 May 2020. This dividend includes the portion attributable to the company's treasury shares. As per article 83-terdecies of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998 (Consolidated Law on Finance), eligibility for the dividend is determined based on the shareholders of record on the intermediary's books as per article 83 quater, paragraph 3 of the Consolidated Law on Finance at the end of 19 May 2019 (so-called record date). The dividend will be paid, to this end using the year profit of 27.346.365,86 and for the remainder through the distribution of unrestricted profit reserves from previous years.

Payment will be made on 20 May 2020 through the authorised intermediaries with which the shares are registered on the Monte Titoli System.

Venice - Mestre, 12 March 2020

For the Board of Directors

The Chairman Sebastien Egon Fürstenberg

The C.E.O. Luciano Colombini

3. Financial Statements

3.1. Statement of financial position

ASSETS AMOUNTS AT
(in Euro) 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
10. Cash and cash equivalents 29.644 28.574
20. Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss 126.907.743 195.294.622
a) financial assets held for trading 24.313.368 31.449.837
c) other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value 102.594.375 163.844.785
30. Financial assets measured at fair value throughother comprehensive income 1.173.803.378 432.089.320
40. Financial assets measured at amortised cost 7.372.986.021 7.135.633.531
a) receivables due from banks 460.578.031 394.150.773
b) receivables due from customers 6.912.407.990 6.741.482.758
70. Equity investments 610.861.081 530.161.109
80. Property, plant and equipment 77.841.987 91.222.192
90. Intangible assets 19.129.468 19.287.044
of which:
- goodwill - -
100. Tax assets: 363.303.390 378.376.160
a) current 43.987.146 45.155.071
b) deferred 319.316.244 333.221.089
110. Non-current assets and disposal groups 25.559.513 -
120. Other assets 356.461.069 317.405.599
Total assets 10.126.883.294 9.099.498.151
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY AMOUNTS AT
(in Euro) 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
10. Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 8.355.643.299 7.312.491.232
a) payables due to banks 959.402.999 756.432.526
b) payables due to customers 6.328.711.394 5.577.056.827
c) debt securities issued 1.067.528.906 979.001.879
20. Financial liabilities held for trading 21.844.241 31.187.910
60. Tax liabilities: 50.881.385 44.983.990
a) current 12.579.982 5.855.068
b) deferred 38.301.403 39.128.922
80. Other liabilities 310.621.899 313.298.052
90. Post-employment benefits 7.052.406 7.057.190
100. Provisions for risks and charges: 28.595.827 22.013.608
a) commitments and guarantees granted 3.582.839 3.622.760
c) other provisions for risks and charges 25.012.988 18.390.848
110. Valuation reserves 2.690.806 (8.549.182)
140. Reserves 1.169.123.258 1.141.385.246
150. Share premiums 102.284.576 102.116.429
160. Share capital 53.811.095 53.811.095
170. Treasury shares (-) (3.011.864) (3.103.286)
180. Profit (loss) for the year (+/-) 27.346.366 82.805.867
Total liabilities and equity 10.126.883.294 9.099.498.151

3.2. Income Statement

ITEMS YEAR
(in Euro) 31.12.2018
10. Interest receivable and similar income 316.248.102 368.086.080
of which: interest income calculated using the effective interest method 315.309.334 363.191.390
20. Interest due and similar expenses (114.194.423) (104.821.505)
30. Net interest income 202.053.679 263.264.575
40. Commission income 91.975.858 91.194.329
50. Commission expense (8.343.369) (9.704.917)
60. Net commission income 83.632.489 81.489.412
70. Dividends and similar income 813.154 335.629
80. Net profit (loss) from trading (4.042.660) (773.780)
100. Profit (loss) from sale or buyback of: 2.941.509 10.253.694
a) financial assets measured at amortised cost 1.982.717 2.022.522
b) financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 958.778 (100)
c) financial liabilities 14 8.231.272
110. Net result of other financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss (9.204.378) (2.223.497)
b) other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value (9.204.378) (2.223.497)
120. Net banking income 276.193.793 352.346.033
130. Net impairment/reversal of impairment for credit risk: (87.004.500) (20.975.496)
a) financial assets measured at amortised cost (87.117.251) (19.956.033)
b) financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 112.751 (1.019.462)
150. Net profit (loss) from financial activities 189.189.293 331.370.537
160. Administrative expenses: (207.053.398) (227.458.307)
a) personnel expenses (95.814.735) (98.032.347)
b) other administrative expenses (111.238.663) (129.425.960)
170. Net allocations to provisions for risks and charges (10.621.454) (1.146.188)
a) commitments and guarantees granted (1.190.078) (310.823)
b) other net allocations (9.431.376) (835.365)
180. Net impairment losses/reversals on property, plant and equipment (5.396.981) (4.537.894)
190. Net impairment losses/reversals on intangible assets (6.270.166) (5.847.775)
200. Other operating income/expenses 78.901.155 24.145.338
210. Operating costs (150.440.844) (214.844.826)
220. Profit (loss) on equity investments 99.999 -
260. Pre-tax profit (loss) from continuing operations 38.848.448 116.525.711
270. Income taxes for the year relating to current operations (11.502.082) (33.719.845)
300. Profit (Loss) for the year 27.346.366 82.805.867

3.3. Statement of Comprehensive Income

ITEMS
(in Euro)
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
10. Profit (Loss) for the year 27.346.366 82.805.867
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes, not to be reclassified to profit or loss 191.372 1.702.721
20. Equity securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 380.438 1.586.339
30. Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss
(changes in own credit risk)
- -
40. Hedging of equity securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income - -
50. Property, plant and equipment - -
60. Intangible assets - -
70. Defined benefit plans (189.066) 116.381
80. Non-current assets and disposal groups - -
90. Share of valuation reserves of equity accounted investments - -
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes, to be reclassified to profit or loss 9.862.320 (12.546.152)
100. Foreign investment hedges - -
110. Exchange differences - -
120. Cash flow hedges - -
130. Hedging instruments (non-designated items) - -
140. Financial assets (other than equity securities) measured at fair value through other
comprehensive income
9.862.320 (12.546.152)
150. Non-current assets and disposal groups - -
160. Share of valuation reserves of equity accounted investments - -
170. Total other comprehensive income, net of taxes 10.053.692 (10.843.431)
180. Total comprehensive income (Item 10+170) 37.400.058 71.962.436

3.4. Statement of Changes in Equity at 31 December 2019

previous year Allocation of profit from Changes during the year
Equity transactions
Balance at 31/12/2018 Change in opening balances Balance at 01/01/2019 Reserves Dividends and other allocations Changes in reserves Issue of new shares Buyback of treasury
shares
Extraordinary distribution
of dividends
Changes in equity
ments
instru
Derivatives on treasury
shares
Stock Options me for the year
mprehensive inco
2019
Co
Equity at 31/12/2019
Share capital: X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
a) ordinary shares 53.811.095 X 53.811.095 - X X - - X X X X X 53.811.095
b) other shares - X - - X X - - X X X X X -
Share premiums 102.116.430 X 102.116.430 - X 168.146 - X X X X X X 102.284.576
Reserves: X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
a) retained earnings 1.135.934.023 - 1.135.934.023 26.681.318 X 1.227.426 - - - X X X X 1.163.842.767
b) other 5.451.222 - 5.451.222 - X (170.731) - - - - 5.280.491
Valuation reserves: (8.549.182) - (8.549.182) X X 1.186.295 X X X X X X 10.053.692 2.690.805
Equity instruments - X - X X X X X X - X X X -
Treasury shares (3.103.286) X (3.103.286) X X X - 91.422 X X X X X (3.011.864)
Profit (loss) for the year 82.805.867 - 82.805.867 (26.681.318) (56.124.549) X X X X X X X 27.346.366 27.346.366
Equity 1.368.466.169 - 1.368.466.169 - (56.124.549) 2.411.135 - 91.422 - - - - 37.400.058 1.352.244.236

3.5. Statement of Changes in Equity at 31 December 2018

Allocation of profit from
previous year
Changes during the year
Equity transactions
Balance at 31/12/2017 Change in opening balances Balance at 01/01/2018 Reserves Dividends and other allocations Changes in reserves shares
Issue of new
Buyback of treasury
shares
Extraordinary distribution
of dividends
Changes in equity
ments
instru
Derivatives on treasury
shares
Stock Options me for the year
mprehensive inco
2018
Co
Equity at 31/12/2018
Share capital:
a) ordinary
shares
53.811.095 - 53.811.095 - - - - - - - - - - 53.811.095
b) other
shares
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Share premiums 101.864.338 - 101.864.338 - - - - 252.092 - - - - - 102.116.430
Reserves:
a) retained
earnings
1.022.301.814 972.604 1.023.274.418 101.472.813 - 11.251.408 - (64.616) - - - - - 1.135.934.023
b) other 5.445.570 - 5.445.570 - - 5.652 - - - - - - - 5.451.222
Valuation reserves: 2.132.973 (7.851) 2.125.122 - - 169.127 - - - - - - (10.843.431) (8.549.182)
Equity instruments - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Treasury shares (3.167.902) - (3.167.902) - - - - 64.616 - - - - - (3.103.286)
Profit (loss) for the
year
154.906.079 - 154.906.079 (101.472.813) (53.433.266) - - - - - - - 82.805.867 82.805.867
Equity 1.337.293.967 964.753 1.338.258.720 - (53.433.266) 11.426.187 - 252.092 - - - - 71.962.436 1.368.466.169

CASH FLOW STATEMENT AMOUNT
Indirect method 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. OPERATING ACTIVITIES
1. Operations 162.186.492 380.569.811
- profit (loss) for the year (+/-) 27.346.366 82.805.867
- profit/loss on financial assets held for trading and on other financial assets/liabilities measured at fair
value through profit or loss (-/+)
13.247.038 2.997.278
- net credit risk losses/reversals (+/-) 87.004.500 20.975.496
- net impairment losses/reversals on property, plant and equipment
and intangible assets (+/-)
11.667.147 10.385.669
- net allocations to provisions for risks and charges and other expenses/income (+/-) 10.621.454 1.237.188
- unpaid taxes, duties and tax credits (+/-) 11.502.082 33.719.845
- other adjustments (+/-) 797.905 228.448.468
2. Cash flows generated/absorbed by financial assets (1.036.003.520) 264.520.450
- financial assets held for trading 3.093.809 5.332.314
- other assets mandatorily measured at fair value 52.046.032 (107.261.698)
- financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (730.361.319) 376.069.275
- financial assets measured at amortised cost (324.469.742) 114.882.718
- other assets (36.312.300) (124.502.159)
3. Cash flows generated/absorbed by financial liabilities 1.019.946.347 (220.545.097)
- financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 1.029.285.273 (218.878.337)
- financial liabilities held for trading (9.343.669) (7.051.291)
- other liabilities 4.742 5.384.531
Net cash flows generated/absorbed by operating activities A (+/-) 146.129.319 424.545.164
B. INVESTING ACTIVITIES
1. Cash flows generated by - 14.546.044
- sale of property, plant and equipment - 14.546.044
2. Cash flows absorbed by (90.287.461) (386.160.869)
- purchases of equity investments (80.699.973) (382.300.000)
- purchases of property, plant and equipment (3.474.897) -
- purchases of intangible assets (6.112.590) (3.860.869)
Net cash flows generated/absorbed by investing activities B (+/-) (90.287.461) (371.614.825)
C. FINANCING ACTIVITIES
- issues/buyback of treasury shares 259.569 316.708
- issues/buyback of equity instruments 23.732 167.231
- distribution of dividends and other (56.124.090) (53.432.828)
Net cash flows generated/absorbed by financing activities C (+/-) (55.840.789) (52.948.889)
NET CASH GENERATED/USED DURING THE YEAR D=A+/-B+/-C 1.070 (18.550)
RECONCILIATION
OPENING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS E 28.574 47.124
TOTAL NET CASH GENERATED/USED DURING THE YEAR D 1.070 (18.550)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: EFFECT OF CHANGES IN EXCHANGE RATES F
CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS G=E+/-D+/-F 29.644 28.574

KEY: (+) generated

4. Notes to the Financial Statements

4.1. Part A - Accounting policies

General part

Section 1 – Statement of compliance with international accounting standards

The Separate Financial Statements at 31 December 2019 have been drawn up in accordance with the IAS/IFRS standards in force at said date issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), together with the relevant interpretations (IFRICs and SICs). These standards were endorsed by the European Commission in accordance with the provisions in article 6 of European Union Regulation no. 1606/2002. This regulation was implemented in Italy with Italian Legislative Decree no. 38 of 28 February 2005.

Concerning the interpretation and implementation of international accounting standards, the Banca IFIS referred to the "Framework for the Preparation and Presentation and Financial Statements", even though it has not been endorsed by the European Commission, as well as the Implementation Guidance, Basis for Conclusions, and any other documents prepared by the IASB or the IFRIC complementing the accounting standards issued.

The accounting standards adopted in preparing these financial statements are those in force at 31 December 2019 (including SIC and IFRIC interpretations).

The Bank also considered the communications from Supervisory Authorities (Bank of Italy, Consob, and ESMA), which provide recommendations on the disclosures to include in the financial statements concerning the most material aspects or the accounting treatment of specific transactions.

These Separate Financial Statements are subject to certification by the delegated corporate bodies and the Corporate Accounting Reporting Officer, as per article 154 bis paragraph 5 of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998.

The Separate Financial Statements are audited by EY S.p.A..

Section 2 – Basis of preparation

The financial statements consist of:

the separate financial statements (statement of financial position, income statement, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, and statement of cash flows);

the Notes to the Financial Statements;

In addition, they contain the Directors' Report.

The Separate Financial Statements have been drawn up according to the general principles of IAS 1, referring also to IASB's "Framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements", with particular attention to the fundamental principles of substance over legal form, the concepts of relevance and materiality of information, and the accruals and going concern accounting concepts.

For the preparation of these Separate Financial Statements, reference was made to the format set out by Bank of Italy's Circular no. 262 of 22 December 2005, 6th update of 22 December 2018.

The currency of account is the Euro and, if not indicated otherwise, amounts are expressed in thousands of Euro. The tables in the notes may include rounded amounts; any inconsistencies and/or discrepancies in the data presented in the different tables are due to these rounding differences.

Assets and liabilities, as well as costs and revenues, have been offset only if required or permitted by an accounting standard or the relevant interpretation.

The Notes do not include the items and tables required by Bank of Italy's Regulation no. 262/2005 where these items are not applicable to Banca Ifis.

The criteria for recognising, measuring and derecognising assets and liabilities, and the methods for recognising revenue and costs adopted in preparing the Separate Financial Statements at 31 December 2019 were updated compared to those used to prepare the Separate Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018, as the new accounting standard IFRS 16 "Leases" became effective from 01 January 2019.

Information on the business as a going concern

The Bank of Italy, Consob and Isvap, with document no. 2 issued on 6 February 2009 ("Disclosure in financial reports on the going concern assumption, financial risks, asset impairment tests and uncertainties in the use of estimates"), together with the subsequent document no. 4 of 4 March 2010, require directors to assess with particular accuracy the existence of the company as a going concern, as per IAS 1.

Unlike in the past, present conditions on financial markets and in the real economy, together with the negative short/medium-term forecasts, require particularly accurate assessments of the going concern assumption, as records of the company's profitability and easy access to financial resources may no longer be sufficient in the current context.

In this regard, having examined the risks and uncertainties associated with the present macro-economic context, and considering also the financial and economic plans drawn up by the Bank, Banca Ifis can indeed be considered a going concern, in that it can be reasonably expected to continue to operate in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Separate Financial Statements at 31 December 2019 have been prepared in accordance with this fact.

Uncertainties connected to credit and liquidity risks are considered insignificant or, at least, not significant enough to raise doubts over the company's ability to continue as a going concern, thanks also to the good profitability levels that the Bank has consistently achieved, to the quality of its loans, and to its current access to financial resources.

Section 3 - Subsequent events

No significant events occurred between year-end and the preparation of these separate financial statements other than those already included herein.

For information on such events, please refer to the Directors' Report.

Section 4 - Other aspects

Risks and uncertainties related to estimates

Using accounting standards often requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In making the assumptions underlying the estimates, management considers all available information at the reporting date as well as any other factor deemed reasonable for this purpose.

Specifically, it made estimates on the carrying amounts of some items recognised in the financial statements at 31 December 2019, as per the relevant accounting standards. These estimates are largely based on the expected future recoverability of the amounts recognised and were made on a going concern basis. Such estimates support the carrying amounts reported at 31 December 2019.

Estimates are reviewed at least annually when preparing the financial statements.

The risk of uncertainty in the estimates, considering the materiality of the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the judgement required of management, substantially concerns the measurement of:

  • fair value of receivables and financial instruments not quoted in active markets;
  • receivables managed by the Pharma BU, and specifically the interest on arrears considered recoverable;
  • mesurement of the expected credit loss;
  • provisions for risks and charges;
  • post-employment benefits;
  • goodwill and other intangible assets.

Fair value of financial instruments not quoted in active markets

In the presence of financial instruments not quoted in active markets or illiquid and complex instruments, it is necessary to activate adequate valuation processes characterised with certain judgement on the choice of valuation models and related input parameters, which may sometimes not be observable in the market. There is a degree of subjectivity involved in assessing whether certain inputs are observable and categorising them within the fair value hierarchy accordingly. For qualitative and quantitative information on the method to determine the fair value of instruments measured in the financial statements at fair value, reference should be made to paragraph A.2 - Part relating to the main items of the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2019.

Receivables managed by the Pharma BU, and specifically the interest on arrears considered recoverable

As for the receivables of the Pharma BU, the Bank estimates the cash flows from receivables due from Italy's National Health Service using a proprietary model, calculating the interest on arrears considered recoverable based on the Bank's historical evidence and differentiating according to the type of collection actions taken by the Pharma BU (settlement or judicial action). Overall, the assumptions underlying the estimate of their recoverability were conservative. Banca IFIS estimates cash flows in accordance with the provisions of the joint Bank of Italy/Consob/Ivass document no. 7 of 9 November 2016 Accounting of interest on arrears as per Italian Legislative Decree no. 231/2002 on performing loans purchased outright.

Credit risk losses

The allocation of receivables and debt instruments classified as Financial assets measured at amortised cost and Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income in the three credit risk stages set forth in IFRS 9 and the calculation of the relative expected losses requires a detailed estimation process that regards primarily:

  • the determination of parameters for a significant increase in credit risk, based essentially on models for the measurement of the probability of default (PD) at the origination of the financial assets and at the reporting date;
  • the measurement of certain elements necessary for the determination of estimated future cash flows arising from non-performing loans: the expected debt collection times, the presumed realisable value of any guarantees, the costs that it is deemed will be incurred to recover the credit exposure and lastly the likelihood of sale for positions for which there is a disposal plan.

With reference to the determination of the Expected Credit Loss, reference should be made to paragraph A.2 - Part relating to the main items of these financial statements at 31 December 2019.

For the other cases listed, reference should be made to the valuation criteria described in paragraph A.2 - Part relating to the main items of these financial statements at 31 December 2019.

Coming into effect of new accounting standards

Standards issued, effective and applicable to these financial statements

The Financial Statements at 31 December 2018 have been drawn up in accordance with the IAS/IFRS standards in force at the reporting date. See the paragraph "Statement of compliance with international accounting standards".

The accounting standards used in preparing these Separate Financial Statements, as far as the classification, recognition, measurement, and derecognition of financial assets and liabilities as well as the methods for recognising revenue and costs are concerned, changed compared to the ones used in preparing the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2018. These changes derive essentially from the mandatory application, starting 1 January 2019, of international financial reporting standard IFRS 16 Leases, endorsed by the European Commission with Regulation no. 1986/2017, which annulled and replaced IAS 17, IFRIC 4, SIC 15 and SIC 27; please refer to the paragraph "Impact of the first-time adoption of IFRS 16".

In addition, the Bank has adopted for the first time some accounting standards and amendments effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. Below are the new accounting standards and the amendments to existing accounting standards endorsed by the EU, which have not materially affected the amounts reported in the Separate Financial Statements at 31 December 2018.

  • IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Tax Treatments;
  • Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation (Amendments to IFRS 9);
  • Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amendments to IAS 28);
  • Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement (Amendments to IAS 19);
  • Annual cycle of improvements to IFRS 2015-2017 amendments to IFRS 3, IFRS 1, IAS 12 and IAS 23-

Standards issued but not yet effective

The following are the new international accounting standards or amendments to them approved by the European Commission, which are mandatory from 1 January 2020. The Bank does not consider the impact of the adoption of the following interpretations and amendments of existing international accounting standards to be material:

  • Amendments to References to Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards;
  • Definition of a Business (Amendment to IFRS 3 Business Combinations);
  • Definition of Material (Amendment to IAS 1 and IAS 8);
  • IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts.

There were no other changes requiring disclosure as per IAS 8, paragraphs 28, 29, 30, 31, 39, 40, and 49.

Impact of the first-time adoption of IFRS 16

IFRS 16 introduces new criteria for the accounting presentation of lease contracts mainly for lessees, replacing the previous standards/interpretations (IAS 17, IFRIC 4, SIC 15 and SIC 27). Lease is defined as a contract the performance of which depends on the use of an identified asset and which gives the right to control the use of the asset for a period of time in exchange for a fee.

IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases. The purpose is to ensure that lessees and lessors provide appropriate information in a manner that faithfully represents transactions. This information gives a basis for users of financial statements to assess the effect that leases have on the financial position, financial performance, and cash flows of the entity.

The standard applies to all contracts that contain the right to use an asset (Right of Use) for a certain period of time in exchange for a certain fee. IFRS 16 applies to all transactions that include the right to use the asset, regardless of the contractual form, i.e. finance or operating lease, rental or hire.

The main amendment concerns the representation of the lessee in the statement of financial position with reference to the Right of Use and the commitment made in relation to operating leases, through the recognition of an asset and a liability. Specifically, the lessee shall recognise a liability based on the present value of future lease payments as well as a corresponding right-of-use asset.

After initial recognition:

  • the right of use will be subject to amortisation over the duration of the contract or the useful life of the asset (on the basis of IAS 16), if the lease contract transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee at the end of the lease period or if the cost of the asset consisting of the right of use reflects the fact that the lessee will exercise the purchase option, or valued using an alternative criterion - revaluation or fair value model - (respectively IAS 16 or IAS 40)
  • the liability shall be gradually reduced as lease payments are made, and the lessee shall recognise interest expense on the liability through profit or loss.

IFRS 16 may not apply to leases with a term of less than 12 months or an underlying asset of low value when new. In this regard, Banca Ifis has decided to exercise the option provided for by IFRS 16 not to apply the new accounting requirements relating to the recognition and measurement of the right of use and the liability for short-term leases defined as leases with a duration of less than 12 months, also taking into account any extension or withdrawal options in the contract. Similarly, the Bank has decided to exercise the option of not applying the new accounting requirements contracted with a unit value of the asset of less than 5 thousand Euro.

For the purposes of determining the lease term, to be understood as "the non-cancellable period of the lease, to which both of the following periods should be added (IFRS 16.18):

  • periods covered by a lease extension option, if the lessee has reasonable certainty to exercise the option; and
  • periods covered by the option to terminate the lease, if the lessee has reasonable certainty to not exercise the option",

in view of the types of lease contracts in place, the Bank uses as the main factor for assessing the existence of an economic incentive to extend the lease, the historical value of the renewals made, without excluding the possibility of making further considerations.

The lease liability at the commencement date is the "present value of the payments due under the lease not paid at that date". (IFRS 16.26). In order to determine the discount rate, Banca Ifis uses the interest rate implicit in the lease contract, where available. In the absence of the latter, the Bank adopts its own funding cost as the discount rate.

As for the lessor, the accounting requirements for leases in IAS 17 remain essentially unchanged, differentiating between operating and finance leases. In the event of a finance lease, the lessor will continue to recognise a receivable for future lease payments in the statement of financial position.

IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and, although earlier application is permitted, the Bank decided not to adopt it early.

The Bank has availed itself of the option provided for by IFRS 16 not to recalculate the comparative values on a homogeneous basis in the year of first-time adoption of IFRS 16, in accordance with the provisions of the modified retrospective approach B (paragraph C5 letter b, C7 and C8 letter b.ii of Appendix C to IFRS 16), which provides for the possibility of recognising the asset consisting of the right of use at the date of initial application for an amount equal to the liability of the lease adjusted by the amount of any prepaid expenses or accrued expenses relating to the lease; according to this approach, at the date of first application, there were no differences in the opening equity of Banca Ifis.

Assets/Amounts 31.12.2018 Rights of use acquired through leases 01.01.2019 Property, plant and equipment for functional use 90.502 11.025 90.502 a) Land 35.902 - 35.902 b) Buildings 47.323 9.049 47.323 c) Furniture 1.332 - 1.332 d) Electronic equipment 4.487 155 4.487 e) Other 1.458 1.821 1.458 Property, plant and equipment held for investment purpose - - b) Buildings 720 - 720 Total 91.222 11.025 91.222

The table below shows the effects at 1 January 2019 of the application of IFRS 16 in Banca Ifis.

Deadlines for the approval and publication of the Financial Statements

Pursuant to article 154-ter of Italian Legislative Decree no. 58/98 (Consolidated Law on Finance), the Bank must approve the separate financial statements and publish the Annual Financial Report, including the draft separate financial statements, the directors' report, and the declaration as per article 154-bis, paragraph 5. The Board of Directors approved the Bank's draft separate financial statements on 12 March 2020; the separate financial statements will be submitted to the Shareholders' Meeting to be held on 23 April 2020 on first call for approval.

A.2 - Main items of the financial statements

1 - Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL")

Classification criteria

This category comprises financial assets other than Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income and Financial assets measured at amortised cost. Specifically, this line item includes:

• financial assets held for trading, essentially consisting of debt and equity securities as well as the positive amount of derivative contracts held for trading;

  • financial assets measured at fair value, i.e. non-derivative financial assets designated as such on initial recognition if the relevant conditions are met. At initial recognition, an entity may irrevocably designate a financial asset as measured at fair value through profit or loss if, and only if, doing so would eliminate or significantly reduce a measurement or recognition inconsistency.
  • financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value, consisting of financial assets that are not eligible for the measurement at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income based on the relevant business model or cash flow characteristics. Specifically, this category includes:
    • debt instruments, securities and loans without cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest consistent with a "basic lending arrangement" (so-called "SPPI test" failed);
    • debt instruments, securities and loans held within a business model that is neither "Held to collect" (whose objective is to hold the asset to collect contractual cash flows) nor "Held to collect and sell" (whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets);
    • UCITS units;
    • equity instruments for which the Bank elects not to use the option under the standard to measure them at fair value through other comprehensive income (so-called "OCI Option").

Derivative contracts include those embedded in complex financial instruments if the host contract is not a financial asset falling within the scope of IFRS 9, which are recognised separately if:

  • the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative are not closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract;
  • a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative;
  • the hybrid instrument they are part of is not measured at fair value with the relevant changes recognised in profit or loss.

Reclassifications to other categories of financial assets are allowed only if the entity changes its business model to manage the financial assets. In these cases, financial assets may be reclassified from the category measured at fair value through profit or loss to one of the other two categories under IFRS 9 (Financial assets measured at amortised cost or Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income). The transfer value corresponds to the fair value at the time of the reclassification, which is applied prospectively from the reclassification date. In this case, the effective interest rate of the reclassified financial asset is calculated based on its fair value at the reclassification date, which is considered to be the date of initial recognition for the stage allocation for impairment purposes.

Recognition criteria

Financial assets are initially recognised at the date of settlement in the case of debt and equity securities, and at inception in the case of derivative contracts. At initial recognition, financial assets held for trading are measured at cost, that is the instrument's fair value, excluding the expenses and income directly attributable to the instrument, which are recognised in profit or loss.

Measurement criteria

Even after initial recognition, financial assets are measured at fair value, and the impact of the application of this method is recognised through profit or loss.

The fair value of the financial instruments included in this portfolio is calculated based on quoted prices in active markets, prices provided by market participants, or internal valuation models generally used for pricing financial instruments that take into account all relevant risk factors and are based on observable market data.

In the case of financial assets not quoted in an active market, the cost method is used as an approximation of fair value exclusively on a residual basis and in limited circumstances, that is if all the other previously mentioned measurement methods are not applicable.

Derecognition criteria

Financial assets are derecognised exclusively when all relevant risks and rewards have been substantially transferred. Should the company retain part of the relevant risks and rewards, the financial assets will continue to be recognised, even though legal ownership has been actually transferred to a third party.

Where it is not possible to ascertain the substantial transfer of the risks and rewards, financial assets are derecognised if the company no longer has control over them. Otherwise, the financial assets are recognised proportionally to the entity's continuing involvement in the asset, measured according to the exposure to changes in the transferred assets' value and cash flows.

Lastly, as for the transfer of collection rights, transferred financial assets are derecognised even if contractual rights to receive cash flows are maintained but an obligation to pay such flows to one or more entities is taken on.

2 - Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income ("FVOCI")

Classification criteria

This category comprises financial assets that meet both the following conditions:

  • the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets ("Held to Collect and Sell" Business Model), and
  • the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest consistent with a "basic lending arrangement", in which consideration for the time value of money and credit risk are typically the most significant elements of interest (so-called "SPPI test" passed).

In addition, this line item includes equity instruments not held for trading for which at initial recognition the entity used the option to designate them at fair value through other comprehensive income not to be reclassified to profit or loss (so-called "OCI Option").

Reclassifications to other categories of financial assets are allowed only if the entity changes its business model to manage the financial assets. In these cases, financial assets may be reclassified from the category measured at fair value through other comprehensive income to one of the other two categories under IFRS 9 (Financial assets measured at amortised cost or Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss). The transfer value corresponds to the fair value at the time of the reclassification, which is applied prospectively from the reclassification date. If the asset is reclassified from the category concerned to amortised cost, the fair value of the financial asset at the reclassification date is adjusted by the accumulated gain (loss) presented in the valuation reserve. If the asset is reclassified to fair value through profit or loss, the accumulated gain (loss) previously recognised within the valuation reserve is reclassified from equity to profit or loss.

Recognition criteria

Financial assets are initially recognised at the date of settlement in the case of debt and equity securities, whereas loans are recognised at the date they were granted. These assets are initially recognised at fair value, including transaction costs directly attributable to the instruments, if any.

Measurement criteria

After initial recognition, the assets classified at fair value through other comprehensive income that are not equity securities are measured at fair value, recognising the impact of the application of amortised cost, impairment, and any exchange rate changes through profit or loss. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are recognised under a dedicated equity reserve until the financial asset is transferred: then, accrued profits and losses are reclassified to profit or loss.

The equity instruments elected to be classify within this category are measured at fair value, and the amounts recognised through equity (Statement of comprehensive income) are not to be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss - including in the event of their disposal. The relevant dividends represent the only component of the equity securities concerned that is recognised through profit or loss.

The fair value is calculated on the basis already described for Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss.

In the case of Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that are either debt securities or receivables, at each reporting date, including interim reporting dates, the Bank assesses whether a significant increase in credit risk (impairment) has occurred pursuant to IFRS 9, recognising an impairment loss to cover the expected credit losses through profit or loss.

Conversely, equity securities are not tested for impairment.

Derecognition criteria

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are derecognised exclusively when all relevant risks and rewards have been substantially transferred. Should the company retain part of the relevant risks and rewards, the financial assets will continue to be recognised, even though legal ownership has been actually transferred to a third party.

Where it is not possible to ascertain the substantial transfer of the risks and rewards, financial assets are derecognised if the company no longer has control over them. Otherwise, the financial assets are recognised proportionally to the entity's continuing involvement in the asset, measured according to the exposure to changes in the transferred assets' value and cash flows.

Lastly, as for the transfer of collection rights, transferred financial assets are derecognised even if contractual rights to receive cash flows are maintained but an obligation to pay such flows to one or more entities is taken on.

3 - Financial assets measured at amortised cost

Classification criteria

This category includes financial assets (specifically loans and debt securities) that meet both the following conditions:

  • the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by collecting contractual cash flows ("Held to Collect" Business Model), and
  • the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest consistent with a "basic lending arrangement", in which consideration for the time value of money and credit risk are typically the most significant elements of interest (so-called "SPPI test" passed).

Specifically, if the above technical requirements are met, this line item includes:

  • receivables due from banks,
  • receivables due from customers, largely consisting of:
    • demand advances to customers as part of factoring operations vis-à-vis a receivables portfolio factored with recourse and still recognised in the seller's statement of financial position, or vis-à-vis receivables factored without recourse, providing no contractual clauses that eliminate the conditions for their recognition exist;
    • loans to customers deriving from mortgages or loans extended as part of corporate banking operations;
    • distressed retail loans acquired from banks and retail lenders;
    • tax receivables resulting from insolvency proceedings;
    • reverse repurchase agreements;
    • receivables arising from finance leases;
    • salary- or pension-backed loans.
  • debt securities acquired through subscription or private placement, with fixed or determinable payments, not quoted in active markets.

Reclassifications to other categories of financial assets are allowed only if the entity changes its business model to manage the financial assets. In these cases, which are expected to be very infrequent, the financial assets may be reclassified from the category measured at amortised cost to one of the other two categories under IFRS 9 (Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income or Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss). The transfer value corresponds to the fair value at the time of the reclassification, which is applied prospectively from the reclassification date. Gains or losses arising from the difference between the amortised cost of the financial asset and the relevant fair value are recognised through profit or loss if the asset is reclassified to Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss or, if it is reclassified to Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, through equity, within the specific valuation reserve.

Recognition criteria

These financial assets are initially recognised at the date of settlement in the case of debt and equity securities, whereas loans are recognised at the date they were granted. At initial recognition, the assets are measured at fair value, including transaction income or costs directly attributable to the asset. Costs meeting these characteristics, but to be reimbursed by the debtor or falling under normal internal administrative costs, are excluded.

Repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase agreements are recognised as funding or lending transactions. Specifically, repurchase agreements are recognised as payables for the amount received, while reverse repurchase agreements are recognised as receivables for the amount paid.

Measurement criteria

After initial recognition, receivables are measured at amortised cost, which is equal to the initial amount minus/plus principal repayments, impairment losses/reversals of impairment losses, and amortisation calculated using the effective interest method. The effective interest rate is calculated as the rate at which the present value of expected cash flows for the principal and interest is equal to the amount of the loan granted, including any costs/revenues directly attributable to the financial asset. This finance-based accounting method allows to spread the economic effect of costs/revenues over the expected residual life of the receivable.

The amortised cost method usually does not apply to short-term loans, as the effect of discounting would be immaterial. These are measured instead at their acquisition cost. A similar criterion applies to loans without a definite payment date or revocable loans. Furthermore, newly acquired distressed retail loans are measured at cost until the Bank has started taking action to collect the debt, as specified later on in the part concerning non-performing exposures in the NPL segment.

At each reporting date, including interim reporting dates, the Bank estimates the impairment of these assets in accordance with the impairment rules of IFRS 9, detailed in paragraph 16 – Other information.

The impairment losses found are recognised through profit or loss under "Net credit risk losses/reversals"—and so are the reversals of part or all of the amounts previously written down.

Impairment losses are reversed if the quality of the exposure has improved to the point of reducing the previously recognised impairment loss.

In profit or loss, under "Interest receivable and similar income", the Bank recognises the amount represented by the gradual reversal of the discount calculated at the time the impairment loss was recognised.

In the Notes, impairment losses on non-performing exposures are classified as individual impairment losses in the mentioned income statement item even under a lump-sum calculation method.

In some cases, throughout the life of the financial assets concerned, and specifically of receivables, the parties to the agreement subsequently agree to modify the original contractual terms. When, during the life of an instrument, the contractual terms are modified, the Bank shall assess whether the original asset must continue to be recognised or, conversely, the original instrument must be derecognised and a new financial instrument recognised in its place.

Generally, modifications of a financial asset result in its derecognition and the recognition of a new asset when they are "substantial". The "substantiality" of the modification shall be assessed considering both qualitative and quantitative factors. In some cases, it will become apparent, without conducting complex analyses, that the changes introduced substantially modify the characteristics and/or contractual cash flows of a specific asset, whereas in other cases, additional analyses (including quantitative analyses) will be required to appreciate their impact and assess whether to derecognise the asset and recognise a new financial instrument.

The (quali-quantitative) analyses aimed at defining the "substantiality" of the contractual modifications made to a financial asset shall therefore consider:

  • the purposes for which the modifications were made: for instance, renegotiations for business reasons or forbearance measures due to the counterparty's financial difficulties:
    • the former, intended to "retain" the customer, involve a borrower that is not in financial distress. This case includes all renegotiations aimed at adjusting the cost of debt to market conditions. These transactions result in changes to the original contractual terms, usually at the request of the borrower, that concern aspects associated with the cost of debt, giving rise to an economic benefit for the borrower. Generally, the Bank believes that, whenever it enters into a renegotiation in order to avoid losing the client, this

renegotiation shall be considered as substantial, since, in its absence, the customer could obtain financing from another intermediary and the bank would see estimated future revenue decline;

  • the latter, offered for "credit risk reasons" (forbearance measures), are part of the Bank's attempt to maximise the recovery of the cash flows of the original receivable. Following the modifications, usually the underlying risks and rewards have not been substantially transferred: therefore, the accounting presentation that provides the most relevant information to users of the financial statements (expect for the following discussion about objective factors) is the one made through "modification accounting" - whereby the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of modified cash flows discounted at the original interest rate is recognised through profit or loss - rather than derecognition;
  • the existence of specific objective factors affecting the substantial modifications of the characteristics and/or contractual cash flows of the financial instrument (including, but not limited to, the modification of the type of counterparty risk the entity is exposed to) that are believed to require derecognising the asset because of their impact (estimated to be significant) on the original contractual cash flows.

Derecognition criteria

A receivable is derecognised when it is considered unrecoverable and the Bank forfeits the legal right to collect it. For instance, this occurs when insolvency proceedings are settled, the borrower dies without heirs, a court issues a final ruling that the debt does not exist, etc.

As for total or partial derecognitions without a forfeiture of the right to collect the receivable, to avoid continuing to recognise receivables that, even though they are still managed by debt collection structures, are highly unlikely to be recovered, at least every half-year, the Bank identifies the exposures to be derecognised that have all of the following characteristics:

  • the receivable has been written off;
  • the receivable has been classified as a bad loan for more than 5 years;
  • the counterparty has filed for bankruptcy, been put into administrative liquidation, or is subject to any insolvency proceedings.

Derecognitions are directly recorded under net impairment losses on receivables to the extent of the unadjusted remaining portion, and are recognised as a reduction of the principal. Partial or complete reversals of previous impairment losses are recognised as a reduction of net impairment losses on receivables.

Sold or securitised financial assets are derecognised exclusively when all relevant risks and rewards have been transferred. Should the company retain part of the relevant risks and rewards, the financial assets will continue to be recognised, even though legal ownership has been actually transferred to a third party.

In such cases, a financial liability is recognised for an amount equal to the consideration received.

If some, but not all, the risks and rewards have been transferred, financial assets are derecognised only if the company no longer has control over them. Otherwise, the financial assets are recognised proportionally to the entity's continuing involvement in them.

Finally, as for the transfer of collection rights, transferred financial assets are derecognised even if contractual rights to receive cash flows are maintained but an obligation to pay such flows to one or more entities is taken on.

5 - Equity investments

Classification criteria

The Bank obtains control when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.

Specifically, the Bank controls an investee if, and only if, the Bank has:

• power over the investee (i.e. it has existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee);

  • exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and
  • the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of its returns.

Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights gives control over the investee. In support of this presumption, when the Entity holds less than a majority of the voting rights (or similar rights), the Bank shall consider all relevant facts and circumstances when assessing whether it controls the investee, including:

  • Contractual arrangements with other vote holders;
  • Rights arising from contractual arrangements;
  • Voting rights and potential voting rights.

The Bank shall reassess whether it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control.

Recognition criteria

The cost of the acquisition is calculated as the sum of:

  • the fair value at the acquisition date of assets given, liabilities assumed, and equity instruments issued by the acquirer, in exchange for control of the acquiree; plus
  • any costs directly attributable to the acquisition.

Measurement criteria

If there is objective evidence that an equity investment may be impaired, the entity shall estimate its recoverable amount, taking into account the present value of the future cash flows that it could generate, including from its ultimate disposal. If the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount, the difference is recognised in profit or loss.

If the reasons for the impairment no longer exist as a result of an event that occurred after the recognition of the impairment loss, this is reversed through profit or loss.

Derecognition criteria

Equity investments are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the assets expire or when the equity investment is sold by transferring substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership.

6 - Property, plant and equipment

Classification criteria

The item includes property, plant and equipment held for investment purpose as well as those for functional use.

All property (either fully owned or leased) held by the company for the purposes of obtaining rent and/or a capital gain fall under investment property.

All property (either fully owned or leased) held by the company for business and expected to be used for more than one fiscal year fall under property for functional use.

Property, plant and equipment for functional use include:

  • land;
  • buildings;
  • furniture and accessories;
  • electronic office machines;
  • various machines and equipment;
  • vehicles;
  • leasehold improvements on third-party property.

Those are physical assets held for use in production, in providing goods and services or for administrative purposes, and that are expected to be used for more than one fiscal year.

This item also includes the rights of use acquired through leases and relating to the use of property, plant and equipment.

Under IFRS 16, a lease is a contract, or part of a contract, that, in exchange for a fee, transfers the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time.

Leasehold improvements on third-party property are improvements and expenses relating to identifiable and separable asset. Normally, this kind of investment is sustained in order to make a property rented from third parties suitable for use.

Recognition criteria

Property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at cost, including all directly attributable costs connected to the acquisition or to bring the asset into use.

Subsequently incurred expenses are added to the carrying amount of the asset, or recognised as separate assets, if they are likely to yield future economic benefits exceeding those initially estimated and if the cost can be measured reliably; otherwise, they are recognised in profit or loss.

According to IFRS 16, leases are accounted for on a right of use basis, with the lessee having a financial obligation at the inception date to make payments due to the lessor to compensate for its right to use the underlying asset during the lease term.

When the asset is made available to the lessee for use (start date), the lessee recognises both the liability and the asset consisting of the right of use.

Measurement criteria

Property, plant and equipment, including investment property, are measured at cost, net of any depreciation or impairment losses.

Property, plant and equipment with a finite useful life are systematically depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful life.

Property, plant and equipment with an indefinite useful life, whose residual value is equal to or higher than their carrying amount, are not depreciated.

For accounting purposes, land and buildings are treated separately, even when acquired together. Land is not depreciated, as it has an indefinite useful life. Where the value of land is included in the value of a building, the former is considered separately by applying the component approach. The separate values of the land and the building are calculated by independent experts in this field and only for entirely owned properties.

The useful life, residual amounts and depreciation methods of property, plant and equipment are reviewed at the closure of each period and, if expectations are not in line with previous estimates, the depreciation rate for the current period and subsequent ones is adjusted.

If there is objective evidence that an individual asset may be impaired, the asset's carrying amount is compared to its recoverable amount, which is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, intended as the present value of future cash flows expected to arise from this asset. Any impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

When an impairment loss is reversed, the new carrying amount cannot exceed the net carrying amount that would have been measured if no impairment loss had been recognised on the asset in previous years.

The usually estimated useful lives are the following:

buildings: not exceeding 34 years;
furniture: not exceeding 7 years;
electronic systems: not exceeding 3 years;
other: not exceeding 5 years;
leasehold improvements on third-party property: not exceeding 5 years.

With reference to the asset consisting of the right of use, recorded pursuant to IFRS 16, it is measured using the cost model in accordance with IAS 16 Property, plant and equipment; in this case, the asset is subsequently depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease contract and subject to an impairment test if impairment indicators emerge.

Derecognition criteria

Property, plant and equipment are derecognised from the statement of financial position on disposal or when they are withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected from their disposal. Any profit/loss that arises at the time the asset is derecognised (calculated as the difference between the net carrying amount of the asset and the amount received) is recognised in the Income Statement when the item is derecognised.

The right of use deriving from lease contracts is derecognised from the statement of financial position at the end of the lease.

7 - Intangible assets

Classification criteria

Intangible assets are non-monetary assets, identifiable even though they lack physical substance, that meet the requirements of identifiability, control over a resource and existence of future economic benefits. Intangible assets mainly include goodwill and software.

Recognition criteria

Intangible assets are recognised in the statement of financial position at cost, i.e. the purchase price and any direct cost incurred in preparing the asset for use.

Goodwill is represented by the positive difference between the acquisition cost and the fair value of the acquiree's assets and liabilities and when such positive difference is representative of the capacity to generate returns in the future.

Measurement criteria

Intangible assets with a finite useful life are systematically amortised according to their estimated useful life.

If there is objective evidence that a single asset may be impaired, the asset's carrying amount is compared to its recoverable amount, which is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, intended as the present value of future cash flows expected to arise from this asset. Any impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortised. The carrying amount is compared with the recoverable amount at least on an annual basis. If the carrying amount is greater than the recoverable amount, a loss equal to the difference between the two amounts is recognised in profit or loss.

Should the impairment of an intangible asset (excluding goodwill) be reversed, the increased net carrying amount cannot exceed the net carrying amount that would have been measured if no impairment loss had been recognised on the asset in previous years.

Goodwill is recognised in the statement of financial position at cost, net of any accrued losses, and is not subject to amortisation. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually by comparing its carrying amount to its recoverable amount. To this end, goodwill must be allocated to cash-generating units (CGUs) in compliance with the maximum combination limit that cannot exceed the "operating segment" identified for internal management purposes.

The impairment loss, if any, is calculated based on the difference between the carrying amount of the CGU plus its recoverable amount, which is the higher of the CGU's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.

The amount of any impairment losses is recognised in profit or loss and is not derecognised in the following years should the reason for the impairment be no longer valid.

Derecognition criteria

An intangible asset is derecognised from the statement of financial position on disposal or when it is withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected from its disposal. Any gain or loss arising from the derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss.

8 - Non-current assets and disposal groups

Non-current assets or groups of assets/liabilities for which a process of disposal has begun and their sale is considered highly probable are classified under the item of the assets "Non-current assets and asset disposal groups held for sale" and the item of the liabilities "Liabilities associated with assets held for sale". With the exception of certain types of assets (e.g. financial assets coming under the scope of application of IFRS 9), for which IFRS 5 specifically establishes that the measurement criteria of the relevant accounting standard must be applied, these assets/liabilities are otherwise measured at the lower of carrying amount and their fair value net of selling costs.

Income and expenses (net of the tax effect) attributable to asset disposal groups held for sale or recognized as such during the year, are presented in the income statement in a separate item.

9 - Current and deferred taxes

Classification criteria

Current and deferred taxes, calculated in compliance with national tax laws, are recognised in profit or loss with the exception of items directly credited or debited to equity.

Current tax liabilities are shown in the statement of financial position gross of the relevant tax advances paid for the current year.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised in the statement of financial position at pre-closing balances and without set-offs, and are included in the items Tax assets' andTax liabilities', respectively, except when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities, and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.

Under the existing tax consolidation arrangements between the Group companies, the current corporate income (IRES) tax expense for the year is included in either Other Assets or Other Liabilities as Receivables due from/Payables due to the Consolidating/Parent company La Scogliera S.p.A.

Recognition and measurement criteria

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based on temporary differences—without time limits—between the value attributed to the asset or liability according to statutory criteria and the corresponding tax base, applying the tax rates expected to be applicable for the year in which the tax asset will be realised, or the tax liability will be settled, according to theoretical tax laws in force at the realisation date.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:

  • when the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss;
  • when the timing of the reversal of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint arrangements can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that they can be recovered, based on the ability of the company concerned or the Parent company, as a result of the "tax consolidation" option, to continue to generate taxable profit, except:

  • when the deferred tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss;
  • in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint arrangements, deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. Unrecognised deferred tax assets are re-assessed at each reporting date and are recognised to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

10 - Provisions for risks and charges

The provisions for risks and charges on commitments and guarantees granted include the provisions for credit risk set aside for loan commitments and the other guarantees granted that fall within the scope of the impairment rules in IFRS 9. As a general rule, in this case the Bank adopts the same methods for allocating items to three credit risk Stages and calculating expected credit losses as the ones described for financial assets measured at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income.

In addition, these include also the provisions for risks and charges set aside for other types of commitments and guarantees granted that, because of their specific characteristics, they do not fall within the scope of the impairment rules in IFRS 9. Specifically, other provisions for risks and charges consist of liabilities arising when:

  • a legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of a past event;
  • it is likely that it will be necessary to spend resources which could generate economic benefits to settle the obligation;
  • the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated.

Should all these conditions not be met, no liability is recognised.

The amount recognised as a provision represents the best estimate of the expense required to meet the obligation and reflects the risks and uncertainties regarding the facts and circumstances in question.

Where the cost deferral is significant, the amount of the provision is determined as the present value of the best estimate of the cost to settle the obligation. In this case a discount rate is used that reflects current market assessments.

The provisions made are periodically reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted to reflect the best current estimate. When the review finds that the cost is unlikely to be incurred, the provision is reversed.

11 - Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

Classification criteria

Payables due to banks and customers and debt securities issued include the various forms of interbank funding, as well as funding from customers and through outstanding bonds, net of any buybacks.

In addition, payables incurred by the lessee as part of finance lease transactions are also included.

Recognition criteria

Payables due to banks and customers and debt securities issued are initially recognised at their fair value, which is equal to the consideration received, net of transaction costs directly attributable to the financial liability.

Measurement criteria

After initial recognition at fair value, these instruments are later measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.

The amortised cost method does not apply to short-term liabilities, as the effect of discounting would be insignificant.

Lease payables are revalued when there is a lease modification (e.g. a change in the perimeter of the contract), which is not accounted for/considered as a separate contract.

Derecognition criteria

Financial liabilities are derecognised when they are annulled, expired or settled. The difference between the carrying amount and the acquisition cost is recognised in profit or loss.

Liabilities are derecognised also when previously issued securities are bought back, even if such instruments will be sold again in the future. Gains and losses from such derecognition are recognised in profit or loss when the buyback price is higher or lower than the carrying amount.

Subsequent sales of the company's own bonds on the market are considered as an issuance of new debt.

12 - Financial liabilities held for trading

Classification criteria

Financial liabilities held for trading refer to derivative contracts that are not hedging instruments.

Recognition criteria

At initial recognition, financial liabilities held for trading are recognised at fair value.

Measurement criteria

Even after initial recognition, financial liabilities held for trading are measured at fair value at the reporting date, and the impact of the application of this method is recognised through profit or loss. The fair value is calculated based on the same criteria as those used for financial assets held for trading.

Derecognition criteria

Financial liabilities are derecognised when they are settled or when the obligation is fulfilled, cancelled or expired. The difference arising from their derecognition is recognised in profit or loss.

13 - Foreign currency transactions

Initial recognition

At initial recognition, foreign currency transactions are recognised in the money of account, applying the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.

Subsequent recognitions

At each reporting date, including interim periods, foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the closing exchange rate.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities recognised at historical cost are translated at the historical exchange rate, while those measured at fair value are translated using the year-end rate. Any exchange differences arising from the settlement of monetary elements or their translation at exchange rates different from those used at initial recognition or in previous financial statements are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise, excluding those relating to available for sale financial assets, as they are recognised in equity.

14 - Other information

Post-employment benefits

Pursuant to IAS 19 Employee benefits' and up to 31 December 2006, the so-calledTFR' post-employment benefit for employees of the Group's Italian companies was classified as a defined benefit plan. The Bank had to recognise this benefit by discounting it using the projected unit credit method.

Following the coming into force of the 2007 Budget Law, which brought the reform regarding supplementary pension plans - as per Italian Legislative Decree no. 252 of 5 December 2005 - forward to 1 January 2007, the employee was given a choice as to whether to allocate the post-employment benefits earned as from 1 January 2007 to supplementary pension funds or to maintain them in the company, which would then transfer it to a dedicated fund managed by INPS (the Italian National Social Security Institute).

This reform has led to changes in the accounting of post-employment benefits as for both the benefits earned up to 31 December 2006 and those earned from 1 January 2007.

In particular:

  • post-employment benefits earned as from 1 January 2007 constitute a defined-contribution plan, regardless of whether the employee has chosen to allocate them to a supplementary pension fund or to INPS's Treasury Fund. Those benefits shall be calculated according to contributions due without applying actuarial methods;
  • post-employment benefits earned up to 31 December 2006 continue to be considered as a defined-benefit plan, and as such are calculated on an actuarial basis which, however, unlike the calculation method applied until 31 December 2006, no longer requires that the benefits be proportionally attributed to the period of service rendered. This is because

the employee's service is considered entirely accrued due to the change in the accounting nature of benefits earned as from 1 January 2007.

Actuarial gains/losses shall be included immediately in the calculation of the net obligations to employees through equity, to be reported in other comprehensive income.

Share-based payments

They are payments granted to employees or similar parties as remuneration for the services received that are settled in equity instruments.

The relevant international accounting standard is IFRS 2 – Share-based payments; specifically, since the Bank is to settle the obligation for the service received in equity instruments (shares "to the value of", i.e. a given amount is converted into a variable number of shares based on the fair value at grant date), those payments fall under "equity-settled share-based payments". The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair value at the date when the grant is made using an appropriate valuation model.

That cost is recognised in employee benefits expense together with a corresponding increase in equity over the period in which the service and, where applicable, the performance conditions are fulfilled (the vesting period). The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Bank's best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The cost or revenue in the statement of profit or loss for the year represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised at the beginning and end of that year.

Treasury shares

Pursuant to regulations in force in Italy, buying back treasury shares requires a specific resolution of the shareholders' meeting and the recognition of a specific reserve in equity. Treasury shares in the portfolio are deducted from equity and measured at cost, calculated using the "Fifo" method. Differences between the purchase price and the selling price deriving from trading in these shares during the accounting period are recognised under equity reserves.

Recognition of income and costs

Income from management and guarantee services for receivables purchased through factoring activities are recognised under commission income according to their duration. Components considered in the amortised cost to calculate the effective interest rate are excluded and recognised instead under interest income.

Costs are recognised on an accrual basis. Concerning the costs of the NPL segment, the costs incurred upfront for non-judicial debt collection operations through settlement plans, as well as legal expenses and registration fees for judicial debt collection operations, are recognised in profit or loss under "Other administrative expenses" in the period in which the positive impact of the relevant receivables deriving from the change in the underlying cash flows associated with the plans entered into or the court orders obtained is recognised in profit or loss.

Dividends

Dividends are recognised through profit or loss in the year in which the resolution concerning their distribution is passed.

Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements

Securities received as a result of transactions that contractually require they are subsequently sold, as well as securities delivered as a result of transactions that contractually require they are subsequently repurchased, are not recognised in and/or derecognised from the financial statements.

Consequently, in cases of securities acquired under a reverse repurchase agreement, the amount paid is recognised as due from customers or banks, or as a financial asset held for trading; and in cases of securities sold under a repurchase agreement, the liability is entered under payables due to banks or customers, or under financial liabilities held for trading. Income from these commitments, made up of the coupons matured on the securities and of the difference between their spot price and their forward price, is recognised under interest income in profit or loss.

The two types of transactions are offset if, and only if, they have been carried out with the same counterparty and if such offsetting is contractually envisaged.

Amortised cost

The amortised cost of a financial asset or liability is its amount upon initial recognition, net of any principal repayments, plus or minus the overall amortisation of the difference between the initial and the maturity value calculated using the effective interest method, and deducting any impairment losses.

The effective interest rate method is a method of spreading interest income or interest expense over the duration of a financial asset or liability. The effective interest rate is the rate that precisely discounts expected future payments or cash flows over the life of the financial instrument at the net carrying amount of the financial asset or liability. It includes all the expenses and basis points paid or received between the parties to a contract that are an integral part of such rate, as well as the transaction costs and all other premiums or discounts.

Commissions considered an integral part of the effective interest rate are the initial commissions received for selling or buying a financial asset not classified as measured at fair value:for example, those received as remuneration for the assessment of the debtor's financial situation, for the assessment and the registration of sureties and, in general, for completing the transaction.

Transaction costs, in turn, include fees and commissions paid to agents (including employees that act as sales agents), advisors, brokers and dealers, levies charged by regulatory bodies and stock exchanges, and transfer taxes and duties. Transaction costs do not include financing, internal administration or operating costs.

Amortised cost applies to financial assets measured at amortised cost and at fair value through other comprehensive income, as well as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.

Specifically concerning financial assets that are considered to be impaired at initial recognition, be they measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income, and classified as "Purchased or Originated Credit Impaired (POCI) Financial Assets", at initial recognition, the Bank calculates a credit-adjusted effective interest rate for which it is necessary to incorporate the initial expected credit losses into cash flow estimates. The Bank uses said credit-adjusted effective interest rate to apply the amortised cost method and, therefore, calculate the relevant interest.

Purchased or Originated Credit Impaired (POCI) Financial Assets

"Purchased or Originated Credit Impaired (POCI) Financial Assets" means the exposures that were impaired at the date they were acquired or originated.

POCI financial assets include also the exposures acquired as part of sales (of either individual assets or portfolios) and business combinations.

Based on the Business Model within which the asset is managed, POCI financial assets are classified as either Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income or Financial assets measured at amortised cost. As previously mentioned, interest is accounted for by applying a credit-adjusted effective interest rate, i.e. the rate that, upon initial recognition, discounts all the asset's estimated future cash receipts measured at amortised cost considering also lifetime expected credit losses.

The Bank regularly reviews said expected credit losses, recognising impairment losses or gains through profit or loss. Favourable changes in lifetime ECLs are recognised as an impairment gain, even if said lifetime ECLs are lower than those incorporated into cash flow estimates at initial recognition.

"Purchased or Originated Credit Impaired Financial Assets" are usually allocated to Stage 3 at initial recognition.

A subsequent improvement in the counterparty's creditworthiness, which may be reflected in the present value of cash flows, shall cause the exposure to be classified within Stage 2.

These assets shall never be allocated to Stage 1, as the expected credit loss must always be calculated over a time horizon equal to their remaining useful life.

Impairment of financial instruments

Under IFRS 9, the relevant impairment provisions apply to financial assets measured at amortised cost, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that are not equity securities, and loan commitments and guarantees granted that are not measured at fair value through profit or loss.

"Expected Credit Losses" (ECLs) are calculated based on whether the financial instrument's credit risk has significantly increased since initial recognition.

The general impairment model requires allocating the financial instruments within the scope of IFRS 9 to three Stages, which reflect the deterioration in credit quality:

  • Stage 1: financial instruments that have not had a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition or that have low credit risk at the reporting date;
  • Stage 2: financial instruments that have had a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition (unless they have low credit risk at the reporting date) but that individually do not have objective evidence of impairment;
  • Stage 3: financial assets that have had a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition with objective evidence of impairment at the reporting date. This coincides with non-performing exposures, i.e. those classified as bad loans, unlikely to pay, or non-performing past due exposures according to the rules of the Bank of Italy.

The existence of a significant increase in credit risk is identified for each individual relationship using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Banca Ifis applies the following transfer criteria differentially based on the scope of the outstanding loan portfolios:

• comparison between the one-year PD at initial recognition and the one-year PD at the reporting date; if the change in PD exceeds a given threshold, the exposure is allocated to Stage 2. The threshold is defined as factor X where: PD_(t=rep) (t=rep)>X*PD_(t=0) (t=0)=Threshold

The threshold uses a PD at origination which allows to capture significant change in credit risk compared to original valuation;

  • exposures that are more than 30 days past due or overdrawn;
  • forborne exposures;
  • "Watchlist & Other Early Warnings (e.g. financial ratios)", exposures included in the watchlist as part of the tier 1 credit monitoring process or exposures to companies with negative equity, substantial reductions in sales and/or EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation) compared to the prior period.

The stage allocation of the exposures in the Debt securities portfolio is managed at the level of the purchased tranche for each ISIN code held at the reporting date and requires using an external rating of the issue or, if this is not available, the issuer; in short, they are allocated to the different stages based on the following transfer criteria:

  • "Low credit risk exemption": if the issue rating of the security (ISIN) at the reporting date is "investment grade", the tranche is allocated to Stage 1; otherwise, the Bank assesses the significant increase in credit risk between origination and reporting date;
  • if the issue is "speculative grade", for each individual tranche, the Bank assesses the difference between the issue rating at the reporting date and the origination date; if the resulting rating difference is of 2 or more grades, the tranche is allocated to Stage 2; otherwise, it is allocated to Stage 1;
  • if the issue rating at the reporting date is "speculative grade" and no issue rating at the origination date is available, the tranche is allocated to Stage 2;
  • if there is no issue rating at the reporting date, but an issuer rating is available, the exposure shall be allocated by applying the previously described approach for the issue rating to the issuer rating.

Exposures are allocated to Stage 3 if credit risk has increased to the point that the instrument is considered impaired, i.e. classified as non-performing, including in the case of financial instruments in default.

If, at a given reporting date, an exposure is allocated to Stage 2 for one or more of the above transfer conditions, but these conditions no longer exist at a subsequent measurement date, the exposure is reallocated to Stage 1.

Therefore, for financial assets subject to impairment under IFRS 9, the expected credit loss represents an estimate of the weighted probability of credit losses over the expected lifetime of the financial instrument and is calculated based on the above stage allocation.

In particular:

• 12-month expected credit loss, for assets allocated to Stage 1. 12-month expected credit losses are those that result from default events that are possible within 12 months after the reporting date (or a shorter period if the expected lifetime is less than 12 months), weighted by the probability that the default event will occur.

"Lifetime" expected credit loss, for assets allocated to Stage 2 and Stage 3. Lifetime expected credit losses are those that result from all possible default events over the expected life of the financial instruments, weighted by the probability that the default will occur.

If, at the reporting date, the credit risk on a financial instrument has not significantly increased since initial recognition, the entity shall adjust the loss allowance for the financial instrument to an amount equal to the 12-month expected credit losses.

The key inputs in the calculation of ECLs are:

  • PD (Probability of Default) is an estimate of the likelihood of default over a given time horizon, using the first year of a multi-period PD model. A default may only happen at a certain time over the assessed period, if the facility has not been previously derecognised and is still in the portfolio. Multi-period PDs are adjusted according to short-term expectations to incorporate point-in-time effects (current stage of the Bank's risk factors compared to the long-term situation).
  • EAD (Exposure at Default) is an estimate of the exposure at a future default date, taking into account potential expected changes in the exposure after the reporting date, including repayments of principal and interest, whether scheduled by contract or otherwise (e.g. bullet), expected drawdowns on committed facilities and off-balance exposures (applying a proper Credit conversion factor), and accrued interest from missed payments.
  • LGD (Loss Given Default) is an estimate of the loss arising in the event of a default occurring at a given time. It is estimated differently according to the loan's status (performing, past-due, unlikely-to-pay, bad loan), on a modelling of historic recovery cash flows and other important drives in determining the recovery process specific to business type and product.

Once the allocation of exposures to the various stages of credit risk has been defined, the determination of expected losses (ECL) is carried out, at the level of individual transactions or tranches of securities, on the basis of models calibrated on internal Bank data, and models calibrated on data from the External Credit Assessment Institution ("ECAI agencies") on portfolios for which no internal observations are available, based on the parameters of Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD) and Exposure at Default (EAD), on which appropriate corrective action is taken to ensure compliance with the specific requirements of IFRS 9.

Non-performing loans are assessed either individually or collectively, according to the cases described below, and the total amount of the impairment loss on each loan is equal to the difference between the carrying amount at measurement (amortised cost) and the present value of expected future cash flows, calculated by applying the original effective interest rate. Expected cash flows are calculated taking into account the expected recovery times, the estimated realisable value of guarantees, if any, and the costs expected to be incurred to recover the exposure.

The original effective interest rate of each loan does not change over time even if a restructuring involved changing the contractual rate or the loan no longer bears contractual interest in practice. Any impairment loss is recognised through profit or loss. The impairment loss is reversed in the following years to the extent that the reason for the impairment no longer exists, provided this assessment can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised. The reversal is recognised through profit or loss and shall not exceed the amortised cost that the loan would have had if the impairment had not been recognised.

Bad loans, excluding those referring to leasing and retail portfolios of personal loans or mortgages, with an outstanding gross amount of more than 100 thousand Euro are individually evaluated, whereas bad loans with an outstanding gross amount of less than 100 thousand Euro as well as bad loans with an outstanding gross amount of more than 100 thousand Euro but that were classified as such over 10 years prior to the reporting date are written off.

Unlikely to pay, excluding those referring to leasing or retail portfolios of personal loans or mortgages, with an amount of more than 100 thousand Euro are individually evaluated, whereas those with an amount of less than 100 thousand Euro are collectively tested for impairment.

Other non-performing loans are collectively tested for impairment. Such measurement applies to categories of loans with a homogeneous credit risk. The relevant losses are estimated as a percentage of the original loan amount by taking into account historical time series based on observable market data existing at the time of measurement and allowing to calculate the latent losses for each category.

A.3 - Disclosure of transfers of financial assets between portfolios

No financial assets were transferred between portfolios during 2019.

A.4 - Fair value disclosure

Qualitative disclosure

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction in the principal (or most advantageous) market at the measurement date, under current market conditions (i.e. the exit price), regardless of the fact that said price is directly observable or that another measurement approach is used.

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

IFRS 13 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the extent to which inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the underlying assets/liabilities are observable. Specifically, the hierarchy consists of three levels.

Level 1: the instrument's fair value is measured based on (unadjusted) quoted prices in active markets.

Level 2: the instrument's fair value is measured based on valuation models using inputs observable in active markets, such as:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities;

quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;

observable inputs such as interest rates or yield curves, implied volatility, default rates and illiquidity factors;

inputs that are not observable but supported and confirmed by market data.

Level 3: the instrument's fair value is measured based on valuation models using mainly inputs that are unobservable in active markets.

Each financial asset or liability of the Bank is categorised in one of the above levels, and the relevant measurements may be recurring or non-recurring (see IFRS 13, paragraph 93, letter a). The fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input.

The choice among the valuation techniques is not optional, since these shall be applied in a hierarchical order: indeed, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to (unadjusted) quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 data) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 data).

Valuation techniques used to measure fair value are applied consistently on an on-going basis.

A.4.1 Fair value levels 2 and 3: valuation techniques and inputs used

In the absence of quoted prices in an active market, the fair value measurement of a financial instrument is performed using valuation techniques maximising the use of inputs observable on the market.

The use of a valuation technique is intended to estimate the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, under current market conditions. In this case, the fair value measurement may be categorised in Level 2 or Level 3, according to what extent inputs to the pricing model are observable.

In the absence of observable prices in an active market for the financial asset or liability to be measured, the fair value of the financial instruments is measured using the so-called comparable approach (Level 2), requiring valuation models based on market inputs.

In this case, the valuation is not based on the quoted prices of the financial instrument being measured (identical asset), but on prices, credit spreads or other factors derived from the official quoted prices of instruments that are substantially similar in terms of risk factors and duration/return, using a given calculation method (pricing model).

In the absence of quoted prices in an active market for a similar instrument, or should the characteristics of the instrument to be measured not allow to apply models using inputs observable in active markets, it is necessary to use valuation models assuming the use of inputs that are not directly observable in the market and, therefore, requiring to make estimates and assumptions (non observable input - Level 3). In these cases, the financial instrument is measured using a given calculation method that is based on specific assumptions regarding:

  • the trend in future cash flows, possibly contingent on future events whose probability of occurring can be derived from historical experience or based on behavioural assumptions;
  • the level of specific inputs not quoted on active markets: for the purposes of estimating them, information acquired from prices and spreads observed on the market shall have a higher priority. If these are not available, entities shall use historical data about the specific underlying risk factor or specialist research on the matter (e.g. reports by ratings agencies or primary market players).

In the cases described above, entities may make valuation adjustments taking into account the risk premiums considered by market participants in pricing instruments. If not explicitly considered in the valuation model, valuation adjustments may include:

  • model adjustments: adjustments that take into account any deficiencies in the valuation models highlighted during calibration;
  • liquidity adjustments: adjustments that take into account the bid-ask spread if the model calculates a mid-price;
  • credit risk adjustments: adjustments related to the counterparty or own credit risk;
  • other risk adjustments: adjustments related to a risk premium "priced" in the market (e.g. relating to the complexity of valuation of an instrument).

With regard to the valuation of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the method used by the Bank for receivables mandatorily measured at fair value is the Discounted Cash Flow Model, which discounts the expected cash flows of each loan at a market rate that takes into account elements such as the risk-free rate for equal maturities, the funding cost, the lifetime credit risk of the counterparty and the cost of capital absorption.

In order to measure unquoted equity instruments, the Bank mainly uses income or financial models (Discounted Cash Flow Model or market multiples for comparable entities).

With specific reference to the valuation of UCITS units, the approach used on the basis of the methods presented above for the valuation is the Net Asset Value determined by the AMC. It must be verified whether, in determining the NAV, the fund's assets have been measured at fair value in accordance with the IVS (International Valuation Standards) and/or the RICS Valuation (Professional Standards Red Book). A discount is applied to the NAV determined in this way using a structured rate as described above.

Finally, as for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives not quoted in active markets, their fair value is calculated based on measurement techniques that take into account all risk factors that could affect the value of the financial instrument concerned, using observable market inputs (interest rates, exchange rates, share indices, etc.) adjusted as appropriate to account for the creditworthiness of the specific counterparty, including the counterparty's credit risk (CVA, Credit Value Adjustment) and/or the Bank's own credit risk (DVA, Debt Value Adjustment).

As for the measurement of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, the relevant portfolio consists of on-balance-sheet exposures classified as performing with a residual life exceeding one year (medium-long term). Therefore, all exposures classified as non-performing, the ones with a residual life less than one year, and unsecured loans are excluded from the valuation, as it is believed that their amortised cost can be used as an approximation of fair value.

For the purposes of measuring performing loans at fair value, given the absence of prices directly observable on active and liquid markets, entities shall use valuation techniques based on a theoretical model meeting the requirements of IAS/IFRS standards (Level 3). The approach used to determine the fair value of receivables is the Discounted Cash Flow Model, i.e. the discounting of expected future cash flows at a risk-free rate for the same maturity, increased by a spread representative of the counterparty's risk of default plus a liquidity premium.

As for acquired tax receivables, the Bank believes their amortised cost can be used as an approximation of fair value. The only element of uncertainty concerning these receivables due from tax authorities is the time required for collecting them; currently, there are no significant differences in the time it takes for the tax authorities to repay their debts. It should also be noted that Banca Ifis is one of the leading players in this operating segment, which makes it a price maker in the case of sales.

In general, for the purposes of the Level 3 fair value measurement of assets and liabilities, reference is made to:

  • market rates calculated, according to market practice, using either money market rates for maturities less than one year, and swap rates for greater maturities, or the rates quoted in the market for similar transactions;
  • Banca Ifis's credit spreads;
  • financial statements and information from business plans.

A.4.2 Measurement processes and sensitivity

In compliance with IFRS 13, for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and categorised within level 3, the Bank tests their sensitivity to changes in one or more unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements like, by way of example and in no means exhaustive discount rates applied to cash flows or expected cash flows themselves.

A.4.3 Fair value hierarchy

Concerning recurring fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities, Banca Ifis transfers them between levels of the hierarchy based on the following guidelines.

Debt securities are transferred from level 3 to level 2 when the inputs to the valuation technique used are observable at the measurement date. The transfer from level 3 to level 1 is allowed when it is confirmed that there is an active market for the instrument at the measurement date. Finally, they are transferred from level 2 to level 3 when some inputs relevant in measuring fair value are not directly observable at the measurement date.

Equity securities classified as assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are transferred between levels when:

  • observable inputs became available during the period (e.g. prices for identical assets and liabilities defined in comparable transactions between independent and knowledgeable parties). In this case, they are reclassified from level 3 to level 2;
  • inputs directly or indirectly observable used in measuring them are no longer available or current (e.g. no recent comparable transactions or no longer applicable multiples). In this case, the entity shall use valuation techniques incorporating unobservable inputs.

Quantitative information

A.4.5 Fair value hierarchy

A.4.5.1 Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: breakdown by fair value level

Financial assets/liabilities measured at fair value 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
(in thousands of Euro) L1 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3
1. Financial assets measured at fair value through
profit or loss
5.061 24.313 97.534 - 80.532 114.763
a) financial assets held for trading - 24.313 - - 31.450 -
b) financial assets measured at fair value - - - - - -
c) other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair
value
5.061 - 97.534 - 49.082 114.763
2. Financial assets measured at fair value through
other comprehensive income
1.159.444 - 14.359 418.709 - 13.380
3. Hedging derivatives - - - - - -
4. Property, plant and equipment - - - - - -
5. Intangible assets - - - - - -
Total 1.164.505 24.313 111.893 418.709 80.532 128.143
1. Financial liabilities held for trading - 21.844 - - 31.188 -
2. Financial liabilities measured at fair value - - - - - -
3. Hedging derivatives - - - - - -
Total - 21.844 - - 31.188 -

Key:

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

At 31 December 2019, the impact of the application of the Credit Value Adjustment on the assets of derivatives with a positive markto-market is 0,6 thousand Euro (relating to trading derivatives); with regard to instruments with a negative mark-to-market, there is no impact of the application of the Debit Value Adjustment on the assets of derivatives.

A.4.5.2 Annual changes in assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (level 3)

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or
loss Financial
Total of which: a)
financial
assets held
for trading
of which: b)
financial
assets
measured at
fair value
of which: c)
other
financial
assets
mandatorily
measured at
fair value
assets
measured at
fair value
through other
comprehensiv
e income
Hedging
derivatives
Property,
plant and
equipment
Intangible
assets
1. Opening balance 114.763 - - 114.763 13.380 - - -
2. Increases 55.446 - - 55.446 2.198 - - -
2.1. Purchases 40.940 - - 40.940 - - -
2.2. Profit taken to: - - - - - - - -
2.2.1. Income Statement 14.506 - - 14.506 - - - -
- of which capital gains 13.303 - - 13.303 - - - -
2.2.2. Equity - X X X 2.198 - - -
2.3. Transferred from other
levels
- - - - - - - -
2.4. Other increases - - - - - - - -
3. Decreases 72.675 - - 72.675 1.219 - - -
3.1. Sales 50.159 - - 50.159 599 - - -
3.2. Reimbursements 4.600 - - 4.600 - - - -
3.3. Losses taken to: - - - - - - - -
3.3.1. Income Statement 17.916 - - 17.916 - - - -
- of which capital losses 16.907 - - 16.907 - - - -
3.3.2. Equity - X X X 620 - - -
3.4. Transferred to other
levels
- - - - - - - -
3.5. Other decreases - - - - - - -
4. Closing balance 97.534 - - 97.534 14.359 - - -
Assets and liabilities not 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
measured at fair value or
measured at fair value on a
non-recurring basis
(in thousands of Euro)
CA L1 L2 L3 CA L1 L2 L3
1. Financial assets measured
at amortised cost
7.372.987 241.048 - 7.174.534 7.135.635 14.155 - 7.217.251
2. Property, plant and
equipment held for investment
purpose
720 - - 720 720 - - 880
3. Non-current assets and
disposal groups
25.560 - - 50.500 - - - -
Total 7.399.267 241.048 - 7.225.754 7.136.355 14.155 - 7.218.131
1. Financial liabilities measured
at amortised cost
8.355.643 748.984 - 7.613.490 7.312.491 708.742 - 6.485.996
2. Liabilities associated with
non-current assets
- - - - - - - -
Total 8.355.643 748.984 - 7.613.490 7.312.491 708.742 - 6.485.996

A.4.5.4 Assets and liabilities not measured at fair value or measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis: breakdown by fair value levels

Key

CA = Carrying amount

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

A.5 - Disclosure on day one profit/loss

With reference to the provisions of IFRS 7 par. 28, it is established that a financial instrument must initially be recognised at a value equal to its fair value which, unless there is evidence to the contrary, is equal to the price paid/collected in trading. The above standard governs such cases by establishing that an entity may recognise a financial instrument at a fair value other than the consideration given or received only if the fair value is evidenced:

  • by comparison with other observable current market transactions in the same instrument;
  • through valuation techniques using exclusively, as variables, data from observable markets.

In other words, the assumption under IFRS 9, whereby fair value is equal to the consideration given or received, may be overcome only if there is objective evidence that the consideration given or received is not representative of the actual market value of the financial instrument being traded.

Such evidence must be derived only from objective and non-refutable parameters, thus eliminating any hypothesis of discretion on the part of the evaluator.

The difference between the fair value and the negotiated price, only when the above conditions are met, is representative of the day one profit and is immediately recognised in the income statement.

No such transactions were carried out as part of the Bank's operations during 2019.

4.2. Part B - Statement of financial position

ASSETS

Section 1 - Cash and cash equivalents - Item 10

1.1 Cash and cash equivalents: breakdown

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) Cash 30 29
b) On demand deposits at Central banks - -
Total 30 29

Section 2 - Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss - Item 20

2.1 Financial assets held for trading: breakdown by type

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Items/Amounts Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
A. Cash assets
1. Debt securities - - - - - -
1.1 Structured - - - - - -
1.2 Other - - - - - -
2. Equity securities - - - - - -
3. UCITS units - - - - - -
4. Loans - - - - - -
4.1 Reverse repurchase agreements - - - - - -
4.2 Other - - - - - -
Total (A) - - - - - -
B. Derivatives
1. Financial derivatives - 24.313 - - 31.450 -
1.1 held for trading - 24.313 - - 31.450 -
1.2 connected to the fair value option - - - - - -
1.3 other - - - - - -
2. Credit derivatives - - - - - -
2.1 held for trading - - - - - -
2.2 connected to the fair value option - - - - - -
2.3 other - - - - - -
Total (B) - 24.313 - - 31.450 -
Total (A+B) - 24.313 - - 31.450 -

Key

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

The financial assets held for trading outstanding at 31 December 2019 still mainly referred to interest rate derivatives that the merged entity Interbanca S.p.A. negotiated with its Corporate clients up to 2009 to provide them with instruments to hedge risks such as fluctuations in interest rates. In order to remove market risk, these transactions are hedged with "back to back" trades, in which

2.2 Financial assets held for trading: breakdown by debtor/issuer/counterparty

proprietary investment strategy, whose business started in the second half of 2019.

Items/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Cash assets
1. Debt securities - -
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies - -
of which: insurance companies
e) Non-financial companies - -
2. Equity securities - -
a) Banks - -
b) Other financial companies - -
of which: insurance companies - -
c) Non-financial companies - -
d) Other issuers - -
3. UCITS units - -
4. Loans - -
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies - -
of which: insurance companies - -
e) Non-financial companies - -
f) Households - -
Total (A) - -
B. Derivatives
a) Central Counterparties - -
b) Other 24.313 31.450
Total (B) 24.313 31.450
Total (A+B) 24.313 31.450

financial assets, the trading book also includes options and futures deriving from hedges and ancillary enhancements to the Bank's

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Items/Amounts L1 L2 L3 L1 L2
-
-
-
-
49.082
-
L3
1. Debt securities - - 91 - 1.935
1.1. Structured - - - - -
1.2. Other debt securities - - 91 - 1.935
2. Equity securities - - - - 11.266
3. UCITS units 5.061 - 75.136 - 50.267
4. Loans - - 22.307 - 51.295
4.1 Reverse repurchase agreements - - - - - -
4.2. Others - - 22.307 - - 51.295
Total 5.061 - 97.534 - 49.082 114.763

2.5 Financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value: breakdown by type

Key

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

Other debt securities consisted of junior and mezzanine notes associated with securitisation transactions.

Equity securities are zeroed in comparison with last year, following the comprehensive impairment of equity instruments relative to a previously restructured position.

2.6 Financial assets mandatorily measured
at fair value: breakdown by debtor/issuer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Equity securities - 11.266
of which: banks - -
of which: other financial companies - -
of which: non-financial companies - 11.266
2. Debt securities 91 1.935
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies 91 1.935
of which: insurance companies - -
e) Non-financial companies - -
3. UCITS units 80.197 99.349
4. Loans 22.307 51.295
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies 260 37.306
of which: insurance companies - -
e) Non-financial companies 22.047 13.987
f) Households - 2
Total 102.595 163.845

UCITS units included 3,5 million Euro in closed-end real estate funds, 52,0 million Euro in funds investing in non-performing loans, 15,5 million Euro in equity funds, and 5,5 million Euro in bond funds.

Section 3 - Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income - Item 30

3.1 Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income: breakdown by type

Items/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
L1 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3
1. Debt securities 1.124.635 - - 418.709 - -
1.1 Structured - - - - - -
1.2 Other 1.124.635 - - 418.709 - -
2. Equity securities 34.809 - 14.359 - - 13.385
3. Loans - - - - - -
Total 1.159.444 - 14.359 418.709 - 13.385

Key

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

Level 1 "other debt securities" referred for 1.094 million to floating-rate Italian government bonds.

"Equity securities" referred to minority interests. The change compared to last year is closely linked to the creation, starting from the second half of the year, of a portfolio of listed securities functional to generating income over time. Level 3 securities are connected with minority interests deriving from the acquisition of the former Interbanca Group.

3.2 Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income: breakdown by debtor/issuer

Items/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Debt securities 1.124.635 418.709
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations 1.093.602 410.410
c) Banks 15.212 8.299
d) Other financial companies 13.666 -
of which: insurance companies - -
e) Non-financial companies 2.155 -
2. Equity securities 49.168 13.380
a) Banks 5.747 22
b) Other issuers: 43.421 13.358
- other financial companies 10.971 6.671
of which: insurance companies 3.242 -
- non-financial companies 32.450 -
- other - 6.688
3. Loans - -
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies - -
of which: insurance companies - -
e) Non-financial companies - -
f) Households - -
Total 1.173.803 432.089

3.3 Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income: gross amount and overall impairment losses/reversals

Overall impairment losses/reversals
Stage 1 of which:
Low credit
risk
instrument
s
Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Overall
partial
(1)
write-offs
Debt securities 1.125.461 1.125.461 - - 826 - - -
Loans - - - - - - - -
Total 31.12.2019 1.125.461 1.125.461 - - 826 - - -
Total 31.12.2018 419.996 419.996 - - 1.287 - - -
of which: purchased or
originated
credit impaired financial assets
X X - - X - - -

(1) Amount to be reported for disclosure purposes

Section 4 - Financial assets measured at amortised cost - Item 40

4.1 Financial assets measured at amortised cost: breakdown of receivables due from banks by type

31.12.2018
Carrying amount Fair value Fair value
Carrying amount
Type of
transaction/Amounts
Stage 1
and 2
Stage 3 of which:
purchase
d or
originate
d credit
impaired
L1 L2 L3 Stage 1
and 2
Stage 3 of
which:
purcha
sed or
originat
ed
credit
impaire
d
L1 L2 L3
A. Receivables due from
Central banks
373.705 - - - - 373.705 280.871 - - - - 280.871
1. Term deposits - - - X X X - - - X X X
2. Legal reserve 31.162 - - X X X 33.212 - - X X X
3. Reverse repurchase
agreements
- - X X X - - - X X X
4. Others 342.543 - - X X X 247.659 - - X X X
B. Receivables due from
banks
86.873 - - 10.232 - 76.641 113.280 - - - - 113.280
1. Loans 76.631 - - - - 76.641 113.280 - - - - -
1.1 Current accounts
and demand deposits
42.626 - - X X X 73.207 - - X X X
1.2. Term deposits 31.757 - - X X X 38.461 - - X X X
1.3 Other loans: 2.248 - - X X X 1.612 - - X X X
- Reverse repurchase
agreements
- - - X X X - - - X X X
- Finance leases 1.400 - - X X X - - - X X X
- Other 848 - - X X X 1.612 - - X X X
2. Debt securities 10.242 - - 10.232 - - - - - - - -
2.1 Structured - - - - - - - - - - - -
2.2 Other 10.242 - - 10.232 - - - - - - - -
Total 460.578 - - 10.232 - 450.346 394.151 - - - - 394.151

Key:

Fair value

L1 = Stage 1

L2 = Stage 2

L3 = Stage 3

The fair value of receivables due from banks is in line with the relevant carrying amount, considering the fact that interbank deposits are short- or very short-term indexed-rate instruments.

4.2 Financial assets measured at amortised cost: breakdown of receivables due from customers by type

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Carrying amount Fair value Carrying amount Fair value
Type of transaction/Amounts Stage 1
and 2
Stage 3 of which:
purchased
or
originated
credit
impaired
L1 L2 L3 Stage 1
and 2
Stage 3 of which:
purchased
or
originated
credit
impaired
L1 L2 L3
1. Loans 6.279.615 325.798 89.099 - - 6.649.051 6.222.169 355.596 126.927 - - 6.673.483
1.1. Current accounts 81.905 41.805 36 X X X 126.595 40.980 134 X X X
1.2. Reverse repurchase
agreements
- - - X X X 49.846 - - X X X
1.3. Loans/mortgages 2.098.072 110.053 87.629 X X X 1.931.965 130.010 122.272 X X X
1.4. Credit cards, personal
loans and
salary-backed loans
- - - X X X - - - X X X
1.5. Finance leases 1.227.920 16.193 - X X X 1.158.551 16.410 - X X X
1.6. Factoring 2.512.884 143.644 - X X X 2.610.077 149.261 3 X X X
1.7. Other loans 358.834 14.103 1.434 X X X 345.134 18.935 4.518 X X X
2. Debt securities 306.995 1 - 230.816 - 75.137 163.717 1 - 14.155 - 149.617
2.1. Structured 996 - - - - 996 - - - X X X
2.2. Other debt securities 305.999 1 - 230.816 - 74.141 163.717 1 - X X X
Total 6.586.610 325.799 89.099 230.816 - 6.724.188 6.385.886 355.597 126.927 14.155 - 6.823.100

Acquired non-performing exposures largely referred to the non-performing assets arising from the acquisition of the former GE Capital Interbanca Group.

Finally, other debt securities include 213,0 million Euro in government securities acquired during the second half of the year with a view to optimizing Bank liquidity. Level 3 securities include investments in securitisations and minibond issues.

4.3 Financial assets measured at amortised cost: breakdown of receivables due from customers by debtor/issuer

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Type of transaction/Amounts Stage 1 and
2
Stage 3 of which:
purchased or
originated credit
impaired
Stage 1 and 2 Stage 3 of which:
purchased or
originated credit
impaired
1. Debt securities: 306.995 1 - 163.717 1 -
a) Public Administrations 216.023 - - - - -
b) Other financial companies 73.074 - - 146.017 - -
of which: insurance companies - - - - - -
c) Non-financial companies 17.898 1 - 17.700 1 -
2. Loans to: 6.279.615 325.798 89.099 6.222.169 355.596 126.927
a) Public Administrations 688.933 49.241 - 705.261 51.656 -
b) Other financial companies 1.005.551 3.084 4.078 1.003.050 2.760 4.455
of which: insurance companies 219 - - 83 - -
c) Non-financial companies 4.148.643 238.329 68.643 4.084.451 256.502 104.061
d) Households 436.488 35.144 16.378 429.407 44.678 18.411
Total 6.586.610 325.799 89.099 6.385.886 355.597 126.927

4.4 Financial assets measured at amortised cost: gross amount and overall impairment losses/reversals

Gross amount Overall impairment losses/reversals Overall
Stage 1 of which: Low
credit risk
instruments
Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 partial
write
offs(1)
Debt securities 317.563 317.564 - 1 326 - - -
Loans 6.393.787 - 371.009 618.214 29.227 5.616 292.418 58.507
Total 31.12.2019 6.711.350 317.564 371.009 618.215 29.553 5.616 292.418 58.507
Total 31.12.2018 6.141.685 164.299 388.554 629.224 27.034 4.040 273.627 340.838
of which: purchased or
originated
credit impaired financial
assets
X X 14.888 79.720 X 54 5.455 1.349

(1) Amount to be reported for disclosure purposes

Section 7 - Equity investments - Item 70

7.1 Equity investments: information on investments

Company Name Registered office Head Office Equity % Voting rights %
A. Subsidiaries
1. IFIS Finance Sp. Z o.o. Warsaw Warsaw 100% 100%
2. IFIS Rental Services S.r.l. Milan Milan 100% 100%
3. IFIS NPL S.p.A. Mestre Florence, Milan
and Mestre
100% 100%
4. FBS S.p.A. Milan Milan 100% 100%
5. Cap.Ital.Fin. S.p.A. Naples Naples 100% 100%
6. Credifarma S.p.A. Rome Rome 70% 70%
B. Joint ventures - - - -
C. Companies under significant influence - - - -

7.5 Equity investments: annual changes

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Opening balance 530.161 364.312
B. Increases 80.700 380.910
B.1 Purchases 70.700 9.510
B.2 Reversals of impairment losses - -
B.3 Revaluations - -
B.4 Other changes 10.000 371.400
C. Decreases - 215.061
C.1 Sales - -
C.2 Impairment losses and amortisation - -
C.3 Devaluations - -
C.4 Other changes - 215.061
D. Closing balance 610.861 530.161
E. Total revaluations - -
F. Total adjustments - -

Purchases refer to the acquisition of FBS S.p.A.

"Other increases" included 10,0 million Euro resulting from the capital increase in favour of the subsidiary Cap.Ital.Fin. S.p.A.

Section 8 - Property, plant and equipment - Item 80

8.1 Property, plant and equipment for functional use: breakdown of assets measured at cost

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Owned 63.021 86.660
a) Land 19.487 35.902
b) Buildings 36.562 43.481
c) Furniture 1.554 1.332
d) Electronic systems 4.301 4.487
e) Others 1.117 1.458
2. Rights of use acquired through leases 14.101 3.842
a) Land - -
b) Buildings 12.110 3.842
c) Furniture - -
d) Electronic systems 495 -
e) Others 1.496 -
Total 77.122 90.502
of which: obtained by enforcing collateral - -

Property, plant and equipment come in at 77,1 million Euro as compared with the 90,5 of 2018. The change is partly due to the reclassification of 25,6 million Euro of the Milan property in Corso Venezia to non-current assets under disposal, following the late 2019 stipulation of a binding offer for its sale; this reduction was only partially offset by the effect of the entry of 11,0 million Euro of the right of use, as envisaged by the new standard IFRS 16 - Leases, in force starting 01 January 2019.

At the end of the period, the properties recognised under property, plant and equipment included the important historical building "Villa Marocco", located in Mestre – Venice and housing Banca Ifis's registered office.

The property Villa Marocco, is not depreciated, but it is impairment tested at least once a year, as it is a prestigious property. To this end, it is appraised by experts specialising in luxury properties. The impairment test did not reveal any impairment losses to be recognised in profit or loss.

8.2 Property, plant and equipment held for investment: breakdown of assets measured at cost

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Assets/Amounts Carrying Fair value Carrying Fair value
amount L1 L2 L3 amount L1 L2 L3
1. Owned 720 - - 720 720 - - 880
a) Land - - - - - - - -
b) Buildings 720 - - 720 720 - - 880
2. Rights of use acquired through leases - - - - - - - -
a) Land - - - - - - - -
b) Buildings - - - - - - - -
Total 720 - - 720 720 - - 880
of which: obtained by enforcing collateral - - - - - - - -

Key

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

8.6 Property, plant and equipment for functional use: annual changes

Land Buildings Furnishings Electronic
systems
Others Total
31.12.2019
A. Gross opening balance 35.902 67.831 11.273 18.204 13.317 146.527
A.1 Total net depreciation and impairment losses - (20.508) (9.941) (13.717) (11.859) (56.025)
A.2 Net opening balance 35.902 47.323 1.332 4.487 1.458 90.502
B. Increases - 12.977 566 2.338 2.665 18.546
B.1 Purchases - 2.420 566 1.435 410 4.831
B.2 Capitalised improvement expenses - - - - - -
B.3 Reversals of impairment losses - 610 - - - 610
B.4 Fair value gains taken to: - - - - - -
a) equity - - - - - -
b) profit or loss - - - - - -
B.5 Exchange gains - - - - - -
B.6 Transfers from investment
property
- - X X X -
B.7 Other changes - 9.947 - 903 2.255 13.105
C. Decreases (16.415) (11.628) (344) (2.029) (1.510) (31.926)
C.1 Sales - (92) - - (267) (359)
C.2 Depreciation - (2.391) (344) (2.029) (1.243) (6.007)
C.3 Impairment losses
taken to:
- - - - - -
a) equity - - - - - -
b) profit or loss - - - - - -
C.4 Fair value losses taken to: - - - - - -
a) equity - - - - - -
b) profit or loss - - - - - -
C.5 Exchange losses - - - - - -
C.6 Transfers to (16.415) (9.145) - - - (25.560)
a) Property, plant and equipment
held for investment purpose
- - - - - -
b) non-current assets and
disposal groups
(16.415) (9.145) - - - (25.560)
C.7 Other changes - - - - - -
D. Net closing balance 19.487 48.672 1.554 4.796 2.613 77.122
D.1 Total net depreciation and impairment losses - 22.234 10.284 15.261 12.992 60.771
D.2 Gross closing balance 19.487 70.906 11.838 20.057 15.605 137.893
E. Measurement at cost - - - - - -

Property, plant and equipment for functional use are measured at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful life, with the exclusion of land with an indefinite useful life and the "Villa Marocco" property, whose residual value at the end of its useful life is expected to be higher than its book value.

Property, plant and equipment not yet brought into use at the reporting date are not depreciated.

As specified previously, transfers of land and buildings to "Transfers to non-current assets and asset disposal groups held for sale" include the binding offer of sale of the property in Corso Venezia, Milan.

8.7 Property, plant and equipment held for investment: annual changes

31.12.2019
Land Buildings
A. Opening balance 720
B. Increases - -
B.1 Purchases - -
B.2 Capitalised improvement expenses - -
B.3 Fair value gains - -
B.4 Reversals of impairment losses - -
B.5 Exchange gains - -
B.6 Transfers from property for functional use - -
B.7 Other changes - -
C. Decreases - -
C.1 Sales - -
C.2 Depreciation - -
C.3 Fair value losses - -
C.4 Impairment losses - -
C.5 Exchange losses - -
C.6 Transfers to other asset portfolios: - -
a) property for functional use - -
b) Non-current assets and disposal groups - -
C.7 Other changes -
D. Closing balance - 720
E. Measurement at fair value - 720

Buildings held for investment purposes are measured at cost and refer to leased property. They are not depreciated as they are destined for sale.

Section 9 - Intangible assets - Item 90

9.1 Intangible assets: breakdown by asset type

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Assets/Amounts Finite life Indefinite life Finite life Indefinite life
A.1 Goodwill X - X -
A.2 Other intangible assets 19.129 - 19.287 -
A.2.1 Assets measured at cost: 19.129 - 19.287 -
a) Internally generated intangible assets - - - -
b) Other assets 19.129 - 19.287 -
A.2.2 Assets measured at fair value: - - - -
a) Internally generated intangible assets - - - -
b) Other assets - - - -
Total 19.129 - 19.287 -

Other intangible assets at 31 December 2017 refer exclusively to software purchase and development, amortised on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, which is 5 years from deployment.

9.2 Intangible assets: annual changes

Goodwill Other intangible assets:
internally generated
Other intangible assets:
other
Total
FINITE INDEF FINITE INDEF 31.12.2019
A. Opening balance - - - 48.615 - 48.615
A.1 Total net amortisation and impairment
losses
- - - (29.328) - (29.328)
A.2 Net opening balance - - - 19.287 - 19.287
B. Increases - - - 6.112 - 6.112
B.1 Purchases - - - 6.112 - 6.112
B.2 Increases in internally generated
intangible assets
X - - - - -
B.3 Reversals of impairment losses X - - - - -
B.4 Fair value gains - - - - - -
- to equity X - - - - -
- to profit or loss X - - - - -
B.5 Exchange gains - - - - - -
B.6 Other changes - - - - - -
C. Decreases - - - (6.270) - (6.270)
C.1 Sales - - - - - -
C.2 Impairment losses and amortisation - - - (6.270) - (6.270)
- Amortisation X - - (6.270) - (6.270)
- Impairment losses: - - - - - -
+ equity X - - - - -
+ profit or loss - - - - - -
C.3 Fair value losses: - - - - - -
- to equity X - - - - -
- to profit or loss X - - - - -
C.4 Transfer to non-current assets
under disposal
- - - - - -
C.5 Exchange losses - - - - - -
C.6 Other changes - - - - - -
D. Net closing balance - - - 19.129 - 19.129
D.1 Total net amortisation, impairment
losses and reversals of impairment losses
- - - 29.328 - 29.328
E. Gross closing balance - - - 48.457 - 48.457
F. Measurement at cost - - - 19.129 - 19.129

Key

FIN: finite useful life

INDEF: indefinite useful life

Purchases refer exclusively to investments for the enhancement of IT systems.

Section 10 - Tax assets and liabilities - Item 100 of assets and Item 60 of liabilities

10.1 Deferred tax assets: breakdown

The main types of deferred tax assets are set out below:

Deferred tax assets 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Gross deferred tax assets 319.316 333.221
A1. Receivables (including securitisations) 214.627 216.864
A2. Other financial instruments 1.088 5.745
A3. Goodwill 12.573 -
A4. Expenses spanning several years - -
A5. Property, plant and equipment - -
A6. Provisions for risks and charges 7.864 10.320
A7. Entertainment expenses - -
A8. Personnel-related expenses - -
A9. Tax losses 78.033 98.842
A10. Unused tax credits to be deducted - -
A11. Others 5.131 1.450
B. Set-off with deferred tax liabilities - -
C. Net deferred tax assets 319.316 333.221

Deferred tax assets of 319,3 million Euro mainly comprise 214,6 million Euro for impairment losses on receivables deductible during following years and which can be transformed into tax credits in accordance with Italian Law no. 214/2011 and 78,0 for tax losses and surplus previous ACE that can be carried forward to subsequent tax periods.

The reduction in prepaid tax for 13,9 million Euro is mainly due to the use for 20,8 million Euro of previous tax losses and ACE surpluses offsetting the period tax charge and the receivable due from the consolidating company La Scogliera S.p.A. and the 4,7 million reduction in taxation connected with the negative fair value reserve of the assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, partly offset by an increase of 12,6 million for prepaid tax allocated for the redemption in accordance with Italian Decree Law no. 98/2011 of goodwill entered on the consolidated financial statements in relation to the purchase of the controlling investment by Banca Ifis in regard to FBS S.p.A., whose substitute tax, of 6,1 million, was noted on profit and loss with a counter-entry under "Current tax liabilities".

10.2 Deferred tax liabilities: breakdown

The main types of deferred tax liabilities are shown below:

Deferred tax liabilities 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Gross deferred tax liabilities 38.301 39.129
A1. Capital gains to be spread over multiple periods - -
A2. Goodwill - -
A3. Property, plant and equipment 5.964 9.193
A4. Financial instruments 1.494 673
A5. Personnel-related expenses - -
A6. Others 30.843 29.263
B. Set-off with deferred tax assets - -
C. Net deferred tax liabilities 38.301 39.129

Deferred tax liabilities, amounting to 38,3 million Euro, mainly include 27,3 million Euro on receivables recognised for interest on arrears that will be taxed upon collection, 6,0 million Euro on property revaluations and 3,2 million Euro on misalignments of trade receivables.

The reduction in deferred tax liabilities for 0,8 million Euro is mainly due to the reduction of 2,9 million Euro for the cancellation of deferred tax already entered on tangible assets, due to the exercise of the option envisaged by Italian Law no. 160/2019 (2020 Budget Law) for the realignment of tax values with the greater book values, with reference to owned properties and lands, which equates to substitute tax of 0,9 million noted on the income statement with a counter-entry under "Current tax liabilities", partly offset by the 0,8 million Euro increase in tax relating to the positive fair value reserve of some assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income and the 1,5 million Euro increase in tax relating to late payment interest already taxable upon collection only.

10.3 Changes in deferred tax assets (recognised through profit or loss)

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Opening balance 327.453 301.603
2. Increases 15.267 67.111
2.1 Deferred tax assets recognised in the year 2.693 10.431
a) relative to previous years - -
b) due to change in accounting standards - -
c) reversals of impairment losses - -
d) other 2.693 10.431
2.2 New taxes or increases in tax rates - -
2.3 Other increases 12.574 56.680
3. Decreases 24.509 41.261
3.1 Deferred tax assets reversed during the year 24.509 41.242
a) reversals 20.223 38.349
b) impairment losses due to unrecoverability - -
c) change in accounting standards - -
d) other 4.286 2.893
3.2 Reductions in tax rates - -
3.3 Other reductions: - 19
a) conversion into tax credits as per Italian Law no. 214/2011 - 19
b) other - -
4. Closing balance 318.211 327.453

10.3bis Changes in deferred tax assets as per Italian Law no. 214/2011

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Opening balance 214.613 176.214
2. Increases 14 38.427
3. Decreases - 29
3.1 Reversals - -
3.2 Conversion in tax credits - 19
a) deriving from losses for the year - -
b) deriving from tax losses - 19
3.3 Other decreases - 9
4. Closing balance 214.627 214.613

10.4 Changes in deferred tax assets (recognised through profit or loss)

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Opening balance 38.372 36.704
2. Increases 1.703 9.419
2.1 Deferred tax assets recognised in the year 1.703 9.419
a) relative to previous years - -
b) due to change in accounting standards - -
c) other 1.703 9.419
2.2 New taxes or increases in tax rates - -
2.3 Other increases -
3. Decreases 3.268 7.751
3.1 Deferred tax liabilities reversed during the year 3.268 7.751
a) reversals 421 7.565
b) due to change in accounting standards - -
c) other 2.847 186
3.2 Reductions in tax rates - -
3.3 Other decreases - -
4. Closing balance 36.807 38.372

10.5 Changes in deferred tax assets (recognised through equity)

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Opening balance 5.768 332
2. Increases 236 5.904
2.1 Deferred tax assets recognised in the year - 5.881
a) relative to previous years - -
b) due to change in accounting standards - -
c) other - 5.881
2.2 New taxes or increases in tax rates - -
2.3 Other increases 236 23
3. Decreases 4.899 468
3.1 Deferred tax assets reversed during the year 4.899 468
a) reversals 4.899 191
b) impairment losses due to unrecoverability - -
c) due to change in accounting standards - -
d) other - 277
3.2 Reductions in tax rates - -
3.3 Other decreases - -
4. Closing balance 1.105 5.768

10.6 Changes in deferred tax liabilities (recognised through equity)

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Opening balance 757 1.799
2. Increases 1.069 59
2.1 Deferred tax assets recognised in the year 821 59
a) relative to previous years - -
b) due to change in accounting standards - -
c) other 821 59
2.2 New taxes or increases in tax rates - -
2.3 Other increases 248 -
3. Decreases 332 1.101
3.1 Deferred tax liabilities reversed during the year 84 1.101
a) reversals 84 -
b) due to change in accounting standards - -
c) other - 1.101
3.2 Reductions in tax rates - -
3.3 Other decreases 248 -
4. Closing balance 1.494 757

Section 11 – Non-current assets and disposal groups and related liabilities – Item 110 of the assets and Item 70 of the liabilities

11.1 Non-current assets and disposal groups: breakdown by type of asset

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Assets held for sale
A.1 Financial assets - -
A.2 Equity investments - -
A.3. Property, plant and equipment 25.560 -
of which: obtained by enforcing collateral - -
A.4 Intangible assets - -
A.5 Other non-current assets - -
Total (A) 25.560 -
of which measured at cost 25.560 -
of which measured at fair value level 1 - -
of which measured at fair value level 2 - -
of which measured at fair value level 3 - -
B. Discontinued operations
B.1 Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss - -
- financial assets held for trading - -
- financial assets measured at fair value - -
- other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value - -
B.2 Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income - -
B.3 Financial assets measured at amortised cost - -
B.4 Equity investments - -
B.5 Property, plant and equipment - -
of which: obtained by enforcing collateral -
B.6 Intangible assets - -
B.7. Other assets - -
Total (B) - -
of which measured at cost - -
of which measured at fair value level 1 - -
of which measured at fair value level 2 - -
of which measured at fair value level 3 - -
C. Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
C.1 Debts - -
C.2 Securities - -
C.3 Other liabilities - -
Total (C) - -
of which measured at cost - -
of which measured at fair value level 1 - -
of which measured at fair value level 2 - -
of which measured at fair value level 3 - -
D. Liabilities associated with discontinued operations
C.1 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost - -
C.2 Financial liabilities held for trading - -
D.3. Financial liabilities measured at fair value - -
D.4 Provisions - -
D.5 Other liabilities - -
Total (D) - -
of which measured at cost - -
of which measured at fair value level 1 - -
of which measured at fair value level 2 - -
of which measured at fair value level 3 - -

As indicated previously, non-current assets held for disposal refer to the property of Corso Venezia, Milan, for which, at the end of 2019, a binding offer of sale was stipulated.

Section 12 - Other assets - Item 120

12.1 Other assets: breakdown

AMOUNTS AT
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Tax receivables 40.315 68.529
Accrued income and prepaid expenses 7.102 6.921
Guarantee deposits 1.037 940
Other sundry items 308.007 241.016
Total other assets 356.461 317.406

Other assets amounted to 356,5 million Euro at end 2019 (+12,3% on last year).

The item includes 46,2 million Euro, which refer to the receivable due from the parent company La Scogliera S.p.A. by virtue of the tax consolidation agreements (54,7 million Euro at 31 December 2018) and 29,8 million Euro for Group VAT credits.

LIABILITIES

Section 1 - Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost - Item 10

1.1 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost: breakdown of payables due to banks by type

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Type of transaction/Amounts CA Fair Value Fair Value
L1 L2 L3 CA L1 L2 L3
1. Payables due to Central banks 792.168 X X X 695.075 X X X
2. Payables due to banks 167.235 X X X 61.357 X X X
2.1 Current accounts and on demand deposits 27.921 X X X 32.551 X X X
2.2. Term deposits 119.663 X X X 25.393 X X X
2.3 Loans 19.211 X X X 3.413 X X X
2.3 1 Repurchase agreements - X X X - X X X
2.3.2 Other 19.211 X X X 3.413 X X X
2.4 Debt from buyback commitments on treasury
equity instruments
- X X X - X X X
2.5 Lease payables - X X X - X X X
2.6 Other payables 440 X X X - X X X
Total 959.403 - - 959.403 756.432 - - 756.432

Key

CA = Carrying amount

Payables due to central banks essentially consisted of the subscribed 800,0 million Euro (par value) TLTRO tranche obtained in March 2017 and in December 2019.

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

The fair value of payables due to banks is in line with the relevant carrying amount, considering the fact that interbank deposits are short- or very short-term.

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Type of transaction/Amounts Fair Value Fair Value
CA L1 L2 L3 CA L1 L2 L3
1. Current accounts and on demand
deposits
1.039.558 X X X 1.017.824 X X X
2. Term deposits 4.065.418 X X X 3.649.160 X X X
3. Loans 150.280 X X X 897.375 X X X
3.1 Repurchase agreements 150.280 X X X - X X X
3.2 Other - X X X 897.375 X X X
4. Debt from buyback commitments on
treasury equity instruments
- X X X - X X X
5. Lease payables 13.866 X X X
6. Other payables 1.059.589 X X X 12.698 X X X
Total 6.328.711 - - 6.352.300 5.577.057 - - 5.558.561

1.2 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost: breakdown of payables due to customers by type

Key:

CA = Carrying amount

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

Current accounts and on demand deposits at 31 December 2018 included funding from the on demand rendimax savings account and the contomax on-line current account, amounting to 779,6 million and 40,0 million Euro, respectively; term deposits represent funding from fixed-term rendimax and contomax accounts and time deposits. Other loans relate to the financial lease payable and the payable for the rights of use acquired through leasing.

It should be noted that the Bank does not carry out "term structured repo" transactions.

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Type of securities/Amounts Fair Value CA Fair Value
CA L1 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3
A. Securities
1. Bonds 1.067.078 748.984 - 301.336 978.462 708.742 - 170.463
1.1 structured bonds - - - - - - - -
1.2 other bonds 1.067.078 748.984 - 301.336 978.462 708.742 - 170.463
2. Other securities 451 - - 451 540 - - 540
2.1 structured - - - - - - - -
2.2 other 451 - - 451 540 - - 540
Total 1.067.529 748.984 - 301.787 979.002 708.742 - 171.003

1.3 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost: breakdown of debt securities issued by type

Key:

CA = Carrying amount

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

Bonds also comprised 605,1 million Euro (including interest) in senior bonds issued by Banca Ifis, as well as the 401,9 million Euro (including interest) Tier 2 bond. Debt securities issued at 31 December 2019 included 59,5 million Euro in a bond loan issued at the time by the merged entity Interbanca.

1.4 Breakdown of subordinated debts/securities

The line item "Debt securities issued" included 401,8 million Euro in subordinated notes related to Euro Tier 2 bond issued in mid-October 2017 for a nominal amount of 400 million Euro.

1.6 Lease payables

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Lease payables 13.867 3.471

Lease payables amounted to 13,9 million Euro. The increase is mainly driven by the effect of the implementation of the new standard IFRS 16 - Leases, in force starting 01 January 2019 and as more extensively described in "Part M - Information on leasing" of this document.

It also includes 3,3 million Euro for the real estate lease the former company Toscana Finanza S.p.A. entered into in 2009 for the property located in Florence, which housed the headquarters of the NPL Segment until August 2016. The term of the lease entered into with Centro Leasing S.p.A. is 18 years (from 01.03.2009 to 01.03.2027) and provides for the payment of 216 monthly instalments of 28.490 Euro, including the principal, interest and an option to buy the asset at the end of the lease for 1.876.800 Euro. The property currently houses the head office of Banca Ifis.

Section 2 - Financial liabilities held for trading - Item 20

2.1 Financial liabilities held for trading: breakdown by type

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Type of
transaction/Amounts
Fair value Fair Fair value Fair
NA L1 L2 L3 value* NA L1 L2 L3 value*
A. On-balance-sheet liabilities
1. Payables due to banks - - - - - - - - - -
2.
Payables
due
to
customers
- - - - - - - - - -
3. Debt securities - - - - - - - - -
3.1 Bonds - - - - - - - - -
3.1.1 Structured - - - - X - - - - X
3.1.2 Other bonds - - - - X - - - - X
3.2 Other securities - - - - - - - - -
3.2.1 Structured - - - - X - - - - X
3.2.2 Other - - - - X - - - - X
Total (A) - - - - - - - - - -
B. Derivatives
1. Financial derivatives - 21.844 - - - 31.188 - -
1.1 Held for trading X - 21.844 - X X - 31.188 - X
1.2 Connected to the fair
value option
X - - - X X - - - X
1.3 Other X - - - X X - - - X
2. Credit derivatives - - - X - - - X
2.1 Held for trading X - - - X X - - - X
2.2 Connected to the fair
value option
X - - - X X - - - X
2.3 Other X - - - X X - - - X
Total (B) X - 21.844 - X - 31.188 - X
Total (A+B) X - 21.844 - - X - 31.188 - X

Key:

NA = Nominal or notional amount

L1 = Level 1

L2 = Level 2

L3 = Level 3

Fair Value* = Fair value calculated excluding changes in value due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness compared to the date of issuance

Concerning level 2 liabilities held for trading, see the comments in section 2 under assets.

Section 6 - Tax liabilities - Item 60

See section 10 under assets.

Section 8 - Other liabilities - Item 80

8.1 Other liabilities: breakdown

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Payables due to suppliers 85.255 29.541
Payables due to personnel 13.344 11.833
Payables due to the Tax Office and Social Security agencies 11.209 8.294
Sums available to customers 20.596 18.889
Accrued expenses and deferred income 2.307 4.300
Other payables 177.914 240.443
Total 310.625 313.300

Section 9 - Post-employment benefits - Item 90

9.1 Post-employment benefits: annual changes

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Opening balance 7.057 5.476
B. Increases 368 2.428
B.1 Provisions for the year 107 91
B.2 Other changes 261 393
Business combinations - 1.944
C. Decreases 373 847
C.1 Payments made 373 105
C.2 Other changes - 553
Business combinations - 189
D. Closing balance 7.052 7.057
Total 7.052 7.057

Payments made represent the benefits paid to employees during the year.

Other changes include the impact of the discounting of benefits earned up to 31 December 2006 and still held in the company, which, based on the changes introduced by the new IAS 19, are recognised through equity.

Pursuant to the requirements of the ESMA in the document "European common enforcement priorities for 2012 financial statements" of 12 November 2012, the discount rate used was the interest rate based on the market yield of a benchmark of AA-rated European corporate bonds with maturity over 10 years. The same interest rate was used to discount the obligations at 31 December 2018.

9.2 Other information

Under IAS/IFRS standards, a company's liabilities regarding benefits that will be paid to employees at the conclusion of the employer/employee relationship (post-employment benefits) should be recognised based on actuarial calculations of the amount that will be paid at maturity.

Specifically, these allocations must take into account the amount already earned over the period at the reporting date, projecting it into the future in order to calculate the amount that will be paid at the conclusion of the employer/employee relationship. This amount must then be discounted to take into account the time that will pass until payment.

Following the coming into force of the 2007 Budget Law, which brought the reform regarding supplementary pension plans - as per Italian Legislative Decree no. 252 of 5 December 2005 - forward to 1 January 2007, the employee was given a choice as to whether to allocate the post-employment benefits earned as from 1 January 2007 to supplementary pension funds or to maintain them in the company, which would then transfer it to a dedicated fund managed by INPS (the Italian National Social Security Institute).

This reform has led to changes in the accounting of post-employment benefits as for both the benefits earned up to 31 December 2006 and those earned from 1 January 2007.

In particular:

post-employment benefits earned as from 1 January 2007 constitute a defined-contribution plan, regardless ofwhether the employee has chosen to allocate them to a supplementary pension fund or to INPS's Treasury Fund. Those benefits shall be calculated according to contributions due without applying actuarial methods;

post-employment benefits earned up to 31 December 2006 continue to be considered as a defined-benefit plan, and as such are calculated on an actuarial basis which, however, unlike the calculation method applied until 31 December 2006, no longer requires that the benefits be proportionally attributed to the period of service rendered. This is because the employee's service is considered entirely accrued due to the change in the accounting nature of benefits earned as from 1 January 2007.

Section 10 - Provision for risks and charges - Item 100

10.1 Provisions for risks and charges: breakdown

Items/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Provisions for credit risk related to commitments and financial guarantees granted 3.583 3.623
2. Provisions on other commitments and guarantees given - -
3. Provisions for pensions - -
4. Other provisions for risks and charges 25.012 18.391
4.1 legal and tax disputes 19.403 3.517
4.2 personnel expenses 600 926
4.3 other 5.009 13.948
Total 28.595 22.014

10.2 Provisions for risks and charges: annual changes

Provisions on
other
commitments
and financial
guarantees
granted
Provisions for
pensions
Other provisions
for risks and
charges
Total
31.12.2019
A. Opening balance - - 18.391 18.391
B. Increases - - 11.414 11.414
B.1 Provisions for the year - - 11.414 11.414
B.2 Changes due to the passage of time - - - -
B.3 Changes due to changes in the discount rate - - - -
B.4 Other changes - - - -
C. Decreases - - 4.792 4.792
C.1 Used in the year - - 1.696 1.696
C.2 Changes due to changes in the discount rate - - - -
C.3 Other changes - - 3.097 3.097
D. Closing balance - - 25.012 25.012
Provisions for credit risk related to commitments and financial guarantees
granted
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total
1. Loan commitments 1.448 - - 1.448
2. Guarantees granted 121 62 1.952 2.135
Total 1.569 62 1.952 3.583

10.3 Provisions for credit risks related to commitments and financial guarantees granted

10.6 Provisions for risks and charges - Other provisions

Legal and tax disputes

At 31 December 2019, the Bank had set aside 19,4 million Euro in provisions. This amount mainly relates to the following legal disputes:

  • 12,0 million Euro for 44 disputes concerning the Trade Receivables Area (the plaintiffs seek 30,1 million Euro in damages), these disputes are mainly connected with the request for the repetition of amounts collected or payments under guarantee in relation to factoring positions without recourse;
  • 5,4 million Euro (the plaintiffs seek 64,8 million Euro in damages) for 27 disputes concerning the Corporate Banking and Commercial Lending Areas and linked for 4,9 million Euro to positions deriving from the former Interbanca;
  • 1,9 million Euro (the plaintiffs seek 4,0 million Euro in damages) for 61 disputes concerning the Leasing Area;

Other provisions for risks and charges

At 31 December 2019, the Bank had set aside 5,6 million Euro in provisions, including 4,7 million Euro in supplementary customer allowances associated with the Leasing area's operations and 0,6 million Euro in personnel-related expenses.

Contingent liabilities

Here below are the most significant contingent liabilities outstanding at 31 December 2019. Based on the opinion of the legal advisers assisting the subsidiaries, they are considered possible, and therefore they are only disclosed.

Tax dispute

Dispute concerning the write-off of receivables. Company involved IFIS Leasing S.p.A. (former GE Capital Interbanca Group)

The Italian Revenue Agency has reclassified the write-off of receivables made by the Company in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and added in the years between 2005 and 2014 to losses on receivables - without any actual evidence.

Overall, the Agency assessed 242,7 thousand Euro in additional taxes and administrative penalties amounting to 100%.

Dispute concerning the Notice of Settlement of 3% registration tax. Companies involved: Banca Ifis as the acquiring company of Interbanca S.p.A. and IFIS Rental S.r.l. - (former GE Capital Interbanca Group)

The Italian Revenue Agency has reclassified the restructuring operation of the company GE Capital Services S.r.l. as a Transfer of business unit, requesting the application of the registration tax proportionally equal to 3% of the value of the company for a total of 3,6 million Euro.

Dispute concerning the assumed "permanent establishment" in Italy of the Polish company

Following the investigation carried out by the Guardia di Finanza [Financial Police Force] in regard to Direct Tax, VAT and other tax for the tax years 2016 and 2017 and 2013/2015 limited to transactions implemented with the Polish subsidiary IFIS Finance SP Zoo, Verification Notices were served in regard to the years 2013/2015.

The Guardia di Finanza claims that it has found evidence to suggest that in the foreign country (Poland), a "permanent establishment" of Banca Ifis has been set up and not an autonomous legal subject with capacity of self-determination.

In other words, by refusing to acknowledge the autonomous legal organisation of the Company with simultaneous tax residence of such in Poland, the costs and revenues of the Polish office would constitute positive or negative items producing income taxable in Italy (net of the tax credit for tax ultimately paid abroad).

In holding the Financial Administration's claim to be unfounded, the Bank will be filing an appeal against the Verification Notice pursuant to the law with the competent Tax Commissions, paying 1/3 of the tax as provisional enrolment on the tax register.

Regarding the above tax disputes, the Bank, supported by its tax advisers, evaluated the risk of defeat possible, but not probable and therefore, it did not allocate funds to the provision for risks and charges.

Reimbursements

In line with market practice, under the purchase agreement for the former GE Capital Interbanca Group, the seller made a series of representations and warranties related to Interbanca and other Investees. In addition, the agreement includes a series of special reimbursements paid by the seller related to the main legal and tax disputes involving the former GE Capital Interbanca Group companies.

With specific reference to some tax disputes relating to the former GE Capital Interbanca Group, requests were submitted for facilitated settlement of tax disputes pursuant to articles 6 and 7 of Italian Decree Law no. 119 of 23 October 2018, converted, with amendments, by Italian Law no. 136 of 17 December 2018, whose terms expired on 31 May 2019.

The settlement was completed with the incurrence of a total charge of 30,9 million Euro, recorded as Other administrative expenses, fully covered by a contractual indemnity to the extent such as not to have impacts on the net result from the closure of the dispute.

Section 12 - Equity - Items 110, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170 and 180

12.1 Share capital and treasury shares: breakdown

Item 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
160 Share capital (in thousands of Euro) 53.811 53.811
Number of ordinary shares 53.811.095 53.811.095
Nominal amount of ordinary shares 1 euro 1 euro
170 Treasury shares (in thousands of Euro) (3.012) (3.103)
Number of treasury shares 359.144 370.112

12.2 Share capital - number of shares: annual changes

Items/Types Ordinary Others
A. Shares held at the beginning of the year 53.811.095 -
- fully paid-up 53.811.095 -
- not fully paid-up - -
A.1 Treasury shares (-) (370.112) -
A.2 Outstanding shares: opening balance 53.440.983 -
B. Increases 10.968 -
B.1 New issues - -
- paid: - -
- business combinations - -
- conversion of bonds - -
- exercise of warrants - -
- other - -
- free: - -
- in favour of employees - -
- in favour of directors - -
- other - -
B.2 Sale of treasury shares 10.968 -
B.3 Other changes - -
C. Decreases - -
C.1 Annulments - -
C.2 Buybacks of treasury shares - -
C.3 Company sell-offs - -
C.4 Other changes - -
D. Outstanding shares: closing balance 53.451.951 -
D.1 Treasury shares (+) 359.144 -
D.2 Shares held at the end of the year 53.811.095 -
- fully paid-up 53.811.095 -
- not fully paid-up - -

12.3 Share capital: other information

The share capital is composed of 53.811.095 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 1 Euro each, bearing no rights, liens and obligations, including those relating to dividend distribution and capital redemption.

12.4 Profit reserves: other information

Items/Components 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Legal reserve 10.762 10.762
Extraordinary reserve 498.732 487.336
Other reserves 654.348 637.906
Total profit reserves 1.163.842 1.136.004
Buyback reserve 3.012 3.103
Future buyback reserve -
Other reserves 2.269 2.278
Total reserves item 1.169.123 1.141.385

Total profit reserves include 633,4 million Euro as non-available reserve until approval of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021. This amount is equal to the gain on bargain purchase from the acquisition of the former GE Capital Interbanca Group.

Pursuant to article 1, paragraph 145 of the 2014 Stability law (Italian Law no. 147 of 27.12.2013) and article 1, paragraph 704 of the 2020 Budget Law (Italian Law no. 160 of 27.12.2019), the Bank has realigned the spread between the statutory value and tax value on certain properties. The amount corresponding to the higher values following the realignment, net of the substitute tax, generated a 15,3 million Euro untaxed reserve.

In addition, following the merger of Interbanca S.p.A. into Banca Ifis, article 172 paragraph 5 of the Consolidated Law on Income Tax required the surviving entity to restore the merging entity's deferred tax reserves as follows:

  • 4,6 million Euro special reserve as per article 15 paragraph 10 of Italian Law no. 516 of 7/8/82;
  • 2,3 million Euro revaluation reserve as per Italian Law no. 408/90.

Finally, there were an additional 20,7 million Euro in deferred tax reserves recognised by Banca Ifis and arising from the merger of Interbanca, in accordance with the following laws: no. 576/07, no. 83/72 and no. 408/90, that had been previously recognised as share capital of the latter.

Other information

1. Commitments and financial guarantees given (other than those measured at fair value)

Nominal amount of commitments and financial
guarantees granted
Total
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Loan commitments 698.970 213 36.470 735.653 833.949
a) Central Banks - - - - -
b) Public Administrations - - - - 440
c) Banks - - - - -
d) Other financial companies 384.839 - - 384.839 484.414
e) Non-financial companies 309.459 159 36.418 346.036 339.287
f) Households 4.672 54 52 4.778 9.808
2. Guarantees granted 205.084 9.511 40.976 255.571 247.390
a) Central Banks - - - - -
b) Public Administrations - - - - -
c) Banks - - - - -
d) Other financial companies 6.568 - - 6.568 6.965
e) Non-financial companies 194.425 9.511 28.449 232.385 227.623
f) Households 4.091 - 12.527 16.618 12.802

2. Other commitments and guarantees given

Nominal amount
Total (31.12.2019) Total (31.12.2018)
1. Other guarantees given 19 -
of which: non-performing 19 -
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies - -
e) Non-financial companies 19 -
f) Households - -
2. Other commitments 39.657 -
of which: non-performing - -
a) Central Banks - -
b) Public Administrations - -
c) Banks - -
d) Other financial companies 39.657 -
e) Non-financial companies - -
f) Households - -

3. Assets used as collateral for own liabilities and commitments

Portfolios 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss - -
2. Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 1.096.321 410.410
3. Financial assets measured at amortised cost 228.882 31.542
4. Property, plant and equipment
- of which: property, plant and equipment qualifying as inventories
-
-
-
-

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, as well as financial assets measured at amortised cost for 213 million, refer to government securities as a guarantee of loans at the Eurosystem and a reverse repurchase agreement.

The rest of the financial assets measured at amortised cost refer to bank deposits backing derivative transactions.

4. Administration and mediation on behalf of third parties

Type of services AMOUNT
1. Execution of orders on behalf of clients -
a) purchases -
1. settled -
2. unsettled -
b) sales -
1. settled -
2. unsettled -
2. Individual portfolio management -
3. Safekeeping and administration of securities 4.179.867
a) third party securities in custody: associated with depositary bank services (excluding portfolio management) -
1. securities issued by the reporting bank -
2. other securities -
b) other third party securities in custody (excluding portfolio management): other 1.009.560
1. securities issued by the reporting bank -
2. other securities 1.009.560
c) third party securities held with third parties 944.877
d) own securities held with third parties 2.225.430
4. Other transactions -

4.3. Part C - Information on the income statement

Section 1 - Interest - Items 10 and 20

1.1 Interest receivable and similar income: breakdown

Items/Types Debt
securities
Loans Other
transactions
Total
31.12.2019
Total
31.12.2018
1. Financial assets measured at fair value through
profit or loss:
368 4.572 - 4.940 12.274
1.1. Financial assets held for trading - - - - -
1.2. Financial assets measured at fair value - - - - -
1.3. Other financial assets
mandatorily measured at fair value
368 4.572 - 4.940 12.274
2. Financial assets measured at fair value through
other comprehensive income
3.864 - X 3.864 6.904
3. Financial assets measured at amortised cost: 4.367 302.563 - 306.930 348.503
3.1. Receivables due from banks 33 2.941 X 2.974 2.830
3.2. Receivables due from customers 4.334 299.622 X 303.956 345.673
4. Hedging derivatives X X - - -
5. Other assets X X 514 514 405
6. Financial liabilities X X X - -
Total 8.599 307.135 514 316.248 368.086
of which: income on impaired financial assets - 19.158 - 19.158 n.d.
of which: interest income on financial leases - 44.289 - 44.289 n.d.

As for Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss, the amounts refer to debt securities and loans that failed the SPPI test, as per IFRS 9, whereas in the case of Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, the reported amounts are almost exclusively related to the government bonds in the portfolio.

Interest income from Receivables due from customers at amortised cost referring to debt securities is associated with the senior tranche of a securitisation backed by the Italian government's state-guarantee scheme for NPL-backed securities (GACS) that the Bank purchased in January 2018, as well as with the securities portfolio, established as a use of liquidity in the second half of 2019.

Finally, interest income from impaired financial assets mainly consisted of interest income from non-performing assets that arose from the business combination with the former GE Capital Interbanca Group.

1.2 Interest receivable and similar income: other information

1.2.1 Interest income on foreign currency financial assets

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Interest income on foreign currency financial assets 6.536 8.771

1.3 Interest due and similar expenses: breakdown

Items/Types Payables Securities Other
transactions
Total
31.12.2019
Total
31.12.2018
1. Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost (83.474) (30.714) - (114.188) (104.822)
1.1 Payables due to central banks (2.741) X X (2.741) (5.150)
1.2 Payables due to banks (2.219) X X (2.219) (1.796)
1.3 Payables due to customers (78.514) X X (78.514) (67.456)
1.4 Debt securities issued X (30.714) X (30.714) (30.420)
2. Financial liabilities held for trading - - - - -
3. Financial liabilities measured at fair value - - - - -
4. Other liabilities and provisions X X (6) (6)
5. Hedging derivatives X X - - -
6. Financial assets X X X - -
Total (83.474) (30.714) (6) (114.194) (104.822)
of which: interest expense on lease payables (210) - - (210) (104)

Interest expense on payables due to customers included 70,3 million Euro at 31 December 2019 (59,1 million Euro in 2018) relating to retail funding - deriving mainly from the Rendimax savings account and the Contomax current account.

Interest expense on debt securities issued included 7,7 million Euro in funding costs for the securitisation carried out in late 2016, as detailed in Part E of these Notes.

1.4 Interest due and similar expenses: other information

1.4.1 Interest expense on foreign currency liabilities

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Interest expense on foreign currency liabilities (2.006) (1.432)

Section 2 – Commissions – Items 40 and 50

2.1 Commission income: breakdown

Type of services/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) guarantees granted 2.004 2.243
b) credit derivatives - -
c) management, mediation and consultancy services: 8.394 8.138
1. trading in financial instruments - -
2. trading in currencies - -
3. individual asset management 53 843
4. safe custody and management of securities -
5. depository bank - -
6. placement of securities - -
7. order collection and transmission - -
8. consultancy - -
8.1 on investments - -
8.2 on financial structure - -
9. third-party services 8.341 7.295
9.1. portfolio management - -
9.1.1. individual - -
9.1.2. collective - -
9.2. insurance products - -
9.3. other products 8.341 7.295
d) collection and payment services 127 147
e) servicing for securitisation transactions - -
f) services for factoring transactions 60.532 56.502
g) tax collection and payment - -
h) management of multi-lateral trading systems - -
i) current account holding and management 619 621
j) other services 20.300 23.543
Total 91.976 91.194

In 2019, commissions for other services included 8,0 million Euro (compared to 7,3 million Euro in 2018) in fees received as part of leasing operations.

2.2 Commission income: distribution channels of products and services

Channels/Amounts Total (31.12.2019) Total (31.12.2018)
a) At own branches: - -
1. portfolio management - -
2. placement of securities -
3. third-party services and products - -
b) Out-of-office offer: - -
1. portfolio management - -
2. placement of securities - -
3. third-party services and products - -
c) Other distribution channels: 8.394 8.138
1. portfolio management 53 843
2. placement of securities - -
3. third-party services and products 8.341 7.295
Total 8.394 8.138

2.3 Commission expense: breakdown

Services/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) guarantees received (479) (486)
b) credit derivatives - -
c) management, mediation and consultancy services: (39) (12)
1. trading in financial instruments - -
2. trading in currencies - -
3. portfolio management: - -
3.1 own assets - -
3.2 delegated by third parties - -
4. safe custody and management of securities (39) (12)
5. placement of financial instruments - -
6. out-of-office canvassing of financial instruments, services and products - -
d) collection and payment services (67) (617)
e) other services (7.759) (8.590)
Total (8.344) (9.705)

Section 3 - Dividends and similar income - Item 70

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Items/Income Dividends Similar
income
Dividends Similar
income
A. Financial assets held for trading - - - -
B. Other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value - - 35 -
C. Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive
income
813 - 301 -
D. Equity investments - - - -
Total 813 - 336 -

Section 4 – Net profit (loss) from trading – Item 80

4.1 Net profit (loss) from trading: breakdown

Transactions/Income items Capital gains
(A)
Profit from
trading (B)
Capital losses
(C)
Losses from
trading (D)
Net result
[(A+B) - (C+D)]
1. Financial assets held for trading - 120 - - 120
1.1 Debt securities - - - - -
1.2 Equity instruments - 120 - - 120
1.3 UCITS units - - - - -
1.4 Loans - - - - -
1.5 Other - - - - -
2. Financial liabilities held for trading - - - - -
2.1 Debt securities - - - - -
2.2 Payables - - - - -
2.3 Other - - - - -
3. Tax assets and liabilities:
exchange differences
X X X X (3.361)
4. Derivatives 10.299 10.526 (10.372) (11.255) (802)
4.1. Financial derivatives: 10.299 10.526 (10.372) (11.255) (802)
- On debt securities and interest rates 10.299 10.331 (9.470) (10.512) 648
- On equity instruments and share indexes - 195 (902) (743) (1.450)
- On currencies and gold X X X X -
- Other - - - - -
4.2 Derivatives on loans - - - - -
Of which: natural hedges connected to the
fair value option
X X X X -
Total 10.299 10.646 (10.372) (11.255) (4.043)

Section 6 - Profit (loss) from sale or buyback - Item 100

6.1 Profit (loss) from sale or buyback: breakdown

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Items/Income items Profit Losses Net result Profit Losses Net result
A. Financial assets
1. Financial assets measured
at amortised cost
1.995 (12) 1.983 2.143 (121) 2.023
1.1 Receivables due from banks - - - - - -
1.2 Receivables due from customers 1.995 (12) 1.983 2.143 (121) 2.023
2. Financial assets measured at fair
value through other comprehensive
income
10.021 (9.062) 959 - - -
2.1 Debt securities 10.021 (9.062) 959 - - -
2.2 Loans - - - - - -
Total assets (A) 12.016 (9.074) 2.942 2.143 (121) 2.022
B. Financial liabilities measured
at amortised cost
1. Payables due to banks - - - - - -
2. Payables due to customers - - - - - -
3. Debt securities issued - - - 8.233 (2) 8.231
Total liabilities (B) - - - 8.233 (2) 8.231

Section 7 - Net result of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss - Item 110

7.2 Net change in other financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss: breakdown of financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value

Transactions/Income items Capital gains
(A)
Gains on sale
(B)
Capital losses
(C)
Losses on sale
(D)
Net result
[(A+B)-(C+D)]
1. Financial assets 8.935 2.917 (20.958) (98) (9.204)
1.1 Debt securities 495 - - (98) 397
1.2 Equity instruments - 2.044 (11.266) - (9.222)
1.3 UCITS units 61 873 (4.600) - (3.666)
1.4 Loans 8.379 - (5.092) - 3.287
2. Financial assets: exchange
differences
X X X X -
Total 8.935 2.917 (20.958) (98) (9.204)

Section 8 - Net credit risk losses/reversals - Item 130

8.1 Net credit risk losses related to financial assets measured at amortised cost: breakdown

Impairment losses (1) Reversals of impairment
losses (2)
Transactions/Income items Stage 3
Stage 1
and 2
Stage 1
Write off
Others
and 2
Stage 3 Total
31.12.2019
Total
31.12.2018
A. Receivables due from banks - - - 20 - 20 224
- loans - - - 20 - 20 224
- debt securities - - - - - - -
of which: purchased or originated
credit impaired loans
- - - - - - -
B. Receivables due from customers (4.454) (41.923) (106.612) 3.079 62.772 (87.138) (20.180)
- loans (4.445) (41.923) (106.612) 3.079 62.772 (87.129) (19.795)
- debt securities (9) - - - - (9) (385)
of which: purchased or originated
credit impaired loans
- - - - - - -
Total (4.454) (41.923) (106.612) 3.099 62.772 (87.118) (19.956)

8.2 Net credit risk losses related to financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income: breakdown

Impairment losses (1) Reversals of impairment
losses (2)
Transactions/
Income items
Stage 3 Total Total
Stage 1
and 2
Write off Others Stage 1
and 2
Stage 3 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Debt securities - - - - 113 113 (1.019)
B. Loans - - - - - - -
- To customers - - - - - - -
- To banks - - - - - - -
of which: purchased or
originated credit impaired
financial assets
- - - - - - (1.019)
Total - - - - 113 113 (1.019)

Section 10 - Administrative expenses - Item 160

10.1 Personnel expenses: breakdown

Type of expense/Sectors 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1) Employees (92.263) (94.336)
a) salaries and wages (65.094) (67.242)
b) social security contributions (18.826) (19.092)
c) post-employment benefits - -
d) pension expense - -
e) allocations for post-employment benefits (3.732) (3.833)
f) allocations to pensions and similar provisions: - -
- defined contribution plans - -
- defined benefit plans - -
g) payments made to supplementary external funds: - -
- defined contribution plans - -
- defined benefit plans - -
h) costs arising from share-based payment agreements - -
i) other employee benefits (4.611) (4.169)
2) Other serving employees (157) (33)
3) Directors and Statutory Auditors (4.332) (4.019)
4) Retired personnel - -
5) Recovery of expenses for seconded personnel 1.927 840
6) Reimbursement of expenses for seconded third-party employees at the Company (990) (484)
Total (95.815) (98.032)

At 95.8 million Euro, personnel expenses dropped 2,3% (98.0 million Euro in December 2018). In total, the Bank has 1,195 employees, as compared with 1,174 resources last year.

Allocations for post-employment benefits included both contributions that employees have chosen to leave in the company and to be paid to INPS's Treasury Fund, and contributions to be paid to supplementary pension funds -- as well as the interest expense on the defined benefit obligation.

10.2 Average number of employees by category

Employees 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Employees: 1.184,5 1.196,0
a) managers 63,5 54,5
b) middle managers 439,0 419,5
c) other employees 682,0 722,0
Other personnel - -

10.5 Other administrative expenses: breakdown

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
(in thousands of Euro)
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Expenses for professional services 23.283 38.985
Legal and consulting services 21.129 28.967
Auditing 449 444
Outsourced services 1.705 9.574
Direct and indirect taxes 45.161 32.757
Expenses for purchasing goods and other services 42.795 57.684
Software assistance and hire 13.660 14.580
FITD and Resolution fund 6.492 5.983
Property expenses 4.681 6.262
Customer information 4.592 10.056
Telephone and data transmission expenses 2.308 3.167
Business trips and transfers 2.195 3.096
Car fleet management and maintenance 2.102 3.365
Advertising and inserts 1.886 2.547
Securitisation costs 1.422 1.642
Postage and archiving of documents 1.037 4.213
Other sundry expenses 2.420 2.773
Total administrative expenses 111.239 129.426

Other administrative expenses come to 111,2 million Euro as compared with the 129,4 million Euro booked last year, thereby recording a downturn of 14,1%. This item includes the expense of 30,9 million Euro relating to the settlement of certain tax disputes regarding the former subsidiary Interbanca, the economic impact of which is fully offset in the item "other net operating income" for 46,2 million Euro (including the related tax effect) against the activation of outstanding guarantees.

The sub-item "Legal and consulting services" comes to 21,1 million Euro at 31 December 2019, down 27,1% on the 29,0 million Euro of the previous year, due to the spin-off of the NPL business unit (during the second half of 2018). If we strip the 2018 figure of this effect, 2019 shows growth of 18,8%, in connection with the legal the costs consultancy connected with the corporate acquisitions and the reorganisation of the corporate structures of both the Bank and the Group.

In the same way, the sub-item "Outsourced services", with 1,7 million Euro at 31 December 2019, shows a clear downturn on last year (9,6 million Euro in 2018), as a result of the spin-off of the NPL business unit (the out-of-court collection costs, for activities entrusted to external agencies totalled 7,9 million Euro in 2018).

The item "Direct and indirect taxes", equal to 45,2 million Euro compared to 57,7 million Euro at 31 December 2018, is significantly influenced by the charge of 30,9 million Euro related to the requests for facilitated settlement of tax disputes presented during 2019. The item also includes stamp duty of 10,5 million Euro, the charge of which to customers is included in the item Other operating income.

"Expenses for purchasing goods and other services" amounted to 42,8 million Euro, down 25,8% from 57,7 million Euro in the previous year. The change in this item is due to the combined effect of the changes seen in some items, in particular:

  • Customer information expenses of 4,6 million Euro are down 54,3% on the previous year;
  • FITD and Resolution fund amounted to 6,5 million Euro, up 8,5% compared to 6,0 million Euro at 31 December 2018.
  • Property and car fleet management, which decreased by a total of 1,6 million Euro, essentially due to the application from 1 January 2019 of the new IFRS 16 standard.
  • Trips and transfers drop by 29,1% on last year, coming in at 2,2 million Euro.

Section 11 - Net allocations to provisions for risks and charges - Item 170

11.1 Net provisions for credit risk related to loan commitments and financial guarantees granted: breakdown

Net allocations to provisions for risks and charges amounted to 10,6 million Euro compared with net allocations of 1,1 million Euro at 31 December 2018. Period net allocations mainly referred, for 6,2 million Euro, to disputes relating to trade receivables, for 1,8 million Euro to provisions made for leasing, for 1,6 million Euro to disputes deriving from the former Interbanca portfolio, for 1,0 million Euro to essential commitments to disburse funds.

11.3 Net allocations to other provisions for risks and charges: breakdown

For more details, see Part B, Section 10 Provisions for risks and charges in these Notes.

Section 12 - Net impairment losses/reversals on property, plant and equipment - Item 180

12.1 Net impairment losses on property, plant and equipment: breakdown

Assets/Income items Depreciation (a) Impairment losses
(b)
Reversals of
impairment losses
(c)
Net result
(a + b - c)
A. Property, plant and equipment
1. for functional use (6.007) - 610 (5.397)
- Owned (3.298) - 610 (2.688)
- Rights of use acquired through leases (2.709) - - (2.709)
2. Held for investment - - - -
- Owned - - - -
- Rights of use acquired through leases - - - -
3. Inventories X - - -
Total (6.007) - 610 (5.397)

Section 13 - Net impairment losses/reversals on intangible assets - Item 190

13.1 Net impairment losses on intangible assets: breakdown

Assets/Income items Amortisation (a) Impairment losses
(b)
Reversals of
impairment losses
(c)
Net result
(a + b - c)
A. Intangible assets
A.1 Owned (6.270) - - (6.270)
- Internally generated - - - -
- Other (6.270) - - (6.270)
A.2 Rights of use acquired through leases - - - -
Total (6.270) - - (6.270)

Section 16 - Other operating income (expenses) - Item 230

14.1 Other operating expenses: breakdown

Type of expense/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) Transactions with customers (484) (130)
b) Other charges (1.168) (1.039)
Total (1.652) (1.169)

14.2 Other operating income: breakdown

Amounts/Income 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) Recovery of third party expenses 14.564 13.861
b) Rental income 760 981
c) Income from the realisation of property, plant and equipment 97 -
d) Other income 65.132 10.472
Total 80.553 25.314

Other net operating income, equal to 78,9 million Euro (24,1 million Euro at 31 December 2018) include the effects of the enforcement of the guarantees given in view of the closure of tax disputes for 46,2 million Euro at 31 December 2019. Net of this amount, other net operating income referred mainly to revenue from the recovery of expenses charged to third parties. The relevant cost item is included in other administrative expenses, namely under legal expenses and indirect taxes, as well as recoveries of expenses associated with leasing operations, in line with last year.

15.1 Analysis of profit (loss) on equity investments

Income components/Values 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Income 100 -
1. Revaluations -
2. Gains on sale 100 -
3. Reversals of impairment losses -
4. Other income -
B. Expenses -
1. Write-downs -
2. Impairment losses
3. Losses on sale
4. Other expenses
Net result 100

Profit on equity investments refers entirely to the sale of 100% of the share capital of Two Solar Park 2008 S.r.l. at the end of the first half of 2019.

Section 19 - Income taxes for the year relating to current operations - Item 270

19.1 Income taxes for the year relating to current operations: breakdown

Income items/Sectors 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Current taxes (-) (12.580) (5.855)
2. Changes in current taxes of previous years (+/-) 4.221
3. Reductions in current taxes for the year (+) -
3.bis Change in current tax for the year for tax credits as per Italian Law no. 214/2011 (+) 19
4. Changes in deferred tax assets (+/-) (4.708) (26.216)
5. Changes in deferred tax liabilities (+/-) 1.565 (1.668)
6. Income tax expense for the year (-) (-1+/-2+3+3bis+/-4+/-5) (11.502) (33.720)

19.2 Reconciliation between theoretical tax charges and effective tax charges for the year

Items/Components 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Pre-tax profit (loss) for the period from continuing operations 38.848 116.526
Corporate tax (IRES) - theoretical tax charges (27,5%) (10.683) (32.045)
- effect of non-taxable income and other decreases - permanent 4.703 6.279
- effect of non-deductible charges and other increases - permanent (12.986) -
- non-current corporate tax 284 (5)
Corporate tax (IRES) - Effective tax charges (18.682) (25.771)
Regional tax on productive activities (IRAP) - theoretical tax charges (5,57%) (2.164) (6.490)
- effect of income/charges that are not part of the taxable base (3.352) (1.473)
- non-current regional tax on productive activities (IRAP) 4.275 14
Regional tax on productive activities (IRAP) - Effective tax charges (1.241) (7.949)
Effective tax charges for the year 8.421 (33.720)

The tax rate for the year 2019 was 29,6%. Please note that the tax rate used in 2019 suffers the negative effects of the non-deductibility of the expense relating to requests for the facilitated settlement of tax disputes mentioned previously and partially offset by the positive effects of the reintroduction of the regulations on aid for economic growth (ACE), the tax redemption of goodwill entered in the statutory consolidated accounts following the purchase of the controlling equity investment in FBS S.p.A., the tax alignment of the value of certain properties to their carrying amount and the positive outcome of an IRAP appeal relating to tax year 2018.

Section 21 - Other information

21.1 Disclosure of government grants as per article 1, paragraph 125 of Italian Law no. 124 of 4 August 2017 (the "Annual Law on the Market and Competition")

Below is a summary of the subsidies, grants, paid positions, and economic benefits of any kind received by the company:

Grantor Reference Amount of the government
grant
Italian Fund for the support of employment in the credit industry - 227
Italian Social Security Administration L. 248/2005 301
Italian Social Security Administration L. 205/2017 106
Total 634

Please refer to the "Transparency" section of Italy's National State Aid Register for a summary of the applications for Training Aid (article 31 Regulation EC 651/2014) and the relevant commitment of expenditure by the granter.

Section 22 - Earnings per share

22.1 Average number of ordinary diluted shares

Earnings per share and diluted earnings per share 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Treasury shares (in thousands of Euro) 27.346 82.806
Average number of outstanding shares 53.448.405 53.438.425
Average number of diluted shares 53.448.405 53.438.425
Earnings per share (Units of Euro) 0,51 1,55
Diluted earnings per share (Units of Euro) 0,51 1,55

4.4. Part D - Statement of comprehensive income

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

ITEMS
(in thousands of Euro)
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
10. Profit (Loss) for the year 27.346 82.806
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes, not to be reclassified to profit or loss 191 1.703
20. Equity securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 758 2.370
a) fair value gains (losses) 1.945 2.379
b) transfers to other components of equity (1.186) (8)
70. Defined benefit plans (261) 161
100. Income taxes related to other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss (306) (828)
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes, to be reclassified to profit or loss 9.862 (12.546)
150. Financial assets (other than equity securities) measured at fair value through other
comprehensive income:
14.963 (18.745)
a) fair value gains (losses) 13.991 (20.268)
b) reclassification to profit or loss 972 1.523
- credit risk losses (460) 1.523
- gains/losses on sale 1.433 -
c) other changes - -
180. Income taxes related to other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss (5.100) 6.199
190. Total other comprehensive income 10.054 (10.843)
200. Total comprehensive income (Item 10 + 190) 37.400 71.962

4.5. Part E - Information on risks and risk management policies

Background

This Part of the Notes provides quantitative information about the risks in relation to Banca Ifis S.p.A. For qualitative information on the risk management and monitoring process, please refer to Part E in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Section 1 - Credit risk

Qualitative information

For qualitative information, please refer to Part E in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements".

Quantitative information

A. Credit quality

A.1 Non-performing and performing exposures: amounts, impairment losses, trend, economic breakdown

A.1.1 Breakdown of financial assets by portfolio and credit quality (carrying amounts)

Portfolio/Quality Bad loans Unlikely to
pay
Non
performing
past due
exposures
Performing
past due
exposures
Other
performing
exposures
Total
1. Financial assets measured at amortised
cost
80.508 148.678 96.614 404.484 6.642.703 7.372.987
2. Financial assets measured at fair value
through other comprehensive income
- - - - 1.124.635 1.124.635
3. Financial assets measured at fair value - - - - - -
4. Other financial assets
mandatorily measured at fair value
5.668 12.868 - - 3.862 22.398
5. Financial assets under disposal - - - - - -
Total 31.12.2019 86.176 161.546 96.614 404.484 7.771.200 8.520.020
Total 31.12.2018 79.462 227.190 95.898 297.098 6.907.925 7.607.573

Equity securities and UCITS units are not included in this table.

A.1.2 Breakdown of financial assets by portfolio and credit quality (gross and net amounts)

Non-performing Performing
Portfolio/Quality exposure
Gross
losses/reversal
impairment
Overall
Net exposure
s
Overall partial
write-offs(1)
exposure
Gross
losses/reversal
impairment
Overall
Net exposure
s
Total
(net
exposure)
1. Financial assets measured at
amortised cost
618.215 292.415 325.800 - 7.082.357 35.170 7.047.187 7.372.987
2. Financial assets measured at
fair value through other
comprehensive income
- - - - 1.125.462 827 1.124.635 1.124.635
3. Financial assets measured at
fair value
- - - - X X - -
4. Other financial assets
mandatorily measured at fair
value
18.536 - 18.536 - X X 3.862 22.398
5. Financial assets under
disposal
- - - - - - - -
Total 31.12.2019 636.751 292.415 344.336 - 8.207.819 35.997 8.175.684 8.520.020
Total 31.12.2018 676.177 273.627 402.550 2.044 7.231.102 32.356 7.205.023 7.607.572

(1) Amount to be reported for disclosure purposes

Equity securities and UCITS units are not included in this table.

Portfolio/Quality Low credit
quality assets
Other assets
Accumulated capital
losses
Net exposure Net exposure
1. Financial assets held for trading 540 28 24.285
2. Hedging derivatives - - -
Total 31.12.2019 540 28 24.285
Total 31.12.2018 850 4.429 27.021

A.1.3 Distribution of financial assets by past due buckets (carrying amounts)

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Portfolios/risk stages From 1 day to 30 days From over 30 days to 90
days
Over 90 days From 1 day to 30 days From over 30 days to 90
days
Over 90 days From 1 day to 30 days From over 30 days to 90
days
Over 90 days
1. Financial assets measured at
amortised cost
118.757 4.195 112.000 9.147 48.921 199.029 4.829 21.736 176.110
2. Financial assets measured at fair
value through other comprehensive
income
- - - - - - - - -
3. Financial assets under disposal - - - - - - - - -
Total (31.12.2019) 118.757 4.195 112.000 9.147 48.921 199.029 4.829 21.736 176.110
Total (31.12.2018) 102.775 4 3 7.127 80.934 182.478 173.929 21.136 160.531
Overall impairment losses/reversals Total provisions on
loan commitments
and financial
guarantees granted
Reason/Risk stage Stage 1 assets Stage 2 assets Stage 3 assets
Financial assets measured at
amortised cost
Financial assets measured at
fair value through other
comprehensive income
Financial assets under
disposal
of which: individual impairment of which: collective impairment Financial assets measured
at amortised cost
Financial assets measured at
fair value through other
comprehensive income
Financial assets under
disposal
of which: individual
mpairment
i
of which: collective
mpairment
i
Financial assets measured
at amortised cost
Financial assets measured at
fair value through other
comprehensive income
Financial assets under
disposal
of which: individual
mpairment
i
of which: collective
mpairment
i
mpaired
of which: purchased or
financial assets
originated credit i
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total
Opening balance of total impairment losses/reversals of impairment losses 26.490 1.287 - - 27.777 4.579 - -
-
4.579 273.627 - - 273.627 - - 1.746 1 1.877 309.607
Increases from purchased or originated financial assets - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - - - - -
Derecognitions other than write-offs - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - - - - -
Net credit risk losses/reversals (+/-) (398) (113) - -
(511)
1.753 - -
-
1.753 85.763 - - 85.763 - - 56 62 1.072 88.421
Contractual modifications without derecognition - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - - - - - - - -
Changes in estimation method - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - - - - - - - -
Write-offs not recognised directly through profit or loss - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- (47.178) - - (47.178) - - - - - (47.178)
Other changes 3.462 (348) - -
3.115
(716) - -
-
(716) (19.797) - - (19.797) - - (232) - (998) (18.854)
Closing balance of total impairment losses/reversals of impairment losses 29.554 827 - - 30.381 5.616 - -
-
5.616 292.415 - - 292.415 - - 1.570 63 1.951 331.996
Reversals from collections on financial assets written off - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - - - - - - - -
Write-offs recognised directly through profit or loss - - - -
-
-
-
-
-
- - - - - - - - - - -

A.1.4 Financial assets, loan commitments and financial guarantees granted: overall impairment losses/reversals and overall provisions

Gross amounts/nominal amount
Transfers between
Stage 1 and Stage 2
Transfers between
Stage 2 and Stage 3
Transfers between
Stage 1 and Stage 3
Portfolios/risk stages From Stage 1 to Stage 2 From Stage 2 to Stage 1 From Stage 2 to Stage 3 From Stage 3 to Stage 2 From Stage 1 to Stage 3 From Stage 3 to Stage 1
1. Financial assets measured at amortised cost 742.932 106.703 27.141 16.279 101.325 33.468
2. Financial assets measured at fair value through other
comprehensive income
- - - - - -
3. Financial assets under disposal - - - - - -
4. Loan commitments and financial guarantees granted 9.795 73 - - 12.043 1.182
Total 31.12.2019 752.727 106.776 27.141 16.279 113.368 34.650
Total 31.12.2018 356.833 54.295 22.722 21.035 157.841 21.451

A.1.5 Financial assets, loan commitments and financial guarantees granted: transfers between different credit risk stages (gross and nominal amounts)

A.1.6 On- and off-balance-sheet exposures to banks: gross and net amounts

Gross Overall
Types of exposures/Amounts exposure impairment
losses/reversals
Net Overall partial
Non
performing
Performing and overall
allocations
exposure write-offs
A. On-balance-sheet credit exposures
a) Bad loans - X - - -
- of which forborne exposures - X - - -
b) Unlikely to pay - X - - -
- of which forborne exposures - X - - -
c) Non-performing past due exposures - X - - -
- of which forborne exposures - X - - -
d) Performing past due exposures X - - - -
- of which forborne exposures X - - - -
e) Other performing exposures X 476.108 318 475.790 -
- of which forborne exposures - - - - -
Total (A) - 476.108 318 475.790 -
B. Off-balance-sheet credit exposures
a) Non-performing - X - - -
b) Performing X 54.617 - 54.617 -
Total (B) - 54.617 - 54.617 -
Total (A+B) - 530.725 318 530.407 -

On-balance-sheet exposures include all on-balance-sheet financial assets due from banks, regardless of the portfolio they are included in (measured at amortised cost, measured at fair value through other comprehensive Income, measured at fair value, mandatorily measured at fair value, under disposal).

A.1.7 On- and off-balance-sheet exposures to customers: gross and net amounts
----------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- --
Gross Overall
exposure impairment Net Overall partial
write-offs
Types of exposures/Amounts Non
performing
Performing losses/reversals
and overall
allocations
exposure
B. On-balance-sheet credit exposures
a) Bad loans 252.732 X 166.556 86.176 58.507
- of which forborne exposures 15.708 X 10.273 5.435 225
b) Unlikely to pay 281.221 X 119.675 161.546 -
- of which forborne exposures 32.956 X 6.238 26.718 -
c) Non-performing past due exposures 102.798 X 6.184 96.614 -
- of which forborne exposures 2.196 X 464 1.732 -
d) Performing past due exposures X 406.574 2.090 404.484
- of which forborne exposures X 4.749 229 4.520 -
e) Other performing exposures X 7.328.999 33.589 7.295.410
- of which forborne exposures X 25.515 497 25.018 -
Total (A) 636.751 7.735.573 328.094 8.044.230 58.507
B. Off-balance-sheet credit exposures
a) Non-performing 80.799 X 1.952 78.847 -
b) Performing X 923.380 1.631 921.749 -
Total (B) 80.799 923.380 3.583 1.000.596 -
Total (A+B) 717.550 8.658.953 331.677 9.044.826 -

On-balance-sheet exposures include all on-balance-sheet financial assets due from customers regardless of the portfolio they are included in (measured at amortised cost, measured at fair value through other comprehensive Income, measured at fair value, mandatorily measured at fair value, under disposal).

Reason/Categories Bad loans Unlikely to pay Non-performing past
due
exposures
A. Opening gross exposure 258.726 312.601 104.850
- of which: transferred and not derecognised - 1.875 5.092
B. Increases 1.538.041 922.603 559.598
B.1 income from performing exposures 3.745 51.413 472.424
B.2 income from purchased or originated impaired financial
assets
- 21.895 391
B.3 transfers from other non-performing exposure categories 19.301 41.361 405
B.4 contractual modifications without derecognition - - -
B.5 other increases 1.514.995 807.934 86.378
C. Decreases 1.544.035 953.983 561.650
C.1 outflows to performing exposures 6.090 12.943 411.925
C.2 write-offs 81.981 178 13
C.3 collections 32.505 189.602 7.171
C.4 proceeds from sales - - -
C.5 losses on sale - - -
C.6 transfers to other non-performing loan categories 261 15.493 45.314
C.7 contractual modifications without derecognition - - -
C.8 other decreases 1.423.198 735.767 97.227
D. Closing gross exposure 252.732 281.221 102.798
- of which: transferred and not derecognised - 3.394 4.880

A.1.9 On-balance-sheet exposures to customers: trends in gross non-performing exposures

Reason/Categories Forborne exposures: non
performing
Forborne exposures:
performing
A. Opening gross exposure 114.874 30.258
- of which: transferred and not derecognised 169 1.746
B. Increases 575.665 49.112
B.1 inflows from non-forborne performing exposures 1.913 6.415
B.2 inflows from forborne performing exposures 3.472 X
B.3 inflows from non-performing forborne exposure X 2.206
B.4 inflows from non-forborne non-performing exposures 22.599 283
B.5 other increases 547.681 40.208
C. Decreases 639.679 49.106
C.1 outflows to non-forborne performing exposures X 3.862
C.2 outflows to forborne performing exposures 2.206 X
C.3 outflows to non-performing forborne exposures X 3.472
C.4 write-offs 7.993 1
C.5 collections 56.721 4.728
C.6 proceeds from sales - -
C.7 losses on sale - -
C.8 other decreases 572.759 37.043
D. Closing gross exposure 50.860 30.264
- of which: transferred and not derecognised 1.036 3.798

A.1.9 bis On-balance-sheet exposures to customers: trends in gross forborne exposures broken down by credit quality A.1.11 On-balance-sheet non-performing exposures to customers: trends in overall impairment losses/reversals

Bad loans Non-performing past due
exposures
Reason/Categories Total of which:
forborne
exposures
Total of which:
forborne
exposures
Total of which:
forborne
exposures
A. Opening balance of total impairment
losses/reversals of impairment losses
179.264 10.263 85.411 4.690 8.953 373
- of which: transferred and not derecognised - - 521 2 1.203 48
B. Increases 109.951 42 68.743 1.581 2.116 261
B.1 impairment losses from purchased or
originated impaired financial assets
- X - X - X
B.2. other impairment losses 76.833 66.374 1.917
B.3 losses on sale - - - - - -
B.4 transfers from other non-performing
exposure categories
20.561 42 2.273 161 23 -
B.5 contractual modifications without
derecognition
- - - - - -
B.6 other increases 12.557 96 1.420 176 261
C. Decreases 122.659 32 34.479 33 4.885 170
C.1 impairment reversals from appreciation 38.049 9.843
C.2 impairment reversals from collection 4.757 6.712
C.3 gains on disposal - - - - - -
C.4 write-offs 79.613 178 13
C.5 transfers to other non-performing loan
categories
240 - 17.746 33 4.872 170
C.6 contractual modifications without
derecognition
- - - - - -
C.7 other decreases 32
D. Closing balance of total impairment
losses/reversals of impairment losses
166.556 10.273 119.675 6.238 6.184 464
- of which: transferred and not derecognised - - 1.680 154 - -

A.2 Classification of financial assets, loan commitments and financial guarantees granted by external and internal rating

For the purposes of calculating capital requirements against credit risk, Banca Ifis uses the external credit assessment institution (ECAI) Fitch Ratings exclusively for the positions recognised under "Exposures to Central Governments and Central Banks"; no external ratings are used for the other asset classes. Considering the composition of the assets, external ratings are used exclusively for the portfolio of government bonds.

A.2.2 Breakdown of financial assets, loan commitments and financial guarantees granted by internal rating class (gross amounts)

The Bank does not use internal ratings for the purposes of calculating capital absorption. The Bank has implemented an Internal Ratings System on the domestic enterprises segment. This has been developed on proprietary databases and has the following components:

  • a "financial" module, to assess the company's operating/financial soundness;
  • a "central credit register" module, presenting the evolution of counterparty risk vis-à-vis the banking industry;
  • an "internal performance" module, monitoring the performance of the relationships between the counterparty and the Bank.

A.3 Breakdown of guaranteed credit exposures by guarantee type

A.3.1 Guaranteed on- and off-balance-sheet exposures to banks

Personal guarantees (2)
Gross exposure Collateral guarantees (1) Credit derivatives Unsecured loans
Other derivatives
Net exposure Mortgages
Property -
lease
financing
Property -
Securities Other collateral
guarantees
CLN counterparties
Central
Banks Other financial
mpanies
co
Other entities ministrations
Public
Ad
Banks Other financial
mpanies
co
Other entities Total
(1)+(2)
1. Guaranteed on-balance-sheet credit
exposures:
1.406 1.400 - - - 1.400 - - - - - - - - - 1.400
1.1 totally guaranteed 1.406 1.400 - - - 1.400 - - - - - - - - - 1.400
-
of which non-performing
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1.2 partially guaranteed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
of which non-performing
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. Guaranteed off-balance-sheet credit
exposures:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2.1 totally guaranteed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
of which non-performing
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2.2 partially guaranteed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
of which non-performing
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A.3.2 Guaranteed on- and off-balance-sheet exposures to customers

Personal
guarantees (2)
Collateral guarantees (1) Credit derivatives Unsecured loans
Net exposure Other derivatives
Gross exposure Mortgages
Property -
lease
financing
Property -
Securities Other collateral
guarantees
CLN counterparties
Central
Banks Other financial
mpanies
co
Other entities ministrations
Public
Ad
Banks Other financial
mpanies
co
Other entities Total
(1)+(2)
1. Guaranteed on-balance-sheet
credit exposures:
2.456.304 2.366.852 432.494 - 8.930 1.379.533 - - - - - 128.275 340 16.651 235.562 2.201.785
1.1 totally guaranteed 2.118.543 2.046.563 376.742 - 8.930 1.315.131 - - - - - 127.295 340 15.991 202.134 2.046.563
-
of which non-performing
207.655 151.845 93.982 - - 19.842 - - - - - 6.327 211 517 30.966 151.845
1.2 partially guaranteed 337.761 320.289 55.752 - - 64.402 - - - - - 980 - 660 33.428 155.222
-
of which non-performing
31.695 17.563 6.449 - - 161 - - - - - - - 178 1.233 8.021
2. Secured "off-balance sheet"
credit exposures:
17.343 16.470 889 - - 2.411 - - - - - - - 50 7.559 10.909
2.1 totally guaranteed 8.557 8.540 517 - - 633 - - - - - - - 50 7.340 8.540
-
of which non-performing
593 593 417 - - - - - - - - - - - 176 593
2.2 partially guaranteed 8.786 7.930 372 - - 1.778 - - - - - - - - 219 2.369
-
of which non-performing
4.812 3.982 309 - - - - - - - - - - - - 309
  • B. Concentration and distribution of credit exposures
  • B.1 Breakdown of on- and off-balance-sheet exposures to customers by segment
Public Administrations Financial companies Financial
companies (of
which:
insurance
companies)
Non-financial
companies
Households
Exposures/
Counterparties
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
A. On-balance-sheet
credit exposures
A.1 Bad loans 2.317 6.439 985 9.108 - - 68.648 133.891 14.226 17.118
- of which forborne
exposures
- - 449 5.730 - - 4.957 4.480 29 63
A.2 Unlikely to pay 565 389 2.239 3.434 - - 144.019 106.084 14.723 9.768
- of which forborne
exposures
- - 266 7 - - 20.118 3.228 6.334 3.003
A.3 Non-performing
past due
exposures
46.362 495 120 90 - - 43.936 3.848 6.196 1.751
- of which forborne
exposures
- - 6 - - - 742 86 984 378
A.4 Performing
exposures
1.998.555 1.552 1.092.380 1.514 - - 4.172.471 27.646 436.488 4.967
- of which forborne
exposures
1.596 46 3.697 - - - 14.053 168 10.192 512
Total (A) 2.047.799 8.875 1.095.724 14.146 - - 4.429.074 271.469 471.633 33.604
B.
Off-balance-sheet
credit exposures
B.1
Non-performing
exposures
- - - - - - 66.268 1.952 12.579 -
B.2 Performing
exposures
- - 391.586 165 - - 521.350 1.462 8.813 4
Total (B) - - 391.586 165 - - 587.618 3.414 21.392 4
Total (A+B) 31.12.2019 2.047.799 8.875 1.487.310 14.311 - - 5.016.692 274.883 493.025 33.608
Total (A+B) 31.12.2018 1.167.767 9.706 1.681.744 12.328 - - 4.952.295 259.636 496.696 27.154

B.2 Geographical breakdown of on- and off-balance-sheet exposures to customers

Italy Other European
countries
America Asia Rest of the World
Exposures/Geographic
areas
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
exposure
Net
Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
A. On-balance-sheet
exposures
A.1 Bad loans 86.176 166.375 - 181 - - - - - -
A.2 Unlikely to pay 160.152 117.603 1.394 2.072 - - - - - -
A.3 Non-performing past due
exposures
95.676 6.131 938 53 - - - - - -
A.4 Performing exposures 7.320.961 33.770 228.949 1.032 108.400 682 41.196 192 388 3
Total (A) 7.662.965 323.879 231.281 3.338 108.400 682 41.196 192 388 3
B. Off-balance sheet
B.1 Non-performing
exposures
78.750 1.952 97 - - - - - - -
B.2 Performing exposures 846.240 1.545 73.267 86 - - 1.996 - 246 -
Total (B) 924.990 3.497 73.364 86 - - 1.996 - 246 -
Total (A+B) 31.12.2019 8.587.955 327.376 304.645 3.424 108.400 682 43.192 192 634 3
Total (A+B) 31.12.2018 7.986.019 303.453 320.735 4.237 97.629 1.003 106.134 129 248 1

B.3 Geographical breakdown of on- and off-balance-sheet exposures to banks

Italy Other European
countries
America Asia Rest of the World
Exposures/Geographic
areas
Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure
Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
Net exposure Overall impairment
losses/reversals
exposure
Net
Overall impairment
losses/reversals
A. On-balance-sheet
exposures
A.1 Bad loans - - - - - - - - - -
A.2 Unlikely to pay - - - - - - - - - -
A.3 Non-performing past
due
exposures
- - - - - - - - - -
A.4 Performing exposures 455.976 244 9.591 36 10.223 38 - - - -
Total (A) 455.976 244 9.591 36 10.223 38 - - - -
B. Off-balance-sheet credit
exposures
B.1 Non-performing
exposures
- - - - - - - - - -
B.2 Performing exposures 42.543 - 773 - 11.301 - - - - -
Total (B) 42.543 - 773 - 11.301 - - - - -
Total (A+B) 31.12.2019 498.519 244 10.364 36 21.524 38 - - - -
Total (A+B) 31.12.2018 381.797 723 15.161 36 21.281 25 - - - -

B.4 Major exposures

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) Carrying amount 4.123.055 3.040.298
b) Weighted amount 394.861 436.692
c) Number 3 3

The overall weighted amount of major exposures at 31 December 2019 consisted of 215 million Euro in tax assets and 180 million Euro in exposures to equity investments not included in the prudential scope of consolidation.

Disclosure regarding Sovereign Debt

On 5 August 2011, CONSOB (drawing on ESMA document no. 2011/266 of 28 July 2011) issued Communication no. DEM/11070007 on disclosures by listed companies of their exposures to sovereign debt and market performance, the management of exposures to sovereign debt, and their operating and financial impact.

Pursuant to said communication, please note that at 31 December 2019 the exposures to sovereign debt entirely consisted of Italian government bonds; their carrying amount totalled 1.310 million Euro, net of the positive 1,7 million Euro valuation reserve.

These securities, with a nominal amount of approximately 1.272 million Euro, are included within the banking book and have a weighted residual average life of approximately 39 months.

The fair values used to measure the exposures to sovereign debt securities at 31 December 2019 are considered to be Level 1.

Pursuant to the CONSOB Communication, besides the exposure to sovereign debt, it is also necessary to consider receivables due from the Italian National Administration, which at 31 December 2019 totalled 738 million, including 125 million Euro relating to tax receivables.

C. Securitisation transactions

Securitisations in which the Bank is the originator and for which all the liabilities issued by the special purpose vehicles were subscribed by the Bank at the time of issue shall not be recorded in this Part. For more details on this type of transactions, please refer to Part E of the Notes to the Financial Statements on liquidity risk.

Qualitative information

Objectives, strategies and processes

The Bank has exposures to securitisation transactions originated by third parties, acquired for investment purposes in order to generate profit margins and earn a fair medium/long-term return on capital.

These transactions may be originated by the Bank's Business Units, based on the characteristics of the underlying portfolio - performing or non-performing -- or as part of liquidity investments.

The acquisition activities are carried out in accordance with the policies and procedures relating to credit risk, and in particular with the "Policy for the management of securitisation transactions", and in compliance with the propensity to risk established within the Risk Appetite Framework. The Bank invests in securitisation transactions when it is able to assess the relevant underlying assets in light of its experience.

In particular, after identifying the investment opportunity, the unit that proposes the transaction conducts a due diligence review to estimate future cash flows and determine whether the price is fair, coordinating the organisational units concerned from time to time and formalising the relevant findings to be submitted to the competent decision-making body.

Subsequent to the purchase, the investment is constantly monitored based on the performance indicators of the underlying exposures and whether cash flows are in line with the estimates made at the time of the acquisition.

Internal measurement and control systems for risks associated with securitisation transactions

The Bank has not carried out securitisation transactions transferring risks to third parties.

Hedging policies adopted to mitigate the relevant risks

The Bank has a "Securitisation management policy" that governs the management of securitisation transactions in which it is involved as "investor" (i.e. the buyer of the notes) or "sponsor" (i.e. the party that establishes the transaction). For each potential case, the policy sets out the responsibilities of the organisational units and bodies with reference to both the due diligence process and the ongoing monitoring of the transaction.

This section describes the Bank's exposures towards securitisation transactions in which it is involved as originator, sponsor, or investor.

IFIS ABCP Programme securitisation

On 7 October 2016, Banca IFIS launched a three-year revolving securitisation of trade receivables due from account debtors. After Banca Ifis (originator) initially reassigned the receivables for 1.254,3 million Euro, in the second quarter of 2018, the vehicle named IFIS ABCP Programme S.r.l. issued an initial 850 million Euro, increased to 1.000 million Euro, worth of senior notes subscribed for by the investment vehicles owned by the banks that co-arranged the transaction, simultaneously with the two-year extension of the revolving period. An additional tranche of senior notes, with a maximum nominal amount of 150 million Euro, initially issued for 19,2 million Euro, and that was subsequently adjusted based on the composition of the assigned portfolio, was subscribed for by Banca Ifis. During the first half of 2019, this tranche was sold to a third party bank and was entirely subscribed at 31 December 2019. The difference between the value of the receivables portfolios and the senior notes issued represents the credit granted to the notes' bearers, which consists in a deferred purchase price.

Banca Ifis acts as servicer, performing the following tasks:

• following collection operations and monitoring cash flows on a daily basis;

  • reconciling the closing balance at every cut-off date;
  • verifying, completing and submitting the service report with the information on the securitised portfolio requested by the vehicle and the banks at every cut-off date.

As part of the securitisation programme, the Bank sends the amount it collects to the vehicle on a daily basis, while the new portfolio is assigned approximately six times each month; this ensures a short time lapse between the outflows from the Bank and the inflows associated with the payment of the new assignments.

Only part of the securitised receivables due from account debtors are recognised as assets, especially for the portion that the Bank has purchased outright, resulting in the transfer of all risks and rewards to the buyer. Therefore, the tables in the quantitative disclosure show only this portion of the portfolio.

In compliance with IAS/IFRS accounting standards, currently the securitisation process does not involve the substantial transfer of all risks and rewards, as it does not meet derecognition requirements. In addition, the vehicles were consolidated in order to provide a comprehensive view of the transaction.

The maximum theoretical loss for Banca Ifis is represented by the losses that could potentially arise within the portfolio of assigned receivables, and the impact would be the same as if the securitisation programme did not exist; therefore, the securitisation has been accounted for as follows:

  • the securitised receivables purchased outright were recognised under "receivables due from customers", subitem "factoring";
  • the funds raised from the issue of senior notes subscribed for by third parties were recognised under "debt securities issued";
  • the interest on the receivables was recognised under "interest on receivables due from customers";
  • the interest on the notes was recognised under "interest due and similar expenses", subitem "debt securities issued";
  • the arrangement fees were fully recognised in profit or loss in the year in which the programme was launched.

At 31 December 2019, the interest expense on the senior notes recognised in profit or loss amounted to 7,7 million Euro.

Third-party securitisation transactions

At 31 December 2019, the Bank held 62,9 million Euro in notes deriving from third-party securitisation transactions: specifically, it held 60,2 million Euro worth of senior notes and 2,7 million Euro worth of mezzanine and junior notes.

More specifically, these derive from three separate third-party securitisation transactions whose underlying assets were, respectively, a speculative mutuo fondiario (a type of mortgage loan), a portfolio of minibonds issued by Italian listed companies, and a portfolio of non-performing loans partially secured by mortgages, whose securitisation was backed by the Italian government's state-guarantee scheme.

Here below are the main characteristics of the transactions outstanding at the reporting date:

  • "Cinque V" securitisation: launched in late November 2017, this securitisation through the special purpose vehicle Ballade SPV S.r.l. only has a mutuo fondiario classified as bad loan as the underlying asset, with a nominal amount of 20 million Euro and maturity in October 2020. Also in this case, the Parent company participates as Senior Noteholder and Sponsor, subscribing for 100% of the senior notes (2,1 million Euro) and 5% of the junior notes; the transaction was substantially closed following the sale of the underlying asset to the mortgage credit;
  • "Elite Basket Bond (EBB)" securitisation: the special purpose vehicle EBB S.r.l. issued Asset Backed Securities (ABS) at a price equal to the nominal amount, amounting to 122 million Euro, in a single tranche with maturity in December 2027 and a Basket of minibonds issued by 11 Italian listed companies as the underlying asset. These notes are unsecured senior bonds but carry a Credit Enhancement equal to 15% of the transaction's overall amount (24 million Euro), to be used in the event the issuers default on interest and/or principal payments on the minibonds. The Parent

company participates in this transaction only as underwriter, subscribing for 6,0 million Euro worth of notes of the above tranche;

  • "FINO 1" securitisation: this is an investment as a senior Noteholder in a securitisation transaction whose tranches issued are supported by a state guarantee "GACS" (Guarantee on the securitisation of bad loans) and with underlying bad loans with an original total nominal amount of about 5,4 billion Euro. The tranche originally subscribed for 92,5 million Euro by Banca Ifis (out of a total nominal amount of 650 million Euro) is the Senior Note Class A, with maturity in October 2045. Net of the redemptions occurred during the year, at 31 December 2019 the carrying amount of the portion subscribed for was 54,2 million Euro.
  • For the sake of completeness, please note that, as a result of the actions taken in 2017 by the Italian Interbank Deposit Protection Fund's Voluntary Scheme, the Bank owns mezzanine and junior notes issued by the "Berenice" securitisation transaction, totalling a combined 0,1 million Euro.

Quantitative information

C.1 Exposures from the main "own" securitisations broken down by type of securitised asset and type of exposure

On-balance-sheet exposures Guarantees granted Credit lines
Senior
Mezzanine
Junior Senior Mezzanine Junior Senior Mezzanine Junior
Type of securitised
asset/Exposure
Carrying
mount
a
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Carrying
reversals
mount
a
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Carrying
reversals
mount
a
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
reversals
losses/
mpair
I
A. Fully
derecognised
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B. Partly
derecognised
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
C. Not
derecognised
- - - - 108.254 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
receivables due from
customers
- - - - 108.254 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

C.2 Exposures from the main "third-party" securitisations broken down by type of securitised asset and type of exposure

On-balance-sheet exposures Guarantees granted Credit lines
Senior Mezzanine Junior Senior Mezzanine Junior Senior Mezzanine Junior
Type of securitised
asset/Exposure
Carrying
mount
a
ment
reversals
losses/
mpair
I
Carrying
mount
a
ment
reversals
losses/
mpair
I
Carrying
mount
a
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
losses/
mpair
I
Net exposure
reversals
ment
reversals
losses/
mpair
I
Secured and unsecured
loans
54.152 40 89 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Debt securities 5.958 24 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total 60.111 64 89 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

C.3 Special purpose vehicle for the securitisation

Securitisation name / Assets Liabilities
Special purpose vehicle
name
Registered
office
Consolidation Receivable
s
Debt
securi
ties
Others Senior Mezzanine
-
Jun
ior
IFIS ABCP Programme S.r.l. Conegliano
(Province of
Treviso)
100% 1.585.766 - 98.923 1.150.000 -

E. Disposals

A. Financial assets sold and not fully derecognised

Qualitative information

Financial assets sold but not derecognised refer to securitised receivables.

Quantitative information

E.1. Financial assets sold and fully recognised and associated financial liabilities: carrying amounts

Financial assets sold and fully recognised Associated financial liabilities
Carrying
amount
of which:
securitised
of which:
subject to
repurchase
agreement
s
of which
non
performing
Carrying
amount
of which:
securitised
of which:
subject to
repurchase
agreements
A. Financial assets held for trading
1. Debt securities - - - X - - -
2. Equity securities - - - X - - -
3. Loans - - - X - - -
4. Derivatives - - - X - - -
B. Other financial assets
mandatorily measured at fair value
1. Debt securities - - - - - - -
2. Equity securities - - - X - - -
3. Loans - - - - - - -
C. Financial assets measured at
fair value
1. Debt securities - - - - - - -
2. Loans - - - - - - -
D. Financial assets measured at
fair value through other
comprehensive income
1. Debt securities 150.303 - 150.303 - 150.280 - 150.280
2. Equity securities - - X - - -
3. Loans - - - - - - -
E. Financial assets measured at
amortised cost
1. Debt securities - - - - - - -
2. Loans 832.843 832.843 - - 212.879 212.879 -
Total 31.12.2019 983.146 832.843 150.303 - 363.159 212.879 150.280
Total 31.12.2018 767.627 767.627 - - 146.305 146.305 -

Financial assets sold and fully derecognised

In 2019, one disposal took place of receivables to mutual investment funds with the attribution of the related portions to the transferring Banca Ifis.

The transaction was the disposal of a receivable and participating financial instruments deriving from the restructuring of a leverage buy-out to a mutual investment fund that had already taken over control of the debtor company and a significant portion of bank exposure. Receivables was worth a nominal amount of 14,8 million Euro, classified as unlikely to pay and were recorded for a net book value of 12,4 million Euro; participating financial instruments were worth a nominal amount of 12,4 fully impaired. For this transaction, the Group received 1,4 million Euro in cash and units of investment fund initially entered at a fair value of 13,2 million Euro.

Section 2 - Market risks

2.1 Interest rate risk and price risk - supervisory trading book

Qualitative information

For qualitative information, please refer to Part E in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements".

Quantitative information

  1. Supervisory trading book: breakdown by residual maturity (re-pricing date) of on-balance-sheet financial assets and liabilities and financial derivatives - Currency: Euro
Type/Residual maturity on
demand
up to 3
months
over 3 to
6 months
over 6
months to
1 year
over 1 to
5 years
over 5
years to
10 years
over 10
years
indefinite life
1. On-balance-sheet assets
1.1 Debt securities - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption
option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
1.2 Other assets - - - - - - - -
2. On-balance-sheet
liabilities
2.1 Repurchase agreements - - - - - - - -
2.2 Other liabilities - - - - - - - -
3. Financial derivatives
3.1 With underlying security
- Options
+ long positions - 11 - 145 6 - - -
+ short positions - 6 - - 87 68 - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - 1.265 800 - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
3.2 Without underlying
security
- Options - - - - - - - -
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions 631 160.418 76.901 4.860 66.178 10.039 - -
+ short positions 630 22.622 76.874 4.834 66.178 10.039 - -
  1. Supervisory trading book: breakdown by residual maturity (re-pricing date) of on-balance-sheet financial assets and liabilities and financial derivatives - Currency: Other currencies
Type/Residual maturity on
demand
up to 3
months
over 3 to
6 months
over 6
months to
1 year
over 1 to
5 years
over 5
years to
10 years
over 10
years
indefinite life
1. On-balance-sheet assets
1.1 Debt securities - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption
option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
1.2 Other assets - - - - - - - -
2. On-balance-sheet
liabilities
2.1 Repurchase agreements - - - - - - - -
2.2 Other liabilities - - - - - - - -
3. Financial derivatives
3.1 With underlying security
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
3.2 Without underlying
security
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - 137.326 - - - - - -

2.2 Interest rate risk and price risk - banking book

Qualitative information

For qualitative information, please refer to Part E in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements".

Quantitative information

1. Banking book: breakdown by residual maturity (re-pricing date) of financial assets and liabilities - Currency: Euro

Type/Residual maturity on demand up to 3
months
over 3 to 6
months
over 6
months to 1
year
over 1 to 5
years
over 5 years
to 10 years
over 10
years
Indefinite
life
1. On-balance-sheet assets 2.070.135 2.779.474 1.237.196 500.600 1.470.594 212.652 26.521 -
1.1 Debt securities - 57.457 523.254 200.485 496.466 138.275 26.024 -
- with early redemption option - 151 1.706 10.118 28.176 994 6.071 -
- other - 57.306 521.548 190.367 468.290 137.281 19.953 -
1.2 Loans to banks 34.412 390.386 127 256 890 - - -
1.3 Loans to customers 2.035.723 2.331.631 713.815 299.859 973.238 74.377 497 -
- current a/c 91.439 - 11.269 - 3.883 1.721 - -
- other loans 1.944.284 2.331.631 702.546 299.859 969.355 72.656 497 -
- with early redemption option 221.908 881.388 472.624 102.626 577.302 68.960 225 -
- other 1.722.376 1.450.243 229.922 197.233 392.053 3.696 272 -
2. On-balance-sheet liabilities 1.157.282 3.354.440 444.491 300.343 2.558.369 409.495 37 -
2.1 Due to customers 1.066.573 3.353.969 141.780 300.303 1.460.438 5.058 37 -
- current a/c 287.060 81.552 18.537 17.682 11.394 - - -
- other payables 779.513 3.272.417 123.243 282.621 1.449.044 5.058 37 -
- with early redemption option - - - - - - - -
- other 779.513 3.272.417 123.243 282.621 1.449.044 5.058 37 -
2.2 Due to banks 30.359 440 - - 795.392 2.579 - -
- current a/c 25.291 - - - - - - -
- other payables 5.068 440 - - 795.392 2.579 - -
2.3 Debt securities 60.350 31 302.711 40 302.539 401.858 - -
- with early redemption option - - - - - 401.858 - -
- other 60.350 31 302.711 40 302.539 - - -
2.4 Other liabilities - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
3. Financial derivatives
3.1 With underlying security
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
3.2 Without underlying security
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
4. Other off-balance-sheet transactions
+ long positions 330.287 - - - - - - -
+ short positions 119.526 11.787 624 21.610 116.039 60.700 - -
  1. Banking book: breakdown by residual maturity (re-pricing date) of financial assets and liabilities - Currency: Other currencies
Type/Residual maturity on
demand
up to 3
months
over 3 to 6
months
over 6
months to 1
year
over 1 to 5
years
over 5 years
to 10 years
over 10
years
Indefinite
life
1. On-balance-sheet assets 47.440 158.652 10.774 136 1.200 - - -
1.1 Debt securities - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
1.2 Loans to banks 7.529 15.963 - - - - - -
1.3 Loans to customers 39.911 142.689 10.774 136 1.200 - - -
- current a/c 26.861 1 - - - - - -
- other loans 13.050 142.688 10.774 136 1.200 - - -
- with early redemption option 112 20.618 171 57 138 - - -
- other 12.938 122.070 10.603 79 1.062 - - -
2. On-balance-sheet liabilities 905 114.166 - 89 - - - -
2.1 Due to customers 905 - - - - - - -
- current a/c 905 - - - - - - -
- other payables - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
2.2 Due to banks - 114.166 - 89 - - - -
- current a/c - - - - - - - -
- other payables - 114.166 - 89 - - - -
2.3 Debt securities - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
2.4 Other liabilities - - - - - - - -
- with early redemption option - - - - - - - -
- other - - - - - - - -
3. Financial derivatives
3.1 With underlying security
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
3.2 Without underlying security
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - - - -
4. Other off-balance-sheet transactions
+ long positions 2.256 1.174 - - - - - -
+ short positions 2.256 1.174 - - - - - -

2.3 Currency risk

Qualitative information

For qualitative information, please refer to Part E in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements".

Quantitative information

  1. Breakdown of assets, liabilities and derivatives by currency
Currencies
Items US DOLLAR UK STERLING JAPANESE
YEN
CANADIAN
DOLLAR
SWISS
FRANC
OTHER
CURRENCIES
A. Financial assets 210.141 2.705 16 38 202 42.306
A.1 Debt securities - - - - - -
A.2 Equity securities 31.094 - - - - 1.013
A.3 Loans to banks 18.736 350 16 37 197 4.931
A.4 Loans to customers 160.311 2.355 - 1 5 36.362
A.5 Other financial assets - - - - - -
B. Other assets - - - - - -
C. Financial liabilities 103.283 2.713 - - 11 14.581
C.1 Due to banks 102.485 2.704 - - - 14.475
C.2 Due to customers 798 9 - - 11 106
C.3 Debt securities - - - - - -
C.4 Other financial liabilities - - - - - -
D. Other liabilities - - - - - -
E. Financial derivatives
- Options
+ long positions - - - - - -
+ short positions - - - - - -
- Other
+ long positions - - - - - -
+ short positions 111.388 - - - - 25.938
Total assets 210.141 2.705 16 38 202 42.306
Total liabilities 214.671 2.713 - - 11 40.519
Imbalance (+/-) (4.530) (8) 16 38 191 1.787

Section 3 - Derivatives and hedging policies

3.1 Derivative instruments held for trading

A. Financial derivatives

A.1 Financial derivatives held for trading: year-end notional amounts

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Underlying assets/Types
of derivatives
Over the counter Over the counter
Without central counterparties Without central
counterparties
Organise
Central
counterpartie
s
With netting
agreements
Without netting
agreements
Organised
markets
Central
counterparti
es
With netting
agreements
Without
netting
agreemen
ts
d
markets
1. Debt securities and
interest rates
- - 256.641 - - - 261.621 -
a) Options - - 75.464 - - - - -
b) Swaps - - 181.177 - - - 261.621 -
c) Forwards - - - - - - - -
d) Futures - - - - - - - -
e) Other - - - - - - - -
2. Equity instruments and
share indexes
- - 66.431 - - - 30.091 -
a) Options - - 66.431 - - - 30.091 -
b) Swaps - - - - - - - -
c) Forwards - - - - - - - -
d) Futures - - - - - - - -
e) Other - - - - - - - -
3. Currencies and gold - - 79.509 - - - 206.437 -
a) Options - - - - - - - -
b) Swaps - - - - - - - -
c) Forwards - - 79.509 - - - 206.437 -
d) Futures - - - - - - - -
e) Other - - - - - - - -
4. Commodities - - - - - - - -
5. Others - - - - - - - -
Total - - 402.581 - - - 498.149 -

A.2 Financial derivatives held for trading: gross positive and negative fair value - breakdown by product

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Underlying
assets/Types of
derivatives
Over the counter Over the counter
Without central counterparties Central
counterp
arties
Without central
counterparties
Central
counterpart
ies
With netting
agreements
Without
netting
agreements
Organise
d
markets
With
netting
agreeme
nts
Without
netting
agreeme
nts
Organised
markets
1. Positive fair value
a) Options - - 3.197 - - - - -
b) Interest rate swaps - - 20.667 - - - 30.023 -
c)
Cross
currency
- - - - - - - -
swaps
d) Equity swaps
- - - - - - - -
e) Forwards - - 449 - - - 1.426 -
f) Futures - - - - - - - -
g) Other - - - - - - - -
Total - - 24.313 - - - 31.449 -
2. Negative fair value
a) Options - - 474 - - - - -
b) Interest rate swaps - - 21.277 - - - 30.970 -
c)
Cross
currency
- - - - - - - -
swaps
d) Equity swaps
- - - - - - - -
e) Forwards - - 93 - - - 218 -
f) Futures - - - - - - - -
g) Other - - - - - - - -
Total - - 21.844 - - - 31.188 -
A.3 OTC financial derivatives held for trading: notional amounts, gross positive and negative fair value by counterparty
Underlying assets Central
counterparties
Banks Other financial
companies
Other entities
Contracts not included in netting agreements
1) Debt securities and interest rates
- notional amount X 193.352 - 63.290
- positive fair value X 11.678 - 9.009
- negative fair value X 21.751 - -
2) Equity instruments and share indexes
- notional amount X 30.715 35.716 -
- positive fair value X 2.833 344 -
- negative fair value X - - -
3) Currencies and gold
- notional amount X 79.509 - -
- positive fair value X 449 - -
- negative fair value X 93 - -
4) Goods
- notional amount X - - -
- positive fair value X - - -
- negative fair value X - - -
5) Other
- notional amount X - - -
- positive fair value X - - -
- negative fair value X - - -
Contracts included in netting agreements
1) Debt securities and interest rates
- notional amount - - - -
- positive fair value - - - -
- negative fair value - - - -
2) Equity instruments and share indexes
- notional amount - - - -
- positive fair value - - - -
- negative fair value - - - -
3) Currencies and gold
- notional amount - - - -
- positive fair value - - - -
- negative fair value - - - -
4) Goods
- notional amount - - - -
- positive fair value - - - -
- negative fair value - - - -
5) Other
- notional amount - - - -
- positive fair value - - - -
- negative fair value - - - -
Underlying assets/Residual life Up to 1 year Over 1 to 5
years
Over 5 years Total
A.1 Financial derivatives on debt securities and interest rates 104.206 132.357 20.078 256.641
A.2 Financial derivatives on equities and share indexes 11.865 54.566 - 66.431
A.3 Financial derivatives on currencies and gold 79.509 - - 79.509
A.4 Financial derivatives on commodities - - - -
A.5 Other financial derivatives - - - -
Total 31.12.2019 195.580 186.923 20.078 402.581
Total 31.12.2018 247.127 192.885 58.137 498.149

A.4 Residual life of OTC financial derivatives held for trading: notional amounts

Section 4 - Liquidity risk

Qualitative information

For qualitative information, please refer to Part E in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements".

Quantitative information

1. Breakdown by residual contractual duration of financial assets and liabilities - Currency: Euro

Items/Duration on
demand
over 1
day to 7
days
over 7
days to
15 days
over 15
days to 1
month
over 1
month to 3
months
over 3
to 6
months
over 6
months to
1 year
over 1 to
5 years
Over 5
years
indefin
ite life
A. Cash assets 816.393 63.879 200.680 397.603 1.153.693 787.632 925.256 2.946.352 812.669 392.320
A.1 Government bonds 704 - 446 - 975 195.023 207.044 616.000 263.620 -
A.2 Other debt securities 260 - - 22 542 2.669 2.077 42.719 88.193 -
A.3 UCITS units 49.102 - - - - - - - - -
A.4 Loans 766.327 63.879 200.234 397.581 1.152.176 589.940 716.135 2.287.633 460.856 392.320
- banks 34.555 9.500 11 6.353 882 138 275 891 - 373.784
- customers 731.772 54.379 200.223 391.228 1.151.294 589.802 715.860 2.286.742 460.856 18.536
B. On-balance-sheet liabilities 1.095.011 271.339 200.368 241.472 1.591.392 454.420 323.095 3.658.079 407.674 -
B.1 Deposits and current
accounts
1.086.288 120.798 200.353 240.990 1.591.074 142.035 303.196 1.453.721 - -
- banks 27.921 - - - - - - - - -
- customers 1.058.367 120.798 200.353 240.990 1.591.074 142.035 303.196 1.453.721 - -
B.2 Debt securities 226 1 - 14 16 311.218 18.040 341.749 400.000 -
B.3 Other liabilities 8.497 150.540 15 468 302 1.167 1.859 1.862.609 7.674 -
C. Off-balance-sheet
transactions
C.1 Financial derivatives with
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - 20.000 117.850 - 2.926 - 20.220 3.313 - -
- short positions - - - - 2.513 - - 14.071 7.810 -
C.2 Financial derivatives
without
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions 23.844 - - - - - - - - -
- short positions 21.278 - - - - - - - - -
C.3 Deposits and loans
to be received
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - - - - - - - - - -
C.4 Irrevocable loan
commitments
- long positions 14.251 - 7.200 8.860 636 2.036 61.610 167.497 68.196 -
- short positions 119.526 - 4.400 7.023 364 624 21.610 116.039 60.700 -
C.5 financial guarantees
granted
- - - - - - - - - -
C.6 financial guarantees
received
- - - - - - - - - -
C.7 Credit derivatives with
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - - - - - - - - - -
C.8 Credit derivatives without
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - - - - - - - - - -

1. Breakdown by residual contractual duration of financial assets and liabilities - Currency: Other currencies

Items/Duration on
demand
over 1
day to 7
days
over 7
days to
15 days
over 15
days to 1
month
over 1
month to
3
months
over 3 to
6
months
over 6
months
to 1 year
over 1 to
5 years
Over 5
years
indefinit
e life
A. Cash assets 73.692 20.015 16.004 6.598 106.039 15.610 5.646 16.316 - -
A.1 Government bonds - - - - - - - - - -
A.2 Other debt securities - - - - - - - - - -
A.3 UCITS units 31.094 - - - - - - - - -
A.4 Loans 42.598 20.015 16.004 6.598 106.039 15.610 5.646 16.316 - -
- banks 8.334 16.025 - - - - - - - -
- customers 34.264 3.990 16.004 6.598 106.039 15.610 5.646 16.316 - -
B. On-balance-sheet liabilities 923 37.704 18.641 63.268 92 - 91 - - -
B.1 Deposits and current
accounts
923 37.704 18.641 63.268 92 - 91 - - -
- banks - 37.704 18.641 63.268 92 - 91 - - -
- customers 923 - - - - - - - - -
B.2 Debt securities - - - - - - - - - -
B.3 Other liabilities - - - - - - - - - -
C. Off-balance-sheet
transactions
C.1 Financial derivatives with
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - 20.067 117.260 - - - - - - -
C.2 Financial derivatives
without
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - - - - - - - - - -
C.3 Deposits and loans
to be received
- long positions - 3.524 - - - - - - - -
- short positions - 3.524 - - - - - - - -
C.4 Irrevocable loan
commitments
- long positions 2.008 - - - - - - - - -
- short positions 2.008 - - - - - - - - -
C.5 financial guarantees
granted
- - - - - - - - - -
C.6 financial guarantees
received
- - - - - - - - - -
C.7 Credit derivatives with
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - - - - - - - - - -
C.8 Credit derivatives without
exchange of underlying assets
- long positions - - - - - - - - - -
- short positions - - - - - - - - - -

Self-securitisation transactions

In December 2016, the Banca, through the merged company IFIS Leasing S.p.A. (originator) finalised a securitisation that involved selling a portfolio of performing loans totalling 489 million Euro to the special purpose vehicle Indigo Lease S.r.l.

The transaction was rated by Moody's and DBRS. The same agencies carry out annual monitoring throughout the transaction.

The initial purchase price of the assigned receivables portfolio, equal to 489 million Euro, was paid by the vehicle to the merged entity IFIS Leasing S.p.A. using funds raised from the issue of senior notes for an amount of 366 million Euro. These received an AA3 (sf) rating from Moody's and an AA (sf) rating from DBRS, and their redemption is connected to the collections realised on the receivables portfolio. In addition, the vehicle issued 138 million Euro in junior notes that were acquired by IFIS Leasing S.p.A. (today incorporated into Banca Ifis S.p.A.), did not receive a rating. In addition, the latter received a specific servicing mandate to collect and manage the receivables.

During the second quarter of 2017, following the transaction restructuring, a revolving system was launched involving monthly assignments of new credit to the SPV, until July 2021. At the same time, the maximum nominal amount of the senior and junior notes was increased respectively to 609,5 and 169,7 million Euro. In the same period, the Bank acquired all the senior notes issued by the vehicle. Following the May 2019 merger of IFIS Leasing S.p.A., Banca Ifis also became the subscriber of the junior notes.

At 31 December 2019 Banca Ifis had therefore subscribed for all the notes issued by the vehicle.

It should be noted that, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the operation, there is no substantial transfer of all the risks and rewards relating to the transferred assets (receivables).

Securitisation transactions

As for the securitisations outstanding at 31 December 2019 and their purpose, see the comments in the section on credit risks.

Section 5 - Operational risks

Qualitative information

For qualitative information, please refer to Part E in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements".

4.6. Part F - Equity

Section 1 - Equity

A. Qualitative information

Managing equity concerns a set of policies and decisions necessary to establish capital levels that are consistent with the assets and risks taken by the Bank. The Bank is subject to the capital adequacy requirements established by the so-called Basel Committee (CRR/CRD IV).

The Board of Directors constantly monitors that the Bank meets the minimum supervisory requirements, and therefore the capital adequacy ratios, as well as complies with the capital limits set out in the Risk Appetite Framework (RAF).

Furthermore, also in accordance with the European Central Bank's recommendation of 28 January 2015, the Bank ensures compliance with capital adequacy ratios through a pay-out policy linked to the achievement of the above minimum capital requirements, as well as the careful assessment of the potential impact of extraordinary financial operations (share capital increases, convertible loans, etc.).

The Bank's capital adequacy is further assessed and monitored every time an extraordinary operation is planned. In these cases, based on available information regarding said operations, the Bank estimates the impact on capital adequacy ratios as well as the RAF, and considers any measures necessary to meet the requirements.

Transactions on treasury shares

At 31 December 2018, Banca Ifis held 370.112 treasury shares recognised at a market value of 3,1 million Euro and a nominal amount of 370.112 Euro.

In 2019, Banca Ifis, as variable pay for the 2015 financial results, awarded the Top Management 10.968 treasury shares at an average price of 15,33 Euro, for a total of 168 thousand Euro and a nominal amount of 10.968 Euro, making profits of 77 thousand Euro that, in compliance with IAS/IFRS standards, were recognised under the capital reserve.

The remaining balance at the end of the year was 359.144 treasury shares with a market value of 3,0 million Euro and a nominal amount of 359.144 Euro.

B. Quantitative information

B.1 Company's equity: breakdown

Equity items 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
1. Share capital 53.811 53.811
2. Share premiums 102.285 102.116
3. Reserves 1.169.123 1.141.385
- profits 1.166.854 1.139.107
a) legal reserve 10.762 10.762
b) statutory reserve 498.732 487.336
c) treasury shares 3.012 3.103
d) other 654.348 637.906
- other 2.269 2.278
4. Equity instruments
5. (Treasury shares) (3.012) (3.103)
6. Valuation reserves: 2.691 (8.549)
- Equity securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 3.153 1.586
- Hedging of equity securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income - -
- Financial assets (other than equity securities) measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (416) (10.279)
- Property, plant and equipment
- Intangible assets
- Foreign investment hedges
- Cash flow hedges
- Hedging instruments (non-designated items)
- Exchange differences
- Non-current assets under disposal
- Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss (changes in own credit risk)
- Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension plans (46) 143
- Share of valuation reserves of equity accounted investments
- Specific revaluation laws
7. Profit (loss) for the year 27.346 82.806
Total 1.352.244 1.368.466

B.2 Valuation reserves for financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income: breakdown

Assets/Amounts 31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Positive reserve Negative reserve Positive reserve Negative reserve
1. Debt securities 1.067 (1.483) (10.279)
2. Equity securities 4.087 (934) 2.102 (515)
3. Loans - - - -
Total 5.154 (2.417) 2.102 (10.794)

B.3 Valuations reserves for financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income: annual changes

Debt securities Equity securities Loans
1. Opening balance (31/12/2018) (10.279) 1.586 -
2. Increases 20.507 3.485 -
2.1 Fair value gains 18.405 3.226 -
2.2 Credit risk losses - X -
2.3 Reclassification to profit or loss of negative reserves from sale 1.421 X -
2.4 Transfers to other components of equity (equity securities) - - -
2.5 Other changes 681 259 -
3. Decreases 10.644 1.918 -
3.1 Fair value losses 2.023 348 -
3.2 Reversals of credit risk losses 460 X -
3.3 Reclassification to profit or loss of positive reserves from sale 2.381 X -
3.4 Transfers to other components of equity (equity securities) - 934 -
3.5 Other changes 5.780 636 -
4. Closing balance (416) 3.153 -

As required by article 2427, paragraph 7-bis of the Italian Civil Code, the following table shows the equity items along with the nature, utilization and distribution possibilities, as well as what has been used in previous years.

Equity items Amount at
31.12.2019
Possibility of
use (*)
Portion
available
Summary of uses
during the last
three years
For loss
coverage
For other
reasons
Share capital 53.811 - - -
Share premiums 102.285 A, B, C (1) 102.285 - -
Reserves: 1.169.123 509.494 - -
- Statutory reserve 10.762 B 10.762 - -
- Extraordinary reserve 498.732 A, B, C 498.732 - -
- Reserves from the application of international accounting
standards
321 (2) - - -
- Reserve for own shares 3.012 - - -
- Other reserves 656.296 A, B, C (3) 22.896 - -
Valuation reserves: 2.691 - - -
- Financial assets measured at fair value through other
comprehensive income
2.737 (4) - - -
- Actuarial gains (losses) related to defined benefit plans (46) - - -
Treasury shares (-) (3.012) - - -
Profit for the year 27.346 - - -
Total 1.352.244 611.779 - -

(*) A = to increase capital, B = to cover losses, C = for distribution to shareholders.

(1) The share premium reserve is available and distributable as the legal reserve has reached one fifth of the share capital.

(2) The item includes 2,4 million Euro in reserves deriving from the first time adoption of accounting standard IFRS 9 (FTA), net of the related tax effects, of which: 1,0 million Euro due to the FTA IFRS 9 effect on Banca Ifis and 1,5 million Euro for the FTA IFRS 9 effect on IFIS Leasing, merged by incorporation into Banca Ifis in 2018.

(3) Consistently with the Bank's willingness to further strengthen its capital base, the amount corresponding to the gain on bargain purchase that arose from the acquisition of the former GE Capital Interbanca Group, equal to 633,4 million Euro, was allocated to a reserve that will remain unavailable until the approval of the financial statements for the year 2021.

(4) The reserve, where available, is restricted pursuant to article 6 of Italian Legislative Decree no. 38/2005.

B.4 Valuation reserves for defined benefit plans: annual changes

The Reserves from valuation relative to defined benefits plans had a negative balance at 31 December 2019 of 46 thousand Euro, pertaining to the Bank. The reduction in the item as compared with the positive value of 189 thousand Euro at the end of the previous year, derives from the net actuarial losses accrued during the period on the Bank's severance indemnity.

Section 2 - Own funds and prudential ratios

Pursuant to Circular 262 - 6th update - the section on own funds and capital ratios is replaced by a reference to the "Pillar 3" disclosures, which contain similar information.

That said, below are the highlights about own funds and capital ratios.

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. Common Equity Tier 1(1) (CET1) before application of prudential filters 1.293.447 1.312.353
- of which CET1 instruments subject to transitional provisions - -
B. CET1 prudential filters (+/-) (1.323) -
C. CET1 gross of items to be deducted and the effects of the transitional regime (A+/-B) 1.292.124 1.312.353
D. Items to be deducted from CET1 117.805 172.841
E. Transitional regime - Impact on CET1 (+/-), including minority interests subject to
transitional provisions
2.141 (29)
F. Total Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) (C-D+/-E) 1.176.460 1.139.483
G. Additional Tier 1 Capital (AT1) gross of items to be deducted and - -
the effects of the transitional regime
- of which AT1 instruments subject to transitional provisions - -
H. Items to be deducted from AT1 - -
I. Transitional regime - Impact on AT1 (+/-), including instruments issued by subsidiaries that are
given recognition in AT1 pursuant to transitional provisions
- -
L. Total Additional Tier 1 Capital (AT1) (G-H+/-I) - -
M. Tier 2 Capital (T2) gross of items to be deducted and the effects of the transitional
regime
400.000 400.000
- of which T2 instruments subject to transitional provisions - -
N. Items to be deducted from T2 - -
O. Transitional regime - Impact on T2 (+/-), including instruments issued by subsidiaries that are
given recognition in T2 pursuant to transitional provisions
- -
P. Total Tier 2 Capital (T2) (M-N+/-O) 400.000 400.000
Q. Total own funds (F+L+P) 1.576.460 1.539.483
Categories/Amounts Non-weighted amounts Weighted amounts /
requirements
31.12.2019
31.12.2018
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
A. RISK ASSETS
A.1 Credit risk and counterparty risk 10.738.232 9.637.194 6.681.910 6.678.451
1. Standardised approach 10.738.232 9.637.194 6.681.910 6.678.451
2. Approach based on internal ratings - -
2.1 Basic indicator approach - -
2.2 Advanced measurement approach - -
3. Securitisation programmes - -
B. REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
B.1 Credit risk and counterparty risk 534.553 534.276
B.2 Credit and counterparty valuation adjustment risk 816 1.264
B.3 Regulatory risk - -
B.4 Market risks 4.342 464
1. Standard method 4.342 464
2. Internal models - -
3. Concentration risk - -
B.5 Operational risk 59.984 67.374
1. Basic indicator approach 59.984 67.374
2. Standardised approach - -
3. Advanced measurement approach - -
B.6 Other calculation factors - -
B.7 Total prudential requirements 599.695 603.378
C. RISK ASSETS AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENT RATIOS
C.1 Risk-weighted assets 7.496.182 7.542.228
C.2 Common Equity Tier 1 capital / Risk-weighted assets (CET1 Capital ratio) 15,69% 15,11%
C.2 Tier 1 Capital / Risk-weighted assets (Tier 1 capital ratio) 15,69% 15,11%
C.4 Total own funds / Risk-weighted assets (Total capital ratio) 21,03% 20,41%

4.7. Part G - Business combinations

Section 1 - Transactions carried out during the year

1.1 Business combinations

On 7 January 2019, the Bank finalised the acquisition of control over FBS S.p.A., a servicing specialist (including both master and special services), manager of secured and unsecured NPL portfolios, due diligence advisor, and investor authorised to conduct NPL transactions. The deal, announced on 15 May 2018, concerned 90% of FBS for 58,5 million Euro. At the same time as the purchase and sale contract, contracts were also stipulated to regulate the put and call option agreements with the minority shareholders of the FBS Group, which envisage various ranges of exercise over a period of between 2 and 4 years and variable valuations also depending on the performance of FBS S.p.A.

On 30 October 2019, following the stipulation of a specific agreement with the minority shareholders, the early purchase was completed of the remaining 10% of the investment, for a value of 12,2 million Euro. This transaction therefore took the comprehensive value of the price transferred for 100% of the capital of FBS S.p.A. to 70,7 million Euro.

Considering the two transactions of 7 January 2019 and 30 October 2019, the cost incurred for the FBS acquisition is therefore defined as 70,7 million Euro.

Company Name Transaction date (1) (2) (3) (4)
FBS S.p.A. 7 January 2019 70.700 100% 7.835 5.025

Key:

(1) = Transaction cost

(2) = Percentage interest acquired carrying voting rights in the annual general meeting

(3) = Total Group revenues.

(4) = Group net profit/loss

Section 2 - Transactions carried out after the end of the year

The Bank did not carry out any business combination between the end of the year and the date of preparation of this document.

Section 3 - Retrospective adjustments

During the year ended 31 December 2019, no retrospective adjustments were made.

4.8. Part H - Related-party transactions

In compliance with the provisions of Consob resolution no. 17221 of 12 March 2010 (as subsequently amended by means of Resolution no. 17389 of 23 June 2010) and the provisions of Circular 263/2006 (Title V, Chapter 5) of the Bank of Italy, Banca IFIS prepared the procedure relating to transactions with "related parties". The latest version was approved by the Board of Directors on 6 March 2018. This document is publicly available on Banca IFIS's website, www.bancaifis.it, in the "Corporate Governance" Section.

During 2019, no significant transactions with related parties were undertaken.

At 31 December 2019, Banca Ifis was owned by La Scogliera S.p.A. and consisted of the Parent company Banca Ifis S.p.A., the whollyowned subsidiaries IFIS Finance Sp. Z o.o., IFIS Rental Services S.r.l., IFIS NPL S.p.A. and Cap.Ital.Fin. S.p.A., by the 70% subsidiary Credifarma S.p.A. and, following the acquisition of the FBS Group completed on 7 January 2019, by the companies FBS S.p.A. 100% controlled, FBS Real Estate S.p.A. 99.28% controlled and by the company Elipso Finance S.r.l. 50% jointly controlled. It should also be noted that the 100% stake in the company Two Solar Park 2008 S.r.l. was sold to third parties on 26 June 2019.

The types of related parties, as defined by IAS 24, that are relevant for Banca Ifis include:

  • the parent company;
  • the subsidiaries;
  • key management personnel;
  • close relatives of key management personnel and the companies controlled by (or associated to) them or their close relatives.

Here below is the information on the remuneration of key management personnel as well as transactions undertaken with the different types of related parties.

1. Information on the remuneration of key management personnel

The definition of key management personnel, as per IAS 24, includes all those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Banca Ifis, directly or indirectly, including the Bank's directors (whether executive or otherwise).

In compliance with the provisions of the Bank of Italy's Circular no. 262 of 22 December 2005 (6th update of 30 November 2018), key management personnel also include the members of the Board of Statutory Auditors.

Key management personnel in charge at 12/31/2019

Short-term employee
benefits
Post-employment
benefits
Other long-term benefits Termination benefits Share-based payments
3.835 - 76 68 187

The above information includes fees paid to Directors (2,6 million Euro, gross amount) and Statutory Auditors (313 thousand Euro, gross amount).

2. Information on related-party transactions

Here below are the assets, liabilities, guarantees and commitments outstanding at 31 December 2019, broken down by type of related party pursuant to IAS 24.

Items Parent
company
Subsidiarie
s
Key
management
personnel
Other
related
parties
Total As a % of
the
item
Financial assets measured at fair value through
other comprehensive income
- - - 5.500 5.500 0,5%
Receivables due from customers measured at
amortised cost
- 940.897 - 4.537 945.434 13,7%
Other assets 101.362 9.113 - - 110.475 31,0%
Total assets 101.362 950.010 - 10.037 1.061.409 10,5%
Payables due to customers measured at
amortised cost
- 26.168 - 274 26.442 0,4%
Other liabilities - 322 - - 322 0,1%
Total liabilities - 26.490 - 274 26.764 0,3%
Items Parent
company
Subsidiarie
s
Key
management
personnel
Other
related
parties
Total As a % of
the
item
Interest receivable - 15.598 - 1.439 17.037 5,4%
Commission income - 5 - - 5 0,0%
Commission expense - (371) - - (371) 4,4%
Administrative expenses - 887 - - 887 (0,4)%
Other operating income and expenses - 9.937 - - 9.937 12,6%

Banca Ifis's transactions with the parent company La Scogliera S.p.A. concern the application of group taxation (tax consolidation) in accordance with articles 117 and following of Italian Presidential Decree no. 917/86. Transactions between these companies were regulated by means of a private written agreement between the parties. This agreement will lapse after three years. For tax purposes, the consolidated company has an address for the service of notices of documents and proceedings relating to the tax periods for which this option is exercised at the office of La Scogliera S.p.A., the consolidating company. Under this tax regime, Banca Ifis's taxable income is transferred to La Scogliera S.p.A., which is responsible for calculating the overall Group income. As a result, at 31 December 2019, Banca Ifis recognised net receivables due from the parent company amounting to 101,4 million Euro.

Transactions with subsidiaries mainly relate to:

940,9 million Euro in loans Banca Ifis granted to its subsidiaries;

15,6 million Euro in interest on loans and current accounts;

9,9 million Euro in chargebacks for the lease of spaces and secondment agreements.

Transactions with other related parties that are part of Banca Ifis's ordinary business are conducted at arm's length.

At 31 December 2019, there is a transaction involving an entity for which Banca Ifis holds an equity investment in excess of 20%, entered amongst financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income for a total of 5,5 million Euro and related loans for 3,9 million Euro, classified amongst receivables due from customers measured at amortised cost.

During the year, it continued its factoring operations in favour of one company headed by close relatives of executive members of the Board of Directors: the Banca Ifis Group's exposure at 31 December 2019 amounted to 0,6 million Euro.

4.9. Part I - Share-based payments

Qualitative information

1. Description of share-based payment agreements

Top Management's remuneration consists of fixed pay and variable pay calculated as a percentage of consolidated profit gross of taxes. Access to variable pay is contingent on:

  • the Group's consolidated profit before taxes for the year exceeding 80 million Euro;
  • meeting the minimum Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) requirement applicable from time to time to the Group as calculated on a quarterly basis during the reporting year;
  • meeting the minimum Net Stable Funding Ratio requirement applicable from time to time to the Group as calculated on a quarterly basis during the reporting year;
  • the consolidated Total Own Funds Capital Ratio exceeding the Overall Capital Requirement announced by the Supervisory Body as part of the "Capital Decisions" following the periodic Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP).

Failure to meet one of these conditions will result in variable pay not being awarded.

The Shareholders' Meeting held on 19 April 2019, following expiry of the mandate of the Board of Directors in office for the three years 2016, 2017 and 2018 proceeded to appoint the Board of Directors for the three years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The appointment of the new Board of Directors was then followed by a review of the current remuneration and incentive policies; policies that were submitted, for due approval, to the Shareholders' Meeting on 19 December 2019. Said review regarded, amongst others, provisions on the economic treatment of the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer. More specifically, starting 2019, the variable component of the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer was reduced to 60% ("cap") of fixed remuneration, as compared with the variable component of 100% that had been envisaged the previous year. Instead, nothing has changed for the Chief Executive Officer for whom, for 2019 too, a variable component of 60% of the fixed remuneration was confirmed as the maximum limit that can be achieved.

60% of this variable component is awarded with an upfront payment, and the remaining 40% is deferred for three years from the date it was promised.

The deferred portion of variable remuneration (amounting to 40%) shall be paid as follows:

50% in the form of shares in the Parent company to be awarded after the end of the three-year vesting period (the period after which the shares may be awarded) and that may be exercised following a retention period (during which the shares cannot be sold) of one additional year;

the remaining 50% of deferred variable remuneration shall be paid in cash after three years and is subject to annual revaluation at the legal interest rate applicable from time to time.

The variable component paid upfront (the remaining 60%) shall be paid as follows:

  • 50% in cash;
  • and the remaining 50% in the form of shares in the Parent that may be exercised following a three-year retention period, in line with the strategic planning time horizon.

Starting from 2014, variable pay is paid 50% in cash and 50% in the form of shares in the Parent. This applies to both upfront and deferred variable pay.

The number of shares to be awarded is calculated by relying on the average share price for the month before the variable pay for the period is determined -- which shall occur at the date of the Meeting convened for the approval of the Financial Statements -- as the fair value of the share.

Variable pay is subject to malus/clawback mechanisms that may cause the amount to be reduced to as low as zero if certain conditions are met.

Quantitative information

The table on annual changes is not presented here, since for Banca Ifis share-based payment agreements do not fall within the category concerned by said table.

2. Other information

If a result is achieved that equals or exceeds 100% of the annual targets assigned, the variable component of Senior Management will be considered as accrued in the amount of 100% of its value and, in this case, the variable remuneration referring to the component to be paid in shares, for 2019, is 299 thousand Euro; the number of shares to be attributed will be in any case calculated as described above.

In this regard, it is specified that, with reference to the CEO, starting 2019, the annual variable emoluments (equal to up to 60% of the recurring fixed emoluments - "cap" -):

  • if achieving a result of 100% (or more) of the targets assigned, it will be understood as accrued at 100% of its value and,
  • if a result is achieved that ranges between 80% and 100% of the targets assigned, it will be intended as accrued, in a growing proportion, up to a maximum of 100% of the target ("cap").

4.10. Part L - Segment reporting

In accordance with IFRS 8, Banca Ifis S.p.A., Parent company of the Banca Ifis Group, presents the segment reporting in Part L of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

4.11. Part M - Leasing disclosure

Section 1 - Lessee

Qualitative information

As lessee, the Bank has stipulated lease contracts on properties mainly to be used instrumentally. They are therefore leases of properties intended to host internal offices. As the lease business is correlated to the Bank's need to offshore its offices, particularly close attention is paid to identifying the most suitable properties for use, designated in line with the economic criteria established by the company.

At 31 December, there are 46 passive lease contracts for buildings and 20 for car parking spaces, the related right of use booked at 31 December 2019 is 12,1 million Euro, whilst the corresponding lease liabilities come to 11,9 million Euro. The Bank also has a property in Florence, financially leased as described in part B - Statement of financial position.

As regards the contracts for cars, the Bank has passive contracts for 283 cars at 31 December 2019, which are mainly long-term hires of structure cars and fringe benefits for employees; at 31 December 2019, the related right of use is 1,5 million Euro, while the corresponding lease liability is also 1,5 million Euro.

In view of the non-marginal nature of the lease contracts in relation to the asset value, consisting of the right of use entered in total in the financial statements in accordance with IFRS 16, the Bank's total lease liabilities at 31 December 2019 come to 14,1 million Euro.

Banca Ifis is not exposed to outgoing cash flows, which are not already reflected in the measurement of the leasing liabilities. In greater detail, exposure deriving from the extension options are included in lease liabilities booked, insofar as the Bank considers the first renewal as certain; the other situations recalled by the standard (variable payments connected with leasing, guarantees of residual value, lease commitments that are not operative) are not present for the contracts stipulated as lessee.

The Bank books the following as costs:

  • short-term leases in the event of assets such as properties and technologies (in particular, the mainframe hardware), when the related contracts have a maximum term of twelve months and have no option for extension.
  • leases of assets of modest value, i.e. characterised by a new value of less than 5 thousand Euro, mainly for mobile telephony.

Quantitative information

The table below provides indication on the amortisation/depreciation cost for assets consisting of the right of use, broken down by classes of underlying asset.

AMORTISATION/DEPRECIATION COSTS FOR ASSETS
COMPRISING THE RIGHT OF USE
(in thousands of Euro)
31.12.2019 31.12.2018
a) Land - -
b) Buildings 1.611 121
c) Furniture - -
d) Electronic equipment 188 -
e) Other 910 -
Total 2.709 121

Section 2 - Lessor

Qualitative information

The Bank offers fixed or variable-rate financial leasing solutions for vehicles (cars, commercial and industrial vehicles) and instrumental assets (industrial machinery, medical equipment, technological assets) to both private customers and small and medium enterprises through an internal commercial structure and a network of selected Agents in Financial Assets throughout the whole of national territory. The leasing of instrumental assets is also distributed through relations with manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

As lessor, the Bank does not stipulate lease contracts for properties for commercial use or accommodation with third parties or other group companies.

In referring to the greater detail given in the report on operations to the consolidated financial statements, it is there pointed out that the lease agreements stipulated with customers enable the management of risk on the underlying assets in line with the Bank's policy, as there is no provision for buy-back agreements, guarantees on residual value or variable payments. The Bank therefore books the financial lease in accordance with accounting standard IFRS 16 and classifies the transactions amongst financial assets measured at amortised cost.

Quantitative information

1. Information from the statement of financial position and income statement

For information on lease financing, reference is made to the contents of Section 4, Assets, of Part B of the notes of this document. As regards interest income on lease loans, reference is made to the contents of Section 1 of Part C; for commission, refer to Section 2 of Part C and, finally, for other income, refer to Section 14, against of Part C of the notes, of this document.

2. Finance leases

2.1. Classification by time frames of payments to be received and reconciliation with the leasing loans entered under assets

31.12.2019 31.12.2018
Time frames Payments to be received for
leasing
Payments to be received for
leasing
Up to 1 year 452.623 423.958
Over 1 to 2 years 366.839 347.155
Over 2 to 3 years 278.767 269.156
Over 3 to 4 years 175.002 166.077
Over 4 to 5 years 73.783 70.020
Over 5 years 9.618 9.126
Total payments to be received for leasing 1.356.632 1.285.492
RECONCILIATION WITH LOANS
Financial gains not accrued (-) (105.909) (107.833)
Residual value not guaranteed (-)
Financing for leasing 1.245.513 1.174.961

The table shows the classification by time frame of payments receivable for leasing and the reconciliation of such payments and lease loans as lessor. The table does not show impairment losses totalling 26,4 million Euro and the amount of explicit receivables for 21,2 million Euro.

Venice - Mestre, 12 March 2020

For the Board of Directors

The Chairman Sebastien Egon Fürstenberg

The C.E.O. Luciano Colombini

5. Attachments to the Separate Financial Statements

5.1. Statement of prices for the auditing of the accounts and services other than auditing in accordance with article 149-duodecies of Consob Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999

Type of services Service provider Beneficiary Fees
(units of Euro)
Independent auditors' fees EY S.p.A Banca Ifis S.p.A. 288.354
Subsidiaries 306.545
Certification services EY S.p.A Banca Ifis S.p.A. 93.500
Subsidiaries -
Tax consultancy services EY S.p.A Banca Ifis S.p.A. -
Subsidiaries -
Other services EY S.p.A Banca Ifis S.p.A. -
Subsidiaries -
Total 688.399

5.2. Certification of the financial statements pursuant to the provisions of art. 154-bis, paragraph 5, of the legislative decree 58 of February 24, 1998 and art. 81 ter of Consob Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999 as amended

    1. We the undersigned, Luciano Colombini CEO and Mariacristina Taormina in her capacity as Manager charged with preparing the financial reports of Banca IFIS S.p.A., having also taken into account the provisions of Art. 154-bis, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Italian Legislative Decree no.58 dated 24 February 1998, hereby certify:
    2. i. the adequacy in relation to the characteristics of the Company;
    3. ii. the effective implementation of the administrative and accounting procedures

for the preparation of Banca IFIS's financial statements, over the course of the period from January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2019.

    1. The adequacy of the administrative and accounting procedures in place for preparing the financial statements as at December 31st, 2019 has been assessed through a process established by Banca IFIS S.p.A. on the basis of the guidelines set out in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (CoSO),an internationally accepted reference framework.
    1. The undersigned further confirm that:

3.1 the financial statements as at December 31st, 2019:

  • a) are prepared in compliance with International Accounting Standards, endorsed by the European Commission as for European regulation no. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and Council of July 19th, 2002;
  • b) correspond to the related books and accounting records;
  • c) provide a true and correct representation of the financial position of the issuer.

3.2 The management report contains a reliable analysis of the business outlook and management result, the financial position of the issuer and a description of the main risks and uncertainties it is exposed to.

Venice, March 12th , 2020

CEO Manager charged with preparing the Company's financial reports

Luciano Colombini Mariacristina Taormina

This report has been translated into the English language solely for the convenience of international readers.

5.3. Board of Statutory Auditors' report

REPORT of the BOARD OF STATUTORY AUDITORS to the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of 31 December 2019 (Translation from the original Italian text)

Dear Shareholders,

with this report – prepared pursuant to Art. 153 of Legislative Decree 58/1998 and Art. 2429, paragraph 2, Italian Civil Code – the Board of Statutory Auditors of Banca IFIS S.p.A. hereby informs you of the supervisory and control activities carried out in the performance of their duties, during the year ended 31 December 2019.

Introduction

The Shareholders' Meeting held on 19 April 2019 renewed the corporate bodies taking the number of Directors from 9 to 12 of which 8 newly appointed. The Meeting then appointed the new Chief Executive Officer.

The Board of Statutory Auditors was also renewed. The Meeting confirmed Giacomo Bugna as its President and appointed two new standing auditors, Marinella Monterumisi and Franco Olivetti.

In addition, please also note that the Board of Directors in its meeting of 13 January 2020 approved the 2020- 2022 Strategic Plan and presented it to the financial community on 14 January 2020.

Lastly, on 19 March 2020, this Board of Statutory Auditors received the resignation of the director Alessandro Csillaghy effective as of 31 March 2020.

1. Activity of the Board of Statutory Auditors

During financial year 2019, the Board of Statutory Auditors carried out its institutional tasks in accordance with the rules of the Italian Civil Code and with Legislative Decrees 385/1993 (Consolidated Banking Law), 58/1998 (Consolidated Law on Finance), 39/2010, the By-Laws, in addition to being in compliance with those issued by the public Authorities that exercise activities of supervision and control, also taking into account the standards of conduct recommended by the National Council of Chartered Accountants in the document dated April 2018.

During the year, the Board of Statutory Auditors performed its duties holding 28 meetings, of which 6 held jointly with the Risk Management and Internal Control Committee and 2 held jointly with the Internal Control Committee, the Appointments Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

The Board also took part in all the 20 meetings held by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Statutory Auditors or single Auditors also took part in the meetings of the Risk Management and Internal Control Committee, of the Appointments Committee and of the Remuneration Committee.

The minutes of the Board of Statutory Auditors' meetings, which sometimes contain explicit recommendations to rapidly resolve difficulties that have come to light, are always sent in their entirety to the CEO and to the General Manager. The Chairman of the Risk Management and Internal Control Committee is constantly invited to attend meetings of the Board of Statutory Auditors. It is believed that such attendance will ensure an adequate flow of information between the committees within the Board of Directors.

The Head of Internal Auditing also attends the meetings of the Board of Statutory Auditors, as a permanent invitee for the continuous interaction with the corporate function of third-level control.

During 2019, Banca Ifis S.p.a. was audited by the Supervisory Authority. During that audit, the Board of Statutory Auditors interacted with the audit delegation every time it was required to do so. The audit ended with no specific findings.

On receiving the audit results, the Bank prepared a plan of corrective actions to be implemented and completed pursuant to timing indicated by the Supervisory Authority.

2. Significant transactions of the year

On carrying out the activities of supervision and control, the Board of Statutory Auditors obtained periodically from the Directors, including through the participation in meetings of the Board of Directors, information on the activities carried out and on the most important economic, financial and equity transactions approved and implemented by the Bank and by its subsidiaries, also pursuant to Art. 150, paragraph 1 of the Consolidated Law on Finance.

During the past financial year, the Bank purchased 100% of the capital of FBS S.p.A., an operator specialised (registered in the Register pursuant to art. 106 of the Consolidated Banking Law) in servicing activities (master and special servicer) for NPL portfolios, both guaranteed and not, by finalising the purchase of 90% of the capital in the month of January and the remaining 10% in October 2019.

That acquisition also involved the acquisition of FBS Real Estate S.p.A., as it is controlled 100% by FBS S.p.A.

Acquisition of FBS S.p.A. led to recognition, in the consolidated financial statements, of goodwill amounting to about €38 million.

During 2019, the Bank also sold its controlling investment in Two Solar Park 2008 s.r.l.

As a consequence of the above transactions, the scope of the Banking group consolidation has changed compared to the previous year and, as of 31 December 2019, includes the companies IFIS Finance Sp. Z.o.o, IFIS NPL S.p.a., Cap.Ital.Fin. S.p.A., Credifarma S.p.A FBS S.p.A., as well as the non-regulated company IFIS Rental Services S.r.l. and FBS Real Estate S.p.A.

Among the significant events of 2019, details of which are provided in the Management Report and the Explanatory Notes, it has been considered appropriate to report the first application of the IFRS 16 accounting standard, whose effects are covered in the Explanatory Notes.

3. Supervisory activities

3.1 – Supervisory activities on the observance of the law, the By-Laws, and the Self-Regulation Code for listed companies

On the basis of the information obtained through its own supervisory activities, the Board of Statutory Auditors was not made aware of any transactions that had not been conducted in compliance with the principles of correct management and that had not been approved and implemented in accordance with the law and with the By-Laws, which were contrary to the interests of the Bank, that were in contrast with the resolutions passed by the Shareholders' Meeting, that were imprudent or risky or were such as to compromise the integrity of corporate assets.

The Board of Statutory Auditors was not made aware of any transactions that could pose conflicts of interest.

The Board of Statutory Auditors monitored compliance of the Procedure for transactions with subjects related to the law in force and its correct application.

In particular, as provided for by the relevant rules, the Chairman and/or the other Statutory Auditors participated in the meetings of the Risk Management and Control Committee to discuss transactions with related parties; the Board of Statutory Auditors periodically received information relating to the progress of their positions.

The Board of Statutory Auditors assessed that the Board of Directors, in the Management Report and in the Notes, had provided adequate information on the transactions with related parties, taking into account the provisions of regulations in force. To the knowledge of the Board of Statutory Auditors, there are no intragroup transactions and no transactions with Related Parties being implemented in 2019 that were contrary to the interests of the company.

In the year 2019, the Bank did not perform any atypical or unusual transactions. With regard to transactions of particular importance, these respect the principles of prudence, do not contravene the resolutions of the Board of Directors' Meetings, and do not prejudice company assets.

Regarding the outsourcing of Bank activities, and in particular of the Important Operational Functions, the Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledged the report prepared by Internal Audit and expressed its opinion and recommendations in the Board of Directors' meeting of 29 April 2019, as requested by the Supervisory Authority.

The Board of Statutory Auditors, on acknowledging the accession of Banca IFIS S.p.A. to the Self-Regulation Code for listed companies, verified the requirements of independence of its members, in addition to the correct application of the criteria and procedures of verification adopted by the Board of Directors to assess the independence of directors.

3.2 – Supervisory activities on the adequacy of the internal audit system, of the risk management systems and of the organisational structure

The Board of Statutory Auditors monitored the suitability of internal monitoring systems and risk management through:

  • meetings with the management of the Bank;
  • regular meetings with the Audit Functions Internal Audit, Compliance, Anti-money laundering (AML) and Risk Management and the Financial Reporting Officer - in order to evaluate the methodology for the planning of operations, based on the identification and evaluation of the principal risks present in the organisational processes and units;
  • examination of the periodical reports from the Audit Functions and the periodical information regarding the results of monitoring activities;
  • acquired information from the managers of corporate functions;
  • discussion of the results of the work carried out by the external auditing firm;
  • participation in the work of the Risk Management and Control Committee and, when the topics so required, in their joint examination with the Committee.

In the execution of its monitoring duties, the Board of Statutory Auditors maintained continuous relations with the Audit Function.

During the year the heads of Internal Audit and Risk Management changed. The Board of Statutory Auditors, as established by law, expressed its opinion in the Board meetings on respectively 30 May 2019 and 28 November 2019.

Having considered Bank development, the Board of Statutory Auditors focused on preparation of organisational safeguards to continually improve monitoring of the main risks.

The Board of Statutory Auditors focussed on the organisational structure of control functions, oriented to the control of risks in the new banking group configuration, which currently centres 3rd level control functions with the parent company, as well as 2nd level control functions for subsidiaries, except for Capitalfin S.p.A. and Credifarma S.p.A. for which there is independent control of the 2nd level control functions.

In that area, in the light of control structures, also by defining the management and coordination processes and policies of the control functions and their centralisation/decentralisation choices, the Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledged actions being implemented to strengthen the control and monitoring procedures for any risks possibly connected to liquidity (such as mismatching and funding gaps), potentially resulting from the change to procurement and use profiles, and those related to improving the Internal Audit action methods.

Furthermore, the Board of Statutory Auditors recommended assumption of all necessary and opportune initiatives - such as completion of setting-up the Validation Function - in order to guarantee the integrity and correctness of application of evaluation models, together with the results of the same, for the portfolios of nonperforming loans.

Lastly, related to developments in implementing the group's IRB system, for management purposes, the Board of statutory Auditors recalled the need for it to be implemented in full for the various credit processing stages, as well as a full definition of the group's credit policies.

Over the course of 2019, the Board of Statutory Auditors also monitored maintenance of the Risk Appetite Framework and supervised the suitability and effects of the entire ICAAP and ILAAP processes on the requirements set out by regulations, underscoring the usefulness of appropriate data aggregation, integration, and validation processes to maintain the aforementioned documents.

The Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledges that the annual Reports from the Control Functions conclude with a substantially favourable judgement of the internal control system.

Action plans were provided with reference to the activities and to the problems identified, whose timely implementation is judged by the Board of Statutory Auditors as essential and that require special attention by the Management Body.

On the basis of activities carried out and the results of audits conducted by Internal Audit – also in relation to the continuous growth of the Bank and the group – the Board of Statutory Auditors believes that there are certain areas for further improvement, highlighting at the same time that there are no elements that are sufficiently critical to invalidate the internal control system and risk management.

3.3 – Supervisory activities on the administrative-accounting system and on the financial reporting and non-financial disclosure processes

The Board of Statutory Auditors, in its role as Committee for internal control and auditing, monitored the process and the efficiency of internal monitoring systems and risk management with regards to financial reporting.

The Board of Statutory Auditors periodically met the Financial Reporting Officer for the exchange of information regarding the administrative-accounting system and its reliability, in order to have an accurate presentation of management-related issues.

During these meetings, there were no indications of any significant short-comings in the operational and auditing processes that could invalidate the opinion of the adequacy and effective application of administrative accounting procedures.

The Board of Statutory Auditors examined the Report of the Financial Reporting Officer for the 2019 financial statements, which contains the results of tests on the controls carried out as well as the main problems identified in application of the relevant legislation and the methodologies used and identifies the appropriate remedies.

During the year the Bank, with the constant incitement of the Board of Statutory Auditors, improved the audit systems to ensure consistency and alignment of the data between the various characteristic sources of the individual pieces of information.

The Board of Statutory Auditors also examined declarations, issued on 12 March 2020 by the CEO and by the Financial Reporting Officer, in accordance with the provisions contained in Article 154 bis of the Consolidated Law on Finance and in Article 81 ter of the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation 11971/1999, from which no failings emerged that might affect the opinion of the adequacy of the administrative-accounting procedures.

The Board of Statutory Auditors then acknowledged the monitoring systems developed by the Financial Reporting Officer regarding the subsidiaries in the group of consolidated companies that do not show any significant criticality profiles.

The external Auditing Firm, EY S.p.a., during periodical meetings and in the light of the Additional report -– pursuant to Art. 11 of EU Regulation 537/2014 and issued on 25 March 2020, did not report any critical situations to the Board of Statutory Auditors that could affect the internal control system relating to the administrative and accounting procedures, nor did it ever highlight facts that were deemed reprehensible or any irregularities that would require reporting pursuant to Art. 155, paragraph 2, of the Consolidated Law on Finance.

The Board of Directors prepared, in accordance with the law, the consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2019 of the Banca IFIS Group that were submitted for audit by the external auditing firm EY S.p.A. The group of consolidated companies, as previously mentioned, was modified following corporate changes that occurred during 2019. The Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledged the preparation of instructions provided to the subsidiaries for the process of consolidation.

With regard to the consolidated financial statements – as required by the rules of conduct recommended by the National Council of Chartered Accountants in the document dated April 2018 – the Board of Statutory Auditors monitored compliance with the procedural rules concerning the formation and layout of the same and of the management report. With regard to the above, no elements emerged to conclude that activities had not been carried out in accordance with the principles of correct administration or that the organisational structure, the internal audit and accounting and administrative systems were not, in their entirety, substantially adequate to the needs and size of the company.

The Bank has prepared the Non-Financial Disclosure (hereinafter NFD): the obligation to prepare the NFD was introduced by Legislative Decree 254/2016 and regulatory indications were completed by the "Implementation regulation of Legislative Decree 254 of 30 December 2016" published on 18 January 2018 by the Consob through Resolution 20267 and by the Call for attention no. 1 issued by the Consob on 28 February 2019.

The Bank prepared the NFD as an independent document, on a consolidated basis and this Board of Statutory Auditors, in the light of the provisions of Article 3, paragraph 7 of Legislative Decree 254/2016, checked the document - also in the light of what was declared by the external auditing firm in its report pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 10 of Legislative Decree 254/2016 issued on 25 March 2019 - with regards to its completeness and correspondence to regulations and according to the preparation criteria illustrated in the Methodology Notes for the Non-Financial Disclosure, without identifying elements which require mention in this report.

The NFD was also audited by the external auditing firm EY, which issued its report on 25 March 2020 without identifying any elements that could indicate that the NFD was not drafted in compliance with laws in force.

3.4 – Supervisory activities pursuant to Legislative Decree 39/2010

The Board of Statutory Auditors, as the "Committee for internal audit and for general auditing", supervised the Auditing Firm's operations, as provided for by Art. 19 of Legislative Decree 39/2010.

During the year, the Board of Statutory Auditors met with the external Auditing Firm EY S.p.A. several times, as already stated, pursuant to Art. 150 of the Consolidated Law on Finance, in order to exchange information concerning the activities carried out in implementation of their respective duties.

The external auditing firm

  • issued, on 02 August 2019, the report on the limited audit of the abbreviated six-month consolidated financial statements with no exceptions being highlighted;
  • issued, on 25 March 2020 pursuant to Art.14 of Italian Legislative Decree 39/2010 and Art. 10 of EU Regulation 537 of 16 April 2014 - the certification reports from which it is evident that the financial statements and consolidated financial statements, closed on 31 December 2019, were drawn up clearly and represent in a truthful and correct manner the financial and asset situation, the operating result and the cash flows of Banca IFIS S.p.A. and of the Group for the year ended on that date. In the opinion of the external Auditing Firm, the Management Report on the financial statements and consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2019 and the information of the "Report on corporate governance and shareholder structure" are consistent with the annual financial statements and consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2019.

Still on 25 March 2020, the Auditing Firm presented the Board of Statutory Auditors with the Additional Report, provided for in Article 11 of EU Regulation 537/2014, which this Board of Statutory Auditors will submit to the attention of the upcoming meeting of the Board of Directors on 26 March 2020.

The Additional Report does not present any significant shortfalls in the internal auditing system with regards to the financial reporting process which would merit being brought to the attention of those responsible for governance.

In the Additional Report, the external Auditing Firm presented the Board of Statutory Auditors with the declaration regarding independence pursuant to Article 6 of EU Regulation 537/2014, from which no situations emerge that might compromise independence.

Lastly, the Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledged the Transparency Report of 30 June 2019 prepared by the external auditing firm and published on its website pursuant to Legislative Decree 39/2010.

Lastly, as previously mentioned, the Board of Statutory Auditors examined the content of the report by EY S.p.A. regarding the Non-financial Disclosure issued pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 10 of Legislative Decree 254/2016 on 25 March 2020.

The Board of Statutory Auditors reports that over the course of 2019, as well as auditing the individual financial statements, consolidated financial statements, and the financial statements of the subsidiaries, EY S.p.A., with the approval of this Board of Statutory Auditors, was entrusted with the following audit-related tasks:

  • Profit verification 31/12/2019 BANCA IFIS individual and consolidated for €42,000
  • Comfort Letter on EMTN Program renewal for 2019 for €45,000
  • Agreed Upon procedures on the Servicer Reports of Indigo Lease for €50,000
  • Agreed Upon procedures on TLTRO III for €27,000
  • Limited Review accounting statements 31/3/2019 FBS S.p.A. for €22,000

The external Auditing Firm also confirmed to the Board of Statutory Auditors that, during the year and in the absence of the conditions for their release, it did not issue opinions pursuant to the law.

3.5 – Relations with the Supervisory Body

Following renewal of corporate bodies, the Board of Directors renewed the Supervisory Body (SB) which has 5 members including the standing auditor Marinella Monterumisi.

The Board of Statutory Auditors has read the minutes of meetings held by the SB and the exchange of information was also guaranteed by the discussion had within the Board of Statutory Auditors with the auditor member of the SB, without receiving reports and/or notes requiring a mention. The Bank and the Group are performing a general review of the Management and Organisation Model and the latter is also being updated to include the new predicate offences.

4. Remuneration policies

Remuneration policies were updated through the Shareholders' Meeting resolution of 19 December 2019, after the Bank's new Board of Directors had been appointed; related, in particular, to provisions for the economic treatment of the Chief Executive Officer, to treatment linked to key resources joining the company and provisions for severance indemnities.

Updates added include the possibility of a ratio between the fixed and variable components of individual remuneration of personnel that exceeds 100% (ratio 1:1); however not exceeding the limit set pursuant to pro tempore legislative and regulatory provisions in force (currently equal to 200%, ratio 2:1). Moreover, "golden parachutes" have been introduced for when the employment of key personnel should cease, as indicated in detail in paragraph 7 of the "Remuneration Report" made available to Shareholders. .

During the session of 25 March 2020, the Board of Statutory Auditors furthermore acknowledged, thus agreeing with its comments, the audits carried out by the Internal Audit function and presented in the document on adherence of remuneration policies to the Bank of Italy's regulations and the policies approved; audits which led to a satisfactory outcome.

By taking part in the Remuneration Committee meeting of 11 March 2020, the Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledged allocation of the variable remuneration for 2019 - of which a part in treasury shares of the Bank - to the CEO and the General Manager in accordance with the policies approved by the Shareholders' Meeting of 19 December 2019 and the operating procedure approved by the Board of Directors.

In general, in light of the provisions issued by the Supervisory Authorities on remuneration and incentive systems, the Board of Statutory Auditors monitored, in close connection with the Remuneration Committee, correct application of the rules governing the remuneration of managers of the Audit Functions and of the Manager Responsible and the communication of remuneration policies for the 2020 financial year to the companies belonging to the Group.

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The Board of Statutory Auditors is not aware, in addition to what was illustrated above, of facts or details that need to be submitted to the Shareholders' Meeting.

During 2019, the Board of Statutory Auditors did not receive complaints from Shareholders pursuant to Art. 2408 of the Italian Civil Code.

Finally, with reference to the COVID-19 epidemiological emergency, the Board of Statutory Auditors acknowledges that stated by the Board of Directors in its Directors' Report and Explanatory Notes, accompanying the 2019 financial statements.

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In the course of the activity performed and on the basis of the information obtained, no omissions, reprehensible facts, irregularities or in any case other significant circumstances were detected that would require reporting to the Supervisory Authorities or mention in this report.

In conclusion, the Board of Statutory Auditors - taking into account the specific tasks conferred on the external Auditing Firm regarding auditing of the accounts and the reliability of the financial statements that issued its opinion with no reserves, and in light of the statements issued pursuant to Art. 154 of Legislative Decree 58/1998 by the Financial Reporting Officer and the Chief Executive Office - has no comments to make to the Shareholders' Meeting, pursuant to Art. 153 of the Consolidated Law on Finance, related to approval of the financial statements for the years as of 31 December 2019, accompanied by the Management Report, as presented by the Board of Directors, and therefore has no objections to the approval of the financial statements, to the proposed allocation of the operating profit or to distribution of dividends.

Venice - Mestre, 26 March 2020.

for the Board of Statutory Auditors. The Chairman

Giacomo Bugna

This report has been translated into the English language solely for the convenience of international readers.

5.4. Independent auditors' report on the Separate Financial Statements

Banca IFIS S.p.A.

Financial statements as at December 31, 2019

Independent auditor's report pursuant to article 14 of Legislative Decree n. 39, dated January 27, 2010, and article 10 of EU Regulation n. 537/2014

EY S.p.A. Via Isonzo, 11 37126 Verona Tel: +39 045 8312511 Fax: +39 045 8312550 ey.com

Independent auditor's report pursuant to article 14 of Legislative Decree n. 39, dated January 27, 2010 and article 10 of EU Regulation n. 537/2014 (Translation from the original Italian text)

To the Shareholders of Banca IFIS S.p.A.

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Banca IFIS S.p.A. ("the Company"), which comprise the statement of financial position as at December 31, 2019, and the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of changes in equity and the cash flows statement for the year then ended, and the notes to the financial statements.

In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Banca IFIS S.p.A. as at December 31, 2019, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and with the regulations issued for implementing article 9 of Legislative Decree n. 38/2005 and article 43 of Legislative Decree n. 136/2015.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report.

We are independent of Banca IFIS S.p.A. in accordance with the regulations and standards on ethics and independence applicable to audits of financial statements under Italian Laws. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

We identified the following key audit matters:

Classification and Valuation of Loans to Customers

Loans to customers amount to Euro 6,912 million, net of analytical and portfolio value adjustments for a total of Euro 327 million, and represent 68% of total assets at December 31, 2019.

The process of classification and valuation of loans to customers in the various risk categories and the calculation of loan adjustments are relevant for the audit due to the significant value of the loans in the financial statements, and due to the use of estimates that present a high degree of complexity and subjectivity in determining value adjustments. In this context, the identification and calibration of the parameters relating to the significant increase in credit risk for the purposes of the stage allocation of performing credit exposures (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is of particular importance, as well as the estimate of the values to be attributed to the PD (Probability of Default), LGD (Loss Given Default) and EAD (Exposure at Default) as inputs to the Expected Credit Loss model, the identification of objective evidence of increased risk for the classification of nonperforming credit exposures (Stage 3) and the determination of the related recoverable cash flows.

The disclosure on the evolution of the quality of the portfolio of loans to customers and the classification and evaluation criteria adopted is provided in Part A - Accounting Policies, in Part B - Information on the balance sheet, in Part C - Information on the income statement and in Part E - Information on risks and related hedging policies of the notes to the financial statements.

Key Audit Matter Audit response

Our audit procedures in response to the key aspect included, inter alia:

  • understanding and analysis of the main choices regarding policies and processes carried out by the Company with reference to the classification and valuation of loans to customers and performing compliance procedures over key controls;
  • carrying out portfolio analyses to understand, also through discussion with Company management, the main changes and the relative coverage levels by risk category;
  • performing substantive procedures to verify the proper classification of credit positions;
  • understanding, also through the support of our risk management and information systems experts, of the methodology used to estimate, at the balance sheet date, the expected credit losses on collectively assessed exposures, as well as performing compliance and substantive procedures to verify the completeness of the databases used and the related calculations;
  • verification on a sample basis of the proper application of Company policies for estimating expected credit losses on exposures analytically assessed;
  • examination of the adequacy of the disclosure provided in the notes to the financial statements.

Valuation of equity investments

Equity investments in subsidiaries at December 31, 2019 amount to € 610.9 million and represent 6.03% of total assets at December 31, 2019.

The Company assesses the presence of impairment indicators for each investment at least annually, consistently with the strategy for the management of the entities and, should they occur, perform impairment testing of these activities.

The processes and methods for assessing and determining the recoverable value of each equity investment are based on sometimes complex assumptions which, by their nature involve recourse to the judgment of management, in particular to forecast future profitability. In this context, to estimate future cash flows, Company management used the data contained in the "Strategic Plan" for the period 2020-2022 while, for the subsequent period, growth rates were considered consequent to internal trends and consistent with the economic outlook.

As part of the accounting policies reported in part A of the notes to the financial statements, the accounting and valuation criteria for equity investments are described, as well as the risks and uncertainties associated with the use of the estimates underlying the valuation process.

Our audit procedures in response to the key aspect included, inter alia:

  • the analysis of the procedures and the key controls put in place by the Company regarding the identification of any impairment losses and the valuation of the investments;
  • the comparison between the data used to identify impairments and those presented in the "Strategic Plan" for the period 2020-2022, including the analysis of the main deviations;
  • the assessment of the appropriateness of the methodology and the reasonableness of the assumptions made by the Directors in relation to the determination of the recoverable value, with the support of our experts in companies' valuations, as well as the verification of the mathematical accuracy of the calculations and the sensitivity analysis on key assumptions;
  • examination of the adequacy of the disclosure provided in the notes to the financial statements.

Responsibilities of Directors and Board of Statutory Auditors for the Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and with the regulations issued for implementing article 9 of Legislative Decree n. 38/2005 and article 43 of Legislative Decree n. 136/2015, and, within the terms provided by the law, for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing Banca IFIS S.p.A.'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 they either intend to liquidate the Company or to

cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Board of Statutory Auditors ("Collegio Sindacale") is responsible, within the terms provided by the law, for overseeing the Group's financial reporting process.

Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA Italia), we have exercised professional judgment and maintained professional skepticism throughout the audit. In addition:

  • we have identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error; designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtained audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control;
  • we have obtained an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Banca IFIS S.p.A.'s internal control;
  • we have evaluated the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Directors;
  • we have concluded on the appropriateness of Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Banca IFIS S.p.A.'s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern;
  • we have evaluated the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We have communicated with those charged with governance, identified at an appropriate level as required by ISA Italia, regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We have provided those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with the ethical and independence requirements applicable in Italy, and we have communicated with them all matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we have determined those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We have described these matters in our auditor's report.

Additional information pursuant to article 10 of EU Regulation n. 537/14

The shareholders of Banca IFIS S.p.A., in the general meeting held on April 17, 2014, engaged us to perform the audits of the separate and consolidated financial statements for each of the years ending December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2022.

We declare that we have not provided prohibited non-audit services, referred to article 5, par. 1, of EU Regulation n. 537/2014, and that we have remained independent of Banca IFIS S.p.A. in conducting the audit.

We confirm that the opinion on the financial statements included in this report is consistent with the content of the additional report to the Board of Statutory Auditors ("Collegio Sindacale") in their capacity as audit committee, prepared in accordance with article 11 of the EU Regulation n. 537/2014.

Report on compliance with other legal and regulatory requirements

Opinion pursuant to article 14, paragraph 2, subparagraph e), of Legislative Decree n. 39 dated January 27, 2010 and of article 123-bis, paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree n. 58, dated February 24, 1998

The Directors of Banca IFIS S.p.A. are responsible for the preparation of the Report on Operation and of the Report on Corporate Governance and Ownership Structure of Banca IFIS S.p.A. as at December 31, 2019, including their consistency with the related financial statements and their compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.

We have performed the procedures required under audit standard SA Italia n. 720B, in order to express an opinion on the consistency of the Report on Operations and of specific information included in the Report on Corporate Governance and Ownership Structure as provided for by article 123-bis, paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree n. 58, dated February 24, 1998, with the financial statements of Banca IFIS S.p.A. as at December 31, 2019 and on their compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, and in order to assess whether they contain material misstatements.

In our opinion, the Report on Operation and the above mentioned specific information included in the Report on Corporate Governance and Ownership Structure are consistent with the financial statements of Banca IFIS S.p.A. as at December 31, 2019 and comply with the applicable laws and regulations.

With reference to the statement required by article 14, paragraph 2, subparagraph e), of Legislative Decree n. 39, dated January 27, 2010, based on our knowledge and understanding of the entity and its environment obtained through our audit, we have no matters to report.

Statement pursuant to article 4 of Consob Regulation implementing Legislative Decree n. 254, dated December 30, 2016

The Directors of Banca IFIS S.p.A. are responsible for the preparation of the non-financial information pursuant to Legislative Decree n. 254, dated December 30, 2016. We have verified that non-financial information have been approved by the Directors.

Pursuant to article 3, paragraph 10, of Legislative Decree n. 254, dated December 30, 2016, such nonfinancial information are subject to a separate compliance report signed by us.

Verona – March 25, 2020

EY S.p.A.

Signed by: Marco Bozzola, Partner

This report has been translated into the English language solely for the convenience of international readers.

www.bancaifis.it

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