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Commerzbank AG Interim / Quarterly Report 2019

May 14, 2019

81_10-q_2019-05-14_4561f148-2cd1-41e9-a6ca-a764fece3c28.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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Interim Report as at 31 March

Key figures

Income statement 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181
Operating profit (€m) 244 258
Operating profit per share (€) 0.19 0.21
Pre-tax profit or loss (€m) 244 258
Consolidated profit or loss2 (€m) 120 262
Earnings per share (€) 0.10 0.21
Operating return on equity based on CET13,4 (%) 4.2 4.6
Return on equity of consolidated profit or loss4,9 (%) 1.9 4.2
Cost/income ratio in operating business (excl. compulsory contributions) (%) 72.8 73.9
Cost/income ratio in operating business (incl. compulsory contributions) (%) 85.1 84.9
Balance sheet 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Total assets (€bn) 503.2 462.4
Risk-weighted assets (€bn) 185.2 180.5
Equity as shown in balance sheet (€bn) 29.4 29.4
Total capital as shown in balance sheet (€bn) 37.4 38.5
Regulatory key figures 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Tier 1 capital ratio (%) 13.2 13.4
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio5
(%)
12.7 12.9
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio5
(fully loaded, %)
12.7 12.9
Total capital ratio (%) 16.0 16.3
Leverage ratio (%) 4.6 5.0
Leverage ratio (fully loaded, %) 4.5 4.8
Staff 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Germany 35,335 36,009
Abroad 13,556 13,401
Total 48,891 49,410
Ratings6 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Moody's Investors Service, New York7 A1/A1/P-1 A1/A1/P-1
S&P Global, New York8 A/A-/A-2 A/A-/A-2
Fitch Ratings, New York/London7 A-/BBB+/F2 A-/BBB+/F2

Scope Ratings, Berlin7 -/A/S-1 -/A/S-1

1 Prior-year figures restated.

2 Insofar as attributable to Commerzbank shareholders.

3 Average Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET 1) fully loaded. 4 Annualised.

5 The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio is the ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1) mainly subscribed capital, reserves and deduction items) to risk-weighted assets. The fully loaded basis anticipates full application of the new regulations.

6 Further information can be found online at www.commerzbank.com.

7

Counterparty rating and deposit rating/issuer credit rating/short-term liabilities. 8 Counterparty rating/deposit rating and issuer credit rating/short-term liabilities. 9

Ratio of net income attributable to Commerzbank shareholders and average IFRS equity before minority after

deduction of goodwill and other intangible assets.

Due to rounding, numbers and percentages in this report may not add up precisely to the totals provided.

Contents

4 Performance highlights 1 January to 31 March 2019

6 Interim Management Report

  • 7 Economic conditions
  • 7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position
  • 11 Segment performance
  • 14 Outlook and opportunities report

16 Interim Risk Report

  • 17 Risk-oriented overall bank management
  • 18 Default risk
  • 24 Market risk
  • 27 Liquidity risk
  • 29 Operational risk
  • 29 Other risks

32 Interim Financial Statements

  • 34 Statement of comprehensive income
  • 38 Balance sheet
  • 40 Statement of changes in equity
  • 42 Cash flow statement (condensed version)
  • 43 Selected notes
  • 98 Boards of Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft
  • 100 Review report

U3 Significant Group companies

Performance highlights 1 January to 31 March 2019

Key statements

  • Commerzbank grew in terms of both customers and assets in the first quarter of 2019 and slightly increased its underlying revenues in the customer segments. Particularly the net interest income profited from growth initiatives and helped to compensate continued margin pressure and new regulatory requirements in the securities business (MiFID II). The Private and Small Business Customers segment saw a marked increase in its customer growth compared to the first quarter of 2018 and is on track with its strategy implementation. The Corporate Clients segment increased its loan volume further and improved its operating profit significantly compared to the first quarter of 2018.
  • The operating profit for the first three months of 2019 was €244m, compared with €258m in the prior-year period. Consolidated profit attributable to Commerzbank shareholders was €120m, compared with €262m in the first three months of the previous year.
  • The Group risk result was €–78m, with the quality of the credit portfolio continuing to make a positive impact; the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio was 0.9%. Operating expenses were reduced by 4.2% despite ongoing investment in digitalisation and growth. Compulsory contributions, which include the European banking levy, contributions to the Deposit Protection Fund and the Polish bank tax, were reported separately for the first time and rose by 8.5% to €265m.
  • The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 12.7%; the leverage ratio was 4.5% (fully loaded).
  • The operating return on equity was 4.2%, compared with 4.6% in the prior-year period. The return on equity based on consolidated profit or loss (less intangible assets; return on tangible equity) was 1.9%, compared with 4.2% in the previous year. The cost/income ratio was 72.8% with compulsory contributions excluded and 85.1% including compulsory contributions.

Performance of the Commerzbank share

Events on international stock markets in the first three months of 2019 were marked by a number of economic and geopolitical events, including growing signs of an economic slowdown in China and the eurozone, including Germany. While a cautious rapprochement in the trade conflict between the USA and China had a positive impact on the market, the ongoing lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU continued to contribute to general uncertainty. Despite signals of weaker growth both in the eurozone and in Germany, the stock markets were able to break away from the lows experienced in the fourth quarter of 2018 and performed very satisfactorily overall in the first three months of 2019. Falling interest rate expectations and a change in the forward guidance from the European Central Bank, which given the lower growth projections for 2019 does not indicate an impending turnaround in interest rates, resulted in a comparatively below-average performance from European banks.

While the EuroStoxx 50 gained 12.2% in the first three months of the year (DAX: +9.2%), the EuroStoxx bank index rose by just 4.9%. The Commerzbank share performed much better, gaining 19.3%. This aboveaverage performance was primarily attributable to talks with Deutsche Bank about a possible merger.

Highlights of the Commerzbank share 1.1.–31.3.2019 1.1.–31.3.2018
Shares issued in million units (31.3.) 1,252.4 1,252.4
Xetra intraday prices in €
High 7.70 13.82
Low 5.59 10.49
Closing price (31.3.) 6.90 10.54
Daily trading volume1 in million units
High 19.7 21.9
Low 4.4 4.0
Average 8.6 9.6
Index weighting in % (31.3.)
MDAX 2.9
EURO STOXX Banks 0.8 1.7
Earnings per share in € 0.10 0.21
Book value per share2 in € (31.3.) 22.50 22.25
Net asset value per share3 in € (31.3.) 21.30 21.07
Market value/Net asset value (31.3.) 0.32 0.50

1 Total for German stock exchanges.

2 Excluding non-controlling interests.

3 Excluding non-controlling interests and the cash flow hedge reserve and less goodwill.

Important business policy events in the first quarter

Commerzbank in merger talks with Deutsche Bank

In mid-March, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank announced that talks had officially begun on a possible merger between the two banks. On 25 April, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank decided not to continue talks on a merger of the two institutions. Following a thorough examination it became apparent that a merger would not be in the interests of either set of shareholders or of other stakeholders.

It made sense to evaluate this option for domestic consolidation in Germany. For Commerzbank, however, it was clear from the outset that any merger must result in higher and more sustainable returns for Commerzbank shareholders and improved services for customers. After detailed analysis, Commerzbank concluded that a merger with Deutsche Bank would not offer sufficient added value, especially given the implementation risks, restructuring costs and capital requirements that an integration on this scale would entail. Commerzbank is sticking to its strategy. We will drive our growth together with our customers and invest consistently in the future.

Interim Management Report

7 Economic conditions

7 Overall economic situation

7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position

  • 7 Income statement
  • 8 Balance sheet
  • 9 Funding and liquidity

11 Segment performance

  • 11 Private and Small-Business Customers
  • 12 Corporate Clients
  • 13 Asset & Capital Recovery
  • 13 Others and Consolidation

14 Outlook and opportunities report

  • 14 Future economic situation
  • 14 Future situation in the banking sector
  • 14 Financial outlook
  • 15 Anticipated performance
  • 15 Interim Risk Report

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 7

7 Economic conditions 7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position

11 Segment performance

14 Outlook and opportunities report

Economic conditions

Overall economic situation

Overall economic performance in the first three months of the current year has deviated from the forecasts in the Annual Report 2018 in that economic growth in Germany has been somewhat weaker than originally expected. In particular, lower global demand and the still unresolved trade conflict between the USA and China have slowed economic development.

Earnings performance, assets and financial position

In the first quarter of 2019, we changed the disclosure of compulsory contributions, which comprise contributions to deposit insurance, bank levies and the Polish bank tax. These compulsory contributions are only partially controllable and in future will therefore be disclosed apart from operating expenses as a separate item in the income statement. We amended the comparative figures and disclosures for 2018 in the income statement structure and related notes. For information on this and other adjustments, see Note 3 to the interim financial statements.

Income statement of the Commerzbank Group

Commerzbank posted an operating profit of €244m in the first three months of 2019, compared with €258m in the prior-year period.

The individual items in the income statement performed as follows in the reporting period:

At €1,231m, net interest income in the period under review was 12.1% above the prior-year level. Private and Small-Business Customers managed to increase its net interest income considerably year-on-year. Net interest income in Germany benefited from continued growth in lending business, primarily in residential mortgage loans, meaning that the expansion of the portfolio largely offset the pressure on margins. There was also a marked increase in the contribution to income from the domestic deposit business. mBank recorded higher net interest income as a result of further growth in consumer lending business and higher income from deposit business.

The chosen growth path in the Corporate Clients segment paid off. The negative impact of the interest rate environment and intense price competition was more than offset by higher interest income from lending and capital market business. In the period under review, the Asset&Capital Recovery segment posted a decline in net interest income in connection with the continued portfolio wind-down.

Net commission income fell by 4.2% year-on-year to €768m. In the Private and Small-Business Customers segment, net commission income fell significantly year-on-year, mainly due to ongoing customer reticence in the domestic securities business. This was only partially offset by higher commission income from payment transaction services. Net commission income also declined at mBank, chiefly due to the loss of income caused by the sale of the group insurance business. In the Corporate Clients segment, however, net commission income was stable compared with the prior-year period.

The net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss was €85m in the reporting period, after €203m in the prior-year period. Other profit or loss from financial instruments was on a par with the prior-year level at €–20m.

Other net income was €37m in the reporting period, compared with €129m a year earlier. The result for the prior-year period includes income from the sale of the group insurance business of the mBank subsidiary mFinanse in the Private and Small-Business Customers segment, and an investment in the Corporate Clients segment. Interest for tax refund claims also had a positive effect on net income in the previous year.

The risk result in the period under review came to €–78m. In the Private and Small-Business Customers segment, the risk result continued to have a slightly negative impact on the earnings performance. In Germany, risk costs fell significantly despite the expected increase in impairment ratios for the consumer financing portfolio. More than half of the risk result relates to mBank, where impairments have risen mainly in corporate customer business. This is not linked to any significant deterioration in the quality of the credit portfolio. The risk result in the Corporate Clients segment continued to profit from the high quality of the loan portfolio.

Despite ongoing investment in digitalisation and growth, operating expenses were 4.2% lower year-on-year in the reporting period at €1,569m. While personnel expenses were in line with the previous year at €871m, administrative expenses, including depreciation on fixed assets and amortisation of other intangible assets, were reduced by 9.8% to €698m. The decrease was primarily due to lower IT expenses and consulting costs and more than offset the increase in scheduled depreciation and amortisation.

Compulsory contributions, which include the European banking levy, contributions to the Deposit Protection Fund and the Polish bank tax, were reported separately for the first time and rose by 8.5% to €265m.

Pre-tax profit from continuing operations was €244m, compared with €258m in the prior-year period.

Tax expense on continuing operations for the period under review was €97m, compared with €–7m in the prior-year period.

Profit from continuing operations after tax was €147m, compared with €265m in the prior-year period.

Discontinued operations posted a loss after tax of €–13m. This includes the income and expenses of the Equity Markets&Commodities (EMC) division sold to Société Générale.

Net of non-controlling interests, a consolidated profit of €120m was attributable to Commerzbank shareholders for 2018, compared with €262m in the previous year.

Operating profit per share came to €0.19 and earnings per share to €0.10. The comparable figures in the prior-year period were each €0.21.

Balance sheet of the Commerzbank Group

Total assets of the Commerzbank Group as at 31 March 2019 were €503.2bn. This represented an increase of 8.8% or €40.9bn compared with the end of 2018.

The cash reserve and demand deposits increased by €6.6bn to €60.5bn. The increase compared with the end of 2018 was due in particular to a rise in demand deposits held with central banks.

Financial assets at amortised cost increased by €16.5bn to €295.6bn compared with the end of 2018. The increase compared with the end of 2018 was largely attributable to a rise in lending business in the Private and Small-Business Customers and Corporate Clients segments and growth in loans and advances to banks.

Financial assets in the fair value OCI category were €27.4bn, up €0.8bn from the end of 2018. This 2.9% rise was largely driven by the increase in debt instruments.

At €42.5bn, financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss were €8.5bn higher than at the end of the previous year. The marked increase was primarily due to a seasonal rise in secured money market transactions in the form of reverse repos and cash collateral.

Financial assets held for trading were €46.7bn at the reporting date, up €4.2bn on the figure at the end of 2018. While positive fair values of interest rate derivatives rose by €2.5bn, positive fair values of currency derivatives and other derivatives fell by €0.8bn overall. Securitised debt instruments increased by €2.6bn.

Non-current assets held for sale and disposal groups, which relate to the sale of the EMC business to Société Générale and the sale of ebase GmbH agreed between comdirect bank AG and the FNZ Group, were €14.6bn, compared with €13.4bn at the end of 2018.

On the liabilities side, financial liabilities at amortised cost were up €19.9bn compared with the end of 2018 at €366.5bn. Bonds and notes issued (especially Pfandbriefe and money market securities), sight deposits from private customers and term deposits from corporate customers all increased sharply compared with the end of 2018.

Financial liabilities under the fair value option increased by €15.0bn compared with the end of 2018 to €36.9bn. While there was a slight decline in bonds and notes issued, deposits and other financial liabilities increased significantly by €15.0bn. The increase was largely due to the rise in secured money market transactions with financial services providers and banks.

Financial liabilities held for trading were €45.9bn, up €2.5bn on the end of 2018. The increase was mainly due to negative fair values of interest rate derivatives, which rose by €2.6bn.

Liabilities from disposal groups amounted to €13.4bn. This includes liabilities related to the sale of the EMC business to Société Générale and the sale of ebase GmbH agreed between comdirect bank AG and the FNZ Group.

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 9

  • 7 Economic conditions
    • 7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position
    • 11 Segment performance
    • 14 Outlook and opportunities report

Equity

The equity capital (before non-controlling interests) reported in the balance sheet on 31 March 2019 was €28.2bn and therefore in line with the level on 31 December 2018. Further information on the change in equity can be found on pages 40 f. of the Group financial statements.

Risk-weighted assets were €185.2bn as at 31 March 2019, €4.7bn higher than at year-end 2018. The increase resulted from higher risk-weighted assets from credit risks in connection with the credit growth in the core segments, and from effects arising from the adoption of IFRS 16 at the turn of the year. This increase was only slightly offset by reductions in risk-weighted assets due to a new securitisation transaction. As at the reporting date, Common Equity Tier 1 was €23.6bn (with transitional provisions). The increase of €0.4bn compared with the end of 2018 was mainly due to the regulatory eligible profit and lower regulatory deductions. The corresponding Common Equity Tier 1 ratio fell to 12.7%, mainly due to the increase in risk-weighted assets. Tier 1 capital was €24.4bn and the corresponding Tier 1 capital ratio 13.2%. The total capital ratio was 16.0% as at the reporting date. The leverage ratio based on the CRD IV/CRR rules applicable on that date, which compares Tier 1 capital to leverage exposure, was 4.6% (with transitional provisions) or 4.5% (fully loaded).

The Bank complies with all regulatory requirements. This information includes the consolidated profit attributable to Commerzbank shareholders for regulatory purposes.

Funding and liquidity

Commerzbank had unrestricted access to the money and capital markets throughout the reporting period, and its liquidity and solvency were also adequate at all times. It was always able to raise the resources required for a balanced funding mix and continued to enjoy a comfortable liquidity position in the period under review.

1 Based on reported figures.

The Commerzbank Group raised a total of €3.8bn in long-term funding on the capital market in the first quarter of 2019. The average term of all issues made during the reporting period was over 9.5 years.

In the unsecured area, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft issued a preferred senior benchmark bond with a volume of €1.25bn and a term of seven years in the first quarter of the year. €0.2bn in private placements were also issued.

In the secured area, mortgage Pfandbriefe with a total volume of €2.3bn were issued. Two benchmark issues of €1bn each with maturities of 5 and 15 years respectively were issued in January. Commerzbank was able to place its issues with a broad range of domestic and foreign investors.

At the end of the first quarter of 2019, the Bank had a liquidity reserve of €84.3bn in the form of highly liquid assets. The liquidity reserve portfolio functions as a buffer in stress situations. This liquidity reserve portfolio is funded in line with the liquidity risk appetite to ensure that it is kept at the required size throughout the entire reserve period stipulated by the Board of Managing Directors. A part of this liquidity reserve is held in a separate stress liquidity reserve portfolio managed by Treasury to cover liquidity outflows should a stress event occur and to ensure solvency at all times.

The Bank also holds an intraday liquidity reserve portfolio. At the end of the reporting period, the total value of this portfolio was €10.4bn. At 135.02% (average of the last twelve month-end values), Commerzbank was well above the minimum 100% level required for the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR). Further information on the LCR can be found in Note 44 to the Group financial statements. Commerzbank's liquidity situation therefore remains comfortable given its conservative and forward-looking funding strategy. The Bank is not currently drawing on central bank liquidity facilities.

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 11

  • 7 Economic conditions
    • 7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position
    • 11 Segment performance 14 Outlook and opportunities report

Segment performance

and 268 ff. of the Annual Report 2018. More information and explanations regarding adjustments of prior-year figures can be found in Notes 3 and 41 to the interim financial statements.

The comments on the segments' results for the first three months of 2019 are based on the segment structure described on pages 63

Private and Small-Business Customers

€m 1.1.–31.3.2019 1.1.–31.3.20181 Change in
%/%-points
Income before risk result 1,200 1,236 – 2.9
Risk result – 52 – 49 5.5
Operating expenses 870 888 – 2.0
Compulsory contributions 125 96 29.9
Operating profit/loss 153 203 – 24.6
Average capital employed 5,102 4,633 10.1
Operating return on equity (%) 12.0 17.5 – 5.5
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%) – excl. compulsory
contributions
72.5 71.8 0.7
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%) – incl. compulsory
contributions
82.9 79.6 3.3

1 Figures adjusted due to restatements (see Notes 3 and 41 to the interim financial statements).

The Private and Small-Business Customers segment was able to maintain the performance of previous quarters in the first three months of 2019 despite the still-challenging environment. Growing business volumes in Germany and at mBank and a further increase in customer numbers in both core regions, combined with strict cost discipline, helped offset the unrelenting pressure on interest income in the domestic lending business and weaker commission income in the domestic securities business. Excluding extraordinary one-off income – mainly the gain of €52m on the disposal of mBank's group insurance business in the comparable prior-year period – the segment recorded a slight increase in adjusted operating income and a fall of €5m in adjusted operating profit to €173m.

Total segment income before risk result fell slightly by €36m to €1,200m in the quarter under review, mainly due to the abovementioned one-off profit at mBank. Net interest income in Germany benefited from continued growth in lending business, primarily in residential mortgage loans, meaning that the expansion of the portfolio largely offset the pressure on margins. There was also a marked increase in the contribution to income from the domestic deposit business. mBank recorded higher net interest income as a result of further growth in consumer lending business and higher income from deposit business. Net interest income rose sharply by €48m overall to €665m. Net commission income fell by €40m year-on-year to €468m, mainly due to ongoing customer reticence in the domestic securities business. This was only partially offset by higher net commission income from payment transaction services. Net commission income also declined at mBank, chiefly due to the loss of income caused by the sale of the group insurance business.

The risk result of €–52m, compared with €–49m in the prioryear period, continued to have a slightly negative impact on the earnings performance. In Germany, risk costs fell significantly despite the expected increase in impairment ratios for the consumer financing portfolio. More than half of the risk result relates to mBank, where impairments have risen mainly in corporate customer business. This is not linked to any significant deterioration in the quality of the credit portfolio.

Operating expenses were reduced by €17m to €870m, reflecting the progress made in improving cost efficiency. In Germany, a slight increase in administrative expenses was almost offset by lower personnel expenses. Compulsory contributions were reported separately and increased sharply by €29m year-on-year to €125m. This was primarily attributable to a rise of €26m in the European banking levy. mBank was largely responsible for the increase, accounting for a share of €23m.

Overall, the Private and Small-Business Customers segment posted a pre-tax profit of €153m in the first quarter of 2019, compared with €203m in the prior-year period.

Corporate Clients

€m 1.1.–31.3.2019 1.1.–31.3.20181 Change in
%/%-points
Income before risk result 861 864 – 0.4
Risk result – 28 – 25 13.2
Operating expenses 619 642 – 3.6
Compulsory contributions 93 100 – 6.9
Operating profit/loss 121 98 23.5
Average capital employed (from continuing operations) 11,589 10,328 12.2
Operating return on equity (%) 4.2 3.8 0.4
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%) – excl. compulsory
contributions
71.9 74.3 – 2.4
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%) – incl. compulsory
contributions
82.7 85.8 – 3.1

1 Figures adjusted due to restatements (see Notes 3 and 41 to the interim financial statements).

The Corporate Clients segment faced challenges once again in the first quarter of 2019, including the persistently low level of interest rates, intense price competition in the German market and a difficult macroeconomic environment. Despite this, the segment nevertheless achieved a positive earnings performance on the back of growth in customer business and successful cost management. The Corporate Clients segment posted an operating profit of €121m in the first three months of 2019, compared with €94m in the previous year. The improved result was based on higher interest income in lending and capital market business and in particular on consistent cost savings.

The Mittelstand division benefited from the segment's solid market position, which is reflected in an increasing total lending volume as well as earnings growth in the areas of trade finance, payment transactions and capital market products. The International Corporates division recorded an extremely positive earnings performance. Earnings growth was seen in particular in lending and capital market business, which includes corporate finance activities and hedging transactions. Business performance in the Financial Institutions division was largely stable and therefore remained solid despite the international trade conflicts.

In the period under review, income before risk result was in line with the prior-year period at €861m. Net interest income rose by €49m to €468m. The increase was mainly due to a higher contribution from lending and capital market business. Net commission income was stable year-on-year at €307m.

The risk result continued to profit from the high quality of the loan portfolio. In the reporting period, the risk result was €–28m, compared with €–25m in the previous year.

Operating expenses were €619m, down €23m on the prioryear figure. The decrease was primarily due to lower cost allocations. Investments in strategic development were thus successfully offset. The reduction in operating expenses was achieved ahead of schedule thanks to strict cost discipline and made a significant contribution to earnings.

The reported compulsory contributions of €93m related to regulatory expenses – including the European banking levy.

Overall, the segment posted a pre-tax profit of €121m, compared with €98m in the prior-year period, which represents a gain of around 24%.

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 13

  • 7 Economic conditions 7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position
    • 11 Segment performance
    • 14 Outlook and opportunities report

Asset&Capital Recovery

€m 1.1.–31.3.2019 1.1.–31.3.20181 Change in
%/%-points
Income before risk result 11 45 – 75.5
Risk result – 1 – 2 – 71.2
Operating expenses 9 17 – 48.4
Compulsory contributions 9 10 – 12.4
Operating profit/loss – 7 16
Average capital employed 1,622 2,483 – 34.7
Operating return on equity (%) – 1.8 2.6 – 4.3
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%) – excl. compulsory
contributions
78.6 37.2 41.4
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%) – incl. compulsory
contributions
60.0

1 Figures adjusted due to restatements (see Notes 3 and 41 to the interim financial statements).

In the period under review, the ACR segment made further progress towards its goal of fully winding down the remaining assets and risks that do not form part of the core business of Commerzbank. The total volume measured by exposure at default (EaD, including problem loans and fair value positions with default criterion) fell sharply again to €4.7bn as at the end of the quarter. In the sub-portfolios with the greatest credit risks, commercial real estate and ship finance, only residual portfolios with a total volume of €1.1bn are reported. The EaD of the ship finance portfolio measured at fair value through profit or loss was €0.2bn. A securities portfolio of receivables from local authorities in the United Kingdom was transferred from the ACR segment to the Treasury division in the Others and Consolidation division at the beginning of the year, more than halving the public finance portfolios reported in the ACR segment. The reduction in the portfolios had only a minor impact on the Commerzbank Group's income statement – the ACR segment reported an operating loss of €–7m in the first quarter, compared with an operating profit of €16m in the prioryear period.

Income before risk result fell to €11m, down from €45m in the prior-year period, due in part to the considerable progress made in winding down the segment assets. A significant proportion of the portfolios are measured promptly at fair value, meaning that they may be subject to relatively larger value fluctuations. The risk result, which relates almost exclusively to loan loss provisions for commercial real estate loans, remained at a negligible level of €–1m (€–2m in the first quarter of 2018).

In line with the portfolio wind-down and a further reduction in headcount, operating expenses fell from €17m in the previous year to €9m. Compulsory contributions amounted to €9m.

Overall, the ACR segment posted a pre-tax loss of €–7m in the first quarter of 2019. This represents a decline of €23m compared with the corresponding prior-year period.

Others and Consolidation

The Others and Consolidation division contains the income and expenses which are not attributable to the business segments. Others covers, for example, Group Treasury, equity holdings not allocated to the business segments and overarching specific individual matters such as expenditure on regulatory fees. Consolidation reconciles the figures shown in segment reporting with the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRS. Others and Consolidation also covers staff, management and support functions, which are likewise charged to the segments. For these units, restructuring costs are an exception to transfer charging, as they are reported centrally in the division.

The Others and Consolidation segment reported an operating loss of €–23m for the first quarter of 2019, compared with €–58m in the prior-year period. The €36m increase in the loss was primarily due to a positive valuation of equity investments. This was partly offset by higher charges from centrally reported external funding costs. Others and Consolidation also recorded a pre-tax loss of €–23m for the first quarter of 2019.

Outlook and opportunities report

Future economic situation

Our assessment of the expected trend in the overall economic situation for the current financial year has changed since the forecasts for 2019 as a whole that we made in the Annual Report 2018. The weaker growth at the start of the year and the further decline in sentiment indicators mean we now expect real gross domestic product in the eurozone to grow by just 0.9% rather than the 1.4% forecast previously. We have revised our growth forecast for Germany down from 1.2% to 0.4%.

Future situation in the banking sector

Our views regarding the expected development of the banking sector structurally and over the medium term have not changed significantly since the statements published in the Annual Report 2018. However, the risks to short-term prospects for the banking environment have risen further in recent months.

The mood among German exporters deteriorated markedly in the quarter under review due to flagging confidence in the global economy. Key German industrial sectors such as the automotive and metal industries and mechanical engineering are expecting exports to stagnate or even decline. If this downturn in sentiment persists for long in these industries, which are so important for banks' lending and foreign business, it could also have a negative impact on the domestic economy and hence on retail banking.

The downside risks in the outlook for the global economy and global trade rose in the period under review, and a sharper awareness of them means there is a risk that the private sector will review its investment and consumption decisions and hence that first corporate and then retail customer business will experience stronger headwinds from the real economic and financial environment at the level of interest earnings and commission business than was previously assumed.

Financial outlook for the Commerzbank Group

Planned funding measures

Commerzbank anticipates that its capital market funding requirement over the coming years will be of the order of €10bn. Commerzbank offers a broad range of products in the capital market. In addition to unsecured funding instruments (preferred and nonpreferred senior bonds and Tier 2 subordinated debt), when refinancing Commerzbank can also issue secured funding instruments, in particular mortgage Pfandbriefe and public-sector Pfandbriefe. As such, Pfandbriefe are a key element of Commerzbank's funding mix. These give Commerzbank stable access to long-term funding with cost advantages compared with unsecured sources of funding. Issuance formats range from large-volume benchmark bonds to private placements. Commerzbank does not anticipate any negative effects on the placing of long-term funding instruments in connection with Brexit.

By regularly reviewing and adjusting the assumptions used for liquidity management and the long-term funding requirement, Commerzbank will continue to respond actively to changes in the market environment and business performance in order to secure a comfortable liquidity cushion and an appropriate funding structure.

Planned investments

The Bank's investment plans did not change significantly in the first three months of the current year from the plans set out on pages 99 to 101 of the Annual Report 2018. Commerzbank's current and planned investment activity relates to measures under the "Commerzbank 4.0" strategy. We will continue making our business model consistently more focused, implementing digital transformation and boosting efficiency.

Anticipated liquidity trends

In the first quarter of 2019, events on money and capital markets in the eurozone were still largely dictated by the monetary policy measures implemented by the European Central Bank (ECB) to support the economic recovery in the eurozone and by the political uncertainty created by trade conflicts and Brexit.

  • 7 Economic conditions 7 Financial performance, assets, liabilities and financial position
    -
    • 11 Segment performance 14 Outlook and opportunities report

The ECB decided to end the securities purchase programme at the end of 2018, meaning that only maturing securities will now be replaced. The ECB will therefore still be a significant investor in the market. Throughout 2018, the ECB stated that key interest rates would remain unchanged beyond the summer of 2019. The economic slowdown and declining inflation expectations currently suggest that any potential interest rate increase will not take place until much later. Excess liquidity was around €1,820bn as at the end of March 2019. The ECB also plans to replace the targeted longer-term refinancing operations (TLTROs) maturing in 2020 with new TLTROs in 2019 in order to provide sufficient liquidity for the market. The new series of quarterly TLTROs with two-year maturities is scheduled to start in September 2019 and end in March 2021. The Governing Council is also holding intensive discussions on how to mitigate the detrimental effects of the negative interest rate policy on banks' earnings. Allowances on excess reserves held at the ECB and a graduated interest rate for the deposit facility are being debated as appropriate means for achieving this.

Owing to the high excess liquidity in the market, the volume of longer-term securities repo transactions is restricted. The shortterm repo market is functioning smoothly, however, and plays an important role in serving the bond and cash markets. Collateral is expected to become even tighter as a result of the introduction of mandatory bilateral margin requirements for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. This requirement comes into full effect for all market participants concerned at the end of 2020. The situation in the bond markets is strongly influenced by the ongoing trade conflicts and the political uncertainties surrounding Brexit and the European elections. This has led to steady demand for goodquality names. With no sign of a turnaround in interest rates, additional demand will come from financial investors in search of returns.

Against this backdrop, secondary market liquidity, which has already been significantly reduced, will remain modest. We expect German government bond yields to remain very low, even in the long-term segment, and anticipate persistently high demand from investors for high-quality securities. In view of this, we believe credit spreads will remain tight. German government bond yields are currently negative up to a maturity of ten years. We expect the market as a whole to trend sideways overall.

Commerzbank's liquidity management is well prepared to cope with changing market conditions and able to respond promptly to new market circumstances. We still anticipate no significant impact on our liquidity situation from Brexit. The Bank has a comfortable liquidity position that is above internal limits and the currently applicable requirements prescribed by the German Liquidity Regulation and MaRisk.

Our business planning is designed to maintain a liquidity cushion commensurate with the prevailing market conditions and related uncertainties. This is supported by our business model in retail and corporate customer business and continued access to secured and unsecured debt instruments in the money and capital markets.

Anticipated performance of the Commerzbank Group

We stand by the guidance we gave in the Annual Report 2018 regarding the anticipated performance of the Commerzbank Group in 2019. Given the conditions and risk factors described, we expect consolidated net profit to increase slightly overall in 2019 compared with the previous year.

Interim Risk Report

The Interim Risk Report is a separate reporting section in the Interim Report. It forms part of the Interim Management Report.

Interim Risk Report

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management

  • 17 Risk management organisation
  • 17 Risk-bearing capacity and stress testing

18 Default risk

  • 18 Commerzbank Group
    • 20 Private and Small-Business Customers segment
    • 21 Corporate Clients segment
    • 21 Asset & Capital Recovery segment
  • 22 Further portfolio analyses

24 Market risk

  • 24 Risk management
  • 25 Trading book
  • 26 Banking book
  • 27 Market liquidity risk

27 Liquidity risk

  • 27 Risk management
  • 27 Quantification and stress testing
  • 28 Liquidity reserves
  • 28 Liquidity ratios

29 Operational risk

29 Other risks

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management 18 Default risk

  • 27 Liquidity risk 29 Operational risk
  • 29 Other risks

Risk-oriented overall bank management

Commerzbank defines risk as the danger of possible losses or profits foregone due to internal or external factors. In risk management, we normally distinguish between quantifiable and non-quantifiable types of risk. Quantifiable risks are those to which a value can normally be attached in financial statements or in regulatory capital requirements, while non-quantifiable risks include compliance and reputational risk.

Risk management organisation

Commerzbank regards risk management as a task for the whole Bank. The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is responsible for developing and implementing the Group's risk policy guidelines for quantifiable risks, laid down by the Board of Managing Directors, as well as for measuring these risks. The CRO regularly reports to the full Board of Managing Directors and the Supervisory Board's Risk Committee on the overall risk situation within the Group.

The risk management organisation comprises Credit Risk Management, Intensive Care, Market Risk Management as well as Risk Controlling and Capital Management. In all segments except for Asset & Capital Recovery (ACR), credit risk management is separated into a performing loan area and Intensive Care, while in ACR it has been merged into a single unit across all rating classes. All divisions have a direct reporting line to the CRO.

It is Group Compliance's responsibility to establish appropriate governance, procedures and systems to avoid the Bank being unintentionally endangered as a consequence of compliance risks. This includes the risks associated with money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions and embargoes, markets compliance, and fraud and corruption. Group Compliance is led by the Chief Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the member of the Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for Group Compliance.

Further details on the risk management organisation within Commerzbank can be found in the Group Risk Report 2018.

Risk-bearing capacity and stress testing

Risk-bearing capacity analysis is a key part of overall bank management and Commerzbank's Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP). The aim is to ensure that sufficient capital is held at all times.

The results of the annual review of the risk-bearing capacity concept were implemented in the first quarter of 2019. This included updating selected sections and risk parameters of the economic capital model and making the amendments needed to satisfy the new regulatory requirements of the revised ICAAP guidelines published by the ECB on 9 November 2018. In particular, the economic perspective of the ICAAP was transferred from the previous gone concern approach to the going concern approach defined by the regulator in accordance with the requirements. The significant adjustments involved include the definition of economic risk coverage potential, amongst others the non-inclusion of subordinate capital components. The main features of the relevant adjustment to the modelling of economically required capital were in particular harmonising the confidence level with that of the supervisory regime (Pillar 1 with 99.90%) and ensuring that risk modelling is consistent with the newly defined economic risk coverage potential.

Risk-bearing capacity is also assessed using macroeconomic stress scenarios. The scenarios are simulated quarterly at Group level with a time horizon of 12 months.

Risk-bearing capacity is monitored and managed monthly at Group level. Risk-bearing capacity is deemed to be assured as long as the RBC ratio is higher than 100%. As at 31 March 2019 the RBC ratio was 164% (193% as at 31 December 2018). The change in the RBC ratio was primarily due to the decrease in risk coverage potential compared with December 2018 and is largely attributable to the above methodological adjustments based on the new ICAAP guidelines published by the ECB. The RBC ratio therefore remains at a comfortable level.

Risk-bearing capacity Group €bn 31.3.20191 31.12.20181
Economic risk coverage potential 24 27
Economically required capital2 14 14
thereof for default risk 9 10
thereof for market risk 4 3
thereof for operational risk 2 2
thereof diversification effects – 2 – 2
RBC ratio (%)3 164 193

1 Confidence level as at 31 March 2019: 99.90%; as at 31 December 2018: 99,91%.

2 Including physical asset risk, risk of unlisted investments and risk buffer for reserve

risk and the quantification of potential fluctuations in value of goodwill and intangibles. 3 RBC ratio = economic risk coverage potential/economically required capital (including risk buffer).

Default risk

Default risk is defined as the risk of losses sustained or profits foregone due to the default of a counterparty. It is a quantifiable material risk and includes the material sub-risk types of credit default risk, issuer risk, counterparty risk, country and transfer risk, dilution risk and reserve risk.

Commerzbank Group

Commerzbank focuses its business on two customer segments, Private and Small-Business Customers and Corporate Clients. In the Asset & Capital Recovery segment, the Bank has bundled the activities of the Commercial Real Estate and Ship Finance areas and complex financings from the Public Finance area. The intention is that all the portfolios in this segment should be completely wound down over time.

Credit risk parameters To manage and limit default risks in the Commerzbank Group, we use risk parameters including the following: exposure at default (EaD), hereinafter also referred to simply as exposure, loss at default (LaD), expected loss (EL), risk density (EL/EaD), credit value at risk (CVaR = economically required capital for credit risk with a confidence level of 99.90% and a holding period of one year), risk-weighted assets and "allin" for bulk risks.

The credit risk parameters in the rating classes 1.0 to 5.8 as at 31 March 2019 were as follows:

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Credit risk parameters Exposure
at default
Expected
loss
Risk
density
CVaR Exposure
at default
Expected
loss
Risk
density
CVaR
€bn €m bp €m €bn €m bp €m
Private and Small-Business Customers 167 428 26 2,031 165 420 25 2,476
Corporate Clients 194 470 24 4,628 187 467 25 5,458
Asset & Capital Recovery 4 47 114 346 8 46 57 643
Others and Consolidation1 66 42 6 2,147 72 35 5 1,790
Group 432 988 23 9,151 432 968 22 10,366

1 Mainly liquidity portfolios of Treasury.

The CVaR decrease is driven by the adjustment of the level of confidence from 99.91% to 99.90% in the first quarter of 2019.

When broken down on the basis of PD ratings, 83% of the Group's portfolio is in the internal rating classes 1 and 2, which represent investment grade.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Rating breakdown EaD % 1.0-1.8 2.0-2.8 3.0-3.8 4.0-4.8 5.0-5.8 1.0-1.8 2.0-2.8 3.0-3.8 4.0-4.8 5.0-5.8
Private and Small-Business Customers 31 51 14 3 1 32 51 14 3 1
Corporate Clients 20 59 16 3 1 20 59 16 3 1
Asset & Capital Recovery 7 64 13 16 1 27 56 8 9 1
Others and Consolidation 52 46 2 1 0 45 53 1 0 0
Group 29 54 13 3 1 29 55 13 2 1

The regional breakdown of the exposure corresponds to the Bank's strategic direction and reflects the main areas of its global business activities. Around half of the Bank's exposure relates to Germany, another third to other countries in Europe, 8% to North America and 6% to Asia. The rest is broadly diversified and is split among a large number of countries where we serve German exporters in particular or where Commerzbank has a local presence. The expected loss of the Group portfolio is mainly divided between Germany and the other European countries. A main driver of the expected loss in the region "Other" is ship financing.

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management

  • 18 Default risk
  • 24 Market risk
  • 27 Liquidity risk 29 Operational risk
  • 29 Other risks
31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Group portfolio by region Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Germany 233 509 22 227 477 21
Western Europe 88 146 17 84 162 19
Central and Eastern Europe 41 203 50 41 197 48
North America 33 54 17 32 54 17
Asia 27 43 16 37 44 12
Other 11 33 31 10 34 33
Group 432 988 23 432 968 22

In view of current geopolitical developments, national economies such as Russia, Turkey and China are closely monitored. As at the end of the first quarter of 2019, exposure to Russia was €2.7bn, exposure to Turkey was €1.8bn and exposure to China was €6.7bn.

The sovereign exposures of Italy and Spain are also still closely monitored as a result of the sovereign debt crisis. As at the end of the first quarter of 2019, Commerzbank's Italian sovereign exposure was €8.7bn, while its Spanish sovereign exposure was €1.7bn.

Risk result The risk result relating to the Group's lending business in the first quarter of 2019 was €–78m and remained at the same level of the year-earlier period.

The following table shows the breakdown of the risk result by stage according to IFRS 9. Note (5) of the interim financial statements (changes in accounting and measurement policies) contains details regarding the stages; the definition of the risk result can be found in Note (10) (risk result).

The fluctuations of market values in the shipping portfolio are not recognised in the risk result. They are recognised in the net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Q1 2019 Q1 20181
Risk result €m Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 32 Total Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 32 Total
Private and Small
Business Customers
– 2 – 5 – 44 – 52 30 – 42 – 36 – 49
Corporate Clients 0 – 17 – 12 – 28 0 – 4 – 21 – 25
Asset & Capital
Recovery
0 2 – 2 – 1 1 – 3 0 – 2
Others and
Consolidation
– 1 4 0 2 – 3 2 0 – 1
Group – 3 – 17 – 58 – 78 27 – 48 – 57 – 77

1 Retroactively adjusted.

2 Stage 3 including POCI (POCI – purchased or originated credit-impaired).

The risk result of the third and fourth quarters of 2018, with loan loss provisions of €133m and €154m respectively projected for a full year, is in line with a normalised level. From the present perspective, the risk result for the year 2019 as a whole will therefore not be less than €550m.

Default portfolio The Group's default portfolio decreased by €129m in the first quarter of 2019 and stood at €3,710m as at 31 March 2019.

The following breakdown of the default portfolio shows the claims in the default portfolio in the amortised cost and fair value OCI (other comprehensive income) categories. The claims in the Ship Finance and Commercial Real Estate default portfolios in the fair value category held by the Bank in the amount of €223m are not shown.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Default portfolio Group €m Loans Securities Total Loans Securities Total
Default portfolio 3,667 43 3,710 3,769 71 3,839
LLP1 1,591 0 1,591 1,606 3 1,609
Coverage ratio excluding collateral (%)2 43 1 43 43 4 42
Collateral 847 0 847 913 0 913
Coverage ratio including collateral (%)2 67 1 66 67 4 66
NPL ratio (%)3 0.9 0.9

1 Loan loss provisions.

2 Coverage ratio: LLP (and collateral) as a proportion of the default portfolio.

3 NPL ratio: default portfolio (non-performing loans – NPL) as a proportion of total exposure (EaD including NPL).

Private and Small-Business Customers segment

The Private and Small-Business Customers segment (PSBC) comprises the activities of Private Customers, Small-Business Customers, comdirect bank and Commerz Real. mBank is also shown in the Private and Small-Business Customers segment. Private Customers includes Commerzbank's branch business in Germany for private customers as well as Wealth Management. Small-Business Customers contains business customers and small corporate customers.

The focus of the portfolio is on traditional owner-occupied home financing and the financing of real estate capital investments (residential mortgage loans and investment properties with a total EaD of €84bn). We provide our business and small-business customers with credit in the form of individual loans with a volume of €21bn. In addition, we meet our customers' day-to-day demand for credit with consumer loans (consumer and instalment loans and credit cards, to a total of €16bn). The portfolio's expansion in the first quarter was largely due to residential mortgage loans.

The risk density of the portfolio increased by one basis point to 26 basis points compared with the end of the previous year.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Credit risk parameters Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Private Customers 100 175 18 99 177 18
Business Customers 31 73 24 29 67 23
comdirect bank 3 6 17 4 6 17
Commerz Real 1 2 35 1 2 29
mBank 33 172 52 33 167 50
PSBC 167 428 26 165 420 25

In the Private and Small-Business Customers segment, the risk result in the first quarter of 2019 was –€52m and therefore remained at the low level of the previous year.

The default portfolio in the segment stood at €1,696m as at 31 March 2019.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Default portfolio PSBC segment €m Loans Securities Total Loans Securities Total
Default portfolio 1,696 0 1,696 1,751 0 1,751
LLP 872 0 872 850 0 850
Coverage ratio excluding collateral (%) 51 0 51 49 0 49
Collateral 502 0 502 531 0 531
Coverage ratio including collateral (%) 81 0 81 79 0 79
NPL ratio (%) 1.0 1.1
  • 18 Default risk
  • 24 Market risk
  • 27 Liquidity risk 29 Operational risk
  • 29 Other risks

Corporate Clients segment

The Corporate Clients segment (CC) comprises the Group's activities with mid-size corporate clients, the public sector, institutional customers and multinational corporates. The segment is also responsible for the Group's relationships with banks and financial institutions in Germany and abroad, as well as with central banks. The regional focus of our activities is on Germany and Western Europe. The Group's customer-oriented capital markets activities are also bundled in this segment.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Credit risk parameters Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Mittelstand 76 215 28 74 198 27
International Corporates 72 137 19 68 149 22
Financial Institutions 24 68 28 23 69 30
Other 21 51 24 22 50 23
CC 194 470 24 187 467 25

The EaD of the Corporate Clients segment increased from €187bn to €194bn compared with 31 December of the previous year. Risk density decreased slightly from 25 basis points to 24 basis points.

The risk result in the Corporate Clients segment stood at €–28m only slightly higher than the level of the year-earlier period.

The default portfolio in the segment stood at €1,661m as at 31 March 2019.

For details of developments in the Financial Institutions portfolio, please see page 23.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Default portfolio CC segment €m Loans Securities Total Loans Securities Total
Default portfolio 1,621 40 1,661 1,669 67 1,736
LLP 583 0 584 636 3 639
Coverage ratio excluding collateral (%) 36 1 35 38 4 37
Collateral 251 0 251 251 0 251
Coverage ratio including collateral (%) 51 1 50 53 4 51
NPL ratio (%) 0.9 0.9

Asset & Capital Recovery segment

The Asset & Capital Recovery (ACR) segment comprises positions of the portfolios in the areas of Commercial Real Estate and Ship Finance and complex financings from the Public Finance area. The intention is that all the portfolios in this segment should be completely wound down over time.

EaD for the ACR segment in the performing loan book totalled €4bn as at 31 March 2019, which is a decrease of around €4bn compared with the end of the previous year due to the transfer of part of the Public Finance portfolio to Treasury.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Credit risk parameters Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Commercial Real Estate 0 2 57 0 2 53
Ship Finance 0 0 28 0 0 29
Public Finance 4 44 122 8 44 57
ACR 4 47 114 8 46 57

Commercial Real Estate The portfolio further decreased due to redemptions and repayments. Compared with 31 December 2018, risk density increased from 53 basis points to 57 basis points.

Ship Finance Since 31 December 2018, ship finance exposure in the performing loan book declined further to €0.1bn; the decrease related almost exclusively to tankers. Charter rates in the various tanker markets increased significantly in the fourth quarter of 2018, after having been extremely low in previous years due to an excess supply of tonnage. The end-2018 level carried over into the beginning of 2019.

Public Finance The Public Finance sub-portfolio in the ACR segment is largely made up of a private finance initiative (PFI) portfolio (€3.6bn EaD) with a regional focus on the UK.

The risk result in the ACR segment was €–1m in the first quarter of 2019. The default portfolio stood at €352m as at 31 March 2019.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Default portfolio ACR segment €m Loans Securities Total Loans Securities Total
Default portfolio 350 2 352 348 4 351
LLP 136 0 136 123 0 123
Coverage ratio excluding collateral (%) 39 0 39 35 0 35
Collateral 94 0 94 131 0 131
Coverage ratio including collateral (%) 66 0 65 73 0 72
NPL ratio (%) 7.9 4.1

Further portfolio analyses

Corporates portfolio by sector

A breakdown of the corporates exposure by sector is shown below:

The analyses below are independent of the existing segment allocation. The positions shown are already contained in full in the Group and segment presentations above.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Corporates portfolio by sector Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Energy supply/Waste management 19 60 32 18 62 34
Consumption 15 60 41 14 54 37
Technology/Electrical industry 14 31 22 13 31 24
Wholesale 13 52 39 13 48 37
Transport/Tourism 12 30 25 11 30 26
Basic materials/Metals 11 28 26 11 42 40
Services/Media 10 30 29 10 30 29
Automotive 10 35 35 10 27 28
Chemicals/Plastics 10 44 46 9 41 43
Mechanical engineering 9 24 27 9 24 28
Construction 6 17 29 6 16 28
Pharmaceutical/Healthcare 4 11 24 4 10 24
Other 5 8 15 5 7 13
Total 139 431 31 133 421 32

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management

24 Market risk

  • 27 Liquidity risk 29 Operational risk
  • 29 Other risks

Financial Institutions portfolio

Our network of correspondent banks continued to focus on trade finance activities on behalf of our corporate customers and on capital market activities. In derivatives, we enter into trades with selected counterparties under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) standards.

We continue to keep a close watch on the impact of regulatory requirements on banks. In this context, we continue to pursue our strategy of holding as few exposures as possible which might absorb losses in the event of a bail-in of an affected institution.

We are keeping a close eye on developments in various countries with individual issues such as recessions, embargoes or economic uncertainty caused by political events and are responding with flexible portfolio management that is tailored to the individual situation of each country. Overall, our risk appetite is geared to keeping the portfolio as responsive as possible.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
FI portfolio by region Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Germany 6 7 13 5 6 12
Western Europe 15 11 7 15 12 8
Central and Eastern Europe 3 19 60 3 17 56
North America 2 1 3 2 1 4
Asia 12 26 21 12 24 21
Other 6 22 38 6 23 40
Total 45 87 19 43 83 19

Non-Bank Financial Institutions portfolio

The Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) portfolio mainly comprises insurance companies, asset managers, regulated funds and central counterparties. Business activities are focused on Germany, Western Europe and the United States.

We carry out new business with NBFIs, partly in light of regulatory requirements (clearing via central counterparties) and partly in the interests of our institutional customers, with a focus on attractive opportunities with customers with good credit ratings. We manage our portfolios with the aim of ensuring their high quality and responsiveness.

31.3.2019 31.12.2018
NBFI portfolio by region Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Exposure
at default
€bn
Expected
loss
€m
Risk
density
bp
Germany 19 25 14 18 25 14
Western Europe 12 21 18 12 23 19
Central and Eastern Europe 1 9 70 1 8 65
North America 9 24 27 9 24 28
Asia 2 2 12 2 2 13
Other 1 2 30 1 2 31
Total 42 82 19 42 84 20

Originator positions

Commerzbank has in recent years securitised receivables from loans to the Bank's customers with a current volume of €7.0bn, primarily for capital management purposes. In the previous quarter, Commerzbank also issued a new synthetic securitisation transaction, CoCo Finance III-2, with a volume of €1.5bn. The transaction is primarily backed by loans to German SMEs and corporate clients.

As at the reporting date 31 March 2019, risk exposures with a value of €6.6bn were retained. By far the largest portion of these positions is accounted for by €6.3bn of senior tranches, which are nearly all rated good or very good.

Commerzbank volume1
Securitisation pool
€bn
Maturity Senior Mezzanine First loss piece Total volume1
Corporates 2025–2036 6.3 0.1 0.2 7.0
Total 31.3.2019 6.3 0.1 0.2 7.0
Total 31.12.2018 5.3 < 0.1 0.1 5.9

1 Tranches/retentions (nominal): banking and trading book.

Conduit exposure and other asset-backed exposures

Commerzbank is the sponsor of the multiseller asset-backed commercial paper conduit Silver Tower. It uses it to securitise receivables, in particular trade and leasing receivables, from customers in the Corporate Clients segment. The transactions are financed predominantly through the issue of asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) or through the drawing of credit lines (liquidity lines). The volume and risk values in the Silver Tower conduit were stable at €3.9bn in the first quarter of 2019.

Liquidity risks from securitisations are modelled in the internal liquidity risk model on a risk-adjusted basis. Firstly, a worst-case assumption is made that Commerzbank will have to take on the funding of a major part of the purchase facilities provided to its special-purpose vehicles within the scope of the Silver Tower conduit. Secondly, the Bank's holdings of securitisation transactions only qualify as liquid assets if they are eligible for rediscount at the European Central Bank. These positions are only included in the liquidity risk calculation after risk-adjusted discounts are applied.

The other asset-backed exposures mainly comprise government-guaranteed asset-backed securities (ABS) held by Commerzbank Finance & Covered Bond S.A. and Commerzbank AG in Germany. In the first quarter of 2019 the volume remained stable at €4.0bn (December 2018: €4.0bn), risk values1 also remained nearly stable at €3.9bn (December 2018: €3.8bn).

There are also investments in the Structured Credit area. The volume of new investments entered into since 2014 stood at €3.8bn (December 2018: €3.8bn). In general, we have traditionally invested in bonds of senior tranches of securitisation transactions in the consumer (auto) ABS, UK RMBS and CLO asset classes, which show a robust structure and a moderate risk profile.

At the end of the first quarter of 2019 (as already at the end of 2018) this portfolio contained only AAA-rated CLO positions. Remaining structured credit positions with a volume of €1.3bn were already in the portfolio prior to 2014 (December 2018: €1.3bn), while risk values stood at €0.4bn (December 2018: €0.4bn).

Market risk

Market risk is the risk of potential financial losses due to changes in market prices (interest rates, commodities, credit spreads, exchange rates and equity prices) or in parameters that affect prices such as volatilities and correlations. Losses may impact profit or loss directly, e.g. in the case of trading book positions. However, for banking book positions they are reflected in the revaluation reserve or in hidden liabilities/reserves.

Risk management

A standardised value-at-risk model (historical simulation) incorporating all positions that are relevant for market risk is used for the internal management of market risk. Smaller Commerzbank Group entities use standardised approaches under partial use rules. VaR quantifies the potential loss from financial instruments due to changed market conditions over a predefined time horizon and with a specific probability. Further details on the methodology used are given in the Group Risk Report 2018. In order to provide a consistent presentation in this report, all figures relating to the VaR are based on a confidence level of 99%, a holding period of one day, equally weighted market data and a 254-day history.

In internal management, all positions relevant to market risk are covered, and trading and banking book positions are jointly managed. In addition, for regulatory purposes the trading book is managed separately (in accordance with regulatory requirements, including currency and commodity risks in the banking book) and interest rate risks in the banking book are managed on a standalone basis.

In the first quarter of 2019, the VaR for the overall book slightly increased by €2m to €37m.

1 Risk value is the balance sheet value of cash instruments. For long CDS positions, it comprises the nominal value of the reference instrument less the net present value of the credit derivative.

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management

  • 18 Default risk 24 Market risk
  • 27 Liquidity risk
  • 29 Operational risk
29 Other risks
VaR contribution €m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Overall book 37 34
thereof trading book 6 10

The EU Benchmarks Regulation entered into force on 1 January 2018. The purpose of the Benchmarks Regulation is to improve the transparency and integrity of the calculation and application of indices used as benchmarks for financial instruments and financial contracts or for measuring the performance of investment funds. The EU recently decided to extend the transitional period until the end of 2021 so as to enable the institutions affected to prepare for the forthcoming developments and to give the market time to develop appropriate procedures that comply with the new regulation. In preparation for this, the Bank has launched a Group project in which all the affected front- and back-office units are involved.

Trading book

Below, we show how the regulatory market risk ratios of the trading book portfolio developed. Most of Commerzbank's trading book positions derive from the Corporate Clients segment and Group Treasury division. The VaR figures comprise all risks in the internal VaR model. Smaller Commerzbank Group entities use standardised approaches for their regulatory capital calculation under partial use rules. These figures are not contained in the VaR figures shown in this report.

In the course of the first quarter of 2019, VaR fell from €10m to €6m. VaR in the trading book is at a historical low.

VaR of portfolios in the
trading book €m
Q1 2019 2018
Minimum 6 6
Mean 8 9
Maximum 11 12
VaR at end of reporting period 6 10

The market risk profile is diversified across all asset classes.

VaR contribution by risk type in the
trading book €m
31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Credit spreads 1 1
Interest rates 2 2
Equities 1 3
FX 1 2
Commodities 1 1
Total 6 10

Further risk ratios are calculated for regulatory capital adequacy. This includes the calculation of stressed VaR. Stressed VaR is calculated using the internal model on the basis of the VaR method described above. The main difference lies in the market data used to value the assets. Stressed VaR measures the risk in the present position in the trading book by reference to market movements from a specified crisis period in the past. The crisis observation period used for this is checked regularly through model validation and approval processes and adjusted where necessary. The crisis observation period remained the same in the first three months of 2019. Stressed VaR declined slightly from €35m at end-2018 to €34m at the end of March 2019.

The market risk profile in stressed VaR is also diversified across all asset classes. Interest rate risk is the prevailing asset class.

Stressed VaR contribution by risk
type in the trading book €m
31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Credit spreads 6 5
Interest rates 14 12
Equities 5 10
FX 5 4
Commodities 3 4
Total 34 35

In addition, the incremental risk charge and the equity event VaR figures quantify the risk of deterioration in creditworthiness and event risks in trading book positions. The incremental risk charge rose by €14m to €33m in the first quarter of 2019. The decline is mainly attributable to changes in positions in the Corporate Clients segment.

The reliability of the internal model (historical simulation) is monitored in various ways, including by backtesting on a daily basis. The VaR calculated is set against actually occurring profits and losses. The VaR used in backtesting is based on the complete historical simulation and therefore represents all internal models used in the market risk VaR calculation of capital adequacy requirements at Group level. The process draws a distinction between "clean P&L" and "dirty P&L" backtesting. In the former, exactly the same positions in the income statement are used as were used for calculating the VaR. This means that the profits and losses result only from changes in market prices (hypothetical changes in the portfolio value). In dirty P&L backtesting, by contrast, profits and losses from newly concluded and expired transactions from the day under consideration are also included (actual profits and losses induced by portfolio value changes). Profits and losses from valuation adjustments and model reserves are factored into dirty and clean P&L according to the regulatory requirements. If the actual loss exceeds the VaR, it is described as a negative backtesting outlier.

Analysing the results of backtesting provides an informative basis for checking parameters and for improving the market risk model. In the first quarter of 2019, we saw no negative clean P&L outliers and no negative dirty P&L outliers. The results confirm the quality of the VaR model. Backtesting is also used by the supervisory authorities for evaluating internal risk models. Negative outliers are classified by means of a traffic-light system laid down by the supervisory authorities. All negative backtesting outliers at Group level (from both clean P&L and dirty P&L) must be reported to the supervisory authorities, citing their extent and cause. As the VaR concept gives a prediction of potential losses on the assumption of normal market conditions, it is supplemented by the calculation of stress tests. These stress tests measure the risk to which Commerzbank is exposed, based on unlikely but still plausible events. These events may be simulated using extreme movements on various financial markets. The key scenarios relate to major changes in credit spreads, interest rates and yield curves, exchange rates, share prices and commodities prices. Events simulated in stress tests include all stock prices falling by 15%, a parallel shift in the yield curve or changes to the curve's gradient. Extensive Group-wide stress tests and scenario analyses are carried out as part of risk monitoring.

The internal model's individual components are independently validated at regular intervals to assess their appropriateness for risk measurement. The identification and elimination of model weaknesses are of particular importance in this.

Banking book

The key drivers of market risk in the banking book are the Group Treasury portfolios, with their credit spread, interest rate and basis risks, and the area of Asset & Capital Recovery (ACR) – Public Finance, along with the positions held by the subsidiary Commerzbank Finance & Covered Bond S.A.

In market risk management, credit spread sensitivities in the banking and trading books are considered together. Credit spread sensitivities (downshift of 1 basis point) for all securities and derivative positions (excluding loans) were at €44m as at the end of the first quarter of 2019.

Most credit spread sensitivities related to securities positions measured at amortised cost. Changes in market price have no impact on the revaluation reserve or the income statement for these positions.

The impact of an interest rate shock on the economic value of the Group's banking book is simulated monthly in compliance with regulatory requirements. In accordance with the EU Banking Directive, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the European Central Bank (ECB) have prescribed two scenarios of uniform, sudden and unexpected changes in interest rates (+/–200 basis points) to be used by all banks, which have to report on the results of this stress test every quarter.

The outcome of the +200 basis points scenario would be a potential loss of €2,113m, while the –200 basis points scenario would result in a potential profit of €613m, both as at 31 March 2019. Commerzbank does not, therefore, need to be classified as a bank with elevated interest rate risk, as the decline in net present value represents less than 20% of its regulatory capital.

As at 31 March 2019, the interest rate sensitivity of the entire banking book (without pension funds) was €9.4m per basis point of interest rate reduction.

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management

18 Default risk

24 Market risk

27 Liquidity risk 29 Operational risk

29 Other risks

Pension fund risk is also part of market risk in the banking book. Our pension fund portfolio comprises a well-diversified investment section and a section comprising insurance-related liabilities. The duration of the liabilities is extremely long (cash outflows modelled over almost 90 years), and the main portion of the overall portfolio's present value risk is in maturities of 15 years and over. The main risk drivers are long-term euro interest rates, credit spreads and expected euro inflation due to anticipated pension dynamics. Equity, volatility and foreign exchange risk also need to be taken into consideration. Diversification effects between individual risks reduce the overall risk. The extremely long maturities of these liabilities represent the greatest challenge, particularly for hedging credit spread risk. This is because there is insufficient liquidity in the market for corresponding hedging products.

Market liquidity risk

Market liquidity risk is the risk of the Bank not being able to liquidate or hedge risky positions in a timely manner, to the desired extent and on acceptable terms as a result of insufficient liquidity in the market.

Market liquidity risk is taken into account in Commerzbank's risk-bearing capacity concept by scaling the value at risk to one year and the therefore implicitly recognised liquidation period. On the other hand additional valuation adjustments for market liquidity risk are reflected in the calculation of the risk coverage capital.

Liquidity risk

We define liquidity risk in the narrower sense as the risk that Commerzbank will be unable to meet its payment obligations on a day-to-day basis. In a broader sense, liquidity risk describes the risk that future payments cannot be funded for the full amount, in the required currency or at standard market conditions, as and when they are due.

Risk management

Commerzbank uses a wide range of tools to manage and monitor liquidity risks on the basis of its own liquidity risk model. The stress scenario within the Bank that underlies the model and is relevant for management purposes allows for the impact of both a bank-specific stress event and a broader market crisis. Binding regulatory requirements are an integral component of the management mechanism.

Group Treasury is responsible for the Group's liquidity management operations. Group Treasury is represented in all major locations of the Group in Germany and abroad and has reporting lines into all subsidiaries. Commerzbank manages its global liquidity centrally using cash pooling. This approach ensures that liquidity resources are used efficiently and that this occurs across all time zones, as Group Treasury units are located in Frankfurt, London, New York and Singapore. Additional information on this subject can be found in the "Funding and liquidity of the Commerzbank Group" section of the Group Management Report. Liquidity risk is monitored on the basis of the Bank's own liquidity risk model by the independent risk function.

The Bank has established early warning indicators for the purpose of managing liquidity risk. These ensure that appropriate steps can be taken in good time to secure long-term financial solidity.

Risk concentrations can lead to increased outflows of liquidity, particularly in a stress situation, and thus to increased liquidity risk. They can, for example, occur with regard to maturities, large individual creditors or currencies. By means of ongoing monitoring and reporting, emerging risk concentrations in funding can be recognised in a timely manner and mitigated through suitable measures.

This also applies to payment obligations in foreign currencies. The Bank also mitigates concentration by continuously using broadly diversified sources of funding, in particular diverse customer deposits and capital market instruments. Commerzbank also ensures that it monitors foreign exchange risks and fulfils the currency matching requirements for highly liquid assets and net liquidity outflows.

In the event of a liquidity crisis, the emergency plan provides for various measures for different types of crisis, which can be launched by the central ALCO. The emergency plan forms an integral part of Commerzbank's recovery plan and is updated at least once a year; the individual liquidity emergency measures are checked regularly during the year for plausibility. The emergency plan also defines a clear allocation of responsibilities for the processes to be followed in emergency situations and gives details of any action that may need to be taken.

Quantification and stress testing

Commerzbank uses a wide range of tools to manage and monitor liquidity risks on the basis of its own liquidity risk model. In addition to internal economic considerations, liquidity risk modelling also factors in the binding regulatory requirements under the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) and the Minimum Requirements for Risk Management (MaRisk). Commerzbank incorporates this within its liquidity risk framework, thereby quantifying the

liquidity risk appetite established by the full Board of Managing Directors.

The stress scenarios within the Bank that underlie the model and are relevant for management purposes allow for the impact of both a bank-specific stress event and a broader market crisis. The Commerzbank-specific idiosyncratic scenario simulates a stress situation arising from a rating downgrade of two notches, whereas the market-wide scenario is derived from experience of the subprime crisis and simulates an external market-wide shock. The main liquidity risk drivers of both scenarios are a markedly increased outflow of short-term customer deposits, above-average drawdown of credit lines, prolongations of lending business regarded as commercially necessary, the need to provide additional collateral for secured transactions and the application of higher risk discounts to the liquidation values of assets. As a complement to the individual scenarios, the Bank also simulates the impact on the liquidity gap profile (net liquidity position) of a scenario that combines idiosyncratic and market-specific effects. The liquidity gap profile is shown for the whole of the modelling horizon across the full spectrum of maturities and follows a multilevel concept. This allows for a nuanced presentation – deterministic and modelled cash flows in existing business on the one hand and the inclusion of prolongations on the other.

The table below shows the liquidity gap profile values after application of the respective stress scenarios for periods of one and three months as at the end of the quarter. Significantly more liquidity flows out in a combined scenario compared with the individual scenarios. As at the end of the first quarter of 2019, in the one-month and three-month periods, the combined stress scenario leaves net liquidity of €12.7bn and €20.3bn respectively.

Net liquidity in the
stress scenario €bn
31.3.2019 31.12.2018
1 month 19.2 16.6
Idiosyncratic scenario 3 months 28.5 19.2
1 month 23.3 21.6
Market-wide scenario 3 months 31.4 22.7
1 month 12.7 11.0
Combined scenario 3 months 20.3 11.7

Liquidity reserves

Significant factors in the liquidity risk appetite include the reserve period, the size of the liquidity reserve portfolio held to compensate for unexpected short-term liquidity outflows, and the limits in the various maturity bands. As the liquidity reserve portfolio consists of highly liquid assets, it functions as a buffer in stress situations. The liquidity reserve portfolio is funded in line with the liquidity risk appetite to ensure that it is kept at the required size throughout the entire reserve period stipulated by the Board of Managing Directors.

As at the reporting date, the Bank had a liquidity reserve of €84.3bn in the form of highly liquid assets. A part of this liquidity reserve is held in a separate stress liquidity reserve portfolio managed by Group Treasury to cover liquidity outflows should a stress event occur and to ensure solvency at all times. In addition, the Bank operates an intraday liquidity reserve portfolio in the amount of €10.4bn as at the reporting date.

Liquidity reserves from highly
liquid assets €bn
31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Highly liquid assets 84.3 77.3
of which level 1 74.7 61.9
of which level 2A 8.1 14.1
of which level 2B 1.5 1.3

Liquidity ratios

Throughout the first quarter of 2019, Commerzbank's internal liquidity ratios, including the regulatory liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), were at all times above the limits set by the Board of Managing Directors. The same is true of compliance with the survival period calculation set down by MaRisk.

The regulatory LCR is contained in the internal liquidity risk model as a binding secondary condition. The LCR is calculated as the ratio of liquid assets to net liquidity outflows under stressed conditions. It is used to measure whether a bank has a large enough liquidity buffer to independently withstand any potential imbalance between inflows and outflows of liquidity under stressed conditions over a period of 30 calendar days. Since 1 January 2018, the Bank has had to maintain a ratio of at least 100%.

In the first quarter of 2019, Commerzbank significantly exceeded the minimum ratio of 100% on every reporting date. As at the end of the first quarter of 2019, the average month-end value of the LCR over the last twelve months was 135.02%.

The Bank has established corresponding limits and early warning indicators to ensure the LCR minimum requirements are met. Further information on the composition of the LCR is given in Note 44 (Liquidity coverage ratio) of the interim financial statements.

17 Risk-oriented overall bank management

  • 18 Default risk 24 Market risk
  • 27 Liquidity risk
  • 29 Operational risk

29 Other risks

Operational risk

Based on the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), Commerzbank defines operational risk (OpRisk) as the risk of loss resulting from the inadequacy or failure of internal processes, people and systems or from external events. This definition includes legal risks; it does not cover strategic or reputational risks. Given the increased economic significance of compliance risk, Commerzbank treats it as a separate risk type. Given the increasing digitalisation of the business environment, cyber risk is an inherent existential threat for Commerzbank and is also managed as a separate risk type. In line with the CRR, however, losses from compliance risks and cyber risks are still incorporated into the model for determining the regulatory and economic capital required for operational risks.

Commerzbank takes an active approach to managing operational risk, aiming to systematically identify OpRisk profiles and risk concentrations and to define, prioritise and implement risk mitigation measures.

Commerzbank uses the advanced measurement approach (AMA) to measure regulatory and economic capital for operational risks. Risk-weighted assets for operational risks on this basis came to €21.6bn at the end of the first quarter of 2019 (31 December 2018: €21.4bn, 99.9% quantile), while economically required capital was €1.7bn (since the first quarter of 2019: 99.9% quantile; 31 December 2018: €1.8bn, 99.91% quantile).

As of 1 January 2022, operational risk (OpRisk) regulatory capital will be calculated using the standardised approach (formerly the standardised measurement approach or SMA). This approach is based on the multiplication of two components, the business indicator component (BIC) and the internal loss multiplier (ILM). The BIC is derived from the business indicator, which is the sum of an interest, leases and dividend component, a services component and a financial component, and a coefficient determined by the size of the business indicator. The second component in the standardised approach is the risk-sensitive internal loss multiplier, which reflects the Bank's internal operational losses.

OpRisk management includes an annual evaluation of the Bank's internal control system (ICS) and a risk scenario assessment. Furthermore, OpRisk loss events are subjected to ongoing analysis and to ICS backtesting on an event-driven basis. Lessons learned activities are carried out for loss events ≥ €1m. External OpRisk events at competitors are also systematically evaluated.

The total charge for OpRisk events at the end of the first quarter of 2019 was approximately €14m (full-year 2018: €30m).

The events mainly related to losses in the "Process related" and "External fraud" categories.

OpRisk events1 €m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Internal fraud 1 4
External fraud 5 7
Damage and IT failure 0 5
Products and business practices 1 – 17
Process related 7 30
HR related 0 0
Group 14 30

1 Losses incurred and provisions, less OpRisk-based income and repayments.

Other risks

To meet the requirements of Pillar 2 of the Basel framework, MaRisk requires an integrated approach to risk that also includes unquantifiable risk categories. At Commerzbank, these are subjected to a qualitative management and control process. Details of legal and compliance risk are shown below. As regards all other risks, there were no significant changes in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the position reported in the Group Risk Report 2018.

Legal risk Commerzbank and its subsidiaries are involved in a variety of court and arbitration cases, claims and official investigations (legal proceedings) in connection with a broad range of issues. They include, for example, allegations of defective advice, disputes in connection with credit finance or payment transactions, entitlements to occupational pensions, allegedly false accounting and incorrect financial statements, enforcement of claims due to tax issues, allegedly incorrect prospectuses in connection with underwriting transactions, alleged violations of competition laws, and cases brought by shareholders and other investors as well as investigations by US authorities. In addition, changes to rulings by supreme courts, which may render them more restrictive, as well as to legal conditions, e.g. in the private customer business, may result in more claims being brought against Commerzbank or its subsidiaries. In these court cases, claimants are mostly asking for the payment of compensation, claims on account of unjust enrichment or the reversal of agreements already entered into. If the courts were to find in favour of one or more of the claimants in these cases, Commerzbank could be liable to pay compensation, which could in some cases be substantial, or could incur the expense of reversing agreements or of other cost-intensive measures.

Regulatory authorities and governmental institutions in various countries in which Commerzbank and its subsidiaries are or have been active have some years ago been investigating irregularities in connection with the fixing of foreign exchange rates and with foreign exchange business in general. In the course of these investigations, regulatory authorities and governmental institutions have also sought checks on Commerzbank or have approached the company with requests for information. Commerzbank has cooperated fully with these bodies and also looked into the relevant matters on the basis of its own comprehensive investigations. In one case the investigating authority transferred the process to the national tribunal for competition affairs. The possibility of financial consequences arising from some of these matters cannot be ruled out.

The public prosecutor's office in Frankfurt is investigating equity transactions conducted by Commerzbank and the former Dresdner Bank around the dividend record date (cum-ex transactions). Commerzbank is cooperating fully with the authorities. It had already initiated a forensic analysis of cum-ex transactions at the end of 2015, which was concluded at the start of 2018 with regard to Commerzbank's equity transactions and is still ongoing regarding the equity transactions of the former Dresdner Bank.

In the circular of the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) dated 17 July 2017, the tax authorities addressed the treatment of cum-cum transactions, declaring their intention to critically examine past transactions for indications of abuse of law. According to the view put forward in the BMF circular, abuse of law pursuant to Article 42 of the German Tax Code (Abgabenordnung, AO) is indicated if there are no economically reasonable grounds for the transaction in question and the structure of the transaction appears to be largely tax-induced (tax arbitrage). The circular provides a non-exhaustive list of cases which the BMF will assess for tax purposes.

In a letter dated 18 July 2017, the Bundesbank asked Commerzbank to assess the financial repercussions of the potential application of the BMF circular by means of a survey form. Based on the analyses conducted for cum-cum transactions, the Bank recognised precautionary provisions for potentially refundable own capital gains taxes.

With respect to cum-cum securities lending transactions, Commerzbank is exposed to compensation claims from third parties for crediting entitlements that have been denied. Based on the analyses performed, Commerzbank considers it rather unlikely that such claims could be enforced. However, it cannot be ruled out. Based on our estimates, there could be a financial impact in these cases.

For the other cum-cum-relevant transactions, Commerzbank has concluded that the legal structuring it adopted was appropriate under Article 42 of the German Tax Code.

The possibility that this conclusion could alter as developments unfold, for example in connection with assessments made by the tax authorities and fiscal/civil courts, cannot be completely ruled out.

Some of these cases could also have an impact on the reputation of Commerzbank and its subsidiaries. The Group recognises provisions for such proceedings if liabilities are likely to result from them and the amounts to which the Group is likely to be liable can be determined with sufficient accuracy. Since there are considerable uncertainties as to how such proceedings will develop, the possibility cannot be ruled out that some of the provisions recognised for them may prove to be inadequate once the courts' final rulings are known. As a result, substantial additional expense may be incurred. This is also true in the case of legal proceedings for which the Group did not consider it necessary to recognise provisions. The eventual outcome of some legal proceedings might have an impact on Commerzbank's results and cash flow in a specified reporting period; in the worst case it cannot be fully ruled out that the liabilities that might result from them may also have a significant impact on Commerzbank's earnings performance, assets and financial position.

Further information on legal proceedings may be found in Note 39 regarding provisions and Note 40 regarding contingent liabilities and lending commitments in the interim financial statements.

Compliance risk In 2015 Commerzbank reached settlements with various US authorities regarding violations of US sanctions and anti-money laundering provisions. In terms of the findings relating to the settlements the Bank has dealt with the majority of the findings. The Bank has also received various interim reports and the final report from the monitor appointed by the New York State Department of Financial Services ("DFS"), to which it has responded with corresponding implementation programmes. The Bank has made good progress in carrying out the implementation programmes and has dealt with most of the measures. The DFS will confirm when the monitorship ends. This decision has not yet been taken.

In line with the requirements of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), in 2017 Commerzbank London mandated a consulting company as a "skilled person". The consulting company carried out a review of existing structures and processes (especially with regard to money laundering, financing of terrorism as well as sanctions/embargoes) and prepared a report for the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Commerzbank London subsequently put in place a full-scale remediation project, the implementation of which is being evaluated by the skilled person, with half-yearly reports to the FCA. Here too Commerzbank has made good progress in implementation. In the first quarter of 2019 the skilled person started the third phase of its audit. Within the scope of this phase the skilled person will test the operating effectiveness of the implemented measures. We expect the third phase to be finalized in the second quarter of 2019.

  • 17 Risk-oriented overall bank management
    • 18 Default risk
    • 24 Market risk
    • 27 Liquidity risk
    • 29 Operational risk 29 Other risks

Since 31 December 2012 Commerzbank has been provisionally registered as a swap dealer with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In accordance with a consent order issued by the CFTC on 8 November 2018, Commerzbank has engaged an outside consultant approved by the CFTC for a period of two years. The CFTC may extend this period by a further year at its discretion, based on its assessment of Commerzbank's remedial efforts. During the review period the outside consultant will produce annual reports assessing the swap dealer's compliance with the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations of the CFTC. The report will also contain recommendations on improving the swap dealer's practices, policies and procedures. The outside consultant has started work in April 2019.

Disclaimer Commerzbank's internal risk measurement methods and models which form the basis for the calculation of the figures shown in this report are state-of-the-art and based on banking sector practice. The risk models produce results appropriate to the management of the Bank. The measurement approaches are regularly reviewed by risk control and internal audit as well as by German and European supervisory authorities. Despite being carefully developed and regularly checked, models cannot cover all the influencing factors that have an impact in reality or illustrate their complex behaviour and interactions. These limits to risk modelling apply in particular in extreme situations. Supplementary stress tests and scenario analyses can only show examples of the risks to which a portfolio may be exposed in extreme market situations. However, stress-testing all imaginable scenarios is not feasible. Stress tests cannot offer a final estimate of the maximum loss should an extreme event occur.

Interim Financial Statements

34 Statement of comprehensive income

  • 34 Income statement
  • 35 Condensed statement of comprehensive income
  • 38 Income statement (by quarter)

38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement (condensed version)

43 Selected notes

  • 43 General information
  • (1) Accounting policies
  • (2) Initially applicable, revised and new standards and interpretations
  • (3) Changes
  • (4) Report on events after the reporting period

46 Accounting and measurement policies

  • (5) Changes in accounting and measurement policies
  • (6) First-time application of IFRS 16
  • (7) Consolidated companies

48 Notes to the income statement

  • (8) Net interest income
  • (9) Dividend income
  • (10) Risk result
  • (11) Net commission income
  • (12) Net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss
  • (13) Net income from hedge accounting
  • (14) Other net income from financial instruments
  • (15) Other net income
  • (16) Operating expenses
  • (17) Compulsory contributions
  • (18) Taxes on income

(19) Earnings per share

57 Notes to the balance sheet

Financial assets and liabilities

  • (20) Financial assets amortised cost
  • (21) Financial liabilities amortised cost
  • (22) Financial assets fair value OCI
  • (23) Financial liabilities fair value option
  • (24) Financial assets mandatorily fair value P&L
  • (25) Financial assets held for trading
  • (26) Financial liabilities held for trading

Credit risks and credit losses

(27) Credit risks and credit losses

Other notes on financial instruments

  • (28) IFRS 13 fair value hierarchies and disclosure requirements
  • (29) Information on netting of financial instruments
  • (30) Derivatives
  • (31) Maturities of liabilities

Notes to the balance sheet (non-financial instruments)

  • (32) Intangible assets
  • (33) Fixed assets
  • (34) Discontinued business division
  • (35) Non-current assets held for sale and disposal groups
  • (36) Liabilities from disposal groups
  • (37) Other assets
  • (38) Other liabilities
  • (39) Provisions
  • (40) Contingent liabilities and lending commitments

Segment reporting

  • (41) Segment reporting
    • 92 Other notes
  • (42) Regulatory capital requirements
    • (43) Leverage ratio
  • (44) Liquidity coverage ratio
  • (45) Related party transactions

98 Boards of Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft

100 Review report

Statement of comprehensive income

Income statement

€m Notes 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Interest income accounted for using the effective
interest method (8) 1,911 1,761 8.5
Interest income accounted for not using the effective
interest method (8) 303 304 – 0.4
Interest income (8) 2,214 2,065 7.2
Interest expenses (8) 983 967 1.7
Net interest income (8) 1,231 1,098 12.1
Dividend income (9) 1 14 – 89.7
Risk result (10) – 78 – 77 1.2
Commission income (11) 939 970 – 3.2
Commission expenses (11) 171 169 1.7
Net commission income (11) 768 802 – 4.2
Net income from financial assets and liabilities at fair value
through profit or loss (12) 85 203 – 58.3
Net income from hedge accounting (13) 50 – 16
Other sundry realised profit or loss from financial
instruments
– 15 – 19 – 21.4
Gain or loss on disposal of financial assets – Amortised Cost – 5 0
Other net income from financial instruments (14) – 20 – 19 7.4
Current net income from companies accounted for using the
equity method
5 6 – 23.3
Other net income (15) 37 129 – 71.2
Operating expenses (16) 1,569 1,638 – 4.2
Compulsory contributions (17) 265 244
Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing operations 244 258 – 5.6
Taxes on income (18) 97 – 7
Consolidated profit or loss from continuing operations 147 265 – 44.5
Consolidated profit or loss from discontinued operations – 13 30
Consolidated profit or loss 134 296 – 54.7
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to non-controlling
interests
14 34 – 59.0
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to Commerzbank
shareholders
120 262 – 54.2

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Earnings per share
(19)
0.10 0.21 – 54.2

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

The earnings per share, calculated in accordance with IAS 33, are based on the consolidated profit or loss attributable to Commerzbank shareholders. No conversion or option rights were outstanding either in the previous or current year. The figure for diluted earnings per share was therefore identical to the undiluted figure.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Condensed statement of comprehensive income

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Consolidated profit or loss 134 296 – 54.7
Change from remeasurement of defined benefit plans not
recognised in income statement – 224 – 99
Change from the remeasurement of equity instruments
(FVOCIoR)
Reclassified to retained earnings – 0 0
Change in value not recognised in income statement 4 – 1
Change from remeasurement of own credit risk not recognised
in the income statement
– 10 44
Items not recyclable through profit or loss – 231 – 56
Change in revaluation reserve (FVOCImR)
Reclassified to income statement – 12 – 3
Change in value not recognised in income statement 19 – 0
Change in cash flow hedge reserve
Reclassified to income statement 1 12 – 90.8
Change in value not recognised in income statement 5 13 – 60.0
Change in currency translation reserve
Reclassified to income statement – 2
Change in value not recognised in income statement 55 – 53
Change from non-current assets held for sale or disposal
groups
Reclassified to income statement
Change in value not recognised in income statement
Change in companies accounted for using the equity method 0 1 – 96.4
Items recyclable through profit or loss 68 – 32
Other comprehensive income – 163 – 89 84.1
Total comprehensive income – 29 207
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests 11 30 – 61.5
Comprehensive income attributable to Commerzbank shareholders – 41 178

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3)

The breakdown of other comprehensive income for the first three months was as follows:

Other comprehensive income €m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181
Before
taxes
Taxes After
taxes
Before
taxes
Taxes After
taxes
Change from remeasurement of own credit risk – 10 – 0 – 10 39 5 44
Change from the remeasurement of equity
instruments (FVOCIoR)
4 – 0 4 1 – 1 – 1
Change from remeasurement of defined benefit
plans
– 264 40 – 224 – 148 49 – 99
Change in revaluation reserve (FVOCImR) 12 – 5 7 – 8 4 – 4
Change in cash flow hedge reserve 8 – 2 6 28 – 4 24
Change in currency translation reserve 55 – 0 55 – 54 – 0 – 54
Change from non-current assets held for sale
and disposal groups
Change in companies accounted for using the
equity method
0 0 1 1
Other comprehensive income – 196 33 – 163 – 141 52 – 89

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Income statement (by quarter)

€m 2019 20181
1st quarter 4th quarter 3rd quarter 2nd quarter 1st quarter
Interest income accounted for using the effective interest
method
1,911 1,864 1,866 1,827 1,761
Interest income accounted for not using the effective
interest method
303 414 335 298 304
Interest income 2,214 2,278 2,201 2,125 2,065
Interest expenses 983 1,041 978 936 967
Net interest income 1,231 1,237 1,223 1,190 1,098
Dividend income 1 6 9 6 14
Risk result – 78 – 154 – 133 – 82 – 77
Commission income 939 931 909 941 970
Commission expenses 171 178 138 178 169
Net commission income 768 754 771 763 802
Net income from financial assets and liabilities at fair value
through profit or loss
85 – 121 85 200 203
Net income from hedge accounting 50 22 6 36 – 16
Other sundry realised profit or loss from financial instruments – 15 47 8 4 – 19
Gain or loss on disposal of financial assets - Amortised Cost – 5 – 12 – 2 – 1 0
Other net income from financial instruments – 20 35 6 3 – 19
Current net income from companies accounted for using the
equity method
5 2 1 3 6
Other net income 37 101 40 – 24 129
Operating expenses 1,569 1,579 1,607 1,636 1,638
Compulsory contributions 265 63 55 58 244
Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing operations 244 240 346 401 258
Taxes on income 97 82 94 99 – 7
Consolidated profit or loss from continuing operations 147 158 252 302 265
Consolidated profit or loss from discontinued operations – 13 – 23 – 10 – 7 30
Consolidated profit or loss 134 135 242 295 296
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to non-controlling interests 14 22 24 23 34
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to Commerzbank
shareholders
120 113 218 272 262

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

Balance sheet

Assets €m Notes 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Cash on hand and cash on demand 60,507 53,914 12.2
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost (20) 295,621 279,137 5.9
of which pledged as collateral 4,088 3,637 12.4
Financial Assets – Fair Value OCI (22) 27,427 26,659 2.9
of which pledged as collateral 2,586 2,377 8.8
Financial Assets – Mandatorily Fair Value P&L (24) 42,524 34,073 24.8
of which pledged as collateral
Financial Assets – Held for Trading (25) 46,705 42,501 9.9
of which pledged as collateral 4,334 1,246
Value adjustment on portfolio fair value hedges 666 199
Positive fair values of derivative hedging
instruments
1,811 1,457 24.3
Holdings in companies accounted for using the
equity method
182 173 4.8
Intangible assets (32) 3,188 3,246 – 1.8
Fixed assets (33) 3,778 1,547
Investment properties 13 13
Non-current assets held for sale and assets of
disposal groups (35) 14,642 13,433 9.0
Current tax assets 792 783 1.2
Deferred tax assets 3,139 3,116 0.7
Other assets (37) 2,251 2,119 6.2
Total 503,246 462,369 8.8

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Liabilities and equity €m Notes 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Financial Liabilities – Amortised Cost (21) 366,548 346,668 5.7
Financial Liabilities – Fair Value Option (23) 36,935 21,949 68.3
Financial Liabilities – Held for Trading (26) 45,937 43,404 5.8
Value adjustment on portfolio fair value hedges 900 532 69.0
Negative fair values of derivative hedging
instruments
2,009 1,462 37.4
Provisions (39) 2,937 3,153 – 6.8
Current tax liabilities 428 472 – 9.3
Deferred tax liabilities 27 20 32.0
Liabilities of disposal groups (36) 13,351 12,914 3.4
Other liabilities (38) 4,788 2,384
Equity 29,387 29,411 – 0.1
Subscribed capital 1,252 1,252
Capital reserve 17,192 17,192
Retained earnings 9,950 10,054 – 1.0
Other reserves (with recycling) – 216 – 287 – 24.6
Total before non-controlling interests 28,177 28,211 – 0.1
Non-controlling interests 1,209 1,200 0.8
Total 503,246 462,369 8.8

Statement of changes in equity

€m Sub Capital Retained Other reserves Total Non Equity1
scribed
capital
reserve earnings1 Revalu
ation
reserve1
Cash
flow
hedge
reserve
Currency
translation
reserve
before
non
controlling
interests1
cont
rolling
interests
Equity as at 31.12.2017
(after restatements) 1,252 17,192 11,230 – 571 – 54 – 192 28,858 1,164 30,022
Change from first-time application of IFRS 9 – 1,833 657 – 2 – 1,178 – 24 – 1,202
Equity as at 1.1.2018 1,252 17,192 9,397 86 – 55 – 192 27,680 1,141 28,820
Total comprehensive income 206 – 8 24 – 45 178 30 207
Consolidated profit or loss 262 262 34 296
Change in Own Credit Spread (OCS) of
Liabilities FVO
44 44 44
Change from remeasurement of defined
benefit plans
– 99 – 99 – 0 – 99
Change in measurement of Equity
Instruments (FVOCIoR)
– 1 – 1 – 0 – 1
Change in revaluation of Debt Securities
(FVOCImR)
– 8 – 8 4 – 4
Change in cash flow hedge reserve 24 24 24
Change in currency translation reserve – 46 – 46 – 8 – 54
Change from non-current assets held for
sale and disposal groups
Change in companies accounted for
using the equity method
1 1 1
Dividend paid on shares – 0 – 0
Changes in ownership interests
Other changes 6 6 0 6
Equity as at 31.3.2018 1,252 17,192 9,609 78 – 31 – 237 27,864 1,170 29,034

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

€m Sub
Capital
Retained
Other reserves Total Non Equity1
scribed
capital
reserve earnings1 Revalu
ation
reserve
Cash
flow
hedge
reserve
Currency
translation
reserve
before
non
control
ling
interests1
control
ling
interests
Equity as at 1.1.2019 1,252 17,192 10,054 – 9 – 15 – 264 28,211 1,200 29,411
Total comprehensive income – 111 12 4 55 – 41 11 – 29
Consolidated profit or loss 120 120 14 134
Change in Own Credit Spread (OCS) of
Liabilities FVO
– 10 – 10 – 10
Change from remeasurement of defined
benefit plans
– 224 – 224 – 0 – 224
Change in measurement of Equity
Instruments (FVOCIoR)
3 3 1 4
Change in revaluation of Debt Securities
(FVOCImR)
12 12 – 5 7
Change in cash flow hedge reserve 4 4 2 6
Change in currency translation reserve 55 55 0 55
Change from non-current assets held for
sale and disposal groups
Change in companies accounted for
using the equity method
0 0 0
Dividend paid on shares – 0 – 0
Changes in ownership interests – 0 – 0 0 – 0
Other changes 7 7 – 2 5
Equity as at 31.3.2019 1,252 17,192 9,950 3 – 11 – 209 28,177 1,209 29,387

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

As at 31 March 2019, there was no material impact on "Other reserves" from assets and disposal groups held for sale.

The main changes in the currency translation reserve in the current financial year thus far are due to the US dollar, Polish zloty, British pound, Russian rouble and Brazilian real. Other changes primarily include changes from taxes not recognised in the income statement.

The changes in ownership interests of €0m in 2019 resulted from the purchase of additional shares in companies that has already been consolidated.

Cashflow statement (condensed version)

€m 2019 20181 Change in %
Cash and cash equivalents as at 1.1. 53,914 55,222 – 2.4
Net cash from operating activities 6,653 – 1,294
Net cash from investing activities – 156 – 96 61.9
Net cash from financing activities 28 – 332
Total net cash 6,525 – 1,722
Effect from exchange rate changes 68 – 120
Cash and cash equivalents as at 31.3. 60,507 53,379 13.4

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

With regard to the Commerzbank Group, the cashflow statement is not very informative. The cash flow statement neither replaces the liquidity/financial planning for us, nor is it used as a management tool.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity 42 Cashflow statement

43 Selected Notes

Selected notes

General information

(1) Accounting policies

The Commerzbank Group has its headquarters in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The parent company is Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, which is registered in the Commercial Register at the District Court of Frankfurt/Main under registration no. HRB 32000. Our interim financial statements as at 31 March 2019 were prepared in accordance with Art. 315e of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, or "HGB") and Regulation (EC) No. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 (the IAS Regulation). In addition, other regulations for adopting certain international accounting standards on the basis of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) approved and published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and their interpretation by the IFRS Interpretations Committee have also been applied. This interim report takes particular account of the requirements of IAS 34 relating to interim financial reporting.

All standards and interpretations that are mandatory within the EU in financial year 2019 have been applied. We have not applied standards and interpretations that are not required until financial year 2020 or later.

The interim management report, including the separate interim risk report pursuant to Art. 315 of the German Commercial Code, is published on pages 6 to 30 of this interim report.

Uniform accounting and measurement methods are used throughout the Commerzbank Group in preparing the financial statements. For fully consolidated companies and holdings in companies accounted for using the equity method we have generally used financial statements prepared as at 31 March 2019.

The Group financial statements are prepared in euros, the reporting currency of the Group. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are shown in millions of euros. All items under €500,000.00 are presented as €0.00, and zero items are denoted by a dash. Due to rounding, in some cases the individual figures presented may not add up precisely to the totals provided.

(2) Initially applicable, revised and new standards and interpretations

Initially applicable standards and interpretations

The IASB published a new standard on the accounting treatment of leases, IFRS 16 Leases, in January 2016, which was transposed into EU law in the fourth quarter of 2017. The standard must be applied in the EU for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019. It replaces IAS 17 and the related interpretations IFRIC 4, SIC-15 and SIC-27.

The application of IFRS 16 resulted in an increase of €2.307m in total assets as of 1 January 2019. In financial year 2019, instead of the previously recognised administrative expenses, the income statement will show depreciation on the recognised rights of use and interest expenses from the unwinding of the discount on lease liabilities.

Note 6 of this interim report contains the reconciliation table as at 1 January 2018 in accordance with IFRS 16.

On 7 June 2017, IFRIC Interpretation 23 (Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments) was published. This interpretation aims to clarify the recognition and measurement of income taxes in accordance with IAS 12 when uncertainty prevails regarding the treatment for income tax purposes. The IFRIC interpretation must be applied in the EU for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019. There were no impacts on the Group financial statements.

Revised standards

Revised standards IFRS 3, IFRS 11, IAS 12 and IAS 23, which were implemented as part of the Annual Improvements Project 2015– 2017, did not have any material impacts on the Group financial statements. The revised standards must be applied for all financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

New standards

The new accounting standard IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts, which was published in May 2017, will replace the IFRS 4 standard. The new standard applies not only to insurance companies, but to all entities that issue insurance contracts within the scope of the standard. IFRS 17 aims to achieve consistent, principles-based accounting for insurance contracts. It stipulates that insurance liabilities must be measured at the current settlement amount, instead of at historical cost. The IASB's intention in issuing IFRS 17 is to create a uniform basis for recognising, measuring, reporting and making disclosures in the notes regarding insurance contracts. The standard, which must be applied in the EU for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2021, still needs to be transposed into European law. We are currently analysing the potential effects on the Group financial statements.

(3) Changes

In financial year 2018, a retrospective correction was made to the elimination of intercompany balances to remedy an incorrect currency translation for a Group-internal issue denominated in Swiss francs. As at 1 January 2018, this correction decreased retained earnings by €11m and increased financial liabilities (amortised cost) by a corresponding amount. In the first three months of 2018, net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss increased by €11m, and financial liabilities (amortised cost) decreased by a corresponding amount. Consolidated profit therefore increased by €11m and earnings per share by 0,01€.

The Group reclassified retrospectively as at 1 January 2018 a holding of €38m in preferred shares in a credit card provider, which until now had been reported under equity instruments, from the category FVOCI (without recycling) to the category mFVPL. This reclassification was necessary because these shares cannot be classified as equity instruments under IAS 32, and must instead be disclosed as debt instruments. The preferred shares do not fulfil the SPPI criterion and must therefore be assigned to the mFVPL category. As a result, the Group shifted €10m in the opening balance between retained earnings and other reserves.

The realisation result from the disposal of financial assets at amortised cost was transferred out of the sub-item of the risk result as at 31 December 2018 and is now shown as a sub-item of other net income from financial instruments. This resulted in a more accurate presentation and a consistent separation into valuation and realisation components for financial instruments measured at amortised cost and fair value OCI. The comparative figures for the first quarter of 2018 have been adjusted accordingly. This had no impact on the statement of comprehensive income or the earnings per share.

In the first quarter of 2019, we changed the presentation of compulsory contributions, which comprise contributions to deposit insurance, bank levies and the Polish bank tax. These compulsory contributions are only partially controllable and in future will therefore be presented apart from operating expenses as a separate item in the income statement. We amended the comparative figures and disclosures in the income statement structure and the related notes for 2018. The restatements had no impact on consolidated profit or loss, the statement of comprehensive income or the earnings per share.

Additionally, the prior-year figures in the income statement for the discontinued business division EMC have been restated in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 5 (see Note 34).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

€m Originally reported
1.1.-31.3.2018
Adjustments
according to IAS 8
Adjustments
discontinued
operations1
Restated
1.1.-31.3.2018
Interest income 2,077 – 12 2,065
Interest expenses 1,031 – 64 967
Net interest income 1,045 53 1,098
Dividend income 14 14
Loan loss provisions – 77 – 0 – 77
Commission income 975 – 5 970
Commission expenses 178 – 9 169
Net commission income 797 4 802
Net income from financial assets and liabilities
at fair value through profit or loss
345 11 – 153 203
Net income from hedge accounting – 16 – 16
Other profit or loss from financial instruments – 19 0 – 19
Current net income from companies accounted
for using the equity method
6 6
Other net income 129 – 0 129
Operating expenses 1,936 – 244 – 55 1,638
244 244
Restructuring expenses
Pre-tax profit or loss 289 11 – 42 258
Taxes on income 5 – 12 – 7
Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing
operations
285 11 – 30 265
Consolidated profit or loss from discontinued
operations
30 30
Consolidated profit or loss 285 11 296
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to non
controlling interests
34 34
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to
Commerzbank shareholders
250 11 262

1 EMC business, which is to be sold to Société Générale (see Note 34).

4) Report on events after the reporting period

There have been no events of particular significance since the end of the reporting period.

Accounting and measurement policies

(5) Changes in accounting and measurement policies

With the exception of the application of IFRS 16 (see Note 6) and the changes described in Note 3, we have applied the same accounting and measurement policies in these interim financial statements as in our Group financial statements as at 31 December 2018 (see page 159 ff. of the Annual Report 2018).

(6) First-time application of IFRS 16

The effects of the application of IFRS 16 and the new accounting policies applied as of 1 January 2019 are presented below.

First-time application is in accordance with the transitional provisions of IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method. The figures for the comparison period were not adjusted. There were no effects to be recognised in equity.

With the application of IFRS 16, the Commerzbank Group recognised lease liabilities as of 1 January 2019 for leases previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17. These liabilities were measured at the net present value of the outstanding lease payments discounted at the incremental borrowing rate as of 1 January 2019. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate was 1.22% per annum.

For the lessee, the previous classification according to operating and finance leases no longer applies. The requirements for the lessor remain essentially unchanged, however.

For the first-time application, we made use of the simplification rule to include any provisions for onerous contracts in the right of use. For leases previously classified as operating leases, the status as at the changeover date was used as the basis. There was no retrospective calculation and consideration of initial direct costs. The exercise of extension or termination options continued to be assessed on the basis of the current facts and not based on the retrospective probability of exercise at the start of the contract. We also chose to use the optional simplification rule to exclude leases for low-value leased assets from recognition in the balance sheet. At the time of initial application, we did not assess whether a contract existing prior to 1 January 2019 should be classified in whole or in part as a lease in accordance with IFRS 16. The estimates made in accordance with the previous regulations IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 were adopted. The right of use per lease was recognised according to the lease liability adjusted for prepaid or accrued payments.

In future, a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability will be recognised for all leases. We recognise the right of use under fixed assets and depreciate it on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Maturity and call options are recognised as soon as their exercise is deemed sufficiently certain. The lease liability is recognised at the net present value of the future lease payments to be made. Subsequent measurement is performed using the effective interest method. We make use of the option to exclude low-value leases from accounting and recognise them directly as expenses.

The following table shows the reconciliation to the lease liability as of 1 January 2019, based on the lease obligations under operating leases as at 31 December 2018

€m
Off-balance sheet lease liabilities as at 31.12.2018 2,657
Of which not IFRS 16 relevant 130
Application relief for leases of low-value assets 55
Others 0
Gross lease liabilities as at 1.1.2019 2,471
Discounting 154
Total lease liabilities as at 1.1.2019 2,317

As at 31 March 2019, the recognised rights of use amounted to €2,250m and mainly consisted of lease agreements for land and buildings.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

(7) Consolidated companies

Acquisition of LeaseLink Sp. z.o.o.

In the first quarter of 2019, mLeasing, a leasing company from the mBank subgroup, acquired a 100% interest in LeaseLink Sp. z.o.o.. LeaseLink is a company from the fintech sector specialised in leasing payment services. The purchase price is equivalent to €7m.

The following table shows the assets and liabilities recognised in the balance sheet that were taken over at the time of the acquisition. Owing to the late timing of the acquisition and the relatively small amounts, these were only consolidated at provisional values as at 31 March 2019:

€m 8.3.2019
Financial assets - Amortised Cost 16
Intangible assets 1
Fixed assets 0
Other assets 1
Total identified assets 18
Financial liabilities - Amortised Cost 17
Total identified liabilities 17
Net asset value 0
Purchase price/consideration 7
Goodwill 7

Apart from this, no material companies were newly included in the scope of consolidated companies. In addition, no material companies were sold or liquidated or are no longer consolidated for other reasons.

In the first quarter of financial year 2018, the Bank sold its interest in Capital Investment Trust Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan, a shareholding that previously had been accounted for using the equity method. This sale resulted in a positive effect on the income statement in other net income (see Note 15).

Notes to the income statement

(8) Net interest income

All interest income and interest expenses – including interest-like income and expenses – are reported in this item, provided they do not result from the held-for-trading portfolio.

Interest income includes all interest income that is generated from the primary bank business or banking-related transactions. This income results primarily from the provision of capital.

As with interest income, interest expenses contains all interest expenses, including reversals of premiums/discounts or other amounts based on the effective interest method, as well as interestlike expenses in connection with the ordinary banking business.

Other interest expenses include the net of interest income and interest expenses of hedge accounting items.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Interest income accounted for using the effective interest method 1,911 1,761 8.5
Interest income – Amortised Cost 1,805 1,662 8.6
Interest income from lending and money market transactions 1,598 1,461 9.4
Interest income from the securities portfolio 207 201 3.1
Interest income – Fair Value OCI 81 75 8.3
Interest income from lending and money market transactions 6 5 23.1
Interest income from the securities portfolio 75 70 7.3
Prepayment penalty fees 24 24 2.6
Interest income accounted for not using the effective
interest method
303 304 – 0.4
Interest income – Mandatorily Fair Value P&L 188 164 14.4
Interest income from lending and money market transactions 174 158 10.6
Interest income from the securities portfolio 13 6
Positive interest from financial instruments held as liabilities 115 140 – 17.8
Interest expenses 983 967 1.7
Interest expenses – Amortised Cost 668 681 – 2.0
Deposits 416 408 2.0
Debt securities issued 252 274 – 7.9
Interest expenses – Fair Value Option 181 99 82.5
Deposits 174 94 85.3
Debt securities issued 7 5 35.8
Negative interest from financial instruments held as assets 118 177 – 33.4
Interest expenses from lease liabilities 6
Other interest expenses 10 10 6.0
Total 1,231 1,098 12.1

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet 40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement

43 Selected Notes

(9) Dividend income

All dividends from shares and similar equity instruments – with the exception of dividends from trading portfolios – are reported in this item.

Here we also report the current net income from nonconsolidated subsidiaries, which is realised through profit and loss transfer agreements. The non-consolidated subsidiaries are assigned to the mandatorily fair value P&L category.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.2018 Change in %
Dividends from equity instruments – Fair Value OCI 0 1 – 61.7
Dividends from equity instruments – Mandatorily Fair Value P&L 0 11 – 96.9
Current net income from non-consolidated subsidiaries 1 2 – 64.4
Total 1 14 – 89.7

A portfolio of European standard stocks (blue chips) held by a subsidiary in the Commerzbank Group was classified in the fair value OCI category. In the first three months of 2019, dividends of €0m were received from these stocks and recognised in the income statement in dividend income (previous year: €1m).

(10) Risk result

The risk result contains changes to provisions recognised in the income statement for on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments for which the IFRS 9 impairment model is to be applied. This also includes reversals of loss provisions when derecognition occurs because of scheduled redemptions, write-ups and amounts recovered on claims written-down and direct write-downs not resulting from a substantial modification. In addition, changes to provisions recognised in the income statement for certain offbalance-sheet items that are not financial guarantees as defined in IFRS 9 (certain guarantees, letters of credit, see Note 40) are taken into account.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost – 82 – 87 – 5.9
Financial Assets – Fair Value OCI 12 3
Financial Guarantees – 3 – 1
Lending commitments and indemnity agreements – 6 7
Total – 78 – 77 1.2

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

For information on the organisation of risk management and on the relevant key figures, as well as additional analyses and explanatory material on the expected credit loss, please refer to the interim management report contained in this interim report (see page 6 ff.).

(11) Net commission income

The Group reports income and expenses generated from the utilisation of services in net commission income. These amounts are realised when clients are provided with operational facilities, special business relationships or creditworthiness without changing the capitalised balance of banking claims. This also applies with respect to commissions from the sale of foreign currencies, bank notes and precious metals, provided the activity relates to a service transaction and not to proprietary trading. The same applies conversely when the Bank utilises third-party services.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Commission income 939 970 – 3.2
Securities transactions 273 308 – 11.4
Asset management 84 84 – 0.0
Payment transactions and foreign business 346 335 3.3
Guarantees 55 54 1.8
Net income from syndicated business 64 62 3.7
Intermediary business 44 62 – 28.9
Fiduciary transactions 9 6 38.7
Other income 63 58 8.7
Commission expenses 171 169 1.7
Securities transactions 63 68 – 7.8
Asset management 7 14 – 49.7
Payment transactions and foreign business 36 36 2.5
Guarantees 5 5 3.4
Net income from syndicated business 0 0 – 4.3
Intermediary business 42 32 29.0
Fiduciary transactions 6 5 26.6
Other expenses 12 8 44.4
Net provision income 768 802 – 4.2
Securities transactions 210 240 – 12.5
Asset management 77 69 10.3
Payment transactions and foreign business 310 300 3.4
Guarantees 50 49 1.7
Net income from syndicated business 64 62 3.7
Intermediary business 2 30 – 91.6
Fiduciary transactions 3 1 80.6
Other income 51 50 2.7
Total 768 802 – 4.2

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 51

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

The breakdown of commission income into segments by type of services based on IFRS 15 is as follows:

1.1.-31.3.2019
€m
Private and
Small-Business
Customers
Corporate
Clients
Asset & Capital
Recovery
Others and
Consolidation
Group
Securities transactions 271 12 0 – 11 273
Asset management 83 1 - - 84
Payment transactions and foreign business 157 192 0 – 3 346
Guarantees 7 51 0 – 2 55
Net income from syndicated business 0 64 0 - 64
Intermediary business 44 16 0 – 15 44
Fiduciary transactions 5 3 - - 9
Other income 55 15 0 – 7 63
Total 622 355 0 – 38 939
1.1.-31.3.20181
€m
Private and
Small
Business
Customers
Corporate
Clients
Asset & Capital
Recovery
Others and
Consolidation
Group
Securities transactions 304 6 0 – 2 308
Asset management 75 9 0 0 84
Payment transactions and foreign business 143 195 0 – 3 335
Guarantees 7 48 0 0 54
Net income from syndicated business 0 57 2 3 62
Intermediary business 45 5 0 12 62
Fiduciary transactions 6 0 0 0 6
Other income 42 5 1 11 58
Total 622 325 3 21 970

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

(12) Net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit and loss

This item includes the net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss. It contains the net gain or loss from financial instruments in the held-for-trading category, the net gain or loss from financial instruments in the mandatorily fair value P&L category, and the net gain or loss from financial instruments in the fair value option category.

The net gain or loss from financial instruments in the held-fortrading category is the Bank's net trading income and is reported as the net balance of expenses and income. This item therefore includes:

  • interest income, including dividends received and interest expenses from financial instruments held for trading;
  • realised gains and losses from the sale of securities held for trading purposes, claims, foreign currencies and precious metals;
  • net remeasurement gain or loss from remeasurements to fair value;
  • net gain or loss from derivative financial instruments;
  • net gain or loss from fair value adjustments (credit valuation adjustment/CVA, debit valuation adjustment/DVA, funding valuation adjustment/FVA);
  • commission expenses and income incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposal of financial instruments held for trading purposes.

The net gain or loss from financial instruments in the mandatorily fair value P&L category and the net gain or loss from financial instruments in the fair value option category contain only net remeasurement gains or losses and realised profit or loss. Expenses and income are each presented on a net basis.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Profit or loss from financial instruments – Held for Trading 65 200 – 67.6
Profit or loss from financial instruments – Fair Value Option – 67 35
Profit or loss from financial instruments – Mandatorily Fair Value P&L 87 – 33
Total 85 203 – 58.3

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

(13) Net income from hedge accounting

Net income from hedge accounting includes gains and losses on the valuation of effective hedges in fair value hedge accounting (fair value hedge). Net income from hedge accounting also includes the ineffective portion of effective cash flow hedges.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.2018 Change in %
Fair Value Hedges
Changes in fair value attributable to hedging instruments – 121 213
Micro fair value hedges – 92 172
Portfolio fair value hedges – 29 41
Changes in fair value attributable to hedged items 170 – 229
Micro fair value hedges 115 – 193
Portfolio fair value hedges 55 – 37
Cash Flow Hedges
Gain or loss from effectively hedged cash flow hedges
(ineffective part only) – 0 1
Total 50 – 16

(14) Other net income from financial instruments

This item contains the gain or loss on disposals of financial assets in the fair value OCI category as well as the gain or loss from the repurchase of financial liabilities in the amortised cost category.

The result from the disposal of financial assets in the amortised cost category includes effects from sales of financial instruments measured at amortised cost that are not triggered by a change in credit rating. It also contains the results from contractual adjustments agreed when loan arrangements with customers are restructured due to a deterioration in their creditworthiness (substantial modifications).

In the case of financial assets in the fair value OCI category (with recycling), the difference between amortised cost and fair value is recognised in the revaluation reserve until disposal (except for impairments) without effect on income, and therefore not in the income statement. The revaluation reserve resulting from securitised debt instruments is reversed through profit and loss when the asset is disposed of. In the previous year this was also applicable for the available for sale category.

The disposal of financial liabilities in the amortised cost category results in a net realised profit or loss, which arises directly from the difference between the sale price and amortised costs.

In addition, the gain or loss from changes in estimates and well as the net remeasurement gain or loss from non-substantial modifications of financial instruments – Amortised cost are reported in this item.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Other sundry realised profit or loss from financial instruments – 15 – 19 – 21.4
Realised profit or loss from financial assets – Fair Value OCI 12 3
Realised profit or loss from financial liabilities – Amortised Cost 1 4 – 70.5
Gain or loss on non-substantial modifications – Amortised Cost – 1 – 16 – 91.3
Gain or loss on non-substantial modifications – Fair Value OCI
Changes in uncertainties in estimates – Amortised Cost – 27 – 11
Changes in uncertainties in estimates – Fair Value OCI
Gain or loss on disposal of financial instruments (AC portfolios) – 5 0
Gains on disposal of financial instruments (AC portfolios) 1 0 86.5
Losses on disposal of financial instruments (AC portfolios) – 6
Total – 20 – 19 7.4

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

The Commerzbank Group has loan portfolios totalling €298bn (previous year: €281bn) with financial instruments measured at amortised cost. This classification requires that the financial instruments included therein be allocated to a portfolio with the "hold to collect" business model and that no SPPI- non-compliant side agreements exist. These portfolios can involve not only redemptions but also sales of assets, while still remaining fundamentally in compliance with this business model. This is particularly the case if the debtor´s credit rating has deteriorated significantly or the asset no longer corresponds to the required criteria as set out in the internal guidelines, or if the sale is the result of portfolio reallocations just prior to the maturity of these assets.

The net gain or loss from the sale of financial instruments (AC portfolios) resulted when the Group sold securities and promissory note loans from the liquidity portfolio (AC portfolios) as part of permitted portfolio measures and repayments of securities and loans.

Commerzbank modifies some of the contractual terms of loans granted, as part of non-substantial modifications that do not result in the derecognition of the previous financial instrument. The default risk of these assets after the change is measured as at the respective reporting date and compared with the risk under the original conditions.

(15) Other net income

Other net income primarily comprises allocations to and reversals of provisions and income and expenses from operating leases.

This item also includes the realised profit or loss and net remeasurement gain or loss from associated companies and jointly controlled entities.

€m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Other material items of income 120 177 – 32.2
Reversals of provisions 47 35 35.4
Operating lease income 38 45 – 15.3
Income from building and architects' services 0 0 – 18.2
Hire-purchase income and sublease income 4 3 71.9
Income from investment properties 0 0 – 6.1
Income from non-current assets held for sale
Income from disposal of fixed assets 1 1 – 3.4
Income from FX rate differences 6 11 – 50.8
Remaining other income 23 82 – 71.5
Other material items of expense 82 88 – 7.7
Allocations to provisions 10 16 – 39.3
Operating lease expenses 29 30 – 1.7
Expenses arising from building and architects' services
Hire-purchase expenses and sublease expenses 2 1
Expenses from investment properties 0 0
Expenses from non-current assets held for sale 0
Expenses from disposal of fixed assets 0 0 14.6
Expenses from FX rate differences 5 8 – 44.0
Remaining other expenses 35 33 7.0
Other tax (netted) – 4 21
Realised profit or loss and net remeasurement gain or loss from
associated companies and jointly controlled entities (netted) 3 19 – 84.8
Other net income 37 129 – 71.2

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

(16) Operating expenses

Personnel expenses €m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.2018 Change in %
Wages and salaries 814 802 1.5
Expenses for pensions and similar employee benefits 57 62 – 7.7
Total 871 864 0.8
Administrative expenses €m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Occupancy expenses 59 146 – 59.3
IT expenses 140 162 – 13.8
Workplace and information expenses 63 64 – 1.3
Advisory, audit and other expenses required to comply with company
law 64 95 – 32.7
Travel, representation and advertising expenses 56 58 – 3.3
Personnel-related administrative expenses 27 35 – 23.2
Other administrative expenses 39 46 – 16.3
Total 448 606 – 26.1

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

Depreciation and amortisation €m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.2018 Change in %
Office furniture and equipment 29 30 – 5.4
Land and buildings 3 4 – 31.6
Intangible assets 128 133 – 3.9
Right of use 91 n/a
Total 250 167 49.4

(17) Compulsory contributions

Compulsory contributions €m 1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change. in %
Deposit Protection Fund 36 35 2.5
Polish bank tax 25 23 7.7
European bank levy 204 186 9.7
Gesamt 265 244 8.5

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

(18) Taxes on income

Group tax expense was €97m as at 31 March 2019 (previous year: €–7m). With pre-tax profit of €244m (previous year: €258m) the Group's effective tax rate was 39.6% (previous year: – 2.7%) (Group income tax rate: 31.5%, previous year: 31.5%). Group tax expense mainly comprises the current tax expenses of the mBank subgroup, comdirect bank Aktiengesellschaft and Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft outside Germany for the reporting period. The banking levy posted in the first quarter of 2019 is not tax deductible and increased the tax rate compared to the Group income tax rate.

(19) Earnings per share

1.1.-31.3.2019 1.1.-31.3.20181 Change in %
Operating profit (€m) 244 258 – 5.6
Consolidated profit or loss attributable to Commerzbank shareholders (€m) 120 262 – 54.2
Average number of ordinary shares issued 1,252,357,634 1,252,357,634
Operating profit per share (€) 0.19 0.21 – 5.6
Earnings per share (€) 0.10 0.21 – 54.2

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

Earnings per share, calculated in accordance with IAS 33, are based on the consolidated profit or loss attributable to Commerzbank shareholders and are calculated by dividing the consolidated profit or loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the financial year. As in the previous year, no conversion or option rights were outstanding in the reporting year. The figure for diluted earnings per share was therefore identical to the undiluted figure. The breakdown of operating profit is set out in the segment report (see Note 41).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Notes to the balance sheet

Financial assets and liabilities

(20) Financial assets – amortised cost

If the contractually agreed cash flows of a financial asset comprise only interest and principal payments (i.e. the asset is SPPIcompliant) and this asset was allocated to the "hold to collect" business model, it is measured at amortised cost. The carrying amount of these financial instruments is reduced by any loan loss provision (see Note 27 Credit risks and credit losses).

Interest payments for these financial instruments are recognised in net interest income using the effective interest rate method.

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Loans and advances 263,754 247,387 6.6
Central banks 381 93
Banks 34,564 31,775 8.8
Corporate clients 97,305 92,090 5.7
Private customers 103,326 100,902 2.4
Other financial corporations 14,141 11,369 24.4
General governments 14,037 11,159 25.8
Debt securities 31,867 31,750 0.4
Banks 2,553 2,563 – 0.4
Corporate clients 3,713 3,506 5.9
Other financial corporations 5,080 5,529 – 8.1
General governments 20,521 20,152 1.8
Total 295,621 279,137 5.9

The business model for a portfolio of promissory note loans issued by British public-sector bodies, which had a carrying amount of €2.8bn, was changed as of 1 January 2019. Under the new management strategy, the portfolio is grouped under Treasury and is administered by the Investment Office based on a "Hold" business model. Distribution and sales activities for the portfolio have been discontinued. Future sales for this portfolio are now only permitted in the event of a significant deterioration in credit quality. The objective of the portfolio is to generate the contractually agreed cash flows. The contractually agreed cash flows are solely interest and principal repayments for the purposes of IFRS 9 (see also Note 41).

The change of business model resulted in reclassification from the mFVPL measurement category to the "amortised cost" category. The effective interest rate calculated at the time of reclassification was 2.8%. For the first three months of 2019, interest income for the reclassified portfolio was €16m and interest expense was zero.

The fair value of the portfolio at 31 March 2019 was €3bn. If the portfolio had remained in the mFVPL measurement category, the fair value change since the start of the year and the contrary change in value of the derivatives held to hedge the portfolio would have been recognised in the income statement under net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss. This would have resulted in net income of €19m. Since reclassification, the portfolio has been assigned to the portfolio fair value hedge accounting of Commerzbank.

(21) Financial liabilities – Amortised Cost

As a rule, financial liabilities must be subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Deposits and other financial liabilities include primarily deposits due on demand, term deposits and savings deposits.

We report in other debt issues also those subordinated securitised and unsecuritised issues which in the event of an insolvency or liquidation can be repaid only after the claims of all nonsubordinated creditors have been satisfied.

€m 31.3.2019 31.3.2018 Change in %
Deposits 319,303 301,144 6.0
Central banks 3,437 2,955 16.3
Banks 52,348 45,076 16.1
Corporate clients 79,352 80,618 – 1.6
Private customers 130,470 125,899 3.6
Other financial corporations 34,671 30,993 11.9
General governments 19,026 15,603 21.9
Debt securities issued 47,245 45,524 3.8
Money market instruments 6,376 5,648 12.9
Covered bonds 20,625 18,869 9.3
Other debt securities issued 20,245 21,006 – 3.6
Total 366,548 346,668 5.7

New issues with a total volume of €5.8bn were issued in the first three months of 2019. In the same period, the volume of bonds maturing amounted to €4.4bn and redemptions to €0.2bn.

(22) Financial assets – Fair Value OCI

Measurement at fair value with recognition of the change in value in other comprehensive income with recycling (FVOCI with recycling) is required if the financial instrument is allocated to a portfolio with the "hold to collect and sell" business model and, in addition, the contractually agreed cash flows are solely interest and principal payments and are thus SPPI-compliant.

The changes in fair value are recognised in the revaluation reserve (OCI) without effect on income, except for impairments, which are recognised in the income statement. The recognition of loan loss provisions is explained in Note 27 "Credit risks and credit losses". When a financial instrument is derecognised, the accumulated gains and losses recognised to date in OCI are reclassified to the income statement (recycling) and reported in other net income from financial instruments. Interest income from these financial assets is recognised in net interest income using the effective interest method.

In addition, the financial assets – fair value OCI also include equity instruments for which we have chosen the option of fair value measurement without recycling with no effect on income, provided that these meet the definition of equity in accordance with IAS 32 and are not held for trading purposes. Such a classification is set voluntarily and irrevocably per financial instrument. All gains or losses from these equity instruments are never reclassified to the income statement, rather they are reclassified into retained earnings when sold (without recycling). These equity instruments are not subject to impairment testing. Any dividends paid on these instruments are recognised as dividend income in the income statement, provided they do not involve a return of capital.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Loans and advances (with recycling) 1,323 1,300 1.8
Central banks
Banks 157 148 6.3
Corporate clients 516 539 – 4.3
Private customers
Other financial corporations 85 38
General governments 565 574 – 1.7
Debt securities (with recycling) 26,063 25,328 2.9
Banks 10,595 10,448 1.4
Corporate clients 758 749 1.2
Other financial corporations 5,115 5,001 2.3
General governments 9,595 9,131 5.1
Equity instruments (without recycling) 42 31 34.8
Corporate clients 40 30 34.8
Other financial corporations 2 1 33.7
Total 27,427 26,659 2.9

A portfolio of European standard stocks (blue chips) held by a subsidiary in the Commerzbank Group was classified in the fair value OCI category.

As at 31 March 2019, the fair value of these shares amounted to €42m (previous year: €31m). Dividends of €0m (previous year: €1m) were received from these shares and recognised in the income statement in dividend income. In addition, sales from this portfolio resulted in a realised profit or loss totalling €0m (previous year €0m) which was recognised in retained earnings without effect on income.

(23) Financial liabilities – fair value option

Under IFRS 9 rules, in the case of an accounting mismatch the management of financial liabilities on a fair value basis and the existence of embedded derivatives requiring separation may also be conditions for applying the fair value option to liabilities.

If the fair value option is used for financial liabilities or for hybrid contracts, the changes in fair value resulting from fluctuations in own credit spread are not recognised in the income statement, but in other comprehensive income (without recycling) with no effect on income.

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Deposits 36,127 21,083 71.4
Central banks 3,689 2,734 34.9
Banks 9,014 8,498 6.1
Corporate clients 1,114 1,015 9.7
Private customers 153 157 – 2.5
Other financial corporations 21,991 8,511
General governments 166 167 – 0.5
Debt securities issued 808 866 – 6.7
Other debt securities issued 808 866 – 6.7
Total 36,935 21,949 68.3

For liabilities to which the fair value option was applied, the change in fair value in the first three months of 2019 due to credit risk reasons was €10m (previous year: €–39m). The cumulative change was €52m (previous year: €9m).

New issues with a total volume of €0,1bn were issued in the first three months of 2019. During the same period the volume of repayments was €0,1bn, there were no significant redemptions or maturing issues whithin the same period.

€0m (previous year: €0m) realised from disposals of financial liabilities for which the fair value option was applied was recognised in retained earnings without effect on income.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet 40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

(24) Financial assets – Mandatorily Fair Value P&L

This item includes financial instruments that are allocated to the residual business model and not reported in financial assets – held for trading. In addition, transactions allocated to the "hold to collect" and "hold to collect and sell" business model are included here if they are not SPPI-compliant. Examples of such transactions include investment fund units, profit-sharing certificates, silent participations and assets managed on a fair value basis.

Equity instruments are exclusively contracts providing a residual interest in the assets of a company after deducting all associated debts, such as shares or interests in other joint-stock companies.

Equity instruments are not SPPI-compliant because the investor has no claim to interest and principal repayments. As a result, these instruments are usually measured at fair value through profit or loss. An exception to this rule exists for equity instruments for which the Group has chosen the option to measure them at fair value in other comprehensive income without recycling (see Note 22).

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Loans and advances 39,127 31,386 24.7
Central banks 6,885 8,266 – 16.7
Banks 11,897 10,785 10.3
Corporate clients 1,937 2,053 – 5.7
Private customers 232 262 – 11.5
Other financial corporations 17,616 6,082
General governments 561 3,938 – 85.8
Debt securities 3,020 2,350 28.5
Banks 114 73 56.0
Corporate clients 109 116 – 5.9
Other financial corporations 1,407 1,407 – 0.0
General governments 1,391 754 84.4
Equity instruments 377 337 12.0
Banks 9 9
Corporate clients 322 283 13.5
Other financial corporations 46 44 5.2
Total 42,524 34,073 24.8

(25) Financial assets – Held for Trading

This category includes interest- and equity-related securities, promissory note loans and other claims, derivative financial instruments (derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting) as well as other trading portfolios allocated to the residual business model and held for trading. These financial instruments are used to realise profits from short-term fluctuations in prices or traders' margins.

Irrespective of the type of product, these financial assets are measured at fair value through profit or loss. The fair value changes of the respective transactions are therefore reported through profit or loss in the income statement. If the fair value cannot be established on an active market, items are measured by means of comparable prices, indicative prices of pricing service providers or other banks (lead managers), or internal valuation models (net present value or option pricing models).

Interest income and expenses and gains or losses on measurement and disposal from these financial instruments are recorded in the income statement under net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss.

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Loans and advances 858 1,028 – 16.6
Banks 588 628 – 6.3
Corporate clients 254 254 – 0.2
Other financial corporations 3
General governments 16 143 – 88.9
Debt securities 4,200 1,621
Banks 1,000 523 91.3
Corporate clients 113 61 84.4
Other financial corporations 479 390 22.9
General governments 2,609 648
Equity instruments 1,266 1,021 24.0
Banks 11 10 11.5
Corporate clients 1,255 1,011 24.2
Other financial corporations
Positive fair values of derivative financial instruments 39,830 38,067 4.6
Interest-rate-related derivative transactions 29,818 27,302 9.2
Currency-related derivative transactions 7,079 7,442 – 4.9
Equity derivatives 1,429 1,518 – 5.9
Credit derivatives 532 511 4.1
Other derivative transactions 972 1,294 – 24.9
Other trading positions 551 764 – 27.9
Total 46,705 42,501 9.9

(26) Financial liabilities – held for trading

This item comprises derivative financial instruments (derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting), own issues in the trading book and delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities.

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Certificates and other issued bonds 71 49 44.3
Delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities 3,087 3,091 – 0.1
Negative fair values of derivative financial instruments 42,778 40,264 6.2
Interest-rate-related derivative transactions 32,046 29,464 8.8
Currency-related derivative transactions 8,310 8,512 – 2.4
Equity derivatives 887 743 19.4
Credit derivatives 1,006 923 9.1
Other derivative transactions 529 622 – 14.9
Total 45,937 43,404 5.8

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Credit risks and credit losses

(27) Credit risks and credit losses

Principles and measurements

IFRS 9 stipulates that impairments for credit risks from loans and securities that are not recognised at fair value through profit or loss must be recognised using a 3-stage model based on expected credit losses. In the Commerzbank Group, the following financial instruments are included in the scope of this impairment model:

  • financial assets in the form of loans and advances as well as securitised debt instruments measured at amortised cost;
  • financial assets in the form of loans and advances as well as securitised debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI);
  • lease receivables;
  • irrevocable lending commitments which under IFRS 9 are not measured at fair value through profit or loss;
  • financial guarantees within the scope of IFRS 9 that are not measured at fair value through profit or loss.

The Group determines the impairment using a 3-stage model based on the following requirements:

In stage 1, as a rule all financial instruments are recognised if their risk of a loan loss (hereinafter default risk) has not risen significantly since their initial recognition. In addition, stage 1 includes all transactions with limited default risk as at the reporting date for which Commerzbank utilises the option provided for in IFRS 9 to refrain from making an assessment about a significant increase in the default risk. A limited default risk exists for all financial instruments with an investment-grade internal credit rating on the financial reporting date (corresponds to a Commerzbank rating of 2.8 or better). An impairment must be recognised for financial instruments in stage 1 in the amount of the expected credit loss over the next 12months (12-month ECL).

Stage 2 includes those financial instruments with default risk that has risen significantly since their initial recognition and which, as at the financial reporting date, cannot be classified as transactions with limited default risk. Impairments in stage 2 are recognised in the amount of the financial instrument's lifetime expected credit loss (LECL).

Financial instruments that are classified as impaired as at the reporting date are allocated to stage 3. Commerzbank's criterion for this classification is the definition of a default in accordance with Art. 178 of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). The following events can be indicative of a customer default:

  • Imminent insolvency (over 90 days past due).
  • The Bank is assisting in the financial rescue/restructuring measures of the customer with or without restructuring contribution(s).
  • The Bank has demanded immediate repayment of its claims;
  • The customer is in insolvency proceedings.

The LECL is likewise used as the value of the required impairment for stage-3 financial instruments in default. When determining the LECL, the Group distinguishes in principle between significant and insignificant cases. The amount of the LECL for insignificant transactions (volumes up to €5m) is determined based on statistical risk parameters. The LECL for significant transactions (volumes greater than €5m) is the expected value of the losses derived from individual expert assessments of future cash flows based on several potential scenarios and their probability of occurrence.

Financial instruments which when initially recognised are already considered impaired as per the aforementioned definition (purchased or originated credit-impaired, or POCI) are handled outside the 3-stage impairment model and are therefore not allocated to any of the three stages. The initial recognition is based on fair value without recording an impairment, using an effective interest rate that is adjusted for creditworthiness. The impairment recognised in subsequent periods equals the cumulative change in the LECL since the initial recognition in the balance sheet. The LECL remains the basis for the measurement, even if the value of the financial instrument has risen.

€m As at
1.1.2019
Net
allocations /
reversals
Utilisation Change in the
group of
consolidated
companies
Exchange rate
changes/
reclassification
As at
31.3.2019
Valuation allowances for risks from financial assets 2,229 69 88 6 2,216
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost 2,213 82 86 6 2,214
Loans and advances 2,106 89 86 5 2,114
Debt securities 107 – 7 1 100
Financial Assets – Fair value OCI 16 – 12 2 0 2
Loans and advances 7 2 0 9
Debt securities 9 – 14 2 0 – 7
Provisions for financial guarantees 9 3 0 12
Provisions for lending commitments 136 3 0 139
Provisions for indemnity agreements 119 4 1 124
Total 2,493 78 88 8 2,491
€m As at
1.1.2018
Net
allocations /
reversals
Utilisation Change in the
group of
consolidated
companies
Exchange rate
changes/
reclassification
As at
31.12.2018
Valuation allowances for risks from financial assets 2,226 475 466 – 6 2,229
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost 2,209 477 467 – 7 2,213
Loans and advances 2,119 462 467 – 9 2,106
Debt securities 90 15 0 2 107
Financial Assets – Fair value OCI 16 – 2 – 1 1 16
Loans and advances 7 – 0 0 7
Debt securities 9 – 1 – 1 1 9
Provisions for financial guarantees 10 – 1 0 9
Provisions for lending commitments 127 9 – 0 136
Provisions for indemnity agreements 156 – 38 0 1 119
Total 2,518 446 466 – 5 2,493

The breakdown into stages in the current financial year is as follows:

€m Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 POCI Total
Valuation allowances for risks from financial assets 284 427 1,424 82 2,216
Loans and advances 254 351 1,437 81 2,123
Debt securities 30 76 – 13 1 93
Provisions for financial guarantees 2 2 4 4 12
Provisions for lending commitments 68 49 11 10 139
Provisions for indemnity agreements 1 74 34 16 124
Total 355 551 1,473 111 2,491

The breakdown into stages as at 31 December 2018 the breakdown is as follows:

€m Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 POCI Total
Valuation allowances for risks from financial assets 278 418 1,471 62 2,229
Loans and advances 248 335 1,469 61 2,113
Debt securities 30 83 2 1 116
Provisions for financial guarantees 2 1 2 4 9
Provisions for lending commitments 70 48 13 5 136
Provisions for indemnity agreements 1 67 37 15 119
Total 351 534 1,523 86 2,493

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet 40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Other notes on financial instruments

(28) IFRS 13 fair value hierarchies and disclosure requirements

Fair value hierarchy

Under IFRS 13, financial instruments are assigned to the three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:

  • Level 1: Financial instruments where the fair value is based on quoted prices for identical financial instruments in an active market.
  • Level 2: Financial instruments where no quoted prices are available for identical instruments in an active market and the fair value is established using valuation techniques which rely on observable market parameters.
  • Level 3: Financial instruments where valuation techniques are used that incorporate at least one material input for which there is insufficient observable market data and where at least this input has a more than insignificant impact on the fair value.

With respect to the methods of model-based measurements (level 2 and level 3) relevant for banks, IFRS 13 recognises the market approach and the income approach. The market approach relies on measurement methods that draw on information about identical or comparable assets and liabilities.

The income approach reflects current expectations about future cash flows, expenses and income. The income approach may also include option price models. These valuations are subject to a higher degree to judgements by management. Market data or third-party inputs are relied on to the greatest possible extent, and company-specific inputs to a limited degree.

Valuation models must be consistent with accepted economic methodologies for pricing financial instruments and must incorporate all factors that market participants would consider appropriate in setting a price.

The fair values that can be realised at a later date may fundamentally deviate from the estimated fair values.

All fair values are subject to the Commerzbank Group's internal controls and procedures, which set out the standards for independently verifying or validating fair values. These controls and procedures are carried out and coordinated by the Independent Price Verification (IPV) Group within the finance function. The models, inputs and resulting fair values are reviewed regularly by senior management and the risk function.

Disclosure obligations

Below, a distinction is made between:

a) financial instruments measured at fair value (fair value OCI, fair value option, mandatorily fair value P&L and held for trading);

b) financial instruments measured at amortised cost.

The respective disclosure requirements regarding these financial instruments are set out in IFRS 7 and IFRS 13. For example, they require explanatory statements on the valuation techniques applied and the inputs used for levels 2 and 3, as well as quantitative disclosures on unobservable inputs (level 3). The reporting entity must also provide the date of, reasons for and information about reclassifications between fair value hierarchy levels, reconciliations between the opening and closing balances for level 3 portfolios as at the respective reporting dates, and unrealised gains and losses. In addition, sensitivities for the unobservable inputs (level 3) are to be presented, and information on the day one profit or loss is to be provided.

a) Financial instruments measured at fair value

According to IFRS 13, the fair value of an asset is the amount for which it could be sold between knowledgeable, willing independent parties in an arm's length transaction. The fair value therefore represents an exit price. The fair value of a liability is defined as the price at which the debt could be transferred to a third party as part of an orderly transaction.

The measurement of liabilities must also take account of the Bank's own credit spread. If third parties provide security for our liabilities (e.g. guarantees), this security is not taken into account in the valuation of the liability, as the Bank's repayment obligation remains the same.

When measuring derivative transactions, the Group uses the possibility of establishing net risk positions for financial assets and liabilities. The measurement takes into account not only counterparty credit risk but also the Bank's own default risk. The Group determines credit valuation adjustments (CVAs) and debit valuation adjustments (DVAs) by simulating the future fair values of its portfolios of derivatives with the respective counterparty based on observable market data (e.g. CDS spreads). In the case of funding valuation adjustments (FVAs), the funding costs or income of uncollateralised derivatives, as well as collateralised derivatives

where there is only partial collateral or the collateral cannot be used for funding purposes, are recognised at fair value. Like CVAs and DVAs, FVAs are also determined from the expected value of the future positive or negative portfolio fair values using observable market data (e.g. CDS spreads). The funding curve used to calculate the FVA is approximated by the Commerzbank funding curve.

IFRS 9 requires that all financial instruments be measured at fair value upon initial recognition. This is usually the transaction price. If a portion relates to something other than the financial instrument being measured, fair value is estimated using a valuation method.

The following tables show the financial instruments reported in the balance sheet at fair value by IFRS 9 fair value category and by class.

Financial assets €bn 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial Assets – Fair Value OCI
Loans and advances 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3
Debt instruments 16.6 9.4 0.1 26.1 15.4 9.7 0.2 25.3
Equity instruments 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Financial Assets – Mandatorily Fair Value
P&L
Loans and advances 37.2 2.0 39.1 26.6 4.8 31.4
Debt instruments 0.7 1.1 1.2 3.0 0.6 0.7 1.0 2.4
Equity instruments 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.3
Financial Assets – Held for Trading
Loans and advances 0.1 0.7 0.9 0.2 0.9 1.0
Debt instruments 2.9 1.2 0.1 4.2 0.9 0.7 0.0 1.6
Equity instruments 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.0
Derivatives 36.0 3.9 39.8 34.7 3.4 38.1
Others 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8
Positive fair values of derivative financial
instruments
Hedge accounting 1.8 1.8 1.5 1.5
Non-current assets held for sale and
disposal groups
Loans and advances 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2
Debt instruments 4.3 0.1 0.1 4.5 2.3 0.1 0.0 2.4
Equity instruments 7.2 0.0 0.0 7.2 7.8 7.8
Derivatives 1.6 0.1 1.7 2.2 0.1 2.3
Total 33.6 90.4 7.8 131.9 29.1 78.4 10.0 117.5

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Financial liabilities €bn 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial liabilities - Fair Value Option
Deposits 36.1 36.1 21.1 21.1
Bonds and notes issued 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9
Financial liabilities - Held for Trading
Derivatives 39.1 3.7 42.8 37.0 3.3 40.3
Certificates and other notes issued 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Delivery commitments arising from
short sales of securities
2.7 0.4 3.1 2.7 0.4 0.0 3.1
Negative fair values of derivative hedging
instruments
Hedge accounting 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5
Liabilities of disposal groups
Deposits 3.7 3.7 3.3 3.3
Bonds and notes issued
Derivatives 2.8 0.3 3.1 3.4 0.3 3.7
Certificates and other notes issued 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.5
Delivery commitments arising from
short sales of securities
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.5
Total 8.6 84.2 4.0 96.8 8.6 66.5 3.7 78.8

A reclassification to a different level occurs where a financial instrument is reclassified from one level of the 3-level valuation hierarchy to another. This may be caused, for example, by market changes that impact on the input factors used to value the financial instrument.

Commerzbank reclassifies items as at the end of the reporting period.

In the first three months of 2019 a number of reclassifications from level 1 to level 2 were carried out, as there were no listed market prices available. These related to €0.4bn in securitised debt instruments in the FVOCI category and €0.2bn securitised debt instruments in the category HFT, €0.1 bn securitised debt instruments in the category MFVPL and €0.1bn delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities in the HFT category. Furthermore, securitised debt instruments of €1.5bn in the FVOCI category, securitised debt instruments of €0.5bn in the HFT category, €0.5bn delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities in the HFT and €0.1bn bonds and notes issued in the FVO category were reclassified from level 2 to level 1, as quoted market prices were again available. We did not make any other significant reclassifications between level 1 and level 2.

In financial year 2018 reclassifications from level 1 to level 2 were carried out, as there were no listed market prices available. These related to €1.2bn securitised debt instruments in the HFT category and €0.3bn securitised debt instruments in the mFVPL category, €0.5bn securitised debt instruments in the FVOCI category and €0.1bn delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities in the HFT category. Furthermore €0.8bn of securitised debt instruments in the FVOCI category, €0.1bn securitised debt instruments in the mFVPL category, €0.1bn securitised debt instruments in the HFT category, and €0.1bn delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities in the HFT category were reclassified from level 2 to level 1, as observable market prices were again available. We did not make any other significant reclassifications between level 1 and level 2. The changes in financial instruments in the level 3 category were as follows:

Financial Assets
€m
Financial
Assets –
Fair Value
OCI
Financial
Assets –
Mandatorily
Fair Value
P&L
Financial
Assets –
Held for
Trading
Non-current
assets
held for sale
and disposal
groups
Total
Fair Value as at 1.1.2019 215 6,208 3,415 125 9,962
Changes in the group of consolidated companies
Gains or losses recognised in income statement during the
period
– 0 – 138 454 10 325
of which unrealised gains or losses – 0 – 138 454 10 325
Gains or losses recognised in revaluation reserve
Purchases 1 40 1 43
Sales – 1 – 68 – 0 – 69
Issues
Redemptions
Reclassifications to level 3 3 325 17 57 402
Reclassifications from level 3 – 76 – 21 – 1 – 97
IFRS 9 Reclassifications – 2,762 – 2,762
Reclassifications from/to non-current assets held for sale and
disposal groups
Fair Value as at 31.3.2019 141 3,545 3,926 192 7,804
Financial Assets
€m
Financial
Assets –
Fair Value
OCI
Financial
Assets –
Mandatorily
Fair Value
P&L
Financial
Assets –
Held for
Trading
Non-current
assets
held for sale
and disposal
groups
Total
Fair Value as at 1.1.2018 36 6,319 3,754 10,109
Changes in the group of consolidated companies
Gains or losses recognised in income statement during the
period
– 1 – 90 – 158 – 249
of which unrealised gains or losses – 1 – 88 – 153 – 242
Gains or losses recognised in revaluation reserve
Purchases 2,164 – 9 1 2,155
Sales – 31 – 2,592 – 51 – 2,674
Issues
Redemptions
Reclassifications to level 3 288 542 109 2 941
Reclassifications from level 3 – 78 – 135 – 108 – 321
Reclassifications from/to non-current assets held for sale and
disposal groups
– 122 122 0
Fair Value as at 31.12.2018 215 6,208 3,415 125 9,962

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Unrealised gains or losses on financial instruments held for trading (securities and derivatives) and on claims and securities measured at fair value through profit or loss are a component of the net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss.

As at 1 January 2019 €2.8bn of a loans and advances portfolio in the category mFVPL was reclassified to the IFRS-9 category AC both in level 3 (see Note 20). In the first three months of 2019 €0.1bn of securitised debt instruments of IFRS-9 category FVOCI were reclassified from level 3 back to level 2 becauce market parameters were observable again. In contrast, €0.3bn of securitised debt instruments of the category mFVPL and €0.1bn of securitised debt instruments in non-current assets held for sale and disposal groups were reclassified from level 1 to level 3 because no market parameters were observable. There were no other significant reclassifivations.

In financial year 2018 €0.1bn securitised debt instruments of the IFRS-9 category mFVPL were reclassified from level 3 back to level 2 becauce market parameters were observable again.

In contrast, €0.3bn of loans and receivables in the mFVPL category and €0.3bn securitised debt instrumens of the category mFVPL were reclassified from level 2 to level 3 because market parameters were not observable.

The changes in financial liabilities in the level 3 category during the financial year were as follows:

Financial Liabilities
€m
Financial
Liabilities –
Fair Value
Option
Financial
Liabilities –
Held for
Trading
Liabilities
of disposal
groups
Total
Fair Value as at 1.1.2019 3,330 334 3,665
Changes in the group of consolidated companies
Gains or losses recognised in income statement during the period 397 – 7 391
of which unrealised gains or losses 397 – 7 391
Purchases 7 7
Sales
Issues
Redemptions – 57 – 57
Reclassifications to level 3 – 0 – 0
Reclassifications from level 3 – 5 – 5
Reclassification from/to liabilities of disposal groups
Fair Value as at 31.3.2019 3,728 273 4,001
Financial Liabilities
€m
Financial
Liabilities –
Fair Value
Option
Financial
Liabilities –
Held for
Trading
Liabilities
of disposal
groups
Total
Fair Value as at 1.1.2018 100 3,897 3,997
Changes in the group of consolidated companies
Gains or losses recognised in income statement during the period – 126 – 126
of which unrealised gains or losses – 104 – 104
Purchases 120 120
Sales – 100 – 2 – 102
Issues
Redemptions – 13 – 13
Reclassifications to level 3 49 49
Reclassifications from level 3 – 261 – 261
Reclassification from/to liabilities of disposal groups – 334 334
Fair Value as at 31.12.2018 3,330 334 3,665

Unrealised gains or losses on financial liabilities held for trading are a component of the net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss.

In the first three months of 2019 no significant reclassifications of financial liabilities in or from level 3 have taken place.

In financial year 2018 €0.1bn derivatives with negative fair values were reclassified from level 3 to level 2, as market parameters were again observable. Otherwise there were no significant reclassifications of financial liabilities into or out of level 3.

Sensitivity analysis

Where the value of financial instruments is based on unobservable input parameters (level 3), the precise level of these parameters at the reporting date may be derived from a range of reasonable possible alternatives at the discretion of management. In preparing the Group financial statements, appropriate levels for these unobservable input parameters are chosen which are consistent with existing market evidence and in line with the Group's valuation control approach.

The purpose of this disclosure is to illustrate the potential impact of the relative uncertainty in the fair values of financial instruments with valuations based on unobservable input parameters (level 3). Interdependencies frequently exist between the parameters used to determine level 3 fair values. For example, an anticipated improvement in the overall economic situation may cause share prices to rise, while securities perceived as being lower risk, such as German Government Bonds, may lose value. Such interdependencies are accounted for by means of correlation parameters insofar as they have a significant effect on the fair values in question. If a valuation model uses several parameters, the choice of one parameter may restrict the range of possible values the other parameters may take. So, by definition, this category will contain more illiquid instruments, instruments with longer-term maturities and instruments where sufficient independent observable market data is difficult to obtain. The purpose of this information is to illustrate the main unobservable input parameters for level 3 financial instruments and subsequently present various inputs on which the key input parameters were based.

The main unobservable input parameters for level 3 and the key related factors may be summarised as follows:

• Internal rate of return (IRR):

The IRR is defined as the discount rate that sets the net present value of all future cash flows from an instrument equal to zero. For bonds, for example, the IRR depends on the current bond price, the nominal value and the duration.

• Credit spread:

The credit spread is the yield spread (premium or discount) between securities that are identical in all respects except for their respective credit quality. The credit spread represents the excess yield above the benchmark reference instrument that compensates for the difference in creditworthiness between the instrument and the benchmark. Credit spreads are quoted in terms of the number of basis points above (or below) the quoted benchmark. The wider (higher) the credit spread in relation to the benchmark, the lower the instrument's creditworthiness, and vice versa for narrower (lower) credit spreads.

• Interest rate-forex (IR-FX) correlation:

The IR-FX correlation is relevant for the pricing of exotic interest rate swaps involving the exchange of funding instruments in one currency and an exotic structured leg that is usually based on the development of two government bond yields in different currencies. Consensus market data for longer durations are not observable for certain exotic interest products. For example, CMT yields for US government bonds with a duration of more than ten years are not observable.

• Recovery rates, survival and default probabilities:

Supply and demand as well as the arbitrage relationship with asset swaps tend to be the dominant factors driving pricing of credit default swaps (CDS). Models for pricing credit default swaps tend to be used more for exotic structures and offmarket default swap valuation for which fixed interest payments above or below the market rate are agreed. These models calculate the implied default probability of the reference asset as a means of discounting the cash flows expected in a credit default swap. The model inputs are credit spreads and recovery rates that are used to interpolate ("bootstrap") a time series of survival probabilities of the reference asset. A typical recovery rate assumption in the default swap market for senior unsecured contracts is 40%. Assumptions about recovery rates are a factor determining the shape of the survival probability curve. Different recovery rate assumptions translate into different survival probability rates. For a given credit spread, a high recovery rate assumption implies a higher probability of default (relative to a low recovery rate assumption) and hence a lower survival probability. There is a relationship over time between default rates and recovery rates of corporate bond issuers. The correlation between the two

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet 40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

is an inverse one: an increase in the default rate (defined as the percentage of issuers defaulting) is generally associated with a decline in the average recovery rate.

In practice, market participants use market spreads to determine implied default probabilities. Estimates of default probabilities also depend on the joint loss distributions of the parties involved in a credit derivative transaction. The copula function is used to measure the correlation structure between two or more variables. The copula function creates a joint distribution while keeping the characteristics of the two independent marginal distributions.

• Repo curve:

The repo curve parameter is an input parameter that is relevant for the pricing of repurchase agreements (repos). Generally, these are short-dated maturities ranging from O/N up to 12months. Beyond 12-month maturities the repo curve parameter may become unobservable, particularly for emerging market underlyings, due to the lack of available independent observable market data. In some cases, proxy repo curves may be used to estimate the repo curve input parameter. Where this is deemed insufficient, the input parameter will be classified as unobservable. Furthermore, mutual-fund-related repos may also contain unobservable repo curve exposures.

• Price:

Certain interest rate and loan instruments are accounted for on the basis of their price. It follows that the price itself is the unobservable parameter of which the sensitivity is estimated as a deviation in the net present value of the positions.

• Investment fund volatility:

In general, the market for options on investment funds is less liquid than the market for stock options. As a result, the volatility of the underlying investment funds is determined based on the composition of the fund products. There is an indirect method of determining the corresponding volatility surfaces. This method is assigned to level 3 because the market data it uses are not liquid enough to be classified as level 2.

The following ranges for the material unobservable parameters were used in the valuation of our level 3 financial instruments:

€m 31.3.2019 31.3.2019
Significant
unobservable input
Valuation techniques Assets Liabilities parameters Range
Loans and advances 1,965
Discounted cash flow
Repos model 1,536 Repo-curve (bps) 240 265
Discounted cash flow
Ship financing model 312 Credit spread (bps) 150 4,150
Discounted cash flow
Other loans model 117 Credit spread (bps) 70 700
Debt instruments 1,486 22
Interest-rate-related
transactions Spread based model 1,486 22 Credit spread (bps) 100 500
of which ABS Spread based model 1,023 Credit spread (bps) 100 500
Equity instruments 366
Equity-related Discounted cash flow
transactions model 366 Price (%) 90% 110%
Derivatives 3,987 3,979
Equity-related Discounted cash flow
transactions model 118 298 IRR (%), price (%) 5% 20%
Investment fund
Option pricing model volatility 1% 4%
Credit derivatives Discounted cash flow
(incl. PFI and IRS) model 3,868 3,501 Credit spread (bps) 100 500
Recovery rate (%) 0% 80%
Interest-rate-related
transactions Option pricing model 179 IR-FX correlation (%) – 30% 52%
Other transactions
Total 7,804 4,001

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

€m 31.12.2018 31.12.2018
Valuation techniques Assets Liabilities Significant unobservable
input parameters
Range
Loans and advances 4,830
Repos Discounted cash flow
model
1,528 Repo-curve (bps) 126 257
Ship financing Discounted cash flow
model
479 Credit spread (bps) 600 1,200
Other loans Discounted cash flow
model
2,823 Credit spread (bps) 70 700
Debt instruments 1,267
Interest-rate-related
transactions
Spread based model 1,267 Credit spread (bps) 100 500
of which ABS Spread based model 1,072 Credit spread (bps) 100 500
Equity instruments 328
Equity-related transactions Discounted cash flow
model
328 Price (%) 90% 110%
Derivatives 3,537 3,665
Equity-related transactions Discounted cash flow
model
122 334 IRR (%), price (%),
investment fund volatility
1% 9%
Credit derivatives
(incl. PFI and IRS)
Discounted cash flow
model
3,415 3,152 Credit spread (bps) 100 500
Recovery rate (%) 40% 80%
Interest-rate-related
transactions
Option pricing model 179 IR-FX correlation (%) – 30% 52%
Other transactions
Total 9,962 3,665

The table below shows the impact on the income statement of reasonable parameter estimates on the edges of these ranges for instruments in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The sensitivity analysis for financial instruments in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy is broken down by type of financial instrument:

€m 31.3.2019
Positive effects on
income statement
Negative effects on
income statement
Changed parameters
Loans 20 – 20
Repos 15 – 15 Repo curve
Ship financing 4 – 4 Credit Spread
Other loans 1 – 1 Credit Spread
Debt securities 68 – 68
Interest-rate-related transactions 68 – 68 Price
of which ABS 49 – 49 IRR, recovery rate, credit spread
Equity instruments 0 – 0
Equity-related transactions 0 – 0 Price
Derivatives 29 – 28
IRR, price based, investment fund
Equity-related transactions 11 – 11 volatility
Credit derivatives (incl. PFI and IRS) 18 – 18 credit spread, recovery rate, price
Interest-rate-related transactions – 0 0 Price, IR-FX correlation
Other transactions
€m 31.12.2018
Positive effects on
income statement
Negative effects on
income statement
Changed parameters
Loans 76 – 76
Repos 15 – 15 Repo curve
Ship financing 5 – 5 Credit Spread
Other loans 56 – 56 Credit Spread
Debt securities 52 – 52
Interest-rate-related transactions 52 – 52 Price
of which ABS 33 – 33 IRR, recovery rate, credit spread
Equity instruments 1 – 1
Equity-related transactions 1 – 1 Price
Derivatives 19 – 19
IRR, price based, investment fund
Equity-related transactions 9 – 9 volatility
Credit derivatives (incl. PFI and IRS) 10 – 10 credit spread, recovery rate, price
Interest-rate-related transactions Price, IR-FX correlation
Other transactions

The selected parameters lie at the extremes of their range of reasonable possible alternatives. In practice, however, it is unlikely that all unobservable parameters would simultaneously lie at the extremes of their range of reasonable possible alternatives. Consequently, the estimates provided are likely to exceed the actual uncertainty in the fair values of these instruments. The purpose of these figures is not to estimate or predict future changes in fair value. The unobservable parameters were either shifted by between 1 and 10% as deemed appropriate by our independent valuation experts for each type of instrument or a measure of standard deviation was applied.

Day One Profit or Loss

The Commerzbank Group has entered into transactions where the fair value was calculated using a valuation model, where not all material input parameters were observable in the market. The initial carrying value of such transactions is the fair value. The difference between the transaction price and the fair value under the model is termed the "day one profit or loss". The day one profit or loss is not recognised immediately in the income statement but over the term of the transaction. As soon as there is a quoted market price on an active market for such transactions or all material input parameters become observable, the accrued day one profit

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

or loss is immediately recognised in the income statement in the gain or loss from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss. A cumulated difference between the transaction price and fair value determined by the model is calculated for the level 3 items in all categories. Material impacts result only from financial instruments held for trading.

The amounts changed as follows:

€m Day-One Profit or Loss
Financial Assets – Held
for Trading
Financial Liabilities
– Held for Trading
Total
Balance as at 1.1.2018 34 34
Allocations not recognised in income statement 35 35
Reversals recognised in income statement – 11 – 11
Balance as at 31.12.2018 58 58
Allocations not recognised in income statement
Reversals recognised in income statement – 5 – 5
Balance as at 31.3.2019 53 53

b) Financial instruments measured at amortised cost

IFRS 7 additionally requires disclosure of the fair values for financial instruments not recognised in the balance sheet at fair value. The measurement methodology to determine fair value in these cases is explained below.

The standard requires that transaction costs also be taken into account when initially measuring assets that will not be measured at fair value in subsequent measurements. These costs include the additional expenses incurred associated with the acquisition, issue or disposal of a financial asset or a financial liability. The transaction costs do not include premiums and discounts, finance costs, internal operating costs or holding costs.

The nominal value of financial instruments that fall due on a daily basis is taken as their fair value. These instruments include cash on hand and cash on demand, as well as overdrafts and demand deposits. We allocate these to level 2. Market prices are not available for loans, as there are no organised markets for trading these financial instruments. In the case of loans, the Bank therefore applies a discounted cash flow model.

The cash flows are discounted using a risk-free interest rate plus premiums for risk costs, refinancing costs, operating expenses and equity costs. The risk-free interest rate is determined based on swap rates (swap curves) that match the corresponding maturities and currencies. These can usually be derived from external data.

In addition, the Bank applies a premium in the form of a calibration constant that includes a profit margin. The profit margin is reflected in the model valuation of loans such that fair value as at the initial recognition date corresponds to the disbursement amount.

Data on the credit risk costs of major banks and corporate customers are available in the form of credit spreads, making it possible to classify them as level 2. If no observable input parameters are available, it may also be appropriate to classify the fair value of loans as level 3.

In the case of securities accounted for in the amortised cost category of IFRS 9, fair value is determined based on available market prices (level 1), assuming an active market exists. If there is no active market, recognised valuation methods are to be used to determine the fair values. In general, an asset swap pricing model is used for the valuation. The parameters applied comprise yield curves and the asset swap spreads of comparable benchmark instruments. Depending on the input parameters used (observable or not observable), classification is made at level 2 or level 3.

For deposits, a discounted cash flow model is generally used for determining fair value, since market data are usually not available. In addition to the yield curve, own credit spread and a premium for operating expenses are also taken into account. Since credit spreads of the respective counterparties are not used in the measurement of liabilities, they are usually classified as level 2. In the case of non-observable input parameters, classification at level 3 may also be appropriate.

The fair value of bonds and notes issued is determined on the basis of available market prices. If no prices are available, the discounted cash flow model is used to determine the fair values. A number of different factors, including current market interest rates, own credit spread and capital costs, are taken into account in determining fair value. If available market prices are applied, they are

to be classified as level 1. Otherwise, classification at level 2 normally applies, since valuation models rely to a high degree on observable input parameters.

31.3.2019 €bn Fair Value Carrying
amount
Difference Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets 356.9 358.0 – 1.1 123.5 233.5
Cash on hand and cash on demand 60.5 60.5 60.5
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost 295.2 295.6 – 0.4 61.7 233.5
Loans and advances 266.8 263.8 3.0 35.1 231.7
Debt securities 28.4 31.9 – 3.4 26.7 1.8
Value adjustment on portfolio fair value hedges 0.7 – 0.7
Non-current assets held for sale and disposal
groups
1.2 1.2 0.0 1.2
Loans and advances 1.2 1.2 1.2
Debt securities 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Liabilities 369.1 368.8 0.3 0.9 364.9 3.2
Financial Liabilities – Amortised Cost 367.7 366.5 1.2 0.9 363.6 3.2
Deposits 319.1 319.3 – 0.2 319.1 0.0
Bonds and notes issued 48.7 47.2 1.4 0.9 44.5 3.2
Value adjustment on portfolio fair value hedges 0.9 – 0.9
Liabilities of disposal groups 1.4 1.4 1.4
Deposits 1.4 1.4 1.4
Bonds and notes issued
31.12.2018 €bn Fair Value Carrying
amount
Difference Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets 332.0 333.9 – 1.9 113.2 218.8
Cash on hand and cash on demand 53.9 53.9 53.9
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost 277.4 279.1 – 1.7 58.8 218.6
Loans and advances 248.9 247.4 1.5 32.1 216.8
Debt securities 28.5 31.8 – 3.3 26.7 1.8
Value adjustment on portfolio fair value hedges 0.2 – 0.2
Non-current assets held for sale and disposal
groups 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.4 0.2
Loans and advances 0.6 0.6 0.0 0.4 0.2
Debt securities 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Liabilities 348.5 348.0 0.5 345.4 3.1
Financial Liabilities – Amortised Cost 347.7 346.7 1.1 344.6 3.1
Deposits 300.9 301.1 – 0.3 300.9
Bonds and notes issued 46.8 45.5 1.3 43.7 3.1
Value adjustment on portfolio fair value hedges 0.5 – 0.5
Liabilities of disposal groups 0.8 0.8 0.8
Deposits 0.8 0.8 0.8
Bonds and notes issued

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

(29) Information on netting of financial instruments

Below we present the reconciliation of gross amounts before netting to net amounts after netting, as well as the amounts for existing netting rights that do not meet the accounting criteria for netting – separately for all financial assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet that

  • are already netted in accordance with IAS 32.42 (financial instruments I), and are
  • subject to an enforceable, bilateral master netting agreement or a similar agreement but are not netted in the balance sheet (financial instruments II).

For the netting agreements, we conclude master agreements with our counterparties, e.g. 1992 ISDA Master Agreement (Multicurrency – Cross Border) and German Master Agreement for Financial Futures. By means of such netting agreements, the positive and negative fair values of the derivatives contracts included under a master agreement can be offset against one another. This netting process reduces the credit risk to a single net claim on the party to the contract (close-out netting).

We apply netting to receivables and liabilities from genuine repurchase agreements (reverse repos and repos) with central and bilateral counterparties, provided they have the same term. OTC derivatives with customers and cleared own portfolios are likewise netted.

Assets €m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Reverse repos Positive fair values of
derivative financial
instruments
Reverse repos Positive fair values
of derivative
financial instruments
Gross amount of financial instruments 64,738 108,312 49,781 93,485
Book values not eligible for netting 18,688 4,707 7,997 5,018
a) Gross amount of financial instruments I and II 46,049 103,605 41,784 88,467
b) Amount netted in the balance sheet for
financial instruments I 1
30,802 64,968 24,565 51,657
c) Net amount of financial instruments I and II =
a) – b)
15,247 38,637 17,219 36,810
d) Master agreements not already accounted for
in b)
Amount of financial instruments II which do
not fulfil or only partially fulfil the criteria
under IAS 32.422
3,310 25,801 4,345 24,928
Fair value of financial collateral relating to
financial instruments I and II not already
accounted for in b)3
Non-cash collateral4 9,747 12 9,709 58
Cash collateral 8,653 2 7,790
e) Net amount of financial instruments I and II =
c) – d)
2,191 4,172 3,163 4,033
f) Fair value of financial collateral of central
counterparties relating to financial instruments
866 1,258 147
g) Net amount of financial instruments I and II =
e) – f)
1,324 4,172 1,904 3,886

1 Of which for positive fair values €3,759m (previous year: €2,708m) is attributable to margins. 2

Lesser amount of assets and liabilities.

3 Excluding rights or obligations to return arising from the transfer of securities. 4

Including financial instruments not reported on the balance sheet (e.g. securities provided as collateral in repo transactions).

Liabilities €m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018
Repos Negative fair
values of
derivative financial
instruments
Repos Negative fair
values of
derivative financial
instruments
Gross amount of financial instruments 63,912 110,496 43,793 95,193
Book values not eligible for netting 14,150 3,868 2,505 4,324
a) Gross amount of financial instruments I and II 49,762 106,628 41,288 90,869
b) Amount netted in the balance sheet for financial
instruments I1
30,802 62,631 24,565 49,754
c) Net amount of financial instruments I and II
= a) – b)
18,960 43,998 16,723 41,115
d) Master agreements not already accounted for in b)
Amount of financial instruments II which do not
fulfil or only partially fulfil the criteria under
IAS 32.422
3,310 25,784 4,345 24,928
Fair value of financial collateral relating to
financial instruments I and II not already
accounted for in b) 3
Non-cash collateral 4 4,539 832 10,780 730
Cash collateral 5,921 15,014 1,445 12,161
e) Net amount of financial instruments I and II
= c) – d)
5,190 2,368 153 3,296
f) Fair value of financial collateral of central
counterparties relating to financial instruments I
5,190 114 568
g) Net amount of financial instruments I and
II = e) – f)
0 2,368 38 2,728

1 Of which for negative fair values €6,096m (previous year: €4,611m) is attributable to margins. 2

Lesser amount of assets and liabilities.

3 Excluding rights or obligations to return arising from the transfer of securities. 4

Including financial instruments not reported on the balance sheet (e.g. securities provided as collateral in repo transactions).

(30) Derivatives

The total effect of netting amounted to €68,727m as at 31 March 2019 (previous year: €54,365m). On the assets side, €64,968m of this was attributable to positive fair values (previous year:€51,657m) and €3,759m to claims for variation margins (pre-

(31) Maturities of liabilities

In the maturity breakdown, we show the residual terms of nonderivative financial obligations that are subject to contractual maturities. The values are presented based on undiscounted cash flows. As a result, a reconciliation with the values in the balance sheet is not possible. Derivative obligations – held for trading are reported in the shortest maturity range. Negative fair values of vious year: €2,708m). Netting on the liabilities side involved negative fair values of €62,631m (previous year: €49,754m) and liabilities for variation margins payable of €6,096m (previous year: €4,611m).

derivative hedging instruments are reported on the basis of their fair values in the relevant maturity range. The residual term is defined as the period between the reporting date and the contractual maturity date of the financial instruments. We present information on the management of liquidity risks in the interim management report.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet 40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement

43 Selected Notes

31.3.2019 Residual terms
€m up to 3 months 3 months to 1 year 1 year to 5 years more than 5 years
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost 260,254 28,751 42,209 44,952
Financial Assets – Fair Value Option 33,928 917 578 1,490
Financial Assets – Held for Trading 3,140 14 3 2
Derivatives – Held for Trading 42,778
Negative fair values of derivative hedging
instruments 2 14 137 1,857
Financial guarantees 2,701
Irrevocable lending commitments 81,521
Lease liabilities 95 269 965 958
Total 424,420 29,966 43,892 49,259
31.12.2018 Residual terms
€m up to 3 months 3 months to 1 year 1 year to 5 years more than 5 years
Financial Liabilities – Amortised Cost 242,812 28,987 42,678 42,421
Financial Liabilities – Fair Value Option 19,720 536 615 1,538
Financial Liabilities – Held for Trading 3,117 20 1 2
Derivatives – Held for Trading 40,264
Negative fair values of derivative hedging
instruments
4 9 132 1,317
Financial guarantees 2,369
Irrevocable lending commitments 78,471
Lease liabilities1
Total 386,756 29,552 43,426 45,278

1 The residual terms of leasing liabilities were not calculated due to their minor significance.

Notes to the balance sheet (non-financial instruments)

(32) Intangible assets

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Goodwill 1,511 1,507 0.3
Other intangible assets 1,677 1,739 – 3.6
Customer relationships 149 159 – 6.4
In-house developed software 1,125 1,163 – 3.3
Purchased software and other intangible assets 403 417 – 3.3
Total 3,188 3,246 – 1.8

(33) Fixed assets

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Land and buildings 326 322 1.1
Rights of use (leases) 2,250 n/a
Land and buildings 2,214 n/a
Office furniture and equipment 36 n/a
Office furniture and equipment 446 458 – 2.8
Leased equipment 757 766 – 1.2
Total 3,778 1,547

(34) Discontinued business division

In November 2018, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and Société Générale Group, Paris, France concluded a purchase agreement for the Equity Markets&Commodities (EMC) division of the Business Segment Corporate Clients, following coordination with the relevant tax authorities. This transaction is a further milestone in the implementation of the "Commerzbank 4.0" strategy, which aims to reduce the Bank's complexity and free up capital for Commerzbank's core business areas.

The transaction, for which almost all regulatory approvals had been obtained by 31 March 2019, is expected to be completed in several stages by the end of 2020.

Major parts of the discontinued operation will already be transferred in 2019. Due to the scope of the transactions and the employees to be transferred as well as the complexity of the individual transfer processes, it will not be possible to complete all the transfers in 2019. The transfer process was started according to plan.

As at 31 March 2019, the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation amounted to €14.1bn (previous year: €13.0bn) and €12.8bn (previous year: €12.4bn) respectively. The assets and liabilities are mostly measured at fair value.

As a result, the assets and liabilities of the EMC division were reclassified in the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRS 5. EMC is a discontinued operation because EMC's areas of business, namely the development and issuing of structured financial products and asset management, are characterised by particularly complex products and hedging transactions that are not comparable to the other business activities of the Corporate Client segment and the Bank as a whole, and have therefore been isolated for internal management and reporting purposes and prepared for spin-off. The earnings of this business division are therefore presented separately in the income statement. In order to achieve an economically appropriate presentation of the discontinued operation, intragroup services between continuing operations and the discontinued business division are eliminated under continuing operations. The prior-year figures were restated accordingly.

Detailed information on the discontinued business division is provided below.

€m 1.1.–31.3.2019 1.1.–31.3.20181 Change in %
Current income 38 97 – 60.3
Current expenses 58 55 5.7
Pre-tax net income – 19 42
Taxes on income on current profit or loss – 6 12
Realised profit or loss
Taxes on income on realised profit or loss
Consolidated profit or loss from discontinued operations – 13 30
Consolidated profit or loss on discontinued operations attributable to
Commerzbank shareholders
– 13 30

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

The profit attributable to Commerzbank shareholders from continuing operations amounted to €133m (previous year: €231m).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

1.1.–31.3.2019 1.1.–31.3.20181 Change in %
Earnings per share for discontinued operations – 0.01 0.02

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

€m 2019 2018 Change in %
Net cash from operating activities – 13 30
Net cash from investing activities
Net cash from financing activities

(35) Non-current assets held for sale and disposal groups

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Financial Assets – Amortised Cost 1,206 665 81.5
Loans and advances 1,185 642 84.7
Debt instruments 22 23 – 6.5
Financial Assets – Fair Value OCI
Loans and advances
Debt instruments
Equity instruments
Financial Assets – Mandatorily Fair Value P&L 129 325 – 60.3
Loans and advances 50 241 – 79.4
Debt instruments 79 83 – 5.1
Equity instruments 0 0
Financial Assets – Held for Trading 13,291 12,444 6.8
Loans and advances
Debt instruments 4,377 2,294 90.8
Equity instruments 7,211 7,847 – 8.1
Derivatives 1,703 2,304 – 26.1
Intangible assets 18 13 40.6
Fixed assets 36 23 55.1
Other assets – 39 – 38 3.0
Total 14,642 13,433 9.0

Liabilities from disposal groups relate to the discontinuation of the EMC business division ( see Note 34 ) and the sale of ebase GmbH

(36) Liabilities from disposal groups

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Financial Liabilities – Amortised Cost 1,359 815 66.8
Deposits 1,359 815 66.8
Bonds and notes issued
Financial Liabilities – Fair Value Option 3,747 3,267 14.7
Deposits 3,747 3,267 14.7
Bonds and notes issued
Financial Liabilities – Held for Trading 8,137 8,726 – 6.7
Certificates and other issued bonds 4,573 4,543 0.7
Delivery commitments arising from short sales of securities 486 470 3.4
Derivatives 3,078 3,713 – 17.1
Other liability items 108 105 2.2
Total 13,351 12,914 3.4

Liabilities from disposal groups relate to the discontinuation of the EMC business division (see Note 34) and the sale of ebase GmbH.

(37) Other assets

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Precious metals 29 26 12.2
Accrued and deferred items 309 220 40.3
Defined benefit assets recognised 96 377 – 74.6
Other assets 1,817 1,496 21.5
Total 2,251 2,119 6.2

(38) Other liabilities

€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Liabilities attributable to film funds 313 313
Liabilities attributable to non-controlling interests 65 66 – 2.2
Accrued and deferred items 332 312 6.2
Lease liabilities 2,288 n/a
Other liabilities 1,791 1,692 5.8
Total 4,788 2,384

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

(39) Provisions

m€ 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Provisions for pensions and similar commitments 986 1,084 – 9.0
Other provisions 1,951 2,069 – 5.7
Total 2,937 3,153 – 6.8

The provisions for pensions and similar commitments relate primarily to direct pension commitments in Germany (see page 254 ff. of the Annual Report 2018). The actuarial assumptions underlying these obligations at 31 March 2019 were: a discount rate of 1.5% (previous year: 1.9%) and, an adjustment to pensions of 1.4% (previous year: 1.6%). The reduction in the expected adjustment to pensions resulted in a one-off effect of €183m before taxes, which was recognised directly in equity.

In the first quarter of 2019, binding agreements were concluded with an insurance company for a UK pension plan to cover a major portion of the claims from defined benefit pension obligations by concluding insurance contracts, whereby the legal obligation remains with Commerzbank ("buy-in"). This transaction resulted in a reduction of €283m in the existing pension plan surplus cover recognised in the statement of comprehensive income under other net income.

Other provisions consisted primarily of restructuring provisions and provisions for personnel-related matters. We expect the restructuring provisions of €503m (previous year: €572m) to be utilised in the period from 2019 to 2020.

Legal disputes

With respect to legal proceedings and potential recourse claims for which provisions of €204m (previous year: €233m) were recognised and which are contained in the other provisions, neither the duration of the proceedings nor the level of utilisation of the provision can be predicted with certainty at the date the provision is recognised. The provisions cover the future costs expected according to our judgement, discounted as at the balance sheet date. We have not set out the provision amounts individually to avoid influencing the outcome of the various proceedings.

• Commerzbank and its subsidiaries operate in a large number of jurisdictions subject to different legal and regulatory requirements. In isolated cases in the past, infringements of legal and regulatory provisions have come to light and have been prosecuted by government agencies and institutions. Some companies within the Group are currently still involved in a number of such cases.

  • Commerzbank and its subsidiaries are especially active in the area of investment advisory within the Private and Small-Business Customers segment. The legal requirements for investor- and investment-oriented advisory services have been made more rigorous, especially in recent years. Commerzbank and its subsidiaries have consequently been involved in a number of legal disputes, some of which are still pending, with investors who claim to have received poor or inadequate investment advice and who demand compensation for damages or the reversal of investment transactions where information regarding commission fees was lacking (e.g. for closed-end funds).
  • Following a ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice in October 2014 declaring that non-term-related processing fees in preformulated contractual terms and conditions for consumer loans were invalid, a large number of customers have lodged claims with Commerzbank for repayment of the processing fees. The corrresponding repayment requests are mostly completed. In its ruling given at the beginning of July 2017, the German Federal Court of Justice extended the principles on the invalidity of non-term-related processing fees in preformulated contractual terms and conditions to loan agreements concluded between banks and entrepreneurs. Commerzbank anticipates the recovery of the corresponding fees by its customers.
  • Commerzbank is exposed to claims from customers owing to "cancellation joker" ("Widerrufsjoker") issues. Following a change in the law, according to which any right to cancel loan agreements concluded between 2002 and 2010 could lapse no later than on 21 June 2016, many borrowers cancelled their agreements and asserted that the information given to them about cancellation when they concluded the agreement had been deficient. Some of them took legal action against the Bank when it refused to accept their cancellation, intending to immediately pay back the loan prior to the expiry of the fixed interest term without having to compensate the Bank for the loss incurred as a consequence of the early repayment. The Bank contested these actions.
  • A subsidiary of Commerzbank was involved in two South American banks which in the meantime have gone into liquidation. A number of investors and creditors of these banks have launched various legal actions in Uruguay and Argentina against the subsidiary, and, in some cases, Commerzbank as well, alleging liability as shareholders of the bankrupt companies as well as breaches of duty by the persons nominated by the subsidiary for the banks' supervisory boards. In addition, the subsidiary was involved in two funds which raised money from investors and were managed by third parties. The liquidators of these funds have launched court proceedings in the USA demanding the repayment of amounts received by the subsidiary from the funds.
  • Investors in a fund managed by a Commerzbank subsidiary active in asset management have sued this subsidiary for compensation arising from a lending commitment allegedly made by the subsidiary in the course of a joint venture project. The court of first instance upheld the suit against the subsidiary of Commerzbank, which is now appealing the decision. In February 2019, the Court of Appeal confirmed the first-instance ruling against the Commerzbank subsidiary.
  • A subsidiary of Commerzbank was sued by a customer in May 2014 for compensation due to alleged fraudulent misselling of derivative transactions. The subsidiary has defended itself against the claim.

(40) Contingent liabilities and lending commitments

This item mainly shows contingent liabilities arising from guarantees and indemnity agreements as well as irrevocable lending commitments at their nominal value.

Provisions for risks in respect of contingent liabilities and lending commitments are included in provisions for loan losses.

The contingent liabilities include the irrevocable payment obligation provided by the Federal Republic of Germany – Finanzagentur GmbH (Deutsche Finanzagentur) after approval of the Bank's request for security for payment of part of the banking levy.

  • In May 2017, a Polish court admitted a class action lawsuit against a subsidiary of Commerzbank alleging the ineffectiveness of index clauses in loan agreements denominated in foreign currency. In October 2018, the class action suit was dismissed in its entirety by the court of first instance. The claimants are appealing against this judgement. Irrespective thereof, numerous borrowers have additionally filed individual lawsuits against the Commerzbank subsidiary for the same reasons. The subsidiary has defended itself against each of the claims.
  • During the insolvency proceedings of a customer, the customer's insolvency administrator raised claims against Commerzbank. As the Bank and the insolvency administrator were not able to reach a settlement, the insolvency administrator filed a lawsuit against the Bank in June 2018. At the end of January 2019, the Bank reached an agreement with the insolvency administrator to settle the legal dispute. The complaint was withdrawn upon payment of the settlement amount.
  • A Commerzbank subsidiary together with another bank was sued for damages in May 2018 due to alleged unfair price collusion in connection with the levying of settlement fees. The subsidiary will defend itself against the action

The figures listed in the table below do not take account of any collateral and would only have to be written off if all customers utilised their facilities completely and then defaulted (and there was no collateral). In practice, the majority of these facilities expire without ever being utilised. Consequently, these amounts are unrepresentative in terms of assessing risk, the actual future loan exposure or resulting liquidity requirements.

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 85

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

  • 40 Statement of changes in equity
  • 42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes
€m 31.3.2019 31.12.2018 Change in %
Contingent liabilities 38,612 38,439 0.5
Banks 6,491 6,274 3.5
Corporate clients 29,347 28,681 2.3
Private customers 245 256 – 4.4
Other financial corporations 2,449 3,145 – 22.1
General governments 80 84 – 3.9
Lending commitments 81,874 78,387 4.4
Banks 1,579 1,337 18.1
Corporate clients 60,293 58,239 3.5
Private customers 10,941 9,969 9.8
Other financial corporations 8,938 8,657 3.2
General governments 123 185 – 33.4
Total 120,486 116,826 3.1

In addition to the credit facilities listed above, the Commerzbank Group may also sustain losses from legal and tax risks the occurrence of which is not very probable and for which reason no provisions have been recognised. However, since there is some probability of their occurrence, they are presented under contingent liabilities. It is impossible to reliably estimate the date on which such risk may materialise or any potential reimbursements. Depending on the outcome of the legal and fiscal proceedings, the estimate of our risk of loss may prove to be either too low or too high. However, in a large majority of cases the contingent liabilities for legal risks do not ever materialise and, therefore, the amounts are not representative of the actual future losses. As at 31 March 2019, the contingent liability for legal risks amounted to €1,035m (previous year: €1,038m) and related to the following material issues:

  • Several actions have been taken against a subsidiary of Commerzbank by customers of a former, now bankrupt, corporate customer which held its bank accounts with the subsidiary. The aim of the action is to obtain claims for damages from the subsidiary for allegedly assisting the management of the bankrupt corporate customer in its fraudulent dealings in relation to the management of its accounts. The Bank believes the claims are unfounded.
  • Commerzbank held an equity holding in a US company that was sold by way of a leveraged buyout. During the insolvency proceedings of this company a number of lawsuits were brought in the USA against the Commerzbank Group and others for repayment of the proceeds it received from the sale of its stake. Two of these suits were rejected on appeal, partly in favour of the Bank. The application for a review of the appeal ruling by the Court of Appeal responsible in these proceedings has not yet been decided. A third suit has been dismissed, in

favour of the banking consortium. The appeal lodged against this decision was deferred by the court until judgements have been reached in the cases still open against non-shareholders.

  • Commerzbank was sued for damages by a former borrower in Hungary in April 2016. After the borrower failed to remedy multiple breaches of the loan contract, Commerzbank terminated the contract and ceased any further loan disbursements. The plaintiff was liquidated in January 2019. As a result, in February 2019 the court dismissed the claims for intangible damages and suspended the rest of the proceedings. In addition to the claim described above, a group company of the Hungarian borrower sued the Bank for damages in November 2017. The court of first instance dismissed this action in full in March 2019. The judgement is not yet final.
  • A customer sued Commerzbank for recovery of monies in April 2016. The claimant is demanding the repayment of interest which in its view was wrongly paid to Commerzbank and is also demanding the release of collateral which is being held as security for a claim by Commerzbank against the claimant. Commerzbank and the claimant are in dispute about the legal validity of Commerzbank's secured claim. Commerzbank will defend itself against the action.

The contingent liabilities for tax risks relate to the following material issues:

In the circular of the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) dated 17 July 2017, the tax authorities addressed the treatment of cum-cum transactions, declaring their intention to critically examine past transactions for indications of abuse of law. According to the view put forward in the BMF circular, abuse of law pursuant to Article 42 of the German Tax Code (Abgabenordnung, AO) is indicated if there are no economically reasonable grounds

for the transaction in question and the structure of the transaction appears to be largely tax-induced (tax arbitrage). The circular provides a non-exhaustive list of cases which the BMF will assess for tax purposes.

In a letter dated 18 July 2017, the Bundesbank asked Commerzbank to assess the financial repercussions of the potential application of the BMF circular by means of a survey form. Based on the analyses conducted for cum-cum transactions, the Bank recognised precautionary provisions of €12m as at the end of 2017 for potentially refundable own investment income taxes.

With respect to cum-cum securities lending transactions, Commerzbank is exposed to compensation claims from third parties for credit entitlements that have been denied. Based on the

Segment reporting

(41) Segment reporting

Segment reporting reflects the results of the operating segments within the Commerzbank Group. The following segment information is based on IFRS 8 Operating Segments, which applies the management approach. The segment information is prepared on the basis of internal management reporting, which the chief operating decision maker draws on in assessing the performance of the operating segments and determining the allocation of resources to the operating segments. Within the Commerzbank Group, the function of chief operating decision maker is exercised by the Board of Managing Directors.

Our segment reporting addresses the segment structure, comprising Private and Small-Business Customers, Corporate Clients, Asset&Capital Recovery and the Others and Consolidation segment. This reflects the Commerzbank Group's organisational structure and forms the basis for internal management reporting. The business segments are defined by differences in their products, services and/or customer target groups. Owing to changes in customer relationship management associated with the Commerzbank 4.0 strategy, retroactive customer transfers between the Corporate Clients and the Private and Small-Business Customers segments occurred in the third quarter of 2018. The income and expenses of the Corporate Clients segment and of the Group are presented without the discontinued business division (see Note 34). From the first quarter of 2019 onwards, the compulsory contributions for the European bank levy, bank tax and deposit insurance will no longer be shown under operating expenses but as a separate item. A portfolio of securitisations and corporate bonds was transferred out of the Corporate Clients segment and into Treasury in the Others and Consolidation area in the first quarter of 2019. The prior-year figures have been restated accordingly.

In addition, in the first quarter of 2019, as part of the winddown strategy of the Asset &Capital Recovery segment, transfers analyses performed, Commerzbank considers it rather unlikely that such claims could be enforced. However, it cannot be ruled out. Under these circumstances, Commerzbank estimates the potential financial impact in the upper double-digit million range, plus interest on arrears.

For the other cum-cum-relevant transactions, Commerzbank has concluded that the legal structuring it adopted was appropriate under Article 42 of the German Tax Code.

The possibility that this conclusion could alter as developments unfold, for example in connection with assessments made by the tax authorities and fiscal/civil courts, cannot be completely ruled out.

of these receivables from local authorities and public-sector or quasi-public-sector institutions in North America and the UK were made to Treasury in the Others and Consolidation area. No adjustment was made to the prior-year values due to the specific features of a wind-down portfolio.

The carrying amount of the receivables transferred from the Asset&Capital Recovery segment to the Others and Consolidation area as at 31 March 2019 was €4.7bn. The main earnings drivers for the first quarter were as follows: €13m net interest income, €–1m risk result, €–21m net income from financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, €–10m net income from hedge accounting, €–2m other net income from financial instruments, €–20m income before loan loss provisions, €–20m income after loan loss provisions, €1m operating expenses and €–22m earnings before taxes.

Further information on the segments is provided in the management report section of this interim report. The operating segments' capital requirement for risk-weighted assets based on the fully phased-in application of Basel 3 regulations has been 12% since 2018, as the capital adequacy requirements have increased. A capital requirement of 15% of risk-weighted assets on a fully phased-in basis under Basel 3 continues to be applied to the Asset&Capital Recovery segment.

The performance of each segment is measured in terms of operating profit or loss and pre-tax profit or loss, as well as operating return on equity and the cost/income ratio. Operating profit or loss is defined as the sum of net interest income, dividend income, risk result, net commission income, net income from financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, net income from hedge accounting, other net gain or loss from financial instruments, current net income from companies accounted for using the equity method and other net income less operating expenses and compulsory contributions. The operating

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet 40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

profit does not include any impairments of goodwill or other intangible assets or restructuring expenses. As we report pre-tax profits, non-controlling interests are included in the figures for both profit and loss and average capital employed. All the revenue for which a segment is responsible is thus reflected in the pre-tax profit. When showing the elimination of intragroup profits from intragroup transactions in segment reporting, the transferring segment is treated as if the transaction had taken place outside the Group. Intragroup profits and losses are therefore eliminated in Others and Consolidation.

The operating return on equity is calculated as the ratio of operating profit to average capital employed. It shows the return on the capital employed in a given segment. The cost/income ratio in operating business reflects the cost efficiency of the various segments. It is calculated from the ratio of the sum of operating expenses and compulsory contributions to income before the risk result. We also report a cost/income ratio in operating business that excludes compulsory contributions, to take account of the fact that this item cannot be influenced in terms of either amount or periodicity.

Income and expenses are reported within the segments by originating unit and at market prices, with the market interest rate method being used for interest operations. The actual funding costs for the business-specific equity holdings of the segments are shown in net interest income. The Group's return on capital employed is allocated to the net interest income of the various segments in proportion to the average capital employed in the segment. The interest rate used is the long-term risk-free rate on the capital market. Net interest income also contains liquidity costs. These costs include both externally paid funding costs as well as the complete allocation of liquidity costs to the businesses and segments based on our transfer price system for liquidity costs. This system is used to allocate the interest expenses resulting from the Bank's external funding to the individual transactions and portfolios of the segments. This allocation is based on a central liquidity price curve in accordance with cost causation. The average capital employed in the segments is calculated based on the average segmented risk-weighted assets. For the Corporate Clients segment, the average capital employed in the segment is calculated without the discontinued business division. At Group level, Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital is shown, which is used to calculate the operating return on equity. The calculations for the segments and the Group are both based on a fully phased-in application of Basel 3 regulations. The reconciliation of average capital employed in the segments to the Group's CET1 capital is carried out in Others and Consolidation. We also report the assets and liabilities for the individual segments and the carrying amounts of companies accounted for using the equity method. Due to our business model, the segment balance sheet only balances out at Group level.

The operating expenses reported under operating profit or loss contain personnel expenses, other operating expenses (excluding compulsory contributions) as well as depreciation and writedowns on fixed assets and other intangible assets. Restructuring expenses and impairments of both goodwill and other intangible assets are reported below the operating profit line in pre-tax profit or loss. Operating expenses and compulsory contributions are attributed to the individual segments on the basis of cost causation. The indirect expenses arising in connection with internal services are charged to the user of the service and credited to the segment performing the service. The provision of intragroup services is charged at market prices or at full cost.

1.1-31.3.2019
€m
Private and
Small
Business
Customers
Corporate
Clients
Asset & Capital
Recovery
Others and
Consolidation
Group
Net interest income 665 468 – 15 114 1,231
Dividend income 1 1 0 1
Risk result – 52 – 28 – 1 2 – 78
Net commission income 468 307 0 – 8 768
Net income from financial assets and liabilities at
fair value through profit or loss
57 75 51 – 98 85
Net income from hedge accounting 1 6 – 3 46 50
Other net income from financial instruments 7 0 – 27 – 0 – 20
Current net income from companies accounted for
using the equity method
3 2 – 0 5
Other net income – 1 3 5 30 37
Income before risk result 1,200 861 11 84 2,156
Income after risk result 1,149 832 10 86 2,078
Operating expenses 870 619 9 71 1,569
Compulsory contributions 125 93 9 38 265
Operating profit or loss 153 121 – 7 – 23 244
Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing operations 153 121 – 7 – 23 244
Assets 141,413 193,836 11,155 156,842 503,246
of which discontinued assets 14,068 14,068
Liabilities 175,888 196,532 9,928 120,898 503,246
of which discontinued liabilities 12,774 12,774
Carrying amount of companies accounted for
using the equity method
29 152 1 182
Average capital employed
(from continuing operations) (based on CET1)1
5,102 11,589 1,622 5,126 23,440
Operating return on equity (%)2 12.0 4.2 – 1.8 4.2
Cost/income ratio in operating business (%)
(excl. compulsory contributions) (%)
72.5 71.9 78.6 72.8
Cost/income ratio in operating business
(incl. compulsory contributions) (%)
82.9 82.7 160.2 85.1

1 Average CET 1 capital fully loaded. Reconciliation carried out in Others & Consolidation. 2

Annualised.

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement

43 Selected Notes

1.1-31.3.20181 €m Private and
Small
Business
Customers
Corporate
Clients
Asset & Capital
Recovery
Others and
Consolidation
Group
Net interest income 616 418 14 50 1,098
Dividend income 2 10 3 14
Risk result – 49 – 25 – 2 – 1 – 77
Net commission income 508 300 1 – 7 802
Net income from financial assets and liabilities at
fair value through profit or loss
32 108 67 – 4 203
Net income from hedge accounting – 0 0 – 5 – 11 – 16
Other net income from financial instruments 11 1 – 40 9 – 19
Current net income from companies accounted for
using the equity method
0 6 – 0 6
Other net income 67 22 7 33 129
Income before risk result 1,236 864 45 72 2,217
Income after risk result 1,187 839 43 71 2,140
Operating expenses 888 642 17 91 1,638
Compulsory contributions 96 100 10 38 244
Operating profit or loss 203 98 16 – 58 258
Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing operations 203 98 16 – 58 258
Assets 130,507 173,382 21,351 144,773 470,013
of which discontinued assets
Liabilities 155,794 194,568 18,724 100,927 470,013
of which discontinued liabilities
Carrying amount of companies accounted for
using the equity method
9 176 1 186
Average capital employed
(from continuing operations) (based on CET1)2
4,633 10,328 2,483 5,024 22,468
Operating return on equity (%)3 17.5 3.8 2.6 4.6
Cost/income ratio in operating business
(excl. compulsory contributions) (%)
71.8 74.3 37.2 73.9
Cost/income ratio in operating business
(incl. compulsory contributions) (%)
79.6 85.8 60.0 84.9

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3). 2

Average CET 1 capital fully loaded. Reconciliation carried out in Others & Consolidation. 3

Annualised.

Details for Others and Consolidation:

m
Others Consolidation Others and
Consolidation
113 1 114
0 0
2 2
– 7 – 1 – 8
– 102 4 – 98
46 46
– 0 – 0
34 – 4 30
78 – 6 71
38 0 38
– 29 6 – 23
156,368 474 156,842
120,581 317 120,898
1.1.-31.3.2019
€m 1.1.-31.3.20181
Others Consolidation Others and
Consolidation
Net interest income 33 16 50
Dividend income 3 0 3
Risk result – 1 0 – 1
Net commission income – 6 – 1 – 7
Net income from financial assets and liabilities at fair value through
profit or loss
1 – 5 – 4
Net income from hedge accounting – 11 – 11
Other net income from financial instruments 10 – 1 9
Current net income from companies accounted for using the equity
method
Other net income 35 – 3 33
Operating expenses 95 – 4 91
Compulsory contributions 38 0 38
Operating profit or loss – 70 11 – 58
Assets 144,346 426 144,773
Liabilities 100,647 280 100,927

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see Note 3).

Under "Consolidation" we report consolidation and reconciliation items from the results of the segments and "Others" and the Group financial statements. This includes the following items, among others:

  • Effects from the consolidation of intragroup-transactions between segments
  • Effects from the consolidation of expenses and income
  • Income and operating expenses of staff and management functions, which are charged to the segments and Others.
  • Elimination of the net measurement gains or losses on own bonds incurred in the segments;

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

The regional breakdown contained in the segment reporting was adjusted compared with the previous presentation. We now report in this item only income before loan loss provisions and creditrisk-weighted assets (phase-in). The breakdown within segment reporting by geographical region, which is essentially based on the location of the branch or group entity, was as follows:

1.1.-31.3.2019
€m
Germany Europe
without
Germany
Americas Asia Others Total
Income before risk result 1,546 502 34 74 – 0 2,156
Risk assets for credit risks (transitional
provisions)
93,816 47,013 5,572 5,567 151,968

In the prior-year period we achieved the following results in the various geographical regions:

1.1.-31.3.20181
€m
Germany Europe
without
Germany
Americas Asia Others Total
Income before risk result 1,442 629 24 122 – 0 2,217
Risk assets for credit risks (transitional
provisions)
84,650 44,896 3,927 3,545 137,018

1 Prior-year figures adjusted due to restatements (see note 3).

Credit-risk-weighted assets are shown for the geographical segments rather than non-current assets. In accordance with IFRS 8.32 Commerzbank has decided not to provide a breakdown of the Commerzbank Group's total profits by products and services. We decided not to collect this data for efficiency reasons, as it is used neither for internal management activities nor management reporting.

Other notes

(42) Regulatory capital requirements

The overview below of the composition of the Commerzbank Group's capital shows the figures on both a transitional provisions (currently used) and a fully loaded basis. The reconciliation of equity reported in the balance sheet with regulatory capital is already integrated in these figures.

Position
€m
31.3.2019
transitional
provisions
31.12.2018
transitional
provisions
31.3.2019
fully loaded
31.12.2018
fully loaded
Equity as shown in balance sheet 29,387 29,411 29,387 29,411
Effect from debit valuation adjustments – 126 – 159 – 126 – 159
Correction to revaluation reserve
Correction to cash flow hedge reserve 11 15 11 15
Correction to non-controlling interests
(minorities)
– 523 – 440 – 523 – 440
Goodwill – 1,511 – 1,507 – 1,511 – 1,507
Intangible assets – 1,285 – 1,328 – 1,285 – 1,328
Surplus in plan assets – 72 – 307 – 72 – 307
Deferred tax assets from loss carryforwards – 760 – 784 – 760 – 784
Shortfall due to expected loss – 242 – 205 – 242 – 205
Prudential valuation – 298 – 459 – 298 – 459
Direct, indirect and synthetic positions of the
Bank's own instruments in Core Tier 1
– 11 – 11 – 11 – 11
First loss positions from securitisations – 188 – 199 – 188 – 199
Advance payment risks – 0 – 1 – 1
Allocation of components from additional Equity
Tier 1
Deferred tax assets from temporary differences
which exceed the 10% threshold
– 405 – 453 – 405 – 453
Dividend accrued – 285 – 250 – 285 – 250
Others and rounding – 104 – 117 – 104 – 117
Common Equity Tier 11 23,588 23,206 23,588 23,206
Additional Equity Tier 12 798 904 121
Tier 1 capital 24,387 24,110 23,709 23,206
Tier 2 capital 5,228 5,389 5,415 5,564
Equity 29,614 29,499 29,125 28,770
Risk-weighted assets 185,158 180,498 185,158 180,498
of which credit risk 151,968 146,710 151,968 146,710
of which market risk3 11,627 12,395 11,627 12,395
of which operational risk 21,563 21,393 21,563 21,393
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (%) 12.7% 12.9% 12.7% 12.9%
Equity Tier 1 ratio (%) 13.2% 13.4% 12.8% 12.9%
Total capital ratio (%) 16.0% 16.3% 15.7% 15.9%

1 This information includes the consolidated profit attributable to Commerzbank shareholders for regulatory purposes. 2

Under the transitional provisions for the eligible former balance of additional Tier 1 capital. 3

Includes credit valuation adjustment risk.

  • 34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet
    • 40 Statement of changes in equity
    • 42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

The table reconciles reported equity to Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) and the other components of core capital and regulatory capital. The main changes in Tier 1 capital compared with 31 December 2018 result from the recognition of regulatory profit and from a reduction in regulatory deductions. The decrease in the capital ratios compared with the previous year-end despite a slight

(43) Leverage ratio

The CRD IV/CRR has introduced the leverage ratio as a tool and indicator for quantifying the risk of excessive leverage.

The leverage ratio shows the ratio of Tier 1 capital to leverage exposure, consisting of the non-risk-weighted assets plus offbalance sheet positions. The way in which exposure to derivatives, assets as a result of the new securitisation activities.

rise in CET1 is primarily the result of an increase in risk-weighted assets. The increase in risk-weighted assets mainly reflects credit growth in the core segments and the effects of the introduction of the international accounting standard IFRS 16 at the turn of the year and is only slightly mitigated by reductions in risk-weighted

securities financing transactions and off-balance sheet positions is calculated is laid down by regulators.

As a non-risk sensitive figure the leverage ratio is intended to supplement risk-based measures of capital adequacy.

Leverage ratio according to CRR 31.3.20191 31.12.2018 Change in %
Leverage exposure transitional provisions (€m) 527,116 486,335 8.4
Leverage exposure fully loaded (€m) 527,116 486,335 8.4
Leverage ratio transitional provisions (%) 4.6 5.0
Leverage ratio fully loaded (%) 4.5 4.8

1 Differences between LR transitional provisions and fully loaded solely due to Tier 1 capital; Transitional agreements for the Leverage Ratio Exposure expired end of 2017.

(44) Liquidity coverage ratio

The liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) is the regulatory minimum liquidity ratio. It is a measure of the near-term solvency of the Bank under a predetermined stress scenario. Based on the requirements of the Basel Committee, the European Commission set out the legal foundation for the LCR in the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) and in Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013, in conjunction with Delegated Regulation EU/2015/61 (D-REG).

The ratio itself is defined as the relationship between high quality liquid assets (HQLA) and net liquidity outflows (NLOs) within a 30-day period. The CRR stipulates that the LCR at least 100% from 2018 onwards. Commerzbank has integrated the LCR into its internal liquidity risk model as a binding secondary condition, and the change in the LCR is monitored regularly.

The Bank has established internal early warning indicators for the purpose of managing liquidity risk. These ensure that appropriate steps can be taken in good time to secure long-term financial solidity. Risk concentrations can lead to increased outflows of liquidity, particularly in a stress situation. They can, for example, occur with regard to maturities, large individual creditors or currencies. By means of ongoing monitoring and reporting, emerging risk concentrations in funding can be recognised in a timely manner and mitigated through suitable measures. This also applies to payment obligations in foreign currencies. The Bank also mitigates concentrations through the continuous use of the broadly diversified sources of funding available to it, particularly in the form of diverse customer deposits and capital market instruments.

Commerzbank manages its global liquidity centrally using cash pooling. This approach ensures liquidity resources are used efficiently across all time zones, as Commerzbank Treasury units are located in Frankfurt, London, New York and Singapore.

For further information about the responsibilities for managing liquidity risk and the corresponding internal models, please refer to the liquidity risk section of the Risk Report in this document.

The calculation of the LCR for the past four quarters is shown below. The averages of the respective previous twelve month-end values are calculated for each quarter of the reporting year. The resulting values are shown in the table below. The values are rounded to a full-million amount in euros and are presented on a consolidated basis for the Commerzbank Group.

Total unweighted value (average)
€m 30.6.2018 30.9.2018 31.12.2018 31.3.2019
Number of data points used in the calculation of averages 12 12 12 12
High-Quality Liquid Assets
1 Total high-quality liquid assets (HQLA)
Cash-Outflows
Retail deposits and deposits from small business customers,
2 of which: 107,120 110,251 113,826 117,594
3 Stable deposits 74,749 76,609 78,787 80,958
4 Less stable deposits 32,369 33,641 35,039 36,635
5 Unsecured wholesale funding 105,550 105,164 104,841 104,951
Operational deposits (all counterparties) and deposits in
6 networks of cooperative banks 35,520 35,397 35,028 35,105
7 Non-operational deposits (all counterparties) 68,686 68,279 68,341 68,259
8 Unsecured debt 1,343 1,489 1,472 1,587
9 Secured wholesale funding
10 Additional requirements 85,143 85,296 85,202 84,900
11 Outflows related to derivative exposures and other collateral
requirements
9,740 9,349 9,046 8,642
12 Outflows related to loss of funding on debt products 257 210 199 272
13 Credit and liquidity facilities 75,146 75,737 75,957 75,985
14 Other contractual funding obligations 1,720 2,489 3,271 4,080
15 Other contingent funding obligations 105,772 108,923 110,193 109,418
16 Total Cash Outflows
Cash-Inflows
17 Secured lending (e.g. reverse repos) 65,900 64,627 65,818 65,868
18 Inflows from fully performing exposures 27,556 27,553 26,519 25,954
19 Other cash inflows 2,778 3,542 4,557 5,740
EU– 19a (Difference between total weighted inflows and total weighted
outflows arising from transactions in third countries where
there are transfer restrictions or which are denominated in non
convertible currencies.)
EU– 19b (Excess inflows from a related specialised credit institution)
20 TOTAL CASH INFLOWS 96,234 95,722 96,894 97,561
EU– 20a Fully exempt inflows 0 0 0 0
EU– 20b Inflows subject to 90% cap 0 0 0 0
EU– 20c Inflows subject to 75% cap 89,822 89,590 90,724 91,424
21 Liquidity Buffer
22 Total Net Cash Outflows
23 Liquidity Coverage Ratio

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity 42 Cashflow statement

43 Selected Notes

Total weighted value (average)
€m 30.6.2018 30.9.2018 31.12.2018 31.3.2019
Number of data points used in the calculation of averages 12 12 12 12
High-Quality Liquid Assets
1 Total high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) 89,955 87,797 85,627 85,524
Cash-Outflows
Retail deposits and deposits from small business customers, of
2 which: 7,238 7,466 7,727 8,007
3 Stable deposits 3,737 3,830 3,939 4,048
4 Less stable deposits 3,499 3,635 3,788 3,959
5 Unsecured wholesale funding 52,302 52,252 52,300 52,665
6 Operational deposits (all counterparties) and deposits in
networks of cooperative banks
8,855 8,826 8,732 8,747
7 Non-operational deposits (all counterparties) 42,104 41,938 42,096 42,330
8 Unsecured debt 1,343 1,489 1,472 1,587
9 Secured wholesale funding 4,733 4,877 5,262 5,614
10 Additional requirements 24,089 23,730 23,401 23,123
Outflows related to derivative exposures and other collateral
11 requirements 8,953 8,569 8,272 7,885
12 Outflows related to loss of funding on debt products 257 210 199 272
13 Credit and liquidity facilities 14,880 14,951 14,930 14,966
14 Other contractual funding obligations 1,031 1,668 2,337 3,026
15 Other contingent funding obligations 677 674 675 680
16 Total Cash Outflows 90,070 90,667 91,702 93,115
Cash-Inflows
17 Secured lending (e.g. reverse repos) 3,493 3,974 4,921 5,551
18 Inflows from fully performing exposures 20,043 20,100 19,306 18,699
19 Other cash inflows 2,650 3,424 4,369 5,528
(Difference between total weighted inflows and total weighted
outflows arising from transactions in third countries where
there are transfer restrictions or which are denominated in non
EU– 19a convertible currencies.) 0 0 0 0
EU– 19b (Excess inflows from a related specialised credit institution) 0 0 0 0
20 TOTAL CASH INFLOWS 26,186 27,498 28,595 29,778
EU– 20a Fully exempt inflows 0 0 0 0
EU– 20b Inflows subject to 90% cap 0 0 0 0
EU– 20c Inflows subject to 75% cap 26,186 27,498 28,595 29,778
21 Liquidity Buffer 89,955 87,797 85,627 85,524
22 Total Net Cash Outflows 63,884 63,169 63,107 63,338
23 Liquidity Coverage Ratio 140.99% 139.13% 135.66% 135.02%

The average quarterly LCR values have been consistently high. As at each of the reporting dates, Commerzbank has considerably surpassed the required minimum ratio of 100%. The composition of the highly liquid assets available to cover the liquidity outflows in the reporting period is set out:

Highly liquid assets in accordance with
EU/2015/61 (average of the last 12month-end
values) €m
Q2/2018 Q3/2018 Q4/2018 Q1/2019
Total: 89,955 87,797 85,627 85,524
thereof Level 1 83,025 80,834 77,695 76,663
thereof Level 2A 6,042 6,103 7,075 7,805
thereof Level 2B 888 860 857 1,056

Commerzbank additionally reports the LCR in US dollars, because under the CRR the US dollar is deemed to be an important foreign currency. In addition, the Bank ensures that foreign-exchange risk is monitored as well as limited and managed using an internal model.

When calculating the LCR, the Bank takes into account the liquidity inflows and outflows for derivatives over the next 30 days. When standardised master agreements are involved, the liquidity

(45) Related party transactions

As part of its normal business, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and/or its consolidated companies engage in transactions with related entities and persons. These include:

  • subsidiaries that are controlled but not consolidated for reasons of materiality;
  • joint ventures;
  • associated companies;
  • equity holdings;
  • external providers of occupational pensions for employees of Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft;
  • key management personnel and members of their families; and
  • companies controlled by these persons/entities.

Banking transactions with related parties are carried out at normal market terms and conditions.

Key management personnel refers exclusively to members of Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft's Board of Managing Directors and Supervisory Board who were active during the reporting period.

Besides the stake held by the German federal government, other factors (including membership of the supervisory board) that could potentially allow a significant influence to be exerted on Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft also need to be taken into account. Accordingly, the German federal government and entities controlled by it are classified as related entities and persons in accordance with IAS 24.

inflows and outflows are calculated on a net basis. Commerzbank also takes into account further items that could lead to additional outflows of liquidity. These items include variation margins for changes in the value of securities pledged as collateral and a possible deterioration in credit rating, as well as additional collateral furnished because of adverse market scenarios for derivatives transactions.

Transactions with non-consolidated subsidiaries

The assets relating to non-consolidated subsidiaries in the amount of €514m (previous year: €284m) as at 31 March 2019 included primarily loans and receivables. Liabilities in the amount of €250m (previous year: €231m) comprised mostly deposits.

The income of €5m (prior-year period: €6m) comprised interest income and expenses of €17m (prior-year period: €18m), mostly from operating expenses.

In the course of its ordinary banking activities, the Bank granted guarantees and collateral totalling €85m (previous year: €2m).

Transactions with associated companies

The assets relating to associated companies in the amount of €4m (previous year: €5m) as at 31 March 2019 included primarily loans and receivables. Liabilities in the amount of €35m (previous year: €31m) comprised mostly deposits.

The income of €8m (prior-year period: €6m) resulted primarily from commission income and current net income from companies accounted for using the equity method. The decline on the previous year is attributable to transactions with Commerz Finanz GmbH, which has since been fully consolidated.

In the course of its ordinary banking activities, the Bank granted guarantees and collateral totalling €40m (previous year: €41m).

34 Statement of comprehensive Income

38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity 42 Cashflow statement

43 Selected Notes

Transactions with other related entities/persons

The assets pertaining to other related entities/persons as at 31 March 2019 in the amount of €41m (previous year: €30m) included primarily loans and receivables as well as securitised debt instruments. The liabilities of €210m (previous year: €208m) were primarily deposits. The deposits were mostly attributable to external providers of occupational pensions.

As at 31 March 2019, income was €1m (prior-year period: €0m), the expenses amounted to €2m (previous year €5m).

In the course of its ordinary banking activities, no guarantees and no collaterals were granted by the Bank.

Transactions with key management personnel

As at 31 March 2019, there were no significant assets or liabilities relating to key management personnel.

The expenses represent personnel expenses in the amount of €4m (prior-year period: €4m) and include remuneration for key management personnel, salaries of the employee representatives on the Supervisory Board who are employed by the Commerzbank Group and value added tax reimbursed to members of the Supervisory Board.

Transactions with entities controlled by the German federal government

The assets relating to entities controlled by the German federal government as at 31 March 2019 in the amount of €43,278m (previous year: €25,065m) comprised primarily deposits with Deutsche Bundesbank totalling €39,484m (previous year: €20,891m). Of the liabilities related to entities controlled by the German federal government in the amount of €12,804m (previous year: €12,718m), €12,768m were deposits (previous year: €12,624m). As at 31 March 2019, the Bank had granted guarantees and collateral totalling €297m to entities controlled by the German federal government (previous year: €70m).

Boards of Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft

Supervisory Board

Dr. Stefan Schmittmann
Chairman
Monika Fink1 Dr. Victoria Ossadnik
Uwe Tschäge1
Deputy Chairman
Dr. Tobias Guldimann Robin J. Stalker
Dr. Rainer Hillebrand Nicholas Teller
Heike Anscheit1 Christian Höhn1 Dr. Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell
Alexander Boursanoff1 Kerstin Jerchel1 Stefan Wittmann1
Gunnar de Buhr1 Dr. Markus Kerber
Stefan Burghardt1 Alexandra Krieger1
Sabine U. Dietrich Klaus-Peter Müller
Anja Mikus Honorary Chairman

1 Elected by the Bank's employees.

Board of Managing Directors

Martin Zielke Frank Annuscheit Dr. Marcus Chromik
Chairman (until 28.02.2019)
Stephan Engels Jörg Hessenmüller Michael Mandel
(from 15.01.2019)
Dr. Bettina Orlopp Michael Reuther

To our Shareholders Interim Management Report Interim Risk Report Interim Financial Statements 99

34 Statement of comprehensive Income 38 Balance sheet

40 Statement of changes in equity

42 Cashflow statement 43 Selected Notes

Frankfurt/Main, 6 May 2019 The Board of Managing Directors

Jörg Hessenmüller Michael Mandel Bettina Orlopp

Michael Reuther

Martin Zielke Marcus Chromik Stephan Engels

Translation from the German language of the review report

To COMMERZBANK Aktiengesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main

We have reviewed the interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, balance sheet, statement of changes in equity, condensed cash flow statement and selected explanatory notes, and the interim group management report of COMMERZBANK Aktiengesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2019, which are part of the interim financial report pursuant to Sec. 115 (7) in conjunction with (2) Nos. 1 and 2 and (3) and (4) WpHG ["Wertpapierhandelsgesetz": German Securities Trading Act]. The executive directors are responsible for the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRSs [International Financial Reporting Standards] on interim financial reporting as adopted by the EU and of the interim group management report in accordance with the requirements of the WpHG applicable to interim group management reports. Our responsibility is to issue a report on the interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the interim group management report based on our review.

We conducted our review of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements and of the interim group management report in compliance with German Generally Accepted Standards for the Review of Financial Statements promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer [Institute of Public Auditors in Germany] (IDW) and in supplementary compliance with the International Standard on Review Engagements "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" (ISRE 2410). Those standards require that we plan and perform the review to obtain a certain level of assurance in our critical appraisal to preclude that the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IFRSs on interim financial reporting as adopted by the EU and that the interim group management report is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the requirements of the WpHG applicable to interim group management reports. A review is limited primarily to making inquiries of the Company's employees and analytical assessments, and therefore does not provide the assurance obtainable from an audit of financial statements. Since, in accordance with our engagement, we have not performed an audit of financial statements, we cannot issue an auditor's report. Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IFRSs on interim financial reporting as adopted by the EU or that the interim group management report is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the provisions of the WpHG applicable to interim group management reports.

Eschborn/ Frankfurt/Main, 7 May 2019

Ernst&Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

signed signed Claus-Peter Wagner Marcus Binder Wirtschaftsprüfer Wirtschaftsprüfer

(German Public Auditor) (German Public Auditor)

Significant Group companies

Germany
comdirect bank AG, Quickborn

Commerz Real AG, Wiesbaden

Abroad
Commerzbank Brasil S.A. – Banco Múltiplo, São Paulo
Commerzbank (Eurasija) AO, Moscow
Commerzbank Finance & Covered Bond S.A., Luxembourg
Commerzbank Zrt., Budapest
Commerz Markets LLC, New York
mBank S.A., Warsaw

Operative foreign branches

Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bratislava, Beijing, Brno (office), Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, New York, Paris, Prague, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Vienna, Zurich

Representative Offices and Financial Institutions Desks

Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Almaty, Ashgabat, Baghdad, Baku, Bangkok, Beijing (FI Desk), Beirut, Belgrade, Brussels (Liaison Office to the European Union), Bucharest, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Dhaka, Dubai (FI Desk), Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong (FI Desk), Istanbul, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Kiev, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Luanda, Melbourne, Milan (FI Desk), Minsk, Moscow (FI Desk), Mumbai, New York (FI Desk), Panama City, São Paulo (FI Desk), Seoul, Shanghai (FI Desk), Singapore (FI Desk), Taipei, Tashkent, Tblisi, Tokyo (FI Desk), Zagreb

The German version of this Interim Report is the authoritative version.

Disclaimer

Reservation regarding forward-looking statements

This interim report contains forward-looking statements on Commerzbank's business and earnings performance, which are based upon our current plans, estimates, forecasts and expectations. The statements entail risks and uncertainties, as there are a variety of factors which influence our business and to a great extent lie beyond our sphere of influence. Above all, these include the economic situation, the state of the financial markets worldwide and possible loan losses. Actual results and developments may, therefore, diverge considerably from our current assumptions, which, for this reason, are valid only at the time of publication. We undertake no obligation to revise our forward-looking statements in the light of either new information or unexpected events.

2019/2020 Financial calendar
7 August 2019 Interim Report as at 30 June 2019
7 November 2019 Interim Report as at 30 September 2019
End-March 2020 Annual Report 2019
Early-May 2020 Interim Report as at 31 March 2020

Commerzbank AG

Head Office Kaiserplatz Frankfurt am Main www.commerzbank.com

Postal address 60261 Frankfurt am Main Tel. + 49 69 136-20 [email protected]

Investor Relations Tel. + 49 69 136-21331 Fax + 49 69 136-29492 [email protected]