Quarterly Report • Jan 12, 2015
Quarterly Report
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Interim Group Management Report for the Period from 01. January - 31. March 2014
DF Group (the collective name "DF Group" denotes DF Deutsche Forfait AG ("DF AG" or "Company"), its subsidiaries as well as its offices and representations), specializes in foreign trade financing with a focus on the emerging markets. The company acts as an intermediary between exporters/importers, forfaiting companies or banks (as the seller of the receivable) on one hand and investors (as the buyer of the receivable) on the other hand. On the purchasing side, DF Group acquires foreign trade receivables (hereinafter briefly also referred to as "receivables") either directly from the exporter or importer (primary market) or from banks or other forfaiting companies (secondary market) which have previously acquired the receivables from an exporter or importer. On the placement side, specific receivables are sold on to investors who primarily include banks as well as, to an increasing degree, institutional investors from the nonbank segment. In its trading activities, DF Group takes advantage of the lack of transparency of the market and relies on its longstanding global network. This way, the company generates attractive margins. These are based on the different risk assessments of individual receivables by the market participants in the various geographic regions as well as on the fact that DF Group structures the receivables (e.g. by arranging credit insurance or a third-party guarantee or by splitting receivables into tranches with specific maturities) before reselling them. In addition, DF Group benefits from its long-standing market knowledge, its ability to bridge finance the trade receivables (i.e. the shortterm provision of liquidity for the seller of the receivable without having placed the respective receivable) as well as from efficient examination and settlement of the documentation.
DF´s business model is based on forfaiting, which is a classical export financing instrument. In the forfaiting business, receivables are acquired at a discount from the nominal value. This discount on the market value is calculated on the basis of the money and capital market interest rate for the equivalent term and at matching exchange rates (e.g. 6-month or 1-year LIBOR or 2-year swap rate) plus risk margin. The risk margin takes the individual risk of each transaction into account, which mainly depends on country and counterparty risks of the primary debtor (importer) and the secondary debtor (e.g. credit insurance, guaranteeing bank). The discount on the market value is additionally influenced by the complexity of the transaction including the documentation.
What makes forfaiting interesting to export-oriented companies? In view of the market saturation tendencies in the developed countries – especially the industrialized countries – the development of new markets in the world›s growth regions is of high strategic relevance for enterprises. When selling products to developing and emerging countries, exporters typically have to grant longer payment terms to importers than is usually the case with domestic buyers. This is primarily due to the fact that developing and emerging countries have underdeveloped financial systems in which financing instruments such as equipment leasing are available only to a limited extent or not at all. In particular in the case of durable capital goods, importers tend to require short to medium-term financing of the purchase price to bridge over the period until they have procured long-term finance, or they can generate the required cash flows and profits for paying the purchase price only through the long-term use of the capital good. As a result, exporters typically find themselves holding (at least short-term) trade receivables until the importer has secured a finance solution. If the importer is unable to arrange finance, the exporter is often forced to offer a long-term finance solution covering the economic service life of the capital good. In these cases, a competitive advantage can be obtained by those exporters who can offer vendor finance either from their own resources or through a third-party such as a forfaiting company. Without a forfaiting-based refinancing solution, the receivable created through the granting of a (short-term) payment term or through the arrangement of (medium to long-term) vendor finance would remain on the exporter's balance sheet. Even though receivables arising from exports to developing and emerging countries are typically secured by a local bank in the importing country, they tie up exporters' liquidity and force them to take and manage specific risks outside of their core business, which requires specific expertise. DF Group assumes these specific risks and tasks through non-recourse purchase of the receivable. The exporter receives liquidity quickly and removes the risks from the balance sheet.
Apart from forfaiting, DF Group takes over risks from its customers under purchase commitments. Unlike forfaiting, purchase commitments only involve the assumption of country and counterparty risks without providing liquidity. Purchase commitments are secured by bank guarantees, third-party counterguarantees or credit insurance in favor of DF Group, which means that the risks are placed. DF Group also purchases lease and loan receivables, which are usually sold or hedged by purchase commitments.
Investors buy foreign trade receivables because unlike synthetic financial instruments, they are based on the physical shipment of goods. The (primary) debtors are usually companies whose risk has been rated attractive since the financial crisis. Moreover, in the case of export receivables from (primary) debtors in developing and emerging countries, the credit risk of the importer (forfaiting debtor) is usually covered by a guarantee from a bank in the country of the importer or by private or government credit insurance (secondary debtor). Also, the L/C and note receivables often used in foreign trade represent abstract payment promises and are thus unrelated to the underlying transaction and potential claims resulting from them. This makes foreign trade receivables attractive to investors under risk/return aspects.
Besides Cologne-based DF AG as the ultimate parent company, DF Group comprises five wholly-owned subsidiaries. These are headquartered in Brazil (São Paulo), the Czech Republic (Prague), the USA (Miami), Pakistan (Lahore) and UAE (Dubai). The international network is complemented by branches in France (Paris) and the UK (London) as well as a partner in Italy. In the second quarter of 2013, the Helsinki/ Finland office was closed due to the lower business volume handled with the Scandinavian markets.
In addition to this broad international network of subsidiaries and branches, DF Group cooperates with external intermedia ries (collectively referred to as the "sales organization"). This sales organization ensures that DF Group has direct access to the various regional markets and allows it to perform its function as a global intermediary between the purchasing side and the placement side. It is not important for DF Group to have a presence in each individual country but to have the local markets covered by a sales organization with a regio nal presence. This gives DF Group the flexibility to respond to changing conditions in the individual local markets and to (temporarily) exit markets or develop or enter attractive mar kets quickly. The employees at the companys branches and the intermediaries have their own networks in the individual regional markets.
With the exception of the subsidiary in Prague, which is in volved in back office tasks for individual transactions as and when required, the foreign subsidiaries and offices as well as the intermediaries focus exclusively on marketing and sales activities. They are responsible for preparing the purchase as well as the placement of the foreign trade receivables. However, the decentralized sales organization is not authorized to close transactions autonomously. Thanks to this clear focus and the allocation of tasks between the sales organization and the parent company, new markets can be developed rela tively quickly and without major financial expense.
The parent company, DF AG, coordinates the sales organiza tion and is in charge of DF Group's refinancing activities, risk management, contract management and documentation as well as the final placement of transactions.
On 6 February 2014, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") placed the company on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List ("SDN list") due to alleged violations of Iran sanctions. Due to the SDN listing, the company was not allowed and unable to write USD-denominated business anywhere in the world. The company's possibilities to make payments in other currencies than the USD (including the EUR) were restricted considerably, as many banks refused to make payments to or on behalf of an SDN-listed company. The company was virtually unable to sign up or execute new business. In view of the uncertainty regarding the duration of the SDN listing on the one hand and the constraints on the company's ability to make or receive payments (which is key to acquiring receivables and selling them on), management did not consider it appropriate to invest liquidity in (new) receivables, even if those receivables would not have been denominated in USD. Also, the company was unable to, or restricted in its ability to, resell the receivables held in its books at the time of the SDN listing – in particular to the extent that they were denominated in USD.
The collection of the receivables held by the company at the time of their contractual maturity was possible only with a considerable extra time input.
The implementation of the trade finance fund and the asset backed securities (ABS ) / asset backed commercial paper (ABCP) programs has been delayed significantly by the company's SDN listing. The original plan was to implement these projects in the first half of 2014. DF Group and a renowned bank had agreed the terms and conditions for the implementation of the ABCP program as well as the criteria of the export receivables to be sold to the ABCP program. The respective term sheet had been signed, and the first utilization under the ABCP program would normally have taken place in the first quarter of 2014 if DF Group had not been put on the OFAC's SDN list on 6 February 2014. We now expect the ABCP program to be implemented in the first half of 2015.
As a consequence of its SDN listing, the company has revised its compliance system. In March 2014 the enhanced compliance system was approved by the Supervisory Board. The compliance system includes (i) the appointment of a Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the Board of Management; (ii) adjustment of the IT system, which now automatically checks whether a client – both new and existing client – features on the EU and US sanctions lists. Regular updates of our database ensure that the (new) listing of a party involved in the underlying transaction on a sanctions list will be detected also during the holding period of a receivable. This will enable DF Group to take the necessary steps. For those service providers with whom companies of the DF Group work regularly, the Compliance Officer keeps a "White List", which is updated regularly. Signing contracts and working with parties on the White List is possible without individual checks being required.
Besides the following information on the business performance and the result of operations in Q1 2014, we explicitly mention the disclosures under paragraph 3 "Post-balance sheet events" and the consequences of the OFAC listing in 2014 which occurred after the balance sheet date, due to which the financial situation of the company deteriorated materially.
DF Group closed the first quarter of 2014 with a consolidated net loss of EUR 2.7 million (Q1 2013: consolidated net income of EUR 0.5 million). This resulted from the naming of the company in the SDN list, which, as already discussed above, caused its day-to-day operations to come to an almost complete standstill in early February 2014. While the business volume for the period amounted to EUR 27.5 million (previous year: EUR 152.4 million), the gross result declined to EUR 1.0 million, compared to EUR 3.1 million in the first quarter of 2013. Administrative expenses, comprised of personnel expenses, other operating expenses and write-downs, amounted to EUR 2.9 million, up 34% on the prior-year's figures of EUR 2.2 million. This increase was caused by higher personnel expenses (+EUR 0.4 million), mainly due to changes on the Board of Management as well as other higher operating expenses (+ EUR 0.4 million), the latter primarily include the increased legal and consulting fees. Financing costs increased chiefly as a result of the bond issue in May 2013, rising from EUR 0.3 million in Q1 2013 to EUR 0.9 million.
DF Group generated negative operating cash flow of EUR 4,2 million (Q1 2013: EUR +4.5 million) in the first quarter of 2014. The negative operating cash flow is attributable to the consolidated net loss as well as a decrease in trade accounts payable. In Q1 2013 the positive cash flow resulted from changes in trade receivables.
The consolidated net loss amounting to EUR 2.7 million reduced DF Group's equity from EUR 10.2 million to EUR 7.5 million (-26%). Total assets stood at EUR 99.0 million on 31 March 2014 (previous year: EUR 107.9 million), putting the equity ratio at 8% (previous year: 9%). At EUR 51.1 million, liabilities to banks remained unchanged from yearend. Trade accounts payable reduced from the year-end level of EUR 12.8 million to EUR 8.8 million because certain payments received in a prior period were paid out in the course of the first quarter of 2014.
With regard to the changes which occurred after the balance sheet date, please refer to "Post-balance sheet events".
Trade receivables stood at EUR 81.6 million on 31 March 2014, compared to EUR 85.8 Mio. on 31 December 2013. Cash and cash equivalents declined from EUR 20.6 million at year-end to EUR 15.9 million. This reduction partly reflected the payout of previously received payments.
In terms of their nominal value, 67% (previous year: 71%), which represent most of the trade receivables, are secured. Security normally takes the form of irrevocable obligations by a buyer to acquire the respective receivable, credit insurance or a bank guarantee. Cash security is also provided in certain cases.
Performance of the DF share in the first quarter of 2014 The DF share exhibited a clearly negative performance in the first three months of 2014. Having started the year at EUR 4.05, the paper marked a 3-month high of EUR 4.32 on 13 January. In February the share price plunged, hitting EUR 2.00 at the end of the month. This was caused by the publication of the preliminary consolidated net less for the financial year 2013 because of extraordinary expenditure in the form of retrospective VAT payments for the financial years 2007 to 2013 as well as the naming of the company in the U.S. OFAC sanctions list. The DF share was unable to recover from this plunge and traded at EUR 1.40, just slightly above its 3-month low of EUR 1.30, on 31 March 2014. This meant that the share price lost 65.4% during the first quarter of 2014. The relevant stock market indices, the SDAX and the DAXsector Financial Services, rose by 5.6% and 2.0 percent, respectively, during the same period.
A total of 1,679,369 DF shares were traded (XETRA) during the first three months of 2014, which is equivalent to an average daily turnover of 27,087 shares. This means that the daily trading volume rose by 628% compared to the prior-year period.
The performance of DF Deutsche Forfait AG's corporate bond during the first quarter of 2014 was equally marked by the publication of the preliminary consolidated loss for the financial year caused by the retrospective VAT payments and the naming of the company in the U.S. OFAC sanctions list. Having traded clearly above par following its May 2013 issue, the 7-year paper with a volume totaling EUR 30 million slum ped in February 2014. On 31 March 2014 the DF bond was trading at 37.05%. The Entry Corporate Bond Index, which includes the DF bond, closed the quarter at 95.43%. All told, DF bonds with a volume of EUR 17.38 million (nominal) were traded during the first three months of 2014, which is equi valent to an average trading volume of EUR 275,905 per day.
Research coverage of DF Deutsche Forfait AG is provided by equinet Bank AG and Edison Research.
The company was removed from the SDN list by the OFAC on 16 October 2014. The removal from the SDN list without being fined confirms the company's opinion that it did not violate US sanctions law. After the removal from the sanctions list, the company is allowed to resume writing USD-denominated business. It may also fully resume its suspended business subject to compliance with US sanctions law.
Due to the considerable constraints on the operational capabilities resulting from the 249-day SDN listing, the company incurred high operational losses. In addition, there were extraordinary expenses related to consulting services sourced by the company in order to be removed from the SDN list. As a result of these burdens, the company is experiencing considerable financial distress at the time of the preparation of the balance sheet.
Due to the SDN listing, the company was not allowed and unable to write USD-denominated business anywhere in the world between 6 February 2014 and 16 October 2014. In the 2013 financial year, such transactions accounted for about 70% of the company's business. The company's possibilities to make payments in other currencies than the USD (including the EUR) were restricted considerably, as many banks refused to make payments to or on behalf of an SDN-listed company. Between 6 February 2014 and 16 October 2014, the company
The collection of the receivables held by the company at the time of their contractual maturity was possible only with a considerable extra time input. The company was able, however, to collect the receivables due without any additional discount.
Due to the company's listing on the SDN list in February 2014 and the resulting uncertainty, 16 employees terminated their employment relationships. Three employees were made redundant as part of cost-cutting measures – 2 of them back in November 2013 and 1 in August 2014. Some of the departed employees will be replaced. Changes to the work processes and efficiency increases, e.g. resulting from the introduction of a database-protected IT and workflow management system, are designed to help the company achieve its strategic and operational targets in terms of volume and profitability with a reduced headcount. It is positive to see that even after the terminations, DF Group continues to have a presence in all of the markets it considers to be of strategic importance.
The considerable constraints on the operational capabilities resulting from the 249-day OFAC listing led to losses of approx. EUR 9.0 million at Group level during the first nine months of 2014 (according to preliminary computations as of October 2014). Of this total amount, EUR 1.5 million relate to legal and consulting costs incurred as one-time expenses in conjunction with the SDN listing. According to preliminary figures, the equity capital of the parent company, DF Deutsche Forfait AG, declined to approx. EUR 2.2 million as at the end of September 2014.
In view of the removal from the SDN list, the company has started talks with its lending banks about the continuation and/or reopening of the credit lines in the amount granted prior to the SDN listing. Due to the company's SDN listing, the credit lines granted to DF Deutsche Forfait s.r.o., Prague, were terminated or not renewed by the lending banks. These credit lines have been taken over by an investor. The lending banks of DF AG have limited the utilization of the credit lines to the utilization at the time of the SDN listing. Some credit agreements have expired but are currently being continued. Due to the characteristics of the business model, it will be impossible for the company, its subsidiaries as well as its offices and representations to resume their business operations and to return to operational profitability unless the credit lines are continued and/or re-opened.
On 19 August 2014, the company asked an auditing firm to prepare an "IDW S6" expert opinion. According to this expert opinion, the following measures will be required to restructure the company:
In a final expert opinion issued on 26 November 2014, the auditors confirmed that DF Group is objectively capable of capital reorganization and that the measures launched are objectively suitable to thoroughly reorganize and restructure DF Group within a manageable timeframe.
A detailed presentation of the individual restructuring measures is provided in the Group management report for the financial year 2013.
Primrose Energy S.A., Panama City/Republic of Panama, informed us, pursuant to Sec. 21 (1) of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG) on 13 October 2014 that its voting interest in DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, fell below the thresholds of 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% on 8 October 2014 and amounted to 0% (0 voting rights) on that date.
Mr Mark West, Great Britain, informed us, pursuant to Sec. 21 (1) of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG) on 13 October 2014 that his voting interest in DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, Germany, exceeded the thresholds of 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the voting rights on 8 October 2014 and amounted to 23.26% (which corresponds to 1,581,705 voting rights) on that date.
Due to the losses incurred in 2014 as a result of the OFAC listing and the resulting reduction in equity, DF Group's riskbearing capacity has been reduced significantly. This should be taken into account with regard to the classification of the risks in the following opportunity and risk report.
A detailed presentation of the relevant opportunities and risks is provided in the Group management report for the period ended 31 December 2013.
In the 2013 financial year, 67% of DF Group business volume was denominated in USD. To avoid exchange rate risks, DF Group usually funds itself at matching currencies, i.e. purchases of USD receivables are matched by bank loans in USD. This means that only the income from the transactions is subject to an exchange rate risk. This risk is regularly monitored with the help of currency accounts. Open currency items are closed by means of spot transactions. As a result of being named in the SDN list as of early February 2014, the company was no longer able to hedge its foreign currency exposure by engaging in currency forward transactions.
Risks are classified depending on DF Group's risk-bearing capacity, which is determined by the amount of the Group's equity capital. To classify the risks, they are allocated to one of the following three categories: (i) going concern (ii) material risk (iii) relevant risk. A going concern risk is assumed to exist if a loss/damage amounting to 50% of the Group's equity capital arises. A material risk is assumed to exist if a loss/damage amounting to 50% of the going concern risk arises. A relevant risk is assumed to exist if a loss/damage amounting to 50% of the material risk arises. The following matrix shows DF Group's risk assessment:
Due to the events after the balance sheet date described under "Post-balance sheet events", DF Group's risk-bearing capacity has been reduced substantially after 31 December 2013. Contrary to the table shown, the number of going concern risks has increased. In particular, DF Group's future as a going concern is jeopardized if the following risks materialize:
| (Primary) debtor | Carrying amount of the receivable after valuation allowance |
DF Group risk assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Trading firm in Dubai, UAE |
5.7 EUR million | The nominal value of DF Group's receivable (EUR 11 million) exceeds the carrying amount by far. The legal proceedings launched against the debtor and guarantor have so far been decided in favor of DF Group by the competent courts. The debtor is a diversified trading firm which holds a leading position in the region. |
| Asian central bank | 4.2 EUR million | The legal proceedings have turned out to be lengthy; the legal validity of the claim as such is guaranteed by a renowned European bank of excellent standing. |
| Automotive supplier, Germany |
2.8 EUR million | The nominal value of the receivables (EUR 4.5 million) exceeds the carrying amount by far. DF Group's claims for recovery of the receivables are substantiated by various covenants, e.g. assignment of receivables. |
| Service provider, oil exploration, Mexico |
1.7 EUR million | The nominal value of the receivables (EUR 17 million) exceeds the carrying amount by far. The debtor filed for insolvency in May 2014. An assumed insolvency ratio of 10% would cover the carrying amount in full. |
In addition, DF Group has claims against various credit insurance firms, which also represent a going concern risk in case of failure of the insurance cover. Without pre-empting the out-come of the pending proceedings, DF Group is convinced that the risk has been mitigated sufficiently even if no individual valuation allowances have been established.
The ultimate parent company DF Deutsche Forfait AG is currently overindebted. According to the restructuring concept described in the management report, there is no risk of imminent insolvency. The ultimate parent company has received letters of intent from shareholders, bondholders and its lending banks, which are conditional on the implementation of the restructuring concept. The ultimate parent company's Board of Management is of the opinion that the going concern assumption is sufficiently substantiated. Should the capital measures described under "Post-balance sheet events" not be implemented, the ultimate parent company would no longer be able to continue as a going concern.
If the restructuring concept is implemented successfully, DF Group's risk-bearing capacity will increase again.
The restoration of the company's operational profitability hinges on the restructuring measures outlined in the "Sanierungsgutachten" report and described in detail under "Post-balance sheet events". The successful implementation of these measures forms the basis for the restoration of the business volume. After the removal from the sanctions list, this restoration will take several months. Even though the company has taken various cost-cutting measures, the typical forfaiting income is unlikely to be sufficient to cover DF Group's expenses during this time. The company's Board of Management assumes that it will take at least until the third quarter of 2015 before the company realizes a business volume that leads to a profit or at least to a balanced result. Until the restructuring concept is fully implemented in the second quarter of 2015, the operational possibilities of the company will primarily be restricted by the limited financial resources. The low equity capital will limit DF Group's riskbearing capacity during this phase. As a result, the company will execute less complex and lower-risk transactions, which are easier to place. This will have a corresponding negative effect on the margin. The Board of Management assumes that the company will generate margins similar to those generated prior to the SDN listing once the (debt and equity) capitalization reaches a sufficient level. Based on our estimates and the market feedback received so far, the company does not foresee any negative consequences of the SDN listing over the medium and long term.
As a result of the company being named on the SDN list for a large part of the financial year 2014, management expects the business volume for the full year to amount to less than EUR 50 million and anticipates reporting a significant loss in the region of EUR 12 million for 2014.
Cologne, 16th December 2014 The Board of Management
Consolidated Balance Sheet – Assets Consolidated Balance Sheet – Equity and Liabilities Consolidated Income Statement Consolidated Statement of Recognized Result Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Consolidated Statement of Equity Changes
| Assets | 31-03-2014 in EUR |
31-12-2013 in EUR |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. | Long-term assets | |||
| I. | Intangible assets | 32,085.94 | 32,082.45 | |
| II. | Tangible assets | 467,948.26 | 516,818.97 | |
| III. | Financial assets | |||
| Investments in affiliated companies | 174,972.26 | 174,972.34 | ||
| IV. | Other long-term assets | 33,560.07 | 33,555.20 | |
| V. | Deferred taxes | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| 708,566.53 | 757,428.96 | |||
| B. | Short-term assets | |||
| I. | Trade accounts and other receivables (11) |
81,565,503.59 | 85,759,087.63 | |
| II. | Tax receivables | 582,388.30 | 455,557.44 | |
| III. | Other short-term assets | 305,254.20 | 295,919.62 | |
| IV. L | iquid funds (12) |
15,877,458.49 | 20,603,046.98 | |
| 98,330,604.58 | 107,113,611.67 | |||
| Total assets | 99,039,171.11 | 107,871,040.63 |
(#) Reference to corporate notes
| Equity and Liabilities | 31-03-2014 in EUR |
31-12-2013 in EUR |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. | Equity (13) |
||||
| I. S | ubscribed capital | 6,800,000.00 | 6,800,000.00 | ||
| II. C | apital reserve | 7,359,044.50 | 7,359,044.50 | ||
| III. | Revenue reserves | ||||
| 1. | Statutory reserve | 500,000.00 | 500,000.00 | ||
| 2. | Other reserves | -4,056,792.68 | 8,500,710.36 | ||
| IV. | Adjustment item from the currency conversion | -410,726.83 | -432,335.63 | ||
| V. C | onsolidated balance sheet profit | -2,701,780.42 | -12,557,503.04 | ||
| 7,489,744.57 | 10,169,916.19 | ||||
| B. | Long-term liabilities | ||||
| 1. | Bond (14) |
28,764,284.31 | 28,727,537.85 | ||
| 2. | Liabilities to banks | 0.00 | 9,045,754.48 | ||
| 28,764,284.31 | 37,773,292.33 | ||||
| C. | Short-term liabilities | ||||
| 1. | Liabilities to banks (15) |
51,099,111.65 | 42,213,277.53 | ||
| 2. | Short-term provisions | 299,030.00 | 299,030.00 | ||
| 3. | Tax liabilities | 103,105.00 | 103,105.00 | ||
| 4. | Trade accounts and other payables | 8,768,783.57 | 12,754,812.83 | ||
| 5. | Other short-term liabilities | 2,515,112.01 | 4,557,606.75 | ||
| 62,785,142.23 | 59,927,832.11 | ||||
| Total equity and liabilities | 99,039,171.11 | 107,871,040.63 |
(#) Reference to corporate notes
| 01-01 to 31-03-2014 in EUR |
01-01 to 31-03-2013 in EUR |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Typical forfaiting income a) Forfaiting income b) Commission income c) Income from additional interest charged d) Exchange profits e) Income from the reduction of value adjustments on receivables and from the writing back of provisions for forfaiting and purchase commitments |
(6) | 1,174,068.54 225,991.25 1,534.24 143,234.10 0.00 |
3,080,057.22 505,725.99 2,011.05 1,770,799.89 0.00 |
| 1,544,828.13 | 5,358,594.15 | ||
| 2. Typical forfaiting expenditure a) Expenditure from forfaiting b) Commissions paid c) Later interest payments d) Exchange losses e) Credit insurance premiums f) Depreciation and value adjustments on receivables as well as additions to provisions for forfaiting and purchase commitments |
(7) | 0.00 190,437.82 2,971.77 231,035.93 10,456.53 75,000.00 |
0.00 421,423.17 0.00 1,716,171.00 0.00 75,000.00 |
| 509,902.05 | 2,212,594.17 | ||
| 3. Gross result | (8) | 1,034,926.08 | 3,145,999.98 |
| 4. Other operating income | 137,240.28 | 12,998.17 | |
| 5. Personnel expenses a) Wages and salaries b) Social security contributions and expenditure for pensions and social welfare |
1,253,744.31 116,909.64 |
871,285.45 126,279.10 |
|
| 6. Depreciation on tangible and intangible assets | 32,190.26 | 30,000.00 | |
| 7. Other operating expenditure | (9) | 1,539,322.64 | 1,167,238.82 |
| 8. Interest income | (10) | 11,023.00 | 39,076.80 |
| 9. Interest paid | (10) | 942,802.93 | 291,245.62 |
| 10. Profit before income tax | -2,701,780.42 | 712,025.96 | |
| 11. Income tax a) Income and earnings tax b) Deferred taxes |
0.00 0.00 |
13,593.21 226,146.00 |
|
| 12. Consolidated profit | -2,701,780.42 | 472,286.75 | |
| Average number of shares | 6,800,000 | 6,800,000 | |
| Earnings per share (diluted/undiluted) | -0.40 | 0.07 |
(#) Reference to corporate notes
| 01-01 to 31-03-2014 in EUR |
01-01 to 31-03-2013 in EUR |
|
|---|---|---|
| I. Consolidated loss/income | -2,701,780.42 | 472,286.75 |
| II. Other income Currency translation differences from the inclusion of foreign subsidiaries |
21,608.80 | -146,082.99 |
| III. Recognized result | -2,680,171.62 | 326,203.76 |
| 01-01 to 31-03-2014 in kEUR |
01-01 to 31-03-2013 in kEUR |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flow | |||
| Consolidated profit | -2,702 | 472 | |
| + | Depreciation on tangible and intangible assets | 32 | 30 |
| + | Expenses for income tax | 0 | 240 |
| + | Interest paid | 943 | 291 |
| - | Interest income | -11 | -39 |
| +/- | Result from disposal of non-current assets | 21 | 0 |
| +/- | Other transactions not affecting payments | -435 | -65 |
| +/- | Change to trade accounts receivable | 4,194 | 4,054 |
| +/- | Change to other assets (working capital) | -136 | 845 |
| +/- | Change to trade accounts payable | -3,986 | -974 |
| +/- | Change to other liabilities (working capital) | -2,019 | -138 |
| - | Paid taxes on profits | -126 | -168 |
| = Operative Cash flow | -4,226 | 4,548 | |
| - | Paid interest | -345 | -298 |
| + | Retained interest | 11 | 39 |
| = Outflow/Inflow from current business (Total 1) | -4,560 | 4,289 | |
| - | Payments for investments in long-term assets | -22 | -1 |
| + | Incoming payments from disposals of long-term assets | 18 | 0 |
| = Outflow from investment activity (Total 2) | -4 | -1 | |
| +/- | Change to financial liabilities | -160 | -9,048 |
| = Outflow from finance activity (Total 3) | -160 | -9,048 | |
| Change in financial resources affecting payments | -4,724 | -4,760 | |
| + | Liquid funds at the start of the period | 20,603 | 17,435 |
| +/- | Effects from the currency conversion | -2 | -146 |
| = | Liquid funds at the end of the period | 15,877 | 12,529 |
| - | Pledged deposits | -1,158 | -1,158 |
| = | Free liquid funds at the end of the period | 14,719 | 11,371 |
| in EUR | Subscribed capital |
Capital reserves |
Statutory reserves |
Revenue reserves |
Difference from currency conversion |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance 01-01-2014 | 6,800,000.00 | 7,359,044.50 | 500,000.00 | (4,056,792.68) | (432,335.63) | 10,169,916.19 |
| Consolidated profit | – | – | – | (2,701,780.42) | – | (2,701,780.42) |
| Other result | – | – | – | – | 21,608.80 | 21,608.80 |
| Consolidated total result | – | – | – | – | – | (2,680,171.62) |
| Balance 31-03-2014 | 6,800,000.00 | 7,359,044.50 | 500,000.00 | (6,758,573.10) | (410,726.83) | 7,489,744.57 |
| in EUR | Subscribed capital |
Capital reserves |
Statutory reserves |
Revenue reserves |
Difference from currency conversion |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance 01-01-2013 (as reported before) |
6,800,000.00 | 7,359,044.50 | 500,000.00 | 11,787,062.42 | 163,240.35 | 26,609,347.27 |
| Adjustments in accordance with IAS 8 |
– | – | – | (2,062,352.06) | – | (2,062,352.06) |
| Balance 01-01-2013 (after adjustments) |
6,800,000.00 | 7,359,044.50 | 500,000.00 | 9,724,710.36 | 163,240.35 | 24,546,995.21 |
| Consolidated profit | – | – | – | 472,286.75 | – | 472,286.75 |
| Other result | – | – | – | – | (146,082.99) | (146,082.99) |
| Consolidated total result | – | – | – | – | – | 326,203.76 |
| Balance 31-03-2013 | 6,800,000.00 | 7,359,044.50 | 500,000.00 | 10,196,997.11 | 17,157.36 | 24,873,198.97 |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Auditors' Report
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the regulations of IAS 34 ("Interim Financial Reporting"); they are not as detailed as the consolidated financial statements published on 31 December 2013. The consolidated interim financial statements dated 31 March 2014 follow the same accounting and valuation methods as the consolidated financial statements for the financial year 2013. They are consistent with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as endorsed by the European Union. They have been audited and, in the opinion of the Board of Management, fairly represent the company's assets, financial and income situation. The functional currency of the Group is euro. All figures are presented in thousands of euros (kEUR) unless otherwise stated.
The legal form of DF Deutsche Forfait AG is that of an "Aktiengesellschaft" and it is registered at Cologne Local Court (Amtsgericht) under HRB 32949. The registered office of the company is Cologne, Germany. The company's address is Kattenbug 18 - 24, 50667 Köln. DF Deutsche Forfait AG is a forfaiting company and, as such, is a financial enterprise within the definition of Section 1 (3) No. 2 KWG (German Banking Act).
In principle, the consolidated income statement is prepared according to the total expenditure method. Income and expenses are grouped by category and income and expense totals are presented to reflect the particular characteristics of a forfaiting company. The consolidated financial statements follow the structure guidelines set out in IAS 1.
On 6 February 2014, DF AG, DF Deutsche Forfait Americas Inc. and Mr Ulrich Wippermann as Special Designated Nationals were listed on the sanctions list of the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), an agency of the US Department of Treasury. The designation was based on the allegation that DF AG, DF Deutsche Forfait Americas Inc. and Mr Ulrich Wippermann violated trade sanctions against Iran as they "provide or attempt to provide financial or material support for and/or act or purport to act for or on behalf of National Iranian Oil Company".
Due to the considerable constraints on the operational capabilities resulting from the SDN listing, the company incurred high operational losses. In addition, there were extraordinary expenses related to consulting services sourced by the company in order to be removed from the SDN list. As a result of these burdens, the company is in financial trouble at the time of the preparation of the balance sheet. For more information on this aspect, see the interim Group management report for the period ended 31 March 2014 as well as paragraph 17 of these consolidated notes.
Deferred tax assets from temporary differences may not be recognized if it is not sufficiently probable that taxable results will be available against which the deductible temporary differences can be utilized (IAS 12.27). For this reason, no deferred tax assets are recognized for the loss incurred in the reporting period (IAS 12.34 et seq.).
On 12 February 2014, DF AG filed tax returns for value-added tax for the period from 2007 to 2013 with the Cologne tax office. The insight about the company's VAT obligation with regard to individual services/goods sourced from foreign companies was gained in conjunction with the examination of the value-added tax treatment of a debt collection performed for the first time in 2013 for a domestic customer. On the occasion of this transaction, DF AG decided to review all transactions which do not form part of the VAT-exempt forfaiting business for their VAT obligation. The result of the analyses, which were initially carried out internally and which have since November 2013 been conducted with external assistance, is that DF AG failed to declare and pay value-added tax for certain services sourced abroad in accordance with applicable VAT regulations (reverse charge procedure). In this context, the company had to make a retroactive payment of value-added tax in the amount of EUR 2.2 million plus interest on the value-added tax of EUR 0.2 million.
In accordance with IAS 8.41 f, this accounting error was retrospectively corrected in the consolidated financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2013. In the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the comparative period from 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013, the correction is shown as an adjustment effective 1 January 2013.
The following standards and interpretations have to be applied as of 1 January 2014:
To the extent that these new or amended standards are relevant at all, they have no material or qualitative implications on the reporting for the interim consolidated financial statements as of 31 March 2014.
The interim consolidated financial statements include the subsidiaries DF Deutsche Forfait s.r.o., Prague/Czech Republic, and Deutsche Kapital Ltd., Dubai/United Arab Emirates. Deutsche Kapital Ltd. was founded by the company in April 2013 and was initially consolidated with effect from 30 June 2013.
As subsidiaries DF Deutsche Forfait Americas, Inc., Miami /USA, DF Deutsche Forfait do Brasil Ltda, São Paulo/Brazil, DF Deutsche Forfait Pakistan (Private) Limited, Lahore/Pakistan, and Deutsche Forfait West Africa Limited, Accra/Ghana, are not included in the interim consolidated financial statements. The non-consolidated subsidiaries are of secondary importance for the interim consolidated financial statements as of 31 March 2014, both individually and collectively, and do not influence the true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and the profit or loss presented in the consolidated financial statements.
The interim financial statements of the consolidated companies presented in a foreign currency are translated on the basis of functional currency (IAS 21 "The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates") using the modified closing rate procedure.
The functional currency of the subsidiaries is essentially identical to the company's local currency. Therefore, in the interim consolidated financial statements, the income and expenses from the financial statements of the subsidiaries, which are prepared in a foreign currency, are translated at the annual average rate; assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate.
The exchange rates on which translation into euros is based on correspond to the euro reference rates published by the European Central Bank and are as follows:
| Closing rate | Average rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-03-2014 | 31-12-2013 | Q 1 2014 | Q 1 2013 | ||
| Czech Koruna | 27,4420 | 27,4270 | 27,4410 | 25,5660 | |
| US Dollar | 1,3788 | 1,3791 | 1,3697 | - |
Portfolio income earned in each period and trading income generated at the time of sale (the difference between the carrying amount and the market value of a receivable) are recorded as forfaiting income. Forfaiting expenses are only incurred if the market value calculated at the time of sale falls below the carrying amount.
Typical forfaiting income is as follows:
| Typical forfaiting income in kEUR | 01-01 - 31-03-2014 | 01-01 - 31-03-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Forfaiting income | 1,174 | 3,080 |
| Commission Income | 226 | 506 |
| Income from additional interest charged | 2 | 2 |
| Exchange rate gains | 143 | 1,771 |
| Total | 1,545 | 5,359 |
The amount of typical forfaiting income generated in the first quarter of 2014 reflects the fact that, due to the SDN listing, the company was not allowed and unable to write USD-denominated business anywhere in the world after 6 February 2014. In the 2013 financial year, such transactions accounted for about 70% of the company's business. The company's possibilities to make payments in other currencies than the USD (including the EUR) were restricted considerably, as many banks refused to make payments to or on behalf of an SDN-listed company. The company was effectively unable to sign up or execute any new business. Moreover, in view of the uncertainty regarding the duration of the SDN listing, it did not seem advisable to engage in new transactions, which would tie up the company's liquidity. There was a risk, among other things, that the banks involved in these payments would freeze or reject payments associated with new transactions. Also, the company was unable to, or restricted in its ability to, resell the receivables held in its books at the time of the SDN listing - in particular to the extent that they were denominated in USD.
Due to the terms and conditions of the transactions handled by the company, forfaiting income has increased, with commission income declining at the same time. Exchange gains – and correspondingly losses − fell due to low exchange rate volatility and the reduced number of foreign currency transactions in the reporting period. Total exchange rate income and expense had little impact on the gross result.
Typical forfaiting expenses break down as follows:
| Typical forfaiting expenses in kEUR | 01-01 - 31-03-2014 | 01-01 - 31-03-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Forfaiting expenses | - | - |
| Commission expenses | 190 | 422 |
| Expenses from additional interest charged | 3 | - |
| Exchange losses | 231 | 1,716 |
| Credit insurance premiums | 11 | - |
| Depreciation and value adjustments on receivables as well as additions to provisions for forfaiting and purchase |
75 | 75 |
| Total | 510 | 2,213 |
The decrease in typical forfaiting income caused by the circumstances discussed above also entailed a substantial decline in expenses in the reporting period. Exchange losses declined due to low exchange rate volatility and the reduced number of foreign currency transactions; exchange gains decreased substantially at the same time.
Gross result is the difference between typical forfaiting income and expenses.
| Gross result in kEUR | 01-01 - 31-03-2014 | 01-01 - 31-03-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Net forfaiting | 1,174 | 3,080 |
| Net commission | 36 | 84 |
| Income from additional interest charged | (1) | 2 |
| Profit (loss) on exchange rate gains and losses | (88) | 55 |
| Net valuation in forfaiting business | (75) | (75) |
| 1,046 | 3,146 | |
| Less credit insurance premiums | (11) | - |
| Total | 1,035 | 3,146 |
Since they are almost exclusively based on refinancing for forfaiting transactions, the financial results have to be considered in order to evaluate the success of a forfaiting company (see note 8).
Other operating expenses break down as follows:
| Other operating expenses in kEUR | 01-01 -31-03-2013 | 01-01 - 31-03-2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal and consultation fees, costs of preparing statements | 708 | 237 |
| Administrative expenses/cooperation partners | 291 | 525 |
| Cost of premise (rental and cleaning costs) | 80 | 84 |
| Travel expenses | 48 | 74 |
| Payment transaction fees | 47 | 25 |
| Telephone, postage and Internet connection charges | 26 | 25 |
| Vehicle costs | 13 | 20 |
| Insurances, fees, contributions | 49 | 25 |
| Miscellaneous other expenses | 277 | 152 |
| Total | 1,539 | 1,167 |
The rise in legal and consulting expenses mainly reflects the additional expenses incurred in connection with the OFAC listing. Administrative expenses for cooperation partners also include expenses for the office in London and for the subsidiaries in São Paulo and Lahore.
The financial results break down as follows:
| Financial results in KEUR | 01-01 - 31-03-2014 | 01-01 - 31-03-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Interest income from banks | - | - |
| Interest income from receivables | 11 | 39 |
| Total interest income | 11 | 39 |
| Interest expense payable to banks | 317 | 291 |
| Other interest expense | 626 | - |
| Total interest expense | 943 | 291 |
| Net interest = financial results | (932) | (252) |
Other interest expenses include interest in the amount of kEUR 619 accrued until 31 March 2014 for the bond issued in May 2013.
Trade receivables comprise the receivables purchased in the context of the forfaiting business as well as other receivables. They also include excesses of receivables covered by credit insurance which cannot be sold under the terms of insurance. Receivables decreased from kEUR 85,759 on 31 December 2013 to kEUR 81,566 on 31 March 2014.
The maximum default risk on the purchased trade receivables at the respective reporting dates was as follows:
| In kEUR | 31-03-2014 | 31-12-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal value of trade receivables | 87,712 | 92,134 |
| – Discount deduction | (956) | (1,367) |
| + Other receivables | 5,384 | 5,491 |
| = Gross book value before adjustments | 92,140 | 96,258 |
| – Value adjustments | (10,574) | (10,499) |
| = Book Vaule = maximum default risk | 81,566 | 85,759 |
| – Sold receivables | (6,607) | (19,580) |
| – Receivables / Partial payment was made | - | (1,000) |
| – Bank securities (e.g. guarantees) | (12,120) | (12,120) |
| – Cash securities | (5,098) | (5,097) |
| – Credit insurances | (35,187) | (33,108) |
| + Twin securities | 781 | 1,352 |
| = Securities | (58,231) | (69,553) |
| = Unsecured maximum default risk | 23,335 | 16,206 |
Default risk is actively controlled as part of the risk management activities. DF Group limits this risk by means of a limit system that includes country and counterparty limits.
Financial instruments in the "loans and receivables" category are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments which are not listed in an active market. The carrying amounts of trade receivables (loans and receivables ("LaR"), measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method less potential impairments) have short remaining maturities and approximate the fair value. Financial assets recognized at fair value through profit/loss comprise financial assets held for trading ("HfT"). Gains and losses are recognized in the result for the period at the time of derecognition or impairment of loans and receivables.
| Book value of financial instruments in KEUR | Measurement category |
Book value | Fair Value | Book value | Fair Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| under IAS 39 | 31-03-2014 | 31-03-2014 | 31-12-2013 | 31-12-2013 | |
| Trade accounts receivables | LaR | 75,407 | 75,407 | 66,179 | 66,179 |
| Trade accounts receivables | HfT | 6,159 | 6,159 | 19,580 | 19,580 |
The item exclusively concerns bank deposits with a maturity of up to three months. DF Group's cash and cash equivalents decreased from kEUR 20,603 on 31 December 2013 by kEUR 4,726 to kEUR 15,877 on 31 March 2014. Some cash and cash equivalents are denominated in euros and cannot be used to pay off short-term liabilities to banks in foreign currencies, as these liabilities are mainly used to refinance USD receivables in the same currency.
Changes in equity are reported in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. Equity declined by kEUR 2,680 to kEUR 7,490 on 31 March 2014. The equity ratio decreased from 9.4% on 31 December 2013 to 7.6% on 31 March 2014.
The bond issued by DF Deutsche Forfait AG is shown as "other liability" under non-current liabilities (IAS 32.11). The 7-year bond has a nominal amount of EUR 30 million, which is equivalent to the repayment amount, and carries a nominal coupon of 7.875% p.a.
The bond was initially recognized at the time of addition and net of transaction expenses (IAS 39.9, 39.A13) at the fair value (IAS 39.43). As of 31 March 2014, the financial liability was measured at amortized cost in the amount of kEUR 28,764 using the effective interest rate method (IAS 39.47). Total interest expenses in the reporting period amounted to kEUR 619 and are recognized in the income statement under interest expenses.
Liabilities to banks declined from kEUR 51,259 as of 31 December 2013 to kEUR 51,099 as of 31 March 2014. Liabilities to banks shown under non-current liabilities as of 31 December 2013 are also included in this amount.
DF Group controls its business by using risk groups based on forfaiting volume. They are assigned according to the original debtor of each receivable. Countries are assigned to a risk group according to their external ratings. Risk group I is for countries with the highest credit rating and risk group V for countries with the lowest credit rating.
| Forfaiting volume in EUR million | 01-01 – 31-03-2014 | 01-01 – 31-03-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Risk group I | 8,0 | 56,0 |
| Risk group II | 0,0 | 1,0 |
| Risk group III | 7,8 | 37,3 |
| Risk group IV | 0,0 | 1,8 |
| Risk group V | 11,7 | 56,3 |
| Total | 27,5 | 152,4 |
In addition, the forfaiting volume is divided by region:
| Forfaiting volume in EUR million | 01-01 – 31-03-2014 | 01-01 – 31-03-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 12,9 | 0,9 |
| Asia | 2,6 | 50,3 |
| Europe | 10,3 | 92,4 |
| North America | - | - |
| South- and Central America | 1,7 | 8,8 |
| Total | 27,5 | 152,4 |
In addition to liabilities, provisions and contingent liabilities, there are other financial obligations, particularly from forfaiting and purchase commitments. Other financial obligations are as follows:
| Other financial obligations in kEUR | 31-03-2014 | 31-12-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| From forfaiting commitments | 14,249 | 30,039 |
| From purchase commitments | 1,023 | 2,246 |
| Total | 15,272 | 32,285 |
Other financial obligations arising from forfaiting and purchase commitments are adequately secured. The following is a comparison of securities, at nominal value, with other financial obligations, at nominal value:
| Securities in kEUR | 31-03-2014 | 31-12-2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Other financial obligations | 15,272 | 32,285 |
| – Receivable sold: the receivable is resold after it is purchased by the DF Group. The purchaser is already legally obliged vis-à-vis the DF Group to purchase the reseibable. |
6,158 | 15,556 |
| – Underlying receivable paid or the sale invoiced | - | 1,912 |
| – Deal was cancelled | - | - |
| – Bank securities (e.g. guarantees) | - | - |
| – Cash collateralisation | 3,960 | - |
| – Credit securities | 2,738 | 11,410 |
| – Party providing security is a company (e.g. counterguarantees of forfaiting companies) |
230 | - |
| – Other securities | - | - |
| = Securities | 13,086 | 28,878 |
| Other financial obligations after deduction of securities | 2,186 | 3,407 |
Primrose Energy S.A., Panama City/Republic of Panama, is considered a company with significant influence on DF Group for the reporting period as defined in IAS 24.
No transactions between DF Group and Primrose Energy S.A. as well as Dr. Shahab Manzouri occurred during the reporting period.
On 16 October 2014, DF AG and DF Deutsche Forfait Americas Inc. were removed from the sanctions list without having to pay a fine. No violations of US sanctions law were identified. In conjunction with the OFAC listing, legal and consultation expenses of about EUR 1.5 million were incurred in the first nine months of the 2014 financial year.
Florian Becker resigned from the Supervisory Board of DF Deutsche Forfait AG with effect from 12 June 2014.
After 31 December 2013, the Group's headcount declined from 61 to 42 in October 2014. 17 people work in Trade/Sales, 9 in Contract Management, 7 in Controlling/Accounting and 9 in Internal Administration.
Mr Ulrich Wippermann, Bonn, notified us in accordance with Sec. 21 (1) of the Securities Trading Act (WpHG) on 15 August 2014 that his voting interest in DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, Germany, fell below the threshold of 3% of the voting rights on 13 March 2014 and amounted to 2.99% (which corresponds to 203,900 voting rights) on that date.
Primrose Energy S.A., Panama City, Republic of Panama, notified us in accordance with Sec. 21 (1) of the Securities Trading Act (WpHG) on 13 October 2014 that its voting interest in DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, Germany, fell below the thresholds of 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% and 3% of the voting rights on 8 October 2014 and amounted to 0% (which corresponds to 0 voting rights) on that date.
In a correction to a previous publication of 13 October 2013, Dr. Shahab Manzouri, Great Britain, notified us in accordance with Sec. 21 (1) of the Securities Trading Act (WpHG) on 16 October 2014 that his voting interest in DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, Germany, fell below the thresholds of 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% and 3% of the voting rights on 8 October 2014 and amounted to 0% (which corresponds to 0 voting rights) on that date.
Mr Mark West, Great Britain, notified us in accordance with Sec. 21 (1) of the Securities Trading Act (WpHG) on 13 October 2014 that his voting interest in DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, Germany, exceeded the thresholds of 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the voting rights on 8 October 2014 and amounted to 23.62% (which corresponds to 1,581,705 voting rights) on that date.
In an ad-hoc announcement pursuant to Sec. 15 WpHG dated 22 August 2014, DF Deutsche Forfait AG announced that it had been informed by its auditor BDO AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, on 22 August 2014 that an adverse opinion was issued by the auditor in respect of the company's consolidated and separate financial statements for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2013.
In an ad-hoc announcement pursuant to Sec. 15 WpHG dated 29 August 2014, DF Deutsche Forfait AG announced that, during the preparation of the monthly balance sheet for July 2014 and the extrapolation of the monthly result for August 2014, the Board of Management noticed that DF Deutsche Forfait AG incurred a loss in the amount of half the company's share capital. The company's separate financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB), form the relevant basis for the calculation of the loss.
On 5 September 2014, DF Deutsche Forfait Aktiengesellschaft announced the convening of an extraordinary Annual General Meeting on 14 October 2014 in order to report a loss in the amount of half of the share capital pursuant to Sec. 92 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).
The revised consolidated financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2013 were prepared and endorsed for publication by the Board of Management, on 1 December 2014 and were submitted to the Supervisory Board for approval during its meeting on 4 December 2014.
Cologne, 16 December 2014
The Board of Management
We have reviewed the condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the DF Deutsche Forfait Aktiengesellschaft, Köln, comprising the condensed balance sheet, condensed income statement, condensed statement of comprehensive income, condensed cash flow statement, condensed statement of changes in equity and selected explanatory notes, together with the interim Group management report of the DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, for the period from1 January 2014 until 31 March 2014, that are part of the quarterly financial reports pursuant to Section 37x (3) WpHG (German Securities Trading Act). The preparation of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with those IFRS applicable to interim financial reporting as adopted by the EU, and of the interim Group management reports, is the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to issue a report on the condensed interim consolidated financial statements and on the interim Group management report based on our review.
We completed our review of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the interim Group management report based on German principles for financial reporting review engagements established by the IDW ("Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer", German institute of auditors). According to these principles, a review engagement must be planned and carried out so that, based on a critical appraisal, we can be reasonably certain that the condensed interim consolidated financial statements comply with the IFRS principles for interim reporting as they apply to the EU in all material respects and that the interim Group management report complies with the WpHG (German Securities Trading Act) regulations as they apply to interim group management reports in all material respects. A review engagement is mainly limited to interviews with company employees and an analytical evaluation, which means it does not result in the same level of certainty attained by an audit. Since we were not engaged to complete an audit, we are not issuing an audit opinion.
During our review engagement, we did not become aware of any information that would indicate that the condensed interim consolidated financial statements of DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne do not comply with the IFRS principles for interim reporting as they apply to the EU in all material respects or that the interim Group management report does not comply with the WpHG (German Securities Trading Act) regulations as they apply to interim group management reports in all material respects.
Without qualifying this opinion, we point out that the continued existence of the parent company, DF Deutsche Forfait AG, Cologne, and, hence, of DF Deutsche Forfait AG Group is jeopardized by risks which are described in the interim Group management report under "Classification of risks and summary risk assessment". The information provided there shows that the ultimate parent company is currently overindebted and that the continued existence of the ultimate parent company and DF Deutsche Forfait AG Group will depend on the full implementation of the planned restructuring concept. The information provided in this section also points to existing counterparty risks in relation to overdue receivables as well as risks relating to the legal enforceability of claims against credit insurance firms which may jeopardize the continued existence of the ultimate parent company as well as the Group.
Warth & Klein Grant Thornton AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
| Mauermeier | Schuster |
|---|---|
| Auditor | Auditor |
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