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Sydbank Audit Report / Information 2023

Feb 28, 2024

3387_rns_2024-02-28_17c98e54-d588-4473-8165-8444299e218a.pdf

Audit Report / Information

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Credit Risk

2023

Sydbank Group

Sydbank


Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Contents

Introduction 4
Credit and customer policy 5
Rating 6
Industry breakdown 16
Focus on agriculture 17
Focus on retail clients 18
Concentration 20
Collateral 22
Impairment charges 24
Exposures affected by macroeconomic uncertainty 25
Financial counterparties 26
Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables 27
Appendix 2 – Glossary 35

The Credit Risk report for 2023 is available in Danish at sydbank.dk and in English at sydbank.com. In case of doubt the Danish version applies.


Introduction

Credit risk is the risk of loss as a result of the non-performance by customers and other counterparties of their payment obligations to the Group. Credit risk concerns loans, credit commitments and guarantees as well as market values of derivatives and any holdings.

The most significant credit risks in the Group relate to the Group's loans and advances and guarantees issued to retail and corporate clients. The main focus of this report is a description of the lending and guarantee portfolio which may be compared with loans and advances and guarantees in the 2023 Annual Report.

The correlation between the gross exposure, as shown in "Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables", and loans and advances and guarantees in the 2023 Annual Report is shown in the table opposite.

Appendix 2 explains some of the terms used in this report.

Gross exposure – credit risk

DKKm 2023 2022
Loans and advances at fair value 16,743 10,490
Loans and advances at amortised cost 74,535 73,933
Loans and advances according to financial statements 91,278 84,423
Loans and advances to municipalities (38) (76)
Guarantees issued by government and institutions (2,138) (2,689)
Undrawn credit commitments 58,899 52,981
Derivatives 705 801
Repo (deposits) 3,392 1,104
Contingent liabilities etc 17,365 17,308
Gross exposure to retail and corporate clients 169,463 153,852
Governments, incl municipalities 22,739 29,609
Credit institutions 9,450 9,465
Gross exposure – credit risk 201,652 192,926

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Credit and customer policy

The Group's overall credit risk is managed according to policies and limits determined and adopted by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors lays down the general framework for lending and the largest exposures are submitted on a regular basis to the Board of Directors for approval or information.

Employees with a lending authority may grant approvals. Such authority is adjusted to the employee's position. The lending authority is risk-based, ie a higher risk means reduced lending authority.

Corporate clients

As a rule corporate clients are served by the regional head office or by special corporate departments. The Group's largest and most complex exposures are handled by Corporate & Institutional Banking. The objective is that all small corporate exposures with satisfactory credit quality are approved at regional level. Medium-size and major exposures are approved centrally by Credits, the Group Executive Management or the Board of Directors.

The Group's credit-related decisions are based on a systematic and structured review of the customer's circumstances and industry affiliation. The review is based on all accessible information, including industry analyses and financial analyses, and also comprises an assessment of the customer's forward-looking business plan and its risk and feasibility.

Retail clients

Lending to retail clients is based on the customer's disposable amount, wealth and leverage (defined as total household debt divided by household personal income) as well as knowledge of the customer.

The objective is that the majority of retail client exposures are approved by the customer's branch and that the remaining client exposures are approved by specially appointed heads of credit. Consequently exposures where the customer has negative assets of more than DKK 100,000 are approved by heads of credit. Major exposures and exposures with an increased risk are reviewed centrally by Credits.

Credit activities

Credit activities are conducted partly in the retail and corporate departments and partly centrally in Credits. As described below, the Group has developed rating models to assess risks to retail clients and corporate clients.

The Group's credit activities are an active element in the Group's efforts to increase its income by:

  • Maintaining and increasing the portfolio of profitable and promising retail, corporate and investment clients
  • Maintaining and increasing customers' business volume with the Group through a balanced composition of:
  • loans and advances and guarantees
  • deposits
  • payment services transactions
  • trading in securities etc
  • financial instruments
  • Avoiding/reducing risk of loss by implementing action plans for weak exposures. These action plans involve reducing the Group's exposure as well as hedging risks by securing additional collateral.

Risks in connection with lending must be precalculated on an informed and well-founded basis.

The Group's credit exposure is in particular to customers in Denmark and Northern Germany.

Particular focus is given to weak exposures. The objective is to ensure that the Group's action plans for these exposures are monitored, evaluated and adjusted on an ongoing basis to reduce the risk of loss.

Moreover Credits has a department which is assigned to exposures with a significant risk of loss. These exposures are closely monitored and Credits is actively involved in preparing solutions to mitigate the Group's credit risk.

On the basis of a risk-based approach Credit Control ensures that procedures and lending authorities are complied with as well as checks the Bank's systems and business procedures in the credit area. Moreover Credit Control, which is a separate department, follows up that any errors detected are corrected and reports to the Bank's management about its activities.

Risk Follow-up

Risk Follow-up is part of the division Risk.

Risk Follow-up monitors the most significant risks in the credit area. Monitoring is based on an assessment as to whether the Group's internal control system as regards the credit area is adequate and whether the Group has business procedures describing the internal control system in the credit area. In addition monitoring of risks in the credit area is based on supplementary analyses, research and controls of the credit quality of exposures, registrations, impairment calculations as well as the compliance with policies and business procedures in general.

This process involves research and analyses using information from the Group's database of all exposures.

Finally Risk Follow-up is tasked with assessing the data quality of the data used in the Group's IRB models.

Credit Risk 2023
Sydbank


Rating

The Group has developed rating models to manage credit risks to retail and corporate clients. The overriding objective is to constantly monitor the financial circumstances of a customer and to identify as early as possible any financial difficulties.

The models are developed for the purpose of reflecting the Group's credit processes and complying with legislation in force issued by the EU and the EBA. The Group has models for the risk parameters PD, LGD and EAD as regards the Group's retail clients and corporate clients.

PD represents the probability that the customer will default on his obligations to the Group within the next 12 months.

LGD represents the proportion of a given exposure that is expected to be lost if the customer defaults on his obligations within the next 12 months.

EAD represents the expected size of an exposure, ie how much a customer is expected to have drawn on the granted credit facilities at the time of default. In order to calculate EAD a conversion factor (CF) is estimated for the purpose of converting undrawn credit commitments to expected EAD.

The risk parameters are included in the calculation of a number of important internal ratios and key figures concerning the Group's exposure portfolio, including expected loss (EL).

Expected loss (EL) is calculated as follows: EAD x PD x LGD.

The models constitute a vital management tool in the Group's credit process in connection with eg:

  • The targeting of sales activities, including pricing
  • The assessment and determination of lending authority
  • The review and follow-up of the risk of loans and credit commitments
  • The calculation of impairment charges as regards facilities without objective evidence of credit impairment (OECI)

In addition the Group's models are used in connection with the calculation of the Group's Pillar I capital requirement.

Today the Group uses the advanced IRB approach to calculate the capital requirement as regards retail and corporate exposures.

On the basis of the rating models, customers are assigned to rating categories 1-10 where rating category 1 represents the best credit quality and rating category 10 represents the category of customers who have defaulted on their obligations to the Group.

Customers are rated in the 2 independent models described below and all models are based on statistical processing of customer data for the purpose of classifying customers according to their probability of default within the next 12 months.

Corporate

The corporate client model is based partly on accounting data and partly on financial conduct and is supplemented by appraisals made by the credit officer and/or account manager of the customer's current strength profile as well as an industry analysis. It is possible on the basis of a specific assessment to override a rating. All overrides must be approved by the Bank's credit committee. As regards the largest customers, ie exposures exceeding 1% of the Group's total capital, calculated ratings are assessed by Credits at least twice a year. In 2023 the Group obtained approval by the Danish FSA to include corporate exposures acquired from Alm. Brand Bank in the IRB approach.

Retail

The retail client model is based primarily on account behaviour. On the basis of this data and inherent statistical correlations, customers are rated according to their probability of default vis-à-vis the Group within the next 12 months.

Exposures outside rating models

The Group has no internal rating model to assess risk as regards credit institutions, public authorities (governments, regions and municipalities) and a few specific portfolios as regards corporate clients and retail clients. The Danish FSA has approved the Group's use of the standardised approach to calculate the risk exposure amount concerning these exposures.

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Loans and advances and guarantees by rating category

DKKm Corporate Retail Total 2023 2022
Loans/ advances Guarantees % Loans/ advances Guarantees % Loans/ advances Guarantees % %
1 6,583 199 9.5 5,398 3,915 45.4 11,981 4,114 17.5 16.2
2 19,729 3,941 33.2 2,368 1,447 18.6 22,097 5,388 29.9 30.3
3 8,690 1,267 14.0 2,061 948 14.7 10,751 2,215 14.1 14.2
4 14,111 1,214 21.5 820 371 5.8 14,931 1,585 18.0 20.7
5 7,823 664 11.9 659 285 4.6 8,482 949 10.3 7.7
6 1,971 82 2.9 188 80 1.3 2,159 162 2.5 2.5
7 1,764 281 2.8 79 28 0.5 1,843 309 2.4 2.0
8 316 26 0.5 64 21 0.4 380 47 0.5 0.6
9 944 81 1.4 314 81 1.9 1,258 162 1.5 1.7
Default 1,026 89 1.6 112 21 0.7 1,138 110 1.4 1.5
STD/NR 264 226 0.7 989 254 6.1 1,253 480 1.9 2.6
Total 63,221 8,070 100.0 13,052 7,451 100.0 76,273 15,521 100.0 100.0
Impairment of loans and advances 1,412 326 1,738
Total 61,809 8,070 12,726 7,451 74,535 15,521
2023 (%) 82.9 52.0 17.1 48.0 100.0 100.0
2022 (%) 80.9 48.5 19.1 51.5 100.0 100.0

The table above shows that corporate loans and advances (including loans and advances to public authorities) account for 82.9% (2022: 80.9%) of total loans and advances, and retail loans and advances constitute 17.1% (2022: 19.1%).

78.2% (2022: 80.3%) of the Group's corporate loans and advances and guarantees are rated in categories 1-4 and 84.5% (2022: 84.8%) of the Group's retail loans and advances are rated in categories 1-4.

Default

According to the Group's rating system, a customer is in default if at least one of the following events has occurred:

  • A write-off has been recorded as regards the customer
  • The customer has at least one non-accrual credit facility
  • An impairment charge/provision has been registered in connection with the customer and a loss must be regarded as the most likely
  • The exposure is being treated as non-performing
  • The exposure has been significantly overdrawn for more than 90 consecutive days
  • Distressed restructuring has been granted

Exposures in default are classified as stage 3.

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Rating

Validation

Risk parameters are monitored and validated on an ongoing basis relative to the Group's business procedures, which reflect best practice, as well as requirements from the Danish FSA, the EU and the EBA.

The validation process includes an assessment of:

  • Model ability to rank customers by default risk and loss risk
  • Realised values compared with expected values (backtesting)
  • Data quality
  • Representativity
  • Model application
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements

The backtest of the corporate client rating model for the period 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 shows the following:

Rating Number Number of real-ised defaults Number of estimated defaults
1 181 0 0
2 6,118 3 8
3 4,901 8 20
4 3,459 11 31
5 2,738 35 66
6 772 9 32
7 468 24 29
8 226 10 24
9 705 82 137
Total 19,568 182 347

The table shows that the model is prudent overall as the number of defaults is 48% (2022: 28%) lower than the number of estimated defaults. Moreover it can be noted that, distributed by rating category, the model is prudent.

The backtest of the retail client rating model for the period 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 shows the following:

Rating Number Number of real-ised defaults Number of estimated defaults
1 60,164 11 20
2 16,518 4 7
3 15,164 23 34
4 5,230 14 28
5 5,099 13 54
6 1,513 15 37
7 961 14 40
8 4,250 61 253
9 3,137 120 295
Total 112,036 275 768

The total number of retail client defaults is 64% (2022: 73%) below the estimated number. The primary reason is found in rating categories 7–9 where the Group's PD estimates were very prudent during the period compared to the realised default rates.

It is expected that the estimates are prudent. It is the assessment that overall and by individual rating category the model is very prudent, in particular as regards rating categories 8 and 9.

The table below shows the average PD for solvency purposes used to calculate the Group's risk exposure amount as well as the realised annual default rates for 2019 to 2023.

| %
Year | Corporate | | Retail | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | PD solvency
1 Jan | Realised default rate | PD solvency
1 Jan | Realised default rate |
| 2023 | 1.78 | 0.93 | 0.68 | 0.25 |
| 2022 | 1.69 | 1.21 | 0.75 | 0.20 |
| 2021 | 2.15 | 1.01 | 0.72 | 0.22 |
| 2020 | 2.61 | 1.75 | 0.90 | 0.38 |
| 2019 | 2.77 | 2.38 | 0.94 | 0.43 |

The realised default rates as well as the PD estimate for solvency purposes have declined during the period from 2019 to 2023. It can be noted that corporate exposures saw a small increase in 2022 and retail exposures a small increase in 2023.

The Group anticipates that under normal economic conditions the PD estimates for solvency purposes are prudent compared to the realised default rates.

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


The following 2 figures show PD for solvency purposes and the realised default rate since 2015. As can be seen, PD for solvency purposes is typically higher than the realised default rate as regards both portfolios.

img-0.jpeg
Probability of default – corporate clients

The period 1 January 2015 – 30 September 2022 is based on estimates made on the basis of a new model.

img-1.jpeg
Probability of default – retail clients

Loss given default (LGD)

LGD is defined as the proportion of a given exposure that is expected to be lost if the customer defaults within the next 12 months.

The size of LGD will vary depending on the category of the borrower as well as the realisable value of any collateral or other type of hedging.

As regards retail clients the Group uses its own estimates of the realisable value of collateral and of the loss on the unsecured part of the exposure.

The realisable value reflects the market value of collateral net of:

  • The expected state of assets provided that the exposure is non-performing
  • The expected decline in asset values during a recession

  • The transferability of the collateral

  • Model uncertainty

Loss given default (LGD) – corporate clients

The table below shows the average estimated and realised LGD of corporate clients in default from 2019 to 2023.

Loss given default – corporate clients %
Year Estimated Realised
2023 39 67
2022 38 39
2021 36 21
2020 37 16
2019 39 14

Comparing estimated and realised LGD rates is difficult as the estimated values reflect the percentage of the loss of the original exposure when the loss has been finally determined and repayments on the exposure can no longer occur. As regards virtually all exposures in default, this period lasts several years and quite often substantial payments are recorded several years after the exposure was in default.

For instance the level realised was higher than the level estimated in 2022 and 2023. The number of open cases from which dividend can continue to be obtained via payments was high in both years.

It is the assessment that the model's ability to rank and estimate loss rates guarantees a prudent basis for calculating the capital requirement as regards exposures to corporate clients.

Loss given default (LGD) – retail clients

The table below shows the average estimated and realised LGD of retail clients in default from 2019 to 2023.

Loss given default – retail clients %
Year Estimated Realised
2023 76 72
2022 74 50
2021 74 45
2020 76 38
2019 75 45

For the same reason as for corporate clients it is difficult to calculate estimated and realised LGD rates.

It is the assessment that the model's ability to rank and estimate loss rates guarantees a prudent basis for calculating the capital requirement as regards exposures to retail clients.

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Rating

Conversion factor (CF)

As regards exposures with undrawn credit commitments, a conversion factor is estimated indicating the expected utilisation of an undrawn credit commitment at the time of default. EAD is then calculated as the amount already drawn plus expected additional drawings until default.

The Group uses own-CF estimates as regards retail clients and corporate clients.

Conversion factor – corporate clients

The table below shows the average estimated and realised conversion factors for undrawn credit commitments of corporate clients in default from 2019 to 2023.

Conversion factor – corporate clients %

Year Estimated Realised
2023 37 34
2022 40 34
2021 39 29
2020 40 33
2019 45 34

As can be seen from the table, the Group's CF estimates as regards corporate clients were around 40% throughout the period. The realised conversion factors were below the estimated levels during the entire period.

Conversion factor – retail clients

The table below shows the average estimated and realised conversion factors for undrawn credit commitments of retail clients in default from 2019 to 2023.

Conversion factor – retail clients %

Year Estimated Realised
2023 100 83
2022 99 44
2021 99 82
2020 99 49
2019 99 51

As can be seen from the table, the Group's CF estimates as regards retail clients were around 100% throughout the period, corresponding to full recognition of undrawn credit commitments. The realised conversion factors were significantly below this level.

Risk exposure amount (REA)

REA is a function of PD, LGD and EAD. REA appears from "Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables". The figures below show the correlation between the unweighted exposure and REA of corporate clients and retail clients respectively.

img-2.jpeg
REA and unweighted exposure – corporate clients

In 2020 exposures to customers in rating categories 1-4 were unchanged whereas exposures to customers in the remaining rating categories went down by approx 20%.

As a result of changes to CRR in mid-2020 the SME discount rose, which reduced the risk exposure amount.

From 1 January 2021 a new definition of default was used, which increases the risk exposure amount by approx DKK 5bn. Moreover the increase in lending activity is reflected in the unweighted exposure.

In October 2022 the Group obtained approval to use the advanced IRB approach as regards corporate exposures. Consequently since October 2022 the Group has used the advanced IRB approach (A-IRB) as regards corporate and retail exposures to calculate REA. The advanced approach uses own estimates as regards all parameters in the model.

The consequence is an increase in unweighted exposure and an unchanged level of REA.

At year-end 2023 the REA as regards corporate clients dropped by approx DKK 4.8bn as a consequence of the Group's approval to reclassify a number of SME clients from corporate to retail. This ensures consistency between handling for credit-related purposes and the calculation of the Group's capital requirements.

The use of new models impacts the possibility of comparing previous periods in particular at lower levels such as rating categories.

Sydbank

Credit Risk 2023


img-3.jpeg

The decrease in unweighted exposure in 2020 as regards retail clients is predominantly attributable to a drop in the provision of guarantees as a result of lower remortgaging activity compared to 2019.

The decline in the risk exposure amount in 2021 is attributable to a decrease in exposure in rating category 9.

The Danish FSA has given the Group its approval as of 31 October 2022 to incorporate retail exposures acquired from Alm. Brand Bank in the Group's IRB portfolio, which increases REA and unweighted exposure.

The substantial increase at year-end 2023 in unweighted exposures and REA relates to the reclassification of a number of SME clients from corporate to retail as mentioned above.

The effect of the reclassification represents an increase of approx DKK 11.7bn in unweighted exposures and an increase of approx DKK 2.9bn in REA.

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Industry breakdown

The Group's credit exposure to corporate clients takes into account individual industry prospects. Due to special risk assessments, the Group may deliberately underweight its exposure to a few industries. The table below shows the exposure by way of loans and advances and guarantees to 11 primary industries as well as to retail clients and public authorities. After impairment charges, total loans and advances represent DKK 74,535m. In addition the table shows loans and advances by stage according to IFRS 9 and the related accumulated impairment charges as well as impairment charges for loans and advances etc for the year by industry.

2022 DKKm Loans/ advances before impairment charges Loans/ advances after impairment charges Guarantees Loans/ advances - stage 1 Loans/ advances - stage 2 Loans/ advances - stage 3 Credit impaired at initial recognition
Building and construction 3,521 3,406 866 3,126 292 103 0
Energy supply etc 3,221 3,208 1,960 3,044 173 4 0
Real estate 8,153 8,099 668 7,742 328 35 48
Finance and insurance 8,225 8,103 630 7,303 842 78 2
Trade 15,899 15,438 1,256 12,946 2,613 340 0
Hotels og restaurants 372 317 19 273 17 82 0
Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials 8,029 7,804 740 6,346 1,640 43 0
Information and communication 441 410 32 351 40 50 0
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries 2,727 2,549 1,277 2,074 452 188 13
Transportation 2,596 2,572 98 2,432 157 7 0
Other industries 10,001 9,867 524 8,988 917 96 0
Total corporate 63,185 61,773 8,070 54,625 7,471 1,026 63
Public authorities 36 36 0 36 0 0 0
Retail 13,052 12,726 7,451 12,037 854 112 49
Total 76,273 74,535 15,521 66,698 8,325 1,138 112
Building and construction
Completion of building projects 518 515 112 509 8 1 0
Building and construction activities, specialised 1,302 1,208 510 984 229 89 0
Construction of buildings 747 732 143 685 50 12 0
Other building and construction 954 951 101 948 5 1 0
Total 3,521 3,406 866 3,126 292 103 0
Real estate
Housing/cooperative associations 4,303 4,301 25 4,303 0 0 0
Leasing of commercial property 2,121 2,085 434 1,811 236 26 48
Leasing of residential property 654 650 135 630 20 4 0
Other related to real estate 1,075 1,063 74 998 72 5 0
Total 8,153 8,099 668 7,742 328 35 48
Finance and insurance
Holding companies 5,014 4,935 109 4,335 630 49 0
Financing companies 3,211 3,168 521 2,968 212 29 2
Total 8,225 8,103 630 7,303 842 78 2

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


As shown below, the accumulated impairment ratio as regards loans and advances constitutes 2.3% (2022: 2.3%) and credit impaired loans and advances in stage 3 represent 1.5% (2022: 1.6%) of the total volume of lending. The table shows that 6.9% (2022: 9.8%) of loans and advances to agriculture are regarded as credit impaired and that the impairment charges constitute 50.5% (2022: 49.1%). The impairment ratio for agriculture totals 6.5% (2022: 8.2%). The Group's risk on the exposure to agriculture is described in a separate paragraph.

Impairment charges for loans/advances - stage 1 Impairment charges for loans/advances - stage 2 Impairment charges for loans/advances - stage 3 Impairment charges for loans/advances etc for the year Losses reported for the year Loans/advances in stage 3 as % of loans/advances Impairment charges in stage 3 as % of loans/advances in stage 3 Impairment charges as % of loans/advances
16 23 76 27 13 2.9 73.8 3.3
7 3 3 0 0 0.1 75.0 0.4
20 15 19 (36) 3 0.4 54.3 0.7
48 45 29 9 0 0.9 37.2 1.5
94 138 229 130 23 2.1 67.4 2.9
1 1 53 8 1 22.0 64.6 14.8
43 158 24 (6) 4 0.5 55.8 2.8
3 3 25 17 0 11.3 50.0 7.0
17 66 95 (85) 14 6.9 50.5 6.5
12 8 4 (5) 1 0.3 57.1 0.9
38 43 53 (2) 5 1.0 55.2 1.3
299 503 610 57 64 1.6 59.5 2.2
0 0 0 0 0 - - 0.0
69 172 85 (84) 14 0.9 75.9 2.5
368 675 695 (27) 78 1.5 61.1 2.3
2 0 1 (1) 0 0.2 100.0 0.6
8 20 66 34 13 6.8 74.2 7.2
4 2 9 (6) 0 1.6 75.0 2.0
2 1 0 0 0 0.1 0.0 0.3
16 23 76 27 13 2.9 73.8 3.3
2 0 0 (5) 0 0.0 0.0 0.0
11 11 14 (10) 3 1.2 53.8 1.7
2 1 1 (1) 0 0.6 25.0 0.6
5 3 4 (20) 0 0.5 80.0 1.1
20 15 19 (36) 3 0.4 54.3 0.7
32 35 12 7 0 1.0 24.5 1.6
16 10 17 2 0 0.9 58.6 1.3
48 45 29 9 0 0.9 37.2 1.5

The table continues overleaf.

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


14
Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023

| 2023
DKKm | Loans/ advances before impairment charges | Loans/ advances after impairment charges | Guarantees | Loans/ advances - stage 1 | Loans/ advances - stage 2 | Loans/ advances - stage 3 | Credit impaired at initial recognition |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trade | | | | | | | |
| Retail | 1,680 | 1,634 | 162 | 1,016 | 646 | 18 | 0 |
| Trade, passenger cars and motorcycles | 2,972 | 2,907 | 216 | 2,581 | 328 | 63 | 0 |
| Wholesale, other machinery | 1,746 | 1,718 | 62 | 1,543 | 193 | 10 | 0 |
| Wholesale, food, beverages and tobacco | 1,817 | 1,780 | 165 | 1,390 | 401 | 26 | 0 |
| Wholesale, household durables | 3,345 | 3,138 | 234 | 2,744 | 403 | 198 | 0 |
| Wholesale, agricultural raw materials and live animals | 1,403 | 1,370 | 2 | 1,049 | 350 | 4 | 0 |
| Other specialised wholesale | 1,922 | 1,896 | 315 | 1,741 | 165 | 16 | 0 |
| Other trade | 1,014 | 995 | 100 | 882 | 127 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 15,899 | 15,438 | 1,256 | 12,946 | 2,613 | 340 | 0 |
| Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials | | | | | | | |
| Extraction of raw materials | 154 | 153 | 59 | 151 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Manufacture of textiles and clothing | 758 | 753 | 14 | 697 | 61 | 0 | 0 |
| Manufacture and repair of machinery and equipment | 1,291 | 1,268 | 344 | 1,076 | 204 | 11 | 0 |
| Manufacture of food products | 1,890 | 1,833 | 30 | 1,619 | 264 | 7 | 0 |
| Manufacture of fabricated metal products, excl machinery and equipment | 1,211 | 1,144 | 145 | 731 | 477 | 3 | 0 |
| Other manufacturing | 2,725 | 2,653 | 148 | 2,072 | 631 | 22 | 0 |
| Total | 8,029 | 7,804 | 740 | 6,346 | 1,640 | 43 | 0 |
| Agriculture | | | | | | | |
| Pig farming | 257 | 234 | 472 | 180 | 23 | 43 | 11 |
| Cattle farming | 758 | 699 | 369 | 603 | 100 | 53 | 2 |
| Crop production | 951 | 901 | 269 | 765 | 113 | 73 | 0 |
| Other agriculture | 761 | 715 | 167 | 526 | 216 | 19 | 0 |
| Total | 2,727 | 2,549 | 1,277 | 2,074 | 452 | 188 | 13 |
| Transportation | | | | | | | |
| Land transport | 967 | 953 | 62 | 853 | 109 | 5 | 0 |
| Water transport | 438 | 438 | 0 | 438 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air transport | 246 | 243 | 22 | 245 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other transportation | 945 | 938 | 14 | 896 | 48 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 2,596 | 2,572 | 98 | 2,432 | 157 | 7 | 0 |
| Other industries | | | | | | | |
| Rental and leasing activities | 4,264 | 4,241 | 55 | 4,135 | 129 | 0 | 0 |
| Activities of head offices | 2,011 | 1,999 | 11 | 1,747 | 260 | 4 | 0 |
| Liberal professions | 1,315 | 1,278 | 156 | 1,063 | 225 | 27 | 0 |
| Other industries | 2,411 | 2,349 | 302 | 2,043 | 303 | 65 | 0 |
| Total | 10,001 | 9,867 | 524 | 8,988 | 917 | 96 | 0 |


Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank
15

Impairment charges for loans/advances - stage 1 Impairment charges for loans/advances - stage 2 Impairment charges for loans/advances - stage 3 Impairment charges for loans/advances etc for the year Losses reported for the year Loans/advances in stage 3 as % of loans/advances Impairment charges in stage 3 as % of loans/advances in stage 3 Impairment charges as % of loans/advances
8 29 9 15 3 1.1 50.0 2.7
14 14 37 8 0 2.1 58.7 2.2
11 11 6 3 0 0.6 60.0 1.6
9 16 12 11 0 1.4 46.2 2.0
24 26 157 5 10 5.9 79.3 6.2
7 26 0 24 0 0.3 0.0 2.4
12 9 5 71 9 0.8 31.3 1.4
9 7 3 (7) 1 0.5 60.0 1.9
94 138 229 130 23 2.1 67.4 2.9
1 0 0 (1) 0 0.0 0.0 0.6
4 1 0 (2) 0 0.0 0.0 0.7
7 11 5 0 0 0.9 45.5 1.8
8 44 5 5 4 0.4 71.4 3.0
10 55 2 (23) 0 0.2 66.7 5.5
13 47 12 15 0 0.8 54.5 2.6
43 158 24 (6) 4 0.5 55.8 2.8
1 2 20 (21) 1 16.7 46.5 8.9
7 16 36 (34) 0 7.0 67.9 7.8
5 14 31 (25) 2 7.7 42.5 5.3
4 34 8 (5) 11 2.5 42.1 6.0
17 66 95 (85) 14 6.9 50.5 6.5
5 6 3 (6) 1 0.5 60.0 1.4
0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 0 1 0 0 0.4 100.0 1.2
5 2 0 1 0 0.1 0.0 0.7
12 8 4 (5) 1 0.3 57.1 0.9
15 8 0 1 0 0.0 0.0 0.5
2 8 2 (4) 0 0.2 50.0 0.6
8 9 20 5 5 2.1 74.1 2.8
13 18 31 (4) 0 2.7 47.7 2.6
38 43 53 (2) 5 1.0 55.2 1.3

Industry breakdown

The table below shows the Group's loans and advances to industries by rating category. 79.9% (2022: 81.9%) of rated loans and advances after impairment charges are rated in categories 1-4 whereas the percentage for agriculture is 64.4 (2022: 57.9).

Loans and advances by rating category

DKKm 2023 2023 2022
Industry 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Default STD/NR Total % %
Building and construction 1,652 1,188 416 159 103 3 3,521 4.6 4.4
Energy supply etc 2,284 782 149 2 4 - 3,221 4.2 3.6
Real estate 5,668 1,509 752 138 33 53 8,153 10.7 8.6
Finance and insurance 3,544 3,066 1,148 336 76 55 8,225 10.8 9.5
Trade 4,535 6,323 3,760 932 342 7 15,899 20.9 21.4
Hotels og restaurants 7 260 8 15 82 - 372 0.5 0.4
Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials 2,036 3,723 1,417 808 43 2 8,029 10.5 11.5
Information and communication 101 216 57 16 50 1 441 0.6 0.6
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries 495 1,155 541 332 183 21 2,727 3.6 3.6
Transportation 1,121 1,130 241 96 6 2 2,596 3.4 3.4
Other industries 4,869 3,449 1,305 190 104 84 10,001 13.1 13.8
Public authorities - - - - - 36 36 0.0 0.1
Retail 7,766 2,881 847 457 112 989 13,052 17.1 19.1
Total 34,078 25,682 10,641 3,481 1,138 1,253 76,273 100.0 100.0
Impairment of loans and advances 18 185 249 571 683 32 1,738
Total loans and advances 34,060 25,497 10,392 2,910 455 1,221 74,535
2023 (%) 45.7 34.2 13.9 3.9 0.6 1.7 100.0
2022 (%) 44.0 37.9 11.0 4.0 0.7 2.4 100.0

16
Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Focus on agriculture

Agriculture – loans and advances by rating category

DKKm 2023 2023 2022
Sub-industry 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Default STD/NR Total % %
Pig farming 56 99 28 19 36 19 257 9.4 9.9
Cattle farming 161 312 154 73 56 2 758 27.8 21.9
Crop production 185 396 232 65 73 - 951 34.9 36.7
Other agriculture 93 348 127 175 18 - 761 27.9 31.5
Total 495 1,155 541 332 183 21 2,727 100.0 100.0
Impairment of loans and advances 0 8 11 64 95 - 178
Total loans and advances 495 1,147 530 268 88 21 2,549
2023 (%) 19.4 45.0 20.8 10.5 3.5 0.8 100.0
2022 (%) 17.9 37.9 25.4 12.1 4.4 2.3 100.0

Agriculture is divided into the following sub-industries:
- Pig farming
- Cattle farming (beef cattle and dairy cattle)
- Crop production
- Other agriculture (primarily forestry farming and leisure farmers)

Outlook for agriculture

At year-end 2023 Sydbank's total loans and advances to agriculture constituted DKK 2,727m – an increase of DKK 79m compared with a year ago.

The share of loans and advances in the weakest rating categories (7-9 and default) represents 18.9% (2022: 21.8%) before impairment charges. After impairment charges this share constitutes 14.0% (2022: 16.5%).

As shown in the tables on pp 12-15, 6.9% (2022: 9.8%) of loans and advances to agriculture are credit impaired and classified as stage 3. 16.7% (2022: 25.8%) of loans and advances to pig farming are classified as stage 3 and 7.0% (2022: 6.9%) of loans and advances to cattle farming are classified as stage 3.

At year-end 2023 an impairment charge totalling DKK 178m (2022: DKK 221m) was recorded, equivalent to 6.5% (2022: 8.2%) of loans and advances.

DKK 95m (2022: DKK 130m) of the impairment charges for loans and advances of DKK 178m concern credit impaired exposures.

In 2023 pork producers received on average a settlement price of DKK 14.12 per kg, including supplementary payments. A settlement price which from a historical perspective is satisfactory and means that the greater part of the Bank's pork producers recorded satisfactory earnings in 2023, however with large differences depending on the sub-industry. Pork producers who purchase piglets recorded positive earnings but due to high purchase prices, the level of earnings does not quite match that of the quotation. Piglet producers recorded high and very stable settlement prices throughout the year and had historically good earnings in 2023. The large difference between pork producers and piglet producers looks set to continue into 2024. The Bank's portfolio of pork producers comprises predominantly integrated production systems, pure pork production or piglet production with fixed buyers in Denmark. Pork exports out of the EU are squeezed whereas the demand for piglets is very high in the EU. A demand which has been created by a continued decline in the breeding herd in the EU and therefore a need to import piglets to

meet the demand for pork in the large home markets mainly in Germany and Poland. If this large difference between earnings in pork production and piglet production persists the trend of fewer slaughterings in Denmark and an increase in exports of piglets may well continue, which could put additional pressure on the quotation for pork.

Milk producers started 2023 with a historically high settlement price of DKK 4.5 per kg but milk prices began falling already in January and in 1H they dropped by DKK 1.4 per kg. Combined with expensive feed contracts from 2022 for the vast majority, this meant that the milk production economy worsened significantly compared with the previous year.

Milk prices stabilised at DKK 3.1 per kg in 2H. Feed prices began declining at the same time, as a result of which milk production was once again profitable. Overall 2023 was a satisfactory year, however organic milk producers were under pressure due to high feed costs which are not sufficiently offset by high settlement prices of organic milk. This looks likely to continue into 2024 when organic milk production will only just break even in contrast to conventional milk production where another satisfactory year is set to occur.

Headlines in 2023 for crop producers were drought in the early summer, rain during harvest and falling settlement prices. This was also the case for crop production related to pork and milk producers. Especially spring crops and specialised crops were hit hard by drought in June and crop yields dropped by as much as 50%. A wet harvest led to significant costs for drying. All in all 2023 was not an impressive year for crop producers. We project that the vast majority of the Bank's crop producers will break even as a consequence of continued reasonable settlement prices.

Overall 2023 was a year of very large differences in earnings in Danish agriculture depending on the sub-industry. Organic pork and milk producers faced the most challenges and decent price increases are needed if organic production is not to go down substantially. Organic producers account for a very limited share of the Bank's agricultural portfolio.

The introduction of a carbon tax will attract the biggest uncertainty and greatest focus in 2024. The Bank continues to expect that agricultural clients' finances will survive a carbon tax and the green transition in general, however it is decisive that the individual farmer focuses on a sustainable production and that there is leeway to invest in more sustainable production practices.

Credit Risk 2023
Sydbank


Focus on retail clients

At 31 December 2023 loans and advances to retail clients represented DKK 13,052m (2022: DKK 14,435m).

Loans and advances other than mortgage-like loans to retail clients constituted DKK 10,856m at 31 December 2023 (2022: DKK 12,121m) – a decrease of 10.4% in 12 months.

At 31 December 2023 mortgage-like loans made up 16.8% (2022: 16.0%) of total loans and advances to retail clients.

Funded mortgage-like loans are not recognised in the Group's balance sheet. The Bank provides a guarantee for the part of the loan in the LTV range of 60-80%.

Arranged mortgage loans – Totalkredit were adversely affected in part due to customers' refinancing of fixed-rate bond loans. Refinancing of bond loans enabled customers to significantly reduce their outstanding debt and consequently arranged mortgage loans – Totalkredit recorded a drop of DKK 1,806m from DKK 86,417m in 2022 to DKK 84,611m in 2023.

Total credit intermediation to retail clients – by product type

DKKm
Product type 2023 2022 2021
Mortgage-like loans 2,196 2,314 2,142
Home loans, bridging loans and construction credit facilities 4,461 4,636 5,614
Car loans 1,738 1,967 2,467
Foreign currency loans and other investment credit facilities 436 685 273
Other loans and advances 4,221 4,833 4,077
Total loans and advances 13,052 14,435 14,573
Funded loans and advances – off-balance sheet 4,208 4,861 5,645
Arranged mortgage loans – Totalkredit 84,611 86,417 89,239
Total credit intermediation 101,871 105,713 109,457

Total loans and advances to retail clients by product type

img-4.jpeg

img-5.jpeg

img-6.jpeg

Mortgage-like loans Home loans, bridging loans and construction credit facilities Car loans Foreign currency loans and other investment credit facilities Other loans and advances

Sydbank

Credit Risk 2023


The tables below show a decline in loans and advances to retail clients of DKK 1,383m from DKK 14,435m to DKK 13,052m.

At 31 December 2023 loans and advances before impairment charges to customers in the 4 best rating categories represented DKK 10,647m (2022: DKK 11,464m) – a decline of DKK 817m, primarily attributable to a decrease in home loans, bridging loans and construction credit facilities, and other loans.

At 31 December 2023 the share of loans and advances to customers in the 4 best rating categories represented 83.4% (2022: 81.4%) – an increase of 2.0pp.

Impairment of loans and advances

As regards customers in rating categories 1-9 without objective evidence of credit impairment, model-based scenario-weighted impairment charges are calculated. The scenarios reflect the assumed future economic environment and are broken down by the probability of the following scenarios: downturn, baseline and upturn. At 31 December 2023 the probability of a downturn scenario represented 95%, which is unchanged compared with year-end 2022.

At 31 December 2023 the Group had a management estimate of DKK 100m to hedge the macroeconomic uncertainty as regards retail clients.

The management estimate as regards macroeconomic risks covers potential losses related to the negative effects of geopolitical tension, a higher interest rate environment as well as the risk of a recession etc.

In 2023 impairment charges as regards retail clients totalled an income of DKK 84m (2022: income of DKK 142m). The net income is primarily attributable to amounts recovered from debt previously written off.

Outlook for retail clients

Low GDP growth is projected in 2024 where a decrease in interest rates will impact the economic situation. Forecasts show a normalised level of inflation and continued low unemployment.

Developments in the housing market are regarded as uncertain. The new property taxes drove up prices in November and December 2023 in the most expensive areas. In contrast rising income combined with a lower level of interest rates in 2024 will help to support property prices.

We estimate that most retail clients are well equipped for the expected trend in 2024 and any declines in property prices. A drop in property prices may result in a rise in impairment charges.

Loans and advances to retail clients – by product type and rating category

DKKf8 2023
Product type 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Default STD/NR Total %
Mortgage-like loans 1,785 260 98 50 3 - 2,196 16.8
Home loans, bridging loans and construction credit facilities 2,422 1,369 333 285 34 18 4,461 34.2
Car loans 948 251 47 11 - 481 1,738 13.3
Foreign currency loans and other investment credit facilities 113 169 69 24 2 59 436 3.4
Other loans and advances 2,498 832 300 87 73 431 4,221 32.3
Total 7,766 2,881 847 457 112 989 13,052 100.0
Impairment of loans and advances 3 32 36 163 73 19 326
Total loans and advances 7,763 2,849 811 294 39 970 12,726
% 61.0 22.4 6.4 2.3 0.3 7.6 100.0
DKKf8 2022
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Product type 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Default STD/NR Total %
Mortgage-like loans 1,902 268 90 48 5 1 2,314 16.0
Home loans, bridging loans and construction credit facilities 2,534 1,416 274 325 37 50 4,636 32.1
Car loans 813 215 43 13 1 884 1,969 13.7
Foreign currency loans and other investment credit facilities 257 283 76 59 5 3 683 4.7
Other loans and advances 2,318 1,458 300 180 82 495 4,833 33.5
Total 7,824 3,640 783 625 130 1,433 14,435 100.0
Impairment of loans and advances 3 35 38 196 86 26 384
Total loans and advances 7,821 3,605 745 429 44 1,407 14,051
% 55.7 25.7 5.3 3.1 0.3 9.9 100.0

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Concentration

Under the EU Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), exposures to a customer or a group of connected customers, after the deduction of particularly secure claims, may not exceed 25% of total capital. The compliance with these rules is reported to the Danish FSA on a quarterly basis.

The table below shows the exposures which after the deduction of particularly secure claims constitute 10% or more of total capital.

DKKm 2023 2022
Exposure > 20% of total capital - -
Exposure 10-20% of total capital 1,374 2,919
Total 1,374 2,919
% of total capital 11.1 24.6

1 exposure to credit institutions after the deduction of particularly secure claims constituted 10% or more of total capital at year-end 2023.

Supervisory Diamond

In accordance with the Group's credit policy, the 20 largest exposures – calculated according to CRR – may not exceed 150% of CET1 capital. The limit is thus fixed under the Supervisory Diamond's threshold of 175% of CET1 capital.

At year-end 2023 the 20 largest exposures – according to CRR – represented 137% (2022: 147%) of CET1 capital.

In addition to calculating exposures according to CRR, Sydbank uses an internal exposure concept – BIS group – that consolidates customers that are interdependent as a result of any knock-on effect. Consequently one CRR group may consist of several BIS groups but one BIS group cannot form part of several CRR groups.

Credit policy

In accordance with its credit policy, the Group does not wish to be dependent on or have exposures to large single exposures. This implies among other factors that the following must be observed as the exposures are always calculated according to the principles for BIS groups:

  • The 10 largest exposures may, as a rule, not exceed 10% of the Group's total portfolio of exposures (however excluding exposures to credit institutions, investment funds and public authorities).
  • After deduction of the loan value of any collateral, the 10 largest exposures may not exceed 5% of the total portfolio of exposures (however excluding exposures to credit institutions, investment funds and public authorities).
  • The 20 largest exposures may not exceed 125% of the Group's total capital.

At year-end 2023 the 10 largest exposures represented 5.7% (2022: 5.2%) of the Group's total portfolio of exposures.

After deduction of the loan value of any collateral, the 10 largest BIS exposures constitute 5.3% (2022: 4.6%) of the total portfolio of exposures.

To ensure uniform reporting across the Group, the method of calculation of the 10 largest customers as a percentage of the credit portfolio as well as unsecured exposures was adjusted to the definition of large exposures in 2023. The size of unsecured exposures is relatively constant and the internal threshold relative to the changed method of calculation will be set in 2024.

At year-end 2023 the 20 largest BIS exposures represented 109% (2022: 114%) of the Group's total capital.

No exposures (however excluding exposures to credit institutions, investment funds and public authorities) represent more than 10% of the Group's total capital.

Loans and advances to corporate clients by amount/rating category

DKKm Amount 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Default STD/NR Total 2023 % 2022 %
0-1 321 491 189 82 48 9 1,140 1.8 2.0
1-5 1,149 2,154 1,083 448 239 15 5,088 8.0 8.7
5-10 984 1,893 900 439 188 22 4,426 7.0 7.7
10-20 1,495 2,807 1,440 517 197 28 6,484 10.3 10.8
20-50 3,015 4,369 2,697 702 227 40 11,050 17.5 17.5
50-100 4,330 3,695 1,402 581 - 30 10,038 15.9 17.0
100-200 6,626 4,268 739 255 127 77 12,092 19.1 17.7
200-500 6,691 2,404 764 - - 43 9,902 15.7 13.7
500- 1,701 720 580 - - - 3,001 4.7 4.9
Total 26,312 22,801 9,794 3,024 1,026 264 63,221 100.0 100.0
2023 (%) 41.6 36.1 15.5 4.8 1.6 0.4 100.0
2022 (%) 39.9 40.1 12.4 5.0 1.7 0.9 100.0

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


The table below shows loans and advances to the Group's 100 largest BIS groups by industry and rating category. Since a BIS group often comprises several industries, the loans and advances to some industries in some rating categories may be modest.

The 100 largest BIS groups represent a total of 34.2% (2022: 33.9%) of the Group's total loans and advances. 89.4% (2022: 94.0%) of these loans and advances are rated in categories 1-4.

Loans and advances to 100 largest BIS groups by industry/rating category

DKKm
Amount 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Default STD/NR Total 2023 %
Building and construction 1,280 275 113 - - - 1,668 6.4
Energy supply etc 1,087 389 - - - - 1,476 5.7
Real estate 2,611 323 104 - - - 3,038 11.6
Finance and insurance 1,594 1,147 61 152 - - 2,954 11.3
Trade 3,391 2,935 1,419 19 - - 7,764 29.7
Hotels and restaurants 2 - - - - - 2 0.0
Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials 783 1,152 257 - - - 2,192 8.4
Information and communication - - - - - - - 0.0
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries - - - - - - - 11.9
Transportation 871 208 113 - - - 1,192 4.6
Other industries 3,732 1,416 493 - - - 5,641 21.6
Public authorities - - - - - - - -
Retail 133 14 42 - - - 189 0.7
Total 15,484 7,859 2,602 171 - - 26,116 100.0
2023 (%) 59.3 30.1 10.0 0.6 - - 100.0
2022 (%) 59.3 34.7 3.9 1.6 0.5 - 100.0

Corporate clients by size of enterprise/rating category, excluding default

% 2023
Rating category 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 Total Loans/advances and guarantees
Net turnover/assets (DKKm)
0-25 37 34 19 10 100 12
25-50 45 32 17 6 100 7
50-100 37 32 22 9 100 8
100-200 23 45 20 12 100 10
200-400 35 41 19 5 100 13
400- 52 36 11 1 100 45
NA 35 41 21 3 100 5
Total 42 37 16 5 100 100

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Collateral

The Group aims to mitigate the risk on individual exposures by way of charges on assets, netting agreements and guarantees.

The most frequent types of charges include mortgages and charges on financial assets (shares, bonds and units).

The Group receives different kinds of guarantees for exposures. Many of these are provided by companies or individuals who have a group relationship with the debtor.

The Group assesses on an ongoing basis the value of collateral provided. The value is determined as the expected net proceeds on realisation.

The 2 tables below illustrate the breakdown of collateral by type and rating category respectively.

Collateral received and types of collateral

DKKm 2023 2022
Loans and advances at fair value 16,743 10,490
Loans and advances at amortised cost 74,535 73,933
Guarantees 15,521 15,949
Credit exposure for accounting purposes 106,799 100,372
Collateral value 63,209 57,739
Total unsecured 43,590 42,633
Types of collateral
Real estate 12,542 11,659
Financial collateral 23,220 17,311
Lease assets, mortgages etc 7,138 6,899
Floating charges, operating equipment etc 10,222 10,141
Guarantees 2,036 2,661
Other items of collateral 101 119
Total collateral used 55,259 48,790
Particularly secured transactions (mortgage guarantees) 7,950 8,949
Total 63,209 57,739

In the event that the Group uses collateral that is not immediately convertible into cash, it is the Group's policy to dispose of such assets as quickly as possible. In 2023 repossessed equipment in connection with non-performing exposures amounted to DKK 10.5m (2022: DKK 47m). Lease assets are assessed and depreciated on an ongoing basis. As a result the calculated collateral as regards the Group's leasing activities will decline during periods of lower lease asset prices.

Collateral represented DKK 63,209m in 2023 – an increase of DKK 5,470m compared to 2022. The increase is predominantly attributable to a rise in financial collateral of DKK 5,909m from DKK 17,311m in 2022 to DKK 23,220m in 2023.

The increase in financial collateral is primarily attributable to the change in loans and advances at fair value which have gone up by DKK 6,253m.

Loans and advances at fair value are repo loans and advances with financial collateral.

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


The table below shows the size of loans and advances, guarantees as well as collateral according to rating category. The value of collateral is assessed relative to loans and advances and guarantees. Excess collateral is not included in the calculation of collateral. 59.2% (2022: 57.5%) of the Group's loans and advances and guarantees after impairment charges are secured.

Collateral by rating category

DKKm 2023 2022
Rating category Loans/advances Guarantees Collateral value Unsecured % %
1 18,124 4,114 17,410 4,828 10.7 7.5
2 22,098 5,388 10,743 16,743 36.9 38.5
3 21,320 2,215 17,265 6,270 13.8 14.4
4 14,961 1,585 8,030 8,516 18.8 24.6
5 8,482 949 4,609 4,822 10.6 7.2
6 2,159 162 1,453 868 1.9 1.8
7 1,843 309 1,202 950 2.1 1.6
8 380 47 316 111 0.2 0.4
9 1,258 162 983 437 1.0 1.2
Default 1,138 110 177 1,071 2.4 2.4
STD/NR 1,253 480 1,021 712 1.6 0.4
Total 93,016 15,521 63,209 45,328 100.0 100.0
Impairment of loans and advances 1,738 - - 1,738
Total 91,278 15,521 63,209 43,590

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Impairment charges

Impairment charges are recorded for expected credit losses as regards all financial assets measured at amortised cost and similar provisions are made for expected credit losses as regards undrawn credit commitments and financial guarantees.

Impairment charges for expected credit losses depend on whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and follow a 3-stage model. The portfolio acquired from Alm. Brand Bank in stage 3 is recognised under credit impaired at initial recognition:

  • Stage 1 – facilities with no significant increase in credit risk. The asset is written down by an amount equal to the expected credit loss as a result of the probability of default over the coming 12 months.
  • Stage 2 – facilities with a significant increase in credit risk. The asset is transferred to stage 2 and is written down by an amount equal to the expected credit loss over the life of the asset.
  • Stage 3 – facilities where the financial asset is in default or otherwise credit impaired.

  • Credit impaired at initial recognition – facilities which were credit impaired at the time of acquisition of Alm. Brand Bank. They are recognised on acquisition at the fair value of the debt acquired.

Impairment calculation is effected quarterly in a process managed by the central credit organisation.

The Group's loans and advances and impairment charges at 31 December 2023 by these stages appear from the table below.

Credit impaired bank loans and advances – stage 3 – represent 1.5% (2022: 1.6%) of total bank loans and advances before impairment charges and 0.6% (2022: 0.7%) of total bank loans and advances after impairment charges.

Impairment charges concerning credit impaired bank loans and advances as a percentage of credit impaired bank loans and advances stand at 61.1% (2022: 57.0%).

Loans and advances and impairment charges

DKKm Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Credit impaired at initial recognition 2023 Total
Loans and advances before impairment charges 66,698 8,325 1,138 112 76,273
Impairment charges 368 675 695 - 1,738
Total loans and advances 66,330 7,650 443 112 74,535

AC

Impairment charges as % of bank loans and advances 0.6 8.1 61.1 - 2.3
Share of bank loans and advances before impairment charges 87.5 10.9 1.5 0.1 100.0
Share of bank loans and advances after impairment charges 89.0 10.3 0.6 0.1 100.0

Impairment for the year

Impairment charges for bank loans and advances etc represented an income of DKK 27m in 2023. In 2022 impairment charges constituted an income of DKK 99m.

In 2023 reported losses totalled DKK 78m (2022: DKK 48m). Of the reported losses an impairment charge of DKK 49m has previously been recorded (2022: DKK 29m).

Amounts recovered from debt previously written off represented DKK 102m in 2023 (2022: DKK 140m).

The figure opposite shows the development in impairment charges for bank loans and advances etc as well as losses reported for the year from 2019 to 2023.

Credit impaired loans and advances

Credit impaired loans and advances are equal to loans and advances in stage 3 and credit impaired at initial recognition. The

img-7.jpeg
Impairment charges etc and reported losses

table below shows that the unsecured part of credit impaired loans and advances represents DKK 4m, equivalent to 0.3% (2022: 0.0%) of total credit impaired loans and advances.

Credit impaired loans and advances

DKKm Credit impaired loans and advances Impairment charges Carrying amount Collateral value Unsecured part of carrying amount
Corporate 1,089 542 547 511 36
Retail 161 83 78 110 (32)
Total 1,250 625 625 621 4

Sydbank

Credit Risk 2023


Exposures affected by macroeconomic uncertainty

In recent years macroeconomic developments have been affected by a rising interest rate environment and mounting inflation, which has stagnated for now and resulted in higher interest rates and lower inflation with the risk of a recession. The geopolitical situation in and around Europe is influenced by tension and war which could result in actual supply problems and creates a bigger cyber threat against Denmark and Danish companies.

At 31 December 2023 the Group had a management estimate of DKK 500m to hedge macroeconomic uncertainty. The management estimate comprises DKK 400m as regards corporate clients and DKK 100m as regards retail clients. The management estimate to hedge macroeconomic risks covers potential losses related to the negative effects of geopolitical tension, a higher interest rate environment as well as the risk of a recession etc.

Credit risks – the Group's corporate clients

At 31 December 2023 the Group's exposure to corporate clients totalled DKK 63.2bn. In overall terms the Group has not recorded significant losses as regards its corporate client portfolio due to macroeconomic developments and in general the Group's corporate clients appear to be robust. There is a risk that macroeconomic developments could impact some companies' earnings capacity in the years ahead especially if the economy moves towards an actual recession.

Credit risks – the Group's retail clients

At 31 December 2023 the Group's exposure to retail clients totalled DKK 13.1bn of which DKK 10.4bn represents home loans, car loans and other retail loans and advances. The Group's retail clients have not shown signs of weakness due to macroeconomic developments and appear overall to be robust.

Analysis and stress test – the Group's retail and corporate clients

In the light of macroeconomic uncertainty the Group analysed credit risks regarding the Group's corporate and retail clients during 2023. The analysis was conducted by using the Group's stress test model using input from the Danish central bank's forecast of macroeconomic highlights. The analysis shows that the need for impairment charges is unchanged compared to 2022 broken down by industry as shown in the table below.

Calculation of impairment charges under stressed portfolio by stages (DKKm)
Industry Stages 1 and 2 (without OECI) Stage 2 (with OECI) and stage 3 Total
Building and construction 16 9 25
Energy supply etc 5 - 5
Real estate 17 3 20
Finance and insurance 34 9 43
Trade 84 34 118
Hotels og restaurants 1 6 7
Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials 47 29 76
Information and communication 2 6 8
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries 18 29 47
Transportation 9 3 12
Other industries 27 12 39
Public authorities - - -
Retail 70 30 100
Total 330 170 500

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Financial counterparties

Trading in securities, currencies and derivatives, as well as payment services etc involve exposure to financial counterparties in the form of delivery risk or credit risk.

Delivery risk is the risk that the Group does not receive payments or securities in connection with the settlement of securities or currency transactions equalling the securities or payments delivered by the Group.

Credits, the Group Executive Management and the Board of Directors grant delivery risk lines and credit risk lines to financial counterparties. Based on the risk profile of the individual counterparty, rating, earnings, capital position as well as size are assessed. Risks and lines to financial counterparties are monitored continuously.

The Group participates in an international foreign exchange settlement system, CLS®, which aims to reduce delivery risk. In CLS® payment is made on the net position for each currency, and only one amount for each currency is paid or received. In addition this net exposure is only to one counterparty, who is the Group's partner in the system.

The Group aims to mitigate credit risk to financial counterparties in many ways, eg by concluding netting agreements (ISDA agreements and GMRA agreements). Moreover the Group has entered into agreements (CSA agreements) with all significant counterparties to ensure credit risk mitigation of derivatives. Exposures are calculated on a daily basis after which the parties settle collateral. Consequently exposures are reset in all material respects on a daily basis. The agreements are managed by Transaction Banking.

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables

The Group's credit exposure

DKKm 2023
Exposure category Ap-proach Gross exposure Credit risk mitigation Effect of conversion factors Exposure (unweighted) REA Average exposure for the year
Corporate clients STD 931 (427) (192) 312 340 889
IRB 122,680 (25,246) (25,534) 71,900 29,002 129,337
Retail clients STD 1,285 (47) (526) 712 502 1,361
IRB 44,567 (6,481) (6,872) 31,214 8,740 28,667
Total corporate and retail clients 169,463 (32,201) (33,124) 104,138 38,584 160,254
Governments, incl municipalities STD 22,739 (436) (105) 22,198 0 24,862
Credit institutions STD 9,450 (7,091) (243) 2,116 603 12,745
Total 201,652 (39,728) (33,472) 128,452 39,187 197,861
Share IRB (%) 82.9 79.9 96.8 80.3 96.3 79.9
Share STD (%) 17.1 20.1 3.2 19.7 3.7 20.1
2022
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Corporate clients STD 1,025 (327) (213) 485 371
IRB 124,949 (18,570) (27,913) 78,466 33,060
Retail clients STD 1,699 (53) (386) 1,260 944
IRB 26,179 (5,826) (2) 20,351 5,928
Total corporate and retail clients 153,852 (24,776) (28,514) 100,562 40,303
Governments, incl municipalities STD 29,609 (501) (67) 29,041 0
Credit institutions STD 9,465 (5,536) (1,358) 2,571 715
Total 192,926 (30,813) (29,939) 132,174 41,018
Share IRB (%) 78.3 79.2 93.2 74.8 95.1
Share STD (%) 21.7 20.8 6.8 25.2 4.9

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables

Credit exposure by industry

DKKm
Industry/exposure category Corporate clients Retail clients Other Total %
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries 2,614 3,201 5,815 3.4
Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials 13,828 2,580 16,408 9.7
Energy supply etc 8,648 446 9,094 5.4
Building and construction 5,851 1,855 7,706 4.6
Trade 23,748 4,154 27,902 16.5
Transportation 3,528 886 4,414 2.6
Hotels and restaurants 377 207 584 0.3
Information and communication 535 233 768 0.5
Finance and insurance 12,468 1,263 13,731 8.1
Repo/reverse 19,706 0 19,706 11.6
Real estate 16,207 2,744 18,951 11.2
Other industries 13,351 2,657 16,008 9.4
Sector guarantees 190 0 190 0.1
Retail 2,560 25,626 28,186 16.6
Total corporate and retail clients 123,611 45,852 169,463 100.0
Governments, incl municipalities 22,739 22,739
Credit institutions, repo/reverse 7,364 7,364
Credit institutions, other 2,049 2,049
Sector guarantees 37 37
Total 123,611 45,852 32,189 201,652

28
Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Credit exposure by industry

DKKm Corporate clients Retail clients Other Total 2022 %
Industry/exposure category
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries 5,614 116 5,730 3.7
Manufacturing and extraction of raw materials 19,194 54 19,248 12.5
Energy supply etc 7,125 5 7,130 4.6
Building and construction 9,651 86 9,737 6.3
Trade 33,650 112 33,762 22.0
Transportation, hotels and restaurants 5,962 35 5,997 3.9
Information and communication 796 58 854 0.6
Finance and insurance 10,317 737 11,054 7.2
Repo/reverse 11,062 0 11,062 7.2
Real estate 12,966 234 13,200 8.6
Other industries 6,956 304 7,260 4.7
Sector guarantees 195 0 195 0.1
Retail 2,486 26,137 28,623 18.6
Total corporate and retail clients 125,974 27,878 153,852 100.0
Governments, incl municipalities 29,609 29,609
Credit institutions, repo/reverse 5,767 5,767
Credit institutions, other 3,661 3,661
Sector guarantees 37 37
Total 125,974 27,878 39,074 192,926

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank
29


Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables

Credit exposure to corporate clients by rating category (IRB)

DKKm Exposure-weighted. average 2023
Rating category Gross exposure Exposure after effect of conversion factors PD (%) LGD (%) Risk weight (%) REA
1 24,809 20,031 0.03 22.1 5.2 1,032
2 39,835 27,898 0.23 26.4 23.1 6,431
3 23,386 20,574 0.48 14.0 16.7 3,427
4 19,745 15,589 0.85 31.5 49.5 7,724
5 8,995 7,761 2.48 30.9 68.4 5,306
6 1,961 1,749 4.18 32.0 77.3 1,353
7 2,045 1,713 6.53 33.1 98.3 1,684
8 126 108 11.13 35.5 120.7 131
9 691 650 18.40 34.5 134.8 876
Default 1,087 1,073 100.00 40.8 96.8 1,038
Total 122,680 97,146 29,002
2022
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1 16,146 12,437 0.03 24.8 5.9 730
2 46,335 33,674 0.21 24.3 19.8 6,668
3 21,715 17,258 0.48 22.0 26.0 4,485
4 24,797 20,150 0.87 31.0 48.7 9,804
5 8,609 7,083 2.45 33.2 70.2 4,974
6 2,393 1,987 4.20 35.2 81.3 1,616
7 2,113 1,773 6.32 32.8 94.7 1,679
8 540 489 10.97 34.9 121.7 596
9 1,122 1,020 20.18 35.0 140.0 1,428
Default 1,179 1,165 100.00 39.5 92.8 1,080
Total 124,949 97,036 33,060

The table above shows the breakdown by rating of the gross exposure of corporate clients after the deduction of the conversion factor as well as exposure-weighted LGD, PD and average risk weight. The average risk weight is determined according to the Danish executive order on capital adequacy as a function of LGD and PD. REA is calculated as the exposure after the conversion factor multiplied by the risk weight.

Sydbank

Credit Risk 2023


Credit exposure to retail clients by rating category (IRB)

DKKm Exposure-weighted. average 2023
Rating category Gross exposure Exposure after effect of conversion factors PD (%) LGD (%) Risk weight (%) RER
1 14,882 14,478 0.03 61.9 7.1 1,026
2 11,135 8,180 0.12 46.4 9.7 790
3 8,032 6,334 0.33 47.6 20.4 1,289
4 4,746 3,714 0.78 42.3 32.4 1,202
5 3,073 2,539 2.29 42.1 50.6 1,284
6 773 650 3.86 41.0 57.7 375
7 500 447 6.12 44.2 66.1 295
8 346 327 9.44 42.5 91.1 298
9 929 875 14.00 51.3 154.1 1,349
Default 151 151 100.00 25.2 552.1 832
Total 44,567 37,695 8,740
2022
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1 14,958 14,954 0.03 60.8 7.0 1,043
2 4,354 4,351 0.06 61.4 11.3 491
3 3,965 3,966 0.17 59.4 21.9 869
4 1,153 1,155 0.49 67.2 50.0 577
5 681 681 1.24 60.4 77.0 524
6 199 200 2.50 69.3 114.9 229
7 74 74 4.75 65.3 150.9 112
8 83 84 6.23 63.8 165.3 139
9 562 562 9.49 62.6 212.8 1,196
Default 150 150 100.00 42.5 499.4 748
Total 26,179 26,177 5,928

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables

Credit exposure by client's country of residence

DKKm 2023
Denmark Germany Sweden Other Total
Corporate clients 106,354 8,811 395 8,051 123,611
Retail clients 43,334 1,843 13 662 45,852
Total corporate and retail clients 149,688 10,654 408 8,713 169,463
Governments, incl municipalities 8,715 14,024 0 0 22,739
Credit institutions 4,121 312 3,873 1,144 9,450
Total 162,524 24,990 4,281 9,857 201,652
2022
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Corporate clients 111,170 9,799 266 4,739 125,974
Retail clients 26,544 698 13 623 27,878
Total corporate and retail clients 137,714 10,497 279 5,362 153,852
Governments, incl municipalities 10,915 18,694 0 0 29,609
Credit institutions 3,106 896 4,042 1,421 9,465
Total 151,735 30,087 4,321 6,783 192,926

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Credit exposure by exposure category and maturity

DKKm 2023
Non-allocated 3 months or less Over 3 months not exceeding 1 year Over 1 year not exceeding 5 years Over 5 years Total
Corporate clients - 74,555 26,904 11,171 10,981 123,611
Retail clients - 21,482 2,310 2,610 19,450 45,852
Total corporate and retail clients - 96,037 29,214 13,781 30,431 169,463
Governments, incl municipalities 200 21,548 468 83 440 22,739
Credit institutions - 9,209 16 181 44 9,450
Total 200 126,794 29,698 14,045 30,915 201,652
2022
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Corporate clients - 73,385 28,021 12,033 12,535 125,974
Retail clients - 12,643 1,170 1,857 12,208 27,878
Total corporate and retail clients - 86,028 29,191 13,890 24,743 153,852
Governments, incl municipalities 170 28,381 642 85 331 29,609
Credit institutions - 9,147 74 204 40 9,465
Total 170 123,556 29,907 14,179 25,114 192,926

The table shows the maturity of the Group's exposures broken down into different segments. According to the Group's documents, the majority of corporate exposures can be terminated at very short notice and retail exposures can normally be terminated at a notice of 3 months.

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Appendix 1 – Supplementary tables

Credit exposure by credit quality

DKKm
Corporate clients Retail clients Other Total
Neither past due nor credit impaired 122,246 45,509 32,189 199,944
Past due but not credit impaired 95 52 - 147
Credit impaired 1,270 291 - 1,561
Total 123,611 45,852 32,189 201,652
2022
Neither past due nor credit impaired 124,473 27,708 39,074 191,255
Past due but not credit impaired 85 59 - 144
Credit impaired 1,416 111 - 1,527
Total 125,974 27,878 39,074 192,926

Credit impaired exposures represent exposures in stage 3 and credit impaired at initial recognition. Past due amounts consist of loans and advances from a customer's first day of arrears where there is no objective evidence of credit impairment. A very limited share of past due amounts concerns high credit risk customers.

Past due amounts

DKKm 2023 2022
Corporate clients Retail clients Total Corporate clients Retail clients Total
0-30 days 95 52 147 85 56 141
31-60 days - - - - 1 1
61-90 days - - - - 2 2
Total 95 52 147 85 59 144

Impairment charges for bank loans and advances etc recognised in the income statement

DKKm 2023 2022
Impairment and provisions 46 25
Write-offs 29 19
Recovered from debt previously written off 102 140
Total (27) (96)

Credit impaired loans/advances and guarantees as well as impairment charges and provisions by customer's country of residence

DKKm 2023 2022
Credit impaired loans/advances and guarantees Impairment charges and provisions Credit impaired loans/advances and guarantees after impairment charges Credit impaired loans/advances and guarantees Impairment charges and provisions Credit impaired loans/advances and guarantees after impairment charges
Denmark 1,333 701 632 1,468 712 756
Germany 42 36 6 32 25 7
Other 21 9 12 27 13 14
Total 1,396 746 650 1,527 750 777

Sydbank
Credit Risk 2023


Appendix 2 – Glossary

CEBS Committee of European Banking Supervisors.
CF Conversion Factor, ie the proportion of the undrawn credit commitment that the customer is expected to have drawn at default.
CLS® Continuous Linked Settlement. A settlement system operating on the principle of “payment on delivery”, which minimises the settlement risk of currency transactions concluded between CLS® participants.
CSA Credit Support Annex. The part of an ISDA agreement that concerns collateral.
Default When a customer has not honoured all of his payment obligations.
EAD Exposure At Default. EAD represents the expected size of an exposure, ie how much a customer is expected to owe at the time of default.
GMRA Global Master Repurchase Agreement. Agreement where the mutual rights, obligations and collateral of 2 or more parties are netted. Credit risk is mitigated by means of netting agreements and collateral.
Gross exposure Loans and advances, undrawn credit commitments, interest receivable, repo/reverse transactions and guarantees as well as counterparty risk on derivatives. The exposure is determined after impairment charges and provisions.
IRB Internal Ratings Based approach to manage credit risk and calculate the capital requirement as regards credit risk.
ISDA agreement International Swaps and Derivatives Association. Agreement where the mutual rights and obligations of 2 or more parties are netted. Credit risk is mitigated by means of netting agreements.
LGD Loss Given Default. LGD represents the proportion of a given exposure that is expected to be lost if the customer defaults within the next 12 months.
LTV Loan-to-Value. The loan's share of the collateral value.
Net exposure Gross exposure after inclusion of the conversion factor and after deduction of collateral.
PD Probability of Default. Probability that a customer will default on his obligations within the next 12 months.
REA Risk Exposure Amount calculated in accordance with prevailing capital adequacy rules.
STD Standardised approach to calculate credit risk.
Unsecured portion Following a prudent assessment of collateral provided, the portion of an exposure for which collateral does not exist.

Credit Risk 2023

Sydbank


Sydbank A/S
Peberlyk 4
6200 Aabenraa
Denmark

Tel +45 74 37 37 37
sydbank.com
[email protected]

CVR No DK 12626509