TIDMWBS

RNS Number : 7278U

West Bromwich Building Society

26 November 2019

West Bromwich Building Society

Announcement of half-year results for the six months

to 30 September 2019

The West Brom today announces its half-year results for the six months to 30 September 2019.

Key highlights:

- The average weighted savings rate paid to members was 50% more than the market average(1) (30 September 2018: 42% above), delivering a 31% increase in annualised mutual benefit to savers to GBP13.7m (30 September 2018: GBP10.5m)

- An already strong Net Promoter Score(R)(2) increasing marginally from +72 at 31 March 2019 to +73, with customer satisfaction up from 94% to 95%

- GBP251m of new mortgage lending (30 September 2018: GBP466m), reflecting a deliberate strategy to moderate lending volumes. 43% of new lending was to first-time buyers (30 September 2018: 38%)

   -    A 7% increase in profit before tax to GBP6.4m (30 September 2018: GBP6.0m) 
   -    An uplift in the net interest margin to 1.04% (30 September 2018: 1.02%) 

- Delivery of cost efficiencies led to the improvement of the management expense ratio to 0.83% (30 September 2018: 0.88%)

- The Society's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1) capital ratio now stands at 16.2% (31 March 2019: 16.0%)

Jonathan Westhoff, Chief Executive, commented:

The Society has delivered a strong half-year performance, despite an increasingly competitive mortgage market, delivering a 31% increase in annualised member benefit to its savers. A 7% increase in pre-tax profit contributed to an increase in the CET 1 ratio, which not only ensures the Society has the necessary capital to weather any economic challenges that may result from the current political and Brexit uncertainties but is also able to continue to deliver on its purpose by continuing to offer real value to savers and mortgage products that promote home ownership.

Our role in supporting those who aspire to own their home saw advances to first-time buyers accounting for 43% of our total new lending during the last six months. We have continued to broaden our mortgage proposition directed at helping those that find it challenging to achieve their home ownership ambitions, including our new range of shared ownership and assisted mortgage products.

For savers, we continue to offer a range of savings products to fit a variety of requirements, while paying an average interest rate some 50% higher than the market average(1) , delivering GBP13.7m of annualised mutual benefit to savers. We also provide services for retirement and later life planning and have been raising awareness about planning for retirement through a series of clinics hosted by independent financial advisers in our branches.

Despite the heightened levels of political and economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit and a forthcoming general election, the last six months has seen intensified mortgage market pricing competition, created in part by the ongoing availability of very low cost funding. Regrettably this has had the unfortunate outcome of reducing rates available for savers in general and whilst the Society resisted the pressure to lower its savings rates during the first half of our financial year, we have reduced some rates in response to this competitive pressure since the half-year period ended.

As a modern building society, we have become increasingly innovative in how we provide our services to members through our online offering. Over the last six months we have upgraded our website and launched an online mortgage application tracker service to enable our new mortgage borrowers and intermediary partners to view the status and progression of mortgage applications online. Future developments to expand the Society's online offering are in progress and will continue to be a significant area of focus for us, underpinned by ongoing investment in our core technology platforms to allow greater digital capability and operational resilience.

We expect no let up in the challenges that currently face us, whether that is the ever intensifying margin pressure in the mortgage market, the general economic uncertainty caused by the unknowns around future global trading relationships and the ever escalating focus on climate change which will have an impact on the UK housing stock. Despite these challenges, as a mutual, the West Brom will continue to progress with the best interests of both its saving and borrowing members at the heart of decisions made.

(1) Average market rates sourced from Bank of England Bankstats table A6.1

(2) Net Promoter Score and NPS are trademarks of Satmetrix Systems, Inc., Bain & Company, Inc., and Fred Reichheld.

ENQUIRIES

   The West Brom Press Office       - 8848 Communications 

01902 907520 or 07772 443367

Jonathan Westhoff - Chief Executive

Ashraf Piranie - Group Finance & Operations Director

West Bromwich Building Society

Condensed consolidated

half-yearly financial information

30 September 2019

Chief Executive's Business Review

A clear strategy to steer through uncertain times

The six months to 30 September have again witnessed the Society delivering on its purpose by balancing the needs of both its saving and borrowing members, and continuing to offer real value to savers and mortgage products that promote home ownership.

Our strategy has remained clear and uncomplicated: to complete sustainable levels of residential lending, offer a safe and rewarding home for savings and provide our members with the benefits of belonging to a secure and efficient building society.

Despite the uncertainty created by the ongoing challenges of Brexit and a forthcoming general election, the period has witnessed an intensification of competition in the mortgage market, driven in part by the ongoing availability of very low cost funding. Regrettably this has had the unfortunate outcome of reducing rates available for savers in general. Although the West Brom resisted the pressure to lower its savings rates in the 6 months, since the period end some rates have been reduced in response to this competitive pressure. Not to have done so would have meant the Society holding excess, and expensive, funding which ultimately impacts its members negatively.

A performance that delivers for both savers and borrowers

Financial strength

A 7% increase in profit before tax, to GBP6.4m (30 September 2018: GBP6.0m), has resulted in an increase in the key capital ratio, Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1), to 16.2% (31 March 2019: 16.0%). Despite the pressure on net interest margins experienced the Society's margin improved modestly year on year, to 1.04% (30 September 2018: 1.02%), and our focus on cost efficiency delivered an improvement in the key cost efficiency measure (the management expense ratio) in relation to the comparable period, to 0.83% (30 September 2018: 0.88%).

Capital resources

 
                          Transitional                                    Transitional 
                                CRD IV              Full implementation         CRD IV              Full implementation 
                                 rules                        of CRD IV          rules                        of CRD IV 
                             30-Sep-19                        30-Sep-19      31-Mar-19                        31-Mar-19 
                                  GBPm                             GBPm           GBPm                             GBPm 
 
 Members' interests and 
  equity 
  (excluding Additional 
  Tier 
  1)                             382.7                            382.7          377.3                            377.3 
 Other adjustments(1)            (0.4)                           (28.5)            5.9                           (25.5) 
-----------------------  -------------  -------------------------------  -------------  ------------------------------- 
 Common Equity Tier 1 
  (CET 1) 
  capital                        382.3                            354.2          383.2                            351.8 
 Additional Tier 1 
  capital                          8.9                                -            8.9                                - 
-----------------------  -------------  -------------------------------  -------------  ------------------------------- 
 Total Tier 1 capital            391.2                            354.2          392.1                            351.8 
 Tier 2 capital(2)                21.6                             21.6           21.6                             21.6 
 Total regulatory 
  capital resources              412.8                            375.8          413.7                            373.4 
-----------------------  -------------  -------------------------------  -------------  ------------------------------- 
 
 Risk weighted assets 
  (RWA)                        2,359.6                          2,302.1        2,400.6                          2,321.7 
 Leverage ratio 
  exposure                     5,545.6                          5,545.6        5,586.3                          5,586.3 
-----------------------  -------------  -------------------------------  -------------  ------------------------------- 
 
 Capital ratios                      %                                %              %                                % 
 
 Common Equity Tier 1 
  ratio 
  (as a percentage of 
  RWA)                            16.2                             15.4           16.0                             15.2 
 Tier 1 ratio (as a 
  percentage 
  of RWA)                         16.6                             15.4           16.3                             15.2 
 Total capital ratio 
  (as a percentage 
  of RWA)                         17.5                             16.3           17.2                             16.1 
 Leverage ratio                    7.1                              6.4            7.0                              6.3 
-----------------------  -------------  -------------------------------  -------------  ------------------------------- 
 

1 Other adjustments mainly relate to intangible assets, deferred tax and IFRS 9 transitional relief.

2 Tier 2 capital excludes accrued interest.

The statutory impairment charge reduced year on year from GBP3.7m to GBP0.5m. However, including the impact of positions taken to hedge the commercial lending exposure against the risk of interest rate increases, the cost of credit risk increased by GBP1.3m, from GBP2.9m to GBP4.2m, driven by the ongoing challenges facing the commercial real estate sector, primarily retailers. In addition, a provision of GBP0.7m was set aside, mainly to cover the potential cost of redress following the late surge in PPI claims as the August deadline for making a claim approached.

The movements in the cost of credit risk and PPI provisions were more than offset by the benefit of an 8% (GBP2.0m) reduction in administration costs including depreciation, and a GBP1.0m increase in the valuation gains relating to the Society's investment property portfolio. This portfolio consists of 870 rental properties, mainly based in the South West and South Wales, with tenants benefiting from our mutual values which drive the approach we take to delivering fair-priced, good quality residential housing. Occupancy levels are consistently near to 100%.

This financial performance has also allowed the Society to meet its forecast distribution policy as announced in the Liability Management Exercise of April 2018. A distribution of GBP0.50 per core capital deferred share (CCDS) will be made in February 2020.

Balancing members' interests

As referred to above, the mortgage market competition has continued to intensify. As an example, the average market fixed mortgage rate on new business offered at the start of the period was 2.11%(1) . By September a comparable product was 2.01%. The Society has responded to this margin pressure, whilst maintaining savers' rates significantly above the market average. Indeed savers received, on average, rates some 50%(2) above the market average during the 6 months to 30 September, an improvement on the premium offered in the comparable period in 2018 of 42%. On an annualised basis, this represents a very considerable GBP13.7m (30 September 2018: GBP10.5m) distributed to our savings members.

However, a consequence of the competition in the mortgage market is a materially lower volume of lending for the period. In the six months, GBP251m of new mortgages were advanced, compared with GBP466m in the same period in 2018, albeit this was higher than the second six months of the financial year to 31 March 2019 of GBP225m. A key driver for this reduction was our belief that, at times, the pricing in the market for some lending types had reduced to an extent where the potential costs of the risks of bad debts were not sufficiently covered. It is in these circumstances where a mutual has a clear responsibility to its members not to lend and risk depleting capital.

We have maintained our focus on providing a broader mortgage proposition that reflects the changing needs of society. Our new range of shared ownership products has proved a popular addition, supporting borrowers looking for a modern route into homeownership. This extension, along with our wider product proposition, evidences our continued support to first-time buyers, who have accounted for 43% of all lending during the first six months.

(1) Average market rates sourced from UK Finance table IR5M

(2) Average market rates sourced from Bank of England Bankstats table A6.1

Responsible lending and managing legacy exposures

In the 6 months to 30 September, our exposure to the legacy loans to the commercial real estate sector, excluding those loans that are subject to securitisation, reduced only modestly to GBP406.7m (31 March 2019: GBP411.9m). The provisions coverage for potential losses against this exposure, however, increased to 16.1% (31 March 2019: 15.7%).

Our residential lending exposure remains very low risk. Cases in arrears by 3 months or more were just 0.31% on our core owner occupied loans (31 March 2019: 0.36%) and 0.15% on our buy to let loans (31 March 2019: 0.12%). These compare favourably with industry UK Finance averages, for arrears of greater than 3 months, of 0.81% and 0.37% respectively.

A safe, stable funding base

The vast majority of the funding the Society uses to meet the requirements of borrowing members is provided by its savers, broadly unchanged over the period at 79%. Within this branch based balances increased marginally as a proportion of savings balances, to 71% (31 March 2019: 69%).

In order to provide security of access for savers to their savings, the Society ensures it maintains liquid resources to meet this need, even in the event of a stress event, for example should there be an unexpected reaction to a 'no deal' Brexit. Given the proximity of our last financial year end to such a risk, we held nearly double the regulatory requirement (referred to as the Liquidity Coverage Ratio, or LCR), at 195%. Given the cost to members of holding excess liquidity, we manage this carefully, and as at the half year we reduced the coverage to 158%, still very substantially above the assessed requirement.

Strong member advocacy and engagement

We pride ourselves on providing a consistent level of outstanding service irrespective of how people choose to interact with us. Our Net Promotor Score(3) (a key indicator of how likely our members are to recommend us to others) increased to +73, from +72 at the previous financial year end. This compares with a financial services industry average of +50(4) .

As well as the outstanding level of service provided by our people, reflected in satisfaction survey results of 95% at 30 September 2019, we are becoming increasingly innovative in how we extend Society services to members through our online offering. Over the last six months we have upgraded our website and launched an online mortgage application tracker service that enables both new mortgage borrowers and intermediary partners to view the status and progression of mortgage applications online.

Future developments to extend our online offering to improve the experience of our members and deliver efficiency are in progress, supported by ongoing investment into a programme of work to improve and upgrade our technology.

Finally, further meetings were held with our Member and Employee Councils. Again, the outputs of these engagements proved to be valuable, informing management's understanding of a diversity of perspectives on a wide range of topics.

The Society's commitment to the community is a continuing source of pride to us. This is epitomised by the support provided to our current chosen charity of the year - the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity - where we have raised nearly GBP18,000 in the first six months of the year for this emergency response service. The charity completes some 2,000 missions each year, many lifesaving, which is why our fundraising makes an important contribution to this vital cause.

As well as our fundraising efforts, staff also give their time to community initiatives through our active volunteering programme. That comprised almost 400 hours of volunteering for various regional charities, as well as presentations on financial awareness to local schools.

(3) Net Promoter Score and NPS are trademarks of Satmetrix Systems, Inc., Bain & Company, Inc., and Fred Reichheld.

(4) NPS UK average for financial services www.customergauge.com/benchmarks/industry/financial-services

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Society continues to recognise that effective risk management is essential to achieving the Society's objectives in an operating environment where the nature of the threats which prevail is continually evolving.

Where applicable, this report provides an update on the principal risks and uncertainties reported on pages 25 to 31 of the 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts.

Principal risks

In the period, the Society's identified principal risk categories have remained unchanged. Against the backdrop of ongoing economic uncertainty, credit risk management has been a key focus to ensure new loan originations remain in line with Board approved risk appetite. To aid this further, a project to develop new credit application scorecards has commenced to support the underwriters in their decision making process.

The Society's IFRS 9 provisioning and stress testing models continue to provide informed outputs against a range of macroeconomic scenarios that supports the ongoing financial resiliency assessments.

Business conditions and the economic environment

Brexit related uncertainty remains and the potential impact of this on the economy is closely monitored. Whilst the regulatory authorities have commented that the UK Banking system could support the real economy should the UK leave the EU without a transitional deal in place, the potential range of outcomes for Brexit has widened. The Society's UK focus should allow it to be protected from the short-term adverse implications of a problematic Brexit, but it could be impacted by wider long-term economic changes affecting house prices, Bank Rate and employment levels. Our business plans continue to model the impact of a range of scenarios and stress tests are performed to provide comfort that the Society can tolerate the consequences of the spectrum of potential outcomes. In particular, financial projections are reviewed regularly to identify mitigation actions.

Margin compression

As already outlined, notwithstanding the net interest margin increasing modestly, the Society has moderated its lending in the period as the risk adjusted returns on capital thresholds were not being achieved and, in November, the rates on certain savings products were reduced. These management actions continue to be driven by the very low Bank Rate environment, which is now expected to continue at these levels for a prolonged period and the prospect of it dropping further continues to increase as evidenced by market expectations. Indeed, other well established economies, i.e. Japan and the European Union, already have negative interest rates set by their central banks. The reducing mortgage rates in the traditional market will impact the Society's growth opportunities but accepting this position is the responsible thing to do in this environment to protect member value.

Technology investment and operational resilience

The Society continues to invest in a programme of strategic change in its core technology platforms to allow greater digital capability in both savings and mortgage origination that is expected to retain significant management involvement through to 2021.

Building on the investment already made in cyber security infrastructure, the focus on operational resilience has been heightened in the period to ensure the Society's critical business services remain readily available to meet members' demands. The Society remains committed to developing an operational environment that is strong and resilient, meeting members' and regulatory expectations.

Strengthening risk management capabilities

Our capability to assess, manage and control risks has been illustrated by the progress we have made, over recent years, to de-risk the balance sheet. We are also continuing to develop our risk management capabilities through a project to progress the Society towards the Internal Ratings Based approach to credit risk. The project, which was anticipated to result in an application being submitted before the end of 2019, will be deferred to allow the Society's models to be developed to take account of the latest regulatory guidelines from the European Banking Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority published in CP 21/19 in September 2019.

Outlook

A recurring theme of the recent years has been the uncertain outlook, driven primarily by the issues surrounding the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. This uncertainty remains, with a general election now also on the near term horizon. Forecasting the housing market over the medium term therefore remains very difficult. However, we expect to see a continuing pressure on margins, to the point where levels do not appropriately account for the associated risk.

As I stressed in my year-end report the West Brom, throughout its now 170 year history, has remained resolute in how it has delivered both continuity and change across generations. Our performance in the first six months of this year, delivering increased levels of profit, strengthened capital and sustained member value has been guided by our long-term traditional building society purpose of helping people to save and to have somewhere they can call home. Delivering against these principles continues to evidence the relevance and resilience of our mutual model.

Remaining true to, and delivering consistently against, this purpose will help ensure we are well positioned to respond to both the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Jonathan Westhoff

Chief Executive

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this half-yearly report are forward-looking. Although the West Brom believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be an accurate reflection of actual results. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the West Brom. As a result, the West Brom's actual future financial condition, business performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Due to such risks and uncertainties the West Brom cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Condensed consolidated half-yearly Income Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                        6 months            6 months        Year 
                                                           ended               ended       ended 
                                                       30-Sep-19           30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                                       unaudited           unaudited     audited 
                                               Notes        GBPm                GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Interest receivable and similar income 
  Calculated using the effective interest 
   method                                                   58.5                58.4       118.5 
  On instruments measured at fair value 
   through profit or loss                                  (2.0)               (4.1)       (6.9) 
 Total interest receivable and similar 
  income                                                    56.5                54.3       111.6 
 Interest expense and similar charges                     (27.8)              (25.3)      (53.1) 
 
 Net interest receivable                                    28.7                29.0        58.5 
 
 Fees and commissions receivable                             1.1                 1.6         2.6 
 Other operating income                                      2.2                 2.0         4.0 
 Fair value (losses)/gains on financial 
  instruments                                              (4.3)                 0.2       (4.4) 
 
 Total income                                               27.7                32.8        60.7 
 
 Administrative expenses                                  (19.4)              (21.6)      (42.6) 
 Depreciation and amortisation                  10         (3.5)               (3.3)       (6.9) 
 
 Operating profit before revaluation gains, 
  impairment and provisions                                  4.8                 7.9        11.2 
 
 Gains on investment properties                 11           2.8                 1.8         2.6 
 Impairment on loans and advances                6         (0.5)               (3.7)       (3.0) 
 Provisions for liabilities                      7         (0.7)                   -       (0.3) 
 
 Profit before tax                                           6.4                 6.0        10.5 
 Taxation                                                  (1.2)               (1.1)       (1.4) 
 
 Profit for the period                                       5.2                 4.9         9.1 
--------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ------------------  ---------- 
 

Condensed consolidated half-yearly Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                             6 months          6 months               Year 
                                                                ended             ended              ended 
                                                            30-Sep-19         30-Sep-18          31-Mar-19 
                                                            unaudited         unaudited            audited 
                                                                 GBPm              GBPm               GBPm 
 
 Profit for the period                                            5.2               4.9                9.1 
---------------------------------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that may subsequently be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Fair value through other comprehensive 
  income investments 
  Valuation gains/(losses) taken to equity                        0.3             (0.9)              (1.1) 
 Taxation                                                       (0.1)               0.2                0.2 
 Items that will not subsequently be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Actuarial losses on defined benefit obligations                    -                 -              (2.5) 
 Taxation                                                           -                 -                0.5 
---------------------------------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Other comprehensive income for the period, 
  net of tax                                                      0.2             (0.7)              (2.9) 
---------------------------------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the period                        5.4               4.2                6.2 
---------------------------------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 

Condensed consolidated half-yearly Statement of Financial Position

at 30 September 2019

 
                                                30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                                unaudited   unaudited     audited 
                                       Notes         GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Assets 
 Cash and balances with the Bank 
  of England                                        197.7       130.1       182.5 
 Loans and advances to credit 
  institutions                                      126.9       106.0       106.7 
 Investment securities                              331.2       259.4       309.3 
 Derivative financial instruments                     4.4        17.9         6.5 
 Loans and advances to customers         8        4,667.4     4,843.6     4,746.7 
 Deferred tax assets                                 17.7        19.7        18.9 
 Trade and other receivables                          3.2         3.6         3.7 
 Intangible assets                      10           17.2        15.1        16.5 
 Investment properties                  11          137.5       134.0       134.7 
 Property, plant and equipment          10           29.8        29.6        28.4 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total assets                                     5,533.0     5,559.0     5,553.9 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Shares                                  9        3,982.3     3,869.2     3,991.2 
 Amounts due to credit institutions                 631.9       760.1       667.3 
 Amounts due to other customers                     105.2        96.7        77.7 
 Derivative financial instruments                    52.7        33.0        39.3 
 Debt securities in issue               12          322.0       369.7       344.1 
 Current tax liabilities                                -         4.0         1.1 
 Deferred tax liabilities                             5.9         4.2         5.8 
 Trade and other payables                            13.7         9.7        12.1 
 Provisions for liabilities              7            1.5         1.5         1.4 
 Retirement benefit obligations                       3.4         4.0         4.9 
 Subordinated liabilities               16           22.8        22.8        22.8 
 Total liabilities                                5,141.4     5,174.9     5,167.7 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Members' interests and equity 
 Core capital deferred shares           13          127.0       127.0       127.0 
 Subscribed capital                     15            8.9         8.9         8.9 
 General reserves                                   252.3       244.7       247.1 
 Revaluation reserve                                  3.3         3.4         3.3 
 Fair value reserve                                   0.1         0.1       (0.1) 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total members' interests and 
  equity                                            391.6       384.1       386.2 
====================================  ======  ===========  ==========  ========== 
 Total members' interests, equity 
  and liabilities                                 5,533.0     5,559.0     5,553.9 
------------------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Condensed consolidated Statement of Changes in Members' Interests and Equity

for the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
 6 months ended 30 September 2019 (unaudited) 
                                                                  Core 
                                                               capital                                                                    Fair 
                                                              deferred        Subscribed           General       Revaluation             value 
                                                                shares           capital          reserves           reserve           reserve             Total 
                                                                  GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm 
 
 At 1 April 
  2019                                                           127.0               8.9             247.1               3.3             (0.1)             386.2 
 Profit for the 
  period                                                             -                 -               5.2                 -                 -               5.2 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 for the period 
 (net of 
 tax) 
 Fair value 
  through other 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  investments                                                        -                 -                 -                 -               0.2               0.2 
 Total other 
  comprehensive 
  income                                                             -                 -                 -                 -               0.2               0.2 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  for the 
  period                                                             -                 -               5.2                 -               0.2               5.4 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 At 30 
  September 
  2019                                                           127.0               8.9             252.3               3.3               0.1             391.6 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 
 6 months ended 
 30 September 
 2018 
 (unaudited) 
                            Profit              Core 
                     participating           capital                                                               Available              Fair 
                          deferred          deferred        Subscribed           General       Revaluation          for sale             value 
                            shares            shares           capital          reserves           reserve           reserve           reserve             Total 
                              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm 
 
 
 At 1 April 
  2018                       175.0                 -              75.0             215.8               3.4               0.8                 -             470.0 
 Changes on 
  initial 
  application 
  of IFRS 9                      -                 -                 -            (27.9)                 -             (0.8)               0.8            (27.9) 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 At 1 April 
  2018 
  including 
  impact of 
  IFRS 9 
  adoption                   175.0                 -              75.0             187.9               3.4                 -               0.8             442.1 
 Profit for the 
  period                         -                 -                 -               4.9                 -                 -                 -               4.9 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 for the period 
 (net of 
 tax) 
 Fair value 
  through other 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  investments                    -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -             (0.7)             (0.7) 
 Total other 
  comprehensive 
  income                         -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -             (0.7)             (0.7) 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  for the 
  period                         -                 -                 -               4.9                 -                 -             (0.7)               4.2 
 Capital 
  restructuring            (175.0)             127.0            (66.1)              51.9                 -                 -                 -            (62.2) 
 At 30 
  September 
  2018                           -             127.0               8.9             244.7               3.4                 -               0.1             384.1 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 
 
 
 
 
  Year ended 31 
  March 2019 
  (audited) 
                            Profit              Core 
                     participating           capital                                                               Available              Fair 
                          deferred          deferred        Subscribed           General       Revaluation          for sale             value 
                            shares            shares           capital          reserves           reserve           reserve           reserve             Total 
                              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm              GBPm 
 
 At 1 April 
  2018                       175.0                 -              75.0             215.8               3.4               0.8                 -             470.0 
 Changes on 
  initial 
  application 
  of IFRS 9                      -                 -                 -            (27.8)                 -             (0.8)               0.8            (27.8) 
                                    ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 At 1 April 
  2018 
  including 
  impact of 
  IFRS 9 
  adoption                   175.0                 -              75.0             188.0               3.4                 -               0.8             442.2 
 Profit for the 
  financial 
  year                           -                 -                 -               9.1                 -                 -                 -               9.1 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 for the year 
 (net of 
 tax) 
 Retirement 
  benefit 
  obligations                    -                 -                 -             (2.0)                 -                 -                 -             (2.0) 
 Realisation of 
  previous 
  revaluation 
  gains                          -                 -                 -               0.1             (0.1)                 -                 -                 - 
 Fair value 
  through other 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  investments                    -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -             (0.9)             (0.9) 
 Total other 
  comprehensive 
  income                         -                 -                 -             (1.9)             (0.1)                 -             (0.9)             (2.9) 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  for the year                   -                 -                 -               7.2             (0.1)                 -             (0.9)               6.2 
 Capital 
  restructuring            (175.0)             127.0            (66.1)              51.9                 -                 -                 -            (62.2) 
 At 31 March 
  2019                           -             127.0               8.9             247.1               3.3                 -             (0.1)             386.2 
---------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 

Condensed consolidated half-yearly Statement of Cash Flows

for the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                       6 months          6 months               Year 
                                                          ended             ended              ended 
                                                      30-Sep-19         30-Sep-18          31-Mar-19 
                                                      unaudited         unaudited            audited 
                                                           GBPm              GBPm               GBPm 
 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 
  activities (below)                                       82.2           (103.2)               30.7 
--------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of investment securities                       (57.5)            (62.5)            (120.1) 
 Proceeds from disposal of investment 
  securities                                               47.9              65.3               87.8 
 Proceeds from disposal of investment 
  properties                                                  -                 -                0.1 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
  and intangible assets                                   (3.0)             (2.5)              (6.7) 
 Proceeds from disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                       0.6                 -                  - 
-------------------------------------------   -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Net cash flows from investing activities                (12.0)               0.3             (38.9) 
--------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Issue of debt securities                                     -               1.0                1.0 
 Repayment of debt securities in issue                   (21.4)           (124.0)            (149.2) 
 Capital restructuring                                        -            (36.2)             (36.2) 
 Interest paid on subordinated liabilities                (1.2)                 -              (1.2) 
 Payment of lease liabilities                             (0.3)                 -                  - 
-------------------------------------------   -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Net cash flows from financing activities                (22.9)           (159.2)            (185.6) 
--------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash                           47.3           (262.1)            (193.8) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of period                                               298.7             492.5              492.5 
--------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of 
  period                                                  346.0             230.4              298.7 
--------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balances with maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition:

 
                                                                   30-Sep-19        30-Sep-18        31-Mar-19 
                                                                   unaudited        unaudited          audited 
                                                                        GBPm             GBPm             GBPm 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
 Cash in hand (including Bank of England Reserve account)              187.1            119.4            172.0 
 Loans and advances to credit institutions                             126.9            106.0            106.7 
 Investment securities                                                  32.0              5.0             20.0 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                       346.0            230.4            298.7 
 ----------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

The Group is required to maintain certain mandatory balances with the Bank of England which, at 30 September 2019, amounted to GBP10.6m (30 September 2018: GBP10.7m and 31 March 2019: GBP10.5m). The movement in these balances is included within cash flows from operating activities.

Condensed consolidated half-yearly Statement of Cash Flows (continued)

for the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                  6 months    6 months        Year 
                                                     ended       ended       ended 
                                                 30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                                 unaudited   unaudited     audited 
                                                      GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Profit before tax                                     6.4         6.0        10.5 
 Adjustments for non-cash items included 
  in profit before tax 
 Impairment on loans and advances                      0.5         3.7         3.0 
 Depreciation and amortisation                         3.5         3.3         6.9 
 Disposal of property, plant and equipment           (0.1)           -           - 
 Revaluation of investment properties                (2.8)       (1.8)       (2.6) 
 Changes in provisions for liabilities                 0.1       (0.6)       (0.7) 
 Interest on subordinated liabilities                  1.2         1.2         2.4 
 Fair value losses on equity release 
  portfolio                                            0.1         0.9         1.7 
 Other non-cash movements                           (14.3)         1.3      (12.3) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                     (5.4)        14.0         8.9 
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
 Loans and advances to customers                      91.7      (79.0)        30.0 
 Loans and advances to credit institutions           (0.1)       (4.1)       (3.9) 
 Derivative financial instruments                     15.5       (4.1)        13.6 
 Shares                                              (8.9)     (182.1)      (59.9) 
 Deposits and other borrowings                       (7.3)       153.0        42.0 
 Trade and other receivables                           0.5         2.5         2.4 
 Trade and other payables                            (1.2)       (2.3)         0.3 
 Retirement benefit obligations                      (1.5)       (1.1)       (2.7) 
 Tax paid                                            (1.1)           -           - 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 
  activities                                          82.2     (103.2)        30.7 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Notes to condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information

for the six months ended 30 September 2019

1 General information

These half-yearly financial results do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Building Societies Act 1986. A copy of the statutory accounts for the year to 31 March 2019 has been delivered to the Financial Conduct Authority and the relevant information in this report has been extracted from these statutory accounts. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019 have been reported on by the Group's auditor and the report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, and (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report.

The consolidated half-yearly financial information for the six months to 30 September 2019 and 30 September 2018 is unaudited and has not been reviewed by the Group's auditor.

2 Basis of preparation

This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union. The half-yearly condensed consolidated financial report should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.

3 Going concern and business viability statement

Details of the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its exposure to risk are contained in the Risk Management Report of the 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts. The Directors also include statements in the Directors' Report in respect of going concern and longer-term business viability on page 36 of the 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts.

The Directors have reviewed the latest plans and forecasts for the Group giving consideration to liquidity and capital adequacy. They are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to meet both the normal demands of the business and the requirements which might arise in stressed circumstances for the next 12 months and that the longer-term business viability statement in the 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts remains appropriate. Accordingly they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these half-yearly financial results.

4 Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted by the Group in the preparation of its 2019 Interim Financial Report are consistent with those disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019 with the exception of the adoption of IFRS 16 'Leases', the impacts of which are set out below.

IFRS 16 'Leases'

a) Introduction

IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted by the Group from 1 April 2019 and replaces IAS 17 'Leases'. The standard amends the definition of a lease and sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. As permitted by the new standard, the Group has implemented IFRS 16 using the 'modified retrospective' approach and recognised the cumulative impact of transition as an adjustment to 'general reserves' in the Statement of Financial Position at 1 April 2019. Therefore, the comparative information has not been restated and is presented, as previously reported, under IAS 17 and related interpretations.

Previously, under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 'Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease', the Group had no finance leases but had operating lease arrangements for properties whereby lease rentals were expensed to the Income Statement and disclosed within administrative expenses. On adoption of IFRS 16 under the modified retrospective approach, these lease arrangements, where the Group is a lessee, have been brought onto the Statement of Financial Position. Lease liabilities, representing the obligation to make future lease payments, have been recognised within trade and other payables and initially measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments at 1 April 2019, discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate at that date. The incremental borrowing rate was determined with reference to pricing for securities with similar risk characteristics and terms to the leased assets. The leased assets, reported as right-of-use assets within property, plant and equipment, were initially measured at an amount equal to the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments recognised at 31 March 2019.

Following transition, leases are identified in accordance with the definition set out in IFRS 16. Operating lease rental costs are replaced with depreciation charges on the right-of-use assets (presented within administrative expenses) and interest expense charged on lease liabilities (presented within interest expense and similar charges). In the six months ended 30 September 2019, the adoption of IFRS 16 resulted in a GBP0.3m reduction in administrative expenses, offset by a GBP0.3m increase in depreciation and interest payable.

The Group has elected to apply the following practical expedients which are allowed on transition to IFRS 16:

- Contracts existing at 1 April 2019 have, without reassessment, been identified as leases only if previously classified as such under IAS 17.

- No right-of-use assets or lease liabilities have been recognised for leases of plant and equipment which are of low value or end within 12 months of the date of IFRS 16 adoption. For these leases, payments continue to be recognised as administrative expenses, on a straight line basis over the lease term.

- Reliance has been placed on previous assessments of whether leases are onerous as an alternative to performing an impairment review. As no provisions for onerous leases were required at 31 March 2019, there were no adjustments to right-of use assets in this respect.

- Initial direct costs have been excluded from the measurement of right-of-use assets at 1 April 2019.

- Where contracts contain termination or extension options, hindsight has been used to determine the lease term.

IFRS 16 adoption has not impacted the reporting of lease arrangements where the Group acts as lessor, with lessor accounting being substantially unchanged from that prescribed by IAS 17.

The Society's first full set of financial statements prepared under IFRS 16 will be published in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020.

b) Changes to accounting policies

The Group's new lease accounting policy is set out below.

Leases

When the Group enters into a contract which conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in excess of 12 months in exchange for consideration, it recognises a right-of-use asset within property, plant and equipment and a corresponding lease liability within trade and other payables in the Statement of Financial Position. The majority of the Group's leases relate to its branch property network.

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments at the commencement date, discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate. The lease term incorporates lease extension or termination options where they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The incremental borrowing rate is determined with reference to the market pricing of securities with similar risk characteristics and terms to the leased assets at the commencement date. The carrying value of the lease liability is adjusted for interest charged and repayments. The lease liability is remeasured for changes in future lease payments, the lease term or the Group's assessment of whether it will exercise a lease extension or termination option. Any remeasurement results in a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use asset. Interest is charged on the lease liability at the Group's incremental borrowing rate and recorded in interest expense and similar charges within the Income Statement.

The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for remeasurement of the corresponding lease liability. The initial measurement of the right-of-use asset includes the lease liability, initial direct costs, lease payments made prior to the commencement date and lease incentives received. It is subsequently depreciated using the straight line method over the shorter of the asset's estimated useful life and the period to the end of the lease term. Right-of-use assets are subject to an annual impairment assessment.

The Group does not recognise a right-of-use asset or lease liability for leases of low value or with lease terms of less than 12 months. For these leases, payments are recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term and disclosed within administrative expenses in the Income Statement.

In the Statement of Cash Flows, payments of lease liabilities are categorised as cash flows from financing activities.

c) Financial impact of IFRS 16 adoption

The Group has a number of leased assets, primarily branch properties, which have been recognised as right-of-use assets under IFRS 16. The financial impact of adopting this standard is summarised in the table below.

 
 
 
 
                                                                                Increase/(Decrease) in general 
                                                                                                      reserves 
                                                                                                      1-Apr-19 
 Impact of IFRS 16 adoption on        Statement of Financial Position                                unaudited 
 equity                                category                                                           GBPm 
 
 Recognition of right-of-use assets   Property, plant and equipment                                        2.6 
 Release of lease incentive 
  accruals                            Trade and other payables                                             0.2 
 Recognition of lease liabilities     Trade and other payables                                           (2.8) 
-----------------------------------  -----------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
 Total                                General reserves                                                       - 
-----------------------------------  -----------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
 

A reconciliation between the operating lease commitments disclosed in the 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts and the lease liability recognised at 1 April 2019 under IFRS 16 is set out in the table below.

 
 
                                                                                unaudited 
                                                               Notes                 GBPm 
 Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 March 2019                               1.9 
 Operating lease commencing after 1 April 2019                   (i)                (0.3) 
 Adjustments for future termination and extension options        (ii)                 1.5 
                                                                 (ii 
 Impact of discounting                                            i)                (0.3) 
 
 Lease liability recognised at 1 April 2019                                           2.8 
---------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------ 
 

Notes

(i) Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 March 2019 included lease agreements signed before the reporting date which did not commence until after 1 April 2019 and are therefore excluded from the lease liability recognised at 1 April 2019.

(ii) Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 March 2019 represented the Group's minimum contractual commitments, assuming that termination options were exercised where this was possible at the discretion of the lessee. Under IFRS 16, the lease liability includes the Group's expected behaviour in respect of future termination and extension options.

(iii) The lease liability represents the value of future lease payments discounted at the Group's incremental borrowing rate (IBR) at 1 April 2019. The weighted average IBR on adoption of IFRS 16 was 2.6%, with the IBRs applied to individual leases ranging from 1.9% to 2.9% depending on the lease term.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies

In the process of applying accounting policies, the Group makes various judgements, estimates and assumptions which affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Under IFRS 16, which was adopted in the period, the Group makes judgements in relation to the exercise of termination and extension options in order to calculate lease terms. Determining the incremental borrowing rate used to discount the future lease payments involves a degree of estimation uncertainty. However, these judgements and estimates are not deemed critical as they do not materially impact the financial statements.

For the half year accounts, tax has been charged on the statutory profit before tax at the UK standard rate of 19%. A full review of the tax position of the Society and its subsidiaries will be carried out at the year end date. Otherwise, the significant judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty at 30 September 2019 are unchanged from those existing at 31 March 2019.

5 Business segments

Operating segments are reported in accordance with the internal reporting provided to the Group Board (the chief operating decision maker), which is responsible for allocating resources to the reportable segments and assessing their performance.

The Group has three main business segments:

-- Retail - incorporating residential lending, savings, investments and protection;

-- Commercial real estate - primarily representing loans for commercial property investment; and

-- Property - a portfolio of residential properties for rent.

Central Group operations have been included in Retail and comprise risk management, finance, treasury services, human resources and computer services, none of which constitute a separately reportable segment.

There were no changes to reportable segments during the period.

Transactions between the business segments are carried out at arm's length. The revenue from external parties reported to the Group Board is measured in a manner consistent with that in the consolidated Income Statement.

Funds are ordinarily allocated between segments, resulting in funding cost transfers disclosed in inter-segment net interest income. Interest charged for these funds is based on the Group's cost of capital. Central administrative costs are also allocated between segments and are disclosed in inter-segment administrative expenses. There are no other material items of income or expense between the business segments.

The Group does not consider its operations to be cyclical or seasonal in nature.

 
 6 months ended 30 September 2019                          Commercial              Consolidation     Total 
  (unaudited)                                   Retail    real estate   Property     adjustments     Group 
                                                  GBPm           GBPm       GBPm            GBPm      GBPm 
 Interest receivable and similar income 
  Calculated using the effective interest 
   method                                         60.9            5.3          -           (7.7)      58.5 
  On instruments measured at fair 
   value through profit or loss                  (2.0)              -          -               -     (2.0) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 Total interest receivable and similar 
  income                                          58.9            5.3          -           (7.7)      56.5 
 Interest expense and similar charges           (27.4)          (6.7)      (1.4)             7.7    (27.8) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 Net interest receivable/(expense)                31.5          (1.4)      (1.4)               -      28.7 
 Fees and commissions receivable                   1.1              -          -               -       1.1 
 Other operating income                            0.1              -        2.1               -       2.2 
 Fair value losses on financial instruments      (0.4)          (3.7)          -           (0.2)     (4.3) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 Total income                                     32.3          (5.1)        0.7           (0.2)      27.7 
 Administrative expenses                        (18.8)          (0.5)      (0.1)               -    (19.4) 
 Depreciation and amortisation                   (3.5)              -          -               -     (3.5) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) before revaluation 
  gains, impairment and provisions                10.0          (5.6)        0.6           (0.2)       4.8 
 Gains on investment properties                      -              -        2.8               -       2.8 
 Impairment on loans and advances                  0.4          (0.9)          -               -     (0.5) 
 Provisions for liabilities                      (0.7)              -          -               -     (0.7) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 Profit/(Loss) before tax                          9.7          (6.5)        3.4           (0.2)       6.4 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 
 Total assets                                  5,495.2          370.1      139.9         (472.2)   5,533.0 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 Total liabilities                             5,132.0          462.4      122.6         (575.6)   5,141.4 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
 
 
 6 months ended 30 September 2018                    Commercial 
 (unaudited)                              Retail    real estate   Property     Consolidation adjustments   Total Group 
                                            GBPm           GBPm       GBPm                          GBPm          GBPm 
 
 Interest receivable and similar 
 income 
  Calculated using the effective 
   interest method                          57.9            8.8          -                         (8.3)          58.4 
  On instruments measured at fair 
   value through profit or loss            (3.7)          (0.4)          -                             -         (4.1) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 Total interest receivable and similar 
  income                                    54.2            8.4          -                         (8.3)          54.3 
 Interest expense and similar charges     (24.7)          (7.4)      (1.5)                           8.3        (25.3) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 Net interest receivable/(expense)          29.5            1.0      (1.5)                             -          29.0 
 Fees and commissions receivable             1.6              -          -                             -           1.6 
 Other operating (expense)/income          (0.1)              -        2.1                             -           2.0 
 Fair value (losses)/gains on 
  financial instruments                    (0.6)            0.8          -                             -           0.2 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 Total income                               30.4            1.8        0.6                             -          32.8 
 Administrative expenses                  (20.9)          (0.6)      (0.1)                             -        (21.6) 
 Depreciation and amortisation             (3.3)              -          -                             -         (3.3) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 Operating profit before revaluation 
  gains, impairment and provisions           6.2            1.2        0.5                             -           7.9 
 Gains on investment properties                -              -        1.8                             -           1.8 
 Impairment on loans and advances          (0.3)          (3.4)          -                             -         (3.7) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 Profit/(Loss) before tax                    5.9          (2.2)        2.3                             -           6.0 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 
 Total assets                            5,525.2          399.6      136.5                       (502.3)       5,559.0 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 Total liabilities                       5,133.7          490.7      123.2                       (572.7)       5,174.9 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------  ---------  ----------------------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                                Commercial                 Consolidation         Total 
 Year ended 31 March 2019 (audited)       Retail               real estate     Property      adjustments         Group 
                                            GBPm                      GBPm         GBPm             GBPm          GBPm 
 
 Interest receivable and similar 
 income 
  Calculated using the effective 
   interest 
   method                                  119.6                      15.3            -           (16.4)         118.5 
  On instruments measured at fair 
   value through profit or loss            (7.1)                       0.2            -                -         (6.9) 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Total interest receivable and similar 
  income                                   112.5                      15.5            -           (16.4)         111.6 
 Interest expense and similar charges     (52.0)                    (14.6)        (2.9)             16.4        (53.1) 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Net interest receivable/(expense)          60.5                       0.9        (2.9)                -          58.5 
 Fees and commissions receivable             2.6                         -            -                -           2.6 
 Other operating income                    (0.1)                         -          4.1                -           4.0 
 Fair value losses on financial 
  instruments                              (1.7)                     (2.4)            -            (0.3)         (4.4) 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Total income                               61.3                     (1.5)          1.2            (0.3)          60.7 
 Administrative expenses                  (41.2)                     (1.3)        (0.1)                -        (42.6) 
 Depreciation and amortisation             (6.9)                         -            -                -         (6.9) 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Operating profit/(loss) before 
  revaluation 
  gains, impairment and provisions          13.2                     (2.8)          1.1            (0.3)          11.2 
 Gains on investment properties                -                         -          2.6                -           2.6 
 Impairment on loans and advances          (1.2)                     (1.8)            -                -         (3.0) 
 Provisions for liabilities                    -                     (0.3)            -                -         (0.3) 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Profit/(Loss) before tax                   12.0                     (4.9)          3.7            (0.3)          10.5 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 
 Total assets                            5,497.3                     381.6        137.0          (462.0)       5,553.9 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Total liabilities                       5,139.9                     472.5        123.1          (567.8)       5,167.7 
--------------------------------------  --------  ------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------ 
 

6 Allowance for losses on loans and advances to customers

 
                                                  6 months    6 months        Year 
                                                     ended       ended       ended 
                                                 30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                                 unaudited   unaudited     audited 
                                                      GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Impairment charge for the period                      0.5         3.7         3.0 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Impairment provision at end of period 
 
 Loans fully secured on residential property           4.3         6.3         6.0 
 Loans fully secured on land                          70.4        77.4        70.7 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total                                                74.7        83.7        76.7 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

In accordance with IFRS 9, 'Financial instruments', forecasts of future economic conditions are integral to the expected credit loss calculations. At 31 March 2019, the Group modelled four forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios: central, upside, downside and stress with respective probability weightings of 50%, 10%, 30% and 10%. Individual economic variables within the scenarios are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the current economic outlook.

At 30 September 2019, the probability weightings were adjusted to skew towards the downside scenarios with uncertainties in the future economic environment, together with geopolitical risk (not least from Brexit), potentially weighing on any upside. The central scenario was still considered the most likely single scenario at 40%. The upside, downside and stress scenarios had probability weightings of 5%, 35% and 20% respectively. Due to the uncertainty of the path of interest rates in the event of a disruptive Brexit, the stress scenario was segmented into two, representing low and high Bank Rate trajectories.

The tables below analyse the movement in residential impairment provisions by IFRS 9 stage.

 
                                                  Stage    Stage    Stage 
                                                      1        2        3    Total 
 6 months ended 30 September 2019 (unaudited)      GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
 
 Residential expected credit loss allowance 
 At 1 April 2019                                    0.6      1.1      4.3      6.0 
 Transfers due to increased credit risk: 
  From stage 1 to stage 2                             -      0.1        -      0.1 
  From stage 1 to stage 3                             -        -      0.1      0.1 
  From stage 2 to stage 3                             -    (0.1)      0.3      0.2 
 Transfers due to decreased credit risk: 
  From stage 2 to stage 1                             -    (0.1)        -    (0.1) 
  From stage 3 to stage 2                             -        -    (0.2)    (0.2) 
 Remeasurement of expected credit losses 
  with no stage transfer                          (0.2)    (0.1)      0.2    (0.1) 
 Redemptions                                          -        -    (0.1)    (0.1) 
 Amounts written off                                  -        -    (1.5)    (1.5) 
 Other movements                                      -        -    (0.1)    (0.1) 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 At 30 September 2019                               0.4      0.9      3.0      4.3 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 
                                                  Stage    Stage    Stage 
                                                      1        2        3    Total 
 6 months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited)      GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
 
 Residential expected credit loss allowance 
 At 1 April 2018                                    0.6      2.5      4.7      7.8 
 Transfers due to increased credit risk: 
  From stage 1 to stage 2                             -      0.1        -      0.1 
  From stage 2 to stage 3                             -    (0.3)      0.2    (0.1) 
 Transfers due to decreased credit risk: 
  From stage 2 to stage 1                             -    (0.2)        -    (0.2) 
  From stage 3 to stage 2                             -      0.1    (0.2)    (0.1) 
 Remeasurement of expected credit losses 
  with no stage transfer                              -      0.2      0.9      1.1 
 Redemptions                                          -    (0.1)    (0.1)    (0.2) 
 Amounts written off                                  -        -    (2.1)    (2.1) 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 At 30 September 2018                               0.6      2.3      3.4      6.3 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 
                                                Stage    Stage    Stage 
                                                    1        2        3    Total 
 Year ended 31 March 2019 (audited)              GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
 
 Residential expected credit loss allowance 
 At 1 April 2018                                  0.6      2.5      4.7      7.8 
 Transfers due to increased credit risk: 
  From stage 1 to stage 2                           -      0.4        -      0.4 
  From stage 1 to stage 3                       (0.1)        -      0.5      0.4 
  From stage 2 to stage 3                           -    (0.3)      1.0      0.7 
 Transfers due to decreased credit risk: 
  From stage 2 to stage 1                         0.1    (0.7)        -    (0.6) 
  From stage 3 to stage 2                           -      0.1    (0.5)    (0.4) 
 Remeasurement of expected credit losses 
  with no stage transfer                          0.2    (0.6)      2.6      2.2 
 Redemptions                                    (0.1)    (0.3)    (0.2)    (0.6) 
 Amounts written off                            (0.1)        -    (3.7)    (3.8) 
 Other movements                                    -        -    (0.1)    (0.1) 
--------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 At 31 March 2019                                 0.6      1.1      4.3      6.0 
--------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

The tables below analyse the movement in commercial impairment provisions by IFRS 9 stage.

 
                                                  Stage    Stage    Stage 
                                                      1        2        3    Total 
 6 months ended 30 September 2019 (unaudited)      GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
 
 Commercial expected credit loss allowance 
 At 1 April 2019                                    0.3      8.8     61.6     70.7 
 Transfers due to increased credit risk: 
  From stage 2 to stage 3                             -    (2.7)      2.8      0.1 
 Remeasurement of expected credit losses 
  with no stage transfer                            0.1    (0.4)      3.0      2.7 
 Redemptions                                          -        -    (0.7)    (0.7) 
 Amounts written off                                  -        -    (2.4)    (2.4) 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 At 30 September 2019                               0.4      5.7     64.3     70.4 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 
                                                  Stage    Stage    Stage 
                                                      1        2        3    Total 
 6 months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited)      GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
 
 Commercial expected credit loss allowance 
 At 1 April 2018                                    0.1     11.8     62.5     74.4 
 Transfers due to increased credit risk: 
  From stage 2 to stage 3                             -    (2.1)      0.2    (1.9) 
 Transfers due to decreased credit risk: 
  From stage 3 to stage 2                             -      0.1    (0.1)        - 
 Remeasurement of expected credit losses 
  with no stage transfer                              -      1.3      4.7      6.0 
 Redemptions                                          -        -    (0.2)    (0.2) 
 Amounts written off                                  -        -    (0.9)    (0.9) 
 At 30 September 2018                               0.1     11.1     66.2     77.4 
----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 
                                               Stage    Stage    Stage 
                                                   1        2        3    Total 
 Year ended 31 March 2019 (audited)             GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
 
 Commercial expected credit loss allowance 
 At 1 April 2018                                 0.1     11.8     62.5     74.4 
 Transfers due to increased credit risk: 
  From stage 1 to stage 2                      (0.1)      0.1        -        - 
 Transfers due to decreased credit risk: 
  From stage 2 to stage 1                        0.3    (0.2)        -      0.1 
  From stage 3 to stage 2                          -      2.3    (2.6)    (0.3) 
 Remeasurement of expected credit losses 
  with no stage transfer                           -    (4.7)      8.7      4.0 
 Redemptions                                       -        -    (0.2)    (0.2) 
 Amounts written off                               -    (0.5)    (6.8)    (7.3) 
-------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 At 31 March 2019                                0.3      8.8     61.6     70.7 
-------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

7 Provisions for liabilities

 
 6 months ended 30 September 2019 
  (unaudited) 
                                               FSCS   Other   Total 
                                               GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
 
 At beginning 
  of period                                       -     1.4     1.4 
 Utilised in the 
  period                                          -   (0.6)   (0.6) 
 Charge for the 
  period                                          -     0.7     0.7 
 
 At end of period                                 -     1.5     1.5 
-----------------------------------  ----    ------  ------  ------ 
 
 6 months ended 30 September 2018 
  (unaudited) 
                                               FSCS   Other   Total 
                                               GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
 
 At beginning of 
  period                                        0.2     1.9     2.1 
 Utilised in the 
  period                                      (0.2)   (0.4)   (0.6) 
 Charge for the 
  period                                          -       -       - 
 
 At end of period                                 -     1.5     1.5 
------------------------------------    ---  ------  ------  ------ 
 
 Year ended 31 March 2019 
  (audited) 
                                               FSCS   Other   Total 
                                               GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
 
 At beginning 
  of year                                       0.2     1.9     2.1 
 Utilised in the 
  year                                        (0.2)   (0.8)   (1.0) 
 Charge for the 
  year                                            -     0.3     0.3 
 
 At end of year                                   -     1.4     1.4 
-----------------------------------  ----    ------  ------  ------ 
 
 

Other provisions

Other provisions primarily relate to Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) redress for which, following a number of media campaigns, the volume of claims increased significantly leading up to the 29 August 2019 deadline set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The PPI provision represents the Group's best estimate of the costs to settle its remaining obligations in respect of PPI claims.

8 Loans and advances to customers

 
                                           30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                           unaudited   unaudited     audited 
                                                GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Amortised cost 
 Loans fully secured on residential 
  property                                   4,303.7     4,476.4     4,383.2 
 Loans fully secured 
  on land                                      382.1       417.5       394.9 
 
                                             4,685.8     4,893.9     4,778.1 
 Fair value through 
  profit or loss 
 Loans fully secured on residential 
  property                                      14.3        16.4        14.8 
 
                                             4,700.1     4,910.3     4,792.9 
 
 Fair value adjustment for 
  hedged risk                                   42.0        17.0        30.5 
 
 Less: impairment provisions                  (74.7)      (83.7)      (76.7) 
 
                                             4,667.4     4,843.6     4,746.7 
    ------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Included within loans and advances to customers are GBP432.5m (31 March 2019: GBP444.3m) of commercial lending balances of which GBP25.8m (31 March 2019: GBP32.4m) have been sold by the Group to bankruptcy remote structured entities.

The tables below illustrate the IFRS 9 staging distribution of residential and commercial loans and advances to customers held at amortised cost and related credit loss provisions. Stage 2 loans have been further analysed to show those which are more than 30 days past due, the IFRS 9 backstop for identifying a significant increase in credit risk (SICR) and those which meet other SICR criteria. For the purposes of this disclosure, gross exposures and expected credit loss provisions are rounded to the nearest GBP0.1m whereas the provision coverage percentages are based on the underlying data prior to rounding.

 
                                                     Expected 
                                                       credit 
                                            Gross        loss   Provision 
                                         exposure   provision    coverage 
 At 30 September 2019 (unaudited)            GBPm        GBPm           % 
 
 Residential loans held at 
  amortised cost 
 Stage 
  1                                       3,793.3         0.4        0.01 
 Stage 
  2 
                     > 30 days past 
                                due          17.4         0.1        0.64 
     Other SICR indicators                  416.9         0.8        0.18 
 Stage 
  3                                          56.7         3.0        5.33 
 
                                          4,284.3         4.3        0.10 
    ----------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
                                                   Expected 
                                                     credit 
                                          Gross        loss   Provision 
                                       exposure   provision    coverage 
 At 30 September 2018 
  (unaudited)                              GBPm        GBPm           % 
 
 Residential loans held at 
  amortised cost 
 Stage 
  1                                     4,029.1         0.6        0.01 
 Stage 
  2 
  > 30 days 
   past due                                20.3         0.2        1.00 
  Other SICR indicators                   350.6         2.1        0.61 
 Stage 
  3                                        58.4         3.4        5.88 
 
                                        4,458.4         6.3        0.14 
   ----  ---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
 
                                               Expected 
                                                 credit 
                                      Gross        loss   Provision 
                                   exposure   provision   coverage 
 At 31 March 2019 (audited)            GBPm        GBPm           % 
 
 Residential loans held at 
  amortised cost 
 Stage 
  1                                 3,887.2         0.6        0.02 
 Stage 
  2 
  > 30 days 
   past due                            15.1         0.2        1.42 
  Other SICR indicators               399.8         0.9        0.21 
 Stage 
  3                                    61.7         4.3        6.97 
 
                                    4,363.8         6.0        0.14 
    ----------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
                                                     Expected 
                                                       credit 
                                            Gross        loss   Provision 
                                         exposure   provision    coverage 
 At 30 September 2019 (unaudited)            GBPm        GBPm           % 
 
 Commercial loans held at 
  amortised cost 
 Stage 
  1                                          71.0         0.4        0.57 
 Stage 
  2 
  > 30 days 
   past due                                     -           -           - 
  Other SICR indicators                      97.3         5.7        5.90 
 Stage 
  3                                         264.2        64.3       24.33 
 
                                            432.5        70.4       16.28 
    ----------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
                                             Expected 
                                               credit 
                                    Gross        loss   Provision 
                                 exposure   provision    coverage 
 At 30 September 2018 
  (unaudited)                        GBPm        GBPm           % 
 
 Commercial loans held at 
  amortised cost 
 Stage 
  1                                  70.7         0.1        0.08 
 Stage 
  2 
  > 30 days 
   past due                             -           -           - 
  Other SICR indicators              97.0        11.1       11.41 
 Stage 
  3                                 296.7        66.2       22.33 
 
                                    464.4        77.4       16.66 
    --------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
                                             Expected 
                                               credit 
                                    Gross        loss   Provision 
                                 exposure   provision    coverage 
 At 31 March 2019 
  (audited)                          GBPm        GBPm           % 
 
 Commercial loans held at 
  amortised cost 
 Stage 
  1                                  74.1         0.3        0.42 
 Stage 
  2 
  > 30 days 
   past due                          11.5         0.3        2.74 
  Other SICR indicators             121.6         8.5        6.94 
 Stage 
  3                                 237.1        61.6       25.99 
 
                                    444.3        70.7       15.91 
    --------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 

9 Shares

 
                                           30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18          31-Mar-19 
                                           unaudited   unaudited            audited 
                                                GBPm        GBPm               GBPm 
 
 Held by individuals                         3,981.3     3,867.9            3,990.2 
 Other shares                                    1.0         1.1                1.0 
 Fair value adjustment for hedged                  -         0.2                  - 
  risk 
----------------------------------  ----------------  ----------  ----------------- 
                                             3,982.3     3,869.2            3,991.2 
----------------------------------  ----------------  ----------  ----------------- 
 

10 Property, plant, equipment and intangible assets

 
                                                                       Property, 
                                                     Intangible            plant 
                                                         assets    and equipment 
 6 months ended 30 September 2019 (unaudited)              GBPm             GBPm 
 
 Net book value at 31 March 2019                           16.5             28.4 
 Changes on initial application of 
  IFRS 16                                                     -              2.6 
-----------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------- 
 At 1 April 2019 including impact of 
  IFRS 16 adoption                                         16.5             31.0 
 Additions                                                  2.7              0.8 
 Disposals                                                    -            (0.5) 
 Depreciation, amortisation, impairment 
  and other movements                                     (2.0)            (1.5) 
-----------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------- 
 Net book value at 30 September 2019                       17.2             29.8 
-----------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------- 
 
                                                                       Property, 
                                                     Intangible            plant 
                                                         assets    and equipment 
 6 months ended 30 September 2018 (unaudited)              GBPm             GBPm 
 
 Net book value at 1 April 2018                            15.3             30.2 
 Additions                                                  1.4              1.1 
 Depreciation, amortisation, impairment 
  and other movements                                     (1.6)            (1.7) 
-----------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------- 
 Net book value at 30 September 2018                       15.1             29.6 
-----------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------- 
 
                                                                       Property, 
                                                     Intangible            plant 
                                                         assets    and equipment 
 Year ended 31 March 2019 (audited)                        GBPm             GBPm 
 
 Net book value at 1 April 2018                            15.3             30.2 
 Additions                                                  5.1              1.2 
 Depreciation, amortisation, impairment 
  and other movements                                     (3.9)            (3.0) 
-----------------------------------------------                  --------------- 
 Net book value at 31 March 2019                           16.5             28.4 
-----------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------- 
 

11 Investment properties

 
                                  6 months          6 months        Year 
                                     ended             ended       ended 
                                 30-Sep-19         30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                 unaudited         unaudited     audited 
                                      GBPm              GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Valuation 
 
 At beginning of period              134.7             132.2       132.2 
 Disposals                               -                 -       (0.1) 
 Revaluation gains                     2.8               1.8         2.6 
------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 At end of period                    137.5             134.0       134.7 
------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 
 
 
   12 Debt securities in issue          30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                        unaudited   unaudited     audited 
                                             GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Certificates of deposit                      1.0         1.0         1.0 
 Non-recourse finance on securitised 
  advances                                  321.0       368.7       343.1 
-------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                            322.0       369.7       344.1 
-------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The non-recourse finance comprises mortgage backed floating rate notes (the Notes) secured over portfolios of mortgage loans secured by first charges over residential and commercial properties in the United Kingdom. Prior to redemption of the Notes on the final interest payment date, the Notes will be subject to mandatory and/or optional redemption, in certain circumstances, on each interest payment date.

13 Core capital deferred shares

 
                               Number of   CCDS nominal      Share 
                                  shares         amount    premium   Total 
                                                   GBPm       GBPm    GBPm 
 
 
 At 30 September 2019 
  (unaudited)                  1,288,813            1.3      125.7   127.0 
----------------------------  ----------  -------------  ---------  ------ 
 At 30 September 2018 
  (unaudited)                  1,288,813            1.3      125.7   127.0 
----------------------------  ----------  -------------  ---------  ------ 
 At 31 March 2019 (audited)    1,288,813            1.3      125.7   127.0 
----------------------------  ----------  -------------  ---------  ------ 
 
 

CCDS are perpetual instruments and a form of Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1) capital.

CCDS are the most junior-ranking capital instrument of the Society, ranking behind the claims of all depositors, payables and investing members.

The CCDS holders are entitled to receive a distribution at the discretion of the Society. The total distribution paid on each CCDS in respect of any given financial year of the Society is subject to a cap provided for in the Rules of the Society and adjusted annually for inflation. In line with the forecast distribution policy, the Directors did not declare a distribution in respect of the year ended 31 March 2019. Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Directors have declared an interim distribution of GBP0.50 per CCDS in respect of the period to 30 September 2019 which will be paid in February 2020. The interim distribution is not reflected in these financial statements as distributions to the CCDS holders are recognised with reference to the date they are declared.

In the event of a winding up or dissolution of the Society, the share of surplus assets (if any) a CCDS holder would be eligible to receive is determined by the calculation of a core capital contribution proportion, limited to a maximum of the average principal amount, currently GBP100 per CCDS.

14 Related party transactions

Related party transactions for the six months to 30 September 2019 are within the normal course of business and of a similar nature to those for the last financial year, full details of which are disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019.

15 Subscribed capital

 
                                          30-Sep-19  30-Sep-18  31-Mar-19 
                                          unaudited  unaudited    audited 
                                               GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
Permanent interest bearing shares               8.9        8.9        8.9 
----------------------------------  ---------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The 6.15% permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS) comprise 8,891 PIBS of GBP1,000 each issued at a price of 99.828% of their principal amount, with the issue premium amortised.

The PIBS are repayable at the option of the Society in whole on 5 April 2021 or any scheduled interest payment thereafter, subject to approval by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).

In a winding up or dissolution of the Society the claims of the holders of permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS) would rank behind all other creditors of the Society, with the exception of holders of core capital deferred shares (CCDS). The holders of PIBS are not entitled to any share in any final surplus upon winding up or dissolution of the Society.

Future interest payments are at the discretion of the Society, up to a maximum 6.15% prior to 5 April 2021 and, thereafter, a rate of interest reset periodically and equal to the applicable 5-year gilt rate plus a margin of 2.8%. As announced on 2 October 2019, in accordance with the published distribution policy, the Board resolved not to make an interest payment on the scheduled interest payment date of 5 October 2019.

16 Subordinated liabilities

 
                                       30-Sep-19   30-Sep-18   31-Mar-19 
                                       unaudited   unaudited     audited 
                                            GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Subordinated notes due 2038 - 
  11.0%                                     22.8        22.8        22.8 
-------------------------------  ---------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The Society's subordinated notes rank behind all other creditors of the Society, with the exception of holders of CCDS and PIBS.

17 Financial instruments

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Group determines fair values by the following three tier valuation hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Valuation techniques where all inputs are taken from observable market data, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3: Valuation techniques where significant inputs are not based on observable market data.

Valuation techniques include net present value and discounted cash flow models, comparison to similar instruments for which market observable prices exist and other valuation models. Assumptions and market observable inputs used in valuation techniques include risk-free and benchmark interest rates, equity index prices and expected price volatilities. The objective of valuation techniques is to arrive at a fair value determination that reflects the price of the financial instrument at the reporting date that would have been determined by market participants acting at arm's length. Observable prices are those that have been seen either from counterparties or from market pricing sources including Bloomberg. The use of these depends upon the liquidity of the relevant market.

Financial assets and financial liabilities held at amortised cost

The tables below show the fair values of the Group's financial assets and liabilities held at amortised cost in the Statement of Financial Position, analysed according to the fair value hierarchy described above.

 
At 30 September 2019 (unaudited)           Carrying       Fair value       Fair value       Fair value      Fair value 
                                                               Level            Level            Level 
                                              value                1                2                3           Total 
                                               GBPm             GBPm             GBPm             GBPm            GBPm 
 
Financial assets 
Cash and balances with the Bank 
 of England                                   197.7            197.7                -                -           197.7 
Loans and advances to credit 
 institutions                                 126.9                -            126.9                -           126.9 
Loans and advances to customers             4,653.1                -                -          4,645.3         4,645.3 
-----------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------- 
                                            4,977.7            197.7            126.9          4,645.3         4,969.9 
-----------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------- 
 
Financial liabilities 
Shares                                      3,982.3                -                -          3,948.2         3,948.2 
Amounts due to credit institutions            631.9                -            631.9                -           631.9 
Amounts due to other customers                105.2                -            105.2                -           105.2 
Debt securities in issue                      322.0            306.4             15.5                -           321.9 
-----------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------- 
                                            5,041.4            306.4            752.6          3,948.2         5,007.2 
-----------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------- 
 
 
At 30 September 2018 (unaudited)            Carrying       Fair value       Fair value       Fair value     Fair value 
                                                                Level            Level            Level 
                                               value                1                2                3          Total 
                                                GBPm             GBPm             GBPm             GBPm           GBPm 
 
Financial assets 
Cash and balances with the Bank 
 of England                                    130.1            130.1                -                -          130.1 
Loans and advances to credit 
 institutions                                  106.0                -            106.0                -          106.0 
Loans and advances to customers              4,827.2                -                -          4,837.7        4,837.7 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
                                             5,063.3            130.1            106.0          4,837.7        5,073.8 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
Financial liabilities 
Shares                                       3,869.2                -                -          3,849.4        3,849.4 
Amounts due to credit institutions             760.1                -            760.1                -          760.1 
Amounts due to other customers                  96.7                -             96.7                -           96.7 
Debt securities in issue                       369.7            347.2             16.0                -          363.2 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
                                             5,095.7            347.2            872.8          3,849.4        5,069.4 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 
At 31 March 2019 (audited)                  Carrying       Fair value       Fair value       Fair value     Fair value 
                                                                Level            Level            Level 
                                               value                1                2                3          Total 
                                                GBPm             GBPm             GBPm             GBPm           GBPm 
 
Financial assets 
Cash and balances with the Bank 
 of England                                    182.5            182.5                -                -          182.5 
Loans and advances to credit 
 institutions                                  106.7                -            106.7                -          106.7 
Loans and advances to customers              4,731.9                -                -          4,669.9        4,669.9 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
                                             5,021.1            182.5            106.7          4,669.9        4,959.1 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
Financial liabilities 
Shares                                       3,991.2                -                -          3,955.5        3,955.5 
Amounts due to credit institutions             667.3                -            667.3                -          667.3 
Amounts due to other customers                  77.7                -             77.7                -           77.7 
Debt securities in issue                       344.1            327.2             15.8                -          343.0 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
                                             5,080.3            327.2            760.8          3,955.5        5,043.5 
-------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 

a) Loans and advances to customers

The fair value of loans and advances to customers has been determined taking into account factors such as impairment and interest rates. The fair values have been calculated on a product basis and, as such, do not necessarily represent the value that could have been obtained for a portfolio if it were sold at 30 September 2019.

b) Shares and borrowings

The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, which includes non-interest bearing deposits, is the amount repayable on demand. The estimated fair value of fixed interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings without quoted market price is based on discounted cash flows using interest rates for new deposits with similar remaining maturity. The fair values have been calculated on a product basis and as such do not necessarily represent the value that could have been obtained for a portfolio if it were sold at 30 September 2019.

c) Debt securities in issue

The aggregate fair values are calculated based on quoted market prices. For those notes where quoted market prices are not available, a discounted cash flow model is used based on a current yield curve appropriate for the remaining term to maturity.

Financial assets and financial liabilities held at fair value

The tables below show the fair values of the Group's financial assets and liabilities held at fair value in the Statement of Financial Position, analysed according to the fair value hierarchy described previously.

 
                                             Level            Level          Level 3 
At 30 September 2019 (unaudited)                 1                2                             Total 
                                              GBPm             GBPm             GBPm             GBPm 
Financial assets 
Investment securities                        331.2                -                -            331.2 
Derivative financial instruments                 -              4.4                -              4.4 
Loans and advances to customers                  -                -             14.3             14.3 
                                             331.2              4.4             14.3            349.9 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Financial liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments                 -             52.7                -             52.7 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 
                                             Level            Level  Level 3 
At 30 September 2018 (unaudited)                 1                2                      Total 
                                              GBPm             GBPm     GBPm              GBPm 
Financial assets 
Investment securities                        259.4                -        -             259.4 
Derivative financial instruments                 -             17.9        -              17.9 
Loans and advances to customers                  -                -     16.4              16.4 
                                             259.4             17.9     16.4             293.7 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------------- 
Financial liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments                 -             33.0        -              33.0 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------  ---------------- 
 
 
                                             Level            Level          Level 3 
At 31 March 2019 (audited)                       1                2                             Total 
                                              GBPm             GBPm             GBPm             GBPm 
Financial assets 
Investment securities                        309.3                -                -            309.3 
Derivative financial instruments                 -              6.5                -              6.5 
Loans and advances to customers                  -                -             14.8             14.8 
                                             309.3              6.5             14.8            330.6 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Financial liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments                 -             39.3                -             39.3 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

The table below analyses movements in the level 3 portfolio during the period.

 
 
 
 
 
                                                     6 months           6 months                Year 
                                                        ended              ended               ended 
                                                    30-Sep-19          30-Sep-18           31-Mar-19 
                                                    unaudited          unaudited             audited 
                                                         GBPm               GBPm                GBPm 
 Equity release portfolio 
 At beginning of period                                  14.8               18.4                18.4 
 Items recognised in the Income 
  Statement 
  Interest receivable and similar 
   income                                                 0.5                0.5                 1.0 
  Fair value losses on financial 
   instruments                                          (0.1)              (0.9)               (1.7) 
 Redemption payments                                    (0.9)              (1.6)               (2.9) 
 At end of period                                        14.3               16.4                14.8 
----------------------------------------  -------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 
 

There have been no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between levels of the valuation hierarchy in the period.

18 Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The Directors confirm that this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R.

The Directors of West Bromwich Building Society are listed in the West Bromwich Building Society Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2019. Subsequent to the publication of the Annual Report, on 25 July 2019, Martin Ritchley stepped down from the Board after serving a full nine years as a member of the Board.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors:

Jonathan Westhoff Ashraf Piranie

Chief Executive Group Finance & Operations Director

26 November 2019

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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