Principles of accounting and valuation, disclosures on risk management

Accounting and valuation follow the prescriptions of the Liechtenstein Civil and Company Act, as well as the Liechtenstein Banking Act and its related Ordinance.

In accordance with the valuation policies laid down, all business transactions are recorded in the Bank’s accounts as of their trading date. Forward contracts are recorded under off-balance-sheet transactions until their settlement or value date. 

Income and expenditure in foreign currencies are converted into Swiss francs at their respective daily rates; assets and liabilities are converted at the rates prevailing at year-end. Foreign-exchange gains and losses resulting from revaluation are recorded in the income statement.

Recording is effected at nominal values minus any applicable unearned discount in the case of money-market paper. Valuation allowances are established to cover identifiable risks taking into account the principle of prudence. Individual and lump-sum valuation allowances are deducted directly from the related balance-sheet positions. 

Interest overdue for more than 90 days is provided for and recorded in the income statement as and when received. 

Receivables from clients are recorded in the balance sheet at their nominal values minus any applicable valuation allowances. A receivable is considered as being value-impaired when there is a probability that the total contractually owed amount is no longer recoverable. 

A valuation allowance is recorded in the balance sheet as a reduction of the carrying value of the receivable to its prob­able realisable value. On the other hand, provisions for credit risks are established for off-balance-sheet positions. In add­ition to individual valuation allowances, VP Bank creates individual valuation allowances on a lump-sum basis as well as lump-sum valuation allowances to cover latent credit risks. 

A review of collectability is undertaken at least annually for all non-performing loans.

Trading portfolios of securities and precious metals are valued at the quoted market price as of the balance-sheet date. 

Portfolios of securities and precious metals classified as current assets are valued at the lower of cost and market. Interest on interest-bearing securities is reflected in the interest income items, dividend income in the current i ncome from securities items. Gains and losses from revalu­ation are disclosed in the gains/losses arising from financial transactions item.

Equity shareholdings in companies owned by the Bank representing a non-controlling interest held on a long-term basis are recorded as participations. Participations are valued at acquisition cost minus economically required valuation allowances.

The existing majority shareholdings of VP Bank are recorded as shares in affiliated companies. Shares in affiliated com­panies are valued at acquisition cost minus economically required valuation allowances. 

These affiliated companies are fully consolidated for the purposes of the published consolidated financial statements.

Value-enhancing expenditures in connection with the acquisition and installation of software are capitalised and amortised on a straight-line basis over the estimated service life of three to seven years. Self-developed intangible assets are not capitalised. Minor purchases are charged directly to general and administrative expenses.

Property and equipment encompasses buildings used by the Bank, other real estate, furniture and equipment as well as IT installations. Investments in new and existing property and equipment are capitalised and valued at acquisition cost. Minor purchases are charged directly to general and administrative expenses.

In subsequent valuations, property and equipment is recorded at acquisition cost, minus accumulated depreciation and amort­isation. Depreciation and amortisation is charged on a systematic basis over the estimated useful lives (buildings used by the Bank and other real estate: 25 years; furniture and equipment: 8 years; IT: 3 years; software: 3 to 7 years). The property and equipment is reviewed annually for impairment in value.

Other assets and liabilities include the positive and negative replacement values, respectively, of all financial derivative instruments open at the balance-sheet date arising from nostro transactions as well as over-the-counter contracts (OTC) arising from transactions on behalf of clients. In add­ition, these positions include balances of various settlement and clearing accounts.

Valuation allowances and provisions are established to reflect identifiable risks, as dictated by the principle of prudence. Individual and lump-sum valuation allowances for receivables from banks and clients as well as on mortgage receivables are deducted directly from the corresponding asset position. Provisions are raised for receivables subject to a country risk as dictated by the principle of prudence.

Provisions for general banking risks are prudently established reserves to cover latent risks arising from the normal course of business of the Bank. As required by the prescriptions governing financial statement reporting, they are shown as a separate item in the balance sheet. Changes thereto are disclosed separately in the income statement.

Amounts disclosed as off-balance-sheet items are stated at nominal values. Lump-sum provisions exist in the balance sheet for latent default risks.

VP Bank is exempted from drawing up a statement of cash flow as a result of the obligation to prepare consolidated financial statements (Art. 24l FL-BankV). The consolidated statement of cash flow of VP Bank Group is a part of the consolidated financial statements.

There were no material occurrences having an impact on the balance sheet and income statement to be reported for the 2013 financial year.

Appropriate risk management is the basic prerequisite for the sustainable development and continuing success of Verwaltungs- und Privat-Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Vaduz. By “appropriate” it is to be understood that VP Bank, as a value-oriented enterprise, although it takes on financial, operational and business risks in a conscious manner, does not hinder growth through innovation and initiatives, but realistically evaluates and realises profit opportunities. 

The principles for identifying, evaluating, controlling and monitoring financial, operational and business risks apply to Verwaltungs- und Privat-Bank Aktiengesellschaft to the same extent as to the subsidiary companies and exactly mirror the risk management and control framework of VP Bank Group, for which reason reference is made at this point to the commentaries on risk management of VP Bank Group.