Segment reporting

On 1 January 2016, VP Bank Group modified its organisational structure by creating a new organisational unit “Chief Operating Officer”. Following a comprehensive review of the bases of credit-granting policies and related strategy by the Group Executive Management, the functions of the front and middle/back offices were segregated, and the units Middle and Back Office were transferred to the “Chief Operating Officer”. The Front Office domain remains as part of the Client Business unit. As already announced in the 2015 Annual Report of VP Bank Group (page 17), as from this date on, the management structure consists of four organisational units “Chief Executive Officer”, “Client Business”, “Chief Financial Officer” and “Chief Operating Officer”.

In its segment reporting, the organisational unit “Client Business” is split into the two business segments, “Client Business Liechtenstein” and “Client Business International”. The three organisational units “Chief Executive Officer”, “Chief Financial Officer” and “Chief Operating Officer” are regrouped into the business segment “Corporate Center” for segment reporting purposes.

The prior-year segment reporting figures were restated to reflect the segregation of the front and middle/back office units. 

 

01.01.–30.06.2016 (unaudited)

in CHF 1,000

Client Business

Client Business

Corporate

Total Group

 

Liechtenstein

International

Center

 

Total net interest income

34,293

12,022

3,184

49,499

Total net income from commission 
business and services

45,238

17,813

–2,363

60,688

Income from trading activities

8,654

3,071

5,937

17,661

Income from financial instruments

5

570

671

1,246

Other income

0

735

–4

731

Total net operating income

88,190

34,210

7,426

129,826

Personnel expenses

16,620

18,326

30,055

65,001

General and administrative expenses

1,622

9,917

12,895

24,433

Services to/from other segments

19,982

0

–19,982

0

Operating expenses

38,223

28,243

22,968

89,434

Gross income

49,967

5,967

–15,543

40,391

Depreciation and amortisation

1,838

1,686

7,791

11,315

Valuation allowances, provisions and losses

803

15

–78

740

Earnings before income tax

47,325

4,265

–23,255

28,336

Taxes on income

 

 

 

3,920

Group net income

 

 

 

24,416

 

 

 

 

 

Segment assets (in CHF million)

4,118

3,042

4,380

11,540

Segment liabilities (in CHF million)

7,202

2,618

830

10,650

Client assets under management (in CHF billion)1

23.6

10.4

0.0

34.0

Net new money (in CHF billion)

–0.3

0.1

0.0

–0.2

Headcount (number of employees)

181

253

366

800

Headcount (expressed as full-time equivalents)

170.5

238.9

325.6

735.0

 

 

 

 

 

as of 31.12.2015

 

 

 

 

Segment assets (in CHF million)

4,467

3,247

4,647

12,361

Segment liabilities (in CHF million)

7,792

2,928

723

11,443

Client assets under management (in CHF billion)1,2

24.3

10.5

0.0

34.8

Net new money (in CHF billion)2

5.8

0.2

0.0

6.0

Headcount (number of employees)

171

245

382

798

Headcount (expressed as full-time equivalents)

161.5

233.4

339.5

734.4

  1. Calculation in accordance with Table P of the Guidelines to the Liechtenstein Banking Ordinance issued by the Government of Liechtenstein (FL-BankO).
  2. Acquired client relationships (note 17) of CHF 6.7 billion are included in this position.

The recharging of costs and revenues between the business units takes place on the basis of internal transfer prices, actual recharges or on prevailing market conditions. Recharged costs within the segments are subject to an annual review and, where necessary, are amended to reflect new economic conditions. 

 

01.01.–30.06.2015 (audited)

in CHF 1,000

Client Business

Client Business

Corporate

Total Group

 

Liechtenstein

International

Center

 

Total net interest income

25,159

10,569

6,654

42,382

Total net income from commission 
business and services

45,877

22,415

–2,354

65,938

Income from trading activities

10,001

3,657

5,341

18,999

Income from financial instruments

9

232

–5,946

–5,705

Other income1

0

114

50,788

50,902

Total net operating income

81,046

36,987

54,483

172,516

Personnel expenses5

16,830

18,648

31,753

67,231

General and administrative expenses5

1,366

10,324

17,858

29,548

Services to/from other segments5

23,651

0

–23,651

0

Operating expenses5

41,847

28,972

25,960

96,779

Gross income4

39,199

8,015

28,523

75,737

Depreciation and amortisation

1,835

2,245

14,980

19,060

Valuation allowances, provisions and losses

152

4,660

12,592

17,404

Earnings before income tax

37,212

1,110

951

39,273

Taxes on income

 

 

 

–1,667

Group net income

 

 

 

40,940

 

 

 

 

 

Segment assets (in CHF million)

4,698

3,116

4,809

12,623

Segment liabilities (in CHF million)

8,139

2,841

721

11,701

Client assets under management (in CHF billion)2, 3

24.4

10.2

0.0

34.6

Net new money (in CHF billion)4

6.2

0.0

0.0

6.2

Headcount (number of employees)5

173

252

385

810

Headcount (expressed as full-time equivalents)5

164.1

240.0

341.9

746.0

  1. The non-recurring positive effect of the «bargain purchase» (badwill arising on acquisition) is disclosed in the Corporate Center.
  2. Calculation in accordance with Table P of the Guidelines to the Liechtenstein Banking Ordinance issued by the Government of Liechtenstein (FL-BankO).
  3. Acquired client relationships (note 17) of CHF 6.7 billion are included in this position.
  4. Centralisation of the investment management operations of VP Bank (Switzerland) Ltd in Liechtenstein as of 1 July 2015 (net CHF 2.7 billion).
  5. Shift of organisational unit «Credit Processing» as of 1 January 2016 from Client Business Liechtenstein to Corporate Center (7 FTE; operating expenses CHF 0.1 billion).

The recharging of costs and revenues between the business units takes place on the basis of internal transfer prices, actual recharges or prevailing market conditions. Recharged costs within the segments are subject to an annual review and, where necessary, are amended to reflect new economic conditions. 

 

Client Business Liechtenstein

The business segment “Client Business Liechtenstein” encompasses the international private banking business and the business with intermediaries located in Liechtenstein as well as the local universal banking and credit-granting businesses. It includes the units of VP Bank Ltd, Vaduz, which are in direct client contact. In addition, Group Investment, Product & Market Management and VP Fund Solutions (Liechtenstein) AG are allocated to this business segment. 

 

Client Business International

The business segment “Client Business International” encompasses the private banking business in international locations. VP Bank (Switzerland) Ltd, VP Bank (Luxembourg) SA, VP Bank (BVI) Ltd, VP Bank (Singapore) Ltd, VP Wealth Management (Hong Kong) Ltd and VP Fund Solutions (Luxembourg) SA are allocated to this business segment.

 

Corporate Center

The business segment “Corporate Center” is of great importance for banking operations and the processing of business transactions. It encompasses the areas Group Operations, Group Information Technology, Group Credit, Group Treasury & Execution, Group Finance, Group Risk, Group Legal, Compliance & Tax, Group Human Resources Management, Group Communications & Marketing und Group Business Development. In addition, those revenues and expenses of VP Bank Ltd having no direct relationship to client-­focussed operating divisions, as well as consolidation adjustments are reported under the Corporate Center. Revenue-generating business activities of the segment Corporate Center arise in connection with the Group Treasury Function. The results of the Group's own financial investments, the structural contribution and the changes in the value of interest-rate hedges are reported in this segment. In the prior year, the non-­recurring positive effect of the “bargain purchase” arising from the merger with Centrum Bank (gain from the acquisition of Centrum Bank) as well as charges for restructuring costs (including social plan) and project costs were reported in the Corporate Center business segment. 

 

Segment results Client Business Liechtenstein

in CHF 1,000

01.01.–30.06.2016

01.01.–30.06.2015

Variance

Variance

 

unaudited

audited

absolute

in %

Total net interest income

34,293

25,159

9,134

36.3

Total net income from commission 
business and services

45,238

45,877

–639

–1.4

Income from trading activities

8,654

10,001

–1,347

–13.5

Income from financial instruments

5

9

–4

–44.4

Other income

0

0

0

0.0

Total net operating income

88,190

81,046

7,144

8.8

Personnel expenses

16,620

16,830

–210

–1.3

General and administrative expenses

1,622

1,366

256

18.7

Services to/from other segments

19,982

23,651

–3,669

–15.5

Operating expenses

38,223

41,847

–3,624

–8.7

Gross income

49,967

39,199

10,768

27.5

Depreciation and amortisation

1,838

1,835

3

0.2

Valuation allowances, provisions and losses

803

152

651

428.4

Segment income before income tax

47,325

37,212

10,113

27.2

 

 

 

 

 

Additional information

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortisation /
total operating income (in %)

43.3

51.6

 

 

Operating expenses including depreciation and amortisation /
total operating income (in %)

45.4

53.9

 

 

Client assets under management (in CHF billion)

23.6

24.4

 

 

Change in client assets under management
compared to 31.12. prior year (in %)

–2.7

25.0

 

 

Net new money (in CHF billion)

–0.3

6.2

 

 

Gross income / average client assets under management (bp)1

73.6

73.8

 

 

Segment result / average client assets under management (bp)1

39.5

33.9

 

 

Cost/income ratio operating income (in %)2

43.3

51.6

–8.3

–16.1

Headcount (number of employees)

181

173

8.0

4.6

Headcount (expressed as full-time equivalents)

170.5

164.1

6.4

3.9

  1. Annualised, average values.
  2. Operating expenses / gross income less other income and income from financial instruments.

The pre-tax segment results for the first semester of 2016 rose by CHF 10.1 million (27.2 per cent) over the comparable prior-year period. In the first half-year of 2016, total operating income grew, period-on-period, by CHF 7.1 million (8.8 per cent). This increase results from interest income from clients (+36.3 per cent). Interest-rate developments primarily in USD and EUR as well as increased margins on credit-granting activities contributed to this positive result. Operating expenses could be reduced by CHF 3.6 million (8.7 per cent) to CHF 38.2 million (prior-year period: CHF 41.8 million). This decline results primarily from lower recharges from other segments. The lower recharges reflect the synergy effects resulting from the Centrum Bank merger. Inter-segmental recharges in Client Business Liechtenstein are based upon fixed internal transfer prices. Indirect costs for internal services are reported in the business segment under the caption “services to/from other segment(s)”. In the first semester of 2016, the charges for valuation allowances, provisions and losses rose by CHF 0.6 million to CHF 0.8 million (prior-year period: CHF 0.2 million). The gross margin could be maintained at 73.6 basis points (prior-year period: 73.8 basis points). The cost/income ratio improved from 51.6 per cent to 43.3 per cent. 

The segment reported a minor outflow of net new money adding up to CHF 0.3 billion during the reporting period. New net money inflows resulting from market development activities were not able to fully offset money outflows resulting from the regulatory environment and tax-related issues. Client assets under management at 30 June 2016 added up to CHF 23.6 billion (31 December 2015: CHF 24.3 billion). The employee headcount increased from 164 positions (30 June 2015) to 171 positions.

 

Segment results Client Business International

in CHF 1,000

01.01.–30.06.2016

01.01.–30.06.2015

Variance

Variance

 

unaudited

audited

absolute

in %

Total net interest income

12,022

10,569

1,453

13.7

Total net income from commission 
business and services

17,813

22,415

–4,602

–20.5

Income from trading activities

3,071

3,657

–586

–16.0

Income from financial instruments

570

232

338

145.5

Other income

735

114

621

n.a.

Total net operating income

34,210

36,987

–2,777

–7.5

Personnel expenses

18,326

18,648

–322

–1.7

General and administrative expenses

9,917

10,324

–407

–3.9

Services to/from other segments

0

0

0

0.0

Operating expenses

28,243

28,972

–729

–2.5

Gross income

5,967

8,015

–2,048

–25.6

Depreciation and amortisation

1,686

2,245

–559

–24.9

Valuation allowances, provisions and losses

15

4,660

–4,645

–99.7

Segment income before income tax

4,265

1,110

3,155

284.3

 

 

 

 

 

Additional information

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortisation /
total operating income (in %)

82.6

78.3

 

 

Operating expenses including depreciation and amortisation /
total operating income (in %)

87.5

84.4

 

 

Client assets under management (in CHF billion)

10.4

10.2

 

 

Change in client assets under management
compared to 31.12. prior year (in %)

–0.7

–10.8

 

 

Net new money (in CHF billion)

0.1

0.0

 

 

Gross income / average client assets under management (bp)1

65.5

68.5

 

 

Segment result / average client assets under management (bp)1

8.2

2.1

 

 

Cost/income ratio operating income (in %)2

85.8

79.1

6.8

8.6

Headcount (number of employees)

253

252

1.0

0.4

Headcount (expressed as full-time equivalents)

238.9

240.0

–1.1

–0.5

  1. Annualised, average values.
  2. Operating expenses / gross income less other income and income from financial instruments.

Compared to the results of the first half-year of 2015, the pre-tax results in the first six months of 2016 improved by CHF 3.2 million. Total operating income fell by 7.5 per cent from CHF 37.0 million to CHF 34.2 million as a result of declining commission and service income as well as lower trading income. For the most part, this is due to the centralisation of investment management activities of VP Bank (Switzerland) Ltd within Liechtenstein which was implemented in the prior year. Interest income and gains/losses from financial investments developed positively and could be increased by CHF 1.5 million respectively CHF 0.3 million. Operating expenses could be reduced by CHF 0.7 million or 2.5 per cent to CHF 28.2 million. This decline results from personnel and general and administrative expenses due, in part, to the centralisation of investment management. In the business segment “Client Business International”, the recharging ­ of services is based on actual invoices and recorded under general and administrative expenses. Charges for valuation allowances, provisions and losses could be reduced significantly by CHF 4.6 million. 

The gross margin fell to 65.5 basis points (prior-year period: 68.5 basis points). The cost/income ratio improved from 79.1 per cent to 85.8 per cent. Net new money in the first half-year of 2016 developed positively with CHF 0.1 billion. Net new money inflows could again be achieved in Asian markets. Other markets reported client money outflows triggered by the regulatory environment and tax-related issues. As at 30 June 2016, client assets under management aggregated CHF 10.4 billion (31 December 2015: CHF 10.5 billion). The employee headcount of 239 is comparable to that of the prior year (–1 position in comparison to 30 June 2015).

 

Segment results Corporate Center

in CHF 1,000

01.01.–30.06.2016

01.01.–30.06.2015

Variance

Variance

 

unaudited

audited

absolute

in %

Total net interest income

3,184

6,654

–3,470

–52.1

Total net income from commission 
business and services

–2,363

–2,354

–9

–0.4

Income from trading activities

5,937

5,341

596

11.1

Income from financial instruments

671

–5,946

6,617

111.3

Other income

–4

50,788

–50,792

–100.0

Total net operating income

7,426

54,483

–47,058

–86.4

Personnel expenses

30,055

31,753

–1,698

–5.3

General and administrative expenses

12,895

17,858

–4,963

–27.8

Services to/from other segments

–19,982

–23,651

3,669

15.5

Operating expenses

22,968

25,960

–2,992

–11.5

Gross income

–15,543

28,523

–44,066

–154.5

Depreciation and amortisation

7,791

14,980

–7,189

–48.0

Valuation allowances, provisions and losses

–78

12,592

–12,670

–100.6

Segment income before income tax

–23,255

951

–24,206

n.a.

 

 

 

 

 

Additional information

 

 

 

 

Headcount (number of employees)

366

385

–19.0

–4.9

Headcount (expressed as full-time equivalents)

325.6

341.9

–16.3

–4.8

In the first half-year of 2016, the pre-tax segment result amounted to minus CHF 23.3 million as opposed to CHF 1.0 million in the prior-year period. 

Total operating income in the first half of 2016 declined period-on-period by CHF 47.1 million. This decline ­ is largely a result of the non-recurring impact of the “bargain purchase” which was recognised last year under other income. 

Interest income fell period-on-period by CHF 3.5 million, partially as a result of the negative interest- rate levels and, as a consequence, of the decline in interest revenues from maturity transformation (negative interest charged by the SNB). Income from commissions and services reflects a drop in income. This also includes third-party bank commissions which were invoiced to front business units by the service units through internal recharges. 

Trading income includes the revenues of Group Treasury & Execution, inter alia. This relates to income generated from the execution of client trades. This caption also includes the results of deri­vatives employed to minimize risks as well as gains/losses from balance-sheet management activities. 

Income from financial investments in the first half of 2016 totalled CHF 0.7 million. This improvement of CHF 6.6 million reflects principally the one-off prior-year impact of the decision by the SNB to dis­continue the policy of maintaining the minimum exchange-rate of the Swiss franc to the euro which led to revaluation losses. Interest and dividend income disclose a minor increase. 

The gain from the acquisition of Centrum Bank (“bargain purchase”) was recognised in income last year in the caption other income.

Operating expenses in the reporting period could be reduced by CHF 3.0 million from CHF 26.0 million to CHF 23.0 million. On the one hand, this is due to synergy effects in personnel expense and general and administrative expenses resulting from the Centrum Bank merger. On the other hand, no inte­gration costs were incurred during the current period. Because of lower operating expenses in the Corporate Center, a lower level of internal costs (CHF 20.0 million) were recharged than in the comparable prior-year period of 2015 (CHF 23.7 million). Depreciation and amortisation fell by CHF 7.2 million to CHF 7.8 million. auf CHF 7.8 million. The reason for this decrease is the fact that depreciation and amortisation is no longer charged on the Avaloq banking platform as well as one-time merger-related amortisation charges in the prior year. 

The charges for valuation allowances, provisions and losses during the reporting period showed a merger-related decrease of CHF 12.7 million. The employee headcount could be reduced from 342 (30 June 2015) to 326 positions principally as a result of merger-related synergy effects.