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3. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of office premises, investment property, available for sale financial assets and financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss.

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

Consolidated financial statements

Subsidiaries are those companies and other entities (including special purpose entities) in which the Group, directly or indirectly, has an interest of more than one half of the voting rights or otherwise has power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are readily exercisable and convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group (acquisition date) and are deconsolidated from the date when control ceases.

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. For each business combination, the acquirer measures the non-controlling interest in the acquiree that are present ownership interests either at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets and other components of non-controlling interests at their acquisition date fair value.

Non-controlling interest is the interest in subsidiaries not held by the Group. Acquisition costs incurred are expensed. Non-controlling interest is presented within equity.

Goodwill is initially measured at cost being the excess of the aggregate of consideration transferred, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If the aggregate of consideration transferred, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is lower than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference (“gain from bargain purchase”) is recognised in profit or loss. After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated; unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the cost cannot be recovered. The Bank and all of its subsidiaries use uniform accounting policies consistent with the Group’s policies.

Key measurement terms

Depending on their classification financial instruments are carried at cost, fair value, or amortised cost as described below.

Cost is the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of the other consideration given to acquire an asset at the time of its acquisition and includes transaction costs. Measurement at cost is only applicable to investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured, derivatives that are linked to and must be settled by delivery of such unquoted equity instruments and fixed assets except for office premises.

Transaction costs are incremental costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, issue or disposal of a financial instrument. An incremental cost is one that would not have been incurred if the transaction had not taken place. Transaction costs include fees and commissions paid to agents (including employees acting as selling agents), advisors, brokers and dealers, levies by regulatory agencies and securities exchanges, and transfer taxes and duties. Transaction costs do not include debt premiums or discounts, financing costs or internal administrative or holding costs.

Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. Fair value is the current bid price for financial assets, current ask price for financial liabilities and the average of current bid and ask prices when the Group is both in short and long position for the financial instrument. A financial instrument is regarded as quoted in an active market if quoted prices are readily and regularly available from an exchange or other institution and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm’s length basis.

Valuation techniques are used to fair value certain financial instruments for which external market pricing information is not available. Such valuation techniques include discounted cash flows models, generally accepted option pricing models, models based on recent arm’s length transactions or consideration of financial data of the investees. Valuation techniques may require assumptions not supported by observable market data. Disclosures are made in these consolidated financial statements if changing any such assumptions to a reasonably possible alternative would result in significantly different profit, income, total assets or total liabilities.

Amortised cost is the amount at which the financial instrument was recognised at initial recognition less any principal repayments, plus accrued interest, and for financial assets less any write-down for incurred impairment losses. Accrued interest includes amortisation of transaction costs deferred at initial recognition and of any premium or discount to maturity amount using the effective interest method. Accrued interest income and accrued interest expense, including both accrued coupon and amortised discount and premium (including fees deferred at origination, if any), are not presented separately and are included in the carrying values of the related statement of financial position items.

The effective interest method is a method of allocating interest income or interest expense over the relevant period so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest (effective interest rate) on the carrying amount. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts (excluding future credit losses) through the expected life of the financial instrument or a shorter period, if appropriate, to the net carrying amount of the financial instrument. Premiums and discounts on variable interest instruments are amortised to the next interest repricing date except for premiums and discounts which reflect the credit spread over the floating rate specified in the instrument, or other variables that are not reset to market rates. Such premiums or discounts are amortised over the whole expected life of the instrument.

The present value calculation includes all fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate (refer to income and expense recognition policy).

Initial recognition of financial instruments

Trading securities, other securities at fair value through profit or loss and derivatives are initially recorded at fair value. All other financial assets are initially recorded at fair value plus transaction costs. Fair value at initial recognition is best evidenced by the transaction price. A gain or loss on initial recognition is only recorded if there is a difference between fair value and transaction price which can be evidenced by other observable current market transactions in the same instrument or by a valuation technique whose inputs include only data from observable markets.

All purchases and sales of financial assets that require delivery within the time frame established by regulation or market convention (“regular way” purchases and sales) are recorded at trade date, which is the date that the Group commits to deliver a financial instrument. All other purchases and sales are recognised when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are items which are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Cash and cash equivalents include interbank deposits and reverse sale and repurchase agreements with original maturity up to 30 days. Amounts, which relate to funds that are of a restricted nature, are excluded from cash and cash equivalents.

Mandatory cash balances with Central Banks

Mandatory cash balances with Central Banks are carried at amortised cost and represent mandatory reserve deposits which are not available to finance the Group’s day to day operations and hence are not considered as part of cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Precious metals

Physical precious metals and deposits in precious metals are recorded at the lower of cost and net realiz able value on the reporting date.

Plastic cards settlements

Plastic cards settlements are accounted for on the accruals basis and are carried at amortised cost. Plastic cards settlements are recorded when the legal right to receive the payment or legal obligation to execute payment arise under the agreement.

Trading securities

Trading securities are securities, which are either acquired for generating a profit from short-term fluctuations in price or trader’s margin, or are securities on initial recognition included in a portfolio in which a pattern of short-term trading exists. The Group classifies securities into trading securities if it has an intention to sell them within a short period after purchase, i.e. within six months.

Trading securities are carried at fair value. Interest earned on trading securities calculated using the effective interest rate method is accounted for in the consolidated income statement as interest income. Dividends are included in dividend income within other operating income when the Group’s right to receive the dividend payment is established. Translation differences are included in Net gains arising from trading in foreign currencies, operations with foreign currency derivatives and foreign exchange translation. All other elements of the changes in the fair value and gains or losses on derecognition are recorded in the consolidated income statement as net gains/ (losses) arising from trading securities in the period in which they arise.

Securities designated at fair value through profit or loss

Securities designated at fair value through profit or loss are securities designated irrevocably, at initial recognition, into this category. Management designates securities into this category only if a group of financial assets is managed and its performance is evaluated on a fair value basis and information on that basis is regularly provided to and reviewed by the Group’s key management personnel. Recognition and measurement of this category of financial assets is consistent with the above policy for trading securities.

Due from other banks

Amounts due from other banks are recorded when the Group advances money to counterparty banks with no intention of trading the resulting unquoted non-derivative receivable due on fixed or determinable dates. Amounts due from other banks are carried at amortised cost.

Loans and advances to customers

Loans and advances to customers are recorded when the Group advances money to purchase or originate an unquoted non-derivative receivable from a customer due on fixed or determinable dates and has no intention of trading the receivable. Loans and advances to customers are carried at amortised cost.

Impairment of financial assets carried at amortised cost

Impairment losses on financial assets carried at amortised cost are recognised in profit or loss when incurred as a result of one or more events (“loss events”) that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset and which have an impact on the amount or timing of the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. If the Group determines that no objective evidence exists that impairment was incurred for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, it includes the asset in a group of financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics and collectively assesses them for impairment. The primary factors that the Group considers when deciding whether a financial asset is impaired or not are (i) past due status of financial asset, (ii) financial position of underlying borrower, (iii) unsatisfactory debt servicing and (iv) realisability of related collateral, if any.

A loan is considered past due when the borrower fails to make any payment due under the loan at the reporting date. In this case a past due amount is recognized as the aggregate amount of all amounts due from borrower under the respective loan agreement including accrued interest and commissions. As defined by the Group for the purposes of internal credit risk assessment, loans fall into the “non-performing” category when a principal and/or interest payment becomes more than 90 days overdue.

Impairment losses are recognised through an allowance account to write down the asset’s carrying amount to the present value of expected cash flows (which exclude future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the original effective interest rate of the asset. The calculation of the present value of the estimated future cash flows of a collateralised financial asset reflects the cash flows that may result from foreclosure less costs for obtaining and selling the collateral.

Reversals of impairment. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed by adjusting the allowance account through profit or loss.

Write-off of assets at amortised cost. Uncollectible assets are written off against the related impairment loss provision after all the necessary procedures to recover the asset have been completed and the amount of the loss has been determined.

Impairment of loans and advances to legal entities. Estimating loan portfolio impairment provision for corporate loans involves the following steps:

• identification of loans that are individually significant and contain signs of impairment, i.e. those loans, that, if fully impaired, would have a material impact on the Group’s expected average level of operating income;
• determination of whether an individually significant loan shows objective evidence of impairment. This requires estimating the expected timing and amount of cash flows from interest and principal payments and other cash flows, including amounts recoverable from guarantees and collateral, and discounting them at the loan’s original effective interest rate. The loan is considered impaired if its carrying amount materially exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. A separate impairment loss is recorded on an individually significant impaired loan;
• all remaining loans and individually significant loans without objective evidence of impairment are assessed on a portfolio basis.

The Group applies the portfolio provisioning methodology prescribed by IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and creates portfolio provisions for impairment losses that were incurred but have not been specifically identified with any individual loan by the reporting date. Total impairment provisions may exceed the gross amount of individually impaired loans as a result of this methodology.

For the purposes of credit risk measurement and analysis the Group internally classifies loans depending on their quality. The quality of a corporate loan is monitored regularly on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the borrower’s financial position and includes analysis of liquidity, profitability and sufficiency of own funds. The capital structure, organisational structure, credit history and business reputation of the borrower are also taken into consideration. The Group takes into account the customer’s position in the industry and the region, production equipment and level of the technology used as well as the general efficiency of management. Upon analysis corporate borrowers are assigned internal ratings and classes. For the purpose of collective assessment of not past due loans and advances the Group analyses loans of each class in terms of its historical loss and recovery rate separately for renegotiated and non-renegotiated loans. Past experience is adjusted on the basis of current observable data to reflect the effects of current conditions that did not affect past periods and to remove the effects of past conditions that do not exist currently. For the purpose of collective assessment of past due loans and advances Group analyses ageing of past due debts.

Impairment of loans and advances to individuals. For the purpose of credit quality analysis, loans to individuals are grouped by type of credit product into homogeneous sub-portfolios with similar risk characteristics. The Group analyses each portfolio by the ageing of past due debts.

Investment securities available for sale

This classification includes investment securities, which the Group intends to hold for an indefinite period of time and which may be sold in response to needs for liquidity or changes in interest rates, exchange rates or equity prices. The Group classifies investments as available for sale at the time of purchase.

Investment securities available for sale are carried at fair value. Interest income on available for sale debt securities is calculated using the effective interest method and recognised in profit or loss. Dividends on available-for-sale equity instruments are recognised in profit or loss in other operating income when the Group’s right to receive payment is established and inflow of economic benefits is probable. Exchange differences arising on debt investment securities available for sale are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. All other elements of changes in the fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income until the investment is derecognised or impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is reclassified to profit or loss.

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss when incurred as a result of one or more events (“loss events”) that occurred after the initial recognition of investment securities available for sale. A significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of an equity security below its cost is an indicator that it is impaired. The cumulative impairment loss — measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that asset previously recognised in profit or loss — is reclassified from other comprehensive income and recognised in profit or loss. Recognised impairment losses on equity instruments are not reversed through profit or loss in a subsequent period. As for debt instrument classified as available for sale, if, in a subsequent period, the fair value of such instrument increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event, occurring after the impairment loss was recognised in profit or loss, the impairment loss is reversed through current period’s profit or loss. The unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation of investment securities available for sale other than impairment losses are presented in other comprehensive income as Net gains/(losses) on revaluation of investment securities available for sale.

If the Group has both the intention and ability to hold investment securities available for sale to maturity, they may be reclassified as investment securities held to maturity. In this case the fair value of securities as at the date of reclassification becomes their new amortised cost. For instruments with a fixed maturity the revaluation reserve as at the date of reclassification is amortised to profit or loss during the period until maturity using the effective interest rate method.

Sale and repurchase agreements

Sale and repurchase agreements (“repo agreements”) are treated as secured financing transactions. Securities sold under sale and repurchase agreements are not derecognised. The securities are not reclassified in the statement of financial position unless the transferee has the right by contract or custom to sell or repledge the securities, in which case they are reclassified as securities pledged under repurchase agreements. The corresponding liability is presented within amounts due to banks or due to corporate customers.

Loans granted under reverse repo agreements are recorded as cash and cash equivalents, due from banks or loans and advances to customers, in accordance with the nature of the counterparty and the term of the deal.

The difference between the sale and repurchase price is treated as interest income/expense and accrued over the life of repo agreements using the effective interest rate method.

Securities lent to counterparties are retained in the consolidated financial statements in their original statement of financial position category unless the counterparty has the right by contract or custom to sell or repledge the securities, in which case they are reclassified and presented separately. Securities borrowed are not recorded in the consolidated financial statements, unless these are sold to third parties, in which case the sale proceeds are recorded as a liability held for trading representing the obligation to repurchase and return the securities. The liability is carried at fair value with effects of remeasurement presented as net gains/ (losses) arising from trading securities in the consolidated income statement.

Investment securities held to maturity

This classification includes quoted non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that the Group has both the intention and ability to hold to maturity. Management determines the classification of investment securities held to maturity at their initial recognition or upon reclassification from available for sale category when the Group changes its expectations and has the ability to hold investment securities which were previously classified as available for sale to maturity. The investment securities held to maturity are carried at amortised cost.

Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognises financial assets when (a) the assets are redeemed or the rights to cash flows from the assets otherwise expired or (b) the Group has transferred the rights to the cash flows from the financial assets or entered into a qualifying pass-through arrangement while (i) also transferring substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the assets or (ii) neither transferring nor retaining substantially all risks and rewards of ownership but not retaining control. Control is retained if the counterparty does not have the practical ability to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party without needing to impose additional restrictions on the sale. Refer to paragraph below on treatment of renegotiations which lead to derecognition of financial assets.

Renegotiated financial assets

From time to time in the normal course of business the Group performs restructuring of financial assets, mostly of loans.

Accounting treatment of renegotiations which do not lead to derecognition of financial assets. If terms of an agreement are not materially modified, restructuring of financial instruments leads to reassessment of effective interest rate based on current carrying amount and modified future cash flows.

Accounting treatment of renegotiations which lead to derecognition of financial assets. Material modifications of agreement terms lead to derecognition of a financial asset and a recognition of a new asset at fair value. The following principal modifications in terms are considered to be material:

• Change of currency in which cash flows are denominated;
• Consolidation or separation of several financial instruments;
• Present value of the cash flows under the new terms discounted using the original effective interest rate, is at least 10 per cent different from the discounted present value of the remaining cash flows of the original financial asset.

In all cases if the restructuring of financial assets is due to financial difficulties of a borrower, financial assets are assessed for impairment before recognition of a renegotiation.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of consideration transferred, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in other assets or separately disclosed on the face of the statement of financial position if material. Goodwill on acquisitions of associates is included as part of investment in associates. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses, if any. The Group tests goodwill for impairment at least annually and whenever there are indications that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units, or groups of cash-generating units, that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Such units or group of units represent the lowest level at which the Group monitors goodwill and are not larger than a segment before aggregation. Gains or losses on disposal of an operation within a cash generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated include the carrying amount of goodwill associated with the operation disposed of, generally measured on the basis of the relative values of the operation disposed of and the portion of the cash-generating unit which is retained.

Premises and equipment

Equipment and premises other than office premises are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Office premises of the Group are held at revalued amount subject to revaluation to market value on a regular basis. The revaluation gains are recognised in other comprehensive income. The frequency of revaluation depends upon the movements in the fair values of the premises being revalued. The revaluation reserve for office premises included in equity is transferred directly to retained earnings on a straight-line basis as the asset is used by the Group. On the retirement or disposal of the asset the remaining revaluation reserve is immediately transferred to the retained earnings.

Construction in progress is carried at cost, less provision for impairment where required. Upon completion, assets are transferred to office premises, other premises or equipment at their carrying amount. Construction in progress is not depreciated until the asset is available for use.

Costs of minor repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. Cost of replacing major parts or components of premises and equipment items are capitalised and the replaced part is retired.

If impaired premises are written down to the higher of their value in use and fair value less costs to sell. The decrease in carrying amount is charged to profit or loss to the extent it exceeds the previous revaluation surplus in other comprehensive income.

Positive revaluation shall be recognised in profit or loss to the extent that it reverses a negative revaluation of the same asset previously recognised in profit or loss. The amount that exceeds negative revaluation previously charged to profit or loss shall be recognised in other comprehensive income.

Gains and losses on disposals determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount are recognised in profit or loss.

Depreciation

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other items of premises and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate cost or revalued amounts of premises and equipment to their residual values over the estimated remaining useful lives. The following annual rates are applied for the main categories of premises and equipment:

• Office premises 2.5-3.3%;
• Other premises 2.5%;
• Office and computer equipment 25%; and
• Vehicles and other equipment 18%.

The residual value of an asset is the estimated amount that the Group would currently obtain from disposal of the asset less the estimated costs of disposal, if the asset was already of the age and in the condition expected at the end of its useful life. The residual value of an asset is nil if the Group expects to use the asset until the end of its physical life. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.

Investment property

Investment property is property held by the Group to earn rental income or for capital appreciation and which is not occupied by the Group.

Investment property is stated at fair value which reflects current market value and represents potential price between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. Revaluation of investment property is held on each reporting date and recognised in consolidated income statement as gains/losses on investment property revaluation. Earned rental income is recorded in consolidated income statement within other operating income.

Subsequent expenditure on investment property is capitalised only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with it will flow to the Group and the cost can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred.

If an investment property becomes occupied by the Group, it is reclassified to premises and equipment, and its carrying value at the date of reclassification becomes its deemed cost to be subsequently revalued and depreciated.

Operating leases

Where the Group is a lessee in a lease which does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership from the lessor to the Group, the total lease payments are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Finance leases

A finance lease is a lease that transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset. Where the Group is a lessor lease receivables are recognised at value equal to the net investment in the lease, starting from the date of commencement of the lease term. Finance income is based on a pattern reflecting a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment outstanding. Initial direct costs are included in the initial measurement of the lease receivables. The net investment in finance lease is recorded within loans and advances to customers.

Due to banks

Amounts due to banks are recorded when money or other assets are advanced to the Group by counterparty banks. The non-derivative liability is carried at amortised cost.

Due to individuals and corporate customers

Amounts due to individuals and corporate customers are non-derivative liabilities to individuals and corporate customers (including state agencies) and are carried at amortised cost.

Debt securities in issue

Debt securities in issue include promissory notes, certificates of deposit, savings certificates and other debt securities issued by the Group. Debt securities in issue except structured notes which are described below are stated at amortised cost. If the Group repurchases its debt securities in issue, they are removed from the consolidated statement of financial position and the difference between the carrying amount of the liability and the consideration paid is included in other operating income.

Structured notes

Structured notes are issued by the Group and are stated at fair value. The underlying assets of structured notes are securities issued by Russian companies which cannot be purchased by the Group’s foreign clients directly from the market. Recognition and measurement of these financial liabilities is consistent with the policy for trading securities stated above in this Note. Structured notes are included in Debt securities in issue.

Other borrowed funds

Other borrowed funds represent syndicated loans attracted by the Group on financial markets and trade finance deals. Other borrowed funds are carried at amortised cost.

Securities sold, not yet purchased

Securities sold, not yet purchased are transactions in which the Group sells securities which it does not own, and which it is obligated to deliver at a future date. Such transactions are initially recorded at cost as liabilities and then are carried at fair value. Any unrealized gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated income statement in net gains/ (losses) arising from trading securities for the difference between the proceeds receivable from the sale and the value of the open short position. The Group realizes a gain or loss when the short position is closed. Valuation of securities sold, not yet purchased is consistent with the accounting policy of the Group for trading securities.

Subordinated debt

Subordinated debt represents long-term funds attracted by the Group on the international financial markets or domestic market. The holders of subordinated debt would be subordinate to all other creditors to receive repayment on debt in case of the Bank liquidation. Subordinated debt is carried at amortised cost.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments, including forward and future contracts, option contracts on financial instruments and Swap contracts are carried at their fair value. All derivative instruments are carried as assets when fair value is positive and as liabilities when fair value is negative. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange derivative financial instruments are included in the Consolidated income statement in net gains/ (losses) arising from trading in foreign currencies, operations with foreign currency derivatives and foreign exchange translation; changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments on precious metals are included in net gains/(losses) arising from operations with precious metals and precious metals derivatives; changes in the fair value of derivatives on securities, interest rates and other derivatives — in net gains/(losses) arising from operations with other derivatives. The Group does not apply “hedge accounting” according to IAS 39.

Income taxes

Income taxes have been provided for in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Russian legislation and legislation of other jurisdictions in which the Group performs business enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. The income tax charge comprises current tax and deferred tax and is recognised in the profit or loss except if it is recognised in other comprehensive income because it relates to transactions that are also recognised, in the same or a different period, in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the amount expected to be paid to or recovered from the taxation authorities in respect of taxable profits or losses for the current and prior periods. Taxes, other than on income, are recorded within operating expenses.

Deferred income tax is recognised for tax loss carry forwards and temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. In accordance with the initial recognition exemption, deferred taxes are not recognised for temporary differences on initial recognition of goodwill or any other asset or liability if the transaction, when initially recorded, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit.

Deferred tax balances are measured at tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date which are expected to apply to the period when the temporary differences will reverse or the tax loss carry forwards will be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted only within the individual companies of the Group.

Deferred tax assets for deductible temporary differences and tax loss carry forwards are recorded in the statement of financial position only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the deductions can be utilised.

Deferred income tax is provided on post acquisition retained earnings of subsidiaries, except where the Group controls the subsidiary’s dividend policy and it is probable that the difference will not reverse through dividends or otherwise in the foreseeable future.

Provision for liabilities and charges

Provisions for liabilities and charges are non-financial liabilities of uncertain timing or amount. They are accrued when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made.

Trade and other payables

Trade payables are accrued when the counterparty performed its obligations under the contract and are carried at amortised cost.

Share premium

Share premium represents the excess of contributions over the nominal value of the shares issued.

Preference shares

Preference shares are not redeemable. Dividend payments are at the discretion of the Bank. When a dividend is paid, the preference shares attract a minimum payment of annual dividends of 15% of their nominal value, subject to confirmation of the shareholders’ meeting. Preference shares are classified as a part of equity.

Treasury shares

Where the Bank or its subsidiaries purchase the Bank’s equity instruments, the consideration paid including any attributable incremental external costs net of income taxes is deducted from equity until they are cancelled or disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently disposed or reissued, any consideration received is included in equity.

Dividends

Dividends are recorded in equity in the period in which they are declared. Dividends declared after the reporting date and before the consolidated financial statements are authorised for issue are disclosed in the subsequent events note. Dividends are calculated based on IFRS net profit and distributed out from statutory net results.

Income and expense recognition

Interest income and expense are recorded in profit or loss for interest-bearing instruments on an accrual basis using the effective interest rate method. This method defers, as part of interest income or expense, all fees paid or received between the parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and all other premiums or discounts.

Fees integral to the effective interest rate include origination fees received or paid by the entity relating to the creation or acquisition of a financial asset or issuance of a financial liability, for example fees for evaluating creditworthiness, evaluating and recording guarantees or collateral, negotiating the terms of the instrument and for processing transaction documents. Commitment fees received by the Group to originate loans at market interest rates are integral to the effective interest rate if it is probable that the Group will enter into a specific lending arrangement and does not expect to sell the resulting loan shortly after origination. The Group does not designate loan commitments as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.

When loans and other debt instruments become doubtful of collection, they are written down to present value of expected cash inflows and interest income is thereafter recorded based on the asset’s original effective interest rate which was used to measure the impairment loss and net exposure.

Commissions and fees arising from negotiating, or participating in the negotiation of a transaction for a third party, such as the acquisition of loans, shares or other securities or the purchase or sale of businesses, which are earned on execution of the underlying transaction are recorded on its completion. Portfolio and other management advisory and service fees are recognised based on the applicable service contracts, usually on a time-proportion basis. Trust and custody services fees related to investment funds are recorded proportionally over the period the service is provided.

All other fees, commissions and other income and expense items are generally recorded on an accrual basis by reference to completion of the specific transaction assessed on the basis of the actual service provided as a proportion of the total services to be provided.

Credit related commitments

The Group enters into credit related commitments, including letters of credit and financial guarantees. Financial guarantees represent irrevocable assurances to make payments in the event that a customer cannot meet its obligations to third parties and carry the same credit risk as loans. Financial guarantees and commitments to provide a loan are initially recognised at their fair value, which is normally evidenced by the amount of fees received. This amount is amortised on a straight line basis over the life of the commitment, except for commitments to originate loans if it is probable that the Group will enter into a specific lending arrangement and does not expect to sell the resulting loan shortly after origination; such loan commitment fees are deferred and included in the carrying value of the loan on initial recognition.

Foreign currency translation

The functional currency of each of the Group’s consolidated entities is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The Bank’s functional currency and the Group’s presentation currency is the national currency of the Russian Federation, Russian Roubles (“RUB”).

Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into each entity’s functional currency at the applicable exchange rate at the respective reporting dates. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of the transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities into each entity’s functional currency are recognised in profit or loss. Effects of exchange rate changes on the fair value of equity instruments are recorded as part of the fair value gain or loss.

The results and financial position of each group entity (except for the subsidiary bank in Belarus the economy of which is considered hyperinflationary) are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

(I) assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the applicable closing rate at the respective reporting date;

(II) income and expenses for each statement of comprehensive income are translated either at the rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions or at average exchange rates (in case this average is a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates).

The results and financial position of an entity whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy shall be translated into a different presentation currency using the following procedure: all amounts (ie assets, liabilities, equity items, income and expenses, including comparatives) shall be translated at the closing rate at the date of the most recent statement of financial position.

When amounts are translated into the currency of a non-hyperinflationary economy, comparative amounts shall be those that were presented as current year amounts in the relevant prior year financial statements (ie not adjusted for subsequent changes in the price level or subsequent changes in exchange rates).

Exchange differences arising on the translation of results and financial position of each of the Group’s consolidated entities are included in other components of comprehensive income and taken to a separate component of equity.

The cumulative balance of currency translation differences presented in equity at 31 December 2012 amounted to a loss of 4.7 billion RUB (31 December 2011: a loss of 5.7 billion RUB).

At 31 December 2012 the principal rates of exchange used for translating each entity’s functional currency into the Group’s presentation currency and foreign currency monetary balances were as follows:

At 31 December 2011 the principal rates of exchange used for translating each entity’s functional currency into the Group’s presentation currency and foreign currency monetary balances were as follows:

Accounting for the effects of hyperinflation

With the effect from 1 January 2011, the Belorusian economy is considered to be hyperinflationary in accordance with the criteria in IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies (“IAS 29”). The standard requires that the financial statements prepared in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the reporting date.

In applying IAS 29, the Group has used conversion factors derived from the Belorusian consumer price index (“CPI”), published by the State Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Belarus. The CPIs for the six year period and respective conversion factors after Belarus previously ceased to be considered hyperinflationary on 1 January 2006 were as follows:

Monetary assets and liabilities are not restated because they are already expressed in terms of the monetary unit current as of 31 December 2012. Non-monetary assets and liabilities (items which are not already expressed in terms of the monetary unit current as of 31 December 2012) are restated by applying the relevant index. The effect of inflation on the Group’s net monetary position is included in profit or loss.

Fiduciary assets

Assets and liabilities held by the Group in its own name, but on the account of third parties, are not reported on the consolidated statement of financial position. The extent of such balances and transactions is indicated in Note 33. For the purposes of disclosure, fiduciary activities do not encompass safe custody functions. Commissions received from fiduciary activities are shown in fee and commission income.

Assets under management

The Group has set up mutual investment funds and acts as the manager of their assets. The assets of these funds do not represent assets of the Group and therefore are not reported on the consolidated statement of financial position. The management fee income is recorded in the consolidated income statement within fee and commission income.

Contingent assets

Contingent assets are possible assets that arise from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Group. Contingent assets are not recognised by the Group in its consolidated statement of financial position, but disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements if inflow of economic benefits is probable.

Offsetting

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position only when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts, and there is an intention to either settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Earnings per share

Preference shares are not redeemable and are not considered to be participating shares. Earnings per share are determined by dividing the profit or loss attributable to equity holders of the Bank by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the reporting period, excluding treasury shares.

Staff costs and related contributions

Wages, salaries, contributions to the Russian Federation state pension and social insurance funds, paid annual leave and sick leave, pensions, bonuses, and non-monetary benefits are accrued in the year in which the associated services are rendered by the employees of the Group.

Segment reporting

The Group determined its operating segments on the basis of organizational structure of the Group and geographical areas. Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Management Board. Segments whose revenue, result or assets are 10% or more of all the segments are reported separately.

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