| | y) | Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting - |
Trading -
The Group negotiates derivative financial instruments in order to meet its clients’ needs. The Group may also take positions with the expectation of profiting from favorable movements in prices, rates or indexes.
Part of the transactions with derivatives, which provide effective economic hedges under the Group’s risk management positions, do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific rules of IAS 39 and are, therefore, treated as trading derivatives.
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value in the consolidated statement of financial position and subsequently are re-measured at fair value. Fair values are estimated based on the market exchange and interest rates. All derivatives are carried as assets when fair value is positive and as liabilities when fair value is negative. Gain and losses for changes in their fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of income.
Hedging -
The Group uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to interest rate and foreign currency. In order to manage particular risks, the Group applies hedge accounting for transactions which meet the specified criteria.
At inception of the hedge relationship, the Group formally documents the relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument, including the nature of the risk, the objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge and the method that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationship.
Also, at the inception of the hedge relationship, a formal assessment is undertaken to ensure the hedging instrument is expected to be highly effective in offsetting the designated risk in the hedged item. Hedges are formally assessed at each reporting date.
A hedge is considered highly effective if the following conditions are met:
| | - | At the inception of a hedge and in following years, the hedge is expected to be highly effective to offset changes in the fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk over the designated period of the hedge; and |
| | - | The actual effectiveness of the hedge is within the range of 80-125 percent. |
The accounting treatment is determined on the basis of the nature of the hedged item and once the hedging qualifying criteria are met.
The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized directly as part of other comprehensive income in “Cash flow hedge reserve”, while any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of income.
Amounts recognized as other comprehensive income are transferred to the consolidated statement of income when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss; that is, when the hedge-related finance income or finance cost is recognized or when an expected sale occurs.
If the forecasted transaction or firm commitment is no longer expected to occur, the accumulated gain or loss previously recognized in the cash flow hedge reserve is transferred to the consolidated statement of income. If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its designation as a hedge is revoked, any unrealized accumulated gain or loss previously in the cash flow hedge reserve remains in said reserve until the planned transaction or firm commitment affects profit or loss. At the same time, the derivative is recorded as a trading derivative.
The change in the fair value of a fair value hedge is recognized in “Interest and similar income” or “Interest and similar expenses” of the consolidated statement of income. The change in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk hedged is recorded as a part of the carrying value of the hedged item and is recognized in the consolidated statement of income.
For fair value hedges relating to items carried at amortized cost, any adjustment to the carrying amount of these items, as a result of discontinuation of the hedge, will be amortized through the consolidated statement of income over the remaining life of the hedge. Amortization may begin as soon as an adjustment exists and no later than when the hedged item ceases to be adjusted for changes in its fair value attributable to the risk being hedged.
If the hedged item is derecognized, the unamortized fair value is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of income.
The hedge relationship is terminated when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or where the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the hedge relationship is terminated. For hedged items recorded at amortized cost, the difference between the carrying value of the hedged item on termination and the face value is amortized over the remaining term of the original hedge using the effective interest rate. If the hedged item is derecognized, the unamortized fair value adjustment is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of income. At the same time, the derivative is recorded as a trading derivative.
| | iii) | Embedded derivatives - |
Derivatives embedded in host contracts are accounted for as separate derivatives and recorded at fair value if their economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host contract, and said host contract is not held for trading or designated at fair value through profit or loss.
The Group has investments indexed to certain life insurance contracts liabilities, denominated “Investment Link”. These instruments have been classified at inception by the Group as “Financial instruments at fair value though profit or loss”, See Note 3(f)(i) and Note 8.
