Manchester Building Society Results for the year ended 31 December 2018 (1611T)

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RNS Number : 1611T

Manchester Building Society

18 March 2019

Manchester Building Society Group ("the Society") Results for the year ended 31 December 2018

 
                                        2018       2017 
                                      GBP000     GBP000 
 
 Total operating income                8,929      9,580 
 Administrative expenses and 
  depreciation                      (10,185)    (7,955) 
 
 Operating (loss)/ profit before 
  impairment                         (1,256)      1,625 
 
 Impairment gains/( losses)              313    (2,376) 
 
 Financial Services Compensation 
  Scheme levy                              6       (29) 
 
 Loss for the period before 
  taxation                             (937)      (780) 
 
 Tax expense                               -          - 
 
 Loss for the period                   (937)      (780) 
                                   ---------  --------- 
 
 Total assets                        277,385    304,191 
 

Total operating income reduced by GBP0.7m through a GBP1.1m reduction in net interest income, partially offset by a GBP0.4m increase in other income.

-- The GBP1.1m net interest income reduction was the result of the continued managed run-down of the balance sheet (GBP0.6m) and lower levels of provision release which had provided a one-off benefit in 2017 (GBP0.5m).

-- Other income includes GBP0.3m of damages awarded to the Society as a result of the legal claim against the Society's previous auditors, Grant Thornton UK LLP ("GT").

Administrative expenses increased by GBP2.2m owing to additional legal fees relating to the claim for damages made against GT. The fees included a net charge of GBP2.3m in respect of an interim cost order in favour of GT and an additional sum accrued to cover the directors' best estimates of any remaining liability. The impact from the increase in legal costs was partially offset by savings within the cost base including a GBP0.5m reduction in contractor fees.

An impairment gain of GBP0.3m was recorded for the year. A revaluation of the Group's head office premises led to a reversal of prior impairment provision of GBP1.1m. A charge of GBP0.8m was recorded in respect of the Society's Spanish lifetime portfolio. There was no net charge for impairment provisions on the remainder of the portfolio.

The Group's reserves reduced in 2018 by GBP1.3m to negative reserves of GBP11.3m. The reserve movement includes a GBP0.3m reduction following the adoption of IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments on 1 January 2018.

The Society continues to have a strong liquidity position.

The 2018 accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis of accounting and, as with the accounts for previous years, set out a "material uncertainty" regarding the long-term future of the Society.

Legal claim against Grant Thornton UK LLP

The Society's claim for damages against GT was heard in the High Court in January 2018 and judgment handed down in May 2018. The Court awarded the Society damages of GBP0.3m, considerably below the amount claimed. The Society appealed this judgment to the Court of Appeal. In January 2019 the Court of Appeal upheld the initial decision.

Strategic future and capital position

The Group continues to have headroom against its total Pillar 1 plus Pillar 2A requirements in total capital terms as set out by the Prudential Regulatory Authority ("PRA") but, as in 2017, the Group did not meet the qualitative standards for CET 1 regulatory capital. As at 31 December 2018 the Society met, and continues to meet the requirement to hold CET 1 Capital in excess of 4.5% of Risk Weighted Assets.

The Board continues to engage with its regulators as to the strategic future for the Society. In June 2018 a strategic plan was produced by the Society, which was independently reviewed, and against which the PRA will monitor the Society's progress.

Permanent Interest Bearing Share ("PIBS") coupon payments April 2019

As a result of the shortfall against qualitative standards for the level of CET 1 regulatory capital, the requirements under CRD IV article 141 regarding capital conservation mean the Society may be prohibited from making the PIBS coupon payments due in April 2019. A further announcement will be made in due course regarding the April PIBS coupon payments.

2018 Annual Report & Accounts

The accounts for the 12 months ending 31 December 2018 are available to view on the Society's website:

http://manchesterbuildingsociety.co.uk/Main/FinancialInformation

Enquiries

Andy Donald - Maitland 020 7379 5151 [e-mail]

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March 18, 2019 05:45 ET (09:45 GMT)