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RSA Rsa Insurance Group Ld

684.20
0.00 (0.00%)
24 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Rsa Insurance Group Ld LSE:RSA London Ordinary Share GB00BKKMKR23 ORD GBP1.00
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 684.20 684.20 684.40 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

RSA Insurance Group PLC Annual Financial Report (2239A)

22/03/2017 2:34pm

UK Regulatory


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TIDMRSA

RNS Number : 2239A

RSA Insurance Group PLC

22 March 2017

22 March 2017

RSA INSURANCE GROUP PLC

(THE "COMPANY")

2016 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT ANNOUNCEMENT

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6 and Disclosure and Transparency Rule ("DTR") 4.1, the Company announces that the following documents have been posted to shareholders and have today been submitted to the UK Listing Authority via the National Storage Mechanism:

   --     Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 
   --     Notice of the 2017 Annual General Meeting to be held on 5 May 2017 
   --     Proxy form for the 2017 Annual General Meeting 

The above mentioned documents (except for the Proxy form) are available on our website at www.rsagroup.com and www.rsagroup.com/agm2017 and will shortly be made available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM. Shareholders can obtain additional copies of the Proxy form from our Registrar, Equiniti Limited, at Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA or view online at www.shareview.co.uk.

This announcement should be read in conjunction with the Company's announcement issued on 23 February 2017. Together these constitute the material required by DTR 6.3 to be communicated to the media in full unedited text through a Regulatory Information Service. This material is not a substitute for reading the Company's 2016 Annual Report and Accounts.

An indication of the important events that occurred in 2016 and their impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements, the condensed consolidated financial statements themselves and the responsibility statement were announced to the London Stock Exchange on 23 February 2017, forming part of the Preliminary Results announcement for the year ended 31 December 2016. Additional content forming part of the management report is in the Appendix below.

Enquiries:

Elinor Bell

Deputy Group Company Secretary

RSA Insurance Group plc

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7111 7000

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

Visit www.rsagroup.com for more information.

This press release (together with the Annual Report and Accounts referred to herein) has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of English company law and the liabilities of the directors in connection with this press release (together with the Annual Report and Accounts referred to herein) shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions provided by such law. This press release may contain 'forward-looking statements' with respect to certain of the Group's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition, performance, results, strategic initiatives and objectives. Generally, words such as "may", "could", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "aim", "outlook", "believe", "plan", "seek", "continue" or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, all forward-looking statements are inherently predictive and speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond the Group's control, including amongst other things, UK domestic and global economic business conditions, market-related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, the policies and actions of regulatory authorities (including changes related to capital and solvency requirements), the impact of competition, inflation, deflation, the timing impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries, as well as the impact of tax and other legislation or regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Group and its affiliates operate. As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in the Group's forward-looking statements. The Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, save in respect of any requirement under applicable law or regulation. Nothing in this press release (together with the Annual Report and Accounts referred to herein) should be construed as a profit forecast.

APPIX

References to page numbers and notes to the accounts made in this Appendix refer to page numbers and notes to the accounts in the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

We consider the following nine key performance indicators important in measuring the delivery of our strategic priorities.

Click on or paste the following link into your web browser to view the key performance indicators

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2239A_1-2017-3-22.pdf

Combined operating ratio(1) (%)*

Definition: A measure of underwriting performance - the ratio of underwriting costs (claims, commissions and expenses) expressed in relation to earned premiums.

Commentary: The COR is used as a measure of underwriting efficiency across the industry. The aim is to achieve a COR as sustainably low as possible - that is without uncompetitive pricing or compromising reserves.

Outlook: We target further improvements in combined ratio.

Core Group attritional loss ratio (%)*

Definition: This is the underlying loss ratio (net incurred claims and claims handling expense as a proportion of net earned premiums) of our business prior to volatile impacts from weather, large

losses and prior-year reserve developments.

Commentary: Attritional loss ratios are a key lever in the Group's turnaround of financial performance. Improvements in the business mix together with investments in digitally enabled underwriting and claims excellence are targeted at reducing the attritional loss ratio.

Outlook: We target improving attritional loss ratios in the medium term in line with our ambition of best-in-class performance.

Underlying earnings per share (p)

Definition: Operating profit less interest cost, tax, non-controlling interests and preference dividends, per share.

Commentary: A key measure of the underlying earnings power of the Group as it excludes shorter-term and temporary changes, such as restructuring costs which we have indicated will cease from 2018.

Outlook: We target continued growth in underlying EPS as performance improvement actions take effect.

Underlying return on tangible equity (%)*

Definition: Operating profit attributable to ordinary shareholders less interest costs and underlying tax, expressed in relation to opening tangible shareholders' funds, i.e. excluding goodwill and intangible assets.

Commentary: A key measure of shareholder value and one that informs overall valuation in the insurance sector.

Outlook: We have upgraded our target to 13-17 percent in the medium term.

TNAV per share (p)*

Definition: The value of tangible shareholders' funds per share, i.e. excluding goodwill and intangible assets.

Commentary: Growing TNAV generally indicates improving capital metrics. It also represents the underlying asset value of the business, although it is sensitive to external market movements.

Outlook: We expect TNAV per share to increase through retained earnings.

Solvency II coverage ratio(2) (%)*

Definition: The Solvency II coverage ratio represents total eligible capital as a proportion of the Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) under Solvency II.

Commentary: The Solvency II coverage ratio is a measure of the capital adequacy of insurance companies. Our SCR is calculated on our risk profile using the Group's internal capital model.

Outlook: We target a Solvency II coverage ratio in the range of 130-160 percent.

Controllable expenses (GBPbn)*

Definition: Operating expenses incurred by the Group in undertaking business activities.

Commentary: Reduction of controllable expenses is a key element of the Group's turnaround strategy. We monitor both the absolute level of expense and the expense ratio as part of the turnaround and ongoing performance focus.

Outlook: We have upgraded our target to >GBP400m reduction in gross controllable expenses by 2018 and aim to improve expense ratios in the medium term, in line with our ambition of best-in-class performance.

Customer retention (%)

Definition: We use direct measures of satisfaction, such as NPS and indirect measures, including retention.

Commentary: Strong customer satisfaction translates to improved underwriting results. By ensuring customers are at the heart of everything we do we can optimise business performance.

Outlook: Target a growing level of customer satisfaction and improving retention over time.

Carbon emissions per FTE (t)

Definition: Gross tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per full-time equivalent (FTE).

Commentary: We endeavour to reduce our emissions as far as possible by operating efficiently, procuring sustainable alternatives and promoting sustainable business practices.

Outlook: Having met our Group-wide carbon reduction target, we will set a new one in 2017.

* This icon indicates those KPIs directly linked to executive remuneration. To read more about executive variable remuneration, including the set of financial and non-financial performance measures on which it is based, please turn to pages 90 to 93.

Notes:

1. Combined ratios prior to 2014 restated onto like-for-like basis, refer to page 190 for further detail.

2. Coverage ratio under Solvency II introduced in 2015.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Promoting a risk culture which protects the customer and maximises shareholder risk-adjusted returns.

Risk management approach

As a 300-year-old insurance group we have developed considerable expertise in how to manage risk, which allows us to be selective in retaining risks within our core expertise whilst ensuring that we manage, mitigate and avoid risks where we are not adequately rewarded. As a pure play general insurer our key area of expertise is underwriting property and casualty insurance risks, which means we are able to provide our customers with competitive products that protect them effectively against the uncertainty of future loss events whilst ensuring that the risks we accept are collectively managed to maximise risk-adjusted returns to our investors.

All insurance groups are faced with a number of different risks which for example can range from adverse movements in asset prices, external cyber-attacks and significant increases in claim trends to large catastrophic events (details of all the key risk categories are set out on page 40).

Our risk management and controls frameworks have been created to ensure that we are able to identify, measure and effectively manage these risks in all parts of the group before they adversely impact the business. This information, together with the strength of the Group's capital position, allows the Board to set a risk strategy and appetite which sets out the level of risk the Board is prepared to take in the delivery of its strategic objectives.

Click on or paste the following link into your web browser to view the Operational Planning Cycle

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2239A_1-2017-3-22.pdf

The risk appetite is refreshed at least annually to adapt to the evolving risk, regulatory and economic environment, with an increased focus on ensuring that the Group is adequately prepared for evolving IT risks including cyber-attack. Once set, the business regularly monitors compliance with the appetite, both at a regional and group level, to ensure actions can be rapidly taken to manage any risks considered to be outside of the risk appetite tolerance levels.

Keeping our focus on the road ahead

One of the key roles of the risk team is to ensure that we support the business by keeping abreast of the demands from a dynamic and ever-changing risk environment. At RSA we perform an annual deep-dive assessment of the emerging risks facing the business, which is informed through the use of subject matter experts, thematic brainstorming workshops, consulting a wide range of key external documentation as well as participating in the CRO Forum's emerging risks working group. The emerging risks set out in the diagram below were presented to the Board Risk Committee for consideration and a decision on which risks should be subject to further deep-dive reviews including performance of appropriate scenario analysis. The results from these reviews satisfied the Board Risk Committee that the Group's risks and controls frameworks were overall effective at managing future threats to the business although it did highlight areas where further refinements could be made, including expanding the scope of our horizon scanning to keep abreast of new entrant and technological advancements.

Click on or paste the following link into your web browser to view the Emerging risk analysis on

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2239A_1-2017-3-22.pdf

Operational Planning Cycle:

Risk Management System underpins the Operational Planning Cycle

1. Board sets the business strategy which is incorporated in the three-year operational plan. Risk provide robust challenge of validity and achievability of plan.

2. Risk Strategy creates the overarching principles for establishing a set of indicators (Risk Appetite).

3. Comprehensive policy suite sets the required business processes and controls to deliver the operational plan within appetite. Robust control testing used to identify risks out of appetite.

4. Regional Risk and Control Committees track actions for risks outside of appetite, and escalate to Local & Group Boards.

5. Significant changes in risk assessments are considered by the Internal Model Governance Committee and where appropriate, the Group's internal model is updated.

6. Output from the model is sense checked against non-modelled stress and scenario events to ensure it provides a reliable basis for making business decisions, including capital planning, reinsurance purchase, performance analysis and pricing.

7. The internal model is run regularly throughout the year in order to assess the risks impacting the Group and determines how much capital the Group needs to hold to remain solvent even after a major stress event(s), which forms part of the ORSA process.

8. Output from the model is reported to the Board, so that changes can be made to the three-year operational plan to ensure the Group remains in Appetite. Cycle will continue until the Board is satisfied with the future plan.

KEY RISKS AND MITIGANTS

 
 Key risk and         SII SCR   Key mitigants and                                                  Commentary 
  exposures            %         controls 
-------------------  --------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------- 
 Catastrophe          16                                                                           Consistent 
  risk                                 *    Our reinsurance programme significantly reduces our    with our strategy 
  Arises from                               exposure to catastrophe risks with losses arising      and appetite 
  the risk of                               from the 2016 Canadian wildfires being well covered    of retaining 
  large natural                             by our programme. Programme is designed to cover at    risks that 
  disasters with                            least 1 in 200 year events.                            reside within 
  our main exposure                                                                                our core expertise, 
  being to European                                                                                where we are 
  windstorms                                                                                       able to maximise 
  and Canadian                                                                                     risk-adjusted 
  earthquakes.                                                                                     returns, our 
                                                                                                   Solvency II 
                                                                                                   Capital Requirement 
                                                                                                   (SCR) is primarily 
                                                                                                   comprised 
                                                                                                   of 
                                                                                                   insurance-related 
                                                                                                   risks, including 
                                                                                                   higher than 
                                                                                                   anticipated 
                                                                                                   underwriting 
                                                                                                   losses, large 
                                                                                                   retained 
                                                                                                   catastrophe 
                                                                                                   losses and 
                                                                                                   deterioration 
                                                                                                   in our stock 
                                                                                                   of reserves 
                                                                                                   for future 
                                                                                                   claims. 
-------------------  --------  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Reserving risk       16                                                                           Whilst our 
  Is the risk                         *    Reserves are reviewed and challenged at the Group        investment 
  that the Group's                         Reserving Committee which is attended by the Group       strategy remains 
  estimate of                              Chief Actuary, the CRO, CFO and CEO.                     deliberately 
  future claims                                                                                     conservative 
  is insufficient.                                                                                  we continue 
  Longer tail                         *    Group has implemented a comprehensive reserve            to look for 
  line of business                         assurance programme which has independently verified     opportunities 
  present more                             >90 percent of the Group's net reserves by value over    to increase 
  uncertainty                              a three year period.                                     returns through 
  on the size                                                                                       the purchase 
  and timing                                                                                        of less liquid 
  of payments,                        *    Economic transfer of the UK legacy insurance             high quality 
  with our key                             liabilities, effective at 31 December 2016.              assets as we 
  exposure being                                                                                    are able to 
  the Swedish                                                                                       match the cashflow 
  personal accident                                                                                 profile against 
  lines.                                                                                            that of our 
                                                                                                    liabilities. 
                                                                                                    Another key 
                                                                                                    SCR risk arises 
                                                                                                    from the Group's 
                                                                                                    defined benefit 
                                                                                                    pension schemes. 
                                                                                                    Although these 
                                                                                                    schemes are 
                                                                                                    well funded 
                                                                                                    (95 percent 
                                                                                                    per latest 
                                                                                                    triennial review). 
                                                                                                    Under the Solvency 
                                                                                                    II rules we 
                                                                                                    are required 
                                                                                                    to hold sufficient 
                                                                                                    capital to 
                                                                                                    withstand a 
                                                                                                    1 in 200 year 
                                                                                                    event. For 
                                                                                                    more information 
                                                                                                    on the pension 
                                                                                                    schemes see 
                                                                                                    note 37 of 
                                                                                                    the financial 
                                                                                                    statements. 
-------------------  --------  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Underwriting         14 
 and claims                           *    Controlled through well-defined risk appetite 
 risk                                      statements which are rigorously monitored at 
 This is the                               quarterly portfolio reviews, with remediation actions 
 risk that                                 taken where deemed necessary. 
 underwritten 
 business is 
 less profitable                      *    Claims case reserves are prudently set and reviewed 
 than planned                              at quarterly case reserving committees. 
 due to 
 insufficient 
 pricing and                          *    Extensive control validation and assurance activities 
 setting of                                performed - with over 100 separate assurance reviews 
 claims case                               having been performed. 
 reserves. Key 
 exposures arise 
 from large 
 portfolios 
 where claims 
 trends are 
 slow to emerge 
 such as UK 
 Commercial 
 and Marine. 
-------------------  --------  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Market, credit       18 
 and currency                          *    RSA adopts a prudent investment strategy with the 
 risk                                       investment portfolio favouring high-quality fixed 
 Is the risk                                income bonds, which are closely duration and currenc 
 to our insurance                     y 
 funds arising                              matched with insurance liabilities to hedge 
 from movements                             volatility. 
 in macroeconomic 
 variables 
 including                             *    Investment positions are regularly monitored to 
 widening credit                            ensure limits remain within appetite. 
 spreads, declining 
 bond yields 
 or currency 
 fluctuations, 
 the latter 
 having been 
 significantly 
 impacted 
 post Brexit. 
-------------------  --------  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Pension risk         26 
 We face longevity                    *    Funding assets are well matched to liabilities in the 
 and in particular                         pension schemes, including the use of swap 
 market related                            arrangements. 
 risks which 
 arise from 
 our defined                          *    Reduced more volatile growth assets exposures from 
 benefit pension                           c.25 percent to c.15 percent in the year. 
 schemes. The 
 largest exposures 
 arise from                           *    Reaching a concluding agreement to close the UK 
 credit spread                             schemes to further accrual from 31 March 2017. 
 and equity 
 movements, 
 although these                       *    RSA continues to work with the Trustees in order to 
 are partly                                further explore options to de-risk the pension funds. 
 hedged by 
 offsetting 
 movements in 
 the Insurance 
 Investment 
 Fund. 
-------------------  --------  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Operational          10 
 risk                                  *    Extensive Line 1, 2 & 3 challenge over the progress 
 These risks                                made in executing the Group's transformation 
 relate to customer                         programme. 
 and/or 
 reputational 
 damage arising                        *    Significant progress in clearly articulating IT risk 
 from operational                           appetite and getting remediation plans and enhanced 
 failures such                              control testing under way. 
 as IT system 
 failure. 
                                       *    Extensive control review and testing with >500 
                                            control gaps closed in the year. 
-------------------  --------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------- 
 

Risk culture

In our view the most important component to effectively embedding the Group's risk management framework is ensuring that senior management set the right 'tone from the top'. At RSA the senior management team have remained committed to instilling a culture which promotes openness, honesty, integrity and ethical behaviour, which is further underpinned by the Group's continued focus on our quarterly cultural health check.

A key part of our culture is ensuring that our customers are at the heart of all we do, and our staff are passionate about providing brilliant service to our customers. For example, in our UK business we have embedded a Conduct Framework which identifies and addresses conduct risks appropriately, considers the customer impact of decisions we take, and ensures that our customers receive good outcomes.

Risk management in action

As the business has continued to leverage technology to deliver a more efficient customer offering the risk team have provided significant support to the business to ensure risks arising through the increased automation and digitalisation of processes remain transparent and controllable throughout transformation.

-- The first step to implementing an appropriate risk and control framework is to identify the key IT risks which can arise with the key focus being on the risks that have the highest impact and likelihood of occurrence.

-- The risk team supported the business in evaluating the risks arising and helped prioritise resolution plans which focused on the most significant risks, including ensuring that resourcing needs had been appropriately allowed for in the Group's operating plan.

-- All risk assessments together with resolution plans were presented to the Board Risk Committee for approval to ensure remediation plans were considered sufficient to bring risks within appetite.

-- Monitoring of these risks will be performed through both a set of key risk indicators which are linked to the risks and provide an early warning if risks have moved outside of appetite as well as the development of line 1 and line 2 control testing frameworks which focus on testing the key controls.

Risk developments in 2016

Transformation risks - the risk teams have supported the business to ensure appropriate level of control and governance over the transformational changes being implemented by the Group. This includes ensuring there is appropriate control over the planning, testing and implementation stages of the programme as well as taking an active role in providing high levels of scrutiny and challenge at the regional and group transformation steering committees.

Delivery of the operating plan - The Group's operating plan provides the platform for ensuring the business remains focused on achieving its key operational and strategic goals, including delivery of profitable growth whilst maintaining a robust capital base. It is therefore essential the plan meets the right balance of achievable stretch targets with realistic assumptions and strategic actions for how this can be achieved. Risk take an active role in challenging the plan, including ensuring the validity of assumptions when compared to economic projections, peer reviews, past experience and current risk assessments, which delivery of planned transformation activity.

Pension de-risking - The Group has continued to explore opportunities for further reducing the volatility created by our pension scheme exposures, including reducing our more volatile growth asset exposures from c.25 percent to c.15 percent in the year and reaching a concluding agreement to close the UK schemes to further accrual from 31 March 2017.

Management of peripheral businesses - There has been an increased focus in strengthening the control frameworks of the Group's peripheral businesses, with all businesses having been subjected to a detailed assessment.

IT risk monitoring framework - The Group has developed an IT risk monitoring framework which links key IT risks to a set of key risk indicators. This provides management with feedback on the effectiveness of the IT control framework, which has been strengthened through the appointment of Regional Chief Information Security Officers (CISO), enhancing their teams and developing robust control frameworks and remediation plans which are in progress.

UK Legacy disposal - as described on page 33, the Group materially reduced long-tail reserve risk through the economic transfer of GBP834m of undiscounted UK legacy liabilities net of reinsurance.

Solvency II and Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR)

Solvency II is the new EU-wide insurance regulatory regime that became effective on 1 January 2016.

One of the key aims of Solvency II is to introduce a harmonised prudential framework for insurers promoting transparency, comparability and competitiveness amongst European insurers.

The Directive has three pillars that have impacted how RSA manages risk and how it reports to both regulators and shareholders: Pillar one relates to the quantitative requirements and introduces a risk-based methodology to calculating the Group's Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR). Insurers are required to calculate the level of capital required based on their unique risk profile. For RSA this is calculated using our own Internal Model that was approved by the regulator in December 2015.

Pillar two incorporates qualitative governance requirements, including the way the risk management function operates within the business and how key systems and controls are documented and reviewed.

Pillar three relates to enhanced and standardised disclosure requirements, including increased transparency of the risk strategy and risk appetite of the business. In 2017, RSA will publish its first 'Solvency & Financial Condition Report'; these will contain extensive information on how RSA manages its risks and exposures and report on the financial position of the company using Solvency II valuation principles.

Brexit

RSA has been actively monitoring the impact of the referendum result and the potential impact on RSA's business. The vast majority of business written within the '27 remaining countries' of the EU is written by subsidiaries domiciled in these countries. Plans are being evaluated for creating an appropriate structure for the remaining business written through branches of our main UK entity.

RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Insurance Risk

The Group is exposed to risks arising from insurance contracts as set out below:

   A)   Underwriting risk 
   B)    Reinsurance risk 
   C)    Reserving risk 
   A)   Underwriting risk 

Underwriting risk refers to the risk that underwritten business is less profitable than planned due to insufficient pricing.

The majority of underwriting risk to which the Group is exposed, is of a short-term nature, and generally does not exceed 12 months. The Group's underwriting strategy aims to ensure that the underwritten risks are well diversified in terms of the type, amount of risk, and geography in order to ensure that the Group is not exposed to a concentration of risk which would result in a volatile insurance result.

Underwriting limits are in place to enforce appropriate risk selection criteria and pricing with all of the Group's underwriters having specific licences that set clear parameters for the business they can underwrite, based on their expertise.

The Group has developed enhanced methods of recording exposures and concentrations of risk and has a centrally managed forum looking at Group underwriting issues, reviewing and agreeing underwriting direction and setting policy and directives where appropriate. The Group has a quarterly portfolio management process across all its business units where key risk indicators are tracked to monitor emerging trends, opportunities and risks. This provides greater control of exposures in high risk areas as well as enabling a prompt response to claims from policyholders should there be a catastrophic event such as an earthquake.

Pricing for the Group's products is generally based upon historical claims frequencies and claims severity averages, adjusted for inflation and modelled catastrophes, trended forward to recognise anticipated changes in claims patterns after making allowance for other costs incurred by the Group, conditions in the insurance market and a profit loading that adequately covers the cost of capital.

   B)    Reinsurance risk 

Reinsurance risk refers to the risk of loss to the Group from the failure to enforce payment under the contracts from one or more of its reinsurers.

Decisions on how much insurance risk to pass on to other insurers through the use of reinsurance is another key strategy employed in managing the Group's exposure to insurance risk. The Group Board determines a maximum and the Group Corporate Centre determines a minimum level of risk to be retained by the Group as a whole and, therefore, the amount of central reinsurance cover purchased. This is then distributed across the Group in accordance with deemed risk appetite. Local operations may also purchase additional reinsurance within agreed local reinsurance appetite parameters.

Reinsurance arrangements in place include proportional, excess of loss, stop loss, catastrophe and adverse development coverage. These arrangements ensure that the Group should not suffer total net insurance losses beyond the Group's risk appetite in any one year.

The Group remains primarily liable as the direct insurer on all risks reinsured, although the reinsurer is liable to the Group to the extent of the insurance risk it has contractually accepted responsibility for.

   C)    Reserving risk 

Reserving risk refers to the risk that the Group's estimates of future claims will be insufficient.

The Group establishes a provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the anticipated costs of all losses that have already occurred but have not yet been paid. Such estimates are made for losses already reported to the Group as well as for the losses that have already occurred but are not yet reported losses together with a provision for the future costs of handling and settling the outstanding claims.

There is a risk to the Group from the inherent uncertainty in estimating provisions at the end of the reporting period for the eventual outcome of outstanding notified claims as well as estimating the number and value of claims that are still to be notified. In particular, the estimation of the provisions for the ultimate costs of claims for asbestos and environmental pollution is subject to a range of uncertainties that is generally greater than those encountered for other classes of business due to the slow emergence and longer settlement period for these claims.

The Group seeks to reduce its reserving risk through the use of experienced regional actuaries who estimate the actuarial indication of the required reserves based on claims experience, business volume, anticipated change in the claims environment and claims cost. This information is used by local reserving committees to recommend to the Group Reserving Committee the appropriate level of reserves for each region - which will include adding a margin onto the actuarial indication as a provision for unforeseen developments such as future claims patterns differing from historical experience, future legislative changes and the emergence of latent exposures such as asbestosis. The Group Reserving Committee review these local submissions and recommend the final level of reserves to be held by the Group. The Group has a Group Reserving Committee which is chaired by the Group Chief Financial Officer and includes the Group Chief Executive, Group Underwriting Director, Group Chief Actuary and Group Chief Risk Officer. A similar committee has been established in each of the Group's major operating segments. The Group Reserving Committee monitors the decisions and judgements made by the business units as to the level of reserves to be held. It then recommends to the Group Board via the Group Audit Committee for the final decision on the level of reserves to be included within the consolidated financial statements. In forming its collective judgement, the Committee considers the following information:

-- The actuarial indication of ultimate losses together with an assessment of risks and possible favourable or adverse developments that may not have been fully reflected in calculating these indications. At the end of 2016, these risks and developments include: the possibility of future legislative change having retrospective effect on open claims; changes in claims settlement procedures potentially leading to future claims payment patterns differing from historical experience; the possibility of new types of claim, such as disease claims, emerging from business written several years ago; general uncertainty in the claims environment; the emergence of latent exposures such as asbestos; the outcome of litigation on claims received; failure to recover reinsurance and unanticipated changes in claims inflation;

-- The views of internal peer reviewers of the reserves and of other parties including actuaries, legal counsel, risk directors, underwriters and claims managers;

-- The outcome from independent assurance reviews performed by the Group actuarial function to assess the reasonableness of regional Actuarial Indication estimates;

   --     How previous actuarial indications have developed. 

Financial risk

Financial risk refers to the risk of financial loss predominantly arising from investment transactions entered into by the Group, and also to a lesser extent arising from insurance contracts, and includes the following risks:

   --     Credit risk; 
   --     Market risk including price, interest rate and currency rate risks; 
   --     Liquidity risk. 

The Group undertakes a number of strategies to manage these risks including the use of derivative financial instruments for the purpose of reducing its exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and long term inflation. The Group does not use derivatives to leverage its exposure to markets and does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The policy on use of derivatives is approved by the Board Risk Committee (BRC).

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss resulting from the failure of a counterparty to honour its financial or contractual obligations to the Group. The Group's credit risk exposure is largely concentrated in its fixed income investment portfolio and to a lesser extent, its premium receivables, and reinsurance assets.

Credit risk is managed at both a Group level and at a local level. Local operations are responsible for assessing and monitoring the creditworthiness of their counterparties (e.g. brokers and policyholders). Local credit committees are responsible for ensuring these exposures are within the risk appetite of the local operations. Exposure monitoring and reporting is embedded throughout the organisation with aggregate credit positions reported and monitored at Group level.

The Group's credit risk strategy appetite and credit risk policy are developed by the BRC and are reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis. This is done through the setting of Group policies, procedures and limits.

In defining its appetite for credit risk the Group looks at exposures at both an aggregate and business unit level distinguishing between credit risks incurred as a result of offsetting insurance risks or operating in the insurance market (e.g. reinsurance credit risks and risks to receiving premiums due from policyholders and intermediaries) and credit risks incurred for the purposes of generating a return (e.g. invested assets credit risk).

Limits are set at both a portfolio and counterparty level based on likelihood of default, derived from the rating of the counterparty, to ensure that the Group's overall credit profile and specific concentrations are managed and controlled within risk appetite.

The Group's investment management strategy primarily focuses on debt instruments of high credit quality issuers and seeks to limit the overall credit exposure with respect to any one issuer by ensuring limits have been based upon credit quality. Restrictions are placed on each of the Group's investment managers as to the level of exposure to various rating categories including unrated securities.

The Group is also exposed to credit risk from the use of reinsurance in the event that a reinsurer fails to settle its liability to the Group.

The Group Reinsurance Credit Committee oversees the management of credit risk arising from the reinsurer failing to settle its liability to the Group. Group standards are set such that reinsurers that have a financial strength rating of less than 'A-' with Standard & Poor's, or a comparable rating, are removed from the Group's authorised list of approved reinsurers unless the Group's internal review discovers exceptional circumstances in favour of the reinsurer. Collateral is taken, where appropriate, to mitigate exposures to acceptable levels. At 31 December 2016 the extent of collateral held by the Group against reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities was GBP159m (2015: GBP69m). The UK Legacy reinsurance announced on 7 February 2017 will involve additional extensive collateral arrangements.

The Group's use of reinsurance is sufficiently diversified that it is not concentrated on a single reinsurer, or any single reinsurance contract. The Group regularly monitors its aggregate exposures by reinsurer group against predetermined reinsurer Group limits, in accordance with the methodology agreed by the BRC. The Group's largest reinsurance exposures to active reinsurance groups are Munich Re, Lloyd's, and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. At 31 December 2016 the reinsurance asset recoverable from these groups does not exceed 2.4% (2015: 2.8%) of the Group's total financial assets. Stress tests are performed by reinsurer counterparty and the limits are set such that in a catastrophic event, the exposure to a single reinsurer is estimated not to exceed 6.1% (2015: 7.1%) of the Group's total financial assets.

The credit profile of the Group's assets exposed to credit risk is shown below. The credit rating bands are provided by independent rating agencies. The table below sets out the Group's aggregated credit risk exposure for its financial and insurance assets as at 2016 and 2015.

As at 31 December 2016

Credit rating relating to financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired

 
                                                                                                                Total 
                                                                                                         of financial 
                                                                                                               assets 
                                                                                                                 that 
                                                                                                Less:             are 
                                                                                  Value       Amounts         neither 
                                                                              including    classified            past 
                                                                                   held       as held             due 
                                                                      Not           for           for             nor 
                        AAA       AA        A      BBB     <BBB     rated          sale          sale        impaired 
                       GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm      GBPm          GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Debt 
  securities          5,216    3,327    2,733      875      108        62        12,321           776          11,545 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Loans 
  and receivables        67        -        1        -        4        16            88             -              88 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Reinsurers' 
  share 
  of insurance 
  contract 
  liabilities             -      605    1,577       90       20        51         2,343            96           2,247 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Insurance 
  and reinsurance 
  debtors 
  (1)                   129       30      834       96      103     1,518         2,710            15           2,695 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Derivative 
  assets                  -        2        8       37        -         9            56             -              56 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Other 
  debtors                 -        -        -        -        -       127           127             1             126 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Cash 
  and cash 
  equivalents           402      202      442       27        -        16         1,089           104             985 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

Note:

1. The insurance and reinsurance debtors classified as not rated comprise personal policyholders and small corporate customers that do not have individual credit ratings. The overall credit risk to the Group is deemed to be low as the cover could be cancelled if payment were not received on a timely basis.

As at 31 December 2015

Credit rating relating to financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired

 
                                                                                                                Total 
                                                                                                         of financial 
                                                                                                               assets 
                                                                                                                 that 
                                                                                                Less:             are 
                                                                                  Value       Amounts         neither 
                                                                              including    classified            past 
                                                                                   held       as held             due 
                                                                      Not           for           for             nor 
                        AAA       AA        A      BBB     <BBB     rated          sale          sale        impaired 
                       GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm      GBPm          GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Debt 
  securities          5,737    1,612    2,818    1,166       82        73        11,488           376          11,112 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Loans 
  and receivables        50        -        1        -        4        45           100             -             100 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Reinsurers' 
  share 
  of insurance 
  contract 
  liabilities             -      368    1,626       91       23       113         2,221           237           1,984 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Insurance 
  and reinsurance 
  debtors 
  (1)                   106       22      715      148       93     1,864         2,948           469           2,479 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Derivative 
  assets                  4        5        -       21        -         8            38             -              38 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Other 
  debtors                 -        -        -        -        -       258           258             9             249 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Cash 
  and cash 
  equivalents           304      116      346       57       14        76           913            97             816 
------------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

Note:

1. The insurance and reinsurance debtors classified as not rated comprise personal policyholders and small corporate customers that do not have individual credit ratings. The overall credit risk to the Group is deemed to be low as the cover could be cancelled if payment were not received on a timely basis.

With the exception of government debt securities, the largest single aggregate credit exposure does not exceed 3% of the Group's total financial assets.

Ageing of financial assets that are past due but not impaired

The following table provides information regarding the carrying value of financial assets that have been impaired and the ageing of financial assets that are past due but not impaired as at 31 December 2016, excluding those assets that have been classified as held for sale.

As at 31 December 2016

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 
                                                                          Financial       Carrying 
                         Neither                                             assets          value          Impairment 
                            past                           Six   Greater       that         in the              losses 
                             due     Up to     Three    months      than       have      statement  charged/(reversed) 
                             nor     three    to six    to one       one       been   of financial       to the income 
                        impaired    months    months      year      year   impaired       position           statement 
                            GBPm      GBPm      GBPm      GBPm      GBPm       GBPm           GBPm                GBPm 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Debt securities         11,545       -         -         -         -          -         11,545              - 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Loans and 
 receivables              88         -         -         -         -          -           88               (10) 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Reinsurers' 
 share of insurance 
 contract 
 liabilities            2,247        -         -         -         -          5          2,252              - 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Insurance 
 and reinsurance 
 debtors                2,695        79        22        17        7          3          2,823              1 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Derivative 
 assets                   56         -         -         -         -          -           56                - 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Other debtors            126         -         -         -         3          -           129               - 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
Cash and cash 
 equivalents             985         -         -         -         -          -           985               - 
--------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------------ 
 

As at 31 December 2015

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 
                                                                             Financial       Carrying     Impairment 
                           Neither                                              assets          value         losses 
                              past                           Six    Greater       that         in the        charged 
                               due     Up to     Three    months       than       have      statement         to the 
                               nor     three    to six    to one        one       been   of financial         income 
                          impaired    months    months      year       year   impaired       position      statement 
                              GBPm      GBPm      GBPm      GBPm       GBPm       GBPm           GBPm           GBPm 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Debt securities             11,112         -         -         -          -          -         11,112              3 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Loans and 
 receivables                   100         -         -         -          -          -            100              2 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Reinsurers' 
 share of insurance 
 contract liabilities        1,984         -         -         -          -          4          1,988              1 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Insurance 
 and reinsurance 
 debtors                     2,479       121        18        18         17          -          2,653              4 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Derivative 
 assets                         38         -         -         -          -          -             38              - 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Other debtors                  249         1         -         -          3          -            253              - 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
Cash and cash 
 equivalents                   816         -         -         -          -          -            816              - 
----------------------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Market risk

Market risk is the risk of adverse financial impact resulting, directly or indirectly from fluctuations from equity and property prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk arises in our operations due to fluctuations in both the value of liabilities and in the value of investments held. At Group level, it also arises in relation to the overall portfolio of international businesses. Market risk is subject to the Board Risk Committee risk management framework, which is subject to review and approval by the Board.

Market risk can be further broken down into three key components:

i. Price risk

The Group classifies its investment portfolio in debt securities and equity securities in accordance with the accounting definitions under IFRS.

At 31 December 2016 the Group held investments classified as equity securities of GBP692m (2015: GBP585m). These include interests in structured entities (as disclosed in note 27) and other investments where the price risk arises from interest rate risk rather than from equity market price risk. The Group considers that within equity securities, investments with a fair value of GBP170m (2015: GBP159m) may be more affected by equity index market price risk than by interest rate risk. On this basis a 15% fall in the value of equity index prices would result in the recognition of losses of GBP26m (2015: GBP24m) in other comprehensive income.

In addition the Group holds investments in properties and in group occupied properties which are subject to property price risk. A decrease of 15% in property prices would result in the recognition of losses of GBP50m (2015: GBP55m) in the income statement and GBP5m (2015: GBP6m) in other comprehensive income.

This analysis assumes that there is no correlation between interest rate and property market rate risks. It also assumes that all other assets and liabilities remain unchanged and that no management action is taken. This analysis does not represent management's view of future market change, but reflects management's view of key sensitivities.

This analysis is presented gross of the corresponding tax credits/(charges).

ii. Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arises primarily from the Group's investments in long-term debt and fixed income securities and their movement relative to the value placed on insurance liabilities. This impacts both the fair value and amount of variable returns on existing assets as well as the cost of acquiring new fixed maturity investments.

Given the composition of the Group's investments as at 31 December 2016, the table below illustrates the impact to the income statement and other comprehensive income of hypothetical 100bps change in interest rates on long-term debt and fixed income securities that are subject to interest rate risk.

Changes in the income statement and other comprehensive income:

 
                        Increase in income 
                             statement          Decrease in other 
                                                  comprehensive 
                                                     income 
--------------------  ---------------------  --------------------- 
                         2016        2015       2016        2015 
                          GBPm       GBPm        GBPm       GBPm 
--------------------  ----------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Increase in interest rate markets: 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Impact on fixed 
  income securities 
  and cash of 
  an increase 
  in interest 
  rates of 100bps         20          25        (452)      (435) 
--------------------  ----------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

The Group manages interest rate risk by holding investment assets (predominantly fixed income) that generate cashflows which broadly match the duration of expected claim settlements and other associated costs.

The sensitivity of the fixed interest securities of the Group has been modelled by reference to a reasonable approximation of the average interest rate sensitivity of the investments held within each of the portfolios. The effect of movement in interest rates is reflected as a one time rise of 100bps on 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2016 on the following year's income statement and other comprehensive income.

iii. Currency risk

The Group incurs exposure to currency risk in two ways:

-- Operational currency risk - by holding investments and other assets and by underwriting and incurring liabilities in currencies other than the currency of the primary environment in which the business units operate the Group is exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates that can impact both its profitability and the reported value of such assets and liabilities;

-- Structural currency risk - by investing in overseas subsidiaries the Group is exposed to the risk that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates impact the reported profitability of foreign operations to the Group, and the value of its net investment in foreign operations.

Operational currency risk is principally managed within the Group's individual operations by broadly matching assets and liabilities by currency and liquidity. Operational currency risk is not significant.

Structural currency risk is managed at a Group level through currency forward contracts and foreign exchange options within predetermined limits set by the Group Investment Committee. In managing structural currency risk the needs of the Group's subsidiaries to maintain net assets in local currencies to satisfy local regulatory solvency and internal risk based capital requirements are taken into account. These assets should prove adequate to support local insurance activities irrespective of exchange rate movements but may affect the value of the consolidated shareholders' equity expressed in Sterling.

At 31 December 2016, the Group's total shareholders' equity deployed by currency was:

 
                     Pounds        Danish   Canadian   Swedish 
                   Sterling    Krone/Euro     Dollar     Krona   Other       Total 
                       GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm    GBPm        GBPm 
---------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  --------  ------  ---------- 
 Shareholders' 
  equity at 
  31 December 
  2016              2,516         284         477        236      202        3,715 
---------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  --------  ------  ---------- 
 Shareholders' 
  equity at 
  31 December 
  2015              2,158         377         492        132      483        3,642 
---------------  ----------  ------------  ---------  --------  ------  ---------- 
 

Shareholders' equity is stated after taking account of the effect of currency forward contracts and foreign exchange options. The analysis aggregates the Danish Krone exposure and the Euro exposure as the Danish Krone continues to be pegged closely to the Euro. The Group considers this aggregate exposure when reviewing its hedging strategy.

The table below illustrates the impact of a hypothetical 10% change in Danish Krone/Euro, Canadian Dollar or Swedish Krona exchange rates on shareholders' equity when retranslating into Sterling:

 
                            10% 
                  strengthening   10% weakening 
                      in Pounds       in Pounds   10% strengthening   10% weakening   10% strengthening   10% weakening 
                       Sterling        Sterling           in Pounds       in Pounds           in Pounds       in Pounds 
                        against         against            Sterling        Sterling            Sterling        Sterling 
                         Danish          Danish             against         against             against         against 
                          Krone           Krone            Canadian        Canadian             Swedish         Swedish 
                         / Euro          / Euro              Dollar          Dollar               Krona           Krona 
                           GBPm            GBPm                GBPm            GBPm                GBPm            GBPm 
---------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  --------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 Movement 
  in 
  shareholders' 
  equity 
  at 31 
  December 
  2016                (25)             31               (43)               53               (21)               26 
---------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  --------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 Movement 
  in 
  shareholders' 
  equity 
  at 31 
  December 
  2015                (34)             42               (45)               55               (12)               15 
---------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  --------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 

Changes arising from the retranslation of foreign subsidiaries' net asset positions from their primary currencies into Sterling are taken through the foreign currency translation reserve and so consequently these movements in exchange rates have no impact on profit.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk refers to the risk of loss to the Group as a result of assets not being available in a form that can immediately be converted into cash, and therefore the consequence of not being able to pay its obligations when due. To help mitigate this risk, the BRC sets limits on assets held by the Group designed to match the maturities of its assets to that of its liabilities.

A large proportion of investments is maintained in short-term (less than one year) highly liquid securities, which are used to manage the Group's operational requirements based on actuarial assessment and allowing for contingencies.

The following table summarises the contractual repricing or maturity dates, whichever is earlier. Provision for unearned premium and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses are also presented and are analysed by remaining estimated duration until settlement.

As at 31 December 2016

 
                                                                                                  Carrying 
                                                                                                     value 
                                                                                                        in 
                             Less     One     Two   Three    Four    Five  Greater                     the 
                             than      to      to      to      to      to     than               statement 
                              one     two   three    four    five     ten      ten            of financial 
                             year   years   years   years   years   years    years    Total       position 
                             GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm     GBPm     GBPm           GBPm 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Subordinated 
 guaranteed US$ 
 bonds                       -       -       -       -       -       -        7        7           6 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Perpetual guaranteed 
 subordinated 
 capital securities          375     _        -       -       -       -        -       375        369 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Guaranteed subordinated 
 notes due 2045 
 due 2045                     -       -       -       -       -      400       -       400        395 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Guaranteed subordinated 
 step-up notes 
 due 2039                     -       -      300     _        -       -        -      300         298 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Provision for 
 unearned premium          3,007    246      88      6       4       2        -      3,353       3,311 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Provisions for 
 losses and loss 
 adjustment expenses        3,583   1,728   1,150    805     556    1,300   1,887    11,009      9,365 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Direct insurance 
 creditors                  108      -       -       -       -       -        -       108         108 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Reinsurance creditors       559     201      86      -       -       -        -       846         846 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Borrowings                  251      -       -       -       -       -        -       251         251 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Deposits received 
 from reinsurers            67       -       -       -       -       -        -       67          67 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Derivative liabilities      28       1       49      --      19      35      35       167         167 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Total                      7,978   2,176   1,673    811     579    1,737    1,929   16,883      15,183 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
Interest on perpetual 
 bonds and notes            63       49      32      21      21      81       2       269 
------------------------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  -------  ------------- 
 

As at 31 December 2015

 
                                                                                                      Carrying 
                                                                                                         value 
                                                                                                            in 
                             Less      One      Two   Three    Four     Five  Greater                      the 
                             than       to       to      to      to       to     than                statement 
                              one      two    three    four    five      ten      ten             of financial 
                             year    years    years   years   years    years    years     Total       position 
                             GBPm     GBPm     GBPm    GBPm    GBPm     GBPm     GBPm      GBPm           GBPm 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Subordinated 
 guaranteed US$ 
 bonds                       -        -        -       -       -        -        6        6            5 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Perpetual guaranteed 
 subordinated 
 capital securities           -       375       -       -       -        -        -       375          359 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Guaranteed subordinated 
 notes due 2045 
 due 2045                     -        -        -       -       -       400       -       400          394 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Guaranteed subordinated 
 step-up notes 
 due 2039                     -        -        -      500      -        -        -       500          496 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Provision for 
 unearned premium          2,778     232      81       10      3        3        -      3,107        3,107 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Provisions for 
 losses and loss 
 adjustment expenses        3,256    1,576    1,069    747     536     1,242    2,120    10,546       9,084 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Direct insurance 
 creditors                  115       -        -       -       -        -        -       115          115 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Reinsurance creditors       569      183      78       -       -        -        -       830          830 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Borrowings                  11        -        -       -       -        -        -        11          11 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Deposits received 
 from reinsurers            14        -        -       -       -        -        -        14          14 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Derivative liabilities      50        1        1       18      -       19        -        89          89 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Total                      6,793    2,367    1,229   1,275    539     1,664    2,126    15,993      14,504 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
Interest on perpetual 
 bonds and notes            93       81       68       39      21      101       2       405 
------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  -------  --------  ------------- 
 

The maturity analysis above is presented on an undiscounted basis. The carrying values in the statement of financial position are discounted where appropriate in accordance with Group accounting policy.

The capital and interest payable on the bonds and notes have been included until the dates on which the Group has the option to call the instruments and the interest rates are reset. For further information on terms of the bonds and notes, see note 34.

Capital Management

It is a key regulatory requirement that the Group maintains sufficient capital to support its exposure to risk. Accordingly, the Group's capital management strategy is closely linked to its monitoring and management of risk. The Group's capital objectives consist of striking the right balance between the need to support claims liabilities and ensure the confidence of policyholders, exposure to other risks, support competitive pricing strategies, meet regulatory capital requirements, and providing adequate returns for its shareholders.

The Group's overall capital position is primarily comprised of shareholders' equity and subordinated loan capital and aims to maximise shareholder value, while maintaining financial strength and maintaining adequate regulatory capital. In addition the Group also aims to hold sufficient capital so as to maintain its single 'A' credit rating.

The Group operates in many countries, and its regulated entities hold appropriate levels of capital to satisfy applicable local regulations. Compliance with local regulatory requirements is embedded within the BRC mandate, for the protection of the Group's policyholders and the continuation of the Group's ability to underwrite.

Regulatory solvency position during 2016

The Group's Solvency II Internal Model was approved by the PRA in December 2015 and forms the basis of the primary Solvency II solvency capital ratio (SCR) measure.

The Internal Model is used to support, inform and improve the Group's decision making across the Group. It is used to determine the Group's optimum capital structure, its investment and hedging strategy, its reinsurance programme and to determine the pricing and target returns for each portfolio.

At 31 December 2016, the estimated SCR and corresponding eligible own funds were as follows:

 
                         Unaudited   Unaudited 
                              2016        2015 
                             GBPbn       GBPbn 
----------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Eligible Own Funds         2.9         2.9 
----------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 SCR                        1.8         2.0 
----------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Coverage (unrounded)       158%        143% 
----------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The disposal of GBP834m of undiscounted UK legacy insurance liabilities net of reinsurance was announced on 7 February 2017. The transaction takes the form of an initial reinsurance agreement, to be effective at 31 December 2016 and which substantially effects economic transfer, to be followed by a subsequent legal transfer of the business. This disposal will add a further 17-20 coverage points to RSA's Solvency II SCR coverage.

The first solvency and financial condition report as required by Solvency II for the year ended 31 December 2016 will be publicly available in May 2017.

The impact on the Solvency II coverage ratio of a range of sensitivities is set out below:

 
                                         Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                          2016         2016 
                                          Including    Excluding 
                                          pensions     pensions 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Solvency II sensitivities(1) (change 
  in coverage ratio): 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Interest rates: +1% non-parallel(2) 
  shift                                  +6%           0% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Interest rates: -1% non-parallel(2) 
  shift                                  -7%          -2% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Equities: -15%                          -8%          -1% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Foreign exchange: GBP +10% vs all 
  currencies                             -4%          -4% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Cat loss of GBP75m net                  -4%          -4% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Credit spreads: +0.25% parallel 
  shift                                  +9%          -4% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Credit spreads: -0.25% parallel 
  shift                                  -13%         +4% 
--------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Notes:

   1.    Sensitivities exclude second order impacts from the application of Tier 1 eligibility rules. 

2. RSA has updated its approach to interest rate sensitivities, from a parallel shift in the yield curve to a non-parallel shift. This is to reflect that the long end of the yield curve is typically more stable than the short end.

The above sensitivities have been considered in isolation. Should insensitivities impact in combination there may be some natural offsets between them.

Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA)

The Solvency II directive introduced a requirement for undertakings to conduct an ORSA.

The Group defines its ORSA as a series of inter-related activities by which it establishes:

   --   The quantity and quality of the risks which it seeks to assume; 
   --   The level of capital required to support those risks; 
   --   The actions it will take to achieve and maintain the desired levels of risk and capital. 

The assessment considers both the current position and the positions that may arise during the planning horizon of the Group (typically the next three years). It looks at both the expected outcome and the outcome arising when the plan assumptions do not materialise as expected.

The assessments of how much risk to assume and how much capital to hold are inextricably linked. In some situations, it may be desirable to increase the amount of risk assumed or retained in order to make the most efficient use of capital available or else to return excess capital to capital providers. In other situations, where the risks assumed give rise to a capital requirement that is greater than the capital immediately available to support those risks, it will be necessary either to reduce the risk assumed or to obtain additional capital.

The assessment of risk and solvency needs is in principle carried out continuously. In practice, the assessment consists of a range of specific activities and decisions carried out at different times of the year as part of an annual cycle, supplemented as necessary by ad hoc assessments of the impact of external events and developments and of internal business proposals.

Papers are presented to the Board throughout the year dealing with individual elements that make up the ORSA. The information contained in those papers and the associated decisions taken are summarised in an annual ORSA report, which is submitted to the Group's regulators as part of the normal supervisory process.

The ORSA is approved by the BRC.

Related party transactions

The following transactions were carried out with key management:

 
                                   2016    2015 
                                   GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Salaries and other short-term 
  employee benefits                 7       9 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Bonus awards                       5       5 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Pension benefits                   1       1 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Share based awards                 4       2 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Total                              17      17 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Key management personnel comprise members of the Group Executive Committee, executive directors, and non-executive directors.

Included in salaries and other short-term employee benefits and bonus awards is GBP5,239,000 (2015: GBP5,378,000) paid in respect of directors. These amounts exclude the value of share options granted to directors and gains made on the exercise of such options, Group contributions paid in respect of pension schemes and cash or other assets received or receivable under long-term incentive schemes. The total value of the directors' remuneration (including values for these excluded items) and other details are disclosed in the remuneration report.

A number of the directors, other key managers, their close families and entities under their control have general insurance policies with subsidiary companies of the Group. Such policies are available at discounted rates to all employees including executive directors

Responsibility statement

We confirm to the best of our knowledge:

-- The financial statements on pages 109 to 113, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group and Parent Company; and

-- The Strategic Report on pages 4 to 41, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties the Group faces.

Signed by order of the Board

 
 Stephen Hester          Scott Egan 
 Group Chief Executive   Group Chief Financial 
                          Officer 
 22 February 2017        22 February 2017 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 22, 2017 10:34 ET (14:34 GMT)

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