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MFX Manx Financial Group Plc

21.00
0.00 (0.00%)
19 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Manx Financial Group Plc LSE:MFX London Ordinary Share IM00B28ZPX83 ORD NPV
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 21.00 20.00 22.00 21.00 21.00 21.00 85,000 08:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Personal Credit Institutions 36.05M 4.67M 0.0405 5.19 24.25M

Manx Financial Group PLC Final Results (3991U)

29/03/2019 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMMFX

RNS Number : 3991U

Manx Financial Group PLC

29 March 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29 March 2019

Manx Financial Group PLC (the 'Company')

Report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018

Manx Financial Group PLC (LSE: MFX), the financial services group which includes Conister Bank Limited, Edgewater Associates Limited and Manx FX Limited presents its audited, final results for the year ended 31 December 2018.

Jim Mellon, Executive Chairman, commented: "I am pleased to announce that the outcome for 2018 showed a broadly similar profit to 2017, despite the figures including the expense of further investments in infrastructure, the most important being the opening of a new UK full-service HQ in Newbury and a significant upgrade in our IT infrastructure. We have continued to strengthen our Balance Sheet and our new business pipeline remains buoyant for all our core activities. As a result, we are in an excellent position to report further success, both at the Interims and at the full year."

The 2018 Audited Annual Report and Accounts will be available from the Company's website www.mfg.im shortly.

Contacts:

Manx Financial Group PLC

Denham Eke, Chief Executive

Tel: +44 (0)1624 694694

Beaumont Cornish Limited

Roland Cornish/James Biddle

Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396

Britton Financial PR

Tim Blackstone

Tel: +44 (0)7957 140416

Chairman's Statement

Dear Shareholders,

When I wrote to you in the Interim Results for 2018, I was confident that the full year would continue our growth in profitability. This has proved to be the case, but the effect of the two positive initiatives undertaken during the second half of the year has had a temporary impact on the Income Statement. The first being the investment in the UK by opening a new full-service UK Headquarters in Newbury, with a satellite branch in Manchester. These offices will source new business and manage our UK lending portfolio through our subsidiary Conister Finance and Leasing Limited, thus demonstrating our commitment to this increasingly important segment of our business. Secondly, the increasing economic uncertainty surrounding both the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom has reinforced your Board's decision to adopt an ultra-conservative approach to provisioning under the requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standard 9 ("IFRS 9") by recognising an additional buffer to strengthen the Balance Sheet. I must emphasise that this action does not represent a realized cash outlay and is there, if ever required, solely to protect our future profitability. Indeed, the quality of our underwriting is such that our actual ratio of bad debts written off stands at an enviable 0.6% (2017: 0.5%).

As a consequence, our profit before tax is broadly similar to 2017 at GBP2.7 million (2017: GBP2.7 million). However, our total assets have increased by 13.8% to GBP196.9 million (2017: GBP173.0 million) and our total shareholder equity has increased by a corresponding 14.3% to GBP19.7 million (2017: GBP17.3 million). Whilst the latter figure is gratifying, I am deeply aware that as I write, our market capitalisation stands at only GBP11.5 million, being a discount of 42%. This discount is regrettable, especially when ranked against our peer group.

Of our core businesses, Conister Bank has enjoyed excellent new business generation, offset by the run-off by mutual agreement of two discontinued lending streams, both nearly complete, but representing a decrease of GBP14.8 million during the year (2017: GBP12.7 million). Thus, the fall in interest income to GBP19.1 million (2017: 19.9 million) belies a total new lending of GBP102.1 million for 2018 (2017: GBP73.7 million). I discuss this further below, but suffice to say, this bodes well for the future by diversifying our risk profile. Manx FX Limited produced an encouraging profit before tax of GBP0.5 million (2017: GBP0.1 million) and Edgewater Associates Limited, although experiencing a market downturn during the last two months of 2018, produced a profit before tax of GBP0.3 million (2017: GBP0.8 million).

Corporate governance

It is important for shareholders to understand the emphasis both I and the Board place upon corporate governance. In May 2018, we adopted the Quoted Companies Alliance corporate governance code ("QCA") with which we expect to be fully compliant in our reporting for the year-end statutory accounts. In essence, the code has ten principles to aid investors in their understanding of our Group and to help build and develop long term trust and maximise our relationship with shareholders. As Chairman, it is my responsibility to make a clear statement on corporate governance and the value we place upon this. Our full year accounts will provide a detailed explanation of how we observe the QCA, but meanwhile, I am keen for investors to understand our strategic objectives both in the near and longer term.

Our key objectives for 2019

Your Board's fundamental objective remains that of increasing shareholder value, both in a prudent yet progressive manner. Thus, our strategic concentration continues to be: -

n Providing the highest quality service throughout our operations to all customers, ensuring that their treatment is both fair and appropriate;

n Adopting a pro-active strategy of managing risk, especially following the implementation of IFRS 9 in full. In doing so, we are committed to regularly review our loan book to allow for any credit impairment resulting from observing strict Expected Credit Loss criteria;

n Concentrating on developing our core businesses by considered acquisitions, increased prudential lending and augmenting the range of financial services we offer;

n Implementing an enhanced and scalable IT infrastructure to better service the operational requirements of a growing Group without the requirement for a disproportionate increase in headcount;

n Focusing on the liabilities side of our balance sheet by introducing a new treasury management function and structure; and

n Managing our balance sheet to exceed, as far as possible, the regulatory requirements for capital adequacy.

We implemented the General Data Protection Regulation on 25 May 2018. Doing this required changes in policy, procedures and technology across the Group to manage how we process and secure data and protect the rights of individuals. Both our Internal Audit and Compliance teams have reviewed the process and will continue to be involved in making sure that the post implementation requirements continue to be met.

We have also instituted an important new position, that of Head of Risk and Compliance, to enhance and monitor our control functions, ensuring that these meet the highest banking standards and are commensurate with the growth in our operations.

Financial performance review

Conister Bank Limited (the "Bank")

Despite the shadow of economic uncertainty, all our lending targets for the year were exceeded. We have been able to make significant inroads into the UK commercial sector, while increasing our lending in the Isle of Man. As I reported above, net new lending increased by 38.4% to GBP102.1 million (2017: GBP73.7 million), driven by a 41.9% uplift in lending on the Isle of Man and a substantial increase in demand for our structured product range in the UK. Thus, the net loan book growth of 21.0% to GBP148.3 million (2017: GBP122.5 million) has been achieved with no deterioration in loan book quality as performing loans remained at 97.2%. In anticipation of this increase in UK demand, we have opened fully equipped new offices in Newbury and in Manchester. We are confident that we have invested in the most experienced teams available to develop this important market segment.

I have previously explained that improving our technology is of primary importance as we increase in scale. During 2018, we successfully installed a new deposit system, representing an investment of GBP1.0 million spread over five years. This has helped manage the growth of our deposit base by 11.4% to GBP158.5 million (2017: GBP142.3 million). One of our key efficiency measures, our Loan to Deposit Ratio, improved by 7.5% to 93.6% (2017: 86.1%) which reflects the improved use of our cash balances. We also continue to almost exactly match our loan terms to our deposit maturities. We note, however, that the average term of our loan book has marginally reduced, reflecting the uncertainty in the market in response to the current economic outlook.

As I mentioned in my 2017 Chairman's Report, we instituted a policy to eliminate any reliance upon UK introducers where we suffer a disproportionately adverse commission-sharing cost. This initiative has continued throughout 2018. Thus, commission expense decreased by 27.4% to GBP6.1 million (2017: GBP8.4 million). This movement resulted in net interest income increasing by 13.1% to GBP12.8 million (2017: GBP11.3 million) despite interest expense increasing by 8.9% to GBP3.5 million following the increase in deposit balances. As a result of these factors, trading income improved by 15.9% to GBP9.5 million (2017: GBP8.2 million) leading to a 16.3% increase in operating income GBP9.8 million (2017: GBP8.4 million).

Although operating expenses decreased in by GBP0.2 million to GBP6.0 million (2017: GBP6.2 million), this masks the investment we have made in new personnel, systems and controls, enhancing our skill set throughout the business. The increase in impairment provision, to which I have already referred, to GBP0.9 million (2017: GBP0.6 million) reflects a prudent buffer against a potentially adverse outcome following any conclusion of the current economic uncertainty. It is important to note that, despite our conservative approach to approving advances, this figure still only represents 2.0% of the enlarged gross loan book, with the total impairment provision in the Balance Sheet standing at GBP3.4 million (2017: GBP2.7 million). Other costs net to GBP0.2 million (2017: GBP0.0 million) as the gain last year from the write-off an intercompany payable has not been repeated. Thus, profit before tax improved by 26.0% to GBP2.2 million (2017: GBP1.7 million) leading to a 24.0% increase in post-tax profit contribution by the Bank to GBP2.0 million (2017: GBP1.6 million).

Total assets, benefitting by a loan book growth of GBP25.6 million, part financed by the conversion of cash and debt securities of GBP5.7 million, showed a 13.0% increase to GBP190.1 million (2017: GBP168.7 million). As a consequence, shareholder equity improved by 25.0% to GBP21.1 million (2017: GBP16.9 million).

Included in the Balance Sheet is a VAT debtor amounting to GBP1.1 million. This figure represents the VAT recovery relating to a claim under the revised Partial Exemption Special Method. Since the publication of our last financial statements, the Court of the European Union determined in favour of Volkswagen Financial Services Limited in a parallel dispute against HM Revenue & Customs. This is an extremely encouraging development and sets a precedent. Thus, discussions with the Isle of Man Government Customs and Excise Division have commenced regarding a full recovery of this debtor.

During the year, as part of our drive to maximise new business, the Group financed the issue of GBP2.4 million of new ordinary shares by the Bank which, together with the increase in retained earnings, improved total Tier 1 capital by 23.0% to GBP19.8 million (2017: GBP16.1 million). This in turn improved total regulatory capital expressed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets by 0.6% to 18.1% (2017: 17.5%), well above our notification threshold of 15.0%.

Edgewater Associates Limited ("EWA")

Although fee income appears to have remained steady at GBP2.6 million (2017: GBP2.6 million), an unexpected change in UK legislation meant a temporary halt to our ability to service pension transfers to the Isle of Man during the second half of the year. Notwithstanding, all other fee-based services showed encouraging growth. As a result, we were required to make a final top-up payment of GBP0.1 million to the vendor of our recent acquisitions. This, coupled with the effect of a full year increase in administration costs, including investment in improved systems, to GBP2.3 million (2017: GBP1.8 million) caused the profit contribution to decline to GBP0.2 million (2017: GBP0.7 million).

Total assets reduced by 2.0% to GBP3.1 million (2017: GBP3.2 million), reflecting a decrease in debtors. However, creditors also reduced, resulting in an improvement in net assets to GBP2.3 million (2107: GBP2.0 million). Shareholder equity increased by 12% to GBP2.3 million (2017: GBP2.0 million).

The underlying business continues to experience considerable excess demand, but is limited by the difficulty of recruiting suitably qualified advisors. Notwithstanding, EWA remains the Isle of Man's largest IFA. We remain encouraged by the opportunities available for this important part of the Group's business and I am pleased to note that we have already seen a meaningful improvement in profitability from the beginning of 2019.

Manx FX Limited ("MFX")

This business is still very much in its infancy. Because of the low-cost structure, relatively small increases in income can generate unusually positive consequences. For example, the introduction of a hedging strategy for clients during the year doubled turnover to GBP0.8 million (2017: GBP0.4 million). While this level of income is not necessarily expected to be repeated in 2019, MFX continues to attract new clients, and now services an active Isle of Man customer base of 87 (2017: 58). This rapid growth means that we continue to develop and invest in an enhanced operational infrastructure to provide the necessary resilience in our control functions. As a consequence, our administration expenses have increased to GBP0.3 million (2017: GBP0.2 million), leading to a significant profit contribution from MFX of GBP0.5 million (2017: GBP0.1 million).

Turning to the balance sheet, total assets increased to GBP0.6 million (2017: GBP0.2 million) and shareholder equity stands at GBP0.6 million (2017: GBP0.1 million).

Outlook

The widely reported current economic uncertainties and potential changes in interest rates will have an impact on credit markets both in the Isle of Man and the UK. Notwithstanding, I believe that the Bank's strategy of asset-backed lending to carefully selected sectors will allow us to continue to grow. We continue to develop new loan products to those entities with significant balance sheets which demonstrate both affordability and credit resilience. Thus far, we have experienced no downturn in demand in both the commercial and consumer marketplace in both jurisdictions and are more than able to maintain rigorous credit and risk control in our underwriting.

In conjunction with this, the Bank continues to seek out suitable acquisitions for our strategy of consolidation, particularly in the UK. So far this year, we have acquired 20% of the issued share capital of Beer Swaps Limited, trading as Ninkasi Brewkit Rentals, a relatively new company financing brewery equipment, together with an option to acquire the remaining shares by April 2021. We have also acquired 30% of the issued share capital of PayItMonthly Limited which provides web-based finance solutions to retailers without the need for them to maintain an onerous compliance resource, allowing their customers the ability to spread repayments over one year, together with an option to acquire the remaining shares after August 2021. Although these initiatives are individually small in scale, they will be integrated to form our own specialist introducer network using the synergies available from central funding, systems, risk management and controls, augmented with dedicated staff capable of developing this important aspect of our portfolio.

Now that the businesses have fully integrated, EWA has the real potential to grow financial advisory services, not only on the Isle of Man but also within the UK, especially as the need to finance a longer retirement becomes a necessity. We continue to review suitable acquisitions capable of increasing profitability. EWA not only has a strong new business pipeline, but approximately half of its income derives from renewals. Our only limitation to this growth is the recruitment of suitably qualified advisors. To counter this, we are concentrating on an internal program of staff development which is proving to be extremely successful.

MFX also has the potential for further growth and, conversely, has the capability of benefitting from any uncertainties in the financial environment as its clients seek the optimum solutions to manage foreign currency exposures. Only a relatively few Isle of Man businesses maintain in-house foreign exchange expertise and the MFX proposition has limited competition.

In short, I believe that the Group as a whole is well placed to achieve continued expansion. Each of our principal operations are profitable and each has identified opportunities, yet unrealised. It is this which will allow us to meet our 2019 strategic priorities. Whilst our organic growth continues to be excellent, any significant growth will require further acquisitions, strategic partnerships and the development of specialist products to meet the ever-changing market needs. Each solution we offer will be assessed in terms of risk profile and subsequent reward. Clearly, those opportunities that utilise technology to the full and fit well within our current operations are of the greatest interest. Meanwhile, we remain in an excellent position to report further success, both at the Interims and the year-end.

I, and the Board, recognise the need to address the question of shareholder return. As ever, the conflicting demands of utilizing shareholder equity as the regulatory platform to support growth versus the compounded cost of a dividend payment are difficult to reconcile. As an example, currently for every GBP1,000 paid as a dividend, the Group would forgo GBP6,000 worth of new business with its attendant yield. Added to which, as the Group utilises relatively expensive non-dilutive term loans to augment regulatory capital, we would effectively be undertaking additional borrowing to make payment. Notwithstanding, we are considering potential arrangements which will, we believe, be of benefit to shareholders but without reducing our potential to reach the scale whereby the Group becomes capable of self-generating regulatory capital. It is unlikely that we will be able to implement any scheme during 2019, but depending upon this year's outcome, we may be in a better position to implement a scheme thereafter.

Finally, and as always, I would like to thank our shareholders for your continued support, our customers and clients for their loyalty, and also our excellent staff for their outstanding efforts in continuing to develop the Group.

Jim Mellon

Executive Chairman

27 March 2019

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

 
                                                                                         Restated 
                                                                          2018           (Note 5) 
 For the year ended 31 December                            Notes        GBP000        2017 GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------      --------      ------------- 
 
 Interest income                                                        19,115             19,893 
 Interest expense                                                      (3,547)            (3,256) 
 
 
 Net interest income                                          10        15,568             16,637 
 
 Fee and commission income                                    11         3,371              3,115 
 Fee and commission expense                                   11       (6,109)            (8,413) 
 
 
 Net trading income                                                     12,830             11,339 
 Other operating income                                                    131                 91 
 Loss on trading assets                                       21           (4)               (21) 
 Realised gains on debt securities                            20           135                 36 
 Terminal funding                                             12            74                 90 
 
 
 Operating income                                                       13,166             11,535 
 
 Personnel expenses                                           13       (5,703)            (4,783) 
 Other expenses                                               14       (3,465)            (3,152) 
 Impairment on loans and advances to customers                15         (857)              (585) 
 Depreciation                                                 24         (184)              (134) 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangibles                   25         (396)              (286) 
 Share of profit of equity accounted investees, 
  net of tax                                                  32            30                 38 
 VAT recovery                                                 23           119                 65 
 
 
 Profit before tax payable                                    16         2,710              2,698 
 
 Income tax expense                                           17         (243)              (240) 
 
 
 Profit for the year                                                     2,467              2,458 
                                                                      --------      ------------- 
 
 Other comprehensive income: - 
 
 Items that will be reclassified to profit or 
  loss 
 Unrealised gain/(losses) on debt securities                  20            44               (93) 
 
 Items that will never be reclassified to profit 
  or loss 
 Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit 
  pension scheme taken to equity                              30          (50)                 30 
 
 Total comprehensive income for the period attributable 
  to owners                                                              2,461              2,395 
                                                                      --------      ------------- 
 
 Basic earnings per share (pence)                             18          1.88               2.17 
 Diluted earnings per share (pence)                           18          1.54               1.70 
 
 
 

Company statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

 
                                                       2018 
 For the year ended 31 December             Notes    GBP000   2017 GBP000 
-----------------------------------------  ------  --------  ------------ 
 
 Interest income                                        466             - 
 
 
 Operating income                                       466             - 
 
 Personnel expenses                                   (177)          (22) 
 Administration expenses                              (132)         (112) 
 Depreciation expense                                  (41)          (40) 
 
 
 Profit before tax payable                     16       116         (174) 
 
 Tax payable                                              -             - 
 
 
 Profit for the year                                    116         (174) 
 
 Total comprehensive income for the year                116         (174) 
-----------------------------------------  ------  --------  ------------ 
 

Company statement of financial position

 
                                                                        Restated       Restated 
                                                                           (Note          (Note 
                                                                              5)             5) 
                                                             2018           2017           2016 
  As at 31 December                  Notes                 GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
---------------------------------  -------              ---------      ---------      --------- 
 
   Assets 
 Cash and cash equivalents              19                  9,753          9,745          6,129 
 Debt securities                        20                 30,534         34,272         23,991 
 Trading asset                          21                     20             24             70 
 Loans and advances to customers        22                148,278        122,546        115,929 
 Trade and other receivables            23                  2,491          1,908          2,064 
 Property, plant and equipment          24                  1,384            450            719 
 Intangible assets                      25                  1,952          1,719          1,316 
 Goodwill                               32                  2,344          2,344          2,344 
 Investment in associate                32                    158             38              - 
 
 
 Total assets                                             196,914        173,046        152,562 
 
 
 Liabilities 
 Deposits from customers                26                158,500        142,272        125,952 
 Creditors and accrued charges          27                  2,010          3,164          2,975 
 Block creditors                        28                    138            751          1,390 
 Loan notes                             29                 15,871          8,995          8,545 
 Pension liability                      30                    584            560            614 
 Deferred tax liability                 17                     88             42             40 
 
 
 Total liabilities                                        177,191        155,784        139,516 
 
 
 Equity 
 Called up share capital                31                 20,732         20,732         18,933 
 Profit and loss account                                  (1,009)        (3,470)        (5,887) 
 
 
 Total equity                                              19,723         17,262         13,046 
 
 
 Total liabilities and equity                             196,914        173,046        152,562 
 
 
 
 
                                                      2018       2017 
   As at 31 December                      Notes     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
   Assets 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   19      1,646        200 
 Trade and other receivables                 23         32         22 
 Amounts due from Group undertakings         32          -         16 
 Property, plant and equipment               24        126        166 
 Investment in Group undertakings            32     16,172     13,772 
 Subordinated loans                          32      7,778      5,778 
 
 
 Total assets                                       25,754     19,954 
 
 
 Liabilities 
 Creditors and accrued charges               27         94        139 
 Amounts due to Group undertakings           32      1,370      2,517 
 Loan notes                                  29     15,871      8,995 
 
 
 Total liabilities                                  17,335     11,651 
 
 
 Equity 
 Called up share capital                     31     20,732     20,732 
 Profit and loss account                          (12,313)   (12,429) 
 
 
 Total equity                                        8,419      8,303 
 
 
 Total liabilities and equity                       25,754     19,954 
 
 

Consolidated and company statements of changes in equity

 
                                          Share      Profit    Total 
                                        Capital    and loss    equity 
   Company                               GBP000     account    GBP000 
                                                     GBP000 
----------------------------------    ---------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 Balance as at 1 January 2017            18,933    (12,277)     6,656 
 
 Loss for the year                            -       (174)     (174) 
 
 Transactions with owners: - 
 Share-based payment expense (see 
  notes 16 and 31)                            -          22        22 
 Shares issued                            1,799           -     1,799 
 
 
 Balance as at 31 December 2017          20,732    (12,429)     8,303 
 
 Profit for the year                          -         116       116 
 
 Transactions with owners: - 
 Share-based payment expense (see             -           -         - 
  notes 16 and 31) 
 
 
 
 Balance as at 31 December 2018          20,732    (12,313)     8,419 
 
 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

 
 
                                                                        2018       2017 
   For the year ended 31 December                           Notes     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
 RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION TO OPERATING 
  CASH FLOWS 
 Profit before tax                                                     2,710      2,698 
 
   Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation                                                  24        184        134 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangibles                    25        396        286 
 Realised gains on debt securities                             20      (135)       (36) 
 Share in net assets of associate                              32       (30)       (38) 
                                                              16, 
 Equity settled share-based payment transactions               31          -         22 
 
 
                                                                       3,125      3,066 
 Changes in: 
 Trading asset                                                 21          4         46 
 Trade and other receivables                                           (583)        156 
 Creditors and accrued charges                                       (1,169)       (21) 
 
 
 
   Net cash flow from trading activities                               1,377      3,247 
 Changes in: 
 Loans and advances to customers                                    (25,732)    (6,617) 
 Deposits from customers                                              16,228     16,320 
 Pension contribution                                          30       (26)       (24) 
 
 
 Cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities                     (8,153)     12,926 
 
 
 
 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 
 Cash from operating activities 
 Cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities             (8,153)     12,926 
 Income taxes paid                                             (182)       (28) 
 
 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities         (8,335)     12,898 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment              24   (1,118)      (122) 
 Purchase of intangible assets                          25     (629)      (452) 
 Sale of tangible fixed assets                                     -         20 
 Acquisition of associate                               32      (90)          - 
 Sales/(Purchase) of debt securities at FVOCI           20     3,917    (4,806) 
 Purchase of debt securities at amortised cost          20         -    (5,532) 
 
 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities           2,080   (10,892) 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Receipt of loan notes                                  29     6,876        450 
 Increase in share capital                                         -      1,799 
 (Decrease) in borrowings from block creditors          28     (613)      (639) 
 
 
 
 Net cash inflow from financing activities                     6,263      1,610 
 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                         8      3,616 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                        9,745      6,129 
 
 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December                      9,753      9,745 
 
 
 Included in cash flows are: - 
 Interest received - cash amounts                             18,362     19,109 
 Interest paid - cash amounts                                (3,434)    (3,152) 
 
 
 

Company statement of cash flows

 
 
                                                                        2018       2017 
   For the year ended 31 December                           Notes     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
 RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION TO OPERATING 
  CASH FLOWS 
 
 Profit before tax                                                       116      (174) 
 
 Adjustments for: 
 - Depreciation                                                24         41         41 
 - Share-based payment expense                                 32          -         22 
 
 
                                                                         157      (111) 
 
 Changes in: 
 Amounts due from group undertakings                                      16        280 
 Trade and other receivables                                            (10)          7 
 Creditors and accrued charges                                          (45)         57 
 Amounts due to group undertakings                                   (1,147)         18 
 
 
 Cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities                     (1,029)        251 
 
 
 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 
 Cash from operating activities 
 Cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities                     (1,029)        251 
 Income taxes paid                                                         -          - 
 
 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities                 (1,029)        251 
 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Increase in investment in group undertakings                  32    (2,400)    (1,700) 
 Issue of subordinated loans                                   32    (2,000)      (600) 
 
 
 Net cash outflow from investing activities                          (4,400)    (2,300) 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Receipt of loan notes                                         29      6,875        450 
 Increase in share capital                                                 -      1,799 
 
 
 
 Net cash inflow from financing activities                             6,875      2,249 
 
 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                             1,446        200 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                                  200          - 
 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December                              1,646        200 
 
 
 
 
 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

   1.    Reporting entity 

Manx Financial Group PLC is a company incorporated in the Isle of Man. The consolidated financial statements of Manx Financial Group PLC (the "Company") for the year ended 31 December 2018 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group").

   2.    Basis of accounting 

The consolidated and the separate financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union ("EU") and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") interpretations applicable to companies reporting under IFRS, including International Accounting Standards ("IAS").

This is the first set of the Group's annual financial statements in which IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers have been applied. Changes to significant accounting policies are described in Note 5.

   3.   Functional and presentation currency 

These financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the Group's functional currency. All amounts have been rounded to the nearest thousand, unless otherwise indicated. All subsidiaries of the Group have pounds sterling as their functional currency.

   4.    Use of judgements and estimates 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties at year-end that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the next financial year is included in the following notes:-

n Note 23 - measurement of VAT receivable: key assumptions underlying carrying amount;

n Note 30 - measurement of defined benefit obligations: key actuarial assumptions;

n Note 25 and 32 - impairment test of intangible assets and goodwill: key assumptions underlying recoverable amounts; and

n Note 38(I)(vii) - measurement of ECL allowance for loans and advances to customers and assessment of specific impairment allowances where loans are in default or arrears: key assumptions in determining the weighted-average loss rate.

   5.   Changes in accounting policies 

A number of other new standards are also effective from 1 January 2018 but they do not have a material effect on the Group's financial statements.

Except for the changes below, the Group has consistently applied the accounting policies as set out in Note 38 to all periods presented in these financial statements.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 sets out requirements for recognising and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items. This standard replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The requirements of IFRS 9 represent a significant change from IAS 39. The new standard brings fundamental changes to the accounting for financial assets and to certain aspects of the accounting for financial liabilities.

The key changes to the Group's accounting policies resulting from the Group's adoption of IFRS 9 are summarised below. The full impact of adopting the standard is set out in Note 6 and 8.

Classification of financial assets and financial liabilities

IFRS 9 contains three principal classification categories for financial assets: measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). IFRS 9 classification is generally based on the business model in which a financial asset is manged and its contractual cash flows. The standard eliminates the previous IAS 39 categories of held-to-maturity, loans and receivables and available-for-sale.

IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for classification of financial liabilities. However, although under IAS 39 all fair value changes of liabilities designated under the fair value option were recognised in profit or loss, under IFRS 9 fair value changes are generally presented as follows:

n the amount of change in fair value that is attributable to changes in the credit risk of the liability is presented in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI"); and

n the remaining amount of change in the fair value is presented in profit or loss.

For an explanation of how the Group classifies financial assets and liabilities under IFRS 9, See Note 38(I)(ii).

Impairment of financial assets

IFRS 9 replaces the 'incurred loss' model in IAS 39 with an 'expected credit loss' model.

Under IFRS 9, credit losses are recognised earlier than under IAS 39. For an explanation of how the Group applies the impairment requirements of IFRS 9, see Note 38(I)(vii).

Transition

Changes in accounting policies resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 have been applied retrospectively,

For more information and details on the changes and implications resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9, see note 6 and 8(A)(iv).

B. IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognised. It replaced IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and related interpretations.

The Group initially applied IFRS 15 on 1 January 2018 retrospectively in accordance with IAS 8 without any practical expedients. The timing or amount of the Group's fee income from contracts with customers was not impacted by the adoption of IFRS 15.

6. Classification of financial assets and financial liabilities

For description of how the Group classifies financial assets and liabilities, see Note 38(I)(ii)

The following table provides reconciliation between line items in the statement of financial position and categories of financial instruments.

 
                               Mandatorily     Designated             FVOCI -        FVOCI -   Amortised       Total 
                                  at FVTPL    as at FVTPL    debt instruments         equity        cost    carrying 
   31 December 2018                                                              instruments                  amount 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                                         9,753       9,753 
 Debt securities                         -              -              30,534              -           -      30,534 
 Trading assets                         20              -                   -              -           -          20 
 Loans and advances to 
  customers                              -              -                   -              -     148,278     148,278 
 Trade and other receivables             -              -                   -              -       2,491       2,491 
----------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------------  -------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total financial assets                 20              -              30,534              -     160,522     191,076 
 
 Deposits from customers                 -              -                   -              -     158,500     158,500 
 Creditor and accrued 
  charges                                -              -                   -              -       2,010       2,010 
 Block creditors                         -              -                   -              -         138         138 
 Loan notes                              -              -                   -              -      15,871      15,871 
----------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------------  -------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   Total financial 
   liabilities                           -              -                   -              -     176,519     176,519 
----------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------------  -------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
                               Mandatorily     Designated             FVOCI -        FVOCI -   Amortised       Total 
                                  at FVTPL    as at FVTPL    debt instruments         equity        cost    carrying 
   31 December 2017                                                              instruments                  amount 
 Cash and cash equivalents               -              -                   -              -       9,745       9,745 
 Debt securities                         -              -              28,740              -       5,532      34,272 
 Trading assets                         24              -                   -              -           -          24 
 Loans and advances to 
  customers                              -              -                   -              -     122,546     122,546 
 Trade and other receivables             -              -                   -              -       1,908       1,908 
----------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------------  -------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total financial assets                 24              -              28,740              -     139,731     168,495 
 
 Deposits from customers                 -              -                   -              -     142,272     142,272 
 Creditor and accrued 
  charges                                -              -                   -              -       3,164       3,164 
 Block creditors                         -              -                   -              -         751         751 
 Loan notes                              -              -                   -              -       8,995       8,995 
----------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------------  -------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   Total financial 
   liabilities                           -              -                   -              -     155,182     155,182 
----------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------------  -------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The following table shows the original measurement categories in accordance with IAS 39 and the new measurement categories under IFRS 9 for the Group's financial assets and liabilities at 1 January 2017.

 
                                   Original classification    New classification   Original carrying    New carrying 
                                                 under IAS            under IFRS        amount under    amount under 
   1 January 2017                                       39                     9              IAS 39          IFRS 9 
                                                  Loans and            Amortised 
 Cash and cash equivalents                      receivables                 cost               6,129           6,129 
 Trading assets                                       FVTPL    FVTPL (Mandatory)                  70              70 
 Debt securities                         Available-for-sale                FVOCI              23,991          23,991 
 Debt securities -                               Amortised             Amortised                   -               - 
 Certificates                                         cost                  cost 
 of Deposit 
 Loans and advances to                            Amortised            Amortised 
  customers                                            cost                 cost             116,053         115,929 
                                                  Loans and            Amortised 
 Trade and other receivables                    receivables                 cost               2,064           2,064 
-------------------------------   -------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 Total financial assets                                                                      148,307         148,183 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 
 
 
                                   Original classification    New classification   Original carrying    New carrying 
                                                 under IAS            under IFRS        amount under    amount under 
   1 January 2017                                       39                     9              IAS 39          IFRS 9 
                                                  Amortised            Amortised 
 Deposits from customers                               cost                 cost             125,952         125,952 
 Creditor and accrued                             Amortised            Amortised 
  charges                                              cost                 cost               2,975           2,975 
                                                  Amortised            Amortised 
 Block creditors                                       cost                 cost               1,390           1,390 
                                                  Amortised            Amortised 
 Loan notes                                            cost                 cost               8,545           8,545 
-------------------------------   -------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 
   Total financial liabilities                                                               138,862         138,862 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  -------------- 
 

In applying IFRS 9 both in the current period and retrospectively in previous periods, there were no reclassifications in the measurement category. As a result, there has been no financial adjustment in transitioning to IFRS 9 with respect to adopting the revised measurement categories.

7. Fair value of financial instruments

For description of the Group's fair value measurement accounting policy, see Note 38(I)(vi).

The following table analyses financial instruments measured at fair value at the reporting date, by the level in the fair value hierarchy into which the fair value measurement is categorised. The amounts are based on the values recognised in the statement of financial position.

 
                         Level     Level     Level     Total 
   31 December 2018          1         2         3    GBP000 
                        GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
 
 Debt securities        30,534         -         -    30,534 
 Trading assets             20         -         -        20 
                      --------  -------- 
                        30,554         -         -    30,554 
--------------------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                              Level     Level     Level     Total 
   31 December 2017               1         2         3    GBP000 
                             GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
 
   Investment securities 
 Debt securities             28,740         -     5,532    34,272 
 Trading assets                  24         -         -        24 
                           --------  -------- 
                             28,764         -     5,532    34,296 
-------------------------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Financial instruments not measured at fair value

The following table sets out the fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value and analyses them by the level in the fair value hierarchy into which each fair value measurement is categorised: -

 
                                                                                        Total 
                                        Level       Level      Level   Total fair    carrying 
                                            1           2          3       values      amount 
   31 December 2018                    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
 
   Assets 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   -      9,753          -        9,753       9,753 
 Loans and advances to customers             -          -    148,278      148,278     148,278 
 Investment in associate                     -          -        158          158         158 
 Trade and other receivables                 -          -      2,491        2,491       2,491 
           -                                        9,753    150,927      160,680     160,680 
 -----------                                    ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Deposits from customers                     -    158,500          -      158,500     158,500 
 Creditors and accrued charges               -          -      2,010        2,010       2,010 
 Block creditors                             -          -        138          138         138 
 Loan notes                                  -          -     15,871       15,871      15,871 
                                   -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------- 
           -                                      158,500     18,019      176,519     176,519 
 -----------  --------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 
                                                                                        Total 
                                        Level       Level      Level   Total fair    carrying 
                                            1           2          3       values      amount 
   31 December 2017                    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
 
   Assets 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   -      9,745          -        9,745       9,745 
 Debt securities - certificates 
  of deposit                                 -          -      5,532        5,532       5,532 
 Loans and advances to customers             -          -    122,546      122,546     122,546 
 Investment in associate                     -          -         24           24          24 
 Trade and other receivables                 -          -      1,908        1,908       1,908 
           -                                        9,745    130,010      139,755     139,755 
 -----------                                    ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Deposits from customers                     -    142,272          -      142,272     142,272 
 Creditors and accrued charges               -          -      3,164        3,164       3,164 
 Block creditors                             -          -        751          751         751 
 Loan notes                                  -          -      8,995        8,995       8,995 
                                   -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------- 
           -                                      142,272     12,910      155,182     155,182 
 -----------  --------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------- 
 

The fair value of loans and advances is estimated using valuation models, such as discounted cash flow techniques. Input into the valuation techniques includes expected lifetime credit losses, interest rates, prepayment rates. For collateral-dependent impaired loans, the fair value is measured based on the value of the underlying collateral. Input into the models may include data from third party brokers based on over the counter trading activity, and information obtained from other market participants, which includes observed primary and secondary transactions.

8. Financial risk review

Risk management

This note presents information about the Group's exposure to financial risks and the Group's management of capital. For information on the Group's financial risk management framework, see Note 36.

A. Credit risk

For definition of credit risk and information on how credit risk is mitigated by the Group, see Note 36.

i. Credit quality analysis

Loans and advances to customers

Explanation of the terms 'Stage 1', 'Stage 2' and 'Stage 3' is included in Note 38 (I)(vii).

An analysis of the credit risk on loans and advances to customers is as follows: -

 
                             Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3      2018      2017 
                              GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
 
 Grade A(1)                  139,695         -         -   139,695   118,373 
 Grade B                         760     5,308        85     6,153     3,090 
 Grade C                           -     1,746     4,078     5,824     3,770 
 
 Gross value                 140,455     7,054     4,163   151,672   125,233 
 
 Allowance for impairment      (125)     (143)   (3,126)   (3,394)   (2,687) 
                            --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 Carrying value              140,330     6,911     1,037   148,278   122,546 
--------------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 

(1) Loans are graded A to C depending on the level of risk. Grade C relates to agreements with the highest of risk, Grade B with medium risk and Grade A relates to agreements with the lowest risk.

The following table sets out information about the overdue status of loans and advances to customers in Stage 1, 2 and 3.

 
                      Stage 1   Stage 2   Stage 3      2018      2017 
   31 December         GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
 
 Current              137,196         -         -   137,196   115,267 
 Overdue < 30 days      2,499         -         -     2,499     3,106 
 Overdue > 30 days        760     7,054     4,163    11,977     6,860 
 
                      140,455     7,054     4,163   151,672   125,233 
-------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Debt securities, Cash and cash equivalents

The following table sets out the credit quality of liquid assets:

 
                                             2018       2017 
 31 December                               GBP000     GBP000 
 
 Government bonds and treasury bills 
 Rated A to A+                             30,534     28,740 
 
 Corporate bonds 
 Rated A to A+                                  -      5,532 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
 Rated A to A+                              9,754      9,745 
 
                                           40,288     44,017 
 -------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The analysis has been based on Standard & Poor's ratings.

ii. Collateral and other credit enhancements

The Group holds collateral in the form of the underlying assets (typically private and commercial vehicles, plant and machinery) to loan arrangements as security for HP, finances leases, vehicle stocking plans, block discounting, wholesale funding arrangements, integrated wholesale funding arrangements and secured commercial loan balances, which are sub-categories of loans and advances to customers. In addition, the commission share schemes have an element of capital indemnified. During 2018, 37.9% of loans and advances fell into this category (2017: 41.7%).

Estimates of fair value are based on the value of collateral assessed at the time of borrowing, and generally are not updated except when a loan is individually assessed as impaired. At the time of granting credit within the sub-categories listed above, the loan balances due are secured over the underlying assets held as collateral.

iii. Amounts arising from ECL

See accounting policy in Note 38(I)(vii)

IFRS 9 significantly overhauled the requirements and methodology used to assess credit impairments by transitioning to a forward-looking approach based on an expected credit loss model. The new impairment model applies to financial assets measured at amortised cost, contract assets and debt investments at FVOCI, but not to investments in equity instruments. Under IFRS 9, credit losses are recognised earlier than under IAS 39.

After a detailed review, the Group devised and implemented an impairment methodology in light of the IFRS 9 requirements outlined above noting the following:

-- A SICR is always deemed to occur when the borrower is 30 days past due on its contractual payments. If the Group becomes aware ahead of this time of non-compliance or financial difficulties of the borrower, such as loss of employment, avoiding contact with the Group then a SICR has also deemed to occur.

-- A receivable is always deemed to be in default and credit-impaired when the borrower is 90 days past due on its contractual payments or earlier if the Group becomes aware of severe financial difficulties such as bankruptcy, IVA, abscond or disappearance, fraudulent activity and other similar events.

-- The ECL was derived by reviewing the Group's loss rate and loss given default over the past 8 years by product and geographical segment.

-- The Group has assumed that the future economic conditions will broadly mirror the current environment and therefore the forecasted loss levels in the next 3 years will match the Group's experience in recent years.

-- For portfolios where the Group has never had a default in its history or has robust credit enhancements such as credit insurance or default indemnities for the entire portfolio, then no IFRS 9 provision is made.

-- If the Group holds objective evidence through specifically assessing a credit-impaired receivable and believes it will go on to completely recover the debt due to the collateral held and cooperation with the borrower, then no IFRS 9 provision is made.

iv. Reconciliation of the primary statements from IAS 39 to IFRS 9

As a result of the change to the Group's accounting policy in regards to credit-impairments, it has restated the previous periods in accordance with IFRS 9. A reconciliation of the primary statements is as follows:

Consolidated Income Statement

 
                                                                                           Impact of 
                                                                                            adopting 
                                                                                           IFRS 9 at 
                                                                                         31 December 
 31 December 2017                                                                             GBP000 
--------------------------------------  ----      ----------  -----  ------------      ------------- 
 
 
 Profit for the year                                                                           2,508 
 Increase to provision for impairment 
  on loan assets                                                                                (50) 
 
 
 Restated profit for the year                                                                  2,458 
 
 
 Reduction in basic earnings per 
  share (pence)                                                                               (0.04) 
 Reduction in diluted earnings 
  per share (pence)                                                                           (0.03) 
 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income

 
                                                                                             Impact of 
                                                                                              adopting 
                                                                                                IFRS 9 
                                                                                        at 31 December 
 31 December 2017                                                                               GBP000 
------------------------------------  ----------  ----  ------      ------------      ---------------- 
 
 
 Total comprehensive income for the year 
  attributable to owners                                                                         2,445 
 Increase to provision for impairment 
  on loan assets                                                                                  (50) 
 
 
 Restated Total comprehensive income 
  for the year attributable to owners                                                            2,395 
 
 
 Reduction in basic earnings per share 
  (pence)                                                                                       (0.04) 
 Reduction in diluted earnings per share 
  (pence)                                                                                       (0.03) 
 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 
                                             Impact of      Impact of 
                                              adopting       adopting 
                                             IFRS 9 at      IFRS 9 at 
                                           31 December    31 December 
                                                  2017           2016 
                                                GBP000         GBP000 
----------------------------------       -------------  ------------- 
 
 Assets 
 Loans and advances to customers               122,720        116,053 
 Increase to provision for 
  impairment on loan assets                      (174)          (124) 
 
 
 Restated loans and advances 
  to customers                                 122,546        115,929 
 
 
 Equity 
 Profit and loss account                       (3,296)        (5,763) 
 Increase to provision for 
  impairment on loan assets                      (174)          (124) 
 
 
 Restated profit and loss account              (3,470)        (5,887) 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Total cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities remains unchanged due to the increase in impairments on loan assets being a non-cash item.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For an analysis of the retrospective impact of IFRS 9, see the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity which analyses in each year the effect of adopting IFRS 9 for that year.

v. Concentration of credit risk

Geographical

Lending is restricted to individuals and entities with Isle of Man, UK or Channel Islands addresses.

Segmental

The Bank is exposed to credit risk with regard to customer loan accounts, comprising HP and finance lease balances, unsecured personal loans, secured commercial loans, block discounting, vehicle stocking plan loans and wholesale funding agreements. In addition, the Bank lends via significant introducers into the UK. There was one introducer that accounted for more than 20% of the Bank's total lending portfolio at the end of 31 December 2018 (2017: one introducer).

B. Liquidity risk

For the definition of liquidity risk and information on how liquidity risk is manged by the Group see Note 36.

i. Exposure to liquidity risk

The key measure used by the Group for managing liquidity risk is the ratio of net liquid assets to deposits from customers and short-term funding. For this purpose, 'net liquid assets' includes cash and cash equivalents and investment-grade debt securities for which there is an active and liquid market.

Details of the reported Group ratio of net liquid assets to deposits from customers at the reporting date and during the reporting period were as follows:

 
 
                             2018     2017 
 At 31 December               25%      27% 
 Average for the period       32%      26% 
 Maximum for the period       40%      30% 
 Minimum for the period       25%      23% 
------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

ii. Maturity analysis for financial liabilities and financial assets

The table below shows the Group's financial liabilities classified by their earliest possible contractual maturity, on an undiscounted basis including interest due at the end of the deposit term. Based on historical data, the Group's expected actual cash flow from these items vary from this analysis due to the expected re-investment of maturing customer deposits.

Residual contractual maturities of financial liabilities as at the reporting date (undiscounted)

 
                              >8        >1        >3        >6        >1        >3 
                            days     month    months    months      year     years 
  31 December   Sight-       - 1       - 3       - 6       - 1       - 3       - 5          >5 
  2018          8 days     month    months    months      year     years     years       years      Total 
                GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
 
 
 Deposits 
  from 
  customers      1,754     5,012    14,397    34,028    35,032    56,643    11,634           -    158,500 
 Other 
  liabilities    2,061       200       230       216       928     8,705     8,063         584     20,987 
 
 
 Total 
  liabilities    3,815     5,212    14,627    34,244    35,960    65,348    19,697         584    179,487 
 
 
 
 
                                  >8                      >3        >6        >1        >3 
                                days    >1 month      months    months      year     years 
  31 December     Sight-         - 1         - 3         - 6       - 1       - 3       - 5        >5 
  2017            8 days       month      months      months      year     years     years     years      Total 
                  GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000     GBP000 
 
 
 Deposits 
  from 
  customers        2,579       3,136      12,710      24,241    30,207    60,820    12,567         -    146,260 
 Other 
  liabilities      3,094          89         318       1,540     1,754     3,326     3,322       560     14,003 
 
 
 Total 
  liabilities      5,673       3,225      13,028      25,781    31,961    64,146    15,889       560    160,263 
 
 
 

Maturity of assets and liabilities at the reporting date

 
                              >8        >1        >3        >6        >1        >3 
                            days     month    months    months      year     years 
  31 December   Sight-       - 1       - 3       - 6       - 1       - 3       - 5        >5 
  2018          8 days     month    months    months      year     years     years     years      Total 
                GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000     GBP000 
-------------  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------- 
 
 Assets 
 Cash & cash 
  equivalents    9,753         -         -         -         -         -         -         -      9,753 
 Debt 
  securities         -    17,995     5,989         -         -         -     6,550         -     30,534 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to 
  customers      5,273     1,047     9,724    15,977    35,246    64,099    16,910         2    148,278 
 Other assets       20       225       145         -         -         -         -     7,959      8,349 
 
 
 Total assets   15,046    19,267    15,858    15,977    35,246    64,099    23,460     7,961    196,914 
 
 
 Liabilities 
 Deposits 
  from 
  customers      1,754     5,012    14,397    34,028    35,032    56,643    11,634         -    158,500 
 Other 
  liabilities    2,098       146        92         -       500     7,690     7,581       584     18,691 
 
 
 Total 
  liabilities    3,852     5,158    14,489    34,028    35,532    64,333    19,215       583    177,191 
 
 
 
 
                             >8       >1        >3        >6        >1        >3 
                           days    month   months-    months      year     years 
  31 December   Sight-      - 1      - 3         6       - 1       - 3       - 5        >5 
  2017          8 days    month   months    months      year     years     years     years     Total 
                GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
-------------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 Assets 
 Cash & cash 
  equivalents    9,745        -        -         -         -         -         -         -     9,745 
 Debt 
  securities         -    1,998   16,983     8,524         -         -     6,767         -    34,272 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to 
  customers      3,708    3,649    7,945    10,808    25,849    54,872    15,695        21   122,546 
 Other assets      103      194      192         -         -         -         -     5,994     6,483 
 
 Total assets 
                13,556    5,841   25,120    19,332    25,849    54,872    22,462     6,015   173,046 
               -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Deposits 
  from 
  customers      2,570    3,105   12,654    24,112    29,716    57,711    12,404         -   142,272 
 Other 
  liabilities    3,086       55      234       169     3,333     2,945     3,130       560    13,512 
               -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 Total 
  liabilities    5,656    3,160   12,888    24,281    33,049    60,656    15,534       560   155,784 
 
 

iii. Liquidity reserves

The following table sets out the components of the Group's liquidity reserves.

 
                                             2018     2018        2017          2017 
                                         Carrying     Fair    Carrying 
                                           amount    value      amount    Fair value 
                                           GBP000   GBP000      GBP000        GBP000 
 
 Balances with other banks                  9,753    9,753       9,745         9,745 
 Unencumbered debt securities issued 
  by sovereigns                            30,534   30,534      34,272        34,272 
                                       ----------  -------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total liquidity reserves                  40,287   40,287      44,017        44,017 
-------------------------------------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------------ 
 

C. Market risk

For the definition of market risk and information on how the Group manages the market risks of trading and non-trading portfolios, see Note 36.

The following table sets out the allocation of assets and liabilities subject to market risk between trading and non-trading portfolios.

 
                                                Market risk measure 
                                  Carrying       Trading   Non-trading 
                                    amount    portfolios    portfolios 
 31 December 2018                   GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
 Assets subject to market risk 
 Trading assets                         20            20             - 
 Debt securities                    30,534             -        30,534 
                                 ---------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total                              30,554            20        30,534 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                Market risk measure 
                                  Carrying       Trading   Non-trading 
                                    amount    portfolios    portfolios 
 31 December 2017                   GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
 Assets subject to market risk 
 Trading assets                         24            24             - 
 Debt securities                    34,272             -        34,272 
                                 ---------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total                              34,296            24        34,272 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------------ 
 

i. Exposure to interest rate risk - Non-trading portfolio

The following tables present the interest rate mismatch position between assets and liabilities over the respective maturity dates. The maturity dates are presented on a worst-case basis, with assets being recorded at their latest maturity and deposits from customers at their earliest.

 
                                                                          >1            >3 
                 Sight-   >1month   >3months                              year          years 
  31 December    1              -   -                         >6months-   - 3           - 5           >5                      Non-Int. 
  2018           month    3months   6months                      1 year   years         years         years                    Bearing     Total 
                 GBP000    GBP000   GBP000                       GBP000   GBP000        GBP000        GBP000                    GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
 
   Assets 
 Cash & cash 
  equivalents    9,753          -          -                          -        -             -             -                         -     9,753 
 Debt 
  securities     17,995     5,989          -                          -        -         6,550             -                         -    30,534 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to customers   6,319      9,724     15,977                     35,247   64,099        16,910             2                         -   148,278 
 Other assets       245       145          -                          -        -             -             -                     7,959     8,349 
 
 
 Total assets    34,312    15,858     15,977                     35,247   64,099        23,460             2                     7,959   196,914 
 
 
 Liabilities 
 and 
 equity 
 Deposits from 
  customers       6,766    14,397     34,028                     35,032   56,643        11,634             -                         -   158,500 
 Other 
  liabilities     2,244        92          -                        500    7,690         7,581           584                         -    18,691 
 Total equity         -         -          -                          -        -             -             -                    19,723    19,723 
 
 
 Total 
  liabilities 
  and equity      9,010    14,489     34,028                     35,532   64,333        19,215           584                    19,656   196,914 
 
 
   Interest 
   rate 
   sensitivity 
   gap           25,302     1,369   (18,051)                      (285)    (234)         4,245         (582)                  (11,764)         - 
 
 
 Cumulative      25,302    26,671      8,620                      8,335    8,101        12,346        11,764                         -         - 
 
 
 
                                                                                              >1           >3 
                   Sight-                                                         >6months     year         years 
  31 December      1          >1month       >3months                                     -     - 3          - 5        >5                                   Non-Int. 
  2017             month      -3months      - 6months                               1 year     years        years       years                                Bearing      Total 
                   GBP000      GBP000        GBP000                                 GBP000     GBP000       GBP000      GBP000                                GBP000     GBP000 
 
 
 
   Assets 
 Cash & cash 
  equivalents       9,745        -                  -                                    -            -           -           -                                    -      9,745 
 Debt 
  securities        1,998      16,983           8,524                                    -            -       6,766           -                                    -     34,427 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to 
  customers         7,356      7,945           10,808                               25,849       54,872      15,695          22                                    -    122,547 
 Other assets         297          192              -                                    -            -           -           -                                5,994      6,483 
 
 Total assets 
                   19,396      25,120          19,332                               25,849       54,872      22,461          22                                5,994    173,046 
               ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------------------------------   ----------   ---------   ---------   ----------------------------------   -------- 
 
 
 Liabilities 
 and 
 equity 
 Deposits 
  from 
  customers         5,675      12,654          24,112                               29,716       57,711      12,404           -                                    -    142,272 
 Other 
  liabilities       3,141       234               169                                3,333        2,945       3,130         560                                    -     13,512 
 Total equity           -        -                  -                                    -            -           -           -                               17,262     17,262 
               ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------------------------------   ----------   ---------   ---------   ----------------------------------   -------- 
 
 Total 
  liabilities 
  and equity        8,816      12,888          24,281                               33,049       60,656      15,534         560                               17,262    173,046 
 
 
 Interest 
  rate 
  sensitivity 
  gap              10,580      12,232         (4,949)                              (7,200)      (5,784)       6,927       (538)                             (11,268)          - 
 
 
 Cumulative        10,580      22,812          17,863                               10,663        4,879      11,806      11,268                                    -          - 
 
 
 

The Bank monitors the impact of changes in interest rates on interest rate mismatch positions using a method consistent with the FSA required reporting standard. The methodology applies weightings to the net interest rate sensitivity gap in order to quantify the impact of an adverse change in interest rates of 2.0% per annum (2017: 2.0%). The following tables set out the estimated total impact of such a change based on the mismatch at the reporting date: -

 
                                                                    >1         >3 
                                       >3months    >6months       year      years 
  31 December    Sight-     >1month           -           -        - 3        - 5           >5    Non-Int. 
  2018          1 month    -3months     6months      1 year      years      years        years     Bearing       Total 
                 GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000     GBP000     GBP000       GBP000      GBP000      GBP000 
 
 
 Interest 
  rate 
  sensitivity 
  gap            25,302       1,369    (18,051)       (285)      (234)      4,245        (582)    (11,764)           - 
 
 
 Weighting        0.000       0.003       0.007       0.014      0.027      0.054        0.115       0.000           - 
 
 
 GBP000               -           4       (126)         (4)        (6)        229         (67)           -          30 
 
 
 
 
                                                                      >1         >3 
                                                    >6months        year      years 
  31 December     Sight-     >1month    >3months           -         - 3        - 5         >5    Non-Int. 
  2017           1 month    -3months    -6months      1 year       years      years      years     Bearing      Total 
                  GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000     GBP000     GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
 
 
 
 Interest rate 
  sensitivity 
  gap             10,580      12,232     (4,949)      (7,200)    (5,784)      6,927      (538)    (11,268)          - 
 
 
 Weighting         0.000       0.003       0.007        0.014      0.027      0.054      0.115       0.000          - 
 
 
 GBP000                -          37        (35)        (101)      (156)        374       (62)           -         57 
 
 
 

D. Capital Management

i. Regulatory capital

The lead regulatory of the Group's wholly owned subsidiary, Conister Bank Limited ('Bank'), is the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority ('FSA'). The FSA sets and monitors capital requirements for the Bank.

The Bank's regulatory capital consists of the following elements.

n Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital, which includes ordinary share capital, retained earnings and reserves after adjustment for deductions for goodwill, intangible assets, intercompany receivable.

n Tier 2 capital, which includes qualifying subordinated liabilities and any excess of impairment over expected losses.

The lead FSA's approach to the measurement of capital adequacy is primarily based on monitoring the relationship of the capital resources requirement to available capital resources. The FSA sets individual capital guidance (ICG) for the Bank in excess of the minimum capital resources requirement. A key input to the ICG setting process is the Bank's internal capital adequacy assessment process (ICAAP).

The Bank is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom for credit and brokerage related activities.

ii. Capital allocation

Management uses regulatory capital ratios to monitor its capital base. The allocation of capital between specific operations and activities is, to a large extent, driven by optimisation of the return achieved on the capital allocated. The amount of capital allocated to each operation or activity is based primarily on regulatory capital requirements.

9. Operating segments

Segmental information is presented in respect of the Group's business segments. The Directors consider that the Group currently operates in one geographic segment comprising of the Isle of Man, UK and Channel Islands. The primary format, business segments, is based on the Group's management and internal reporting structure. The Directors consider that the Group operates in five (2017: five) product orientated segments in addition to its investing activities: Asset and Personal Finance (including provision of HP contracts, finance leases, personal loans, commercial loans, block discounting, vehicle stocking plans and wholesale funding agreements); Manx Incahoot; Conister Card Services; Edgewater Associates; and Manx FX.

 
                        Asset                 Conister 
                          and         Manx        Card      Edgewater                 Investing 
  For the year       Personal     Incahoot    Services     Associates       Manx     Activities      Total 
  ended               Finance       GBP000      GBP000         GBP000         FX         GBP000     GBP000 
  31 December          GBP000                                             GBP000 
  2018 
 
 Net interest 
  income               15,568            -           -              -          -              -     15,568 
 Operating income 
  /(loss)               9,306           12           -          2,562        493              -     13,166 
 
 Profit / (loss) 
  before tax 
  payable               2,267        (189)         (3)            245        490          (100)      2,710 
 
 
 Capital 
  expenditure           1,589            1           -            150          6              1      1,747 
 
 
 Total assets         190,923           78           -          3,153        608          2,152    196,914 
 
 
 
                        Asset                 Conister 
                          and         Manx        Card      Edgewater                 Investing 
  For the year       Personal     Incahoot    Services     Associates       Manx     Activities      Total 
  ended               Finance       GBP000      GBP000         GBP000         FX         GBP000     GBP000 
  31 December          GBP000                                             GBP000 
  2017 
 
 Net interest 
  income               16,637            -           -              -          -              -     16,637 
 Operating income 
  /(loss)               8,298           44       (104)          2,625        447              -     11,310 
 
 Profit / (loss) 
  before tax 
  payable               1,910        (293)       (104)            742        249          (186)      2,318 
 
 
 Capital 
  expenditure             254            1           -            319          -              -        574 
 
 
 Total assets         168,052          307          18          2,252        181          2,236    173,046 
 
 

10. Net interest income

 
                                                                     2018      2017 
                                                                   GBP000    GBP000 
 
 Interest income 
 Loans and advances to customers                                   19,037    19,839 
                                                                 --------  -------- 
 Total interest income calculated using the effective interest 
  method                                                           19,037    19,839 
 Other interest income                                                 78        54 
                                                                 --------  -------- 
 Total interest income                                             19,115    19,893 
 
 Interest expense 
 Deposits from customers                                          (2,744)   (2,690) 
 Subordinated liabilities                                           (773)     (495) 
 Block funders                                                       (30)      (71) 
                                                                 --------  -------- 
 Total interest expense                                           (3,547)   (3,256) 
 
 Net interest income                                               15,568    16,637 
---------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

11. Net fee and commission income

A. Disaggregation of fee and commission income

In the following table, fee and commission income from contracts with customers in the scope of IFRS 15 is disaggregated by major type of services. The table includes a reconciliation of the disaggregated fee and commission income with the Group's reportable segments.

 
                                             2018        2017 
                                           GBP000      GBP000 
 Major service lines 
 Independent financial advice income        2,547       2,625 
 FX trading income                            824         490 
                                       ----------  ---------- 
 Fee and commission income                  3,371       3,115 
 
   Fee and commission expense             (6,109)     (8,413) 
                                       ----------  ---------- 
 
   Net fee and commission expense         (2,738)     (5,298) 
-------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

12. Terminal funding

In September 2014, the Bank discontinued funding handheld payment devices (referred to as Terminal Funding) due to the volume of write offs. Ever since, the book is being run off whilst the Bank vigorously pursues historical write off. A decision was made by the Board during 2016 to cease funding and run-off the book upon the final repayment date of August 2019.

 
                                             2018      2017 
                                           GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Interest income                               181       377 
Fee and commission expense                    (5)      (92) 
Provision for impairment on loan assets     (102)     (195) 
 
 
                                               74        90 
 
 

13. Personnel expenses

 
                                                   2018      2017 
                                                 GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Gross salaries                                  (4,233)   (3,479) 
Executive Directors' remuneration                 (241)     (214) 
Non-executive Directors' fees                     (145)     (185) 
Executive Directors' pensions                      (19)      (21) 
Executive Directors' performance related pay       (50)      (36) 
Pension costs                                     (259)     (226) 
National insurance and payroll taxes              (527)     (432) 
Training and recruitment costs                    (229)     (190) 
 
 
                                                (5,703)   (4,783) 
 
 

14. Other expenses

 
                                  2018      2017 
                                GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Professional and legal fees    (1,067)     (848) 
Marketing costs                  (237)     (211) 
IT costs                         (567)     (528) 
Establishment costs              (434)     (376) 
Communication costs              (146)     (137) 
Travel costs                     (174)     (149) 
Bank charges                     (119)     (142) 
Insurance                        (141)     (133) 
Irrecoverable VAT                (303)     (180) 
Other costs                      (277)     (448) 
 
 
                               (3,465)   (3,152) 
 
 

15. Impairment on loans and advances to customers

The charge in respect of specific allowances for impairment comprises: -

 
                                                         2018      2017 
                                                       GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Specific impairment allowances made                   (1,246)   (1,295) 
Reversal of allowances previously made                    410       776 
 
 
Total charge for specific provision for impairment      (836)     (519) 
 
 

The charge in respect of collective allowances for impairment comprises: -

 
                                                           2018      2017 
                                                         GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Collective impairment allowances made                      (49)      (78) 
Release of allowances previously made                        28        12 
 
 
Total charge for collective allowances for impairment      (21)      (66) 
 
 
Total charge for allowances for impairment                (857)     (585) 
 
 

16. Profit before tax payable

The profit before tax payable for the year is stated after charging: -

 
                                                                          Group                 Company 
                                                                       2018       2017      2018           2017 
                                                                     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000         GBP000 
Share options expense                                                     -       (22)         -           (22) 
Auditor's remuneration: - as Auditor 
 current year                                                         (108)       (90)         -              - 
                                               non-audit services       (7)       (37)         -              - 
Pension cost defined benefit scheme                                    (17)       (17)         -              - 
Operating lease rentals for property                                  (251)      (220)         -              - 
 
 
 

17. Income tax expense

 
                                                       2018    2017 
                                                     GBP000  GBP000 
                                                    ------- 
Current tax expense 
Current year                                          (197)   (226) 
Changes to estimates for prior years                      -    (12) 
                                                      (197)   (238) 
Deferred tax expense 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences      (46)     (2) 
Utilisation of previously recognised tax losses           -       - 
Changes to estimates for prior years                      -       - 
                                                       (46)     (2) 
 
Tax expense                                           (243)   (240) 
 
 
                                                                2018              2017 
                                                              GBP000            GBP000 
 
Reconciliation of effective tax rate 
Profit before tax                                              2,710             2,698 
Tax using the Bank's domestic tax rate               (10.0)%   (271)   (10.0)%   (270) 
                                                         0.0 
Effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions               %       -    (1.6)%    (44) 
Non-deductible expenses                               (1.2)%    (33)    (1.0)%    (28) 
                                                         0.3 
Tax exempt income                                          %       8    2.4%        67 
                                                         0.3 
Timing difference in current year                          %       7      1.8%      49 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences        1.7 
 in deferred tax                                           %      46    (0.1)%     (2) 
                                                         0.0 
Changes to estimates for prior years                       %       -    (0.4)%    (12) 
Tax expense                                           (9.0)%   (243)    (8.9)%   (240) 
 

The main rate of corporation tax in the Isle of Man is 0.0% (2017: 0.0%). However the profits of the Group's Isle of Man banking activities are taxed at 10.0% (2017: 10.0%). The profits of the Group's subsidiaries that are subject to UK corporation tax are taxed at a rate of 19.0% (2017: 19.0%).

The value of tax losses carried forward reduced to nil and there is now a timing difference related to accelerated capital allowances resulting in a GBP88,000 liability (2017: GBP42,000 liability). This resulted in an expense of GBP50,000 (2017: GBP2,000) to the consolidated income statement.

18. Earnings per share

A. Basic and diluted earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share has been based on the profit for the year and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share has been based on the profit for the year and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding after adjustment for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

 
                                                                    2018           2017 
 
Total comprehensive income for the year                     GBP2,461,000   GBP2,395,000 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in 
 issue                                                       131,096,235    110,880,711 
Basic earnings per share (pence)                                    1.88           2.17 
Diluted earnings per share (pence)                                  1.54           1.70 
 
 
 

B. Reconciliation of earnings between basic and diluted earnings

 
                                                                   2018            2017 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
As per basic earnings per share - total comprehensive      GBP2,461,000    GBP2,395,000 
 income 
Interest expense saved if all convertible loan               GBP196,150      GBP196,150 
 notes were exchanged for equity (note 29) 
As per dilutive earnings per share                         GBP2,657,150    GBP2,591,150 
 

C. Reconciliation of weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding between basic and diluted

 
                                                               2018         2017 
 
Reconciliation of weighted average number of 
 ordinary shares in issue between basic and diluted 
 earnings per share 
As per basic earnings per share                         131,096,235  110,880,711 
Number of shares issued if all convertible loan 
 notes were exchanged for equity (note 29)               41,666,667   41,666,667 
Dilutive element of share options if exercised 
 (note 31)                                                   10,366            - 
 
As per dilutive earnings per share                      172,773,268  152,547,378 
 

19. Cash and cash equivalents

 
                                                 Group                 Company 
                                             2018       2017      2018        2017 
                                           GBP000     GBP000    GBP000      GBP000 
 
 
Cash at bank and in hand                    9,753      9,745     1,646         200 
                                            9,753      9,745     1,646         200 
 
 
 

Cash at bank includes an amount of GBP561,000 (2017: GBP63,000) representing receipts which are in the course of transmission.

20. Debt securities

 
                                              Group             Company 
                                          2018     2017     2018     2017 
                                        GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000 
 
 
Financial assets at FVOCI: 
UK Government Treasury Bills            30,534   28,740        -        - 
 
Financial assets at amortised cost: 
UK Certificates of Deposit                   -    5,532        -        - 
 
 
                                        30,534   34,272        -        - 
 
 

UK Government Treasury Bills are stated at fair value and unrealised changes in the fair value are reflected in other comprehensive income. There were GBP135,000 (2017: GBP36,000) realised gains and GBP44,000 unrealised gains (2017: unrealised losses GBP93,000) during the year.

21. Trading asset

The investment represents shares in a UK quoted company, elected to be classified as a financial asset at fair value through profit or loss. The investment is stated at market value and is classified as a level 1 investment in the IFRS 13 fair value hierarchy. The cost of the shares was GBP471,000. The unrealised difference between cost and market value has been taken to the income statement. Dividend income of GBP355,000 (2017: GBP350,000) and GBP24,000 (2017: GBP24,000) of sale proceeds have been received from this investment since it was made. The investment made a net loss of GBP4,000 (2017: GBP21,000) during the year.

22. Loans and advances to customers

 
                                                  2018                               2017 
                                    Gross   Impairment    Carrying     Gross   Impairment    Carrying 
                                   Amount    Allowance       Value    Amount    Allowance       Value 
  Group                            GBP000       GBP000      GBP000    GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
 
 
HP balances                        59,038      (1,416)      57,622    59,909      (1,327)      58,582 
Finance lease balances             27,238      (1,551)      25,687    20,088      (1,101)      18,987 
Unsecured personal 
 loans                             14,806        (382)      14,424    10,521        (255)      10,266 
Vehicle stocking plans              1,486            -       1,486     1,613            -       1,613 
Wholesale funding arrangements     22,944            -      22,944     5,830            -       5,830 
Block discounting                  17,316            -      17,316    13,523            -      13,523 
Secured commercial 
 loans                              1,967         (45)       1,922       659          (4)         655 
Secured personal loans              6,877            -       6,877    13,090            -      13,090 
 
                                  151,672      (3,394)     148,278   125,233      (2,687)     122,546 
 
 

Collateral is held in the form of underlying assets for HP, finance leases, vehicles stocking plans, block discounting, secured commercial and personal loans and wholesale funding arrangements. An estimate of the fair value of collateral on past due or impaired loans and advances is not disclosed as it would be impractical to do so.

 
                                               2018      2017 
  Specific allowance for impairment          GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Balance at 1 January                          2,440     2,099 
Specific allowance for impairment made        1,291     1,295 
Release of allowances previously made         (410)     (776) 
Write-offs                                    (195)     (178) 
Balance at 31 December                        3,126     2,440 
 
 
 
                                                 2018      2017 
  Collective allowance for impairment          GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Balance at 1 January                              247        57 
Collective allowance for impairment made           49       202 
Release of allowances previously made            (28)      (12) 
 
 
Balance at 31 December                            268       247 
 
 
Total allowances for impairment                 3,394     2,687 
 
 

Advances on preferential terms are available to all Directors, management and staff. As at 31 December 2018 GBP389,005 (2017: GBP347,328) had been lent on this basis. In the Group's ordinary course of business, advances may be made to Shareholders but all such advances are made on normal commercial terms.

As detailed below, at the end of the current financial year 15 loan exposures (2017: 3) exceeded 10.0% of the capital base of the Bank: -

 
                              Outstanding   Outstanding 
                                  Balance       Balance    Facility 
                                     2018          2017       limit 
  Exposure                         GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
 
Block discounting facility         14,211         9,487      23,500 
Wholesale funding agreement        21,423             -      24,500 
 
 

HP and finance lease receivables

Loans and advances to customers include the following HP and finance lease receivables: -

 
                                                             2018      2017 
                                                           GBP000    GBP000 
 
Less than one year                                         42,532    36,227 
Between one and five years                                 60,184    60,576 
 
Gross investment in HP and finance lease receivables      102,716    96,803 
 
 

The investment in HP and finance lease receivables net of unearned income comprises: -

 
                                                           2018      2017 
                                                         GBP000    GBP000 
 
Less than one year                                       37,508    29,317 
Between one and five years                               49,289    50,680 
 
Net investment in HP and finance lease receivables       86,797    79,997 
 
 

23. Trade and other receivables

 
                           Group            Company 
                     2018     2017     2018      2017 
                   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Prepayments           382      285       32        22 
VAT recoverable       936      817        -         - 
Other debtors       1,173      806        -         - 
 
                    2,491    1,908       32        22 
 
 

Included in trade and other receivables is an amount of GBP936,000 (2017: GBP817,000) relating to a reclaim of VAT. The Bank, as the Group VAT registered entity, has for some time considered the VAT recovery rate being obtained by the business was neither fair nor reasonable, specifically regarding the attribution of part of the residual input tax relating to the HP business not being considered as a taxable supply. Queries have been raised with the Isle of Man Government Customs & Excise Division ("C&E"), and several reviews of the mechanics of the recovery process were undertaken by the Company's professional advisors.

The decision of the First-Tier Tax Tribunal released 18 August 2011 in respect of Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited ("VWFS") v HM Revenue & Customs (TC01401) ("VWFS Decision") added significant weight to the case put by the Bank and a request for a revised Partial Exemption Special Method was submitted in December 2011. The proposal put forward by the Bank was that the revised method would allocate 50.0% of costs in respect of HP transactions to a taxable supply and 50.0% to an exempt supply. In addition, a Voluntary Disclosure was made as a retrospective claim for input VAT under-claimed in the last 4 years. A secondary claim was also made to cover periods Q4 2012 to Q1 2016 for the value of GBP230,000 and an amount of GBP249,000 has been accrued to cover periods Q2 2016 to Q4 2018.

In November 2012, it was announced that the HMRC Upper Tribunal had overturned the First-Tier Tribunal in relation to the VWFS Decision. VWFS has subsequently been given leave to appeal and this was scheduled to be heard in October 2013. However, this was delayed and the case was heard by the Court of Appeal on 17 April 2015 who overturned the Upper Tribunal's decision ruling in favour of VWFS. HMRC have appealed this decision to the Supreme Court, which has referred the issue to the European Court of Justice.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") has published its determination concerning the Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited ("VWFS") vs HMRC case. The judgement addressed all specific questions referred and agreed with VWFS on all material points. Specifically, the judgment clarifies that a partial exemption method must reflect the taxable sale of the goods, even where general costs are commercially passed on as part of the exempt supplies of credit. We have approached Customs and Excise with a view of commencing conversations to finalise our historic claims, rolling up the claim to date and agreeing a new partial exempt method going forward.

The Bank's total exposure in relation to this matter increased to GBP1,049,000, comprising the debtor balance referred to above plus an additional GBP113,000 VAT reclaimed under the partial Exemption Special Method, in the period from Q4 2011 to Q3 2012 (from Q4 2012 the Bank reverted back to the previous method). On the basis of the discussions and correspondence which have taken place between the Bank and C&E, in addition to the VWFS case, the Directors are confident that the VAT claim referred to above will be secured.

24. Property, plant and equipment

 
                                 Leasehold          IT   Furniture         Motor 
                              Improvements   Equipment           &   Vehicles(1)     Total 
  Group                             GBP000      GBP000   Equipment        GBP000    GBP000 
                                                            GBP000 
 
 
Cost 
As at 1 January 2018                   443         294         646            10     1,393 
 
Additions                               66          41          18           993     1,118 
Disposals                                -           -           -             -         - 
 
As at 31 December 2018                 509         335         664         1,003     2,511 
 
 
Accumulated depreciation 
As at 1 January 2018                   189         152         599             3       943 
 
Charge for year                         60          61          13            50       184 
Disposals                                -           -           -             -         - 
 
 
As at 31 December 2018                 249         213         612            53     1,127 
 
 
Carrying value at 31 
 December 2018                         260         122          52           950     1,384 
 
 
Carrying value at 31 
 December 2017                         254         142          47             7       450 
 
 

(1) Motor vehicles relate to operating leases with the Group as lessor.

 
                                 Leasehold          IT   Furniture 
                              Improvements   Equipment           &     Total 
  Company                           GBP000      GBP000   Equipment    GBP000 
                                                            GBP000 
 
 
Cost 
As at 1 January 2018                   234          13          15       262 
Additions                                -           -           1         1 
Disposals                                -           -           -         - 
 
 
As at 31 December 2018                 234          13          16       263 
 
 
Accumulated depreciation 
As at 1 January 2018                    92           2           2        96 
Charge for year                         39           1           1        41 
Disposals                                -           -           -         - 
 
 
As at 31 December 2018                 131           3           3       137 
 
 
Carrying value at 31 
 December 2018                         103          10          13       126 
 
 
Carrying value at 31 
 December 2017                         142          11          13       166 
 
 

25. Intangible assets

 
                                                                  IT Software 
                                    Customer       Intellectual   and Website 
                                   Contracts    Property Rights   Development     Total 
  Group                              & Lists             GBP000        GBP000    GBP000 
                                      GBP000 
 
 
Cost 
As at 1 January 2018                   1,284                388         1,550     3,222 
Additions                                  -                  -           496       496 
Acquisition of MBL                       133                  -             -       133 
Disposals                                  -                  -             -         - 
 
As at 31 December 2018                 1,417                388         2,046     3,851 
 
 
Accumulated amortisation 
As at 1 January 2018                     130                162         1,211     1,503 
Charge for year / impairment 
 (note 32)                                65                150           181       396 
Disposals                                  -                  -             -         - 
 
 
As at 31 December 2018                   195                312         1,392     1,899 
 
 
Carrying value at 31 
 December 2018                         1,222                 76           654     1,952 
 
 
Carrying value at 31 
 December 2017                         1,154                226           339     1,719 
 
 

On 23 December 2016, the Company acquired the majority of the Isle of Man's IFA business held by Knox Financial Services Limited ("KFSL"). The initial acquisition included approximately 4,000 clients together with 6 members of staff. The basis of consideration was contingent, as it is determined by 4 times renewal income received in the first 12 months of ownership, reduced by any clawbacks in the same period. The final value could not fall below GBP800,000. The Company entered into a loan agreement with Conister Bank Limited (see note 32 for terms) and paid the non-refundable minimum of GBP800,000 and a further GBP200,000 into an escrow account until the final valuation was determined. When the value was finalised, any surplus or shortfall was settled.

At acquisition, by reference to the renewal income received by KFSL in the 12 months prior to disposal, an estimate of GBP236,906 was assumed for income over the preceding 12 months, which would have generated a consideration sum of GBP947,624. Therefore, EWA accounted for this transaction by recognising an intangible asset of GBP947,624 and a receivable of GBP52,376 of the monies held in escrow. Subsequent to acquisition this estimate was updated to an estimated purchase price of GBP989,400 as at 31 December 2017. Consequently, the receivable from escrow was reduced to GBP10,600. The final consideration for the purchase was determined to be GBP1,101,000. As acquisition accounting was finalised prior to final settlement, the GBP111,600 additional cost was recognised as an expense in the profit and loss during 2018. The fair value of the assets acquired was considered to be of the same amount as the sum estimated to be paid and principally relates to customer contracts. The period over which these contracts are to be amortised is estimated to be 18.75 years given the average duration of EWA's existing portfolio for renewal income.

In tandem, both parties entered into an option agreement, exercisable within three months from the transaction date, for EWA to acquire the remainder of the vendor's IFA business which included approximately 150 clients. This option was exercised on 18 January 2017. The price of the acquisition was calculated by four times the renewal income received over the 12-month period subsequent to completion. The purchase price was estimated to be GBP198,300 with GBP75,000 paid upon exercise of the option. During the year, the final purchase consideration was determined to be GBP231,759. The Company made a final settlement of GBP156,760 during the year in addition to the GBP75,000 option price paid during the prior year. This has resulted in a valuation adjustment of GBP33,403.

On 7 September 2018, the Company acquired a book of insurance and financial services clients from Westwinds Financial Services Limited for a final consideration of GBP100,000.

26. Deposits from customers

 
                                           2018      2017 
                                         GBP000    GBP000 
 
Retail customers: term deposits         153,735   137,399 
Corporate customers: term deposits        4,765     4,873 
 
 
                                        158,500   142,272 
 
 

27. Creditors and accrued charges

 
                                    Group                   Company 
                                  2018     2017            2018     2017 
                                GBP000   GBP000          GBP000   GBP000 
 
 
Commission creditors               758    2,042               -        - 
Other creditors and accruals       897      774              94      139 
Taxation creditors                 355      348               -        - 
 
 
                                 2,010    3,164              94      139 
 
 

28. Block creditors

 
                                                            2018      2017 
                                                          GBP000    GBP000 
 
Drawdown 2 - repayable 25/07/2018, interest payable 
 at 5.8%, secured on assets of MFL                             -        95 
Drawdown 3 - repayable 08/03/2019, interest payable 
 at 6.5%, secured on assets of MFL                           138       656 
 
 
                                                             138       751 
 
 

29. Loan notes

 
                                                      Group               Company 
                                               2018       2017      2018        2017 
                                     Notes   GBP000     GBP000    GBP000      GBP000 
 
 
Related parties 
J Mellon                                JM    1,750      1,750     1,750       1,750 
Burnbrae Limited                        BL    1,200      1,200     1,200       1,200 
Southern Rock Insurance Company 
 Limited                                SR      460        460       460         460 
Life Science Developments 
 Limited                                LS        -        250         -         250 
 
 
                                              3,410      3,660     3,410       3,660 
 
Unrelated parties                       UP   12,461      5,335    12,461       5,335 
 
                                             15,871      8,995    15,871       8,995 
 
 
 

JM - Two loans, one of GBP500,000 maturing on 31 July 2022 with interest payable of 5.0% per annum, and one of GBP1,250,000 maturing on 26 February 2020, paying interest of 6.5% per annum. Both loans are convertible at the rate of 7.5 pence and 9 pence respectively.

BL - One loan consisting of GBP1,200,000 maturing on 31 July 2022 with interest payable of 5.0% per annum. Jim Mellon is the beneficial owner of BL and Denham Eke is also a director. The loan is convertible at a rate of 7.5 pence.

SR - One loan consisting of GBP460,000 maturing on 26 February 2020 with interest payable of 6.5% per annum. The loan is convertible at a rate of 9 pence. John Banks, a Non-executive Director, is also a director of SR and Arron Banks is a major shareholder of SR.

LS - One loan of GBPnil (2017: GBP250,000) which matured on 3 January 2018 with interest payable of 5.0% per annum. Denham Eke is a director of LS. The loan was repaid on maturity.

UP - Thirty-three loans consisting of an average GBP377,606 with a weighted average interest payable of 5.4% per annum. The earliest maturity date is 20 January 2019 and the latest maturity is 10 October 2023.

With respect to the convertible loans, the interest rate applied was deemed by the Directors to be equivalent to the market rate at the time with no conversion option.

30. Pension liability

The Conister Trust Pension and Life Assurance Scheme ("Scheme") operated by the Company is a funded defined benefit arrangement which provides retirement benefits based on final pensionable salary. The Scheme is closed to new entrants and the last active member of the Scheme left pensionable service in 2011.

The Scheme is approved in the Isle of Man by the Assessor of Income Tax under the Income Tax (Retirement Benefit Schemes) Act 1978 and must comply with the relevant legislation. In addition, it is registered as an authorised scheme with the FSA in the Isle of Man under the Retirement Benefits Scheme Act 2000. The Scheme is subject to regulation by the FSA but there is no minimum funding regime in the Isle of Man.

The Scheme is governed by two corporate trustees, Conister Bank Limited and Boal & Co (Pensions) Limited. The trustees are responsible for the Scheme's investment policy and for the exercise of discretionary powers in respect of the Scheme's benefits.

The rules of the Scheme state: - "Each Employer shall pay such sums in each Scheme Year as are estimated to be required to provide the benefits of the Scheme in respect of the Members in its employ".

Exposure to risk

The Company is exposed to the risk that additional contributions will be required in order to fund the Scheme as a result of poor experience. Some of the key factors that could lead to shortfalls are: -

n investment performance - the return achieved on the Scheme's assets may be lower than expected; and

n mortality - members could live longer than foreseen. This would mean that benefits are paid for longer than expected, increasing the value of the related liabilities.

In order to assess the sensitivity of the Scheme's pension liability to these risks, sensitivity analyses have been carried out. Each sensitivity analysis is based on changing one of the assumptions used in the calculations, with no change in the other assumptions. The same method has been applied as was used to calculate the original pension liability and the results are presented in comparison to that liability. It should be noted that in practice it is unlikely that one assumption will change without a movement in the other assumptions; there may also be some correlation between some of these assumptions. It should also be noted that the value placed on the liabilities does not change on a straight line basis when one of the assumptions is changed. For example, a 2.0% change in an assumption will not necessarily produce twice the effect on the liabilities of a 1.0% change.

No changes have been made to the method or to the assumptions stress-tested for these sensitivity analyses compared to the previous period. The investment strategy of the Scheme has been set with regard to the liability profile of the Scheme. However, there are no explicit asset-liability matching strategies in place.

Restriction of assets

No adjustments have been made to the statement of financial position items as a result of the requirements of IFRIC 14 issued by IASB's International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee.

Scheme amendments

There have not been any past service costs or settlements in the financial year ending 31 December 2018 (2017: none).

Funding policy

The funding method employed to calculate the value of previously accrued benefits is the Projected Unit Method. Following the cessation of accrual of benefits when the last active member left service in 2011, regular future service contributions to the Scheme are no longer required. However, additional contributions will still be required to cover any shortfalls that might arise following each funding valuation.

The most recent triennial full actuarial valuation was carried out at 1 April 2016, which showed that the market value of the Scheme's assets was GBP1,379,000 representing 80.7% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. As required by IAS 19 this valuation has been updated by the actuary as at 31 December 2018.

The amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position are as follows: -

 
                                                        2018      2017 
  Total underfunding in funded plans recognised       GBP000    GBP000 
  as a liability 
 
Fair value of plan assets                              1,361     1,469 
Present value of funded obligations                  (1,945)   (2,029) 
 
 
                                                       (584)     (560) 
 
 
 
                                                         2018      2017 
  Movement in the liability for defined benefit        GBP000    GBP000 
  obligations 
 
Opening defined benefit obligations at 1 January        2,029     2,034 
Benefits paid by the plan                                (65)      (68) 
Interest on obligations                                    52        54 
Actuarial (gain)/loss                                    (71)         9 
 
Liability for defined benefit obligations at 31 
 December                                               1,945     2,029 
 
 
 
                                                         2018      2017 
  Movement in plan assets                              GBP000    GBP000 
 
Opening fair value of plan assets at 1 January          1,469     1,420 
Expected return on assets                                  37        37 
Contribution by employer                                   41        41 
Actuarial (loss)/gain                                   (121)        39 
Benefits paid                                            (65)      (68) 
 
Closing fair value of plan assets at 31 December        1,361     1,469 
 
 
 
                                                 2018      2017 
  Expense recognised in income statement       GBP000    GBP000 
 
Interest on obligation                             52        54 
Expected return on plan assets                   (37)      (37) 
 
 
Total included in personnel costs                  15        17 
 
 
Actual return on plan assets                     (53)        76 
 
 
 
                                                             2018      2017 
  Actuarial gain recognised in other comprehensive         GBP000    GBP000 
  income 
 
Actuarial (loss)/gain on plan assets                        (121)        39 
Actuarial gain/(loss) on defined benefit obligations           71       (9) 
 
 
                                                               50        30 
 
 
 
                                        2018       2017 
Plan assets consist of the following       %          % 
 
Equity securities                         45         48 
Corporate bonds                           19         18 
Government bonds                          28         25 
Cash                                       4          5 
Other                                      4          4 
                                       ----- 
                                         100        100 
 
 
The actuarial assumptions used to                                     2018  2017  2016 
 calculate Scheme liabilities under 
 IAS19 are as follows: - 
                                                                         %     %     % 
 
Rate of increase in pension in payment: 
 - 
                                                                         -     -     - 
        *    Service up to 5 April 1997 
 
        *    Service from 6 April 1997 to 13 September 2005            3.0   3.0   3.1 
 
        *    Service from 14 September 2005                            2.1   2.1   2.1 
Rate of increase in deferred pensions                                  5.0   5.0   5.0 
Discount rate applied to scheme liabilities                            2.6   2.6   2.7 
Inflation                                                              3.1   3.1   3.2 
 
 

The assumptions used by the actuary are best estimates chosen from a range of possible assumptions, which due to the timescale covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice.

31. Called up share capital

 
Ordinary shares of no par value available for issue          Number 
At 31 December 2018                                     200,200,000 
At 31 December 2017                                     200,200,000 
 
 
Issued and fully paid: - Ordinary shares of no         Number  GBP000 
 par value 
At 31 December 2018                               131,096,235  20,732 
At 31 December 2017                               131,096,235  20,732 
 

There are four convertible loans of GBP3,410,000 (2017: GBP3,410,000) with no remaining warrants to exercise at 31 December 2018 (2017: GBPnil).

On 23 June 2014, 1,750,000 share options were issued to Executive Directors and senior management within the Group at an exercise price of 14 pence. The options vest over three years with a charge based on the fair value of 8 pence per option at the date of grant. The period of grant is for 10 years less 1 day ending 22 June 2024. Of the 1,750,000 share options issued, 1,050,000 (2017:1,050,000) remain outstanding; the balance lapsed during 2017.

Performance and service conditions attached to share options that have not fully vested are as follows: -

(a) The options granted on 25 June 2010 (1,056,000 options) will vest if the mid-market share price of GBP0.30 is achieved during the period of grant (10 years ending 25 June 2020); and

(b) The options granted on 25 June 2010 and 23 June 2014 require a minimum of three years' continuous employment service in order to exercise upon the vesting date.

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is based on the fair value of share options granted, measured using a binomial probability model with the following inputs for each award: -

 
                                                                    23 June    25 June 
                                                                       2014       2010 
 
 
Fair value at date of grant                                         GBP0.08    GBP0.03 
Share price                                                         GBP0.14    GBP0.11 
Exercise price                                                      GBP0.14    GBP0.11 
Expected volatility                                                   55.0%      47.0% 
Option life                                                               3          3 
Risk-free interest rate (based on government 
 bonds)                                                                0.5%       2.2% 
Forfeiture rate                                                       33.3%       0.0% 
 
 
 

The charge for the year for share options granted was GBPnil (2017: GBP22,000).

Analysis of changes in financing during the year

 
                                                             2018      2017 
  Analysis of changes in financing during the year         GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Balance at 1 January                                       29,727    27,478 
Issue of loan notes                                         6,876       450 
Issue of shares                                                 -     1,799 
 
                                                           36,603    29,727 
 
 
 

The 2018 closing balance is represented by GBP20,732,000 share capital (2017: GBP20,732,000) and GBP15,871,000 of loan notes (2017: GBP8,995,000).

32. Investment in Group undertakings

The Company has the following investments in subsidiaries incorporated in the Isle of Man: -

 
                                            Nature of   31 December         Date of        Total        Total 
                                             Business          2017   Incorporation         2018         2017 
  Carrying value                                          % Holding                       GBP000       GBP000 
   of investments 
 
 
 Conister Bank 
  Limited                  Asset and Personal Finance           100      05/12/1935       14,167       11,767 
 Edgewater Associates 
  Limited                           Wealth Management           100      24/12/1996        2,005        2,005 
 TransSend Holdings               Holding Company for 
  Limited                       Prepaid Card Division           100      05/11/2007            -            - 
 Bradburn Limited                     Holding Company           100      15/05/2009            -            - 
                                                                                          16,172       13,772 
 
 

Amounts owed to and from Group undertakings are unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

Subordinated loans

MFG has issued several subordinated loans as part of its equity funding into the Bank and EWA.

 
Company                                                      2018    2017 
Creation                Maturity            Interest rate  GBP000  GBP000 
 
Conister Bank Limited 
11 February 2014        11 February 2024    7.0%              500     500 
27 May 2014             27 May 2024         7.0%              500     500 
9 July 2014             9 July 2024         7.0%              500     500 
17 September 2014       17 September 2026   7.0%              400     400 
22 July 2013            22 July 2033        7.0%            1,000   1,000 
25 October 2013         22 October 2033     7.0%            1,000   1,000 
23 September 2016       23 September 2036   7.0%            1,100   1,100 
14 June 2017            14 June 2037        7.0%              450     450 
12 June 2018            12 June 2038        7.0%            2,000       - 
 
Edgewater Associates 
 Limited 
14 May 2012             14 May 2017         7.0%                -       - 
28 February 2013        28 February 2018    7.0%               50      50 
21 February 2017        21 February 2027    7.0%              150     150 
14 May 2017             14 May 2027         7.0%              128     128 
                                                            7,778   5,778 
 
 
                                                                  Group      Group 
  Goodwill                                                         2018       2017 
                                                                 GBP000     GBP000 
 
 
Edgewater Associates Limited ("EWA")                              1,849      1,849 
ECF Asset Finance PLC ("ECF")                                       454        454 
Three Spires Insurance Services Limited ("Three 
 Spires")                                                            41         41 
                                                                  2,344      2,344 
 
 
 

Goodwill impairment

The goodwill is considered to have an indefinite life and is reviewed on an annual basis by comparing its estimated recoverable amount with its carrying value.

The estimated recoverable amount in relation to the goodwill generated on the purchase of EWA is based on the forecasted 3 year cash flow projections, extrapolated to 10 years using a 2.0% annual increment, and then discounted using a 12.0% discount factor. The sensitivity of the analysis was tested using additional discount factors of 15.0% and 20.0% on stable profit levels.

The estimated recoverable amount in relation to the goodwill generated on the purchase of ECF is based on forecasted 3 year sales interest income calculated at 5.0% margin, extrapolated to 10 years using a 2.0% annual increment, and then discounted using a 12.0% discount factor. The sensitivity of the analysis was tested using additional discount factors of 15.0% and 20.0% on varying sales volumes.

There has been no change in the detailed method of measurement for EWA and ECF when compared to 2017. The goodwill generated on the purchase of Three Spires has been reviewed at the current year end and is considered adequate given its income streams referred to EWA. Based on the above reviews no impairment to goodwill has been made in the current year.

Acquisition of Incahoot Limited

On 6 March 2015, the business of Incahoot Limited was acquired by Manx Incahoot Limited, a subsidiary of the Group.

On 9 December 2016, a valuation was conducted by an independent firm of professional advisers on the intellectual property rights acquired for the purpose of including within these financial statements. The independent firm addressed the three levels of the IFRS fair value hierarchy and concluded that level 3 was most appropriate as the intellectual property rights acquired had no active markets (Level 1), or comparable assets against which to index prices (Level 2). Therefore, the report valued the intellectual property rights acquired based on internally generated data (Level 3) being: costs incurred to date and cash flow projections. The report averaged two valuation approaches, the replacement cost approach and the income approach using a discount factor of 42.5%, to arrive at a final valuation of GBP262,474. This created an impairment of GBP48,026. On 2 February 2018, the valuation was again updated which lead to a reduced valuation of GBP154,427. This created an additional impairment of GBP108,047.

The Directors performed an internal impairment assessment and consider the recoverable amount of the intellectual property rights to be GBP76,000 at 31 December 2018. The recoverable amount at 31 December 2017 was considered to be GBP154,427 based on an external valuation.

Investment in associates

 
                                            Group    Group 
                                             2018     2017 
                                           GBP000   GBP000 
 
 
The Business Lending Exchange ("BLX")          56       38 
Beer Swaps Limited ("BSL")                     10        - 
Pay It Monthly Ltd ("PIML")                    92        - 
                                              158       38 
 

On December 2017, 40.0% of the share capital of BLX was acquired for nil consideration. The Group's share of the associate's total comprehensive income during the year was GBP18,000.

On April 2018, 20% of the share capital of BSL was acquired for nil consideration. The Group's share of the associates total comprehensive income post acquisition and up to year-end was GBP10,000.

On August 2018, 30% of the share capital of PIML was acquired for GBP90,000 consideration. The Group's resulting share of the associates total comprehensive income post acquisition and up to year-end was GBP2,000.

33. Related party transactions

Cash deposits

During the year, the Bank held cash on deposit on behalf of Jim Mellon (Executive Chairman of MFG) and companies related to Jim Mellon and Denham Eke (Chief Executive Officer of MFG). Total deposits amounted to GBP173,157 (2017: GBP40,000), at normal commercial interest rates in accordance with the standard rates offered by the Bank.

Staff and commercial loans

Details of staff loans are given in note 22.

Normal commercial loans have been made to various companies connected to Jim Mellon and Denham Eke. As at 31 December 2018, GBP113,000 of capital and interest was outstanding (2017: GBP299,000).

Intercompany recharges

Various intercompany recharges are made during the course of the year as a result of the Bank settling debts in other Group companies. EWA provides services to the Group in arranging its insurance and defined contribution pension arrangements.

Loan advance to EWA

On 14 December 2016, a loan advance was made to EWA by the Bank in order to provide the finance required to acquire MBL (see note 25). The advance was for GBP700,000 at an interest rate of 8% repayable over 6 years. A negative pledge was given by EWA to not encumber any property or assets or enter into an arrangement to borrow any further monies. The balance as at 31 December 2018 was GBP508,000 (2017: GBP700,000).

Loan advance to BLX

On 11 October 2017, a GBP4,000,000 loan facility was made available to BLX by the Bank in order to provide the finance required to expand its operations. The facility is for 12 months, followed by a 3 year amortisation period. Interest is charged at commercial rates. At 31 December 2018, GBP2,520,000 (2017: GBP550,000) had been advanced to BLX.

Loan advance to BSL

On 27 April 2018, a GBP1,000,000 loan facility was made available to BSL by the Bank in order to provide the finance required to expand its operations. On 10 October 2018, this facility was increased to GBP1,500,000. The facility is for 12 months. Interest is charged at commercial rates. At 31 December 2018, GBP1,099,000 (2017: GBPnil) had been advanced to BSL.

Loan advance to PIML

On 24 May 2018, a GBP500,000 loan facility was made available to PIML by the Bank in order to provide the finance required to expand its operations. The facility is for 12 months. Interest is charged at commercial rates. At 31 December 2018, GBP322,000 (2017: GBPnil) had been advanced to PIML. Post-year-end on 6 February 2019, the facility was increased to GBP1,000,000.

Investments

The Bank holds less than 1% equity in the share capital of an investment of which Jim Mellon is a shareholder (note 21). Denham Eke acts as co-chairman.

Subordinated loans

The Company has advanced GBP7,450,000 (2017: GBP5,450,000) of subordinated loans to the Bank and GBP328,000 (2017: GBP328,000) to EWA at 31 December 2018.

Loan notes

See note 29 for a list of related party loan notes as at 31 December 2018 and 2017.

Key management remuneration including Executive Directors

 
                                   2018      2017 
                                 GBP000    GBP000 
 
 
Short-term employee benefits        297       300 
                               --------  -------- 
 

34. Operating leases

Non-cancellable lease rentals are payable in respect of property and motor vehicles as follows: -

 
                                              2018                    2017 
                                   Leasehold                Leasehold 
                                    Property       Other     Property      Other 
                                      GBP000      GBP000       GBP000     GBP000 
 
 
Less than one year                       214           -          178          - 
Between one and five years               790           -          738          - 
Over five years                          162           -          276          - 
 
 
                                       1,166           -        1,192          - 
 
 
 

35. Subsequent events

There were no significant subsequent events identified after 31 December 2018.

36. Financial risk management

A. Introduction and overview

The Group has exposure to the following risks from financial instruments:

n credit risk;

n liquidity risk;

n market risks; and

n operational risks.

i. Risk management framework

The Company's Board have overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group's risk management framework. The Board of Directors have established the Group Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee ('ARCC'), which is responsible for approving and monitoring Group risk management policies. ARCC is assisted in its oversight role by Internal Audit. Internal Audit undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the ARCC.

The Group's risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. The risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group's activities. The Group, though its training and management standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations.

B. Credit risk

'Credit risk' is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group's loans and advances to customers and investment debt securities. Credit risk includes counterparty, concentration, underwriting and credit mitigation risks.

Management of credit risk

The Bank's Board of Directors created the Credit Committee which is responsible for managing credit risk, including the following:

n Formulating credit policies in consultation with business units, covering collateral requirements, credit assessments, risk grading and reporting, documentary and legal procedures, and compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.

n Establishing the authorisation structure for the approval and renewal of credit facilities. Authorisation limits are allocated to in line with credit policy.

n Reviewing and assessing credit risk: The Credit Committee assesses all credit exposures in excess of designated limits, before facilities are committed to customers. Renewals and reviews of facilities are subject to the same review process.

n Limiting concentrations of exposures to counterparties, geographies and industries, by issuer, credit rating band, market liquidity and country (for debt securities).

n Developing and maintaining risk grading's to categorise exposures according to the degree of risk of default. The current risk grading consists of 3 grades reflecting varying degrees of risk of default.

n Developing and maintaining the Group's process for measuring ECL: This includes processes for:

o initial approval, regular validation and back-testing of the models used;

o determining and monitoring significant increase in credit risk; and

o incorporation of forward-looking information.

n Reviewing compliance with agreed exposure limits. Regular reports on the credit quality of portfolios are provided to the Credit Committee which may require corrective action to be taken.

C. Liquidity risk

'Liquidity risk' is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. Liquidity risk arises from mismatches in the timing and amounts of cash flows, which is inherent to the Group's operations and investments.

Management of liquidity risk

The Group's approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have enough liquidity to meet its liabilities when they are due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group's reputation. The key elements of the Group's liquidity strategy are as follows:

n Funding base: offering six-months to five-year fixed term deposit structure with no early redemption option. This means the Bank is not subject to optionality risk where customers redeem fixed rate products where there may be a better rate available within the market;

n Funding profile: the Bank has a matched funding profile and does not engage in maturity transformation which means that on a cumulative mismatch position the Bank is forecast to be able to meet all liabilities as they fall due;

n Monitoring maturity mismatches, behavioural characteristics of the Group's financial assets and financial liabilities, and the extent to which the Group's assets are encumbered and so not available as potential collateral for obtaining funding.

n Liquidity buffer: the Bank maintains a liquidity buffer of 10.0% of its deposit liabilities, with strict short-term mismatch limits of 0.0% for sight to three months and -5.0% for sight to six months. This ensures that the Bank is able to withstand any short-term liquidity shock; and

n Interbank market: the Bank has no exposure to the interbank lending market. The Bank has no reliance on liquidity via the wholesale markets. In turn, if market conditions meant access to the wholesale funding was constrained as per the 2008 credit crisis, this would have no foreseeable effect on the Bank.

n The Bank's liquidity position is monitored daily against internal and external limits agreed with the FSA and according to the Bank's Liquidity Policy. The Bank also has a Liquidity Contingency Policy and Liquidity Contingency Committee in the event of a liquidity crisis or potential liquidity disruption event occur.

The Treasury department receives information from other business units regarding the liquidity profile of their financial assets and financial liabilities and details of other projected cash flows arising from projected future business. Treasury then maintains a portfolio of short-term liquid assets, largely made up of short-term liquid investment securities, loans and advances to banks and other inter-bank facilities, to ensure that sufficient liquidity is maintained within the Group as a whole.

Regular liquidity stress testing is conducted under a variety of scenarios covering both normal and more severe market conditions. The scenarios are developed considering both Group-specific events and market-related events (e.g. prolonged market illiquidity).

D. Market risk

'Market risk' is the risk that changes in market prices - e.g. interest rates, equity prices, foreign exchange rates and credit spreads (not relating to changes in the obligor's/issuer's credit standing) will affect the Group's income or value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of the Group's market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters to ensure the Group's solvency while optimising the return on risk.

Management of market risks

Overall authority for market risk is vested in Assets and Liabilities Committee ("ALCO") who sets up limits for each type of risk. Group finance is responsible for the development of risk management policies (subject to review and approval by ALCO) and for the day-to-day review of their implementation.

Foreign exchange risk

The Bank is not subject to foreign exchange risks and its business is conducted in pounds sterling.

Equity risk

The Group has investment in associates of GBP158,000 (2017: GBP38,000) which are carried at cost adjusted for the Group's share of net asset value. The investment is audited annually and the Bank has access to these accounts. The Bank's exposure to market risk is not considered significant given the low carrying amount of the investment.

The Group's investment in listed equities is not considered significant.

Interest rate risk

The principal potential interest rate risk that the Bank is exposed to is the risk that the fixed interest rate and term profile of its deposit base differs materially from the fixed interest rate and term profile of its asset base, or basis and term structure risk.

Additional interest rate risk may arise for banks where (a) customers are able to react to market sensitivity and redeem fixed rate products and (b) where a bank has taken out interest rate derivate hedges especially against longer term interest rate risk, where the hedge moves against the bank.

Interest rate risk for the Bank is not deemed to be currently material due to the Bank's matched funding profile. Any interest rate risk assumed by the Bank will arise from a reduction in interest rates, in a rising environment due to the nature of the Bank's products and its matched funded profile. The Bank should be able to increase its lending rate to match any corresponding rise in its cost of funds, notwithstanding its inability to vary rates on its existing loan book. The Bank attempts to efficiently match its deposit taking to its funding requirements.

E. Operational risk

'Operational risk' is the risk of direct or indirect loss arising from a wide variety of causes associated with the Group's processes, personnel, technology and infrastructure, and from external factors other than credit, market and liquidity risks - e.g. those arising from legal and regulatory requirements and generally accepted standards of corporate behaviour. Operational risks arise from all of the Group's operations.

Management of operational risk

The Group's objective is to manage operational risk so as to balance the avoidance of financial losses and damage to the Group's reputation with overall cost effectiveness and innovation. In all cases, Group policy requires compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The Group has developed standards for the management of operational risk in the following areas:

n business continuity planning;

n requirements for appropriate segregation of duties, including the independent authorisation of transactions;

n requirements for the reconciliation and monitoring of transactions;

n compliance with regulatory and other legal requirements;

n documentation of controls and procedures;

n periodic assessment of operational risks faced, and the adequacy of controls and procedures to address the risks identified;

n requirements for the reporting of operational losses and proposed remedial action;

n development of contingency plans;

n training and professional development;

n ethical and business standards;

n information technology and cyber risks; and

n risk mitigation, including insurance where this is cost-effective.

Compliance with Group standards is supported by a programme of periodic reviews undertaken by Internal Audit. The results of Internal Audit reviews are discussed with ARCC

37. Basis of measurement

The financial statements are prepared on a historical cost basis, except for the following material items.

 
 
Items                                Measurement basis 
 
Financial instruments at FVPL        Fair value 
Financial assets at FVOCI            Fair value 
Net defined benefit asset/liability  Fair value of plan assets less 
                                      the present value of the defined 
                                      benefit obligation 
 

38. Significant accounting policies

Except for the changes explained in Note 5, the Group has consistently applied the following accounting policies to all periods presented in these financial statements.

A. Basis of consolidation of subsidiaries and separate financial statements of the Company

i. Business combinations

The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Group. The consideration transferred in the acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment. Any gain on a bargain purchase is recognised in profit or loss immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if they are related to issue of debt or equity securities.

ii. Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group 'controls' an entity if it is exposed to or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The Group reassesses whether it has control if there are changes to one or more of the elements of control. This includes circumstances in which protective rights held (e.g. those resulting from a lending relationship) become substantive and lead to the Group having power over an investee. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

iii. Loss of control

When the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related Non-Controlling Interest ("NCI") and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

iv. Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

v. Separate financial statements of the Company

In the separate financial statements of the Company, interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are accounted for at cost.

B. Interests in equity accounted investees

The Group's interests in equity accounted investees may comprise interests in associates and joint ventures.

Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A joint venture is an arrangement in which the Group has joint control, whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities.

Interests in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. They are initially recognised at cost, which includes transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the consolidated financial statements include the Group's share of the profit or loss and OCI of equity accounted investees, until the date on which significant influence or joint control ceases.

C. Foreign currency

Foreign currency assets and liabilities (applicable to the Conister Card Services division only) are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date. Transactions during the year are recorded at rates of exchange in effect when the transaction occurs. The exchange movements are dealt with in the income statement.

D. Interest

Interest income and expense are recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest rate method.

Effective interest rate

The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. The discount period is the expected life or, where appropriate, a shorter period. The calculation includes all amounts receivable or payable by the Group that are an integral part of the overall return, including origination fees, loan incentives, broker fees payable, estimated early repayment charges, balloon payments and all other premiums and discounts. It also includes direct incremental transaction costs related to the acquisition or issue of the financial instrument. The calculation does not consider future credit losses.

Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down as a result of impairment, subsequent interest income continues to be recognised using the original effective interest rate applied to the reduced carrying value of the financial instrument.

E. Fees and commission income

Fees and commission income other than that directly related to the loans is recognised over the period for which service has been provided or on completion of an act to which the fees relate.

Income in respect of fiduciary deposit taking is recognised on an accruals basis.

F. Programme costs

Programme costs are direct expenditure incurred in relation to prepaid card programmes. The costs are recognised over the period in which income is derived from operating the programmes.

G. Leases

Leases in which the Group is a lessor

Finance leases and HP contracts

When assets are subject to a finance lease or HP contract, the present fair value of the lease payments is recognised as a receivable. The difference between the gross receivable and the present value of the receivable is recognised as unearned finance income. HP and lease income is recognised over the term of the contract or lease reflecting a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the contract or lease. Initial direct costs, which may include commissions and legal fees directly attributable to negotiating and arranging the contract or lease, are included in the measurement of the net investment of the contract or lease at inception.

Operating leases

Assets held for operating leases are presented on the Statement of Financial Position according to the nature of the asset. Lease income is recognised over the lease term on a straight-line basis.

Leases in which the Group is a lessee

Operating leases

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

H. Income tax

Current and deferred taxation

Current taxation relates to the estimated corporation tax payable in the current financial year. Deferred taxation is provided in full, using the liability method, on timing differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred taxation is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax is realised. Deferred taxation assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

I. Financial assets and financial liabilities

i. Recognition and initial measurement

The Group initially recognises loans and advances, deposits, debt securities issued and subordinated liabilities on the date on which they are originated. All other financial instruments including regular-way purchases and sales of financial assets) are recognised on the trade date, which is the date on which the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

A financial asset or financial liability is measured initially at fair value plus, for an item not at FVTPL, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue.

ii. Classification

Financial assets

On initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at: amortised cost, FVOCI or FVTPL.

A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:

n the asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

n the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are SPPI.

A debt instrument is measured at FVOCI only if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as FVTPL:

n the asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and

n the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are SPPI.

On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, the Group may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in fair value in OCI. This election is made on an investment-by-investment basis.

All other financial assets are classified as measured at FVTPL.

In addition, on initial recognition, the Group may irrevocably designate a financial asset that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at amortised cost or at FVOCI as at FVTPL if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise.

Business model assessment

The group makes an assessment of the objective of a business model in which an asset is held at a portfolio level because this best reflects the way the business is managed and information provided to management.

Assessment of whether contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest

For the purposes of this assessment, 'principal' is defined as the fair value of the financial asset on initial recognition. 'Interest' is defined as consideration for the time value of money and for the credit risk associated with the principal amount outstanding during a particular period of time and for other basic lending risks and costs (e.g. liquidity risk and administrative costs), as well as profit margin.

In assessing whether the contractual cash flows are SPPI, the Group considers the contractual terms of the instrument. This includes assessing whether the financial asset contains a contractual term that could change the timing or amount of contractual cash flows such that it would not meet this condition.

Reclassifications

Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition, except in the period after the Group changes its business model for managing financial assets.

Financial liabilities

The Group classifies its financial liabilities, other than financial guarantees and loan commitments, as measured at amortised cost.

iii. Derecognition

Financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or in which the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not retain control of the financial asset.

On derecognition of a financial asset, the difference between the carrying amount of the asset (or the carrying amount allocated to the portion of the asset derecognised) and the sum of (i) the consideration received (including any new asset obtained less any new liability assumed) and (ii) any cumulative gain or loss that had been recognised in OCI is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial liabilities

The Group derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled, or expire.

iv. Modifications

Financial assets

If the terms of a financial asset are modified, then the Group evaluates whether the cash flows of the modified asset are substantially different.

If the cash flows are substantially different, the contractual rights to cash flows from the original financial asset are deemed to have expired. In this case, the original financial asset is derecognised and a new financial asset is recognised at fair value plus any eligible transaction costs.

If the cash flows are modified when the borrower is in financial difficulties, then the objective of the modification is usually to maximise recovery of the original contractual terms rather than to originate a new asset with substantially different terms. If the Group plans to modify a financial asset in a way that would result in forgiveness of cash flows, then it first considers whether a portion of the asset should be written off before the modification takes place. This approach impacts the result of the quantitative evaluation and means that the derecognition criteria are not usually met in such cases.

If the modification of a financial asset measured at amortised cost or FVOCI does not result in derecognition of the financial asset, then the Group first recalculates the gross carrying amount of the financial asset using the original effective interest rate of the asset and recognises the resulting adjustment as a modification gain or loss in profit or loss. Any costs or fees incurred and fees received as part of the modification adjust the gross carrying amount of the modified financial asset and are amortised over the remaining term of the modified financial asset. If such modification is carried out because of financial difficulties of the borrower, then the gain or loss is presented together with impairment losses. In other cases, it is presented as interest income calculated using the effective interest rate method.

Financial liabilities

The Group derecognises a financial liability when its terms are modified and the cash flows of the modified liability are substantially different. In this case, a new financial liability based on the modified terms is recognised at fair value. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognised and consideration paid is recognised in profit or loss. Consideration paid includes non-financial assets transferred, if any, and the assumption of liabilities, including the new modified financial liability.

If the modification of a financial liability is not accounted for as derecognition, then the amortised cost of the liability is recalculated by discounting the modified cash flows at the original effective interest rate and the resulting gain or loss I s recognised in profit or loss. Any costs and fee incurred are recognised as an adjustment of the carrying amount of the liability and amortised over the remaining term of the modified financial liability by re-computing the effective interest rate on the instrument.

v. Offsetting

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the Group currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the amounts and it intends either to settle them on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Income and expenses are presented on a net basis only when permitted under IFRS, or for gains and losses arising from a group of similar transactions such as in the Group's trading activity.

vi. Fair value measurement

'Fair value' is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or, in its absence, the most advantageous market to which the Group has access at the date. The fair value of a liability reflects its non-performance risk.

The Group recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

The Group measures fair values using the following fair value hierarchy, which reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements: -

n Level 1: inputs that are quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical instruments;

n Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices). This category includes instruments valued using: quoted market prices in active markets for similar instruments; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are considered less than active; or other valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable from market data; and

n Level 3: inputs that are unobservable. This category includes all instruments for which the valuation technique includes inputs not based on observable data and the unobservable inputs have a significant effect on the instrument's valuation. This category includes instruments that are valued based on quoted prices for similar instruments for which significant unobservable adjustments or assumptions are required to reflect differences between the instruments.

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities that are traded in active markets are based on quoted market prices or dealer price quotations. For all other financial instruments, the Group determines fair values using other valuation techniques.

For financial instruments that trade infrequently and have little price transparency, fair value is less objective, and requires varying degrees of judgement depending on liquidity, concentration, uncertainty of market factors, pricing assumptions and other risks affecting the specific instrument.

vii. Impairment

A financial instrument that is not credit-impaired on initial recognition is classified in 'Stage 1' and has its credit risk continuously monitored by the Group.

If a significant increase in credit risk ("SICR") since initial recognition is identified, the financial instrument is moved to 'Stage 2' but is not yet deemed to be credit-impaired.

n An SICR is always deemed to occur when the borrower is 30 days past due on its contractual payments. If the Group becomes aware ahead of this time of non-compliance or financial difficulties of the borrower, such as loss of employment, avoiding contact with the Group then an SICR has also deemed to occur.

n A receivable is always deemed to be in default and credit-impaired when the borrower is 90 days past due on its contractual payments or earlier if the Group becomes aware of severe financial difficulties such as bankruptcy, IVA, abscond or disappearance, fraudulent activity and other similar events.

If the financial instrument is credit-impaired, the financial instrument is then moved to 'Stage 3'. Financial instruments in Stage 3 have their ECL measured based on expected credit losses on an undiscounted lifetime basis.

The Group measures loss allowances at an amount equal to lifetime ECL, except for debt investment securities that are determined to have low credit risk at the reporting date for which they are measured as a 12-month ECL. Loss allowances for lease receivables are always measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECL.

12-month ECL are the portion of ECL that result from default events on a financial instrument that are possible within the 12 months after the reporting date. Financial instruments for which a 12-month ECL is recognised are referred to as 'Stage 1 financial instruments'.

Life-time ECL are the ECL that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument. Financial instruments for which a lifetime ECL is recognised but which are not credit-impaired are referred to as 'Stage 2 financial instruments'.

Measurement of ECL

After a detailed review, the Group devised and implemented an impairment methodology in light of the IFRS 9 requirements outlined above noting the following:

n The ECL was derived by reviewing the Group's loss rate and loss given default over the past 8 years by product and geographical segment.

n The Group has assumed that the future economic conditions will broadly mirror the current environment and therefore the forecasted loss levels in the next 3 years will match the Group's experience in recent years.

n For portfolios where the Group has never had a default in its history or has robust credit enhancements such as credit insurance or default indemnities for the entire portfolio, then no IFRS 9 provision is made. At year-end, 37.9% had such credit enhancements (2017: 41.7%).

n If the Group holds objective evidence through specifically assessing a credit-impaired receivable and believes it will go on to completely recover the debt due to the collateral held and cooperation with the borrower, then no IFRS 9 provision is made

ECL are probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. They are measured as follows:

n financial assets that are not credit-impaired at the reporting date: as the present value of all cash shortfalls (i.e. the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive);

n financial assets that are credit-impaired at the reporting date: as the difference between the gross carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows; and

n undrawn loan commitments: as the present value of the difference between the contractual cash flows that are due to the Group if the commitment is drawn down and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive.

Credit-impaired financial assets

At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost and debt financial assets carried at FVOCI, and finance lease receivables are credit-impaired (referred to as 'Stage 3 financial assets'). A financial asset is 'credit-impaired' when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.

Evidence that a financial asset is credit-impaired includes the following observable date:

n significant financial difficulty of the borrower or issuer;

n a breach of contract such as a default or past due event;

n the restructuring of a loan or advance by the Group on terms that the Group would not consider otherwise;

n it is becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation; or

n the disappearance of an active market for a security because of financial difficulties.

A loan that has been renegotiated due to a deterioration in the borrower's condition is usually considered to be credit-impaired unless there is evidence that the risk of not receiving contractual cash flows has reduced significantly and there are no other indicators of impairment. In addition, a retail loan that is overdue for 90 days or more is considered credit-impaired even when the regulatory definition of default is different.

In making an assessment of whether an investment in sovereign debt is credit impaired, the Group considers the following factors:

n the market's assessment of creditworthiness as reflected in the bond yields;

n the rating agencies' assessments of creditworthiness;

n the country's ability to access the capital markets for new debt issuance;

n the probability of debt being restructured, resulting in holders suffering losses through voluntary or mandatory debt forgiveness;

n The international support mechanisms in place to provide the necessary support as 'lender of last resort' to that country, as well as the intention, reflected in public statements, of governments and agencies to use those mechanisms. This includes an assessment of the depth of those mechanisms and, irrespective of the political intent, whether there is the capacity to fulfil the required criteria.

Presentation of allowance for ECL in the statement of financial position

Loss allowances for ECL are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

n financial assets measured at amortised cost: as a deduction from the gross carrying amount of the assets

n loan commitments: generally, as a provision;

n debt instruments measured at FVOCI: no loss allowance is recognised in the statement of financial position because the carrying amount of these assets is their fair value. However, the loss allowance is disclosed and is recognised in the fair value reserve.

Write-off

Loans and debt securities are written off (either partially or in full) when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering a financial asset in its entirety or a portion thereof. This is generally the case when the Group determines that the borrower does not have assets or sources of income that could generate sufficient cash flows to repay the amounts subject to the write-off. This assessment is carried out at the individual asset level.

Recoveries of amounts previously written off are included in 'impairment losses on financial instruments' in the statement of profit or loss and OCI.

Financial assets that are written off could still be subject to enforcement activities in order to comply with the Group's procedures for recovery of amounts due.

J. Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and deposit balances with an original maturity date of three months or less.

K. Loans and advances

Loans and advances' captions in the statement of financial position include:

n loans and advances measured at amortised cost (see 38 (I)): They are initially measured at fair value plus incremental direct transaction costs, and subsequently at their amortised cost using the effective interest method; and

n finance lease receivable (see 38 (G)).

L. Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation (see below). Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

The assets' residual values and useful economic lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date. An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, those components are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation and amortisation

Assets are depreciated or amortised on a straight-line basis, so as to write off the book value over their estimated useful lives. The useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangibles are as follows: -

Property, plant and equipment

Leasehold improvements to expiration of the lease

   IT equipment                                                                             4-5 years 
   Motor vehicles                                                                          2.5 years 
   Furniture and equipment                                                        4 -10 years 

M. Intangible assets and goodwill

i. Goodwill

Goodwill that arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

ii. Software

Software acquired by the Group is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Expenditure on internally developed software is recognised as an asset when the Group is able to demonstrate: that the product is technically feasible, its intention and ability to complete the development and use the software in a manner that will generate future economic benefits, and that it can reliably measure the costs to complete the development. The capitalised costs of internally developed software include all costs directly attributable to developing the software and capitalised borrowing costs, and are amortised over its useful life. Internally developed software is stated at capitalised cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Software is amortised on a straight-line basis in profit or loss over its estimated useful life, from the date on which it is available for use. Amortisation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate.

iii. Other

Intangible assets that are acquired by an entity and having finite useful lives are measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination, with an indefinite useful live are measured at fair value. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortised but instead are subject to impairment testing at least annually.

The useful lives of intangibles are as follows: -

Customer contracts and lists to expiration of the agreement

   Business intellectual property rights                                     4 years - indefinite 
   Website development costs                                                   indefinite 

Software 5 years

N. Impairment of non-financial assets

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its non-financial assets (other than deferred tax assets) to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

For impairment testing, assets are group together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that is largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or Cash Generating Units ("CGUs"). Goodwill arising from a business combination is allocated to CGUs or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

The 'recoverable amount' of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less cost to sell. 'Value in use' is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre=tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount.

The Group's corporate assets do not generate separate cash inflows and are used by more than one CGU. Corporate assets are allocated to CGUs on a reasonable and consistent basis and tested for impairment as part of the testing of the CGUs to which the corporate assets are located.

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. They are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU, and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. For other assets, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

O. Deposits, debt securities issued and subordinated liabilities

Deposits, debt securities issued and subordinated liabilities are the Group's sources of debt funding.

The Group classifies capital instruments as financial liabilities or equity instruments in accordance with the substance of the contractual terms of the instruments.

Deposits, debt securities issued and subordinated liabilities are initially measured at fair value minus incremental direct transaction costs, and subsequently measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fiduciary deposits received on behalf of clients by way of a fiduciary agreement are placed with external parties and are not recognised in the statement of financial position.

The Group could receive funds for its prepaid card activities. These funds would be held in a fiduciary capacity for the sole purpose of making payments as and when card-holders utilise the credit on their cards and therefore would not be recognised in the statement of financial position.

P. Employee benefits

i. Long term employee benefits

Pension obligations

The Group has pension obligations arising from both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans.

A defined contribution pension plan is one under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate fund and has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions. Defined benefit pension plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and remuneration.

Under the defined benefit pension plan, in accordance with IAS 19 Employee benefits, the full service cost for the period, adjusted for any changes to the plan, is charged to the income statement. A charge equal to the expected increase in the present value of the plan liabilities, as a result of the plan liabilities being one year closer to settlement, and a credit reflecting the long-term expected return on assets based on the market value of the scheme assets at the beginning of the period, is included in the income statement.

The statement of financial position records as an asset or liability as appropriate, the difference between the market value of the plan assets and the present value of the accrued plan liabilities. The difference between the expected return on assets and that achieved in the period, is recognised in the income statement in the year in which they arise. The defined benefit pension plan obligation is calculated by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method and a discount rate based on the yield on high quality rated corporate bonds.

The Group's defined contribution pension obligations arise from contributions paid to a Group personal pension plan, an ex gratia pension plan, employee personal pension plans and employee co-operative insurance plans. For these pension plans, the amounts charged to the income statement represent the contributions payable during the year.

ii. Share-based compensation

The Group maintains a share option programme which allows certain Group employees to acquire shares of the Group. The change in the fair value of options granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding change in equity. The fair value of the options is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options.

At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of options that are expected to vest and recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

The share option programme was originally set up for Group employees to subscribe for shares in Conister Trust Limited (now Conister Bank Limited). Since the Scheme of Arrangement, the shareholders of the Bank became shareholders of the Company. The share option programme is now operated by the Company. The fair value is estimated using a proprietary binomial probability model. The proceeds received, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium when the options are exercised.

Q. Share capital and reserves

Share issue costs

Incremental costs that are directly attributable to the issue of an equity instrument are deducted from the initial measurement of the equity instruments.

R. Earnings per share

The Group presents basic and diluted EPS data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit or loss that is attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Bank by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting profit or loss that is attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, which comprise share options granted employees.

S. Segmental reporting

A segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged either in providing products or services (business segment), or in providing products or services within a particular economic environment (geographical segment), which is subject to risks and rewards that are different from those of other segments. The Group's primary format for segmental reporting is based on business segments. An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with any of the Group's other components, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Group's chief operating decision maker (CODM) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available.

Segment results are reported to the Group's CEO (being the CODM) include items that are directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis.

39. Standards issued but not yet effective

A number of new standards are effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2018 and earlier application is permitted; however, the Group has not early adopted the new or amended standards in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

 
Standards                                                Effective date 
                                                            (accounting 
                                                                periods 
                                                          commencing on 
                                                              or after) 
IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (issued  1 January 2019 
 on 7 June 2017) 
Amendments to IFRS 9: Prepayment Features with Negative  1 January 2019 
 Compensation (issued on 12 October 2017) 
IFRS 16 Leases (issued on 13 January 2016)               1 January 2019 
 

Of those standards that are not yet effective, IFRS 16 is expected to have a material impact on the Group's financial statements in the period of initial application.

IFRS 16 Leases

The Group is required to adopt IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019. The Group has assessed the estimated impact that initial application of IFRS 16 will have on its consolidated financial statements, as described below. The actual impacts of adopting the standard on 1 January 2019 may change because:

n the Group has not finalised the testing and assessment of controls over its new IT systems; and

n the new accounting policies are subject to change until the Group presents its first financial statements that include the date of initial application.

IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognises a right-of use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. These are recognition exemptions for short-term leases and leases of low-value items. Lessor accounting remains similar to the current standard - i.e. lessors continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases.

IFRS 16 replaces existing leases guidance, including IAS 17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease, SIC-15 Operating Leases - Incentives and SIC-27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of a Lease.

Leases in which the Group is a lessor

No significant impact is expected for leases in which the Group is a lessor.

Leases in which the Group is a lessee

The group will recognise new assets and liabilities for its office premises and car parking sub-leases. As at 31 December 2018, the Group's future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases amounted to GBP1,166,000 (2017: 1,192,000) on an undiscounted basis. (see note 34)

Transition

The Group plans to apply IFRS 16 initially on 1 January 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. Therefore, the cumulative effect of adopting IFRS 16 will be recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at 1 January 2019, with no restatement of comparative information.

The Group plans to apply the practical expedient to grandfather the definition of a lease on transition. This means that it will apply IFRS 16 to all contracts entered into before 1 January 2019 and identified as leases in accordance with IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

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March 29, 2019 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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