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Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Arbuthnot latham
Arbuthnot Latham offers outstanding Private Banking and Wealth 
Management services with an emphasis on individual attention.

secure trust Bank
Secure Trust Bank provides banking and insurance products both direct  
to the consumer and through its branch network.

Arbuthnot securities
Arbuthnot Securities provides integrated Investment Banking services,  
creating value for its clients with market-leading advice.

Corporate Philosophy

 Chairman’s Statement
Private Banking – Arbuthnot Latham & Co.
Retail Banking – Secure Trust Bank
Investment Banking – Arbuthnot Securities
Financial Review
Board of Directors
Group Directors’ Report

01 
02  Group Highlights
04 
06 
08 
10 
12 
16 
18 
20   Corporate Governance
Remuneration Report
22 
Independent Auditor’s Report
24 
26   Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
27   Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
28   Company Statement of Financial Position
29   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
31   Company Statement of Changes in Equity
32   Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
33   Company Statement of Cash Flows
Principal Accounting Policies
34 
42  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
73  
74   Corporate Contacts & Advisers

Five Year Summary

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC

Arbuthnot has a 178 year history of serving its customers, as well as a long 
track record of profitability against the background of a continually changing 
environment. The ability of Arbuthnot to adapt and grow has come from 
managing the business through seven key principles developed over time. 

These principles, always applied with pragmatism and common sense, govern 
the activities of the Group, ranging from major strategic issues to smaller  
day-to-day operational matters.

“He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious” 

Sun Tzu, The Art of War  
circa 500 BC

1
Arbuthnot serves its shareholders, 
its customers and its employees 
with integrity and high ethical 
standards. This is expressed in  
a progressive dividend policy,  
in fair pricing and pay for 
performance.

2
Arbuthnot attaches great 
importance to good relations 
with customers and business 
partners, and treating them 
fairly and promptly. Arbuthnot 
believes in reciprocity.

3 
Arbuthnot is independent, and 
profit and growth oriented 
while maintaining a controlled 
risk profile.

4 
Arbuthnot’s approach is based 
on diversification, a long-term 
view, empowerment of 
management and a culture of 
rewards for achievements.

5 
Arbuthnot’s business is 
conducted in an innovative, 
flexible and entrepreneurial 
manner, with an opportunistic 
and counter-cyclical attitude.

6
Arbuthnot does not sacrifice 
long term prospects for short 
term gains – nor sacrifice 
stability for quick profits.

7
Ultimately, the success of 
Arbuthnot depends on the 
teamwork, commitment,  
and performance of its 
employees, combined with  
the determination to win.

The continued application of 
these principles will allow the 
business to pursue growth in a 
controlled manner, providing  
a high quality service to its 
customers whilst delivering 
good returns to shareholders 
and securing the well-being of 
its employees.

Henry Angest
Chairman & CEO

16 March 2011

01

 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Group Highlights

Arbuthnot Banking Group has made good progress in 2010. All of the Group’s 
core businesses traded profitably and made a positive contribution to the full 
year results.

Operating income

Total dividend per share

 £54.8m

2009   
£51.7m

23.0p

2009   
22.0p

Profit before tax 

Total assets

£5.1m

2009   
£5.1m

£ 565.1m

2009   
£452.5m

Profit attributable to Equity holders of the Company

Regulatory capital

£43.9m

2009   
£44.3m

  £3.7m

Basic earnings per share

25.0p

2009   
£3.5m

2009   
23.4p

02

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

The Group

Despite the well documented 
turmoil in the economy and  
the financial services sector,  
the Private Banking Division  
delivered good growth in  
its underlying core profitability.

The Retail Banking Division 
had a good year generating  
pre tax profits of £8.5m,  
which was a 19% growth in 
underlying profit after one off 
items.

Arbuthnot Latham provides a high quality 
private banking and wealth management 
service, consisting of three core elements:

Private Banking 
Private banking comprises current accounts, 
deposit accounts, loans, overdrafts and 
foreign exchange. Each client deals with 
a dedicated Private Banker who is key to 
providing an individual service. 

Wealth Planning
The wealth planning service is built  
on long-term relationships and bespoke 
financial strategies. The service is 
independent and fee, not commission 
based, with clients receiving a service 
covering estate and tax planning, 
pensions and wealth preservation and 
generation.

Investment Management
Our discretionary investment 
management service comprises asset 
management, developing tailored 
investment strategies to ensure that  
each client’s specific investment 
objectives are met.

Secure Trust Bank provides retail financial 
products through retail branches and 
directly via call centres. The core 
products are the “OneBill” household 
account, unsecured lending and savings 
accounts. 

“OneBill” Household Account 
The core product of Secure Trust Bank  
is the Moneyway “OneBill” account 
that enables customers to keep track  
of exactly how much of their money is 
spent on bills by offering a single bill 
solution and just one regular weekly  
or monthly payment. The account is 
typically used for utility bills, council 
tax bills, mortgage payments, subscriptions 
and insurance payments. 

Retail Banking 
Secure Trust Bank also provides a full 
range of banking services including 
personal loans, current and savings 
accounts, financial advice and its new 
Current Account. Combining these 
services with the “OneBill” account 
provides added convenience for customers 
in managing their financial affairs. 

ARBUTHNOT secURiTies

Arbuthnot Securities returned to 
profitability completing sixteen 
corporate transactions.

Arbuthnot Securities is a full service, 
integrated investment bank providing a 
full range of institutional stockbroking 
and corporate advisory services focused 
on UK growth companies comprising:

Corporate Finance
The Corporate Finance team specialises 
in providing financing and advisory 
solutions including stock market listings, 
mergers and acquisitions and public-to-
private transactions. 

Corporate Broking 
Provides advice and guidance to 
corporate clients on how to manage 
relationships and communicate with 
major institutional shareholders and 
advises on compliance in an ever 
increasing regulatory environment. 

Research 
Research provides a deep understanding 
of companies, the valuation of their 
securities and the environment in which 
they operate. 

Sales and Sales Trading 
The sales team maintains relationships and 
provides a specialist dealing service to all 
the significant institutional owners of 
equity in the UK and key international 
investors.

Market Making      
Provides liquidity to facilitate the 
execution of client business, as well as 
trading with other banks and brokers in 
the market for the firm’s own account.

03

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Chairman’s Statement

Arbuthnot Banking Group recorded a profit before tax of £5.1m for the year 
ended 31 December 2010 (2009: £5.1m).  All of the Group’s core businesses 
traded profitably and made a positive contribution to the full year result.

elements of our strategy involve 
diversification of businesses and of 
risk, and maintaining a strong and 
liquid balance sheet. 

their toxic assets or may engage again 
in risking their solvency by investing 
in high-yielding sovereign or other 
debt instruments of doubtful quality.

The most remarkable aspect of this 
crisis is the way that the blame – often 
expressed in the most hysterical and 
vindictive terms – was initiated and 
placed by the last Government squarely 
and almost exclusively onto the 
bankers. They exploited populist noise 
around some bankers’ remuneration to 
whip up an anti-banker hysteria and  
in so doing minimise their own 
responsibility and that of others for 
the disaster.

This demonisation of bankers has 
provided politicians with a convenient 
scapegoat. But, while it is true that 
some senior bankers behaved with 
appalling greed and took huge risks to 
enrich themselves, the vast majority of 

Although Group profit is 
satisfactory it does not fully reflect 
the progress that has been made this 
year in the two banking subsidiaries, 
which have seen substantial growth 
in deposits and lending and gained 
momentum in developing their fee-
related businesses. 

In keeping with our progressive 
dividend policy, the final dividend will 
be increased by 0.5p to 12p per share, 
making a dividend for the full year of 
23p (2009: 22p). 

In other words we sacrifice short-term 
profits to ensure long-term value and 
security. In 2010, for example, I estimate 
that to maintain liquidity we carried 
surplus deposits (placed in the money 
market at negligible interest rates rather 
than lent out to customers) which  
cost us in excess of £2 million in our 
Private Bank.

Arbuthnot is one of the few banking 
groups that came through the biggest 
financial crisis in living memory 
unscathed and in good shape.  
We did not need state support or new 
equity. It is no accident that we are in 
this strong position. Our culture and 
philosophy is to develop sustainable 
businesses for the long term. The key 

Arbuthnot is in its 178th year and  
our longevity is due to our culture and 
philosophy. This, I believe, makes us  
well qualified to pass comment on the 
current state of the banking industry. 
The crisis which began three years  
ago is not over yet. Many banks still 
depend on central banks for liquidity. 
Others may still not have written down 

04

 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

bankers were simply not in a position to 
influence the course of events in any 
meaningful way. They were not well 
placed to make judgements about the 
overall level of risk being taken by the 
national or global economy – that was 
principally the job of the politicians and 
the regulators. 

The outcry about bonuses epitomises the 
persecution of bankers. Speaking as perhaps 
the only senior banker who has never taken 
a bonus, it seems to me that these constant 
attacks threaten the whole future of the City 
of London, and we have to make up our 
minds. Do we want London to be a global 
centre of financial excellence, contributing 
over 11% of total revenue to the UK 
exchequer, or are we happy for London to 
be merely a regional player? If the former, 
we must accept that compensation will 
be set by global standards. It is interesting 
to note that the initiative of trying to 
surround remuneration with petty rules 
and unnecessary red tape is driven mainly 
by sclerotic European institutions; 
successful and growing economies like 
the USA, India and China seem much 
more hesitant in following suit. It is easy 
to forget how mobile financial institutions 
are and how much they value a 
welcoming environment.

Private Banking – Arbuthnot Latham & 
Co., Limited
Arbuthnot Latham’s pre-tax profits were 
£1.0m (2009: £0.2m). Market conditions 
for lending in the high net worth segment 
remain strong and as a result Arbuthnot 
Latham grew its lending to £211m at the 
year end (2009: £178m) whilst improving 
its interest margin and asset quality. 
This was a strong performance, despite 
the continuing impact of the cost of the 
Bank’s prudent liquidity policy and the 
start-up losses recorded by Gilliat 
Financial Solutions, the structured 
products business launched in 2009.

The loan to deposit ratio ended the year 
at 60%, a level the Board believed was 
appropriate to ensure liquidity for the last 
year’s economic environment. With rates 
for surplus funds in the money market 
still at historic lows, Arbuthnot Latham’s 
profits continue to be adversely affected. 

Gilliat, having shown improvement in 
the third quarter, experienced further 
income shortfalls in the final quarter. 
Gilliat negatively affected the result for 
Arbuthnot Latham by £0.6m in 2010 
(2009: £0.5m).

Central to Arbuthnot Latham’s strategy is 
the development of its fee-based earnings, 
and in this regard it is pleasing to report 
that both asset management and wealth 
planning performed well in 2010. 

Significant progress was also made in 
improving the take-up by banking clients 
of non-banking services.

Retail Banking – Secure Trust Bank PLC
Pre-tax profits for Secure Trust Bank 
were £8.5m (2009: £10.2m). Overall the 
business made good progress as the 
previous year’s result included a one off 
gain of £1.1m and this year’s result was 
adversely affected by the cost of carrying 
surplus deposits (£1.7m), and by the 
costs associated with restructuring the 
management team (£0.7m). 

During the year the business further 
developed its three main lending activities. 
The motor finance loan book grew to £31.3m 
at the year end (2009: £4.7m). Point-of-sale 
asset finance, based mainly on musical 
instrument and bicycle retailers, grew its 
loan book to £21.4m (2009: £6.4m). 
Personal loans, mainly to OneBill or 
broker-introduced customers, grew to 
£25.8m (2009: £14.8m). All three of these 
areas remain very attractive markets for 
further expansion in 2011 and beyond.

The portfolios of books acquired in 
2009 continue to be collected out in line 
with expectations, and with no evidence  
of deterioration in bad debt experience.

The current account with prepaid card 
was relaunched late in 2010 with a 
customer reward scheme arranged in 
conjunction with a portfolio of well 
known retailers to offset the monthly 
charge. Current account numbers have 
grown to 9,576 (2009: 2,740).

Investment Banking – Arbuthnot Securities 
Limited
Arbuthnot Securities recorded a profit of 
£1.0m (2009: loss of £0.1m). Having 
experienced a very difficult third quarter, 
trading in the final quarter saw a marked 
improvement, with corporate finance 
finishing the year strongly.

In former years, revenues in this business 
have depended heavily on contributions 
from the investment funds and natural 
resources sector teams. In 2010, these 
sectors made minimal contributions, and 
the result was attributable to a doubling 
in revenues by the remaining parts of the 
business.

Twelve transactions, including the 
£30.6m IPO of Shaft Sinkers Holdings 
PLC, were completed in the second half  
of the year, compared with four in the 
first half. For the year as a whole, 
primary revenue was £9.1m (2009: 
£9.2m).

Commission income continued to be 
challenging, with a continuing fall in 
market volumes and an increasing use  
by clients of Direct Market Access. 
Nevertheless, net secondary revenue 
(commission and trading) increased to 
£7.2m (2009: £6.9m).

Board Changes and Personnel
We were pleased to announce the 
appointment to the Board of Paul Lynam 
on 13 September. Paul joined as Chief 
Executive of Secure Trust Bank, replacing 
Gary Jennison, who resigned from the 
Board on 10 May. Sir Michael Peat 
resigned from the Board on 11 March 
2010 for personal reasons. We are most 
grateful to him for the contribution he 
made during his time on the Board and 
we hope he will rejoin us one day.

These results reflect once again the 
continuing dedication and commitment of 
our employees who have done well in the 
current environment. On behalf of the 
Board I extend our thanks to all staff for 
their contribution in 2010. I extend 
particular thanks to my PA, Pat Tottenham, 
for her exceptional loyalty and dedication 
as she completed 50 years of service at 
Arbuthnot on 16 December 2010.

Dividend
The Board is proposing a final dividend 
of 12p, an increase of 0.5p on last year, 
making a total dividend for the year of 
23p (2009: 22p). If approved, the dividend 
will be paid on 13 May 2011 to shareholders 
on the register as at 15 April 2011.

Outlook
Our retail and private banking businesses 
are liquid and well-capitalised, and are 
operating in banking markets which 
continue to be favourable to us. Both 
businesses are making good progress in 
developing their client networks and their 
fee-based services. Our investment banking 
business is clearly improving the quality 
of its franchise. Whilst maintaining the 
important caveats of the fragile status of 
the geopolitical and economic environment, 
we are optimistic about the outlook for 2011.

Henry Angest
Chairman & CEO

05

 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Key Facts

Arbuthnot Latham increased its profitability, with the focus on its core private 
banking and wealth proposition.

Operating and other income

Customer loans

£16.9m

2009   
£15.8m

 £210.8m

2009   
£178.3m

Operating expenses

Customer deposits

 £14.9m

2009   
£14.4m

 £349.5m

2009   
£292.0m

Profit before tax

Total Assets

£1.0m

Net customer margin 

4.0%

2009   
£0.2m

2009   
3.5%

£417.9m

2009   
£370.1m

Loan to deposit 

 60% 

2009   
61%

Lending: Prudent management of the 
balance sheet allowed Arbuthnot 
Latham to remain open to new lending 
opportunities.  

Wealth: Focus on enhancing the wealth 
management proposition for our clients 
progressed well across both wealth 
planning and discretionary investment 
management.

Service: Establishing and maintaining 
strong relationships with clients and 
professional partners remains central  
to the business. 

06

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Arbuthnot Latham & Co

Arbuthnot Latham’s pre-tax profits 
were £1m (2009: £0.2m). The bank 
has two component business lines  
with a common management team: 
Arbuthnot Latham, the private bank, 
which seeks to provide private banking 
services and wealth management 
solutions to its clients; and Gilliat 
Financial Solutions, a business which 
designs, packages and distributes 
structured products to the financial 
intermediary market.

The private banking business 
performed well, contributing pre-tax 
profits of £1.7m in 2010 with market 
conditions for lending in the high net 
worth segment remaining favourable. 
Arbuthnot Latham grew its lending by 
£33m to £211m, a 19% growth on 
2009. Both interest margin and the 
quality of collateral held as security 
improved during the year. In line with 
the long-held policy of the Bank, all 
lending operations were financed by 

client deposits rather than through the 
inter-bank market. Deposits increased 
20% year-on-year to £349m. The loan 
to deposit ratio ended the year at 60%, 
a level the business believes is appropriate 
to ensure liquidity for the current 
economic environment. The bad debt 
experience continued to be favourable, 
at less than 0.5% of the book.

Arbuthnot Latham’s prudent approach 
to lending and liquidity management 
entails costs to the business which are 
incurred in order to ensure the security 
and stability of the Bank. Surplus funds 
are mainly invested in the money 
market where rates remain at historic 
lows, and significantly below rates 
paid to depositors. 

During 2010 considerable management 
attention has focused on expanding the 
asset management and wealth planning 
offering, and on extending the take-up 
of these services by private banking 

clients. As a result discretionary assets 
under management grew by 26%. 
Total customer assets including deposits 
reached approximately £1 billion.

Gilliat Financial Solutions reduced 
Arbuthnot Latham’s profits by £0.6m 
(2009: £0.5m). This business was a 
start-up in 2009. The early stage losses 
were exacerbated by a number of issues 
arising elsewhere in the structured 
products industry which undermined 
public confidence in these products.  
In response, a major cost reduction 
exercise was undertaken. In the third 
quarter of 2010, sales improved 
substantially and it delivered a break-
even result, but further sales shortfalls 
occurred in the fourth quarter. 

07

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Key Facts

Secure Trust Bank is creating embedded value in its niche portfolios.  
The Current Account now has an attractive cash reward scheme paying up to 4%.

Operating income

Customer loans – unsecured

 £24.0m

2009   
£22.1m

 £89.2m

2009   
£51.4m

Operating expenses

Customer deposits

 £13.3m

2009   
£11.8m

 £153.8m

2009   
£93.4m

Profit before tax

Customer numbers

 £8.5m

Net interest margin 

 14.2%

2009   
£10.2m

2009   
15.1%

96,000

2009   
70,000

Cost income  ratio

 0.47

2009   
0.45

June 2010 Secure Trust Bank is named 
‘Partner of the Year’ by the Association 
of Cycle Traders. In addition to helping 
consumers finance their bikes, we also 
help businesses by financing their sales.

August 2010 Secure Trust Bank is 
recognised with an award from Employee 
Benefits Magazine for the Best use of a 
Voluntary Flexible Employee Benefits 
scheme and Communications Strategy 
of the Year for employers with less  
that 5,000 staff.

November 2010 Secure Trust Bank 
launched the Secure Trust Bank 
Rewards Scheme which is estimated  
to generate £25 worth of cash rewards 
for a typical household per month.

08

 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Secure Trust Bank

The pre-tax profits of Secure Trust 
Bank were £8.5m (2009: £10.2m). 
Overall the business made good 
progress as the result for 2009 
benefitted from the write back of a 
£1.1m provision carried over from the 
sale of the insurance business and in 
2010 the profits were affected by two 
adverse factors. When allowance is 
made for all three items, it becomes 
evident that the underlying business 
performed well in 2010.

The first adverse factor which affected 
profits arose from the carrying of 
surplus deposits. Having successfully 
completed the acquisition of two loan 
portfolios in 2009, Secure Trust Bank 
was in advanced negotiations to make 
further such acquisitions and raised 
sufficient funds to finance them. In the 
event, it proved unable to complete the 
acquisitions and, despite reducing 
headline deposit interest rates, carried 
a significantly higher level of deposits 
than it was able to deploy in the business 
for much of 2010. It is estimated that 
the cost of those surplus deposits was 
approximately £1.7m.

The second adverse factor was the  
cost of restructuring the management 
team, involving the departure of both 
the Chief Executive and his deputy.  
We were very pleased to announce the 
appointment of Paul Lynam as Chief 

Executive on 13 September 2010. 
Overall, the costs associated with 
restructuring the management team 
amounted to £0.7m.

the process of extending this relationship 
to their retail customers. Overall, point-
of-sale finance balances amounted to 
£21.4m at the year end (2009: £6.4m).

During the year the Bank’s lending 
operations achieved very strong, 
controlled, organic growth. Motor 
finance, a business which we entered 
cautiously during 2009, grew to a 
book of £31.3m at 31 December 2010 
(2009: £4.7m). This business, which 
focuses on the near prime market 
segment, substantially expanded its 
network of brokers and dealers to  
the point where it now has national 
coverage and a fully independent  
sales force.

Secure Trust Bank entered the market 
for point-of-sale asset finance in a 
small way in 2009 when it took  
over Arbuthnot Latham’s musical 
instrument finance business. It has 
doubled the size of the point-of-sale 
asset finance book in 2010, after 
adding two new business streams.  
It entered the cycle finance business 
when it took over from a clearing bank 
an arrangement put in place by the 
Association of Cycle Traders to 
provide finance to customers of their 
members. Also, it began to provide 
point-of-sale finance, in conjunction 
with RentSmart, to business customers 
of PC World and Currys. It is now in 

The portfolios of books acquired in 
2009 continue to be collected out in 
line with expectations, with the 
balance outstanding declining to 
£10.8m at 31 December 2010 (2009: 
£25.5m). There has been no evidence 
of deterioration in the bad debt 
experience for these books.

Late in 2010 the current account with 
a prepaid Mastercard product was 
relaunched. It now comes with the 
added benefit of a reward scheme 
which pays a monthly cash sum, of up 
to 4%, based on a customer’s spend  
on their Mastercard at qualifying 
retailers. In addition, the account has 
full online capabilities. As a result, 
account openings have exceeded 1,000 
per month, and the total stock of live 
accounts at the end of the year was 
9,576 (2009: 2,740).

As anticipated, OneBill customer 
numbers continue to decline over time, 
however, the growth of profit streams 
developed over the last two years 
means that this product is becoming 
progressively less significant to the 
profitability of the business.

09

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Key Facts

Arbuthnot Securities returned to profitability and continues to enhance  
the quality of its business.

Corporate finance fees

Operating expenses

 £9.1m

2009   
£9.2m

 £16.0m

Brokerage fees

Profit/(loss) before tax

 £3.7m

2009   
£4.1m

 £1.0m

Gains less losses from dealing in securities

Aggregate book

 £4.5m

Corporate clients 

 75

2009   
£3.7m

2009   
93

£4.0m

Headcount 

 72

2009   
£17.0m

2009   
£(0.1)m

2009   
£3.6m

2009   
72

AIM Survey: Arbuthnot Securities won 
“AIM Broker of the Year” at the Growth 
Company Awards, and completed its 
sixth annual AIM Survey covering both 
corporates and fund managers.

Corporate: completed sixteen corporate 
transactions during the year including 
the main market IPO of Shaft Sinkers 
Holdings PLC.

Research: A number of sectoral 
appointments have been made 
including Real Estate, Support Services, 
Technology, Small Companies and 
Natural Resources. Craig Fraser was 
appointed Head of Research.

10

 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Arbuthnot Securities

Arbuthnot Securities returned to profit 
for the first time since 2007. Profits for 
the year to December 2010 were £1.0m 
(2009: loss of £0.1m).

In previous years, revenues in our 
securities business have benefited 
significantly from contributions from 
the investment funds and natural 
resources sector teams, both of which 
left during 2010. In their absence,  
the remaining parts of the business 
showed a dramatic improvement in 
performance. On an ongoing basis, 
corporate finance revenues increased 
by 117%, and secondary revenue 
(trading and commission) by 83%.

Twelve corporate transactions, including 
the £30.6m raise associated with the 
IPO of Shaft Sinkers Holdings PLC, 
were completed in the second half of 
the year, compared with four in the 
first half. For the year as a whole, 
primary revenue was £9.1m (2009: 
£9.2m). Those fundraisings completed 
in the year also generated good returns 

for investors with all stocks trading at 
a premium. Taken as a whole, we are 
delighted that the combined absolute 
return for all our fundraises completed 
during 2010 was a gain of 128% at the 
year end. 

For the second successive year the 
trading book performed very strongly, 
recording a profit of £4.4m (£3.7m). 
The book is still managed at the low 
level to which it was reduced by 
management actions in 2008.

The number of corporate clients at the 
year end was 75 compared with 93 at 
the prior year end. This reduction is 
largely attributable to the departure  
of the investment funds and natural 
resources teams. Encouragingly, however, 
a number of good client wins have 
been reported since the year end.  
The quality of our AIM client base 
also improved during the year. The 
average market capitalisation of the 
AIM client base increased to £32m  
by the year end (2009: £17m).

Commission income has remained 
challenging, with the continuing low 
market volumes and increasing use of 
Direct Market Access (DMA) by clients. 
Excluding the two departed teams, 
underlying commissions rose by 8%.

Since the year end Arbuthnot 
Securities has completed a £25m fund 
raising for MAM Funds plc, and a 
number of other significant corporate 
finance transactions are being worked 
on (although, as ever, their outcome 
remains uncertain). Secondary market 
conditions remain difficult. The business 
has recruited in the investment funds 
and natural resources sectors and 
continues to hire actively where there 
is an opportunity to upgrade staff or 
expand the research product. Costs in 
the business remain carefully controlled, 
with headcount ending the year 
unchanged at 72 (2009: 72).

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Financial Review

Arbuthnot Banking Group adopts a conservative approach to  
risk taking and seeks to maximise long term revenues and returns. 
Given its relative size, it is able to remain entrepreneurial and capable 
of taking advantage of market opportunities when they arise.

It provides a range of financial services to customers and clients  
in its three chosen niche markets of Private Banking (Arbuthnot 
Latham), Investment Banking (Arbuthnot Securities) and Retail 
Banking (Secure Trust Bank). The Group’s revenues are derived 
from a combination of net interest income from its lending, 
deposit-taking and money market activities, fees for services provided 
to customers and clients, commissions earned on the sale of financial 
instruments and products and equity market-making profits. 

Highlights

Summarised Income Statement 

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Gains less losses from dealing in securities 
(Group and Arbuthnot Securities) 
Operating income 
Other income 
Operating expenses 
Impairment losses 
Profit on continuing activities 
before income tax 
Basic earnings per share (pence) 

2010 

2009

£000 
21,138  
29,293  

£000
16,916  
31,021 

4,320  
54,751  
1,131  
(47,632)  
(3,146)  

3,763 
51,700  
2,118 
(46,400)
(2,368)

5,104  
25.0  

5,050  
23.4

The Group has experienced two very different types of market 
conditions across its trading divisions. The lending markets are 
currently notable for the lack of capacity available to borrowers, 
which has arisen while the larger banks repair their damaged 
balance sheets. At the same time, the ability of borrowers to 
service their commitments seems to be holding up, resulting in  
the level of bad debts remaining low.

During this time our Private and Retail Banking businesses have 
taken the opportunity to develop their lending into niche areas  
and deepen customer relationships. We believe this will allow us to 
remain competitive when lending capacity returns to the market.

The corporate markets have remained volatile and while the level 
of IPOs and fundraising has increased during 2010, this activity 
has been confined to a few sectors. The level and the terms of trade 
in the secondary market have deteriorated, leading to lower 
commission throughout the industry. Given these factors it is 
therefore a creditable performance by our Investment Banking 
business to return to profitability during 2010. In fact all three 
businesses have reported a profit and generated good improvement 
in the quality of their underlying earnings.

Overall the Group made a profit before tax of £5.1m the same as 
reported in the prior year. However, once the impact of the provisions 
related to the sale of insurance business released in the prior year 
(£1.1m), the cost of carrying surplus deposits and management 
restructuring in the Retail Bank (£1.7m) and (£0.7m) respectively 
are adjusted for, the underlying profitability improved by 85%

12

Operating income increased during the year by 6% offset by 
expense growth of only 3% giving an organic operating leverage 
improvement of net 3%. 

Balance Sheet Strength 

Summarised Balance Sheet 

Assets 
Loans and advances to customers 
Liquid assets 
Other assets 
Total assets 

Liabilities 
Customer deposits 
Other liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Equity 
Total equity and liabilities 

2010 

£000 

2009

£000

300,252  
228,971  
35,887 
565,110  

229,722 
182,441 
40,352 
452,515 

503,257  
27,705 
530,962  
34,148  
565,110  

385,999 
32,373 
418,372  
34,143  
452,515  

The total assets of the Group increased by 25% due to the 
continued growth in our lending businesses and also as a result 
of the surplus deposits, which are held as liquid assets. 

The Group’s total assets now exceed half a billion pounds for the 
first time in its history closing at £565.1m (2009: £452.5m) and 
customer assets now exceed £300m.

Customer deposits grew by 30% during the year to close at 
£503.3m. The Group continues with its conservative funding 
policy, remaining entirely funded by retail deposits and closed 
with a loan to deposit ratio of 59.7% (2009: 59.5%).

Segmental Analysis
The segmental analysis in Note 36 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements of the Annual Report highlights the disclosures 
required under IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’. The operating 
segments are Private Banking (Arbuthnot Latham), International 
Private Banking (Arbuthnot AG), Investment Banking (Arbuthnot 
Securities) and Retail Banking (Secure Trust Bank). Group costs 
and intercompany elimination journals are shown separately to 
reconcile back to the Group consolidated result. The analysis 
presented below, and in the business review, is prior to any 
consolidation adjustments to remove the impact of intergroup 
operating activities and also intergroup recharges and is a fair 
reflection of the way the Directors manage the Group. 

Private Banking – Arbuthnot Latham 

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Operating income 
Other income 
Operating expenses 
Impairment losses 
Profit before tax 

2010 

2009

£000 
9,380 
5,049 
14,429 
2,491 
(14,896) 
(979) 
1,045 

£000
8,880 
4,184 
13,064 
2,755 
(14,434) 
(1,179) 
206  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

The profit before tax increased to £1m (2009: £0.2m) as the core 
Private Banking business began to see the results of the market 
opportunities that have arisen during the financial crisis. It has 
been able selectively to lend to a better quality of proposition, 
while improving yields.

Also the fully rounded customer proposition has continued to  
be developed, with growth not only in customer deposits, but  
the successful introduction of these customers to more advisory 
services and discretionary management as a consequence fees 
and commission income shows a 21% increase to £5m.  

Profitability continues to be reduced as a result of the low returns 
earned on the surplus deposits that are invested in the interbank 
market.

Impairment losses declined during the year. As a result, the core 
banking business closed the year with total profits before tax of 
£1.7m (2009: £0.7m).

Offsetting this was the continued investment in Gilliat Financial 
Solutions which cost the Private Banking division a further 
£0.6m net (the Group also absorbed Gilliat costs of £0.3m 
during the year).

2010 

£000 

2009

£000

Assets 
Advances  
Liquid assets 
Other assets (including Group companies) 
Total assets 

210,753 
182,512 
24,588 
417,853 

178,297 
164,913 
26,858 
370,068 

Liabilities 
Customer deposits  
Other liabilities
(including Group companies) 
Total liabilities 
Equity 
Total equity and liabilities 

349,478 

292,026 

45,452 
394,930 
22,923 
417,853 

54,997 
347,023 
23,045 
370,068 

Total assets increased by 13% to £417.9m (2009: £370.1m) as 
the customer lending portfolio increased by 19%. The loan to 
value on this portfolio remains at an extremely robust level of 47%. 

The liability side of the balance sheet continued to see strong net 
inflows of new deposits growing by 20% to close at £349.5m 
(2009: £292m) this performance is even better when it is noted 
that £30m of deposits have been converted to assets under 
management as the relationships with customers have been 
deepened.

The Private Bank remains well capitalised maintaining a total 
capital ratio of 13.1% (2009: 11.2%) and a core tier 1 ratio of 
11.1% (2009: 8.8%).

International Private Banking – Arbuthnot AG 
Cost associated with the ongoing establishment of the Swiss 
Bank fell to £0.1m (2009: £0.5m) as the costs have mainly been 
covered by a third party who, subject to regulatory approval, 
intends to invest in the Swiss bank.  

Retail Banking – Secure Trust Bank 

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Operating income 
Income released relating to 
sale of business in prior year 
Operating expenses 
Impairment losses 
Profit before tax 

2010 

£000 
12,464  
11,489  
23,953 

2009

£000
8,587
13,505 
22,092 

– 

(13,275)  
(2,167)  
8,511 

1,132
(11,816) 
(1,189) 
10,219 

Profit before tax reduced to £8.5m (2009: £10.2m) however, this 
does not reflect the improvement in the underlying quantity and 
quality of the earnings of the business. 

If the following items are discounted from the comparisons,  
a) Release of provisions in the prior year (£1.1m), b) The cost  
of the surplus liquidity carried in the business (£1.7m) and  
c) The cost of restructuring the management team (£0.7m) then 
the underlying business grew by 19%.

This growth is mainly a result of the increased levels of activity 
in the lending business, which now has three main product areas, 
asset finance, personal lending and acquired portfolios. It is intended 
to create diversified and balanced growth in our lending books 
which will serve the business well, when the market becomes 
more competitive.

It is important for the business to maintain its sources of fee 
income and the current account with a pre-paid card is beginning 
to offset some of the continued decline in revenues from the One 
Bill account. The current account closed the year with 9,576 
open accounts (2009: 2,740) and OneBill closed the year with 
31,720 open accounts (2009: 36,104).

2010 

£000 

2009

£000

Assets 
Asset finance 
 Motor vehicles 
 Cycles 
 Musical instruments 
 Personal computers 

31,270 
8,984 
7,274 
5,118 
52,646 
25,847 
Personal lending 
10,723 
Acquired portfolios 
Liquid assets 
45,144 
Other assets (including Group companies)  42,647 
177,007 
Total assets 

Liabilities 
Customer deposits 
Other liabilities (including Group companies) 
Total liabilities 
Equity 
Total equity and liabilities 

153,778 
7,212 
160,990 
16,017 
177,007 

4,680
-
6,438
-
11,118
14,841
25,465 
16,615 
46,028
114,067 

93,350
6,177 
99,527
14,540 
114,067  

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Financial Review

During this year the asset finance business increased its portfolio 
size by 374% to close at a total of £52.6m. This growth was 
largely due to the Motor vehicle portfolio which closed the year 
at £31.3m. However, this growth was augmented by the launch 
of our cycle and personal computer lending portfolios which 
grew to £9m and £5.1m respectively.

The personal lending portfolio grew by 74% to close at £25.8m 
as the business was able to source new business from online 
brokers and offer new financing to customers from the acquired 
portfolios. The acquired portfolios reduced to £10.7m as the 
customers continued to repay their loans according to our 
expectations.

Customer deposit balances increased by 65% to £153.8m.

Investment Banking - Arbuthnot Securities 

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Gains less losses from dealing in securities 
Operating income 
Operating expenses 
Profit / (loss) before tax 

2010 

2009

£000 
(232) 
12,844 
4,456 
17,068 
(16,029) 
1,039 

£000
(152)
13,350 
3,662 
16,860 
(17,007)
(147)  

The business returned to profitability recording a profit before 
tax of £1m (2009: £0.1m loss).

As noted in the business review the Investment Banking division 
has in the past relied heavily on the contributions of two sector 
teams. These teams departed during 2010 and in their absence 
the remaining parts of the business were able to generate the 
same levels of operating income, but with a reduced cost base.

Primary revenues remained unchanged at £9m with the business 
completing sixteen corporate transactions, twelve of which  
were finalised in the second half. The secondary revenues also 
remained at approximately the same levels as in the prior year, 
but with the slightly different mix between trading and 
commission revenues.

The non controlling interest remained unchanged at 40.4% and 
therefore the Group’s resultant share is 59.6%.

Group & Other Costs 

Operating Income 
Other income 
Group costs  
Group head office property costs 
Subordinated loan stock interest 
Total Group & other costs 
Loss before tax 

2010 

£000 
(75) 
227 
(4,039) 
(1,020) 
(483) 
(5,542) 
(5,390) 

2009

£000
302
157
(3,590)
(973)
(618)
(5,181)
(4,722)  

The Group costs increased by 14% to £5.4m (2009: £4.7m).  
This was due to higher salary costs and the reduction in the  
fair value of securities held. The Group also made a further 
contribution of £0.3m (2009: £0.5m) to the investment in  
Gilliat Financial Solutions.

Capital
The Group’s capital management policy is focused on optimising 
shareholder value over the long term. There is a clear focus on 
delivering organic growth and ensuring capital resources are 
sufficient to support planned levels of growth. The Board 
regularly reviews the capital position.

In accordance with the EU’s Capital Requirements Directive 
(CRD) and the required parameters set out in the FSA Handbook 
(BIPRU 2.2), the Individual Capital Adequacy Assessment 
Process (ICAAP) is embedded in the risk management framework 
of the Group and is subject to ongoing updates and revisions 
when necessary. However, at a minimum, the ICAAP is updated 
annually as part of the business planning process. The ICAAP is 
a process that brings together the management framework (i.e. 
the policies, procedures, strategies, and systems that the Group 
has implemented to identify, manage and mitigate its risks) and 
the financial disciplines of business planning and capital 
management. 

The Group’s regulated entities are also the principal trading 
subsidiaries as detailed in Note 35.

Not all material risks can be mitigated by capital, but where 
capital is appropriate the Board has adopted a “Pillar I plus” 
approach to determine the level of capital the Group needs to 
hold. This method takes the Pillar I capital formula calculations 
(standardised approach for credit, market and operational risk) 
as a starting point, and then considers whether each of the 
calculations deliver a sufficient capital sum adequately to cover 
management’s anticipated risks. Where the Board considered that 
the Pillar I calculations did not reflect the risk, an additional 
capital add-on in Pillar II is applied.

The Group’s regulatory capital is divided into two tiers:

–   Tier 1 comprises mainly shareholders’ funds and non-

controlling interest, after deducting goodwill and other 
intangible assets.

–   Lower Tier 2 comprises qualifying subordinated loan capital 
and revaluation reserves. Lower Tier 2 capital cannot exceed 
50% of tier 1 capital.

The ICAAP includes a summary of the capital required to mitigate 
the identified risks in its regulated entities and the amount of 
capital that the Group has available. The latest version of the 
Group ICAAP was approved by the Board on 11 February 2011. 
All regulated entities have complied with all of the externally 
imposed capital requirements to which they are subject.

14

 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Core Tier 1 capital 
Tier 1 capital after deductions 
Tier 2 
Total capital  
Core Tier 1 capital ratio 
(Net Core Tier 1 capital/ Basel 2 RWAs) 
Total Capital ratio (Capital/Basel 2 RWAs*) 

* Risk Weighted Assets (RWAs)

2010

£000
34,002
31,087
12,776 
43,863

12.7%
17.9%

Risks and Uncertainties
The Group regards the monitoring and controlling of risks and 
uncertainties as a fundamental part of the management process. 
Consequently, senior management are involved in the development 
of risk management policies and in monitoring their application. 
A detailed description of risk management and their associated 
policies is set out in note 4 to the financial statements.

The principal risks inherent in the Group’s business are credit, 
market, liquidity, operational and regulatory.

Credit risk, is the risk that a counterparty will be unable to pay 
amounts in full, when due. This risk exists mainly in Arbuthnot 
Latham and Secure Trust Bank, who currently have loan books 
of £210.8m and £89.2m respectively. 

The lending portfolio in Arbuthnot Latham is extended to our 
Private Banking clients, the majority of which is secured against 
cash, property or other assets.

The portfolios within Secure Trust Bank are extended to retail 
customers, and are largely unsecured.

Credit risk is managed through the Credit Committees of each of 
the two banks with significant exposures also being approved by 
the Group Risk Committee.

Market risk arises in relation to movement in the interest rates, 
currencies and equity markets.

Through Arbuthnot Securities, the Group is involved in market-
making and underwriting UK equities. The market making book 
is subject to Group approved limits, both in aggregate and in 
relation to individual stocks. Outstanding positions are monitored 
against these limits both intraday and overnight. All significant 
underwriting transactions are individually approved by the 
Group Risk Committee.

The Group’s treasury function operates mainly to provide a 
service to clients and does not take significant unmatched 
positions in any market for its own account. Hence, the Group’s 
exposure to adverse movements in interest rates and currencies  
is limited to interest earnings on it free cash and interest rate  
re-pricing mismatches.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group cannot meet is liabilities 
as they fall due. The Group takes a conservative approach to 
managing its liquidity profile. It has placed no reliance on the 
wholesale lending markets and is entirely funded by retail 
customer deposits. The loan to deposit ratios are maintained  

at prudent levels. Following introduction of the new liquidity 
regime, which came into force on 1 October 2010, the Group 
now maintains liquidity asset buffers which comprise high 
quality, unencumbered assets such as Government Securities, 
which can be called upon to meet the Group’s liabilities.

Operational risk is the risk that the Group may be exposed  
to financial losses from conducting its business. The largest 
exposure to this risk exists in Arbuthnot Latham as mis-selling 
risk via its wealth management advisory service and its 
structured product distribution business.

The Group maintains clear compliance guidelines and provides 
ongoing training to all staff. Periodic spot checks and internal 
audits are performed to ensure these guidelines are being 
maintained. The Group also has insurance policies in place  
to cover any claims that may arise.

The Group is also exposed to operational risks from its 
Information Technology and Operations platforms. There are 
additional internal controls in these processes that are designed 
to protect the Group from these risks. The Group’s overall 
approach to managing internal control and financial reporting  
is described in the Corporate Governance section of the Annual 
Report. 

Regulatory risk is the risk that the Group will have insufficient 
capital resources to support the business or does not comply  
with regulatory requirements. The Group adopts a conservative 
approach to managing the capital of the Group. The principal 
regulated entities maintain capital ratios in excess of the 
minimum level set by the regulator. Capital requirements are 
forecast as part of the annual budgeting process and these are 
regularly monitored.  Annually the Group Board assesses the 
robustness of the capital requirements as part of the Individual 
Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) where stringent 
stress tests are performed to ensure that capital resources are 
adequate over a future three year horizon.

Dividend
The Board proposes a final dividend of 12 pence per share to be 
paid on 13 May 2011, giving a total dividend for the year of 23 
pence (2009: 22 pence) per share. 

Going Concern
After making appropriate enquiries which assessed strategy, 
profitability, funding, risk management (see Note 4) and capital 
resources (see Note 5), the directors are satisfied that the 
Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in 
operation for the foreseeable future. The financial statements are, 
therefore, prepared on the going concern basis. 

James Cobb
Group Finance Director
16 March 2011

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Board of Directors

Henry Angest
Chairman and Chief Executive of the Group 
and Chairman of Secure Trust Bank PLC, 
Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited and 
Arbuthnot Securities Limited. He is a past 
Master of the Worshipful Company of 
International Bankers. Previously he was  
an International Executive with The Dow 
Chemical Company and Dow Banking 
Corporation in Switzerland, USA, Brazil, 
Hong Kong and the UK. He has a law 
degree from University of Basel and is an 
Hon. Fellow of UHI (University of the 
Highlands and Islands).

James Cobb ACA 
James Cobb joined the Board on 1 November 
2008 as Group Finance Director. He was 
previously Deputy Chief Financial Officer 
and Controller of Citigroup’s Global 
Consumer Group in Europe, Middle East 
and Africa and qualified as a Chartered 
Accountant with Price Waterhouse.

Neil Kirton
Neil Kirton joined the Board on 1 June 
2008 as Chief Executive of Arbuthnot 
Securities having joined Arbuthnot 
Securities as Deputy Chief Executive in 
January 2006. Prior to this he was with 
ABN Amro Hoare Govett from 1985  
to 2002 where he was Global Head of 
Equity Sales, Deputy Chief Executive  
of Hoare Govett (UK) Limited and a 
Managing Director of ABN Amro Bank 
NV. He was also Head of Equities at 
Bridgewell Securities from 2002 to 2004.

Ruth Lea
Independent non-executive director since  
1 November 2005 and Economic Adviser 
to the Group. She was previously the 
Director of Global Vision, Director of  
the Centre for Policy Studies, Head of the 
Policy Unit at the Institute of Directors, 
Economics Editor at ITN, Chief UK 
Economist at Lehman Brothers and Chief 
Economist at Mitsubishi Bank. She also 
spent 16 years in the Civil Service in the 
Treasury, the Department of Trade and 
Industry, the Central Statistical Office 
and the Civil Service College.

Paul Lynam
Paul Lynam joined the Board on  
13 September 2010 as Chief Executive  
of Secure Trust Bank PLC. Prior to his 
appointment, Paul spent 22 years in a 
variety of roles with RBS and NatWest. 
These included Managing Director, 
Banking; Chief Executive, UK Business 
Banking and Managing Director, Lombard 
North Central PLC. He is also a Trustee 
and Governor of the IFS School of Finance. 

Sir Christopher Meyer
Independent non-executive director since 
1 October 2007. He retired as Chairman 
of the Press Complaints Commission on 
30 March 2009. He had a distinguished 
diplomatic career, in 1997 he was appointed 
as Ambassador to Germany and from 
1997 – 2003 he was Ambassador to the 
USA. Between 1994 and 1996, he was 
Press Secretary to Prime Minister John 
Major. He is also on the International 
Advisory boards of Fleishman-Hillard 
and British American Business Inc.

16

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Dean Proctor
Dean Proctor joined the Board on  
3 November 2009 as Chief Executive Officer 
of Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited. 
Before, he was at Citi for 3 years and 
most recently was Managing Director of 
Wealth Management and Retail Banking 
for Citibank & Egg in the UK. Prior to Citi 
Dean worked at LloydsTSB Bank Plc for 
13 years in various management positions 
in both Corporate and Consumer businesses.

Andrew Salmon  ACA
Appointed a director on 8 March 2004.  
He joined the Company in 1997 and is 
Chief Operating Officer and Head of 
Business Development. He was previously 
a director of Hambros Bank Limited and 
qualified as a Chartered Accountant with 
KPMG.

Atholl Turrell ACA
Appointed a director on 1 March 2004. 
He was formerly Head of Corporate 
Stockbroking at Schroder Salomon Smith 
Barney. He is Vice-Chairman of Arbuthnot 
Securities Limited. 

Robert Wickham
Deputy Chairman and senior independent 
non-executive director. He was formerly 
on the Management Board of Bank of 
Scotland. He is also an independent non-
executive director of Secure Trust Bank PLC 
and Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited. 

Jeremy Robin Kaye FCIS 
Secretary.

17

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Group Directors’ Report

The directors submit their annual report and the audited consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010.

Principal Activities and Review
The principal activities of the Group are banking and financial 
services. A business review in accordance with Section 417 of the 
Companies Act 2006 forming part of this report is set out on 
pages 6 to 15.

Results and Dividends
The results for the year are shown on page 26. The profit after  
tax for the year of £3.7 million (2009: £3.4 million) is included  
in reserves.

The directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 12 
pence on the ordinary shares which, together with the interim 
dividend of 11 pence paid on 1 October 2010, represents a total 
dividend for the year of 23 pence (2009: 22 pence). A scrip 
dividend alternative is not being offered in respect of half of the 
final dividend for 2010. The final dividend, if approved by 
members at the Annual General Meeting, will be paid on 13 May 
2011 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 15 
April 2011.

At the same time as posting the Annual Report there has been 
separately issued a letter from the Chairman accompanying the 
Notice of the Annual General Meeting.  This notice includes a 
special resolution, which will be moved to correct a technical  
non-compliance with the Companies Act over the payment of  
the interim dividend last October.

Share Capital
On 7 January 2010 the Company repurchased 40,000 ordinary 
shares at 390p per share, such shares being held as Treasury 
Shares.  No shares have been purchased under the authority  
given by shareholders on 12 May 2010.

At the Annual General Meeting shareholders will be asked to 
approve two Special Resolutions; the authority granted by each of 
them will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting 
in 2012.

The first continues the authority of the directors to issue shares in 
nominal value equal to 5% of the existing share capital for cash, 
otherwise than to existing shareholders pro rata to their holdings.  
The directors have no present intention of issuing any shares and 
will not issue shares which would effectively change the control  
of the Company without the prior approval of shareholders in 
General Meeting.

The second renews the authority of the directors to make market 
purchases of shares not exceeding 10% of the existing issued share 
capital.  The directors will keep the position under review in order 
to maximise the Company’s resources in the best interests of 
shareholders.

18

Substantial Shareholders
The Company was aware at 15 March 2011 of the following 
substantial holdings in the ordinary shares of the Company, other 
than those held by one director shown below:

Holder  
Prudential plc  
Mr R Paston  

Directors
H Angest  
R J J Wickham  
J R Cobb 
N W Kirton
Ms R J Lea
P A Lynam
Sir Christopher Meyer
D M Proctor
A A Salmon 
Dr A D Turrell

Ordinary Shares  
775,403  
529,130  

  %
5.2
3.5

Chairman & CEO
Deputy Chairman
Finance Director

Chief Operating Officer

Apart from Mr. P.A. Lynam who was appointed a director on 13 
September 2010, Sir Michael Peat who resigned from the Board  
on 11 March 2010 and Mr. G.A. Jennison who resigned from the 
Board on 10 May 2010, all directors served throughout the year.

Mr. Lynam retires under Article 77 of the Articles of Association 
and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election.  Mr. Lynam has  
a service agreement with a subsidiary company terminable on six 
months’ notice until 12 September 2011 and thereafter on twelve 
months’ notice.

Dr. A.D. Turrell, Mr. N.W. Kirton and Mr. J.R. Cobb retire under 
Article 80 of the Articles of Association and, being eligible, offer 
themselves for re-election.  Mr. Kirton has a service agreement 
with a subsidiary terminable on twelve months’ notice. Mr. Cobb 
has a service agreement with the Company terminable on six 
months’ notice.  Dr. Turrell has an agreement with the Company 
which is terminable on three months’ notice. 

According to the information kept under Section 3 of the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules 2006, the interests of directors 
and their families in the ordinary 1p shares of the Company at the 
dates shown were, and the percentage of the current issued share 
capital held is, as follows:

1 January 

31 December 

16 March

Beneficial Interests 
2010 
H Angest  
 7,917,862 
N W Kirton  
      22,000 
P A Lynam 
–  
A A Salmon  
      50,000 
      21,402 
A D Turrell  
R J J Wickham          3,600 

2010 

2011 
7,917,862  7,917,862 
22,000 
10,000 
50,000 
21,402 

22,000 
10,000 
50,000 
21,402 
3,600 

3,600         

%
52.8
0.1
    0.1
0.3
0.1
–

Mr. Kirton and Dr. Turrell held 60,000 and 10,000 ordinary £1 shares 
respectively in Arbuthnot Securities Limited under that company’s 
Long Term Incentive Plan at 31 December 2010.

    
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

On 21 May 2008 Mr. Salmon was granted an option to subscribe 
between May 2011 and May 2015 for 100,000 ordinary 1p shares 
in the Company at 337.5p.

Charitable Donations
The Company made charitable donations of £55,000 during  
the year (2009: £27,000).

On 5 November 2008 Mr. Cobb was granted an option to 
subscribe between November 2011 and November 2015 for 
50,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company at 320p.

On 22 December 2009 Dr. Turrell was granted an option to 
subscribe between December 2012 and December 2016 for  
50,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company at 380p.

Apart from the interests disclosed above, no director was 
interested at any time in the year in the share capital of Group 
companies.

No director, either during or at the end of the financial year, was 
materially interested in any contract with the Company or any of 
its subsidiaries, which was significant in relation to the Group’s 
business. At 31 December 2010 one director had a loan from 
Secure Trust Bank PLC amounting to £229,000 and three 
directors had loans from Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited 
amounting to £2,723,000, all on normal commercial terms as 
disclosed in note 34 to the financial statements. At 31 December 
2010 three directors had deposits with Secure Trust Bank PLC 
amounting to £312,000 and six directors had deposits with 
Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited amounting to £2,156,000,  
all on normal commercial terms as disclosed in note 34 to the 
financial statements.

The Company maintains insurance to provide liability cover for 
directors and officers of the Company.

Political Donations
The Company made a political donation of £25,000 to the 
Conservative Party during the year (2009: political donations 
£25,472).

The Board proposes to seek renewal of the authority granted  
by shareholders at the 2007 Annual General Meeting to make 
donations to EU political parties or organisations or incur EU 
political expenditure within the meaning of the Political Parties, 
Elections and Referendums Act 2000 for a further four years 
limited to £150,000 in aggregate.

Status
The Company is not a close company as defined in the Income  
and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

Auditors
A resolution to reappoint KPMG Audit Plc as auditors of the 
Company will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting at a fee to be agreed in due course by the directors.

The directors have disclosed to the auditors to the best of their 
knowledge and belief all relevant information necessary to assist 
the auditors in the preparation of their report.

By order of the Board

Board Committees
The report of the Remuneration Committee on pages 22 to 23  
will be the subject of an Ordinary Resolution at the Annual 
General Meeting.

J R Kaye
Secretary
16  March 2011

Information on the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, 
Risk Committee and Donations Committee is included in the 
Corporate Governance section of the Annual Report on page  
20 to 21.

Employees
The Company gives due consideration to the employment of 
disabled persons and is an equal opportunities employer.  It also 
regularly provides employees with information on matters of 
concern to them, consults on decisions likely to affect their 
interests and encourages their involvement in the performance  
of the Company through share participation and in other ways.

Supplier Payment Policy
The Company’s policy is to make payment in line with terms 
agreed with individual suppliers, payment being effected on 
average within 30 days of invoice.

19

 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Corporate Governance

AIM companies are not required to comply with The Combined 
Code. Nevertheless, the Board endorses the principles of openness, 
integrity and accountability which underlie good corporate 
governance and intends to take into account the provisions of  
The Combined Code in so far as they are appropriate to the 
Group’s size and circumstances. Moreover, the Group contains 
subsidiaries authorised to undertake regulated business under the 
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and regulated by the 
Financial Services Authority, including two which are authorised 
deposit taking businesses. Accordingly, the Group operates to  
the high standards of corporate accountability and regulatory 
compliance appropriate for such businesses.

Directors
The Group is led and controlled by an effective Board which 
comprises seven executive directors and three non-executive 
directors.

The senior independent non-executive director is Robert 
Wickham, who in addition is Deputy Chairman. Although  
Mr Wickham has served on the Board for seventeen years from  
the date of his first election, he displays independence in both 
character and judgement and there are no other relationships or 
circumstances which could affect his judgement. Accordingly,  
the Board considers him to be independent.

The Board
The Board meets regularly throughout the year. Substantive 
agenda items have briefing papers, which are circulated in a  
timely manner before each meeting. The Board is satisfied that 
 it is supplied with all the information that it requires and requests, 
in a form and of a quality to enable it to discharge its duties. 
 In addition to ongoing matters concerning the strategy and 
management of the Company and of the Group, the Board has 
determined certain items which are reserved for decision by itself. 
These matters include the acquisition and disposal of other than 
minor businesses, the issue of capital by any Group company and 
any transaction by a subsidiary company that cannot be made 
within its own resources, or that is not in the normal course of  
its business.

The Company Secretary is responsible for ensuring that Board 
processes and procedures are appropriately followed and support 
effective decision making. All directors have access to the 
Company Secretary’s advice and services and there is an agreed 
procedure for directors to obtain independent professional advice 
in the course of their duties, if necessary, at the Company’s 
expense.

The Audit Committee provides a forum for discussing with the 
Group’s external auditors their report on the annual accounts, 
reviewing the scope, results and effectiveness of the internal audit 
work programme and considering any other matters which might 
have a financial impact on the Company, including the Group’s 
arrangements by which staff may, in confidence, raise concerns 
about possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting or 
other matters. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include 
reviewing the Group’s system of internal control and the process 
for evaluating and monitoring risk. The Committee also reviews 
the appointment, terms of engagement and objectivity of the 
external auditors, including the level of non-audit services provided, 
and ensures that there is an appropriate audit relationship.

Remuneration Committee
Information on the Remuneration Committee and details of the 
directors’ remuneration are set out in the separate Remuneration 
Report.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee is chaired by Henry Angest and its 
other members are Robert Wickham and Ruth Lea. Before a 
Board appointment is made the skills, knowledge and experience 
required for a particular appointment are evaluated.

Risk Committee
The Risk Committee is chaired by Henry Angest and its other 
members are James Cobb, Dean Proctor, John Reed (non-executive 
of Arbuthnot Latham), Andrew Salmon, Atholl Turrell and Robert 
Wickham. The role of the Risk Committee is to approve specific 
risk policies for Group subsidiaries and significant individual credit 
or other exposures.

Donations Committee
The Donations Committee is chaired by Henry Angest and its 
other members are Robert Wickham and Ruth Lea. The Committee 
considers any political donation or expenditure as defined within 
the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Shareholder Communications
The Company maintains a regular dialogue with its shareholders 
and makes full use of the Annual General Meeting and any other 
General Meetings to communicate with investors.

The Company aims to present a balanced and understandable 
assessment in all its reports to shareholders, its regulators and the 
wider public. Key announcements and other information can be 
found at: www.arbuthnotgroup.com.

The Board has delegated certain of its responsibilities to 
Committees. All Committees have written terms of reference.

Audit Committee
Membership of the Audit Committee is limited to non-executive 
directors and comprises Robert Wickham (as Chairman), Ruth 
Lea and Sir Christopher Meyer.

Internal Control and Financial Reporting
The Board of directors has overall responsibility for the Group’s 
system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such 
a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate risk of failure 
to achieve business objectives and can only provide reasonable but 
not absolute assurance against the risk of material misstatement  
or loss.

20

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

–   select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

–   make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent;

–   state whether they have been prepared in accordance with 

IFRSs as adopted by the EU; and

–   prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the 
Parent Company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parent 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at 
any time the financial position of the Parent Company and enable 
them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking 
such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets 
of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other 
irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity  
of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may  
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Statement of Disclosure of Information to Auditors
The directors confirm that:

–   so far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; 
and

–   the directors have taken all the steps they ought to have taken 
as directors to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s auditors are 
aware of that information.

The directors and senior management of the Group have formally 
adopted a Group Risk and Controls Policy which sets out the 
Board’s attitude to risk and internal control. Key risks identified  
by the directors are formally reviewed and assessed at least once  
a year by the Board, in addition to which key business risks are 
identified, evaluated and managed by operating management  
on an ongoing basis by means of procedures such as physical 
controls, credit and other authorisation limits and segregation of 
duties. The Board also receives regular reports on any risk matters 
that need to be brought to its attention. Significant risks identified 
in connection with the development of new activities are subject to 
consideration by the Board. There are well-established budgeting 
procedures in place and reports are presented regularly to the 
Board detailing the results of each principal business unit, variances 
against budget and prior year, and other performance data.

The effectiveness of the internal control system is reviewed 
regularly by the Board and the Audit Committee, which also 
receives reports of reviews undertaken by the internal audit 
function which was outsourced to Ernst & Young. The Audit 
Committee also receives reports from the external auditors, 
KPMG Audit Plc, which include details of internal control matters 
that they have identified. Certain aspects of the system of internal 
control are also subject to regulatory supervision, the results of 
which are monitored closely by the Board.

Going Concern
After making appropriate enquiries which assessed strategy, 
profitability, funding and capital resources, the directors are 
satisfied that the Company and the Group have adequate resources 
to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. The financial 
statements are, therefore, prepared on the going concern basis.

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare group 
and parent company financial statements for each financial year.

As required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange  
they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law 
and have elected to prepare the Parent Company financial 
statements on the same basis.

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company and 
of their profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the 
Group and Parent Company financial statements, the directors  
are required to:

21

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Remuneration Report

Share Option and Long Term Incentive Schemes
This part of the remuneration report is audited information.

In May 2005, the Company extended its Unapproved Executive 
Share Option Scheme for a further period of 10 years.

The Company has an ESOP (“the Arbuthnot ESOP Trust”) under 
which trustees may purchase shares in the Company to satisfy the 
exercise of share options by employees including executive directors.

At the date of this remuneration report, the only outstanding 
options to directors under the Unapproved Executive Share 
Option Scheme are those in relation to 100,000 shares for Andrew 
Salmon and 50,000 shares each for James Cobb and Atholl 
Turrell. 150,500 shares are held in the Arbuthnot ESOP Trust.

In January 2005, shareholders approved a long term incentive plan 
for employees of Arbuthnot Securities Limited, which involves the 
purchase by such employees of shares in Arbuthnot Securities 
Limited. This scheme is open to employees of Arbuthnot Securities 
Limited including those who are also directors of Arbuthnot 
Banking Group PLC. On 31 March 2005, Atholl Turrell acquired 
10,000 shares in Arbuthnot Securities Limited under the plan at a 
price of £2.35 per share. On 31 May 2006 Neil Kirton acquired 
40,000 shares at a price of £2.35 and on 20 July 2007 20,000 
shares at a price of £8.45.

Directors’ Emoluments 
This part of the remuneration report is audited information. 

Fees (including benefits in kind) 
Salary payments (including benefits in kind) 
Loss of office 
Pension contributions 

2010  

£000 
185   
2,395   
552   
153   
3,285   

2009 

£000
195  
1,728  
 -  
155  
2,078  

Remuneration Committee
Membership of the Remuneration Committee is limited to non–
executive directors together with Henry Angest as Chairman.  
The present members of the Committee are Henry Angest, Robert 
Wickham and Ruth Lea.

The Committee has responsibility for producing recommendations 
on the overall remuneration policy for directors and for setting  
the remuneration of individual directors, both for review by the 
Board. Members of the Committee do not vote on their own 
remuneration.

Remuneration Policy
The Remuneration Committee determines the remuneration of 
individual directors having regard to the size and nature of the 
business; the importance of attracting, retaining and motivating 
management of the appropriate calibre without paying more than 
is necessary for this purpose; remuneration data for comparable 
positions; the need to align the interests of executives with those 
of shareholders; and an appropriate balance between current 
remuneration and longer term performance–related rewards.  
The remuneration package can comprise a combination of basic 
annual salary and benefits (including pension), a discretionary 
annual bonus award related to the Committee’s assessment of the 
contribution made by the executive during the year and longer 
term incentives, including executive share options. Pension benefits 
take the form of annual contributions paid by the Company to 
individual money purchase schemes. The Remuneration Committee 
reviews salary levels each year based on the performance of the 
Group during the preceding financial period. This review does 
not necessarily lead to increases in salary levels. The Group has 
been increasingly changing the remuneration policy from fixed 
salaries to a more flexible system with lower base salaries and a 
bigger bonus element which can be discretionary or formulaic. 
The purpose of this policy is to align costs more closely with 
income. The payment of bonuses, some transactional and some 
formulaic but both based on income to the company is common 
in the banking industry.  Despite the recent debate about bonuses, 
the Remuneration Committee still believes that the present 
remuneration policy remains the right one for the Group.

Directors’ Service Contracts
Henry Angest, Neil Kirton, Dean Proctor and Andrew Salmon 
each have service contracts terminable at any time on 12 months’ 
notice in writing by either party. James Cobb has a service contract 
terminable at any time on 6 months’ notice in writing by either 
party. Paul Lynam has a service agreement terminable at anytime 
on 6 months’ notice until 12 September and thereafter on 12 
months’ notice. Atholl Turrell has an agreement terminable at 
anytime on 3 months’ notice.

22

  
  
  
  
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

H Angest 
MA Bussey (to 03/11/09) 
JR Cobb 
GA Jennison (to 10/05/10) 
NW Kirton 
PA Lynam (from 13/09/10) 
DM Proctor (from 03/11/09) 
AA Salmon 
AD Turrell 
Ms RJ Lea 
Sir Christopher Meyer 
Sir Michael Peat (to 11/03/10) 
RJJ Wickham 

Salary 

Bonus 

Benefits 

Pension 

£000 
350   
  –   
200   
71   
225   
65   
180   
250   
203   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
1,544   

£000 
  –   
  –   
150   
  –   
130   
  –   
100   
300   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
680   

£000 
94   
  –   
17   
2   
28   
6   
2   
22   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
171   

£000 
  –   
  –   
35   
17   
35   
11   
20   
35   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
153   

Fees 

£000 
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
79   
45   
11   
50   
185   

Loss of 

office 

£000 
  –   
  –   
  –   
552   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
  –   
552   

Total 

2010  

£000 
444   
  –   
402   
642   
418   
82   
302   
607   
203   
79   
45   
11   
50   
3,285   

Total

2009 

£000
394  
209  
251  
257  
272  
  –  
60  
287  
153  
70  
40  
40  
45  
2,078  

Details of any shares or options held by directors are presented on pages 18 and 19.

The emoluments of the Chairman were £444,000  (2009: £394,000 ). The emoluments of the highest paid director were £642,000  
(2009: £394,000 ) including pension contributions of £17,000  (2009: £nil). 

Mr R J J Wickham is a director of Calando Finance Limited which received an annual fee of £50,000 (2009: £45,000) in respect of his 
services to the Group. 

These amounts are included in the above figures. 

Retirement benefits are accruing under money purchase schemes for six directors who served during 2010 (2009: five directors).

Henry Angest
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
16  March 2011 

23

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is 
provided on the APB’s web-site at 

www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

–   the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 

the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 
December 2010 and of the Group’s profit for the year then 
ended;

–   the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;

–   the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and 
as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006; and

–   the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 

the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
and under the terms of our engagement

We have audited the financial statements of Arbuthnot Banking 
Group PLC for the year ended 31 December 2010 set out on pages 
26 to 72. The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and, as regards 
the Parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance 
with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

In addition to our audit of the financial statements, the directors 
have engaged us to audit the information in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report that is described as having been audited, 
which the directors have decided to prepare (in addition to that 
required to be prepared) as if the Company were required to 
comply with the requirements of Schedule 8 to the Companies 
Act 2006 The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No. 410).

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, 
in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006 and, in respect of the separate opinion in relation to the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and reporting on corporate 
governance, on terms that have been agreed. Our audit work  
has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s 
members those matters we are required to state to them in an 
auditor’s report and, in respect of the separate opinion in relation 
to the Directors’ Remuneration Report, those matters that we 
have agreed to state to them in our report, and for no other 
purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept 
or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and 
the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 21, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit, and 
express an opinion on, the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and 
Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

24

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

In our opinion:
–   the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report which we were 
engaged to audit has been properly prepared in accordance 
with Schedule 8 to the Companies Act 2006 The Large and 
Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008, as if those requirements were to apply to 
the Company; and

–   the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial 
year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent 
with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 and under the terms of our 
engagement we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

–   adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

–   the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report which we were engaged to 
audit are not in agreement with the accounting records and 
returns; or

–   certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

–   we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Ian A Dewar (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants

15 Canada Square
London
E14 5GL
16 March 2011

25

 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Year	ended	

31	December	

2010	

£000	

Year	ended

31	December

2009

£000

29,327  
(8,189) 

21,138  

29,851  
(558) 

29,293  

4,320  

54,751  

(3,146) 
1,131  
(47,632) 

5,104  
(1,383) 

3,721  

(300) 

(112) 
 –  
142  

(270) 

22,464 
(5,548)

16,916 

31,816 
(795)

31,021 

3,763 

51,700 

(2,368)
2,118 
(46,400)

5,050 
(1,679)

3,371 

41 

 – 
(108)
 – 

(67)

3,451  

3,304 

3,747  
(26) 

3,721  

3,477  
(26) 

3,451  

3,507 
(136)

3,371 

3,440 
(136)

3,304 

25.0  

23.4 

Note	

6 

17 
7 
9 

11 

Interest and similar income 
Interest expense and similar charges 

Net interest income 

Fee and commission income 
Fee and commission expense 

Net fee and commission income 

Gains less losses from dealing in securities 

Operating income 

Net impairment loss on financial assets 
Other income 
Operating expenses 

Profit before income tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 

Foreign currency translation reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
– Revaluation of freehold premises 
– Amount transferred to profit and loss on sale 
Available-for-sale reserve 

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of income tax 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

Profit attributable to: 
Equity holders of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
Equity holders of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Earnings per share for profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company during the year 
(expressed in pence per share): 
– basic and fully diluted 

12 

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

26

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

ASSETS
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Current tax asset 
Other assets 
Financial investments 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 

Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves 

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

LIABILITIES
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Current tax liability 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liability 
Debt securities in issue 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Note	

13 
24 
14 
16 
15 
18 

22 
19 
20 
21 
28 

30 
30 
31 
31 

23 
15 
24 
25 

26 
28 
27 

At	31	December

2010	

£000	

2009

£000

73,772  
–  
12,080  
300,252  
3,232  
143,119  
–  
17,948  
4,957  
2,915  
5,903  
932  

230 
236 
54,614 
229,722 
2,659 
127,597 
1,805 
18,754 
5,057 
2,906 
8,552 
383 

565,110  

452,515 

150  
21,085  
12,142  
(1,347) 

2,118  

34,148  

3,706  
775  
184  
503,257  
751  
9,533  
126  
12,630  

150 
21,085 
11,684 
(920)

2,144 

34,143

2,886 
959 
– 
385,999 
2,208 
13,217 
81 
13,022 

530,962  

418,372 

565,110  

452,515 

The financial statements on pages 26 to 72 were approved by the Board of directors on 16 March 2011 and were signed on behalf by:

H Angest
Director

JR Cobb
Director

Registered Number: 1954085

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

27

	
	
	
	
	
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Company Statement of Financial Position

ASSETS
Current assets 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Financial investments 
Other debtors 
Non-current assets 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 

Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities 
Deposits from banks 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Accruals 
Non-current liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Note	

19 

35 
20 
21 

30 
30 
31 
31 

27 

At	31	December

2010	

£000	

2009

£000

7,795  
330  
2,386  

28,633  
36  
88  
7,750  

47,018  

150  
21,085  
(1,077) 
415  

20,573  

2,869  
10,097  
849  

12,630  

26,445  

47,018  

6,781 
465 
1,703 

28,624 
 – 
78 
7,750 

45,401  

150 
21,085 
(920)
1,862 

22,177 

2,618 
6,954 
630 

13,022 

23,224  

45,401 

The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the Parent Company 
profit and loss account. The profit for the Parent Company for the year is presented in the Statement of changes in equity.

The financial statements pages on 26 to 72 were approved by the Board of directors on 16 March 2011 and were signed on behalf by:

H Angest
Director

JR Cobb
Director

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

28

	
	
	
	
	
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Attributable	to	equity	holders	of	the	Group

Foreign	

Share	

currency	

Capital	

Available-	

Non-	

Share	

capital	

£000	

premium	

translation	 Revaluation	

redemption	

account	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

for-sale	

reserve	

£000	

Treasury	

Retained	

controlling	

shares	

£000	

earnings	

interests	

£000	

£000	

Total

£000

Balance at 1 January 2010 

150   21,085  

(258) 

258  

20  

– 

(940)  11,684   2,144   34,143 

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 
Profit / (loss) for 2010 

Other comprehensive income,  
net of income tax 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
 – Adjustment 
Available-for-sale reserve 

Total other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

Transactions with owners, recorded  
directly in equity 
Contributions by and distributions  
to owners 
Purchase of own shares 
Final dividend relating to 2009 
Interim dividend relating to 2010 

Total contributions by and  
distributions to owners 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,747  

(26)  3,721 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

(300) 

– 

– 
– 

(112) 
– 

(300) 

(112) 

(300) 

(112) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
142  

142  

142  

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

(300)

(112)
142 

(270)

3,747  

(26)  3,451 

– 
– 
– 

– 

(157) 
– 
– 

– 
(1,681) 
(1,608) 

– 
– 
– 

(157)
(1,681)
(1,608)

(157)  (3,289) 

– 

(3,446)

Balance at 31 December 2010 

150   21,085  

(558) 

146  

20  

142  

(1,097)  12,142   2,118   34,148 

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity continued

Attributable	to	equity	holders	of	the	Group

Foreign	

Share	

capital	

£000	

Share	

currency	

Capital	

Non-	

premium	

translation	 Revaluation	

redemption	

Treasury	

Retained	

controlling	

account	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

shares	

£000	

earnings	

interests	

£000	

£000	

Total

£000

Balance at 1 January 2009 

150   21,085  

(299) 

366  

20  

(445)  11,257   2,280   34,414 

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 
Profit / (loss) for 2009 

Other comprehensive income,  
net of income tax 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
 – Amount transferred to profit and loss on sale 

Total other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

Transactions with owners, recorded  
directly in equity 
Contributions by and distributions  
to owners 
Purchase of own shares 
Final dividend relating to 2008 
Interim dividend relating to 2009 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,507  

(136)  3,371 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

41  

– 

– 

(108) 

41  

41  

(108) 

(108) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

41 

(108)

(67)

3,507  

(136)  3,304 

(495) 
– 
– 

– 
(1,541) 
(1,539) 

(495)  (3,080) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

(495)
(1,541)
(1,539)

(3,575)

Balance at 31 December 2009 

150   21,085  

(258) 

258  

20  

(940)  11,684   2,144   34,143 

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Balance at 1 January 2009 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity 
Contributions by and distributions to owners 
Purchase of own shares 
Final dividend relating to 2008 
Interim dividend relating to 2009 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners 

Balance at 1 January 2010 

Attributable	to	equity	holders	of	the	Company

Share	

Capital

Share	

capital	

£000	

premium	

redemption	

Treasury	

account	

£000	

reserve	

£000	

shares	

£000	

Retained	

earnings	

£000	

Total

£000

150   21,085  

20  

(445)  3,927   24,737 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –   1,015   1,015 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

(495) 
 –  
 –  

 –  
(1,541) 
(1,539) 

(495)
(1,541)
(1,539)

(495)  (3,080) 

(3,575)

150   21,085  

20  

(940)  1,862   22,177 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –   1,842   1,842 

Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity 
Contributions by and distributions to owners 
Purchase of own shares 
Final dividend relating to 2009 
Interim dividend relating to 2010 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners 

Balance at 31 December 2010 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

(157) 
 –  
 –  

 –  
(1,681) 
(1,608) 

(157)
(1,681)
(1,608)

(157)  (3,289) 

(3,446)

150   21,085  

20  

(1,097) 

415   20,573 

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities 
Interest and similar income received 
Interest and similar charges paid 
Fees and commissions received 
Net trading and other income 
Recoveries on loans previously written off 
Cash payments to employees and suppliers 
Taxation (paid)/received 

Cash flows from operating profits before changes in 
operating assets and liabilities 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
 – net (increase)/decrease in trading securities 
 – net decrease/(increase) in derivative financial instruments 
 – net increase in loans and advances to customers 
 – net decrease/(increase) in other assets 
 – net increase/(decrease) in deposits from banks 
 – net increase in amounts due to customers 
 – net decrease in other liabilities 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Acquisition of financial investments 
Disposal of financial investments 
Purchase of computer software 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Purchases of debt securities 
Proceeds from redemption of debt securities 

Net cash from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Purchase of treasury shares 
Dividends paid 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Note	

20 
21 

33 

Year	ended	

31	December	

2010	

£000	

Year	ended

31	December

2009

£000

27,612  
(8,189) 
30,310  
5,451  
– 
(46,913) 
(1,539) 

22,972 
(5,548)
31,768 
5,881 
202 
(47,438)
207 

6,732  

8,044 

(757) 
420  
(72,425) 
806  
820  
117,258  
(3,684) 

49,170  

(605) 
450  
(426) 
(286) 
1,673  
(452,576) 
437,054  

787 
(1,178)
(68,369)
(3,701)
(12)
93,109 
(386)

28,294 

(1,623)
–
(426)
(543)
367 
(248,688)
253,730 

(14,716) 

2,817 

(157) 
(3,289) 

(3,446) 

31,008  
54,844  

85,852  

(495)
(3,080)

(3,575)

27,536 
27,308 

54,844 

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Company Statement of Cash Flows

Note	

Year	ended	

31	December	

2010	

£000	

Year	ended

31	December

2009

£000

Cash flows from operating activities 
Dividends received from subsidiaries 
Interest and similar income received 
Interest and similar charges paid 
Net trading and other income 
Cash payments to employees and suppliers 
Taxation received 

Cash flows from operating profits before changes in 
operating assets and liabilities 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
– net decrease in group company balances 
– net (increase)/decrease in other assets 
– net increase/(decrease) in other liabilities 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Loans to subsidiary companies 
Increase investment in subsidiary 
Disposal/(acquisition) of financial investments 
Disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of computer software 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Net cash from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Purchase of treasury shares 
Dividends paid 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

20 
21 

The notes on pages 34 to 72 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

4,150  
342  
(778) 
2,921  
(5,949) 
775  

4,126 
359 
(747)
741 
(5,549)
1,121 

1,461  

51 

2,129  
(683) 
219  

3,126  

– 
(9) 
135  
– 
(40) 
(17) 

69  

(157) 
(3,289) 

(3,446) 

(251) 
(2,618) 

(2,869) 

4,923 
384 
(201)

5,157 

(1,400)
(100)
(101)
17 
–
(7)

(1,591)

(495)
(3,080)

(3,575)

(9)
(2,609)

(2,618)

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Principal Accounting Policies

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

1.1. Reporting entity
Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC is a company domiciled in the United Kingdom. The registered address of the Arbuthnot Banking Group 
PLC is One Arleston Way, Solihull B90 4LH. The consolidated financial statements of the Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC as at and for the 
year ended 31 December 2010 comprise the Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group” and 
individually as “subsidiaries”). The Company is primarily involved in banking and financial services.

1.2. Basis of presentation
The Group’s consolidated financial statements and the Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs as adopted and endorsed by the EU) and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting 
under IFRS. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings, available-
for-sale financial assets, and financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires 
management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of 
judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed  
in Note 2.

The Group’s business activities and financial position, the factors likely to affect its future development and performance, and its objectives 
and policies in managing the financial risks to which it is exposed and its capital are discussed in the Financial Review. The Directors have 
assessed, in the light of current and anticipated economic conditions, the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Directors 
confirm they are satisfied that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future.  
For this reason, they continue to adopt the ‘going concern’ basis for preparing accounts.

(a) Standards, interpretations and amendments effective in 2010 – relevant to the Group
•

IFRS 2 (Revised), ‘Share-based payments’. The revised standard clarifies the scope and accounting for group cash-settled share-based 
payments in the separate financial statements of the entity receiving the goods or services when that entity has no obligation to settle the 
share-based payment transaction. 

•

•

•

IFRS 3 (Revised), ‘Business combinations’. The revised standard continues to apply the acquisition method to business combinations, 
however, all payments to purchase a business are to be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date, with contingent payments classified 
as debt subsequently re-measured through the income statement. There is a choice on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis to measure the 
non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net 
assets. All acquisition-related costs should be expensed.

IAS 24 (Revised), ‘Related party disclosures’ (effective from 1 January 2011 – early adopted). The revised standard includes an exemption 
from the disclosure requirements for related party transactions between “state controlled” entities and includes a revised definition for 
related parties.

IAS 27 (Revised), ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’. The revised standard requires the effects of all transactions with non-
controlling interests to be recorded in equity if there is no change in control. Any remaining interest in an investee is re-measured to fair 
value in determining the gain or loss recognised in profit or loss where control over the investee is lost.

•

Improvements to IFRSs. Sets out minor amendments to IFRS standards as part of annual improvements process.

The above changes did not have any material impact on the financial statements.

(b) Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not been early adopted by the Group
The following standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the Group’s 
accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2011 or later periods, but the Group has not early adopted them:

•

IFRS 7 (Revised), ‘Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets’ (effective from 1 July 2011). The revised standard require additional 
disclosures for transfers of financial assets and where there are a disproportionate amount of transactions undertaken around the period 
end. The revised standard will not have any material impact on the Group’s financial accounts.*

34

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

1.2. Basis of presentation continued
•

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’ (effective from 1 January 2013). This standard deals with the classification and measurement of financial 
assets and will replace IAS 39. The requirements of this standard represent a significant change from the existing requirements in IAS 39. 
The standard contains two primary measurement categories for financial assets: amortised cost and fair value. The standard eliminates 
the existing IAS 39 categories of ‘held to maturity’, ‘available for sale’ and ‘ loans and receivables’. The potential effect of this standard is 
currently being evaluated but it is expected to have a pervasive impact on the Group’s financial statements, due to the nature of the 
Group’s operations.*

* – The revised IFRS 7 and IFRS 9 have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

1.3. Consolidation
(a) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating 
policies, generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one-half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights 
that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is 
measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs 
directly attributable to the acquisition. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination 
are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. The excess of the 
cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s shares of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of 
acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are 
also eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the 
Group.

(b) Special purpose entities
Special purpose entities (SPEs) are entities that are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective such as the securitisation of 
particular assets, or the execution of a specific borrowing or lending transaction. SPEs are consolidated when the substance of the relationship 
between the Group and the entity and the evaluation of the Group’s exposure to the risks and rewards of the SPE indicates control.  
The following circumstances may indicate control by the Group and would therefore require consolidation of the SPE:

•

•

•

•

in substance, the activities of the SPE are being conducted on behalf of the entity according to its specific business needs so that the entity 
obtains benefits from the SPE’s operation;

in substance, the entity has the decision-making powers to obtain the majority of the benefits of the activities of the SPE or, by setting up 
an ‘autopilot’ mechanism, the entity has delegated these decision-making powers;

in substance, the entity has rights to obtain the majority of the benefits of the SPE and therefore may be exposed to risks incident to the 
activities of the SPE; or

in substance, the entity retains the majority of the residual or ownership risks related to the SPE or its assets in order to obtain benefits 
from its activities.

The assessment of whether the Group has control over an SPE is carried out at inception and the initial assessment is only reconsidered at a 
later date if there were any changes to the structure or terms of the SPE, or there were additional transactions between the Group and the 
SPE.

(c) Transactions and non-controlling interests
Changes in ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in the loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions and no gain or 
loss is recognised.

35

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Principal Accounting Policies continued

1.4. Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Group Board. The Group Board, which is 
responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the chief operating decision 
maker. All transactions between segments are conducted on an arm’s length basis. Income and expenses directly associated with each segment 
are included in determining segment performance. There are four main operating segments: 

•
•
•
•

Retail Banking
International Private Banking
UK Private Banking
Investment Banking

1.5. Foreign currency translation
(a) Functional and presentational currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (‘the functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, 
which is the Company’s functional and the Group’s presentational currency.

(b) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions 
or valuation where items are remeasured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the 
translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income 
statement.

(c) Group companies
The results and financial position of all the Group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that have a 
functional currency different from the presentational currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

•

•

assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;

income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is  not a reasonable 
approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in  which case income and expenses are translated 
at the rate on the dates of the transactions); and

•

all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations, and of borrowings and other 
currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to shareholders’ equity. When a foreign operation is partially 
disposed of or sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on 
sale.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and 
translated at the closing rate.

1.6. Interest income and expense
Interest income and expense are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income for all instruments measured at amortised cost using 
the effective interest method.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or a financial liability and of allocating the 
interest income or interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount 
of the financial asset or financial liability. When calculating the effective interest rate, the Group takes into account all contractual terms of 
the financial instrument but does not consider future credit losses. The calculation includes all fees paid or received between parties to the 
contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and all other premiums or discounts.

Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down as a result of an impairment loss, interest income is 
recognised using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss.

36

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

1.7. Fee and commission income
Fees and commissions which are not considered integral to the effective interest rate are generally recognised on an accrual basis when the 
service has been provided. Loan commitment fees are deferred and recognised as an adjustment to the effective interest rate on the loan. 

Commission and fees arising from negotiating, or participating in the negotiation of, a transaction for a third party – such as the issue or the 
acquisition of shares or other securities or the purchase or sale of businesses – are recognised on completion of the underlying transaction. 
Asset and other management, advisory and service fees are recognised based on the applicable service contracts, usually on a time 
apportioned basis. The same principle is applied for financial planning and insurance services that are continuously provided over an 
extended period of time. Commissions arising from the sale of structured products are recognised at the point of sale as there are no further 
services provided or due.

1.8. Gains less losses arising from dealing in securities
This includes the net gains arising from both buying and selling securities and from positions held in securities, including related interest 
income and dividends, recognised on trade-date – the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.

1.9. Financial assets and financial liabilities
The Group classifies its financial assets and financial liabilities in the following categories: financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss; loans and receivables; held-to-maturity investments; available-for-sale financial assets and other financial liabilities. 
Management determines the classification of its investments at initial recognition. A financial asset or financial liability is measured initially at 
fair value. At inception transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue, for an item not at fair value through profit or 
loss, is added to the fair value of the financial asset and deducted from the fair value of the financial liability.

(a) Financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
This category comprises financial assets and financial liabilities held for trading and listed securities. All listed securities are held for trading. 
Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognised on trade-date – the date on which the Group becomes 
a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities held in this 
category are carried at fair value through profit or loss.

(b) Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They 
arise when the Group provides money, goods or services directly to a debtor with no intention of trading the receivable. Loans are recognised 
when cash is advanced to the borrowers. Loans and receivables are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

(c) Held-to-maturity
Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that the Group’s 
management has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. Held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method.

(d) Available-for-sale
Available-for-sale investments are those intended to be held for an indefinite period of time, which may be sold in response to needs for 
liquidity or changes in interest rates, exchange rates or equity prices. Included in available-for-sale are equity investments in special purpose 
vehicles set up to acquire and enhance the value of commercial properties and equity investments in unquoted vehicles. These investments are 
of a medium term nature. There is no open market for these assets and there are no available-for-sale debt securities. Unquoted equity 
securities whose fair value cannot reliably be measured are carried at cost. All other available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value. 
Fair value changes on the equity securities are recognised in other comprehensive income (fair value reserve) until the investment is sold or 
impaired. Once sold or impaired the cumulative gains or losses previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit 
or loss.

(e) Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities are non-derivative financial liabilities with fixed or determinable payments. Other financial liabilities are recognised 
when cash is received from the depositors. Other financial liabilities are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The fair 
value of other liabilities repayable on demand is assumed to be the amount payable on demand at the balance sheet date.

Derecognition
Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or where the Group has 
transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Any interest in transferred financial assets that qualify for derecognition that is 
created or retained by the Group is recognised as a separate asset or liability in the statement of financial position. In transactions in which 
the Group neither retains nor transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a financial asset and it retains control over the 
asset, the Group continues to recognise the asset to the extent of its continuing involvement, determined by the extent to which it is exposed 
to changes in the value of the transferred asset. There have not been any instances where assets have only been partially derecognised.

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

37

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Principal Accounting Policies continued

1.9. Financial assets and financial liabilities continued
Amortised cost measurement
The amortised cost of a financial asset or financial liability is the amount at which the financial asset or financial liability is measured at initial 
recognition, minus principal payments, plus or minus the cumulative amortisation using the effective interest method of any difference 
between the initial amount recognised and the maturity amount, minus any reduction for impairment.

Fair value measurement
Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s 
length transaction on the measurement date. The fair value of assets and liabilities traded in active markets are based on current bid and offer 
prices respectively. If the market is not active the Group establishes a fair value by using appropriate valuation techniques. These include the 
use of recent arm’s length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same for which market observable prices 
exist, net present value and discounted cash flow analysis.

1.10. Derivative financial instruments
All derivatives are recognised at their fair value. Fair values are obtained from quoted market prices in active markets, including recent arm’s 
length transactions. Derivatives are shown in the statement of financial position as assets when their fair value is positive and as liabilities 
when their fair value is negative. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive 
income.

1.11. Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the 
recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

1.12. Impairment of financial assets
(a) Assets carried at amortised cost
On an ongoing basis the Group assesses whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired.  
A financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred if, and only if, there is objective evidence of 
impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or 
events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

The criteria that the Group uses to determine that there is objective evidence of an impairment loss include, but are not limited to, the 
following:

•
•
•
•
•

Delinquency in contractual payments of principal or interest;
Cash flow difficulties experienced by the borrower;
Initiation of bankruptcy proceedings;
Deterioration in the value of collateral;
Deterioration of the borrower’s competitive position;

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on loans and receivables or held-to-maturity investments carried at amortised cost has 
been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated 
future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use 
of an allowance account and the amount of the loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. If a loan or held-to-maturity 
investment has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined 
under the contract. When a loan is uncollectible, it is written off against the related provision for loan impairment. Such loans are written off 
after all the necessary procedures have been completed and the amount of the loss has been determined. Subsequent recoveries of amounts 
previously written off decrease the amount of the provision for loan impairment in the statement of comprehensive income.

(b) Assets classified as available-for-sale
The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is 
impaired. In the case of equity investments classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security 
below its cost is considered as an indicator that the securities are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available-for-sale financial assets, 
the cumulative loss – measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that 
financial asset previously recognised in profit or loss – is removed from equity and recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. 
Impairment losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on equity instruments are not reversed through the statement of 
comprehensive income.

(c) Renegotiated loans
Loans that are either subject to collective impairment assessment or individually significant and whose terms have been renegotiated are no 
longer considered to be past due but are treated as new loans. 

38

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

1.13. Intangible assets
(a) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the 
acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in ‘intangible assets’. Gains and losses on 
the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

The Group reviews the goodwill for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in economic circumstances indicate that 
impairment may have taken place and carry goodwill at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Assets are grouped together into the 
smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or 
groups of assets (the “cash-generating unit” or “CGU”). For impairment testing purposes goodwill cannot be allocated to a CGU that is 
greater than a reported operating segment. CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated are aggregated so that the level at which impairment 
is tested reflects the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal reporting purposes. Goodwill acquired in a business combination 
is allocated to 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 costs to sell. There are currently two CGU’s 
with goodwill attached to it; the core Arbuthnot Latham CGU and the Music Finance CGU. 

Management considers the value in use for the core Arbuthnot Latham CGU to be the discounted cash flows over 5 years with a terminal 
value (2009: 5 years with a terminal value). The 5 year plan with a terminal value is considered to be appropriate as the goodwill relates to 
an ongoing well established business and not underlying assets with finite lives. The terminal value is calculated by applying a discounted 
perpetual growth model to the profit expected in 2013 as per the approved 3 year plan. A growth rate of 8% (2009: 7%) was used for 
income and 9% (2009: 4%) for expenditure from 2011 to 2013 (these rates were the best estimate of future forecasted performance), while a 
4% (2009: 4%) percent growth rate for income and expenditure (a more conservative approach was taken for latter years as these were not 
budgeted for in detail as per the three year plan approved by the Board of Directors) was used for cash flows after the approved 3 year plan. 

Management considers the value in use for the Music Finance CGU to be the discounted cash flows over 5 years (2009: 5 years). Income and 
expenditure were kept flat (2009: 0%) over the 5 year period.

Cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of 12% (2009: 12%) to their net present value. The discount rate of 12% is considered to be 
appropriate after evaluating current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the assets or CGUs. Currently the 
value in use and fair value less costs to sell far exceeds the carrying value and as such no sensitivity analysis was done.

Impairment losses are recognised in profit and loss if the carrying amounts exceed the recoverable amounts.

(b) Computer software
Acquired computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software.  
These costs are amortised on the basis of the expected useful lives (three to five years).

Costs associated with developing or maintaining computer software programs are recognised as an expense as incurred.

1.14. Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings comprise mainly branches and offices and are stated at the latest valuation with subsequent additions at cost less 
depreciation. Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable 
to the acquisition of the items.

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost to their residual values 
over their estimated useful lives, which are subject to regular review:

Freehold buildings 

50 years

Office equipment 

6 to 20 years

Computer equipment 

3 to 5 years

Motor vehicles 

4 years

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount. These are included in the statement of comprehensive 
income. Depreciation on revalued freehold buildings is calculated using the straight-line method over the remaining useful life. Revaluation of 
assets and any subsequent disposals are addressed through the revaluation reserve and any changes are transferred to retained earnings.

39

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Principal Accounting Policies continued

1.15. Leases
(a) As a lessor
Assets leased to customers under agreements which transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, with or without ultimate 
legal title, are classified as finance leases. When assets are held subject to finance leases, the present 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. 
Lease income is recognised over the term of the lease using the net investment method, which reflects a constant periodic rate of return.

Assets leased to customers under agreements which do not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as 
operating leases. When assets are held subject to operating leases, the underlying assets are held at cost less accumulated depreciation, The 
assets are depreciated down to their estimated residual values on a straight line basis over the lease term. Lease rental income is recognised on 
a straight line basis over the lease term.

(b) As a lessee
Rentals made under operating leases are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

1.16. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprises cash on hand and demand deposits, and cash equivalents 
comprise highly liquid investments that are convertible into cash with an insignificant risk of changes in value with a maturity of three 
months or less at the date of acquisition, including certain loans and advances to banks and building societies and short-term highly liquid 
debt securities.

1.17. Employee benefits
(a) Post-retirement obligations
The Group contributes to a defined contribution scheme and to individual defined contribution schemes for the benefit of certain employees. 
The schemes are funded through payments to insurance companies or trustee-administered funds at the contribution rates agreed with 
individual employees.

The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognised as an employee 
benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the 
future payments is available.

There are no post-retirement benefits other than pensions.

(b) Share-based compensation
As set out in note 34, in 2008 and 2009 the Group awarded share options to three directors under an equity settled share-based 
compensation plan. No options were awarded in 2010. The fair value of the services received in exchange for the grant of the options is 
recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the options 
granted. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to vest and recognises the 
impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the statement of comprehensive income, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

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. 

1.18. Taxation
Current income tax which is payable on taxable profits is recognised as an expense in the period in which the profits arise. Income tax 
recoverable on tax allowable losses is recognised as an asset only to the extent that it is regarded as recoverable by offset against current or 
future taxable profits.

Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in 
the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from the initial recognition of goodwill, the initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither 
accounting nor taxable profit or loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they probably will not reverse in 
the foreseeable future. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the statement 
of financial position date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised where it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences 
can be utilised.

40

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

1.19. Issued debt and equity securities
Issued financial instruments or their components are classified as liabilities where the contractual arrangement results in the Group having a 
present obligation to either deliver cash or another financial asset to the holder, to exchange financial instruments on terms that are 
potentially unfavourable. Issued financial instruments, or their components, are classified as equity where they meet the definition of equity 
and confer on the holder a residual interest in the assets of the Company. The components of issued financial instruments that contain both 
liability and equity elements are accounted for separately with the equity component being assigned the residual amount after deducting from 
the instrument as a whole the amount separately determined as the fair value of the liability component.

Financial liabilities, other than trading liabilities at fair value, are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method as set out in 
policy 1.6. Equity instruments, including share capital, are initially recognised at net proceeds, after deducting transaction costs and any 
related income tax. Dividend and other payments to equity holders are deducted from equity, net of any related tax.

1.20. Share capital
(a) Share issue costs
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options or to the acquisition of a business are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

(b) Dividends on ordinary shares
Dividends on ordinary shares are recognised in equity in the period in which they are approved.

(c) Share buybacks
Where any group company purchases the Company’s equity share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any directly 
attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes) is deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders until the shares are 
cancelled or reissued.

1.21. Fiduciary activities
The Group commonly acts as trustees and in other fiduciary capacities that result in the holding or placing of assets on behalf of individuals, 
trusts, retirement benefit plans and other institutions. These assets and income arising thereon are excluded from these financial statements, 
as they are not assets of the Group.

1.22. Financial guarantee contracts
Financial guarantees represent undertakings that the Group will meet a customer’s obligation to third parties if the customer fails to do so. 
Commitments to extend credit represent unused portions of authorisations to extend credit in the form of loans, guarantees or letters of 
credit. The Group is theoretically exposed to loss in an amount equal to the total guarantees or unused commitments, however, the likely 
amount of loss is expected to be significantly less; most commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific 
credit standards. Liabilities under financial guarantee contracts are initially recorded at their fair value, and the initial fair value is amortised 
over the life of the financial guarantee. Subsequently, the financial guarantee liabilities are measured at the higher of the initial fair value, less 
cumulative amortisation, and the best estimate of the expenditure to settle obligations.

41

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies
The Group makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. Estimates 
and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events 
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

2.1. Estimation uncertainty
Credit losses
The Group reviews its loan portfolios and held-to-maturity investments to assess impairment at least on a half-yearly basis. The basis for 
evaluating impairment losses is described in accounting policy 1.12. Where financial assets are individually evaluated for impairment, 
management uses their best estimates in calculating the net present value of future cash flows. Management has to make judgements on the 
financial position of the counterparty and the net realisable value of collateral, in determining the expected future cash flows. 

In determining whether an impairment loss should be recorded in the statement of comprehensive income, the Group makes judgements as to 
whether there is any observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows from a portfolio of 
loans or held-to-maturity investments with similar credit characteristics, before the decrease can be identified with an individual loan in that 
portfolio. This evidence may include observable data indicating that there has been an adverse change in the payment status of borrowers in 
a group, or national or local economic conditions that correlate with defaults on assets in the Group. Management uses estimates based on 
historical loss experience for assets with credit risk characteristics and objective evidence of impairment similar to those in the portfolio when 
scheduling its future cash flows. The methodology and assumptions used for estimating both the amount and timing of future cash flows are 
reviewed regularly to reduce any differences between loss estimates and actual loss experience.

Goodwill impairment
The accounting policy for goodwill is described in note 1.13 (a). The Company reviews the goodwill for impairment at least annually or 
when events or changes in economic circumstances indicate that impairment may have taken place. Significant management judgements are 
made in estimations, to evaluate whether an impairment of goodwill is necessary. Impairment testing is done at CGU level and the following 
two items, with judgements surrounding them, have a significant impact on the estimations used in determining the necessity of an 
impairment charge:

•

•

Future cash flows – Cash flow forecasts reflect managements view of future business forecasts at the time of the assessment. A detailed 
three year budget is done every year and management also uses judgement in applying a growth rate. The accuracy of future cash flows is 
subject to a high degree of uncertainty in volatile market conditions. During such conditions, management would do impairment testing 
more frequently than annually to ensure that the assumptions applied are still valid in the current market conditions.

Discount rate – Management also apply judgement in determining the discount rate used to discount future expected cash flows.  
The discount rate is derived from the cost of capital for each CGU.

At the time of the impairment testing, if the future expected cash flows decline and/or the cost of capital has increased, then the recoverable 
amount will reduce. 

Taxation
The group is subject to direct and indirect taxation in a number of jurisdictions. There may be some transactions and calculations for which 
the ultimate tax determination has an element of uncertainty during the ordinary course of business. The Group recognises liabilities based 
on estimates of the quantum of taxes that may be due. Where the final tax determination is different from the amounts that were initially 
recorded, such differences will impact the income tax an deferred tax expense in the year in which the determination is made.

2.2. Judgements
Impairment of equity securities
A significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of an equity security is objective evidence of impairment. The Group regards a decline of 
more than 20 percent in fair value as “significant” and a decline in the quoted market price that persists for nine months or longer as 
“prolonged”.

Valuation of financial instruments
Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities that are traded in active markets are based on quoted market prices. If the market is not 
active the Group establishes a fair value by using appropriate valuation techniques. These include the use of recent arm’s length transactions, 
reference to other instruments that are substantially the same for which market observable prices exist, net present value and discounted cash 
flow analysis. The objective of valuation techniques is to determine the fair value of the financial instrument at the reporting date as the price 
that would have been agreed between active market participants in an arm’s length transaction.

42

AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

2.2. Judgements continued
Valuation of financial instruments continued
The Group measures fair value using the following fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making 
measurements:

•
•

•

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e.  as prices) 
or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The consideration of factors such as the magnitude and frequency of trading activity, the availability of prices and the size of bid/offer 
spreads, assist in the judgement as to whether a market is active. If in the opinion of management, a significant proportion of the instrument’s 
carrying amount is driven by unobservable inputs, the instrument in its entirety is classified as valued using significant unobservable inputs. 
‘Unobservable’ in this context means that there is little or no current market data available from which to determine the level at which an 
arm’s length transaction would be likely to occur. It generally does not mean that there is no market data available at all upon which to base 
a determination of fair value (consensus pricing data may, for example, be used). 

The tables below analyses financial instruments measured at fair value by the level in the fair value hierarchy into which the measurement is 
categorised:

At 31 December 2010	

Trading securities – long positions 
Financial investments 

Trading securities – short positions 
Derivative financial instruments 

At 31 December 2009	

Trading securities – long positions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Financial investments 

Trading securities – short positions 

Level	1	

£000	

3,232  
2,070  

5,302  

775  
– 

775  

Level	1	

£000	

2,633  
– 
1,533  

4,166  
959  

959  

Level	2	

£000	

– 
– 

– 

– 
184  

184  

Level	2	

£000	

26  
236  
– 

262  
– 

– 

There were no significant transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the year.

The following table reconciles the movement in level 3 financial instruments during the year:

Movement in level 3	

At 1 January 
Purchases 
Disposals 
Losses recognised in the profit and loss 

At 31 December 

Level	3	

£000	

– 
2,887  

2,887  

– 
– 

– 

Level	3	

£000	

– 
– 
3,524  

3,524  
– 

– 

2010		

£000	

3,524  
130  
(450) 
(317) 

2,887  

Total

£000

3,232 
4,957 

8,189 

775 
184 

959 

Total

£000

2,659 
236 
5,057 

7,952 
959 

959 

2009	

£000

3,285 
600 
–
(361)

3,524 

43

		
	
  
 
  
 
	
	
  
 
  
 
		
	
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

3. Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities
The table below shows the maturity analysis of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2010:

Due	within	

one	year	

	£000	

73,772  
12,080  
211,063  
3,232  
127,114  
14,284  
–  
–  
–  
–  

Due	after	

more	than	

one	year	

£000	

–  
–  
89,189  
–  
16,005  
3,664  
4,957  
2,915  
5,903  
932  

Total

£000

73,772 
12,080 
300,252 
3,232 
143,119 
17,948 
4,957 
2,915 
5,903 
932 

441,545  

123,565  

565,110 

3,706  
775  
184  
496,964  
751  
9,387  
–  
–  

511,767  

–  
–  
–  
6,293  
–  
146  
126  
12,630  

3,706 
775 
184 
503,257 
751 
9,533 
126 
12,630 

19,195  

530,962 

At 31 December 2010	

ASSETS 
Cash 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Other assets 
Financial investments 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Current tax liability 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liability 
Debt securities in issue 

Total liabilities 

44

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
  
  
 
  
  
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

3. Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities continued
The table below shows the maturity analysis of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2009:

At 31 December 2009	

ASSETS 
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Current tax asset 
Other assets 
Financial investments 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Deposits from customers 
Current tax liability 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liability 
Debt securities in issue 

Total liabilities 

Due	within	

one	year	

	£000	

230  
236  
54,614  
203,751  
2,659  
119,559  
1,805  
16,674  
1,533  
–  
–  
–  

401,061  

2,886  
959  
384,583  
2,208  
13,214  
81  
–  

403,931  

Due	after	

more	than	

one	year	

£000	

–  
–  
–  
25,971  
–  
8,038  
–  
2,080  
3,524  
2,906  
8,552  
383  

Total

£000

230 
236 
54,614 
229,722 
2,659 
127,597 
1,805 
18,754 
5,057 
2,906 
8,552 
383 

51,454  

452,515 

–  
–  
1,416  
–  
3  
–  
13,022  

2,886 
959 
385,999 
2,208 
13,217 
81 
13,022 

14,441  

418,372 

4. Financial risk management
Strategy
By their nature, the Group’s activities are principally related to the use of financial instruments. The Directors and senior management of the 
Group have formally adopted a group Risk and Controls Policy which sets out the Board’s attitude to risk and internal controls. Key risks 
identified by the Directors are formally reviewed and assessed at least once a year by the Board, in addition to which key business risks are 
identified, evaluated and managed by operating management on an ongoing basis by means of procedures such as physical controls, credit 
and other authorisation limits and segregation of duties. The Board also receives regular reports on any risk matters that need to be brought 
to its attention. Significant risks identified in connection with the development of new activities are subject to consideration by the Board. 
There are budgeting procedures in place and reports are presented regularly to the Board detailing the results of each principal business unit, 
variances against budget and prior year, and other performance data.

The principal non-operational risks inherent in the Group’s business are credit, market and liquidity risks. 

(a) Credit risk
The Company and Group take on exposure to credit risk, which is the risk that a counterparty will be unable to pay amounts in full when 
due. Impairment provisions are provided for losses that have been incurred at the balance sheet date. Significant changes in the economy, or 
in the health of a particular industry segment that represents a concentration in the Company and Group’s portfolio, could result in losses 
that are different from those provided for at the balance sheet date. Credit risk is managed through the Credit Committees of the banking 
subsidiaries, with significant exposures also being approved by the Group Risk Committee.

45

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
  
  
  
  
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

4. Financial risk management continued
The Company and Group structure the levels of credit risk it undertakes by placing limits on the amount of risk accepted in relation to one 
borrower or groups of borrowers. Such risks are monitored on a revolving basis and subject to an annual or more frequent review. The limits 
are approved periodically by the Board of Directors and actual exposures against limits are monitored daily.

Exposure to credit risk is managed through regular analysis of the ability of borrowers and potential borrowers to meet interest and capital 
repayment obligations and by changing these lending limits where appropriate. Exposure to credit risk is also managed in part by obtaining 
collateral and corporate and personal guarantees.

The Group employs a range of policies and practices to mitigate credit risk. The most traditional of these is the taking of collateral to secure 
advances, which is common practice. The principal collateral types for loans and advances include, but are not limited to:

•
•
•
•
•

Charges over residential and commercial properties;
Charges over business assets such as premises, inventory and accounts receivable;
Charges over financial instruments such as debt securities and equities;
Personal guarantees; and
Charges over other chattels

Upon initial recognition of loans and advances, the fair value of collateral is based on valuation techniques commonly used for the 
corresponding assets. In order to minimise any potential credit loss the Group will seek additional collateral from the counterparty as soon as 
impairment indicators are noticed for the relevant individual loans and advances. Repossessed collateral, not readily convertible into cash, is 
made available for sale in an orderly fashion, with the proceeds used to reduce or repay the outstanding indebtedness. Where excess funds are 
available after the debt has been repaid, they are available either for other secured lenders with lower priority or are returned to the customer.

Commitments to extend credit represent unused portions of authorisations to extend credit in the form of loans, guarantees or letters of 
credit. With respect to credit risk on commitments to extend credit, the Group is potentially exposed to loss in an amount equal to the total 
unused commitments. However, the likely amount of loss is less than the total unused commitments, as most commitments to extend credit 
are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards.

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk before collateral held or other credit enhancements is as follows:

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

73,772  
– 
12,080  
210,753  
89,499  
3,232  
143,119  
4,957  
8,727  

230 
236 
54,614 
178,297 
51,425 
2,659 
127,597 
5,057 
15,090 

485  
23,469  

1,135 
14,163 

570,093  

450,503 

Credit risk exposures relating to on-balance sheet assets are as follows: 
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers – Arbuthnot Latham 
Loan and advances to customers – Secure Trust Bank 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Financial investments 
Other assets 

Credit risk exposures relating to off-balance sheet assets are as follows: 
Guarantees 
Loan commitments and other credit related liabilities 

At 31 December 

46

		
	
		
	
  
 
  
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

4. Financial risk management continued
The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk before collateral held or other credit enhancements is as follows:

Credit risk exposures relating to on-balance sheet assets are as follows: 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Financial investments 
Other debtors 

Credit risk exposures relating to off-balance sheet assets are as follows: 
Guarantees 

At 31 December 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

15,545  
330  
2,386  

14,531 
465 
1,703 

2,500  

20,761  

2,500 

19,199 

The above table represents the maximum credit risk exposure (net of impairment) to the Group and Company at 31 December 2010 and 
2009 without taking account of any collateral held or other credit enhancements attached. For on-balance-sheet assets, the exposures are 
based on the net carrying amounts as reported in the balance sheet.

Concentration risk
The Group is well diversified in the UK, being exposed to retail banking, private banking and investment banking. Management assesses the 
potential concentration risk from a number of areas including:

•
•
•

geographical concentration
product concentration; and
high value residential properties

Due to the well diversified nature of the Group and the significant collateral held against the loan book, the Directors do not consider there to 
be a potential material exposure arising from concentration risk.

(b) Operational risk (unaudited)
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 to avoid control procedures that restrict initiatives and creativity. Operational risk arises from all of the 
Group’s operations.

The primary responsibility for the development and implementation of controls to address operational risk is assigned to the senior 
management within each subsidiary. 

Compliance with Group standards is supported by a programme of periodic reviews undertaken by Internal Audit. The results of the Internal 
Audit reviews are discussed with the company’s senior management, with summaries submitted to the Arbuthnot Banking Group Audit 
Committee.

(c) Market risk
Price risk
The Company and Group is exposed to equity securities price risk because of investments held by the Group and classified on the 
consolidated balance sheet either as available-for-sale or at fair value through the statement of comprehensive income. The Group is not 
exposed to commodity price risk. To manage its price risk arising from investments in equity securities, the Group diversifies its portfolio. 
Diversification of the portfolio is done in accordance with the limits set by the Group.

Based upon the trading book exposure given in Note 15 and the financial investment exposure (in Note 19), a stress test scenario of a 10% 
(2009: 10%) decline in market prices, with all other things being equal, would result in a £141,000 (2009: £250,000) decrease in the Group’s 
income and equity. The Group consider a 10% stress test scenario appropriate after taking the current values and historic data into account.

Based upon the financial investment exposure given in Note 19, a stress test scenario of a 10% (2009: 10%) decline in market prices, with all 
other things being equal, would result in a £33,000 (2009: £46,500) decrease in the Company’s income and equity.

47

		
	
		
	
  
 
  
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

4. Financial risk management continued
Currency risk
The Company and Group takes on exposure to the effects of fluctuations in the prevailing foreign currency exchange rates on its financial 
position and cash flows. The Board sets limits on the level of exposure for both overnight and intra-day positions, which are monitored daily. 
The table below summarises the Group’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk at 31 December 2010. Included in the table below 
are the Group’s assets and liabilities at carrying amounts, categorised by currency.

At 31 December 2010	

ASSETS 
Cash 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Other assets 
Financial investments 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 

Credit commitments 

GBP	(£)	

£000	

73,667  
5,188  
258,486  
3,220  
143,119  
17,943  
1,999  

503,622  

1,812  
775  
184  
484,904  
9,533  
– 

497,208  

6,414  

23,600  

USD	($)	

£000	

32  
4,945  
5,090  
12  
– 
4  
71  

10,154  

10  
– 
– 
9,947  
– 
– 

9,957  

197  

20  

Euro	(€)	

£000	

73  
427  
36,676  
– 
– 
1  
2,887  

40,064  

13  
– 
– 
6,873  
– 
12,630  

19,516  

20,548  

334  

Other	

£000	

– 
1,520  
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1,520  

1,871  
– 
– 
1,533  
– 
– 

3,404  

(1,884) 

– 

Total

£000

73,772 
12,080 
300,252 
3,232 
143,119 
17,948 
4,957 

555,360 

3,706 
775 
184 
503,257 
9,533 
12,630 

530,085 

25,275 

23,954 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

4. Financial risk management continued
The table below summarises the Group’s exposure to foreign currency exchange risk at 31 December 2009:

At 31 December 2009	

ASSETS 
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Other assets 
Financial investments 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Deposits from customers 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 

Credit commitments 

GBP	(£)	

£000	

230  
236  
48,002  
192,681  
2,199  
127,597  
18,577  
5,057  

394,579  

1,241  
959  
370,600  
13,215  
– 

386,015  

8,564  

13,865  

USD	($)	

£000	

– 
– 
4,587  
3,579  
460  
– 
41  
– 

8,667  

7  
– 
8,720  
1  
– 

8,728  

(61) 

3  

Euro	(€)	

£000	

– 
– 
816  
31,430  
– 
– 
136  
– 

32,382  

21  
– 
5,475  
1  
13,022  

18,519  

13,863  

295  

Other	

£000	

– 
– 
1,209  
2,032  
– 
– 
– 
– 

3,241  

1,617  
– 
1,204  
– 
– 

2,821  

420  

– 

Total

£000

230 
236 
54,614 
229,722 
2,659 
127,597 
18,754 
5,057 

438,869 

2,886 
959 
385,999 
13,217 
13,022 

416,083 

22,786 

14,163 

A 10% strengthening of the pound against the US dollar would lead to a £20,000 (2009: negligible) decrease in Group profits and equity, 
while a 10% weakening of the pound against the US dollar would lead to the same increase in Group profits and equity. Similarly a 10% 
strengthening of the pound against the Euro would lead to £48,000 (2009: £42,000) decrease in Group profits and equity, while a 10% 
weakening of the pound against the Euro would lead to the same increase in Group profits and equity. The above results are after taking into 
account the effect of derivative financial instruments (see Note 24), which covers most of the net exposure in each currency.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

4. Financial risk management continued
The table below summarises the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk at 31 December 2010:

At 31 December 2010	

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Financial investments 
Other debtors 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 

GBP	(£)	

£000	

Euro	(€)	

£000	

124  
330  
601  
28,633  

29,688  

1,004  
10,097  
– 

11,101  

18,587  

13,025  
– 
– 
– 

13,025  

– 
– 
12,630  

12,630  

395  

The table below summarises the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk at 31 December 2009:

At 31 December 2009	

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Financial investments 
Other debtors 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 

GBP	(£)	

£000	

Euro	(€)	

£000	

(853) 
465  
1,703  
28,624  

29,939  

1,001  
6,954  
– 

7,955  

21,984  

13,352  
– 
– 
– 

13,352  

– 
– 
13,022  

13,022  

330  

CHF	

£000	

2,396  
– 
– 
– 

2,396  

1,865  
– 
– 

1,865  

531  

CHF	

£000	

2,032  
– 
– 
– 

2,032  

1,617  
– 
– 

1,617  

415  

Total

£000

15,545 
330 
601 
28,633 

45,109 

2,869 
10,097 
12,630 

25,596 

19,513 

Total

£000

14,531 
465 
1,703 
28,624 

45,323 

2,618 
6,954 
13,022 

22,594 

22,729 

A 10% strengthening of the pound against the Euro would lead to £11,000 (2009: £3,000) decrease in the Company profits and equity, 
conversely a 10% weakening of the pound against the Euro would lead to the same increase in the Company profits and equity. A 10% 
strengthening of the pound against the Swiss Franc would lead to £53,000 (2009: £43,000) decrease in the Company profits and equity, 
conversely a 10% weakening of the pound against the Swiss Franc would lead to the same increase in the Company profits and equity.

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the potential adverse impact on the Company and Group’s future cash flows from changes in interest rates; and arises 
from the differing interest rate risk characteristics of the Company and Group’s assets and liabilities. In particular, fixed rate savings and 
borrowing products expose the Group to the risk that a change in interest rates could cause either a reduction in interest income or an 
increase in interest expense relative to variable rate interest flows. The Group seeks to “match” interest rate risk on either side of the balance 
sheet. However, this is not a perfect match and interest rate risk is present on: Money market transactions of a fixed rate nature, fixed rate 
loans and fixed rate savings accounts. There is interest rate mismatch in Arbuthnot Latham and Secure Trust Bank. This is monitored on a 
daily basis in conjunction with liquidity and capital. The interest rate mismatch is daily monitored, throughout the maturity bandings of the 
book on a parallel scenario for both 50 and 100 basis points movement. The Group consider the 50 and 100 basis points movement to be 
appropriate for scenario testing given the current economic outlook and industry expectations. This typically results in a pre-tax mismatch of 
£0.6m to £1.2m (2009: £0.1m) for the Group, with the same impact to equity pre-tax. The Company has no fixed rate exposures, but a 
upward change of 50 basis points on variable rates would reduce pre-tax profits and equity by £1,000 (2009: £7,000).

50

	
	
	
	
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
		
	
	
	
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

4. Financial risk management continued
(d) Liquidity risk
The new Liquidity regime came into force on 1 October 2010. The FSA requires a firm to maintain at all times liquidity resources which are 
adequate, both as to amount and quality, to ensure that there is no significant risk that its liabilities cannot be met as they fall due. There is 
also a requirement that a firm ensures its liquidity resources contain an adequate buffer of high quality, unencumbered assets (i.e. Government 
securities in the liquidity asset buffer); and it maintains a prudent funding profile. The liquidity asset buffer is a pool of highly liquid assets 
that can be called upon to create sufficient liquidity to meet liabilities on demand, particularly in a period of liquidity stress. The liquidity 
resources outside the buffer must either be marketable assets with a demonstrable secondary market that the firm can access, or a credit 
facility that can be activated in times of stress. 

The banking entities both prepared and approved their Individual Liquidity Adequacy Assessment (ILAA). The liquidity buffers required by 
the ILAA have all been put in place and maintained since. Liquidity resources outside of the buffer are made up of certificates of deposit and 
fixed rate notes (debt securities). The Company and Group also maintain long-term committed bank facilities.

The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Group into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2010:

At 31 December 2010	

Non-derivative liabilities 
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Deposits from customers 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Issued financial guarantee contracts 
Unrecognised loan commitments 

Derivative liabilities 
Risk management: 
 – Inflows 
 – Outflows 

Carrying	

amount	

£000	

Gross	nominal	

Not	more	

inflow/(outflow)	

than	3	months	

£000	

£000	

3,706  
775  
503,257  
9,533  
12,630  

(3,710) 
(775) 
(503,671) 
(8,294) 
(15,143) 
(485) 
(23,469) 

(3,710) 
(775) 
(323,077) 
(8,039) 
(126) 
(485) 
(23,469) 

More	than	

3	months	

but	less	

than	1	year	

£000	

– 
– 
(174,267) 
(109) 
(377) 
– 
– 

529,901  

(555,547) 

(359,681) 

(174,753) 

184  

– 
20,073  
(20,257) 

– 
20,073  
(20,257) 

184  

(184) 

(184) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

More	than

1	year	but

less	than	

5	years	

£000	

– 
– 
(6,327) 
(146) 
(2,010) 
– 
– 

(8,483) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

More	than

5	years

£000

–
–
–
–
(12,630)
–
–

(12,630)

–
–
–

–

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

4. Financial risk management continued
The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Group into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2009:

At 31 December 2009	

Non-derivative liabilities 
Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Deposits from customers 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Issued financial guarantee contracts 
Unrecognised loan commitments 

Carrying	

amount	

£000	

Gross	nominal	

Not	more	

inflow/(outflow)	

than	3	months	

£000	

£000	

2,886  
959  
385,999  
13,217  
13,022  

(2,886) 
(959) 
(386,177) 
(13,475) 
(15,613) 
(1,135) 
(14,163) 

(2,886) 
(959) 
(317,736) 
(4,672) 
(130) 
(1,135) 
(14,163) 

More	than	

3	months	

but	less	

than	1	year	

£000	

– 
– 
(66,931) 
(8,303) 
(389) 
– 
– 

416,083  

(434,408) 

(341,681) 

(75,623) 

More	than

1	year	but

less	than	

5	years	

£000	

– 
– 
(1,510) 
(500) 
(2,072) 
– 
– 

(4,082) 

More	than

5	years

£000

–
–
–
–
(13,022)
–
–

(13,022)

The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Company into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2010:

At 31 December 2010	

Non-derivative liabilities 
Deposits from banks 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Accruals 
Debt securities in issue 
Issued financial guarantee contracts 

Carrying	

amount	

£000	

Gross	nominal	

Not	more	

inflow/(outflow)	

than	3	months	

£000	

£000	

2,869  
10,097  
848  
12,630  

(2,869) 
(10,097) 
(848) 
(15,143) 
(2,500) 

(2,869) 
(10,097) 
– 
(126) 
(2,500) 

More	than	

3	months	

but	less	

than	1	year	

£000	

– 
– 
(848) 
(377) 
– 

26,444  

(31,457) 

(15,592) 

(1,225) 

More	than

1	year	but

less	than	

5	years	

£000	

– 
– 
– 
(2,010) 
– 

(2,010) 

More	than

5	years

£000

–
–
–
(12,630)
–

(12,630)

The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Company into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2009:

At 31 December 2009	

Non-derivative liabilities 
Deposits from banks 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Accruals 
Debt securities in issue 
Issued financial guarantee contracts 

Carrying	
amount	

£000	

Gross	nominal	
inflow/(outflow)	

£000	

Not	more	
than	3	months	

£000	

2,618  
6,954  
630  
13,022  

(2,618) 
(6,954) 
(630) 
(15,613) 
(2,500) 

(2,618) 
(6,954) 
– 
(130) 
(2,500) 

More	than	

3	months	

but	less	
than	1	year	

£000	

– 
– 
(630) 
(389) 
– 

23,224  

(28,315) 

(12,202) 

(1,019) 

More	than

1	year	but

less	than	
5	years	

£000	

– 
– 
– 
(2,072) 
– 

(2,072) 

More	than
5	years

£000

–
–
–
(13,022)
–

(13,022)

The maturities of assets and liabilities and the ability to replace, at an acceptable cost, interest-bearing liabilities as they mature are important 
factors in assessing the liquidity of the group and its exposure to changes in interest rates and exchange rates.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

4. Financial risk management continued
Fiduciary activities
The Group provides trustee, investment management and advisory services to third parties, which involve the Group making allocation and 
purchase and sale decisions in relation to a wide range of financial instruments. Those assets that are held in a fiduciary capacity are not 
included in these financial statements. These services give rise to the risk that the Group may be accused of maladministration or 
underperformance. At the balance sheet date, the Group had investment management accounts amounting to approximately £225m  
(2009: £179m). Additionally the Group provides investment advisory services.

(e) Financial assets and liabilities
The tables below sets out the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities into the respective classifications:

At 31 December 2010	

Cash 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Financial investments 

Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Debt securities in issue 

At 31 December 2009	
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Trading securities – long positions 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Financial investments 

Deposits from banks 
Trading securities – short positions 
Deposits from customers 
Debt securities in issue 

Trading	

£000	

– 
– 
– 
3,232  
– 
330  

Held-to-	

maturity	

£000	

– 
– 
– 
– 
143,119  
– 

Loans	and	

receivables	

£000	

73,772  
12,080  
300,252  
– 
– 
– 

3,562  

143,119  

386,104  

– 
775  
184  
– 
– 

959  

Trading	

£000	
– 
236  
– 
– 
2,659  
– 
465  

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

Held-to-	

maturity	

£000	
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
127,597  
– 

Loans	and	

receivables	

£000	
230  
– 
54,614  
229,722  
– 
– 
– 

3,360  

127,597  

284,566  

– 
959  
– 
– 

959  

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

Available-	

for-sale	

£000	

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
4,627  

4,627  

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

Other	

Total	carrying	

amortised	cost	

£000	

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

3,706  
– 
– 
503,257  
12,630  

amount	

£000	

73,772  
12,080  
300,252  
3,232  
143,119  
4,957  

Fair	value

£000

73,772 
12,080 
300,252 
3,232 
143,119 
4,957 

537,412  

537,412 

3,706  
775  
184  
503,257  
12,630  

3,706 
775 
184 
503,257 
12,630 

519,593  

520,552  

520,552 

Available-	

Other	

Total	carrying	

for-sale	

amortised	cost	

amount	

£000	
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
4,592  

4,592  

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

£000	
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

£000	
230  
236  
54,614  
229,722  
2,659  
127,597  
5,057  

Fair	value

£000
230 
236 
54,614 
229,722 
2,659 
127,597 
5,057 

– 

420,115  

420,115 

2,886  
– 
385,999  
13,022  

2,886  
959  
385,999  
13,022  

2,886 
959 
385,999 
13,022 

401,907  

402,866  

402,866 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

5. Capital management
The Group’s capital management policy is focused on optimising shareholder value. There is a clear focus on delivering organic growth and 
ensuring capital resources are sufficient to support planned levels of growth. The Board regularly reviews the capital position.

In accordance with the EU’s Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) and the required parameters set out in the FSA Handbook (BIPRU 2.2), 
the Individual Capital Assessment Process (ICAAP) is embedded in the risk management framework of the Group and is subject to ongoing 
updates and revisions when necessary. However, at a minimum, the ICAAP is updated annually as part of the business planning process.  
The ICAAP is a process that brings together management framework (i.e. the policies, procedures, strategies, and systems that the Group  
has implemented to identify, manage and mitigate its risks) and the financial disciplines of business planning and capital management.  
The Group’s regulated entities are also the principal trading subsidiaries as detailed in Note 35.

Not all material risks can be mitigated by capital, but where capital is appropriate the Board has adopted a “Pillar 1 plus” approach to 
determine the level of capital the Group needs to hold. This method takes the Pillar 1 capital formula calculations (standardised approach for 
credit, market and operational risk) as a starting point, and then considers whether each of the calculations delivers a sufficient capital sum 
adequately to cover managements’ anticipated risks. Where the Board considered that the Pillar 1 calculations did not reflect the risk, an 
additional capital add-on in Pillar 2 is applied, as per the Individual Capital Guidance (ICG) issued by the FSA.

The Group’s regulatory capital is divided into two tiers:

•
•

Tier 1 comprises mainly shareholders’ funds, non-controlling interests, after deducting goodwill and other intangible assets.
Lower Tier 2 comprises qualifying subordinated loan capital and revaluation reserves. Lower Tier 2 capital cannot exceed 50% of tier 1 
capital.

The following table shows the regulatory capital resources as managed by the Group:

Tier 1 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves 
Non-controlling 
Goodwill 
Other deductions 

Total tier 1 capital 

Tier 2 
Revaluation reserve 
Debt securities in issue 

Total tier 2 capital 

Total tier 1 & tier 2 capital 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

150  
21,085  
12,142  
(1,493) 
2,118  
(1,991) 
(924) 

31,087  

146  
12,630  

12,776  

43,863  

150 
21,085 
11,684 
(1,178)
2,144 
(1,991)
(915)

30,979 

258 
13,022 

13,280 

44,259 

The ICAAP includes a summary of the capital required to mitigate the identified risks in its regulated entities and the amount of capital that 
the Group has available. The latest version of the Group ICAAP was approved by the Board on 11 February 2011. The FSA sets ICG for 
each UK bank calibrated by references to its Capital Resources Requirement, broadly equivalent to 8 percent of risk weighted assets and thus 
representing the capital required under Pillar 1 of the Basel II framework. The ICAAP is a key input into the FSA’s ICG setting process, which 
addresses the requirements of Pillar 2 of the Basel II framework. The FSA’s approach is to monitor the available capital resources in relation 
to the ICG requirement. Each entity maintains an extra internal buffer and capital ratios are reviewed on a monthly basis to ensure that 
external requirements are adhered to. All regulated entities have complied with all of the externally imposed capital requirements to which 
they are subject. 

54

		
	
		
	
  
 
  
 
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

5. Capital management continued
Pillar 3 complements the minimum capital requirements (Pillar 1) and the supervisory review process (Pillar 2). Its aim is to encourage market 
discipline by developing a set of disclosure requirements which will allow market participants to assess key pieces of information on a firm’s 
capital, risk exposures and risk assessment processes. Our Pillar 3 disclosures for the year ended 31 December 2010 are published as a 
separate document on the Group website under Investor Relations (Announcements & Shareholder Info).

6. Fee and commission income

Fee and commission income 
Trust and other fiduciary fee income 
Stockbroking fee and commission income 
Other fee income 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

2,219  
12,949  
14,683 

29,851 

1,922 
13,580 
16,314

31,816

7. Other income
Other income mainly consist of a contribution of £0.8m (2009: £0.5m) towards the cost of the Swiss entity received from a possible investor. 
In 2009 there was also income released relating to business assets sold in 2008 of £1.1m (see Note 8).

8. Gain on sale of business assets
In June 2008, the Group announced that its subsidiary, Secure Trust Bank PLC, as part of its restructuring process, sold its insurance branch 
network to the UK’s leading high street insurance retailer, Swinton. 

As part of the sale of business assets during 2008, accruals and deferred income included a provision in respect of various warranties included 
in the respective Sale and Purchase Agreements. During 2009 these warranties (£0.5m) were written back to the profit and loss account as 
they expired and £0.7m of trade payables were written off.

9. Operating profit on ordinary activities before tax

Operating expenses comprise:	

Staff costs, including Directors: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

Amortisation of computer software (Note 20) 
Depreciation (Note 21) 
Profit on disposals of property, plant and equipment 
Financial Services Compensation Scheme Levy 
Charitable donations 
Operating lease rentals 
Restructuring costs 
Other administrative expenses 

Total operating expenses 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

23,644  
2,666  
1,538  
417  
1,262  
– 
30  
55  
2,370  
351  
15,299  

47,632  

23,255 
2,458 
1,448 
351 
1,171 
(99)
258 
27 
2,249 
127 
15,155 

46,400 

The auditors’ remuneration for the audit of the Company’s accounts was £75,000 (2009: £70,000) and fees payable for the audit of the 
accounts of subsidiaries of the Company was £216,000 (2009: £205,000). Remuneration of the auditors for non-audit services was: services 
related to taxation £163,000 (2009: £15,000) and all other services £70,000 (2009: £25,000).

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

10. Average number of employees

Retail banking 
Private banking 
Investment banking 
Group 

11. Income tax expense 

United Kingdom corporation tax at 28% (2009: 28%) 

Current taxation 
Corporation tax charge – current year 
Corporation tax charge – adjustments in respect of prior years 

Deferred taxation 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Income tax expense 

Tax reconciliation 
Profit before tax 
Tax at 28% (2009: 28%) 
Permanent differences 
Tax rate change 
Prior period adjustments 

Corporation tax charge for the year 

2010		

201  
125  
72  
17  

415  

2010		

£000	

1,514  
(201) 

1,313  

(73) 
143  

70  

2009

208 
121 
72 
14 

415 

2009	

£000

1,691 
95 

1,786 

(212)
105 

(107)

1,383  

1,679 

5,104  
1,429  
6  
5  
(57) 

1,383  

5,050 
1,414 
65 
–
200 

1,679 

12. Earnings per ordinary share
Basic and fully diluted
Earnings per ordinary share are calculated on the net basis by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company of 
£3,747,000 (2009: £3,507,000) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 14,999,619 (2009: 14,999,619) in issue during the year. 
There is no difference between basic and fully diluted earnings per ordinary share.

13. Cash

Cash in hand included in cash and cash equivalents (Note 33) 

2010		

£000	

 73,772  

2009	

£000

230 

A reserve account was opened at the Bank of England during the year to comply with the new Liquidity regime that came into force on  
1 October 2010.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

14. Loans and advances to banks

Placements with banks included in cash and cash equivalents (Note 33) 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

12,080  

54,614 

The table below presents an analysis of loans and advances to banks by rating agency designation as at 31 December, based on Moody’s long 
term ratings

Aa2 
Aa3 

None of the loans and advances to banks is either past due or impaired.   

15. Trading securities, all held at fair value through profit and loss

Unlisted equity securities: 
Long positions 

Listed equity securities: 
Long positions 
Short positions 

2010		

£000	

4,633  
7,447  

12,080  

2009	

£000

31 
54,583 

54,614 

2010		

£000	

65  

2009	

£000

80 

3,167  
(775) 

2,579 
(959)

The following table shows the Group’s trading book exposure to market price risk for the year ended 31 December 2010:

Equities: 
Long 
Short 

Highest	

exposure	

£000	

4,807  
(2,247) 

Lowest	

exposure	

£000	

1,734  
(137) 

Average	

exposure	

£000	

3,311  
(987) 

Exposure	as	at

31	December

£000

3,232 
(775)

The following table shows the Group’s trading book exposure to market price risk for the year ended 31 December 2009:

Equities: 
Long 
Short 

Highest	

exposure	

£000	

4,298  
(1,976) 

Lowest	

exposure	

£000	

1,575  
(516) 

Average	

exposure	

£000	

Exposure	as	at

31	December

£000

2,824  
(1,131) 

2,659 
(959)

The average exposure has been calculated on a daily basis. The highest and lowest exposures occurred on different dates and therefore a net 
position of these exposures does not reflect a spread of the trading book. The basis on which the trading book is valued each day is given in 
the accounting policies in Note 1.9.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

16. Loans and advances to customers

Gross loans and advances 
Less: allowances for impairment on loans and advances (Note 17) 

For a maturity profile of loans and advances to customers, refer to Note 4. 

Loans and advances to customers include finance lease receivables as follows:	

Gross investment in finance lease receivables: 
 – No later than 1 year 
 – Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 
 – Later than 5 years 

Unearned future finance income on finance leases 

Net investment in finance leases 

The net investment in finance leases may be analysed as follows: 
 – No later than 1 year 
 – Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 
 – Later than 5 years 

Loans and advances to customers can be further summarised as follows:	

Neither past due nor impaired 
Past due but not impaired 
Impaired 

Gross 
Less: allowance for impairment 

Net  

(a) Loans and advances past due but not impaired    

Gross amounts of loans and advances to customers that were past due but not impaired were as follows:	

Past due up to 30 days 
Past due 30 – 60 days 
Past due 60 – 90 days 
Over 90 days 

Total 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

309,448  
(9,196) 

237,023 
(7,301)

300,252  

229,722 

2010		

£000	

3,386  
5,348  
2  

8,736  
(3,407) 

5,329  

1,485  
3,842  
2  

5,329  

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

158 
111 
2 

271 
(14)

257 

150 
105 
2 

257 

2009	

£000

282,737  
11,980  
14,731  

309,448  
(9,196) 

212,455 
15,748 
8,820 

237,023 
(7,301)

300,252  

229,722 

2010		

£000	

6,860  
1,416  
668  
3,036  

2009	

£000

3,460 
1,587 
2,295 
8,406 

11,980  

15,748 

Loans and advances normally fall into this category when there is a delay in either the sale of the underlying collateral or the completion of 
formalities to extend the credit facilities for a further period. Management have no material concerns regarding the quality of the collateral 
that secures the lending. 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

(b) Loans and advances renegotiated
Restructuring activities include external payment arrangements, modification and deferral of payments. Following restructuring, a previously 
overdue customer account is reset to a normal status and managed together with other similar accounts. Restructuring policies and practices 
are based on indicators or criteria which, in the judgement of management, indicate that payment will most likely continue. These policies are 
kept under continuous review. Renegotiated loans that would otherwise be past due or impaired totalled £nil (2009: £nil).

(c) Collateral held
An analysis of loans and advances to customers past due or impaired by reference to the fair value of the underlying collateral is as follows:

Past due but not impaired 
Impaired 

Fair value of collateral held 

2010		

£000	

16,065  
1,403  

17,468  

2009	

£000

20,215 
1,275 

21,490 

Collateral is shown at fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the collateral held is £17,468,000 against £5,897,000 secured loans, giving 
an average loan-to-value of 34% (2009: 62%).

The gross amount of individually impaired loans and advances to customers before taking into account the cash flows from collateral held is 
£14,731,000 (2009: £8,820,000).

Interest income on loans classified as impaired totalled £1,919,000 (2009: £644,000).

17. Allowances for impairment of loans and advances

A reconciliation of the allowance account for losses on loans and advances by class is as follows:	

At 1 January 
Impairment losses 
Loans written off during the year as uncollectible 
Amounts recovered during the year 

At 31 December 

A further analysis of allowances for impairment of loans and advances is as follows:	

Loans and advances to customers – Arbuthnot Latham 
Loan and advances to customers – unsecured – Secure Trust Bank 

At 31 December 

2010		

£000	

7,301  
3,146  
(1,251) 
– 

9,196  

2010		

£000	

1,398  
7,798  

9,196  

2009	

£000

5,122 
2,368 
(391)
202 

7,301 

2009	

£000

1,472 
5,829 

7,301 

18. Debt securities held-to-maturity
Debt securities represent certificates of deposit. The Group’s intention is to hold them to maturity and, therefore, they are stated in the 
balance sheet at amortised cost. Amounts include £nil (2009: £nil) with a maturity, when placed, of 3 months or less included in cash and 
cash equivalents (Note 33).

The movement in debt securities held to maturity may be summarised as follows:	

At 1 January 
Additions 
Redemptions 

At 31 December 

2010		

£000	

127,597  
452,576  
(437,054) 

2009	

£000

140,639 
248,688 
(261,730)

143,119  

127,597 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

18. Debt securities held-to-maturity continued
The table below presents an analysis of debt securities by rating agency designation at 31 December, based on Moody’s long term ratings:

Aaa 
Aa2 
Aa3 

None of the debt securities held-to-maturity are either past due or impaired.

19. Financial investments

Group	

Financial investments comprise: 
 – Securities (at fair value through profit and loss) 
 – Securities (available-for-sale) 

Total financial investments 

2010		

£000	

4,005  
13,018  
126,096  

2009	

£000

–
20,132 
107,465 

143,119  

127,597 

2010		

£000	

330  
4,627  

4,957  

2009	

£000

465 
4,592 

5,057 

Unlisted securities
The Group has made equity investments in unlisted special purpose vehicles set up to acquire and enhance the value of commercial 
properties. These investments are of a medium term nature. There is no open market for these investments therefore the Group has valued 
them using appropriate valuation methodologies, which include net asset valuations and discounted future cash flows.

The Directors intend to dispose of these assets when a suitable buyer has been identified and when the Directors believe that the underlying 
assets have reached their maximum value.

Company	

Financial investments comprise: 
 – Listed securities (at fair value through profit and loss) 

2010		

£000	

330  

2009	

£000

465 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

20. Intangible assets
Goodwill	
Group	

Opening net book amount 

Closing net book amount 

Computer software 
Group	
Cost	
At 1 January 2009 
Additions 

At 31 December 2009 

Additions 

At 31 December 2010 

Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 January 2009 
Amortisation charge 

At 31 December 2009 

Amortisation charge 

At 31 December 2010 

Net book amount 

At 31 December 2009 

At 31 December 2010 

Total intangible assets	

Goodwill 
Computer software 

Net book amount at 31 December 

Refer to note 1.13 (a) for assumptions used in the impairment review of goodwill.   

2010		

£000	

1,991  

1,991  

2010		

£000	

1,991  
924  

2,915  

2009	

£000

1,991 

1,991 

£000

3,299 
426 

3,725 

426 

4,151 

(2,459)
(351)

(2,810)

(417)

(3,227)

915 

924 

2009	

£000

1,991 
915 

2,906 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

21. Property, plant and equipment continued

Group	

Cost or valuation 
At 1 January 2009 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2009 

Additions 
Disposals 

Freehold	

land	and		

buildings	

£000	

5,100  
– 
(250) 

4,850  

– 
– 

Computer	

and	other	

equipment	

£000	

12,181  
500  
(1,187) 

11,494  

286  
(2) 

At 31 December 2010 

4,850  

11,778  

Operating	

leases	

£000	

2,091  
4  
– 

2,095  

– 
(2,095) 

– 

(312) 
(156) 
– 

(468) 

– 
468  

– 

Motor

vehicles	

£000	

554  
39  
(265) 

328  

– 
(118) 

210  

(377) 
(56) 
212  

(221) 

(30) 
74  

Total

£000

19,926 
543 
(1,702)

18,767 

286 
(2,215)

16,838 

(10,478)
(1,171)
1,434 

(10,215)

(1,262)
542 

(177) 

(10,935)

(483) 
(80) 
34  

(529) 

(78) 
– 

(9,306) 
(879) 
1,188  

(8,997) 

(1,154) 
– 

(607) 

(10,151) 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2009 
Depreciation charge 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2009 

Depreciation charge 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 

Net book amount 

At 31 December 2009 

At 31 December 2010 

4,321  

4,243  

2,497  

1,627  

1,627  

– 

107  

33  

8,552 

5,903 

The Group’s freehold property at 1 Arleston Way, Solihull, 890 4LH, was valued on 17 December 2008 by an External Valuer, Graham 
Piercy, FRICS, of DWD2 Limited, Property Consultants. The Valuation was in accordance with the requirements of the RICS Valuation 
Standards 6th Edition and the International Valuation Standards. The Valuation of the property was on the basis and assumption it is an 
Owner/Occupied property, valued to Market Value assuming that the property will be sold as part of the continuing business. The Valuer’s 
opinion of Market Value was primarily derived using comparable recent market transactions on arms-length terms. As a Regulated Purpose 
Valuation, the Valuer, Graham Piercy FRICS, confirms this was the first occasion on which he had provided a Valuation of the Property. 
DWD2 Limited had had no previous relationship with the Company and accordingly received no fees in DWD2 Limited’s preceding financial 
year. The Directors do not believe that the fair value of freehold property is materially different from the carrying value. All freehold land and 
buildings are occupied and used by Group companies. The carrying value of freehold land not depreciated is £0.5 million (2009: £0.5 
million).

The historical cost of freehold property included at valuation is as follows:

2010		

£000	

4,792  
(967) 

3,825  

2009	

£000

4,792 
(876)

3,916 

Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 

Net book amount 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

21. Property, plant and equipment continued
Motor vehicles include the following amounts where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

Cost – capitalised finance leases 
Accumulated depreciation 

Net book amount 

2010		

£000	

306  
(199) 

107  

The Group leases various vehicles under non-cancellable finance lease agreements with original lease terms of three years.

Company	

Cost or valuation 
At 1 January 2009 
Additions 

At 31 December 2009 

Additions 

At 31 December 2010 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2009 
Depreciation charge 

At 31 December 2009 

Depreciation charge 

At 31 December 2010 

Net book amount 

At 31 December 2009 

At 31 December 2010 

22. Other assets

Trade receivables 
Repossessed collateral – held-for-sale 
Prepayments and accrued income 

23. Deposits from banks

Deposits from other banks 

For a maturity profile of deposits from banks, refer to Note 4. 

2010		

£000	

8,727  
2,205  
7,016  

17,948  

2010		

£000	

3,706  

2009	

£000

160 
(53)

107 

Computer	

and	other	

equipment

£000

119 
7 

126 

17 

143 

(45)
(3)

(48)

(7)

(55)

78 

88 

2009	

£000

15,090 
1,950 
1,714 

18,754 

2009	

£000

2,886 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

24. Derivative financial instruments

Currency swaps 

Contract/		

notional	

amount	

20,073  

20,073  

2010		

Fair	value	

assets	

– 

– 

Fair	value	

liabilities	

184  

184  

Contract/	

notional	

amount	

16,516  

16,516  

2009	

Fair	value	

assets	

236  

236  

Fair	value

liabilities

–

–

The principal derivatives used by the Group are exchange rate contracts. Exchange rate related contracts include currency swaps. Currency 
swaps generally involve the exchange of interest payment obligations denominated in different currencies; exchange of principal can be 
notional or actual. The currency swaps are settled net and therefore the fair value is small in comparison to the contract/notional amount.

The table below presents an analysis of derivative financial instruments contract/notional amounts by rating agency designation at  
31 December, based on Moody’s long term ratings:

Aa3 

25. Deposits from customers

Current/demand accounts 
Term deposits 

2010		

£000	

20,073  

20,073  

2009	

£000

16,516 

16,516 

2010		

£000	

179,209  
324,048  

2009	

£000

131,649 
254,350 

503,257  

385,999 

Included in customer accounts are deposits of £8,578,000 (2009: £10,035,000) held as collateral for loans and advances. The fair value of 
these deposits approximates the carrying value.

For a maturity profile of deposits from customers, refer to Note 4.

26. Other liabilities

Trade payables 
Finance lease liabilities 
Accruals and deferred income 

2010		

£000	

1,835  
25  
7,673  

9,533  

2009	

£000

4,449 
112 
8,656 

13,217 

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (‘FSCS’) has provided compensation to consumers following the collapse of a number of 
deposit takers. The compensation paid out to consumers is currently funded through loans from the Bank of England and HM Treasury.  
The Group could be liable to pay a proportion of the outstanding borrowings that the FSCS has borrowed from HM Treasury which at  
30 September 2010 stood at approximately £20 billion. Currently, the levy paid by the Group represents its share of the interest on these 
borrowings.

At 31 December 2010, the Group had accrued £353,000 (2009: £443,000) in respect of the levy, based on the bank’s estimated share of total 
market protected deposits. 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

26. Other liabilities continued
The ultimate FSCS levy to the industry as a result of the collapses cannot currently be estimated reliably as it is dependent on various 
uncertain factors including the potential recoveries of assets by the FSCS and changes in the interest rate, the level of protected deposits and 
the population of FSCS members at the time.

a.) Finance lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.

Gross finance lease liabilities – minimum lease payments 
Within 1 year 
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 

Future finance charges on finance leases 

Present value of finance lease liabilities 

The present value of finance lease liabilities is as follows: 
Within 1 year 
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 

27. Debt securities in issue

2010		

£000	

26  
– 

26  

(1) 

25  

25  
– 

25  

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

61 
58 

119 

(7)

112 

58 
54 

112 

2009	

£000

Subordinated loan notes 2035 

12,630  

13,022 

The subordinated loan notes 2035 were issued on 7 November 2005 and are denominated in Euros. The principal amount outstanding at  
31 December 2010 was e15,000,000 (2009: e15,000,000). The notes carry interest at 3% over the interbank rate for three month deposits in 
euros and are repayable at par in August 2035 unless redeemed or repurchased earlier by the Company.

The contractual undiscounted amount that will be required to be paid at maturity of the above debt securities is e15,000,000.

Given the fact that the Group has never been subject to a published credit rating by any of the relevant agencies and the notes in issue are not 
quoted, it is not considered possible to approximate a fair value for these notes.

65

	
	
		
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
	
	
		
AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

28. Deferred taxation
The deferred tax asset comprises:

Unrealised surplus on revaluation of freehold property 
Accelerated capital allowances and other short-term timing differences 
Tax losses 

Deferred tax asset 

At 1 January 
Revaluation reserve 
Available-for-sale securities 
Profit and loss account – accelerated capital allowances and other short-term timing differences 
Profit and loss account – tax losses 

Deferred tax asset at 31 December 

The above balance is made up as follows: 

Deferred tax assets within the Group 
Deferred tax liabilities within the Group 

2010		

£000	

(126) 
870  
62  

806  

302  
(70) 
(55) 
35  
594  

806  

2010		

£000	

932  
(126) 

806  

2009	

£000

(56)
259 
99 

302 

106 
(20)
–
117 
99 

302 

2009	

£000

383 
(81)

302 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses to the extent that the realisation of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits  
is probable.

29. Contingent liabilities and commitments
Capital commitments
At 31 December 2010, the Group had capital commitments of £nil (2009: £nil) in respect of equipment purchases.

Credit commitments
The contractual amounts of the Group’s off-balance sheet financial instruments that commit it to extend credit to customers are as follows:

Guarantees and other contingent liabilities 
Commitments to extend credit: 
– Original term to maturity of one year or less 

2010		

£000	

485  

23,469  

23,954  

2009	

£000

1,135 

14,163 

15,298 

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

29. Contingent liabilities and commitments continued
Operating lease commitments
Where a group company is the lessee, the future aggregate lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Expiring: 
Within 1 year 
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 
Later than 5 years 

2010		

£000	

1,798  
151  
57  

2,006  

2009	

£000

1,862 
2,168 
89 

4,119 

Other commitments
At 31 December 2010 a commitment exists to make further payments with regard to the Financial Compensation Scheme Levy for 2011 and 
thereafter. Due to uncertainties regarding the calculation of the levy and the Group’s share thereof, the Directors consider this cost to be 
unquantifiable.

30. Share capital

At 1 January and at 31 December 

Number	of	shares	

Ordinary	shares	

Share	premium

14,999,619  

£000	

150  

£000

21,085 

There was no movement in the issued share capital in the current or prior year. The total authorised number of ordinary shares at  
31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 was 418,439,000 with a par value of 1 pence per share (2009: 1 pence per share). All issued 
shares are fully paid.

At 31 December 2010 the Company held 380,274 shares (2009: 340,274) in treasury.

31. Reserves and retained earnings

Group	

Foreign currency translation reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
Capital redemption reserve 
Available-for-sale reserve 
Treasury shares 
Retained earnings 

Total reserves at 31 December 

2010		

£000	

(558) 
146  
20  
142  
(1,097) 
12,142  

10,795  

2009	

£000

(258)
258 
20 
–
(940)
11,684 

10,764 

The revaluation reserve represents the unrealised change in the fair value of properties.

The foreign currency translation reserve represents the cumulative gains and losses on the retranslation of the Group’s and the Company’s net 
investment in foreign operations, net of the effects of economic hedging.

The capital redemption reserve represents a reserve created after the company purchased its own shares which resulted in a reduction of  
share capital.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

31. Reserves and retained earnings continued

Company	

Capital redemption reserve 
Treasury shares 
Retained earnings 

Total reserves at 31 December 

2010		

£000	

20  
(1,097) 
415  

(662) 

2009	

£000

20 
(940)
1,862 

942 

32. Dividends per share
Final dividends are not accounted for until they have been approved at the Annual General Meeting. At the meeting on 11 May 2011, a 
dividend in respect of 2010 of 12 pence per share (2009: actual dividend 11.5 pence per share) amounting to a total of £1.75m (2009: actual 
£1.68m) is to be proposed. The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010 do not reflect the final dividend which will be 
accounted for in shareholders’ equity as an appropriation of retained profits in the year ending 31 December 2011.

33. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprises of the following balances with less than three months 
maturity from the date of acquisition.

Cash (Note 13) 
Loans and advances to banks (Note 14) 

2010		

£000	

73,772  
12,080  

85,852  

2009	

£000

230 
54,614 

54,844 

34. Related-party transactions
Related parties of the Company and Group include subsidiaries, Key Management Personnel, close family members of Key Management 
Personnel and entities which are controlled, jointly controlled or significantly influenced, or for which significant voting power is held, by Key 
Management Personnel or their close family members.

Other than the Directors’ remuneration, payment of dividends and transactions with subsidiaries, there were no related party transactions 
within the parent Company. A number of banking transactions are entered into with related parties in the normal course of business on 
normal commercial terms. These include loans and deposits. Except for the directors’ disclosures, there were no other Key Management 
Personnel disclosures; therefore the tables below relate to directors.

Loans 
Loans outstanding at 1 January 
Loans advanced during the year 
Loan repayments during the year 

Loans outstanding at 31 December 

Interest income earned 

2010		

£000	

2,936  
17  
(1) 

2,952  

143  

Directors

2009	

£000

1,459 
1,754 
(277)

2,936 

117 

The loans to directors are secured on property or shares and bear interest at rates linked to base rate. No provisions have been recognised in 
respect of loans given to related parties (2009: £nil). Details of Directors’ remuneration are given in the Remuneration Report. The Directors 
do not believe that any other key management disclosures are required.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

34. Related-party transactions continued

Deposits 
Deposits at 1 January 
Deposits placed during the year 
Deposits repaid during the year 

Deposits at 31 December 

Interest expense on deposits 

2010		

£000	

1,880  
1,265  
(677) 

2,468  

90  

Directors

2009	

£000

864 
4,790 
(3,774)

1,880 

40 

Details of principal subsidiaries are given in Note 35. Transactions and balances with subsidiaries are shown below:

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 

Total liabilities 

Issued guarantee contracts 

Subsidiaries

2010		

2009

Highest	

Balance	at	

Highest	

balance	during	

31	December	

balance	during	

the	year	

£000	

15,545  
28,633  

44,178  

10,243  

10,243  

2,500  

£000	

15,545  
28,633  

44,178  

10,097  

10,097  

2,500  

the	year	

£000	

15,947  
28,624  

44,571  

7,613  

7,613  

2,500  

Balance	at

31	December

£000

14,531 
28,624 

43,155 

6,954 

6,954 

2,500 

The disclosure of the year-end balance and the highest balance during the year is considered the most meaningful information to represent the 
transactions during the year. The above transactions arose during the normal course of business and are on substantially the same terms as 
for comparable transactions with third-parties.

Share-based payment options
At 31 December 2010, the Company had the following equity settled share-based payment awards outstanding:

On 21 May 2008 Mr. Salmon was granted an option to subscribe between May 2011 and May 2015 for 100,000 ordinary 1p shares in the 
Company at 337.5p. The fair value of the option at grant date was £nil.

On 5 November 2008 Mr. Cobb was granted an option to subscribe between November 2011 and November 2015 for 50,000 ordinary 1p 
shares in the Company at 320p. The fair value of the option at grant date was £nil.

On 22 December 2009 Dr. Turrell was granted an option to subscribe between December 2012 and December 2016 for 50,000 ordinary 1p 
shares in the Company at 380p. The fair value of the option at grant date was £nil.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

35. Shares in subsidiary undertakings

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC: 
At 1 January 2009 
Allotment of shares in Arbuthnot Unit Trust Management Limited 

At 31 December 2009 

Adjustment 

At 31 December 2010 

Subsidiary undertakings: 
Banks 
Other 

Total unlisted 

Shares	

at	cost	

£000	

Impairment

provisions	

£000	

31,503  
100  

31,603  

9  

(2,979) 
–  

(2,979) 

–  

Net

£000

28,524 
100 

28,624 

9 

31,612  

(2,979) 

28,633 

2010		

£000	

2009	

£000

24,486  
4,147  

28,633  

24,486 
4,138 

28,624 

The principal subsidiary undertakings of Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC at 31 December 2010 were:

Secure Trust Bank PLC 
Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited 
Arbuthnot AG 
Arbuthnot Securities Limited 

Country	of	incorporation	

Interest	%	

Principal	activity

UK 
UK 
Switzerland 
UK 

100  
100  
100  
60  

Retail banking
Private banking
Private banking
Investment banking

(i)  All the above subsidiary undertakings are included in the consolidated financial statements and have an accounting reference date of  

31 December.

(ii) All the above interests relate wholly to ordinary shares.

36. Operating segments
The Group is organised into four main operating segments, arranged over four separate companies with each having its own specialised 
banking service, as disclosed below:

1) Retail banking – incorporating household cash management, personal lending and banking and insurance services.
2) International Private banking – incorporating private banking and wealth management outside the UK.
3) UK Private banking – incorporating private banking and wealth management.
4) Investment banking – incorporating institutional stockbroking, equity trading and corporate finance advice.

Transactions between the operating segments are on normal commercial terms. Centrally incurred expenses are charged to operating 
segments on an appropriate pro-rata basis. Segment assets and liabilities comprise operating assets and liabilities, being the majority of the 
balance sheet.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

36. Operating segments continued

Year ended 31 December 2010	
Interest revenue 
Inter-segment revenue 

Interest revenue from external customers 

Fee and commission income 

Revenue from external customers 

Interest expense 
Subordinated loan note interest 
Segment operating income 
Impairment losses 

Segment profit / (loss) before tax 
Income tax (expense) / income 

Segment profit / (loss) after tax 

Retail	

banking	

£000	
15,883  
(169) 

15,714  

11,489  

27,203  

(3,419) 
– 
23,953  
(2,167) 

8,511  
(2,005) 

6,506  

International	

Private	banking	

£000	
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

(52) 
– 
(52) 
– 

(100) 
– 

(100) 

UK	Private	

banking	

£000	
13,750  
(146) 

13,604  

5,413  

19,017  

(4,370) 
– 
14,429  
(979) 

1,045  
(49) 

996  

Investment	

Group	

banking	

	(reconciling	items)	

Group	Total

£000	
2  
– 

2  

12,949  

12,951  

(234) 
– 
16,979  
– 

1,039  
(145) 

894  

£000	
356  
(349) 

7  

– 

7  

369  
(483) 
(558) 
– 

(5,391) 
816  

(4,575) 

£000
29,991 
(664)

29,327 

29,851 

59,178 

(7,706)
(483)
54,751 
(3,146)

5,104 
(1,383)

3,721 

Segment total assets 
Segment total liabilities 

177,007  
160,990  

90  
2,408  

417,853  
394,930  

12,046  
5,658  

(41,886) 
(33,024) 

565,110 
530,962 

Other segment items: 
Capital expenditure 
Depreciation and amortisation 

(301) 
(961) 

– 
(74) 

(272) 
(551) 

(82) 
(83) 

(57) 
(10) 

(712)
(1,679)

The “Group” segment above includes the parent entity and all intercompany eliminations and fulfils the requirement of IFRS8.28.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

36. Operating segments continued

Year ended 31 December 2009	
Interest revenue 
Inter-segment revenue 

Interest revenue from external customers 

Fee and commission income 

Revenue from external customers 

Interest expense 
Subordinated loan note interest 
Segment operating income 
Impairment losses 

Segment profit / (loss) before tax 
Income tax (expense) / income 

Segment profit / (loss) after tax 

Retail	

banking	

£000	
9,932  
– 

9,932  

13,505  

23,437  

(1,345) 
– 
22,092  
(1,189) 

10,219  
(2,903) 

7,316  

International	

Private	banking	

£000	
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(506) 
– 

(506) 

UK	Private	

banking	

£000	
13,061  
(611) 

12,450  

4,731  

17,181  

(4,163) 
– 
13,064  
(1,179) 

206  
(33) 

173  

Investment	

Group	

banking	

	(reconciling	items)	

Group	Total

£000	
82  
– 

82  

13,580  

13,662  

(234) 
– 
16,860  
– 

(147) 
132  

(15) 

£000	
359  
(359) 

– 

– 

– 

812  
(618) 
(316) 
– 

(4,722) 
1,125  

(3,597) 

£000
23,434 
(970)

22,464 

31,816 

54,280 

(4,930)
(618)
51,700 
(2,368)

5,050 
(1,679)

3,371 

Segment total assets 
Segment total liabilities 

114,067  
99,527  

162  
2,081  

370,068  
347,023  

17,710  
11,258  

(49,492) 
(41,517) 

452,515 
418,372 

Other segment items: 
Capital expenditure 
Depreciation and amortisation 

(485) 
(727) 

– 
(71) 

(357) 
(662) 

(119) 
(59) 

(8) 
(3) 

(969)
(1,522)

Segment profit is shown prior to any intra-group eliminations.

Other than the International private banking operations which are in Switzerland, all the Group’s other operations are conducted wholly 
within the United Kingdom and geographical information is therefore not presented.

37. Ultimate controlling party
The Company regards Henry Angest, the Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who has a beneficial interest in 52.8% of the issued 
share capital of the Company, as the ultimate controlling party. Details of his remuneration are given in the Remuneration Report and Note 
34 of the consolidated financial statements includes related party transactions with Mr Angest.

38. Events after the balance sheet date
There were no material post balance sheet events.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Five year summary

In the table below, all the figures are presented in accordance with IFRS.

Profit / (Loss) before tax and exceptional items* 
Profit / (Loss) before tax  
Earnings per share 
Basic (p) 
  Adjusted* (p) 
  Dividends per share (p) 

2006		

£000	

7,551  
14,062  

63.0  
32.0  
32.5  

2007		

£000	

8,579  
8,579  

23.8  
23.8  
33.0  

2008		

£000	

(2,150) 
(2,150) 

3.5  
3.5  
21.0  

2009		

£000	

5,050  
5,050  

23.4  
23.4  
22.0  

2010	

£000

5,104 
5,104 

25.0 
25.0 
23.0 

*  In 2006 exceptional items include the profit on disposal of Arbuthnot House of £12,623,000, long term bonuses of £1,900,000, 

restructuring costs of £1,312,000 and affinity bad debt of £2,900,000.

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AnnuAl report & Accounts 2010

Corporate Contacts & Advisers

Arbuthnot Latham & Co 
Arbuthnot House 
20 Ropemaker Street 
London EC2Y 9AR 
T 020 7012 2500 
F 020 7012 2501 
E banking@arbuthnot.co.uk 
www.arbuthnot.co.uk

Bartle House, Oxford Court 
Manchester M2 3WQ 
T 0161 236 4431 
F 0161 236 4432

17 Southernhay West 
Exeter EX1 1PJ 
T 01392 496061 
F 01392 495313

Advisers
Auditors: 
KPMG Audit Plc

Principal Bankers: 
Barclays Bank PLC 
Lloyds TSB plc

Stockbrokers: 
Numis Securities Limited

Nominated Advisor: 
Hawkpoint

Registrars: 
Capita Registrars 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU

Group Address
Arbuthnot Banking Group 
Arbuthnot House 
20 Ropemaker Street 
London EC2Y 9AR 
T 020 7012 2400 
E info@arbuthnotgroup.co.uk 
www.arbuthnotgroup.com

Registered Office
One Arleston Way 
Solihull B90 4LH 
T 0121 693 9100 
F 0121 693 9124

Corporate Contacts
Secure Trust Bank 
One Arleston Way 
Solihull B90 4LH 
T 0121 693 9100 
F 0121 693 9124 
E banking@securetrustbank.com 
www.securetrustbank.com

Arbuthnot Securities 
Arbuthnot House 
20 Ropemaker Street 
London EC2Y 9AR 
T 020 7012 2000 
F 020 7012 2001 
E investmentbanking@arbuthnot.co.uk 
www.arbuthnot.co.uk

74

Arbuthnot House
20 Ropemaker Street
London EC2Y 9AR

T 020 7012 2400
E info@arbuthnotgroup.com
www.arbuthnotgroup.com

Registration No. 1954085