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Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC

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FY2013 Annual Report · Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC
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ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC

Annual Report & Accounts

2013

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

 “ Sun Tzu 
The Art of War  
circa 500 BC

1  Corporate Philosophy

2  Group Highlights

4 

 Chairman’s Statement

8  Strategic Report - Business Review

12  Strategic Report - Financial Review

18  Board of Directors

20  Group Directors’ Report

22   Corporate Governance

24  Remuneration Report

26  Independent Auditor’s Report

28   Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

29   Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

30   Company Statement of Financial Position

31   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

33   Company Statement of Changes in Equity

34   Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

35   Company Statement of Cash Flows

36  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

84   Five Year Summary

86  Notice of Meeting

88   Corporate Contacts & Advisers

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC

… of serving its customers, as well as a long track record of progress 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.

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

19 March 2014

corporate philosophy

1.   Arbuthnot serves its shareholders,  

3.   Arbuthnot is independent, and  

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.

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.

1

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013THe GROUP

Private Banking – Arbuthnot Latham 
Arbuthnot Latham provides a high quality private banking and wealth 
management service, consisting of four core elements: 

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. 

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.

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

Gilliat Financial Solutions designs, packages and distributes structured 
products to financial intermediaries.

Retail Banking – Secure Trust Bank 
Secure Trust Bank is an established UK retail bank. Its core business is 
to provide banking services including a range of lending solutions and 
deposits. It also provides fee-based current accounts to UK customers 
who may not be adequately served by other banks.

Motor  Finance  A  multi-channel  offering  through  motor  dealers  and 
brokers. The hire purchase agreements are fixed rate, fixed term and 
secured  mainly  against  used  cars  with  finance  term  periods  varying 
from 24 to 60 months with a maximum loan size of £15,000.

Retail Point of Sale Finance Lending solutions for store and online retailers 
and an “e”-tailer proposition. Unsecured, fixed rate and fixed term loans 
with payments received monthly. Loans vary in term from six months to 
48 months and range from £250 to £12,000.

Personal  Unsecured  Lending  Fixed  rate,  fixed  term  products  with 
payments received monthly. Loan terms are between 12 months and 
60 months with advances varying from £500 to £15,000. 

Current Account A current account with a prepaid card. The account 
charges a monthly fee of £12.50 but customers have the ability to earn 
rewards at participating retailers.

Savings A combination of instant access accounts, notice deposits and 
deposit bonds with competitive interest rates.

2012
£65.6m

2013
£100.0m

2012
£12.6m

2013
£15.7m

2012
£8.0m

2013
£7.9m

Operating income

Profit before tax

Profit attributable to Equity  
holders of the Company

2012
25.0p

2013
44.0p

2012
£1.0bn

2013
£1.1bn

2012
£73.3m

2013
£89.7m

Total dividend per share

Total assets

Regulatory capital

2

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
For over 180 years we have, through determined teamwork, 
nurtured the long-term view to growth and prosperity.

3

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013CHAIRMAN’S STATeMeNT

This has been another significant year. Both banks have made 
good progress. We have substantially increased the net assets  
of the Group and at the same time been able to pay  
shareholders a special dividend. 

Henry Angest 
Chairman & CEO
19 March 2014

4

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCProfit before tax increased by 25% 
and both banks have been realising 
their ambitions for growth.

I am pleased to report that Arbuthnot Banking Group (“ABG” or “the 
Group”) has delivered a profit before tax of £15.7m (2012: £12.6m) 
which represents a 25% increase on 2012.

But more importantly, I note that both banks have been realising their 
ambitions  for growth. It  has  always been  a philosophy of the Group 
to  build  a  varied  source  of  income  streams  and  to  spread  its  risks, 
rather than become overly reliant or concentrated on a small number 
of business lines.

Notably, Secure Trust Bank (“STB”) continued its diversification, as it 
completed the acquisitions of V12 Finance Group and Debt Managers 
Ltd  early  in  2013.  These  were  complementary  to  the  purchase  of 
Everyday  Loans  made  in  2012.  All  of  these  businesses  have  been 
successfully integrated into the Group.

At  the  same  time  Arbuthnot  Latham  (“AL”)  opened  for  business  in 
Dubai,  agreed  a  client  custody  arrangement  with  Pictet,  one  of  the 
largest Private Banks in Geneva, that allows Arbuthnot Latham’s clients 
to use their services in Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong, installed 
a new operating platform for its investment management business and 
grew its total customer account balances to £1.05bn (2012: £872.3m).

During the year the Group took further steps to underpin the long term 
growth  potential  of  both  businesses  by  completing  two  significant 
transactions. First, we entered into a sale and lease back agreement on 
the Group’s new headquarters at 7-21 Wilson Street. Having purchased 
the freehold in August 2012 for £15.7m, we could not refuse an offer 
that  produced  a  net  profit  of  £6.5m  only  a  year  later.  Secondly,  the 
Group  continued  to  provide  more  liquidity  to  the  market,  by  selling 
580,000  shares  in  STB  on  13  December  2013.  Although  we  are 
prevented  from  showing  the  transaction  as  a  profit  by  those  curious 
accounting rules, the gain on sale of £14.4m has further increased the 
financial strength of the Group. Such is this strength and confidence 
for the future, the Directors were able to declare a special dividend of  
18p to mark the 180 year anniversary of Arbuthnot Latham.

In last year’s Chairman’s Statement, I made reference to the regulatory 
environment in which both our banks operate and how the rules create 
a “glass ceiling” which prevents small banks becoming true challengers. 
During this year I have been pleased to detect a change in sentiment. 
In  October  the  Governor  of  the  Bank  of  England  announced  that  it 
was open for business and would play its part in helping the banking 
industry with the introduction of new liquidity support mechanisms. 
These  would  be  made  available  to  all  banks  and  not  just  the  large 
lenders,  who  were  usually  the  only  ones  able  to  offer  mainstream 
forms  of  collateral,  that  were  previously  required  to  participate. The 
Bank’s view is now that as long as the Bank could assess the credit risk 
of assets, they would be welcome as collateral.

This  may  seem  like  a  small  step  forward,  but  to  a  well-managed 
banking  Group  such  as  ours,  that  has  for  years  been  excluded  from 
such  schemes,  the  news  was  welcome.  We  trust  that  the  Bank  of 
England truly understands the important role that the small banks can 
play  in  delivering  an  excellent  service  to  its  customers  and  also  in 
helping to sustain the economic recovery.

During the year, Arbuthnot Latham celebrated its 180 year anniversary. 
I am proud of the history of our Private Bank, having been involved 
in  shaping  the  City  of  London  into  one  of  the  pre-eminent  financial 
centres of the world. As part of the celebrations we published a book 
that  recorded  this  history  and  I  was  particularly  delighted  that  the 
Mayor  of  London,  Boris  Johnson,  accepted  our  invitation  to  write 
the foreword to the book. He observed that despite its lack of natural 
resources, the City has built its success based on entrepreneurial spirit 
and free market forces.

I am, however, alarmed at the recent developments and rhetoric that 
have  been  aimed  at  restricting  the  free  market. These  have  included 
wage control, caps on interest rates charged, limits on market share, 
regulating profitability, breaking up bank branch networks and raising 
the  tax  burden  levied  on  the  entrepreneurial  classes  and  finally  the 
threat  of  a  financial  transaction  tax,  all  of  which  creates  uncertainty 
for investors. This can only be unhelpful in maintaining the economic 
recovery, which is clearly underway.

5

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013CHAIRMAN’S STATeMeNT
Continued

With the economic recovery 
underway, both banks have worked 
hard to be in a position to prosper as 
the economy grows.

Private Banking – Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Ltd
The  Private  Banking  business  has  reported  a  pre-tax  profit  of  £7.7m 
(2012: £2.1m). This result was clearly flattered by the gain of £6.5m 
that  was  generated  from  the  sale  and  lease  back  transaction  on  the 
Wilson  Street  property.  However,  this  should  not  overshadow  the 
real  progress  that  was  made  by  Arbuthnot  Latham  during  the  year. 
As mentioned previously, we took the conscious decision to invest for 
the long term future. These investments are clearly coming to fruition 
when I reflect on the momentum that is being generated.

We  have  always  held  a  long  term  ambition  to  develop  our 
distribution capabilities to cover overseas markets. I feel we reached 
a major milestone this year, when we opened for business in Dubai.  
The predominately wealth management service appears to have been 
well received by the market in Dubai. The generation of new business 
there  has  exceeded  our  initial  expectations.  We  have  also  added 
further options for our customers who wish to gain exposure to other 
overseas  markets,  via  our  custody  arrangements  with  Pictet,  which 
were initiated during the year.

In  order  to  keep  pace  with  the  growing  scale  of  our  Investment 
Management business, the operating platform was replaced with new 
technology.  This  now  offers  the  customers  online  facilities,  which 
allows them immediately to review their portfolios. Early in 2014 we 
also launched our new mobile banking application as we continue to 
respond to the ever increasing needs of our clients.

Retail Banking – Secure Trust Bank PLC
The reported pre-tax profits of Secure Trust Bank were £17.2m (2012: 
£17.3m).  However,  once  again  the  reported  numbers  do  not  tell 
the  entire  story  of  the  progress  being  made  by  our  retail  bank. The 
underlying profits for STB were £25.2m, which is a record for the bank.

The business has maintained its focus on serving customers well and 
meeting  their  needs  with  simple  straight  forward  banking  solutions. 
This resulted in our customer numbers growing by 51% to close the 
year at 350,861 (2012: 231,713).

STB  has  continued  to  diversify  its  operations  by  adding  to  the 
acquisition of Everyday Loans in 2012 with further purchases this year 
of V12 Finance Group and Debt Managers Ltd. All these entities have 
been successfully integrated into the Group and the existing businesses 
have begun to leverage their expertise. The retail finance offering has 
been consolidated onto the V12 operating platform. Our personal loan 
portfolios are being managed as one business, to ensure we have an 
attractive  offering  to  all  our  customers  regardless  of  their  standing. 
We have also transferred some of our existing impaired loans to Debt 
Managers Ltd to improve the financial returns involved in recovering 
these assets.

Board Changes and Personnel
The Board has remained unchanged throughout the year. I would like 
to take this opportunity to express my thanks to my colleagues on the 
Board for their generous support and the dedication they have given to 
the Group and me personally.

The results of the Group reflect the hard work and commitment of both 
existing  and  new  members  of  staff  who,  with  few  exceptions,  have 
performed well. On behalf of the Board I extend our thanks to all of 
them for their contributions in 2013.

Dividend
The Board is proposing a final dividend of 15p, an increase of 1p on 
last  year,  together  with  the  interim  dividend  of  11p  and  the  special 
dividend  of  18p  making  a  total  dividend  for  the  year  of  44p  (2012: 
25p).  If  approved,  the  dividend  will  be  paid  on  16  May  2014  to 
shareholders on the register at close of business on 22 April 2014.

Outlook 
With the economic recovery underway, both banks have worked hard 
to be in a position to prosper as the economy grows. We are therefore 
optimistic that we can continue to make good steady progress, while 
remaining  focussed  on  the  needs  and  aspirations  of  our  customers.  
The  outlook  is  bright,  the  economy  is  improving  and  business  is 
prospering. This will last as long as politics does not interfere with it. 

6

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCIn all our dealings with customers and business partners we 
strive to build constructive, mutually beneficial relationships.

7

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013STRATeGIC RePORT – BUSINeSS RevIew

Arbuthnot Latham & Co. 
Arbuthnot Latham celebrated its 180th anniversary in 2013 and during 
the year made good progress across many areas of business. The core 
business  of  private  banking  and  wealth  management,  grew  all  key 
components of its business during the year and finished with a strong 
underlying  momentum.  The  first  international  office  for  Arbuthnot 
Latham  was  opened  in  Dubai  and  through  the  establishment  of 
international custody arrangements with Pictet, the Bank is now able 
to offer its services to wealthy clients from overseas who wish to have 
a  private  banking  relationship  in  London.  In  addition,  the  sale  and 
leaseback arrangement concluded for our new headquarters building 
produced a profit of £6.5m. 

The year-end reported profit for Arbuthnot Latham was £7.7m with the 
core  private  banking  and  wealth  management  business  delivering  a 
profit of £4.9m (2012: £3.5m) before credit provisions.

The  strategy  to  grow  the  private  banking  and  wealth  management 
business through the addition of several experienced bankers and the 
overall strengthening of the client proposition began to produce positive 
results  during  the  year. With  the  recent  upheaval  across  the  financial 
services  industry  caused  by  the  financial  crisis,  there  is  a  significant 
opportunity  for  a  client  focused  bank  such  as  Arbuthnot  Latham  to 
benefit from clients looking to establish a new financial relationship. 

This growth in new clients was reflected in the financial results. Client 
deposits  ended  the  year  at  £521.2m  (2012:  £495.7m),  an  increase 
of  5%. The  Bank  was  also  able  to  draw  on  the  Funding  for  Lending 
Scheme  and  by  the  year  end  had  drawn  £40m  under  this  scheme. 
The overall cost of deposits fell during the year thereby enhancing the 
net interest income position of the Bank.

The  loan  book  grew  in  2013  by  18%  to  end  the  year  at  £341.0m 
(2012: £289.3m). The Bank continued its focus towards supporting the 
objectives  of  the  client  base  with  good  quality  lending  transactions. 
The loan to deposit ratio at the end of the year was 66% (2012: 59%) 
which continued to reflect our prudent approach to the management 
of our balance sheet. 

In  the  wealth  management  business,  the  strengthening  of  the  client 
proposition and the attraction to clients of the independent approach 
of the Bank in its investment management services resulted in a 40% 
increase  in  assets  under  management  which  finished  the  year  at 
£527.9m (2012: £376.6m).

Following the strategic decision to open an office in Dubai, the Bank 
received  its  licence  to  operate  in  the  Dubai  International  Financial 
Centre  from  the  Dubai  Financial  Services  Authority  in  late  July 
2013. The business in Dubai is focused towards international private 
banking and wealth management services. Since opening the office,  
an  encouraging  and  positive  foundation  has  been  established  with 
several new accounts opened and the business is proceeding to plan. 
Dubai  is  a  growing  market  for  international  financial  services  and 
Arbuthnot Latham is now well placed to share in the growth that this 
market is expected to experience over the next few years. 

Our structured product distribution business, Gilliat Financial Solutions, 
experienced a challenging year with resulting weaker income margins 
across the business. While the UK distribution base continued to grow 
and the offshore business established some very positive distribution 
relationships, the business made a loss for the year of £0.4m (2012: 
£0.6m profit). The business has undertaken a review of its activities and 
we are confident that 2014 will see a return to profit.

Arbuthnot Latham & Co.

2012
£18.9m

2013
£21.7m

2012
£17.9m

2013
£21.3m

2012
£2.1m

2013
£7.7m

2012
£289.3m

2013
£341.0m

Operating income

Operating expenses

Profit before tax

Customer loans

2012
£495.7m

2013
£521.2m

2012
£568.6m

2013
£619.7m

2012
3.3%

2013
4.4%

2012
59%

2013
66%

Customer deposits

Total assets

Customer net margin

Loan to deposit ratio

8

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCWe balance an innovative and entrepreneurial approach 
to growth and development with a vigilant and thorough 
approach to risk.

9

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013STRATeGIC RePORT - BUSINeSS RevIew
Continued

Secure Trust Bank
Secure Trust Bank (“STB”) has reported pre-tax profits of £17.2m (2012: 
£17.3m). The fact that the reported number is largely unchanged from 
the  previous  year  does  not  reflect  the  true  growth  in  profitability 
that is being generated by the bank. Shareholders will recall that the 
2012  statutory  profit  included  a  fair  value  adjustment  arising  from 
the  acquisition  of  Everyday  Loans. The  underlying  profit  of  STB  for 
2013  is  £25.2m,  which  represents  a  51%  increase  on  the  prior  year 
underlying  profit  of  £16.8m.  It  should  also  be  noted  that  since  the 
IPO  in  November  2011,  the  bank’s  underlying  profit  before  tax  has 
increased by 220% from £7.9m.

Ultimately the success of the business will depend on the ability of STB 
to attract and serve its customers. During 2013 its strategy of providing 
simple  and  straight  forward  banking  solutions  has  proved  successful, 
as the number of customers grew by 51% to close the year at 350,861.  
This figure also represents  a  142% increase  since the flotation on the 
AIM  market.  As  the  opportunity  to  provide  credit  solutions  remains 
attractive,  given  the  reduced  level  of  funding  available  from  the  high 
street banks, the lending operations of the bank have become the engine 
for growth in recent times. Once again this was the case in 2013.

Overall,  new  business  lending  volumes  grew  by  50%  to  £304.7m 
(2012:  £202.5m).  In  turn,  this  resulted  in  an  increase  of  31%  in 
total  customer  loans  at  £391m  (2012:  £297.6m). The  Motor  finance 
business, which focusses on the near prime market segments, continues 
to service the majority of the top 100 UK car dealer groups. The growth 
in the portfolio for the year was 28%, as balances closed at £114.6m 
(2012: £89.6m).

The  personal  unsecured  loan  portfolio  increased  by  14%  to  £77.9m 
(2012:  £68.2m).  The  rate  of  growth  in  this  portfolio  was  partly 
constrained by a significant delay in the commencement of a new bank 
to bank loan referral arrangement. This activity is now operational with 
Sainsbury’s Bank and should deliver benefits in 2014.

Secure Trust Bank

This  year  saw  STB  take  a  significant  step  forward  in  developing  its 
retail point of sale business. The growth in balances was as a result of 
strong demand from retailers and also the acquisition of V12 Finance. 
Accordingly,  the  customer  balances  grew  by  78%  to  close  the  year 
at  £114.4m  (2012:  £64.2m).  The  business  made  good  progress  in 
integration, creating a single retail finance offering. The existing STB 
relationships  have  been  transferred  to  the  V12  platform.  This  has 
allowed  the  bank  to  offer  a  compelling  proposition  and  has  led  to 
greater  success  in  attracting  retailers,  notably  including  the  recently 
announced Halfords agreement.

Everyday Loans portfolio grew to £81.4m (2012: £73.8m). This branch 
based  unsecured  lending  portfolio  serves  relatively  high  credit  risk 
customers  with  low  average  balance  (£2,700)  accounts.  Given  the 
higher risk in this business, the strategy has been to grow the portfolio 
in  a  controlled  fashion,  concentrating  on  profit  maximisation  rather 
than simply growth in volumes.

Once  again  the  overall  growth  in  the  bank’s  lending  portfolios  has 
resulted in a higher level in the value of reported impairments. Given 
our  prudent  underwriting  criteria,  the  actual  rate  of  impairments 
remains lower than the level anticipated at origination and therefore 
below the rates at which the loans were priced.

The  robust  growth  in  the  customer  loan  portfolios  has  continued  to 
be matched by customer deposits. The balance sheet remains entirely 
funded by retail deposits with the year end loan to deposit ratio being 
90%.  However,  as  the  markets  begin  to  signal  an  eventual  rise  in 
interest rates, the profile of the average tenor of the bank’s deposits has 
been  extended.  Fixed  term  deposits  now  represent  44%  of  the  total 
deposit book, compared to 39% in the prior year.

Finally, to initiate the next phase of growth, the bank is in the process 
of entering the SME lending markets. The bank has already written a 
number of good quality real estate finance transactions and is exploring 
asset based finance opportunities. All of these are expected to develop 
further in 2014.

2012
£47.0m

2013
£79.0m

2012
£30.7m

2013
£46.6m

2012
£17.3m

2013
£17.2m

2012
£297.6m

2013
£391.0m

Operating income

Operating expenses

Profit before tax

Customer loans – Unsecured

2012
£398.9m

2013
£436.6m

2012
231,713

2013
350,861

2012
15.0%

2013
16.9%

2012
0.59

2013
0.55

Customer deposits

Customer numbers

Net interest margin

Cost income ratio

10

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCWe have, and will always serve our shareholders,  
customers and employees with the highest ethical standards.

11

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013STRATeGIC RePORT – fINANCIAL RevIew

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC adopts a pragmatic 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 
favourable market opportunities when they arise.

The  Group  provides  a  range  of  financial  services  to  customers  and 
clients in its chosen markets of Private Banking (Arbuthnot Latham & 
Co., Limited) and Retail Banking (Secure Trust Bank PLC). The Group’s 
revenues are derived from a combination of net interest income from 
lending, deposit-taking and money market activities, fees for services 
provided to customers and clients and commission earned on the sale 
of financial instruments and products.

Highlights
Summarised Income Statement

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Operating income 
Gain from a bargain purchase 
Gain from sale of building 
Other income 
Gain on sale of subsidiary 
Operating expenses 
Impairment losses - financial investments 
Impairment losses - loans and 
advances to customers 
Profit on continuing operations before tax 
Income tax 
Profit on continuing operations after tax 
Loss from discontinued operations after tax 
Profit after tax 

73,050 
26,970 
100,020 
413 
6,535 
1,183 
–  
(73,631) 
(1,073) 

(17,734) 
15,713 
(4,198) 
11,515 
–  
11,515 

44,786
20,769
65,555
9,830
– 
396
839
(53,043)
– 

(10,984)
12,593
(1,128)
11,465
(347)
11,118

Basic earnings per share (pence) 

51.9 

52.6

Underlying profit reconciliation

31 December 2013 

Profit before tax 
Gain on sale of building 
180th Year anniversary 
Dubai office investment 
ELL fair value amortisation 
STB acquisition costs 
STB share options 
V12 fair value amortisation 
Acquired portfolios 
Underlying profit 

Basic earnings per share (pence)  

12

Arbuthnot 
Latham & Co. 
£000 

Secure Trust 
Bank 
£000 

Arbuthnot
Banking Group
£000

7,728 
(6,535) 
–  
879 
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
2,072 

17,193 
–  
–  
–  
4,066 
854 
2,221 
893 
1 
25,228 

15,713
(6,535)
436
879
4,066
854
2,221
893
1
18,528

42.3

Underlying profit reconciliation

31 December 2012 

£000 

£000 

£000

Arbuthnot 
Latham & Co. 

Secure Trust 
Bank 

Arbuthnot
Banking Group

Profit before tax 
Bargain purchase gain 
on acquisition of ELL 
ELL fair value amortisation 
ELL management incentives 
Excess funding costs of acquisition 
STB acquisition costs 
STB share options 
Acquired portfolios 
Gain on sale of 
Switzerland subsidiary 
AL hire of new executives 
Underlying profit 

Basic earnings per share (pence)  

2,058 

17,253 

12,593

–  
–  
–  
 –  
–  
–  
–  

(9,830) 
3,056 
1,700 
1,900 
1,428 
1,610 
(363) 

 –  
300 
2,358 

–  
–  
16,754 

(9,830)
3,056
1,700
1,900
1,428
1,610
(363)

(839)
300
11,555

38.2

Once  again  the  Group  has  continued  to  trade  robustly  in  2013  and 
has reported a profit before tax of £15.7m (2012: £12.6m), which on a 
statutory basis represents an increase of 25%. However, the financial 
results for 2013 and those of 2012 contain a number of individually 
significant  items.  The  Annual  Report  and  Accounts  for  2012  detail 
the bargain purchase gain that arose from the acquisition of Everyday 
Loans. This year the Group has recognised a £6.5m gain from the sale 
and lease back of the new head office building. Once the impact of 
these  and  a  small  number  of  other  non-recurring  items  such  as  the 
recognition of the 180 year anniversary (£0.4m) are excluded from the 
results, the Group has underlying earnings of £18.5m (2012: £11.6m), 
which represents an increase in excess of 60%. Similarly, the statutory 
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) is 51.9p (2012: 52.6p), but the underlying 
EPS has increased by 11% to 42.3p (2012: 38.2p).

The Operating Income for the Group has exceeded £100m for the first 
time in the Group’s history increasing by 53% as the full year impact 
of  the  acquisitions  and  the  strong  organic  growth  have  emerged  in 
the financial results. The largest component of the operating income 
remains Net Interest Income, which is now 73% of the total income. 
The  approximate  blended  yield  of  Net  Interest  Income  compared  to 
average  customer  loans  has  increased  to  11%  against  the  prior  year 
9%. This is mainly as a result of the increasing proportion that Secure 
Trust  Bank’s  higher  yielding  loan  portfolios  represent  of  the  Group’s 
asset base. Net Interest Income has also benefitted from lower deposit 
rates  prevalent  in  the  market,  which  has  been  brought  about  by  the 
introduction of the Funding for Lending Scheme (“FLS”).

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
The overall expense base increased to £73.6m (2012: £53m), which 
is an increase of 39%. Once again, the increase is mainly due to the 
full year impact of acquisitions and the cost of investment for growth. 
Relative to the growth in operating income, the Group has produced a 
positive operating leverage of 14%.

As expected, given the growth in the Group’s lending portfolios, the 
impairment costs have increased by 60% in total. However, the total 
impairment charge compared to the total customer loan portfolio has 
held  steady  at  a  blended  rate  of  below  three  percent  (2013:  2.6%, 
2012: 2.2%).

The  Group  tax  charge  has  returned  to  a  more  normal  level  in  2013 
following the significantly reduced amount of 2012 which was caused 
by the impact the bargain purchase gain had on the overall tax rate.

Also, shareholders should note that the net assets of the Group increased 
by  £18.2m  (27%)  even  after  the  payment  of  the  special  dividend. 
Contributing  to  this  increase  was  not  only  the  record  earnings,  but 
also the gain that arose on the sale by the Group of 580,000 shares 
in  STB. This  generated  a  tax  free  gain  of  £14.4m  that  is  required  to 
be accounted for in the Statement of Changes in Equity. The net asset 
value per share of the Group is now 570.5p (2012: 449.3p).

Segmental Analysis
The  segmental  analysis  in  note  43  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 & Co., Limited) and Retail Banking (Secure 
Trust  Bank  PLC).  Group  costs  and  intercompany  elimination  journals 
are  shown  separately  (Group  Centre)  to  reconcile  back  to  the  Group 
consolidated result.

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

The analysis presented below, and in the business review, is before any 
consolidation adjustments to reverse the impact of intergroup operating 
activities and also intergroup recharges and is a fair reflection of the 
way the Directors manage the Group.

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 

732,009 
317,573 
42,905 
1,092,487 

586,968
361,600
51,441
1,000,009

957,791 
47,782 
1,005,573 
86,914 
1,092,487 

894,545
36,816
931,361
68,648
1,000,009

In  the  previous  year  the  Group’s  total  assets  exceeded  £1bn  for  the 
first time in its history. Once again the Group delivered strong growth 
in its total assets posting an increase of 9%. This was despite the fact 
that the level of liquid assets reduced by 13% in the year. The assets 
growth  was  as  a  result  of  the  performance  of  the  lending  portfolios. 
In  aggregate,  customer  loans  increased  by  25%  to  £732.0m  (2012: 
£587m). The acquisition of V12 Finance contributed £36.8m.

The  Group’s  lending  remains  entirely  funded  by  customer  deposits, 
which increased by 7% to £957.8m (2012: £894.5m). As a result, the 
overall loan to deposit ratio closed the year at 76.4% (2012: 65.6%). 
This increase was largely planned as both the Group’s banks have been 
admitted  into  the  Funding  for  Lending  Scheme,  which  has  provided 
access to a valuable source of new liquidity.

Private Banking – Arbuthnot Latham
Summarised Income Statement

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Operating income 
Gain from sale of building 
Other income 
Operating expenses 
Impairment losses - financial investments 
Impairment losses - 
loans and advances to customers 
Profit before tax 

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

12,778 
8,873 
21,651 
6,535 
3,765 
(21,309) 
(824) 

10,708
8,187
18,895
– 
3,072
(17,871)
– 

(2,090) 
7,728 

(2,038)
2,058

The profit before tax increased to £7.7m (2012: £2.1m). However, as 
previously discussed, the results of the bank include the gain that arose 
on  the  sale  of  the  Wilson  Street  property,  which  generated  £6.5m.  
Also,  as  part  of  the  year  end  analysis,  the  business  took  a  more 
pessimistic view on its small number of equity investments that have been 
held in its Available-for-Sale portfolio. This resulted in incremental losses 
of £0.8m. The remaining equity investment portfolio now totals £1.8m.

13

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
STRATeGIC RePORT – fINANCIAL RevIew
Continued

As indicated to the market throughout 2013, the bank benefitted from 
a 20% increase in Net Interest Income, which was as a result of not 
only a larger customer asset portfolio but also a widening of customer 
margins of over 100 basis points. This was brought about by the impact 
of FLS on the market for deposit rates.

The investment made in the upgrade of the private banking front office 
began to pay off, resulting in growth in the assets under management 
of  40%.  Accordingly,  the  bank  saw  an  increase  in  the  fees  and 
commissions earned of 7%.

With  greater  confidence  that  the  business  model  has  sustainable 
momentum, further investments were made, not only in the front office 
but also the Dubai office which officially opened midway through the 
year. Additionally, a new investment management operating platform 
came  online  in  the  year,  all  of  which  resulted  in  an  increase  in 
operating expenses of 19%.

The  credit  losses  remained  at  £2.0m  which,  on  a  larger  portfolio,  
saw the actual loss rate fall to 0.6%.

The  loan  book  remains  well  secured  and  of  high  quality,  with  an 
overall LTV of 50% with negligible losses emerging from the front book 
that has been developed in recent years.

Finally, Gilliat Financial Solutions reversed its financial progress made 
in the previous year by posting a loss of £0.4m (2012: profit £0.6m). 
This  was  due  to  overtrading  during  the  year.  Sales  volumes  actually 
increased  by  more  than  20%,  but  in  response  to  the  positive  signs 
from the IFA market, the business over purchased its stock of products 
and  in the end had  to discount its  margins heavily. This  strategy has 
been revised for 2014 and products are being purchased in line with 
demand from the IFAs rather than in advance. This should see the unit 
return to profitability in 2014.

Summarised Balance Sheet

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

Assets
Loans and advances to customers 
Liquid assets 
Other assets (including Group balances) 
Total assets 

340,982 
239,168 
39,523 
619,673 

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

521,183 
71,438 
592,621 
27,052 
619,673 

289,337
231,209
48,069
568,615

495,654
48,509
544,163
24,452
568,615

Customer assets increased by 18% to close the year at £341.0m (2012: 
£289.3m), which was another year of robust growth, but still managed 
within our conservative risk appetite. Other assets reduced following 
the disposal of the Wilson Street property. Customer deposits again saw 
good inflows with balances increasing by 5%. But more importantly, 
the mix of deposits was rebalanced, with a number of higher yielding 
term  balances  maturing  during  the  year  being  replaced  by  accounts 
with lower rates.

The loan to deposit ratio closed the year at 66% (2012: 59%) as the 
bank now has access to the FLS liquidity resources. This does allow the 
bank to operate a higher ratio, while maintaining a conservative policy 
with regard to liquidity.

The Private Bank remains highly liquid and well capitalised with a total 
capital ratio of 12.8% (2012: 12.4%) and a core tier 1 ratio of 10.5% 
(2012: 9.9%).

Retail Banking – Secure Trust Bank
Summarised Income Statement

Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income 
Operating income 
Gain from a bargain purchase 
Other income 
Operating expenses 
Impairment losses - 
loans and advances to customers 
Profit before tax 

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

60,885 
18,097 
78,982 
413 
 –  
(46,558) 

34,426
12,582
47,008
9,830
37
(30,676)

(15,644) 
17,193 

(8,946)
17,253 

14

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
The  reported  profit  before  tax  is  £17.2m  (2012:  £17.3m)  which  is 
largely unchanged on a statutory basis, however, the prior year results 
included a gain arising from the bargain purchase of Everyday Loans. 
The underlying profits have grown to £25.2m (2012: £16.8m) for the 
year, an increase of 51%.

The  bank  generated  a  68%  increase  in  operating  income  as  the 
continued  organic  growth  in  the  portfolios  was  augmented  with  the 
full  year  impact  of  the  acquisitions  made  in  2012  and  early  2013. 
An increase in high yielding customer assets and lower funding costs 
resulted  in  a  199  basis  point  widening  of  the  blended  customer  net 
margin to 16.9% (2012: 15%).

Operating  expenses  increased  by  52%,  giving  a  positive  operational 
leverage  ratio  of  16%.  Included  in  expenses  for  the  year  were  £1.2m 
(2012:  £0.7m)  related  to  the  amortisation  of  the  Everyday  Loans 
intangible,  £0.9m  (2012:  £nil)  from  the  amortisation  of  the  V12 
intangible and £2.9m (2012: £2.4m) related to the unwind of the fair 
value adjustment to the Everyday Loans acquired loan portfolio. Also, 
the cost of the STB share options was £2.2m (2012: £1.6m). Finally, STB 
also incurred acquisition costs of £0.9m (2012: £1.4m) during the year. 
The increase in the impairment losses was expected given the growth in 
the credit portfolios and the continued seasoning of customer accounts. 
However,  the  blended  average  loss  rate  was  4.3%  (2012:  3.9%),  still 
well below the levels anticipated at origination, but higher as a result of 
the change in mix toward the higher yielding accounts.

The  Current  Account  ended  the  year  with  22,860  accounts  (2012: 
20,962) and Onebill with 24,297 (2012: 26,154).

Summarised Balance Sheet

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

Assets 
Asset finance 

Motor vehicles 
Cycles 
Musical instruments 
V12 
Personal computers 
Pay4Later 
DFS 

Total asset finance 
Personal lending 
ELL 
Commercial lending 
Other lending 
Acquired portfolios 
Total loans and advances to customers 
Liquid assets 
Other assets (including Group balances) 
Total assets 

114,570 
15,357 
8,818 
36,846 
25,549 
26,899 
917 
228,956 
77,889 
81,368 
1,784 
921 
110 
391,028 
71,958 
56,611 
519,597 

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

436,608 
21,368 
457,976 
61,621 
519,597 

89,620
13,938
6,700
 – 
26,306
16,776
469
153,809
68,175
73,806
 - 
1,587
254
297,631
130,442
46,526
474,599

398,891
19,787
418,678
55,921
474,599

During  the  year  the  asset  finance  portfolio  increased  by  49%  with 
only the personal computer portfolio not growing. V12 added £36.8m 
during  the  year.  Personal  loans  increased  by  14%  but  growth  was 
held back by delays in implementing the referral arrangement agreed 
with Sainsbury’s Bank. Everyday Loans portfolio increased by 10% as 
caution has been exercised in the progression of this portfolio.

The bank remains entirely funded by retail deposits which increased 
by 9% to close the year at £436.6m (2012: £398.9m). The offering by 
the bank still remains attractive with market leading rates despite some 
downward corrections to rates during the year.

15

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
STRATeGIC RePORT – fINANCIAL RevIew
Continued

Group Centre
Summarised Income Statement

Net interest income 
Subordinated loan stock interest 
Operating income 
Other income 
Gain on sale of subsidiary 
Operating expenses 
Impairment on financial investments 
Loss before tax 

2013 
£000 

2012
£000

(195) 
(418) 
(613) 
18 
 -  
(8,364) 
(249) 
(9,208) 

122
(463)
(341)
25
839
(7,235)
 – 
(6,712)

Total  Group  costs  increased  to  £9.2m  (2012:  £6.7m). This  was  a  result 
of firstly, a lower level of operating income due to the conversion of the 
subordinated loan issued by STB into equity as part of the placing carried 
out in November 2012 and, secondly, the prior year containing a one off 
gain that arose on the sale of the Swiss banking subsidiary (£0.8m).

Group  operating  expenses  increased  by  £1.1m  due  to  higher  salary 
and  bonus  awards  along  with  the  recognition  of  the  180  year 
anniversary  (£0.4m)  and  additional  provisions  made  in  the  Group’s 
captive insurance cell (£0.3m).

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  PRA  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 42.

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  adequate  to  cover  management’s  anticipated  risks.  Where  the 
Board considers that the Pillar I calculations does 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. All regulated entities have complied with all of the 
externally imposed capital requirements to which they are subject.

Capital ratios

Core Tier 1 capital 
Deductions 
Tier 1 capital after deductions 
Tier 2 capital 
Total capital 

2013 
£000 

87,270 
(11,405) 
75,865 
13,832 
89,697 

2012
£000

68,508
(7,309)
61,199
12,120
73,319

Core Tier 1 capital ratio 
(Net Core Tier 1 capital/Basel 2 RWAs*) 

15.8% 

15.5%

Total Capital Ratio 
(Capital/Basel 2 RWAs*) 

* Risk Weighted Assets (RWAs)

18.7% 

18.5%

In  June  2013,  the  PRA  published  a  final  regulation  to  give  effect  to 
the Basel III framework, which amends the definition of Tier 1 capital. 
This comes into effect on 1 January 2014. The Group’s current capital 
position is sufficient to meet the Tier 1 capital ratio based on the Tier 1 
capital definition under the new regulation.

16

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
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 6 to the financial statements.

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

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  & 
Co.,  Limited  and  Secure Trust  Bank  PLC,  which  currently  have  loan 
books of £341.0m and £391.0m respectively. The lending portfolio in 
Arbuthnot Latham is extended to private banking clients, the majority 
of which is secured against cash, property or other assets. The portfolios 
within  Secure Trust  are  extended  to  retail  customers  and  are  largely 
unsecured. Credit risk is managed through the Credit Committees of 
each bank with significant exposures also being approved by the Group 
Risk Committee.

Market risk arises in relation to movements in interest rates, currencies 
and equity markets. 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 its free cash and interest rate re-pricing 
mismatches.

Liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  Group  cannot  meet  its  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 is 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. 

As  a  financial  services  provider  we  face  conduct  risk,  including 
selling products to customers which do not meet their needs; failing 
to deal with customers’ complaints effectively; not meeting customers’ 
expectations; and exhibiting behaviours which do not meet market or 
regulatory standards. 

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. 

Regulatory  compliance  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  15p  per  share  to  be  paid  on  
16 May 2014, giving a total dividend for the year of 44p (2012: 25p) per 
share, which includes a special dividend of 18p paid in November 2013. 

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries which assessed strategy, profitability, 
funding, risk management (see note 6) and capital resources (see note 7), 
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

19 March 2014

17

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013BOARD Of DIReCTORS

18

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCI. Henry Angest 
Chairman and Chief Executive of the Group and Chairman of Secure 
Trust Bank PLC and Arbuthnot Latham & Co., 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).

II. 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.

III. James Fleming   
James Fleming joined the Board on 1 March 2012 as Chief Executive 
Officer of Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited. He joined from Coutts & 
Co where he held the position of Head of International Private Banking 
and  more  recently  was  Managing  Director  of  the  UK  Entrepreneurs, 
Landowners  and  Inpatriates  businesses.  Prior  to  Coutts,  James 
was  Managing  Director  of  SG  Hambros  UK.  He  has  over  25  years 
experience of private banking.

IV. 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.

V. 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.  Paul  holds  degree 
level Banking and Corporate Treasury qualifications.

VI. Sir Christopher Meyer 
Independent non-executive director since 1 October 2007. He had a 
distinguished diplomatic career, culminating in 1997 as Ambassador 
to the USA. Between 1994 and 1996, he was Press Secretary to Prime 
Minister John Major. From 2003 to 2009 he was Chairman of the Press 
Complaints  Commission.  He  is  also  on  the  International  Advisory 
Board of British American Business Inc. and Chairman of the Advisory 
Board of Pagefield.

VII. 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.

VIII. 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  Arbuthnot  Latham  & 
Co., Limited.

IX. Jeremy Robin Kaye FCIS    
Company Secretary.

vIII

vII

vI

I

IX

II

III

v

Iv

19

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP DIReCTORS’ RePORT

Remuneration
Shareholders  will  be  asked  to  approve  an  Ordinary  Resolution 
permitting  bonus  payments  to  be  made  to  executive  directors  or 
senior managers not exceeding two times that director’s annual basic 
salary  if  required  by  forthcoming  regulation.  It  is  the  practice  of  the 
Company to pay fair and reasonable salaries and to reward exceptional 
performance  under  a  bonus  scheme.  The  Company  seeks  to  keep 
down  fixed  overhead  costs  but  does  not  welcome  the  principle  of 
wage control.

Financial Risk Management
Details  of  how  the  Group  manages  risk  are  set  out  in  the  Strategic 
Report and in note 6.

Substantial Shareholders
The Company was aware at 18 March 2014 of the following substantial 
holdings in the ordinary shares of the Company, other than those held 
by one director shown below:

Holder  

Ordinary Shares  

Prudential plc 
Mr. R Paston 

Directors
H Angest 
J R Cobb 
J W Fleming 
Ms R J Lea 
P A Lynam 
Sir Christopher Meyer
A A Salmon 
R J J Wickham 

625,161 
529,130 

 %

4.2
3.5

Chairman & CEO
Finance Director

Chief Operating Officer
Deputy Chairman

All directors served throughout the year.

Mr.  A.A.  Salmon  and  Mr.  P.A.  Lynam  retire  under  Article  78  of  the 
Articles  of  Association  and,  being  eligible,  offer  themselves  for  
re-election.  Both  directors  have  service  agreements  terminable  on 
twelve months’ notice.

The Directors submit their annual report and the audited consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013.

Principal Activities and Review
The principal activities of the Group are banking and financial services. 
A strategic review in accordance with Section 414 C of the Companies 
Act 2006 forming part of this report is set out on pages 8 to 17.

Results and Dividends
The results for the year are shown on page 28. The profit after tax for 
the year of £11.5 million (2012: £11.1 million) is included in reserves.

The Company sold 580,000 ordinary 40p shares (3.7%) in its subsidiary 
Secure Trust  Bank  PLC  on  13  December  2013  at  a  price  of  £25  per 
share. This resulted in a net gain of £14.4m which is also included in 
the Group’s reserves.

The  Directors  recommend  the  payment  of  a  final  dividend  of  
15p on the ordinary shares which, together with the interim dividend 
of 11p paid on 4 October 2013 and a special dividend of 18p paid 
on  22  November  2013,  represents  total  dividends  for  the  year  of  
44p  (2012:  25p). The  final  dividend,  if  approved  by  members  at  the 
Annual General Meeting, will be paid on 16 May 2014 to shareholders 
on the register at close of business on 22 April 2014.

Going Concern
After making appropriate enquiries which assessed strategy, profitability, 
funding, risk management (see note 6) and capital resources (see note 7), 
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.

Share Capital
Shareholders will be asked to approve a Special Resolution renewing 
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. 

20

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC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:

had  deposits  with  Arbuthnot  Latham  &  Co.,  Limited  amounting  to 
£2,257,000, all on normal commercial terms as disclosed in note 41 
to the financial statements.

Beneficial Interests 

1 January 
2012 

31 December 
2012 

19 March
2013 

H Angest 
J W Fleming 
P A Lynam 
A A Salmon 
R J J Wickham 

8,186,901 
4,500 
10,000 
51,699 
3,600 

8,200,901 
4,500 
10,000 
51,699 
3,600 

8,200,901 
4,500 
10,000 
51,699 
3,600 

%

53.7
– 
0.1
0.3
– 

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

Board Committees
The report of the Remuneration Committee on pages 24 and 25 will be 
the subject of an Ordinary Resolution at the Annual General Meeting.

Information on the Audit, Nomination, Risk and Donations Committees 
is included in the Corporate Governance section of the Annual Report 
on page 22 to 23.

At the year end Mr. Lynam held 9,110 and Mr. Salmon 7,500 ordinary 
40p shares in Secure Trust Bank PLC, a 67% subsidiary of the Company.

On  16  April  2013  Mr.  Salmon  exercised  the  option  granted  to  him 
on 21 May 2008 to subscribe for 100,000 ordinary 1p shares in the 
Company at 337.5p and Mr. Cobb exercised the option granted to him 
on  5  November  2008  to  subscribe  for  50,000  ordinary  1p  shares  in 
the Company at 320p. The exercise price was 930p per share and the 
Board agreed to make a cash settlement rather than allot new shares.

On the same day Mr. Salmon and Mr. Cobb were granted new options 
to  subscribe  between  April  2016  and  April  2021  for  100,000  and 
50,000 ordinary 1p shares respectively in the Company at 930p. The 
fair value of the options at grant date was £125k.

On 2 November 2011 Mr. Lynam and Mr. Salmon were each granted 
options to subscribe for 141,666 ordinary 40p shares in Secure Trust 
Bank  PLC  at  720p  between  2  November  2014  and  1  November 
2021,  and  a  further  141,667  shares  at  720p  between  2  November 
2016  and  1  November  2021. The  fair  value  of  the  options  at  grant 
date was £1.6m. 

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  2013  three  directors  had  loans  from 
Arbuthnot  Latham  &  Co.,  Limited  amounting  to  £5,188,000,  on 
normal  commercial  terms  as  disclosed  in  note  41  to  the  financial 
statements. At 31 December 2013 three directors had deposits with 
Secure  Trust  Bank  PLC  amounting  to  £265,000  and  five  directors 

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.

Political Donations
The Company made a political donation of £27,000 to the Conservative 
Party during the year (2012: £50,000).

Auditors
Following  a  review  of  their  corporate  structure,  our  auditors  KPMG 
Audit Plc, have instigated an orderly wind down of business, with future 
audit work being undertaken by KPMG LLP. The Board has decided to 
nominate KPMG LLP as auditors and a resolution for their appointment 
will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting at a fee 
to be agreed in due course by the directors. There is no difference in 
liability terms between KPMG Audit Plc and KPMG LLP.

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

J R Kaye 
Secretary

19 March 2014

21

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
CORPORATe GOveRNANCe

AIM  companies  are  not  required  to  comply  with The  UK  Corporate 
Governance  Code  (“The  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  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 
Prudential  Regulatory 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 
five 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 twenty 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 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 Ruth Lea (as Chairman), Sir Christopher Meyer 
and Robert Wickham.

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  and  a  recommendation 
made to the Board.

Risk Committee
The Risk Committee is chaired by Henry Angest and its other members 
are James Cobb, James Fleming, John Reed (non-executive of Arbuthnot 
Latham), Paul Lynam (appointed 27 February 2014), Andrew Salmon 
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.

22

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC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.

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.

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, as part of 
the Financial Statement audit. Certain aspects of the system of internal 
control are also subject to regulatory supervision, the results of which 
are monitored closely by the Board.

Statement  of  Directors’  Responsibilities  in  Respect  of  the  Strategic 
Report and the Directors’ Report and the Financial Statements
The  directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Strategic  Report  and 
the Directors’ 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:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 select  suitable  accounting  policies  and 
consistently;

then  apply 

them 

 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.

This confirmation is given and shall be interpreted in accordance with 
the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

23

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013ReMUNeRATION RePORT

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. During 2011 the Group 
implemented all the provisions required under the FCA Remuneration 
Code. Accordingly the Group and its subsidiaries are all considered to 
be Tier 3 institutions.

Remuneration Resolution
Shareholders will be asked to approve an Ordinary Resolution permitting 
bonus payments to be made to executive directors or senior managers 
not exceeding two times that director’s annual basic salary if required 
by forthcoming regulation. It is the practice of the Company to pay fair 
and reasonable salaries and to reward exceptional performance under a 
bonus scheme. The company seeks to keep down fixed overhead costs 
but does not welcome the principle of wage control.

Directors’ Service Contracts
Henry Angest, James Fleming, Paul Lynam 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. 

24

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.

On  16  April  2013  Mr.  Salmon  exercised  the  option  granted  to  him 
on 21 May 2008 to subscribe for 100,000 ordinary 1p shares in the 
Company at 337.5p and Mr. Cobb exercised the option granted to him 
on  5  November  2008  to  subscribe  for  50,000  ordinary  1p  shares  in 
the Company at 320p. The exercise price was 930p per share and the 
Board agreed to make a cash settlement rather than allot new shares.

On the same day Mr. Salmon and Mr. Cobb were granted new options 
to  subscribe  between  April  2016  and  April  2021  for  100,000  and 
50,000  ordinary  1p  shares  respectively  in  the  Company  at  930p.  
The fair value of the options at grant date was £125k.

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 
for James Cobb. 150,500 shares are held in the Arbuthnot ESOP Trust. 

Under  the  Unapproved  Executive  Share  Option  Scheme  of  the 
Company’s subsidiary, Secure Trust Bank PLC, established in November 
2011, Paul Lynam and Andrew Salmon were each granted options over 
283,333 shares in that company. The fair value of the options at grant 
date was £1.6m.

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

Fees (including benefits in kind) 
Salary payments (including benefits in kind) 
Pension contributions 
Long term incentive 

2013 
£000 

215  
3,328  
140  
897  
4,580  

2012
£000

215 
3,027 
137 
–
3,379 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
  
  
H Angest 
JR Cobb 
JW Fleming (from 01/03/12) 
PA Lynam 
DM Proctor (to 01/03/12) 
AA Salmon 
Ms RJ Lea 
Sir Christopher Meyer 
RJJ Wickham 

Salary 
£000 

Bonus 
£000 

Benefits 
£000 

Pension 
£000 

475  
235  
230  
475  
 –  
475  
 –  
 –  
 –  
1,890  

 –  
200  
225  
500  
 –  
400  
 –  
 –  
 –  
1,325  

40  
16  
15  
21  
 –  
21  
 –  
 –  
 –  
113  

 –  
35  
35  
35  
 –  
35  
 –  
 –  
 –  
140  

Fees 
£000 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
120  
45  
50  
215  

Long term 
incentive 
£000 

 –  
305  
 –  
 –  
 –  
592  
 –  
 –  
 –  
897  

Total 
2013 
£000 

515  
791  
505  
1,031  
 –  
1,523  
120  
45  
50  
4,580  

Total
2012
£000

519 
436 
458 
870 
49 
832 
120 
45 
50 
3,379 

Details of any shares or options held by directors are presented on page 21.

The  emoluments  of  the  Chairman  were  £515,000  (2012: £519,000).  The  emoluments  of  the  highest  paid  director  were  £1,523,000 
(2012: £870,000) including pension contributions of £35,000 (2012: £35,000). 

Mr. R J J Wickham is a director of Calando Finance Limited which received an annual fee of £50,000 (2012: £50,000) in respect of his services 
to the Group.

These amounts are included in the table above.

Retirement benefits are accruing under money purchase schemes for five directors who served during 2013 (2012: six directors).

Henry Angest 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

19 March 2014

25

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
INDePeNDeNT AUDITOR’S RePORT
to the members of  
arbuthnot banking group plc

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 
2013 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
In  our  opinion  the  information  given  in  the  Strategic  Report  and 
the  Directors’  Report  for  the  financial  year  for  which  the  financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

We have audited the financial statements of Arbuthnot Banking Group 
PLC  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2013  set  out  on  pages  28  to 
83. 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. 

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. 
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  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  23,  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  Ethical 
Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A  description  of  the  scope  of  an  audit  of  financial  statements  is 
provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.
uk/auditscopeukprivate.

26

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCMatters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 
the Companies Act 2006 requires us 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 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.

Richard Gabbertas (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants

15 Canada Square 
London 
E14 5GL

19 March 2014

27

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013Consolidated statement of  
Comprehensive inCome

Note 

8 

9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
15 

17 

14 

Interest income 
Interest expense 
Net interest income 
Fee and commission income 
Fee and commission expense 
Net fee and commission income 
Operating income 
Net impairment loss on financial assets 
Gain from a bargain purchase 
Gain on sale of building 
Gain on sale of subsidiary 
Other income 
Operating expenses 
Profit before income tax from continuing operations 
Income tax expense 
Profit after income tax from continuing operations 
Loss from discontinued operations after tax 
Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
Cash flow hedging reserve 
– Effective portion of changes in fair value 
Available-for-sale reserve 
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 
Total comprehensive income for the period 

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

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

Year ended 
31 December 
2013 
£000 

93,329  
(20,279) 
73,050  
31,816  
(4,846) 
26,970  
100,020  
(18,807) 
413  
6,535  
 –  
1,183  
(73,631) 
15,713  
(4,198) 
11,515  
 –  
11,515  

 –  

(15) 
(250) 
(265) 
11,250  

7,930  
3,585  
11,515  

7,681  
3,569  
11,250  

Year ended
31 December
2012
£000

62,300 
(17,514)
44,786 
24,116 
(3,347)
20,769 
65,555 
(10,984)
9,830 
 – 
839 
396 
(53,043)
12,593 
(1,128)
11,465 
(347)
11,118 

570 

(34)
81 
617 
11,735 

8,041 
3,077 
11,118 

8,658 
3,077 
11,735 

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 

18 

51.9  

52.6 

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

28

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Consolidated statement of  
finanCial position

ASSETS 
Cash 
Loans and advances to banks 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Financial investments 
Deferred tax asset 
Investment in associate 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 
Equity attributable to owners of the parent 
Share capital 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves 
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
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 

19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 

36 
37 
37 

31 
22 
32 

33 
27 
34 

At 
31 December 
2013 
£000 

193,046 
105,061 
19,466 
508 
732,009 
17,267 
1,975 
3,954 
943 
13,103 
5,522 
1,092,854 

153 
67,901 
(1,467) 
20,327 
86,914 

2,003 
371 
957,791 
1,427 
31,017 
1,099 
12,232 
1,005,940 
1,092,854 

At
31 December
2012
£000

203,683
144,391
13,526
648
586,968
11,666
3,257
5,057
– 
8,326
22,487
1,000,009

153
53,372
(1,253)
16,376
68,648

373
462
894,545
346
23,021
634
11,980
931,361
1,000,009

The financial statements on pages 28 to 83 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 19 March 2014 and were signed 
on their behalf by:

H Angest  
Director

JR Cobb  
Director

Registered Number: 1954085

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

29

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
Company statement of  
finanCial position

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings – bank balances 
Financial investments 
Deferred tax asset 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other assets 
Investment in subsidiary undertakings 
Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 
Equity 
Share capital 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 
Total equity 

LIABILITIES 
Bank overdraft 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Total liabilities 
Total equity and liabilities 

Note 

26 

29 
30 
25 
42 

36 
37 
37 

33 
34 

At 
31 December 
2013 
£000  

At 
31 December 
2012 
£000

16,551  
165  
441  
12  
130  
5,415  
30,995  
53,709  

153  
(1,030) 
31,325  
30,448  

2,000  
9,029  
12,232  
23,261  
53,709  

 – 
413 
447 
20 
134 
5,662 
30,847 
37,523 

153 
(1,030)
20,768 
19,891 

100 
5,552 
11,980 
17,632 
37,523 

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 on pages 28 to 83 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 19 March 2014 and were signed 
on their behalf by

H Angest 
Director

JR Cobb 
Director

Registered Number: 1954085

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

30

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Consolidated statement of  
Changes in equity

Attributable to equity holders of the Group

Share 

Foreign 
currency 

Share  premium  translation  Revaluation  redemption 
reserve 
£000 

account 
£000 

reserve 
£000 

reserve 
£000 

capital 
£000 

Capital  Available- 

Cash 
flow 
for-sale  hedging 
reserve 
reserve 
£000 
£000 

Non- 
Treasury  Retained  controlling 
interests 
earnings 
£000 
£000 

shares 
£000 

Total
£000

Balance at 1 January 2013 

153  

 –  

 –  

140  

20  

81  

(363)  (1,131) 53,372   16,376   68,648 

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 
Profit for 2013 

Other comprehensive income,  
net of tax 
Revaluation reserve 
– Adjustment 
Cash flow hedging reserve 
–  Effective portion of changes in  

fair value 

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 
Equity settled share based  
payment transactions 
Sale of shares Secure Trust Bank 
Final dividend relating to 2012 
Interim dividend relating to 2013 
Special dividend relating to 2013 
Total contributions by and distributions  
to owners 
Balance at 31 December 2013 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –   7,930   3,585   11,515 

 –  

 –  

 –  

51  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

(35) 

(16) 

 – 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
153  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
51  

51  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
(250) 
(250) 

(15) 
 –  
(15) 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
(35) 

 –  
 –  
(16) 

(15)
(250)
(265)

 –  

(250) 

(15) 

 –   7,895   3,569   11,250 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

901  

 –  
770   1,671 
 –   12,135   2,270   14,405 
(1,970)  (4,054)
 –   (2,084) 
(688)  (2,326)
 –   (1,638) 
 –   (2,680)
 –   (2,680) 

 –  
191  

 –  
20  

 –  
(169) 

 –  

382   7,016 
(378)  (1,131) 67,901   20,327   86,914 

 –   6,634  

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

31

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Consolidated statement of  
Changes in equity 

Continued

Attributable to equity holders of the Group

Share 

Foreign 
currency 

Share  premium  translation  Revaluation  redemption 
reserve 
£000 

account 
£000 

reserve 
£000 

reserve 
£000 

capital 
£000 

Capital  Available- 

Cash 
flow 
for-sale  hedging 
reserve 
reserve 
£000 
£000 

Non- 
Treasury  Retained  controlling 
interests 
earnings 
£000 
£000 

shares 
£000 

Total
£000

Balance at 1 January 2012 

153   21,085  

(570) 

140  

20  

 –  

(329)  (1,097) 21,571   5,998   46,971 

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 
Profit for 2012 

Other comprehensive income,  
net of tax 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Revaluation reserve 
Cash flow hedging reserve 
–  Effective portion of changes  

in fair value 

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 
Cancellation of share premium 
Purchase of own shares 
Equity settled share based  
payment transactions 
Share placing Secure Trust Bank 
Final dividend relating to 2011 
Interim dividend relating to 2012 
Total contributions by and  
distributions to owners 
Balance at 31 December 2012 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –   8,041   3,077   11,118 

 –  

 –  

570  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

570 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
570  

 –  

570  

 –   (21,085) 
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  (21,085) 
 –  

153  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
81  
81  

(34) 
 –  
(34) 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

(34)
81 
617 

81  

(34) 

 –   8,041   3,077   11,735 

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –   21,085  
 –  

(34) 

 –  
 –  

 – 
(34)

 –  

(70) 

 –  
(70)
 –   6,881   7,371   14,252 
 –   (2,082)
 –   (2,082) 
 –   (2,124)
 –   (2,124) 

 –  
140  

 –  
20  

 –  
81  

 –  

(34) 23,760   7,301   9,942 
(363)  (1,131) 53,372   16,376   68,648 

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

32

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Company statement of  
Changes in equity

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Share 
capital 
£000 

Share 
premium 
account 
£000 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

Available- 
for-sale 
reserve 
£000 

Treasury 
shares 
£000 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

Total 
£000

Balance at 1 January 2012 

153  

21,085  

20  

 –  

(1,097) 

8,517  

28,678 

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 
Loss for 2012 

Other comprehensive income,  
net of income tax 
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 
Cancellation of share premium 
Purchase of own shares 
Final dividend relating to 2011 
Interim dividend relating to 2012 
Total contributions by and  
distributions to owners 
Balance at 1 January 2013 

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 
Profit for 2013 

Other comprehensive income,  
net of income tax 
Total comprehensive income  
for the period 

Transactions with owners,  
recorded directly in equity 
Contributions by and  
distributions to owners 
Share based payments  
settled in cash 
Equity settled share based  
payment transactions 
Final dividend relating to 2012 
Interim dividend relating to 2013 
Special dividend relating to 2013 
Total contributions by and  
distributions to owners 
Balance at 31 December 2013 

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

(21,085) 
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
153  

(21,085) 
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
20  

 –  

 –  

(5,260) 

(5,260)

81  
81  

81  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
81  

 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  

81 
81 

(5,260) 

(5,179)

 –  
(34) 
 –  
 –  

(34) 
(1,131) 

21,085  
 –  
(1,936) 
(1,638) 

17,511  
20,768  

 – 
(34)
(1,936)
(1,638)

(3,608)
19,891 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

17,828  

17,828 

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

17,828  

17,828 

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
153  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
20  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
81  

 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

(897) 

(897)

28  
(2,084) 
(1,638) 
(2,680) 

28 
(2,084)
(1,638)
(2,680)

 –  
(1,131) 

(7,271) 
31,325  

(7,271)
30,448 

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

33

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Consolidated statement  
of Cash flows

Note 

Year ended  
31 December 
2013 
£000 

Year ended 
31 December 
2012 
£000

Cash flows from operating activities 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Fees and commissions received 
Net trading and other income 
Cash payments to employees and suppliers 
Taxation paid 
Cash flows from operating profits before changes in  
operating assets and liabilities 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
– net decrease in derivative financial instruments 
– net increase in loans and advances to customers 
– net (increase)/decrease in other assets 
– net increase in deposits from banks 
– net increase in amounts due to customers 
– net increase in other liabilities 
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Borrowings repaid on acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 
Cash acquired on purchase of subsidiary undertakings 
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 
Acquisition of financial investments 
Disposal of financial investments 
Purchase of computer software 
Disposal of computer software 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Investment in associate 
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 
Increase in borrowings 
Dividends paid 
Proceeds from share placing by Secure Trust Bank 
Proceeds from sale of Secure Trust Bank shares 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

10, 44 
10, 44 
10, 44 

29 
29 
30 
28 

40 

91,075  
(20,085) 
26,325  
7,718  
(81,157) 
(2,543) 

21,333  

49  
(122,682) 
(3,572) 
1,630  
61,945  
6,990  
(34,307) 

(36,922) 
1,512  
(4,026) 
 –  
63  
(1,162) 
1,900  
(746) 
(943) 
23,259  
(9,844) 
3,904  
(23,005) 

 –  
2,000  
(9,060) 
 –  
14,405  
7,345  
(49,967) 
348,074  
298,107  

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

34

61,957 
(13,405)
20,769 
11,065 
(64,182)
(4,083)

12,121 

765 
(132,312)
3,616 
365 
200,745 
5,096 
90,396 

(71,618)
991 
 – 
(93)
 – 
(662)
 – 
(17,661)
 – 
12 
(51,523)
78,076 
(62,478)

(34)
 – 
(4,206)
14,252 
 – 
10,012 
37,930 
310,144 
348,074 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Company statement of  
Cash flows

Note 

Year ended  
31 December 
2013 
£000 

Year  ended 
31  December 
2 0 1 2 
£000

Cash flows from operating activities 
Dividends received from subsidiaries 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Net trading and other income 
Cash payments to employees and suppliers 
Taxation received 
Cash flows from operating profits/(losses) before changes in  
operating assets and liabilities 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
– net decrease in group company balances 
– net decrease/(increase) in other assets 
– net increase/(decrease) in other liabilities 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Increase in loans to subsidiary companies 
Repayment of loans to subsidiary companies 
Increase investment in subsidiary 
Disposal of share in subsidiaries 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Net cash from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Purchase of treasury shares 
Dividends paid 
Increase in borrowings 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

30 

11,418  
99  
(714) 
1,364  
(8,089) 
(160) 

3,918  

3,128  
254  
348  
7,648  

 –  
 –  
(1,000) 
14,405  
 –  
13,405  

 –  
(6,402) 
2,000  
(4,402) 
16,651  
(100) 
16,551  

The notes on pages 36 to 83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

1,947 
278 
(631)
1,075 
(8,298)
(7)

(5,636)

1,061 
(357)
(3,762)
(8,694)

(2,000)
6,500 
(6,000)
386 
(13)
(1,127)

(34)
(3,574)
100 
(3,508)
(13,329)
13,329 
 – 

35

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

1. Reporting entity
Arbuthnot  Banking  Group  PLC  is  a  company  domiciled  in  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  2013  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.

2. Basis of preparation
(a) Statement of compliance
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. 

The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 19 March 2014.

(b) Basis of measurement
The consolidated and company financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of 
land and buildings, available-for-sale financial assets, financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, and derivatives 
assets and liabilities.

(c) 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  Pound  Sterling,  which  is  the 
Company’s functional and the Group’s presentational currency.

(d) Use of estimates and judgements 
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 4.

(e) Accounting developments
• 

IAS  1  (Revised),  ‘Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  –  Presentation  of  items  of  other  comprehensive  income’  (effective  1  July  2012).  
The revised standard require the split of other comprehensive income between items which may subsequently be reclassified to profit or 
loss and items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss. The disclosure of other comprehensive income on the face of the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income in these financial statements has been changed to reflect this split.

• 

IFRS 7 (Revised), ‘Disclosures – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’ (effective 1 January 2013). The revised standard amend the 
required disclosures to include information that will enable users of an entity’s financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of 
netting arrangements, including rights of set-off associated with the entity’s recognised financial assets and recognised financial liabilities, on 
the entity’s financial position. This change did not have any material impact on the financial statements.

• 

IFRS  13,  ‘Fair  Value  Measurement’  (effective  1  January  2013).  This  standard  replaces  the  existing  guidance  on  fair  value  measurement  in 
different IFRSs with a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair values and disclosures about fair value measurements. 

(f) Going concern
The Group’s business activities and financial position, its objectives and policies in managing the financial risks to which it is exposed, and its 
capital, the factors likely to affect its future development and performance, is 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.

36

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC3. Significant accounting policies
The 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.

3.1. 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 acquisition 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, 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.

The Parent’s investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost less, where appropriate, provisions for impairment in value. Changes in the Parent’s 
ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are treated as transactions between equity holders and are reported in equity. 

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.

37

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

3.1. Consolidation (continued)
(c) Associates
Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the financial and operating policies. Significant 
influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 50 percent of the voting power of another entity. Associates are accounted 
for  using  the  equity  method  and  are  initially  recognised  at  cost.  The  Group’s  investment  includes  goodwill  identified  on  acquisition,  net  of 
any  accumulated  impairment  losses.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  Group’s  share  of  the  total  comprehensive  income  and 
equity  movements  of  equity  accounted  investees,  from  the  date  that  significant  influence  commences  until  the  date  that  significant  influence 
ceases. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity accounted investee, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to nil and 
recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments 
on behalf of the investee.

(d) 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. Adjustments to non-controlling interests are based on a proportionate amount of the net assets of the subsidiary.

3.2. 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 three main operating segments: 

•  Retail Banking

• 

Private Banking

•  Group Centre

3.3. Foreign currency translation
(a) 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  Statement  of 
Comprehensive Income.

(b) 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 Statement of Financial Position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that Statement of Financial 
Position;

income and expenses  for  each  Statement of Comprehensive Income 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 Statement of Comprehensive Income 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.

38

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC3.4. 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 calculates the amortised cost of a financial asset or a financial liability and allocates the interest income or interest 
expense  over  the  relevant  period.  The  effective  interest  rate  is  the  rate  that  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. The carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability is adjusted if the Group 
revises its estimates of payments or receipts. The adjusted carrying amount is calculated based on the original effective interest rate and the change 
in carrying amount is recorded as interest income or expense.

Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down as a result of an impairment loss, interest income continues to 
be recognised using the original effective interest rate applied to the new carrying amount.

3.5. 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.

3.6. Financial assets and financial liabilities
The Group classifies 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 acquisition. A financial asset or financial liability is measured initially at fair value plus, for an item 
not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue.

(a) Financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
This  category  comprises  listed  securities  and  derivative  financial  instruments.  Derivative  financial  instruments  utilised  by  the  Group  include 
embedded derivatives and derivatives used for hedging purposes. Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are initially 
recognised  on  the  date  from  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.

39

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

3.6. Financial assets and financial liabilities (continued)
(d) Available-for-sale
Available-for-sale (‘AFS’) investments are those not classified as another category of financial assets. These include investments in special purpose 
vehicles and equity investments in unquoted vehicles. They may be sold in response to liquidity requirements, interest rate, exchange rate or equity 
price movements. AFS investments are initially recognised at cost, which is considered as the fair value of the investment including any acquisition 
costs.  AFS  securities  are  subsequently  carried  at  fair  value  in  the  statement  of  financial  position.  Fair  value  changes  on  the  AFS  securities  are 
recognised directly in equity (AFS reserve) until the investment is sold or impaired. Once sold or impaired, the cumulative gains or losses previously 
recognised in the AFS reserve are recycled to the 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 Statement of Financial Position 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 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, cancelled, expire, are modified or exchanged.

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, less any reduction for impairment.

Fair value measurement
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants  
at the measurement date. 

When  available,  the  Group  measures  the  fair  value  of  an  instrument  using  quoted  prices  in  an  active  market  for  that  instrument.  A  market  
is regarded as active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available and represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an 
arm’s length basis.

If a market for a financial instrument is not active, the Group establishes fair value using a valuation technique. 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.

In the instance that fair values of assets and liabilities cannot be reliably measured, they are carried at cost.

3.7. Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
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 or using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow models. 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. 

(a) Fair value hedges
Fair value hedges are used to hedge against the change in fair value of a recognised asset or liability or a firm commitment that could affect profit 
or loss. Changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognised immediately in profit or loss together with changes in the fair value of the hedged 
item that are attributable to the hedged risk (in the same line item in the profit or loss as the hedged item).

40

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC3.7. Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting (continued)
If the hedging derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the hedging relationship no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
the carrying amount of the hedged item is amortised over the residual period to maturity, as part of the newly calculated effective interest rate. 
However, if the hedged item has been derecognised, it is immediately released to the profit or loss.

(b) Cash flow hedges
Cash flow hedges are used to hedge against fluctuations in future cash flows from interest rate movements on variable rate customer deposits. 
On initial purchase the derivative is valued at fair value and then the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is 
recognised in equity (cash flow hedging reserve) until the gain or loss on the hedged item is realised, when it is amortised; the ineffective portion 
of the hedging instrument is recognised immediately in the profit or loss. 

If a hedging derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exchanged, or the hedge no longer meets the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting, 
or the hedge designation is revoked, then hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively. In a discontinued hedge of a forecast transaction the 
cumulative amount recognised in other comprehensive income from the period when the hedge was effective is reclassified from equity to profit or 
loss as a reclassification adjustment when the forecast transaction occurs and affects profit or loss. If the forecast transaction is no longer expected 
to occur, then the balance in other comprehensive income is reclassified immediately to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment.

Hedge effectiveness testing
On initial designation of the hedge, the Group formally documents the relationship between the hedging instruments and the hedged items, including 
the risk management objective and strategy in undertaking the hedge, together with the method that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the 
hedging relationship. The Group makes an assessment, both at the inception of the hedge relationship as well as on an ongoing basis, as to whether 
the hedging instruments are expected to be highly effective in offsetting the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the respective hedged items 
during the period for which the hedge is designated, and whether the actual results of each hedge are within a range of 80-125%. The Group makes 
an assessment for a cash flow hedge of a forecast transaction, as to whether the forecast transaction is highly probable to occur and presents an 
exposure to variations in cash flows that could ultimately affect profit or loss.

(c) Embedded derivatives
Embedded derivatives arise from contracts (‘hybrid contracts’) containing both a derivative (the ‘embedded derivative’) and a non-derivative (the 
‘host contract’). Where the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivatives are not closely related to those of the host contract, and 
the host contract is not at fair value through profit or loss, the embedded derivative is bifurcated and reported at fair value and gains or losses are 
recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

3.8. Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the Statement of Financial Position 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.

3.9. 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. Objective 
evidence is the occurrence of a loss event, after the initial recognition of the asset, that impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial 
asset or group of financial assets, and 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;

41

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

3.9. Impairment of financial assets (continued)
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. 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 Statement of Financial Position 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. 

(d) Forbearance
Forbearance  is  available  to  support  customers  who  are  in  financial  difficulty  and  help  them  re-establish  their  contractual  payment  plan.  
The main option offered by the Group is an arrangement to clear outstanding arrears. If the forbearance request is granted the account is monitored 
in accordance with the Group’s policy and procedures. All debts however retain the customer’s normal contractual payment due dates. Arrears 
tracking and the allowance for impairment is based on the original contractual due dates for both the secured and unsecured lending channels.

3.10 Inventory
Land acquired through repossession of collateral which is subsequently held in the ordinary course of business with a view to develop and sell is 
accounted for as inventory. 

Inventory is measured at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The cost of inventories comprise of all costs of purchase, costs of conversion 
and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the 
ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

3.11. 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 or associate at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries or associates 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 test for impairment involves comparing the carrying value of goodwill with the 
present value of pre-tax cash flows, discounted at a rate of interest that reflects the inherent risks of the CGU to which the goodwill relates, or the 
CGU’s fair value if this is higher.

42

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC3.11. Intangible assets (continued)
(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.

(c) Other intangibles
Other intangibles include trademarks, customer relationships, broker relationships, technology and banking licences acquired. These costs are 
amortised on the basis of the expected useful lives (three to ten years).

3.12. 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, applying the following annual rates, which are subject to regular review:

Freehold buildings 
Office equipment 
Computer equipment 
Motor vehicles 

50 years
6 to 20 years
3 to 5 years
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.

3.13. 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.

Leases in which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are classified as finance leases. Leased 
assets by way of finance leases are stated at an amount equal to the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments 
at inception of the lease, less accumulated depreciation. Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction 
of the outstanding liability. The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest 
on the remaining balance of the liability.

43

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

3.14. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents comprises cash on hand and demand deposits, and cash equivalents 
are deemed 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.

3.15. 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
The fair value of equity settled share-based payment awards are calculated at grant date and recognised over the period in which the employees 
become unconditionally entitled to the awards (the vesting period). The amount is recognised as personnel expenses in the profit or loss, with a 
corresponding increase in equity. The Group adopts a Black-Scholes valuation model in calculating the fair value of the share options as adjusted 
for an attrition rate of members of the scheme and a probability of pay-out reflecting the risk of not meeting the terms of the scheme over the vesting 
period. The number of share options that are expected to vest are reviewed at least annually.

The fair value of cash settled share-based payments is recognised as personnel expenses in the profit or loss with a corresponding increase in 
liabilities over the vesting period. The liability is remeasured at each reporting date and at settlement date based on the fair value of the options 
granted, with a corresponding adjustment to personnel expenses.

When share-based payments are changed from cash settled to equity settled and there is no change in the fair value of the replacement award, it is 
seen as a modification to the terms and conditions on which the equity instruments were granted and is not seen as the settlement and replacement 
of the instruments. Accordingly, the liability in the Statement of Financial Position is credited to equity and the prospective charge to the profit or 
loss from the modification reflects the spreading of the initial grant date fair value of the award over the remaining vesting period in line with the 
policy on equity settled awards.

3.16. 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 and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to taxes 
levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities, when they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets 
on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

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

44

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC3.17. 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 
3.4. 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.

3.18. Share capital
(a) Share issue costs
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options or the acquisition of a business by Arbuthnot Banking Group or its 
subsidiaries, 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.

3.19. 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. 

3.20. 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.

3.21. New standards and interpretations not yet adopted
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 2014 or later periods, but the Group has not early adopted them:

• 

• 

• 

IFRS 10, ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ and IAS 27 (Revised), ‘Separate Financial Statements’ (effective 1 January 2013). IFRS 10 supersedes 
IAS 27 and SIC-12, and provides a single model to be applied in the control analysis for all investees. There are some minor clarifications in 
IAS27, and the requirements of IAS 28 and IAS 31 have been incorporated into IAS 27. ¹

IFRS 11, ‘Joint Arrangements’ (effective 1 January 2013). This standard replaces the existing accounting for subsidiaries and joint ventures (now 
joint arrangements) and removes the choice of equity or proportionate accounting for jointly controlled entities, as was the case under IAS 31.¹

IFRS 12, ‘Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities’ (effective 1 January 2013). This standard replaces the existing accounting for subsidiaries 
and  joint  ventures  (now  joint  arrangements)  and  contains  the  disclosure  requirements  for  entities  that  have  interests  in  subsidiaries,  joint 
arrangements, associates and/or unconsolidated structured entities. ¹

45

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

3.21. New standards and interpretations not yet adopted (continued)
• 

IAS 32 (Revised), ‘Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’ (effective 1 January 2014). This standard was amended to clarify the 
offsetting criteria, specifically when an entity currently has a legal right of set off; and when gross settlement is equivalent to net settlement.

• 

IFRIC  21,  ‘Levies’  (effective  1  January  2014).  The  interpretation  defines  a  levy  as  an  outflow  from  an  entity  imposed  by  a  government  in 
accordance with legislation. That levy is recognised as a liability when, and only when, the triggering event specified in the legislation occurs. ²

The above standards are unlikely to have a material impact on the Group.

• 

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’ (effective from 1 January 2015). 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’. Further development phases for IFRS 9 are scheduled to cover 
key areas such as impairment and hedge accounting. The potential effect of this standard together with the further development phases are 
currently being evaluated but it is expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements, due to the nature of the Group’s 
operations. ²

¹   These standards have been endorsed by the EU for periods from 1 January 2014. 

²   These standards have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

4. 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.

4.1 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 3.9. 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.

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 (where 
held), in determining the expected future cash flows. 

In assessing collective impairment the Group uses historical trends of the probability of default, the timing of recoveries and the amount of loss 
incurred, adjusted for management’s judgement as to whether current economic and credit conditions are such that the actual losses are likely to 
be significantly different to historic trends.

To the extent that the default rates differ from that estimated by 10%, the allowance for impairment on loans and advances would change by an 
estimated £2.6m (2012: £1.6m).

46

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC4.2 Goodwill impairment
The accounting policy for goodwill is described in note 3.11 (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 management’s 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.

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 three CGU’s 
(2012: two) with goodwill attached; the core Arbuthnot Latham CGU, the Music Finance CGU and the V12 Group CGU (subsidiary of Secure Trust 
Bank acquired in the year). 

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 
(2012: 5 years with a terminal value). The 5 year discounted cash flows 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 2016 as per the approved 3 year plan. A growth rate of 9% (2012: 9%) was used for income and 
7% (2012: 5%) for expenditure from 2014 to 2016 (these rates were the best estimate of future forecasted performance), while a 3% (2012: 3%) 
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 three year plan. 

Management considers the value in use for the Music Finance CGU and V12 Group CGU to be the discounted cash flows over 5 years (2012:  
5 years). Income and expenditure were kept flat (2012: 0%) over the 5 year period.

Cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of 12% (2012: 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.

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. 

4.3 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 and deferred tax expense in the year in which the determination is made.

4.4 Acquisition accounting
The Group recognises identifiable assets and liabilities at their acquisition date fair values. The exercise of attributing a fair value to the balance 
sheet of the acquired entity requires the use of a number of assumptions and estimates, which are documented at the time of the acquisition. These 
fair value adjustments are determined from the estimated future cash flows generated by the assets.

Loans and advances to customers
The methodology of attributing a fair value to the loans and advances to customers involves discounting the estimated future cash flows after 
impairment losses, using a risk adjusted discount factor. A fair value adjustment is then applied to the carrying value in the acquiree’s Statement 
of Financial Position.

47

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

4.4 Acquisition accounting (continued)
Intangible assets
Identifying the separately identifiable intangible assets of an acquired company is subjective and based upon discussions with management and a 
review of relevant documentation. During the current and prior years the acquisition of Everyday Loans and the V12 Finance Group indicated that 
there were four separately identifiable intangible assets which met the criteria for separation from goodwill, these being Trademarks/Tradenames, 
Customer Relationships, Broker Relationships and Technology.

Trademarks and Tradenames are valued by estimating the fair value of the estimated costs savings resulting from the ownership of trade names as 
opposed to licensing them. Customer Relationships are valued through the application of a discounted cash flow methodology to net anticipated 
renewal revenues. The valuation of Broker Relationships is derived from a costs avoided methodology, by reviewing costs incurred on non-broker 
platforms versus costs which are incurred in broker commission. Technology is valued by the market derived royalty rate applied to the related cash 
flows to arrive at estimated savings resulting from the use of the acquired credit decisioning technology.

4.5 Average life of lending
IAS 39 requires interest earned from lending to be measured under the effective interest rate method. The effective interest rate is the rate that 
exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts or payments through the expected life of the financial instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter 
period to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

Management must therefore use judgement to estimate the expected life of each instrument and hence the expected cash flows relating to it.  
The accuracy of the effective interest rate would therefore be affected by unexpected market movements resulting in altered customer behaviour, 
inaccuracies in the models used compared to actual outcomes and incorrect assumptions.

4.6 Share option scheme valuation
The valuation of the Secure Trust Bank equity-settled share option scheme was determined at the original grant date of 2 November 2011 using 
Black-Scholes valuation models. In the opinion of the directors the terms of the scheme are such that there remain a number of key uncertainties to 
be considered when calculating the probability of pay out, which are set out below. The directors also considered the probability of option holder 
attrition prior to the vesting dates, details of which are also set out below.

Much of the bank’s lending is in the near and sub-prime categories, with performance of the book heavily influenced by employment trends. 
With the UK economy remaining fragile, the impact of a further downturn would be increasing unemployment, potentially causing impairments 
to rise and new business levels to fall, thereby affecting the bank’s ability to sustain the levels of dividend growth required under the terms of the 
scheme. Depending on the product type, market and customer demographics, the bank’s current product range includes expected lifetime losses 
of between 1% and 20%. 

Uncertainties in the regulatory environment continue, with pressure on the government to further constrain the activities of banks following the 
well reported catalogue of recent issues in the industry. Any tightening of capital requirements will impact on the ability of the Company to exploit 
future market opportunities and furthermore may inhibit its ability to maintain the required growth in distributions.

Taking these into account, the probability of pay out has been judged as 95% for the first tranche of share options (SOS1) which vest on 2 November 
2014 and 80% for the second tranche of share options (SOS2) which vest on 2 November 2016.

One  participant  in  the  share  option  scheme  left  the  Company  during  2012  and  was  consequently  withdrawn  from  the  scheme.  The  directors 
consider that there is further uncertainty surrounding whether the remaining participants will all still be in situ and eligible at the vesting date. 
The directors have assumed an attrition rate of 8% for the 2014 options and an attrition rate of 15% for the 2016 options over the scheme period.

4.7 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”.

48

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC4.8 Valuation of financial instruments
The Group measures the fair value of an instrument using quoted prices in an active market for that instrument. A market is regarded as active 
if quoted prices are readily and regularly available and represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions. If a market for a financial 
instrument is not active, the Group establishes fair value using a valuation technique. 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 
be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In the instance that fair values of 
assets and liabilities cannot be reliably measured, they are carried at cost.

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 2013 

Derivative financial instruments 
Financial investments 
Assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Liabilities 

At 31 December 2012 

Derivative financial instruments 
Financial investments 
Assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Liabilities 

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

Level 1 
£000 

Level 2 
£000 

 –  
179  
179  
 –  
 –  

508  
 –  
508  
371  
371  

Level 1 
£000 

Level 2 
£000 

 –  
489  
489  
 –  
 –  

648  
 –  
648  
462  
462  

Level 3 
£000 

 –  
1,796  
1,796  
 –  
 –  

Level 3 
£000 

 –  
2,768  
2,768  
 –  
 –  

Total 
£000

508 
1,975 
2,483 
371 
371 

Total 
£000

648 
3,257 
3,905 
462 
462 

49

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

4.8 Valuation of financial instruments (continued)
The following table reconciles the movement in level 3 financial instruments during the year:

Movement in level 3 

At 1 January 
Purchases 
Losses recognised in available-for-sale reserve 
Losses recognised in the profit or loss 
At 31 December 

5. Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities
The table below shows the maturity analysis of assets and liabilities of the Group as at 31 December 2013:

Due within 
one year 
£000 

193,046 
105,061 
19,466 
488 
419,694 
13,699 
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
751,454 

2,003 
371 
781,468 
1,427 
26,702 
–  
–  
811,971 

At 31 December 2013 

ASSETS 
Cash 
Loans and advances to banks 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Financial investments 
Deferred tax asset 
Investment in associate 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Current tax liability 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liability 
Debt securities in issue 
Total liabilities 

50

2013 
£000 

2,768  
 –  
(250) 
(722) 
1,796  

Due after 
more than 
one year 
£000 

–  
–  
–  
20 
312,315 
3,568 
1,975 
3,954 
943 
13,103 
5,522 
341,400 

–  
–  
176,323 
–  
4,315 
1,099 
12,232 
193,969 

2012 
£000

2,746 
81
 – 
(59)
2,768 

Total 
£000

193,046
105,061
19,466
508
732,009
17,267
1,975
3,954
943
13,103
5,522
1,092,854

2,003
371
957,791
1,427
31,017
1,099
12,232
1,005,940

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
5. Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities (continued)
The table below shows the maturity analysis of assets and liabilities of the Group as at 31 December 2012:

At 31 December 2012 

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

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Current tax liability 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liability 
Debt securities in issue 
Total liabilities 

Due within 
one year 
£000 

203,683 
144,391 
13,526 
623 
347,460 
9,080 
–  
–  
–  
100 
718,863 

373 
462 
749,672 
346 
18,416 
–  
–  
769,269 

Due after 
more than 
one year 
£000 

–  
–  
–  
25 
239,508 
2,586 
3,257 
5,057 
8,326 
22,387 
281,146 

–  
–  
144,873 
–  
4,605 
634 
11,980 
162,092 

Total 
£000

203,683
144,391
13,526
648
586,968
11,666
3,257
5,057
8,326
22,487
1,000,009

373
462
894,545
346
23,021
634
11,980
931,361

51

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

5. Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities (continued)
The table below shows the maturity analysis of assets and liabilities of the Company as at 31 December 2013:

At 31 December 2013 

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings – bank balances 
Financial investments 
Deferred tax asset 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other assets 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 
Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Bank overdraft 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Total liabilities 

Due within 
one year 
£000 

Due after 
more than 
one year 
£000 

16,551 
–  
–  
–  
–  
565 
–  
17,116 

2,000 
9,029 
–  
11,029 

–  
165 
441 
12 
130 
4,850 
30,995 
36,593 

–  
–  
12,232 
12,232 

The table below shows the maturity analysis of assets and liabilities of the Company as at 31 December 2012:

Due within 
one year 
£000 

Due after 
more than 
one year 
£000 

–  
421 
–  
–  
812 
–  
1,233 

100 
5,552 
–  
5,652 

413 
26 
20 
134 
4,850 
30,847 
36,290 

–  
–  
11,980 
11,980 

At 31 December 2012 

ASSETS 
Financial investments 
Deferred tax asset 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other assets 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 
Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Due to subsidiary undertakings – bank balances 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Total liabilities 

52

Total 
£000

16,551
165
441
12
130
5,415
30,995
53,709

2,000
9,029
12,232
23,261

Total 
£000

413
447
20
134
5,662
30,847
37,523

100
5,552
11,980
17,632

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
6. 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  Statement  of  Financial  Position  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 Statement of Financial Position date. Credit risk is managed through the Credit Committees 
of the banking subsidiaries, with significant exposures also being approved by the Group Risk Committee.

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, or held as inventory where the Group intends 
to develop and sell in the future. 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.

53

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

6. Financial risk management (continued)
The Group’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: 
Cash 
Loans and advances to banks 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to customers – Arbuthnot Latham 
Loan and advances to customers – Secure Trust Bank 
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 

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 – bank balances 
Financial investments 
Other assets 

Credit risk exposures relating to off-balance sheet assets are as follows: 
Guarantees 
At 31 December 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

193,046 
105,061 
19,466 
508 
340,981 
391,028 
1,975 
6,135 

203,683
144,391
13,526
648
289,337
297,631
3,257
3,393

805 
37,094 
1,096,099 

879
21,491
978,236

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

16,551 
165 
5,310 

2,500 
24,526 

 – 
413
5,309

2,500
8,222

The above table represents the maximum credit risk exposure (net of impairment) to the Group and Company at 31 December 2013 and 2012 
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 Statement of Financial Position.

The table below represents an analysis of the loan to values of the property book for the Group:

Loan to value 

Less than 60% 
60% – 80% 
80% – 100% 
Greater than 100% 
Total 

54

31 December 2013 

31 December 2012

Loan 
Balance 
£000 

176,713  
94,295  
24,188  
17,089  
312,285  

Collateral 
£000 

464,460  
136,786  
26,907  
13,816  
641,969  

Loan 
Balance 
£000 

144,250  
82,462  
21,407  
25,000  
273,119  

Collateral 
£000

344,543 
121,832 
25,463 
19,433 
511,271 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. Financial risk management (continued)
Forbearance
Arbuthnot Latham and Secure Trust Bank generally do not reschedule contractual arrangements where customers default on their repayments. 
Under its Treating Customers Fairly policies however, the company may offer the customer the option to reduce or defer payments for a short 
period. If the request is granted, the account continues to be monitored in accordance with the Group’s impairment provisioning policy. Such debts 
retain the customer’s normal contractual payment due dates and will be treated the same as any other defaulting cases for impairment purposes. 
Arrears tracking will continue on the account with any impairment charge being based on the original contractual due dates for all products.

In June 2012, the Group acquired Everyday Loans whose policy on forbearance is that a customers’ account may be modified to assist customers 
who are in or, have recently overcome, financial difficulties and have demonstrated both the ability and willingness to meet the current or modified 
loan contractual payments. These may be modified by way of a reschedule or deferment of repayments. Rescheduling of debts retains the customers 
contractual due dates, whilst the deferment of repayments extends the payment schedule up to a maximum of four payments in a 12 month period. 
As at 31 December 2013 the gross balance of rescheduled loans included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position was £13.9 million, with 
an allowance for impairment on these loans of £1.1 million. The gross balance of deferred loans was £2.8 million with an allowance for impairment 
on these of £0.4 million (2012: the gross balance of rescheduled loans was £12.3 million, with an allowance for impairment on these loans of  
£1.2 million and the gross balance of deferred loans was £2.9 million with an allowance for impairment on these of £0.4 million).

Concentration risk
The Group is well diversified in the UK, being exposed to retail banking and private 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
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 
Statement of Financial Position either as available-for-sale or at fair value through the profit or loss. 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 financial investment exposure (in note 26), a stress test scenario of a 10% (2012: 10%) decline in market prices, with all other things 
being equal, would result in a £394,000 (2012: £17,000) decrease in the Group’s income and a decrease of £140,000 (2012: £255,000) in the 
Group’s 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 26, a stress test scenario of a 10% (2012: 10%) decline in market prices, with all other 
things being equal, would result in a £15,000 (2012: £17,000) decrease in the Company’s income and a decrease of £13,000 (2012: £13,000) in 
the Company’s equity.

55

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

6. 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 2013. Included in the table below are the Group’s 
assets and liabilities at carrying amounts, categorised by currency.

At 31 December 2013 

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

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 
Credit commitments 

GBP (£) 
£000 

USD ($) 
£000 

Euro (€) 
£000 

Other 
£000 

Total 
£000

192,972 
85,365 
16,423 
508 
682,925 
9,678 
179 
988,050 

2,003 
371 
916,465 
10,152 
 –  
928,991 
59,059 
37,899 

53 
16,703 
3,043 
 –  
3,748 
 –  
 –  
23,547 

 –  
 –  
20,292 
 –  
 –  
20,292 
3,255 
 –  

20 
1,160 
 –  
 –  
45,336 
 –  
1,796 
48,312 

 –  
 –  
19,388 
 –  
12,232 
31,620 
16,692 
 –  

1 
1,833 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
1,834 

 –  
 –  
1,646 
 –  
 –  
1,646 
188 
 –  

193,046
105,061
19,466
508
732,009
9,678
1,975
1,061,743

2,003
371
957,791
10,152
12,232
982,549
79,194
37,899

The table below summarises the Group’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk at 31 December 2012:

At 31 December 2012 

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

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 
Credit commitments 

56

GBP (£) 
£000 

USD ($) 
£000 

Euro (€) 
£000 

Other 
£000 

Total 
£000

203,638 
132,202 
13,526 
648 
541,745 
11,604 
515 
903,878 

373 
462 
861,329 
23,021 
 –  
885,185 
18,693 
22,370 

16 
9,713 
 –  
 –  
4,236 
62 
 –  
14,027 

 –  
 –  
14,469 
 –  
 –  
14,469 
(442) 
 –  

27 
738 
 –  
 –  
40,985 
 –  
2,742 
44,492 

 –  
 –  
17,019 
 –  
11,980 
28,999 
15,493 
 –  

2 
1,738 
 –  
 –  
2 
 –  
 –  
1,742 

 –  
 –  
1,728 
 –  
 –  
1,728 
14 
 –  

203,683
144,391
13,526
648
586,968
11,666
3,257
964,139

373
462
894,545
23,021
11,980
930,381
33,758
22,370

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
6. Financial risk management (continued)
A  10%  strengthening  of  the  pound  against  the  US  dollar  would  lead  to  a  £5,000  increase  (2012:  £44,000  decrease)  in  Group  profits  and 
equity,  while  a  10%  weakening  of  the  pound  against  the  US  dollar  would  lead  to  the  same  decrease  in  Group  profits  and  equity.  Similarly  
a 10% strengthening of the pound against the Euro would lead to a £20,000 increase (2012: £86,000 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 22), which covers most of the net exposure in each currency.

The table below summarises the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk at 31 December 2013:

At 31 December 2013 

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings – bank balances 
Financial investments 
Other assets 
Investment in subsidiary undertakings 

LIABILITIES 
Bank overdraft 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 

GBP (£) 
£000 

Euro (€) 
£000 

Total 
£000

3,827 
165 
5,310 
30,995 
40,297 

2,000 
7,768 
 –  
9,768 
30,529 

12,724 
 –  
 –  
 –  
12,724 

 –  
 –  
12,232 
12,232 
492 

16,551
165
5,310
30,995
53,021

2,000
7,768
12,232
22,000
31,021

The table below summarises the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk at 31 December 2012:

At 31 December 2012 

ASSETS 
Financial investments 
Other assets 
Investment in subsidiary undertakings 

LIABILITIES 
Due to subsidiary undertakings – bank balances 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 

Net on-balance sheet position 

GBP (£) 
£000 

Euro (€) 
£000 

Total 
£000

413 
5,309 
30,847 
36,569 

12,600 
4,639 
 –  
17,239 
19,330 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

(12,500) 
 –  
11,980 
(520) 
520 

413
5,309
30,847
36,569

100
4,639
11,980
16,719
19,850

A 10% strengthening of the pound against the Euro would lead to £24,000 (2012: £26,000) 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. 

57

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

6. Financial risk management (continued)
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 Statement of Financial Position. 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 shift scenario for 50, 
100 and 200 basis points movement. The Group consider the 50, 100 and 200 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 £0.5m to £1.8m (2012: £0.6m to £2.4m) 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 increase pre-tax profits and equity by £12,000 (2012: decrease pre-tax profits and equity by £37,000).

(d) Liquidity risk
The current Liquidity regime came into force on 1 October 2010. The PRA 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 liquid assets 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 2013:

Gross 
nominal 
inflow/ 
(outflow) 
£000 

Not 
more than 
3 months 
£000 

More than 
3 months 
but less than 
1 year 
£000 

More than 
1 year but 
less than 
5 years 
£000 

(2,003) 
(1,013,314) 
(8,892) 
(14,224) 
(805) 
(37,094) 
(1,076,332) 

(2,003) 
(435,868) 
(7,857) 
(100) 
(805) 
(37,094) 
(483,727) 

 –  
(388,573) 
(1,025) 
(299) 
 –  
 –  
(389,897) 

 –  
(185,953) 
(10) 
(1,593) 
 –  
 –  
(187,556) 

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

2,003 
957,791 
10,152 
12,232 

982,178 

More than 
5 years 
£000

 – 
(2,920)
 – 
(12,232)
 – 
 – 
(15,152)

371 

371 

 –  
(371) 
(371) 

 –  
(371) 
(371) 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 – 
 – 
 – 

At 31 December 2013 

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

Derivative liabilities 
Risk management: 
 – Outflows 

58

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
6. Financial risk management (continued)
The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Group into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2012:

At 31 December 2012 

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

Derivative liabilities 
Risk management: 
– Outflows 

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

373 
894,545 
23,021 
11,980 

929,919 

Gross 
nominal 
inflow/ 
(outflow) 
£000 

Not 
more than 
3 months 
£000 

More than 
3 months 
but less than 
1 year 
£000 

More than 
1 year but 
less than 
5 years 
£000 

(373) 
(916,708) 
(23,409) 
(13,933) 
(879) 
(21,491) 
(976,793) 

(373) 
(396,331) 
(23,056) 
(98) 
(879) 
(21,491) 
(442,228) 

 –  
(364,647) 
(207) 
(293) 
 –  
 –  
(365,147) 

 –  
(153,320) 
(146) 
(1,562) 
 –  
 –  
(155,028) 

More than 
5 years 
£000

 – 
(2,410)
 – 
(11,980)
 – 
 – 
(14,390)

462 

462 

 –  
(462) 
(462) 

 –  
(462) 
(462) 

 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  

 – 
 – 
 – 

The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Company into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2013:

At 31 December 2013 

Non-derivative liabilities 
Bank overdraft 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Issued financial guarantee contracts 

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

2,000 
7,768 
12,232 

22,000 

Gross 
nominal 
inflow/ 
(outflow) 
£000 

Not 
more than 
3 months 
£000 

More than 
3 months 
but less than 
1 year 
£000 

More than 
1 year but 
less than 
5 years 
£000 

(2,000) 
(7,768) 
(14,224) 
(2,500) 
(26,492) 

(2,000) 
(5,143) 
(100) 
(2,500) 
(9,743) 

 –  
(1,025) 
(299) 
 –  
(1,324) 

 –  
(10) 
(1,593) 
 –  
(1,603) 

More than 
5 years 
£000

 – 
(1,590)
(12,232)
 – 
(13,822)

The table below analyses the contractual undiscounted cash flows for the Company into relevant maturity groupings at 31 December 2012:

At 31 December 2012 

Non-derivative liabilities 
Due to subsidiary undertakings – bank overdraft 
Other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Issued financial guarantee contracts 

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

100 
5,552 
11,980 

17,632 

Gross 
nominal 
inflow/ 
(outflow) 
£000 

Not 
more than 
3 months 
£000 

More than 
3 months 
but less than 
1 year 
£000 

More than 
1 year but 
less than 
5 years 
£000 

(100) 
(5,552) 
(13,933) 
(2,500) 
(22,085) 

(100) 
(4,639) 
(98) 
(2,500) 
(7,337) 

 –  
(913) 
(293) 
 –  
(1,206) 

 –  
 –  
(1,562) 
 –  
(1,562) 

More than 
5 years 
£000

 – 
 – 
(11,980)
 – 
(11,980)

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.

59

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

6. Financial risk management (continued)
Fiduciary activities
The Group provides 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 Statement 
of Financial Position date, the Group had investment management accounts amounting to approximately £528m (2012: £377m). Additionally the 
Group provides investment advisory services.

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

Fair value 
through 
profit or loss 
£000 

Held-to- 
maturity 
£000 

Loans and 
receivables 
£000 

Available- 
for-sale 
£000 

Other 
amortised 
cost 
£000 

Total 
carrying 
amount 
£000 

Fair value 
£000

At 31 December 2013 

ASSETS 
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Financial investments 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Debt securities in issue 

At 31 December 2012 

ASSETS 
Cash 
Derivative financial instruments 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and advances to customers 
Debt securities held-to-maturity 
Financial investments 

LIABILITIES 
Deposits from banks 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deposits from customers 
Debt securities in issue 

 –  
508  
 –  
 –  
 –  
152  
660  

 –  
371  
 –  
 –  
371  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
19,466  
 –  
19,466  

193,046  
 –  
105,061  
732,009  
 –  
 –  
1,030,116  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
1,823   
1,823  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

Fair value 
through 
profit or loss 
£000 

Held-to- 
maturity 
£000 

Loans and 
receivables 
£000 

Available- 
for-sale 
£000 

 –  
648  
 –  
 –  
 –  
169  
817  

 –  
462  
 –  
 –  
462  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
13,526  
 –  
13,526  

203,683  
 –  
144,391  
586,968  
 –  
 –  
935,042  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
3,088  
3,088  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

373 
 –  
894,545 
11,980 
906,898  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

193,046  
508  
105,061  
732,009  
19,466  
1,975  
1,052,065  

193,046 
508 
105,061 
730,706 
19,547 
1,975 
1,050,843 

2,003  
 –  
957,791  
12,232  
972,026  

Other 
amortised 
cost 
£000 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

2,003  
371  
957,791  
12,232  
972,397  

Total 
carrying 
amount 
£000 

203,683  
648  
144,391  
586,968  
13,526  
3,257  
952,473  

373  
462  
894,545  
11,980  
907,360  

2,003 
371 
957,791 
12,232 
972,397 

Fair value 
£000

203,683 
648 
144,391 
585,924 
13,623 
3,257 
951,526 

373 
462 
894,545 
11,980 
907,360 

Cash, loans and advances to banks, debt securities held-to-maturity, deposits from banks and deposits from customers are classified as level 2 
financial instruments, on the basis that they are liquid but not traded in an active market. Loans and advances to customers and debt securities in 
issue are classified as level 3 as there is no observable market data for these instruments.

60

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
7. 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 Prudential Regulatory Authority 
(‘PRA’) 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 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 42.

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 
management’s 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 PRA.

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,  collective  provisions  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 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves 
Non-controlling interests 
Goodwill 
Deductions for other intangibles 
Total tier 1 capital 

Tier 2 
Revaluation reserve 
Collective provisions 
Debt securities in issue 
Total tier 2 capital 

Total tier 1 & tier 2 capital 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

153  
67,901 
(1,111) 
20,327  
(2,695) 
(8,710) 
75,865  

22  
1,578  
12,232  
13,832  

153 
53,372 
(1,393)
16,376 
(1,991)
(5,318)
61,199 

140 
– 
11,980 
12,120 

89,697  

73,319 

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 PRA 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 PRA’s ICG setting process, which addresses the requirements of Pillar 2 of the Basel II framework. The PRA’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.

61

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
 
  
 
  
 
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

7. Capital management (continued)
In  June  2013,  the  PRA  published  a  final  regulation  to  give  effect  to  the  Basel  III  framework,  which  amends  the  definition  of  Tier  1  capital.  
This comes into effect on 1 January 2014. The Group’s current capital position is sufficient to meet the Tier 1 capital ratio based on the Tier 1 
capital definition under the new regulation.

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 2013 are published as a separate document 
on the Group website under Investor Relations (Announcements & Shareholder Information).

8. Fee and commission income 

Banking commissions 
Trust and other fiduciary fee income 
Financial Planning fees and commissions 
Structured product commissions 
Other fee income * 

2013 
£000 

4,714   
4,320  
1,351  
1,810  
19,621  
31,816   

2012 
£000

5,872 
3,349 
1,149 
2,441 
11,305 
24,116 

*  This mainly includes fee and commission income received on OneBill, Current Accounts, PPI insurance and commission earned on debt recovery 

activities at Secure Trust Bank.

9. Net impairment loss on financial assets

Net Impairment losses on loans and advances to customers 
Impairment losses on financial investments 

2013 
£000 

17,734  
1,073  
18,807  

2012 
£000

10,984 
 – 
10,984 

10. Gain from a bargain purchase
On 15 January 2013 Debt Managers (Services) Limited (“DMS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Secure Trust Bank, acquired certain trade and assets 
from Debt Managers Holdings Ltd, Debt Managers (AB) Limited and Debt Managers Limited (together “Debt Managers”). Debt Managers collects 
debt on behalf of a range of clients including banks and utility companies. 

Key benefits of this acquisition to Secure Trust Bank include: 

•  Broadening the income base of Secure Trust Bank without the requirement for large amounts of capital; 

• 

• 

The acquisition of a scalable collections platform through which Secure Trust Bank intends to channel its delinquent debt; and 

The  acquisition  of  the  latest  call  centre  and  collections  technology,  including  market  leading  dialler  capability,  interactive  voice  response 
technology and payment websites. 

DMS acquired the Debt Managers business for an initial cash payment of £0.4 million paid on completion of the transaction. Deferred consideration 
of up to £0.3 million was payable by DMS one year after completion subject to the business achieving certain performance criteria. Of this, £0.1 
million was paid by DMS in final settlement.

The acquired assets included a software platform jointly developed with a third party. Upon completion the rights to this software were sold to that 
third party for consideration of £2 million. DMS then proceeded to lease back the internal rights to use this software. On completion Secure Trust Bank 
provided DMS with £2.2 million of funding to clear an outstanding overdraft of £1.8 million and to fund the working capital requirements of DMS.

62

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
10. Gain from a bargain purchase (continued)
The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income includes revenue of £3.8 million and a loss before tax of £0.9 million attributable to DMS. 
Had the acquisition occurred at the start of the financial year, the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income would have included revenue 
of £4.0 million and a loss before tax of £0.9 million attributable to DMS.

Clients cash at bank 
Other assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Total assets 

Bank overdraft 
Client account 
Other liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Net identifiable assets 
Consideration 
Goodwill 

Acquired  
assets/ 
liabilities 
£000 

Fair value 
adjustments 
£000 

Recognised 
values on 
acquisition 
£000

1,362 
1,117 
2,010 
57 
4,546 

1,846 
1,301 
730 
3,877 

669 

–  
263 
–  
–  
263 

–  
–  
–  
–  

263 

1,362
1,380
2,010
57
4,809

1,846
1,301
730
3,877

932
519
(413)

On 8 June 2012 Secure Trust Bank PLC (“STB”) acquired 100% of the shares in Everyday Loans Holdings Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries 
Everyday Loans Limited and Everyday Lending Limited (together “ELL”). STB acquired ELL for consideration of £1. Upon acquisition STB provided 
funding so that ELL could redeem the remaining £34 million of subordinated debt and also provided a loan facility of £37 million to refinance ELL’s 
existing bank debt and to fund future loans. A gain on acquisition of £9.8m arose from the difference between the acquisition price and the fair 
value of net assets acquired. This is expected to amortise through the profit and loss account over 3 to 5 years.

Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Loans and advances to customers 
Cash at bank 
Other assets 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Deferred tax asset 
Total assets 

Loans and debt securities 
Other liabilities 
Accruals and deferred income 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Net identifiable (liabilities)/assets 
Consideration – £1 
Gain on acquisition 

Fair value 
adjustments 
£000 

Recognised 
values on 
acquisition 
£000

Acquired 
assets/ 
liabilities 
£000 

50 
491 
63,720 
991 
24 
2,939 
–  
68,215 

71,618 
960 
1,741 
–  
74,319 

5,115 
–  
7,545 
–  
–  
–  
6,313 
18,973 

–  
–  
–  
3,039 
3,039 

(6,104) 

15,934 

5,165
491
71,265
991
24
2,939
6,313
87,188

71,618
960
1,741
3,039
77,358

9,830
–
9,830

63

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

11. Gain on sale of building
On 17 October 2013 Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited completed the sale and leaseback of 7-21 Wilson Street. The net book value of the property 
at the date of sale was £16.5m. Under the terms of the sale and leaseback agreement, the cash consideration received by Arbuthnot Latham was 
£26.2m paid on completion. The Buyer is also providing £5.4m to be drawn by Arbuthnot Latham to fund a renovation and fit out programme. 
After providing £3.0 million for the rent payable during the period of refurbishment prior to occupation and £0.2m of transaction costs, the net 
gain was £6.5m.

12. Disposals
On 20 March 2012 Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC agreed terms for the sale of Arbuthnot AG. The company was sold to Ducartis Holding AG for 
a total cash consideration of CHF 2.0m (£1.4m) which resulted in a profit for the Group of £0.8m.

13. Other income
Arbuthnot Latham received £1.2m of rental income in the year from the letting of the 7-21 Wilson Street property. The property was vacated by the 
tenants at the end of September 2013 and refurbishment works started soon afterwards in anticipation of the Group occupation of the building in 
2015. Up to the date of sale of Arbuthnot AG, the purchaser funded most of the running costs for this entity, which is included in other income and 
amounted to £nil (2012: £0.3m). In Secure Trust Bank there was also some other sundry income amounting to £nil (2012: £0.1m).

14. Discontinued operations
On 20 January 2012 the Group completed the sale of Arbuthnot Securities Limited resulting in an after tax loss of £0.3m.

15. Operating expenses

Operating expenses comprise: 

Staff costs, including Directors: 
  Wages and salaries 
  Social security costs 
  Pension costs 
  Share based payment transactions (note 38) 
Amortisation of intangibles (note 29) 
Depreciation (note 30) 
Operating lease rentals 
Costs arising from acquisitions 
Other administrative expenses 
Total operating expenses 

Remuneration of the auditor and its associates, excluding VAT, was as follows: 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts 
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services: 
  Audit of the accounts of subsidiaries 
  Audit related assurance services 
  Taxation compliance services 
  Taxation advisory services 
  Other assurance services 
  Corporate finance services 
  Other non-audit services 
Total fees payable 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

33,262  
3,553  
1,509  
2,249  
2,803 
1,015  
4,617  
535  
24,088 
73,631  

2013 
£000 

82  

356  
104  
73  
62  
56  
 –  
28  
761  

25,016 
2,686 
1,084 
1,610 
1,062 
899 
2,463 
1,397 
16,826 
53,043 

2012 
£000

82 

263 
104 
178 
48 
 – 
250 
47 
972 

Remuneration for corporate finance services in 2012 include £250,000 in relation to the acquisition of Everyday Loans Holdings Limited.

Audit  related  assurance  services  include  regulatory  audits  and  interim  profit  verifications.  Other  non-audit  services  include  fees  for  ad  hoc 
accounting advice.

64

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
  
 
  
  
 
16. Average number of employees

Retail banking 
Private banking 
Group 

17. Income tax expense

United Kingdom corporation tax at 23.25% (2012: 24.5%) 

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 23.25% (2012: 24.5%) 
Permanent differences 
Tax rate change 
Prior period adjustments 
Corporation tax charge for the year 

2013 

530 
145 
16 
691 

2013 
£000 

3,146  
548  
3,694  

1,006  
(502) 
504  
4,198  

15,713  
3,653  
208  
291  
46  
4,198  

2012

399
144
16
559

2012 
£000

1,068 
481 
1,549 

(297)
(124)
(421)
1,128 

12,593 
3,085 
(2,573)
259 
357 
1,128 

Of the £2,573,000 permanent differences in 2012, £2,408,000 relates to the non-taxable gain from a bargain purchase. 

The UK corporation tax rate reduced from 26% to 24% with effect from 1 April 2012, to 23% with effect from 1 April 2013 and to 21% from 1 April 
2014. On 2 July 2013 the Government substantively enacted a further reduction to the UK corporation tax rate to 20% from 1 April 2015. This will 
reduce the Company’s future current tax charge accordingly.

18. Earnings per ordinary share
Basic and fully diluted
Earnings  per  ordinary  share  are  calculated  by  dividing  the  profit  after  tax  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the  Company  of  £7,930,000  (2012: 
£8,041,000)  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares  15,279,322  (2012:  15,279,322)  in  issue  during  the  year.  There  is  currently  no 
difference between basic and fully diluted earnings per ordinary share.

19. Cash

Cash in hand included in cash and cash equivalents (note 40) 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

 193,046 

203,683

In 2010 a reserve account was opened at the Bank of England (BoE) to comply with the new liquidity regime that came into force on 1 October 
2010. Surplus funds are now mainly held in the BoE reserve account, with the remainder held in certificates of deposit, fixed rate notes and money 
market deposits in highly rated banks (the majority held in UK clearing banks). 

65

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

20. Loans and advances to banks

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

Placements with banks included in cash and cash equivalents (note 40) 

105,061 

144,391

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:

Aaa 
Aa3 
A1 
A2 
A3 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

57,101 
 –  
 –  
44,327 
3,633 
105,061 

68,783
23,082
13,373
39,153
 – 
144,391

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

21. 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 Statement 
of Financial Position at amortised cost. 

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

At 1 January 
Additions 
Redemptions 
At 31 December 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

13,526  
9,844  
(3,904) 
19,466  

40,079 
51,012 
(77,565)
13,526 

The table below presents an analysis of debt securities by rating agency designation at 31 December, based on Moody’s long term ratings:

Aaa 
Aa1 
Aa3 
A3 

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

2013 
£000 

14,120  
3,044  
2,302  
 –  
19,466  

2012 
£000

8,026 
 – 
1,500 
4,000 
13,526 

66

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
22. Derivative financial instruments

Group and Company 

Currency swaps 
Interest rate caps 

Contract/ 
notional 
amount 
£000 

39,850 
20,000 

59,850 

2013 

Fair value 
assets 
£000 

488 
20 

508 

Fair value 
liabilities 
£000 

371 
 –  

371 

Contract/ 
notional 
amount 
£000 

41,206 
20,000 

61,206 

 2012

Fair value 
assets 
£000 

623 
25 

648 

Fair value 
liabilities 
£000

462
 – 

462

The principal derivatives used by the Group are exchange rate contracts and interest rate caps (used for cash flow hedges). Exchange rate related 
contracts include currency swaps. 

A forward foreign exchange contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified future date at an agreed 
rate. 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.

An interest rate cap is an option contract which puts an upper limit on a floating exchange rate. The writer of the cap has to pay the holder of the 
cap the difference between the floating rate and the reference rate when that reference rate is breached. The holder pays a premium for the cap.

Also  included  in  derivative  financial  instruments  are  structured  notes  not  yet  placed  to  investors.  These  notes  contain  embedded  derivatives 
(embedded options to buy and sell indicies) and non-derivative host contracts (discounted bonds). Both the host and embedded derivatives are 
presented net within derivative financial instruments.

The Group only uses investment graded banks as counterparties for derivative financial instruments.

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

Aa3 
A1 

23. Loans and advances to customers

Gross loans and advances 
Less: allowances for impairment on loans and advances (note 24) 

For a maturity profile of loans and advances to customers, refer to note 6. 

2013 
£000 

39,850  
20,000  
59,850  

2012 
£000

41,206 
20,000 
61,206 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

763,042  
(31,033) 
732,009  

607,616 
(20,648)
586,968 

67

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

23. Loans and advances to customers (continued)

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 

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 

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 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

16,386  
16,053  
32,439  
(6,885) 
25,554  

12,905  
12,649  
25,554  

2013 
£000 

684,783  
19,210  
59,049  
763,042  
(31,033) 
732,009  

2013 
£000 

2,681  
4,369  
3,439  
8,721  
19,210  

22,188 
13,047 
35,235 
(8,914)
26,321 

10,509 
15,812 
26,321 

2012 
£000

550,640 
14,756 
42,220 
607,616 
(20,648)
586,968 

2012 
£000

1,160 
4,584 
5,354 
3,658 
14,756 

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. 

(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 (2012: £nil).

68

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
23. Loans and advances to customers (continued)
(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 

2013 
£000 

62,168  
10,963  
73,131  

2012 
£000

39,162 
7,881 
47,043 

Collateral is shown at fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the collateral held is £73,131,000 against £47,226,000 secured loans, giving an 
average loan-to-value of 65% (2012: 77%).

The  gross  amount  of  individually  impaired  loans  and  advances  to  customers  before  taking  into  account  the  cash  flows  from  collateral  held  is 
£28,016,000 (2012: £21,572,000).

Interest income on loans classified as impaired totalled £2,574,000 (2012: £1,601,000).

24. Allowances for impairment of loans and advances

Reconciliation of specific allowance for impairments: 

At 1 January 
Impairment losses 
Loans written off during the year as uncollectible 
Amounts recovered during the year 
At 31 December 

Reconciliation of collective allowance for impairments: 

At 1 January 
Impairment losses 
At 31 December 

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

Loans and advances to customers – UK Private Bank 
Loan and advances to customers – Retail Bank – unsecured 
At 31 December 

25. Other assets

Group 

Trade receivables 
Repossessed collateral – held as inventory 
Prepayments and accrued income 

2013 
£000 

20,278  
17,590  
(8,413) 
 –  
29,455  

2013 
£000 

370  
1,208  
1,578  

2013 
£000 

3,973  
27,060  
31,033  

2013 
£000 

6,135  
3,543  
7,589  
17,267  

2012 
£000

11,250 
11,248 
(1,586)
(634)
20,278 

2012 
£000

 – 
370 
370 

2012 
£000

4,423 
16,225 
20,648 

2012 
£000

3,393 
2,586 
5,687 
11,666 

Land acquired through repossession of collateral which is subsequently held in the ordinary course of business with a view to develop and sell is 
accounted for as inventory. 

69

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
 
  
  
  
  
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

25. Other assets (continued)

Company 

Trade receivables 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Prepayments and accrued income 

26. Financial investments

Group 

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

2013 
£000 

731  
4,579  
105  
5,415  

2012 
£000

731 
4,578 
353 
5,662 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

152 
1,823 
1,975 

169
3,088
3,257

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: 
– Securities (at fair value through profit or loss) 
– Securities (available-for-sale) 
Total financial investments 

27. Deferred taxation
The deferred tax asset comprises:

Unrealised surplus on revaluation of freehold property 
Accelerated capital allowances and other short-term timing differences 
Fair value of derivatives 
Tax losses 
Deferred tax asset 

At 1 January 
On acquisition of V12/ELL 
Revaluation reserve 
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 

70

2013 
£000 

152  
13  
165  

2013 
£000 

173  
(160) 
100  
2,742  
2,855  

4,423  
(960) 
242  
589  
(1,439) 
2,855  

2012 
£000

169 
244 
413 

2012 
£000

(71)
(673)
110 
5,057 
4,423 

629 
3,276 
 – 
1,040 
(522)
4,423 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
27. Deferred taxation (continued)
The above balance is made up as follows: 

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

2013 
£000 

3,954  
(1,099) 
2,855  

2012 
£000

5,057 
(634)
4,423 

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.

The UK corporation tax rate reduced from 26% to 24% with effect from 1 April 2012, to 23% with effect from 1 April 2013 and to 21% with effect 
from 1 April 2014. This will reduce the Group’s future current tax charge accordingly. Deferred tax has been calculated based on a rate of 21% to 
the extent that the related temporary or timing differences are expected to reverse. 

On 2 July 2013 the Government substantively enacted a further reduction to the UK corporation tax rate to 20% from 1 April 2015. It has not yet 
been possible to quantify the full anticipated effect of the announced further 1% reduction, although this will further reduce the Group’s future tax 
charge and reduce the Group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities accordingly.

28. Investment in associate

Investment in associate 

2013 
£000 

 943 

2012 
£000

 – 

On 11 October 2013, Arbuthnot Latham & Co. together with Praxis (Holding) Limited, formed a special purpose vehicle in the form of a separate 
legal entity (Tarn Crag Limited). The purpose of this legal entity is to refurbish and re-let a property in Glasgow, with the intention to exit via a sale 
to an institutional investor in circa 5 years time. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. 

No profit or loss was recorded in the current year. The summarised financial information of the associate is set out below:

At 31 December 2013 

ASSETS 
Cash 
Property, plant and equipment 

LIABILITIES 
Bank loans 
Debt securities in issue 

£000

320
10,580
10,900

9,500
1,400
10,900

71

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

29. Intangible assets

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2012 
Additions 
On acquisition of ELL (note 10) 
At 31 December 2012 
Additions 
On acquisition of V12 & DMS (note 10 and 44) 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2013 

Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 January 2012 
Amortisation charge 
At 31 December 2012 
Amortisation charge 
At 31 December 2013 

Net book amount 
At 31 December 2012 
At 31 December 2013 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 January 2012 
At 31 December 2012 
At 31 December 2013 

Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 January 2012 
Amortisation charge 
At 31 December 2012 
Amortisation charge 
At 31 December 2013 

Net book amount 
At 31 December 2012 
At 31 December 2013 

Refer to note 4.2 for assumptions used in the impairment review of goodwill. 

72

Goodwill 
£000 

Computer 
software 
£000 

Other 
intangibles 
£000 

1,991  
 –  
 –  
1,991  
 –  
704  
 –  
2,695  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

4,920  
662  
50  
5,632  
948  
5,414  
(1,900) 
10,094  

(3,350) 
(367) 
(3,717) 
(1,307) 
(5,024) 

 –  
 –  
5,115  
5,115  
214  
2,200  
 –  
7,529  

 –  
(695) 
(695) 
(1,496) 
(2,191) 

Total 
£000

6,911 
662 
5,165 
12,738 
1,162 
8,318 
(1,900)
20,318 

(3,350)
(1,062)
(4,412)
(2,803)
(7,215)

1,991  
2,695  

1,915  
5,070  

4,420  
5,338  

8,326 
13,103 

Computer  
software 
£000

40 
40 
40 

(12)
(8)
(20)
(8)
(28)

20 
12 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
30. Property, plant and equipment

Group 

Cost or valuation 
At 1 January 2012 
Additions 
On acquisition of ELL (note 10) 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2012 

Additions 
On acquisition of V12 & DMS (note 10 and 44) 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2013 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2012 
Depreciation charge 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2012 
Depreciation charge 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2013 

Net book amount 
At 31 December 2012 
At 31 December 2013 

Freehold 
land and 
buildings 
£000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000 

Computer 
and other 
equipment 
£000 

4,850 
16,789 
 –  
 –  
21,639 

 –  
 –  
(16,789) 
4,850 

(685) 
(199) 
 –  
(884) 
(301) 
345 
(840) 

 –  
5 
540 
(32) 
513 

122 
9 
(16) 
628 

 –  
(101) 
22 
(79) 
(168) 
 –  
(247) 

11,174 
818 
 –  
(200) 
11,792 

624 
78 
(461) 
12,033 

(10,125) 
(567) 
198 
(10,494) 
(546) 
138 
(10,902) 

Total 
£000

16,024
17,612
540
(232)
33,944

746
87
(17,266)
17,511

(10,810)
(867)
220
(11,457)
(1,015)
483
(11,989)

20,755 
4,010 

434 
381 

1,298 
1,131 

22,487
5,522

The Group’s freehold property at 1 Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH, was valued on 17 December 2008 by an Independent external valuer, who 
is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. 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.  The  Directors  have  assessed  the  value  at  year  end 
through comparison to current rental yields on similar properties in the area and do not believe that the fair value of freehold property is materially 
different from the carrying value. 

On  3  August  2012  the  Group  acquired  freehold  premises  at  7-21  Wilson  Street,  London,  EC2M  2TD  (“Wilson  Street”)  for  £15.7  million  plus 
acquisition costs (including stamp duty) of £1.1m. On 17 October 2013 the Group disposed of the property and leased it back from the purchaser.

The  carrying  value  of  freehold  land  not  depreciated  is  £0.5  million  (2012:  £1.7  million).  The  historical  cost  of  freehold  property  included  at 
valuation is as follows:

Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net book amount 

2013 
£000 

4,832  
(1,063) 
3,769  

2012 
£000

20,567 
(1,102)
19,465 

73

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

30. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Company 

Cost or valuation 
At 1 January 2012 
Additions 
At 31 December 2012 
Additions 
At 31 December 2013 

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2012 
Depreciation charge 
At 31 December 2012 
Depreciation charge 
At 31 December 2013 

Net book amount 
At 31 December 2012 
At 31 December 2013 

31. Deposits from banks

Deposits from other banks 

For a maturity profile of deposits from banks, refer to note 6. 

32. Deposits from customers

Current/demand accounts 
Term deposits 

Computer  
and other  
equipment 
£000

189
13
202
1
203

(62)
(6)
(68)
(5)
(73)

134
130

2012 
£000

373 

2013 
£000 

2,003  

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

366,797  
590,994  
957,791  

260,037 
634,508 
894,545 

Included in customer accounts are deposits of £9,947,000 (2012: £8,578,000) 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 6.

33. Other liabilities

Group 

Trade payables 
Accruals and deferred income 

2013 
£000 

10,152  
20,865  
31,017  

2012 
£000

7,656 
15,365 
23,021 

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.

74

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
33. Other liabilities (continued)
In previous years the Company has applied a trigger date for recognition of FSCS liabilities of 31 December. During 2013 this was changed to  
1 April. 

Included in accruals is a provision for non occupancy rent of £3m (2012: £nil). This was taken into account when calculating the profit on the sale 
and leaseback of the Wilson Street property (see note 11).

Company 

Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Accruals and deferred income 

34. Debt securities in issue

Subordinated loan notes 2035 

£000 

£000

7,768  
1,261  
9,029  

4,639 
913 
5,552 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

12,232  

11,980 

The  subordinated  loan  notes  2035  were  issued  on  7  November  2005  and  are  denominated  in  Euros.  The  principal  amount  outstanding  at  
31 December 2013 was €15,000,000 (2012: €15,000,000). 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 €15,000,000.

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.

35. Contingent liabilities and commitments
Capital commitments
At 31 December 2013, the Group had capital commitments of £nil (2012: £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 

2013 
£000 

805  

2012 
£000

879 

37,094  
37,899  

21,491 
22,370 

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 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

4,672  
9,636  
19,351  
33,659  

1,982 
3,168 
29 
5,179 

75

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

35. Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued)
The lease on the Group’s current premises at 20 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9AR, costs £1.7 million per annum and has a break option in 
June 2015. The Group has exercised the break option and Wilson Street (see note 11) will become the head office for Arbuthnot Banking Group 
PLC, the principal location for Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited and London offices for Secure Trust Bank PLC. Arbuthnot entered into a 16 year 
lease on Wilson Street, with a break at 11 years and rent reviews after 5, 10 and 15 years. The initial rent is £1.75 million per annum. These two 
leases form the most significant part of the operating leases disclosed in the table above.

36. Share capital

At 1 January 2012 
Cancellation of share premium account 
At 31 December 2012 & 31 December 2013 

During 2012 the share premium was cancelled and transferred to reserves. 

At 31 December 2013 the Company held 390,274 shares (2012: 390,274) in treasury.

37. Reserves and retained earnings

Group 

Revaluation reserve 
Capital redemption reserve 
Available-for-sale reserve 
Cash flow hedging reserve 
Treasury shares 
Retained earnings 
Total reserves at 31 December 

Number of 
shares 

15,279,322  
 –  
15,279,322  

Ordinary 
share 
capital 
£000 

153  
 –  
153  

Share 
premium 
£000

21,085 
(21,085)
– 

2013 
£000 

191  
20  
(169) 
(378) 
(1,131) 
67,901  
66,434  

2012 
£000

140 
20 
81 
(363)
(1,131)
53,372 
52,119 

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

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

Company 

Capital redemption reserve 
Available-for-sale reserve 
Treasury shares 
Retained earnings 
Total reserves as 31 December 

76

2013 
£000 

20  
81  
(1,131) 
31,325  
30,295  

2012 
£000

20 
81 
(1,131)
20,768 
19,738 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
38. Share-based payment options
Company
On 16 April 2013 Mr. Salmon exercised the option granted to him on 21 May 2008 to subscribe for 100,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company at 
337.5p and Mr. Cobb exercised the option granted to him on 5 November 2008 to subscribe for 50,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company at 320p. 
The exercise price was 930p per share and the Board agreed to make a cash settlement rather than allot new shares. On the same day Mr. Salmon 
and Mr. Cobb were granted new options and as such the Company had the following equity settled share-based payment awards outstanding at 
31 December 2013:

•  On 16 April 2013 Mr. Salmon was granted an option to subscribe for 100,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company between April 2016 and 

April 2021 at 930p. The fair value of the option at grant date was £83k.

•  On 16 April 2013 Mr. Cobb was granted an option to subscribe for 50,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company between April 2016 and April 

2021 at 930p. The fair value of the option at grant date was £41k.

There are no other vesting conditions for these awards.

Group
Apart from the share-based payment awards for the Company listed above, the Group also include awards allocated under the Secure Trust Bank 
Share Option Scheme, which was established on 17 October 2011 and entitles key management personnel and senior employees of Secure Trust 
Bank PLC to purchase shares in that company. 

The performance conditions of the Scheme are that for the duration of the vesting period, the dividends paid by Secure Trust Bank PLC must have 
increased in percentage terms when compared to an assumed dividend of £8 million in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2012, 
by a minimum of the higher of:

a) 

the increase in the Retail Prices Index during that period; or

b)  5% per annum during that period.

All dividends paid by Secure Trust Bank each year during the vesting period must be paid from Secure Trust Bank’s earnings referable to that year. 
Also from the grant date to the date the Option is exercised, there must be no public criticism by any regulatory authority on the operation of Secure 
Trust Bank or any of its subsidiaries which has a material impact on the business of the Company.

Options are forfeited if they remain unexercised after a period of more than 10 years from the date of grant. If the participant ceases to be employed 
by the Group by reason of injury, disability, ill-health or redundancy; or because his employing company ceases to be a shareholder of the Group; 
or because his employing business is being transferred out of the Group, his option may be exercised within 6 months after such cessation. In the 
event of the death of a participant, the personal representatives of a participant may exercise an option, to the extent exercisable at the date of 
death, within 6 months after the death of the participant.

On cessation of employment for any other reason (or when a participant serves, or has been served with, notice of termination of such employment), 
the option will lapse although the Remuneration Committee has discretion to allow the exercise of the option for a period not exceeding 6 months 
from the date of such cessation. 

In such circumstances, the performance conditions may be modified or waived as the Remuneration Committee, acting fairly and reasonably and 
taking due consideration of the circumstances, thinks fit. The number of Ordinary Shares which can be acquired on exercise will be pro-rated on 
a time elapsed basis, unless the Remuneration Committee, acting fairly and reasonably and taking due consideration of the circumstances, decides 
otherwise. In determining whether to exercise its discretion in these respects, the Remuneration Committee must satisfy itself that the early exercise 
of an option does not constitute a reward for failure.

77

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

38. Share-based payment options (continued)
On 2 November 2011 934,998 share options were granted at an exercise price of 720p per share. Half of the share options are exercisable on 
2 November 2014 with the remainder exercisable on 2 November 2016, being SOS1 and SOS2 respectively. At the grant date these share options 
had a fair value of £1.6m. Of the share options granted on 2 November 2011, the following were to Group directors:

•  Mr. Lynam was granted an option to subscribe for 141,666 ordinary 40p shares in Secure Trust Bank at 720p between 2 November 2014 and 

1 November 2021 and a further 141,667 shares at 720p between 2 November 2016 and 1 November 2021.

•  Mr. Salmon was granted an option to subscribe for 141,666 ordinary 40p shares in Secure Trust Bank at 720p between 2 November 2014 and 

1 November 2021 and a further 141,667 shares at 720p between 2 November 2016 and 1 November 2021.

During 2013, the Share Option Scheme was changed to become an equity settled scheme without a change in fair value. The original grant date 
valuation was previously determined to be £1.69 per option and this valuation has been used to determine the charge for the year. An attrition rate 
of option holders has been assumed of 8% for the first tranche of share options and 15% for the second tranche. Also due to the options being 
fully conditional knockout options, a probability of pay-out has been assigned based on the likelihood of meeting the performance criteria, which 
is 95% and 80% respectively for the two share option tranches. 

Summary details of the Secure Trust Bank Share Option Scheme are shown in the table below:

Key Management Personnel 
Senior Management 
Share Options in Issue 

Exercise Price (£) 
Value per option (£) 
Total included in reserves (£000) 

Behavioural assumption (attrition) 
Probability of payout 
Total (£000) 

No. 

SOS1 

SOS2 

Total

31 December 2013

3 
5 
8 

318,750 
141,666 
460,416 

318,749 
141,666 
460,415 

637,499
283,332
920,831

7.20 
1.69 
790 

7.6% 
95% 
693 

7.20 
1.69 
790 

15.2% 
80% 
536 

1,580

1,229

39. Dividends per share
Final dividends are not accounted for until they have been approved at the Annual General Meeting. At the meeting on 8 May 2014, a dividend 
in respect of 2013 of 15 pence per share (2012: actual dividend 14 pence per share) amounting to a total of £2.23m (2012: actual £2.08m) is to 
be proposed. The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013 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 2014.

40. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents comprises of the following balances with less than three months 
maturity from the date of acquisition.

Cash (note 19) 
Loans and advances to banks (note 20) 

78

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

193,046  
105,061  
298,107  

203,683 
144,391 
348,074 

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
41. 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 

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

2,648  
3,160  
(620) 
5,188  
138  

2,377 
391 
(120)
2,648 
118 

The loans to directors are secured on property, shares or cash and bear interest at rates linked to base rate. No provisions have been recognised in 
respect of loans given to related parties (2012: £nil). Details of directors’ remuneration are given in the Remuneration Report. The Directors do not 
believe that any other key management disclosures are required.

Deposits 
Deposits at 1 January 
Deposits placed during the year 
Deposits repaid during the year 
Deposits at 31 December 
Interest expense on deposits 

Details of principal subsidiaries are given in Note 42. Transactions and balances with subsidiaries are shown below:

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

1,767  
3,237  
(2,482) 
2,522  
20  

1,273 
1,332 
(838)
1,767 
97 

ASSETS 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings 
Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 
Total liabilities 
Issued guarantee contracts 

2013 

2012

Highest 
balance during 
the year 
£000 

Balance at 
31 December 
£000 

Highest 
balance during 
the year 
£000 

Balance at 
31 December 
£000

21,130 
31,847 
52,977 

8,003 
8,003 
2,500 

21,130 
30,995 
52,125 

7,768 
7,768 
2,500 

24,009 
30,847 
54,856 

10,738 
10,738 
2,500 

4,928
30,847
35,775

4,740
4,740
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.

79

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

42. Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC:
At 1 January 2012 
Sale of Arbuthnot Securities Limited 
Sale of Arbuthnot AG 
Capital contribution in Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited 
Allotment of shares in Secure Trust Bank PLC 
At 31 December 2012 
Capital contribution in Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited 
Sale of shares in Secure Trust Bank PLC 
At 31 December 2013 

Subsidiary undertakings: 
Banks 
Other 
Total 

Investment 
at cost 
£000 

Impairment 
provisions 
£000 

31,515 
(4,062) 
(42) 
1,000 
5,000 
33,411 
1,000 
(852) 
33,559 

(6,282) 
3,718 
–  
–  
–  
(2,564) 
–  
–  
(2,564) 

Net 
£000

25,233
(344)
(42)
1,000
5,000
30,847
1,000
(852)
30,995

2013 
£000 

2012 
£000

28,695  
2,300  
30,995  

28,547 
2,300 
30,847 

The principal subsidiary undertakings of Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC at 31 December 2013 were:

Country of incorporation 

Interest % 

Principal activity

Secure Trust Bank PLC 
Arbuthnot Latham & Co., Limited 

UK 
UK 

67 
100 

Retail banking
Private 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.

43. Operating segments
The Group is organised into three main operating segments as disclosed below:

1) Retail banking – incorporating household cash management, personal lending and banking and insurance services.

2) UK Private banking – incorporating private banking and wealth management.

3) Group Centre – ABG Group Centre management.

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.

80

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
43. Operating segments (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2013 

Interest revenue 
Inter-segment revenue 
Interest revenue from external customers 
Fee and commission income 
Revenue from external customers 

Interest expense 
Subordinated loan note interest 
Fee and commission expense 
Segment operating income 
Impairment losses 
Gain from a bargain purchase 
Gain on sale of building 
Other income 
Operating expenses 
Segment profit/(loss) before tax 
Income tax (expense)/income 
Segment profit/(loss) after tax 

Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Segment total assets 
Customer deposits 
Other liabilities 
Segment total liabilities 
Other segment items: 
Capital expenditure 
Depreciation and amortisation 

Continuing operations

Retail 
banking 
£000 

UK Private 
banking 
£000 

73,790  
(62) 
73,728  
22,745  
96,473  

(12,905) 
 –  
(4,648) 
78,982  
(15,644) 
413  
 –  
 –  
(46,558) 
17,193  
(4,832) 
12,361  

19,712  
(209) 
19,503  
9,071  
28,574  

(6,934) 
 –  
(198) 
21,651  
(2,914) 
 –  
6,535  
1,165  
(18,709) 
7,728  
794  
8,522  

Group 
Centre 
£000 

101  
(3) 
98  
 –  
98  

(22) 
(418) 
 –  
(613) 
(249) 
 –  
 –  
18  
(8,364) 
(9,208) 
(160) 
(9,368) 

Total 
£000

93,603 
(274)
93,329 
31,816 
125,145 

(19,861)
(418)
(4,846)
100,020 
(18,807)
413 
6,535 
1,183 
(73,631)
15,713 
(4,198)
11,515 

391,028  
134,865  
525,893  
(436,608) 
(26,915) 
(463,523) 

340,981  
278,692  
619,673  
(521,183) 
(71,437) 
(592,620) 

 –  
(52,712) 
(52,712) 
 –  
50,203  
50,203  

732,009 
360,845 
1,092,854 
(957,791)
(48,149)
(1,005,940)

(1,159) 
(3,103) 

(747) 
(702) 

(2) 
(13) 

(1,908)
(3,818)

The “Group Centre” segment above includes the parent entity and all intercompany eliminations.

81

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
notes to the Consolidated finanCial statements

Continued

43. Operating segments (continued)

Discontinued 
operations 

Year ended 31 December 2012 

Investment 
banking 
£000 

Retail 
banking 
£000 

UK Private 
banking 
£000 

Continuing operations 

International 
private 
banking 
£000 

Interest revenue 
Inter-segment revenue 
Interest revenue from external customers 
Fee and commission income 
Revenue from external customers 

Interest expense 
Subordinated loan note interest 
Fee and commission expense 
Segment operating income 
Gain from a bargain purchase 
Impairment losses 
Other income 
Gain on sale of subsidiary 
Operating expenses 
Segment (loss)/profit before tax 
Income tax income/(expense) 
Segment (loss)/profit after tax 

Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Segment total assets 
Customer deposits 
Other liabilities 
Segment total liabilities 
Other segment items: 
Capital expenditure 
Depreciation and amortisation 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
(383) 
(383) 
36  
(347) 

44,893  
(121) 
44,772  
15,788  
60,560  

(10,467) 
 –  
(3,206) 
47,008  
9,830  
(8,946) 
37  
 –  
(30,676) 
17,253  
(1,591) 
15,662  

17,494  
(165) 
17,329  
8,328  
25,657  

(6,786) 
 –  
(141) 
18,895  
 –  
(2,038) 
 –  
 –  
(14,799) 
2,058  
507  
2,565  

297,631  
176,968  
474,599  
(398,891) 
(19,758) 
(418,649) 

289,337  
279,278  
568,615  
(495,654) 
(48,506) 
(544,160) 

(810) 
(1,472) 

(17,451) 
(443) 

 –   

 –  

 –  
 –  

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

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

(7) 
 –  
 –  
(7) 
 –  
 –  
334  
 –  
(333) 
(6) 
 –  
(6) 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

 –  
 –  

Group 
Centre 
£000 

290  
(91) 
199  
 –  
199  

209  
(463) 
 –  
(341) 
 –  
 –  
25  
839  
(7,235) 
(6,712) 
(44) 
(6,756) 

Total 
£000 

62,677  
(377) 
62,300  
24,116  
86,416  

(17,051) 
(463) 
(3,347) 
65,555  
9,830  
(10,984) 
396  
839  
(53,043) 
12,593  
(1,128) 
11,465  

 –  
(43,205) 
(43,205) 
 –  
31,448  
31,448  

586,968  
413,041  
1,000,009  
(894,545) 
(36,816) 
(931,361) 

Group 
Total 
£000

11,118 

586,968 
413,041 
1,000,009 
(894,545)
(36,816)
(931,361)

(13) 
(14) 

(18,274) 
(1,929) 

(18,274)
(1,929)

The International private banking operations were in Switzerland. The UK private bank opened a branch in Dubai in the year, which generated 
£11k fee income and had operating costs of £890k. Other than the Switzerland operation that was sold in 2012 and the Dubai branch opened 
in 2013, all operations of the Group are conducted wholly within the United Kingdom and geographical information is therefore not presented.

82

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
44. Acquisition of V12 Finance Group Limited
On 2 January 2013 Secure Trust Bank acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of V12 Finance Group Limited, which along with its wholly 
owned subsidiaries V12 Retail Finance Limited and V12 Personal Finance Limited provide retail loans, typically for 12 months on an unsecured 
basis to consumers who are predominantly classified as prime borrowers. The cash consideration for the companies of £3.5 million was paid on 
completion. The acquisition is complementary to the Group’s existing retail finance proposition and the V12 management team will continue in 
the business. 

As part of the acquisition Secure Trust Bank provided funding such that the V12 Finance Group could redeem £7.0 million of subordinated debt 
and repay existing bank finance amounting to £28.1 million. 

The acquisition of V12 Finance Group Limited is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’, which requires the recognition 
of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. As part of this process, it is also necessary to identify 
and recognise certain assets and liabilities which are not included on the acquiree’s balance sheet, for example intangible assets. The exercise  
to fair value the balance sheet is inherently subjective and required management to make a number of assumptions and estimates. 

The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income includes revenue of £5.1 million and a profit before tax of £0.5 million attributable to V12.

The following assets were acquired as part of the acquisition of the V12 Finance Group Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary entities:

Cash 
Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Deferred tax assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Total assets 

Loans and debt securities 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liability 
Total liabilities 

Net identifiable (liabilities)/assets 
Consideration 
Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Acquired  
assets/ 
liabilities 
£000 

150 
32,744 
619 
292 
17 
176 
33,998 

35,076 
276 
34 
35,386 

Fair value 
adjustments 
£000 

Recognised 
values on 
acquisition 
£000

–  
–  
–  
–  
5,443 
–  
5,443 

–  
–  
1,252 
1,252 

150
32,744
619
292
5,460
176
39,441

35,076
276
1,286
36,638

2,803
3,507
704

(1,388) 

4,191 

45. Ultimate controlling party
The Company regards Henry Angest, the Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who has a beneficial interest in 53.7% 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 41 of the 
consolidated financial statements includes related party transactions with Mr Angest.

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

83

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
five year summary

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

Profit before tax *  
Earnings per share 
  Basic (p) ** 
  Dividends per share (p) 

Other KPIs: 

2009 
£000 

2010 
£000 

2011 
£000 

2012 
£000 

2013 
£000

5,050 

5,104 

5,116 

12,593 

15,713

23.4 
22.0 

25.0 
23.0 

(33.3) 
24.0 

52.6 
25.0 

51.9
44.0

2009 
£000 

2010 
£000 

2011 
£000 

2012 
£000 

2013 
£000

Net asset value per share (p) 

227.6 

227.7 

312.2 

449.3 

570.5

*  The profit before tax for 2011 is shown as the results of continuing operations. The previous years have not been restated but the contribution 

of the discontinued operation can be seen in the segmental analysis for those historical years.

** The earnings per share includes the effect of discontinued operations in 2011.

84

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
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85

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013notiCe of meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the twenty-eighth Annual General Meeting of Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC (the Company) will be held at Arbuthnot 
House, 20 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9AR on Thursday, 8 May 2014 at 3pm for the following purposes:

Ordinary Business
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:
1. 

 To receive and adopt the report of the directors and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013.

2. 

 To receive the report of the Remuneration Committee.

3. 

 To declare a final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2013 which the directors propose should be 15p per Ordinary Share, 
payable on 16 May 2014 to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on 22 April 2014.

4. 

 To re-elect Mr. A.A. Salmon as a Director who retires by rotation in accordance with Article 78 of the Articles of Association and offers 
himself for re-election.

5. 

 To re-elect Mr. P.A. Lynam as a Director who retires by rotation in accordance with Article 78 of the Articles of Association and offers himself 
for re-election.

6. 

 To appoint KPMG LLP as Auditors of the Company and to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration.

Special Business
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions which in the case of resolution 7 will be proposed as a special resolution and in the case 
of resolution 8 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution:
7. 

 That the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised to make market purchases (as defined in section 693(4) of the 
Companies Act 2006) of Ordinary Shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) provided that:

(a)   the maximum number of Ordinary Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 1,488,000 (being approximately 10% of the issued 

share capital of the Company as at 19 March 2014);

(b)   the minimum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be £0.01;

(c)   the maximum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be 5 per cent. above the average of the closing middle market price of 
the Ordinary Shares (as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List) for the 10 business days prior to the day the purchase is 
made; 

(d)   the authority hereby conferred shall expire on 31 May 2015 or, if earlier, on the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the 

Company unless such authority is renewed prior to such time; and

(e)   the  Company  may  enter  into  contracts  to  purchase  Ordinary  Shares  under  the  authority  hereby  conferred  prior  to  the  expiry  of  such 
authority,  which  contracts  will  or  may  be  executed  wholly  or  partly  after  the  expiry  of  such  authority,  and  may  make  purchases  of 
Ordinary Shares pursuant to any such contracts.

 8.   That, for the purposes of and to the extent required by the forthcoming regulatory rules, the Company be and is hereby authorised to pay a 
discretionary bonus to one or more executive directors or senior managers provided that in any case the payment does not exceed two times the 
annual basic salary of that director or manager for the year in question.

By order of the Board 
J.R. Kaye   
Secretary  
4 April 2014 

86

Registered Office
One Arleston Way

 Solihull B90 4LH

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:

1. 

In  accordance  with  Regulation  41  of  the  Uncertificated  Securities  Regulations  2001,  the  Company  gives  notice  that  only  those  shareholders 
entered on the relevant register of members (the Register) for certificated or uncertificated shares of the Company (as the case may be) at 6 p.m. 
on 6 May 2014 (“the Specified Time”) will be entitled to attend or vote at the Annual General Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered 
in their name at that time. Changes to entries on the Register after the Specified Time will be disregarded in determining the rights of any person 
to attend or vote at the Annual General Meeting. Should the Annual General Meeting be adjourned to a time not more than 48 hours after the 
Specified Time, that time will also apply for the purpose of determining the entitlement of members to attend and vote (and for the purpose of 
determining the number of votes they may cast) at the adjourned Annual General Meeting. Should the Annual General Meeting be adjourned for 
a longer period, then to be so entitled, members must be entered on the Register at the time which is 48 hours before the time fixed for the 
adjourned Annual General Meeting, or, if the Company gives notice of the adjourned Annual General Meeting, at the time specified in the notice.

2.  Members who want to attend and vote should either attend in person or appoint a proxy or corporate representative to attend, speak and vote 
on  his/her  behalf.  A  member  may  appoint  more  than  one  proxy  in  relation  to  the  Annual  General  Meeting  provided  that  each  proxy  is 
appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares of the member, but must attend the meeting in person. A proxy need not 
be a member. A paper Form of Proxy is enclosed. Please read carefully the instructions on how to complete the form. Forms of Proxy, together 
with the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy of such power of attorney or other 
authority, must be lodged with the Registrars or submitted not later than 48 hours before the time for which the Annual General Meeting is 
convened. Completion of the appropriate Form of Proxy does not prevent a member from attending and voting in person if he/she is entitled 
to do so and so wishes.

3.  There are no service contracts of Directors other than ones which may be terminated on up to 12 months’ notice at any time. Copies of these 
service agreements will be available for inspection at the registered office during usual business hours on any weekday (Saturdays, Sundays and 
public holidays excepted) from the date of this notice until the date of the Annual General Meeting and at the place of the Annual General 
Meeting for 15 minutes prior to and during the Annual General Meeting.

87

REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2013Corporate ContaCts & advisers

Advisers
Auditors:
KPMG Audit Plc

Principal Bankers:
Barclays Bank PLC
Lloyds TSB Bank plc

Stockbrokers:
Numis Securities Limited

Nominated Advisor:
Canaccord Genuity Limited

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

Group Address
Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC
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 PLC
One Arleston Way
Solihull B90 4LH
T 0121 693 9100
F 0121 693 9124
E banking@securetrustbank.com
www.securetrustbank.com

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

17 Southernhay West
Exeter EX1 1PJ
T 01392 496061
F 01392 413638

Dubai Branch
PO Box 482007
Gate Precinct 4
Level 3  Office 308
Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
T +971 (4) 3770900

88

ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLCA

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Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC
Arbuthnot House
20 Ropemaker Street
London EC2Y 9AR

T 020 7012 2400
E info@arbuthnotgroup.co.uk

www.arbuthnotgroup.com

Registration No. 1954085