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Baloise-Holding AG

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FY2011 Annual Report · Baloise-Holding AG
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Bâloise Holding lTd
Aeschengraben 21
CH-4002 Basel

www.baloise.com

Making you safer.

Bâloise Holding Ltd AnnuAL RepoRt 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
Bâloise Holding Ltd
Annual Report 2011

What we stand for: We want people to feel 
safe. To play our part in this respect, we 
created the “Safety World.” Everything we do
is aimed at safety. As such, we consciously
go further than other insurance companies: we 
combine insurance with smart prevention. In 
this way, we help to ensure that losses do not 
occur in the first place. Should something 
happen nevertheless, then we’re right there. 
Fast and capable as always.

Content

Baloise
Baloise key figures  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4
At a glance  ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Letter to shareholders  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 6
Baloise share  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
Our markets  ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
Brand and strategy ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12

Review of Business yeaR
Group  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 14
Switzerland  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 18
Germany  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 19
Belgium and Luxembourg  ������������������������������������������������������������������ 20
Other units and Group business  ������������������������������������������������������ 21
Consolidated income statement  ������������������������������������������������������� 22
Consolidated balance sheet  ���������������������������������������������������������������� 24
Business volume, premiums and combined ratio  �������������������� 25
Technical income statement  �������������������������������������������������������������� 27
Gross premiums by sectors  ����������������������������������������������������������������� 28
Banking activities  ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
Investment performance  ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 30

finanCial RePoRT 
Consolidated balance sheet  ���������������������������������������������������������������� 82
Consolidated income statement  ������������������������������������������������������� 84
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  ����������������� 85
Consolidated cash flow statement  ��������������������������������������������������� 86
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  ���������������������������� 88
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements  ���� 90
Notes to the consolidated balance sheet  ������������������������������������  154
Notes to the consolidated income statement  ��������������������������  196
Other disclosures  ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������  210
Report of the statutory auditor to the  
General Meeting of Bâloise Holding Ltd, Basel  ���������������������  220

Bâloise holdinG lTd 
Income statement Bâloise Holding  ����������������������������������������������  224
Balance sheet Bâloise Holding  �������������������������������������������������������  225
Notes Bâloise Holding  �����������������������������������������������������������������������  226
Appropriation of retained earnings  
as proposed by the Board of Directors  ���������������������������������������  233
Report of the statutory auditor to the  
General Meeting of Bâloise Holding Ltd, Basel  ���������������������  234

susTainaBle Business ManaGeMenT
Human Resources  ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 34
Ecology ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 38
Risk Management  ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 40

noTes 
Glossary  ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������  238
Addresses  �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������  242
Information on Baloise Group  �������������������������������������������������������  243
Key dates and contacts  ����������������������������������������������������������������������  244

CoRPoRaTe GoveRnanCe 
Corporate Governance Report
including Compensation Report  ����������������������������������������������������� 44

4

Baloise
Baloise key figures

Baloise key figures

in CHF million

Business volume

Gross premiums written nonlife

Gross premiums written life

Subtotal of IFRS gross premiums written 1

Investment-type premiums

Total business volume

Business result

Profit / loss for the period before borrowing costs and taxes

Nonlife

Life 5

Banking

Other activities

Profit for the period

Balance sheet

Recognised assets including investment-type life insurances 2

Technical reserves

Equity

Ratios in percent

Return on equity (RoE)

Combined ratio nonlife (gross)

Combined ratio nonlife (net)

New business margin life

Investment performance

Embedded value life insurance

Embedded value (MCEV)

APE (annual premium equivalent)

Value of new business

Key share figures

Shares issued in units

Consolidated profit per share basic 3 in CHF

Consolidated profit per share diluted 3 in CHF

Equity per share 3 in CHF

Closing price in CHF 

Market capitalisation in CHF million

Dividend per share 4 in CHF

2010

2011

Change in % 

3,044.9

3,814.9

6,859.8

2,681.6

9,541.4

380.3

182.7

67.9

– 23.7

436.7

3,143.5

3,659.8

6,803.3

1,341.2

8,144.5

127.0

15.9

73.3

– 72.3

61.3

61,260.5

43,445.7

4,133.5

64,507.0

45,561.9

3,893.6

10.4

92.2

95.2

11.8

3.5

1.6

92.4

95.5

10.2

2.7

2,573.5

2,153.0

498.4

58.9

341.7

34.9

50,000,000

50,000,000

9.14

8.89

86.5

91.00

4,550.0

4.50

1.30

1.29

82.3

64.40

3,220.0

4.50

3.2

– 4.1

– 0.8

– 50.0

– 14.6

– 66.6

– 91.3

8.0

205.1

– 86.0

5.3

4.9

– 5.8

–

–

–

–

–

– 16.3

– 31.4

– 40.7

0.0

– 85.8

– 85.5

– 4.9

– 29.2

– 29.2

0.0

1   Premiums written and policy fees gross.
2   Including assets for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders.
3   Calculation is based on the consolidated profit and equity before minority interests respectively.
4   2011 based on the proposal to the Annual General Meeting.
5   Of which latency calculation effects from other business segments: 31 December 2010 CHF –10.4 million / 31 December 2011 CHF 10.8 million.

Baloise
At a glance

5

At a glance

who we aRe:
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the Baloise Group is a European provider of insurance and pension solutions� In Switzer-
land  Baloise  operates  as  a  focused  financial  services  provider,  combining  insurance  and  banking�  Its  other  markets  are  
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Croatia and Serbia� The sales network includes its own sales organi- 
sation, brokers and other partners� Its innovative pension product business for private customers throughout Europe is driven 
by the Baloise competence centres in Luxembourg and Liechtenstein� Bâloise Holding Ltd shares are quoted in the main segment 
of the SIX Swiss Exchange� Baloise Group has approximately 9,100 employees�

ouR Key fiGuRes:
 → Profit of CHF 61�3 million (previous year: CHF 436�7 million), mainly impacted by  

negative non-current effects due to economic development

 → Increase in premium volume by 4�1 % in local currencies
 → Strong nonlife business, despite above-average major claims; net combined ratio of 95�5 % (previous year: 95�2 %)
 → Embedded value (MCEV) of CHF 2,153�0 million (previous year: CHF 2,573�5 million)� New business margin of  

10�2 % (previous year: 11�8 %)

 → Programme “Baloise 2012”: higher efficiency and lower costs
 → Good solvency margin of 203 % (previous year: 224 %)
 → Equity amounting to CHF 3,893�6 million (previous year: CHF 4,133�5 million)
 → Distinctly improved brand positioning in Belgium through additional purchases
 → Unchanged high dividend of CHF 4�50 per share (proposal to Annual General Meeting on 27 April 2012)

whaT we wanT To aChieve:
We will focus on our efficient and profitable core business� As a result, we strive for a combined ratio of well below 100 % in 
nonlife business� In life insurance, we want to attain a new business margin of at least 10 %� However, in the years to come we 
anticipate volatile financial markets and an uncertain economic and interest rate development� We are therefore cautious in our 
forecasts� Yet our focus on the quality of our operational business creates the basis for being able to pay an attractive dividend 
in the future as well� 

6

Baloise
Letter to shareholders

dr andreas Burckhardt, Chairman of the Board of directors (left)  
and dr Martin strobel, Group Ceo (right)

“Safety and solidity in uncertain times”

deaR shaReholdeRs

Based on its Swiss origin and tradition, Baloise has stood for 
safety and solidity for 149 years� We are pleased that we have 
been able to be a safe harbour and a solid, reliable partner for 
our customers, employees and shareholders also in the extreme-
ly demanding year of 2011� It becomes clear in times of great 
uncertainty, that efficient, stable insurers like Baloise are indis-
pensable for modern economies� In the name of all employees, 
we would like to thank you for your confidence in us�

The 2011 business result cannot be satisfactory� The bad eco-
nomic development, very low interest rates, the European debt 
crisis, the strong Swiss franc, weak stock exchanges, large elemen-
tary claims, these have all gravely impaired our consolidated 
profit� As a responsible company, we informed you of this already 

in November 2011� Thanks to its robust condition, Baloise has 
been able to cope with this unusual number of challenges�  

We can establish that the impacts listed are market-related 
or one-off bookkeeping burdens� On the other hand, Baloise 
continues to be convincing with its capital strength and its prof-
itable core insurance business� 

In uncertain times, companies that can produce convincing 
“good reasons” have a future� What are these good reasons for 
Baloise?

First: Baloise has a clear strategy� We combine our growth 
targets  with  an  added-value  positioning�  With  the  promise 
“Making you safer” we provide prevention solutions that comple-
ment the insurance offerings intelligently� This way, we help 

Baloise
Letter to shareholders

7

ensure that losses do not occur in the first place� More and more 
customers appreciate this tangible plus in value that they don’t 
get anywhere else�

Second: Baloise has a healthy, profitable insurance business� 
This is documented by our nonlife division, the backbone of 
our company� For many years now, Baloise has been among the 
best regarding the decisive parameter of the combined ratio 
even in the turbulent year of 2011� We control all business and 
financial market risks with our proven risk management, one 
of our core domains� With the programme “Baloise 2012” we 
optimise  business  processes  meticulously  and  look  for  new 
growth opportunities to make Baloise more profitable� All these 
skills of our trade will continue to serve us well�

changed  high  dividend  of  CHF  4�50  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting on 27 April 2012�

We will focus on our efficient and profitable core business� 
As a result, we strive for a combined ratio of well below 100 % 
in nonlife business� In life insurance, we want to attain a new 
business margin of at least 10 %� However, in the years to come 
we anticipate volatile financial markets and an uncertain eco-
nomic and interest rate development� We are therefore cautious 
in our forecasts� Yet our focus on the quality of our operational 
business creates the basis for being able to pay an attractive 
dividend in the future as well�

“We build on our profitable 
insurance business.”

Basel, March 2012

dr andreas Burckhardt 

dr Martin strobel

Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Group CEO

Third: Baloise is financially sound and has a healthy balance 
sheet� This is of particular importance when providing safety 
to customers, employees and shareholders� Because as an insur-
ance, Baloise must always guarantee all its obligations to one 
hundred percent� The relevant key figures underpin this strength: 
The solvency margin was once again good at 203 % and the 
Baloise Group also meets the strict legal specifications of the 
“Swiss Solvency Test�” We have been paying an attractive divi-
dend for many years now thanks to our capital strength and 
earning power� We regard this skill as an obligation to offer our 
owners a reliable return on their capital that they entrust to us� 
We want to continue this policy also in the years to come�

Based on our Swiss tradition, we stand for this value-crea- 
ting continuity� That means that while we might not be the most 
exciting company, we are definitely a sound and a safe enterprise� 
For generations now we have cultivated this basic attitude� And 
this permits us to look optimistically to the future�

Thanks  to  the  good  operational  earning  power,  the  high  
operating cash flow and strong capitalisation, we intend to con-
tinue our long-standing, attractive payout policy despite the 
demanding prevailing circumstances� We will propose an un-

 
8

Baloise
Baloise share

Attractive dividend for shareholders    

The Baloise share * ended the year at CHF 64.40 and was thus distinctly below the value at
the beginning of the year. An attractive yield of 7.0 % results from the dividend of CHF 4.50 
(proposed to the Annual General Meeting). Together with the completion of the share buy-back 
programme, Baloise thus confirms its shareholder-friendly payout policy.

The year 2011 was marked by the European debt crisis� The 
record lows for interest rates and uncertainty on the money 
markets  put  pressure  on  financial  stocks  in  particular�  The  
Baloise share as well felt the negative effects of the macro-eco-
nomic environment and lost significantly in value compared to 
the beginning of the year�

Still in the first half of the year, the Baloise share developed 
distinctly better than the Swiss Insurance Industry Index� Clos-
ing on 30 June 2011 at CHF 86�75, the share lost 4�7 % in value 
whereby the industry index recorded a minus of 8�6 % and so 
nearly double the deficit� After the first six months of the year, 
the Swiss Market Index closed 3�9 % lower in value than at the 
beginning of the year� 

In the second half-year, the Baloise share reacted very sen-
sitively to the negative development of the economic environment 
and sustained a loss in value of around 25 %� In comparison, 
the European Insurance Industry Index lost 18�0 % and the Swiss 
equivalent 4�7 %�

With regard to the whole year and despite the relatively good 
performance during the first half-year with a year-end price of 
CHF 64�40, a negative value development of the Baloise share 
of 29�2 % results� In contrast, the losses of the European Insur-
ance Industry Index, with a depreciation of 13�7 %, were much 
lower� Both the Swiss Insurance Industry Index and the Swiss 
Market Index were affected to a much lesser extent, with mi-
nuses of 12�9 % and 7�8 % respectively�

The Baloise share remains included in the Swiss Leader Index 
(SLI) due to market capitalisation and the trade volume� This 
contains the 30 most solvent and largest Swiss stocks�

dividends Paid ouT To The shaReholdeRs
For the 2011 fiscal year, the Bâloise Holding Ltd Board of Direc-
tors will propose a cash dividend of CHF 4�50 to the Annual 
General Meeting on 27 April 2012� Measured against the year-
end price, this represents a cash dividend yield of 7�0 %�

The share buy-back programme, which started in September 
2008, was concluded on 28 April 2011� 1,776,435 shares were 
bought back at an average price of CHF 79�36 via the normal 
trading line on the SIX Swiss Exchange� This corresponds to 
3�6 % of outstanding shares� 

year

2008 1

2009

2010

2011

Total

Buy-back  
volume 
(in units)

Buy-back  
volume 
(in Chf million)

average 
price 
(in Chf)

274,217

907,678

416,066

178,474

17.7

71.5

34.7

17.1

1,776,435

141.0

64.42

78.75

83.50

95.71

79.36

1   Comprises exclusively the share buy-back programme in place since September 2008. An 
additional 1,173,715 treasury shares were repurchased at an average price of CHF 95.99 
in 2008, as part of the previous share buy-back programme (2006 – 2008).

The share buy-back programme can be viewed at:
www.baloise.com  →  Investor Relations →  Baloise share
  →  Share buy-back programme

*Baloise share = share of Bâloise holding ltd

Baloise
Baloise share

9

shaReholdeR sTRuCTuRe
Bâloise Holding Ltd has a broad shareholder base� The free float 
of the Baloise share is unchanged at 100 %� During the course 
of  the  year,  collective  investments  that  are  managed  by  the 
Credit Suisse Group have repeatedly exceeded or fallen below 
the reportable 3 % threshold� On 16 September 2011, the propor-

tion of outstanding registered shares held by the Credit Suisse 
Group amounted to 3�05 %� This was the only significant change 
to the shareholder base in the 2011 fiscal year� Information on 
the significant shareholders as of 31 December 2011 is detailed 
in the table on page 231�

shaRe sTaTisTiCs

Price at year-end in CHF

High in CHF

Low in CHF

Market capitalisation in CHF million 

Consolidated profit per share basic in CHF

Consolidated profit per share diluted in CHF

Price / earnings ratio (P / E) 1

Price / carrying value ratio (P / B) 1

Number of shares issued in units

./. Number of treasury shares in units

Number of shares in circulation in units

Average number of shares outstanding 2

Dividends per share 3 in CHF

Dividend pay-out ratio 3

Dividend yield 3

31.12.2007

31.12.2008

31.12.2009

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

111.50

135.00

104.90

78.50

119.80

44.80

86.05

102.60

52.60

91.00

97.85

74.15

6,021.0

3,925.0

4,302.5

4,550.0

15.15

15.15

7.36

1.20

7.33

7.32

10.71

1.00

8.64

8.57

9.96

0.95

9.14

8.89

9.96

1.05

64.40

103.30

60.15

3,220.0

1.30

1.29

49.54

0.78

54,000,000

50,000,000

50,000,000

50,000,000

50,000,000

3,997,308

1,566,985

2,282,790

2,800,239

3,247,273

50,002,692

48,433,015

47,717,210

47,199,761

46,752,727

51,887,469

48,852,533

47,905,512

47,394,282

46,900,473

4.50

29.7

4.0

4.50

61.4

5.7

4.50

52.1

5.2

4.50

49.2

4.9

4.50

>100

7.0

1   Calculation is based on the consolidated profit and equity before minority interests respectively.
2   Relevant for the earnings per share calculation (see Financial Report page 207).
3   2011 based on proposal to Annual General Meeting.

Baloise shaRe

Security symbol

Nominal value 

Security number

ISIN

Exchange

Security type

indexed shaRe PRiCe develoPMenT 1 Bâloise holdinG 
ReGisTeRed shaRe 2006 – 2011

BALN

CHF 0.10

150

1.241.051

CH0012410517

SIX Swiss Exchange

100 % registered shares

100

50

0

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

1   31 December 2005 = 100.

  Bâloise Holding registered share (BLAN)
  SWX SP Insurance Price Index (SMINNX)
   Swiss Market Index (SMI)   

 
10

Baloise
Our markets

Our markets

Baloise focuses on markets, customers, sales channels and products with a high degree of 
added value. Our target customers are private individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises 
with a positive risk and earnings profile as well as selected industrial companies.

swiTZeRland
In its home market Switzerland Baloise operates under the brand 
names  “Basler  Versicherungen”  and  “Baloise  Bank  SoBa�”  
Baloise Switzerland is the largest business unit within the Group� 
As a financial services provider it focuses on comprehensive 
insurance and pension solutions� Its clients are private indi-
viduals, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as selected 
industrial companies� The company’s own sales force constitutes 
the core of its sales strategy� This is augmented by a network of 
selected sales partners for specific product and client segments, 
and by brokers and the Internet� Baloise Bank SoBa specifi-
cally complements the range of pension solutions with banking 
products that are sold by the insurance sales force and by the 
bank itself� In north-west Switzerland its market positioning is 
also that of a full-service bank�

Key fiGuRes swiTZeRland

Employees

Business volume in CHF million 

Combined ratio (gross) in percent 

2010

3,786

2011

3,748

4,108.2

4,100.6

88.0

88.4

GeRMany
Baloise operates in Germany with the brands “Basler Versiche- 
rungen”, “Deutscher Ring Sach” and “Deutscher Ring Leben” 
all under one management� The Baloise portfolio includes insur-
ance and pension solutions in the areas of indemnity, accident 
and life insurances for private individuals, small and medium-
sized enterprises and selected industrial clients� As far as sales 

are concerned, Baloise concentrates on using its own insurance 
sales force and brokers� Deutscher Ring Leben and Deutscher 
Ring Sach specialise in private pension solutions� Sales are gen-
erated by its own insurance sales force, via the sales partners 
OVB and ZEUS as well as through brokers using Moneymaxx 
brand products�

Key fiGuRes GeRMany

Employees

Business volume in CHF million 

Combined ratio (gross) in percent 

2010

2,858

2011

2,652

1,987.1

1,774.9

97.1

98.2

BelGiuM
Baloise is present on the Belgian market with the brand “Mer-
cator”� The purchase of Avéro and Nateus has made Mercator 
one of the leading insurers in Belgium� Mercator sees itself as 
a partner for professional brokers� The company provides a broad 
range of life and nonlife insurance products for private indi-
viduals as well as small and medium-sized enterprises� 

Key fiGuRes BelGiuM

Employees

Business volume in CHF million 

Combined ratio (gross) in percent 

2010

813

798.1

94.0

2011

1,389

1,091.1

95.3

   
   
Hamburg

11

Antwerp

Brussels

Bad Homburg

Luxembourg

Basel

Solothurn

Balzers

Vienna

Zagreb

Belgrade

LuxEmBouRg
“Bâloise Assurances” provides a broad range of insurance, pen-
sion  and  asset  formation  products  to  private  and  corporate 
customers in the Grand Duchy. Outside of its home market, 
Bâloise Luxembourg also sells pension and asset formation so-
lutions in various EU countries in partnership with banking 
partners that have strong market positioning.

CRoATIA And SERBIA
In Croatia, Baloise operates as “Basler osiguranje Zagreb”. It 
offers a comprehensive range of insurance solutions for private 
and corporate customers, using its own insurance sales force 
and via agencies and banks. Since the end of 2007, Baloise has 
also been represented in Serbia, where it concentrates on se-
lected target customer segments.

KEy FIguRES LuxEmBouRg

KEy FIguRES CRoATIA And SERBIA

Employees

Business volume in CHF million 

Combined ratio (gross) in percent 

2010

234

1,269.9

81.4

2011

256

Employees

598.9

Business volume in CHF million 

81.1

Combined ratio (gross) in percent 

2010

831

78.8

110.2

2011

820

70.4

107.4

AuSTRIA
In Austria “Basler Versicherungen” provides insurance and pen-
sion  solutions  to  private  customers  as  well  as  to  small  and 
medium-sized enterprises. The company’s own sales force is 
mainly responsible for marketing of these products.

LIEChTEnSTEIn
Baloise Life, founded in Balzers in 2007, develops innovative 
pension solutions and tailor-made life insurance products for 
private customers across Europe. It markets these via national 
Baloise companies as well as via third party partners.

KEy FIguRES AuSTRIA

KEy FIguRES LIEChTEnSTEIn

Employees

Business volume in CHF million 

Combined ratio (gross) in percent 

2010

237

161.9

97.5

2011

228

Employees

153.7

Business volume in CHF million 

95.0

2010

34

1,119.0

2011

44

343.1

   
12

Baloise
Brand and strategy

Brand and strategy

Our promise is “Making you safer.” Everything we do is geared towards safety.  
We combine insurance with smart prevention solutions and thus help to ensure that  
losses do not occur in the first place.

BRand deliveRaBles

safety
Safety is our core achievement� Safety is 
behind every achievement, every ser- 
vice and every product� As a force 
which liberates energy, inspires 
and fosters�

BRand values

swiss
Baloise is proud of its Swiss origins� Since 
1863� This means we combine reliabil-
ity, humanism, solidity, tradition, 
financial strength and indepen- 

dence�

strength
Baloise is a strong partner� 
Strong in terms of growth, 
returns and results� We can 
be relied on when it really 
counts, because our strength 
means we are a partner peo-
ple can depend on�

To grow 
organically

To  
optimise

s ,  c u s t o mers, partners a

n

BRAND CORE
safety world

d

s

h

a

r

e

h

o

l

d
e
r
s

ire employ e e

p
s
n
i
o
T

ACHIEVEMENTS
Safety
Strength
Professionalism

VALUES
Swiss
Innovative
Partnership

innovative
Our innovative drive gives 
us the necessary competitive 
edge� This is evident from 
our systematic, comprehen-
sive focus on safety as well 
as our customer management� 
We create an environment that 
fosters innovation in every area�

Professionalism
Baloise stands for professionalism� 
This allows us to produce top-quality 
performance� We are professional in our 
approach to our core business, our customers 
and our marketing� Because we know that pro-
fessionalism brings inner peace�

To develop new 
growth areas

sTRaTeGiC ThRusTs

Partnership
Commitment to partnership is one of 
our biggest emotional strengths� It is based 
on recognising and creating added value� We 
work to nurture and deepen our relationships 
with all our stakeholders� So that we are always 
able to generate enthusiasm�

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  Baloise
14  review of business year
34  Sustainable business management
44  Corporate Governance
82  Financial Report 
224  Bâloise Holding Ltd
238  Notes

Review of 
business year

group   14
Sound and reliable through the
uncertain environment    14

Switzerland    18
Sound operative performance    18

germany   19
Challenging transition phase    19

Belgium and luxemBourg    20
Strengthened market position and good growth    20

other unitS and group BuSineSS    21

financial information    22
Consolidated income statement    22
Consolidated balance sheet    24
Business volume, premiums and combined ratio    25
Technical income statement    27
Gross premiums by sectors    28
Banking activities    29
Investment performance    30

14

Review of business year
Group

Sound and reliable through
the uncertain environment

Diverse impacts from the difficult economic and financial market environment impaired 
the profit of Baloise distinctly to CHF 61.3 million, however, the Group’s operative efficiency 
and capital strength remain high. They form the basis to look optimistically to the future. 

oVerView
The Baloise Group achieved a profit of CHF 613 million in the 
2011 fiscal year (previous year: CHF 4367 million) The reasons 
for this distinct reduction lie mainly in the numerous, extra- 
ordinary impacts of the economic and financial market crisis 
The very low interest rates and the adverse development on the 
financial markets made impairments on shares and Greek gov-
ernment bonds necessary The negative interest rate development 
dampened the earning power of the life insurances The lower 
average euro exchange rate diminished the results of the foreign 
units and investments that are reported in Swiss francs There 
was also a cyclical depreciation of goodwill in the Croatian 
business unit In contrast to these market-related and largely 
one-off bookkeeping burdens, the development of the insurance 
business was encouraging The combined ratio of the nonlife 
business achieved a good 955 % net (previous year: 952 %), 
despite the large burdens caused by storms and major claims 
as well as the costs of integrating the new companies in Belgium  
The strategic growth and efficiency programme “Baloise 2012” 
is on track and contributed CHF 150 million to earning power 
The programme comprises around 100 measures to increase 
the Baloise Group’s earning power sustainably by CHF 200 mil-
lion until 2012 The financial strength also remains high: Sol-
vency was good at 203 % and equity remained stable

We have embedded the brand positioning expressed through 
the promise “Making you safer” further in all Baloise markets 
We continued to extend our prevention solutions that comple-
ment the classic insurances to include motor, household and 
marine insurances These additional offerings have been very 
well received by the customers: They bring about a higher prod-
uct density at the target customers, an above-average intake of 
new customers, increased customer loyalty and recommenda-

tions Thus these safety offerings contribute considerably to 
value creation

BuSineSS Volume 2011 (groSS) By Strategic BuSineSS unit 

in percent

   Switzerland  

   Germany  

   Belgium 

   Luxembourg  

   Other units and 
Group business 

50.3

21.8

13.4

7.4

7.1

The growth must be viewed from different aspects Business 
volume, which includes investment-type life insurance products, 
dropped by 146 % to CHF 8,1445 million (previous year: CHF 
9,5414 million) In local currencies this equates to a decrease 
of 99 %, after eliminating the euro exchange rate that is 109 % 
poorer As was to be expected, the main impact stems from the 
investment-type life insurances in Luxembourg and Liechten-
stein – their  volume  was  halved  also  because  extraordinary 
effects were absent in 2011, namely those from the Italian tax 
amnesty  and  the  “EU  interest  directive”  that  was – against  
expectations – not introduced In contrast, the premium deve- 
lopment of traditional insurances was distinctly more positive: 
IFRS premium volume amounted to CHF 6,8033 million (pre-
vious year: CHF 6,8598 million), a minus of 08 % An attractive 
growth of 41 % resulted in local currencies, which confirms 
the sound sales performance The growth impulses stem mainly 
from the nonlife business, but the acquisitions in Belgium also 

 
Review of business year
Group

15

contributed The business volume of Baloise remains well spread 
over the whole Group

The scope of consolidation of the Baloise Group was expand-
ed  importantly  by  the  Belgian  Avéro  Schadeverzekering  
Benelux NV and, in the last trimester by the insurance com-
panies Nateus SA / NV und Nateus Life SA / NV, which are like-
wise Belgian

comBined ratio net performance

in percent

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

95.5

95.2

94.4

90.9

95.1

diStriBution income

in CHF million

Total business volume

Life

Nonlife

Investment-type  
insurance premiums

Income from services 
rendered

2010

2011

+ / – %

9,541.4

3,814.9

3,044.9

2,681.6

8,144.5

3,659.8

3,143.5

1,341.2

– 14.6

– 4.1

3.2

– 50.0

283.4

158.6

– 44.0

nonlife diViSion:  

good operatiVe performance and growth
The nonlife division (indemnity and personal insurance) achieved 
a very good operative performance Clear evidence of this is the 
good net combined ratio of 955 %, which is hardly above the 
previous year’s value of 952 % despite the large burdens of CHF 
123 million caused by storms and major claims Environmental 
damage alone burdened the net value of the combined ratio by 
33 percentage points Similarly positive was the development 
of the expense ratio, which decreased further to 314 % net (pre-
vious year: 319 %) thanks to the targeted measures of the pro-
gramme “Baloise 2012” to increase efficiency However, profit 
before taxes and borrowing costs was CHF 1270 million and 
thus markedly below the previous year’s value of CHF 3803 
million High impairments on investments, especially on shares 
and Greek government bonds, were the main causes for the 
decrease In addition, there were the substantial burdens due 

to storm damage and major claims The previous year’s profit 
also benefited from disposals of investments IFRS premium 
volume amounted to CHF 3,1435 million (previous year: CHF 
3,0449 million), which equates to an increase of 32 % in Swiss 
francs and 106 % in local currencies The main motors of this 
encouraging growth are, above all, the additional purchases in 
Belgium, but also successful sales in all local markets 

life inSurance diViSion: 

BurdenS cauSed By capital marKet
The result of the life insurance division was especially charac-
terised by the drop in interest rates – above all in the Swiss life 
business – and the negative developments on the capital markets 
Significant impairments on Greek government bonds were nec-
essary in the life insurance division Profit before borrowing 
costs and taxes dropped distinctly to CHF 159 million (previ-
ous year: CHF 1827 million) Business volume, which includes 
investment-type  life  insurance  products,  amounted  to  CHF 
5,0010 million (previous year: CHF 6,4965 million) This equates 
to a minus of 230 % in Swiss francs and 195 % in local curren-
cies It must be considered here that the volume of investment-
type life insurances compared to the previous year is practi-
cally halved because after the strong growth drives of previous 
years of Bâloise in Luxembourg and Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) 
the sales rates have now returned to a normal level This decrease 
could not be compensated despite strong increases in Switzer-
land and Belgium Premium income of classic life insurances 
amounted to CHF 3,6599 million (previous year: CHF 3,8149 

 
16

Review of business year
Group

million) The minus of 41 % in Swiss francs and 11 % in local 
currencies results from the weak demand for classic life insur-
ances due to low interest rates Growth stemmed mainly from 
Belgium from the purchase of Nateus Life

The embedded value of the life business amounted to CHF 
2,1530 million (previous year: CHF 2,5735 million) This equates 
to a return on embedded value of – 178 % A reduction of CHF 
8101 million stems from the change in the economic environ-
ment The operating income contributed CHF 3728 million to 
the embedded value The value of new business amounts to CHF 
349 million The new business margin is 102 % (previous year: 
118 %)

BanKing diViSion:  

high profitaBilit y
The banking division achieved an excellent result with a profit 
before borrowing costs and taxes of CHF 733 million (previous 
year: CHF 679 million), despite the economic and financial 
crisis This equates to a growth of 80 % The fiscal year was 
especially pleasing for the Baloise Bank SoBa and Baloise Asset 
Management that belong to the banking division The bank’s 
interest-related business remained stable while the profit from 
financial services and the commission business increased  

eQuit y: Solid foundationS
Consolidated equity (after minorities) of the Baloise Group de-
creased by 58 % compared to the previous year As of 31 De-
cember 2011, this amounted to CHF 3,8936 million (31 Decem-
ber 2010: CHF 4,1335 million) The decrease was mainly caused 
by the dividend for the 2010 fiscal year This was only partially 
compensated by the lower profit in 2011 The return on equity 
dropped to 16 % as of year-end (previous year: 104 %) due to 
the lower result and the still strong equity base Group sol-
vency continues to be a very good 203 % compared to 224 % in 
the previous year

inVeStmentS: StaBle current income  

deSpite extraordinary BurdenS
After the positive start to the year, the European debt crisis 
dominated the financial markets The associated price fluctua-
tions were reflected in the clearly lower investment result Whilst 
recurring  income  remained  stable  at  CHF  1,7665  million,  
depreciation had to be performed on equity and also on debt 
instruments 

This meant that net income dropped by 297 % to CHF 1,3591 
million (previous year: CHF 1,9344 million) This equates to  
a  net  return  of  25 %  Life  insurances,  on  the  other  hand,  

own inVeStmentS By categorieS 1

inVeStment componentS 2011

2010

2011

+ / – %

in CHF million

Investment properties

Shares

Alternative financial  
investments

5,046.6 

2,216.1 

1,300.4 

5,138.0 

2,190.4 

1,290.2 

Fixed-income securities

24,962.2 

27,981.6 

Mortgage assets

10,653.7 

10,949.8 

Policy and other loans

7,039.8 

7,092.9 

1.8 

– 1.2 

– 0.8 

12.1 

2.8 

0.8 

Derivatives

357.8 

281.8 

– 21.2 

Cash and cash equivalents

1,862.2 

1,835.5 

total

53,438.8 

56,760.2 

– 1.4 

6.2 

1   Excluding assets for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders.

in percent

   Fixed-income securities  

   Mortgage assets  

   Policy and other loans  

   Investment properties  

   Shares 

   Cash and cash equivalents  

   Alternative financial investments 

   Derivatives  

49.3

19.3

12.5

9.0

3.9

3.2

2.3

0.5

Review of business year
Group

17

Baloise assets as of 31.12.2010

in CHF million

Own investments

Investment-type life insurances 1

Total recognised assets

Asset management for third parties

total managed assets

Baloise assets as of 31.12.2011

in CHF million

Own investments

Investment-type life insurances 1

Total recognised assets

Asset management for third parties

total managed assets

Nonlife

life

Banking

total Group

8,467.9

38,007.8

6,779.7

53,438.8

7,821.7

7,821.7

8,467.9

45,829.5

6,779.7

61,260.5

4,993.9

66,254.4

Nonlife

life

Banking

total Group

8,918.4

41,113.4

7,096.8

56,760.2

7,746.8

7,746.8

8,918.4

48,860.2

7,096.8

64,507.0

4,848.3

69,355.3

1   Including CHF 83.0 million (previous year: CHF 90.5 million) other assets (precious metal stocks from investment-type life insurance policies).

generated  a  higher  return  than  the  nonlife  division.  IFRS  
performance * was 2.7 % and below the previous year’s value of 
3.5 %.

In order to ensure the very good debtor quality, Baloise re-
mains true to its strict guidelines regarding bond investments 
also when interest rates are low. Even so impairments of CHF 
78.3  million  had  to  be  performed  after  deducting  the  legal 
quota, policyholders’ dividends and taxes. These are almost 
completely due to the investments in Greek government bonds. 
The share of government bonds of the GIIPS countries (Greece, 
Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain) amounted to merely 1.7 % 
of investments at the end of 2011. Baloise sold all the remaining 
Greek government bonds at the end of February 2012 since swap 
offerings are unattractive and high residual risks would persist. 
Due to the poor obligator creditworthiness, all Portuguese gov-
ernment bonds were also sold. A marginal loss resulted from 
this sale. On average, the euro bonds of Swiss companies were 

currency-hedged to 85 %, whereby this quota fluctuated between 
80 % and nearly 100 % over the course of the year.

 Share exposure was continually adjusted using derivatives 
according to our internal risk guidelines, resulting in a net loss 
of CHF 47.9 million. Hedge funds recorded a slightly negative 
performance, in contrast the development of private equities 
was very encouraging. The impairments on financial assets of 
an equity nature amounted to CHF 119.0 million net.

A unique feature of the properties held directly was their 
strong  value  and  income  stability.  No  net  impairment  was  
necessary on mortgage bonds. 

*  Including changes in net value of investments not recognised in profit or loss but 

excluding changes in held to maturity financial instruments.

18

Review of business year
Switzerland

Switzerland
Sound operative performance

The Switzerland segment confirmed its good operative profitability in the insurance and also 
in the banking division and achieved convincing growth in the nonlife business.

Key figureS Switzerland

in CHF million

Business volume 

Of which: life

Of which: nonlife

Combined ratio (gross) 
in percent 

Profit before borrowing  
costs and taxes

2010

2011

+ / – %

4,108.2

2,822.9

1,285.3

88.0

4,100.6

2,796.8

1,303.8

88.4

– 0.2

– 0.9

1.4

–

273.7

107.8

– 60.6

BaloiSe inSurance: high operational earning power
The profitable core business, especially the nonlife insurances, 
as well as the lower expenses were the main earning pillars 
during the fiscal year Still, the profit before borrowing costs 
and taxes dropped distinctly to CHF 1078 million (previous 
year: CHF 2737 million) This decrease was mainly caused by 
impairments on investments, high elementary and major claims 
as well as negative interest effects in the life business Business 
volume (including investment-type life insurances) was CHF 
4,1006 million, a mere 02 % below the previous year’s value of 
CHF 4,1082 million This is a convincing achievement in the 
face of the weak demand for classic life insurances in the 3rd 
pillar The pillars of growth were the nonlife business as well as 
the life insurances with capital guarantees and the annual pre-
miums of the occupational pension schemes (group life) 

The operative performance of the nonlife division was hardly 
affected by the difficult prevailing circumstances and delivered 
convincing results Premium volume was CHF 1,3038 million 
(previous year: CHF 1,2853 million) Innovative safety com-
ponents  stimulated  demand  and  encouraged  the  growth  of  
14 % Accident and health insurances increased Despite elemen-

tary and major claims, the gross combined ratio was an excel-
lent 884 % The expense ratio dropped by 07 % as a result of 
numerous cost-cutting measures

Business volume amounted to CHF 2,7968 million (previous 
year: CHF 2,8229 million) in the life insurances division, which 
equates to a decrease of 09 % The development is multi-faceted: 
whilst the classic life insurances were no longer offered or 
hardly in demand due to the low interest rates, innovative prod-
ucts like Baloise Safe Invest or Renta Safe Time achieved good 
results We were able to increase the annual premiums further 
in the Group life business despite the selective underwriting 
policy

BaloiSe BanK SoBa: more profit thanKS to growth and 

coSt reductionS
The Baloise Bank SoBa again had a successful year in 2011 Net 
income increased by 23 % to CHF 217 million (all figures pur-
suant to local financial accounting) Client assets and mortgage 
receivables continued to increase The cooperation between the 
bank  and  the  Basler  Switzerland  continued  to  pay  off:  The  
volume  generated  by  the  insurance  sales  force  increased  by  
117 % to CHF 2,1136 million The income from the interest-
related business increased by 10 % to CHF 838 million despite 
declining margins The commission and service business re-
mained constant The cost-income ratio improved to 640 %  
(previous year: 668 %) The total assets amounted to CHF 668 
thousand million as of 31 December 2011, an increase of 48 %

Review of business year
Germany

19

Germany
Challenging transition phase

The merging of Basler Germany and the Deutscher Ring Leben und Sach is proceeding as 
planned. However, the result of the German business unit is not as expected.

The business volume amounted to CHF 1,7749 million (pre-
vious year: CHF 1,9871 million), a minus of 107 % This results 
in a slight plus of 02 % after adjustments for effects from  exchange 
rates  The  property  insurance  division  achieved  a  premium 
 volume of CHF 8467 million (previous year: CHF 9389 mil-
lion) This equates to a pleasing increase in local currencies of 
12 % Positive is that the premium erosion due to the separating 
process of Deutscher Ring Sach could be more than com pensated 
by the good growth achieved by Basler Germany The business 
volume of the life insurance division developed slightly weaker 
due to the difficult circumstances It achieved CHF 9282 mil-
lion (previous year: CHF 1,0482 million), a slight decrease in 
local currencies of 06 % In this division, high single premiums 
compensated  losses  in  current  premiums,  contrary  to  the  
market trend 

The separation of the Deutscher Ring companies and the 
merging of Deutscher Ring Leben und Sach with Basler Germany 
are proceeding according to plan The formation of a single 
German business unit with the brand name “Basler Versicherun-
gen” will be largely completed in 2013

Key figureS germany

in CHF million

Business volume 

Of which: life

Of which: nonlife

Combined ratio (gross) 
in percent 

Profit before borrowing costs 
and taxes

2010

2011

+ / – %

1,987.1

1,048.2

938.9

97.1

1,774.9

928.2

846.7

98.2

– 10.7

– 11.4

– 9.8

–

118.7

– 1.9

n  / a

The difficult market environment and major claims impaired 
the operational earning power Baloise’s German business gen-
erated a loss before borrowing costs and taxes of CHF 19 mil-
lion in the 2011 fiscal year (previous year: profit of CHF 1187 
million) The annual result of 2010 profited from various posi-
tive non-recurrent effects as a result of separating Deutscher 
Ring Leben und Sach on the one hand, and Deutscher Ring 
Kranken on the other Furthermore, the sales company OVB, 
whose holding was deconsolidated in 2010 no longer contributes 
to the result The 2011 business result of the German unit was 
characterised  by  the  weak  capital  market  development  and 
lower interest rates on the one hand And on the other and above 
all in the fourth quarter, considerable major and elementary 
claims,  reserves  for  claims  incurred  prior  to  the  reporting  
period as well as an above-average number of medium-sized 
claims put a strain on the result The combined ratio of the 
property insurance business deteriorated to gross 982 % (pre-
vious year: 971 %) While the loss ratio increased by 15 percent-
age points, the expense ratio improved by 05 percentage points 
The costs from separating the companies of the Deutscher Ring 
dampened the result 

20

Review of business year
Belgium and Luxembourg

Belgium and Luxembourg 
Strengthened market position and good growth 

The business units Mercator in Belgium and Bâloise in Luxembourg continued their dynamic 
growth. Mercator is now one of the largest insurers in Belgium.

Belgium:  

luxemBourg:  

Strong marKet poSition after additional purchaSeS

good growth in local core BuSineSS

Key figureS Belgium

Key figureS luxemBourg

2010

2011

+ / – %

2010

2011

+ / – %

in CHF million

Business volume 

Of which: life

Of which: nonlife

Combined ratio (gross) 
in percent 

Profit before borrowing  
costs and taxes

798.1

239.8

558.3

94.0

1,091.1

336.2

754.9

95.3

36.7

40.2

35.2

–

142.9

21.9

– 84.7

in CHF million

Business volume 

Of which: life

Of which: nonlife

Combined ratio (gross) 
in percent 

Profit before borrowing costs 
and taxes

1,269.9

1,188.2

81.7

81.4

14.3

598.9

525.7

73.2

81.1

– 52.8

– 55.8

– 10.4

–

10.0

– 30.1

Mercator now is one of the leading insurers in the nonlife busi-
ness in Belgium after the purchase of the Avéro Schadeverzeker-
ing Benelux NV at the beginning of 2011 and the Nateus com-
panies in the second half-year The integration of Avéro is already 
almost completed, whilst Nateus is to be integrated at the begin-
ning of 2013 The Belgian business unit achieved a profit before 
borrowing costs and taxes of CHF 219 million (previous year: 
CHF 1429 million) Impairments on investments and the costs 
of integrating Avéro dampened the result Furthermore, the 
profit of the previous year contains larger revenues from the 
sale of securities Through the purchase of the new units, the 
business volume grew by 367 % to CHF 1,0911 million (previ-
ous year: CHF 7981 million) The increase in local currency 
amounted to 534 % Even without the new companies, Merca-
tor increased its business above the market average in the non-
life business and also in life insurances Due to the consolidation 
of Avéro and Nateus (last trimester) and also because of the 
lower settlement profits in comparison to the previous year, the 
gross  combined  ratio  increased  by  13  percentage  points  to  
953 % (previous year: 940 %) 

Measured against the economic circumstances, Bâloise Lux-
embourg achieved a very good result with a profit before bor-
rowing costs and taxes of CHF 100 million (previous year: CHF 
143 million) The business unit enjoyed a favourable claims 
development throughout the fiscal year The gross combined 
ratio improved slightly to 811 % (previous year: 814 %) The 
weaker claims ratio could be overcompensated by cost reduc-
tions The cross-border business with investment-type life in-
surances is starting to return to normal This means that the 
business volume that is characterised to a large extent by these 
products was halved after very strong growth spurts in the pre-
vious years, to CHF 5989 million (previous year: CHF 1,2699 
million) Bâloise Luxembourg was able to gain further ground 
in the local core business Premium volume was CHF 1226 
million (previous year: CHF 1331 million) This equates to an 
increase in local currency of 34 % Likewise currency adjusted, 
the premiums in the nonlife sector grew by 06 % and for life 
insurances by 78 %

Review of business year
Other units and Group business

21

Other units and Group business

Basler Austria continues to grow strongly. An impairment to goodwill dampens 
the result in Croatia.

Key figureS other unitS

in CHF million

Business volume 

Of which: life

Of which: nonlife

Combined ratio (gross) 
Basler Austria in percent 

Combined ratio (gross) 
Croatia and Serbia in percent 

Profit before borrowing costs 
and taxes

2010

2011

+ / – %

1,359.7

1,197.4

162.3

97.5

567.2

414.1

153.1

95.0

110.2

107.4

– 58.3

– 65.4

– 5.7

–

–

– 16.9

– 89.0

426.6

auStria: Strong growth
Basler Austria continued to grow strongly as in previous years 
and proceeded to invest in the expansion of the insurance sales 
force by taking over local agencies Business volume was CHF 
1537 million (previous year: CHF 1619 million) This equates 
to an increase of 65 % in local currencies The growth rates in 
the following business divisions were also convincing: The non-
life business achieved a plus in local currencies of 77 %, whilst 
the  life  insurances,  likewise  in  local  currency,  increased  by  
30 % Here investment-type insurances were the driving force 
Impairments on investments resulted in a loss before borrowing 
costs and taxes of CHF 10 million (previous year: CHF 24 
million) The gross combined ratio improved to 950 % (previous 
year: 975 %) 

croatia and SerBia: 

goodwill impairment in croatia
The reappraisal of the business perspectives of the Croatian 
business unit that became necessary in connection with the 
weak economic development in Croatia resulted in a goodwill 

impairment of the Osiguranje Zagreb that was taken over in 
2007 This is the main reason for the loss before borrowing costs 
and taxes of CHF 724 million The Croatian unit continues to 
make operational progress Restructuring and optimisation 
measures together with the favourable claims history improved 
the gross combined ratio to 1074 % (previous year: 1102 %)   
Business volume in Croatia and Serbia amounted to CHF 704 
million; the increase in local currency was 25 %

BaloiSe life, liechtenStein: new orientation
The business volume of Baloise Life in Liechtenstein, which 
specialises in innovative life insurance products, amounted to 
CHF 3431 million (previous year: CHF 1,1190 million) This 
business segment, investment-type life insurances, has returned 
to normal after the strong growth spurts of previous years, es-
pecially in Italy This led to a strong reduction in business vol-
ume At the end of 2011, the unit was newly positioned and 
downsized accordingly, as part of the strategic orientation of 
the Group’s life business It now cooperates with Bâloise Lux-
embourg that will in future be responsible for coordinating 
operations in the EU zone

group BuSineSS
The “Group business” segment contains the units for Group 
internal reinsurance and financing, the holding companies as 
well as Corporate IT Profit before borrowing costs and taxes 
amounted to CHF 951 million (previous year: CHF 745 mil-
lion)  The  increase  can  be  attributed  to  the  positive  result  
development of the reinsurance unit and the Run Off business 
in particular

22

Review of business year
Consolidated income statement

fiVe-year oVerView 

in CHF million

income

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross) 1

Reinsurance premiums ceded

Premiums earned and policy fees (net)

6,880.2

– 207.9

6,672.3

6,945.2

– 194.6

6,750.6

6,841.5

– 190.3

6,651.2

6,854.3

– 168.2

6,686.1

Investment income

2,049.8

2,053.1

1,921.2

1,811.2

Realised gains and losses on investments 2

Income from services rendered

Results from investments in associates

Other operating income

597.5

529.0

10.2

142.1

– 1,680.1

558.2

8.5

208.9

435.6

427.3

1.4

108.1

501.6

283.4

– 0.5

202.7

6,806.9

– 176.3

6,630.6

1,766.5

– 943.4

158.6

10.2

140.1

income

expenses

10,000.9

7,899.2

9,544.8

9,484.5

7,762.6

Claims and benefits paid (gross)

Change in technical reserves (gross)

Reinsurance share of claims incurred

Acquisition costs

Operating and administrative expenses for insurance  
business

Investment expenses

Interest expenses on insurance liabilities

Result from financial contracts

Other operating expenses

expenses

– 5,597.9

– 5,676.7

– 5,383.4

– 5,212.9

– 5,311.5

– 840.2

107.6

– 524.8

– 938.3

– 104.3

– 76.1

– 170.6

– 813.4

583.4

59.7

– 566.1

– 977.4

– 82.8

– 73.8

246.4

– 832.0

– 968.3

– 1,393.2

58.1

– 499.1

– 925.1

– 78.8

– 69.4

– 407.9

– 708.8

47.5

– 491.5

– 856.0

– 64.8

– 61.2

– 219.8

– 625.4

– 639.9

53.3

– 576.8

– 847.0

– 61.3

– 51.6

324.0

– 507.9

– 8,958.0

– 7,319.3

– 8,982.7

– 8,877.3

– 7,618.7

profit before borrowing costs and taxes 

1,042.9

579.9

562.1

607.2

143.9

Borrowing costs

profit before taxes

Income taxes

profit for the period

Attributable to:

Shareholders

Minority interests

Earnings / loss per share 

Basic in CHF

Diluted in CHF

Footnote: See next page

– 28.4

1,014.5

– 194.4

820.1

786.1

34.0

15.15

15.15

– 31.2

548.7

– 162.0

386.7

– 45.1

517.0

– 96.0

421.0

– 52.8

554.4

– 117.7

436.7

358.3

28.4

414.1

6.9

433.4

3.3

7.33

7.32

8.64

8.57

9.14

8.89

– 55.0

88.9

– 27.6

61.3

60.8

0.5

1.30

1.29

Consolidated income statementReview of business year
Consolidated income statement

23

additional information

in CHF million

Gross premiums written and policy fees

Investment-type premiums

total business volume

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

6,868.4

1,069.2

7,937.6

6,953.9

904.4

7,858.3

6,859.8

2,905.6

9,765.4

6,859.8

2,681.6

9,541.4

6,803.3

1,341.2

8,144.5

Assets for the account and at the risk of life insurance 
policyholders

4,366.9

3,340.1

6,818.1

7,821.7

7,746.8

Combined ratio (gross)

Funding ratio nonlife in percent

93.0

195.6

88.1

183.0

91.2

187.7

92.2

180.5

92.4

195.9

1   In line with the accounting principles applied by the Baloise Group, investment-type insurance premiums are not included in the premiums earned and policy fees.
2   Including financial liabilities held for trading purposes (derivative financial instruments).

24

Review of business year
Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated balance sheet

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

676.5

1,624.8

191.7

5,269.9

12,144.0

621.2

1,587.2

129.4

5,055.5

7,551.8

611.2

1,562.4

143.1

5,071.7

9,486.1

535.7

1,342.6

211.3

5,046.6

9,844.2

24,433.3

23,115.6

26,502.7

25,840.5

18,611.8

18,992.5

18,643.5

17,693.5

54.2

2,721.0

53.9

311.3

2,536.2

36.9

123.7

2,593.0

26.4

536.3

2,111.6

20.2

1,648.7

1,305.5

2,528.7

2,208.9

559.9

1,300.2

173.5

5,138.0

9,703.9

28,917.5

18,042.7

334.1

2,586.4

22.2

2,287.8

67,429.8

61,243.1

67,292.5

65,391.4

69,066.2

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

4,733.4

241.9

4,975.3

3,691.0

204.6

3,895.6

4,315.0

195.0

4,510.0

4,100.0

3,860.3

33.5

33.3

4,133.5

3,893.6

fiVe-year oVerView 

in CHF million

assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Investments in associates

Investment properties

Financial assets of an equity nature

Financial assets of a debt nature

Mortgages and loans

Derivative financial instruments

Other assets / receivables

Deferred tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

in CHF million

equity and liabilities

equity

Equity before minority interests

Minority interests

total equity

liabilities

Technical reserves (gross)

Derivative financial instruments

Other accounts payable

Deferred tax liabilities

total liabilities

Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts

8,300.6

8,127.2

11,396.4

12,863.3

47,826.4

44,068.6

45,344.2

43,445.7

34.9

5,607.1

685.5

30.1

4,521.4

600.2

49.5

5,299.6

692.8

29.9

4,277.3

641.7

62,454.5

57,347.5

62,782.5

61,257.9

65,172.6

45,561.9

13,998.1

175.3

4,782.9

654.4

total equity and liabilities

67,429.8

61,243.1

67,292.5

65,391.4

69,066.2

Review of business year
Business volume,
premiums and combined ratio

25

Business volume, premiums  
and combined ratio

BusiNess volume

2010

in CHF million

Nonlife

Life

subtotal of ifRs gross premiums written 1

Investment-type premiums

total business volume

BusiNess volume 

2011

in CHF million

Nonlife

Life

subtotal of ifRs gross premiums written 1

Investment-type premiums

total business volume

Group

switzerland

Germany

Belgium

luxembourg

3,044.9

3,814.9

6,859.8

2,681.6

9,541.4

1,285.3

2,791.6

4,076.9

31.3

4,108.2

938.9

792.7

1,731.6

255.5

1,987.1

558.3

110.4

668.7

129.4

798.1

81.7

51.4

133.1

1,136.8

1,269.9

Group

switzerland

Germany

Belgium

luxembourg

3,143.5

3,659.8

6,803.3

1,341.2

8,144.5

1,303.8

2,724.1

4,027.9

72.7

4,100.6

846.7

700.0

1,546.7

228.2

1,774.9

754.9

124.0

878.9

212.2

1,091.1

73.2

49.4

122.6

476.3

598.9

other  
units 2

162.3

68.8

231.1

1,128.6

1,359.7

other  
units 2

153.1

62.3

215.4

351.8

567.2

1   Premiums written and policy fees (gross).
2   Other units: Austria, Croatia, Serbia and Baloise Life Liechtenstein.

26

Review of business year
Business volume,
premiums and combined ratio

comBined ratio groSS 

2010

as a percentage of premiums earned

Loss ratio

Expense ratio

Profit-sharing ratio

combined ratio

comBined ratio groSS 

2011

as a percentage of premiums earned

Loss ratio

Expense ratio

Profit-sharing ratio

combined ratio

1   Other units: Austria, Croatia and Serbia.

comBined ratio groSS and net 

as a percentage of premiums earned

Loss ratio

Expense ratio

Profit-sharing ratio

combined ratio

funding ratio nonlife

group

Switzerland

germany

Belgium

luxembourg

60.9

30.7

0.6

92.2

62.0

25.1

0.9

88.0

62.0

34.8

0.3

97.1

59.8

33.7

0.5

94.0

43.9

37.5

0.0

81.4

group

Switzerland

germany

Belgium

luxembourg

61.6

30.2

0.6

92.4

63.1

24.4

0.9

88.4

63.5

34.3

0.4

98.2

2010

60.9

30.7

0.6

92.2

60.8

34.3

0.2

95.3

gross

2011

61.6

30.2

0.6

92.4

47.6

33.5

0.0

81.1

2010

62.7

31.9

0.6

95.2

other  
units 1

61.3

39.5

0.0

100.8

other  
units 1

59.8

38.2

0.0

98.0

net 

2011

63.5

31.4

0.6

95.5

in CHF million

Technical provisions for own account 1

Premiums written and policy fees for own account

funding ratio in percent

1   Not including capitalised settlement premiums.

2010

2011

5,219.9

2,892.1

180.5

5,853.5

2,987.9

195.9

Review of business year
Technical income statement

27

Technical income statement

in CHF million

gross

Gross premiums written and policy fees

Change in unearned premium reserves

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross)

Claims and benefits paid (gross)

Change in technical reserves (gross)

Change in claims reserve / actuarial reserves 1

Expenses for policyholders’ dividends

Technical expenses

total technical result (gross)

ceded to reinsurers

Reinsurance premiums ceded

Claims and benefits paid

Reinsurance share of claims incurred

Expenses for policyholders’ dividends

Technical expenses

2010

nonlife

2011

2010

life 3

2011

3,044.9

3,143.5

3,814.9

3,659.8

– 5.5

3.6

0.0

0.0

3,039.4

3,147.1

3,814.9

3,659.8

– 1,818.4

– 1,850.3

– 3,394.5

– 3,461.2

– 56.2

– 17.5

– 949.0

198.3

– 110.4

– 17.4

– 976.9

– 966.9

– 352.8

– 471.8

192.1

– 1,371.1

– 269.4

– 243.0

– 528.0

– 841.8

– 151.3

– 158.8

– 16.9

– 17.5

64.4

– 23.1

0.2

12.8

53.0

– 11.0

0.3

12.5

5.3

– 0.3

1.2

2.2

– 8.5

5.0

4.5

1.8

3.0

– 3.2

total technical result of ceded business

– 97.0

– 104.0

for own account

Premiums earned and policy fees

Claims and benefits paid

Change in claims reserve / actuarial reserves 1

Expenses for policyholders’ dividends

Technical expenses

total technical result for own account

Investment income (gross)

Realised gains and losses on investments 2

Investment expenses

Other financial expenses and income

result from investment income

annual result before borrowing costs and taxes

Borrowing costs

Income taxes

annual result (segment result)

2,888.1

2,988.3

3,798.0

3,642.3

– 1,754.0

– 1,797.3

– 3,389.2

– 3,456.2

– 79.3

– 17.3

– 936.2

101.3

288.8

8.4

– 19.9

1.7

279.0

380.3

–

– 65.3

315.0

– 121.4

– 17.1

– 964.4

88.1

291.9

– 191.4

– 19.9

– 41.7

38.9

127.0

–

– 13.9

113.1

– 967.2

– 351.6

– 469.6

– 1,379.6

1,345.2

499.0

– 75.5

– 206.4

1,562.3

182.7

–

– 32.5

150.2

– 264.9

– 241.2

– 525.0

– 845.0

1,323.9

– 720.4

– 75.8

333.2

860.9

15.9

–

– 8.4

7.5

1   Including change in provisions for claims handling expenses.
2   Including financial liabilities held for trading purposes (derivative financial instruments).
3   Of which latency calculation effects from other business segments: 31 December 2010 CHF –10.4 million / 31 December 2011 CHF 10.8 million.

28

Review of business year
Gross premiums by sectors

Gross premiums by sectors

groSS premiumS By Sector nonlife

in CHF million

Accident

Health

General liability

Motor

Property

Marine

Other

Active reinsurance

gross premiums written, nonlife

groSS premiumS By Sector life

in CHF million

Business volume non-recurrent deposits

Business volume periodic deposits

Investment-type premiums

gross premiums written, life

2010

2011

+ / – %

461.6 

114.7 

341.3 

956.5 

934.0 

125.6 

53.7 

57.5 

450.8 

119.3 

339.2 

999.9 

974.0 

160.5 

57.6 

42.2 

3,044.9 

3,143.5 

– 2.3 

4.0 

– 0.6 

4.5 

4.3 

27.8 

7.3 

– 26.6 

3.2 

2010

2011

+ / – %

3,913.3 

2,583.2 

2,453.1 

2,547.9 

– 2,681.6 

– 1,341.2 

3,814.9 

3,659.8 

– 37.3 

– 1.4 

– 50.0 

– 4.1 

Viewed against the comparative period, premium income in the 2011 fiscal year was adversely affected by the 
exchange rate developments between the Swiss franc and the euro

Banking activities

reSult from BanKing actiVitieS 

in CHF million

Total interest income

Total interest expenses

net interest income

Net commission and fee income

Trading income

Other income

total operating income

Personnel expenses

Material expenses

Total operating expenses

gross result

Result from losses and impairments for credit risks

Depreciation of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

annual result before taxes 

Income taxes

annual result (segment result)  

additional information

in CHF million

Assets managed for third parties

Risk-weighted assets: banking activities

aSSet allocation

in CHF million

Investment properties

Shares

Alternative financial assets

Fixed-income securities

Mortgage assets

Policy and other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

total

Review of business year
Banking activities

29

2010

2011

182.2 

– 83.0 

99.2 

59.2 

– 0.1 

1.7 

174.3 

– 75.3 

99.0 

63.0 

– 9.5 

– 0.1 

160.0 

152.4 

– 53.7 

– 29.9 

– 83.6 

76.4 

1.1 

– 9.6 

67.9 

– 12.8 

55.1 

– 59.3 

– 18.7 

– 78.0 

74.4 

8.6 

– 9.7 

73.3 

– 13.8 

59.5 

2010

2011

4,993.9 

3,429.4 

4,848.3 

3,495.3 

2010

2011

–

6.2 

–

323.2 

5,977.7 

306.3 

22.1 

144.2 

–

6.1 

–

369.9 

6,203.0 

274.2 

24.8 

218.8 

6,779.7 

7,096.8 

30

Review of business year
Investment performance

Investment performance 

iNvestmeNt peRfoRmaNce

2010 1

in CHF million

Current income

Realised gains and losses  
and impairment losses  
recognised in profit and loss (net)

Change in unrealised gains and losses  
on equity

Cost of investment management

Operational profit

fixed-income 
securities

883.3 

– 380.2 

shares

70.1 

31.8 

investment 
properties

mortgage 
assets, policy 
and other loans

alternative  
financial assets,  
derivatives, 
cash and cash  
equivalents

total

242.5 

– 1.3 

608.1 

11.1 

7.2 

526.0 

1,811.2 

187.4 

– 64.8 

– 69.0 

–

–

114.7 

– 19.1 

– 25.8 

412.5 

– 8.9 

24.0 

– 8.0 

233.2 

– 11.9 

607.3 

– 9.6 

638.3 

– 64.2 

1,915.3 

average investment portfolio

25,367.5 

2,153.3 

5,059.1 

18,168.5 

3,763.8 

54,512.2 

performance in percent

1.6 

1.1 

4.6 

3.3 

17.0 

3.5 

iNvestmeNt peRfoRmaNce

2011 1

in CHF million

Current income

Realised gains and losses  
and impairment losses  
recognised in profit and loss (net)

Change in unrealised gains and losses  
on equity

Cost of investment management

Operational profit

average investment portfolio

performance in percent

fixed-income 
securities

shares

investment 
properties

mortgage 
assets, policy 
and other loans

alternative  
financial assets,  
derivatives, 
cash and cash 
 equivalents

total

868.1 

76.3 

– 183.3 

– 199.2 

244.8 

3.4 

566.2 

– 3.7 

11.1 

36.5 

1,766.5 

– 346.3 

207.9 

– 51.0 

–

–

– 45.1 

111.8 

– 25.9 

866.8 

26,471.9 

3.3 

– 5.9 

– 179.8 

2,203.2 

– 8.2 

– 7.5 

240.7 

– 12.2 

550.3 

– 9.6 

– 7.1 

– 61.1 

1,470.9 

5,092.3 

17,868.1 

3,464.0 

55,099.5 

4.7 

3.1 

– 0.2 

2.7 

1   Excluding assets for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders.

Review of business year
Investment performance

31

nonlife

life

39.8 

21.7 

0.7 

177.5 

13.0 

35.1 

–

1.0 

195.5 

48.1 

1.5 

694.8 

138.6 

263.9 

–

2.8 

2010

total

235.3 

69.8 

2.2 

872.3 

151.6 

299.0 

–

3.8 

nonlife

life

37.5 

25.8 

1.5 

163.5 

12.6 

49.7 

–

1.3 

199.2 

50.2 

3.9 

695.0 

125.6 

246.4 

–

3.6 

2011

total

236.7 

76.0 

5.4 

858.5 

138.2 

296.1 

–

4.9 

288.8 

1,345.2 

1,634.0 

291.9 

1,323.9 

1,615.8 

nonlife

life

– 12.9 

15.1 

12.0 

10.6 

16.8 

46.7 

2010

total

– 2.3 

31.9 

58.7 

– 41.4 

– 338.8 

– 380.2 

– 0.1 

5.6 

30.1 

–

8.4 

0.5 

6.7 

442.3 

–

0.4 

12.3 

472.4 

–

nonlife

life

2011

total

4.5 

– 199.5 

75.3 

21.0 

– 93.5 

47.8 

– 126.6 

– 183.3 

– 1.8 

– 0.3 

30.1 

–

– 2.5 

0.7 

– 9.9 

–

– 16.5 

– 106.0 

27.5 

– 56.7 

– 0.7 

1.0 

– 40.0 

–

184.8 

193.2 

– 191.4 

– 123.3 

– 314.7 

nonlife

life

2010

total

nonlife

life

800.8 

785.3 

286.9 

4,143.1 

1,420.2 

1,013.4 

4,943.9 

2,205.5 

1,300.3 

797.5 

839.5 

275.0 

4,174.0 

1,342.5 

1,015.2 

2011

total

4,971.5 

2,182.0 

1,290.2 

4,635.8 

19,986.1 

24,621.9 

4,993.8 

22,615.0 

27,608.8 

441.4 

939.7 

20.5 

557.5 

4,234.5 

6,013.7 

312.3 

884.5 

4,675.9 

6,953.4 

332.8 

1,442.0 

439.3 

1,086.6 

5.0 

4,307.5 

6,354.5 

251.9 

4,746.8 

7,441.1 

256.9 

481.7 

1,052.8 

1,534.5 

current income, inSurance 1

in CHF million

Investment properties

Shares

Alternative financial assets

Fixed-income securities

Mortgage assets

Policy and other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

total current income

realiSed gainS and loSSeS, inSurance 1

in CHF million

Investment properties

Shares

Alternative financial assets

Fixed-income securities

Mortgage assets

Policy and other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

total capital gains and losses

aSSet allocation, inSurance 1

in CHF million

Investment properties

Shares

Alternative financial assets

Fixed-income securities

Mortgage assets

Policy and other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

total

8,467.9 

38,007.8 

46,475.7 

8,918.4 

41,113.4 

50,031.8 

1   Excluding assets for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders.

4  Baloise
14  Review of business year
34  sustainable business management
44  Corporate Governance
82  Financial Report 
224  Bâloise Holding Ltd
238  Notes

Sustainablebusiness
management

Human ResouRces ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 34
Wepromoteaculture
ofefficiencyandtrustwithinBaloise�������������������������������������������� 34

ecology ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 38
Long-termprotectionoftheenvironment���������������������������������� 38

Risk management �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 40
Ourriskmanagementisanimportant
cornerstoneofourbusinessmodel������������������������������������������������� 40

34

Sustainable business management
Human Resources

We promote a culture of efficiency 
and trust within Baloise  

Performance, innovation and partnership are at the heart of our corporate culture. The skills 
and motivation of our employees are the foundation of our successes – today and tomorrow.

key FiguRes

 → On 31 December 2011, the Baloise Group had 9,141 

employees (2010: 8,797) (FTE 2011: 8,114).

 → 45.8 % (2010: 45.1 %) of all employees are women.
 → Baloise employs 241 (2010: 244) apprentices, trainees 

and interns throughout the Group.

 → 38.6 % (2010: 34.1 %) of those who left the company 

did so of their own accord.

 → In our main market Switzerland 60.2 % (2010: 58.8 %) 
of the employees participated in our Employee Share 
Ownership Programmes.

 → Baloise invested 2011 CHF 12.1 million 

(2010: CHF 12.5 million) in employee training in 2011.
 → Employees remain at Baloise for an average of 13 years.
 →  As of 31 December 2011, staff turnover was 9.1 % 

(2010: 10.4 %).

emPloyee skills aRe ouR Distinction   
“Makingyousafer”isourpromisetoourcustomers,sharehold-
ersandemployees�Thismeansthatweactivelycontributeto
preventingdamage�Ouremployeesrequirerelevantskillsso
thatwecanachievethis�Baloisestrengthensitselfbyencourag-
ingtheseskillsandfocusingonourcorporatevalues�Weare
guidedourbrandvalues“partnership”,“innovative”and“Swiss”
inthisregard�Thesearecornerstonesofourbrandpositioning
andweputthesevaluesintopracticewiththreecommonprin-
ciplesofconduct:“Developandengage–yourselfandothers!”,
“Actauthenticallyandearntrust!”and“Putyourselfinthe
other’sshoes!”�

Takentogether,thesebrandvaluesandprinciplesofconduct
reinforceBaloise’sprofileasanattractiveandforward-looking
employer�Theyhelpustorecruitandretainexcellentemployees
andsocontributetoourenduringcorporatesuccess�Wemake
long-terminvestmentsintheskillsandthedevelopmentofour
employees;wegaincompetitiveadvantageswithachievement-
driven,dedicatedandwell-trainedemployees�Ourhumanre-
sourcesstrategylaysthefoundationsforsuccessfullyimplement-
ingtheseprinciples�
Theelementsofourhumanresourcesstrategyare:
→ tobethepreferredemployerinoursector
→ tobeperformanceandresult-driven
→ tobeahighlyqualified,learningorganisation
→ tohaveexcellentleadershipandmanagementskills
→ tobehighlyadaptableandflexible
→ tohaveanemployee-focusedcorporateculture

PReFeRReD emPloyeR
Thankstotargetedtalentacquisitionmeasures,wecouldrecruit
alotofqualifiedcandidatesin2011,despitetheshortageof
skilledworkersandtheuncertaintiesontheemploymentmar-
ket�Wealreadyrecognisedthegrowingimportanceofsocial
mediaforemployercommunicationandcontactingcandidates
in2010�Theresultingconceptwasrealisedin2011;theBaloise
GroupusessocialnetworkssuchasXing,FacebookandTwitter
effectivelysincethe2ndquarter2011inordertopositionitself
asanattractiveemployer�Hereauthenticcommunicationis
crucial�Inordertoachievethis,videotestimonialswerepro-
ducedfeaturingemployeesfromdifferentfunctionsandhier-
archy levels in which they introduce their department and
describethemeritsofBaloise�Thesevideosarebroadcaston
YouTubeandontheBaloisecareerwebsite�Selectedjoboffers
canalsobecomplementedwithsuitablevideos�Thiswaywe

Sustainable business management
Human Resources

35

providetheapplicantswitharealisticpictureofthecompany�
Wehavedirectcontactwiththecandidatesandcanencourage
thosetojointhecompanythatarenotonlyconvincingfrom
theprofessionalaspectbutalsofitwellintoourcorporatecul-
ture�

remunerationandtheperformancepool�Thecompensation
considerstheemployee’sindividualperformanceandremuner-
atestherespectivetargetachievement�Theperformancepool
considerstheperformanceoftheBaloiseGroupwherebythe
employee’ssuperiordecidesontheindividualallocation�

We aRe a HigHly QualiFieD, leaRning oRganisation
Inanew,integratedconcept,weintroducedperformanceman-
agement,developmentplanning,successionplanningandtalent
identificationGroup-widein2011�Themainobjectiveofthe
integratedperformancemanagementistoembedacultureof
performance,trustandcontinuouslearningatBaloise�Sys-
tematic discussions were conducted with our employees in
ordertofixindividualgoals,evaluatetheseanddefineoppor-
tunitiesfordevelopment�Thisprocesswassupportedwitha
uniformsystemacrosstheGroupforthefirsttimein2011�The
majorfocusofthisintegratedprocessistheregulardialogue
betweenmanagementandemployees�Thisaimstoestablish
guidanceandclarityregardingmutualgoalsandcontinuous
learningbydefiningindividualdevelopmenttargetsandmeas-
ures�

TheGroup-widesuccessionplanningbuildsonthedevelop-
mentdialogue,contributessignificantlytothestrategicstaffing
plansandensuresthatkeypositionsarestaffedoverthelong-
term�In2011,63%ofkeypositionswerefilledwithinternal
candidates�Atotalof268keypositionswerediscussedand
examinedregardingpotentialshort-termemergencysolutions
andlong-termsuccessionplanning�Furthermore,inthecourse
ofthisprocess,talentswereidentifiedthatshowoutstanding
capacitytoachieveandpossessthepotentialtoassumeexecu-
tivetasksandresponsibility�

PeRFoRmance anD Results aRe WHat counts 
ThenewperformancemanagementisineffectsinceJanuary
2011,alsoregardingremunerationandistiedcloselytotheHR
coreprocesses�Baloiseoffersanattractivebasicsalary,plans
forvariableremunerationaswellasprogrammesforemployee
participationandretention�Individualperformanceandresults
aswellasthecompany’ssuccessformthebasisforthevariable
remuneration�Thevariableremunerationiscomposedofthe

Partofthevariableremunerationispaidinblockedshares
–seniorstafflevelsreceiveobligatoryshares�Thisstrengthens
thebondbetweenBaloiseandemployeesaswellasaligningthe
compensationwiththelong-termsuccessofthebusiness�

TheelementsoftheremunerationguidelinesoftheBaloise

Groupare:
→ Competitivenessonthemarket
→ Considerationofcompanyandindividualperformance
→ Fairnessandtransparency
→ Sustainability

We inVest sPeciFically in continuous aDVanceD  

tRaining
In2009Baloisecreatedaninnovativedevelopmentprogramme
forthemostseniorstaffmembersandselectedemployeesthe
StrategicLeadershipProgramme(SLP)�The2011programme
focussedonthecooperationbetweentheparticipantsaswell
asthestructureandthedevelopmentofstrategicskills�The150
SLPparticipantsworkedonexperttopicssuchaspricingorrisk
managementaswellasonleadershiptopicsandimprovedthem-
selvesandtheirteamsintheseareas�Knowledgetransferand
networkingbetweentheparticipantsaresupportedbyanan-
nualmeeting;thelastwasinSeptember2011inJesteburg,Ger-
many�TheparticipantsdevelopedasetofGroup-wideconduct
principles� These principles of conduct derived from brand
positioningwillbeadoptedacrosstheBaloiseGroupbeginning
in2012�

Everyyear30mid-managementexecutivesfromallGroup
departmentsparticipateintheAdvancedManagementPro-
gramme(AMP)�Thisfocusesontheareasstrategy,leadership
andgrowth�In2011,theAMPparticipantsaddressedtheissue
“Valuesinstakeholderdialogue”aswellhowwecanembedour
brandvaluessustainablyandnoticeablyinthecompanyand
makethemvisible�ApilotManagementDevelopmentProgramme
(MDP)wascarriedoutforthefirsttimein2011,inorderto

36

Sustainable business management
Human Resources

preparetalentedjuniorstafffromtheareasfinanceandasset
managementtoassumeinitialmanagementresponsibilities�

Wealsopromoteourjuniorstaffatlocallevels�IntheGroup
sectorSwitzerland,theemphasiswasoncoachingandteam
developmentaswellasthepilotingofaprogrammefornew
executivemanagers(StarterKit)andthecontinuationofthe
LeadershipTransformationProgramme(LTP)�The“StarterKit”
providesparticipantsorientationfortheirnewrole�Inaddition,
theydeveloptheirownscriptfortheirsuccessfulstartinthe
leadershiprole�IntheLeadershipTransformationProgramme,
the participants work as effective teams in real business
processesinthemostimportantstrategicprojects,initiatives
anddepartments�Theprojectsandsectorsthatareaccompanied
bytheLTParenoticeablymoresuccessfulandsobecomerole
modelsforourlearningandmanagementculture�

HigHly aDaPtaBle anD FleXiBle
ThemergingoftheBaloiseGroupGermanyhasbegunafter
agreementswiththeemployeecouncilcommitteeshavebeen
successfullycompleted�Asharedbrandaswellasmutualcor-
porateandconductvaluesarethefundamentalelementsofthis
process�Specificdevelopmentmeasuresregardingchangeman-
agementarebeingprovidedforprojectleadersandmanagers
inordertosupporttheintegrationphaseasbestpossible�

AfurthermilestonewasreachedinJanuary2012whenthe
newGroup-widestaffinformationandaccountingsystemwas
introduced�Forthefirsttime,allemployeedataoftheBaloise
GroupGermanyisbeingmanagedandsettledusingonecentral
system�MeaningthattheBaloiseGroupGermanyassumesthe
pioneeringroleintheBaloiseGroupontheroadtotheGroup-
wideadoptionofasingleHRinformationsystem�

In2011,weintegratedthenewlyacquiredAvérointoour
ownbusinessunitMercatorinBelgium�Theemphasisherewas
onprovidingtheemployeeswithsupportandconductingne-
gotiations with employee representatives� Furthermore, the
planningoffirststepstointegrateMercator–aswellasNateus,
whichwasboughtatalaterdate–couldbeexpedited�

Baloise’s 9,141 emPloyees in 2011 By countRy

  Switzerland  

  Germany  

  Belgium 

  Croatia and Serbia 

  Luxembourg  

  Austria 

  Liechtenstein  

  Others 

in percent 

Employees

41.0 

29.0 

15.2 

9.0 

2.8 

2.5 

0.5 

0.0 

3,748

2,652

1,389

820

256

228

44

4

Baloise PRomotes inteRnal moBilit y 
In2010,welaidthefoundationsforevenstrongeron-the-job
development by bringing performance management, talent
identification and development planning together to form
aGroup-wideTalentManagementSystem�Wewanttousethis
tosystematicallyexpandinternalpromotionaswellasinternal
mobility�Thismeansthatemployeesthatperformwellandhave
potentialwillfindevenmoreopportunitieswithinBaloisein
future�

DiVeRsit y anD PaRtneRsHiP WitH tHe emPloyees 
45�8%(2010:45�1%)ofallemployeesand20�9%(2010:20�0%)
ofseniormanagementarewomen�Baloisedoesnottolerateany
formofdiscrimination�Themanagementofourbusinessunits
andthoseresponsibleforHRmattersensurethatthismaxim
isfollowed;theyaresupportedinthisbytheinternalCompli-
anceNetwork�Baloisepromotesitsemployeessolelyonthe
basisoftheirperformance,theirpotentialandtheiridentifica-
tionwithcorporatevalues�

FormanyyearsBaloisehasactivelyprovidedsupportinhealth
issues�BaslerSwitzerlandreceivedthelabel“FriendlyWork-
Space”in2010�TheSwisshealthpromotionboardawardsthis
qualitysealtocompaniesthatputtheiremployeesatthecentre
andpromotecorporatehealthmanagementbeyondthemanda-
toryguidelines�Weaimtocreateworkplacesandaworkenvi-
ronmentinwhichouremployeesfeelgood,stayhealthyandso
deliververygoodperformance�Ourhealthmanagementincludes

 
Sustainable business management
Human Resources

37

mentlevelfromtopmanagementtojuniortalentsaccordingto
theirindividualrequirements�Junioremployeeswillmeetex-
periencedmanagers,thuscreatingacomprehensiveplatform
fornetworking,knowledgetransferandexploringtheconduct
principlesofBaloise�

group Human Resources in social media  
→ Facebook:www�facebook�com/baloisegroup
→ YouTube:www�youtube�com/baloisegroup
→ XING:www�xing�com/companies/BALOISEGROUP
→ Twitter:twitter�com/baloise_jobs

www.baloise.com/careers  
→  Attractive employer 
→  Staff development
→  Our employees  
→  Job openings 

severaldifferentmeasurestopromoteemployeehealth-aware-
ness at the workplace and in general by providing midday
seminars,workshops,informationeventsandothercampaigns�
Wesupportthework-lifebalanceofouremployeeswithflexible
workinghoursandpart-timemodelsaswellasthecrècheatthe
headquartersinBasel�Ourconditionsofemployment,working
methodsandequipmentaswellasourstaffmanagement,de-
velopmentandretentiontoolsarecontinuouslyrevisedand
optimisedregardinghealthcareandprotectionaspects�With
thiscommitmenttopromotinghealth,Baloiseisalsohonour-
ingitsbrandpromise“Makingyousafer”withregardtoits
employees�

Baloise in Dialogue WitH emPloyee RePResentatiVes  
Baloiserespectstherightofeveryemployeetobeorbecome
amemberofanemployeerepresentationbody�Wemaintain
direct, transparent and constructive dialogue with all em-
ployeerepresentativesandcommittees�

Employeesfromeverynationalsubsidiaryarerepresented
intheBaloiseEuropeanForum�Wethusprovideemployee
representativeswithdirectaccesstotheCorporateExecutive
Committee,aswellaspromotingcommunicationonalocal
level�Atwo-daymeetingoftheEuropeanForumandtheem-
ployerrepresentativewasheldinHamburg,Germany,inMay
2011�

AllBaloiseemployeesarerepresentedbyemployeeboards,

workscouncils,tradeunionsorotheremployeecommittees�

outlook 2012 
In2012,theexistingprogrammestotrainanddevelopjunior
andexecutivestaffwillbegroupedunderoneroofasacorporate
universityaspartofourstaffingstrategy�Byinstitutionalising
employeetraininganddevelopment,Baloisedemonstratesits
long-termcommitmenttodevelopitsemployeesinaccordance
withourvalue“Developandengage–yourselfandothers!”

TheCorporateUniversitywillbebasedonanintegratedrange
ofcoursesandaconsistentlearningarchitecture�Thefuture
coursesthatwillbeafurtherdevelopmentoftheexistingpro-
grammeswillmeanthattheimportantbusinessmanagement
andcontrollingskillscanbecommunicatedtoeverymanage-

38

Sustainable business management
Ecology

Long-term protection of the environment

In 1995 Baloise signed the UNEP * Insurance Industry Declaration. In our environmental mission 
statement, we commit ourselves, amongst other things, to continuously reduce our direct 
impact on the environment by planning, building and managing corporate real estate, in order 
to save resources. The same principles and criteria apply to our procurement management.

eFFicient use oF ResouRces
Usingphotovoltaicsystemsontheflatroofsofthebuildingsof
ourGroupheadquartersinBasel,itwaspossibletogenerate
100,000kWh/aelectricityonanareaof660m2�Technicalad-
justmentsinvolvinginvestmentsofthesameorderwouldmean
thattheelectricityconsumptioninourcomputercentrescould
becutfivefold�Followingtheeconomiclogicoffacilitatingthe
mostefficientuseofresources,Baloisehasdecidedtocarryout
energysavingmeasuresinitscomputercentresoverthenext
twoyears�

eneRgy eFFiciency in comPuteR centRes 
Basler Switzerland cut its energy consumption by encasing
otherwiseopenracksthatholdtheservers�Encasingtheserver,
computerandcontrolunitscompletelyseparatedthecoldand
warmairzones,thussignificantlyreducingthevolumeofair
thathastobecooled�Wewereabletosavealmost500,000kWh
peryearwhilstmaintainingthesameperformanceloadinour
computercentres�Thisamountstoabout30percentofthetotal
electricityconsumptionrequiredforairconditioning(cooling,
heating,humidifying)inourcomputercentres,or4�5%ofthe
electricitycurrentlyusedinourheadquarterswithover2,000
workplacesandthecentralfunctionssuchascomputercentres
andstaffcanteen�Thehardwareenclosureandtheoptimisation
ofairconditioninginthefirstcomputercentrearescheduled
for2012�

saVing PaPeR anD co2 WitH e-PRocuRement
ForovertenyearsBaloiseSwitzerlandhashandledordersfor
consumablesandthecorrespondinginvoicingelectronically
with its suppliers, in other words paperless� This results in
areducedresourceuseofpaperandelectricity�Swisscom,which
operatesConextrade–theelectronictradingmarketweuse–,

has had these measures assessed and certified by the non-
profitfoundationmyclimate�Sincetheintroductionofe-pro-
curement,Baloisewasabletosaveover4tonnesofCO2�

ReDucing co2 By tRain 
Employeesareencouragedtousethetrainfortravellingon
businesswhereverpossible�Thetrainticketsfordomesticand
internationaltravelareorderedthroughtheSwissRailways’
orderingportal“SBBBusinesstravel”andprintedoutatthe
workplace� Waiting times at the ticket counter and time-
consumingexpenseclaimsareeliminated�Aspartofitsservice,
theSBBassessesrailtravelandevaluatesitregardingCO2emis-
sion�In20112,320,160passengerkilometresweretravelledon
businessbytraininSwitzerland�Thisamountedtosavingsof
163,679litresoffuelcomparedtotravelbycar�CO2emissions
amountingto443tonnesperyearwereavoided,whichroughly
correspondstotheCO2emissionsof175detachedMinergie
housesoverayear�

oPtimisation Pays oFF 
Furtherprogressregardingenergyconsumptionwasachieved
in2011aspartoftheenergyoptimisationmeasuresinthenew
businesspremisesofBaloiseGermanyinBadHomburg�A6%
reductioninelectricityconsumptionanda28%reductionof
gasforheatingwasachievedbyadjustingoperatingtimesand
optimisingthetechnicalsystems�

eco-eFFiciency in oPeRation 
Thematerialandenergyflowsincludetheconsumptionofthe
large,operationallyusedofficebuildingandcomputercentres
in Switzerland� We record the energy and material flows of

* UNEP = United Nations Environment Programme.

Sustainable business management
Ecology

39

enViRonmental auDit

Employees

Energy reference area

Locations

Electricity consumption

Heating consumption

Water consumption

Paper consumption

Paper types

Copy paper consumption

Amount of refuse

Types of refuse

Business travel

Mode of transport

2009 absolute

2010 absolute

2011 absolute

Relative unit

5,427

164,927

13

4,667

142,872

13

4,800

140,997

13

headcount

ERA m2

number of buildings

27,591,295 KWh

23,506,845 KWh

22,859,388 kWh

4,762 kWh / employee

14,991,052 KWh

13,194,068 KWh

12,110,484 kWh

86 kWh / m2

77,737 m3

61,053 m3

61,968 m3

52 l / employee / day

832 t

765 t

684 t

143 kg / employee

+ / – %

2.8

– 1.3

0.0

– 2.8

– 8.2

1.5

– 10.6

8.0 % recycled

80.0 % chlorine-free

12.0 % chlorine-bleached

90.7 million A4 
sheets

99.4 million A4 
sheets

91.2 million a4 
sheets

19,008 A4 sheets / employee

– 8.2

1,184 t

1,039 t

928 t

193 kg / employee

– 18.5

51.0 % paper / cardboard

6.0 % other materials

2.0 % special waste

41.0 % misc. waste / refuse

23.46 million km

16.01 million km

18.32 million km

3,817 km / employee

14.4

26.6 % km by air

40.2 % km by road

33.2 % km by public 

transport

CO2 emissions

20,687 t

16,575 t

16,591 t

3,456 kg / employee

0.1

The 2010 figures for the Austrian subsidiary were adopted due to technical reasons.

nearly53%ofthe9,141employeesoftheBaloiseGroup�The
heatenergyrequirementwas9%lowerduetothewarmwinter�
TheelectricalenergyconsumptioninSwitzerlandincreased
becauseseveralcomputercentresoftheBaloiseGroupwere
pooledtogether�However,itwascorrespondinglylowerinthe
respectivenationalcompanies�Ourgoaltoreduceenergycon-
sumptionannuallyby2%to3%from2004to2013wasachieved
in2011�Theenvironmentalchangesaswellastherisingenergy

pricesandcostsobligeandmotivateusasaresponsiblecom-
panytouseresourcesefficiently�

www.baloise.com/sustainability 
→  Ecology / Environmental mission statement
→  Ecology / Ecology audit 
→  Risk Management
→  Interview with Rolf Schäuble at the 2007 General Meeting

40

Sustainable business management
Risk Management

Our risk management is an important 
cornerstone of our business model.

As an integral component of Baloise strategic management, risk management makes a major 
contribution to the Group’s positioning. As a European insurance company with Swiss roots, 
we possess a strong balance sheet and a high degree of operational earning power, which have 
been optimised in relation to risks taken on the one hand and earnings opportunities on the 
other.  

RiskmanagementatBaloiseisbothriskandvaluemanagement�
Ourriskmodelisbasedoninnovativestandards,meaningthat
wecanalwayskeepour“Makingyousafer”promise�

In2011,Standard&Poor’sagainawardedtheEnterpriseRisk
ManagementofBaloisetheverygoodrating“strong�”Weare
thereforeamongthebest15%ofallEuropeaninsurers�

Ourriskmanagementisauniformstrategicandoperational
systemthatappliesthroughouttheGroupandhasthefollowing
subsections:
→ Riskmap:thisformsthebackboneofriskconsiderations
anddefinesbasicriskissues,suchasunderwritingand
marketrisksaswellasoperationalbusinessrisks�

→ Riskgovernanceandriskculture:thisinvolvesfostering
andfirmlyembeddingriskawareness,handlingandper-
ceptionthroughouttheentireorganisation�

→ Riskmeasurement:thisidentifies,quantifiesandmodels

therisksinallbusinessandfinancialprocesses�

→ Riskprocesses:riskorganisation,andthestandardsthat
applytoit,areimportantaspectsofriskmanagement,in
conjunctionwithmanagement,reportingandevaluation
processes�

→ StrategicRiskManagement:itstaskistosimultaneously
optimisetheriskstakenbytheGroupanditsearnings
opportunities�

tHe Risk maP
Theriskmapdistinguishesbetweenthedifferentcategoriesof
risktowhichBaloiseisexposed:
→ Underwritingrisks
→ Marketrisks
→ Financialstructurerisks
→ Businessenvironmentrisks

→ Operationalrisks
→ Strategic/informationrisks
Adetaileddescriptioncanbefoundonpage113ofthesection
FinancialReport�

Theriskmapisembeddedintheorganisationandthere-
sponsibilitiesoftheentireGroup�Eachriskisassignedtoarisk
owner(withoverallresponsibility)andtoaseparateriskcon-
troller(riskmonitoringandcontrol)�

Risk goVeRnance anD Risk cultuRe
Expansionofriskgovernanceandriskculturehasalongtradi-
tionatBaloise�Wecontinuouslyworktoimprovethisculture
throughouttheentireorganisation�Appointedriskownersand
riskcontrollersforspecificriskissuesisasmuchapartofthis
cultureasmembershipofcommitteesthatmeetregularlyto
dealwithriskissues�Atthesametime,riskmodelsandpro-
cessesarecontinuallyimproved�2009sawthecompletionof
aprojecttoupgradetheinternalcontrolsystem(ICS)�

BaloiseriskorganisationincludestheGroupRiskCommit-
teeandlocalRiskCommitteesinallbusinessunits�Thesecom-
mitteesconsistofmembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCom-
mittee or members of the local management� They are
responsiblefortakingriskstrategydecisions�

Specialboardsalsopreparedecisiondocumentsrelatingto
specificriskareas,suchasasset/liabilitymanagement,compli-
ance, IT risks and allocation, for these committees� This is
rounded off by close cooperation between the Group’s Risk
Managementteamandlocalriskexperts�Thiscomprehensive
riskorganisationisourplatformforsharingandcontinuous
furtherdevelopmentof“bestpractices�”

Sustainable business management
Risk Management

41

GroupRiskManagementisresponsiblefor:

→ thedevelopmentofconsistent,mandatoryriskmodels

acrosstheGroup,

→ themonitoringofstandardsacrosstheGroup,
→ reporting,
→ compliancewithriskprocesses,
→ communicationwithexternalpartnerssuchasauditors,

corporatesupervisorybodiesandratingagencies�

Thebusinessunitsareresponsibleforlocallyimplementing
Groupspecifications�OverallresponsibilitylieswiththeGroup’s
ChiefFinancialOfficer,followedbytheHeadofFinancialMan-
agement�Ultimateresponsibilitywithregardtorisktolerance,
businessobjectives,RiskManagementstrategyandstandards
isinthehandsoftheBoardofDirectorsofBâloiseHoldingLtd�

Risk measuRement
Ourriskmodelstandardisesquantificationofallbusinessand
financialmarketrisksinallstrategicbusinessunits�Itisinline
withtheprinciplesandcalculationmethodsoftheSwissSol-
vencyTestandtheEuropeanUnion’sSolvencyIIguidelines�
Asapioneeringriskmanagementtool,itprovidesafirmfoun-
dationtoenablemanagementtomakestrategicandoperational
decisions�

Baloise’smodelsarebasedontheconceptofeconomicrisk
capital–currentlythemostadvancedmarketstandard�Todo
this,atargetcapitalfigureisderived,solelyonthebasisofrisk
calculationconsiderations–irrespectiveoffinancialaccounting
treatmentorcapitaladequacyregulationsasperSolvencyI–to
enablethecompanytoremainsolvent,eveninadversecircum-
stances,andtomeetitsobligationstopolicyholdersatanytime�
Weconstantlycomparethistargetcapitalfigurewithexisting
capital,i�e�actualcapital�

Inadditiontothisintegratedriskmodel,weusetheriskmap
toidentify,describeandassessspecificrisksinrelationtotheir
likelyimpactonbusinessresults�Ourcorporatedatabaseof
specificrisks,whichincludesdetaileddescriptionsofrisks,their
incorporationintheriskmapandearlywarningindicators,is
generatedfromthisstandardprocess�Onthequantitativeside,
thisdescriptioniscomplementedbythemeasurementofrisks
inrespectoftheirlikelyfinancialimpactonthecompany’s

balancesheet�Eachriskisrecordedtogetherwithadescription
ofrisk-minimisingactiontobetaken�Thedatabaseisupdated
everysixmonths�

Thiscombinationofanoverallriskmodelontheonehand,
andthespecificriskapproachontheother,ensuresthatBaloise
hasanappropriateriskoverviewatalltimes�

Risk PRocesses
“Group-wideRiskManagementStandards”laymandatoryfoun-
dationsforriskprocesses�Thissetofrulesspecifiesmandatory
methods,rulesandcaps/floorsacrosstheGroup�Thesestand-
ardsdeterminehowdifferentriskissuesareassessed,managed
andreported�Asystemofrisklimits,whichfunctionasearly
warningindicators,reducestheriskstaken�

In order to comprehensively limit risk at an aggregated
level,theGroupusesasystemoflimitsbasedoneconomicrisk
capital�ThissystemtrackstheGroup’sandindividualbusiness
units’riskcapitalinrealtime�Wealsomonitorindividual,
issue-specificrisks,usinglimits,asillustratedinthefollowing
examples:
→ Theunderwritingrisksarebasedonunderwritingguide-
lines,onwhichlocalunderwritersbasedtheirdecisions�
Excessanalysescalculatedusingriskmathematicsgo
handinhandwithkeyreinsurancepolicies�

→ Wemonitormarketandfinancialstructurerisksinall
investmentunits,usingawiderangeofreportingpro-
cesses�Thereare,forexample(inadditiontomaximum
limitsforshareexposure),clearmandatoryguidelines
forbondratings�Creditrisksareassessedusingnotonly
the“BaselII”approach,butalsoadvancedstatistical
methods�

→ Businessenvironmentrisksandoperationalandstrategic
risksareindividuallyrecordedusingstandardprocedures
andweassesstheirimpactoncapital�

Riskreportscoveringhalfayeararediscussedwithdecision-
makersinordertoderiveappropriatemeasures�Weuseour
monthlyriskanalysistoreviewtheoverallsolvencyposition,
focusingoncapitalinvestmentrisks�Reportstoregulatory
au-thoritiescompletethepicture�

42

Sustainable business management
Risk Management

CHFandUSD�Itwouldnothavemadeeconomicsense
tohedgeallcurrencyriskscompletely�

→ Ourshareexposurecontinuedtobeconservativein2011�
Thenetsharequotawas4�8%on31December2011�
→ Theprofitablerecurringrevenuefromoursoundreal

estateportfolioprovedtobeanimportantearningspillar�

→ Ourattentionisfocussedonmanagingtheinterestrate

risk�Here,westrivetosettlefutureyears’financialliabilities
toourcustomersbymainlyusingreturnsfromour
investments�Theprofitablerecurringrevenuefromour
soundrealestateportfolioservesuswellintheprocess�
Inaddition,weinvestinlong-term,securebondsinthe
CHFandeurozonesandcomplementthesebyapplying
derivativeinstrumentssuchasswaptions�

→ Ouractuarialpractice,however,showslastingreliability:
theGroup’snetcombinedratioof95�5%demonstratesour
verygoodactuarialpracticeinnonlifebusinessandthis
despitemajorclaimsamountingtoCHF140�8million�

Riskmanagementwillcontinuetodeveloprapidlyoverthenext
fewyearsandwillconfirmBaloise’sstandingasacompanythat
hasaverygoodriskstrategyandpositioning�

Furtherinformationonriskmanagementcanbefoundin
the2011FinancialReport“5�Managementofinsuranceand
financialrisks”,pages111to147�

stRategic Risk management
Ourinternalriskmodel,whichquantifiesallbusinessandfi-
nancialmarketrisksinastandardmanner,alsoformsthebasis
ofstrategicdiscussionsaboutBaloise’sreadinesstotakerisks�
Thecapitalrequirementsderivedfromthismodelrepresent
minimumactualcapitalrequirementsinthisregard�

Thereisacomprehensiveviewofprimarystrategicrisksand
how to manage them� Strategic risk management provides
aclearperspectiveondevelopingnewareasofbusinessand
optimisingtherisk-returnratioofourexistingbusiness�

Resultstargetsforindividualbusinessunits,whichtaketheir
specificrisksituationintoaccount,areakeyelementofthis
controlsystem�Thesespecificationsareincludedinthetarget
agreementswithlocalmanagement�

2011 Became tHe yeaR in WHicH ouR PRoFessional Risk 

management Was Put to tHe test 
Baloise’sprinciplesregardingriskstrategiesaregearedtothe
long-termandhelpedkeepusoncourseduringthefinancial
stormin2011�ThisisprovenbyGroupsolvency,whichcon-
tinuestobeveryhighat203%,agoodtestimonyoftheGroup’s
financialstrength�

2011wasalsotheyearinwhichnewunderwritingap-

proacheswereapplied�
→ Fundamentally,theinvestmentstrategyoftheBaloise

Groupcontinuestofocusondiversification,committedto
theprincipleofonlyinvestingininstrumentsthatwe
ourselvescanassesscompletelyandexactly�Wherethere
wasnomarket(aswasthecaseforGreekgovernment
bondsforexample)so-called“mark-to-model”methods
hadtobeadoptedonalargerscaleduringtheyearfor
thefirsttime�Itisourphilosophyinthisregardtoapply
modelvaluesconservativelyinordertoavoidtheriskof
additionaldepreciationatalaterdatewhereverpossible�

→ Itisunprecedentedthattheeurocurrencyzoneandthe

creditworthinessofindividualeurocountriescameunder
somuchpressure,includingandespeciallyfroman
underwritingstandpoint�Wetookstepstominimiseand
hedgetherisksinthisrespect�Theseincludedmanaging
theexchangerateriskbetweenCHFandEURaswellas

4  Baloise
14 Review of business year
34  Sustainable Business Management 
44  Corporate Governance
82  Financial Report 
224  Bâloise Holding Ltd
238  Notes

e
C
N
a
N
R
e
v
o
G
e
t
a
R
o
p
R
o
C

Corporate
Governance

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT  
INCLUDING COMPENSATION REPORT ����������������������������������������������� 44
Groupandshareholderstructure���������������������������������������������������� 44
Capitalstructure�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 45
BoardofDirectors����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 46
CorporateExecutiveCommittee������������������������������������������������������ 53
CompensationReport���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 57
Shareholderparticipationrights������������������������������������������������������� 77
Changeofcontrolanddefensiveaction���������������������������������������� 77
Auditors�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 78 
Informationpolicy���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 79

 
44

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

transparent  
Corporate Governance

as a value-creating company, Baloise always placed great emphasis on good management 
by practising responsible corporate governance and continues this tradition. 

OperatinginlinewiththeSwissCodeofBestPracticeandthe
SIXCorporateGovernanceGuidelines,Baloiseaspiresinpar-
ticulartofosteracorporateculturewithhighethicalstandards,
whichemphasisestheintegrityofthecompanyanditsemploy-
ees�Baloiseisconvincedthathigh-qualitycorporategovernance
hasapositiveimpactonthelong-termperformanceofthecom-
pany�

ThischaptermirrorsthestructureoftheSIXCorporateGov-
ernanceGuidelinesintheversiondated29October2008�We
applytheseguidelinesinordertoincreasetransparencyandso
improvethecomparabilitywithpreviousyearsaswellaswith
othercompanies�TheSwissCodeofBestPracticeforCorporate
GovernancebyeconomiesuisseandinparticularAppendix1
publishedin2007withitsrecommendationsforcompensation
isalsotakenintoaccount�BaloisepublishesanactualCompen-
sationReportasitem5oftheCorporateGovernanceReport,
whichalsocomplieswiththeguidelinescontainedinthecir-
cular2010/1oftheSwissfinancialmarketsupervisoryauthor-
ityFINMA�

DrRolfSchäubleresignedfromtheBoardofDirectorsat
theAnnualGeneralMeetingon29April2011�DrRolfSchäub-
lewasinofficefor17yearsasChairmanoftheBoardofDirec-
tors�AttimeshesimultaneouslyactedasChiefExecutiveOf-
ficerforBaloiseandduringthistimecontributedconsiderably
to the company’s success� It is on this account that he was
awardedthetitleofHonoraryChairmanatthe2011Annual
GeneralMeeting�TheBoardofDirectorsappointedDrAndreas
Burckhardt,along-standingmemberoftheBoard,asthesuc-
cessortoDrRolfSchäuble�Prof�DrGertrudHöhlerresigned
fromtheBoardofDirectorsatthe2011AnnualGeneralMeet-
ingasaresultofhavingreachedtheregulatoryagelimit�She
hadbeenamemberoftheBoardofDirectorssince1998�Dr

med�Georges-AntoinedeBoccardandDriur�AndreasBeerli
werenewlyelectedattheAnnualGeneralMeetingin2011�



1. GROUP AND ShAREhOLDER STRUCTURE 

Group structure
HeadquarteredinBasel,Switzerland,BâloiseHoldingisorga-
nisedasajoint-stockholdingcompanyincorporatedunderSwiss
lawandlistedontheSIXSwissExchange�Asof31December
2011,theBaloiseGrouphadamarketcapitalisationofCHF
3,220�0million�
→ InformationontheBaloisesharecanbefoundonpage8ff�
→ Majorsubsidiariesandparticipationsasof31December

2011canbefoundinthechapterFinancialReportinthe
NotestotheConsolidatedAnnualFinancialStatements
frompage218onwards�

→ Segmentreportingbygeographicregionsandbusiness

segmentsarecontainedinthechapterFinancialReportin
theNotestotheConsolidatedAnnualFinancialState-
mentsfrompage149onwards�

→ TheoperationalGroupmanagementstructureispresented

onpage56�

Shareholders
Asapubliccompanywithabroadshareholderbase,Bâloise
HoldingispartoftheSMIM(SMIMid)andtheSLI(Swiss
LeaderIndex)�

Shareholder structure
Asof31December2011,atotalof19,866shareholderswere
registeredintheBâloiseHoldingshareregister�Comparedto
thepreviousyear,thenumberofregisteredshareholdersincreased
by1�9%�BlackRockInc�,NewYork,holds5�03%oftheout-

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

45

standingsharesdirectlyaswellasthroughitssubsidiariesac-
cordingtothedisclosureon16September2010�TheSIGNAL
IDUNAGroup,Germany,holds5�18%oftheoutstandingshares
directlyaswellasthroughitssubsidiariesaccordingtothedis-
closureon27March2009�The“Significantshareholders”section
onpage231providesfurtherinformationonthestructureof
theshareholderbaseasof31December2011�

ThereportsmadetotheissuerandtheSIXSwissExchange
AGDisclosureOfficeduringthefiscalyearpursuanttoArticle
20BEHG(FederalActonStockExchangesandSecuritiesTrad-
ing)andpublishedontheirelectronicpublicationplatformcan
beviewedusingthesearchfunctiononhttp://www�six-exchange-
regulation�com/obligations/disclosure/major_shareholders_
de�html�

Treasury shares 
Asof31December2011,BâloiseHoldingheld2,404,057trea-
suryshares(4�81%)�

Cross holdings
Crossholdingsinvolvingcapitalownershiporvotingrightsdo
notexist�

2. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Dividend policy
BâloiseHoldingpursuesapolicyofpayingsteady,profit-based
dividends�Conventionalcashdividendsaresupplementedwith
otherdistributioninstrumentssuchassharebuy-backsand
options�

Share buy-back programme
Thesharebuy-backprogramme,whichstartedinSeptember
2008,wasconcludedon28April2011�1,776,435shareswere
boughtbackatanaveragepriceofCHF79�36viathenormal
tradinglineontheSIXSwissExchange�Thiscorrespondsto
3�6%oftheoutstandingshares�Togetherwiththeremaining
223,565sharesfromthepreviousbuy-backprogramme,this
meansthatthe2,000,000equitiesrequiredtosecuretheout-
standingconvertiblebondwereachievedasplanned�

www.baloise.com  →  Investor relations  →  Baloise share
  →  Share buy-back programme

Dividends paid to shareholders
Duetoourshareholder-friendlydividendpolicy,CHF1,772�7
millionhavebeenpassedontoshareholdersintheformofcash
dividendsandsharebuy-backsoverthelastfiveyears�

Cash dividends

Share buy-backs

Total

Year in CHF million

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Total 

In each case on 31 December.

210.2

243.0

225.0

225.0

225.0

1,128.2

390.9

130.3

71.5

34.7

17.1

644.5

601.1

373.3

296.5

259.7

242.1

1,772.7

Equity of Bâloise holding
Thefollowingtableshowsthechangeinequityduringthelast
threereportingperiods�

ChANGES IN BâLOISE hOLDING EqUIT y  
(BEfORE APPROPRIATION Of PROfIT)

2009

2010

2011

in CHF million

Share capital

General reserves

Reserves for 
treasury shares

other reserves

Retained  
earnings

Bâloise holding 
equity

In each case on 31 December.

5.0

11.7

118.3

298.6

230.2

663.8

5.0

11.7

156.4

264.9

234.2

672.2

5.0

11.7

182.3

247.4

194.9

641.3

46

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
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ThesharecapitalofBâloiseHoldingamountstoCHF5�0million
since29April2008�Itisdividedinto50,000,000registeredshares
withafacevalueofCHF0�10thatbearanentitlementtodivi-
dends�

Authorised and contingent capital,  

other financing instruments

Authorised capital
TheAnnualGeneralMeetingdecidedon29April2011torenew
theresolutionfrom30April2009andextendituntil29April
2013�ThisresolutionauthorisestheBoardofDirectorstoincrease
sharecapitalbyatmostCHF500,000byissuingamaximum
of5,000,000registeredshareswithafacevalueofCHF0�10that
aretobefullysubscribedandpaidinfull�§3section4ofthe
ArticlesofIncorporationwasadaptedaccordingly�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Rules and regulations

Contingent capital
The2004AnnualGeneralMeeting(§3oftheArticlesofIncor-
poration)createdcontingentcapital�Thiscapitalenablesshare
capitaltobeincreasedbyamaximumof5,530,715registered
shares each with a face value of CHF 0�10� This equates to
amaximumnominalsharecapitalincreaseofCHF553,071�50�
Contingentcapitalservestohedgeanyoptionorconversion
rights,whicharegrantedinconjunctionwithbondsorsimilar
debentures�Shareholdersdonothavesubscriptionrights�The
respectiveholdersofoptionandconversionrightsareentitled
tosubscribetothenewregisteredshares�TheBoardofDirectors
canrestrictorexcludeshareholders’pre-emptivesubscription
rightswhenissuingoptionalandconvertiblebondsoninter-
nationalcapitalmarkets�Moredetailedinformationaboutthe
structureofthiscontingentcapitalcanbefoundin§3ofthe
BâloiseHoldingArticlesofIncorporation�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Rules and regulations

Other financing instruments
Noparticipationorbonuscertificatesexist�

Consolidated equity of the Baloise Group
On31December2011,consolidatedequityoftheBaloiseGroup
amountedtoCHF3,893�6million�Detailsabouttrendsin2010
and2011canbefoundonpages88and89intheconsolidated
statementonchangesinequityinthechapterFinancialReport
oftheconsolidatedfinancialstatement�Fulldetailson2009can
befoundintheconsolidatedstatementonchangesinequityon
page8ofthe2010FinancialReport�

Outstanding bonds 
BâloiseHoldingandoneotherGroupcompanyhaveissued
bondsontheopenmarket�Attheendof2011,atotalofseven
publicbondsissuedbyBâloiseHoldingandoneotherGroup
companywereoutstanding�Detailsontheoutstandingbonds
canbefoundonpages193and229aswellasontheInternet�
www.baloise.com  →  Investor relations  →  Bonds

Rating
TheratingagencyStandard&Poor’sassessesthefinancialstrength
oftheBaloiseInsuranceLtdunchangedwithan“A–”rating
withastableoutlook�Thisreflectsthestrongcapitalisation,the
goodoperationalearningpower,thestrongcompetitiveposition
aswellasthehighfinancialflexibilityoftheBaloiseGroup�
Group-wideriskmanagementisratedas“strong�”
www.baloise.com  →  Investor relations  →  Rating

3. BOARD Of DIRECTORS
AllmembersoftheBoardofDirectorsincludingtheChairman
arenon-executive�Inthethreefiscalyearsprecedingthereport-
ingperiod,theywerenotappointedtoanexecutivepostwith-
inanyGroupcompanyanddonotmaintainanysubstantial
businessrelationshipswiththeBaloiseGroup�

DrEvelineSaupperwasre-electedforathree-yeartermof
officeduringthereportingperiod�DrRolfSchäubledidnot
standforre-electionatthe2011AnnualGeneralMeetingand
resignedfromtheBoardofDirectors�Prof�DrGertrudHöhler
resignedfromtheBoardofDirectorsatthe2011AnnualGen-
eralMeetingasaresultofhavingreachedtheregulatoryage
limit�Drmed�Georges-AntoinedeBoccardandDrAndreas

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
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47

MoreinformationaboutthemembersoftheBoardofDirec-

torscanbefoundontheInternet�
www.baloise.com  →  About us  →  Organisation
  →  Board of Directors

Beerliwerenewlyelectedforathree-yeartermofofficeduring
thereportingperiod�

ThetermsforthedirectorsDrAndreasBurckhardt,DrHansjörg
FreiandDrKlausJennyendattheupcoming2012Annual
GeneralMeeting�DrAndreasBurckhardtandDrHansjörgFrei
willstandforre-electionforafurtherperiodofthreeyears�
DrKlausJennyisnolongeravailableforre-election�

Itwillbeproposedtothe2012AnnualGeneralMeetingto
electMrThomasPleinesasamemberoftheBoardofDirectors�
Hewasbornin1955andisaGermancitizenandlawyer�He
hasbeenamemberoftheboardofBilfingerBergerSE,Mann-
heim,presidentofthepresident’scouncilofDEKRAe�V�,Stutt-
gart,chairmanofthesupervisoryboardofDEKRASE,Stuttgart,
chairmanofthesupervisoryboardofSÜDVERSHoldingGmbH
&Co�KG,AunearFreiburg,andamemberoftheboardof
directorsofKABAHoldingAG,RümlangnearZurich,since
2011�From2006to2010MrPleineswasthechairmanofthe
boardofdirectorsofAllianzVersicherungs-AG,Munich,and
amemberoftheboardofdirectorsofAllianzDeutschland,
Munich�HewastheCEOanddelegateoftheboardofdirectors
ofAllianzSuisse,Zurich,from2003to2005�

MEMBERS 

Dr andreas Burckhardt, Chairman, 
Basel 

Dr Georg F. Krayer, vice-Chairman, 
Basel

Dr Michael Becker, Darmstadt

Dr andreas Beerli, oberwil-Lieli

Dr Georges-antoine de Boccard, 
Conches

Dr Hansjörg Frei, Mönchaltorf 

Dr Klaus Jenny, Zurich 

Werner Kummer, Küsnacht 

Dr eveline Saupper, pfäffikon 

Chairman’s  
Committee

Audit 
Committee

Compensation  
Committee

Investment  
Committee

Nationality

Born in

Appointed in

End  
of mandate

C

vC

M

M

M

M

M

C

C

M

DC

M

C

DC

M

M

CH 

CH 

D 

CH 

CH 

CH 

CH 

CH 

CH 

1951

1999

2012

1943

1995

2013

1948

1951

1951

1941

1942

1947

1958

2010

2011

2011

2004

2003

2000

1999

2013

2014

2014

2012

2012

2013

2014

C: Chairman, vC: vice-Chairman, C: Chair, DC: Deputy Chair, M: Member.

48

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
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andreas Burckhardt

Georg F. Krayer

Michael Becker

andreas Beerli

Georges-antoine de Boccard

Hansjörg Frei

Klaus Jenny

Werner Kummer

eveline Saupper

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
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49

Andreas Burckhardt (1951,CH,Driur�)hasbeenasmemberof
the Board of Directors since 1999 and its Chairman since
29April2011�HestudiedjurisprudenceattheUniversitiesof
BaselandGeneva�HeworkedforFidesTreuhandgesellschaft
from1982until1987andservedasSecretaryGeneralofthe
BaloiseGroupfrom1988until1994�HewastheDirectorofthe
BaselChamberofCommercefrom1994toApril2011�Inthis
role,hecontributedtovariousgoverningbodiesofnationaland
regionaleconomicorganisations�From1981to2011,DrAndreas
BurckhardtwasengagedinpoliticalfunctionsinBaselCity,
from1997to2011asamemberoftheGreatCouncilofthe
CantonofBaselCity(Presidentin2006/2007)�Heisanon-
executivememberoftheboardofdirectorsofCarlSpaeterAG�

Reasof1979�From1985to1993,heheldvariousmanagement
postsatBaloise,thefocusbeingonsupervisingandsupporting
differentforeignunits�AfterthathereturnedtoSwissRe,where
hewasamemberofgroupmanagementasof2000,firstinthe
USasHeadSwissReAmericasand,mostrecently,asChief
OperatingOfficerforthewholegroupinZurich�Since2009,
hehasbeenanindependentadvisoronmanagementandadvi-
soryboardsofcompaniesandprofessionalassociations�Dr
AndreasBeerliisamemberoftheboardofIronshoreEurope
Inc�, Dublin, a member of the advisory board of Accenture
SchweizandPresidentoftheSwissAdvisoryCouncilofthe
American Swiss Foundation� He is an independent, non-
executivedirector�

Georg f. Krayer (1943,CH,Driur�LLB)hasbeenamemberof
theBoardofDirectorssince1995anditsVice-Chairmansince
2004�From6December2007until31December2008healso
fulfilledtheroleofLeadDirector�Hestudiedjurisprudence�
DrGeorgF�KrayerisHonoraryChairmanoftheBoardofDi-
rectorsatBankSarasin&CieAG,Basel,andwastheChairman
oftheSwissBankersAssociationuntil2003�Heisamemberof
theboardsofRhenusAlpinaAG,WelinvestAG,HacoHolding
AGaswellasbeingChairmanoftheBoardoftheBeyeler
MuseumAG�DrKrayerisindependentandnon-executive�

Georges-Antoine  de  Boccard  (1951, CH, Dr med�) has been
a member of the Board of Directors since 2011� He studied
medicineattheUniversityofGeneva�Hehasbeenaself-employed,
practising urological surgeon in Geneva since 1987� Dr
Georges-AntoinedeBoccardisamemberoftheCitadelFinance
SAandwasthepresidentoftheSwissAssociationofUrology
from2005to2006�HeisamemberoftheSwissAssociationof
Urology,theEuropeanAssociationofUrologyinadditionto
beingamemberoffurtherassociationsandsocietiesrelatedto
hisprofession�DrdeBoccardisindependentandnon-executive�

Michael Becker (1948,D,Driur�)hasbeenamemberofthe
BoardofDirectorssince2010�HestudiedlawinHamburgand
TübingenandtookoverthepositionHeadofAccountingand
ControllingatMerckKGaA,Darmstadtin1998�Hewasamem-
berofseniormanagementandgeneralpartnerofthepublicly
listedcompanyMerckKGaAasof2000,andsince2002amem-
beroftheexecutiveboardandgeneralpartnerofE�MerckKG,
Darmstadt,thatholds70%ofMerckKGaAshares�Duetohav-
ingreachedtheagreedretirementage,heresignedfromboth
functions at the end of 2011� He is an independent, non-
executivedirector�

Andreas Beerli (1951,CH,Driur�)isamemberoftheBoardof
Directorssince2011�HestudiedlawattheUniversityofBasel�
HeworkedasanunderwriterfortheGermanmarketatSwiss

hansjörg frei (1941,CH,Driur�)hasbeenamemberoftheBoard
ofDirectorssince2004�Hegraduatedinjurisprudencefrom
theUniversityofZurich�DrHansjörgFreijoinedWinterthur
in1982andwasmostrecentlyamemberoftheGroupExecutive
Board,withresponsibilityforoperationsinSwitzerland�From
2000untilhisretirementinmid-2003,hewasamemberofthe
ExecutiveBoard(HeadofInternationalCountryManagement)
atCreditSuisseFinancialServices�HewasChairmanofthe
SwissInsuranceAssociation(SIA)from2000to2003�DrHansjörg
FreiisamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsofEms-Chemie
HoldingAGandChairmanofthePensionFundattheEms
Group�Heisanindependent,non-executivedirector�

50

Corporate Governance
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Klaus Jenny (1942,CH,Droec�HSG)hasbeenamemberofthe
BoardofDirectorssince2003�Hegraduatedinbusinessscience
fromtheUniversityofSt�Gallen�In1987DrKlausJennybecame
a member of the General Directorate of the Schweizerische
KreditanstaltandamemberoftheExecutiveBoardofCredit
SuisseGroupandhislastpostwasCEOofthe“CreditSuisse
PrivateBanking”businessunit�Hehasbeenanindependent
financialadvisortobusinessesandprivateindividualssince
1999�HeisamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsofClariantAG,
ofMausFrèresS�A�,ofEdmonddeRothschildHoldingS�A�,of
theBanquePrivéeEdmonddeRothschildS�A�,ofTéléverbier
S�A�andvariousother(non-listed)companies�DrKlausJenny
isanindependent,non-executivedirector�

Werner Kummer (1947,CH,Dipl�-Ing�ETH,MBAInsead)has
beenamemberoftheBoardofDirectorssince2000�From1990
to1994,hewasChairmanoftheExecutiveBoardofSchindler
AufzügeAGandsubsequentlywasamemberoftheSchindler
GroupManagementCommittee,withresponsibilityfortheAsia
Pacificregion,until1998�HewasCEOofForboHoldingAG
from1998untilMarch2004�WernerKummerisanindepen-
dentmanagementconsultant,amemberoftheboardatWalter
MeierAG,ChairmanoftheBoardoftheGebrüderMeierAG,
amemberoftheSupervisoryBoardofSchindlerDeutschland

HoldingGmbH,amemberoftheboardatCostantiniAGas
wellasamemberoftheexecutiveboardoftheZurichChamber
ofCommerce�Heisanindependent,non-executivedirector�

Eveline Saupper (1958,CH,Driur�)hasbeenamemberofthe
BoardofDirectorssince1999�Shestudiedjurisprudenceatthe
UniversityofSt�Gallen�Sheisanattorney-at-lawandacertified
tax expert� From 1983 to 1985, she was with Peat Marwick
Mitchell(nowKPMGFides)inZurichandfrom1985to1992
with Baker&McKenzie in Zurich and Chicago� She joined
Homburger AG, Zurich in 1992, where she is a partner� Dr
EvelineSaupperisamemberoftheboardofdirectorsatHom-
burgerAG,Zurich�Until31December2011shewasmember
oftheboardofdirectorsofHessHoldingSA,Luxembourg,
includingsubsidiariesoftheHessgroup�Shehasbeenamem-
beroftheboardofdirectorsofHofstettler,Kramarsch&Part-
nerAGsinceNovember2011�DrSaupperisanindependent
andnon-executivedirector�

SecretaryoftheBoardofDirectors:DrThomasSieber,Rhein-
felden(asof2012AnnualGeneralMeetingAndreasEugster,
OberwilBL)�HeadofGroupInternalAudit:Rolf-Christian
Andersen,Meilen�

BOARD ATTENDANCE 2011: ORDINARy MEETINGS Of ThE fULL BOARD Of DIRECTORS

Dr Rolf Schäuble, Chairman

Dr andreas Burckhardt 

Dr Georg F. Krayer, vice-Chairman

Dr Michael Becker

Dr andreas Beerli

Dr Georges-antoine de Boccard

Dr Hansjörg Frei 

prof. Dr Gertrud Höhler 

Dr Klaus Jenny 

Werner Kummer 

Dr eveline Saupper 

x = present, o = absent, n / a = not applicable.

10.3.2011

29.4.2011

25.8.2011

7.12.2011

8.12.2011

x

x

x

x

n / a

n / a

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

n / a

n / a

x

x

x

x

x

n / a

n / a

n / a

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

n / a

n / a

n / a

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Corporate Governance
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51

Cross-ownerships
Nocross-ownershipsexist�

Election and terms of office
Attheendof2011,theBoardofDirectorsconsistedofnine
members�EachmemberiselectedbytheAnnualGeneralMeet-
ingforatermofthreeyears�Aroundone-thirdofthemembers
stepdownannuallyunlesstheyarere-elected(staggeredreplace-
ment)�

TheaverageageontheBoardofDirectorsiscurrentlyabout
63�EachmemberoftheBoardofDirectorsiselectedindividu-
ally,andifrequestedbytheshareholders,alsograntedanindi-
vidualdischarge�

Internal organisation

Duties of the Board of Directors
Subjecttothedecision-makingpowersoftheshareholdersat
theAnnualGeneralMeeting,theBoardofDirectorsisthecom-
pany’ssupremedecision-makingbody�Essentially,decisions
aremadebytheBoardofDirectors,unlessauthorityhasbeen
delegatedtotheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors,tothe
Committees,theCorporateExecutiveCommitteeortotheCEO
ongroundsoforganisationalregulations�

AsperArticle716aoftheSwissCodeofObligationsand
Section1IIoftheorganisationalregulations,theprincipal
dutiesoftheBoardofDirectorsaregeneralmanagement,over-
allandfinancialsupervisionofthecompanyandspecifying
theorganisationalstructure�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Rules and regulations

Committees of the Board of Directors
Fourcommitteesareinplacetosupporttheactivitiesofthe
BoardofDirectors�ThesecommitteesreporttotheBoardof
Directorsandsubmitproposalsfortheirareasofresponsibility�
TheInvestmentCommitteeandtheCompensationCommittee
havetheirowndecision-makingauthority�

Asarule,thecommitteesappointedbytheBoardofDirec-
torsconsistoffourmemberswhoarenewlyelectedeveryyear

bytheBoard�TheChairmanandtheVice-Chairmanofthe
BoardofDirectorsareexofficiomembersoftheChairman’s
Committee�TheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsmaynot
beamemberoftheAuditCommittee�Thekeydutiesofthese
committeesaregovernedbytheorganisationalregulationsand
bythewrittenregulationsapplyingtoeachcommittee�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility 
→  Corporate Governance →  Rules and regulations

Duties of the committees
TheChairman’sCommitteeprovidesadviceonkeybusiness
transactions,inparticularonimportantstrategicandperson-
neldecisions�Inthisfunction,theChairman’sCommitteealso
preparespersonnelissues�

TheChairman’sCommitteealsoactsastheInvestmentCom-
mittee(untilmid-2012)andapprovestheinvestmentpolicyof
theGroupaswellasthepropertyinvestmentsfortheGroup’s
ownuseatHeadOffice�

TheCompensationCommitteespecifiesthestructureand
theamountofcompensationpaidtothemembersoftheBoard
ofDirectorsandofthesalariesofthemembersoftheCorporate
ExecutiveCommittee�Itapprovesthetargetagreementsand
performanceassessmentsoftheChiefExecutiveCommittee
membersrelevantforperformance-relatedremuneration�Itap-
provescompensationpoliciesforCorporateExecutiveCom-
mitteemembersandmonitorstheircorrectapplication�Itap-
provestheindividualallocationofthevariablecompensation
fortheCorporateExecutiveCommitteemembers�Inaddition,
itdefinesthetotalamountcontainedintheperformancepool�
TheAuditCommitteesupportstheBoardofDirectorsin
thosesupervisoryandfinancialdutiestasksthatcannotbedel-
egated(Article716aSwissCodeofObligations),byevaluating
theorganisationalstructure,thefunctioningoftheinternal
andexternalauditingsystemsaswellastheannualandcon-
solidatedfinancialstatements�TheAuditCommitteealsoeval-
uatestheeffectivenessofinternalcontrolsystems,including
riskmanagementandthestatusofcompliance�TheAuditCom-
mitteehasdiscussedtheconsolidatedfinancialstatementfor
the2011fiscalyearbothwithmanagementandwiththeexternal

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Division of authority and responsibilities between 

the Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Committee
ThedivisionofauthorityandresponsibilitiesbetweentheBoard
ofDirectorsandtheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeisgoverned
bylaw,theArticlesofIncorporationaswellastheorganisation
regulations�Thelatterisreviewedonanongoingbasisandup-
datedaschangingcircumstancesrequire�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Rules and regulations

Corporate Executive Committee information  

and control tools  
TheGroupAuditDepartmentreportsdirectlytotheChairman
oftheBoardofDirectors�Effectiveriskmanagementisofkey
importancetoaninsurancegroup�Thisiswhythereisachap-
terdevotedtofinancialriskmanagementfrompage40andin
theFinancialReportchapterfrompage111onwards�

ThemembersoftheBoardofDirectorsreceivetheminutes
oftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteemeetingsfortheirpe-
rusal�TheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsmayattendmeet-
ingsoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeatanytime�

auditors�Basedonthesediscussions,theAuditCommitteehas
recommendedthattheauditedAnnualFinancialStatementbe
incorporatedintheGroup’sAnnualReportforthefiscalyear
ended on 31 December 2011 and submitted to the Annual
GeneralMeeting�TheBoardofDirectorshasendorsedthis
proposal�

Board of Directors and committee meetings 
ThefullBoardofDirectorsmeetsasoftenasbusinessrequires,
butnolessthanfourtimesayear,incompliancewithorgani-
sationalregulations�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Rules and regulations

In2011,thefullBoardofDirectorsofBâloiseHoldingconvened
ordinarilyonfiveoccasions�Thetableonpage50showsthe
directors’attendanceatthesefullBoardofDirectorsmeetings�
Withoneexception,allmembersofeachrelevantcommittee
attendedalloftheadditionalseventeencommitteemeetings�
BoardattendancebymembersoftheBoardofDirectorswas
thusaveryrespectable98�8%�OnefullBoardofDirectors
meetingaddressedthefurthertrainingofthememberswith
particularregardtoBelgiumandHumanResources�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Board Attendance

The Chairman’s Committee convened nine times last year,
includingonceforatwo-daystrategymeeting�TheInvestment
Committeemetthreetimes�TheAuditCommitteemetfour
timesandtheCompensationCommitteemetontwooccasions�
MembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeareregu-
larlyinvitedtoattendfullBoardofDirectorsmeetings�Meetings
oftheAuditCommitteeareprimarilyattendedbytheChief
FinancialOfficer,theHeadofCorporateAudit,theSecretary
oftheBoardofDirectorsandbyrepresentativesoftheexternal
auditors�MeetingsoftheCompensationCommitteeareprima-
rilyattendedbytheChiefExecutiveOfficer,theSecretaryof
the Board of Directors and the Head of Group Human Re-
sources�TheChiefInvestmentOfficerattendsallInvestment
Committeemeetings�

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53

otherthings,forproductdevelopmentandproductioninthe
lifesector�AftertwoyearsasGeneralManageroftheLifeAs-
sociationofScotland,JanDeMeulderjoinedtheFortisGroup,
Brussels,in1994andthereheheldvariousseniormanagement
posts,mostrecentlyasCEOofFortisCorporateInsurance�In
2004hejoinedtheBaloiseGroupasCEOoftheBelgiansub-
sidiaryMercatorVerzekeringeninAntwerp�Since1January
2009,JanDeMeulderhasbeenheadoftheInternationalCor-
porateDivision�

Michael Müller (1971,CH,lic�oec�publ�)studiednationaleco-
nomicsattheUniversityofZurich�Hefurtheredhisstudiesin
insuranceeconomics,accountingandfinancing�Hebeganhis
careeratBaslerVersicherungenin1997�Startingoffasatrainee
inGroupControlling,hewentontobecomethedeputyHead
ofFinancialAccountingoftheBaloiseGroupandthenin2004
heheadedthedivision�In2009asHeadofFinanceandRisk,
hebecameamemberofseniormanagementofthecorporate
divisionSwitzerlandwiththemainfocusonreportingandcon-
trolling,theactuarialsteeringoftheinsurancecompanies,risk
management as well as being responsible for logistics pro-
cesses and the project head pool� Michael Müller has been
amemberoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeandCEOof
thecorporatedivisionSwitzerlandsinceMarch2011�

4. CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Martin Strobel (1966,D/CH,Drrer�pol�)studiedcomputer
science,businessmanagementandbusinessinformationsystems
attheUniversitiesofKaiserslautern,Windsor(Canada)and
Bamberg�From1993to1999heheldvariouspostsatBoston
ConsultingGroup,Dusseldorf,dealingwithstrategicITman-
agementissuesinthebankingandinsurancesector�Hejoined
theBaloiseGroupin1999�InitiallyhewasHeadofITatBasler
Switzerland,withresponsibilityformajorcross-businessprojects
intheinsuranceandbankingdivisionswithintheBaloiseGroup�
HewasamemberoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteefrom
2003to2008,withresponsibilityfortheCorporateDivision
Switzerland�Witheffectfrom1January2009,DrMartinStrobel
tookoverasChiefExecutiveOfficer�

German Egloff (1958,CH,lic�oec�HSG)graduatedinbusiness
managementfromtheUniversityofSt�Gallen(Switzerland)�
From1985onwardsheheldvariousmanagementpostsatWin-
terthurInsurance,Switzerland�In1997,asamemberofthe
ExecutiveBoard,heassumedresponsibilityforindividualnon-
lifeinsuranceproducts,whichalsoincludedthemanagement
ofbothWincareand,asChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors,
Sanacare�From1998to2002,GermanEgloffwasChiefFinan-
cialOfficerofWinterthurSwitzerlandandamemberofthe
BoardofDirectorsofWincare,becomingitsChairmanin2000�
From2002to2004,hewasChiefFinancialOfficeratZurich
Financial Services Switzerland� His area of responsibility
includedfinance,humanresources,IT,logisticsandprocure-
ment� German Egloff has been a member of the Corporate
ExecutiveCommittee(HeadoftheCorporateDivisionFinance)
since 1 December 2004, with responsibility for Investor
Relations,FinancialManagementandFinancialAccounting&
CorporateFinanceaswellasforCorporateIT�Theappointed
actuary of the Baloise’s Swiss business likewise reports to
GermanEgloff�

Jan De Meulder (1955,B)studiedmathematicsandinsurance
mathematicsattheuniversitiesofAntwerpandLeuven,Belgium�
From1978until1992,heworkedinAntwerpfortheINGGroup
atDeVaderlandscheInsurance�Hewasresponsible,amongst

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Martin Strobel

German egloff

Jan De Meulder

Michael Müller

thomas Sieber

Martin Wenk

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55

FurtherinformationonthemembersoftheCorporateEx-

ecutiveCommitteecanbefoundontheInternet�

WiththeexceptionofDrMartinStrobelandMartinWenk,
noneofthemembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeserve
ontheBoardsofDirectorsofnon-BaloiseGroupcompanies�

Therearenomanagementcontractsthatassignexecutive

functionstothirdparties�
www.baloise.com  →  About us  →  Organisation
  →  Corporate Executive Committee

Thomas Sieber (1965,CH,Driur�,M�B�L�,lawyer)studiedlaw
attheUniversityofSt�Gallen�Atthebeginningof1994,he
qualifiedtopracticelawinthecantonofZurich�From1999to
2002,helecturedincorporatelawattheUniversityofSt�Gal-
len�AfterholdingpositionsatLandis&GyrandSiemens,Dr
ThomasSieberjoinedtheBaloiseGroupin1997astheDeputy
HeadoftheLegalandTaxdivision�Hehasheadedthisdivision
since2001andalsobecameSecretaryoftheBoardofDirectors
ofBâloiseHolding�AspartofthereviewoftheSwissInsurance
SupervisoryAct,hemanagedthe“FinancialMarketsSupervi-
soryAuthority”taskforceoftheSwissInsuranceAssociation
(SIA)�Since6December2007,DrThomasSieberisHeadofthe
CorporateCentreresponsibleforGroupHumanResources,
LegalandTax,GroupCompliance,CorporateDevelopment,
RunOffand,since2009,alsoforGroupProcurement�Thomas
SieberisalsoamemberoftheboardofdirectorsofEuroAirport
BaselMulhouse�

Martin Wenk (1957,CH,lic�iur�)heldvariouspostsatamajor
bankfrom1982to1992aftergraduatinginlawfromtheUni-
versityofBasel�Heinitiallyworkedasaninvestmentadvisor
toinstitutionalclients,thenwentontoheadaprivatebanking
groupinNewYorkandsubsequentlybecameasectorheadin
securitiessales,whereheprimarilylookedaftermajorinstitu-
tionalclients�From1992until2000,hewasHeadofPortfolio
ManagementSwitzerlandwithintheBaloiseGroup,withre-
sponsibilityformanagingtheassetsofvariouscompaniesin
SwitzerlandandwithintheGroup,includingthepensionfunds�
HejoinedtheCorporateExecutiveCommittee(asHeadofthe
CorporateDivisionAssetManagement)in2001,withrespon-
sibilityforAssetManagement,includingtheInvestmentStrat-
egy,InvestmentControlling,BaloiseAssetManagement,Real
EstateandBaloiseFundInvestunits(fundbusiness)�Martin
WenkisamemberoftheboardofUnigestionHolding,Geneva�

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Management structure (effective date: 31 december 2011)

Group Chief exeCutive offiCer

Martin Strobel, Dr rer. pol. *

Group Secretary

Markus von Escher, Dr iur.

Corporate Communications

Thomas Kähr

Switzerland

international

finanCe

aSSet ManaGeMent

Corporate Centre

Michael Müller *  

Jan De Meulder *

German Egloff *

Martin Wenk *

Thomas Sieber,  
Dr iur. *

product Management 
Commercial Clients 

Clemens Markstein 

product Management 
private Customers & 
focused 
financial Services 

Wolfgang Prasser

Sales & Marketing

Bernard Dietrich

Baloise Bank SoBa

Jürg Ritz 

operations & it

Urs Bienz

finance & risk

Carsten Stolz,  
Dr rer. pol.

Claims

Stephan Ragg, 
Dr iur.

Germany

Frank Grund, Dr iur.

financial accounting  
& Corporate finance

investment Strategy & 
investment Controlling

Corporate development

Thomas Wodrich

Carsten Stolz,  
Dr rer. pol.
(until 31 December 2011 
a. i.)

Sepp Huwyler 
(as of 1 January 2012)

investor relations

Marc Kaiser

Thomas Schöb 

Baloise asset  
Management

Reto Diezi, 
Dr oec. publ.
(until 31 March 2012)

Matthias Henny 
(as of 1 April 2012)

Group risk Management

real estate

Hans-Peter Bissegger

Baloise investment 
Services

Robert Antonietti

Stefan Nölker,  
Dr rer. nat.

Corporate it 

Olaf Romer 

Baloise 2012

Roger Matthes

appointed  
actuary Switzerland

Thomas Müller,
Dr sc. math. 

Group human  
resources

Kurt Grois

Group legal & tax

Andreas Eugster

Group Compliance

Silvia Kalbermatten,  
Dr iur.

run off

Bruno Rappo

Group procurement 

Manfred Schneider,  
Dr rer. nat.

Belgium

Gert De Winter

luxembourg

André Bredimus
(until 14 May 2012)

Romain Braas
(as of 15 May 2012)

austria

Otmar Bodner, Dr iur.

Croatia & Serbia

Darko Cesar

Baloise life  
(liechtenstein)

Annemie D’Hulster
(until 10 January 2012)

Peter Zutter 
(as of 11 January 2012 a. i.)

Markus Jost
(as of 1 April 2012)

regional Management

Peter Zutter 
Martin Kampik

* Member of the Corporate Executive Committee

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5. COMPENSATION REPORT: COMPENSATION, PARTICIPATIONS 

AND LOANS TO ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS AND  

ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
Thischapterdescribestheremunerationpolicy,guidelinesand
theremunerationsystemofBaloise�Inaddition,theremuner-
ationandloanstothemembersoftheBoardofDirectorsand
theCorporateExecutiveCommittee,includingtheparticipa-
tionsofthisgroupofpersons,aredisclosed�Keytothecontent
andscopeofthisdisclosureareArticles663bbisand663cofthe
SwissCodeofObligations,thestandardrelatingtoinformation
onCorporateGovernanceoftheSIXSwissExchangeandthe
SwissCodeofBestPracticeforCorporateGovernanceinclud-
ingthecircular10/1oftheFederalFinancialSupervisoryAu-
thority(FINMA)onremunerationsystems�Theseregulations
stipulatethatcertaindetailsaretobemadeinthenotestothe
financialstatementsandotherinformationistobegiveninthe
sectiononcorporategovernance�Baloiseconsidersthischapter
asintegraltocorporatereportingandhasthereforedecidedto
publishthecompleteCompensationReportinitsAnnualReport
andtoincludethenecessarypassagesintheFinancialReport�

5.1. Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
InaccordancewiththeSwissCodeofBestPractice,theBoard
ofDirectorsformedtheCompensationCommitteein2001�This
committeedealswiththecompensationpolicy,particularlyat
thehighestcorporatelevel�Amongstotherthings,theCom-
pensationCommitteemakessurethat
→ remunerationpolicyandcompensationsystemsarelong-
terminnatureandinlinewiththecorporatestrategy�

Inparticular,thedutiesofthecommitteeinclude
→ determiningthestructureandtheamountofcompensa-
tiontobereceivedbytheChairmanandthemembersof
theBoardofDirectorsandtheCorporateExecutiveCom-
mittee�

→ toapprovethetargetagreementsandperformance

appraisalsoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteemem-
bers�

→ toapprovetheindividualallocationofthevariablecom-
pensationfortheChiefExecutiveCommitteemembers�

→ todefinethetotalamountfortheperformancepool

andthetotalreservedfortheallocationofperformance
shareunits(PSU)�

→ toapproveandauthoriseserviceentryanddeparture

paymentsregardingmostseniorstaffmembersorthat
exceed,inindividualcases,CHF200,000�

→ toapprovecompensationregulationspertainingtothe
CorporateExecutiveCommitteemembersandmonitor
theircorrectapplication�

TheCompensationCommitteeconsistsofthefollowingfour
independentmembersoftheBoardofDirectors,whoarere-
electedannuallybytheBoard:DrGeorgF�Krayer(Chair),Dr
KlausJenny(DeputyChair),DrGeorges-AntoinedeBoccard,
DrEvelineSaupper�Asarule,theCommitteeholdsatleasttwo
meetingsayear�TheChairoftheCompensationCommittee
reportstotheBoardofDirectorsregularlyontheactivitiesof
theCommittee�TheminutesofCommitteemeetingsarealso
availabletothewholeBoard�

→ thetotalcompensationprovidedbythecompanyis

5.2. Remuneration policy 

market-andperformance-orientedandgearedtoattract
andretainpeoplewiththenecessaryskillsandcharacter
attributes�

→ compensationjustifiablyreflectsthecompany’slong-term
successandtheindividual’scontributionanddoesnot
createfalseincentives�

→ Thestructureandtheamountofthetotalcompensation

complywiththeriskpolicyofBaloiseandencouragerisk
awareness�

Principles
Thesuccessofthecompanyismateriallydependentontheskills
andtheperformanceofitsemployees�Therefore,itisvitalto
attractanddevelopwell-qualified,competentandhighlymo-
tivatedemployeesandexecutivesandretainthemwithinthe
company�Baloise’sremunerationpolicyandsystemarederived
fromthesesuperordinateprinciples�

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Remuneration directive and regulations
In2010theBoardofDirectorsadoptedaremunerationdirective
proposedbytheCompensationCommittee,whichdefinesthe
principlesandbenchmarkfiguresregardingremunerationfor
theBaloiseGroup�Theremunerationdirectiveappliestoall
employeesofthewholeBaloiseGroup�Itreflectsthepolicies
andvaluesofthecompanyandisbasedonthefollowingprin-
ciples:
→ Becompetitiveinthemarket–Baloiseaimstopaybasic

salariesthatareinlinewiththemarketandtoexceedthe
marketregardingvariableremunerationforverygood
individualandcompanyperformance�

→ Toconsidercompanyandindividualperformance–

performanceisthebasisforfurtherdevelopmentand
advancement�

→ Fairnessandtransparency–externalcomparisonsonthe

marketandfairpay,nodiscrimination�

→ Sustainability–highconformityofmanagementand
shareholderinterests,long-termcommitment,higher
proportionofrestrictedshares�

Basedonthisremunerationdirective,theBoardofDirectors
simultaneouslyissuedasetofremunerationrulesthatapplyto
allemployeesinSwitzerlandandbyanalogyalsotoallGroup
employees�

Allelementsoftheremunerationpolicyarecentrallyregu-
latedbytheremunerationdirectiveandrules�Thisregulatory
frameworkformsthebasisforaremunerationsystemthatalso
meets the requirements of the Swiss Financial Supervisory
Authority�Inparticularthismeansthatthevariableremunera-
tionistiedmorestronglytothecompany’svaluecreation�

5.3. Remuneration system 

Objective
Theaimofthisremunerationsystemistopromoteaperfor-
mancecultureintheBaloiseGroupandtofacilitatethere-
tention of qualified and management personnel within the
organisation�TheremunerationpolicyofBaloiseaimstopay
basicsalariesthatareinlinewiththemarket�Furthermore,the
variable remuneration components are designed so that–
regardingindividualperformanceandthesuccessofthecom-

pany–inaverygoodyearpaymentsabovethemarketaverage
arepossible,bythesametokentheamountpaidcanbebelow
themarketaverageinaweakyear�

Asaperformance-drivencompany,Baloiseestablishesaclear
andreplicablecorrelationbetweenemployeetargetsandbusi-
nessobjectives�Thesearederivedfromthestrategicpriorities�
Remuneration,targetagreementsandperformanceassessments
arecloselyrelated�Compensation–consistingofbasicsalary
andvariablepayments–showsaclearyetdifferentiatedcon-
nectiontoandrecognitionoftheperformanceoftheindivid-
ualandthesuccessofthecompanyandintendstorewardem-
ployeesforexcellentperformance�Actualperformanceforms
thebasisforfurtherdevelopment,careerplanningandthefos-
teringofourtalents�

Baloiseplacesgreatimportanceontheretentionofkeyper-
sonnelandonthesustainablemanagementofthebusiness�In
additiontoremunerationthatreflectsthemarketandperform-
ance,asustainablefocusofourexecutivemanagersthatisgeared
towards the interests of the shareholders is important to
Baloise�Thatiswhyconsiderableproportionsofthevariable
remunerationispaidinshares�Withtheperformanceshare
units,thethreehighestmanagementlevelsadditionallyreceive
afurthersalarycomponentasadeferredpaymentintheform
ofsharesthatarerestrictedforthreerespectivelysixyears�

Withincreasingstrategicresponsibilityandeffect,thevari-
ableremunerationisprimarilydeterminedbytheoverallresult
ofthecompanyand/ortheeconomicvaluecreation–taking
theriskassumedintoconsideration�Theproportionofshort-
termvariableremunerationinrelationtototalremuneration
andtheproportioninrestrictedsharestobereceivedincreases
accordingly�ForthemembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCom-
mittee,sharesasaproportionofvariableremunerationamount
toabout70%andthevalueoftherestrictedsharestheyholdis
aboutthree-timestheirbasicsalary�Thusimportantelements
ofthestandardrequiredbythesupervisoryauthoritiesareful-
filled�

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New Performance Management System as of 1 January 2011 
Baloiserevieweditsremunerationsystemindepthin2009/2010
andintroducedanewPerformanceManagementSystemforthe
short-termvariableremunerationasofthe2011fiscalyear�Based
ontheobjectivetofosterahighperformanceandresult-orien-
tationoftheemployeesand,atthesametime,incorporatethe
company’ssuccess,thenewsystemconsistsoftwoclearlydefined
andseparateinstruments:Performanceremunerationandper-
formancepool�Performanceremunerationrewardstheem-
ployee’sindividualachievement�Theperformancepoolconsid-
ers the overall performance or the value creation of the
company�Inaddition,allmaterialelementscontainedinthe
circularfromtheSwissFinancialSupervisoryAuthoritywere
consideredwhenshapingthevariableremunerationsystem�

ThenewPerformanceManagementSystemappliesGroup-
widetothemostseniormanagementlevel�InSwitzerlandit
alsoappliestothemajorityofothermanagementlevelsandis
beingprogressivelyintroducedabroad�

Market comparisons 
Baloiseregularlycomparesthesalariesofseniorexecutiveswith
thoseofrelevantcompetitors(STOXXEurope600Insurance
Indexand/orlocalemploymentmarkets)�Thesecomparisons
showthat,onaverage,Baloiselieswithinthemarketmeanre-
gardingtotalremuneration,wherebytheshareproportionof
totalremunerationishigherthanthatofcomparablecompeti-
torsasintended�Thevariablepartoftheremunerationpackage
canalsovarystrongly,whichinturnconfirmsthatlinkingit
toperformancegoalsreallyhasaneffect�

5.4. Remuneration components 
Baloisetreatsitsremunerationasanall-inclusivepackageand
thereforeconsidersbasicsalary,short-andlong-termvariable
remunerationandalsoothermaterialandnon-materialbenefits,
suchaspensioncontributions,additionalbenefitsoremployee
careerdevelopmentandpromotion�

Basic salary  
Thebasicsalaryrepresentsthecompensationappropriateto
thetasksandresponsibilityofthepositionandtheemployee’s
skillsandcompetencerequiredtoreachthebusinesstargets�
Baloiseaimstoachieveanaveragepositioninthemarketwhen
determiningthebasicsalary�Thisisrealisedonthegrounds
oflocalbusinessandmarketrequirements�Basicsalariesare
checkedregularlyandadjustedifnecessary,basedonthein-
dividualperformance,thepositioninthesalaryrangeaswell
asthecompanyperformance�Inthespiritoffairnessandcom-
pliancewiththeBaloiseCodeofConduct,themaxim“same
payforthesamequalificationandtasks”applieswhendeter-
miningthebasicsalarywhilstconsideringinternalfairness
regardingpay�Internalandexternalfairnessinpayaresup-
portedbyclearandmarket-orientedsalarystructures�

Short-term variable remuneration
Centralfactorsthatinfluencetheamountoftheshort-term
variable remuneration are individual performance and the
overallresultor,inotherwords,theeconomicvaluecreation
ofthecompany�Theconnectionthuscreatedbetweentheper-
formanceoftheindividualandthecompany’ssuccessisinten-
dedtomotivateemployeestoachieveoutstandingresults�

Theshort-termvariableremunerationisalwayspaidtogeth-
erwiththeMarchsalaryofthefollowingyear�Baloiseplaces
greatimportanceonthesustainablemanagementofthebusiness
andonahighcorrelationbetweentheinterestofshareholders
andmanagement�Forthisreason,considerableproportionsof
thevariableremunerationarepaidintheformofshares�Basi-
cally,membersofseniormanagementcanchoosewhichpropor-
tiontheywishtoreceiveincashandwhichasshares�This
choiceislimitedforthemostseniormanagementlevel;here
agraduatedobligationtosubscribesharesexists:Membersof
theCorporateExecutiveCommitteemustdrawatleast50%of
theirshort-termvariableremunerationintheformofshares�
Thesesubscribedsharesremainblockedforthreeyearsandare
subjecttomarketrisksduringthisperiod�Inparticular,the
mandatoryemolumentsensurethatasresponsibilityandtotal
remunerationincrease,asignificantshareoftheremuneration
ispaidwithadeferredeffect�Theyalsopromoteriskawareness

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amongemployeesandencouragethemtoworkeconomically
andsustainably�

Thereisachoiceoftwosharesubscriptionplans:ShareSub-
scriptionSchemeandEmployeeShareOwnershipPlan(compare
“5�6ShareSubscriptionSchemeandEmployeeShareOwnership
Plan”)�

The instruments performance remuneration and perfor-
mancepooldescribedbelowareavailablefortheshort-term
variableremuneration�

Performance remuneration
Theperformanceremunerationconsiderstheemployee’sindi-
vidual performance and compensates the respective target
achievement�Tothisend,togetherwiththeirimmediatesub-
ordinates,thesupervisingmanagersannuallydefinethekey
individualtargetsandassessthedegreeofachievementbyFeb-
ruaryofthefollowingyearatthelatest�Whendefiningthe
individualtargets,careistakenthattheydonotcontradictthe
company’sbusinessstrategy�

Thetargetvaluefortheperformanceremunerationdepends
onthebasicsalaryandvariesaccordingtothehierarchicalpo-
sition�Thetargetvalueequatesto30%ofthebasicsalaryfor
membersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeThetarget
agreementsandtheperformanceassessmentsforthemembers
oftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeareperformedbythe
CompensationCommittee�

Inprinciple,themostseniormanagementlevelofthewhole
Group,themajorityofexecutivesinSwitzerlandaswellastheir
counterpartsabroadareentitledtoaperformanceremuneration�

Performance pool
ThePerformancepooltakesintoaccounttheperformanceof
theentireBaloiseGroup,theamountisdeterminedbythe
CompensationCommitteeexpostatitsowndiscretion�Tothis
end,theCompensationCommitteeevaluatestheperformance
oftheentireBaloiseGroupforthepastfiscalyearandconsiders
alsothefollowingcriteria:
→ Consolidatedresultcomparedtopreviousyearsand

competitors

→ Capitalmarketviewcomparedtocompetitors
→ Risksassumed
→ Strategyimplementation
Theindividualallocationtotheemployeesisperformedatthe
discretionofthesuperior;noregulatorytargetvaluesarede-
fined�Anoverallassessmentconsistingoftargetachievement
(in light of the individual degree of achievement) and the
employee’sconductandbehaviourserveasthemainguidelines
whendeterminingtheamounttobeallocated�Thesupervi-
sorymanager’sproposalfortheindividualallocationisdiscussed
intherespectivemanagementteam,comparedtootherdepart-
mentsandsectorsandadjustedwherenecessary�Thisensures
thattheconductcomponentsthatarealsorelevanttorisk,are
likewiseconsideredwhenallocatingtheindividualamounts�
Theroundtablesystemselectedprioritisestheoverallap-
praisalofmanagementaswellasthevalidationoftheindi-
vidualallocations�Theaimistoacknowledgeallperformance
aspectsappropriatelyandnottomakeanevaluationonaccount
ofonlyafewparametersthatpossiblydonotconsiderother
importantaspects�

TheindividualallocationforthemembersoftheCorporate
ExecutiveCommitteeissetbytheCompensationCommittee�
Inprinciple,themostseniormanagementlevelofthewhole
Group,themajorityofexecutivesinSwitzerlandaswellasthe
respectivefunctionsabroadareconsideredfortheperformance
pool�However,thereisnobasicrighttoanallocationfromthe
performancepool�

Long-term variable remuneration 
Baloiseadditionallyprovidesperformanceshareunits(PSU)
tothemostseniorexecutivesasalong-termvariableremu-
nerationcomponent�ThePSUprogrammepermitsthemost
senior executive level to participate more intensively in the
valuedevelopmentofthecompanyandpromotesthelong-term
retentionofhighperformers�

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performance share units (pSu)  
At the beginning of any performance period, participating em-
ployees are awarded rights in the form of performance share 
units (PSU), which entitle them to subscribe for a certain number 
of shares free of charge after the performance period has expired. 
The Compensation Committee specifies the day of allocation 
and defines at its own discretion those members of senior man-
agement that are entitled to participate. It determines the total 

number of available PSU and specifies the individual allocation 
to the members of the Corporate Executive Committee. 

The number of shares that can be subscribed after three years, 
i. e. at the end of the performance period, depends on how the 
Baloise share has performed relative to a peer group. This com-
parative performance factor can hereby assume values between 
0.5 and 1.5. The peer group includes the most important Euro-
pean insurance companies in the STOXX Europe 600 Insurance 
Index. 

Companies in Stoxx 600 europe insurance index (as of 31 december 2011)

Admiral Group plc

Aegon NV

Ageas

Allianz

Amlin plc

Assicurazioni Generali

Aviva plc

Axa

Bâloise Holding

Catlin Group

CNP Assurances

Delta Lloyd

Gjensidige Forsikring

Hannover Rück

Helvetia

ING Groep NV

Source: http://www.stoxx.com/download/indices/factsheets/stx_supersectors_fs.pdf

Jardine Lloyd Thompson

Scor

Legal & General Group plc

Standard Life plc

Mapfre SA

Münchener Rück

Old Mutual plc

Prudential plc

RSA Insurance Group

Sampo OYJ

Storebrand ASA

Swiss Life

Swiss Re

Topdanmark A / S

Vienna Insurance

Zurich Financial Services

perforManCe Share unitS (pSu)

Entitled employees as of start of programme

Number of allocated PSU

Of which: expired without compensation (departures 2009)

Number of active PSU as of 31 December 2009

Of which: expired without compensation (departures 2010)

Number of active PSU as of 31 December 2010

Of which: expired without compensation (departures 2011)

Number of active PSU as of 31 December 2011

Value of allocated PSU as of issue date in CHF million

2009 PSU expense for the Baloise Group in CHF million

2010 PSU expense for the Baloise Group in CHF million

2011 PSU expense for the Baloise Group in CHF million

plan 2009

plan 2010

plan 2011

66

71

73

81,127

83,441

81,739

–

81,127

– 2,603

78,524

– 6,752

71,772

6.3

1.8

2.0

2.0

–

–

– 1,226

82,215

– 7,962

74,253

7.4

–

2.1

2.4

–

–

–

–

– 6,937

74,802

6.9

–

–

2.4 

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Thecompositionoftheindexcanbesubjecttochanges�Due
tocompanymergers,forexample,companiescandropoutof
theindex,othersmaybenewlyincludedintheindex�Thecom-
positionoftheindexatthepointintimewhentherespective
PSUareissuediskeytodeterminingtheperformancefactor,
adjustedbythecompaniesthatarenolongerincludedinthe
index�Companiesthathavemeanwhilebeennewlyincludedin
theindexarenotconsideredforplansthatarealreadyrunning�
Inprinciple,aPSUgrantstherighttosubscribetoashare�
ThisisthecasewhenBaloiseshareperformancecorresponds
tothemeanofthepeergroup;inthiscasetheperformance
factoris1�0�Theprogrammeparticipantsreceivemoreshares
fortheirPSU,ifBaloiseshareshaveperformedbetterthanthe
peergroup�Thefactorreachesthemaximumof1�5,when
Baloiseshareshaveperformedintheuppermostquartileofpeer
groupcompanyperformance�Thefactoris0�5,ifperformance
isinthelowestquartileofpeergroupcompanyperformance�
IftheBaloiseshareperformanceisinbothmiddlequartiles,
theperformancefactoriscalculatedusingalinearscale�The
performancefactorisdefinedfortheentireperiodending,based
onstockexchangeclosingpricesonthelasttradingdayofthe
respectiveperformanceperiod�

Theparticipantreceivesthecorrespondingnumberofshares
attheendoftheperformanceperiod(vesting),i�e�on1January
2014forthePSUallocatedin2011�ThePSUbecomevoidwith-
outcompensationorsubstitution,shouldtheemploymentcon-
tractbeterminated(exceptinthecaseofretirement,invalidity
ordeath)duringtheperformanceperiod�Asfrom2012,the
CompensationCommitteealsohastheoptionofretroactively
reducingorrevokingentirelythenumberofPSUallocatedto
asinglepersonoragroupofparticipantsshouldspecialreasons
exist (so-called clawback rule)� To emphasise the long-term
characteroftheprogramme,50%oftheallocatedsharesare
subjecttoanadditionalthree-yearblockingperiodafterthe
performanceperiodhasexpired�

ThePSUallocatedin2009wereconvertedintosharesasof
1January2012�Attheendoftheperformanceperiodon31
December2011,theperformanceoftheBaloiseshareheldthe
24thrankof34companieswithinthereferencegroup(STOXX
Europe600InsuranceIndex),inotherwords,itwasinthethird

quartile�Thustheperformancefactorwas0�64,and74,375out-
standingPSUwereconvertedinto47,599shares(marketprice
on31�12�2011:CHF64�40,marketvalueCHF3�1million)�

Afterranking13thof31companiesforthefirstPSUpro-
grammeconvertedon1January2010,theshareperformance
achievedthe12thrankof31companiesfortheconversionon
1January2011(previousyearvalues:1�24,51,880outstanding
PSU,convertedinto64,335shares,marketpriceon31�12�2010
CHF91�00,marketvalueCHF5�9million)�SothevalueofPSU
convertedintosharesfortheplanparticipantsduringthere-
portingperiodwas63%lowerthaninthepreviousyear�

ThesharesrequiredtoconvertthePSUwereboughtonthe

market�

Ancillary benefits
Asarule,ancillarybenefitsarecomponentsoftotalremunera-
tionthatarenotdependentonfunctionnorindividualorcor-
porateperformance�Byprovidingbenefitssuchaspensionplans,
benefits, personnel development and advancement, Baloise
demonstratesthatitshighregardforitsemployeesandthatthe
relationshiptothemisbasedonpartnership�Ancillarybenefits
are awarded according to the provisions of the respective
country�

5.5. Employment contracts, change of control clauses, service 

entry and departure compensation 
Theemploymentcontractsofseniormembersofstaffarecon-
cludedforanunlimitedperiodinSwitzerlandandalsoabroad
forthemainpart�Theyprovideforanoticeperiodofsixmonths�
AllsixmembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteehave
atwelve-monthnoticeperiod�Inaddition,theyare–asarefour
othermembersoftheexecutivemanagement–entitledtoa
severancepaymentamountingtooneannualsalary(including
variable remuneration), in the event that their employment
contractisterminatedwithintwelvemonthsafterachangeof
controlduetoatakeoverormergeroramergerofemployers
(undercertaincircumstancesalsothoseofemployees)�

ThenoticeperiodisalsotwelvemonthsfortheChairmanof
theBoardofDirectors�Thesamechangeofcontrolclauseap-
pliesasforthemembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommittee�

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TheremunerationdirectiveissuedbytheBoardofDirectors
inMarch2010containsclearguidelinesonserviceentryand
departurecompensation:Suchpaymentsmayonlybemadein
substantiatedcases�

Serviceentryanddeparturecompensationforseniormem-
bersofmanagementmustbeapprovedbytheCompensation
Committeeregardlessoftheamount�

5.6. Share Subscription Scheme and Employee  

Share Ownership Plan
Thereisachoiceoftwoplansfortheproportionoftheshort-
termvariableremunerationdrawnasshares:ShareSubscription
SchemeandEmployeeShareOwnershipPlan�

Share Subscription Scheme 
SinceJanuary2003,employeesoftheGroupcompaniesinSwit-
zerlandthatareentitledtodrawsharescansubscribetoshares
atapreferentialprice–thisincludesthemembersofexecutive
managementoftheforeigncompaniessince2008;thistakes
theshort-termvariableremunerationdueintoaccount�The
subscriptiondateisalways1March;onthisdaytheownership
ofthesharesistransferredtotheemployeewithoutfurther
vesting conditions� However, they may not be sold during
ablockingperiodofthreeyears�Until2011,thesubscription
datewas1June�Bybringingitforwardto1March,thesubscrip-
tion date is in line with the payout date for the short-term
variable remuneration according to the new Performance
ManagementSystem�

ThesubscriptionpriceisspecifiedbytheCorporateExecutive
Committeeeachyearandispublishedinadvanceonthein-
tranet�Itisbasedonavolume-weightedaveragepriceofacon-
temporarymeasuringperiod�Adiscountof10%isgrantedon
theaveragepricecalculatedusingthismethod(comparedetails
inthetable)�ThesharesrequiredfortheShareSubscription
Schemearepurchasedonthemarket�

Measuring period  
for average price

Average 
price

Subscription 
price

6.-17. 2.2012

72.87

65.58

3.-16.5.2011

91.58

82.43

CHF

Share Subscription  
Scheme 2012
(applies to variable  
renumeration awarded for  
the 2011 reporting period )

Share Subscription  
Scheme 2011
(applies to shares purchased  
by the Chairman and members 
of the Board of Directors  
in the reporting period)

Employee Share Ownership Plan
SinceMay2001,themajorityofseniorstaffinSwitzerlandcan
drawaproportion–freelyselectablewithincertainranges–of
theirshort-termvariableremunerationinsharesinsteadofin
cash�Upperlimitsexistforthemostseniorexecutives;members
oftheCorporateExecutiveCommittee,whoareobligedtodraw
atleasthalfoftheirshort-termvariableremunerationasshares
maynotdrawmorethan50%oftheirentitlementinEmployee
ShareOwnershipPlanshares�AswiththeShareSubscription
Scheme,thesubscriptiondateisalways1March;onthisday
ownershipofthesharesistransferredtotheemployeewithout
furthervestingconditions�However,theymaynotbesolddur-
ingablockingperiodofthreeyears�Until2011,thesubscription
datewas1June�Bybringingitforwardto1March,thesubscrip-
tiondateisinlinewiththepayoutdateforshort-termvariable
remunerationaccordingtothenewPerformanceManagement
System�

ThesubscriptionpriceisspecifiedbytheCorporateEx-
ecutiveCommitteeeachyearandpublishedinadvanceonthe
intranet�Itisbasedonavolume-weightedaveragepriceof
acontemporarymeasuringperiod�Thediscounteddividend
rightisdeductedfromthisaveragepriceoveraperiodofthree
years(comparedetailsinthetable)�Thesharesrequiredfor
theShareOwnershipPlanarepurchasedonthemarket�

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Measuring period  
for average price

Average 
price

Subscription 
price

6.-17.2.2012

72.87

59.84

3.-16.5.2011

91.58

79.88

CHF

Employee  
Share Ownership Plan 2012
(applies to variable  
renumeration awarded for the 
2011 reporting period )

Employee  
Share Ownership Plan 2011
(applies to shares purchased  
by the Chairman of the   
Board of Directors in the 
reporting period)

InordertoincreasetheimpactofthisEmployeeShareOwner-
shipPlan,eachemployeereceivesaninterest-bearingloanon
marketterms,whichallowstheemployeetodrawmoreshares
inrelationtotheinvestedcapitalgrantedatfairvaluelessthe
discounteddividendrightoverathree-yearperiod�Therepay-
mentoftheloanafterthethree-yearblockingperiodishedged
usingaputoption,whichisfinancedbythesaleofacomple-
mentarycalloption�Afterthethree-yearblockingperiodhas
expired,thesharesremainingaftertheoptionshavebeenex-
ercised,lesstherepaymentoftheloanandtheinterestaccrued,
areplacedattheemployee'sdisposal�

5.7. Employee Participation Plan 
TheBaslerFoundationforEmployeeParticipation,setupin
1989,offersemployeesfromvariousGroupcompaniesinSwit-
zerlandtheoptionofbuyingsharesoftheBâloiseHoldingLtd
atapreferentialprice,asaruleonceayear,accordingtostipu-
lationslaiddownintheregulationsestablishedbythefounda-
tionboard�Thispromoteslong-termemployeecommitmentto
thecompany,alsoasshareholders�Thesubscriptionpriceis
determinedbythefoundationboardatthebeginningofthe
subscriptionperiodandpublishedontheintranet�Itisequiva-
lenttohalfthevolume-weighted,averagemarketpricedetermined
forthemonthofAugustinthesubscriptionyearandamounts
toCHF34�80(2010:CHF41�90)forthereportingperiod�The
subscribedsharesarealwaystransferredon1Septemberand
aresubjecttoablockingperiodofthreeyears�

Thefoundationacquiredthestockemployedforthispurpose
duringearliercapitalincreasesofBâloiseHoldingLtd�Itregu-
latesthestockofsharesasrequiredthroughadditionalpur-
chasesonthemarket�Thefoundationwillbeabletocontinue
thisEmployeeParticipationPlaninthecomingyearsdueto
existingstocks�

Thefoundationismanagedbyaboardthatispredominant-
lyindependentoftheCorporateExecutiveCommittee�Peter
Schwager(Chairman)andDrHeinrichKoller(solicitor)func-
tionasindependentmembersofthefoundationcouncil;the
thirdmemberisAndreasBurki(DeputyHeadofLegalandTax
Baloise)�

EMPLOyEE PARTICIPATION PLAN

Number of subscribed shares

Restricted until

Subscription price per share in CHF

value of subscribed shares in CHF million

Fair value of subscribed shares as of subscription date in CHF million

entitled employees

participating employees

Subscribed shares per participant (average)

2010

2011

170,842

172,385

31.8.2013

31.8.2014

41.90

7.2

14.3

3,189

1,876

91.1

34.80

6.0

12.1

3,150

1,897

90.8

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5.8. Pension schemes
Baloiseprovidesseveraldifferentpensionsolutionsthatare
designedtosuitdifferentcountry-specificcircumstances�There
aredifferentpensionschemesavailableinSwitzerlandforthe
employeesoftheinsurancecompanyandthebank�

BaloiseInsuranceoffersitsemployeesinSwitzerlandanat-
tractivepensionsolutionaspartofthe2ndpillar,whichfulfils
thefollowingobjectives:
→ Itmeetstherequirementsoftheinsuredshouldthefol-

lowingriskeventsoccur:oldage,deathorinvalidity;and
itabsorbstheresultingeconomicconsequenceswithan
occupationalpensionbasedonsocialpartnership�
→ Itpermitsanappropriatemaintenanceofalifestyle

enjoyedtodatewithasufficientlyhighsubstitutionrate
(1stand2ndpillarbenefitscombined)toreplacediscon-
tinuedearnings�

→ Theemployermakesanabove-averagecontributionto

financingofoccupationalpensions�

→ Itisforward-looking,sound,canbecalculatedandisrea-

sonablypriced�

TheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsandthemembersof
theCorporateExecutiveCommitteeareinsuredinthepension
schemeofBaloiseInsuranceLtd�Thesametermsapplytothem
astoallotherinsuredofficestaff�

5.9. Remuneration to members of the Board of Directors 

(including Chairman)
Seetablesonpages68and69�

ThemembersoftheBoardofDirectorsreceivealumpsum
paymentfortheirparticipationontheBoardaswellasforad-
ditionalfunctionsperformedontheBoardcommittees�The
amounthasremainedunchangedsince2008�

Since2006membersoftheBoardofDirectorshavebeen
paidout25%oftheirannualremunerationinsharesthatare
blockedforaperiodofthreeyears�AswiththeShareSubscrip-
tionSchemeformanagement,membersoftheCorporateEx-
ecutive Committee are also granted a 10% discount on the
marketprice�MembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommittee
donotparticipateinanyemployeestockownershipschemethat
islinkedtoachievingspecificperformancetargets�

Noclaimtoreceivablesfromactiveorformermembersof

theBoardofDirectorswaswaived�

TheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsalsoreceivesafixed
compensationsum,howeverheisnotentitledtoanyvariable
remuneration�Thismeansthathereceivesneitherperformance
remunerationnoranallocationfromtheperformancepoolnor
anyallocationofPSU�Approximatelyonequarterofhisbasic
payisdrawninshares,wherebyhecanchoosefreelyeachyear
whetherhedrawsthemaccordingtotheShareSubscription
SchemeortheEmployeeShareOwnershipPlan�Inorderto
emphasisethelong-termnatureofhiscommitment,hisshares
thataredrawnfromtheShareSubscriptionSchemearesubject
toablockingperiodoffiveinsteadofthreeyears�

5.10. Remuneration to members of the Corporate Executive 

Committee 
Seetablesonpages70to73�

TheremunerationtothemembersoftheCorporateExecutive
Committeeisdeterminedinaccordancewiththeremuneration
directiveandremunerationrulesissuedbytheBoardofDirec-
tors�Itconsistsofthebasicsalaryplustheperformanceremu-
nerationbasedontheindividualperformance(targetvalue30%
ofthebasicsalary)andtheperformancepool,whichreflects
thecorporateperformanceasassessedbytheCompensation
Committee�ThemembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommit-
teearealsoallocatedperformanceshareunits(PSU)asalong-
termvariableremunerationelement�Thetypeandscopeofthe
remunerationisdeterminedbytheCompensationCommittee�
Inordertostrengthenthecommonalityofinterestswiththe
shareholders,themembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCom-
mitteemustdrawatleast50%oftheirshort-termvariablere-
munerationinshares�Theseobligatorysharesubscriptionsand
thesharesallocatedaspartofthePSUprogrammemeanthat,
comparedtothemarket,ahighproportionoftheremuneration
ismadeasadeferredpayment�

Theindividualtargetskeystocalculatingtheperformance
remunerationare,besidesthesuccessfulmanagementofthe
ownGroupdivision,mainlyimportantprojectsandinitiatives
forwhichtherespectiveCorporateExecutiveCommitteemem-
berisresponsible�For2011allmembersoftheCorporate

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nomicvaluecreationofthecompany,itcanalsoreflectthe
negativedevelopmentoftheshareprice�

5.11. Loans to key personnel
Seetableonpage74�

5.12. Participations and options
Seetablesonpages75and76�

5.13. Amounts of the total remuneration and the variable 

payments 
Seetableonpage67�

Compliantwiththecircular10/1oftheFederalFinancial
SupervisoryAuthorityonremunerationsystems,Baloisepub-
lishesthesumsofthetotalremunerationandthevariablepay-
mentsinthetableonpage67andgivesdetailsregardingthe
amountofoutstanding,deferredremunerationaswellasany
serviceentryanddeparturecompensationgranted�Thefigures
containallremunerationelementsthatwereawardedforthe
2011fiscalyear,evenifindividualpartswillonlybepaidoutat
alaterdate�

Thevariableremunerationelementsawardedforthe2010
fiscalyearhadnotbeendeterminedwhenlastyear’sCompen-
sationReportwenttoprint,whichiswhythedetailsgivenwere
partiallybasedonestimates�Inthereportathand,theprevious
year’sfiguresthatwerebasedonestimateshavebeenreplaced
bytheactualamountsinordertoensureameaningfulcom-
parisontothepreviousyear�Nosignificantdifferenceshave
emergedbetweenthoseestimatesandtheeffectivefigures�

ExecutiveCommitteewillincludetheembeddingofacommon
setofvaluesinBaloise�Individualtargetsaresetinconsultation
withtherespectivesupervisingmanagerandapprovedbythe
CompensationCommittee�Baloisecannotdisclosefurtherde-
tailsorquantificationregardingtheindividualtargetsortheir
degreeofattainmentduetocompetitivereasons�

Thedisclosureoftheremunerationtothemembersofthe
CorporateExecutiveCommitteeofthe2011financialreporting
onpages72and73isperformedaccordingtotheso-calledac-
crualprincipleforthefirsttime:Allremunerationelementsare
containedinthetablethatwereawardedforperformancesdur-
ingthe2011fiscalyear,evenifindividualpartswillonlybepaid
outlater�Bringingthesubscriptiondateoftheindividualpay-
mentprogrammesforwardwillmakeitpossibleinfutureto
recordthedefinitiveemolumentsforthereportingperiod�The
tablewiththepreviousyear’sfigures(pages70and71)hasbeen
adaptedinordertoensureameaningfulcomparisontothe
previousyear�Itthereforecontainsallremunerationawarded
forthe2010fiscalyearregardlessofthepayoutdate�

ThebasicsalariesoftheCorporateExecutiveCommittee
remainedunchangedin2011�Thetotalsumofremuneration
forthemembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteedecreased
byanominal12%comparedtothepreviousyear�Thiscanbe
ascribedtoseveralfactors:Theproportionofshort-termvari-
ableremunerationin2011liesdistinctlybelowtheprevious
year’svalue�TheCompensationCommitteereducedthealloca-
tionfromtheperformancepoolfor2011versustheexpected
valueofpreviousyearsby30%�Theunsatisfactoryshareper-
formancein2011alsoledtoamarkedreductionofearnings
gainedfromtheconversionofPSU�Sothereductionofthe
performancefactorfrom1�24to0�64andthelowershareprice
ontheconversiondatefromCHF91�00toCHF64�40meanthat
thevalueofaPSUconvertedintoshareswas63%lowerthanin
thepreviousyear�Furthermore,theallocationofPSUsthatwere
convertedduringthepreviousyearislowerfortwomembers
oftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteebecausetheydidnot
holdtheircurrentpostsatthetime�OnememberoftheCor-
porateExecutiveCommitteereceivedareducedsalarydueto
takingunpaidleave�Thesefactorsandalsothechangesinper-
sonnelontheCorporateExecutiveCommitteemustbeconsid-
eredinordertoachieveanobjectivecomparison�Thereduction
oftotalremunerationthuscalculatedamountsto22%,there-
ductioninvariableremuneration43%�Thesefiguresshowthat
whilethevariableremunerationisstronglytiedtotheeco-

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TOTAL AND VARIABLE REMUNERATION BALOISE GROUP

2010

Cash payment

Shares

Prospective 
entitlements

Total

Cash payment

Shares

Prospective 
entitlements

2011

Total

Total remuneration 

in CHF million

Total variable remuneration (total pool)

808.6

7.2

7.1

822.9

757.1

5.1

7.4

769.6

in CHF million

Number of beneficiaries

169.9

6,776

7.2

251

7.1

70

184.2

149.5

6,657

5.1

173

7.4

73

162.0

of which commission / brokerage to the  
insurance sales force employees

in CHF million

of which other variable  
remuneration elements

in CHF million

Total outstanding  
deferred remuneration 

in CHF million

Debits / credits from remuneration  
for previous fiscal years  
recognised in profit and loss 

111.9

0.0

0.0

111.9

96.6

0.0

0.0

96.6

57.9

7.2

7.1

72.2

52.9

5.1

7.4

65.4

0.0

67.0

20.3

87.3

0.0

48.5

21.0

69.5

in CHF million

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Total recruitment payments made

in CHF million

Number of beneficiaries

Total severance payments made

in CHF million

Number of beneficiaries

0.3

3

3.1

86

0.0

0

0.0

0

0.0

0

0.0

0

0.3

3.1

0.1

3

4.9

73

0.0

0

0.0

0

0.0

0

0.0

0

0.1

4.9

Explanatory notes to table:
the table contains all remuneration elements that were awarded for the respective fiscal year, even if individual parts will only be paid out later.
Total remuneration  all cash-value benefits that the financial institution awards directly or indirectly to a person for work performance in connection with his 
employment contract or function; for example cash payments, non-cash benefits, expenses that justify or increase pension entitlements, annuities, allocation of 
participation, conversion and option rights as well as waiving any claims. 
Variable remuneration  portion of total remuneration whose adjustment or amount is at the discretion of the financial institution or depends on the occurrence of 
agreed conditions, including performance or success-related compensation such as kickbacks and commissions. Service entry and departure compensation are 
likewise contained under the item variable remuneration. 
Total pool  Sum of all variable remuneration that a financial institute pays for a fiscal year, independent of form, of a contractual warranty, of the time of allocation and 
payment as well as any associated conditions and constraints. Service entry and departure compensation paid in the respective fiscal year are assigned to the total 
pool. 
Service entry compensation  one-off payment agreed when an employment contract is concluded. Facultative compensation for forfeited claims to remuneration from
a previous employer is also counted as compensation for service entry. 
Departure compensation  payment agreed regarding the termination of an employment contract. 

the variable remuneration elements awarded for the 2010 fiscal year had not been determined when last year’s Compensation Report went to print, which is why the 
details given were partially based on estimates. the previous year’s figures in the table above that were based on estimates have been replaced by the actual amounts 
in order to ensure a meaningful comparison to the previous year. No significant differences have emerged between those estimates and the effective figures.

68

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REMUNERATION TO ThE MEMBERS Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS (PREVIOUS yEAR)

2010

Dr Georg f. Krayer 

vice-Chairman Board of Directors

Chair Compensation Committee

Deputy Chair Chairman’s Committee and  
Investment Committee

Dr Michael Becker

Member audit Committee

Dr Andreas Burckhardt 

Member audit Committee

Dr hansjörg frei

Member Chairman’s Committee and  
Investment Committee

Member audit Committee

Prof. Dr Gertrud höhler 

Member Compensation Committee

Dr Klaus Jenny

Member Chairman’s Committee and  
Investment Committee

Deputy Chair Compensation Committee

Werner Kummer

Chair audit Committee

Dr Eveline Saupper

Member Compensation Committee

Total Board of Directors  
(not including Chairman)

Basic 
remuneration

Remuneration  
for additional  
functions

Additional   
remuneration

Total

Of which:  
in cash

Of which:  
in shares

Number  
of shares

125,000

0

295,000

221,293

73,707

1,009

50,000

50,000

70,000

25,000

50,000

70,000

50,000

50,000

70,000

50,000

70,000

50,000

62,500

125,000

125,000

125,000

125,000

125,000

125,000

937,500

655,000

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

87,500

87,500

0

175,000

131,316

43,684

245,000

183,784

61,216

175,000

131,316

43,684

245,000

183,784

61,216

195,000

146,276

48,724

175,000

131,316

43,684

0

598

838

598

838

667

598

1,592,500

1,216,585

375,915

5,146

Explanatory notes to table on page 68:
Dr Michael Becker was elected as a new member of the Board of Directors at the annual General Meeting 2010. He therefore received only half of the usual remuneration 
for 2010. 
Remuneration to former members of the Board of Directors and related individuals  Due to contractual obligations, a one-off payment of CHF 80,000 was paid to 
a former member of the Board of Directors, in connection with his previous governing body activities in the company. No remuneration was paid to individuals or 
companies related to members of the Board of Directors or that is not market-standard (closely related individuals: spouses, civil partners, children under 18, 
companies controlled by or belonging to members of the Board, legal or natural persons who act as fiduciary for them). Furthermore, receivables from this group of 
persons were not waived. 
Shares  25 % of the contractually agreed remuneration will be paid in shares, which are blocked for three years. Intrinsic value: Fair value minus 10 % (CHF 73.05, 
corresponds to Share Subscription Scheme). 

Explanatory notes to table on page 69:
Dr andreas Beerli and Dr Georges-antoine de Boccard were elected as new members of the Board of Directors at the 2011 annual General Meeting. Hence they received 
only half of the usual remuneration for 2011. prof. Gertrud Höhler resigned from the Board of Directors at the 2011 annual General Meeting as a result of having reached 
the regulatory age limit. Hence she received only half of the usual remuneration. 
Since the 2011 annual General Meeting, Dr andreas Burckhardt is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He received the usual remuneration for his Board and audit 
Committee membership pro rata temporis until the annual General Meeting. He received – likewise pro rata temporis – the contractually stipulated lump sum 
compensation as Chairman of the Board of Directors as of 30 april. Shares subscriptions for the period as Chairman of the Board of Directors: 1,260 shares from SSS 
(CHF 103,682) and 1,301 shares from eSop (CHF 103,916). Furthermore, Baloise provided the regulatory employer contributions to the pension fund (CHF 140,546).
Remuneration to former members of the Board of Directors and related individuals Compensation to former members and closely related individuals  No remuneration 
was paid to individuals or companies related to members of the Board of Directors or that is not market-standard (closely related individuals: spouses, civil partners, 
children under 18, companies controlled by or belonging to members of the Board, legal or natural persons who act as fiduciary for them). Furthermore, receivables 
from this group of persons were not waived. 
Shares  25 % of the contractually agreed lump payment are paid in shares that remain blocked for three years. Intrinsic value: Fair value minus 10 % (CHF 82.43; 
corresponds to Share Subscription Scheme). 

Corporate Governance
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69

REMUNERATION TO ThE MEMBERS Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS 

2011

Dr Andreas Burckhardt 

Chairman Board of Directors  
(as of 29 april 2011)

Member Board of Directors  
(until 29 april 2011)

Member audit Committee  
(until 29 april 2011)

Dr Georg f. Krayer 

vice-Chairman Board of Directors

Chair Compensation Committee

Deputy Chair Chairman’s Committee and  
Investment Committee

Dr Michael Becker

Member audit Committee

Dr Andreas Beerli

Member audit Committee  
(as of 29 april 2011)

Dr Georges-Antoine de Boccard

Member Compensation Committee  
(as of 29 april 2011)

Dr hansjörg frei

Member Chairman’s Committee and  
Investment Committee

Member audit Committee

Prof. Dr Gertrud höhler 

Member Compensation Committee  
(until 29 april 2011)

Dr Klaus Jenny

Member Chairman’s Committee and  
Investment Committee

Deputy Chair Compensation Committee

Werner Kummer

Chair audit Committee

Dr Eveline Saupper

Member Compensation Committee

Basic 
remuneration

Remuneration  
for additional  
functions

Additional   
remuneration

Total

Of which:  
in cash

Of which:  
in shares

Number 
of shares

879,778

41,667

0

0

16,666

0

0

879,778

672,000

207,778

2,561

58,333

43,825

14,508

176

125,000

0

295,000

221,308

73,692

894

50,000

50,000

70,000

50,000

25,000

25,000

70,000

50,000

25,000

70,000

50,000

70,000

50,000

125,000

62,500

62,500

125,000

62,500

125,000

125,000

125,000

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

175,000

131,312

43,688

530

87,500

87,500

87,500

87,500

0

0

0

0

245,000

183,755

61,245

743

87,500

43,812

43,688

530

245,000

183,755

61,245

743

195,000

146,284

48,716

175,000

131,312

43,688

591

530

2,530,611

1,932,362

598,249

7,298

Total Board of Directors  

1,858,945

671,666

70

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REMUNERATION TO ThE ChAIRMAN Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS AND ThE MEMBERS Of ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE (PREVIOUS yEAR)

2010

Dr Rolf Schäuble

Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Dr Martin Strobel

Ceo Baloise Group

Dr Olav Noack

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland

Jan De Meulder

Head of Corporate Division International

German Egloff

Head of Corporate Division Finance

Dr Thomas Sieber

Head of Corporate Division Corporate Center

Martin Wenk

Head of Corporate Division asset Management

Total Corporate Executive  
Committee

Cash compensation

Shares

Basic salary (fixed)

Chf

In % of total 
remuneration

Incentive  
(variable)

Chf

1,600,020

43 %

654,209

Employee Participation Plan

Chf

4,190

Number of 
shares

100

Share Subscription Scheme

Share Ownership Plan

in 2011)

Share Awards

Employee  

PSU 2008 (converted into shares  

Chf

Number of 

shares

654,082

7,935

Number of 

shares

Number of 

Chf

shares

Number of PSU

0 

824,369

9,059

9,297

Chf

0 

Chf

0 

Chf

3,736,870

Shares

Non-cash 

benefits

Pension 

Total 

provisions

remuneration

1,300,000

46 %

524,363

4,190

100

524,337

6,361

340,067

3,737

7,554

119,530

2,812,487

680,004

52 %

256,280

700,080

38 %

274,689

0 

0 

550,020

38 %

226,071

4,190

540,000

34 %

306,641

4,190

0 

0 

100

100

256,110

3,107

0 

0 

0

110,730

1,303,124

274,574

3,331

267,813 

2,943 

4,067

151,104

190,374

1,858,634

225,941

2,741

283,465

3,115

3,196

153,939

1,443,626

164,860

2,000

146,343

1,832

278,278

3,058

3,138

124,916

1,565,228

*500,000

35 %

10,676

0 

0 

370,935

4,500

99,989

1,252

309,218

3,398

3,486

157,058

1,447,876

4,270,104

41 %

1,598,720

12,570

300

1,816,757

22,040

246,332

3,084

1,478,841

16,251

21,441

151,104

856,547

10,430,975

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Chf

0 

0

0 

0 

0

0

0 

0 

0

Explanatory notes to the tables on pages 70 and 71:
the disclosure of the remuneration to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the members of the Corporate executive Committee is performed according to the 
so-called accrual principle for the 2011 financial reporting for the first time: the table on the pages 72 and 73 contains all remuneration elements that were awarded for 
performances during the 2011 fiscal year, even if individual parts will only be paid out later. Bringing the subscription date of the individual payment programmes 
forward will make it possible in future to record the definitive emoluments for the reporting period. the table with the previous year’s figures (pages 70 and 71) has 
been adapted in order to ensure a meaningful comparison to the previous year. the previous year table contains all remuneration awarded in the 2010 fiscal year 
regardless of the payout date and therefore does not differ from the table published in last year’s Compensation Report.  
Remuneration to former members of the Board of Directors and related individuals  No remuneration was paid to individuals or companies related to the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors or members of the Corporate executive Board or that is not market-standard (related individuals: spouse, civil partner, children under 18 years, 
companies controlled by members of the Board of Directors, or legal or natural persons who act as a fiduciary for them). Furthermore, receivables from this group of 
persons were not waived. In 2010 a former member of the Corporate executive Committee received CHF 0.6 million as 7,047 shares from the conversion of pSUs. Half of 
these shares remains restricted for a further three years. 
Basic salary  Contractually agreed basic salary (gross). 
*M. Wenk took two months unpaid leave in 2010, his basic salary was reduced accordingly. 
Incentive  portion of variable, performance-related remuneration paid in cash (gross). 
Employee Participation Plan  Remuneration component resulting from the purchase of employee shares at a preferential price. Calculation: Market value minus 
subscription price = payment in kind = CHF 49.10.   
Share Subscription Scheme  portion of incentive (variable remuneration) drawn directly in shares. Calculation: Fair value minus 10 % discount = CHF 82.43. 
Employee Share Ownership Plan  portion of incentive (variable remuneration) drawn in shares (excluding shares financed by a loan). Calculation: Fair value minus 
discounted dividend right over three years = CHF 79.88.
Performance share units (PSU)  prospective entitlements: entitlements that confer a right to acquire shares at a future date, subject to achieving pre-determined 
performance targets. the value of prospective entitlements is only added to total remuneration when they are converted into actual shares (i. e. at the end of the 
three-year performance period), because only then can a reliable estimate be provided and only then have they actually been earned. 

Corporate Governance
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71

Employee  
Share Ownership Plan

PSU 2008 (converted into shares  
in 2011)

Share Awards

Shares

Non-cash 
benefits

Pension 
provisions

Total 
remuneration

Chf

0 

0

0 

0 

0

Number of 
shares

Chf

Number of 
shares

Number of PSU

0 

824,369

9,059

9,297

0

0 

0 

0

340,067

3,737

7,554

0 

0 

0

283,465

3,115

3,196

Chf

0 

0 

0 

Chf

0 

Chf

3,736,870

119,530

2,812,487

110,730

1,303,124

0 

0 

0 

153,939

1,443,626

124,916

1,565,228

157,058

1,447,876

267,813 

2,943 

4,067

151,104

190,374

1,858,634

REMUNERATION TO ThE ChAIRMAN Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS AND ThE MEMBERS Of ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE (PREVIOUS yEAR)

2010

Dr Rolf Schäuble

Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Dr Martin Strobel

Ceo Baloise Group

Dr Olav Noack

Jan De Meulder

German Egloff

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland

Head of Corporate Division International

Head of Corporate Division Finance

Dr Thomas Sieber

Head of Corporate Division Corporate Center

Martin Wenk

Head of Corporate Division asset Management

Total Corporate Executive  

Committee

680,004

52 %

256,280

700,080

38 %

274,689

0 

0 

550,020

38 %

226,071

4,190

0 

0 

100

100

Cash compensation

Shares

Basic salary (fixed)

Employee Participation Plan

Incentive  

(variable)

In % of total 

Chf

remuneration

Chf

1,600,020

43 %

654,209

Chf

4,190

Number of 

shares

100

Share Subscription Scheme

Chf

Number of 
shares

654,082

7,935

1,300,000

46 %

524,363

4,190

100

524,337

6,361

256,110

3,107

274,574

3,331

225,941

2,741

540,000

34 %

306,641

4,190

164,860

2,000

146,343

1,832

278,278

3,058

3,138

*500,000

35 %

10,676

0 

0 

370,935

4,500

99,989

1,252

309,218

3,398

3,486

4,270,104

41 %

1,598,720

12,570

300

1,816,757

22,040

246,332

3,084

1,478,841

16,251

21,441

151,104

856,547

10,430,975

Shares from converted PSU  pSU allocated in 2008 were converted into shares on 1 January 2011. at the end of the performance period on 31 December 2010, the 
performance of the Baloise share held the 12th rank of 31 companies within the reference group (StoXX europe 600 Insurance Index), in other words, it was in the 2nd 
quartile. thus the performance factor was 1.24, and the 51,880 outstanding pSU were converted into 64,335 shares (market price on 31.12.2010: CHF 91.00, fair value 
CHF 5.9 million). Half of these shares remain blocked for three years yet. 
Non-cash benefits  Basis: all elements of remuneration in compliance with the Swiss salary certificate. the tables contain, besides gifts for length of service, also 
refunds for travel and accommodation expenses and non-cash benefits (use of a company car) to one member of the Corporate executive Committee who has  
a secondary residence abroad. 
Pension provisions  employer contributions to the pension scheme as well as the maintenance of protection against invalidity in the home country for one member of 
the Corporate executive Committee who has a secondary residence abroad. 

72

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REMUNERATION TO ThE ChAIRMAN Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS AND ThE MEMBERS Of ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE

2011

Dr Rolf Schäuble

Chairman of the Board of Directors (until 29 april 2011) 

Dr Martin Strobel

Ceo Baloise Group

Michael Müller

Cash compensation

Shares

Basic salary (fixed)

Variable 
compensation

Employee Participation Plan

Chf

In % of total 
remuneration

Chf

800,010

54 %

180,000

Chf

0

Number of 
shares

0

Share Subscription Scheme

Share Ownership Plan

in 2012)

Share Awards

Employee  

PSU 2009 (converted into shares 

Chf

0

Number of 

shares

0

Number of 

shares

Number of 

Chf

shares

Number of PSU

0 

500,195

7,767

8,792

Chf

0 

Chf

0 

Chf

1,480,205

Shares

Non-cash 

benefits

Pension 

Total 

provisions

remuneration

1,300,000

54 %

372,175

3,480

100

172,082

2,624

199,993

3,342

187,597

2,913

7,143

154,060

2,389,387

366,168

52 %

83,267

3,480 

100 

163,950

2,500

45,080 

700 

45,350

707,295

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland (as of 22 March 2011)

Dr Olav Noack

680,004

69 %

25,555

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland (until 21 March 2011)

Jan De Meulder

Head of Corporate Division International

German Egloff

Head of Corporate Division Finance

Dr Thomas Sieber

Head of Corporate Division Corporate Center

Martin Wenk

Head of Corporate Division asset Management

Total Corporate Executive  
Committee

700,080

46 %

182,434

550,020

46 %

120,283

3,480

540,000

46 %

183,966

3,480

0 

0 

0 

0 

100

100

25,445

388

82,432 

1,280 

56,160 

121,626

991,222

182,378

2,781

128,864 

2,001 

3,847

116,310

204,583

1,514,649

131,160

2,000

82,144

1,373

137,558

2,136

3,022

167,386

1,192,031

65,580

1,000

127,779

2,135

135,047

2,097

2,968

129,197

1,185,049

600,000

49 %

156,407

3,480 

100 

156,343

2,384

0

0

150,052

2,330

3,297

162,498

1,228,780

4,736,272

51 %

1,124,087

17,400

500

896,938

13,677

409,916

6,850

866,630

13,457

20,277

172,470

984,700

9,208,413

Chf

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

0

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Explanatory notes to the tables on pages 72 and 73:
the disclosure of the remuneration is performed according to the so-called accrual principle for the first time in 2011. the table contains all remuneration elements 
that were awarded for performances provided during the 2011 fiscal year, even if individual parts will only be paid out later. 
Dr andreas Burckhardt as Chairman of the Board of Directors has no executive function. For this reason his compensation is disclosed on page 69 (remuneration for the 
Board of Directors).
Dr Rolf Schäuble received his previous monthly salary until the ordinary period of notice expired on 30 June 2011. He was additionally awarded performance pay for 
2011 amounting to CHF 180,000.  
the basic salary of Michael Müller is considered on a pro rata basis as of 22 March 2011. Dr olav Noack receives his previous monthly salary until the ordinary period of 
notice expires on 31 March 2012.
Remuneration to former members of the Board of Directors and related individuals  No remuneration was paid to individuals or companies related to the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors or members of the Corporate executive Board or that is not market-standard (related individuals: spouse, civil partner, children under 18 years, 
companies controlled by members of the Board of Directors, or legal or natural persons who act as a fiduciary for them). Furthermore, receivables from this group of 
persons were not waived. 
Employee Participation Plan  Remuneration components resulting from the purchase of employee shares at a preferential price (2011: CHF 34.80). Calculation: market 
value minus subscription price = payment in kind.   
Share Subscription Scheme  portion of variable remuneration drawn directly in shares. Calculation: fair value minus 10 % discount. 
Subscription price = CHF 65.58. 
Employee Share Ownership Plan  portion of variable remuneration drawn in shares(excluding shares financed by a loan). Calculation: Fair value minus discounted 
dividend right over 3 years. Subscription price = CHF 59.84.
Performance share units (PSU)  the value of prospective entitlements is only added to the total remuneration when they are actually converted into shares (i. e. at the 
end of the three-year performance period), since only then can they be reliably estimated and only then have they actually been earned. the mathematical value of  
a pSU at the time of allocation amounted to CHF 84.70 (calculation according to Monte Carlo simulation). the prospective entitlements allocated to Michael Müller in 
January 2011 are not listed because these relate to his former function as member of executive management in Switzerland.

Basic salary (fixed)

compensation

Employee Participation Plan

Share Subscription Scheme

Employee  
Share Ownership Plan

PSU 2009 (converted into shares 
in 2012)

Share Awards

In % of total 

Chf

remuneration

Chf

800,010

54 %

180,000

Chf

0

Number of 

shares

0

Chf

0

Number of 
shares

0

Chf

0 

Number of 
shares

Chf

Number of 
shares

Number of PSU

0 

500,195

7,767

8,792

1,300,000

54 %

372,175

3,480

100

172,082

2,624

199,993

3,342

187,597

2,913

7,143

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland (as of 22 March 2011)

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland (until 21 March 2011)

366,168

52 %

83,267

3,480 

100 

163,950

2,500

680,004

69 %

25,555

700,080

46 %

182,434

0 

0 

25,445

388

182,378

2,781

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

45,080 

700 

82,432 

1,280 

0

0

128,864 

2,001 

3,847

116,310

204,583

1,514,649

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
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73

Shares

Non-cash 
benefits

Pension 
provisions

Total 
remuneration

Chf

0 

0 

0 

Chf

0 

Chf

1,480,205

154,060

2,389,387

45,350

707,295

56,160 

121,626

991,222

550,020

46 %

120,283

3,480

131,160

2,000

82,144

1,373

137,558

2,136

3,022

540,000

46 %

183,966

3,480

65,580

1,000

127,779

2,135

135,047

2,097

2,968

600,000

49 %

156,407

3,480 

100 

156,343

2,384

0

0

150,052

2,330

3,297

0 

0 

0 

167,386

1,192,031

129,197

1,185,049

162,498

1,228,780

4,736,272

51 %

1,124,087

17,400

500

896,938

13,677

409,916

6,850

866,630

13,457

20,277

172,470

984,700

9,208,413

Shares from converted PSU  pSU allocated in 2009 were converted into shares on 1 January 2012. at the end of the performance period on 31 December 2011, the 
performance of the Baloise share held the 24th rank of 34 companies within the reference group (StoXX europe 600 Insurance Index), in other words, it was in the third 
quartile. thus the performance factor was 0.64 and the 33,163 outstanding pSU of the former Chairman of the Board of Directors and the members of the Corporate 
executive Committee were converted into 21,224 shares (valuated at the share price on 31.12.2011: CHF 64.40). Half of these shares remain blocked for three years yet. 
Non-cash benefits  Basis: all remuneration elements that must be declared according to the salary statement. this also includes refunds for travel and accommodation 
expenses and payments in kind (use of a company car) to one member of the Corporate executive Committee who has a secondary residence abroad or advisory 
services in connection with the retirement of one member of the Corporate executive Committee. 
Pension provisions  employer contributions to the pension scheme as well as the maintenance of protection against invalidity in the home country for one member of 
the Corporate executive Committee who has a secondary residence abroad. 

REMUNERATION TO ThE ChAIRMAN Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS AND ThE MEMBERS Of ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Cash compensation

Shares

Variable 

Chairman of the Board of Directors (until 29 april 2011) 

2011

Dr Rolf Schäuble

Dr Martin Strobel

Ceo Baloise Group

Michael Müller

Dr Olav Noack

Jan De Meulder

German Egloff

Head of Corporate Division International

Head of Corporate Division Finance

Dr Thomas Sieber

Head of Corporate Division Corporate Center

Martin Wenk

Head of Corporate Division asset Management

Total Corporate Executive  

Committee

0 

0 

100

100

74

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

CREDITS AND LOANS TO MEMBERS Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS AND ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE (31 DECEMBER)

Mortgages

Loans pertaining to the  
Share Ownership Plan

Other loans

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

in CHF

Dr Andreas Burckhardt

Chairman (as of 29 april 2011) 
Member (until 29 april 2011)

Dr Rolf Schäuble

Chairman (until 29 april 2011)

Dr Georg f. Krayer

vice-Chairman 

Dr Michael Becker 

Member

Dr Andreas Beerli

Member

Dr Georges-Antoine de Boccard

Member

Dr hansjörg frei

Member

Prof. Dr Gertrud höhler

Member (until 29 april 2011) 

Dr Klaus Jenny

Member

Werner Kummer

Member

Dr Eveline Saupper

Member

Total Board of Directors 

Corporate Executive 
Committee member with the 
highest outstanding loan

Dr Thomas Sieber 

0

0

0 

0

n / a

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

581,494 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

0 

0

n / a

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

581,494 

Head of Corporate Division Corporate 
Center

1,000,000

1,000,000

2,369,550

2,403,567

Other members of the  
Corporate Executive  
Committee

3,625,000

2,575,000

5,903,515

3,395,844

Total Corporate Executive Committee

4,625,000

3,575,000

8,273,065

5,799,411

0 

0

0 

0

n / a

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Total

2011

581,494 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

581,494 

0 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

n / a

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

0

0

0

n / a

n / a

0

0 

0

0

0

0 

0 

3,369,550

 3,403,567 

0 

9,528,515

 5,970,844 

0  12,898,065

 9,374,411 

Explanatory notes to the table:
Credits and loans  No loans and advances that are not market standard have been granted to
a) former members of the Board of Directors or Corporate executive Committee;
b) individuals or companies with close family ties to members of the Board of Directors (related individuals: spouse, civil partner, children under 18 years, companies 
belonging to or controlled by Board members, or legal or natural persons that act as fiduciaries for them).
Mortgages  Mortgages up to CHF 1 million are granted on employee terms: 1 % below the interest rate for customers on variable mortgages, preferential interest rate
for fixed mortgages.
Loans pertaining to the ESOP (Employee Share Ownership Plan)  Loans to increase the leverage of the eSop (compare “5.6. Share Subscription Scheme and employee 
Share ownership plan”). Interest is charged on the loans at prevailing interest rates (2011: 3 %) over a term of three years. a loan of CHF 0.2 million to a former 
member of the Corporate executive Committee still exists from the employee Share ownership plan.
Other loans  No other policy loans exist.

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

75

ShARES hELD By MEMBERS Of ThE BOARD Of DIRECTORS (31 DECEMBER)

free float shares

Restricted shares

Share ownership   
total

Percentage of issued share capital

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

Number

Dr Andreas Burckhardt

Chairman  
(as of 29 april 2011) 

Dr Georg f. Krayer

vice-Chairman 

Dr Michael Becker

Member

Dr Andreas Beerli

Member

Dr Georges-Antoine  
de Boccard

Member

Dr hansjörg frei

Member

Prof. Dr Gertrud höhler

Member  
(until 29 april 2011)

Dr Klaus Jenny

Member

Werner Kummer

Member

Dr Eveline Saupper

Member

Total Board of Directors 

percentage of issued 
share capital

670

1,093

2,571

12,105

3,241

13,198

0.006 %

0.026 %

33,186

34,069

3,819

3,830

37,005

37,899

0.075 %

0.076 %

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,530

2,000

2,530

0.004 %

0.005 %

n / a

n / a

710

670

0

0

n / a

1,000

n / a

1,000

n / a

0.002 %

n / a

1,000

n / a

1,000

n / a

0.002 %

1,303

3,201

3,351

3,911

4,654

0.008 %

0.009 %

n / a

2,571

n / a

3,241

n / a

0.006 %

n / a

18,928

19,521

3,201

3,351

22,129

22,872

0.044 %

0.046 %

1,174

1,813

2,752

2,871

3,926

4,684

0.008 %

0.009 %

670

57,008

0.114 %

1,093

59,892

0.120 %

2,571

21,686

0.043 %

2,678

31,716

0.063 %

3,241

78,694

0.157 %

3,771

91,608

0.183 %

0.006 %

0.157 %

0.008 %

0.183 %

Explanatory notes to table:
Shareholdings  Including shares held by closely related individuals (spouses, civil partners, children under 18, companies controlled by or belonging to members
of the Board, legal or natural persons who act as fiduciary for them).
Restricted shares  Shares subscribed through the share-based remuneration programmes are subject to a three-year blocking period. the blocking period for shares 
subscribed through the Share Subscription Scheme by the Chairman of the Board of Directors is five years. according to §20 of the articles of Incorporation, each 
member of the Board of Directors must deposit 1,000 shares with the company for the term of his / her office (qualifying shares).
Options  Members of the Board of Directors do not hold option on Baloise shares.

76

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
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ShARES hELD By MEMBERS Of ThE CORPORATE ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE  
(31 DECEMBER)

Number

Dr Rolf Schäuble

Chairman of the Board of Directors  
(until 29 april 2011)

Dr Martin Strobel

Ceo Baloise Group

Jan De Meulder

free float shares

Restricted shares

Share ownership   
Total

Percentage of issued  
share capital

Number of  
share awards (PSU)

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

60,201

n / a

30,183

n / a

90,384

n / a

0.181 %

n / a

28,739

n / a

1,852

6,036

39,751

28,464

41,603

34,500

0.083 % 0.069 % 15,119

19,248

Head of Corporate Division International

1,566

3,501

4,576

8,915

6,142

12,416

0.012 % 0.025 %

9,567

11,041

German Egloff

Head of Corporate Division Finance

4,675

8,333

36,645

24,655

41,320

32,988

0.083 % 0.066 %

9,046

9,556

Michael Müller

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland 
(as of 22 March 2011)

Dr Olav Noack

Head of Corporate Division Switzerland  
(until 21 March 2011)

Dr Thomas Sieber 

Head of Corporate Division Corporate 
Center

Martin Wenk

Head of Corporate Division  
asset Management

Total members of the 
Corporate Executive Committee

percentage of issued  
share capital

n / a

1,271

n / a

3,957

n / a

5,228

n / a

0.010 %

n / a

3,184

120

n / a

3,721

n / a

3,841

n / a

0.008 %

n / a

8,078

n / a

400

2,864

38,716

43,539

39,116

46,403

0.078 % 0.093 %

8,881

9,383

2,600

6,600

38,287

43,314

40,887

49,914

0.082 % 0.100 %

9,867

10,424

71,414

28,605 191,879 152,844 263,293 181,449

0.527 % 0.363 % 89,297

62,836

0.143 % 0.057 % 0.384 % 0.306 % 0.527 % 0.363 %

Explanatory notes to table:
Shareholdings  Including shares held by closely related individuals (spouses, civil partners, children under 18, companies controlled by or belonging to members of the 
Board, legal or natural persons who act as fiduciary for them).
Restricted shares  Including shares from the employee Share ownership plan financed by a loan. Shares subscribed through share-based remuneration schemes
are subject to a three-year blocking period. according to § 20 of the articles of Incorporation, each member of the Board of Directors must deposit 1,000 shares with the 
company for the term of his / her office (qualifying shares).
Options  options held in connection with the employee Share ownership plan are not listed here because they do not originate from a stand-alone option plan, but are 
written rather to secure the loan. In addition, each put option has a call option as counterpart.
Prospective entitlements (PSU)  Number of performance share units allocated (allocation as of 1.1.2009, 1.1.2010 and 1.1.2011).

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

77

6. ShAREhOLDER PARTICIPATION RIGhTS

Voting rights
ThesharecapitalofBâloiseHoldingconsistsexclusivelyofreg-
isteredshares�Eachsharegrantstherighttoonevote�There
arenoshareswithpreferentialvotingrights�Inordertomain-
tainabroadshareholderbaseandprotectminoritysharehold-
ers,noshareholderisregisteredwithvotingrightsofmorethan
2%,irrespectiveofthenumberofsharesheld�TheBoardof
Directorsmayapproveexceptionstothisrulewithatwo-thirds
majorityofallmembers(§5oftheArticlesofIncorporation)�
Therearecurrentlynoexceptions�Eachshareholdermayau-
thoriseanothershareholdertoexercisehis/hervotingrights
inwriting�Inexercisingvotingrights,noshareholdermaydi-
rectlyorindirectlyaggregatehis/herownandproxyvotesto
securemorethanafifthofallvotingrightsattheAnnualGen-
eralMeeting(§16oftheArticlesofIncorporation)�

Statutory quorums
TheAnnualGeneralMeetinghasaquorum,irrespectiveofthe
numberofshareholdersandproxyvotespresent,subjecttothe
obligatorycasesasprescribedbylaw(§17oftheArticlesofIn-
corporation)�

A waiver of statutory voting right restrictions requires
aquorumofatleastthree-quartersofthevotesrepresentedat
theAnnualGeneralMeeting,whichatthesametimemustalso
totalatleastonethirdofallsharesissuedbythecompany�This
qualifiedmajorityalsoappliestoothercasesspecifiedin§17
section3a–hoftheArticlesofIncorporation�Otherwisereso-
lutionsareadoptedbyasimplemajorityofshare-basedvotes
cast,subjecttomandatorystatutoryprovisions(§17ofthe
ArticlesofIncorporation)�

Convening the Annual General Meeting
Asarule,theAnnualGeneralMeetingisheldinApril,butno
laterthansixmonthsaftertheendofthefiscalyear�TheBâloise
Holdingfiscalyearendson31December�Atleast20days’
noticeofanAnnualGeneralMeetingisgiven�Everyregistered
shareholderreceivesapersonalinvitationandanagenda�The
invitationandtheagendaarepublishedintheSwissOfficial
Gazette of Commerce, in various newspapers and on the
Internet�

ExtraordinaryGeneralMeetingsmaybeconvenedbyreso-
lutionoftheAnnualGeneralMeeting,theBoardofDirectors
ortheauditors�Furthermore,anExtraordinaryGeneralMeet-
ingmustbeconvenedbytheBoardofDirectorsattherequest

ofshareholdersincompliancewithlegalstipulations(§11of
theArticlesofIncorporation)�Forsucharequesttobegranted,
theshareholdersmustrepresentatleast10%ofthesharecapi-
tal,incompliancewitharticle699section3oftheSwissCode
ofObligations�

Inclusion of agenda items
Oneormoreshareholders,whotogetherrepresentshareswith
afacevalueofatleastCHF100,000mayapplyunder§699
paragraph3oftheSwissCodeofObligationstohaveitems
placedontheagenda�Suchapplicationsmustbesubmittedin
writingtotheBoardofDirectorsnolaterthansixweeksbefore
theregularAnnualGeneralMeeting,detailingthemotionsto
beputtotheAnnualGeneralMeeting(§14oftheArticlesof
Incorporation)�

Entry in the share register 
Shareholders,whoareregisteredwithanentitlementtovotein
theshareregisteronthecut-offdate,whichisafewdaysprior
totheAnnualGeneralMeeting,specifiedbytheBoardofDirec-
torsintheinvitation,areentitledtovoteattheAnnualGen-
eralMeeting(§16oftheArticlesofIncorporation)�

Theadmissibilityofnomineeregistrations,withreference
topossiblepercentageclausesandregistrationrequirements
aregovernedby§5oftheArticlesofIncorporation�Procedures
andrequirementsforrevokingandrestrictingtransferability
aregovernedbytheprovisionsof§5and§17�
www.baloise.com  →  Responsibility
  →  Corporate Governance  →  Rules and regulations
www.baloise.com   →  Investor relations  →  IR Agenda

7. ChANGE Of CONTROL AND DEfENSIVE ACTION
Uponacquiring33%ofallBaloiseshares,shareholdersorgroups
ofshareholdersactinginconcertareobligedtosubmitatake-
overbidtoallremainingshareholders�BâloiseHoldinghasnot
optedtomodifyorwaivethisrule�Thereisneitherastatutory
opting-outnoropting-upclause,asspecifiedintheFederalStock
ExchangesandSecuritiesTradingAct(StockExchangeAct)�

AllsixmembersoftheCorporateExecutiveCommitteeand
theChairmanoftheBoardofDirectorshaveatwelvemonth
noticeperiod�Inaddition,theyare,asarefourothermembers
oftheexecutivemanagement,entitledtoaseverancepayment
amountingtooneannualsalary(includingvariableremunera-
tion),intheeventthattheiremploymentrelationshipistermi-
natedwithintwelvemonthsafterachangeofcontrol,dueto

78

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

atakeoverormergeroramergerofemployers(undercertain
circumstancesalsoofemployees)�

8. AUDITORS
TheauditorsareappointedannuallyAnnualGeneralMeeting�
PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (PwC) and its predecessor
SchweizerischeTreuhandgesellschaft/STG-Coopers&Lybrand
havebeentheauditorsofBâloiseHoldingLtdsince1962�Mr
MartinFreihasbeentheAuditorinChargesince2007�The
rotationoftheAuditorinChargeoccurseverysevenyearsin
accordancewithArticle730aparagraph2oftheSwissCodeof
Obligations�PwChasauditednearlyallGroupcompaniessince
2005�

PRICEWATERhOUSECOOPERS fEES

in CHF  
(rounded to thousands, including outlays and vat)

auditing fees

Consulting fees

tax consultancy and legal advice

transaction advice  
(including due diligence)

Corporate Finance

Insurance-specific consulting

operational consulting

Business & It consulting

Human Resources

other

Total

2010

2011

6,749,000

4,945,000

824,000

469,000

113,000

78,000

–

–

–

87,000

77,000

802,000

352,000

39,000

157,000

133,000

109,000

12,000

–

–

7,573,000

5,747,000

the audit fees comprise fees for assignments directly or indirectly related to an existing or 
future audit contract. Newly included are also the fees for audit-related activities, 
amounting to CHF 250,000 for the previous year and separately reported, such as queries 
on accounting issues, support in regulatory matters or statutory special-purpose audits.

BâloiseHoldinghasanAuditCommitteemadeupofinde-
pendentmemberswithfinanceandaccountingqualifications
(comparetableonpage47)�TheAuditCommitteemetfour
timesduringthefiscalyearandoneachoccasionalsometwith
theexternalauditors�TheAuditCommitteereceiveddetailed
documentationonthefindingsoftheexternalauditors,inpar-
ticularastotheAnnualandHalf-YearFinancialStatementsat
thesemeetings�

TheAuditCommitteeevaluatestheperformanceoftheex-
ternalauditorsandtheircooperationwithGroupInternalAu-
dit,RiskManagementandCompliance�TheAuditCommittee
primarilydiscussesongoingauditsandauditreports,important
resultsandanyissuesarisingfromtheauditwiththeexternal
auditors�

ItproposestotheBoardofDirectorsthatexternalauditors
beelectedbytheAnnualGeneralMeetingandmakesrecom-
mendationsregardingtheauditors’fees�Priortothestartof
theannualaudit,theAuditCommitteereviewsitsscopeand
proposesareasrequiringspecialconsideration�TheAuditCom-
mitteereviewstheexternalauditors’feesannually�Thecriteria
forassessingtheauditorsare
→ Competenceoftheauditteam
→ Technicalandindustryknowledge
→ Understandingofcorporatestrategy
→ Completeindependencewhilstperformingtheaudit
→ Corporatecultureoftheauditor

(sharedcorevalues)

→ Timelyreporting
→ Appropriatenessoffees
→ Compliancewithrespectivestatutory,professionaland

ethicalstandards

→ Uniformauditingmethodology
TheAuditCommitteereviewstheappropriatenessofauditing
servicesperformedbyexternalauditors,whicharenotrelated
totheauditingactivities,basedonthefollowingcriteria:
→ Compatibilityoftheservicewiththemandateasstatutory

auditors(independence)

→ Competenceaswellastechnicalandindustryknowledge
→ Qualityoftheserviceprovided
→ Appropriatenessoffees
Awrittendirectiveexists,wherebymaterialservicesnotre-
latedtotheauditingactivitiesmustbeapprovedbyGroupIn-
ternalAuditpriortoexecution�Theguaranteeofindependence
isfirstreviewedbytheheadauditorandsubsequentlybythe
headoftheGroup’sInternalAuditunitaspartoftheassignment

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Report  
including Compensation Report

79

approvalprocess�Thecommercialresponsibilityandclearance
oftheassignmentremainswiththeoperationalunit�

Information on the Baloise share
InformationontheBaloisesharecanbefoundonpage8ff�
www.baloise.com  →  Investor relations  →  Baloise share

9. INfORMATION POLICy

Information principles
TheBaloiseGroupprovidescomprehensive,transparentinfor-
mationtoshareholders,potentialinvestors,employees,clients
andthegeneralpubliconaregularbasis�Allregisteredshare-
holdersreceiveasummaryoftheAnnualReportonceayear
andashareholder’sletterwiththehalf-yearaccounts,which
commentsonbusinessdevelopment�TheAnnualReportissent
totheshareholdersondemand�Allpublicationsaremadeavail-
abletothegeneralpublicatthesametime�Allinvestorsenjoy
equalinformationrights�Toprovidegeneralaccesstoourmeet-
ingswithfinancialanalysts,weusetechnologiessuchaswebcasts,
podcastsandtelephoneconferences�

Information events
Baloiseprovidesdetailedinformationonitsoperatingactivities:
→ Businessresultsaswellasobjectives,strategiesand

businessactivitiesarepresentedandexplainedatpress
conferences(AnnualandHalf-YearReportmedia
conferences)�

→ Atfinancialanalysts’meetings,teleconferencestakeplace
topresentAnnualandHalf-YearFinancialStatements�
Theseeventsareavailableafterwardsaspodcasts�

→ TheAnnualGeneralMeetingprovidesshareholderswith

areviewofthebusinessyear�

→ Regularroadshowsareorganisedinvariousfinancial

centres�

→ Baloisemaintainsgoodrelationshipswithanalysts,inves-

torsandthemedia�

→ FulldetailsaboutindividualBaloiseeventsareavailable

atwww�baloise�com�

Information on Baloise bonds
InformationonoutstandingBaloisebondscanbefoundon
page229onwardsintheFinancialReportsection�
www.baloise.com  →  Investor relations  →  Bonds

financial calendar
Importantdatesforinvestorscanbefoundatwww�baloise�com�
ThepublicationdatesoftheAnnualandHalf-yearFinancial
Statementsarelistedhere�InconnectionwiththeAnnualGen-
eralMeeting,thedateandinvitationtotheAnnualGeneral
Meeting,theshareregistercut-offdateandtheex-dividend
date,ifapplicable,arealsopublishedhere�
www.baloise.com  →  Investor Relations  →  IR Agenda

Document availability
Mediareleases,disclosures,presentations,annual,financial
andhalf-yearreportsaswellasfurtherdocumentsarepub-
liclyaccessibleatwww�baloise�com�Alldocumentscanbe
obtainedfromtheInvestorRelationsdepartmentorordered
ontheInternet�
www.baloise.com  →  Media relations  →  Media kits 

Contact
CorporateGovernance
BaloiseGroup
AndreasEugster
Aeschengraben21
CH-4002Basel
Telephone+41582858450
andreas�eugster@baloise�com

InvestorRelations
BaloiseGroup
MarcKaiser
Aeschengraben21
CH-4002Basel
Telephone+41582858684
marc�kaiser@baloise�com

4  Baloise
14  Review of business year 
34  Sustainable business management
44  Corporate Governance
82  Financial Report
224  Bâloise Holding Ltd
238  Notes 

Financial Report

Consolidated balance sheet  ���������������������������������������������������������������� 82
Consolidated income statement  ������������������������������������������������������� 84
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  ����������������� 85
Consolidated cash flow statement  ��������������������������������������������������� 86
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  ���������������������������� 88

Reconciliation between the gross investment in financial 
leases and the present value of minimum lease payments  ���  193
Financial liabilities  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������  194
Financial provisions ����������������������������������������������������������������������������  195
Insurance liabilities �����������������������������������������������������������������������������  195

Notes to the CoNsolidated aNNual
FiNaNCial statemeNts  �����������������������������������������������������������������������  90
Reporting standards  ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 90
Application of new financial reporting standards  ������������������� 90
Consolidation and accounting principles ������������������������������������ 93
Critical accounting principles  
and estimation uncertainties  ����������������������������������������������������������  109
Management of insurance risks and finance risks  ���������������  111
Scope of consolidation  �����������������������������������������������������������������������  147
Information on business segments (segement reporting)  ��  149

Notes to the CoNsolidated balaNCe sheet  ��������������������  154
Property, plant and equipment  ������������������������������������������������������  154
Intangible assets  �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������  156
Investments in associates  �����������������������������������������������������������������  159
Investment properties  ������������������������������������������������������������������������  160
Financial assets  �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������  161
Mortgages and loans  ���������������������������������������������������������������������������  166
Derivative financial instruments  ��������������������������������������������������  167
Financial receivables  ��������������������������������������������������������������������������  168
Reinsurance assets  �������������������������������������������������������������������������������  169
Receivables from reinsurers  ������������������������������������������������������������  169
Employee benefits  ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������  170
Deferred income taxes  �����������������������������������������������������������������������  180
Other assets  ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������  182
Non-current assets held for sale  
and discontinued business segments  ������������������������������������������  182
Share capital  �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������  182
Technical reserves (gross)  ����������������������������������������������������������������  183
Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts  ���  192

Notes to the
CoNsolidated iNCome statemeNt  �������������������������������������������  196
Premiums earned and policy fees �������������������������������������������������  196
Investment income for own account and at own risk  ���������  196
Realised gains and losses on investments  ���������������������������������  197
Income from services rendered  �����������������������������������������������������  203
Other operating income ��������������������������������������������������������������������  203
Classification of expenses  �����������������������������������������������������������������  204
Personnel expenses ������������������������������������������������������������������������������  204
Result from financial contracts  �����������������������������������������������������  205
Income taxes �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������  206
Earnings per share  �������������������������������������������������������������������������������  207
Other comprehensive income  ��������������������������������������������������������  208

otheR disClosuRes  ��������������������������������������������������������������������������  210
Acquisition and disposal of companies  �������������������������������������  210
Related party transactions  ���������������������������������������������������������������  211
Remuneration to the Board of Directors and  
Corporate Executive Committee  ��������������������������������������������������  212
Contingent and future liabilities  ��������������������������������������������������  213
Operating leases  �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������  216
Claim payments received from non-Group insurers  ����������  217
Events after the balance sheet date  ����������������������������������������������  217
Significant subsidiaries, joint ventures and  
associates as of 31 December 2011  �����������������������������������������������  218

RepoRt oF the statutoRy auditoR to the  
GeNeRal meetiNG oF bâloise holdiNG ltd, basel  ���������  220

T
R
O
P
E
R

L
A

I

C
N
A
N

I
F

 
82

Financial Report
Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated balance sheet

in CHF million

assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets 

Investments in associates

Investment properties

Financial assets of an equity nature

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets of a debt nature

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Mortgages and loans

Carried at cost

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

Receivables from financial contracts

Carried at cost

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Receivables from employee benefits

Other receivables

Receivables from investments 

Deferred income tax assets

Current income tax assets

Other assets

Carried at cost

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

Notes

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

8

9

10

11

12

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

15

15

19

20

535.7 

1,342.6 

211.3 

5,046.6 

3,437.6 

6,406.6 

559.9 

1,300.2 

173.5 

5,138.0 

3,447.3 

6,256.6 

7,105.5 

8,027.8 

17,784.6 

19,855.3 

950.4 

1,034.4 

17,236.4 

17,667.5 

457.1 

536.3 

276.3 

41.5 

248.1 

22.9 

386.5 

3.4 

218.3 

608.8 

20.2 

55.8 

159.5 

90.5 

375.2 

334.1 

348.6 

61.5 

377.5 

16.9 

547.4 

1.4 

276.1 

661.1 

22.2 

43.3 

169.6 

83.0 

2,208.9 

2,287.8 

65,391.4 

69,066.2 

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Report
Consolidated balance sheet

83

in CHF million

equity and liabilities 

equity

Share capital

Capital reserves

Treasury shares

Unrealised gains and losses (net)

Retained earnings

equity before minority interests

Minority interests

total equity

liabilities

Technical reserves (gross)

Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts

With discretionary participation feature (DPF)

Measured at amortised cost

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities

Financial provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Insurance liabilities

Liabilities from employee benefits

Other accounts payable

Deferred tax liabilities

Current income tax liabilities

Other liabilities

total liabilities

total equity and liabilities 

Notes

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

22

23

24

26

27

14

28

18

19

5.0 

206.9 

– 221.3 

– 552.5 

4,661.9 

4,100.0 

33.5 

5.0 

215.9 

– 256.7 

– 615.3 

4,511.4 

3,860.3 

33.3 

4,133.5 

3,893.6 

43,445.7 

45,561.9 

505.8 

6,412.5 

5,945.0 

1,359.4 

79.9 

29.9 

1,147.5 

6,881.2 

5,969.4 

1,612.6 

83.1 

175.3 

1,536.3 

1,777.4 

692.5 

470.6 

641.7 

53.6 

85.0 

720.0 

479.4 

654.4 

31.0 

79.4 

61,257.9 

65,172.6 

65,391.4 

69,066.2 

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

84

Financial Report
Consolidated income statement

Consolidated income statement

in CHF million

income

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross)

Reinsurance premiums ceded

Premiums earned and policy fees (net)

Investment income

Realised gains and losses on investments

Income from services rendered

Result from investments in associates

Other operating income

income

expense

Claims and benefits paid (gross)

Change in technical reserves (gross)

Reinsurance losses ceded

Acquisition costs

Operating and administrative expenses for insurance business

Investment expenses

Interest expenses on insurance liabilities

Result from financial contracts

Other operating expenses

expense

profit before borrowing costs and taxes

Borrowing costs

profit before taxes

Income taxes

profit for the period

Attributable to:

Shareholders

Minority interests

Earnings / loss per share

Basic in CHF

Diluted in CHF

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Notes

2010

2011

29

29

29

30

31

32

33

23

23

23

34

34

34

36

34

26

37

38

6,854.3 

– 168.2 

6,686.1 

1,811.2 

501.6 

283.4 

– 0.5 

202.7 

6,806.9 

– 176.3 

6,630.6 

1,766.5 

– 943.4 

158.6 

10.2 

140.1 

9,484.5 

7,762.6 

– 5,212.9 

– 5,311.5 

– 1,393.2 

– 639.9 

47.5 

– 491.5 

– 856.0 

– 64.8 

– 61.2 

– 219.8 

– 625.4 

53.3 

– 576.8 

– 847.0 

– 61.3 

– 51.6 

324.0 

– 507.9 

– 8,877.3 

– 7,618.7 

607.2 

143.9 

– 52.8 

554.4 

– 117.7 

436.7 

433.4 

3.3 

9.14 

8.89 

– 55.0 

88.9 

– 27.6 

61.3 

60.8 

0.5 

1.30 

1.29 

Financial Report
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

85

Consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income

in CHF million

profit for the period

Other comprehensive income 

Change in unrealised gains and losses on available for sale financial assets

Change in unrealised gains and losses from associates

Change in hedging reserves on derivative financial instruments held  
for cash flow hedging 

Change in hedging reserves on derivative financial instruments held  
for hedging a net investment in a foreign entity

Change in reserves from reclassification of held to maturity financial instruments 

Change in reserves from reclassification of investment properties

Exchange differences

Change in shadow accounting

Income taxes 

other comprehensive income 

Comprehensive income

Attributable to:

Shareholders

Minority interests

Notes

2010

2011

436.7

61.3

39

39

39

39

39

39

39

39

39

– 142.4

11.0

–

68.4

– 9.2

0.6

– 373.0

– 5.9

30.7

– 419.8

131.4

– 17.4

–

– 16.1

– 5.5

–

– 43.4

– 100.8

– 11.9

– 63.7

16.9

– 2.4

42.0

– 25.1

– 2.0

– 0.4

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

86

Financial Report
Consolidated cash flow statement

Consolidated cash flow statement

Notes

2010

2011

in CHF million

summary

Cash flow from operating activities (net) 

Cash flow from investing activities (net) 

Cash flow from financing activities (net) 

total cash flow

Changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Balance of cash and cash equivalents as of 1 January

balance of cash and cash equivalents as of 31 december

Cash flow from operating activities

Profit before taxes

adjustments for

Impairments and depreciation on fixed and intangible assets

8 / 9

Realised gains and losses on property,  
plant and equipment and on intangible assets

Income from investments in associates

Realised gains and losses on financial assets,  
investment properties and associates

Changes in other financial contracts

Changes in technical reserves (gross), including unearned premium reserves

Interest expenses on reinsurance liabilities

Borrowing costs 

Amortised cost valuation of financial instruments

26

additions and disposals of assets and liabilities resulting in a cash flow

Purchase / sale of investment properties

Purchase / sale of financial assets of an equity nature

Purchase / sale of financial assets of a debt nature

Addition / disposal of mortgages and loans

Addition / disposal of derivative financial instruments

Addition / disposal of financial contracts and liabilities from banking business

Other changes in assets and liabilities from operating activities

Cash flow from operating activities (gross)

Taxes paid

Cash flow from operating activities (net)

335.4

– 164.5

– 426.6

– 255.7

– 64.1

2,528.7

2,208.9

343.9

– 215.6

– 38.6

89.7

– 10.8

2,208.9

2,287.8

554.4

88.9

90.7

– 0.5

– 0.7

– 497.5

81.9

1,177.0

0.9

52.8

2.3

– 103.3

– 1,067.5

– 1,555.0

– 340.2

303.0

2,077.4

– 367.7

408.0

– 72.6

335.4

139.6

0.5

– 3.7

939.0

– 455.7

463.3

1.3

55.0

18.3

24.7

– 402.6

– 1,385.2

– 304.3

113.5

842.2

283.2

418.0

– 74.1

343.9

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Report
Consolidated cash flow statement

87

in CHF million

Cash flow from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Sale of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of intangible assets

Sale of intangible assets

Acquisition of companies, net of cash and cash equivalents

Disposal of companies, net of cash and cash equivalents

Purchase of investments in associates

Sale of investments in associates

Dividends from associates

Cash flow from investing activities (net)

Cash flow from financing activities

Capital increases

Capital reductions

Additions to financial liabilities

Disposals of financial liabilities

Borrowing costs paid

Purchase of treasury shares

Sale of treasury shares

Minority buyouts

Cash flow minority interests

Dividend payments

Cash flow from financing activities (net)

total cash flow

Cash and cash equivalents

Balance as of 1 January

Change during the fiscal year

Changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

balance as of 31 december

structure of the balance of cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet date

Cash and bank balance

Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders

balance as of 31 december

Of which: cash and cash equivalents of limited availability

additional information on cash flow from operating activities

Other interest received

Dividends received

Interest paid

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Notes

2010

2011

8

9

40

40

10

10

10

22

22

26

26

6

– 45.8

4.3

– 58.5

2.8

– 27.3

– 40.7

– 0.0 

0.1

0.6

– 70.2

4.3

– 49.9

0.7

– 117.4

– 1.8

–

15.3

3.4

– 164.5

– 215.6

–

–

295.1

– 350.0

– 48.4

– 75.0

36.8

– 64.4

– 6.3

– 214.4

– 426.6

–

–

247.5

–

– 48.7

– 135.3

109.0

–

0.2

– 211.3

– 38.6

– 255.7

89.7

2,528.7

– 255.7

– 64.1

2,208.9

2,208.9

89.7

– 10.8

2,287.8

1,862.2

1,835.5

0.0

346.7

0.0

452.3

2,208.9

2,287.8

10.5

0.4

1,032.3

100.6

– 143.6

1,020.2

131.0

– 111.4

88

Financial Report
Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

2010

in CHF million 

balance as of 1 January 2010

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive income

Comprehensive income

other changes in equity in 2010

Dividend

Capital increase / repayment 

Purchase / sale of treasury shares

Cancellation of shares 

Increase / decrease in minority interests  
due to change in the scope of consolidation

Increase / decrease in minority interests  
due to change in proportional interest

Notes

share  
capital

Capital 
reserves

treasury 
shares

other 
changes in 
equity

Retained 
earnings

equity before 
minority 
interests

minority 
interests

total 
equity

5.0

193.9

– 180.9

– 145.9

4,442.9

4,315.0

195.0

4,510.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.4

– 40.4

–

–

8.6

–

–

–

–

433.4

433.4

3.3

436.7

– 391.4

– 391.4

–

– 391.4

433.4

42.0

– 28.4

– 25.1

– 419.8

16.9

–

–

–

–

2.6

– 17.8

– 214.4

– 214.4

– 6.3

– 220.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 36.0

–

2.6

–

–

–

–

– 36.0

–

– 54.4

– 51.8

– 9.2

– 75.7

– 84.9

39

22

40

6

balance as of 31 december 2010

5.0

206.9

– 221.3

– 552.5

4,661.9

4,100.0

33.5

4,133.5

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Report
Consolidated statement of changes in equity

89

Notes

share 
capital

Capital 
reserves

treasury 
shares

other 
changes in 
equity

Retained 
earnings

equity before 
minority 
interests

minority 
interests

total 
equity

5.0

206.9

– 221.3

– 552.5

4,661.9

4,100.0

–

– 62.8

– 62.8

60.8

–

60.8

60.8

– 62.8

– 2.0

33.5

0.5

– 0.9

– 0.4

4,133.5

61.3

– 63.7

– 2.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 211.3

– 211.3

– 0.8

– 212.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 25.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 25.5

–

–

– 0.9

1.0

0.1

2011

in CHF million 

balance as of 1 January 2011

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive income

Comprehensive income

other changes in equity in 2011

Dividend

Capital increase / repayment 

Purchase / sale of treasury shares

Cancellation of shares 

Increase / decrease in minority interests  
due to change in the scope of consolidation

Increase / decrease in minority interests  
due to change in proportional interest

39

22

40

6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9.9

– 35.4

–

–

– 0.9

–

–

balance as of 31 december 2011

5.0

215.9

– 256.7

– 615.3

4,511.4

3,860.3

33.3

3,893.6

The notes are an integral component of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

90

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Annual  
Financial Statements
General notes

1. RepoRtiNG staNdaRds
The Baloise Group is a European direct insurer comprising 19 
different insurance companies operating in almost every  segment 
of the life and nonlife insurance business� The holding  company 
is Bâloise Holding, a Swiss corporation based in Basel whose 
shares are listed in the main segment on the Swiss Exchange 
(SIX)� Its subsidiaries are active in the direct insurance markets 
in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Belgium, Austria, 
 Luxembourg, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic� 
Its banking business is handled by subsidiaries in Switzerland 
and Germany� The Baloise Group also has a fund management 
company in Luxembourg�

The Baloise Group’s Consolidated Annual Financial State-
ments recognise equity and liabilities at cost, taking adjustments 
into consideration that result from the regularly appraised fair 
value of investment properties, and from financial assets and 
liabilities that are classified as available for sale or recognised 
at fair value through profit or loss� The Baloise Group’s Consoli-
dated Annual Financial Statements were prepared in confor mity 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which 
comply with Swiss law� IFRS 4 governs how to recognise and 
disclose insurance and reinsurance contracts� The contracts are 
measured based on local financial reporting guidelines�

At its meeting on 14 March 2012, the Bâloise Holding Board 
of Directors approved the Annual Financial Statements and the 
Financial Report and released them for publication� The  Financial 
Statements still have to be approved by the Annual General 
Meeting of Bâloise Holding�

2. appliCatioN oF New FiNaNCial RepoRtiNG staNdaRds

Newly applied iFRs and interpretations

iFRiC 14 / ias 19 the limit on a defined benefit asset,  

minimum Funding Requirements and their interaction
On 16 November 2009, the IASB issued an amendment to IFRIC 14� 
It clarifies that an entity must recognise an asset insofar as the 
voluntary prepayments on minimum funding requirements 
would reduce the future contributions�

ias 24 Related party disclosures
IAS 24 was amended� Firstly, an exemption has been introduced 
for companies that are controlled or significantly influenced  
by a government� This exempts them from having to disclose 
transactions with the government itself or other companies 
 affiliated with the government�

Furthermore, the definition of a related company or person 

was revised� 

ias 32 Financial instruments: presentation
The amendment of IAS 32 stipulates the pre-emptive rights are 
to be classified as equity if exercised for a fixed cash amount� 
The currency of the exercise price can be disregarded insofar 
as the pre-emptive rights are issued pro rata to all the entity’s 
existing shareholders in the same class�

Further standards and interpretations
The application of the following Standards and Interpretations 
will have no or no material impact on the consolidated result 
or on balance sheet items of the Baloise Group:
 → IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity 

Instruments 

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

91

ias 39 / iFRs 7 derecognition of Financial assets 
The IASB has published a draft amendment to IAS 39 and IFRS 7� 
This amendment reformulates the criteria for the disposal of 
financial assets and liabilities� Derecognition means the  removal 
of a financial instrument from a company’s accounts� Accord-
ingly, financial assets are to be derecognised if the company no 
longer dominates or controls them� Whereas financial liabilities 
are to be removed when the company no longer has an obliga-
tion�  Comprehensive  information  on  rights  and  obligations 
potentially retained or acquired in the course of the transaction 
(e�g� default guarantees, buy-back agreements) is also required 
for transfer transactions that lead to a complete derecognition 
of the financial asset� The amendment will only affect the  disclosure 
and will not have an impact on the consolidated result or on 
balance sheet items of the Baloise Group�

ias 1 other Comprehensive income
Due to the amendment of IAS 1 Presentation of Items of Other 
Comprehensive Income (OCI), the IFRS Income Statement will 
in future consist of only one single statement component: the 
“Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income” 
(previously: one-statement approach)� In addition, it is com-
pulsory that this summarised income statement is divided into 
two sections in future: One stating the profit or loss and one 
containing the other comprehensive income� In future, the  other 
comprehensive income is also to be broken down according to 
whether the expenses and income contained therein will be 
transferred to the income statement at a later date� The amend-
ment will only affect the disclosure of the other comprehensive 
income of the Baloise Group�

New iFRs and interpretations not yet applied
The  following  new  Standards  and  Interpretations  that  are  
relevant for the Baloise Group have been issued by the IASB� 
However they have not yet come into effect and were therefore 
not applied when preparing the 2011 Consolidated Annual 
 Financial Statements:

standard /  
interpretation Content

IFRS 7

Transfer of financial assets

IAS 39 / 
IFRS 7

IAS 1

IAS 12

IFRS 10

IFRS 11

IFRS 12

IFRS 13

IAS 27

IAS 28

IAS 19

IAS 32 / 
IFRS 7

Derecognition of financial assets 

Other comprehensive income

Recovery of underlying assets

Consolidated financial statements

Joint arrangements

Disclosures of interests in other entities

Fair value measurement

Separate financial statements

Shares in associates and joint ventures

Employee benefits

Netting financial assets and liabilities 

IFRS 9

Financial instruments

applicable  
for fiscal years  
beginning  
on / after:

1.7.2011

1.7.2011

1.1.2012

1.1.2012

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2013

1.1.2015

iFRs 7 transfer of Financial assets
This involves the disclosure requirements in connection with 
the transfer of financial assets to third parties (e� g� factoring, 
securities lending, etc�)� Pursuant to IAS 39 “Financial Instru-
ments: Recognition and Measurement,” if the rights to a  financial 
asset are transferred to a third party, or a company undertakes 
to transfer payments from a financial asset to a third party, it 
can lead to either the derecognition of the financial asset, to the 
continued accounting of the financial asset to the amount of 
the continuing involvement, or to the continued accounting of 
the total financial asset� Up to now, IFRS 7 required  explanatory 
notes only in the latter two cases� The amendment to the  Standard 
now requires comprehensive information on rights and obli-
gations potentially retained or acquired in the course of the 
transaction also if the financial asset has been entirely derec-
ognised� This amendment will only affect the disclosure and 
will not have an impact on the consolidated result or on balance 
sheet items of the Baloise Group�

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Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

ias 12 deferred tax: Recovery of underlying assets
Until now, deferred tax liabilities and claims were measured 
depending on whether the company intends to realise the  carrying 
value of an asset by usage or sales according to IAS 12� Since 
this is difficult to determine in some cases, the proposed revised 
Standard introduces a rebuttable presumption that the carrying 
amount will be recovered by sale� 

The revised Standard is limited to properties held as financial 
investments measured using the fair value model (IAS 40), and 
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets measured 
using the revaluation model (IAS 16 and IAS 38)� The impact 
on the balance sheet and the income statement of the Baloise 
Group has not yet been analysed�

Standard may have an impact on the scope of consolidation of 
the Baloise Group, judging by ongoing analyses, however, a 
material change to the scope of consolidation is not expected�

iFRs 11 Joint arrangements
IFRS 11 introduces new accounting principles for joint arrange-
ments and replaces IAS 31 “Interests in Joint Ventures”� The 
possibility to apply the proportional consolidation method when 
accounting for jointly controlled companies has been withdrawn� 
Furthermore, jointly controlled assets have been abolished with 
IFRS 11� Only joint operations and joint ventures remain� The 
new Standard will probably not have an impact on the balance 
sheet and the income statement of the Baloise Group� 

iFRs 12 disclosure of interests in other entities
The objective of IFRS 12 is to newly require in a single central 
Standard the disclosure of information that enables users of 
financial statement to evaluate the nature of and risks asso ciated 
with its interests in other entities and the effects of those  interests 
on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows� 
New is the explicitly required disclosure of risks from uncon-
solidated structured entities, which has long been demanded 
by those participating in capital market transactions� The  Standard 
will merely have an impact on the information in the notes of 
the Baloise Group�

iFRs 13 Fair Value measurement
IFRS 13 sets out in a single IFRS the existing framework for 
measuring fair values� IFRS 13 does not introduce any new or 
additional fair value measurement and also does not replace 
any existing principles set out in other Standards� The impact 
on the balance sheet and the incomes statement of the Baloise 
Group has not yet been analysed in detail�

ias 27 separate statements
The regulations for separate statements remain unchanged and 
included in the revised IAS 27� IFRS 10 replaces the other parts 
of IAS 27 (Consolidated Statements)�

iFRs 9 Financial instruments
A new International Financial Reporting Standard to classify 
and measure financial instruments was published on 12 Novem-
ber 2009� This represents the completion of the first part of a 
three-phase project to replace “IAS 39 Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement” with a new Standard� IFRS 9 
introduces new requirements for recognising, classifying and 
measuring financial assets and liabilities� The classification is 
based both on the entity’s business model as well as on the char-
acteristic features of the contractual cash flows of the respective 
financial assets� Separate accounting of structured products 
with an embedded derivative is now only performed for non-
financial principal contracts� Structured products with financial 
principal contracts are to be assessed and classified in their 
entirety� The impact on the balance sheet and income statement 
of the Baloise Group cannot yet be analysed due to interdepend-
encies with other IFRS projects�

iFRs 10 Consolidated Financial statements 
IFRS 10 establishes principles for the presentation and prepara-
tion of consolidated financial statements when a parent com-
pany controls one or more companies� This Standard replaces 
the existing IAS 27 as well as SIC-12� The investor must  determine 
whether it fulfils the definition of a parent company by identi-
fying whether it controls one or several associate companies� 
When considering whether the associate company is controlled, 
the investor must include all significant facts and  circumstances� 
An investor controls an associate company if the investor is 
exposed, or has rights to variable returns from its involvement 
with the associate company and has the ability to affect those 
returns through its power over the associate company� The new 

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

93

ias 28 investments in associates and Joint Ventures 
IAS 28 applies to investments in associates and now also to joint 
ventures� The objective of IAS 28 is to define the accounting for 
investments in associates and to lay down regulations on  applying 
the Equity Method if investments in associates and joint ventures 
are to be recognised�

ias 19 employee benefits 
The most important change to IAS 19 is that in future unex-
pected fluctuations of retirement obligations as well as of plan 
assets portfolios (actuarial gains and losses) – if any exist – must 
be immediately recognised in “Other comprehensive income”� 
The right granted hitherto to choose between immediate rec-
ognition in the income statement, in “Other comprehensive 
income” or delayed recognition using the Corridor Method has 
been withdrawn� At the end of 2011, these actuarial losses of 
the Baloise Group amount to to approximately CHF 340 million 
(before taxes and policyholders’ shares)� A further amendment 
is that in future the management is no longer to estimate the 
interest return on the plan assets according to the interest return 
expected according to asset allocation, but instead an amount 
is to be recognised that is merely as high as the discount inter-
est rate due to the expected interest return of the plan assets� 
Based on the assumption elected for the discount rate and the 
 expected plan assets of the 2011 Annual Financial Statements, 
an increase in pension expenses of approximately CHF 5 million 
(before taxes and policyholders’ shares) would result� In addi-
tion, more extensive explanatory notes are required� The detailed 
impact on the balance sheet and the income statement of the 
Baloise Group are the subject of ongoing analyses and as such 
not yet known� 

ias 32 / iFRs 7 Financial instruments: Netting financial assets 

and liabilities 
The change refers to the situation that two companies owe one 
another money� In this case it is required that both present a 
net statement of the receivables and the balance as far as a series 
of strict conditions are all fulfilled; the main provision being 
the unconditional enforceability of the contractual rights� In 
case of a settlement, the rights connected to the transaction and 
all further related agreements must be disclosed�

3. CoNsolidatioN aNd aCCouNtiNG pRiNCiples

3.1 method of consolidation

3.1.1 subsidiaries
The Consolidated Annual Financial Statements comprise the 
financial  statements  of  Bâloise  Holding  and  its  subsidiaries 
 including its special purpose entities (SPEs)� A subsidiary is 
included in the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements, if 
the Baloise Group directly or indirectly controls it� This is  generally 
the case if the Baloise Group holds over 50 % of the voting rights� 
Potential voting rights are also considered when determining 
whether the Baloise Group controls the subsidiary�

Companies acquired during the reporting period are  included 
in the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements from the date 
on which control was effectively assumed; all companies sold 
are included until the date on which control was ceded� Acqui-
sitions of companies are accounted for using the Acquisition / Pur-
chase Method� Transaction costs are charged to the income 
statement as an expense� The company’s identifiable assets and 
liabilities are measured at fair value as of the first consolidation 
date� During every merger the non-controlling interests are 
measured either according to their fair value or their proportion 
of the identifiable net asset of the acquired company� The  Baloise 
Group determines which method is applied individually for 
each merger�

The acquisition costs are equivalent to the fair value of the 
consideration transferred to the previous shareholder at the 
time of the takeover� If shares were held as financial instruments 
or as an associate before the takeover, a new fair value measure-
ment recognised in profit or loss is performed for these shares� 
Contingent considerations, which are balanced as part of the 
consideration transferred for the acquired company, are meas-
ured at fair value on the transaction date� Changes to the fair 
value of the transferred consideration made at a later date are 
recorded in the incomes statement� Should the acquisition costs 
exceed the sum of assets and liabilities measured at fair value 
plus the non-controlling interests, the difference is recognised 
as goodwill� Conversely, the difference is directly recognised 
through profit or loss as “Other operating income” if the identi-
fied net assets exceed the acquisition costs�

All inter-company transactions and the resulting gains or 

losses are eliminated�

The consolidation of subsidiaries ends on the date control 
ceases� If a partial disposal of shares in a subsidiary results in 
loss of control, then the remaining shares are measured at fair 
value� The result from the (partial) disposal of shares is recognised 

94

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

in profit or loss either as “Other operating income” or “Other 
operating expenses�”

The  acquisition  of  additional  shares  in  subsidiaries  after 
 assuming  control  and  the  disposal  of  shares  in  subsidiaries 
without ceding control are both recognised as transactions with 
shareholders in equity�

3.1.2 special purpose entities (spes)
Special purpose entities are included in the scope of consoli-
dation� However, the provisions of SIC 12 govern the inclusion 
in the scope of consolidation�

3.1.3 Joint ventures
Joint ventures are entities managed jointly by two or more part-
ners, governed by a contractual agreement� Proportional con-
solidation is applied to these companies, this means the Baloise 
Group recognises its share of assets, liabilities, expenses and 
revenue� The Baloise Group is currently not involved in any 
joint ventures�

3.1.4 associates
Associates are assessed for the first time using the Acquisition 
Cost (fair value at the time of purchase) and subsequently  according 
to the Equity Method (Baloise Group share of the period results 
and net assets of the company), should the Baloise Group be 
able to have a decisive impact on the management of the  company 
in question� Changes to fair value of associates are recognised 
in profit or loss while taking any occurring dividend effects into 
consideration� If the share of losses exceeds the value of the 
associate, then no further loss is recorded� The goodwill paid 
for associates is contained in the carrying value of the  investment�

3.2 Conversion of foreign currencies

3.2.1 Functional currency and reporting currency
Each subsidiary prepares its Annual Financial Statements in its 
functional currency, which means the currency of its primary 
economic environment� The Consolidated Financial Statement 
is presented in millions of Swiss francs (CHF), which corresponds 
to the reporting currency of the Baloise Group�

3.2.2 Conversion of transaction currency  

into functional currency for Group companies
Expenses and income in foreign currencies are measured using 
the exchange rates on the transaction dates or average exchange 
rates� Monetary as well as non-monetary balance sheet items 
assessed  at  fair  value  and  stemming  from  foreign  currency 
transactions of Group companies are measured using balance 
sheet  date  exchange  rates�  Non-monetary  items  assessed  at 
 historical acquisition costs are measured using the historical 
exchange  rates�  The  resulting  exchange  rate  differences  are 
 recognised in profit or loss� This excludes exchange rate dif-
ferences entered directly into the hedging reserves as part of 
cash flow hedges, or those used to hedge a net investment in a 
foreign company� 

Exchange rate differences arising from non-monetary finan-
cial instruments that are assessed at fair value through profit 
or loss are reported in the realised gains and losses of these 
instruments� Exchange rate differences held on non-monetary 
financial instruments as “available for sale” are charged to the 
unrealised gains and losses of equity�

3.2.3 Conversion of functional currency  

into reporting currency
The Annual Financial Statements of all business units that were 
not prepared in CHF are converted as follows when the Con-
solidated Financial Statement is being prepared:
 →  assets and liabilities at the exchange rate on the  

balance sheet date,

 → expenses and income at the annual average rates�
The resulting exchange differences are accumulated and  recorded 
directly in equity�

When foreign subsidiaries are sold, the resulting conversion 
differences are recognised in profit or loss as a transaction gain 
or expense�

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

95

3.2.4 most important exchange rates

3.4 leasing

CuRReNCy

in CHF

1 EUR (euro)

1 USD (US dollar)

balance sheet

income statement

2010

2011

2010

2011

1.25 

0.93 

1.21 

0.94 

1.38 

1.04 

1.23 

0.89 

100 HRK (Croatian kuna)

16.94 

16.14 

19.02 

16.58 

3.3 property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are measured at their acquisition 
costs less the accumulated depreciation� The acquisition cost of 
property,  plant  and  equipment  is  also  part  of  the  directly 
 apportionable  costs�  Subsequent  acquisition  costs  are  only 
capitalised if a future financial benefit related to the property, 
plant and equipment occurs and these costs can be reliably 
 assessed� All other repair and maintenance costs are charged 
to the income statement on an ongoing basis�

As  a  rule,  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  completely 
 self-financed� In the event of external financing, the accrued 
interest is capitalised accordingly as it occurs�

Property is not depreciated on a systematic basis� Deprecia-
tion of other property, plant and equipment is linear on the 
basis of the estimated useful life as follows:
 → Buildings for own use: 25 to 50 years
 → Equipment: 5 to 10 years
 → Computer hardware: 3 to 5 years

The recoverability and the useful life of property, plant and 
equipment is checked on the balance sheet date�

The  carrying  value  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  is  
adjusted as soon as the recoverable amount drops below the 
carrying value�

The profit or loss resulting from the sale of property, plant 
and equipment is immediately entered in the income state- 
ment under “Other operating income,” or “Other operating 
expenses,” respectively�

3.4.1 baloise Group as a lessee
Financial  leasing  contracts:  Leasing  contracts  for  property, 
equipment and other tangible assets, for which the Baloise Group 
essentially assumes all risks and opportunities connected to 
ownership, are classified and treated as financial leasing con-
tracts� The fair value of the leasing item or the lower cash value 
of the leasing payments is reported in property, plant and equip-
ment at the beginning of the leasing contract� Each lease payment 
is broken down into amortisation and interest� The amortisation 
share is deducted from the liability for future lease payments, 
which is reported under the item “Liabilities from banking busi-
ness and financial contracts�” Property, plant and equipment 
in finance leases are depreciated over the shorter time period 
of the useful life or the term of the leasing agreement�

Operating leases: Other leasing contracts are classified as 
operating  leases� The  lease  payments  are  entered  linearly  as 
 expenses in the income statement over the term of the leasing 
relationship�

3.4.2 baloise Group as a lessor
Investment properties that are let within the scope of operating 
leases are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Invest-
ment properties�” There were no other leasing agreements as  
a lessor in the reporting period�

3.5 intangible assets 

3.5.1 Goodwill
Goodwill occurs as a surplus between the purchase price and 
the assets and liabilities, measured at fair value� This includes 
the sum of all non-controlling interests of the acquired  company, 
as well as the previously held shares measured at fair value at 
the time of acquisition� Goodwill is reported in intangible  assets� 
Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test� When a new 
participation is acquired, the key date for future verification of 
the recoverability is defined and verification is conducted at the 
same time each year� In the event of disposal, the proportional 
goodwill is taken into consideration in the earnings� In order 
to verify the recoverability of goodwill, it is allocated to  definable 
units (cash generating units, CGUs)�

96

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

3.5.2 present value of gains on acquired insurance contracts 

(present value of future profits, pVFp)
The present value of gains on acquired insurance contracts is 
the result of the purchase of a life insurance company or the 
purchase of a life insurance portfolio� The first measurement  
is based on actuarial principles� Depreciation is linear� The 
 recoverability is verified using the liability adequacy test (see 
also section 3�18�2)�

3.5.3 deferred acquisition costs (daC)
The costs incurred that directly depend on the conclusion of 
insurance contracts and financial contracts with discretionary 
participation  features  (DPF)  (commission,  for  example)  are 
capitalised and depreciated over the term of the contracts, or 
over the shorter premium payment period� The recoverability 
of deferred acquisition costs is verified on each balance sheet 
date (see also section 3�18�3)�

3.5.4 Capitalised investment fees
Acquisition costs that can be directly allocated to the realisation 
of investment income from asset management are capitalised 
under “Intangible assets”, if they can be identified individually 
and reliably determined and it is likely that they are recoverable� 
The depreciation recognised in profit or loss takes place over 
the term of the underlying financial contract in proportion to 
the arising income� The recoverability is verified yearly�

3.5.5 other intangible assets and own developments
Other intangible assets consist primarily of software, external 
IT consulting (in connection with software developments), own 
developments (such as software), as well as identified assets from 
the acquisition of companies (for example brands, customer 
relationships, etc�)� These are recognised at their acquisition or 
production costs and depreciated linearly over their useful life� 
Intangible assets with an unlimited useful life are not depre-
ciated and are recognised at their acquisition costs less accrued 
impairment losses�

As a rule, intangible assets are completely self-financed� In 
the event of external financing, the accrued interest is capitalised 
accordingly as it occurs�

3.6 investment properties
Investment properties comprise land as well as buildings that 
are held for the purpose of generating rental income and / or for 
the purpose of value enhancement� If a breakdown is not pos-
sible for mixed-use properties (own-use / external-use), then the 
entire item is allocated on the basis of the majority use of the 
floor space�

Investment properties are measured based on fair value 
 according to the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Method� This is 
determined each year by experts using close to market assump-
tions� The fair values are mainly derived from the future cash 
flow (net cash flow from rental income, maintenance costs, and 
administrative expenses) and using mathematical methods from 
comparable transactions� The majority of the directly held real 
estate portfolio of the Baloise Group is in Switzerland� Here, 
the interest rate for the calculation is determined on a hedonic 
basis  according  to  the  DCF  Method�  The  expected  vacancy 
 development is also included in the calculation� External  appraisal 
reports are obtained at regular intervals� Thus, around 10 % of 
the fair value of the real estate inventory is verified each year 
by means of external expert reports� Changes in fair value are 
entered immediately in the periods in which they occur as  realised 
book profits or losses respectively, recognised in profit or loss�
If, as a consequence of a change of use, an investment prop-
erty is used by the company itself, then the property is reclas-
sified to property, plant and equipment� The reclassification is 
based on the fair value at the time of the reclassification�

If an owner-occupied property becomes an investment prop-
erty as a consequence of a change of use, the difference between 
the carrying value and the fair value at the time of the change 
of use is entered directly as a gain or loss in value into equity 
as unrealised gains and losses in the period� If an investment 
property that was reclassified in an earlier period is sold, the 
amount entered in equity is reclassified as retained earnings 
not recognised in profit or loss�

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

97

3.7 Financial assets 
For comprehensibility reasons, the term “Investments” is used 
in some places in the Financial Report and in headings� The 
term investments itself is not defined in the IFRS� Besides  financial 
assets, mortgages and loans, derivative financial instruments 
and cash and cash equivalents, investments also include invest-
ment properties�

In financial assets of an equity nature, the following invest-
ment categories are entered: shares, share certificates, shares in 
stock, bond and property funds, as well as alternative financial 
assets  such  as  private  equity  investments  and  hedge  funds� 
 Financial assets of an equity nature are, as a rule, subject to 
more frequent price fluctuations than financial assets of a  
debt nature�

Financial assets of a debt nature include securities such as 
bonds and other fixed-income securities� As a rule, they are also 
interest bearing and are issued for a fixed or determinable amount�
Baloise Group classifies its financial assets of equity and debt 
nature into the following categories: recognised at fair value 
through profit or loss, held to maturity, and financial assets that 
are held available for sale� The classification conforms with the 
nature of the acquired financial assets�

Mortgages and loans are principally classified as carried at 
cost� Within the scope of hedge considerations (natural hedge), 
however, elements of the portfolio are designated as recognised 
at fair value through profit or loss� These elements are hedged 
with appropriately designated derivative financial instruments�

3.7.1 Financial assets recognised  

at fair value through profit or loss
This category consists of two subcategories: financial assets that 
are held for trading purposes (trading portfolio), and those that 
are designated to this category� A financial instrument is classi-
fied in this category if it was principally acquired with the inten-
tion of selling the financial instrument in the short term, or if 
it is part of a portfolio for which in the recent past there were 
indications of realising a gain in the short term, or if it was 
designated to this category� Derivative financial investments 
are classified as held to trade (trading portfolio), with the excep-
tion of derivative financial instruments that are designated for 
hedge accounting� Likewise, structured products, in other words, 
active and passive financial instruments, which include  embedded 
derivatives alongside the simple risk business that are not  separately 
measured are designated to this category� The financial assets 
held as part of the investment-type life insurance business are 

likewise designated to be recognised at fair value through  profit 
or loss�

3.7.2 held to maturity financial assets
Held to maturity financial assets are non-derivative financial 
instruments with fixed or determinable payments� However, 
they do not include mortgages, loans (section 3�8) and  receivables 
(section 3�9), which the Baloise Group can and wants to hold 
until final maturity�

3.7.3 available for sale financial assets
Available for sale financial assets are those non-derivative  financial 
instruments that have been classified as available for sale or 
have not been classified in any of the above-mentioned cate gories 
nor been classified as mortgages, loans or receivables�

Alternative financial assets, such as private equity investments 

and hedge funds are mainly classified as available for sale�

3.7.4 entering, evaluating, and charge off
All customary financial asset purchases are entered on the trade 
date� Financial assets are initially measured at fair value� The 
transaction costs are part of the acquisition costs, with the ex-
ception  of  financial  assets  recognised  at  fair  value  through 
profit or loss�

Financial assets are charged off, if the rights to the cash flow 
from the financial instrument have expired or if the financial 
instrument was sold and all related risks and opportunities have 
essentially been transferred� The cash outflow from reverse 
 repurchase transactions (repo) is offset by the respective receiv-
ables� Financial assets that were obtained from a transaction as 
securities are not recognised� Booking in the balance sheet takes 
place on the due date� Financial assets transferred as securities 
for repurchase transactions continue to be recognised in finan-
cial assets� The cash flow is offset by the respective liabilities� 
Here, Baloise Group is only involved in securities lending� The 
borrowed financial instruments remain recognised as financial 
assets� The coverage of the repurchase and reverse repurchase 
transactions securities, as well as the securities lending trans-
actions takes place daily at the effective fair values�

Financial assets that are available for sale and recognised at 
fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value� 
 Financial assets held to maturity are evaluated according to the 
Amortised Cost Method using the Effective Interest Method� 
Realised and unrealised gains and losses on financial assets 
recognised at fair value through profit or loss continue to be 

98

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

recognised  in  the  income  statement�  Unrealised  gains  and 
losses on financial assets that have been classified as available 
for sale are recorded in equity� If financial assets in the avail-
able for sale category are sold or value-adjusted, the accumu-
lated amount is recognised in equity as a realised gain and loss 
on financial assets� Changes to the fair value of the hedged risks 
of financial assets that are hedged by a fair value hedge are 
recognised in the income statement for the duration of the hedge, 
independent of the classification made�

The fair value of listed financial assets is based on stock  market 
prices� If there is no such value, then the fair value is estimated 
based on generally recognised methods (Present Value Method, 
etc�), independent assessments based on comparisons with fair 
values of similar instruments and the current market situation�
Derivative  financial  instruments  are  evaluated  based  on 

3.9 Receivables
Receivables  from  financial  contracts  include  life  settlement 
contracts (secondary market policies) measured at fair value� 
The valuation is performed according to the Income Approach 
Method�  Thus,  the  evaluation  of  the  guaranteed  payout  at  
maturity includes already allocated and future final policy holders’ 
dividends, as well as risk-adjusted discount rates� The changes 
recognised in profit or loss are stated under the item “Result 
from financial contracts�” 

All other receivables are entered in the balance sheet as  carried 
at cost and thus according to the Amortised Cost Method less 
any value adjustments for receivables at risk� As a rule, the costs 
carried correspond to the face value of the receivables�

3.10 sustained impairment losses

quoted market prices or on the basis of models�

3.10.1 Financial assets evaluated according to the  

Different methods of appraisal are applied to private equity 
investments, such as the analysis of the discounted cash flow 
or reference to comparable transactions in the recent past  between 
knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction 
provided no fair value is available�

If, in the case of hedge funds, the fair value cannot be calcu-
lated on the basis of public price quotations, the valuation is 
conducted based on price quotations provided by independent 
third parties�

If the estimates do not lead to a reliable evaluation, then those 
financial assets are set at their acquisition value and disclosed 
accordingly�

amortised Cost method (mortgages, loans, receivables, 

and held to maturity financial assets)
On  each  balance  sheet  date,  the  Baloise  Group  determines 
whether there is any objective evidence of a sustained impair-
ment loss for a financial asset or a group of financial assets� A 
financial asset or a group of financial assets is only impaired if 
there is any evidence of an impairment loss as a consequence 
of one or more events that have an effect on the expected future 
cash flow of the financial asset, which can be estimated reliably� 
Objective evidence of an impairment loss of a financial asset 
includes observable data for the following cases:
 → considerable financial difficulties on the part  

3.8 mortgages and loans
Mortgages and loans (including policy loans) are non-derivative 
financial instruments with fixed or determinable payments that 
are not listed on an active market� Mortgages and loans classi-
fied as carried at cost are measured using the Amortised Cost 
Method while applying the Effective Interest Method� Their 
recoverability is verified as part of an impairment process�

Mortgages and loans that are held as part of a fair value hedge 
(hedge  accounting)  are  designated  to  be  “recognised  at  fair 
value through profit or loss�” These portfolios are valued using 
a yield curve model�

of the debtor,

 → a breach of contract such as the failure to pay or delayed 

payment of interest or repayment instalments,

 → increased probability that the borrower will declare 

bankruptcy or enter into other reorganisation  proceedings,
 → observable data indicating a measurable reduction of the 
expected future cash flow from a group of financial assets 
since their initial valuation�

Analysis reports from banks as well as appraisals by rating
agencies are used to assess an impairment loss�

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

99

Should objective evidence for a sustained impairment of loans 
and receivables or held to maturity financial assets exist, the 
impairment loss expense, representing the difference between 
the carrying value of the asset and the present value of the future 
cash flow discounted by the respective effective interest rate of 
the financial asset, is determined� If the impairment value 
 decreases in one of the subsequent reporting periods, and if this 
decrease can be attributed to an objectively occurring circum-
stance, then the impairment loss recognised earlier is to be 
reversed (value recovery)� 

The recoverability of the mortgage portfolio is verified at 
regular intervals� Should there be objective evidence that the 
entire amount owed as per the original contractual conditions 
or the respective present value of a receivable cannot be  recovered, 
then an impairment loss is set up� Loan commitments are  assessed 
individually taking the following into consideration: the nature 
of the borrower, the borrower’s financial situation, his payment 
history, the existence of a possible guarantor, and, if necessary, 
the sales value of possible securities�

3.10.2 Financial assets measured at fair value
On each balance sheet date, the Baloise Group determines 
whether there is objective evidence of a sustained impairment 
loss on financial assets classified as available for sale� This  includes 
financial assets of an equity nature� It is mandatory to write 
impairment losses for financial assets of an equity nature where 
the fair value on the balance sheet date is less than half the 
acquisition value, or where the fair value is less than the acqui-
sition value during the twelve months preceding the balance 
sheet date� For securities where the fair value on the balance 
sheet date is between 20 % and 50 % below the cost value, the 
necessity to establish an impairment loss is reviewed and set up 
as required�

In the event of an impairment loss, the accumulated net  
loss is recognised directly in equity and transferred to the  
income statement� 

Impairment losses on available for sale financial assets of an 
equity nature recognised in profit or loss may no longer be 
 reversed� A further impairment of the fair value is mandatory 
and charged directly to the income statement for financial  
assets of an equity nature, which were already loss-impaired in  
earlier periods� 

An impairment on available for sale financial assets of a debt 
nature is performed when the fair value is distinctly reduced 
due to a default risk�

If the fair value of an available for sale financial asset of a 
debt nature increases in one of the subsequent reporting periods 
and the increase can be objectively attributed to an event that 
occurred after recognising the impairment loss in profit or loss, 
the impairment must be reversed and the amount recognised 
in profit or loss as value recovery�

3.10.3 impairment losses on non-financial assets
Goodwill and any assets with an indefinite useful life are subject 
to an annual impairment loss test at the same time each year, 
or if there is objective evidence of an impairment loss� In order 
to verify the recoverability of goodwill, the goodwill is allo-
cated to identifiable cash generating units (CGUs)� The impair-
ment test of goodwill is performed on this level for insurers that 
sell both nonlife and life products (so-called property /  casualty 
insurers)� For the impairment test, the utility value of a CGU is 
determined based on the theoretically possible discounted return 
flow of funds to the parent company (as a rule, in the form of 
dividends)� Regulatory requirements and in-house defined  limits 
on equity strength are adequately considered� The basis of this 
cost-benefit calculation is provided by the long-term financial 
planning approved by management� A sustained impairment 
loss is recognised in the income statement under the item  “Other 
operating expenses�” The other non-financial assets are subject 
to an impairment loss test whenever there is objective evidence 
of an impairment loss�

An impairment loss for an asset with a finite useful life that 
was recognised in earlier reporting periods is reversed if the 
estimations have changed since entering the last impairment 
loss that was applied to determine the recoverable amount� This 
increase represents a value recovery� An impairment loss on 
goodwill  recorded  in  earlier  reporting  periods  will  not  be  
reversed� An impairment loss on assets with indefinite useful 
lives  recorded  in  earlier  reporting  periods  is  reversed  and 
 recognised in profit or loss, but not above the amount before 
the impairment minus depreciation�

100

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

3.11.3 Cash flow hedge
Changes to the fair value of derivative financial instruments 
classified as cash flow hedge instruments from effective hedge 
relationships are recognised directly in equity� The amounts 
recognised  in  equity  under  the  item  “Unrealised  gains  and 
losses (net)” are recognised in the income statement at a later 
time in accordance with the hedged cash flow� The ineffective part 
of the hedge relationship is recognised in the income statement�
If a hedge instrument is sold, terminated, exercised, or no 
longer fulfils the criteria of a hedge, then the accumulated gain 
or loss remains in equity until the intended transaction has 
taken place� If the occurrence of the expected transaction can 
no longer be anticipated, the accumulated gains and losses in 
equity are transferred to the income statement�

3.11.4 hedging a net investment in a foreign company
Hedging a net investment in a foreign company is treated as  
a cash flow hedge� The gain or loss of the hedging instrument 
on the effective hedge is entered in equity; the ineffective part 
is recognised in profit or loss� The gain or loss recognised in 
equity  is  transferred  to  the  income  statement  if  the  foreign 
 company is (partly) sold�

3.11.5 derivative financial instruments that do not meet 

hedging requirements
Changes to the fair value of derivative financial instruments 
that do not meet hedging requirements are recognised in  profit 
or loss as “Realised gains and losses on investments�”

3.12 offsetting of receivables and liabilities
Receivables and liabilities are offset and the net value is recog-
nised  in  the  balance  sheet,  provided  that  there  is  a  right  to  
offset and the Baloise Group intends to realise these assets and 
liabilities concurrently�

3.11 derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are swaps, futures, forward 
and option contracts, etc�, where the value is mainly derived 
from the underlying interest rates, exchange rates, raw mate-
rial prices, or shares� As a rule, derivative financial instruments 
have no or only a low acquisition value� Derivative financial 
instruments are recognised in the balance sheet at fair value� 
When a contract is concluded, it is either classified as a hedging 
instrument for the fair value of an asset or a liability (fair value 
hedge), as a hedge for future transactions (cash flow hedge), as 
a hedge for the net investment in a foreign company, or as a 
trading instrument� Derivative financial instruments that do 
not comply with the IFRS hedging requirements, although they 
have a hedge function according to the risk management rules 
of the Baloise Group, are treated as trading instruments�

The Baloise Group documents the effectiveness of the hedge 
as well as the targeted goals and strategies for all hedge trans-
actions in hedge accounting� The effectiveness of the hedge is 
monitored on an ongoing basis after concluding the contract� 
Derivatives, that no longer fulfil the requirements of hedging, 
are reclassified as trading instruments�

3.11.1 structured products
Structured products are active or passive financial instruments 
that contain embedded derivatives in addition to the simple 
risk business� Under the condition that the economic features 
and risks of the embedded derivate are different to those of the 
simple risk business and that the derivative itself fulfils the 
definition of a derivative financial instrument, the embedded 
derivative is isolated, separately entered, valued and disclosed� 
If no separation of derivative and simple risk business is per-
formed, the structured product is designated as a simple risk 
measured at fair value in profit or loss�

3.11.2 Fair value hedge
For the effective part of the hedge relationship, changes to the 
fair value of derivative financial instruments that have been 
classified as fair value hedge instruments are recognised in the 
income  statement  together  with  the  hedged  part  of  the  fair 
value of the asset or liability� The ineffective part of the hedge 
is recognised separately in the income statement�

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

101

3.13 Non-current assets held for sale  

and discontinued business segments
Non-current assets or asset groups which are held for sale and 
meet the criteria of IFRS 5 “Non-Current Assets Held for Sale 
and Discontinued Business Segments” are reported separately 
in the balance sheet� Those assets addressed by the Standard 
are valued at the lower of carrying value or present value, less 
selling costs� Adjustments arising are recognised in profit  
or loss� Any scheduled depreciation is halted as of the reclas-
sification date� 

Detailed disclosure of discontinued business segments, if 

applicable, is made in the notes to the Financial Report�

3.14 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist predominantly of cash,  demand 
deposits and cash equivalents� Cash equivalents are, in  particular, 
short-term liquid assets with maturities of up to 24 hours, as 
well as cheques not yet cashed�

3.15 equity
Equity instruments are classified as equity unless there is a 
 contractual obligation for the repayment or surrender of other 
financial assets� Transaction costs relating to equity transactions 
are reduced and all associated income tax benefits recognised 
in the balance sheet as a deduction from equity�

3.15.1 share capital
The reported share capital corresponds to the registered share 
capital of Bâloise Holding, Basel� The share capital of Bâloise 
Holding is made up exclusively of registered shares� There are 
no shares with preferential voting rights�

3.15.2 Capital reserves
Paid-in share capital (premium) in excess of the face value,  Bâloise 
Holding share options, the results from the purchase and sale 
of treasury shares and embedded options in Bâloise Holding 
convertible bonds are included in capital reserves�

3.15.3 treasury shares
Treasury shares held by the Bâloise Holding or by subsidiaries 
appear as a deduction in equity in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements with their acquisition cost (including transaction 
costs)� No ongoing adjustment to fair value is performed� Upon 
resale, the difference between acquisition value and sales price 
is recognised as a change in capital reserves� Only shares of 
Bâloise Holding are considered treasury shares�

3.15.4 unrealised gains and losses (net)
This item includes changes in fair value of financial instruments 
classified as available for sale, effects from cash flow hedging, 
effects from hedging a net investment in a foreign company, 
exchange differences, as well as gains from the reclassification 
of owner-occupied property to investment property� 

Unrealised gains and losses are reduced by the associated 
deferred taxes and liabilities and, for life insurance companies, 
additionally  by  the  shares  that  will  in  future  be  used  to  
amortise acquisition costs and to create policyholders’ dividends 
(shadow accounting)� 

Minority interests, if applicable, are also deducted from  

these items�

3.15.5 Retained earnings
Retained earnings include Baloise Group’s ploughed-back  profits 
and its income for the fiscal year� Dividend distributions to 
shareholders of Bâloise Holding are only recognised once they 
have been approved by the Annual General Meeting�

3.15.6 minority interests
Minority  interests  are  those  shares  in  the  equity  of  Group 
 companies, which are allocated to third parties outside the Group 
on the basis of the relevant ownerships�

102

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

3.16 insurance contracts
An insurance contract is defined as “a contract under which 
one party (the insurer) accepts a significant insurance risk from 
another party (the policyholder) to pay compensation should a 
specified contingent future event (the insured event) adversely 
affect the policyholder�” An insurance risk is any direct or 
 reinsured risk that is not a financial risk� 

The significance of the insurance risk is assessed according 
to the amount of additional benefits to be paid by the insurer if 
the insured event occurs�

Contracts without any significant insurance risk are financial 
contracts� Such financial contracts may include a discretionary 
participation feature (DPF) that determines which recognition 
and valuation regulations are to be applied�

Receivables and liabilities from financial contracts are pri-
marily calculated on the basis of the Effective Interest Method� 
The effective interest is determined as an intrinsic interest rate 
based on the estimated amounts and dates of the expected pay-
ments� If the amount or date of the actual payments differs from 
expectations or the expectations change, the effective interest 
must be newly determined� The deposit account balance is then 
revalued as if this new effective interest rate had been in effect 
from  the  beginning  and  the  change  in  the  deposit  account 
value is recognised as interest income or expense, respectively� 
Otherwise, the insurance cover financed from the deposit  account 
is amortised over the expected life of the deposit account�

The Baloise Group considers an insurance risk to be signifi-
cant if, during the contractual period in a plausible scenario,  
a payment is linked to the occurrence of the insured event, 
which is 5 % higher than the contractual benefits if the insured 
event does not occur�

A  discretionary  participation  feature  (DPF)  exists  if  the 
policyholder has a contractual or legal right to benefits in excess 
of the guaranteed benefits:
 → that are likely to make up a significant portion of the total 

contractual benefits,

 → where the outpayment amount or date is contractually  
at the discretion of the insurer and thus contractually 
depends on the performance of a specific portfolio or  
a specific type of contract; the realised and / or unrealised 
investment income of a specific investment portfolio held 
by the insurer, or the insurer’s result�

Self-insurance contracts are eliminated from the Annual  Financial 
Statements� This applies particularly to contracts with the com-
pany’s own pension plans, insofar as the employees covered by 
these plans belong to Baloise Group�

In addition, IFRS 4 makes exceptions for the treatment of 
embedded derivatives that are contained in an insurance contract 
or financial contract with a discretionary participation feature� 
In as far as such embedded derivatives themselves satisfy the 
definition of an insurance contract, no separate valuation and 
disclosure are required� For the Baloise Group, this concerns, 
among others, certain guarantees for annuity conversion rates as 
well as additional special exceptions, such as certain guaranteed 
buy-back values on traditional policies�

3.17 Nonlife insurance contracts
Basically, all standard products in the nonlife business contain 
sufficient insurance risk so as to be classified as insurance con-
tracts under IFRS 4� Within the Group, the nonlife business is 
divided into seven main sectors:
 → Accident

All standard product types that are typical for the respective 
market are offered in the accident sector� In Belgium  
and Switzerland in particular, there are additional specific, 
government-regulated occupational accident products, 
which do not correspond to the otherwise usual products�

 → Health 

The Baloise Group writes health insurance only in 
 Switzerland and Belgium� In addition to the typical 
treatment costs, the products in this sector also  
comprise benefits such as daily sickness allowance and  
are offered to individuals as well as small- and  
medium-sized businesses as so-called group insurance�

 → General liability 

In addition to conventional personal liability, thirdparty 
liability policies are also sold for certain professions� In 
Switzerland and Germany there are policies, in particular 
combined products, for small and medium-sized com-
panies or for partners in industry, which include features 
such as product liability� 

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

103

 → Motor 

The two standard products common in the market, 
comprehensive and liability insurance, are offered here�  
In certain countries there are also special products for 
cooperative agreements with automobile clubs or with 
individual automobile companies�
 → Fire and other property insurance 

Beginning with conventional home insurance policies, 
there is a broad offering of property insurance including 
fire, building and water damage insurance policies and  
all the other common features� 

 → Marine 

Marine insurance policies are primarily sold in Switzer-
land and in Germany� In addition to the typical merchan-
dise insurance, the products may also contain liability 
components�
 → Miscellaneous 

Small sectors such as loan and legal protection insurance 
are normally combined here� Financial guarantees are 
treated as loan payment protection insurances as long as 
they fulfil the definition of an insurance contract�

3.17.1 premiums
The gross premiums written are those that have become due 
during the fiscal year� They include an amount necessary for 
covering the insurance risk as well as all cost markups� Those 
portions of the premiums attributable to future fiscal years are 
contractually accrued and, together with any provisions for 
premium  shortfalls  for  the  fiscal  year  (impending  loss)  and 
 retirement provisions and any capitalised settlement premiums, 
comprise the unearned premium reserves disclosed in the  balance 
sheet� Owing to the special characteristics of marine insurance, 
premiums are deferred not by contract, but on the basis of 
 estimates� The premiums actually attributable to the fiscal year 
are designated as premiums earned� They are calculated from the 
premiums written and the change in unearned premium reserves�

3.17.2 Claims reserves
At the end of every fiscal year, Baloise Group places great  emphasis 
on creating adequate reserves for all claims that have occurred 
up to this key date�

Besides the provisions for payments to be made for claims 
occurred, reserves are additionally created for claims settlement 
costs� In order to approximate as realistic an estimate as  possible 
for these reserves, Baloise Group applies generally accepted 
mathematical-statistical methods besides the claims experience 
of recent years and all information available at this point in 
time, in particular the knowledge of experts entrusted with the 
handling of claims�

The total claims reserve comprises three components� The 
provisions calculated using insurance-mathematical, so-called 
actuarial methods, form the basis� The second component is 
provisions for those complex special cases and events that do 
not lend themselves to purely statistical valuation� These are, as 
a rule, rare and rather untypical claims for a sector, usually 
major claims, whose extent must be individually assessed by 
claims experts� Both these components are provided without 
discounting� The third component is made-up of provisions for 
annuities, which are valued using basic actuarial principles, 
such as morbidity, technical interest rate, etc� and stem mainly 
from the motor, liability and accident sectors�

By far the largest share of claims reserves is determined  using 
actuarial methods� To this purpose, suitable actuarial forcasting 
methods are selected depending on sector, insurance product 
and existing claims history� Additional market data and assump-
tions from ratings are used in the event of insufficient own claims 
history being available� The Baloise Group applies mainly the 
most common tried and tested Chain Ladder Method� This 
practice includes, besides an estimate of the development of the 
known claims, also the share of claims that are reported to the 
insurance company with delay or after the key date� The propor-
tion of these so-called delayed claims is of great importance, 
especially in sectors with liability components� Emerging trends 
in claims development and recoveries are considered for this 
estimate as a matter of course� The mean ratio of the costs  incurred 
to the actual claims payments is used to calculate the provisions 
for claims settlement costs� 

104

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

The forecasting methods applied cannot completely eliminate 
the uncertainties that lie in the forecasting of future develop-
ments� However, the systematic monitoring of the provisions 
created in a certain fiscal year permits the early identification 
of variances and, based on this, a revision of provisions and an 
adjustment to the forecasting method can be made where  necessary� 
The bases for these analyses are the so-called claims triangles 
represented in aggregated form under section 5�4�5� As a rule, 
for typical nonlife sectors such as storm or household, calcula-
tions are performed based on the payments of the past ten years� 
As a matter of course, for sectors that develop more slowly, such 
as e� g� liability, larger amounts of data are used and therefore 
claims triangles that reach much further back in time, based 
on payments as well as expenses (payments plus provisions)� 
Alongside different in-house control mechanisms, the Baloise 
Group has the provisions and the methods applied addition-
ally reviewed at regular intervals by external specialists� In this 
context, please also note the liability adequacy test described 
in detail in section 3�17�4� The Baloise Group takes great care to 
execute the regular profitability analysis and audit required by 
the reporting standard as to whether the insurer can fulfil all 
its assumed obligations on the key date� Any under-coverage 
that arises is promptly balanced�

3.17.3 policyholder participation in surplus and profit
Insurance contracts can provide for the customer’s participation 
in the surplus on their contracts (in particular in their claims 
history)� The expense for policyholder participation in surplus 
and profit arises from the payments and the change in the  
related provisions�

The liability adequacy test as prescribed by IFRS requires 
that an analysis also be made as to whether the company entered 
into further obligations with all current contracts in the report-
ing period� A profitability analysis of the insurance business for 
the current fiscal year must therefore be conducted to prove 
that adequate premiums were demanded and also that the amount 
of unearned premium reserves for liabilities in the ensuing 
 reporting periods is covered� In addition, there are usually con-
tracts that are automatically renewed for a further year on the 
same terms, which must likewise be analysed for their profit-
ability� At the same time, this corresponds to an analysis of the 
recoverability of deferred acquisition costs (DAC)� Here,  expected 
investment income from the relevant unearned premium reserves 
and existing claims reserves are considered� If a deficit is  expected, 
the  deferred  acquisition  costs  are  reduced  by  the  respective 
amount� Should the total deferred acquisition costs not fully 
cover the resulting obligation, a separate provision for impend-
ing losses is set up within unearned premium reserves�

3.18 life insurance contracts and financial contracts  

with discretionary participation features
For insurance contracts and financial contracts with discre-
tionary participation features, IFRS 4 allows users to continue 
to apply the previous valuation principles in accordance with 
 section 1 for liabilities, as well as assets resulting directly from 
the contracts (deferred acquisition costs and portfolio value)�

On  principle,  the  following  Baloise  Group  life  insurance 
products contain sufficient insurance risk to be classified as 
insurance contracts under IFRS 4:
 → endowment life insurance, conventional life insurance  

and unit-linked life insurance,

3.17.4 liability adequacy test (lat)
The liability adequacy test (LAT) is used at every balance sheet 
date to review whether existing provisions are adequate, taking 
all known developments into consideration� 

 → the Switzerland Group Life Business (BVG),
 → term insurance policies,
 → immediate annuity insurances,
 → deferred annuity insurances with an annuity conversion 

To this purpose, all existing provisions, both claims reserves 
and annuities from the nonlife segment, are analysed and, in 
the event of a shortfall, an appropriate subsequent provision is 
created� These calculations explicitly include late claims and 
therefore result in adequate provisions for all claims which have 
already been made�

rate guaranteed at conclusion of contract,

 → all supplementary insurance policies such as premium 
waiver, accidental death supplement, disability, etc�

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

105

The following accounting principles apply: 

3.18.1 General evaluation principles 
For the traditional life insurance business, different principles 
are applied depending on the type of profit participation� Prin-
cipally,  premiums  are  recognised  as  income  and  benefits  as 
expenses  when  due�  In  each  case,  the  provision  is  based  on 
 actuarial principles or the net premium principle, which provides 
a balanced development of the provision from the premium� 
The actuarial assumptions for calculating provisions are deter-
mined either as best estimates with explicit safety margins for 
particular transactions, or pursuant to local practice regarding 
provisions, and thus also take safety loading into consideration 
when contracts are concluded� The assumptions used are retained 
unchanged over the contractual period (lock-in), unless a liabil-
ity adequacy test (LAT) shows that the resulting provisions, 
applied deducting deferred acquisition costs (DAC) or the present 
value of future profits (PVFP) on acquired insurance contracts, 
are to be increased� Unearned premium reserves, provisions for 
final bonus payments as well as certain cost premium com-
ponents to be deferred (unearned revenue reserve, URR) are 
also carried as a component of the premium reserve�

The liability adequacy test is conducted for the entire life 
insurance business on every balance sheet date� A reserve is 
determined as of the valuation date, taking into consideration 
all  future  cash  flows  (such  as  insurance  benefits,  surpluses, 
contract-related administrative expenses, etc�) based on the best 
estimates  applicable  to  the  assumptions  at  that  time�  If  the 
minimum reserve for individual business lines thus determined 
exceeds the existing reserve, any existing deferred acquisition 
costs or present value of future profits are reduced, the reserves 
are immediately raised to the minimum level and the increase 
is recognised in the balance sheet�

3.18.2 present value of future profits  

on acquired insurance contracts (pVFp)
The present value of future profits on acquired insurance con-
tracts represents an identifiable intangible asset that arises in 
connection with the purchase of a life insurance company or 
of a life insurance portfolio� The initial valuation is made in 
accordance with actuarial principles� Depreciation is on a straight-
line basis� The liability adequacy test is used to check the recov-
erability of deferred acquisition costs regularly�

3.18.3 deferral of acquisition costs
Acquisition costs are deferred (deferred acquisition costs, DAC)� 
Depending  on  the  contract,  amortisation  occurs  over  the  
period of premium payments or insurance period� The liability 
adequacy test is used to check the recoverability of DAC�

3.18.4 unearned revenue reserve (uRR)
The unearned revenue reserve (URR) are premium components 
charged for services in future periods� These premium compo-
nents are recognised as liabilities and reversed by analogy in 
the deferred acquisition costs�

3.18.5 policyholders’ dividends
In a majority of life insurance contracts, the policyholders have 
a right to policyholders’ dividends�

The surpluses are paid in the form of benefit increases, pre-
mium reductions or final policyholders’ dividends or accrued 
at interest to a surplus account� Surpluses already allocated, 
which are accrued on an interest-bearing basis, are recognised 
under the item “Policyholders’ dividends credited and provisions 
for future policyholders’ dividends” (section 23)� The relevant 
interest expense is included under the item “Interest expenses 
on insurance liabilities�” Surpluses that have been used to finance 
an increase in insurance benefits are recognised in the  actuarial 
reserve� In the case of unit-linked life insurance, all investment 
income is, on principle, credited to the policyholder�

IFRS 4 introduces the concept of a discretionary participation 
feature (DPF), which is not only relevant to the classification of 
contracts but also to the disclosure of surplus funds, in accord-
ance with the policyholders’ share in the unrealised gains and 
losses recognised in IFRS equity and regarding the share of  
the higher or lower values recognised in profit or loss in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements – as compared to the finan-
cial statement required by commercial law� Hence, the portion 
of the liability under an insurance contract that is attributable 
to a discretionary participation feature (discretionary partici-
pation  feature  component)  is  to  be  reported  separately� The 
Standard does not provide any clear guidelines regarding the 
valuation  and  disclosure  of  the  discretionary  participation  
feature component�

106

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

In the case of contracts with a discretionary participation 
feature, the Baloise Group considers the portion of the valuation 
differences attributable to these contracts, which are to be  credited 
to policyholders pursuant to a statutory or contractual minimum 
quota as a discretionary participation feature component� Dis-
tributable retained earnings, as well as chargeable unrealised 
gains and losses from fully consolidated subsidiaries are pro-
portionately appropriated to the DPF component of the respec-
tive life insurance company� The discretionary participation 
feature component thus determined is reported under the item 
“Provisions for future policyholders’ dividends” (section 23)� 
This item also includes policyholders’ dividends that are deferred 
and not yet allocated pursuant to local accounting principles�
If no contractual or legal minimum quota is stipulated, the 
Baloise Group defines the discretionary participation feature 
as the existing reserve for premium refunds after considering 
final policyholders’ dividends� All other valuation differences 
between local and IFRS financial statements – in the absence 
of a minimum quota – are carried as part of equity�

The applicable minimum quotas prescribed by law, contract 
or the company’s Articles of Association are country-specific�
In Germany, Austria and for some Swiss group life business, 
life insurance companies are obliged by law to pay out a  minimum 
portion of their profit to policyholders in the form of a surplus�
In Germany, the policyholders must participate in gains� 
Negative partial results are absorbed by the shareholders� The 
policyholder has a 90 % share of capital gains (less actuarial 
interest), up to 75 % of the risk result and 50 % of the remaining 
result� For part of its portfolio, Deutscher Ring has addi tionally 
committed itself to the minimum quota of 95 % in its Articles 
of Association� 

In Austria, the minimum quota is stipulated in the terms 

and conditions of the contract� As a rule, it is 90 %�

Minimum quotas are also applied to some of Swiss BVG 
 business (occupational benefit plan) (which is subject to the 
legal quota), that is 100 % on change in liabilities and 90 % on 
change in assets�

3.19 Reinsurance
Reinsurance contracts are insurance contracts between insur-
ance companies and / or reinsurance companies� There must  
be a transfer of risk for a transaction to be recognised as rein-
surance; otherwise the contract is treated as a financial contract�
Active (i� e� assumed) reinsurance is recognised in the same 
period as the initial risk� The corresponding technical reserves 
are included in the “Unearned premium reserves (gross)” and 
“Claims reserves (gross)” liabilities accounts for the nonlife 
insurance business and in the “Actuarial reserves (gross)” lia-
bilities accounts for the life insurance business� For nonlife 
insurance they are estimated as realistically as possible, based 
on  experience values and the most recent information available; 
for life  insurances they are established based on the opening 
transaction� Passive reinsurance (i� e� insurance ceded) is the 
business ceded to  insurance companies outside the Group and 
includes imposts from direct life and nonlife business and from 
active reinsurance�

Passive reinsurance assets are calculated over the same  period 
and on the same basis as the original transaction and are  recognised 
in the item “Reinsurance assets” (section 16)� Impairments are 
recognised in profit or loss for assets deemed to be at risk due 
to identifiable insolvency�

3.20 liabilities from banking business  

and financial contracts

3.20.1 with discretionary participation features (dpF)
Financial contracts with discretionary participation features 
(DPF) represent an investment by the customer with a surplus 
participation feature� The accounting principle for these finan-
cial contracts with discretionary participation features is the 
same as that for life insurance contracts, for which the valuation 
principles are described in section 3�18�

3.20.2 measured at amortised cost
Savings deposits, medium-term bonds, mortgage-backed bonds 
and other liabilities including financial guarantees, which do 
not fulfil the definition of an insurance contract, are speci fically 
recognised under liabilities measured at amortised cost� They 
are initially measured at acquisition cost (fair value)� 

The difference between acquisition and repayment value is 
recognised over the term in profit or loss in “Result from finan-
cial contracts” pursuant to the Amortised Cost Method using 
the Effective Interest Method� 

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

107

3.20.3 Recognised at fair value through profit or loss
This item states both financial contracts where the holder bears 
the investment risk himself and liabilities from the banking 
business which are recognised at fair value through profit or 
loss as part of hedging considerations (natural hedge) as a result 
of designation�

3.21 Financial liabilities
Bonds issued on the capital market – with the exception of bonds 
from the banking segment – are recognised in financial liabil-
ities� Financial liabilities are initially valued at acquisition cost 
(fair value)� The acquisition value also includes transaction costs�
The difference between the acquisition and repayment value 
is recognised over the term as borrowing costs in profit or loss 
pursuant to the Amortised Cost Method using the Effective 
Interest Method� 

The convertible bond issued by Bâloise Holding includes  
a liability as well as an embedded option (conversion right for 
Bâloise Holding shares)� The fair value of the embedded option 
is calculated on the balance sheet date and stated separately in 
equity� The acquisition cost of the liability component corre-
sponds to the present value of the future cash flow at the time 
of emission� The market interest rate of similar bonds without 
conversion or option rights is applied as the discount rate�

3.22 employee benefits
The Baloise Group’s benefits to employees include all forms of 
compensation granted in exchange for services rendered or in 
special circumstances�

The following benefits are calculated: short-term benefits 
(such as wages), benefits over the long term (such as anni versary 
payments), as well as benefits upon termination of employment 
(such as severance pay and benefits from social compensation 
plans) and post-employment benefits� The following benefits 
may be especially significant due to their scope:

3.22.1 post-employment benefits
The main retirement benefits are annuities from retirement 
provisions and contributions made by the employer to  mortgages 
as well as certain insurance policy benefits� The benefits are paid 
after termination of employment; they are financed during the 
period in which the employee is active� The retirement benefits 
of the Baloise Group currently consist almost exclusively of 
defined benefit plans� The liabilities are calculated using the 
Projected Unit Credit Method�

The assets that correspond to the liabilities are only consid-
ered if they are ceded to an entity other than the employer, e� g� 
a foundation� Such assets are valued at fair value� Unrecognised 
technical gains and losses that exceeded the greater of the present 
value of the defined-benefit liabilities or the fair value of plan 
assets by 10 % at the end of the preceding reporting period are 
recognised  in  the  income  statement,  based  on  the  expected 
 average of the remaining years of service of the employees 
 participating in the plans�

Baloise Group pension agreements are tailored to local 

 conditions with regard to enrolment and scope of benefits�

3.22.2 share-based payments 
The Baloise Group offers employees and senior members of staff 
various plans in which shares are granted as part of the overall 
compensation  package�  Employee  Participation  Plan,  Share 
Subscription Scheme (SSS), Employee Share Ownership Plan, 
performance quota and performance share units (PSU) are  valued 
and disclosed in accordance with IFRS 2 “Share-based Payment�” 
Plans that are serviced by shares in Bâloise Holding are valued 
at the calculated value on the date of granting and are recognised 
as personnel expenses during the blocking period and credited 
to equity� Plans that are serviced in cash and whose amount is 
based on the fair value of Bâloise Holding shares are recognised 
at the calculated value on the balance sheet date and reported 
as a liability�

108

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

3.23 Financial provisions
Financial provisions for restructuring and legal claims are set 
up for current legal or actual obligations, which will probably 
result in a future outflow of funds that can be reliably  estimated� 
The assessment is based on the best possible estimate of the 
expected outlays� If the liability cannot be estimated with  sufficient 
reliability, it is reported as a contingent liability�

3.24 taxes
Provisions for deferred income taxes are set up pursuant to the 
Liability Method, i� e� they are based on the current or future 
expected tax rate� Deferred income taxes consider the income 
tax effects of temporary variances in recognition and valuation 
of assets and liabilities under IFRS and for tax purposes� When 
calculating deferred income taxes, unused tax losses are taken 
into consideration only insofar as it is probable that sufficient 
taxable profits will be generated in future�

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset and reported net, 
provided the preconditions for offsetting are fulfilled� These 
are, as a rule, fulfilled if fiscal sovereignty, taxable entity and 
tax type are identical�

3.25 Recognition of income
Income is recognised at fair value of the consideration received 
or to be claimed� Inter-company transactions and the resulting 
gains or losses are eliminated� Income is recognised as follows: 

3.25.1 income from services rendered
Income from services rendered is recognised in the period in 
which the service is provided� 

3.25.2 interest income
Interest income on financial instruments, which is not recognised 
at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss,  is  recognised  using  the  
Effective Interest Method� If the value of a receivable is  adjusted, 
the recoverable amount is depreciated to equal the difference 
between the present value of the estimated future cash inflows 
and outflows and discounted using the original interest rate in 
the contract�

3.25.3 dividend income
Dividend income on financial assets is recognised as soon as 
the legal claim to payment arises�

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

109

4.	CritiCal	aCCounting	prinCiples		

 → Mortgages and loans  

and	estimation	unCertainties	
The Consolidated Annual Financial Statements of the Baloise 
Group include estimates and assumptions, which could have 
an impact on the Annual Financial Statements of the next fiscal 
year. Estimates and the discretionary power of the management 
are continuously reviewed and are based on experience and 
other factors, including expectations of future events that appear 
reasonable on the date the balance sheet is prepared. 

4.1	Fair	value	of	financial	instruments
Fair value is determined based on the quoted market price, if 
available. Should no quoted market price be available, the fair 
value is estimated based on the cash value or using valuation 
methods.  Such  methods  are  materially  influenced  by  the 
 assumptions applied, which consider discount rates and estima-
tions of future cash flows. Baloise applies primarily fair values; 
should these not be available, own models are applied.

The following investment categories are measured at fair 

value:
 → Investment properties 

Fair value of investment properties is determined using 
the Discounted Cash Flow Method. The estimates and 
assumptions applied are listed in section 3.6.

 → Financial assets of an equity or debt nature (available for 
sale and recognised at fair value through profit or loss)  
The fair value is based on market prices. Should no quo- 
tation exist, or the market is assessed as inactive, then  
the fair value is estimated based on generally approved 
methods (Present Value Method, etc.), independent 
evaluations by comparing market prices of similar instru- 
ments and the effective market situation. Derivative 
financial instruments are valued based on quoted maket 
prices or models. For private equity investments, different 
estimations methods are applied, such as the analysis  
of discounted cash flows or the reference to comparable 
recent transactions between knowledgeable, willing 
partners in an arm’s length transaction should no fair 
value be available. These financial assets are charged  
at acquisition value and accordingly disclosed should the 
estimates not permit reliable valuations. Hedge funds are 
measured at fair value based on public quotes, if available, 
otherwise fair value is determined by independent third 
parties.

(recognised at fair value through profit or loss) 
Mortgages and loans are designated as recognised at fair 
value through profit or loss within the scope of hedging 
considerations (natural hedge). The evaluation of these 
portfolios is performed using an interest yield curve.

 → Financial contracts  

(recognised at fair value through profit or loss) 
Life settlement contracts (secondary market policies) are 
measured at fair value. The valuation is performed using 
the Income Approach Method. Thus the valuation of the 
guaranteed payout on maturity includes already allocated 
and future policyholders’ dividends, final policyolders’ 
dividends as well as risk-adjusted discount rates.

The following financial liabilities are measured at fair value:
 → Liabilities from the banking business and from  
financial contracts (measured at fair value and  

recognised through profit or loss) 
Liabilities from investment-type life insurance policies 
without or with only marginal risk transfer are – due to 
the capitalised assets of these liabilities – valued at fair 
value.

 → Derivative financial instruments 

Valuation at fair value is performed based on quoted 
market prices or models.

4.2	Financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature	held	to	maturity	
The Baloise Group applies the provisions of IAS 39 to classify 
non-derivative financial instruments with fixed or deter minable 
payments as held to maturity. To do so, Baloise assesses the 
positive intent and feasibility of holding these financial instru-
ments to maturity. If, contrary to the original intention, these 
financial instruments are not held to maturity – disregarding 
specific circumstances such as the sale of a negligible portion 
– the Baloise Group must reassign all held to maturity financial 
instruments to the “available for sale” category with a subsequent 
valuation at fair value. The fair values of those financial assets 
of a debt nature classified as “held to maturity” may be found 
in section 12.

110

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

4.3	impairment	losses	
At every balance sheet date, it is ascertained whether objective 
evidence of sustained impairment of a financial asset exists.
 → Financial assets of an equity nature (available for sale) 

An impairment is mandatory for available financial assets 
of an equity nature, whose fair value on the balance sheet 
date is below the acquisition value by more than half  
or whose fair value lies below the acquisition value on the 
balance sheet date or if its fair value remains below the 
acquisition value during the 12 months before the balance 
sheet date. The creation of an impairment is reviewed for 
securities whose fair value lies between 20 % and 50 % 
below the acquisition value on the balance sheet date.  
The evaluation of an impairment includes various factors 
such as the volatility of the security, rating, analysts’ 
reports, economic environment, industry outlook, etc.

 → Financial assets of a debt nature  

(available for sale and held to maturity) 
Objective evidence of an impairment of a financial asset 
includes observable data to the following cases:
 –  considerable financial difficulties on the part of the 

debtor, 

 –  a breach of contract, such as the failure to pay or delayed 

payment of interest or repayment instalments,

 –  increased probability that the borrower will declare 

bankruptcy or enter into other reorganisation 
 proceedings,

 –  observable data indicating a measurable reduction of  
the expected cash flow from a group of financial assets 
since their initial evaluation.

Analysts’ reports from banks as well as rating agency
appraisals are used to assess an impairment loss.

 → Mortgages and loans (carried at cost) 

The recoverability of the mortgage portfolio is verified at 
regular intervals. The methods and assumptions applied 
are also regularly audited to reduce variances between the 
actual and the anticipated default probability. 

4.4	deferred	income	taxes
Unused tax losses carried forward and other deferred tax assets 
are  capitalised  if  it  is  probable  that  they  will  be  realised. 
 Assumptions regarding the probability that these tax benefits 
will be recovered are made for this purpose, based on the  financial 
history and on the future income of the respective taxable  entity.

4.5	estimation	uncertainties	specific	to	insurance	
Estimation uncertainties in the area of technical risks are  explained 
in section 5.4 et seq.

4.6	Financial	provisions
The assessment of financial provisions includes assumptions 
concerning the probability, the date and the amount of an  outflow 
of funds representing an economic benefit. If such an outflow 
of funds is probable and a reliable estimate is possible, an 
 appropriate provision is set up.

4.7	employee	benefits
In calculating performance-based payments to employees, 
assumptions are made regarding the expected return on plan 
assets, the economic benefit of assets, future pay and pension 
benefit developments, the applicable discount and other param-
eters. The most important assumptions are derived from pre vious 
estimate experience. The assumptions included in the calcula-
tion are explained in section 18.2.10.

4.8	impairment	of	goodwill
The recoverability of goodwill is verified annually either towards 
the end of the year or when objective evidence exists for impair-
ment. For this recoverability audit, a value of benefit is deter-
mined, which is primarily based on estimates, such as finance 
planning approved by management and the discount or growth 
rates listed in section 9.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

111

5.	management	oF	insuranCe	risks	and	FinanCe	risks	
The companies of the Baloise Group offer their customers non-
life insurance and life insurance, as well as (in Switzerland and, 
with certain restrictions, in Germany) bank products. Accord-
ingly, the Baloise Group is exposed to various risks. 

The main risks in the nonlife insurance sector are: natural 
disasters, large-scale industrial risks, liability risks and per-
sonal injury risks. The whole insurance business is regularly 
examined by means of comprehensive analyses. The results of 
these analyses flow into the formation of reserves, the pricing 
and the structuring of insurance products and reinsurance 
 contracts. In the nonlife business, studies were carried out, 
particularly in recent years, regarding natural disasters, partly 
together with reinsurance companies and brokers, in order to 
determine the exposure and the necessary degree of risk  transfer. 
In the life insurance sector, the following biometric risks  

are predominant:
 → longevity risk in the cases of pension insurance  

and endowment insurance respectively,

 → mortality risk in the cases of death insurance and 

 endowment insurances,

 → disability risk in the sense of a risk of insufficient tarif, due 
to a disability taking an unfavourable course of  development. 
Through the provision of interest rate guarantees, the Group is 
in addition exposed to the interest rate change risk. Furthermore, 
implicit financial guarantees and options exist, which have an 
impact on the liquidity, investment planning and the income 
of  the  companies;  these  are,  in  particular,  the  provision  of  
a guaranteed buy-back value in the case of cancellation, and 
guaranteed pension factors upon entry into the payout phase, 
in the case of pension insurances.

The risks specific to life insurance – longevity, death and 
disability – are monitored on an ongoing basis. The Baloise 
Group companies monitor and analyse mortality rates, as well 
as customer behaviour regarding cancellation, invalidations 
and reactivations, on a decentralised basis. In this process, 
 statistics, which are customary in the market and are defined 
by actuaries and accompanied by sufficient safety margins  
are used. The information gained flows, on the one hand, into 
 appropriate pricing and, on the other, it is used to set up sufficient 
provisions to fulfil future insurance obligations. Due to the 
conservative pricing calculation demanded by government 
 legislation and the comparatively good statistical basis, the risks 
here are controllable. In the pension insurance sector, there is, 
an additional inherent trend risk – the continuous rise in life 

expectancy, leading to increasingly longer pension payouts. This 
risk is taken into account accordingly, by using suitable foun-
dations for calculation. In addition, more and more pension 
insurance policies are being signed whereby the pension conver-
sion factor is not fixed at the time of signing, but is rather  performed 
using a calculation basis valid at that time. This is particularly 
the case regarding unit-linked pension products.

The management of insurance contracts with surplus parti-
cipation features facilitates additional risk equalisation. One 
possible course of action in a changed risk situation can consist 
of the surpluses being adapted to local stipulations. However, 
the unbundling of the surpluses between the insured and the 
company is subject not only to local law, but also to the demands 
of the market.

The main risk categories of the banking division of the  Baloise 
Group are credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. These 
risks are recorded and managed locally by the banks. The  credit 
portfolio is monitored and analysed on an ongoing basis. In 
this process, various instruments are used, such as standardised 
credit stipulations and procedures, scoring and rating pro cedures, 
focusing on low-risk markets, and automatic dunning. The 
 information gained flows into the loan decisions.

In the case of Deutscher Ring Bausparkasse AG, there is also 
a so-called collective risk, meaning that the long-term, even-
handed allocation of building society savings contracts must 
be guaranteed by the collective group of savers. This guarantee 
is provided by the collective group, provided that it can be proved 
that the reserves for fluctuations at least remain in credit over 
the long term based on simulation calculations. In the case of 
the Deutscher Ring Bausparkasse, the collective risk is monitored 
and managed using a simulation model. In this process, the 
collective total customer base of the building society is up dated 
with future projections, on a contract-by-contract basis, incorpo-
rating  new  business  scenarios  and  lessons  from  previously 
 observed patterns of behaviour.

Since 2007 and due to the threat of a pandemic, the existing 
emergency plans for natural and fire disasters, pandemics,  attacks 
or the like have been reviewed and expanded to include a  pandemic 
scenario. Additional emergency plans were drawn up to ensure 
the continuation of operations with severely reduced staff  numbers. 
At the Swiss office several pandemic staff drills took place in 
2008. In the summer of 2009, in the WHO Phase 6, all  employees 
in Switzerland received a personal safety pack and the in-house 
management and information tool “Pandemic Web” went online. 
Management decisions before, during and after a crisis are 

112

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

 prepared by a Group crisis team since 2008. The Head of this 
committee reports directly to the Group CEO. The structure of 
the crisis team depends on the situation and the type of risk 
(insurance, banking, finances, solvency, reputation). In 2011 
the crisis team did not convene; the outbreak of EHEC was 
mainly limited to Germany and was officially declared over by 
the German authorities at the end of July 2011.

5.1	organisation	of	risk	management	of	the	Baloise	group
With its insurance and banking activities in various European 
countries, as well as its worldwide capital investments, the  Baloise 
Group is exposed to market risks such as currency risks,  credit 
risks, risks of interest rate changes and liquidity risks.

To monitor these risks, the Baloise Group has implemented 
comprehensive, Group-wide risk management in all the Group’s 
insurance and banking units. The Group-wide Risk Manage-
ment Standards have the following points of emphasis:
 → organisation and responsibilities,
 → methods, rules and limits,
 → risk monitoring.
In this process, all activities directly related to risk manage- 
ment are summarised in a collective set of rules and inter- 
nally coordinated. 

At the highest level, the total risks of the Group and the 
individual business units are restricted and directed by means 
of corresponding internal and external bandwidths.

At the level of finance risks and business risks, there are 
various limits and rules, which either reduce the identified 
 individual risks to a level acceptable to the Group or eliminate 
them completely.

Responsibility is assumed within the Group and each busi-
ness unit respectively for each individual identified risk by a 
risk owner. The risk owners are defined all along the line and 
according to levels of seniority. The Group’s most senior risk 
owner is the Chief Executive Officer of the Baloise Group. The 
persons responsible for the implementation of systematic risk 
controlling and of risk reporting are the risk controllers, defined 
parallel to the risk owners. In selecting risk controllers, parti-
cular care was taken to ensure the independence of the function. 
Points of emphasis for risk controlling within the Baloise Group 
are the following areas: investment risks, business risks (risks 
relating to the technicalities and the bank risks respectively), 
financial structural risks and compliance. The Group’s most 
senior  risk  controller  is  the  Chief  Financial  Officer  of  the  
Baloise Group.

The risk map of the Baloise Group illustrates the categori-
sation of identified risks. The risks are subdivided into the 
 following three levels:
 → nature of risk,
 → secondary nature of risk,
 → type of risk.
The risk types “Business environment risks,” “Investment risks” 
and “Financial structure risks” are directly related to the core 
business activity of the Baloise Group. These risks are system-
atically addressed, managed and optimised by the management 
and various risk committees. The analysis of these risks is model-
based and ultimately leads to a comprehensive, overall view.

“Business environment risks,” “Operational risks” and “Leader-
ship and information risks” arise directly or indirectly from 
the operation of the business, the business environment or the 
strategic activities of any company. The risks of this type are 
also quantitatively recorded, evaluated and managed.

Due to the comprehensive nature of the quantification  process, 
the relevance of the risk in question can likewise be analysed, 
in the context of the overall risk situation for the Baloise Group, 
or for the individual company respectively.

The central Risk Management of the Baloise Group is under 
the control of the Group CFO in the Group division Finance. 
It coordinates Group-internal directives, risk reporting and the 
continued specialist development of suitable risk management 
processes and tools. On a monthly basis, it follows the econo mic 
market developments and their implications for the risk port-
folio and the individual risk capacity of all business units, as 
well as of the Group as a whole. The responsible risk owners and 
risk controllers evaluate the plausibility of the figures submitted, 
considering them accordingly in their management decisions.
The non-diversifiable market risk is managed using, amongst 
other things, stochastic methods and comprehensive scenario 
analyses from centralised and decentralised units. 

For each identified risk category there is a corresponding 
half-yearly reporting procedure. For this purpose each business 
unit produces a risk report, serving as a basis for the Group-wide 
risk report. Key figures for financial risks and technical risks 
are released internally each month, within the scope of a risk-
controlling tool for both the Group and also for each strategic 
business unit.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

113

5.2	underwriting	strategy:	nonlife	and	life
Primarily, the Baloise Group underwrites insurance risks of 
private individuals, as well as small to medium-sized enter-
prises  in  selected  countries  of  mainland  Europe.  Industrial 
insurance in the property, liability, marine and technical seg-
ments is mainly offered through Baloise Insurance in Basel or 
its subsidiary in Bad Homburg (Germany) and through the 
Belgian business unit Mercator. In this particularly high-risk 
segment, the central management of industrial insurance ensures 

a consistent level of quality and a high degree of transparency 
for the underwritten business. 

Each business unit of the Baloise Group issues rules of pro-
cedure regarding the underwriting and checking of risks. These 
contain definitive allocations of responsibility and underwrit-
ing limits according to the sector. The underwriting limits are 
approved by the most senior committee of the business unit and 
made known to the Corporate Excecutive Committee. In the 
industrial insurance sector the maximum underwriting limit 

risk	map

Business	risks

investment	risks

Financial		

Business		

operational	risks

management	/	

structure	risks

environment	risks

information	risks

Technical risks Life

Market risks

Asset liability risks

Changes to regulations

Computer security

Structure of  

 → Interest guarantee 

 → Interest

 → Interest fluctuation 

 → Data

organisation

 → Parameter risks

 → Shares

risk

Market / competitors

 → Software /  

 → Worst-case scenario

 → Currencies

 → (Re) financing,  

hardware /network

Corporate culture

 → Creation of  

 → Real estate

liquidity

External events

 → Physical reliability

provisions

 → Market liquidity

Business portfolio

 → Derivatives 

Regulatory provisions

Investors

Personnel risks

Technical risks Nonlife

 → Alternative 

 → Skills / capacities

Merger and acquisitions

 → Premiums

 → Claims

investments

Risk capitalisation

 → Worst-case scenario

Credt risks

 → Creation of  

provisions

Reinsurance

 → Premiums / rating

 → Default

 → Active reinsurance

Loan management

 → Knowledge availability

 → Incentive systems

External  

Legal risks

 → Contracts

communication

Projection, plan,  

 → Liability and litigation

budget

 → Tax

 → Pension fund

Project portfolio

Compliance

Management  

 → Breach of Standards

information

 → Fraud / illegal actions

Business processes

 → Process risks

 → Project risks

114

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

was set at CHF 100 million (previous year: CHF 100 million) 
for Switzerland and EUR 60 million (previous year: EUR 60 mil-
lion) for Germany and Belgium. Within the Group, comparable 
underwriting limits continue to exist only for marine insurance. 
Risk management in industrial insurance also uses instruments 
to determine the required premium, as well as a risk-oriented 
overall portfolio management.

For its elementary damage exposure, Baloise buys in reinsur-
ance capacities to the value of CHF 250 million (previous year: 
CHF 250 million) for the total Group.

5.3	reinsurance	strategy:	nonlife	and	life
Contractual reinsurance in the nonlife sector of the Baloise 
Group is structured by the Finance division for all the business 
units of the Group through the Group-wide reinsurance and 
placed in the market. In structuring the programmes, Group-
wide reinsurance takes the risk-bearing capacity of the Group 
as a whole as its reference point. At present, the Group has placed 
exclusively  non-proportional  reinsurance  programmes.  The 
Group’s maximum excess charge for cumulative damage amounts 
to CHF 20 million (previous year: CHF 20 million), for in dividual 
damage it equals CHF 16 million in case of property damage 
(previous year CHF 16 million), CHF 15 million for transport 
damage (previous year: CHF 15 million) and CHF 12.5 million 
(previous year: CHF 12.5 million) for liability damage. In indivi-
dual cases, the local business units of the Baloise Group take 
out further optional reinsurance protection. This type of rein-
surance is heavily dependent on the respective individual risk 
and accordingly it is allocated by the business units themselves.
Reinsurance contracts can only be concluded with organisa-
tions which have received advance approval from the Finance 
division of the Group. The reinsurers usually have a minimum 
“A–” rating from Standard & Poor’s. In exceptional cases, a “BBB+” 
rating or a comparable rating from another recognised rating 
agency is approved. However, these reinsurance contracts are 
only used for nonlife asset insurance, regarding rapidly-handled 
claims. The provision does not apply to captives and pools  acting 
as active reinsurers that, as a rule, have no rating. 

The default risk amongst reinsurers is regularly checked. A 
“watchlist” is maintained regarding reinsurers, who are bank-
rupt or who have payment difficulties. This list states in detail 
all the Group’s relationships, open and written-off receivables 
and provisions with respect to these reinsurers. The “watchlist” 
is regularly updated.

In principle, the same demands are made of a reinsurer for 
life insurances as for the nonlife sector. In the life insurance 
business reinsurance has a lower degree of significance.

5.4	nonlife

5.4.1	insurance-specific	risk	
Primarily, the Baloise Group underwrites insurance risks of 
private individuals, as well as of small to medium-sized enter-
prises, in selected countries of mainland Europe. Apart from 
that, there is also business with industrial customers in Swit-
zerland and Germany. Underwriting risks are limited by price 
monitoring and adjustment, as well as directives and limits on 
underwriting adjusted to the size and the country of the port-
folio in question. 

5.4.2	assumptions
 → Claims reserves / claims settlement 

The structure of the existing portfolios must generate data 
that are sufficiently homogenous in order to determine  
the claims reserve using designated analytical actuarial 
methods. The typical development pattern of the previous 
years is considered a particularly reasonable basis for 
extrapolation. If needs be, additional assumptions might 
be made in isolated cases that display an extreme break-
away from the usual claims development.

 → Claims handling expenses 

Provisions are set up for handling claims in proportion to 
the existing claims reserve. These provisions are based on 
the ratio of average claims handling costs incurred in 
previous years to the payments made during the period.

 → Annuities 

Usually, the bases used for calculating annuities (mortality 
tables, interest rates, etc.) are provided or approved by  
the appropriate public authority of the respective country. 
However, as certain parameters can change relatively 
quickly, the appropriateness of the annuity provisions  
is checked yearly (in the course of the liability adequacy  
test) and additional reserves are allocated in case of 
insufficient coverage.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

115

The calculation of these claims reserves is always associated 
with a degree of uncertainty. Both the point in time for recog-
nising such cases and the size of such possible claims contain 
a substantially higher degree of uncertainty than is the case 
with all traditionally established claims patterns. The reserves 
are in part calculated based on reports by external actuaries. 
In this process, an analysis is usually made of an optimistic and 
a pessimistic scenario respectively. The Baloise Group’s reserve 
policy always focuses at least on the mean value of both sce-
narios. In particular, it is difficult to evaluate the level of reserves 
for claims incurred but not reported; consequently additional 
fluctuations can not be ruled out. According to experts’ estimates 
one must therefore work on the basis that variances of approx-
imately 10 % could occur. This equates to an effect of approxi-
mately CHF 8 million after taxes and before reinsurance  (previous 
year: CHF 10 million) regarding the corresponding provision.

5.4.3	Changes	in	the	assumptions
In principle, the assumptions underlying the formation of claims 
reserves are constant. In the case of the basis for calculating 
annuities, adjustments are made time and again over the years. 
In particular when considering the most recent findings regard-
ing longevity. 

5.4.4	sensitivity	analysis
Apart from the natural volatility of the insurance business, there 
are parameters to determine technical reserves, which can have 
a considerable impact on the annual result and equity of an 
insurance company. In the nonlife sector the following assump-
tions and their immediate implications for the consolidated 
annual result and consolidated equity were examined, within 
the scope of a sensitivity analysis: errors in estimation for claims 
reserves (including Incurred But Not Reported – IBNR) and 
the provisions in the Run Off sector.

All  Baloise  Group  reserves  calculated  using  actuarial  
methods or placed individually for special claims (inter alia, 
large claims, but excluding Run Off and reserves for annuities) 
equalled CHF 4,629.7 million at the end of 2011 (previous year: 
CHF 4,023.9 million). A 10 % deviation from this provision would 
result  in  claims  incurred  (after  taxes)  before  reinsurance 
 approximately CHF 335.9 million higher or lower respectively 
(previous year: CHF 294.9 million). 

The majority of the reserves in the Run Off sector originate 
from liabilities which the Baloise Group assumed on the London 
market up to the beginning of the 1990s. In this regard the 
primary burden for us are liability claims from the asbestos and 
environmental sectors.

116

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

5.4.5	Claims	development

analysis	of	claims	development	–	gross	(before	reinsurance)	by	strategic	business	units
The reinsurance share is small and would not change the validity of the following claims development tables.

estimated	Claims	inCurred	switzerland	(Cumulative)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

total

Year	of	claims	occurrence	

in CHF million

At the end of the year  
of the claims occurrence

One year later

Two years later

Three years later

Four years later

Five years later

Six years later

Seven years later

Eight years later

Nine years later

Estimated claims 
incurred

734.4

724.7

760.1

757.8

748.8

753.2

746.9

742.9

741.6

741.6

735.2

766.3

754.2

951.2

684.1

681.4

641.7

690.7

723.1

777.9

736.3

744.9

752.9

744.4

737.8

734.5

735.6

733.8

–

710.4

692.7

692.2

698.1

677.8

679.4

674.1

–

–

918.9

905.0

890.8

862.6

855.5

852.0

–

–

–

647.6

633.0

619.0

619.7

607.8

–

–

–

–

693.2

686.6

674.2

662.3

–

–

–

–

–

631.4

628.6

623.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

670.6

657.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

685.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

733.8

674.1

852.0

607.8

662.3

623.6

657.4

685.4

777.9

7,015.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Claims paid

– 676.6

– 647.5

– 597.1

– 768.9

– 513.9

– 550.9

– 491.2

– 519.3

– 502.8

–	348.3 –	5,616.5

Claims	reserves	–	gross

65.0

86.3

77.0

83.1

93.9

111.4

132.4

138.1

182.6

429.6

1,399.4

Claims reserves before  
2002 – gross (including  
major claims and  
indirect business)

Provisions for annuities  
(nonlife, including  
IBNR) gross

Reinsurance share

Claims	reserves	–	net

412.2

639.1

–	342.0

2,108.7

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

117

For a better understanding, the following claims development analyses are specified in euros.

estimated	Claims	inCurred	germanY	(Cumulative)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

total

Year	of	claims	occurrence	

in EUR million

At the end of the year  
of the claims occurrence

One year later

Two years later

Three years later

Four years later

Five years later

Six years later

Seven years later

Eight years later

Nine years later

Estimated claims 
incurred

1 409.9

412.2

411.0

406.1

407.3

402.8

396.0

391.9

391.7

391.7

276.4

1 370.8

325.8

292.2

283.8

306.7

298.2

288.0

302.5

290.8

348.5

346.7

334.4

336.5

333.7

330.4

327.4

327.0

–

304.2

291.8

295.5

292.4

290.4

288.4

289.8

–

–

279.9

285.8

276.5

272.9

269.4

268.1

–

–

–

288.7

283.7

278.8

276.9

277.5

–

–

–

–

303.0

295.5

294.1

293.1

–

–

–

–

–

296.2

299.7

300.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

286.4

289.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

299.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

327.0

289.8

268.1

277.5

293.1

300.3

289.0

299.7

290.8

3,027.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Claims paid

– 384.1

– 321.7

– 284.0

– 264.0

– 264.9

– 287.1

– 288.0

– 265.8

– 254.4

–	156.1 –	2,770.1

Claims	reserves	–	gross

7.6

5.3

5.8

4.1

12.6

6.0

12.3

23.2

45.3

134.7

Claims reserves before  
2002 – gross (including  
major claims and  
indirect business)

Provisions for annuities  
(nonlife, including  
IBNR) gross

Reinsurance share

Claims	reserves	–	net

1   The increase in the overall amount of estimated claim payments is primarily due to the addition of the Securitas Group.

256.9

284.5

70.9

–	135.4

476.9

118

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

estimated	Claims	inCurred	Belgium	(Cumulative)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

total

Year	of	claims	occurrence	

in EUR million

At the end of the year  
of the claims occurrence

One year later

Two years later

Three years later

Four years later

Five years later

Six years later

Seven years later

Eight years later

Nine years later

1 202.0

242.0

218.3

216.8

203.5

188.9

203.2

205.7

228.0

235.1

1 308.7

238.1

228.6

217.6

214.2

209.7

208.6

204.2

200.6

198.4

199.1

193.6

186.6

181.9

182.8

177.6

1 177.7

–

201.0

203.9

192.8

190.3

187.1

183.1

1 184.6

–

–

201.1

188.7

187.4

184.0

181.4

1 182.3

–

–

–

185.0

182.6

182.6

179.5

1 179.9

–

–

–

–

216.3

213.1

208.7

1 211.1

–

–

–

–

–

215.2

212.3

1 216.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

248.5

1 287.1

1 252.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Estimated claims 
incurred

202.0

177.7

184.6

182.3

179.9

211.1

216.5

252.2

287.1

308.7

2,202.1

Claims paid

– 179.4

– 153.0

– 156.6

– 148.8

– 146.0

– 161.0

– 163.5

– 182.1

– 204.5

–	154.0 –	1,648.9

Claims	reserves	–	gross

22.6

24.7

28.0

33.5

33.9

50.1

53.0

70.1

82.6

154.7

Claims reserves before  
2002 – gross (including  
major claims and  
indirect business)

Provisions for annuities  
(nonlife, including 
IBNR) gross

Reinsurance share

Claims	reserves	–	net

1   The increase in the overall amount of estimated claim payments is primarily due to the addition of the Avéro Schadevezekering Benelux NV.

553.2

200.0

141.2

–	110.4

784.0

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

119

estimated	Claims	inCurred	luxemBourg	(Cumulative)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

total

Year	of	claims	occurrence	

in EUR million

At the end of the year  
of the claims occurrence

One year later

Two years later

Three years later

Four years later

Five years later

Six years later

Seven years later

Eight years later

Nine years later

Estimated claims 
incurred

11.3

10.6

10.7

10.6

10.4

10.3

10.2

10.2

1 14.2

14.2

11.2

11.5

11.3

11.1

10.5

10.3

10.3

1 15.8

–

15.8

11.3

11.3

12.6

11.4

12.7

14.2

15.0

17.5

1 25.0

1 23.6

11.6

11.3

10.9

10.8

10.6

10.5

1 14.6

–

–

11.0

10.7

10.4

10.3

10.2

1 13.6

–

–

–

12.0

11.9

11.7

11.6

1 16.4

–

–

–

–

13.6

13.0

12.9

1 18.9

–

–

–

–

–

14.9

15.1

1 20.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

16.9

1 21.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1 22.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14.6

13.6

16.4

18.9

20.8

21.5

22.0

23.6

181.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Claims paid

– 14.0

– 15.6

– 14.3

– 13.3

– 15.8

– 18.1

– 19.3

– 19.6

– 18.8

–	13.8

–	162.6

Claims	reserves	–	gross

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.6

0.8

1.5

1.9

3.2

9.8

Claims reserves before  
2002 – gross (including  
major claims and  
indirect business)

Provisions for annuities  
(nonlife, including 
IBNR) gross

Reinsurance share

Claims	reserves	–	net

18.8

15.7

0.0

–	12.6

21.9

1   The increase in the overall amount of estimated claim payments is primarily due to the addition of the Bâloise Luxembourg IARD S.A. .

analysis	of	claims	development	for	the	segment	“other	units”	
A large part of the provisions of this segment come from the Run Off sector. Due to the special nature of the  business, 
it is difficult to conduct meaningful analyses on the basis of own loss data only. Therefore, the provisions formed 
involve an increased uncertainty.

The survival ratio – the ratio of the provisions to the average claims payments of the last three years – is a  common 
parameter for assessing the adequacy of the provisions for asbestos and environmental damages. The ratio indicates 
for how many years the provisions will last to cover the claims payments. At the end of the reporting period, the 
survival ratio was at 33 years (previous year: 42 years).

120

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

5.5	life

5.5.1	insurance-specific	risk
Traditional life insurance is referred to as fixed-sum insurance; rather than being an amount due to a claim, a fixed 
sum is paid out when the insured event (e. g. survival or death) occurs. Capital and / or pension benefits in the event 
of premature death (death insurance) and disability (disability insurance) are insured in the form of risk insurance, 
while the savings insurance focuses primarily on savings for old age. The endowment life insurance combines risk 
protection with the savings process. 

average	teChniCal	interest

31	deCemBer	2010

in CHF million

Technical reserves  
excluding interest guarantee

Technical reserves  
with 0 % interest guarantee

Technical reserves  
with positive interest guarantee

Average technical interest  
of positive interest guarantees

31	deCemBer	2011

Technical reserves  
excluding interest guarantee

Technical reserves  
with 0 % interest guarantee

Technical reserves  
with positive interest guarantee

Average technical interest  
of positive interest guarantees

switzerland	
individual	life

switzerland	
group	life

germany

Belgium

	luxembourg

other	units

477.2

691.0

2,605.3

813.6

498.9

206.5

53.6

58.7

271.1

103.0

16.8

32.5

8,895.6

11,735.0

9,627.6

1,273.3

197.2

494.4

2.8 %

2.1 %

3.4 %

4.0 %

2.9 %

3.4 %

switzerland	
individual	life

switzerland	
group	life

525.9

895.8

germany

2,409.1

772.9

692.6

180.5

Belgium

	luxembourg

other	units

75.4

77.3

229.0

117.1

15.7

28.8

8,557.9

12,157.3

9,375.3

2,614.3

213.9

487.9

2.7 %

1.9 %

3.4 %

3.8 %

2.8 %

3.2 %

The guaranteed technical interest represents a risk for the traditional life insurance and Group Life Business. 

Interest increases are associated with the risk of increased contract terminations (cancellations), which could 
lead to liquidity problems due to the pay-out of benefits. This risk is reduced by cancellation deductions. In the past, 
no significant connection could be observed between interest increases and the scope of contract terminations. 

On the other hand, decreasing interest entails the risk that the investment income may no longer be sufficient  
to finance the technical interest. This risk is reduced by Asset & Liability Management (ALM) and partially by 
policyholders’ dividends.

Unit-linked life insurance is usually a endowment life insurance or a deferred pension insurance policy, which 
gives the policyholder more flexibility in the investment process. During the deferment period, unit-linked pension 
insurance works in a similar way to endowment life insurance. In the pension payment period, the contract turns 
into a traditional pension insurance. 

In the event of death, the beneficiary receives the insurance sum or the fund balance, in cases where the fund 
balance exceeds the insurance sum. For the financing of the mortality cover in cases where risk capital exists 

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

121

 (corresponds to the positive difference between the insurance sum and the fund balance), a risk premium is  debited 
from the fund on a periodic basis.

The fund underlying the savings scheme is selected from a different number of funds – depending on the  product 
– according to the specifications of the investor profile of the policyholder. Usually, the policyholder bears the full 
investment risk and benefits from any positive performance. 

In the case of unit-linked life insurance, neither the repurchase value nor the maturity value is guaranteed. 
However, a maturity value is partly granted via the selection of the fund. Typically, these are funds that secure the 
maturity value by means of the investment method (decreasing proportion of shares when share prices drop) in 
connection with a certain contract term. This type of business is offered in Switzerland and in Germany. For these 
specific contracts, the maturity guarantee of the life insurance policy may differ slightly from the fund value due 
to the arrangement of the contract. This risk is duly taken into consideration actuarially.

In Germany, there are still a small number of contracts for which a minimum survival benefit, amounting to  
the contributions paid, is guaranteed without any fund-based hedging. Since 1999, this product has no longer  
been offered.

In Switzerland, an interest guarantee exists for a closed portfolio segment. This interest guarantee was granted 
within the scope of the statutory pension scheme (3a policy). In the case of survival, the policyholder receives the 
value of the fund portion, but no less than the net savings premium plus technical interest (3.25 %). The funds 
 permitted for these tariffs merely contain a small proportion of shares and are therefore characterised by a low 
volatility. An actuarial reserve is formed for the guarantee.

In Belgium and in Switzerland, some closed funds also provide a maturity value guarantee. Banks not  associated 

with the Group handle the fund management and secure the guarantee.

Through its unit in Liechtenstein, the Baloise Group offers variable annuities products (VA) with unit-linked 
and life-long guaranteed pensions. Financial hedging is effected with an external bank partner and an external 
reinsurance solution.

switzerland

germany

Belgium

luxembourg

other	units

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

383.3

399.8

1,357.9

1,262.1

5.8

7.9

268.1

226.4

99.6

113.7

in CHF million

Actuarial reserve  
from unit-linked  
life insurance 

Risk insurance can entail substantial risks, e. g. due to epidemics, lifestyle changes such as a lack of exercise, and 
terror attacks. Contracts that cover the survival risk are mainly subject to longevity risks, which may increase even 
more due to further progress in the field of medicine and further improvements to the standard of living.

In the sphere of action, the named risks do not differ significantly.
The group life business comprises in particular occupational pensions in Switzerland, which cover the risks of 
death, disability and survival in the same way as the individual life business. The special feature of the group life 
business is the impact of political decisions. The government determines the minimum interest to be paid on sav-
ings, as well as the conversion rate with which the saved capital is to be converted into a pension upon retirement. 
However, these rules only apply to the minimum part of the accumulated capital that must be financed according 
to law. For the part exceeding this level, actuarially appropriate pension conversion rates are used. However, a change 
of the minimum interest rate also affects the existing statutory portfolio, not only the new business, as is usually 
the case in the individual life business.

122

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Disability insurance is predominantly concerned with add-on insurance, i. e. with premium exemption for life 
insurance contracts with periodical premium payments in the event of disability. The independent disability insur-
ance is insignificant. In terms of actuarial reserves, the disability risk accounts for approximately 6 % of the business.

Traditional insurance

Longevity risk

Mortality risk

Disability risk

BVG retirement assets

subtotal

Unit-linked

Longevity risk

Mortality risk

subtotal

total

actuarial	reserves		
31.12.2010

actuarial	reserves		
31.12.2011

in	ChF		
million

share	%

in	ChF		
million

share	%

8,759.0

12,930.8

2,136.2

8,276.9

32,102.9

808.7

1,306.0

2,114.7

25.6

37.8

6.2

24.2

93.8

2.4

3.8

6.2

9,573.7

13,149.1

2,072.4

8,865.9

33,661.1

807.6

1,202.3

2,009.9

26.8

36.9

5.8

24.9

94.4

2.3

3.3

5.6

34,217.6

100.0

35,671.0

100.0

The allocation of the actuarial reserves to the above categories has been performed on the basis of the products, i. e. 
each product has been allocated to a risk type. Within a product, the actuarial reserves have not been distributed 
to different risks. Usually, the mortality tables that are used are authoritative for the allocation to a category.

5.5.2	assumptions
The actuarial reserves are calculated according to the principles valid when a contract is concluded. During the 
determination of tariffs of life insurance products, safety margins are included in these principles in order to fore-
stall any adverse developments in the future. This mainly concerns the technical interest and the mortality tables. 
Along with the consideration of anti-selection effects, this inclusion of safety margins explains why pension tables 
differ from mortality tables. Cancellations are not taken into account when forming reserves.

The principles used are checked continually by means of an LAT (liability adequacy test). This test ensures the 
adequacy of the provisions. The assumptions used for this test represent “best estimate” assumptions. The two main 
assumptions of this test are the prospective investment income and the mortality table. The expected future invest-
ment income is determined on the basis of the current and the target investment portfolio (strategic asset allocation). 
The expected yield on new capital investments is aligned to the capital market interest rates. Depending on the size 
of the portfolio, the mortality tables are based on publicly accessible tables that are adjusted by empirical values or 
on the company’s own mortality tables.

Cancellation is also taken into consideration in the LAT. This assumption is based on the companies’ experience. 

The impact of a change to the cancellation assumption on the result of the LAT is usually negligible.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

123

5.5.3	sensitivities
In connection with sensitivities, the effect of changes in the assumptions on the annual result and on the equity was 
determined after considering shadow accounting, latency calculation, and deferred tax assets and liabilities (but 
not including reinsurance effects since negligible). In these calculations, the assumptions according to which the 
liability adequacy test (LAT) was conducted were varied. 
Simulated scenarios:
 → increase in mortality by 10 %,
 → decrease in mortality (i. e. increase of longevity) by 10 %,
 → reduction of new capital inflow by 100 basis points.
For the determination of the sensitivities, only the tested assumption is changed. The other parameters are kept 
constant, except for the policyholders’ dividends, which are duly adjusted.

Usually, sensitivities are not linear and therefore extrapolation is not possible.

 → Increase in mortality by 10 % 

A mortality increase of 10 % in the LAT merely has a marginal effect on the income statement and equity  
in most life insurance companies of the Baloise Group, except in Switzerland. In the Swiss unit, the reduced 
appropriation to the additional annuities reserves resulted in an overall unburdening effect on earnings 
amounting to approximately CHF 27 million (previous year: CHF 25 million). In further life insurance units 
with substantial mortality risks in the portfolio (Germany and Belgium),the effect on the income statement is 
caused primarily by the modified DAC, URR, and PVFP depreciation as well as the financing of final policy-
holders’ dividends. In these units, the total effect on the income statement is marginal. The resulting effects on 
the result are negligible for Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG and Luxembourg. The equity effects not recognised 
in profit or loss are marginal for all units.

 → Reduction in mortality by 10 % 

As is the case in the “mortality increase” scenario, the effects of a reduction in mortality are marginal for the 
life insurance companies in Germany, at Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG and in Luxembourg. This applies both 
to the effect on the income statement and to the effect on the equity. The increase in mortality in Belgium 
would result in a liability recognised in profit or loss of CHF 3 million (previous year: CHF 0 million) due to 
the annuity portfolio of Nateus that was newly acquired in the reporting period. In the Swiss life business,  
a reduction in mortality along with a corresponding adjustment of the policyholders’ dividends would result 
in a charge of approximately CHF 29 million (previous year: CHF 29 million) to the income statement. As  
in the above scenario, the equity impact is small in Belgium and Switzerland.

 → Reduction of capital inflow rates by 100 basis points 

This scenario assumes that the new capital inflow (including reinvestments) drops by 100 basis points. For the 
German units, the scenario results in a modified depreciation of the DAC balance. The development of final 
policyholders’ dividends is irregular, depending on the type of dividend. The total effect is greatly alleviated  
by the existing statutory surplus sharing. Overall, the negative effect on the result from the German units  
was approximately CHF 2 million (previous year: CHF 3 million). The effect on equity that is not recognised 
through profit or loss amounts to around CHF 6 million (previous year: CHF 10 million).

124

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

In Belgium, the scenario results in an additional DAC depreciation and a provision for impending losses. 
Due to the business model with high guaranteed interest rates and low dividends, the effect on the income 
statement is higher than in other countries. In total, this results in a negative impact in profit or loss of 
CHF 50 million (previous year: CHF 11 million). The negative impact on the income statement is overcompen-
sated by the positive change in unrealised gains and losses in equity. The positive impact on the unrealised 
gains amounts to CHF 85 million (previous year: CHF 42 million).

In Luxembourg, the scenario results in a marginal effect on the income statement and on unrealised gains 

and losses in equity of CHF 11 million (previous year: CHF 12 million).

The resulting effects on the income statement and equity are negligible for Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG.
In Switzerland, the scenario results in a charge of approximately CHF 48 million to the income statement 

(previous year: CHF 56 million). This is due in particular to increased DAC depreciation and increased 
technical reserves. Equity not recognised through profit or loss amounts to approximately CHF 285 million 
(previous year: CHF 250 million).

5.5.4	Changes	in	the	assumptions
Prospective investment income is continuously adapted to market conditions. Investment income decreased in all 
units. Further assumptions such as cancellations and mortality are continuously updated.

5.6	market	risk	management	
Generally, however, market risks are reflected in losses due to changing or fluctuating market prices, which can 
result in potential impairment losses of the assets. The degree of risk depends on the extent of price fluctuations in 
the market and on exposure. 

Within the scope of the life insurance business, companies of the Baloise Group offer investment-type life  insurance 
contracts for the account and risk of the policyholder. The financial liabilities that accrue in this context are backed 
with assets – mostly funds – from these contracts. As the market risk of the assets underlying these contracts is 
borne by the policyholder, these are listed separately in the notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements.

The following sections specifically address the issues of interest rate risks, foreign currency risks, credit risks, 

liquidity risks, and share price risks.

5.6.1	interest	rate	risks
The interest rate risk refers to the risk that the interest margin – and thus also the income of a company (income 
effect) or the fair value of the interest rate sensitive products portfolio (asset effect) – is reduced due to interest rate 
fluctuations on the money and capital markets. Apart from the economic risk of asset investments not being 
 maturity-matched in relation to liabilities, the partially different balance sheet regulations entail a balance  
sheet risk. 

Consequently, a change in the interest rate or in the interest structure may result in a considerable deterioration 
of terms in case a reinvestment becomes necessary. The nonlife units engage in benchmark-oriented maturity 
 management. In the life units, maturity management is driven by the liabilities.

Within the scope of the Group-wide Risk Management Standards of the Baloise Group, investment planning and 
suitable asset liability management are used to control divergences in the maturity periods; and thereby the interest 
rate risk in consideration of the available risk capacity.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

125

Additionally, stress tests are defined and conducted. These stress tests serve as an early warning system, and their 

effects can be simulated for all areas of the company and thus for the business result.

The effect of a stress test on the financial figures is measured on a monthly basis. The underlying stress scenario 
(potential loss due to a risk) is reviewed on a regular basis and adjusted if necessary. The magnitude of a stress test 
is usually geared to the simple annual volatility of the financial risk under examination, to a 100-year event of a 
business risk, or to international common practice.

The life insurance companies of the Baloise Group manage their risks in relation to interest rate changes  directly 
by means of suitably geared strategic asset allocation. In determining the asset allocation, in particular the factors 
of risk capacity and financeability of the guarantees are taken into consideration. Moreover, the expectations of the 
asset management from the capital markets and the expectations of the customers from the life insurance play a 
role in the decision process. 

The Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the Baloise Group reviews the strategic asset allocation of all business 

units twice a year in collaboration with these business units. 

At the banks, interest rate risks are also managed and monitored within the scope of a suitable asset & liability 
management. Interest rate risks are only taken if they are related to the business volume and the business activity. 
The interest rate risks are measured by a software application using Value at Risk, Gap, Duration, and Interest 
Sensitivity Methods. The so-called asset & liability mismatch is actively managed by means of suitable interest 
 derivatives, usually fair value hedges. 

At the Bank Baloise Soba AG the limits of the interest rate risk are determined in such a way that when the  market 
interest curve exhibits a shift of + / – 100 basis points the fair value of the equity may diminish by no more than 
2.5 % (warning limit) or 4.0 % (action limit) per calculation date. In addition to these percentages, absolute values 
are determined for the warning and action limits on an annual basis and are approved by the Board of Directors. 
These must also not be exceeded. 

Had the general interest rate level been 100 basis points lower with all other variables remaining constant on the 
balance sheet closing date, the consolidated result (after consideration of latency calculation and deferred tax assets 
and liabilities) would have decreased by CHF 111 million (previous year: CHF 82 million). Including the impact on 
the consolidated result, equity (after consideration of shadow  accounting, latency calculation, and deferred tax  assets 
and liabilities) would have increased by CHF 426 million (previous year: CHF 376 million). 

derivative	financial	instruments,	employed	as	fair	value	hedge
In the banking business, changes in the interest rate can have a substantial impact on the interest margin and thus 
on the result of the interest business. These interest rate risks emerge from a variety of factors and include the 
 different fixed-interest periods of loans and liabilities. The interest result also depends on the changes in market 
interest rates, as the time for the adjustment of the conditions for loans may not always correspond to that of the 
customer deposits and securitised debts. Assets and liabilities with variable interest rates are also subject to a basic 
risk due to different interest rate adjustments, e. g. between the interest rates on savings and six-month Libor. Until 
the end of 2010 and within the scope of hedge accounting, interest rate swaps were mainly employed to hedge such 
interest risks. Hedge accounting is no longer employed since 1 January 2011.

126

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

derivative	FinanCial	instruments	emploYed	as	Fair	value	hedges

in CHF million

Forward transactions

Swaps

OTC options

Other

Traded options

Traded futures

total

Gains and losses recognised in the income statement.

in CHF million

From the derivative financial instrument

From the underlying transaction

derivative	FinanCial	instruments	emploYed	as	Cash	Flow	hedges

in CHF million

Forward transactions

Swaps

OTC options

Other

Exchange-traded options

Exchange-traded futures

total

Fair	value	–	assets

Fair	value	–	liabilities

2010

2011

2010

2011

–

19.0

–

–

–

–

19.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

25.1

–

–

–

–

25.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2010

2011

– 0.3

0.1

–

–

Fair	value	–	assets

Fair	value	–	liabilities

2010

2011

2010

2011

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

in CHF million

Amount recognised in equity

Ineffectiveness reclassified to income statement

2010

2011

–

–

–

–

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

127

5.6.2	Foreign	currency	risks
The term “currency risk” refers to the potential financial loss resulting from changes in exchange rates. The extent 
of effective currency risk depends:
 → on the net foreign currency exposure, i. e. on the balance of foreign currency assets and liabilities,
 → on the volatility of the respective currencies,
 → on the correlations of the currencies with other risk parameters in the portfolio context.
Due to the investments in foreign currency bonds (especially EUR bonds) for investment and diversification  purposes, 
changes in the exchange rate can result in currency effects in the income statement – even for unrealised positions. 
To comply with the defined risk budget for currency effects recognised through profit or loss, the currency manage-
ment first determines adequate target hedge ratios. Under consideration of this target hedge ratio and the bandwidths 
granted for freedom of action, currency management implements the required hedging strategies and makes use of 
overreaction phases in market price trends for deliberate overweighting or underweighting of the hedge ratios in 
relation to the defined benchmark. The implementation of these hedging strategies takes place by means of  currency 
forwards, options, or option combinations; the selection of instruments depends on factors such as the expected 
exchange rate trend and volatility. 

The currency effect of the foreign currency bonds and of the actuarial foreign currency liabilities and the change 
in fair value of the derivative financial instruments held for hedging purposes are always reported in the income 
statement.

The Group-wide Risk Management Standards prescribe ongoing monitoring of the currency risks and of the 
effectiveness of the concluded currency derivatives. Under consideration of the achieved diversification effect in the 
portfolio, the currency risks that are taken stand in a reasonable relationship to the potential surplus to be gained.
For its insurance activities, the Baloise Group almost exclusively uses Swiss francs and euros; thus, most of the 
technical provisions are also denominated in these currencies. Furthermore, there is a small amount of technical 
liabilities in USD and GBP. These provisions are usually covered by currency-matched investments (natural hedge).

Under the precondition that all other variables remain constant, transactional currency changes of CHF + / – 0.01 
(1 rappen) compared to the functional currency to monetary balance sheet items (after consideration of shadow 
accounting, latency calculation, and deferred tax assets and liabilities) would result in a change of the profit for the 
period and thereby of equity of CHF + / – 4.6 million (previous year: CHF + / – 2.3 million); a positive (+) change of 
CHF 0.01 would result in a currency gain from exchange differences, and a negative (–) change of CHF 0.01 would 
result in a currency loss.

Derivative financial instruments employed to hedge a net investment in a foreign company for protection against 

currency risks:

Substantive alternative financial investments such as hedge funds and private equities are managed by separate, 
Group-owned companies: Baloise Alternative Investment Strategies Ltd., Jersey, and Baloise Private Equity Ltd., Jersey.
To limit the currency risk of the net investments in these two foreign companies, which report in USD, the 
 currency management team of Baloise performs hedging transactions in the form of forward exchange deals. The 
limitation of the implementation of hedging strategies to forward exchange deals facilitates the assessment of  
hedge efficiency and the use of hedge accounting. Due to the use of hedge accounting, the change in fair value of 
these derivatives is recorded cumulatively under a special equity item and only derecognised in profit or loss  
upon sale of the underlying investment, together with the accrued currency effects of the net investments in these 
foreign companies.

128

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

in CHF million

Forward transactions

Swaps

OTC options

Other

Traded options

Traded futures

total

Fair	value	–	assets

Fair	value	–	liabilities

2010

2011

2010

2011

47.9

1.3

0.7

50.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

47.9

1.3

0.7

50.7

in CHF million

Amount recognised in equity

Ineffectiveness reclassified to income statement

2010

2011

78.9

–

–	16.1

–

Due to the active management of investments in participations, regular capital injections and repatriations are 
performed during the year. Thus the basic effects and the recognition of cash flow through profit or loss, on which 
hedge accounting is based, are applied pro rata.

For the purpose of international diversification (risk spread) and in order to increase profits plus the larger 
 liquidity on certain foreign financial markets, the Swiss companies hold a net EUR position of CHF 786.0 million 
(previous year: CHF 436.3 million) and a net USD position of CHF 388.7 million (previous year: CHF 505.1 million) 
as of 31 December 2011. The other residual asset and liabilities-related currency surpluses are marginal.

The hedging quota of the net foreign currency exposure in USD and in EUR ranged between 80 % and 95 % in 

the course of the year.

The Baloise Group’s foreign subsidiaries have no significant foreign currency exposure.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

129

5.6.3	Credit	risk
Credit risks on the assets side of insurance companies include all potential risks of loss, which may result due to a 
decline in the creditworthiness of a debtor or issuer or a value impairment of the securities. The credit risk is  managed 
by means of creditworthiness audits of every individual counterparty and high rating standards.

The credit risk grows with the increasing concentration of counterparties in an individual industry or geo-
graphical region. Economic developments affecting entire industries or geographical regions can affect the  liquidity 
of an entire group of otherwise independent counterparties. For this reason, the Baloise Group permanently tracks 
the counterparty portfolios and monitors the default risk on a Group-wide basis. The regional expertise of the 
 business units also has an impact on the selection of securities and changes in the existing loan portfolio.

As the credit risk of the Baloise Group is spread across industries and geographical regions and is distributed 
over a large number of counterparties and customers, the Baloise Group does not have a significant credit risk 
 involving a single counterparty or a specific industry or region. 

To contain credit risk and credit accumulation risk in the Baloise Group, the share of investments that a single 
issuer or debtor may have at Group companies is limited sufficiently in the Group-wide Risk Management Standards. 
The rules are explicitly defined in the Group’s investment directive.

As a matter of principle, investments in the investments portfolio are only made in bonds, loans, or financial 
derivatives whose issuer or debtor has at least an “A–” rating from Standard & Poor’s or a comparable rating or for 
which a third-party guarantee or mortgage exists. For other debtors and issuers whose Standard & Poor’s rating is 
at least “BBB” and for those who do not have a rating, an additional total limit of 10 % of all fixed-income securities 
is determined on the basis of their fair value. Exceptions are subject to explicit approval.

Investments in mortgage bonds are secured by mortgages. Investments in promissory note and registered bonds 
are secured by the deposit insurance fund. The deposit insurance fund serves as investor protection in the event of 
bankruptcy or insolvency of banks. For these investments, banks provide a repayment guarantee. Mortgage lendings 
are covered by corresponding properties; the pledged amounts are capped.

An overview of the hedged financial assets of a debt nature can be found in section 12.

130

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

investments		
>	10	%	oF	Consolidated	equit Y

in CHF million

Federal Republic of Germany

Swiss Confederation

Austrian Republic

Commerzbank

Republic of France

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Pfandbriefbank Schweizerischer Hypothekarinstitute

Kingdom of Belgium

Postfinance Switzerland

UBS AG, Zurich / Basel

Norddeutsche Landesbank

European Investment Bank, Luxembourg

Free State of Bavaria

Eurofima, Basel

Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main 

Dexia Bank, Brussels 

investments		
>	10	%	oF	Consolidated	equit Y

in CHF million

Federal Republic of Germany

Swiss Confederation

Austrian Republic

Kingdom of Belgium

Republic of France

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Commerzbank

Pfandbriefbank Schweizerischer Hypothekarinstitute

European Investment Bank, Luxembourg

Norddeutsche Landesbank

Free State of Bavaria

UBS AG, Zurich / Basel

Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main 

Credit Suisse Group AG, Zurich

Eurofima, Basel

Dexia Bank, Brussels 

Pfandbriefzentrale of Swizterland

BNP Paribas, Paris

Uni Credito Italiano

Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A. (Rabobank Nederland)

2010

2,687.5

1,697.0

1,597.8

1,300.8

1,074.5

926.8

792.5

727.8

688.6

678.0

623.4

620.1

508.3

496.6

486.4

458.7

2011

2,702.2

2,198.0

1,831.2

1,502.1

1,408.7

1,259.4

1,058.4

1,027.9

765.0

616.6

548.0

529.1

491.2

490.8

463.6

443.3

427.7

424.0

423.1

417.5

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

131

maximum	deFault	risk	oF	FinanCial	assets

in CHF million

Financial assets of a debt nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

Mortgages and loans

Mortgages

Policy loans

Promissory notes and registered bonds

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase agreements

Other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Receivables from financial contracts

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from investments

Cash and cash equivalents

If no contractually irrevocable loan commitments were agreed, the maximum default risk of 
financial assets corresponds to the carrying value of the assets for own account and at own risk.

2010

2011

13,757.1

15,786.1

1,747.2

9,399.3

58.6

2,162.3

9,989.0

44.2

10,965.7

11,085.5

219.2

5,511.8

204.6

5,463.0

815.5

56.9

–

442.3

357.8

317.8

248.1

22.9

386.5

218.3

608.8

956.4

44.9

200.0

430.3

281.8

410.1

377.5

16.9

547.4

276.1

661.1

1,862.2

1,835.5

132

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

The management and control of credit risks in the mortgage business are specified in directives and work instruc-
tions. These define binding loan specifications. In these loan specifications, strict processes are applied to imme-
diately identify credit risks, assess these exactly, authorise them accordingly and continuously monitor them. All 
loan appli cations are collected using standardised loan templates, which are checked, centrally recorded and  managed. 
This process includes all valuation principles and guidelines, if they are not already contained in the respective  
loan template.

By continuously recording mortgage transactions, compliance with the loan policy can be controlled and  corrective 
action can be initiated as necessary. Furthermore, periodic exposure audits are performed as part of mortgage man-
agement. Outstanding interest lists are kept. The procedure and the periodicity are regulated in a separate directive. 
Management regularly receives extensive risk reports on risk composition and trends within the mortgage  portfolio.
The conditions according to which mortgages are to be granted are recorded in the guidelines, directives and in 
the competency regulations. These are, on the one hand, amount, creditworthiness of the counterparty, security 
and tenor of the transaction and, on the other, the qualified assessment through the mortgage specialist.

Valuation and loan-to-value ratio of the collateral are governed by special directives. The purpose of these provi-
sions is to ensure uniform assessment procedures to determine the relevant value of the collateral. Focusing prima-
rily on the mortgage business, determining the fair value and the loan-to-value ratio of the properties are of crucial 
importance. One of the purposes of active mortgage management is to identify potential loss risks at an early stage.
The mortgage portfolio comprises lendings to natural persons and legal entities. The type, scope, hedging and 
quality requirements of the risks to be taken are recorded in the directives and in the competency regulations. To 
minimise the risk, the portfolio is as geographically diverse as possible.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

133

rating	oF	FinanCial	assets	that	were	neither	overdue		
nor	impaired	on	the	BalanCe	sheet	date	2010

aaa

aa

a

lower	than	BBB		
or	no	rating

BBB

total

in CHF million

Financial assets of a debt nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

Mortgages and loans

Mortgages

Policy loans

Promissory notes  
and registered bonds

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase agreements

Other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Receivables from financial contracts

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from investments

Cash and cash equivalents

8,785.0

23.4

5,500.3

5.0

29.8

–

3,102.3

554.5

1,890.7

28.0

1,115.4

737.4

1,569.7

19.3

447.9

8,470.3

–

1,793.5

3,253.4

16.6

33.4

–

–

0.9

126.8

–

0.2

–

0.5

1.0

244.5

122.5

–

–

13.3

91.9

–

59.8

4.0

14.5

12.4

92.9

308.8

–

158.9

60.9

0.0

–

201.5

135.9

–

123.4

5.3

6.5

107.7

50.5

548.9

501.2

350.1

216.3

1.2

804.3

–

93.7

–

–

–

141.2

–

–

–

–

38.6

12.1

20.0

1.7

235.8

81.8

192.7

5.1

712.1

219.0

212.3

704.6

56.9

–

61.8

3.2

317.8

61.9

13.6

210.3

75.1

171.6

880.3

13,739.7

1,747.2

9,369.7

58.6

10,464.4

219.0

5,511.8

815.5

56.9

–

418.7

357.8

317.8

245.3

22.9

270.4

208.3

579.5

1,862.2

total

16,650.0

9,907.8

13,311.6

2,180.4

4,215.9

46,265.7

134

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

rating	oF	FinanCial	assets	that	were	neither	overdue		
nor	impaired	on	the	BalanCe	sheet	date	2011

aaa

aa

a

lower	than	BBB		
or	no	rating

BBB

total

in CHF million

Financial assets of a debt nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

Mortgages and loans

Mortgages

Policy loans

9,988.9

9.5

5,827.5

–

63.2

–

Promissory notes and registered bonds

1,729.3

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase agreements

Other loans

Derivative financial instruments

Receivables from financial contracts

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from investments

Cash and cash equivalents

11.4

–

–

1.7

122.7

–

1.4

–

0.8

1.5

264.7

171.4

3,628.9

613.3

2,364.2

25.7

1,341.5

999.5

1,245.3

13.5

750.9

8,364.4

–

3,281.1

112.2

–

–

25.3

48.4

–

136.9

1.4

22.6

18.9

112.2

276.3

–

82.8

226.6

–

–

148.9

110.5

–

112.2

5.3

9.6

152.3

57.9

1,006.0

531.6

459.9

298.4

–

911.9

–

121.4

–

–

–

155.3

–

–

8.5

0.0

72.8

14.9

25.7

17.5

257.6

80.1

224.2

5.0

732.6

204.6

248.4

606.2

44.9

–

78.9

0.2

410.1

116.0

10.2

311.0

79.4

172.1

364.3

15,748.5

2,162.3

9,959.6

44.2

10,823.0

204.6

5,463.0

956.4

44.9

–

410.1

281.8

410.1

375.0

16.9

416.8

267.0

632.6

1,835.5

total

18,194.0

11,418.3

13,876.3

2,617.9

3,945.8

50,052.3

In  general,  the  ratings  of  Standard & Poor’s  and  Moody’s  are  applied,  whereby  the  lower  rating  is  used  for  
the  disclosure.

Since these agencies do not fully cover the domestic financial market, the SBI Composite Rating is referred to 
when necessary. This also includes the ratings of four Swiss banks. These are: Credit Suisse, UBS, Bank Vontobel 
and the Zürcher Kantonalbank.

Mortgage assets from the Swiss insurance business are subject to a credit check due to risk management pro cesses. 

Following the preceding disclosure, the mortgages granted can be pooled into two main rating categories. 

Financial assets to the value of CHF 2.5 million and CHF 0.4 million in liquid funds from hedge accounting 
relationships were drawn on during the reporting period. In the previous year, no financial assets or cash and cash 
equivalents were drawn on from hedge accounting in the reporting period.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

135

ASSETS IMPAIRED ON THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Gross amount

Impairment

Carrying value

Gross amount

Impairment

Carrying value

in CHF million

Financial assets of a debt nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

Mortgages and loans

Mortgages

Policy loans

Promissory notes and registered bonds

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase agreements

18.1

3.2

94.3

–

183.6

–

5.3

–

–

–

– 0.7

– 3.2

– 64.7

–

– 59.1

–

– 5.3

–

–

–

2010

17.4

–

29.6

–

166.1

3.1

101.1

–

124.5

180.3

–

0.0

–

–

–

–

0.0

–

–

–

– 128.5

– 3.1

– 71.7

–

– 56.8

–

– 0.0

–

–

–

2011

37.6

–

29.4

–

123.5

–

–

–

–

–

Other loans

34.0

– 16.6

17.4

29.3

– 15.6

13.7

Receivables from financial contracts

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from investments

Total

–

–

0.6

125.0

14.4

34.8

513.3

–

–

– 0.6

– 22.3

– 4.6

– 5.5

– 182.6

–

–

–

102.7

9.8

29.3

330.7

–

–

0.4

150.9

13.2

31.1

675.5

–

–

– 0.4

– 31.5

– 4.3

– 2.6

– 314.5

–

–

0.0

119.4

8.9

28.5

361.0

136

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

assets	overdue	and	not	impaired	on	BalanCe	sheet	date	

assets	as	of	31	december	2010

<	3	months

3	–	6	months

7	–	12	months

>	12	months

total	

in CHF million

Financial assets of a debt nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

Mortgages and loans

Mortgages

Policy loans

Promissory note and registered bonds

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase agreements

Other loans

Receivables from financial contracts

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from investments

total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.5

0.0

0.1

14.5

15.1

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

–

–

–

5.8

0.1

–

6.6

–

–

–

–

–

0.0

–

–

–

3.8

0.0

–

3.8

–

–

–

–

–

0.0

–

0.6

–

3.2

0.0

–

3.9

–

–

–

–

–

0.1

–

2.2

–

0.6

0.1

–

17.5

–

–

–

–

–

0.3

–

2.8

–

13.4

0.2

–

31.8

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

137

assets	as	of	31	december	2011

<	3	months

3	–	6	months

7	–	12	months

>	12	months

total	

in CHF million

Financial assets of a debt nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

Mortgages and loans

Mortgages

Policy loans

Promissory note and registered bonds

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase agreements

Other loans

Receivables from financial contracts

Reinsurance assets

Receivables from reinsurers

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from investments

total

–

–

–

–

0.4

–

–

–

–

–

0.1

–

–

–

5.8

–

–

6.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.7

0.0

–

1.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.6

0.3

3.3

–

–

–

–

–

0.0

–

–

–

3.2

0.1

–

5.9

–

–

–

–

–

0.1

–

2.5

–

0.5

0.1

–

3.5

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

–

2.5

–

11.2

0.2

–

17.4

138

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

5.6.4	liquidity	risk
A latent liquidity risk exists both for banks and insurance companies, i. e. the risk that any extraordinary reduction 
of equity and liabilities cannot be buffered by a reduction of assets or any alternative refinancing cannot be imple-
mented quickly enough. In extreme cases, a lack of liquidity may result in insolvency. In addition to legal regulations, 
the following rules apply: Group-wide Risk Management Standards prescribe central liquidity planning for each 
business unit. This takes place in close collaboration between the Investments, Actuarial, Actuarial Practice and 
Finance departments of a business unit.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

139

In liquidity management, the maturity structure of liabilities must be taken into consideration:

expeCted	maturities	From	FinanCial	liaBilities	1

liquidity	risk	as	of	31	december	2010

<	1	year	2

1	–	3	years

4	–	5	years

>	5	years

no		
maturity

total

Carrying	
values

in CHF million

Liabilities from banking business and  
financial contracts

With discretionary participation features 
(DPF)

Measured at amortised cost

Recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss

Financial liabilities

Financial provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Insurance liabilities

Other liabilities

Contingent liabilities and capital commit-
ments

505.8

–

–

–

–

505.8

505.8

921.9

116.1

1,285.6

145.0

425.6

26.0

359.8

3,419.8

6,412.7

6,412.5

40.0

5,603.4

5,930.5

5,945.0

–

42.7

7.4

1,076.5

490.8

219.5

741.6

160.9

553.7

11.6

6.6

459.4

54.6

149.5

9.7

1.5

0.2

11.3

1.2

10.9

14.4

0.2

0.2

–

5.0

–

–

–

1,456.2

1,359.4

79.9

29.9

79.9

29.9

1,536.3

1,536.3

556.9

555.6

116.1

616.8

1,103.1

total

3,380.7

2,853.9

636.4

1,095.3

9,645.0

17,611.3

expeCted	maturities	From	FinanCial	liaBilities	1

liquidity	risk	as	of	31	december	2011

<	1	year	2

1	–	3	years

4	–	5	years

>	5	years

no		
maturity

total

Carrying	
values

in CHF million

Liabilities from banking business  
and financial contracts

With discretionary participation features 
(DPF)

Measured at amortised cost

Recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss

Financial liabilities

Financial provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Insurance liabilities

Other liabilities

Contingent liabilities and  
capital commitments

total

1   The undiscounted contractual payment flows constitute the basis.
2   All demand deposits are included in the first maturity range.

1,147.5

–

–

–

–

1,147.5

1,147.5

1,171.3

206.2

864.6

117.9

427.3

26.0

478.2

3,949.7

6,891.1

6,881.2

40.0

5,579.3

5,969.4

5,969.4

732.3

242.4

562.5

151.7

40.3

127.5

18.4

20.1

1,352.8

422.7

519.9

436.0

39.0

39.9

12.7

18.4

1.7

0.0

6.2

9.3

0.2

0.2

0.6

–

5.5

–

–

–

1,688.9

1,612.6

83.1

175.3

83.1

175.3

1,777.4

1,777.4

559.1

558.8

114.6

540.3

1,131.4

5,153.2

2,254.9

712.2

1,228.1

10,074.8

19,423.2

–

–

–

–

	
	
140

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

The residual terms and maturities of the technical reserves concerned are stated in the tables of section 23.

Pursuant to the Group-wide Risk Management Standards, Asset Liabilities Committees have been introduced 
in all strategic business units of the Baloise Group. For asset liability management purposes, these committees 
conduct analyses concerning the maturities and realised or required income of the assets and liabilities. 

Within the scope of tactical and strategic investment planning, asset allocation of the individual life and nonlife 
units of Baloise ensures that a sufficiently high level of liquidity is available for the investment activities and the 
operational handling of all business processes. To determine the required liquidity amounts, the maturity structure 
on the investments side, the outgoing payment structure of the liabilities on the insurance side and the average 
historical incoming and outgoing payment patterns of the last five years are examined in Cash Management. Major 
extraordinary incoming or outgoing payments that are known in advance are explicitly considered in investment 
planning. In the event of payments suddenly becoming necessary, e. g. due to large claims, the careful provision  
of  liquid  funds  and  the  possibility  of  drawing  on  reinsurers  guarantee  a  sufficiently  large  reserve.  Moreover,  
arrangements such as cash pooling of the Swiss companies of the Baloise Group allow excess liquidity of one unit 
to be used to compensate a temporary liquidity bottleneck of another unit by means of an internal overdraft that is 
subject to interest.

Should these precautionary measures not suffice to meet the liquidity requirements, Baloise has financial  assets 
that can be sold at short notice without significant price losses. These include all equity investments (except  strategic 
participations). Due to the significant stocks in government and government-oriented bonds, the sale of larger stocks 
of available for sale liabilities is possible also in critical situations. As a rule, mortgages and loans are held to  maturity; 
a redemption prior to maturity within a useful period of notice would not be possible. In the field of alternative 
financial assets, 80 % of the hedge funds could be sold within three months. Private equity investments must be viewed 
as illiquid in this context. The sale of investment properties is also not suited to generating liquidity at short notice.

5.6.5	share	price	risk
With its financial assets of an equity nature in the categories “recognised at fair value through profit or loss” and 
“available for sale,” the Baloise Group is exposed to share price risk. This share price risk is substantially reduced 
by means of international diversification, e. g. wide spread of risks across industries, countries, and currencies. 
Moreover, the share price risk is duly limited by means of active Overlay Management via derivatives, when certain 
intervention levels are reached or market or risk indicators, continually monitored by Baloise, suggest  increased 
hedging activity.

The majority of the financial assets of an equity nature are publicly listed.
Should the market prices of all financial assets of an equity nature change by + / – 10 %, it would have the  following 
consequences, after consideration of shadow accounting, latency calculation, deferred tax assets and liabilities, 
hedging derivatives, and the effect of the value adjustment rules stated in section 3.10.2:

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

141

in CHF million

Market price + 10 %

Market price – 10 %

impact	on		
consolidated	result

impact	on	equity		
(including	consolidated	result)

2010

2011

2010

2011

14.0

– 44.9

15.0

–	60.9

179.1

– 181.9

179.4

–	182.2

As the effects generated by value adjustment criteria due to an assumed change in market prices are different to 
those generated in the event of an analogous decrease, the effects differ accordingly. The same applies to  compensatory 
effects from hedging with derivatives.

The profit for the period changes as a result of the changes in the fair value of the financial instruments of an 
equity nature in the category “recognised at fair value through profit or loss,” which are recognised in profit or loss. 
Unrealised gains and losses change due to changes in the fair value of the financial instruments of an equity nature 
in the category “available for sale.” In the case of life insurance companies, the policyholders’ participate in the 
company’s profit, depending on contract and local circumstances (section 3.18.5). In the above presentation, this 
profit sharing is also taken into consideration.

5.7	determining	reported	fair	values
The reported fair value for financial instruments classified as available for sale and measured at fair value through 
profit or loss is determined using quoted market prices, insofar as these are available. Availability is regarded as 
given if quoted prices are available from an exchange, trader, broker, industry group, a pricing service or regula-
tory authority are easily and regularly obtainable or available and these prices reflect the current and regularly 
occurring market transactions at arm’s length conditions.

Should no quoted market price exist, (e. g. due to the inactivity of a market), then the fair value is estimated  using 
a valuation method close to market. The market closeness of a valuation method is to be ensured by including 
 observable market data (depending on their availability) to a significant extent in the valuation. Here, the determi-
nation of the fair value is divided into three hierarchy levels:
 → Determining fair value based on publicly quoted prices (level 1). 

The fair value is based on market prices on the balance sheet day and is not otherwise adjusted nor contains 
other inputs.

 → Determining fair value using observable market data (level 2). 

The fair value is estimated using commonly accepted methods (Present Value Method, etc.). Here, observable 
market data (interest rates, index developments, etc.) are significantly included in the evaluation.

 → Determining fair value without using observable market data (level 3). 

The fair value is estimated based on commonly accepted methods (Present Value Method, etc.). However,  
the evaluation does not (or only to a minor degree) include observable market data, since these are either not 
available or do not allow reliable conclusions regarding the present value to be made.

Detailed information on the evaluation principles and the evaluation methods applied are presented in the sections 
3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.11, 3.20 and 4.1.

142

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

FinanCial	assets	and	liaBilities	For	own	aCCount	and	at	own	risk	

2010

in CHF million

assets

Financial assets of an equity nature 

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets of a debt nature

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Mortgages and loans

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

Receivables from financial contracts

level	1

level	2

level	3

total

1,866.6

78.9

17,745.7

54.2

–

0.2

897.0

–

38.9

17.9

457.1

357.6

674.0

3,437.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

78.9

17,784.6

72.1

457.1

357.8

41.5

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

41.5

–

total	assets	

equity	and	liabilities

Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

total	equity	and	liabilities

19,787.1

1,768.5

674.0

22,229.6

–

1.1

1.1

265.4

28.8

294.2

–

–

–

265.4

29.9

295.3

FinanCial	assets	and	liaBilities	For	own	aCCount	and	at	own	risk	

2011

in CHF million

assets

Financial assets of an equity nature 

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets of a debt nature

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Mortgages and loans

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

Receivables from financial contracts

level	1

level	2

level	3

total

1,902.3

33.3

19,781.2

81.7

–

–

839.4

–

74.1

16.8

375.2

281.8

705.6

3,447.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

33.3

19,855.3

98.5

375.2

281.8

61.5

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

61.5

–

total	assets	

equity	and	liabilities

Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

total	equity	and	liabilities

21,860.0

1,587.3

705.6

24,152.9

–

1.8

1.8

223.9

173.5

397.4

–

–

–

223.9

175.3

399.2

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

143

FinanCial	assets	and	liaBilities	For	the	aCCount	and	at	the	risk	oF	liFe	insuranCe	poliCYholders

2010

in CHF million

assets

Financial assets of an equity nature 

level	1

level	2

level	3

total

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

6,277.4

50.3

Financial assets of a debt nature

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

total	assets	

equity	and	liabilities

Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

total	equity	and	liabilities

846.4

167.0

7,290.8

5,676.9

5,676.9

31.9

11.5

93.7

2.7

2.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,327.7

878.3

178.5

7,384.5

5,679.6

5,679.6

FinanCial	assets	and	liaBilities	For	the	aCCount	and	at	the	risk	oF	liFe	insuranCe	poliCYholders	

2011

in CHF million

assets

Financial assets of an equity nature 

level	1

level	2

level	3

total

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

6,102.6

44.9

75.8

6,223.3

Financial assets of a debt nature

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

total	assets	

equity	and	liabilities

Liabilities from banking business and financial contracts

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

total	equity	and	liabilities

901.3

8.3

7,012.2

34.6

44.0

123.5

–

–

935.9

52.3

75.8

7,211.5

5,742.9

5,742.9

2.6

2.6

–

–

5,745.5

5,745.5

144

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

level	3	financial	assets	recognised	at	fair	value	

FinanCial	assets	For	own	aCCount	and	at	own	risk	

Financial	assets		
of	an	equity	nature

Financial	assets		
of	a	debt	nature

mortgages	and	
loans

derivative	
financial	
instruments

receivables	
from	financial	
contracts

total

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

available		
for	sale

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

available		
for	sale

677.7

102.7

–

–

– 66.3

– 11.1

– 4.2

76.8

– 101.6

674.0

–	7.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

677.7

102.7

–

–

–	66.3

–	11.1

–	4.2

76.8

–	101.6

674.0

–	7.2

2010

in CHF million

assets

Balance	as	of	1	January

Additions

Additions from change  
in the scope of consolidation

Reclassifications

Disposals

Disposals from change  
in the scope of consolidation

Change in fair value recognised  
in profit or loss

Change in fair value not recognised  
in profit or loss

Exchange differences

Balance	as	of	31	december

Change	in	fair	value	of	financial		
instruments	held	until	the		
balance	sheet	date	recognised		
in	profit	or	loss	

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

145

FinanCial	assets	For	own	aCCount	and	at	own	risk	

Financial	assets		
of	an	equity	nature	

Financial	assets		
of	a	debt	nature	

mortgages	
and	loans	

derivative	
financial	
instruments

receivables	
from	financial	
contracts	

total

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

available		
for	sale

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

recognised	at	
fair	value	
through	profit	
or	loss

available		
for	sale

674.0

55.9

–

–

– 48.7

–

– 4.1

39.4

– 10.9

705.6

–	35.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

674.0

55.9

–

–

–	48.7

–

–	4.1

39.4

–	10.9

705.6

–	35.4

2011

in CHF million

assets

Balance	as	of	1	January

Additions

Additions from change  
in the scope of consolidation

Reclassifications

Disposals

Disposals from change  
in the scope of consolidation

Change in fair value recognised  
in profit or loss

Change in fair value not recognised  
in profit or loss

Exchange differences

Balance	as	of	31	december

Change	in	fair	value	of	financial		
instruments	held	until	the		
balance	sheet	date	recognised		
in	profit	or	loss	

Included in these positions are mainly investments in private equity investments and minority interests in real 
estate companies.

146

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

FinanCial	assets	For	the	aCCount	and	at	the	risk	oF	liFe	insuranCe	poliCYholders	

2011

in CHF million

assets

Balance	as	of	1	January

Additions

Additions from change in the scope of consolidation

Additions from change in percentage of interest

Reclassifications

Disposals

Disposals from change in the scope of consolidation

Change in fair value recognised in profit or loss

Exchange differences

Balance	as	of	31	december

Change	in	fair	value	of	financial	instruments	held		
until	the	balance	sheet	date	recognised	in	profit	or	loss	

Financial	assets		
of	an	equity	nature	

Financial	assets		
of	a	debt	nature	

derivative		
financial		
instruments

recognised	at		
fair	value	through		
profit	or	loss

recognised	at		
fair	value	through		
profit	or	loss

recognised	at		
fair	value	through		
profit	or	loss

–

76.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 1.1

75.8

–	0.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

total

–

76.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	1.1

75.8

–	0.4

No financial assets for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders were classified to the 3rd hierarchy 
level in 2010. 

The additions in the reporting period are mainly to private equity investments.

5.8	Capital	management
The parameters relating to the amount of capital to be used are determined by regulatory requirements as well as 
internal risk management guidelines. While the regulatory requirements mainly serve to protect the policyholder, 
the internal guidelines are geared specifically to the risk-focused control of the operating activities. 

The Group’s solvency amounts to CHF 2,058.9 million (previous year: CHF 1,973.5 million) for the insurance 
business alone and was met in 2010 and 2011. The coverage of capital resource requirements with available funds 
amounted to 203 % as of 31 December 2011 (previous year: 224 %). Based on regulatory requirements, the avail able 
capital resources consist of IFRS equity, policyholders’ dividends that have not been allocated and the final bonus 
reserve. Thus, liabilities are also recognised at the individual company level in consideration of the respective 
 solvency cover options. Items such as planned dividend payments and intangible assets are deducted. Additionally, 
the individual Group companies are monitored in accordance with local laws. In this respect, various offset options 
have an effect. The ability of the subsidiaries and therefore also of the holding company to pay dividends is closely 
related to primary compliance with these local requirements. Compliance with local solvency requirements is 
monitored on a continuous basis. Where these minimum requirements are not met, appropriate action is imme-
diately taken.

The relevant requirements for the banking business of the Baloise Bank SoBa are defined by the Basel II  regulations. 
The Solvency Regulation (SolvV) as the regulatory equity requirement is definitive for the Deutscher Ring Bauspar-
kasse. All relevant requirements were fulfilled by the respective Group companies in 2010 and also in 2011.

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

147

The risk-bearing capital is calculated based on the Swiss Solvency Test (SST) as part of the in-house risk model. 
IFRS equity forms the basis for this calculation. By means of additionally considering individual asset, equity and 
liability items, as well as off-balance items and information, equity valued at market prices is determined. This way, 
all capital items that could be used to cover losses in the event of negative business performance are considered.

The Swiss Solvency Test (SST) came into effect on 1 January 2011, as a new legal requirement alongside Solvency 
I. Within this framework, the Baloise Group determines the risk-bearing capital and the capital requirements for 
the SST based on an internal model that also considers the Baloise business model. All activities and processes to 
develop and configure the internal model are grouped under the term Baloise Internal Solvency System (BISS). These 
are coordinated and controlled by Group Risk Management.

The risk-bearing capital requirement is compared to the risk-adjusted, internally formulated capital requirement. 
The capital requirement considers actuarial risks, market risks, loans and further risks. For this risk analysis, the 
Baloise Group examines in particular insurance-specific risks and investment risks in the course of the risk con-
siderations. The risk factor is determined by means of a correlation-based Expected Shortfall Method. The capital 
for insurance-specific requirements represents a factor that defines the funds necessary to cover insurance- specific 
risks for operational reasons. The claims risk is modelled on normal and large claim distributions, taking the  current 
reinsurance structure into consideration. At the same time, a requirement that is, with a given probability, sufficient 
to balance value and yield fluctuations of the investments is calculated for the investments. The analysis of these 
risks is based on quantitative models that use statistical methods to evaluate historical data and establish a relation-
ship to current exposures. By means of stress tests, various scenarios are simulated, and possible effects on the risk 
capacity are analysed. The ratio of risk-bearing capital to risk-adjusted capital is calculated for the strategic business 
units and for the Group. The Group’s risk does not merely represent a simple addition of the individual items; 
rather, diversification and consolidation effects are also considered. The current  ratios of risk-bearing capital to 
risk-adjusted capital are set in relation to the Global Risk Management Limits defined in the Group-wide Risk 
Management Standards. These limits are continually monitored.

The responsible risk owners and risk controllers of the business units and of the Group are involved in a regular 
reporting process. Reporting that includes key figures for Solvency I as well as those for the in-house risk model is 
performed on a monthly basis. This enables the solvency situation to be monitored in real time and the foundation 
for risk-based management decisions within the whole organisation to be laid. Furthermore, this puts Baloise in 
the position of being able to comply with external reporting requirements at any time.

6.	sCope	oF	Consolidation

6.1	Fiscal	year	2010

6.1.1	Company	acquisitions	
Bâloise Assurances Luxembourg S.A. concluded the purchase of the “Fortis Luxembourg IARD S.A.” on 7 January 
2010. The newly acquired company has been fully consolidated from this time on and operates under the name 
“Bâloise Luxembourg IARD S.A.”. Goodwill amounting to CHF 13.3 million resulted from this acquisition. 

6.1.2	Company	disposals	
The Belgian Immo Kappelleveld NV, Antwerpen was sold in the 2010 fiscal year, as was the OVB group as described 
in section 6.1.3.

148

Financial Report
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

6.1.3	other	changes	in	the	scope	of	consolidation	
As of 1 January 2010, both the Croatian nonlife and life units of Baloise were merged with the property / casualty 
company Basler osiguranje Zagreb d.d. purchased in 2007. The purchase price adjustment agreed at the time of 
purchase lapsed ineffectively on 1 January 2010, which is why the purchase price was retroactively reduced by 
CHF 7.1 million. This in turn resulted in an outflow of goodwill from “Basler osiguranje Zagreb d.d.” which  amounted 
to CHF 62.2 million after currency effects at the end of 2010.

On 30 June 2010, the Baloise Group and the Signal Iduna group unbundled their interests in the Deutscher Ring 
Beteiligungsholding GmbH (Hamburg) and its subsidiaries. This unbundling also meant a loss of control of the 
OVB group through the Baloise Group, which in turn resulted in the deconsolidation of the OVB group as of 
30 June 2010.

6.2	Fiscal	year	2011

6.2.1	Company	acquisitions
The Baloise Group took over the real estate agent and broker companies Wilhelm Herrmann Assekuranz KG and 
Wilhelm Herrmann Assekuranz Makler GmbH, both headquartered in Ettlingen (Germany) on 1 January 2011. 
Goodwill amounting to CHF 0.1 million resulted from this takeover. 

On 6 January 2011, the Baloise Group concluded the takeover of 100 % of the voting rights to Avéro Schade-
verzekering Benelux N.V. The newly acquired company has been fully consolidated since that time and was merged 
with Mercator Verzekeringen N.V. during the first half-year. Goodwill amounting to CHF 17.3 million resulted from 
this company acquisition, which was then transferred to Mercator Verzekeringen N.V. through the merger. The most 
important drivers of goodwill are primarily the expanding Belgian nonlife business, the development of the markets 
in Brussels and Wallonia, the acquisition of know-how and profitable portfolios in commercial lines and marine /
transport, as well as putting cross-selling potentials and cost synergies into practice.

On 6 September 2011, the Baloise Group took over 100 % of the Belgian insurance companies Nateus SA / NV 
and Nateus Life SA / NV. Both companies and their subsidiaries have been included in the scope of consolidation 
of the Baloise Group since that time. Badwill amounting to CHF 7.9 million resulted from this acquisition and has 
been recognised in profit or loss under the item “Other operating income”. The Baloise Group was able to purchase 
the profitable Nateus companies for an attractive amount which is the reason for the badwill.

The Belgian Pacific Real Estate was purchased in the second half-year. The minority interests of the Belgian Axis 
Life NV as well as the third party interests of the Van Vaeck Zenith NV Immobiliengesellschaft, hitherto held as 
an associated participation, were bought out also during this period. The latter is now listed as a fully consolidated 
company in the scope of consolidation.

6.2.2	Company	disposals	
The 100 % shareholdings in the Belgian company Ant Re NV, Antwerp, and the Croatian Treci element d.o.o. were 
sold in the second half of the fiscal year.

6.2.3	other	changes	in	the	scope	of	consolidation	
As of 1 January 2011, the Luxembourg units of Bâloise Europe Vie S.A. merged with Bâloise Vie Luxembourg S.A. 
and Bâloise Assurances IARD S.A merged with Bâloise Assurances Luxembourg S.A.

As of 1 July 2011, the German Basler Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, Bad Homburg was merged with the Basler 

Securitas Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft, Bad Homburg.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

149

7.	 InformatIon	on	busIness	segments	(segment	rePortIng)
The Baloise Group manages its business activities according to strategic business units (SBUs), which are, as a rule, 
under regional, common management. Financial and management information for all relevant management  decisions 
exist on the level of these strategic business units. This means that Group units are allocated to the  following  reporting 
segments independent of the domicile of their headquarters:
 → Switzerland
 → Germany
 → Belgium
 → Luxembourg
 → Other units
Included in the segment “Other units” are those strategic business units, which did not meet the quantitative 
threshold criteria defined in IFRS 8. These are the Group units belonging to:
 → Austria
 → Croatia
 → Serbia
 → and Baloise Life Liechtenstein
The Deutscher Ring Sach- und Leben subsidiaries in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as the Partner in 
Life S.A., Luxembourg, are also contained in the segment “Germany.”

The segment “Group business” comprises the units for intra-Group reinsurance and financing, Corporate IT and 

the holding companies.

The revenue of the business segments are split into “Nonlife,” “Life,” “Banking” (including Asset Management) 
and “Other activities.” Nonlife features accident and health insurances as well as products of the liability, motor, 
property, and marine sectors. The products are geared to the needs of our customers – mainly private customers 
– and the core competencies of the companies of the Baloise Group. In the life insurance business, private persons 
and companies are offered a wide spectrum of capital-forming insurances, pure risk covers, and investment-type 
wuniversal bank, and Deutscher Ring Bausparkasse in Germany, which mainly operates in the conventional build-
ing society business.

The business segment “Other activities” comprises participation, property, and investment companies in  particular.
The accounting principles applied to present the business segments (segment reporting) are the same as those 
applied in the other parts of the Financial Report. No relations between the segments that are recognised in the 
balance sheet or through profit or loss are offset except income from participating interests.

150

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

7.1	segment	reporting	by	strategic	business	units

in CHF million 

Income	

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross) 

Reinsurance premiums ceded 

Premiums earned and policy fees (net)

Investment income 

Realised capital gains and losses on investments 

Income from services rendered

Result from investments in associates

Other operating income 

Income	

Intersegment income 

Income from associates

expense	

Claims and benefits paid (gross) 

Change in technical reserves (gross) 

Reinsurance share of claims incurred

Acquisition costs 

Operating and administrative expenses for insurance business 

Investment expenses

Interest expenses on insurance liabilities

Result from financial contracts 

Other operating expenses 

expense	

switzerland

germany

belgium

Luxembourg

other	units

subtotal

group	business

elimination

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

4,086.7

4,036.0

1,739.3

1,554.1

– 184.3

–	179.8

– 100.2

–	98.4

3,902.4

3,856.2

1,639.1

1,455.7

972.7

45.3

52.4

0.0

34.1

969.1

–	184.3

51.1

0.0

44.7

592.6

304.5

205.1

– 1.5

109.3

531.3

–	152.6

85.6

3.0

38.4

653.5

– 32.5

621.0

168.2

66.6

4.0

0.9

2.1

5,006.9

4,736.8

2,849.1

1,961.4

862.8

79.0

0.0

74.9

0.0

45.0

1.4

46.0

2.9

13.4

0.9

872.3

–	57.6

814.7

193.1

–	72.9

3.3

7.2

17.7

963.1

12.6

2.3

133.5

– 21.1

112.4

123.0

–	18.1

104.9

236.1

– 72.0

164.1

215.7

–	69.9

145.8

6,849.1

6,801.1

– 410.1

–	423.8

6,439.0

6,377.3

– 250.7

–	253.6

6,854.3

6,806.9

250.7

0.0

253.6

– 168.2

–	176.3

0.0

6,686.1

6,630.6

16.7

15.8

34.3

32.8

1,784.5

1,742.1

– 3.8

–	2.4

1,811.2

1,766.5

257.1

–	175.2

– 149.2

–	330.0

399.1

–	38.7

–	129.4

9,194.5

7,493.2

421.6

–	152.1

–	152.2

9,484.5

7,762.6

–	915.0

166.5

10.2

112.1

524.3

285.5

– 0.5

161.7

203.3

2.3

11.5

–

10.5

64.7

–

– 127.2

–	126.8

– 21.1

–	23.0

501.6

283.4

– 0.5

202.7

–

2.3

202.9

– 355.4

–	355.1

152.1

152.2

5.2

–

– 3,254.6

–	3,315.1

– 1,358.8

–	1,224.8

– 365.5

–	565.9

–	56.7

– 161.2

–	138.5

– 5,200.3

–	5,301.0

– 141.3

–	137.0

126.5

– 5,212.9

–	5,311.5

total

2011

–	943.4

158.6

10.2

140.1

–

5.2

53.3

–	576.8

–	847.0

–	61.3

–	51.6

324.0

–	507.9

259.4

–	6.1

253.3

26.8

–	28.4

118.9

–

51.0

255.9

– 8.8

247.1

30.5

– 22.7

125.1

62.1

442.1

–

–

– 21.5

–	22.7

– 12.3

–	11.2

3.5

1.7

–

– 1.8

15.1

6.5

1.0

–

–	2.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

128.7

29.1

21.4

– 21.4

29.6

0.6

7.8

114.1

152.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

15.0

–

0.8

4.7

–

11.3

3.9

–	10.3

–	23.7

–	0.6

–	0.3

133.5

–	8.4

48.7

13.0

–

14.4

76.6

60.4

–

– 13.7

41.2

– 46.3

– 35.6

– 3.5

– 1.2

152.9

– 26.1

–	93.5

11.0

0.1

1.8

5.5

–

– 60.2

– 49.1

5.8

– 12.6

– 27.4

– 0.6

– 0.5

– 231.7

– 8.5

–	384.8

–

14.3

– 3.8

10.5

–	51.2

18.6

–	179.7

–	103.3

–	10.7

–	1.2

–	20.4

–	27.4

–	12.5

– 1,405.4

–	662.5

– 16.9

7.5

– 1,393.2

–	639.9

– 157.8

–	134.1

47.5

44.2

–	42.8

–	36.4

–	2.6

–	0.2

309.5

–	80.3

201.8

– 491.4

– 836.3

– 82.1

– 61.8

– 225.8

– 560.5

180.9

–	576.1

–	826.0

–	78.3

–	52.0

320.0

–	449.4

– 179.0

–	176.0

22.0

– 491.5

–	22.0

– 856.0

28.2

0.4

6.2

117.5

– 64.8

– 61.2

– 219.8

– 625.4

–	4,733.2

–	4,629.0

–	2,730.4

–	1,963.3

–	719.9

–	941.2

40.4

–	8,661.8

–	7,444.4

–	367.6

–	326.5

152.2

–	8,877.3

–	7,618.7

69.7

– 104.7

– 416.4

– 43.5

– 7.9

– 87.7

63.7

–	92.3

–	407.1

–	41.1

–	5.2

–	79.9

– 209.0

– 273.7

– 24.7

– 51.4

– 29.3

–	251.0

–	255.5

–	23.3

–	45.1

–	22.7

– 118.8

– 83.2

– 9.8

– 0.8

– 30.0

– 26.7

– 670.4

–	584.9

– 568.2

–	25.2

– 104.0

– 217.7

–	167.1

– 281.5

–	166.2

66.2

50.5

18.9

Profit	/	loss	before	borrowing	costs	and	taxes

273.7

107.8

118.7

–	1.9

142.9

21.9

14.3

10.0

–	16.9

–	89.0

532.7

48.8

74.5

95.1

607.2

143.9

Borrowing costs

Profit	/	loss	before	taxes

–

–

–

–

–

273.7

107.8

118.7

–	1.9

142.9

–

21.9

–

–

–

–

10.0

–	16.9

–	89.0

532.7

–

48.8

– 52.8

21.7

–	55.0

40.1

Income taxes

Profit	/	loss	for	the	period	(segment	result)

– 50.9

222.8

–	6.5

101.3

– 21.2

97.5

–	9.2

–	11.1

– 33.4

109.5

–	17.6

4.3

–	2.1

7.9

– 0.7

–	17.6

3.6

– 110.0

–	85.4

422.7

–	31.8

17.0

– 7.7

14.0

4.2

44.3

– 52.8

554.4

– 117.7

436.7

–	55.0

88.9

–	27.6

61.3

Segment assets

36,986.2

37,960.2

15,708.9

15,278.1

4,481.9

7,907.4

4,032.6

4,047.2

3,522.5

3,467.7

64,732.1

68,660.6

1,614.8

1,405.6

– 955.5

–	1,000.0

65,391.4

69,066.2

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

151

switzerland

germany

belgium

Luxembourg

other	units

subtotal

group	business

elimination

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

total

2011

133.5

– 21.1

112.4

123.0

–	18.1

104.9

236.1

– 72.0

164.1

215.7

–	69.9

145.8

6,849.1

6,801.1

– 410.1

–	423.8

6,439.0

6,377.3

16.7

15.8

34.3

32.8

1,784.5

1,742.1

257.1

–	175.2

– 149.2

–	330.0

524.3

285.5

– 0.5

161.7

–	915.0

166.5

10.2

112.1

11.5

–

10.5

255.9

– 8.8

247.1

30.5

– 22.7

125.1

–

62.1

442.1

259.4

–	6.1

253.3

26.8

–	28.4

118.9

–

51.0

– 250.7

–	253.6

6,854.3

6,806.9

250.7

0.0

– 3.8

–

253.6

– 168.2

–	176.3

0.0

6,686.1

6,630.6

–	2.4

1,811.2

1,766.5

–

– 127.2

–	126.8

–

–

– 21.1

–	23.0

501.6

283.4

– 0.5

202.7

–	943.4

158.6

10.2

140.1

–	129.4

9,194.5

7,493.2

421.6

–	152.1

–	152.2

9,484.5

7,762.6

64.7

–

203.3

2.3

202.9

– 355.4

–	355.1

152.1

152.2

5.2

–

–

–

–

–

2.3

–

5.2

–	56.7

– 161.2

–	138.5

– 5,200.3

–	5,301.0

– 141.3

–	137.0

–	12.5

– 1,405.4

–	662.5

– 16.9

128.7

29.1

126.5

– 5,212.9

–	5,311.5

7.5

– 1,393.2

–	639.9

3.5

– 157.8

–	134.1

47.5

11.0

0.1

1.8

15.0

–

0.8

399.1

–	38.7

5.5

–

4.7

–

13.0

–

14.4

76.6

60.4

–

– 60.2

– 49.1

5.8

– 12.6

– 27.4

– 0.6

– 0.5

– 231.7

– 8.5

–	384.8

11.3

3.9

–	10.3

–	23.7

–	0.6

–	0.3

133.5

–	8.4

48.7

– 13.7

41.2

– 46.3

– 35.6

– 3.5

– 1.2

152.9

– 26.1

–	93.5

44.2

–	42.8

–	36.4

–	2.6

–	0.2

309.5

–	80.3

201.8

– 491.4

– 836.3

– 82.1

– 61.8

– 225.8

– 560.5

180.9

–	576.1

–	826.0

–	78.3

–	52.0

320.0

15.1

6.5

– 21.5

–	22.7

1.7

1.0

– 12.3

–	11.2

–

– 1.8

–

–	2.2

–	449.4

– 179.0

–	176.0

40.4

–	8,661.8

–	7,444.4

–	367.6

–	326.5

21.4

– 21.4

29.6

0.6

7.8

114.1

152.1

–

–

–

–

–

22.0

– 491.5

–	22.0

– 856.0

28.2

0.4

6.2

117.5

– 64.8

– 61.2

– 219.8

– 625.4

53.3

–	576.8

–	847.0

–	61.3

–	51.6

324.0

–	507.9

152.2

–	8,877.3

–	7,618.7

–

–

–

–

–

607.2

143.9

– 52.8

554.4

– 117.7

436.7

–	55.0

88.9

–	27.6

61.3

Profit	/	loss	before	borrowing	costs	and	taxes

273.7

107.8

118.7

–	1.9

142.9

21.9

14.3

10.0

–	16.9

–	89.0

532.7

48.8

74.5

95.1

Borrowing costs

Profit	/	loss	before	taxes

–

–

–

–

–

273.7

107.8

118.7

–	1.9

142.9

–

21.9

Income taxes

Profit	/	loss	for	the	period	(segment	result)

– 50.9

222.8

–	6.5

101.3

– 21.2

97.5

–	9.2

–	11.1

– 33.4

109.5

–	17.6

4.3

–

14.3

– 3.8

10.5

–

–

–

–

10.0

–	16.9

–	89.0

532.7

–

48.8

– 52.8

21.7

–	55.0

40.1

–	2.1

7.9

– 0.7

–	17.6

3.6

– 110.0

–	85.4

422.7

–	31.8

17.0

– 7.7

14.0

4.2

44.3

Segment assets

36,986.2

37,960.2

15,708.9

15,278.1

4,481.9

7,907.4

4,032.6

4,047.2

3,522.5

3,467.7

64,732.1

68,660.6

1,614.8

1,405.6

– 955.5

–	1,000.0

65,391.4

69,066.2

7.1	segment	reporting	by	strategic	business	units

in CHF million 

Income	

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross) 

Reinsurance premiums ceded 

Premiums earned and policy fees (net)

Investment income 

Realised capital gains and losses on investments 

Income from services rendered

Result from investments in associates

Other operating income 

Income	

Intersegment income 

Income from associates

expense	

Claims and benefits paid (gross) 

Change in technical reserves (gross) 

Reinsurance share of claims incurred

Acquisition costs 

Investment expenses

Interest expenses on insurance liabilities

Result from financial contracts 

Other operating expenses 

expense	

Operating and administrative expenses for insurance business 

4,086.7

4,036.0

1,739.3

1,554.1

– 184.3

–	179.8

– 100.2

–	98.4

3,902.4

3,856.2

1,639.1

1,455.7

972.7

45.3

52.4

0.0

34.1

79.0

0.0

969.1

–	184.3

51.1

0.0

44.7

74.9

0.0

592.6

304.5

205.1

– 1.5

109.3

45.0

1.4

531.3

–	152.6

85.6

3.0

38.4

46.0

2.9

5,006.9

4,736.8

2,849.1

1,961.4

862.8

653.5

– 32.5

621.0

168.2

66.6

4.0

0.9

2.1

13.4

0.9

– 3,254.6

–	3,315.1

– 1,358.8

–	1,224.8

– 365.5

–	565.9

– 670.4

–	584.9

– 568.2

–	25.2

– 104.0

69.7

– 104.7

– 416.4

– 43.5

– 7.9

– 87.7

63.7

–	92.3

–	407.1

–	41.1

–	5.2

–	79.9

66.2

50.5

18.9

– 209.0

– 273.7

– 24.7

– 51.4

– 29.3

–	251.0

–	255.5

–	23.3

–	45.1

–	22.7

– 118.8

– 83.2

– 9.8

– 0.8

– 30.0

– 26.7

– 217.7

–	167.1

– 281.5

–	166.2

–	4,733.2

–	4,629.0

–	2,730.4

–	1,963.3

–	719.9

–	941.2

872.3

–	57.6

814.7

193.1

–	72.9

3.3

7.2

17.7

963.1

12.6

2.3

–	51.2

18.6

–	179.7

–	103.3

–	10.7

–	1.2

–	20.4

–	27.4

152

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

7.2	segment	reporting	by	business	segments

in CHF million 

Income	

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross) 

Reinsurance premiums ceded 

Premiums earned and policy fees (net)

Investment income

Realised capital gains and losses on investments 

Income from services rendered

Result from investments in associates

Other operating income 

Income	

Intersegment income 

Income from associates

expenses	

Claims and benefits paid (gross) 

Change in technical reserves (gross) 

Reinsurance share of claims incurred

Acquisition costs 

Operating and administrative expenses for insurance business 

Investment expenses

Interest expenses on insurance liabilities

Result from financial contracts 

Other operating expenses 

expenses	

2010

3,039.4

– 151.3

2,888.1

288.8

8.4

26.3

1.4

77.2

3,290.2

– 31.2

1.4

nonlife

2011

3,147.1

–	158.8

2,988.3

291.9

–	191.4

29.1

0.7

39.9

3,158.5

–	56.2

0.7

– 1,818.4

–	1,850.3

– 73.5

41.3

– 373.2

– 532.5

– 19.9

– 0.8

– 5.6

–	127.5

42.0

–	403.0

–	527.0

–	19.9

–	1.2

–	3.1

– 127.3

–	2,909.9

–	141.5

–	3,031.5

2010

3,814.9

– 16.9

3,798.0

1,345.2

499.0

20.4

– 0.1

50.7

5,713.2

– 20.5

– 0.2

– 3,394.5

– 1,319.7

6.2

– 118.3

– 323.5

– 75.5

– 60.4

– 126.0

– 118.8

–	5,530.5

Profit	/	loss	before	borrowing	costs	and	taxes

380.3

127.0

182.7

Borrowing costs

Profit	/	loss	before	taxes

Income taxes

Profit	/	loss	for	the	period	(segment	result)

–

380.3

– 65.3

315.0

–

127.0

–	13.9

113.1

–

182.7

– 32.5

150.2

Life

2011

3,659.8

–	17.5

3,642.3

1,323.9

–	720.4

27.7

6.8

64.9

4,345.2

–	27.4

1.8

–	3,461.2

–	512.4

11.3

–	173.8

–	320.0

–	75.8

–	50.4

390.2

–	137.2

–	4,329.3

15.9

–

15.9

–	8.4

7.5

2010

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

other	activities

elimination

banking

2011

171.0

–	1.0

109.5

–

6.9

286.4

–	47.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	82.0

–	111.3

–	213.1

73.3

–

73.3

–	13.8

59.5

178.5

1.0

106.8

–

7.8

294.1

– 43.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 90.1

– 114.9

–	226.2

67.9

–

67.9

– 12.8

55.1

14.3

– 6.8

298.6

– 1.8

82.9

387.2

– 105.1

1.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 18.8

– 383.8

–	410.9

– 52.8

–	76.5

– 7.1

–	83.6

13.4

–	30.6

171.1

2.7

48.4

205.0

–	101.5

2.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	17.9

–	252.3

–	277.3

–	55.0

–	127.3

8.5

–	118.8

– 15.6

–	33.7

1,811.2

– 168.7

–	178.8

– 15.9

–	200.2

200.2

–	20.0

–	232.5

232.5

9,484.5

7,762.6

total

2011

6,806.9

–	176.3

6,630.6

1,766.5

–	943.4

158.6

10.2

140.1

–

5.2

–	5,311.5

–	639.9

53.3

–	576.8

–	847.0

–	61.3

–	51.6

324.0

–	507.9

–	7,618.7

–	55.0

88.9

–	27.6

61.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,854.3

– 168.2

6,686.1

501.6

283.4

– 0.5

202.7

–

2.3

– 5,212.9

– 1,393.2

47.5

– 491.5

– 856.0

– 64.8

– 61.2

– 219.8

– 625.4

–	8,877.3

– 52.8

554.4

– 117.7

436.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 21.2

–	19.8

– 8.3

–	7.1

60.1

61.3

20.7

119.4

200.2

36.8

134.4

232.5

–	23.7

–	72.3

607.2

143.9

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

153

7.2	segment	reporting	by	business	segments

in CHF million 

Income	

Premiums earned and policy fees (gross) 

Reinsurance premiums ceded 

Premiums earned and policy fees (net)

Investment income

Realised capital gains and losses on investments 

Income from services rendered

Result from investments in associates

Other operating income 

Income	

Intersegment income 

Income from associates

expenses	

Claims and benefits paid (gross) 

Change in technical reserves (gross) 

Reinsurance share of claims incurred

Acquisition costs 

Investment expenses

Interest expenses on insurance liabilities

Result from financial contracts 

Other operating expenses 

expenses	

Borrowing costs

Profit	/	loss	before	taxes

Income taxes

Profit	/	loss	for	the	period	(segment	result)

Operating and administrative expenses for insurance business 

2010

2010

nonlife

2011

3,147.1

–	158.8

2,988.3

291.9

–	191.4

29.1

0.7

39.9

3,158.5

–	56.2

0.7

–	127.5

42.0

–	403.0

–	527.0

–	19.9

–	1.2

–	3.1

–

127.0

–	13.9

113.1

Life

2011

3,659.8

–	17.5

3,642.3

1,323.9

–	720.4

27.7

6.8

64.9

4,345.2

–	27.4

1.8

–	512.4

11.3

–	173.8

–	320.0

–	75.8

–	50.4

390.2

–	137.2

–	4,329.3

15.9

–

15.9

–	8.4

7.5

3,814.9

– 16.9

3,798.0

1,345.2

499.0

20.4

– 0.1

50.7

5,713.2

– 20.5

– 0.2

– 3,394.5

– 1,319.7

6.2

– 118.3

– 323.5

– 75.5

– 60.4

– 126.0

– 118.8

–	5,530.5

–

182.7

– 32.5

150.2

3,039.4

– 151.3

2,888.1

288.8

8.4

26.3

1.4

77.2

3,290.2

– 31.2

1.4

– 73.5

41.3

– 373.2

– 532.5

– 19.9

– 0.8

– 5.6

–

380.3

– 65.3

315.0

– 1,818.4

–	1,850.3

–	3,461.2

Profit	/	loss	before	borrowing	costs	and	taxes

380.3

127.0

182.7

– 127.3

–	2,909.9

–	141.5

–	3,031.5

2010

–

–

–

178.5

1.0

106.8

–

7.8

294.1

– 43.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 21.2

–

– 90.1

– 114.9

–	226.2

67.9

–

67.9

– 12.8

55.1

banking

2011

–

–

–

171.0

–	1.0

109.5

–

6.9

286.4

–	47.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	19.8

–

–	82.0

–	111.3

–	213.1

73.3

–

73.3

–	13.8

59.5

other	activities

elimination

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

–

–

–

14.3

– 6.8

298.6

– 1.8

82.9

387.2

– 105.1

1.1

–

–

–

–

–

– 8.3

–

– 18.8

– 383.8

–	410.9

–

–

–

13.4

–	30.6

171.1

2.7

48.4

205.0

–	101.5

2.7

–

–

–

–

–

–	7.1

–

–	17.9

–	252.3

–	277.3

–	23.7

–	72.3

– 52.8

–	76.5

– 7.1

–	83.6

–	55.0

–	127.3

8.5

–	118.8

–

–

–

– 15.6

–

– 168.7

–

– 15.9

–	200.2

200.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

60.1

–

20.7

119.4

200.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	33.7

–

–	178.8

–

–	20.0

–	232.5

232.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

61.3

–

36.8

134.4

232.5

–

–

–

–

–

total

2011

6,806.9

–	176.3

6,630.6

1,766.5

–	943.4

158.6

10.2

140.1

6,854.3

– 168.2

6,686.1

1,811.2

501.6

283.4

– 0.5

202.7

9,484.5

7,762.6

–

2.3

–

5.2

– 5,212.9

– 1,393.2

47.5

– 491.5

– 856.0

– 64.8

– 61.2

– 219.8

– 625.4

–	8,877.3

–	5,311.5

–	639.9

53.3

–	576.8

–	847.0

–	61.3

–	51.6

324.0

–	507.9

–	7,618.7

607.2

143.9

– 52.8

554.4

– 117.7

436.7

–	55.0

88.9

–	27.6

61.3

154

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Notes to the consolidated balance sheet

8.	ProPert y,	PLant	and	equIPment	

8.1	Property,	plant	and	equipment	2010

Land

buildings

operating	
equipment

machinery	/		
furniture	/		
vehicles

It	equipment

total

in CHF million

Carrying	value	as	of	1	January

Additions

Additions from change in the scope  
of consolidation

Disposals

Disposals from change in the scope  
of consolidation

84.8	

0.2 

–

–

– 0.2 

404.7	

3.5 

–

– 0.9 

– 1.7 

54.4	

16.0 

–

– 0.6 

– 0.6 

44.2	

12.6 

–

– 2.0 

– 2.8 

23.1	

13.5 

–

– 0.6 

– 0.9 

Reclassification

– 1.2 

– 1.9 

– 3.3 

–

–

Impairments and depreciation

Depreciation

Impairment loss recognised  
in profit or loss

Reversals of an impairment loss  
recognised in profit or loss

Exchange differences

Carrying	value	as	of	31	december

Acquisition costs

Accumulated depreciation and  
impairments

balance	as	of	31	december

Of which:  
Assets held under a finance lease 1

–

–

–

– 2.2 

81.4	

81.9 

– 0.5 

81.4	

–

– 18.4 

– 8.7 

–

–

– 44.9 

340.4	

712.1 

– 371.7 

340.4	

93.4 

–

–

– 1.7 

55.5	

148.4 

– 92.9 

55.5	

–

– 8.8 

– 0.0 

–

– 5.5 

37.7	

107.2 

– 69.5 

37.7	

0.1 

– 12.9 

–

–

– 1.5 

20.7	

142.1 

– 121.4 

20.7	

–

1   The assets in finance leases primarily concern a lease agreement with a purchase option for an owner-occupied administrative building.  

The lease agreement includes a repayment schedule and is contractually fixed until mid-2018. 

Impairments and depreciation are included in the “Other operating expenses.”

611.2	

45.8	

–

–	4.1	

–	6.2	

–	6.4	

–	48.8	

–	0.0	

–

–	55.8	

535.7	

1,191.7	

–	656.0	

535.7	

93.5	

 
Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

155

8.2	Property,	plant	and	equipment	2011

in CHF million

Carrying	value	as	of	1	January	

Additions

Additions from change in the scope  
of consolidation

Disposals

Disposals from change in the scope  
of consolidation

Reclassification

Impairments and depreciation

Depreciation

Impairment loss recognised  
in profit or loss

Reversals of an impairment loss  
recognised in profit or loss

Exchange differences

Carrying	value	as	of	31	december

Acquisition costs

Accumulated depreciation and  
impairments

balance	as	of	31	december

Of which:  
Assets held under a finance lease 1

Land

buildings

operating	
equipment

machinery	/		
furniture	/		
vehicles

It	equipment

total

81.4	

6.0 

1.9 

– 0.2 

–

–

–

– 1.0 

0.5 

– 0.4 

88.2	

89.1 

– 0.9 

88.2	

–

340.4	

41.5 

6.0 

–

–

55.5	

3.8 

2.3 

– 0.4 

–

37.7	

7.0 

3.3 

– 3.1 

–

20.7	

11.9 

1.2 

– 1.2 

–

535.7	

70.2	

14.7	

–	4.9	

–

– 0.5 

– 0.0 

0.0 

0.0 

–	0.5	

– 17.3 

– 0.5 

–

– 7.7 

361.9	

749.5 

– 387.6 

361.9	

88.1 

– 8.5 

–

–

– 0.3 

52.4	

148.2 

– 95.8 

52.4	

–

– 7.7 

– 1.2 

0.0 

– 0.9 

35.1	

114.1 

– 79.0 

35.1	

0.1 

– 10.0 

–

–

– 0.3 

22.3	

149.1 

– 126.8 

22.3	

–

–	43.5	

–	2.7	

0.5	

–	9.6	

559.9	

1,250.0	

–	690.1	

559.9	

88.2	

1   The assets in finance leases primarily concern a lease agreement with a purchase option for an owner-occupied administrative building.  

The lease agreement includes a repayment schedule and is contractually fixed until mid-2018. 

Impairments and depreciation are included in the “Other operating expenses.”

 
156

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

9.	IntangIbLe	assets

9.1	Intangible	assets	2010

in CHF million

Carrying	value	as	of	1	January

Additions from change in the scope  
of consolidation

Additions

Capitalisation of acquisition costs

Disposals

Disposals from change in the scope  
of consolidation

Reclassification

Impairments and depreciation

Depreciation

Write-ups

Impairment losses recognised  
in profit or loss

Reversals of an impairment loss  
recognised in profit or loss

Depreciation as a result of  
impending losses

Change due to unrealised  
gains and losses on financial instruments  
(shadow accounting)

Exchange differences

Carrying	value	as	of	31	december

Acquisition costs

Accumulated depreciation  
and impairments

balance	as	of	31	december	1

Intangible	assets	by	segments

Switzerland

Germany

Belgium

Luxembourg

Other units

Group business

total	regions

Present		
value	of		
gains	on		
acquired		
insurance	
contracts

deferred		
acquisition		
cost	
Life

deferred		
acquisition		
cost	
nonlife

other		
intangible	
assets

Internally		
developed	
intangible	
assets

1,029.4

–

–

92.9

–

–

–

149.8

1.5

–

302.7

–

–

–

194.9

2.1

40.1

–

– 2.2

– 17.4

–

0.4

–

0.1

–

–

–

total

1,562.4

3.6

56.4

395.6

–	9.3

–	17.4

–

– 110.7

– 309.2

– 37.8

– 0.2

–	461.7

1.4

–

–

–

– 9.9

– 125.5

877.6

–

–

–

–

–

7.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.4

–	0.1

–

7.4

–	9.9

– 14.3

137.9

–

–

– 14.6

165.1

457.8

– 292.7

– 0.1

0.2

9.9

– 9.7

–	185.8

1,342.6

–

–

60.7

–

2.9

–

–

–

–

– 3.8

–

– 0.1

–

–

–

– 9.6

50.1

–

–

goodwill

127.2

–

13.3

–

– 7.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 21.7

111.7

293.5

– 181.8

111.7

50.1

877.6

137.9

165.1

0.2

1,342.6

–

35.0

0.0

14.5

62.2

0.0

111.7

–

27.6

2.5

–

20.0

–

50.1

188.7

625.5

24.0

11.3

28.1

–

55.4

29.2

31.2

2.9

19.2

–

88.9

13.8

37.8

8.7

9.1

6.8

–

0.2

–

–

–

–

333.0

731.3

95.5

37.4

138.6

6.8

877.6

137.9

165.1

0.2

1,342.6

1   Other than possible goodwill, the Baloise Group has no intangible assets of indefinite useful life.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

157

9.2	Intangible	assets	2011

in CHF million

Carrying	value	as	of	1	January	

Additions from change in scope  
of consolidation

Additions

Capitalisation of acquisition costs

Disposals

Disposals from change in scope  
of consolidation

Reclassification

Impairments and depreciation

Depreciation

Write-ups

Impairment losses recognised  
in profit or loss

Reversals of an impairment loss  
recognised in profit or loss

Depreciation as a result of impending 
losses

Change due to unrealised  
gains and losses on financial instruments  
(shadow accounting)

Exchange differences

Carrying	value	as	of	31	december

Acquisition costs

Accumulated depreciation  
and impairments

balance	as	of	31	december	1

Intangible	assets	by	segments

Switzerland

Germany

Belgium

Luxembourg

Other units

Group business

total	regions

Present		
value	of		
gains	on		
acquired		
insurance	
contracts

50.1

27.6

–

–

–

–

–

– 4.4

–

– 0.7

–

–

–

– 2.2

70.4

–

–

goodwill

111.7

–

17.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 50.1

–

–

–

– 3.6

75.4

307.8

– 232.4

deferred		
acquisition		
cost	
Life

deferred		
acquisition		
cost	
nonlife

other		
intangible	
assets

Internally		
developed	
intangible	
assets

165.1

71.0

32.1

–

– 0.5

–

–

– 43.0

–

– 3.3

–

–

–

0.2

–

0.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 0.3

–	535.3

total

1,342.6

120.7

49.9

414.7

–	0.5

–

–

0.8

–	54.1

–

2.1

–	8.4

–	32.3

1,300.2

–

–

– 3.1

161.2

–

–

– 3.8

217.6

587.4

– 369.8

– 0.0 

0.3

10.0

– 9.7

877.6

–

–

87.0

–

–

–

137.9

22.1

–

327.7

–

–

–

– 162.1

– 325.5

–

–

–

2.1

–

0.8

–

–

–

– 8.4

– 19.6

775.3

–

–

75.4

70.4

775.3

161.2

217.6

0.3

1,300.2

–

33.9

16.9

14.1

10.5

0.0

75.4

–

24.1

28.5

–

17.8

–

70.4

146.2

561.8

28.2

12.7

26.4

–

53.8

26.0

59.1

2.8

19.5

–

79.3

19.9

97.3

9.4

4.8

6.9

775.3

161.2

217.6

–

0.1

–

–

–

0.2

0.3

279.3

665.8

230.0

39.0

79.0

7.1

1,300.2

1   Other than possible goodwill, the Baloise Group has no intangible assets of indefinite useful life.

158

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

The  goodwill  balance  at  the  end  of  2011  can  be  mainly  attributed  to  Basler  osiguranje  Zagreb;  the  Zeus  Ver-
mittlungsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg; Deutscher Ring Financial Services GmbH, Hamburg; as well as Bâloise 
Luxembourg IARD S.A., and the Avéro Schadeverzekering Benelux NV that was merged with the Mercator NV 
during the year of acquisition.

An impairment of CHF 50.1 million was performed on the goodwill from “Osiguranje Zagreb” that was acquired 
in 2007. This became necessary due to the economic prospects as a consequence of the European debt crisis and the 
resulting newly assessed growth prospects for Croatia. Of this impairment expense, CHF 40.7 million can be  allocated 
to the business segment nonlife and CHF 9.4 million to the business segment life. As of 31 December 2011 this 
goodwill still amounts to CHF 10.5 million after impairments and currency effects.

9.3	assumptions	applied	for	the	impairment	test	of	significant	goodwill	items
The assumptions on the future business development were reviewed by local manangement taking the general 
macroeconomic situation into consideration.

Zeus Vermittlungsgesellschaft mbH

Deutscher Ring Financial Services GmbH

Basler osiguranje Zagreb

Bâloise Luxembourg IARD S.A.

Mercator NV

discount	rate

growth	rate

2010

10.0

7.8

10.3

11.0

–

2011

8.5

8.0

11.5

9.3

9.3

2010

2011

1.0

1.0

5.2

2.6

–

1.0

1.0

3.0

2.6

2.6

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

159

10.	Investments	In	assoCIates

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Additions

Disposals / capital repayments

Reclassification due to change in percentage of interest

Realised gains / losses on disposals

Adjustments

Dividend payments

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	december

2010

2011

143.1

79.7

– 3.3

–

0.1

20.8

– 0.6

– 28.5

211.3

211.3

0.0

–	15.3

–	6.2

5.0

–	12.3

–	3.4

–	5.6

173.5

Included in the additions in the 2010 fiscal year is the booking of the OVB group as an associated company as 
 described in section 6.1.3. 

In the reporting period the third party interests in Van Vaeck Zenith NV hitherto held as an associated partici-

pation were bought out. From now on this company is listed as fully consolidated in the scope of consolidation.

Since the relevant account information, in other words the evaluation criteria, on the listed OVB group had not 
been published when the Financial Report was prepared, the evaluation is based on the figures on 30 September of 
the reporting period.

sIgnIfICant	Investments	In	assoCIates	2011

in CHF million

OVB Holding AG, Cologne 1

Roland Rechtsschutz Versicherungs-AG, Cologne

Credimo Holding, Asse

Atlantic Union, Athens

Other

assets

Liabilities

revenue

Profit

share	in	%

176.5

500.7

1,137.9

194.0

177.0

80.7

407.2

969.2

148.9

4.4

249.1

175.7

160.2

81.8

3.0

4.4

14.9

2.7

7.8

– 0.5

32.6 %

25.0 %

22.7 %

31.1 %

1   Values as of 30 September of the reporting period.
The proportionate market value of OVB Holding AG, Cologne, amounts to CHF 105.9 million as of 31 December 2011.

160

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

11.	 Investment	ProPertIes

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Additions

Additions from change in the scope of consolidation

Disposals

Disposals from change in the scope of consolidation

Reclassification

Change in fair value

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	december

Operating expenses arising from investment properties that generate rental income

Operating expenses arising from investment properties that do not generate rental income

2010

2011

5,071.7

133.6

–

5,046.6

154.2

135.8

– 30.3

–	178.9

– 2.4

6.4

– 0.6

– 131.8

5,046.6

73.1

0.2

–	0.6

0.5

3.5

–	23.1

5,138.0

70.2

0.1

The additions and disposals in the 2010 fiscal year are mainly attributable to transactions in Switzerland as well as 
the sales in Germany and Croatia. The disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation pertain to the Belgian 
Immo Kappelleveld NV that was sold and investment properties belonging to the deconsolidated OVB group. The 
reclassifications can mainly be attributed to the Belgian nonlife unit that has newly rented out its former offices.

In the 2011 reporting period, the additions and disposals can be mainly attributed to transactions in Switzerland, 
disposals in Germany and acquisitions in Belgium. Additions from changes to the scope of consolidation are  connected 
to the company acquisitions in Belgium explained in section 6.2.1. Disposals from changes to the scope of  consolidation 
result from sales of the Croatian Treci element d.o.o.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statementst 

161

12.	fInanCIaL	assets

in CHF million

Financial assets of an equity nature

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets of a debt nature

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

financial	assets	for	own	account	and	at	own	risk

Financial assets for account and at risk of life insurance policyholders

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss 1

financial	assets	according	to	balance	sheet

2010

2011

3,437.6

3,447.3

78.9

33.3

7,105.5

8,027.8

17,784.6

19,855.3

72.1

98.5

28,478.7

31,462.2

7,206.0

7,159.2

35,684.7

38,621.4

1   Of which financial assets totalling CHF 114.8 million (previous year: CHF 57.5 million) involved insurance policies that had not been fully reviewed on the balance 

sheet date.

162

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

fInanCIaL	assets	for	oWn	aCCount	and	at	oWn	rIsK	

in CHF million

financial	assets	of	an	equity	nature

Publicly listed

Not publicly listed

total

financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature

Publicly listed, fixed interest rate

Publicly listed, variable interest rate

Not publicly listed, fixed interest rate

Not publicly listed, variable interest rate

total

Held	to	maturity

available	for	sale

recognised	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

total

trading	portfolio

designated

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,105.5

8,027.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,105.5

8,027.8

1,985.4

1,452.2

3,437.6

1,983.8

1,463.5

3,447.3

17,488.0

19,654.2

257.7

38.9

–

163.3

37.8

–

17,784.6

19,855.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

78.9

–

78.9

12.3

41.9

17.9

–

72.1

33.3

–

33.3

42.6

39.1

16.8

–

98.5

2,064.3

1,452.2

3,516.5

2,017.1

1,463.5

3,480.6

24,605.8

27,724.6

299.6

56.8

–

202.4

54.6

–

24,962.2

27,981.6

The following impairments had to be performed on “Held to maturity financial assets of a debt nature” in the  
reporting period:

ImPaIrments	on	HeLd	to	maturIt y	fInanCIaL	assets	of	a	debt	nature

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Unused provisions reversed through profit or loss

Increases and additional provisions recognised in profit or loss

Disposal from change in the scope of consolidation

Exchange calculation

balance	as	of	31	december

2010

2011

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	7.6	

–

–

–	7.6	

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements 

163

fInanCIaL	assets	for	oWn	aCCount	and	at	oWn	rIsK	

in CHF million

financial	assets	of	an	equity	nature

Publicly listed

Not publicly listed

total

financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature

Publicly listed, fixed interest rate

Publicly listed, variable interest rate

Not publicly listed, fixed interest rate

Not publicly listed, variable interest rate

total

Held	to	maturity

available	for	sale

recognised	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

total

trading	portfolio

designated

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,105.5

8,027.8

7,105.5

8,027.8

1,985.4

1,452.2

3,437.6

1,983.8

1,463.5

3,447.3

17,488.0

19,654.2

257.7

38.9

–

163.3

37.8

–

17,784.6

19,855.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

78.9

–

78.9

12.3

41.9

17.9

–

72.1

33.3

–

33.3

42.6

39.1

16.8

–

98.5

2,064.3

1,452.2

3,516.5

2,017.1

1,463.5

3,480.6

24,605.8

27,724.6

299.6

56.8

–

202.4

54.6

–

24,962.2

27,981.6

164

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Held	to	maturity

available	for	sale

recognised	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

total

trading	portfolio

designated

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

in CHF million

type	of	financial	asset	

Shares

Funds

Mixed funds

Bond funds

Property funds

Private equity 

Hedge funds 

financial	assets	of	an	equity	nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,903.9

35.2

1,123.1

43.3

7,105.5

6,833.2

39.0

1,116.4

39.2

8,027.8

total

7,105.5

8,027.8

21,222.2

23,302.6

151.0

131.8

28,478.7

31,462.2

secured	financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

total

5.8

–

900.8

–

906.6

3.5

–

887.7

–

891.2

As of 1 July 2011, the Croatian unit of the Baloise Group reclassified fixed-income securities to the value of CHF 31.9 mil-
lion from “available for sale” to “held to maturity”. This is meant to curb temporary negative equity requirements, 
which impact the local solvency.

Hedged financial assets of a debt nature are fixed-income securities that are certificated by a mortgage or  government 
bond. These fixed-income securities are issued by companies, which for the most part have a clearly defined and 
narrowly limited business purpose.

3,437.6

3,447.3

33.3

3,516.5

3,480.6

1,512.7

1,578.1

1,512.7

1,578.1

130.0

101.7

93.3

299.5

502.9

797.5

7,835.9

1,711.3

8,222.1

15.3

94.4

44.9

116.3

323.4

540.7

749.5

8,912.4

2,122.6

8,815.3

5.0

17,784.6

19,855.3

389.8

–

378.0

4.3

4,887.7

5,752.8

4.9

0.2

5,282.4

6,135.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

29.3

19.4

30.2

0.0

–

–

78.9

17.3

0.7

54.1

–

72.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

14.0

14.7

4.6

0.0

–

–

40.5

0.7

57.3

–

98.5

–

–

–

–

–

159.3

121.1

123.5

299.5

502.9

797.5

108.4

59.6

120.9

323.4

540.7

749.5

13,757.1

15,786.1

1,747.2

9,399.3

58.6

2,162.3

9,989.0

44.2

24,962.2

27,981.6

395.6

–

381.5

4.3

5,788.5

6,640.5

4.9

0.2

6,189.0

7,026.5

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

165

Held	to	maturity

available	for	sale

recognised	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

total

trading	portfolio

designated

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

in CHF million

type	of	financial	asset	

Shares

Funds

Mixed funds

Bond funds

Property funds

Private equity 

Hedge funds 

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

financial	assets	of	an	equity	nature

financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature

secured	financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

total

Other

total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,903.9

35.2

1,123.1

43.3

7,105.5

6,833.2

39.0

1,116.4

39.2

8,027.8

7,105.5

8,027.8

5.8

–

–

900.8

906.6

3.5

–

–

887.7

891.2

As of 1 July 2011, the Croatian unit of the Baloise Group reclassified fixed-income securities to the value of CHF 31.9 mil-

lion from “available for sale” to “held to maturity”. This is meant to curb temporary negative equity requirements, 

which impact the local solvency.

Hedged financial assets of a debt nature are fixed-income securities that are certificated by a mortgage or  government 

bond. These fixed-income securities are issued by companies, which for the most part have a clearly defined and 

narrowly limited business purpose.

1,512.7

1,578.1

130.0

101.7

93.3

299.5

502.9

797.5

94.4

44.9

116.3

323.4

540.7

749.5

3,437.6

3,447.3

7,835.9

1,711.3

8,222.1

15.3

8,912.4

2,122.6

8,815.3

5.0

17,784.6

19,855.3

21,222.2

23,302.6

389.8

–

378.0

4.3

4,887.7

5,752.8

4.9

0.2

5,282.4

6,135.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

29.3

19.4

30.2

0.0

–

–

78.9

17.3

0.7

54.1

–

72.1

–

14.0

14.7

4.6

0.0

–

–

1,512.7

1,578.1

159.3

121.1

123.5

299.5

502.9

797.5

108.4

59.6

120.9

323.4

540.7

749.5

33.3

3,516.5

3,480.6

40.5

0.7

57.3

–

98.5

13,757.1

15,786.1

1,747.2

9,399.3

58.6

2,162.3

9,989.0

44.2

24,962.2

27,981.6

151.0

131.8

28,478.7

31,462.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

395.6

–

381.5

4.3

5,788.5

6,640.5

4.9

0.2

6,189.0

7,026.5

faIr	vaLue	of	fInanCIaL	assets	CLassIfIed	as	HeLd	to	maturIt y	

in CHF million

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

total

Carrying	values

fair	values

2010

2011

2010

2011

5,903.9

6,833.2

6,168.1

7,405.1

35.2

39.0

36.6

41.1

1,123.1

1,116.4

1,153.1

1,174.4

43.3

39.2

44.8

40.9

7,105.5

8,027.8

7,402.6

8,661.5

166

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

13.	mortgages	and	Loans

in CHF million

mortgages	and	loans	
carried	at	cost

Mortgages 

Policy loans

Promissory notes  
and registered bonds

Time deposits

Employee loans

Reverse repurchase 
agreements

Other loans

subtotal

mortgages	and	loans		
recognised	at	fair	value		
through	profit	or	loss

Mortgages 

Policy loans

subtotal

gross	amount

Impairment

Carrying	value

fair	value

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

10,256.8

10,632.1

218.1

5,517.1

203.9

5,463.0

815.5

56.9

–

956.4

44.9

–

– 59.1

–

– 5.3

–

–

–

–	56.8

10,197.7

10,575.3

10,534.8

11,083.0

–

218.1

–	0.0	

5,511.8

203.9

5,463.0

228.7

5,752.7

216.3

5,905.4

–

–

–

815.5

56.9

–

956.4

44.9

–

815.6

58.7

–

956.4

46.7

–

453.0

439.6

17,317.4

17,739.9

– 16.6

–	81.0

–	15.6

–	72.4

436.4

424.0

440.5

419.2

17,236.4

17,667.5

17,831.0

18,627.0

456.0

1.1

457.1

374.5

0.7

375.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

456.0

1.1

457.1

374.5

0.7

375.2

456.0

1.1

457.1

374.5

0.7

375.2

mortgages	and	loans

17,774.5

18,115.1

–	81.0

–	72.4

17,693.5

18,042.7

18,288.1

19,002.2

The change in fair value of mortgages classified as affecting profit or loss and measured at fair value is, besides the 
change in volume, exclusively derived from the change in the interest curve on which the valuation is based.

ImPaIrments	on	mortgages	and	Loans

in CHF million

balance	on	1	January

Usage not affecting profit or loss

Unused provisions reversed through profit or loss

Increases and additional provisions recognised in profit or loss

Disposal from change in the scope of consolidation

Currency translation 

balance	on	31	december

2010

2011

–	100.3

7.7

28.2

– 24.6

–

8.0

–	81.0

8.0

11.4

–	12.0

–

1.2

–	81.0

–	72.4

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

167

14.	derIvatIve	fInanCIaL	Instruments

in CHF million

Derivative financial instruments for own account and at own risk

Derivative financial instruments for the account and at the risk of life insurance 
policyholders

357.8

178.5

281.8

52.3

derivative	financial	instruments	according	to	the	balance	sheet

536.3

334.1

29.9

–

29.9

175.3

–

175.3

fair	value	–	assets

fair	value	–	liabilities

2010

2011

2010

2011

in CHF million

Interest	rate	instruments

Forward transactions

Swaps

OTC options 

Other

Traded options

Traded futures

subtotal

equity	instruments

Forward transactions

OTC options 

Traded options

Traded futures

subtotal

foreign	currency	instruments

Forward transactions

Swaps

OTC options 

Traded options

Traded futures

subtotal

total

Of which: designated for fair value hedging

Of which: designated for cash flow hedging

Of which: designated for hedging  
a net investment in a foreign company

Contract	value

fair	value	–	assets

fair	value	–	liabilities

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

–

980.0

1,500.3

–

–

–

–

889.5

1,578.3

4.1

–

–

–

19.4

84.4

–

–

–

–

38.4

204.3

4.1

–

–

–

26.2

–

–

–

–

–

47.8

–

–

–

–

2,480.3

2,471.9

103.8

246.8

26.2

47.8

–

115.3

–

125.1

240.4

–

71.6

–

319.7

391.3

–

3.1

–

0.2

3.3

4,525.2

4,426.7

248.6

–

268.8

–

–

–

399.4

–

–

–

2.1

–

–

–

0.2

–

–

0.2

32.9

–

1.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7.5

7.5

3.7

118.9

–

–

–

–

–

1.1

–

–

4,794.0

4,826.1

250.7

34.8

3.7

120.0

7,514.7

979.7

–

7,689.3

–

–

1,037.2

1,093.8

357.8

19.0

–

47.9

281.8

–

–

1.3

29.9

25.1

–

0.7

175.3

–

–

50.7

168

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

The contract or face value is used for derivative financial instruments, which may involve an exchange of the prin-
cipal amount on maturity (options, futures and currency swaps) and instruments involving only the nominal lend-
ing or borrowing of the principal amount (interest rate swaps). Contract and face value are disclosed for the purpose 
of measuring the scope of transactions, in which the Baloise Group is involved.

15.	fInanCIaL	reCeIvabLes

in CHF million

receivables	and	other	
assets	carried	at	cost

Receivables from financial 
contracts

Other receivables

Receivables from 
investments

subtotal

receivables	and	other	
assets	recognised	at	fair	
value	through	profit	or	loss

Receivables from financial  
contracts

subtotal

gross	amount

Impairment

Carrying	value

fair	value

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

276.3

348.6

222.9

614.3

280.4

663.7

–

– 4.6

– 5.5

–

276.3

348.6

276.3

348.6

–	4.3

–	2.6

218.3

608.8

276.1

661.1

220.6

609.9

276.8

661.1

1,113.5

1,292.7

–	10.1

–	6.9

1,103.4

1,285.8

1,106.8

1,286.5

41.5

41.5

61.5

61.5

–

–

–

–

41.5

41.5

61.5

61.5

41.5

41.5

61.5

61.5

receivables

1,155.0

1,354.2

–	10.1

–	6.9

1,144.9

1,347.3

1,148.3

1,348.0

ImPaIrments	on	fInanCIaL	reCeIvabLes

in CHF million

balance	on	1	January

Usage not affecting profit or loss

Unused provisions reversed through profit or loss

Increases and additional provisions recognised in profit or loss

Disposal from change in the scope of consolidation

Currency translation

balance	on	31	december

2010

2011

–	11.1

–	10.1

1.3

2.7

– 4.8

1.0

0.8

–	10.1

2.0

4.9

–	3.8

–

0.1

–	6.9

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

169

16.	reInsuranCe	assets

in CHF million

technical	reserves	ceded	to	reinsurers	as	of	1	January

Change in unearned premium reserves

Benefits paid

Interest and change in liability

Additions / disposals from change in the scope of consolidation

Impairments

Exchange differences

technical	reserves	ceded	to	reinsurers	as	of	31	december

17.	 reCeIvabLes	from	reInsurers

in CHF million

reinsurance	deposits	as	of	1	January

Additions

Disposals

Additions / disposals from change in the scope of consolidation

Exchange differences

reinsurance	deposits	as	of	31	december

other	reinsurance	receivables	as	of	1	January

Additions

Disposals

Additions / disposals from change in the scope of consolidation

Exchange differences

other	reinsurance	receivables	as	of	31	december

Impairments	on	receivables	from	reinsurers	as	of	1	January

Usage not affecting profit or loss

Unused provisions reversed through profit or loss

Increases and additional provisions recognised in profit or loss

Disposal from change in the scope of consolidation

Currency translation

Impairments	on	receivables	from	reinsurers	as	of	31	december

2010

2011

306.4

1.5

– 69.7

46.3

3.3

–

– 39.7

248.1

248.1

–	3.1

–	58.0

55.9

142.8

–

–	8.2

377.5

2010

2011

4.9

4.1

– 1.0

–

– 0.9

7.1

18.7

0.6

– 2.6

–

– 0.3

16.4

–	0.6

0.2

0.0

– 0.2

–

0.0

–	0.6

7.1

1.4

–	3.3

0.3

–	0.2

5.3

16.4

6.1

–	10.3

–

–	0.2

12.0

–	0.6

0.0

0.2

–	0.0

–

–

–	0.4

receivables	from	reinsurers	as	of	31	december

22.9

16.9

170

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

18.	emPLoyee	benefIts

18.1	receivables	and	liabilities	from	employee	benefits

receivables	from		
employee	benefits	

Liabilities	from		
employee	benefits	

2010

2011

2010

2011

in CHF million

type	of	benefit

Short-term employee benefits 

3.4

1.4

Post-employment benefits – defined-contribution plans

Post-employment benefits – defined-benefit plans

Other long-term employee benefits

Employment contract termination benefits

total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3.4

1.4

104.6

–

535.3

24.3

28.3

692.5

115.5

–

550.4

24.8

29.3

720.0

18.2	retirement	benefits
Baloise provides a range of retirement benefits. These vary from country to country as circumstances dictate. 
 Liabilities that are (partially) financed by means of a bond are occupational pension schemes valid in Switzerland 
and liabilities from the newly acquired Avéro Schadeverzekering Benelux NV. Baloise works with a number of 
 different pension plans for employees of the insurance company and bank.

Retirement benefits include – besides annuities – special benefits provided by Baloise to retired personnel. In 
particular, these involve specific benefits available in Switzerland, such as preferred rates on mortgages. These 
qualify as defined-benefit liabilities under IAS 19.

18.2.1	Liabilities	from	defined-benefit	plans

in CHF million

Present value of present value of liabilities (partially) financed

– 2,050.9

–	2,069.9

2010

2011

Fair value of plan assets

net	liability

Present value of present value of liabilities not financed

Unrecognised technical gains or losses 

Unrecognised past service costs (plan changes) 

Effects from plan curtailments and settlements

Unrecognised assets due to limitation of IAS 19.58b

net	liabilities	from	defined-benefit	plans

1,996.6

–	54.3

– 576.6

278.5

–

–

– 182.9

–	535.3

1,947.1

–	122.8

–	578.0

339.7

–

–

–	189.3

–	550.4

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

171

18.2.2	Present	value	of	liabilities	partially	financed

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Current service cost

Interest expenses

Savings deposits and purchases by employees

Actuarial gains / losses from defined-benefit plan liabilities of the reporting period

Exchange differences

Benefits paid

Past service cost

Additions and disposals from changes in the scope of consolidation

Effects from plan curtailments

Effects from plan settlements

balance	as	of	31	december

18.2.3	Present	value	of	liabilities	not	financed

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Current service cost

Interest expenses

Employee contribution

Actuarial gains / losses from defined-benefit plan liabilities of the reporting period

Exchange differences

Benefits paid

Past service cost

Additions and disposals from changes in the scope of consolidation

Effects from plan curtailments

Effects from plan settlements

balance	as	of	31	december

2010

2011

–	2,008.8

–	2,050.9

– 68.8

– 60.3

– 22.7

– 64.4

–

139.5

–

–

34.6

–

–	70.7

–	51.9

–	32.0

31.5

0.3

121.1

–

–	17.3

–

–

–	2,050.9

–	2,069.9

2010

2011

–	653.8

–	576.6

– 13.1

– 29.4

–

– 17.8

96.1

30.3

– 0.1

0.6

7.0

3.6

–	12.1

–	25.3

–

7.3

15.4

26.2

–

–	18.7

–

5.8

–	576.6

–	578.0

172

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

18.2.4	fair	value	of	plan	assets

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Expected return on plan assets

Actuarial gains / losses on plan assets of the reporting period

Exchange differences

Employer contribution

Employee contribution

Benefits paid

Cash flow between Baloise Group and plan assets  
(excl. benefits paid to employees and employer contribution)

Additions and disposals from changes in the scope of consolidation

Effects from plan settlements

balance	as	of	31	december

18.2.5	net	actuarial	liabilities	from	defined-benefit	plans

2010

2011

1,955.4

1,996.6

63.2

– 23.4

–

65.9

47.0

– 139.5

28.0

–

–

60.4

–	103.7

–

48.8

55.5

–	121.1

–

10.6

–

1,996.6

1,947.1

in CHF million

Present value of present value of liabilities  
(partially) financed

Fair value of plan assets

Present value of present value of liabilities not financed

net	actuarial	liabilities	from	defined-benefit	plans

Experience adjustments on plan liabilities

Experience adjustments on plan assets

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

– 1,855.7

– 1,993.4

– 2,008.8

– 2,050.9

–	2,069.9

1,304.4

– 664.0

–	1,215.3

19.5

– 20.2

1,800.4

– 620.7

–	813.7

– 30.7

– 204.6

1,955.4

– 653.8

–	707.2

– 12.8

61.3

1,996.6

– 576.6

–	630.9

17.6

– 23.4

1,947.1

–	578.0

–	700.8

41.9

–	103.7

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

173

18.2.6	expenses	for	defined-benefit	plans

in CHF million

Current service cost

Interest expenses

Expected return on plan assets

Expected return on reimbursement rights

Repayment of actuarial gains / losses

Repayment of service costs to be taken into account retrospectively

Effects from plan curtailments / settlements

Change in assets unrecognised due to limitation of IAS 19.58b

Employee contribution

total	expenses	for	defined-benefit	plans

2010

2011

81.9

89.7

– 63.2

–

1.3

–

– 45.2

53.9

– 24.2

94.2

82.8

77.2

–	60.4

–

3.1

–

–	5.8

–	6.4

–	23.4

67.1

18.2.7	estimated	employer	contribution
The employer contribution for the following year can only be estimated with a limited degree of accuracy. This is 
mainly due to the amount being a function of wages / salaries paid. For the 2012 fiscal year, the Baloise Group 
 estimates the total employer contributions to be approximately CHF 50 million.

18.2.8	actual	returns	on	assets

in CHF million

Expected return on plan assets

Actuarial gains / losses on plan assets of the reporting period

actual	return	on	plan	assets

18.2.9	allocation	of	plan	assets

in CHF million

Equities and investment funds

Properties

Fixed-interest assets

Other

fair	value	of	plan	assets

Of which: Bâloise Holding shares (fair value) and convertible bonds (fair value)

Of which: properties rented to the Baloise Group

2010

2011

63.2

– 23.4

39.8

60.4

–	103.7

–	43.3

2010

2011

1,125.7

318.3

383.3

169.3

977.0

355.9

401.1

213.1

1,996.6

1,947.1

33.2

–

18.8

–

174

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

18.2.10	actuarial	assumptions

in percent

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

Expected wage and salary increases

Expected increase in pension benefits

2010

2011

2.9

3.0

1.6

0.4

2.8

2.5

1.7

0.4

Liabilities and expenses in connection with defined benefit plans are calculated based on technical and other 
 assumptions that are determined on a company-by-company and country-by-country basis. The assumed values 
above represent weighted averages.

The calculation of expected returns on plan assets of liabilities (partially) financed by a fund takes the asset 
 allocation and long-term market expectations into consideration. Details concerning the plan assets are considered 
separately. 

18.3	other	long-term	benefits
Benefits for active employees payable twelve months or more from fiscal year-end are accounted for separately in 
accordance with special rules. Accounting is performed similarly as with retirement liabilities, except that  technical 
gains and losses are immediately recognised. 

The principal benefit reflects service anniversary bonuses. Present value of liabilities was CHF 24.8 million as of 
31 December 2011 (previous year: CHF 24.3 million). There were no disposals of plan assets for long-term benefits. 
Benefits recognised in profit or loss totalled CHF 4.6 million (previous year: CHF 1.1 million).

18.4	share-based	compensation	plans
The Baloise Group has offered employees a range of share-based plans as part of their total compensation package 
for quite some time now. Employee participation, Share Subscription Scheme, Employee Share Ownership Plan, 
and performance quota are all “cash-settled” share-based compensation plans. Performance share units (PSU) 
constitute an “equity- settled” share-based compensation plan. In the fiscal year 2011, an amount of CHF 20.9 mil-
lion was charged to the income statement from the share-based compensation plans listed below (previous year: 
CHF 21.1 million).

18.4.1	employee	Participation	Plan
The Basler foundation for employee participation plans set up in 1989 offers employees from various Group  companies 
in Switzerland the option to buy Bâloise Holding shares at a preferential price, as a rule once a year, according to 
stipulations laid down in the regulations established by the foundation board. This promotes long-term employee 
commitment to the company, also as shareholders. The subscription price is determined by the foundation board 
at the beginning of the subscription period and published on the intranet. It is equivalent to half of the volume 
weighted average rate determined for the month of August in the subscription year and amounts to CHF 34.80 for 
the reporting period (2010: CHF 41.90). The subscribed shares are always transferred on 1 September and are  subject 
to a blocking period of three years. 

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements 

175

The stock of shares employed for this purpose was acquired by the foundation during earlier share capital in-
creases by Bâloise Holding. It regulates the stock of shares through additional purchases as required. The foundation 
will be able to continue this employee participation programme in the coming years due to existing stocks. 

The foundation is managed by a board that is predominantly independent of the Corporate Executive Commit-
tee. Peter Schwager (Chairman) and Dr Heinrich Koller (solicitor) function as independent members of the founda-
tion council; the third member is Andreas Burki (Deputy Head of Legal and Taxes Baloise). 

emPLoyee	PartICIPatIon	PLan

Number of subscribed shares

Restricted until

Subscription price per share in CHF

Value of subscribed shares in CHF million

Fair value of subscribed shares as of subscription date in CHF million

Entitled employees

Participating employees

Subscribed shares per participant (average)

2010

2011

170,842

172,385

31.8.2013

31.8.2014

41.90

7.2

14.3

3,189

1,876

91.1

34.80

6.0

12.1

3,150

1,897

90.8

18.4.2	share	subscription	scheme
Since January 2003, persons in all Group companies in Switzerland entitled to variable remuneration – and since 
2008 also the members of executive management of the foreign units – can subscribe shares at a preferential price 
as part of their short-term variable remuneration. The subscription date is always 1 March; on this day, ownership 
of the shares is transferred to the employee without further vesting conditions, however, they may not be sold dur-
ing a blocking period of three years. The subscription date was 1 June up until 2011. By bringing it forward to 
1 March, the subscription date is now in line with the pay out date for short-term variable remuneration pursuant 
to the new performance management system. 

The subscription price is specified by the Corporate Executive Committee each year and is published in advance 
on the intranet. It is based on the volume-weighted average price of a contemporary measuring period. An  accordingly 
calculated discount of 10 % is granted on the stock average. The shares required for the Share Subscription Scheme 
are acquired on the market.

sHare	subsCrIPtIon	sCHeme	(sss)

Number of subscribed shares

Restricted until 1

Subscription price per share in CHF

Value of subscribed shares in CHF million

Fair value of subscribed shares as of subscription date in CHF million

Entitled employees

Participating employees

SSS portion of variable remuneration

2010

37,914

2011

46,060

31.5.2013

31.5.2014

73.05

82.43

2.8

3.1

667

81

12 %

3.8

4.1

746

109

16	%

1   As of 2011, the blocking period for shares allocated to the Chairman of the Board of Directors is five instead of the customary three years.  

This means that these shares remain blocked until 31.5.2016.

176

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

18.4.3	employee	share	ownership	Plan
Since May 2001, the majority of senior staff in Switzerland can draw a proportion freely selectable within certain 
ranges, of their short-term variable remuneration in shares instead of in cash. Upper limits exist for the most senior 
staff levels; members of the Corporate Executive Committee, who are obliged to draw at least half of their short-term 
variable remuneration as shares, may not draw more than 50 % of their entitlement in shares as part of the Share 
Subscription Scheme. As in the Share Subscription Scheme, the subscription date is always 1 March; on this day, 
ownership of the shares is transferred to the employee without further vesting conditions, however, they may not 
be sold during a blocking period of three years. The subscription date was 1 June up until 2011. By bringing it forward 
to 1 March, the subscription date is now in line with the pay out date for short-term variable remuneration  pursuant 
to the new performance management system. 

The subscription price is determined by the Corporate Executive Committee each year and published in advance 
on the intranet. It is based on the volume-weighted average price of a contemporary measuring period. The  discounted 
dividend right is deducted from this stock average over the period of three years. The shares required for the Share 
Subscription Scheme are acquired on the market.

emPLoyee	sHare	oWnersHIP	PLan	(esoP)

Number of subscribed shares 1

Restricted until

Subscription price per share 2 in CHF

Value of subscribed shares 2 in CHF million

Fair value of subscribed shares as of subscription date in CHF million

Entitled employees 

Participating employees

ESOP portion of variable remuneration

1   Including shares financed by loans.
2   Net of the discounted dividend right over three years.

2010

2011

266,117

186,499

31.5.2013

31.5.2014

70.88

79.88

18.9

21.9

667

176

14 %

14.9

16.7

746

150

10	%

In order to increase the impact of this Employee Share Ownership Plan, each employee receives an interest-bearing 
loan on market terms, which allows the employee to draw more shares in relation to the variable  remuneration 
granted at fair value less the discounted dividend right over a three-year period. The repayment of the loan after the 
three-year blocking period is hedged using a put option, which is financed by the sale of a complementary call 
 option. After the three-year blocking period has expired, the shares remaining after the options have been exercised 
less the repayment of the loan and the interest accrued are placed at the employee’s disposal. 

18.4.4	Performance	quota
The performance quota was introduced in 2007 for employees at function levels 1 to 3 in Switzerland. In 2008, the 
group of participants was expanded to include members of the Corporate Executive Committee of foreign business 
units. As of 2011, the performance quota will be transferred to the performance pool of the new performance 
 management system so that it was applied for the last time in the 2010 fiscal year.

Once the fiscal year had ended, the Compensation Committee assessed the performance and the success of the 
management at its discretion. Based on this assessment, the Compensation Committee decided a total sum, which 

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

177

was to be made available as a performance quota. The performance quota could also be zero if a corresponding 
 assessment was made.

The individual amounts – as part of the total sum provided by the Compensation Committee – were specified 
by each line manager or other senior staff member for each employee in April and paid together with the June  salary. 
These sums depended on individual performance and the contribution to the company’s success made by the person 
and varied in their amount and as a proportion of total remuneration. Part of the amount awarded (for members 
of the Corporate Executive Board 50 %) had to be drawn in shares, for the remainder there was the choice of sub-
scribing for further shares or having this amount paid out in cash. The regulations of the Employee Share Ownership 
Plan were valid for the part drawn in shares. 

PerformanCe	quota

Participating employees 

Total paid out in CHF million

Number of subscribed shares

Subscription price per share in CHF

Value of subscribed shares in CHF million

Fair value of subscribed shares as of subscription date in CHF million

In cash in CHF million

2010

67

2.8

18,629

73.05

1.4

1.5

1.4

2011

70

3.0

17,856

82.43

1.5

1.6

1.5

18.4.5	Performance	share	units
At the beginning of a performance period, participating employees are awarded rights in the form of Performance 
Share Units (PSU), which entitle them to subscribe for a certain number of shares free of charge after the per formance 
period has expired. The Compensation Committee specifies the day of allocation and defines those at senior  function 
levels entitled to participate in the programme at its discretion. It defines the total number of PSU available  specifies 
individual allocation to the members of the Corporate Executive Committee. 

The number of shares that can be subscribed for after three years, i.e. at the end of the performance period, 
 depends on how Baloise shares have performed relative to a peer group. This comparative performance factor can 
hereby assume values between 0.5 and 1.5. The peer group includes the most important European insurance  companies 
in the STOXX Europe 600 Insurance Index. 

The composition of the index can be subject to changes. Due to company mergers, for example, companies can 
drop out of the index whilst others may be newly included in the index. The composition of the index at the point 
in time when the respective PSU are issued is decisive for determining the performance factor, adjusted by the 
companies that are no longer included in the index. Companies that have meanwhile been newly included in the 
index are not considered for plans that are already running.

178

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Companies	in	stoXX	600	europe	Insurance	Index	(as	of	31	december	2011)

Admiral Group plc

Aegon NV

Ageas

Allianz

Amlin plc

Bâloise Holding

Catlin Group

CNP Assurances

Delta Lloyd

Gjensidige Forsikring

Assicurazioni Generali

Hannover Rück

Aviva plc

Axa

Helvetia

ING Groep NV

Jardine Lloyd Thompson

Scor

Legal & General Group plc

Standard Life plc

Mapfre SA

Münchener Rück

Old Mutual plc

Prudential plc

RSA Insurance Group

Storebrand ASA

Swiss Life

Swiss Re

Topdanmark A / S

Vienna Insurance

Sampo OYJ

Zurich Financial Services

Source: http://www.stoxx.com/download/indices/factsheets/stx_supersectors_fs.pdf

In principle, a PSU grants the right to subscribe for a share. This is the case when the Baloise share performance 
corresponds to the mean of the peer group. The performance factor is 1.0 in this case. The programme participants 
receive more shares for their PSU if Baloise shares have performed better than the peer group. The factor reaches 
the maximum of 1.5, when Baloise shares have performed in the upper quartile of peer group company per formance. 
The factor is 0.5 if performance is in the lower quartile of peer group company performance. If Baloise share 
 performance is in both middle quartiles, the performance factor is calculated using a linear scale. The performance 
factor is defined for the entire period ending, based on stock exchange closing prices on the last trading day of the 
respective performance period.

The participant receives the corresponding number of shares at the end of the performance period (vesting),  
i.e. on 1 January 2014 for the PSU allocated in 2011. The PSU become void without compensation or substitution, 
should the employment contract be terminated (except in the case of retirement, invalidity or death) during the 
performance period. As of 2012, the Compensation Committee has the additional possibility of retroactively  reducing 
or completely withdrawing the number of PSU allocated to a participating individual or a group of people  participating 
in the plan should special grounds exist (so-called clawback rule). To emphasise the long-term character of the 
programme, 50 % of the allocated shares are subject to an additional three-year blocking period after the  performance 
period has expired.

The PSUs allocated in 2009 were converted into shares on 1 January 2012. The performance of the Baloise share 
attained 24 th place out of 34 companies in the comparative group (STOXX Europe 600 Insurance Index) when the 
performance period ended on 31 December 2011 and was thus in the third quartile. The performance factor  therefore 
amounted to 0.64 and 74,375 outstanding PSUs were converted into 47,599 shares (market price on 31 December 2011: 
CHF 64.40, fair value CHF 3.1 million). 

After the share performance achieved 13 th place out of 31 companies for the first PSU programme converted on 
1 January 2010, it made 12 th place out of 31 companies for the conversion on 1 January 2011 (previous year’s values: 
performance factor 1.24, 51,880 outstanding PSUs, converted into 64,335 shares, market price on 31.12.2010 CHF 91.00, 
fair value CHF 5.9 million). For the plan participants the value of a PSU converted into shares was 63 % lower in 
the reporting period than in the previous year.

The shares required to convert the PSUs were bought on the market.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

179

The valuation of the PSU on the issue date is based on a Monte Carlo simulation that calculates a cash value for 

the expected payout at the end of the vesting period. The following parameters make up this valuation:
 → an interest rate of 3 %, 
 → the volatilities of all shares in the peer group and their correlations to each other  

(measured against histo rical figures over three years), 

 → expectations on the return on dividend,
 → and experience values as to the termination behaviour of the eligible group.

PerformanCe	sHare	unIts	(Psu)

Entitled employees as of start of programme

Number of allocated PSU

Of which: expired without compensation (departures 2009)

Number of active PSU as of 31 December 2009

Of which: expired without compensation (departures 2010)

Number of active PSU as of 31 December 2010

Of which: expired without compensation (departures 2011)

Number of active PSU as of 31 December 2011

Value of allocated PSU as of issue date in CHF million

2009 PSU expense for the Baloise Group in CHF million

2010 PSU expense for the Baloise Group in CHF million

2011 PSU expense for the Baloise Group in CHF million

Plan	2009

Plan	2010

Plan	2011

66

71

73

81,127

83,441

81,739

–

81,127

– 2,603

78,524

– 6,752

71,772

6.3

1.8

2.0

2.0

–

–

– 1,226

82,215

– 7,962

74,253

7.4

–

2.1

2.4

–

–

–

–

–	6,937

74,802

6.9

–

–

2.4	

180

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

19.	 DeferreD	income	taxes

19.1	Deferred	income	taxes	

in CHF million

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

total	(net)

Of which: recognised as deferred tax assets

Of which: recognised as deferred tax liabilities

19.2	Deferred	tax	assets	and	liabilities

DeferreD	tax	assets

2010

in CHF million

Technical reserves

Financial assets

Insurance liabilities

Other investments

Insurance receivables

Unrealised losses charged to equity

Unused tax losses

Other 1

total	

2011

in CHF million

Technical reserves

Financial assets

Insurance liabilities

Other investments

Insurance receivables

Unrealised losses charged to equity

Unused tax losses

Other 1

total

2010

2011

776.1

1,154.4

– 1,397.6

–	1,786.6

–	621.5

20.2

– 641.7

–	632.2

22.2

–	654.4

carrying		
value	as		
of	1.1.

change	
recognised	in	
income	
statement

change		
recognised		
in	equity

carrying		
value	as		
of	31.12.

404.8

21.3

251.9

35.0

8.5

7.4

35.5

153.0

917.4

– 62.2

– 14.9

– 42.1

0.5

– 1.2

–

– 8.1

– 17.4

–	145.4

–

–

–

–

–

4.1

–

–

4.1

342.6

6.4

209.8

35.5

7.3

11.5

27.4

135.6

776.1

carrying		
value	as		
of	1.1.

change	
recognised	in	
income	
statement

change		
recognised		
in	equity

carrying		
value	as		
of	31.12.

342.6

6.4

209.8

35.5

7.3

11.5

27.4

135.6

776.1

70.4

3.0

202.4

1.9

2.2

–

20.7

74.1

374.7

–

–

–

–

–

3.6

–

–

3.6

413.0

9.4

412.2

37.4

9.5

15.1

48.1

209.7

1,154.4

1   The item “Other” includes mainly deferred taxes on liabilities from the banking business and financial contracts as well as liabilities from employee benefits.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

181

DeferreD	tax	liabilities

2010

in CHF million

Deferred acquisition costs

Technical reserves

Unrealised gains and losses charged to equity

Investment properties

Depreciable assets

Other intangible assets

Financial assets

Other investments

Insurance receivables

Other 1

total	

2011

in CHF million

Deferred acquisition costs

Technical reserves

Unrealised gains and losses charged to equity

Investment properties

Depreciable assets

Other intangible assets

Financial assets

Other investments

Insurance receivables

Other 1

total	

carrying		
value	as		
of	1.1.

change	
recognised	in	
income	
statement

change		
recognised		
in	equity

carrying		
value	as		
of	31.12.

322.9

582.5

75.0

249.6

40.7

17.7

68.3

45.6

31.8

149.7

1,583.8

– 42.1

– 98.6

–

– 0.9

– 7.2

– 2.9

1.3

– 15.1

– 8.1

13.8

–

–

– 26.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	159.8

–	26.4

280.8

483.9

48.6

248.7

33.5

14.8

69.6

30.5

23.7

163.5

1,397.6

carrying		
value	as		
of	1.1.

change	
recognised	in	
income	
statement

change		
recognised		
in	equity

carrying		
value	as		
of	31.12.

280.8

483.9

48.6

248.7

33.5

14.8

69.6

30.5

23.7

163.5

1,397.6

– 16.7

366.6

–

– 1.7

– 1.0

6.9

– 11.4

31.0

– 16.7

16.2

373.2

–

–

15.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

15.8

264.1

850.5

64.4

247.0

32.5

21.7

58.2

61.5

7.0

179.7

1,786.6

1   The item “Other” includes mainly deferred taxes on participations and financial provisions.

The Baloise Group reports deferred tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
offset, if applicable prerequisites are fulfilled. As a rule, these are fulfilled when tax authority, tax entity and tax 
type are identical.

As of 31 December 2011, the Baloise Group has capitalised tax-offsetable losses carried forward amounting to 
CHF 194.4 million (previous year: CHF 118.1 million). Of this total, CHF 0.9 million lapse after two to four years 
and CHF 193.5 million lapse after five or more years.

As of 31 December 2011, tax assets were not capitalised on losses carried forward amounting to CHF 396.0 mil-
lion (previous year: CHF 341.4 million). Of this total, CHF 45.8 million lapse after one year, a further CHF 40.3 mil-
lion after two to four years, and CHF 309.9 million after five or more years.

182

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

20.	other	assets
Precious metals measured at fair value from the asset-backed life insurance business amounting to CHF 83.0 million 
(previous year: CHF 90.5 million) are contained in “Other assets.” The insurance policyholder bears the price risk 
of these holdings.

21.	non-current	assets	helD	for	sale	anD	DiscontinueD	business	segments	
No non-current assets or discontinued business segments were carried in fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

22.	share	capital

balance	as	of	1	January	2010

Purchase / sale of treasury shares

Capital increases

Share buy-back and share cancellation

balance	as	of	31	December	2010

balance	as	of	1	January	2011	

Purchase / sale of treasury shares

Capital increases

Share buy-back and share cancellation

balance	as	of	31	December	2011

number	of	
treasury	shares

number	of	
shares	in	
circulation

number	of		
shares	issued

share	capital	
(in	chf	million)

2,282,790

47,717,210

50,000,000

517,449

– 517,449

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,800,239

47,199,761

50,000,000

5.0

–

–

–

5.0

number	of	
treasury	shares

number	of	
shares	in	
circulation

number	of		
shares	issued

share	capital	
(in	chf	million)

2,800,239

47,199,761

50,000,000

447,034

– 447,034

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,247,273

46,752,727

50,000,000

5.0

–

–

–

5.0

Bâloise Holding registered shares are fully paid-in, with a face value of CHF 0.10 (previous year CHF 0.10). Natural 
persons and legal entities may hold a maximum 2 % of voting rights per the shareholder register. The Baloise Group 
purchases and sells its treasury shares as part of normal investment activities and in connection with share-based 
compensation plans for employees.

The share capital of Bâloise Holding amounts to CHF 5.0 million divided into 50,000,000 fully paid-in, registered 

shares with a face value of CHF 0.10.

At the Annual General Meeting on 29 April 2011, the payment of a gross dividend of CHF 4.50 per share was 
decided for the fiscal year 2010. This equates to a total dividend of CHF 225.0 million. After considering Bâloise’s 
own holdings at the time of the distribution CHF 211.3 million were effectively paid out.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

183

During the reporting period 178,474 shares of Bâloise Holding were bought back for CHF 17.1 million in the 
course of the share buy-back programme that started in September 2008 and ended on 28 April 2011. Thus a total 
of 1,776,435 shares amounting to a total value of CHF 141.0 million were repurchased during the course of this 
programme.

23.	technical	reserves	(gross)

in CHF million

Unearned premium reserves (gross)

Claims reserves (gross)

Provisions for surplus and profit sharing (gross)

technical	reserves	nonlife

Actuarial reserves (gross)

Policyholders’ dividends credited and provisions for future policyholders’ dividends (gross)

technical	reserves	life

technical	reserves	(gross)

23.1	technical	reserves	nonlife

2010

2011

485.3

4,853.5

55.6

605.0

5,475.2

55.0

5,394.4

6,135.2

34,937.3

36,304.8

3,114.0

3,121.9

38,051.3

39,426.7

43,445.7

45,561.9

gross

reinsurance	
assets

gross

reinsurance	
assets

net

2010

net

2011

in CHF million

unearned	premium	reserves

Claims reserve

Reserve for claims handling expenses

485.3	

4,398.3 

455.2 

–	0.8	

484.5	

–

–

–

–

605.0	

4,916.7 

558.5 

–	7.9	

597.1	

–

–

–

–

claims	reserve

4,853.5	

–	228.0	

4,625.5	

5,475.2	

–	335.7	

5,139.5	

provisions	for	surplus	and	profit	sharing

55.6	

–	0.0	

55.6	

55.0	

–	0.0	

55.0	

total	technical	reserves	nonlife

5,394.4	

–	228.8	

5,165.6	

6,135.2	

–	343.6	

5,791.6	

184

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

23.1.1	technical	reserves	by	maturities

in CHF million

unearned	premium	reserves

Up to 1 year

More than 1 year

No determinable residual term

total	unearned	premium	reserves

claims	reserves

Up to 1 year

More than 1 year

No determinable residual term

total	claims	reserves

gross

reinsurance	
assets

459.4 

5.5 

20.4 

485.3	

– 0.8 

0.0 

–

–	0.8	

net

2010

458.6 

5.5 

20.4 

484.5	

gross

reinsurance	
assets

575.1 

6.1 

23.8 

605.0	

– 8.0 

0.1 

–

–	7.9	

net

2011

567.1	

6.2	

23.8	

597.1	

654.7 

3,203.9 

994.9 

4,853.5	

– 30.8 

– 82.8 

– 114.4 

–	228.0	

623.9 

3,121.1 

880.5 

4,625.5	

776.3 

3,683.4 

1,015.5 

5,475.2	

– 32.3 

– 87.9 

– 215.5 

–	335.7	

744.0	

3,595.5	

800.0	

5,139.5	

All maturity information represents best estimates. The item “No determinable residual term” includes in parti cular 
aging and pension provisions.

23.1.2	unearned	premium	reserves

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Premiums offset

Less: premiums earned during  
reporting period

Additions from the acquisition of  
insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance  
portfolios or companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

gross

reinsurance	
assets

gross

reinsurance	
assets

net

2010

540.9	

1.4	

542.3	

485.3	

–	0.8	

3,044.9 

– 152.8 

2,892.1 

3,143.5 

– 155.7 

net

2011

484.5	

2,987.8	

– 3,039.4 

151.3 

– 2,888.1 

– 3,147.1 

158.8 

–	2,988.3	

7.4 

– 1.0 

6.4 

137.9 

– 10.4 

127.5	

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 68.5 

485.3	

0.3 

–	0.8	

– 68.2 

484.5	

– 14.6 

605.0	

0.2 

–	7.9	

–	14.4	

597.1	

In addition to unearned premium reserves, this item also includes aging provisions from the health insurance 
 business and deferred unearned premiums, as well as reserves for impending losses potentially necessary in  connection 
with LAT.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

185

23.1.3	provisions	for	surplus	and	profit	sharing

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Less: expenditures in the reporting 
period

Unused provisions increased or reversed 
through profit or loss

Additions from the acquisition  
of insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance  
portfolios or companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

gross

reinsurance	
assets

55.9	

– 16.9 

–	0.0	

0.2 

net

2010

55.9	

– 16.7 

gross

reinsurance	
assets

55.6	

– 17.9 

–	0.0	

0.4 

net

2011

55.6	

–	17.5	

17.5 

– 0.2 

17.3 

17.4 

– 0.4 

17.0	

–

–

– 0.9 

55.6	

–

–

–

–	0.0	

–

–

– 0.9 

55.6	

–

–

– 0.1 

55.0	

–

–

–

–	0.0	

–

–

–	0.1	

55.0	

186

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

23.1.4	claims	reserve	including	claims	handling	expenses

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January	(gross)	

Reinsurers’ share

balance	as	of	1	January	(net)	

claims	incurred	including	claims	handling	expenses

For the reporting period

For previous years

total

payments	for	claims	and	claims	handling	expenses

For the reporting period

For previous years

total

other	changes

Additions / disposals from changes in the scope of consolidation

Exchange differences

total

balance	as	of	31	December	(net)

Reinsurers’ share

balance	as	of	31	December	(gross)

2010

2011

5,198.6	

– 284.8 

4,913.8	

4,853.5	

–	228.0	

4,625.5	

1,948.5 

– 115.2 

1,833.3	

2,038.6	

–	119.9	

1,918.7	

– 894.1 

– 859.9 

–	936.6	

–	860.7	

–	1,754.0	

–	1,797.3	

9.9 

– 377.5 

–	367.6	

459.2	

–	66.6	

392.6	

4,625.5	

5,139.5	

228.0 

335.7	

4,853.5	

5,475.2	

Special attention is given to cases of environmental pollution involving depots, waste, asbestos or any other  materials 
harmful to human beings and the environment.

At the end of 2011, total reserves came to CHF 103.7 million (previous year: CHF 121.7 million). This decrease 
is due to new actuarial reviews, payment of claims, commutations and, since these reserves are, to a large extent, 
created for liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, currency effects.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

187

23.2	technical	reserves	–	life

in CHF million

Actuarial reserves from non-unit-linked life insurance contracts 1

Actuarial reserves from unit-linked life insurance contracts

Reserves for final policyholders’ dividends

Unearned revenue reserve

structure	of	actuarial	reserves	–	life

Policyholders’ dividends credited and provisions for future policyholders’ dividends

total	technical	reserves	–	life	

1   The actuarial reserve also includes unearned premiums and claims reserves.

2010

2011

32,102.9 

33,661.1	

2,114.7 

2,009.9	

416.8 

302.9 

356.9	

276.9	

34,937.3	

36,304.8	

3,114.0 

3,121.9	

38,051.3	

39,426.7	

188

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

23.2.1	maturity	structure	for	technical	reserves

in CHF million

actuarial	reserves	from	non-unit-linked	life	insurance	contracts

Up to 1 year

1 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

More than 10 years

No determinable residual term

Business from Swiss occupational pension plans 1

2010

2011

1,040.4 

3,738.9 

4,043.1 

7,195.8 

7,807.8 

8,276.9 

1,106.3	

3,970.1	

4,148.5	

7,602.3	

7,968.0	

8,865.9	

total	actuarial	reserve	from	non-unit-linked	life	insurance	contracts

32,102.9	

33,661.1	

actuarial	reserve	from	unit-linked	life	insurance	contracts

Up to 1 year

1 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

More than 10 years

No determinable residual term

total	actuarial	reserves	from	unit-linked	life	insurance	contracts

policyholders’	dividends	credited

Up to 1 year

1 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

More than 10 years

No determinable residual term

total	policyholders’	dividends	credited

provisions	for	future	policyholders’	dividends

Up to 1 year

No determinable residual term

total	provisions	for	future	policyholders’	dividends

102.6 

246.3 

278.3 

408.5 

1,079.0 

2,114.7	

119.8 

426.8 

425.0 

674.6 

295.5 

75.8	

220.8	

296.2	

380.9	

1,036.2	

2,009.9	

112.2	

407.8	

407.9	

619.6	

288.7	

1,941.7	

1,836.2	

172.4 

999.9 

1,172.3	

160.8	

1,124.9	

1,285.7	

1   The Swiss pension business is disclosed separately due to its special features. It comprises group contracts which may be cancelled  

annually by both parties, while the coverage period of the individuals enrolled is significantly longer.

All maturity data is based on residual term until contract expiry. The item “No determinable residual term” includes 
in particular deferred and current retirement pensions.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

189

23.2.2	actuarial	reserves	for	non-unit-linked	life	insurance	contracts

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Change in actuarial reserves

Additions from the acquisition of insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance portfolios or companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

2010

2011

33,251.0	

32,102.9	

785.3 

–

–

541.4	

1,346.5	

–

– 1,933.4 

–	329.7	

32,102.9	

33,661.1	

The actuarial reserve also includes unearned premiums and claims reserves.
The actuarial reserves as of 31 December 2011, for DPF business is CHF 33,440.9 million (previous year: CHF 32,025.5 million); 
for non-DPF business CHF 220.2 million (previous year: CHF 77.4 million).
The actuarial reserve as of 31 December 2011, for indirect business (active reinsurance) totals CHF 4.0 million (previous year: CHF 3.4 million).

23.2.3	actuarial	reserves	for	unit-linked	life	insurance	contracts

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Additions

Disposals

Fees

Interest and change in liabilities 

Additions from the acquisition of insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance portfolios or companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

2010

2011

2,054.5	

325.8 

– 180.7 

– 17.6 

221.4 

–

–

– 288.7 

2,114.7	

2,114.7	

318.4	

–	203.4	

–	15.0	

–	157.9	

1.8	

–

–	48.7	

2,009.9	

190

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

23.2.4	reserves	for	final	policyholders’	dividends

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Adjustment from unrealised gains and losses as of 1 January (shadow accounting)

Interest and change in liability

Final policyholders’ dividends paid

Additions from the acquisition of insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance portfolios or companies

Adjustment from unrealised gains and losses as of 31 December (shadow accounting)

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

2010

2011

484.3	

2.0 

19.2 

– 29.6 

–

–

3.2 

– 62.3 

416.8	

416.8	

–	3.2	

–	25.0	

–	29.0	

–

–

6.4	

–	9.1	

356.9	

Final policyholders’ dividends, which are only paid upon contract expiry, are financed and accrued over the term of the policy in proportion to the profits  
attributable to the contract.

23.2.5	unearned	revenue	reserve

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Reserved during the reporting period

Change in balance

Change due to unrealised gains and losses on investments (shadow accounting)

Additions from the acquisition of insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance portfolios or companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

2010

2011

328.9	

33.4 

– 5.5 

– 0.0 

–

–

– 53.9 

302.9	

302.9	

27.7	

–	45.1	

–	0.1	

–

–

–	8.5	

276.9	

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

191

23.2.6	policyholders’	dividends	credited	and	provisions	for	future	policyholders’	dividends

in CHF million

policyholders’	dividends	credited	as	of	1	January

Dividends credited to policyholders during the reporting period

Policyholders’ dividends paid

Additions from purchase of policy portfolios or insurance companies

Disposals from sale of policy portfolios or insurance companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

provisions	for	future	policyholders’	dividends	as	of	1	January

Adjustment from unrealised gains and losses as of 1 January

Additions

Withdrawals

Change in valuation differences between IFRS and national accounting standards  
recognised in profit or loss

2010

2011

2,249.0	

196.3 

– 237.1 

–

–

– 266.5 

1,941.7	

1,181.1	

– 153.1 

185.9 

– 251.3 

177.5 

1,941.7	

144.8	

–	209.1	

–

–

–	41.2	

1,836.2	

1,172.3	

–	145.4	

163.8	

–	187.4	

66.1	

Adjustment from unrealised gains and losses as of 31 December (shadow accounting)

145.4 

234.8	

Additions from the acquisition of insurance portfolios or companies

Disposals from the sale of insurance portfolios or companies

Exchange differences

balance	as	of	31	December

policyholders’	dividends	credited	and	provisions		
for	future	policyholders’	dividends	as	of	31	December

–

–

– 113.2 

1,172.3	

0.0	

–

–	18.5	

1,285.7	

3,114.0	

3,121.9	

192

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

24.	liabilities	from	banking	business	anD	financial	contracts

carrying	value

fair	value

2010

2011

2010

2011

–

–

164.7

200.0

5.6

79.8

–

4,758.9

436.1

1,058.7

111.0

103.9

74.3

in CHF million

With	discretionary	participation	features	(Dpf)

Financial contracts with discretionary participation features (DPF) 1

subtotal

measured	at	amortised	cost

Liabilities to banks

Repurchase agreements

Liabilities from time deposits

Loans

Mortgages

505.8

505.8

1,147.5

1,147.5

175.4

–

7.6

47.5

–

163.8

200.0

5.6

89.8

–

–

–

176.7

–

7.7

47.5

–

Savings and customer deposits

4,569.2

4,728.8

4,512.6

Medium-term bonds

Mortgage-backed bonds

Operating bonds

Liability for future financial lease payments (present value)

Other financial contracts

subtotal

recognised	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	–	designated

Other financial contracts

subtotal

433.6

935.2

99.1

112.8

32.1

418.4

997.3

99.3

103.9

74.3

476.0

983.0

109.2

112.8

32.1

6,412.5

6,881.2

6,457.6

6,993.0

5,945.0

5,945.0

5,969.4

5,969.4

5,945.0

5,945.0

5,969.4

5,969.4

total	liabilities	from	the	banking	business	and	financial	contracts

12,863.3

13,998.1

–

–

1   There are currently no internationally accepted mathematical procedures for financial contracts with discretionary participation features (DPF)  

to determine fair value.

Savings and customer deposits primarily concern savings, business and deposit accounts of Swiss banking  customers. 
Mortgage-backed bonds shown here were all issued by the Mortgage Bond Bank of Swiss Mortgage Institutions 
without exception.

Other financial contracts – classified as “Recognised at fair value through profit or loss” – primarily concern 
liabilities in connection with investment-type life insurance contracts with no or with only a low risk transfer, which 
are part of the life insurance business. The change in this liability compared to the previous year is attributable 
exclusively to asset inflows and outflows and their market-related currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

193

terms	of	outstanDing	operating	bonD

issuer

Type of bond

Face value in CHF million

Interest rate

Early repayment date

Repayment

Conversion right

Issued

Repayment

ISIN

25.	reconciliation	betWeen	the	gross	investment		

in	financial	leases	anD	the	present	value	of	minimum	lease	payments

in CHF million

Contractual period < 1 year

Contractual period 1 to 5 years

Contractual period > 5 years

total	minimum	lease	payments

Future borrowing costs

total	liability	for	future	lease	payments	(present	value)

Including: financial leasing of property for own use in accordance with section 8 of the Financial Report.

baloise	bank	soba

Senior bond

100

3.000 %

–

100 %

no

2007

12.6.2015

CH0030870445

2010

2011

0.1

30.3

96.3

126.7

– 13.9

112.8

0.0

29.9

83.9

113.8

–	9.9

103.9

194

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

26.	financial	liabilities

finance	bonDs

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January

Issue price of newly issued bonds 

Embedded derivative

additions	(subtotal)

Disposals	/	repayments

Interest expenses

Nominal interest rate

interest	costs	(subtotal)

balance	as	of	31	December

2010

2011

1,408.6

295.1

–

295.1

–	350.0

52.8

– 47.1

5.7

1,359.4

247.5

–

247.5

–

55.0

–	49.3

5.7

1,359.4

1,612.6

As of the balance sheet date, the fair value of financial liabilities amounts to CHF 1,688.9 million (previous year: 
CHF 1,456.2 million). 

terms	of	outstanDing	finance	bonDs

issuer

bâloise	holding

bâloise	holding

bâloise	holding

bâloise	holding

bâloise	holding

bâloise	holding

Type of finance bond

Senior bond

Senior bond

Senior bond

Face value in CHF million

Interest rate

Early repayment date

Repayment

Issued

Repayment

ISIN

150

3.250 %

–

100 %

2007

550

4.250 %

–

100 %

2009

150

3.500 %

–

100 %

2007

Convertible  
bond

242.5

1.500 %

 on or after 
8.12.2014 

100 %

2009

Senior bond

Senior bond

300

2.875 %

–

100 %

2010

250

3.000 %

–

100 %

2011

19.06.2012

29.04.2013

19.12.2014

17.11.2016

14.10.2020

07.07.2021

CH0035539326 CH0039139271

CH0035539334

CH0107130822

CH0117683794

CH0131804616

On 1 March 2012, the Bâloise Holding Ltd issued a new bond over CHF 175 million (2.25 %, 2012 – 2019, ISIN 
CH0148295014) at an issue price of 100.713 %.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

195

27.	 financial	provisions

in CHF million

balance	as	of	1	January	2011

Addition from change in the scope of consolidation

Disposal from change in the scope of consolidation

Increases and additional provisions recognised in profit or loss

Unused provisions reversed through profit or loss

Usage not affecting profit or loss

Unwinding of discount

Exchange differences 

balance	as	of	31	December	2011

other

total

0.0

–

–

12.3

–

–

–

– 0.2

12.1

79.9

0.7

–

19.6

– 12.5

– 15.7

–

– 1.0

71.0

79.9

0.7

–

31.9

–	12.5

–	15.7

–

–	1.2

83.1

Also included in the balance for other financial provisions are the usual amounts for legal counsel fees and process 
risks. The formation of reserves for restructuring recognised in the income statement pertains mainly to the  merging 
of the Germany units.

28.	insurance	liabilities

in CHF million

Liabilities to policyholders

Liabilities to brokers and agents

Liabilities to insurance companies

Other insurance liabilities

total	insurance	liabilities

2010

2011

1,055.2

1,080.8

92.5

376.0

12.6

109.4

560.8

26.4

1,536.3

1,777.4

196

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Notes to the  
consolidated income statement

29.	Premiums	earned	and	Policy	fees

in CHF million

Gross premiums written and policy fees

3,044.9

3,814.9

6,859.8

3,143.5

3,659.8

nonlife

life

Total

2010

nonlife

life

Change in unearned premium reserves

Premiums	earned	and	policy	fees	(gross)

Reinsurance premiums ceded

Reinsurers’ share of change in  
unearned premium reserves

Total	premiums	earned	and		
policy	fees	(net)

– 5.5

3,039.4

– 152.8

1.5

0.0

3,814.9

– 16.9

–

– 5.5

6,854.3

– 169.7

1.5

3.6

3,147.1

– 155.7

– 3.1

0.0

3,659.8

– 17.5

–

2,888.1

3,798.0

6,686.1

2,988.3

3,642.3

6,630.6

Total

2011

6,803.3

3.6

6,806.9

–	173.2

–	3.1

30.	invesTmenT	income	for	own	accounT	and	aT	own	risk

in CHF million

Investment properties

Financial assets of an equity nature

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets of a debt nature

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Mortgages and loans

Carried at cost

Recognised at fair value through profit or loss

Cash and cash equivalents

2010

2011

242.5

244.8

72.3

0.0

220.1

657.3

5.9

591.9

16.2

5.0

81.7

0.0

235.2

627.9

5.0

552.3

13.9

5.7

Total	investment	income	for	own	account	and	at	own	risk

1,811.2

1,766.5

Revenue from investment properties primarily represents lease income. Income from financial assets of an equity 
nature is primarily dividend income; financial assets of a debt nature are mainly interest income and net income 
from write-ups and depreciation as a result of applying the Effective Interest Method. Revenue from “Mortgages 
and loans” and “Cash and cash equivalents” stems primarily from the interest return. 

As of the balance sheet date, interest revenue of CHF 8.1 million was recognised on impaired investments  (previous 

year: CHF 6.3 million).

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

197

31.	realiseD	gains	anD	losses	on	investments

realiseD	gains	anD	losses	on	investments	as	recogniseD	in	the	income	statement

in CHF million

Realised gains and losses on investments for own account and at own risk

Realised gains and losses on investments for the account and at the risk of life insurance policyholders

realised	gains	and	losses	on	investments	as	recognised	in	the	income	statement

2010

2011

187.4

314.2

501.6

–	346.3

–	597.1

–	943.4

198

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

31.1	realised	gains	and	losses	on	investments	2010	for	own	account	and	at	own	risk

investment	
properties

financial	assets		
of	an		
equity	nature

financial	assets		
of	a		
debt	nature

mortgages		
and	loans	1

Derivative		
financial		
instruments

in CHF million

realised	gains	on	sales	and	book	profits

Investment properties

Held to maturity 2

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss

Carried at cost

subtotal

96.6

–

–

–

–

96.6

realised	losses	on	sales	and	book	losses

Investment properties

– 97.9

Held to maturity 2

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss

Carried at cost

subtotal

impairment	loss	recognised		
in	profit	or	loss

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Carried at cost

reversals	of	an	impairment	loss		
recognised	in	profit	or	loss

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Carried at cost

subtotal

total	realised	gains	and	losses		
on	investments

–

–

252.8

6.9

–

259.7

–

–

– 69.0

– 2.0

–

3.5

220.4

6.3

–

230.2

–

– 294.2

– 311.3

– 4.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	97.9

–	71.0

–	610.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.3

601.6

14.9

15.2

–

14.9

601.6

1,203.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 0.2

– 134.3

– 7.5

–	7.7

–

–	134.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 98.2

–

–

–

–

–

– 2.6

–

–

2.5

–

–	98.2

–	0.1

–

–

– 24.6

–

–

28.2

3.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	1.3

90.5

–	380.2

11.1

467.3

187.4

total

96.6

3.5

473.2

615.1

–	97.9

–	294.2

–	380.3

–	141.3

–	7.5

–	921.2

–

–	100.8

–	24.6

–

2.5

28.2

–	94.7

1   In respect of disposal and book losses / profits realised on mortgages and loans recognised at fair value, a fair value hedging gain of  

CHF 0.3 million was applied.

2   In case of financial assets of a debt nature held to maturity, currency effects are stated under realised book profits and / or realised book losses.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

199

31.2	realised	gains	and	losses	on	investments	2011	for	own	account	and	at	own	risk

investment	
properties

financial	assets		
of	an		
equity	nature

financial	assets		
of	a		
debt	nature

mortgages		
and	loans

Derivative		
financial		
instruments

in CHF million

realised	gains	on	sales	and	book	profits

Investment properties

104.2

Held to maturity 1

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss

Carried at cost

subtotal

–

–

–

–

104.2

realised	losses	on	sales	and	book	losses

Investment properties

– 100.8

Held to maturity 1

Available for sale

Recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss

Carried at cost

subtotal

impairment	loss	recognised		
in	profit	or	loss

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Carried at cost

reversals	of	an	impairment	loss		
recognised	in	profit	or	loss

Held to maturity

Available for sale

Carried at cost

subtotal

total	realised	gains	and	losses		
on	investments

–

–

163.2

2.1

–

165.3

–

–

– 76.6

– 4.9

–

5.3

101.7

6.3

–

113.3

–

– 55.4

– 97.2

– 5.8

–

–

–

–

–

10.9

1.8

12.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

489.8

–

489.8

–

–

–

– 1.9

– 528.6

– 13.9

–	15.8

–

–	528.6

–

– 7.6

– 207.7

– 132.6

–

–

–

– 12.0

–

2.0

–

–

–

11.4

–	0.6

–	207.7

–	138.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–	100.8

–	81.5

–	158.4

total

104.2

5.3

264.9

509.1

1.8

885.3

–	100.8

–	55.4

–	173.8

–	541.2

–	13.9

–	885.1

–	7.6

–	340.3

–	12.0

–

2.0

11.4

–	346.5

3.4

–	123.9

–	183.3

–	3.7

–	38.8

–	346.3

1   In case of financial assets of a debt nature held to maturity, currency effects are stated under realised book profits and / or realised book losses.

200

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

31.3	impairment	loss	on	financial	assets	recognised	in	profit	or	loss

in CHF million

impairment	loss	on	financial	assets	of	an	equity	nature	recognised	in	profit	or	loss

Shares

Share-based funds

Mixed funds

Bond funds

Property funds

Private equity

Hedge funds

subtotal

impairment	loss	on	financial	assets	of	a	debt	nature	recognised	in	profit	or	loss

Public corporations

Industrial enterprises

Financial institutions

Other

subtotal

impairment	loss	on	mortgages	and	loans	recognised	in	profit	or	loss

Mortgages

Policy loans

Promissory notes and registered bonds

Time deposits

Reverse repurchase agreements

Other loans

subtotal

2010

2011

– 67.0 

–	172.8	

– 1.4 

– 4.9 

– 1.9 

– 8.3 

– 5.5 

– 9.2 

–	6.7	

–	5.1	

–	0.2	

–	11.1	

–	5.1	

–	6.7	

–	98.2	

–	207.7	

–

–

– 2.6 

–

–	2.6	

–	129.7	

–

–	10.5	

–

–	140.2	

– 23.4 

–	11.6	

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 1.2 

–	24.6	

–	0.4	

–	12.0	

total	impairment	loss	on	financial	assets	recognised	in	profit	or	loss

–	125.4	

–	359.9	

 
Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

201

In the 2011 reporting period a gross impairment loss of CHF 129.7 million was performed on the portfolio of Greek 
government bonds. The impairment loss amounts to CHF 78.3 million after deducting the legal quota, policy-
holders’ dividends and taxes. This affects mainly the business units in Switzerland and Belgium. 

In the case of the Greek government bonds, the Baloise Group assessed the market situation to be such that no 
reliable quoted market prices existed and therefore the fair value of Greek government bonds would have to be 
determined using an evaluation model (so-called mark-to-model-approach). One of the reasons the Baloise Group 
sees for the inactivity of the market for Greek government bonds is the significant decline in trade volume as well 
as the exceptionally broad bid-ask spread of these securities. The Baloise Group’s model approach is underpinned 
by the second proposal by the International Institute of Finance (IIF) to restructure the Greek government bonds 
held by private investors. This proposal was supported by the majority of financial institutions.

According to the accounting standard applied and using the observable data contained in the annual statements 
of the Baloise Group, the balanced fair values thus determined lead to a reclassification of Greek government bonds 
from the hierarchy level 1 to hierarchy level 2 (See section 5.7 for more details on the assessment of the fair value).

Besides the situation in Greece, the Baloise Group continues to observe the development in Europe carefully, 

since it cannot be ruled out that further countries may become dependent on an EU finance stability package.

202

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

The following table shows the Baloise Group’s exposure to bonds of selected European countries:

greece	1

Of which available for sale

Of which held to maturity

ireland

Of which available for sale

Of which held to maturity

italy

Of which available for sale

Of which held to maturity

portugal

Of which available for sale

Of which held to maturity

spain

Of which available for sale

Of which held to maturity

total	exposure

Of which available for sale

Of which held to maturity

carrying	value	
31.12.2010

fair	value	
31.12.2010

carrying	value	
31.12.2011

fair	value	
31.12.2011

134.6

124.4

10.2

154.9

115.2

39.7

336.1

281.3

54.8

161.3

81.9

79.4

276.4

148.5

127.9

132.0

124.4

7.6

152.4

115.2

37.2

335.2

281.3

53.9

151.7

81.9

69.8

263.4

148.5

114.9

1,063.3

1,034.7

751.3

312.0

751.3

283.4

	38.5	

	36.3	

	2.2	

	165.1	

	127.0	

	38.1	

	335.1	

	282.3	

	52.8	

	123.1	

	52.1	

	71.0	

	207.1	

	83.1	

	124.0	

	868.9	

	580.8	

	288.1	

	38.5	

	36.3	

	2.2	

	163.1	

	127.0	

	36.1	

	329.8	

	282.3	

	47.5	

	93.6	

	52.1	

	41.5	

	196.5	

	83.1	

	113.4	

	821.5	

	580.8	

	240.7	

1   The value of Greek government bonds as of 31.12.2011 was determined using an evaluation model.

By the time these Consolidated Annual Financial Statements were approved, the Baloise Group had sold its complete 
Greek government bond exposure. There was again sufficient liquidity on the market to dissolve this exposure after 
the swap offer was published on 24 February. The Baloise Group will desist from participating in the debt  re-scheduling 
plan because the offer was – in our own estimation – too unattractive measured against the economic risks involved 
to be committed here for the next 30 years.

A one-off effect on earnings of CHF 2.4 million for the 2012 fiscal year resulted from the sale. After deducting 

the legal quota, the policyholders’ dividends and taxes the burden is still CHF 1.4 million.

Furthermore, the Baloise Group has reduced its Portuguese government bond exposure completely in view of 
the considerable deterioration of Portugal’s obligor creditworthiness. This also includes the early sale of financial 
assets classified as “held to maturity”.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

203

31.4	currency	income
A foreign currency loss of CHF 98.2 million exists (previous year: loss of CHF 620.7 million) excluding foreign 
currency losses from transactions with financial interments recognised at fair value through profit or loss. 

Equity for the fiscal year contains a currency loss (gross) not recognised in profit or loss amounting to CHF 43.4 mil-
lion (previous year: loss of CHF 360.5 million). A net loss of CHF 59.5 million (previous year: net loss of CHF 280.7 mil-
lion) results from hedging a net investment in a foreign entity regarding cash flow hedge.

32.	income	from	services	renDereD

in CHF million

Asset management

Services

Banking services

Investment management

income	from	services	rendered

33.	other	operating	income

in CHF million

Interest income on insurance and reinsurance receivables

Other interest income

Gains from the sale of

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Currency gains

Other income

other	operating	income

2010

2011

28.7

196.7

47.4

10.6

283.4

29.6

73.0

45.9

10.1

158.6

2010

2011

16.9

3.6

0.3

0.4

34.7

146.8

202.7

14.2

3.2

0.8

8.1

26.8

87.0

140.1

204

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

34.	classification	of	expenses

in CHF million

Personnel expenses (excluding claims handling expenses)

Marketing and advertising

Impairments and depreciation

On property, plant and equipment

On intangible assets

IT and other technical equipment

Expenses for software development 

Expenses for rent, upkeep and repairs

Currency losses 

Expenses for operating leases

Commission and distribution expenses

Fees and commission for financial assets and liabilities not recognised at fair value 

Fees and commission expenses for assets managed for third parties

Other

total

2010

2011

– 783.1

– 62.7

– 48.8

– 41.9

– 104.2

– 0.4

– 57.9

– 33.1

– 3.3

–	755.4

–	61.9

–	46.2

–	101.8

–	97.1

–	1.1

–	55.0

–	13.6

–	3.4

– 339.0

–	273.5

– 23.6

– 4.1

–	25.5

–	3.3

– 535.6

–	555.2

–	2,037.7

–	1,993.0

35.	personnel	expenses
Personnel expenses totalled CHF 907.3 million for the reporting period (previous year: CHF 949.0 million).

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

205

36.	result	from	financial	contracts

in CHF million

With	discretionary	participation	features	(Dpf)

Financial contracts with discretionary participation features (DPF)

subtotal

measured	at	amortised	cost

Interest on loans

Interest due

Interest from banking business

Interest expenses on repurchase agreements

Acquisition costs – banking business

Interest expenses on operating bonds

Expenses from financial contracts

subtotal

recognised	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	–	designated

Change in fair value of operating bonds

Change in fair value of other financial contracts

subtotal

2010

2011

– 19.2

–	19.2

–	27.2

–	27.2

– 0.8

– 25.1

– 54.4

–

– 7.1

– 3.2

– 18.8

–	109.4

–

– 91.2

–	91.2

–	0.6

–	19.6

–	48.7

–	0.0	

–	6.8

–	3.2

–	16.1

–	95.0

–

446.2

446.2

total	result	from	financial	contracts

–	219.8

324.0

Of which: net income from interest rate hedging instruments

Interest rate swaps: cash flow hedges, balance carried forward from cash flow hedge reserve

Interest rate swaps: fair value hedges

total	income	from	interest	rate	hedging	instruments

–

– 0.6

–	0.6

–

–

–

206

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

37.	 income	taxes

37.1	current	and	deferred	income	taxes

in CHF million

Current income taxes

Deferred income taxes

total	current	and	deferred	income	taxes

2010

2011

– 117.6

– 0.1

–	117.7

–	40.2

12.6

–	27.6

37.2	expected	and	actual	income	taxes
The projected average tax rate for the Baloise Group was 28.2 % for 2010 and 38.9 % for 2011. These rates represent 
the weighted average of tax rates in the countries where the Baloise Group operates. 

in CHF million

Profit before tax

Expected average tax rate in percent

expected	income	taxes

increase	/	reduction	due	to:

Tax-exempt profits and losses

Non-deductible expenses

Withholding taxes on dividends

Change in the tax rates

Tax items related to other reporting periods 

Non-taxable permanent valuation differences

Other impacts 1

actual	income	taxes

2010

2011

554.4

28.2 %

–	156.3

47.1

– 8.0

– 2.1

– 0.5

2.7

30.8

– 31.4

–	117.7

88.9

38.9	%

–	34.6

–	9.5

–	21.5

–	1.7

0.1

10.1

18.3

11.2

–	27.6

1   The item “Other impacts” includes mainly the offsetting of profits with losses carried forward for which no deferred tax assets were created, a waiver of  
capitalising losses from the fiscal year and the capitalisation of losses carried forward from previous years. Furthermore, the variances between the  
Baloise Group’s tax rate and the tax rates applied per company are included. These increased further in 2010 due to the unbundling process in Germany.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

207

38.	earnings	per	share

Profit for the period (attributable to shareholders) in CHF million

Average number of outstanding shares 

basic	earnings	per	share	in CHF

profit	for	the	period	(attributable	to	shareholders)	in CHF million

Adjustment of interest expenses on convertible bonds (including tax effects) in CHF million

adjusted	profit	for	the	period	(attributable	to	shareholders)	in CHF million

Average number of outstanding shares 

Adjustment due to theoretic conversion of convertible bonds

Adjustment due to theoretic exercising of share-based payment programmes

Adjustment due to theoretic exercising of put options

average	number	of	outstanding	shares	

Diluted	earnings	per	share	in CHF

2010

433.4

2011

60.8

47,394,282

46,900,473

9.14

1.30

2010

433.4

7.3

440.7

2011

60.8

–

60.8

47,394,282

46,900,473

2,000,000

159,294

12,362

–

84,964

–

49,565,938

46,985,437

8.89

1.29

The diluted result in 2010 is due to the share-based compensation programme “Performance Share Units” (PSU) 
and the “short put” options issued as part of the Employee Share Ownership Plan (both described in section 18.4) 
as well as the Bâloise Holding convertible bond.

The diluted result in 2011 is merely due to the share-based compensation programme “Performance Share Units” 
(PSUs). The conditions resulting in a dilution do not exist in 2011 neither for the “short-put” options issued as part 
of the Employee Share Ownership Plan nor for the conversion bond.

208

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

39.	other	comprehensive	income

39.1	other	comprehensive	income

in CHF million

available	for	sale	financial	assets:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) included in profit or loss

total	available	for	sale	financial	assets	

unrealised	gains	and	losses	from	associates:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

total	unrealised	gains	and	losses	from	associates

reserve	on	derivative	financial	instruments	held	for	cash	flow	hedging:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) included in retained earnings

total	reserve	on	derivative	financial	instruments	held	for	cash	flow	hedging

reserve	on	derivative	financial	instruments	held	for	hedging	a	net	investment	in	a	foreign	entity:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) included in retained earnings

total	reserve	on	derivative	financial	instruments	held	for	hedging	a	net	investment	in	a	foreign	entity

reserves	from	reclassification	of	held	to	maturity	financial	instruments:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) included in retained earnings

total	reserves	from	reclassification	of	held	to	maturity	financial	assets

reserves	from	reclassification	of	investment	properties:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) included in retained earnings

total	reserves	from	reclassification	of	investment	properties

exchange	differences:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

total	exchange	differences

shadow	accounting:

Gains and losses arising during the fiscal year

total	shadow	accounting

Income tax on other comprehensive income

total	other	comprehensive	income

2010

2011

157.3

– 299.7

–	142.4

11.0

11.0

–

–

–

78.9

– 10.5

68.4

– 2.4

– 6.8

–	9.2

0.6

–

0.6

–	68.5

199.9

131.4

–	17.4

–	17.4

–

–

–

–	16.1

–

–	16.1

0.4

–	5.9

–	5.5

–

–

–

– 373.0

–	373.0

–	43.4

–	43.4

– 5.9

–	5.9

–	100.8

–	100.8

30.7

–	11.9

–	419.8

–	63.7

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

209

39.2	income	tax	on	other	comprehensive	income

amount	
before	taxes

tax	expenses	/		
tax	income

amount	net		
of	taxes

amount		
before	taxes

tax	expenses	/		
tax	income

amount	net		
of	taxes

in CHF million

Available for sale financial assets 

Unrealised gains and losses  
from associates

Reserve on derivative financial  
instruments held for cash flow hedging 

Reserve on derivative financial  
instruments held for hedging a net  
investment in a foreign entity

Reserves from reclassification of held  
to maturity financial assets 

Reserves from reclassification  
of investment properties

Exchange differences

Shadow accounting

total	

– 142.4

11.0

–

43.1

– 2.5

–

2010

– 99.3

8.5

131.4

–	17.4

–	38.9

4.6

–

–

68.4

– 13.8

54.6

–	16.1

– 9.2

1.3

– 7.9

–	5.5

0.6

– 0.1

0.5

0.0

– 373.0

– 5.9

–	450.5

–

2.7

30.7

– 373.0

– 3.2

–	419.8

–	43.4

–	100.8

–	51.8

2011

92.5

–	12.8

–

–	12.8

–	3.9

0.0

–	43.4

–	83.3

–	63.7

–

3.3

1.6

0.0

–

17.5

–	11.9

210

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

Other disclosures

40.	acquisition	anD	Disposal	of	companies

in CHF million

Investments

Other assets

Receivables and assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Technical liabilities

Other liabilities

Minority interests 

net	assets	acquired	/	disposed	of

funds	used	/	received	for	acquisitions	and	disposals

Cash and cash equivalents

Offsetting

Transfer of assets

Directly attributable costs

Equity instruments issued

Reclassification of investments in associates 

acqusition	/	disposal	price

Net assets acquired / disposed of

goodwill	/	badwill	or	income	from	disposals

Cash and cash equivalents used and received for acquisition or disposal

Cash and cash equivalents acquired or disposed of

outflow	/	inflow	of	cash	and	cash	equivalents

cumulative		
acquisitions

cumulative		
disposals

2010

2011

2010

2011

31.5

2,573.2

3.5

5.7

3.1

– 18.6

– 8.1

–

17.1

134.9

375.6

265.6

–	2,177.2

–	792.4

	–	

379.7

47.0

26.6

80.1

42.0

– 57.4

– 35.9

– 54.4

48.0

3.2

0.0

0.1

3.0

–	2.7

–	1.1

	–	

2.5

30.4

383.0

1.3

1.2

–

–

–

–

–

30.4

– 17.1

13.3

– 30.4

3.1

–	27.3

–

–

–

–

6.2

389.2

–	379.7

9.5

–	383.0

265.6

–	117.4

–

–

–

–

79.7

81.0

– 48.0

33.0

1.3

– 42.0

–	40.7

–

–

–

–

–

1.2

–	2.5

–	1.3

1.2

–	3.0

–	1.8

Cumulative disposals for the 2010 fiscal year contain mainly the deconsolidation effects from the OVB group, which 
are described in section 6.1.3. 

 The cumulative acquisitions effected during the 2011 fiscal year described in section 6.2.1. include the Belgian 
Nateus SA / NV and Nateus Life SA / NV, the Belgian Pacific Real Estate NV and Van Vaeck Zenith NV, as well as 
the German real estate agents and brokers Wilhelm Herrmann Assekuranz and Wilhelm Herrmann Assekuranz 
Makler GmbH. The sales of the Belgian An Re NV, Antwerp, and the Croatian Treci element d.o.o. are contained 
in the cumulative disposals for the 2011 fiscal year.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

211

41.	relateD	part y	transactions
As part of its ordinary operating activities, the Baloise Group conducts transactions with associates, members of 
the Bâloise Holding Board of Directors and Corporate Executive Committee. 

Due to the impact of the demerging contract dated 8 June 2010 (for details see section 6.1.3), the Deutscher Ring 
Krankenversicherungsverein a.G., Hamburg, has no longer been regarded as a related company in the sense of  
IAS 24 since 30 June 2010. However, the OVB group has been regarded as a related company since 1 July 2010.

associates

executive	management

other	related	parties

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

relateD	part y	transactions

in CHF million

included	in	the		
income	statement

Premiums earned and  
policy fees

Investment income /  
expenses

Other income

Expenses

Impairment losses  
on bad debts

total	income	statement

included		
in	the	balance	sheet

Mortgages and loans

Insurance receivables

Other receivables

Impairments for bad debts

Other liabilities

total	balance	sheet

off-balance-sheet	
transactions

Guarantees granted

–

0.0

0.5

0.0

– 0.8

–	0.3

–

–

0.1

– 0.8

– 1.4

–	2.1

–

0.1

0.5

0.0

–

0.6

–

–

0.1

–	0.7

–	1.4

–	2.0

0.1

0.0

0.3

– 15.8

–

0.5

0.1

0.2

–	13.2

–

–	15.4

–	12.4

12.9

10.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12.9

10.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.0

–

–

0.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

total

2011

0.5

0.2

0.7

–	13.2

–

0.1

0.0

0.8

– 15.8

– 0.8

–	15.7

–	11.8

12.9

–

0.1

– 0.8

– 1.4

10.8

10.0

–

0.1

–	0.7

–	1.4

8.0

–

–

Compensation paid to Board of Directors and Corporate Executive Committee members (executive management) 
totalled CHF 13.2 million in the reporting period (previous year: CHF 15.8 million). Of this amount, share-based 
compensation plans account for CHF 3.3 million (previous year: CHF 5.4 million).

During the reporting period, no Bâloise Holding shares (previous year: no shares) were  repurchased from  Corporate 

Executive Committee members for the Employee Share Ownership Plan (section 18.4.3).

212

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

As a retired member of the Corporate Executive Committee, a former member of the Board of Directors received 
periodic benefits until his departure (pension payments pursuant to the regulations) from the pension fund of 
Baloise Insurance Ltd.

In the 2010 fiscal year, the Baloise Group sold an investment property to a member of the Corporate Executive 

Committee for the fair value of CHF 3.2 million.

42.	remuneration	to	the	boarD	of	Directors	anD	corporate	executive	committee
Disclosures of facts in accordance with 663b bis and 663c of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR) are contained in the 
Compensation Report. Pages 68 to 76 in the chapter on Corporate Governance are an integral component of the 
Financial Report. The facts are mainly as follows:
 → remuneration to members of the Board of Directors 
 → remuneration to members of the Corporate Executive Committee
 → loans and advances granted to members of the Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Committee
 → shares and options held by members of the Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Committee

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

213

43.	contingent	anD	future	liabilities

43.1	contingent	liabilities

43.1.1	legal	disputes
The companies of the Baloise Group and its subsidiaries are regularly involved in legal disputes, claims and lawsuits, 
which in most cases constitute a normal part of operating activities as an insurance company. 

The Corporate Executive Committee is not aware of any new circumstances having arisen since the last  balance 

sheet date that could have a material impact on the consolidated Annual Financial Statement 2011.

43.1.2	guarantees	and	payment	guarantees	for	the	benefit	of	third	parties
The Baloise Group has provided guarantees and incurred obligations with third parties. These include contractual 
obligations to contribute, pay in capital or equity or provide funds to cover principal and interest payments or 
guarantees during operations. The Baloise Group is unaware of any default circumstances effecting such guarantees.

in CHF million

Guarantees

Payment guarantees 

total	guarantees	and	payment	guarantees	for	the	benefit	of	third	parties

Of which: for the benefit of partners in joint ventures

Of which: from joint ventures

Of which: for the benefit of joint ventures

rating	of	payment	guarantees	anD	guarantees	

2010

in CHF million

Guarantees

Payment guarantees

rating	of	payment	guarantees	anD	guarantees	

2011

in CHF million

Guarantees

Payment guarantees

aaa

–

–

aaa

–

–

aa

–

–

aa

2.0

–

a

46.7

7.4

a

36.8

–

2010

2011

66.0

411.5

477.5

–

–

–

lower	than	bbb		
or	no	rating

bbb

–

–

19.3

404.1

lower	than	bbb		
or	no	rating

bbb

0.6

–

34.0

413.1

73.4

413.1

486.5

–

–

–

total

66.0

411.5

total

73.4

413.1

214

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

43.1.3	pledged	or	ceded	assets,	securities	lending	assets	and	collateral	held

carrying	values	of	assets	pleDgeD	or	ceDeD	as	collateral

in CHF million

Financial assets as part of repurchase agreements

Financial assets as part of securities lending

Investments

Pledged intangible assets

Pledged property, plant and equipment

Other

total

fair	value	of	the	collateral	helD

in CHF million

Financial assets as part of reverse repurchase agreements

Financial assets as part of securities lending

Other

total

Of which: sold or repledged

– with obligation to return

– without obligation to return

2010

2011

–

–

198.1	

–

1,564.3 

1,616.3	

–

–

–

–

–

48.5	

1,564.3	

1,862.9	

2010

2011

54.7

60.4

–

–

–

–

54.7

60.4

–

–

–

–

The Baloise Group engages in securities lending transactions that can be subject to credit risk. To hedge these 
credit risks, securities that cover the base value of the securities borrowed – so called collateral – are claimed. In 
order to minimise credit risks, an evaluation of the borrowing party’s pledge value is performed regularly.  Additional 
collateral is immediately demanded in the event of a shortfall in the reserve value.

The Baloise Group retains control of loaned securities for the duration of the transaction. Income from securities 

lending is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

215

43.2	future	liabilities

43.2.1	capital	commitments

in CHF million

commitments	for	future	acquisition	of:

Investment properties

Financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

total	commitments

Of which: in connection with joint ventures

Of which: own share of the capital commitments of the joint ventures

rating	of	capital	commitments	

2010

in CHF million

Capital commitments

rating	of	capital	commitments	

2011

in CHF million

Capital commitments

aaa

123.3

aaa

312.9

aa

–

aa

0.6

2010

2011

30.9

591.7

–

3.0

625.6

–

–

12.0

614.3

–

18.6

644.9

–

–

a

lower	than	bbb		
or	no	rating

bbb

total

244.0

18.5

239.8

625.6

a

lower	than	bbb		
or	no	rating

bbb

total

75.8

21.4

234.2

644.9

Commitments made for future acquisition of investments also include private equity commitments that are  non-financed 
commitments for direct investment in private equity or investment in private equity funds. 

216

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

44.	operating	leases

44.1	baloise	group	as	lessee
The Baloise Group has entered into non-cancellable lease agreements as lessee for the use of buildings, vehicles and 
operational facilities. The average outstanding lease term is three to five years.

Due	Date	of	leasing	payments

in CHF million

Due within one year

Due from one to five years

Due after five years

total

Minimum lease payments

Contingent lease payments

leasing	expenses	

Income from subleasing in the past fiscal year

Future income from subleasing

Contingent lease payments result from lease agreements tied to an index. 

2010

2011

– 2.7

– 3.1

0.0

–	5.8

– 3.3

–

–	3.3

–

–

–	3.2

–	5.4

–	0.8

–	9.4

–	3.4

–

–	3.4

–

–

44.2	baloise	group	as	lessor	
The Baloise Group has entered into operating lease agreements as lessor of investment properties to third parties. 
The average outstanding non-cancellable residual lease term is four to six years. No other such lease agreements 
were in place on the balance sheet date.

Due	Date	of	contractually	agreeD	leasing	income

in CHF million

Due within one year

Due from one to five years

Due after five years

total

Minimum lease payments

Contingent lease payments

leasing	income

2010

2011

44.8

90.4

24.5

159.7

48.1

–

48.1

40.2

88.8

21.1

150.1

40.2

0.1

40.3

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

217

45.	claim	payments	receiveD	from	non-group	insurers
Baloise Group companies received claim payments totalling CHF 0.1 million in the 2011 fiscal year (previous year: 
CHF 0.2 million) from non-Group insurers in connection with insurance contracts held by Baloise Group com panies 
as policyholders. Most of these claims payments were for building damage in Switzerland, where buildings are 
under mandatory coverage by state insurers depending on their location.

46.	events	after	the	balance	sheet	Date
Information on the bond issued on 1 March 2012 is contained in the section “Financial liabilities.” Information on 
reducing European government bonds where the creditworthiness of the economy is under threat can be found in 
chapter 31.3. 

Baloise Insurance Ltd, Basel, signed a default guarantee dated 24 January 2012 that is unlimited regarding the 
amount. It pertains to business concluded by Mercator Verzekeringen NV, Antwerp, and brokered through the 
“International Network of Insurance” (INI).

To our knowledge, no events have occurred up to the completion of the consolidated Annual Financial Statement 

dated 14 March 2012, which would have a material impact on the Annual Financial Statement overall.

218

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

47.	 significant	subsiDiaries,	Joint	ventures	anD	associates	as	of	31	December	2011

primary		
activity

business	
segment	1

group	
share	
in	percent	2

Direct	
share	
in	percent	2

method	of	
consoli-	
dation	3

currency

share	
capital		
in	million

total	
assets		
in	million

gross		
premiums	/		
policy	fees		
in	million

switzerland

Bâloise Holding Ltd, Basel

Baloise Insurance Ltd, Basel

Baloise Life Ltd, Basel

Baloise Bank SoBa AG, Solothurn

Haakon AG, Basel

Baloise Asset Management Schweiz AG, Basel

Baloise Asset Management International AG, Basel

germany

Basler Versicherung 
Beteiligungen B.V. & Co KG, Hamburg

Deutscher Ring 
Lebensversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft, Hamburg

Deutscher Ring 
Sachversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft, Hamburg

Basler Securitas 
Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft, Bad Homburg

Avetas Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft,  
Bad Homburg

Deutscher Ring Bausparkasse  
Aktiengesellschaft, Hamburg

Deutscher Ring 
Beteiligungsholding GmbH, Hamburg

DePfa Beteiligungs-Holding II GmbH, Düsseldorf

Deutscher Ring 
Financial Services GmbH, Hamburg

GROCON  
Erste Grundstücksgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg

GROCON  
Grundstücks- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH,  
Hamburg

OVB Holding AG, Cologne

Roland Rechtsschutz 
Beteiligungs GmbH, Cologne

Roland Rechtsschutz Versicherungs AG, Cologne

ZEUS Vermittlungsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg

Holding

Nonlife

Life

Banking

Other

Investment  

manage-

ment

Investment  

consulting

O

NL

L

B

O

B

Holding

Holding

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.75

74.75

100.00

100.00

B

100.00

100.00

Holding

Life

O

L

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Nonlife

NL

100.00

100.00

Nonlife

NL

100.00

100.00

Nonlife

NL

100.00

100.00

Banking

Holding

Other

Other

Other

Other

Other

Other

Other

Other

B

O

–

O

O

O

–

O

–

O

65.00

65.00

100.00

100.00

26.00

26.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

32.57

60.00

32.57

60.00

15.01

25.02

100.00

100.00

1   L: Life, NL: Nonlife, B: Banking, O: Other activities / corporate business.
2   Shares in percent are rounded down.
3   F: Full consolidation, E: Equity measurement.

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

E

F

F

F

F

F

E

F

–

–

–

–

–

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

5.0

2,395.5

–

75.0

4,972.5

1,307.7

50.0 26,911.1

2,724.1

50.0

6,699.1

0.2

1.5

22.4

27.8

CHF

1.5

18.8

EUR

94.7

379.5

EUR

22.0

8,481.8

446.8

EUR

50.0

381.4

122.1

EUR

15.1

992.2

483.9

EUR

0.1

11.1

0.4

EUR

12.8

505.4

EUR

12.8

194.8

EUR

EUR

–

0.1

–

3.0

EUR

0.7

14.0

EUR

1.5

1.3

EUR

EUR

EUR

EUR

–

0.1

–

0.5

–

21.4

–

14.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

219

primary		
activity

business	
segment	1

group	
share	
in	percent	2

Direct	
share	
in	percent	2

method	of	
consoli-	
dation	3

currency

share	
capital		
in	million

total	
assets		
in	million

gross		
premiums	/		
policy	fees		
in	million

belgium

Mercator Verzekeringen NV, Antwerp

Nateus NV, Antwerp

Nateus Life NV, Antwerp

Audi NV, Antwerp

Amazon Insurance NV, Antwerp

Euromex NV, Antwerp

Merno-Immo NV, Ghent

luxembourg

Bâloise (Luxembourg) Holding S.A.,  
Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Bâloise Assurances Luxembourg S.A., 
Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Bâloise Vie Luxembourg S.A., 
Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Baloise Fund Invest Advico, Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Bâloise Delta Holding S. à. r. l.,  
Bertrange (Luxembourg)

austria	/	croatia	/	serbia

Basler Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft 
in Österreich, Vienna

Basler osiguranje Zagreb d.d., Zagreb

Neživotno osiguranje “Basler” a.d.o., Belgrade

Životno osiguranje “Basler” a.d.o., Belgrade

other	territories

Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG, Balzers

Baloise Insurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd., 
Hamilton (Bermuda)

Life and 

nonlife

Nonlife

Life

Nonlife

Nonlife

Nonlife

Other

L / NL

100.00

100.00

NL

L

NL

NL

NL

O

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Holding

O

100.00

100.00

Nonlife

NL

100.00

100.00

Life

Other

Holding

Life and 

nonlife

Life and 

nonlife

Nonlife

Life

Life

Reinsur-

ance

L

B

O

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

L / NL

100.00

100.00

L / NL

100.00

100.00

NL

L

L

NL

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Baloise Alternative Investment Strategies Limited,  
St. Helier (Jersey / Channel Islands)

Investment  

manage-

L / NL

100.00

100.00

Baloise Finance (Jersey) Ltd., 
St. Helier (Jersey / Channel Islands)

Baloise Private Equity Limited, 
St. Helier (Jersey / Channel Islands)

ment

Other

O

100.00

100.00

Investment  

L / NL

100.00

100.00

manage-

ment

1   L: Life, NL: Nonlife, B: Banking, O: Other activities / corporate business.
2   Shares in percent are rounded down.
3   F: Full consolidation, E: At equity measurement.

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

EUR

199.1

3,892.5

588.5

EUR

EUR

EUR

EUR

EUR

EUR

27.8

621.4

61.7

1,928.0

6.5

3.7

2.5

17.1

37.3

23.4

77.5

18.1

CHF

249.9

975.9

50.2

20.5

3.7

19.2

32.5

–

–

EUR

9.8

143.3

59.4

EUR

32.7

3,179.8

40.1

EUR

EUR

0.1

6.0

224.3

274.8

–

–

EUR

5.1

423.6

110.6

HRK

45.0

2,418.4

410.7

RSD

RSD

675.1

300.1

777.1

449.6

149.7

42.8

CHF

CHF

15.0

2,561.5

8.7

5.0

958.0

188.2

USD

0.0

846.5

CHF

1.3

232.0

USD

0.0

470.5

–

–

–

220

Financial Report 
Report of the statutory auditor

Report of the statutory auditor  
to the General Meeting of  
Bâloise Holding Ltd, Basel

report	of	the	statutory	auDitor	on	the	consoliDateD	financial	statements
As statutory auditor, we have audited the consolidated financial statements of Bâloise Holding Ltd, which comprise 
the consolidated balance sheet, consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, 
consolidated cash flow statement, consolidated statement of changes in equity and notes to the consolidated  financial 
statements (pages 68 to 76 and 82 to 219), for the year ended 31 December 2011.

board	of	Directors’	responsibility
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial state-
ments in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the requirements of Swiss 
law. This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining an internal control system relevant to 
the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error. The Board of Directors is further responsible for selecting and applying appropriate 
accounting policies and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

auditor’s	responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We con-
ducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards as well as the International Standards 
on Auditing. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether 
the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 
consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the  assessment 
of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In 
making those risk assessments, the auditor considers the internal control system relevant to the entity’s preparation 
and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appro-
priate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s 
internal control system. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of the accounting  policies used and 
the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated 
financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and  appropriate to provide a 
basis for our audit opinion.

opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 give a true and fair view 
of the financial position, the results of operations and the cash flows in accordance with the International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.

Financial Report 
Report of the statutory auditor

221

report	on	other	legal	requirements
We confirm that we meet the legal requirements on licensing according to the Auditor Oversight Act (AOA) and 
independence (article 728 CO and article 11 AOA) and that there are no circumstances incompatible with our 
 independence. 

In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an 
internal control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of consolidated financial statements 
according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

We recommend that the consolidated financial statements submitted to you be approved.

pricewaterhousecoopers	ltd

Martin Frei 
Audit expert 
Auditor in charge

Enrico Strozzi
Audit expert

Basel, 15 March 2012

4  Baloise
14  Review of business year
34  Sustainable business management
44  Corporate Governance
82  Financial Report 
224  Bâloise Holding Ltd
238  Notes

Bâloise Holding Ltd

Income statement Bâloise Holding  ����������������������������������������������  224
Balance sheet Bâloise Holding  �������������������������������������������������������  225
Notes Bâloise Holding  �����������������������������������������������������������������������  226
Appropriation of retained earnings  
as proposed by the Board of Directors  ���������������������������������������  233
Report of the statutory auditor to the  
General Meeting of Bâloise Holding Ltd, Basel  ���������������������  234

G
N

I

D
L
O
H
E
S

I

O
L
Â
B

 
224

Financial Report 
Income statement Bâloise Holding

Income statement Bâloise Holding

in CHF million

Income from participating interests

Interest and securities income

Other income

Total income

Administrative expenses

Interest expenses

Depreciation

Other expenses

Total expenses

Tax expenses

Profit for the period

Note

2010

2011

324.5

11.9

8.8

345.2

– 51.4

– 47.1

– 0.0

– 13.1

2

3

4

5

6

7

292.6

12.3

21.3

326.2

– 36.3

– 49.3

– 32.7

– 13.6

– 111.6

– 131.9

– 0.2

– 0.2

233.4

194.1

Financial Report 
Balance sheet Bâloise Holding

225

Balance sheet Bâloise Holding

in CHF million

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Treasury shares

Receivables from Group companies 

Receivables from third parties 

Accruals 

Current assets 

Participations

Loans to Group companies 

Other financial assets 

Non-current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities

Share capital 

Statutory reserve

General reserve 

Reserve for treasury shares

Other reserves

Retained earnings 

Equity 

Liabilities to Group companies 

Liabilities to third parties

Bonds

Provisions 

Accruals

Liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities

Note

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

99.6

149.4

70.9

3.9

25.4

349.2

37.8

138.5

9.2

6.6

47.0

239.1

1,732.0

2,025.9

58.8

0.2

57.9

0.2

1,791.0

2,084.0

2,140.2

2,323.1

5.0

5.0

11.7

156.4

264.9

234.2

672.2

19.9

0.0

11.7

182.3

247.4

194.9

641.3

0.1

0.6

8

10

9

12

11

1,392.5

1,642.5

15.4

40.2

6.0

32.6

1,468.0

1,681.8

2,140.2

2,323.1

226

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

Notes Bâloise Holding

1. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The  annual  accounts  of  Bâloise  Holding  are  produced  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the  Swiss  Stock  
Corporation Law�

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks as well as cash equivalents such as call and time deposits or 
money market instruments, if these have an original maturity of less than 90 days�

Treasury shares
Treasury shares are measured at cost or at the lower fair value�

Receivables
Receivables are stated at face value net of necessary impairments�

Accruals
Accruals considers both expenses paid in advance for the new fiscal year, as well as revenue from the current fiscal 
year that will only be received at a later date� Included under the same heading are dividends decided on the balance 
sheet date by the Annual General Meeting of the subsidiaries� Bâloise Holding reports these as dividend claims�

Participations
Participations are recognised at cost net of requisite depreciation�

Loans to Group companies
Loans are valued at face value, factoring in requisite depreciation� Individual value adjustments are conducted  
according to the prudence principle for all identifiable risks�

Other financial assets
Marketable securities are recognised either at their acquisition cost or at fair value, with the lower of the two being 
applied�

Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised at face value�

Bonds
Bonds are recognised at face value� The emission costs, reduced in the amount of the premium, are charged in full 
to the income statement upon issue of the bond� 

Provisions
Provisions are created to cover any risks according to the principles of prudent management�

Accruals
Accruals include income already received in respect of the new fiscal year and expenses for the fiscal year which 
will only be paid later�

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

227

2010

2011

6.7

2.4

0.0

2.8

11.9

9.2

2.2

0.7

0.2

12.3

2010

2011

2.0

6.8

8.8

1.6

19.7

21.3

2010

2011

– 32.5

– 18.9

– 51.4

– 20.9

– 15.4

– 36.3

2010

2011

– 47.0

– 0.1

– 47.1

– 49.2

– 0.1

– 49.3

NOTES TO THE INCOmE STATEmENT 

2. INTEREST AND SECURITIES INCOmE

in CHF million

Income from treasury shares

Interest on loans to Group companies 

Income from other financial assets 

Other interest receivables 

Total interest and securities income

3. OTHER INCOmE

in CHF million

Income from services rendered

Other income

Total other income

4. ADmINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

in CHF million

Personnel expenses

Other administrative expenses

Total administrative expenses

5. INTEREST EXPENSES

in CHF million

Interest from bonds

Other interest expenses

Total interest expenses

228

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

6. DEPRECIATION

in CHF million

Depreciation on treasury shares

Total depreciation

7.  OTHER EXPENSES

in CHF million

Expenses incurred from services rendered 

Other expenses

Total other expenses

NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEET

2010

2011

– 0.0

– 0.0

– 32.7

– 32.7

2010

2011

– 1.4

– 11.7

– 13.1

– 1.4

– 12.2

– 13.6

8. ACCRUALS
Due to resolutions of the AGM on 23 February 2012 of the Haakon AG, Basel, and on 1 March 2011 of the Baloise 
Asset Management Schweiz AG, Basel, the Baloise Asset Management International AG, Basel, and the Baloise Bank 
SoBa AG, Solothurn, the resulting dividend claims for the 2011 fiscal year were regarded as accruals i� e� prepaid 
expenses (2011: CHF 46�6 million / 2010: CHF 25�0 million)�

9. LOANS TO GROUP COmPANIES

in CHF million

Subordinated loan to Baloise Bank SoBa

Loan to Bâloise (Luxembourg) Holding S.A. 

Total loans to Group companies

2010

2011

30.0

28.8

58.8

30.0

27.9

57.9

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

229

10. PARTICIPATIONS

Company

Basler Versicherung AG, Basel

Basler Leben AG, Basel

Baloise Bank SoBa AG, Solothurn

Baloise Asset Management Schweiz AG, Basel

Baloise Asset Management International AG, Basel

Haakon AG, Basel

Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG, Balzers

Baloise Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, Bad Homburg

Basler Saturn Management B.V., Hamburg

Nateus NV, Antwerp

Nateus Life NV, Antwerp

Bâloise (Luxembourg) Holding S.A., Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Bâloise Delta Holding S.à.r.l., Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Baloise Fund Invest Advico, Bertrange (Luxembourg)

Baloise Insurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda

Baloise Finance (Jersey) Ltd, St. Helier, Jersey

Basler osiguranje Zagreb d.d., Zagreb

Neživotno osiguranje “Basler” a.d.o., Belgrade

Životno osiguranje “Basler” a.d.o., Belgrade

1   The holding is rounded down to the nearest percent.

Total 
holding as of 
31.12.2010

Total  
holding as of 
31.12.2011

Share / corporate capital  
as of 31.12.2011

in % 1

in % 1

Currency

in million

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.75

100.00

100.00

100.00

–

– 

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.75

100.00

– 

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

CHF

EUR

EUR

EUR

EUR

CHF

EUR

EUR

CHF

CHF

HRK

RSD

RSD

75.0

50.0

50.0

1.5

1.5

0.2

15.0

–

0.0

27.8

61.7

249.9

224.3

0.1

5.0

1.3

45.0

675.1

300.1

For additional information on participations held directly by Bâloise Holding see pages 218 and 219 of the section 
Financial Report�

11.  BONDS

AmOUNT

CHF 150 million

CHF 550 million

CHF 150 million

CHF 242.5 million (convertible bond)

CHF 300 million 

CHF 250 million 

Interest rate

Issued

maturity date

3.250 %

4.250 %

3.500 %

1.500 %

2.875 %

3.000 %

2007

2009

2007

2009

2010

2011

19.06.2012

29.04.2013

19.12.2014

17.11.2016

14.10.2020

07.07.2021

On 1 March 2012, the Bâloise Holding Ltd issued a new bond over CHF 175 million (2�25 %, 2012 – 2019) at an issue 
price of 100�713 %�

230

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

12. CHANGES IN EQUIT Y

in CHF million

Share capital

As of 1 January

Reduction through cancellation of shares as per AGM resolution

Total share capital

Statutory reserves

General reserve

As of 1 January

Allocation

Total general reserve

Reserve for treasury shares

As of 1 January

Reduction through cancellation of shares as per AGM resolution

Withdrawal (carry forward to other reserves)

Allocation (carry forward from other reserves) 1

Total reserve for treasury shares

Total statutory reserves

Other reserves

As of 1 January

Allocation from retained earnings

Allocation (carry forward from reserve for treasury shares)

Withdrawal (carry forward to reserve for treasury shares)

Total other reserves

Retained earnings

As of 1 January

Dividend distribution

Addition to other reserves

Profit for the period

Total retained earnings

Total equity

31.12.2010

31.12.2011

5.0

–

5.0

11.7

–

11.7

5.0

–

5.0

11.7

–

11.7

118.3

156.4

–

–

38.1

156.4

–

–

25.9

182.3

168.1

194.0

298.6

264.9

4.4

–

– 38.1

264.9

230.2

– 225.0

– 4.4

233.4

234.2

8.4

–

– 25.9

247.4

234.2

– 225.0

– 8.4

194.1

194.9

672.2

641.3

1   Baloise Group companies purchased during the reporting period (not including the share buy-back via the secondary trading line) a total of 646,944 shares at an 

average price of CHF 88. During the reporting period they sold 351,008 shares at an average price of CHF 91 and together held a total of 2,004,072 Bâloise Holding 
shares as of 31 December 2011. The balance of Bâloise Holding shares acquired via the secondary trading line amounted to 223,565 shares, as in the previous year. 
These shares are stated in the balance sheet item “Treasury shares.”

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

231

13. SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS
One shareholder group holds more than 3 % and two shareholder groups hold more than 5 % of outstanding Baloise 
shares as of 31 December 2011� The following table provides information on the current shareholder structure as of 
31 December 2011 (figures rounded)�

in percent

Shareholders

Chase Nominees Group 1

Signal Iduna Gruppe

BlackRock Inc

Mellon Bank N. A. 1

CS Group

UBS Group

Bank of New York Mellon N.V. 1

Nortrust Nominees Ltd. 1

Total 
holding as of 
31.12.2010

Share of  
voting rights 
as of 
31.12.2010

Total 
holding as of 
31.12.2011

Share of  
voting rights 
as of 31.12.2011

6.3

> 5.0

> 5.0

3.5

2.6

< 2.0

2.2

 2.3 

2.0

2.0

0.0

0.0

< 2.0

< 2.0

0.0

0.0 

6.5

> 5.0

> 5.0

3.5

> 3.0

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.0

2.0

2.0

0.0

< 2.0

< 2.0

0.0

0.0

1   Custodian nominees who hold shares in trust for third parties are added to the free float pursuant to the SIX Exchange regulations.  

Such shareholder groups are not subject to registration pursuant to stock exchange law.

232

Financial Report 
Notes Bâloise Holding

14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
As of 31 December 2011, the guarantee liabilities amount to CHF 169�6 million (previous year: CHF 164�9 million)� 
Bâloise Holding issues the following letter of comfort: as the owner of Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG, Bâloise 
Holding, Basel, warrants that its subsidiary, Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) AG is able to meet its financial obligations 
to its customers, arising from RentaSafe, BelRenta Safe, RentaProtect and RentaSafe Time contracts, in particular 
guarantee pledges, in full at any time� The maximum liability corresponds to the actuarial reserve entered in the 
balance sheet of Baloise Life (Liechtenstein) for these products as of 31 December 2011�

Bâloise Holding assumes the unrestricted obligation to assure the Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg that the 
Partner in Life S�A�, Contern (Luxembourg), will be managed and financially equipped so that it is able to meet all 
its obligations towards the bank in due time whilst the loans amounting to EUR 40 million granted by the bank 
including interest, costs and commissions are not fully repaid�

Bâloise Holding is jointly liable for value-added tax due with all companies which, under the leadership of the 

Baloise Insurance Ltd, are subject to group taxation�

15. PAYmENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH OR (SWISS CODE OF OBLIGATIONS) ARTICLES 663B BIS AND 663C
Disclosures of facts in accordance with 663b bis and 663c of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR) are contained in the 
Compensation Report� Pages 68 to 76 in the chapter on Corporate Governance are an integral component of the 
Financial Report� The facts are mainly as follows:
 → remuneration to members of the Board of Directors
 → remuneration to members of the Corporate Executive Committee
 → loans and advances granted to members of the Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Committee
 → shares and options held by members of the Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Committee

16. DETAILS ABOUT THE PERFORmANCE OF A RISK ASSESSmENT
Details about the performance of a risk assessment can be obtained from Chapter 5, “Management of insurance and 
financial risks,” in the Baloise Group’s Consolidated Annual Financial Statements�

17.  EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE
Information on the bond issued on 1 March 2012 is contained in the section “Bonds�” To our knowledge, no further 
events have occurred up to the completion of the consolidated Annual Financial Statement dated 14 March 2012, 
which would have a material impact on the Annual Financial Statement overall�

Financial Report 
Proposal by the Board of Directors 

233

Appropriation of retained earnings  
as proposed by the Board of Directors

RETAINED EARNINGS AND APPROPRIATION OF EARNINGS
Net retained earnings amounted to CHF 194,056,489�07�

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting the appropriation of retained earnings in 

 accordance with the table below�

in CHF

Profit for the period

Earnings carried forward 

Retained earnings

Proposals by the Board of Directors

Appropriation to / withdrawal from other reserves 

Dividends

Retained earnings to be carried forward 

2010

2011

233,435,876.98

194,056,489.07

761,739.92

797,616.90

234,197,616.90

194,854,105.97

– 8,400,000.00

30,900,000.00

– 225,000,000.00

– 225,000,000.00

797,616.90

754,105.97

The distribution of profits complies with the provisions of § 30 of the Articles of Incorporation� Distribution per 
share equals CHF 4�50 gross or CHF 2�92 net of withholding tax�

234

Financial Report 
Report of the statutory auditor

Report of the statutory auditor  
to the General Meeting of Bâloise  
Holding Ltd, Basel

REPORT OF THE STATUTORY AUDITOR ON THE FINANCIAL STATEmENTS
As statutory auditor, we have audited the financial statements of Bâloise Holding Ltd, which comprise the income 
statement, balance sheet and notes (pages 68 to 76 and 224 to 232), for the year ended 31 December 2011�

Board of Directors’ responsibility
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the require-
ments of Swiss law and the company’s articles of incorporation� This responsibility includes designing,  implementing 
and maintaining an internal control system relevant to the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error� The Board of Directors is further responsible for selecting and 
applying appropriate accounting policies and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the  circumstances�

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit� We conducted our 
audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards� Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement� 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 
 financial statements� The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the 
risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error� In making those risk 
 assessments, the auditor considers the internal control system relevant to the entity’s preparation of the financial 
statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose 
of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control system� An audit also includes evaluat-
ing the appropriateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as 
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements� We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion�

Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 comply with Swiss law and the 
 company’s articles of incorporation�

Financial Report 
Report of the statutory auditor

235

REPORT ON OTHER LEGAL REQUIREmENTS
We confirm that we meet the legal requirements on licensing according to the Auditor Oversight Act (AOA) and 
independence (article 728 CO and article 11 AOA) and that there are no circumstances incompatible with our 
 independence�

In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an 
internal control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of financial statements according to the 
instructions of the Board of Directors�

We further confirm that the proposed appropriation of retained earnings complies with Swiss law and the  company’s 

articles of incorporation� We recommend that the financial statements submitted to you be approved�

PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd

Martin Frei 
Audit expert 
Auditor in charge

Enrico Strozzi
Audit expert

Basel, 15 March 2012

4  Baloise
14  Review of business year
34  Sustainable business management
44  Corporate Governance
82  Financial Report 
224  Bâloise Holding Ltd
238  notes 

Notes

Glossary ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 238
addresses ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 242
InformatIon on the BaloIse Group ������������������������������������� 243
Key dates and contacts ��������������������������������������������������������������� 244

238

Notes
Glossary

Glossary

→ actuarial reserves

→ claims incurred

Actuarialreservesrefertoprovisionsforcurrentinsurance
policiesinthelifeinsurancesegment�

→ annual premium equivalent (ape)

Theannualpremiumequivalentistheinsuranceindustry
standardformeasuringthevolumeofnewlifeinsurance
business�Itiscalculatedasthesumofallannualpremiums
from new business and 10% of single premiums of the
reportingperiod�

Claimsincurredcomprisesinsuranceclaimspaidoutduring
thefiscalyear,reservesformedinconnectionwithunsettled
claims,thedissolutionofreservesforclaimsthatnolonger
havetobesettledordonothavetobepaidinfull,thecosts
ofprocessingclaims,aswellastheperformanceofrelated
provisions�

→ claims ratio

The ratio of claims incurred to premiums, expressed in
percent�

→ assets managed for third parties

Assetsheldintrustforcustomersandpartners�

→ claims reserve

→ Baloise

“Baloise”standsfor“BaloiseGroup”,“BâloiseHolding”for
“BâloiseHoldingLtd”�ByBaloisesharewemeantheshare
ofBâloiseHoldingLtd�

→ Brokers

Insurancebrokersareindependentinsuranceintermediaries�
Thesearecompaniesorindividualswhoarenottiedtoany
insurancecompanywhenplacingcontracts�Theyreceive
commissionfortheinsurancecontractstheyconclude�

→ Business segment

Similarorrelatedoperatingactivitiesaregroupedtogether
inbusinesssegments�Theseare:nonlife,life,banking(in-
cludingassetmanagement)andotheractivities�Thebusiness
segment“Otheractivities”includes,inparticular,holding,
propertyandinvestmentcompanies�

→ Business volume

Businessvolumeincludespremiumincomefromthenonlife
andlifeinsurancebusinessandfromunit-linkedlifeinsur-
ancepoliciesduringthereportingperiod�Duetotheunder-
lyingaccountingprinciplesoftheBaloiseGroup,thelatter
maynotbedisclosedasincomeintheconsolidatedfinancial
statements�

Provisionsforclaimsthathavenotbeensettledatyear-end�

→ combined ratio

Ratioofnonlifeinsurancebusiness,expressingthesumof
claimsincurred(lossratio),costs(expenseratio)andprofit-
sharing(profit-sharingratio)inrelationtopremiums�This
ratioisusedtoassesstheprofitabilityofthenonlifeinsurance
business�

→ deferred tax assets and liabilities

Probablefuturetaxexpensesandtaxrelief,resultingfrom
temporarydifferencesbetweenthereportedvalueofassets
andliabilities,asdisclosedintheconsolidatedfinancialstate-
ments, and their tax value� The calculation is based on
country-specifictaxrates�

→ embedded value (mceV)

TheMarketConsistentEmbeddedValue(MCEV)measures
thevalueofalifeportfoliofortheshareholderonthebalance
sheetdate�SeealsoseparateMCEVreport�

→ expense ratio

Theratioofthecostofnonlifeinsurancebusinesstopremi-
ums,expressedinpercent�

Notes
Glossary

239

→ fixed-income securities

→ Investment performance

Securities(primarilybonds),yieldinginterestatafixedrate
duringtheirwholeterm�

→ Gross

Intheannualreportofaninsurancecompany,“gross”stands
for a balance sheet or income statement item before the
deductionofofreinsurance�

→ Group life business

Insurancepoliciestakenoutbycompaniesortheiremployee
benefitunitsonbehalfoftheiremployeesaspartoftheir
companypensionplans�

→ Ifrs

Since2000,theBaloiseGrouphasprepareditsconsolidated
annualfinancialstatementsinaccordancewithIFRSInter-
national Financial Reporting Standards (formerly IAS
InternationalAccountingStandards)�

→ Impairment (impairment loss) 

Impairmentofanassetrecognisedinprofitandloss�Whether
thecarryingvalueofanassetisgreaterthanitsrecoverable
amountisdeterminedusinganimpairmenttest�Ifnecessary,
theassetisimpaireddowntotherecoverableamountand
recognisedthroughprofitandloss�

→ Insurance benefits

Thebenefitsprovidedbytheinsurerinconnectionwiththe
occurrenceofaninsuredevent�

→ Investments 

Includedininvestmentsareproperties,sharesandalternative
financial investments (stocks of an equity nature), fixed-
interestsecurities,mortgage-backedinvestments,policies
andotherloans,derivativesaswellascashandcashequiva-
lents�Preciousmetalsfromtheinvestment-typeinsurance
businessarepresentedundertheitem“Otherassets”�

Theperformancemeasuresthebusinesssuccessofinvest-
ments�Gains,losses,income,expenses,aswellaschanges
toasyetunrealisedgainsandlosses,assetoutintheincome
statementrelatedtotheaveragebalanceoftheinvestments�

→ Investment-type life insurance

Lifeinsurancepolicieswherepolicyholdersinvesttheirsav-
ingsfortheirownaccountandattheirownrisk�

→ Investment-type premiums

Premiumincomefromlifeinsurancepolicieswhereinsur-
ancecompaniesinvestthepolicyholder’ssavingsforthelat-
ter’sownaccountandatthelatter’sownrisk�Inaccordance
withtheInternationalAccountingStandardsappliedbythe
BaloiseGroup,thesavingsthatarepartofthispremium
incomemaynotbedisclosedasincomeintheincomestate-
ment�

→ legal quota

Fixedstatutoryorcontractualpercentagerequiringlifein-
surancecompaniestopassonacertainpercentageofearn-
ingstothepolicyholders�

→ minimum interest rate

Minimumrequiredinterestratefortherespectivesavings
balanceofcompanypensionplans�

→ net

Intheannualreportofaninsurancecompany“net”stands
forabalancesheetorincomestatementitemafterthededuc-
tionofreinsurance�

→ new business margin

Valueofnewbusinessdividedbytheannualpremiumequiv-
alent(APE)�

240

Notes
Glossary

→ non-recurrent deposits 

→ provisions

Non-recurrentdepositsfinancelifeinsurancepolicieswith
aone-offdepositmadewhenthepolicybegins�Primarily
usedasafinancingtoolforasset-buildinglifeinsurance,
withspecialemphasisonprofitabilityandsecurityaspects�

Evaluationoffutureinsurancebenefitsfromidentifiedand
notyetidentifiedclaims,whicharedisclosedasliabilitiesin
thebalancesheet�

→ periodic premiums

Periodicallyrecurringpremiumincome(seedefinitionof
“premium”)�

→ policyholders’ dividends

Annual,non-guaranteedpolicyholderbenefitsfromalife
insurancepolicywhicharegrantedwhen−comparedwith
theassumptionsthatunderliethepremiumcalculation−
earningsarehigherand/orriskandcostbehaviourpatterns
aremorefavourable�

→ premium

Theamountpaidbythepolicyholdertocoverthecostof
insurance�

→ premiums earned

Theproportionofthepolicypremiumallocatedtotherisk
coveredbyaninsurerduringthefiscalyear,i�e�premium
lesschangeinunearnedpremiumreserves�

→ profit after taxes

Profitaftertaxesisthefinalconsolidatedsumofallearnings
andexpenses,lessborrowingcosts,aswellascurrentand
deferredincometaxes�Profitaftertaxesincludesthepropor-
tionofminorityinterestsintheresult�

→ profit-sharing ratio

Indexexpressingtheprofit-sharing/premiumratio�Profit
sharingisarebategrantedtopolicyholdersinthenonlife
businessduetoprofitablebusiness�

→ reinsurance

Iftheinsurancecompanydoesnotwanttocarrythefullrisk
fromaninsurancepolicyoranentireportfolioofpolicies,
itpassesonpartoftherisktoareinsurancecompanyor
anotherdirectinsurer�However,theprimaryinsurerstill
hastoindemnifythepolicyholderforthefullrisk�

→ return on equity

Calculatedreturnontheequityofacompanyduringthe
fiscal year� Return on equity is calculated by taking the
profitgeneratedduringthefiscalyearanddividingitby
averageequity�

→ run off business

Policyportfoliothathasceasedtoacceptnewpolicies,with
existingpoliciesexpiringsuccessively�

→ segment

FinancialreportingattheBaloiseGroupiscarriedoutin
accordancewithInternationalFinancialAccountingStand-
ards(IFRS),whichrequiressimilartransactionsandbusiness
activitiestobegroupedandpresentedtogether�Thebundled
business activities are presented in “segments,” by geo-
graphicregionsandbusinesssegments�

→ share buy-back programme

ProcedureapprovedbytheBoardofDirectorsunderwhich
thecompanyitselfmayrepurchaseoutstandingshares�In
Switzerland,thesebuy-backsarecarriedoutthroughasep-
aratetradingline�

Notes
Glossary

241

→ shares issued

→ unrealised gains and losses (charged to equity)

Totalnumberofsharesthatacompanyhasissued�Thetotal
numberofsharesissued,multipliedbytheirfacevalueisthe
nominalsharecapitalofthecompany�

→ slI

TheSwissLeaderIndexcomprisesthe30largestandmost
liquidsecuritiesintheSwissequitymarket�

Unrealisedgainsandlossesaregainsorlosseschargedto
equity,whicharenotrecognisedinprofitorlossandresult
fromthevaluationofassets�Thesearechargedtoequity
afterdeductingdeferredtaxassetsandliabilitiesanddeferred
policyholders’dividends(lifeinsurancebusiness)�Thesegains
orlossesareonlytransferredtotheincomestatementupon
disposaloftheunderlyingassetoruponimpairment(impair-
mentloss)�

→ scoring

Scoringstandsforstatisticalanalyses,wherebyriskestimates
basedonexperiencevaluesarederivedfromdatacollected�
Insurersapplyscoringinordertotariffequitably�

→ Value of new business

Thevalueofnewbusinesstransactedduringthereporting
period,valuedatthetimethepolicyisissued�

→ solvency

Requiredminimumcapitalforinsurancecompaniesspeci-
fiedbytheregulatoryauthorities,tocoverbusinessrisks
(investments,claims)�Asarule,thisrequirementisspecified
atanationallevelandmaydifferfromcountrytocountry�

→ technical reserves

Onthebalancesheet,insurersdisclosethevalueoffuture
benefitstheyexpectfromtheexistinginsurancepolicies,
calculatedatthepresenttime�Thevalueiscomputedusing
recognisedprinciples�

→ technical result

Thetechnicalresultincludesacomparisonofallexpenses
and income from the insurance business� Expenses and
incomeunrelatedtotheinsurancebusinessandrevenuefrom
investmentsarenotincludedinthetechnicalresult�

→ unearned premium reserves

Accruedportionsofthewrittenpremiumsthathavebeen
chargedforperiodsafterthebalancesheetdate�

242

Notes 
Addresses

Addresses

sWItZerland

austrIa

croatIa

Basler Versicherungen
Brigittenauer Lände 50–54
A-1203 Vienna
Telephone + 43 1 33 160 0
Fax + 43 1 33 160 200
office@basler.at
www.basler.at

luXemBourG

Bâloise assurances
23, rue du Puits Romain
Bourmicht
L-8070 Bertrange

Boite Postale 28
L-2010 Luxembourg
Telephone + 352 290 190 1
Fax + 352 290 190 9001
info@baloise.lu
www.baloise.lu

BelGIum

mercator Verzekeringen
Posthofburg 16
B-2600 Antwerp
Telephone + 32 3 247 21 11
Fax + 32 3 247 27 77
info@mercator.be
www.mercator.be

Basler osiguranje Zagreb
Radni�cka cesta 37b
HR-10 000 Zagreb
Telephone + 385 1 640 5000
Fax + 385 1 6405 003
info@basler-oz.hr
www.basler-oz.hr 

serBIa

Basler osiguranja
Resavska 29
RS-11 000 Belgrade
Telephone + 381 11 2222 800
Fax + 381 11 334 29 03
office@basler.rs
www.basler.rs

lIechtensteIn

Baloise life
Alte Landstrasse 6
FL-9496 Balzers
Telephone + 423 388 90 00
Fax + 423 388 90 21
information@baloise-life.com
www.baloise-life.com

Basler Versicherungen
Aeschengraben 21 
CH-4002 Basel 
Telephone + 41 58 285 85 85 
Fax + 41 58 285 70 70 
kundenservice@baloise.ch 
www.baloise.ch

Baloise Bank soBa 
Amthausplatz 4
CH-4502 Solothurn
Telephone + 41 58 285 33 33
Fax + 41 58 285 03 33
bank@baloise.ch
www.baloise.ch

Germany

Basler Versicherungen
Basler Strasse 4
Postfach 1145
D-61345 Bad Homburg
Telephone + 49 61 72 130
Fax + 49 61 72 13 200
info@basler.de
www.basler.de

deutscher ring

sachversicherungs-aG

deutscher ring

lebensversicherungs-aG
Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 22
D-20459 Hamburg
Telephone + 49 40 3599 7711
Fax + 49 40 3599 2500
service@deutscherring.de
www.deutscherring.de

Notes 
Information on the Baloise Group

243

Information on the
Baloise Group

The2011AnnualReportispublishedinGermanandEnglish�
TheGermanversionisbinding�ThesectionFinancialReport
contains the audited 2011 annual financial statements with
detailedinformation�

aVaIlaBIlIt y and orderInG
The2011AnnualReportandtheSummaryofthe2011Annual
Report are available on the Internet at www�baloise�com/
annualreportasof22March2012�

CorporatepublicationscanbeorderedviatheInternetorfrom
theBaloiseGroup,CorporateCommunications,Aeschengra-
ben21,CH-4002Basel�

InformatIon for shareholders and fInancIal analysts
YoucanfinddetailedinformationanddataontheBaloiseshare,
theIRagenda,thelatestpresentationsandhowtocontactInves-
torRelationsontheInternetatwww�baloise�com/investors�The
informationisavailableinGermanandEnglish�

InformatIon for medIa representatIVes
Atwww�baloise�com/mediayouwillfindthelatestmediare-
leases, presentations, reports, pictures and podcast files of
variousBaloiseeventsaswellasmediacontactdetails�

note on forWard-looKInG statements 
ThispublicationisintendedtoprovideanoverviewofBaloise’s
businessperformance�Itcontainsforward-lookingstatements
includingforecastsoffutureevents,plans,goals,businessde-
velopmentsandresultsbasedonthecurrentexpectationsand
assumptionsofBaloisemanagement�Theseforward-looking
statementsshouldbeusedwithduecautionastheycontainboth
knownandunknownrisks�Theyalsocontainuncertaintiesand
maybeaffectedadverselybyotherfactors�Inconsequence,busi-
nessperformance,results,plansandgoalscoulddiffermateri-
allyfromthosepresentedexplicitlyorimplicitlyintheseforward-
lookingstatements�Influencingfactorsinclude(i)changesin
theoverallstateoftheeconomy,especiallyinkeymarkets;(ii)
financial market performance; (iii) competitive factors; (iv)
changesininterestrates;(v)changesinexchangerates;(vi)
changesinthestatutoryandregulatoryframeworkincluding
accountingstandards;(vii)frequencyandmagnitudeofclaims
anddevelopmentofclaimshistory;(viii)mortalityandmorbid-
ityrates;(ix)renewalsandmaturityofinsurancepolicies;(x)
legaldisputesandadministrativeproceedings;(xi)departure
ofkeyemployees;(xii)negativepublicityandmediareports�

Baloiseassumesnoobligationtoupdateorrevisethesefor-
ward-lookingstatements,toconsidernewinformation,future
eventsetc�ThepastperformanceofBaloiseisnoindicationof
futureresults�

©2012BâloiseHoldingAG,CH-4002Basel

publisherBaloise,CorporateCommunications
concept, design Eclat,Erlenbach(ZH)
photographyStephanKnechtandPhilippRohner,Zurich
publishing-systemMultimediaSolutionsAG,Zurich
printingUDPrintAG,Lucerne

244

Notes 
Key dates and contacts

Key dates and contacts

22.3.2012  Annual results: 

media conference
telephone conference financial analysts 

27.4.2012  Bâloise Holding Ltd

Annual General Meeting 

30.8.2012  Half-year results:

telephone conference 
media / financial analysts

19.3.2013  Annual results: 

media conference
telephone conference financial analysts 

02.5.2013  Bâloise Holding Ltd

Annual General Meeting

corporate Governance
Baloise Group
Andreas Eugster
Aeschengraben 21
CH-4002 Basel
Telephone + 41 58 285 84 50
andreas.eugster@baloise.com

Investor relations
Baloise Group
Marc Kaiser
Aeschengraben 21
CH-4002 Basel
Telephone + 41 58 285 86 84
investor.relations@baloise.com

media relations
Baloise Group 
Dominik Müller
Aeschengraben 21
CH-4002 Basel
Telephone + 41 58 285 84 67
media.relations@baloise.com

www.baloise.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Bâloise Holding lTd
Aeschengraben 21
CH-4002 Basel

www.baloise.com

Making you safer.

Bâloise Holding Ltd AnnuAL RepoRt 2011