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FY2016 Annual Report · Bank of Commerce Holdings
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Annual Financial Report 

2016 

This  Annual  Financial  Report  relates  to  the  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  (the  ‘Company’  and  together 
with  its  subsidiaries  the  ‘Group’)  as  at  31  December  2016.  The  financial  information  referred  to  and/or 
presented  in  this  report  is  not  the  statutory  financial  statements  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited 
Company  for  the  purposes  of  Chapter  4  of  Part  6  of  the  Companies  Act  2014  of  Ireland.  Bank  of  Cyprus 
Holdings Public Limited Company’s statutory financial statements for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 6 of the 
Companies Act 2014 of Ireland for the period 11 July 2016 to 31 December 2016 are expected to be published 
by 30 April 2017 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies of Ireland within 28 days of 30 September 2017 
(as at the date of this report, such statutory financial statements have not been prepared nor have they been 
reported on by the independent auditors of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP   
Annual Financial Report 
For the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Contents 

Board of Directors and Executives 

Statement by the Members of the Board of Directors and the Company Officials 
Responsible for the Drafting of the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Management Report of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd  

Consolidated Financial Statements of Bank of Cyprus Group 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of  
Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd on the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Statement by the Members of the Board of Directors and the Company Officials 
Responsible for the Drafting of the Financial Statements 

Financial Statements of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of  
Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd on the Financial Statements 

Annual Corporate Governance Report 

Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures 

Page 

1 

2 

3 

16 

185 

193 

194 

319 

327 

362  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Board of Directors and Executives  
as at 27 March 2017 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Board of Directors of 
Bank of Cyprus 
Public Company Ltd 

Executive Committee 

Prof. Dr. Josef Ackermann 
CHAIRMAN 

Maksim Goldman  
VICE CHAIRMAN 

Arne Berggren 
Lyn Grobler 
Dr. Michael Heger 
John Patrick Hourican 
Marios Kalochoritis 
Dr. Christodoulos Patsalides 
Michalis Spanos 
Ioannis Zographakis 

John Patrick Hourican 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

Dr. Christodoulos Patsalides 
DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 

Michalis Athanasiou 
CHIEF RISK OFFICER 

Nick Fahy 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BANK OF CYPRUS UK 

Eliza Livadiotou 
FINANCE DIRECTOR 

Panicos Nicolaou  
DIRECTOR CORPORATE BANKING 

Louis Pochanis 
DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL BANKING SERVICES AND WEALTH, BROKERAGE  
AND ASSET MANAGEMENT 

Dr. Charis Pouangare 
DIRECTOR CONSUMER AND SME BANKING 

Nicolas Scott Smith 
DIRECTOR RESTRUCTURING AND RECOVERIES DIVISION 

Anna Sofroniou 
DIRECTOR REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT UNIT 

Aristos Stylianou 
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, INSURANCE BUSINESSES 

Internal Auditor 

George Zornas  

Director Group Compliance  

Marios Skandalis 

Company Secretary 

Katia Santis 

Legal Advisers 

Chryssafinis & Polyviou 

Independent Auditors  

Ernst & Young Cyprus Ltd 

Registered Office  

51 Stassinos Street  
Ayia Paraskevi, Strovolos 
CY-2002 Nicosia, Cyprus 
Telephone: +357 22122100, Telefax: +357 22336258 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Statement by the Members of the Board of Directors  
and the Company Officials Responsible for the Drafting  
of the Consolidated Financial Statements  

Annual Financial Report 2016 

We,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Company  officials  responsible  for  the  drafting  of  the 
consolidated financial statements of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd (the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 
December 2016, the names of which are listed below, confirm that, to the best of our knowledge: 

(a) 

the consolidated financial statements on pages 16 to 184: 

(i)  have been prepared in  accordance  with the International Financial Reporting Standards  (IFRS)  as 

adopted by the European Union (EU) and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies Law,  

(ii)  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities,  financial  position  and  profit  or  loss  of  the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, 
and 

(b) 

the  Management  Report  provides  a  fair  review  of  the  developments  and  performance  of  the  business 
and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidated financial statements 
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

Prof. Dr. Josef Ackermann 

Chairman 

Maksim Goldman 

Vice Chairman 

Arne Berggren 

Non-executive Director 

Lyn Grobler 

Non-executive Director 

Dr. Michael Heger 

Non-executive Director 

Marios Kalochoritis 

Non-executive Director 

Michalis Spanos 

Non-executive Director 

Ioannis Zographakis  

Non-executive Director 

John Patrick Hourican 

Executive Director 

Dr. Christodoulos Patsalides 

Executive Director 

Eliza Livadiotou  

Finance Director 

27 March 2017 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

The  Board  of  Directors  submits  to  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  their  Report  together  with  the  audited 
consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016. 

The  Annual  Financial  Report  relates  to  the  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  (the  ‘Company’)  and  together 
with  its  subsidiaries  (the  ‘Group’)  which  was  listed  on  the  Cyprus  Stock  Exchange  (CSE)  and  the  Athens 
Exchange  as  at  31  December  2016.    On  18  January  2017,  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company 
was introduced in the Group structure as the new holding company of the Group.  On 19 January 2017, Bank of 
Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was admitted to listing and trading on the London Stock Exchange and 
the CSE. 

The Company  was the holding company of the Group  as at  the balance  sheet  date.   Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings 
Public  Limited  Company was  incorporated  on  11  July  2016  and  is  the  new  holding  company  of  the  Group  as 
from 18 January 2017. Further information is disclosed in Note 53.1 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Activities 

The  principal  activities  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiary  companies  during  the  year  continued  to  be  the 
provision of banking, financial, insurance services and management and disposal of property generally acquired 
in debt satisfaction. 

All Group companies and branches are set out in Note 49 of the consolidated financial statements.  Acquisitions 
and disposals made during the year 2016 are detailed in Note 50 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Operating environment in Cyprus  

Cyprus  exited  its  economic  adjustment  programme  at  the  end  of  March  2016  after  a  successful  return  to 
markets  and  having  utilised  only  about  70%  of  the  €10  billion  funding  resources  made  available  by  the 
European  Union  (EU)  and  the  International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF).    Based  on  the  Ministry  of  Finance  Stability 
Programme 2016-2019 (May 2016), in the area of public finances, the government carried out a strong fiscal 
adjustment and the budget returned to near balance, public spending was reduced and tax collection was made 
more efficient.  

Unemployment dropped to 13,3% during 2016 compared to an average unemployment rate of 14,9% for 2015 
and a peak of 16,5% in the fourth quarter of 2014 as per the Cyprus Statistical Service. 

Real GDP rose by 2,8% in 2016  according to the Cyprus Statistical Service, compared to an increase of 1,7% 
during 2015.   

Consumer prices continued to decline for the fourth consecutive year, down by 1,4% in 2016, as per the Cyprus 
Statistical Service. 

Tourist arrivals increased by 19,8% during 2016. The index of industrial production increased by 8,7% in 2016. 
In real gross value added terms, industrial output in 2016 increased by 5,9% in the first three quarters of 2016 
after an increase of 2,9% in 2015 as per data by the Cyprus Statistical Service.  

In  the  property  market,  the  Central  Bank’s  residential  property  price  index  continued  to  decline  year-on-year 
but at a slowing pace.  On a yearly basis the index dropped by 1,3% in the third quarter of 2016 after dropping 
by 1,7% and 1,6% in the second and first quarter respectively. 

Downside  risks  to  the  growth  projections  are  associated  with  high  levels  of  non-performing  loans,  loss  of 
momentum  in  structural  reforms  with  associated  risks  for  public  finances,  and  a  return  of  inflation.  Downside 
risks may also be associated with a deterioration of the external environment for Cyprus.  These would involve 
slower growth in the UK with a weakening of the pound following the Brexit referendum. Political uncertainty in 
Europe triggered by a British exit or by the refugee crisis could also lead to increased economic uncertainty and 
undermine economic confidence. 

Upside risks to the outlook relate to  a possible  better growth performance in the EU  and stronger investment 
spending as property prices are stabilising and various projects especially in tourism are implemented.  

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Operating environment in Cyprus (continued) 

The  international  credit  rating  agencies  have  upgraded  the  rating  of  the  country.  Fitch  Ratings  upgraded  the 
rating of the Republic of Cyprus one notch to BB- with a positive outlook in October 2016, S&P Global Rating by 
one notch to BB with a positive outlook in September 2016 and by one notch to BB+ with a stable outlook in 
March 2017 and  Moody’s Investors Service  by two notches to  B1 with a stable outlook in November 2015.  In 
November  2016  Moody’s  Investors  Service  improved  the  outlook  on  the  Republic  of  Cyprus  from  stable  to 
positive. 

In July 2016 the Cyprus government accessed international capital markets for the third time since the start of 
the economic adjustment programme to date, issuing a seven year Eurobond of €1 billion at a yield of 3,8%. 

Financial results1  

The main financial highlights for 2016 are set out below: 

Consolidated Income Statement 
€ million 
Net interest income 
Net fee and commission income  
Net foreign exchange gains and net gains on other financial 
instruments  
Insurance income net of insurance claims 
Gains/(losses) from revaluation and disposal of investment properties 
and on disposal of stock of properties 
Other income 

Total income 
Staff costs  
Other operating expenses 
Total expenses 
Profit before provisions and impairments, gains on 
derecognition of loans and changes in expected cash flows, 
restructuring costs and discontinued operations 
Provisions for impairment of customer loans, net of gains on loans 
derecognition and changes in expected cash flows  
Impairments of other financial and non-financial assets 
Provisions for litigation, claims and regulatory matters 
Share of profit from associates and joint ventures 
Profit/(loss) before tax, restructuring costs and discontinued 
operations  
Tax 
(Profit)/loss attributable to non-controlling interests 
Profit/(loss) after tax and before restructuring costs, 
discontinued operations and net gain on disposal of non-core 
assets 
Advisory, voluntary exit plan and other restructuring costs 
Loss from disposal groups held for sale/discontinued operations 
Net gain on disposal of non-core assets 
Profit/(loss) after tax attributable to the owners of the 
Company 

2016 

2015 

686 
167 

48 

44 

6 

12 

963 
(224) 
(173) 
(397) 

566 

(370) 

(47) 
(18) 
8 

139 

(16) 
(4) 

119 

(114) 
- 
59 

64 

842 
154 

31 

48 

(53) 

18 

1.040 
(234) 
(174) 
(408) 

632 

(959) 

(62) 
(8) 
6 

(391) 

(9) 
6 

(394) 

(43) 
(38) 
37 

(438) 

1    The  financial  results  relate  to  the  Company  and  together  with  its  subsidiaries,  the  ‘Group’  which  was  listed  on  the  Cyprus  Stock  Exchange  (CSE)  and  the  Athens 
Exchange as at 31 December 2016.  On 18 January 2017, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was introduced in the Group structure as the new parent 
company of the Company.  On 19 January 2017, the shares of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company were admitted to listing and trading on the London 
Stock Exchange and the CSE. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Financial results (continued) 

Net interest margin 
Cost to income ratio 

Key Balance Sheet figures and ratios 

Gross loans (€ million) 
Customer deposits (€ million) 
Loans to deposits ratio (net) 
90+ DPD ratio  
90+ DPD provision coverage ratio 
Return on average assets 
Return on average equity 
Capital 
Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio (CET 1) (transitional) 
Total capital ratio  
CET1 (€ million) 
Risk weighted assets (€ million) 

2016 

2015 

3,47% 
41% 

3,79% 
39% 

31 December 
2016 

31 December 
2015 

20.130 
16.510 
95% 
41% 
54% 
0,3% 
2,1% 

14,5% 
14,6% 
2.728 
18.865 

22.592 
14.181 
121% 
50% 
48% 
-1,7% 
-12,9% 

14,0% 
14,1% 
2.748 
19.666 

Balance Sheet  

Shareholders’  equity  totalled  €3.071  million  at  31  December  2016.  The  CET1  ratio  improved  to  14,5%  at  31 
December 2016, and increased by 50 basis points during the year compared to 14,0% at 31 December 2015. 
Adjusting for deferred tax assets2, the CET1 ratio on a fully-loaded basis totalled 13,9% at 31 December 2016 
(31  December  2015:  13,1%).  As  at  31  December  2016  the  Total  Capital  ratio  stood  at  14,6%,  above  the 
minimum  required  as  from  1  January  2017  of  13%,  and  adjusted  to  15,7%  (pro-forma)3  after  including  the 
Tier 2 capital note issued in January 2017. 

Following  the  enactment  of  the  amendments  in  the  Cypriot  Banking  Law  in  February  2017  regarding  the 
gradual phase-in of the Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) and based on the Supervisory Review and Evaluation 
Process  (SREP)  performed  by  the  European  Central  Bank  (ECB)  in  2016,  the  Group’s  minimum  CET1  capital 
ratio  as  from  1  January  2017  has  been  reduced  to  9,50%  compared  to  10,75%  fully  phased-in  of  CCB 
(minimum  CET1  capital  ratio  at  31  December  2016:  11,75%  fully  phased-in  of  CCB),  comprising  of  a  4,5% 
Pillar I requirement, a 3,75% Pillar II requirement and a phased-in CCB of 1,25%4. The ECB has also provided 
non-public guidance for an additional Pillar II CET1 buffer. 

The  overall  Total  Capital Ratio  requirement  as  from  1  January  2017  following  the  amendments  in  the Cypriot 
Banking Law in February 2017 regarding the gradual phase-in of CCB, has been reduced to 13,00% compared 
to 14,25% (fully phased-in of CCB), comprising of a Pillar I requirement of 8% (of which up to 1,5% can be in 
the  form  of  Additional  Tier  1  capital  and  up  to  2,0%  in  the  form  of  Tier  2  capital),  a  Pillar  II  requirement  of 
3,75% (in the form of CET1), as well as a phased-in CCB of 1,25%5.  

The  Company  has  returned  to  the  debt  capital  markets  in  January  2017  with  the  issue  of  €250  million 
unsecured  and  subordinated  Tier  2  Capital  Note  (the  Note).  The  Note  was  priced  at  par  with  a  coupon  of 
9,25%. The Note matures on 19 January 2027. The  Company has the option to redeem the Note early on 19 
January  2022,  subject  to  applicable  regulatory  consents.  The  issuance  of  the  Note  is  part  of  the  Company’s 
strategy to optimise the level and composition of its capital and liabilities, enhancing the Total Capital ratio to 
15,7% (pro forma). 

2  The deferred tax assets adjustments relate to deferred tax assets totalling €450 million and recognised on tax losses totalling €3,6 billion and can be set off against 

future profits of the Company until 2028 at a tax rate of 12,5%.   

3  Based on the preliminary group financial results as at and for the year ended 31 December 2016. 
4  In accordance with the legislation in Cyprus which has been set for all credit institutions through the requirements of the Capital Requirement Directive (CRR)/CRD IV. 
5  See note 4. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Financial results (continued) 

Balance Sheet (continued) 

At 31 December 2016, the Company’s funding from central banks totalled €850 million, comprising ELA of €200 
million  and  ECB  funding  of  €650  million  including  an  amount  of    €600  million  through  the  new  series  of 
Targeted  Longer  Term  Refinancing  Operations  (TLTRO  II)    announced  by  the  ECB  in  March  2016.  Post  31 
December 2016,  the  Company  has  fully  repaid  ELA.  In  March  2017  the  Company  has  borrowed  an  additional 
amount of €230 million through the new series of TLTRO II, to be received on 29 March 2017. 

Gross loans6 totalled €20.130 million at 31 December 2016 compared to €22.592 million at 31 December 2015.  
The reduction is, to a large extent, driven by the restructuring activity, including debt-for-property swaps, debt-
for-equity  swaps  and  write  offs.    Gross  loans  in  Cyprus  totalled  €18.269  million  at  31  December  2016  and 
accounted for 91% of Group gross loans.  

Loans  in  arrears  for  more  than  90  days  (90+  DPD)7  were  reduced  by  €3,0  billion  or  by  27%  in  2016.  The 
provisioning  coverage  ratio  of  90+  DPD8  improved  to  54,4%  at  31  December  2016  (2015:  48,1%).  When 
taking into account tangible collateral at fair value, 90+ DPD loans are fully covered.  

Non-performing  exposures  (NPEs)9  as  defined  by  the  European  Banking  Authority  (EBA)  were  reduced  to 
€11.034 million at 31 December 2016, accounting for 55% of gross loans, compared to 62%  at 31 December 
2015.  The  provisioning  coverage  ratio  of  NPEs  stood  at  41%  at  31  December  2016,  up  from  39%  at  31 
December 2015.  

The  Group  has  set  up  the  Real  Estate  Management  Unit  (REMU)  in  late  2015,  to  manage properties  acquired 
through  debt-for-property  swaps  and  certain  other  properties  already  held  for  sale  by  the  Group,  and  to 
execute exit strategies in order to monetise these assets. 

Group  customer  deposits  totalled  €16.510  million  at  31  December  2016  (compared  to  €14.181  million  at  31 
December  2015),  and  recorded  an  increase  of  16%  since  31  December  2015.  As  at  31  December  2016 
customer deposits accounted for 74% of total assets (2015: 61%).  The loans to deposits ratio stood at 95% at 
31 December 2016 (2015: 121%). 

The remaining non-core overseas exposures include:  
 

Greek net exposures of €170 million (net on-balance sheet exposure), €113 million off-balance sheet and 
lending  exposures  to  Greek  entities  in  the  normal  course  of  business  in  Cyprus  totalling  €82  million  and 
lending exposures in Cyprus with collaterals in Greece totalling €107 million. 
Romania net exposures of €206 million 
Serbia net exposures of €42 million 
Russia net exposures of €44 million 

 
 
 

Income Statement  

 

 

 

Net interest income (NII) and net interest margin  (NIM) for 2016 amounted to €686 million (2015: €842 
million) and 3,47% (2015: 3,79%) respectively. 

Non-interest income for 2016 was €277 million, including net fee and  commission income of €167 million 
and net insurance income of €44 million.  

Total income10 for 2016 was €963 million compared to €1.040 million for 2015. 

6  Gross  loan  are  reported  before  the  fair  value  adjustment  on  initial  recognition  relating  to  loans  acquired  form  Laiki  Bank  (difference  between  the  outstanding 

contractual amount and the fair value of loan acquired) amounting to €928 million at 31 December 2016 (2015: €1.207 million). 

7  Loans in arrears for more than 90 days (90+ DPD) are defined as loans past-due for more than 90 days and loans that are impaired (impaired loans) are those which 
are not considered fully collectable and for which a provision for impairment has been recognised on an individual basis or for which incurred losses existed at their 
initial recognition or customers in Debt Recovery. 

recognition and provision for off-balance sheet exposures, over 90+ DPD. 

8  Provisioning  coverage  ratio  for  90+  DPD  is  calculated  as  the  sum  of  accumulated  provisions  for  impairment  of  customer  loans,  fair  value  adjustment  on  initial 
9  In  2014  the  European  Banking  Authority  (EBA)  published  its  reporting  standards  on  forbearance  and  non-performing  exposures  (NPEs).    According  to  the  EBA 
standards, a loan is considered a non-performing exposure if: (i) the debtor is assessed as unlikely to pay its credit obligations in full without the realisation of the 
collateral,  regardless  of  the  existence  of  any  past  due  amount  or  of  the  number  of  days  past  due,  for  example  in  case  of  a  write  off,  a  legal  action  against  the 
borrower, or bankruptcy, or (ii) the exposures are impaired i.e. in cases where there is a specific provision, or (iii) there are material exposures which are more than 
90  days  past  due,  or  (iv)  there  are  performing  forborne  exposures  under  probation  for  which  additional  forbearance  measures  are  extended,  or  (v)  there  are 
performing forborne exposures under probation that present more than 30 days past due within the probation period. 

10 Total income includes Net Interest Income and Non-Interest Income. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Financial results (continued) 

Income Statement (continued) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total  expenses  for  2016  were  €397  million  (2015:  €408  million),  and  the  cost  to  income  ratio  was  41% 
(2015: 39%). 

Profit  before  provisions  and  impairments11,  advisory,  voluntary  exit  plans,  other  restructuring  costs  and 
discontinued operations for 2016 was €566 million compared to €632 million for 2015.  

Provisions  for  impairment  of  customer  loans  net  of  gain  on  derecognition  of  loans  and  advances  to 
customers  and  changes  in  expected  cash  flows  for  2016  totalled  €370  million  (2015:  €959  million).  The 
elevated  provisioning  charge  for  2015  reflects  the  assumption  changes  in  the  Group’s  provisioning 
methodology, taking into account the ongoing dialogue with the regulators within the context of the SREP 
at the time. The provisioning charge for 2016 accounted for 1,7%12 of gross loans, compared to 4,3% for 
2015. 

Impairments of other financial and non-financial assets for 2016 totalled €47 million and primarily relate to 
impairment losses of stock of properties of €36 million. 

Provisions  for  litigation,  claims  and  regulatory  matters  for  2016  totalled  €18  million.    The  increase 
compared to 2015 is primarily driven by matters relating to redress charges for the UK operations. 

Profit  after  tax  excluding  advisory,  voluntary  exit  plan  cost,  other  restructuring  costs,  discontinued 
operations and net profit on disposal of non-core assets for 2016 totalled €119 million (2015: loss of €394 
million).  

Restructuring costs13 for 2016 totalled €114 million (2015: €43 million).  

Loss  from  disposal  groups  held  for  sale/discontinued  operations  for  2015  was  €38  million  and  mainly 
relates to the disposal of the majority of the Russian operations.  

Net  gains  on  disposal  of  non-core  assets  for  2016  were  €59  million  (2015:  €37  million).  Net  gains  on 
disposal of non-core assets primarily relate to the gain on disposal of the investment in Visa Europe Limited 
during 2016. 

Profit  after  tax  attributable  to  the  owners  of  the  Company  for  2016  was  €64  million  (2015:  loss  of  €438 
million). 

Going concern 

Management has made an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

The conditions that existed during 2016 and the developments up to the date of approval of these consolidated 
financial statements that have been considered  in  management’s  going concern assessment  include, amongst 
others, the operating environment in Cyprus and of the Group (Note 4). 

Management  believes  that  the  Group  is  taking  all  necessary  measures  to  maintain  its  viability  and  the 
development of its business in the current economic environment. 

changes in expected cash flows. 

11  Comprising  provision  for  impairments  of  customer  loans  and  impairments  of  other  financial  and  non-financial  assets,  net  of  gains/(losses)  on  derecognition  and 
12 Defined as provisions for impairment of customer loans and gains/(losses) on derecognition of loans  and changes in expected cash flows over average gross loans 
13 Advisory, voluntary exit plan and other restructuring costs comprise mainly: 1) fees of external advisors in relation to: (i) disposal of operations and non-core assets 
(ii) customer loan restructuring activities which are not part of the effective interest rate and (iii) the listing on the London Stock Exchange, 2) litigation provisions 
related to the operations of Laiki Bank acquired in 2013 and 3) the voluntary exit plan cost. 

(as defined in Note 43 of the consolidated financial statements). 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Going concern (continued) 

Management,  taking  into  consideration  the  factors  described  below  and  the  uncertainties  that  existed  at  the 
reporting date, is satisfied that the Group has the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future 
and, therefore, the going concern principle is appropriate for the reasons set out below, despite the fact that, 
as  disclosed  in  Notes  4.2.3  and  45  the  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its  liquidity  regulatory 
requirements  with  respect  to  its  operations  in  Cyprus  and  the  Group  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its 
regulatory liquidity requirements with respect to the  Liquidity Coverage  Ratio (LCR),  which can be considered 
as a material uncertainty as to its ability to continue as a going concern.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Τhe Group’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 31 December 2016 stands at 14,5% (transitional) and 
the total capital at 14,6%, higher than the minimum required ratios (Note 4.2.1). 
The  improving  funding  structure  of  the  Group  as  a  result  of  the  continuing  positive  customer  flows  in 
Cyprus.   
The  increase  in  Group  customer  deposits  by  €2.329  million  during  2016.    Customer  deposits  stood  at 
€16.510 million at 31 December 2016. 
The Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) funding was repaid in full on 5 January 2017. ELA stood at €200 
million at 31 December 2016 compared to €3,8 billion at 31 December 2015 and €11,4 billion at its peak 
level in April 2013 (Note 4.2.3).  
The improved ratings of both the Company (Fitch Ratings upgrade of Long-term Issuer Default Rating from 
‘CCC’ to ‘B-’ in April 2016 with stable outlook, and Moody’s Investor Service upgrade of long-term deposit 
rating from Caa3 with stable outlook to Caa3 with positive outlook in June 2016 and to Caa2 with positive 
outlook in December 2016) and the Republic of Cyprus (Fitch Ratings upgrade by one notch to BB- with a 
positive  outlook  in  October  2016,  S&P  Global  Rating  by  one  notch  to  BB  with  a  positive  outlook  in 
September  2016  and  by  one  notch  to  BB+  with  a  stable  outlook  in  March  2017  and  Moody’s  Investors 
Service  by  two  notches  to  B1  with  a  stable  outlook  in  November  2015.  In  November  2016  Moody’s 
Investors Service improved the outlook on the Republic of Cyprus from stable to positive). 
The Company has returned to the debt capital  markets in January 2017 with the issue of unsecured and 
subordinated Tier 2 Capital Note of €250 million. 

Strategy and priorities  

The Group remains on track for implementing its strategic objectives aiming to become a stronger, safer and a 
more focused institution capable of supporting the recovery of the Cypriot economy and delivering appropriate 
shareholder returns in the medium term.  

The key pillars of the Group’s strategy are to:  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Materially reduce the level of delinquent loans 
Further improve the funding structure  
Maintain an appropriate capital position by internally generating capital  
Focus on the core Cyprus market and the UK operations  
Achieve a lean operating model 
Deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders  

With  the  Cypriot  operations  accounting  for  91%  of  both  gross  loans  and  customer  deposits,  the  Group’s 
financial  performance  is  highly  correlated  to  the  economic  and  operating  conditions  in  Cyprus  and  will 
consequently benefit from the country’s recovery. According to the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, 
real  GDP increased by  2,8%  year-on  year  in  the  fourth  quarter of  2016  (when  seasonally  adjusted), bringing 
the yearly growth to 2,8% (compared with 1,7%  the year before), thereby achieving the  highest growth rate 
since 2008. Growth drivers for the fourth quarter of 2016 continued to be the tourist and international business 
services  sectors  on the supply  side, and  the  gradually recovering private consumption, fixed  investments and 
net exports on the expenditure side. This was supported by the depreciation of the Euro against  the US Dollar 
and  the  drop in  oil  prices.    Tourist  activity  was  strong,  with  arrivals  up by  19,8%  in the  year to  October  and 
revenue from tourism up by 12,3% in the year to November. Fiscal developments in the crisis years have been 
better than expected due to both changes in the revenue and expenditure sides of the fiscal equation. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Strategy and priorities (continued)  

The  outlook  for  the  Cyprus  economy  over the  medium  term  remains  positive.  The  recovery  is  broadly based, 
funding  conditions  in  the  banking  system  have  improved  markedly,  the  stock  of  non-performing  loans  is 
decreasing  and  the  unemployment  rate  has  been  declining  at  a  significant  pace.  Official  forecasts  by  the 
European  Commission  in  its  Winter  2017  Economic Forecast  are  for  real  GDP  growth  to  remain  robust but  to 
decelerate to 2,5% in 2017 and 2,3% in 2018. 

Upside  risks  to  the  outlook  relate  to  a  longer  period  of  low  oil  prices,  further  improvement  of  economic 
fundamentals in the euro area and implementation of projects in tourism, energy and public projects.   

Downside  risks  to  the  growth  projections  are  associated  with  high  levels  of  non-performing  exposures  and  a 
potential deterioration of the external environment. This would involve a continuation of the recession in Russia 
in conditions of protracted declines in oil prices;  weaker than expected growth in the euro area as a result of 
worsening global economic conditions; and slower growth in the UK with a weakening of the pound as a result 
of  uncertainty  resulting  from  Brexit.  Consequently,  the  direct  consequences  on  Cyprus  of  Brexit,  will  mostly 
emanate  from  tourist  activity.  The  possible  loss  of  UK  tourist  arrivals  may  be  mitigated  at  least  in  part,  by 
increases in arrivals of tourists from other destinations as airline connectivity improves. Political uncertainty in 
Europe triggered by a British exit or by the refugee crisis could also lead to increased economic uncertainty and 
undermine economic confidence. 

Tackling  the  Group’s  loan  portfolio  quality  remains  the  top  priority  for  management.  The  Group  continues  to 
make  steady  progress  across  all  asset  quality  metrics  and  the  strong  momentum  in  the  loan  restructuring 
activity  continues.  The  Group  has  been  successful  in  engineering  restructuring  solutions  at  an  average  of 
approximately €1 billion a quarter since January 2015 across the spectrum of its loan portfolio. There is a shift 
of  focus  to  the  recoveries  and  retail  portfolios,  with  recoveries  via  foreclosures  to  unlock  solutions  with 
problematic  cases  and  non-cooperative  borrowers,  and  collections  via  the  specialised  unit  Retail  Arrears 
Management  and  other  available  tools  to  ensure  early  and  continuous  engagement  with  clients.  During  2016 
the recoveries portfolio was deleveraged by €0,8 billion. Overall, the Company is responsible for approximately 
two-thirds  of  the  reduction  of  NPEs  in  Cyprus  during  the  period  from  1  January  2015  to  31  October  2016, 
demonstrating the effectiveness of its strategy to tackle asset quality via a dedicated RRD division.  

In order to further improve its funding structure, the Group has stepped up its efforts to maintain and increase 
deposits  at  a  lower  cost,  leveraging  increasing  customer  confidence  towards  the  Group  and  improving 
macroeconomic  conditions.  During  the  year  the  Group  introduced  new  deposit  products  aimed  at  attracting 
local and international depositors. The Group’s capital position and overall improvement in its financial position 
enhance its funding options. On 5 January 2017, the Group has fully repaid ELA funding. During 2016 and up to 
its full repayment the Company repaid €3,8 billion of ELA. With the issuance of Tier 2 Capital Note  in January 
2017, the Company has returned to the debt capital markets.  

The  Group  strategically  focuses  and  reshapes  its  business  model  to  grow  in  core  Cypriot  market  through 
prudent  new  lending  and  developing  of  the  UK  franchise.  Growth  in  new  lending  is  focused  on  selected 
industries  that  are  more  in  line  with  the  Group’s  target  risk  profile,  such  as  tourism,  trade,  professional 
services,  information/communication  technology,  energy,  education  and  green  projects.  The  Group  is  also 
aiming  to  pursue  a  focused  growth  strategy  in  the  UK,  targeting  entrepreneurs  and  owner-managed 
businesses.  

Management  is  also  placing  emphasis  on  diversifying  its  income  streams  by  boosting  fee  income  from 
international  transaction  services,  wealth  management  and  insurance.  The  Group’s  insurance  companies, 
constitute  a  leading  player  in  the  insurance  business  in  Cyprus,  with  such  businesses  providing  a  recurring 
income,  further  diversifying  the  Group’s  income  streams.  The  insurance  income  net  of  insurance  claims  for 
2016 amounted to €44 million compared to €48 million for 2015. 

The Company continues to have a leading position in the Cypriot banking system, with market shares of 31,1% 
of  deposits  and  39,4%  of  loans  as  at  31  December  2016.  The  Group’s  strengthened  capital  position  and  its 
improving liquidity, support its efforts to provide credit to promising sectors of the domestic economy through 
its core operations, to support entrepreneurs in the UK through its UK subsidiary company, and to deliver value 
to shareholders and other stakeholders. During 2016, the Group has provided approximately €1,5 billion of new 
loans mainly to promising sectors of the domestic economy through its core operations and to entrepreneurs in 
the UK through its UK subsidiary. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
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Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Strategy and priorities (continued)  

On 19 January 2017, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, the Group’s new holding company as of 
18  January  2017,  the  effective  date  of  the  Scheme  of  Arrangement,  announced  that  its  total  issued  share 
capital  of  446.199.933  ordinary  shares  of  nominal  value  €0,10  each  was  admitted  to  the  standard  listing 
segment of the Official List of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, to trading on the Main Market 
for  listed  securities  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange  (’LSE’),  to  listing  on  the  CSE  and  to  trading  on  the  Main 
Market of the CSE.  Bank  of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company  works  towards  a premium  listing on the 
LSE, and intends to apply for a step up to the premium segment of the LSE at a future date, with the intention 
of becoming eligible for inclusion in the FTSE UK Index series. 

Capital base  

Shareholders’ equity totalled €3.071 million at 31 December 2016. The CET1  ratio (transitional basis) totalled 
14,5%  at  31  December  2016  (2015:  14,0%).  Adjusting  for  Deferred  Tax  Assets,  the  CET1  ratio  on  a  fully-
loaded  basis  totalled  13,9%  at  31  December  2016  (2015:  13,1%).    The  Total  Capital  ratio,  at  31  December 
2016, stood at 14,6%. 

Additional  information  on  regulatory  capital  is  disclosed  in  the  Additional  Risk  and  Capital  Management 
Disclosures which form part of this Annual Report and in the Pillar 3 Disclosures Report, www.bankofcyprus.com 
(Investor Relations). 

Share capital 

There  were  no  changes  on  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  during  2016.  Information  about  the 
changes  on  issued  share  capital  after 31  December  2016  is disclosed  in  Note  53  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

Share-based payments - share options 

The  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  approved  by  the  shareholders  at  the  annual  general  meeting  on  24  November 
2015 as described in Note 34 of the consolidated financial statements, was replaced on 18 January 2017 by the 
Share Option Plan implemented by Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company following the introduction 
of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  as  the  new  holding  company  of  the  Group.    The  Share 
Option  plan  is identical  to  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  except  that the  number  of  shares  in  Bank  of  Cyprus 
Holdings Public Limited Company to be issued pursuant to an exercise of options under the Share Option Plan 
should not exceed 8.922.945 ordinary shares of a nominal value of €0,10 each and the exercise price was set 
at €5,00 per share.  The exercise date was also extended from 3 years to between 4-10 years after the grant 
date. 

Treasury shares of the Company 

Shares  of  the  Company  held  by  entities  controlled  by  the  Group  are  deducted  from  equity  on  the  purchase, 
sale, issue or cancellation of such shares.  No gain or loss is recognised in the consolidated income statement.  
During 2016 all treasury shares other than those held by the life insurance subsidiary of the Group have been 
disposed of. 

The life insurance subsidiary, as at 31 December 2016, held a total of 2.889 thousand (2015: 2.889 thousand) 
shares  of  the  Company,  as  part  of  its  financial  assets  which  are  invested  for  the  benefit  of  insurance 
policyholders  (Note  24).  The  cost  of  acquisition  of  these  shares  was  €25.333  thousand  (2015:  €25.333 
thousand).   

Change of control  

There are no significant agreements to which the Company is a party and which take effect following a change 
of  control  of  the  Company,  but  the  Company  is  party  to  a  number  of  agreements  that  may  allow  the 
counterparties  to  alter  or  terminate  the  agreements  following  a  change  of  control.   Other  than  the  matters 
referred to below, these  are not deemed to be  significant in terms of their potential effect on the Group as a 
whole.  

The Group also has agreements which provide for termination if, upon a change of control of the Company, the 
Company’s creditworthiness is materially worsened.   

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Other information 

During 2016 and 2015 there were no restrictions on the transfer of the Company’s ordinary shares other than 
the  provisions  of  the  Banking  Law  of  Cyprus  which  requires  Central  Bank  of  Cyprus  (CBC)  approval  prior  to 
acquiring  shares  of  the  Company  in  excess  of  certain  thresholds  and  the  requirements  of  the  Directive  on 
Insider Dealing and Market Manipulation, which relates to transactions with related parties.   

Shares of the Company held by the life insurance subsidiary of the Group as part of its financial assets which 
are  invested  for  the  benefit  of  insurance  policyholders  carry  no  voting  rights,  pursuant  to  the  insurance  law.  
The Company does not have any shares in issue which carry special control rights. 

Shareholders holding more than 5% of the share capital of the Company 

As at 31 December 2016 the following shareholders held more than 5% of the share capital at the Company: 

Cyprus Popular Bank Public Co Ltd 

Lamesa Holdings S.A. (affiliate of Renova Group) 

TD Asset Management 

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 

31 December 
2016 
9,62% 

9,27% 

5,24% 

5,02% 

As  at  27  March  2017  all  the  shares  of  the  Company  are  held  by  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited 
Company (Note 53.1). 

Dividends 

The  Company  is  currently  under  a  regulatory  dividend  distribution  prohibition  and  therefore  no  dividend  was 
declared or paid during years 2016 and 2015. 

Events after the reporting date  

New holding company and listing on the London Stock Exchange  
Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was incorporated in the Republic of Ireland on 11 July 2016 
for  the  purposes  of  the  Group’s  listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  (LSE).  The  Republic  of  Ireland  was 
considered  to  be  the  most  suitable  jurisdiction  as  it  is  a  FTSE  eligible  Eurozone  country,  has  a  common  law 
legal system  similar to that of Cyprus and is a commonly adopted jurisdiction for companies wishing to apply 
for  listing  on  the  LSE.  The  Company’s  headquarters,  management  and  operations  remain  in  Cyprus.  Bank  of 
Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company is tax resident in Cyprus.  

The  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  (EGM)  of  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  held  on  13  December  2016 
approved the scheme of arrangement between the Company, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company 
and the shareholders of the Company.  The scheme of arrangement introduces Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public 
Limited Company as the new holding company of the  Group.  Additionally the EGM authorised the directors of 
the Company to take all actions necessary or appropriate to carry the scheme of arrangement into effect.  

The EGM also approved: 
(i) 

the  reduction  in  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  from  €892.294.453,30  divided  into 
8.922.944.533  ordinary  shares  of  a  nominal  value  of  €0,10  each  to  nil  by  cancelling  all  the  shares 
comprising  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  (the  Existing  Shares)  resulting  in  the  creation  of  a 
capital  reduction  reserve  in  the  accounts  of  the  Company,  equal  to  the  aggregate  nominal  value  of  the 
Existing  Shares  so  cancelled,  and  which  shall  be  retained  as  a  non-distributable  capital  reserve  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  subsection  (e)  of  section  64  of  the  Companies  Law,  Cap.  113  (the 
‘Reduction of Capital’); 

(ii)  the  increase  in  the  authorised  share  capital  of  the  Company  to  €4.767.759.272,00  divided  into 
47.677.592.720 ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0,10 each through the creation of 8.922.944.533 
new but unissued ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0,10 each, each of which shall have the same 
rights and shall rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares of the Company; 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Events after the reporting date (continued) 

New holding company and listing on the London Stock Exchange (continued) 
(iii)  to apply the reserve arising in the books of account of the Company as a result of the cancellation of the 
Existing  Shares  in  paying  up  in  full  at  par  8.922.944.533  new  ordinary  shares  with  a  nominal  value  of 
€0,10 each in the capital of the Company, which shall be issued and allotted, credited as fully paid, to Bank 
of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company or its nominee(s) in accordance with the Scheme; and 

(iv)  the authorization of the directors of the Company to give effect to this special resolution. 

The  scheme  of  arrangement  was  sanctioned  by  the  District  Court  of  Nicosia  on  21  December  2016  and  the 
Existing Shares of the Company were suspended from trading on  the CSE and Athens Exchange (ATHEX) with 
effect from and including 10 January 2017. 

Following the submission of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies and the Registration, by the latter, 
of the reduction of capital, the scheme of arrangement became effective on 18 January 2017. As a result, all of 
the  shares  comprising  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  were  cancelled  and  the  Company  issued  and 
allotted  8.922.944.533  new  ordinary  shares  of  nominal  value  €0,10  each,  credited  as  fully  paid  to  Bank  of 
Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company;  and  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  issued  and 
allotted  New  Shares  and  procured  the  issue  of  Depositary  Interests  representing  New  Shares,  in  accordance 
with the terms of the scheme of arrangement. Each one New Share or one Depository Interest represents one 
New Share for each individual holding of 20 Existing Shares.  

On 19 January 2017 the total issued share capital of 446.199.933 ordinary shares of nominal value €0,10 each 
of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was admitted to the standard listing segment of the official 
list of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct  Authority, to trading on the Main Market for listed securities of 
the LSE, under the ticker symbol “BOCH”, to listing  on the CSE and to trading on the Main Market of the CSE 
under the ticker symbol “BOCH/ΤΡΚΗ”, with ISIN IE00BD5B1Y92. 

Share - based payments – share options 
The  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  approved  by  the  shareholders  at the  annual  general  meeting  on  24  November 
2015 as described in Note 34 of the consolidated financial statements, was replaced on 18 January 2017 by the 
Share Option Plan implemented by Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company following the introduction 
of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  as  the  new  holding  company  of  the  Group.    The  Share 
Option  plan  is identical  to  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  except  that the  number  of  shares  in  Bank  of  Cyprus 
Holdings Public Limited Company to be issued pursuant to an exercise of options under the Share Option Plan 
should not exceed 8.922.945 ordinary shares of a nominal value of €0,10 each and the exercise price was set 
at €5,00 per share.  The exercise date was also extended from 3 years to between 4-10 years after the grant 
date. 

Full repayment of ELA 
ELA was fully repaid on 5 January 2017. All ELA collateralised loans have subsequently been released, but ELA 
pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017. 

Issue of Tier 2 Capital 
In  January  2017,  the  Company  issued  €250  million  unsecured  and  subordinated  Tier  2  Capital  Note  (Note) 
under  the  Company’s  EMTN  Programme.  The  Note  was  priced  at  par  with  a  coupon  of  9,25%.    The  Note 
matures  on  19  January  2027.    The  Company  has  the  option  to  redeem  the  Note  early  on  19  January  2022, 
subject to applicable regulatory consents. 

Funding through the new series of TLTRO II 
In March 2017 the Company has borrowed an additional amount of €230 million through the new series of 
TLTRO II, to be received on 29 March 2017. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
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Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Risk management  

Like other financial organisations, the Group is exposed to risks, the most significant of which are  credit risk, 
liquidity  risk,  market  risk  (arising  from  adverse  movements  in  exchange  rates,  interest  rates  and  security 
prices) and insurance risk.  The Group monitors and manages these risks through various control mechanisms.  
Detailed  information  relating  to  Group  risk  management  is  set  out  in  Notes  43  to  46  of  the  consolidated 
financial  statements  and  in  the  Additional  Risk  and  Capital  Management  Disclosures  which  form  part  of  this 
2016 Annual Financial Report.   

Additionally, the Group is exposed to the risk on changes in the fair value of property which is held either for 
own  use  or  as  stock  of  property  or  as  investment  property.    Stock  of  property  is  generally  acquired  in  debt 
satisfaction and is intended to be disposed of in line with the Group’s strategy.  Further information is disclosed 
in Notes 22, 25 and 27. 

In addition, details of the significant judgements, estimates and assumptions which may have a material impact 
on  the  Group’s  financial  performance  and  position  are  set  out  in  Note  5  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

The  Pillar  3  disclosures  required  by  the  Capital  Requirements  Regulation  (EU)  No  575/2013  are  published  on 
the Group’s website www.bankofcyprus.com (Investor Relations).  

Preparation of periodic reporting  

The  Board  is  responsible  for  ensuring  that  the  management  maintains  an  appropriate  system  of  internal 
controls which provides assurance of effective operations, internal financial controls and compliance with rules 
and regulations.  It has the overall responsibility for the Group and approves and oversees the implementation 
of the Group’s strategic objectives, risk strategy and internal governance.   

The  Group  has  appropriate  internal  control  mechanisms,  including  sound  administrative  and  accounting 
procedures,  Information  Technology  (‘IT’)  systems  and  controls.   The  governance  framework  is  subject  to 
review at least once a year. 

The  Group  has  in  place  an  effective  financial  statement  closing  process  by  which  transactions  and  events 
reflected  in  the  Group’s  accounting  records  are  processed  to  produce  the  financial  statements,  related 
disclosures and other financial reports. Internal control system also ensures that the integrity of the accounting 
and  financial  reporting  systems,  including  financial  and  operational  controls  and  compliance  with  legal  and 
supervisory requirements and relevant standards, is adequate. 

Policies and procedures have been designed in accordance with the nature, scale and complexity of the Group’s 
operations  in  order  to  provide  reasonable  but  not  absolute  assurance  against  material  misstatements, errors, 
losses, fraud or breaches of laws and regulations. 

The Board, through the Audit Committee, conducts reviews on a frequent basis, regarding the effectiveness of 
the  Group’s  internal  control  systems,  as  well  as  in  relation  to  the  procedures  used  to  ensure  the  accuracy, 
completeness and validity of the information provided to investors.   The  reviews  cover  all systems of internal 
controls, including financial, operational and compliance controls, as well as risk management systems. The role 
of the Audit Committee is to ensure the financial integrity and accuracy of the Company’s financial reporting.  

Corporate Governance Statement 

In  April  2014  the  CSE  issued  the  4th  Edition  (Revised)  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Code  (the  CSE  Code).  
Listed  companies  have  an  obligation  to  include  in  their  Annual  Financial  Report,  a  Report  by  the  Board  of 
Directors  on  Corporate  Governance.   In  the  first  part  of  the  Report,  companies  should  report  whether  they 
comply  with  the  CSE  Code  and  the  extent  to  which  they  implement  its  principles.   In  the  second  part  of  the 
Report, companies should confirm that they have complied with the CSE Code provisions and in the event that 
they have not, they should give adequate explanation. 

The  Company  has  also  chosen  to  comply  with  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  2014  published  by  the 
Financial  Reporting  Council  in  the  UK  (the  UK  Code)  following  the  decision  to  proceed  with  a  Listing  on  the 
London Stock Exchange. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Corporate Governance Statement (continued) 

Regarding the first part of the Report, as a company listed on the CSE, the Company has adopted the CSE Code 
and implements its principles.  

Regarding  the  second  part  of  the  Report,  the  Company  complies  with  the  provisions  of  the  CSE  Code.  
Throughout the Corporate Governance Report for 2016 a narrative statement is provided on how the principles 
of the CSE Code have been applied. 

The narrative also covers principles of the UK Code and how these have been applied throughout the year. 

The  rules  governing  the  composition  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  appointment  and  replacement  of  its 
members are set out in section 1 of the Corporate Governance Report for 2016.  The powers of the executive 
and supervisory bodies of the Group are also set out in the Corporate Governance Report. 

Any amendment or addition to the Articles of Association of the Company is only valid if approved by a special 
resolution at a shareholders’ meeting. 

The Board of Directors may issue share capital if there is sufficient authorised share capital and as long as the 
new shares to be issued are offered first to existing shareholders, pro-rata to their percentage shareholding.  In 
the event that a share capital increase requires an increase in the authorised share capital or if the new shares 
are  not  offered  to  existing  shareholders,  the  approval  of  the  shareholders  in a  general  meeting  must  be 
obtained.   Under  Cyprus  Companies  Law,  the  Board  of  Directors  also  has  the  right  to  propose  to  the  general 
meeting of shareholders a share buyback scheme. 
 Details of restrictions in voting rights and special control rights in relation to the shares of the Company are set 
out in the section on ‘Other information’ above. 

The Corporate Governance Report for 2016 is included within this Annual Financial Report. 

Service termination agreements  

The  service  contract  of one  of the  executive  directors  in  office  as  at  31  December  2016  includes  a  clause  for 
termination, by service of four months’ notice to that effect upon the executive director, without cause but at 
the  Company’s  sole  discretion.   In  such  a  case,  the  Company  shall  have  the  obligation  to  pay  the  executive 
director in lieu of notice for immediate termination.  The terms of employment of the other executive director 
are  mainly  based  on  the  provisions  of  the  collective  agreement  in  place,  which  provides  for  notice  or 
compensation based on years of service.  

Board of Directors  

The members of the Board of Directors of the Company as at the date of this Report are listed on page 1.  All 
Directors were members of the Board  throughout  the  year and up to the date of this Report  except  from  Dr. 
Michael  Heger  who  was  appointed  as  a  member of the  Board  of  Directors  following  ECB  approval  on  10  June 
2016 and Ms Lyn Grobler who was appointed as Director following ECB approval on 7 February 2017. Mr Wilbur 
L. Ross Jr. submitted his resignation from his position as member and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors 
on  1  March  2017.  The  Board  of  Directors  have  accepted  Mr  Ross’  resignation  and  expressed  their  warmest 
thanks for his valuable contribution to the Group which he has served since 2014. On the same date, the Board 
of  Directors  decided  to  appoint  Mr  James  B.  Lockhart  III  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors.    His 
appointment is subject to approval by the ECB.    

The Articles of Association of the Company provides for one third of the Directors to retire and offer themselves 
for  re-election.  The  Articles  of  Association  of  the  Company  will  be  amended  prior  to  the  next  Annual  General 
Meeting so that henceforth all Directors will retire every year and offer themselves for re-election if they wish. 

The remuneration of the Board of Directors is disclosed in Note 48 of the consolidated financial statements. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Management Report 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Board of Directors (continued) 

The  interest  in  the  share  capital  of  the  Company  held  by  each  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  at  31 
December 2016 is presented in the table below:  

31 December 2016 

Non-executives 

Prof. Dr. Josef Ackermann 

Wilbur L. Ross Jr. 

Maksim Goldman 

Arne Berggren 

Dr. Michael Heger 

Marios Kalochoritis 

Michalis Spanos 

Ioannis Zographakis  

Executives 

John Patrick Hourican 

Dr. Christodoulos Patsalides 

% 

0,03 

1,63 

- 

0,01 

- 

- 

0,01 

- 

- 

- 

1,68 

As from 18 January 2017, the date that the Scheme of Arrangement became effective as disclosed in Note 53.1 
of the consolidated financial statements. As at 27 March 2017, none of the members of the Board of Directors 
held any interest in the share capital of the Company. 

Prof. Dr. Josef Ackermann 

Chairman 

27 March 2017 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements   

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Consolidated Financial Statements - Contents  
For the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6.  Segmental analysis 
Interest income 
7. 
Interest expense 
8. 
Fee and commission income and expense 
9. 
10.  Net foreign exchange gains 
11.  Net gains on financial instrument transactions 
12.  Insurance income net of claims and commissions 
13.  Other income 
14.  Staff costs 
15.  Other operating expenses 
16.  Impairment of financial and non-financial 

instruments and gain on derecognition of loans  
and advances to customers and changes in  
expected cash flows 

17.  Income tax 
18.  Earnings per share 
19.  Cash, balances with central banks and loans and 

Page 

55 
63 
63 
63 
64 
64 
65 
66 
67 
73 

74 
75 
79 

advances to banks 

80 
80 
20.  Investments 
86 
21.  Derivative financial instruments 
22.  Fair value measurement 
88 
23.  Loans and advances to customers                           100 
24.  Life insurance business assets attributable to   

policyholders 

  100 
 102 
25.  Property and equipment 
104 
26.  Intangible assets 
106 
27.  Stock of property 
28.  Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 
107 
29.  Non-current assets and disposal group held for sale 107 
108 
30.  Funding from central banks 
109 
31.  Customer deposits 
110 
32.  Insurance liabilities 
111 
33.  Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 
112 
34.  Share capital 
114 
35.  Dividends 
114 
36.  Accumulated losses 
114 
37.  Fiduciary transactions 
114 
38.  Contingent liabilities and commitments 
121 
39.  Net cash flow from operating activities 
122 
40.  Cash and cash equivalents 
41.  Operating leases – The Group as lessee 
123 
42.  Analysis of assets and liabilities  

 by expected maturity 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk 
44.  Risk management – Market risk 
45.  Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding  
46.  Risk management – Insurance risk 
47.  Capital management 
48.  Related party transactions 
49.  Group companies 
50.  Acquisitions and disposals  
51.  Investments in associates and joint ventures 
52.  Country by country reporting 
53.  Events after the reporting date                               183   

124 
125 
153 
158 
168 
169 
170 
173 
176 
180 
182 

Contents 

Page 

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
1.  Corporate information 
2.  Summary of significant accounting policies 

  2.1  Basis of preparation 

2.2  Changes in accounting policies  

and disclosures 

2.3  Standards and Interpretations  

18 

19 

20 

21 

23 

24 
24 
24 

24 

   that are issued but not yet effective 

27 
30 
2.4  Basis of consolidation 
2.5  Business combinations 
31 
2.6  Investments in associates and joint ventures  31 
32 
2.7  Foreign currency translation 
32 
2.8  Segmental reporting 
32 
2.9  Turnover 
33 
2.10  Revenue recognition 
33 
2.11  Retirement benefits 
34 
2.12  Tax 
35 
2.13  Financial instruments 
2.14  Derecognition of financial assets and  

financial liabilities 

2.15  Impairment of financial assets 
2.16  Hedge accounting 
2.17  Offsetting financial instruments 
2.18  Cash and cash equivalents 
2.19  Insurance business 
2.20  Repurchase and reverse repurchase  

  agreements 

2.21  Finance leases – The Group as lessor 
2.22  Operating leases  
2.23  Property and equipment 
2.24  Investment properties 
2.25  Stock of property 
2.26  Non-current assets held for sale and 

37 
38 
39 
40 
40 
41 

42 
42 
42 
42 
43 
43 

discontinued operations 

2.27  Intangible assets  
2.28  Share capital  
2.29  Treasury shares 
2.30  Provisions 
2.31  Financial guarantees  
2.32  Comparative information 

44 
44 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 
46 
3.  Going concern 
4.  Operating environment 
46 
5.  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions   49 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
               
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Consolidated Income Statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Continuing operations 
Turnover 

Interest income 
Interest expense 

Net interest income 
Fee and commission income 
Fee and commission expense 
Net foreign exchange gains 
Net gains on financial instrument transactions  
Insurance income net of claims and commissions 
Gains/(losses) from revaluation and disposal of investment properties 
Gains on disposal of stock of property 
Other income 

Staff costs 
Other operating expenses 

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances to customers and changes 
in expected cash flows  
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to customers and other 
customer credit losses 
Impairment of other financial instruments 
Impairment of non-financial instruments 
Profit/(loss) before share of profit from associates and joint 
ventures 
Share of profit from associates and joint ventures 

Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations 
Income tax 

Profit/(loss) after tax from continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Loss after tax from discontinued operations 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Attributable to: 
Owners of the Company-continuing operations 
Owners of the Company-discontinued operations 
Total profit/(loss) attributable to the owners of the Company 

Non-controlling interests-continuing operations 
Non-controlling interests-discontinued operations 

Total profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share (cent) 
attributable to the owners of the Company-continuing 
operations 
Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share (cent) 
attributable to the owners of the Company  

Notes 

2.9 

7 
8 

9 
9 
10 
11 
12 
22 

13 

14 
15 

16 

16 

16 
16 

51 

17 

6 

18 

18 

2016 
€000 

2015  
€000 

1.234.098 

886.582 
(200.400) 

686.182 
176.865 
(10.207) 
43.471 
63.373 
44.432 
4.974 
1.361 
14.905 
1.025.356 
(287.172) 
(242.955) 

495.229 

1.425.989 

1.122.105 
(279.665) 

842.440 
162.557 
(9.100) 
38.367 
47.129 
47.905 
(53.080) 
882 
16.725 
1.093.825 
(233.631) 
(225.038) 

635.156 

63.315 

305.089 

(433.609) 

(1.264.554) 

(11.293) 
(36.220) 

(43.503) 
(18.103) 

77.422 

(385.915) 

8.194 

85.616 
(18.385) 

67.231 

5.923 

(379.992) 
(9.203) 

(389.195) 

- 

67.231 

(65.107) 

(454.302) 

63.656 
- 
63.656 

3.575 
- 

3.575 

67.231 

0,7 

0,7 

(382.513) 
(55.839) 
(438.352) 

(6.682) 
(9.268) 

(15.950) 

(454.302) 

(4,3) 

(4,9) 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

67.231 

(454.302) 

Notes 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Other comprehensive income (OCI) 
OCI to be reclassified in the consolidated income 
statement in subsequent periods  
Foreign currency translation reserve 
(Loss)/profit on translation of net investments in foreign 
branches and subsidiaries 
Profit/(loss) on hedging of net investments in foreign 
branches and subsidiaries 
Transfer to the consolidated income statement on 
dissolution/disposal of foreign operations 

Available-for-sale investments 

Net gains from fair value changes before tax 
Share of net gains/(losses) from fair value changes of 
associates  
Transfer to the consolidated income statement on 
impairment 
Transfer to the consolidated income statement on sale 

OCI not to be reclassified in the consolidated 
income statement in subsequent periods 
Property revaluation 

Fair value loss before tax 

Share of fair value gain of associates 

Tax 

Actuarial (losses)/gains on the defined benefit 
plans 
Remeasurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income after tax 

17 

14 

(43.763) 

19.597 

21 

53.408 

(22.860) 

(3.958) 

5.687 

842 

1.677 

839 

(47.960) 

(44.602) 

(38.915) 

- 

- 

219 

219 

(14.255) 

(14.036) 

(52.951) 

21.020 

17.757 

52.056 

(2.060) 

1.515 

(3.016) 

48.495 

66.252 

(4.795) 

4 

3.923 

(868) 

2.328 

1.460 

67.712 

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

14.280 

(386.590) 

Attributable to: 

Owners of the Company  

Non-controlling interests  

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

15.321 

(1.041) 

(378.679) 

(7.911) 

14.280 

(386.590) 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 
as at 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Assets 

Notes 

Cash and balances with central banks 
Loans and advances to banks 
Derivative financial assets 
Investments  
Investments pledged as collateral 
Loans and advances to customers 
Life insurance business assets attributable to policyholders 
Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 
Stock of property 
Investment properties 
Property and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Investments in associates and joint ventures 
Deferred tax assets 
Non-current assets and disposal group held for sale 
Total assets 

Liabilities 
Deposits by banks 
Funding from central banks 
Repurchase agreements 
Derivative financial liabilities 
Customer deposits  
Insurance liabilities 
Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 
Debt securities in issue 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Non-current liabilities and disposal group held for sale 
Total liabilities 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Capital reduction reserve 
Revaluation and other reserves  
Accumulated losses 
Equity attributable to the owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity  

19 
19 
21 
20 
20 
23 
24 
28 
27 
22 
25 
26 
51 
17 
29 

30 

21 
31 
32 
33 

17 
29 

34 
34 
34 

36 

2016 
€000 
1.506.396 
1.087.837 
20.835 
373.879 
299.765 
15.649.401 
499.533 
269.911 
1.427.272 
38.059 
280.893 
146.963 
109.339 
450.441 
11.411 
22.171.935 

434.786 
850.014 
257.367 
48.625 
16.509.741 
583.997 
335.925 
- 
45.375 
- 
19.065.830 

892.294 
552.618 
1.952.486 
218.678 
(544.930) 
3.071.146 
34.959 
3.106.105 

2015  
€000 
1.422.602 
1.314.380 
14.023 
588.255 
421.032 
17.191.632 
475.403 
281.780 
515.858 
34.628 
264.333 
133.788 
107.753 
456.531 
48.503 
23.270.501 

242.137 
4.452.850 
368.151 
54.399 
14.180.681 
566.925 
282.831 
712 
40.807 
3.677 
20.193.170 

892.294 
552.618 
1.952.486 
258.709 
(601.152) 
3.054.955 
22.376 
3.077.331 

Total liabilities and equity  

22.171.935 

23.270.501 

Prof. Dr. J. Ackermann  Chairman 

Mr. J. P. Hourican  Chief Executive Officer 

Mr. I. Zographakis         Director 

Mrs. E. Livadiotou   Finance Director 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Attributable to the owners of the Company 

Share  
capital  
(Note 34) 

Share 
premium 
(Note 34) 

Capital 
reduction 
reserve  
(Note 34) 

Treasury 
shares 
(Note 34)  

Accumulated 
losses 
(Note 36) 

Property 
revaluation 
reserve 

Revaluation 
reserve of 
available-for-
sale 
investments 

Other 
reserves 

Life insurance 
in-force 
business 
reserve  

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 

Reserve of  
disposal  
group 
 and assets  
held for sale 
(Note 29) 

Non-
controlling 
interests 

Total 

Total equity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1 January 2016  

892.294 

552.618 

1.952.486 

(41.301) 

(601.152) 

99.218 

47.125 

6.059 

99.050 

30.939 

17.619 

3.054.955 

22.376 

3.077.331 

63.656 

- 

- 

(14.255) 

219 

(39.986) 

49.401 

219 

(39.986) 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive 
(loss)/income after tax 
for the year 
Total comprehensive 
income/(loss) for the 
year 
Increase in value of in-
force life insurance 
business 
Tax on increase in 
value of in-force life 
insurance business 
Transfer of realised 
profits on disposal of 
properties 
Disposal of subsidiary 
(Note 50.2.1) 
Acquisition of subsidiary 
(Note 50.1.1) 
Disposals of treasury 
shares 
Change in presentation 
of life insurance 
subsidiary’s treasury 
shares 
Increase in 
shareholding of 
subsidiary 
Dividends paid to non-
controlling interests 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(4.680) 

479 

- 

- 

8.501 

(8.501) 

17.619 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

41.301 

(40.560) 

(25.333) 

25.333 

- 

- 

129 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4.680 

(479) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5.687 

5.687 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(17.619) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

63.656 

3.575 

67.231 

(48.335) 

(4.616) 

(52.951) 

15.321 

(1.041) 

14.280 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

741 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

18.753 

18.753 

- 

- 

741 

- 

- 

129 

(129) 

- 

(5.000) 

(5.000) 

31 December 2016 

892.294 

552.618 

1.952.486 

(25.333) 

(544.930) 

90.936 

7.139 

6.059 

103.251 

36.626 

-  3.071.146 

34.959 

3.106.105 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Share  
capital  
(Note 34) 

Share 
premium 
(Note 34) 

Capital 
reduction 
reserve  
(Note 34) 

Shares  
subject to 
 interim orders 

Treasury 
shares 
(Note 34)  

Accumulated 
losses 
(Note 36) 

Property 
revaluation 
reserve 

Revaluation 
reserve of 
available-for-
sale 
investments 

Other 
reserves 

Life 
insurance 
in-force 
business 
reserve  

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 

Reserve of  
disposal groups 
 and assets  
held for sale 
(Note 29) 

Non- 
controlling 
interests 

Total 
equity 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Attributable to the owners of the Company 

1 January 2015  

892.238 

552.539 

1.952.486 

441 

(88.051) 

(79.021) 

98.211 

2.226 

6.059 

97.698 

22.929 

7.737 

3.465.492 

15.555 

3.481.047 

(438.352) 

- 

- 

2.328 

(906) 

44.899 

(436.024) 

(906) 

44.899 

- 

- 

(438.352) 

(15.950) 

(454.302) 

(15.307) 

28.659 

59.673 

8.039 

67.712 

(15.307) 

28.659 

(378.679) 

(7.911) 

(386.590) 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive 
income/(loss) after tax for 
the year 
Total comprehensive 
(loss)/income for the year 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Issue of shares 

56 

79 

Acquisition of non-
controlling interest 
Disposal of subsidiaries 
(Note 50.4.1) 
Increase in shareholding of 
subsidiary (Note 49) 
Debt capitalisation for 
subsidiary non-controlling 
interests 
Dividend paid to non-
controlling interests 
Transfer of realised losses 
on disposal of property 
Increase in value of in-
force life insurance 
business 
Tax on increase in value of 
in-force life insurance 
business 
Disposals of treasury 
shares 
Reclassification from assets 
held-for-sale 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31 December 2015 

892.294 

552.618 

1.952.486 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(68) 

6.805 

(37.094) 

(9.293) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1.565) 

1.641 

(1.499) 

147 

- 

- 

- 

(441) 

46.750 

(43.540) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.499 

(147) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

11.693 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(76) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

135 

(68) 

- 

68 

135 

- 

(6.805) 

- 

(18.112) 

(18.112) 

(25.401) 

25.401 

(9.293) 

9.293 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.769 

(1.918) 

(1.918) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.769 

- 

- 

- 

272 

11.624 

(11.896) 

- 

(41.301) 

(601.152) 

99.218 

47.125 

6.059 

99.050 

30.939 

17.619 

3.054.955 

22.376 

3.077.331 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows  
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

Net cash flow from operating activities 

39 

3.162.625 

2.359.442 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchases of debt securities and equity securities 

(213.032) 

(32.670) 

Notes 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

Proceeds on disposal/redemption of investments: 

- debt securities 

- equity securities 

Interest received from debt securities 

Dividend income from equity securities 

Dividend income from associates 

Proceeds on disposal of subsidiaries and operations 

Proceeds on disposal of joint ventures 

466.640 

1.551.748 

50.143 

28.084 

343 

4.939 

26.500 

- 

4.446 

14.937 

900 

2.641 

3.396 

89.011 

(8.709) 

343 

Purchases of property and equipment 

25 

(12.096) 

Proceeds on disposals of property and equipment and intangible assets 

210 

Purchases of intangible assets 

26 

(16.363) 

(15.045) 

Proceeds on disposals of investment properties and investment properties 
held for sale 

Net cash flow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Proceeds from the issue of shares 

14.076 

30.996 

349.444 

1.641.994 

- 

135 

Net repayment of funding from central banks 

(3.602.836) 

(3.830.923) 

Redemption of debt securities in issue 

Interest on debt securities in issue 

Interest on funding from central banks 

Proceeds from disposal of treasury shares 

Dividend paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests 

(712) 

(1.733) 

- 

(25) 

(29.656) 

(78.187) 

741 

2.769 

(5.000) 

(1.918) 

Net cash flow used in financing activities 

(3.637.463) 

(3.909.882) 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year 

(125.394) 

91.554 

Cash and cash equivalents 

1 January 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year 

2.347.408 

2.238.601 

9.014 

(125.394) 

17.253 

91.554 

31 December 

40 

2.231.028 

2.347.408 

Details on the non-cash transactions are presented in Note 39. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

Corporate information  

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd (the Company) was the holding company of the Bank of Cyprus Group (the 
Group) during 2016 and as at the balance sheet date.  The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiary 
companies  during  the  year  continued  to  be  the  provision  of  banking,  financial,  insurance  services  and 
management and disposal of property generally acquired in debt satisfaction. 

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated in 1930 under the Cyprus Companies Law.  As at the 
balance  sheet date the Company had  a primary listing on the  Cyprus Stock Exchange  (CSE)  and a secondary 
listing on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX). Its shares were suspended from trading on the CSE and ATHEX with 
effect  from  and  including  10  January  2017  and  were  subsequently  cancelled  pursuant  to  a  Scheme  of 
Arrangement  that  became  effective  on  18  January  2017.  On  the  same  date  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public 
Limited  Company  became  the  sole  shareholder  of  the  Company,  and  on  19  January  2017  Bank  of  Cyprus 
Holdings Public Limited Company was admitted to listing and trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and 
the  CSE.  Further  information  is  disclosed  in  Note  53.1.    The  Company  remains  a  public  company  for  the 
purposes of the Cyprus Income Tax Laws.    

The consolidated financial statements are available at the Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd Registered Office 
(51  Stassinos  Street,  Ayia  Paraskevi,  Strovolos,  P.O.  Box  24884,  1398  Nicosia,  Cyprus)  and  on  the  Group’s 
website www.bankofcyprus.com (Investor Relations). 

Consolidated financial statements 
The consolidated financial statements of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd for the  year ended 31 December 
2016 were authorised for issue by a resolution of the Board of Directors on 27 March 2017. 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies  

2.1   

Basis of preparation 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for properties held 
for  own  use  and  investment  properties,  available-for-sale  investments,  derivative  financial  instruments  and 
financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, that have been measured at fair value, non-current assets 
held  for  sale  measured  at  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and  stock  of  property  measured  at  net  realisable  value 
where this is lower than cost.  The carrying values of recognised assets and liabilities that are hedged items in 
fair value hedges, and otherwise carried at cost, are adjusted to record changes in fair value attributable to the 
risks that are being hedged. 

Presentation of consolidated financial statements 
The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Euro  (€)  and  all  amounts  are  rounded  to  the  nearest 
thousand,  except  where  otherwise  indicated.    A  dot  is  used  to  separate  thousands  and  a  comma  is  used  to 
separate decimals. 

The Group presents its balance sheet broadly in order of liquidity. An analysis regarding expected recovery or 
settlement of financial assets and liabilities within twelve months after the balance  sheet date and more than 
twelve months after the balance sheet date is presented in Note 42.   

Statement of compliance 
The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  International  Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies  Law, Cap. 
113. 

2.2 

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures 

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year, except for the adoption 
of new and amended standards and interpretations as explained in Note 2.2.1 below.   

24 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.2 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures (continued) 

2.2.1   New and amended standards and interpretations 

The Group applied for the first time certain standards and amendments, which are effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2016. The Group has not  early adopted  any other  standard, interpretation or 
amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. 

The  nature  and  the  effect  of  these  changes  are  disclosed  below.    Although  these  new  standards  and 
amendments were applied for the first time in 2016, they did not have  a material impact on the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group. The nature of each new standard or amendment is described below: 

International  Accounting  Standard  (IAS)  16  Property,  Plant  &  Equipment  and  IAS  38  Intangible  assets 
(Amendment): Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation 
This  amendment  clarifies the  principle  in  IAS  16  Property,  Plant  and  Equipment  and  IAS  38  Intangible  Assets 
that revenue reflects a pattern of economic benefits that are generated from operating a business (of which the 
asset is part) rather than the economic benefits that are consumed through use of the asset. As a result, the 
ratio of revenue generated to total revenue expected to be generated cannot be used to depreciate property, 
plant and equipment and may only be used in very limited circumstances  to  amortise intangible assets.    This 
amendment did not result in any changes in the Group financial statements. 

IFRS 11 Joint arrangements: Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations  
IFRS 11 addresses the accounting for interests in joint ventures and joint operations. The amendment adds new 
guidance on how to account for the acquisition of an interest in a joint operation that constitutes a business in 
accordance  with  IFRS  and  specifies  the  appropriate  accounting  treatment  for  such  acquisitions.    This 
amendment did not have an impact on the Group financial statements. 

IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements  
This  amendment  allows  entities  to  use  the  equity  method  to  account  for  investments  in  subsidiaries,  joint 
ventures  and  associates  in  their  separate  financial  statements  and  helps  some  jurisdictions  move  to  IFRS  for 
separate  financial  statements,  reducing  compliance  costs  without  reducing  the  information  available  to 
investors. This amendment did not have an impact on the Group financial statements. 

IAS 1Disclosure Initiative (Amendment) 
The  amendments  to  IAS  1  Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  further  encourage  companies  to  apply 
professional  judgment  in  determining  what  information  to  disclose  and  how  to  structure  it  in  their  financial 
statements.  The  narrow-focus  amendments  to  IAS  1  clarify,  rather  than  significantly  change,  existing  IAS  1 
requirements.  The  amendments  relate  to  materiality,  order  of  the  notes,  subtotals  and  disaggregation, 
accounting  policies  and  presentation  of  items  of  OCI  arising  from  equity  accounted  investments.  This 
amendment did not result in any changes in the Group financial statements. 

Annual Improvements IFRSs 2012-2014 Cycle 
The  International  Accounting  Standards  Board  (IASB)  has  issued  the  Annual  Improvements  IFRSs  2012-2014 
Cycle  which  is  a  collection  of  amendments  to  IFRSs.    These  did  not  have  an  impact  on  the  Group  financial 
statements. They include: 
 

IFRS  5  Non-current  Assets  Held  for  Sale  and  Discontinued  Operations:  The  amendment  clarifies  that 
changing  from  one  of  the  disposal  methods  to  the  other  (through  sale  or  through  distribution  to  the 
owners) should not be considered to be a new plan of disposal, but rather as a continuation of the original 
plan. There is therefore no interruption of the application of the requirements in IFRS 5. The amendment 
also clarifies that changing the disposal method does not change the date of classification. 

 

 

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments - Disclosures: The amendment clarifies that a servicing contract that includes 
a  fee  can  constitute  continuing  involvement  in  a  financial  asset.  Also,  the  amendment  clarifies  that  the 
IFRS  7  disclosures  relating  to  the  offsetting  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  not  required  in 
the condensed interim financial report. 

IAS 19 Employee Benefits: The amendment clarifies that market depth of high quality corporate bonds is 
assessed based on the currency in which the obligation is denominated, rather than the country where the 
obligation  is  located.  When  there  is  no  deep  market  for  high  quality  corporate  bonds  in  that  currency, 
government bond rates must be used. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.2 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures (continued) 

2.2.1   New and amended standards and interpretations (continued) 

Annual Improvements IFRSs 2012-2014 Cycle (continued) 
 

IAS  34  Interim  Financial  Reporting:  The  amendment  clarifies  that  the  required  interim  disclosures  must 
either  be  in  the  interim  financial  statements  or  incorporated  by  cross-reference  between  the  interim 
financial statements and wherever they are included within the greater interim financial report (e.g. in the 
management commentary or risk report). The IASB specified that the other information within the interim 
financial report must be available to users  on  the  same terms as the interim  financial statements and  at 
the  same  time.  If  users  do  not  have  access  to  the  other  information  in  this  manner,  then  the  interim 
financial report is incomplete. 

IAS 19 Employee benefits (Amended): Employee Contributions 
The amendment applies to contributions from employees or third parties to defined benefit plans. The objective 
of the amendment is to simplify the accounting for contributions that are independent of the number of years of 
employee  service,  for  example, employee  contributions  that  are  calculated  according to  a  fixed  percentage  of 
salary. This amendment did not have an impact on the Group’s results and financial position. 

Annual Improvements IFRSs 2010–2012 Cycle 
The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements IFRSs 2010–2012 Cycle, which is a collection of amendments to 
IFRSs.  These did not have an impact on the Group financial statements, with the exception of IAS 24 Related 
Party  Disclosures,  which  resulted  in  additional  disclosures  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  They 
include: 
 

IFRS 2 Share-based Payment: This improvement amends the definitions of 'vesting condition' and 'market 
condition'  and  adds  definitions  for  'performance  condition'  and  'service  condition'  (which  were  previously 
part of the definition of 'vesting condition').  

 

 

 

 

 

 

IFRS  3  Business  combinations:  This  improvement  clarifies  that  contingent  consideration  in  a  business 
acquisition  that  is  not  classified  as  equity  is  subsequently  measured  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss 
whether or not it falls within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.  

IFRS  8  Operating  Segments:  This  improvement  requires  an  entity  to  disclose  the  judgements  made  by 
management  in  applying  the  aggregation  criteria  to  operating  segments  and  clarifies  that  an  entity  shall 
only  provide  reconciliations  of  the  total  of  the  reportable  segments'  assets  to  the  entity's  assets  if  the 
segment assets are reported regularly.  

IFRS  13  Fair  Value  Measurement:  This  improvement  in  the  Basis  of  Conclusion  of  IFRS  13  clarifies  that 
issuing  IFRS  13  and  amending  IFRS  9  and  IAS  39  did  not  remove  the  ability  to  measure  short-term 
receivables  and  payables  with  no  stated  interest  rate  at  their  invoice  amounts  without  discounting  if  the 
effect of not discounting is immaterial.  

IAS  16  Property  Plant  &  Equipment:  The  amendment  clarifies  that  when  an  item  of  property,  plant  and 
equipment  is  revalued,  the  gross  carrying  amount  is  adjusted  in  a  manner  that  is  consistent  with  the 
revaluation of the carrying amount.  

IAS  24  Related  Party  Disclosures:  The  amendment  clarifies  that  an  entity  providing  key  management 
personnel services to the reporting entity or to the parent of the reporting entity is a related party of the 
reporting entity.  

IAS  38  Intangible  Assets:  The  amendment  clarifies  that  when  an  intangible  asset  is  revalued  the  gross 
carrying amount is adjusted in a manner that is consistent with the revaluation of the carrying amount.  

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.3 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Standards and Interpretations that are issued but not yet effective  

2.3.1   Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB and adopted by the EU 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments  
IFRS  9  Financial  Instruments  replaces  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement  and 
introduces  new  requirements  for  classification  and  measurement,  impairment,  and  hedge  accounting.  The 
standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 with early adoption permitted.  

Classification and measurement 
The  classification  and  measurement  of  financial  assets  will  depend  on  the  entity’s  business  model  for  their 
management  and  their  contractual  cash  flow  characteristics  and  result  in  financial  assets  being  measured  at 
amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) or fair value through profit or loss. The 
combined effect of the application of the business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics tests may 
result  in  some  differences  in  the  population  of  financial  assets  measured  at  amortised  cost  or  fair  value 
compared with IAS 39. The classification of financial liabilities is essentially unchanged, except that, for certain 
liabilities  measured  at  fair  value,  gains  or  losses  relating  to  changes  in  the  entity’s  own  credit  risk  are  to  be 
included in other comprehensive income. 

Impairment 
The  impairment  requirements  apply  to  financial  assets  measured  at  amortised  cost  and  FVOCI,  lease 
receivables,  certain  loan  commitments  and  financial  guarantee  contracts.  At  initial  recognition,  allowance  (or 
provision  in  the  case  of  commitments  and  guarantees)  is  required  for  expected  credit  losses  (ECL)  resulting 
from default events that are possible within the next 12 months (12 month ECL). In the event of a significant 
increase in credit risk, allowance (or provision) is required for ECL resulting from all possible default events over 
the expected life of the financial instrument (lifetime ECL). 

The assessment of whether credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition is performed for each 
reporting  period  by  considering  the  change  in  the  risk  of  default  occurring  over  the  remaining  life  of  the 
financial instrument. 

Hedge accounting 
IFRS  9  includes  an  accounting  policy  choice  to  remain  with  IAS  39  hedge  accounting.  The  standard  does  not 
explicitly  address  macro  hedge  accounting  strategies,  which  are  being  considered  in  a  separate  project.  To 
remove the risk of any conflict between existing macro hedge accounting practice and the new general hedge 
accounting  requirements,  the  standard  includes  an  accounting  policy  choice  to  remain  with  IAS  39  hedge 
accounting. 

Transition 
The  classification,  measurement  and  impairment  requirements  are  applied  retrospectively  by  adjusting  the 
balance  sheet  at  the  date  of  initial  application,  with  no  requirement  to  restate  comparative  periods.  Hedge 
accounting is generally applied prospectively from that date.  

IFRS 9 implementation project 
An  IFRS  9  implementation  project  is  currently  under  way  by  the  Group.    The  project  is  headed  by  the  Group 
Chief Risk Officer and a Steering Committee was set up to monitor the project, comprising of members of the 
Executive Management team. 

The project covers all aspects of IFRS 9 out of which the majority of the effort is consumed by the development 
of  methodologies  for the calculation of  impairment  of  customer loans  and  advances  based  on  expected  credit 
losses, since IFRS 9 moves away from the current incurred loss model to an expected credit loss model, which 
requires  more  judgment  in  considering  information  for  current  and  future  provisioning.  The  expected  credit 
losses  model  will  result  in  earlier  recognition  of  credit  losses  and  thus  a  higher  provision  charge  because  it 
includes not only credit losses already incurred, but also losses that are expected in the future. The credit loss 
expense is also likely to be more volatile as expectations and judgements may change. It is also expected that 
there  will  be  additional  movements  within  the  three  stages  stipulated  by  the  standard  and,  thus,  further 
volatility  in  the  provisioning  charge.  The  assessment  of  the  impact  of  IFRS9  is  ongoing  and  may  significantly 
change upon its full application reflecting business models and balance  sheet  dynamics at the time, therefore 
making it not practical to quantify any potential effect at present.  

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.3 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Standards and Interpretations that are issued but not yet effective (continued) 

2.3.1 

Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB and adopted by the EU (continued) 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (continued) 
IFRS 9 implementation project (continued) 
Changes  in  business  models  or  policies,  including  as  a  result  of  choices  made  by  the  Group,  could  have  a 
material  adverse  effect  on  the  Group's  reported  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition  and  may  have  a 
corresponding material adverse effect on capital ratios. The European Commission has proposed that the capital 
impact of IFRS 9 is phased-in over a five-year period. The Group will disclose reliable financial impact estimates 
once it is practicable, which will be no later than in the Annual Financial Report of 2017.   

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
IFRS  15  was  issued  in  May  2014  and  establishes  a  five-step  model  that  will  apply  to  revenue  earned  from  a 
contract  with  a  customer  (with  limited  exceptions),  regardless  of  the  type  of  revenue  transaction  or  the 
industry. The standard’s requirements will also apply to the recognition and measurement of gains and losses 
on the sale of some non-financial assets that are not an output of the entity’s ordinary activities (e.g., sales of 
property, plant and equipment or intangibles). Extensive disclosures will be required, including disaggregation 
of  total  revenue;  information  about  performance  obligations;  changes  in  contract  asset  and  liability  account 
balances  between  periods  and  key  judgements  and  estimates.    Either  a  full  retrospective  application  or  a 
modified  retrospective  application  is  required  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2018.  Early 
adoption is permitted. The Group is in the process  of  assessing the impact of this standard  on its results and 
financial position. 

2.3.2   Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB but not yet adopted by the EU 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Clarifications) 
The objective of the Clarifications is to clarify the IASB’s intentions when developing the requirements in IFRS 
15 Revenue from  Contracts with Customers, particularly the accounting of identifying performance obligations 
amending the wording of the ‘separately identifiable’ principle, of principal versus agent considerations including 
the assessment of whether an entity is a principal or an agent as well as applications of control principle and of 
licensing  providing  additional  guidance  for  accounting  of  intellectual  property  and  royalties.  The  Clarifications 
also  provide  additional  practical  expedients  for  entities  that  either  apply  IFRS  15  fully  retrospectively  or  that 
elect to apply the modified retrospective approach. The Clarifications apply for annual periods beginning on or 
after 1 January 2018 with earlier application permitted. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact of 
this standard on its results and financial position. 

IFRS 16 Leases 
The  standard  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2019.  IFRS  16  sets  out  the 
principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract, 
i.e. the customer (lessee) and the supplier (lessor). The new standard requires lessees to recognise most leases 
on  their  financial  statements.  Lessees  will  have  a  single  accounting  model  for  all  leases,  with  certain 
exemptions. Lessor accounting is substantially unchanged. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact 
of  this  standard  on  its  results  and  financial  position.    Existing  operating  lease  commitments  are  disclosed  in 
Note 41. 

Amendment  in  IFRS  10  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  IAS  28  Investments  in  Associates  and  Joint 
Ventures: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture 
The  amendments  address  an  acknowledged  inconsistency  between  the  requirements  in  IFRS  10  and  those  in 
IAS 28, in dealing with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture.  
The main consequence of the amendments is that a full gain or loss is recognised when a transaction involves a 
business (as defined in IFRS3). A partial gain or loss is recognised when a transaction involves assets that do 
not  constitute  a  business.  In  December  2015,  the  IASB  postponed  the  effective  date  of  this  amendment 
indefinitely pending the outcome of its research project on the equity method of accounting.   The Group does 
not expect these amendments to have a material impact on its results and financial position. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.3 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Standards and Interpretations that are issued but not yet effective (continued) 

2.3.2 

Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB but not yet adopted by the EU (continued) 

Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes: Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses  
The objective of the  amendments is to  clarify  the requirements of  deferred tax assets for unrealised  losses  in 
order  to  address  diversity  in  practice  in  the  application  of  IAS  12  Income  Taxes.  The  specific  issues  where 
diversity in practice existed relate to the existence of a deductible temporary difference upon a decrease in fair 
value,  to  recovering  an  asset  for  more  than  its  carrying  amount,  to  probable  future  taxable  profit  and  to 
combine versus separate assessment. The Group does not expect these amendments to have a material impact 
on its results and financial position.  The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 
January 2017, with early application permitted.  

Amendments to IAS 7: Disclosure Initiative 
The objective of the amendments is to provide disclosures that enable users of financial statements to evaluate 
changes in liabilities arising from financing activities, including both changes arising from cash flows and non-
cash  changes.  The  amendments  specify  that  one  way  to  fulfil  the  disclosure  requirement  is  by  providing  a 
tabular  reconciliation  between  the  opening  and  closing  balances  in  the  statement  of  financial  position  for 
liabilities  arising  from  financing  activities,  including  changes  from  financing  cash  flows,  changes  arising  from 
obtaining or losing control of subsidiaries or other businesses, the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates, 
changes in fair values and other changes. The Group expects this to give rise to additional disclosures.  There is 
no impact on its results and financial position. These amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on 
or after 1 January 2017, with earlier application permitted. 

Amendments IFRS 2: Classification and Measurement of Share based Payment Transactions  
The amendments provide requirements on the accounting for the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions 
on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payments, for share-based payment  transactions with  a net 
settlement feature for withholding tax obligations and for modifications to the terms and conditions of a share-
based  payment  that  changes  the  classification  of  the  transaction  from  cash-settled  to  equity-settled.  The 
amendments  are  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2018  with  earlier  application 
permitted.    The  Group  is  in  the  process  of  assessing  the  impact  of  these  amendments  on  its  results  and 
financial position. 

IAS 40: Transfers to Investment Property (amendments) 
The  amendments  clarify  when  an  entity  should  transfer  property,  including  property  under  construction  or 
development into, or out of investment property. The amendments state that a change in use occurs when the 
property meets, or ceases to meet, the definition of investment property and there is evidence of the change in 
use.  A  mere  change  in  management’s  intentions  for  the  use  of  a  property  does  not  provide  evidence  of  a 
change  in  use.  The  amendments  are  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2018  with 
earlier application permitted.  The Group does not expect these amendments to have a material impact on its 
results and financial position. 

International  Financial  Reporting  Interpretations  Committee  (IFRIC)  Interpretation  22:  Foreign  Currency 
Transactions and Advance Consideration 
The  interpretation  clarifies  the  accounting  for  transactions  that  include  the  receipt  or  payment  of  advance 
consideration  in  a  foreign  currency.  The  interpretation  covers  foreign  currency  transactions  when  an  entity 
recognises  a  non-monetary  asset  or  a  non-monetary  liability  arising  from  the  payment  or  receipt  of  advance 
consideration before the entity recognises the related asset, expense or income. The interpretation states that 
the date of the transaction, for the purpose of determining the exchange rate, is the date of initial recognition 
of the non-monetary prepayment asset or deferred income liability. If there are multiple payments or receipts 
in advance, then the entity must determine a date of the transactions for each payment or receipt of advance 
consideration.  The  interpretation  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2018  with 
earlier  application  permitted.    The  Group  does  not expect  this interpretation  to  have  a  material  impact  on  its 
results and financial position. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.3 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Standards and Interpretations that are issued but not yet effective (continued) 

2.3.2 

Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB but not yet adopted by the EU (continued) 

Annual Improvements IFRSs 2014–2016 Cycle 
The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2014–2016 Cycle, which is a collection of amendments 
to IFRSs. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017 for IFRS 12 
Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities and on or after 1 January 2018 for IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of IFRS 
and  for  IAS  28  Investments  in  Associates  and  Joint  Ventures.  Earlier  application  is  permitted  for  IAS  28 
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures.  The Group does not expect these to have material impact on its 
results and financial position.  
 

IFRS  1  First-time  Adoption  of  IFRS:  This  improvement  deletes  the  short-term  exemptions  regarding 
disclosures about financial instruments, employee benefits and investment entities, applicable for first time 
adopters. 

 

 

IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures: The amendments clarify that the election to measure 
at fair value through profit or loss an investment in an associate or a joint venture that is held by an entity 
that  is  venture  capital  organisation,  or  other  qualifying  entity,  is  available  for  each  investment  in  an 
associate or joint venture on an investment-by-investment basis, upon initial recognition. 

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: The amendments clarify that the disclosure requirements 
in  IFRS  12,  other  than  those  of  summarised  financial  information  for  subsidiaries,  joint  ventures  and 
associates, apply to an entity’s interest in a subsidiary, a joint venture or an associate that is classified as 
held for sale, as held for distribution, or as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5. 

2.4 

Basis of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements comprise the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for 
the  year  ended  31  December  2016.  The  financial  statements of  the  subsidiaries  are  prepared  as  of  the  same 
reporting date as that of the Company, using consistent accounting policies. 

Subsidiaries  are  fully  consolidated  from  the  date  on  which  control  is  transferred  to  the  Group.  Control  is 
achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee 
and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.  Specifically, the Group controls 
an investee if, and only if, the Group has: 
 

Power over an investee (i.e. existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of 
the investee). 
Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee. 
The ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns. 

 
 

Generally,  there  is  a  presumption  that  a  majority  of  voting  rights  results  in  control.    To  support  this 
presumption  and  when  the  Group  has  less  than  a  majority  of  the  voting  rights  of  an  investee,  the  Group 
considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee including the 
contractual arrangement with the other vote holders, rights arising from other contractual arrangements, and 
the Group’s voting and potential voting rights. 

The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts indicate that there are changes  to any of 
the three elements of control. 

Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the  year are included in 
the  consolidated  financial  statements  from  the  date  of  acquisition  or  up  to  the  date  of  disposal,  respectively.  
Profit or loss and each component of OCI are attributed to the equity holders of the parent of the Group and to 
the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.  Non-
controlling  interests  represent  the  portion  of  profit  or  loss  and  net  assets  not  held  by  the  Group,  directly  or 
indirectly.    The  non-controlling  interests  are  presented  separately  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  and 
within equity from the Company owners’ equity.  

All intra-group balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.4 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Basis of consolidation (continued) 

A  change  in  the  ownership  interest  of  a  subsidiary,  without  loss  of  control,  is  accounted  for  as  a  transaction 
between the owners, which affects equity.  As a result, no goodwill arises nor any gain/loss is recognised in the 
income statement from such transactions.  The foreign exchange differences which relate to the share of non-
controlling  interests  being  sold/acquired  are  reclassified  between  the  foreign  currency  reserve  and  non-
controlling interests. 

2.5  

Business combinations 

Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method.  The cost of an acquisition is measured as 
the aggregate of the consideration transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value and the amount of any 
non-controlling interests in the acquiree.  For each business combination the Group elects whether to measure 
the  non-controlling  interests  in  the  acquiree  at  fair  value  or  at  the  proportionate  share  of  the  acquiree’s 
identifiable  net  assets.    Any  excess  of  the  cost  of  acquisition  over  the  Group’s  share  of  the  fair  values  of  the 
identifiable  net  assets  acquired,  is  recognised  as  goodwill  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheet.    Where  the 
Group’s  share  of  the  fair  values  of  the  identifiable  net  assets  are  greater  than  the  cost  of  acquisition  (i.e. 
negative  goodwill),  the  difference  is  recognised  directly  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  the  year  of 
acquisition.  Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred and included in other operating expenses.  

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the previously held equity interest is remeasured at fair value 
and any resulting gain or loss is recognised in the consolidated income statement. 

When  the  Group  acquires  a  business,  it  assesses  the  financial  assets  and  liabilities  assumed  for  appropriate 
classification  and  designation  in  accordance  with  contractual  terms,  economic  circumstances  and  pertinent 
conditions as at the acquisition date. 

2.6 

Investments in associates and joint ventures 

An  associate is an entity over  which the Group  has  significant influence.  Significant influence  is the power to 
participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee, but is not control or joint control over 
those policies. 

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement 
have rights to the net assets of the joint venture.  Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of 
an  arrangement,  which  exists  only  when  decisions  about  the  relevant  activities  require  unanimous  consent  of 
the parties sharing control. 

The considerations made in determining significant influence  or joint control are similar to those  necessary to 
determine control over subsidiaries. 

In  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Group’s  investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures  are 
accounted for using the equity method of accounting.   

Under  the  equity  method,  the  investment  in  an  associate  or  a  joint  venture  is  carried  in  the  consolidated 
balance  sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in  the Group’s share  of  the  net  assets of the associate  or 
joint venture. The Group’s share of the results of the associate or joint venture is included in the consolidated 
income statement.  Losses of the associate or joint venture in excess of the Group’s cost of the investment are 
recognised  as  a  liability  only  when  the  Group  has  incurred  obligations  on  behalf  of  the  associate  or  joint 
venture.  Goodwill relating to an associate or joint venture is included in the carrying amount of the investment 
and is not amortised.  Any excess of the Group’s share of the net fair value of the associate’s or joint venture’s 
identifiable  assets  over  the  cost  of  the  investment  (i.e.  negative  goodwill)  is  included  as  income  in  the 
determination of the Group’s share of the associate’s or joint venture’s profit or loss in the period in which the 
investment is acquired.  The aggregate of the Group’s share of profit or loss of an associate or a joint venture is 
shown  on  the  face  of  the  consolidated  income  statement  outside  operating  profit  and  represent  profit  or  loss 
after tax. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.6 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Investments in associates and joint ventures (continued) 

The Group recognises its share of any changes in the equity of the associate or the joint venture through the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity. Profits and losses resulting from transactions between the Group 
and the associate or the joint venture are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associate or the 
joint venture. 

The financial statements of the associates or joint ventures are prepared as of the same reporting date as that 
of the Company, using consistent accounting policies. 

After  application  of  the  equity  method,  the  Group  determines  whether  it  is  necessary  to  recognise  an 
impairment loss on its investments in associates or joint ventures. 

2.7   

Foreign currency translation 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Euro  (€),  which  is  the  functional  and  presentation 
currency  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  in  Cyprus.    Each  overseas  branch  or  subsidiary  of  the  Group 
determines  its  own  functional  currency  and  items  included  in  the  financial  statements  of  each  entity  are 
measured using that functional currency.  The Group uses the direct method of consolidation and has elected to 
recycle  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income  the  gain  or  loss  that  arises  from  using  this 
method. 

2.7.1 

Transactions and balances 

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the date 
of the transaction.   

Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  retranslated  at  the  functional  currency 
rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date.  All differences are taken to ‘Net foreign exchange gains/losses’ in 
the consolidated income statement, with the exception of differences on foreign currency liabilities that provide 
a hedge against the net investments in subsidiaries and overseas branches.  These differences are recognised 
in other comprehensive income in the ‘Foreign currency translation reserve’ until the disposal or liquidation of 
the net investment, at which time the cumulative amount is reclassified to the consolidated income statement. 

Non-monetary items that are measured at historic cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange 
rates ruling as at the dates of the initial transactions.  Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign 
currency are translated using the exchange rates ruling at the date when the fair value is determined. 

2.7.2 

Subsidiary companies and branches 

At the reporting date, the assets and liabilities of subsidiaries (including special purpose entities that the Group 
consolidates)  and  branches  whose  functional  currency  is  other  than  the  Group’s  presentation  currency  are 
translated into the Group’s presentation currency at the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date, and their 
income statements are translated using the average exchange rates for the year.   

Foreign  exchange  differences  arising  on  translation  are  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  in  the 
‘Foreign  currency  translation  reserve’.    On  disposal  or  liquidation  of  a  subsidiary  or  branch,  the  cumulative 
amount of the foreign exchange differences relating to that particular overseas operation, is reclassified  to the 
consolidated income statement as part of the profit/loss on disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries. 

2.8   

Segmental reporting 

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  internal  reporting  provided  to  the  chief 
operating decision-maker.  The chief operating decision-maker is the person or group of persons that allocate 
resources to and assess the performance of the operating segments.   

The chief operating decision-maker is the Group Executive Committee.  

2.9 

Turnover  

Group  turnover  comprises  interest  income,  fee  and  commission  income,  foreign  exchange  gains,  gross 
insurance  premiums,  gains/losses  of  investment  properties  and  stock  of  properties,  turnover  of  property  and 
hotel business and other income. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.10 

Revenue recognition 

Revenue is recognised when it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be 
reliably measured.  The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised: 

2.10.1  Interest income 

For all financial assets measured at amortised cost and interest bearing financial assets classified as available-
for-sale  investments  or  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss,  interest  income  is  recognised  using  the  effective 
interest rate method. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts 
or  payments through  the expected  life  of the  financial  instruments, or  where  appropriate  a  shorter  period,  to 
the  carrying  amount  of  the  financial  instruments.  Interest income  is  recognised  on  the  recoverable  portion  of 
impaired loans. 

The carrying amount of a financial asset or liability is adjusted if the Group revises its estimates of payments or 
receipts. The adjusted carrying amount is calculated based on the original effective interest rate and the change 
in carrying amount is recorded in ‘Net gains on financial instrument transactions for debt securities’, or ‘Gain on 
derecognition of loans and advances to customers and changes in expected cash flows’ for loans and advances 
to customers. 

2.10.2  Fee and commission income 

Fee  and  commission  income  is  generally  recognised  on  the  basis  of  work  done  so  as  to  match  the  cost  of 
providing the service, whereas fees and commissions in respect of loans and advances are recognised using the 
effective interest rate method as part of interest income. 

2.10.3  Dividend income 

Dividend income is recognised in the consolidated income statement when the Group’s right to receive payment 
is established i.e. upon approval by the general meeting of the shareholders. 

2.10.4  Rental income 

Rental income from investment properties and stock of property is accounted for on a straight-line basis over 
the period of the lease and is recognised in the consolidated income statement in ‘Other income’. 

2.10.5  Gains from the disposal of investment property 

Gains  on  disposal  of  investment  property  are  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in 
‘Gains/(losses) from revaluation and disposal of investment properties’ when the buyer accepts delivery and the 
transfer of risks and rewards to the buyer is completed. 

2.10.6  Gains on the disposal of stock of property 

Net gains on disposal of stock of property are recognised in the consolidated income statement when the buyer 
accepts delivery and the transfer of risks and rewards to the buyer is completed. 

2.11   Retirement benefits 

The Group operates several defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans.   

Defined contribution plans 
The  Group  recognises  obligations,  in  respect  of  the  accounting  period  in  the  consolidated  income  statement.  
Any unpaid contributions at the reporting date are included as a liability. 

Defined benefit plans 
The cost of providing benefits for defined benefit plans is estimated separately for each plan using the Projected 
Unit Credit Method of actuarial valuation.  

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.11   Retirement benefits (continued) 

Defined benefit plans (continued) 
The  defined  benefit  asset  or  liability  comprises  the  present  value  of  the  defined  benefit  obligations  (using  a 
discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds), reduced by the fair value of plan assets out of which the 
obligations  are  to  be  settled.    Plan  assets  are  assets  that  are  held  by  a  funded  plan  or  qualifying  insurance 
policies.  Any net defined benefit surplus is limited to the present value of available refunds and reductions in 
future  contributions  to  the  plan.    Fair  value  is  based  on  market  price  information  and  in  the  case  of  quoted 
securities it is the published bid price.   

The net  charge to the  consolidated  income statement  mainly  comprises the  service  costs and the net interest 
on  the  net  defined  benefit  asset  or  liability,  and  is  presented  in  staff  costs.    Service  costs  comprise  current 
service  costs,  past-service  costs,  gains  and  losses  or  curtailments  and  non-routine  settlements.    Re-
measurements,  comprising  actuarial  gains  and  losses,  the  effect  of  the  asset  ceiling  (excluding  net  interest), 
and the return on plan assets (excluding net interest), are recognised immediately on the consolidated balance 
sheet  with  a  corresponding  debit  or  credit  in  other  comprehensive  income.    Re-measurements  are  not 
reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. 

Actuarial  gains  and  losses  comprise  experience  adjustments  (the  effects  of  differences  between  the  previous 
actuarial  assumptions  and  what  has  actually  occurred),  as  well  as  the  effects  of  changes  in  actuarial 
assumptions.   

2.12  

Tax  

Current income tax and deferred tax 
Tax  on  income  is  provided  in  accordance  with  the  fiscal  regulations  and  rates  which  apply  in  the  countries 
where the Group operates and is recognised as an expense in the period in which the income arises.  Deferred 
tax is provided using the liability method.  Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount 
expected to be recovered from or paid to the tax authorities.  Current income tax and deferred tax relating to 
items recognised directly in equity is recognised directly in equity. 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and 
liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  at  the  reporting  date,  which  will  give  rise  to  taxable  amounts  in  future 
periods. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments 
in subsidiary and associate companies and branches except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary 
differences  can  be  controlled  and  it  is  probable  that  the  temporary  differences  will  not  reverse  in  the 
foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences and carry-forward of unutilised tax 
losses  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  taxable  profit  will  be  available,  against  which  the  deductible 
temporary  differences  and  carry-forward  of  unutilised  tax  losses  can  be  utilised.    The  carrying  amount  of 
deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable 
that sufficient taxable profit will be available to utilise all or part of the deductible temporary differences or tax 
losses.  Unrecognised  deferred  tax  assets  are  reassessed  at  each  reporting  date  and  are  recognised  to  the 
extent that it has become probable that future taxable profit will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount that is expected to be paid to or recovered from 
the  tax  authorities,  after  taking  into  account  the  tax  rates  and  legislation  that  have  been  enacted  or 
substantially enacted by the reporting date.  

Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they arise from the same tax reporting entity and 
relate to the same tax authority and when the legal right to offset exists. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.12  

Tax (continued) 

Indirect Tax Value Added Tax (VAT) 
Expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of VAT, except: 
•   when the VAT incurred on a purchase of assets or services is not recoverable from the Tax  authorities, in 
which case, the VAT suffered is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the 
expense item, as applicable. 

•   when receivables and payables are stated with the amount of VAT charged. The amount of VAT 

recoverable from, or payable to the Tax authorities, is included as part of receivables or payables in the 
consolidated balance sheet. 

2.13 

Financial instruments  

2.13.1  Date of recognition  

All  financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  initially  recognised  on  the  trade  date.    Purchases  or  sales  of  financial 
assets, where delivery is required within a time frame established by regulations or by market convention, are 
also  recognised  on  the  trade  date,  i.e.  the  date  that  the  Group  commits  to  purchase  or  sell  the  asset.  
Derivatives  are  also  recognised  on  a  trade  date  basis.    ‘Balances  with  central  banks’,  ‘Funding  from  central 
banks’,  ‘Deposits  by  banks’,  ‘Customer  deposits’,  ‘Loans  and  advances  to  banks’  and  ‘Loans  and  advances  to 
customers’ are recognised when cash is received by the Group or advanced to the borrowers. 

2.13.2  Initial recognition and measurement of financial instruments 

The classification of financial instruments  on initial recognition depends on the purpose for which the financial 
instruments were acquired and their characteristics.  All financial instruments are measured initially at their fair 
value plus, in the case of financial assets and  liabilities not measured at fair value through profit or loss, any 
directly attributable incremental costs of acquisition or issue. 

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

2.13.3  Derivative financial instruments  

Derivatives are recorded at fair value and classified as assets when their fair value is positive and as liabilities 
when their fair value is negative.  Subsequently, derivatives are measured at fair value.  Revaluations of trading 
derivatives  are  included  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  ‘Net  foreign  exchange  gains’  in  the  case  of 
currency derivatives and in ‘Net gains on financial instrument transactions’ in the  case of  all  other derivatives.  
Interest income and expense are included in the corresponding captions in the consolidated income statement. 

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments, such as the conversion option in an acquired convertible 
bond, are treated as separate derivatives and recorded at fair value if their economic characteristics and risks 
are not closely related to those of the host contract, and the host contract is not itself measured at fair value 
with revaluation recognised in the consolidated income statement.  The embedded derivatives separated from 
the host are carried at fair value, with revaluations recognised in ‘Net gains on financial instrument transactions’ 
in the consolidated income statement. 

2.13.4  Financial assets or financial liabilities held for trading  

Financial  assets  or  financial  liabilities  held  for  trading  represent  assets  and  liabilities  acquired  or  incurred 
principally  for  the  purpose  of  selling  or  repurchasing  them  in  the  near  term  and  are  recognised  in  the 
consolidated  balance  sheet  at  fair  value.    Changes  in  the  fair  value  are  recognised  in  ‘Net  gains  on  financial 
instrument transactions’ in the consolidated income statement.  Interest income and expense are included in the 
corresponding captions in the consolidated income  statement according to  the terms of the relevant  contract, 
while dividend income is recognised in ‘Other income’ when the right to receive payment has been established. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.13 

Financial instruments (continued) 

2.13.5  Financial  assets  or  financial  liabilities  designated  upon  initial  recognition  at  fair  value 

through profit or loss 

Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  classified  in  this  category  are  designated  by  management  on  initial 
recognition  when  the  following  criteria  are  met:  (a)  the  designation  eliminates  or  significantly  reduces  the 
inconsistency that would otherwise arise from the measurement of the assets or liabilities or the recognition of 
gains  or  losses  on  them  on  a  different  basis,  or  (b)  the  assets  and  liabilities  are  part  of  a  group  of  financial 
assets, financial liabilities or both which are managed and their performance is evaluated on a fair value basis, 
in  accordance  with  a  documented  risk  management  or  investment  strategy,  or  (c)  the  financial  instrument 
contains an embedded derivative, unless the embedded derivative does not significantly modify the cash flows 
of the instrument or it is clear, with little or no analysis, that the embedded derivative could not be separated. 

These  assets  do  not  form  part  of  the  trading  portfolio  because  no  recent  pattern  of  short-term  profit  taking 
exists.    They  include  listed  debt  securities  economically  hedged  by  derivatives,  and  not  designated  for  hedge 
accounting, as well as unlisted equities which are managed on a fair value basis. 

Financial assets and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss are 
recognised in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value.  Changes in fair value are recognised in ‘Net gains on 
financial  instrument  transactions’  in  the  consolidated  income  statement.    Interest  income  and  expense  are 
included  in  the  corresponding  captions  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  according  to  the  terms  of  the 
relevant contract, while dividend income is recognised in ‘Other income’ when the right to receive payment has 
been established. 

2.13.6   Held-to-maturity investments 

Held-to-maturity  investments  are  those  with  fixed  or  determinable  payments  and  fixed  maturities  and  which 
the  Group  has  the  intention  and  ability  to  hold  to  maturity.    After  initial  measurement,  held-to-maturity 
investments are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.  Amortised 
cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees that are an integral 
part of the effective interest rate.  The amortisation is included in ‘Interest income’ in the consolidated income 
statement.    Losses  arising  from  impairment  of  such  investments  are  recognised  in  ‘Impairment  of  other 
financial instruments’ in the consolidated income statement.  If, as a result of a change in intention or ability, it 
is no longer appropriate to classify an investment as held-to-maturity, it shall be  reclassified as available-for-
sale  and  remeasured  at  fair  value,  and  the  difference  between  its  carrying  amount  and  fair  value  shall  be 
accounted for, accordingly. 

2.13.7   Loans and receivables  

Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active 
market.  They are not entered into with the intention of immediate or short-term resale and are not classified 
as  ‘Trading  investments’,  ‘Investments  available-for-sale’  or  ‘Investments  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss’.  
This  accounting  policy  covers  the  captions  ‘Loans  and  advances  to  banks’,  ‘Reverse  repurchase  agreements’, 
‘Loans  and  advances  to  customers’  and  ‘Investments  classified  as  loans  and  receivables’  in  the  consolidated 
balance  sheet.    After  their  initial  recognition,  loans  and  receivables  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised 
cost  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method,  less  any  provision  for  impairment.    The  losses  arising  from 
impairment  are  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  ‘Provisions  for  impairment  of  loans  and 
advances and other customer credit losses’ in the case of loans and advances to customers and in ‘Impairment 
of other financial instruments’ for all other instruments. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.13 

Financial instruments (continued) 

2.13.7   Loans and receivables (continued) 

Renegotiated loans 
A loan that is renegotiated is derecognised if the existing agreement is cancelled and a new agreement made 
on  substantially  different  terms,  or  if  the  terms  of  an  existing  agreement  are  modified,  such  that  the 
renegotiated loan is substantially a different financial instrument. 

2.13.8  Available-for-sale investments 

Available-for-sale  investments  are  those  which  are  designated  as  such  or  do  not  qualify  for  classification  as 
‘Investments  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss’,  ‘Investments  held-to-maturity’  or  ‘Loans  and  receivables’.  
These  investments  can  be  sold  in  response  to  changes  in  market  risks  or  liquidity  requirements  and  include 
equity securities and debt securities.  

After initial recognition, available-for-sale investments are measured at fair value. Unrealised gains and losses 
from  changes  in  fair  value  are  recognised  directly  in  other  comprehensive  income  in  the  ‘Available-for-sale 
investments’ caption.  When the investment is disposed of, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in 
other  comprehensive  income  is  transferred  to  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  ‘Net  gains  on  financial 
instrument transactions’.  

Where the Group holds more than one investment in the same security, they are deemed to be disposed of on 
a weighted average cost basis.  Interest income from available-for-sale debt securities is recorded in ‘Interest 
income’  using  the effective  interest  rate  method.  Dividend  income  from  available-for-sale  equity  securities  is 
recognised in the consolidated income statement in ‘Other income’ when the right to receive payment has been 
established.    Impairment  losses  on  available-for-sale  investments  are  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income 
statement in ‘Impairment of other financial instruments’ caption.  

2.13.9  Other financial liabilities at amortised cost  

Other financial liabilities include ‘Customer deposits’, ‘Deposits by banks’ and ‘Funding from central banks’. 

Financial  liabilities  are  recognised  when  the  Group  enters  into the  contractual  provisions  of  the  arrangements 
with counterparties, which is generally on trade date, and initially measured at fair value, which is normally the 
consideration  received,  net  of  directly  attributable  transaction  costs  incurred.    Subsequent  measurement  of 
deposits by customers, funding from  central banks  and due  to  banks is at  amortised  cost, using the effective 
interest rate method.  

2.14    Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities 

2.14.1  Financial assets  

A  financial  asset  is  derecognised  when:  (a)  the  contractual  rights  to  receive  cash  flows  from  the  asset  have 
expired, or (b) the Group has transferred its contractual rights to receive cash flows from the asset or (c) has 
assumed  an  obligation  to  pay  the  received  cash  flows  in  full  to  a  third  party  and  has:  either  (a)  transferred 
substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) has neither transferred nor retained substantially all 
the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.  

2.14.2  Financial liabilities 

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expired. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.15   

Impairment of financial assets 

2.15.1  Loans and receivables 

The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or a 
group  of  financial  assets  is  impaired.    A  financial  asset  or  a  group  of  financial  assets  is  impaired  if  there  is 
objective  evidence  of  impairment  as  a  result  of  one  or  more  events  that  have  occurred  after  the  initial 
recognition  of  the  asset  (an  incurred  ‘loss  event’)  and  that  loss  event  (or  events)  has  an  impact  on  the 
estimated  future  cash  flows  of  the  financial  asset  or  the  group  of  financial  assets,  that  can  be  reliably 
estimated.  Objective evidence of impairment may include indications that the borrower or group of borrowers 
is  experiencing  significant  financial  difficulty,  default  or  delinquency  in  interest  or  principal  payments,  the 
probability  that the  borrower  might  be  declared  bankrupt  or  proceed  with  a financial  restructuring  and  where 
observable  data  indicate  that  there  is  a  measurable  decrease  in  the  estimated  future  cash  flows,  such  as 
changes in arrears or the economic conditions that correlate with defaults.   There is objective evidence that a 
loan is impaired when it is probable that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due, according to the 
original contract terms. 

For  loans  and  advances  to  customers  carried  at  amortised  cost,  the  Group  first  assesses  individually  whether 
objective evidence of impairment exists for loans and advances that are individually significant.  Furthermore, a 
collective impairment  assessment  is  made  for  loans  and  advances  that  are  not  individually  significant  and  for 
losses  that  have  been  incurred  but  are  not  yet  identified  relating  to  loans  and  advances  that  have  been 
assessed individually and for which no provision has been made.  

Provisions  for impairment of  loans  are  determined  using  the  ‘incurred  loss’  model  as  required  by  IFRS,  which 
requires recognition of impairment losses that arose from past events and prohibits recognition of impairment 
losses that could arise from future events, no matter how likely those events are.  

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as 
the  difference  between  the  carrying  amount  of  the  loan  and  the  present  value  of  the  estimated  future  cash 
flows  including  the  cash  flows  which  may  arise  from  guarantees  and  tangible  collaterals.  The  collectability  of 
individually  significant  loans  and  advances  is  evaluated  based  on  the  customer’s  overall  financial  condition, 
resources and payment record, the  prospect of support from creditworthy guarantors and the realisable value 
of any collateral. 

The  present  value  of  the  estimated  future  cash  flows  is  calculated  using  the  loan’s  original  effective  interest 
rate.  If a loan bears a variable interest rate, the discount rate used for measuring any impairment loss is the 
current reference rate plus the margin specified in the initial contract. 

For  the  purposes  of  a  collective  evaluation  of  impairment,  loans  are  grouped  based  on  similar  credit  risk 
characteristics taking into account the type of the loan, geographic location, past-due days and other relevant 
factors. 

Future  cash  flows  for  a  group  of  loans  and  advances  that  are  collectively  evaluated  for  impairment  are 
estimated on the basis of historical loss  experience for loans with similar credit risk characteristics to those of 
the group.  Historical loss experience is adjusted on the basis of current observable data to reflect the impact of 
current conditions that did not affect the period on which the historical loss experience is based and to remove 
the impact of conditions in the historical period that do not currently apply.  The methodology and assumptions 
used for estimating future cash flows are reviewed regularly to reduce any differences between loss estimates 
and actual loss experience. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.15   

Impairment of financial assets (continued) 

2.15.1  Loans and receivables (continued) 

The carrying amount of the loan is reduced through the use of a provision account and the amount of the loss is 
recognised in the consolidated income statement.  Loans together with the associated provisions are written off 
when  there  is  no  realistic prospect  of  future  recovery.    Partial  write-offs,  including  non  contractual  write-offs, 
may also occur when it is considered that there is no realistic prospect for the recovery of the contractual cash 
flows.  If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the estimated impairment loss decreases and the decrease is 
due to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, when the creditworthiness of the customer has 
improved  to  such  an  extent  that  there  is  reasonable  assurance  that  all  or  part  of  the  principal  and  interest 
according  to  the  original  contract  terms  of  the  loan  will  be  collected  timely,  the  previously  recognised 
impairment  loss  is  reduced  by  adjusting  the impairment  provision  account.   If  a  previously  written-off  loan  is 
subsequently  recovered,  any  amounts  previously  charged  are  credited  to  ‘Provisions  for  impairment  of  loans 
and advances and other customer credit losses’ in the consolidated income statement. 

2.15.2  Investments classified as held-to-maturity and loans and receivables  

For held-to-maturity investments and loans and receivables investments, the Group assesses at each reporting 
date whether there is objective evidence of impairment.  If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss 
has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount 
and  the  present  value  of  estimated  future  cash  flows  (excluding  future  credit  losses  not  yet  incurred).    The 
carrying  amount  of  the  asset  is  reduced  and  the  amount  of  the  loss  is  recognised  in  ‘Impairment  of  other 
financial instruments’ caption in the consolidated income statement. 

If,  in  a  subsequent  period,  the  amount  of  the  estimated  impairment  loss  decreases  because  of  an  event 
occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment loss previously recognised is reversed and the 
reversal  is  credited  to  the  ‘Impairment  of  other  financial  instruments’  caption  in  the  consolidated  income 
statement. 

2.15.3  Available-for-sale investments 

For  available-for-sale  investments,  the  Group  assesses  whether  there  is  objective  evidence  of  impairment  at 
each reporting date. 

In the case of equity securities classified as available-for-sale, objective evidence would include a significant or 
prolonged decrease, in the fair value of the investment below cost.  Where there is evidence of impairment, the 
cumulative loss – measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any 
impairment loss on that investment previously recognised in the consolidated income statement – is deducted 
from the ‘Revaluation reserve of available-for-sale investments’ in other comprehensive income and recognised 
in ‘Impairment of other financial instruments’ caption in the consolidated income statement. Impairment losses 
on equity securities are not reversed through the consolidated income statement. Increases in their fair value 
after  impairment  are  recognised  in  the  ‘Revaluation  of  available-for-sale  investments’  in  other  comprehensive 
income. 

In the case of debt securities classified as available-for-sale, impairment is assessed based on the same criteria 
applicable  to  financial  assets  carried  at  amortised  cost.    If,  in  a  subsequent  period,  the  impairment  loss 
decreases  and  the  decrease  can  be  objectively  related  to  an  event  occurring  after  the  impairment  loss  was 
recognised,  the  impairment  loss  previously  recognised  is  reversed  through  ‘Impairment  of  other  financial 
instruments’ caption in the consolidated income statement.  

2.16   Hedge accounting 

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to interest rate and foreign exchange risks 
and  in  the  case  of the  hedge of  net  investments, the  Group  uses  also  non-derivative  financial  liabilities.    The 
Group applies hedge accounting for transactions which meet the specified criteria. 

At  inception  of  the  hedging  relationship,  the  Group  formally  documents  the  relationship  between  the  hedged 
item  and  the  hedging  instrument,  including  the  nature  of  the  risk  and  the  objective  and  strategy  for 
undertaking the hedge.  The method that will be used to assess the effectiveness both at the inception and at 
ongoing basis, of the hedging relationship also forms part of the Group’s documentation. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.16   Hedge accounting (continued) 

At inception of the hedging relationship and at each hedge effectiveness assessment date, a formal assessment 
is undertaken to ensure that the hedging relationship is highly effective regarding the offsetting of the changes 
in  fair  value  or  the  cash  flows  attributable  to  the  hedged  risk.    A  hedge  is  regarded  as  highly  effective  if  the 
changes in  fair value or cash flows attributable to  the hedged risk of the hedging instrument and the hedged 
item during the period for which the hedge is designated, are expected to offset in a range of 80% to 125%.  In 
the case of cash flow hedges where the hedged item is a forecast transaction, the Group assesses whether the 
transaction is highly probable and presents an exposure to variations in cash flows that could ultimately affect 
the consolidated income statement. 

2.16.1  Fair value hedges 

In the case of fair value hedges that meet the criteria for hedge accounting, the change in the fair value of a 
hedging  instrument  is  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  ‘Net  gains  on  financial  instrument 
transactions’.    The  change  in  the  fair  value of  the  hedged  item  attributable  to  the  risk  hedged is  recorded  as 
part of  the  carrying  value  of  the  hedged item  and  is  also  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in 
‘Net gains on financial instrument transactions’. 

If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or where the hedge no longer meets the 
criteria for hedge accounting, the hedging relationship is discontinued prospectively. For hedged items recorded 
at  amortised  cost,  the  difference  between  the  carrying  value  of  the  hedged item  on  termination  and  the  face 
value is amortised to the consolidated income statement, over the remaining term of the original hedge.  If the 
hedged  item  is  derecognised,  the  unamortised  fair  value  adjustment  is  recognised  immediately  in  the 
consolidated income statement. 

2.16.2  Cash flow hedges 

In the case of cash flow hedges that meet the criteria for hedge accounting, the effective portion of the gain or 
loss on  the  hedging  instrument  is  recognised  directly  in  other  comprehensive income  in the  ‘Cash  flow hedge 
reserve’.  The ineffective portion of the gain or  loss  on the hedging instrument is recognised in ‘Net  gains on 
financial instrument transactions’ in the consolidated income statement. 

When the hedged cash flows affect the consolidated income statement, the gain or loss previously recognised in 
the ‘Cash flow hedge reserve’ is transferred to the consolidated income statement. 

2.16.3  Hedges of net investments in foreign operations 

Hedges of net investments in overseas branches or subsidiaries are accounted for in a way similar to cash flow 
hedges.  Gains or losses on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge are recognised 
in  other  comprehensive  income  while  gains  or  losses  relating to  the ineffective  portion  are  recognised in  ‘Net 
foreign exchange gains’ in the consolidated income statement. 

On  disposal  or  liquidation  of  an  overseas  branch  or  subsidiary,  the  cumulative  gains  or  losses  recognised  in 
other  comprehensive  income  are  transferred  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  within  profit/(loss)  on 
disposal/dissolution of subsidiaries. 

2.17 

Offsetting financial instruments 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated balance sheet 
if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle 
on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.  

2.18 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows consist of cash, non-
obligatory  balances  with  central  banks,  loans  and  advances  to  banks  and  other  securities  that  are  readily 
convertible into known amounts of cash or are repayable within three months of the date of their acquisition. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.19 

Insurance business 

The Group undertakes both life insurance and general insurance business and issues insurance and investment 
contracts.  An insurance contract is a contract under which one party (the insurer) accepts significant insurance 
risk from  another party (the policyholder) by agreeing  to compensate the policyholder if a specified uncertain 
future event (the insured event) adversely affects the policyholder.  Investment contracts are those contracts 
that transfer financial risk. 

Investment  contracts  can,  however,  be  reclassified  as  insurance  contracts  after  inception  if  insurance  risk 
becomes significant.  

Once  a  contract  has  been  classified  as  an  insurance  contract, it  remains  an  insurance  contract  until expiry  or 
until all of the rights and obligations under the contract have been fulfilled, even if the insurance risk has been 
significantly reduced during its term.  

2.19.1  Life insurance business  

Premium  income  from  unit-linked  insurance  contracts  is  recognised  when  received  and  when  the  units  have 
been allocated to policyholders.  Premium income from non-linked insurance contracts is recognised when due, 
in accordance with the terms of the relevant insurance contracts. 

Fees  and  other  expenses  chargeable  to  the  long-term  assurance  funds  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the 
relevant insurance contracts, as well as the cost of death cover, are recognised in a manner consistent with the 
recognition of the relevant insurance premiums.  

Claims are recorded as an expense when they are incurred.  Life insurance contract liabilities are determined on 
the  basis  of  an  actuarial  valuation  and  for  unit-linked  insurance  contracts  they  include  the  fair  value  of  units 
allocated to policyholders on a contract by contract basis. 

2.19.2  Life insurance in-force business 

The Group recognises as an intangible asset the value of in-force business in respect of life insurance contracts.  
The  asset  represents  the  present  value  of  the  shareholders’  interest  in  the  profits  expected  to  emerge  from 
those contracts written at the reporting date, using appropriate economic and actuarial assumptions, similar to 
the calculation of the respective life insurance contract liabilities. The change in the present value is determined 
on a post-tax basis.  For presentation purposes, the change in value is grossed up at the underlying rate of tax. 

2.19.3  General insurance business  

Premiums  are  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  the  period  in  which  insurance  cover  is 
provided.  Unearned premiums relating to the period of risk after the reporting date are deferred to subsequent 
reporting periods. 

An increase in liabilities arising from claims is made for the estimated cost of claims notified but not settled and 
claims incurred but not notified at the  reporting date.  The increase in liabilities for the cost of claims notified 
but  not  settled  is  made  on  a  case  by  case  basis  after  taking  into  consideration  all  known  facts,  the  cost  of 
claims that have recently been settled and assumptions regarding the future development of outstanding cases.  
Similar statistical techniques are used to determine the increase in liabilities for claims incurred but not notified 
at the reporting date. 

2.19.4  Investment contracts  

The  Group  offers  deposit  administration  funds  which  provide  a  guaranteed  investment  return  on  members’ 
contributions.  Policies are written to employees of companies, which define the benefits to be received.  Any 
shortfalls are  covered by the companies which employ  the staff being  insured.   The Group  has  no liability for 
any actuarial deficit.  

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.19 

Insurance business (continued) 

2.19.5  Liability adequacy test 

At  each  reporting  date,  liability  adequacy  tests  are  performed  to  ensure  the  adequacy  of  insurance  contract 
liabilities.    In  performing  these  tests,  current  best  estimates  of  discounted  future  contractual  cash  flows  and 
claims,  expenses  and  investment  returns  are  used.    Any  deficiency  is  charged  to  the  consolidated  income 
statement. 

2.20 

Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repos) at a specific future date are not derecognised from the 
consolidated balance sheet.  The corresponding cash received, including accrued interest, is recognised on the 
consolidated  balance  sheet  as  ‘Repurchase  agreements’,  reflecting  its  economic  substance  as  a  loan  to  the 
Group.    The  difference  between  the  sale  price  and  repurchase  price  is  treated  as  interest  expense  and  is 
accrued  over  the  life  of  the  agreement  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method.  Repos  outstanding  at  the 
reporting  date  relate  to  agreements  with  financial  institutions.    The  investments  pledged  as  security  for  the 
repurchase agreements can be sold or repledged by the counterparty.  When the counterparty has the right to 
sell  or  repledge  the  securities,  the  Group  reclassifies  those  securities  in  its  consolidated  balance  sheet  to 
‘Investments pledged as collateral’. 

Securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell  (reverse  repos)  at  a  specific  future  date,  are  recorded  as 
reverse  repo  transactions.    The  difference  between  the  purchase  and  the  resale  price  is  treated  as  interest 
income and is accrued over the life of the agreement using the effective interest rate method.  Reverse repos 
outstanding at the reporting date relate to agreements with banks.  The investments received as security under 
reverse repurchase agreements can either be sold or repledged by the Group. 

2.21 

Finance leases – The Group as lessor 

Finance leases, where the Group transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the 
leased item to the lessee, are included in the consolidated balance sheet in ‘Loans and advances to customers’.  
A receivable is recognised over the lease period of an amount equal to the present value of the lease payments 
using the implicit rate of interest and including any guaranteed residual value.  Finance income is recognised in 
‘Interest income’ in the consolidated income statement. 

2.22 

Operating leases 

2.22.1  Group as lessee 

Leases that do not transfer to the  Group substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the 
leased items are operating leases.  Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the consolidated 
income statement on a straight line basis over the lease term in ‘Other operating expenses’. 

2.22.2  Group as lessor 

Leases in which the Group does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset are 
classified as operating leases. 

2.23 

Property and equipment  

Owner-occupied property is property  held by the Group  for use  in  the  supply of  services  or  for administrative 
purposes.  Investment property is property held by the Group to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation.  If 
a  property  of  the  Group  includes  a  portion  that  is  owner-occupied  and  another  portion  that  is  held  to  earn 
rentals  or  for  capital  appreciation,  the  classification  is  based  on  whether  or  not  these  portions  can  be  sold 
separately.  Otherwise, the whole property is classified as owner-occupied property unless the owner-occupied 
portion  is  insignificant.    The  classification  of  property  is  reviewed  on  a  regular  basis  to  account  for  major 
changes in its use. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.23 

Property and equipment (continued)  

Owner-occupied  property  is  initially  measured  at  cost  and  subsequently  measured  at  fair  value  less 
accumulated  depreciation  and  impairment.    Valuations  are  carried  out  periodically  between  3  to  5  years, 
depending on the property, (but more frequent revaluations may be performed where there are significant and 
volatile movement in values), by independent qualified valuers or by the internal qualified valuers of the Group 
applying  a  valuation  model  recommended  by  the  International  Valuation  Standards  Council.    Depreciation  is 
calculated  on  the  revalued  amount  less  the  estimated  residual  value  of  each  building  on  a  straight  line  basis 
over its estimated useful life.  Gain or losses from revaluations are recognised in other comprehensive income 
in ‘Property revaluation’.  

The ‘Property revaluation reserve’ includes revaluation of property initially used by the Group for its operations 
which  was  subsequently  transferred  to  ‘Investment  properties’.    Useful  life  is  in  the  range  of  30  to  67  years. 
Freehold  land  is  not  depreciated.  On  disposal  of  freehold  land  and  buildings,  the  relevant  revaluation  reserve 
balance is transferred to ‘Accumulated losses’. 

The cost of adapting/improving leasehold property is amortised over 5 years.  

Equipment  is  measured  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation.    Depreciation  of  equipment  is  calculated  on  a 
straight line basis over its estimated useful life of 5 to 10 years.   

At  the  reporting  date,  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  value  may  not  be 
recovered, property and equipment is assessed for impairment. Where the recoverable amount is less than the 
carrying amount, equipment is written down to its recoverable amount. 

2.24 

Investment properties 

Investment  properties  are  measured  initially  at  cost,  including  transaction  costs.    Subsequent  to  initial 
recognition, investment properties are measured at fair value, as at the reporting date.  Gains or losses arising 
from  changes  in  the  fair  values  of  investment  properties  are  included  in  ‘Gains/(losses)  from  revaluation  and 
disposal  of  investment  properties’  in  the  consolidated  income  statement.    Valuations  are  carried  out  by 
independent  qualified  valuers  or  by  the  internal  qualified  valuers  of  the  Group  applying  a  valuation  model 
recommended by the International Valuation Standards Council.  

Transfers are made to (or from) investment property only when there is a change in use.  For a transfer from 
owner-occupied property to investment property, the Group accounts for such property in accordance with the 
policy  described in  Note  2.23  ‘Property  and  equipment’  up  to the  date  of  change  in  use.    For  a  transfer  from 
investment property to stock of property, the property’s deemed cost for subsequent accounting is its fair value 
at the date of change in use. 

2.25 

Stock of property  

The  Group  in  its  normal  course  of  business  acquires  properties  in  debt  satisfaction,  which  are  held  either 
directly or by entities set up and controlled by the Group for the sole purpose of managing these properties with 
an intention to be disposed of. These properties are recognised in the Group’s consolidated financial statements 
as stock of property, reflecting the substance of these transactions.   

The  stock  of  property  is  measured  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.    Net  realisable  value  is  the 
estimated selling price, less the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. 

If  net  realisable  value  is  below  the  cost  of  the  stock  of  property,  impairment  is  recognised  in  ‘Impairment  of 
non-financial instruments’ in the consolidated income statement. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.26   Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations 

The  Group  classifies  non-current  assets  and  disposal  groups  as  held  for  sale  if  their  carrying  amounts  will  be 
recovered principally through a sale or distribution rather than through continuing use. 

The  condition  is  regarded  as  met  only  when  the  sale  is  highly  probable  and  the  asset  or  disposal  group  is 
available for immediate sale in its present condition.  Actions required to complete the sale should indicate that 
it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.  Management 
must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within 
one year from the date of classification. 

Such non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount 
and  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell,  except  for  those  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  not  within  the  scope  of  the 
measurement requirements of IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’ such as 
deferred  taxes,  financial  instruments,  investment  properties  measured  at  fair  value,  insurance  contracts  and 
assets  and  liabilities  arising  from  employee  benefits.    These  are  measured  in  accordance  with  the  Group’s 
relevant accounting policies described elsewhere in this note. 

Immediately  before  the  initial  classification  as  held  for  sale,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  (or  assets  and 
liabilities  in  the  disposal  group)  is  measured  in  accordance  with  applicable  IFRSs.  On  subsequent 
remeasurement of a disposal group, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities noted above that are not 
within  the  scope  of  the  measurement  requirements  of  IFRS  5  are  remeasured  in  accordance  with  applicable 
IFRSs before the fair value less costs to sell of the disposal group is determined. 

If fair value less costs to sell of the disposal group is below the aggregate carrying amount of all of the assets 
and  liabilities  included  in  the  disposal  group,  the  disposal  group  is  written  down.    The  impairment  loss  is 
recognised in the income statement for the year.  Where an impairment loss is recognised (or reversed) for a 
disposal group, it is allocated between the scoped-in non–current assets using the order of allocation set out in 
IAS 36 and no element of the adjustment is allocated to the other assets and liabilities of the disposal group.  
In case that the carrying amount of scoped-in non-current assets is less than the amount by which a disposal 
group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value less costs to sell, the excess is not recognised. 

Property and equipment and intangible assets are not depreciated or amortised once classified as held for sale. 

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are presented separately in the consolidated balance sheet. 

A disposal group qualifies as discontinued operation if an entity or a component of an entity has been disposed 
of or is classified as held for sale and a) represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of 
operations,  b)  is  part  of  a  single  co-ordinated  plan  to  dispose  of  a  separate  major  line  of  business  or 
geographical area of operations, or c) is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.  Net loss/profit 
from  discontinued  operations  includes  the  net  total  of  operating  profit  and  loss  before  tax  from  discontinued 
operations (including net gain or loss on sale before tax and gain or loss on measurement to fair value less cost 
to sell of a disposal group constituting a discontinued operation) and discontinued operations tax expense. 

Discontinued operations  are  excluded  from  the  results of  continuing operations  and  are  presented  as  a single 
amount as profit or loss after tax from discontinued operations in the consolidated income statement. 

Additional disclosures are provided in Note 6.  All other notes to the financial statements include amounts from 
continuing operations, unless otherwise stated. 

2.27 

Intangible assets  

Intangible  assets  include  among  others  computer  software  and  acquired  insurance  portfolio  customer  lists.  
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost.  The cost of intangible assets 
acquired in a business combination is their fair value as at the date of acquisition.  Following initial recognition, 
intangible  assets  are  carried  at  cost  less  any  accumulated  amortisation  and  any  accumulated  impairment 
losses. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

2.27 

Intangible assets (continued) 

Amortisation  is  calculated on  a  straight  line  basis  over  the  estimated  useful  life  of  the  assets  which  is  3  to  8 
years for computer software.  For the accounting policy of in-force life insurance business, refer to Note 2.19.2. 

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events relating to changes to circumstances indicate that 
the carrying value may not be recoverable.  If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount then the 
intangible assets are written down to their recoverable amount. 

2.28 

Share capital 

Any difference between the issue price of share capital and the nominal value is recognised as share premium.  
The costs incurred attributable to the issue of share capital are deducted from equity. 

2.29 

Treasury shares 

Own  equity  instruments  which  are  acquired  by  the  Company  or  by  any  of  its  subsidiaries  are  presented  as 
treasury shares at their acquisition cost.  Treasury shares are deducted from equity until they are cancelled or 
reissued.    No gain or loss is recognised in  the  consolidated  income statement on  the  purchase, sale,  issue or 
cancellation of the Company’s own equity shares. 

2.30 

Provisions  

2.30.1    Provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters   

Provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters against the Group are made when: (a) there is a 
present  obligation  (legal  or  constructive)  arising  from  past  events,  (b)  the  settlement  of  the  obligation  is 
expected to result in an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits, and (c) a reliable estimate of the 
amount of the obligation can be made. 

2.30.2    Provisions for undrawn loan commitments 

Provisions are made for undrawn loan commitments if it is probable that the facility will be drawn and result in 
the recognition of an asset at an amount less than the amount advanced.   

2.31 

Financial guarantees 

The Group issues financial guarantees to its customers, consisting of letters of credit, letters of guarantee and 
acceptances.  Financial guarantees are initially recognised in the consolidated financial statements at fair value, 
in ‘Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities’.  Subsequently, the Group’s liability under each guarantee is 
measured at the higher of: (a) the amount initially recognised reduced by the cumulative amortised premium 
which  is  periodically  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  in  ‘Fee  and  commission  income’  in 
accordance with the terms of the guarantee, and (b) the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle any 
financial obligation arising as a result of the guarantee. 

Any increase in the liability relating to financial guarantees is recognised in the consolidated income statement 
in  ‘Provisions  for  impairment  of  loans  and  advances  to  customers  and  other  customer  credit  losses’.    The 
balance of the liability for financial guarantees that remains is recognised in ‘Fee and commission income’ in the 
consolidated income statement when the guarantee is fulfilled, cancelled or expired.  

2.32 

Comparative information 

Comparatives  have  been  reclassified  to  reflect  the  change  in  presentation  of  ‘Gains  on  disposal  of  stock  of 
property’  within the consolidated income statement,  previously  included within  ‘Other  income’.  This  change in 
presentation did not have any impact on the profit for the year. 

In  addition  reclassifications  to  comparative  information  were  made  to  conform  to  current  year  presentation.  
Such reclassification did not have an impact on the profit for the year or equity of the Group. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

  Going concern  

Management has made an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

The conditions that existed during 2016 and the developments up to the date of approval of these consolidated 
financial statements that have been considered  in  management’s  going concern assessment include,  amongst 
others, the operating environment in Cyprus and of the Group (Note 4). 

Management  believes  that  the  Group  is  taking  all  necessary  measures  to  maintain  its  viability  and  the 
development of its business in the current economic environment. 

Management,  taking  into  consideration  the  factors  described  below  and  the  uncertainties  that  existed  at  the 
reporting date, is satisfied that the Group has the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future 
and, therefore, the going concern principle is appropriate for the reasons set out below, despite the fact that, as 
disclosed  in  Notes  4.2.3  and  45  the  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its  liquidity  regulatory 
requirements  with  respect  to  its  operations  in  Cyprus  and  the  Group  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its 
regulatory liquidity requirements with respect to the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), which can be considered as 
a material uncertainty as to its ability to continue as a going concern. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Τhe Group’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 31 December 2016 stands at 14,5% (transitional) and 
the total capital at 14,6%, higher than the minimum required ratios (Note 4.2.1). 
The  improving  funding  structure  of  the  Group,  as  a  result  of  the  continuing  positive  customer  flows  in 
Cyprus.   
The  increase  in  Group  customer  deposits  by  €2.329  million  during  2016.    Customer  deposits  stood  at 
€16.510 million at 31 December 2016. 
The Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) funding, was repaid in full on 5 January 2017. ELA stood at €200 
million at 31 December 2016 compared to €3,8 billion at 31 December 2015 and €11,4 billion at its peak 
level in April 2013 (Note 4.2.3).  
The improved ratings of both the Company (Fitch Ratings upgrade of Long-term Issuer Default Rating from 
‘CCC’ to ‘B-’ in April 2016 with stable outlook, and Moody’s Investor Service upgrade of long-term deposit 
rating from Caa3 with stable outlook to Caa3 with positive outlook in June 2016 and to Caa2 with positive 
outlook in December 2016) and the Republic of Cyprus (Fitch Ratings upgrade by one notch to BB- with a 
positive  outlook  in  October  2016,  S&P  Global  Rating  by  one  notch  to  BB  with  a  positive  outlook  in 
September  2016  and  by  one  notch  to  BB+  with  a  stable  outlook  in  March  2017  and  Moody’s  Investors 
Service  by  two  notches  to  B1  with  a  stable  outlook  in  November  2015.  In  November  2016  Moody’s 
Investors Service improved the outlook on the Republic of Cyprus from stable to positive). 
The Company  has returned to  the  debt capital markets  in January  2017 with the  issue  of  unsecured and 
subordinated Tier 2 Capital Note of €250 million. 

4. 

4.1 

Operating environment  

Cyprus  

Cyprus  exited  its  economic  adjustment  programme  at  the  end  of  March  2016  after  a  successful  return  to 
markets  and  having  utilised  only  about  70%  of  the  €10  billion  funding  resources  made  available  by  the 
European  Union  (EU)  and  the  International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF).    Based  on  the  Ministry  of  Finance  Stability 
Programme 2016-2019 (May 2016), in the area of  public finances,  the government  carried out a strong fiscal 
adjustment and the budget returned to near balance, public spending was reduced and tax collection was made 
more efficient.  

Unemployment dropped to 13,3% during 2016 compared to an average unemployment rate of 14,9% for 2015 
as a whole and a peak of 16,5% in the fourth quarter of 2014 as per the Cyprus Statistical Service. 

Real GDP rose by 2,8% in 2016 according to the Cyprus Statistical Service,  compared to an increase of 1,7% 
during 2015.   

Consumer prices continued to decline for the fourth consecutive year, down by 1,4% in 2016, as per the Cyprus 
Statistical Service. 

Tourist arrivals increased by 19,8% during 2016. The index of industrial production increased by 8,7% in 2016. 
In real gross value added terms, industrial output in 2016 increased by 5,9% in the first three quarters of 2016 
after an increase of 2,9% in 2015 as per data by the Cyprus Statistical Service.  

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.1 

Operating environment (continued) 

Cyprus (continued) 

In  the  property  market,  the  Central  Bank’s  residential  property  price  index  continued  to  decline  year-on-year 
but  at  a  slowing  pace.  The  index  dropped  by  1,3%  in  the  third  quarter  of  2016  after  dropping  by  1,7%  and 
1,6% in the second and first quarter respectively. 

Downside  risks  to  the  growth  projections  are  associated  with  high  levels  of  non-performing  loans,  loss  of 
momentum  in  structural  reforms  with  associated  risks  for  public  finances,  and  a  return  of  inflation.  Downside 
risks may also be associated with a deterioration of the external environment for Cyprus.  These would involve 
slower growth in the UK with a weakening of the pound following the Brexit referendum. Political uncertainty in 
Europe triggered by a British exit or by the refugee crisis could also lead to increased economic uncertainty and 
undermine economic confidence. 

Upside risks to the outlook relate to  a possible  better growth performance  in the EU  and stronger investment 
spending as property prices are stabilising and various projects especially in tourism are implemented.  

The  international  credit  rating  agencies  have  upgraded  the  rating  of  the  country.  Fitch  Ratings  upgraded  the 
rating of the Republic of Cyprus one notch to BB- with a positive outlook in October 2016, S&P Global Rating by 
one notch to BB with a positive outlook in September 2016 and by one notch to BB+ with a stable outlook in 
March 2017  and  Moody’s Investors Service  by two notches to B1  with  a stable outlook in November 2015.  In 
November  2016  Moody’s  Investors  Service  improved  the  outlook  on  the  Republic  of  Cyprus  from  stable  to 
positive. 

In July 2016 the Cyprus government accessed international capital markets for the third time since the start of 
the economic adjustment programme to date, issuing a seven year Eurobond of €1 billion at a yield of 3,8%. 

4.2 

The Group 

4.2.1   Regulatory capital ratios  

The  CET1  ratio  of  the  Group  at  31  December  2016  stands  at  14,5%  (transitional)  and  the  total  capital  at 
14,6%.   

The  minimum  Pillar  I  total  capital  requirement  is  8,0%  and  may  be  met,  in  addition  to  the  4,5%  CET1 
requirement, with up to 1,5% by Additional Tier 1 capital and with up to 2,0% by Tier 2 capital. 

The  Group  is  also  subject  to  additional  capital  requirements  for  risks  which  are  not  covered  by  the  Pillar  I 
capital  requirements  (Pillar  II  add-ons).    Following  the  enactment  of  the  amendments  in  the  Cypriot  Banking 
Law  in  February  2017  regarding  the  gradual  phase-in  of  the  Capital  Conservation  Buffer  (CCB)  and  based  on 
the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) performed by the European Central Bank (ECB) in 2016, 
the  Group’s  minimum  CET1  capital  ratio  as  from  1  January  2017  has  been  reduced  to  9,50%  compared  to 
10,75% fully phased-in of CCB (minimum CET1 capital ratio at 31 December 2016: 11,75% fully phased-in of 
CCB), comprising of a 4,5% Pillar I requirement, a 3,75% Pillar II requirement and a phased-in CCB of 1,25%. 
The ECB has also provided non-public guidance for an additional Pillar II CET1 buffer. 

The  overall  Total  Capital Ratio  requirement  as  from  1  January  2017  following  the  amendments in  the Cypriot 
Banking Law in February 2017 regarding the gradual phase-in of CCB, has been reduced to 13,00% compared 
to 14,25% (fully phased-in of CCB), comprising of a Pillar I requirement of 8% (of which up to 1,5% can be in 
the  form  of  Additional  Tier  1  capital  and  up  to  2,0%  in  the  form  of  Tier  2  capital),  a  Pillar  II  requirement  of 
3,75% (in the form of CET1), as well as a phased-in CCB of 1,25%.  

The minimum CET1 requirement including Pillar II, applicable for the year 2016 was determined by the ECB at 
11,75% in November 2015 and includes CCB on a fully loaded basis. 

The  Group's  capital  position  at  31  December  2016  exceeds  both  its  Pillar  I  and  its  Pillar  II  add-on  capital 
requirements.  However,  the  Group's  Pillar  II  add-on  capital  requirements  are  a  point-in-time  assessment  and 
therefore are subject to change over time.   

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.2 

Operating environment (continued) 

The Group (continued) 

4.2.2   Asset quality  

The Group’s loans that are individually impaired or past due for more than 90 days (90+ DPD) have decreased 
by 27% during 2016 and totalled €8.309 million at 31 December 2016, representing 41% of gross loans before 
fair value adjustment on initial recognition (Note 43). The provisioning coverage ratio improved to  54% at 31 
December  2016  compared  to  48%  at  31  December  2015.  The  Group  non-performing  exposures  (NPEs),  as 
defined by the European Banking Authority (EBA), totalled €11.034 million at 31 December 2016 and accounted 
for 55% of gross loans. The provisioning coverage ratio of NPEs totalled  41% at 31 December 2016 compared 
to 39% at 31 December 2015. 

The  Group  addresses  the  asset  quality  challenge  through  the  operation  of  the  Restructuring  and  Recoveries 
Division which is actively seeking to find innovative solutions to manage distressed exposures.  The Group has 
been successful in engineering restructuring solutions across the spectrum of its loan portfolio. 90+ DPD have 
decreased by 36% since their peak of €13.003 million as at 31 December 2013.  NPEs have decreased by 27% 
since their peak of €15.175 million as at 31 December 2013.   

4.2.3   Liquidity  

The Group’s funding position continues to improve with customer deposits increasing by €2.329 million or 16% 
in the year ended 31 December 2016.   

Group  customer  deposits  totalled  €16.510  million  at  31  December  2016  compared  to  €14.181  million  at  31 
December  2015.   Customer  deposits  in  Cyprus  reached  €15.043  million  at  31  December  2016  from  €12.691 
million  at  31  December  2015.    Customer  deposits  stood  at  74%  of  total  assets  as  at  31  December  2016 
(compared to 61% at 31 December 2015 and a low of 48% at 31 March 2014). The net loans to deposit ratio 
stood at 95% as at 31 December 2016 (compared to 121% at 31 December 2015). 

The level of ELA funding at 31 December 2016 amounted to €200 million (Note 30), down from €3,8 billion at 
31  December 2015  and  its  peak  level  of  €11,4 billion  in  April 2013.  ELA  was  fully  repaid  on  5  January  2017.  
ELA  is  available  to  solvent  Euro  area  credit  institutions  and  although  the  Company  has  received  no  specific 
assurance,  management  expects  that  the  Company  will  continue  to  have  access  to  the  central  bank  liquidity 
facilities,  in  line  with  applicable  rules  if  it  were  to  face  a  ‘stress  event’  that  gave  rise  to  temporary  liquidity 
problems.  If  a  stress  event  were  to  occur  in  the  future,  the  Company  would  seek  to  utilise  ELA  funding, 
assuming it has sufficient available eligible collateral at the time. 

It is noted that the Group’s Restructuring Plan approved in 2013 by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) included 
ELA funding throughout the Restructuring Plan period (2013-2017). 

The Council of Ministers and the Committee on Financial and Budgetary Affairs of the House of Representatives 
had approved in January 2014 the issuance of up to €2,9 billion of guarantees for bonds/loans issued by credit 
institutions  under  the  ‘Granting  of  Government  Guarantees  for  Loans  and/or  issuance  of  Bonds  by  Credit 
Institutions Law of 2012’.  The European Commission announced in June 2016 the eighth extension of the bank 
guarantee scheme, which continued until 31 December 2016. Based on the prevailing conditions, the Ministry of 
Finance has not applied for a further extension of the bank guarantee scheme. 

The credit ratings of the Republic of Cyprus by the main credit rating agencies albeit improving, continue to be 
below  investment  grade.   As  a  result,  the  ECB  is  not  able  to  include  Cyprus  Government  bonds  in  its  asset 
purchase  programme, or as  eligible  collateral  for  Eurosystem  monetary operations,  as was  the  case when  the 
waiver for collateral eligibility due to the country being under an economic adjustment programme existed.   

In January 2017 the Company  issued  €250 million unsecured  and  subordinated  Tier  2  Capital Note under the 
Company’s EMTN Programme.  The note was priced at par, with a coupon of 9,25% (Note 53.4). 

The  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  the  regulatory  liquidity  requirements  with  respect  to  its 
operations in Cyprus and the Group is currently not in compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements with 
respect to the LCR and is therefore dependent on continuing regulatory forbearance.  Additional information on 
liquidity and details on certain liquidity ratios are disclosed in Note 45. 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.2 

Operating environment (continued) 

The Group (continued) 

4.2.4   Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters 

The  management  has  considered  the  potential  impact  of  pending  litigation  and  claims,  investigations  and 
regulatory matters against the Group. The Group has obtained legal advice in respect of these claims.  

Despite the novelty of many of the claims such as the bail-in of depositors and the absorption of losses by the 
holders  of  equity  and  debt  instruments  of  the  Company  and  the  uncertainties  inherent  in  a  unique  situation, 
based on the information available at present and on the basis of the law as it currently stands, management 
considers that the said claims  as well as other pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters are unlikely to 
have a material adverse impact on the financial position and capital adequacy of the Group (Note 38). 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions 

The  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  requires  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  and 
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that can have a material impact on the amounts 
recognised  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  accompanying  disclosures,  as  well  as  the 
disclosures  of  contingent  liabilities.    Uncertainty  about  these  assumptions  and  estimates  could  result  in 
outcomes  that  require  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying  amount  of  assets  or  liabilities  affected  in  future 
periods. 

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation of uncertainty at the reporting 
date,  that  have  a  significant  risk  of  causing  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and 
liabilities are described below.  The Group based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when 
the  consolidated  financial  statements  were  prepared.    Existing  circumstances  and  assumptions  about  future 
developments may, however, change due to market changes or circumstances beyond the control of the Group.  
Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur. 

5.1 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers 

The Group reviews its loans and advances to customers to assess whether a provision for impairment should be 
recorded in the consolidated income statement.  In particular, management is required to estimate the amount 
and timing of future cash  flows in order to determine the amount of provision required and the calculation of 
the impairment allowance  involves the use  of  judgement.  Such estimates are  based on  assumptions about  a 
number of factors and therefore actual impairment losses may differ.  

The carrying amount of the loan is reduced through the use of a provision account and the amount of the loss is 
recognised in the consolidated income statement.  Loans together with the associated provisions are written off 
when  there  is  no  realistic prospect  of  future  recovery.    Partial  write-offs,  including  non  contractual  write-offs, 
may also occur when it is considered that there is no realistic prospect for the recovery of the contractual cash 
flows.  In addition, write-offs may reflect restructuring activity with customers and are part of the terms of the 
agreement and subject to satisfactory performance. 

The  Group  may  change  certain  estimates  from  period  to  period,  however  it  is  impracticable  to  estimate  the 
effect  of  such  individual  estimates  due  to  interdependencies  between  estimates  and  as  the  profile  of  the 
population of loans changes from period to period.  

A  very  important  factor  for  the  estimation  of  provisions  is  the  timing  and  net  recoverable  amount  from 
repossession or realisation of collaterals which mainly comprise real estate assets.   

Assumptions  have  been  made  about  the  future  changes  in  property  values,  as  well  as  the  timing  for  the 
realisation  of  the  collateral  and  for  taxes  and  expenses  on  the  repossession  and  subsequent  sale  of  the 
collateral.  Indexation has been used to estimate updated market values of properties, while assumptions were 
made on the basis of a macroeconomic scenario for future changes in property values.  The timing of recovery 
from real estate collaterals has been estimated to be on average 3 years, with the exception of specific cases 
for  which,  based  on  specific  facts  and  circumstances,  a  different  period  has  been  used  and  for  customers  in 
Debt Recovery where an average 6 year period has been used.  In accordance with the Loan Impairment and 
Provisioning  Procedures  Directives  of  2014  and  2015  of  the  CBC,  the  cumulative  average  future  change  in 
property values during the year has been capped to zero.   

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.1 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

The  average  liquidity  haircut  and  selling  expenses  used  in  the  provisions  calculation  is  10%  of  the  current 
market  value  of  the  property  for  those  collaterals  for  which  the  increase  in  their  value  is  capped  to  zero  and 
10%  of  the  projected  market  value  of  the  property  for  those  collaterals  for  which  their  value  is  expected  to 
drop. 

The above assumptions are also influenced by the ongoing regulatory dialogue the Company maintains with its 
lead  regulator,  the  ECB,  and  other  regulatory  guidance  and  interpretations  issued  by  various  regulatory  and 
industry bodies such as the ECB and  EBA, which provide guidance  and expectations as to relevant definitions 
and the treatment/classification of certain parameters/assumptions used in the estimation of provisions. 

Any changes in these  assumptions or difference  between assumptions made and actual results could result in 
significant changes in the amount of required provisions for impairment of loans and advances.  

For individually significant assets, impairment allowances are calculated on an individual basis and all relevant 
considerations that have a bearing on the expected future cash flows are taken into account (for example, the 
business  prospects  for  the  customer,  the  realisable  value  of  collateral,  the  Group’s  position  relative  to  other 
claimants, the reliability of customer information and the likely cost and duration of the work-out process).  The 
level of the impairment allowance  is the difference between the value  of the discounted expected  future cash 
flows (discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate) and its carrying amount.  Subjective judgements 
are  made  in  the  calculation  of  future  cash  flows.    Furthermore,  judgements  change  with  time  as  new 
information  becomes  available  or  as  work-out  strategies  evolve,  resulting  in  frequent  revisions  to  the 
impairment allowance as individual decisions are taken.  Changes in these estimates would result in a change in 
the allowances and have a direct impact on the impairment charge.   

In  addition  to  provisions  for  impairment  on  an  individual  basis,  the  Group  also  makes  collective  impairment 
provisions.  The  Group  adopts  a  formulaic  approach  for  collective  provisions,  which  includes  assigning 
probabilities of default and loss given default for portfolios of loans.  This methodology is subject to estimation 
uncertainty,  partly  because  it  is  not  practicable  to  identify  losses  on  an  individual  loan  basis  because  of  the 
large number of loans in each portfolio.  In addition, the use of historical information for probabilities of default 
and  loss  rates  is  supplemented  with  significant  management  judgement  to  assess  whether  current  economic 
and  credit  conditions  are  such  that  the  actual  level  of  incurred  losses  is  likely  to  be  greater  or  less  than  that 
suggested by historical experience.  

Impairment assessment also includes off-balance sheet credit exposures represented by guarantees given and 
by irrevocable commitments to disburse funds.  Off-balance sheet credit exposures of the individually assessed 
assets require assumptions on the probability, timing and amount of cash outflows; otherwise the provision is 
calculated  on  a  collective  basis,  taking  into  account  the  probability  of  loss  for  the  portfolio  in  which  the 
customer is included for on-balance sheet exposures impairment assessment.   The Group may change certain 
estimates from period to period, however it is impracticable to estimate the effect of such individual estimates 
due to interdependencies between estimates and as the profile of the population of off-balance sheet exposure 
changes from period to period. 

In normal circumstances, historical experience provides the most objective and relevant information from which 
to assess inherent loss within each portfolio.  In certain circumstances, historical loss experience provides less 
relevant information about the incurred loss in a given portfolio at the reporting date, for example, where there 
have been changes in economic, regulatory or  behavioural conditions such that the  most  recent trends in the 
portfolio  risk  factors  are  not  fully  reflected.    In  these  circumstances,  such  risk  factors  are  taken  into  account 
when  calculating  the  appropriate  levels  of  impairment  allowances,  by  adjusting  the  provision  for  impairment 
derived solely from historical loss experience. 

The total amount of the Group’s provision for impairment of loans and advances is inherently uncertain because 
it is highly sensitive to changes in economic and credit conditions across a number of geographical areas.   

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.1 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Loans  subject  to  collective  impairment  assessment  whose  terms  have  been  renegotiated  are  no  longer 
considered past due, but are treated as up to date loans for measurement purposes.  Loans subject to collective 
impairment assessment whose terms have been renegotiated are taken into account in determining the inputs 
for  collective  impairment  calculation.    Loans  subject  to  individual  impairment  assessment,  whose  terms  have 
been  renegotiated,  are  subject  to  ongoing  review  to  determine  whether  they  remain  impaired.    The  carrying 
amounts of loans that have been classified as renegotiated retain this classification in accordance with the rules 
of the technical standard of the EBA. 

Economic and credit conditions within geographical areas are influenced by many factors with a high degree of 
interdependency  so  that  there  is  no  one  single  factor  to  which  the  Group’s  loan  impairment  provisions  as  a 
whole  are  particularly  sensitive.    Different  factors  are  applied  in  each  country  to  reflect  the  local  economic 
conditions,  laws  and  regulations  and  the  assumptions  underlying  this  judgement  are  highly  subjective.    The 
methodology and the assumptions used in calculating  impairment losses are  reviewed regularly. It is possible 
that the actual results could be different from the assumptions made, resulting in a material adjustment to the 
carrying amount of loans and advances.  

Further details on impairment allowances and related credit information are set out in Note 43. 

5.2 

Fair value of investments and derivatives 

The  best  evidence  of  fair  value  is  a  quoted  price  in  an  actively  traded  market.  If  the  market  for  a  financial 
instrument is not active, a valuation technique is used.  The majority of valuation techniques employed by the 
Group use only observable market data and so the reliability of the fair value measurement is relatively high. 

However, certain financial instruments are valued on the basis of valuation techniques that feature one or more 
significant  inputs  that  are  not  observable.    Valuation  techniques  that  rely  on  non-observable  inputs  require  a 
higher level of management judgement to calculate a fair value than those based wholly on observable inputs. 

Valuation  techniques  used  to  calculate  fair  values  include  comparisons  with  similar  financial  instruments  for 
which market observable prices exist, discounted cash flow analysis and other valuation techniques commonly 
used  by  market  participants.    Valuation  techniques  incorporate  assumptions  that  other  market  participants 
would use in their valuations, including assumptions about interest rate yield curves, exchange rates, volatilities 
and default rates.  When valuing instruments by reference to comparable instruments, management takes into 
account the maturity, structure and rating of the instrument with which the position held is being compared. 

The Group only uses models with unobservable inputs for the valuation of certain unquoted equity investments.  
In these cases, estimates are made to reflect uncertainties in fair values resulting from a lack of market data 
inputs, for example, as a result of illiquidity in the market.  Inputs into valuations based on unobservable data 
are inherently uncertain because there is little or no current market data available from which to determine the 
level at which an arm’s length transaction would occur under normal business conditions.  Unobservable inputs 
are determined based on the best information available. 

Further details on the fair value of assets and liabilities are disclosed in Note 22. 

5.3 

Impairment of available-for-sale investments 

Available-for-sale investments in equity securities are impaired when there has been a significant or prolonged 
decline in their fair value below cost.  The determination of what is significant or prolonged requires judgement 
by management.  Management has assessed that a loss of 25% or more is considered significant, except in the 
cases of investment companies where higher limits are set.  Prolonged has been assessed by management to 
be  a  period  of  12  months  or  more.    The  factors  which  are  evaluated  include  the  expected  volatility  in  share 
prices.    In  addition,  impairment  may  be  appropriate  when  there  is  evidence  that  significant  adverse  changes 
have taken place in the technological, market, economic or legal environment in which the investee operates. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.3 

Impairment of available-for-sale investments (continued) 

Available-for-sale  investments  in  debt  securities  are  impaired  when  there  is objective  evidence  of  impairment 
as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the investment and the event (or 
events)  has  an  impact  on  the  estimated  future  cash  flows  of  the  investment.    Such  impairment  review  takes 
into  account  a  number  of  factors  such  as  the  financial  condition  of  the  issuer,  any  breach  of  contract,  the 
probability that the issuer will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation, which involves a high degree 
of judgement, as well as changes in the fair value of individual instruments such as when their fair value at the 
reporting date falls below 90% of the instruments’ amortised cost. 

Further details on impairment of available-for-sale investments are presented in Notes 16 and 20. 

5.4 

Retirement benefits  

The  cost  of  defined  benefit  pension  plans  is  determined  using  actuarial  valuations.    The  actuarial  valuations 
involve  making  assumptions  about  discount  rates,  the  expected  rate  of  return  on  plan  assets,  future  salary 
increases, mortality rates as well as future pension increases where necessary.  The Group’s management sets 
these  assumptions  based  on  market  expectations  at  the  reporting  date  using  its  best  estimates  for  each 
parameter  covering  the  period  over  which  the  obligations  are  to  be  settled.    In  determining  the  appropriate 
discount  rate,  management  considers  the  yield  curve  of  high  quality  corporate  bonds.    In  determining  other 
assumptions, a certain degree of judgement is required.  Future salary increases are based on expected future 
inflation rates for the specific country plus a margin to reflect the best possible estimate relating to parameters 
such as productivity, workforce maturity and promotions.  The expected return on plan assets is based on the 
composition of each fund’s plan assets, estimating a different rate of return for each asset class.  Estimates of 
future  inflation  rates  on  salaries  and  expected  rates  of  return  of  plan  assets  represent  management’s  best 
estimates  for  these  variables.    These  estimates  are  derived  after  consultation  with  the  Group’s  advisors,  and 
involve  a  degree  of  judgement.    Due  to  the  long-term  nature  of  these  plans,  such  estimates  are  inherently 
uncertain.  

Further details on retirement benefits are disclosed in Note 14. 

5.5 

  General insurance business 

The Group is engaged in the provision of general insurance services. Risks under these policies usually cover a 
period of 12 months. 

The liabilities for outstanding claims arising from insurance contracts issued by the Group are calculated based 
on  case  estimates  by  loss  adjusters  and  facts  known  at  the  reporting  date.    With  time,  these  estimates  are 
reconsidered and any adjustments are recognised in the financial statements of the period in which they arise. 

The  principal  assumptions  underlying  the  estimates  for  each  claim  are  based  on  past  experience  and  market 
trends, and take into consideration claim handling costs. Other external factors that may affect the estimate of 
claims, such as recent court rulings and the introduction of new legislation are also taken into consideration. 

Provision is also made for claims incurred but not reported (IBNR) by the reporting date.  Past experience as to 
the number and amount of claims reported after the reporting date is taken into consideration in estimating the 
IBNR provision. 

Insurance contract liabilities are sensitive to changes in the above key assumptions.  The sensitivity of certain 
assumptions, such as the introduction of new legislation and the rulings of certain court cases, are very difficult 
to  quantify.    Furthermore,  the  delays  that  arise  between  the  occurrence  of  a  claim  and  its  subsequent 
notification and eventual settlement increase the uncertainty existing at the reporting date. 

Further information on general insurance business is disclosed in Note 12. 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.6 

Life insurance business 

The Group is engaged in the provision of life insurance services.  Whole life insurance plans (life plans) relate to 
plans associated with assets where the amount payable in the case of death is the greater of the sum insured 
and the value of investment units.  Simple insurance or temporary term plans (term plans) relate to fixed term 
duration plans for protection against death.  In case of death within the coverage period, the insured sum will 
be  paid.    Endowment  insurance  (investment  plans/mortgage  plans/horizon  plans)  refer  to  specific  duration 
plans linked to investments, to create capital through systematic investment in association with death insurance 
coverage whereby the higher of the sum insured and the value of investment units is payable on death within 
the contract term. 

Further information on life insurance business is disclosed in Note 12. 

5.6.1 

Value of in-force business 

The  value  of the  in-force business  asset  represents  the present  value  of  future  profits expected to  arise  from 
the  portfolio  of  in-force  life  insurance.    The  valuation  of  this  asset  requires  assumptions  to  be  made  about 
future economic and operating conditions which are inherently uncertain and changes could significantly affect 
the value attributed to these assets.  The methodology used and the key assumptions that have been made in 
determining the carrying value of the in-force business asset at 31 December 2016, are set out in Note 24. 

5.6.2 

Insurance liabilities 

The  calculation  of  liabilities  and  the  choice  of  assumptions  regarding  insurance  contracts  require  the 
management of the Group to make significant estimates.  

The  assumptions  underlying  the  estimates  for  each  claim  are  based  on  past  experience,  internal  factors  and 
conditions, as well as external factors which reflect current market prices and other published information.  The 
assumptions  and  judgements  are  determined  at  the  date  of  valuation  of  liabilities  and  are  assessed 
systematically so that the reliability and realistic position can be ensured.    

Estimates  for  insurance  contracts  are  made  in  two  stages.    Initially,  at  the  start  of  the  contract,  the  Group 
determines  the  assumptions  regarding  future  deaths,  voluntary  terminations,  investment  returns  and 
administration  expenses.    Subsequently,  at  each  reporting  date,  an  actuarial  valuation  is  performed  which 
assesses whether liabilities are adequate according to the most recent estimates.  

The assumptions with the greatest influence on the valuation of insurance liabilities are presented below: 

Mortality and morbidity rates  
Assumptions  are  based  on  standard  national  tables  of  mortality  and  morbidity,  according  to  the  type  of 
contract.    In  addition,  a  study  is  performed  based  on  the  actual  experience  (actual  deaths)  of  the  insurance 
company for comparison purposes and if sufficient evidence exists which is statistically reliable, the results are 
incorporated  in  these  tables.    An  increase  in  mortality  rates  will  lead  to  a  larger  number  of  claims  (or  claims 
could occur sooner than anticipated), which will increase the expenditure and reduce profits for shareholders.  

Investment return and discount rate 
The weighted average rate of return is derived based on assets that are assumed to back liabilities, consistent 
with the long-term investment strategy of the Group.  These estimates are based on current market returns as 
well  as  expectations  about  future  economic  and  financial  developments.    An  increase  in  investment  returns 
would lead to an increase in profits for shareholders. 

Management expenses 
Assumptions  are  made  for  management  fees  and  contract  maintenance  as  well  as  for  general  expenses,  and 
are based on the actual costs of the Group.  An assumption is also made for the rate of increase in expenses in 
relation to the annual inflation rate.  An increase in the level of expenses would reduce profits for shareholders. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.6 

Life insurance business (continued) 

5.6.2 

Insurance liabilities (continued) 

Lapses 
Each year an analysis of contract termination rates is performed, using actual data from the insurance company 
incorporation until the immediate preceding year.  Rates vary according to the type and duration of the plan. 
According  to  the  insurance  legislation  of  Cyprus,  no  assumption  is  made  for  policy  termination  rates  in  the 
actuarial valuation.  

Further details on insurance liabilities are disclosed in Note 32. 

5.7 

Tax 

The Group operates and is therefore subject to tax in various countries.  Estimates are required in determining 
the provision for taxes at the reporting date.  The Group recognises income tax liabilities for transactions and 
assessments  whose  tax  treatment  is  uncertain.    Where  the  final  tax  is  different  from  the  amounts  initially 
recognised in the consolidated income statement, such differences will impact the income tax expense, the tax 
liabilities and deferred tax assets or liabilities of the period in which the final tax is agreed with the relevant tax 
authorities. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised by the Group in respect of tax losses to the extent that it is probable that 
future  taxable  profits  will  be  available  against  which  the  losses  can  be  utilised.    Judgement  is  required  to 
determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised, based upon the likely timing and level of 
future taxable profits, together with future tax-planning strategies.  These variables have been established on 
the  basis  of  significant  management  judgement  and  are  subject  to  uncertainty.    It  is  possible  that  the  actual 
future events could be different from the assumptions made, resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying 
amount of deferred tax assets.   

The assumptions with greater influence on deferred tax are disclosed in Note 17. 

5.8 

  Classification of properties 

The Group determines whether a property is classified as investment property or stock of property as follows: 
 

Investment properties comprise  land and  buildings  that are  not occupied for  use  by, or in the operations 
of, the Group, nor for sale in the ordinary course of business, but are held primarily to earn rental income 
and capital appreciation.  These buildings are substantially rented to tenants and not intended to be sold in 
the ordinary course of business. 
Stock  of  property  comprises  real  estate  assets  held  with  an  intention  to  be  disposed  of.    This  principally 
relates  to  properties  acquired  through  debt-for-property  swaps  and  properties  acquired  through  the 
acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank in 2013.  The Group has set up the ‘Real Estate Management 
Unit (REMU) in late 2015, to manage these assets (including selective investments and development) and 
to execute exit strategies in order to monetise these assets.  

 

5.9 

Fair value of properties held for own use and investment properties  

The Group’s accounting policy for property held for own use, as well as for investment property requires that it 
is measured at fair value.  In the case of property held for own use, valuations are carried out periodically so 
that  the  carrying  value  is  not  materially  different  from  the  fair  value,  whereas  in  the  case  of  investment 
properties, the fair value is established at each reporting date.   Valuations are carried out by qualified valuers 
by  applying  valuation  models  recommended  by  the  Royal  Institution  of  Chartered  Surveyors  and  the 
International Valuation Standards Council. 

In  arriving  at  their  estimates  of  the  fair  values  of  properties,  the  valuers  used  their  market  knowledge  and 
professional judgement and did not rely solely on historical transactional comparables, taking into consideration 
that there is a greater degree of uncertainty than that which exists in a more active market. Depending on the 
nature of the underlying asset and available market information, the determination of the fair value of property 
may require the use of estimates such as future cash flows from assets and discount rates applicable to those 
assets.  All these estimates are based on local market conditions existing at the reporting date. 

Further information on inputs used is disclosed in Note 22. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

  Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.10    Stock of property – estimation of net realisable value 

Stock  of  property  is  measured  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  The  net  realisable  value  is 
determined with reference  to the fair value of  properties adjusted for any impact of specific circumstances  on 
the  sale  process  of  each  property.  Depending  on  the  value  of  the  underlying  asset  and  available  market 
information,  the  determination  of  costs  to  sell  may  require  professional  judgement  which  involves  a  large 
degree of uncertainly due to the relatively low level of market activity. 

More details on the stock of property are presented in Note 27.  

5.11    Provisions  

The accounting policy for provisions is described in Note 2.30.1.  Judgement is involved in determining whether 
a present obligation exists and in estimating the probability, timing and amount of any outflows.  Provisions for 
pending  litigations,  claims  and  regulatory  matters  usually  require  a  higher  degree  of  judgement  than  other 
types  of  provisions.   It  is  expected that  the  Group  will  continue  to  have  a  material exposure  to  litigation  and 
regulatory proceedings and investigations relating to legacy issues in the medium term.  The matters for which 
the Group determines that the probability of a future loss is more than remote will change from time to time, as 
will the matters as to which a reliable estimate can be made and the estimated possible loss for such matters. 
Actual results may prove to be significantly higher or lower than the estimate of possible loss in those matters, 
where  an  estimate  was  made.  In  addition,  loss  may  be  incurred  in  matters  with  respect  to  which  the  Group 
believed the probability of loss was remote.   

For  a  detailed  description  of  the  nature  of  uncertainties  and  assumptions  and  the  effect  on  the  amount  and 
timing of pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters refer to Note 38. 

5.12   

Exercise of significant influence  

The Group determines whether it exercises significant influence on companies in which it has shareholdings of 
less  than  20%  if  other  factors  exist  that  demonstrate  significant  influence.   In  performing  this  assessment  it 
considers its representation in the Board  of Directors which gives rise  to voting rights of more than 20% and 
participation  in  policy-making  processes,  including  participation  in  decisions  about  dividends  and  other 
distributions. 

6. 

Segmental analysis 

The  Group  is  organised  into  operating  segments  based  on  the  geographic  location  of  each  unit.    The  main 
geographical location  that the Group operates is Cyprus. In addition, the Cyprus segment is further organised 
into operating segments based on the line of business. 

The  remaining  Group’s  activities  in  Greece,  United  Kingdom,  Romania  and  Russia  are  separate  operating 
segments  for  which  information  is  provided  to  management  but,  due  to  their  size,  have  been  grouped  for 
disclosure purposes into one segment, namely ‘Other countries’.   

The  Group’s  activities  in  Cyprus  and  other  countries  include  mainly  the  provision  of  banking,  financial  and 
insurance services, as well as management of properties either held as stock or as investment property.  

Management  monitors  the  operating  results  of  each  business  segment  separately  for  the  purposes  of 
performance assessment and resource allocation.  Segment performance is evaluated based on profit after tax 
and non-controlling interests.  Inter-segment transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation and are 
made on an arm’s length basis.  

Operating segment disclosures are provided as presented to the Group Executive Committee.  

The loans and advances to customers, the customer deposits and the related income and expense are generally 
included  in  the  segment  where  the  business  is  originated,  instead  of  the  segment  where  the  transaction  is 
recorded.  Loans and advances to customers which are originated in countries where the Group does not have 
operating entities are included in the segment where they are managed. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

The disposal of the majority of the Russian operations was completed in September 2015 and the results of the 
Russian operations which have been disposed  of  are presented as discontinued  operations in the  comparative 
period. The results of the remaining Russian operations, being the management of a distressed loan portfolio, 
are presented within continuing operations of the ‘Other countries’ segment. 

In  September  2015,  the  Group  also  completed  the  disposal  of  65%  of  the  shares  of  Aphrodite  group.    The 
results of the Aphrodite group acquired in November 2014 and disposed of in September 2015 are presented as 
discontinued operations in the comparative period. 

Continuing operations 

2016 

Net interest income  

Net fee and commission income  

Net foreign exchange gains 

Net gains on financial instrument transactions  

Insurance income net of claims and commissions 

Gains/(losses) from revaluation and disposal of 
investment properties 

Gains/(losses) on disposal of stock of property 

Other income 

Staff costs (excluding voluntary exit plan and other 
termination benefits) (Note 14) 
Staff costs – voluntary exit plan and other 
termination benefits (Note 14) 
Other operating expenses (excluding advisory and 
other restructuring costs) (Note 15)  
Other operating expenses - advisory and other  
restructuring costs (Note 15) 

Gain  on  derecognition  of  loans  and  advances  to 
customers and changes in expected cash flows  
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to 
customers and other customer credit losses  
(Impairment)/reversal of impairment of other 
financial instruments  

Cyprus 

€000 

Other 
countries 

€000 

Total  

€000 

643.259 

159.181 

28.013 

63.204 

43.713 

5.315 

2.050 

12.530 

42.923 

7.477 

15.458 

169 

719 

(341) 

(689) 

2.375 

686.182 

166.658 

43.471 

63.373 

44.432 

4.974 

1.361 

14.905 

957.265 

68.091 

1.025.356 

(207.045) 

(17.380) 

(224.425) 

(62.521) 

(226) 

(62.747) 

(150.074) 

(41.339) 

(191.413) 

(48.579) 

(2.963) 

(51.542) 

489.046 

6.183 

495.229 

63.258 

57 

63.315 

(379.984) 

(53.625) 

(433.609) 

(12.316) 

1.023 

(11.293) 

Impairment of non-financial instruments  

(23.087) 

(13.133) 

(36.220) 

Share of profit from associates and joint ventures 

8.194 

- 

Profit/(loss) before tax 

145.111 

(59.495) 

8.194 

85.616 

Income tax 

Profit/(loss) after tax 

Non-controlling interests-profit 

Profit/(loss) after tax attributable to the 
owners of the Company 

(18.230) 

(155) 

(18.385) 

126.881 

(59.650) 

(3.575) 

- 

67.231 

(3.575) 

123.306 

(59.650) 

63.656 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

Continuing operations (continued) 

2015  

Net interest income  

Net fee and commission income  

Cyprus 

€000 

Other 
countries 

€000 

Total  

€000 

788.389 

146.636 

54.051 

842.440 

6.821 

153.457 

Net foreign exchange gains/(losses) 

48.021 

(9.654) 

38.367 

Net gains/(losses) on financial instrument 
transactions  

48.205 

(1.076) 

47.129 

Insurance income net of claims and commissions 

46.961 

944 

47.905 

Losses from revaluation and disposal of investment 
properties 

Gains/(losses) on disposal of stock of property 

Other income 

Staff costs 

Other operating expenses (excluding advisory and 
other restructuring costs) (Note 15) 
Other operating expenses – advisory and other 
restructuring costs (Note 15) 

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances to 
customers and changes in expected cash flows  
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to 
customers and other customer credit losses  

(14.900) 

(38.180) 

(53.080) 

1.000 

7.303 

(118) 

9.422 

882 

16.725 

1.071.615 

22.210 

1.093.825 

(218.057) 

(15.574) 

(233.631) 

(164.950) 

(16.958) 

(181.908) 

(38.357) 

(4.773) 

(43.130) 

650.251 

(15.095) 

635.156 

298.752 

6.337 

305.089 

(1.145.460) 

(119.094) 

(1.264.554) 

Impairment of other financial instruments  

(29.757) 

(13.746) 

(43.503) 

Impairment of non-financial instruments 

(11.326) 

(6.777) 

(18.103) 

Share of profit from associates and joint ventures 

5.923 

- 

5.923 

Loss before tax 

Income tax 

Loss after tax 

(231.617) 

(148.375) 

(379.992) 

(5.695) 

(3.508) 

(9.203) 

(237.312) 

(151.883) 

(389.195) 

Non-controlling interests-loss 

794 

5.888 

6.682 

Loss after tax attributable to the owners of 
the Company 

(236.518) 

(145.995) 

(382.513) 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

Discontinued operations 

2015  

Net interest income  

Net fee and commission income  

Net foreign exchange gains 

Losses from revaluation and disposal of investment 
properties 

Losses on disposal of stock of property 

Other income  

Staff costs 

Russia 

Subsidiary 
acquired with 
the view to 
sale 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

16.353 

8.108 

1.537 

(160) 

(66) 

1.222 

26.994 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

18.833 

18.833 

16.353 

8.108 

1.537 

(160) 

(66) 

20.055 

45.827 

(17.010) 

(5.433) 

(22.443) 

Other operating expenses  

(17.147) 

(7.954) 

(25.101) 

(7.163) 

5.446 

(1.717) 

Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to 
customers and other customer credit losses 
Impairment upon re-measurement of disposal group 
at fair value less costs to sell  

(42.665) 

(3.288) 

- 

- 

(42.665) 

(3.288) 

(Loss)/profit on disposal of discontinued operations 

(23.032) 

5.640 

(17.392) 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

(76.148) 

11.086 

(65.062) 

Income tax 

(45) 

- 

(45) 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

(76.193) 

11.086 

(65.107) 

Non-controlling interests – loss/(profit) 

10.630 

(1.362) 

9.268 

(Loss)/profit after tax attributable to the 
owners of the Company 

(65.563) 

9.724 

(55.839) 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

Analysis of total revenue 

Total revenue includes net interest income, net fee and commission income, net foreign exchange gains, net gains 
on  financial  instrument  transactions,  insurance  income  net  of  claims  and  commissions,  net  gains/(losses)  from 
revaluation and disposal of investment properties, net gains/(losses) on disposal of stock of property and other 
income. 

Continuing operations 

2016 

Cyprus 

€000 

Other 
countries 

€000 

Total  

€000 

Total revenue from third parties 

941.929 

83.427 

1.025.356 

Inter-segment revenue/(expense) 

15.336 

(15.336) 

- 

Total revenue  

957.265 

68.091 

1.025.356 

2015  

Total revenue from third parties 

1.055.559 

37.242 

1.092.801 

Inter-segment revenue/(expense) 

16.056 

(15.032) 

1.024 

Total revenue  

1.071.615 

22.210 

1.093.825 

The  revenue  for  Cyprus  operating  segment  is  further  analysed  in  analysis  by  business  line  in  this  note. 
The  revenue  for  Other  countries  segment  mainly  relates  to  banking  and  financial  services  for  both  2016  and 
2015. 

Discontinued operations 

2015  

Russia 

Subsidiary 
acquired 
with the 
view to sale 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total revenue from third parties 

28.018 

18.833 

46.851 

Inter-segment expenses 

Total revenue 

(1.024) 

- 

(1.024) 

26.994 

18.833 

45.827 

The revenue of Russia operating segment relates mainly to banking and financial services.  The revenue of the 
subsidiary acquired with the view to sale relates to property and hotel business. 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

Analysis of assets 

2016 

Assets 

Inter-segment assets  

Total assets  

2015 

Assets 

Inter-segment assets  

Total assets  

Analysis of liabilities 

2016 

Liabilities 

Inter-segment liabilities 

Total liabilities 

2015 

Liabilities 

Inter-segment liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Cyprus 

€000 

Other 
countries 
€000 

Total 

€000 

20.851.999 

2.412.982  23.264.981 

  (1.093.046) 

  22.171.935 

21.666.656 

2.746.202  24.412.858 

  (1.142.357) 

  23.270.501 

Cyprus 

€000 

Other 
countries 
€000 

Total  

€000 

17.577.993 

2.584.262  20.162.255 

  (1.096.425) 

  19.065.830 

18.665.209 

2.672.612  21.337.821 

  (1.144.651) 

  20.193.170 

Segmental  analysis  of  customer  deposits  and  loans  and  advances  to  customers  is  presented  in  Notes  31  and 
43, respectively. 

Analysis by business line 

In addition to monitoring operations by geographical location, management also monitors the operating results 
of  each  business  line  for  the  Cyprus  segment  of  the  Group,  and  such  information  is  presented  to  the  Group 
Executive Committee.   

Income  and  expenses  directly  associated  with  each  business  line  are  included  in  determining  the  line’s 
performance.  Transfer pricing methodologies are applied between the business lines to present their results on 
an arm’s length basis. Total other operating income includes net foreign exchange gains, net gains on financial 
instrument transactions, insurance income net of claims and commissions,  gains/(losses) from revaluation and 
disposal  of  investment  properties,  gains  on  disposal  of  stock  of  property  and  other  income.    Total  other 
operating income, staff costs and other operating expenses incurred directly by the business lines are allocated 
to  the  business  lines  as  incurred.  Indirect  other  operating  income  and  indirect  other  operating  expenses  are 
allocated to the head office function. Notional tax at the 12,5% Cyprus tax rate is charged/credited on profit or 
loss before tax of each business line. 

The business line ‘Other’ includes Group and head office functions such as treasury, finance, risk management, 
compliance,  legal,  corporate  affairs  and  human  resources.    Head  office  functions  provide  services  to  the 
operating segments.  From 2016 onwards, following the establishment of REMU in December 2015, its results 
are presented as a separate business line as REMU is considered a separate operating segment and reported as 
such to management.  No comparative information has been disclosed for the results of this new business line 
as this was only set up in December 2015.  

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

Analysis by business line (continued) 

2016 

Corporate 

€000 

Small and 
medium-
sized 
enterprises  
€000 

Retail 

Restructuring 
and 
recoveries 

International 
banking 
services 

Wealth 
management 

REMU 

Insurance 

Other  

Total 
 Cyprus 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Net interest income/(expense) 

81.408 

61.547 

246.923 

201.743 

Net fee and commission income/(expense) 

Total other operating income 

9.959 

559 

8.825 

602 

45.832 

4.637 

12.105 

506 

62.292 

65.072 

7.403 

91.926 

70.974 

297.392 

214.354 

134.767 

(11.475) 

(11.490) 

(117.175) 

(32.959) 

(23.365) 

10.861 

(12.757) 

417 

(9.175) 

643.259 

2.032 

4.146 

17.039 

(4.409) 

- 

(4.366) 

19.722 

159.181 

4.124 

(8.633) 

44.470 

40.521 

88.378 

154.825 

98.925 

957.265 

(9.253) 

(14.461) 

(132.532) 

(357.119) 

(968) 

(1.139) 

(22.930) 

(8.237) 

(4.468) 

(224) 

(97) 

(3.269) 

(21.189) 

(62.521) 

Restructuring costs–other operating expenses 

(18) 

(6) 

(253) 

(14.473) 

(65) 

(8) 

(4.548) 

- 

(29.208) 

(48.579) 

79.465 

58.339 

157.034 

158.685 

106.869 

12.398 

(22.531) 

22.791 

(84.004) 

489.046 

3.049 

4.030 

11.710 

41.423 

1.953 

859 

30.083 

(14.690) 

7.370 

(393.740) 

(8.006) 

(1.965) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(19.542) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

234 

63.258 

964 

(379.984) 

(12.316) 

(12.316) 

(3.545) 

(23.087) 

8.194 

8.194 

Income tax 

(14.075) 

(5.960) 

(22.014) 

24.204 

(12.602) 

112.597 

47.679 

176.114 

(193.632) 

100.816 

11.292 

(1.412) 

(42.073) 

22.791 

(90.473) 

145.111 

5.259 

(2.992) 

11.362 

(18.230) 

Profit/(loss) after tax 

98.522 

41.719 

154.100 

(169.428) 

88.214 

9.880 

(36.814) 

19.799 

(79.111) 

126.881 

Non-controlling interests-profit 
Profit/(loss) after tax attributable to the 
owners of the Company 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(3.575) 

(3.575) 

98.522 

41.719 

154.100 

(169.428) 

88.214 

9.880 

(36.814) 

19.799 

(82.686) 

123.306 

61 

Staff costs and other operating expenses 
Restructuring costs–voluntary exit plan and 
other termination benefits 

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances 
to customers and changes in expected cash 
flows  
Reversal of provisions/(provisions) for 
impairment of loans and advances to 
customers and other customer credit losses 
Impairment of other financial instruments 

Impairment of non-financial instruments 
Share of profit from associates and joint 
ventures 
Profit/(loss) before tax 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

6. 

Segmental analysis (continued) 

Analysis by business line (continued) 

2015  

Corporate 

Small and 
medium-
sized 
enterprises  

Retail 

Restructuring 
and recoveries 

International 
banking 
services 

Wealth 
management 

Insurance 

Other  

Total Cyprus 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Net interest income  

Net fee and commission income/(expense) 

Total other operating income 

76.307 

68.833 

243.461 

7.953 

627 

9.154 

54.146 

615 

4.511 

285.823 

14.774 

345 

62.145 

47.020 

7.579 

6.576 

1.806 

3.956 

670 

44.574 

788.389 

(2.951) 

14.734 

146.636 

47.651 

71.306 

136.590 

Staff costs and other operating expenses 

(10.709) 

(12.250) 

(120.618) 

(32.673) 

(22.629) 

(5.159) 

(15.510) 

(163.459) 

(383.007) 

Restructuring costs – other operating expenses 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(38.357) 

(38.357) 

84.887 

78.602 

302.118 

300.942 

116.744 

12.338 

45.370 

130.614 

1.071.615 

74.178 

66.352 

181.500 

268.269 

94.115 

7.179 

29.860 

(71.202) 

650.251 

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances to 
customers and changes in expected cash flows  
Reversal of provisions/(provisions) for 
impairment of loans and advances to customers 
and other customer credit losses 

Impairment of other financial instruments 

Impairment of non-financial instruments 

Share of profit from associates and joint ventures 

Income tax 

Profit/(loss) after tax 

Non-controlling interests-loss 

Profit/(loss) after tax attributable to the 
owners of the Company 

35.676 

30.336 

65.537 

152.863 

2.725 

1.797 

9.930 

(7.020) 

(33.706) 

(1.098.916) 

(11.665) 

(3.863) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(14.973) 

(11.209) 

(26.666) 

84.723 

(10.647) 

104.811 

78.459 

186.665 

(593.061) 

74.528 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

9.818 

298.752 

(220) 

(1.145.460) 

(29.757) 

(29.757) 

(11.326) 

(11.326) 

5.923 

5.923 

29.860 

(96.764) 

(231.617) 

(1.522) 

(24.762) 

(5.695) 

28.338 

(121.526) 

(237.312) 

- 

794 

794 

- 

- 

- 

5.113 

(639) 

4.474 

- 

104.811 

78.459 

186.665 

(593.061) 

74.528 

4.474 

28.338  (120.732) 

(236.518) 

Profit/(loss) before tax 

119.784 

89.668 

213.331 

(677.784) 

85.175 

In addition loans and advances to customers and deposits of the above business lines are reported to the Group Executive Committee.  Such an analysis is disclosed 
in Notes 43 and 31 respectively. 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

7. 

Interest income 

Loans and advances to customers 

Loans and advances to banks and central banks 

Investments available-for-sale 

Investments classified as loans and receivables  

Trading investments  

Derivative financial instruments 

Other investments at fair value through profit or loss 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

853.906 

1.009.766 

5.356 

10.905 

11.209 

4.534 

13.664 

88.456 

881.376 

1.116.420 

12 

4.557 

637 

148 

4.798 

739 

886.582 

1.122.105 

Interest income from loans and advances to customers includes interest on the recoverable amount of impaired 
loans and advances as defined in Note 43 amounting to €201.604 thousand (2015: €215.145 thousand). 

8. 

Interest expense 

Customer deposits 

Funding from central banks and deposits by banks  

Repurchase agreements  

Derivative financial instruments 

9. 

Fee and commission income and expense 

Fee and commission income   

Credit-related fees and commissions 

Other banking commissions  

Mutual funds and asset management fees  

Brokerage commissions 

Other commissions 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

137.973 

154.796 

39.588 

6.476 

95.633 

7.583 

184.037 

258.012 

16.363 

21.653 

200.400 

279.665 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

80.755 

75.300 

2.524 

819 

82.161 

64.277 

2.262 

1.183 

17.467 

12.674 

176.865 

162.557 

Mutual funds and asset management fees include income of €2.342 thousand (2015: €1.964 thousand) relating 
to fiduciary and other similar activities. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

9. 

Fee and commission income and expense (continued) 

Fee and commission expense 

Banking commissions  

Mutual funds and asset management fees  

Brokerage commissions 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

9.825 

8.731 

128 

254 

184 

185 

10.207 

9.100 

10. 

  Net foreign exchange gains 

Net  foreign  exchange  gains  comprise  the  conversion  of  monetary  assets  in  foreign  currency  at  the  reporting 
date,  realised  exchange  gains/(losses)  from  transactions  in  foreign  currency  settled  during  the  year  and  the 
revaluation of foreign exchange derivatives. 

11. 

Net gains on financial instrument transactions  

Trading portfolio: 

- equity securities 

- debt securities 

- derivative financial instruments 

Other investments at fair value through profit or loss:  

- debt securities 

- equity securities 

Net gains/(losses) on disposal of available-for-sale investments: 

- equity securities 

- debt securities 

Net gains on disposal/repayment of loans and receivables: 

- debt securities 

Realised gains on disposal of loans  

Revaluation of financial instruments designated as fair value hedges: 

- hedging instruments 

- hedged items 

Loss on dissolution of subsidiaries (Note 49) 

Gain on disposal of joint ventures 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

(273) 

14 

998 

(400) 

283 

58.368 

22 

710 

24 

(13.145) 

466 

26 

1.075 

(9) 

8.419 

49.513 

64 

35 

3.889 

9.746 

(3.910) 

(11.317) 

(4.101) 

- 

63.373 

- 

10.005 

47.129 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

11. 

Net gains on financial instrument transactions (continued)  

The gains on disposal of available-for-sale equity securities for 2016, primarily relate to gain on sale of shares 
held in Visa Europe Limited following the approved purchase of Visa Europe Limited by Visa Inc. 

The gains on disposal of debt securities classified as loans and receivables for 2016, related to the Company’s 
participation in the Cyprus Government buyback process of Cyprus government bonds. 

In  the  comparative  period,  the  gain  on  disposal  of  joint  ventures  mainly  related  to  the  disposal  of  Marfin 
Diversified Strategy Fund Plc (MDSF) in April 2015 and represents the recycling of the related foreign currency 
reserves into the consolidated income statement.   

12. 

Insurance income net of claims and commissions 

2016 

2015 

Income 

Claims 
 and 
commissions 

Insurance 
income net  
of claims  
and 
commissions 

Income 

Claims and 
commissions 

Insurance 
income net 
of claims 
and 
commissions 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

104.261 

(80.257) 

24.004 

89.575 

(63.759) 

25.816 

39.341 

(18.913) 

20.428 

37.664 

(15.575) 

22.089 

143.602 

(99.170) 

44.432 

127.239 

(79.334) 

47.905 

2016 

2015 

Life 
 insurance 

General 
insurance 

Life 
insurance 

General 
insurance 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

83.951 

60.215 

85.212 

64.828 

(14.671) 

(27.544) 

(14.399) 

(36.927) 

69.280 

32.671 

70.813 

27.901 

Life insurance 
business 
General insurance 
business 

Income 

Gross premiums 

Reinsurance premiums 

Net premiums 

Change in the provision for unearned premiums 

- 

(1.589) 

- 

613 

Total net earned premiums 

Investment income and other income 

69.280 

31.082 

25.324 

8 

Commissions from reinsurers and other income 

4.977 

8.251 

70.813 

12.167 

5.096 

28.514 

18 

9.132 

Change in value of in-force business before tax 
(Note 26) 

99.581 

39.341 

88.076 

37.664 

4.680 

- 

1.499 

- 

104.261 

39.341 

89.575 

37.664 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

12. 

Insurance income net of claims and commissions (continued) 

Claims and commissions 

2016 

2015 

Life 
 insurance 
€000 

General 
insurance 
€000 

Life 
insurance 
€000 

General 
insurance 
€000 

Gross payments to policyholders 

(59.168) 

(25.864) 

(63.912) 

(28.175) 

Reinsurers’ share of payments to policyholders 

8.858 

12.004 

Gross change in insurance contract liabilities 
Reinsurers’ share of gross change in insurance 
contract liabilities  
Commissions paid to agents and other direct selling 
costs 
Changes in equalisation reserve 

(19.346) 

931 

10.376 

3.340 

14.423 

5.562 

(2.017) 

(1.845) 

(5.147) 

(4.019) 

(8.584) 

(4.143) 

(8.416) 

(3.373) 

- 

4 

- 

7 

(80.257) 

(18.913) 

(63.759) 

(15.575) 

In addition to the above, the following income and expense items related to the insurance operations have been 
recognised in the consolidated income statement: 

Net (expense)/income from non-linked insurance 
business assets  
Net gains/(losses) on financial instrument 
transactions and other non-linked insurance 
business income 

2016 

2015 

Life 
insurance 

General 
insurance 

Life  
insurance 

General 
insurance 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

(78) 

342 

(145) 

16 

(31) 

(455) 

478 

78 

Staff costs 

(4.560) 

(4.170) 

(4.830) 

(5.098) 

Staff costs – restructuring costs 

(1.874) 

(1.395) 

- 

- 

Other operating expenses 

(4.186) 

(2.049) 

(3.973) 

(2.295) 

13. 

Other income 

Profit on disposal of disposal group held for sale (Notes 29 and 50.2.1) 

Dividend income  

Loss on sale and write-off of property and equipment and intangible assets 

Rental income from investment properties  

Rental income from stock of property 

Profit from hotel activities  

Other income 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

2.545 

343 

(67) 

1.626 

1.460 

646 

8.352 

14.905 

- 

885 

(50) 

889 

- 

2.353 

12.648 

16.725 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

14. 

Staff costs  

Salaries  

Employer’s contributions to state social insurance  

Retirement benefit plan costs 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

181.175 

184.797 

27.154 

16.096 

28.759 

20.075 

224.425 

233.631 

Restructuring costs – voluntary exit plans and other termination benefits 

62.747 

- 

287.172 

233.631 

The number of persons employed by the Group as at 31 December 2016 was 4.284 (2015: 4.605).  In February 
and June 2016 the Group proceeded with voluntary exit plans for its employees in Cyprus, the cost of which is 
included in staff costs and amounted to €62.521 thousand.  In total, 429 employees accepted the voluntary exit 
plan  and  left  the  Group  during  the  year.    Additionally,  restructuring  costs  include  staff  termination  benefits 
amounting to €226 thousand related to the closure of the operations of Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd. 

Retirement benefit plan costs  

In addition to the employer’s contributions to state social insurance, the Group operates plans for the provision 
of additional retirement benefits as described below:   

Defined benefit plans  

Defined contribution plans  

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

406 

15.690 

16.096 

636 

19.439 

20.075 

Cyprus 
The main retirement plan for the Group’s permanent employees in Cyprus (85% of total Group employees) is a 
defined  contribution  plan.    This  plan  provides  for  employer  contributions  of  9%  (2015:  up  until  31  May  2015 
14% and 9% thereafter) and employee contributions of 3%-10% of the employees’ gross salaries. This plan is 
managed by a Committee appointed by the members. 

A  small  number of  employees  who  do  not participate  in  the  main  retirement  plan,  are  members of  a  pension 
scheme that is closed to new entrants and may receive part or all of their retirement benefit entitlement by way 
of  a  pension  for  life.    This  plan  is  managed  by  an  Administrative  Committee  composed  of  representatives  of 
both the members and the employer.   

A small number of employees of Group subsidiaries in Cyprus are also members of defined benefit plans.  These 
plans are funded with assets backing the obligations held in separate legal vehicles. 

Greece 
After  the  disposal  of  the  Greek  operations  in  2013,  a  small  number  of  employees  of  the  Group’s  Greek 
subsidiaries and the Greek branch of the Company continue to be members of the defined benefit plans. 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

14. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

United Kingdom 
The  Group’s  employees  in  the  United  Kingdom  (5%  of  total  Group  employees)  are  covered  by  a  defined 
contribution  plan  for  all  current  employees  which  provides  for  employee  contributions  of  0%-7,5%  on  the 
employees’ gross salaries and employer contributions of 7,5% plus matching contributions by the employer of 
up to 7,5% depending on the employee contributions.  In addition, a defined benefit plan (which was closed in 
December 2008 to future accrual of benefits) remains for active members.  

Other countries 
The Group does not operate any retirement benefit plans in Romania and Russia. 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans 

Amounts recognised in the consolidated balance sheet  

Liabilities (Note 33) 

Assets (Note 28) 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

22.776 

(668) 

22.108 

12.588 

(1.203) 

11.385 

One  of  the  plans  has  a  funded  status  surplus  of  €13.999  thousand  (2015:  €15.065  thousand)  that  is  not 
recognised as an asset on the basis that the Group has no unconditional right to future economic benefits either 
via a refund or a reduction in future contributions. 

The  amounts  recognised  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  and  the  movements  in  the  net  defined  benefit 
obligation over the years are presented below: 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

14. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans (continued) 

1 January 2016 

Current service cost 

Gains on curtailment and settlement 

Net interest expense/(income) 
Total amount recognised in the consolidated income 
statement 
Remeasurements: 
-   Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net 

interest expense 

-   Actuarial loss from changes in financial assumptions 

-   Experience adjustments  

-   Change in asset ceiling  

Total amount recognised in the consolidated OCI 

Exchange differences  

Contributions: 

-   Employer 

-   Plan participants 

Benefits paid from the plans 

Benefits paid directly by the employer 

31 December 2016 

Present value 
of obligation 

Fair value of 
plan assets 

Net amount 
before impact 
of asset ceiling 

Impact of 
minimum 
funding 
requirement/ 
asset ceiling 

Net defined 
benefit liability 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

94.115 

(97.795) 

(3.680) 

15.065 

11.385 

469 

(80) 

17 

406 

(6.357) 

21.979 

(301) 

- 

15.321 

(1.671) 

- 

- 

(72) 

8.109 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1.066) 

(1.066) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

13.999 

469 

(80) 

17 

406 

(6.357) 

21.979 

(301) 

(1.066) 

14.255 

(1.671) 

(2.195) 

- 

- 

(72) 

22.108 

(2.195) 

(2.195) 

469 

(80) 

2.927 

3.316 

- 

- 

(2.910) 

(2.910) 

- 

(6.357) 

21.979 

(301) 

- 

21.678 

(9.699) 

- 

177 

(6.560) 

(72) 

- 

- 

- 

(6.357) 

8.028 

(177) 

6.560 

- 

102.955 

(94.846) 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

14. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans (continued) 

Present value 
of obligation 

Fair value of 
plan assets 

Net amount 
before impact 
of asset ceiling 

Impact of 
minimum 
funding 
requirement/ 
asset ceiling 

Net defined 
benefit liability 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1 January 2015 

Current service cost 

Gains on curtailment and settlement 

Net interest expense/(income) 
Total amount recognised in the consolidated income 
statement 
Remeasurements: 
-   Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net 

interest expense 

-  Actuarial loss from changes in demographic assumptions 

-   Actuarial gain from changes in financial assumptions 

-   Experience adjustments 

-   Change in asset ceiling  

Total amount recognised in the consolidated OCI 

Exchange differences  

Contributions: 

-   Employer 

-   Plan participants 

Benefits paid from the plans 

Benefits paid directly by the employer 

31 December 2015 

97.164 

(94.926) 

499 

(126) 

3.173 

3.546 

- 

16 

(5.396) 

(579) 

- 

(5.959) 

3.988 

- 

187 

(4.724) 

(87) 

- 

- 

(2.910) 

(2.910) 

2.487 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.487 

(3.037) 

(187) 

4.724 

- 

94.115 

(97.795) 

70 

2.238 

499 

(126) 

263 

636 

2.487 

16 

(5.396) 

(579) 

- 

(3.472) 

951 

- 

- 

(87) 

(3.680) 

13.921 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.144 

1.144 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

15.065 

16.159 

499 

(126) 

263 

636 

2.487 

16 

(5.396) 

(579) 

1.144 

(2.328) 

951 

(3.946) 

- 

- 

(87) 

11.385 

(3.946) 

(3.946) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

14. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans (continued) 
The actual return on plan assets for year 2016 was a gain of €9.267 thousand (2015: gain of €423 thousand).  

The assets of funded plans are generally held in separately administered entities, either as specific assets or as 
a proportion of a general fund, or as insurance contracts and are governed by local regulations and practice in 
each country. 

Pension  plan  assets  are  invested  in  different  asset  classes  in  order  to  maintain  a  balance  between  risk  and 
return. Investments are well diversified to limit the financial effect of the failure of any individual investment. 
Through its defined benefit plans, the Group is exposed to a number of risks as outlined below: 

Interest rate risk 

Changes in bond yields  

Inflation risk 

Asset volatility  

The  Group  is  exposed  to  interest  rate  risk  due  to  the  mismatch  of  the 
duration of assets and liabilities. 
A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the liabilities, although this 
will be partially offset by an increase in the value of bond holdings. 

The Group faces inflation risk, since the liabilities are either directly (through 
increases  in  pensions)  or  indirectly  (through  wage  increases)  exposed  to 
inflation  risks.  Investments  to  ensure  inflation-linked  returns  (i.e.  real 
returns through investments such as equities, index-linked bonds and assets 
whose  return  increase  with  increasing  inflation)  could  be  used  for  better 
match with the expected increases in liabilities. 
The  liabilities  are  calculated  using  a  discount  rate  set  with  reference  to 
corporate  bond  yields;  if  assets  underperform  this  yield,  a  deficit  will  be 
created.  

The major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets are as follows: 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

Loans and advances to banks   

2016 

2015 

46% 

44% 

10% 

43% 

46% 

11% 

100% 

100% 

The assets held by the funded plans include equity securities issued by the Company, the fair value of which is 
as at 31 December 2016 €2.433 thousand (2015: €2.412 thousand). 

The Group expects to make additional contributions to defined benefit plans of €2.265 thousand during 2017. 

At  the  end  of  the  reporting  period,  the  average  duration  of  the  defined  benefit  obligation  was  18,7  years.

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

14. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Principal actuarial assumptions used in the actuarial valuations  
The  present  value  of  the  defined  benefit  obligations  of  the  retirement  plans  is  estimated  annually  using  the 
Projected  Unit  Credit  Method  of  actuarial  valuation,  carried  out  by  independent  actuaries.    The  principal 
actuarial assumptions used for the valuations  of the  retirement plans of  the Group during  2016 and 2015  are 
set out below:  

2016 

Discount rate 

Inflation rate 

Future salary increases 

Rate of pension increase 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 60 

Cyprus 

Greece 

UK 

1,56%-1,83% 

1,50%-2,00% 

1,75% 

2,00% 

2,00% 
23,5 years M 
29,6 years F 

1,75% 

2,00% 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 65 

n/a 

2015 

Discount rate 

Inflation rate 

Future salary increases 

Rate of pension increase 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 60 

2,21%-2,32% 

2,30%-2,80% 

1,75% 
0% for 2016 and 2% 
thereafter 
0% for 2016 and 2% 
thereafter 
23,5 years M 
29,6  years F 

1,75% 
0% for 2016 and 
2% thereafter 

n/a  

n/a 

n/a 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 65 

n/a 

2,70% 

3,30% 

n/a 

3,15% 

n/a 

23,9 years M 
25,4 years F 

3,90% 

3,10% 

n/a 

3,05% 

n/a 

23,9 years M 
25,4  years F 

The discount rate used in the actuarial valuations reflects the rate at which liabilities could effectively be settled 
and  is  set  by  reference  to  market  yields  at  the  reporting  date  in  high  quality  corporate  bonds  of  suitable 
maturity and currency.  For the Group’s plans in the Eurozone (Cyprus and Greece) which comprise 24% of the 
defined benefit obligations, the Group adopted a full yield curve approach using AA- rated corporate bond data 
from  the  iBoxx  Euro  Corporates  AA10+  index.  For  the  Group’s  plan  in  the  UK  which  comprises  76%  of  the 
defined benefit obligations, the Group adopted a full yield curve approach using the discount rate that has been 
set  based  on  the  yields  on  AA-  rated  corporate  bonds  with  duration  consistent  with  the  scheme’s  liabilities.  
Under  this  approach,  each  future  liability  payment  is  discounted  by  a  different  discount  rate  that  reflects  its 
exact timing.   

To develop the assumptions relating to the expected rates of return on plan assets, the Group, in consultation 
with  its  actuaries,  uses  forward-looking  assumptions  for  each  asset  class  reflecting  market  conditions  and 
future  expectations  at  the  reporting  date.    Adjustments  are  made  annually  to  the  expected  rate  of  return 
assumption based on revised expectations of future investment performance of asset classes, changes to local 
legislation that may affect investment strategy, as well as changes to the target strategic asset allocation. 

A  quantitative  sensitivity analysis  for  significant  assumptions  as  at  31 December  2016  and  2015  is  presented 
below. 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

14. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Principal actuarial assumptions used in the actuarial valuations (continued) 

Variable 

Discount rate 

Inflation growth rate 

Salary growth rate 

Pension growth rate 

2016 

2015 

Change 
+0,5% 

Change  
-0,5% 

Change  
+0,5% 

Change  
-0,5% 

-10,0% 

8,7% 

0,8% 

0,8% 

10,9% 

-8,0% 

-0,7% 

-0,7% 

-8,2% 

5,7% 

0,5% 

0,8% 

9,1% 

-5,4% 

-0,2% 

-0,8% 

Plus 1 year  Minus 1 year 

Plus 1 year 

Minus 1 year 

Life expectancy 

-1,3% 

1,7% 

-1,2% 

1,6% 

The  above  sensitivity  analysis  (with  the  exception  of  the  inflation  sensitivity)  is  based  on  a  change  in  one 
assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice this is unlikely to occur and some changes 
of  the  assumptions  may  be  correlated.  The  inflation  sensitivity  above  includes  changes  to  any  inflation-linked 
benefit increases.  When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant assumptions, 
the  same  method  has  been  applied  as  when  calculating  the  pension  liability  recognised  on  the  consolidated 
balance sheet.  The methods and types of assumptions used in preparing the sensitivity analysis did not change 
compared to previous years. 

15. 

Other operating expenses 

Repairs and maintenance of property and equipment 

Other property-related costs  

Operating lease rentals for property and equipment 

Special levy on deposits of credit institutions in Cyprus 

Consultancy and other professional services fees 

Insurance  

Advertising and marketing  

Depreciation of property and equipment (Note 25) 

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 26) 

Communication expenses 
Provisions and settlements of litigations, claims and provisions for 
regulatory matters (Note 33) 
Printing and stationery 

Local cash transfer expenses 

Contribution to depositor protection scheme  

Other operating expenses 

Advisory and other restructuring costs 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

21.705 

14.728 

10.512 

19.968 

13.972 

10.697 

17.502 

11.558 

7.263 

8.118 

17.840 

3.485 

2.848 

329 

30.888 

191.413 

51.542 

242.955 

25.819 

16.934 

10.176 

17.347 

16.445 

14.941 

13.375 

12.257 

7.001 

8.543 

7.604 

3.988 

2.749 

381 

24.348 

181.908 

43.130 

225.038 

Advisory and other restructuring costs comprise mainly: (a) fees of external advisors in relation to: (i) customer 
loan restructuring activities which are not part of the effective interest rate, (ii) the listing on the London Stock 
Exchange, (iii) disposal of operations and non-core assets and (b) litigation provisions related to the operations 
of Laiki Bank acquired in 2013. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

15. 

Other operating expenses (continued) 

Consultancy  and  other  professional  services  fees  and  advisory  and  other  restructuring  costs  include  fees 
(including taxes) to the independent auditors of the  Group, for audit and other professional services  provided 
both in Cyprus and overseas, as follows: 

Audit of the financial statements of the Group and its subsidiaries  

Other audit-related services  

Tax services 

Services related to the listing on the London Stock Exchange 

Other services 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

2.615 

423 

598 

4.879 

1.032 

9.547 

9.547 

- 

9.547 

1.918 

464 

423 

1.491 

435 

4.731 

4.633 

98 

4.731 

16. 

Impairment  of  financial  and  non-financial  instruments  and  gain  on  derecognition  of  loans 
and advances to customers and changes in expected cash flows  

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances to customers and 
changes in expected cash flows  

Provisions net of reversals of provisions for impairment of loans and 
advances to customers and other customer credit losses 

Loans and advances to customers (Note 43) 
Financial guarantees and commitments (Note 33) 

Impairment/(reversal of impairment) of other financial instruments 

Available-for-sale equity securities  

Available-for-sale mutual funds 

Loans and receivables debt securities 

Loans and advances to banks 

Other receivables 

Deposits by banks 

Impairment of non-financial instruments 

Property held for own use (Note 25) 

Stock of property (Note 27) 

74 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

(63.315) 

(305.089) 

439.761 
(6.152) 

1.305.957 
(41.403) 

433.609 

1.264.554 

839 

56 

- 

13.820 

(3.869) 

447 

1.291 

1.206 

(169) 

19.604 

21.571 

- 

11.293 

43.503 

- 

36.220 

36.220 

311 

17.792 

18.103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

17. 

Income tax  

Current tax: 

- Cyprus 

- overseas 

Cyprus special defence contribution 

Deferred tax 

Prior years’ tax adjustments 

Other tax charges 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

4.776 

1.986 

212 

6.657 

2.668 

2.086 

18.385 

3.271 

1.502 

193 

338 

3.899 

- 

9.203 

The Group’s share of income tax charge from associate for 2016 amounts to €1.244 thousand. The Group had 
no material share of income tax charge from associates for 2015. 

The  reconciliation  between  the  income  tax  expense  and  the  profit/(loss)  before  tax  as  estimated  using  the 
current income tax rates is set out below: 

Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations 

Income tax at the normal tax rates in Cyprus 

Income tax effect of: 

-  expenses not deductible for income tax purposes  

-  income not subject to income tax 
-  differences between overseas income tax rates and Cyprus      

income tax rates 

-  reversal of previously recognised deferred tax 

Prior years’ tax adjustments 

Other tax charges 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

85.616 

(379.992) 

10.916 

(47.306) 

14.255 

22.368 

(21.566) 

(20.550) 

6.428 

3.598 

13.631 

2.668 

2.086 

18.385 

7.756 

43.036 

5.304 

3.899 

- 

9.203 

The  loss  on  disposal  of  the  Russian  operations  and  Aphrodite  group  in  2015  is  included  in  discontinued 
operations  and  is partially  income tax  deductible,  whereas  the  impairment loss  on  measurement  to  fair  value 
less  costs  to  sell  of  the  Russian  operations,  which  is  included  in  discontinued  operations,  is  non-income  tax 
deductible. 

Income tax in Cyprus is calculated at the rate of 12,5% on taxable income (2015: 12,5%).   

For life insurance business there is a minimum income tax charge of 1,5% on gross premiums.  Special defence 
contribution  is  payable  on  rental  income  at  a  rate  of  3%  (2015:  3%)  and  on  interest  income  from  activities 
outside the ordinary course of business at a rate of 30% (2015: 30%).   

The Group’s profits from overseas operations are taxed at the rates prevailing in the respective countries, which 
for  2016  were:  Greece  29%  (2015:  29%),  Romania  16%  (2015:  16%),  Russia  20%  (2015:  20%),  UK  20% 
(2015: 21% until 31 March 2015 and 20% thereafter).   

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

17. 

Income tax (continued) 

The Group is subject to income taxes in the various jurisdictions it operates and the calculation of the Group’s 
income  tax  charge  and  provisions  for  income  tax  necessarily  involves  a  degree  of  estimation  and  judgement.  
There are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate income tax treatment is uncertain and cannot be 
determined until resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority.  The Group has a number of open 
income  tax  returns  with  various  income  tax  authorities  and  liabilities  relating  to  these  open  and  judgemental 
matters, which are based on estimates of whether additional income taxes will be due.  In case the final income 
tax  outcome  of  these  matters  is  different  from  the amounts  that  were  initially  recorded,  such  differences  will 
impact the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period in which such determination is 
made. 

The accumulated income tax losses are presented in the table below: 

2016 

Expiring within 4 years 

Expiring between 5 and 10 years 

Expiring between 11 and 15 years 

2015 

Expiring within 4 years 

Expiring between 5 and 10 years 

Expiring between 11 and 15 years 

Total income 
tax losses 

€000 

Income tax 
losses for 
which a 
deferred tax 
asset was 
recognised 
€000 

Income tax 
losses for 
which no 
deferred tax 
asset was 
recognised 
€000 

4.675.399 

266.800 

4.408.599 

16.306 

- 

16.306 

7.378.801 

3.336.000 

4.042.801 

12.070.506 

3.602.800 

8.467.706 

4.307.396 

295.584 

4.011.812 

401.156 

- 

401.156 

7.378.801 

3.336.000 

4.042.801 

12.087.353 

3.631.584 

8.455.769 

The majority of the deferred tax asset relates to the Laiki Bank  income tax losses transferred to the Company 
as a result of the acquisition of certain operations on 29 March 2013.  The income tax losses were transferred 
under  ‘The  Resolution  of  Credit  and  Other  Institutions  Law’  which  states  that  any  accumulated  losses  of  the 
transferring credit institution at the time of the transfer, are transferred to the acquiring credit institution and 
may be used by it for a period of up to 15 years from the end of the year during which the transfer took place. 
In  the  case  of  the  Group’s  acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank,  these  losses  can  be  utilised  up  to 
2028.  The  income  tax  losses  transferred  are  still  subject  to  review  and  agreement  with  the  income  tax 
authorities  in  Cyprus.    The  deferred  tax  asset  recognised  on  these  specific  losses  can  be  set  off  against  the 
future profits of the Company by 2028 at an income tax rate of 12,5%.   

Recognition  of  deferred  tax  assets  on  unutilised  income  tax  losses  is  supported  by  management’s  business 
forecasts, taking into account available information and making various assumptions on future growth rates of 
customer loans, deposits, funding evolution, loan impairment and pricing, and considering the recoverability of 
the deferred tax assets within their expiry period. 

The  Group  performed  its  regular  assessment  regarding  the  recoverability  of  its  deferred  tax  asset  as  at  31 
December  2016,  taking  into  account  the  actual  results  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2016,  the  declining 
trend  of loans  that  are  impaired  or  past  due  for  more  than  90  days,  the improved  funding  structure  with  the 
loans to deposits ratio of 95%, the significant inflow of deposits and the significant decrease of ELA funding.  

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

17. 

Income tax (continued) 

Τhe  Group  performed  its  assessment  for  the  recoverability  of  its  deferred  tax  asset  as  at  31  December  2016 
taking into account the  Group’s actual performance,  the key  objectives of  the Group’s  strategy  as well as the 
macroeconomic environment in Cyprus, and the analytical financial projections up to the end of 2019 which had 
been  also  used  to  roll  out  assumptions  thereafter  until  year  2028.  The  key  assumptions,  amongst  others, 
include the following: 

 
 
 
 
 
 

New loan originations and repayments 
Loan and deposit interest income/expense evolution 
Funding structure and associated cost 
Diversified income streams 
Level of operating expenses 
Level of loans that are impaired or past due for more than 90 days (new defaults, curing, cost of risk) 

The financial projections have taken into account the key  objectives of the Group’s strategy which are set out 
below:  

  Materially reduce the level of delinquent loans 
 
 

Normalise the funding structure and fully repay the ELA in January 2017 
Focus  on  the  core  markets  in  Cyprus  by  providing  credit  to  promising  sectors  and  exit  from  non-core 
markets 
Achieve a lean operating model 

 
  Maintain an appropriate capital position by internally generating capital through profitability, deleveraging 

and disposing of non-core assets 
Deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders  

 

Based  on  the  above,  management  has  concluded  that  the  deferred  tax  asset  of  €450.441  thousand  for  the 
Group as at 31 December 2016 is recoverable. 

The tax losses of prior years utilised during 2016 amount to €28.784 thousand (2015: €905 thousand).   

The income tax losses relate to the same jurisdiction to which the deferred tax asset relates. 

Deferred tax 

The net deferred tax assets arises from: 

Difference between capital allowances and depreciation 

Property revaluation 

Investment revaluation and stock of property 

Unutilised income tax losses carried forward  

Value of in-force life insurance business 

Other temporary differences 

Net deferred tax assets 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

7.794 

17.038 

3.807 

7.773 

16.658 

90 

(450.350) 

(453.948) 

14.750 

1.895 

14.271 

(568) 

(405.066) 

(415.724) 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

17. 

Income tax (continued) 

Deferred tax (continued) 

Deferred tax assets  

Deferred tax liabilities  

Net deferred tax assets 

The table below sets out the geographical analysis of the deferred tax assets: 

Cyprus 

United Kingdom 

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Net deferred tax assets 

The movement of the net deferred tax assets is set out below: 

1 January 
Deferred tax recognised in the consolidated income statement – 
continuing operations 
Acquisition of subsidiary (Note 50.1.1) 
Deferred tax recognised in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 
Deferred tax on disposal of subsidiaries 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

31 December 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

(450.441) 

(456.531) 

45.375 

40.807 

(405.066) 

(415.724) 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

(450.356) 

(456.531) 

(85) 

- 

(450.441) 

(456.531) 

45.375 

40.807 

(405.066) 

(415.724) 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

(415.724) 

(412.130) 

6.657 

3.807 

(219) 

- 

413 

338 

- 

(3.923) 

(510) 

501 

(405.066) 

(415.724) 

The  Group  offsets  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  if  and  only  if,  it  has  a  legally  enforceable  right  to  set  off 
current income tax assets and current income tax liabilities. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

17. 

Income tax (continued) 

Deferred tax (continued) 

The analysis of the net deferred tax expense recognised in the consolidated income statement is set out below: 

Difference between capital allowances and depreciation  

Investment revaluation  

Unutilised income tax losses carried forward 

Value of in-force life insurance business 

Other temporary differences 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

207 

(90) 

3.598 

479 

2.463 

6.657 

1.057 

(895) 

203 

147 

(174) 

338 

The analysis of the net deferred tax recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income is set 
out below: 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Timing differences on property revaluation – income 

219 

3.923 

18. 

Earnings per share 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share attributable to the 
owners of the Company 
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the owners of the Company  
(€ thousand) 
Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, excluding 
treasury shares (thousand) 

2016 

2015  

63.656 

(438.352) 

8.921.069 

8.911.574 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share (€ cent) 

0,7 

(4,9) 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share attributable to the 
owners of the Company–continuing operations 
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the owners of the Company 
–continuing operations (€ thousand) 
Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, excluding 
treasury shares (thousand) 
Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share–continuing operations  
(€ cent) 

Basic and diluted losses per share attributable to the owners of 
the Company – discontinued operations 
Loss for the year attributable to the owners of the Company  
–discontinued operations (€ thousand) 
Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, excluding 
treasury shares (thousand) 
Basic and diluted losses per share–discontinued operations  
(€ cent) 

63.656 

(382.513) 

8.921.069 

8.911.574 

0,7 

(4,3) 

- 

(55.839) 

8.921.069 

8.911.574 

- 

(0,6) 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

19. 

Cash, balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks 

Cash  

Balances with central banks 

Cash and balances with central banks 

2016 

€000 

132.594 

1.373.802 

1.506.396 

2015 

€000 

154.017 

1.268.585 

1.422.602 

Loans and advances to banks 

1.087.837 

1.314.380 

Balances  with  central  banks  include  obligatory  deposits  for  liquidity  purposes  as  at  31  December  2016  which 
amount to €142.697 thousand (2015: €122.807 thousand).   

The  credit  rating  analysis  of  balances  with  central  banks  and  loans  and  advances  to  banks  by  independent 
credit rating agencies is set out in Note 43. 

Loans and advances to banks earn interest based on the interbank rate of the relevant term and currency. 

20. 

Investments  

Investments 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 

Investments available-for-sale  

Investments classified as loans and receivables 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

43.016 

262.789 

68.074 

373.879 

50.785 

100.535 

436.935 

588.255 

The amounts pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements with banks are shown below: 

Investments pledged as collateral 

Investments available-for-sale  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

299.765 

421.032 

All  investments  pledged  as  collateral  under  repurchase  agreements  can  be  sold  or  repledged  by  the 
counterparty. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk for debt securities is disclosed in Note 43. 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

20. 

Investments (continued) 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss  

Trading investments 

Other investments at 
fair value through profit 
or loss 

Total 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Debt securities 

Equity securities 

Mutual funds 

476 

2.601 

9.396 

317 

10.426 

17.430 

10.902 

17.747 

3.832 

4.030 

4.018 

6.631 

9.205 

16.087 

15.983 

25.483 

12.473 

13.354 

30.543 

37.431 

43.016 

7.850 

25.188 

50.785 

Debt securities 

Cyprus government 

Banks and other 
corporations  

Listed on the Cyprus 
Stock Exchange 
Listed on other stock 
exchanges 

Equity securities 

Listed on the Cyprus 
Stock Exchange 
Listed on other stock 
exchanges 

Unlisted 

476 

- 

476 

1 

475 

476 

316 

10.426 

17.430 

10.902 

17.746 

1 

- 

- 

- 

1 

317 

10.426 

17.430 

10.902 

17.747 

1 

10.426 

17.430 

10.427 

17.431 

316 

- 

- 

475 

316 

317 

10.426 

17.430 

10.902 

17.747 

2.159 

3.384 

3.102 

3.310 

5.261 

6.694 

442 

- 

448 

- 

- 

928 

- 

708 

442 

928 

448 

708 

2.601 

3.832 

4.030 

4.018 

6.631 

7.850 

The debt securities classified as other investments at fair value through profit or loss were originally classified 
as such, to eliminate an accounting mismatch with derivatives used to economically hedge these instruments.  

Mutual funds classified as other investments at fair value through profit or loss represent a group of financial 
assets managed by the Group and their performance is evaluated on a fair value basis according to the Group’s 
investment strategy.  Mutual funds are unlisted and issued in other European countries. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

20. 

Investments (continued) 

Investments available-for-sale 

Debt securities 

Equity securities 

Mutual funds 

Debt securities 

Cyprus government 

French government 

Other governments  

Banks and other corporations  

Listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Listed on other stock exchanges 

Geographic dispersion by country of issuer 

Cyprus 

France 

Germany 

Italy 

Other European countries 

European Financial Stability Facility and European Investment Fund 

Supranational organisations 

Other countries 

Equity securities 

Listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Listed on other stock exchanges 

Unlisted 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

540.592 

21.683 

279 

461.934 

59.292 

341 

562.554 

521.567 

178.520 

287.324 

41.887 

32.861 

540.592 

178.520 

362.072 

540.592 

178.520 

287.324 

- 

12.507 

10.473 

11.823 

9.365 

30.580 

4.478 

290.205 

130.832 

36.419 

461.934 

4.478 

457.456 

461.934 

4.478 

290.205 

45.686 

23.234 

61.912 

11.928 

10.890 

13.601 

540.592 

461.934 

4.883 

430 

16.370 

21.683 

5.427 

271 

53.594 

59.292 

At  31  December  2016  and  2015  there  were  no  available-for-sale  investments  in  debt  securities  which  have 
been determined to be individually impaired.  

Available-for-sale mutual funds are unlisted and issued in other countries. 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

20. 

Investments (continued) 

Investments classified as loans and receivables 

Debt securities 

Cyprus government 

Listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange` 

Geographic dispersion by country of issuer 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

68.074 

68.074 

68.074 

436.935 

436.935 

436.935 

Cyprus 

68.074 

436.935 

Loans  and  receivables  at  31  December  2016  include  €49.185  thousand  (2015:  €146.444  thousand)  of  debt 
securities which have been determined to be individually impaired.  

Reclassification of investments  

Reclassification of trading investments to loans and receivables 
On 1 April 2010, in light of the crisis prevailing in global markets, the Group identified the investments which it 
had no intention to trade or sell in the foreseeable future. These investments in debt securities were reclassified 
from trading investments to loans and receivables. 

Reclassification of available-for-sale investments to loans and receivables 
On  1  October  2008  and  30  June  2011  the  Group  reclassified  certain  available-for-sale  debt  securities  to 
investments classified as loans and receivables, in  view of the fact that there  was no active market for  these 
debt securities and the Group had the intention and ability to hold these securities in the foreseeable future. 

Reclassification of held–to-maturity investments to available-for-sale investments 
On  1  November  2012,  the  Group  reassessed  its  policies  in  respect  of  the  management  of  its  investment 
portfolio in view of its efforts to strengthen its liquidity and capital adequacy ratios and decided to reclassify all 
debt securities previously classified as held-to-maturity to investments available-for-sale, in order to be able to 
sell these securities as and when required.  As a result, in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies and 
IFRSs, the Group was not allowed to classify any investments as held-to-maturity until November 2014. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Investments (continued) 

Reclassification of investments (continued) 

The table below presents the debt securities reclassified by the Group, by date of reclassification. 

31 December 
2016 

31 December 
2015 

Year 2016 

Reclassification 
date 

Carrying and 
fair value on 
reclassification 
date 

Carrying 
value  

Fair value 

Carrying 
value 

Fair value 

Additional 
profit in the 
consolidated 
income 
statement had 
the debt 
securities not 
been 
reclassified 

Additional gain 
in other 
comprehensive 
income had the 
debt securities 
not been 
reclassified 

Effective 
interest rate on 
reclassification 
date  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Reclassification of 
available-for-sale 
investments to: 

- loans and receivables 

1 October 2008 

49.800 

49.185 

50.329 

48.021 

50.232 

- 

1.144 

4,6%-4,7% 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Investments (continued) 

Reclassification of investments (continued) 

The table below presents the debt securities reclassified by the Group, by date of reclassification. 

31 December 
2015 

31 December 
2014 

Reclassification 
date 

Carrying and 
fair value on 
reclassification 
date 

Carrying 
value  

Fair value 

Carrying 
value 

Fair value 

Year 2015 

Additional 
profit in the 
consolidated   
income 
statement had 
the debt 
securities not 
been 
reclassified 

Additional 
gain/(loss) 
in other 
comprehensive 
income had the 
debt securities 
not been 
reclassified 

Effective 
interest rate on 
reclassification 
date  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Reclassification of trading 
investments to: 

- loans and receivables   

1 April 2010 

34.810 

35.255 

35.227 

36.722 

35.056 

171 

- 

1,2%-4,4% 

Reclassification of 
available-for-sale 
investments to: 

- loans and receivables 

1 October 2008 

129.497  119.683 

126.913 

120.235 

120.289 

- loans and receivables 

30 June 2011 

151.967 

90.600 

87.327 

92.613 

84.046 

Reclassification of held-to-
maturity investments to: 

- available-for-sale 

1 November 2012 

42.151 

41.763 

41.763 

43.358 

43.358 

- 

- 

- 

7.230 

4,6%-4,7% 

(3.273) 

2,8%-6,3% 

- 

0,4%-3,1% 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

21. 

Derivative financial instruments 

The contract amount and fair value of the derivative financial instruments is set out below:    

Contract 
amount 

2016 

Fair value 

Assets 

Liabilities  

2015 

Contract 
amount 

Fair value 

Assets 

Liabilities  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

43.820 

794 

589 

90.870 

1.113 

2.103 

Trading 
derivatives 
Forward exchange 
rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

1.774.916 

15.875 

8.215 

1.484.763 

12.235 

Interest rate swaps 

230.874 

Currency options 

7.986 

480 

85 

- 

- 

1.901 

198 

- 

- 

34.511 

175 

1.515 

6.562 

141 

8 

477 

- 

- 

- 

5.720 

2.305 

167 

441 

53 

2.057.596 

17.234 

10.903 

1.618.396 

13.974 

10.789 

418.293 

87 

37.463 

425.900 

45 

39.570 

178.605 

3.514 

259 

151.246 

4 

4.040 

Equity options 

Interest rate 
caps/floors 

Derivatives 
qualifying for 
hedge accounting 
Fair value hedges  
- interest rate 
swaps 
Net investments  
– forward exchange 
rate contracts 

Total 

2.654.494 

20.835 

48.625 

2.195.542 

14.023 

54.399 

596.898 

3.601 

37.722 

577.146 

49 

43.610 

The use of derivatives is an integral part of the Group’s activities.  Derivatives are used to manage the Group’s 
own  exposure  to  fluctuations  in  interest  rates,  exchange  rates  and  equity  price  indices.    Derivatives  are  also 
sold to customers as risk management products. 

Forward  exchange  rate  contracts  are  irrevocable  agreements  to  buy  or  sell  a  specified  quantity  of  foreign 
currency on a specified future date at an agreed rate. 

Currency swaps include simple currency swaps and cross-currency swaps.  Simple currency swaps involve the 
exchange of two currencies at the current market rate and the commitment to re-exchange them at a specified 
rate  upon  maturity of  the  swap.  Cross-currency  swaps  are  interest  rate  swaps  in  which  the  cash  flows  are  in 
different currencies.   

Interest  rate  swaps  are  contractual  agreements  between  two  parties  to  exchange  fixed  rate  and  floating  rate 
interest, by means of periodic payments, based upon a notional principal amount and the interest rates defined 
in the contract.  

Currency options are contracts that grant the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell currency at 
a specified exchange rate during a specified period of time. 

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

21. 

Derivative financial instruments (continued) 

Interest  rate,  currency  and  equity  options  provide  the  buyer  with  the  right  but  not  the  obligation,  to  either 
purchase or sell the underlying values at a specified price or level on or before a specified date. 

Interest  rate  caps/floors  protect  the  holder  from  fluctuations  of  interest  rates  above  or  below  a  specified 
interest rate for a specified period of time. 

The  credit  exposure  of  derivative  financial  instruments  represents  the  cost  to  replace  these  contracts  at  the 
reporting  date.    The  exposure  arising  from  these  transactions  is  managed  as  part  of  the  Group’s  credit  risk 
management process for credit facilities granted to customers and financial institutions.  

The  contract  amount  of  certain  types of  derivative  financial  instruments  provides  a  basis  for  comparison  with 
other instruments recognised on the consolidated balance sheet, but does not necessarily indicate the amounts 
of future cash flows involved or the current fair value of the instruments and, consequently, does not indicate 
the Group’s exposure to credit or market risk.  

The fair value of the derivatives can be either positive (asset) or negative (liability) as a result of fluctuations in 
market  interest  rates,  foreign  exchange  rates  or  equity  price  indices,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the 
relevant contract. The aggregate net fair value of derivatives may fluctuate significantly over time.  

Hedge accounting  

The Group applies fair value hedge accounting using derivatives when the required criteria for hedge accounting 
are  met.    The  Group  also  uses  derivatives  for  economic  hedging  (hedging  the  changes  in  interest  rates, 
exchange  rates  or  other  risks)  which  do  not  meet  the  criteria  for  hedge  accounting.    As  a  result,  these 
derivatives  are  accounted  for  as  trading  derivatives  and  the  gains  or  losses  arising  from  revaluation  are 
recognised in the consolidated income statement.  

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the fair value of the item in relation 
to the risk being hedged are recognised in the consolidated income statement.  

Fair value hedges 
The Group  uses  interest rate swaps  to hedge  the interest rate risk arising as  a result of the possible adverse 
movement  in  the  fair  value  of  fixed  rate  available-for-sale  debt  securities  and  fixed  rate  customer  loans  and 
deposits.   

Hedges of net investments  
The  Group’s  consolidated  balance  sheet  is  affected  by  foreign  exchange  differences  between  the  Euro  and  all 
non-Euro functional currencies of overseas subsidiaries and branches and other foreign operations.  The Group 
hedges its structural currency risk when it considers that the cost of such hedging is within an acceptable range 
(in relation to the underlying risk).  This hedging is effected by financing with borrowings in the same currency 
as the functional currency of the overseas subsidiaries and branches, as well as overseas associates and joint 
ventures and forward exchange rate contracts.   

As at 31 December 2016, deposits and forward exchange rate contracts amounting to €100.756 thousand and 
€178.605  thousand  respectively  (2015:  €178.101  thousand  and  €151.246  thousand  respectively)  have  been 
designated as hedging instruments and have given rise to a  gain of €53.408 thousand (2015: loss of €22.860 
thousand) which was recognised in the ‘Foreign currency translation reserve’ in  the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive  income,  against  the  profit  or  loss  from  the  retranslation  of  the  net  assets  of  the  overseas 
subsidiaries and branches. 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement 

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. 

Financial assets 

2016 

2015 

Carrying 
value 
€000 

Fair value 

Carrying value  

Fair value  

€000 

€000 

€000 

Cash and balances with central banks 

1.506.396 

1.506.396 

1.422.602 

1.422.602 

Loans and advances to banks  
Investments at fair value through profit or 
loss 
Investments available-for-sale 
Investments classified as loans and 
receivables 
Derivative financial assets 

Loans and advances to customers 
Life insurance business assets attributable 
to policyholders 
Other assets  

Financial liabilities 
Obligations to central banks and deposits 
by banks 
Repurchase agreements 

Derivative financial liabilities 

Customer deposits  

Debt securities in issue 

Other liabilities  

1.087.837 

1.092.964 

1.314.380 

1.303.414 

43.016 

43.016 

50.785 

50.785 

562.554 

562.554 

521.567 

521.567 

68.074 

69.451 

436.935 

445.521 

20.835 

20.835 

14.023 

14.023 

15.649.401  16.791.164 

17.191.632 

18.150.401 

485.633 

485.633 

462.613 

462.613 

131.811 

131.811 

179.661 

179.661 

19.555.557  20.703.824 

21.594.198 

22.550.587 

1.284.800 

1.284.800 

4.694.987 

4.694.987 

257.367 

292.752 

48.625 

48.625 

368.151 

54.399 

406.014 

54.399 

16.509.741  16.492.715 

14.180.681 

14.185.996 

- 

- 

712 

712 

168.422 

168.422 

141.357 

141.357 

18.268.955  18.287.314 

19.440.287 

19.483.465 

The  fair  value  of  financial  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  above  table  is  as  at  the  reporting  date  and  does  not 
represent any expectations about their future value. 

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing fair value: 

Level 1: investments valued using quoted prices in active markets. 

Level  2:  investments  valued  using  models  for  which  all  inputs  that  have  a  significant  effect  on  fair  value  are 
market observable. 

Level 3: investments valued using models for  which inputs that have a significant effect  on fair value are  not 
based on observable market data. 

For  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  recognised  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  at  fair  value,  the  Group 
determines  whether transfers have occurred  between levels in  the hierarchy  by  re-assessing  categorisation  at 
the end of each reporting period. 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

The  following  is  a  description  of  the  determination  of  fair  value  for  financial  instruments  and  non-financial 
assets which are recorded at fair value on a recurring and on a non-recurring basis and for financial instruments 
and  non-financial  assets  which  are  not  measured  at  fair  value  but  for  which  fair  value  is  disclosed,  using 
valuation techniques.  These incorporate the Group’s estimate of assumptions that a market participant would 
make when valuing the instruments. 

Derivative financial instruments 
Derivative  financial  instruments  valued  using  a  valuation  technique  with  market  observable  inputs  are  mainly 
interest  rate  swaps,  currency  swaps,  currency  rate  options,  forward  foreign  exchange  rate  contracts,  equity 
options and interest rate collars.  The most frequently applied valuation techniques include forward pricing and 
swap  models,  using  present  value  calculations.    The  models  incorporate  various  inputs  including  the  credit 
quality of counterparties, foreign exchange spot and forward rates and interest rate curves. 

Credit Valuation Adjustments (CVA) and Debit Valuation Adjustments (DVA)  
The CVA and DVA are incorporated into derivative valuations to reflect the impact on fair value of counterparty 
risk and the Company’s own credit quality respectively. 

The Group calculates the CVA by applying the probability of default (PD) of the counterparty, conditional on the 
non-default  of  the  Group,  to  the  Group’s  expected  positive  exposure  to  the  counterparty  and  multiplying  the 
result  by  the  loss  expected  in  the  event  of  default.  Conversely,  the  Group  calculates  the  DVA  by  applying  its 
own  PD,  conditional  on  the  non-default  of  the  counterparty,  to  the  expected  positive  exposure  of  the 
counterparty to Group and multiplying the result by the loss expected in the event of default. Both calculations 
are performed over the life of the potential exposure. 

The expected exposure of derivatives is calculated as per the Capital Requirement Regulations (CRR) and takes 
into account the netting agreements where they exist. A standard loss given default (LGD) assumption  in line 
with  industry  norms  is  adopted.    Alternative  LGD  assumptions  may  be  adopted  when  both  the  nature  of  the 
exposure and the available data support this. 

The  Group  does  not  hold  any  significant  derivative  instruments  which  are  valued  using  a  valuation  technique 
with significant non-market observable inputs. 

Investments available-for-sale and other investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Available-for-sale investments and other investments at fair value through profit or loss which are valued using 
a  valuation  technique  or  pricing  models,  primarily  consist  of  unquoted  equity  securities  and  debt  securities.  
These assets are valued using valuation models which sometimes only incorporate market observable data and 
at other times use both observable and non-observable data. 

Loans and advances to customers 
The fair value of loans and advances to customers is based on the present value of expected future cash flows. 
Future  cash  flows  have  been  based  on  the  future  expected  loss  rate  per  loan  portfolio,  taking  into  account 
expectations  for  the  credit  quality  of the  borrowers.    The  discount  rate  includes  components  that  capture  the  
funding cost and the cost of capital. 

Customer deposits  
The  fair  value  of  customer  deposits  is  determined  by  calculating  the  present  value  of  future  cash  flows.    The 
discount rate takes into account current market rates and the credit profile of the Company.  The fair value of 
deposits  repayable  on  demand  and  deposits  protected  by  the  Deposit  Protection  Guarantee  Scheme  are 
approximated by their carrying values. 

Repurchase agreements 
Repurchase  agreements  are  collateralised  bank  takings.  Given  that  the  collateral  provided  by  the  Group  is 
greater than  the  amount borrowed, the  fair  value  calculation  of  these  repurchase  agreements  only  takes  into 
account the time value of money. 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Loans and advances to banks 
Loans  and  advances  to  banks  with  maturity  over  one  year  are  discounted  using  an  appropriate  risk  free  rate 
plus  the  credit  spread  of  each  counterparty.    For  short-term  lending,  the  fair  value  is  approximated  by  the 
carrying value. 

Deposits by banks 
Since almost all deposits by banks are very short-term, the fair value is an approximation of the carrying value. 

Investment properties 
The  fair  value  of  investment  properties  is  determined  using  valuations  performed  by  external  accredited, 
independent valuers and internal accredited valuers.  Further information on the techniques applied is disclosed 
in the remainder of this Note. 

Property and equipment 
The  freehold  land  and  buildings  consist  of  offices  and  other  commercial  properties.    The  fair  value  of  the 
properties is determined using valuations performed by external, accredited, independent valuers and internal 
accredited valuers.  Further information on the techniques applied is disclosed in the remainder of this Note. 

Model inputs for valuation 
Observable  inputs  to  the  models  for  the  valuation  of  unquoted  equity  and  debt  securities  include,  where 
applicable, current and expected market interest rates, market expected default rates, market implied country 
and counterparty credit risk and market liquidity discounts. 

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 
The following table presents the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Group’s assets and liabilities recorded 
at fair value or for which fair value is disclosed, by level of the fair value hierarchy: 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2016 

Assets measured at fair value 

Investment properties 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Manufacturing and industrial 

Land (fields and plots) 

Investment properties held for sale 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Hotels 

Freehold property  

Offices and other commercial properties 

Trading derivatives 

Forward exchange rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 

Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 

Net investments-forward exchange rate contracts 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 

Trading investments 
Other investments at fair value through profit or 
loss                                                

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

346 

- 

346 

20.548 

2.791 

14.720 

38.059 

3.071 

7.994 

20.548 

2.791 

14.720 

38.059 

3.417 

7.994 

11.065 

11.411 

10.340 

246.215 

256.555 

794 

15.875 

480 

85 

17.234 

87 

3.514 

3.601 

11.787 

- 

19.189 

11.176 

30.976 

11.176 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

686 

178 

864 

794 

15.875 

480 

85 

17.234 

87 

3.514 

3.601 

12.473 

30.543 

43.016 

Investments available-for-sale 

545.898 

576.874 

41 

16.615 

562.554 

42.738 

312.818 

932.430 

Other financial assets not measured at fair 
value 
Loans and advances to banks 

Loans and receivables-investments 

Loans and advances to customers 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.092.964 

69.451 

- 

- 

1.092.964 

69.451 

- 

16.791.164  16.791.164 

1.162.415 

16.791.164  17.953.579 

For  available-for-sale  equity  securities  categorised  as  Level  3,  for  one  investment  with  a  carrying  amount  of 
€8.740 thousand, a change in the conversion factor by 10% would result in a change in the value of the equity 
securities by €874 thousand. 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

2016 

Liabilities measured at fair value  

Trading derivatives 

Forward exchange rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 

Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 

Net investments-forward exchange rate contracts 

Other financial liabilities not measured at fair 
value 

Deposits by banks 

Repurchase agreements 

Customer deposits 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

589 

8.215 

1.901 

198 

10.903 

37.463 

259 

37.722 

48.625 

434.786 

292.752 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

589 

8.215 

1.901 

198 

10.903 

37.463 

259 

37.722 

48.625 

434.786 

292.752 

- 

16.492.715  16.492.715 

727.538 

16.492.715  17.220.253 

92 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

2015 

Assets measured at fair value 
Investment properties 
Offices and other commercial properties 
Manufacturing and industrial 
Land (fields and plots) 

Investment properties held for sale 
Residential 
Offices and other commercial properties 
Hotels 

Freehold property  
Offices and other commercial properties 
Freehold property held for sale 
Hotels 
Trading derivatives 
Forward exchange rate contracts 
Currency swaps 
Interest rate swaps 
Currency options 
Equity options 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 
Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 
Net investments-forward exchange rate contracts 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Trading investments 
Other investments at fair value through profit or 
loss                                                

Investments available-for-sale 

Other financial assets not measured at fair 
value 
Loans and advances to banks 
Loans and receivables-investments 
Loans and advances to customers 

Level 1 
€000 

Level 2 
€000 

Level 3 
€000 

Total 
€000 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

12.865 

- 
- 
- 
- 

2.095 
5.222 
- 
7.317 

20.325 
583 
13.720 
34.628 

- 
6.552 
8.466 
15.018 

20.325 
583 
13.720 
34.628 

2.095 
11.774 
8.466 
22.335 

12.364 

227.945 

240.309 

- 

25.400 

25.400 

1.113 
12.235 
141 
8 
477 
13.974 

45 
4 
49 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

489 

233 

722 
54.531 
358.244 

1.113 
12.235 
141 
8 
477 
13.974 

45 
4 
49 

13.354 

37.431 

50.785 
521.567 
909.047 

19.293 

17.905 

32.158 
466.995 
499.153 

17.905 
41 
51.650 

- 
- 
- 
- 

1.303.414 
424.070 
- 
1.727.484 

- 
- 

1.303.414 
424.070 
18.150.401  18.150.401 
18.150.401  19.877.885 

For  available-for-sale  equity  securities  categorised  as  Level  3,  for  one  investment  with  a  carrying  amount  of 
€51.263 thousand, a change in the conversion factor by 10% would result in a change in the value of the equity 
securities by €750 thousand. 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

2015 

Liabilities measured at fair value  

Trading derivatives 

Forward exchange rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options 

Equity options  

Interest rate caps/floors 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 

Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 

Net investments-forward exchange rate contracts 

Other financial liabilities not measured at fair 
value 

Deposits by banks 

Repurchase agreements 

Customer deposits 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.103 

5.720 

2.305 

167 

441 

53 

10.789 

39.570 

4.040 

43.610 

54.399 

242.137 

406.014 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.103 

5.720 

2.305 

167 

441 

53 

10.789 

39.570 

4.040 

43.610 

54.399 

242.137 

406.014 

- 

14.185.996  14.185.996 

648.151 

14.185.996  14.834.147 

The  cash  and  balances  with  central  banks,  the  funding  from  central  banks  and  the  treasury  bills  are  financial 
instruments  whose  carrying  value  is  a  reasonable  approximation  of  fair  value,  because  they  are  mostly  
short-term in nature or are repriced to current market rates frequently.  Other assets and other liabilities are of 
a financial nature and their carrying value is a close approximation of fair value.  Disclosures for life insurance 
business assets attributable to policyholders by level are disclosed in Note 24. 

During the years 2016 and 2015 there were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                    Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Movements in Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value 
Transfers  from  Level  3  to  Level  2  occur  when  the  market  for  some  securities becomes  more  liquid,  which  eliminates  the  need  for  the  previously  required  significant 
unobservable valuation inputs. Following a transfer to Level 2 the instruments are valued using valuation models incorporating observable market inputs. Transfers into 
Level  3  reflect  changes  in  market  conditions  as  a  result  of  which  instruments  become  less  liquid.  Therefore,  the  Group  requires  significant  unobservable  inputs  to 
calculate their fair value. 

The movement in Level 3 assets which are measured at fair value is presented below: 

Investment 
properties 

Investment 
properties  
held for sale  

2016 

Own use 
properties 

Own use 
properties 
held for sale 

Financial 
instruments 

Investment 
properties 

Investment 
properties  
held for sale  

2015 

Own use 
properties 

Own use 
properties held 
for sale 

Financial 
instruments 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

34.628 

2.114 

15.018 

227.945 

25.400 

- 

- 

2.107 

19.952 

10 

- 

55.253 

13.867 

- 

488.598 

114.404 

- 

44.566 

1.927 

- 

(25.410) 

(51.937) 

(13.923) 

(18.238) 

1 January  

Additions 

Acquisition of subsidiary (Note 50.1.1) 

Disposals  

Disposal of Russian operations 

Transfers from own use properties to investment 
properties  
Transfers to stock of property (Note 27) 

Transfers from non-current assets and disposal 
group held for sale  
Transfers to non-current assets and disposal group 
held for sale  
Transfers (to)/from Levels 1 and 2 
Net gains from fair value changes recognised in 
the consolidated statement of other 
comprehensive income 
Depreciation charge for the year–continuing 
operations 
Impairment charge for the year–continuing 
operations 

Revaluation gains/(losses) – continuing operations 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

31 December 

(612) 

(3.480) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.482 

447 

(442) 

(31) 

- 

- 

- 

(1.371) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(2.404) 

- 

- 

(14) 

38.059 

11.065 

246.215 

251.491 

1.456 

- 

(191) 

- 

25.681 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(31.051) 

16.782 

- 

(16.782) 

(492.927) 

(247) 

(541) 

- 

- 

25.681 

(25.681) 

(21.908) 

21.908 

(25.400) 

25.400 

(7.317) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(49.801) 

720 

(2.774) 

(1.073) 

- 

- 

(2.688) 

(311) 

(4.795) 

25 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

34.628 

15.018 

227.945 

25.400 

3.688 

339 

- 

(45) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

321 

50.695 

- 

- 

- 

255 

55.253 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

485 

- 

- 

- 

(189) 

17.479 

95 

       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

                    Annual Financial Report 2015  

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis 

Investment properties, investment properties held for sale and own use properties  
The valuation technique mainly applied by the Group is the market comparable approach, adjusted for market 
and property specific conditions.  In certain cases,  the  Group  also utilises  the  income  capitalisation  approach.  
The  key  inputs  used  for  the  valuations  of  the  investment  properties,  investment  properties  held  for  sale  and 
own use properties are presented in the tables below. 

96 

       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                    Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Analysis of investment properties and investment properties held for sale  

Type and country 

2016 

Estimated 
rental value 
per m2  
per annum 

Rent 
growth per 
annum  

Estimated 
building 
cost per m2  

Yield 

Estimated fair 
value per m2  

Estimated 
land value 
per m2  

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building  

Offices and other 
commercial properties 
Cyprus 

UK 
Russia 

Manufacturing and industrial 

Russia 

Hotels 

Romania  
Land (fields and plots) 

Cyprus 

Total  

€000 

m2 

m2 

Years 

23.266 

€54-€353 

n/a  €821-€1.130 

4%-6% 

€1.060-€7.059 

€80-€1.053 

1.591-30.001 

68—7.078 

346 
353 

23.965 

2.791 

7.994 

14.720 

49.470 

€97 
n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 
n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 
n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

€900 

n/a 
n/a 

n/a 

9% 

n/a 

n/a 
€133 

n/a 
n/a 

n/a 
2.773 

304 
1.644 

€55-€380 

€10-€282 

570-3.639 

259-998 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

10.337 

16.642 

€272-€750 

4.627-21.053 

n/a 

6-33 

87 
13 

6-9 

42 

n/a 

Analysis of own use properties 

Type and country 

2016 

Estimated 
rental value 
per m2  
per annum 

Rent 
growth per 
annum  

Estimated 
building 
cost per m2  

Yield 

Estimated fair 
value per m2 

Estimated 
land value 
per m2 

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building  

Offices and other commercial 
properties 
Cyprus 
Romania 

UK 

Total 

€000 

m2 

m2 

Years 

242.792 
3.423 

€27-€434 
n/a 

n/a 
n/a 

€588-€2.102 
n/a 

5%-6% 
9% 

€566-€8.860  €139-€3.381 
n/a 

n/a 

390-53.155 
660 

94-10.985 
2.284 

10.340 

€141-€524 

0%-6% 

n/a 

5%-7%  €2.460-€12.715 

n/a 

173-1.740 

173-1.689 

9-37 
9 

Re-furnished 
in 2009 

256.555 

97 

       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                    Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Analysis of investment properties and investment properties held for sale  

Type and country 

2015 

Residential 

€000 

Estimated 
rental value 
per m2  
per annum 

Rent 
growth 
per 
annum  

Estimated 
building 
cost per m2  

Yield 

Estimated fair 
value per m2  

Estimated 
land value 
per m2  

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building  

m2 

m2 

Years 

2.095 

€548 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

€12.965 

n/a 

n/a 

156 

46 

UK 
Offices and other commercial 
properties 
Cyprus 

Greece 

UK 

Manufacturing and industrial 

Russia 
Hotels 

Romania  

Land (fields and plots) 

Cyprus 

Total  

24.427 

2.450 

5.222 

32.099 

583 

8.466 

13.720 

56.963 

€54-€353 

€480 

€110-€230 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

€658-€1.302 

4%-6% 

€1.060-€7.059 

€95-€1.053 

1.591-30.001 

68-4.788 

7%-10% 

€3.926 

n/a 

€1.013-€3.123 

447 

n/a 

624 

5-32 

8 

233-954 

26-116 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

10.337 

4.789 

n/a 

€248-€750 

4.627-29.398 

n/a 

n/a 

40 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

98 

       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                    Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Analysis of own use properties and own use properties held for sale 

Type and country 

2015 

Estimated 
rental value 
per m2  
per annum 

Rent 
growth 
per 
annum  

Estimated 
building 
cost per m2  

Yield 

Estimated fair 
value per m2 

Estimated 
land value 
per m2 

Offices and other commercial 
properties 
Cyprus 

Romania 

UK 

Hotels 
Cyprus 

Total 

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building  

m2 

m2 

Years 

n/a 
Re-
furbished in 
2009 

€000 

224.479 

3.466 

€23-€434 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

€674-€2.102 

5%-6% 

€566-€8.860 

€139-€3.007 

390-53.155 

94-10.985 

8-36  

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

648 

2.284 

12.364 

€181-€671 

5%-6% 

n/a 

5%-7%  €2.704-€13.982 

n/a 

173-1.740 

173-1.689 

240.309 

25.400 

265.709 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

€2.485 

n/a 

91.887 

10.222 

33 

99 

       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Sensitivity analysis 
Most  of  the  Group’s  property  valuations  have  been  classified  as  Level  3.    Significant  increases/decreases  in 
estimated  values  per  square  meter  for  properties  valued  with  the  comparable  approach  or  significant 
increases/decreases  in  estimated  rental  values  or  yields  for  properties  valued  with  the  income  capitalisation 
approach would result in a significantly higher/lower fair value of the properties.  

23. 

Loans and advances to customers 

Gross loans and advances to customers 
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to customers  
(Note 43) 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

19.201.642 

21.385.065 

(3.552.241) 

(4.193.433) 

15.649.401 

17.191.632 

Loans and advances to customers pledged as collateral are disclosed in Note 45. 

Additional analysis and information regarding credit risk and analysis of the provisions for impairment of loans 
and advances to customers are set out in Note 43. 

24. 

Life insurance business assets attributable to policyholders 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

Mutual funds 

Mortgages and other loans  

Bank deposits  

Property 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

8.298 

56.389 

9.288 

58.440 

367.096 

344.331 

1.489 

52.361 

1.668 

48.886 

485.633 

462.613 

13.900 

12.790 

499.533 

475.403 

Financial assets of life insurance business attributable to policyholders are classified as investments at fair value 
through profit or loss. 

In addition to the above assets, the life insurance subsidiary of the Group holds shares of the Company, as part 
of  the  assets  attributable  to  policyholders  with    a  carrying  value  as  at  31  December  2016  of  €404  thousand 
(2015: €425 thousand).  Such shares are presented in the consolidated financial statements as treasury shares 
(Note 34).  

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

24. 

Life insurance business assets attributable to policyholders (continued) 

The  analysis  of  the  financial  assets  of  life  insurance  business  attributable  to  policyholders  measured  at  fair 
value by level, is presented below: 

2016 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

Mutual funds 

Mortgages and other loans  

2015 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

Mutual funds 

Mortgages and other loans  

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

7.090 

- 

1.208 

8.298 

31.886 

24.503 

367.096 

1.489 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

56.389 

367.096 

1.489 

407.561 

24.503 

1.208 

433.272 

7.852 

- 

1.436 

27.881 

30.559 

344.331 

1.668 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

9.288 

58.440 

344.331 

1.668 

381.732 

30.559 

1.436 

413.727 

Bank  deposits  are  financial  instruments  whose  carrying  amount  is  a  reasonable  approximation  of  fair  value, 
because they are short-term in nature or are repriced to current market rates frequently. 

The movement of financial assets classified as Level 3 is presented below: 

1 January 

Unrealised losses recognised in the consolidated income statement 

31 December 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

1.436 

(228) 

1.208 

1.443 

(7) 

1.436 

During years 2016 and 2015 there were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

25. 

Property and equipment 

2016 

Property 

Equipment 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Net book value at 1 January  

242.941 

21.392 

264.333 

Acquisition of subsidiary (Note 50.1.1) 

Additions  

Transfers to stock of property (Note 27) 

Transfers from intangible assets (Note 26) 

Disposals and write-offs 

Disposal of subsidiary (Note 50.2.1) 

Depreciation charge for the year (Note 15) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

19.952 

2.572 

(1.371) 

- 

(80) 

- 

(3.692) 

(1.770) 

356 

9.524 

- 

456 

(184) 

(952) 

20.308 

12.096 

(1.371) 

456 

(264) 

(952) 

(7.866) 

(11.558) 

(385) 

(2.155) 

Net book value at 31 December 

258.552 

22.341 

280.893 

1 January 2016 

Cost or valuation 

278.285 

147.602 

425.887 

Accumulated depreciation 

(35.344) 

(126.210) 

(161.554) 

Net book value 

242.941 

21.392 

264.333 

31 December 2016 

Cost or valuation 

298.743 

152.838 

451.581 

Accumulated depreciation 

(40.191) 

(130.497) 

(170.688) 

Net book value 

258.552 

22.341 

280.893 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

25. 

Property and equipment (continued) 

2015 

Property 

Equipment 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Net book value at 1 January  

267.126 

23.294 

290.420 

Additions  

Revaluation 

Transfers to investment properties (Note 22) 

Transfers to stock of property (Note 27) 

Transfers from disposal group held for sale 

Transfers to disposal group held for sale 

2.620 

(4.795) 

(16.782) 

(541) 

25.681 

(25.400) 

6.089 

8.709 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(4.795) 

(16.782) 

(541) 

25.681 

(25.400) 

Disposals and write-offs 

(191) 

(222) 

(413) 

Depreciation charge for the year – continuing 
operations (Note 15) 
Impairment charge for the year – continuing 
operations 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

(4.689) 

(7.568) 

(12.257) 

(311) 

223 

- 

(311) 

(201) 

22 

Net book value at 31 December 

242.941 

21.392 

264.333 

1 January 2015 

Cost or valuation 

301.535 

165.080 

466.615 

Accumulated depreciation 

(34.409) 

(141.786) 

(176.195) 

Net book value 

267.126 

23.294 

290.420 

31 December 2015 

Cost or valuation 

278.285 

147.602 

425.887 

Accumulated depreciation 

(35.344) 

(126.210) 

(161.554) 

Net book value 

242.941 

21.392 

264.333 

The net book value of the Group’s property comprises: 

Freehold property 

Improvements on leasehold property 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

256.555 

240.309 

1.997 

2.632 

258.552 

242.941 

Freehold  property  includes  land  amounting  to  €92.818  thousand  (2015:  €89.272  thousand)  for  which  no 
depreciation is charged.   

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

25. 

Property and equipment (continued) 

The  Group’s  policy  is  to  revalue  its  properties  periodically  (between  3  to  5  years)  but  more  frequent 
revaluations  may  be  performed  where  there  are  significant  and  volatile  movements  in  values.    As  a 
consequence  of  the  economic  conditions  in  Cyprus,  and  their  impact  on  the  real  estate  market,  the  Group 
performed revaluations as at 31 December 2015.  As a result, a net loss on revaluation of €4.795 thousand was 
recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and an impairment loss of €311 thousand 
was recognised in the consolidated income statement  for the year ended 31 December 2015.    The valuations 
are carried out by qualified valuers, on the basis of market value using observable prices and/or recent market 
transactions  depending  on  the  location  of  the  property.    Details  on  valuation  techniques  and  inputs  are 
presented in Note 22.  

The  net  book  value  of  freehold  property,  on  a  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  basis,  as  at  31  December 
2016 would have amounted to €190.241 thousand (2015: €164.503 thousand).  

26. 

Intangible assets 

2016 

Computer 
software 

In-force life 
insurance 
business 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Net book value at 1 January  

20.464 

113.324 

133.788 

Additions 

Transfers to equipment (Note 25) 

Increase in value of in-force life insurance business 
(Note 12) 

Disposals and write-offs 

Amortisation charge for the year (Note 15) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

16.363 

(456) 

- 

- 

- 

4.680 

(13) 

(7.263) 

(136) 

- 

- 

- 

16.363 

(456) 

4.680 

(13) 

(7.263) 

(136) 

Net book value at 31 December 

28.959 

118.004 

146.963 

1 January 2016 

Cost  

130.151 

113.324 

243.475 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

(109.687) 

- 

(109.687) 

Net book value 

20.464 

113.324 

133.788 

31 December 2016 

Cost 

144.898 

118.004 

262.902 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

(115.939) 

- 

(115.939) 

Net book value 

28.959 

118.004 

146.963 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

26. 

Intangible assets (continued) 

 2015 

Computer 
software 

In-force life 
insurance 
business 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Net book value at 1 January  

15.577 

111.825 

127.402 

Additions 

11.827 

- 

11.827 

Increase in value of in-force life insurance business 
(Note 12) 
Amortisation charge for the year - continuing 
operations (Note 15) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

- 

1.499 

1.499 

(7.001) 

61 

- 

- 

(7.001) 

61 

Net book value at 31 December 

20.464 

113.324 

133.788 

1 January 2015  

Cost  

123.027 

111.825 

234.852 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

(107.450) 

- 

(107.450) 

Net book value 

15.577 

111.825 

127.402 

31 December 2015 

Cost 

130.151 

113.324 

243.475 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

(109.687) 

- 

(109.687) 

Net book value 

20.464 

113.324 

133.788 

Valuation of in-force life insurance business 

The  actuarial  assumptions  made  to  determine  the  value  of  in-force  life  insurance  business  relate  to  future 
mortality,  redemptions,  level  of  administration  and  selling  expenses  and  investment  returns.    The  main 
assumptions used in determining the value of the in-force business are: 

Discount rate (after tax) 

Return on investments 

Expense inflation 

2016 

2015 

10,0% 

10,0% 

5,0% 

4,0% 

5,0% 

4,0% 

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

27. 

Stock of property 

The  carrying  value  of  stock  is  determined  as  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  Impairment  is 
recognised  if  the  net  realisable  value  is  below  the  cost  of the  stock  of  property.    During  2016  an  impairment 
loss  of  €36.220  thousand  was  recognised  in  ‘Impairment  of  non-financial  instruments’  in  the  consolidated 
income statement arising from measuring items at lower of cost and net realisable value (2015: impairment of 
€17.792 thousand).  At 31 December 2016, stock of €608.985 thousand (2015: €496.594 thousand) is carried 
at net realisable value which is approximately the fair value less costs to sell. 

The  stock  of  property  includes  residential  properties,  offices  and  other  commercial  properties,  manufacturing 
and industrial properties, hotels, land (fields and plots) and properties under construction. The stock of property 
pledged as collateral for  central bank  funding  facilities under Eurosystem  monetary  policy  operations and ELA 
amounts to €22.055 thousand (2015: €21.875 thousand). 

The carrying value of the stock of property is analysed in the tables below: 

Net book value at 1 January 

Acquisition of subsidiaries (Note 50.1) 

Additions 

Disposals 

Transfers from investment properties (Note 22) 

Transfers from own use properties (Note 25) 

Transfers from disposal group held for sale 

Impairment (Note 16) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

Net book value at 31 December 

2016 

€000 

515.858 

75.632 

1.010.059 

(139.316) 

2015  

€000 

12.662 

- 

32.216 

(4.298) 

- 

492.927 

1.371 

- 

541 

247 

(36.220) 

(17.792) 

(112) 

(645) 

1.427.272 

515.858 

Analysis by type and country 

2016 

Residential properties 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Manufacturing and industrial properties 

Hotels 

Land (fields and plots) 

Properties under construction  

Total  

2015 

Cyprus 

€000 

Greece 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

90.308 

256.152 

81.572 

74.578 

739.058 

791 

36.810 

55.676 

53.735 

544 

5.732 

- 

9.641 

12.340 

511 

- 

136.759 

324.168 

135.818 

75.122 

9.824 

754.614 

- 

791 

1.242.459 

152.497 

32.316 

1.427.272 

Residential properties 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Manufacturing and industrial properties 

Hotels 

Land (fields and plots) 

Properties under construction  

17.664 

122.885 

18.174 

73.630 

75.494 

365 

39.222 

63.934 

59.279 

2.221 

6.347 

- 

13.030 

13.553 

513 

- 

9.547 

- 

69.916 

200.372 

77.966 

75.851 

91.388 

365 

Total  

308.212 

171.003 

36.643 

515.858 

106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

28. 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Receivables relating to disposal of operations 

Reinsurers’ share of insurance contract liabilities (Note 32) 

Taxes refundable 

Debtors 

Prepaid expenses 

Retirement benefit plan assets (Note 14) 

Other assets 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

57.056 

49.973 

33.582 

24.571 

1.765 

668 

98.454 

56.763 

38.204 

23.020 

1.411 

1.203 

102.296 

62.725 

269.911 

281.780 

As  at  31  December  2016,  the  receivables  relating  to  disposal  of  operations  related  to  the  disposal  of  the 
Ukrainian operations during 2014 which is secured and repayable in June 2019, whereas at 31 December 2015 
they related to the disposal of the Ukrainian and Russian operations during 2014 and 2015 respectively. 

During  2016,  a  reversal  of  impairment  of  €3.869  thousand  was  recognised  in  relation  to  other  assets  (2015: 
impairment loss of €21.571 thousand) (Note 16).    

29.   

Non-current assets and disposal group held for sale 

Non-current assets and disposal group held for sale 

Disposal group held for sale 

Investment properties held for sale 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

- 

11.411 

11.411 

26.168 

22.335 

48.503 

Non-current liabilities and disposal group held for sale 

Disposal group held for sale 

-   

3.677 

The  following  non-current  assets  and  disposal  group  were  classified  as  held  for  sale  as  at  31  December  2016 
and 2015: 

Non-current assets held for sale 

Investment properties 
The investment properties classified as held for sale are properties which management is committed to sell and 
has  proceeded  with  an  active  programme  to  complete  this  plan.    The  disposals  are  expected  to  take  place 
within 12 months from the date of classification.  Investment properties classified as held for sale are measured 
at fair value.  The results of the fair value changes  are  presented  within  ‘Gains/(losses)  from  revaluation and 
disposal  of  investment  properties’  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  and  are  within  the  Cyprus  operating 
segment for investment properties in Cyprus and in the Other countries operating segment for Greek, UK and 
Romanian  investment  properties.  An  analysis  of  investment  properties  held  for  sale  by  country  and  key 
valuation inputs are disclosed in Note 22. 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

29.   

Non-current assets and disposal group held for sale (continued) 

Disposal group held for sale 

As at 31 December 2015, the disposal group held for sale relates to the Kermia Hotel business of the Group. In 
June 2016, the Group completed the sale of Kermia Hotels Ltd and adjacent land for a consideration of €26.500 
thousand (Note 50.2.1). 

30. 

Funding from central banks 

Funding from central banks comprises funding from the ECB under Eurosystem monetary policy operations  and 
ELA from the CBC, as set out in the table below: 

Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) 

Main Refinancing Operations (MRO) 

Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (LTRO) 

Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO) 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

200.014 

3.802.058 

- 

150.000 

50.000 

- 

600.000 

500.792 

850.014 

4.452.850 

In 2014, the Company participated in the TLTRO of the ECB for an amount of €500 million. On 29 June 2016 
the  Company  repaid  the  amount  borrowed  through  the  TLTRO  amounting  to  €500  million  and  borrowed  the 
same amount from the MRO. In December 2016, the Group borrowed an amount of €600 million through the 
new series of TLTRO (TLTRO II) announced by the ECB in March 2016. Additionally, an amount of €50 million 
was borrowed through the LTRO. As a result, in December 2016 all the ECB funding that was borrowed through 
the MRO, was switched to longer term funding. 

In  May  2016,  the  Company  raised  new  funding  from  the  ECB  using  as  collateral  a  pool of  housing  loans  that 
satisfy  the  criteria  of  the  Additional  Credit  Claims  as  set  out  in  accordance  with  the  Implementation  of  the 
Eurosystem Monetary Policy Framework Directives of 2015 and 2016. 

The interest rate applied to TLTRO II will be fixed for each operation at the rate applied in the MRO prevailing at 
the  time  of  allotment  and  is  subject  to  a  lower  rate  for  counterparties  whose  eligible  net  lending  in  the  pre-
specified  period exceeds  their  benchmark.  This  lower  rate  will  be  linked  to  the  interest  rate  on  the  deposit 
facility prevailing at the time of the allotment of each operation. 

The Company’s ELA funding bears interest at a rate equal to the ruling marginal lending facility rate (MLF rate) 
of the Eurosystem, plus a margin.  ELA funding was repaid in full by the Company on 5 January 2017.  

Details on encumbered assets related to the above funding facilities are disclosed in Note 45. 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

31. 

Customer deposits 

By type of deposit  
Demand 
Savings 
Time or notice 

By geographical area 
Cyprus 
United Kingdom 
Romania  

By customer sector 

2016 
Corporate 
SMEs 
Retail 
Restructuring 
– Corporate 
– SMEs  
Recoveries 
– Corporate 
International banking services 
Wealth management  

2015 
Corporate 
SMEs 
Retail 
Restructuring 
– Corporate 
– SMEs  
Recoveries 
– Corporate 
International banking services 
Wealth management  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

6.182.096 
1.061.786 
9.265.859 
16.509.741 

4.987.078 
1.033.991 
8.159.612 
14.180.681 

15.043.362 
1.464.651 
1.728 
16.509.741 

12.691.090 
1.486.551 
3.040 
14.180.681 

Cyprus 

€000 

1.184.681 
566.172 
7.778.136 

192.442 
27.685 

United 
Kingdom 
€000 

53.457 
204.166 
1.207.028 

Romania 

Total 

€000 

1.446 
178 
104 

€000 
1.239.584 
770.516 
8.985.268 

- 
- 

- 
- 

192.442 
27.685 

11.176 
4.494.755 
788.315 
15.043.362 

- 
- 
- 
1.464.651 

- 
- 
- 

11.176 
4.494.755 
788.315 
1.728  16.509.741 

978.672 
455.133 
6.995.757 

40.425 
236.616 
1.134.334 

2.242 
461 
337 

1.021.339 
692.210 
8.130.428 

189.196 
35.363 

- 
- 

- 
- 

189.196 
35.363 

7.865 
3.710.742 
318.362 
12.691.090 

- 
- 
75.176 
1.486.551 

- 
- 
- 

7.865 
3.710.742 
393.538 
3.040  14.180.681 

Deposits by geographical area are based on the originator country of the deposit. 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

32. 

Insurance liabilities 

2016 

Reinsurers’  
share 

Net 

Gross 

2015 

Reinsurers’  
share 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Net 

€000 

Gross 

€000 

530.075 

(28.379) 

501.696 

510.729 

(30.396) 

480.333 

22.690 

(8.605) 

14.085 

24.029 

(11.533) 

12.496 

Life insurance 

Life insurance 
contract liabilities 

General insurance 

Provision for 
unearned premiums 

Other liabilities 

Claims outstanding 

31.009 

(12.989) 

18.020 

32.083 

(14.834) 

17.249 

Unexpired risks 
reserve 

Equalisation reserve 

General insurance 
contract liabilities 

204 

19 

- 

- 

204 

19 

61 

23 

- 

- 

61 

23 

53.922 

(21.594) 

32.328 

56.196 

(26.367) 

29.829 

583.997 

(49.973) 

534.024 

566.925 

(56.763) 

510.162 

Reinsurance balances receivable are included in ‘Prepayments, accrued income and other assets’ (Note 28). 

Life insurance contract liabilities  

The  movement  of  life  insurance  contract  liabilities  and  reinsurance  assets  during  the  year  is  analysed  as 
follows: 

Gross 

€000 

2016 

Reinsurers’ 
share 
€000 

Net 

€000 

Gross 

€000 

2015 
Reinsurers’ 
share 
€000 

Net 

€000 

1 January  

510.729 

(30.396) 

480.333 

514.074 

(35.542) 

478.532 

New business 
Change in existing 
business 
31 December 

8.389 

(1.150) 

7.239 

8.403 

(1.035) 

7.368 

10.957 

3.167 

14.124 

(11.748) 

6.181 

(5.567) 

530.075 

(28.379) 

501.696 

510.729 

(30.396) 

480.333 

General insurance contract liabilities 

The  movement  in  general  insurance  contract  liabilities  and  reinsurance  assets  for  the  year  is  analysed  as 
follows: 

Gross 

2016 

Reinsurers’ 
share 

Net 

Gross 

2015 
Reinsurers’ 
share 

Net 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Premium income  

60.215 

(27.544) 

24.029 

(11.533) 

12.496 

32.671 

24.891 

64.828 

(11.782) 

(36.927) 

13.109 

27.901 

Earned premiums 

(61.554) 

30.472 

(31.082) 

(65.690) 

37.176 

(28.514) 

31 December 

22.690 

(8.605) 

14.085 

24.029 

(11.533) 

12.496 

110 

Liabilities for 
unearned 
premiums 
1 January   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

32. 

Insurance liabilities (continued) 

General insurance contract liabilities (continued) 

The provisions for unearned insurance and reinsurance premiums represent the portion of premiums that relate 
to risks that have not yet expired at the reporting date. 

Claims and 
adjustments for 
losses 
1 January  
Amount paid for claims 
settled in the period 
Increase in liabilities 
arising from claims 
31 December 

Reported claims 
Incurred but not 
reported 

Gross 

2016 
Reinsurers’ 
share 

Net 

Gross 

2015 
Reinsurers’ 
share 

Net 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

32.083 

(14.834) 

17.249 

37.581 

(18.853) 

18.728 

(25.864) 

12.004 

(13.860) 

(28.175) 

14.423 

(13.752) 

24.790 

(10.159) 

14.631 

22.677 

(10.404) 

12.273 

31.009 

(12.989) 

18.020 

32.083 

(14.834) 

29.188 

(12.178) 

17.010 

30.125 

(13.916) 

17.249 

16.209 

1.821 

(811) 

1.010 

1.958 

(918) 

1.040 

31.009 

(12.989) 

18.020 

32.083 

(14.834) 

17.249 

33. 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Income tax payable and related provisions 

Special defence contribution payable 

Retirement benefit plans liabilities (Note 14) 

Provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (Note 38) 

Provisions for financial guarantees and commitments (Notes 16 and 38) 

Liabilities for investment-linked contracts under administration 

Accrued expenses and other provisions 

Deferred income 

Items in the course of settlement  

Other liabilities 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

25.599 

23.308 

5.719 

22.776 

48.882 

38.196 

5.458 

6.354 

12.588 

34.749 

44.348 

4.954 

58.761 

59.850 

7.379 

49.522 

73.633 

7.820 

29.905 

58.955 

335.925 

282.831 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

33. 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities (continued) 

Provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters 

The movement for the year in the provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters is as follows: 

1 January  

Increase of provisions  

Utilisation of provisions 

Release of provisions  

Foreign exchange adjustments  

31 December 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

34.749 

30.890 

(7.931) 

(7.924) 

(902) 

48.882 

27.329 

11.904 

(225) 

(4.300) 

41 

34.749 

The provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters are analysed as follows: 

Pending litigation or claims 

Regulatory matters 

31 December 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

25.234 

23.648 

48.882 

34.749 

- 

34.749 

The increase of provisions during the year 2016 of €22.966 thousand includes an amount of €5.126 thousand 
which is classified in advisory and other restructuring costs in other operating expenses (Note 15).  

The  provisions  for pending  litigation,  claims  and  regulatory  matters  do  not  include  insurance  claims  arising  in 
the  ordinary  course  of  business  of  the  Group’s  insurance  subsidiaries  as  these  are  included  in  Insurance 
liabilities (Note 32). 

Further details on the pending litigations, claims and regulatory matters are disclosed in Note 38. 

34. 

Share capital  

Authorised 

2016 

2015 

Shares 
(thousand) 

€000 

Shares 
(thousand) 

€000 

Ordinary shares of €0,10 each  

47.677.593 

4.767.759 

47.677.593 

4.767.759 

Issued  

1 January 

Issue of shares 

31 December 

8.922.945 

892.294 

8.922.378 

892.238 

- 

- 

567 

56 

8.922.945 

892.294 

8.922.945 

892.294 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

34. 

Share capital (continued) 

Issued share capital 

2016 
There  were  no  changes  to  the  issued  share  capital  during  the  year  2016.    The  changes  to  the  issued  share 
capital following the resolutions of the Extraordinary General Meeting which took place on 13 December 2016, 
effective on 18 January 2017, are disclosed in Note 53.1. 

2015 
During 2015, the issued share capital was increased by 567 thousand shares of a nominal value of €0,10 each. 

All issued ordinary shares carry the same rights. 

Share premium reserve 

The share premium reserve is maintained pursuant to the provisions of section 55 of the Companies Law, Cap. 
113 and is not available for distribution to equity holders in the form of a dividend. 

The share premium was created in 2014 and 2015 by the issuance of 4.167.234 thousand shares of a nominal 
value of €0,10 each of a subscription price of €0,24 each, and was reduced by the relevant transaction costs of 
€30.794 thousand. 

Capital reduction reserve 

The capital reduction reserve is maintained pursuant to the provisions of section 55 of the Companies Law, Cap. 
113 and is not available for distribution to equity holders in the form of a dividend. 

The  capital  reduction  reserve  was  created  upon  the  reduction  of  the  nominal  value  of  ordinary  shares  from 
€1,00  each  to  €0,10  each  in  2014.    The  reduction  in  capital  amounted  to  €4.280.140  thousand,  of  which  an 
amount  of  €2.327.654  thousand  was  applied  against  accumulated  losses  and  an  amount  of  €1.952.486 
thousand was credited to the capital reduction reserve. 

Treasury shares of the Company 

Shares  of  the  Company  held  by  entities  controlled  by  the  Group  are  deducted  from  equity  on  the  purchase, 
sale, issue or cancellation of such shares.  No gain or loss is recognised in the consolidated income statement.  
During 2016 all treasury shares other than those held by the life insurance subsidiary of the Group have been 
disposed of. 

The life insurance subsidiary, as at 31 December 2016, held a total of 2.889 thousand (2015: 2.889 thousand) 
shares  of  the  Company,  as  part  of  its  financial  assets  which  are  invested  for  the  benefit  of  insurance 
policyholders.  The  cost  of  acquisition  of  these  shares  was  €25.333  thousand  (2015:  €25.333  thousand).    In 
addition, as at 31 December 2015, 5.136 thousand shares with a total cost of acquisition of €41.301 thousand 
were held by other entities of the Group. 

Share-based payments - share options 

On  24  November  2015,  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company’s  shareholders  authorised  the  Board  of 
Directors  to  establish  and  implement  a  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  and  allowed  the  Company  the  flexibility  to 
increase the ratio of variable remuneration relative to  fixed remuneration up to a maximum  of 100% of fixed 
remuneration  for  members  of  senior  management  (‘Shareholder  Resolution’).   The  authorised  Long  Term 
Incentive Plan involved the granting of options for the acquisition of shares to a defined group of employees of 
the Group and under the current terms of the Shareholder Resolution: 
(i) 

the total amount of shares that may be issued and allotted under the Long Term Incentive Plan shall not 
exceed 178.458.891 ordinary shares of nominal value of €0,10 each, 

(ii)  the exercise price shall be set at €0,25 per share, 
(iii)  the vested share options will only be able to be exercised three years after the grant date, and  
(iv)  any share options not exercised by 31 March 2026 will lapse. 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

34. 

Share capital (continued) 

Share-based payments - share options (continued) 

The options would be designed to vest only if certain key performance conditions were met, including amongst 
other  things,  the  full  repayment  of  ELA,  the  lifting  of  dividend  restrictions,  the  cancellation  of  government 
guarantee and the performance of eligible employees.   

The original proposed grant date of 31 March 2016 as per the Shareholder Resolution, was postponed until such 
time that all relevant approvals were obtained. 

Following the final SREP 2016 decision received in December 2016, the ECB’s prohibition on variable pay was 
lifted and replaced with a limitation on variable remuneration to 10% of net revenues. 

Following the incorporation of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company and its introduction as the new 
holding company of the Group in January 2017, the Long Term Incentive Plan was replaced by the Share Option 
Plan  which  operates  at  the  level  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company.  Further  information  is 
disclosed in Note 53.2. 

No  share  options  were  issued  until  the  date  of  replacement  of  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  by  the  Share 
Option Plan at the level of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company. 

35. 

Dividends  

The  Company  is  currently  under  a  regulatory  dividend  distribution  prohibition  and  therefore  no  dividend  was 
declared or paid during years 2016 and 2015. 

36. 

Accumulated losses 

Retained earnings are the only distributable reserve. 

Companies, tax resident in Cyprus, which do not distribute at least 70% of their profits after tax as defined by 
the Special Defence Contribution Law during the two years after the end of the year of assessment to which the 
profits refer, will be deemed to have distributed this amount as dividend.  Special defence contribution at 17% 
is  payable  on  such  deemed  dividend  distribution  to  the  extent  that  the  shareholders  of  the  Company 
(individuals who are domiciled in Cyprus and companies) at the end of the period of two years from the end of 
the  year  of  assessment  to  which  the  profits  refer,  are  directly  or  indirectly  Cyprus  tax  residents. Deemed 
distribution does not apply in respect of profits that  are  directly or indirectly attributable to shareholders that 
are non-Cyprus tax residents and individual shareholders who are not domiciled in Cyprus.  

The amount of this deemed dividend distribution is reduced by any actual dividend paid out of the profits of the 
relevant year. 

This special defence contribution is paid by the Company on account of the shareholders. 

During 2016 and 2015 no deemed dividend distribution was paid by the Company. 

37. 

Fiduciary transactions 

The Group offers fund management and custody services that result in holding or investing financial assets on 
behalf of its customers. The Group is not liable to its customers for any default by other banks or organisations.  
The  assets  under  management  and  custody  are  not  included  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  the  Group 
unless  they  are  placed  with  the  Group.  Total  assets  under  management  and  custody  at  31  December  2016 
amounted to €1.054.210 thousand (2015: €1.012.357 thousand).  

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments  

As part of the services provided to its customers, the Group enters into various irrevocable commitments and 
contingent liabilities.  These consist of financial guarantees, letters of credit and other undrawn commitments to 
lend. 

Even though these obligations may not be recognised on the consolidated balance sheet, they do contain credit 
risk and are therefore part of the overall credit risk exposure of the Group (Note 43). 

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

38.1 

Capital commitments 

Capital commitments for the acquisition of property, equipment and intangible assets as at  31 December 2016 
amount to €14.830 thousand (2015: €17.099 thousand). 

38.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters  

The Group in the ordinary course of business is subject to enquiries and examinations, requests for information, 
audits,  investigations  and  legal  and  other  proceedings  by  regulators,  governmental  and  other  public  bodies, 
actual  and  threatened,  relating  to  the  suitability  and  adequacy  of  advice  given  to  clients  or  the  absence  of 
advice, lending and pricing practices, selling and disclosure requirements, record keeping, filings and a variety 
of  other  matters.    In  addition,  as  a  result  of  the  deterioration  of  the  Cypriot  economy  and  banking  sector  in 
2012  and  the  subsequent  Restructuring  of  the  Company  in  2013  as  a  result  of  the  Bail-in  Decrees,  the 
Company is subject to a large number of proceedings and investigations that either precede, or result from the 
events that occurred during the period of the Bail-in Decrees.  Most ongoing investigations and proceedings of 
significance relate to matters arising during the period prior to the issue of the Bail-in Decrees.  

Apart  from  what  is  described  below,  the  Group  considers  that  none  of  these  matters  is  material,  either 
individually  or  in  aggregate.  The  Group  has  not  disclosed  an  estimate  of  the  potential  financial  effect  on  its 
contingent liabilities arising from these matters where it is not practicable to do so because it is too early or the 
outcome  is too  uncertain  or,  in  cases  where  it  is  practicable,  where  disclosure  could  prejudice  conduct  of  the 
matters. Provisions have been recognised for those cases where the Group is able to estimate probable losses. 
Where  an  individual  provision  is  material,  the  fact  that  a  provision  has  been  made  is  stated.  Any  provision 
recognised  does  not  constitute  an  admission  of  wrongdoing  or  legal  liability.    While  the  outcome  of  these 
matters is inherently uncertain, management believes that, based on the information available to it, appropriate 
provisions have been made in respect of legal proceedings and regulatory matters as at 31 December 2016 and 
hence  it  is  not  believed  that  such  matters,  when  concluded,  will  have  a  material  impact  upon  the  financial 
position of the Group.  

38.2.1  Pending litigation and claims  

Investigations and litigation relating to securities issued by the Company 
A number of institutional and retail customers have filed various separate actions against the Company alleging 
that  the  Company  is  guilty  of  misselling  in  relation  to  securities  issued  by  the  Company  between  2007  and 
2011. Remedies sought include the return of the money investors paid for these securities. Claims are currently 
pending  before  the  courts  in  Cyprus  and  in  Greece,  as  well  as  the  decisions  and  fines  imposed  upon  the 
Company  in  related  matters  by  Cyprus  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (CySEC)  and/or  Hellenic  Capital 
Market Commission (HCMC). 

The bonds and capital securities in respect of which claims have been brought are the following: 2007 Capital 
Securities, 2008 Convertible Bonds, 2009 Convertible Capital Securities (CCS) and  2011 Convertible Enhanced 
Capital Securities (CECS). 

The Company is defending these claims, particularly with respect to institutional investors and retail purchasers 
who received investment advice from independent investment advisors. In the case of retail investors, if it can 
be  documented  that  the  relevant  Company  officers  'persuaded'  them  to  proceed  with  the  purchase  and/or 
purported to offer 'investment advice', the Company may face significant difficulties. To date, a small number of 
cases have been tried in Greece.  The Company has appealed against any such cases which were not ruled in 
its favour.  The resolution of the claims brought in the courts of Greece is expected to take a number of years. 
Provision has been made based on management's best estimate of probable outflows  and  based on  advice  of 
legal counsel. 

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

38.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

38.2.1  Pending litigation and claims (continued) 

Bail-in related litigation 
Depositors 
A number of the Company's depositors, who allege that they were adversely affected by the bail-in, filed claims 
against the Company and other parties (such as the CBC and the Ministry of Finance of Cyprus) on the grounds 
that, inter alia, the ‘Resolution Law of 2013’ and the Bail-in Decrees were in conflict with the Constitution of the 
Republic of Cyprus and the European Convention on Human Rights. They are seeking damages for their alleged 
losses resulting from the bail-in of their deposits. The Company is defending these actions. 

Shareholders 
Numerous claims were filed by shareholders in 2013 (some of whom are current shareholders of the Company) 
against the Government and the CBC before the Supreme Court in relation to the dilution of their shareholding 
as  a  result  of  the  recapitalisation  pursuant  to  the  Resolution  Law  and  the  Bail-in  Decrees  issued  thereunder. 
These  proceedings  sought  the  cancellation  and  setting  aside  of  the  Bail-in  Decrees  as  unconstitutional  and/or 
unlawful  and/or  irregular.  The  Company  appeared  in  these  proceedings  as  an  interested  party  to  support  the 
position that the cases should be adjudicated  upon in  the context of private law. The Supreme Court ruled in 
these  cases  in  October  2014  that  the  proceedings  fall  within  private  and  public  law  and  thus  fall  within  the 
jurisdiction of the District Courts. 

As at the present date, both the Resolution Law and the Bail-in Decrees have not been annulled by a court of 
law and thus remain legally valid and in effect. It is expected that actions for damages will be instituted by the 
shareholders in due course before the District Courts of Cyprus. 

Claims based on set-off 
Certain claims have been filed by customers against the Company alleging that the implementation of the bail-
in under the Bail-in Decrees was not carried out correctly in relation to them and, in particular, that their rights 
of set-off were not properly respected. The Company intends to contest such claims. 

Laiki Bank depositors and shareholders 
The Company has been joined as a defendant with regards to certain claims which have been brought against 
Laiki  Bank  by  its  depositors,  shareholders  and  holders  of  debt  securities.  These  claims  have  been  brought  on 
grounds  similar  to  the  claims  brought  by  the  Company’s  bailed-in  depositors  and  shareholders  as  described 
above. The Company, inter alia, maintains the position that it should not be a party to these proceedings. 

Implementation of Decrees 
Occasionally,  other  claims  are  brought  against  the  Company  in  respect  of  the  implementation  of  the  Decrees 
issued  following  the  adoption  of  the  Resolution  Law  (as  regards  the  way  and  methodology  whereby  such 
Decrees have been implemented). 

Legal position of the Group 
All  above  claims  are  being  vigorously  disputed  by  the  Group,  in  close  consultation  with  the  appropriate  state 
and  governmental  authorities.  The  position  of  the  Group  is  that  the  Resolution  Law  and  the  Decrees  take 
precedence  over  all  other  laws.  As  matters  now  stand,  both  the  Resolution  Law  and  the  Decrees  issued 
thereunder are constitutional and lawful, in that they were properly enacted and have not so far been annulled 
by any court.  

116 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

38.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

38.2.1  Pending litigation and claims (continued) 

CNP Arbitration 
The  French  entity  CNP  Assurances  S.A.  had  certain  exclusive  arrangements  with  Laiki  Bank  with  respect  to 
insurance  products  offered  in,  inter  alia,  Cyprus  through  the  formation  of  a  local  company  (CNP  Cyprus 
Insurance Holdings Ltd (a company in which the  Company now has a 49,9% shareholding, acquired as part of 
the acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank  pursuant to Regulatory Administrative  Act 104/2013)). CNP 
Assurances S.A. held 50,1% of the shares of CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd and Laiki Bank held 49,9% of 
the shares. In the context of the total arrangement between the parties, two agreements were in place between 
CNP  Assurances  S.A.  and  Laiki  Bank,  a  Shareholders’  Agreement  and  a  Distribution  Agreement  (to  which 
Distribution Agreement CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd was also a party).    

Following the resolution of Laiki Bank, CNP Assurances S.A. and CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd instituted 
arbitration  proceedings  in  London  under  the  rules  of  arbitration  of  the  International  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
alleging that the Company was a successor to Laiki Bank in respect of both the Shareholders’ and Distribution 
Agreements and that the said Agreements were violated by the Company.  The claims of CNP Assurances S.A. 
and  CNP  Cyprus  Insurance  Holdings  Ltd  amounted  to  approximately  €240  million  (including  adjustments  for 
taxes and pre-award interest as at March 2015).  The Tribunal award was issued in September 2016, rejecting 
all claims made by the Claimants with costs in favour of the Company. 

Provident fund cases 
A  number  of  claims  which  were  pending  before  the  Cypriot  Labour  Disputes  Tribunal  by  certain  of  the 
Company's  former  employees  with  respect  to  their  retirement  benefits  were  withdrawn  unreservedly  and 
dismissed by the court in April 2016, following an out-of-court settlement to the satisfaction of the Company, 
utilising part of the provisions for pending litigation in place. 

In December 2015, the Bank of Cyprus Employees Provident Fund (the Provident Fund) filed an action against 
the  Company  claiming  €70  million  allegedly  owed  as  part  of  the  Company's  contribution  by  virtue  of  an 
agreement with the union dated 31 December 2011. Based on facts currently known, it is not practicable at this 
time for the Company to predict the resolution of this matter, including the timing or any possible impact on the 
Company, however at this stage the Group does not expect a material impact on its financial position. 

Employment litigation 
Former  senior  officers  of  the  Company  have  instituted  a  total  of  three  claims  for  unfair  dismissal  and  for 
Provident Fund entitlements against the Company and Trustees of the Provident Fund. As at the present  date 
one case had been dismissed as filed out of time, but the plaintiff has appealed against this ruling. The Group 
does not consider that these cases will have a material impact upon its financial position. 

Greek case 
In  connection  with  a  legal  dispute  (one  case  by  the  Company  against  Themis  and  one  by  Themis  against  the 
Company)  relating  to  the  Company's  discontinued  operations  in  Greece  (Themis  case),  a  provision  was 
recognised  in  previous  periods  (30  September  2014:  €38.950  thousand)  following  a  court  judgement  of  the 
Athens  Court  of  Appeal  (dismissing  the  Company's  case  and  upholding  the  Themis  case).  This  provision  was 
reversed  as  at  31  December  2014  following  the  dismissal  of  the  judgement  by  the  Greek  Supreme  Court  in 
March  2015.  The  Supreme  Court  further  ruled  that  these  claims  (the  Company's  claim  against  Themis  for 
approximately  €25  million  which  had  been  transferred  to  Piraeus  Bank  SA  in  March  2013,  as  well  as  Themis' 
claim against the Company for a similar amount) be reconsidered by the Supreme Court on the merits at the 
instigation  of  the  affected  party.  Both  cases  were  heard  in  December  2016  and  the  court  reserved  its 
judgement. The Group does not consider that this case will have a material impact upon its financial position. 

Swiss Francs loans litigation in Cyprus and UK 
A  number  of  actions  have  been  instituted  against  the  Company  by  borrowers  who  obtained  loans  in  foreign 
currencies  (mainly  Swiss  Francs).  The  central  allegation  in  these  cases  is  that  the  Company  misled  these 
borrowers and/or misrepresented matters, in violation of applicable law. The Company intends to contest such 
proceedings.  The  Group  does  not  expect  that  these  actions  will  have  a  material  impact  upon  its  financial 
position. 

117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

38.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

38.2.1  Pending litigation and claims (continued) 

UK property lending claims 
The  Company  is  the  defendant  in  certain  proceedings  alleging  that  the  Company  is  legally  responsible  for 
allegedly, inter alia, advancing and misselling loans for the purchase by UK nationals of property in Cyprus. The 
proceedings  in  the  United  Kingdom  are  currently  stayed  in  order  for  the  parties  to  have  time  to  negotiate 
possible settlements. 

General criminal investigations and proceedings 
The  Attorney  General  and  the  Cypriot  Police  (the  Police)  are  conducting  various  investigations  and  inquiries 
following and relating to the financial crisis which culminated in March 2013. The Company is cooperating fully 
with the Attorney General and the Police and is providing all information requested of it. Based on the currently 
available  information,  the  Group  is  of  the  view  that  any  further  investigations  or  claims  resulting  from  these 
investigations will not have a material impact on its financial position. 

The Attorney General has filed a criminal case against the Company and five former members of the Board of 
Directors for alleged breach of Article 302 (conspiracy to defraud) of Cyprus' criminal code and Article 19 of the 
Manipulation of Insider Information and Market Manipulation (Market Abuse) Law. The alleged offence refers to 
the non-publication in a timely manner of the increased capital shortfall of the Company in 2012. The Company 
denies all allegations. The case is pending in court. The maximum penalty on the Company, if found guilty, will 
be the imposition of a fine that is not expected to have a material impact on the financial position of the Group. 

The Attorney General has filed a separate criminal case  against the Company and six former members of the 
Board  of  Directors  for  alleged  breach  of  Article  19  of  the  Manipulation  of  Insider  Information  and  Market 
Manipulation (Market Abuse) Law, with respect to the Greek Government Bonds. The alleged offence refers to 
the  non-disclosure  of  the  purchase  of  the  Greek  Government  Bonds  during  a  specified  period.  The  Company 
denies all allegations.  The case is pending in court. The maximum penalty on the Company, if found guilty, will 
be the imposition of a fine that is not expected to have a material impact on the financial position of the Group. 

In January 2017 the Attorney General has filed a criminal case against a number of current and former officers 
of  the  Company  relating  to  the  reclassification  of  Greek  Government  Bonds  in  April  2010.  No  charges  were 
instituted against the Company in this case.  

38.2.2  Provisions for regulatory matters 

The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) Investigation 
The  HCMC  is  currently  in  the  process  of  investigating  matters  concerning  the  Group's  investment  in  Greek 
Government  Bonds  from  2009  to  2011,  including,  inter-alia,  related  non-disclosure  of  material  information  in 
the Company's CCS and CECS and rights issue prospectus (tracking the investigation carried out by CySEC in 
2013), Greek government bonds' reclassification,  ELA  disclosures and allegations by some Greek  Government 
Bond  investors  regarding  the  Company's  non-compliance  with  Markets  in  Financial  Instruments  Directive 
(MiFID) in respect of investors' direct investments in Greek Government Bonds. 

A specific estimate of the outcome of the investigations or of the amount of possible fines cannot be given at 
this stage, though it is not expected that any resulting liability or damages will have a material impact on the 
financial position of the Group. 

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) Investigations 
CySEC is currently in the process of investigating matters concerning possible price manipulation attributable to 
the  Company  for  the  period  from  1  November  2009  to  30  June  2010  post  the  investment  in  Banca 
Transylvania. 

CySEC  has  also  completed  the  investigation  on  the  adequacy  of  provisions  for  the  impairment  of  loans  and 
advances in year 2011 and the investigation is currently pending with the CySEC Board. 

As the above investigations are in progress or decisions have been reserved, it is not practical at this stage for 
the Group to estimate reliably the possible consequences thereof, though it is not expected that any resulting 
liability or damages will have a material impact on the financial position of the Group. 

118 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

38.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

38.2.2  Provisions for regulatory matters (continued) 

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) Investigations (continued) 
Additionally,  in  late  2014  CySEC  completed  an  investigation  into  the  value  of  goodwill  in  CB  Uniastrum  Bank 
LLC  disclosed  in  the  interim  financial  statements  of  the  Group  in  2012.  In  October  2016,  CySEC  issued  a 
decision, concluding that the Company was in breach of certain laws regarding disclosure in accordance, inter 
alia,  with  the  Market  Manipulation  (Market  Abuse)  Law  of  2005  and  has  imposed  an  administrative  fine  upon 
the Company of €25 thousand. CySEC also imposed higher fines upon certain former members of the Board of 
Directors  and  former  management  of  the  Company.  The  Company  filed  a  recourse  before  the  Administrative 
Court against the decisions of CySEC and the  fine imposed upon the Company.  In March 2017, CySEC  filed a 
legal action against the Company, claiming the amount of €25 thousand imposed as a fine. 
In 2015, CySEC carried out an investigation into the reclassification of Greek Government Bonds in April 2010, 
which was also completed in 2016 with no findings against the Company.  

The investigation regarding the adequacy of provisions for impairment of loans and advances  in  year  2013 in 
light  of  the  results  of  the  Asset  Quality  Review  was  also  completed  in  2016  with  no  finding  against  the 
Company. 

Commission for the Protection of Competition Investigation 
In  April  2014,  following  an  investigation  which  began  in  2010,  the  Cypriot  Commission  for  the  Protection  of 
Competition (the CPC) issued a statement of objections, alleging violations of Cypriot and EU  competition law 
relating  to  the  activities  and/or  omissions  in  respect  of  card  payment  transactions  by,  among  others,  the 
Company  and  JCC  Payment  Systems  Ltd  (JCC),  a  card-processing  business  currently  75%  owned  by  the 
Company. 

There was also an allegation concerning the Company's arrangements with American Express, namely that such 
exclusive arrangements violated Cypriot and EU competition law. On both matters, the CPC has concluded that 
the Company (in common with other banks and JCC) has breached the relevant provisions of the applicable law 
for the protection of competition. For the time being, the proceedings before the CPC had been stalled due to 
an  Administrative  Court  decision  holding  that  the  composition  of  the  CPC  was  contrary  to  law,  which  was 
however  overturned  in  March  2017  by  the  Supreme  Court  on  appeal  by  the  Attorney  General.  The  Company 
intends to file a recourse before the Administrative Court for the annulment of the CPC's decision and fine (if 
and when a fine is imposed in reliance thereof). At this stage it is not possible to predict the amount of the fine 
that may be imposed upon the Company, though it is not expected that any resulting liability or damages will 
have a material impact on the financial position of the Group. 

UK regulatory matters 
During  2016,  following  complaints  and  litigation  against  a  subsidiary  of  the  Group,  the  Group  reviewed  and 
concluded that during 2008 and 2009 the manner in which a group of loans was re-priced breached a Financial 
Conduct Authority (FCA) conduct principle. The matter was notified to the FCA and remediation principles were 
agreed.  The  provision  booked  is  dependent  on  the  response  rates  to  an  “invitation  complain”  and  the  actual 
response rate will be monitored against the Group’s assumptions. The assumptions are subjective, in particular 
due to uncertainty associated with future claims levels. The level of the provision represents the best estimate 
of  all  probable  outflows  arising  from  customer  redress  based  on  information  available  to  management. 
However, this is at the early stage of its lifecycle and consequently elements affecting the potential exposure 
are  contingent.   Management  will  continue  to  reassess  the  adequacy  of  the  provision,  as  well  as  the 
assumptions  underlying  the  calculations  at  each  reporting  date  based  upon  experience  and  other  relevant 
factors prevailing at that time.  As such, it is possible that the eventual outcome may differ materially from the 
current level of provision.   

119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

38.3 

Other contingent liabilities  

The  Group,  as  part  of  its  disposal  process  of  certain  of  its  operations,  has  provided  various  representations, 
warranties and indemnities to the buyers.  These relate to, among other things, the ownership of the loans, the 
validity of the liens, tax exposures  and other matters agreed with the buyers.  As a result, the Group may be 
obliged  to  compensate  the  buyers  in  the  event  of  a  valid  claim  by  the  buyers  with  respect  to  the  above 
representations, warranties and indemnities. 

A provision has been made, based on management’s best estimate of probable outflows, where it was assessed 
that such an outflow is probable. 

120 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

39. 

Net cash flow from operating activities 

Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations 
Loss before tax from discontinued operations 
Adjustments for: 
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to customers and other customer 
credit losses and gain on derecognition and changes in expected cash flows  
Depreciation of property and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Impairment of property and equipment 
Impairment upon re-measurement of disposal group at fair value less costs to sell 
Impairment of other financial instruments 
(Profit)/loss upon disposal of disposal groups held for sale and discontinued 
operations 
Amortisation of discounts/premiums, catch-up adjustment and interest on debt 
securities  
Loss on sale and write-offs of property and equipment and intangible assets  
(Gains)/losses on disposal of investment properties and investment properties held 
for sale 
(Gains)/losses from revaluation of investment properties and investment properties 
held for sale 
Dividend income  
Net gains on disposal of available-for-sale investments in equity securities 
Net gains on disposal of available-for-sale investments and investments classified as 
loans and receivables in debt securities  
Share of profit from associates and joint ventures 
Loss from revaluation of debt securities designated as fair value hedges 
Gain on disposal of joint ventures 
Loss on dissolution of subsidiaries 
Gains on disposal of stock of property 
Impairment of stock of property 
Interest on funding from central banks 
Interest on debt securities in issue 
Change in value of in-force life insurance business 

Change in: 
Loans and advances to banks  
Deposits by banks 
Obligatory balances with central banks 
Customer deposits  
Value of in-force life insurance policies and liabilities 
Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Accrued income and prepaid expenses 
Other liabilities 
Accrued expenses and deferred income 
Derivative financial instruments  
Investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Repurchase agreements 
Proceeds on disposals of stock of property  
Subordinated loan stock  

Tax paid 

Net cash flow from operating activities 

121 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

85.616 
- 

(379.992) 
(65.062) 

370.294 

1.002.130 

11.558 
7.263 
- 
- 
11.293 

(2.545) 

12.257 
7.001 
1.203 
3.288 
43.503 

17.392 

(22.764) 

(72.252) 

67 

(3.934) 

(1.040) 

(343) 
(58.368) 

(8.441) 

(8.194) 
16.466 
- 
4.101 
(1.361) 
36.220 
29.656 
- 
(4.680) 

460.864 

53.890 
193.096 
(19.890) 
2.329.060 
(7.058) 
57.958 
20.039 
(354) 
52.698 
(1.530) 
(12.586) 
7.769 
(110.784) 
140.677 
- 

3.163.849 
(1.224) 

3.162.625 

70 

665 

52.575 

(900) 
(1.075) 

(49.504) 

(5.923) 
11.600 
(10.005) 
- 
(816) 
17.792 
78.187 
25 
(1.499) 

660.660 

60.204 
51.029 
362.954 
1.503.754 
(12.187) 
(51.339) 
6.373 
446 
(44.366) 
16.042 
30.418 
(16.438) 
(211.531) 
6.433 
475 

2.362.927 
(3.485) 

2.359.442 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

39. 

Net cash flow from operating activities (continued) 

Non-cash transactions 

2016 

Acquisition of S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 
During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  the  Group  acquired  a  70%  interest  in  the  share  capital  of  S.Z. 
Eliades  Leisure  Ltd  in  exchange  for  the  settlement  of  the  majority  of  the  borrowing  due  from  S.Z.  Eliades 
Leisure Ltd to the Company, as part of the restructuring of  its debt.  The acquisition did not include any cash 
consideration.  Further information is disclosed in Note 50.1.1. 

Sale of shares held in Visa Europe Limited 
During the year ended 31 December 2016 the Group sold its shares held in Visa Europe  Limited following the 
purchase of Visa Europe Limited by Visa Inc.  The transaction in addition to the cash paid, involved the granting 
of preferred stock in Visa Inc. with a carrying value of approximately €8 million and a deferred cash component 
of a carrying value of approximately €4 million. 

Repossession of collaterals 
During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016,  the  Group  acquired  stock  of  property  by  taking  possession  of 
collaterals  held  as  security  for  loans  and  advances  to  customers  of  €1.010.059  thousand  (2015:  €32.216 
thousand) (Note 27). 

Closure of the operations of Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd 
As part of the Group’s strategy of focusing on its core businesses and markets, the Group decided the closure of 
the  operations  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  (Channel  Islands)  Ltd  and  the  relocation  of  its  business  to  other  Group 
locations mainly Cyprus and the UK.  

2015 
Disposal of the majority of the Russian operations 
On 25 September 2015, the Group completed the disposal of the majority of its Russian operations.  As part of 
the  sales  agreement,  the  parties  agreed  an  asset  swap  arrangement  which  involved  the  exchange  of  certain 
assets between them that resulted in €41.849 thousand receivable for the Group, which was fully settled during 
2016. 

Disposal of Aphrodite group 
During  2015 the  Group  disposed of  a  65%  shareholding  in  the  Aphrodite  group.  The  transaction  involved  the 
restructuring of the debt owed by this group to the Company.  

Net cash flow from operating activities – interest and dividends 

Interest paid 

Interest received 

Dividends received 

40. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise: 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

(200.266) 

(342.158) 

1.018.010 

1.270.146 

343 

900 

818.087 

928.888 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Cash and non-obligatory balances with central banks  

1.363.699 

1.299.795 

Treasury bills repayable within three months 
Loans and advances to banks with original maturity less than  
three months 

- 

21.451 

867.329 

1.026.162 

2.231.028 

2.347.408 

122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

40. 

Cash and cash equivalents (continued) 

Analysis of cash and balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Cash and non-obligatory balances with central banks  

1.363.699 

1.299.795 

Obligatory balances with central banks  

142.697 

122.807 

Total cash and balances with central banks (Note 19) 

1.506.396 

1.422.602 

Loans and advances to banks with original maturity less than  
three months   
Other restricted loans and advances to banks  

Other loans and advances to banks 

867.329 

1.026.162 

136.398 

84.110 

153.608 

134.610 

Total loans and advances to banks (Note 19) 

1.087.837 

1.314.380 

Other  restricted  loans  and  advances  to  banks  include  collaterals  under  derivative  transactions  of  €55.017 
thousand  (2015: €82.123  thousand)  which  is  not immediately  available  for  use  by the Group, but  is  released 
once the transactions are terminated. 

41. 

Operating leases – The Group as lessee 

The  total  future  minimum  lease  payments  under  non-cancellable  operating  leases  at  31  December  2016  and  
2015 are presented below:  

Within one year 

Between one and five years 

After five years 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

1.452 

3.296 

282 

5.030 

2.217 

5.438 

742 

8.397 

The above mainly relate to property leases for the Group’s branches and offices. 

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Analysis of assets and liabilities by expected maturity 

Assets 

Cash and balances with central 
banks 

2016 

Less than 
one year 

Over one 
year 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Less than 
one year 

€000 

2015 

Over one 
year 

€000 

Total 

€000 

1.364.949 

141.447 

1.506.396 

1.300.846 

121.756 

1.422.602 

Loans and advances to banks 

953.160 

134.677 

1.087.837 

1.212.418 

101.962 

1.314.380 

Derivative financial assets 

20.590 

245 

20.835 

13.939 

84 

14.023 

Investments  

76.415 

597.229 

673.644 

348.596 

660.691 

1.009.287 

Loans and advances to 
customers 
Life insurance business assets 
attributable to policyholders 
Prepayments, accrued income 
and other assets  

5.546.601 

10.102.800 

15.649.401 

5.147.878 

12.043.754 

17.191.632 

19.510 

480.023 

499.533 

17.243 

458.160 

475.403 

110.968 

158.943 

269.911 

87.690 

194.090 

281.780 

Stock of property 

457.104 

970.168 

1.427.272 

90.115 

425.743 

515.858 

Property, equipment and 
intangible assets 

Investment properties 

Investments in associates and 
joint ventures 

21 

427.835 

427.856 

485 

397.636 

398.121 

- 

- 

38.059 

38.059 

109.339 

109.339 

- 

- 

34.628 

34.628 

107.753 

107.753 

Deferred tax assets 

2.970 

447.471 

450.441 

8.828 

447.703 

456.531 

Non-current assets and disposal 
group held for sale 

Liabilities 

11.411 

- 

11.411 

48.503 

- 

48.503 

8.563.699 

13.608.236 

22.171.935 

8.276.541 

14.993.960 

23.270.501 

Deposits by banks 

354.778 

80.008 

434.786 

206.997 

35.140 

242.137 

Funding from central banks 

250.014 

600.000 

850.014 

2.744.764 

1.708.086 

4.452.850 

Repurchase agreements 

- 

257.367 

257.367 

111.605 

256.546 

368.151 

Derivative financial liabilities 

9.434 

39.191 

48.625 

16.032 

38.367 

54.399 

Customer deposits  

Insurance liabilities 

Accruals, deferred income and 
other liabilities 

Debt securities in issue 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Non-current liabilities and 
disposal group held for sale 

5.367.559 

11.142.182 

16.509.741 

4.981.609 

9.199.072 

14.180.681 

86.002 

497.995 

583.997 

80.118 

486.807 

566.925 

273.332 

62.593 

335.925 

219.346 

63.485 

282.831 

- 

17 

- 

- 

- 

45.358 

45.375 

712 

415 

- 

712 

40.392 

40.807 

- 

- 

3.677 

- 

3.677 

6.341.136 

12.724.694 

19.065.830 

8.365.275 

11.827.895 

20.193.170 

The main assumptions used in determining the expected maturity of assets and liabilities are set out below. 

The  ELA  funding  which  forms  part  of  the  funding  from  central  banks  has  been  included  in  the  ‘less  than  one 
year’ time band as at 31 December 2016, since it was expected to be repaid within one year.  Funding under 
ELA has a contractual maturity of less than one year. 

The investments are classified in the relevant time band based on expectations as to their realisation.  In most 
cases this is the maturity date, unless there is an indication that the maturity will be prolonged or  there is an 
intention  to  sell,  roll  or  replace  the  security  with  a  similar  one.   The  latter  would  be  the  case  where  there  is 
secured borrowing, requiring the pledging of bonds and these bonds mature before the maturity of the secured 
borrowing.  The maturity of bonds is then extended to cover the period of the secured borrowing.  

124 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Analysis of assets and liabilities by expected maturity (continued) 

Performing  loans  and  advances  to  customers  in  Cyprus  are  classified  based  on  the  contractual  repayment 
schedule. Overdraft accounts are classified in the  ‘over one year’ time band.  The impaired loans as defined in 
Note 43, net of specific and collective provisions, and the loans which are past due for more than 90 days, are 
classified in the ‘over one year’ time band except from expected receipts which are included within time bands, 
according to historic amounts of receipts in the last months.  

Stock of property is classified in the relevant time band based on expectations as to its realisation. 

A percentage of customer deposits in Cyprus maturing within one year is transferred in the ‘over one year’ time 
band, based on the observed behavioural analysis.  In the United Kingdom deposits are classified on the basis 
of contractual maturities. 

Trading investments are classified in the less than one year time band. 

The expected maturity of all prepayments, accrued income and other assets and accruals, deferred income and 
other  liabilities  is  the  same  as  their  contractual  maturity.    If  they  don’t  have  a  contractual  maturity,  the 
expected maturity is based on the timing the asset is expected to be realised and the liability is expected to be 
settled. 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk 

In  the  ordinary  course  of  its  business  the  Group  is exposed to  credit  risk  which  is  monitored through  various 
control mechanisms across all Group entities in order to prevent undue risk concentrations and to price  credit 
facilities and products on a risk-adjusted basis. 

Credit  risk  is  the  risk  that  arises  from  the  possible  failure  of  one  or  more  customers  to  discharge  their 
obligations towards the Group. 

The Credit Risk department sets the Group’s credit disbursement policies and monitors compliance with credit 
risk policy applicable to each business line and monitors the quality of the Group’s loans and advances portfolio 
through  the  timely  assessment  of  problematic  customers.    The  credit  exposures  from  related  accounts  are 
aggregated and monitored on a consolidated basis. 

Credit  Risk  department,  safeguards  the  effective  management  of  credit  risk  at  all  stages  of  the  credit  cycle, 
monitors the quality of decisions and processes and  ensures that credit sanctioning function is being properly 
managed. 

The credit policies are combined with the methods used for the assessment of the customers’ creditworthiness 
(credit rating and credit scoring systems).   

The  loan  portfolio  is  analysed  on  the  basis  of  assessments  about  the  customers’  creditworthiness,  their 
economic sector of activity and the country in which they operate.   

The  credit  risk  exposure  of  the  Group  is  diversified  both  geographically  and  across  the  various  sectors  of  the 
economy.  The Credit Risk  department determines the prohibitive/dangerous sectors of the economy and sets 
out stricter policy rules for these sectors, according to their degree of riskiness. 

The  Group’s  significant  judgements,  estimates  and  assumptions  regarding  the  determination  of  the  level  of 
provisions for impairment are described in Note 5.1. 

The Market Risk department assesses the credit risk relating to investments in liquid assets (mainly  loans and 
advances  to  banks  and  debt  securities)  and  submits  its  recommendations  for  limits  to  be  set  for  banks  and 
countries to the ALCO for approval. 

125 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements 

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk is analysed by geographic area as follows: 

On-balance sheet 

Cyprus  

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

Off-balance sheet 

Cyprus  

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

Total on and off-balance sheet  

Cyprus  

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

17.067.617 

18.851.208 

57.314 

40.974 

57.032 

93.432 

1.602.229 

1.673.293 

165.093 

266.695 

18.933.227 

20.941.660 

2.738.382 

2.736.014 

112.596 

131.172 

- 

16.327 

397 

20.000 

21.063 

307 

2.867.702 

2.908.556 

19.805.999 

21.587.222 

169.910 

188.204 

40.974 

113.432 

1.618.556 

1.694.356 

165.490 

267.002 

21.800.929 

23.850.216 

126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                        Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements (continued) 

The  Group  offers  guarantee  facilities  to  its  customers  under  which  the  Group  may  be  required  to  make 
payments on their behalf and enters into commitments to extend credit lines to secure their liquidity needs. 

Letters  of  credit  and  guarantee  (including  standby  letters  of  credit)  commit  the  Group  to  make  payments  on 
behalf  of  customers  in  the  event  of  a  specific  act,  generally  related  to  the  import  or  export  of  goods.    Such 
commitments expose the Group to risks similar to those of loans and advances and are therefore monitored by 
the same policies and control processes. 

Loans and advances to customers 
The  Credit  Risk  department  determines  the  amount  and  type  of  collateral  and  other  credit  enhancements 
required for the granting of new loans to customers. 

The  main  types  of  collateral  obtained  by  the  Group  are  mortgages  on  real  estate,  cash  collateral/blocked 
deposits, bank guarantees, government guarantees, pledges of equity securities and debt instruments of public 
companies, fixed and floating charges over corporate assets, assignment of life insurance policies, assignment 
of rights on certain contracts and personal and corporate guarantees. 

The  Group’s  management  regularly  monitors  the  changes  in  the  market  value  of  the  collateral  and,  where 
necessary, requests the pledging of additional collateral in accordance with the relevant agreement. 

Other financial instruments  
Collateral held as security for financial assets other than loans and advances is determined by the nature of the 
financial  instrument.    Debt  securities  and  other  eligible  bills  are  generally  unsecured  with  the  exception  of 
asset-backed  securities  and  similar  instruments,  which  are  secured  by  pools  of  financial  assets.    In  addition, 
some debt securities are government-guaranteed. 

The  Group  has  chosen  the  ISDA  Master  Agreement  for  documenting  its  derivatives  activity.  It  provides  the 
contractual  framework  within  which  dealing  activity  across  a  full  range  of  over-the-counter  (OTC)  products  is 
conducted  and  contractually  binds  both  parties  to  apply  close-out  netting  across  all  outstanding  transactions 
covered by an agreement, if either party defaults.  In  most cases the parties execute a Credit Support Annex 
(CSA)  in  conjunction  with  the  ISDA  Master  Agreement.    Under  a  CSA,  the  collateral  is  passed  between  the 
parties in order to mitigate the market contingent counterparty risk inherent in their open positions. 

Settlement  risk  arises  in any  situation  where  a  payment  in  cash  or  securities  is  made  in  the  expectation  of  a 
corresponding  receipt  in  securities  or  cash.    The  Group  sets  daily  settlement  limits  for  each  counterparty.  
Settlement risk is mitigated when transactions are  effected via established payment systems or on a delivery 
upon payment basis. 

The  table  below  presents  the  maximum  exposure  to  credit  risk,  the  tangible  and  measurable  collateral  and 
credit enhancements held and the net exposure to credit risk, that is the exposure after taking into account the 
impairment  loss  and  tangible  and  measurable  collateral  and  credit  enhancements  held.    Personal  guarantees 
are  an  additional  form  of  collateral,  but  are  not  included  in  the  information  below  since  it  is  impracticable  to 
estimate their fair value.   

The fair value of the collateral presented in the tables below is capped to the carrying value of the loans and 
advances to customers.  

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                                                                  Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements (continued) 

2016 

Maximum 
exposure to 
credit risk 

Fair value of collateral and credit enhancements held by the Group 

Cash 

Securities 

Letters of 
credit/ 
guarantee 

Property 

Other 

Surplus 
collateral 

Net  
collateral 

Net 
exposure 
to credit 
risk 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Balances with central banks (Note 19) 

1.373.802 

Loans and advances to banks (Note 19) 

1.087.837 

Trading investments - debt securities 
(Note 20) 
Debt securities at fair value through 
profit or loss (Note 20) 
Debt securities classified as available-
for-sale and loans and receivables  
(Note 20) 
Derivative financial instruments  
(Note 21) 
Loans and advances to customers  
(Note 23) 

Debtors (Note 28) 

Reinsurers’ share of insurance contract 
liabilities (Note 28) 

Other assets  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.373.802 

1.087.837 

476 

10.426 

608.666 

20.835 

476 

10.426 

608.666 

20.835 

15.649.401 

345.827 

335.599 

305.202 

22.250.801 

501.500 

(9.949.923) 

13.789.006 

1.860.395 

24.571 

49.973 

107.240 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

24.571 

49.973 

107.240 

On-balance sheet total 

18.933.227 

345.827 

335.599 

305.202 

22.250.801 

501.500 

(9.949.923) 

13.789.006 

5.144.221 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and endorsements 

7.606 

375 

- 

- 

9.524 

13 

Guarantees 

Commitments 

797.269 

69.720 

1.326 

65.185 

164.880 

6.222 

(4.090) 

(1.177) 

5.822 

1.784 

306.156 

491.113 

Documentary credits 

27.636 

10.837 

15 

102 

8.112 

297 

- 

19.363 

8.273 

Undrawn formal stand-by facilities, 
credit lines and other commitments to 
lend 

2.035.191 

31.449 

1.050 

2.221 

329.280 

16.158 

(19.705) 

360.453 

1.674.738 

Off-balance sheet total 

2.867.702 

112.381 

2.391 

67.508 

511.796 

22.690 

(24.972) 

691.794 

2.175.908 

Total credit risk exposure 

21.800.929 

458.208 

337.990 

372.710 

22.762.597 

524.190 

(9.974.895) 

14.480.800 

7.320.129 

128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                                                                  Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements (continued) 

2015 

Balances with central banks (Note 
19) 
Loans and advances to banks (Note 
19) 
Trading investments - debt 
securities (Note 20) 
Debt securities at fair value 
through profit or loss (Note 20) 
Debt securities classified as 
available-for-sale and loans and 
receivables  
(Note 20) 
Derivative financial instruments  
(Note 21) 
Loans and advances to customers 
(Note 23) 
Debtors (Note 28) 
Reinsurers’ share of insurance 
contract liabilities (Note 28) 
Other assets  

Maximum 
exposure 
to credit 
risk 

Fair value of collateral and credit enhancements held by the Group 

Cash 

Securities 

Property 

Other 

Surplus 
collateral 

Net  
collateral 

Net 
exposure 
to credit 
risk 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1.268.585 

- 

1.314.380 

28.667 

317 

17.430 

898.869 

14.023 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Letters of 
credit 
/guarantee 
€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.268.585 

28.667 

1.285.713 

- 

- 

- 

- 

317 

17.430 

898.869 

14.023 

17.191.632 

484.628 

253.305 

377.011 

23.791.204 

348.057 

(9.717.984) 

15.536.221 

1.655.411 

23.020 

56.763 

156.641 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4.600 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

19.043 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

23.020 

56.763 

23.643 

132.998 

On-balance sheet total 

20.941.660 

513.295 

257.905 

377.011 

23.810.247 

348.057 

(9.717.984) 

15.588.531 

5.353.129 

Contingent liabilities 
Acceptances and endorsements 
Guarantees 
Commitments 
Documentary credits 
Undrawn formal stand-by facilities, 
credit lines and other commitments 
to lend 
Off-balance sheet total 
Total credit risk exposure 

8.385 
793.111 

717 
52.455 

18.441 

1.123 

- 
687 

9 

- 
73.436 

13.124 
187.437 

32 
10.442 

(7.478) 
(237) 

6.395 
324.220 

1.990 
468.891 

71 

8.245 

495 

- 

9.943 

8.498 

2.088.619 

30.445 

1.302 

1.744 

336.646 

14.433 

(28.544) 

356.026 

1.732.593 

2.908.556 
23.850.216 

84.740 
598.035 

1.998 
259.903 

75.251 
452.262 

545.452 
24.355.699 

25.402 
373.459 

(36.259) 
(9.754.243) 

696.584 
16.285.115 

2.211.972 
7.565.101 

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                      Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers 

There  are  restrictions  on  loan  concentrations  which  are  imposed  by  the  Banking  Law  in  Cyprus  and  the 
relevant  CBC  Directives  and  CRR.    According  to  these  restrictions,  banks  are  prohibited  from  lending  more 
than  25%  of  the  capital  base  to  a  single  customer  group.    The  Group’s  risk  appetite  statement  imposes 
stricter concentration limits and the Group is taking actions to run down those exposures which are in excess 
of these internal limits over time. 

In addition to the above, the Group’s overseas subsidiaries must comply with guidelines for large exposures as 
set by the regulatory authorities of the countries in which they operate. 

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition 
The  fair  value  adjustment  on  initial  recognition  relates  to  the  loans  and  advances  to  customers  acquired  as 
part  of  the  acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank  in  2013  and  originated  credit  impaired  loans.  In 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  IFRS  3,  this  adjustment  has  decreased  the  gross  balance  of  loans  and 
advances  to  customers.    However,  for  IFRS  7  disclosure  purposes  as  well  as  for  credit  risk  monitoring,  the 
aforementioned adjustment is not presented within the gross balances of loans and advances.   

130 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                                                                                  Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Geographical and industry concentrations of Group loans and advances to customers are presented below: 

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By economic activity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction  

Real estate 

Private individuals  

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

2.044.324 

658.811 

1.302.543 

2.874.331 

2.022.559 

6.980.383 

1.332.250 

1.054.255 

- 

- 

- 

- 

13.964 

7.133 

112.773 

11.141 

55.100 

2.124.529 

(87.576) 

2.036.953 

7.735 

3.263 

25.396 

699.075 

(25.734) 

673.341 

- 

1.418.579 

(62.665) 

1.355.914 

3.181 

75.918 

12.793 

2.966.223 

(210.436) 

2.755.787 

19.599 

1.056.924 

200.825 

6.934 

3.306.841 

(114.140) 

3.192.701 

214 

- 

337 

45.557 

54.865 

1.361 

3.093 

12.458 

32.927 

- 

7.029.247 

(227.057) 

6.802.190 

97.148 

1.496.721 

(80.501) 

1.416.220 

- 

1.088.880 

(120.344) 

968.536 

18.269.456 

20.150 

1.295.758 

347.360 

197.371  20.130.095 

(928.453) 

19.201.642 

7.517.473 

19.936 

1.040.941 

334.440 

179.293 

9.092.083 

(481.340) 

8.610.743 

4.100.298 

4.202.358 

2.064.802 

321.571 

62.954 

- 

- 

214 

- 

- 

222.337 

12.641 

11.144 

4.346.420 

(202.240) 

4.144.180 

13.314 

19.166 

- 

- 

100 

179 

- 

- 

- 

4.215.772 

(100.509) 

4.115.263 

6.934 

2.091.295 

(135.350) 

1.955.945 

- 

- 

321.571 

62.954 

(3.619) 

(5.395) 

317.952 

57.559 

18.269.456 

20.150 

1.295.758 

347.360 

197.371  20.130.095 

(928.453) 

19.201.642 

131 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                                                                                  Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By business line 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 
€000 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

2.557.653 

19.936 

1.036.331 

237.203 

165.592 

4.016.715 

(71.064) 

3.945.651 

1.377.837 

3.531.293 

1.317.434 

2.080.586 

1.014.853 

1.219.572 

1.864.381 

1.502.889 

671.065 

747.368 

321.571 

62.954 

- 

- 

214 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

222.337 

12.442 

11.144 

1.623.760 

(29.071) 

1.594.689 

13.314 

17.617 

- 

- 

- 

100 

179 

33.947 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3.544.707 

(40.640) 

3.504.067 

1.335.444 

(26.435) 

1.309.009 

2.114.533 

(156.190) 

1.958.343 

1.014.853 

(22.795) 

992.058 

1.219.572 

(50.393) 

1.169.179 

4.610 

63.290 

13.701 

1.945.982 

(231.291) 

1.714.691 

- 

- 

1.549 

- 

- 

199 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.503.088 

(122.776) 

1.380.312 

671.065 

(59.869) 

6.934 

755.851 

(108.915) 

- 

- 

321.571 

62.954 

(3.619) 

(5.395) 

611.196 

646.936 

317.952 

57.559 

Restructuring  major  corporate  business  line  includes  customers  with  exposures  over  €100.000  thousand,  whereas  restructuring  corporate  business  line  includes 
customers with exposures between €6.000 thousand and €100.000 thousand. 

18.269.456 

20.150 

1.295.758 

347.360 

197.371 

20.130.095 

(928.453) 

19.201.642 

132 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                                                                                  Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2015 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By economic activity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction  

Real estate 

Private individuals  

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

2.267.092 

801.536 

1.463.129 

3.976.254 

2.130.028 

7.282.322 

1.595.010 

1.145.327 

- 

- 

- 

- 

23.138 

9.214 

98.871 

27.119 

12.360 

57.704 

2.360.294 

(121.192) 

2.239.102 

7.604 

6.209 

15.066 

833.420 

(31.596) 

801.824 

- 

1.568.209 

(77.444) 

1.490.765 

56.830 

10.457 

4.070.660 

(335.803) 

3.734.857 

43.443 

927.423 

250.956 

69.132 

3.420.982 

(137.185) 

3.283.797 

216 

- 

24.866 

44.627 

64.398 

12.325 

5.684 

38.834 

28.759 

- 

7.332.849 

(268.496) 

7.064.353 

96.542 

1.794.784 

(101.913) 

1.692.871 

- 

1.211.277 

(133.781) 

1.077.496 

20.660.698 

68.525 

1.207.115 

407.236 

248.901  22.592.475 

(1.207.410) 

21.385.065 

9.222.429 

68.309 

918.423 

386.973 

232.733  10.828.867 

(666.631) 

10.162.236 

4.408.096 

4.285.156 

2.152.950 

528.795 

63.272 

- 

- 

216 

- 

- 

248.647 

17.523 

9.520 

4.683.786 

(263.630) 

4.420.156 

17.336 

22.709 

- 

- 

1.306 

1.434 

- 

- 

- 

4.303.798 

(108.267) 

4.195.531 

6.648 

2.183.957 

(154.174) 

2.029.783 

- 

- 

528.795 

63.272 

(8.056) 

(6.652) 

520.739 

56.620 

20.660.698 

68.525 

1.207.115 

407.236 

248.901  22.592.475 

(1.207.410) 

21.385.065 

133 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                                                                                  Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2015 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By business line 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 
€000 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

2.188.777 

68.309 

918.423 

305.980 

219.040 

3.700.529 

(83.695) 

3.616.834 

1.502.261 

3.657.181 

1.409.855 

2.877.985 

1.814.518 

1.376.635 

2.341.149 

1.529.200 

627.975 

743.095 

528.795 

63.272 

- 

- 

216 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

248.647 

17.523 

9.520 

1.777.951 

(46.973) 

1.730.978 

17.336 

22.709 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.306 

1.434 

35.736 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3.675.823 

(45.585) 

3.630.238 

1.434.214 

(36.834) 

1.397.380 

2.913.721 

(175.920) 

2.737.801 

1.814.518 

(75.945) 

1.738.573 

1.376.635 

(67.758) 

1.308.877 

45.257 

13.693 

2.400.099 

(331.071) 

2.069.028 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.529.200 

(148.899) 

1.380.301 

627.975 

(62.682) 

6.648 

749.743 

(117.340) 

- 

- 

528.795 

63.272 

(8.056) 

(6.652) 

565.293 

632.403 

520.739 

56.620 

20.660.698 

68.525 

1.207.115 

407.236 

248.901 

22.592.475 

(1.207.410) 

21.385.065 

The loans and advances to customers in Cyprus include lending exposures to Greek entities granted by the Company in Cyprus in its normal course of business with a 
carrying value of €82.154 thousand (2015: €81.078 thousand) and lending exposures in Cyprus with collaterals in Greece with a carrying value of €106.968 thousand 
(2015: €69.983 thousand). Additionally as  at  31 December 2016,  the loans and advances  to  customers in Cyprus include lending exposures  to Serbian entities or 
with collaterals in Serbia with a carrying value of €9.700 thousand. 

134 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                                                                                                                Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Currency concentration of loans and advances to customers  

2016 

Euro  

US Dollar 

British Pound 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

Other currencies 

2015 

Euro  

US Dollar 

British Pound 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

Other currencies 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

17.563.760 

20.150 

149.235 

38.907 

103 

- 

471.167 

46.284 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

229 

490 

1.276.658 

- 

- 

7.570 

10.811 

345.931 

16.079 

17.946.149 

(882.038) 

17.064.111 

- 

88 

- 

1.341 

- 

- 

73.457 

223.182 

(10.281) 

212.901 

- 

1.315.653 

(538) 

1.315.115 

107.835 

107.938 

1.341 

(1) 

- 

107.937 

1.341 

478.737 

(31.170) 

447.567 

57.095 

(4.425) 

52.670 

18.269.456 

20.150 

1.295.758 

347.360 

197.371 

20.130.095 

(928.453) 

19.201.642 

19.261.905 

68.525 

28.423 

405.998 

16.099 

19.780.950 

(1.128.137) 

18.652.813 

250.757 

49.052 

108 

1 

1.028.865 

70.010 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

507 

1.154.110 

- 

- 

13.492 

10.583 

22 

93 

- 

1.123 

- 

- 

137.204 

388.490 

(11.540) 

376.950 

- 

1.203.255 

(10.121) 

1.193.134 

95.598 

95.706 

1.124 

(1) 

- 

95.705 

1.124 

1.042.357 

(51.761) 

990.596 

80.593 

(5.850) 

74.743 

20.660.698 

68.525 

1.207.115 

407.236 

248.901 

22.592.475 

(1.207.410) 

21.385.065 

135 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of loans and advances to customers  

The following table presents the credit quality of the Group’s loans and advances to customers: 

2016 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Gross loans 
before fair 
value 
adjustment  
on initial 
recognition  

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

Gross loans 
before fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

2015 

Fair value 
adjustment  
on initial 
recognition 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment  
on initial 
recognition  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

10.990.773 

(166.185) 

10.824.588 

10.442.903 

(173.260) 

10.269.643 

2.238.127 

(38.743) 

2.199.384 

3.048.929 

(60.803) 

2.988.126 

Neither past due nor 
impaired 
Past due but not 
impaired 

Impaired 

6.901.195 

(723.525) 

6.177.670 

9.100.643 

(973.347) 

8.127.296 

20.130.095 

(928.453) 

19.201.642 

22.592.475 

(1.207.410) 

21.385.065 

Past due loans are those with delayed payments or in excess of authorised credit limits.  Impaired loans  are 
those which are not considered fully collectable and for which a provision for impairment has been recognised 
on  an  individual  basis  or  for  which  incurred  losses  exist  at  their  initial  recognition  or  customers  in  Debt 
Recovery. 

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  the  total  non-contractual  write-offs  recorded  by  the  Group 
amounted  to  €517.694  thousand  (2015:  €172.670  thousand).  The  remaining  gross  loan  balance  of  these 
customers  as  at  31  December  2016  was  €305.591  thousand  (2015:  €280.575  thousand),  of  which  €19.651 
thousand    (2015:  €56.548  thousand)  were  past  due  for  more  than  90  days  but  not  impaired  and  €130.964 
thousand (2015: €198.296 thousand) were impaired. 

Loans and advances to customers that are neither past due nor impaired 
The credit quality of loans and advances to customers that were neither past due nor impaired is monitored 
by the Group using internal systems.  The table below presents the credit risk quality of loans and advances 
to customers that were neither past due nor impaired.  

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

Russia 

2015 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

Russia 

Grade 1 

€000 

Grade 2 

Grade 3 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

6.127.350 

1.751.332 

1.802.957 

9.681.639 

- 

1.187.130 

56.857 

- 

- 

214 

214 

53.838 

10.011 

1.250.979 

348 

- 

693 

43 

57.898 

43 

7.371.337 

1.805.518 

1.813.918  10.990.773 

5.572.036 

1.441.298 

2.244.258 

9.257.592 

- 

1.009.277 

45.962 

- 

- 

63.300 

35.141 

61 

216 

216 

20.803 

1.093.380 

10.551 

91.654 

- 

61 

6.627.275 

1.539.800 

2.275.828  10.442.903 

136 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Loans and advances to customers that are neither past due nor impaired (continued) 
Loans  and  advances  to  customers  that  were  neither  past  due  nor  in  excess  of  their  limit  during  the  last 
twelve months, are classified as Grade 1.  

Loans and advances to customers that were past due or in excess of their limit for up to 30 consecutive days 
during  the  first  half  of  the  year  or  for  up  to  15  consecutive  days  during  the  second  half  of  the  year,  are 
classified as Grade 2.  

Loans and advances to customers that were past due or in excess of their limit for more than 30 consecutive 
days during the first half of the year or for more than 15 consecutive days during the second half of the year, 
are classified as Grade 3. 

Loans and advances to customers that are past due but not impaired  

Past due analysis: 

- up to 30 days  

- 31 to 90 days 

- 91 to 180 days 

- 181 to 365 days 

- over one year 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

455.394 

375.161 

128.675 

140.714 

468.791 

351.450 

144.362 

258.920 

1.138.183 

1.825.406 

2.238.127 

3.048.929 

The fair value of the collateral that the  Group  holds  (to the extent that  it  mitigates  credit risk)  in respect of 
loans  and  advances  to  customers  that  are  past  due  but  not  impaired  as  at  31  December  2016  is  
€1.762.528  thousand  (2015:  €2.466.960  thousand).  The  fair  value  of  the  collateral  is  capped  to  the  gross 
carrying value of the loans and advances to customers.  

Impaired loans and advances to customers  

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

2016 

2015 

Gross loans 
and advances 
€000 

Fair value of 
collateral 
€000 

Gross loans 
and advances 
€000 

Fair value of 
collateral 
€000 

6.384.503 

3.953.086 

8.414.868 

5.596.169 

19.936 

196.144 

12.041 

288.571 

17.962 

87.381 

7.213 

54.436 

68.309 

247.319 

56.584 

313.563 

17.945 

94.417 

10.821 

170.080 

6.901.195 

4.120.078 

9.100.643 

5.889.432 

137 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Impaired loans and advances to customers (continued)  
The  fair  value  of  the  collateral  presented  above  has  been  computed  based  on  the  extent  that  the  collateral 
mitigates credit risk and has been capped to the gross carrying value of the loans and advances to customers.  

Impaired: 

- no arrears 

- up to 30 days  

- 31 to 90 days 

- 91 to 180 days 

- 181 to 365 days 

- over one year 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

471.855 

875.488 

62.119 

29.201 

49.572 

51.438 

78.176 

24.353 

65.382 

310.167 

6.237.010 

7.747.077 

6.901.195 

9.100.643 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers 

The movement in provisions for impairment of loans and advances, is as follows: 

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

Other 
countries 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1 January  

3.731.750 

33.833 

195.017 

232.833 

4.193.433 

Dissolution of subsidiaries 

Acquisition of subsidiary 
Foreign exchange and other 
adjustments 
Applied in writing off 
impaired loans and advances  
Interest accrued on impaired 
loans and advances 
Collection of loans and 
advances previously written 
off 
Charge for the year (Note 16) 

- 

(8.577) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(6.154) 

- 

(6.154) 

(8.577) 

113.109 

2.267 

14.011 

(1.785) 

127.602 

(923.723) 

(27.163) 

(68.997) 

(35.382) 

(1.055.265) 

(138.603) 

(627) 

(594) 

(688) 

(140.512) 

1.872 

- 

- 

81 

1.953 

394.333 

(1.181) 

17.815 

28.794 

439.761 

31 December 

3.170.161 

7.129 

157.252 

217.699 

3.552.241 

Individual impairment 

2.779.379 

7.129 

156.585 

214.697 

3.157.790 

Collective impairment 

390.782 

- 

667 

3.002 

394.451 

138 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2015 

1 January  
Disposal of Russian 
operations 
Foreign exchange and other 
adjustments 
Transfer between 
geographical areas 
Applied in writing off 
impaired loans and advances  
Interest accrued on impaired 
loans and advances 
Collection of loans and 
advances previously written 
off 
Charge for the year – 
continuing operations  
(Note 16) 
Charge for the year – 
discontinued operations 
(Note 6) 
31 December 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

Other 
countries 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

2.867.345 

9.275 

415.894 

195.334 

3.487.848 

- 

80.372 

- 

- 

(238.012) 

- 

(238.012) 

(310) 

1.538 

81.600 

(63.380) 

6.329 

- 

57.051 

- 

(151.812) 

(16.700) 

(62.313) 

(63.022) 

(293.847) 

(197.009) 

(2.134) 

(146) 

(1.430) 

(200.719) 

2.671 

- 

- 

5.270 

7.941 

1.193.563 

37.063 

37.239 

38.092 

1.305.957 

- 

- 

42.665 

- 

42.665 

3.731.750 

33.833 

195.017 

232.833 

4.193.433 

Individual impairment 

3.255.398 

29.458 

194.805 

227.579 

3.707.240 

Collective impairment 

476.352 

4.375 

212 

5.254 

486.193 

The  above  table  does  not  include  the  provisions  for  impairment  on  financial  guarantees  and  commitments 
which are part of ‘Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities’ (Note 33). 

Assumptions  have  been  made  about  the  future  changes  in  property  values,  as  well  as  the  timing  for  the 
realisation  of  the  collateral  and  for  taxes  and  expenses  on  the  repossession  and  subsequent  sale  of  the 
collateral.    Indexation  has  been  used  to  estimate  updated  market  values  of  properties,  while  assumptions 
were made on the basis of  a macroeconomic scenario  for future changes in property values.     The timing  of 
recovery  from  real  estate  collaterals  has  been  estimated  to  be  on  average  3  years,  with  the  exception  of 
specific cases for which, based on specific facts and circumstances, a different period has been used and for 
customers  in  Debt  Recovery  where  an  average  6  year  period  has  been  used.    In  accordance  with  the  Loan 
Impairment  and  Provisioning  Procedures  Directives  of  2014  and  2015  of  the  CBC,  the  cumulative  average 
future change in property values during the year has been capped to zero.  The average liquidity haircut and 
selling  expenses  used  in  the  provisions  calculation  is  10%  of  the  current  market  value  of  the  property  for 
those collaterals for which the increase in their value is capped to zero and 10% of the projected market value 
of the property for those collaterals for which their value is expected to drop.  

The above assumptions are also  influenced  by  the  ongoing regulatory dialogue the Company maintains with 
its  lead  regulator,  the  ECB,  and  other  regulatory  guidance  and  interpretations  issued  by  various  regulatory 
and  industry  bodies  such  as  the  ECB  and  EBA,  which  provide  guidance  and  expectations  as  to  relevant 
definitions  and  the  treatment/classification  of  certain  parameters/assumptions  used  in  the  estimation  of 
provisions. 

139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Any changes in these assumptions or difference between assumptions made and actual results could result in 
significant changes in the amount of required provisions for impairment of loans and advances.  

Sensitivity analysis 
The  Group  has  performed  sensitivity  analysis  on  certain  of  the  loan  impairment  assumptions  relating  to  the 
loan portfolio in Cyprus with reference date 31 December 2016. The impact on the provisions for impairment 
of loans and advances is presented below: 

Change in provisions assumptions: 

Increase the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year (to an average of 4 
years) for the customers that were assessed on a collective basis, excluding any 
customers in Debt Recovery 
Decrease the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year (to an average of 2 
years) for the customers that were assessed on a collective basis, excluding any 
customers in Debt Recovery  
Decrease the recoverable amount from collaterals of customers individually 
assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all customers in Debt 
Recovery by 5% compared to the expected recoverable amount applied in the 
provisions calculations 
Decrease the recoverable amount from collaterals of customers individually 
assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all customers in Debt 
Recovery by 10% compared to the expected recoverable amount applied in the 
provisions calculations 
Increase the recoverable amount from collaterals of customers individually 
assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all customers in Debt 
Recovery by 5% compared to the expected recoverable amount applied in the 
provisions calculations 
Increase the recoverable amount from collaterals of customers individually 
assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all customers in Debt 
Recovery by 10% compared to the expected recoverable amount applied in the 
provisions calculations 
Extend the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year and decrease the 
liquidation haircut by 20% on customers that have been individually assessed for 
impairment with an identified impairment loss and on customers collectively 
assessed for impairment  
Decrease the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year and increase the 
liquidation haircut by 20% on customers that have been individually assessed for 
impairment with an identified impairment loss and on customers collectively 
assessed for impairment  

Increase/(decrease) 
on provisions for 
impairment of loans 
and advances  

€000 

27.891 

(26.814) 

118.055 

216.359 

(73.940) 

(168.357) 

90.028 

(45.844) 

140 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Collateral and other credit enhancements obtained 

The  carrying  value  of  assets  obtained  during  2016  and  2015  by  taking  possession  of  collateral  held  as 
security, was as follows: 

Residential property 

Commercial and other property 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

85.171 

2.108 

1.000.533 

123.323 

1.085.704 

125.431 

The  total  carrying  value  of  the  assets  obtained  over  the  years  by  taking  possession  of  collateral  held  as 
security  for  customer  loans  and  advances  and  held  by  the  Group  as  at  31  December  2016  amounted  to 
€1.395.127  thousand  including  an  amount  of  €3.072  thousand  relating  to  commercial  and  other  property 
which  were  classified  as  held  for  sale  (2015:  €455.416  thousand,  including  an  amount  of  €6.552  thousand 
relating to commercial and other property held for sale).   

The disposals of repossessed assets during 2016 amounted to €129.002 thousand (2015: €29.499 thousand). 

Forbearance 

Forbearance measures occur in situations in which the borrower is considered to be unable to meet the terms 
and  conditions  of  the  contract  due  to  financial  difficulties.    Taking  into  consideration  these  difficulties,  the 
Group decides to modify the terms and conditions of the contract to provide the borrower the ability to service 
the debt or refinance the contract, either partially or fully.   

The  practice  of  extending  forbearance  measures  constitutes  a  grant  of  a  concession  whether  temporarily  or 
permanently  to  that  borrower.    A  concession  may  involve  restructuring  the  contractual  terms  of  a  debt  or 
payment  in  some  form  other  than  cash,  such  as  an  arrangement  whereby  the  borrower  transfers  collateral 
pledged  to  the  Group.  As  such,  it  constitutes  an  objective  indicator  that  requires  assessing  whether 
impairment is needed. 

Modifications  of  loans  and  advances  that  do  not  affect  payment  arrangements,  such  as  restructuring  of 
collateral  or  security  arrangements  are  not  regarded  as  sufficient  to  indicate  impairment  as  by  themselves 
they do not necessarily indicate credit distress affecting payment ability. 

Rescheduled  loans  and  advances  are  those  facilities  for  which  the  Group  has  modified  the  repayment 
programme  (provision  of  a  grace  period,  suspension  of  the  obligation  to  repay  one  or  more  instalments, 
reduction in the instalment amount and/or  elimination of overdue instalments relating to capital or interest) 
and  current  accounts/overdrafts  for  which  the  credit  limit  has  been  increased  with  the  sole  purpose  of 
covering an excess.   

For  an  account  to  qualify  for  rescheduling  it  must  meet  certain  criteria  including  that  the  client’s  business 
must be considered to be viable.  The extent to which the Group reschedules accounts that are eligible under 
its  existing  policies  may  vary  depending  on  its  view  of  the  prevailing  economic  conditions  and  other  factors 
which  may  change  from  year  to  year.    In  addition,  exceptions  to  policies  and  practices  may  be  made  in 
specific situations in response to legal or regulatory agreements or orders. 

Forbearance  activities  may  include  measures  that  restructure  the  borrower's  business  (operational 
restructuring) and/or measures that restructure the borrower’s financing (financial restructuring).  

Restructuring options may be of a short or long-term nature or combination thereof. The Group has developed 
and deployed sustainable restructuring  solutions, which are  suitable for the borrower and acceptable for the 
Group. 

141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                       Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Forbearance (continued) 

Short-term  restructuring  solutions  are  defined  as  restructured  repayment  solutions  of  duration  of  less  than 
two years.  In the case of loans for the construction of commercial property and project finance, a short-term 
solution may not exceed one year. 

Short-term restructuring solutions can include the following: 
 

Interest  only:  during  a  defined  short-term  period,  only  interest  is  paid  on  credit  facilities  and  no 
principal repayment is made. 
Reduced payments: decrease of the amount of repayment instalments over a defined short-term period 
in order to accommodate the borrower’s new cash flow position.  
Arrears and/or interest capitalisation: the capitalisation of arrears and/or of accrued interest arrears to 
the principal; that is forbearance  of  the  arrears  and addition of any unpaid interest to the outstanding 
principal balance for repayment under a rescheduled program. 
Grace period: an agreement allowing the borrower a defined delay in fulfilling the repayment obligations 
usually with regard to the principal. 
Interest rate reduction: permanent or temporary reduction of interest rate (fixed or variable) into a fair 
and sustainable rate. 

Long-term restructuring solutions can include the following: 
 

Extension  of  maturity:  extension  of  the  maturity  of  the  loan  which  allows  a  reduction  in  instalment 
amounts by spreading the repayments over a longer period. 
Additional  security:  when  additional  liens  on  unencumbered  assets  are  obtained  as  additional  security 
from the borrower in order to compensate for the higher risk exposure and as part of the restructuring 
process. 
Forbearance  of  penalties  in  loan  agreements:  waiver,  temporary  or  permanent,  of  violations  of 
covenants in the loan agreements. 
Rescheduling of payments: the existing contractual repayment schedule is adjusted to a new sustainable 
repayment program based on a realistic, current and forecasted, assessment of the cash flow generation 
of the borrower. 
Strengthening  of  the  existing  collateral:  a  restructuring  solution  may  entail  the  pledge  of  additional 
security  for  instance,  in  order  to  compensate  for  the  reduction  in  interest  rates  or  to  balance  the 
advantages the borrower receives from the restructuring. 
New  loan  facilities:  new  loan  facilities  may  be  granted  during  a  restructuring  agreement,  which  may 
entail the pledge of additional security and in the case of inter-creditor arrangements the introduction of 
covenants  in  order  to  compensate  for  the  additional  risk  incurred  by  the  Group  in  providing  a  new 
financing to a distressed borrower. 
Debt consolidation: the combination of multiple exposures into a single loan or limited number of loans. 
Debt/equity  swaps:  partial  set-off  of  the  debt  and  obtaining  of  an  equivalent  amount  of  equity  by  the 
Group, with the remaining debt right-sized to the cash flows of the borrower to allow repayment to the 
Group  from  repayment  on  the  re-sized  debt  and  from  the  eventual  sale  of  the  equity  stake  in  the 
business. This solution is used only in exceptional cases and only where all other efforts for restructuring 
are exhausted and after ensuring compliance with the banking law. 
Debt/asset swaps: agreement between the Group and the borrower to voluntarily dispose of the secured 
asset to partially or fully repay the debt.  The asset may be acquired by the Group and any residual debt 
may  be  restructured  within  an  appropriate  repayment  schedule  in  line  with  the  borrower’s  reassessed 
repayment ability. 
Debt write-off: cancellation of part or the whole of the amount of debt outstanding by the borrower. The 
Group applies the debt forgiveness solution only as a last resort and in remote cases having taken into 
consideration the ability of the borrower to repay the remaining debt in the agreed timeframe and the 
moral hazard. 
Split and freeze: the customer’s debt is split into sustainable and unsustainable parts. The sustainable 
part  is  restructured  and  continues  to  operate.  The  unsustainable  part  is  ‘frozen’  for  the  restructured 
duration of the sustainable part. At the maturity of the restructuring, the frozen part is either forgiven 
pro-rata (based on the actual repayment of the sustainable part) or restructured. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers 

The  below  tables  present  the  Group’s  rescheduled  loans  and  advances  to  customers  by  industry  sector, 
geography  and  credit  quality  classification,  as  well  as  impairment  provisions  and  tangible  collateral  held  for 
rescheduled loans.    

142 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2016 

1 January  

New loans and advances rescheduled in the year 
Assets no longer classified as rescheduled 
(including repayments) 
Applied in writing off rescheduled loans and advances  

Interest accrued on rescheduled loans and advances 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

31 December 

2015 

1 January  

Disposal of Russian operations 

New loans and advances rescheduled in the year 
Assets no longer classified as rescheduled  
(including repayments) 
Applied in writing off rescheduled loans and advances  

Interest accrued on rescheduled loans and advances 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

31 December 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

€000 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 
€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

8.391.624 

24.865 

138.376 

116.232 

119.185 

8.790.282 

900.616 

- 

- 

54.780 

340 

955.736 

(1.504.769) 

(97) 

(77.308) 

(68.305) 

(42.843)  (1.693.322) 

(715.713) 

(24.871) 

326.260 

3.852 

7.401.870 

440 

- 

337 

- 

- 

(255) 

557 

(189) 

(741.028) 

2.392 

329.649 

22.825 

(12.686) 

(4) 

13.987 

83.893 

90.323 

78.881 

7.655.304 

7.024.847 

75.778 

234.659 

136.421 

184.585 

7.656.290 

- 

2.189.524 

- 

- 

(118.313) 

- 

24.097 

32.695 

- 

- 

(118.313) 

2.246.316 

(1.125.219) 

(35.927) 

(80.896) 

(16.700) 

- 

- 

(66.606) 

(32.396)  (1.260.148) 

- 

(33.888) 

(131.484) 

337.231 

46.137 

1.714 

10.424 

- 

(12.491) 

5.538 

8.184 

1.687 

(803) 

356.594 

41.027 

8.391.624 

24.865 

138.376 

116.232 

119.185 

8.790.282 

The classification as rescheduled loans is discontinued when all EBA criteria for the discontinuation of the classification as forborne exposure are met.  These are 
set out in the EBA Final draft Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on supervisory reporting and non-performing exposures. 

143 

                                                   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                               
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                          Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit quality 

2016 

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired 

Impaired  

2015   

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

€000 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

4.021.923 

1.212.177 

2.167.770 

7.401.870 

3.636.868 

1.591.934 

- 

- 

337 

337 

- 

- 

- 

671 

83.222 

85.722 

85 

4.107.730 

2.509 

2.092 

225 

1.215.582 

78.571 

2.331.992 

83.893 

90.323 

78.881 

7.655.304 

- 

699 

84.829 

60.182 

3.781.879 

29.229 

297 

1.622.159 

Impaired  

3.162.822 

24.865 

137.677 

2.174 

58.706 

3.386.244 

8.391.624 

24.865 

138.376 

116.232 

119.185 

8.790.282 

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                               
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

                                                          Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Fair value of collateral  

2016 

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired 

Impaired  

2015   

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired 

Impaired  

Cyprus 

€000 

3.772.578 

1.021.347 

1.828.036 

6.621.961 

3.360.868 

1.407.575 

2.709.602 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

671 

47.740 

48.411 

- 

696 

49.297 

85.661 

2.504 

1.974 

80 

182 

3.858.319 

1.024.704 

22.060 

1.899.810 

90.139 

22.322 

6.782.833 

84.722 

29.182 

1.668 

59.930 

3.505.520 

178 

1.437.631 

39.696 

2.800.263 

7.478.045 

49.993 

115.572 

99.804 

7.743.414 

The fair value of collateral presented above has been computed based on the extent that the collateral mitigates credit risk.  

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 
Credit risk concentration 

2016 

By economic activity  

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction  

Real estate 

Private individuals 

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector  

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

Cyprus 

€000 

668.305 

214.248 

619.259 

1.539.773 

1.047.280 

2.515.157 

446.946 

350.902 

7.401.870 

3.418.231 

1.675.528 

1.661.487 

567.426 

74.704 

4.494 

Greece 

€000 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

€000 

35.229 

16.347 

- 

8.934 

- 

- 

23.383 

- 

261 

- 

12.139 

176 

69.426 

996 

7.325 

- 

Total 

€000 

705.419 

231.858 

634.647 

1.624 

1.263 

3.249 

25.175 

1.574.058 

47.192 

1.163.898 

60 

- 

318 

2.516.213 

477.654 

351.557 

83.893 

90.323 

78.881 

7.655.304 

78.488 

5.405 

74.987 

14.501 

77.556 

3.649.599 

1.265 

1.696.699 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

835 

- 

- 

- 

60 

- 

- 

1.661.487 

568.321 

74.704 

4.494 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

337 

337 

337 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

7.401.870 

337 

83.893 

90.323 

78.881 

7.655.304 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit risk concentration (continued) 

2016 

By business line 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

Cyprus 

€000 

Greece 

€000 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

711.872 

464.163 

1.494.123 

449.107 

1.371.448 

790.600 

815.597 

544.311 

395.768 

167.364 

118.319 

74.704 

4.494 

337 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

78.488 

5.405 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

74.987 

14.501 

- 

835 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

77.391 

1.265 

943.075 

485.334 

- 

60 

1.494.123 

450.002 

165 

1.371.613 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

790.600 

815.597 

544.311 

395.768 

167.364 

118.319 

74.704 

4.494 

7.401.870 

337 

83.893 

90.323 

78.881 

7.655.304 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit risk concentration (continued) 

2015 

By economic activity  

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction  

Real estate 

Private individuals 

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector  

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

Cyprus 

€000 

Greece 

€000 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

€000 

707.105 

282.449 

743.585 

2.155.778 

1.069.156 

2.526.554 

584.836 

322.161 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

24.865 

31.580 

14.207 

- 

8.081 

- 

- 

84.508 

- 

- 

136 

7.072 

14.862 

59.190 

4.393 

19.517 

11.062 

Total 

€000 

741.621 

298.050 

756.853 

2.181.165 

2.936 

1.258 

6.196 

2.444 

82.739 

1.211.085 

153 

2.531.100 

22.697 

711.558 

762 

358.850 

8.391.624 

24.865 

138.376 

116.232 

119.185 

8.790.282 

4.368.307 

1.720.453 

1.685.668 

568.986 

42.481 

5.729 

24.865 

133.932 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4.444 

- 

- 

- 

- 

99.603 

12.519 

116.385 

4.743.092 

2.647 

1.740.063 

- 

4.110 

- 

- 

- 

1.685.668 

153 

573.249 

- 

- 

42.481 

5.729 

8.391.624 

24.865 

138.376 

116.232 

119.185 

8.790.282 

148 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit risk concentration (continued) 

2015 

By business line 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

Cyprus 

€000 

Greece 

€000 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

647.785 

550.664 

1.562.149 

468.368 

1.768.782 

1.272.086 

798.010 

679.654 

371.779 

123.519 

100.618 

42.481 

5.729 

24.865 

133.932 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4.444 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

99.603 

12.519 

- 

4.110 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

115.639 

1.021.824 

2.647 

570.274 

- 

1.562.149 

153 

472.631 

626 

1.769.408 

- 

- 

1.272.086 

798.010 

120 

679.774 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

371.779 

123.519 

100.618 

42.481 

5.729 

8.391.624 

24.865 

138.376 

116.232 

119.185 

8.790.282 

149 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

43.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Provisions for impairment  

Greece 

€000 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2016 

Individual impairment  

Collective impairment  

2015 

Individual impairment  

Collective impairment  

1.855 

365 

2.220 

1.396 

266 

1.662 

59.791 

1.026.458 

2 

200.795 

59.793 

1.227.253 

35.694 

1.317.708 

1.813 

209.234 

37.507 

1.526.942 

Cyprus 

€000 

899.178 

200.069 

1.099.247 

337 

- 

337 

65.297 

359 

65.656 

1.144.475 

22.966 

113.177 

207.106 

- 

49 

1.351.581 

22.966 

113.226 

150 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of Group assets exposed to credit risk other than loans and advances to customers - 
analysis by rating agency designation  

Balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks 
Balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks are analysed by Moody’s rating as follows:  

Aaa – Aa3 

A1 – A3 

Baa1 – Baa3 

Ba1 – Ba3 

B1 – B3 

Caa - C 

Unrated 

Other receivables from banks 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

785.002 

249.693 

41.860 

37.067 

555.594 

643.540 

146.428 

36.954 

1.137.717 

957.074 

14.410 

8.750 

154.805 

205.924 

41.085 

28.701 

2.461.639 

2.582.965 

Band  B1-B3  above  includes  an  amount  of  €141.447  thousand  which  mainly  relates  to  obligatory  deposits  for 
liquidity  purposes  with  the  CBC.    As  at  31  December  2016,  bank  balances  with  carrying  value  of  €78.725 
thousand  are  impaired  (2015:  €134.291  thousand),  with  cumulative  impairment  loss  of  €55.655  thousand 
(2015: €28.605 thousand). 

151 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

43. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of Group assets exposed to credit risk other than loans and advances to customers - 
analysis by rating agency designation (continued) 

Debt securities  
Investments in debt securities are analysed by Moody’s rating, their issuer and classification, as follows: 

Aaa – Aa3 

Baa1 – Baa3 

B1 – B3 

Caa – C 

Issued by: 

- Cyprus government 

- other governments 

- banks and other corporations  

Classified as: 

- trading investments 

- investments at fair value through profit or loss 

- available-for-sale investments 

- investments classified as loans and receivables  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

349.565 

12.507 

257.495 

1 

402.830 

54.626 

459.159 

1 

619.568 

916.616 

257.496 

329.211 

32.861 

619.568 

476 

10.426 

540.592 

68.074 

619.568 

459.159 

421.037 

36.420 

916.616 

317 

17.430 

461.934 

436.935 

916.616 

152 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

44. 

Risk management – Market risk  

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices - namely from changes in interest rates, 
exchange rates and security prices.  The Market Risk department is responsible for monitoring the risk resulting 
from  such  changes  with  the  objective  to  minimise  the  impact  on  earnings  and  capital.  The  department  also 
monitors  liquidity  risk  and  credit  risk  with  counterparties  and  countries.  It  is  also  responsible  for  monitoring 
compliance with the various market risk policies and procedures. 

Interest rate risk 

Interest  rate  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  fair  value  of  future  cash  flows  of  a  financial  instrument  will  fluctuate 
because of changes in market interest rates.  It arises mainly as a result of timing differences on the repricing 
of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items.  

Interest rate risk is measured using interest rate sensitivity gap analysis where the difference between assets 
and liabilities repricing in each time band is calculated separately for each currency. A rate change is applied on 
each item of the balance sheet for the number of days between its repricing date and the one year horizon in 
order to calculate the impact on net interest income. 

Interest  rate  risk  is  managed  through  maximum  loss  limits  from  interest  rate  mismatches  which  are  set  for 
each  banking  unit  of  the  Group.    There  are  different  limits  for  the  Euro  and  for  foreign  currencies.    The 
maximum  loss  limits  apply  for  each  of  the  next  three  years.  These  limits  are  set  as  a  percentage  of  Group 
capital  and  as  a  percentage  of  net  interest  income  (when  positive)  and  are  allocated  to  the  various  banking 
units  of  the  Group  based  on  their  contribution  to  net  interest  income.  Small  limits  for  open  interest  rate 
positions for periods of more than three years are also in place. 

Sensitivity analysis  
The  table  below  sets  out  the  impact  on  the  Group’s  net  interest  income,  over  a  one-year  period,  from 
reasonably possible changes in the interest rates of the main currencies: 

Change in interest rates 

2016 

+2% for Russian Rouble  
+1% for US Dollar  
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-4% for Russian Rouble 
-0,5% for all other currencies  

2015 

+5% for Russian Rouble  
+0,75% for US Dollar  
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-5% for Russian Rouble 
-0,25% for Japanese Yen  
-0,5% for Euro Euribor ECB 
-1% for Euro Bank Basic Rate  
-0,5% for all other currencies  

Euro 

€000 

US 
Dollar 

€000 

British 
Pound 

€000 

Other 
currencies 

Total 

€000 

€000 

17.269 

15.950 

5.081 

(43) 

38.257 

(21.479) 

(8.089) 

(3.057) 

(438) 

(33.063) 

14.244 

10.281 

4.524 

(570) 

28.479 

(24.120) 

(7.275) 

(3.454) 

532 

(34.317) 

153 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

44. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Interest rate risk (continued) 

Sensitivity analysis (continued)  
In addition to the above fluctuations in net interest income,  interest rate changes can result in fluctuations in 
the fair value of investments at fair value through profit or loss (including investments held for trading) and in 
the fair value of derivative financial instruments. 

The equity of the Group is also affected by changes in market interest rates.  The impact on the Group’s equity 
arises  from  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  fixed  rate  debt  securities  classified  as  available-for-sale  (unless 
impaired). 

The sensitivity analysis is based on the assumption of a parallel shift of the yield curve.  The table below sets 
out the impact on the Group’s profit/loss before tax and equity as a result of reasonably possible changes in the 
interest rates of the major currencies. 

Change in interest rates 

2016 

+2% for Russian Rouble 
+1% for US Dollar  
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-4% for Russian Rouble 
-0,5% for all other currencies  

2015 

+5% for Russian Rouble 
+0,75% for US Dollar  
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-5% for Russian Rouble 
-0,25% for Japanese Yen  
-0,5% for all other currencies  

Currency risk 

Impact on 
profit/loss before 
tax  

Impact on equity 

€000 

€000 

1.347 

(1.764) 

(1.347) 

1.734 

572 

(572) 

(97) 

97 

Currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because 
of changes in foreign exchange rates. 

In  order  to  manage  currency  risk,  the  ALCO  has  approved open  position  limits  for  the  total  foreign  exchange 
position limits.  The foreign exchange position limits are lower than those prescribed by the CBC. These limits 
are managed by Treasury and monitored daily by market risk officers in all the banking units of the Group, who 
report the overnight foreign currency position of each unit to Market Risk daily. 

The Group does not maintain a currency trading book.   

154 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

44. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Currency risk (continued) 

The table below sets out the Group’s currency risk resulting from the financial instruments that it holds.  The 
analysis  assumes  reasonably  possible  changes  in  the  exchange  rates  of  major  currencies  against  the  Euro, 
based  mainly  on  historical  price  fluctuations.    The  impact  on  profit/loss  after  tax  includes  the  change  in  net 
interest income that arises from the change of currency rate.  

The impact on equity arises from the hedging instruments that are used to hedge part of the net assets of the 
subsidiaries whose  functional currency is not the euro. The net assets of foreign operations are  also revalued 
and  affect  equity,  but  their  impact  is  not  taken  into  account  in  the  above  sensitivity  analysis  as  the  above 
relates only to financial instruments which have a direct impact either on profit/loss after tax or on equity. 

2016 

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen  

Other currencies  

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen  

Other currencies  

Change in foreign 
exchange rate 

Impact on profit 
after tax  

Impact on  
equity  

% 

€000 

€000 

+10 

+25 

+10 

+20 

+20 

+10 

+10 

-10 

-25 

-10 

-20 

-20 

-10 

-10 

1.935 

2.645 

- 

6.629 

1.017 

307 

173 

(1.584) 

(1.587) 

- 

(4.419) 

(678) 

(251) 

(142) 

- 

18.828 

4.459 

- 

(19.358) 

- 

- 

- 

(11.297) 

(3.648) 

- 

12.905 

- 

- 

155 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

44. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Currency risk (continued) 

2015 

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen  

Other currencies  

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen  

Other currencies  

Price risk  

Change in foreign 
exchange rate 

Impact on loss 
after tax  

Impact on equity  

% 

€000 

€000 

+10 

+40 

+10 

+20 

+10 

+10 

+10 

-10 

-40 

-10 

-20 

-10 

-10 

-10 

1.753 

5.819 

1 

9.344 

515 

490 

111 

(1.434) 

(2.494) 

(1) 

(6.229) 

(422) 

(401) 

(91) 

- 

78.573 

3.634 

- 

(18.304) 

- 

- 

- 

(33.674) 

(2.974) 

- 

14.976 

- 

- 

Equity securities price risk 
The risk of loss from changes in the price of equity securities arises when there is an unfavourable change in 
the prices of equity securities held by the Group as investments. 

Investments in equities are outside the Group’s risk appetite. The Group monitors the current portfolio mostly 
acquired  by  the  Group  as  part  of  the  acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank,  with  the  objective  to 
gradually  liquidate  all  positions  for  which  there  is  a  market.  Equity  securities  may  also  be  acquired  in  the 
context of delinquent loan workouts and are disposed of by the Group as soon as practicable. 

Changes in the prices of equity securities that are classified as investments at fair value through profit or loss, 
affect the results of the Group, whereas changes in the value of equity securities classified as available-for-sale 
affect the equity of the Group (if not impaired).   

The table below shows the impact on the profit/loss before tax and on equity of the Group from a change in the 
price  of  the  equity  securities  held,  as  a  result  of  reasonably  possible  changes  in  the  relevant  stock  exchange 
indices.  

156 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

44. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Price risk (continued) 

Equity securities price risk (continued) 

2016 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

2015 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Change in 
index 

% 

Impact on 
profit/loss 
before tax 
€000 

Impact on 
equity 

€000 

+25 

+35 

+20 

-25 

-35 

-20 

+30 

+50 

+20 

-30 

-50 

-20 

1.313 

- 

858 

(1.567) 

(30) 

(858) 

2.164 

- 

1.721 

(2.298) 

(58) 

(1.768) 

1.049 

95 

2.122 

(795) 

(67) 

(2.122) 

1.509 

83 

1.916 

(1.376) 

(25) 

(1.869) 

Debt securities price risk 
Debt securities price risk is the risk of loss as a result of adverse changes in the prices of debt securities held by 
the  Group.    Debt  security  prices  change  as  the  credit  risk  of  the  issuer  changes  and/or  as  the  interest  rate 
changes  for  fixed  rate  securities.    The  Group  invests  a  significant  part  of  its  liquid  assets  in  debt  securities 
issued mostly by governments.  The average Moody’s rating of the debt securities portfolio of the Group as at 
31 December 2016 was B1 (2015: Baa2).   

Changes in the prices of debt securities classified as investments at fair value through profit or loss, affect the 
profit or loss of the Group, whereas changes in the value of debt securities classified as available-for-sale affect 
the equity of the Group (if not impaired).   

The  table  below  indicates  how  the  profit/loss  before  tax  and  equity  of  the  Group  will  be  affected  from 
reasonably possible changes in the price of the debt securities held, based on observations of changes in credit 
risk over the past years. 

157 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

44. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Price risk (continued) 

Debt securities price risk (continued) 

Change in market prices 

2016 

+6,5% 

-6,5% 

2015 

+5,5% 

-5,5% 

Impact on 
profit/loss 
before tax 

€000 

Impact on equity 

€000 

2.861 

(2.861) 

34.776 

(34.776) 

2.002 

(2.002) 

25.188 

(25.188) 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding  

Liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  Group  is  unable  to  fully  or  promptly  meet  current  and  future  payment 
obligations  as  and  when  they  fall  due.    This  risk  includes  the  possibility  that  the  Group  may  have  to  raise 
funding at high cost or sell assets at a discount to fully and promptly satisfy its obligations. 

It  reflects  the  potential  mismatch  between  incoming  and  outgoing  payments,  taking  into  account  unexpected 
delays in repayment or unexpectedly high payment outflows.  Liquidity risk involves both the risk of unexpected 
increases in the cost of funding of the portfolio of assets and the risk of being unable to liquidate a position in a 
timely manner on reasonable terms. 

In order to  limit this risk, management aims to  achieve diversified funding sources  in  addition to the Group’s 
core  deposit  base,  and  has  adopted  a  policy  of  managing  assets  with  liquidity  in  mind  and  monitoring  cash 
flows and liquidity on a daily basis.  The Group has developed internal control processes and contingency plans 
for  managing  liquidity  risk.    These  incorporate  an  assessment  of  expected  cash  flows  and  the  availability  of 
collateral which could be used to secure additional funding if required. 

Management and structure 

The Board of Directors sets the Group’s Liquidity Risk Appetite being the level of risk at which the Group should 
operate. 

The Board of Directors, through its Risk Committee, approves the Liquidity Policy Statement and reviews almost 
at every meeting the liquidity position of the Group.  Information on inflows/outflows is also provided.  

The ALCO is responsible for setting the policies for the effective management and monitoring of liquidity across 
the Group.  It also monitors the liquidity position of its major banking units at least monthly. Bank of Cyprus UK 
Ltd  ALCO  is  responsible  for  monitoring  the  liquidity  position  of  the  unit  and  ensuring  compliance  with  the 
approved  policies.  Given  the  current  liquidity  position  of  the  Company,  the  ALCO  considers  the  monitoring  of 
liquid assets and the cash inflows/outflows of the Company in Cyprus, to be of utmost importance. 

Group  Treasury  is  responsible  for  liquidity  management  at  Group  level  and  for  overseeing  the  operations  of 
Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd, to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory liquidity policies and provide direction 
as  to  the  actions  to  be  taken  regarding  liquidity  needs.    The  Group  Treasury  also  manages  the  treasury 
business  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Romania,  which  is  in  run-down  mode.  Every  unit  is  responsible  for  managing  its 
liquidity and targets to finance its own needs in the medium term.   Group Treasury assesses on a continuous 
basis,  and  informs  ALCO at  regular time  intervals, the  adequacy  of the  liquid  assets  and takes  the  necessary 
actions to enhance the Group’s liquidity position.   

Liquidity  is  also  monitored  daily  by  Market  Risk,  which  is  an  independent  department  responsible  to  monitor 
compliance at the level of individual units, as well as at Group level, with both internal policies and limits, and 
with the limits set by the regulatory authorities in the countries where the Group operates.  Market Risk reports 
to  ALCO the regulatory liquidity position of the various units of the  Group,  at least  monthly.   It  also  provides 
the results of various stress tests to ALCO at least quarterly.  

158 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Management and structure (continued) 

Liquidity is monitored and managed on an ongoing basis through:  
(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

Risk appetite: established Group Risk Appetite together with the appropriate limits for the management 
of all risks including liquidity risk. 
Liquidity policy: sets the responsibilities for managing liquidity risk as well as the framework, limits and 
stress test assumptions. 
Liquidity  limits:  a  number  of  internal  and  regulatory  limits  are  monitored  on  a  daily,  monthly  and 
quarterly basis. Where applicable, a traffic light system (RAG) has been introduced for the ratios, in order 
to raise flags when the ratios deteriorate.   

(iv)  Early warning indicators: monitoring of a range of indicators for early signs of liquidity risk in the market 
or specific to the Group. These are designed to immediately identify the emergence of increased liquidity 
risk to maximise the time available to execute appropriate mitigating actions. 
Liquidity  Contingency  Plan:  maintenance  of  a  Liquidity  Contingency  Plan  (LCP)  which  is  designed  to 
provide  a  framework  where  a  liquidity  stress  could  be  effectively  managed.  The  LCP  provides  a 
communication plan and includes management actions to respond to liquidity stresses. 

(v) 

(vi)  Recovery Plan:  the Group has developed  a  Recovery  Plan.  The key objectives  are  to  provide  the  Group 
with a range  of options to ensure  its  viability in a stress,  to  set  consistent Early  Warning  and Recovery 
Indicators and to enable the Group to be adequately prepared to respond to stressed conditions.  

Monitoring process 

Daily 
The  daily  monitoring  of  cash  flows  and  highly  liquid  assets  is  important  to  safeguard  and  ensure  the 
uninterrupted operations of the Group’s activities. Market Risk prepares a report for submission to the CBC and 
ECB/Single  Supervisory  Mechanism  (SSM),  indicating  the  opening  and  closing  liquidity  position,  net  customer 
movements and other movements analysed by the main currencies. In addition, Group Treasury monitors daily 
and intraday the customer inflows and outflows in the main currencies used by the Group. 

Since  May  2016,  Market  Risk  also  prepares  daily  stress  testing  for  bank-specific,  market  wide  and  combined 
scenarios.  The requirement is to have sufficient liquidity buffer to enable the Company to survive a two-week 
stress period, and adequate capacity to raise funding under a three month period, under all scenarios. 

The  liquidity  buffer  is  made  up  of:  Euro  banknotes,  CBC  balances  (excluding  the  Minimum  Reserve 
Requirements (MRR)), nostro current accounts, money market placements up to the stress horizon, available 
ECB credit line and market value net of haircut of liquid unencumbered/available bonds. 

The  designing  of  the  stress  tests  followed  best  practice  guidance  and  was  based  on  the  liquidity  risk  drivers 
which  are  recognised  internationally  by  both  the  Prudential  Regulation  Authority  (PRA)  and  EBA  SREP.  The 
stress  tests  assumptions  are  included  in  the  Group  Liquidity  Policy  which  is  reviewed  on  an  annual  basis  and 
approved by the Board. However, whenever it is considered appropriate to amend the assumptions during the 
year, approval is requested by ALCO and the  Board Risk Committee. The main items shocked in the different 
scenarios  are:  deposit  outflows,  wholesale  funding,  loan  repayments,  off-balance  sheet  commitments, 
marketable securities and cash collateral for derivatives and repos.  

Weekly 
Market Risk prepares a weekly report of Euro and foreign currency liquidity mismatch which is submitted to the 
CBC.     

Monthly 
Market Risk prepares reports monitoring compliance with internal and regulatory liquidity ratios, for all banking 
units  and  for  the  Group  and  submits  them  to  the  ALCO,  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  Board  Risk 
Committee. It also calculates the expected flows under a stress scenario and compares them with the projected 
available liquidity buffer in order to calculate the survival days. The fixed deposit renewal rates and deposits by 
tenor are also presented to the ALCO. 

Market Risk reports the LCR and Additional Liquidity Monitoring Metrics (ALMM) to the CBC/ECB monthly. 

159 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Monitoring process (continued) 

Monthly (continued) 
Group  Treasury  prepares  a  liquidity  report  which  is  submitted  to  the  ALCO  on  a  monthly  basis.  The  report 
indicates  the  liquidity  position  of  the  Company,  data  on  monthly  customer  flows,  as  well  as  other  important 
developments  related  to  liquidity.    Moreover,  during  2016  Group  Treasury  prepared  a  cash  flows  projection 
report, under a base and an adverse scenario, covering a one month and two month periods, which was sent to 
ECB/SSM/CBC/Ministry of Finance. Following full ELA repayment in January 2017, Group Treasury has stopped 
producing the cash flows projection report. 

Quarterly 
The  results  of  the  stress  testing  scenarios  prepared  daily  are  reported  to  ALCO  and  Board  Risk  Committee 
quarterly.  Moreover, Market Risk reports the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), Leverage Ratio to the CBC/ECB 
quarterly  and  various  other  liquidity  reports,  included  in  the  short-term  exercise  of  the  SSM  per  their  SREP 
guidelines. 

Annually 
The Group prepares on an annual basis its report on Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process (ILAAP). 

As  part  of  the  Group’s  procedures  for  monitoring  and  managing  liquidity  risk,  there  is  a  Group  Liquidity 
Contingency  Plan  for  handling  liquidity  difficulties.    The  plan  details  the  steps  to  be  taken  in  the  event  that 
liquidity  problems  arise,  which  escalate  to  a  special  meeting  of  the  extended  ALCO.    The  plan  sets  out  the 
members of this Committee and a series of  the  possible  actions that can  be taken.   This plan,  as well as the 
Group’s Liquidity Policy, is reviewed by ALCO at least annually, during the ILAAP review. The ALCO submits the 
updated  policy  with  its  recommendations  to  the  Board  through  the  Board  Risk  Committee  for  approval.  The 
approved policy is notified to the SSM. 

Liquidity ratios 

The  Group  liquidity  ratio  presented  in  the  table  below,  is  calculated  for  management  information  purposes, 
based on the CBC methodology for the Euro stock liquidity ratio.  The ratio is calculated as the amount of liquid 
assets to total deposits and other liabilities falling due within twelve months.  Liquid assets are defined as cash, 
interbank deposits maturing within thirty days and eligible debt and equity securities at haircuts prescribed by 
the  regulatory  authorities.    Total  deposits  comprise  all  customer  deposits  irrespective  of  maturity  and  other 
liabilities include all non-customer deposit/liabilities due to be paid in the next twelve months. 

The Group liquidity ratio is prepared monthly by Market Risk and monitored by ALCO.  Each banking unit has its 
own required limit for this ratio and is monitored accordingly: for the operations in Cyprus, two separate ratios 
are calculated; one for Euro and one for foreign currencies and the required limit is 20% for Euro and 70% for 
foreign currencies.  For the other banking units the minimum requirement is at 15%. 

It is noted that in the calculation of this ratio, as well as for the CBC regulatory reports, ELA is treated as a long 
term liability. 

The Group’s liquidity ratio was as follows: 

End of reporting year 

Average monthly ratio 

Highest monthly ratio 

Lowest monthly ratio 

2016 

% 

2015 

% 

15,59 

16,05 

17,22 

14,48 

18,25 

18,31 

21,62 

15,64 

160 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Liquidity ratios (continued)  

The  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  the  regulatory  liquidity  requirements  with  respect  to  its 
operations in Cyprus and the Group is currently not in compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements with 
respect to the LCR and therefore is dependent on continuing regulatory forbearance.  

As  at  31  December  2016  and  2015  the  other  banking  units  of  the  Group  were  in  compliance  with  their 
regulatory liquidity requirements. 

The ratio of loans and advances to customer deposits is presented below: 

End of reporting year 
Average quarterly ratio 
Highest quarterly ratio 
Lowest quarterly ratio 

Sources of funding 

2016 
% 

2015 
% 

94,56 
109,14 
120,92 
94,56 

120,92 
133,57 
141,48 
120,92 

During the year of 2016, the Group’s main sources of liquidity were its deposit base and central bank funding, 
either through the Eurosystem monetary policy operations or through ELA.  

Reliance  on  ELA  funding  was  reduced  from  its  peak  of  €11,4  billion  in  April  2013  to  €200  million  as  at  31 
December 2016 (2015: €3,8 billion) (Note 30). ELA was fully repaid on 5 January 2017. 

The liquidity received from central banks is subject to the relevant regulations and requires qualifying assets as 
collateral.     

The funding provided to the Group through ELA is short term, usually 2-4 weeks.  The funding via Eurosystem 
monetary policy operations ranges from short term to long term.  

In 2014, the Group participated in the TLTRO of the ECB for an amount of €500 million. On 29 June 2016 the 
Company repaid the amount borrowed through the TLTRO amounting to €500 million  and borrowed the same 
amount  from  the  MRO.  In  December  2016,  the  Group  borrowed  an  amount  of  €600  million  through  the  new 
series of TLTRO (TLTRO II) announced by the ECB in March 2016. Additionally, an amount of €50 million was 
borrowed through the LTRO. As a result, in December 2016 all the ECB funding that was borrowed through the 
MRO, was switched to longer term funding. 

In  May  2016,  the  Company  raised  new  funding  from  the  ECB  using  as  collateral  a  pool  of  housing  loans  that 
satisfy  the  criteria  of  the  Additional  Credit  Claims  as  set  out  in  accordance  with  the  Implementation  of  the 
Eurosystem Monetary Policy Framework Directives of 2015 and 2016. 

Funding to subsidiaries 

The funding provided by the Company to its subsidiaries for liquidity purposes is repayable as per the terms of 
the  respective  agreements.    For  lending  provided  for  capital  purposes  (subordinated  loan  stocks)  the  prior 
approval of the regulator is usually required on any repayment before the maturity date and for Bank of Cyprus 
UK  Ltd  approval  is  also  required  for  the  final  repayment.  The  Company’s  subsidiary  Bank  of  Cyprus  UK  Ltd 
cannot place funds with the Group in excess of maximum limits set by the local regulator.  

Any new funding to subsidiaries requires approval from the ECB and the CBC. 

The  subsidiaries  may  proceed  with  dividend  distributions  in  the  form  of  cash  to  the  Company,  provided  that 
they  are  not  in  breach  of  their  regulatory  capital  and  liquidity  requirements.  Certain  subsidiaries  have  a 
recommendation from their regulator to avoid any dividend distribution at this point in time. 

161 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Collateral requirements 

The  carrying  values  of  the  Group’s  encumbered  assets  as  at  31  December  2016  and  2015  are  summarised 
below: 

Cash and other liquid assets  

Investments 

Loans and advances  

Property 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

139.975 

359.813 

154.896 

892.728 

2.853.511 

12.882.139 

93.574 

93.500 

3.446.873 

14.023.263 

Cash  is  mainly  used  to  cover  collateral  required  for  (i)  derivatives  and  repurchase  transactions  and  (ii)  trade 
finance transactions and guarantees issued. It is also used as part of the supplementary assets for the covered 
bond. 

Investments  are  mainly  used  as  collateral  for  repurchase  transactions  with  commercial  banks  as  well  as 
supplementary assets for the covered bond. 

Loans and advances indicated as encumbered as at 31 December 2016 and 2015 are mainly used as collateral 
for funding from the CBC, the covered bond and the ECB. 

As at 31 December 2016 loans and advances to customers include loans of a nominal amount of €787 million 
(2015: €14.763 million) in Cyprus, which are pledged as collateral for ELA. Additionally, they include mortgage 
loans of a nominal amount €1.002 million (2015: €1.004 million) in Cyprus, which are pledged as collateral for 
the  covered  bond  issued  by  the  Company  in  2011  under  the  Covered  Bond  Programme.  Furthermore  they 
include  housing  loans  of  a  nominal  amount  €765  million  (2015:  nil)  in  Cyprus  pledged  as  collateral  for  the 
funding from  the ECB (Note 30).  At 31 December 2016 the  Company’s  subsidiary  Bank of Cyprus UK  Ltd has 
pledged  €244  million  (2015:  nil)  of  loans  and  advances  to  customers  with  the  Funding  for  Lending  Scheme 
(FLS) of the Bank of England.  These are available for use as collateral for the subsidiary’s participation in the 
scheme. As at 31 December 2016 the subsidiary had drawn down Treasury bills of €29 million (2015: nil) under 
the FLS.  These  Treasury  bills are  not recorded on  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  as ownership  remains with 
the Bank of England. 

In August 2016, the Company cancelled two own-issued bonds guaranteed by the Republic of Cyprus of €500 
million each.  The bonds bore an annual fixed interest rate at 5%.  The bonds were guaranteed by the Republic 
of  Cyprus  and  were  issued  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  legislation  and  decrees  on  the  ‘Granting  of 
Government Guarantees for the Conclusion of Loans and/or the Issue of Bonds by Credit Institutions Law’.  No 
liability  from  the  issue  of  these  bonds  was  presented  in  debt  securities  in  issue  in  the  consolidated  balance 
sheet  as  all  the  bonds  were  held  by  the  Company.  The  bonds  were  listed  on  the  CSE  and  were  pledged  as 
collateral for obtaining funding from central banks.  One of the bonds  was released in June 2016 from the ELA 
pool of collateralised assets.  After taking into consideration the significant reduction of ELA funding, the Board 
of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 16 August 2016, decided to proceed with the cancellation of 
the two bonds.  Given the decision for the cancellation, the CBC released the second bond on 19 August 2016. 
The  two  bonds  were  cancelled  on  25  August  2016,  following  the  approval/consent  from  the  competent 
authorities.   

The  Company  maintains  a  Covered  Bond  Programme  set  up  under  the  Cyprus  Covered  Bonds  legislation  and 
the Covered Bonds Directive of the CBC. 

Under the Programme, the Company issued in December 2011  covered  bonds  of  €1.000 million. The covered 
bonds  issued  had  a  maturity  of  three  years  with  a  potential  extension  of  their  repayment  by  one  year,  bore 
interest at the three month Euribor plus 1,25% on a quarterly basis and were traded on the Luxemburg Bourse.  

The terms of the €1.000 million covered bond secured by residential mortgage loans originated in Cyprus were 
amended in June 2014 and the maturity date changed to 12 June 2017 with a potential extension of one year 
and the interest rate to three month Euribor plus 3,25% on a quarterly basis.  All the bonds issued are held by 
the Company.   

162 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Collateral requirements (continued) 

On 29 September 2015, the terms of the Covered Bond Programme and the outstanding €1.000 million covered 
bond  were  amended  to  a  Conditional  Pass–Through  structure.   As  part  of  the  restructuring,  the  outstanding 
principal of the retained covered bond was reduced to €650 million with a new maturity date of 12 December 
2018. The credit rating of the covered bond was upgraded to an investment grade rating and the covered bond 
has become eligible collateral for the Eurosystem credit operations.   

As from 2 October 2015, it has been placed as collateral for accessing funding from the ECB.  

Recent developments 

The credit ratings of the Republic of Cyprus by the main credit rating agencies continue to be below investment 
grade.   As  a  result,  the  ECB  is  no  longer  able  to  include  Cyprus  Government  Bonds  in  its  asset  purchase 
programme, or as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary operations, as was the case when the waiver for 
collateral eligibility due to the country being under an economic adjustment programme existed.    

In August, October and December 2016 the CBC has released loans and advances with contractual value of €2 
billion, €2,5 billion and €7,3 billion respectively held as collateral for ELA.  

Following  the  full  repayment  of  ELA  on  5  January  2017,  all  ELA  collateralised  loans  have  subsequently  been 
released, but ELA pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017. 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity 

The  analysis  of  the  Group’s  financial  assets  and  liabilities  based  on  the  remaining  contractual  maturity  at  31 
December  is  based  on  undiscounted  cash  flows,  analysed  in  time  bands  according  to  the  number  of  days 
remaining from 31 December to the contractual maturity date. 

Financial assets 
The  analysis  of  financial  assets  does  not  include  any  interest  receivable  cash  flows.    Financial  assets  have  a 
much longer duration than financial liabilities and non-discounted interest receivable cash flows are higher than 
non-discounted  interest  payable  cash  flows  (based  on  remaining  contractual  maturity).    As  a  result,  non-
discounted cash inflows from interest receivable would have greatly exceeded non-discounted cash outflows on 
interest payable, thus artificially improving liquidity.  

Current  accounts,  overdrafts  and  amounts  in  arrears  are  included  within  the  first  maturity  time  band  which 
reflects their contractual maturity.  All other loans and advances to customers are analysed according to their 
contractual repayment schedule.  

Loans and advances to banks are analysed in the time bands according to the number of days remaining from 
31 December, until their contractual maturity date.  Amounts placed as collateral (primarily for derivatives and 
loans)  are  assigned  to  different  time  bands  based  on  either  their  maturity  (in  the  case  of  loans),  or 
proportionally according to the maturities of derivatives (where the collateral had no fixed maturity). 

Financial  assets  with  no  contractual  maturity  (such  as  equity  securities)  are  included  in  the  ‘over  five  years’ 
time band, unless classified as at fair value through profit or loss, in which case they are included in the ‘up to 
one month’ time band. 

The investments are classified in the relevant time band according to their contractual maturity. 

Financial liabilities  
All financial liabilities for the repayment of which notice is required, are included in the relevant time bands as if 
notice  had  been  given  on  31  December,  despite  the  fact  that  the  Group  expects  that  the  majority  of  its 
customers  will  not  demand  repayment  of  such  liabilities  on  the  earliest  possible  date.    Fixed  deposits  are 
classified  in time  bands based  on their  contractual  maturity.    Although  customers  may  demand  repayment  of 
time deposits (subject to penalties depending on the type of the deposit account), the Group has the discretion 
not to accept such early termination of deposits.   

163 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

Financial liabilities (continued) 
The amounts presented in the table below are not equal to the amounts presented on the balance sheet, since 
the table below presents all cash flows (including interest to maturity) on an undiscounted basis. 

Derivative financial instruments 
Derivative financial instruments were classified according to whether the settlement of cash flows occurs on a 
net or gross basis.   

For net settled derivatives, after offset of receivable and payable amounts, the fair value of the derivatives is 
included in financial assets or in financial liabilities in the time band corresponding to the remaining maturity of 
the derivative. 

Gross  settled  derivatives  or  net  settled  derivatives  that  are  hedging  instruments  in  cash  flow  hedges  are 
presented  in  a  separate  table  and  the  corresponding  cash  flows  are  classified  accordingly  in  the  time  bands 
which relate to the number of days until their receipt or payment. 

Commitments and contingent liabilities 
The limits of loans and advances are commitments to provide credit to customers.  The limits are granted for 
predetermined  periods  and  can  be  cancelled  by  the  Group  after  giving  relevant  notice  to  the  customers.  
Usually the customers do not fully utilise the limits granted to them.   

2016 

Financial assets 
Cash and balances with 
central banks 
Loans and advances to 
banks  
Investments at fair 
value through profit or 
loss  
Loans and advances to 
customers 
Fair value of net 
settled derivative 
assets 
Non-trading 
investments  
Other assets 

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between 
one and 
three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between 
one and 
five years 

Over five 
years 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1.446.851 

26.372 

29.157 

4.016 

- 

1.506.396 

871.306 

13.630 

14.660 

172.674 

15.567 

1.087.837 

27.971 

8.740 

1.686 

4.069 

550 

43.016 

6.064.296 

258.139 

687.253 

3.627.733 

5.011.980  15.649.401 

17.829 

2.701 

59 

159 

87 

20.835 

7.941 

28.761 

6.453 

8.955 

42.008 

335.288 

238.938 

630.628 

19.477 

67.944 

6.674 

131.811 

Total financial assets 

8.464.955 

324.990 

794.300  4.211.883  5.273.796  19.069.924 

Financial liabilities 

Deposits by banks 
Funding from central 
banks 
Repurchase 
agreements 
Customer deposits  
Fair value of net 
settled derivative 
liabilities  
Other liabilities  
Total undiscounted 
financial liabilities 

309.922 

6.312 

32.731 

6.704 

83.812 

439.481 

200.014 

50.000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

600.000 

- 

850.014 

285.838 

9.188 

295.026 

8.750.919 

3.113.258 

3.396.832 

1.343.667 

4.193  16.608.869 

7.955 

1.010 

53 

31.687 

7.504 

48.209 

95.719 

16.430 

31.974 

4.591 

2.296 

151.010 

9.364.529  3.187.010 

3.461.590  2.272.487 

106.993  18.392.609 

164 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

2015 

Financial assets 

Cash and balances with 
central banks 
Loans and advances to 
banks  
Investments at fair 
value through profit or 
loss  
Loans and advances to 
customers 
Fair value of net 
settled derivative 
assets 
Non-trading 
investments  

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between 
one and 
three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between 
one and 
five years 

Over five 
years 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1.373.351 

20.898 

27.943 

410 

- 

1.422.602 

1.045.275 

13.865 

45.027 

191.869 

18.344 

1.314.380 

28.378 

- 

6.719 

14.769 

919 

50.785 

6.990.238 

229.696 

1.043.964 

3.529.475 

5.398.259  17.191.632 

12.615 

733 

593 

39 

43 

14.023 

57.136 

51.367 

203.219 

485.305 

161.475 

958.502 

Other assets 

31.459 

8.192 

9.348 

123.787 

6.875 

179.661 

Total financial assets 

9.538.452 

324.751 

1.336.813  4.345.654  5.585.915  21.131.585 

Financial liabilities 

Deposits by banks 

181.358 

Funding from central 
banks 
Repurchase 
agreements 

3.953.955 

- 

- 

16.946 

8.505 

38.395 

245.204 

- 

502.846 

- 

4.456.801 

- 

29.826 

82.217 

288.676 

9.679 

410.398 

Customer deposits  

7.675.374 

2.273.718 

3.767.389 

561.323 

2.658  14.280.462 

Debt securities in issue 

- 

- 

712 

- 

- 

712 

Fair value of net 
settled derivative 
liabilities  

6.865 

3.658 

5.266 

33.826 

4.544 

54.159 

Other liabilities  

84.527 

18.475 

31.366 

6.278 

2.338 

142.984 

Total undiscounted 
financial liabilities 

11.902.079  2.325.677 

3.903.896  1.401.454 

57.614  19.590.720 

165 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

2016 

Gross settled 
derivatives 

Financial assets 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable   

Financial liabilities 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable   

Contingent 
liabilities and 
commitments 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and 
endorsements 

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between one 
and three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between one 
and five 
years 

Over five 
years 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

669.186 

164.669 

1.531 

(652.202) 

(161.871) 

(1.497) 

16.984 

2.798 

34 

1.060.998 

188.662 

1.498 

(1.070.866) 

(190.401) 

(1.526) 

(9.868) 

(1.739) 

(28) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

835.386 

(815.570) 

19.816 

- 

1.251.158 

- 

(1.262.793) 

- 

(11.635) 

3.983 

2.483 

1.140 

- 

- 

7.606 

Guarantees 

160.531 

153.096 

242.952 

152.890 

87.800 

797.269 

Commitments 

Documentary credits 

4.649 

6.824 

14.190 

287 

1.686 

27.636 

Undrawn formal 
standby facilities, 
credit lines and other 
commitments to lend 

2.020.254 

14.937 

- 

- 

- 

2.035.191 

2.189.417 

177.340 

258.282 

153.177 

89.486 

2.867.702 

166 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

45. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

2015 

Gross settled 
derivatives 

Financial assets 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable   

Financial liabilities 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable   

Contingent 
liabilities and 
commitments 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and 
endorsements 

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between one 
and three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between one 
and five 
years 

Over five 
years 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

931.730 

57.648 

1.196 

(920.083) 

(56.874) 

(1.175) 

11.647 

774 

21 

408.995 

160.095 

167.212 

(414.868) 

(161.442) 

(169.407) 

(5.873) 

(1.347) 

(2.195) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

990.574 

(978.132) 

12.442 

736.302 

(745.717) 

(9.415) 

3.587 

2.750 

2.048 

- 

- 

8.385 

Guarantees 

66.251 

140.400 

245.352 

254.419 

86.689 

793.111 

Commitments 

Documentary credits 

2.259 

8.028 

4.116 

2.643 

1.395 

18.441 

Undrawn formal 
standby facilities, 
credit lines and other 
commitments to lend 

2.069.129 

19.490 

- 

- 

- 

2.088.619 

2.141.226 

170.668 

251.516 

257.062 

88.084 

2.908.556 

167 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

46. 

Risk management – Insurance risk  

Insurance risk is the risk that an insured event under an insurance contract occurs and the uncertainty of the 
amount and the timing of the resulting claim.  By the very nature of an insurance contract, this risk is random 
and therefore unpredictable. 

For a portfolio of insurance contracts where the theory of probability is applied to pricing and provisioning, the 
principal  risk  that  the  Group  faces  is  that  the  actual  claims  and  benefit  payments  will  exceed  the  carrying 
amount of insurance liabilities.  This could occur because the frequency or severity of claims and benefits are 
greater than estimated.  Insurance events are random and the actual volume and cost of claims and benefits 
will vary from year to year compared to the estimate established using statistical or actuarial techniques. 

The  above  risk  exposure  is  mitigated  by  the  Group  through  the  diversification  across  a  large  portfolio  of 
insurance  contracts.    The  variability  of  risks  is  also  reduced  by  careful  selection  and  implementation  of 
underwriting  strategy  guidelines,  as  well  as  the  use  of  reinsurance  arrangements.    Although  the  Group  has 
reinsurance  arrangements,  it  is  not  relieved  of  its  direct  obligations  to  policyholders  and  is  thus  exposed  to 
credit risk with respect to ceded insurance, to the extent that  any reinsurer  is unable to meet  the obligations 
assumed  under  such  reinsurance  arrangements.    For  that  reason,  the  creditworthiness  of  reinsurers  is 
evaluated by considering their solvency and credit rating. 

Life insurance contracts 
The  main  factors  that  could  affect  the  overall  frequency  of  claims  are  epidemics,  major  lifestyle  changes  and 
natural disasters.  

The underwriting strategy and risk assessment is designed to ensure that risks are well diversified in terms of 
type of risk and level of insured benefits.  This is largely achieved through the use of medical screening in order 
to ensure that pricing takes account  the current medical conditions and family medical history and through the 
regular review of actual claims and product pricing.   The Group has the right to decline policy applications, it 
can impose additional charges and it has the right to reject the payment of fraudulent claims.  

The most significant risks relating to accident and health insurance contracts result from lifestyle changes and 
from climate and environmental changes.  The risks are mitigated by the careful use of strategic selection and 
risk-taking at the underwriting stage and by thorough investigation for possible fraudulent claims.   

The Group uses  an analysis based on its embedded  value which provides a comprehensive framework for the 
evaluation  and  management  of  risks  faced,  the  understanding  of  earnings  volatility  and  operational  planning.  
The  table  below  shows  the  sensitivity  of  the  embedded  value  to  assumption changes  that  substantially  affect 
the results. 

Change in embedded value 

Change in interest rates +0,25% 

Change in expenses +10% 

Change in lapsation rates +10% 

Change in mortality rates+10% 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

84 

(2.482) 

(690) 

(6.519) 

93 

(2.639) 

(953) 

(6.711) 

The  variables  above  are  not  linear.    In  each  sensitivity  calculation  for  changes  in  key  economic  variables,  all 
other  assumptions  remain  unchanged  except  when  they  are  directly  affected  by  the  revised  economic 
conditions. 

Changes  to  key  non–economic  variables  do  not  incorporate  management  actions  that  could  be  taken  to 
mitigate  effects,  nor  do  they  take  account  of  consequential  changes  in  policyholder  behaviour.    In  each 
sensitivity calculation all other assumptions are therefore unchanged. 

Some  of  the  sensitivity  scenarios  shown  in  respect  of  changes  to  both  economic  and  non–economic  variables 
may  have  a  consequential  effect  on  the  valuation  basis  when  a  product  is  valued  on  an  active  basis  which  is 
updated to reflect current economic conditions. 

168 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

46. 

Risk management – Insurance risk (continued) 

Life insurance contracts (continued) 
While  the  magnitude  of  these  sensitivities  will,  to  a  large  extent,  reflect  the  size  of  closing  embedded  value, 
each variable will have a different impact on different components of the embedded value.  In addition, other 
factors  such  as  the  intrinsic  cost  and  time  value  of  options  and  guarantees,  the  proportion  of  investments 
between equities and bonds and the type of business written, including for example, the extent of with–profit 
business  versus  non–profit  business  and  to  the extent  to  which  the  latter is invested  in  matching  assets,  will 
also have a significant impact on sensitivities. 

General insurance contracts 
The risk of a general insurance contract occurs from the uncertainty of the amount and time of presentation of 
the  claim.    Therefore  the  level  of  risk  is  determined  by  the  frequency  of  such  claims,  the  severity  and  the 
evolution of claims from one period to the next. 

The  main  risks for the general insurance  business arise  from  major catastrophic events like natural disasters. 
These  risks  vary  depending  on  location,  type  and  nature.    The  variability  of  risks  is  mitigated  by  the 
diversification  of  risk  of  loss  to  a  large  portfolio  of  insurance  contracts,  as  a  more  diversified  portfolio  is  less 
likely to be affected by changes in any subset of  the portfolio.  The Group’s exposure to insurance  risks from 
general  insurance  contracts  is  also  mitigated  by  the  following  measures:  adherence  to  strict  underwriting 
policies,  strict  review  of  all  claims  occurring,  immediate  review  and  processing  of  claims  to  minimise  the 
possibility  of  negative  developments  in  the  future,  and  use  of  effective  reinsurance  arrangements  in  order  to 
minimise the impact of risks, especially for catastrophic events. 

47.   

Capital management 

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory 
capital  requirements  and  to  maintain  strong  credit  ratings  and  healthy  capital  adequacy  ratios  in  order  to 
support its business and maximise shareholder value. 

The capital adequacy regulations which govern the Group’s operations are established by the CBC/ECB. 

The Group has complied with the minimum capital requirements (Pillar I and Pillar II) during 2016.  

In  addition, the Group’s overseas  banking  subsidiaries comply with the regulatory  capital requirements of the 
local regulators in the countries in which they operate.  The insurance subsidiaries of the Group comply with the 
requirements  of  the  Superintendent  of  Insurance  including  the  minimum  solvency  ratio.    The  regulated 
investment  firms  of  the  Group  comply  with  the  regulatory  capital  requirements  of  the  CySEC  laws  and 
regulations. 

The  Pillar  3  Disclosures  Report  (unaudited)  of  the  Group  required  with  respect  to  the  requirements  of  the 
Capital Requirement Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 is published on the Group’s website www.bankofcyprus.com 
(Investor Relations). 

169 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

48. 

Related party transactions  

Loans and advances to members of the 
Board of Directors and connected persons: 
- less than 1% of the Group’s  
  net assets per director 

Loans and advances to other key 
management personnel and connected 
persons 
Total loans and advances as at 31 
December 

Loans and advances as at 31 December: 

- members of the Board of Directors  
  and other key management personnel 

- connected persons 

Interest income for the year 

Insurance premium income for the year 

Deposits as at 31 December: 

- members of the Board of Directors  
  and other key management personnel 

- connected persons 

Interest expense on deposits for the year 

Accruals and other liabilities as at 31 
December: 
- balances with entity providing key 
  management personnel services  
Staff costs, consultancy and restructuring 
expenses 

2016 

2015 

2016 

Number of directors 

€000 

2015 

€000 

10 

10 

9 

9 

314 

314 

369 

369 

2.955 

3.871 

3.269 

4.240 

2.811 

458 

3.269 

112 

107 

2.981 

3.559 

6.540 

69 

3.354 

886 

4.240 

138 

118 

3.366 

3.147 

6.513 

187 

3.101 

5.365 

11.992 

11.104 

The above table does not include year-end balances for members of the Board of Directors and their connected 
persons who resigned during the year. 

Interest  income  and  expense  are  disclosed  for  the  period  during  which  they  were  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors or served as key management personnel. 

In addition to loans and advances, there were contingent liabilities and commitments in respect of members of 
the Board of Directors and their connected persons, mainly in the form of documentary credits, guarantees and 
commitments to lend, amounting to €61 thousand (2015: €135 thousand). As at 31 December 2016 and 2015, 
none of the directors or their connected persons had total loans and advances which exceeded 1% of the net 
assets  of  the  Group  per  director.  There  were  also  contingent  liabilities  and  commitments  to  other  key 
management personnel and their connected persons amounting to €385 thousand (2015: €856 thousand).   

The total unsecured amount of the loans and advances and contingent liabilities and commitments to members 
of  the  Board  of  Directors,  key  management  personnel  and  other  connected  persons  (using  forced-sale values 
for tangible collaterals and assigning no value to other types of collaterals) at 31 December 2016 amounted to 
€635 thousand (2015: €1.094 thousand). 

170 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

48. 

Related party transactions (continued) 

At 31 December 2016 the Group has an investment in Invesco Euro Short Term Bond Fund, in which Mr Wilbur 
L.  Ross  Jr.  was  an  executive  Director.    The  fair  value  of  the  investment  at  31  December  2016  amounts  to 
€4.047 thousand. 

At  31  December  2016  the  Group  has  a  deposit  of  €4.614  thousand  with  Piraeus  Bank  SA,  in  which  Mr  Arne 
Berggren is a non-executive Director.  The Group has also provided certain indemnities to Piraeus Bank SA as 
part of the disposal of kyprou Leasing SA in 2015 (Note 50.4.3). 

There were no transactions during the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015 with connected persons of the 
current members of the Board of Directors or with any members who resigned during the two years.   

Connected  persons  include  spouses,  minor  children  and  companies  in  which  directors/other  key  management 
personnel,  hold  directly  or  indirectly,  at  least  20%  of  the  voting  shares  in  a  general  meeting,  or  act  as 
executive director or exercise control of the entities in any way. 

Additional  to  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  related  parties  include  entities  providing  key  management 
personnel services to the Group. 

All  transactions  with  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  their  connected  persons  are  made  on  normal 
business terms as for comparable transactions with customers of a similar credit standing.  A number of  loans 
and  advances  have  been  extended  to  other  key  management  personnel  and  their  connected  persons  on  the 
same terms as those applicable to the rest of the Group’s employees. 

Fees and emoluments of members of the Board of Directors and other key management personnel 

Director emoluments 

Executives 

Salaries and other short term benefits 

Employer’s contributions 

Retirement benefit plan costs 

Non-executives 

Fees 

Total directors’ emoluments 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

1.848 

110 

168 

2.126 

861 

2.987 

1.061 

66 

128 

1.255 

822 

2.077 

Other key management personnel emoluments 

Salaries and other short term benefits 

3.144 

3.328 

Termination benefits 

Employer’s contributions 

Retirement benefit plan costs 

Total other key management personnel emoluments 

Total 

397 

190 

158 

3.889 

6.876 

- 

164 

178 

3.670 

5.747 

Fees and benefits are included for the period that they serve as members of the Board of Directors. 

The termination benefits relate to compensation paid to members of the Executive Committee who left the 
Group under the voluntary exit plan. 

171 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

48. 

Related party transactions (continued) 

Fees  and  emoluments  of  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  other  key  management  personnel 
(continued) 

Executive Directors 
The salaries and other short term benefits of the Executive Directors are analysed as follows: 

John Patrick Hourican (Chief Executive Officer) 

Christodoulos Patsalides (Deputy Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Operating Officer) 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

1.652 

196 

1.848 

910 

151 

1.061 

The  retirement  benefit  plan  costs  for  2016  amounting  to  €168  thousand  (2015:  €128  thousand)  relate  to: 
Mr John Patrick Hourican €150 thousand (2015: €110 thousand) and Dr Christodoulos Patsalides €18 thousand 
(2015: €18 thousand).  

Non-executive Directors 

Josef Ackermann 

Wilbur L. Ross Jr. 

Vladimir Strzhalkovskiy 

Arne Berggren 

Maksim Goldman 

Michalis Spanos 

Ioannis Zographakis 

Marios Kalochoritis 

Michael Heger 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

150 

120 

- 

115 

120 

100 

115 

90 

51 

861 

150 

120 

21 

107 

116 

100 

115 

93 

- 

822 

The fees of the non-executive Directors include fees as members of the Board of Directors of the Company and 
its subsidiaries, as well as of committees of the Board of Directors.   

Other key management personnel 
The other key management personnel emoluments include the remuneration of the  members of the Executive 
Committee since the date of their appointment to the Committee and other members of the management team 
who report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating 
Officer.  

172 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

49. 

Group companies 

The  main  subsidiary  companies  and  branches  included  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Group, 
their country of incorporation, their activities and the percentage held by the Company (directly or indirectly) as 
at 31 December 2016 are: 

Company 

Country 

Activities 

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd 

Cyprus 

Commercial bank 

The Cyprus Investment and Securities 
Corporation Ltd (CISCO) 

Cyprus 

Investment banking,  
asset management and brokerage 

General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd 

Cyprus 

General insurance  

EuroLife Ltd 

Kermia Ltd 

Cyprus 

Life insurance  

Cyprus 

Property trading and development 

Kermia Properties & Investments Ltd 

Cyprus 

Property trading and development 

Cytrustees Investment Public Company Ltd  

Cyprus 

Closed-end investment company 

Finerose Properties Ltd  

Cyprus 

Financing services 

LCP Holdings and Investments Public Ltd 
(formerly Laiki Capital Public Co Ltd)  

JCC Payment Systems Ltd 

Cyprus 

Holding company 

Cyprus 

Card processing transaction 
services 

CLR Investment Fund Public Ltd 

Cyprus 

Investment company 

Auction Yard Ltd 

Cyprus 

Auction company 

BOC Secretarial Company Ltd 

Cyprus 

Secretarial services 

S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd (branch 
of the Company) 

Cyprus 

Greece   

Land development and operation 
of a golf resort 
Administration  of  guarantees  and 
holding of real estate properties 

Kyprou Zois (branch of EuroLife Ltd) 

Greece 

Life insurance  

Kyprou Asfalistiki (branch of General 
Insurance of Cyprus Ltd) 

Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd  

BOC Financial Services Ltd  

Bank of Cyprus Romania (branch of the 
Company) 

Greece 

General insurance  

United 
Kingdom 
United 
Kingdom 

Commercial bank 

Financial advisory services 

Romania 

Commercial bank 

Cyprus Leasing S.A. (formerly Cyprus 
Leasing Romania IFN SA) 

Romania 

MC Investment Assets Management LLC  

Russia 

Collection of the existing portfolio 
of receivables, including third 
party collections 
Problem asset management 
company 

Kyprou Finance (NL) B.V. 

Netherlands  Financing services 

Fortuna Astrum Ltd 

Serbia 

Problem asset management 
company 

Percentage 
holding  
(%) 

n/a 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

  54 

100 

67 

75 

20 

100 

100 

70 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

100 

100 

n/a 

100 

100 

100 

100 

173 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

49. 

Group companies (continued) 

In  addition  to  the  above  companies,  at  31  December  2016  the  Company  had  100%  shareholding  in  the 
companies listed below whose activity is the ownership and management of immovable property: 

Cyprus:  Timeland  Properties  Ltd,  Cobhan  Properties  Ltd,  Bramwell  Properties  Ltd,  Birkdale  Properties  Ltd, 
Newington Properties Ltd, Innerwick Properties Ltd, Ramendi Properties Ltd, Ligisimo Properties Ltd, Moonland 
Properties  Ltd,  Polkima  Properties  Ltd,  Nalmosa  Properties  Ltd,  Smooland  Properties  Ltd,  Emovera  Properties 
Ltd,  Estaga  Properties  Ltd,  Skellom  Properties  Ltd,  Blodar  Properties  Ltd,  Spaceglowing  Properties  Ltd, 
Threefield Properties Ltd, Lepidoland Properties Ltd, Ecunaland Properties Ltd, Tebane Properties Ltd, Cranmer 
Properties  Ltd,  Vieman  Ltd,  Les  Coraux  Estates  Ltd,  Natakon  Company  Ltd,  Oceania  Ltd,  Dominion  Industries 
Ltd, Ledra Estate Ltd, Eurolife Properties Ltd,  Laiki Lefkothea Center Ltd, Labancor Ltd,  Steparco  Ltd, Joberco 
Ltd, Zecomex Ltd, Domita Estates Ltd, Memdes Estates Ltd, Pamaco Platres Complex Ltd, Vameron Properties 
Ltd, Thryan Properties Ltd, Otoba Properties Ltd, Edoric Properties Ltd, Canosa Properties Ltd, Silen Properties 
Ltd,  Kernland  Properties  Ltd,  Unduma  Properties  Ltd,  Danoma  Properties  Ltd,  Kimrar  Properties  Ltd,  Jobelis 
Properties  Ltd,  Metin  Properties  Ltd,  Pekiro  Properties  Ltd,  Melsolia  Properties  Ltd,  Nimoland  Properties  Ltd, 
Lozzaria  Properties  Ltd,  Koralmon  Properties  Ltd,  Petrassimo  Properties  Ltd, Kedonian  Properties  Ltd,  Lasteno 
Properties  Ltd,  Armozio  Properties  Ltd,  Spacous  Properties  Ltd,  Calinora  Properties  Ltd,  Marcozaco  Properties 
Ltd,  Soluto  Properties  Ltd,  Solomaco  Properties  Ltd,  Linaland  Properties  Ltd,  Andaz  Properties  Ltd,  Unital 
Properties  Ltd,  Neraland  Properties  Ltd,  Canemia  Properties  Ltd,  Wingstreet  Properties  Ltd,  Nolory  Properties 
Ltd,  Lynoco  Properties  Ltd,  Renalandia  Properties  Ltd,  Fitrus  Properties  Ltd,  Lisbo  Properties  Ltd,  Mantinec 
Properties  Ltd,  Syniga  Properties  Ltd,  Colar  Properties  Ltd,  Irisa  Properties  Ltd,  Valiro  Properties  Ltd,  Avolo 
Properties Ltd, Bracando Properties Ltd, Provezaco Properties Ltd, Hillbay Properties Ltd, Jungax Properties Ltd, 
Ofraco Properties Ltd, Forenaco Properties Ltd, Vidalaco Properties Ltd, Jemina Properties Ltd, Hovita Properties 
Ltd,  Flitous  Properties  Ltd,  Badrul  Properties  Ltd,  Belaland  Properties  Ltd,  Belzeco  Properties  Ltd,  Bothwick 
Properties  Ltd,  Fireford  Properties  Ltd,  Citlali  Properties  Ltd,  Endar  Properties  Ltd,  Astromeria  Properties  Ltd, 
Orzo  Properties  Ltd,  Basiga  Properties  Ltd,  Regetona  Properties  Ltd,  Arcandello  Properties  Ltd,  Sylvesta 
Properties  Ltd,  Camela  Properties  Ltd,  Nerofarm  Properties  Ltd,  Subworld  Properties  Ltd,  Jongeling  Properties 
Ltd, Introserve  Properties Ltd, Alomco Properties Ltd, Cereas Properties Ltd,  Fareland Properties Ltd, Landeed 
Properties Ltd, Sindelaco Properties Ltd, Barosca Properties Ltd, Fogland Properties Ltd, Tebasco Properties Ltd, 
Dolapo Properties Ltd, Homirova Properties Ltd, Nabela Properties Ltd, Valecross Properties Ltd, Altco Properties 
Ltd,  Forsban  Properties  Ltd,  Marisaco  Properties  Ltd,  Olivero  Properties  Ltd,  Cavadino  Properties  Ltd,  Jaselo 
Properties  Ltd,  Elosa  Properties  Ltd,  Garveno  Properties  Ltd,  Flona  Properties  Ltd,  Toreva  Properties  Ltd, 
Resoma  Properties  Ltd,  Singleserve  Properties  Ltd,  Consento  Properties  Ltd,  Mostero  Properties  Ltd,  Helal 
Properties Ltd, Yossi Properties Ltd, Gozala Properties Ltd, Molla Properties Ltd, Lezanco Properties Ltd, Pendalo 
Properties Ltd, Frontyard Properties Ltd, Bascot Properties Ltd, Bonsova Properties Ltd, Nasebia Properties Ltd, 
Vanemar  Properties  Ltd,  Garmozy  Properties  Ltd,  Orasmo  Properties  Ltd,  Palmco  Properties  Ltd,  Crolandia 
Properties Ltd, Thermano Properties Ltd, Indene Properties Ltd, Ingane Properties Ltd, Venicous Properties Ltd, 
Lasmane  Properties  Ltd,  Lorman  Properties  Ltd,  Caruzoco  Properties  Ltd,  Consoly  Properties  Ltd,  Eracor 
Properties  Ltd,  Alomnia  Properties  Ltd,  Rulemon  Properties  Ltd,  Thelemic  Properties  Ltd,  Maledico  Properties 
Ltd,  Dentorio  Properties  Ltd,  Valioco  Properties  Ltd,  Bascone  Properties  Ltd, Balisimo  Properties  Ltd,  Artozaco 
Properties Ltd, Elizano Properties Ltd and K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd. 

Romania:  Otherland  Properties  Dorobanti  SRL,  Pittsburg  Properties  SRL,  Battersee  Real  Estate  SRL,  Trecoda 
Real Estate SRL, Green Hills Properties SRL, Bocaland Properties SRL, Buchuland Properties SRL, Commonland 
Properties  SRL,  Romaland  Properties  SRL,  Janoland  Properties  SRL,  Blindingqueen  Properties  SRL,  Fledgego 
Properties  SRL,  Hotel  New  Montana  SRL,  Loneland  Properties  SRL,  Frozenport  Properties  SRL,  Imoreth 
Properties  SRL,  Inroda  Properties  SRL,  Melgred  Properties  SRL,  Tantora  Properties  SRL,  Zunimar  Properties 
SRL, Allioma Properties SRL and Nikaba Properties SRL. 

Further, at 31 December 2016 the Company had 100% shareholding in Iperi Properties Ltd, Obafemi Holdings 
Ltd, Stamoland Properties Ltd and Gosman Properties Ltd whose main activities are the holding of shares and 
other investments and they are registered in Cyprus. 

174 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

49. 

Group companies (continued) 

At 31 December 2016 the Company had 100% shareholding in the companies listed below which are reserved 
to accept property:  

Cyprus: Belvesi Properties Ltd, Warmbaths Properties Ltd, Tavoni Properties Ltd, Tezia Properties Ltd, Carnota 
Properties  Ltd,  Demoro  Properties  Ltd,  Primaco  Properties  Ltd,  Amary  Properties  Ltd,  Hamura  Properties  Ltd, 
Gileco  Properties  Ltd,  Meriaco  Properties  Ltd,  Venetolio  Properties  Ltd,  Flymoon  Properties  Ltd,  Senadaco 
Properties  Ltd,  Desogus  Properties  Ltd,  Intelamon  Properties  Ltd,  Weinar  Properties  Ltd,  Holstone  Properties 
Ltd,  Balasec  Properties  Ltd,  Nouralia  Properties  Ltd,  Mazima  Properties  Ltd,  Diafor  Properties  Ltd,  Prosilia 
Properties  Ltd,  Fantasio  Properties  Ltd,  Lancast  Properties  Ltd,  Alepar  Properties  Ltd,  Nelipo  Properties  Ltd, 
Allodica  Properties  Ltd,  Resocot  Properties  Ltd,  Jomento  Properties  Ltd,  Soblano  Properties  Ltd,  Talamon 
Properties  Ltd,  Unoplan  Properties  Ltd,  Paradexia  Properties  Ltd,  Rosalica  Properties  Ltd,  Zandexo  Properties 
Ltd,  Calandomo  Properties  Ltd,  Paramina  Properties  Ltd,  Cramonco  Properties  Ltd,  Bigwaive  Properties  Ltd, 
Tasabo Properties Ltd, Coeval Properties Ltd and Bendolio Properties Ltd. 

Romania: Mirodi Properties SRL, Nallora Properties SRL and Selilar Properties SRL. 

In addition, the Company holds 100% of the following intermediate holding companies: 

Cyprus:  Otherland  Properties  Ltd,  Pittsburg  Properties  Ltd,  Battersee  Properties  Ltd,  Trecoda  Properties  Ltd, 
Bonayia  Properties  Ltd,  Bocaland  Properties  Ltd,  Buchuland  Properties  Ltd,  Commonland  Properties  Ltd, 
Romaland Properties Ltd, BC Romanoland Properties Ltd, Blindingqueen Properties Ltd, Fledgego Properties Ltd, 
Janoland  Properties  Ltd,  Threerich  Properties  Ltd,  Loneland  Properties  Ltd,  Unknownplan  Properties  Ltd, 
Frozenport  Properties  Ltd,  Imoreth  Properties  Ltd,  Inroda  Properties  Ltd,  Melgred  Properties  Ltd,  Tantora 
Properties  Ltd,  Zunimar  Properties  Ltd,  Selilar  Properties  Ltd,  Mirodi  Properties  Ltd,  Nallora  Properties  Ltd, 
Nikaba Properties Ltd, Allioma Properties Ltd, Hydrobius Ltd and Landanafield Properties Ltd. 

The Group also holds 100% of the following companies which are inactive: 

Cyprus:  Laiki  Bank  (Nominees)  Ltd,  Fairford  Properties  Ltd,  Thames  Properties  Ltd,  Paneuropean  Ltd,  Philiki 
Ltd,  Cyprialife  Ltd,  Imperial  Life  Assurance  Ltd,  Philiki  Management  Services  Ltd,    Nelcon  Transport  Co.  Ltd, 
Ilera  Properties  Ltd,  Weinco  Properties  Ltd,  Calomland  Properties  Ltd,  Lameland  Properties  Ltd,  BOC  Asset 
Management Ltd and Pariza Properties Ltd. 

Greece: Kyprou Commercial SA and Kyprou Properties SA. 

All Group companies are accounted for as subsidiaries using the full consolidation method.  

Termination of the leasing activities of Cyprus Leasing Romania IFN SA 

On 26 September 2016 the shareholders of Cyprus Leasing Romania IFN SA decided to: 

  deregister the company from the Registry of non-banking financial institutions held by the National Bank of 

Romania, 
terminate the leasing and crediting activity of the company, and 

 
  change the name of the company to Cyprus Leasing S.A. 

As a consequence of the above, the main activity of the company is now the collection of the existing portfolio 
of receivables, including third party collections. 

The matter was approved by the National Bank of Romania on 21 November 2016. 

Change in the control holding of MC Investment Assets Management LLC 

In  the  context  of  the  disposal  of  the  majority  of  the  Russian  operations  in  September  2015,  the  Group 
increased  its  controlling  interest in  MC  Investment  Assets  Management  LLC  to  100%  from  80%  during  2015. 
This transaction has been reflected as an equity transaction from non-controlling interests to the owners of the 
Company.  

Control over CLR Investment Fund Public Ltd (CLR) without substantial shareholding 

The Group considers that it exercises control over CLR through control of the members of the Board of Directors 
and is exposed to variable returns through its holding. 

175 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

49. 

Group companies (continued) 

Dissolution and disposal of subsidiaries 

As at 31 December 2016, the following subsidiaries were in the process of dissolution or in the process of being 
struck  off:    Samarinda  Navigation  Co  Ltd,  Kyprou  Securities  SA,  BOC  Ventures  Ltd,  Tefkros  Investments  Ltd, 
Salecom Ltd, Longtail Properties Ltd, Diners Club (Cyprus) Ltd, Leasing Finance LLC, Corner LLC, Omiks Finance 
LLC, Unknownplan Properties SRL and Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd. 

Tefkros  Investments  (CI)  Ltd,  Bank  of  Cyprus  Mutual  Funds  Ltd,  Laiki  EDAK  Ltd,  Limestone  Holdings  Ltd  and 
Turnmill Properties Ltd were either dissolved or striken off during the year ended 31 December 2016.  Mainport 
Properties Ltd, Besadoco Properties Ltd, Odaina Properties Ltd, Icecastle Properties Ltd, Gilfront Properties Ltd, 
Glodas Properties Ltd,  Denmor  Properties Ltd,  Benely Properties Ltd,  Arcozil  Properties Ltd,  Varony  Properties 
Ltd, Coramono Properties Ltd, Galozy Properties Ltd, Primantela Properties Ltd, Browneye Properties Ltd, Givolo 
Properties Ltd, Kandoramo Properties Ltd and Cronaland Properties Ltd were disposed of during the year ended 
31 December 2016 as part of the Company’s strategy to dispose of repossessed properties.  

As part of the Group’s strategy of focusing on its core businesses and markets, the Group decided the closure 
of the operations of Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd and to relocate its business to other Group locations. 
The  company’s  licenses  in  Guernsey  for  banking  and  investment  business  have  been  surrendered,  and  the 
company entered the process of liquidation in December 2016. 

In accordance with the Group’s strategy to exit from overseas non-core operations, the operations of the Bank 
of Cyprus branch in Romania are expected to be terminated during 2017, subject to regulatory approvals. The 
remaining assets and liabilities of the branch will be transferred to other entities of the Group.    

50. 

Acquisitions and disposals 

50.1 

Acquisitions during 2016 

50.1.1  Acquisition of S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 

In  the  context  of  its  loan  restructuring  activities,  the  Group  acquired  on  15  June  2016  a  70%  interest  in  the 
share  capital  of  S.Z.  Eliades  Leisure  Ltd  in  exchange  for  the  settlement  of  borrowings  due  from  it  of  a  total 
gross amount of €52.335 thousand. S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd operates in land development and the operation of 
a golf resort in Cyprus. The fair value of the consideration for the acquisition of the 70% share in S.Z. Eliades 
Leisure  Ltd  amounts  to  €43.758  thousand.  The  acquisition  did  not include  any  cash  consideration.  The  Group 
considers that it controls S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd. 

The non-controlling interest is measured at the proportionate share of the identifiable net assets acquired. 

The fair value of assets and liabilities of S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd at the date of acquisition are presented below: 

Assets 

Property and equipment 

Stock of property 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Liabilities 

Deferred tax liability 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Net identifiable assets acquired 

Less non-controlling interest 

Net assets acquired 

No cash and cash equivalents were acquired. 

176 

€000 

20.308 

48.632 

580 

69.520 

3.807 

3.202 

7.009 

62.511 

(18.753) 

43.758 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

50. 

Acquisitions and disposals (continued) 

50.1 

Acquisitions during 2016 (continued) 

50.1.2  Acquisition of K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd 

In the context of the loan restructuring activities of the parent company of K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd, the Group 
acquired on 23 December 2016 a 100% interest in the share capital of K. Athientitis Kalamon Ltd.  K. Athienitis 
Kalamon Ltd operates in the development and rental of immovable property. The fair value of the consideration 
for the acquisition of the 100% share in K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd amounts to €4.204 thousand, which is also 
the  cash  consideration  paid  for  the  acquisition  of  the  company.  Part  of  the  consideration  paid  was  used  to 
reduce the outstanding loan facilities of the parent company of K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd.  The Group considers 
that it controls K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd. 

The  fair  value  of  assets  and  liabilities  of  K.  Athienitis  Kalamon  Ltd  at  the  date  of  acquisition  are  presented 
below: 

Assets 

Stock of property 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Liabilities 

Deposits by banks 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Net identifiable assets acquired 

€000 

27.000 

2 

27.002 

22.198 

600 

22.798 

4.204 

No cash and cash equivalents were acquired. 

50.2 

Disposal during 2016 

50.2.1  Disposal of Kermia Hotels Ltd and adjacent land 

In  June  2016,  the  Group  completed  the  sale  of  100%  of  its  subsidiary  Kermia  Hotels  Ltd  and  adjacent  land 
which was classified as a disposal group held for sale as at 31 December 2015.     

The carrying value of assets and liabilities disposed of as at the date of their disposal are presented below: 

Assets 

Property and equipment 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Cash and cash equivalent 

Liabilities 

Deferred tax liability 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Total net assets sold 

€000 

27.130 

678 

1.132 

28.940 

3.677 

1.308 

4.985 

23.955 

The  cash  consideration  received  amounts  to  €26.500  thousand  and  the  disposal  resulted  in  a  gain  of  €2.545 
thousand (Note 13). 

177 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

50. 

Acquisitions and disposals (continued) 

50.3 

Acquisition during 2015 

50.3.1  Acquisition of shares of Laiki Financial Services Ltd (LFS)  

On  30  January  2015,  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  shareholders  of  LFS  approved  the  disposal  of  the 
shares  of  LFS  to  the  Company  for  a  consideration  of  €3  million.    Previously,  LFS  was  100%  owned  by  LCP 
Holdings and Investments Public Ltd (formerly Laiki Capital Public Co Ltd), a subsidiary of the Company.  As a 
result,  the  increase  of  the  Company’s  holding  from  67%  to  100%  in  LFS  is  accounted  for  as  an  equity 
transaction. 

In  November  2015,  CISCO,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company  issued  1.000  thousand  shares  of  a  nominal  value 
€1,71  each,  at  a  total  premium  of  €534  thousand,  for  the  transfer  of  the  Company’s  investment  in  LFS  to 
CISCO.  Following  the  transfer  of  shares,  LFS  was  dissolved,  without  liquidation,  under  the  Merger  and 
Reconstruction Scheme and its net assets were transferred to CISCO in accordance with a court order. 

50.4 

Disposals during 2015  

50.4.1  Disposal of the majority of the Group’s Russian operations  

On 25 September 2015, the Group completed the disposal of the majority of its Russian operations, comprising 
(i)  its  100%  holding  in  its  subsidiary,  BOC  Russia  (Holdings)  Ltd,  its  80%  holding  in  its  Russian  banking 
subsidiary,  CB  Uniastrum  Bank  LLC,  and  its  80%  holding  in  its  Russian  leasing  subsidiary,  Leasing  Company 
Uniastrum Leasing LLC and (ii) certain other Russian loan exposures. 

The  transaction  resulted  in  a  loss  on  disposal  of  €23.032  thousand,  comprising  a  loss  of  €28.237  thousand 
representing the recycling of the foreign currency translation reserve  from other comprehensive income to the 
consolidated income statement and a profit of €5.205 thousand against the net book value of the assets as at 
the  disposal  date.    As  part  of  the  sales  agreement,  the  parties  agreed  an  asset  swap  arrangement  which 
involved the exchange of certain assets between them that resulted in a €41.849 thousand receivable for the 
Group on the date of the transaction. 

Following the disposal of the Group’s Russian operations, the remaining net exposure as at 31 December 2016 
in Russia is €44.118 thousand, comprising primarily of customer loans.  

The results of the Group’s Russian operations from 1 January 2015 until the date of their disposal are presented 
in Note 6 of these consolidated financial statements and are classified as discontinued operations. 

178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

50. 

Acquisitions and disposals (continued) 

50.4 

Disposals during 2015 (continued) 

50.4.1  Disposal of the majority of the Group’s Russian operations (continued) 

The  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Group’s  Russian  operations  disposed  of  as  at  the  date  of  their  disposal  are 
presented below: 

Assets 

Cash and balances with central banks 

Loans and advances to banks 

Investments 

Loans and advances to customers 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Liabilities  

Deposits by banks  

Customer deposits  

Debt securities in issue 

Subordinated loan stock 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Net liabilities 

The sale consideration is analysed below: 

Net cash consideration received, of which: 

-  Outflow of cash and cash equivalents 

€000 

64.291 

26.269 

12.726 

343.909 

41.950 

489.145 

24.422 

494.274 

139 

2.673 

4.976 

526.484 

(37.339) 

€000 

2.896 

(3.945) 

The net cash flows of the Russian operations from 1 January 2015 until the date of the disposal are as follows: 

Operating 

Investing 

Financing 

Net cash outflow for the period 

50.4.2  Disposal of Aphrodite group 

2015 

€000 

(34.108) 

(15.927) 

(1.733) 

(51.768) 

In September 2015, the Group completed the sale of shares representing a 65% shareholding in the Aphrodite 
Hills Resort Ltd and Aphrodite Hills (Lakkos tou Frangou) Ltd, for the amount of €500 thousand.  Following the 
sale, the Group retained a 10% minority equity stake in the Aphrodite group.  The transaction also involved the 
restructuring of the debt owed by these companies to the Group.  

50.4.3  Disposal of Kyprou Leasing SA 

Following the disposal of the Group’s leasing operations in Greece to Piraeus Bank SA through a Decree issued 
on 26 March 2013, the Group completed the transfer of the legal ownership of its subsidiary, Kyprou Leasing 
SA to Piraeus Bank SA during the first quarter of 2015. 

179 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

51. 

Investments in associates and joint ventures  

Carrying value of the investments in associates and joint ventures 

CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd 
Interfund Investments Plc 
Aris Capital Management LLC 
Rosequeens Properties Limited 
Rosequeens Properties SRL 
Tsiros (Agios Tychon) Ltd 
M.S. (Skyra) Vassas Ltd 
D.J. Karapatakis & Sons Limited 
Rodhagate Entertainment Ltd 
Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd 

Share of profit/(loss) from associates and joint ventures  

CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd 
Interfund Investments Plc 

Investments in associates 

2016 
€000 

2015 
€000 

107.172 
2.167 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
109.339 

105.540 
2.201 
- 
- 
- 
12 
- 
- 
- 
- 
107.753 

2016 
€000 

2015 
€000 

8.228 
(34) 
8.194 

6.709 
(786) 
5.923 

CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd 
As part of the acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank in 2013, 49,9% of CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings 
Ltd, the parent company of a group of insurance companies in Cyprus and Greece, was acquired by the Group.  

The main financial highlights of the associate are as follows: 

Total assets  
Liabilities 

Net assets, including value of in-force business 

2016 
€000 

696.005 
(481.234) 

214.771 

2015 
€000 

676.915 
(465.416) 

211.499 

CNP  Cyprus  Insurance  Holdings  Ltd  holds  deposits  with  companies  within  the  Group  amounting  to  €10.310 
thousand.  The transactions between CNP  Cyprus Insurance  Holdings Ltd and the Group are  presented in the 
table below: 

Dividend income 

Interest expense paid by the Group 

Other expenses paid by the Group 

Other income received by the Group 

2016 
€000 

2015 
€000 

6.621 

197 

92 

- 

7.580 

239 

239 

2 

180 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

51. 

Investments in associates and joint ventures (continued) 

Investments in associates (continued) 

Interfund Investments Plc 
The Group  has a 23,12% interest in Interfund  Investments Plc, which is a closed-end investment company in 
Cyprus, listed on the CSE. The market value of the investment is €1.399 thousand (2015: €1.372 thousand). 

During the years 2016 and 2015 there were no material transactions between the Group and the associate. 

Rosequeens Properties Limited and Rosequeens Properties SRL 
The  Group  effectively  owns  33%  of  the  share  capital  of  Rosequeens  Properties  SRL  which  is  incorporated  in 
Romania and owns a shopping mall in Romania.  The shareholding was acquired after the Company took part in 
a  public  auction  for  the  settlement  of  customer  loan  balances  amounting  to  approximately  €21  million.    The 
Group’s share of net assets of the associate at 31 December 2016 and 2015 had nil accounting value as the net 
assets of the associate had a negative balance. 

Aris Capital Management LLC 
The  Group’s  holding  in  Aris  Capital  Management  LLC  of  30%  was  transferred  to  the  Group  following  the 
acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank.  During previous years, the Group has recognised an impairment 
loss  of  €2.078  thousand.    During  the  years  2016  and  2015,  there  were  no  material  balances  or  transactions 
between the Group and the associate. 

M.S. (Skyra) Vassas Ltd 
During  the  year,  in  the  context  of  its  loan  restructuring  activities,  the  Group  acquired  a  15%  interest  in  the 
share  capital  of  M.S.  (Skyra)  Vassas  Ltd.    M.S.  (Skyra)  Vassas  Ltd  is  the  parent  company  of  a  group  of 
companies  (Skyra  Vassas  group)  with  operations  in  the  production,  processing  and  distribution  of  aggregates 
(crushed  stone  and  sand)  and  provision  of other  construction  materials,  and  services  based on  core  products 
such  as  ready-mix  concrete,  asphalt  and  packing  of  aggregates.  The  Group  considers  that  it  exercises 
significant  influence  over  the  Skyra  Vassas  group  as  the  Group  has  the  power  to  have  representation  to  the 
Board of Directors and to vote for matters relating to the relevant activities of the business. The investment is 
considered to be fully impaired and its value is restricted to zero. 

D.J. Karapatakis & Sons Limited and Rodhagate Entertainment Ltd 
During  the  year,  in  the  context  of  its  loan  restructuring  activities,  the  Group  acquired  a  7,5%  interest  in  the 
share  capital  of  D.J.  Karapatakis  &  Sons  Limited  and  Rodhagate  Entertainment  Ltd,  operating  in  leisure, 
tourism, film and entertainment industries in Cyprus.  The Group considers that it exercises significant influence 
over the two companies  as the Group  has the power to  have representation  to the Board  of Directors and to 
vote for matters relating to the relevant activities of the business.  The investments are considered to be fully 
impaired and their value is restricted to zero. 

Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd 
During  the  year,  in  the  context  of  its  loan  restructuring  activities,  the  Group  acquired  a  45%  interest  in  the 
share capital of Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd.  Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd is the parent company of 
Fairways Ltd operating in the import and trading of motor vehicles and spare parts.  The Group considers that it 
exercises  significant  influence  over  the  company.    The  investment  is  considered  to  be  fully  impaired  and  its 
value is restricted to zero. 

Investment in joint venture  

Tsiros (Agios Tychon) Ltd 
The Group holds a 50% shareholding in Tsiros (Agios Tychon) Ltd.  The shareholder agreement with the other 
shareholder  of  Tsiros  (Agios  Tychon)  Ltd  stipulates  a  number  of  matters  which  require  consent  by  both 
shareholders, therefore the Group considers that it jointly controls the company.  The carrying value of Tsiros 
(Ayios Tychon) Ltd is restricted to zero. 

181 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                                                                                                                 Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

52. 

Country by country reporting 

Article  89  of  CRD  IV  requires  banks  to  disclose  on  a  consolidated  basis  the  following  information  for  all  countries  where  the  Group  operates.    The  table  below 
provides information on the following items of the Group for year 2016: 

Country 

Cyprus 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

Greece 

Channel Islands 

Netherlands 

Total 

Total operating 
income/(expense) 

Average 
number of 
employees 

€000 

1.010.517 

7.547 

(4.180) 

8.116 

2.650 

771 

(65) 

4.070 

5 

218 

35 

7 

1 

- 

1.025.356 

4.336 

Profit/(loss) 
before tax 

€000 

Accounting tax 
expense/(income) 
on profit/(loss) 
€000 

Corporation tax 
paid/(refunded) 

€000 

Public 
subsidies 
received 
€000 

149.065 

(5.226) 

(49.008) 

(4.529) 

(3.635) 

(855) 

(196) 

85.616 

10.905 

13 

1.357 

84 

(1.088) 

- 

457 

11.728 

3.406 

13 

1.128 

133 

(5.151) 

- 

824 

353 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

The activities of Group companies by geographical area are disclosed in Note 49. 

Total operating income: comprises net interest income, net fee and commission income, net foreign exchange gains, net gains on financial instrument transactions, 
insurance  income  net  of  claims  and  commissions,  gains/(losses)  from  revaluation  and  disposal  of  investment  properties,  gains/(losses)  on  disposal  of  stock  of 
property and other income. 

Number of employees: the number of employees has been calculated as the average number of employees, on a quarterly basis, who were employed by the Group 
during the year ended 31 December 2016. 

Profit/(loss) before tax: profit/(loss) before tax represents profits/(losses) after the deduction of inter-segment revenues/(expenses). 

Accounting tax expense/(income) on profit/(loss): includes corporation tax and Cyprus special defence contribution.  Deferred tax charge for the year is excluded 
from the above.  

Corporation  tax  paid:  includes  actual  payments  made  during  2016  for  corporation  tax  (including  insurance  premium  taxes)  and  Cyprus  special  defence 
contribution.   

182 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

53. 

Events after the reporting date 

53.1 

New holding company and listing on the London Stock Exchange  

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was incorporated in the Republic of Ireland on 11 July 2016 
for  the  purposes  of  the  Group’s  listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  (LSE).  The  Republic  of  Ireland  was 
considered  to  be  the  most  suitable  jurisdiction  as  it  is  a  FTSE  eligible  Eurozone  country,  has  a  common  law 
legal system  similar to that of Cyprus and is a commonly adopted jurisdiction for companies wishing to apply 
for  listing  on  the  LSE.  The  Company’s  headquarters,  management  and  operations  remain  in  Cyprus.  Bank  of 
Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company is tax resident in Cyprus.  

The  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  (EGM)  of  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  held  on  13  December  2016 
approved the scheme of arrangement between the Company, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company 
and the shareholders of the Company.  The scheme of arrangement introduces Bank of Cyprus Holdings  Public 
Limited Company as the new holding company of the Group.  Additionally the EGM authorised the directors of 
the Company to take all actions necessary or appropriate to carry the scheme of arrangement into effect.  

The EGM also approved: 
(i) 

the  reduction  in  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  from  €892.294.453,30  divided  into 
8.922.944.533  ordinary  shares  of  a  nominal  value  of  €0,10  each  to  nil  by  cancelling  all  the  shares 
comprising  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  (the  Existing  Shares)  resulting  in  the  creation  of  a 
capital  reduction  reserve  in  the  accounts  of  the  Company,  equal  to  the  aggregate  nominal  value  of  the 
Existing  Shares  so  cancelled,  and  which  shall  be  retained  as  a  non-distributable  capital  reserve  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  subsection  (e)  of  section  64  of  the  Companies  Law,  Cap.  113  (the 
‘Reduction of Capital’); 

(ii)  the  increase  in  the  authorised  share  capital  of  the  Company  to  €4.767.759.272,00  divided  into 
47.677.592.720 ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0,10 each through the creation of 8.922.944.533 
new but unissued ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0,10 each, each of which shall have the same 
rights and shall rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares of the Company; 

(iii)  to apply the reserve arising in the books of account of the Company as a result of the cancellation of the 
Existing  Shares  in  paying  up  in  full  at  par  8.922.944.533  new  ordinary  shares  with  a  nominal  value  of 
€0,10 each in the capital of the Company, which shall be issued and allotted, credited as fully paid, to Bank 
of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company or its nominee(s) in accordance with the Scheme; and 

(iv)  the authorization of the directors of the Company to give effect to this special resolution. 

The  scheme  of  arrangement  was  sanctioned  by  the  District  Court  of  Nicosia  on  21  December  2016  and  the 
Existing  Shares  of  the  Company  were  suspended  from  trading  on  the  CSE  and  ATHEX  with  effect  from  and 
including 10 January 2017. 

Following the submission of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies and the Registration, by the latter, 
of the reduction of capital, the scheme of arrangement became effective on 18 January 2017. As a result, all of 
the  shares  comprising  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  were  cancelled  and  the  Company  issued  and 
allotted  8.922.944.533  new  ordinary  shares  of  nominal  value  €0,10  each,  credited  as  fully  paid  to  Bank  of 
Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company;  and  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  issued  and 
allotted  New  Shares  and  procured  the  issue  of  Depositary  Interests  representing  New  Shares,  in  accordance 
with the terms of the scheme of arrangement. Each one New Share or one Depository Interest represents one 
New Share for each individual holding of 20 Existing Shares.  

On 19 January 2017 the total issued share capital of 446.199.933 ordinary shares of nominal value €0,10 each 
of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was admitted to the standard listing segment of the official 
list of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct  Authority, to trading on the Main Market for listed securities  of 
the LSE, under the ticker symbol “BOCH”, to listing on the CSE and to trading on the Main Market of the CSE 
under the ticker symbol “BOCH/ΤΡΚΗ”, with ISIN IE00BD5B1Y92. 

53.2 

Share - based payments – share options 

The  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  approved  by  the  shareholders  at  the  annual  general  meeting  on  24  November 
2015  as  described  in  Note  34,  was  replaced  on  18  January  2017  by  the  Share  Option  Plan  implemented  by 
Bank of Cyprus Holdings  Public Limited  Company  following the introduction of  Bank  of Cyprus Holdings Public 
Limited  Company  as  the  new  holding  company  of  the  Group.    The  Share  Option  plan  is  identical  to  the  Long 
Term Incentive Plan except that the number of shares in Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company to be 
issued pursuant to an exercise  of options under the Share Option Plan  should  not exceed 8.922.945 ordinary 
shares of a nominal value of €0,10 each and the exercise price was set at €5,00 per share.  The exercise date 
was also extended from 3 years to between 4-10 years after the grant date. 

183 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

53. 

Events after the reporting date (continued) 

53.3 

Full repayment of ELA 

ELA was fully repaid on 5 January 2017. All ELA collateralised loans have subsequently been released, but ELA 
pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017. 

53.4 

Issue of Tier 2 Capital 

In  January  2017,  the  Company  issued  a  €250  million  unsecured  and  subordinated  Tier  2  Capital  Note  (Note) 
under  the  Company’s  EMTN  Programme.  The  Note  was  priced  at  par  with  a  coupon  of  9,25%.    The  Note 
matures  on  19  January  2027.    The  Company  has  the  option  to  redeem  the  Note  early  on  19  January  2022, 
subject to applicable regulatory consents. 

53.5 

Funding through the new series of TLTRO II 

In  March  2017  the  Company  has  borrowed  an  additional  amount  of  €230  million  through  the  new  series  of 
TLTRO II, to be received on 29 March 2017. 

184 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ernst & Young Cyprus Ltd 
Jean Nouvel Tower 
6 Stasinou Avenue 
P.O.Box 21656 
1511 Nicosia, Cyprus 

Tel:  +357 22209999 
Fax: +357 22209998 
ey.com/cy 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the Members of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd  

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Opinion 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd 
(the ‘Company’) and its subsidiaries (together with the Company the ‘Group’) on pages 16 to 
184,  which  comprise  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  as  at  31  December  2016,  and  the 
consolidated income  statement,  the  consolidated statement of comprehensive income,  the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for 
the  year  then  ended,  and  the  notes  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  including  a 
summary of significant accounting policies.  

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial 
position of the Group as at 31 December 2016, and of its financial performance and its cash 
flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the European Union and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap. 
113. 

Basis of opinion  

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities 
for  the  Audit  of  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  section  of  our  report.  We  are 
independent  of  the  Group  in  accordance  with  the  International  Ethics Standards  Board  for 
Accountants’ Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA Code), and we have fulfilled 
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the IESBA Code. We believe that the audit 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Material uncertainty related to going concern 

We draw your attention to note 3 “Going concern” to the consolidated financial statements 
which  discusses  management’s  assessment  as  to  the  ability  of  the  Group  to  continue  as  a 
going concern and the fact that the Company is currently not in compliance with its regulatory 
liquidity requirements with respect to its operations in Cyprus and the Group is currently not 
in compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements with respect to the Liquidity Coverage 
Ratio (LCR), which indicates the existence of a material uncertainty of the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. 

185 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key audit matters 

Key  audit  matters  are  those  matters  that,  in  our  professional  judgment,  were  of  most 
significance  in  our  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  current  period.  In 
addition to the matter described in the material uncertainty related to going concern section 
of our report, we have determined the matters described below to be the key audit matters 
to be communicated in our report. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit 
of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and 
we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter included in Appendix 
A, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context. 

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
the  consolidated  financial  statements  section  of  our  report,  including  in  relation  to  these 
matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond 
to  our  assessment  of  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.  The  results  of  our  audit  procedures,  including  the  procedures  performed  to 
address  the  matters  below,  provide  the  basis  for  our  audit  opinion  on  the  accompanying 
financial statements. 

The areas of highest risk to the audit and where we focused most effort and resources were: 

Impairment of customer loans and advances 

• 
•  Recoverability of deferred tax assets 
•  Valuation of stock of property 

The nature of Key Audit Matters and the procedures performed to support our discussions 
and conclusions are described in Appendix A of this report. 

Other information included in the annual report 

The  Board  of  Directors  is  responsible  for  the  other  information.  The  other  information 
comprises  the  information  included  in  the  Annual  Report,  but  does  not  include  the 
consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information 
and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to 
read  the  other  information  and,  in  doing  so,  consider  whether  the  other  information  is 
materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained 
in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have 
performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we 
are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

186 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors for the Consolidated Financial Statements 

The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of consolidated financial 
statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European Union and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies 
Law, Cap. 113, and for such internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary 
to  enable  the  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  that  are  free  from  material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for 
assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters 
related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of 
Directors  either  intends  to  liquidate  the  Group  or  to  cease  operations,  or  has  no  realistic 
alternative but to do so.  

The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.  

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, 
and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level 
of  assurance,  but  is  not  a  guarantee  that  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with  ISAs  will 
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably 
be  expected  to  influence  the  economic  decisions  of  users  taken  on  the  basis  of  these 
consolidated financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain 
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:  

 

Identify  and  assess  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  design  and  perform  audit  procedures 
responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting 
from  fraud  is  higher  than  for  one  resulting  from  error,  as  fraud  may  involve  collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.  

  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Group’s internal control. 

  Evaluate  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of 

accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Board of Directors.  

187 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis 
of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty 
exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are 
required  to  draw  attention  in  our  auditor’s  report  to  the  related  disclosures  in  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  or,  if  such  disclosures  are  inadequate,  to  modify  our 
opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our 
auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to 
continue as a going concern.  

  Evaluate  the  overall  presentation,  structure  and  content  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements 
represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves a true and fair 
view.  

  Obtain  sufficient  appropriate  audit  evidence  regarding  the  financial  information  of  the 
entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance 
of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.  

We communicate with the Board of Directors through its Audit Committee regarding, among 
other  matters,  the  planned  scope  and  timing  of  the  audit  and  significant  audit  findings, 
including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide the Board of Directors through its Audit Committee with a statement that we 
independence,  and  to 
have  complied  with  relevant  ethical  requirements  regarding 
communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought 
to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.  

From  the  matters  communicated  with  the Board  of  Directors,  we  determine  those  matters 
that  were  of  most  significance  in  the  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the 
current  period  and  are  therefore  the  key  audit  matters.  We  describe  these  matters  in  our 
auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, 
in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in 
our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to 
outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication. 

Report on other legal requirements 

Pursuant to the additional requirements of the Auditors and Statutory Audits of Annual and 
Consolidated Accounts Laws of 2009 to 2016, we report the following: 

  We have obtained all the information and explanations we considered necessary for the 

purposes of our audit. 

  In our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by the Company, so far as appears 

from our examination of these books. 

  The consolidated financial statements are in agreement with the books of account. 

188 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given 
to us, the consolidated financial statements give the information required by the Cyprus 
Companies Law, Cap. 113, in the manner so required. 

  In  our  opinion,  the  management  report  has  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the 
requirements  of  the  Cyprus  Companies  Law,  Cap.  113,  and  the  information  given  is 
consistent with the consolidated financial statements. 

  In our opinion, and in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and its 
environment  obtained  in  the  course  of  the  audit,  we  have  not  identified  material 
misstatements in the management report. 

  In  our  opinion,  the  information  included  in  the  corporate  governance  statement  in 
accordance with the requirements of subparagraphs (iv) and (v) of paragraph 2(a) of Article 
151 of the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap. 113, and which is included as a specific section of 
the management report, have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 
Cyprus  Companies  Law,  Cap,  113,  and  is  consistent  with  the  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

  In our opinion, and in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and its 
environment  obtained  in  the  course  of  the  audit,  we  have  not  identified  material 
misstatements  in  the  corporate  governance  statement  in  relation  to  the  information 
disclosed  for  items  (iv)  and  (v)  of  subparagraph  2(a)  of  Article  151  of  the  Cyprus 
Companies Law, Cap. 113. 

  In our opinion, the corporate governance statement includes all information referred to in 
subparagraphs  (i),  (ii),  (iii)  and  (vi)  of  paragraph  2(a)  of  Article  151  of  the  Cyprus 
Companies Law, Cap. 113. 

Other matter 

This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only for the Company's members 
as a body in accordance with Section 34 of the Auditors and Statutory Audits of Annual and 
Consolidated Accounts Laws of 2009 to 2016 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving 
this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to 
whose knowledge this report may come to. 

Savvas Pentaris 
Certified Public Accountant and Registered Auditor 
for and on behalf of  

Ernst & Young Cyprus Limited 
Certified Public Accountants and Registered Auditors 

Nicosia 
27 March 2017 

189 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX A – Key Audit Matters 

Impairment of customer loans and advances 

Nature of the key audit matter 

Provisions for credit losses is the area which involves the highest level of critical judgment. 
They  are  calculated  on  a  collective  basis  for  portfolios  of  loans  of  similar  credit  risk 
characteristics  and  on  an  individual  basis  for  significant  loans.  The  determination  of  the 
provision for loan losses requires the exercise of significant judgment and assumptions by 
management. We consider this as a key audit matter since this is an accounting estimate 
with high estimation uncertainty, the balances of the provisions are material and the nature 
of the calculation is subjective.  

The Group disclosures regarding provisions for credit losses are included in notes 5.1, 16 
and 43 to the consolidated financial statements. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Among others, we have performed the following procedures: 
•  We  assessed  and  tested  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  the  controls  over 
impairment  provisions  data  and  calculations.  These  controls  included  those  over  the 
identification of which loans and advances were impaired, the data transfer from source 
systems  to  impairment  models  and  model  output  to  the  general  ledger,  and  the 
calculation of the impairment provisions. In addition, we tested IT controls for systems 
used for impairment calculation. We determined that we could rely on these controls for 
the purposes of our audit. 

•  We  obtained an  understanding  of  the estimation  process  for  the  provisions  for credit 

losses. 

•  For  collective  impairment  provisions  the  appropriateness  of  the  methodology  was 
independently  assessed  by  reference  to  IFRS  and  market  practices  and  model 
calculations  were  tested  through  re-performance.  The  underlying  logic  of  data 
preparation,  transformation  and  related  formulas  for  computing  collective  provisions 
was assessed via a source code review of the related IT components involved. 

•  The appropriateness of management’s judgements was also independently considered 
in  respect  of  segmentation,  economic  factors  and  judgemental  overlays  and  the 
valuation of recovering the collateral. 

•  For 

individual 

impairment  provisions,  the  appropriateness  of  provisioning  was 

independently assessed for a sample of loans selected on the basis of risk. 

•  We  engaged  specialists  to  review  the  model  developed  by  the  Group  for  forecasting 

future property prices movement over the period of realization of collateral. 

•  We  performed  data  integrity  validation  checks  to  ensure  that  the  inputs  used  by  the 

Group in the calculation of provisions are correct.  

190 

 
 
 
Recoverability of deferred tax assets 

Nature of the key audit matter 

The Group has recognized deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses that may be carried 
forward  to  future  years.  The  recoverability  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  requires 
management’s estimation on the future profitability of the Group so as to assess whether 
sufficient  taxable  profits  will  be  generated  against  which  the  tax  losses  carried  forward 
(which  is  the  largest  part  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  recognized  by  the  Group)  may  be 
utilized. For this assessment, management prepares a forecast for the following years and 
this  forecast  is  a  result of  management’s  best estimates  and  expectations  regarding  the 
Group’s  future  performance.  The  estimation  of  future  taxable  profits  is  inherently 
judgmental, particularly when this extends beyond the normal planning cycle. We consider 
this as a key audit matter due to the materiality of the balances and the subjective nature 
of the calculation. 

The Group disclosures regarding the deferred tax assets are included in notes 5.7 and 17 
to the consolidated financial statements. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Among others, we have performed the following procedures: 
• We  updated  our  understanding  of  the  process  for  evaluating  the  recoverability  of  the 

deferred tax assets. The main management controls are review type controls. 

• In  order  to  obtain  sufficient  audit  evidence  that  it  was  probable  that  sufficient  taxable 
profits would exist to utilize the deferred tax assets, we tested the supporting calculations 
based on the  Group’s 3 year plan which formed the basis of the projections  until 2028 
(expiry date of the majority of the tax losses) and the tax rates applied. 

• The basis for management’s assessment of recoverability including the profit projections 
and underlying assumptions and the calculations performed to arrive at taxable profits 
from  these  projections,  was  challenged  using  our  knowledge  of  the  business,  future 
strategy and past performance. We utilized the services of valuation specialists to assist 
in  performing  our  substantive  audit  procedures  related  to  the  Group’s  recoverability 
exercise.  The specialists  were  involved  in  the  review  of  key  assumptions  used  in  the 
valuation.  

• The range of reasonably possible alternative outcomes was assessed 
• The completeness and accuracy of the disclosures was also assessed. 

191 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation of stock of property  

Nature of the key audit matter 

The Group has acquired a significant number of properties over the last couple of years as 
a  result  of  restructuring  agreements  with  clients.  These  properties  are  classified  by  the 
Group as stock of property in accordance with IAS 2. Given the large increase in the number 
of  properties  acquired  and  the  high  estimation  uncertainty  in  the  property  valuation  to 
determine the net realizable value, especially taking into account the current liquidity of 
the property market in Cyprus, we consider this a key audit matter.  

The Group disclosures regarding stock of property are included in notes 5.10 and 27 to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Among others, we have performed the following procedures: 
• We obtained an understanding of the valuation process of stock of property.  
• We assessed and tested the design and operating effectiveness of the controls over the 

valuation process of stock of property.  

• For a sample of properties, we obtained the valuation reports received by the Group from 
independent  valuers  and  ensured  that  the  fair  value  used  in  the  calculation  of  the  net 
realizable value (“NRV”) is in accordance with these valuations. 

• We obtained from the Group the comparison of the cost with the NRV and ensured that 
the lower of the two was recorded as the value of the stock of property as at the reporting 
date. 

• We  assessed  the  reasonableness  of  the  selling  costs  incorporated  in  the  Group’s 

calculation of the NRV.  

• We  assessed  the  reasonableness  of  the  external  valuers’  assumptions  used  in  the 

valuations by utilizing the services of an independent valuation specialist. 

• We performed substantive analytical review procedures.  

192 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Statement by the Members of the Board of Directors                    
and the Company Officials Responsible for the Drafting  
of the Financial Statements  

Annual Financial Report 2016 

We,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Company  officials  responsible  for  the  drafting  of  the 
financial  statements  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  (the  ‘Company’)  for  the  year  ended  31  December 
2016, the names of which are listed below, confirm that, to the best of our knowledge:  

(a) 

the Company’s financial statements on pages 194 to 318: 

(i)  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  as 

adopted by the European Union (EU) and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies Law,  

(ii)  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities,  financial  position  and  profit  or  loss  of  the 

Company and the undertakings included in the financial statements taken as a whole, and 

(b) 

the  Management  Report  provides  a  fair  review  of  the  developments  and  performance  of  the  business 
and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the financial statements taken as a 
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

Prof. Dr. Josef Ackermann 

Chairman 

Maksim Goldman 

Vice Chairman 

Arne Berggren 

Non-executive Director 

Lyn Grobler 

Non-executive Director 

Dr. Michael Heger 

Non-executive Director 

Marios Kalochoritis 

Non-executive Director 

Michalis Spanos 

Non-executive Director 

Ioannis Zographakis  

Non-executive Director 

John Patrick Hourican 

Executive Director 

Dr. Christodoulos Patsalides 

Executive Director 

Eliza Livadiotou  

Finance Director 

27 March 2017  

193 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

194 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Financial Statements – Contents    
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Income Statement 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Balance Sheet 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 
1.  Corporate information 
2.  Summary of significant accounting policies 
3.  Going concern 
4.  Operating environment  
5.  Significant judgements, estimates and  

Page 

196 

197 

198 

199 

201 

202 
202 
203 
204 

40.   Analysis of assets and liabilities by expected 

maturity 

41.  Risk management – Credit risk 
42.  Risk management – Market risk 
43.   Risk management – Liquidity risk and  

funding  

44.  Capital management 
45.   Related party transactions  
46.  Group companies 
47.  Acquisitions and disposals 
48.  Events after the reporting date 

Page 

267 
268 
293 

299 
309 
309 
312 
316 
317 

assumptions 
Interest income 
Interest expense 
Fee and commission income and expense 

6. 
7. 
8. 
9.  Net foreign exchange gains 
10.  Net gains on financial instrument transactions  

206 
211 
212 
212 
212 

and dissolution/disposal of subsidiaries 

11.  Other income 
12.  Staff costs 
13.  Other operating expenses 
14.  Impairment of financial and non-financial 
instruments and gain on derecognition of 
loans and advances to customers and  
changes in expected cash flows  

15.  Income tax 
16.  Earnings per share 
17.  Cash, balances with central banks and  

loans and advances to banks 

18.  Investments 
19.  Derivative financial instruments 
20.  Fair value measurement 
21.  Loans and advances to customers 
22.  Balances and transactions with Group 

companies 

23.  Investments in associates  
24.  Property and equipment 
25.  Intangible assets  
26.  Stock of property 
27.  Prepayments, accrued income and other 

213 
214 
214 
220 

221 
222 
225 

226 
226 
232 
234 
244 

245 
   247 
249 
251 
251 

  assets 

253 
28.  Non-current assets classified as held for sale  253 
254 
29.  Funding from central banks 
30.   Customer deposits 
254 
31.  Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities  256 
257 
32.  Share capital 
258 
33.  Dividends 
258 
34.   Accumulated losses 
258 
35.   Fiduciary transactions  
259 
36.   Contingent liabilities and commitments 
264 
37.   Net cash flow from operating activities  
38.   Cash and cash equivalents 
266 
39.    Operating leases 

– The Company as lessee 

266 

195 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                       Annual Financial Report 2016  
Income Statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Turnover 

Interest income 

Interest expense 

Net interest income 

Fee and commission income 

Fee and commission expense 

Net foreign exchange gains 

Dividend income from subsidiaries and associates  
Net gains on financial instrument transactions and 
dissolution/disposal of subsidiaries 
Gains/(losses) from revaluation and disposal of 
investment properties 

Gains on disposal of stock of property 

Other income 

Staff costs 

Other operating expenses 

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances to 
customers and changes in expected cash flows  
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to 
customers and other customer credit losses 

Impairment of other financial instruments 

Impairment of non-financial instruments 

Profit/(loss) before tax  

Income tax 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Notes 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

6 

7 

8 

8 

9 

22 

10 

20 

11 

12 

13 

14 

14 

14 

14 

15 

1.181.934 

1.231.142 

851.416 

1.084.545 

(189.065) 

(269.123) 

662.351 

157.841 

(9.793) 

81.177 

107.856 

34.802 

815.422 

145.279 

(8.460) 

11.571 

33.542 

24.166 

3.987 

(35.550) 

399 

7.097 

- 

11.146 

1.045.717 

997.116 

(250.411) 

(202.379) 

(184.330) 

(194.088) 

610.976 

600.649 

63.315 

305.089 

(423.626) 

(1.229.627) 

(45.965) 

(69.041) 

(36.543) 

(40.452) 

168.157 

(433.382) 

(9.899) 

(4.272) 

158.258 

(437.654) 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share 
(cent) 

16 

1,8 

(4,9) 

196 

                                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                       Annual Financial Report 2016  
Statement of Comprehensive Income 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

158.258 

(437.654) 

Notes 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Other comprehensive income (OCI) 

OCI to be reclassified in the income statement in 
subsequent periods 

Foreign currency translation reserve 

(Loss)/profit on translation of net investments in foreign 
branches  

Available-for-sale investments 

Net gains from fair value changes before tax 

Transfer to the income statement on impairment 

Transfer to the income statement on sale 

OCI not to be reclassified in the income statement 
in subsequent periods 

Property revaluation 

Fair value loss before tax 

Tax 

24 

15 

(1.412) 

41 

1.033 

336 

33.342 

1.515 

(28.467) 

(1.846) 

(27.098) 

(28.510) 

33.011 

33.052 

- 

(6.072) 

(61) 

(61) 

4.038 

(2.034) 

695 

(1.339) 

31.713 

Actuarial (losses)/gains on the defined benefit plans 

Remeasurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans 

12 

(13.582) 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income after tax 

(13.643) 

(42.153) 

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

116.105 

(405.941) 

197 

                                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Balance Sheet 
as at 31 December 2016 

Assets 

Cash and balances with central banks 

Loans and advances to banks 

Derivative financial assets 

Investments 

Investments pledged as collateral 

Loans and advances to customers 

Balances with Group companies 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Stock of property 

Investment properties 

Property and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Investments in associates  

Investments in subsidiaries 

Deferred tax assets 

Non-current assets held for sale 

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Deposits by banks 

Funding from central banks  

Repurchase agreements 

Derivative financial liabilities 

Customer deposits 

Balances with Group companies 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Debt securities in issue 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Equity 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Capital reduction reserve 

Revaluation and other reserves 

Accumulated losses  

Total equity  

Total liabilities and equity 

Notes 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

17 

17 

19 

18 

18 

21 

22 

27 

26 

20 

24 

25 

23 

46 

15 

28 

29 

19 

30 

22 

31 

15 

32 

32 

32 

1.267.353 

1.111.354 

984.876 

1.112.337 

20.834 

333.270 

299.765 

14.022 

512.631 

421.032 

14.352.560 

16.005.878 

1.364.982 

153.335 

494.998 

11.625 

735.579 

167.486 

276.095 

11.688 

199.888 

198.227 

17.681 

97.293 

198.708 

450.350 

346 

14.773 

97.293 

207.781 

456.479 

9.767 

20.247.864 

21.352.422 

427.737 

237.860 

850.014 

4.452.850 

257.367 

368.151 

48.840 

54.408 

15.045.090 

12.694.130 

502.645 

256.660 

- 

568.486 

233.084 

712 

20.533 

19.868 

17.408.886 

18.629.549 

892.294 

551.368 

892.294 

551.368 

1.952.486 

1.952.486 

76.430 

76.462 

34 

(633.600) 

(749.737) 

2.838.978 

2.722.873 

20.247.864 

21.352.422 

Prof. Dr. J. Ackermann    Chairman  

Mr. J. P. Hourican 

Chief Executive Officer 

Mr. I. Zographakis           Director 

Mrs. E. Livadiotou 

Finance Director

198 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                        
Statement of Changes in Equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

  Annual Financial Report 2016 

Share  
capital 
(Note 32) 

Share 
premium 
(Note 32) 

Capital  
reduction 
reserve  
(Note 32) 

Treasury  
shares  
(Note 32) 

Accumulated 
losses 
 (Note 34) 

Property 
revaluation 
reserve 

Revaluation 
reserve of 
available-
for-sale 
investments 

Other 
reserves 

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 

Total 
equity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1 January 2016  

892.294  551.368  1.952.486  (36.849) 

(749.737) 

72.503 

32.734 

6.059 

2.015  2.722.873 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive loss 
after tax for the year 
Total comprehensive 
income/(loss) for the year 

Disposals of treasury shares 

Transfer of realised profits 
on disposal of properties 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31 December 2016 

892.294  551.368  1.952.486 

- 

- 

- 

158.258 

- 

- 

(13.582) 

(61) 

(27.098) 

144.676 

(61) 

(27.098) 

36.849 

(36.849) 

- 

8.310 

(8.310) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

158.258 

(1.412) 

(42.153) 

(1.412) 

116.105 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(633.600) 

64.132 

5.636 

6.059 

603  2.838.978 

199 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                        
Statement of Changes in Equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2016 

  Annual Financial Report 2016 

Share  
capital 
(Note 32) 

Share 
premium 
(Note 32) 

Capital  
reduction 
reserve  
(Note 32) 

Shares 
 subject to 
interim  
orders  

Treasury 
shares 
 (Note 32) 

Accumulated 
losses 
 (Note 34) 

Property 
revaluation 
reserve 

Revaluation 
reserve of 
available-
for-sale 
investments 

Other 
reserves 

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 

Total 
equity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1 January 2015  

892.238  551.289  1.952.486 

441 

(65.499) 

(273.281) 

74.537 

(277) 

6.059 

(9.314)  3.128.679 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive 
income/(loss) after tax for 
the year 
Total comprehensive 
(loss)/income for the year 

Issue of shares  

Disposals of treasury shares 

Transfers between reserves 

- 

- 

- 

56 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

79 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31 December 2015 

892.294  551.368  1.952.486 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(437.654) 

- 

- 

695 

(2.034) 

33.011 

(436.959) 

(2.034) 

33.011 

(441) 

28.650 

(28.209) 

- 

(11.288) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-  (437.654) 

41 

31.713 

41  (405.941) 

- 

- 

11.288 

135 

- 

- 

(36.849) 

(749.737) 

72.503 

32.734 

6.059 

2.015  2.722.873 

200 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                     Annual Financial Report 2016  
Statement of Cash Flows 
for the year ended 31 December 2016  

Net cash flow from operating activities 

37 

3.268.849 

2.605.260 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchases of debt securities and equity securities 

(203.246) 

(5.549) 

Note 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Proceeds on disposal/redemption of investments: 

- debt securities  

- equity securities 

Interest received from debt securities  

Dividend income received 

Cash consideration paid for acquisition/increase in holding of 
subsidiaries  

Amounts paid on disposal of subsidiaries and operations 

Proceeds from the reduction of share capital of subsidiary 

Proceeds on disposal of joint ventures 

Purchases of property and equipment  

Proceeds on disposals of property and equipment and 
intangible assets 

Purchases of intangible assets 

Proceeds on disposal of investment properties and investment 
properties held for sale 

24 

25 

455.907 

1.536.815 

33.782 

27.845 

109.891 

(4.288) 

- 

1.799 

- 

(8.961) 

165 

5.588 

14.637 

25.674 

(3.000) 

(3.445) 

- 

89.011 

(5.635) 

147 

(9.486) 

(7.424) 

12.550 

12.794 

Net cash flow from investing activities 

415.958 

1.659.613 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Proceeds from the issue of shares  

- 

135 

Net repayment of funding from central banks 

(3.602.836) 

(3.830.923) 

Redemption of debt securities in issue 

Interest on funding from central banks 

(712) 

- 

(29.656) 

(78.187) 

Net cash flow used in financing activities 

(3.633.204) 

(3.908.975) 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year 

51.603 

355.898 

Cash and cash equivalents 

1 January 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year 

1.843.493 

1.486.608 

(441) 

51.603 

987 

355.898 

31 December 

38 

1.894.655 

1.843.493 

Details on the non-cash transactions are presented in Note 37. 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

Corporate information  

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd (the Company) was the holding company of the Bank of Cyprus Group (the 
Group) during 2016 and as at the balance sheet date.  The principal activities of the Company during the year 
continued to be the provision of banking, financial services and management and disposal of property generally 
acquired in debt satisfaction. 

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated in 1930 under the Cyprus Companies Law.  As at the 
balance  sheet  date  the  Company  had  a  primary listing on  the Cyprus  Stock  Exchange  (CSE)  and  a  secondary 
listing on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX). Its shares were suspended from trading on the CSE and ATHEX with 
effect  from  and  including  10  January  2017  and  were  subsequently  cancelled  pursuant  to  a  Scheme  of 
Arrangement  that  became  effective  on  18  January  2017.  On  the  same  date  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public 
Limited  Company  became  the  sole  shareholder  of  the  Company,  and  on  19  January  2017  Bank  of  Cyprus 
Holdings Public Limited Company was admitted to listing and trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and 
the  CSE.  Further  information  is  disclosed  in  Note  48.1.    The  Company  remains  a  public  company  for  the 
purposes of the Cyprus Income Tax Laws.    

The  financial  statements  are  available  at  the  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  Registered  Office  (51 
Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, Strovolos, P.O. Box 24884, 1398 Nicosia, Cyprus) and on the Group’s website 
www.bankofcyprus.com (Investor Relations). 

Financial statements 
The  financial  statements  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  were 
authorised for issue by a resolution of the Board of Directors on 27 March 2017. 

2.   

2.1 

Summary of significant accounting policies  

Basis of preparation 

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for properties held for own use 
and investment properties, available-for-sale investments, derivative financial instruments and financial assets 
at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss,  that  have  been  measured  at  fair  value,  non-current  assets  held  for  sale 
measured  at  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and  stock  of  property  measured  at  net  realisable  value  where  this  is 
lower  than  cost.    The  carrying  values  of  recognised  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  hedged  items  in  fair  value 
hedges, and otherwise carried at cost, are adjusted to record changes in fair value attributable to the risks that 
are being hedged. 

Presentation of financial statements 
The  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Euro  (€)  and  all  amounts  are  rounded  to  the  nearest  thousand, 
except  where  otherwise  indicated.    A  dot  is  used  to  separate  thousands  and  a  comma  is  used  to  separate 
decimals. 

The Company presents its balance sheet broadly in order of liquidity. An analysis regarding expected recovery 
or settlement of financial assets and liabilities within twelve months after the balance sheet date and more than 
twelve months after the balance sheet date is presented in Note 40.   

These  are  the  financial  statements  of  the  holding  company  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  and  include 
branches of the Company in Greece and Romania. 

Statement of compliance 
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap. 113. 

2.2 

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures 

The accounting policies adopted in preparing the financial statements of the Company are consistent with those 
adopted  in  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Group,  a  summary  of  which  is  presented  in 
Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2016.  

In addition the following policies are adopted: 

202 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.   

2.2 

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures (continued) 

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are measured at cost less impairment.   

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year, except for the adoption 
of  new  and  amended  standards  and  interpretations  as  explained  in  Note  2.2.1  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2016. 

3. 

  Going concern  

Management has made an assessment of the Company’s and the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

The  conditions  that  existed  during  2016  and  the  developments  up  to  the  date  of  approval  of  these  financial 
statements  that  have  been  considered  in  management’s  going  concern  assessment  include,  amongst  others, 
the operating environment in Cyprus and of the Company (Note 4). 

Management  believes  that  the  Group  and  the  Company  are  taking  all  necessary  measures  to  maintain  their 
viability and the development of their business in the current economic environment. 

Management,  taking  into  consideration  the  factors  described  below  and  the  uncertainties  that  existed  at  the 
reporting date, is satisfied that the Group has the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future 
and, therefore, the going concern principle is appropriate for the reasons set out below, despite the fact that, as 
disclosed  in  Notes  4.2.3  and  43,  the  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its  liquidity  regulatory 
requirements  with  respect  to  its  operations  in  Cyprus  and  the  Group  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its 
regulatory  liquidity  requirements  with  respect  to  the  Liquidity  Coverage  Ratio  (LCR),  which  can  be  considered 
as a material uncertainty as to its ability to continue as a going concern.  

 

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 

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Τhe Group’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 31 December 2016 stands at 14,5% (transitional) and 
the total capital at 14,6%,  higher than the minimum required ratios (Note 4.2.1). 
The  improving  funding  structure  of  the  Group  as  a  result  of  the  continuing  positive  customer  flows  in 
Cyprus.   
The increase in Group customer deposits by €2.329 million during 2016.  Group’s customer deposits stood 
at €16.510 million at 31 December 2016. 
The Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) funding, was repaid in full on 5 January 2017. ELA stood at €200 
million at 31 December 2016 compared to €3,8 billion at 31 December 2015 and €11,4 billion at its peak 
level in April 2013 (Note 4.2.3).  
The improved ratings of both the Company (Fitch Ratings upgrade of Long-term Issuer Default Rating from 
‘CCC’ to ‘B-’ in April 2016 with stable outlook, and Moody’s Investor Service upgrade of long-term deposit 
rating from Caa3 with stable outlook to Caa3 with positive outlook in June 2016 and to Caa2 with positive 
outlook in December 2016) and the Republic of Cyprus (Fitch Ratings upgrade by one notch to BB- with a 
positive  outlook  in  October  2016,  S&P  Global  Rating  by  one  notch  to  BB  with  a  positive  outlook  in 
September  2016  and  by  one  notch  to  BB+  with  a  stable  outlook  in  March  2017  and  Moody’s  Investors 
Service  by  two  notches  to  B1  with  a  stable  outlook  in  November  2015.  In  November  2016  Moody’s 
Investors Service improved the outlook on the Republic of Cyprus from stable to positive). 
The  Company  has  returned  to  the  debt  capital  markets  in  January  2017  with  the  issue  of  unsecured  and 
subordinated Tier 2 (Capital Note of €250 million). 

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BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.1 

Operating environment  

Cyprus  

Cyprus  exited  its  economic  adjustment  programme  at  the  end  of  March  2016  after  a  successful  return  to 
markets  and  having  utilised  only  about  70%  of  the  €10  billion  funding  resources  made  available  by  the 
European  Union  (EU)  and  the  International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF).    Based  on  the  Ministry  of  Finance  Stability 
Programme  2016-2019 (May 2016), in the area of public finances, the government carried out a strong fiscal 
adjustment and the budget returned to near balance, public spending was reduced and tax collection was made 
more efficient.  

Unemployment dropped to 13,3% during 2016 compared to an average unemployment rate of 14,9% for 2015 
as a whole and a peak of 16,5% in the fourth quarter of 2014 as per the Cyprus Statistical Service. 

Real GDP rose by 2,8% in 2016 according to the Cyprus Statistical Service, compared to an increase of 1,7% 
during 2015.   

Consumer prices continued to decline for the fourth consecutive year, down by 1,4% in 2016, as per the Cyprus 
Statistical Service. 

Tourist arrivals increased by 19,8% during 2016. The index of industrial production increased by 8,7% in 2016. 
In  real  gross  value  added  terms,  industrial  output  in  2016    increased  by  5,9%  in  the  first  three  quarters  of 
2016 after an increase of 2,9% in 2015 as per data by the Cyprus Statistical Service.  

In  the  property  market,  the  Central  Bank’s  residential  property  price  index  continued  to  decline  year-on-year 
but  at  a  slowing  pace.  The  index  dropped  by  1,3%  in  the  third  quarter  of  2016  after  dropping  by  1,7%  and 
1,6% in the second and first quarter respectively. 

Downside  risks  to  the  growth  projections  are  associated  with  high  levels  of  non-performing  loans,  loss  of 
momentum  in  structural  reforms  with  associated  risks  for  public  finances,  and  a  return  of  inflation.  Downside 
risks may also be associated with a deterioration of the external environment for Cyprus. These would involve 
slower growth in the UK with a weakening of the pound following the Brexit referendum. Political uncertainty in 
Europe triggered by a British exit or by the refugee crisis could also lead to increased economic uncertainty and 
undermine economic confidence. 

Upside  risks to  the  outlook  relate  to  a  possible  better growth  performance  in  the  EU  and  stronger  investment 
spending as property prices are stabilising and various projects especially in tourism are implemented.  

The  international  credit  rating  agencies  have  upgraded  the  rating  of  the  country.  Fitch  Ratings  upgraded  the 
rating of the Republic of Cyprus one notch to BB- with a positive outlook in October 2016, S&P Global Rating by 
one notch to BB with a positive outlook in September 2016 and by one notch to BB+ with a stable outlook in 
March 2017  and Moody’s  Investors Service by two notches to B1 with a stable outlook in November  2015. In 
November  2016  Moody’s  Investors  Service  improved  the  outlook  on  the  Republic  of  Cyprus  from  stable  to 
positive. 

In July 2016 the Cyprus government accessed international capital markets for the third time since the start of 
the economic adjustment programme to date, issuing a seven year Eurobond of €1 billion at a yield of 3,8%. 

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BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.2 

Operating environment (continued) 

The Company 

4.2.1   Regulatory capital ratios  

The  CET1  ratio  of  the  Group  at  31  December  2016  stands  at  14,5%  (transitional)  and  the  total  capital  at 
14,6%.   

The  minimum  Pillar  I  total  capital  requirement  is  8,0%  and  may  be  met,  in  addition  to  the  4,5%  CET1 
requirement, with up to 1,5% by Additional Tier 1 capital and with up to 2,0% by Tier 2 capital. 

The  Group  is  also  subject  to  additional  capital  requirements  for  risks  which  are  not  covered  by  the  Pillar  I 
capital  requirements  (Pillar  II  add-ons).    Following  the  enactment  of  the  amendments  in  the  Cypriot  Banking 
Law  in  February  2017  regarding  the  gradual  phase-in  of  the  Capital  Conservation  Buffer  (CCB)  and  based  on 
the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) performed by the European Central Bank (ECB) in 2016, 
the  Group’s  minimum  CET1  capital  ratio  as  from  1  January  2017  has  been  reduced  to  9,50%  compared  to 
10,75% fully phased-in of CCB (minimum CET1 capital ratio at 31 December 2016: 11,75% fully phased-in of 
CCB), comprising of a 4,5% Pillar I requirement, a 3,75% Pillar II requirement and a phased-in CCB of 1,25%. 
The ECB has also provided non-public guidance for an additional Pillar II CET1 buffer. 

The  overall  Total  Capital  Ratio  requirement  as  from  1  January  2017  following  the  amendments  in  the  Cypriot 
Banking Law in February 2017 regarding the gradual phase-in of CCB, has been reduced to 13,00% compared 
to 14,25% (fully phased-in of CCB), comprising of a Pillar I requirement of 8% (of which up to 1,5% can be in 
the  form  of  Additional  Tier  1  capital  and  up  to  2,0%  in  the  form  of  Tier  2  capital),  a  Pillar  II  requirement  of 
3,75% (in the form of CET1), as well as a phased-in CCB of 1,25%.  

The minimum CET1 requirement including Pillar II, applicable for the year 2016 was determined by the ECB at 
11,75% in November 2015 and includes CCB on a fully loaded basis. 

The  Group's  capital  position  at  31  December  2016  exceeds  both  its  Pillar  I  and  its  Pillar  II  add-on  capital 
requirements.  However,  the  Group's  Pillar  II  add-on  capital  requirements  are  a  point-in-time  assessment  and 
therefore are subject to change over time.   

4.2.2   Asset quality  

The Group’s loans that are individually impaired or past due for more than 90 days (90+ DPD) have decreased 
by 27% during 2016 and totalled €8.309 million at 31 December 2016, representing 41% of gross loans before 
fair value adjustment on initial recognition (Note 43 in the consolidated financial statements). The provisioning 
coverage  ratio  improved  to  54%  at  31  December  2016  compared  to  48%  at  31  December  2015.  The  Group 
non-performing  exposures  (NPEs),  as  defined  by  the  European  Banking  Authority  (EBA),  totalled  €11.034 
million  at  31  December  2016  and  accounted  for  55%  of  gross  loans.  The  provisioning  coverage  ratio  of  NPEs 
totalled 41% at 31 December 2016 compared to 39% at 31 December 2015. 

The  Group  addresses  the  asset  quality  challenge  through  the  operation  of  the  Restructuring  and  Recoveries 
Division which is actively seeking to find innovative solutions to manage distressed exposures. The Group has 
been successful in engineering restructuring solutions across the spectrum of its loan portfolio. 90+ DPD have 
decreased by 36% since their peak of €13.003 million as at 31 December 2013.  NPEs have decreased by 27% 
since their peak of €15.175 million as at 31 December 2013.   

4.2.3   Liquidity  

The funding position of the Company continues to improve with customer deposits increasing by €2.351 million 
or 19% in the year ended 31 December 2016.   

Customer deposits in Cyprus reached €15.043 million at 31 December 2016 compared to €12.691 million at 31 
December 2015.  Customer deposits stood at 74% of total assets as at 31 December 2016 (compared to 60% 
at 31 December 2015). The net loans to deposit ratio of the Company stood at 95% as at 31 December 2016 
(compared to 126% at 31 December 2015). 

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BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.2 

Operating environment (continued) 

The Company (continued) 

4.2.3   Liquidity (continued) 

The level of ELA funding at 31 December 2016 amounted to €200 million (Note 29), down from €3,8 billion at 
31  December  2015  and  its  peak  level  of  €11,4  billion  in  April  2013.  ELA  was  fully  repaid  on  5  January  2017. 
ELA  is  available  to  solvent  Euro  area  credit  institutions  and  although  the  Company  has  received  no  specific 
assurance,  management  expects  that  the  Company  will  continue  to  have  access  to  the  central  bank  liquidity 
facilities,  in  line  with  applicable  rules  if  it  were  to  face  a  ‘stress  event’  that  gave  rise  to  temporary  liquidity 
problems.  If  a  stress  event  were  to  occur  in  the  future,  the  Company  would  seek  to  utilise  ELA  funding, 
assuming it has sufficient available eligible collateral at the time. 

It is noted that the Group’s Restructuring Plan approved in 2013 by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) included 
ELA funding throughout the Restructuring Plan period (2013-2017). 

The Council of Ministers and the Committee on Financial and Budgetary Affairs of the House of Representatives 
had approved in January 2014 the issuance of up to €2,9 billion of guarantees for bonds/loans issued by credit 
institutions  under  the  ‘Granting  of  Government  Guarantees  for  Loans  and/or  issuance  of  Bonds  by  Credit 
Institutions Law of 2012’.  The European Commission announced in June 2016 the eighth extension of the bank 
guarantee scheme, which continued until 31 December 2016. Based on the prevailing conditions, the Ministry of 
Finance has not applied for a further extension of the bank guarantee scheme.   

The credit ratings of the Republic of Cyprus by the main credit rating agencies albeit improving continue to be 
below  investment  grade.   As  a  result,  the  ECB  is  not  able  to  include  Cyprus  Government  bonds  in  its  asset 
purchase  programme,  or  as  eligible  collateral  for  Eurosystem  monetary  operations,  as was  the  case when  the 
waiver for collateral eligibility due to the country being under an economic adjustment programme existed.   

In  January  2017  the  Company  issued  €250  million unsecured  and  subordinated  Tier  2  Capital  Note  under  the 
Company’s EMTN Programme.  The note was priced at par, with a coupon of 9,25% (Note 48.4). 

The  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  the  regulatory  liquidity  requirements  with  respect  to  its 
operations in Cyprus and the Group is currently not in compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements with 
respect to the LCR and is therefore dependent on continuing regulatory forbearance.  Additional information on 
liquidity and details on certain liquidity ratios are disclosed in Note 43. 

4.2.4   Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters 

The  management  has  considered  the  potential  impact  of  pending  litigation,  claims  and  investigations  and  
regulatory matters against the Company. The Company has obtained legal advice in respect of these claims.  

Despite  the  novelty  of  many  of  the  claims  such  as  the  bail-in  depositors  and  the  absorption  of  losses  by  the 
holders  of  equity  and  debt  instruments  of  the  Company  and  the  uncertainties  inherent  in  a  unique  situation, 
based on the information available at present and on the basis of the law as it currently stands, management 
considers that the said claims as well as other pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters are unlikely to 
have a material adverse impact on the financial position and capital adequacy of the Company (Note 36). 

5. 

   Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions 

The  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  requires  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  and  management  to 
make judgements, estimates and assumptions that can have a material impact on the  amounts recognised in 
the  financial statements  and  the  accompanying  disclosures,  as well  as  the  disclosures  of contingent  liabilities.  
Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment 
to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods. 

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation of uncertainty at the reporting 
date,  that  have  a  significant  risk  of  causing  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and 
liabilities  are  described  below.    The  Company  based  its  assumptions  and  estimates  on  parameters  available 
when  the  financial  statements  were  prepared.    Existing  circumstances  and  assumptions  about  future 
developments  may,  however,  change  due  to  market  changes  or  circumstances  beyond  the  control  of  the 
Company.  Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur. 

206 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

   Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.1     Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers 

The Company reviews its loans and advances to customers to assess whether a provision for impairment should 
be  recorded  in  the  income  statement.    In  particular,  management  is  required  to  estimate  the  amount  and 
timing  of  future  cash  flows  in  order  to  determine  the  amount  of  provision  required  and  the  calculation  of  the 
impairment  allowance  involves  the  use  of  judgement.    Such  estimates  are  based  on  assumptions  about  a 
number of factors and therefore actual impairment losses may differ.  

The carrying amount of the loan is reduced through the use of a provision account and the amount of the loss is 
recognised in the income statement.  Loans together with the associated provisions are written off when there 
is  no  realistic  prospect  of  future  recovery.    Partial  write-offs,  including  non-contractual  write-offs,  may  also 
occur when it is considered that there is no realistic prospect for the recovery of the contractual cash flows.  In 
addition, write-offs may reflect restructuring activity with customers and are part of the terms of the agreement 
and subject to satisfactory performance. 

The Company may change certain estimates from period to period, however it is impracticable to estimate the 
effect  of  such  individual  estimates  due  to  interdependencies  between  estimates  and  as  the  profile  of  the 
population of loans changes from period to period. 

A  very  important  factor  for  the  estimation  of  provisions  is  the  timing  and  net  recoverable  amount  from 
repossession or realisation of collaterals which mainly comprise real estate assets.   

Assumptions  have  been  made  about  the  future  changes  in  property  values,  as  well  as  the  timing  for  the 
realisation  of  the  collateral  and  for  taxes  and  expenses  on  the  repossession  and  subsequent  sale  of  the 
collateral.  Indexation has been used to estimate updated market values of properties, while assumptions were 
made on the basis of a macroeconomic scenario for future changes in property values. The timing of recovery 
from real estate collaterals has been estimated to be on average 3 years, with the exception of specific cases 
for  which,  based  on  specific  facts  and  circumstances,  a  different  period  has  been  used  and  for  customers  in 
Debt Recovery where an average 6 year period has been used.  In accordance with the Loan Impairment and 
Provisioning  Procedures  Directives  of  2014  and  2015  of  the  CBC,  the  cumulative  average  future  change  in 
property  values  during  the  year  has  been  capped  to  zero.    The  average  liquidity  haircut  and  selling  expenses 
used  in  the  provisions  calculation  is  10%  of  the  current  market  value  of  the  property  for  those  collaterals  for 
which the increase in their value is capped to zero and 10% of the projected market value of the property for 
those collaterals for which their value is expected to drop. 

The above assumptions are also influenced by the ongoing regulatory dialogue the Company maintains with its 
lead  regulator,  the  ECB,  and  other  regulatory  guidance  and  interpretations  issued  by  various  regulatory  and 
industry  bodies  such  as  the  ECB  and  EBA,  which  provide  guidance  and  expectations  as  to  relevant  definitions 
and the treatment/classification of certain parameters/assumptions used in the estimation of provisions. 

Any changes in these assumptions or difference between assumptions made and actual results could result in 
significant changes in the amount of required provisions for impairment of loans and advances.  

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BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

   Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.1     Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

For individually significant assets, impairment allowances are calculated on an individual basis and all relevant 
considerations that have a bearing on the expected future cash flows are taken into account (for example, the 
business prospects for the customer, the realisable value of collateral, the Company’s position relative to other 
claimants, the reliability of customer information and the likely cost and duration of the work-out process).  The 
level  of  the  impairment  allowance is  the  difference  between  the  value  of  the discounted  expected  future  cash 
flows (discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate) and its carrying amount.  Subjective judgements 
are made in the calculation of future cash flows. Furthermore, judgements change with time as new information 
becomes available or as work-out strategies evolve, resulting in frequent revisions to the impairment allowance 
as individual decisions are taken.  Changes in these estimates would result in a change in the allowances and 
have a direct impact on the impairment charge.   

In addition to provisions for impairment on an individual basis, the Company also makes collective impairment 
provisions.    The  Company  adopts  a  formulaic  approach  for  collective  provisions,  which  includes  assigning 
probabilities of default and loss given default for portfolios of loans.  This methodology is subject to estimation 
uncertainty,  partly  because  it  is  not  practicable  to  identify  losses  on  an  individual  loan  basis  because  of  the 
large number of loans in each portfolio.  In addition, the use of historical information for probabilities of default 
and  loss  rates  is  supplemented  with  significant  management  judgement  to  assess  whether  current  economic 
and  credit  conditions  are  such  that  the  actual  level  of  incurred  losses  is  likely  to  be  greater  or  less  than  that 
suggested by historical experience.  

Impairment assessment also includes off-balance sheet credit exposures represented by guarantees given and 
by irrevocable commitments to disburse funds.  Off-balance sheet credit exposures of the individually assessed 
assets require assumptions on the probability, timing and amount of cash outflows; otherwise the provision is 
calculated  on  a  collective  basis,  taking  into  account  the  probability  of  loss  for  the  portfolio  in  which  the 
customer  is  included  for  on-balance  sheet  exposures  impairment  assessment.    The  Company  may  change 
certain  estimates  from  period  to  period,  however  it  is  impracticable  to  estimate  the  effect  of  such  individual 
estimates due to interdependencies between estimates and as the profile of the population of off-balance sheet 
exposure changes from period to period. 

In normal circumstances, historical experience provides the most objective and relevant information from which 
to assess inherent loss within each portfolio.  In certain circumstances, historical loss experience provides less 
relevant information about the incurred loss in a given portfolio at the reporting date, for example, where there 
have  been  changes  in  economic,  regulatory  or  behavioural  conditions  such that  the  most  recent  trends  in  the 
portfolio  risk  factors  are  not  fully  reflected.    In  these  circumstances,  such  risk  factors  are  taken  into  account 
when  calculating  the  appropriate  levels  of  impairment  allowances,  by  adjusting  the  provision  for  impairment 
derived solely from historical loss experience. 

The  total  amount  of  the  Company’s  provision  for  impairment  of  loans  and  advances  is  inherently  uncertain 
because  it  is  highly  sensitive  to  changes  in  economic  and  credit  conditions  across  a  number  of  geographical 
areas.   

Loans  subject  to  collective  impairment  assessment  whose  terms  have  been  renegotiated  are  no  longer 
considered  past  due,  but  are  treated  as  up  to  date  loans  for  measurement  purposes.    Loans  subject  to 
collective impairment  assessment  whose  terms  have  been  renegotiated  are  taken  into  account  in  determining 
the  inputs  for  collective  impairment  calculation.    Loans  subject  to  individual  impairment  assessment,  whose 
terms have been renegotiated, are subject to ongoing review to determine whether they remain impaired.  The 
carrying amounts of loans that have been classified as renegotiated retain this classification in accordance with 
the rules of the technical standard of the EBA. 

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BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

   Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.1     Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Economic and credit conditions within geographical areas are influenced by many factors with a high degree of 
interdependency so that there is no one single factor to which the Company’s loan impairment provisions as a 
whole  are  particularly  sensitive.    Different  factors  are  applied  in  each  country  to  reflect  the  local  economic 
conditions,  laws  and  regulations  and  the  assumptions  underlying  this  judgement  are  highly  subjective.    The 
methodology  and  the  assumptions  used  in  calculating impairment  losses  are  reviewed  regularly.  It is  possible 
that the actual results could be different from the assumptions made, resulting in a material adjustment to the 
carrying amount of loans and advances.   

Further details on impairment allowances and related credit information are set out in Note 41. 

5.2    

Fair value of investments and derivatives 

The  best  evidence  of  fair  value  is  a  quoted  price  in  an  actively  traded  market.  If  the  market  for  a  financial 
instrument is not active, a valuation technique is used.  The majority of valuation techniques employed by the 
Company  use  only  observable  market  data  and  so  the  reliability  of  the  fair  value  measurement  is  relatively 
high.   

However, certain financial instruments are valued on the basis of valuation techniques that feature one or more 
significant  inputs  that  are  not  observable.    Valuation  techniques  that  rely  on  non-observable  inputs  require  a 
higher level of management judgement to calculate a fair value than those based wholly on observable inputs. 

Valuation  techniques  used  to  calculate  fair  values  include  comparisons  with  similar  financial  instruments  for 
which market observable prices exist, discounted cash flow analysis and other valuation techniques commonly 
used  by  market  participants.    Valuation  techniques  incorporate  assumptions  that  other  market  participants 
would use in their valuations, including assumptions about interest rate yield curves, exchange rates, volatilities 
and default rates.  When valuing instruments by reference to comparable instruments, management takes into 
account the maturity, structure and rating of the instrument with which the position held is being compared. 

The  Company  only  uses  models  with  unobservable  inputs  for  the  valuation  of  certain  unquoted  equity 
investments.  In these cases, estimates are made to reflect uncertainties in fair values resulting from a lack of 
market  data  inputs,  for  example,  as  a  result  of  illiquidity  in  the  market.    Inputs  into  valuations  based  on 
unobservable  data  are  inherently  uncertain  because  there  is  little  or  no  current  market  data  available  from 
which  to  determine  the  level  at  which  an  arm’s  length  transaction  would  occur  under  normal  business 
conditions.  Unobservable inputs are determined based on the best information available. 

Further details on the fair value of assets and liabilities are disclosed in Note 20. 

5.3    

Impairment of available-for-sale investments 

Available-for-sale investments in equity securities are impaired when there has been a significant or prolonged 
decline in their fair value below cost.  The determination of what is significant or prolonged requires judgement 
by management. Management has assessed that a loss of 25% or more is considered significant, except in the 
cases of investment companies where higher limits are set.  Prolonged has been assessed by management to 
be  a  period  of  12  months  or  more.    The  factors  which  are  evaluated  include  the  expected  volatility  in  share 
prices.    In  addition,  impairment  may  be  appropriate  when  there  is  evidence  that  significant  adverse  changes 
have taken place in the technological, market, economic or legal environment in which the investee operates. 

Available-for-sale  investments  in  debt  securities  are  impaired  when  there  is  objective  evidence  of  impairment 
as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the investment and the event (or 
events)  has  an  impact  on  the  estimated  future  cash  flows  of  the  investment.    Such  impairment  review  takes 
into  account  a  number  of  factors  such  as  the  financial  condition  of  the  issuer,  any  breach  of  contract,  the 
probability that the issuer will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation, which involves a high degree 
of judgement, as well as changes in the fair value of individual instruments such as when their fair value at the 
reporting date falls below 90% of the instruments’ amortised cost. 

Further details on impairment of available-for-sale investments are presented in Notes 14 and 18. 

209 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

   Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.4     Retirement benefits  

The  cost  of  defined  benefit  pension  plans  is  determined  using  actuarial  valuations.    The  actuarial  valuations 
involve  making  assumptions  about  discount  rates,  the  expected  rate  of  return  on  plan  assets,  future  salary 
increases,  mortality  rates  as  well  as  future  pension increases  where  necessary.    The Company’s  management 
sets  these  assumptions  based  on  market  expectations  at  the  reporting  date  using  its  best  estimates  for  each 
parameter  covering  the  period  over  which  the  obligations  are  to  be  settled.    In  determining  the  appropriate 
discount  rate,  management  considers  the  yield  curve  of  high  quality  corporate  bonds.    In  determining  other 
assumptions, a certain degree of judgement is required.  Future salary increases are based on expected future 
inflation rates for the specific country plus a margin to reflect the best possible estimate relating to parameters 
such as productivity, workforce maturity and promotions.  The expected return on plan assets is based on the 
composition of each fund’s plan assets, estimating a different rate of return for each asset class.  Estimates of 
future  inflation  rates  on  salaries  and  expected  rates  of  return  of  plan  assets  represent  management’s  best 
estimates for these variables.  These estimates are derived after consultation with the Company’s advisors, and 
involve  a  degree  of  judgement.    Due  to  the  long-term  nature  of  these  plans,  such  estimates  are  inherently 
uncertain.  

Further details on retirement benefits are disclosed in Note 12. 

5.5    

Tax 

The  Company  operates  and  is  therefore  subject  to  tax  in  various  countries.    Estimates  are  required  in 
determining  the  provision  for  taxes  at  the  reporting  date.    The  Company  recognises  income  tax  liabilities  for 
transactions  and  assessments  whose  tax  treatment  is  uncertain.    Where  the  final  tax  is  different  from  the 
amounts initially recognised in the income statement, such differences will impact the income tax expense, the 
tax liabilities and deferred tax assets or liabilities of the period in which the final tax is agreed with the relevant 
tax authorities. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised by the Company in respect of tax losses to the extent that it is probable that 
future  taxable  profits  will  be  available  against  which  the  losses  can  be  utilised.    Judgement  is  required  to 
determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised, based upon the likely timing and level of 
future taxable profits, together with future tax-planning strategies.  These variables have been established on 
the  basis  of  significant  management  judgement  and  are  subject  to  uncertainty.    It  is  possible  that  the  actual 
future events could be different from the assumptions made, resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying 
amount of deferred tax assets.   

The assumptions with greater influence on deferred tax are disclosed in Note 15. 

5.6     Classification of properties  

The  Company  determines  whether  a  property  is  classified  as  investment  property  or  stock  of  property  as 
follows: 
 

Investment  properties  comprise  land and  buildings  that  are  not  occupied  for  use  by,  or in  the  operations 
of,  the  Company,  nor  for  sale  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  but  are  held  primarily  to  earn  rental 
income and capital appreciation.  These buildings are substantially rented to tenants and not intended to 
be sold in the ordinary course of business. 
Stock  of  property  comprises  real  estate  assets  held  with  an  intention  to  be  disposed  of.    This  principally 
relates  to  properties  acquired  through  debt-for-property  swaps  and  properties  acquired  through  the 
acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank  in  2013.  The  Company  has  set  up  the  ‘Real  Estate 
Management  Unit  (REMU)  in  late  2015,  to  manage  these  assets  (including  selective  investments  and 
development) and to execute exit strategies in order to monetise these assets.  

 

5.7    

Fair value of properties held for own use and investment properties  

The Company’s accounting policy for property held for own use, as well as for investment property requires that 
it is measured at fair value.  In the case of property held for own use, valuations are carried out periodically so 
that  the  carrying  value  is  not  materially  different  from  the  fair  value,  whereas  in  the  case  of  investment 
properties, the fair value is established at each reporting date.  Valuations are carried out by qualified valuers 
by  applying  valuation  models  recommended  by  the  Royal  Institution  of  Chartered  Surveyors  and  the 
International Valuation Standards Council. 

210 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

   Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions (continued) 

5.7    

Fair value of properties held for own use and investment properties (continued) 

In  arriving  at  their  estimates  of  the  fair  values  of  properties,  the  valuers  used  their  market  knowledge  and 
professional judgement and did not rely solely on historical transactional comparables, taking into consideration 
that there is a greater degree of uncertainty than that which exists in a more active market.  Depending on the 
nature of the underlying asset and available market information, the determination of the fair value of property 
may require the use of estimates such as future cash flows from assets and discount rates applicable to those 
assets.  All these estimates are based on local market conditions existing at the reporting date. 

Further information on inputs used is disclosed in Note 20. 

5.8     Stock of property – estimation of net realisable value 

Stock  of  property  is  measured  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  The  net  realisable  value  is 
determined  with reference to the fair value of properties adjusted for any impact of specific circumstances on 
the  sale  process  of  each  property.  Depending  on  the  value  of  the  underlying  asset  and  available  market 
information,  the  determination  of  costs  to  sell  may  require  professional  judgement  which  involves  a  large 
degree of uncertainly due to the relatively low level of market activity.  

More details on the stock of property are presented in Note 26.  

5.9     Provisions  

Judgement  is  involved  in  determining  whether  a  present  obligation  exists  and  in  estimating  the  probability, 
timing  and  amount  of  any  outflows.    Provisions  for  pending  litigations,  claims  or  regulatory  matters  usually 
require  a  higher  degree  of  judgement  than  other  types  of  provisions.    It  is  expected  that  the  Company  will 
continue  to  have  a  material  exposure  to  litigation  and  regulatory  proceedings  and  investigations  relating  to 
legacy  issues  in  the  medium  term.    The  matters  for  which  the  Company  determines  that  the  probability  of  a 
future  loss  is  more  than  remote,  will  change  from  time  to  time,  as  will  the  matters  as  to  which  a  reliable 
estimated  can  be  made  and  the  estimated  possible  loss  for  such  matters.    Actual  results  may  prove  to  be 
significantly higher or lower than the estimate of possible loss in those matters, where an estimate was made.  
In addition, loss may be incurred in matters with respect to which the Company believed the probability of loss 
was remote. 

For  a  detailed  description  of  the  nature  of  uncertainties  and  assumptions  and  the  effect  on  the  amount  and 
timing of pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters refer to Note 36. 

6. 

Interest income 

Loans and advances to customers  

Loans and advances to banks and central banks  

Investments available-for-sale 

Investments classified as loans and receivables 

Derivative financial instruments 

Other investments at fair value through profit or loss  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

815.670 

967.081 

7.580 

10.749 

11.209 

9.445 

13.494 

88.455 

845.208 

1.078.475 

5.571 

637 

5.331 

739 

851.416 

1.084.545 

Interest income from loans and advances to customers includes interest on the recoverable amount of impaired 
loans and advances as defined in Note 41 amounting to €201.604 thousand (2015: €215.145 thousand).  

211 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

7. 

Interest expense 

Customer deposits 

Funding from central banks and deposits by banks 

Repurchase agreements 

Derivative financial instruments 

8. 

Fee and commission income and expense 

Fee and commission income 

Credit-related fees and commissions 

Other banking commissions  

Mutual funds and asset management fees  

Other commissions 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

124.319 

140.724 

40.812 

6.476 

171.607 

17.458 

189.065 

99.041 

7.583 

247.348 

21.775 

269.123 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

82.193 

72.976 

1.882 

790 

82.133 

61.487 

1.534 

125 

157.841 

145.279 

Mutual funds and asset management fees include income of €1.820 thousand (2015: €1.534 thousand) relating 
to fiduciary and other similar activities. 

Fee and commission expense 

Banking commissions  

Mutual funds and asset management fees  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

9.591 

202 

9.793 

8.276 

184 

8.460 

9. 

Net foreign exchange gains 

Net  foreign  exchange  gains  comprise  the  conversion  of  monetary  assets  in  foreign  currency  at  the  reporting 
date,  realised  exchange  gains/(losses)  from  transactions  in  foreign  currency  settled  during  the  year  and  the 
revaluation of foreign exchange derivatives. 

212 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

10. 

Net gains on financial instrument transactions and dissolution/disposal of subsidiaries  

Trading portfolio: 

- equity securities 

- debt securities 

- derivative financial instruments  

Other investments at fair value through profit or loss: 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

(472) 

3 

910 

179 

14 

(13.257) 

- debt securities 

(400) 

464 

Net gains/(losses) on disposal of available-for-sale 
investments: 

- equity securities 

- debt securities 

Net gains on disposal/repayment of loans and receivables: 

- debt securities 

Realised gains on disposal of loans  

Revaluation of financial instruments designated as fair value 
hedges: 

- hedging instruments 

- hedged items 

Loss on dissolution/disposal of subsidiaries 

Gain on disposal of joint ventures  

37.013 

- 

8.419 

64 

4.017 

(4.033) 

(10.719) 

- 

34.802 

1.060 

(11) 

49.513 

35 

9.354 

(11.099) 

(25.612) 

13.526 

24.166 

The gains on disposal of available-for-sale equity securities for 2016, primarily relate to gain on sale of shares 
held in Visa Europe Limited following the approved purchase of Visa Europe Limited by Visa Inc. 

The gains on disposal of debt securities classified as loans and receivables for 2016, related to the Company’s 
participation in the Cyprus Government buyback process of Cyprus government bonds. 

The  loss  on  dissolution  of  subsidiaries  in  2016,  relates  to  loss  incurred  from  the  closure  of  the  operations  of 
Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd, which is in the process of liquidation. 

In  the  comparative  period,  the  gain  on  disposal  of  joint  ventures  mainly  related  to  the  disposal  of  Marfin 
Diversified Strategy Fund Plc (MDSF) in April 2015.   

The  loss  on  disposal  of  subsidiaries  in  2015,  relates  to  the  loss  on  disposal  of  the  Company’s  subsidiaries  in 
relation  to  Russian  operations  disposed  of  (Note  47.3.1)  and  profit  on  disposal  of  Aphrodite  group 
(Note 47.3.2). 

213 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

11. 

Other income  

Dividend income – third parties  

Loss on sale and write-off of property and equipment and 
intangible assets 

Rental income from investment properties  

Rental income from stock of property 

Other income 

12. 

Staff costs 

Salaries  

Employer’s contributions to state social insurance  

Retirement benefit plan costs 

Restructuring costs – voluntary exit plans 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

217 

(54) 

1.302 

1.460 

4.172 

7.097 

571 

(41) 

595 

- 

10.021 

11.146 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

153.998 

159.769 

23.811 

13.682 

25.432 

17.178 

191.491 

202.379 

58.920 

- 

250.411 

202.379 

The  number  of  persons  employed  by 
the  Company  as  at  31  December  2016  was  3.662 
(2015: 4.045).  In February and June 2016 the Company proceeded with voluntary exit plans for its employees 
in  Cyprus,  the  cost  of  which  is  included  in  staff  costs  and  amounted  to  €58.920  thousand.    In  total,  405 
employees accepted the voluntary exit plan and left the Company during the year.   

Retirement benefit plan costs  

In  addition  to  the  employer’s  contributions  to  state  social  insurance,  the  Company  operates  plans  for  the 
provision of additional retirement benefits as described below:   

Defined benefit plans  

Defined contribution plans  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

121 

13.561 

13.682 

91 

17.087 

17.178 

Cyprus 
The  main  retirement  plan  for  the  Company’s  permanent  employees  in  Cyprus  (99%  of  total  Company 
employees) is a defined contribution plan.  This plan provides for employer contributions of 9% (2015: 14% up 
until 31 May 2015 and 9% thereafter) and employee contributions of 3%-10% of the employees’ gross salaries. 
This plan is managed by a Committee appointed by the members. 

A  small  number  of  employees  who  do  not  participate  in  the  main  retirement  plan,  are  members  of  a  pension 
scheme that is closed to new entrants and may receive part or all of their retirement benefit entitlement by way 
of  a  pension  for  life.    This  plan  is  managed  by  an  Administrative  Committee  composed  of  representatives  of 
both the members and the employer. 

214 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

12. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Greece 
After  the  disposal  of  the  Greek  operations  in  2013,  a  small  number  of  employees  of  the  Company’s  Greek 
branch continue to be members of the defined benefit plans. 

United Kingdom 
The  Company  has  assumed  in  prior  years  the  obligation  of  the  defined  benefit  plan  of  its  employees  in  the 
United Kingdom which was closed in December 2008 to future accrual of benefits for active members.  

Romania 
The Company does not operate any retirement benefit plans in Romania. 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans 

Amounts recognised in the balance sheet 

Liabilities (Note 31) 

Assets (Note 27) 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

22.743 

- 

22.743 

12.559 

(20) 

12.539 

One  of  the  plans  has  a  funded  status  surplus  of  €14.000  thousand  (2015:  €15.065  thousand)  that  is  not 
recognised  as  an  asset  on  the  basis  that  the  Company  has  no unconditional  right  to  future  economic benefits 
either via a refund or a reduction in future contributions.  

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet and the movements in the net defined benefit obligation over the 
years are presented below: 

215 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

12. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans (continued) 

1 January 2016 

Current service cost 

Loss on curtailment and settlement 

Net interest expense/(income) 

Total amount recognised in the income statement 

Remeasurements: 
-  Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in 

net interest expense 

-  Actuarial loss from changes in financial assumptions 

-  Experience adjustments 

-  Change in asset ceiling 

Total amount recognised in the OCI 

Exchange differences  

Contributions: 

-  Employer 

Benefits paid from the plans 

Benefits paid directly by the employer 

31 December 2016 

Present value 
of obligation 

Fair value of 
plan assets 

Net amount 
before impact 
of asset 
ceiling 

Impact of 
minimum 
funding 
requirement/ 
asset ceiling 

Net defined 
benefit 
liability 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

82.653 

(85.179) 

(2.526) 

15.065 

12.539 

20 

51 

50 

121 

(6.407) 

21.063 

(9) 

- 

14.647 

(1.679) 

(1.771) 

- 

(49) 

8.743 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1.065) 

(1.065) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

20 

51 

50 

121 

(6.407) 

21.063 

(9) 

(1.065) 

13.582 

(1.679) 

(1.771) 

- 

(49) 

14.000 

22.743 

20 

51 

2.674 

2.745 

- 

- 

(2.624) 

(2.624) 

- 

(6.407) 

21.063 

(9) 

- 

21.054 

(9.706) 

- 

(4.553) 

(49) 

- 

- 

- 

(6.407) 

8.027 

(1.771) 

4.553 

- 

92.144 

(83.401) 

216 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  

Notes to the Financial Statements 

 Annual Financial Report 2016 

12. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans (continued) 

Present value 
of obligation 

Fair value of 
plan assets 

Net amount 
before impact 
of asset 
ceiling 

Impact of 
minimum 
funding 
requirement/ 
asset ceiling 

Net defined 
benefit 
liability 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1 January 2015 

Current service cost 

Gains on curtailment and settlement 

Net interest expense/(income) 

Total amount recognised in the income statement 

Remeasurements: 
-  Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in 

net interest expense 

-  Actuarial gain from changes in financial assumptions 

-  Experience adjustments 

-  Change in asset ceiling 

Total amount recognised in the OCI 

Exchange differences  

Contributions: 

-  Employer 

Benefits paid from the plans 

31 December 2015 

1.768 

22 

(190) 

259 

91 

2.292 

(3.600) 

(531) 

- 

(1.839) 

951 

(3.497) 

- 

13.921 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.144 

1.144 

- 

- 

- 

15.689 

22 

(190) 

259 

91 

2.292 

(3.600) 

(531) 

1.144 

(695) 

951 

(3.497) 

- 

(85.179) 

(2.526) 

15.065 

12.539 

84.508 

(82.740) 

22 

(190) 

2.905 

2.737 

- 

- 

(2.646) 

(2.646) 

- 

2.292 

- 

- 

- 

2.292 

(3.037) 

(3.497) 

4.449 

(3.600) 

(531) 

- 

(4.131) 

3.988 

- 

(4.449) 

82.653 

217 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

12. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Analysis of the results of the actuarial valuations for the defined benefit plans (continued) 
The actual return on plan assets for year 2016 was a gain of €9.031 thousand (2015: gain of €354 thousand). 

The assets of funded plans are generally held in separately administered entities, either as specific assets or as 
a proportion of a general fund, or as insurance contracts and are governed by local regulations and practice in 
each country. 

Pension  plan  assets  are  invested  in  different  asset  classes  in  order  to  maintain  a  balance  between  risk  and 
return. Investments are well diversified to limit the financial effect of the failure of any individual investment. 
Through its defined benefit plans, the Company is exposed to a number of risks as outlined below: 

Interest rate risk 

Changes in bond yields  

Inflation risk 

Asset volatility  

The  Company  is  exposed  to  interest  rate  risk  due  to  the  mismatch  of  the 
duration of assets and liabilities. 
A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the liabilities, although this will 
be partially offset by an increase in the value of  bond holdings. 
The Company faces inflation risk, since the liabilities are either directly (through 
increases in pensions) or indirectly (through wage increases) exposed to inflation 
risks.  Investments  to  ensure  inflation-linked  returns  (i.e.  real  returns  through 
investments  such  as  equities,  index-linked  bonds  and  assets  whose  return 
increase  with  increasing  inflation)  could  be  used  for  better  match  with  the 
expected increases in liabilities. 
The liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate 
bond yields; if assets underperform this yield, a deficit will be created.  

The major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets are as follows: 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

Loans and advances to banks   

2016 

2015 

46% 

44% 

10% 

42% 

46% 

12% 

100% 

100% 

The assets held by the funded plans include equity securities issued by the Company, the fair value of which is 
as at 31 December 2016 €2.276 thousand (2015: €2.407 thousand). 

The Company expects to make contributions to defined benefit plans of €1.691 thousand during 2017. 

At the end of the reporting period, the average duration of the defined benefit obligation was 18,8 years. 

218 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

12. 

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued) 

Principal actuarial assumptions used in the actuarial valuations  
The  present  value  of  the  defined  benefit  obligations  of  the  retirement  plans  is  estimated  annually  using  the 
Projected  Unit  Credit  Method  of  actuarial  valuation,  carried  out  by  independent  actuaries.   The  principal 
actuarial  assumptions  used  for  the  valuations  of  the  retirement  plans  of  the  Company  during  2016  and  2015 
are set out below:  

2016 

Discount rate 

Inflation rate 

Future salary increases 

Rate of pension increase 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 60 

Cyprus 

Greece 

UK 

1,56% 

1,75% 

2,00% 

2,00% 
23,5 years M 
29,6 years F 

1,50% 

1,75% 

2,00% 
n/a 

n/a 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 65 

n/a 

n/a 

2015 

Discount rate 

Inflation rate 

Future salary increases 

Rate of pension increase 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 60 

2,32% 

2,30%-2,80% 

1,75% 
0% for 2016 
and 2% 
thereafter 
0% for 2016 
and 2% 
thereafter 
23,5 years M 
29,6 years F 

1,75% 
0% for 2016 
and 2% 
thereafter 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

Life expectancy for pensioners at age 65 

n/a 

The discount rate used in the actuarial valuations reflects the rate at which liabilities could effectively be settled 
and  is  set  by  reference  to  market  yields  at  the  reporting  date  in  high  quality  corporate  bonds  of  suitable 
maturity and currency.  For the Company’s plans in the Eurozone (Cyprus and Greece) which comprise 15% of 
the  defined  benefit  obligations,  the  Company  adopted  a  full  yield  curve  approach  using  AA-  rated  corporate 
bond  data  from  the  iBoxx  Euro Corporates  AA10+  index.    For the  Company’s  plan in  the  UK  which  comprises 
85%  of  the  defined  benefit  obligations,  the  Company  adopted  a  full  yield  curve  approach  using  the  discount 
rate  that  has  been  set  based  on  the  yields  on  AA-  rated  corporate  bonds  with  duration  consistent  with  the 
scheme’s  liabilities.    Under  this  approach,  each  future  liability  payment  is  discounted  by  a  different  discount 
rate that reflects its exact timing.   

To  develop  the  assumptions  relating  to  the  expected  rates  of  return  on  plan  assets,  the  Company,  in 
consultation  with  its  actuaries,  uses  forward-looking  assumptions  for  each  asset  class  reflecting  market 
conditions and future expectations at the reporting date.  Adjustments are made annually to the expected rate 
of return assumption based on revised expectations of future investment performance of asset classes, changes 
to  local  legislation  that  may  affect  investment  strategy,  as  well  as  changes  to  the  target  strategic  asset 
allocation. 

A  quantitative  sensitivity  analysis  for  significant  assumptions  as  at  31  December  2016  and  2015  is  presented 
below: 

219 

2,70% 

3,30% 

n/a 

3,15% 

n/a 

23,9 years M 
25,4 years F 

3,90% 

3,10% 

n/a 

3,05% 

n/a 

23,9 years M 
25,4 years F 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

12.  

Staff costs (continued) 

Retirement benefit plan costs (continued)  

Principal actuarial assumptions used in the actuarial valuations (continued) 

Variable 

Discount rate 

Inflation growth rate 

Salary growth rate 

Pension growth rate 

2016 

2015 

Change 
+0,5% 

Change  
-0,5% 

Change 
+0,5% 

Change  
-0,5% 

-10,4% 

8,8% 

0% 

0,9% 

11,3% 

-8,1% 

0% 

-0,8% 

-9,1% 

6,5% 

0% 

0,9% 

9,7% 

-6,1% 

0% 

-0,9% 

Plus 1 year  Minus 1 year 

Plus 1 year 

Minus 1 year 

Life expectancy 

-1,5% 

1,9% 

-1,4% 

1,8% 

The  above  sensitivity  analysis  (with  the  exception  of  the  inflation  sensitivity)  is  based  on  a  change  in  one 
assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice this is unlikely to occur and some changes 
of  the  assumptions  may  be  correlated.  The  inflation  sensitivity  above  includes  changes  to  any  inflation-linked 
benefit increases.  When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant assumptions, 
the  same  method  has  been  applied  as  when  calculating  the  pension  liability  recognised  on  the  balance 
sheet.   The  methods  and  types  of  assumptions  used  in  preparing  the  sensitivity  analysis  did  not  change 
compared to previous years. 

13. 

Other operating expenses 

Repairs and maintenance of property and equipment 

Other property-related costs  

Operating lease rentals for property and equipment 

Special levy on deposits of credit institutions in Cyprus  

Consultancy and other professional services fees  

Insurance  

Advertising and marketing  

Depreciation of property and equipment (Note 24) 

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 25) 

Communication expenses  

(Reversal of provisions)/provisions and settlements of litigations, 
claims and provisions for regulatory matters (Note 31) 

Printing and stationery 

Local cash transfer expenses 

Other operating expenses 

Advisory and other restructuring costs 

220 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

15.711 

12.990 

9.872 

19.968 

11.822 

10.451 

15.752 

7.550 

6.110 

6.860 

(2.936) 

3.023 

2.848 

19.361 

14.851 

10.199 

17.347 

14.643 

14.603 

11.778 

8.237 

5.756 

7.237 

7.316 

3.445 

2.749 

17.659 

13.436 

137.680 

150.958 

46.650 

43.130 

184.330 

194.088 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

13. 

Other operating expenses (continued) 

Advisory  and  other  restructuring  costs  comprise  mainly:  (a)  fees  of  external  advisors  in  relation  to:  (i) 
customer  loan  restructuring  activities  which  are  not  part  of  the  effective  interest  rate,  (ii)  the  listing  on  the 
London Stock Exchange, (iii) disposal of operations and non-core assets and (b) litigation provisions related to 
the operations of Laiki Bank acquired in 2013.   

Consultancy  and  other  professional  services  fees  and  advisory  and  other  restructuring  costs  include  fees 
(including  taxes)  to  the  independent  auditors  of  the  Company,  for  audit  and  other  professional  services 
provided both in Cyprus and overseas, as follows: 

Audit of the financial statements of the Company  

Other audit-related services  

Tax services 

Services related to the listing on the London Stock Exchange 

Other services 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

1.866 

339 

404 

4.879 

1.027 

8.515 

1.173 

424 

305 

1.491 

331 

3.724 

14. 

Impairment  of  financial  and  non-financial  instruments  and  gain  on  derecognition  of  loans 
and advances to customers and changes in expected cash flows  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Gain on derecognition of loans and advances to customers and 
changes in expected cash flows  

(63.315) 

(305.089) 

Provisions net of reversals of provisions for impairment of 
loans and advances to customers and other customer credit 
losses 

Loans and advances to customers (Note 41) 

429.778 

1.271.030 

Financial guarantees and commitments (Note 31) 

(6.152) 

(41.403) 

Impairment/(reversal of impairment) of other financial 
instruments 

Available-for-sale equity securities  

Available-for-sale mutual funds 

Loans and receivables debt securities 

Impairment of balances with Group companies (Note 22) 

Loans and advances to banks  

Other receivables  

221 

423.626 

1.229.627 

336 

56 

- 

33.356 

13.820 

(1.603) 

45.965 

1.291 

1.206 

(169) 

27.039 

19.604 

20.070 

69.041 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

14. 

Impairment  of  financial  and  non-financial  instruments  and  gain  on  derecognition  of  loans 
and advances to customers and changes in expected cash flows (continued) 

Impairment of non-financial instruments 

Stock of property (Note 26) 

Property held for own use (Note 24) 

Investments in subsidiaries (Note 46) 

15. 

Income tax  

Current tax: 

- Cyprus 

Cyprus special defence contribution 

Deferred tax 

Prior years’ tax adjustments 

Other tax charges 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

11.745 

- 

24.798 

36.543 

9.709 

288 

30.455 

40.452 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

- 

23 

6.733 

1.943 

1.200 

9.899 

1.565 

11 

687 

2.009 

- 

4.272 

The  reconciliation  between  the  income  tax  expense  and  the  profit/(loss)  before  tax  as  estimated  using  the 
current income tax rates is set out below: 

Profit/(loss) before tax  

Income tax at the normal tax rates in Cyprus 

Income tax effect of: 

- expenses not deductible for income tax purposes  

- income not subject to income tax 
- differences between overseas income tax rates and Cyprus 

income tax rates 

- reversal of previously recognised deferred tax  

Prior years’ tax adjustments 

Other tax charges 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

168.157 

(433.382) 

21.044 

(54.162) 

12.582 

(30.344) 

18.823 

(15.177) 

(124) 

3.598 

6.756 

1.943 

1.200 

9.899 

2.187 

50.592 

2.263 

2.009 

- 

4.272 

The  loss  on  disposal  of  the  Russian  subsidiaries  and  Aphrodite  group  in  2015  is  included  in  ‘Net  gains  on 
financial instrument transactions and dissolution/disposal of subsidiaries’ and is partially income tax deductible 
(Note 10).   

Income tax in Cyprus is calculated at the rate of 12,5% on taxable income (2015: 12,5%).   

222 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

15.   

Income tax (continued) 

Special  defence  contribution  is  payable  on  rental  income  at  a  rate  of  3%  (2015:  3%)  and  on  interest  income 
from activities outside the ordinary course of business at a rate of 30% (2015: 30%).   

The  Company’s  profits  from  overseas  operations  are  taxed  at  the  rates  prevailing  in  the  respective  countries, 
which for 2016 were: Greece 29% (2015: 29%) and Romania 16% (2015: 16%). 

The  Company  is  subject  to  income  taxes  in  the  various  jurisdictions  it  operates  and  the  calculation  of  the 
Company’s  income  tax  charge  and  provisions  for  income  tax  necessarily  involves  a  degree  of  estimation  and 
judgement.    There  are  transactions  and  calculations  for  which  the  ultimate  income  tax  treatment  is  uncertain 
and cannot be determined until resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority.  The Company has 
a number of open income tax returns with various income tax authorities and liabilities relating to these open 
and  judgemental  matters,  which  are  based  on  estimates  of  whether  additional  income  taxes  will  be  due.    In 
case the final income tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, 
such  differences  will  impact  the  current  and  deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  period  in  which 
such determination is made. 

The accumulated income tax losses are presented in the table below: 

2016 

Total income 
tax losses 

Income tax 
losses for 
which a 
deferred tax 
asset was 
recognised 

Income tax 
losses for 
which no 
deferred tax 
asset was 
recognised 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Expiring within 4 years 

4.611.469 

266.800 

4.344.669 

Expiring between 5 and 10 years 

16.306 

- 

16.306 

Expiring between 11 and 15 years 

7.378.801 

3.336.000 

4.042.801 

12.006.576 

3.602.800 

8.403.776 

2015 

Expiring within 4 years 

4.293.207 

295.584 

3.997.623 

Expiring between 5 and 10 years 

400.992 

- 

400.992 

Expiring between 11 and 15 years 

7.378.801 

3.336.000 

4.042.801 

12.073.000 

3.631.584 

8.441.416 

The majority of the deferred tax asset relates to the Laiki Bank income tax losses transferred to the Company 
as a result of the acquisition of certain operations on 29 March 2013.  The income tax losses were transferred 
under  ‘The  Resolution  of  Credit  and  Other  Institutions  Law’  which  states  that  any  accumulated  losses  of  the 
transferring credit institution at the time of the transfer, are transferred to the acquiring credit institution and 
may be used by it for a period of up to 15 years from the end of the year during which the transfer took place. 
In the case of the Company’s acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank, these losses can be utilised up to 
2028.  The  income  tax  losses  transferred  are  still  subject  to  review  and  agreement  with  the  income  tax 
authorities  in  Cyprus.    The  deferred  tax  asset  recognised  on  these  specific  losses  can  be  set  off  against  the 
future profits of the Company by 2028 at an income tax rate of 12,5%.   

Recognition  of  deferred  tax  assets  on  unutilised  income  tax  losses  is  supported  by  management’s  business 
forecasts, taking into account available information and making various assumptions on future growth rates of 
customer loans, deposits, funding evolution, loan impairment and pricing, and considering the recoverability of 
the deferred tax assets within their expiry period. 

223 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

15.   

Income tax (continued) 

The Company performed its regular assessment regarding the recoverability of its deferred tax asset as at 31 
December  2016,  taking  into  account  the  actual  results  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2016,  the  declining 
trend of loans  that are impaired or past due for more than 90 days, the improved funding structure with the 
loans to deposits ratio of 95%, the significant inflow of deposits and the significant decrease of ELA funding.  

The Company performed its assessment for the recoverability of its deferred tax asset as at 31 December 2016 
taking into account the Company’s actual performance, the key objectives of the Company’s strategy as well as 
the  macroeconomic  environment  in  Cyprus,  analytical  financial  projections  up  to  the  end  of  2019  which  had 
been  also  used  to  roll  out  assumptions  thereafter  until  year  2028.  The  key  assumptions,  amongst  others, 
include the following: 

 
 
 
 
 
 

New loan originations and repayments 
Loan and deposit interest income/expense evolution 
Funding structure and associated cost 
Diversified income streams 
Level of operating expenses 
Level of loans that are impaired or past due for more than 90 days (new defaults, curing, cost of risk) 

The  financial  projections  have  taken  into  account  the  key  objectives  of  the  Company’s  strategy  which  are  set 
out below:  

 
 
 

 
 

 

Materially reduce the level of delinquent loans 
Normalise the funding structure and fully repay the ELA in January 2017 
Focus on the core markets in Cyprus by providing credit to promising sectors and exit from non-core 
markets 
Achieve a lean operating model 
Maintain  an  appropriate  capital  position  by  internally  generating  capital  through  profitability, 
deleveraging and disposing of non-core assets 
Deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders 

Based  on  the  above,  management  has  concluded  that  the  deferred  tax  asset  of  €450.350  thousand  for  the 
Company as at 31 December 2016 is recoverable. 

The tax losses of prior years utilised during 2016 amount to €28.784 thousand (2015: nil).  

The income tax losses relate to the same jurisdiction to which the deferred tax asset relates. 

Deferred tax 

The net deferred tax assets arises from: 

Difference between capital allowances and depreciation 

Property revaluation 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

7.122 

13.411 

6.518 

13.350 

Unutilised income tax losses carried forward 

(450.350) 

(453.948) 

Other temporary differences 

Net deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax assets  

Deferred tax liabilities  

Net deferred tax assets 

The deferred tax assets relate to operations in Cyprus. 

224 

- 

(2.531) 

(429.817) 

(436.611) 

(450.350) 

(456.479) 

20.533 

19.868 

(429.817) 

(436.611) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

15.   

Income tax (continued) 

Deferred tax (continued)  

The movement of the net deferred tax assets is set out below: 

1 January 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

(436.611) 

(433.260) 

Deferred tax recognised in the income statement  

6.733 

687 

Deferred tax recognised in the statement of comprehensive 
income 

31 December 

61 

(4.038) 

(429.817) 

(436.611) 

The Company offsets income tax assets and liabilities if and only if, it has a legally enforceable right to set off 
current income tax assets and current income tax liabilities. 

The analysis of the net deferred tax expense recognised in the income statement is set out below: 

Difference between capital allowances and depreciation 

Unutilised income tax losses carried forward 

Other temporary differences 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

604 

3.598 

2.531 

6.733 

687 

- 

- 

687 

The analysis of the net deferred tax recognised in the statement of comprehensive income is set out below: 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Timing differences on property revaluation - expense/(income)  

61 

(4.038) 

16.  Earnings per share 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share 

Profit/(loss) for the year (€ thousand) 

158.258 

(437.654) 

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, 
excluding treasury shares (thousand) 

8.922.945 

8.922.923 

Basic and diluted earnings/(losses) per share (€ cent) 

1,8 

(4,9) 

225 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

17. 

Cash, balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks 

Cash  

Balances with central banks 

Cash and balances with central banks 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

132.180 

1.135.173 

153.742 

957.612 

1.267.353 

1.111.354 

Loans and advances to banks 

984.876 

1.112.337 

Balances  with  central  banks  include  obligatory  deposits  for  liquidity  purposes  as  at  31  December  2016  which 
amount to €142.002 thousand (2015: €122.347 thousand).   

The  credit  rating  analysis  of  balances  with  central  banks  and  loans  and  advances  to  banks  by  independent 
credit rating agencies is set out in Note 41. 

Loans and advances to banks earn interest based on the interbank rate of the relevant term and currency. 

18. 

Investments 

Investments  

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 

Investments available-for-sale  

Investments classified as loans and receivables 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

11.802 

253.394 

68.074 

333.270 

19.727 

55.969 

436.935 

512.631 

The amounts pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements with banks are shown below: 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Investments pledged as collateral  

Investments available-for-sale  

299.765 

421.032 

All  investments  pledged  as  collateral  under  repurchase  agreements  can  be  sold  or  repledged  by  the 
counterparty. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk for debt securities is disclosed in Note 41. 

226 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

18. 

Investments (continued) 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss  

Trading investments 

Other investments at fair 
value through profit or 
loss  

Total 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

- 

1.376 

1.376 

- 

- 

- 

10.426 

17.430 

10.426 

17.430 

2.297 

2.297 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.376 

2.297 

10.426 

17.430 

11.802 

19.727 

10.426 

17.430 

10.426 

17.430 

10.426 

17.430 

10.426 

17.430 

1.376 

2.297 

- 

- 

1.376 

2.297 

Debt securities 

Equity securities 

Debt securities 

Cyprus government 

Listed on the Cyprus 
Stock Exchange 

Equity securities 

Listed on the Cyprus 
Stock Exchange 

The debt securities classified as other investments at fair value through profit or loss were originally classified 
as such, to eliminate an accounting mismatch with derivatives used to economically hedge these instruments.  

Investments available-for-sale 

Debt securities 

Equity securities 

Mutual funds 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

540.551 

12.329 

279 

437.402 

39.258 

341 

553.159 

477.001 

227 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

18. 

Investments (continued) 

Investments available-for-sale (continued) 

Debt securities 

Cyprus government 

French government 

Other governments  

Banks and other corporations  

Listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Listed on other stock exchanges 

Geographic dispersion by country of issuer 

Cyprus 

France 

Germany 

Italy 

Other European countries 

European Financial Stability Facility and European Investment 
Fund 

Supranational organisations 

Other countries 

Equity securities 

Listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Listed on other stock exchanges 

Unlisted 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

178.479 

287.324 

41.887 

32.861 

4.437 

290.205 

130.832 

11.928 

540.551 

437.402 

178.479 

362.072 

540.551 

4.437 

432.965 

437.402 

178.479  

4.437 

287.324 

290.205 

- 

12.507 

10.473 

11.823 

9.365 

30.580 

45.686 

23.234 

61.912 

11.928 

- 

- 

540.551 

437.402 

4.156 

430 

7.743 

12.329 

4.663 

271 

34.324 

39.258 

At  31  December  2016  and  2015  there  were  no  available-for-sale  investments  in  debt  securities  which  have 
been determined to be individually impaired.   

Available-for-sale mutual funds are unlisted and issued in other countries. 

228 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                                         Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

18. 

Investments (continued) 

Investments classified as loans and receivables 

Debt securities 

Cyprus government 

Listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Geographic dispersion by country of issuer 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

68.074 

68.074 

68.074 

436.935 

436.935 

436.935 

Cyprus 

68.074 

436.935 

Loans  and  receivables  at  31  December  2016  include  €49.185  thousand  (2015:  €146.444  thousand)  of  debt 
securities which have been determined to be individually impaired.   

Reclassification of investments  

Reclassification of trading investments to loans and receivables 
On  1  April  2010,  in  light  of  the  crisis  prevailing  in  global  markets,  the  Company  identified  the  investments 
which  it  had no  intention to  trade  or  sell in  the foreseeable  future.  These  investments  in  debt  securities  were 
reclassified from trading investments to loans and receivables. 

Reclassification of available-for-sale investments to loans and receivables 
On  1  October  2008  and  30  June  2011  the  Company  reclassified  certain  available-for-sale  debt  securities  to 
investments  classified  as  loans  and  receivables,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  there  was  no  active  market  for  these 
debt securities and the Company had the intention and ability to hold these securities in the foreseeable future. 

Reclassification of held–to-maturity investments to available-for-sale investments 
On  1  November  2012,  the  Company  reassessed  its  policies  in  respect  of  the  management  of  its  investment 
portfolio in view of its efforts to strengthen its liquidity and capital adequacy ratios and decided to reclassify all 
debt securities previously classified as held-to-maturity to investments available-for-sale, in order to be able to 
sell these securities as and when required.  As a result, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policies 
and IFRSs, the Company was not allowed to classify any investments as held-to-maturity until November 2014. 

229 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

18. 

Investments (continued) 

Reclassification of investments (continued) 

The table below presents the debt securities reclassified by the Company, by date of reclassification. 

31 December 
2016 

31 December 
2015 

Reclassification 
date 

Carrying and 
fair value on 
reclassification 
date 

Carrying 
value  

Fair 
value 

Carrying 
value 

Fair value 

Year 2016 

Additional 
profit in the 
income 
statement 
had the debt 
securities not 
been 
reclassified 

Additional gain 
in other 
comprehensive 
income had the 
debt securities 
not been 
reclassified 

Effective 
interest rate on 
reclassification 
date  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Reclassification of 
available-for-sale 
investments to: 

- loans and receivables 

1 October 2008 

49.800 

49.185 

50.329 

48.021 

50.232 

- 

1.144 

4,6%-4,7% 

230 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

18. 

Investments (continued) 

Reclassification of investments (continued) 

The table below presents the debt securities reclassified by the Company, by date of reclassification. 

31 December 
2015 

31 December 
2014 

Reclassification 
date 

Carrying and 
fair value on 
reclassification 
date 

Carrying 
value  

Fair value 

Carrying 
value 

Fair value 

Year 2015 

Additional 
profit in the 
income 
statement had 
the debt 
securities not 
been 
reclassified 

Additional 
gain/(loss) in 
other 
comprehensive 
income had the 
debt securities 
not been 
reclassified 

Effective 
interest rate 
on 
reclassification 
date  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Reclassification of 
trading investments 
to: 

- loans and receivables   

1 April 2010 

34.810 

35.255 

35.227 

36.722 

35.056 

171 

- 

1,2%-4,4% 

Reclassification of 
available-for-sale 
investments to: 

- loans and receivables 

1 October 2008 

129.497 

119.683 

126.913 

120.235 

120.289 

- loans and receivables 

30 June 2011 

151.967 

90.600 

87.327 

92.613 

84.046 

Reclassification of 
held-to-maturity 
investments to: 

- available-for-sale 

1 November 
2012 

42.151 

41.763 

41.763 

43.358 

43.358 

- 

- 

- 

7.230 

4,6%-4,7% 

(3.273) 

2,8%-6,3% 

- 

0,4%-3,1% 

231 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

19. 

Derivative financial instruments 

The contract amount and fair value of the derivative financial instruments is set out below:    

Contract 
amount 

2016 

Fair value 

Assets 

Liabilities 

Contract 
amount 

2015 

Fair value 

Assets 

Liabilities 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

43.709 

793 

589 

208.729 

1.112 

1.774.976 

15.875 

8.430 

1.484.763 

12.235 

230.874 

7.986 

- 

- 

480 

85 

- 

- 

1.901 

198 

- 

- 

34.511 

175 

1.515 

6.562 

141 

8 

477 

- 

5.666 

5.729 

2.305 

167 

441 

53 

2.057.545 

17.233 

11.118 

1.736.255 

13.973 

14.361 

418.293 

87 

37.463 

425.900 

45 

39.570 

Trading derivatives 
Forward exchange rate 
contracts 
Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options  

Equity options 

Interest rate caps/floors 

Derivatives qualifying 
for hedge accounting 
Fair value hedges  
- interest rate swaps 
Net investments  
– forward exchange rate 
contracts 

Total 

2.654.443 

20.834 

48.840 

2.195.541 

14.022 

178.605 

3.514 

259 

33.386 

596.898 

3.601 

37.722 

459.286 

4 

49 

477 

40.047 

54.408 

The  use  of  derivatives  is  an  integral  part  of  the  Company’s  activities.    Derivatives  are  used  to  manage  the 
Company’s own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and equity price indices.  Derivatives 
are also sold to customers as risk management products. 

Forward  exchange  rate  contracts  are  irrevocable  agreements  to  buy  or  sell  a  specified  quantity  of  foreign 
currency on a specified future date at an agreed rate. 

Currency swaps include simple currency swaps and cross-currency swaps.  Simple currency swaps involve the 
exchange of two currencies at the current market rate and the commitment to re-exchange them at a specified 
rate  upon  maturity  of  the  swap.  Cross-currency  swaps  are  interest  rate  swaps  in  which  the  cash  flows  are  in 
different currencies.   

Interest  rate  swaps  are  contractual  agreements  between  two  parties  to  exchange  fixed  rate  and  floating  rate 
interest, by means of periodic payments, based upon a notional principal amount and the interest rates defined 
in the contract.  

Currency options are contracts that grant the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell currency at 
a specified exchange rate during a specified period of time. 

232 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

19. 

Derivative financial instruments (continued) 

Interest  rate,  currency  and  equity  options  provide  the  buyer  with  the  right  but  not  the  obligation,  to  either 
purchase or sell the underlying values at a specified price or level on or before a specified date. 

Interest  rate  caps/floors  protect  the  holder  from  fluctuations  of  interest  rates  above  or  below  a  specified 
interest rate for a specified period of time. 

The  credit  exposure  of  derivative  financial  instruments  represents  the  cost  to  replace  these  contracts  at  the 
reporting date.  The exposure arising from these transactions is managed as part of the Company’s credit risk 
management process for credit facilities granted to customers and financial institutions.  

The  contract  amount  of  certain  types  of  derivative  financial instruments  provides  a  basis  for  comparison  with 
other  instruments  recognised  on  the  balance  sheet,  but  does  not  necessarily  indicate  the  amounts  of  future 
cash  flows  involved  or  the  current  fair  value  of  the  instruments  and,  consequently,  does  not  indicate  the 
Company’s exposure to credit or market risk.  

The fair value of the derivatives can be either positive (asset) or negative (liability) as a result of fluctuations in 
market  interest  rates,  foreign  exchange  rates  or  equity  price  indices,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the 
relevant contract. The aggregate net fair value of derivatives may fluctuate significantly over time.  

Hedge accounting  

The  Company  applies  fair  value  hedge  accounting  using  derivatives  when  the  required  criteria  for  hedge 
accounting are met.  The Company also uses derivatives for economic hedging (hedging the changes in interest 
rates, exchange rates or other risks) which do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting.  As a result, these 
derivatives  are  accounted  for  as  trading  derivatives  and  the  gains  or  losses  arising  from  revaluation  are 
recognised in the income statement.  

Changes  in  the  fair  value  of  derivatives  designated  as  fair  value  hedges  and  the  fair  value  of  the  item  in 
relation to the risk being hedged are recognised in the income statement.  

Fair value hedges 
The Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk arising as a result of the possible adverse 
movement  in  the  fair  value  of  fixed  rate  available-for-sale  debt  securities  and  fixed  rate  customer  loans  and 
deposits.   

Hedges of net investments  
The  Company’s  balance  sheet  is  affected  by  foreign  exchange  differences  between  the  Euro  and  all  non-Euro 
functional currencies of overseas branches.  The Company hedges its structural currency risk when it considers 
that the cost of such hedging is within an acceptable range (in relation to the underlying risk).  This hedging is 
effected by financing with borrowings in the same currency as the functional currency of the overseas branches 
and forward exchange rate contracts.   

As at 31 December 2016, deposits and forward exchange rate contracts amounting to €100.756 thousand and 
€178.605  thousand  respectively  (2015:  €178.101  thousand  and  €33.386  thousand  respectively)  have  been 
designated as hedging instruments. 

233 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

 Fair value measurement 

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities. 

2016 

2015 

Carrying 
value 
€000 

Fair value 

€000 

Carrying 
value 
€000 

Fair value 

€000 

Financial assets 

Cash and balances with central banks 

1.267.353 

1.267.353 

1.111.354 

1.111.354 

Loans and advances to banks  

984.876 

960.937 

1.112.337 

1.102.191 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 

11.802 

11.802 

19.727 

19.727 

Investments available-for-sale 

553.159 

553.159 

477.001 

477.001 

Investments classified as loans and receivables 

68.074 

69.451 

436.935 

445.521 

Derivative financial assets 

20.834 

20.834 

14.022 

14.022 

Loans and advances to customers 

14.352.560  15.493.752 

16.005.878  16.999.781 

Balances with Group companies  

1.364.982 

1.364.982 

735.579 

735.579 

Other assets 

96.068 

96.068 

145.977 

145.977 

18.719.708  19.838.338 

20.058.810  21.051.153 

Financial liabilities 

Obligations to central banks and deposits by 
banks 

1.277.751 

1.277.751 

4.690.710 

4.690.710 

Repurchase agreements 

257.367 

292.752 

368.151 

406.014 

Derivative financial liabilities 

48.840 

48.840 

54.408 

54.408 

Customer deposits  

15.045.090  15.029.167 

12.694.130  12.700.673 

Balances with Group companies  

502.645 

502.645 

568.486 

568.486 

Debt securities in issue 

Other liabilities  

- 

- 

712 

712 

129.413 

129.413 

106.788 

106.788 

17.261.106  17.280.568 

18.483.385  18.527.791 

The  fair  value  of  financial  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  above  table  is  as  at  the  reporting  date  and  does  not 
represent any expectations about their future value. 

The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing fair value: 

Level 1: investments valued using quoted prices in active markets. 

Level  2:  investments  valued  using  models  for  which  all  inputs  that  have  a  significant  effect  on  fair  value  are 
market observable. 

Level 3: investments valued using models for which inputs that have a significant effect on fair value are not 
based on observable market data. 

For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the financial statements at fair value, the Company determines 
whether  transfers  have  occurred  between  levels  in  the  hierarchy  by  re-assessing  categorisation  at  the  end  of 
each reporting period. 

234 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

The  following  is  a  description  of  the  determination  of  fair  value  for  financial  instruments  and  non-financial 
assets  which  are  recorded  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  and  on  a  non-recurring  basis  and  for  financial 
instruments and non-financial assets which are not measured at fair value but for which fair value is disclosed, 
using  valuation  techniques.    These  incorporate  the  Company’s  estimate  of  assumptions  that  a  market 
participant would make when valuing the instruments.  

Derivative financial instruments 
Derivative  financial  instruments  valued  using  a  valuation  technique  with  market  observable  inputs  are  mainly 
interest  rate  swaps,  currency  swaps,  currency  rate  options,  forward  foreign  exchange  rate  contracts,  equity 
options and interest rate collars.  The most frequently applied valuation techniques include forward pricing and 
swap  models,  using  present  value  calculations.    The  models  incorporate  various  inputs  including  the  credit 
quality of counterparties, foreign exchange spot and forward rates and interest rate curves. 

Credit Valuation Adjustments (CVA) and Debit Valuation Adjustments (DVA) 
The CVA and DVA are incorporated into derivative valuations to reflect the impact on fair value of counterparty 
risk and the Company’s own credit quality respectively. 

The Company calculates the CVA by applying the probability of default (PD) of the counterparty, conditional on 
the  non-default  of  the  Company,  to  the  Company’s  expected  positive  exposure  to  the  counterparty  and 
multiplying the result by the loss expected in the event of default. Conversely, the Company calculates the DVA 
by applying its own PD, conditional on the non-default of the counterparty, to the expected positive exposure of 
the counterparty to the Company and multiplying the result by the loss expected in the event of default. Both 
calculations are performed over the life of the potential exposure. 

The expected exposure of derivatives is calculated as per the Capital Requirement Regulations (CRR) and takes 
into account the netting agreements where they exist. A standard loss given default (LGD) assumption in line 
with  industry  norms  is  adopted.    Alternative  LGD  assumptions  may  be  adopted  when  both  the  nature  of  the 
exposure and the available data support this. 

The Company does not hold any significant derivative instruments which are valued using a valuation technique 
with significant non-market observable inputs. 

Investments available-for-sale and other investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Available-for-sale investments and other investments at fair value through profit or loss which are valued using 
a  valuation  technique  or  pricing  models,  primarily  consist  of  unquoted  equity  securities  and  debt  securities.  
These assets are valued using valuation models which sometimes only incorporate market observable data and 
at other times use both observable and non-observable data. 

Loans and advances to customers 
The fair value of loans and advances to customers is based on the present value of expected future cash flows.   
Future  cash  flows  have  been  based  on  the  future  expected  loss  rate  per  loan  portfolio,  taking  into  account 
expectations  for  the  credit  quality  of  the  borrowers.    The  discount  rate  includes  components  that  capture  the 
funding cost and the cost of capital. 

Customer deposits  
The  fair  value  of  customer  deposits  is  determined  by  calculating  the  present  value  of  future  cash  flows.    The 
discount rate takes into account current market rates and the credit profile of the Company.  The fair value of 
deposits  repayable  on  demand  and  deposits  protected  by  the  Deposit  Protection  Guarantee  Scheme  are 
approximated by their carrying values. 

Repurchase agreements 
Repurchase  agreements  are collateralised bank takings. Given that the collateral provided by the Company is 
greater  than  the  amount  borrowed,  the  fair  value  calculation  of these  repurchase  agreements  only  takes  into 
account the time value of money. 

Loans and advances to banks 
Loans  and  advances  to  banks  with  maturity  over  one  year  are  discounted  using  an  appropriate  risk  free  rate 
plus  the  credit  spread  of  each  counterparty.  For  short-term  lending,  the  fair  value  is  approximated  by  the 
carrying value. 

235 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Deposits by banks 
Since almost all deposits by banks are very short-term, the fair value is an approximation of the carrying value. 

Investment properties 
The  fair  value  of  investment  properties  is  determined  using  valuations  performed  by  external  accredited, 
independent valuers and internal accredited valuers. Further information on the techniques applied is disclosed 
in the remainder of this Note. 

Property and equipment 
The  freehold  land  and  buildings  consist  of  offices  and  other  commercial  properties.    The  fair  value  of  the 
properties is determined using valuations performed by external, accredited, independent valuers and internal 
accredited valuers.  Further information on the techniques applied is disclosed in the remainder of this Note. 

Model inputs for valuation 
Observable  inputs  to  the  models  for  the  valuation  of  unquoted  equity  and  debt  securities  include,  where 
applicable, current and expected market interest rates, market expected default rates, market implied country 
and counterparty credit risk and market liquidity discounts. 

The  following  table  presents  the  fair  value  measurement  hierarchy  of  the  Company’s  assets  and  liabilities 
recorded at fair value or for which fair value is disclosed, by level of the fair value hierarchy: 

2016 

Assets measured at fair value  
Investment properties 
Offices and other commercial properties 
Investment properties held for sale 
Offices and other commercial properties 
Freehold property 
Offices and other commercial properties 
Trading derivatives 
Forward exchange rate contracts 
Currency swaps 
Interest rate swaps 
Currency options 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 
Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 
Net investments-forward exchange rate 
contracts 

Investments at fair value through profit or 
loss 
Trading investments 
Other investments at fair value through 
profit or loss                                                

Investments available-for-sale 

Level 1 
€000 

Level 2 
€000 

Level 3 
€000 

Total 
€000 

- 

11.625 

11.625 

346 

- 

346 

- 

181.754 

181.754 

793 
15.875 
480 
85 
17.233 

87 

3.514 

3.601 

- 

10.426 

10.426 
- 
31.606 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
7.400 
200.779 

793 
15.875 
480 
85 
17.233 

87 

3.514 

3.601 

1.376 

10.426 

11.802 
553.159 
779.520 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

1.376 

- 

1.376 
545.759 
547.135 

236 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

2016 

Other financial assets not measured at 
fair value 
Loans and advances to banks 

Loans and receivables - investments 

Loans and advances to customers 

Level 1 

€000 

Level 2 

€000 

Level 3 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

960.937 

69.451 

- 

- 

960.937 

69.451 

- 

15.493.752  15.493.752 

1.030.388 

15.493.752  16.524.140 

For  available-for-sale  equity  securities  categorised  as  Level  3,  for  one  investment  with  a  carrying  amount  of 
€5.532 thousand, a change in the conversion factor by 10% would result in a change in the value of the equity 
securities by €553 thousand. 

2016 

Liabilities measured at fair value   

Trading derivatives 

Forward exchange rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 

Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 
Net investments-forward exchange rate 
contracts 

Other financial liabilities not measured 
at fair value 
Deposits by banks 

Repurchase agreements 

Customer deposits 

Level 1 

€000 

Level 2 

€000 

Level 3 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

589 

8.430 

1.901 

198 

11.118 

37.463 

259 

37.722 

48.840 

427.737 

292.752 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

589 

8.430 

1.901 

198 

11.118 

37.463 

259 

37.722 

48.840 

427.737 

292.752 

- 

15.029.167  15.029.167 

720.489 

15.029.167  15.749.656 

237 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

2015 

Assets measured at fair value  

Investment properties 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Investment properties classified as held for 
sale 

Residential 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Freehold property 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Trading derivatives 

Forward exchange rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options 

Equity options 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 

Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 

Net investments-forward exchange rate 
contracts 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

11.688 

11.688 

2.095 

5.222 

7.317 

- 

2.450 

2.450 

2.095 

7.672 

9.767 

- 

180.994 

180.994 

1.112 

12.235 

141 

8 

477 

13.973 

45 

4 

49 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.112 

12.235 

141 

8 

477 

13.973 

45 

4 

49 

2.297 

17.430 

19.727 

Investments at fair value through profit or 
loss 

Trading investments 

2.297 

Other investments at fair value through 
profit or loss                                                

- 

17.430 

2.297 

17.430 

Investments available-for-sale 

442.336 

- 

34.665 

477.001 

444.633 

38.769 

229.797 

713.199 

238 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

2016 

Other financial assets not measured at 
fair value 

Loans and advances to banks 

Loans and receivables-investments 

Loans and advances to customers 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.102.191 

424.070 

- 

- 

1.102.191 

424.070 

- 

16.999.781  16.999.781 

1.526.261 

16.999.781  18.526.042 

For  available-for-sale  equity  securities  categorised  as  Level  3,  for  one  investment  with  a  carrying  amount  of 
€32.489  thousand,  a  change  in  the  conversion  factor  by  10%  would  result  in  a  change  in  the  value  of  the 
equity securities by €475 thousand. 

2015 

Liabilities measured at fair value   

Trading derivatives 

Forward exchange rate contracts 

Currency swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Currency options 

Equity options  

Interest rate caps/floors 

Derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting 

Fair value hedges-interest rate swaps 

Net investments-forward exchange rate 
contracts 

Other financial liabilities not measured 
at fair value 

Deposits by banks 

Repurchase agreements 

Customer deposits 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

5.666 

5.729 

2.305 

167 

441 

53 

14.361 

39.570 

477 

40.047 

54.408 

237.860 

406.014 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5.666 

5.729 

2.305 

167 

441 

53 

14.361 

39.570 

477 

40.047 

54.408 

237.860 

406.014 

- 

12.700.673  12.700.673 

643.874 

12.700.673  13.344.547 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

239 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Model inputs for valuation (continued) 

The  cash  and  balances  with  central  banks,  the  funding from  central  banks  and  the  treasury  bills  are  financial 
instruments  whose  carrying  value  is  a  reasonable  approximation  of  fair  value,  because  they  are  mostly  
short-term in nature or are repriced to current market rates frequently.  Other assets, other liabilities and the 
balances  with  Group  companies  are  of  a  financial  nature  and  their  carrying  value  is  a  close  approximation  of 
fair value. 

During the years 2016 and 2015 there were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. 

240 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Movements in Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value 
Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 occur when the market for some securities becomes more liquid, which eliminates the need for the previously required significant 
unobservable valuation inputs. Following a transfer to Level 2 the instruments are valued using valuation models incorporating observable market inputs. Transfers 
into Level 3 reflect changes in market conditions as a result of which instruments become less liquid. Therefore, the Company requires significant unobservable inputs 
to calculate their fair value. 

The movement in Level 3 assets which are measured at fair value is presented below: 

1 January  

Additions  

Disposals  
Transfers from own use properties to 
investment properties  
Transfers to non-current assets 
classified as held for sale  
Transfers to stock of property (Note 26) 
Transfers on disposal of Kyprou Leasing 
SA to Greek branch 
Transfers to Level 2 
Net (losses)/gains from fair value 
changes recognised in the statement of 
other comprehensive income 
Depreciation charge for the year 
Impairment charge for the year (Note 
24) 
Revaluation losses 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

31 December 

Investment 
properties 

€000 

11.688 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(63) 

- 

11.625 

2016 

2015 

Investment    
  properties 
 held for sale  
€000 

Own use 
properties  

€000 

Available- 
for-sale 
investments 
€000 

Investment 
properties 

€000 

Investment    
  properties held 
for sale  
€000 

Own use 
properties  

€000 

Available- 
for-sale 
investments 
€000 

2.450 

180.994 

34.665 

250.888 

1.367 

201.671 

- 

2.312 

5.435 

(32.489) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(21) 

- 

- 

- 

39.343 

(3.853) 

13.690 

- 

1.099 

(9.946) 

- 

- 

(13.690) 

(17.081) 

17.081 

(282.855) 

43.454 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(247) 

4.286 

(7.317) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1.726) 

(288) 

(32.271) 

(2.774) 

(6.072) 

2.598 

- 

(33) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31.845 

- 

- 

- 

(190) 

7.400 

373 

11.688 

- 

- 

255 

2.450 

180.994 

34.665 

(2.450) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1.552) 

- 

- 

- 

181.754 

241 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis 

Investment properties, investment properties held for sale and own use properties  
The valuation technique mainly applied by the Company, is the market comparable approach, adjusted for market and property specific conditions.  In certain cases, 
the  Company  also  utilises  the  income capitalisation  approach.    The  key  inputs  used  for  the  valuations  of  the  investment  properties, investment  properties  held  for 
sale and own use properties are presented in the tables below. 

Analysis of investment properties and investment properties held for sale  

Type and country 

2016 

Estimated 
rental value 
per m2 per 
annum 

Rent 
growth 
per 
annum  

Estimated 
building cost 
per m2  

Yield 

Estimated 
fair value 
per m2  

Estimated 
 land value  
per m2  

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building  

Offices and other commercial 
properties 
Cyprus 
UK 

Total  

Analysis of own use properties  

Type and country 

Offices and other commercial 
properties 

€000 

11.625 
346 

11.971 

2016 

€000 

€73 
€97 

n/a 
n/a 

€1.130 
n/a 

4% 
n/a 

€1.660 
n/a 

€125 
n/a 

30.001 
n/a 

7.078 
304 

14 
87 

m2 

m2 

Years 

Estimated 
rental 
value per 
m2 per 
annum 

Rent 
growth 
per 
annum 

Estimated 
building 
cost per 
m2 

Yield 

Estimated 
fair value 
per m2 

Estimated 
land value 
per m2 

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building 

m2 

m2 

Years 

Cyprus 

181.754 

€27-€434 

n/a  €588-€2.102 

5%-6%  €566-€8.860   €139-€3.007 

390-53.155  94-10.985 

9-37 

242 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Analysis of investment properties and investment properties held for sale  

Type and country 

2015 

Estimated 
rental  
value per 
m2 per 
annum 

Rent 
growth 
per 
annum  

Estimated 
building 
cost per 
m2  

Yield 

Estimated 
fair value 
per m2  

Estimated 
land value 
per m2  

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building  

€000 

m2 

m2 

Years 

2.095 

€548 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

€12.965 

n/a 

n/a 

156 

Residential 
UK 
Offices and other commercial 
properties 
Cyprus 
Greece 

UK 

Total  

Analysis of own use properties  

Type and country 

Offices and other commercial 
properties 

11.688 
2.450 

€117 
€480 

5.222 

€110-€230 

n/a 
n/a 

n/a 

€1.302 
n/a 

4% 
7%-10% 

n/a 

n/a 

€2.773 
€3.926 
€1.013-
€3.123 

€152 
n/a 

n/a 

30.001 
447 

4.323 
624 

n/a 

233-954 

26-116 

19.360 
21.455 

Estimated 
rental  
value per 
m2 per 
annum 

2015 

€000 

Rent 
growth 
per 
annum 

Estimated 
building 
cost per 
m2 

Yield 

Estimated 
fair value 
per m2 

Estimated 
land 
value per 
m2 

Land  

Building 
area  

Age of 
building 

m2 

m2 

Years 

46 

13 
8 

Cyprus 

180.994 

€23-€434 

n/a 

€674-
€2.102 

5%-6% 

€566-
€8.860 

€138-
€3.007 

390-
53.155 

94-10.985 

8-36 

243 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

20. 

Fair value measurement (continued) 

Valuation policy and sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Sensitivity analysis 
Most of the Company’s property valuations have been classified as Level 3. Significant increases/decreases in 
estimated  values  per  square  meter  for  properties  valued  with  the  comparable  approach  or  significant 
increases/decreases  in  estimated  rental  values  or  yields  for  properties  valued  with  the  income  capitalisation 
approach would result in a significantly higher/lower fair value of the properties.  

21. 

Loans and advances to customers 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Gross loans and advances to customers 

17.745.707 

19.986.349 

Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to customers 
(Note 41) 

(3.393.147) 

(3.980.471) 

14.352.560 

16.005.878 

Loans and advances to customers pledged as collateral are disclosed in Note 43. 

Additional analysis and information regarding credit risk and analysis of the provisions for impairment of loans 
and advances to customers are set out in Note 41. 

244 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Balances and transactions with Group companies  

Debit balances with Group companies  

Name of Group company 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

The Cyprus Investment and Securities Corporation Ltd (CISCO) 

2.042 

General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd 

EuroLife Ltd 

Kermia Ltd 

Finerose Properties Ltd 

Hydrobius Ltd 

Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd 

Kyprou Commercial SA 

Cyprus Leasing S.A. 

MC Investment Assets Management LLC 

Kyprou Finance (NL) B.V. 

Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd 

Obafemi Holdings Ltd 

S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 

K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd 

Fortuna Astrum Ltd 

Stamoland Properties Ltd 

Group property companies in Cyprus 

Group property companies in Romania  

Other Group companies in Cyprus 

Total 

Neither past due nor impaired 

Impaired 

Total 

855 

400 

1.978 

216 

42.453 

3 

55 

10.093 

2.631 

1.072 

2.251 

4.393 

1.978 

38.935 

- 

24.905 

- 

12.491 

2.631 

317.136 

317.142 

66.966 

6.684 

3.386 

22.662 

4.238 

5.671 

71.010 

6.822 

- 

- 

- 

- 

807.339 

186.055 

69.229 

945 

64.853 

1.041 

1.364.982 

735.579 

2016 

€000 

750.057 

614.925 

1.364.982 

2015 

€000 

143.345 

592.234 

735.579 

The provision for impairment for intercompany balances recognised during 2016 amounts to €33.356 thousand 
(2015: €27.039 thousand) (Note 14).  The provision for impairment recognised during 2016 mainly relates to a 
receivable arising from the disposal of the Russian operations in 2015 and funding provided to Group property 
companies of which the value of the underlying asset has decreased 

245 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Balances and transactions with Group companies (continued) 

Credit balances with Group companies 

Name of Group company 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

JCC Payment Systems Ltd 

25.015 

20.663 

The Cyprus Investment and Securities Corporation Ltd (CISCO) 

General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd 

EuroLife Ltd 

Kermia Properties & Investments Ltd 

Kermia Ltd 

Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd 

Kyprou Zois (branch of EuroLife Ltd) 

Kyprou Securities SA 

Cyprus Leasing S.A. 

MC Investment Assets Management LLC 

Cytrustees Investment Public Company Ltd 

Kyprou Finance (NL) B.V. 

Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd 

Obafemi Holdings Ltd 

Group property companies in Romania  

Other Group companies in Cyprus 

Total 

3.677 

31.823 

20.112 

6.035 

2.300 

1.823 

2.411 

1.651 

1.687 

2.297 

851 

3.788 

33.129 

31.143 

5.526 

685 

59.620 

2.094 

1.650 

296 

8.077 

1.041 

369.553 

369.316 

29.250 

28.624 

175 

1.493 

2.492 

122 

671 

2.041 

502.645 

568.486 

246 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

22. 

Balances and transactions with Group companies (continued) 

Dividends received from subsidiary companies and associates  

Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd 

Kermia Ltd 

JCC Payment Systems Ltd 

EuroLife Ltd 

General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd 

LCP Holdings and Investments Public Ltd 

Labancor Ltd 

CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd 

Transactions with Group companies  

Interest income  

Interest expense 

Fee and commission income  

Fee and commission expense 

Other income 

Other operating expenses 

23. 

Investments in associates  

Carrying value of the investments in associates  

CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd  

Interfund Investments Plc 

Aris Capital Management LLC 

Rosequeens Properties Limited 

Rosequeens Properties SRL 

M.S. (Skyra) Vassas Ltd 

D.J. Karapatakis & Sons Limited 

Rodhagate Entertainment Ltd 

Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

39.235 

24.000 

15.000 

13.000 

10.000 

- 

- 

6.621 

- 

- 

3.000 

13.500 

6.000 

1.904 

1.558 

7.580 

107.856 

33.542 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

20.609 

21.314 

4.211 

4.366 

78 

242 

6.249 

2.943 

- 

280 

1.963 

1.106 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

95.068 

2.225 

95.068 

2.225 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

97.293 

97.293 

247 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

23. 

Investments in associates (continued) 

Investments in associates  

CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd 
As part of the acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank in 2013, 49,9% of CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings 
Ltd,  the  parent  company  of  a  group  of  insurance  companies  in  Cyprus  and  Greece,  was  acquired  by  the 
Company.  

The main financial highlights of the associate are as follows: 

Total assets  

Liabilities 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

696.005 

676.915 

(481.234) 

(465.416) 

Net assets, including value of in-force business 

214.771 

211.499 

CNP  Cyprus  Insurance  Holdings  Ltd  holds  deposits  with  the  Company  amounting  to  €10.310  thousand.    The 
transactions between CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd and the Company are presented in the table below: 

Interest expense paid by the Company 

Other expenses paid by the Company 

Other income received by the Company 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

197 

92 

- 

239 

239 

2 

Interfund Investments Plc 
The Company has a 23,12% interest in Interfund Investments Plc, which is a closed-end investment company 
in Cyprus, listed on the CSE. The market value of the investment is €1.399 thousand (2015: €1.372 thousand). 

During the years 2016 and 2015 there were no material transactions between the Company and the associate. 

Rosequeens Properties Limited and Rosequeens Properties SRL 
The Company effectively owns 33% of the share capital of Rosequeens Properties SRL which is incorporated in 
Romania and owns a shopping mall in Romania.  The shareholding was acquired after the Company took part in 
a  public  auction  for  the  settlement  of  customer  loan  balances  amounting  to  approximately  €21  million.  The 
Company fully impaired its investment during previous years. 

248 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

23. 

Investments in associates (continued) 

Investment in associates (continued) 

Aris Capital Management LLC 
The Company’s holding in Aris Capital Management LLC of 30% was transferred to the Company following the 
acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank.  During  the  years  2016  and  2015,  there  were  no  material 
transactions  between  the  Company  and  the  associate.    The  Company  fully  impaired  its  investment  during 
previous years.   

M.S. (Skyra) Vassas Ltd 
During the year, in the context of its loan restructuring activities, the Company acquired a 15% interest in the 
share  capital  of  M.S.  (Skyra)  Vassas  Ltd.  M.S.  (Skyra)  Vassas  Ltd  is  the  parent  company  of  a  group  of 
companies  (Skyra  Vassas  group)  with  operations  in  the  production,  processing  and  distribution  of  aggregates 
(crushed  stone  and  sand)  and  provision  of  other  construction  materials,  and  services  based  on  core  products 
such  as  ready-mix  concrete,  asphalt  and  packing  of  aggregates.  The  Company  considers  that  it  exercises 
significant influence over the Skyra Vassas group as the Company has the power to have representation to the 
Board of Directors and to vote for matters relating to the relevant activities of the business. The investment is 
considered to be fully impaired and its value is restricted to zero. 

D.J. Karapatakis & Sons Limited and Rodhagate Entertainment Ltd 
During the year, in the context of its loan restructuring activities, the Company acquired a 7,5% interest in the 
share  capital  of  D.J.  Karapatakis  &  Sons  Limited  and  Rodhagate  Entertainment  Ltd,  operating  in  leisure, 
tourism,  film  and  entertainment  industries  in  Cyprus.    The  Company  considers  that  it  exercises  significant 
influence  over  the  two  companies  as  the  Company  has  the  power  to  have  representation  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  and  to  vote  for  matters  relating  to  the  relevant  activities  of  the  business.    The  investments  are 
considered to be fully impaired and their value is restricted to zero. 

Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd 
During the year, in the context of its loan restructuring activities, the Company acquired a 45% interest in the 
share capital of Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd.  Fairways Automotive Holdings Ltd is the parent company of 
Fairways  Ltd  operating  in  the  import and  trading  of  motor  vehicles  and  spare  parts.    The  Company  considers 
that it exercises significant influence over the company.  The investment is considered to be fully impaired and 
its value is restricted to zero. 

24. 

Property and equipment 

2016 

Property 

Equipment 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Net book value at 1 January 

183.594 

14.633 

198.227 

Additions 

Transfers from intangible assets (Note 25) 

Disposals and write-offs 

2.777 

- 

(59) 

6.184 

456 

(148) 

8.961 

456 

(207) 

Depreciation charge for the year (Note 13) 

(2.572) 

(4.978) 

(7.550) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

1 

- 

1 

Net book value at 31 December 

183.741 

16.147 

199.888 

1 January 2016 

Cost or valuation 

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book value 

217.821 

100.845 

318.666 

(34.227) 

(86.212) 

(120.439) 

183.594 

14.633 

198.227 

249 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

24. 

Property and equipment (continued) 

31 December 2016 

Cost or valuation 

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book value 

2015 

Property 

Equipment 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

219.939 

105.716 

325.655 

(36.198) 

(89.569) 

(125.767) 

183.741 

16.147 

199.888 

Net book value at 1 January 

205.340 

15.766 

221.106 

Additions 

Revaluation 

Transfers to investment properties (Note 20) 

1.769 

(6.072) 

(13.726) 

3.866 

5.635 

- 

- 

(6.072) 

(13.726) 

Disposals and write-offs 

- 

(188) 

(188) 

Depreciation charge for the year (Note 13) 

(3.426) 

(4.811) 

(8.237) 

Impairment charge for the year (Note 14) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

(288) 

(3) 

- 

- 

(288) 

(3) 

Net book value at 31 December 

183.594 

14.633 

198.227 

1 January 2015 

Cost or valuation 

237.871 

104.113 

341.984 

Accumulated depreciation 

(32.531) 

(88.347) 

(120.878) 

Net book value 

205.340 

15.766 

221.106 

31 December 2015 

Cost or valuation 

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book value 

The net book value of the Company’s property comprises: 

Freehold property 

Improvements on leasehold property 

217.821 

100.845 

318.666 

(34.227) 

(86.212) 

(120.439) 

183.594 

14.633 

198.227 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

181.754 

180.994 

1.987 

2.600 

183.741 

183.594 

Freehold  property  includes  land  amounting  to  €77.127  thousand  (2015:  €74.816  thousand)  for  which  no 
depreciation is charged.   

250 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

24. 

Property and equipment (continued) 

The  Company’s  policy  is  to  revalue  its  properties  periodically  (between  3  to  5  years)  but  more  frequent 
revaluations  may  be  performed  where  there  are  significant  and  volatile  movements  in  values.  As  a 
consequence of the economic conditions in Cyprus, and their impact on the real estate market, the Company 
performed  revaluations  as  at  31  December  2015.    As  a  result,  a  net  loss  on  revaluation  of  €6.072  thousand 
was  recognised  in  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income  and  an  impairment  loss  of  €288  thousand  was 
recognised in the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2015. The valuations are carried out by 
qualified  valuers,  on  the  basis  of  market  value  using  observable  prices  and/or  recent  market  transactions 
depending  on  the  location  of  the  property.    Details  on  valuation  techniques  and  inputs  are  presented  in  Note 
20. 

The  net  book  value  of  freehold  property,  on  a  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  basis,  as  at  31  December 
2016 would have amounted to €130.699 thousand (2015: €129.940 thousand).  

25. 

Intangible assets 

Computer software 

Net book value at 1 January 

Additions 

Transfers to equipment (Note 24) 

Disposals and write-offs 

Amortisation charge for the year (Note 13) 

Net book value at 31 December 

1 January  

Cost 

Accumulated amortisation 

Net book value 

31 December  

Cost 

Accumulated amortisation 

Net book value 

26. 

Stock of property 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

14.773 

9.486 

(456) 

(12) 

(6.110) 

17.681 

13.105 

7.424 

- 

- 

(5.756) 

14.773 

106.143 

98.726 

(91.370) 

(85.621) 

14.773 

13.105 

121.187 

106.143 

(103.506) 

(91.370) 

17.681 

14.773 

The  carrying  value  of  stock  is  determined  as  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  Impairment  is 
recognised  if  the  net  realisable  value  is  below  the  cost  of  the  stock  of  property.    During  2016  an  impairment 
loss of €11.745 thousand was recognised in ‘Impairment of non-financial instruments’ in the income statement 
arising from measuring items at lower of cost and net realisable value (2015: impairment of €9.709 thousand).  
At  31  December  2016,  stock  of  €272.261  thousand  (2015:  €274.214  thousand)  is  carried  at  net  realisable 
value which is approximately the fair value less costs to sell. 

The  stock  of  property  includes  residential  properties,  offices  and  other  commercial  properties,  manufacturing 
and  industrial  properties,  hotels,  land  (fields  and  plots)  and  properties  under  construction.  The  stock  of 
property pledged as collateral for central bank funding facilities under Eurosystem monetary policy operations 
and ELA amounts to €22.055 thousand (2015: €21.875 thousand). 

251 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

26. 

Stock of property (continued) 

The carrying value of the stock of property is analysed in the tables below: 

Net book value at 1 January 

Additions 

Disposals 

Transfers from investment properties (Note 20) 

Transfers from disposal group held for sale (Note 20) 

Impairment (Note 14) 

Net book value at 31 December 

2016 

€000 

276.095 

258.555 

(27.907) 

2015 

€000 

822 

1.880 

- 

- 

- 

282.855 

247 

(11.745) 

(9.709) 

494.998 

276.095 

Analysis by type and country 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Romania 

2016 

Residential properties 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Manufacturing and industrial properties 

Hotels 

Land (fields and plots) 

Properties under construction  

Total  

2015 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

70.543 

51.463 

6.643 

17.929 

195.159 

365 

36.766 

55.676 

53.735 

544 

5.617 

- 

- 

107.309 

558 

107.697 

- 

- 

- 

- 

60.378 

18.473 

200.776 

365 

342.102 

152.338 

558 

494.998 

Residential properties 

Offices and other commercial properties 

Manufacturing and industrial properties 

Hotels 

Land (fields and plots) 

Properties under construction  

15.221 

30.127 

1.001 

18.763 

38.598 

365 

39.176 

63.934 

59.279 

2.221 

6.210 

- 

- 

54.397 

1.200 

95.261 

- 

- 

- 

- 

60.280 

20.984 

44.808 

365 

Total  

104.075 

170.820 

1.200 

276.095 

252 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

27.   

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 

Receivables relating to disposal of operations 

Taxes refundable 

Debtors 

Prepaid expenses 

Retirement benefit plan assets (Note 12) 

Other assets 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

57.056 

31.007 

315 

209 

- 

98.454 

35.340 

259 

268 

20 

64.748 

33.145 

153.335 

167.486 

As  at  31  December  2016,  the  receivables  relating  to  disposal  of  operations  related  to  the  disposal  of  the 
Ukrainian operations during 2014 which is secured and repayable in June 2019, whereas at 31 December 2015 
they related to the disposal of the Ukrainian and Russian operations during 2014 and 2015 respectively. 

During  2016,  a  reversal  of  impairment  of  €1.603  thousand  was  recognised  in  relation  to  other  assets 
(2015: impairment loss of €20.070 thousand) (Note 14). 

28.   

Non-current assets classified as held for sale 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Investment properties held for sale 

346 

9.767 

The following non-current assets were classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2016 and 2015: 

Investment properties 
The investment properties classified as held for sale are properties which management is committed to sell and 
has  proceeded  with  an  active  programme  to  complete  this  plan.    The  disposals  are  expected  to  take  place 
within 12 months from the date of classification. Investment properties classified as held for sale are measured 
at fair value.  The results of the fair value changes are presented within ‘Gains/(losses) from revaluation and 
disposal  of investment  properties’  in  the  income  statement.  An  analysis  of investment  properties  classified  as 
held for sale by country and key valuation inputs are disclosed in Note 20. 

253 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

29. 

Funding from central banks 

Funding from central banks comprises funding from the ECB under Eurosystem monetary policy operations and 
ELA from the CBC, as set out in the table below: 

Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) 

Main Refinancing Operations (MRO) 

Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (LTRO) 

Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO) 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

200.014 

3.802.058 

- 

150.000 

50.000 

600.000 

850.014 

- 

500.792 

4.452.850 

In 2014, the Company participated in the TLTRO of the ECB for an amount of €500 million. On 29 June 2016 
the  Company  repaid  the  amount  borrowed  through  the  TLTRO  amounting  to  €500  million  and  borrowed  the 
same  amount  from  the  MRO.  In  December  2016,  the  Company  borrowed  an  amount  of  €600  million  through 
the  new  series  of  TLTRO  (TLTRO  II)  announced  by  the  ECB  in  March  2016.  Additionally,  an  amount  of  €50 
million was borrowed through the LTRO. As a result, in December 2016 all the ECB funding that was borrowed 
through the MRO, was switched to longer term funding. 

In  May  2016,  the  Company  raised  new  funding  from  the  ECB  using  as  collateral  a  pool  of  housing  loans  that 
satisfy  the  criteria  of  the  Additional  Credit  Claims  as  set  out  in  accordance  with  the  Implementation  of  the 
Eurosystem Monetary Policy Framework Directives of 2015 and 2016. 

The interest rate applied to TLTRO II will be fixed for each operation at the rate applied in the MRO prevailing 
at the time of allotment and is subject to a lower rate for counterparties whose eligible net lending in the pre-
specified  period   exceeds  their  benchmark.  This  lower  rate  will  be  linked  to  the  interest  rate  on  the  deposit 
facility prevailing at the time of the allotment of each operation. 

The Company’s ELA funding bears interest at a rate equal to the ruling marginal lending facility rate (MLF rate) 
of the Eurosystem, plus a margin.  ELA funding was repaid in full by the Group on 5 January 2017.  

Details on encumbered assets related to the above funding facilities are disclosed in Note 43. 

30. 

Customer deposits 

By type of deposit 

Demand 

Savings 

Time or notice 

By geographical area 

Cyprus 

Romania 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

5.883.141 

4.675.564 

831.872 

762.993 

8.330.077 

7.255.573 

15.045.090 

12.694.130 

15.043.362 

12.691.090 

1.728 

3.040 

15.045.090 

12.694.130 

254 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

30. 

Customer deposits (continued) 

By customer sector 

2016 

Corporate 

SMEs 

Retail 

Restructuring 

– Corporate 

– SMEs  

Recoveries 

– Corporate 

International banking services 

Wealth management  

2015 

Corporate 

SMEs 

Retail 

Restructuring 

– Corporate 

– SMEs  

Recoveries 

– Corporate 

International banking services 

Wealth management  

Cyprus 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

1.184.681 

1.446 

1.186.127 

566.172 

7.778.136 

192.442 

27.685 

11.176 

4.494.755 

788.315 

178 

104 

566.350 

7.778.240 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

192.442 

27.685 

11.176 

4.494.755 

788.315 

15.043.362 

1.728 

15.045.090 

978.672 

455.133 

6.995.757 

189.196 

35.363 

7.865 

3.710.742 

318.362 

2.242 

980.914 

461 

337 

455.594 

6.996.094 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

189.196 

35.363 

7.865 

3.710.742 

318.362 

12.691.090 

3.040 

12.694.130 

Deposits by geographical area are based on the originator country of the deposit. 

255 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

31. 

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 

Income tax payable and related provisions 

Special defence contribution payable 

Retirement benefit plans liabilities (Note 12) 

Provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters 
(Note 36) 
Provisions for financial guarantees and commitments  
(Notes 14 and 36) 

Accrued expenses and other provisions 

Deferred income 

Items in the course of settlement 

Other liabilities 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

17.067 

5.719 

22.743 

22.978 

38.196 

50.132 

7.139 

49.522 

43.164 

15.387 

6.354 

12.559 

33.772 

44.348 

51.324 

7.278 

29.905 

32.157 

256.660 

233.084 

Provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters 

The movement for the year in the provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters is as follows: 

1 January 

Transfer on disposal of Kyprou Leasing SA (Note 47.3.3) 

Increase of provisions (Note 13) 

Utilisation of provisions 

Release of provisions (Note 13) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

31 December 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

33.772 

- 

4.988 

(7.858) 

(7.924) 

- 

17.987 

8.500 

11.616 

(30) 

(4.300) 

(1) 

22.978 

33.772 

The provisions for pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters are analysed as follows: 

Pending litigation or claims 

Regulatory matters 

31 December 

2016 

€000 

2015  

€000 

19.978 

3.000 

22.978 

30.772 

3.000 

33.772 

Further details on the pending litigations, claims and regulatory matters are disclosed in Note 36. 

256 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

32. 

Share capital  

Authorised 

2016 

2015 

Shares 
(thousand) 

€000 

Shares 
(thousand) 

€000 

Ordinary shares of €0,10 each  

47.677.593 

4.767.759 

47.677.593 

4.767.759 

Issued  

1 January 

Issue of shares 

31 December  

Issued share capital 

8.922.945 

892.294 

8.922.378 

892.238 

- 

- 

567 

56 

8.922.945 

892.294 

8.922.945 

892.294 

2016 
There  were  no  changes  to  the  issued  share  capital  during  the  year  2016.    The  changes  to  the  issued  share 
capital following the resolutions of the Extraordinary General Meeting which took place on 13 December 2016, 
effective on 18 January 2017, are disclosed in Note 48.1. 

2015 
During 2015, the issued share capital was increased by 567 thousand shares of a nominal value of €0,10 each. 

All issued ordinary shares carry the same rights. 

Share premium reserve 

The share premium reserve is maintained pursuant to the provisions of section 55 of the Companies Law, Cap. 
113 and is not available for distribution to equity holders in the form of a dividend. 

The share premium was created in 2014 and 2015 by the issuance of 4.167.234 thousand shares of a nominal 
value of €0,10 each of a subscription price of €0,24 each, and was reduced by the relevant transaction costs of 
€32.044 thousand. 

Capital reduction reserve 

The  capital  reduction  reserve  is  maintained  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  section  55  of  the  Companies  Law, 
Cap. 113 and is not available for distribution to equity holders in the form of a dividend. 

The  capital  reduction  reserve  was  created  upon  the  reduction  of  the  nominal  value  of  ordinary  shares  from 
€1,00  each  to  €0,10  each  in  2014.    The  reduction  in  capital  amounted  to  €4.280.140  thousand,  of  which  an 
amount  of  €2.327.654  thousand  was  applied  against  accumulated  losses  and  an  amount  of  €1.952.486 
thousand was credited to the capital reduction reserve. 

Treasury shares of the Company 

Shares  of  the  Company  held  by  the  Company  are  deducted  from  equity  on  the  purchase,  sale,  issue  or 
cancellation of  such  shares.  No  gain  or  loss  is  recognised  in  the  income  statement.    During  2016  all treasury 
shares  have  been  disposed  of,  therefore  there  were  no  treasury  shares  as  at  31  December  2016  (2015:  684 
thousand of a nominal value of €0,10 each).  The total cost of acquisition of treasury shares at 31 December 
2015 was €36.849 thousand. 

Share-based payments - share options 

On  24  November  2015,  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company’s  shareholders  authorised  the  Board  of 
Directors  to  establish  and  implement  a  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  and  allowed  the  Company  the  flexibility  to 
increase the ratio of variable remuneration relative to fixed remuneration up to a maximum of 100% of fixed 
remuneration  for  members  of  senior  management  (‘Shareholder  Resolution’).   The  authorised  Long  Term 
Incentive Plan involved the granting of options for the acquisition of shares to a defined group of employees of 
the Group and under the current terms of the Shareholder Resolution: 

257 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

32. 

Share capital (continued) 

Share-based payments - share options (continued) 

(i) 

the total amount of shares that may be issued and allotted under the Long Term Incentive Plan shall not 
exceed 178.458.891 ordinary shares of nominal value of €0,10 each, 

(ii)  the exercise price shall be set at €0,25 per share, 
(iii)  the vested share options will only be able to be exercised three years after the grant date, and  
(iv)  any share options not exercised by 31 March 2026 will lapse. 

The options would be designed to vest only if certain key performance conditions were met, including amongst 
other  things,  the  full  repayment  of  ELA,  the  lifting  of  dividend  restrictions,  the  cancellation  of  government 
guarantee and the performance of eligible employees.   

The  original  proposed  grant  date  of  31  March  2016  as  per  the  Shareholder  Resolution,  was  postponed  until 
such time that all relevant approvals were obtained. 

Following the final SREP 2016 decision received in December 2016, the ECB’s prohibition on variable pay was 
lifted and replaced with a limitation on variable remuneration to 10% of net revenues. 

Following the incorporation of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company and its introduction as the new 
holding  company  of  the  Company  in  January  2017,  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  was  replaced  by  the  Share 
Option  Plan  which  operates  at  the  level  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company.  Further 
information is disclosed in Note 48.2. 

No  share  options  were  issued  until  the  date  of  replacement  of  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  by  the  Share 
Option Plan at the level of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company. 

33. 

Dividends  

The  Company  is  currently  under  a  regulatory  dividend  distribution  prohibition  and  therefore  no  dividend  was 
declared or paid during years 2016 and 2015. 

34. 

Accumulated losses 

Retained earnings are the only distributable reserve. 

Companies, tax resident in Cyprus, which do not distribute at least 70% of their profits after tax as defined by 
the Special Defence Contribution Law during the two years after the end of the year of assessment to which the 
profits refer, will be deemed to have distributed this amount as dividend.  Special defence contribution at 17% 
is  payable  on  such  deemed  dividend  distribution  to  the  extent  that  the  shareholders  of  the  Company 
(individuals who are domiciled in Cyprus and companies), at the end of the period of two years from the end of 
the  year  of  assessment  to  which  the  profits  refer,  are  directly  or  indirectly  Cyprus  tax  residents.  Deemed 
distribution does not apply in respect of profits that are directly or indirectly attributable to shareholders that 
are non-Cyprus tax residents and individual shareholders who are not domiciled in Cyprus. 

The amount of this deemed dividend distribution is reduced by any actual dividend paid out of the profits of the 
relevant year. 

This special defence contribution is paid by the Company on account of the shareholders. 

During 2016 and 2015 no deemed dividend distribution was paid by the Company. 

35. 

Fiduciary transactions 

The Company offers fund management and custody services that result in holding or investing financial assets 
on  behalf  of  its  customers.  The  Company  is  not  liable  to  its  customers  for  any  default  by  other  banks  or 
organisations.  The  assets  under  management  and  custody  are  not  included  in  the  balance  sheet  of  the 
Company  unless  they  are  placed  with  the  Company.  Total  assets  under  management  and  custody  at  31 
December 2016 amounted to €847.564 thousand (2015: €768.995 thousand). 

258 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

36. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments  

As  part  of  the  services  provided  to  its  customers,  the  Company  enters  into  various  irrevocable  commitments 
and  contingent  liabilities.  These  consist  of  financial  guarantees,  letters  of  credit  and  other  undrawn 
commitments to lend. 

Even though these obligations may not be recognised on the balance sheet, they do contain credit risk and are 
therefore part of the overall credit risk exposure of the Company (Note 41). 

36.1 

Capital commitments 

Capital commitments for the acquisition of property, equipment and intangible assets as at 31 December 2016 
amount to €13.536 thousand (2015: €12.673 thousand). 

36.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters  

The  Company  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  is  subject  to  enquiries  and  examinations,  requests  for 
information,  audits,  investigations  and  legal  and  other  proceedings  by  regulators,  governmental  and  other 
public bodies, actual and threatened, relating to the suitability and adequacy of advice given to clients or the 
absence  of  advice,  lending  and  pricing  practices,  selling  and  disclosure  requirements,  record  keeping,  filings 
and a variety of other matters.  In addition, as a result of the deterioration of the Cypriot economy and banking 
sector in 2012 and the subsequent Restructuring of the Company in 2013 as a result of the Bail-in Decrees, the 
Company is subject to a large number of proceedings and investigations that either precede, or result from the 
events that occurred during the period of the Bail-in Decrees.  Most ongoing investigations and proceedings of 
significance relate to matters arising during the period prior to the issue of the Bail-in Decrees.  

Apart  from  what  is  described  below,  the  Company  considers  that  none  of  these  matters  is  material,  either 
individually or in aggregate. The Company has not disclosed an estimate of the potential financial effect on its 
contingent liabilities arising from these matters where it is not practicable to do so because it is too early or the 
outcome  is  too  uncertain  or,  in  cases  where  it  is  practicable,  where  disclosure  could  prejudice  conduct  of  the 
matters.  Provisions  have  been  recognised  for  those  cases  where  the  Company  is  able  to  estimate  probable 
losses.  Where  an  individual  provision  is  material,  the  fact  that  a  provision  has  been  made  is  stated.  Any 
provision  recognised  does  not  constitute  an  admission  of  wrongdoing  or  legal  liability.    While  the  outcome  of 
these  matters  is  inherently  uncertain,  management  believes  that,  based  on  the  information  available  to  it, 
appropriate  provisions  have  been  made  in  respect  of  legal  proceedings  and  regulatory  matters  as  at  31 
December  2016  and  hence  it  is  not  believed  that  such  matters,  when  concluded,  will  have  a  material  impact 
upon the financial position of the Company.  

36.2.1  Pending litigation and claims  

Investigations and litigation relating to securities issued by the Company 
A number of institutional and retail customers have filed various separate actions against the Company alleging 
that  the  Company  is  guilty  of  misselling  in  relation  to  securities  issued  by  the  Company  between  2007  and 
2011. Remedies sought include the return of the money investors paid for these securities. Claims are currently 
pending  before  the  courts  in  Cyprus  and  in  Greece,  as  well  as  the  decisions  and  fines  imposed  upon  the 
Company  in  related  matters  by  Cyprus  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (CySEC)  and/or  Hellenic  Capital 
Market Commission (HCMC). 

The bonds and capital securities in respect of which claims have been brought are the following: 2007 Capital 
Securities, 2008 Convertible Bonds, 2009 Convertible Capital Securities (CCS) and 2011 Convertible Enhanced 
Capital Securities (CECS). 

The Company is defending these claims, particularly with respect to institutional investors and retail purchasers 
who received investment advice from independent investment advisors. In the case of retail investors, if it can 
be  documented  that  the  relevant  Company  officers  'persuaded'  them  to  proceed  with  the  purchase  and/or 
purported to offer 'investment advice', the Company may face significant difficulties. To date, a small number 
of cases have been tried in Greece.  The Company has appealed against any such cases which were not ruled 
in  its  favour.    The  resolution  of  the  claims  brought  in  the  courts  of  Greece  is  expected  to  take  a  number  of 
years. Provision has been made based on management's best estimate of probable outflows based on advice of 
legal counsel. 

259 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

36. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

36.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

36.2.1  Pending litigation and claims (continued) 

Bail-in related litigation 
Depositors 
A number of the Company's depositors, who allege that they were adversely affected by the bail-in, filed claims 
against the Company and other parties (such as the CBC and the Ministry of Finance of Cyprus) on the grounds 
that, inter alia, the ‘Resolution Law of 2013’ and the Bail-in Decrees were in conflict with the Constitution of the 
Republic of Cyprus and the European Convention on Human Rights. They are seeking damages for their alleged 
losses resulting from the bail-in of their deposits. The Company is defending these actions. 

Shareholders 
Numerous claims were filed by shareholders in 2013 (some of whom are current shareholders of the Company) 
against the Government and the CBC before the Supreme Court in relation to the dilution of their shareholding 
as  a  result  of  the  recapitalisation  pursuant  to  the  Resolution  Law  and  the  Bail-in  Decrees  issued  thereunder. 
These  proceedings  sought  the  cancellation  and  setting  aside  of the  Bail-in Decrees  as  unconstitutional  and/or 
unlawful  and/or  irregular.  The  Company  appeared  in  these  proceedings  as  an  interested  party  to  support  the 
position that the cases should be adjudicated upon in the context of private law. The Supreme Court ruled in 
these  cases  in  October  2014  that  the  proceedings  fall  within  private  and  public  law  and  thus  fall  within  the 
jurisdiction of the District Courts. 

As at the present date, both the Resolution Law and the Bail-in Decrees have not been annulled by a court of 
law and thus remain legally valid and in effect. It is expected that actions for damages will be instituted by the 
shareholders in due course before the District Courts of Cyprus. 

Claims based on set-off 
Certain claims have been filed by customers against the Company alleging that the implementation of the bail-
in under the Bail-in Decrees was not carried out correctly in relation to them and, in particular, that their rights 
of set-off were not properly respected. The Company intends to contest such claims. 

Laiki Bank depositors and shareholders 
The Company has been joined as a defendant with regards to certain claims which have been brought against 
Laiki  Bank  by  its  depositors,  shareholders  and  holders  of  debt  securities.  These  claims  have  been  brought  on 
grounds  similar  to  the  claims  brought  by  the  Company’s  bailed-in  depositors  and  shareholders  as  described 
above. The Company, inter alia, maintains the position that it should not be a party to these proceedings. 

Implementation of Decrees 
Occasionally,  other  claims  are  brought  against  the  Company  in  respect  of  the  implementation  of  the  Decrees 
issued  following  the  adoption  of  the  Resolution  Law  (as  regards  the  way  and  methodology  whereby  such 
Decrees have been implemented). 

Legal position of the Company 
All above claims are being vigorously disputed by the Company, in close consultation with the appropriate state 
and  governmental  authorities.  The  position  of  the  Company  is  that  the  Resolution  Law  and  the  Decrees  take 
precedence  over  all  other  laws.  As  matters  now  stand,  both  the  Resolution  Law  and  the  Decrees  issued 
thereunder are constitutional and lawful, in that they were properly enacted and have not so far been annulled 
by any court.  

260 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

36. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

36.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

36.2.1  Pending litigation and claims (continued) 

CNP Arbitration 
The  French  entity  CNP  Assurances  S.A.  had  certain  exclusive  arrangements  with  Laiki  Bank  with  respect  to 
insurance  products  offered  in,  inter  alia,  Cyprus  through  the  formation  of  a  local  company  (CNP  Cyprus 
Insurance Holdings Ltd (a company in which the Company now has a 49,9% shareholding, acquired as part of 
the acquisition of certain operations of Laiki Bank pursuant to Regulatory Administrative Act 104/2013)). CNP 
Assurances S.A. held 50,1% of the shares of CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd and Laiki Bank held 49,9% of 
the  shares.  In  the  context  of  the  total  arrangement  between  the  parties,  two  agreements  were  in  place 
between  CNP  Assurances  S.A.  and  Laiki  Bank,  a  Shareholders’  Agreement  and  a  Distribution  Agreement  (to 
which Distribution Agreement CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd was also a party).    

Following the resolution of Laiki Bank, CNP Assurances S.A. and CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings Ltd instituted 
arbitration  proceedings  in  London  under  the  rules  of  arbitration  of  the  International  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
alleging that the Company was a successor to Laiki Bank in respect of both the Shareholders’ and Distribution 
Agreements and that the said Agreements were violated by the Company.  The claims of CNP Assurances S.A. 
and  CNP  Cyprus  Insurance  Holdings  Ltd  amounted  to  approximately  €240  million  (including  adjustments  for 
taxes and pre-award interest as at March 2015).  The Tribunal award was issued in September 2016, rejecting 
all claims made by the Claimants with costs in favour of the Company. 

Provident fund cases 
A  number  of  claims  which  were  pending  before  the  Cypriot  Labour  Disputes  Tribunal  by  certain  of  the 
Company's  former  employees  with  respect  to  their  retirement  benefits  were  withdrawn  unreservedly  and 
dismissed by the court in April 2016, following an out-of-court settlement to the satisfaction of the Company, 
utilising part of the provisions for pending litigation in place. 

In December 2015, the Bank of Cyprus Employees Provident Fund (the Provident Fund) filed an action against 
the  Company  claiming  €70  million  allegedly  owed  as  part  of  the  Company's  contribution  by  virtue  of  an 
agreement  with  the  union  dated  31  December  2011.  Based  on  facts  currently  known,  it  is  not  practicable  at 
this time for the Company to predict the resolution of this matter, including the timing or any possible impact 
on  the  Company,  however  at  this  stage  the  Company  does  not  expect  a  material  impact  on  its  financial 
position. 

Employment litigation 
Former  senior  officers  of  the  Company  have  instituted  a  total  of  three  claims  for  unfair  dismissal  and  for 
Provident Fund entitlements against the Company and Trustees of the Provident Fund. As at the present date 
one case had been dismissed as filed out of time, but the plaintiff has appealed against this ruling. The Group 
does not consider that these cases will have a material impact upon its financial position. 

Greek case 
In  connection  with  a legal  dispute  (one  case  by  the  Company  against  Themis  and  one  by  Themis  against  the 
Company)  relating  to  the  Company's  discontinued  operations  in  Greece  (Themis  case),  a  provision  was 
recognised  in  previous  periods  (30  September  2014:  €38.950  thousand)  following  a  court  judgement  of  the 
Athens  Court  of  Appeal  (dismissing  the  Company's  case  and  upholding  the  Themis  case).  This  provision  was 
reversed  as  at  31  December  2014  following  the  dismissal  of  the  judgement  by  the  Greek  Supreme  Court  in 
March  2015.  The  Supreme  Court  further  ruled  that  these  claims  (the  Company's  claim  against  Themis  for 
approximately  €25  million  which  had  been  transferred  to  Piraeus  Bank  SA  in  March  2013,  as  well  as  Themis' 
claim against the Company for a similar amount) be reconsidered by the Supreme Court on the merits at the 
instigation  of  the  affected  party.  Both  cases  were  heard  in  December  2016  and  the  court  reserved  its 
judgement.  The  Company  does  not  consider  that  this  case  will  have  a  material  impact  upon  the  financial 
position of the Company. 

Swiss Francs loans litigation in Cyprus and UK 
A  number  of  actions  have  been  instituted  against  the  Company  by  borrowers  who  obtained  loans  in  foreign 
currencies  (mainly  Swiss  Francs).  The  central  allegation  in  these  cases  is  that  the  Company  misled  these 
borrowers and/or misrepresented matters, in violation of applicable law. The Company intends to contest such 
proceedings.  The  Company  does  not  expect  that  these  actions  will  have  a  material  impact  upon  its  financial 
position. 

261 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

36. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

36.1 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

36.2.1  Pending litigation and claims (continued) 

UK property lending claims 
The  Company  is  the  defendant  in  certain  proceedings  alleging  that  the  Company  is  legally  responsible  for 
allegedly,  inter  alia,  advancing  and  misselling  loans  for  the  purchase  by  UK  nationals  of  property  in  Cyprus.  
The proceedings in the United Kingdom are currently stayed in order for the parties to have time to negotiate 
possible settlements. 

General criminal investigations and proceedings 
The  Attorney  General  and  the  Cypriot  Police  (the  Police)  are  conducting  various  investigations  and  inquiries 
following and relating to the financial crisis which culminated in March 2013. The Company is cooperating fully 
with the Attorney General and the Police and is providing all information requested of it. Based on the currently 
available information, the Company is of the view that any further investigations or claims resulting from these 
investigations will not have a material impact on its financial position. 

The Attorney General has filed a criminal case against the Company and five former members of the Board of 
Directors for alleged breach of Article 302 (conspiracy to defraud) of Cyprus' criminal code and Article 19 of the 
Manipulation of Insider Information and Market Manipulation (Market Abuse) Law. The alleged offence refers to 
the non-publication in a timely manner of the increased capital shortfall of the Company in 2012. The Company 
denies all allegations. The case is pending in court. The maximum penalty on the Company, if found guilty, will 
be  the  imposition  of  a  fine  that  is  not  expected  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  financial  position  of  the 
Company. 

The Attorney General has filed a separate criminal case against the Company and six former members of the 
Board  of  Directors  for  alleged  breach  of  Article  19  of  the  Manipulation  of  Insider  Information  and  Market 
Manipulation (Market Abuse) Law, with respect to the Greek Government Bonds. The alleged offence refers to 
the  non-disclosure  of  the  purchase  of  the  Greek  Government  Bonds  during  a  specified  period.  The  Company 
denies all allegations.  The case is pending in court. The maximum penalty on the Company, if found guilty, will 
be  the  imposition  of  a  fine  that  is  not  expected  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  financial  position  of  the 
Company. 

In January 2017 the Attorney General has filed a criminal case against a number of current and former officers 
of  the  Company  relating  to  the  reclassification  of  Greek  Government  Bonds  in  April  2010.    No  charges  were 
instituted against the Company in this case. 

36.2.2  Provisions for regulatory matters 

The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) Investigation 
The HCMC is currently in the process of investigating matters concerning the Company's investment in Greek 
Government  Bonds  from  2009  to  2011,  including,  inter-alia,  related  non-disclosure  of  material  information  in 
the Company's CCS and CECS and rights issue prospectus (tracking the investigation carried out by CySEC in 
2013), Greek government bonds' reclassification, ELA disclosures and allegations by some Greek Government 
Bond  investors  regarding  the  Company's  non-compliance  with  Markets  in  Financial  Instruments  Directive 
(MiFID) in respect of investors' direct investments in Greek Government Bonds. 

A specific estimate of the outcome of the investigations or of the amount of possible fines cannot be given at 
this stage, though it is not expected that any resulting liability or damages will have a material impact on the 
financial position of the Company. 

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) Investigations 
CySEC is currently in the process of investigating matters concerning possible price manipulation attributable to 
the  Company  for  the  period  from  1  November  2009  to  30  June  2010  post  the  investment  in  Banca 
Transylvania. 

CySEC  has  also  completed  the  investigation  on  the  adequacy  of  provisions  for  the  impairment  of  loans  and 
advances in year 2011 and the investigation is currently pending with the CySEC Board. 

262 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

36. 

Contingent liabilities and commitments (continued) 

36.2 

Pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters (continued)  

36.2.2  Provisions for regulatory matters (continued) 

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) Investigations (continued) 
As the above investigations are in progress or decisions have been reserved, it is not practical at this stage for 
the  Company  to  estimate  reliably  the  possible  consequences  thereof,  though  it  is  not  expected  that  any 
resulting liability or damages will have a material impact on the financial position of the Company. 

Additionally,  in  late  2014  CySEC  completed  an  investigation  into  the  value  of  goodwill  in  CB  Uniastrum  Bank 
LLC  disclosed  in  the  interim  financial  statements  of  the  Group  in  2012.  In  October  2016,  CySEC  issued  a 
decision, concluding that the Company was in breach of certain laws regarding disclosure in accordance, inter 
alia,  with  the  Market  Manipulation  (Market  Abuse)  Law  of  2005  and  has  imposed  an  administrative  fine  upon 
the Company of €25 thousand. CySEC also imposed higher fines upon certain former members of the Board of 
Directors  and  former  management  of  the  Company.  The  Company  filed  a  recourse  before  the  Administrative 
Court against the decisions of CySEC and the fine imposed upon the Company. In March 2017, CySEC filed a 
legal action against the Company, claiming the amount of €25 thousand imposed as a fine. 

In 2015, CySEC carried out an investigation into the reclassification of Greek Government Bonds in April 2010, 
which was also completed in 2016 with no findings against the Company. 

The investigation regarding the adequacy of provisions for impairment of loans and advances in year 2013 in 
light  of  the  results  of  the  Asset  Quality  Review  was  also  completed  in  2016  with  no  finding  against  the 
Company. 

Commission for the Protection of Competition Investigation 
In  April  2014,  following  an  investigation  which  began  in  2010,  the  Cypriot  Commission  for  the  Protection  of 
Competition (the CPC) issued a statement of objections, alleging violations of Cypriot and EU competition law 
relating  to  the  activities  and/or  omissions  in  respect  of  card  payment  transactions  by,  among  others,  the 
Company  and  JCC  Payment  Systems  Ltd  (JCC),  a  card-processing  business  currently  75%  owned  by  the 
Company. 

There  was  also  an  allegation  concerning  the  Company's  arrangements  with  American  Express,  namely  that 
such exclusive arrangements violated Cypriot and EU competition law. On both matters, the CPC has concluded 
that  the  Company  (in  common  with  other  banks  and  JCC)  has  breached  the  relevant  provisions  of  the 
applicable law for the protection of competition. For the time being, the proceedings before the CPC had been 
stalled  due  to  an  Administrative  Court  decision  holding  that  the  composition  of  the  CPC  was  contrary  to  law, 
which was however overturned in March 2017 by the Supreme Court on appeal by the Attorney General. This 
decision  is  subject  to  an  appeal  instituted  before  the  Supreme  Court  by  the  Attorney  General.  The  Company 
intends to file a recourse before the Administrative Court for the annulment of the CPC's decision and fine (if 
and when a fine is imposed in reliance thereof). At this stage it is not possible to predict the amount of the fine 
that may be imposed upon the Company, though it is not expected that any resulting liability or damages will 
have a material impact on the financial position of the Company. 

36.3 

Other contingent liabilities  

The Company, as part of its disposal process of certain of its operations, has provided various representations, 
warranties and indemnities to the buyers.  These relate to, among other things, the ownership of the loans, the 
validity of the liens, tax exposures and other matters agreed with the buyers. As a result, the Company may be 
obliged  to  compensate  the  buyers  in  the  event  of  a  valid  claim  by  the  buyers  with  respect  to  the  above 
representations, warranties and indemnities. 

A provision has been made, based on management’s best estimate of probable outflows, where it was assessed 
that such an outflow is probable. 

263 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

37.   

Net cash flow from operating activities 

Profit/(loss) before tax  
Adjustments for: 
Provisions for impairment of loans and advances to customers and 
other customer credit losses and gain on derecognition and changes 
in expected cash flows  
Depreciation of property and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Impairment of property and equipment 
Impairment of other financial instruments 
Amortisation of discounts/premiums, catch-up adjustment and 
interest on debt securities  
Loss on sale and write-offs of property and equipment and intangible 
assets 
(Gains)/losses on disposal of investment properties and investment 
properties held for sale 
Losses from revaluation of investment properties and investment 
properties held for sale 
Loss on dissolution/disposal of subsidiaries 
Dividend income 
Impairment of investments in subsidiaries and associates  
Impairment of balances with Group companies 
Net gains on disposal of available-for-sale investments in equity 
securities 
Net gains on disposal of available-for-sale investments and 
investments classified as loans and receivables in debt securities 
Loss from revaluation of debt securities designated as fair value 
hedges 
Gains on disposal of stock of property 
Gains on disposal of joint ventures 
Impairment of stock of property 
Interest on funding from central banks 

Change in: 
Loans and advances to banks 
Deposits by banks 
Obligatory balances with central banks 
Customer deposits 
Debit balances with Group companies 
Credit balances with Group companies 
Loans and advances to customers 
Other assets 
Accrued income and prepaid expenses 
Other liabilities 
Accrued expenses and deferred income 
Derivative financial instruments 
Investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Repurchase agreements 
Proceeds on disposal of stock of property 

Tax received/(paid) 
Net cash flow from operating activities 

264 

2016 
€000 

168.157 

2015 
€000 
(433.382) 

360.311 

924.538 

7.550 
6.110 
- 
12.609 

8.237 
5.756 
288 
42.002 

(22.596) 

(71.934) 

54 

(4.050) 

63 

10.719 
(108.073) 
24.798 
33.356 

(37.013) 

41 

505 

35.045 

25.612 
(34.113) 
30.455 
27.039 

(1.060) 

(8.419) 

(49.502) 

16.466 

(399) 
- 
11.745 
29.656 
501.044 

49.909 
189.877 
(19.655) 
2.350.960 
64.054 
(65.841) 
236.696 
12.091 
59 
32.968 
(1.331) 
(12.380) 
7.925 
(110.784) 
28.306 
3.263.898 
4.951 
3.268.849 

11.600 

- 
(13.526) 
9.709 
78.187 
595.497 

60.083 
77.069 
361.510 
1.364.973 
114.839 
17.803 
220.574 
7.281 
318 
(47.036) 
14.300 
31.210 
(559) 
(211.531) 
- 
2.606.331 
(1.071) 
2.605.260 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

37. 

Net cash flow from operating activities (continued) 

Non-cash transactions 

2016 

Acquisition of S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 
During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  the  Company  acquired  a  70%  interest  in  the  share  capital  of  S.Z. 
Eliades  Leisure  Ltd  in  exchange  for  the  settlement  of  the  majority  of  the  borrowing  due  from  S.Z.  Eliades 
Leisure Ltd to the Company, as part of the restructuring of its debt.  The acquisition did not include any cash 
consideration.  Further information is disclosed in Note 47.1.1. 

Sale of shares held in Visa Europe Limited 
During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  the  Company  sold  its  shares  held  in  Visa  Europe  Limited  following 
the  purchase  of  Visa  Europe  Limited  by  Visa  Inc.    The  transaction  in  addition  to  the  cash  paid,  involved  the 
granting of preferred stock in Visa Inc. with a carrying value of approximately €5 million and a deferred cash 
component of a carrying value of approximately €2 million. 

Repossession of collaterals 
During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016,  the  Company  acquired  stock  of  property  by  taking  possession  of 
collaterals  held  as  security  for  loans  and  advances  to  customers  of  €258.555  thousand  (2015:  €1.880 
thousand) (Note 26). 

Closure of the operations of Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd 
As  part  of  the  Company’s  strategy  of  focusing  on  its  core  businesses  and  markets,  the  Company  decided  the 
closure  of  the  operations  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  (Channel  Islands)  Ltd  and  the  relocation  of  its  business  to  other 
Group locations, mainly Cyprus and the UK.  

2015 
Disposal of the majority of the Russian subsidiaries 
On  25  September  2015,  the  Company  completed  the  disposal  of  the  majority  of  its  Russian  operations, 
including  the  related  subsidiaries.   As  part  of  the  sales  agreement,  the  parties  agreed  an  asset  swap 
arrangement  which involved  the  exchange  of  certain  assets  between  them  that  resulted  in  €41.849  thousand 
receivable for the Company, which was fully settled during 2016. 

Disposal of Aphrodite group 
During  2015,  the  Company  disposed  of  a  65%  shareholding  in  the  Aphrodite  group.  The  transaction  involved 
the restructuring of the debt owed by this group to the Company.  

Net cash flow from operating activities – interest and dividends 

Interest paid 

Interest received 

Dividends received 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

(195.046) 

(268.106) 

929.681 

1.134.300 

108.073 

842.708 

34.113 

900.307 

265 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

38. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise: 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

Cash and non-obligatory balances with central banks  

1.125.351 

989.007 

Treasury bills repayable within three months 

- 

21.451 

Loans and advances to banks with original maturity less than 
three months  

769.304 

833.035 

1.894.655 

1.843.493 

Analysis of cash and balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks 

Cash and non-obligatory balances with central banks 

Obligatory balances with central banks 

2016 

€000 

1.125.351 

142.002 

2015 

€000 

989.007 

122.347 

Total cash and balances with central banks (Note 17) 

1.267.353 

1.111.354 

Loans and advances to banks with original maturity less than 
three months 

Other restricted loans and advances to banks  

Other loans and advances to banks 

769.304 

833.035 

136.398 

79.174 

153.608 

125.694 

Total loans and advances to banks (Note 17) 

984.876 

1.112.337 

Other  restricted  loans  and  advances  to  banks  include  collaterals  under  derivative  transactions  of  €55.017 
thousand  (2015:  €82.123  thousand)  which  is  not  immediately  available  for  use  by  the  Company,  but  is 
released once the transactions are terminated.  

39. 

Operating leases – The Company as lessee  

The  total  future  minimum  lease  payments  under  non-cancellable  operating  leases  at  31  December  2016  and 
2015 are presented below: 

Within one year 

Between one and five years 

After five years 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

2.142 

4.637 

282 

7.061 

2.637 

5.876 

742 

9.255 

The above mainly relate to property leases for the Company’s branches and offices. 

266 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

40. 

Analysis of assets and liabilities by expected maturity 

Less than 
one year 

2016 

Over one 
year 

Assets 

€000 

€000 

2015 

Total 

€000 

Less than one 
year 

Over one 
year 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Cash and balances 
with central banks 
Loans and advances 
to banks 
Derivative financial 
assets 

1.125.906 

141.447 

1.267.353 

989.598 

121.756 

1.111.354 

850.199 

134.677 

984.876 

1.010.375 

101.962 

1.112.337 

20.374 

460 

20.834 

13.938 

84 

14.022 

Investments 

60.264 

572.771 

633.035 

317.542 

616.121 

933.663 

Loans and advances 
to customers 
Balances with Group 
companies  
Prepayments, 
accrued income and 
other assets 

5.201.405 

9.151.155 

14.352.560 

4.821.788 

11.184.090 

16.005.878 

159.412 

1.205.570 

1.364.982 

192.677 

542.902 

735.579 

34.589 

118.746 

153.335 

11.049 

156.437 

167.486 

Stock of property 

133.000 

361.998 

494.998 

62.683 

213.412 

276.095 

Property, equipment 
and intangible assets 
Investment 
properties 
Investments in 
associates  and joint 
ventures 
Investments in Group 
companies 

- 

- 

- 

- 

217.569 

217.569 

335 

212.665 

213.000 

11.625 

11.625 

97.293 

97.293 

198.708 

198.708 

- 

- 

- 

11.688 

11.688 

97.293 

97.293 

207.781 

207.781 

Deferred tax assets  

2.885 

447.465 

450.350 

8.828 

447.651 

456.479 

Non-current assets 
classified as held for 
sale 

Liabilities 

346 

- 

346 

9.767 

- 

9.767 

7.588.380 

12.659.484 

20.247.864 

7.438.580 

13.913.842 

21.352.422 

Deposits by banks 

347.729 

80.008 

427.737 

204.697 

33.163 

237.860 

Funding from central 
banks 
Repurchase 
agreements 
Derivative financial 
liabilities 

250.014 

600.000 

850.014 

2.744.764 

1.708.086 

4.452.850 

- 

257.367 

257.367 

111.605 

256.546 

368.151 

9.649 

39.191 

48.840 

16.041 

38.367 

54.408 

Customer deposits 

4.206.159 

10.838.931 

15.045.090 

3.705.967 

8.988.163 

12.694.130 

Balances with Group 
companies  
Accruals, deferred 
income and other 
liabilities 
Debt securities in 
issue 
Deferred tax 
liabilities 

133.483 

369.162 

502.645 

199.170 

369.316 

568.486 

211.680 

44.980 

256.660 

184.710 

48.374 

233.084 

- 

- 

- 

- 

712 

- 

712 

20.533 

20.533 

- 

19.868 

19.868 

5.158.714 

12.250.172 

17.408.886 

7.167.666 

11.461.883 

18.629.549 

267 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

40. 

Analysis of assets and liabilities by expected maturity (continued) 

The  main  assumptions  used  in  determining  the  expected  maturity  of  assets  and  liabilities  are  set  out  below.

The  ELA  funding  which  forms  part  of  the  funding  from  central  banks  has  been  included  in  the  ‘less  than  one 
year’ time band as at 31 December 2016, since it was expected to be repaid within one year.  Funding under 
ELA has a contractual maturity of less than one year.  

The investments are classified in the relevant time band based on expectations as to their realisation. In most 
cases this is the maturity date, unless there is an indication that the maturity will be prolonged or there is an 
intention  to  sell,  roll  or  replace  the  security  with  a  similar  one.   The  latter  would  be  the  case  where  there  is 
secured borrowing, requiring the pledging of bonds and these bonds mature before the maturity of the secured 
borrowing.  The maturity of bonds is then extended to cover the period of the secured borrowing. 

Performing  loans  and  advances  to  customers  in  Cyprus  are  classified  based  on  the  contractual  repayment 
schedule. Overdraft accounts are classified in the ‘over one year’ time band.  The impaired loans as defined in 
Note 41, net of specific and collective provisions, and the loans which are past due for more than 90 days, are 
classified in the ‘over one year’ time band except from expected receipts which are included within time bands, 
according to historic amounts of receipts in the last months.  

Stock of property is classified in the relevant time band based on expectations as to its realisation. 

A percentage of customer deposits in Cyprus maturing within one year is transferred in the ‘over one year’ time 
band,  based  on  the  observed  behavioural  analysis.    In  Romania  deposits  are  classified  on  the  basis  of 
contractual maturities. 

Trading investments are classified in the less than one year time band. 

The expected maturity of all prepayments, accrued income and other assets and accruals, deferred income and 
other  liabilities  is  the  same  as  their  contractual  maturity.    If  they  don’t  have  a  contractual  maturity,  the 
expected maturity is based on the timing the asset is expected to be realised and the liability is expected to be 
settled. 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk 

In the ordinary course of its business the Company is exposed to credit risk which is monitored through various 
control mechanisms, in order to prevent undue risk concentrations and to price credit facilities and products on 
a risk-adjusted basis. 

Credit  risk  is  the  risk  that  arises  from  the  possible  failure  of  one  or  more  customers  to  discharge  their 
obligations towards the Company. 

The  Credit  Risk  department  sets  the  Company’s  credit  disbursement  policies  and  monitors  compliance  with 
credit  risk  policy  applicable  to  each  business  line  and  monitors  the  quality  of  the  Company’s  loans  and 
advances portfolio through the timely assessment of problematic customers.  The credit exposures from related 
accounts are aggregated and monitored on a consolidated basis. 

Credit  Risk  department,  safeguards  the  effective  management  of  credit  risk  at  all  stages  of  the  credit  cycle, 
monitors the quality of decisions and processes and ensures that credit sanctioning function is being properly 
managed. 

The credit policies are combined with the methods used for the assessment of the customers’ creditworthiness 
(credit rating and credit scoring systems).   

The  loan  portfolio  is  analysed  on  the  basis  of  assessments  about  the  customers’  creditworthiness,  their 
economic sector of activity and the country in which they operate.   

The credit risk exposure of the Company is diversified both geographically and across the various sectors of the 
economy.  The Credit Risk department determines the prohibitive/dangerous sectors of the economy and sets 
out stricter policy rules for these sectors, according to their degree of riskiness. 

268 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

The Company’s significant judgements, estimates and assumptions regarding the determination of the level of 
provisions for impairment are described in Note 5.1.  

The Market Risk department assesses the credit risk relating to investments in liquid assets (mainly loans and 
advances  to  banks  and  debt  securities)  and  submits  its  recommendations  for  limits  to  be  set  for  banks  and 
countries to the ALCO for approval. 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements 

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is analysed by geographic area as follows: 

On-balance sheet 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

Off-balance sheet 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

Romania 

Total on and off-balance sheet 

Cyprus  

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania  

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

18.265.382 

19.423.767 

48.399 

10.985 

22.027 

48.126 

55.257 

16.545 

226.751 

319.477 

18.573.544 

19.863.172 

2.738.382 

2.736.014 

112.596 

- 

397 

131.172 

20.000 

307 

2.851.375 

2.887.493 

21.003.764 

22.159.781 

160.995 

179.298 

10.985 

22.027 

75.257 

16.545 

227.148 

319.784 

21.424.919 

22.750.665 

269 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements (continued) 

The Company offers guarantee facilities to its customers under which the Company may be required to make 
payments on their behalf and enters into commitments to extend credit lines to secure their liquidity needs. 

Letters of credit and guarantee (including standby letters of credit) commit the Company to make payments on 
behalf  of  customers  in  the  event  of  a  specific  act,  generally  related  to  the  import  or  export  of  goods.    Such 
commitments expose the Company to risks similar to those of loans and advances and are therefore monitored 
by the same policies and control processes. 

Loans and advances to customers 
The  Credit  Risk  department  determines  the  amount  and  type  of  collateral  and  other  credit  enhancements 
required for the granting of new loans to customers. 

The  main  types  of  collateral  obtained  by  the  Company  are  mortgages  on  real  estate,  cash  collateral/blocked 
deposits, bank guarantees, government guarantees, pledges of equity securities and debt instruments of public 
companies, fixed and floating charges over corporate assets, assignment of life insurance policies, assignment 
of rights on certain contracts and personal and corporate guarantees. 

The Company’s management regularly monitors the changes in the market value of the collateral and, where 
necessary, requests the pledging of additional collateral in accordance with the relevant agreement. 

Other financial instruments  
Collateral held as security for financial assets other than loans and advances is determined by the nature of the 
financial  instrument.    Debt  securities  and  other  eligible  bills  are  generally  unsecured  with  the  exception  of 
asset-backed  securities  and  similar  instruments,  which  are  secured  by  pools  of  financial  assets.    In  addition, 
some debt securities are government-guaranteed. 

The Company has chosen the ISDA Master Agreement for documenting its derivatives activity. It provides the 
contractual  framework  within  which  dealing  activity  across  a  full  range  of  over-the-counter  (OTC)  products  is 
conducted  and  contractually  binds  both  parties  to  apply  close-out  netting  across  all  outstanding  transactions 
covered  by  an  agreement,  if  either  party  defaults.  In  most  cases  the  parties  execute  a  Credit  Support  Annex 
(CSA)  in  conjunction  with  the  ISDA  Master  Agreement.  Under  a  CSA,  the  collateral  is  passed  between  the 
parties in order to mitigate the market contingent counterparty risk inherent in their open positions. 

Settlement  risk  arises  in any  situation  where  a  payment  in  cash  or  securities  is  made  in  the  expectation  of  a 
corresponding  receipt  in  securities  or  cash.  The  Company  sets  daily  settlement  limits  for  each  counterparty.  
Settlement risk is mitigated when transactions are effected via established payment systems or on a delivery 
upon payment basis. 

The  table  below  presents  the  maximum  exposure  to  credit  risk,  the  tangible  and  measurable  collateral  and 
credit enhancements held and the net exposure to credit risk, that is the exposure after taking into account the 
impairment  loss  and  tangible  and  measurable  collateral  and  credit  enhancements  held.    Personal  guarantees 
are  an  additional  form  of  collateral,  but  are  not  included  in  the  information  below  since  it  is  impracticable  to 
estimate their fair value. 

The fair value of the collateral presented in the tables below is capped to the carrying value of the loans and 
advances to customers.  

270 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements (continued)  

2016 

Maximum 
exposure 
to credit 
risk 

Fair value of collateral and credit enhancements held by the Company 

Cash 

Securities 

Letters of 
credit / 
guarantee 

Property 

Other 

Surplus 
collateral  

Net collateral  

Net 
exposure to 
credit risk 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Balances with central banks (Note 17) 

1.135.173 

Loans and advances to banks (Note 17) 

984.876 

Debt securities at fair value through profit or 
loss (Note 18) 
Debt securities classified as available-for-sale 
and loans and receivables (Note 18) 

10.426 

608.625 

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19) 

20.834 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.135.173 

984.876 

10.426 

608.625 

20.834 

Loans and advances to customers (Note 21) 

14.352.560 

337.198 

335.599 

305.202 

19.259.024 

501.500 

(8.265.377) 

12.473.146 

1.879.414 

Debtors (Note 27) 

315 

Balances with Group companies (Note 22) 

1.364.982 

Other assets 

95.753 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

315 

1.364.982 

95.753 

On-balance sheet total 

18.573.544 

337.198 

335.599 

305.202  19.259.024 

501.500 

(8.265.377) 

12.473.146 

6.100.398 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and endorsements 

6.413 

353 

- 

- 

4.263 

13 

- 

4.629 

1.784 

Guarantees 

Commitments 

797.071 

69.712 

1.326 

65.185 

164.480 

6.222 

(967) 

305.958 

491.113 

Documentary credits 

27.636 

10.837 

15 

102 

8.112 

297 

Undrawn formal stand-by facilities, credit 
lines and other commitments to lend 

2.020.255 

31.347 

1.050 

2.221 

294.839 

16.158 

- 

- 

19.363 

8.273 

345.615 

1.674.640 

Off-balance sheet total 

2.851.375 

112.249 

2.391 

67.508 

471.694 

22.690 

(967) 

675.565 

2.175.810 

Total credit risk exposure 

21.424.919 

449.447 

337.990 

372.710  19.730.718 

524.190 

(8.266.344)  13.148.711 

8.276.208 

271 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Maximum exposure to credit risk and collateral and other credit enhancements (continued) 

2015 

Maximum 
exposure 
to credit 
risk 

Fair value of collateral and credit enhancements held by the Company 

Cash 

Securities 

Letters of 
credit / 
guarantee 

Property 

Other 

Surplus 
collateral  

Net 
collateral  

Net 
exposure to 
credit risk 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Balances with central banks (Note 17) 

957.612 

Loans and advances to banks (Note 17) 

1.112.337 

Debt securities at fair value through profit or 
loss (Note 18) 
Debt securities classified as available-for-sale 
and loans and receivables (Note 18) 

17.430 

874.337 

Derivative financial instruments (Note 19) 

14.022 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

957.612 

1.112.337 

17.430 

874.337 

14.022 

Loans and advances to customers (Note 21) 

16.005.878 

478.532 

253.305 

377.011 

20.944.487 

347.591 

(8.058.447) 

14.342.479 

1.663.399 

Debtors (Note 27) 

Balances with Group companies (Note 22) 

Other assets 

259 

735.579 

145.718 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4.600 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

19.043 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

259 

735.579 

23.643 

122.075 

On-balance sheet total 

19.863.172 

478.532 

257.905 

377.011  20.963.530 

347.591  (8.058.447)  14.366.122 

5.497.050 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and endorsements 

7.041 

666 

- 

- 

4.352 

32 

Guarantees 

Commitments 

792.883 

52.446 

687 

73.436 

186.975 

10.442 

Documentary credits 

18.441 

1.123 

9 

71 

8.245 

495 

Undrawn formal stand-by facilities, credit 
lines and other commitments to lend 

2.069.128 

30.339 

1.302 

1.744 

288.908 

14.433 

Off-balance sheet total 

2.887.493 

84.574 

1.998 

75.251 

488.480 

25.402 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5.050 

1.991 

323.986 

468.897 

9.943 

8.498 

336.726 

1.732.402 

675.705 

2.211.788 

Total credit risk exposure 

22.750.665 

563.106 

259.903 

452.262  21.452.010 

372.993  (8.058.447)  15.041.827 

7.708.838 

272 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                    Annual Financial Report 2016 
Notes to the Financial Statements  

41.  Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers  

There  are  restrictions  on  loan  concentrations  which  are  imposed  by  the  Banking  Law  in  Cyprus  and  the 
relevant  CBC  Directives  and  CRR.    According  to  these  restrictions,  banks  are  prohibited  from  lending  more 
than 25% of the capital base to a single customer group. The Group’s risk appetite statement imposes stricter 
concentration  limits  and  the  Company  is  taking  actions  to  run  down  those  exposures  which  are  in  excess  of 
these internal limits over time. 

In addition to the above, the Company’s overseas branches must comply with guidelines for large exposures 
as set by the regulatory authorities of the countries in which they operate. 

Fair value adjustment on initial recognition 
The  fair  value  adjustment  on  initial  recognition  relates  to  the  loans  and  advances  to  customers  acquired  as 
part  of  the  acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank  in  2013  and  originated  credit  impaired  loans.  In 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  IFRS  3,  this  adjustment  has  decreased  the  gross  balance  of  loans  and 
advances  to  customers.    However,  for  IFRS  7  disclosure  purposes  as  well  as  for  credit  risk  monitoring,  the 
aforementioned adjustment is not presented within the gross balances of loans and advances.   

273 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Geographical and industry concentrations of the Company loans and advances to customers are presented below: 

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By economic activity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 
€000 

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction 

Real estate 

Private individuals 

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector 

Corporate 

SMEs 

Retail 

- housing 

- consumer, credit cards and other  

International banking services  

Wealth management 

2.044.324 

658.811 

1.302.543 

2.874.260 

2.022.559 

6.980.383 

1.322.550 

1.054.272 

- 

- 

- 

- 

19.599 

- 

- 

337 

28 

93 

221 

- 

8.239 

15.508 

3.980 

16 

11.141 

7.722 

3.263 

67.756 

200.642 

3.000 

11.810 

32.927 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.055.493 

(87.576) 

1.967.917 

666.626 

(25.734) 

640.892 

1.306.027 

(62.665) 

1.243.362 

2.942.016 

(210.436) 

2.731.580 

6.934 

2.257.973 

(114.140) 

2.143.833 

- 

6.998.891 

(227.057) 

6.771.834 

13.701 

1.352.041 

(72.960) 

1.279.081 

- 

1.087.552 

(120.344) 

967.208 

18.259.702 

19.936 

28.085 

338.261 

20.635  18.666.619 

(920.912)  17.745.707 

7.507.790 

4.100.298 

4.202.287 

2.064.802 

321.571 

62.954 

19.936 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

22.969 

2.684 

- 

2.432 

- 

- 

334.440 

13.701 

7.898.836 

(473.799) 

7.425.037 

3.635 

- 

4.106.617 

(202.240) 

3.904.377 

100 

86 

- 

- 

- 

4.202.387 

(100.509) 

4.101.878 

6.934 

2.074.254 

(135.350) 

1.938.904 

- 

- 

321.571 

(3.619) 

317.952 

62.954 

(5.395) 

57.559 

18.259.702 

19.936 

28.085 

338.261 

20.635  18.666.619 

(920.912)  17.745.707 

274 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By business line 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 
€000 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

2.547.970 

1.377.837 

3.531.222 

1.317.434 

2.080.586 

1.014.853 

1.219.572 

1.864.381 

1.502.889 

671.065 

747.368 

321.571 

62.954 

19.936 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

18.359 

2.684 

237.203 

3.436 

- 

883 

- 

- 

- 

100 

86 

33.947 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.823.468 

(63.523) 

2.759.945 

1.383.957 

(29.071) 

1.354.886 

3.531.322 

(40.640) 

3.490.682 

1.318.403 

(26.435) 

1.291.968 

2.114.533 

(156.190) 

1.958.343 

1.014.853 

(22.795) 

992.058 

1.219.572 

(50.393) 

1.169.179 

4.610 

63.290 

13.701 

1.945.982 

(231.291) 

1.714.691 

- 

- 

1.549 

- 

- 

199 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.503.088 

(122.776) 

1.380.312 

671.065 

(59.869) 

611.196 

6.934 

755.851 

(108.915) 

646.936 

- 

- 

321.571 

(3.619) 

317.952 

62.954 

(5.395) 

57.559 

18.259.702 

19.936 

28.085 

338.261 

20.635  18.666.619 

(920.912)  17.745.707 

Restructuring  major  corporate  business  line  includes  customers  with  exposures  over  €100.000  thousand,  whereas  restructuring  corporate  business  line  includes 
customers with exposures between €6.000 thousand and €100.000 thousand. 

275 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2015 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By economic activity 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 
€000 

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction 

Real estate 

Private individuals 

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector 

Corporate 

SMEs 

Retail 

- housing 

- consumer, credit cards and other  

International banking services  

Wealth management 

2.267.092 

801.536 

1.463.129 

3.976.156 

2.130.028 

7.282.322 

1.595.010 

1.145.344 

20.660.617 

9.222.446 

4.408.096 

4.285.058 

2.152.950 

528.795 

63.272 

- 

- 

- 

- 

43.443 

- 

- 

24.866 

68.309 

68.309 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

47 

- 

2.268 

774 

39.547 

7.429 

830 

259 

12.350 

7.590 

6.209 

45.510 

249.630 

5.585 

37.880 

28.584 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.279.489 

(121.192) 

2.158.297 

809.126 

(31.596) 

777.530 

1.471.606 

(77.444) 

1.394.162 

4.022.440 

(335.803) 

3.686.637 

6.648 

2.469.296 

(137.185) 

2.332.111 

- 

7.295.336 

(268.496) 

7.026.840 

13.693 

1.647.413 

(101.913) 

1.545.500 

- 

1.199.053 

(133.781) 

1.065.272 

51.154 

393.338 

20.341  21.193.759  (1.207.410)  19.986.349 

15.173 

33.134 

- 

2.847 

- 

- 

386.841 

13.693 

9.706.462 

(666.631) 

9.039.831 

3.857 

- 

4.445.087 

(263.630) 

4.181.457 

1.306 

1.334 

- 

- 

- 

4.286.364 

(108.267) 

4.178.097 

6.648 

2.163.779 

(154.174) 

2.009.605 

- 

- 

528.795 

(8.056) 

520.739 

63.272 

(6.652) 

56.620 

20.660.617 

68.309 

51.154 

393.338 

20.341  21.193.759  (1.207.410)  19.986.349 

276 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit risk concentration of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

2015 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

By business line 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 
€000 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

- consumer, credit cards and other 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

2.188.794 

1.502.261 

3.657.083 

1.409.855 

2.877.985 

1.814.518 

1.376.635 

2.341.149 

1.529.200 

627.975 

743.095 

528.795 

63.272 

68.309 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

15.173 

33.134 

305.848 

3.857 

1.306 

1.334 

35.736 

- 

- 

- 

2.847 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.578.124 

(83.695) 

2.494.429 

1.539.252 

(46.973) 

1.492.279 

3.658.389 

(45.585) 

3.612.804 

1.414.036 

(36.834) 

1.377.202 

2.913.721 

(175.920) 

2.737.801 

1.814.518 

(75.945) 

1.738.573 

1.376.635 

(67.758) 

1.308.877 

45.257 

13.693 

2.400.099 

(331.071) 

2.069.028 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.529.200 

(148.899) 

1.380.301 

627.975 

(62.682) 

565.293 

6.648 

749.743 

(117.340) 

632.403 

- 

- 

528.795 

(8.056) 

520.739 

63.272 

(6.652) 

56.620 

The loans and advances to customers in Cyprus include lending exposures to Greek entities granted by the Company in Cyprus in its normal course of business with a 
carrying value of €82.154 thousand (2015: €81.078 thousand) and lending exposures in Cyprus with collaterals in Greece with a carrying value of €106.968 thousand 
(2015: €69.983 thousand). 

20.660.617 

68.309 

51.154 

393.338 

20.341  21.193.759  (1.207.410)  19.986.349 

277 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD                                    
Notes to the Financial Statements 

   Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Currency concentration of loans and advances to customers  

2016 

Euro  

US Dollar 

British Pound 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

Other currencies 

2015 

Euro  

US Dollar 

British Pound 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

Other currencies 

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Russia 

Total 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  
€000 

17.556.179 

19.936 

149.235 

38.907 

103 

- 

471.167 

44.111 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

200 

- 

27.885 

- 

- 

- 

- 

336.832 

13.701  17.926.848 

(876.186)  17.050.662 

- 

88 

- 

1.341 

- 

- 

6.934 

156.169 

(10.281) 

145.888 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

66.880 

103 

1.341 

(538) 

66.342 

(1) 

- 

102 

1.341 

471.167 

(31.170) 

439.997 

44.111 

(2.736) 

41.375 

18.259.702 

19.936 

28.085 

338.261 

20.635  18.666.619 

(920.912)  17.745.707 

19.261.824 

68.309 

2.260 

392.100 

13.693  19.738.186 

(1.128.137)  18.610.049 

251.075 

50.831 

108 

1 

1.029.847 

66.931 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

48.894 

- 

- 

- 

- 

22 

93 

- 

1.123 

- 

- 

6.648 

257.745 

(11.858) 

245.887 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

99.818 

(11.900) 

87.918 

108 

1.124 

(1) 

- 

107 

1.124 

1.029.847 

(52.743) 

977.104 

66.931 

(2.771) 

64.160 

20.660.617 

68.309 

51.154 

393.338 

20.341  21.193.759 

(1.207.410)  19.986.349 

278 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of loans and advances to customers 

The following table presents the credit quality of the Company’s loans and advances to customers: 

2016 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Gross loans 
before fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

Gross loans 
before fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

2015 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Gross loans 
after fair 
value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

9.749.523 

(166.185) 

9.583.338 

9.356.952 

(173.260) 

9.183.692 

2.214.988 

(38.743) 

2.176.245 

2.993.746 

(60.803) 

2.932.943 

Neither past 
due nor 
impaired 
Past due but 
not impaired 

Impaired 

6.702.108 

(715.984) 

5.986.124 

8.843.061 

(973.347) 

7.869.714 

18.666.619 

(920.912)  17.745.707 

21.193.759 

(1.207.410) 

19.986.349 

Past  due  loans  are  those  with  delayed  payments  or  in  excess  of  authorised  credit  limits.    Impaired  loans  are 
those which are not considered fully collectable and for which a provision for impairment has been recognised on 
an individual basis or for which incurred losses exist at their initial recognition or customers in Debt Recovery. 

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  the  total  non-contractual  write-offs  recorded  by  the  Company 
amounted  to  €517.694  thousand  (2015:  €172.670  thousand).  The  remaining  gross  loan  balance  of  these 
customers  as  at  31  December  2016  was  €305.591  thousand  (2015:  €280.575  thousand)  of  which  €19.651 
thousand  (2015:  €56.548  thousand)  were  past  due  for  more  than  90  days  but  not  impaired  and  €130.964 
thousand (2015: €198.296 thousand) were impaired. 

Loans and advances to customers that are neither past due nor impaired 
The credit quality of loans and advances to customers that were neither past due nor impaired is monitored by 
the Company using internal systems.  The table below presents the credit risk quality of loans and advances to 
customers that were neither past due nor impaired.  

2016 

Cyprus 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

2015 

Cyprus 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

Grade 1 

Grade 2 

Grade 3 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

6.127.367 

1.751.332 

1.802.957 

9.681.656 

7.224 

56.857 

3.357 

343 

- 

86 

10.581 

57.286 

6.191.448 

1.755.032 

1.803.043 

9.749.523 

5.572.053 

1.441.298 

2.244.258 

9.257.609 

- 

45.962 

9.267 

34.973 

- 

9.141 

9.267 

90.076 

5.618.015 

1.485.538 

2.253.399 

9.356.952 

Loans and advances to customers that were neither past due nor in excess of their limit during the last twelve 
months, are classified as Grade 1.  

279 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Loans and advances to customers that are neither past due nor impaired (continued) 
Loans and advances to customers that were past due or in excess of their limit for up to 30 consecutive days 
during  the  first  half  of  the  year  or  for  up  to  15  consecutive  days  during  the  second  half  of  the  year,  are 
classified as Grade 2.  

Loans and advances to customers that were past due or in excess of their limit for more than 30 consecutive 
days during the first half of the year or for more than 15 consecutive days during the second half of the year, 
are classified as Grade 3. 

Loans and advances to customers that are past due but not impaired  

Past due analysis: 

- up to 30 days 

- 31 to 90 days 

- 91 to 180 days 

- 181 to 365 days 

- over one year 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

442.742 

374.675 

125.468 

140.078 

431.813 

347.009 

142.245 

258.038 

1.132.025 

1.814.641 

2.214.988 

2.993.746 

The fair value of the collateral that the Company holds (to the extent that it mitigates credit risk) in respect of 
loans  and  advances  to  customers  that  are  past  due  but  not  impaired  as  at  31  December  2016  is  €1.706.196 
thousand (2015: €2.391.828 thousand).  The fair value of the collateral is capped to the gross carrying value of 
the loans and advances to customers. 

Impaired loans and advances to customers  

Cyprus 

Greece 

Russia 

United Kingdom 

Romania 

2016 

2015 

Gross loans 
and advances 

Fair value of 
collateral 

Gross loans 
and advances 

Fair value of 
collateral 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

6.374.803 

3.953.087 

8.414.868 

5.596.169 

19.936 

20.635 

6.118 

17.962 

13.692 

490 

68.309 

20.341 

37.196 

17.945 

13.684 

2.845 

280.616 

51.999 

302.347 

165.994 

6.702.108 

4.037.230 

8.843.061 

5.796.637 

280 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Credit quality of loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Impaired loans and advances to customers (continued) 
The  fair  value  of  the  collateral  presented  above  has  been  computed  based  on  the  extent  that  the  collateral 
mitigates credit risk and has been capped to the gross carrying value of the loans and advances to customers. 

Impaired: 

- no arrears 

- up to 30 days  

- 31 to 90 days 

- 91 to 180 days 

- 181 to 365 days 

- over one year 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

471.855 

875.488 

61.484 

28.921 

44.060 

51.438 

78.176 

24.334 

63.369 

303.674 

6.044.350 

7.498.020 

6.702.108 

8.843.061 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers  

The movement in provisions for impairment of loans and advances is as follows: 

2016 

1 January 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

Foreign exchange and other 
adjustments  
Applied in writing off impaired 
loans and advances 
Interest accrued on impaired 
loans and advances 
Collection of loans and 
advances previously written off 

Cyprus 

€000 

Greece 

Other countries 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

3.731.750 

33.617 

215.104 

3.980.471 

(8.577) 

113.110 

- 

- 

(8.577) 

2.269 

(685) 

114.694 

(923.723) 

(27.163) 

(33.693) 

(984.579) 

(138.603) 

(627) 

(1.282) 

(140.512) 

1.872 

- 

- 

1.872 

Charge for the year (Note 14) 

394.333 

(1.181) 

36.626 

429.778 

31 December 

Individual impairment 

Collective impairment 

3.170.162 

2.779.380 

390.782 

6.915 

6.915 

- 

216.070 

3.393.147 

215.585 

3.001.880 

485 

391.267 

281 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers  (continued) 

2015 

1 January 

Foreign exchange and other 
adjustments  
Transfer between geographical 
areas 
Applied in writing off impaired 
loans and advances 
Interest accrued on impaired 
loans and advances 
Collection of loans and 
advances previously written off 

Cyprus 

€000 

Greece 

Other countries 

€000 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2.865.782 

9.086 

231.976 

3.106.844 

80.373 

- 

338 

80.711 

(62.010) 

6.329 

55.681 

- 

(151.619) 

(16.700) 

(111.746) 

(280.065) 

(197.009) 

(2.134) 

(1.577) 

(200.720) 

2.671 

- 

- 

2.671 

Charge for the year (Note 14) 

1.193.562 

37.036 

40.432 

1.271.030 

31 December 

3.731.750 

33.617 

215.104 

3.980.471 

Individual impairment 

3.255.398 

29.242 

213.085 

3.497.725 

Collective impairment 

476.352 

4.375 

2.019 

482.746 

The above table does not include the provisions for impairment on financial guarantees and commitments which 
are part of ‘Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities’ (Note 31). 

Assumptions  have  been  made  about  the  future  changes  in  property  values,  as  well  as  the  timing  for  the 
realisation  of  the  collateral  and  for  taxes  and  expenses  on  the  repossession  and  subsequent  sale  of  the 
collateral.  Indexation has been used to estimate updated market values of properties, while assumptions were 
made on the basis of a macroeconomic scenario for future changes in property values.   The timing of recovery 
from real estate collaterals has been estimated to be on average 3 years, with the exception of specific cases for 
which,  based  on  specific  facts  and  circumstances,  a  different  period  has  been  used  and  for  customers  in  Debt 
Recovery  where  an  average  6  year  period  has  been  used.    In  accordance  with  the  Loan  Impairment  and 
Provisioning  Procedures  Directives  of  2014  and  2015  of  the  CBC,  the  cumulative  average  future  change  in 
property  values  during  the  year  has  been  capped  to  zero.    The  average  liquidity  haircut  and  selling  expenses 
used  in  the  provisions  calculation  is  10%  of  the  current  market  value  of  the  property  for  those  collaterals  for 
which  the increase  in  their value  is  capped  to  zero  and 10%  of  the  projected  market  value  of  the  property  for 
those collaterals for which their value is expected to drop.  

The above assumptions are also influenced by the ongoing regulatory dialogue the Company maintains with its 
lead  regulator,  the  ECB,  and  other  regulatory  guidance  and  interpretations  issued  by  various  regulatory  and 
industry  bodies  such  as  the  ECB  and  EBA,  which  provide  guidance  and  expectations  as  to  relevant  definitions 
and the treatment/classification of certain parameters/assumptions used in the estimation of provisions. 

Any  changes  in  these  assumptions  or  difference  between  assumptions  made  and  actual  results  could  result  in 
significant changes in the amount of required provisions for impairment of loans and advances.  

282 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Provision for impairment of loans and advances to customers(continued)   

Sensitivity analysis 
The Company has performed sensitivity analysis on certain of the loan impairment assumptions relating to the 
loan portfolio in Cyprus with reference date 31 December 2016. The impact on the provisions for impairment of 
loans and advances is presented below: 

Change in provisions assumptions: 

Increase/(decrease) 
on provisions for 
impairment of loans 
and advances  

€000 

the  recoverable  amount 

the  recoverable  amount 

Increase the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year (to an average 
of  4  years)  for  the  customers  that  were  assessed  on  a  collective  basis, 
excluding any customers in Debt Recovery 
Decrease the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year (to an average 
of  2  years)  for  the  customers  that  were  assessed  on  a  collective  basis, 
excluding any customers in Debt Recovery  
Decrease 
from  collaterals  of  customers 
individually assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all 
customers in Debt Recovery by 5% compared to the expected recoverable 
amount applied in the provisions calculations 
Decrease 
from  collaterals  of  customers 
individually assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all 
customers  in  Debt  Recovery  by  10%  compared  to  the  expected 
recoverable amount applied in the provisions calculations 
Increase the recoverable amount from collaterals of customers individually 
assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all customers 
in  Debt  Recovery  by  5%  compared  to  the  expected  recoverable  amount 
applied in the provisions calculations 
Increase the recoverable amount from collaterals of customers individually 
assessed and which have an identified impairment loss and all customers 
in Debt Recovery by 10% compared to the expected recoverable amount 
applied in the provisions calculations 
Extend the timing of recovery from collaterals by 1 year and decrease the 
liquidation  haircut  by  20%  on  customers  that  have  been  individually 
assessed  for  impairment  with  an  identified  impairment  loss  and  on 
customers collectively assessed for impairment  
Decrease  the  timing  of  recovery  from  collaterals  by  1  year  and  increase 
the  liquidation  haircut  by  20%  on  customers  that  have  been  individually 
assessed  for  impairment  with  an  identified  impairment  loss  and  on 
customers collectively assessed for impairment  

27.891 

(26.814) 

118.055 

216.359 

(73.940) 

(168.357) 

90.028 

(45.844) 

283 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Collateral and other credit enhancements obtained 

The carrying value of assets obtained during 2016 and 2015 by taking possession of collateral held as security, 
was as follows: 

Residential property 

Commercial and other property 

2016 

€000 

85.171 

921.185 

1.006.356 

2015 

€000 

1.946 

110.771 

112.717 

The total carrying value of the assets obtained over the years by taking possession of collateral held as security 
for customer loans and advances and held by the Company as at 31 December 2016 amounted to €1.268.811 
thousand  including  an  amount  of  €3.072  thousand  relating  to  commercial  and  other  property  which  were 
classified  as  held  for  sale  (2015:  €421.110  thousand,  including  an  amount  of  €6.552  thousand  relating  to 
commercial and other property held for sale).   

The disposals of repossessed assets during 2016 amounted to €128.887 thousand (2015: €28.883 thousand). 

Forbearance 

Forbearance  measures  occur  in  situations  in  which  the  borrower  is  considered  to  be  unable  to  meet  the  terms 
and  conditions  of  the  contract  due  to  financial  difficulties.    Taking  into  consideration  these  difficulties,  the 
Company  decides  to  modify  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  contract  to  provide  the  borrower  the  ability  to 
service the debt or refinance the contract, either partially or fully.   

The  practice  of  extending  forbearance  measures  constitutes  a  grant  of  a  concession  whether  temporarily  or 
permanently  to  that  borrower.    A  concession  may  involve  restructuring  the  contractual  terms  of  a  debt  or 
payment  in  some  form  other  than  cash,  such  as  an  arrangement  whereby  the  borrower  transfers  collateral 
pledged  to  the  Company.  As  such,  it  constitutes  an  objective  indicator  that  requires  assessing  whether 
impairment is needed. 

Modifications of loans and advances that do not affect payment arrangements, such as restructuring of collateral 
or  security  arrangements  are  not  regarded  as  sufficient  to  indicate  impairment  as  by  themselves  they  do  not 
necessarily indicate credit distress affecting payment ability. 

Rescheduled  loans  and  advances  are  those  facilities  for  which  the  Company  has  modified  the  repayment 
programme  (provision  of  a  grace  period,  suspension  of  the  obligation  to  repay  one  or  more  instalments, 
reduction in the instalment amount and/or elimination of overdue instalments relating to capital or interest) and 
current  accounts/overdrafts  for  which  the  credit  limit  has  been  increased  with  the  sole  purpose  of  covering  an 
excess.   

For an account to qualify for rescheduling it must meet certain criteria including that the client’s business must 
be considered to be viable.  The  extent to which the Company reschedules accounts that are eligible under its 
existing policies may vary depending on its view of the prevailing economic conditions and other factors which 
may  change  from  year  to  year.    In  addition,  exceptions  to  policies  and  practices  may  be  made  in  specific 
situations in response to legal or regulatory agreements or orders. 

Forbearance activities may include measures that restructure the borrower's business (operational restructuring) 
and/or measures that restructure the borrower’s financing (financial restructuring).  

Restructuring  options  may  be  of  a  short  or  long-term  nature  or  combination  thereof.  The  Company  has 
developed and deployed sustainable restructuring solutions, which are suitable for the borrower and acceptable 
for the Company. 

284 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Forbearance (continued) 

Short-term restructuring solutions are defined as restructured repayment solutions of duration of less than two 
years.    In  the  case  of  loans  for  the  construction  of  commercial  property  and  project  finance,  a  short-term 
solution may not exceed one year. 

Short-term restructuring solutions can include the following: 
 

Interest only: during a defined short-term period, only interest is paid on credit facilities and no principal 
repayment is made. 
Reduced payments: decrease of the amount of repayment instalments over a defined short-term period in 
order to accommodate the borrower’s new cash flow position.  
Arrears and/or interest capitalisation: the capitalisation of arrears and/or of accrued interest arrears to the 
principal; that is forbearance of the arrears and addition of any unpaid interest to the outstanding principal 
balance for repayment under a rescheduled program. 
Grace  period:  an  agreement  allowing  the  borrower  a  defined  delay  in  fulfilling  the  repayment  obligations 
usually with regard to the principal. 
Interest  rate  reduction:  permanent  or  temporary  reduction  of  interest  rate  (fixed  or  variable)  into  a  fair 
and sustainable rate. 

Long-term restructuring solutions can include the following: 
 

Extension  of  maturity:  extension  of  the  maturity  of  the  loan  which  allows  a  reduction  in  instalment 
amounts by spreading the repayments over a longer period. 
Additional  security:  when  additional  liens  on  unencumbered  assets  are  obtained  as  additional  security 
from  the  borrower  in  order  to  compensate  for  the  higher  risk  exposure  and  as  part  of  the  restructuring 
process. 
Forbearance of penalties in loan agreements: waiver, temporary or permanent, of violations of covenants 
in the loan agreements. 
Rescheduling of payments: the existing contractual repayment schedule is adjusted to a new sustainable 
repayment program based on a realistic, current and forecasted, assessment of the cash flow generation 
of the borrower. 
Strengthening  of  the  existing  collateral:  a  restructuring  solution  may  entail  the  pledge  of  additional 
security  for  instance,  in  order  to  compensate  for  the  reduction  in  interest  rates  or  to  balance  the 
advantages the borrower receives from the restructuring. 
New loan facilities: new loan facilities may be granted during a restructuring agreement, which may entail 
the  pledge  of  additional  security  and  in  the  case  of  inter-creditor  arrangements  the  introduction  of 
covenants  in  order  to  compensate  for  the  additional  risk  incurred  by  the  Company  in  providing  a  new 
financing to a distressed borrower. 
Debt consolidation: the combination of multiple exposures into a single loan or limited number of loans. 
Debt/equity  swaps:  partial  set-off  of  the  debt  and  obtaining  of  an  equivalent  amount  of  equity  by  the 
Company, with the remaining debt right-sized to the cash flows of the borrower to allow repayment to the 
Company  from  repayment  on  the  re-sized  debt  and  from  the  eventual  sale  of  the  equity  stake  in  the 
business. This solution is used only in exceptional cases and only where all other efforts for restructuring 
are exhausted and after ensuring compliance with the banking law. 
Debt/asset  swaps:  agreement  between  the  Company  and  the  borrower  to  voluntarily  dispose  of  the 
secured  asset  to  partially  or  fully  repay  the  debt.    The  asset  may  be  acquired  by  the  Company  and  any 
residual  debt  may  be  restructured  within  an  appropriate  repayment  schedule  in  line  with  the  borrower’s 
reassessed repayment ability. 
Debt write-off: cancellation of part or the whole of the amount of debt outstanding by the borrower. The 
Company applies the debt forgiveness solution only as a last resort and in remote cases having taken into 
consideration  the  ability  of  the  borrower  to  repay  the  remaining  debt  in  the  agreed  timeframe  and  the 
moral hazard.  
Split and freeze: the customer’s debt is split into sustainable and unsustainable parts. The sustainable part 
is restructured and continues to operate. The unsustainable part is ‘frozen’ for the restructured duration of 
the sustainable part. At the maturity of the restructuring, the frozen part is either forgiven pro-rata (based 
on the actual repayment of the sustainable part) or restructured. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

285 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers 

The  below  tables  present  the  Company’s  rescheduled  loans  and  advances  to  customers  by  industry  sector, 
geography  and  credit  quality  classification,  as  well  as  impairment  provisions  and  tangible  collateral  held  for 
rescheduled loans.   

2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

1 January 

8.391.624 

24.865 

814 

118.121 

8.535.424 

900.616 

- 

35 

340 

900.991 

(1.504.769) 

(97) 

(234) 

(41.819)  (1.546.919) 

(715.713) 

(24.871) 

(255) 

(144) 

(740.983) 

New loans and advances 
rescheduled in the year 
Assets no longer classified as 
rescheduled (including 
repayments) 
Applied in writing off 
rescheduled loans and 
advances 
Interest accrued on 
rescheduled loans and 
advances 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

3.852 

31 December 

7.401.870 

326.260 

440 

- 

337 

13 

2.392 

329.105 

(96) 

277 

(9) 

3.747 

78.881 

7.481.365 

2015 

1 January 

New loans and advances 
rescheduled in the year 
Assets no longer classified as 
rescheduled (including 
repayments) 
Applied in writing off 
rescheduled loans and 
advances 
Interest accrued on 
rescheduled loans and 
advances 

7.024.847 

75.778 

4.451 

183.372 

7.288.448 

2.189.524 

- 

- 

- 

2.189.524 

(1.125.219) 

(35.927) 

(3.647) 

(32.178)  (1.196.971) 

(80.896) 

(16.700) 

337.231 

1.714 

- 

- 

(33.888) 

(131.484) 

1.610 

340.555 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

46.137 

- 

10 

(795) 

45.352 

31 December 

8.391.624 

24.865 

814 

118.121 

8.535.424 

The  classification  as  rescheduled  loans  is  discontinued  when  all  EBA  criteria  for  the  discontinuation  of  the 
classification  as  forborne  exposure  are  met.    These  are  set  out  in  the  EBA  Final  draft  Implementing  Technical 
Standards (ITS) on supervisory reporting and non-performing exposures. 

286 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41.  

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit quality  

  2016 

Cyprus 

Greece 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Neither past due nor impaired 

4.021.923 

Past due but not impaired 

Impaired 

2015   

1.212.177 

2.167.770 

7.401.870 

Neither past due nor impaired 

3.636.868 

Past due but not impaired 

1.591.934 

- 

- 

337 

337 

- 

- 

Impaired 

3.162.822 

24.865 

153 

6 

118 

277 

106 

202 

506 

85 

4.022.161 

225 

1.212.408 

78.571 

2.246.796 

78.881 

7.481.365 

60.182 

3.697.156 

297 

1.592.433 

57.642 

3.245.835 

8.391.624 

24.865 

814 

118.121 

8.535.424 

Fair value of collateral  

2016 

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired 

Impaired 

2015  

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired 

Impaired 

Cyprus 

€000 

3.772.578 

1.021.347 

1.828.036 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

92 

- 

- 

80 

3.772.750 

182 

1.021.529 

22.060 

1.850.096 

6.621.961 

92 

22.322 

6.644.375 

3.360.868 

1.407.575 

2.709.602 

7.478.045 

- 

155 

- 

155 

59.931 

3.420.799 

178 

1.407.908 

38.924 

2.748.526 

99.033 

7.577.233 

The fair value of collateral presented above has been computed based on the extent that the collateral mitigates 
credit risk.   

287 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41.  

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued)  

Credit risk concentration  

Cyprus 

Greece 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2016 

By economic activity 

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction 

Real estate 

Private individuals 

Professional and other services 

Other sectors 

By customer sector 

Corporate 

SMEs 

Retail 

- housing 

668.305 

214.248 

619.259 

1.539.773 

1.047.280 

2.515.157 

446.946 

350.902 

7.401.870 

3.418.231 

1.675.528 

1.661.487 

- consumer, credit cards and other 

567.426 

International banking services   

Wealth management  

74.704 

4.494 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

337 

337 

337 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

8 

- 

- 

257 

12 

- 

1.624 

669.929 

1.263 

215.511 

3.249 

622.516 

25.175 

1.564.948 

47.192 

1.094.472 

60 

2.515.474 

- 

446.958 

318 

351.557 

277 

78.881 

7.481.365 

3 

178 

- 

96 

- 

- 

77.556 

3.496.127 

1.265 

1.676.971 

- 

1.661.487 

60 

567.582 

- 

- 

74.704 

4.494 

7.401.870 

337 

277 

78.881 

7.481.365 

288 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41.  

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued)  

Credit risk concentration (continued) 

Cyprus 

Greece 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2016 

By business line 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

711.872 

464.163 

1.494.123 

- consumer, credit cards and other 

449.107 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

1.371.448 

790.600 

815.597  - 

544.311 

395.768 

167.364 

118.319 

74.704 

4.494 

337 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3 

178 

- 

96 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

77.391 

789.603 

1.265 

465.606 

- 

1.494.123 

60 

449.263 

165 

1.371.613 

- 

790.600 

- 

815.597 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

544.311 

395.768 

167.364 

118.319 

74.704 

4.494 

7.401.870 

337 

277 

78.881 

7.481.365 

289 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41.  

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit risk concentration (continued) 

Cyprus 

Greece 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

Professional and other services 

584.836 

Other sectors 

322.161 

24.865 

8.391.624 

24.865 

814 

118.121 

8.535.424 

2015 

By economic activity 

Trade 

Manufacturing 

Hotels and catering 

Construction 

Real estate 

Private individuals 

By customer sector 

Corporate 

SMEs 

Retail 

- housing 

- consumer, credit cards and other 

568.986 

International banking services   

Wealth management  

42.481 

5.729 

707.105 

282.449 

743.585 

2.155.778 

1.069.156 

2.526.554 

4.368.307 

24.865 

1.720.453 

1.685.668 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

30 

- 

295 

451 

38 

- 

2.936 

710.041 

1.258 

283.707 

6.196 

749.811 

1.399 

2.157.177 

82.739 

1.152.190 

153 

2.527.158 

22.697 

607.571 

743 

347.769 

27 

620 

- 

167 

- 

- 

116.385 

4.509.584 

1.583 

1.722.656 

- 

1.685.668 

153 

569.306 

- 

- 

42.481 

5.729 

8.391.624 

24.865 

814 

118.121 

8.535.424 

290 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD  
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41.  

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Credit risk concentration (continued) 

Cyprus 

Greece 

€000 

€000 

United 
Kingdom 

€000 

Romania 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2015 

By business line 

Corporate  

SMEs 

Retail  

- housing  

647.785 

24.865 

550.664 

1.562.149 

- consumer, credit cards and other 

468.368 

Restructuring 

- major corporate 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

Recoveries 

- corporate 

- SMEs 

- retail housing 

- retail other 

International banking services 

Wealth management 

1.768.782 

1.272.086 

798.010 

679.654 

371.779 

123.519 

100.618 

42.481 

5.729 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

27 

620 

- 

167 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

115.639 

788.316 

1.583 

552.867 

- 

1.562.149 

153 

468.688 

626 

1.769.408 

- 

- 

1.272.086 

798.010 

120 

679.774 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

371.779 

123.519 

100.618 

42.481 

5.729 

8.391.624 

24.865 

814 

118.121 

8.535.424 

291 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41.  

Risk management – Credit risk (continued) 

Rescheduled loans and advances to customers (continued) 

Provisions for impairment  

Cyprus 

Greece 

United 
Kingdom 

Romania 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

2016 

Individual impairment 

Collective impairment 

2015 

899.178 

200.069 

1.099.247 

337 

- 

337 

Individual impairment 

1.144.476 

22.966 

Collective impairment 

207.106 

- 

1.351.582 

22.966 

118 

1 

119 

504 

1 

505 

59.791 

959.424 

2 

200.072 

59.793 

1.159.496 

35.402 

1.203.348 

1.813 

208.920 

37.215 

1.412.268 

Credit quality of Company assets exposed to credit risk other than loans and advances to customers 
- analysis by rating agency designation 

Balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks 
Balances with central banks and loans and advances to banks are analysed by Moody’s rating as follows:  

Aaa – Aa3 

A1 – A3 

Baa1 – Baa3 

Ba1 – Ba3 

B1 – B3 

Caa - C 

Unrated 

Other receivables from banks 

2016 

€000 

492.870 

220.509 

36.844 

37.067 

1.133.287 

10.695 

147.692 

41.085 

2015 

€000 

169.626 

533.973 

146.428 

36.954 

957.021 

685 

196.560 

28.702 

2.120.049 

2.069.949 

Band  B1-B3  above  includes  an  amount  of  €141.447  thousand  which  mainly  relates  to  obligatory  deposits  for 
liquidity  purposes  with  the  CBC.  As  at  31  December  2016,  bank  balances  with  carrying  value  of  €78.725 
thousand  are  impaired  (2015:  €134.291  thousand)  with  cumulative  impairment  loss  of  €55.655  thousand 
(2015: €28.605 thousand). 

292 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

41. 

Risk management – Credit risk (continued)  

Credit quality of Company assets exposed to credit risk other than loans and advances to customers 
- analysis by rating agency designation (continued) 

Debt securities  
Investments in debt securities are analysed by Moody’s rating, their issuer and classification, as follows: 

Aaa – Aa3 

Baa1 – Baa3 

B1 – B3 

Issued by: 

- Cyprus government 

- other governments 

- banks and other corporations 

Classified as: 

- investments at fair value through profit or loss 

- available-for-sale investments 

- investments classified as loans and receivables 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

349.565 

12.507 

256.979 

619.051 

256.979 

329.211 

32.861 

619.051 

10.426 

540.551 

68.074 

619.051 

378.339 

54.626 

458.802 

891.767 

458.802 

421.037 

11.928 

891.767 

17.430 

437.402 

436.935 

891.767 

42. 

  Risk management – Market risk  

Market  risk  is  the  risk  of  loss  from  adverse  changes  in  market  prices–namely  from  changes  in  interest  rates, 
exchange rates and security prices.  The Market Risk department is responsible for monitoring the risk resulting 
from  such  changes  with  the  objective  to  minimise  the  impact  on  earnings  and  capital.    The  department  also 
monitors  liquidity  risk  and  credit  risk  with  counterparties  and  countries.  It  is  also  responsible  for  monitoring 
compliance with the various market risk policies and procedures. 

Interest rate risk 

Interest  rate  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  fair  value  of  future  cash  flows  of  a  financial  instrument  will  fluctuate 
because of changes in market interest rates.  It arises mainly as a result of timing differences on the repricing 
of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items.  

Interest rate risk is measured using interest rate sensitivity gap analysis where the difference between assets 
and liabilities repricing in each time band is calculated separately for each currency.  A rate change is applied 
on each item of the balance sheet for the number of days between its repricing date and the one year horizon 
in order to calculate the impact on net interest income. 

293 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Interest rate risk (continued) 

Interest  rate  risk  is  managed  through  maximum  loss  limits  from  interest  rate  mismatches  which  are  set  for 
each  banking  unit  of  the  Company.    There  are  different  limits  for  the  Euro  and  for  foreign  currencies.    The 
maximum loss limits apply for each of the next three years.  These limits are set as a percentage of Company 
capital  and  as  a  percentage  of  net  interest  income  (when  positive)  and  are  allocated  to  the  various  banking 
units  of  the  Company  based  on  their  contribution  to  net  interest  income.    Small  limits  for  open  interest  rate 
positions for periods of more than three years are also in place. 

Sensitivity analysis  
The  table  below  sets  out  the  impact  on  the  Company’s  net  interest  income,  over  a  one-year  period,  from 
reasonably possible changes in the interest rates of the main currencies: 

Change in interest rates 

€000 

€000 

Euro 

US Dollar 

British 
Pound 

€000 

Other 
currencies 

€000 

Total 

€000 

2016 

+2% for Russian Rouble 
+1% for US Dollar 
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-4% for Russian Rouble 
-0,5% for all other currencies  

2015 

+5% for Russian Rouble 
+0,75% for US Dollar 
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-5% for Russian Rouble 
-0,25% for Japanese Yen 
-0,5% for Euro Euribor ECB 
-1% for Euro Bank Basic Rate  
-0,5% for all other currencies  

16.884 

16.443 

514 

1.018 

34.859 

(21.323) 

(8.345) 

(760) 

(2.578) 

(33.006) 

13.820 

10.568 

132 

1.720 

26.240 

(23.895) 

(7.489) 

(241) 

(1.767) 

(33.392) 

In addition to the above fluctuations in net interest income, interest rate changes can result in fluctuations in 
the fair value of investments at fair value through profit or loss (including investments held for trading) and in 
the fair value of derivative financial instruments. 

The equity of the Company is also affected by changes in market interest rates.  The impact on the Company’s 
equity arises from changes in the fair value of fixed rate debt securities classified as available-for-sale (unless 
impaired). 

The sensitivity analysis is based on the assumption of a parallel shift of the yield curve.  The table below sets 
out the impact on the Company’s profit/loss before tax and equity as a result of reasonably possible changes in 
the interest rates of the major currencies. 

294 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Interest rate risk (continued) 

Sensitivity analysis (continued) 

Change in interest rates 

2016 

+2% for Russian Rouble 
+1% for US Dollar  
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-4% for Russian Rouble 
-0,5% for all other currencies  

2015 

+5% for Russian Rouble 
+0,75% for US Dollar  
+0,5% for all other currencies 
-5% for Russian Rouble 
-0,25% for Japanese Yen  
-0,5% for all other currencies  

Impact on 
profit/loss 
before tax 

Impact on 
equity 

€000 

€000 

1.828 

(1.743) 

(1.828) 

1.713 

1.192 

(80) 

(1.192) 

80 

Currency risk 

Currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because 
of changes in foreign exchange rates. 

In  order  to  manage  currency  risk,  the  ALCO  has  approved  open  position  limits  for  the  total  foreign  exchange 
position limits.  The foreign exchange position limits are lower than those prescribed by the CBC. These limits 
are managed by Treasury and monitored daily by market risk officers in all the banking units of the Company, 
who report the overnight foreign currency position of each unit to Market Risk daily. 

The Company does not maintain a currency trading book.   

The table below sets out the Company’s currency risk resulting from the financial instruments that it holds.  The 
analysis  assumes  reasonably  possible  changes  in  the  exchange  rates  of  major  currencies  against  the  Euro 
based  mainly  on  historical  price  fluctuations.    The  impact  on  profit/loss  after  tax  includes  the  change  in  net 
interest income that arises from the change of currency rate. 

The impact on equity arises from the hedging instruments that are used to hedge part of the net assets of the 
Company’s  branch  whose  functional  currency  is  not  the  euro.  The  net  assets  of  foreign  operations  are  also 
revalued  and  affect  equity,  but  their  impact  is  not  taken  into  account  in  the  above  sensitivity  analysis  as  the 
above  relates  only  to  financial  instruments  which  have  a  direct  impact  either  on  profit/loss  after  tax  or  on 
equity. 

295 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Currency risk (continued) 

Change in 
foreign 
exchange rate 

Impact on profit 
after tax 

Impact on 
equity 

% 

€000 

€000 

2016 

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen 

Other currencies 

2016 

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen 

Other currencies 

2015 

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen 

Other currencies 

- 

- 

4.459 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

+10 

+25 

+10 

+20 

+20 

+10 

+10 

1.936 

21.474 

(213) 

6.629 

(8.152) 

307 

174 

Change in 
foreign 
exchange rate 

Impact on profit 
after tax 

Impact on 
equity 

% 

€000 

€000 

-10 

-25 

-10 

-20 

-20 

-10 

-10 

(1.584) 

(12.884) 

174 

(3.648) 

(4.420) 

6.669 

(251) 

(143) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Change in 
foreign 
exchange rate 

Impact on loss 
after tax 

Impact on 
equity 

% 

€000 

€000 

+10 

+40 

+10 

+20 

+10 

+10 

+10 

1.753 

84.392 

1 

9.341 

(17.788) 

492 

106 

- 

- 

3.634 

- 

- 

- 

- 

296 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Currency risk (continued) 

2015 

US Dollar 

Russian Rouble 

Romanian Lei 

Swiss Franc 

British Pound 

Japanese Yen 

Other currencies 

Price risk  

Change in 
foreign 
exchange rate 

Impact on loss 
after tax 

Impact on 
equity 

% 

€000 

€000 

-10 

-40 

-10 

-20 

-10 

-10 

-10 

(1.434) 

(36.168) 

- 

- 

(1) 

(2.974) 

(6.228) 

14.554 

(403) 

(87) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Equity securities price risk 
The risk of loss from changes in the price of equity securities arises when there is an unfavourable change in 
the prices of equity securities held by the Company as investments. 

Investments  in  equities  are  outside  the  Group’s  risk  appetite.  The  Company  monitors  the  current  portfolio 
mostly  acquired  by  the  Company  as  part  of  the  acquisition  of  certain  operations  of  Laiki  Bank,  with  the 
objective to gradually liquidate all positions for which there is a market.  Equity securities may also be acquired 
in the context of delinquent loan workouts and are disposed of by the Company as soon as practicable. 

Changes in the prices of equity securities that are classified as investments at fair value through profit or loss, 
affect the results of the Company, whereas changes in the value of equity securities classified as available-for-
sale affect the equity of the Company (if not impaired).   

The table below shows the impact on the profit/loss before tax and on equity of the Company from a change in 
the price of the equity securities held, as a result of reasonably possible changes in the relevant stock exchange 
indices.  

2016 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Change in 
index 

Impact on 
profit/loss 
before tax 

Impact on 
equity 

% 

€000 

€000 

+25 

+35 

+20 

-25 

-35 

-20 

342 

- 

2 

(585) 

(22) 

(58) 

1.039 

32 

1.536 

(796) 

(10) 

(1.480) 

297 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

42. 

Risk management – Market risk (continued) 

Price risk (continued) 

Equity securities price risk (continued) 

2015 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Cyprus Stock Exchange 

Athens Exchange 

Other Stock Exchanges and non listed 

Change in 
index 

Impact on 
profit/loss 
before tax 

Impact on 
equity 

% 

€000 

€000 

+30 

+50 

+20 

-30 

-50 

-20 

689 

- 

- 

(791) 

(4) 

(47) 

1.459 

13 

1.365 

(1.358) 

(9) 

(1.318) 

Debt securities price risk 
Debt securities price risk is the risk of loss as a result of adverse changes in the prices of debt securities held by 
the Company.  Debt security prices change as the credit risk of the issuer changes and/or as the interest rate 
changes for fixed rate securities.  The Company invests a significant part of its liquid assets in debt securities 
issued mostly by governments.  The average Moody’s rating of the debt securities portfolio of the Company as 
at 31 December 2016 was B1 (2015: Baa2).   

Changes in the prices of debt securities classified as investments at fair value through profit or loss, affect the 
profit  or  loss  of  the  Company,  whereas  changes  in  the  value  of  debt  securities  classified  as  available-for-sale 
affect the equity of the Company (if not impaired).   

The  table  below  indicates  how  the  profit/loss  before  tax  and  equity  of  the  Company  will  be  affected  from 
reasonably possible changes in the price of the debt securities held, based on observations of changes in credit 
risk over the past years. 

Change in market prices 

2016 

+6,5% 

-6,5% 

2015 

+5,5% 

-5,5% 

Impact on 
profit/loss 
before tax 

Impact on 
equity 

€000 

€000 

667 

33.614 

(667) 

(33.614) 

944 

(944) 

23.825 

(23.825) 

298 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding 

Liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  Company  is  unable  to  fully  or  promptly  meet  current  and  future  payment 
obligations  as  and  when  they  fall  due.    This  risk  includes  the  possibility  that  the  Company  may  have  to  raise 
funding at high cost or sell assets at a discount to fully and promptly satisfy its obligations. 

It  reflects  the  potential  mismatch  between  incoming  and  outgoing  payments,  taking  into  account  unexpected 
delays in repayment or unexpectedly high payment outflows.  Liquidity risk involves both the risk of unexpected 
increases in the cost of funding of the portfolio of assets and the risk of being unable to liquidate a position in a 
timely manner on reasonable terms. 

In order to limit this risk, management aims to achieve diversified funding sources in addition to the Company’s 
core  deposit  base,  and  has  adopted  a  policy  of  managing  assets  with  liquidity  in  mind  and  monitoring  cash 
flows  and  liquidity  on  a  daily  basis.    The  Company  has  developed  internal  control  processes  and  contingency 
plans for managing liquidity risk.  These incorporate an assessment of expected cash flows and the availability 
of collateral which could be used to secure additional funding if required. 

Management and structure 

The  Board  of  Directors  sets  the  Group’s  Liquidity  Risk  Appetite  being  the  level  of  risk  at  which  the  Company 
should operate. 

The Board of Directors, through its Risk Committee, approves the Liquidity Policy Statement and reviews almost 
at every meeting, the liquidity position of the Company.  Information on inflows/outflows is also provided.  

The ALCO is responsible for setting the policies for the effective management and monitoring of liquidity across 
the  Company.    It  also  monitors  the  liquidity  position  of  its  major  banking  units  at  least  monthly.    Given  the 
current  liquidity  position  of  the  Company,  the  ALCO  considers  the  monitoring  of  liquid  assets  and  the  cash 
inflows/outflows of the Company in Cyprus, to be of utmost importance. 

Group Treasury is responsible for liquidity management at Company level and for overseeing the operations of 
Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd, to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory liquidity policies and provide direction 
as  to  the  actions  to  be  taken  regarding  liquidity  needs.    The  Group  Treasury  also  manages  the  treasury 
business of Bank of Cyprus Romania, which is in run-down mode.   Every unit is responsible for managing its 
liquidity and targets to finance its own needs in the medium term.  Group Treasury assesses on a continuous 
basis,  and  informs  ALCO  at  regular  time  intervals,  the  adequacy  of  the  liquid  assets  and  takes  the  necessary 
actions to enhance the Company’s liquidity position.   

Liquidity  is  also  monitored  daily  by  Market  Risk,  which  is  an  independent  department  responsible  to  monitor 
compliance at the level of individual units, as well as at Company level, with both internal policies and limits, 
and with the limits set by the regulatory authorities in the countries where the Company operates.  Market Risk 
reports to ALCO the regulatory liquidity position of the various units of the Company, at least monthly.  It also 
provides the results of various stress tests to ALCO at least quarterly.  

Liquidity is monitored and managed on an ongoing basis through:  
(i)  Risk appetite: established Group Risk Appetite together with the appropriate limits for the management of 

all risks including liquidity risk. 

(ii)  Liquidity  policy:  sets  the  responsibilities  for  managing  liquidity  risk  as  well  as  the  framework,  limits  and 

stress test assumptions. 

(iii)  Liquidity limits: a number of internal and regulatory limits are monitored on a daily, monthly and quarterly 
basis.  Where  applicable  a  traffic  light  system  (RAG)  has  been  introduced  for  the  ratios,  in  order  to  raise 
flags when the ratios deteriorate. 

(iv)  Early warning indicators: monitoring of a range of indicators for early signs of liquidity risk in the market or 
specific to the Company. These are designed to immediately identify the emergence of increased liquidity 
risk to maximise the time available to execute appropriate mitigating actions. 

(v)  Liquidity Contingency Plan: maintenance of a Liquidity Contingency Plan (LCP) which is designed to provide 
a framework where a liquidity stress could be effectively managed. The LCP provides a communication plan 
and includes management actions to respond to liquidity stresses. 

(vi)  Recovery Plan: the Group has developed a Recovery Plan. The key objectives are to provide the Company 
with  a  range  of  options  to  ensure  its  viability  in  a  stress,  to  set  consistent  Early  Warning  and  Recovery 
Indicators and to enable the Company to be adequately prepared to respond to stressed conditions.  

299 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Monitoring process 

Daily 
The  daily  monitoring  of  cash  flows  and  highly  liquid  assets  is  important  to  safeguard  and  ensure  the 
uninterrupted operations of the Company’s activities. Market Risk prepares a report for submission to the CBC 
and  ECB/Single  Supervisory  Mechanism  (SSM),  indicating  the  opening  and  closing  liquidity  position,  net 
customer  movements  and  other  movements  analysed  by  the  main  currencies.  In  addition,  Group  Treasury 
monitors daily and intraday the customer inflows and outflows in the main currencies used by the Company. 

Since  May  2016,  Market  Risk  also  prepares  daily  stress  testing  for  bank-specific,  market  wide  and  combined 
scenarios.  The requirement is to have sufficient liquidity buffer to enable the Company to survive a two-week 
stress period, and adequate capacity to raise funding under a three month period, under all scenarios. 

The  liquidity  buffer  is  made  up  of:  Euro  banknotes,  CBC  balances  (excluding  the  Minimum  Reserve 
Requirements (MRR)), nostro current accounts, money market placements up to the stress horizon, available 
ECB credit line and market value net of haircut of liquid unencumbered/available bonds. 

The  designing  of  the  stress  tests  followed  best  practice  guidance  and  was  based  on  the  liquidity  risk  drivers 
which  are  recognised  internationally  by  both  the  Prudential  Regulation  Authority  (PRA)  and  EBA  SREP.  The 
stress  tests  assumptions  are  included  in  the  Group  Liquidity  Policy  which  is  reviewed  on  an  annual  basis  and 
approved by the Board. However, whenever it is considered appropriate to amend the assumptions during the 
year,  approval is  requested  by  ALCO  and  the  Board  Risk  Committee.  The  main items  shocked  in  the  different 
scenarios  are:  deposit  outflows,  wholesale  funding,  loan  repayments,  off-balance  sheet  commitments, 
marketable securities and cash collateral for derivatives and repos.  

Weekly 
Market Risk prepares a weekly report of Euro and foreign currency liquidity mismatch which is submitted to the 
CBC.   

Monthly 
Market Risk prepares reports monitoring compliance with internal and regulatory liquidity ratios, for all banking 
units  and  for  the  Company  and  submits  them  to  the  ALCO,  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  Board  Risk 
Committee. It also calculates the expected flows under a stress scenario and compares them with the projected 
available liquidity buffer in order to calculate the survival days. The fixed deposit renewal rates and deposits by 
tenor are also presented to the ALCO. 

Market Risk reports the LCR and Additional Liquidity Monitoring Metrics (ALMM) to the CBC/ECB monthly. 

Group  Treasury  prepares  a  liquidity  report  which  is  submitted  to  the  ALCO  on  a  monthly  basis.  The  report 
indicates  the  liquidity  position  of  the  Company,  data  on  monthly  customer  flows,  as  well  as  other  important 
developments  related  to  liquidity.    Moreover,  during  2016  Group  Treasury  prepared  a  cash  flows  projection 
report, under a base and an adverse scenario, covering a one month and two month periods, which was sent to 
ECB/SSM/CBC/Ministry of Finance. Following full ELA repayment in January 2017, Group Treasury has stopped 
producing the cash flows projection report. 

Quarterly 
The  results  of  the  stress  testing  scenarios  prepared  daily  are  reported  to  ALCO  and  Board  Risk  Committee 
quarterly.  Moreover, Market Risk reports the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), Leverage Ratio to the CBC/ECB 
quarterly  and  various  other  liquidity  reports,  included  in  the  short-term  exercise  of  the  SSM  per  their  SREP 
guidelines. 

300 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Monitoring process (continued) 

Annually 
The  Company  prepares  on  an  annual  basis  its  report  on  Internal  Liquidity  Adequacy  Assessment  Process 
(ILAAP). 

As  part  of  the  Company’s  procedures  for  monitoring  and  managing  liquidity  risk,  there  is  a  Group  Liquidity 
Contingency  Plan  for  handling  liquidity  difficulties.    The  plan  details  the  steps  to  be  taken  in  the  event  that 
liquidity  problems  arise,  which  escalate  to  a  special  meeting  of  the  extended  ALCO.    The  plan  sets  out  the 
members  of  this  Committee  and  a  series  of  the  possible  actions  that  can  be  taken.    This  plan,  as  well  as  the 
Group’s Liquidity Policy, is reviewed by ALCO at least annually, during the ILAAP review. The ALCO submits the 
updated  policy  with  its  recommendations  to  the  Board  through  the  Board  Risk  Committee  for  approval.  The 
approved policy is notified to the SSM. 

Liquidity ratios 

The Company liquidity ratio presented in the table below, is calculated for management information purposes, 
based on the CBC methodology for the Euro stock liquidity ratio.  The ratio is calculated as the amount of liquid 
assets to total deposits and other liabilities falling due within twelve months.  Liquid assets are defined as cash, 
interbank deposits maturing within thirty days and eligible debt and equity securities at haircuts prescribed by 
the  regulatory  authorities.    Total  deposits  comprise  all  customer  deposits  irrespective  of  maturity  and  other 
liabilities include all non-customer deposit/liabilities due to be paid in the next twelve months. 

The  Company  liquidity  ratio  is  prepared  monthly  by  Market  Risk  and  monitored  by  ALCO.    Each  banking  unit 
has its own required limit for this ratio and is monitored accordingly: for the operations in Cyprus, two separate 
ratios  are  calculated;  one  for  Euro  and  one  for  foreign  currencies  and  the  required  limit  is  20%  for  Euro  and 
70% for foreign currencies.  For the other banking units the minimum requirement is at 15%. 

It is noted that in the calculation of this ratio, as well as for the CBC regulatory reports, ELA is treated as a long 
term liability. 

The Company’s liquidity ratio was as follows: 

End of reporting year 

Average monthly ratio 

Highest monthly ratio 

Lowest monthly ratio 

2016 

% 

2015 

% 

15,06 

14,67 

15,46 

12,60 

16,53 

16,19 

19,50 

13,30 

The  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  the  regulatory  liquidity  requirements  with  respect  to  its 
operations in Cyprus and the Group is currently not in compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements with 
respect to the LCR and therefore is dependent on continuing regulatory forbearance.   

As  at  31  December  2016  and  2015  the  other  banking  units  of  the  Company  were  in  compliance  with  their 
regulatory liquidity requirements. 

301 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Liquidity ratios (continued) 

The ratio of loans and advances to customer deposits is presented below: 

End of reporting year 

Average quarterly ratio 

Highest quarterly ratio 

Lowest quarterly ratio 

Sources of funding 

2016 

% 

2015 

% 

95,14 

111,96 

125,74 

95,14 

125,74 

142,14 

152,69 

125,74 

During  the  year  of  2016,  the  Company’s  main  sources  of  liquidity  were  its  deposit  base  and  central  bank 
funding, either through the Eurosystem monetary policy operations or through ELA.  

Reliance  on  ELA  funding  was  reduced  from  its  peak  of  €11,4  billion  in  April  2013  to  €200  million  as  at  31 
December 2016 (2015: €3,8 billion) (Note 29). ELA was fully repaid on 5 January 2017. 

The liquidity received from central banks is subject to the relevant regulations and requires qualifying assets as 
collateral.     

The  funding  provided  to  the  Company  through  ELA  is  short  term,  usually  2-4  weeks.    The  funding  via 
Eurosystem monetary policy operations ranges from short term to long term.  

In 2014, the Company participated in the TLTRO of the ECB for an amount of €500 million. On 29 June 2016 
the  Company  repaid  the  amount  borrowed  through  the  TLTRO  amounting  to  €500  million  and  borrowed  the 
same  amount  from  the  MRO.  In  December  2016,  the  Company  borrowed  an  amount  of  €600  million  through 
the  new  series  of  TLTRO  (TLTRO  II)  announced  by  the  ECB  in  March  2016.  Additionally,  an  amount  of  €50 
million was borrowed through the LTRO. As a result, in December 2016 all the ECB funding that was borrowed 
through the MRO, was switched to longer term funding. 

In  May  2016,  the  Company  raised  new  funding  from  the  ECB  using  as  collateral  a  pool  of  housing  loans  that 
satisfy  the  criteria  of  the  Additional  Credit  Claims  as  set  out  in  accordance  with  the  Implementation  of  the 
Eurosystem Monetary Policy Framework Directives of 2015 and 2016. 

Funding to subsidiaries 

The funding provided by the Company to its subsidiaries for liquidity purposes is repayable as per the terms of 
the  respective  agreements.    For  lending  provided  for  capital  purposes  (subordinated  loan  stocks)  the  prior 
approval of the regulator is usually required on any repayment before the maturity date and for Bank of Cyprus 
UK  Ltd  approval  is  also  required  for  the  final  repayment.  The  Company’s  subsidiary  Bank  of  Cyprus  UK  Ltd 
cannot place funds with the Group in excess of maximum limits set by the local regulator.  

Any new funding to subsidiaries requires approval from the ECB and the CBC. 

The  subsidiaries  may  proceed  with  dividend  distributions  in  the  form  of  cash  to  the  Company,  provided  that 
they  are  not  in  breach  of  their  regulatory  capital  and  liquidity  requirements.  Certain  subsidiaries  have  a 
recommendation from their regulator to avoid any dividend distribution at this point in time. 

302 

 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Collateral requirements 

The  carrying  values  of  the  Company’s  encumbered  assets  as  at  31  December  2016  and  2015  are 
summarised below: 

Cash and other liquid assets  

Investments 

Loans and advances  

Property 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

139.975 

358.252 

154.896 

891.701 

2.609.248 

12.882.139 

93.574 

93.500 

3.201.049 

14.022.236 

Cash  is  mainly  used  to  cover  collateral  required  for  (i)  derivatives  and  repurchase  transactions  and  (ii)  trade 
finance transactions and guarantees issued. It is also used as part of the supplementary assets for the covered 
bond.  

Investments  are  mainly  used  as  collateral  for  repurchase  transactions  with  commercial  banks  as  well  as 
supplementary assets for the covered bond. 

Loans and advances indicated as encumbered as at 31 December 2016 and 2015 are mainly used as collateral 
for funding from the CBC, the covered bond and the ECB. 

As at 31 December 2016 loans and advances to customers include loans of a nominal amount of €787 million 
(2015: €14.763 million) in Cyprus, which are pledged as collateral for ELA. Additionally, they include mortgage 
loans of a nominal amount €1.002 million (2015: €1.004 million) in Cyprus, which are pledged as collateral for 
the  covered  bond  issued  by  the  Company  in  2011  under  the  Covered  Bond  Programme.  Furthermore  they 
include  housing  loans  of  a  nominal  amount  €765  million  (2015:  €nil)  in  Cyprus  pledged  as  collateral  for  the 
funding from the ECB (Note 29). 

In August 2016, the Company cancelled two own-issued bonds guaranteed by the Republic of Cyprus of €500 
million each.  The bonds bore an annual fixed interest rate at 5%.  The bonds were guaranteed by the Republic 
of  Cyprus  and  were  issued  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  legislation  and  decrees  on  the  ‘Granting  of 
Government Guarantees for the Conclusion of Loans and/or the Issue of Bonds by Credit Institutions Law’.  No 
liability from the issue of these bonds was presented in debt securities in issue in the balance sheet as all the 
bonds  were  held  by  the  Company.    The  bonds  were  listed  on  the  CSE  and  were  pledged  as  collateral  for 
obtaining  funding  from  central  banks.    One  of  the  bonds  was  released  in  June  2016  from  the  ELA  pool  of 
collateralised  assets.    After  taking  into  consideration  the  significant  reduction  of  ELA  funding,  the  Board  of 
Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 16 August 2016, decided to proceed with the cancellation of 
the two bonds.  Given the decision for the cancellation, the CBC released the second bond on 19 August 2016.  
The  two  bonds  were  cancelled  on  25  August  2016,  following  the  approval/consent  from  the  competent 
authorities.   

The  Company  maintains  a  Covered  Bond  Programme  set  up  under  the  Cyprus  Covered  Bonds  legislation  and 
the Covered Bonds Directive of the CBC. 

Under  the  Programme,  the  Company  issued  in  December  2011  covered  bonds  of  €1.000  million.  The  covered 
bonds  issued  had  a  maturity  of  three  years  with  a  potential  extension  of  their  repayment  by  one  year,  bore 
interest at the three month Euribor plus 1,25% on a quarterly basis and were traded on the Luxemburg Bourse.  

The terms of the €1.000 million covered bond secured by residential mortgage loans originated in Cyprus were 
amended in June 2014 and the maturity date changed to 12 June 2017 with a potential extension of one year 
and the interest rate to three month Euribor plus 3,25% on a quarterly basis.  All the bonds issued are held by 
the Company.   

303 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Collateral requirements (continued) 

On 29 September 2015, the terms of the Covered Bond Programme and the outstanding €1.000 million covered 
bond  were  amended  to  a  Conditional  Pass–Through  structure.   As  part  of  the  restructuring,  the  outstanding 
principal of the retained covered bond was reduced to €650 million with a new maturity date of 12 December 
2018. The credit rating of the covered bond was upgraded to an investment grade rating and the covered bond 
has become eligible collateral for the Eurosystem credit operations.   

As from 2 October 2015, it has been placed as collateral for accessing funding from the ECB.  

Recent developments 

The credit ratings of the Republic of Cyprus by the main credit rating agencies continue to be below investment 
grade.   As  a  result,  the  ECB  is  no  longer  able  to  include  Cyprus  Government  Bonds  in  its  asset  purchase 
programme, or as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary operations, as was the case when the waiver for 
collateral eligibility due to the country being under an economic adjustment programme existed.    

In  August,  October  and  December  2016  the  CBC  has  released  loans  and  advances  with  contractual  value  of  
€2 billion, €2,5 billion and €7,3 billion respectively held as collateral for ELA.  

Following  the  full  repayment  of  ELA  on  5  January  2017,  all  ELA  collateralised  loans  have  subsequently  been 
released, but ELA pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017. 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity 

The analysis of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities based on the remaining contractual maturity at 31 
December  is  based  on  undiscounted  cash  flows,  analysed  in  time  bands  according  to  the  number  of  days 
remaining from 31 December to the contractual maturity date. 

Financial assets 
The  analysis  of  financial  assets  does  not  include  any  interest  receivable  cash  flows.    Financial  assets  have  a 
much longer duration than financial liabilities and non-discounted interest receivable cash flows are higher than 
non-discounted  interest  payable  cash  flows  (based  on  remaining  contractual  maturity).    As  a  result,  non-
discounted cash inflows from interest receivable would have greatly exceeded non-discounted cash outflows on 
interest payable, thus artificially improving liquidity.  

Current  accounts,  overdrafts  and  amounts  in  arrears  are  included  within  the  first  maturity  time  band  which 
reflects their contractual maturity.  All other loans and advances to customers are analysed according to their 
contractual repayment schedule. 

Loans and advances to banks are analysed in the time bands according to the number of days remaining from  
31 December, until their contractual maturity date.  Amounts placed as collateral (primarily for derivatives and 
loans)  are  assigned  to  different  time  bands  based  on  either  their  maturity  (in  the  case  of  loans),  or 
proportionally according to the maturities of derivatives (where the collateral had no fixed maturity). 

Financial  assets  with  no  contractual  maturity  (such  as  equity  securities)  are  included  in  the  ‘over  five  years’ 
time band, unless classified as at fair value through profit or loss, in which case they are included in the ‘up to 
one month’ time band. 

The investments are classified in the relevant time band according to their contractual maturity. 

Financial liabilities  
All financial liabilities for the repayment of which notice is required, are included in the relevant time bands as if 
notice  had  been  given  on  31  December,  despite  the  fact  that  the  Company  expects  that  the  majority  of  its 
customers  will  not  demand  repayment  of  such  liabilities  on  the  earliest  possible  date.    Fixed  deposits  are 
classified  in  time  bands  based  on  their  contractual  maturity.    Although  customers  may  demand  repayment  of 
time  deposits  (subject  to  penalties  depending  on  the  type  of  the  deposit  account),  the  Company  has  the 
discretion not to accept such early termination of deposits.   

The amounts presented in the table below are not equal to the amounts presented on the balance sheet, since 
the table below presents all cash flows (including interest to maturity) on an undiscounted basis. 

304 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

Derivative financial instruments 
Derivative financial instruments were classified according to whether the settlement of cash flows occurs on a 
net or gross basis.   

For net settled derivatives, after offset of receivable and payable amounts, the fair value of the derivatives is 
included in financial assets or in financial liabilities in the time band corresponding to the remaining maturity of 
the derivative. 

Gross  settled  derivatives  or  net  settled  derivatives  that  are  hedging  instruments  in  cash  flow  hedges  are 
presented  in  a  separate  table  and  the  corresponding  cash  flows  are  classified  accordingly  in  the  time  bands 
which relate to the number of days until their receipt or payment. 

Commitments and contingent liabilities 
The limits of loans and advances are commitments to provide credit to customers.  The limits are granted for 
predetermined  periods  and  can  be  cancelled  by  the  Company  after  giving  relevant  notice  to  the  customers.  
Usually the customers do not fully utilise the limits granted to them.   

2016 

Financial assets 
Cash and balances with 
central banks 
Loans and advances to 
banks 
Investments at fair 
value through profit or 
loss 
Loans and advances to 
customers 
Fair value of net settled 
derivative assets 
Non-trading investments 

Other assets 
Balances with Group 
companies  

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

€000 

Between 
one and 
three 
months 
€000 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 
€000 

Between 
one and 
five years 

Over five 
years 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1.207.967 

26.213 

29.157 

4.016 

- 

1.267.353 

776.854 

10.056 

9.725 

172.674 

15.567 

984.876 

826 

8.740 

1.686 

- 

550 

11.802 

5.964.788 

189.555 

510.167 

2.868.771 

4.819.279  14.352.560 

17.829 

7.282 

5.572 

2.701 

6.453 

6.126 

59 

158 

87 

20.834 

42.009 

18.271 

326.663 

238.826 

621.233 

66.099 

- 

96.068 

24.371 

60.690 

74.351 

1.148.224 

57.346 

1.364.982 

Total financial assets 

8.005.489 

310.534 

685.425  4.586.605  5.131.655  18.719.708 

Financial liabilities 

Deposits by banks 
Funding from central 
banks 
Repurchase agreements 

Customer deposits 
Fair value of net settled 
derivative liabilities 
Other liabilities 
Balances with Group 
companies  
Total undiscounted 
financial liabilities 

313.934 

1.955 

32.731 

- 

83.812 

432.432 

200.014 

50.000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

600.000 

- 

850.014 

285.838 

9.188 

295.026 

8.298.556 

2.875.301 

2.925.752 

1.040.415 

4.193  15.144.217 

7.955 

1.010 

53 

31.687 

7.504 

48.209 

85.828 

11.479 

24.809 

4.591 

2.296 

129.003 

91.935 

25.819 

15.729 

369.162 

- 

502.645 

8.998.222  2.965.564  2.999.074  2.331.693 

106.993  17.401.546 

305 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued)  

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

2015 

Financial assets 

Cash and balances with 
central banks 
Loans and advances to 
banks 
Investments at fair 
value through profit or 
loss 
Loans and advances to 
customers 
Fair value of net settled 
derivative assets 

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between 
one and 
three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between 
one and 
five years 

Over five 
years 

Total 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

1.062.261 

20.744 

27.939 

410 

-  1.111.354 

858.603 

6.745 

36.774 

191.869 

18.346  1.112.337 

1.378 

- 

6.719 

10.711 

919 

19.727 

6.884.219 

172.935 

880.654 

2.945.186 

5.122.884  16.005.878 

12.615 

733 

590 

39 

45 

14.022 

Non-trading investments 

44.922 

51.367 

203.219 

452.953 

161.475 

913.936 

Other assets 

9.819 

5.837 

6.999 

123.322 

- 

145.977 

Balances with Group 
companies  

58.542 

56.813 

77.322 

493.237 

49.665 

735.579 

Total financial assets 

8.932.359 

315.174  1.240.216  4.217.727  5.353.334  20.058.810 

Financial liabilities 

Deposits by banks 

177.080 

Funding from central 
banks 

3.953.955 

- 

- 

16.808 

8.505 

38.395 

240.788 

- 

502.846 

-  4.456.801 

Repurchase agreements 

- 

29.826 

82.217 

288.676 

9.679 

410.398 

Customer deposits 

7.166.893 

2.034.743 

3.239.117 

350.412 

2.658  12.793.823 

Debt securities in issue 

- 

- 

712 

- 

- 

712 

Fair value of net settled 
derivative liabilities 

6.865 

3.658 

5.266 

33.826 

4.544 

54.159 

Other liabilities 

60.651 

11.692 

27.217 

4.677 

2.338 

106.575 

Balances with Group 
companies  
Total undiscounted 
financial liabilities 

160.843 

23.634 

14.814 

371.916 

- 

571.207 

11.526.287  2.103.553  3.386.151  1.560.858 

57.614  18.634.463 

306 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued)  

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between 
one and 
three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between 
one and 
five years 

Over five 
years 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

669.186 

164.669 

1.531 

(652.202) 

(161.871) 

(1.497) 

16.984 

2.798 

34 

1.060.998 

188.662 

1.498 

(1.070.866) 

(190.401) 

(1.526) 

(9.868) 

(1.739) 

(28) 

2.790 

2.483 

1.140 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

835.386 

(815.570) 

19.816 

- 

1.251.158 

-  (1.262.793) 

- 

(11.635) 

- 

6.413 

160.531 

153.096 

242.952 

152.890 

87.602 

797.071 

2016 

Gross settled 
derivatives 

Financial assets 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable 

Financial liabilities 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable 

Contingent liabilities 
and commitments 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and 
endorsements 

Guarantees 

Commitments 

Documentary credits 

4.649 

6.824 

14.190 

287 

1.686 

27.636 

Undrawn formal standby 
facilities, credit lines and 
other commitments to 
lend 

2.020.255 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.020.255 

2.188.225 

162.403 

258.282 

153.177 

89.288 

2.851.375 

307 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

43. 

Risk management – Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

Analysis of financial assets and liabilities based on remaining contractual maturity (continued) 

On demand 
and up to 
one month 

Between 
one and 
three 
months 

Between 
three 
months and 
one year 

Between 
one and 
five years 

Over five 
years 

Total  

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

931.730 

57.648 

1.196 

(920.083) 

(56.874) 

(1.175) 

11.647 

774 

21 

408.995 

160.095 

167.212 

(414.868) 

(161.442) 

(169.407) 

(5.873) 

(1.347) 

(2.195) 

2.243 

2.750 

2.048 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

990.574 

(978.132) 

12.442 

736.302 

(745.717) 

(9.415) 

- 

7.041 

66.251 

140.400 

245.352 

254.419 

86.461 

792.883 

2015 

Gross settled 
derivatives 

Financial assets 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable 

Financial liabilities 

Contractual amounts 
receivable 
Contractual amounts 
payable 

Contingent liabilities 
and commitments 

Contingent liabilities 

Acceptances and 
endorsements 

Guarantees 

Commitments 

Documentary credits 

2.259 

8.028 

4.116 

2.643 

1.395 

18.441 

Undrawn formal standby 
facilities, credit lines and 
other commitments to 
lend 

2.069.128 

- 

- 

- 

-  2.069.128 

2.139.881 

151.178 

251.516 

257.062 

87.856  2.887.493 

308 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

44.   

Capital management 

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory 
capital  requirements  and  to  maintain  strong  credit  ratings  and  healthy  capital  adequacy  ratios  in  order  to 
support its business and maximise shareholder value. 

The capital adequacy regulations which govern the Group’s operations are established by the CBC/ECB. 

The Company has complied with the minimum capital requirements (Pillar I and Pillar II) during 2016. 

The  Pillar  3  Disclosures  Report  (unaudited)  of  the  Group  required  with  respect  to  the  requirements  of  the 
Capital Requirement Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 is published on the Group’s website www.bankofcyprus.com 
(Investor Relations). 

45. 

Related party transactions 

Loans and advances to members of the 
Board of Directors and connected persons: 
-  less than 1% of the Company’s net assets       

per director 

Loans and advances to other key 
management personnel and connected 
persons 
Total loans and advances as at 31 
December 

Loans and advances as at 31 December: 

- members of the Board of Directors and other 
  key management personnel 

- connected persons 

Interest income for the year 

Deposits as at 31 December: 

-  members of the Board of Directors and 

 other key management personnel 

-  connected persons 

Interest expense on deposits for the year 

Accruals and other liabilities as at 31 
December: 
-  balances with entity providing key 
management personnel services 

Staff costs, consultancy and restructuring 
expenses 

2016 
Number of directors  

2015 

2016 
€000 

2015 
€000 

10 

10 

9 

9 

314 

314 

369 

369 

2.955 

3.871 

3.269 

4.240 

2.811 

458 

3.269 

112 

2.981 

3.559 

6.540 

69 

3.354 

886 

4.240 

138 

3.366 

3.147 

6.513 

187 

2.635 

4.957 

10.782 

10.693 

309 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

45. 

Related party transactions (continued) 

The above table does not include year-end balances for members of the Board of Directors and their connected 
persons who resigned during the year. 

Interest  income  and  expense  are  disclosed  for  the  period  during  which  they  were  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors or served as key management personnel. 

In addition to loans and advances, there were contingent liabilities and commitments in respect of members of 
the Board of Directors and their connected persons, mainly in the form of documentary credits, guarantees and 
commitments to lend, amounting to €61 thousand (2015: €135 thousand). As at 31 December 2016 and 2015, 
none of the directors or their connected persons had total loans and advances which exceeded 1% of the net 
assets  of  the  Company  per  director.  There  were  also  contingent  liabilities  and  commitments  to  other  key 
management personnel and their connected persons amounting to €385 thousand (2015: €856 thousand).   

The total unsecured amount of the loans and advances and contingent liabilities and commitments to members 
of  the  Board  of  Directors,  key  management  personnel  and  other  connected  persons  (using  forced-sale  values 
for tangible collaterals and assigning no value to other types of collaterals) at 31 December 2016 amounted to 
€635 thousand (2015: €1.094 thousand). 

At 31 December 2016 the Company has a deposit of €4.370 thousand with Piraeus Bank SA in which Mr Arne 
Berggren is a non-executive Director.  The Company has also provided certain indemnities to Piraeus Bank SA 
as part of the disposal of Kyprou Leasing SA in 2015 (Note 47.3.3). 

There were no transactions during the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015 with connected persons of the 
current members of the Board of Directors or with any members who resigned during the two years. 

Connected  persons  include  spouses,  minor  children  and  companies  in  which  directors/other  key  management 
personnel,  hold  directly  or  indirectly,  at  least  20%  of  the  voting  shares  in  a  general  meeting,  or  act  as 
executive director or exercise control of the entities in any way. 

Additional  to  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  related  parties  include  entities  providing  key  management 
personnel services to the Company. 

All  transactions  with  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  their  connected  persons  are  made  on  normal 
business terms as for comparable transactions with customers of a similar credit standing.  A number of loans 
and  advances  have  been  extended  to  other  key  management  personnel  and  their  connected  persons  on  the 
same terms as those applicable to the rest of the Company’s employees. 

Fees and emoluments of members of the Board of Directors and other key management personnel 

Director emoluments 
Executives 
Salaries and other short term benefits 
Employer’s contributions 
Retirement benefit plan costs 

Non-executives 
Fees 

Total directors’ emoluments 

Other key management personnel emoluments 
Salaries and other short term benefits 
Termination benefits 
Employer’s contributions 
Retirement benefit plan costs 

Total other key management personnel emoluments 

Total 

310 

2016 
€000 

2015 
€000 

1.848 
110 
168 

2.126 

861 

2.987 

2.693 
200 
140 
121 

3.154 

6.141 

1.061 
66 
128 

1.255 

818 

2.073 

3.084 
- 
139 
149 

3.372 

5.445 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

45. 

Related party transactions (continued) 

Fees and emoluments of members of the Board of Directors and other key management personnel 
(continued) 

Fees and benefits are included for the period that they serve as members of the Board of Directors. 

The  termination  benefits  relate  to  compensation  paid  to  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  who  left  the 
Group under the voluntary exit plan. 

Executive Directors 
The salaries and other short term benefits of the Executive Directors are analysed as follows: 

John Patrick Hourican (Chief Executive Officer) 

Christodoulos Patsalides (Deputy Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Operating Officer) 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

1.652 

196 

1.848 

910 

151 

1.061 

The  retirement  benefit  plan  costs  for  2016  amounting  to  €168  thousand  (2015:  €128  thousand)  relate  to: 
Mr John Patrick Hourican €150 thousand (2015: €110 thousand) and Dr Christodoulos Patsalides  €18 thousand 
(2015: €18 thousand).  

Non-executive Directors 

Josef Ackermann 

Wilbur L. Ross Jr. 

Vladimir Strzhalkovskiy 

Arne Berggren 

Maksim Goldman 

Michalis Spanos 

Ioannis Zographakis 

Marios Kalochoritis 

Michael Heger 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

150 

120 

- 

115 

120 

100 

115 

90 

51 

861 

150 

120 

21 

107 

116 

100 

115 

89 

- 

818 

The fees of the non-executive Directors include fees as members of the Board of Directors of the Company, as 
well as of committees of the Board of Directors.   

Other key management personnel 
The other key management personnel emoluments include the remuneration of the members of the Executive 
Committee since the date of their appointment to the Committee and other members of the management team 
who report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating 
Officer. 

311 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

46. 

Group companies 

The  main  subsidiary  companies  and  branches  of  the  Company,  their  country  of  incorporation,  their  activities 
and the percentage held by the Company (directly or indirectly) as at 31 December 2016 are: 

Company 

Country 

Activities 

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd 

Cyprus 

Commercial bank 

The Cyprus Investment and Securities 
Corporation Ltd (CISCO) 

Cyprus 

Investment banking,  
asset management and brokerage 

General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd 

Cyprus 

General insurance  

EuroLife Ltd 

Kermia Ltd 

Cyprus 

Life insurance  

Cyprus 

Property trading and development 

Kermia Properties & Investments Ltd 

Cyprus 

Property trading and development 

Cytrustees Investment Public Company 
Ltd  

Cyprus 

Closed-end investment company 

Finerose Properties Ltd  

Cyprus 

Financing services 

LCP Holdings and Investments Public Ltd 
(formerly Laiki Capital Public Co Ltd) 

JCC Payment Systems Ltd 

Cyprus 

Holding company 

Cyprus 

Card processing transaction 
services 

CLR Investment Fund Public Ltd 

Cyprus 

Investment company 

Auction Yard Ltd 

Cyprus 

Auction company 

BOC Secretarial Company Ltd 

Cyprus 

Secretarial services  

S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd 
(branch of the Company) 
Kyprou Zois  
(branch of EuroLife Ltd) 
Kyprou Asfalistiki (branch of General 
Insurance of Cyprus Ltd) 

Bank of Cyprus UK Ltd  

BOC Financial Services Ltd  

Bank of Cyprus Romania (branch of the 
Company) 

Cyprus 

Greece 

Land development and operation 
of a golf resort 
Administration  of  guarantees  and 
holding of real estate properties 

Greece 

Life insurance  

Greece 

General insurance  

United 
Kingdom 
United 
Kingdom 

Commercial bank 

Financial advisory services 

Romania 

Commercial bank 

Cyprus Leasing S.A. (formerly Cyprus 
Leasing Romania IFN SA) 

Romania 

MC Investment Assets Management LLC  

Russia 

Collection of the existing portfolio 
of receivables, including third 
party collections 
Problem asset management 
company 

Kyprou Finance (NL) B.V. 

Netherlands  Financing services 

Fortuna Astrum Ltd 

Serbia 

Problem asset management 
company 

Percentage 
holding  
(%) 

n/a 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

  54 

100 

67 

75 

20 

100 

100 

70 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

100 

100 

n/a 

100 

100 

100 

100 

312 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

46. 

Group companies (continued) 

In  addition  to  the  above  companies,  at  31  December  2016  the  Company  had  100%  shareholding  in  the 
companies listed below whose activity is the ownership and management of immovable property:  

Cyprus:  Timeland  Properties  Ltd,  Cobhan  Properties  Ltd,  Bramwell  Properties  Ltd,  Birkdale  Properties  Ltd, 
Newington Properties Ltd, Innerwick Properties Ltd, Ramendi Properties Ltd, Ligisimo Properties Ltd, Moonland 
Properties  Ltd,  Polkima  Properties  Ltd,  Nalmosa  Properties  Ltd,  Smooland  Properties  Ltd,  Emovera  Properties 
Ltd,  Estaga  Properties  Ltd,  Skellom  Properties  Ltd,  Blodar  Properties  Ltd,  Spaceglowing  Properties  Ltd, 
Threefield Properties Ltd, Lepidoland Properties Ltd, Ecunaland Properties Ltd, Tebane Properties Ltd, Cranmer 
Properties  Ltd,  Vieman  Ltd,  Les  Coraux  Estates  Ltd,  Natakon  Company  Ltd,  Oceania  Ltd,  Dominion  Industries 
Ltd,  Ledra  Estate  Ltd,  Eurolife  Properties  Ltd, Laiki Lefkothea  Center  Ltd,  Labancor  Ltd,  Steparco  Ltd,  Joberco 
Ltd, Zecomex Ltd, Domita Estates Ltd, Memdes Estates Ltd, Pamaco Platres Complex Ltd, Vameron Properties 
Ltd, Thryan Properties Ltd, Otoba Properties Ltd, Edoric Properties Ltd, Canosa Properties Ltd, Silen Properties 
Ltd,  Kernland  Properties  Ltd,  Unduma  Properties  Ltd,  Danoma  Properties  Ltd,  Kimrar  Properties  Ltd,  Jobelis 
Properties  Ltd,  Metin  Properties  Ltd,  Pekiro  Properties  Ltd,  Melsolia  Properties  Ltd,  Nimoland  Properties  Ltd, 
Lozzaria  Properties  Ltd,  Koralmon  Properties  Ltd,  Petrassimo  Properties  Ltd,  Kedonian  Properties  Ltd,  Lasteno 
Properties  Ltd,  Armozio  Properties  Ltd,  Spacous  Properties  Ltd,  Calinora  Properties  Ltd,  Marcozaco  Properties 
Ltd,  Soluto  Properties  Ltd,  Solomaco  Properties  Ltd,  Linaland  Properties  Ltd,  Andaz  Properties  Ltd,  Unital 
Properties  Ltd,  Neraland  Properties  Ltd,  Canemia  Properties  Ltd,  Wingstreet  Properties  Ltd,  Nolory  Properties 
Ltd,  Lynoco  Properties  Ltd,  Renalandia  Properties  Ltd,  Fitrus  Properties  Ltd,  Lisbo  Properties  Ltd,  Mantinec 
Properties  Ltd,  Syniga  Properties  Ltd,  Colar  Properties  Ltd,  Irisa  Properties  Ltd,  Valiro  Properties  Ltd,  Avolo 
Properties Ltd, Bracando Properties Ltd, Provezaco Properties Ltd, Hillbay Properties Ltd, Jungax Properties Ltd, 
Ofraco Properties Ltd, Forenaco Properties Ltd, Vidalaco Properties Ltd, Jemina Properties Ltd, Hovita Properties 
Ltd,  Flitous  Properties  Ltd,  Badrul  Properties  Ltd,  Belaland  Properties  Ltd,  Belzeco  Properties  Ltd,  Bothwick 
Properties  Ltd,  Fireford  Properties  Ltd,  Citlali  Properties  Ltd,  Endar  Properties  Ltd,  Astromeria  Properties  Ltd, 
Orzo  Properties  Ltd,  Basiga  Properties  Ltd,  Regetona  Properties  Ltd,  Arcandello  Properties  Ltd,  Sylvesta 
Properties  Ltd,  Camela  Properties  Ltd,  Nerofarm  Properties  Ltd,  Subworld  Properties  Ltd,  Jongeling  Properties 
Ltd,  Introserve  Properties  Ltd,  Alomco  Properties  Ltd,  Cereas  Properties  Ltd,  Fareland  Properties  Ltd,  Landeed 
Properties Ltd, Sindelaco Properties Ltd, Barosca Properties Ltd, Fogland Properties Ltd, Tebasco Properties Ltd, 
Dolapo Properties Ltd, Homirova Properties Ltd, Nabela Properties Ltd, Valecross Properties Ltd, Altco Properties 
Ltd,  Forsban  Properties  Ltd,  Marisaco  Properties  Ltd,  Olivero  Properties  Ltd,  Cavadino  Properties  Ltd,  Jaselo 
Properties  Ltd,  Elosa  Properties  Ltd,  Garveno  Properties  Ltd,  Flona  Properties  Ltd,  Toreva  Properties  Ltd, 
Resoma  Properties  Ltd,  Singleserve  Properties  Ltd,  Consento  Properties  Ltd,  Mostero  Properties  Ltd,  Helal 
Properties Ltd, Yossi Properties Ltd, Gozala Properties Ltd, Molla Properties Ltd, Lezanco Properties Ltd, Pendalo 
Properties Ltd, Frontyard Properties Ltd, Bascot Properties Ltd, Bonsova Properties Ltd, Nasebia Properties Ltd, 
Vanemar  Properties  Ltd,  Garmozy  Properties  Ltd,  Orasmo  Properties  Ltd,  Palmco  Properties  Ltd,  Crolandia 
Properties Ltd, Thermano Properties Ltd, Indene Properties Ltd, Ingane Properties Ltd, Venicous Properties Ltd, 
Lasmane  Properties  Ltd,  Lorman  Properties  Ltd,  Caruzoco  Properties  Ltd,  Consoly  Properties  Ltd,  Eracor 
Properties  Ltd,  Alomnia  Properties  Ltd,  Rulemon  Properties  Ltd,  Thelemic  Properties  Ltd,  Maledico  Properties 
Ltd,  Dentorio  Properties  Ltd,  Valioco  Properties  Ltd,  Bascone  Properties  Ltd,  Balisimo  Properties  Ltd,  Artozaco 
Properties Ltd, Elizano Properties Ltd and K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd. 

Romania:  Otherland  Properties  Dorobanti  SRL,  Pittsburg  Properties  SRL,  Battersee  Real  Estate  SRL,  Trecoda 
Real Estate SRL, Green Hills Properties SRL, Bocaland Properties SRL, Buchuland Properties SRL, Commonland 
Properties  SRL,  Romaland  Properties  SRL,  Janoland  Properties  SRL,  Blindingqueen  Properties  SRL,  Fledgego 
Properties  SRL,  Hotel  New  Montana  SRL,  Loneland  Properties  SRL,  Frozenport  Properties  SRL,  Imoreth 
Properties  SRL,  Inroda  Properties  SRL,  Melgred  Properties  SRL,  Tantora  Properties  SRL,  Zunimar  Properties 
SRL, Allioma Properties SRL and Nikaba Properties SRL. 

Further, at 31 December 2016 the Company had 100% shareholding in Iperi Properties Ltd, Obafemi Holdings 
Ltd, Stamoland Properties Ltd and Gosman Properties Ltd whose main activities are the holding of shares and 
other investments and they are registered in Cyprus. 

At 31 December 2016 the Company had 100% shareholding in the companies listed below which are reserved 
to accept property:  

313 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

46. 

Group companies (continued) 

Cyprus: Belvesi Properties Ltd, Warmbaths Properties Ltd, Tavoni Properties Ltd, Tezia Properties Ltd, Carnota 
Properties  Ltd,  Demoro  Properties  Ltd,  Primaco  Properties  Ltd,  Amary  Properties  Ltd,  Hamura  Properties  Ltd, 
Gileco  Properties  Ltd,  Meriaco  Properties  Ltd,  Venetolio  Properties  Ltd,  Flymoon  Properties  Ltd,  Senadaco 
Properties  Ltd,  Desogus  Properties  Ltd,  Intelamon  Properties  Ltd,  Weinar  Properties  Ltd,  Holstone  Properties 
Ltd,  Balasec  Properties  Ltd,  Nouralia  Properties  Ltd,  Mazima  Properties  Ltd,  Diafor  Properties  Ltd,  Prosilia 
Properties  Ltd,  Fantasio  Properties  Ltd,  Lancast  Properties  Ltd,  Alepar  Properties  Ltd,  Nelipo  Properties  Ltd, 
Allodica  Properties  Ltd,  Resocot  Properties  Ltd,  Jomento  Properties  Ltd,  Soblano  Properties  Ltd,  Talamon 
Properties  Ltd,  Unoplan  Properties  Ltd,  Paradexia  Properties  Ltd,  Rosalica  Properties  Ltd,  Zandexo  Properties 
Ltd,  Calandomo  Properties  Ltd,  Paramina  Properties  Ltd,  Cramonco  Properties  Ltd,  Bigwaive  Properties  Ltd, 
Tasabo Properties Ltd, Coeval Properties Ltd and Bendolio Properties Ltd. 

Romania: Mirodi Properties SRL, Nallora Properties SRL and Selilar Properties SRL. 

In addition, the Company holds 100% of the following intermediate holding companies: 

Cyprus:  Otherland  Properties  Ltd,  Pittsburg  Properties  Ltd,  Battersee  Properties  Ltd,  Trecoda  Properties  Ltd, 
Bonayia  Properties  Ltd,  Bocaland  Properties  Ltd,  Buchuland  Properties  Ltd,  Commonland  Properties  Ltd, 
Romaland Properties Ltd, BC Romanoland Properties Ltd, Blindingqueen Properties Ltd, Fledgego Properties Ltd, 
Janoland  Properties  Ltd,  Threerich  Properties  Ltd,  Loneland  Properties  Ltd,  Unknownplan  Properties  Ltd, 
Frozenport  Properties  Ltd,  Imoreth  Properties  Ltd,  Inroda  Properties  Ltd,  Melgred  Properties  Ltd,  Tantora 
Properties  Ltd,  Zunimar  Properties  Ltd,  Selilar  Properties  Ltd,  Mirodi  Properties  Ltd,  Nallora  Properties  Ltd, 
Nikaba Properties Ltd, Allioma Properties Ltd, Hydrobius Ltd and Landanafield Properties Ltd. 

The Group also holds 100% of the following companies which are inactive: 

Cyprus:  Laiki  Bank  (Nominees)  Ltd,  Fairford  Properties  Ltd,  Thames  Properties  Ltd,  Paneuropean  Ltd,  Philiki 
Ltd,  Cyprialife  Ltd,  Imperial  Life  Assurance  Ltd,  Philiki  Management  Services  Ltd,    Nelcon  Transport  Co.  Ltd, 
Ilera  Properties  Ltd,  Weinco  Properties  Ltd,  Calomland  Properties  Ltd,  Lameland  Properties  Ltd,  BOC  Asset 
Management Ltd and Pariza Properties Ltd. 

Greece: Kyprou Commercial SA and Kyprou Properties SA. 

All Group companies are accounted for as subsidiaries using the full consolidation method.  

Termination of the leasing activities of Cyprus Leasing Romania IFN SA 

On 26 September 2016 the shareholders of Cyprus Leasing Romania IFN SA decided to: 

  deregister the company from the Registry of non-banking financial institutions held by the National Bank of 

Romania, 
terminate the leasing and crediting activity of the company, and 

 
  change the name of the company to Cyprus Leasing S.A. 

As a consequence of the above, the main activity of the company is now the collection of the existing portfolio 
of receivables, including third party collections. 

The matter was approved by the National Bank of Romania on 21 November 2016. 

314 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

46. 

Group companies (continued) 

Change in the control holding of MC Investment Assets Management LLC 

In  the  context  of  the  disposal  of  the  majority  of  the  Russian  operations  in  September  2015,  the  Company 
increased its controlling interest in MC Investment Assets Management LLC to 100% from 80% during 2015. 

Control over CLR Investment Fund Public Ltd (CLR) without substantial shareholding 

The  Company  considers  that  it  exercises  control  over  CLR  through  control  of  the  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors and is exposed to variable returns through its holding. 

Dissolution and disposal of subsidiaries 

As at 31 December 2016, the following subsidiaries were in the process of dissolution or in the process of being 
struck  off:    Samarinda  Navigation  Co  Ltd,  Kyprou  Securities  SA,  BOC  Ventures  Ltd,  Tefkros  Investments  Ltd, 
Salecom Ltd, Longtail Properties Ltd, Diners Club (Cyprus) Ltd, Leasing Finance LLC, Corner LLC, Omiks Finance 
LLC, Unknownplan Properties SRL and Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd. 

Tefkros  Investments  (CI)  Ltd,  Bank  of  Cyprus  Mutual  Funds  Ltd,  Laiki  EDAK  Ltd,  Limestone  Holdings  Ltd  and 
Turnmill Properties Ltd were either dissolved or striken off during the year ended 31 December 2016.  Mainport 
Properties Ltd, Besadoco Properties Ltd, Odaina Properties Ltd, Icecastle Properties Ltd, Gilfront Properties Ltd, 
Glodas  Properties  Ltd,  Denmor  Properties  Ltd,  Benely  Properties  Ltd,  Arcozil  Properties  Ltd,  Varony  Properties 
Ltd, Coramono Properties Ltd, Galozy Properties Ltd, Primantela Properties Ltd, Browneye Properties Ltd, Givolo 
Properties Ltd, Kandoramo Properties Ltd and Cronaland Properties Ltd were disposed of during the year ended 
31 December 2016 as part of the Company’s strategy to dispose of repossessed properties.  

As  part  of  the  Company’s  strategy  of  focusing  on  its  core  businesses  and  markets,  the  Company  decided  the 
closure of the operations  of Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd and to relocate its business to other Group 
locations. The company’s licenses in Guernsey for banking and investment business have been surrendered, its 
capital has been repatriated to the Company and the company entered the process of liquidation in December 
2016. 

In accordance with the Group’s strategy to exit from overseas non-core operations, the operations of the Bank 
of Cyprus branch in Romania are expected to be terminated during 2017, subject to regulatory approvals.  The 
remaining assets and liabilities of the branch will be transferred to other entities of the Group. 

Carrying value of investments in subsidiaries 

1 January 

Additions (Note 47.1 and 47.2) 

Contribution to subsidiaries  

Reduction of share capital of subsidiaries 

2016 

€000 

2015 

€000 

207.781 

236.369 

47.962 

80 

(1.799) 

3.000 

- 

(613) 

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries (Note 14) 

(24.798) 

(30.455) 

Repatriation of capital 

Disposal of subsidiaries (Note 47.3) 

31 December 

(30.518) 

- 

- 

(520) 

198.708 

207.781 

315 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

47. 

Acquisitions and disposals 

47.1 

Acquisitions during 2016 

47.1.1  Acquisition of S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd 

In the context of its loan restructuring activities, the Company acquired on 15 June 2016 a 70% interest in the 
share  capital  of  S.Z.  Eliades  Leisure  Ltd  in  exchange  for  the  settlement  of  borrowings  due  from  it  of  a  total 
gross amount of €52.335 thousand. S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd operates in land development and the operation of 
a golf resort in Cyprus. The fair value of the consideration for the acquisition of the 70% share in S.Z. Eliades 
Leisure Ltd amounts to €43.758 thousand. The acquisition did not include any cash consideration. The Company 
considers that it controls S.Z. Eliades Leisure Ltd. 

47.1.2  Acquisition of K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd 

In  the  context  of  the  loan  restructuring  activities  of  the  parent  company  of  K.  Athienitis  Kalamon  Ltd,  the 
Company acquired on 23 December 2016 a 100% interest in the share capital of K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd.  K. 
Athienitis Kalamon Ltd operates in the development and rental of immovable property.   

The fair value of the consideration for the acquisition of the 100% share in K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd amounts 
to  €4.204  thousand,  which  is  also  the  cash  consideration  paid  for  the  acquisition  of  the  company.  Part  of  the 
consideration  paid  was  used  to  reduce  the  outstanding  loan  facilities  of  the  parent  company  of  K.  Athienitis 
Kalamon Ltd. The Company considers that it controls K. Athienitis Kalamon Ltd. 

47.2 

Acquisition during 2015 

47.2.1  Acquisition of shares of Laiki Financial Services Ltd (LFS)  

On  30  January  2015,  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  shareholders  of  LFS  approved  the  disposal  of  the 
shares  of  LFS  to  the  Company  for  a  consideration  of  €3  million.    Previously,  LFS  was  100%  owned  by  LCP 
Holdings and Investments Public Ltd (formerly Laiki Capital Public Co Ltd), a subsidiary of the Company.   

In  November  2015,  CISCO,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  issued  1.000  thousand  shares  of  a  nominal  value 
€1,71  each,  at  a  total  premium  of  €534  thousand,  for  the  transfer  of  the  Company’s  investment  in  LFS  to 
CISCO.  Following  the  transfer  of  shares,  LFS  was  dissolved,  without  liquidation,  under  the  Merger  and 
Reconstruction Scheme and its net assets were transferred to CISCO in accordance with a court order. 

47.3 

Disposals during 2015 

47.3.1  Disposal of the majority of the Company’s Russian operations  

On  25  September  2015,  the  Company  completed  the  disposal  of  the  majority  of  the  operations  of its Russian 
operations,  comprising  (i)  its  100%  holding  in  its  subsidiary,  BOC  Russia  (Holdings)  Ltd,  and  through  this  its 
80%  holding  in  its  Russian  banking  subsidiary,  CB  Uniastrum  Bank  LLC,  and  its  80%  holding  in  its  Russian 
leasing subsidiary, Leasing Company Uniastrum Leasing LLC and (ii) certain other Russian loan exposures. 

The transaction resulted in a loss on disposal of €31.479 thousand.  As part of the sales agreement, the parties 
agreed an asset swap arrangement which involved the exchange of certain assets between them that resulted 
in a €41.849 thousand receivable for the Company on the date of the transaction. 

Following the disposal of the above operations, the remaining net exposure of the Company as at 31 December 
2016 in Russia is €10.985 thousand, comprising primarily of customer loans.  

47.3.2  Disposal of Aphrodite group 

In  September  2015,  the  Company  completed  the  sale  of  shares  representing  a  65%  shareholding  in  the 
Aphrodite  Hills  Resort  Ltd  and  Aphrodite  Hills  (Lakkos  tou  Frangou)  Ltd,  for  the  amount  of  €500  thousand.  
Following the sale, the Company retained a 10% minority equity stake in the Aphrodite group.  The transaction 
also involved the restructuring of the debt owed by these companies to the Company.  

47.3.3  Disposal of Kyprou Leasing SA 

Following  the  disposal  of  the  Company’s  leasing  operations  in  Greece  to  Piraeus  Bank  SA  through  a  Decree 
issued on 26 March 2013, the Company completed the transfer of the legal ownership of its subsidiary, Kyprou 
Leasing  SA  to  Piraeus  Bank  SA  during  the  first  quarter  of  2015.    As  a  result,  certain  assets  and  liabilities  of 
Kyprou Leasing SA were undertaken by the Company.  

316 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

48. 

Events after the reporting date 

48.1 

New holding company and listing on the London Stock Exchange  

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was incorporated in the Republic of Ireland on 11 July 2016 
for  the  purposes  of  the  Group’s  listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  (LSE).  The  Republic  of  Ireland  was 
considered  to  be  the  most  suitable  jurisdiction  as  it  is  a  FTSE  eligible  Eurozone  country,  has  a  common  law 
legal  system  similar  to  that  of Cyprus and  is  a  commonly  adopted  jurisdiction  for  companies  wishing to  apply 
for  listing  on  the  LSE.  The  Company’s  headquarters,  management  and  operations  remain  in  Cyprus.  Bank  of 
Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company is tax resident in Cyprus.  

The  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  (EGM)  of  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  held  on  13  December  2016 
approved the scheme of arrangement between the Company, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company 
and the shareholders of the Company.  The scheme of arrangement introduces Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public 
Limited Company as the new holding company of the Company.  Additionally the EGM authorised the directors 
of the Company to take all actions necessary or appropriate to carry the scheme of arrangement into effect.  

The EGM also approved: 
(i) 

the  reduction  in  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  from  €892.294.453,30  divided  into 
8.922.944.533  ordinary  shares  of  a  nominal  value  of  €0,10  each  to  nil  by  cancelling  all  the  shares 
comprising  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  (the  Existing  Shares)  resulting  in  the  creation  of  a 
capital  reduction  reserve  in  the  accounts  of  the  Company,  equal  to  the  aggregate  nominal  value  of  the 
Existing  Shares  so  cancelled,  and  which  shall  be  retained  as  a  non-distributable  capital  reserve  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  subsection  (e)  of  section  64  of  the  Companies  Law,  Cap.  113  (the 
‘Reduction of Capital’); 

(ii)  the  increase  in  the  authorised  share  capital  of  the  Company  to  €4.767.759.272,00  divided  into 
47.677.592.720 ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0,10 each through the creation of 8.922.944.533 
new but unissued ordinary shares with a nominal value of €0,10 each, each of which shall have the same 
rights and shall rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares of the Company; 

(iii)  to apply the reserve arising in the books of account of the Company as a result of the cancellation of the 
Existing  Shares  in  paying  up  in  full  at  par  8.922.944.533  new  ordinary  shares  with  a  nominal  value  of 
€0,10 each in the capital of the Company, which shall be issued and allotted, credited as fully paid, to Bank 
of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company or its nominee(s) in accordance with the Scheme; and 

(iv)  the authorisation of the directors of the Company to give effect to this special resolution. 

The  scheme  of  arrangement  was  sanctioned  by  the  District  Court  of  Nicosia  on  21  December  2016  and  the 
Existing  Shares  of  the  Company  were  suspended  from  trading  on  the  CSE  and  ATHEX  with  effect  from  and 
including 10 January 2017. 

Following the submission of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies and the Registration, by the latter, 
of the reduction of capital, the scheme of arrangement became effective on 18 January 2017. As a result, all of 
the  shares  comprising  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  were  cancelled  and  the  Company  issued  and 
allotted  8.922.944.533  new  ordinary  shares  of  nominal  value  €0,10  each,  credited  as  fully  paid  to  Bank  of 
Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company;  and  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  issued  and 
allotted  New  Shares  and  procured  the  issue  of  Depositary  Interests  representing  New  Shares,  in  accordance 
with the terms of the scheme of arrangement.  Each one New Share or one Depository Interest represents one 
New Share for each individual holding of 20 Existing Shares. 

On 19 January 2017 the total issued share capital of 446.199.933 ordinary shares of nominal value €0,10 each 
of Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company was admitted to the standard listing segment of the official 
list  of  the United  Kingdom’s  Financial  Conduct  Authority,  to  trading  on  the  Main  Market  for listed  securities  of 
the LSE, under the ticker symbol “BOCH”, to listing on the CSE and to trading on the Main Market of the CSE 
under the ticker symbol “BOCH/ΤΡΚΗ”, with ISIN IE00BD5B1Y92. 

317 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

48. 

Events after the reporting date (continued) 

48.2 

Share-based payments – share options 

The  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  approved  by  the  shareholders  at  the  annual  general  meeting  on  24  November 
2015  as  described  in  Note  32,  was  replaced  on  18  January  2017  by  the  Share  Option  Plan  implemented  by 
Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  following  the  introduction of  Bank  of Cyprus  Holdings  Public 
Limited Company as the new holding company of the Company.  The Share Option plan is identical to the Long 
Term Incentive Plan except that the number of shares in Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company to be 
issued  pursuant  to  an  exercise  of  options  under  the  Share  Option  Plan  should  not  exceed  8.922.945  ordinary 
shares of a nominal value of €0,10 each and the exercise price was set at €5,00 per share.  The exercise date 
was also extended from 3 years to between 4-10 years after the grant date. 

48.3 

Full repayment of ELA 

ELA was fully repaid on 5 January 2017.  All ELA collateralised loans have subsequently been released but ELA 
pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017. 

48.4 

Issue of Tier 2 Capital 

In  January  2017,  the  Company  issued  a  €250  million  unsecured  and  subordinated  Tier  2  Capital  Note  (Note) 
under  the  Company’s  EMTN  Programme.  The  Note  was  priced  at  par  with  a  coupon  of  9,25%.    The  Note 
matures  on  19  January  2027.    The  Company  has  the  option  to  redeem  the  Note  early  on  19  January  2022, 
subject to applicable regulatory consents. 

48.5 

Funding through the new series of TLTRO II 

In  March  2017  the  Company  has  borrowed  an  additional  amount  of  €230  million  through  the  new  series  of 
TLTRO II, to be received on 29 March 2017. 

318 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Ernst & Young Cyprus Ltd 
Jean Nouvel Tower 
6 Stasinou Avenue 
P.O.Box 21656 
1511 Nicosia, Cyprus 

Tel:  +357 22209999 
Fax: +357 22209998 
ey.com/cy 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the Members of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd  

Report on the Financial Statements 

Opinion 

We have audited the financial statements of parent company Bank of Cyprus Public Company 
Ltd  (the  ‘Company’)  on  pages  194  to  318,  which  comprise  the  balance  sheet  as  at  31 
December  2016,  and  the  income  statement,  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income,  the 
statement of changes in equity and the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and 
the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.  

In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of 
the Company as at 31 December 2016, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for 
the  year  then  ended  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as 
adopted by the European Union and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies  Law, Cap. 
113. 

Basis of opinion  

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities 
for  the Audit  of  the Financial  Statements section of our report. We are independent of the 
Company in accordance with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code 
of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA Code) together with the ethical requirements 
that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Cyprus, and we have fulfilled our 
other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code. We 
believe  that  the  audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  sufficient  and  appropriate  to  provide  a 
basis for our opinion. 

Material uncertainty related to going concern 

We draw your attention to note 3 “Going concern” to the financial statements which discusses 
management’s assessment as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern 
and  the  fact  that  the  Company  is  currently  not  in  compliance  with  its  regulatory  liquidity 
requirements  with  respect  to  its  operations  in  Cyprus,  which  indicates  the  existence  of  a 
material uncertainty of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is 
not modified in respect of this matter. 

Key audit matters 

Key  audit  matters  are  those  matters  that,  in  our  professional  judgment,  were  of  most 
significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. In addition to the 
matter described in the material uncertainty related to going concern section of our report, 
we  have  determined  the  matters  described  below  to  be  the  key  audit  matters  to  be 
communicated in our report. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 

319 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. For each matter included in Appendix A, our description 
of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context. 

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
the  financial  statements  section  of  our  report,  including  in  relation  to  these  matters. 
Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our 
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements. The results of 
our  audit  procedures,  including  the  procedures  performed  to  address  the  matters  below, 
provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying financial statements. 

The areas of highest risk to the audit and where we focused most effort and resources were: 

Impairment of customer loans and advances 

• 
•  Recoverability of deferred tax assets 
•  Valuation of stock of property 

The nature of Key Audit Matters and the procedures performed to support our discussions 
and conclusions are described in Appendix A of this report. 

Other information included in the annual report 

The  Board  of  Directors  is  responsible  for  the  other  information.  The  other  information 
comprises the information included in the Annual Report, but does not include the financial 
statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other 
information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to 
be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is 
a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We 
have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors for the Financial Statements 

The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of financial statements 
that give a true and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the European Union and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap. 
113, and for such internal control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable 
the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error. 

320 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors 
either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative 
but to do so.  

The  Board  of  Directors  is  responsible  for  overseeing  the  Company’s  financial  reporting 
process.  

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as 
a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain 
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:  

 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether 
due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 
The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for 
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.  

  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Company’s internal control. 

  Evaluate  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of 

accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Board of Directors.  

  Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis 
of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty 
exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the  Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, 
we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the 
financial  statements  or,  if  such  disclosures  are  inadequate,  to  modify  our  opinion.  Our 
conclusions  are  based  on  the  audit  evidence  obtained  up  to  the  date  of  our  auditor’s 
report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue 
as a going concern.  

321 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Evaluate  the  overall  presentation,  structure  and  content  of  the  financial  statements, 
including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying 
transactions and events in a manner that achieves a true and fair view.  

  Obtain  sufficient  appropriate  audit  evidence  regarding  the  financial  information  of  the 
entities or business activities within the Company to express an opinion on the financial 
statements.  We  are  responsible  for  the  direction,  supervision  and  performance  of  the 
audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.  

We communicate with the Board of Directors through its Audit Committee regarding, among 
other  matters,  the  planned  scope  and  timing  of  the  audit  and  significant  audit  findings, 
including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide the Board of Directors through its Audit Committee with a statement that we 
independence,  and  to 
have  complied  with  relevant  ethical  requirements  regarding 
communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought 
to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.  

From  the  matters  communicated  with  the Board  of Directors,  we  determine  those  matters 
that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period 
and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report 
unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely 
rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report 
because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the 
public interest benefits of such communication. 

Report on other legal requirements 

Pursuant to the additional requirements of the Auditors and Statutory Audits of Annual and 
Consolidated Accounts Laws of 2009 to 2016, we report the following: 

  We have obtained all the information and explanations we considered necessary for the 

purposes of our audit. 

  In our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by the Company, so far as appears 

from our examination of these books. 

  The financial statements are in agreement with the books of account. 
  In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given 
to us, the financial statements give the information required by the Cyprus Companies Law, 
Cap. 113, in the manner so required. 

  In  our  opinion,  the  management  report  has  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the 
requirements  of  the  Cyprus  Companies  Law,  Cap.  113,  and  the  information  given  is 
consistent with the financial statements. 

  In our opinion, and in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its 
environment  obtained  in  the  course  of  the  audit,  we  have  not  identified  material 
misstatements in the management report. 

322 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  In  our  opinion,  the  information  included  in  the  corporate  governance  statement  in 
accordance with the requirements of subparagraphs (iv) and (v) of paragraph 2(a) of Article 
151 of the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap. 113, and which is included as a specific section of 
the management report, have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 
Cyprus Companies Law, Cap, 113, and is consistent with the financial statements. 

  In our opinion, and in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its 
environment  obtained  in  the  course  of  the  audit,  we  have  not  identified  material 
misstatements  in  the  corporate  governance  statement  in  relation  to  the  information 
disclosed  for  items  (iv)  and  (v)  of  subparagraph  2(a)  of  Article  151  of  the  Cyprus 
Companies Law, Cap. 113. 

  In our opinion, the corporate governance statement includes all information referred to in 
subparagraphs  (i),  (ii),  (iii)  and  (vi)  of  paragraph  2(a)  of  Article  151  of  the  Cyprus 
Companies Law, Cap. 113. 

Other matter 

This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only for the Company's members 
as a body in accordance with Section 34 of the Auditors and Statutory Audits of Annual and 
Consolidated Accounts Laws of 2009 to 2016 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving 
this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to 
whose knowledge this report may come to. 

Savvas Pentaris 
Certified Public Accountant and Registered Auditor 
for and on behalf of  

Ernst & Young Cyprus Limited 
Certified Public Accountants and Registered Auditors 

Nicosia 
27 March 2017 

323 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX A – Key Audit Matters 

Impairment of customer loans and advances 

Nature of the key audit matter 

Provisions for credit losses is the area which involves the highest level of critical judgment. 
They  are  calculated  on  a  collective  basis  for  portfolios  of  loans  of  similar  credit  risk 
characteristics  and  on  an  individual  basis  for  significant  loans.  The  determination  of  the 
provision for loan losses requires the exercise of significant judgment and assumptions by 
management. We consider this as a key audit matter since this is an accounting estimate 
with high estimation uncertainty, the balances of the provisions are material and the nature 
of the calculation is subjective.  

The disclosures regarding provisions for credit losses are included in notes 5.1, 14 and 41 
to the financial statements. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Among others, we have performed the following procedures: 
•  We  assessed  and  tested  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  the  controls  over 
impairment  provisions  data  and  calculations.  These  controls  included  those  over  the 
identification of which loans and advances were impaired, the data transfer from source 
systems  to  impairment  models  and  model  output  to  the  general  ledger,  and  the 
calculation of the impairment provisions. In addition, we tested IT controls for systems 
used for impairment calculation. We determined that we could rely on these controls for 
the purposes of our audit. 

•  We  obtained an  understanding  of  the estimation  process  for  the  provisions  for credit 

losses. 

•  For  collective  impairment  provisions  the  appropriateness  of  the  methodology  was 
independently  assessed  by  reference  to  IFRS  and  market  practices  and  model 
calculations  were  tested  through  re-performance.  The  underlying  logic  of  data 
preparation,  transformation  and  related  formulas  for  computing  collective  provisions 
was assessed via a source code review of the related IT components involved. 

•  The appropriateness of management’s judgements was also independently considered 
in  respect  of  segmentation,  economic  factors  and  judgemental  overlays  and  the 
valuation of recovering the collateral. 

•  For 

individual 

impairment  provisions,  the  appropriateness  of  provisioning  was 

independently assessed for a sample of loans selected on the basis of risk. 

•  We engaged specialists to review the model developed by the Company for forecasting 

future property prices movement over the period of realization of collateral. 

•  We  performed  data  integrity  validation  checks  to  ensure  that  the  inputs  used  by  the 

Company in the calculation of provisions are correct.  

324 

 
 
Recoverability of deferred tax assets 

Nature of the key audit matter 

The  Company  has  recognized  deferred  tax  assets  in  respect  of  tax  losses  that  may  be 
carried  forward  to  future  years.  The  recoverability  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  requires 
management’s  estimation  on  the  future  profitability  of  the  Company  so  as  to  assess 
whether  sufficient  taxable  profits  will  be  generated  against  which  the  tax  losses  carried 
forward (which is the largest part of the deferred tax assets recognized by the Company) 
may be utilized. For this assessment, management prepares a  forecast for the following 
years  and  this  forecast  is  a  result  of  management’s  best  estimates  and  expectations 
regarding the Company’s future performance. The estimation of future taxable profits is 
inherently  judgmental, particularly  when  this  extends  beyond  the  normal  planning  cycle. 
We  consider  this  as  a  key  audit  matter  due  to  the  materiality  of  the  balances  and  the 
subjective nature of the calculation. 

The disclosures regarding the deferred tax assets are included in notes 5.5 and 15 to the 
financial statements. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Among others, we have performed the following procedures: 
• We  updated  our  understanding  of  the  process  for  evaluating  the  recoverability  of  the 

deferred tax assets. The main management controls are review type controls. 

• In  order  to  obtain  sufficient  audit  evidence  that  it  was  probable  that  sufficient  taxable 
profits would exist to utilize the deferred tax assets, we tested the supporting calculations 
based on the Company’s 3 year plan which formed the basis of the projections until 2028 
(expiry date of the majority of the tax losses) and the tax rates applied. 

• The basis for management’s assessment of recoverability including the profit projections 
and underlying assumptions and the calculations performed to arrive at taxable profits 
from  these  projections,  was  challenged  using  our  knowledge  of  the  business,  future 
strategy and past performance. We utilized the services of valuation specialists to assist 
in performing our substantive audit procedures related to the Company’s recoverability 
exercise.  The specialists  were  involved  in  the  review  of  key  assumptions  used  in  the 
valuation.  

• The range of reasonably possible alternative outcomes was assessed. 
• The completeness and accuracy of the disclosures was also assessed. 

325 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation of stock of property  

Nature of the key audit matter 

The Company has acquired a significant number of properties over the last couple of years 
as a result of restructuring agreements with clients. These properties are classified by the 
Company  as  stock  of  property  in accordance  with  IAS  2.  Given  the  large  increase  in  the 
number of properties acquired and the high estimation uncertainty in the property valuation 
to determine the net realizable value, especially taking into account the current liquidity of 
the property market in Cyprus, we consider this a key audit matter.  

The disclosures regarding stock of property are included in notes 5.8 and 26 to the financial 
statements. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Among others, we have performed the following procedures: 
• We obtained an understanding of the valuation process of stock of property.  
• We assessed and tested the design and operating effectiveness of the controls over the 

valuation process of stock of property.  

• For a sample of properties, we obtained the valuation reports received by the Company 
from independent valuers and ensured that the fair value used in the calculation of the 
net realizable value (“NRV”) is in accordance with these valuations. 

• We obtained from the Company the comparison of the cost with the NRV and ensured that 
the lower of the two was recorded as the value of the stock of property as at the reporting 
date. 

• We  assessed  the  reasonableness  of  the  selling  costs  incorporated  in  the  Company’s 

calculation of the NRV.  

• We  assessed  the  reasonableness  of  the  external  valuers’  assumptions  used  in  the 

valuations by utilizing the services of an independent valuation specialist. 

• We performed substantive analytical review procedures.  

326 

 
 
 
Annual Corporate Governance Report 

2016 

327 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Introduction 

The  Board  of  Directors  (the  ‘Board’)  of  the  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Limited  (the  ‘Company’)  is 
committed to good governance which is vital to creating trust and  engagement between the Company and its 
stakeholders  and  contributes  towards  its  long-term  success.    The  Board  aims  to  ensure  on  an  ongoing  basis 
that  the  Company  is  a  modern,  transparent  and  competitive  organisation  that  applies  best  practices  of 
corporate governance and corporate administration.  By adopting these best practices, the Company achieves a 
dynamic  and  effective  communication  between  the  Board,  management  and  shareholders,  leading  to  the 
successful implementation of its strategy. 

A key objective of the governance framework of the Company together with its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) is to 
ensure compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.  The Company is subject to the Code of 
Corporate Governance of the Cyprus Stock Exchange (‘CSE Code’) as well as the Directive on Governance and 
Management Arrangements of the Central Bank of Cyprus (‘CBC Directive on Governance’). 

The  Company  has  also  elected  to  comply  with  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  2014  published  by  the 
Financial Reporting Council in the UK (the ‘UK Code’) as of 4 October 2016. 

Part A 

The  Company  has  adopted  the  CSE  Code  as  well  as  the  UK  Code,  has  incorporated  their  provisions  in  the 
Group’s  Policy  on  Corporate  Governance  and  fully  implements  their  principles.    The  policy  together  with  the 
Board  manual,  the  terms  of  reference  and the practices  followed  by  the  Board  and its  committees, constitute 
important foundations for maximising shareholder value.   

Part B 

The Company confirms that it has complied with the provisions of the CSE Code.  Details of how the Company 
applied  the  main  and  supporting  principles  of  the  CSE  Code  throughout  2016  are  set  out  in  this  Corporate 
Governance  Report  and  in  the  Remuneration  Policy  Report.    The  narrative  that  follows  also  covers  the 
disclosure requirements set out in the UK Code. 

The Directors further consider that the Company has also complied with the provisions of the UK Code as of 4 
October 2016, other than as set out herein: 
 

Provision  C.3.1  of  the  UK  Code  recommends  that  the  audit  committee  should  comprise  of  three 
independent  non-executive  members.    During  2016  the  Audit  Committee  was  comprised  of  2 
independent non-executive Directors and one non-independent non-executive Director.  As of 1 January 
2017 the Audit Committee is comprised of three independent non-executive Directors. 
Provision  B.7.1  recommends  the  annual  election  of  the  Directors  by  shareholders.    The  Articles  of 
Association of the  Company  provide for  one  third  of the  Directors to retire  and offer themselves for re-
election.   The Articles of Association  of  the  Company  will be  amended  prior to the next Annual  General 
Meeting (‘AGM’) so that henceforth all Directors will retire every year and offer themselves for re-election 
if they wish. 

 

The Company continually monitors and reviews its governance framework and that of its subsidiary companies 
(where  applicable)  through  effective  oversight.    The  Directors  are  aware  that  in  case  they  have  material 
concerns about the overall governance of the Group, these should be reported without delay to the Board and, 
if their concerns are not satisfactorily addressed, the Directors should report these concerns to the Central Bank 
of Cyprus (‘CBC’). 

The Board has delegated authority to committees of the Board to support its oversight of risk and control.  The 
committees  are  the  Group  Audit  Committee  (‘the  AC’),  the  Group  Risk  Committee  (‘the  RC’),  the  Group 
Nominations  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee  (‘the  NCGC’),  the  Group  Human  Resources  and 
Remuneration Committee (‘the HRRC’) and the recently constituted Technology Committee (‘the TC’).  Details 
of  these  committees  are  set  out  in  section  3  of  this  report.    The  chairperson  of  each  committee  reports  on 
matters discussed during committee meetings to the subsequent scheduled meetings of the Board and minutes 
of these meetings are tabled at the Board as soon as possible for noting and/or discussion, as necessary.  The 
committee  terms  of  reference  are  reviewed  annually  by  the  relevant  committees  and  by  the  Board  and  are 
available on the Group’s website www.bankofcyprus.com or by request to the Company Secretary. 

328 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

Board of Directors 

The authorities of the  members  of the Board  derive from  the Articles of  Association  of the Company,  and are 
specified  by  the  CSE  and  UK  Codes,  the  relevant  Companies,  Stock  Exchange  and  Banking  Laws  and  the 
Directives of the CBC.    The role of the Board  and  its  committees is well  described and analysed  in the Board 
manual that has been fully revised to incorporate all additional responsibilities that emanate from the UK Code. 

The  Board  is  responsible  for  ensuring  that  the  management  maintains  an  appropriate  system  of  internal 
controls which provides assurance of effective operations, internal financial controls and compliance with rules 
and regulations.  It has the overall responsibility for the Group and approves and oversees the implementation 
of the Group’s strategic objectives, risk strategy and internal governance.   

The  Group  considers  that  it  has  a  robust  governance  framework  with  a  clear  organisational  structure,  well 
defined,  transparent  and  consistent  lines  of  responsibility  and  effective  processes  through  which  to  identify, 
manage,  monitor  and  report  risks  to  which  it  is  or  might  be  exposed.    It  has  appropriate  internal  control 
mechanisms, including sound administrative and accounting procedures, Information Technology (‘IT’) systems 
and controls.  The governance framework is subject to review at least once every year. 

1.1   

Composition of the Board of Directors 

As at 31 December 2016 the Board was comprised of ten Directors: the Group Chairman who was independent 
on appointment, two executive Directors and seven non-executive Directors, six of whom were considered to be 
independent non-executive Directors in accordance with the provisions of the UK Code and the CSE Code.  On 7 
February  2017,  Mrs  Lyn  Grobler  was  appointed  as  independent  non-executive  Director,  bringing  the  total 
number  of  Directors  to  eleven.    On  1  March  2017,  Mr.  Wilbur  Ross  resigned  from  the  Board  following  his 
appointment as U.S. Secretary of Commerce.  The Board has appointed Mr. James B. Lockhart III on the same 
date,  pending the approval of the  European  Central Bank (‘ECB’).    Mr.  Lockhart will replace  Mr.  Ross on  both 
the NCGC and the RC.  The names and brief biographical details of the Directors are included in section 2 of this 
report. 

The  NCGC  reviews  annually  the  structure,  size,  tenure  and  composition  of  the  Board  (including  skills, 
knowledge,  experience,  independence  and  diversity)  to  ensure  that  there  is  an  appropriate  mixture  of  skills, 
experience  as  well  as  gender.    The  Committee  also  ensures  plans  are  in  place  for  the  selection,  appointment 
and  orderly  succession  of  executive  Directors  and  senior  managers.    In  addition,  where  any  appointment  or 
resignation  will  alter  the  overall  size  of  the  Board,  a  review  is  undertaken  to  ensure  that  the  composition 
remains appropriate and the Board and its committees comprise of Directors with an all-embracing perception 
of  the  Group’s  activities  and  the  risks  associated  with  them.    The  Board  considers  its  current  size  and 
composition  appropriate  given  the  size  and  operations  of  the  Group  and  the  time  demands  placed  on  the 
Directors. 

The Group carries out a review of the ongoing fitness and probity of Directors and Executive Committee (ExCo) 
members on an annual basis, whereby they are asked to confirm any changes in their circumstances in respect 
of their compliance with the CBC Directive on the Assessment of the Fitness & Probity of the members of the 
management body and managers of authorised credit institutions (‘CBC Fitness & Probity Directive’).  Following 
the  review  of  2016,  no  changes  were  reported.    In  January  2017  the  Attorney  General  of  Cyprus  instituted 
criminal  proceedings  against  a  number  of  individuals  relating to events  occurring  before  the  financial  crisis  of 
2013 and the bailing-in of the Company.  The individuals charged include three persons currently employed by 
the Company namely a current executive member of the Board, the Finance Director and the Group Treasurer 
who  at  the  time  were  all  officers  of  the  Company.    The  Board  has  indicated  that  it  fully  supports  the  three 
executives and confirms their fitness and probity. 

1.1.1 

Executive Directors 

The Group Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) and the Group Deputy CEO & Chief Operating Officer (‘DCEO & COO’) 
are employees of the Company.  The CEO’s termination of employment is subject to four months’ notice to be 
given  by  either  party.    The  DCEO  &  COO’s  employment  is  mainly  based  on  the  provisions  of  the  collective 
agreement between the Company and the labour union. 

329 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

1.1 

Board of Directors (continued) 

Composition of the Board of Directors (continued) 

1.1.2  Non-Executive Directors 

Non-executive  Directors  are  not  Company  employees  and  do  not  participate  in  the  daily  management  of  the 
Group.  They are responsible for monitoring executive activity and contributing to the development of strategy.  
Their role is to constructively challenge the Company’s existing strategy and contribute to the development of 
new strategies, to scrutinize the performance of senior management in meeting agreed goals and objectives, to 
monitor  the  reporting  of  the  performance,  and  to  satisfy  themselves  on  the  integrity  of  financial  information 
and  that  the  systems  of  financial  controls,  compliance  and  risk  management  frameworks  and  the  internal 
control framework are robust and defensible. 

1.2   

The Role of the Board 

The  Board’s  role  is  to  provide  leadership  of  the  Group  and  promote  the  Group’s  vision,  values,  culture  and 
behaviour,  within  a  framework  of  prudent  and  effective  controls,  which  enables  risk  to  be  assessed  and 
managed.    The  Board  also  ensures  that  its  obligations  towards  its  shareholders  and  other  stakeholders  are 
understood and met.  

The  Board  is  accountable  for  ensuring  that,  as  a  collective  body,  it  has  the  appropriate  skills,  knowledge, 
diversity and experience to perform its role effectively.  The Board is collectively responsible for the long-term 
success of the Group; it sets the Group’s strategic objectives, integrates sustainability into the way business is 
conducted,  ensures  that  the  necessary  financial  and  human  resources  are  in  place  for  the  Group  to  meet  its 
objectives and reviews management performance.   

Furthermore, the Board has the responsibility to present a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the 
Company’s  position  and  prospects,  including  in  relation  to  the  annual  and  interim  financial  statements  and 
other price-sensitive public reports and reports required by regulators and by law. 

The Board is the decision-making body for all matters of importance that are significant to the Group as a whole 
because  of  their  strategic,  financial  or  reputational  implications  or  consequences.    Specific  decisions  and 
matters are reserved for approval by the Board.  These are: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Objectives and strategy 
Overall risk policy and risk management procedures 
Annual and three-year budgets and business plans 
Capital expenditures for amounts over €20 million 
Unusual transactions 
Mergers, acquisitions and disposals of the Group’s assets for amounts over €20 million 
Directors’ conflicts of interest 
The  selection,  appointment,  re-appointment  of  Directors  of  the  Company,  and  the  termination  of  the 
services of the Chief Executive Officer 
The succession planning 
The  establishment  and  oversight  of  policies  for  selecting,  developing  and  replacing  senior  management 
and heads of internal control functions 
The Remuneration Policy  

 
 

 

The appointment of individuals who may have a material impact on the risk profile of the Group  is also subject 
to Board approval.  Their appropriateness for the role is monitored on an on-going basis.   

The Board is responsible for determining the nature and extent of the principal risks the Group is willing to take 
in  achieving  its  strategic  objectives  and  ensuring  the  maintenance  of  an  effective  risk  management  and 
oversight process across the Group.  The Board approves the Group Risk Appetite Statement on an annual basis 
and receives regular updates on the Group’s risk environment and exposure to the Group’s material risk types 
through the Risk Report reviewed monthly.   

Detailed  information  relating  to  Group  risk  management  is  set  out  in  Notes  43  to  46  of  the  Consolidated 
Financial Statements and the Additional Risk Disclosures section of the 2016 Annual Financial Report. 

330 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

1.2 

Board of Directors (continued) 

The Role of the Board (continued) 

1.2.1 

Information and Support 

The Board  meets on a regular  basis and has a formal  schedule  of matters for consideration  which is annually 
reviewed.    The  Board  receives  regular  reports  and  presentations  from  the  Group  CEO  and  other  senior 
management on strategy and developments in the operations of the Group.  Regular reports are also provided 
on the Group’s risk appetite, top and emerging risks, risk management, credit exposures and the Group’s loan 
portfolio, asset and liability management, liquidity, litigation, compliance and reputational issues. 

The key areas of focus in 2016 for the Board were: 
 

Three-year financial plan 

Group strategy and long term objectives in light of the regulatory and economic environment: 
 
  Voluntary exit plan for employees 
  Set up and operation of Real Estate Management Unit (‘REMU’) 
  Acquisitions and divestments  
Risk and governance: 
  Approval of the Group’s Risk Appetite Statement 
  Approval of Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (‘ICAAP’) Report  
  Approval of Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process (‘ILAAP’) Report 
  Discussion of International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) provisioning parameters 
  Review of monthly risk reports 
Legal issues/actions against the Company 
Review and approval of Group financial results (monthly, quarterly and annual) 
Directors & Officers (D & O) liability insurance 
Deposit strategy and Emergency Liquidity Assistance (‘ELA’) repayment plan  
Budget and performance oversight: 
  Review the monthly management accounts 
  Approval of the  annual budgets and capital plans 
External environment: 
  Review of the banking industry outlook 
  Cyprus economic developments  
Monitoring key regulatory issues affecting the Group:  
  Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (‘SREP’) 
  On-site inspections and approval of relevant responses to the Single Supervisory Mechanism (‘SSM’) 
  Discussion of new regulatory developments and requirements  
  Key regulatory correspondence and related response 
Review the progress of managing non-performing exposures  
Approval of appointments to the Board and major subsidiary boards and review of corporate governance 
matters 
Approval of changes to management structure of the Group  
Discussion, approval and oversight of the listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) 
Establishing a Board Technology Committee. 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

In early 2016 the Board approved a framework of oversight of major subsidiaries which included close working 
relations  between  the  Chairpersons  of  the  relevant  subsidiary  board  committees  with  the  respective  Group 
committees. 

1.2.2  Meetings of the Board of Directors 

During 2016 the Board held 17 meetings.  Further details on the number of the meetings of the Board and its 
committees and attendance by individual Directors are set out below.  In March 2016 the Board held an offsite 
two day meeting specifically focused on strategy. 

Agendas and papers are circulated in a timely manner prior to each meeting and all members of the Board are 
informed  in  writing  of  forthcoming  Board  meetings  to  allow  them  adequate  time  to  review  the  relevant 
information to enable them to fully discharge their duties.      

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

1.2 

Board of Directors (continued) 

The Role of the Board (continued) 

1.2.2  Meetings of the Board of Directors (continued)  

The attendance of the members of the Board for 2016 is presented in the following table: 

Board of Directors 1/1/2016-31/12/2016 

Name 

Josef Ackermann (Chairman) 
Maksim Goldman (Vice Chairman) 
Wilbur L. Ross (Vice-Chairman) 
Arne Berggren 
Michael Heger* 
John P. Hourican 
Marios Kalochoritis 
Christodoulos Patsalides 
Michael Spanos  
Ioannis Zographakis 
Total meetings 

* Appointed on 9 June 2016  

Board of 
Directors 
17/17 
16/17 
13/17 
17/17 
9/9 
17/17 
17/17 
16/17 
16/17 
17/17 
17 

AC 

HRRC 

NCGC 

RC 

AC & RC 
Joint 

11/12 

12/12 

12/12 
12 

4/4 

9/9 

9/9 

9 

8/8 
8/8 
7/8 

8 

17/20 
20/20 
10/10 

19/20 

20/20 
20 

6/7 
4/7 
7/7 
3/3 

7/7 

7/7 
7 

The Company Secretary is closely involved in preparing the schedule of all Board and committee meetings and 
the  agendas  for  these  meetings,  in  conjunction  with  the  Chairman,  ensuring  that  relevant  information  is 
dispatched timely to all members of the Board.  

Under  the  supervision  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board,  the  Company  Secretary’s  responsibilities  include 
facilitating the flow of information within the Board and its committees, between senior management and non-
executive  Directors  and  between  heads  of  internal  control  functions  and  non-executive  Directors,  as  well  as 
facilitating the induction, development and evaluation of members of the Board. 

All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and the Corporate Governance 
Compliance  Officer  who  can  provide  relevant  information  related  to  Board  procedures  and  the  CSE  and  UK 
Codes.  Independent professional advice is also available to the Directors in accordance with the internal policy 
that  was  formulated  and  approved  by  the  Board.    All  Directors  have  the  benefit  of  directors’  and  officers’ 
liability insurance in respect of legal actions against them. 

1.2.3 

Conflicts of interest 

The Board manual has documented procedures relating to directors’ conflicts of interest, setting out how these 
are to be identified, reported and managed to ensure that the Directors act at all times in the best interests of 
the Company.  The Board Manual is reviewed and revised if necessary, at least annually.  

The Group’s Policy on Conflicts of Interest which applies to all employees and Directors clarifies the duty of all 
employees  to  avoid,  disclose  and  manage  conflicts  of  interests.    The  policy  is  reviewed  annually  and  is 
communicated throughout the Group. 

The  Board  has  adopted  a  Dealing  Code  for  transactions  in  the  Company’s  securities  by  Persons  Discharging 
Managerial Responsibilities (PDMRs).  The Dealing Code complies with the European Market Abuse Regulation.  
All Directors have complied with the Dealing Code during 2016.  All Directors and PDMRs have been informed in 
writing about their obligations under the Dealing Code. 

None of the Directors had, during the year or at the end of the year, a material interest, directly or indirectly in 
any contract of significance with the Group. 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

1.2 

Board of Directors (continued) 

The Role of the Board (continued) 

1.2.4 

Time commitment 

The  Board  has  determined  the  time  commitment  expected  of  non-executive  Directors  to  be  30-35  days  per 
annum.  Time devoted to the Company can be considerably more, particularly if serving on Board committees.  

The  NCGC  considers,  amongst  others,  whether  a  potential  Director  is  able  to  devote  the  requisite  time  and 
attention to the Company’s affairs, prior to the Board’s approval of the individual’s appointment.  

The  CBC  Fitness  and  Probity  Directive  which  incorporates  the  provisions  on  the  management  body  of  credit 
institutions in Article 91 of the European Capital Requirements Directive (‘CRD IV’), determines that a Director 
cannot hold more than one of the following combinations: 
 
 

One executive directorship with two non-executive directorships 
Four non-executive directorships 

Executive  or  non-executive  directorships  held  within  the  same  group  count  as  a  single  directorship.  
Directorships  in  organisations  which  do  not  pursue  predominantly  commercial  objectives  do  not  count  for  the 
purposes of the above guidelines. 

The Company has been classified as a ‘significant institution’ under the European Union (Capital Requirements) 
Regulation 2014.  The ECB which supervises the  Company following the European Union Regulation 468/2014 
which  established  the  framework  for  cooperation  within  the  SSM  between  the  ECB  and  national  competent 
authorities may in exceptional cases, and taking into consideration the nature and complexity of the business of 
the Group, authorise members of the Board to hold one additional directorship. 

At the time of their appointment, the CBC was the relevant competent authority to grant permission to five of 
the  Directors  to  hold  one  additional  non-executive  directorship  to  the  above.    At  present  only  Mr.  Maksim 
Goldman holds an additional directorship (five non-executive directorships).  Mr. Wilbur Ross who resigned on 1 
March 2017 also held five non-executive directorships. 

The Directors hold positions on the board of directors of other companies as noted in their biographical details 
included in section 2 of this report.  Their participation in other boards does not prevent them from devoting the 
necessary time and attention to their duties as members of the Board of the Company and is within the limits 
set by the CBC Fitness and Probity Directive.  It was estimated that in 2016 each non-executive Director spent 
at least 36 days on board-related duties.   

1.2.5  Group Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer   

There is a clear and distinct segregation of duties between the Chairman of the Board and the Group CEO.  The 
terms  of  reference  of  these  two  roles  form  part of  the  Group  Board  Manual  which  has  been  approved  by  the 
Board  and they  distinguish between the  running of the Board  and  the  executive responsibility for running the 
Company’s business.   

The Chairman ensures the effective functioning of the Board on all aspects of its role including: 
 
 

Providing leadership to the Board of Directors 
Ensuring that the Board determines the nature and extent of the significant risks the Company is willing 
to embrace in the implementation of its strategy 
Ensuring that the members of the Board have sufficient time to consider strategic and other critical issues 
and  obtain  answers  to  any  questions  or  concerns  they  may  have  and  are  not  faced  with  unrealistic 
deadlines for decision making 
Encouraging the active participation of members of the Board 
Ensuring  conflicts  of  interests  are  disclosed  and  members  abstain  from  participating  in  the  decision-
making and voting on any matter on which they may have a conflict of interest 
Ensuring that adequate time is allowed for discussion of complex or contentious or strategic issues and, 
where  appropriate,  arranging  for  informal  meetings  beforehand  to  enable  thorough  preparation  for  the 
Board discussion  
Promoting high standards of corporate governance 

 

 
 

 

 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

1.2 

Board of Directors (continued) 

The Role of the Board (continued) 

1.2.5  Group Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer (continued)  

The  Chairman  commits  a  substantial  amount  of  time  to  the  Group.    There  were  no  changes  to  the  other 
significant  commitments  of  the  Chairman  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2016.    During  the  year  the 
Chairman  and  non-executive  Directors  met  without  the  executive  Directors  present,  to  discuss  a  range  of 
business matters. 

The Group CEO is responsible to develop and present to the Board the strategy of the Group and execute the 
approved  strategy,  lead  the  senior  management  team  in  the  day-to-day  running  of  the  business,  make 
decisions  on  all  matters  affecting  the  operations,  performance  and  strategy  of  the  Group’s  business  with  the 
exception  of  those  matters  reserved  for  the  Board.    The  Group  CEO’s  service  contract  was  reviewed  and 
renewed on 1 February 2016 for a further two-year period.  

1.2.6 

Senior Independent non-Executive Director 

The  Senior  Independent  Director  (‘SID’)  is  available  to  shareholders  and  Directors  if  they  have  concerns  that 
are  not  resolved  through  normal  communication  channels.    He  provides  a  sounding  board  for  the  Chairman, 
providing  support  to  the  Chairman  in  delivering  his  objectives.    He  chairs  an  executive  session  of  the  non-
executive  Directors  to  assess  the  performance  of  the  Chairman  as  part  of  the  annual  evaluation  of  Board 
performance provided for in the CBC Governance Directive.   

1.3 

Board Balance and Independence  

Both  the  CSE  Code  and  the  UK  Code  provide  that  at  least  50%  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  excluding  the 
Chairman,  should  be  independent  non-executive  Directors,  so  that  no  individual  or  small  group  of  individuals 
can dominate the Board’s decision-taking. 

The NCGC and the Board considers the independence status of each Director on appointment.  In addition the 
independence status of each Director is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the determination regarding 
independence remains appropriate. 

In  2016  the  Board  considered  the  principles  relating  to  independence  contained  in  the  CSE  Code  and  the  UK 
Code,  as  well  as  the  CBC  Fitness  and  Probity  Directive  and  concluded  that  the  status  of  each  Director  as 
determined remained appropriate.  The status of each Director is presented in the biographical details in section 
2 of this report. 

Mr.  Maksim  Goldman  is  a  senior  executive  of  a  corporation  controlled  by  a  significant  shareholder  in  the 
Company and therefore he is not considered independent by reference to the provisions of the CBC Directive on 
Fitness  and  Probity,  the  CSE  Code  and  the  UK  Code.    The  Board  considers  that  each  non-executive  Director 
brings independent challenge and judgement to the  working of the Board, through  their  character, objectivity 
and integrity.  

The  Board  comprises  a  majority  of  independent  non-executive  Directors  to  ensure  that  no  individual  or  small 
group can dominate its decision making.   

A  relevant  ‘Confirmation  of  Independence’  based  on  the  independence  criteria  of  provision  A.2.3  of  the  CSE 
Code  is  signed  by  each  of  the  independent  non-executive  Directors  and  is  submitted  to  the  Cyprus  Stock 
Exchange together with the Corporate Governance Report. 

2. 

2.1 

Members of the Board of Directors  

Non-Executive Directors  

Josef Ackermann (Chairman) 

Born  in  1948.    Dr.  Ackermann  is  the  former  Chairman  of  the  Management  Board  and  the  Group  Executive 
Committee  at  Deutsche  Bank.  Dr.  Ackermann  joined  Deutsche  Bank's  Board  of  Managing  Directors  in  1996, 
where  he  was  responsible  for  the  investment  banking  division.    Under  his  leadership,  this  business  unit 
developed  into  one  of  Deutsche  Bank's  principal  revenue  sources  and  entered  the  top  group  of  global 
investment  banks.    Prior  to  Deutsche  Bank,  Dr.  Ackermann  was  President  of  Schweizerische  Kreditanstalt 
(SKA), today's Credit Suisse.   

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

2.1 

Members of the Board of Directors (continued) 

Non-Executive Directors (continued) 

Josef Ackermann (Chairman) (continued) 

Dr.  Ackermann  has  held  numerous  board  positions  including  sitting  on  the  Board  of  Directors  at  Zurich 
Insurance Group, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Siemens AG and EQT Holdings AB among others.  Dr. Ackerman also 
served  as  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Foundation  Board  of  the  World  Economic  Forum.    Dr.  Ackermann  is  also  an 
Honorary  Fellow  of  the  London  Business  School,  was  visiting  professor  in  finance  at  the  London  School  of 
Economics, and was appointed honorary professor at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in  Frankfurt.  Dr. 
Ackermann  studied  economics  and  social  sciences  at  the  University  of  St.  Gallen,  where  he  earned  his 
doctorate, and holds an honorary doctorate from the Democritus University of Thrace in Greece.   

Dr. Ackermann has extensive experience of the financial services industry, having spent more than 40 years in 
various senior strategic, investment and oversight roles in Scheizerische Kreditanstalt and Deutsche Bank.  

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in November 2014 

Independent: 

On appointment 

Investor AB 
Renova Management AG 
Honorary  Chairman  of  the  St.  Gallen  Foundation  for 
International Studies 
Honorary  Senate  Member  of  the  Foundation  Lindau 
Nobel Prizewinners Meetings at Lake Constance 
Vice Chair and Member of the Board of Trustees of The 
Conference Board 

Committee Membership: 

Chairman  of 
Governance Committee 

the  Nominations 

and  Corporate 

Wilbur L. Ross (Vice-Chairman) 

Born in 1937.  Mr. Ross is the Founder, Chairman  and Chief Strategy Officer  of WL  Ross & Co. LLC, a private 
equity firm.  Mr. Ross was also formerly the Chief Executive Officer of WL Ross prior to April 30, 2014 when he 
became  its  Chairman  and  Chief  Strategy  Officer.    In  March  2014  Mr.  Ross  became  the  Chairman  and  Chief 
Executive Officer of WL Ross Holding Corp, a special purpose acquisition company.  Mr. Ross formerly served as 
a Member of the Board of Directors of many banks, financial and other companies, including but not limited to 
The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland until June 2014, BankUnited, Inc., until March 2014; Talmer 
Bancorp., Assured Guaranty, International Textile Group; NBNK Investments PLC; PB Materials Holdings, Inc.; 
Ohizumi Manufacturing; Ocwen Financial Corp.; Navigator Holdings until November 2014; Plascar Participacoes 
SA  until  2014  and  Air  Lease  Corporation  from  2010  to  December  2013;  International  Coal  Group  from  April 
2005  to  June  2011,  Montpelier  Re  Holdings  Ltd.  from  2006  to  March  2010,  The  Greenbrier  Companies  from 
June 2009 until January 2013.  Mr. Ross was Executive Managing Director of Rothschild Inc. for 24 years before 
acquiring  that  firm's  private  equity  partnerships in  2000.    He  is  a  graduate  of  Yale  University  and  of  Harvard 
Business  School.    Through  the  course  of  Mr.  Ross'  career,  he  has  assisted  in  restructuring  more  than  $400 
billion of corporate liabilities.  

Mr. Ross has been elected to both the Private Equity Hall of Fame and the Turnaround Management Association 
Hall  of  Fame.    He  has  been  appointed  by  President  Clinton  to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  U.S-Russia 
Investment Fund and has served as Privatization Advisor to New York City Mayor Guiliani.  He was awarded a 
medal  by  President  Kim  Dae  Jung  for  assisting  Korea  during  its  financial  crisis  and  in  2014  was  awarded  the 
Order of the Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Stars by the Japanese Government. 

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

2.1 

Members of the Board of Directors (continued) 

Non-Executive Directors (continued) 

Wilbur L. Ross (Vice-Chairman) (continued) 

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in November 2014         
Resigned on 1 March 2017 following his           
appointment as U.S. Secretary of Commerce 

Independent: 

Yes 

WL Ross Holding Corp. 
Arcelor Mittal 
EXCO Resources, Inc.   
DSS Holdings LP 
Sun Bancorp    
Brookings Economic Studies Council 
Palm Beach Civic Association 
The Japan Society Inc. 
Margritte Museum 
British American Business Inc. 
Harvard Business School Club of New York Inc. 
Yale  University  School  of  Management  Board  of 
Advisors 
Partnership of New York City 

Committee Membership: 

Member of the Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee 
Member of the Risk Committee 

Arne Berggren (Chairman of the Risk Committee) 

Born  in  1958.    Mr.  Berggren  has  been  involved  in  corporate  and  bank  restructurings,  working  for  both  the 
private  sector  as  well  as  for  international  organisations  since  the  early  90s,  starting  with  Nordea  during  the 
Swedish financial crisis.  This was followed by bank crises management and bank restructuring assignments in 
numerous countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia, and more recently during the current financial 
crisis in the Baltics, Spain and Slovenia.  He has been Head of Financial Restructuring and Recovery at Carnegie 
Investment  Bank  AB  and  Swedbank  AB  and  as  CEO  of  Swedcarrier  AB  he  led  the  restructuring  of  parts  of 
Swedish Rail.  Mr Berggren has held numerous Board positions in the financial and corporate sector, including a 
position on the Board of Directors at LBT Varlik Yönetim AS and DUTB Ldt.  He is a graduate of the University of 
Uppsala, Sweden. 

Mr. Berggren has significant experience in corporate and bank restructurings, bank crises management and risk 
management and has extensive experience in oversight from a number of directorships. 

Term of Office: 

Appointed to the Board in November 2014 

Independent: 

Yes 

External Appointment: 

Eusticon AB 
Pireaus Bank Group 

Committee Membership: 

Chairman of the Risk Committee 
Member of the Audit Committee 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

2.1 

Members of the Board of Directors (continued) 

Non-Executive Directors (continued) 

Maksim Goldman (Vice Chairman) 

Born in 1971.  Mr. Goldman currently serves as Director of Strategic Projects at Renova where he is responsible 
for  coordinating  the  business  development  of  various  significant  assets  under  management  of  the  Group.  
Previously,  Mr.  Goldman  served  as  Deputy  Chief  Investment  Officer  of  Renova  Group,  responsible  for 
implementing the investment policy and support of key mergers and acquisitions transactions.  During 2005 to 
2007 he worked as Vice President and International Legal Counsel of Sual-Holding, which was the management 
company for OAO ‘SUAL’, the second largest aluminium company in Russia, and also participated in the creation 
of  UC  Rusal  through  combination of  the  assets  of  Sual-Holding,  Rusal  and  Glencore.    From  1999 to 2005  Mr. 
Goldman worked as an associate at Chadbourne & Parke LLP in New York and in Moscow.  Mr. Goldman holds a 
J.D. from the School of Law, University of California (Los Angeles).  He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in 
History at the University of California (Los Angeles). 

Mr. Goldman has extensive experience in investments and business developments and benefits from oversight 
experience in a number of external directorships. 

Term of Office: 

Appointed to the Board in November 2014 

Independent: 

No 

Lyn Grobler 

External Appointment: 

United Company RUSAL Plc 
OAO ‘Volga’ 
FC ‘Ural’ 
United Company of Kalahari Ltd 

Committee Membership: 

Member of the Risk Committee 
Member of the Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee 

Born in 1964.  Mrs Grobler is an experienced executive with a strong track-record in technology and IT roles. 
She was appointed Group Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Hyperion Insurance  Group in 2016.  Prior to this 
she  was  Vice  President  and  CIO  Corporate  Functions  at  BP  where  she  led  the  transformation  of  both  the 
organisation  and  the  digital  landscape  through  introducing  sustained  change  in  process,  capability  and 
technology, having held a variety of roles across IT and global trading over 16 years.  Before BP, Mrs Grobler 
managed large scale global technology projects and strategies within banking and trading based in both London 
and South Africa.  Mrs Grobler has been recognised as one of the 25 most influential women in UK IT and has 
been shortlisted for CIO of the Year at the 2016 Women in IT awards.  Mrs Grobler holds an HND in Computer 
systems from Durban University in South Africa. 

Mrs Grobler has significant experience in IT and digital transformation and benefits from oversight experience in 
a number of external directorships. 

Term of Office: 

Appointed to the Board in February 2017 

Independent: 

Yes 

External Appointment: 

Board Intelligence Ltd 
Hyperion Services Ltd 
Howden Broking Group 

Committee Membership: 

Chairperson of the Technology Committee 

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2. 

2.1 

Members of the Board of Directors (continued) 

Non-Executive Directors (continued) 

Michael Heger 

Born  in  1955.    Dr.  Heger  currently  serves  as  the  general  manager  of  finance  and  investment  and  as  an 
independent  senior  advisor  for  S.I.F.  International  Holding  S.A.,  Luxembourg  at  its  representative  office  in 
Vienna.  Previously, during 2009-2012 he served as general manager and chief executive officer of Metal Trade 
Overseas AG in Zug, Switzerland.  He began his career in 1980 as a manager in export finance and legal affairs 
for Waagner-Biro AG in Vienna, Austria.  Having spent two years at Waagner-Biro AG, he moved to UniCredit 
Bank Austria Group, where he held various management positions from 1982 to 2002.  Between 2001-2002, he 
served  as  general  manager  and  head  of  structured  trade  finance  at  Bank  Austria  AG.    From  2002-2003,  he 
served  as  the  deputy  general  manager  and  head  of  International  division  for  Raiffeisenlandesbank 
Niederosterreich-Wien  AG.    Dr.  Heger  then  joined  MPH  Management  and  Participation  Holding  S.A.,  a  special 
purpose  company  for  equity  participation in  commercial  and industrial  companies,  financial  institutions  and  in 
property developments as well as for financial and consulting services for domestic and international clients and 
commodity  trading,  as  the  general  manager  of  finance  and  investment  and  head  of  the  representative  office 
from 2004-2009.  Dr. Heger holds a doctorate in law from the University of Vienna and obtained a postgraduate 
degree in law from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. 

Dr.  Heger  has  extensive  banking  experience  having  spent  more  than  20  years  in  various  senior  positions  in 
UniCredit  Bank  Austria  Group  and  has  considerable  strategic  knowledge  of  industrial  and  commercial 
companies, financial institutions and property developments. 

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in June 2016 

None  

Independent: 

Yes 

Committee Membership: 

Member of the Audit Committee 
Member  of  the  Human  Resources  and  Remuneration 
Committee 
Member of the Technology Committee 

Marios Kalochoritis  

Born  in  1973.    Mr.  Kalochoritis  is  a  Financial  Executive  with  experience  in  investment  banking,  hedge  fund 
management,  private  equity,  wealth  management  and  as  a  Chief  Financial  Officer.    Geographically  he  has 
covered  North  and  South  America,  Western  and  Eastern  Europe  and  the  Middle  East.    He  is  experienced  in 
start-ups and turnout situations.  He is the founder and Managing Partner of Loggerhead Partners, a Consulting 
and  Advisory  firm,  based  out  of  Dubai.    Previously  he  spent  five  and  a  half  years  in  Cyprus  where,  as  the 
Managing Director, he had set up and ran the operations and risk management of a global macro hedge fund.  
Prior  to  that  he  was  Senior  Vice  President  for  Credit  Suisse  Bank  in  Zurich  and  he  was  heading  business 
development for Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey.  Between 2003 and 2006 he was the Chief Financial 
Officer  for  Amana  Group  in  Dubai,  a  major  regional  construction  group.    He  had  moved  to  Dubai  following  a 
couple of years in New York where he was the co-founder of a boutique investment bank.  He started his career 
at Enron in Houston where, as a financial analyst and later an associate in the finance department, he analysed 
and  made  investments  in  oil &  gas,  energy  and  other  infrastructure  opportunities  around  the  world.    He  also 
interned  with  J.P.  Morgan  Bank  in  New  York  and  McKinsey  &  Co  in  Athens.    He  holds  an  MBA  from  Harvard 
Business School and a BSc in Finance from Louisiana State University. 

Mr.  Kalochoritis  is  an  experienced  financial  services  professional  having  served  in  various  senior  roles  in 
banking and other industries. 

338 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

2.1 

Members of the Board of Directors (continued) 

Non-Executive Directors (continued) 

Marios Kalochoritis (continued) 

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in September 2013 

Carouge Investments  
Loggerhead Management Consultants 
Loggerhead Holdings 

Independent: 

Yes 

James B. Lockhart III  

Committee Membership: 

Member of the Risk Committee 
Member  of  the  Human  Resources  and  Remuneration 
Committee 

Born  in  1946.    Mr.  Lockhart  serves  as  Vice  Chairman  of  WL  Ross  &  Co  LLC  in  New  York  since  2009  and  as  a 
member  of  Investment  Committees  and  the  Management  Committee  thereof.    Prior  to  this  position,  Mr 
Lockhart  served  in  the  U.S  Government  in  several  positions.    In  2008-2009  he  was  the  Director  (CEO)  and 
Chairman  of  the  Federal  Housing  Finance  Agency  (FHFA)  Oversight  Board.    In  2006-2007  he  served  as  the 
Director  (CEO)  of  the  Office  of  Federal  Housing  Enterprise  Oversight.    He  also  served  on  the  Troubled  Asset 
Relief Program’s (TARP’s) Financial Stability Oversight Board which is chaired by the Federal Reserve Chairman.  
From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Lockhart served as the Principal Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of 
the  Social  Security  Administration  (SSA).    He  served  on  the  Executive  Committee  of  President  Bush’s 
Management  Council  and  as  Secretary  of  Social  Security’s  Board  of  Trustees.    Mr.  Lockhart’s  private  sector 
financial services experience includes senior positions with NetRisk, National RE, Smith Barney, pension Benefit 
Guaranty  Corporation,  Alexander  &  Alexander  Services  and  Gulf  Oil  Corporation.    He  graduated  from  Harvard 
University with an MBA and from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts.  

Mr. Lockhart has extensive experience in the financial services and through his government roles has important 
insight in the regulatory environment as well as oversight experience of banking institutions. 

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in March 2017 
(subject to ECB approval)  

Independent: 

Yes 

WL Ross & Co. LLC 
Cascade Bancorp 
Shellpoint Partners LLC 
Bruce Museum  
Bipartisan  Policy  Centre  Commission  on  Retirement 
Security  

Committee Membership: 

Member  of  the  Risk  Committee  (subject  to  ECB 
approval) 
Member of the Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee (subject to ECB approval) 

Michael Spanos (Senior Independent Director) 

Born  in  1953.    Mr.  Spanos  is  Managing  Director  of  M.S.  Business  Power  Ltd,  which  provides  consultancy 
services on strategic and business development (since 2008).  Mr. Spanos worked at Lanitis Bros Ltd from 1981 
to 2008 as Marketing Manager, General Manager and Managing Director.  Between 2005 and 2009, Mr. Spanos 
served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus International Institute (Republic of Cyprus and 
Harvard  School  of  Public  Health).    Mr.  Spanos  has  also  served  on  other  boards,  such  as  Coca-Cola  Içecek 
(2012-2016), Heineken-Lanitis Cyprus Ltd (2005 to 2007), Lumiere TV Public Ltd (2000 to 2012), A. Petsas & 
Sons Public Ltd (2000 to 2007) and CypriaLife Insurance Ltd (1995 to 2000).  Mr. Spanos is a former member 
of the Central Bank of Cyprus Board of Directors.  Mr. Spanos holds a Master's degree in economics from North 
Carolina State University. 

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

2.1 

Directors (continued) 

Non-Executive Directors (continued) 

Michael Spanos (Senior Independent Director) (continued) 

Mr. Spanos as an experienced Managing Director and member of a number of Boards has in-depth knowledge 
of international business, management, finance and strategic development. 

Term of Office: 

Appointed to the Board in November 2014 

Independent: 

Yes 

Ioannis Zographakis  

External Appointment: 

M.S. Business Power Ltd  
Green Dot (Cyprus) Ltd 
Lanitis Bros Ltd 

Committee Membership: 

Chairman  of  the  Human  Resources  and  Remuneration 
Committee 

Born in 1963.  Mr. Zographakis is a senior Executive with a broad and diverse international experience in the 
banking industry.  He has worked with Citibank for over 20 years, in the USA, UK and Greece.  His line/business 
positions and divisional/corporate responsibilities, have provided him with an extensive background in corporate 
governance,  business  restructuring,  re-engineering,  crisis  management,  separation  of  businesses,  business 
strategy,  profit  &  loss  management,  finance,  product  and  segment  management,  operations  &  technology 
management,  and  dealing  with  various  regulatory  bodies  and  industry  related  organisations.    He  started  his 
career in 1990 with Citibank in Greece as a Management Associate for Europe, Middle-East & Africa (EMEA).  He 
then  worked  as  the  Deputy  Treasurer  and  Treasurer  for  the  Consumer  Bank  in  Greece,  before  moving to  the 
USA  in  1996  as  the  Director  of  Finance  for  CitiMortgage.    In  1997  he  became  the  Financial  Controller  for 
Citigroup's Consumer Finance business in the US and then he was the Chief Financial Officer for the Consumer 
Assets Division.  From 1998 until 2004 he worked in the Student Loan Corporation (SLC), a Citigroup subsidiary 
and a New York Stock Exchange traded company.  He started as the Chief Financial Officer, became the Chief 
Operations Officer and in 2001 he was named the Chief Executive Officer.  In 2005 he moved back to Europe as 
Citibank's  Consumer  Lending  Head  for  EMEA  and  UK  Retail  Bank  Head.    Deciding  to  move  closer  to  home  in 
2006, he took the position as Citibank's Retail Bank Head in Greece where he stayed until 2011, before moving 
back to Cyprus consulting on financial services when requested.   He has been a Director for the Student Loan 
Corporation in the US, a Director for Tiresias (Greek Credit Bureau) and the Secretary of the Audit Committee, 
a Director and member of the Audit Committee for Diners Club Greece, the Vice-Chairman of the Citi Insurance 
Brokerage  Board  in  Greece  and  the  Chairman  of  the  Investments  and  Insurance  Supervisory  Committee  in 
Citibank Greece.  He holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in the USA and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil 
Engineering from Imperial College in London. 

Mr. Zographakis has extensive experience of the banking industry, having spent more than 20 years in various 
senior operational and financial roles in Citibank and on the Board of a number of financial entities.  

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in September 2013 

None 

Independent: 

Yes 

Committee Membership: 

Chairman of the Audit Committee 
Member of the Risk Committee 
Member of the Technology Committee 

340 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

2.2 

Directors (continued) 

Executive Directors  

John Patrick Hourican (CEO) 

Born  in  1970.    Mr.  Hourican  served  as  Chief  Executive  of  The  Royal  Bank  of  Scotland  (‘RBS’)  Group’s 
Investment  Bank  (Markets  &  International  Banking)  from  October  2008  until  February  2013.    Between  2007 
and 2008, he served on behalf of a consortium of banks (RBS, Fortis and Santander) as Chief Financial Officer 
of ABN AMRO Group and as a Member of its Managing Board.  He joined RBS in 1997 as a Leveraged Finance 
banker.  He held a variety of senior positions within RBS's wholesale banking division, notably on the division's 
Board  as Finance  Director  and Chief Operating Officer.    He  also  ran  the bank’s Leveraged  Finance business in 
Europe  and  Asia.    Mr.  Hourican  started  his  career  at  PriceWaterhouse  and  he  is  a  Fellow  of  the  Institute  of 
Chartered  Accountants  in  Ireland.    He  is  a  graduate  of  the  National  University  of  Ireland  and  Dublin  City 
University. 

Mr.  Hourican  is  an  experienced  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Finance  Director  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  having 
served in various senior roles for over fifteen years with the Royal Bank of Scotland.   

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in December 2013 

Atradius N.V. 

Independent: 

No 

Committee Membership: 

None 

Christodoulos Patsalides (DCEO & COO) 

Born in 1962.  From 1989 to 1996, Dr. Patsalides worked for the Central Bank of Cyprus in the management of 
Government  External  Debt  and  Foreign  Exchange  Reserves  Department.    In  1996,  Dr.  Patsalides  joined  the 
Company where he has held a number of positions in corporate banking, treasury and private banking, among 
others.  From December 2013 to April 2016, Dr. Patsalides served as Finance Director and was responsible for 
finance, treasury, investor relations, economic research and procurement.  In his current capacity as the DCEO 
& COO, he is responsible for human resources, corporate affairs, central operations, legal services, organisation 
and  methods,  information  technology,  business  transformation  and  administrative  operations.    Dr.  Patsalides 
holds  a  PhD  and  an  MSc  in  economics  from  the  London  School  of  Economics  and  a  BSc  in  economics  from 
Queen Mary College in London. 

Dr. Patsalides is an experienced financial services professional having served in a number of senior roles in the 
Group including as Finance Director. 

Term of Office: 

External Appointment: 

Appointed to the Board in November 2014 

Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society 

Independent: 

No 

Committee Membership: 

None 

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

Board Committees 

BOC PLC 

Board of Directors 

Group  Nominations & Corporate  
Committee 

Group Human Resources & 
Remuneration Committee 

Group Audit Committee 

Group Risk Committee 

Non-Executive responsibility 
for leading the process for 
Board appointments and for 
identifying and nominating, 
for approval by the Board, 
candidates for appointment to 
the Board and oversight of the 
corporate governance 
arrangements of the Group 

Non-Executive responsibility for 
setting the overarching 
principles, parameters and 
governance framework of the 
Group's remuneration policy 
and the remuneration of senior 
executives 

Non-Executive responsibility 
for oversight of, and advice 
to the Board on, matters 
relating to financial  
statements  and oversight of 
compliance function and 
internal audit function 

Non-Executive 
responsibility for 
oversight of and advice 
to the Board on, high 
level risk related matters 
and risk governance 

In order to exercise proper oversight of risk and control, the Board has set up four main Board committees in 
accordance  with  the  relevant  requirements  of  the  CSE  Code,  the  UK  Code  and  the  relevant  provisions  of  the 
CBC Governance Directive.  The key roles of the Board committees are described above.   

The Board has made a conscious decision to delegate a broader range of issues to the Board committees.  This 
linkage is important between the committees and the Board given that it is impractical for all independent non-
executive Directors to be members of all the committees.  The terms of reference of the committees are based 
on the relevant provisions of the CSE and UK Codes and the CBC Governance Directive (where applicable).  

The  overall  responsibility  for  approving  and  monitoring  the  Group’s  strategy,  risk  appetite  and  policies  for 
managing  risks  lies  with  the  Board,  which  exercises  this  responsibility  through  two  of  its  main  committees, 
namely the Risk Committee and the Audit Committee.  

In addition to a number of  cross-committee memberships, the chairperson of each committee reports to each 
meeting  of  the  Board  on  the  activities  of  the  committee  since  the  previous  Board  meeting  and  the  Board 
receives the minutes of each of the committee’s meetings.  

The Board has recently set up a Technology Committee to drive the digital transformation of the Company.  The 
Committee  is  comprised of  three  non-executive  members  and  is  chaired  by  Mrs  Lyn  Grobler  whose  extensive 
knowledge and experience in this industry will be instrumental. 

3.1 

Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee 

At 31 December 2016 the NCGC comprised three non-executive Directors, two of whom were independent.  It 
is chaired by the Chairman of the Board and its composition is fully compliant with the CSE Code, the UK Code 
and the CBC Governance Directive.  The members of the Committee as at the date of this report following Mr. 
Ross’ resignation are: 
 
 

Josef Ackermann (Chairman) 
Maksim Goldman  

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.1 

Board Committees (continued) 

Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee (continued) 

Biographical details, including each  member’s  background,  experience  and independence  status are  set out  in 
section 2 of this report.   

The NCGC leads the process for appointments and renewals of the Board and Board committees, overseeing the 
process for non-executive Director appointments and renewals to key subsidiary boards as well as overseeing 
subsidiary governance to ensure that appropriate and proportionate governance arrangements are in place for 
Group  subsidiaries.    Furthermore,  the  role  of  the  NCGC  is  to  support  and  advise  the  Board  in  relation  to  the 
Directors’ development and succession planning and to ensure that the Board is comprised of members who are 
best able to discharge the duties and responsibilities of Directors. 

The  Committee  with  the  support  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Compliance  Officer,  keeps  the  Board’s 
governance arrangements under review and makes appropriate recommendations to the Board to ensure that 
these arrangements are consistent with best practice and corporate governance standards.   

During 2016, the Committee held 8 meetings.  Matters considered by the Committee were: 
 

Structure,  size,  diversity  and  composition  (skills,  knowledge  and  expertise)  of  the  Board  and  Board 
committees  
The independence of the non-executive members 
Board and individual member performance evaluation  
Effectiveness of performance of each committee 
Nominations, appointments to the Board and major subsidiary boards 
The alignment of the corporate governance framework to the UK Code 
Director rotation 
Diversity Policy and gender diversity targets 
Annual Corporate Governance Report 
Corporate governance quarterly reports 
Changes to the management structure of the Company 
Potential conflicts of interest with Directors’ other appointments 
Updated the Corporate Governance Guidelines for Group  subsidiaries to align practice across the Group, 
and to enhance the oversight framework for subsidiaries 
Remediation plan and response to ECB’s risk governance and appetite thematic review 
Approval of the annual Director training agenda  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

The Committee reviewed a gap analysis of the existing corporate governance framework with the UK Code and 
implemented an action plan to close the few identified gaps  by the time the  London  listing  was achieved.    To 
this  effect,  it  approved  the  revision  to  the  Group  Board  of  Directors  manual,  the  terms  of  reference  of  Board 
committees and the Corporate Governance Policy.   

The Committee reviewed the composition of the boards of Eurolife Ltd and General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd and 
recommended  to the Board  the appointment of independent  Directors to  these subsidiaries.    Additionally,  the 
Director  rotation  of  the  Company  was  discussed  and  a  recommendation  was  made  to  the  Board.    The 
Committee  also  began  a  search  for  the  nomination  of  a  new  member  to  the  Board  in  line  with  the 
recommendations  deriving  from  the  Board  performance  evaluation  and  the  assessment  of  the  composition  of 
the Board. 

The Committee also approved the revised: 
Group Board Nominations Policy 
 
Group Corporate Governance Policy 
 
Board manual 
 
Terms of reference of the main committees 
 

in order to align them with the provisions of the UK Code. 

The internal evaluation report on the performance of the Board, its  committees and members was ratified and 
submitted to the Board for approval.    

343 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.1 

Board Committees (continued) 

Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee (continued) 

3.1.1  Diversity 

The  non-executive  Directors  have  diverse  skills,  knowledge  and  experience  that  combine  to  provide 
independent  perspective  and  effective  board  dynamics.    The  effectiveness  of  the  Board  depends  on  ensuring 
the right balance of Directors with banking or financial services experience and broader commercial experience.   

Following review in 2016, the NCGC  determined that  the skills of  the  Board  were  appropriate  and  relevant to 
the  business  of  the  Group  including  financial  services,  strategy  development,  finance,  risk  management, 
business experience, economics etc.  Directors bring their individual knowledge, skills and experience to bear in 
discussions on the major challenges facing the Group.  The Group recognises the benefits of having a diverse 
Board  and is committed to  this respect.  In reviewing  board  compositions and identifying  suitable candidates, 
the  NCGC  considers  the  benefits  of  all  aspects  of  diversity  including  the  skills  identified  as  relevant  to  the 
business  of  the  Group,  industry  experience,  nationality,  gender,  age  and  other  relevant  qualities  in  order  to 
maintain an appropriate range and balance of skills, experience and background on the Board.   

During  2016,  the  NCGC  reviewed  the  Board  Diversity  Policy  (the  latest  version  of  which  is  available  on  the 
Group’s website www.bankofcyprus.com) which sets out to achieve gender diversity by 2020 with appointments 
based on meritocracy.  The Board has set a target to achieve and maintain 40% female representation by the 
end of 2020 and a plan prepared by the Company Secretary has been approved by the NCGC describing all key 
intervening  milestones  leading  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  target.    On  30  August  2016  the  Board  had 
appointed Mrs Lyn Grobler subject to ECB approval, which was provided on 7 February 2017. 

The  Code  of  Conduct  similarly  ensures  equal  opportunities  to  all  members  of  staff  and  treats  diversity  with 
fairness and respect aiming to provide fair treatment for everyone at work.  

3.1.2  Appointment, Retirement and re-election of Directors 

The Board recognises the need to identify the best qualified and available people to serve on the Board.  It is 
responsible  for  the  appointment  of  Directors.    In  accordance  with  the  Board  Nominations  Policy  all 
appointments are made on merit against objective criteria (including skills and experience) with due regard for 
the  benefits of  diversity  on  the  Board.    The  Board  plans  for  its own  renewal  with  the  assistance  of the  NCGC 
which regularly reviews Board composition, tenure and succession planning.   

According to the Articles of Association of the Company one third of the Directors retire each year and if eligible 
offer  themselves  for  re-election.    At the  AGM  of  shareholders  on  25  October 2016,  Mr.  Maksim  Goldman,  Mr. 
Michael  Spanos  and  Mr.  Arne  Berggren  resigned  and,  being  eligible,  offered  themselves  for  re-election.    Dr. 
Michael Heger was elected to the Board following his appointment on 9 June 2016.  Mrs Lyn Grobler was also 
elected to the Board subject to ECB approval which was provided on 7 February 2017.   

The Board may at any time appoint any person who is willing to act as Director and who fulfils the criteria as 
these are determined in the Board Nominations Policy, either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to the existing 
Board, but the total number of Directors should not exceed 13.  Any Director so appointed is subject to election 
at the Annual General Meeting following his appointment.   

The NCGC, prior to assessing candidates, identifies the skills and experience required for the role, assesses the 
time commitment  involved  and, having regard  to the formal assessment of  the  skills profile of  the  Board and 
succession  planning,  recommends  the  nomination  to  the  Board.    The  recruitment  process  for  non-executive 
Directors  is  supported  by  an  experienced  third  party  professional  search  firm  which  develops  an  appropriate 
pool of candidates and provides independent assessments of the candidates.  The Group then works with that 
firm to shortlist candidates, conduct interviews/meetings (including meetings with members of the NCGC) and 
complete  comprehensive  due  diligence.    In  accordance  with  the  Board  Nominations  Policy,  the  assessment 
process and the due diligence completed is extensive and includes self certification confirmations of probity and 
financial soundness and external checks involving a review of various publicly available sources. 

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Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.1 

Board Committees (continued) 

Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee (continued) 

3.1.2  Appointment, Retirement and re-election of Directors (continued) 

The process also involves the NCGC satisfying itself as to the candidate’s ability to devote sufficient time to the 
role, independence, fitness and probity and assessing and documenting its consideration of possible conflicts of 
interest.  The NCGC then makes recommendations to the Board.  The process described above was followed in 
the selection of  Mrs Lyn Grobler  in August 2016.    Egon Zehnder,  an external search  consultancy firm  with no 
other connection to the Company was engaged in respect of this non-executive Director appointment.   

Non-executive  Directors  are  appointed  for  an  initial  three-year  term,  and  are  typically  expected  to  serve  two 
three-year terms.  The Board may invite Directors to serve additional periods once their performance has been 
assessed as adequate.    A non-executive’s term  of office  will not  extend beyond  12  years in total and any  re-
appointment  beyond  6  cumulative  years  will  be  subject  to  rigorous  review  and  should  take  into  account  the 
need for progressive refreshing of the Board.  The Articles of Association of the Company will be amended prior 
to  the  next  AGM  so  that henceforth  all  Directors  will  retire  every  year  and offer  themselves  for  re-election,  if 
they so wish. 

Letters  setting  out  the  terms  of  appointment  of  each  of  the  non-executive  Directors,  including  the  time 
commitment  expected  of  each  of  them,  are  available  on  the  Company’s  website  www.bankofcyprus.com.  
Directors  are  required  to  devote  adequate  time  to  the  business  of  the  Group,  which  includes  attendance  at 
regular meetings, training sessions and briefings and preparation time for meetings.  In addition, non-executive 
Directors are normally required to sit on at least one committee of the Board, which involves the commitment 
of  additional  time.    Certain  non-executive  Directors  such  as  the  Senior  Independent  Director  and  committee 
chairpersons are required to allocate additional time in fulfilling those roles. 

3.1.3  Directors’ induction and ongoing development 

Full,  formal  and  tailored  induction  programmes,  with  particular  emphasis  on  risk  management  and  internal 
control systems are arranged for newly appointed Directors.  The programmes also entail a series of meetings 
with senior executives and other Directors to enable new Directors to familiarise themselves with the business, 
management and governance structure including the function of the Board and the role of the committees.  The 
Company  Secretary  under  the  supervision  of  the  Chairman  develops  programmes  based  on  the  Director’s 
individual  needs.    Following  appointment,  each  Director  receives  a  relevant  package  and  undergoes  an 
induction programme. 

Focused training of the Board  is arranged in conjunction with  scheduled  Board  meetings where information is 
provided to ensure that Directors receive adequate insight into a particular area and through dedicated training 
sessions on particular issues (refer to table below for 2016 training schedule) usually identified by the Directors 
and the Company Secretary.  A training schedule is prepared at the beginning of each year and  Directors are 
expected to attend accordingly.   

All the members of the Board were provided on appointment with an information pack which includes, among 
others, the Board manual, key legislation, directives and regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association.  
As demonstrated in the table below, specialised training sessions were provided covering issues relating to the 
London Stock Exchange listing with the contribution of external advisors.  

Name 

Overseas listing 
Legal and other 
considerations 

J. Ackermann 
M. Goldman 
W. L. Ross 
A Berggren 
M. Heger 
J. Hourican 
M. Kalochoritis 
C. Patsalides 
M. Spanos 
Y. Zographakis 

√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 

London Stock 
Exchange listing 
Corporate 
Governance 
considerations 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
345 

Further London 
Stock Exchange 
listing 
considerations 

√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 
√ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Annual Corporate Governance Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.1 

Board Committees (continued) 

Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee (continued) 

3.1.3  Directors’ induction and ongoing development (continued) 

The training material is distributed to all Directors regardless of attendance.  In 2016 the Company introduced 
e-learning and three such sessions were  made available to the Directors at the end of the year to cover such 
matters as Anti-Money Laundering (‘AML’), Whistleblowing and Anti-Bribery and Corruption.   

Directors are also offered the option of attending suitable external educational courses, events or conferences 
designed to provide an overview of current issues of relevance to  Directors.  The Company Secretary ensures 
all  Directors  are  provided  with  relevant  information  on  a  timely  basis  to  enable  them  to  consider  issues  for 
decision-making and discharge of their oversight responsibilities.  The Directors also have access to the advice 
of  the  Group  external  legal  advisors  and  to  independent  professional  advice,  at  the  Group’s  expense,  if  and 
when required.  Board committees have similar access and are provided with sufficient resources to undertake 
their  duties.    The  Directors  also  receive  comprehensive  guidance  from  the  Company  Secretary  on  Board 
procedures  as  well  as  guidance  on  duties  and  obligations  by  the  Group  Corporate  Governance  Compliance 
Officer.   

In  the  performance  of  their  roles,  executive  Directors  develop  and  refresh  their  skills  and  knowledge  of  the 
Group’s business and operations through regular interactions, meetings and briefings with  senior management 
and  through  presenting  on  the  Group’s  business  to  investors  and  analysts.    They  remain  abreast  of 
developments  affecting  the  financial  services  sector  and  banking  by  representing  the  Group’s  interests  at 
conferences, advisory groups and other events and meetings with regulators and other authorities. 

3.1.4 

Board Performance Evaluation  

The Board is committed to regular and at least annual evaluation of its effectiveness and that of its committees.  
The internal evaluation of performance of the Board, its committees and individual members conducted in June 
2016  by  the  Corporate  Governance  Compliance  Officer,  indicated  a  strong  and  diverse  composition  of 
experiences that could be further enhanced by appointing members with IT background, while at the same time 
striving for gender diversity.  The annual Board performance evaluation report made several recommendations 
and an action plan for the implementation of these recommendations was set up.  The assessment carried out 
through questionnaires considered overall performance relative to the role of the Board.  

The  outcome  of  the  Board  evaluation  was  considered  by  the  NCGC  and  collectively  discussed  by  the  Board 
which  concluded  that  the  Board  continues  to  be  effective.    The  Board  also  concluded  that  each  Director 
continues to make a valuable contribution to the deliberations of the Board and all the members of the Board 
have the appropriate qualifications and broad relevant experience and continue to be effective and demonstrate 
continuing commitment to the role. 

The  Senior  Independent  Director  led  the  process  of  evaluation  of  the  Chairman’s  performance  based  on  a 
discussion  during  an  executive  session  of  the  non-executives  (without  the  Chairman).    The  Board  concluded 
that  the  Chairman  continues  to  lead  the  Board  effectively,  continues  to  make  valuable  contribution  and 
demonstrates continuing commitment to the role. 

3.2 

Remuneration and Human Resources Committee 

Information  on  the  composition  and  the  role  of  the  Committee  as  well  as  issues  reviewed  during  2016  is 
presented  in  the  Remuneration  Policy  Report,  on  page  356  of  this  report.    The  Committee  is  chaired  by  the 
Senior Independent Director and its composition complies with the  requirements of the  CSE  Code  and the  UK 
Code.    From  1  January  2016  the  Committee  comprised  of  only  two  independent  non-executive  Directors 
pending  the  appointment  of  Michael  Heger  who  became  the  third  independent  non-executive  member  of  the 
Committee as from 9 June 2016, upon the approval of his appointment to the Board by the ECB. 

3.2.1 

Loans to Directors and Other Transactions 

Details of loans to  Directors and other transactions with the Group are set out in Note  48 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2016. 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.2 

Board Committees (continued) 

Remuneration and Human Resources Committee (continued) 

3.2.1 

Loans to Directors and Other Transactions (continued) 

The Banking Law currently forbids the extension of any credit to any independent member of the Board, but the 
CBC may exempt any exposure from time to time having regard to the exceptionally low risk arising from the 
exposures concerned.  Furthermore, any credit to be extended to non-independent members of the Board must 
comply with the following provisions of the Law: 
 

be  approved  by  a  resolution  of  the  Board  carried  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  that 
participated in the relevant Board meeting and the member  concerned should neither be present during 
the discussion nor vote on the resolution, 
the exposure granted should be on the same commercial terms as would apply to customers for similar 
exposures in the ordinary course of banking practice, 
the total value of exposures in respect of all members of the management body should not exceed at any 
time 10% of the Company’s own funds, or such other lower percentage as the CBC may determine from 
time to time,  
the  total  value  of  any  unsecured  exposures  granted  to  all  members  of  the  Board  should  not  exceed  at 
any  time  1%  of  the  Company’s  own  funds  or  such  other  lower  percentage  as  the  CBC  may  determine 
from time to time,  
the  total  value  of  exposure  to  any  member  of  the  Board  should  not  exceed  at  any  time  the  amount  of 
€500.000 or such other lower amount as the CBC may determine from time to time, and  
no financing is permitted to any executive member of the management body that does not comply to the 
commercial terms or exceeds the limits that apply to all staff or such other lower amount as the CBC may 
determine from time to time. 

 

 

 

 

 

All members of the Board of Directors complied with the relevant provisions of the CSE Code  and the Banking 
Law as at 31 December 2016. 

3.3 

Audit Committee 

The  Audit  Committee  during  2016  comprised  three  non-executive  Directors,  two  of  whom  were  independent.  
As of 1 January 2017, Maksim Goldman resigned from the AC and was replaced by Michael Heger in order for 
the Company to comply with the UK Code and the requirement that the  audit committee be comprised only of 
independent non-executive Directors.   
The members of the Audit Committee as at the date of this report are as follows: 
 
 
 

Ioannis Zographakis (Chairman)    
Arne Berggren 
Michael Heger (since 1 January 2017) 

The Board considers that the AC as a whole has a relevant mix of skills and financial/banking experience.  The 
Board  further  believes  that  Ioannis  Zographakis  can  be  regarded  as  having  recent  and  relevant  financial 
experience  for  the  purposes  of  the  UK  Code  and  can  be  regarded  as  an  AC  financial  expert.    Biographical 
details, including  each member’s background,  experience  and independence  status are  set out  in  section 2 of 
this report. 

The role of the Committee, inter alia, is: 
 
 
 
 

To oversee the system of internal controls including reviewing its effectiveness  
To monitor the integrity of the Group's financial statements and related announcements 
To monitor the effectiveness of the internal audit function  
To  advise  the  Board  on  appointment  of  the  external  auditors  and  be  responsible  for  oversight  and 
remuneration of the external auditor 
To review the Company’s financial and accounting policies and practices  
To monitor the effectiveness of the Group's whistle-blowing procedures 
To monitor the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering function of the Company and all other aspects 
of regulatory/ethics compliance 

 
 
 

and make recommendations to the Board on such matters.   

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.3 

Board Committees (continued) 

Audit Committee (continued) 

The  role  of  the  Committee  is  fundamental  to  ensuring  the  financial  integrity  and  accuracy  of  the  Company’s 
financial reporting.  Good, open relationships between the Committee, the Finance Director, the Group Internal 
Audit  Director  and  the  Director of  Group  Compliance  as  well  as  the  external  auditors,  are  essential  to adding 
value  to  the  organisation.    This  is  achieved  by  holding  management  to  account  for  the  implementation  of  all 
audit  recommendations  (internal  and  external)  and  inviting  appropriate  divisional  directors  to  meetings  to 
explain  how  they  are  delivering  the  agreed  actions  for  which  they  are  responsible.    In  addition  to  providing 
assurance within the governance and accountability structures of the Group, it is essential that the Committee 
contributes, delivers results and adds value to the Group. 

The Committee has: 
 

Endorsed  the  going  concern  assessment  for  the  purposes  of  the  basis  of  preparation  of  the  financial 
statements. 
Reviewed and monitored the appropriateness and completeness of the published financial statements and 
related announcements to  shareholders of the Company and any formal announcements relating to the 
Group’s financial performance, including significant financial reporting judgments and estimates made by 
the Group. 
Discussed  key  areas  of  judgments  and  estimates  in  the  Group’s  financial  results  with  the  external 
auditors, Ernst & Young Cyprus Ltd; particular areas for discussion included their findings/observations as 
part of their audit/review of the Group’s financial statements, including inter  alia, loan  provisioning and 
impairment policies, going concern issues and the recoverability of deferred tax assets. 
Advised  the  Group  Board  that  the  Group  Annual  Financial  Report  and  financial  statements,  taken  as  a 
whole, is fair,  balanced and understandable  and provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy. 
Considered  for  disclosure  all  material  relevant  issues  that  have  concerned  management  and  the  Group 
statutory auditors during the year. 
Reviewed accounting policies and practices, including approval of the critical accounting policies. 
Considered  management’s  recommendations  in  respect  of  provisions  for  impairment  of  loans  and 
advances and any other impairment losses and charges as reported in the Group’s financial statements. 

 

 

 

 

 
 

The Committee has the responsibility for examining any significant transactions in any form, carried out by the 
Company  and/or  its  subsidiary  companies,  where  any  member  of  the  Board,  CEO,  senior  executive  officer, 
Secretary, auditor or large shareholder has, directly or indirectly, any significant interest.  It ensures that these 
transactions  are  carried  out  within  the  framework  of  the  Company’s  normal  commercial  practices  (at  arm’s 
length). 

The Committee received regular reports from the Group Finance Director, the Group Internal Audit Director and 
the Director of Group Compliance.   

The  Committee  reviewed  the  adequacy  of  resources,  qualifications  and  experience  of  staff  in  the  finance 
division.  Reports were submitted to the Committee on internal control matters.  The Group Finance Director, 
the  Group  Internal  Audit  Director,  the  Director  of  Group  Compliance,  external  auditors  and  other  senior 
executives  attended  the  Committee’s  meetings.    The  Committee  has  regular  discussions  with  the  external 
auditor,  the  Group  Internal  Audit  Director  and  the  Director  of  Group  Compliance  with  opportunity  to  discuss 
issues without management present. 

The  AC  considered  loan  impairment  allowances  and  charges,  discussing  with  management  the  basis  of 
calculation and the reasons for significant changes.  Judgements and estimates discussed included impairment 
of customer advances; interest income recognition on acquired loans, and the disclosures relating to provisions 
and  contingent  liabilities  for  legal  proceedings  and  regulatory  matters;  and  the  recoverability  of  deferred  tax 
assets  which  entails  significant  judgement  due  to  the  uncertainties  that  exist  in  projecting  into  the  future.  
Further  the  AC  considered  management’s  assessment  of  the  appropriateness  of  preparing  the  financial 
statements of the Group for all quarters of year 2016 on a going concern basis.  The considerations assessed by 
the AC are set out in Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.3 

Board Committees (continued) 

Audit Committee (continued) 

The  AC  and  the  RC  liaise  closely  and  in  joint  committee  meetings  review  the  appropriateness  of  and 
completeness  of  the  system  of  internal  controls.    The  AC  is  primarily  responsible  to  review  the  manner  and 
framework in which management ensures and monitors the adequacy of the nature, extent and effectiveness of 
internal  controls  system,  including  accounting  control  systems,  thereby  maintaining  an  effective  system  of 
internal controls. 

The  Board  has  delegated  authority  to  the  NCGC  to  draw  up  the  Corporate  Governance  Report,  but  the  Audit 
Committee retains its duty to review and approve the Annual Corporate Governance Report. 

In addition AC has responsibility for: 
 

Assisting  the  Board  in  meeting  its  obligations  under  relevant  Stock  Exchange  listing  rules  and  other 
applicable laws and regulations 
Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit function and its operations 

 

3.3.1 

Committee Activities in 2016 

The Committee held 12 meetings during 2016. 

The AC considered the following key significant accounting and other related issues in its review of the financial 
statements  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2016.    In  addressing  these  issues,  the  AC  considered  the 
appropriateness of management’s judgments and estimates and where appropriate, discussed those judgments 
and estimates with the external auditor: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Discussion of the results of the audit of the financial statements with the external auditors 
Discussion of the IFRS provisioning parameters 
Consideration of key accounting judgements and estimates 
Review of monthly audit reports and internal control issues 
Appointment of the external auditors 
Assessment of the independence of external auditors 
Review of the Annual Audit Report of the Group Internal Audit Division and major audit findings 
Review of the Triennial Audit Plan 2016-2018 
Review  and  approval  of  the  Audit  Plan,  the  AML  Compliance  Department  Action  Plan,  the  Regulatory  & 
Ethics Compliance Department Action Plan 
Consideration of major compliance issues and reports submitted to it by the Group Compliance Division 
Review  and  approval  of  the  AML  Compliance  Department  Annual  Report,  the  AML  Risk  Management 
Report, the Regulatory & Ethics Compliance Department Annual Report 
Review  of  the  monthly  reports  of  the  AML  Compliance  Department  and  the  Regulatory  &  Ethics 
Compliance Department 
Approval  of  the  enhanced  AML  on-site  visit  methodology  to  the  various  branches  of  the  first  line  of 
defence 
Review of quarterly Customer Complaints Management Report 
Review of the Annual Corporate Governance Report 
Review of quarterly reports of Cybercrime and Security Incident Response Plan 
Review  and  approval  of  the  AML  risk  appetite  statement,  AML  Policy,  Customer  Acceptance  Policy  and 
Sanctions Policy 
Review and approval of the various regulatory & ethics compliance policies 
Review of the independence of the Group Internal Audit Division and the Group Internal Audit Director 
Review of Group Internal Audit Succession Planning 
Review and approval of the quarterly Financial Results 
Review of the provisions for impairment of loans and advances 
Review and discussion of the prospectus and financial information and reports prepared for the listing on 
the London Stock Exchange (LSE) 
Approval of audit, tax compliance and non-audit fees for year 
Review of the Triennial Assessment of the Group’s internal control framework  
Approval of the revised Group Internal Audit charter 
Update on the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program of the Group Internal Audit Division 
Approval of revised terms of reference of the Audit Committee 
Review of group subsidiaries’ audit reports 

 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.3 

Board Committees (continued) 

Audit Committee (continued) 

3.3.1 

Committee Activities in 2016 (continued)  

 

 
 
 

Review  of  Management  Responses  to  the  ECB’s  onsite  inspection  on  risk  management  and  risk  control 
system  
Updated on important forthcoming regulatory developments 
Approval of a roadmap for the rotation of auditors 
Approval of non-audit work assigned to the auditors to ensure independence 

3.3.2 

Internal Audit independence 

The  Group  Internal  Audit  and  Group  Compliance  Divisions  report  directly  to  the  Board  through  the  AC.    They 
are organisationally independent of units with executive functions and are not subordinated to any other unit of 
the Company, except the Director of Group Compliance who has a  dotted  reporting line to the DCEO & COO, 
for administration matters. 

The  Committee’s  activities  included  the  consideration  of  reports  submitted  by  the  Group  Internal  Audit  and 
Group  Compliance  Divisions.    The  Committee  has  satisfied  itself  that  the  Group  Internal  Audit  Division  was 
effective  and  adequately  resourced  through  regular  meetings  held  with  and  reports  provided  by  the  Group 
Internal Audit Director on internal audit issues, including the effectiveness and adequacy of resources.  In early 
2016 it received the final report of the triennial review of the effectiveness of the system of internal controls of 
the  Group  both  on  a  consolidated  and  an  individual  basis  that  had  started in  2015.    The  Committee  received 
reports  over  the  course  of  2016  on  the  activities  of  the  internal  audit  function  and  reviewed  its  planned 
activities for the following year. 

Management’s  responses  to  Group  Internal  Audit’s  findings  and  recommendations  were  reviewed  and 
monitored.  The monthly reports issued by the Group Internal Audit Director and Director of Group Compliance 
enable the Committee to focus discussion on specific areas of concern and root causes and to track remediation 
progress over time. 

The Committee proposes to the Board the appointment or replacement of the Group Internal Audit Director and 
the Director of Group Compliance.  It submits a report to the Board on: a) the adequacy of the audits carried 
out,  the  conclusions  and  the  proposals  of  the  Group  Internal  Audit,  and  b)  subjects  that  are  related  to  the 
independence and smooth execution of audit work carried out by Group Internal Audit.  

The  independence  of  the  two  functions  as  well  as  the  independence  of  the  Group  Internal  Audit  Director  was 
reviewed by the AC. 

3.3.3  Arrangements relating to the external auditor 

The  objectivity  and  independence  of  the  external  auditors  is  safeguarded  through  monitoring  of  their 
relationship with the Group by the AC, including the monitoring of the balance between audit and auxiliary non-
audit services. The external auditors provided written confirmation of their objectivity and independence to the 
Group. In addition, the external auditors do not provide internal audit services to the Group.  The AC reviews 
annually a detailed analysis of the audit and non-audit fees relating to work done by the external auditors.  The 
Committee  reviews  this  to  confirm  the  independence  of  the  external  auditors  and  refers  this  analysis  to  the 
Board. 

The  AC  discussed  the  EU  Regulation  on  audit  reform  of  public interest  entities  and  its implications  relating  to 
the rotation of the  external auditors.  In accordance with the transitional provisions under the new  regulatory 
framework,  the  maximum  tenure  for  the  current  auditors  to  remain  as  statutory  auditors  is  year-end  2020.  
The AC agreed on a roadmap for auditor rotation, with the tender process starting in 2017 and leading to the 
appointment of a new auditor when practicable in the context of the independence constraints imposed by the 
new framework. 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.4 

Board Committees (continued) 

Risk Committee 

The  Risk  Committee  on  31  December  2016  comprised  five  non-executive  Directors  all  of  whom  were 
independent.  The members of the Committee as at the date of this report following Mr. Ross’ resignation are: 
 
 
 
 

Arne Berggren (Chairman)  
Maksim Goldman (since 1 January 2017, replaced Dr. Michael Heger) 
Marios Kalochoritis 
Yiannis Zographakis 

Biographical details, including each member’s  background, experience  and independence  status are  set out  in 
section 2 of this report. 

To  ensure  coordination  with  the  work  of  the  AC,  the  chairman  of  the  AC  is  a  member  of  the  RC  and  the 
chairman of the RC is a member of the AC.  At least one member of the RC is also a member of the HRRC to 
ensure that remuneration decisions take into account a risk perspective. 

The RC is responsible for advising the Board on high-level risk related matters and risk governance and for non-
executive oversight of risk management and internal controls (other than financial reporting). 

The  main  purpose  of  the  Committee  is  to  review,  on  behalf  of  the  Board,  the  aggregate  risk  profile  of  the 
Group, including performance against risk appetite for all risk types and to ensure that both the risk profile and 
Risk Appetite remain appropriate.  Specifically it: 
 
 

Advises the Board on risk appetite and alignment with strategy 
Monitors  the  effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  risk  management  and  internal  control  systems  except  from 
financial reporting and compliance internal control systems 
Monitors the  Group’s  risk  appetite  and  risk  profile  against  key  performance/risk  indicators  as  set  out  in 
the Group’s Risk Appetite Statement 
Identifies the potential impact of key issues and themes that may impact the risk profile of the Group 
Ensures  that  the  Group’s  overall  risk  profile  and  Risk  Appetite  remain  appropriate  given  the  external 
environment, any key issues and themes impacting the Group and the internal control environment 
Seeks to identify and assess future potential risks which, by virtue of their uncertainty, of low probability 
and unfamiliarity may not have been factored adequately into review by other Board Committees 
Advises the Board on alignment of remuneration with Risk Appetite (through advice to the Group HRRC). 
Advises the Board on risks associated with proposed strategic acquisitions and disposals 

 

 
 

 

 
 

The Group, like all other financial institutions, is exposed to risks, the most significant of which are credit risk, 
liquidity  and  funding  risk,  market  risk,  operational  risk  and  property  price  risk.    The  Group  monitors  and 
manages  these  risks  through  various  control  mechanisms  and  reviews  the  mitigating  actions  proposed  by 
management.   

To ensure consistency of scope and approach by subsidiary company committees, the RC has established core 
terms of reference to guide subsidiary companies when adopting terms of reference for the non-executive risk 
committees.    The  Committee’s  endorsement  is  required  for  any  proposed  material  changes  to  subsidiary 
company risk committee terms of reference and for appointments to such committees. 

Detailed  information  relating  to  Group  Risk  Management  is  set  out  in  Notes  43  to  46  of  the  Consolidated 
Financial Statements and the Additional Risk Disclosures section of the 2016 Annual Financial Report. 

During  2016  the  RC  held  20  meetings.    Key  areas  of  focus  for  the  Committee  during  the  year  were  to  set 
strategies and ensure compliance with reference to non-performing exposures management, review risk policies 
where necessary to comply with the changing  regulatory environment and better support business needs and 
review the enhancements of the provisioning methodology.   

The  Committee  identified  the  current  and  potential  impact  of  key  issues  and  themes  that  have  an  actual  or 
potential impact on the Group’s risk profile and performed deep dive discussions in order to better understand 
and  provide  guidance  to  the  management.    Deep-dive  discussions  for  2016  covered  such  matters  as  the 
recoveries portfolio, corporate management  department and  small  and  medium  enterprises  of  Recoveries and 
Restructurings  Division,  REMU,  liquidity  and  funding  risk,  interest  rate  risk  and  loan  origination  optimisation 
programme.  

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

3. 

3.4 

Board Committees (continued) 

Risk Committee (continued) 

3.4.1 

Committee Activities in 2016 

The Risk Committee undertook the following key activities in 2016: 
 

Oversight  of  executive  risk  management.    Regular  reports  were  received  from  the  Group  Chief  Risk 
Officer including a risk map which provides analysis of risk profiles for categories of risk identified in the 
Group Risk Appetite Statement. 
Review of risk management and internal controls.  The Committee recommended to the Board the annual 
reports of Risk Management, Information Security, ICAAP and ILAAP.     
Review  of  risk  appetite.    The  Committee  reviewed  the  alignment  of  risk  appetite  and  Group  strategy.  
Regular  reviews  were  undertaken  of  the  Group’s  risk  profile  against  the  key performance  indicators  set 
out in the Risk Appetite Statement which considered  the need for any adjustment to  the risk appetite.   
Review of the top and emerging risks.   
Review of acquisitions and disposals.  The Committee received reports on risk issues relating to disposals 
and advised the Board accordingly. 
Review of the operational risk.  The Committee received regular reports on the Group’s operational risk 
management framework. 
Review  of  risk  management  policies.  Approved  a  number  of  risk  management  related  policies  such  as 
Group  Information  Security  Policy,  Country  Risk  Policy,  Market  Risk  Policy,  Framework  for  Model  Risk 
Governance,  Valuation  Policy,  Business  Continuity  Management  Policy,  Fraud  Management  Policy, 
Operational Risk Management Policy and Reputational Risk Policy. 
Review of the terms of reference and Committee’s effectiveness.  The Committee undertook a review of 
its terms of reference and of its own effectiveness. 
Approval/recommendation  for  approval  of  a  large  number  of  restructurings  and  contractual  or  non-
contractual write-offs. 
Approval/recommendation for approval of special restructuring products and solutions. 
Update on Group Regulatory/Supervisory Activity. 
Approval of risk-related limits. 
Update on the Assets-Liabilities Committee meetings minutes. 
Preparation  of  the  2017  Committee’s  calendar  aiming  to  fully  cover  governance  and  regulatory 
requirements and the Committee’s terms of reference.   

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

4. 

Internal Control 

The  Board  is  responsible  for  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  the  system  of  internal  controls  in  the  Group.  
This system ensures that: 
 

The  effectiveness  of  the  governance  framework  is  monitored  and  periodically  assessed  and  appropriate 
steps are taken to address any deficiencies  
The appropriate compliance framework is in place 
The  integrity  of  the  accounting  and  financial  reporting  systems,  including  financial  and  operational 
controls and compliance with legal and supervisory requirements and relevant standards, is adequate 
The appropriate information security framework for the protection of confidential information is in place 

 
 

 

Policies and procedures have been designed in accordance with the nature, scale and complexity of the Group’s 
operations  in  order to  provide  reasonable  but  not  absolute  assurance  against  material  misstatements,  errors, 
losses,  fraud  or  breaches  of  laws  and  regulations.    The  Group’s  key  policies  and  procedures  pertain  to  the 
Group’s  capital  adequacy  assessment  process,  compliance  policies  and  obligations  and  the  internal  control 
system. 

The  Board,  through  the  AC  and  RC,  conducts  reviews  on  a  frequent  basis,  regarding  the  effectiveness  of  the 
Group’s  internal  control  systems,  as  well  as  in  relation  to  the  procedures  used  to  ensure  the  accuracy, 
completeness and  validity of the information provided to investors.   The  reviews  cover  all  systems of internal 
controls,  including  financial,  operational  and  compliance  controls,  as  well  as  risk  management  systems.    In 
carrying  out  their  reviews,  the  AC  and  RC  receive  regular  business  and  operational  risk  assessments,  regular 
reports  from  the  Group  Internal  Audit  Director,  the  Director  of  Group  Compliance  and  the  Group  Chief  Risk 
Officer,  internal  and  external  audit  reports,  as  well  as  regulatory  reports.    Additionally,  the  Board  receives  a 
confirmation on an annual basis by the Group CEO as to the effectiveness of compliance, risk management and 
information security system of internal controls.  

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

Internal Control 

The  Board,  through  the  AC  and  RC,  has  received  confirmation  that  executive  management  has  taken  or  is 
taking  the  necessary  actions  to  remedy  all  weaknesses  identified  through  the  operation  of  the  Company’s 
framework of internal controls. 

Based  on  the  internal  audit  work  carried  out  in  2016,  significant  steps  have  been  made  which  further 
strengthened the Group’s system of internal controls.  An area where progress was made is the non-performing 
exposure management and the arrears management process, even though it still poses the most important risk 
for the Group.  Moreover, there is still room for improvement  in certain areas within the Information Systems 
and  Information  Security  environment.    Overall,  the  Board  of  Directors  confirms  the  effectiveness  of  internal 
controls. 

The Board confirms that it is not aware of any violation of the Cyprus Securities and Stock Exchange Laws and 
Regulations, except those that are known by the relevant authorities (where applicable).  

4.1 

Going concern 

Management  has  made  an  assessment  of  the  Group’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern.    The  conditions 
that  existed  during  2016  and  the  developments  up  to  the  date  of  approval  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements that have been considered in management’s going concern assessment include, amongst other, the 
operating environment in Cyprus and of the Group.  

Management  believes  that  the  Group  is  taking  all  necessary  measures  to  maintain  its  viability  and  the 
development  of  its  business  in  the  current  economic  environment.    Management,  taking  into  consideration  a 
number of factors and the uncertainties that existed at the reporting date, is satisfied that the Group has the 
resources  to  continue  in  business  for  the  foreseeable  future  and,  therefore,  the  going  concern  principle  is 
appropriate  for  the  reasons  set  out  in  Note  3  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  despite  a  number  of 
uncertainties as set out in Notes 4.2.3 and 45 of the consolidated financial statements. 

4.2 

Group Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy 

The  Group  has  set  out  the  standards  that  are  expected  from  all  the  employees  of  the  Group  in  a  Code  of 
Conduct  applicable  to  all  employees  and  Directors  which  gives  guidance  on  how  these  standards  should  be 
applicable. 

The Group also has a Whistleblowing Policy in place for all staff, including Directors, which is in accordance with 
international practice.  The policy is reviewed annually.  The policy’s general principles are: 
 

Concerns  in  good  faith,  about  wrongdoing  or  malpractice  can  be  raised  in  confidence  without  fear  of 
victimization, discrimination, disadvantage or dismissal 
Procedures for the reporting of any matters of concern are clearly provided.  The persons concerned must 
be  able  to  bypass  the  main  channels  for  whistleblowing  if  these  prove  inappropriate,  and  use  the 
anonymous reporting line 
Disclosures are managed in a timely consistent and professional manner 
The appointment of the Chairman of the AC, an independent non-executive Director as a Whistleblowing 
Champion with specific responsibilities  

 

 
 

The Board and Group CEO are committed to this Policy, which encourages staff to raise concerns. 

5. 

Other matters 

On 15 November 2016, the Company announced that it is applying for a standard listing on the London Stock 
Exchange  with  a  view  to  applying  for  a  premium  listing  at  a  future  date.    To  achieve  this  objective,  the 
Company  proposed  to  introduce  a  new  parent  company  of  the  BOC  Group,  by  a  way  of  a  scheme  of 
arrangement.    In  addition  to  the  listing  on  the  LSE,  the  shares  would  also  be  listed  on  the  Cyprus  Stock 
Exchange.    The  Company  has  determined  that  an  Irish-incorporated  holding  company  would  be  appropriate 
since Ireland is a FTSE eligible Eurozone country, has a common law legal system similar to that of Cyprus and 
is  a  commonly  adopted  jurisdiction  for  companies  wishing  to  apply  for  a  listing  on  the  LSE.    To  facilitate  the 
scheme,  a  new  company  called  Bank  of  Cyprus  Holdings  Public  Limited  Company  (‘BOCH’)  would  be 
incorporated  in  Ireland  and  the  shareholders  of  Bank  of  Cyprus  Public  Company  Ltd  would  continue  to  own 
100% of the Company.  The Directors of the Company would also be the Directors of BOCH.  

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

Other matters 

At  the Extraordinary General Meeting of the shareholders of the Company on 13 December 2016 the  scheme 
was approved.  Under the scheme, the share capital of the Company was reduced by the cancellation of all the 
existing shares resulting in a reserve arising in the books of accounts.  This reserve was then used to issue fully 
paid-up  shares  in  BOCH.    As  a  result,  the  Company  would  become  a  wholly owned  subsidiary  of  BOCH.    The 
scheme  of  arrangement  was  sanctioned  by  the  District  Count  of  Nicosia  on  21  December  2016  and  became 
effective on 18 January 2017.   

5.1 

Company Secretary 

The Board appointed Mrs Katia Santis as Company Secretary. 

5.2 

Group Internal Auditor 

The Board appointed Mr. George Zornas as Group Internal Audit Director. 

5.3 

Corporate Governance Compliance Officer 

The Board appointed Mr. Marios Skandalis as Corporate Governance Compliance Officer. 

6. 

Remuneration Policy Report 

The  Remuneration  Policy  Report  was  prepared  by  the  Board  following  a  proposal  by  the  HRRC  in  accordance 
with Annex 1 of the CSE Code and the UK Code.  It is presented in the  Annual Financial Report of the Group, 
after  the  Report  on  Corporate  Governance.    The  Remuneration  Policy  Report  is  presented  to  the  AGM  of 
shareholders for approval.  Information on the remuneration of the members of the Board for the year 2016 is 
disclosed  in  Note  48  of  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  the  Group,  as  well  as  in  the  Remuneration 
Policy Report. 

7. 

Shareholder Relations 

On  30  August  2016,  the  Board  appointed  Mrs  Annita  Pavlou,  Manager  Investor  Relations  Department,  as 
Investor  Relations  Officer,  responsible  for  the  communication  between  shareholders  and  the  Group,  following 
the  departure  of  Mr.  Constantinos  Pittalis.    Information  concerning  the  Group  is  provided  to  shareholders, 
prospective investors, brokers and analysts in a prompt and unbiased manner free of charge. 

The  Senior  Independent  Director,  Mr.  Michael  Spanos,  is  available  to  shareholders  if  they  have  concerns  that 
are not resolved through the normal communication channels. 

All  shareholders  of  the  Company  are  treated on  an equal  basis.    There  are  no  shareholders  of  securities  with 
special  control  rights.    Shareholders  are  promptly  and  accurately  informed  of  any  material  changes  regarding 
the Group, including its financial condition, financial results, ownership and governance. 

The  Board  of  Directors  provides  to  holders  of  at  least  5%  of  the  Company’s  share  capital  the  opportunity  to 
request the inclusion of items on the agenda of General Meetings.  The Board is available at the AGM to answer 
shareholders’ questions. 

Any  change  or  addition  to  the  Articles  of  Association  of  the  Company  is  only  valid  if  approved  by  special 
resolution at a meeting of the shareholders. 

Major shareholders do not have different voting rights from  those  of  other  shareholders.  As at 31 December 
2016 the following were the major shareholders in Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cyprus Popular Bank Public Co Ltd 
Lamesa Holding S.A 
TD Asset Management 
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 
Tyrus Capital S.A.M 
Osome Invstments Ltd 
Senvest Management LLC 

9.62% 
9.27% 
5.24% 
5.02% 
3.47% 
3.32% 
3.22% 

The powers of the Directors are determined by the Companies Law and the Company’s Articles of Association.  
The Directors are authorised to issue and allot shares subject to annual shareholder approval at the AGM. 

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

7. 

Shareholder Relations (continued) 

The  AGM  was  held  on  25  October  2016  at  the  Company’s  headquarters.    The  Chairman  of  the  Board  (who  is 
also the Chairman of the NCGC) and the  Chairmen of the AC, the RC and the HRRC were present to hear the 
views of the shareholders and answer questions.  As is the practice, all Directors of the Board at the time of the 
AGM attended the AGM.  At the 2016 AGM, separate resolutions were proposed on each substantially separate 
issue and voting was conducted by poll.  The  results of every AGM of the  Company  including details of votes 
cast for and against on each resolution are posted on the Group’s website www.bankofcyprus.com and released 
to the Stock Exchange. 

The AGM of the Company in 2017 is scheduled to be held on 29 August 2017. 

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Remuneration Policy Report for the year 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2015 

Remuneration Policy Report for the year 2016 

1. 

Introduction 

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Corporate Governance (the ‘CSE Code’) published by the Cyprus 
Stock  Exchange  (‘CSE’)  (4th  Edition  (Revised)  April  2014)  and  in  particular  Annex  1  of  the  Code,  the  Human 
Resources  and  Remuneration  Committee  (‘HRRC’)  prepares  the  Annual  Board  of  Directors’  Remuneration  Policy 
Report which is ratified by the Board of Directors (the ‘Board’) and submitted to the shareholders’ Annual General 
Meeting.    The Board  of Directors Remuneration  Policy  Report for the  year  2016  was ratified  by the  Board  on  27 
March 2017. 

The  Bank  of  Cyprus  Group’s  objective  to  attract,  develop,  motivate  and  retain  high  value  professionals  is 
considered fundamental in achieving the goals and objectives of the Group and ensuring that the right people are 
in  the  right  roles  whilst  managing  the  Group’s  remuneration  strategy  and  policies  in  a  manner  aligned  with  the 
Group’s shareholders.  

2. 

Human Resources and Remuneration Committee 

The  HRRC  is  responsible  for  the  development  and  periodic  review  of  the  Group  Remuneration  Policy  which  is 
proposed to the Board for ratification.  In addition, the Board, through the Committee, is ultimately responsible for 
monitoring the implementation of the Group Remuneration Policy. 

The Group’s aim is to align its Remuneration Policy and human resources practices, with its long term objectives, 
its  risk  tolerance,  capital  and  liquidity  availability,  the  interests  of  its  shareholders  and  ensure  that  they  are 
consistent with and promote sound and effective management of risk and do not encourage excessive risk-taking. 

In  developing its  Remuneration  Policy,  the  Group takes  into  account  the  provisions  that  are  included in the  CSE 
Code,  the  CBC  Directive  on  Governance  and  Management  Arrangements  of  Credit  Institutions  (the  ‘CBC 
Governance  Directive’)  which  came  into  effect  in  August  2014  and  incorporated  the  requirements  for 
Remuneration  Policies  included  in  the  European  Capital  Requirements  Directive  (‘CRD  IV’)  and  the  European 
Banking  Authority  (‘EBA’)  Guidelines  on  sound  remuneration  policies  issued  in  December  2015,  as  well  as 
regulatory restrictions pertinent to the banking sector currently. 

It is acknowledged that the implementation of the relevant requirements by financial institutions and the policies 
and practices that are to be adopted will evolve over time, as further experience and knowledge is gained and with 
the  development  of  best  practice  in  this  area.    Within  this  context,  the  Group  aims  to  review  its  remuneration 
policies and practices on an ongoing basis and amend them where necessary, with the aim of ensuring that they 
are consistent with and promote sound and effective risk management.  

Every  year,  the  Committee  proposes  to  the  Board  the  Annual  Remuneration  Policy  Report  as  part  of  the  Annual 
Report  of  the  Group,  which  is  submitted  to  the  shareholders’  Annual  General  Meeting  for  approval.    The 
Committee also reviews the related party transactions note (Note 48) of the Consolidated Financial Statements of 
the Group and the Remuneration Report itself. 

3. 

3.1 

Governance of Group Remuneration Policy 

Principles of the CSE Code of Corporate Governance 

Companies  should  implement  official  and  transparent  procedures  for  developing  policies  concerning  the 
remuneration of executive Directors and fixing the remuneration of each Board member separately. 

The  level  of  remuneration  should  be  sufficient  to  attract  and  retain  the  Directors  needed  to  run  the  Company 
successfully,  but  companies  should  avoid  paying  more  than  is  necessary  for  this  purpose.    Part  of  the 
remuneration  of  executive  Directors  should  be  determined  in  such  a  way  as  to  link  rewards  to  corporate  and 
individual performance. 

The  Company’s  Corporate  Governance  Report  includes  a  statement  of  the  Remuneration  Report  and  relevant 
criteria, as well as the total remuneration of the executive and non-executive members of the Board. 

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Remuneration Report for the year 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Remuneration Policy Report for the year 2016 (continued) 

3. 

3.2 

Governance of Group Remuneration Policy (continued) 

EBA Guidelines 

In accordance with EBA guidelines for identification of those employees whose  professional activities are deemed 
to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Group’s  risk  profile,  the  Group  maintains  a  list  of  these  employees  known  as 
Other Risk Takers. 

3.3 

Terms of Reference of the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee 

The Role of the Committee 

The  Committee’s  primary  role  is  to  ensure  that  people  contribute  to  sustainable  growth  by  staying  ahead  of 
challenges and opportunities. 

The role of the Committee is: 
 

 

 

 

 

 

To ensure that the Group is equipped with the human capital necessary for the achievement of its strategic 
goals, whose reward will be based on personal performance and Group results 
To  ensure  that  the  Group  is  equipped  with  the  organisational  capital  to  be  able  to  effect  continuous 
improvement 
To ensure that the Group is equipped with the information capital and the technology necessary to facilitate 
process improvements that will create a comparative advantage in the market 
To  propose  adequate  remuneration  considered  necessary  to  attract  and  retain  high  value-adding 
professionals.  Therefore, remuneration has to be satisfactory vis-a-vis peer companies 
To set the overarching principles and parameters of compensation & benefits policies across the Group and 
exercise oversight for such issues 
To  consider  the  remuneration  arrangements  of  the  executive  Directors  of  the  Group,  other  identified  staff 
and  the  employee  compensation  policy  bearing  in  mind  the  EBA  Guidelines  on  remuneration  policies  and 
practices, the CBC Governance Directive and the CSE Code 

The  Committee  reviews  the  implementation  and  effectiveness  of  the  Remuneration  Policy  and  ensures  this  is  in 
line with the Remuneration Framework as this is described in the CBC Governance Directive. 

The  Committee  exercises  oversight  of  negotiations  with  the  labour  union  in  Cyprus  and  provides  guidance  and 
support  to  management.    It  advises  the  Board  on  the  approval  of  the  collective  agreements  and  reviews  the 
framework  of  industrial  relations  and  collective  agreements  to  ensure  they  are  relevant  to  best  practices  and 
conducive to good performance. 

It  ensures  that  internal  control  functions  are  involved  in  the  design,  review  and  implementation  of  the 
Remuneration  Policy  and  that  staff  members  who  are  involved  in  the  design,  review  and  implementation  of  the 
Remuneration Policy and practices have relevant expertise and are capable of forming independent judgment on 
the suitability of the Remuneration Policy and practices, including their suitability for risk management. 

The Committee reviews any voluntary retirement/separation schemes for material subsidiaries in cooperation with 
the  Group  Human  Resources  Division  (‘HRD’)  and  succession  planning  for  all  divisions  and  subsidiaries  for 
Identified Staff throughout the Group. 

The Committee monitors compliance with the Code of Conduct and reviews disciplinary controls and measures of 
the Group as presented by HRD on an annual basis.  It also reviews the annual training plan as presented by HRD 
and  approved  by  the  Group  CEO  and  ensures  that  it  creates  and/or  develops  the  right  competencies  and 
behaviours that are necessary for meeting the Company’s strategic priorities. 

The  Committee  reviews  and  approves  the  content  of  any  resolutions  submitted  for  approval  at  the  General 
Meeting of the shareholders, which are prepared by the Company Secretary in cooperation with the Group’s legal 
advisers in accordance with Annex 3 of the Code and concern possible plans for the compensation of  members of 
the Board in the form of shares, share warrants or share options. 

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Remuneration Report for the year 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Remuneration Policy Report for the year 2016 (continued) 

3. 

3.3 

Governance of Group Remuneration Policy (continued) 

Terms of Reference of the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee (continued) 

Senior Management and other Identified Staff 
The Committee reviews and approves remuneration packages of Group  divisional directors, senior managers and 
subsidiaries’  general  managers,  including  salary,  pension  policy,  option  plans,  and  other  types  of  compensation, 
recommended by the Group CEO or by the chairmen of the Risk and Audit Committees (in the case of the heads of 
internal control functions) in consultation with the Group CEO and HRD.   

The  Committee  also  reviews  the  performance  appraisals  of  Group  divisional  directors  (except  heads  of  internal 
control functions), senior managers and subsidiaries’ general managers performed by the Group CEO. 

The Committee reviews and approves appointments, transfers and dismissals of Group divisional directors, senior 
managers  and  subsidiaries’  general  managers  (except  heads  of  internal  control  functions),  recommended  by  the 
Group CEO, and ensures that all contractual obligations are adhered to. 

The  chairman  of  the  Committee  is  available  to  shareholders  in  the  Annual  General  Meeting  to  answer  any 
questions regarding the Remuneration Policy of the Group. 

Appointment of the Committee 

The Committee on 31 December 2016 comprised of 3 independent non-executive members who are appointed by 
the Board on an annual basis.  The members of the Committee as at the date of this Report are as follows: 
 
 
 

Michael Spanos (Chairman)    
Marios Kalochoritis 
Michael Heger (since 9 June2016) 

Biographical  details,  including  each  member’s  background,  experience  and  independence  status  are  set  out  in 
section 2 of the Corporate Governance Report. 

On 23 October 2015 Maksim  Goldman resigned from  the Committee to limit his participation to two  committees 
and  thereafter  the  Committee  continued  with  only  two  Independent  non-executive  members  until  9  June  2016 
when Michael Heger was appointed to the Board and to the HRRC.  The chairman of the Committee is the Senior 
Independent Director.   

4. 

Committee’s Activities in 2016 

The Committee held 9 meetings during 2016 and, inter alia, undertook the following activities: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Review and approval of the Group’s Remuneration Policy 
Evaluation of Highly Valued Employees (‘HVEs’), with emphasis on front line 
Review of the training plan for the year 
Review of the update on the Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) 
Review of Management Practices Survey  
Review of the Remuneration Report 
Review of changes to the management structure of the Company 
Review and approval of the staff optimisation plan 
Review and update on the Performance Appraisal Policy 
Review of the performance appraisal for senior management  
Approval of the revised terms of reference of the HRRC 
Approval of the Employee Recognition Policy and the Internal Communication Policy 
Update on collective agreement process with the local labour union 

4.1 

Remuneration of non-Executive Directors 

The  remuneration  of  non-executive  Directors  is  not  linked  to  the  profitability  of  the  Group.    It  is  related  to  the 
responsibilities and time devoted for Board  meetings and decision-making for  the governance  of  the  Group,  and 
for  their  participation  in  the  committees  of  the  Board  and  any  participation  in  the  boards  of  Group  subsidiary 
companies.  The shareholders’ AGM held on 25 October 2016 approved the same levels of remuneration as those 
approved on 24 November 2015.   

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.1 

Committee’s Activities in 2016 (continued) 

Remuneration of non-Executive Directors 

The  Committee  proposes  fees  payable  to  the  Chairman  and  the  two  Vice  Chairmen,  while  the  Chairman  makes 
recommendations  for  the  remuneration  of  the  non-executive  Directors  to  the  Board  for  approval  by  the  AGM, 
considering the following factors: 
 

Τhe  time  allocated  and  effort  exerted  by  non-executive  Directors  to  meetings  and  decision-making  in  the 
management of the Group 
Τhe undertaken level of risk 
Τhe increased compliance and reporting requirements 
Τhe requirement not to link remuneration of non-executive Directors to the profitability of the Group 
Τhe requirement that non-executive Directors do not participate in the pension schemes of the Group 
Τhe requirement not to include share options as remuneration of non-executive Directors 

 
 
 
 
 

Neither the Chairman nor any Director participates in decisions relating to their own personal remuneration. 

The Chairman receives annual fees of €120.000, each  of the Vice  Chairmen  of  €80.000, the  Senior Independent 
Director  of €70.000  and  the  members  of  €45.000.    Additionally  the  Group  reimburses  all  Directors  for expenses 
incurred in the course of their duties.  

The  chairmen  of  the  Audit  and  Risk  Committees  receive  annual  fees  of  €45.000  each  and  members  receive 
€25.000.    The  chairmen  of  the  HRRC  and  the  NCGC  receive  annual  fees  of  €30.000  each.    Each  member  of  the 
HRRC receives €20.000 per annum, while each member of the NCGC receives €15.000 per annum. 

4.2 

Remuneration and Other Benefits of Executive Directors 

Executive Directors  
The Committee reviews and approves the remuneration packages vis-a-vis their performance.   

Contracts of Employment 

The  employment  contract  of  the  Group  CEO,  Mr.  John  Patrick  Hourican,  has  been  renewed  for  a  period  of  two 
years from 1 February 2016 to 31 January 2018.   

Following the final Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) 2016 decision received in December 2016, 
the ECB’s prohibition on variable pay was lifted and replaced with a limitation on variable remuneration to 10% of 
net revenues. 

Service Termination Agreements 

The service contract of the Group CEO includes a clause for termination, by service of four months’ notice to that 
effect by the executive Director, without cause but at the Company’s sole discretion.  In such a case, the Company 
shall have the right to pay the Director, in lieu of notice for immediate termination. 

The terms of employment of Dr. Christodoulos Patsalides, DCEO & COO and executive member of the Board, are 
mainly  based  on  the  provisions  of  the  collective  agreement  in  place,  which  provides  for  notice  or  compensation 
based on years of service.  

Bonus 

No bonus was recommended by the Company’s Board of Directors for executive Directors for 2016. 

Retirement Benefit Schemes 

The  Group  CEO,  Mr.  John  Patrick  Hourican,  and  the  DCEO  &  COO,  Dr.  Christodoulos  Patsalides,  participate  in  a 
defined contribution plan on the same basis as other employees.  

The main characteristics of the retirement benefit schemes are presented in Note 14 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for the year ended 2016.  

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Remuneration Report for the year 2016 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

4. 

4.2 

Committee’s Activities in 2016 (continued) 

Remuneration and Other Benefits of Executive Directors (continued) 

Share Options 

No share options were granted to executive Directors during 2016. 

Other Benefits 

Other benefits provided to the executive Directors include medical fund contributions and life insurance.  The CEO 
is provided with other benefits related to his relocation and residence in Cyprus.  The relevant costs for executive 
management are disclosed in Note 48 of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 2016.  

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Annual Financial Report 2016 

5. 

Information Regarding the Remuneration of Directors for Year 2016 

Remuneration 
for 
participation in 
the Board of 
Directors and 
its Committees 

Total 
remuneration 
for services 

Remuneration 
and benefits 
from other 
Group 
companies 

Remuneration 
in the form of 
profit and/or 
bonus 
distribution 

Assessment of 
the value of 
benefits that 
are considered 
to form 
remuneration 

Total 
remuneration 
and benefits 

Annual 
contribution 
to 
retirement 
benefits 

Remuneration 
for services* 

Executive Directors 

John P. Hourican 
Christodoulos 
Patsalides 

Non-Executive 
Directors 

Josef Ackermann 

Maksim Goldman 

Wilbur L. Ross 

Arne Berggren 

Michael Heger 

Marios Kalochoritis 

Michael Spanos 

Ioannis Zographakis 

1.743.634 

214.760 

- 

- 

1.743.634 

214.760 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

150.000 

120.000 

120.000 

115.000 

50.500 

90.000 

100.000 

115.000 

150.000 

120.000 

120.000 

115.000 

50.500 

90.000 

100.000 

115.000 

1.958.394 

860.500 

2.818.894 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1.743.634  

150.433 

214.760 

17.550 

150.000 

120.000 

120.000 

115.000 

50.500 

90.000 

100.000 

115.000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2.818.894 

167.983 

* Includes employers’ contributions excluding contributions to retirement benefits. 

27 March 2017 

361 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Risk and Capital Management 
Disclosures  

2016 

362 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                              Annual Financial Report 2016 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Mid-Year Financial Report 30 June 2015 

1. 

Credit risk  

The  Central  Bank  of  Cyprus  (CBC)  issued  to  credit  institutions  the  Loan  Impairment  and  Provisioning 
Directives  of  2014  and  2015  (Directive),  which  provides  guidance  to  banks  for  loan  impairment  policy  and 
procedures  for  provisions.    The  purpose  of  this  Directive  is  to  ensure  that  credit  institutions  have  in  place 
adequate provisioning policies and procedures for the identification of credit losses and prudent application of  
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) in the preparation of their financial statements. 

The Directive requires certain disclosures in relation to the loan portfolio quality, provisioning policy and levels 
of provision.  The disclosures required by the Directive, in addition to those presented in Notes 2 and 43 of the 
consolidated financial statements for the  year ended  31 December  2016,  are  set out in the  following tables.  
The  tables  disclose  Non-Performing  Exposures  (NPEs)  based  on  the  definitions  of  the  European  Banking 
Authority (EBA) standards. 

According  to  the  EBA  standards,  NPEs  are  defined  as  those  exposures  that  satisfy  one  of  the  following 
conditions:  

(i) 

The  debtor  is  assessed  as  unlikely  to  pay  its  credit  obligations  in  full  without  the  realisation  of  the 
collateral, regardless of the existence of any past due amount or of the number of days past due. 
(ii)  Defaulted or impaired exposures as per the approach provided in Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 Article 

178. 

(iii)  Material exposures (as defined below) which are more than 90 days past due. 
(iv)  Performing  forborne  exposures  under  probation  for  which  additional  forbearance  measures  are 

(v) 

extended. 
Performing  forborne  exposures  under  probation  that  present  more  than  30  days  past  due  within  the 
probation period. 

Exposures include all on and off balance sheet exposures,  except those held for trading, and are categorised 
as such for their entire amount without taking into account the existence of collateral. 

The following materiality criteria are applied: 

 

When the problematic exposures of a customer that fulfil the NPE criteria set out above are greater than 
20%  of  the  gross  carrying  amount  of  all  on  balance  sheet  exposures  of  that  customer,  then  the  total 
customer exposure is classified as non-performing; otherwise only the problematic part of the exposure 
is classified as non-performing. 

 

Material arrears/excesses are defined as follows: 

-  Retail exposures: 

-  Loans: Arrears amount greater than €500 or number of instalments in arrears is greater than 

one. 

-  Overdrafts: Excess amount is greater than €500 or greater than 10% of the approved limit. 
-  Exposures  other  than  retail:  Total  customer  arrears/excesses  are  greater  than  €1.000  or  greater 

than 10% of the total customer funded balances. 

NPEs may cease to be considered as non-performing only when all of the following conditions are met: 

The extension of forbearance measures does not lead to the recognition of impairment or default. 

(i) 
(ii)  One year has passed since the forbearance measures were extended. 
(iii)  Following the forbearance measures and according to the post-forbearance conditions, there is no past 

due amount or concerns regarding the full repayment of the exposure. 

363 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                     
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

Credit risk (continued) 

The tables below present the analysis of loans and advances to customers in accordance with the EBA standards. 

Gross loans and advances to customers 

Provision for impairment and fair value adjustment on initial 
recognition 

31 December 2016 

General governments 
Other financial corporations 
Non-financial corporations  
Of which: Small and Medium sized 
Enterprises2 
Of which: Commercial real estate2 
Non-financial corporations by 
sector 
Construction 
Wholesale and retail trade 
Accommodation and food service 
activities 
Real estate activities 
Manufacturing 
Other sectors 
Households 
Of which: Residential mortgage 
loans2,  
Of which: Credit for consumption2 
Total on-balance sheet 

Group gross 
customer 
 loans and 
advances1 

Of which 
NPEs 

€000 

103.626 
487.262 
11.590.608 

€000 

4.241 
372.797 
6.818.489 

Of which exposures with 
forbearance measures 

Total exposures 
with 
forbearance 
measures 
€000 

4.978 
234.505 
5.052.743 

Of which on 
NPEs 

€000 

4.073 
203.512 
3.738.859 

Total provision 
for impairment 
and fair value 
adjustment on 
initial 
recognition 
€000 

2.685 
220.013 
3.020.161 

Of which 
NPEs 

€000 

1.615 
216.926 
2.932.686 

Of which exposures with 
forbearance measures  
Total 
exposures with 
forbearance 
measures 
€000 

Of which on 
NPEs  

€000 

1.861 
119.703 
1.211.059 

1.555 
119.701 
1.178.127 

9.398.025 

6.116.979 

4.306.269 

3.294.185 

2.642.367 

2.564.855 

1.030.218 

998.465 

8.951.533 

5.535.377 

4.413.488 

3.252.816 

2.240.852 

2.168.019 

1.004.617 

974.143 

2.921.229 
2.060.864 

2.242.250 
1.060.451 

1.334.040 

705.634 

2.900.224 
682.641 
1.691.610 
7.948.599 

1.438.774 
394.884 
976.496 
3.838.722 

2.803.740 

1.942.888 

1.009.104 
445.368 

262.566 

664.801 
165.308 
473.014 
1.237.836 

1.168.475 

334.936 

317.645 

5.413.446 

2.601.852 

2.166.098 

1.469.563 

603.504 

551.690 

192.535 

179.947 

1.062.416 

589.843 

312.853 

242.723 

292.588 

283.181 

65.865 

62.917 

20.130.095 

11.034.249 

8.095.966 

5.889.332 

4.480.695 

4.319.702 

1.667.559 

1.617.028 

1 Excluding loans and advances to central banks and credit institutions. 
2 The analysis shown in lines ‘non financial corporations’ and ‘households’ is non-additive across categories as certain customers could be in both categories. 

364 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                     
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

1. 

Credit risk (continued) 

31 December 2015 

General governments 
Other financial corporations 
Non-financial corporations  
Of which: Small and Medium sized 
Enterprises2 
Of which: Commercial real estate2 
Non-financial corporations by 
sector 
Construction 
Wholesale and retail trade 
Accommodation and food service 
activities 
Real estate activities 
Manufacturing 
Other sectors 
Households 
Of which: Residential mortgage 
loans2  
Of which: Credit for consumption2 
Total on-balance sheet 

Gross loans and advances to customers 

Provision for impairment and fair value adjustment on initial 
recognition 

Group gross 
customer 
 loans and 
advances1 

Of which 
NPEs 

€000 

115.358 
450.287 
13.687.340 

€000 

4.858 
269.232 
9.447.487 

Of which exposures with 
forbearance measures 

Total exposures 
with 
forbearance 
measures 
€000 

5.241 
164.356 
6.250.424 

Of which on 
NPEs 

€000 

4.448 
141.861 
5.101.675 

Total provision 
for impairment 
and fair value 
adjustment on 
initial 
recognition 
€000 

345 
175.712 
3.938.616 

Of which 
NPEs 

€000 

345 
158.570 
3.852.385 

Of which exposures with 
forbearance measures  
Total 
exposures with 
forbearance 
measures 
€000 

Of which on 
NPEs  

€000 

1.771 
86.439 
1.651.274 

1.518 
85.905 
1.618.835 

7.595.447 

5.361.281 

2.724.405 

2.254.873 

2.412.273 

2.364.850 

752.559 

736.962 

10.998.641 

8.009.181 

5.684.179 

4.661.835 

2.996.289 

2.931.498 

1.418.013 

1.390.942 

4.023.260 
2.286.348 

3.440.287 
1.308.725 

1.484.868 

975.111 

3.034.255 
809.277 
2.049.332 
8.339.490 

1.789.356 
510.071 
1.423.937 
4.246.315 

2.912.440 

2.133.845 

1.391.760 
552.581 

329.840 

705.072 
219.188 
740.175 
1.286.170 

1.193.223 

327.292 

310.740 

5.565.680 

2.879.120 

2.168.251 

1.622.346 

614.752 

553.454 

181.776 

172.587 

1.109.776 

637.137 

306.799 

255.511 

315.413 

298.330 

70.554 

66.974 

22.592.475 

13.967.892 

9.332.461 

7.381.829 

5.400.843 

5.204.523 

2.066.776 

2.016.998 

__________________________ 

1 Excluding loans and advances to central banks and credit institutions. 
2 The analysis shown in lines ‘non financial corporations’ and ‘households’ is non-additive across categories as certain customers could be in both categories. 

365 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                     
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

1. 

Credit risk (continued) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

The analysis of loans and advances  to  customers excluding  loans and  advances  to  general  governments  by year of origination is presented in the  tables  below for 
balances as at 31 December 2016 and 2015. 

Gross loans and advances 

Loans and advances to non-financial 
corporations 

Loans and advances to other financial 
corporations 

Loans and advances to households 

31 
December 
2016 

Total gross 
loans and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
 for 
impairment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Total 
 gross loans 
and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
for 
impairment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Total gross 
loans and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
 for 
impair-
ment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Total 
gross 
loans and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
for impair-
ment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Within 1 year 

2.613.418 

956.324 

105.081 

50.621 

1.797.382 

729.022 

76.321 

47.403 

43.695 

1.179 

316 

- 

772.341 

226.123 

28.444 

3.218 

1– 2 years 

1.717.484 

572.168 

86.962 

29.105 

1.219.786 

433.754 

75.491 

27.943 

5.365 

4.786 

106 

- 

492.333 

133.628 

11.365 

1.162 

2 – 3 years 

799.077 

253.268 

84.858 

24.802 

464.035 

135.966 

52.981 

20.453 

18.857 

8.132 

6.370 

2 

316.185 

109.170 

25.507 

4.347 

3 – 5 years 

1.608.809 

1.038.286 

347.856 

99.381 

983.008 

688.261 

251.112 

65.055 

93.601 

68.433 

30.235 

11.724 

532.200 

281.592 

66.509 

22.602 

5 – 7 years 

3.503.311 

1.874.723 

610.315 

161.315 

1.630.886  1.026.092 

420.738 

91.948 

46.032 

37.689 

20.662 

5.299  1.826.393 

810.942 

168.915 

64.068 

7 – 10 years 

6.428.917 

4.336.616 

1.605.626 

406.134 

3.439.414  2.558.051 

1.101.876 

226.763 

193.260 

171.045 

34.657 

66.445  2.796.243  1.607.520 

469.093 

112.926 

More than 10 
years 

3.355.453 

1.998.623 

710.866 

155.088 

2.056.097  1.247.343 

461.356 

100.721 

86.452 

81.533 

32.953 

11.244  1.212.904 

669.747 

216.557 

43.123 

Total 

20.026.469  11.030.008  3.551.564 

926.446 

11.590.608  6.818.489 

2.439.875 

580.286 

487.262 

372.797 

125.299 

94.714  7.948.599  3.838.722 

986.390 

251.446 

General 
governments  

Total on 
balance sheet 

103.626 

4.241 

678 

2.007 

20.130.095  11.034.249  3.552.242 

928.453 

The table includes rescheduled loans amounting to €1.049 million which cannot be split by origination date and are included in the ‘Within 1 year time’ time band. 

366 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP                                                     
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

1. 

Credit risk (continued) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

Gross loans and advances 

Loans and advances to non-financial 
corporations 

Loans and advances to other financial 
corporations 

Loans and advances to households 

31 
December 
2015 

Total 
gross 
loans and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
 for 
impairment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Total 
 gross loans 
and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
for 
impairment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Total gross 
loans and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
 for 
impair-
ment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

Total 
gross 
loans and 
advances 

NPEs 

Provision 
for impair-
ment 

Fair value 
adjustment 
on initial 
recognition 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Within 1 year 

1.967.003 

887.825 

98.983 

48.404 

1.394.714 

677.063 

86.665 

43.736 

6.008 

5.116 

647 

- 

566.281 

205.646 

11.671 

4.668 

1– 2 years 

1.120.993 

475.365 

107.696 

50.225 

686.925 

336.853 

77.867 

45.069 

20.575 

7.749 

6.129 

- 

413.493 

130.763 

23.700 

5.156 

2 – 3 years 

921.065 

526.017 

141.108 

46.619 

603.367 

386.855 

114.675 

29.302 

52.486 

1.368 

4.144 

9.421 

265.212 

137.794 

22.289 

7.896 

3 – 5 years 

3.456.302 

2.164.384 

778.143 

175.892 

2.041.959  1.482.521 

591.352 

104.429 

162.440 

97.952 

55.027 

15.426  1.251.903 

583.911 

131.764 

56.037 

5 – 7 years 

4.567.922 

2.819.809 

745.431 

280.559 

2.344.246  1.744.733 

525.483 

202.312 

32.368 

26.951 

10.731 

3.569  2.191.308  1.048.125 

209.217 

74.678 

7 – 10 years 

7.433.478 

5.225.683 

1.669.249 

470.583 

4.516.382  3.485.351 

1.219.077 

336.014 

115.629 

76.868 

25.015 

18.569  2.801.467  1.663.464 

425.157 

116.000 

More than 10 
years 

3.010.354 

1.863.951 

652.126 

135.480 

2.099.747  1.334.111 

461.967 

100.668 

60.781 

53.228 

24.167 

2.867 

849.826 

476.612 

165.992 

31.945 

Total 

22.477.117  13.963.034  4.192.736 

1.207.762 

13.687.340  9.447.487 

3.077.086 

861.530 

450.287 

269.232 

125.860 

49.852  8.339.490  4.246.315 

989.790 

296.380 

General 
governments 

Total on 
balance sheet 

115.358 

4.858 

697 

(352) 

22.592.475  13.967.892  4.193.433 

1.207.410 

The table above includes rescheduled loans amounting to €915 million which cannot be split by origination date and are included in the ‘Within 1 year’ time band. 

367 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2. 

Liquidity risk and funding 

2.1 

Encumbered and unencumbered assets 

Asset encumbrance arises from collateral pledged against secured funding and other collateralised obligations.   

An  asset  is  classified  as  encumbered  if  it  has  been  pledged  as  collateral  against  secured  funding  and  other 
collateralised obligations and, as a result, is no longer available to the Group for further collateral or liquidity 
requirements.    The  total  encumbered  assets  of  the  Group  amounted  to  €3.446.873  thousand  as  at  31 
December 2016 (2015: €14.023.263 thousand).   

An  asset  is  classified  as  unencumbered  if  it  has  not  been  pledged  as  collateral  against  secured  funding  and 
other collateralised obligations.   Unencumbered assets are further analysed into those that are available and 
can  be pledged and  those  that are  not readily  available  to be pledged. As at 31 December 2016, the Group 
held  €12.608.521  thousand (2015: €4.686.789  thousand) of  unencumbered  assets that can  be  pledged and 
can  be  used  to  support  potential  liquidity  funding  needs  and  €4.595.181  thousand  (2015:  €3.067.147 
thousand)  of  unencumbered  assets  that  are  not  readily  available  to  be  pledged  for  funding  requirements  in 
their current form.   

As at 31 December 2016 loans and advances to customers include loans of a nominal amount of €787 million 
(2015: €14.763 million) in Cyprus, which are pledged as collateral for Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA). 
Additionally,  they  include  mortgage  loans  of  a  nominal  amount  €1.002  million  (2015:  €1.004  million)  in 
Cyprus,  which  are  pledged  as  collateral  for  the  covered  bond  issued  by  the  Company  in  2011  under  the 
Covered  Bond  Programme.  Furthermore  they  include  housing  loans  of  a  nominal  amount  €765  million  
(2015: nil) in Cyprus pledged as collateral for the funding from the European Central Bank (ECB) (Note 30 of 
the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2016).  At  31  December  2016  the 
Company’s  subsidiary  Bank  of  Cyprus  UK  Ltd  has  pledged  as  collateral  loans  and  advances  to  customers  of 
€244  million  (2015:  nil)  with  the  Funding  for  Lending  Scheme  (FLS)  of  the  Bank  of  England.    These  are 
available  for  use  as  collateral  for  the  subsidiary’s  participation  in  the  FLS.  As  at  31  December  2016,  the 
subsidiary had drawn down Treasury bills of €29 million (2015: nil) under the FLS.  These Treasury bills are 
not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as ownership remains with the Bank of England. 

The table below presents an analysis of the Group’s encumbered and unencumbered assets and the extent to 
which these assets are currently pledged for funding or other purposes.  The carrying amount of such assets is 
disclosed below. 

31 December 2016 

Cash and bank placements  
Investments 
Loans and advances to customers 
Non-current assets and disposal 
group classified as held for sale 
Property 

Encumbered 

Unencumbered 

Pledged as 
collateral 

€000 

139.975 
359.813 
2.853.511 

which can be 
pledged 

€000 
2.092.643 
298.419 
8.659.324 

which are not 
readily available to 
be pledged 
€000 

361.615 
15.412 
4.136.566 

Total 

€000 
2.594.233 
673.644 
15.649.401 

- 

11.065 

346 

11.411 

93.574 

1.547.070 

81.242 

1.721.886 

Total on-balance sheet  

3.446.873 

12.608.521 

4.595.181 

20.650.575 

31 December 2015 
Cash and bank placements  
Investments 
Loans and advances to customers 
Non-current assets and disposal 
group classified as held for sale 
Property 

Total on-balance sheet  
Bonds guaranteed by the Cyprus 
Government 
Total  

154.896 
892.728 
12.882.139 

2.210.295 
62.688 
1.834.519 

371.791 
53.871 
2.474.974 

2.736.982 
1.009.287 
17.191.632 

- 

15.018 

33.485 

48.503 

93.500 

564.269 

133.026 

790.795 

14.023.263 

4.686.789 

3.067.147 

21.777.199 

1.000.000 

- 

- 

1.000.000 

15.023.263 

4.686.789 

3.067.147 

22.777.199 

368 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.  

Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

2.1  

Encumbered and unencumbered assets (continued) 

Encumbered assets  primarily consist  of  loans and  advances  to customers  and  investments in  debt  securities 
and  property.    These  are  mainly  pledged  for  the  funding  facilities  under  the  Eurosystem  monetary  policy 
operations  and  the  ELA  of  the  CBC  (Note  30  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  31 
December 2016) and for the covered bond.  In the case of the ELA, as collateral is not usually released upon 
repayment  of  the  funding,  there  may  be  an  inherent  buffer  which  could  be  utilised  for  further  funding  if 
required.    Investments  are  mainly  used  as  collateral  for  repurchase  transactions  with  commercial  banks  as 
well as supplementary assets for the covered bond (Note 45 of the consolidated financial statements for the 
year ended 31 December 2016).  Encumbered assets include cash and other liquid assets placed with banks 
as collateral under ISDA/GMRA agreements which are not immediately available for use by the Group but are 
released  once  the  transactions  are  terminated.  Cash  is  mainly  used  to  cover  collateral  required  for  (i) 
derivatives  and  repurchase  transactions  and  (ii)  trade  finance  transactions  and  guarantees  issued.  It  is  also 
used as part of the supplementary assets for the covered bond.  

In August 2016, the Company cancelled two own-issued bonds guaranteed by the Republic of Cyprus of €500 
million  each.    The  bonds  bore  an  annual  fixed  interest  rate  at  5%.    The  bonds  were  guaranteed  by  the 
Republic of Cyprus and were issued in accordance with the relevant legislation and decrees on the ‘Granting of 
Government Guarantees for the Conclusion of Loans and/or the Issue of Bonds by Credit Institutions Law’.  No 
liability  from  the  issue  of  these  bonds  was  presented  in  debt  securities  in  issue  in  the  consolidated  balance 
sheet as all the bonds were held by the Company. The bonds were listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) 
and  were  pledged  as  collateral  for obtaining  funding  from  central  banks.    One  of  the  bonds  was  released  in 
June 2016 from the ELA pool of collateralised assets.  After taking into consideration the significant reduction 
of  ELA  funding,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  at  its  meeting  held  on  16  August  2016,  decided  to 
proceed with the cancellation of the two bonds.  Given the decision for the cancellation, the CBC released the 
second  bond  on  19  August  2016.  The  two  bonds  were  cancelled  on  25  August  2016,  following  the 
approval/consent  from  the  competent  authorities  (Note  45  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the 
year ended 31 December 2016). 

On  29  September  2015,  the  terms  of  the  Covered  Bond  Programme  and  the  outstanding  €1.000  million 
covered  bond  were  amended  to  a  Conditional  Pass–Through  structure.    As  part  of  the  restructuring,  the 
outstanding principal of the retained covered bond  was reduced to €650 million with a new maturity date of 
12 December 2018.  The credit rating of the covered bond was upgraded to an investment grade rating and 
the  covered  bond  has  become  eligible  collateral  for  the  Eurosystem  credit  operations.    As  from  2  October 
2015,  it  has  been  placed  as  collateral  for  accessing  funding  from  the  ECB  (Note  45  of  the  consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016).  

The  credit  ratings  of  the  Republic  of  Cyprus  by  the  main  credit  rating  agencies  continue  to  be  below 
investment grade.  As a result, the ECB is not able to include Cyprus Government Bonds in its asset purchase 
programme, or as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary operations, as was the case when the waiver for 
collateral eligibility due to the country being under an economic adjustment programme existed.    

In August, October and December 2016 the CBC has released loans and advances with contractual value of €2 
billion, €2,5 billion and €7,3 billion respectively held as collateral for ELA.  

Following  the  full  repayment  of  ELA  on  5  January  2017,  all  ELA  collateralised  loans  have  subsequently been 
released, but ELA pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017. 

Unencumbered assets that are available and can be pledged include Cyprus loans and advances which are less 
than  90  days  past  due  as  well  as  loans  of  overseas  subsidiaries  and  branches  which  are  not  pledged.  
Customer loans of overseas subsidiaries and branches cannot be pledged  with the CBC as collateral for ELA.  
Moreover, for some of the overseas subsidiaries and branches,  these assets are only available to be pledged 
for other purposes for the needs of the particular subsidiary/branch and not to provide liquidity to any other 
entity  of the Group.  Balances  with  central banks  are  reported as unencumbered  and  can be  pledged, to the 
extent  that  there  is  excess  available  over  the  minimum  reserve  requirement.    The  minimum  reserve 
requirement is reported as unencumbered since it is not readily available as collateral. 

369 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.  

Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

2.1  

Encumbered and unencumbered assets (continued) 

Unencumbered  assets  that  are  not  readily  available  to  be  pledged  primarily  consist  of  loans  and  advances 
which  are  prohibited  by  contract  or  law to be  encumbered  or  which  are  over  90  days  past  due  or  for  which 
there  are  pending  litigations  or  other  legal  actions  against  the  customer,  a  proportion  of  which  would  be 
suitable  for  use  in  secured  funding  structures  but  are  conservatively  classified  as  not  readily  available  for 
collateral.  Properties whose legal title has not been transferred in the name of the Company or the subsidiary 
are not considered to be readily available as collateral. 

Insurance  assets  held  by  Group  insurance  subsidiaries  are  not  included  in  the  table  below  as  they  are 
primarily due to the insurance policyholders.  

The  carrying  and  fair  value  of  the  encumbered  and  unencumbered  investments  of  the  Group  as  at  31 
December 2016 and 2015 are as follows: 

31 December 2016 

Carrying value 
of encumbered 
investments 

Fair value of 
encumbered 
investments 

Carrying value of 
unencumbered 
investments 

Fair value of 
unencumbered 
investments 

€000 

€000 

€000 

€000 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

1.562 

1.562 

52.514 

52.514 

358.251 

358.454 

261.317 

262.491 

Total investments  

359.813 

360.016 

313.831 

315.005 

31 December 2015 

Equity securities  

Debt securities  

1.027 

1.027 

891.701 

900.287 

91.644 

24.915 

91.644 

24.915 

Total investments  

892.728 

901.314 

116.559 

116.559 

2.2  

Liquidity regulation 

In addition to the liquidity ratios applicable at each banking location that the Group operates, the Group has to 
comply with the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (EU) 2015/61 (LCR).  It also monitors its position against the Basel 
Quantitative Impact Study (QIS) Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR). The LCR is designed to promote short-term 
resilience  of  a  Group’s  liquidity  risk  profile  by  ensuring  that  it  has  sufficient  high  quality  liquid  resources  to 
survive an acute stress scenario lasting for 30 days.  The NSFR has been developed to promote a sustainable 
maturity structure of assets and liabilities. 

The  Capital  Requirements  Regulation  (CRR)  requires  phased-in  compliance  with  the  LCR  standard  as  from  1 
October 2015 with  an initial  minimum  ratio of 60%,  increasing to 70% in 2016, 80% in 2017 and 100%  as 
from  January 2018.  Starting from  January  2016, the LCR is calculated monthly based on the final published 
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/61.  The Delegated Regulation was enacted in September 2016 and the LCR 
is calculated under this Regulation. 

In October 2014, the  Basel  Committee  on  Banking  Supervision published a final standard  for the NSFR  with 
the  minimum  requirement  to be  introduced in  January  2018  at  100%.    The methodology  for  calculating  the 
NSFR is based on an interpretation of the Basel standards published in October 2014 and includes a number of 
assumptions which are subject to change prior to adoption by the European Commission through the CRR. 

As at 31 December 2016 the Group is not in compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements with respect 
to  the  LCR.    On  the  basis  of  Regulation  (EU)  2015/61  the  Group’s  LCR  as  at  31  December  2016  was  49% 
(2015:  0%);  on  the  basis  of  Basel  QIS  standards  the  Group’s  NSFR  was  95%  (31  December  2015:  83%).  
Following  the  full  repayment  of  ELA  funding  on  5  January  2017,  the  Group  is  aiming  to  build  up  available 
liquid assets in order to comply gradually with its regulatory liquidity ratios. 

370 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.  

Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

2.2  

Liquidity regulation (continued) 

Furthermore,  the  Company  and  the  other  units  must  comply  with  their  local  regulatory liquidity  ratios.   The 
minimum regulatory liquidity ratios for the operations in Cyprus are set by the CBC.  As at 31 December 2016 
the Company was not in compliance with the regulatory liquidity requirements with respect to its operations in 
Cyprus. 

2.3  

Liquidity reserves 

31 December 2016 

31 December 2015 

Composition of the liquidity 
reserves  

Liquidity 
reserves 

€000 

Liquidity 
reserves of  
which Delegated 
Reg (EU)  
2015/61 LCR 
eligible Level 1 
€000 

Liquidity 
reserves 

€000 

Liquidity  
reserves of  
which Delegated 
Reg (EU) 
2015/61 LCR 
eligible Level 1 
€000 

Cash and balances with central 
banks 
Nostro and overnight placements 
with banks 
Other placements with banks 

Liquid investments 

Available ECB Buffer 

Other investments  

Total  

1.505.120 

1.146.015 

1.421.733 

1.002.649 

423.603 

376.145 

154.787 

124.998 

6.340 

- 

- 

537.722 

477.604 

256.325 

19.594 

- 

- 

178.792 

8.637 

- 

- 

2.421 

178.792 

- 

2.590.993 

1.402.340 

2.644.082 

1.183.862 

Investments under Liquidity Reserve are shown at market value net of haircut (as prescribed by regulators) in 
order  to  reflect  the  actual  liquidity  value  that  can  be  obtained  and  include  only  the  international  issues  of 
Government  of  Cyprus.    Under  LCR  Liquidity  Reserves,  all  Cyprus  Government  Bonds  remain  eligible  for 
inclusion as Level 1 assets given that they are issued by a Member State.  LCR does not require liquid assets 
to be eligible as collateral for central bank operations and are included at market value.  

The Liquidity Reserves are managed by Group Treasury.   

ELA was fully repaid on 5 January 2017.  ELA is available to solvent Euro area credit institutions and although 
the  Company  has  received  no  specific  assurance,  management  expects  that  the  Company  will  continue  to 
have access to the central bank liquidity facilities, in line with applicable rules if it were to face a ‘stress event’ 
that  gave  rise  to  temporary  liquidity  problems.  If  a  stress  event  were  to  occur  in  the  future,  the  Company 
would seek to utilise ELA funding, assuming it has sufficient available eligible collateral at the time. 

The  Council  of  Ministers  and  the  Committee  on  Financial  and  Budgetary  Affairs  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  had  approved  in  January  2014  the  issuance  of  up  to  €2,9  billion  of  guarantees  for 
bonds/loans  issued  by  credit  institutions  under  the  ‘Granting  of  Government  Guarantees  for  Loans  and/or 
issuance of Bonds by Credit Institutions Law of 2012’.  The European Commission announced in June 2016 the 
eighth  extension  of  the  bank  guarantee  scheme,  which  continued  until  31  December  2016.  Based  on  the 
prevailing  conditions,  the  Ministry  of  Finance  has  not  applied  for  a  further  extension  of  the  bank  guarantee 
scheme. 

371 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

2.  

Liquidity risk and funding (continued) 

2.3  

Liquidity reserves (continued) 

In  May  2016,  the  Company  raised  new  funding  from  ECB  using  as  collateral  a  pool  of  housing  loans  that 
satisfy  the  criteria  of  the  Additional  Credit  Claims  as  set  out  in  accordance  with  the  Implementation  of  the 
Eurosystem Monetary Policy Framework Directives of 2015 and 2016. 

In 2014, the Group participated in the TLTRO of the ECB for an amount of €500 million. On 29 June 2016 the 
Company repaid the amount borrowed through the TLTRO amounting to €500 million and borrowed the same 
amount from the MRO. In December 2016, the Group borrowed an amount of €600 million through the new 
series of TLTRO (TLTRO II) announced by the ECB in March 2016. Additionally, an amount of €50 million was 
borrowed  through  the  LTRO.  As  a  result,  in  December  2016  all  the  ECB  funding  that  was  borrowed  through 
the MRO, was switched to longer term funding. 

Following  the  full  repayment  of  ELA  on  5  January  2017,  all  ELA  collateralised  loans  have  subsequently been 
released, but ELA pledged properties remain pledged as of 27 March 2017.  

In January 2017, the Company issued a €250 million unsecured and subordinated Tier 2 Capital Note (Note) 
under  the  Company’s  EMTN  Programme.  The  Note  was  priced  at  par  with  a  coupon  of  9,25%.  The  Note 
matures  on  19  January  2027.  The  Company  has  the  option  to  redeem  the  Note  early  on  19  January  2022, 
subject to applicable regulatory consents. 

In  March  2017  the  Company  has  borrowed  an  additional  amount  of  €230  million  through  the  new  series  of 
TLTRO II, to be received on 29 March 2017. 

3.  

Other risks 

3.1 

Operational risk 

Operational  risk  is  defined  as  the  risk  of  a  direct  or  indirect  impact  loss  resulting  from  inadequate  or  failed 
internal processes, people and systems or external events.  The Group includes in this definition compliance, 
legal and reputational risk.  

The  Group  recognises  that  the  control  of  operational  risk  is  directly  related  to  effective  and  efficient 
management  practices  and  high  standards  of  corporate  governance.    To  that  effect,  the  management  of 
operational risk is geared towards maintaining a strong internal control governance framework and managing 
operational  risk  exposures  through  a  consistent  set  of  management  processes  that  drive  risk  identification, 
assessment, control and monitoring.  

The main objectives of operational risk management within the Group are: (i) the development of operational 
risk awareness and culture, (ii) the provision of adequate information to the Group’s management at all levels 
in  relation  to  the  operational  risk  profile  at  a  Company,  Unit  and  activity  level,  so  as  to  facilitate  decision 
making for risk control activities, and (iii) the control of operational risk to ensure that operational losses do 
not cause material damage to the Group’s franchise and have minimal impact on the Group’s profitability and 
corporate objectives.  
Operational risks can arise from all business lines and from all activities carried out by the Group and are thus 
diverse  in  nature.    To  enable  effective  management  of  all  material  operational  risks,  the  operational  risk 
management framework  adopted by the Group is based on the three lines of defence  model, through which 
risk ownership is dispersed throughout the organisation.  The first line of defence comprises management and 
staff who have immediate responsibility  of day-to-day operational risk management and own the risk.  Each 
business  unit  owner  is  responsible  for  identifying  and  managing  all  the  risks  that  arise  from  the  unit’s 
activities as an integral part of their first line responsibilities.   

The second line of defence comprises the risk management function whose role is to provide operational risk 
oversight  and independent  and  objective  challenge to the  first  line  of  defence,  supported  by  other  specialist 
control and support functions such as the Group Compliance, Legal, Information Technology and Information 
Security, Health and Safety functions.  The third line of defence comprises the Internal Audit function, which 
provides  independent  assurance  over  the  integrity  and  effectiveness  of  the  risk  management  framework 
throughout the Group.  

372 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3.  

Other risks (continued) 

3.1 

Operational risk (continued) 

During  2016,  significant  progress  has  been  achieved  towards  further  enhancement  of  Operational  Risk 
Management, since a new improved system was launched which provides for the integration of all risk-control 
data  in  one  place  and  enables  a  centralised  risk  repository  to  report,  manage  and  assess  operational  risks. 
Furthermore, a Data Governance Office and a Data Governance Framework were established, as the Group is 
focusing on effective management of its data, and improvement of data quality. 

Operational  risk  loss  events  are  classified  and  recorded  in  the  Group’s  internal  loss  database  to  enable  risk 
identification,  corrective  action  and  statistical  analysis.    During  the  year  ended  31  December  2016,  86  loss 
events with gross loss equal to or greater than €1.000 each were recorded (2015: 151).  

The Group strives to continuously enhance its risk control culture and increase awareness of its employees on 
operational risk issues through ongoing staff training. 

The Group also maintains adequate insurance policies to cover for unexpected material operational losses. 

Business resilience is treated as a priority and as such the Group places significant importance on continuously 
enhancing the continuity arrangements for all markets in which the Group operates, to ensure timely recovery 
in the case of events that may cause major disruptions to the business operations. 

3.2 

Regulatory risk 

The Group’s operations are supervised by the CBC and the ECB as a supervisory body for all the banks in the 
Eurozone  area  (referred  to  as  the  Single  Supervisory  Mechanism,  SSM).   The  ECB  and  the  national  central 
banks together constitute the Eurosystem, the central banking system of the Eurozone. The ECB exercises its 
supervisory  responsibilities  in  cooperation  with  the  national  central  banks.   As  such,  in  Cyprus  the  ECB 
cooperates with the CBC, as the Company is considered as a significant credit institution for the purposes of 
the ECB Regulation. 

The overseas subsidiaries and branches of the Group are also supervised by the national regulatory authorities 
in the countries where they operate.   

In this context, the Group is exposed to a series of regulatory and legal risks: 
 

Legislative action and regulatory measures which may materially impact the Group and the financial and 
economic environment in which it operates. 
The  Group's  business  and  operations  are  subject  to  substantial  regulation  and  supervision  and  can  be 
negatively affected by its non-compliance  with  regulatory requirements and any adverse regulatory and 
governmental developments. 
The implementation of a more demanding and restrictive regulatory framework  (including  CRD IV/CRR) 
with  respect  to,  amongst  others,  capital  ratios,  leverage,  liquidity  and  disclosure  requirements, 
notwithstanding the benefit to the financial system, poses additional risks for banks.  
Changes  in  laws  or  regulations  might  also  restrict  certain  types  of  transactions,  affect  the  Group's 
strategy and lead to modification of the customer charges for banking products or transactions. 
The Group is subject  to certain regulatory  and legal  constraints in originating new loans, managing and 
restructuring existing loans and foreclosing on collateral.  
The Group’s Restructuring Plan, approved by the CBC in November 2013, restricts certain actions of the 
Group. These restrictions were affirmed by the ECB, in its capacity as SSM, including a prohibition on the 
distribution  of  dividends  and  the  provision  of  variable  remuneration  to  Group  employees  as  well  as  a 
requirement  that  the  Company  should  obtain  the  prior  approval  of  the  ECB  before  providing  capital  or 
funding to any subsidiary. Notwithstanding, the ECB’s prohibition on variable pay, lifted and replaced with 
a limitation on variable remuneration to 10% of net revenues in 2016 SREP decision.  
As a result of the Group’s dependency on ELA funding over the last years, its limited access to interbank 
and  wholesale  markets  and  a  reduction  in  deposits  in  Cyprus  in  earlier  years,  the  Group  is  not  in 
compliance with its regulatory liquidity requirements. 
The Group is exposed to tax risk and failure to manage such risk may adversely impact the Group. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

373 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3.  

Other risks (continued) 

3.2 

Regulatory risk (continued) 

The EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive 2014/59/EU (BRRD) establishes a framework for the recovery 
and  resolution  of  European  Union  (EU)  credit  institutions.  The  stated  aim  of  the  BRRD  is  to  provide 
supervisory resolution authorities, with common tools and powers to address banking crises pre-emptively in 
order to ensure the continuity of the institution’s critical financial and economic functions whilst safeguarding 
financial  stability  and  minimising  taxpayers’  exposure  to  losses.  The  BRRD  includes  the  concept  of  loss 
absorption and a minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liability (MREL). 

The  BRRD  also  has  significant  funding  implications  for  credit institutions,  which  include  the  establishment  of 
pre-funded  resolution  funds  of  1%  of  deposits  covered  under  the  EU  Deposit  Guarantee  Schemes  Directive 
2014/49 to be built up by 31 December 2024. The BRRD has been implemented in Cyprus.  
The  EU  has  also  established  a  Single  Resolution  Mechanism  (SRM),  set  up  under  the  Single  Resolution 
Mechanism  Regulation  No  806/2014  as  part  of  the  European  Banking  Union.  Under  the  SRM,  a  single 
resolution process applies to all credit institutions supervised by the SSM.  This process is co-ordinated by the 
Single  Resolution  Board  (SRB).  The  Company  is  subject  to  the  supervision  of  the  SSM  and  accordingly  the 
SRM. 

The  SRM  Regulation  is  closely  connected  with  the  BRRD.  For  credit  institutions  within  the  SSM,  the  SRB 
effectively  takes  on  the  role  of  the  relevant  national  resolution  authority  established  under  the  BRRD.    The 
Company is subject to the supervision of the SRB. 

On 1 January 2016 the Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and the relevant 
Regulations on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II) came in 
force. Additionally on 11 April 2016 the Law on Insurance and Reinsurance Services and Other Related Issues 
(Law  38(I)/2016)  became  effective.  The  new  legal  and  regulatory  framework  introduced  significantly 
increased  quantitative  and  qualitative  requirements.  The  Insurance  Companies  Control  Service  (Ministry  of 
Finance)  supervises  the  minimum  required  capital  which  should  be  maintained  by  insurance  companies  in 
order  to  ensure  they  meet  the  solvency  capital  requirement.  Additional  targets  are  set  by  the  insurance 
subsidiaries of the Group, EuroLife Ltd and General Insurance of Cyprus Ltd, in order to maintain sound capital 
ratios  which  can  support  operational  targets.  The  insurance  subsidiaries  of  the  Group  manage  their  capital 
base by monitoring the coverage of solvency capital requirements on a quarterly basis using high quality own 
funds.  Both  subsidiaries  are  compliant  with  the  solvency  capital  requirements  imposed  by  the  Insurance 
Companies Control Service during 2016.  

The  Cyprus  Investment  and  Securities  Corporation  Ltd  (CISCO)  is  a  member  of  the  Investor  Compensation 
Fund (ICF) which was established pursuant to Article 59(1) and (2) of Law 144(Ι)/2007 which provides for the 
Provision  of  Investment  Services,  the  Exercise  of  Investment  Activities,  the  Operation  of  Regulated  Markets 
and other Related Matters as an investor compensation fund for ICF clients other than credit institutions. The 
powers  and  functions  of  the  ICF  are  regulated  by  the  provisions  of  the  aforementioned  law  and  of  the 
Directive 144-2007-15 of the CySEC for the Continuance of the Operation and the Operation of the IF Investor 
Compensation Fund.   CISCO is obliged to contribute annually  an amount of  up to  0,1% of the eligible funds 
and  financial  instruments  of  the  member’s  clients  and  to  contribute  when  called  upon  by  CySEC  an 
extraordinary  supplementary  contribution,  if  it  deems  that  the  existing  means  for  the  payment  of 
compensation are inadequate, particularly in the event of a liquidation procedure of a member of the ICF. The 
amount of the extraordinary supplementary contribution is not designated (nor capped).  

The  EU  Investor  Compensation  Schemes  Directive  97/9/EC  (the  ICSD)  requires  member  states  to  establish 
investor  compensation  schemes  (ICS)  to  protect  investors  with  respect  to  firms  carrying  on  investment 
business (which may be an investment firm or a credit institution).  An ICS will typically make payouts if an 
investment firm or credit institution carrying on investment business fails. 
In  Cyprus,  the  Investor  Compensation  Fund  for  Clients  of  Banks  (the  Fund)  was  established  pursuant  to 
Article 59(1) and (2) of Law 144(Ι)/2007 which provides for the Provision of Investment Services, the Exercise 
of  Investment  Activities,  the  Operation  of  Regulated  Markets  and  other  Related  Matters.  Such  a  Fund  is 
administered by the CBC.  The Company is obligated to contribute annually an amount of up to 0.001% of the 
eligible funds and financial instruments of the Company's clients. 

374 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3.  

Other risks (continued) 

3.3 

Intensity of competition  

The Group faces intense competition in the markets in which it operates.  In Cyprus the competition primarily 
originates from other commercial banks, co-operative credit institutions, branches and subsidiaries of foreign 
banks, and insurance companies offering savings and investment products.   
Following the acquisition of certain  operations of  Laiki  Bank in 2013, the Group’s market share in loans and 
deposits  in  Cyprus  was  significantly  boosted,  even  though  depositor  psychology  led  to  substantial  deposit 
outflows  from  the  Cyprus  banking  system.   During  2015  and  2016  the  Group’s  market  share  in  deposits 
increased due to deposit inflows. The Group remains today the biggest and most systemically important local 
banking organisation in Cyprus. 

Any intensification of competition as a result of more competitive interest rates being offered on deposits and 
advances compared to those offered by the Group, may create pressure on Group profitability. 

3.4 

Litigation risk 

The Group may, from time to time, become involved in legal or arbitration proceedings which may affect its 
operations  and  results.    Litigation  risk  arises  from  pending  or  potential  legal  proceedings  against  the  Group 
(Note 38 of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016) and in the event that 
legal issues are not properly dealt with, by the Group, resulting in the cancellation of contracts with customers 
thus exposing the Group to legal actions against it.  

3.5 

Political risk  

External  factors  which  are  beyond  the  control  of  the  Group,  such  as  developments  in  the  European  and  the 
global economy, as well as political and government actions in Cyprus can affect the operations of the Group, 
its strategy and prospects, either directly or indirectly through their possible impact on the domestic economy.  

Cyprus  is  a  small  open  economy  particularly  exposed  to  weakness  in  Russia,  the  UK  and  Greece.  Cyprus  is 
also  exposed  to  international  developments  particularly  in  the  European  Union  and  the  Eurozone  that  may 
lead to a payments crisis or changes in the regulatory and supervisory framework.  

The exit of the UK following the EU referendum of 23 June 2016 may lead to an economic recession in the UK 
itself and to possible disruptions in the Eurozone with pressure to bear on the euro and the currency markets 
generally.  

An exit of the UK from the EU may impact Cyprus. Cyprus has trade, investment links with the UK, and it is a 
popular tourist  destination  for  British  tourists.  In  2016  the  UK  accounted  for 36% of  all  tourist  arrivals.  The 
possible loss of UK tourist arrivals may be mitigated at least in part, by increases in arrivals of tourists from 
other countries, as tourist traffic may continue to divert away from other regional destinations. In total about 
9%  of  Cyprus  imports  and  7%  of  Cyprus  exports  are  with  the  UK  based  on  available  statistics  for  2015. 
Additionally  there  is  a  relatively  sizeable  community  of  British  expatriates  in  Cyprus,  many  of  whom  have 
purchased homes and live permanently on the island.  

Consequences for the Cyprus economy may potentially derive from the wider implications for the UK economy 
and on the EU from exiting.  Additionally, the exit of the UK from the EU will change the balance of power in 
the EU and will also exacerbate the division between the northern and southern countries.    

Developments  in  other  non-EU  countries  with  which  Cyprus  maintains  significant  economic  links,  the 
unresolved  Cyprus  problem,  and  political  and  social  unrest  or  escalation  of  military  conflict  in  neighboring 
countries and/or other overseas areas may adversely affect the Cyprus economy. 

Russia is an important economic partner of Cyprus both in terms of tourism and international business flows. 
Any developments that impact negatively on these linkages will have a negative impact on the economy and 
will thus affect the Group’s operations.  

375 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

3.  

Other risks (continued) 

3.5 

Political risk (continued) 

As a result of sanctions and the steep decline in oil and commodity prices, Russia entered a steep recession in 
2015 when the economy contracted by 3,7% and further by 0,6% in 2016. Russia’s economy is expected to 
grow again in 2017 by 0,8% (European Commission, European Economic Forecast, Winter 2017). This will be 
largely due to a trimmed down budget based on more realistic oil prices. Rating agencies have even raised the 
country’s outlook from negative to stable. However, uncertainty is linked with oil price dynamics, geopolitical 
tensions and a possible prolongation of sanctions. A re-emergence of volatility amongst emerging economies, 
driven by further tightening of monetary policies in the US or by changes in global trade policies, could also 
adversely impact the Russian economy.  

In  relation  to  Greece,  the  economy  contracted  by  0,2%  in  2015  and  registered  zero  growth  in  2016  in  real 
terms  according  to  Eurostat.  The  economy  is  projected  to  expand  by  2,7%  in  2017  and  by  3,1%  in  2018 
according to the European Commission (European Economic Forecast, Winter 2017).  
Negotiations  over  the  Greek  bailout  programme  have  resumed  and  there  seems  to  be  an  understanding 
among the creditors regarding fiscal targets and debt relief. The IMF may also be in a position to soon join the 
programme. Greece will need to make significant debt repayments in July. The creditors have still to decide on 
the release of bailout funds and Greece is required to introduce reforms prior to that.  

Global economy risks remain elevated as highlighted by extremely low interest rates, which turned negative in 
many  European  countries  and  Japan.  Changes  in  monetary  policies  or  loss  of  confidence  in  the  ability  of 
central  banks  to  manage  economic  pressures,  might  lead  to  financial  distress  in  the  emerging  world  with 
broader consequences for economic activity in the advanced countries.  

The euro will come under pressure if adverse developments in the cohesion of the Eurozone escalate further. 
Greece  continues  to  entail  risks  amidst  a  fragmenting  European  Union.  Elections  in  a  number  of  Eurozone 
countries in 2017 including France, Germany and possibly Italy, may cause further instability. 

Given  the  above,  the  Group  recognises  that  unforeseen  political  events  can  have  negative  effects  on  the 
fulfilment  of  contractual  relationships  and  obligations  of  its  customers  and  other  counterparties,  which  may 
have a significant impact on the Group’s activities, operating results and position. 

4.  

Capital management 

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory 
capital  requirements  and  to  maintain  strong  credit  ratings  and  healthy  capital  adequacy  ratios  in  order  to 
support its business and maximise shareholder value. 

The Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) and amended Capital Requirements Directive IV (CRD IV) became 
effective,  comprising  the  European  regulatory  package  designed  to  transpose  the  new  capital,  liquidity  and 
leverage  standards  of  Basel  III  into  the  European  Union’s  legal  framework  on  1  January  2014.    CRR 
establishes the prudential requirements for capital, liquidity and leverage that entities need to abide by.  It is 
immediately binding on all EU member states.  CRD IV governs access to deposit-taking activities and internal 
governance arrangements including remuneration, board composition and transparency.  Unlike the CRR, CRD 
IV needs to be transposed into national laws, and allows national regulators to impose additional capital buffer 
requirements.    CRR  introduced  significant  changes  in  the  prudential  regulatory  regime  applicable  to  banks 
including amended minimum capital adequacy ratios, changes to the definition of capital and the calculation of 
risk  weighted  assets  and  the  introduction  of  new  measures  relating  to  leverage,  liquidity  and  funding.    CRR 
permits  a  transitional  period  for  certain  of  the  enhanced  capital  requirements  and  certain  other  measures, 
such  as  the  leverage  ratio,  which  will  be  largely  fully  effective  by  2019.  In  addition,  the  Regulation  (EU) 
2016/445 of the ECB on the exercise of options and discretions available in Union law (ECB/2016/4) provides 
certain transitional arrangements which supersedes the national discretions unless they are stricter than the 
EU Regulation 2016/44. 

The  CET1  ratio  of  the  Group  at  31  December  2016  stands  at  14,5%  (transitional)  and  the  total  capital  at 
14,6%.   

The  minimum  Pillar  I  total  capital  requirement  is  8,0%  and  may  be  met,  in  addition  to  the  4,5%  CET1 
requirement, with up to 1,5% by Additional Tier 1 capital and with up to 2,0% by Tier 2 capital. 

376 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

4.  

Capital management (continued) 

The  Group  is  also  subject  to  additional  capital  requirements  for  risks  which  are  not  covered  by  the  Pillar  I 
capital requirements (Pillar II add-ons).  Following the enactment of the amendments in the Cypriot Banking 
Law in February 2017 regarding the gradual phase-in of the Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) and based on 
the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) performed by the ECB in 2016, the Group’s minimum 
CET1 capital ratio as from 1 January 2017 has been reduced to 9,50% compared to 10,75% fully phased-in of 
CCB  (minimum  CET1  capital  ratio  at  31  December  2016:  11,75%  fully  phased-in  of  CCB),  comprising  of  a 
4,5%  Pillar  I  requirement,  a  3,75%  Pillar  II  requirement  and  a  phased-in  CCB  of  1,25%.  The  ECB  has  also 
provided non-public guidance for an additional Pillar II CET1 buffer. 

The overall Total Capital Ratio requirement as from 1 January 2017 following the amendments in the Cypriot 
Banking Law in February 2017 regarding the gradual phase-in of CCB, has been reduced to 13,00% compared 
to 14,25% (fully phased-in of CCB), comprising of a Pillar I requirement of 8% (of which up to 1,5% can be in 
the form of Additional Tier 1 capital  and  up to  2,0% in the form of Tier 2 capital),  a Pillar II requirement of 
3,75% (in the form of CET1), as well as a phased-in CCB of 1,25%.  

The minimum CET1 requirement including Pillar II, applicable for the year 2016 was determined by the ECB at 
11,75% in November 2015 and includes CCB on a fully loaded basis. 

The  Group's  capital  position  at  31  December  2016  exceeds  both  its  Pillar  I  and  its  Pillar  II  add-on  capital 
requirements. However, the Group's Pillar II add-on capital requirements are a point-in-time assessment and 
therefore are subject to change over time.   

Based on the provisions of the Macroprudential Oversight of Institutions Law of 2015 which came into force on 
1 January 2016, the CBC is the designated Authority responsible for setting the  macroprudential buffers that 
derive from the CRD IV.  

In accordance  with the provisions of this law, the CBC sets, on a quarterly basis, the Countercyclical Capital 
buffer (CCyB) level in accordance with the methodology described in this law.  The CCyB is effective as from 1 
January  2016  and  is  determined  by  the  CBC  ahead  of  the  beginning  of  each  quarter.    The  CBC  has  set  the 
level of the CCyB at 0% for the year of 2016 and for the first quarter of 2017.  

In accordance with the provisions of this law, the CBC is also the responsible authority for the designation of 
banks  that  are  Other  Systemically  Important  Institutions (O-SIIs)  and  for  the  setting  of  the  O-SII  buffer 
requirement for these systemically important banks. The Group has been designated as an O-SII and the CBC 
set  the  O-SII  buffer  for  the  Group  at  2%.    This  buffer  will  be  phased-in  gradually,  starting  from  1  January 
2019  at  0,5%  and  increasing  by  0,5%  every  year  thereafter,  until  being  fully  implemented  (2,0%)  on  1 
January 2022. 

Following  the  enactment  of  the  amendments  in  the  Cypriot  Banking  Law  on  3  February  2017,  the  Capital 
Conservation Buffer (CCB) is gradually phased-in at 0,625% in 2016, 1,25% in 2017, 1,875% in 2018 and is 
fully implemented on 1 January 2019 at 2,5%. 

The BRRD requires that from January 2016 EU member states shall apply the BRRD’s provisions requiring EU 
credit institutions and certain investment firms to maintain minimum requirement for own funds and eligible 
liabilities  (‘‘MREL’’),  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  Commission  Delegated  Regulation  (EU)  2016/1450.  
Although  the  precise  calibration  and  ultimate  designation  of  the  Bank’s  MREL  liabilities  has  not  yet  been 
finalised, the Bank is monitoring developments in this area very closely. 

The  Group’s  overseas  banking  subsidiaries  comply  with  the  regulatory  capital  requirements  of  the  local 
regulators in  the  countries  in  which  they  operate.    The  insurance  subsidiaries of  the  Group  comply  with  the 
requirements  of  the  Superintendent  of  Insurance  including  the  minimum  solvency  ratio.  The  regulated 
investment  firms  of  the  Group  comply  with  the  regulatory  capital  requirements  of  the  CySEC  laws  and 
regulations. 

377 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

4.  

Capital management (continued) 

4.1  

Capital position  

The capital position of the Group under CRD IV/CRR basis (after applying the transitional arrangements set by 
the CBC) is presented below.  

Regulatory capital   

Transitional Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1)3,5 

Transitional Additional Tier 1 capital (AT1) 

Tier 2 capital (T2) 
Transitional total regulatory capital5 

Risk weighted assets – credit risk4 

Risk weighted assets – market risk 

Risk weighted assets – operational risk  

Total risk weighted assets 

Transitional Common Equity Tier 1 ratio 

Transitional total capital ratio 

31 December 
2016 
€000 

31 December 
2015 
€000 

2.727.997 

2.747.772 

- 

- 

21.423 

30.290 

2.749.420 

2.778.062 

16.861.793 

17.618.578 

6.231 

7.811 

1.997.200 

2.039.888 

18.865.224 

19.666.277 

% 

          % 

14,5 

14,6 

14,0 

14,1 

During 2016 the CET1 was positively affected by the profit for the year and by the disposal of non-core assets 
and  it  was  negatively  affected  by  the  phase  in  of  transitional  adjustments,  mainly  deferred  tax  asset.    The 
RWA were positively affected by the Group’s ongoing efforts for risk-weighted assets optimisation.  As a result 
of the above, the CET1 ratio increased by 50 bps during the year. 

Additional  information  on  capital  management  can  be  found  in  the  2016  Pillar  3  Disclosures  Report, 
www.bankofcyprus.com (Investor Relations). 

3 

4 
5

CET1  includes  regulatory  deductions,  primarily  comprising  deferred  tax  assets  and  intangible  assets  amounting  to  €88.407  thousand  and 
€35.193 thousand as at 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2015 respectively. 
Includes Credit Valuation Adjustments (CVA). 

 Following the Regulation (EU) 2016/445 of the ECB of 14 March 2016 on the exercise of options and discretions available in Union law 

(ECB/2016/4), the deferred tax asset phase-in period reduced from 10 to 5 years, with effect as from the reporting of 31 December 2016.  
378 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
BANK OF CYPRUS GROUP 
Additional Risk and Capital Management Disclosures  
(Unaudited) 

Annual Financial Report 2016 

5.  

Leverage ratio 

According  to  CRR  Article  429,  the  leverage  ratio,  expressed  as  a  percentage,  is  calculated  as  the  capital 
measure divided by the total exposure measure of the Group. 

The leverage ratio of the Group is presented below: 

Transitional basis 

Capital measure (CET 1) 

Total exposure measure 

Leverage ratio (%) 

Fully loaded basis 

Capital measure (CET 1) 

Total exposure measure 

Leverage ratio (%) 

Additional 
www.bankofcyprus.com (Investor Relations). 

information  on 

leverage  can  be 

31 December 
2016 
€000 

31 December 
2015 
€000 

2.727.997 

2.747.772 

22.833.225 

22.866.525 

11,9 

12,1 

2.611.563 

2.568.503 

22.785.112 

22.687.256 

11,5 

11,3 

found 

in 

the  2016  Pillar  3  Disclosures  Report, 

6.  

Internal  Capital  Adequacy  Assessment  Process  (ICAAP),  Internal  Liquidity  Assessment 
Process (ILAAP), Pillar II and Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) 

The Group prepared the ICAAP and ILAAP reports for year 2015.  Both reports were approved by the Board of 
Directors and have been submitted to the ECB in April 2016.  Currently, the Group is preparing the ICAAP and 
ILAAP reports for the year 2016, due for submission around April 2017. 

The Group also undertakes a quarterly  review of its ICAAP results. During the quarterly review, the Group’s 
risk  profile  and  risk  management  policies  and  processes  are  reviewed  and  any  changes  since  the  full  ICAAP 
exercise  are  taken into  consideration.    The  quarterly  review  identifies  whether  the  Group  is exposed  to  new 
risks  and  assesses  the  adequacy  of  capital  resources  in  order  to  cover  its  risks,  as  these  have  evolved 
(compared to the full ICAAP exercise). Given completion of the full ICAAP report in April 2016, two quarterly 
reviews have taken place in the third quarter of 2016 and in the fourth quarter of 2016 covering the period up 
to end of June 2016 and the period up to end of September 2016, respectively. 

A quarterly review is also performed for the ILAAP through quarterly stress tests submitted to the Assets and 
Liabilities  Committee  (ALCO)  and  Board  Risk  Committee,  as  from  2016.  During  the  quarterly  review,  the 
liquidity risk drivers are assessed and, if needed, the stress test assumptions are amended accordingly.  The 
quarterly review identifies whether the Group has an adequate liquidity buffer to cover the stress outflows.   

The ECB, as part of its supervisory role, has been conducting the SREP and onsite inspections on the Group.  
SREP is a holistic assessment of, amongst other things, the Group’s business model, internal governance and 
institution-wide control arrangements, risks to capital and adequacy of capital to cover these risks and risks to 
liquidity and adequacy of liquidity resources to cover these risks.  The objective of the SREP is for the ECB to 
form an  up-to-date supervisory view  of  the Group’s risks and  viability and to form the basis for supervisory 
measures  and  dialogue  with  the  Group.    Additional capital  and  other  requirements  could  be  imposed on  the 
Group as a result of these supervisory  processes,  including a revision of the level of Pillar II add-ons as the 
Pillar  II  add-on  capital  requirements  are  a  point-in-time  assessment  and  therefore  subject  to  change  over 
time.  

379