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Notes to the annual financial statements
1. Illustration of the Bank’s business operations and organization
Banca del Sempione’s business areas and risk management are not distinguished from those of the Group. As at 31 December 2006, Banca del Sempione had 104 employees on its books, equating to 103.5 full-time positions (previous year: 99 employees, equating respectively to 98.5 positions).
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2. Accounting principles and valuation criteria
The accounting principles and valuation criteria adopted in drawing up the Parent company financial statements are in compliance with the provisions of the Code of Obligations, Swiss banking law, and the rulings issued by the Federal Banking Commission. These principles coincide for the most part with those applied in drawing up the consolidated financial statements, except for the different valuation criteria for the items illustrated:
Participations
Equity investments are shown in the balance sheet at acquisition price less depreciation and amortization as appropriate.
Fixed assets
Fixed assets are shown at acquisition costs less depreciation and amortization as appropriate. Depreciation and amortization are applied at constant rates based on a conservative estimate of the assets’presumed useful life. Accelerated depreciation and amortization may be charged within the limits allowed by law.
Valuation adjustments and provisions
Case-by-case value adjustments and provisions are made according to the conservative principle for all perceivable risks as at the closing date of the financial statements. Contingent risks are covered with lump-sum value adjustments and provisions determined by a calculation method that is systematic and constant over time. Valuation adjustments and provisions may also contain contingent reserves.
Changes in comparison to the previous financial year
The accounting and valuation principles applied to the annual report for the year-ending 31 December 2006 are the same as those applied in the previous year, except for the adoption of the new standard RPC 16. The application of this standard had no impact on the Group’s annual report.
2.1 Other assets and other liabilities
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Year under review Previous year Other Other Other Other assets liabilities assets liabilities
Replacement value of derivative financial instruments related to contracts negotiated for own account 793 639 1’572 1’189 Indirect taxes 163 3’135 206 1’201 Settlement accounts 12 81 Other 912 362 1’395 731
Total 1’868 4’136 3’185 3’202
2.2 Pledged or assigned assets and securities lending and repurchase transactions
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Year under Previous review year
Type of securities and purpose of the deposit
Financial investment reserved for REPO transactions with the SNB (unused) 4’959 4’971 Receivables from banks and financial investment to cover mandatory margins on derivative products (fully used). 7’481 7’407
Total 12’440 12’378
2.3 Liabilities to the pension fund of own staff
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Year under Previous review year Balances in sight and time accounts of the Bank’s foundation 837 372
Banca del Sempione has two pension plans for its staff members in Switzerland. For the mandatory part, LPP, the Bank has opted for affiliation with the legally independent, Basel-based, Collective Pension Foundation. In addition, employees are affiliated with the Banca del Sempione Pension Fund, managing only the optional (supplemental) part of the professional pension plan. Both Funds reinsure risks with a life insurance company, fully for the mandatory part, and only for the risk of decease and disability for the supplemental part. The pension age is the same as that established by the AVS. In case of early retirement, the affiliate receives the capital accumulated at that time (supplemental part). At the end of the accounting period, as in the previous year, the Bank did not record any obligations with the two pension funds since all the risks are reinsured and there are no financial risks in the supplemental part. So the Bank receives neither a monetary advantage nor does it have coverage obligations. All the Bank’s financial obligations to the pension Funds are fulfilled with the payment of the contributions. Neither of the two Funds contain reserve contributions from the employer. The Banca del Sempione Pension Fund’s last audited annual report (31 December 2005) showed a coverage rate of 137%.
2.4 Valuation adjustments and provisions
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Recoveries, New doubtful allocations Reversal Change interest, charged credited Previous Specific in definition exchange to income to income Year under year usage of purpose differences statement statement review
Valuation adjustments and provisions reserve for loan losses (credit and country risks) 20’750 –867 –200 141 514 20’338 Other provisions 27’076 –399 421 815 27’913
Total valuation adjustments and provisions 47’826 –1’266 –200 562 1’329 48’251
less: valuation adjustments directly netted with assets –20’680 –20’258
Total valuation adjustments and provisions as per balance sheet 27’146 27’993
2.5 Share capital and major shareholders with more than 5% of voting rights
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Year under review Previous year
Total Dividend Total Dividend nominal Number right nominal Number right value of shares capital value of shares capital
Capital structure
Share capital 20’000 200’000 20’000 20’000 200’000 20’000
Total share capital issued and fully paid 20’000 200’000 20’000 20’000 200’000 20’000
Nominal value Participation Nominal value Participation CHF in % CHF in %
Major shareholders at 31 December
Eburnea Holding SA, Sion (Donelli Group) 10’400 52.00 10’400 52.00 Molu Holding SA, Lugano (Gattei Group) 7’000 35.00 7’000 35.00 Golden Horn Finanz AG, Lugano (Filofibra Group) 2’350 11.75 2’350 11.75
There is neither conditional capital nor shareholders without rights to vote.
2.6 Statement of changes in shareholders’equity
Shareholder’s equity, at beginning of year under review
Share capital General legal reserve Other reserves
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000) 20’000 30’500 18’200 Retained earnings 5’048
Total shareholders’equity, at the beginning of year under review (before profit distribution) 73’748
– Dividend provisions to reserve –2’500 + Net income 6’186
Total shareholders’equity, at end of year under review (before profit distribution) 77’434
Of which: Share capital 20’000 General legal reserve 31’000 Other reserves 19’400 Retained earnings 7’034
2.7 Related parties transactions, loans to member of the Bank’s governing bodies
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Year under Previous review year
Due from related companies
4’787 5’137 Due to related companies 2’548 2’142 Loans and exposure to members of the bank’s governing bodies 3’936 3’945
Transactions with related parties
No significant transactions with shareholders and group companies were executed during the financial year. The conditions applied for banking services are generally equivalent to those applied to primary customers. Members of the Bank’s governing bodiesenjoy the same benefits made available to all employees.
3.1 Fiduciary transactions
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000)
Year under Previous review year
Fiduciary placements with third party banks 392’862 343’045 Fiduciary credits 52’463 41’159
Total fiduciary transactions 445’325 384’204
4.Information on the income statement
4.1 Result from trading operations
(Amount expressed in CHF 1’000) Foreign exchange and banknotes Precious metals Securities
Total result from trading operations
Year under Previous review year
2’312 2’578 40 38 40 45
2’392 2’661
4.2 Extraordinary income and costs
The main income component, amounting to CHF 1’387’000, was generated by the capital gain on the sale of the participation in Banknord Ge. Pa. Fi. SpA Milano. Another CHF 83’000 was generated by the partial release of hidden reserves on fixed assets created in previous years through accelerated depreciation.
Costs refer to provisions made that were not necessary for operating reasons.
4.3 Revaluation of fixed assets to a level exceeding acquisition value (art. 665 e 665a CO)
No revaluations of fixed assets were carried out.
Strength As A Value.
Those who undertake great professional and entrepreneurial challenges always have on their side solid support on which they can always count. Banca del Sempione has constructed its reliability over time, guaranteeing its clients concrete support and prudent and competent advice.
