Notes to the statement of financial position
21 Intangible assets
| All figures in €'000 | Goodwill | Software (created internally) | Software (purchased) | Advance payments and developments in progress | Other intangible assets | Total |
| Acquisition costs | ||||||
| As of Jan. 1, 2014 | 90,616 | 8,575 | 74,916 | 25,307 | 46,814 | 246,227 |
| Additions | – | 372 | 1,137 | 7,356 | – | 8,864 |
| Disposals | – | – | -21 | – | -19 | -40 |
| Transfers | – | 7,151 | 260 | -7,411 | – | 0 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2014 | 90,616 | 16,098 | 76,291 | 25,252 | 46,795 | 255,051 |
| Changes to the scope of consolidation* | 5,663 | – | 5,984 | 1 | 12,215 | 23,863 |
| Additions | – | 382 | 434 | 7,118 | – | 7,934 |
| Disposals | – | – | -2 | – | – | -2 |
| Transfers | – | 2 | 8,523 | -8,525 | – | 0 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2015 | 96,278 | 16,482 | 91,231 | 23,846 | 59,010 | 286,846 |
| Depreciation and impairment | ||||||
| As of Jan. 1, 2014 | 3 | 7,966 | 68,927 | – | 14,064 | 90,960 |
| Depreciation | – | 1,710 | 4,235 | – | 1,967 | 7,912 |
| Disposals | – | – | -3 | – | – | -3 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2014 | 3 | 9,676 | 73,160 | – | 16,030 | 98,869 |
| Changes to the scope of consolidation* | – | – | 5,294 | – | – | 5,294 |
| Depreciation | – | 1,822 | 2,596 | – | 2,180 | 6,598 |
| Impairment | – | – | – | 1,584 | – | 1,584 |
| Disposals | – | – | -2 | – | – | -2 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2015 | 3 | 11,498 | 81,048 | 1,584 | 18,211 | 112,343 |
| Carrying amount Jan. 1, 2014 | 90,613 | 609 | 5,989 | 25,307 | 32,750 | 155,267 |
| Carrying amount Dec. 31, 2014 | 90,613 | 6,422 | 3,131 | 25,252 | 30,764 | 156,182 |
| Carrying amount Jan. 1, 2015 | 90,613 | 6,422 | 3,131 | 25,252 | 30,764 | 156,182 |
| Carrying amount Dec. 31, 2015 | 96,276 | 4,984 | 10,183 | 22,262 | 40,799 | 174,504 |
Intangible assets comprise definite-lived and indefinite-lived assets. Depreciation/amortisation and impairment on intangible assets is disclosed in Note 15.
Useful lives of intangible assets
| Useful life as of Dec. 31, 2015 | Useful life as of Dec. 31, 2014 | |
| Acquired software / licences | 3-7 years | 3-7 years |
| Software created internally | 3-5 years | 3-5 years |
| Acquired trademark rights | 10-15 years | 10-15 years |
| Client relations / contract inventories | 10-25 years | 10-25 years |
| Goodwill / brand names | undefinable | undefinable |
The goodwill originating from company acquisitions was allocated by MLP at the level of the cash-generating units. The disclosures take into account the restructuring of the FERI business segment, as well as the acquisition of the DOMCURA business segment performed in the financial year. Please refer to Notes 4 and 6 for further details. The reportable Financial Services business segment contains the following groups of cash-generating units: (1) Financial Services, (2) Occupational Pension Provision, (3) ZSH. The reportable FERI business segment contains the following groups of cash-generating units: (1) FERI Assetmanagement and (2) FERI EuroRating Services. The reportable DOMCURA business segment contains one DOMCURA cash-generating unit. Cash-generating units were allocated the following goodwill values arising from business combinations:
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Financial services | 22,042 | 22,042 |
| Occupational pension provision | 9,955 | 9,955 |
| ZSH | 4,072 | 4,072 |
| Financial services | 36,069 | 36,069 |
| FERI Asset Management | 53,230 | 39,919 |
| FERI Consulting | – | 2,807 |
| FERI EuroRating Services | 1,314 | 6,812 |
| FEREAL | – | 5,006 |
| FERI | 54,544 | 54,544 |
| DOMCURA | 5,663 | – |
| DOMCURA | 5,663 | – |
| Total | 96,276 | 90,613 |
As was already the case in the previous year, there was no need for an impairment of capitalised goodwill in the financial year 2015. The significant assumptions presented in the following were based on the impairment test performed. The assumptions for the respective business segments represent the management’s assessment and are based on both internal and external sources:
Reportable Financial Services business segment
| Financial services | ||
| Weighted average (in %) | 2015 | 2014 |
| Discount rate (before tax) | 10.6 | 11.9 |
| Growth rate of the terminal value | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | 0.5 | 26.2 |
| Occupational pension provision | ||
| Weighted average (in %) | 2015 | 2014 |
| Discount rate (before tax) | 9.3 | 12.0 |
| Growth rate of the terminal value | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | 30.0 | 18.2 |
| ZSH | ||
| Weighted average (in %) | 2015 | 2014 |
| Discount rate (before tax) | 9.5 | 11.7 |
| Growth rate of the terminal value | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | 18.5 | 33.3 |
Reportable FERI business segment
| FERI Assetmanagement | ||
| Weighted average (in %) | 2015 | 2014 |
| Discount rate (before tax) | 13.6 | 15.2 |
| Growth rate of the terminal value | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| FERI EuroRating Services | ||
| Weighted average (in %) | 2015 | 2014 |
| Discount rate (before tax) | 10.0 | 11.9 |
| Growth rate of the terminal value | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | –* | 30.8 |
Reportable DOMCURA business segment
| DOMCURA | ||
| Weighted average (in %) | 2015 | 2014 |
| Discount rate (before tax) | 9.5 | – |
| Growth rate of the terminal value | 1.0 | – |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | 4.7 | – |
The impairment test has confirmed the anticipated carrying amounts for goodwill. Within the scope of its impairment testing MLP carried out sensitivity analyses. These analyses examine the effects of an increase of discount interest rates by half a percentage point and the effects of a reduction of the forecast EBT growth by 15%. In the asset management cash-generating unit, the reduction in planned EBT growth caused the carrying amount to exceed the recoverable amount by € 9.4 million. However, since the cash-generating unit has in the past been able to confirm the planned EBT growth rates, the Executive Board considers this scenario unlikely. The table below shows the percentage by which the planned EBT growth rate would need to change for the estimated recoverable amount to equal the carrying amount:
Change required for the recoverable amount to equal the carrying amount
| Change required for the recoverable amount to equal the carrying amount | 2015 |
| Planned EBT growth rate (relative average EBT increase per year) | -7.3 % |
The items “Software (in-house), software (purchased), and advance payments and developments in progress” contain own work of € 1,322 thsd in the context of the development and implementation of software (previous year: € 746 thsd). All development and implementation costs incurred in the financial year 2015 complied in full with the criteria for capitalisation pursuant to IAS 38 “Intangible assets”.
The item “Other intangible assets” contains acquired trademark rights, client relationships/contract inventories with a defined term, as well as indefinite-lived brand names acquired within the scope of company acquisitions. In view of the recognition of these brands, at present no definite end of their useful lives can be specified.
The “FERI” brand is fully attributed to the group of cash-generating units of the “FERI” reportable business segment:
| All figures in €'000 | 2015 | 2014 |
| FERI Asset Management | 15,138 | 10,165 |
| FERI Consulting | – | 649 |
| FERI EuroRating Services | 691 | 3,534 |
| FEREAL | – | 1,481 |
| FERI | 15,829 | 15,829 |
The “DOMCURA” brand is fully attributed to the cash-generating units of the “DOMCURA” reportable business segment:
| DOMCURA | 7,287 | – |
| DOMCURA | 7,287 | – |
There are no restraints on disposal or pledges with regard to intangible assets. Contractual obligations for the purchase of intangible assets have a net total of € 512 thsd as of December 31, 2015 (previous year: € 255 thsd).
22 Property, plant and equipment
| All figures in €'000 | Land, leasehold rights and buildings | Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment | Payments on account and assets under construction | Total |
| Acquisition costs | ||||
| As of Jan. 1, 2014 | 80,607 | 64,890 | 339 | 145,837 |
| Additions | 429 | 4,161 | 1,963 | 6,553 |
| Disposals | -1,406 | -5,019 | – | -6,425 |
| Transfers | 119 | 716 | -834 | 0 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2014 | 79,750 | 64,748 | 1,468 | 145,965 |
| Changes to the scope of consolidation* | 350 | 3,349 | – | 3,698 |
| Additions | 720 | 3,092 | 1,031 | 4,842 |
| Disposals | -2,411 | -6,957 | – | -9,368 |
| Transfers | 998 | 1,359 | -2,357 | 0 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2015 | 79,406 | 65,590 | 141 | 145,138 |
| Depreciation | ||||
| As of Jan. 1, 2014 | 27,560 | 52,455 | – | 80,015 |
| Depreciation | 1,774 | 3,668 | – | 5,442 |
| Disposals | -1,370 | -4,159 | – | -5,529 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2014 | 27,964 | 51,964 | – | 79,928 |
| Changes to the scope of consolidation* | 206 | 2,356 | – | 2,562 |
| Depreciation | 1,991 | 3,718 | – | 5,710 |
| Disposals | -2,065 | -6,742 | – | -8,807 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2015 | 28,097 | 51,296 | – | 79,393 |
| Carrying amount Jan. 1, 2014 | 53,047 | 12,435 | 339 | 65,822 |
| Carrying amount Dec. 31, 2014 | 51,786 | 12,784 | 1,468 | 66,037 |
| Carrying amount Jan. 1, 2015 | 51,786 | 12,784 | 1,468 | 66,037 |
| Carrying amount Dec 31, 2015 | 51,309 | 14,295 | 141 | 65,745 |
Depreciation charges are disclosed in Note 15.
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment
| Useful life/residual value Dec. 31, 2015 | Useful life/residual value Dec. 31, 2014 | |
| Administration buildings | 33 years to residual value (30 % of original cost) | 33 years to residual value (30 % of original cost) |
| Land improvements | 15-25 years | 15-25 years |
| Leasehold improvements | 10 years or duration or the respective tenancy agreement | Duration of the respective tenancy agreement |
| Furniture and fittings | 8-25 years | 10-25 years |
| IT hardware, IT cabling | 3-13 years | 3-13 years |
| Office equipment, office machines | 3-23 years | 3-13 years |
| Cars | 2-6 years | 6 years |
| Works of art | 13-20 years | 13-15 years |
There are no restraints or pledges with regard to property, plant and equipment. Contractual obligations for the purchase of property, plant and equipment amount to € 86 thsd net as of December 31, 2015 (previous year: € 72 thsd).
23 Investment property / non-current assets held for sale
| All figures in €'000 | Investment property |
| Acquisition costs | |
| As of Jan. 1, 2014 | 25,047 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2014 | 25,047 |
| Reclassification IFRS 5 | -25,047 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2015 | 0 |
| Depreciation and impairment | |
| As of Jan. 1, 2014 | 17,722 |
| Depreciation | 63 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2014 | 17,785 |
| Depreciation | 32 |
| Impairment | 1,190 |
| Reclassification IFRS 5 | -19,007 |
| As of Dec. 31, 2015 | 0 |
| Carrying amount Jan. 1, 2014 | 7,325 |
| Carrying amount Dec. 31, 2014 | 7,262 |
| Carrying amount Jan. 1, 2015 | 7,262 |
| Carrying amount Dec 31, 2015 | 0 |
The investment property concerns an office and administration building held by MLP AG which was rented out under an operating lease. The rental agreement was terminated by the tenant with effect from December 31, 2015. Since the tenant moved out on December 31, 2015, the administration building has been empty. The current use of the property does not suit its best and ideal purpose as an office and administration building.
Please refer to Note 35 for further information on the operating lease.
Following the announcement that the rental agreement was to be terminated, the property underwent an impairment test at the end of Q2 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the investment property was reclassified to the item “Non-current assets held for sale”. Its value is measured in line with IFRS 5. The fair value was calculated on the basis of an internally drafted assessment report. It amounts to € 6,040 thsd net as of December 31, 2015 (previous year: € 7,262 thsd). This leads to an impairment loss of € 1,190 thsd (previous year: € 0 thsd). It is classified as hierarchy level 3 fair value.
The general gross rental method, based on the “Decree on the Principles for Determining the Market Value of Property” (ImmoWertV) that is applicable in Germany, was used as the valuation technique. The earnings value was determined through capitalisation of the property’s net income, minus an appropriate return on land value, plus the land value. The net income is calculated on the basis of standard market rental income using the gross profit less standard market, non-attributable operating expenses, taking into account the rental vacancies. The present value factor on which the capitalisation is based is determined on the basis of the property’s remaining useful life, as well as an appropriate property interest rate yield. A vacancy rate of 20%, as well as a property return of 7% were also included in the measurement as significant, non-observable input factors.
Sensitivity analysis
A potential change to one of the key input factors, while leaving the other input factors unchanged, would have the following effects on the property’s earnings value:
| All figures in €'000 | Change of parameter | Reduction (-)/ increase (+) of the recoverable amount |
| Rent/qm office space | +1 €/qm | +811 |
| –1 €/qm | –811 | |
| Vacancy rate | +10 percentage points | –1,136 |
| -10 percentage points | +1.136 | |
| Property return | +1 percentage point | –688 |
| -1 percentage point | +864 | |
24 Receivables from clients in the banking business
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Originated loan | 276,782 | 248,584 |
| Corporate bond debts | 145,500 | 124,000 |
| Receivables from credit cards | 95,475 | 97,357 |
| Receivables from current accounts | 33,651 | 35,965 |
| Receivables from wealth management | 189 | 332 |
| Total, gross | 551,596 | 506,239 |
| Impairment | -8,900 | -10,670 |
| Total, net | 542,696 | 495,569 |
As of December 31, 2015, receivables (net) with a term of more than one year remaining to maturity are € 370,031 thsd (previous year: € 330,156 thsd).
| All figures in €'000 | Gross value | Of which financial assets | Financial assets, neither impaired nor overdue | Financial assets, not impaired but overdue within the following time span | ||
| < 90 days | 90-180 days | > 180 days | ||||
| Receivables from clients (gross) as per Dec. 31, 2015 | 551,596 | 551,596 | 546,698 | 1,315 | 248 | 513 |
| Receivables from clients (gross) as per Dec. 31, 2014 | 506,239 | 506,239 | 499,808 | 1,530 | 250 | 508 |
At € 2,076 thsd (previous year: € 2,288 thsd), receivables for which no specific allowance has been made but which are overdue as of December 31, 2015 are secured with customary banking collaterals.
Receivables from clients due to originated loans are partly secured by mortgages (December 31, 2015: € 77,570 thsd; previous year: € 65,490 thsd), assignments (December 31, 2015: € 37,919 thsd; previous year: € 33,017 thsd) or liens (December 31, 2015: € 14,824 thsd, previous year: € 12,776 thsd). Receivables from current accounts and credit cards are generally not collateralised. With regard to receivables from the banking business which are neither impaired nor overdue, there were no signs at the closing date that debtors will not meet their payment obligations.
On the closing date, there were no receivables (previous year: € 286 thsd) from banking business for which new terms were agreed and which would otherwise have been overdue or impaired.
The Group holds forwarded loans of € 22,045 thsd (previous year: € 16,717 thsd) in the form of collateral for liabilities due to refinancing banks.
Due to defaults of debtors, financial and non-financial assets of € 718 thsd (previous year: € 856 thsd), serving as collateral for originated loans and receivables, were utilised. The assets mainly concern property and receivables from claimed life insurance policies.
The loan loss provisions in the lending business cover all identifiable credit risks. Impairment losses are formed on a portfolio basis for the deferred loans risk. Risks are provided for by loan loss provisions carried under assets, and by the recognition of provisions for credit risks (see Note 30).
The disclosed loan loss provisions due to receivables from clients in the banking business developed as follows:
| All figures in €'000 | Allowances for losses on individual account | Impairment loss on portfolio basis | Total | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |
| As of Jan. 1 | 3,006 | 4,441 | 7,664 | 8,034 | 10,670 | 12,474 |
| Allocation | 34 | 152 | 35 | 580 | 69 | 732 |
| Utilisation | -215 | -602 | -886 | -898 | -1,101 | -1,499 |
| Reversal | -478 | -985 | -261 | -51 | -738 | -1,035 |
| As of Dec. 31 | 2,347 | 3,006 | 6,553 | 7,665 | 8,900 | 10,670 |
| of which allowances for bad debts measured at amortised cost | 2,347 | 3,006 | 6,553 | 7,665 | 8,900 | 10,670 |
For reasons of materiality, a decision was taken not to determine the interest income from impaired receivables from clients (unwinding) in accordance with IAS 39.A93 (Unwinding).
Taking into account direct write-downs of € 301 thsd (previous year: € 172 thsd), income from written-off receivables of € 224 thsd (previous year: € 316 thsd), as well as income from the reversal of provisions of € 109 thsd (previous year: € 88 thsd), allocations and reversals recognised in income in the reporting year resulted in a net loan loss provision income of € 702 thsd (previous year: € 537 thsd).
Receivables for which specific allowances have been made amount in total to € 2,822 thsd (previous year: € 4,143 thsd). The impairments recognised represent more than 50% of the gross receivable. In the previous year, impairments represented less than 50% of the gross receivable for a partial volume of € 257 thsd, and the remaining volume was written down by more than 50%. The allowance for bad debts comes to € 2,347 thsd (previous year: € 3,006 thsd). This corresponds to a percentage of 83% (previous year 73%).
Accounts receivable for which a specific allowance has been made are secured as per December 31, 2015 with customary banking collaterals amounting to € 241 thsd (previous year: € 305 thsd).
Further information on receivables from clients in the banking business is disclosed in Note 37.
25 Receivables from banks in the banking business
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Due on demand | 227,961 | 193,681 |
| Other receivables | 317,324 | 260,420 |
| Domestic financial institutions | 545,285 | 454,101 |
| Due on demand | – | – |
| Other receivables | 55,054 | 105,215 |
| Foreign financial institutions | 55,054 | 105,215 |
| Total | 600,339 | 559,316 |
As of December 31, 2015, receivables with a term of more than one year remaining to maturity are € 22,000 thsd (previous year: € 27,000 thsd). The receivables are not collateralised. MLP only places funds at banks with a first-class credit standing. At the closing date there are no receivables from banks which are overdue or impaired.
Further information on receivables from financial institutions in the banking business is disclosed in Note 37.
26 Financial assets
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| By public-sector issuers | 17,536 | 15,138 |
| By other issuers | 65,295 | 54,372 |
| Debenture and other fixed income securities | 82,831 | 69,510 |
| Shares and certificates | 3,476 | 3,738 |
| Investment fund shares | 3,456 | 3,621 |
| Shares and other variable yield securities | 6,932 | 7,359 |
| Fixed and time deposits | 52,120 | 63,138 |
| Loans | 56 | – |
| Investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries | 5,978 | 5,268 |
| Total | 147,916 | 145,276 |
As of December 31, 2015, MLP has portfolios amounting to € 61,232 thsd (previous year: € 50,936 thsd) that are due in more than twelve months.
As per the measurement categories for financial instruments defined in IAS 39, the financial investment portfolio is structured as follows:
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Held-to-maturity investments | 67,204 | 43,983 |
| Available-for-sale financial assets | 15,627 | 20,453 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss | – | 5,074 |
| Debenture and other fixed income securities | 82,831 | 69,510 |
| Available-for-sale financial assets | 5,714 | 6,129 |
| Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss | 1,217 | 1,231 |
| Shares and other variable yield securities | 6,932 | 7,359 |
| Fixed and time deposits (loans and receivables) | 52,120 | 63,138 |
| Loans | 56 | – |
| Investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries (available-for-sale financial assets) | 5,978 | 5,268 |
| Total | 147,916 | 145,276 |
Valuation changes of € -143 thsd (previous year: € 95 thsd) were recognised directly in equity for shares and other variable yield securities that are for available for sale, and valuation changes of € -196 thsd (previous year: € 909 thsd) were recognised directly in equity for available-for sale debentures and other fixed income securities and included in the revaluation reserve.
Due to the disposal of financial assets and recording of impairments, € -241 thsd (previous year: € -543 thsd) was withdrawn from the revaluation reserve in the reporting period and recognised under net income for the period.
In the financial year 2015, impairments of € 246 thsd (previous year: € 597 thsd) for available-for-sale financial assets were recognised through profit or loss in the financial year 2015.
In the reporting period, losses from valuation adjustments to financial assets that are measured at fair value through profit and loss of € 104 thsd (previous year: € 691 thsd) were recognised in the net income for the period.
Assets pledged as collateral
As at the closing date, the availability of liquidity facilities provided by Deutsche Bundesbank is collateralised by marketable securities of € 24,992 thsd (previous year: € 34,990 thsd) with a face value of € 25,000 thsd (previous year: € 35,000 thsd).
For further disclosures regarding financial assets, please refer to Note 37.
27 Other receivables and assets
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Trade accounts receivable | 65,007 | 67,859 |
| Refund receivables from recourse claims | 15,877 | 20,553 |
| Receivables from commercial agents | 14,629 | 18,688 |
| Receivables from underwriting business | 6,256 | – |
| Advance payments | 5,802 | 6,069 |
| Purchase price receivables | 330 | 1,246 |
| Other assets | 11,902 | 11,293 |
| Total, gross | 119,803 | 125,708 |
| Impairment | -7,272 | -8,043 |
| Total, net | 112,531 | 117,665 |
As of December 31, 2015, receivables (net) with a term of more than one year remaining to maturity are € 13,216 thsd (previous year: € 13,446 thsd).
The main items included in trade accounts receivable are commission receivables from insurance companies. They are generally non-interest-bearing and have an average term of payment of 30 days.
Refund receivables from recourse claims are due to MLP consultants and office managers, as well as insurance companies.
Receivables from sales representatives concern MLP consultants and branch office managers.
Receivables from the underwriting business comprise unpaid receivables due from clients, as well as receivables due from insurance companies for claims settlement.
The item “Advance payments” comprises trail commissions paid to self-employed commercial agents in advance on commissions for unit-linked life insurance policies.
| All figures in €'000 | Gross value | Of which financial assets | Financial assets, neither impaired nor overdue | Financial assets, not impaired but overdue within the following time span | ||
| < 90 days | 90-180 days | > 180 days | ||||
| Other receivables and assets as of Dec. 31, 2015 | 119,803 | 97,459 | 88,964 | 1,925 | 445 | 1,256 |
| Other receivables and assets as of Dec. 31, 2014 | 125,708 | 99,161 | 91,016 | 1,353 | 490 | 746 |
Other receivables and assets are usually not collateralised. With regard to receivables and other assets which are neither impaired nor overdue, there are no signs at the closing date that debtors will not meet their payment obligations. On the closing date there were no receivables and other assets for which new terms were agreed and which would otherwise have been overdue or written down.
The allowances for other receivables and other assets are as follows:
| All figures in €'000 | Allowances for losses on individual account | Impairment loss on portfolio basis | Total | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |
| As of Jan. 1 | 5,009 | 4,863 | 3,035 | 3,429 | 8,043 | 8,292 |
| Other receivables and assets | 122 | – | 219 | – | 341 | – |
| Allocation | 1,399 | 1,198 | 60 | 145 | 1,458 | 1,343 |
| Utilisation | -1,003 | -868 | – | -306 | -1,003 | -1,175 |
| Reversal | -868 | -184 | -700 | -233 | -1,568 | -417 |
| As of Dec. 31 | 4,658 | 5,009 | 2,614 | 3,035 | 7,272 | 8,043 |
In cases where MLP institutes enforcement or where insolvency proceedings are imminent or have already started, receivables are written down based on empirical values. The same applies to receivables which are disputed and where legal action is pending.
Taking into account direct write-downs of € 656 thsd (previous year: € 1,633 thsd), and without income from written-off receivables, allocations and reversals recognised in income resulted in a net cost for loan loss provisions of € 547 thsd in the reporting year (previous year: € 2,559 thsd).
As of December 31, 2015, receivables for which specific allowances have been made amount to a total of € 4,869 thsd (previous year: € 5,431 thsd). For € 116 thsd of these (previous year: € 555 thsd) the allowance for bad debts was less than 50% of the gross receivable, the remaining volume was written down by more than 50%. The impairment loss comes to a total of € 4,658 thsd (previous year: € 5,009 thsd). This corresponds to an average impairment rate of 96% (previous year: 92%).
Additional disclosures on other receivables and assets can be found in Note 37.
28 Cash and cash equivalents
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Bank deposits | 66,451 | 38,585 |
| Deposits at Deutsche Bundesbank | 10,965 | 10,415 |
| Cash on hand | 124 | 119 |
| Total | 77,540 | 49,119 |
Changes in cash and cash equivalents during the financial year are shown in the statement of cash flow.
29 Shareholders' equity
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Share capital | 109,335 | 107,878 |
| Capital reserves | 146,727 | 142,184 |
| Retained earnings | ||
| Statutory reserve | 3,117 | 3,117 |
| Other retained earnings and net profit | 134,330 | 132,887 |
| Revaluation reserve | -7,755 | -9,269 |
| Total | 385,753 | 376,795 |
Share capital
The share capital of MLP AG comprises 109,334,686 (December 31, 2014: 107,877,738) no-par-value shares. On the basis of the authorisation contained in the company’s Articles of Association, a resolution was passed by the Executive Board on July 27, 2015, and consent given by the Supervisory Board on the same date, to increase the share capital by € 1,456,948. The increase in capital stock was performed within the context of the acquisition of the DOMCURA Group. For further details, please refer to Note 6.
Authorised capital
Due to partial utilisation and the amendment resolution from July 27, 2015: A resolution passed by the Annual General Meeting on June 5, 2014 authorised the Executive Board, with the consent of the Supervisory Board, to increase the company’s share capital by issuing new ordinary bearer shares on one or more occasions by up to € 20,543,052 in exchange for cash or non-cash contributions up to June 5, 2019.
Capital reserves
The capital reserves include increases/decreases in capital stock in MLP AG from previous years. The capital reserves are subject to the restraints on disposal as per § 150 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).
In the course of the capital increase in exchange for non-cash contributions, capital reserves were to be increased by € 4,543,052.
Other retained earnings and net profit
Other equity comprises retained earnings of the MLP Group.
Revaluation reserve
At € 1,390 thsd (previous year: € 1,730 thsd), the provision includes unrealised gains and losses from the change in fair value of securities available for sale and deferred taxes attributable to this of € -210 thsd (previous year: € -269 thsd). In addition to this, the provision includes losses from the revaluation of defined benefit obligations of € 12,665 thsd (previous year: € 15,154 thsd) and deferred taxes attributable to this of € 3,697 thsd (previous year: € 4,424 thsd).
Proposed appropriation of profit
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of MLP AG will propose a dividend of € 13,120 thsd (previous year: € 18,339 thsd) for the financial year 2015 at the Annual General Meeting. This corresponds to € 0.12 (previous year: € 0.17) per share.
30 Provisions
Pension provisions
At MLP, executive members of staff have been granted direct pension benefits subject to individual contracts in the form of defined benefit plans which guarantee the beneficiaries the following pension payments:
- Old-age pension upon reaching 60, 62 or 65 years of age
- Disability pension
- Widow’s and widower’s pension of 60% of the pension of the original recipient
- Orphan’s benefit of 10% of the pension of the original recipient
The benefit obligations are partially financed through reinsurance policies, which essentially fulfil the prerequisites of pension scheme assets.
The defined benefit obligation for retirement income, funded only by means of provisions, amounts to € 18,157 thsd (previous year: € 18,489 thsd). Pension insurance policies are in place for all other pension obligations (defined benefit obligation of € 26,339 thsd; previous year: € 27,884 thsd).
The change in net liability from defined benefit plans is summarized in the following table.
| All figures in €'000 | Defined benefit obligation | Fair value of pension scheme assets | Net liability from defined benefit plans | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |
| As of Jan. 1 | 46,373 | 36,875 | -21,200 | -19,610 | 25,173 | 17,265 |
| Current service cost | 308 | 513 | – | – | 308 | 513 |
| Past service cost | 237 | – | – | – | 237 | – |
| Interest expenses (+)/ income (-) | 917 | 1,315 | -436 | -729 | 481 | 585 |
| Recognised in profit or loss | 1,462 | 1,827 | -436 | -729 | 1,026 | 1,098 |
| Actuarial gains (-)/ losses (+) from: | ||||||
| financial assumptions | -3,288 | 10,457 | – | – | -3,288 | 10,457 |
| experience adjustments | 935 | -2,061 | – | – | 935 | -2,061 |
| Gains (-)/ losses (+) from pension scheme assets without amounts recognized as interest income | – | – | -137 | 69 | -137 | 69 |
| Gains (-)/ losses (+) from revaluations* | -2,352 | 8,396 | -137 | 69 | -2,489 | 8,466 |
| Contributions paid by the employer | – | – | -1,418 | -1,207 | -1,418 | -1,207 |
| Payments made | -987 | -725 | 277 | 276 | -710 | -449 |
| Other | -987 | -725 | -1,141 | -931 | -2,218 | -1,656 |
| As of Dec. 31 | 44,496 | 46,373 | -22,914 | -21,200 | 21,582 | 25,173 |
€ 579 thsd of the net liabilities recognised in the balance sheet (previous year: € 944 thsd) are attributable to Executive Board members active at the end of the reporting period.
With regard to net pension provisions, payments of € 2,378 thsd are anticipated for 2016 (previous year: € 2,177 thsd). € 792 thsd thereof (previous year: € 666 thsd) is attributable to direct, anticipated company pension payments, while € 1,586 thsd (previous year: € 1,511 thsd) is attributable to anticipated reinsurance policy premiums.
Actuarial calculations incorporate the following assumptions:
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Assumed interest rate | 2.4 % | 2.0 % |
| Anticipated annual salary development | – | – |
| Anticipated annual pension adjustment | 1.5/2.5 % | 1.5/2.5 % |
The assumptions made regarding future mortality are based on published statistics and mortality tables.
On December 31, 2015, the weighted average term of defined benefit obligations was 17.9 years (previous year: 19.1).
Sensitivity analysis
If the other assumptions all remained the same, changes to one of the key actuarial assumptions which would have been realistically possible on the closing date would have influenced the defined benefit obligations by the following amounts:
| All figures in €'000 | Change of parameter | Reduction/ increase of defined obligation |
| Assumed interest rate | +0.5% | -3.636 |
| -0.5% | 4.166 | |
| Salary trend | +0.5% | – |
| -0.5% | – | |
| Pension trend | +0.5% | 3.291 |
| -0.5% | -2.963 | |
| Mortality | 80.0% | 4.048 |
In order to define the sensitivity of mortality, all mortality rates stated in the mortality table were reduced to 80%. By extending life expectancy, this leads to an increase in the scope of defined benefit obligations. Although the analysis does not take into account the full distribution of anticipated cash flow based on the plan, it does provide an approximation of the sensitivity of the assumptions presented.
Alongside defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans are also in place. With these types of plans the company pays premiums to state or private pension insurance institutions in line with legal or contractual regulations or on a voluntary basis. The regular premiums paid for employees are disclosed as personnel expenses. In the financial year 2015 they total € 9,672 thsd (previous year: € 9,053 thsd).
Other provisions are made up as follows:
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||
| Current | Non-current | Total | Current | Non-current | Total | |
| Bonus schemes | 25,572 | – | 25,572 | 25,261 | – | 25,261 |
| Cancellation risks | 11,491 | 13,064 | 24,555 | 12,320 | 14,149 | 26,469 |
| Share-based payments | 1,107 | 1,628 | 2,735 | 1,907 | 883 | 2,789 |
| Economic loss | 2,388 | – | 2,388 | 6,263 | – | 6,263 |
| Litigation risks/ costs | 2,016 | 198 | 2,214 | 1,795 | 188 | 1,983 |
| Claim settlement contributions | 2,108 | – | 2,108 | – | – | – |
| Rent | 325 | 186 | 511 | 750 | 701 | 1,452 |
| Anniversaries | 265 | 228 | 493 | 237 | 213 | 449 |
| Lending business | 173 | – | 173 | 212 | 70 | 282 |
| Phased retirement | 76 | 72 | 148 | 163 | 68 | 231 |
| Other | 3,325 | 732 | 4,057 | 1,261 | 437 | 1,698 |
| Total | 48,845 | 16,108 | 64,953 | 50,168 | 16,708 | 66,876 |
Other provisions have changed as follows:
| All figures in €'000 | Jan. 1, 2015 | Change in the scope of consolidation | Utilisation | Reversal | Compounding / Discounting | Allocation | Dec. 31, 2015 |
| Bonus schemes | 25,261 | – | -21,618 | -202 | 8 | 22,122 | 25,572 |
| Cancellation risks | 26,469 | – | -11,925 | -135 | 255 | 9,891 | 24,555 |
| Share-based payments | 2,789 | – | -347 | -90 | 18 | 364 | 2,735 |
| Economic loss | 6,263 | – | -3,758 | -185 | – | 69 | 2,388 |
| Litigation risks/ costs | 1,983 | – | -341 | -134 | 14 | 692 | 2,214 |
| Claim settlement contributions | – | 2,009 | – | -1,418 | – | 1,517 | 2,108 |
| Rent | 1,452 | – | -754 | -501 | 63 | 251 | 511 |
| Anniversaries | 449 | – | -111 | -2 | – | 157 | 493 |
| Lending business | 282 | – | – | -109 | – | – | 173 |
| Phased retirement | 231 | – | -93 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 148 |
| Other | 1,698 | 147 | -399 | -46 | 5 | 2,652 | 4,057 |
| Total | 66,876 | 2,157 | -39,346 | -2,823 | 366 | 37,723 | 64,953 |
Provisions for bonus schemes are recognised as incentive agreements for self-employed commercial agents.
The provisions for cancellation risks allow for the risk of having to refund earned commissions due to a premature loss of brokered insurance policies.
Provisions for share-based payments are recognised as incentive agreements and as profit-sharing schemes for Executive Board members, employees and self-employed commercial agents.
The provisions for economic loss due to liability risks are offset by claims for reimbursement from liability insurance policies with a value of € 2,210 thsd (previous year: € 5,930 thsd).
The provisions classed as short-term are likely to be utilised within the next financial year. The payments for long-term provisions are likely to be incurred within the next two to five years.
31 Liabilities due to banking business
This summary includes the balance sheet items Liabilities due to clients in the banking business and Liabilities due to banks in the banking business.
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||
| Current | Non-current | Total | Current | Non-current | Total | |
| Liabilities due to clients | 1,095,969 | 6,599 | 1,102,569 | 1,005,840 | 1,888 | 1,007,728 |
| Liabilities due to banks | 1,744 | 21,351 | 23,095 | 2,078 | 15,302 | 17,380 |
| Total | 1,097,713 | 27.950 | 1,125,663 | 1,007,918 | 17.191 | 1,025,107 |
The change in liabilities due to banking business from € 1,025,107 thsd to € 1,125,663 thsd is essentially attributable to the increase in short-term client deposits in current accounts.
As of December 31, 2015, liabilities due to clients from savings deposits with an agreed notice period of three months amounted to € 15,618 thsd (previous year: € 14,533 thsd).
The liabilities due to clients or due to other banks do not comprise any large individual items.
Further information on liabilities due to banking business is disclosed in Notes 37 and 38.
32 Other liabilities
| All figures in €'000 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||
| Current | Non-current | Total | Current | Non-current | Total | |
| Liabilities due to commercial agents | 39,390 | – | 39,390 | 45,685 | 88 | 45,773 |
| Liabilities due to underwriting business | 28,409 | – | 28,409 | – | – | – |
| Trade accounts payable | 20,993 | – | 20,993 | 23,313 | – | 23,313 |
| Advance payments received | 8,495 | – | 8,495 | 9,254 | – | 9,254 |
| Liabilities due to other taxes | 2,688 | – | 2,688 | 2,422 | – | 2,422 |
| Liabilities from social security contributions | 154 | – | 154 | 56 | – | 56 |
| Other liabilities | 37,116 | 2,966 | 40,082 | 34,781 | 2,180 | 36,961 |
| Total | 137,245 | 2,966 | 140,211 | 115,513 | 2,268 | 117,780 |
Liabilities due to commercial agents represent unsettled commission claims. Usually they are non-interest-bearing and due on the 15th of the month following the settlement with the insurance company.
Liabilities from the underwriting business include collection liabilities due to insurance companies, open commission claims, as well as liabilities from claims settlement.
The item “Advance payments received” concerns paid-in-advance trail commissions from unit-linked life insurance policies.
Other liabilities comprise commissions withheld from MLP consultants due to cancellations amounting to € 3,326 thsd (previous year: € 3,615 thsd). Commissions withheld are charged with interest. Their term is mainly indefinite. The item also contains liabilities for bonus and profit-sharing payments.
MLP has agreed-upon and non-utilised lines of credit amounting to € 58,082 thsd (previous year: € 65,820 thsd).
Further disclosures on other liabilities can be found in Note 37 and 38.
