Principles underlying financial statement reporting and notes

The unaudited interim financial statements were drawn up in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the European Union (EU IFRS, IAS 34) and with Liechtenstein law. The semi-annual financial statements are prepared applying the same accounting and valuation principles as were applied for the 2023 annual financial statements.

Changes in estimates

As part of the annual review of depreciation and amortisation methods and useful lives carried out at the end of 2023, it was established that the estimated useful life (3 to 7 years) could be extended for various pieces of IT system equipment over this period. The adjustments were made at the start of 2024. The residual carrying value of the equipment concerned as at 31 December 2023 was depreciated accordingly over the new residual term. This resulted in a decline in expenses incurred for depreciation and amortisation for the first half of 2024 by CHF 4.1 million.

New and revised International Financial Reporting Standards

Since 1 January 2024, the following new and revised standards and interpretations have taken effect and have no material impact on the consolidated financial statements of VP Bank Group:

• Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements”: classification of liabilities as current or non-current.
• Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements”: non-current liabilities with covenants.
• Amendments to IFRS 16 “Leases”: lease liability in a sale and leaseback.

Post-balance-sheet-date events

According to the media release of 17 May 2024, VP Bank is working on the implementation of substantial efficiency measures in order to achieve a sustainable reduction in its cost basis. A corresponding package of measures was approved by the Board of Directors on 8 August 2024. These measures may have material impacts on VP Bank Group’s consolidated accounts in the second half of 2024.

The Board of Directors reviewed and approved the semi-annual report and authorised it for publication in its meeting of 8 August 2024.

Litigation

As part of its ordinary banking activities, VP Bank Group is involved in various legal proceedings. The legal and regulatory environment in which VP Bank Group operates involves significant litigation, compliance, reputational and other risks in connection with legal disputes and regulatory proceedings. The impact of these proceedings on the financial strength and/or profitability of VP Bank Group is dependent on the status of the proceedings and their outcome. VP Bank Group employs the relevant processes, reports and committees to monitor and manage these risks. It also establishes provisions for ongoing and threatened proceedings if the probability that such proceedings will entail a financial loss is judged to be greater than the probability of this not being the case. In isolated cases in which the amount cannot be reliably estimated, for instance because of the early stage or the complexity of the proceedings or other factors, no provision is established, but contingent liabilities may be created. The risks described below are not necessarily the only ones to which VP Bank Group is exposed. Additional risks which are presently unknown or risks and proceedings which are currently considered insignificant may equally impact the future course of business, operating results and the outlook of VP Bank Group.

In the case before the High Court of Justice in London, the court served a civil suit on VP Bank (Switzerland) Ltd at the beginning of 2020. VP Bank Ltd is also named as a defendant and was notified of the action in March 2020. The main defendant is a former governing body of a foreign pension fund. The latter is said to have acted unlawfully in its role by accepting distribution remunerations for investment funds. The action names more than 40 defendants, among them various other banks and individuals that processed payments or paid distribution remunerations. VP Bank Ltd and VP Bank (Switzerland) Ltd are accused of a violation of due diligence obligations. They are also accused of involvement in the processing of questionable third-party fees and commissions of at least USD 46 million, meaning they would have to assume non-contractual collective liability for the damages incurred. VP Bank Group is disputing the accusations and the place of jurisdiction. Two defendant banks in Switzerland successfully challenged the UK jurisdiction.

VP Bank Group considers the risk of outflow of funds to be small in the above case, which is why no provision has been formed.

Significant foreign exchange rates

The following exchange rates were used for the most important currencies: