20-F 1 aviva_20-f.htm FORM 20-F Aviva plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009



As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2010

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

(Mark one)

o

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

 

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

o

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

Commission file number: 333-153999

 

 

 

AVIVA PLC
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

ENGLAND AND WALES
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

 

 

St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft
London EC3P 3DQ, England
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

David Rogers
Chief Accounting Officer
Aviva plc
St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft
London EC3P 3DQ, England
+44 20 7662 8934 david.f.rogers@aviva.com

 

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing 2 Ordinary Shares,
25 pence par value each
Ordinary Shares

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange (for listing purposes only) *

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

The number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2009 was:

Ordinary Shares, 25 pence par value each                    2,766,611,374

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Yes o

No x

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes o

No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x

No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of ‘‘accelerated filer and large accelerated filer’’ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP o

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board
x

Other o

If ‘‘Other’’ has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

 

Item 17 o

Item 18 o

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes o

No x

 

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares.

 


 

 


 

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Cross reference to Form 20-F

 

 

 

 

Page

Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

n/a

Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

n/a

Item 3.

Key Information

 

 

A.

Selected financial data

18, 89, 236

 

B.

Capitalisation and indebtedness

n/a

 

C.

Reason for the offer and use of proceeds

n/a

 

D.

Risk factors

242 - 255

Item 4.

Information on the Company

 

 

A.

History and development of the company

2, 236

 

B.

Business overview

2 -15, 33 - 39, 88 - 96, 237 - 241

 

C.

Organisational structure

16 - 17

 

D.

Property, plants and equipment

39

Item 4A.

Unresolved Staff Comments

n/a

Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

 

 

A.

Operating results

19 - 32

 

B.

Liquidity and capital resources

45 - 47, 290 - 294

 

C.

Research and development, patents and licences, etc.

n/a

 

D.

Trend information

19 - 32

 

E.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

289

 

F.

Tabular disclosure of contractual arrangements

44, 214 - 215

 

G.

Safe harbour

ii

Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

 

 

A.

Directors and senior management

50 - 52, 54

 

B.

Compensation

69 - 86

 

C.

Board practices

57 - 71

 

D.

Employees

134, 294

 

E.

Share ownership

80, 85, 158- 162

Item 7.

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

 

A.

Major Shareholders

88

 

B.

Related Party Transactions

88 - 89, 223 - 224

 

C.

Interests of Experts and Counsel

n/a

Item 8.

A.

Consolidated statements and other financial information

18, 89, 97 - 234, 256 - 271

 

B.

Significant changes

n/a

Item 9.

The Offer and Listing

236

Item 10.

Additional Information

 

 

A.

Share capital

158 - 162, 272 - 273

 

B.

Memorandum and articles of association

274 - 280

 

C.

Material contracts

280

 

D.

Exchange controls

280

 

E.

Taxation

281 - 283

 

F.

Dividends and paying agents

283

 

G.

Statements by experts

n/a

 

H.

Documents on display

283

 

I.

Subsidiary information

n/a

Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

40 - 43, 207 - 221

Item 12.

Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

283 - 289

Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

n/a

Item 14.

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

n/a

Item 15.

Controls and Procedures

89 - 90

Item 16A.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

90

Item 16B.

Code of Ethics

90

Item 16C.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

65, 134 - 135

Item 16D.

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

n/a

Item 16E.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases

289

Item 16F.

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

n/a

Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

61 - 62, 289 - 290

Item 17.

Financial Statements

n/a

Item 18.

Financial Statements

97 - 234

Item 19.

Exhibits

300

 

 

 

Glossary

 

296 - 298

Signatures

 

299

 



 


ii

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Forward looking statements

This registration statement contains certain “forward-looking statements” with respect to certain of our plans and our current goals and expectations relating to our future financial condition, performance, results, strategic initiatives and objectives. Statements containing the words “believes”, “intends”, “expects”, “plans”, “will”, “seeks”, “aims”, “may”, “could”, “outlook”, “estimates” and “anticipates”, and words of similar meaning, are forward-looking. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond our control. There may be changes to assumptions used for determining results of operations or re-estimations of reserves for future policy benefits. As a result, our actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in our forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. We believe that these factors include, but may not be limited to, those set forth under “Financial and operating performance” starting on page 19 and “Risks relating to our business” starting on page 242, with regard to trends, risk management, and exchange rates and with regard to the effects of changes or prospective changes in regulation, and the following:

the impact of difficult conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally;

the impact of new government initiatives related to the financial crisis;

defaults and impairments in our bond, mortgage and structured credit portfolios;

the impact of volatility in the equity, capital and credit markets on our profitability and ability to access capital and credit;

changes in general economic conditions, including foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and other factors that could affect our profitability;

risks associated with arrangements with third parties, including joint ventures;

inability of reinsurers to meet obligations or inavailability of reinsurance coverage;

a decline in our ratings with Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch and A.M. Best;

increased competition in the UK and in other countries where we have significant operations;

changes to our brand and reputation;

changes in assumptions in pricing and reserving for insurance business (particularly with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, lapse rates and policy renewal rates), longevity and endowments;

a cyclical downturn of the insurance industry;

changes in local political, regulatory and economic conditions, business risks and challenges which may impact demand for our products, our investment portfolio and credit quality of counterparties;

the impact of actual experience differing from estimates on amortisation of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and acquired value of in-force business (“AVIF”);

the impact of recognising an impairment of our goodwill or intangibles with indefinite lives;

changes in valuation methodologies, estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of investment securities;

the effect of various legal proceedings and regulatory investigations;

the impact of operational risks;

the loss of key personnel;

the impact of catastrophic events on our results;

changes in government regulations or tax laws in jurisdictions where we conduct business;

funding risks associated with our pension schemes;

the effect of undisclosed liabilities, integration issues and other risks associated with our acquisitions; and

the timing impact and other uncertainties relating to acquisitions and disposals and relating to other future acquisitions, combinations or disposals within relevant industries.

 

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report.

          You should also not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as at the date of the particular statement. We do not intend to, and undertake no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligations to), update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, our results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this registration statement. We may also make or disclose written and/or oral forward-looking statements in reports filed or furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), our annual report and accounts to shareholders, proxy statements, offering circulars, registration statements and prospectuses, press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by our directors, officers or employees to third parties, including financial analysts.



 


02

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review

 

Information on the company

History and development of Aviva

General

We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. We are one of the world’s leading global insurance groups. We are the fifth largest insurance group in the world, based on gross written premiums for the 2008 year. We are one of the top five providers of long-term insurance and savings products in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain and one of the top ten providers of long-term insurance and savings products in France, Italy, Hungary and Romania for 2008. More detail is provided within the operating segment review later in this section. Our main activities are the provision of products and services in relation to long-term insurance and savings, general insurance and fund management.

Our history

The Group was formed by the merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc on 30 May 2000. CGU plc was renamed CGNU plc on completion of the merger, and subsequently renamed Aviva plc on 1 July 2002.

CGU plc and Norwich Union plc were both major UK-based insurers operating in the long-term insurance business and general insurance markets. Both companies had long corporate histories. CGU plc was formed in 1998 from the merger of Commercial Union plc and General Accident plc. Hand in Hand, which was incorporated in 1696, was acquired by Commercial Union in 1905, which itself was incorporated in 1861. General Accident plc was incorporated in 1865. Norwich Union plc was founded as a mutual society in 1797 and operated as such until 1997, when Norwich Union plc demutualised and became an English public limited company.

Between 2000 and 2002 we actively withdrew from lines of business and markets that did not offer the potential for market-leading positions or superior returns, or did not otherwise meet our strategic objectives, principally through the disposal of property and casualty businesses in the UK London Market, the US, Australia, New Zealand and certain European countries.

Since 2002, we have grown in part through carefully selected acquisitions, in particular the acquisitions of RAC in 2005 and AmerUs in 2006.

During 2009, we disposed of our long-term and savings and wealth management in Australia and through an IPO we sold approximately 42% of our Dutch business, Delta Lloyd.

As at 1 January 2010, we have integrated our life, general insurance and health businesses in the UK under one CEO. On 5 January 2010, we announced the acquisition of River Road Asset Management, a US equity manager, to support the expansion of Aviva Investors business.

Further details of recent acquisitions and disposals can be found in the section “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.

Business overview

Our aims and strategy

In support of our purpose and our ‘One Aviva, Twice the Value’ vision, Aviva provides a composite portfolio of life and pensions, general insurance, health insurance and asset management products through a multi-channel distribution approach. Working together across regions under one Aviva brand provides greater financial stability and flexibility through diversification and a reduced reliance on any one channel, product, country or customer group. In summary our five strategic priorities are:

 

To manage the composite portfolio of life, general insurance and fund management

We are fully committed to maintaining the composite nature of the group. We firmly believe in the benefits of life insurance, general insurance and fund management as complementary parts of an overall business model that seeks to balance cash flow, returns and long-term value creation.

To build a global asset management business that will foster investment performance and create solutions

We have significant asset management functions across the group. These businesses have historically been managed separately and we are now bringing them together in a global asset management business, Aviva Investors, in order to capitalise on existing strengths around the world and leverage those strengths in key product and specialist areas. Our goal is that Aviva Investors will foster investment performance and create solutions under a single brand across the world, with an increased focus on obtaining new external clients.

To allocate capital rigorously to provide the highest sustainable returns for our shareholders

Capital management will continue to be a key focus for us going forward. We treat capital as a scarce resource, and strive to allocate capital to provide the highest sustainable returns for shareholders. We continuously seek improvements in capital structure and efficiency.

To increase our customer reach through better understanding customer needs

We sell our products in 28 countries in the way that our customers choose to buy them. We will continue looking for the right distribution in the right markets. We believe we can get closer to our customers through better understanding their needs, which would further our goal to generate profitable sales, by providing products and services that customers want at a fair price.

To boost productivity to increase our competitiveness,improve our services and deliver higher value to our customers

We constantly look for ways to boost our productivity, to support our sustainable growth, increase our competitiveness, improve our services and deliver higher value to our customers. Working together as ’One Aviva‘, we deliver operational excellence through shared services, shared knowledge, rationalised systems and effective outsourcing.

Our business

Overview

Our principal activity is the provision of financial products and services, focused on the following lines of business: long-term insurance and savings business, fund management and general insurance and health.

Our business is managed on a geographic basis through a regional management structure based on four regions, UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The four regions function as six operating segments as both the UK and Europe regions are split into two operating segments. Due to the size of the UK region it is split into the UK Life and UK General Insurance segments, which undertake long term insurance and savings business and general insurance respectively. In Europe, Delta Lloyd is managed separately from the other European businesses; therefore the region is split into Aviva Europe and Delta Lloyd operating segments.

Aviva Investors, our fund management business and sixth operating segment, operates across all four regions providing fund management services to third party investors and to our long-term insurance business and general insurance operations.

 

 

 


 


 

 

03

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Our geographic operating segments offer the following lines of business to a greater or lesser extent:

Long-term insurance and savings business

Long-term insurance and savings business accounted for over 80% of our total business based on sales for the year ended 31 December 2009. We reported total long-term insurance and savings new business sales of £32.0 billion and investment sales of £3.9 billion for the year ended 31 December 2009. Our focus remains on growing our business profitably and improving our operational efficiency so that we can fully benefit as our major markets return to economic growth.

Market position

In the UK we have a market share of approximately 10% based on annual premium equivalent (“APE”) according to the Association of British Insurers (“ABI”) quarter three 2009 data. APE is a recognised sales measure in the UK and is the total of new annual premiums plus 10% of single premiums. Long-term insurance and savings products in the UK represented 22% of our worldwide sales for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Long-term insurance products from our European businesses (excluding the UK) represented 42% of total group worldwide sales for the year ended 31 December 2009.

In North America the purchase of AmerUs in the United States was completed on 15 November 2006 for consideration of £1.7 billion. This operation has been rebranded to trade as Aviva USA and is ranked first in both fixed indexed life and fixed indexed annuity products in 2008, according to LIMRA and AnnuitySpecs.

In the Asia Pacific region we operate in eight countries with businesses at different stages of development.

Brands and products

In the UK we operated under the Norwich Union brand until June 2009, when Norwich Union became Aviva. Following the rebrand of Hibernian Aviva in Ireland to Aviva on 11 January 2010, we operate under the brand name “Aviva” throughout Europe and the rest of the world, except in Poland and the Netherlands, where we operate under the names Aviva Commercial Union, and Delta Lloyd, respectively. The business in Poland will fully adopt the Aviva name in June 2010. The brand in the Netherlands, Delta Lloyd, will remain unchanged.

Our long-term insurance and savings businesses offer a broad range of life insurance and asset accumulation products. Our products are split into the following categories:

Pensions – a means of providing income in retirement for an individual and possibly his or her dependants. Our pension products include personal and group pensions, stakeholder pensions and income drawdown.

Annuities – a type of policy that pays out regular amounts of benefit, either immediately and for the remainder of a person’s lifetime, or deferred to commence from a future date. Immediate annuities may be purchased for an individual and his or her dependents or on a bulk purchase basis for groups of people. Deferred annuities are asset accumulation contracts, which may be used to provide benefits in retirement, and may be guaranteed, unit-linked or index-linked.

Protection – an insurance contract that protects the policyholder or his or her dependants against financial loss on death or ill-health. Our product ranges include term assurance, mortgage life insurance, flexible whole life and critical illness cover.

Bonds and savings – accumulation products with single or regular premiums and unit-linked or guaranteed investment returns. Our product ranges include single premium investment bonds, regular premium savings plans, mortgage endowment products and funding agreements.

 

Other, which includes equity release and structured settlements.

Investment sales comprise of retail sales of mutual fund type products such as unit trusts, individual savings accounts (“ISAs”) and Open Ended Investment Companies (“OEICs”).

Some of our insurance and investment contracts contain a discretionary participating feature, which is a contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits. These are referred to as participating contacts.

General insurance and health

General insurance and health insurance together accounted for 20% of our total sales for the year ended 31 December 2009. In the year ended 31 December 2009, we reported general and health insurance net written premiums of £9.2 billion.

Market position

We are the leading general insurer in the UK and Ireland based on gross written premiums for the year ended 31 December 2008 and we are one of the top five general insurers in Canada and the Netherlands, as based on gross written premiums for the year ended 31 December 2008. The Group has other European general insurance operations in France, Italy, Poland and Turkey, and, in Asia Pacific we sell general insurance and health products in Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

In the year ended 31 December 2009, 47% of our total general insurance and health business was written in the UK.

Brands and Products

Our general insurance business currently operates under different brand names, with Aviva and the RAC in the UK, Delta Lloyd in the Netherlands and Aviva Commercial Union in Poland. Our other general insurance operations in Europe, Canada and Asia Pacific operate under the Aviva brand. During 2010, the business in Poland will complete its transition across to the Aviva brand as part of a global branding exercise. RAC in the UK and Delta Lloyd in the Netherlands will remain unchanged.

Our general insurance business concentrates on personal lines and commercial lines insurance (specifically, the needs of small and medium businesses) through the provision of motor, household, travel, creditor, commercial liability and commercial property coverage. Our health insurance business concentrates on private health insurance, income protection and personal accident insurance, as well as a range of corporate healthcare products.

Distribution

We have various distribution agreements with bancassurance partners and joint ventures across many markets in which we operate. The agreements contain similar terms and depending on our line of business in that market offer long-term insurance products, general insurance and health products, asset management services or a combination thereof. The agreements have a defined contract term, frequently with the option to extend. In return for offering our products to their customers, the bank or joint venture partners receive a commission as a percentage of sales and in some cases achieve extra commission if agreed target levels of sales are met. Certain agreements have a profit sharing element based on a predetermined percentage. The success of the agreement is regularly monitored against certain performance indicators which are those typically used by the management of the business. In some cases, if the agreed targets are not met, the terms of the contract can be renegotiated, typically with respect to the level of commission or profit sharing percentage. Under joint venture agreements, the

 

 


 


04

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

costs of running the venture are often split between the partners.

Fund management

The fund management businesses manage the funds of Aviva’s general insurance and long-term insurance and savings operations and provide investment management for institutional pension funds, as well as developing and selling retail investment products. Our main brand for fund management is Aviva Investors. The main fund management operations are in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, the US and Australia. All sales of retail fund management products are included in our long-term insurance and savings business sales.

Market position

Aviva Investors is ranked twenty fourth globally and third based in the UK by assets under management, according to Cerulli Associates’ December 2008 ranking of asset managers by assets under management. Aviva Investors operates under a single brand in 15 countries across our regions of the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The other fund management businesses of Aviva comprise our collective investment business with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group in the UK, Delta Lloyd in the Netherlands and our Navigator wrap administration business in Hong Kong and Singapore. Total worldwide funds managed by Aviva managers at 31 December 2009 was £250 billion, the substantial majority of which currently relates to Aviva’s insurance and savings operations.

Brands and products

Our business in the UK manages investments including equities, fixed income, property, hedge fund and socially responsible investments (“SRIs”) on behalf of institutional, pension fund and retail clients. We also sell retail ISAs, unit trusts, OEICs and structured products under the Aviva Investors and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (“RBSG”) brands.

Operating Segments

Each operating segment has a member of our Executive Management Team who is responsible for it and who is accountable to the group chief executive for the operating performance their segment. The full membership of our Executive Management Team is set out on page 52. This structure for our operating segments is intended to ensure the Group’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities, improve speed of response, eliminate duplication of effort, and encourage the sharing of best practice in the interests of our customers and shareholders, while providing local knowledge.

United Kingdom Aviva Life

Business overview and strategy

Our UK life insurance business is a leading long-term insurance and savings provider in the UK with a market share of 10% based on 2009 ABI returns. Our main operations are based in York though we have a significant presence in Norwich, Eastleigh, Bristol and Sheffield. We also have outsourcing relationships with a number of partners including Swiss Re, Scottish Friendly and International Financial Data Services (IFDS) in the UK, and WNS in India. We employ over 9,000 people and have more than 7 million customers as at 31 December 2009.

We believe that we provide a broad product offering, with a wide distribution reach throughout the UK. We identify brand, financial strength, with-profits performance, investment performance and rates on protection products as our key strengths. Our core strategy is to leverage our extensive distribution network and customer base to increase profits in a mature but evolving marketplace. We seek to outperform the UK market

while delivering enhanced margins. To achieve this, our strategy includes the rigorous use of capital, further improving customer retention, reducing new business acquisition costs while boosting productivity, all of which will drive greater value for shareholders.

We aim to maintain market leadership through balanced distribution and broad product mix and the simplification of processes, services and costs.

Market and competition

The UK long-term insurance market is highly competitive. However, there is a potential annual savings gap of some £30 billion, the difference between what an individual saves today, and what they need to save in order to pay for a comfortable standard of living in retirement, as well as a potential protection gap of £2.3 trillion, which is the difference between the life insurance and financial protection cover an individual has and the amount they need to meet their needs, according to the ABI and Swiss Re respectively. We believe these shortfalls offer significant opportunities for long-term insurance companies within this market.

In 2009 the long-term insurance and savings markets have continued to be affected by the turbulent economic conditions, the slowdown in the housing market and regulatory impacts, such as the ban on the sale of single premium payment protection insurance.

We consider our main competitors to be Prudential, Legal & General, AEGON, Standard Life and Lloyds Banking Group. The principal competitive factors for our life insurance business in the UK are:

— Financial strength and ratings

— Brand strength and customer advocacy

— Focus on customer and quality of service

— Range of product lines and quality of products on offer

— Strength of distribution channels

— Pricing

— Investment management performance

Products

We provide an extensive product range in the UK that covers pensions, annuities, protection, bonds and savings and equity release products, as well as investment products. We hold strong positions in each of our key markets of savings, protection, and annuity products based on APE in 2009 according to ABI returns.

We write both non-profits and with-profit business. Non-profit business means that shareholders retain 100% of the distributed profits. With-profits business means that policyholders are entitled to at least 90% of the distributed profits, with shareholders receiving the balance.

The with-profit products share profits and losses of the with-profit fund with its investors. This is achieved through a system of bonuses. In deciding the regular bonuses Aviva aims to smooth the return of the policyholder’s plan. As bonuses are added to the plan, valuable guarantees build up. These guarantees are unique to with-profits investments. At the close of the plan the investor receives a terminal bonus based on the performance of the fund.

We provide a number of traditional life insurance products including level-term, decreasing-term and guaranteed whole life insurance, guaranteed lifelong protection plans and critical illness cover products.


 

 

 


 

 

05

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Our savings and investment products include ISAs, investment bonds, funds, base rate trackers, capital protected plan and with-profits products.

The pensions and retirement products we offer include, personal pensions, equity release, annuities, income drawdown and with-profits products. Our annuity offerings include immediate life, enhanced, and with-profit pension annuities.

Distribution

We are a leading provider in the UK financial adviser market and also have a successful joint venture with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, strong relationships with a number of banks and building societies, distribution deals with the Co-operative Insurance Society and the Post Office, and growing corporate and direct channels.

The majority of our sales are through independent financial advisers (“IFAs”). This is particularly the case for our savings and investment products as customers seek advice due to the complex nature of the products, the regulation surrounding them and the need for these products to meet the individual circumstances of the customer.

United Kingdom Aviva General Insurance

Business overview and strategy

Our UK general insurance business currently operates in the UK through two major brands, Aviva (which was changed from Norwich Union in June 2009) and the RAC. The combined business was the leading general insurer in the UK for 2008, with a market share of 13% (2007: 14%) according to Datamonitor. We focus on personal and commercial insurance and are also a leading provider of roadside assistance through the RAC, as voted by the JD Power survey since 2006. We operate from a number of locations in the UK, India and Sri Lanka.

We aim to maintain our market leading position through underwriting excellence and product and distribution leadership. Our strategy is to focus on insurance fundamentals to maximise returns through the insurance cycle. We seek to control the impact of claims inflation, provide excellent customer service and maintain disciplined underwriting and pricing. To this end, we are nearing completion of the process to transform our customer service centres and simplify our policy range.

Market and competition

The UK is the third largest insurance market in the world according to the ABI based on data for 2008. In 2008, the top four companies had approximately 38% (2007: 35%) of the general insurance market share, based on Datamonitor figures for gross written premiums.

Insurance profits in the UK general insurance market are cyclical in nature and after a lengthy period of soft market conditions in commercial lines, characterised by high competition and falling prices, we have seen some signs of hardening since late 2008. There are also signs of market rating increases in personal lines, particularly within personal motor.

In 2009, we believe the proportion of customers buying insurance on-line has continued to increase and this is now a major distribution channel. In particular we believe that internet price comparison sites for personal motor and homeowner insurance have again grown their market share as customers seek price transparency.

We consider our main competitors to be RBS, RSA, AXA, Zurich, Lloyds Banking Group, Allianz, and Admiral Group. The principal competitive factors for our general insurance business in the UK are:

 

— Range and quality of products

— Access to distribution

— Pricing and underwriting discipline

— Brand association

— Customer satisfaction, claims handling

— Cost management

Products

We provide a range of general insurance products focused on personal and commercial customers. We held top one or two positions in all our major classes of business for 2008, according to Datamonitor. Our general insurance business mix is approximately 60% personal lines and 40% commercial lines.

Our general insurance products include personal motor, home, travel insurance, payment protection, commercial motor, commercial property, and commercial liability insurance. We also offer a range of breakdown cover through the RAC.

Our personal motor insurance product range includes cars, motorcycles and vans. For businesses we offer cover for fleets and commercial vehicles.

Our home insurance products include building and contents insurance and home emergency cover.

Our commercial products focus on insurance for small to medium enterprises and, from 2010, we plan to expand our product range in the larger UK corporate risk market.

Distribution

We have a multi-distribution strategy. Our personal products are sold directly to customers over the phone and through our website www.aviva.co.uk, via brokers, through over 100 corporate partnerships and our RAC Insurance offering is also available through price comparison sites. For commercial insurance, we focus on broker distribution and believe that independent brokers remain the best source of the advice required by business customers.

Europe

Regional overview and strategy

Aviva operates in 15 countries across Europe (excluding the UK) offering a range of life, pensions and insurance products distributed through a wide range of channels. We are one of the leading providers of life and pension products in Europe, based on 2007 gross written premiums according to the Comité Européen des Assurances (“CEA”), a European insurance and reinsurance federation.

In 2009, we announced a clear two part strategy to exploit the considerable opportunities in Europe.

Aviva Europe

In 2009 we announced a new strategy to make a ‘Quantum Leap’ in performance by integrating the operations of 12 previously separate businesses (excluding the operations of Delta Lloyd), under a single pan-European executive team.

The Quantum Leap transformation plan will build a pan-European approach to operations, governance and product development. Distribution has been centralised into two pan-European channels, bancassurance and retail, allowing us to take advantage of the significant growth potential in Europe, build competitive advantage and shorten time to market. A single holding company has been established in Ireland which, subject to regulatory approval, will deliver economic, operational and regulatory benefits to Aviva.

Delta Lloyd

As a result of the IPO, the strategic management of our investment in Delta Lloyd is now managed independently from our other operations.


 

 


06

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Delta Lloyd is one of the top five financial services providers in the Netherlands, with a significant operation in Belgium. In November 2009, Aviva successfully completed an IPO of Delta Lloyd which is now listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. Aviva retains 58.3% of the ordinary share capital and 54.0% of the voting rights in Delta Lloyd after having raised £1 billion of gross disposal proceeds. Its listing enables Delta Lloyd to strengthen its profile and brand, as well as more effectively pursue its growth strategy in the Netherlands and Belgium, in particular, ahead of anticipated sector consolidation in those countries.

Aviva Europe

As the leading bancassurer in Europe we have sustained our performance by leveraging our unique bancassurance model, serving customers through our 50 bancassurance agreements. We also have a significant retail franchise, operating through more than 8,000 brokers and agents, and a direct sales force of over 10,000 consultants.

Our pan-European distribution model aims to exploit our market leading bancassurance model by leveraging existing banking relationships, by expanding our product mix into higher margin products such as protection and general insurance and by reducing the cost per policy through the roll out of a pan-European shared platform. The shared platform will also give us the ability to meet the demands of each prospective partner’s requirements, in a rapid and efficient way, creating value for both Aviva and our partner.

We are also building a single retail operating model with common tools and methods supported by centralised sales support and a pan-European customer retention centre of excellence. This strategy will enable us to increase our sales force productivity, improve customer retention and create economies of scale through pan-European retail cost management.

Our Aviva Europe business has substantial operations in France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Spain, with significant long-term insurance businesses. Following early success in Poland, we have been building our long-term insurance and savings business in developing markets in Central and Eastern Europe, and now have businesses in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania (which for financial reporting purposes we include in Poland), Romania, Russia, Turkey and a distribution capability in Slovakia (which for financial reporting purposes we include in Hungary).

In addition, we have large general insurance businesses in Ireland and France, as well as developing general insurance businesses in Italy, Poland and Turkey. Fund management operations exist in France, Ireland, Poland and Romania. The fund management operations in France, Ireland, and Romania are managed by Aviva Investors, and since 1 January 2010 the fund management operation in Poland has transferred to Aviva Investors.

Since January 2010, Aviva Europe has also had responsibility for developing Aviva’s business interests in the Middle East, based in the United Arab Emirates.

Market and competition

The region is split between mature Western European markets with high wealth and insurance penetration and the developing markets of Central and Eastern Europe. We expect to see growth of the European long-term insurance and savings market above GDP growth over the next decade as a result of a growing ageing population and the developing markets in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

Competitive intensity and market consolidation varies across the region depending on the size and stage of

development of each market. Our competitors comprise a mixture of large pan-European insurers, such as Allianz and AXA, and local insurers, such as Powszechy Zaxlad Ubezpieczan (“PZU”) in Poland and CNP Assurances (“CNP”) in France. Across the region consolidation is low; based on total insurance premiums from the CEA the top five insurers hold only 35% of the market. The CEA data shows that Aviva has a 4.8% share of the market (including UK, excluding business written outside of Europe, non primary insurance and inaccessible markets e.g. compulsory healthcare) which makes us the fourth largest. The largest insurers are Allianz, Generali and AXA. If the UK is excluded, Aviva’s market share on the same basis is 4.1%.

We consider our competitive factors in the European region (with such factors to a greater and lesser extent for mature and rapidly developing markets) to be:

Bancassurance partnerships

Existing retail franchise

Pan-European distribution model

Position in large emerging markets (Russia, Poland, Turkey)

Customer-centric range of products and services

Global scale

Depth of technical expertise across region and ability to transfer to developing business units

Europe-wide approach to distribution management, product development and support functions

Pricing

Brand strength and customer advocacy

Focus on customer and quality of service

Financial strength and ratings

Investment management performance

France

Business overview and strategy

Aviva France is one of the top ten long-term insurance and savings businesses in France based on 2008 new business premiums, according to L’Argus de L’Assurance. We offer a range of long-term insurance and savings products, primarily for individuals, which focus on the unit-linked market. We have a partnership with the Association Française d’Epargne et de Retraite (“AFER”), which is the largest retirement savings association in France. Aviva France operates through two main companies: Aviva Vie and Aviva Direct.

Our general insurance business in France has a 2.3% share of the market as based on 2008 premium income according to L’Argus de L’Assurance. We predominantly sell personal and small commercial lines insurance products through an agent network and our direct insurer, Eurofil. We believe Eurofil is the second-largest direct sales insurer in France, based on total written premiums, and it sells motor, home and health insurance. Direct sales to private customers are conducted through the internet and by telephone.

Our strategy for Aviva France is to continue the diversification and growth of our business and to maintain our profitability at a high level. We seek to accomplish these goals through our distribution expertise, innovation of products and services, greater communication and brand visibility.

Market

We believe that the long-term insurance and savings market in France has long-term growth potential due to the ageing population and need for private pensions. We believe that the recent volatility in the market has affected sales as some consumers are lacking confidence in long-term investments, preferring safer forms of investment while they await a recovery in financial markets.


 

 


 

 

07

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Recent changes in the inheritance tax system have eroded the long-term insurance tax advantages compared to other asset accumulation businesses, which has impacted our individual single premium savings product and undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (“UCITS”).

We believe that the general insurance market in France is mature, showing signs of saturation and increased competition. In this market we aim to offer competitive pricing and a wide range of products and services.

Products

Aviva France long-term insurance and savings business sells mainly protection and bonds and savings products. These include protection and unit-linked and with profits savings products. We are the sole distributor of AFER products, which includes unit-linked and with profits products.

With profits savings products are traditional savings products with an agreed duration, a minimum guaranteed credit rate and a profit sharing mechanism to pass part of the excess return to policyholders. Unit-linked savings products return all investment returns earned on policyholder assets directly back to the policyholder.

Aviva France’s general insurance business sells personal and small commercial insurance including motor, home, commercial, agricultural and construction products, as well as health insurance.

Distribution

Aviva France sells products through a complete range of distribution channels, including approximately 1,800 branch staff, 400 insurance advisers, more than 1,000 active partner brokers, as well as Aviva Assurances’ 875-member network. It has partnerships with AFER, the Union Financière de France (“UFF”) network of financial advisers, Médéric, and a bancassurance partnership with Crédit du Nord, a subsidiary of Société Générale, which gives Aviva access to 1.4 million customers through approximately 780 branches as at 31 December 2009. We also have direct sales to private customers through the internet and by telephone.

AFER is a market reference savings association, which we believe has strong customer loyalty. AFER products are sold through Epargne Actuelle, an Aviva Vie network and other brokers and makes up approximately 53% of our total French life sales in 2009.

We also have a joint venture with Crédit du Nord called Antarius. We have exclusive rights to distribute Antarius-branded life products, which include protection, and unit-linked bonds and savings products, through Crédit du Nord bank branches.

Ireland

Business overview and strategy

Our recently rebranded business in Ireland is one of the country’s leading multi-line insurers with more than one million customers. As the initial part of the move to a global Aviva brand, the business was renamed Hibernian Aviva in early 2009 and from 11 January 2010 has traded as Aviva Ireland. It provides long-term insurance and savings products, asset management (which is managed by Aviva Investors), general insurance and health insurance products. We had a 16.7% share of the Irish long-term insurance and savings market in 2008 based on gross written premiums according to the Irish Insurance Federation (“IIF”), and were the third largest life and pension provider in Ireland. Our general insurance business is the largest in Ireland, with a market share of 20% in 2008 according to the IIF.

Our strategy in our life business in Ireland is to maximise market opportunities through re-energising the broker distribution channel and pushing forward new initiatives with our bancassurance partner Allied Irish Banks plc (“AIB”). This includes developing products with attractive safety features to meet customer needs when investment markets are more volatile. In our general insurance business we aim to take advantage of opportunities to grow our business through building innovative products, increasing scale and exploiting distribution advantages.

In May 2008 we acquired 70% of VIVAS Health (now renamed Aviva). We believe that this initiative presents significant growth opportunities in a new market sector and extends our existing partnership with AIB who own the remaining 30% of this company.

Market

The life insurance market in Ireland is largely consolidated with approximately 71% of the market share being held by the top three providers, including Aviva, according to a report by IFF based on 2008 gross written premiums. Price competition in the market continues to increase, with focus increasingly on market share. We believe that customers have moved away from traditional life products in Ireland because of volatility in the stock markets and a slowdown in the housing market in the last two years.

We believe that the general insurance market in Ireland continues to be very competitive for both personal and commercial lines business and there is continued downward pressure on premium rates.

Products

Our long-term insurance and savings business offers a comprehensive range of protection, bonds and savings and pension products. The protection products include single, dual and joint life insurance, mortgage protection, specified illness and guaranteed whole life cover products. The pension range covers retirement and investment products including government promoted personal retirement savings account (“PRSA”) schemes.

 Our general insurance and health businesses provide a wide range of products including property, motor, travel, farm and business insurance. Our motor business is more focused on personal lines, while our property business is primarily commercial lines.

Distribution

Aviva has a wide range of distribution channels in the Irish market. Customers can purchase our products through intermediary channels such as brokers, corporate partners and through retail channels including call centres, a nationwide branch network and the internet.

Our long-term insurance and savings products are distributed through a broker network and our bancassurance partnership with AIB. This partnership gives us access to more than 280 branches. We also provide branded products for a number of financial institutions.

The majority of our general insurance business is sold through brokers, with an increasing proportion offered by direct and corporate partners.


 

 


08

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Italy

Business overview and strategy

Aviva Italy is the country’s seventh-largest life insurer, with a market share of 5% in terms of 2008 gross written premiums according to Associazione Nazionale fra le Imprese Assicuratrici (“ANIA”) and has over 1.3 million customers. We also have a stake in Banca Network Investimenti, a 900-member financial adviser network. Aviva is the 13th largest general insurance company in Italy with a market share of 1% according to the Associazione Nazionale fra le Imprese Assicuratrici (”ANIA”).

Our strategy is to continue to work with our partners on new products, suited to the current markets, to develop our bancassurance relationships and to expand our customer reach, through customer penetration and expanding our distribution reach.

Market

In the Italian life market, large groups dominate the market, with the top four providers writing more than 50% of the life premium income in 2007 according to AXCO Insurance Information Services. While the market has been reasonably stable over the last five years, it shrunk in both 2007 and 2008 (by 11.2% and 11.7% respectively), with total market premiums at about €55 billion for the year, according to ANIA.

In the Italian market, we believe that many consumers prefer investment products from well established long-term insurance companies as long term savings vehicles. We also think that consumers prefer developing a personal relationship with the bank distributing products through one-to-one contact. Internet and telephone channels are not widely used in Italy.

In the last few years the Italian government has introduced legislation to break the exclusive relationship between general insurance companies and their ‘tied’ agents and therefore widening the availability of general insurance products from different insurers. This has opened up the general insurance market place and increased competition from different channels.

Products

Our long-term insurance and savings business offers a wide range of products covering protection, bonds and savings and pensions. The largest segment is single and regular premium savings and investment products. These include unit linked policies linked to a range of investment funds and profit sharing policies where there is a minimum annual return credited to the policy, with the potential for an additional bonus. Also we provide index-linked products where there is typically some protection of capital at the end of the policy term and a pay-out linked to the performance of an index or basket of shares.

A growing area of the market is credit protection insurance, where protection on death and disability is provided for mortgages and credit loans. Individual and group pension plans are also available and this part of the market is expected to grow in the long-term given the ageing population and government reforms to reduce the cost of state retirement provision.

Our general insurance business in Italy mainly provides motor and home insurance products to individuals, as well as small commercial risk insurance, including marine, to businesses. For reporting purposes the Italian general insurance business is shown within “Other Europe” in the general insurance segment.

Distribution

Our products are distributed principally through bancassurance partnerships with UniCredit Group, Banco Popolare Italiana Group (“BPI”), Banca Popolari Unite (“BPU”) and Unione di Banche Italiana (“UBI”). Our partnership with Banca Delle Marche ended in May 2009. These partnerships give us access to more than 6,200 branches and additionally we also have 650 insurance agents and access to approximately 5,800 sales advisers.

In December 2007, Aviva Italy entered into an exclusive long term partnership with Banco Popolare and acquired a 50% interest in Avipop Assicurazioni, a general insurance company, for a total consideration of £188 million. This replaced our previous agreement with BPI to distribute long-term insurance and savings products.

In 2007, we also purchased, together with other investors, a stake in Banca Network Investimenti, a 900-member financial adviser network, from BPI. We believe that this network will further extend and diversify our distribution reach in the market for long-term insurance and savings business.

In 2008, we acquired 50% plus one share in UBI Assicurazioni Vita S.p.A. (“UBI Vita”). UBI Vita distributes life insurance products through Banca Popolare di Ancona and other channels and further expands our distribution capability and customer base.

We distribute general insurance products primarily through agents and brokers, with a growing proportion of bancassurance sales.

Poland (including Lithuania)

Business overview and strategy

Our operations in Poland and Lithuania provide long-term insurance and savings products. Our businesses have a 4,200-member direct sales force, with 66 sales offices across the country as at 31 December 2009. Completing the move to a global brand, our Polish business, currently known as Aviva Commercial Union, will commence trading as Aviva in June 2010.

Our Polish life operation is the second-largest overall life insurer, with a market share of 10% based on total premium income in 2008 according to the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (“KNF”). It has more than 900,000 individual and group customers and manages over £2.5 billion of customers' assets. The pension business has been leading the second-pillar pension fund market since its launch in 1999, with a market share of around 26% and almost 3 million customers and over £9.8 billion of assets under management, according to KNF. Second pillar pension funds are those privately managed, first pillar are the pay-as-you-go state pensions and third pillar are voluntary contributions.

Our long-term insurance strategy is to expand our distribution network, particularly in the direct channel, and to also develop other alternative points of contact for potential clients, for example, bancassurance. We seek to capitalise on our new product launches and maximise cross-selling opportunities. Our product strategy for pensions is to retain our status as the market leader in terms of customers and assets.

Our general insurance business in Poland commenced in 1997 and continues to develop. In 2007 we launched a direct motor insurance product in order to pursue further potential for growth in this dynamic market. For reporting purposes the general insurance business is shown within “Other Europe” in the general insurance segment.


 


 

 

09

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Market

The Polish market for protection products has seen significant growth since 1999, although penetration rates remain relatively low according to our analysis of KNF statistics. Insurance companies in Poland are either state-owned or private, with the public sector companies continuing to have a strong share of the market. The private companies are often under the control of international insurers.

In 1999, Poland launched a comprehensive reform of its state pension system and created privately managed funds. This enabled private companies to offer pension products and made it obligatory for all employees under 30 years of age to join one of the competing pension funds.

In 2009 the Polish government agreed further pension legislation changes which restrict the fees that pension fund management companies can charge. This is effective from 1 January 2010.

The general insurance market is continuing to grow, although at a slower rate than the long-term insurance and savings market. The general insurance market is mainly driven by the motor insurance market. Distribution has been dominated by direct sales force and agents, however direct sales are now growing.

Products

Our life business in Poland provides a broad range of protection, annuities and bonds and savings products. For individuals it offers unit-linked life policies, annuities, single premium savings and, for institutions, group life insurance and employee pension programmes, which are both unit-linked products.

Our pension business offers a standard product for all customers as part of the privately managed pensions market.

We offer general insurance products to both institutions and individuals in Poland. For institutions we offer selected commercial lines risks such as fire and loss-of-profit insurance, technical insurance, insurance against loss of property during transportation, civil liability insurance and commercial health insurance. For individuals we offer home, accident and travel insurance, which are primarily sold by tied agents, whilst motor insurance is sold through our direct operation.

Distribution

The direct sales force is the main distribution channel for most of the Poland group and is made up of 4,200 tied insurance agents whose work is co-ordinated by a network of our sales offices run by sales managers.

In 2008 we increased the productivity and size of our direct sales force and entered a joint venture with Bank Zachodni WBK (a subsidiary of AIB) to sell both life and general insurance products through the bank’s network of over 500 branches.

We also co-operate with independent insurance agencies and brokers. We believe that these insurance brokers play a key role in selling commercial lines general insurance. Our mutual funds are also sold in brokerage houses and our individual products are supported by call centre and website sales.

Spain

Business overview and strategy

Aviva Spain sells long-term insurance and savings, health and accident insurance in Spain through a bancassurance network based on joint ventures with six banks (Bancaja, Caja España, Caixa Galicia, Unicaja, Caja de Granada and Cajamurcia) and through Aviva Vida y Pensiones, the wholly owned Aviva-branded long-term insurance company. Aviva Spain is the country’s fifth-largest long-term insurer by gross written premiums with a market share of 6% in 2009 according to

Investogacin Cooperativa entre Entidades Aseguradoras y Fondos de Pensiones (“ICEA”).

In February 2008, we exercised an option to acquire an additional 45% shareholding in our joint venture with the Spanish savings bank Caja de Ahorros de Murcia, Cajamurcia Vida, which brings our total shareholding to 50% and enables the migration of the majority of the Cajamurcia protection products to this joint venture company. The new company distributes long-term insurance and savings products via Cajamurcia’s network of over 400 branches.

Our strategy in Spain is to further develop our bancassurance relationships and attract new partners if the opportunities arise. We hope to develop our general insurance offerings through our existing partnerships. Overall, we want to continue to be customer-focused, react quickly to market trends and maximise the sales of our core products, such as pensions and savings.

Market

Spain’s financial market has a strong banking tradition, and as such customers are accustomed to receiving advice through traditional banking channels. We believe that customers have a high level of financial understanding and require comprehensive advice on products and services. The top positions in the long-term insurance market are dominated by bank-owned or bank-insurer joint ventures, with the overall bancassurance channel accounting for more than 70% of new business premiums in 2007 in the Spanish life insurance market according to ICEA.

Products
We offer a wide range of bonds and savings, and protection products. Investment products include both unit linked and traditional plans, where profit sharing is regularly used to increase the policy return. Our traditional plans include savings schemes and income products. Pension savings products have valuable tax advantages each year for such contributions within permitted limits and we offer a flexible range of individual and group plans with alternative investment choices. We also offer protection products, covering both mortgages and credit loans typically providing cover for the family in the event of death or disability.

The PIAS “pension” product was launched in 2007.  This is a savings contract with attractive tax benefits if the policy remains in force for at least 10 years and if an annuity is purchased at the maturity of the product.

Distribution

Through bancassurance partnerships we have established subsidiaries to distribute our products with each of the banks as set out below:

Aseval – in conjunction with Bancaja since 2000

Unicorp Vida – in conjunction with Unicaja since 2001

Bia Galicia – in conjunction with Caixa Galicia since 2001

Caja España Vida – in conjunction with Caja España since 2001

General Vida – in conjunction with Caja de Granada since 2002

Cajamurcia Vida – in conjunction with Cajamurcia since 2007

Aviva Vida y Pensiones distributes our products through professional intermediaries (financial advisers, agents and brokers) and a direct sales force, supported by a branch office network and call centres.


 

 


10

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Other Europe

Business overview and strategy

Aviva’s other European businesses are in Turkey, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Slovakia.

In 2007, our Turkish long-term insurance and savings business merged with Ak Emeklilik, the long-term insurance and savings company of Sabanci Holdings, to form a joint venture company, AvivaSA. The new company merged on 31 October 2007 to become the largest pensions’ provider in the market, with a market share of 22% in 2008 according to the Turkish Pensions Monitoring Centre, and the fourth largest life insurer with a market share of 6% in 2009 according to the Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies of Turkey. Under the merger, AvivaSA has a bancassurance agreement with Akbank T.A.S. (“Akbank”), Turkey’s second largest privately-owned bank based on total assets according to the Banks Association of Turkey.

In the Czech Republic we are the 13th largest life insurer, with a 1.6% market share in 2008 according to the Czech Insurance Association. We have more than 46,000 customers and 117 staff as at 31 December 2009.

In Hungary, we are the sixth largest life insurance business, measured by 2008 gross written premiums, with an 8% market share, according to the Association of Hungarian Insurers. We have a tied agent sales force consisting of more than 600 agents and 22 agencies nationwide.

Aviva Romania is the eighth largest life insurer as measured by premium income in 2008 according to the local insurance regulator, CSA. We were also the fourth largest voluntary pensions' provider in 2008 as measured by fund value according to the Private Pension Regulator (“CSSPP”). Aviva Romania has over 550 direct sales force agents and 157 staff. We have established a new company to sell newly created mandatory pensions.

In Russia, we started trading in early 2006, with a strategy to position the business to take advantage of the growth expected to occur as the life insurance industry develops. We were the fourth largest life insurer in 2009 compared to 21st in the prior year, with a 5% market share based on Aviva Russia’s estimates based on statistics from the insurance market regulator and Interfax news agency.

Our strategy in the “Other Europe” region is to grow our direct sales force numbers and productivity, whilst continuing development of other distribution channels, including bancassurance, to enhance our product range and to continue to investigate profitable opportunities in new markets. In all of these markets, pension reform continues to offer long term potential.

Market

Across these new European markets there are countries at different stages of development. Hungary and Czech Republic are the most developed markets although they still have a gap as compared to Western European markets.

We believe that Russia and Turkey, with their large populations and rapid economic growth, are highly attractive markets for the medium term. Countries such as Romania represent longer term potential. With pension reform starting later in these countries, markets are at an early stage of development.

Competitiveness varies by country depending on its size and stage of development. In more developed markets competition is with regional players (e.g. AXA/Allianz), ex-state-owned insurers and new entities. The less developed markets do not have the same competitive intensity, although competition is growing.

Products

Aviva Turkey’s products include unit-linked pensions, supplemented by protection insurance and other savings products, which are aimed at high-net-worth customers and leading national and multinational corporations. The general insurance segment offers motor, household, fire, marine, personal accident, travel and liability insurance.

Our Czech Republic business offers individual unit-linked savings, protection insurance, term insurance, other savings products, group life schemes for corporate clients and credit insurance for our own bancassurance partners.

In Hungary, we offer flexible unit-linked and traditional life products. Aviva also acts as a distributor for various banking products, such as mortgage loans and current accounts, as well as selling a combined product.

In Romania, we provide traditional life insurance products and started to offer pension products to customers following government reforms introducing compulsory pensions in 2008.

In Russia, we focus on individual accident insurance, group non-state pensions, accident and sickness insurance.

Distribution

In Turkey, we have a multi-channel distribution strategy through brokers, agencies, a direct sales force, corporate sales and bancassurance through an agreement with Akbank, which gives us access to their approximate 6 million retail customers through 868 branches. Our general insurance business is predominantly sold through agents, with the remainder coming through direct sales, a call centre and bank agents.

In the Czech Republic, our sales force is made up of over 450 agents operating across 14 branches, with 24 independent distributors and two bancassurance partners.

In Hungary, in addition to the direct sales force we also sell through brokerage partners. We commenced cross-border sales into Slovakia in August 2008, selling a single product through Brokernet Slovakia, which has increased our geographical coverage.

In Romania, we distribute through a direct sales force branch network and have bancassurance partners, which include local units of Piraeus Bank and ABN AMRO.

At the end of 2009 Aviva Russia had 43 financial consultants, servicing approximately 390,000 clients. Agreements with 13 leading retail banks have been signed and bancassurance sales are growing rapidly.

Delta Lloyd

Business overview and strategy

Delta Lloyd operates in the long-term insurance and savings, general insurance and the fund management markets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The group employs about 6,300 staff as of 31 December 2009.

In November 2009 Aviva successfully completed an IPO of Delta Lloyd which is now listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. Aviva retains 58% of the ordinary share capital and 54.0% of the voting rights in Delta Lloyd after having raised £1 billion of gross disposal proceeds. Its listing enables Delta Lloyd to strengthen its profile and brand, as well as more effectively pursue its growth strategy in the Netherlands and Belgium, in particular ahead of anticipated sector consolidation in those countries. Delta Lloyd is considering its strategic options in Germany.

On 4 March 2010 Delta Lloyd Germany announced the intention to discontinue writing new business. This is in line with the decision, as indicated in the prospectus for the initial public offering, to discontinue Germany as a core market.

Delta Lloyd was one of the top five providers of life and general insurance in the Netherlands in 2008 based on gross


 


 

 

11

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

written premiums according to an analysis of competitor press releases. The sale of our health operations to O.W.M CZ Groep Zorgverkeraar U.A (“CZ”) which was effective on 1 January 2009 realising a gain on sale of £31 million, has also given us an opportunity to sell long-term insurance and savings, and general insurance products to CZ’s existing customer base.

Delta Lloyd Asset Management manages investments both for Delta Lloyd’s own insurance operations and for third parties, including individual and institutional customers. In addition to managing equity and fixed interest funds, our operations include management of a property portfolio.

Delta Lloyd aims to be one of the leading financial service providers in the Netherlands and Belgium. To achieve this goal, our business is focused on achieving operating efficiencies and product and distribution innovation, while building the trust of our customers through improving customer service and strengthening financial disciplines.

Market

We believe that the Dutch insurance market is mature and that cost reduction and economies of scale are becoming increasingly important. Customers are increasingly demanding that suppliers provide value-for-money high performing products with transparent charges. The Dutch savings market is extremely competitive with banks now able to offer retirement products on the same terms as insurers.

In the general insurance market there has been stiff competition on premium rates, particularly in the key motor account, and increasing claims frequencies linked with the economic downturn.

The credit crisis has resulted in a number of Delta Lloyd’s competitors seeking state or shareholder support. We expect this situation to result in further industry reorganisation and consolidation in the coming years.

Products

The long-term insurance and savings business of Delta Lloyd offers a range of protection, bonds and savings and pensions services, including group pension schemes, annuities, unit-linked bonds, savings products and protection insurance.

Our general insurance business sells a range of products including personal, motor, travel and home insurance and small to medium sized commercial policies.

Delta Lloyd also sells retail investment fund and mortgage products in the Netherlands and retail banking products in Belgium.

Distribution

Delta Lloyd distributes long-term insurance and savings and general insurance products under three brands: Delta Lloyd, OHRA and through a joint venture with ABN AMRO. In the Netherlands the Delta Lloyd brand works exclusively with independent insurance intermediaries, while OHRA focuses on direct channels such as telephone, internet and mail. Delta Lloyd’s third brand comprises a joint venture with ABN AMRO, reaching customers through the extensive distribution networks of ABN AMRO Bank. In January 2009, Delta Lloyd and ABN AMRO bank confirmed that the joint venture remains the exclusive insurance partner for the current and future Dutch banking operations of ABN AMRO, including Fortis branches when they rebrand in 2010.

Mutual funds are primarily sold through third party banks such as ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank.

North America

Regional overview and strategy

Aviva North America consists of two businesses: the life insurance and annuity business in the US and the property and casualty business in Canada. Our strategic priorities for the region are to improve margins and optimise capital usage, to selectively expand into market adjacencies and to optimise the regional operating model.

To enhance the growth in our existing businesses, we also seek to increase Aviva’s profile in North America by building on the strength of the global brand through concerted communication efforts with financial analysts, key financial and business media, consumers and distributors. We continue to expand our distribution network with a focus on larger brokerage general agents.

Market and competition

The North America region is home to two of the world’s largest and richest economies. Aviva has two businesses that currently serve their respective home markets and are led by our regional headquarters in Chicago.

We view both the US long-term insurance and annuity market and the Canadian property and casualty insurance market as highly fragmented markets with a large number of insurers, none of whom is in a truly dominant position. Competitors for the products in which we specialise, include global insurers such as AIG, Allianz, Royal & Sun Alliance, Manulife Financial, Old Mutual and AXA. Local market competitors also feature in various product segments.

We consider our competitive factors in the North America region to be:

Tailored products

Product innovation

Technical expertise

Quality of distribution partnerships

Financial strength and performance

Strong financial ratings

Investment management performance

Global brand

USA

Business overview and strategy

Aviva USA is the largest provider to both the fixed indexed life insurance and fixed indexed annuities according to reports on 2008 sales which were released by LIMRA and AnnuitySpecs in early 2009. Our acquisition of the former AmerUs Group was completed in late 2006. Following this we have achieved significant growth and market penetration in the US market, with more than one million customers.

Prior to the acquisition of AmerUs Group, the US business was headquartered in Boston and had a niche strategy, focused on retirement and estate planning with distribution through independent agents, banks and structured settlement brokers.

Our new strategy is to improve margins, optimise capital usage and to leverage our core life insurance and annuity distribution and product capabilities into adjacent markets. A key theme for Aviva is one of recognition; treating both employees and customers as unique people with unique circumstances.


 


12

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Market

The US is the world’s largest economy, according to the World Bank, based on 2008 GDP, as well as the largest insurance market according to the Swiss Re Sigma Report, No.3/2009. This is especially true for retirement savings products as 78 million members of the baby boom generation move into retirement in the US.

At the same time, the US economy, and its financial sector in particular, suffered a severe contraction as a result of the financial crisis. There are now increasing signs of economic recovery and, despite the recession, North America’s economies remain among the world’s largest and its population among the world’s wealthiest. Retirement savings represent 34% of household assets in the US, according to a report by Investment Company Institute, and, despite the uncertainty affecting the financial markets, we believe that people are still saving and buying insurance from brands they trust. In Aviva USA, we believe we are well positioned to respond to this customer need for safety, having savings and investment products with downside guarantees as a major component of our product portfolio. The indexed annuity and indexed life markets in which Aviva USA operates are dominated by a small number of large insurers. According to the fourth quarter 2008 Advantage Indexed Sales and Market Report by AnnuitySpecs, the top five providers hold 62% of the indexed annuities market, while for indexed life, the top five account for 64% of the market.

Products

Aviva USA has a strategic focus on protection, annuity and savings products. Our life products include our universal life, indexed life, no lapse guaranteed and term assurance products. Our savings products are primarily funding agreements. Our annuity products include indexed annuities, fixed index annuities, deferred fixed annuities, immediate annuities, guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits, and structured settlements. During 2008 we announced our withdrawal from the structured settlement business.

In addition, we now offer wellness products and services through our relationship with Mayo Clinic Health Solutions. We have also launched enhancements to our guaranteed income withdrawal benefits and a new bonus index deferred annuity.

Distribution

We use Independent Marketing Organisations (“IMOs”) to promote and sell our fixed indexed annuities and protection products. Our network covers all 50 states and includes 11,500 annuity producers and 27,000 life insurance producers. The large majority of annuity sales are made through fewer than 3,000 producers, of who approximately one third are SEC registered. We believe that SEC registration provides a number of significant opportunities for the business, including the ability to cross-sell life products through the registered distribution force and product penetration of distribution organisations that already operate within the registered market. We also distribute through career marketing organisations, personal producing general agents and banks.

Canada

Business overview and strategy

Aviva Canada has an 8% share of the Canadian general insurance market, with a top five position in all major provinces according to a report by MSA Research Inc.

We believe that we are well placed in Canada for steady organic growth and that our success is underpinned by stable broker relationships, underwriting excellence and a balanced portfolio of commercial and personal lines. Looking ahead, we aim to create value by repositioning our personal lines book in Ontario through greater pricing sophistication and customer segmentation. We will also continue to address increasing customer demand for choice and simplicity through our broker-distribution model and brand investment in key territories. In commercial lines, we aim to retain our current market position through our expertise in distribution and product innovation.

Market

As the seventh largest in the world, according to the Axco Insurance Market Report, Canada’s general insurance market is established and stable. The four largest provinces generate around 90% of total premiums with Ontario, the largest, representing 47% on its own, according to a report by MSA Research Inc in 2008. The biggest growth market is western Canada, where economic development has resulted in significant population increases and a changing demographic profile.

The Canadian general insurance industry is highly fragmented with many small players and no dominant consumer brand. Steady consolidation has resulted in the top five companies sharing 36% of the market with the top two companies, Intact Insurance (formerly ING Canada) and Aviva, controlling 19%. The rest of the industry consists of smaller, provincially based or niche companies. Further consolidation is anticipated.

Distribution is primarily through the traditional broker channel, estimated by market commentators, including Axco, to account for over 70% of distribution, with the direct and affinity channels gradually increasing their share of the market. Competition for growth has moved to investment in brokers, direct to consumer marketing, and technology.

Products

We provide a number of general insurance products through our Canadian companies including:

Property, home and automobile insurance, including recreational vehicles and mobile homes insurance

Niche personal insurance products including holiday and park model trailers, horses, hobby farms, sailboats, power boats and antique classic and custom cars

Small and medium-size enterprise commercial insurance, including motor, property, liability, boiler and machinery, and surety


 


 

 

13

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Distribution

We operate in Canada through a distribution network primarily focused on approximately 3,000 independent retail brokers, who distribute our core personal and commercial lines. In addition, we work closely with both independent and wholly owned speciality brokers to distribute group insurance and speciality personal lines, such as insurance for antique cars. With the growth of the direct market in Canada, we have entered into corporate partnerships with retailers and other affinity groups. Ontario Insurance Services Limited (“OIS”) is a broker established in 1973 to provide call centre service and support to both home and automobile insurance customers.

Asia Pacific

Regional overview and strategy

Aviva Asia Pacific operates in eight countries across the region through both joint ventures and wholly-owned operations. India and China, our “must-win markets”, have large populations, relatively high economic growth and are expected to generate a significant portion of the insurance growth in Asia in the future. Most of our “developing businesses” in our other countries (Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Sri Lanka) are bancassurance led with strong joint venture partners. We had an established business in Australia, which we sold on 1 October 2009. We believe that there is potential for growth in the Asia Pacific market due to low insurance penetration in most countries, an expanding middle class and relatively high gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Aviva Asia Pacific aims to build a high growth and value creating region driven primarily by “must win” markets of China and India by increasing new business sales for long-term insurance and savings products through development of existing businesses, investment in new business development, leveraging shared services and harnessing the benefits of multiple distribution channels in all of our markets.

Market and competition

The Asia Pacific insurance market includes both mature markets such as Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea and emerging markets such as India and China. The mature markets accounted for around 82% of our long-term and savings sales in 2009. However we expect that large emerging markets, particularly our “must win” markets of India and China, will become increasingly more important in the future. In long-term insurance and savings, we believe that the long-term outlook is positive and will be driven by a generally high savings rate, under-penetration of insurance and diversified savings, relatively higher GDP growth and the growing need for old age provision.

At a regional level, Aviva Asia Pacific competes mainly with other large international insurance and financial services groups. The most significant competitors include AIG, ING, Prudential plc, HSBC and AXA. These groups are all early entrants into the region and most have significant operations and experience in all of the Asian markets. Nevertheless, in our chosen markets, we believe our strong distribution partnerships, wide footprint and regional operational model position us well to compete effectively in the region and create a solid platform for continued growth.

We consider our competitive factors in Asia Pacific to be:

Balanced portfolio of markets

Established presence in “must-win” markets

Multi-channel distribution, with particular strength in bancassurance

Strength in wrap administration platforms

Brand recognition

Technical expertise

Asia

Business overview and strategy

Aviva has operations in eight markets in Asia, with businesses at different stages of development.

In China, through our joint venture with COFCO Limited (“COFCO”), we are ranked fourth in terms of total premium among 28 foreign insurers in China according to China Insurance Regulatory Commission. We currently have a presence in 10 provinces, with a total of 40 city branches. Our “new five year strategy” aims to achieve a top 10 position by 2014 in terms of life APE.

In India, we operate in partnership with the Dabur Group through an associate, Aviva Life Insurance Company India Limited. We currently rank 11th among the private life insurance companies in India based on first year premium as at 31 December 2009, according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (“IRDA”) and we aim to be a Top 10 life insurer by leveraging our bancassurance expertise and transforming our agency sales force.

In Singapore, we rank fifth in the life long-term insurance market by annualised premium equivalent (“APE”) as at 30 September 2009 according to the Life Insurance Association. We are one of the leading bancassurance players in the market. We have recently extended our partnership with DBS Bank (“DBS”), one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia, until 2015, to provide long-term insurance, savings and health and protection insurance products. Importantly, the agreement now covers additional markets such as India, China, and Taiwan.

In Hong Kong we are ranked 21st in the long-term insurance market by APE as at 30 September 2009 according to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Our strategy is to leverage our core bancassurance partnership with DBS and independent financial adviser (“IFA”) channels to deliver profitable growth.

In Sri Lanka, we own a 51% stake in Eagle Insurance (“Eagle”). Eagle is ranked the third largest life insurer and fifth largest general insurer in the country, as based on gross written premiums in 2008 according to the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka. In the third quarter 2009, we signed a distribution agreement with Lanka ORIX Leasing Company PLC, a large leasing company. In Sri Lanka, we aim to attain No.1 position by 2012 in terms of new business, in life business and to become the fourth largest general insurance player in Sri Lanka.

In July 2007, we entered the Malaysian market through the acquisition of a 49% stake in two of CIMB Group’s subsidiaries, Commerce Life Assurance Berhad and Commerce Takaful Berhad who have entered into bancassurance agreements with another CIMB Group subsidiary, CIMB Bank. This has provided Aviva access to over 4 million potential new customers as well as introducing takaful insurance to the Aviva group. We believe there is significant growth opportunity in takaful in the next few years. We aim to become a top five life and takaful company in Malaysia by 2014 by APE.


 


14

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

In 2007, Aviva formed a long-term insurance joint venture, First-Aviva, with First Financial Holdings Company (“FFHC”) in Taiwan. First-Aviva, in which we have a 49% shareholding, started operations in early 2008 and distributes long-term insurance and savings products through a bancassurance agreement with FFHC’s flagship subsidiary, First Commercial Bank, which is Taiwan’s second largest bank network in terms of number of branches according to the Financial Supervisory Commission. By leveraging over five million bank customers, we aim to become the most profitable insurance company in the bancassurance channel.

In April 2008, we entered the South Korean long-term insurance market by acquiring a stake in LIG Insurance Company Ltd through a partnership formed with Woori Finance Holdings Company Ltd. Woori Bank is the second largest commercial bank in South Korea by market value. We aim to be a top 10 life insurer by end 2012 by new business premiums.

Market

We believe that the fundamentals of the Asian markets remain attractive. The low insurance penetration in most countries and relatively higher GDP growth indicate that prospects for continued growth in the long-term insurance and savings industry are good. The economic forecasts from Asia Development Bank predict GDP growth for the region of 4.3% in 2009 and 6.6% in 2010 (Asian Development Outlook 2009 Update, 22 September 2009).

In our view, the strong outlook for the region is attracting a growing number of new insurers and some existing local insurers are developing wider regional ambitions, resulting in greater competitive pressure throughout the region.

Products

Our Asian businesses generally offer a range of protection, bonds and savings and pension products including universal life, participating life, unit-linked single and regular premium life insurance, other savings and pensions products and a range of accident and health insurance products.

In Singapore and Hong Kong, we offer access to a wide range of mutual funds through Navigator, a wrap administration platform which allows investors to plan, choose, manage and track their investments easily and more effectively. We are looking at opportunities to roll out our Navigator platform to other attractive markets.

Distribution

We operate a multi-distribution strategy in Asia, with particular strength in bancassurance, and aim to continue to harness the benefits of multi-distribution in all of our markets as we expect the regionally dominant agency sales force model to decline in the region over coming years as markets mature.

Aviva Singapore has a multi-channel distribution strategy building on the core bancassurance relationship with DBS Bank and an expanding network of IFAs. We believe that our UK and Australia expertise have helped grow this network.

In Hong Kong, we distribute the majority of our products through bancassurance and IFAs.

In China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea bancassurance is the main distribution method. However, the direct sales force is growing in importance for our business in India.

Australia

For details on the sale of our Australian business, which completed on 1 October 2009, see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.

Aviva Australia (prior to the sale on 1 October 2009) provided investment and compulsory pensions (superannuation) products through our Navigator platform and protection insurance business.

In Australia, Aviva provided protection products including life insurance, total and permanent disability insurance, critical illness insurance products.

We distributed protection insurance in Australia through all major channels with a focus on the IFA channel.

Aviva Investors

Business overview and strategy

Aviva Investors was set up in 2008 to combine major fund management components of the Aviva group into a single global fund management business. We have £250 billion in assets under management as at 31 December 2009 and offer a broad range of expert investment skills and experience around the world. We manage internal funds for our long-term insurance and savings, and general insurance operations as well as a range of external retail and institutional funds. We provide these services across most of our geographic operating segments, with services in 15 countries around the world, including the UK, the US, Canada, France, Poland, China and Australia.

Aviva Investors provides investment management services to a broad range of client types. Our largest client group are the long-term insurance and savings, and general insurance businesses of Aviva plc. For these clients we provide bespoke asset management services, across a broad spectrum of asset classes. We work extremely closely with these clients to develop tailored solutions to their policyholder needs.

Our distribution model to external clients is a business-to-business model, and this is consistent across all regions. We provide both bespoke segregated solutions for larger clients or offer access to a variety of fund ranges. Our target clients for the larger segregated solutions tend to be large pension schemes and large financial institutions such as insurance companies and banks.

Our strategy is to rapidly grow our external business through offering client centric solutions to our customers across an expanding global footprint. This will be achieved in conjunction with the establishment of a globally integrated organisation, supported by a high performance culture and global core processes.


Market and competition

Following the creation of Aviva Investors, we consider our competitor peer group to include large-scale global asset managers such as those owned by Blackrock, AXA and Allianz.

In addition, we continue to look at UK-based providers who have significant overseas operations, including both insurance-owned players such as Standard Life Investments and the combined asset management businesses of Prudential plc (primarily M&G), as well as independent, listed managers like Schroders and Aberdeen Asset Management.

Where appropriate, we also look at other managers with a strong presence in the UK institutional and retail markets such as F&C Asset Management, Henderson Global Investors, Jupiter Asset Management and Threadneedle. These managers also have non-UK operations, particularly in Europe.


 


 

 

15

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Key identified competitive factors for Aviva Investors include:

Investment performance

Brand

Our Aviva group parentage

Client service

Scale

Global product breadth and distribution reach

Capabilities to provide solutions

Risk management expertise

Products

Our product range is broad and covers most asset classes. In Europe we have a range of SICAVs (domiciled in France, Luxembourg, Romania and Poland). These funds cover all key asset classes and normally have different share classes depending on the size and type of investor. Our normal distribution model for these funds focuses on wholesale distributors, asset allocators and smaller institutional investors.

In the UK, we supply products to the UK retail and wholesale markets. These funds are mostly “owned” by Aviva UK Life with Aviva Investors as asset manager, although we have a small number of funds registered in the Aviva Investors name. These funds are promoted to investors via IFAs, fund platforms, supermarkets, and discretionary asset managers. In addition, we have a range of pooled pension funds which are aimed at the smaller pension fund market. These funds are normally defined benefit schemes and tend to be advised by investment consultants.

We manufacture hedge funds in the UK, US and Poland. These funds are generally registered offshore and are primarily sold to the hedge funds industry, although we do also promote single strategy funds to institutional clients, family offices and wealth managers. The asset classes include fixed interest, multi asset, convertibles and equities.

We also have an expanding range of specialist property funds. These funds are targeted at specialist real estate buyers and large institutions (mostly pension funds and local authorities), and provide real estate solutions to a wide range of risk appetites, ranging from secure income generating funds to highly leveraged growth funds. These funds address the UK, European and Asian markets.

In Australia, we have a range of unit trusts that are primarily marketed to retail clients through the Navigator platform. This platform enables investors to select from a range of funds, not just those manufactured by Aviva Investors. The funds we manufacture are primarily equity related funds with an Australian and Asian focus.

We also have four Dublin domiciled money market funds addressing the sterling and Euro money market segments. These funds are sold by a specialist sales team based in London and target corporate treasury functions.

Asset classes

Aviva Investors offers a wide range of investment solutions across all asset classes and in all significant financial centres worldwide. Where we do not directly manage assets, we believe we have the skills and experience to select the right third-party asset managers to complement our own products.

Our investment capabilities, products and services comprise:

Alternatives – We offer a range of alternative investment products from private equity fund of funds to hedge funds.

Equities

Fixed Income – Our Fixed Income teams cover the complete product set: UK government securities, liquidity products, corporate bonds, European and global sovereigns, index-linked bonds, emerging markets (hard and local currency debt) and high-yield instruments.

Global Investment Solutions – Our new Global Investment Solutions team constructs client solutions across markets.

Real Estate – We offer funds specific to property assets in the UK, Europe and Asia, in addition to a Global fund, client-specific segregated funds and a multi-manager service.

Recent developments

On 18 March 2010 we announced our entry into the Indonesian insurance market through the acquisition of a 60% stake in PT Asuransi Winterthur Life Indonesia. This agreement is subject to approval by the Indonesian regulators.


 


16

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Organisational structure

The following chart shows, in simplified form, the organisational structure of the group as at 31 December 2009. The Registrant, Aviva plc, is the holding company of the group:


Subsidiaries
The principal subsidiaries of the Company are listed below by country of incorporation.  All are wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, and transact insurance or reinsurance business, fund management or services in connection therewith, unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Incorporated in England and Wales


**

Incorporated in People’s Republic of China. Aviva plc has a 50% interest in the joint venture

***

Incorporated in Scotland

****

Includes other UK general insurance subsidiaries and certain investment management businesses

 


United Kingdom

Aviva Annuity UK Limited

Aviva Central Services UK Limited

Aviva Consumer Products UK Limited

Aviva Employment Services Limited

Aviva Equity Release UK Limited

Aviva Health UK Limited

Aviva Insurance Limited

Aviva Insurance Services UK Limited

Aviva Insurance UK Limited

Aviva International Insurance Limited

Aviva Investors Global Services Limited

Aviva Investors Pensions Limited

Aviva Investors UK Fund Services Limited

Aviva Investors UK Funds Limited

Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited

Aviva Life Services UK Limited

Aviva Risk Management Solutions UK Limited

Aviva UKGI Investments Limited

CGNU Life Assurance Limited

CGU Underwriting Limited

Commercial Union Life Assurance Company Limited

Gresham Insurance Company Limited

Hamilton Insurance Company Limited

Hamilton Life Assurance Company Limited

London and Edinburgh Insurance Company Limited

Norwich Union Life (RBS) Limited


RAC Financial Services Limited

RAC Insurance Limited

RAC Motoring Services

RAC plc

Australia

Aviva Investors Australia Limited

Barbados

Victoria Reinsurance Company Ltd

Belgium

Delta Lloyd Life N.V.

Bermuda

Aviva Re Limited

Canada

Aviva Canada Inc. and its principal operating subsidiaries:

Aviva Insurance Company of Canada

Elite Insurance Company

Pilot Insurance Company

Scottish & York Insurance Co. Limited

S&Y Insurance Company

Traders General Insurance Company


 


 

 

17

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Czech Republic

Aviva zivotni pojist’ovna, a.s.

France

Aviva Participations SA and its principal subsidiaries:

Antarius S.A. (50.0%)

Aviva Assurances SA

Aviva France SA

Aviva Investors France SA

Aviva Vie SA

Eurofil SA

Société d’Epargne Viagére SA (83.7%)

Union Financière de France Banque (Banking) (74.3%)

Germany

Delta Lloyd Deutschland AG and its principal subsidiary:

Delta Lloyd Lebensversicherung AG

Hong Kong

Aviva Life Insurance Company Limited

Aviva Portfolio Investment Services Limited

Hungary

Aviva Életbiztosító Zártkörûen Mûködõ

Részvénytársaság

Ireland

Aviva Group Ireland plc and its principal subsidiaries:

Ark Life Assurance Company Limited (75%)

Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited (70%)

Aviva Insurance (Europe) Plc

Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland Limited (75%)

Aviva Investors Ireland Limited

Italy

Aviva Italia Holding S.p.A and its principal subsidiaries:

Aviva Assicurazioni S.p.A (50.0%)

Aviva Assicurazioni Vita S.p.A (50.0%)

Aviva Italia S.p.A

Aviva Life SpA (50.0%)

Aviva Previdenza S.p.A (55.0%)

Aviva Vita S.p.A (25.5%)

Eurovita Assicurazioni S.p.A (40.5%)

Lithuania

Uždaroji akcin gyvybs draudimo ir pensij bendrov

"Aviva Lietuva"

Luxembourg

Aviva Investors Luxembourg

Netherlands

Delta Lloyd N.V. (54.0%) and its principal subsidiaries:

Delta Lloyd ABN AMRO Verzekeringen Holding BV (51.0%)

Delta Lloyd Asset Management N.V.

Delta Lloyd Groep Particuliare Schadeverzekeringen N.V.

Delta Lloyd Bankengroep N.V. (Banking)

Delta Lloyd Levensverzekering N.V.

Delta Lloyd Schadeverzekering N.V.

 

OHRA Levensverzekeringen N.V.

Poland

Aviva Powszechne Towarzystwo Emerytalne Aviva BZ WBK S.A. (90.0%)

Aviva Towarzystwo Ubezpieczen Na Zycie SA (90.0%)

Aviva Towarzystwo Ubezpieczen Ogolnych SA (90.0%)

Romania

Aviva Asigurari de Viata SA

Russia

Closed Joint Stock Insurance Company Aviva (Zao)

Singapore

Aviva Limited

Navigator Investment Services Limited

Spain

Aseguradora Valenciana SA, de Seguros y

Reaseguros (Aseval) (50.0%)

Aviva Vida y Pensiones, Sociedad Anonima de

Seguros y Reaseguros

Caja Espana Vida, Compania de Seguros y Reaseguros (50.0%)

Caja Murcia Vida y Pensiones, de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A. (50.0%)

Caja Granada Vida, de Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. (25.0%)

CxG Aviva Corporación Caixa Galicia de Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. (50.0%)

Unicorp Vida, Compania de Seguros y Reaseguros (50.0%)

Sri Lanka

Eagle Insurance PLC (51.0%)

Turkey

Aviva Sigorta A.S. (98.6%)

United States

Aviva USA Corporation and its principal subsidiary:

Aviva Life and Annuity Company

Aviva Investors North America, Inc.

Associates and joint ventures

The Group has ongoing interests in the following operations that are classified as associates or joint ventures. Further details of those operations that were most significant in 2009 are set out in “Financial statements IFRS – Notes 15 and 16”.

United Kingdom

RBS Life Investments Limited (49.99%)

RBSG Collective Investments Limited (49.99%)

The Group also has interests in several property limited partnerships. Further details are provided in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 15”.

China

Aviva-COFCO Life Insurance Co. Limited (50.0%)

India

Aviva Life Insurance Company India Limited (26.0%)

Malaysia

CIMB Aviva Assurance Berhad (49.0%)

CIMB Aviva Takaful Berhad (49.0%)

South Korea

Woori Aviva Life Insurance Co., Ltd (46.8%)

Taiwan

First-Aviva Life Insurance Co., Ltd (49.0%)

Turkey

AvivaSA Emeklilik ve Hayat A.S (49.8%)


 


18

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. This data is derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

The selected consolidated financial data for the five years ended 31 December 2009 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes in these financial statements.

Income statement data

Amounts in accordance with IFRS

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

2006
£m

 

2005
£m

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

34,690

 

36,206

 

30,991

 

28,735

 

26,299

 

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

 

(2,576

)

(1,841

)

(1,658

)

(1,501

)

(1,317

)

Premiums written net of reinsurance

 

32,114

 

34,365

 

29,333

 

27,234

 

24,982

 

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

 

559

 

277

 

(21

)

93

 

(123

)

Net earned premiums

 

32,673

   

34,642

 

29,312

 

27,327

 

24,859

 

Fee and commission income

 

1,789

  

1,885

 

1,760

 

1,870

 

1,851

 

Net investment income/(expense)

 

24,972

   

(16,043

)

9,689

 

15,908

 

23,722

 

Share of (loss)/profit after tax of joint ventures and associates

 

(504

)

(1,128

)

(304

)

485

 

340

 

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

 

153

 

7

 

49

 

222

 

153

 

 

  

59,083

 

19,363

 

40,506

 

45,812

 

50,925

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

 

(27,549

)

(29,353

)

(27,121

)

(23,444

)

(19,706

)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

 

(5,682

)

3,885

 

(3,508

)

(2,594

)

(10,376

)

Change in investment contract provisions

 

(11,185

)

10,629

 

(2,018

)

(6,002

)

(7,814

)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

 

(1,547

)

4,482

 

2,922

  

(558

)

(1,474

)

Fee and commission expense

 

(4,396

)

(4,411

)

(4,244

)

(5,461

)

(4,330

)

Other expenses

 

(5,366

)

(5,416

)

(3,473

)

(3,557

)

(3,166

)

Finance costs

 

(1,336

)

(1,547

)

(1,217

)

(856

)

(609

)

 

 

(57,061

)

(21,731

)

(38,659

)

(42,472

)

(47,475

)

Profit/(loss) before tax

 

2,022

 

(2,368

)

1,847

 

3,340

 

3,450

 

Tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

 

(217

)

1,068

 

(15

)

(346

)

(922

)

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

1,805

 

(1,300

)

1,832

 

2,994

 

2,528

 

Tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

(490

)

415

 

(334

)

(594

)

(630

)

Profit/(loss) for the financial year

 

1,315

 

(885

)

1,498

 

2,400

 

1,898

 

 

 

   

Per share

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Profit/(loss) per share attributable to equity shareholders:

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

37.8

p

(36.8

)p

48.9

p

88.0

p

73.5

p

Diluted

 

37.5

p

(36.8

)p

48.5

p

87.0

p

72.9

p

 

 

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Per share

 

Dividends paid per share

 

24.0

p

33.0

p

33.0

p

30.0

p

27.3

p

 

 

 

Millions

 

Millions

 

Millions

 

Millions

 

Millions

 

Number of shares in issue at 31 December

  

2,767

 

2,658

 

2,622

 

2,566

 

2,396

 

Weighted average number of shares in issue for the year

  

2,705

 

2,643

 

2,588

 

2,469

 

2,340

 

Statement of financial position data

Amounts in accordance with IFRS

 

2009
£m

 

Restated
20081
£m

 

Restated
20071
£m

 

2006
£m

 

2005
£m

 

Total assets

 

  

354,391

 

354,562

 

321,326

 

294,851

 

263,447

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Gross insurance liabilities

  

171,092

 

174,850

 

152,839

 

144,230

 

132,602

 

Gross liabilities for investment contracts

  

110,015

 

107,559

 

98,244

 

88,358

 

77,309

 

Unallocated divisible surplus

  

3,866

 

2,325

 

6,785

 

9,465

 

8,978

 

Core structural borrowings

  

5,489

 

5,525

 

4,311

  

4,195

 

3,645

 

Other liabilities

  

48,843

 

49,730

 

43,120

 

34,539

 

29,821

 

Total liabilities 

  

339,305

 

339,989

 

305,299

 

280,787

 

252,355

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  

15,086

 

14,573

 

16,027

 

14,064

 

11,092

 

1. Please refer to “Financial statements IFRS – Note 2 – Presentation changes”.

 


 

 

19

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Financial and operating performance

We are the fifth largest insurance group in the world, based on gross written premiums for the 2008 fiscal year. We are one of the top five providers of life and pensions products in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, through our Delta Lloyd subsidiary, Poland and Spain and one of the top ten providers of life and pensions products in France, Italy and Romania, as based on total sales for 2008. Our main activities are the provision of products and services in relation to long-term insurance and savings, fund management and general insurance.

Recent developments

On 5 January 2010, we announced the acquisition of River Road Asset Management, a US equity manager, to support the expansion of Aviva Investors’ third-party institutional asset management business. Completion took place on 24 February 2010 for an estimated consideration of US$122 million (£79 million).

On 17 February 2010, we sold our 35% holding in Sogessur SA to that company’s main shareholder, Société Générale, for a consideration of £35 million, realising a profit on disposal of £24 million.

Factors affecting results of operations

Our financial results are affected, to some degree, by a number of external factors, including demographic trends, general economic and market conditions, government policy and legislation and exchange rate fluctuations. See "Additional disclosures for SEC – Risks relating to our business" and “Performance review – Risk management” for more information on risks associated with these and other factors. In addition, our financial results are affected by corporate action taken by the Group, including acquisitions, disposals and other actions aimed at achieving our stated strategy. We believe that all of these factors will continue to affect our results in the future.

Demographic trends

Our results are affected by the demographic make-up of the countries in which we operate. The types of products that we sell reflect the needs of our customers. For example, in regions and countries with a high proportion of older people, a larger proportion of our sales will reflect their needs for pre and post-retirement planning. Our sales levels will also be impacted by our ability to help provide useful information to such policyholders on retirement planning and to offer products that are competitive and respond to such policyholders’ needs.

In our long-term insurance and savings business we make assumptions about key non-economic factors, such as the mortality rate that we expect to be experienced by our policyholders. In countries where the life expectancy is growing, this will need to be reflected in our pricing models as lower mortality rates will increase profitability of life insurance products but will reduce the returns on annuity products. We review our assumptions against our own experience and industry expectations. During 2007, 2008 and 2009, our results were not impacted by any major changes in mortality assumptions.

Economic conditions

Our results are affected by the levels of economic activity in our geographic markets and, consequently, by economic cycles in those markets. High levels of general economic activity typically result in high levels of demand for, and therefore sales of, our products and services. Economic activity in turn is affected by government monetary and fiscal policy as well as by global trading conditions and external shocks such as terrorist activity, war and oil price movements. During 2009, we saw improved economic activity across our regions and although customers

continued to prefer cash deposits, we saw movement towards investment products resulting in increased investment sales, primarily across Europe and Asia.

Capital and credit market conditions

An important part of our business involves investing client money and policyholders’ and shareholders’ funds across a wide range of financial investments, including equities, fixed income securities and properties. Our results are sensitive to volatility in the market value of these investments, either directly, because we bear some or all of the investment risk or indirectly, because we earn management fees for investments managed on behalf of policyholders. Investment market conditions also affect the demand for a substantial portion of our life insurance products. In general, rising equity price levels have a positive effect on the demand for equity-linked products, such as unit trusts and unit-linked life insurance products and conversely a negative effect on the demand for products offering fixed or guaranteed minimum rates of return. Declining equity price levels tend to have the opposite effects.

During 2008 and the first half of 2009, the capital and credit markets experienced extraordinary and extended volatility and disruption. In the first quarter of 2009, the volatility and disruption reached levels not seen in many years, although the markets stabilised in the last quarter of 2009. The amount of investment variance (see “adjusted operating profit” – page 29) improved to £75 million adverse in 2009 (2008: £1,631 million adverse) due to the recovery in investment markets. Positive variances on fixed interest assets in Europe and the United States, driven by the narrowing of credit spreads toward the end of the year, were offset by losses from equity derivatives in the Netherlands.

With-profits business

We write products through our with-profits funds mainly in our UK operating segment, with smaller funds in Ireland, Australia and Singapore. These funds enable policyholders to participate in a large pool of diverse investments, therefore reducing their exposure to individual securities or asset classes. The investment pool is managed by us with returns to with-profits policyholders paid through bonuses which are added to the value of their policy. In order to provide an element of stability in the returns to policyholders, bonuses are designed to reduce policyholders’ exposure to the volatility of investment returns over time and to provide an equitable share of surplus earned, depending on the investment and operating performance of the fund. Shareholders also have a participating interest in the with-profit funds and any declared bonuses. Generally, policyholder and shareholder participation in with-profit funds in the UK is split 90:10.

The level of bonuses declared to policyholders is influenced by the actual returns on investments and our expectation of future rates of return. While bonuses can never be negative, a predicted sustained fall in equity markets could lead to a reduction in annual and terminal bonus rates, and so reduce both policyholder returns and shareholders’ profit under IFRS. Over the early part of this decade, the combination of a decline in equity markets and the general outlook for lower interest rates led to reductions in annual bonus rates, and the corresponding shareholders’ share of profits. The subsequent recovery in equity markets over 2003-2007 led to a partial reversal of this trend. During 2008 and 2009 the worsening economic conditions have impacted on UK bonus levels but the annual effect of this for both policyholders and shareholders has been offset by the benefit from the one-off special bonus mentioned below.


 


20

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Shareholders’ profits arising on with-profits business under IFRS depend on the total bonuses declared to policyholders on an annual basis. A special bonus distribution has been announced for policyholders of two of our UK with-profits funds, reflecting the financial strength of those funds, which has provided an uplift to IFRS profits in both 2008 and 2009 and will provide an uplift in 2010 of approximately £100 million.

General insurance and health underwriting cycle

Our general insurance and health business is comprised of our property and casualty insurance and health insurance operations. In 2009, general insurance accounted for 29% of group net premiums written from continuing operations and 35% of our group operating earnings before interest and corporate costs respectively. Demand for general insurance is usually price-sensitive because of the limited degree of product differentiation inherent in the industry. As a result, the price of insuring property and casualty risks is subject to a cycle (called an underwriting cycle). In periods when the price of risk is high, the high profitability of selling insurance attracts new entrants and hence new capital into the market. Increased competition however drives prices down. Eventually the business becomes uneconomic and some industry players, suffering from losses, exit the market while others fail, resulting in lower capital invested within the market. Decreased competition leads to increasing prices, thereby repeating the cycle. Although our various general insurance markets are not always at the same stage of the underwriting cycle, price competition has been increasing within the UK and the rest of the world across most of our general insurance business lines in recent years. We are now seeing early evidence of increased rating discipline in the UK resulting from volatile investment markets.

We expect the underwriting cycle to continue to operate in the future but to be less pronounced than in the past because of structural changes to the industry over the past decade. Capital markets are imposing financial discipline by being increasingly more demanding about performance from insurance companies before extending new capital. Such discipline, together with the increased concentration of competitors within the market, recent natural disasters and the adoption of more scientific pricing methods is expected to make the underwriting cycle less pronounced in the future.

Natural and man-made disasters

Our general insurance and health business results are affected by the amount of claims we need to pay out which, in turn, can be subject to significant volatility depending on many factors, including natural and man-made disasters. Natural disasters arise from adverse weather, earthquakes and other such natural phenomena. Man-made disasters include accidents and intentional events, such as acts of terrorism. These events are difficult to predict with a high degree of accuracy, although they generally occur infrequently at a material level. Our exposure to large disasters has been somewhat reduced through the recent strategic refocusing of our general insurance business towards personal lines business and small- to medium-sized commercial risks. Our costs in connection with natural and man-made disasters are also significantly mitigated by reinsurance arrangements with external parties such that our maximum exposure is limited to no more than approximately £335 million for a one in ten year event or £620 million for a one in hundred year event. See “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk Management” and “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 38 – Reinsurance Assets” for further information on our reinsurance programme.

During 2007, the UK results were adversely impacted by £475 million for claims relating to the winter storms and

summer floods. In 2008, Ireland and Canada incurred some weather-related losses and in 2009 the UK, Ireland and France were all impacted.

Government Policy and Legislation

Changes in government policy and legislation applicable to our business in any of the markets in which we operate, particularly in the UK, may affect our results of operations. These include changes to the tax treatment of financial products and services, government pension arrangements and policies, the regulation of selling practices and the regulation of solvency standards. Such changes may affect our existing and future business by, for example, causing customers to cancel existing policies, requiring us to change our range of products and services, forcing us to redesign our technology, requiring us to retrain our staff or increase our tax liability. In the UK, the government has recently conducted a number of reviews of the long-term insurance and savings industry with the aim of promoting long-term insurance and saving by simplifying and reducing the cost of product offerings. As a global business, we are exposed to various local political, regulatory and economic conditions, business risks and challenges which may affect the demand for our products and services, the value of our investments portfolio and the credit quality of local counterparties. Our regulated business is subject to extensive regulatory supervision both in the UK and internationally. For details please refer to the section “Shareholder Information – Regulation”.

In 2006, the Financial Services Authority in the UK amended the rules regarding the valuation of non-profit life reserves. The impact on Aviva was a £167 million benefit to adjusted operating profit in 2007 and a £149 million benefit in 2006. In 2008, the ombudsman in the Netherlands investigated the level of charges paid by unit linked policyholders across the life insurance industry. As a result of this investigation, our Delta Lloyd life business agreed to recompense their policyholders and provided £126 million for this cost.

Exchange rate fluctuations

We publish our consolidated financial statements in Pounds sterling. Due to our substantial non-UK operations, a significant portion of our operating earnings and net assets are denominated in currencies other than sterling, most notably the euro and the US dollar. As a consequence, our results are exposed to translation risk arising from fluctuations in the values of these currencies against sterling. Total foreign currency movements during 2009 resulted in a loss recognised in the income statement of £154 million, an improvement of £173 million from a £327 million loss in 2008.

We generally do not hedge foreign currency revenues, as we prefer to retain revenue locally in each business to support business growth, to meet local and regulatory market requirements, and to maintain sufficient assets in local currency to match local currency liabilities.

Movements in exchange rates may affect the value of consolidated shareholders’ equity, which is expressed in sterling. Exchange differences taken to other comprehensive income arise on the translation of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. This aspect of foreign exchange risk is monitored centrally against limits that we have set to control the extent to which capital deployment and capital requirements are not aligned. We use currency borrowings and derivatives when necessary to keep currency exposures within these predetermined limits, and to hedge specific foreign exchange risks when appropriate; for example, in any acquisition or disposal activity. During 2009, sterling had strengthened recovering some of its loss in value against the euro and dollar in 2008 resulting in a foreign currency loss in


 


 

 

21

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

other comprehensive income of £951 million. During 2008, we reported a foreign currency translation gain in other comprehensive income of £2,684 million as sterling weakened significantly against the euro and the dollar. During 2007, the currency translation gain was lower at £723 million.

The impact of these fluctuations is limited to a significant degree, however, by the fact that revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities within our non-UK operations are generally denominated in the same currencies.

Acquisitions and disposals

Over the last three years we have engaged in a significant amount of acquisitions and disposals, some of which have had a material impact on our results. These transactions reflect our strategic objectives of maximising value for our shareholders by building top five positions in key markets, withdrawing from lines of business or markets that do not offer the potential for market leading positions and taking advantage of particular opportunities as they arise.

Activity in 2009

On 1 October 2009, we completed the sale of our Australian life and pension business and wealth management platform to the National Australia Bank for A$902 million (£443 million). The sale supports Aviva’s strategy of focusing on the key growth markets in Asia where leading positions can be achieved.

On 3 November 2009, we completed the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of approximately 42% of Delta Lloyd N.V. raising €1.1 billion (£1 billion). The IPO enabled Aviva to monetise part of its holding in Delta Lloyd, giving Aviva greater financial flexibility, including the option to explore balance sheet restructuring and further growth opportunities. It will also enhance the value and liquidity of Aviva’s retained stake in Delta Lloyd.

Delta Lloyd, at the start of the year, sold its health business for £235 million to OWM CZ Groep Zorgverkeraar UA (“CZ”). The sale to CZ removed the underwriting risk and administration out of Delta Lloyd whilst continuing to sell health products and also market general insurance and income protection products to CZ’s customers.

Continuing with the group’s strategy to exit non-core operations, we disposed of the British School of Motoring Limited for a consideration of £4 million.

Activity in 2008

During 2008, we acquired subsidiaries in Ireland, Italy and Belgium. In Belgium we acquired Swiss Life Belgium further strengthening our position in the Belgium life insurance market. The acquisition of UBI Vita in Italy provides us with a new bancassurance distribution channel and the acquisition of Vivas Group Ltd. in Ireland has enabled us to enter the Irish health insurance market. Total consideration for these acquisitions, including costs, was £189 million.

As part of our strategy to exit non-core operations, we disposed of HPI Limited and RAC Autowindscreens Limited in the UK and our life operations in Luxembourg. In addition, we disposed of our offshore administration operations. These offshore operations will continue to provide administration services to our UK, Irish and Canadian businesses under a master services agreement with the new owners. Consideration for these disposals was £126 million, realising a net profit on disposal of £7 million.

Activity in 2007

During 2007, we acquired subsidiaries in Spain, Italy and the UK in connection with bancassurance agreements with Cajamurcia, Banco Popolare and HSBC, with the objective of further increasing our distribution channels and access to customers in

these markets. In the Netherlands we acquired Erasmus Group and an 85% interest in Cyrte Investments NV further strengthening the position of our Dutch subsidiary, Delta Lloyd, in the Dutch insurance and fund management markets. Total consideration for these acquisitions, including costs, was £397 million.

In addition to these acquisitions we entered into joint venture agreements with local banks in Turkey, Malaysia and Taiwan. Our joint ventures in Malaysia and Taiwan gave us access to these emerging markets for the first time, while our joint venture in Turkey considerably strengthens our position in the Turkish life and pensions market. Total consideration for these joint ventures was £208 million.

We disposed of a number of businesses, the most material of which was the contribution of our Turkish business, Aviva HE, to our Turkish joint venture, referred to above. This gave rise to a profit on disposal of £71 million. Other disposals of smaller operations gave rise to a loss on disposal before tax of £22 million.

Reattribution of inherited estate

The “inherited estate” refers to the assets of the long-term with-profit funds less the realistic reserves for non-profit policies, less asset shares aggregated across the with-profit policies and any additional amounts expected at the valuation date to be paid to in-force policyholders in the future in respect of smoothing costs and guarantees.

The reattribution of our inherited estate completed on 1 October 2009 following the High Court’s approval of the offer in September and final approval by the Aviva plc and Aviva UK Life boards. Our objective was always to create a reattribution that was fair to both shareholders and policyholders, making sure that customers had a choice of whether they wished to accept the offer, depending on their personal circumstances. As a result, over 87% of eligible policyholders voted during the election process, with 96% of these voting in favour of the offer. By the end of 2009, the majority of the £471 million reattribution payment had been distributed to those policyholders who accepted the offer.

As previously stated, from a shareholder perspective the reattribution is expected to enhance the cash flow profile of Aviva’s UK life business and will bring significant financial benefits. In return for the £471 million shareholders are expected to gain access to around £650 million of additional capital over five years, to fund new, non profit business.

The reattribution resulted in an adjusted operating loss of £5 million (being the net impact of the value of the estate, project costs, tax and the 'Policyholder Incentive Payment'). In addition to this, investment earnings on reattributed assets and the surplus generated from the 'New With-Profits Sub-Fund' during the period 1 October to 31 December 2009 generated adjusted operating profits of £79 million. The after tax contribution was £51 million in 2009.

Basis of earnings by line of business

Our earnings originate from three main lines of business: our long-term insurance and savings business, which includes a range of life insurance and savings products; fund management, which manages funds on behalf of our long-term insurance and general insurance businesses, external institutions, pension funds and retail clients; and general insurance and health, which focuses on personal and commercial lines. These lines of business are present in our various operating segments to a greater or lesser extent. In the UK, we have major long-term insurance and savings businesses and general insurance businesses; in Europe we have long-term insurance and savings

 



22

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

businesses in all countries in which we operate, large general insurance businesses in Ireland and the Netherlands, through our Delta Lloyd subsidiary, and smaller general insurance operations in several other countries; in North America we have a large long-term insurance and savings business in the US and a major general insurance business in Canada; in Asia Pacific we predominantly have long-term insurance and savings businesses. Our fund management businesses operate across all our four regions.

Long-term insurance and savings business

For most of our life insurance businesses, such as those in the UK, France and the Netherlands, operating earnings are generated principally from our in-force books of business. Our in-force books consist of business written in prior years and on which we continue to generate profits for shareholders. Nevertheless new business written in these markets, with the exception of our UK with-profits business which is discussed below, has a significant direct effect on our operating earnings. Under IFRS, certain costs incurred in acquiring new business must be expensed thereby typically giving rise to a loss in the period of acquisition, though the degree of this effect will depend on the pricing structure of product offerings. In markets where we are experiencing strong growth, such as we have experienced in Spain, Italy, the US and Asia in recent years, current year sales have a more significant effect on current year operating earnings.

UK with-profits business

With-profits products are designed to pay policyholders smoother investment returns through a combination of small annual bonuses and large terminal bonuses. Shareholders’ profit emerges from this business in direct proportion to policyholder bonuses, as shareholders receive up to one-ninth of the value of each year’s bonus declaration to policyholders. Accordingly, the smoothing inherent in the bonus declarations provides for relatively stable annual shareholders’ profit from this business. The most significant factors that influence the determination of bonus rates are the return on the investments of the with-profits funds and expectations about future investment returns. Actual and expected investment returns are affected by, among other factors, the mix of investments supporting the with-profits fund, which in turn is influenced by the extent of the inherited estate within the with-profits fund.

The annual excess of premiums and investment return over operating expenses, benefit provisions and claims payments within our with-profits funds that is not distributed as bonuses and related shareholders’ profit, is transferred from the income statement to the unallocated divisible surplus. Conversely, if a shortfall arises one year, for example because of insufficient investment return, a transfer out of the unallocated divisible surplus finances bonus declarations and related shareholders’ profit.

The unallocated divisible surplus therefore consists of future (as yet undetermined) policyholder benefits, associated shareholders’ profit and the orphan estate. The orphan estate serves as working capital for our with-profits funds. It affords the with-profits fund a degree of freedom to invest a substantial portion of the funds’ assets in investments yielding higher returns than might otherwise be obtainable without being constrained by the need to absorb the cash-flow strain of writing large volumes of new business and the need to demonstrate solvency.

Other long-term insurance and savings business

Non-profit business falls mainly into two categories: investment type business and risk cover business. Investment type business,

which accounts for most of our non-profit business, includes predominantly unit-linked life and pensions business, where the risk of investing policy assets is borne entirely by the policyholder. In addition investment type business also includes life and pensions business where the risk of investing policy assets is typically shared between policyholders and shareholders, subject to a minimum rate of investment return guaranteed to policyholders. Operating earnings arise from unit-linked business when fees charged to policyholders based on the value of the policy assets exceed costs of acquiring new business and administration costs. In respect of remaining investment-type business, investment return generated from policy assets has an effect on operating earnings though this is often non-proportional. Finally in respect of all investment type business, shareholders bear the risk of investing shareholder capital in support of these operations.

Risk cover business includes term assurance, or term life insurance business. The risk of investing policy assets in this business is borne entirely by the shareholders. Operating earnings arise when premiums, and investment return earned on assets supporting insurance liabilities and shareholder capital, exceed claims costs, costs of acquiring new business and administration costs.

General insurance and health business

Operating earnings within our general insurance and health business arise when premiums, and investment return earned on assets supporting insurance liabilities and shareholder capital, exceed claims costs, costs of acquiring new business and administration costs.

Fund management

Fund management operating earnings consist of fees earned for managing policyholder funds and external retail and institutional funds on behalf of clients, net of operating expenses. Approximately 30% of our fund management operating earnings are derived from external clients. Arrangements for the management of proprietary funds are conducted on an arm’s length basis between our fund management and insurance businesses. Such arrangements exist mainly in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, US and Canada. Proprietary insurance funds in other countries are externally managed.

Other business

Other business includes our operations other than insurance and fund management. These incorporate mainly our roadside recovery operation in the UK, and our banking and retail mortgage operations in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Financial highlights

The following analysis is based on our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with those statements. In order to fully explain the performance of our business, we discuss and analyse the results of our business in terms of certain financial measures which are not based on IFRS “non-GAAP measures” which we use for internal monitoring and for executive remuneration purposes. We review these in addition to GAAP measures such as profit before and after tax.

Non-GAAP measures

Sales

The total sales of the group consist of long-term insurance and savings new business sales and general insurance and health net written premiums. We classify our long-term insurance and savings new business sales into the following categories:

Long-term insurance and savings new business sales

Sales of the long-term insurance and savings business consist of: Covered business or life, pensions and savings products:

 



 

 

23

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Insurance and participating investment business

This includes traditional life insurance, annuity business and with profit business

 

There is an element of insurance risk borne by the group therefore, under IFRS, these are reported within net written premiums.

Non-participating investment business

 

This includes unit-linked business and pensions business

 

The amounts received for this business are treated as deposits under IFRS and an investment management fee is earned on the funds deposited.

 

For new business reporting in the UK, companies continue to report non-participating investment business within their “covered business” sales, in line with the historic treatment under UK GAAP.

Non-covered business or investment sales:

These include retail sales of mutual fund type products such as unit trusts and OEICs.

There is no insurance risk borne by the group therefore under IFRS, these are treated as deposits and investment management fee income is earned on the funds deposited. This is in line with their previous treatment under UK GAAP.

These have never been treated as “covered business” for long-term insurance and savings reporting so we show these separately as investment sales.

Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure and key performance indicator that we report to our key decision makers in the businesses in order to assess the value of new business from our customers and compare performance across the markets in which we operate. We consider sales to be a critical indicator of new business, and is the basis on which we provide analysis of our results to our shareholders and analysts. The non-GAAP measure of sales is also used internally in the determination of bonus awards as an executive performance measure.

For our general insurance and health business we report sales based on IFRS net written premiums.

For long-term insurance and savings new business, we define sales as the sum of the present value of new business premiums (“PVNBP”) of life, pension and savings products and investment sales.

PVNBP is equal to total single premium sales received in the year plus the discounted value of annual premiums expected to be received over the terms of newly incepted contracts and is calculated as at the date of sale. We adjust annual premiums to reflect the expected stream of business coming from this new business over future years. In the view of management this performance measure better recognises the relative economic value of regular premium contracts compared to single premium contracts. PVNBP is a European insurance industry standard measure of new business.

For our long-term insurance and savings business, we believe that sales is an important measure of underlying performance and a better measure for new business than IFRS net written premiums. We consider the use of sales over IFRS net written premiums provides:

Consistent treatment of long-term insurance and investment contracts: IFRS net written premiums do not include deposits received on non-participating investment contracts. Long-term insurance contracts and participating investment contracts also contain a deposit component, which are included in IFRS net written premiums, in addition to an insurance risk component. Therefore, to appropriately assess the revenue generated on a consistent basis between types of contracts, we evaluate the present value of new business sales of long-

 

term insurance and investment products on the basis of total premiums and deposits collected, including sales of mutual fund type products such as unit trusts and OEICs.

Better reflection of the relative economic value of regular premium contracts compared to single premium contracts: Sales recognise the economic value of all expected contractual cash flows for regular premium contracts in the year of inception, whereas IFRS net written premiums only recognise premiums received in the year.

Better reflection of current management actions in the year: IFRS net written premiums include premiums on regular premium contracts, which incepted in prior years, and therefore reflect the actions of management in prior years.

In comparison to IFRS net written premiums, sales do not include premiums received from contracts in-force at the beginning of the year, even though these are a source of IFRS revenue, as these have already been recognised as sales in the year of inception of the contract. In addition, unlike IFRS net written premiums, sales do not reflect the effect on premiums of any increase or decrease in persistency of regular premium contracts compared to what was assumed at the inception of the contract.

PVNBP is not a substitute for net written premiums as determined in accordance with IFRS. Our definition of sales may differ from similar measures used by other companies, and may change over time.

General insurance and health sales

General insurance and health sales are defined as IFRS net written premiums, being those premiums written during the year net of amounts reinsured with third parties, as set out in the segmental analysis of results in “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 4 – Segmental information”. For sales reporting, we use the GAAP measure for general insurance and health business.

The table below presents our consolidated sales for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007, as well as the reconciliation of sales to net written premiums in IFRS.

 

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Long-term insurance and savings new business sales

 

35,875

 

40,240

 

39,705

 

General insurance and health sales

 

9,193

 

11,137

 

10,569

 

Total sales

 

45,068

 

51,377

 

50,274

 

Less: Effect of capitalisation factor on regular premium long-term business

 

(8,612

)

(9,893

)

(7,650

)

Share of long-term new business sales from JV’s and associates

 

(1,277

)

(1,062

)

(789

)

Annualisation impact of regular premium long-term business

 

(446

)

(731

)

(560

)

Deposits taken on non-participating investment contracts

 

(4,181

)

(7,523

)

(8,762

)

Retail sales of mutual fund type products (investment sales)

 

(3,872

)

(3,995

)

(6,983

)

Add: IFRS gross written premiums from existing long-term business

 

7,164

 

7,236

 

4,661

 

Less: long-term insurance and savings business premiums ceded to reinsurers

 

(1,730

)

(1,044

)

(858

)

Total IFRS net written premiums

 

32,114

 

34,365

 

29,333

 

Analysed as:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term insurance and savings net written premiums

 

22,921

 

23,228

 

18,764

 

General insurance and health net written premiums

 

9,193

 

11,137

 

10,569

 

 

 

32,114

 

34,365

 

29,333

 

 


 


24

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Effect of capitalisation factor on regular premium long-term business:

PVNBP is derived from the single and regular premiums of the products sold during the financial period and is expressed at the point of sale. The PVNBP calculation is equal to total single premium sales received in the year plus the discounted value of regular premiums expected to be received over the term of the new contracts. The discounted value of regular premiums is calculated using the market consistent embedded value methodology proposed by the CFO Forum Principles, which we believe will be adopted by all European insurance businesses.

The discounted value reflects the expected income streams over the life of the contract, adjusted for expected levels of persistency, discounted back to present value. The discounted value can also be expressed as annualised regular premiums multiplied by a weighted average capitalisation factor (“WACF”). The WACF varies over time depending on the mix of new products sold, the average outstanding term of the new contracts and the projection assumptions.

Share of long-term new business sales from joint ventures and associates:

Total long-term new business sales include our share of sales from joint ventures and associates. Under IFRS reporting, premiums from these sales are excluded from our consolidated accounts, with only our share of profits or losses from such businesses being brought into the income statement separately.

Annualisation impact of regular premium long-term business:

As noted above, the calculation of PVNBP includes annualised regular premiums. The impact of this annualisation is removed in order to reconcile the non-GAAP new business sales to IFRS premiums and will vary depending on the volume of regular premium sales during the year.

Deposits taken on non-participating investment contracts:

Under IFRS, non-participating investment contracts are recognised on the statement of financial position by recording the cash received as a deposit and an associated liability and are not recorded as premiums received in the income statement. Only the margin earned is recognised in the income statement.

Retail sales of mutual fund type products (investment sales):

Investment sales included in the total sales number represent the cash inflows received from customers to invest in mutual fund type products such as unit trusts and OEICs. We earn fees on the investment and management of these funds which are recorded separately in the IFRS income statement as “fees and commissions received” and are not included in statutory premiums.

IFRS gross written premiums from existing long-term business:

The non-GAAP measure of long-term and savings sales focuses on new business written in the year under review while the IFRS income statement includes premiums received from all business, both new and existing.

 

Adjusted operating profit

One of the financial performance measures used in reporting to our chief operating decision makers in the businesses on the results of our operating segments is a measure we refer to herein as “adjusted operating profit”. We define our segment adjusted operating profit as profit before income taxes and minority interests in earnings, excluding the following items:
investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term and non-long term business, impairment of goodwill, amortisation and impairment of other intangibles (excluding the acquired value of in-force business), profit or loss on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates, integration and restructuring costs and exceptional items.

While these excluded items are significant components in understanding and assessing our consolidated financial performance, we believe that the presentation of adjusted operating profit enhances the understanding and comparability of the underlying performance of our segments by highlighting net income attributable to ongoing segment operations.

Adjusted operating profit for long-term insurance and savings business is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing shareholder and policyholder funds over the period, with consistent allowance for the corresponding expected movements in liabilities. The expected rate of return is determined using consistent assumptions between operations, having regard to local economic and market forecasts of investment return and asset classification. Where assets are classified as fair value through profit and loss, expected return is based on the same assumptions used under embedded value principles for fixed income securities, equities and properties. Where fixed interest securities are classified as available for sale, such as in the US, the expected return comprises interest or dividend payments and amortisation of the premium or discount at purchase. Adjusted operating profit includes the effect of variances in experience for non-economic items, such as mortality, persistency and expenses, and the effect of changes in non-economic assumptions. Changes due to economic items, such as market value movement and interest rate changes, which give rise to variances between actual and expected investment returns, and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on liabilities, are disclosed as non-operating items.

Adjusted operating profit for non long-term insurance business is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing shareholder funds over the period. Expected investment returns are calculated for equities and properties by multiplying the opening market value of the investments, adjusted for sales and purchases during the year, by the longer term rate of return. This rate of return is the same as that applied for the long term business expected returns. The longer term return for other investments is the actual income receivable for the period. Changes due to market value movement and interest rate changes, which give rise to variances between actual and expected investment returns, are disclosed as non-operating items. The impact of changes in the discount rate applied to claims provisions is also treated outside adjusted operating profit.

Adjusted operating profit is not a substitute for profit before income taxes and minority interests in earnings or net income as determined in accordance with IFRS. Our definition of adjusted operating profit may differ from similar measures used by other companies, and may change over time.

 



 

 

25

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

The table below presents our consolidated adjusted operating profit for the 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007, as well as the reconciliation of adjusted operating profit to profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS.

 

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

United Kingdom

 

1,165

 

1,377

 

1,126

 

Europe

 

1,196

 

1,141

 

1,197

 

North America

 

213

 

149

 

229

 

Asia Pacific

 

77

 

36

 

37

 

Aviva Investors

 

115

 

114

 

147

 

Other

 

(744

)

(520

)

(520

)

Adjusted operating profit

 

2,022

 

2,297

 

2,216

 

Add back adjusting items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term insurance business

 

(75

)

(1,631

)

15

 

Short-term fluctuation in return on investments on non-long-term business

 

95

 

(819

)

(184

)

Economic assumption changes on general insurance and health business

 

57

 

(94

)

2

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

(62

)

(66

)

(10

)

Amortisation and impairment of intangibles

 

(144

)

(117

)

(103

)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

 

153

 

7

 

49

 

Integration and restructuring costs

 

(286

)

(326

)

(153

)

Exceptional items

 

45

 

(551

)

 

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

1,805

 

(1,300

)

1,832

 

Consolidated results of operations

The table below presents our consolidated sales for years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

United Kingdom

 

14,261

 

18,756

 

20,445

 

Europe

 

21,750

 

21,806

 

20,488

 

North America

 

6,345

 

7,316

 

5,058

 

Asia Pacific

 

2,712

 

3,499

 

4,283

 

Total sales

 

45,068

 

51,377

 

50,274

 

The table below presents our consolidated income statement under IFRS for years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

34,690

 

36,206

 

30,991

 

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

 

(2,576

)

(1,841

)

(1,658

)

Premiums written net of reinsurance

 

32,114

 

34,365

 

29,333

 

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

 

559

 

277

 

(21

)

Net earned premiums

 

32,673

 

34,642

 

29,312

 

Fee and commission income

 

1,789

 

1,885

 

1,760

 

Net investment income/(expense)

 

24,972

 

(16,043

)

9,689

 

Share of loss of joint ventures and associates

 

(504

)

(1,128

)

(304

)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

 

153

 

7

 

49

 

 

 

59,083

 

19,363

 

40,506

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

 

(27,549

)

(29,353

)

(27,121

)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

 

(5,682

)

3,885

 

(3,508

)

Change in investment contract provisions

 

(11,185

)

10,629

 

(2,018

)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

 

(1,547

)

4,482

 

2,922

 

Fee and commission expense

 

(4,396

)

(4,411

)

(4,244

)

Other expenses

 

(5,366

)

(5,416

)

(3,473

)

Finance costs

 

(1,336

)

(1,547

)

(1,217

)

 

 

(57,061

)

(21,731

)

(38,659

)

Profit/(loss) before tax

 

2,022

 

(2,368

)

1,847

 

Tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

 

(217

)

1,068

 

(15

)

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

1,805

 

(1,300

)

1,832

 

Sales

Year ended 31 December 2009

Sales in 2009 were £45,068 million, a decrease of £6,309 million, or 12%, from £51,377 million in 2008. All regions reported a decrease in sales in 2009. Long-term insurance and savings and general insurance and health sales decreased by 24% in the UK with Europe reporting an increase of 6% in long-term insurance and savings sales offset by a 26% decrease in general insurance and health sales mainly attributable to the sale of the Delta Lloyd health business on 1 January 2009. North America long-term insurance and savings sales decreased by £1,170 million offset by a 12% increase in general insurance sales in Canada. Asia Pacific reported a decrease in sales 22% mainly attributable to the sale of the Australian business on 1 October 2009.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Sales in 2008 were £51,377 million, an increase of £1,103 million or 2% from £50,274 million in 2007. This increase was mainly attributable to growth in Europe and North America in life and pension sales. Life and pension sales in Europe increased by 8% from £15,684 million in 2007 to £16,952 million in 2008, boosted by strength in the euro exchange rate, and in North America life and pension sales increased considerably to £5,715 million, an increase of £2,069 million or 57% from £3,646 million in 2007. General insurance and health sales were £11,137 million, an increase of 5% across the group from £10,569 million in 2007.

Income

Year ended 31 December 2009

Net written premiums in 2009 were £32,114 million, a decrease of £2,251 million, or 7%, from £34,365 million in 2008. Long-term insurance and savings and general insurance and health both reported decreases in net written premiums primarily in the UK with a 36% decrease in long-term insurance and savings and 22% decrease in general insurance and health net written premiums in the UK. Europe reported a 12% increase in net written premiums with both North America and Asia Pacific reporting a decrease in net written premiums of 2% and 11% respectively.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Net written premiums in 2008 were £34,365 million, an increase of £5,032 million or 17% from £29,333 million in 2007. This increase reflects a 24% increase in life and pension premiums due to strong new business sales across most of our operations and a 5% increase in general insurance and health sales predominantly driven by our operations in France, the Netherlands and Canada.

Net investment income

Year ended 31 December 2009

Net investment income for the year was £24,972 million, an increase of £41,015 million (2008: £16,043 million loss). During 2009, investment markets across the regions in which we operated improved significantly from the fall in property and equity markets that were experienced in 2008.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Net investment income decreased by £25,732 million to a loss of £16,043 million (2007: £9,689 million profit). This decrease reflects the lower market value of properties in the UK, 30% to 50% fall in equity values across the world and the impact of falling yields and widening credit spreads on fixed income securities.


 


26

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Other income

Year ended 31 December 2009

Other income (which consists of fee and commission income, share of (loss)/profit after tax of joint ventures and associates, and profit/(loss) on disposal of subsidiaries and associates) increased by £674 million to £1,438 million in 2009 (2008: £764 million). Profit/(loss) on disposal of subsidiaries and associates includes the sale of our Dutch health business and our Australian long-term insurance and savings business resulting in a profit of £153 million. The loss after tax of joint ventures and associates was £504 million, an increase on 2008 of £624 million from increasing property values from our property partnerships.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Other income decreased by £741 million to £764 million in 2008 (2007: £1,505 million). The decrease was mainly due to the share of losses in joint ventures and associates in the UK, where reduced property market values led to lower property partnership results.

Expenses

Year ended 31 December 2009

Claims and benefits paid in 2009 were £27,549 million, a decrease of £1,804 million (2008: £29,353 million). The decrease in claims and benefits paid are a result of a fall in surrenders during the year and our Dutch healthcare business being sold as of 1 January 2009.

Changes in insurance liabilities in 2009 were a charge of £5,682 million, an increase of £9,567 million (2008: £3,885 million credit). The unfavourable movement is a result of new business provision and the impact of the euro against the sterling.

The change in investment contract provisions of £11,185 million charge (2008: £10,629 million credit) is a result of improved investment markets across our regions resulting in increases in our contract liabilities the impact of the euro against the sterling.

Unallocated divisible surplus charge of £1,547 million (2008: £4,482 million credit) reflects the narrowing of investment spread on participating assets and related liabilities. In 2008, a negative balance in Spain created a charge of £203 million of which £159 million was reversed in 2009 with the remaining balance expected to be recovered in 2010.

Fee and commission expense, other expenses and finance costs of £11,098 million decreased by £276 million or 2% from £11,374 million in 2008. Lower staff costs and impairment charges were offset by higher exceptional costs following the reattribution of the inherited estate in the UK – see “Financial Statements – Note 6 – Details of expenses”.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Claims and benefits paid in 2008 were £2,232 million higher at £29,353 million (2007: £27,121 million). The increase occurred across all regions, with the exception of the UK, due to unfavourable foreign exchange movement.

Changes in insurance liabilities in 2008 were £7,393 million lower resulting in a £3,885 million credit (2007: charge of £3,508 million). The favourable movement was primarily a result of investment variances across the world and greater lapses than expected in France.

The change in investment contract provisions in 2008 was a credit of £10,629 million (2007: charge of £2,018 million). The variance of £12,647 million from the prior year reflects the reduction in investment contract provisions as a result of lower new business and unrealised losses on investments.

The change in the unallocated divisible surplus in 2008 was £1,560 million more than the prior year with a credit of £4,482 million (2007: credit of £2,922 million) mainly reflecting the impact of falling market values on participating assets and related liabilities. These were partly offset by a write-down of the negative balance in Spain which created a charge in the income statement of £203 million.

Fees and commission expense, other expenses and finance costs in 2008 were £2,440 million higher at £11,374 million (2007: £8,934 million). The increase was driven by corporate restructuring and brand expense across the group and £1,040 million of impairments of financial assets mainly in the Netherlands and the US.

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

Year ended 31 December 2009

Profit attributable to shareholders’ in 2009 was £1,805 million against a loss of £1,300 million in 2008. The increase is primarily due to favourable investment performance in 2009 which more than offset the decrease in premiums and increase in expenses as discussed above.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Loss before tax attributable to shareholders’ in 2008 was £1,300 million, a reduction of £3,132 million against the previous year (2007: £1,832 million profit). This decrease reflected the 52% reduction in income mainly due to investment performance, which was partly offset by lower expenses, discussed above, and a policyholder tax credit of £1,068 million (2007: tax charge of £15 million).

Adjusting items

Year ended 31 December 2009

The long-term insurance and savings business investment variances and economic assumption changes on long-term insurance business was a charge of £75 million (2008: £1,631 million charge). The favourable change is driven by positive market movements across our regions and the inclusion in 2008 of a £550 million provision for credit defaults of in the UK.

The short-term fluctuations and economic assumption changes on the non-life business were a £152 million credit (2008: £913 million charge). Favourable market movements across our regions were the primary driver for the change in the current year result.

Impairment of goodwill was £62 million in 2009 (2008: £66 million) driven by impairments in our UK life business and on an Italian associate.

Amortisation of intangibles increase by £27 million to £144 million in 2009 (2008: £117 million) on higher levels of bancassurance and other distribution agreements held within the Group

Profit on disposal of subsidiaries and associates were £153 million. The profit comprises £31 million from the sale of our Dutch Health Insurance business and £122 million from the sale of our Australian life and pensions business.

Integration and restructuring costs for 2009 were £286 million (2008: £326 million). This includes £210 million for the cost savings initiatives in the UK life and general insurance businesses and Europe, which have delivered £170 million annualised cost savings in the year.

Exceptional items for 2009 amounted to £45 million favourable (2008: £551 million adverse). This includes an exceptional gain resulting from the reattribution of the inherited estate offset by strengthening of reserves in respect of several specific discontinued commercial liability risks written in Canada a significant number of years ago and the migration of all remaining local brands, except Delta Lloyd and RAC, to the


 

 


 

 

27

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

single global Aviva brand, which has been implemented over the two year period 2008 to 2009.

Year ended 31 December 2008

The long-term insurance and savings business investment variances and economic assumption changes on long-term insurance business were a charge of £1,631 million in 2008 (2007: £15 million credit). The change is attributable to a provision for credit defaults of £550 million in the UK, with the balance primarily driven by investment losses across Europe.

The short-term fluctuations and economic assumption changes on the non-life business in 2008 were £913 million unfavourable (2007: £182 million unfavourable). These were due to lower investment market returns compared to our longer term investment return assumptions and £94 million for the impact of changes in discount rates for latent claims provisions.

Impairment of goodwill was £66 million in 2008 (2007: £10 million). This was mainly driven by impairments in the Netherlands and on an Italian associate company.

Amortisation of intangibles increased by £14 million to £117 million in 2008 (2007: £103 million). This increase reflected the higher level of bancassurance and other distribution agreements held within the Group following new agreements entered into during 2007.

Profit on disposal of subsidiaries and associates was £7 million in 2008. The profit comprises £14 million from the sale of the Group’s offshore operations to WNS (Holdings) Limited and £31 million from other small operations, offset by £38 million loss on the disposal of HPI Limited to Solera Holdings Inc., and RAC Autowindscreens Limited to Arques Management GmbH.

Integration and restructuring costs were £326 million in 2008 (2007: £153 million). This includes £287 million for the cost savings initiatives in the UK life and general insurance businesses and Europe, which have delivered £340 million annualised cost savings in the year. Also included were integration costs of £39 million which mainly relate to the work to set up our global asset management operation, Aviva Investors.

Exceptional items for 2008 were £551 million. These included £142 million for the cost of transferring the lifetime wrap platform to a third party supplier, write-down in preparation for sale of the British School of Motoring in the UK and closure of the structured settlement business in the US. The costs also included £304 million after reinsurance for the discounted cost of strengthening our latent claims provisions, mainly in the UK, and £126 million for the settlement agreed by our Netherlands life business for its unit-linked policyholders, following an industry-wide challenge on the level of fees. The remaining balance relates to brand migration costs of £37 million offset by £58 million benefit from settlement of a disputed Australian tax liability and the consequent release of a provision for interest charges.

Adjusted operating profit

Year ended 31 December 2009

Adjusted operating profit decreased by £275 million, or 12%, to £2,022 million (2008: £2,297 million) for the reasons set forth above.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Adjusted operating profit before tax in 2008 increased by £81 million, or 4%, to £2,297 million (2007: £2,216 million) for the reasons set forth above.

Regional performance

United Kingdom

Our operations in the UK consist of long-term insurance and savings business, which provides products such as bonds and savings, pensions, protection, annuities, equity release and investment products, including both with-profits and non-profit business, and our general insurance and health business, which provides a range of general and health insurance products focused on personal and small business customers, such as household, motor and liability insurance.

The table below presents sales, net written premiums, adjusted operating profit and profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS from our UK long-term business for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Long-term and savings business

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

2007
£m

Protection

 

965

 

1,126

 

1,241

 

Pensions

 

3,752

 

4,753

 

4,156

 

Annuities

 

1,897

 

2,433

 

1,965

 

Bonds

 

2,024

 

3,296

 

4,192

 

Equity release

 

276

 

250

 

243

 

Investment sales

 

1,049

 

1,485

 

2,751

 

Sales

 

9,963

 

13,343

 

14,548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

4,389

 

7,107

 

5,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

658

 

733

 

713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

611

 

(149

)

564

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Sales in our UK long-term insurance and savings business decreased by £3,380 million, or 25%, to £9,963 million (2008: £13,343 million). Protection sales have decreased by 14% as a result of regulatory changes affecting creditor sales volumes. Pension sales decreased by 21% due to reduced number of large schemes written in the year. Annuities decreased by 22% due to lower bulk purchase annuity volumes, bonds decreased 39% and investment sales decreased by 29%. Equity release showed an increase of 10%.

Net written premiums in our UK long-term insurance and savings business were £4,389 million, a decrease of £2,718 million, or 38%, from £7,107 million in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to lower bulk purchase annuity and bond sales.

Adjusted operating profit in our UK long-term insurance and savings business decreased by 10% to £658 million (2008: £733 million) reflecting lower asset values on bonuses declared in our with-profits funds and on the level of the with-profit special distribution bonus. The non-profit result increased to £495 million (2008: £462 million) including the benefit of the reattribution but was partly offset by lower annual management charges.

Profit before tax was £611 million for 2009 (2008: £149 million loss). The loss for 2008 included an additional £550 million provision for credit defaults over and above the long term provisions, which has been retained in 2009, and £97 million for the cost of transferring the investment wrap platform to a third party supplier which were one off events in that year.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Sales in our UK long-term insurance and savings business decreased by £1,205 million, or 8%, to £13,343 million (2007: £14,548 million). The decrease was driven by sales in bonds down 21% and investment sales down 46% compared to 2007 due to investment market turbulence, with protection down 9% due to the decline in mortgage approvals. Pensions and


 


28

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

annuities showed an increase of 17% on 2007, with equity release up by 3% on 2007.

Net written premiums in our UK long-term insurance and savings business were £7,107 million in 2008, an increase of £1,830 million, or 35%, from £5,277 million in 2007. The increase was primarily driven by bulk purchase annuity and pension sales.

Adjusted operating profit in our UK long-term insurance and savings business increased by £20 million, or 3%, to £733 million in 2008 (2007: £713 million). This increase was driven by the £124 million profit relating to the shareholder proportion of the special bonus distribution announced in February 2008. The prior year result included a £167 million benefit from the reduction of the reserving levels permitted under new rules in the UK. Underlying earnings were up £84 million reflecting the cumulative benefits of the recent efficiency programmes of £65 million and lower new business strain.

Loss before tax in our UK long-term insurance and savings business was £149 million in 2008, a decrease of £713 million from £564 million profit in 2007. This decrease mainly reflects the £550 million provision for credit defaults and £97 million for the cost of transferring the investment wrap platform to a third party supplier offset by the increase in adjusted operating profit explained above.

General insurance and health
The table below presents sales, net written premiums, adjusted operating profit and profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS from our UK general insurance and health business for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Sales/net written premiums

 

4,298

 

5,413

 

5,897

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

535

 

656

 

421

 

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

434

 

(391

)

142

 

Year ended 31 December 2009

UK general insurance and health net written premiums were £4,298 million, a decrease of £1,115 million, or 21%, on 2008 (2008: 5,413 million). The decrease reflects a combination of the actions taken to exit unprofitable business and difficult market conditions. In particular, the decrease is due to increased business failures, fewer start-ups and reduced levels of exposure in creditor and commercial insurance.

Adjusted operating profit in 2009 was £535 million, a decrease of £121 million, or 18% (2008: £656 million). The decrease in adjusted operating profit is a result of a decline in long-term investment returns, an increase in creditor claims resulting from the recession and a reduction in savings on prior year claims development to £105 million (2008: £285 million).

Profit before tax was £434 million, an increase of £825 million from a loss of £391 million in 2008. The increase predominately reflects the impact of investment variances of £397 million and an exceptional charge in 2008 of £279 million relating to the discounted cost of strengthening our latent claims.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Net written premiums in our UK general insurance and health business decreased by £484 million, or 8%, to £5,413 million in 2008 (2007: £5,897 million). This decrease was across all personal and commercial lines with personal motor and creditor business showing the greatest fall against 2007. This reflected the increasingly competitive market and our strategy of writing

business for profit rather than volume, as well as reflecting distributor response to the issues with payment protection insurance and the decline in lending.

Adjusted operating profit in 2008 was £656 million, an increase of £235 million on 2007 of £421 million. The principal factor in the improved profitability for the general insurance business was that weather related claims were in line with normal expectations compared with a £475 million adverse impact in 2007. This favourable impact was partly offset by a reduction in the benefit of prior year claims development to £285 million (2007: £430 million), the decline in net written premiums and a reduction in long-term investment returns to £585 million (2007: £656 million). These factors outweighed the earned benefits we have derived from our initiatives to deliver cost savings and control claims inflation.

Loss before tax in our UK general insurance and health business was £391 million in 2008, a decrease of £533 million from a £142 million profit in 2007. This decrease reflected the impact of investment variances and £279 million for strengthening of latent claims provisions.

Europe

Aviva Europe operates in 12 businesses across Europe with substantial long-term insurance and savings businesses in France, Italy, Ireland, Poland and Spain. We also have large general insurance businesses in France and Ireland as well as smaller operations in Italy, Poland and Turkey. Our Europe fund management operations are managed by Aviva Investors, except in Poland which has transferred to Aviva Investors from 1 January 2010.

Delta Lloyd operations include long-term insurance and savings, general insurance and fund management.

The table below presents sales and net written premiums from our operations in Europe for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term insurance and savings business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

 

4,891

 

3,880

 

3,790

 

Ireland

 

1,072

 

1,299

 

1,780

 

Italy

 

3,607

 

2,331

 

2,975

 

Poland (including Lithuania)

 

1,161

 

1,906

 

1,388

 

Spain

 

2,454

 

2,489

 

2,433

 

Other Europe

 

1,190

 

1,410

 

946

 

Aviva Europe

 

14,375

 

13,315

 

13,312

 

Delta Lloyd

 

4,329

 

4,401

 

3,944

 

Total long-term insurance and savings business

 

18,704

 

17,716

 

17,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General insurance and health

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

 

952

 

882

 

733

 

Ireland

 

474

 

513

 

474

 

Other Europe

 

457

 

417

 

308

 

Aviva Europe

 

1,883

 

1,812

 

1,515

 

Delta Lloyd

 

1,163

 

2,278

 

1,717

 

Total general insurance and health

 

3,046

 

4,090

 

3,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

21,750

 

21,806

 

20,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aviva Europe

 

12,455

 

9,183

 

8,698

 

Delta Lloyd

 

4,341

 

5,883

 

4,433

 

Net written premiums

 

16,796

 

15,066

 

13,131

 

The table below presents adjusted operating profit and profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS from our operations in Europe for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.


 


 

 

29

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term insurance and savings business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

 

272

 

275

 

243

 

Ireland

 

50

 

61

 

73

 

Italy

 

128

 

48

 

78

 

Poland (including Lithuania)

 

152

 

162

 

110

 

Spain

 

160

 

155

 

119

 

Other Europe

 

(1

)

(16

)

(27

)

Aviva Europe

 

761

 

685

 

596

 

Delta Lloyd

 

277

 

196

 

181

 

Total long-term insurance and savings business

 

1,038

 

881

 

777

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General insurance and health

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

 

97

 

107

 

70

 

Ireland

 

57

 

68

 

162

 

Other Europe

 

(22

)

45

 

41

 

Aviva Europe

 

132

 

220

 

279

 

Delta Lloyd

 

143

 

177

 

169

 

Total general insurance and health

 

275

 

397

 

442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fund management

 

31

 

14

 

27

 

Non-insurance

 

(148

)

(151

)

(49

)

Total operating profit

 

1,196

 

1,141

 

1,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

941

 

48

 

1,322

 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Europe sales in 2009 were in line with the prior year at £21,750 million (2008: £21,806 million). A 6% increase in long-term insurance and savings sales to £18,704 million (2008: £17,716 million) offset a 26% decrease in general insurance and health net written premiums to £3,046 million (2008: £4,090 million).

Net written premiums in 2009 increased by £1,730 million or 12% to £16,796 million (2008: £15,066 million).

Adjusted operating profit in 2009 was £1,196 million, an increase of 5%, or £55 million, from £1,141 million.

Europe’s profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits was £941 million in 2009, an increase of £893 million from £48 million in 2008. The increase in mainly attributable to favourable investment returns.

As a result of the IPO, the strategic management of our investment in Delta Lloyd is now managed independently from our other operations. Accordingly, commentary on Europe’s performance is presented as two separate segments for 2009.

Aviva Europe

Aviva Europe reported an increase in long-term insurance and savings sales of £1,060 million, or 8%, to £14,375 million (2008: £13,315 million) largely due to the strengthening of the euro against the sterling. Life and pension sales contributed £668 million to the increase in long-term insurance and savings sales with £392 million from investment sales. Both France and Italy reported increases in life and pension sales of 26% and 55%, respectively, with all other markets reporting a decrease in sales. Poland sales were 41% down reflecting the impact of pension legislation changes and special promotions in 2008.

General insurance and health sales increased by 4% to £1,883 million (2008: £1,812 million) primarily due to increased sales in France and other European markets, offset by an 8% fall in sales in Ireland.

Net written premiums in long-term insurance and savings businesses were £10,572 million, an increase of £3,201 million, or 43% (2008: £7,371 million) driven by France and Italy. Sales in France have increased through AFER and Italy reported an increase in sales of profit sharing single premium products.

Aviva Europe’s long-term insurance and savings business adjusted operating profit was £761 million, an increase of £76 million, or 11%, from £685 million in 2008, reflecting increased

profits from existing business in France and Italy due to favourable experience in claims, lapses and surrenders.

Aviva Europe’s adjusted operating profit of our general insurance and health businesses was £132 million in 2009, a decrease of £88 million, or 40%, over £220 million in 2008, primarily due to extreme weather in Ireland and France during the year.

Delta Lloyd

Delta Lloyd reported long-term and savings sales of £4,329 million, a decrease of £72 million, or 2%, on 2008 (2008: £4,401 million). Life and pension sales decreased by 11% to £3,665 million with investment sales reported at £664 million, an increase of 118% on 2008.

General insurance and health sales were £1,163 million (2008: £2,278 million), a decrease of £1,115 million, or 49%, as a result of the sale of their health business on 1 January 2009. Adjusting for the impact of the sale, Delta Lloyd general insurance sales were 13% higher on 2008 (2008: £1,028 million) benefiting from the strengthening of the euro and the inclusion of a full years contribution from Swiss Life Belgium.

Delta Lloyd reported net written premiums of £4,341 million, a decrease of £1,542 million, or 26%, on 2008 (2008: £5,883 million) primarily due to lower group pension contracts and the sale of the health business.

Adjusted operating profit was £399 million, an increase of £89 million on £310 million in 2008. Improved profits in the long-term and savings business resulted from lower new business strain, driven by a decrease in corporate pension sales, expense savings, and strengthening of the euro.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Total Europe sales in 2008 increased by £1,356 million or 6% to £21,806 million (2007: £20,488 million), with increases in both long-term insurance and savings business and general insurance largely due to the strength of the euro against sterling.

Long-term insurance and savings business in 2008 increased by £498 million or 3% to £17,716 million (2007: £17,256 million). Within this, life and pensions sales increased to £16,952 million from £15,684 million in 2007 as a result of significant sales of the individual regular premium product launched in late 2007 and short term endowment policies sold through Deutsche Bank in Poland.

Delta Lloyd’s increased sales were due to a significant increase in corporate pension sales with five contracts contributing a total of £1,106 million, which was partly offset by lower annuity sales as a result of increased competition from the banking sector. Sales in Other Europe increased due to a one-off payment of £545 million in Romania from the introduction of compulsory pensions. These improvements were offset by decreased sales in Italy and Ireland predominantly as a result of the worsening economic environment.

Investment sales in Europe in 2008 decreased by £808 million or 51% to £764 million (2007: £1,572 million) due to reduced sales across all countries as a result of the volatile investment markets.

Europe’s general insurance and health net written premiums were £4,090 million in 2008, an increase of £858 million, or 27%, from £3,232 million in 2007. The increase in the sales result was driven by the strengthening of the euro, as well as competitively priced health products sold through our Dutch business and strong sales in Italy through our new bancassurance agreement with Banco Popolare. The Dutch health business, which contributed sales of £1,250 million, was sold with effect from 1 January 2009.

Net written premiums in 2008 increased by £1,935 million or 15% to £15,066 million (2007: £13,131 million).

 


 


30

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Net written premiums in our long-term insurance and savings businesses were £10,976 million in 2008, an increase of £1,077 million, or 11%, from £9,899 million in 2007. This increase resulted from new product launches in Poland, securing five corporate schemes in the Netherlands and the introduction of compulsory pensions in Romania.

General insurance and health net written premiums were £4,090 million in 2008, an increase of £858 million, or 27%, from £3,232 million in 2007 as explained above.

Europe adjusted operating profit in 2008 was £1,141 million, a decrease of 5% or £56 million from £1,197 million.

Europe’s long-term insurance and savings business adjusted operating profit was £881 million, an increase of £104 million, or 13%, from £777 million in 2007. This result is partially attributable to the strengthening of the euro, which has had a positive impact on all our major markets. The main countries contributing to the increase were Poland, reflecting higher management fees and cost efficiencies and Spain, which earned higher profits on protection business following growth in the underlying portfolio from the acquisition of Cajamurcia in the fourth quarter of 2007.

In Europe, adjusted operating profit of our general insurance and health businesses was £397 million in 2008, a decrease of £45 million, or 10%, over £442 million in 2007, due to increased price competition across a number of countries, particularly in Ireland and the Netherlands. This was partly offset by the development of new distribution channels, product launches in the year across a number of our businesses and the strengthening of the euro.

Europe’s profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits was £48 million in 2008, a decrease of £1,274 million, or 96%, from £1,322 million in 2007. The decrease was mainly due to adverse investment returns and the cost of the unit-linked compensation in the Netherlands of £126 million.

North America

Aviva North America includes the long-term insurance and savings business in the US, which provides life insurance and annuity products, and the general insurance business in Canada.

The table below presents sales, net written premiums, adjusted operating profit and profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS of Aviva North America for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Protection

 

871

 

623

 

617

 

Annuities

 

3,674

 

4,244

 

2,600

 

Other long-term business

 

 

848

 

429

 

General insurance

 

1,800

 

1,601

 

1,412

 

Sales

 

6,345

 

7,316

 

5,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

6,176

 

6,268

 

4,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term insurance business

 

85

 

16

 

79

 

General insurance

 

144

 

145

 

154

 

Non-insurance

 

(16

)

(12

)

(4

)

 

 

213

 

149

 

229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

244

 

(338

)

(38

)

Year ended 31 December 2009

Sales in Aviva North America were £6,345 million, a decrease of £971 million, or 13%, (2008: 7,316 million). The decrease is driven by a decrease in annuity sales resulting from management action to focus on capital efficiency and the decision not to participate in funding agreement business in 2009. Protection product sales increased by 40% on actions to

create innovative products and expand product distribution. General insurance sales in Canada increased by £199 million, or 12%, to £1,800 million (2008: £1,601 million), with growth driven by increased sales in homeowner while personal auto premiums were maintained at a similar level to 2008.

Aviva North America’s net written premiums decreased by £92 million, or 1%, to £6,176 million (2008: £6,268 million). The decrease is a result of lower long-term insurance and savings sales in the US offset by improved sales in Canada as stated above.

Adjusted operating profit was £213 million, an increase of £64 million, or 43%, on 2008 (2008: £149 million). Long-term insurance and savings adjusted operating profit increased to £85 million (2008: £16 million) driven by improved investment margin earned on existing equity indexed annuity business. General insurance adjusted operating profit is in line with 2008 at £144 million (2008: £145 million) with the benefits of increased sales volumes, higher long-term investment return, cost savings and foreign exchange movements being offset by the adverse movement in the claims experience.

Aviva North America’s profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits was £244 million, an increase of £582 million (2008: £338 million loss). The increase is mainly as a result of favourable investment performance during the year.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Sales in Aviva North America in 2008 increased by £2,258 million or 45% to £7,316 million (2007: £5,058 million). This increase reflected higher US long-term insurance and savings business sales, driven by improved annuity sales, reflecting our expanded distribution, new product launches and successful marketing programmes. General insurance sales in Canada increased by 13% to £1,601 million, with growth across all lines and sales through the acquisition of National Home Warranty in July 2008.

Aviva North America’s net written premiums were £6,268 million in 2008, an increase of £1,842 million, or 42%, from £4,426 million in 2007. The increase was mainly due to increased annuity sales in the US and improved sales across all lines of business in Canada.

Adjusted operating profit in Aviva North America was £149 million in 2008, a decrease of £80 million, or 35%, from £229 million in 2007. This is driven by lower annuity margins and lower yield on variable rate investments. Annuity margins were adversely impacted by increased option costs and lower account value, driven by underperformance of the equity markets and higher lapse rates. In our Canadian general insurance business the result was impacted by favourable prior year development, which was offset by difficult market conditions in the insurance cycle, weather related costs, higher expenses and lower investment income as a result of the sale of equities undertaken in the latter half of 2007.

Aviva North America’s loss before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits was £338 million in 2008, an increase in loss of £300 million, from £38 million loss in 2007. The increased loss was mainly due to significantly lower investment income and the recognition of impairment losses, both driven by the downturn in the economic environment.

 


 


 

 

31

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Asia Pacific

Aviva Asia Pacific operates in eight countries across the region, following the sale of the Australia operations on 1 October 2009, through both joint ventures and wholly-owned operations. We have businesses in markets at various stages of development, with established businesses in Singapore and Hong Kong, high potential businesses in India and China and developing businesses in South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

The table below presents the sales, net written premiums, adjusted operating profit and profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS of Aviva Asia Pacific for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Asia

 

1,529

 

1,719

 

1,868

 

Australia

 

1,183

 

1,780

 

2,415

 

Sales

 

2,712

 

3,499

 

4,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

455

 

511

 

602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia long-term insurance and savings business

 

52

 

2

 

(6

)

Australia long-term insurance and savings business

 

40

 

44

 

37

 

General insurance and health

 

6

 

 

4

 

Fund management and non-insurance

 

(21

)

(10

)

2

 

 

 

77

 

36

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

146

 

(68

)

35

 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Sales in Asia Pacific decreased by £787 million, or 22%, to £2,712 million (2008: £3,499 million). In Australia, sales decreased by 34% impacted by the sale of the Australian business on 1 October 2009. Sales in Asia decreased 11% as a result of uncertain economic environment leading to investor caution across Singapore, Hong Kong, India and our other Asian markets, together with the impact of the strategic decision to scale back the sale of capital intensive products in several Asian markets.

Net written premiums decreased to £455 million, a decrease of £56 million, or 11%, on 2008 (2008: £511 million). The decrease was mainly due to the impact of the uncertain economic environment in the region as highlighted above and the disposal of the Australian business.

Increase in adjusted operating profit of £41 million to £77 million (2008: £36 million) mainly due to the benefit from a one-off release of reserves of £68 million following an actuarial review of assumptions in Singapore, partly offset by the impact of the Australian disposal.

Profit before tax of £146 million (2008: £68 million loss) reflects the favourable movements in the market across the Asia Pacific region.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Sales in Aviva Asia Pacific were £3,499 million in 2008, a decrease of £784 million, or 18%, from £4,283 million in 2007. The decrease was driven by significantly lower investment sales through Navigator (our wrap administration platform) of £1,746 million, which were £914 million lower than sales of £2,660 million in 2007. The lower investment sales were partially offset by higher long-term insurance and savings business sales of £1,720 million compared to £1,595 million in 2007.

Overall sales in Asia declined in 2008 as a result of volatile investment markets, particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore. This was partly offset by growth in long-term insurance and savings business sales in China, due to the expansion of the distribution network, and first time contributions from new ventures in South Korea and Taiwan.

 

Sales in Australia also decreased largely due to the benefit in 2007 of a one-off transfer of a group pension scheme and the favourable change in superannuation legislation, which impacted both long-term insurance and savings sales and investment sales.

Aviva Asia Pacific’s net written premiums were £511 million in 2008, a decrease of £91 million, or 15%, from £602 million in 2007. The decrease was mainly due to the volatile investment markets impacting sales in Hong Kong, where the products are mainly investment-related.

Adjusted operating profit was £36 million in 2008, a decrease of £1 million or 3%, from £37 million in 2007. This reflects increased regional costs including one-off costs associated with recruitment, offset by an increase in the long-term insurance and savings business due to lower new business strain from sales and business mix.

Aviva Asia Pacific’s loss before tax attributable to shareholders’ profit was £68 million in 2008, compared to a profit of £35 million in 2007. The loss in 2008 reflects the impact of adverse economic variances mainly in the long-term insurance and savings businesses.

Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors, our fund management business, operates across all four regions providing fund management services to third party investors and supporting our long-term insurance and savings and general insurance operations.

The table below presents the adjusted operating profit, profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits under IFRS and funds under management of Aviva Investors for the years ended 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

115

 

114

 

147

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

 

91

 

72

 

129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds under management

 

249,630

 

236,178

 

235,309

 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Aviva Investors’ adjusted operating profit in 2009 was £115 million, in line with 2008. Higher performance fees were earned in 2009, offset by lower average market levels through the year.

Profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits was £91 million, an increase of £19 million, or 25%, on 2008 (2008: £72 million). Profit in 2009 benefited from lower integration and restructuring costs on the set-up of Aviva Investors.

Aviva Investor’s funds under management were £250 billion, an increase of £14 billion, or 6%, on 2008. The increase is a result of investment performance and product sales together with capital appreciation in some fixed income markets, offset by the impact of sterling’s appreciation against the euro and US dollar.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Aviva Investors’ adjusted operating profit was £114 million in 2008, a decrease of £33 million, or 22%, from £147 million in 2007. The decrease was mainly due to the investment market volatility in the year, with all geographical areas experiencing downward pressure on fee income.

Aviva Investor’s profit before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits was £72 million in 2008, a decrease of £57 million, or 44%, from £129 million in 2007. The decrease was mainly due to the decline in investment markets and the integration and restructuring costs of setting up Aviva Investors.


 


32

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Aviva Investors’ funds under management were £236 billion in 2008, an increase of £1 billion, or less than 1%, from £235 billion in 2007. The increase was mainly due to exchange gains as sterling declined against other major currencies towards the end of the year, increasing the value of our non-sterling investments, offset by market factors where the fall in equity and property capital values and outflows from some open-ended property funds.

Corporate centre and group debt costs and other interest

 

2009
£m

 

2008
£m

 

2007
£m

 

Corporate centre

 

(108

)

(141

)

(157

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group debt costs and other interest

 

(636

)

(379

)

(363

)

Year ended 31 December 2009

Corporate centre costs were £108 million, a decrease of £33 million, or 23%, on £141 million in 2008. The decrease reflects lower central spend. Staff incentive costs were in line with 2008 and projects spending decreased by £23 million reflecting lower costs following the completion of the brand migration, financial controls and other financial projects initiated in 2008.

The group debt costs and other interest increased to £636 million, an increase of £257 million on 2008 of £379 million. External interest costs increased to £335 million (2008: £286 million) reflecting higher interest on subordinated debt, due to hybrid debt being issued in 2008 and 2009, which was offset by lower commercial paper interest as proceeds from the issue were used to repay some commercial paper. Internal interest costs increased to £227 million (2008: £197 million) driven by changes to our internal loan balances.

The net pension charge of £74 million (2008: £104 million income) represents the difference between the expected return on pension scheme assets and the interest charged on pension scheme liabilities. The increase is primarily due to lower rates of return on asset values offset by higher discount rates on liabilities.

.



Year ended 31 December 2008

The corporate centre costs for 2008 decreased to £141 million (2007: £157 million) due to lower central spend and staff incentive costs. Within this total, are project spend costs totalling £34 million (2007: £26 million). The increase in project spend was driven by the corporate centre’s share of the ongoing implementation of the global finance strategy. The decrease in corporate centre spend is partly explained by increased costs being borne by the operating segments, as certain corporate centre activities and costs have either been transferred or recharged to regional offices.

In 2008 group debt costs and other interest totalled £379 million (2007: £363 million). External interest costs increased to £286 million (2007: £259 million) reflecting higher interest in subordinated debt, due to our hybrid debt issues in May and August 2008, offset by lower commercial paper interest as proceeds from the issue were used to repay some commercial paper. Internal interest costs increased to £197 million (2007: £179 million) driven by changes to our internal loan balances. Net pension income increased to £104 million (2007: £75 million) reflecting higher expected rates of return on assets offset by higher discount rates on liabilities.


 


33

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Analysis of investments

We invest our policyholders’ funds and our own funds in order to generate a return for both policyholders and shareholders. The financial strength of our group and both our current and future operating results and financial performance are, therefore, in part dependent on the quality and performance of our investment portfolios in our UK, continental European, North America and Asia Pacific operations.

For additional information on our financial investments, please see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 21 – Financial investments”. For a quantitative analysis of funds under management by Aviva and third party fund managers, see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 55 – Assets under management”.

Investment strategy

Our investment portfolio supports a range of businesses operating in a number of geographical locations. Our aim is to match the investments held to support a line of business to the nature of the underlying liabilities, while at the same time considering local regulatory requirements, the level of risk inherent within different investments, and the desire to generate superior investment returns, where compatible with this stated strategy and risk appetite.

Long-term insurance and savings business

As stated above, we aim to optimise investment returns while ensuring that sufficient assets are held to meet future liabilities and regulatory requirements. As different types of life insurance business vary in their cash flows and in the expectations placed upon them by policyholders, we need to hold different types of investment to meet these different cash flows and expectations.

The UK with-profits business is comprised largely of long-term contracts with some guaranteed payments. We are therefore able to invest a significant proportion of the funds supporting this business in equities and real estate. This is because the long-term nature of these contracts allows us to take advantage of the long-term growth potential within these classes of assets, while the level of guaranteed payments is managed to mitigate the level of risk that we bear in relation to the volatility of these classes of assets.

Annuities and non-participating contracts, on the other hand, have a high level of guaranteed future payments. We endeavour to match the investments held against these types of business to future cash flows. We therefore have a policy of generally holding fixed income securities and mortgage loans with appropriate maturity dates.

With unit-linked business, the primary objective is to maximise investment returns, subject to following an investment policy consistent with the representations that we have made to our unit-linked product policyholders.

General insurance and health business

The general insurance and health business is comprised of shorter-term liabilities than the long-term insurance business. Furthermore, all the risk attaching to the investments is borne by our shareholders. As a result, the investment portfolio held to cover general insurance liabilities contains a higher proportion of fixed-income securities than the portfolio held to cover life insurance liabilities.

Property partnerships

As part of their investment strategy, the UK and certain European policyholder funds have invested in a number of property limited partnerships (PLPs), either directly or via property unit trusts (PUTs), through a mix of capital and loans. The nature of our involvement in property partnerships is set out in the second and third paragraphs of the Investment vehicles section of “Financial Statements IFRS – Accounting policies – (C) Consolidation principles”. Property partnerships are accounted for as subsidiaries, joint ventures or financial investments depending on our participation and the terms of each partnership agreement. For each property partnership accounted for as a subsidiary, joint venture or financial investment, we are exposed to falls in the value of the underlying properties which are reflected as unrealised gains/losses on investment properties, our share of joint venture results and unrealised gains/losses on financial investments, respectively. However, these are all in policyholder funds (rather than shareholder funds) so such losses are offset by changes in the amounts due to policyholders or unitholders, or in the Unallocated Divisible Surplus (“UDS”).

 


 

 

 
 

34

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Analysis of financial investments

We distinguish between policyholder, participating fund and shareholder investments, which are terms used to reflect the differing exposure to investment gains and losses. Policyholder assets are connected to our unit-linked business, where the policyholder bears the investment risk on the assets in the unit-linked funds. Our exposure to loss on policyholder assets is limited to the extent that income arising from asset management charges is based on the value of assets in the funds. Participating fund assets related to some of our insurance and investment contracts which contain a discretionary participating feature, which is a contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits. Our exposure to investment losses on participating funds is generally limited to our participation in the fund. Shareholder assets are other assets held within our long-term businesses that are not backing unit-linked liabilities or participating funds. Investments held at 31 December 2009, 31 December 2008 and 31 December 2007 are analysed below:

 

2009

 

Policyholder
assets
£m

 

Participating
fund assets
£m

 

Shareholder
assets
£m

 

Total assets
analysed
£m

 

Less assets
of
operations
classified as held
for sale
£m

 

Balance
sheet total
£m

 

Investment property

 

3,941

 

6,338

 

2,151

 

12,430

 

(8

)

12,422

 

Loans

 

1,468

 

7,543

 

32,068

 

41,079

 

 

41,079

 

Financial investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

17,596

 

86,464

 

56,450

 

160,510

 

 

160,510

 

Equity securities

 

28,638

 

9,678

 

5,027

 

43,343

 

 

43,343

 

Other investments

 

24,867

 

7,222

 

2,760

 

34,849

 

(23

)

34,826

 

Total

 

76,510

 

117,245

 

98,456

 

292,211

 

(31

)

292,180

 

Total %

 

26.2

%

40.1

%

33.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

72,205

 

119,083

 

96,031

 

287,319

 

(396

)

286,923

 

2008 %

 

25.1

%

41.5

%

33.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

76,025

 

112,136

 

80,579

 

268,740

 

(316

)

268,424

 

2007 %

 

28.3

%

41.7

%

30.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the table indicates, 34% of total investments can be directly attributed to shareholders. The apportionment of our shareholder investments is predominantly weighted towards debt securities and loans. In comparison, policyholder and participating funds contain a greater proportion of investment property, equities, and other investments (e.g., unit trusts), reflecting the underlying investment mandates.

Financial investment balances included in the remainder of this disclosure include financial investments of operations classified as held for sale.

Measurement basis

We carry investments on our statement of financial position at either fair value or amortised cost. As shown in the table below, at 31 December 2009, 93% of the group’s total investments were carried at fair value on the statement of financial position.

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


Fair value
£m

 

Amortised
cost
£m

 


Total
£m

 


Fair value
£m

 

Amortised
cost
£m

 


Total
£m

 


Fair value
£m

 

Amortised
cost
£m

 


Total
£m

 

Investment property

 

12,430

 

 

12,430

 

14,426

 

 

14,426

 

15,391

 

 

15,391

 

Loans

 

20,890

 

20,189

 

41,079

 

21,468

 

20,769

 

42,237

 

18,540

 

17,653

 

36,193

 

Financial investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

160,510

 

 

160,510

 

150,734

 

 

150,734

 

121,591

 

 

121,591

 

Equity securities

 

43,343

 

 

43,343

 

43,411

 

 

43,411

 

59,065

 

 

59,065

 

Other investments

 

34,849

 

 

34,849

 

36,511

 

 

36,511

 

36,500

 

 

36,500

 

Total

 

272,022

 

20,189

 

292,211

 

266,550

 

20,769

 

287,319

 

251,087

 

17,653

 

268,740

 

Total %

 

93.1

%

6.9

%

 

 

92.8

%

7.2

%

 

 

93.4

%

6.6

%

 

 

For more information about financial investments analysed according to their accounting classification and valuation approach, as well as the cost, unrealised gains and losses, impairments, fair value and other information concerning financial investments, see the “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 21 – Financial investments”.

Debt securities

We grade debt securities according to current external credit ratings issued. The credit rating used for each individual security is the second highest of the available ratings from Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch. If a credit rating is available from only one of these three rating agencies then this rating is used. If an individual security has not been given a credit rating by any of these three rating agencies, the security is classified as “non-rated”.

For the tables below we have used the standard Standard & Poor’s rating classifications. Investment grade debt securities are classified within the range of AAA (extremely strong) to BBB (good) ratings, with AAA being the highest possible rating. Debt securities which fall outside this range are classified as speculative grade. Where we use a rating provided by Moody’s or Fitch, we have expressed it as the Standard & Poor’s equivalent rating. For example, we consider Standard & Poor’s rating of AA (very strong) to be equivalent to Moody’s rating of AA (excellent) and Fitch’s rating of AA (very strong).

Despite the increase in market downgrade activity during 2008 and 2009, debt securities with a credit rating of A or above at 31 December 2009 still represented 81.6% of total holdings (2008: 86.3%). Approximately 43% of total debt security holdings

 

 


 

 

35

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

were in government bonds and 34% of total debt security holdings were in corporate bonds with a credit rating of A or above, as of 31 December 2009.

“Wrapped credit” is credit exposure that has been insured with monoline insurers to achieve a better credit rating. The monoline insurers suffered downgrades during 2008 and 2009 and this is reflected in the analysis that follows. The exposure is diversified across several monolines and the underlying bonds are diversified across many different counterparties. In general, we are a long-term holder of this debt, although we continue to review our holdings with reference to the underlying quality and prospects.

The majority of the residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) are US investments and over 65% of the total exposure is backed by the US Government-sponsored entities (“GSEs”) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Under the conservatorship arrangements with the US Government implemented in September 2008, these securities have an implicit guarantee, although they are not expressly backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government. The majority of the remaining US RMBS are backed by fixed-rate loans that originated in 2005 or before.

At 31 December 2009, our exposure to sub-prime debt securities was limited to £2 million (2008: £39 million), and our exposure to collaterised debt obligations (“CDO”) and collaterised loan obligations (“CLO”) was limited to £241 million. Investments in structured assets (excluding agency RMBS that are backed by GSEs) were £7,406 million, representing less than 5% of total debt securities.

The vast majority of the corporate bonds that are not rated represent private placements and corporate bond investments made via unit trusts, where a “look-through” to the underlying securities has been performed. The private placements are US investments which are not rated by the major rating agencies but are rated an average equivalent of A- by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), a US association of state insurance regulators.

Excluding the private placements that are rated an average A– by the NAIC, the exposure that is not rated by a major rating agency is less than 3% of total debt securities.

Of the debt securities rated less than BBB, 77% are rated BB, while only 5%, amounting to £181 million, are rated below B.

Debt securities analysed by credit rating and sector

Total debt securities analysed by credit rating and product type are set out in the table below. Government and corporate debt securities are further analysed by type of issuer.

Debt securities – Total

 

 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

AAA
£m

 

AA
£m

 

A
£m

 

BBB
£m

 

Less than BBB
£m

 

Non-rated
£m

 

Total
£m

 

Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK government

 

20,069

 

1,354

 

­­—

 

 

 

 

21,423

 

UK local authorities

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Non-UK government

 

25,189

 

11,787

 

7,422

 

1,958

 

410

 

710

 

47,476

 

 

 

45,258

 

13,157

 

7,422

 

1,958

 

410

 

710

 

68,915

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Utilities

 

696

 

721

 

3,680

 

1,215

 

246

 

72

 

6,630

 

Convertibles and bonds with warrants

 

­

 

26

 

362

 

95

 

50

 

53

 

586

 

Other corporate bonds

 

10,440

 

11,973

 

26,201

 

15,029

 

2,682

 

3,018

 

69,343

 

 

 

11,136

 

12,720

 

30,243

 

16,339

 

2,978

 

3,143

 

76,559

 

Certificates of deposits

 

­

 

890

 

580

 

1,330

 

 

10

 

2,810

 

Structured

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS non-agency sub-prime

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

RMBS non-agency ALT A

 

18

 

100

 

16

 

22

 

81

 

 

237

 

RMBS non-agency prime

 

943

 

8

 

47

 

60

 

6

 

5

 

1,069

 

RMBS agency

 

2,534

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

2,535

 

 

 

3,497

 

108

 

63

 

82

 

87

 

6

 

3,843

 

CMBS1

 

1,350

 

266

 

245

 

91

 

84

 

4

 

2,040

 

ABS2

 

1,256

 

282

 

372

 

164

 

37

 

276

 

2,387

 

CDO (including CLO)

 

69

 

18

 

17

 

10

 

71

 

56

 

241

 

ABCP3

 

 

836

 

 

 

 

 

836

 

ABFRN4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,675

 

1,402

 

634

 

265

 

192

 

336

 

5,504

 

Wrapped credit

 

157

 

93

 

121

 

129

 

40

 

54

 

594

 

Other

 

22

 

213

 

413

 

34

 

16

 

1,587

 

2,285

 

Total

 

62,745

 

28,583

 

39,476

 

20,137

 

3,723

 

5,846

 

160,510

 

Total %

 

39.1

%

17.8

%

24.6

%

12.6

%

2.3

%

3.6

%

 

 

2008

 

66,298

 

24,452

 

39,308

 

12,750

 

2,197

 

5,729

 

150,734

 

2008 %

 

44.0

%

16.2

%

26.1

%

8.4

%

1.5

%

3.8

%

 

 

1.CMBS – Commercial Mortgage Backed Security

2.ABS – Asset Backed Security

3.ABCP – Asset backed commercial paper

4.ABFRN – Asset backed floating rate notes

 

 


36

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Debt securities, for which policyholders carry the exposure to investment losses, analysed by credit rating and product type are set out in the table below. Government and corporate debt securities are further analysed by type of issuer.

Debt securities – policyholder assets

 

 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

AAA
£m

 

AA
£m

 

A
£m

 

BBB
£m

 

Less than BBB
£m

 

Non-rated
£m

 

Total
£m

 

Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK government

 

5,085

 

257

 

 

 

 

 

5,342

 

UK local authorities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-UK government

 

1,425

 

589

 

978

 

226

 

6

 

40

 

3,264

 

 

 

6,510

 

846

 

978

 

226

 

6

 

40

 

8,606

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Utilities

 

19

 

159

 

935

 

99

 

3

 

3

 

1,218

 

Convertibles and bonds with warrants

 

 

 

 

2

 

5

 

 

7

 

Other corporate bonds

 

1,274

 

1,291

 

3,234

 

570

 

34

 

267

 

6,670

 

 

 

1,293

 

1,450

 

4,169

 

671

 

42

 

270

 

7,895

 

Certificates of deposits

 

 

19

 

22

 

196

 

 

2

 

239

 

Structured

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS non-agency sub-prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS non-agency ALT A

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

RMBS non-agency prime

 

8

 

 

6

 

2

 

 

1

 

18

 

RMBS agency

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

40

 

4

 

6

 

2

 

 

1

 

53

 

CMBS

 

8

 

6

 

 

5

 

 

 

19

 

ABS

 

21

 

5

 

29

 

6

 

 

1

 

62

 

CDO (including CLO)

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

4

 

ABCP

 

 

156

 

 

 

 

 

156

 

ABFRN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

167

 

31

 

11

 

 

1

 

241

 

Wrapped credit

 

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

4

 

14

 

Other

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

544

 

548

 

Total

 

7,874

 

2,487

 

5,208

 

1,113

 

52

 

862

 

17,596

 

Total %

 

44.8

%

14.1

%

29.6

%

6.3

%

0.3

%

4.9

%

 

 

2008

 

8,534

 

3,235

 

5,898

 

904

 

26

 

999

 

19,596

 

2008 %

 

43.6

%

16.5

%

30.1

%

4.6

%

0.1

%

5.1

%

 

 

 


 

 

37

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Debt securities, for which participating funds carry the exposure to investment losses, analysed by credit rating and product type are set out in the table below. Government and corporate debt securities are further analysed by type of issuer.

Debt securities – participating fund assets

 

 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

AAA
£m

 

AA
£m

 

A
£m

 

BBB
£m

 

Less than BBB
£m

 

Non-rated
£m

 

Total
£m

 

Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK government

 

12,318

 

1,097

 

 

 

 

 

13,415

 

UK local authorities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-UK government

 

15,734

 

9,004

 

4,167

 

728

 

279

 

59

 

29,971

 

 

 

28,052

 

10,101

 

4,167

 

728

 

279

 

59

 

43,386

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Utilities

 

639

 

419

 

2,035

 

721

 

234

 

8

 

4,056

 

Convertibles and bonds with warrants

 

 

26

 

259

 

 

18

 

20

 

323

 

Other corporate bonds

 

6,332

 

6,781

 

12,673

 

5,783

 

1,387

 

1,095

 

34,051

 

 

 

6,971

 

7,226

 

14,967

 

6,504

 

1,639

 

1,123

 

38,430

 

Certificates of deposits

 

 

374

 

60

 

1,131

 

 

 

1,565

 

Structured

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS non-agency sub-prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS non-agency ALT A

 

 

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

4

 

RMBS non-agency prime

 

239

 

 

 

 

 

 

239

 

RMBS agency

 

248

 

 

 

 

 

 

248

 

 

 

487

 

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

491

 

CMBS

 

142

 

53

 

18

 

2

 

4

 

 

219

 

ABS

 

241

 

74

 

114

 

66

 

21

 

1

 

517

 

CDO (including CLO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABCP

 

 

660

 

 

 

 

 

660

 

ABFRN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

383

 

787

 

132

 

68

 

25

 

1

 

1,396

 

Wrapped credit

 

15

 

43

 

13

 

34

 

7

 

11

 

123

 

Other

 

4

 

176

 

147

 

29

 

8

 

709

 

1,073

 

Total

 

35,912

 

18,707

 

19,486

 

8,496

 

1,960

 

1,903

 

86,464

 

Total %

 

41.6

%

21.6

%

22.5

%

9.8

%

2.3

%

2.2

%

 

 

2008

 

38,658

 

13,766

 

19,794

 

5,310

 

986

 

1,052

 

79,566

 

2008 %

 

48.6

%

17.3

%

24.9

%

6.7

%

1.2

%

1.3

%

 

 

 


38

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Debt securities, for which shareholders carry the exposure to investment losses, analysed by credit rating and product type are set out in the table below. Government and corporate debt securities are further analysed by type of issuer.

Aviva’s shareholder exposure to debt securities of £56,450 million in the table below includes £1.2 billion of exposures to the governments (and local authorities and agencies) of Greece, Spain and Portugal. This represents just 2% of total shareholder debt securities at 31 December 2009. Since the year end our exposure to Greek debt securities has reduced by £0.4 billion.

Debt securities – shareholder assets

 

 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

AAA
£m

 

AA
£m

 

A
£m

 

BBB
£m

 

Less than BBB
£m

 

Non-rated
£m

 

Total
£m

 

Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK government

 

2,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,666

 

UK local authorities

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Non-UK government

 

8,030

 

2,194

 

2,277

 

1,004

 

125

 

611

 

14,241

 

 

 

10,696

 

2,210

 

2,277

 

1,004

 

125

 

611

 

16,923

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Utilities

 

38

 

143

 

710

 

395

 

9

 

61

 

1,356

 

Convertibles and bonds with warrants

 

 

 

103

 

93

 

27

 

33

 

256

 

Other corporate bonds

 

2,834

 

3,901

 

10,294

 

8,676

 

1,261

 

1,656

 

28,622

 

 

 

2,872

 

4,044

 

11,107

 

9,164

 

1,297

 

1,750

 

30,234

 

Certificates of deposits

 

 

497

 

498

 

3

 

 

8

 

1,006

 

Structured

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS non-agency sub-prime

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

RMBS non-agency ALT A

 

18

 

97

 

16

 

20

 

79

 

 

230

 

RMBS non-agency prime

 

696

 

7

 

41

 

58

 

6

 

4

 

812

 

RMBS agency

 

2,254

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

2,255

 

 

 

2,970

 

104

 

57

 

78

 

85

 

5

 

3,299

 

CMBS

 

1,200

 

207

 

227

 

84

 

80

 

4

 

1,802

 

ABS

 

994

 

203

 

229

 

92

 

16

 

274

 

1,808

 

CDO (including CLO)

 

67

 

18

 

15

 

10

 

71

 

56

 

237

 

ABCP

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

ABFRN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,261

 

448

 

471

 

186

 

167

 

334

 

3,867

 

Wrapped credit

 

142

 

49

 

106

 

92

 

29

 

39

 

457

 

Other

 

18

 

37

 

266

 

1

 

8

 

334

 

664

 

Total

 

18,959

 

7,389

 

14,782

 

10,528

 

1,711

 

3,081

 

56,450

 

Total %

 

33.6

%

13.1

%

26.1

%

18.7

%

3.0

%

5.5

%

 

 

2008

 

19,106

 

7,451

 

13,616

 

6,536

 

1,185

 

3,678

 

51,572

 

2008 %

 

37.0

%

14.4

%

26.5

%

12.7

%

2.3

%

7.1

%

 

 

In respect of the wrapped credit investments, the table below shows the credit rating of the underlying securities, i.e. without the guarantee. As rating agencies do not provide credit ratings for individual wrapped credit securities without consideration of the insurance guarantee, the credit ratings disclosed in the table below for wrapped credit without the benefit of the insurance guarantee is based on the long-term issuer credit ratings for unsecured corporate debt of the issuer, where this information is available.

Total assets

 

 

Rating with
insurance guarantee

 

Rating without
insurance guarantee

 

 

 

Fair value
£m

 


% of total

 

Fair value
£m

 


% of total

 

Wrapped Credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

157

 

26.4

%

 

 

AA

 

93

 

15.7

%

35

 

5.9

%

A

 

121

 

20.4

%

111

 

18.7

%

BBB

 

129

 

21.7

%

141

 

23.8

%

Less than BBB

 

40

 

6.7

%

20

 

3.3

%

Non-rated

 

54

 

9.1

%

54

 

9.1

%

Not available without insurance guarantee

 

 

 

233

 

39.2

%

 

 

594

 

100.0

%

594

 

100.0

%

RMBS Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

2,535

 

100.0

%

2,535

 

100.0

%

 

 

2,535

 

100.0

%

2,535

 

100.0

%

 

 


 

 

39

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Equity securities

The table below analyses our investments in equity securities by sector.

 

2009

 

Policyholder
£m

 

Participating
£m

 

Shareholder
£m

 

Total
£m

 

Public Utilities

 

2,355

 

1,299

 

26

 

3,680

 

Banks, trusts and insurance companies

 

3,747

 

1,797

 

1,745

 

7,289

 

Industrial miscellaneous and all other

 

22,526

 

6,560

 

3,046

 

32,132

 

Non-redeemable preferred shares

 

10

 

22

 

210

 

242

 

Total

 

28,638

 

9,678

 

5,027

 

43,343

 

Total %

 

66.1

%

22.3

%

11.6

%

 

 

2008

 

23,840

 

13,817

 

5,754

 

43,411

 

2008 %

 

54.9

%

31.8

%

13.3

%

 

 

At 31 December 2009, shareholder investment in equity securities amounted to £5,027 million, of which 77% related to our business in the Netherlands, 17% our Italian business and 6% other businesses. The Italian equity holdings are held both directly by our Italian subsidiaries and by group holding companies.

Of our £7,289 million exposure to equity investments in banks, trusts and insurance companies, £1,745 million relates to shareholder investments, which includes £766 million equities held by our business in the Netherlands and a strategic holding in UniCredit and other Italian banks of £927 million (£757 million net of minority interest share).

The remaining shareholder exposure to equity securities, other than banks, trusts and insurance companies, arises principally in our Netherlands business, amounting to 95% of the total exposure of £3,282 million.

Other investments

The table below analyses other investments by type.

 

2009

 

Policyholder
£m

 

Participating
£m

 

Shareholder
£m

 

Total
£m

 

Unit trusts and other investment vehicles

 

23,914

 

5,415

 

615

 

29,944

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

146

 

621

 

1,311

 

2,078

 

Deposits with credit institutions

 

307

 

29

 

633

 

969

 

Minority holdings in property management undertakings

 

10

 

605

 

52

 

667

 

Other

 

490

 

552

 

149

 

1,191

 

Total

 

24,867

 

7,222

 

2,760

 

34,849

 

Total %

 

71.4

%

20.7

%

7.9

%

 

 

2008

 

23,632

 

9,443

 

3,436

 

36,511

 

2008 %

 

64.7

%

25.9

%

9.4

%

 

 

Property

Our global headquarters are located in St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London, England. We also have the following regional headquarters:

UK – UK Life: York, England

UK – UK General Insurance: Norwich, England

Europe – London, England

North America – Chicago, Illinois, USA

Asia Pacific – Singapore

Aviva Investors – London, England

In addition to the above, our regions have major offices in the following locations:

North America: Des Moines, Iowa, USA and Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Europe: Paris, France; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Dublin, Ireland; Madrid, Spain; and Milan, Italy

We own or lease space in 27 countries around the world. As of 31 December 2009, we owned and occupied land and buildings for our own use with a total book value of £416 million (2008: £568 million). We believe that these facilities are adequate for our present needs in all material respects. We also hold other properties, both directly and indirectly, for investment purposes, valued at £10,756 million at 31 December 2009.

 


40

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Risk management

As a global company we face a diverse range of risks, each of which has the potential to impact financial performance or hinder the achievement of business objectives. If we do not manage these risks effectively we could also miss potential opportunities to further develop and expand our business.

At Aviva, sound risk management is a key component of our business and is an integral part of maintaining financial stability for our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. We group the type of risks we face into three categories: financial, strategic, and operational.

Financial risks cover market and credit risk, insurance risk, liquidity and capital management.

Strategic risks include issues such as customer, brand, products and markets as well as any risks to our business model arising from changes in our market and risks arising from mergers and acquisitions.

Operational risks arise from inadequate or failed internal processes, or from people and systems or from external events. This includes business protection, information technology, people, legal and regulatory compliance risks.

We operate within a three lines of defence model. Primary responsibility for risk identification and management lies with business management (the 1st line of defence). Support for and challenge on the completeness and accuracy of risk assessment, risk reporting and adequacy of mitigation plans are performed by specialist risk functions (the 2nd line of defence). Independent and objective assurance on the robustness of the risk management framework and the appropriateness and effectiveness of internal control is provided by group internal audit (the 3rd line of defence).

We employ effective processes to identify, assess, mitigate, manage and monitor the risks to which we are exposed. We make appropriate decisions to limit and control the impact the risks may have on our strategic objectives.

We set limits to manage our material risks to ensure we stay within our risk appetite (the amount of risk we are willing to accept). To work out how “material” a risk is to our business we assess its size and scale based on how likely it is to occur and what potential impact it would have on our business and our stakeholders if it were to occur. Most importantly, when risks are outside of appetite, we agree what actions need to be taken to manage the risks.

What risk management activity happens in Aviva?

To ensure that risks are effectively identified and assessed and that appropriate controls and responses are in place, our risk management activity needs to operate through clearly defined and agreed structures and processes.

At Aviva, we support and coordinate all group-wide risk management activities through a central risk team, led by the group chief risk officer. In each of our regions, regional chief risk officers ensure that the regional risk profiles remain within the limits set centrally.

The regional chief risk officers work with business management to ensure that our risk management framework is being used consistently across all our businesses. They also work with the group chief risk officer to coordinate and communicate decisions that are taken at a group level.

As well as working with the regions, the central risk team is also responsible for managing group risk governance and oversight.

Risk management framework

At group centre, the Risk Management Framework enables us to understand all the material risks that we currently face and to identify early emerging risks. This knowledge helps the risk teams to provide effective challenge and support to the regions and its businesses.

The central risk team monitors these risk exposures on a regular basis with a specific focus on financial risks via regular reporting to the Group Executive Committee and, as part of the performance management process, senior management review risk management information to ensure the successful delivery of our business objectives.

As well as the ongoing monitoring activities the central risk team produces a formal quarterly risk report for the Risk and Regulatory Committee of the board and the various risk oversight committees.


 


 

41

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Corporate governance and oversight

Our Risk Governance Framework allocates responsibility for the oversight of risk management to a number of committees at group centre with the Group Asset Liability Committee (‘ALCO’) and the Group Operational Risk Committee (‘ORC’) providing a key focus on financial and operational risk. The group centre committees are in turn supported by similar governance structures in the regions. These relationships are summarised in the diagram below.

 


These committees monitor the aggregate risk profile, provide challenge and recommend risk management activity and ensure that our risk policies are used to manage risk to agreed standards.

Board oversight is maintained on a regular basis through its Risk and Regulatory Committee (RRC). The group chief risk officer is a member of the Group Executive Committee and has a reporting line to the group chief executive and to the RRC with access to the RRC chairman, assuring independence of the function.



Policies and procedures

We have formal risk policies that ensure a consistent approach to the management of all our risks across all the businesses and locations in which we operate. These risk policies define our risk appetite and set out risk management and control standards for the group’s worldwide operations. The risk policies also set out the roles and responsibilities of businesses, regions, policy owners, and the risk oversight committees.

As our business needs to change and respond to market conditions and customer needs, we regularly monitor the appropriateness of our risk policies and risk appetite to ensure they remain up-to-date. This helps to provide assurance to the various risk oversight committees that there are appropriate controls in place for all our core business activities, and that the processes for managing risk are understood and followed consistently across our global businesses.

Risk and economic capital

We already use economic capital models within our decision-making and were early adopters of stress and scenario analysis across the risks we face, making us well placed for the forthcoming Solvency 2 regulatory regime. However, the use of models is balanced with sound business judgement.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) requires Aviva to assess its economic capital requirements to ensure that it adequately reflects business and control risks. In turn this analysis supports our strategic planning and decision-making processes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


42

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

 

Risk factors

This table sets out the definitions of each key risk type; the key risk drivers for each category; sensitivities to economic and operating experience on the group’s performance; and a summary of the related risk mitigation processes that operate within the Risk Management Framework.

 

Risk type

 

Key drivers

Market

Risk of adverse financial impact due to changes in fair values or future cash flows of financial instruments from fluctuations in interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates

 

  Fluctuation in the value of our investments in loans, debt and equity securities as well as our holdings of

       investment properties

  Impact of market conditions on sales of investment products and our fund management business

  Products sold by the group that carry investment return and surrender value guarantees

   Premium income, dividends from overseas businesses and transactions from currencies other than

        sterling

—  Assets held in the staff pension scheme

Credit

Risk of financial loss as a result of the default or failure of third parties to meet their payment obligations

 

—  Exposures to debt investments, structured asset investments, and counterparties in our derivatives,

         mortgage loans and reinsurance placements

—  Default and spread risks are considered, as both impact the value and risks of assets

—  Concentrations of exposures to individual credits/counterparties or sectors/geographies

Liquidity

Risk of not maintaining sufficient financial resources to meet our business obligations as they fall due

 

—  Insufficient capital generated from the receipt of premiums, fees and investment income, along with

       planned asset sales and maturities to pay claims and expenses

—  Instances where additional cash requirements arise in excess of that available within operating businesses

—  Mismatches in the timing of cash flows relating to assets, liabilities and off balance sheet instruments

General insurance

The inherent uncertainty as to the occurrence, amount and timing of insurance liabilities. This includes fluctuations in the timing, frequency, and severity of claims and settlements, inadequate reinsurance protection and inadequate reserves.

 

—  Our largest general insurance risk is claims incurred from catastrophic events, such as flooding and windstorm

—  Financial impact of worsening claims ratios and inadequate reserves

—  Reinsurance may not be available, affordable or adequate to protect the group against losses

—  Inappropriate risk selection and related pricing

Life insurance

The inherent uncertainty as to the occurrence, amount and timing of insurance liabilities. This includes exposure to mortality and morbidity insurance and exposure to worse than anticipated operating experience on factors such as persistency levels and management and administrative expenses

 

—  Adverse longevity experience (the risk that people will live longer than we have assumed)

—  Adverse mortality experience (the death of a policy holder) and morbidity (ill health)

—  Expense experience compared with assumptions at the start of the insurance policy.

—  Poorly designed or inadequately priced products

—  Persistency risk arising from customers lapsing their policies earlier than has been assumed

Strategic

Risks to our business model arising from changes in external events, our markets and customer behaviour as well as risks arising from mergers and acquisitions

 

—  Focus on our strategy of delivering ‘One Aviva, Twice the Value’

—  Our strategic response to changes in external environment including competitive landscape, customer
   behaviour, distributor regulatory changes, merger and acquisition opportunities and emerging trends

Brand and reputation

Our dependence on the strength of our brands, the brands of our partners, and our reputation with customers and distributors in the sale of our products and services

 

—  We are vulnerable to press speculation, negative publicity, adverse market and customer perception

—  Products or services recommended by us do not perform as expected

—  We operate in an industry where integrity, customer trust and confidence are paramount

Operational

The risks of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequately or failed internal processes, or from people and systems, or from external events

 

  Processing large number of complex transactions across numerous and diverse products

  We are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology and communication systems to serve our customers

—  We are partially reliant on the operational processing performance of our outsourced partners including certain servicing and IT functions

 

 


 

 

43

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

For further details refer to the “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”.

 

Sensitivities1

 

Risk mitigation

–— A 1% increase in interest rates would decrease total shareholder funds by £1.3 billion net of tax

—  A 10% decrease in equity prices would decrease total shareholders’ funds by £0.7 billion net of tax

—  We expect that a 40% fall in equity prices (at 31 December 2009) would reduce IGD by £0.7 billion

 

 

  Regular reviews by group asset liability committee relative to risk appetite

—  Active management of exposure through hedging against unfavourable market movements and changes in asset mix

  Regular monitoring of impact from changes in market risks (interest rates, equity prices, property values)
    through value at risk analysis, stress tests and scenario analysis

  Use of currency borrowings and derivatives to manage currency exposures within centrally set limits

—  Investment strategy and long-term objectives agreed with scheme trustees

— A 50 bps increase in credit spreads would increase shareholder funds by £0.3 billion net of tax

 

 

—  Adherence to credit policy and limits frameworks by all businesses.

—  Regular monitoring and reviews by credit approvals committee of exposures and management against limits

—  Maintaining a diversified portfolio and review concentrations of exposure by types, sector, geography and credit ratings

—  Utilisation of risk reduction techniques such as hedging and collateral posting requirements

— The Liquidity stress tests performed and the size of the liquidity buffer held to cover unforeseen circumstances

 

 

—  Asset liability matching methodology develops optimal asset portfolio maturity structures in our
   businesses to ensure cash flows are sufficient to meet liabilities

—  Regular monitoring through liquidity stress and scenario testing

—  Sale of assets from investment portfolios, issuing commercial paper

—  Maintain committed borrowing facilities (£2.1 billion) from highly rated banks

—  Our total potential loss from our most concentrated exposure (northern Europe windstorm) is approximately
   £335 million for a one in  ten year annual loss scenario, compared to approximately £620 million for a one in
   hundred year annual loss scenario

  A 5% increase in gross loss ratios for our general insurance and health business reduces shareholders
   funds by £345 million on a pre-tax basis

 

—  Regular reviews by group general insurance committee

—  Use of reinsurance to help reduce the financial impact of a catastrophe and manage earnings volatility

—  Extensive use of data, financial models and analysis to improve pricing and risk selection

—  Underwriting and claims management disciplines

—  Digital mapping to better manage property flood risk

  Mortality/ morbidity – a 5% worsening in assurance mortality/morbidity experience would reduce
   shareholder funds by £45 million before tax

  Longevity – should our assumptions in respect of annuitant mortality worsen by 5% then shareholder
    funds would reduce by £320 million before tax

 

 

—  Regular reviews by Life insurance committee

—  Monitor longevity statistics compared with emerging industry trends and use of reinsurance solutions

 Use of reinsurance solutions to mitigate mortality and morbidity risks

—  Guidelines to support businesses through complete cycle of product design, development and pricing

  Regular monitoring of expense assumptions

  Guidelines on persistency management apply best practice across the group

—  Progress in building our Aviva global brand and transforming our business

—  How responsive we are to changes in the external environment that may provide opportunities
   or cause strategic risks

—  Impact of the challenging economic environment and volatile financial markets

 

  Strategic review and planning process

—  Developments assessed during our performance management process

—  Maintaining a diverse distribution model and review of concentrations by channel, product, country or customer group

—  Challenging developments that could be damaging to our business and the industry as a whole

  Maintaining integrity and confidence in our brands and products

  Building long term relationships with our customers and attracting new customers to Aviva

  New product and distribution developments that suit our customers’ changing needs

 

  Regular reviews by the group corporate reputation committee

—  Building our brand prominence and regularly monitoring brand metrics

  Delivering a truly exceptional experience to our customers and treating customers fairly in line with the FSA principles

—  Monitor metrics including customer advocacy, retention and complaints

  Increasing our efficiency and reducing complexity

  Levels of investment and operating performance

  Capabilities across our organisation

 

  Framework of corporate responsibility, policies and business ethics code

  Procedures to record properly and verify a large number of events

—  Significant resources devoted to maintaining efficient and effective operations

 

________________
1.  IRFS sensitivities are shown gross of minority interest


44

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Contractual obligations

Contractual obligations with specified payment dates at 31 December 2009 included the following:

 

 

Less
than one
year
£m

Between
one and
three
years
£m

Between
three
and five
years
£m

After
five
years
£m

Total

Insurance and investment contracts

 

 

 

 

 

Long term business

 

 

 

 

 

 Insurance contracts – non-linked1

10,554

9,609

33,980

135,004

189,147

 Investment contracts – non-linked2

59,504

59,504

 Linked business2

80,206

80,206

General insurance3

7,215

4,549

2,467

4,111

18,342

 

157,479

14,158

36,447

139,115

347,199

Other contractual obligations4

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

1,336

1,244

1,751

23,613

27,944

Operating lease obligations

145

408

55

834

1,442

Capital commitments

133

93

47

52

325

Payables and other financial liabilities5

20,095

357

93

441

20,986

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

9,894

9,894

Total

189,082

16,260

38,393

164,055

407,790

 

Reconciliation to the statement of financial position

£m

Total contractual obligations above

407,790

Effect of discounting contractual cash flows for insurance contracts

(66,092)

Contractual undiscounted interest payments6

(12,169)

Difference between carrying value of borrowings and undiscounted cash flows of principle

(775)

Contractual cash flows under operating leases and capital commitments

(1,767)

Difference between derivative liabilities contractual cash flows and carrying value

(444)

Liabilities of operations classified as held for sale

33

Non-contractual / short term obligations

 

 Unallocated divisible surplus7

3,866

 Provisions8

3,980

 Current and deferred tax liabilities

1,230

 Other liabilities

3,653

Total liabilities per statement of financial position

339,305

1.

Amounts shown in respect of long term insurance contracts represent estimated undiscounted cash flows for the Group’s life assurance contracts. In determining the projected payments, account has been taken of the contract features, in particular that the amount and timing of the contractual payments reflect either surrender, death or contract maturity. In addition, the undiscounted amounts shown include the expected payments based on assumed future investment returns on assets backing insurance and investment contract liabilities. The projected cash flows exclude the unallocated surplus of with-profits funds (see below).

2.

All linked contracts and almost all non-linked investment contracts may be surrendered or transferred on demand. For such contracts the earliest contractual maturity is therefore at the current statement of financial position date, for a surrender amount approximately equal to the current statement of financial position liability. Although we expect surrenders, transfers and maturities to occur over many years, the total liability for non-linked investment contracts is shown in the Within 1 year column above.

3.

Amounts shown in respect of general insurance contracts are based on undiscounted estimates of future claim payments, including for those classes of business for which discounted provisions are held, see “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities”. The timing of cash flows reflects a best estimate of when claims will be settled.

4.

The Group has no material finance leases for property and equipment.

5.

Includes obligations under stock lending and repurchase agreements.

6.

When subordinated debt is undated or loan notes perpetual, the interest payments have not been included beyond 15 years. Annual interest payments for these borrowings are £75 million. Contractual undiscounted interest payments are calculated using fixed interest rates or prevailing market floating rates as applicable.

7.

The unallocated surplus represents the excess of assets over liabilities, including policyholder ‘‘asset share’’ liabilities, which reflect the amount payable under the realistic Peak 2 reporting regime of the FSA. Although accounted for as a liability, as permitted by IFRS 4, there is currently no expected payment date for the unallocated surplus.

8.

Provisions include pension obligations, which have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above, due to the uncertainty of the amount and timing of future cash flows. The Group operates both funded defined benefit and funded defined contribution pension schemes around the world, full details of which are provided in “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 44 – Pension obligations”. We have a contractual obligation to fund these schemes. However, the amount and timing of the Group’s cash contributions to these schemes is uncertain and will be affected by factors such as future investment returns and demographic changes. Our cash funding of defined contribution schemes is based on percentages of salary. Our cash contribution to defined benefit schemes is agreed in advance with scheme trustees for the short term, typically a period of up to 5 years. However, these contributions are revisited annually in light of changes in expectations of investment returns and other assumptions. The scheme liabilities have an average duration of 22 years in the UK schemes and between 12 and 18 years in the non-UK schemes.

Asset liability matching and asset maturity analysis

“Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management – (d) Liquidity risk” includes a discussion on how we match invested assets with the contractual obligations above and provides an analysis, by maturity date of principal, of the carrying value of financial assets available to fund the repayment of contractual obligations as they fall due.

 

 


 

 

45

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Capital management

Capital management objectives

Aviva’s capital management philosophy is focused on capital efficiency and effective risk management to support the dividend policy and earnings per share growth. Overall capital risk appetite is set and managed with reference to the requirements of a range of different stakeholders including shareholders, policyholders, regulators and rating agencies. In managing capital we seek to:

maintain sufficient, but not excessive, financial strength to support new business growth and satisfy the requirements of our regulators and other stakeholders thus giving both our customers and shareholders assurance of our financial strength;

optimise our overall debt to equity structure to enhance our returns to shareholders, subject to our capital risk appetite and balancing the requirements of the range of stakeholders;

retain financial flexibility by maintaining strong liquidity, including significant unutilised committed credit facilities and access to a range of capital markets;

allocate capital rigorously across the group, to drive value adding growth in accordance with risk appetite; and

declare dividends on a basis judged prudent, while retaining capital to support future business growth, using dividend cover on an IFRS operating earnings after tax basis in the 1.5 to 2.0 times range as a guide.

Targets are established in relation to regulatory solvency, ratings, liquidity and dividend capacity and are a key tool in managing capital in accordance with our risk appetite and the requirements of our various stakeholders.

Strategic capital allocation initiatives

A number of key strategic initiatives have been delivered in the last quarter of 2009 which have significantly enhanced the Group’s capital position and financial flexibility.

On 1 October 2009 Aviva announced the completion of the sale of its Australian life business and wealth management platform. The total proceeds of the Australian sale were £0.4 billion (A$0.9 billion). The sale of the business benefited group IGD by £0.4 billion.

On 3 November 2009 Aviva announced the completion of the Delta Lloyd initial public offering (“IPO”) and the shares commenced trading on the Euronext Amsterdam. The IPO raised gross proceeds of £1.00 billion (€1.09 billion), including the 10% over-allotment option, and generated an IGD benefit of £0.5 billion.

Following High Court and FSA approval in September, the deal to complete the reattribution of our inherited estate was concluded on 1 October with 87% of policyholders voting and 96% of these voting in favour of the offer. The total value of the inherited estate for the reattribution was £1.25 billion, with £0.5 billion paid from shareholder funds to policyholders. The impact of the policyholder incentive payment reduced Group IGD by £0.5 billion.

Accounting basis and capital employed by segment

The table below shows how our capital, on an IFRS basis, is deployed by segment and how that capital is funded.

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Long-term savings

17,317

16,581

General insurance and health

4,562

5,516

Fund management

269

340

Other business

(246)

(199)

Corporate1

(34)

(30)

Total capital employed

21,868

22,208

Financed by:

 

 

Equity shareholders’ funds

10,356

11,179

Minority interest

3,540

2,204

Direct capital instruments

990

990

Preference shares

200

200

Subordinated debt

4,637

4,606

External debt

852

919

Net internal debt2

1,293

2,110

 

21,868

22,208

1.

The “corporate” net liabilities represent the element of the pension scheme deficit held centrally.

2.

In addition to our external funding sources, we have certain internal borrowing arrangements in place which allow some of the assets that support technical liabilities to be invested in a pool of central assets for use across the group. These internal debt balances allow for the capital allocated to business operations to exceed the externally sourced capital resources of the group. Net internal debt represents the balance of the amounts due from corporate and holding entities, less the tangible net assets held by these entities. Although intra-group in nature, they are included as part of the capital base for the purpose of capital management. These arrangements arise in relation to the following:

 

Certain subsidiaries, subject to continuing to satisfy stand alone capital and liquidity requirements, loan funds to corporate and holding entities. These loans satisfy arms length criteria and all interest payments are made when due.

 

Aviva International Insurance (AII) Ltd acts as both a UK general insurer and as the primary holding company for our foreign subsidiaries. Internal capital management mechanisms in place allocate a portion of the total capital of the company to the UK general insurance operations. These mechanisms also allow for some of the assets backing technical liabilities to be made available for use across the group. Balances in respect of these arrangements are also treated as internal debt for capital management purposes.

 

Total capital employed is financed by a combination of equity shareholders’ funds, preference capital, subordinated debt and borrowings (including internal borrowings as described in footnote 2 above).

At 31 December 2009 we had £21.9 billion (31 December 2008: £22.2 billion) of total capital employed in our trading operations, measured on an IFRS basis.

In April 2009 we issued a private placement of £245 million equivalent of Lower Tier 2 hybrid in a dual tranche transaction (£200 million on 1 April 2009 and a further €50 million on 30 April 2009). These transactions had a positive impact on group IGD solvency and economic capital measures.

Financial flexibility

The group’s borrowings are comprised primarily of long dated hybrid instruments with maturities spread over many years, minimising refinancing risk. In addition to central liquid asset holdings of £2.2 billion, the group also has access to unutilised committed credit facilities of £2.1 billion provided by a range of leading international banks.


 

 

 


46

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Regulatory bases

Individual regulated subsidiaries measure and report solvency based on applicable local regulations, including in the UK the regulations established by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). These measures are also consolidated under the European Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) to calculate regulatory capital adequacy at an aggregate group level, where we have a regulatory obligation to have a positive position at all times. This measure represents the excess of the aggregate value of regulatory capital employed in our business over the aggregate minimum solvency requirements imposed by local regulators, excluding the surplus held in the UK and Ireland with-profit life funds. The minimum solvency requirement for our European businesses is based on the Solvency 1 Directive. In broad terms, for EU operations, this is set at 4% and 1% of non-linked and unit-linked life reserves respectively and for our general insurance portfolio of business is the higher of 18% of gross premiums or 26% of gross claims, in both cases adjusted to reflect the level of reinsurance recoveries. For our major non-European businesses (the US, and Canada) a risk charge on assets and liabilities approach is used.

Regulatory bases – group

European Insurance Groups Directive

 

UK Life
funds
£bn

Other
business
£bn

2009
£bn

2008
£bn

Insurance Groups Directive (IGD)
capital resources

4.9

10.8

15.7

15.5

Less: capital resource requirement

(4.9)

(6.3)

(11.2)

(13.5)

Insurance Groups Directive (IGD)
excess solvency

4.5

4.5

2.0

Cover of EU minimum (calculated excluding UK Life funds)

 

1.7 times

1.3 times

The EU Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) regulatory capital solvency surplus has increased by £2.5 billion since 31 December 2008 to £4.5 billion. This increase reflects a combination of operating and market performance as well as the benefit of a number of strategic initiatives. Following individual guidance from the FSA in 2008 we now recognise surpluses in the non-profit funds of our UK life and pensions business which is available for transfer to shareholders of £0.2 billion (31 December 2008 £0.4 billion). The IGD is a pure aggregation test with no credit given for the considerable diversification benefits of Aviva.

As outlined above a number of strategic initiatives impacting the IGD solvency position were completed during the year. The Delta Lloyd IPO and Australian Life disposal benefited solvency by £0.5 billion and £0.4 billion respectively, while the policyholder incentive payment paid as part of the inherited estate reattribution reduced solvency by £0.5 billion. Other material initiatives included a £0.4 billion benefit from central and Delta Lloyd hybrid issues and £0.1 billion from the disposal of the Dutch healthcare business. The IGD position also benefited from the change in value of non-regulated entities, which includes the recognition of intellectual property rights and movements in the value of distribution companies. The reintroduction of the scrip scheme, allowing investors the option of receiving dividends in the form of new Aviva shares, also delivered a capital benefit of £0.3 billion over the year.

Regulatory basis – Long-term businesses

For our non-participating worldwide life assurance businesses, our capital requirements, expressed as a percentage of the EU minimum, are set for each business unit as the higher of:

The level of capital at which the local regulator is empowered to take action;

The capital requirement of the business unit under the group’s economic capital requirements; and,

The target capital level of the business unit.

The required capital across our life businesses varies between 100% and 325% of EU minimum or equivalent. The weighted average level of required capital for our non-participating life business, expressed as a percentage of the EU minimum (or equivalent) solvency margin has decreased to 130% (31 December 2008: 142%).

These levels of required capital are used in the calculation of the group’s embedded value to evaluate the cost of locked in capital. At 31 December 2009 the aggregate regulatory requirements based on the EU minimum test amounted to £6.1 billion (31 December 2008: £6.0 billion). At this date, the actual net worth held in our long-term business was £9.8 billion (31 December 2008: £9.5 billion) which represents 159% (31 December 2008: 157%) of these minimum requirements.

Regulatory basis – UK Life with-profit funds

The available capital of the with-profit funds is represented by the realistic inherited estate. The estate represents the assets of the long-term with-profit funds less the realistic liabilities for non-profit policies within the funds, less asset shares aggregated across the with-profit policies and any additional amounts expected at the valuation date to be paid to in-force policyholders in the future in respect of smoothing costs, guarantees and promises. Realistic balance sheet information is shown below for the three main UK with-profit funds: Old With-Profit Sub-Fund (OWPSF), New With-Profit Sub-Fund (NWPSF) and UK Life and Pensions (UKLAP). These realistic liabilities have been included within the long-term business provision and the liability for insurance and investment contracts on the consolidated IFRS balance sheet at 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008.

 

Estimated
realistic
assets
£bn

Estimate
realistic
liabilities1
£bn

Estimated
realistic
inherited
Estate2
£bn

Support
Arrange-
ment
5

£bn

 

Estimated
risk capital
margin3
£bn

Estimated
excess
£bn

2008
Estimated

excess
£bn

CGNU Life

 

0.3

CULAC

 

0.3

OWPSF

3.0

(2.8)

0.2

 

(0.1)

0.1

NWPSF

21.2

(21.2)

1.1

 

(0.5)

0.6

UKLAP4

20.3

(18.7)

1.6

 

(0.2)

1.4

0.5

Aggregate

44.5

(42.7)

1.8

1.1

 

(0.8)

2.1

1.1

1.

These realistic liabilities include the shareholders’ share of future bonuses of £0.6 billion (31 December 2008: £0.8 billion). Realistic liabilities adjusted to eliminate the shareholders’ share of future bonuses are £42.1billion (31 December 2008: £43.2 billion). These realistic liabilities make provision for guarantees, options and promises on a market consistent stochastic basis. The value of the provision included within realistic liabilities is £0.3billion, £2.2 billion and £3.1 billion for OWPSF, NWPSF and UKLAP respectively (31 December 2008: £1.4 billion, £1.5 billion and £4.1 billion).

2.

Estimated realistic inherited estate at 31 December 2008 was £0.7 billion, £0.7 billion and £1.2 billion for CGNU Life, CULAC and UKLAP respectively.

3.

The risk capital margin (RCM) is 3.6 times covered by the inherited estate and support arrangement (31 December 2008: 1.8 times).

4.

The UKLAP fund includes the Provident Mutual (PM) fund which has realistic assets and liabilities of £1.7 billion, and therefore does not impact the realistic inherited estate.

5.

This represents the reattributed estate of £1.1 billion at 31 December 2009 held within the non-profit fund with UKLAP included within other UK life operations.




 

 


 

 

47

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Investment mix

The aggregate investment mix of the assets in the three main with-profit funds at 31 December 2009 was:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Equity

21%

24%

Property

12%

12%

Fixed interest

59%

56%

Other

8%

8%

 

100%

100%

The equity backing ratios, including property, supporting with-profit asset shares are 58%% in OWPSF and NWPSF, and 54% in UKLAP.

 

Rating agency capital

Credit ratings are an important indicator of financial strength and support access to debt markets as well as providing assurance to business partners and policyholders over our ability to service contractual obligations. In recognition of this we have solicited relationships with a number of rating agencies. The agencies generally assign ratings based on an assessment of a range of financial factors (e.g. capital strength, gearing, liquidity and fixed charge cover ratios) and non financial factors (e.g. strategy, competitive position, and quality of management).

Certain rating agencies have proprietary capital models which they use to assess available capital resources against capital requirements as a component in their overall criteria for assigning ratings. Managing our capital and liquidity position in accordance with our target rating levels is a core consideration in all material capital management and capital allocation decisions.

The group’s overall financial strength is reflected in our credit ratings. The group’s rating from Standard & Poors is AA- (“very strong”) with a Negative outlook; Aa3 (“excellent”) with a Negative outlook from Moody’s; and A (“excellent”) with a Stable outlook from A M Best . These ratings continue to reflect our strong competitive position, positive strategic management, strong and diversified underlying earnings profile and robust liquidity position.

Economic capital

We use a risk-based capital model to assess economic capital requirements and to aid in risk and capital management across the group. The model is based on a framework for identifying the risks to which business units, and the group as a whole, are exposed. A mixture of scenario based approaches and stochastic models are used to capture market risk, credit risk, insurance risk and operational risk. Scenarios are specified centrally to provide consistency across businesses and to achieve a minimum standard. Where appropriate, businesses also supplement these with additional risk models and stressed scenarios specific to their own risk profile. When aggregating capital requirements at business unit and group level, we allow for diversification benefits between risks and between businesses, with restrictions to allow for non-fungibility of capital when appropriate. This means that the aggregate capital requirement is less than the sum of capital required to cover all of the individual risks.

This model is used to support our Individual Capital Assessments (ICA) which are reported to the FSA for all our UK regulated insurance businesses. The FSA uses the results of our ICA process when setting target levels of capital for our UK regulated insurance businesses. In line with FSA requirements, the ICA estimates the capital required to mitigate the risk of insolvency to a 99.5% confidence level over a one year time horizon (equivalent to events occurring in 1 out of 200 years) against financial and non-financial tests.

The financial modelling techniques employed in economic capital enhance our practice of risk and capital management. They enable understanding of the impact of the interaction of different risks allowing us to direct risk management activities appropriately. These same techniques are employed to enhance product pricing and capital allocation processes. Unlike more traditional regulatory capital measures, economic capital also recognises the value of longer term profits emerging from in-force and new business, allowing for consideration of longer term value emergence as well as shorter term net worth volatility in our risk and capital management processes. We continue to develop our economic capital modelling capability for all our businesses as part of our development programme to increase the focus on economic capital management. In addition we have initiated work on meeting the emerging requirements of the Solvency II framework and external agencies.

Solvency II

2009 has represented a significant step for Solvency II and the insurance industry. Since the approval of the Solvency II Directive in May 2009, the focus has been on the development of the Level 2 implementing measures advice published by the CEIOPS which fill in the detail under Level 1 and focused on technical issues. Aviva has been actively participating in the process by providing responses to the CEIOPS as well as participating in the key European industry working groups who provide the voice of industry in on-going negotiation in Brussels.

The formal CEIOPS consultation process has already closed and the European Commission are now considering the wording on the implementing measures that will be finalised by the end of 2010. Full implementation of Solvency II will be required in October 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


48

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Performance review continued

Basis of preparation

This review complies with the recommendations of the European Union (EU) Modernisation Directive, the UK Companies Act 2006 (Contents of Directors’ report: Business review) and is in line with current best practice. It is addressed to, and written for, the members of Aviva plc with the aim of providing a fair review of our business development, performance and position at the current time. In producing this review, we aim to present a view that is balanced and comprehensive and that is consistent with the size and complexity of our business. The review is written in the context of the risks and uncertainties facing our business. We anticipate that the format and content of the review will evolve over time, along with developments in our business and the external environment.

Key Performance Indicators

The UK Companies Act requires that a fair review of the business contains financial and, where applicable, non-financial key performance indicators (KPIs). We consider that our financial KPIs are those that communicate to the members the financial performance and strength of the group as a whole.

These KPIs comprise:

Earnings per share (International Financial Reporting Standards basis)

Proposed ordinary dividend per share and dividend cover

Adjusted operating profit

Worldwide sales

Return on equity shareholders’ funds

Management also use a variety of other performance indicators (OPIs) in both running and assessing the performance of individual business segments and units, rather than the group as a whole. OPIs include measures such as new business margins, combined operating ratio and underwriting profit.

In addition to reporting on our financial performance, it is important that as a forward thinking company we are aware of our wider responsibilities and report on the non-financial aspects of our performance, including corporate social responsibility. We consider that our employees and customers are fundamental to the success of our business; as such, they form the basis for our non-financial measures, and include:

 Leadership and employee engagement

 Customer advocacy

Accounting basis of preparation

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared under IFRS, using standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and endorsed by the EU. In addition to fulfilling this legal obligation, the group has also complied with IFRS as issued by the IASB and applicable at 31 December 2009.

The financial data contained in the report and accounts has been prepared using the group’s accounting policies set out on pages 99 to 142. Where applicable, the financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) on accounting for insurance business issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the most recent version of which was issued in December 2005 and amended in December 2006.

We have corrected some errors made in previous years in reporting pension obligations in our Dutch subsidiary. Details are given in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 2 – Presentation changes”.

 


 




50

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Board of directors

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


 

1 Lord Sharman of Redlynch OBE

Chairman (Age 67)

Appointed to the Board in January 2005 and became Chairman in January 2006. Currently an independent non-executive director of BG Group plc (utility) and Reed Elsevier plc (publishing). Former chairman of Aegis Group plc (media services) and KPMG International (auditors), former deputy chairman of Group 4 Securicor plc (security services), former member of the supervisory board of ABN AMRO N.V. (banking) and a former independent non-executive director of Young & Co.’s Brewery plc (hospitality) and AEA Technology plc (commercial/technology). Chairman of the Board and nomination committee and member of the corporate responsibility committee.

 

2 Andrew Moss

Group chief executive (Age 52)

Appointed to the Board in May 2004. Joined as Group Finance Director and became Group Chief Executive in July 2007. Previously director – finance, risk management and operations at Lloyd’s of London (insurance) and formerly held a number of senior management positions at HSBC plc (banking). Member of the corporate responsibility and nomination committees.

 

 


 

 

51

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Board of directors continued

 

3 Patrick Regan

Chief financial officer (Age 44)

Appointed to the Board in February 2010 as Chief Financial Officer. Previously group chief financial officer and group chief operating officer at Willis Group Holdings Limited (insurance broking). Formerly group financial controller for RSA plc (insurance) and finance and claims director, UK general insurance for Axa Insurance (insurance). He also held a number of senior management positions at GE Capital (financial services) and specialised in corporate finance and investigations at Grant Thornton (professional services).

4 Mark Hodges

Executive director (Age 44)

Appointed to the Board in June 2008. Joined Norwich Union in January 1991 and held a number of senior roles within the finance function before becoming finance director of Norwich Union Insurance in 1998, managing director of Norwich Union General Insurance in 2005 and chief executive of Norwich Union Life, the Group’s long-term savings business in the UK, in 2006. Appointed chief executive of Aviva UK, comprising Aviva UK Life (formerly Norwich Union Life), and Aviva UK General Insurance (formerly Norwich Union Insurance), the Group’s insurance and motoring services business in the UK, in January 2010.

5 Andrea Moneta

Executive director (Age 44)

Appointed to the Board in September 2009. Joined as chief executive of Aviva Europe in July 2008, and currently chief executive officer, Aviva Europe, Middle East and Africa. Previously managing director of Dubai Financial Group (financial services) and formerly held a number of senior executive positions with UniCredit (banking), the European Central Bank (banking), and Accenture (consulting).

6 Mary Francis CBE

Independent non-executive director (Age 61)

Appointed to the Board in October 2005. Currently senior independent director of Centrica plc (utilities), a non-executive director of Cable & Wireless plc (telecoms) and a director of Almeida Theatre Company Limited. A senior adviser to Chatham House and Governor of the Pensions Policy Institute. Formerly Director General of the Association of British Insurers, non-executive director of the Bank of England, Alliance & Leicester plc (banking), Fund Distribution Limited, St Modwen Properties plc (property

development) and a senior civil servant. Chairman of the risk and regulatory committee and a member of the audit, nomination and remuneration committees.

7 Richard Karl Goeltz

Senior independent non-executive director (Age 67)

Appointed to the Board in May 2004. Currently a non-executive director of the Warnaco Group Inc (clothing), the New Germany Fund (investment trust), the Central Europe and Russia Fund (investment trust), the European Equity Fund (investment trust) and a governor of The London School of Economics and Political Science. Former vice chairman and chief financial officer of American Express Company (financial services) and director and chief financial officer of NatWest Group plc (banking). Former non-executive director of Delta Air Lines, Inc (transport) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (financial services) and a former member of the Accounting Standards Board (UK). Member of the audit and nomination committees.

8 Euleen Goh

Independent non-executive director (Age 54)

Appointed to the Board in January 2009. Currently a non-executive director of Singapore Airlines Limited (transport), DBS Bank Limited and DBS Group Holdings Ltd (banking) and the Singapore Exchange Limited. Former chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore (banking). Member of the audit and corporate responsibility committees.

9 Michael Hawker

Independent non-executive director (Age 50)

Appointed to the Board in January 2010. Currently an advisory board director at General Enterprise Management Services International Limited (GEMS), the Hong Kong-based private equity firm and a non-executive director of Macquarie Bank, Limited, Macquarie Group Limited and Australian Rugby Union. Formerly chief executive and managing director of Insurance Australia Group Limited (insurance), the largest general insurance company in Australia. Member of the risk and regulatory committee.

10 Carole Piwnica

Independent non-executive director (Age 52)

Appointed to the Board in May 2003. A member of the New York and Paris Bars. Currently a director of Naxos UK (private equity) and a non-executive director of Toepfer International GmbH (trading),

Dairy Crest Group plc (dairy products) and a member of the biotech advisory board of Monsanto (biotechnology). Former chairman of Amylum Group (agricultural/industrial). Former non-executive director and vice- chairman of governmental affairs for Tate & Lyle plc (agricultural/industrial) and a non-executive director of S A Spadel N.V. (food and beverages). Chairman of the corporate responsibility committee and member of the remuneration committee.

11 Leslie Van de Walle

Independent non-executive director (Age 53)

Appointed to the Board in May 2009. Formerly chief executive officer of Rexam plc (packaging), executive vice president of retail for oil products and head of oil products, a division of Shell Europe Royal Dutch Shell plc and non-executive director of Aegis Group plc (media services). Formerly held a number of senior management positions with Cadbury Schweppes plc (consumer goods) and United Biscuits Limited (consumer goods). Member of the remuneration and risk and regulatory committees.

12 Russell Walls

Independent non-executive director (Age 66)

Appointed to the Board in May 2004. Currently non-executive director of Signet Jewelers Limited (retail) and treasurer and trustee of The British Red Cross. Former group finance director of BAA plc (transport), Wellcome plc (pharmaceuticals) and Coats Viyella plc (textiles). Former non-executive director of Delphic Diagnostics Limited (medical), senior independent non-executive director of Stagecoach Group plc (transport) and Hilton Group plc (leisure) and a former non-executive director of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (transport). Chairman of the audit committee and a member of the nomination and the risk and regulatory committees.

13 Scott Wheway

Independent non-executive director (Age 43)

Appointed to the Board in December 2007. Currently chief executive of Best Buy Europe (retail services). Former director of The Boots Company plc (pharmacy) and managing director of Boots the Chemist at Alliance Boots plc. Formerly held a number of senior management positions at Tesco plc (retail services). Chairman of the remuneration committee and member of the corporate responsibility committee.


 

 


52

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Executive management

 

Andrew Moss

Group chief executive (Age 52)

See page 50

Patrick Regan

Chief financial officer (Age 44)

See page 51

Mark Hodges

Chief executive, Aviva UK (Age 44)

See page 51

Andrea Moneta

Chief executive, Aviva Europe, Middle East and Africa

(Age 44)

See page 51

John Ainley

Group human resources director (Age 53)

Joined the Group in 1999. Formerly held senior HR positions with WH Smith plc, ICL plc, Priory Hospitals Group and General Electric plc. Previously Group HR Director for Norwich Union plc and HR Director for Norwich Union Insurance and Norwich Union Life. Holds a Law degree and is a companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

Alain Dromer

Chief executive, Aviva Investors (Age 55)

Joined the Group in September 2007. Formerly global head of group investment businesses at HSBC, senior executive vice president and head of asset management and insurance at Credit Commercial de France and director of capital markets at La Compagnie Financiére Edmond de Rothschild. Formerly at the French Treasury in the Ministry of Finance and the French Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies. Educated at l’École Polytechnique, Paris and l’École Nationale de la Statistique l‘Administration Économique, Paris.

Simon Machell

Chief executive, Aviva Asia Pacific (Age 46)

Joined the Group in 1994. Formerly chief executive of Norwich Union Insurance and managing director of RAC plc. Previously held positions with Ernst & Young LLP and Legal & General. Holds a BA Honours in Economics from the University of Durham and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Amanda Mackenzie

Chief marketing officer (Age 46)

Joined the Group in 2008. Previously commercial and marketing director for British Gas plc and has more than 20 years of experience in the marketing and advertising profession. Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of London and is a graduate of the INSEAD advanced management programme. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Government Strategic Marketing Advisory Board, a fellow of the Marketing Society and a governor of the National Youth Orchestra.

Igal Mayer

Chief executive, Aviva North America (Age 48)

Joined the Group in 1989. Formerly chief executive of Aviva UK General Insurance (formerly Norwich Union Insurance), chief executive officer of Aviva Canada, chief financial officer and executive vice-president. Previously finance director for Norwich Union Insurance and managing director for CGU Insurance in London. Holds a BA Honours in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto, is a chartered accountant and has received an honorary Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Robin Spencer

Chief risk officer (Age 40)

Joined the Group in 1995. Formerly chief executive officer of Aviva Canada, chief financial officer of Aviva Canada and held various senior management positions in the finance function, including finance director for London & Edinburgh Insurance Company Limited. Previously spent five years with Procter & Gamble Limited. Holds an MA in Economics from Aberdeen University and is a chartered management accountant. Former chairman of Canada's Property and Casualty Insurance Compensation Corporation.


 

 


 

 

53

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ report

 

The directors submit their annual report and accounts for Aviva plc, together with the consolidated financial statements of the Aviva Group of companies, for the year ended 31 December 2009.

The UK Companies Act 2006 requires the directors to present a “business review” in this Directors’ Report. The information that fulfils this requirement can be found in the Performance Review on pages 1 to 48, which includes a review of the Group’s operations, current position and future prospects, a description of the principal activities of the Group, and principal risks and uncertainties. This Performance Review, the Corporate Governance Report and the Directors’ Remuneration Report are incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report. Details of material acquisitions and disposals made by the Group during the year are contained in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

Results

The Group results for the year are shown in the consolidated income statement on page 112.

Dividends

The directors are recommending a final dividend of 15.00 pence per ordinary share (2008: 19.91 pence), which, together with the interim dividend of 9.00 pence per ordinary share paid on 17 November 2009 (2008: 13.09 pence), produces a total dividend for the year of 24.00 pence per ordinary share (2008: 33.00 pence). The total cost of ordinary dividends paid in 2009, was £775 million (2008: £902 million). Subject to shareholder approval at the 2010 Annual General Meeting, the final dividend for 2009 will be paid on 17 May 2010 to all holders of ordinary shares on the Register of Members at the close of business on 26 March 2010 (and approximately five business days later for holders of American Depositary Receipts).

Share capital and control

The issued ordinary share capital of the Company was increased by 108,909,750 ordinary shares during the year. 951,455 shares were allotted under the Group’s employee share and incentive plans and 107,958,295 shares were allotted under the Aviva Scrip Dividend Scheme for the May 2009 and November 2009 dividends. At 31 December 2009 the issued ordinary share capital totalled 2,766,611,374 shares of 25 pence each and the issued preference share capital totalled 200 million shares of £1 each. Accordingly, the issued ordinary share capital constituted 78% of the Company’s total issued share capital and the issued preference share capital constituted 22% of the Company’s total issued share capital at 31 December 2009. All the Company’s shares are fully paid up and quoted on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the form of American Depositary Shares, referenced to ordinary shares, under a depositary agreement with Citibank. Details of the Company’s share capital and shares under option at 31 December 2009 and shares issued during the year are given in notes 25 to 28 to the consolidated financial statements.

The rights and obligations attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares and preference shares as well as the powers of the Company’s directors, are set out in the Company’s Articles of Association, copies of which can be obtained from Companies House and the Company’s website,www.aviva.com, or by writing to the Company Secretary.

With the exception of restrictions on transfer of ordinary shares under the Company’s employee share incentive plans while the shares are subject to the rules of the plan, there are no restrictions on the voting rights attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares or the transfer of securities in the Company.

Where, under an employee share plan operated by the Company, participants are the beneficial owners of shares, but not the registered owners, the voting rights are normally exercised at the discretion of the participants. No person holds securities in the Company carrying special rights with regard to control of the Company. The Company is not aware of any agreements between holders of securities that may result in restrictions in the transfer of securities or voting rights. Unless expressly specified to the contrary in the Articles of Association of the Company, the Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special resolution of the Company’s shareholders in general meeting. At the 2010 Annual General Meeting shareholders will be asked to adopt new Articles of Association and further details can be found in the Notice of Meeting accompanying this annual report and accounts. There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company, such as commercial contracts and joint venture agreements. None is considered to be significant in terms of their potential impact on the business of the Group as a whole. All of the Company’s employee share and incentive plans contain provisions relating to a change of control. Outstanding awards and options would normally vest and become exercisable on a change of control, subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions and pro rata reduction as may be applicable under the rules of the employee share incentive plans.

At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, shareholders will be asked to renew the directors’ authority to allot shares. Details are contained in the Notice of Meeting.

Authority to purchase own shares

At the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on 29 April 2009, shareholders renewed the Company’s authorities to make market purchases of up to 265 million ordinary shares, up to 100 million 83/4% preference shares and up to 100 million 83/8% preference shares. These authorities were not used during the year. With effect from 1 October 2009, section 725 of the UK Companies Act 2006 was repealed with the effect that the Company is no longer subject to a limit of 10% of its total issued share capital in respect of the number of its own shares that the Company may buy back and hold in treasury. The regulation repealing section 725 also extended the validity period of the authority given to a company to purchase its own shares, from a maximum of 18 months to a maximum of five years. The Company will continue to follow guidelines which recommend the annual renewal of this authority as a matter of best practice for listed companies, unless such guidelines change. At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, shareholders will be asked to renew this authority for another year and the resolution will also retain the 10% maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares which the Company can purchase. Details are contained in the Notice of Meeting. The Company held no treasury shares during the year.

 


 

 


54

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ report continued

 

Substantial shareholdings

As at 3 March 2010, in accordance with the provisions of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority, the Company had received the following notifications relating to the holding percentage of the total voting rights attaching to the issued ordinary share capital of the Company; Legal & General Group plc held 4.24%; Axa S.A held 3.86% and BlackRock, Inc. held 5.09%. The Company also received a notification from Barclays plc that following the sale of its Barclays Global Investors subsidiary it ceased to hold any ordinary shares in the Company. See “Additional disclosures for SEC – Major shareholders and related party disclosures” for additional details.

Directors

The following persons served as directors of the Company during the year:

 

Nikesh Arora (resigned 5 August 2009)

Wim Dik (retired 29 April 2009)

Mary Francis

Richard Karl Goeltz

Euleen Goh (appointed 1 January 2009)

Mark Hodges

Andrea Moneta (appointed 29 September 2009)

Andrew Moss

Carole Piwnica

Philip Scott (retired 26 January 2010)

Lord Sharman of Redlynch

Leslie Van de Walle (appointed 6 May 2009)

Russell Walls

Scott Wheway

 

The biographical details of the persons currently serving as directors appear on pages 50 to 51.

The Company’s Articles of Association require one-third of the directors to retire by rotation each year and also require each director to retire at intervals of not more than three years. At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, Lord Sharman, the Chairman, and Scott Wheway, a non-executive director, will retire and, being eligible, will offer themselves for re-election. Andrew Moss, the Group Chief Executive will also retire and offer himself for re-election. Leslie Van de Walle, Andrea Moneta, Michael Hawker and Patrick Regan will offer themselves for election by shareholders at this year’s Annual General Meeting being the first such meeting after their appointment to the Board. Leslie Van de Walle and Michael Hawker are non-executive directors and were appointed to the Board on 6 May 2009 and 1 January 2010 respectively. Andrea Moneta and Patrick Regan are executive directors and have service contracts with a Group company, details of which can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. Wim Dik retired from the Board at last year’s Annual General Meeting in line with the Board’s plans to renew and refresh its composition, while Philip Scott retired from the board on 26 January 2010 following a 36 year career with the Group, which began with Norwich Union.

Directors’ interests and indemnity arrangements

At no time during the year did any director hold a material interest in any contract of significance with the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings other than an indemnity provision between each director and the Company and service contracts between each executive director and a Group company. The Company has purchased and maintained throughout the year

directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in respect of itself and its directors. The directors also have the benefit of the indemnity provision contained in the Company’s Articles of Association. The Company has executed deeds of indemnity for the benefit of each director of the Company, and each person who was a director of the Company during the year, in respect of liabilities that may attach to them in their capacity as directors of the Company or of associated companies. These indemnities were granted at different times according to the law in place at the time and where relevant are qualifying third-party indemnity provisions as defined by section 234 of the UK Companies Act 2006. These indemnities were in force throughout the year and are currently in force. Details of directors’ remuneration, service contracts and interests in the shares of the Company are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Financial instruments

Aviva Group companies use financial instruments to manage certain types of risks including those relating to credit, foreign currency exchange, cash flow, liquidity, interest rates, and equity and property prices. Details of the objectives and management of these instruments are contained in the Performance Review on pages 40 to 43 and an indication of the exposure of the Group companies to such risks is contained in note 53 to the consolidated financial statements.

Health and safety

The health and safety of the Group’s employees is a priority and is reviewed at regular intervals. Each business within the Group has an appointed health and safety representative, whose role is to bring to the attention of senior management any areas of concern that should be addressed within the health and safety programme. Information on health and safety matters is communicated to staff through the normal communication channels. Under the Group’s Health and Safety Policy the Group Chief Executive is accountable for health and safety.

Charitable donations

The Company has continued to support community initiatives and charitable causes worldwide in line with our strategy which focuses on education, financial literacy and life trauma. The total Group commitment, including cash support and employee time during the year was £8.0 million (2008: £9.6 million).

In 2009, the Group’s community investment in the UK totalled £4.4 million (2008: £5.6 million) of which over £1.3 million (2008: £2.2 million) was given in the form of donations and time to charitable organisations. In late 2009 the Company launched a new global five-year community initiative – Street to School. Aviva’s Street to School programmes will focus on partnerships that enable and encourage street children back into education and training programmes. The vision for this new global commitment is summarised in the Company’s mission statement for this project initiative: “We recognise that every child living or working on the street has a right to fulfil their potential. Together, we will champion the needs of street children in the communities in which we live and work.” The Company also continues its global partnership with the Oxfam 365 Alliance which ensures that Oxfam can maintain a state of constant preparedness, enabling them to respond immediately to emergencies wherever they occur in the world. The Company promotes a strong volunteering policy and employees are entitled to up to three days annually to support volunteering activities. The Company allocates a part of its budget to matching contributions to charitable causes raised by staff and for providing financial support to charities and communities


 

 

 


 

 

55

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ report continued

 

where members of staff give a personal commitment in terms of their time.

Political donations

At the Annual General Meeting held in 2009, shareholders passed a resolution, on a precautionary basis, to authorise the Company to make political donations and/or incur political expenditure (as such terms are defined in sections 362 to 379 of the UK Companies Act 2006) in amounts not exceeding £100,000 in aggregate.

The definitions used in the UK Companies Act 2006 are broad in nature and this authority was sought to ensure that any activities undertaken throughout the Group’s businesses which could otherwise be construed to fall within these provisions could be undertaken without inadvertently infringing them. During the year, the Company’s American subsidiary, Aviva USA, through its employee-funded Political Action Committee, made contributions to two different industry bodies, which could be construed to fall within the political donations provisions. The first contribution was the sum of $2,000 in July 2009, to the Federation of Iowa Insurers Political Action Committee and the second contribution was the sum of $4,000 to the American Council of Life Insurers Political Action Committee in October 2009. The donations are used to support candidates for nomination and/or election to public office. It is not the policy of the Company to make donations to EU political organisations or to incur other political expenditure.

As the authority granted at the 2009 Annual General Meeting will expire on 28 April 2010, renewal of this authority is being sought at this year’s Annual General Meeting. Further details are available in the Notice of Meeting.

Group employees

In summary, the Group’s commitment to communication and dialogue with employees continues. The introduction of a truly group-wide intranet has enabled, for the first time, engagement and communication with employees throughout the Group on a single platform. It also helps management to share information, ideas and opportunities much faster across the entire business. A strong emphasis is placed on the provision of news and information through a range of media. Employees have opportunities to voice their opinions and ask questions through intranet sites, Question and Answer sessions with the Group Chief Executive, via telephone conferencing, opinion surveys and the Group’s Employee Promise Survey which is open to all employees. Face-to-face briefings and team meetings are actively encouraged and are held in all business units across the Group. The Group’s businesses in the UK have established employee consultative forums and a European Consultative Forum convenes annually to discuss matters impacting the business across Europe.

The Group ensures that involvement of employees in its performance is encouraged by allowing eligible employees to participate in the Group’s all employee share ownership plans.

On 2 June 2009, the Company’s celebrations on becoming “One Aviva” saw employees taking part in social and community events in every country in which the Group operates. Team activities took place in all businesses to welcome the new global brand, raise funds for good causes and heighten awareness of Aviva’s global commitment to corporate responsibility.

Employee practice

The Group respects all fundamental human rights and is guided in the conduct of its business by the provisions of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation core labour standards. Aviva also supports the United Nations Global Compact Principles. Aviva Group companies are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees, irrespective of their gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or union membership status. Aviva is an inclusive employer and values diversity in its employees. These commitments extend to recruitment and selection, training, career development, flexible working arrangements, promotion and performance appraisal. In the event of employees becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment with the Group continues and to provide specialised training where this is appropriate.

Corporate responsibility

The Group has a well established corporate responsibility programme and continues to use its position to influence other companies to engage in sustainable business practices and to be open and transparent in the information they publicly report. In November 2009 the Company announced its intention to put its Corporate Responsibility Report to an advisory vote of shareholders at the 2010 Annual General Meeting as a means of obtaining feedback on the report and the Company’s performance in this area. The report is set out on page 68 and further details of the resolution are set out in the Notice of Meeting.

Creditor payment policy and practice

It is the Group’s policy to pay creditors when they fall due for payment. Terms of payment are agreed with suppliers when negotiating each transaction and the policy is to abide by those terms, provided that the suppliers also comply with all relevant terms and conditions. The Company has no trade creditors. In respect of Group activities in the UK, the amounts due to trade creditors at 31 December 2009 represented approximately 23 days of average daily purchases through the year (2008: 37 days).

Corporate Governance Statement

In compliance with Disclosure and Transparency Rules (the DTRs) 7.2.1, the disclosures required by DTR 7.2.2 to 7.2.7 can be found in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 57 to 62 which is incorporated into this Directors’ Report by reference.

 


 

 


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Directors’ report continued

 

Reappointment of the auditor and disclosure of information to the auditor

In accordance with section 489 of the UK Companies Act 2006, a resolution is to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditor of the Company. A resolution will also be proposed authorising the directors to determine the auditor’s remuneration. The Audit Committee reviews the appointment of the auditor, the auditor’s effectiveness and relationship with the Group, including the level of audit and non-audit fees paid. Further details on the work of the auditor and the Audit Committee are set out below in the Audit Committee report.

The directors in office at the date of this Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which Ernst & Young LLP are unaware and each director has taken all steps that ought to have been taken as a director to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that Ernst & Young LLP are aware of that information.

Annual General Meeting

The 2010 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Wednesday 28 April 2010 at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS at 11am. A separate document accompanying this annual report and accounts contains the Notice convening the Meeting and a description of the business to be conducted thereat.

 

By order of the Board

 

Andrew Moss

Group chief executive

3 March 2010

Registered Office: St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ Registered in England No. 2468686

 


 

 


 

 

57

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Corporate governance report

 

The Combined Code on Corporate Governance

The Company is aware of the changing regulatory environment following the recent economic downturn. This has led to the review of a number of regulations and corporate governance guidelines. The Company will aim to comply fully with any resulting regulatory changes and best practice guidelines, where it does not already do so.

The Combined Code on Corporate Governance sets out standards of good practice in the form of principles and provisions on how companies should be directed and controlled to follow good governance practice. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) requires companies listed in the UK to disclose, in relation to section 1 of the Combined Code, how they have applied its principles and whether they have complied with its provisions throughout the accounting year. Where the provisions have not been complied with companies must provide an explanation for this.

It is the Board’s view that the Company has been fully compliant throughout the accounting period with the provisions set down in section 1 of the Combined Code, apart from a period during the year when the majority of the members of the Nomination Committee were not independent non-executive directors.This was due to the resignation of Nikesh Arora, a non-executive director, who resigned from the Board on 5 August 2009 following his relocation to the United States (US). Mary Francis was appointed to the Committee on 2 December 2009 and the Company is once again in compliance with this aspect of the Combined Code. This report sets out details of how the Company has applied the principles and complied with the provisions of the Combined Code during 2009. Further information on the Combined Code can be found on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, www.frc.org.uk

The Board

The directors are responsible to shareholders for ensuring that the Company is appropriately managed and that it achieves its objectives. It meets regularly to determine the Company’s strategic direction, to review the Company’s operating and financial performance and to provide oversight that the Company is adequately resourced and effectively controlled. The specific duties of the Board are clearly set out in its terms of reference that address a wide range of corporate governance issues and list those items that are specifically reserved for decision by the Board. Matters requiring Board approval include:

—  Group strategy and business plans;

—  Acquisitions, disposals and other transactions outside delegated limits;

—  Financial reporting and controls;

—  Capital structure;

—  Dividend policy;

—  Shareholder documentation;

—  The constitution of Board committees; and

—  Key business policies, including the remuneration policy.

 

The full terms of reference for the Board are available from the Group Company Secretary. Matters that are not specifically reserved for the Board and its committees under its terms of reference, or for shareholders in general meeting, are delegated to the Group Chief Executive. The Board’s terms of reference also set out those matters that must be reported to the Board, such as significant litigation or material regulatory breaches, and cover how matters requiring consideration by the Board that arise between scheduled meetings should be dealt with.

The Board and its committees operate in line with work plans agreed prior to the start of each year. At Board and

committee meetings, directors receive regular reports on the Group’s financial position, risk management, regulatory compliance, key business operations and other material issues. Directors are fully briefed in advance of Board and committee meetings on all matters to be discussed. The Group Company Secretary is responsible for following Board procedures and advising the Board, through the Chairman, on governance matters. All directors have access to his advice and services.

The Board has adopted a procedure whereby directors may, in the performance of their duties, seek independent professional advice at the Company’s expense if considered appropriate. During the year the members of the Remuneration Committee sought independent advice from Hewitt New Bridge Street Consultants on issues surrounding senior executive remuneration. The Audit Committee and the Risk and Regulatory Committee also appointed Keith Nicholson, a former partner at KPMG LLP, to provide advisory services.

The Directors

The Board currently comprises the Chairman, eight independent non-executive directors and four executive directors. Each non-executive director serves for a fixed term not exceeding three years that may be renewed by mutual agreement. Subject to the Board being satisfied with a director’s performance, independence and commitment, there is no specified limit regarding the number of terms a director may serve. Each director is required to be elected by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting following his/her appointment by the Board and to be re-elected at least once every three years. Any non-executive director who has served on the Board for nine years or more is required to submit himself/herself for re-election annually. The Board’s policy is to appoint and retain non-executive directors, who can apply their wider knowledge and experiences to their understanding of the Aviva Group, and to review and refresh regularly the skills and experience the Board requires through a programme of rotational retirement. In addition to the strengths of experience, diversity and an international perspective, the Board also seeks to comply with the requirements of the Combined Code on the independence of directors. The process for appointing new directors is conducted by the Nomination Committee whose report, including a description of its duties, is set out on page 63.

The Combined Code requires that at least half the Board, excluding the Chairman, should comprise independent non-executive directors as determined by the Board. The Nomination Committee performs an annual review of directors’ interests in which all potential or perceived conflicts, including time commitments, length of service and other issues relevant to their independence, are considered. It is the Board’s view that an independent non-executive director also needs to be able to present an objective, rigorous and constructive challenge to management, drawing on his/her wider experiences to question assumptions and viewpoints and where necessary defend their beliefs. To be effective, an independent director needs to acquire a sound understanding of the industry and the Company so as to be able to evaluate properly the information provided. Having considered the matter carefully the Board is of the opinion that all of the current non-executive directors are independent and free from any relationship or circumstances that could affect, or appear to affect, their independent judgement. Accordingly, over half of the Board members, excluding the Chairman, are independent non-executive directors. Each of the directors being proposed for re-election at the 2010 Annual General Meeting has been subject to a formal performance evaluation and took part in a peer evaluation

 


 


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review during 2009. Details of the directors standing for re-election at this year’s Annual General Meeting are set out in the Notice of Meeting. Biographical details of all the directors are set out on pages 50 to 51.

The Chairman and Group Chief Executive

The respective roles of the Chairman and Group Chief Executive are set out in the Board’s terms of reference. The Chairman’s priority is the leadership of the Board and the Group Chief Executive’s priority is the management of the Company. The Chairman’s commitment to the Company is two to three days per week and his main interests outside the Company are set out in his biographical details on page 50.

Senior Independent Director

Under the Combined Code the Board appoints one of the non-executive directors to act as Senior Independent Director. The main responsibility of the Senior Independent Director is to be available to shareholders should they have concerns that they have been unable to resolve through normal channels, or when such channels would be inappropriate. The Senior Independent Director is also responsible for leading the Board’s discussion on the Chairman’s performance and the appointment of a new chairman, when appropriate. Richard Goeltz has served as the Senior Independent Director since January 2009.

Board effectiveness

The effectiveness of the Board is vital to the success of the Group and the Company undertakes a rigorous evaluation each year in order to assess how well the Board, its committees, the directors and the Chairman are performing. The aim is to improve the effectiveness of the Board and its committees and the Group’s performance. The process is led by the Chairman and supported by the Group Company Secretary. This year the evaluation was carried out by Boardroom Review, an independent consultancy, and interviews were conducted with each Board member. All directors also completed a questionnaire evaluating the Board and committees’ processes, their effectiveness and where improvements may be considered. Boardroom Review prepared a report based on the interviews with the directors and the questionnaire circulated and the overall results of the evaluation were presented to and reviewed by the Board in January 2010.

The performance of the Chairman is also included in the above process and takes into account the views of both the executive and non-executive directors. The Chairman’s evaluation is managed by the Senior Independent Director who provides feedback to the Chairman. As part of the Chairman’s evaluation the non-executive directors meet separately under the chairmanship of the Senior Independent Director. The Board evaluation process assesses the executive directors in their capacities as directors of the Company. They are evaluated in respect of their executive duties through a separate process whereby the Chairman and the non-executive directors assess the Group Chief Executive and the Group Chief Executive assesses the executive directors.

Following this comprehensive review, the directors have concluded that the Board and its committees operate effectively and have agreed actions in respect of certain processes identified for improvement. Additionally, the Chairman has concluded that each director contributes effectively and demonstrates full commitment to his/her duties.

Training and development

The Board believes strongly in the development of all its employees and directors and it is a requirement of each director’s appointment that they commit to continue their development. The form that this development takes is subject to individual director’s requirements and the quality and relevance of the training available.

During the year, directors attended a number of internal and external courses including an update on the macro-economic outlook at a Board strategy session, and seminars on life accounting and Solvency II for members of the Audit and Risk and Regulatory Committees. New members of the Corporate Responsibility Committee had an induction on the Company’s Corporate Responsibility Programme and two members of the Committee participated in a Climate Change forum in Hong Kong. Training sessions have also been built into the Board’s and committees’ work plans for 2010. The Board made visits to the Group’s businesses located in the UK, Singapore, Korea and China during the year to gain a closer understanding of their operations.

The Board has a comprehensive induction programme consisting of several separate sessions which take place over a number of months at times convenient for the director. The sessions include presentations from key members of senior management, visits to the Group’s main operating businesses, and meetings with the external auditor and one of the Company’s corporate brokers. Further or follow-up meetings are arranged where a director requires a deeper understanding on a particular issue.

Directors’ attendance

The Company requires directors to attend all meetings of the Board and the committees on which they serve and to devote sufficient time to the Company in order to perform their duties. The attendance of the directors at the Board and committee meetings held in 2009 was as follows:

Board and Board committee attendance 2009

 

Board

Audit Committee

Corporate Responsibility Committee

Nomination Committee

Risk and Regulatory Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Number of meetings held*

15

9

4

6

6

8

Mary Francis#

13

9

6

8

Richard Goeltz

15

9

6

Euleen Goh

15

9

3

Mark Hodges

14

Andrea Moneta (appointed 29 September 2009)

4

Andrew Moss

14

3

6

Carole Piwnica

13

4

7

Lord Sharman

15

4

6

Leslie Van de Walle (appointed 6 May 2009)

7

2

1

Russell Walls

14

9

6

6

Scott Wheway

12

3

8

Former directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nikesh Arora (resigned 5 August 2009)

4

1

2

Wim Dik (retired 29 April 2009)

5

1

2

Philip Scott (retired 26 January 2010)

13

*

There were 11 scheduled Board meetings during 2009 and 4 additional meetings.

Indicates not a member of that committee.

#

Became a member of the Nomination Committee on 2 December 2009.

Became a member of the Risk and Regulatory Committee and the Remuneration Committee on 24 September 2009.

During 2009, the Chairman and the non-executive directors met in the absence of the executive directors and the non-executive

 


 


 

 

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Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

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directors met in the absence of the Chairman, including one meeting chaired by the Senior Independent Director in order to appraise the Chairman’s performance.

Board committees

The Board has established the following standing committees to oversee and debate important issues of policy and oversight outside the main Board meetings:

 Audit Committee;

 Corporate Responsibility Committee;

 Nomination Committee;

 Risk and Regulatory Committee; and

 Remuneration Committee.

 

Throughout the year the chairman of each committee provided the Board with a summary of the key issues considered at the meetings of the committees and the minutes of the meetings were circulated to the Board. The committees operate within defined terms of reference which are available on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com, or from the Group Company Secretary upon request. Board committees are authorised to engage the services of external advisers as they deem necessary in the furtherance of their duties at the Company’s expense.

Reports of the committee chairmen are set out on pages 63 to 86.

Conflicts of interest

In line with the UK Companies Act 2006, the Company’s Articles of Association now allow the Board to authorise potential conflicts of interest that may arise and to impose such limits or conditions as it thinks fit. The decision to authorise a conflict of interest can only be made by non-conflicted directors (those who have no interest in the matter being considered) and in making such decision the directors must act in a way they consider in good faith will be most likely to promote the Company’s success. The Board has established a procedure whereby actual and potential conflicts of interest are regularly reviewed and for the appropriate authorisation to be sought prior to the appointment of any new director or if a new conflict arises. During 2009 this procedure operated effectively.

Internal control

A company’s system of internal control plays a key role in the management of risks that may impact the fulfilment of its objectives. Internal control facilitates effective and efficient operations, the development of robust and reliable internal and external reporting and compliance with laws and regulations.

A system of internal control reduces but cannot eliminate the possibility of errors, control circumvention, manual override, poor decision making or the impact of unforeseen circumstances. As such, a sound system of internal control provides reasonable but not absolute assurance over material misstatements or losses or that a company will not be hindered in achieving its business objectives.

As part of the Financial Reporting Council’s ‘Internal Control: Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code’, the Board should ‘maintain a sound system of internal control to safeguard shareholders’ investment and the company’s assets’. In addition, as part of their responsibilities 'The Directors should, at least annually, conduct a review of the effectiveness of the Group's system of internal control and should report to shareholders that they have done so. The review should cover all material controls, including financial, operational and compliance controls and risk management systems.

 

The Board has overall responsibility for maintaining the system of internal control for the Group and monitoring its effectiveness. During the year, the Audit Committee, with the Risk and Regulatory Committee, on behalf of the Board, have regularly reviewed the effectiveness of the Group's system of internal control. The necessary actions have been and are being taken to remedy significant failings and weaknesses identified from these reviews. The Audit Committee and the Risk and Regulatory Committee monitor resolution of any weaknesses to a satisfactory conclusion. In addition, the Company meets the Securities and Exchange Commission (Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002) requirements for new registrants.

The principal features of the system of internal control and methods by which the Board satisfies itself that this system operates effectively are set out below.

Control environment

The Group operates a ‘three lines of defence’ model with management as the first line, having overall accountabilty for the management of all risks relevant to the Group’s business. Management is therefore responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring the operation of the system of internal control and for providing assurance to the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Risk and Regulatory Committee, as relevant, that it has done so.

The Group Risk and Compliance functions operate as the second line of defence and are accountable for providing objective challenge and oversight of the business’ management of all risk through the system of internal control. The functions operate globally with teams in all major regions and business units.

Group Audit operates as the third line of defence and is accountable for providing reliable independent assurance to the Audit and Risk and Regulatory Committees, local audit committees, Board members and the Executive Committee of the Group on the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal control.

Governance and oversight committee structure

The Board delegates oversight in relation to risk management and internal control to the following committees:

 

Audit Committee; and

Risk and Regulatory Committee

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in discharging its responsibilities for the integrity of the Company's financial statements and the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control and monitoring the effectiveness, performance and objectivity of the internal and external auditors.

The Risk and Regulatory Committee, working closely with the Audit Committee, assists the Board in providing direction and oversight around the Group’s risk and regulatory policies and procedures, including those relating to compliance, risk management, financial malpractice and internal controls.

These Committees have clearly defined terms of reference and full reports for these Committees are set out on pages 64 to 67.

Oversight of the risk management framework and system of internal control is performed on behalf of the Board by the Risk and Regulatory Committee working with the Audit Committee. These Committees receive reporting over risk management and internal control procedures and consider where relevant whether appropriate actions have been

 


 


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undertaken as well as monitoring the completion of any Group level actions to a satisfactory conclusion.

Control activities

A formal policy framework has been rolled out across the Group, which sets out and governs minimum standards around the management of financial and non-financial risks and the Group’s approach to internal controls.

Compliance with the policy framework is regularly assessed and reported upon on a quarterly basis. Such reporting includes any moves outside the Group’s risk appetite and tolerance and any emerging issues. Appropriate action plans are developed and undertaken where such moves are identified.

In addition to the regular reporting, a six monthly Group policy framework compliance management certification process is in place. Any risks, control weaknesses, or non-compliance with the Group policy framework or local delegation of authority must be highlighted as part of this process.

Internal control over financial reporting

A Group Reporting Manual including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) requirements has been defined and rolled out across the Group. A Financial Reporting Control Framework (FRCF) is in place across the Group. FRCF relates to the preparation of reliable financial reporting and preparation of local and consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS. FRCF also allows compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.

The FRCF process follows a risk based approach, with management identification, assessment (documentation and testing), remediation as required, reporting and certification over key financial reporting related controls. Management quality assurance procedures over the application of the FRCF process and FRCF controls are undertaken regularly. The results of the FRCF process are signed off by business unit and regional Chief Executives and Chief Financial Officers and at a Group level by the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer.

The Disclosure Committee, which has the role of overseeing the design and effectiveness of the Group’s disclosure controls, for both financial and non-financial information, evaluates the Group’s disclosure controls and reviews and endorses the Group’s key periodic external reports including the consolidated financial statements. This Committee is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer and reports to the Audit Committee and Executive Committee. A Group Technical Committee, reporting to the Disclosure Committee is in place, which presides over significant technical matters, reviewing technical decisions including key judgements, issues and application of assumptions.

Risk management

An Enterprise wide Risk Management Framework (ERMF), designed to identify, evaluate, manage and monitor significant risks to the achievement of business objectives is in place and embedded throughout the Group. The Group Risk function facilitates the implementation of the risk management framework, with management owning the management and monitoring of risks. The Group Risk function assesses and reports significant risks identified across the Group and corresponding action plans to the Executive Committee, the Risk and Regulatory Committee and Audit Committee.

A company's objectives, its internal organisation and the environment in which it operates are continually evolving and, as a result, the risks it faces are continually changing.

Management in conjunction with the Group Risk function monitors the risk profile of business units, regions and the Group on a regular basis. On a quarterly basis, risk reports, setting the risk profiles, risk exposures outside Group risk appetite and action plans within financial, operational, compliance and strategic risk categories, are reported by the Group risk function. A consolidated Group wide risk profile including residual risk levels and action plans are considered by the Executive Committee and the Risk and Regulatory Committee. Regional executive committees and management receive and similarly consider local risk reporting.

Where significant risks outside Group risk appetite are identified an immediate escalation process is in place. Such significant risks are reported by the Chief Risk Officer to the Executive Committee, the Risk and Regulatory Committee and Audit Committee, along with any proposed mitigating actions.

The risk management process has been in place for the year under review and up to the date of approval of the annual report and accounts.

Internal audit

The Group’s internal audit function provides independent assurance to management on the effectiveness of the internal control systems and, the adequacy of these systems to manage business risk and to safeguard the Group’s assets and resources. The internal audit function also provides objective independent assurance on risk and control to both the Audit Committee and the Risk and Regulatory Committee.

Throughout 2009, the internal audit function through the Chief Audit Officer provided quarterly reporting on issues arising and the status of action items to the Audit Committee and Risk and Regulatory Committee. Similar reporting is undertaken on a regional and business unit basis to local executive management and local audit committees. The effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit function is reviewed annually by the Audit Committee.

Share capital and control

The information required to be provided by the directors pursuant to section 992 of the UK Companies Act 2006 can be found on page 53 of the Directors’ report.

Communication with shareholders

The Company places considerable importance on communication with shareholders and engages with them on a wide range of issues.

The Group has an ongoing programme of dialogue and meetings between the executive directors and institutional investors, fund managers and analysts. At these meetings a wide range of relevant issues including strategy, performance, management and governance are discussed within the constraints of information already made public.

The Company’s investor relations department is dedicated to facilitating communication with institutional investors. The directors consider it important to understand the views of shareholders and, in particular, any issues which concern them. The Board receives reports on matters that have been raised with management at the regular meetings held with the Company’s major investors. During the year the Chairman and the Senior Independent Director held a meeting with the major institutional investors and attended investor meetings with management. In addition, the Senior Independent Director is available to meet with major investors to discuss any areas of concern that cannot be resolved through normal channels of investor communication, and arrangements can be made to


 


 

 

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meet with the Senior Independent Director through the Group Company Secretary. Similarly, arrangements can be made for major investors to meet with newly appointed directors. In addition, the Board consults with shareholders in connection with specific issues where it considers appropriate.

The Board is equally interested in the concerns of private shareholders and, on its behalf, the Group Company Secretary oversees communication with this group of investors. The Company has provided a dedicated email address to which questions can be sent, in addition to the facility on the Company’s website and a freepost address, which are all highlighted in the shareholder information section of the Notice of Meeting. These can be used by shareholders to put relevant questions to the directors. These are considered to be particularly helpful for those shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting. Written responses are provided through a brochure containing answers to the most frequently asked questions, which is also placed on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com/agm. All material information reported to the regulatory news service is simultaneously published on the Company’s website, affording all shareholders full access to Company announcements.

The Company has taken full advantage of the provisions within the UK Companies Act 2006 allowing communications to be made electronically to shareholders where they have not requested hard copy documentation. As a result, the Company’s website has become the primary method of communication for the majority of its shareholders. Details of the information available for shareholders on the website can be found in the Shareholder Services section of the website at www.aviva.com/investor-relations.

The Company’s Annual General Meeting provides a valuable opportunity for the Board to communicate with private shareholders. At the meeting, the Company complies with the Combined Code as it relates to voting, the separation of resolutions and the attendance of Board committee chairmen. Whenever possible, all directors attend the Annual General Meeting and shareholders are invited to ask questions during the meeting and have an opportunity to meet with the directors following the conclusion of the formal part of the meeting. The Company will also ensure that it continues to provide shareholders with the right to ask questions at meetings, which will ensure compliance with the recently enacted Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2009. In line with the Combined Code, details of proxy voting by shareholders, including votes withheld, are made available on request and are placed on the Company’s website following the meeting.

The Company’s annual report and accounts and annual review, together with the Company’s half-year report, interim management statements, 20F document (for filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission) (SEC) and other public announcements, are designed to present a balanced and understandable view of the Group’s activities and prospects and are available on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com. The Chairman’s statement, Group Chief Executive’s review, and Performance Review provide an assessment of the Group’s affairs and they will be supported by a presentation to be made at the Annual General Meeting.

Shareholder tracing programmes

During the year, the Company undertook three shareholder tracing programmes in order to identify and locate shareholders with unclaimed payments. The exercises were conducted by professional tracing agencies on behalf of the Company and two subsidiaries, General Accident plc and RAC plc. The

exercises, which were largely successful, related to shareholders who have had dividend payments returned and unclaimed, and dissentient shareholders who did not accept takeover offers when the Company acquired the subsidiaries.

As at 31 December 2009 the response rate across all three programmes ranged between 19% and 58%.

Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors, the Group’s core asset management company, believes that good governance plays an important role in protecting and enhancing shareholder value. In keeping with the Group’s values, Aviva Investors looks to act as a responsible investor, monitors the governance of the companies in which it invests and seeks to maintain an effective dialogue and engagement with companies on matters which may affect the future performance of those companies.

Aviva Investors maintains a detailed Corporate Governance and Voting Policy as part of its investment strategy, which underpins its approach to engaging and voting at company general meetings. The policy encompasses social, environmental and ethical issues and is applied pragmatically after careful consideration of all relevant information. In addition, Aviva Investors makes detailed voting reports available to clients, as well as providing some summary reporting on its website, www.avivainvestors.com.

US listing requirements

The Company was admitted to the NYSE on 20 October 2009 and its ordinary shares are traded as American Depositary Shares. As a foreign company listed on the NYSE, the Company is required to comply with the NYSE corporate governance rules to the extent that these rules apply to foreign private issuers such as the Company. As a foreign private issuer, the Company is therefore required to comply with NYSE Rule 303A.11 by making a disclosure of the differences between the Company’s corporate governance practices and the NYSE corporate governance rules applicable to US companies listed on the NYSE. These differences are summarised below:

Independence criteria for directors

Under NYSE listing rules applicable to US companies, independent directors must form the majority of the board of directors. The Combined Code requires that at least half the Board, excluding the Chairman, should comprise independent non-executive directors, as determined by the Board. The NYSE listing rules for US companies also state that a director cannot qualify as independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the company, and the NYSE rules prescribe a list of specific factors and tests that US companies must use for determining independence. The Combined Code sets out its own criteria that may be relevant to the independence determination, but permits the Board to conclude affirmative independence notwithstanding the existence of relationships or circumstances which may appear relevant to its determination, so long as it shall state its reasons.

Non-Executive Director Meetings

Pursuant to NYSE listing standards, the non-management directors of each listed company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management and, if that group includes directors who are not independent, listed companies should at least once a year schedule an executive session including only independent directors. Two such meetings were held during the year.  Under the Combined Code, the Chairman and non-executive directors must meet separately to assess the executive directors.


 

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Committees

Under NYSE standards, US companies are required to have a nominating/corporate governance committee. In addition to identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, this committee must develop and recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance principles. The Company’s Nomination Committee’s terms of reference do not require the Committee to develop and recommend corporate governance principles for the Company.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

NYSE listing standards require US companies to adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. While the Company does not strictly follow this NYSE standard applicable to US companies, it is committed to ensuring that its business is conducted in all respects according to rigorous ethical, professional and legal standards. The Company has adopted a Business Ethics Code to which all employees are bound and a Code of Ethics for Senior Management to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.

Shareholder Approval of Equity-Compensation Plans

Under the NYSE listing standards, shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and “material revisions” to those plans. Under the Combined Code, shareholder approval is also necessary for certain equity-compensation plans and “significant changes” thereto, subject to certain exceptions. The Combined Code does not provide a detailed definition or explanation of what are considered to be “significant changes”, in contrast to the detailed definition of “material revisions” provided by the NYSE.

Directors’ responsibilities

The directors are required to prepare accounts for each accounting period that comply with the relevant provisions of the UK Companies Act 2006 and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU), and which present fairly the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the Company and the Group at the end of the accounting period. A fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the directors to:

—  select suitable accounting policies and verify that they are applied consistently
   in preparing the accounts, on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate
   to presume that the Company and the Group will continue in business;

—  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that is relevant,
   reliable, comparable and understandable;

—  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements
   in IFRS is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions,
   other events and conditions on the Company and the Group’s financial position
    and financial performance; and

—  state that the Company and the Group have complied with applicable IFRS, subject
   to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

The directors are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, which are intended to disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Company and the Group. They are also ultimately responsible for the systems of internal control maintained by the Group for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Further details of the systems of internal controls maintained by the Group are more fully described on pages 53 and 56.

Directors’ responsibility statement pursuant to the Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4

The directors confirm that, to the best of each person’s knowledge:

(a)  the Group and Company financial statements in this report, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee’s interpretation and those parts of the UK Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and results of the Company and of the Group taken as a whole; and

(b) the Directors’ report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the Group taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

 

By order of the Board

 

Andrew Moss

Patrick Regan

Group Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

3 March 2010

 

Going concern

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Performance Review on pages 1 to 48. The Performance Review includes sections on Group Performance (pages 19 to 27), Capital Management (pages 45 to 47) and Risk Management (pages 39 to 43. In addition, the financial pages include notes on the Group’s borrowings (note 45); its contingent liabilities and other risk factors (note 48); its capital structure and position (notes 51 and 52); management of its risks including market, credit and liquidity risk (note 53); and derivative financial instruments (note 54).

The Group has considerable financial resources together with a diversified business model, with a spread of business and geographical reach. As a consequence, the directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully.

After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group as a whole have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.


 


 

 

63

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Nomination committee report

 

This report provides details of the role of the Nomination Committee and the work it has undertaken during the year.

The main purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board by keeping the composition of the Board under review and conducting a rigorous and transparent process when making or renewing appointments of directors to the Board. It also advises the Board on issues of directors’ conflicts of interest and independence. The full terms of reference for the Committee can be found on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com, and are also available from the Group Company Secretary.

The following directors served on the Committee during the year:

 

 

 

Period

Member

From

To

Lord Sharman (Chairman)

25 January 2006

To date

Nikesh Arora

29 July 2008

5 August 2009

Mary Francis
Richard Goeltz

2 December 2009
29 July 2008

To date
To date

Andrew Moss*

12 July 2007

To date

Russell Walls

23 January 2007

To date

*

The Nomination Committee notes that the Combined Code does not preclude the Group Chief Executive from membership of the Committee and the Committee believes that his input is essential and invaluable in its discussions and therefore important that this is obtained through his membership of the Committee. Any concern about this will be allayed by the predominant membership of independent non-executive directors on the Committee.

 

The Committee met on six occasions in 2009 and the members’ attendance record is set out in the Corporate Governance report on page 57. Nikesh Arora ceased to be a member of the Committee on 5 August 2009 following his resignation from the Board due to his relocation to the US. The Group Company Secretary acts as the secretary to the Committee.

The Committee keeps under review the balance of skills on the Board and the knowledge, experience, length of service and performance of the directors. It also reviews their external interests with a view to identifying any actual, perceived or potential conflicts of interests, including the time available to commit to their duties to the Company. The Committee monitors the independence of each non-executive director and makes recommendations concerning such to the Board. The results of these reviews are important when the Board considers succession planning and the re-election of directors. Members of the Committee take no part in any discussions concerning their own circumstances. During 2009 the Committee reviewed the senior management pool to identify potential Executive Committee members.

During the year, the Board accepted the Committee’s recommendations that Andrea Moneta, Patrick Regan, Michael Hawker and Leslie Van de Walle join the Board. Andrea Moneta and Patrick Regan were appointed as executive directors of the Board, with Patrick Regan replacing Philip Scott as Chief Financial Officer and Andrea Moneta’s appointment increasing the number of executive directors to four. Leslie Van de Walle was appointed as a new non-executive director from 6 May 2009 and Michael Hawker’s appointment as a non-executive director took effect from 1 January 2010. In respect of Mr Van de Walle’s and Mr Hawker’s appointments, the Committee engaged a search agency to help it identify suitable candidates with the skills and capabilities required and to assist with the preparation of an interview list.

In line with the Combined Code requirement, the Board undertook a review of the effectiveness of all its committees during the year, including the Nomination Committee.

This report was reviewed and approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

 

Lord Sharman of Redlynch

Chairman, Nomination Committee


 


64

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Audit committee report

 

This report provides details of the role of the Audit Committee and the work it has undertaken during the year. The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities for the integrity of the Group and Company’s financial statements, the assessment of the effectiveness of the systems of internal financial controls and monitoring the effectiveness and objectivity of the internal and external auditors. The full terms of reference for the Committee can be found on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com, and are also available from the Group Company Secretary.

The following independent non-executive directors, served on the Committee during the year:

 

 

 

Period

Member

From

To

Russell Walls (Chairman)

1 July 2004

To date

Mary Francis

1 January 2007

To date

Richard Goeltz

1 July 2004

To date

Euleen Goh

1 January 2009

To date

The Committee met on nine occasions in 2009 and the members’ attendance record is set out in the Corporate Governance report on page 57. In addition, the Committee held separate meetings with members of senior management for the purpose of induction and training. The Group Company Secretary acts as the secretary to the Committee.

Russell Walls, a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant, is a former group finance director of BAA plc, Wellcome plc and Coats Viyella plc. Richard Goeltz is a former chief financial officer of American Express Company and NatWest Group plc and a former member of the Accounting Standards Board. Euleen Goh, a Chartered Accountant and member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, is a former financial controller of Pontiac Land and chief executive of Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore. The Board is satisfied that these directors have recent and relevant financial experience. The Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Audit Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Risk Officer and the external auditor normally attend, by invitation, all meetings of the Committee. Other members of senior management are also invited to attend as appropriate to present reports. In performing its duties, the Committee has access to the services of the Chief Audit Officer, the Group Company Secretary and external professional advisers. During 2009 the Committee appointed Keith Nicholson, a former partner at KPMG LLP, as an external adviser to the Committee.

The Committee follows an agreed annual work plan. It reviews, with members of management and the internal and external auditors, the Company’s financial announcements including the annual report and accounts to shareholders and associated documentation. It places particular emphasis on their fair presentation and the reasonableness of the judgemental factors and appropriateness of significant accounting policies used in their preparation. At each meeting, the Committee receives a report from the Chief Audit Officer concerning the Company’s systems of internal financial control, including any significant new issues and actions taken on previously reported issues. The Committee also reviews, approves and monitors the annual work plan for the Group’s internal audit function. Twice each year, the Committee receives reports on the adequacy of the Group’s life assurance and general insurance reserves. The Committee reports to the Board regarding the effectiveness of the Group’s overall systems of internal financial control including the risk management systems in relation to the financial reporting process. The Committee works closely with the Risk and Regulatory Committee, which reviews the

 

Company’s overall internal controls and risk management systems.

The Committee receives reports from the external auditor and, at all scheduled meetings, holds discussions with both the Chief Audit Officer and external auditors in the absence of management. The chairman of the Committee reports to the subsequent meeting of the Board on the Committee’s work and the Board receives a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Committee.

During the year, the Committee was integrally involved in the SEC registration and NYSE listing of the Company and received regular updates on progress of the project. The Committee reviewed and approved the registration document and the Company’s financial reporting control framework was developed to ensure compliance with the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002. This included ensuring all the risks associated with the project were understood and within risk appetite.

The Committee held two joint meetings with the Risk and Regulatory Committee and one with the members of the business unit audit committees in the Asia Pacific region. This meeting allowed the Committee to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant local issues and assess the effectiveness of the systems of internal financial controls and the effectiveness and objectivity of the internal and external auditors in those businesses.

Each of the Group’s major business units has an audit committee that provides an oversight role for its business. The Chief Audit Officer reviews the papers and minutes from these committees and brings all significant matters to the Committee’s attention. The Chief Audit Officer also attends local audit committee meetings on a regular basis and reports back on the effectiveness of these local committees to the Committee. In addition, during 2009 the members of the Committee attended several local audit committee meetings, including those in Aviva USA, Aviva UK Life, Aviva UKGI, Aviva Investors and the Europe Region Oversight Committee. This programme of attendance at local audit committee meetings will continue during 2010.

Internal audit

The Group’s internal audit function reports to management on the effectiveness of the Company’s systems of internal controls, the adequacy of these systems to manage business risk and to safeguard the Group’s assets and resources. The internal audit function is fully centralised and each country/region head has a full reporting line to the Chief Audit Officer (with the exception of Delta Lloyd). The Chief Audit Officer reports to the Group Chief Executive and to the chairman of the Group Audit Committee. Through the Chief Audit Officer, the internal audit function provides objective assurance on risks and controls to the Committee. The plans, the level of resources, the budget of the internal audit function and the remuneration of the Chief Audit Officer are reviewed and approved at least annually by the Committee, which also undertakes an annual review of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit function against guidance criteria provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Every five years the review is performed by an independent party as required by the IIA standards. The last independent review was performed in 2008.

The continuing deteriorating economic and market environment required even greater attention to internal controls in 2009. During 2009 the Group internal audit function carried out assurance reviews of the Group’s capital and liquidity


 

 


 

 

65

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Audit committee report continued

 

management including a review of its risk management function and the management actions put in place to maintain business as usual activities.

External auditor

Ernst & Young LLP (Ernst & Young) was appointed auditor of the Company in 2001 having previously been the auditor of Norwich Union plc. Following the annual external audit effectiveness review, the Committee concluded that the audit service was fit for purpose and recommended that a re-tender process should not be undertaken in 2009 but that the relationship and the effectiveness of the auditor be kept under review. Ernst & Young audits all significant subsidiaries of the Group.

The Company introduced a revised external auditor policy on 1 January 2008 aimed at safeguarding and supporting the independence and objectivity of the external auditors. The policy was updated to reflect current global best practice on auditor independence, and is in full compliance with all UK, US and International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) rules. The revised external auditor policy aims to be simpler to interpret, providing greater clarity on what services may and may not be provided by the Group’s external auditors.

The external auditor policy regulates the appointment of former audit employees to senior finance positions in the Group and sets out the approach to be taken by the Group when using the services of the external auditor, including requiring that all services provided by the external auditor are pre-approved by the Committee. It distinguishes between those services where an independent view is required and that should be performed by the external auditor (such as statutory and non-statutory audit and assurance work), prohibited services where the independence of the external auditor could be threatened and they must not be used, and other non-audit services where the external auditor may be used. Non-audit services where the external auditor may be used include: non-recurring internal controls and risk management reviews (i.e. excluding outsourcing of internal audit work), advice on financial reporting and regulatory matters, due diligence on acquisitions and disposals, project assurance and advice, tax compliance services, and employee tax services. The Committee receives a quarterly report of compliance against the external auditor policy and the policy has worked effectively during 2009.

Annually, the Committee reviews a formal letter provided by the external auditor confirming its independence and objectivity within the context of applicable regulatory requirements and professional standards.

The Group paid £15.0 million to Ernst & Young for audit services in 2009, relating to the statutory audit of the Group and Company financial statements and the audit of Group subsidiaries and associates pursuant to legislation (2008: £12.1 million). The fees for other services, which included advice on accounting and regulatory matters, reporting on internal controls, corporate governance matters, and due diligence work, were £19.0 million giving a total fee to Ernst & Young of £34.0 million (2008: £25.0 million). Further details are provided in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements. In addition, the Group engaged the organisation Corporate Citizenship in relation to certain assurance work, including verification of its Corporate Responsibility Report.

During the year, the Committee performed its annual review of the independence, effectiveness and objectivity of the external auditor, assessing the audit firm, the audit partner and audit teams. The process was conducted by means of a questionnaire, completed Group-wide by members of senior management and members of the Group’s finance community and the Committee. The questionnaire sought opinions on the importance of certain criteria and the performance of the external auditor against those criteria. Based on this review, the Committee concluded that the audit service of Ernst & Young was fit for purpose and provided a robust overall examination of the Group’s business and the risks involved.

In line with the Combined Code requirement, the Board undertook a review of the effectiveness of all its committees during the year, including the Audit Committee. In addition, the Committee also carried out a self-evaluation of its effectiveness.

This report was reviewed and approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

 

Russell Walls

Chairman, Audit Committee

 


 

 


66

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Risk and Regulatory committee report

 

This report provides details of the role of the Risk and Regulatory Committee and the work it has undertaken during the year.

The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in providing leadership, direction and oversight of the Group’s management of risk. The full terms of reference for the Committee can be found on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com, and are also available from the Group Company Secretary.

The following independent non-executive directors served on the Committee during the year:

 

 

 

Period

Member

From

To

Mary Francis (Chairman)

14 January 2006

To date

Nikesh Arora

1 July 2007

5 August 2009

Wim Dik

14 January 2006

29 April 2009

Leslie Van de Walle

24 September 2009

To date

Russell Walls

14 January 2006

To date

Michael Hawker was appointed to the Committee on 1 January 2010. The Committee met on six occasions in 2009 and the members’ attendance record is set out in the Corporate Governance report on page 57. In addition the Committee held separate meetings with members of senior management and Ernst & Young for the purposes of induction and training. The Group Company Secretary acts as the secretary to the Committee.

The Group Chief Executive, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Audit Officer, Group Regulatory Director and the external auditor normally attend, by invitation, all meetings of the Committee. Other members of senior management are also invited to attend as appropriate to present reports. It is the Committee’s practice at each meeting to meet separately with the Chief Audit Officer and the external auditor without any members of management being present. In performing its duties, the Committee has access to the services of the Chief Audit Officer, the Chief Risk Officer, the Group Regulatory Director, and the Group Company Secretary and external professional advisers. During 2009 the Committee appointed Keith Nicholson, a former partner at KPMG LLP, as an external adviser to the Committee.

External background

In the challenging economic and market environment the Board and the Committee continued to focus on financial risk and capital management. The Committee also spent an increasing amount of time on the emerging requirements of the European Union’s Solvency II Directive, and the recommendations of the Walker Report in the UK. Although the recommendations of the Walker Report are not yet binding on the Group, the Group is already compliant with the majority of the recommendations relating to risk. In particular, the Board has had a separate risk and regulatory committee since 2006. The Committee chairman regularly reports to the Board on the Committee’s activities, and sits on the Audit and Remuneration Committees to ensure that risk considerations are fully reflected in their decisions. 

Committee activities during 2009

The Committee’s main functions are to assist the Board in making decisions on the Group’s risk appetite; to oversee the monitoring and control of risks so that they remain aligned appetite; to ensure that management is reviewing emerging risks and testing the Group’s resilience through scenario planning and stress testing; to give broad direction to the way the Group assesses its capital requirements and how it is optimising the balance between risk and reward when allocating capital for new business; and to ensure that management and the Board have high quality information on risk when reviewing Group strategy and future plans.

During the year the Committee focused on the following areas:

Strengthening the risk function: a number of changes have been made to the risk function since the Group’s move to a regional structure. Following a review of progress, further changes have been implemented including; the appointment of a new Chief Risk Officer who reports to the Group Chief Executive; emphasis on first line responsibilities for managing risk, with support and challenge from the risk function and initiation of a comprehensive review of the Group’s risk appetite.

Capital management: this was a strong focus of the Committee throughout the year. Group capital requirements were monitored against existing risk appetite and capital availability in a rapidly changing market. The Committee reviewed scenario and stress testing and also considered reinsurance and hedging strategies to understand their contribution to capital management.

Solvency II: with increasing emphasis on economic capital, the Committee monitored the likely impact of Solvency II on the Group’s economic capital requirements and businesses. The Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Group’s Solvency II programme.

Risk monitoring: the Committee received regular reports on key risks and the actions and controls introduced to mitigate any risks that were out of appetite. Necessary focus was placed on financial and insurance risks including those relating to capital, credit, and equity risk. The Committee continued its practice of inviting business unit and regional teams, led by their Chief Executive, to present on how risk is managed in their businesses. During the year, presentations were received from North America region, Europe region, Asia Pacific region and UK General Insurance.

Group risk policies: The Committee approved significant changes to certain Group risk policies and received regular reports on compliance with Group policies.

Operational risks: during the year the Committee paid particular attention to business protection and IT risks, and how business units were embedding behaviour that met the FSA’s principles of Treating Customers Fairly.

Regulatory risks and relationships: The Committee received regular reports on compliance issues and regulatory and other public policy initiatives. In particular, it monitored the actions being taken by management in response to the FSA’s Risk Mitigation Programme; monitored worldwide regulatory reform developments arising from the financial crisis and government and regulatory responses to it; monitored management responses to proposed changes in the prudential requirements for financial services companies; and oversaw measures to strengthen oversight of the Group’s compliance functions, particularly outside the UK.


 

 


 

 

67

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Risk and Regulatory committee report continued

 

Fraud and financial crime: the Committee maintained regular oversight of compliance with controls against financial malpractice including fraud, and of the arrangements for employees to report in confidence any concerns about lack of probity (whistleblowing).

Internal controls: the Group’s internal audit function provided the Committee with independent and objective assurance over the appropriateness, effectiveness and sustainability of the Company’s system of internal controls. Key control issues reported by Group internal audit to management and to the Committee members were monitored on a quarterly basis until the risk exposure had been properly mitigated.

During the year the Committee held two joint meetings with the Audit Committee and one with the members of the business unit audit committees in the Asia Pacific region.

The chairman of the Committee reports at the subsequent meeting of the Board on the Committee’s work and the Board receives a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Committee.

In line with the Combined Code requirement, the Board undertook a review of the effectiveness of all its committees during the year, including the Risk and Regulatory Committee.

This report was reviewed and approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

 

Mary Francis

Chairman, Risk and Regulatory Committee

 


 

 


68

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Corporate Responsibility committee report

 

This report provides details of the role of the Corporate Responsibility Committee and the work it has undertaken during the year.

The purpose of the Committee is to provide guidance and direction to the Group’s corporate responsibility (CR) programme, review the key CR risks and opportunities and to monitor progress. The Committee also reviews the Group’s strategy for CR together with the Group’s CR targets. The full terms of reference for the Committee can be found on the Company’s website, www.aviva.com, and are also available from the Group Company Secretary.

The following directors served on the Committee during the year:

 

 

 

Period

Member

From

To

Carole Piwnica (Chairman)

14 January 2006

To date

Euleen Goh
Andrew Moss

1 January 2009
12 July 2007

To date
To date

Lord Sharman

14 January 2006

To date

Scott Wheway

5 December 2007

To date

 

The Committee met on four occasions in 2009 and the members’ attendance record is set out in the Corporate Governance report on page 57. The Group Company Secretary acts as the secretary to the Committee.

During the year, the Committee reviewed and approved the content and scope of the Company’s 2009 CR Report, monitored the management of the CR risks affecting the Group and helped establish a process by which regions could report performance and progress to the Committee. In November 2009 the Company announced its intention to put its CR Report to an advisory vote of shareholders at the 2010 AGM as a means of obtaining feedback on the report and the Company’s performance in this area.

The Committee reviewed each region’s performance and progress during the year against the Group key performance indicators and, for the first time, began to review performance of Group functions which contribute to our CR programme activities, beginning with Group procurement. In addition, it reviewed Aviva Investor’s approach and progress in Sustainable and Responsible Investment. The Committee also received updates on the Group’s key CR programme activities, including climate change, community investment, diversity and external benchmarking. The Committee reviewed the Group’s carbon offset projects as part of management’s commitment to be carbon neutral on a global basis.

Members of the Committee are interviewed as part of the external assurance process of the CR programme and the subsequent management report, including Aviva’s action plan, is reviewed by the Committee to assist the strengthening and future direction of the programme.

In line with the Combined Code requirement, the Board undertook a review of the effectiveness of all its committees during the year, including the Corporate Responsibility Committee.

This report was reviewed and approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

 

Carole Piwnica

Chairman, Corporate Responsibility Committee


 

 


 

 

69

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report

Highlights

— 

The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) approved the Executive Directors’ (EDs) request to freeze their basic salaries for 2009 and to take a 10% reduction on the personal element of their annual bonus. In 2010, the EDs requested that their basic salaries should not be subject to annual review and the Committee has endorsed this proposal.

— 

 

The demanding financial and non-financial targets set for the 2009 annual bonus were met in part during the year. The combination of financial outcomes, along with those targets relating to employees, customers, and personal objectives mean that the Group Chief Executive received a 2009 bonus of 74% of his maximum opportunity (2008: 54%).

— 

 

The Committee entered the 2010 reward period conscious of the challenging economic background and widespread comment on over generous executive remuneration. The Committee believes Aviva’s 2009 business results are strong and that Aviva’s remuneration practices already closely link pay to performance and also align with current governance guidelines. The Committee has, however, continued to ensure prudent and proportionate reward outcomes.

—  

Andrea Moneta, Chief Executive Officer, Aviva Europe, Middle East and Africa was appointed as ED of Aviva plc on 29 September 2009. Information on his remuneration therefore appears in this report for the first time.

— 

On 1 January 2010, Mark Hodges was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the whole of Aviva’s UK Insurance operations, which brought together the Life and General Insurance businesses. As a result of this significant expansion of his managerial responsibilities, his basic salary was increased.

— 

On 26 January 2010, Philip Scott retired from the Board. He continues to be employed by the Group and will retire on 31 July 2010. Details of his leaving arrangements are disclosed in this report.

Patrick Regan joined Aviva as the new Chief Financial Officer on 22 February 2010. Details of his joining arrangements and ongoing annual remuneration are disclosed in this report.

Introduction

This report sets out the details of the remuneration policy for the Company’s directors, describes its implementation and discloses the amounts paid in 2009. In addition to meeting statutory requirements, particularly the UK Companies Act 2006, Schedules 5 and 8, the Committee has aimed to comply with best practice guidelines, including guidance issued by the Association of British Insurers and the National Association of Pension Funds, in producing this report. Relevant sections of this report have been audited in accordance with corporate governance best practice and legislation.

This report covers the following:

— 

The Committee’s objectives, membership and main activities in 2009;

— 

A review of Aviva’s remuneration policy and practice;

— 

Commentary on the alignment between remuneration, risk and Aviva’s business strategy and objectives;

— 

Details of the terms of EDs’ service contracts;

— 

Aviva’s share ownership policy with respect to EDs;

— 

Aviva’s policy on external board appointments;

— 

Aviva’s UK all employee share plans and share incentive plans;

— 

Aviva’s position against dilution limits;

— 

Remuneration of the Non Executive Directors (NEDs), and;

— 

Tables summarising the 2009 position on:

 

— 

Directors’ remuneration

 

— 

EDs’ pension arrangements

 

— 

Share incentive plans

 

Directors’ interests in shares

The Committee’s objectives

The Committee is a committee of the Board. Its terms of reference are available from the Group Company Secretary and can be found on the Company’s website www.aviva.com/terms-of-reference. The Committee’s key objectives are to:

— 

Establish a competitive remuneration package to attract, retain and motivate high quality leaders;

— 

Promote the achievement of both the Company’s annual plans and its strategic objectives by providing a remuneration package that contains appropriately motivating targets that are within the Group’s risk appetite; and

— 

Align senior executives’ remuneration with the interests of shareholders and other stakeholders, including customers and employees.

The Committee’s main responsibilities are to:

— 

Recommend to the Board the Group’s remuneration policy for the EDs and members of senior management, covering basic salary, bonus, long term incentives, retirement provisions, long term wealth creation and other benefits;

— 

Strike an appropriate balance between (i) the fixed and variable components and (ii) the cash, equity and equity related components of the total remuneration package;

— 

Ensure the remuneration package is congruent with, and provides the incentives to realise, short and long term goals;

— 

Review and determine the terms of employment and remuneration of the individual EDs, including any specific recruitment or severance terms;

— 

Assess and, within the broad policy from time to time approved by the Board, determine the remuneration terms of the Chairman of the Board;

 

 


70

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

— 

Recommend to the Board the establishment of any employee share plans and exercise all the Board’s powers in relation to the operation of all share incentive plans, including the granting of awards, the setting and testing of performance conditions (where appropriate), and any discretion on behalf of the Board regarding any material amendments to the plans’ rules not requiring the approval of shareholders; and

— 

Select, appoint and determine terms of reference for independent remuneration consultants to advise the Committee on remuneration policy and levels of remuneration.

Committee membership

Table 1 below shows the independent NEDs who served on the Committee during the year:

 

Table 1: Members of the Committee during 2009

Member

From

To

Mary Francis

25 January 2006

To Date

Carole Piwnica

25 January 2006

To Date

Scott Wheway (Chairman from 1 January 2009)

5 December 2007

To Date

Leslie Van de Walle

24 September 2009

To Date

 

Aviva announced on 24 September 2009 the appointment of Mr Van de Walle as a member of the Committee.

The Committee met on eight occasions in 2009 and the meeting attendance record is set out in the Corporate Governance report on page 57.

Committee meetings are attended by the Group Chief Executive, Andrew Moss (other than when his own remuneration is being discussed) and the Group Human Resources Director, John Ainley. The Group Company Secretary, Graham Jones, acts as secretary to the Committee. The Chairman, Lord Sharman, also attends meetings of the Committee at the discretion of the Committee Chairman but specifically when discussing the remuneration of the Group Chief Executive.

The Committee was advised in 2009 by the Group Human Resources Strategy Director, David Hope, and the Group Reward Director, Martyn Fisher, on market practice and the alignment of reward arrangements to business strategy and by the Chief Accounting Officer, David Rogers, on matters relating to the performance measures and targets for the Group’s share incentive plans. Group Audit also provide assurance to the Committee over non-financial bonus targets.

In addition, the Committee appointed Hewitt Associates (HNBS) to advise on matters relating to senior executive remuneration. HNBS provided no other material assistance to the Company in 2009. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) provide advice to management on relevant remuneration matters. PwC also provided consultancy services to the Group in 2009. Deloitte LLP, which also provided consultancy services to the Group in 2009, advised the Committee on the calculation of Total Shareholder Return (TSR) in respect of the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) vesting. The Group Company Secretary and Linklaters LLP advised the Committee in relation to the operation of the Company’s share plans. Linklaters LLP provided other legal services to the Company during 2009.

In line with Combined Code requirements, the Board undertook a review of the effectiveness of the Committee during the year. Additionally, the Committee reviewed its own performance and agreed steps to enhance its effectiveness and addressed the issues identified.

 


 

 

71

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

Committee activities during 2009

The Committee is required by its terms of reference to meet at least three times per year and has a standing calendar of items within its remit. In addition to these standing items, the Committee discusses matters relating to the operation of the remuneration policy and emerging market practices. In 2009, the Committee met eight times and discussed, amongst others, the issues set out in Table 2 below:

 

Table 2: Matters discussed by the Committee during its 2009 meetings

Meeting

 

Standing agenda items

 

Other agenda items

February

 

  A review of EDs’ basic salaries and benefits in kind

 

  Assurance of non-financial bonus targets

 

 

  Consideration and approval of EDs’ bonus awards for 2009 and approval of share awards under the Annual Bonus Plan (ABP)

 

 

 

 

  A review and approval of Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) grants to the EDs and approval of the performance conditions for the 2009 grants

 

 

 

 

  A performance test of subsisting LTIP grants

 

 

 

 

  A decision on the operation of the UK’s All Employee Share Ownership Plan and the Aviva Ireland’s All Employee Share Ownership Plan

 

 

 

 

  A review of dilution limits

 

 

 

 

  A review and approval of recommendations on contributions into the Aviva Capital Accumulation Plan (ACAP)

 

 

 

 

  Approval of the 2008 Directors’ Remuneration Report

  Approval of the 2009 One Aviva Twice The Value Bonus Plan (OATTV) grants

  EDs’ shareholding requirements

 

 

June

 

  None

 

  Approval of the departure terms of Philip Scott

August

 

  A review of EDs’ bonus targets following a rebase for exchange rates and capital assumptions

 

  Consideration of EDs’ 2009 bonus targets

  Committee Terms of Reference

 

 

  Approval of an invitation to UK and Irish employees to participate in the Savings Related Share Option Schemes (SAYE)

 

  LTIP and OATTV Plan performance testing for the Australian participants following the decision to sell the business

 

 

  EDs’ shareholding requirements

 

  Update on governance and regulatory developments

  Consideration of the impact of the Finance Act 2009 on remuneration

September

 

–  None

 

  Approval of Andrea Moneta’s appointment terms as an ED

October

 

–  None

 

  Approval of Mark Hodges’ remuneration following the expansion of his responsibilities

  Approval of Patrick Regan’s appointment terms as an ED from February 2010

  Review remuneration changes for relevant members of the Executive Committee following new appointments and changes to responsibilities

December

 

  Approval of the proposed 2010 financial, employee and customer targets for the operation of the ABP

  Comment upon and noting of the EDs’ personal objectives for 2010

 

  A review and update of proposed governance and regulatory changes

  Review of the workplan for the 2010 Strategic Reward Review

  Approve proposals for changes to two share incentive plans, as a result of the 2009 Finance Act

 

 

  A review of the proposed approach to the 2009 Directors’ remuneration report

  A review of the Committee’s 2010 work plan

 

 

Committee Decisions

The Company’s EDs elected to take a basic salary freeze in 2009 and to take a 10% reduction on the personal element of their annual bonus. A further 45 members of senior management similarly accepted a 2009 basic pay freeze. The 2008 Annual Report and Accounts stated the Committee had decided to review mid year the financial targets used for bonus purposes for EDs and other senior managers. This was in addition to the mechanical rebasing for exchange rate and capital assumptions that is carried out annually. Only in exceptional circumstances would the Committee consider amending financial targets, either up or down, and any significant change would be the subject of appropriate consultation. Having reviewed the targets, it was agreed that they remained valid and therefore the bonuses paid for the 2009 performance year, which are disclosed in this report, are based on unaltered financial and non-financial targets.

The Committee remains conscious of the shareholders’ loss of value in light of the recession. This has also impacted the EDs through the significantly lower value of the deferred ABP shares and LTIP grants in 2007, both of which will vest in 2010.

 


72

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

Future actions and changes

The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to the structure of EDs’ compensation packages in 2010, compared with those outlined in this report. There are, however, three main areas of activity in 2010 which are worth noting:

i) Increased regulation in executive remuneration and changes in corporate governance

2009 has seen a series of regulatory and governance guidelines issued by a wide ranging group of organisations, from the Financial Services Authority, the Company’s primary regulator, to the Financial Stability Board of the G20. Whilst many of the issued guidelines do not yet formally apply to Aviva, the Company has already reviewed its existing remuneration arrangements against these and Aviva’s current remuneration structures are broadly in line with the requirements laid down by the majority of the codes of practice and corporate governance expectations. A good example of this is the high level of deferral on the annual bonus (two-thirds) which would be considered best practice in the new environment. In addition, the Company has introduced clawback provisions into the Company’s share incentive plans. The Group Risk and Regulatory Committee is also mindful of the recommendations and that its involvement will be required including its input into the setting of financial objectives.

ii) Changes to UK taxation

The changes in the personal tax regime effective in April 2010 will create a significantly different tax position for a number of senior employees. The Company has therefore made available the choice to receive deferred annual bonus awards as restricted stock, thus allowing the payment of income tax on grant prior to the changes coming into effect in April 2010. Any potential cost to the Company is judged to be minimal. In addition, the 2010 LTIP grant will be underpinned by an approved share option grant. This will have no additional cost to the Company. These changes were discussed with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before being implemented.

iii) Strategic Reward Review

The Company is required every five years to seek shareholder approval for the operation of its share based incentive plans. The Committee has, in the past, carried out a comprehensive review of senior executive remuneration to coincide with this. This has allowed the Company to put to shareholders’ proposals that reflect a thorough review of the Company’s remuneration package taking into account changing market and regulatory practice and the requirement to ensure that the package remains competitive. It was agreed in 2008 that the review would be delayed by 12 months from 2009 to 2010. This will enable Aviva to reflect on the new regulatory and governance requirements that emerge from the global financial crisis. Following an in-depth review during 2010, new proposals will be put to shareholders in 2011.

Remuneration policy

Alignment with Group Strategy

The Committee considers alignment between Group strategy and the remuneration of its senior executives, including EDs, to be critical. It believes that senior executives should be highly rewarded (on a market competitive basis) for the delivery of stretching goals but should receive reduced rewards when the business performs poorly. The pay and employment conditions of employees of the Company and Group were also taken into account when determining directors’ remuneration for the financial year. To achieve this alignment Aviva’s remuneration package is leveraged, with a high percentage of pay “at risk” against the achievement of stretching goals which is aligned with the Company’s risk profile and employee behaviour. Furthermore two-thirds of any bonus and any LTIP grant are delivered in the form of Aviva shares. The element of deferred bonus that is matched under the OATTV Plan only vests if very demanding Earnings Per Share (EPS) targets are met. The requirements to defer bonus, participation in the LTIP and the OATTV Plan closely tie the long term value of executive remuneration to the Company’s share price performance.

Senior executives thus have high exposure to the same benefits and drawbacks of share price movement as all shareholders. The belief that senior executives should be shareholders is reinforced through formal guidelines requiring EDs to build up and maintain a significant holding of shares in the Company.

The Group’s strategic priorities and targets are set out elsewhere in this report. Those priorities are reflected closely in the remuneration package:

— 

Basic Salary: Internal and external equity in basic salary positioning is an important contributor to a motivational remuneration package. A range of market data is used to inform decision making taking into account the Company’s policy with regard to the FTSE 30 and FTSE 50.

— 

ABP: Bonus structures are effective only if they drive, through the targets, the maintenance of the Company on a sound financial footing and sustained profitable growth. In addition, the targets must not provide an incentive to promote behaviours which could be detrimental to the Company’s long term interests. Management must justify the targets it recommends. The Committee assures itself that the targets provide appropriate incentives, are sufficiently challenging, are aligned to shareholders’ interests and are within the Group’s risk appetite.

The Committee also considers how, given changing economic circumstances, the Group’s priorities, and consequently the targets underpinning its bonus structures, need to change. Given the challenging current environment the Committee has agreed that financial targets for 2010 should focus more on profitable growth and long term value creation. Financial targets sit alongside targets on customer advocacy and employee engagement introduced in 2005 that the Committee believes are critical to long term organisational health. The personal objectives of Executive Committee members are reviewed by the Committee to ensure they adequately reflect the strategic aims of the Group, good governance and best practice.

 


 

 

73

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

— 

OATTV Plan: This plan was introduced to emphasise the Group Chief Executive’s clear strategic aim for the Group to deliver growth in EPS, with a target of doubling EPS in five years from a baseline at the end of December 2007. No other element of executive remuneration was focused on EPS growth, and this bonus scheme directly aligns a portion of executive remuneration to this key strategic goal.

— 

LTIP: The LTIP encourages a longer term management focus on Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and relative TSR. These metrics measure how the Company is performing in both absolute and relative terms.

The Committee considers all these elements, plus pension and other benefits, as a whole. It looks to ensure that an appropriate balance is maintained between them so that the need for both short term success and long term sustainable growth is recognised. The Committee also ensures that the non-financial business measures and individual objectives reflect adequately the Company’s environmental, social and governance responsibilities.

Constituent elements of reward as a percentage of total remuneration

Tables 3a and 3b below show how the Group’s remuneration policy translates in practice into the Group Chief Executive’s remuneration package. The tables outline the contribution each element makes to overall compensation at both “Target” and “Stretch” levels of performance. More than 50% of EDs’ total remuneration is performance related. For the remainder of EDs, 43% of total remuneration is paid in cash for on “Target” performance and 27% for “Stretch” performance (excluding ACAP which EDs participate in to varied degrees, see Table 5).

 

Tables 3a and 3b: Breakdown of remuneration for the Group Chief Executive

 

 

 

Table 3a shows the breakdown of the Group Chief Executive’s remuneration package into its main constituent elements. Table 3b gives the proportions of fixed cash, variable cash and shares. For the purposes of Table 3b, fixed cash includes basic salary and the discretionary ACAP payment. Variable cash is the one-third of bonus paid in cash annually. The share element includes the two-thirds of the annual bonus deferred into shares, the OATTV Plan match and the LTIP.

“Target” performance means a target ABP outcome (75% of basic salary), a 50% vesting of the LTIP (87.5% of basic salary) and 1:1 match from the OATTV Plan (50% of basic salary).

“Stretch” performance means a stretch ABP outcome (150% of basic salary), 100% vesting of the LTIP (175% of basic salary) and a 2:1 match from the OATTV Plan (200% of basic salary).

The breakdown does not include any share price growth, the dividends on the ABP deferred shares or other benefits (e.g. cash car allowance, value of Private Medical Insurance (PMI) and all employee share ownership plans).

 

 


74

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Remuneration policy in practice for EDs

Table 4, below, summarises Aviva’s remuneration policy as it is applied in practice to EDs.

 

Table 4: Remuneration Policy in practice

Policy

 

How delivered

Total remuneration
Total remuneration package levels are informed by relevant pay data, in particular the lower quartile to median range of the FTSE 30 and the median to upper quartile range of the FTSE 50.
These reference points are chosen to reflect Aviva’s market capitalisation and comparability to other large, sophisticated multi-national companies and the positioning that is appropriate to Aviva in those different comparator groups.

 

 

 Basic salary

 ABP

 OATTV Plan

 LTIP

 Long term savings

 Aviva Staff Pension Scheme (ASPS)

 Benefits

 All employee schemes

Basic salary
Benchmarked as for total remuneration but with positioning and progression taking account of individual and business performance and the levels of increase provided for the broader UK employee population (basic salaries of the UK staff increased by 3% on average in 2009).
The Committee takes seriously institutional investors’ concerns on the upward ratchet of basic salaries and is rigorous in its review of market position and salary.

 

 

 Monthly in cash

 Reviewed annually in February, with changes taking effect from 1 April.

ABP
The ABP is intended to motivate executives to achieve the annual business plan, based on a series of key financial, employee and customer performance indicators (KPIs), which make up 70% of the bonus opportunity, and personal objectives which make up 30%.
75% of basic salary is payable for “on target” performance and up to 150% for “stretch” performance.
Two-thirds of bonus is deferred into shares and the deferred shares vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the recipient remaining in service. On resignation during the three year deferral period, all or part of the grant is forfeited (100% in year of grant, 50% in following year and 25% in year after that). Additional shares are awarded at vesting in lieu of the dividends paid on the deferred shares during the deferral period.

 

 

 Annually, one-third is paid in cash and two-thirds in deferred shares.

OATTV Plan
The OATTV Plan aligns senior executives with the Group Chief Executive clear strategic aim
of doubling EPS by the end of 2012.
The plan matches 100% of the deferred ABP shares for the Group Chief Executive (75% for other EDs)
For the 2009 awards, the vesting of these matched shares is dependent on the achievement of 49.2 pence per share and then compounded annual growth targets as follows:

 

 

 Annually, a proportion of the deferred element of the ABP is matched in shares.

 Shares vest based only upon the achievement of demanding EPS growth targets.

— Less than 12.5% growth pa

Nil

— 12.5% growth pa

0.1 for 1

— 41.5% growth pa

2 for 1

Matching is on a straight-line basis for performance from 12.5% to 41.5%. No additional shares are awarded for the dividends paid during the three year performance period on those shares that vest.

LTIP
The LTIP is intended to motivate the achievement of the Company’s longer term objectives,
to aid the retention of key personnel and to align executive interests to those of shareholders.
The Group Chief Executive is eligible to receive an annual award of shares equal to 175% of basic salary. Other EDs are eligible to receive an annual award of shares equal to 150% of basic salary.
The Company operates a phantom scheme in the United States (US) for its US based employees. Levels of awards reflect US market practice.
No additional shares are awarded for the dividends paid during the three year performance period on those shares that vest.

 

 

 Annual awards in shares that vest, subject to ROCE and relative TSR
   performance conditions being met at the end of a three year

      performance period.

 Awards that do not vest lapse.

Long term savings
The Aviva Capital Accumulation Plan (ACAP) is a long term savings vehicle which aids retention whilst recognising a need for flexibility in long term wealth planning.
Company contributions are discretionary and vary year on year, but would not normally exceed 50% of basic salary. Contributions for the EDs are shown in the table on page 83.
No ED who participates in the ACAP is currently accruing benefits in the ASPS. A resignation or departure for breach of contract generally results in forfeiture of contribution for the relevant year.

 

 

 Discretionary payments into a trust where they are held for a
  minimum of five years.

ASPS
The UK ASPS provides a competitive post retirement package. No ED is currently accruing service based benefits in the ASPS.1
The scheme provides accrual at 1/30th, 1/45th or 1/60th of annual basic salary depending on seniority and the date of joining the scheme.
Lump sum death in service benefit of four times basic salary is provided, as is a spouse’s or partner’s pension equal to two-thirds of actual or, on death in service and in certain other circumstances, prospective pension. Post retirement increases are equivalent to the Retail Price Index up to a maximum of 10%. Retirement benefits can be accessed from age 60.

 

 

 Deferred cash payable on retirement in the form of a lump sum
  /monthly payment.

Other Benefits
Other benefits are provided on a market competitive basis.

 

 

 Cash car allowance

 PMI

 

 


 

 

75

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Overview of the effect on current EDs

The effect of these policies in 2009 for current EDs is set out below. It should be emphasised that the figures shown for both the OATTV Plan and the LTIP grant represent the face value of those grants. The LTIP grant would only be realised if very stretching performance conditions were to be met. Details on pension benefits are set out later in this report.

 

Table 5: Overview of current EDs’ remuneration

Andrew Moss, Group Chief Executive

Element

 

Amount

 

Commentary**

Basic Salary

 

£925,000 during the year

 

Mr Moss requested not to receive an increase to his basic salary in 2009.
Mr Moss requested that his basic salary should not be subject to annual review in 2010.

ABP

 

£1,029,294 (111.3% of basic salary)
(£343,098 delivered in cash and £686,196 deferred into shares for three years)

 

Bonus is a function of the degree of achievement of 2009 targets as follows:
Financial 38.9% (maximum 50%)
Employee 5.0 % (maximum 10%)
Customer 6.9 % (maximum 10%)
Personal 23.3 % (maximum 30%)

OATTV Plan

 

£501,443

 

The face value of 100% of the two-thirds deferred element of 2008 annual bonus.

LTIP – Face Value of grant

 

£1,618,750

 

The face value of the grant represented 175% of basic salary on 28 February 2009.

ACAP

 

£462,500

 

The Trustee of the Plan accepted Aviva’s recommendation and made an award into the plan equivalent to 50% of Mr Moss’ basic salary as at 1 April.

Other Benefits

 

£19,000 cash car allowance
2% basic salary cash supplement
PMI

 

Mr Moss receives 2% of basic salary as a non-pensionable cash supplement provided in consideration of his surrendering his Unapproved Unfunded Retirement Benefit (UURB) promise at the point when accrual in the ASPS ceased.

Philip Scott, Chief Financial Officer *

Element

 

Amount

 

Commentary**

Basic Salary

 

£600,000 during the year.

 

Mr Scott requested not to receive an increase to his basic salary in 2009.

ABP

 

£577,650 (96.3% of basic salary)
(£192,550 delivered in cash
and £385,100 deferred into shares for three years)

 

Bonus is a function of the degree of achievement of 2009 targets as follows:
Financial 38.9% (maximum 50%)
Employee 5.0 % (maximum 10%)
Customer 6.9 % (maximum 10%)
Personal 13.3 % (maximum 30%)

OATTV Plan

 

£243,945

 

The face value of 75% of the two-thirds deferred element of 2008 annual bonus.

LTIP – Face Value of grant

 

£900,000

 

The face value of the grant represented 150% of Mr Scott’s basic salary on 28 February 2009.

ASPS

 

Membership of the ASPS

 

Mr Scott has a fully accrued pension equivalent to two-thirds of his pensionable salary at retirement.
He therefore no longer accrues service related benefits but does continue to accrue additional benefits as a result of pensionable salary increases.

Other Benefits

 

£16,120 cash car allowance PMI

 

 

*

Philip Scott retired from the Board on 26 January 2010.

**

Percentages do not necessarily add up due to rounding.

 

 


76

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Mark Hodges, CEO, Aviva UK

Element

 

Amount

 

Commentary**

Basic Salary

 

£520,000 during the year.

 

Mr Hodges requested not to receive an increase to his basic salary in 2009.
On 1 January 2010, his basic salary increased to £600,000 to reflect his increased responsibilities across the UK business.
Mr Hodges requested that his basic salary should not be subject to annual review in 2010.

ABP

 

£502,528 (96.6% of basic salary)
(£167,509 delivered in cash
and £335,019 deferred into shares for three years)

 

Mr Hodges’ bonus is a function of the degree of achievement of 2009 targets as follows:
Financial 26.5% (maximum 50%)
Employee 3.7% (maximum 10%)
Customer 7.5% (maximum 10%)
Personal 26.7% (maximum 30%)

OATTV Plan

 

£266,039

 

The face value of 75% of the two-thirds deferred element of 2008 annual bonus.

LTIP – Face Value of grant

 

£780,000

 

The face value of the grant represented 150% of Mr Hodges’ basic salary on 28 February 2009.

ACAP

 

£260,000

 

The Trustee of the Plan accepted Aviva’s recommendation and made an award into the plan equivalent to 50% of Mr Hodges’ basic salary as at 1 April 2009.

Other Benefits

 

£16,120 cash car allowance PMI

 

 

Andrea Moneta, CEO, Aviva Europe, Middle East and Africa

Element

 

Amount

 

Commentary**

Basic Salary

 

€713,333 during the year (£635,220)
As at 1 January 2009 €680,000 (£605,537)
As at 29 September 2009 €780,000 (£694,587)

 

On appointment to the Board, Mr Moneta received a basic salary increase from 29 September 2009 of €100,000 (14.7%).
Mr Moneta requested that his basic salary should not be subject to annual review in 2010.

ABP

 

€848,660 (108.8% of basic salary)
(€282,887 delivered in cash
and €565,773 deferred into shares for three years)

 

Mr Moneta’s bonus is a function of the degree of achievement of 2009 targets as follows:
Financial 41.7% (maximum 50%)
Employee 0.0 % (maximum 10%)
Customer 8.8 % (maximum 10%)
Personal 22.0 % (maximum 30%)

OATTV Plan

 

€408,000

 

The face value of 75% of the two-thirds deferred element of 2008 annual bonus.

LTIP – Face Value of grant

 

€850,000

 

The face value of the grant represented 125% of Mr Moneta’s basic salary on 28 February 2009.

ACAP

 

€91,848

 

Mr Moneta’s ACAP contribution is for the period 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2009.

Other Benefits

 

€16,653 cash car allowance during the year

€82,201 exchange rate adjustment

€1,066,700 compensation for loss of earnings, options and performance shares from previous employer

€100,000 housing allowance per annum for 3 years

€40,000 schooling allowance PMI

(Based on average exchange rate for 200 9 of €1.12297 : £1.00)

 

Annual car allowance of £13,300 (€14,936) from 1 January 2009 to 28 September 2009, and €21,500 per annum from 29 September 2009 to 31 December 2009.

€82,201 is payable as an exchange rate adjustment for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.

A further €800,000 compensation is payable for loss of earnings, options and performance shares from a previous employer, half payable in 2010 and half payable in 2011.

€100,000 annual housing allowance up to July 2011, grossed up for tax purposes.***

€40,000 annual schooling allowance payable up to the end of secondary schooling, grossed up for tax purposes.***

**

Percentages do not necessarily add up due to rounding.

***

These exceptional other benefits were provided to replicate pre-existing obligations and are time-limited.

 


 

 

77

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

ABP – target setting

The financial targets which underpinned the ABP (accounting for 50% of annual bonus) in 2009 were derived from Aviva’s return, growth and capital efficiency/capital generation goals. Three of the financial targets (adjusted operating profit, volume and new business contribution) were “stretched” (as set out in Table 6) due to their importance in achieving these aspirations.

Employee and customer targets (each accounting for up to 10% of annual bonus) are set taking into account performance to date and aspirations for the future. The employee targets on leadership and engagement are derived from the Group’s employee promise survey in which all business units participate and which over 37,500 staff completed in 2009. This survey is delivered through an independent third party who is able to provide extensive external benchmark data. The Company’s aspiration is to reach the upper quartile positions compared to the relevant global and national norms on leadership and engagement over time. In 2009, the number of businesses measuring customer advocacy using a consistent robust methodology doubled, and this was measured by an independent global research agency. All business units now have customer advocacy targets in place for 2010. The Company’s aspir ation is to reach the upper quartile in the relevant local market benchmark. Internal assurance that the outcomes on employee and customer targets were accurately calculated and reported was provided to the Committee by Group Audit.

Personal objectives based on delivery of key strategic priorities, personal leadership and operating performance of the relevant portion of the business account for up to 30% of annual bonus. Carbon emissions targets are also included as part of the EDs’ personal objectives.

The Group’s performance against its financial, employee and customer KPIs in 2009, as they affected the bonus of the Group Chief Executive, is shown in Table 6.

 

Table 6: Group performance in 2009 against its KPIs

 

 

 

Weighting (% of total bonus
opportunity)

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

On target (%)

Stretch
(%)

Actual
payment
(%)

Business measures (70%)

 

Volume – Total long-term savings

5.0

5.0

5.0

 

 

Volume – Net written premium

2.5

2.5

 

 

Adjusted operating profit

1.5

10.0

9.3

 

 

MCEV operating profit

1.5

10.0

10.0

 

 

New business margin

1.0

5.0

2.2

 

 

Combined Operating Ratio (COR)

1.0

5.0

 

 

Net capital returns

7.5

7.5

7.5

 

 

Cost savings (expense base)

5.0

5.0

5.0

 

 

Customer

5.0

10.0

7.0

 

 

Employee

5.0

10.0

5.0

Personal measures (30%)

 

Personal – individual strategic

15.0

30.0

23.3

 

 

Total *

50.0

100.0

74.2

* Totals in columns do not add up due to rounding.

 

The Committee is sensitive to the current environment in relation to executive pay, and particularly relating to the payment of bonuses in circumstances where financial targets have not been met and share prices have fallen. However, the combination of financial and non-financial measures is central to the structure of the ABP. The Committee wants to ensure a balanced focus on both short term financial performance and on the objective non-financial measures that are leading indicators of future financial success. This balance is, in the Committee’s view, reflective of good practice in incentive design and is consistent with the FSA’s guidance on creating incentive schemes that have a focus on long term sustainable performance.

As described above, the Committee took the view that it was important to maintain the integrity of the financial targets for the EDs, and so these were not adjusted during the year. In the same way, the Committee believes that it is appropriate to pay bonus based on pre-agreed rigorous targets when these have been met.

To align with the business priorities for 2010, the financial measures at Group level for 2010 are operating profit, volume, new business margin, the Combined Operating Ratio (COR) of our general insurance businesses and cost savings.

 


78

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

OATTV Plan

The OATTV Plan aligns senior executives with the Group Chief Executive’s clear strategic aim of doubling EPS by the end of 2012. The plan matches 100% of the deferred ABP shares for the Group Chief Executive (75% for other EDs). For the grant made in 2009 the vesting of these matched shares is dependent on the average annual growth in EPS during the three year performance period, thus:

— Less than 12.5% growth pa

 

Nil

— 12.5% growth pa

 

0.1 for 1

— 41.5% growth pa

 

2 for 1

 

Matching is on a straight-line basis for performance between 12.5% and 41.5%. The maximum match of 2 shares for each deferred share is paid for delivering a doubling of EPS by the end of 2010. The threshold matching of 0.1 of a share for each share deferred is equivalent to doubling EPS by 2014. The Committee reviews the performance conditions of this plan annually.

LTIP – Target Setting

The LTIP vests subject to the degree of achievement of two equally weighted performance measures, chosen to reflect shareholders’ long term interest, in absolute ROCE and relative TSR performance.

ROCE targets

ROCE targets are set annually within the context of the Company’s three year business plan and are set on a Market Consistent Embedded Value basis. Vesting depends upon performance over the three year period against a target return. The Company’s external auditor provides a formal opinion on the ROCE vesting calculation. The 2009 LTIP award ROCE targets are set out in Table 7 below:

 

Table 7: 2009 LTIP ROCE Targets

 

 

ROCE over the three year performance period

 

Percentage of shares in award that vests based on achievement of ROCE targets

Less than 31.5%

 

0%

31.5%

 

15%

Between 31.5% and 37.5%

 

Pro rata between 15% and 50% on a straight line basis

37.5% and above

 

50%

TSR Targets

Relative TSR determines the vesting of the other 50% of any LTIP award. The comparator group for the assessment of relative TSR performance at the time of the 2009 grant comprised Aegon, Allianz, Axa, Fortis, Friends Provident, Generali, ING, Legal and General, Lloyds Banking Group, Prudential, Royal Bank of Scotland, Royal and Sun Alliance, Standard Life and Zurich. HBOS had been delisted by the time the 2009 grant was made and so was not included in the comparator group. Friends Provident was delisted in November 2009.

TSR vesting operates as set out in Table 8 below:

 

Table 8: TSR vesting schedule for the 2009 award

 

 

TSR position over the three year performance period

 

Percentage of shares in award that vests based on achievement of TSR targets

Below Median

 

0%

Median

 

15%

Between median and upper quintile

 

Pro rata between 15% and 50% on a straight line basis

Upper quintile and above

 

50%

 

 


 

 

79

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

The same targets will apply for the 2010 LTIP awards. The comparator group will remain unchanged other than the removal of Friends Provident which will be replaced by Resolution Limited. The Committee has agreed a shortlist of companies that would be considered for inclusion in the comparator group, subject to final review, should any further member of the group be delisted.

Details of subsisting LTIP awards are provided on page 80 and Table 9 below shows the vesting projections (non-audited) of those awards as at 31 December 2009.

 

Table 9: Projections of vesting of subsisting LTIP awards

LTIP Award

 

31 December 2009 vesting projection (% of award)

Aviva LTIP 2009

 

50%

Aviva LTIP 2008

 

50%

Aviva LTIP 2007

 

50%

 

Details of the assumptions used in valuing the LTIP for accounting purposes can be found in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 26 – Equity compensation plans”. The vesting assumption made in respect of the 2010 award for accounting purposes is 50%.

      Since the LTIP has performance conditions attached to it, then one potential outcome is that neither performance condition is met and the whole of the LTIP lapses. Table 10 below has been drawn up to assist in understanding the potential value of the LTIP awards made to EDs in 2010 should the performance conditions be met in part or in whole.

 

Table 10: Potential value of 2009 LTIP awards (rounded to nearest £50)

LTIP

Andrew Moss

Philip Scott

Mark Hodges

Andrea Moneta*

 

£

£

£

£

Face Value of grant

1,618,750

900,000

780,000

756,900

Threshold Vesting

485,600

270,000

234,000

227,100

Expected Value

936,950

520,900

451,500

438,100

Maximum Vesting

2,154,550

1,197,900

1,038,200

1,007,500

* Figures shown for Mr Moneta have been converted from Euro to Pound Sterling at the average exchange rate for 2009 of €1.12297 : £1.00

 

Assumptions are as follows:

 

Threshold vesting assumes TSR and ROCE elements vest at the minimum level, producing a 30% vesting of the total award. No share price growth is assumed;

 

Expected value, based on the vesting assumption made for accounting purposes, assumes TSR and ROCE elements vest at a combined rate of 50% of the total award. Share price growth of 5% per annum is assumed over the three year performance period;

 

Maximum vesting assumes both TSR and ROCE elements vest in full, producing a 100% vesting. Share price growth of 10% per annum is assumed over the three year performance period.

 

Andrea Moneta joined Aviva in July 2008 and does not have an LTIP award vesting in 2010.

At the end of the performance period for the 2006 LTIP grant, which vested in 2009, the Company was ranked 8th out of the 15 companies in the TSR comparator group (15% vesting) and ROCE was 36.0% (41.3% vesting). The total vesting was therefore 56.3%. The 43.7% of the award which did not vest lapsed.

The LTIP vesting history is set out in Table 11 below. Prior to the 2005 award, vesting history is based on an earlier LTIP plan, and the last award made under this plan was in 2004.

 

Table 11: Vesting history of LTIP awards

 

 

Percentage of award vesting

Year of grant

Performance period

ROCE

TSR

Total

2002

January 2002 to December 2004

23.3

23.0

46.3

2003

January 2003 to December 2005

30.0

34.9

64.9

2004

January 2004 to December 2006

30.0

34.9

64.9

2005

January 2005 to December 2007

50.0

0.0

50.0

2006

January 2006 to December 2008

41.3

15.0

56.3

 

Aviva does not award additional shares for the dividends that were paid during the three year performance period on those shares that vest.

 


80

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Share Awards

Table 12 below sets out the current position of those share based awards made to EDs under current remuneration arrangements.

Table 12: ABP, OATTV Plan and LTIP awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1
January
2009
Number

Awards
granted
during
year
Number

Awards
vesting
during
year
Number

Awards
lapsing
during
year
Number

At 31
December
2009
Number

Market
price at
date
awards
granted1
Pence

Market
price at
date
awards
vested
Pence

Vesting
Date

Andrew Moss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2006

87,804

49,433

38,371

0

814.0

202.5

Mar-09

— 2007

136,540

136,540

778.5

 

Mar-10

— 2008

253,289

253,289

617.5

 

Mar-11

— 2009

632,324

632,324

245.0

 

Mar-12

Aviva Annual Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2006

47,648

11,0248

58,672

0

814.0

202.5

Mar-09

— 2007

64,273

64,273

778.5

 

Mar-10

— 2008

93,567

93,567

617.5

 

Mar-11

— 2009

195,876

195,876

245.0

 

Mar-12

One Aviva Twice the Value Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 2008

93,567

93,567

598.0

 

Mar-11

– 2009

195,876

195,876

245.0

 

Mar-12

Philip Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2006

95,121

53,553

41,568

0

814.0

202.5

Mar-09

— 2007

107,282

107,282

778.5

 

Mar-10

— 2008

140,625

140,625

617.5

 

Mar-11

— 2009

351,562

351,562

245.0

 

Mar-12

Aviva Annual Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2006

47,138

10,9078

58,045

0

814.0

202.5

Mar-09

— 2007

58,647

58,647

778.5

 

Mar-10

— 2008

70,312

70,312

617.5

 

Mar-11

— 2009

127,054

127,054

245.0

 

Mar-12

One Aviva Twice the Value Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2008

52,734

52,734

598.0

 

Mar-11

— 2009

95,291

95,291

245.0

 

Mar-12

Mark Hodges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2006

44,207

24,888

19,319

0

814.0

202.5

Mar-09

— 2007

56,892

56,892

778.5

 

Mar-10

— 2008

97,450

97,450

617.5

 

Mar-11

— 2009

304,687

304,687

245.0

 

Mar-12

Aviva Annual Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2006

32,725

7,5728

40,297

0

814.0

202.5

Mar-09

— 2007

37,366

37,366

778.5

 

Mar-10

— 2008

55,785

55,785

617.5

 

Mar-11

— 2009

138,561

138,561

245.0

 

Mar-12

One Aviva Twice the Value Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2008

41,838

41,838

598.0

 

Mar-11

— 2009

103,921

103,921

245.0

 

Mar-12

Andrea Moneta6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2009

249,023

249,023

245.0

 

Mar-12

Aviva Annual Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 2009

159,375

159,375

245.0

 

Mar-12

One Aviva Twice the Value Bonus Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 2009

119,531

119,531

245.0

 

Mar-12

Notes

1.

The actual price used to calculate the ABP and LTIP awards is based on a three day average price. These were in 2006: 820p; 2007: 769p; 2008: 608p; 2009: 256p. The three day average price used to grant the 2008 OATTV Plan awards was 617p and in 2009 was 256p

2.

The performance period for all awards begins at the commencement of the financial year in which the award is granted.

3.

The performance conditions for awards granted and vested during 2009 are explained elsewhere in this report.

4.

The monetary value of awards will be calculated by multiplying the relevant number of shares by the market price at the date of vesting.

5.

The award date for the awards which vested in 2009 was 30 March 2006.

6.

The awards granted to Andrea Moneta were awarded before he was appointed to the board, and were held at the date of his appointment.

7.

The awards that vested in 2009 were released with the net amount being settled in shares and the balance settled in cash and used to pay the resulting tax liability.

8.

These figures relate to shares issued in lieu of dividends accrued during the deferral period.

9.

The aggregate net value of share awards granted to the directors in the period was £5.256 million (2008: £4.319 million). The net value has been calculated by reference to the market price at the date of grant.

 


 

 

81

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Performance graph

Table 13 below compares the TSR performance of the Company over the past five years with the TSR of the FTSE 100 Return Index. This index has been chosen because it is a recognised equity market index, of which Aviva is a member.

The companies which comprise the current LTIP comparator group for TSR purposes were chosen on the basis of product and geographic match to Aviva and are listed above. The TSR graph for the comparator group has been plotted using the 20 companies (including Aviva) in the comparator group for pre-2005 grants, the 15 companies (including Aviva) in the comparator group for 2005-07 grants, the 16 companies (including Aviva) in the comparator group for the 2008 grant, and the 15 companies (including Aviva) in the comparator group for the 2009 grant.

 

Table 13: Aviva plc five year TSR performance against the FTSE 100 Index and the comparator group

 


EDs’ service contracts

Service contracts agreed with each ED incorporate their terms and conditions of employment. Contracts were last reviewed during 2006 bringing them in line with good market practice. The aim is to strike a fair balance between the Company’s and the employee’s interests taking into account good market practice. The key terms are set out in Table 14 below.

 

Table 14: EDs’ key terms and conditions of employment

Provision

 

Policy

Notice period
      By the director
      By the Company

 


6 months
12 months, rolling. No notice or payment in lieu to be paid where the Company terminates for cause.

Termination payment

 

Pay in lieu of notice up to a maximum of 12 months’ basic salary. This may be increased by a discretionary redundancy payment (where appropriate) but any such further termination payment is capped at 12 months’ basic salary.
Any amount is subject to phased payment and mitigation requirements.

Remuneration and benefits

 

As described in this Report the operation of the ABP, the OATTV Plan and LTIP is at the Company’s discretion and, in the case of the long term savings plans, at the trustees’ discretion.

Expenses

 

Reimbursement of expenses reasonably incurred in accordance with their duties.

Holiday entitlement

 

30 working days plus public holidays.

Sickness

 

In line with senior management terms i.e. 100% basic salary for 52 weeks, and 75% thereafter.

Non-compete

 

During employment and for six months after leaving.

Contract dates

 

Director
Andrew Moss
Philip Scott
Mark Hodges
Andrea Moneta

Date current contract commenced
1 January 2007
15 November 2006
26 June 2008
29 September 2009

Share ownership requirements

An internal shareholding requirement was introduced in 2005 that the Group Chief Executive and any EDs should build, over a five year period, a shareholding in the Company equivalent to 175% of basic salary and 150% of basic salary respectively and no specific value per share was designated for the calculation. Shares held in compulsory bonus deferrals and performance shares held in unvested LTIPs are not taken into account in applying this test.

As at 31 December 2009, based on that day’s closing share price of 397.9p, Mr Moss’ shareholding of 239,848 shares represented 103% of his basic salary of £925,000 (his holding of 176,067 shares at 1 January 2009 represented 76% of his basic salary of £925,000 using the 31 December 2009 share price). As it currently stands, largely due to the volatile market conditions in the current economic climate, Mr Moss will not meet the internal shareholding requirement target of 1.5 x his salary by April 2010, although he is on target to meet the 1.75 x his salary by July 2012. Mr Scott’s shareholding of 512,652 shares represented 340% of his basic salary of £600,000 (his holding of 400,973 shares at 1 January 2009 represented 266%). Mr Hodges’ shareholding of 139,028 shares represented 106% of his basic salary of £520,000 (his holding of 100,086 shares at 1 January 2009 represented 77%). Mr Moneta’s shareholding of 394 shares represented 0% of his basic salary of €780,000 (£694,587 based on average exchange rate for 2009 of €1.12297: £1.00).


82

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

External Board appointments

Aviva recognises its senior executives can benefit from serving in a personal capacity as a NED of non Aviva Group companies. It is, at the same time, conscious of the corporate governance recommendations that EDs should take account of the time commitment required by a NED position and ensure any such role does not impact their ability to carry out fully their executive duties. The Company therefore has a policy of normally allowing senior executives to serve as a NED of one external company, subject to approval by the Board, and to retain any board fees.

The only ED who held an external NED appointment during 2009 was Philip Scott who was appointed to the Board of Diageo plc on 17 October 2007 and, following the announcement of his intended retirement from the Company, to the Board of Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc on 1 November 2009. As a NED of Diageo plc, Mr Scott received fees totalling £101,250 in 2009. As a NED of Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Mr Scott received fees totalling £25,000 in 2009.

All employee share plans

EDs are eligible to participate in a number of HMRC approved all employee share plans on the same basis as other eligible employees.

These plans include a free share element of the Aviva All Employee Share Ownership Plan (AESOP). Under this plan, eligible employees can receive up to a maximum of £3,000 per annum in shares based upon the profits of the Company’s UK businesses. The shares are free of tax subject to a retention period. In addition, the partnership element of the AESOP, which the Company also operates, allows participants to invest up to £125 per month out of their gross salary in the Company’s shares. There is no matching to this investment by the Company.

The Aviva SAYE allows eligible employees to acquire options over the Company’s shares at a discount of up to 20% of their market value at the date of grant. In order to exercise these options, participants must have saved through a three, five or seven year HMRC approved savings contract, subject to a maximum savings limit of £250 per month.

Details of holdings under these plans can be found on page 85.

Dilution

Awards granted under the Aviva employee shares plans are met by the funding of an employee trust administered by an external trustee that acquires shares in the market. The current practice is that new issue shares will generally only be issued where it is not practicable to use the trust and the funding policy is kept under review by the Committee and the Board. Details of the shares currently held in the employee trust are set out in note 27 to the accounts.

During 2009 loans totalling of £53.6 million were made to RBC Trustees (CI) Limited to ensure sufficient shares were available to meet its ongoing liabilities.

NEDs

The NEDs, including the Chairman, have letters of appointment which set out their duties and responsibilities. The key terms of the appointments are set out in Table 15 below.

 

Table 15: NED key terms of appointment

Provision

 

Policy

Period

 

Three year term which can be extended by mutual consent.

Termination

 

By the director or the Company at their discretion without compensation.

Fees

 

As described below.

Expenses

 

Reimbursement of travel and other expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of their duties.

Time commitment

 

Between 25 and 50 days per annum depending upon Board and committee requirements and corporate activity.

Non-compete

 

During term of directorship and for six months after leaving.

Appointment dates

 

Director

Date of last appointment on letter of appointment

Appointment end date on letter
of appointment

 

 

Mary Francis

1 October 2008

AGM 2012

 

 

Richard Karl Goeltz

3 May 2007

AGM 2010

 

 

Euleen Goh

1 January 2009

AGM 2011

 

 

Carole Piwnica

30 May 2009

AGM 2012

 

 

Lord Sharman

14 January 2008

AGM 2011

 

 

Leslie Van de Walle

6 May 2009

AGM 2010

 

 

Russell Walls

3 May 2007

AGM 2010

 

 

Scott Wheway

5 December 2007

AGM 2010

 

It is the Company’s policy to set the fees paid to its Chairman and NEDs taking account of the median market payments in international companies of similar size and complexity. NEDs receive a basic annual fee in respect of their Board duties. A further fee is paid to NEDs (other than the Chairman) in respect of membership and, where appropriate, chairmanship of Board committees.

Fees are reviewed annually and are set by the Board to attract individuals with the required range of skills and experience. In determining the level of fees paid to the NEDs the Board receives recommendations from the EDs, who consider the NED’s duties and responsibilities, together with the time commitment required in preparing for and attending meetings, and the amounts paid by competitors and similar-sized companies.

 

 


 

 

83

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

The Chairman and NEDs do not participate in any incentive or performance plans or pension arrangements.

The Company’s Articles of Association provide that the total aggregate remuneration paid to the Chairman and NEDs will be determined by the Board within the limits set by shareholders. The current aggregate limit of £1.5 million was approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2005 Annual General Meeting. The amount paid in 2009 was £1.165 million. EDs are remunerated under their service contracts and receive no additional fee for serving as directors.

NED fees payable from 1 April 2009 are set out in Table 16 below.

 

Table 16: NED fees from 1 April 2009

Chairman

£495,000

Board membership fee

£63,000

Additional fees are paid as follows:

 

Senior independent director

£20,000

Committee Chairman

 

— Audit

£35,000 (inclusive of committee membership fee)

— Corporate Responsibility

£10,000 (inclusive of committee membership fee)

— Remuneration

£20,000 (inclusive of committee membership fee)

— Risk and Regulatory

£20,000 (inclusive of committee membership fee)

Committee Membership 

 

— Audit

£10,000

— Corporate Responsibility

£5,000

— Nomination

£5,000

— Remuneration

£10,000

— Risk and Regulatory

£5,000

 

Directors’ service contracts and letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office during normal hours of business, and at the place of the Company’s Annual General Meeting from 10.45am on Wednesday 28 April 2010 until the close of the meeting.

Directors’ remuneration in 2009

Table 17 below sets out the remuneration paid or payable to the directors in respect of the year to 31 December 2009. This section (Directors’ remuneration in 2009) and those sections headed “EDs’ pension arrangements” and “Share incentive plans” along with their associated footnotes have been subject to audit.

 

Table 17: Directors’ Remuneration in 2009

 

Basic salary/fees

 

Bonuses1

 

ACAP

 

Benefits2

 

Total

 

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

 

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

 

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

 

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

 

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Sharman

495

490

 

 

 

15

 

495

505

Executive directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Moss

925

914

 

1,029

752

 

463

463

 

74

91

 

 2,491

2,220

Philip Scott

600

593

 

578

488

 

 

34

35

 

1,212

1,116

Mark Hodges

520

463

 

503

532

 

260

208

 

66

99

 

 1,349

1,302

Andrea Moneta3

629

 

756

 

82

 

142

 

 1,609

Non-executive directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nikesh Arora

44

69

 

  

  

 

44

69

Wim Dik

24

95

 

 

 

 

24

95

Mary Francis

103

99

 

 

 

 

103

99

Richard Goeltz

98

94

 

 

 

 

98

94

Euleen Goh

78

 

 

 

 

78

Carole Piwnica

83

87

 

 

 

 

83

87

Leslie Van de Walle

45

 

 

 

 

45

Russell Walls

108

107

 

 

 

 

108

107

Scott Wheway

88

77

 

 

 

 

88

77

Other members of the Executive Committee (not included above)

3,156

3,109

 

4,867

4,513

 

238

252

 

550

838

 

8,811

8,712

Total emoluments of directors

6,996

6,197

 

7,733

6,285

 

1,043

923

 

866

1,078

 

16,638

14,483

Notes

1.

Bonuses show the value at the date of award inclusive of the two-thirds of bonus which Aviva requires its EDs to defer into Aviva shares for three years.

2.

“Benefits”. All the EDs received life assurance benefits during the year that relate to the cost incurred by the Company of insuring the directors’ life and relevant spouses’ benefits which, had the director died during the year, could not have been wholly paid by the pension scheme and would therefore have been met by the Company had the insurance not been in place. The disclosure also includes the cost of private medical insurance and, where appropriate, accompanied travel, accommodation and car benefits. All the numbers disclosed include the tax charged on the benefits. No directors received an expense allowance during the year.

3.

Figures shown for Mr Moneta have been converted from Euro to Pound Sterling at the average exchange rate for 2009 of €1.12297 : £1.00. Further details of Mr Moneta’s benefits are contained in table 5. The grossed element for schooling and housing as outlined in table 5 will be delivered in 2010.

4.

For the purposes of the disclosure required by Schedule 5 to the UK Companies Act 2006, the total aggregate emoluments of the directors in respect of 2009 was £6.7 million (2008: £5.2 million).

5.

No compensation payment for loss of office was made to any director, or former director, during the year.

6.

Annual bonuses are one-third paid in cash and two-thirds deferred into shares for three years.

 

 


84

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Fees earned in 2009 by the NEDs are set out in Table 18 below.

 

Table 18: NEDs fees paid in 2009

 

 

 

Committee Chairman/Membership

 

 

Board membership
fees

Senior
independent
director

Remuneration

Audit

Nomination

Corporate
Responsibility

Risk and
Regulatory

Total fees

Lord Sharman, Chairman

£495,000

 

 

 

 

£495,000

Nikesh Arora

£37,714

 

 

 

£2,993

 

£2,993

£43,700

Wim Dik

£20,756

 

 

 

 

£1,647

£1,647

£24,050

Mary Francis

£63,000

 

£10,000

£10,000

£397

 

£19,375

£102,772

Richard Goeltz

£63,000

£20,000

 

£10,000

£5,000

 

 

£98,000

Euleen Goh

£63,000

 

 

£10,000

 

£5,000

 

£78,000

Carole Piwnica

£63,000

 

£10,000

 

 

£10,000

 

£83,000

Leslie Van de Walle

£41,238

 

£2,623

 

 

 

£1,373

£45,234

Russell Walls

£63,000

 

 

£35,000

£5,000

 

£5,000

£108,000

Scott Wheway

£63,000

 

£20,000

 

 

£5,000

 

£88,000

Following a review in March 2009 of Aviva’s fees against market benchmarks the following changes in NEDs’ emoluments were made with effect from 1 April 2009:

The fee for chairing the Risk and Regulatory Committee (inclusive of membership fee) was increased from £17,500 pa to £20,000 pa (an increase of 14.3%)

A new fee of £10,000 (inclusive of membership fee) was introduced for chairing the Corporate Responsibility Committee

Other fees remained unchanged

The following changes to NED responsibilities took place during the year:

 

Nikesh Arora ceased to be a member of the Board, Nomination Committee and Risk and Regulatory Committee on 5 August 2009.

 

Wim Dik retired from the Board, Corporate Responsibility Committee and Risk and Regulatory Committee on 29 April 2009.

 

Leslie Van de Walle joined the Board on 6 May 2009 and joined the Remuneration Committee and Risk and Regulatory Committee on 24 September 2009.

 

Mary Francis joined the Nomination Committee on 2 December 2009.

Senior executives’ remuneration

The total compensation paid during the year to key management personnel, being those having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, including the Company’s EDs and NEDs (as required to be disclosed by International Accounting Standard 24) was £61 million (2008: £53 million) and is set out in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 56 – Related party transactions”.

EDs’ pension arrangements

The positions of the EDs with respect to accumulated pension benefits under the defined benefits section of the ASPS is set out in Table 19 below.

 

Table 19: EDs’ Pension Benefits

 

Andrew Moss
£’000

Philip
Scott
£’000

Mark Hodges
£’000

Andrea Moneta
£’000

Benefit Type

Defined
benefit

Defined
benefit

Defined
benefit

Defined contribution

Accrued annual pension at 31 December 2008

21

395

81

Accrued annual pension at 31 December 2009

22

400

85

Gross increase in accrued pension over the year

1

5

4

Increase (decrease) in accrued pension net of inflation over the year

(15)

Employee contributions during the year

8

Defined contribution employer contributions during the year

61

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer value of accrued pension at 31 December 2008

231

6,300

660

Transfer value of accrued pension at 31 December 2009

350

7,544

1,062

Change in transfer value during the period less employee contributions

119

1,236

402

Transfer value of net increase (decrease) in accrued pension less employee contributions

17

(279)

50

Age at 31 December 2009 (years)

51

55

44

44

Notes .

1.

Accrued pensions shown are the amounts that would be paid annually on retirement based on service to the end of the year.

2.

Benefits deriving from Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) paid by directors are excluded from the amounts above.

3.

The change in transfer value allows for fluctuations in the transfer value due to factors beyond the control of the Company and directors, such as changes in stock market conditions. The transfer values have been calculated in line with the relevant legislation and using actuarial assumptions agreed by the Trustee. These assumptions were revised during the year resulting in higher transfer values.

4.

Mr Scott opted out of the ASPS on 30 June 2009. For the first 3 months of 2009 Mr Scott made regular member contributions of 5% of salary. Mr Scott then switched to making salary sacrifice contributions at the same rate for the final three months of his Scheme membership. Salary sacrifice contributions are excluded for the figures above.

5.

Mr Moneta opted out of the Scheme on 30 June 2009. Contributions shown are for the period to this date.

6.

No former Directors received any increase in retirement benefits in excess of the amount to which they were entitled, on the later of the date when the benefits first became payable, or 31 March 1997.

7.

The transfer value of net increase (decrease) in accrued pension shows the value of the increase (decrease) in accrued pension net of inflation, over the year net of contributions.

 

 


 

 

85

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

No former Directors received any increase in retirement benefits in excess of the amount to which they were entitled, on the later of the date when the Benefits first became payable, or 31 March 1997.

Share incentive plans

Details of the EDs who were in office for any part of the financial year, and hold or held options to subscribe for ordinary shares of the Company or hold or held awards over shares in the Company, pursuant to the Company’s share based incentive plans, are set out in Table 20 below.

Savings related share options in Table 20 refer to options granted under the HMRC approved SAYE. Options are normally exercisable during the six month period following the end of the relevant (three, five or seven year) savings contract.

 

Table 20: EDs’ options to subscribe for, or awards over, Company shares

 

At 1 January
2009 Number

Options
granted
during
year
number

Options
exercised
during
year
Number

Options
lapsing
during
year
Number

At 31
December
2009
Number

Exercise
Price

Pence

Exercise Period

Mark Hodges
Savings related options 2007

1,705

1,705

563.0

December 2010 —
May 2011

Andrew Moss
Savings related options 2005

3,279

3,279

491.0

December 2010 —
May 2011

Philip Scott
Savings related options 2008

2,341

2,341

410.0

December 2011 —
May 2012

The mid-market price of an ordinary share in the Company on 31 December 2009, being the last business day of the year, was 397.9p, and the mid-market prices during the year ranged from 163.3p to 467.5p. During the year, no share options were exercised by directors (2008: nil options exercised).

Directors’ interests in Aviva shares

The interests held by each person who was a director at the end of the financial year in the ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the Company are shown in Table 21 below. All the disclosed interests are beneficial. The table also summarises the interests in shares held through the Company’s various share incentive plans. Details of the options and long term incentive awards are shown below.

 

Table 21: Directors’ interests in Aviva Shares

 

Shares1

 

ABP2

 

LTIP3

 

OATTV Plan4

 

Options5

 

1 January
2009

31 December
2009

 

1 January
2009

31 December
2009

 

1 January
2009

31 December
2009

 

1 January
2009

31 December
2009

 

1 January
2009

31 December
2009

Mary Francis

1,800

1,800

 

 

 

 

Richard Karl Goeltz

2,500

2,500

 

 

 

 

Mark Hodges

100,086

139,028

 

125,876

231,712

 

198,549

459,029

 

41,838

145,759

 

1,705

1,705

Andrea Moneta7

73

394

 

159,375

 

249,023

 

119,531

 

Andrew Moss

176,067

239,848

 

205,488

353,716

 

477,633

1,022,153

 

93,567

289,443

 

3,279

3,279

Carole Piwnica

2,500

2,500

 

 

 

 

Philip Scott

400,973

512,652

 

176,097

256,013

 

343,028

599,469

 

52,734

148,025

 

2,341

2,341

Lord Sharman

20,000

33,531

 

 

 

 

Leslie Van de Walle
Russell Walls


4,000

2,485
4,000

 



 



 



 



Scott Wheway

1,677

13,579

 

 

 

 

Other members of the Executive Committee (not included above)

189,223

309,581

 

280,721

621,776

 

961,686

2,508,373

 

171,017

611,960

 

28,837

26,757

Notes

1.

“Shares” are the directors’ beneficial holdings in the ordinary shares of the Company and in respect of the EDs include shares held in trust under the Company’s AESOP being shares purchased by them under the partnership element and shares granted under the free share element.

2.

ABP relates to entitlements to shares arising through the Aviva Annual Bonus Plan. Under these plans some of the earned bonuses are paid in the form of shares and deferred for three years. The transfer of the shares to the director at the end of the period is not subject to the attainment of performance conditions but a proportion of the shares can be forfeited if the executive leaves service before the end of the period.

3.

Awards granted under the LTIP which vest only if the performance conditions are achieved.

4.

OATTV Plan awards are granted as a match to the bonus plan awards under the ABP and vest only if the performance conditions are achieved.

5.

“Options” are options over shares granted under the SAYE scheme in respect of one member of the Executive Committee. “Options” include those granted under the Executive Share Option plans.

6.

The interests of connected persons to the Directors are included in the Directors’ interests above.

7.

Andrea Moneta was appointed as a director on 29 September 2009. On this date he held 394 shares, 159,375 bonus plan awards, 249,023 long term incentive awards, 119,531 OATTV Plan awards and 0 options.

The following changes to directors’ interests which relate to shares acquired each month under the partnership element of the AESOP during the period 1 January 2010 to 25 February 2010 have been reported to the Company.

 

 

Number
of shares

Philip Scott

64

Mark Hodges

63

 

 


86

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Directors’ remuneration report continued

 

Developments in 2010

Patrick Regan

Mr Regan joined the Board of Aviva as Chief Financial Officer on 22 February 2010. As part of the recruitment offer made to Patrick Regan, the Committee agreed to compensate Mr Regan for the loss of unvested Willis Group Holdings Limited restricted shares and stock options and for loss of the bonus which would have been paid to him by Willis Group Holdings Limited for the 2009 financial year. This will be in the form of a restricted share award to the value of £1.65 million which is subject to clawback provisions and will be granted on the earliest permitted date after Mr Regan’s date of joining, a deferred share award to the value of £283,333 which is subject to clawback provisions and will be granted in March 2010 and a cash bonus of £141,667 which is payable in March 2010. Mr Regan’s basic salary is £600,000 per annum and the other elements of his remuneration follow the policies in practice for EDs as outlined earlier in this report.

Philip Scott

Philip Scott retired from the Board on 26 January 2010 but will still be employed by Aviva until 31 July 2010. His ABP for 2008 and 2009 will vest immediately. His LTIP and OATTV Plan awards for 2008 and 2009 will vest to the extent the Committee determines that the performance conditions have been met and mirroring the good leaver provisions in accordance with the Plan rules. As discussed in the 2008 Annual Report and Accounts Mr Scott will receive a non-discounted pension with effect from January 2012 and, from 1 October 2010, will be providing consultancy services to the Group for a limited period.

Michael Hawker

Michael Hawker joined the Board of Aviva as a NED on 1 January 2010. He will be paid a fee of £63,000 per year as a member of the Board and an additional £5,000 per year as a member of the Risk and Regulatory Committee.

Scott Wheway

Chairman, Remuneration Committee

3 March 2010

 

 



 


88

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Shareholder information

 

Major shareholders and related party disclosures

Major shareholders

The Financial Services Authority Disclosure and Transparency Rules 2006 provide that a person or corporate entity that acquires an interest of 3% or more in Aviva ordinary shares is required to notify us of that interest, whether it is held beneficially or not. Any subsequent increase or decrease of 1% or more must also be notified. Similarly, a notification is required once the interest falls below 3%.

Based on notifications received up to 31 December 2009, no shareholder held a beneficial interest of 5% or more in Aviva ordinary shares at 31 December 2009 or at any point in the preceding three financial years.

We are required under the Financial Services Authority Listing Rules to disclose in the directors’ report to our annual financial statements all notifications received since our previous annual report. We have summarised below the notifications received during last three financial years: 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The table below summarises the shareholders with at least 3% ownership of our outstanding ordinary shares as of 3 March 2010 according to notifications received from our shareholders. Our major shareholders as listed below have the same voting rights as all our ordinary shareholders.

 

 

Total number of shares held

% of total issued shares/
% of voting rights

Blackrock Inc1

 

 

– Non-beneficial interest
    (shares held nominally on
    behalf of others)

140,757,642

5.09%

Axa S.A. and its Group companies

 

– Held beneficially

88,336,674

3.19%

– Non-beneficial interest

18,451,502

0.67%

Legal & General Group plc

 

 

– Held beneficially

116,354,795

4.24%

1.

On 1 December 2009, Barclays Group sold Barclays Global Investors business to BlackRock Inc, resulting in BlackRock holding 140,757,642 shares, or 5.09%, of voting rights of which 2,081,107 shares, or 0.08%, are held in CFDs

 

To the best of our knowledge, except as set forth in the table above, no other shareholder held more than 3% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of 3 March 2010.

 

As at 27 February 2008

Total number of shares held

% of total issued shares/
% of voting rights

Barclays plc

 

 

– Non-beneficial interest

133,026,405

5.08%

Axa S.A. and its Group companies

 

– Held beneficially

28,520,097

1.10%

– Non-beneficial interest

230,932,552

8.90%

Legal & General Group plc

 

 

– Held beneficially

104,107,838

4.01%

 

As at 27 February 2007

Total number of shares held

% of total issued shares/
% of voting rights

Barclays plc

 

 

– Non-beneficial interest

153,862,359

5.99%

Axa S.A. and its Group companies

 

– Held beneficially

29,277,260

1.14%

– Non-beneficial interest

232,943,181

9.08%

Legal & General Group plc

 

 

– Held beneficially

93,312,175

3.65%

 

As at 1 March 2006

Total number of shares held

% of total issued shares/
% of voting rights

Barclays plc

109,751,163

4.57%

Legal & General Group plc

81,072,340

3.38%

 

At 31 December 2009, 329,318 of our ordinary shares, representing 0.012% of our issued and outstanding shares as of such date, were held by 1,069 shareholders of record in the US.

Related party transactions

For more information relating to related party transactions, including more information about the transactions described below, please see “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 56 – Related party transactions”.

Subsidiaries

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation.

However, the Company has transactions and outstanding balances with certain unit trusts, Open Ended Investments Companies, collateralised debt obligations and similar entities which are not consolidated and where a Group company acts as manager. These entities are regarded as related parties for the purposes of International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 24. The balances are included in the Group’s statement of financial position at fair value or amortized cost in accordance with their IAS 39 classifications. The transactions are included in the income statement and include amounts paid on issue of shares or units, amounts received on cancellation of shares or units and paid in respect of the periodic charge and administration fee.

Directors and key management

The total compensation to those employees classified as key management, being those having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group, including the executive and non-executive directors is as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Salary and other short-term benefits

39

38

40

Post-employment benefits

5

3

4

Equity compensation plans

16

9

14

Termination benefits

1

3

2

Total

61

53

60

 

Various directors and key management of Aviva may from time to time purchase insurance, asset management or annuity products, or be granted mortgages marketed by Aviva Group companies in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security requirements, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.

Apart from the disclosed transactions discussed above and in the “Governance” section of this report, no director had an interest in shares, transactions or arrangements that requires disclosure under applicable rules and regulations.

Other related parties

The Group received income from other related parties from transactions made in the normal course of business. Loans to other related parties are made on normal arm’s length commercial terms.

Services provided to other related parties

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

Income
earned
in year
£m

Receivable
at year end
£m

 

Income
earned
in year
£m

Receivable
at year
end
£m

 

Income
earned
in year
£m

Receivable
at year
end
£m

Associates

49

3

  

61

3

  

58

2

Joint ventures

17

328

  

20

300

  

26

169

Employee pension schemes

9

2

  

24

6

  

26

6

  

75

333

  

105

309

  

110

177

 

Income from associates predominantly relates to our investments in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) life and collective investment companies listed in the, “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 16 – Interests in, and loans to,

 


 


 

 

89

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Shareholder information continued

 

associates.” Under management service agreements with these associates, our UK life insurance companies provide administration services, the cost of which is recharged to the RBS companies. In addition, our fund management companies provide fund management services to these associates, for which they charge fees based on the level of funds under management.

Transactions with joint ventures relate to the property management undertakings. At 31 December 2009, there were 18 such joint ventures, the most material of which are listed in the “Financial statements IFRS – Note 15 – Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures.” Our interest in these joint ventures comprises a mix of equity and loans, together with the provision of administration services and financial management to many of them. Our UK life insurance companies earn interest on loans advanced to these entities and our fund management companies charge fees for administration services and for arranging external finance.

Our UK fund management companies manage most of the assets held by the Group’s main UK staff pension scheme, for which they charge fees based on the level of funds under management. The main UK scheme and the Dutch scheme hold investments in Group-managed funds and insurance policies with other Group companies, as explained in “Financial Statement IFRS – Note 44(e)(iv) – Pension obligations.”

The other related parties’ receivables are not secured and no guarantees were received in respect thereof. The receivables will be settled in accordance with normal credit terms. Details of guarantees, indemnities and warranties provided on behalf of related parties are given in “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 48(j) – Contingent liabilities and other risk factors – Other.”

Loans to joint ventures

We make loans to our property management joint ventures to fund property developments which we undertake with our joint venture partners. Movements in these loans may be found in “Financial Statements IFRS – Note 15 – Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures”. Total loans at 31 December 2009 and at the end of each of the last three financial years are shown in the table below:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Loans to joint ventures

327

297

167

 

These constitute loans to joint ventures to fund shopping, business or distribution centres or properties in Europe, as well as a film studio development in the UK. The largest of these is part of a facility granted in November 2005 and had a balance of £255 million as of 31 December 2009 and bears an interest rate of 8%.

Dividend Data

Our dividend policy is to sustain a target dividend cover of between one and a half and two times our adjusted operating profit after tax before amortisation of goodwill and adjusting items. Under UK company law, we may only pay dividends if the company has “distributable profits” available. “Distributable profits” are accumulated, realised profits not previously distributed or capitalised, less accumulated, unrealised losses not previously written off based on IFRS. Even if distributable profits are available, we pay dividends only if the amount of our net assets is not less than the aggregate of our called-up share capital and undistributable reserves and the payment of the dividend does not reduce the amount of our net assets to less than that aggregate.

 

As a holding company, we are dependent upon dividends and interest from our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends. Many of our subsidiaries are subject to insurance regulations that restrict the amount of dividends that they can pay to us.

Historically, we have declared an interim and a final dividend for each year (with the final dividend being paid in the year following the year to which it relates). Subject to the restrictions set out above, the payment of interim dividends on ordinary shares is made at the discretion of our Board of Directors, while payment of any final dividend requires the approval of our shareholders at a general meeting. Preference shares are irredeemable and dividends on preference shares are made at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

We pay our cash dividends in pounds sterling, although our Articles of Association permit payment of dividends on ordinary shares in other currencies and in forms other than cash, such as ordinary shares. If dividends on ordinary shares held by the American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) depositary are paid in pounds sterling, the ADS depositary will convert the pounds that it receives on behalf of the ADS holders into US dollars according to the prevailing market rate on the date that the ADS depositary actually receives the dividends.

For the 2007 final dividend and previous final and interim dividends, shareholders on record were provided with the opportunity to elect to receive dividends in the form of newly issued ordinary shares through our scrip dividend scheme. For the 2008 interim dividend the scrip dividend scheme was replaced by a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”). For those shareholders participating in the DRIP, we paid a cash dividend, which was then used to buy existing shares on the open market. For the 2008 final dividend we withdrew the DRIP and reintroduced the scrip dividend scheme. The scrip dividend scheme operated for the 2009 interim dividend and will operate for the 2009 final dividend.

An interim dividend is generally paid in November of each year. A final dividend is proposed by our Board of Directors after the end of the relevant year and generally paid in May. The following table shows certain information regarding the dividends that we paid on ordinary shares for the periods indicated in pounds sterling and converted into US dollars at the noon buying rate in effect on each payment date.

 

Year

Interim dividend
per share
(pence)

Interim dividend
per share
(cents)

Final dividend
per share
(pence)

Final dividend
per share
(cents)

2005

9.83

16.90

17.44

32.82

2006

10.82

20.49

19.18

37.88

2007

11.90

24.37

21.10

41.31

2008

13.09

19.69

19.91

30.31

20091

9.00

14.75

15.00

1.

The 2009 final dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the 2010 AGM. The final exchange rate used to convert the sterling dividend into US dollars will be that on the payment date, 17 May 2010.

Controls and procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures

Management has evaluated, with the participation of Aviva’s Group Chief Executive and Group Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as at 31 December 2009. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon Aviva’s evaluation, the Group Chief Executive and Group Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of 31 December 2009 Aviva’s disclosure controls and procedures


 

 


90

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Shareholder information continued

 

were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Aviva in the reports Aviva files and submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarised and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms and that it is accumulated and communicated to Aviva’s management, including the Group Chief Executive and Group Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting

This annual report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of the company’s registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for newly public companies.

Audit committee financial expert

The Board has determined that Russell Walls, Richard Goeltz and Euleen Goh all qualify as audit committee financial experts within the meaning of Item 16A of Form 20-F, and that Russell Walls, Richard Goeltz and Euleen Goh are all independent as defined by the New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Standards.

Code of ethics

The company has adopted a code of ethics for its group chief executive, chief financial officer, general auditor and group chief accounting officer as required by the provisions of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules issued by the SEC. There have been no amendments to, or waivers from, the code of ethics relating to any of those officers. The code of ethics was filed on 7 October 2009 as an exhibit to our Form 20-F registration document.

Regulation

Compliance

In our insurance business, matters may arise as a result of industry-wide issues, inspection visits or other regulatory activity requiring discussion and resolution with insurance industry regulators. As a result of these matters, we ensure that procedures are in place to address regulatory concerns and that such procedures are properly planned, managed and resourced. We pursue corrective action when necessary and report progress to the regulatory bodies in a timely manner.

Overview of regulation as it affects our business

Our principal insurance and investment operations are in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region. We are therefore subject to financial services regulation in these regions, which is discussed below.

United Kingdom

The Financial Services Authority

In the UK, the Financial Services Authority (the “FSA”) is the single regulator for all authorised persons with respect to regulated activities in the financial services sector. In this regard, the FSA is authorised to make rules and issue guidance in relation to a wide sphere of activity encompassing the governance of the conduct of business by, and the prudential supervision of persons which the FSA has authorised to conduct such business (“Authorised Persons” or “Authorised Firms”).

Under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”), no person may carry on or purport to carry on a

regulated activity by way of business in the UK unless he is an Authorised Person or an exempt person. A firm which is granted permission by the FSA to carry on regulated activities becomes an Authorised Person for the purposes of FSMA. “Regulated activities” are prescribed in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 and include banking, insurance and investment business, stakeholder pension schemes, insurance mediation and certain mortgage mediation and lending activities.

Authorised Firms must at all times meet certain threshold conditions, which include having adequate resources for the carrying on of its business and being a fit and proper person, having regard to all the circumstances. Authorised Firms must also comply with the FSA’s Principles for Business, which are 11 high level principles for conducting financial services business in the UK. These include the maintenance of adequate systems and controls, treating customers fairly and communicating with customers in a manner that is clear, fair and not misleading.

The FSA’s regulation of the group

A number of the Group’s UK subsidiaries are directly authorised and regulated by the FSA. The regulated subsidiaries include our insurance companies (e.g. the UK Life and UK General Insurance companies), asset managers (Aviva Investors) and intermediaries (UK Healthcare and RAC Motoring Services). Aviva plc, although not directly authorised by the FSA, does itself come within the scope of regulation by virtue of being the ultimate insurance holding company in the Group. In line with requirements under the Insurance Groups Directive, Group solvency returns are required to be prepared at Aviva plc level.

The FSA regime is built on the basic principle that a firm should have systems and controls, including risk management, which are appropriate to the size, complexity and diversity of its business.

Approved persons and controllers

The FSA regime is also predicated on the principle of senior management responsibility. The directors and senior managers holding positions of significant influence of each of the Group’s regulated entities are individually registered with the FSA under the “Approved Person” regime, and can be held directly accountable to the FSA for control failings in those firms. A number of senior managers at Group level have also been registered as Approved Persons for the regulated subsidiaries, even though they are neither directors nor senior managers of these firms. This recognises that these managers exert significant influence over the regulated subsidiaries, because they are responsible for key parts of the Group’s control framework on which the regulated subsidiaries place reliance.

The FSA regulates from a legal entity perspective, even though we tend to operate within Regions by Business Unit. However, the FSA also recognises, and indeed expects, that Aviva’s regulated subsidiaries operate within an overall framework of Group governance and controls. Its rules expressly provide that any systems and controls which operate on a Group basis will be taken into account in determining the adequacy of a regulated subsidiary’s systems and controls. The robustness of these Group controls, from the operation of the Aviva plc board and its committees down, is thus very much within its regulatory remit.

The FSA regulates the acquisition and increase of control over Authorised Firms. Under FSMA, any person proposing to acquire control of or increase control over certain thresholds over an Authorised Firm must first obtain the consent of the FSA. The Authorised Firm must also inform the FSA of any such proposed acquisition or increase. In considering whether to grant or withhold its approval to the acquisition or increase of


 


 

 

91

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Shareholder information continued

 

control, the FSA must be satisfied both that the acquirer is a fit and proper person and that the interests of consumers would not be threatened by this acquisition or increase of control.

Control over a UK Authorised Firm (“A”) is acquired if the acquirer holds 10% (or 20% if the Authorised Firm is an insurance intermediary) or more of the shares in A or a parent undertaking of A (“P”); is able to exercise significant influence over the management of A or P by virtue of his shareholding in that company; is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise, of 10% (20% in the case of an insurance intermediary) or more of the voting power of A or P, or is able to exercise significant influence over the management of A or P by virtue of his voting power in that company. Increases in “control”, once they reach thresholds of 20%, 33% and 50% of the shares or voting power of an Authorised Firm or one of its parent undertakings, also requires the consent of the FSA.

In order to determine whether a person or a group of persons is a “controller” for the purposes of FSMA, the holdings (shares or voting rights of the person and his “associate”), if any), are aggregated.

FSA conduct of business rules

The FSA’s Conduct of Business (“COB”) Rules apply to every Authorised Firm carrying on regulated activities and regulate the day to day conduct of business standards to be observed by Authorised Persons in carrying on regulated activities.

The COB Rules are principle based and the scope and range of obligations imposed on an Authorised Firm will vary according to the scope of its business and range of the Authorised Firm’s clients. Generally speaking, however, the obligations imposed on an Authorised Firm by the COB Rules will include the need to classify its clients according to their level of sophistication, provide them with information about the Authorised Firm, meet certain standards of product disclosures (including fee and remuneration arrangements), ensure that promotional material which it produces is clear, fair and not misleading, assess suitability when advising on certain products, controls on the range and scope of advice given, manage conflicts of interest, report appropriately to its clients and provide certain protections in relation to client assets.

Day to day supervision

The FSA’s day to day supervision of Aviva is conducted by a dedicated team within its Major Retail Groups Division. The

FSA takes a risk based approach to its regulatory activity, concentrating its resources on those firms and activities which it assesses pose the greatest potential threats to its four statutory objectives of:

maintaining confidence in the financial system

— 

promoting public understanding of the financial system

— 

securing the appropriate degree of protection for consumers – reducing the extent to which it is possible for a business to be used for a purpose connected with financial crime

 

Given our size, and the extent of our share of the UK retail market, a major issue within our business which causes concern for the FSA could have a very significant impact on these objectives. The FSA therefore aspires to have a “close and continuous” relationship with us. In practice, this means that a wide range of Group, Regional and UK Business Unit senior managers have regular scheduled ‘close and continuous’ meetings with the FSA, and other meetings and discussions on specific issues take place as the need occurs. The FSA also undertake in-depth assurance work on inherent risks and adequacy of controls in key areas. This adds up to weekly or even daily FSA interaction at both UK Business Unit and Group level, although contact at a Regional level would be less frequent.

The FSA also periodically conducts a formal ARROW review of Aviva (which stands for Advanced Risk-Responsive Operating framework), to assess the level of risk that the Group poses to each of the FSA objectives. The last full risk assessment was conducted in 2009 and the next full risk assessment is due to start in the first half of 2011. The resulting risk mitigation programme (“RMP”) itemises those areas of potential risk or weakness where the FSA particularly wishes us to focus attention. The risk assessment and RMP are updated on an on-going basis between each ARROW review.

Along with other firms in the insurance industry, our relationship with the FSA has recently gone through another significant stage in its development with the roll out of the individual capital assessment ‘ICA’ regime. This is shifting emphasis from managing issues after the event to better assessing the adequacy of up front governance, risk management and prevention. It has also increased focus on risk, controls and governance at individual entity level.

The FSA has highlighted in its 2010 Business Plan that it expects to focus on:

Delivering effective supervision backed by credible deterrence in enforcement.

Continuing to embed the organsational and cultural change needed to implement intensive supervision.

The policy reform programme driven by the Turner Review and the wider policy agenda mandated by the European Union.

Playing a role i promoting financial stability should the Financial Services Bill be enacted.

 

Outside of the UK, each Aviva business is regulated by its own national regulator(s). However, overseas operations are also within the remit of the FSA for two main reasons:

The structure of the Group means that the great majority of the overseas operations are owned, ultimately, by Aviva International Insurance (AII), a UK regulated insurance company. In its regulation of AII, the FSA has a legitimate interest in the systems and controls by which the Group manages its overseas businesses, to ensure that financial shocks do not flow through to the UK.

Our activities within the EU are subject to the Insurance Groups Directive (as discussed in more detail below). This gives the FSA the additional formal responsibility of acting as lead regulator (i.e. the cross sector supervisory co-ordinator) for the Group within the EU.

The FSA therefore seeks to monitor the strategy and performance of the Group’s international businesses through regular ‘Close and Continuous’ meetings with the CEOs and Finance Directors of the overseas Regions.

The FSA aims to play a leading role in the development of both EU and international regulation. It is, in particular, at the vanguard of the movement towards risk based insurance regulation. The FSA is adopting an 'outcomes-based' approach to regulation. In line with this FSA continues to place increasing weight on the ‘Treating Customers Fairly’ principle. More recently FSA has rewritten the conduct of business rules to remove many of the more granular requirements.

Intervention and enforcement

The FSA has extensive powers to investigate and intervene in the affairs of Authorised Firms and is obliged under FSMA to monitor compliance with the requirements imposed by, and to enforce the provisions of, FSMA, related secondary legislation and the rules made thereunder.


 


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The FSA’s enforcement powers, which may be exercised against both Authorised Firms and Approved Persons, include public censure, imposition of unlimited fines and, in serious cases, the variation or revocation of permission to carry on regulated activities or of an Approved Person’s status. The FSA may also vary or revoke an Authorised Firm’s permission to protect the interests of consumers or potential consumers, or if the Authorised Firm has not engaged in regulated activity for 12 months, or if it is failing to meet the threshold conditions for authorisation. The FSA has further powers to obtain injunctions against Authorised Persons and to impose or seek restitution orders where persons have suffered loss.

In addition to its ability to apply sanctions for market abuse, the FSA has the power to prosecute criminal offences arising under FSMA and insider dealing under Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 and breaches of money laundering regulations. The FSA’s stated policy is to pursue criminal prosecution in all appropriate cases.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”)

The FSCS is intended to compensate individuals and small businesses for claims against an Authorised Firm where the Authorised Firm is unable or unlikely to be able to meet those claims (generally, when it is insolvent or has gone out of business). Under a new funding system that started on 1 April 2008, for the purposes of funding FSCS compensation costs, the FSCS levy is split into five broad classes:

Deposits

Long-term insurance and savings

General insurance

Investments

Home finance

 

With the exception of the deposits class, each broad class is divided into two sub-classes based on provider/intermediation activities. Each of the “sub-classes” is made up of firms which are providers or intermediaries and engage in similar styles of business with similar types of customer.

The sub-classes are based on the activities a firm undertakes (and are aligned to their FSA permissions). A firm could be allocated to one or more sub-classes according to the activities that it undertakes. In the event of a failure of a market participant, the Authorised Firms in the Group could be required to make contributions to compensate investors.

Restrictions on business

Under the FSA’s Handbook, an insurance company is restricted from carrying on any commercial business other than insurance business and activities directly arising from that business. Therefore, the FSA authorised insurance companies in the Group are bound by this restriction.

Capital and solvency rules for insurers

Under the FSA Handbook, a UK insurer (including those within the Group) must hold capital resources equal to at least the Minimum Capital Requirement (the “MCR”). Insurers with with-profits liabilities of more than £500 million must hold capital equal to the higher of MCR and the Enhanced Capital Requirement (the “ECR”). The ECR is intended to provide a more risk responsive and “realistic” measure of a with-profits insurer’s capital requirements, whereas the MCR is broadly speaking equivalent to the previous required minimum margin and satisfies the minimum EU standards.

Determination of the ECR involves the comparison of two separate measurements of the Authorised Firm’s financial resources requirements, which the FSA refers to as the “twin peaks” approach. The two separate peaks are:

    

The requirement comprised by the mathematical reserves plus the “long term insurance capital requirement” (the “LTICR”), together known as the “regulatory peak”; and

A calculation of the “realistic” present value of the insurer’s expected future contractual liabilities together with projected “fair” discretionary bonuses to policyholders, plus a risk capital margin, together known as the “realistic peak”.

 

The regulatory peak implements the Solvency I Directives, the latter forming part of the European Commission’s efforts to achieve a single European market for financial services. The LTICR is made up of several components, but in general is equal to approximately 4% of the mathematical reserves, although the formula varies according to the type of business written.

All insurers must also assess for themselves the amount of capital needed to back their business (“Individual Capital Assessments”). If the FSA views the result of this assessment as insufficient, the FSA may draw up its own Individual Capital Guidance for the firm, which can be imposed as a requirement on the scope of the Authorised Firm’s permission.

Long term assets and liabilities

Where a UK insurer carries on life insurance business, then long term business assets and liabilities – namely those assets and liabilities relating to life and health insurance policies – must be segregated from the assets and liabilities attributable to non-life insurance business or to shareholders. Separate accounting and other records must be maintained and a separate fund must be established to hold all receipts of long-term business.

The extent to which long-term fund assets may be used for purposes other than long-term business is restricted by the rules in the FSA Handbook. Only the “established surplus” – the excess of assets over liabilities in the long-term fund, as determined by actuarial investigation – may be transferred so as to be available for other purposes. Restrictions also apply to the payment of dividends by the insurance company, as described below. The rules in the FSA Handbook for insurers require the maintenance of sufficient assets in the separate long-term insurance fund to cover the actuarially determined value of the insurance liabilities.

Distribution of profits and with-profits business

For UK authorised life insurers carrying on with-profits business, the FSA’s rules requires that once an allocation of surplus in a with-profits fund has been made to policyholders, no transfer of assets representing any part of a subsequent surplus can be made, to shareholders or otherwise, unless either the “relevant minimum” (as defined in the FSA Handbook) of the surplus has been allocated to policyholders or a statutory notification procedure has been followed. Calculation of the relevant minimum is based on the percentage of the relevant surplus previously allocated to eligible policyholders.

Reporting requirements

Under the FSA Handbook, insurance companies must file with the FSA their audited annual accounts and statements of financial position and life insurers’ annual reports from the actuary performing the actuarial function. There is also a requirement to report the annual solvency position of the insurance company’s ultimate parent.

The FSA uses the annual return to monitor the solvency (ability to meet current and future obligations such as claims payments to policyholders) of an insurance company. For general insurance business, the return is also used to assess retrospectively the adequacy of the company’s claims provisions. The directors of an insurance company are required to sign a certificate, which includes a statement as to whether the

 


 


 

 

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Shareholder information continued

 

company has maintained the required minimum margin of solvency throughout the year. The directors must also certify that the company has completed its return to the FSA properly in accordance with the FSA’s instructions and that the directors are satisfied that the company has complied in all material respects with the requirements set out in the FSA Handbook.

UK winding up rules

The general insolvency laws and regulations applicable to UK companies are modified in certain respects in relation to UK insurance companies, where direct insurance claims will have priority over the claims of other unsecured creditors (with the exception of preferred creditors), including reinsurance creditors, on a winding-up by the court or a creditors’ voluntary winding up of the insurance company. Furthermore, instead of making a winding-up order when an insurance company has been proved unable to pay its debts, a UK court may, under section 311 of FSMA, reduce the amount of one or more of the insurance company’s contracts on terms and subject to conditions (if any) which the court considers fit. Where an insurance company is in financial difficulties but not in liquidation, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme may take measures for securing the transfer of all or part of the business to another insurance company.

FSMA provides further protection to policyholders of insurance companies effecting or carrying out contracts of long-term insurance. Unless the court orders otherwise, a liquidator must carry on the insurer’s business so far as it consists of carrying out the insurer’s contracts of long-term insurance with a view to it being transferred as a going concern to a person who may lawfully carry out those contracts. In carrying on the business, the liquidator may agree to the variation of any contracts of insurance in existence when the winding-up order is made, but must not effect any new contracts of insurance.

The European Union (“EU”)

In addition to its UK businesses Aviva is also currently active in 14 of the 27 EU member states through wholly owned subsidiary and joint venture companies. These companies are subject to the laws and regulation of the EU member state in which they are based. However, as progress continues towards the creation of a single market in financial services, EU legislation will continue to have a significant influence on the legislative environment both in the UK and other EU markets.

The EU operates by promulgating Directives that must be implemented into local national legislation within each EU member country. Directives set the minimum standards for the appropriate national legislatures to meet, but leave it up to the legislatures to decide just how they should be implemented. National governments are generally free to include restrictions in their laws beyond those required by a directive but may not pass laws that do not meet the minimum standard. Directives are written at a fairly high level of detail and consequently implemented in more detail at national level according to the local legal system. Still higher levels of detail may be imposed through the rules and regulations of national regulators. In the case of financial services businesses these rules can be extensive.

EU financial services regulation is based on the principle of ‘home country control’ under which the home country regulator is responsible for monitoring compliance with all applicable regulation. For life and non-life insurance business the home country control principle was implemented through the Third Life and Non-Life Directives during the mid 1990’s. This regime places the responsibility for such issues as solvency, actuarial reserves and investment of assets as well as certain governance issues on the home country regulator. Consequently most

companies that have been licensed to conduct insurance business in one member state may conduct business or apply to ‘passport’ into all other member states without having to be separately licensed in each. The general exception is selling activity which continues to be regulated by the state in which the sale takes place.

Insurance Groups Directive (“IGD”)

The EU has promulgated the Insurance Groups Directive (“IGD”), which requires member states to introduce the following measures to strengthen supervision of insurance companies which are part of a group:

An adjustment to the solo supervision solvency calculation in relation to participating interest in other insurance undertakings in order to eliminate “double-gearing” (the use of the same regulatory capital in more than one entity of a group).

An additional parent undertaking solvency margin calculation analogous to the adjusted solo solvency margin test referred to above, to be applied at the level of the parent undertaking.

The introduction of new solo-supervision requirements, including rules as to internal control within the insurance undertaking regarding the production of information relevant to supplementary supervision, the exchange of information within the group and the supervision of intra-group transactions.

Further provisions aimed at ensuring co-operation between competent regulatory authorities of member states.

 

Since 31 December 2006 the group capital resources requirement (the parent undertaking solvency calculation mentioned above) has been a “hard” test (i.e. it constitutes a requirement to maintain the group capital resources, rather than simply to make the calculation) under the FSA Handbook.

Reinsurance directive

On 16 November 2005, the Council and the European Parliament adopted Directive 2005/68/EC on reinsurance (the “Reinsurance Directive”) which member states were obliged to transpose into national law by 10 December 2007. The Reinsurance Directive requires that all reinsurance undertakings be authorised in their home member state. To obtain that authorisation, they will need to meet strict requirements. Once they have done so, they will be free to carry out their activity anywhere in the EU through the single market passport. The FSA has implemented the requirements of the Directive by changing its Handbook with effect from 31 December 2006.

Distance marketing directive

Under the Distance Marketing Directive, EU member states are required to implement a framework of rules and guidance in order to protect consumers by:

Setting minimum standards for information that must be provided to consumers before entering into a financial services contract by “distance means”.

For certain products and services, giving a cooling-off period, which for general insurance is 14 days, in which a consumer may, without penalty, cancel such a contract.

Insurance mediation directive

Under the Insurance Mediation Directive, EU member states are required to establish a framework to:

Ensure that insurance and reinsurance intermediaries have been registered on the basis of a minimum set of professional and financial requirements.

Ensure that registered intermediaries will be able to operate in other member states by availing themselves of the freedom to provide services or by establishing a branch.

 


 


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Impose minimum requirements, with certain limitations, as regards the content of the information which the insurance intermediaries must make available to their potential customers, and the arrangements for its provision.

Financial Services Action Plan (“FSAP”)

Further measures towards the creation of a single market in financial services were incorporated into the Financial Services Action Plan (“FSAP”) adopted in 2000. The FSAP included specific legislative action aimed at extending (i) the single wholesale market (ii) creating an open and secure retail market and (iii) introducing state of the art prudential rules and supervision.

The FSAP also included measures towards harmonising conduct of business rules, notably The Insurance Mediation Directive and the Distance Marketing Directive described above.

Investment business

With the introduction of the Investment Services Directive (“ISD”) the same home country control and passporting regime applied to fund management activities. In November 2007 the ISD was superseded by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”). MiFID builds on the home country control principle but extends the range of ‘core’ investments services and activities that may be passported from one member state to another and increased clarity of responsibilities between home and host country jurisdictions. MiFID also introduces greater harmonisation governing the organisation and conduct of business of investment firms.

The Capital Requirement Directive which came into force on 1 January 2007 sets out for the first time directive-based capital requirements for all investment firms brought into regulation by MiFID.

International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)

The standards drafted by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) have been mandatory for about 7,000 EU listed companies since 1 January 2005. For standards on insurance contracts a two phased approach has been adopted by the IASB. Under the interim solution adopted as IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts, insurers apply a variety of existing local accounting practises subject to a number of adjustments. Proposals for a final standard for accounting for insurance contracts are currently under review but might not be agreed before 2011 or later.

Solvency II

On 5 May 2009, the European Parliament formally adopted the Solvency II Level 1 Directive. Solvency II represents a fundamental change in European regulation and will result in a more sophisticated risk based capital approach. It establishes a solvency system that is better matched to the true risks of insurers enabling supervisors to protect policyholder interests as effectively as possible in accordance with common principles across the EU.

Since the approval, the focus has been on the development of the Level 2 implementing measures advice published by the CEIOPS which fill in the detail under Level 1 and focused on technical issues. Aviva has been actively participating in the process by providing responses to the CEIOPS as well as participating in the key European industry working groups who provide the voice of industry in on-going negotiation in Brussels.

The formal CEIOPS consultation process has already closed and the European Commission are now considering the wording on the implementing measures that will be finalised by the end of 2010. Full implementation of Solvency II will be required in October 2012.

Future EU developments

The integration of retail financial services and the increased awareness of consumers to financial issues remain high on the EU agenda. This is tending to drive a number of initiatives including the Single Market review which will encompass reviews of the working of the retail financial services markets, adequacy of consumer protection and contractual rights provisions as well as more specific proposals on investment products and mortgages.

In addition to the EU wide initiatives there have also been developments within our major EU markets, including:

In France all applicable EU Directives have now been brought together in a single insurance code supervised by the Authorité de Contrôle des Assurances et des Mutuelles (“ACAM”). In the Netherlands, where Aviva operates under the Delta Lloyd brand, a new Financial Services Act replacing eight former supervision Acts came into force on 1 January 2007. Under the new Act the role of the two market regulators – The Nederlandische Bank (“DNB”) for prudential issues and the Authority for Financial Markets (“AFM”) for conduct of business are clearly defined.

Primary EU insurance regulation in Ireland has been implemented through two Acts and supervised by the Financial Regulator. In July 2007 the Consumer Protection Code was introduced, a major legislative development bringing together comprehensive rules to apply across the financial services sector.

In both Spain and Italy where we operate through joint ventures with local banks and savings institutions there has been significant progress in revising local regulation and strengthening among others governance, mediation and disclosure requirements.

On Poland’s accession to the EU in 2003 the introduction of a number of Acts continued the liberalisation of insurance law started by the Insurance Act of 1990. The 2003 Acts introduced EU law on insurance activities covering areas including licensing, supervision, reserving and technical provisions, financial reporting, selling activities, pension fund supervision and the role of an insurance ombudsman. The 2006 Act on Financial Market Supervision created a single regulator the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (“KNF”). The process was completed on 1 January 2008 when the KNF assumed responsibility for bank regulation from the National Bank of Poland.

The European Commission has adopted draft legislation that will create a European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) and set up a European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS). The ESFS will be composed of national supervisors and three new European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) for banking, insurance and securities. The ESAs will have powers to develop technical standards and guidelines and direct national supervisors to take action or refrain from action in cases where national supervisors cannot reach agreement between them and where the Commission has decided that an emergency situation exists. The Commission is now looking to the Council and Parliament for rapid adoption so that the new structures can begin functioning in 2010.

 


 


 

 

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United States

We write life and annuity business in the United States through Aviva USA, a wholly owned subsidiary formed by the merger of Aviva Life Insurance Company of America with AmerUS which it acquired in July 2006. Aviva USA is domiciled in Iowa and licensed to conduct business in all 50 states. In New York it operates a wholly owned subsidiary Aviva Life Insurance Company of New York.

There is no federal system of regulation for the insurance businesses. Rather, individual states have authority to pass statutes, adopt regulation or issue directives to regulate insurance activities within their jurisdiction.

Consequently, life insurance companies are subject to regulation both in the state in which they are domiciled as well as in each of the individual states in which they operate. State regulation can vary in detail from state to state. All have laws and regulations covering the financial aspects of the insurance business including standards of solvency, reserves reinsurance and capital adequacy. In addition, most states have specific regulation governing licensing and conduct of selling agents as well as the approval of products and associated product forms and literature.

Federal initiatives

While the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has no statutory powers, its members are the insurance commissioners in each state and it acts as a forum to develop and propose model laws and regulations. Each state then decides whether to adopt the NAIC model laws or regulations and each state may make changes to the adoption process. However, the models are generally widely adopted. An example is the “Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Act” which has been widely adopted by states for a broad range of transactions.

NAIC has a commitment to modernising the state based system of insurance regulation and is pushing forward an action plan aimed at achieving consistency of approach between states on a number of issues including consumer protection, licensing, solvency and changes in insurance company control. The American Council of Life Insurers (“ACLI”) is proposing an optional federal charter (“OFC”) under which life insurers could choose to be federally regulated instead of state regulated. It is envisaged that the OFC would operate within the NAIC modernisation plan.

In addition to the OFC there have been legislative proposals for federal reform in the US. The legislation that is currently pending would impose stricter prudential standards on systemically significant financial companies ,higher risk financial activities and introduce new mechanisms for resolving failures of significant financial companies. The legislative proposals require additional stress testing and reporting on a regular basis. In addition, a federal insurance office (‘FIO’) will be established with a remit to monitor the insurance industry, co-ordinate federal efforts and develop federal policy on international insurance matters. While the FIO will have no regulatory authority over the business of insurance it will be required to conduct a study of how to improve and modernise insurance regulation and report to Congress no later than one year after the proposed legislations comes into force.



Additionally, there is active discussion within the NAIC of moving to a principles-based valuation system for the setting of reserves and capital for life insurance companies. This could change our statutory reserve and capital requirements significantly and it is not possible to estimate the impact on our financial condition and results of operation at this time.

On 17 December 2008 the SEC voted in favour of adopting a new rule 151A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The effect of the rule change is to bring indexed annuity products within SEC regulation on a similar basis as the so called “variable” products which are regulated as securities. The rule was set to become effective on 12 January 2011 and apply to equity indexed annuities issued on or after that date. However, after a legal challenge by several life insurers in the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the court remanded rule 151A back to the SEC on 21 July 2009, requesting further technical analysis. One of the life insurers involved requested the Court to delay the effective date of the rule change to two years after SEC completes their analysis. The SEC has now consented to the delay but the court is now considering whether it should set aside the rule entirely. Aviva believes indexed annuities represent an important product within the US savings and retirement market and we that we will be able to meet the requirements of the new rule 151A under the Securities Act of 1933.

Risk-based capital

The NAIC has developed risk-based capital standards for life insurance companies as well as a model act for state legislatures to enact. The model act requires that life insurance companies report on a formula-based, risk-based capital standard that they calculate by applying factors to various asset, premium and reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of a company, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk. The NAIC designed the formula as an early warning tool to identify potentially inadequately capitalised companies for purposes of initiating regulatory action. The model act imposes broad confidentiality requirements on those engaged in the insurance business (including insurers, agents, brokers and others) and on state insurance departments as to the use and publication of risk-based capital data.

Any state adopting the model act gives the state insurance commissioner explicit regulatory authority to require various actions by, or take various actions against, insurance companies whose adjusted capital does not meet minimum risk-based capital standards. The Iowa Insurance Commissioner takes into account the NAIC’s risk-based capital standards to determine adequate compliance with Iowa insurance law.

Effective 31 December 2005, the NAIC implemented new requirements, referred to as C-3 Phase II, for calculating risk based capital in connection with variable annuity products with death and living benefit guarantees. These changes did not have a material effect on our US operations, and at 31 December 2008, the Company’s total adjusted capital under the NAIC’s definition substantially exceeded Iowa standards.

 


 


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Canada

We write property and casualty business in Canada via a number of wholly owned companies.

Insurance business in Canada is regulated federally by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) with the focus very much on prudential supervision i.e. capital adequacy, solvency etc. OSFI derives its powers from the federal Insurance Companies Act (Canada) which governs the structure and operation of federally incorporated insurance companies.

The capital adequacy of insurance companies is monitored under the Minimum Capital Test (MCT) – a risk based framework allowing for capital to be assessed on the basis of an individual company’s risk profile taking account of the investments held and insurance business being written. Companies have their own internal MCT target as well as being expected to maintain capital in excess of 150% of the OSFI minimum requirement.

There are also 10 individual provincial regulators each regulating predominantly conduct of business issues such as policy terms and conditions, pricing and underwriting of companies they have licensed to write business in the province.


Asia Pacific

We operate within the Asia Pacific region through a network of subsidiary companies either wholly owned or established as a joint venture with a local partner. Our business in the region is predominately long term and savings business, with small general insurance and health operations.

There are wholly owned businesses in Singapore and Hong Kong. Aviva operates in China, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Korea which, depending on the nature and extent of the control we are able to exert, are either accounted for as subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates.

The Asia Pacific region is made up of a number of widely differing and independent markets. The markets tend to be at different stages in their development but each has its own regulatory structures and Aviva fully complies with the local regulation in each of the countries in which it operates.

Industry regulation across the region typically focuses on financial stability i.e. minimum capital and the basis for calculating solvency, reserves and policyholder liability. In many of the markets across the region Regulators have the power to revoke operating licenses, regulate shareholder structures and the participation in and the payment of dividends. Markets within the region are moving quickly to modernise insurance regulation with an increasing focus on governance and conduct of business.

Intellectual property

Our primary brands in the UK (Aviva, Norwich Union, RAC) are registered trade marks in the UK and elsewhere.

We own approximately 300 registered or pending marks in the UK, including Community trade marks having effect in the entire EU.

We have an active programme of review of marks and watching for infringements. There are no material infringements in the UK known to us as at the date of this report, either by the Group or third parties.


 

 



 

 


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Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Report of independent registered
public accounting firm

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Aviva plc

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Aviva plc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated income statements, statements of comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity, and statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also include the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 18. These financial statements and the schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the schedule based on our audits.

We did not audit at December 31, 2007 and for the year then ended the financial statements of Delta Lloyd NV, a subsidiary of Aviva plc, (Delta Lloyd NV 2007 Annual Report) which statements reflect total assets of £45,770 million as of December 31, 2007, and total income of £6,165 million for the year then ended. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Delta Lloyd NV, is based solely on the report of the other auditors. We have audited the adjustments described in Note 2(b) that were applied on the Delta Lloyd NV 2007 Annual Report to restate the consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended December 31, 2007 for the correction of an error. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Aviva plc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed above and in Note 2(b) to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been restated for the correction of an error.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Registered Auditor

London

25 March 2010

 

 


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Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies

 

Aviva plc (the “Company”), a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom (UK), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group” or “Aviva”) transacts life assurance and long-term savings business, fund management, and most classes of general insurance and health business through its subsidiaries, associates and branches in the UK, Ireland, continental Europe, United States (US), Canada, Asia, Australia and other countries throughout the world.

The Group is managed on a regional basis, reflecting the management structure whereby a member of the Executive Management team is accountable to the Group Chief Executive for the operating segment for which he is responsible. Further details of the reportable segments are given in note 4.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below.

(A) Basis of presentation

Since 2005, all European Union listed companies have been required to prepare consolidated financial statements using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and endorsed by the European Union (EU). The date of transition to IFRS was 1 January 2004. In addition to fulfilling their legal obligation to comply with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, the Group and Company have also complied with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and applicable at 31 December 2009.

In 2008, the IASB issued a revised version of IFRS 3, Business Combinations, which introduces a number of changes in accounting for such transactions that will impact the amount of goodwill recognised, the reported results in the period an acquisition occurs, and future reported results. A consequential amendment to IAS 27, Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, requires a change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary (without loss of control) to be accounted for as an equity transaction, rather than giving rise to goodwill or a gain or loss. Other consequential amendments were made to IAS 7, Statement of Cash Flows, IAS 12, Income Taxes, IAS 21, The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates, IAS 28, Investments in Associates, and IAS 31, Interests in Joint Ventures. These are applicable prospectively for accounting periods commencing 1 July 2009 or later, and are therefore not applicable for the current accounting period. On adoption, they will impact the areas noted above in the Group’s financial reporting.

In 2009, the IASB issued IFRS 9, Financial Instruments – Classification and Measurement, the first part of a replacement standard for IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. This is applicable prospectively for accounting periods commencing 1 January 2013 or later, and is therefore not applicable for the current accounting period. It has not yet been endorsed by the EU but, on adoption, will require us to review the classification of certain investments while allowing us to retain the fair value measurement option as we deem necessary.

During 2008 and 2009, the IASB also issued amendments to IFRS 1, First Time Adoption of IFRS, IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation, IAS 39 and the results of its annual improvements project. Further amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 2, Share-Based Payment, IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures, and the results of its second annual improvements project have been issued but have not yet been endorsed by the EU. These are applicable prospectively for accounting periods commencing 1 July 2009 or later, and are therefore not applicable for the current accounting period. On adoption, they will not have any material impact on the Group’s financial reporting.

IFRIC interpretation 17, Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners, and interpretation 19, Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments, as well as an amendment to interpretation 14, IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction, were issued during 2008 and 2009 but the latter two have not yet been endorsed by the EU. These are applicable prospectively for accounting periods commencing 1 July 2009 or later, and are therefore not applicable for the current accounting period. On adoption, they will not have any impact on our financial reporting.

In accordance with IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts, the Group has applied existing accounting practices for insurance and participating investment contracts, modified as appropriate to comply with the IFRS framework and applicable standards. Further details are given in policy F below.

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured in the currency of the primary economic environment in which that entity operates (the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are stated in sterling, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. Unless otherwise noted, the amounts shown in these financial statements are in millions of pounds sterling (£m). As supplementary information, consolidated financial information is also presented in euros.

The separate financial statements of the Company are on pages 226 to 234.

(B) Critical accounting policies and the use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires the Group to select accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect items reported in the consolidated income statement, statement of financial position, other primary statements and notes to the financial statements.

 

 


100

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

 

Critical accounting policies

The major areas of judgement on policy application are considered to be over whether Group entities should be consolidated (set out in policy C), on product classification (set out in policy E) and in the classification of financial investments (set out in policy R).

Use of estimates

All estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current facts and circumstances, assumptions based on that knowledge and their predictions of future events and actions. Actual results may differ from those estimates, possibly significantly.

The table below sets out those items we consider particularly susceptible to changes in estimates and assumptions, and the relevant accounting policy.

 

Item

Accounting
policy

Insurance and participating investment contract liabilities

E & J

Goodwill, AVIF and other intangible assets

M

Fair values of financial investments

R

Impairment of financial investments

R

Fair value of derivative financial instruments

S

Deferred acquisition costs and other assets

V

Provisions and contingent liabilities

Y

Pension obligations

Z

Deferred income taxes

AA

(C) Consolidation principles

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are those entities (including special purpose entities) in which the Group, directly or indirectly, has power to exercise control over financial and operating policies in order to gain economic benefits. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which effective control is transferred to the Group and are excluded from consolidation from the date the Group no longer has effective control. All inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised surpluses and deficits on transactions between Group companies have been eliminated.

From 1 January 2004, the date of first time adoption of IFRS, the Group is required to use the purchase method of accounting to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries. Under this method, the cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of assets given up, shares issued or liabilities undertaken at the date of acquisition, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired is recorded as goodwill (see policy M below). Any surplus of the acquirer’s interest in the subsidiary’s net assets over the cost of acquisition is credited to the income statement.

Merger accounting and the merger reserve

Prior to 1 January 2004, certain significant business combinations were accounted for using the “pooling of interests method”  (or merger accounting), which treats the merged groups as if they had been combined throughout the current and comparative accounting periods. Merger accounting principles for these combinations gave rise to a merger reserve in the consolidated statement of financial position, being the difference between the nominal value of new shares issued by the Parent Company for the acquisition of the shares of the subsidiary and the subsidiary’s own share capital and share premium account. These transactions have not been restated, as permitted by the IFRS 1 transitional arrangements.

The merger reserve is also used where more than 90% of the shares in a subsidiary are acquired and the consideration includes the issue of new shares by the Company, thereby attracting merger relief under the UK Companies Act 1985 and, from 1 October 2009, the UK Companies Act 2006.

Investment vehicles

In several countries, the Group has invested in a number of specialised investment vehicles such as Open-ended Investment Companies (OEICs) and unit trusts. These invest mainly in equities, bonds, cash and cash equivalents, and properties, and distribute most of their income. The Group’s percentage ownership in these vehicles can fluctuate from day-to-day according to the Group’s and third-party participation in them. Where Group companies are deemed to control such vehicles, with control determined based on an analysis of the guidance in IAS 27 and SIC 12, they are consolidated, with the interests of parties other than Aviva being classified as liabilities. These appear as “Net asset value attributable to unitholders” in the consolidated statement of financial position. Where the Group does not control such vehicles, and these investments are held by its insurance or investment funds, they do not meet the definition of associates (see below) and are, instead, carried at fair value through profit and loss within financial investments in the consolidated statement of financial position, in accordance with IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

As part of their investment strategy, the UK and certain European long-term business policyholder funds have invested in a number of property limited partnerships (PLPs), either directly or via property unit trusts (PUTs), through a mix of capital and loans. The PLPs are managed by general partners (GPs), in which the long-term business shareholder companies hold equity stakes and which themselves hold nominal stakes in the PLPs. The PUTs are managed by a Group subsidiary.

Accounting for the PUTs and PLPs as subsidiaries, joint ventures or other financial investments depends on the shareholdings in the GPs and the terms of each partnership agreement. Where the Group exerts control over a PLP, it has been treated as a subsidiary and its results, assets and liabilities have been consolidated. Where the partnership is managed by a contractual agreement such that no party exerts control, notwithstanding that the Group’s partnership share in the PLP (including its indirect stake via the relevant PUT and GP) may be greater than 50%, such PUTs and PLPs have been classified as joint ventures. Where the

 

 


 

101

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

 

Group holds minority stakes in PLPs, with no disproportionate influence, the relevant investments are carried at fair value through profit and loss within financial investments.

Associates and joint ventures

Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence, but which it does not control. Generally, it is presumed that the Group has significant influence if it has between 20% and 50% of voting rights. Joint ventures are entities whereby the Group and other parties undertake an economic activity which is subject to joint control arising from a contractual agreement. In a number of these, the Group’s share of the underlying assets and liabilities may be greater than 50% but the terms of the relevant agreements make it clear that control is not exercised. Such jointly-controlled entities are referred to as joint ventures in these financial statements.

Gains on transactions between the Group and its associates and joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates and joint ventures. Losses are also eliminated, unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred between entities.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the cost of the investment in a given associate or joint venture, together with the Group’s share of that entity’s post-acquisition changes to shareholders’ funds, is included as an asset in the consolidated statement of financial position. As explained in policy N, the cost includes goodwill identified on acquisition. The Group’s share of their post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the income statement and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognised in reserves. Equity accounting is discontinued when the Group no longer has significant influence over the investment.

If the Group’s share of losses in an associate or joint venture equals or exceeds its interest in the undertaking, the Group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the entity.

The Company’s investments

In the Company statement of financial position, subsidiaries and joint ventures are stated at their fair values, estimated using applicable valuation models underpinned by the Company’s market capitalisation. These investments are classified as available for sale (AFS) financial assets, with changes in their fair value being recognised in other comprehensive income and recorded in a separate investment valuation reserve within equity.

(D) Foreign currency translation

Income statements and cash flows of foreign entities are translated into the Group’s presentation currency at average exchange rates for the year while their statements of financial position are translated at the year end exchange rates. Exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, and of borrowings and other currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are recognised in other comprehensive income and taken to the currency translation reserve within equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, such exchange differences are transferred out of this reserve and are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale. The cumulative translation differences were deemed to be zero at the transition date to IFRS.

Foreign currency transactions are accounted for at the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. Gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are recognised in the income statement.

Translation differences on debt securities and other monetary financial assets measured at fair value and designated as held at fair value through profit or loss (FV) (see policy R) are included in foreign exchange gains and losses in the income statement. For monetary financial assets designated as AFS, translation differences are calculated as if they were carried at amortised cost and so are recognised in the income statement, whilst foreign exchange differences arising from fair value gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income and included in the investment valuation reserve within equity. Translation differences on non-monetary items, such as equities which are designated as FV, are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss, whereas such differences on AFS equities are included in the investment valuation reserve.

(E) Product classification

Insurance contracts are defined as those containing significant insurance risk if, and only if, an insured event could cause an insurer to make significant additional payments in any scenario, excluding scenarios that lack commercial substance, at the inception of the contract. Such contracts remain insurance contracts until all rights and obligations are extinguished or expire. Contracts can be reclassified as insurance contracts after inception if insurance risk becomes significant. Any contracts not considered to be insurance contracts under IFRS are classified as investment contracts.

Some insurance and investment contracts contain a discretionary participating feature, which is a contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits. These are referred to as participating contracts.

As noted in policy A above, insurance contracts and participating investment contracts in general continue to be measured and accounted for under existing accounting practices at the later of the date of transition to IFRS or the date of the acquisition of the entity, in accordance with IFRS 4. Accounting for insurance contracts in UK companies is determined in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of British Insurers, the most recent version of which was issued in December 2005 and amended in December 2006. In certain businesses, the accounting policies or accounting estimates have been changed, as permitted by IFRS 4 and IAS 8 respectively, to remeasure designated insurance liabilities to reflect current market interest rates and changes to regulatory capital requirements. When accounting policies or accounting estimates have been changed, and adjustments to the measurement basis have occurred, the financial statements of that year will have disclosed the impacts accordingly.

One such example is our adoption of Financial Reporting Standard 27, Life Assurance, (FRS 27) which was issued by the UK’s Accounting Standards Board (ASB) in December 2004. Aviva, along with other major insurance companies and the ABI, signed a

 

 


102

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

 

Memorandum of Understanding with the ASB, under which we voluntarily agreed to adopt in full the standard from 2005 in the Group’s IFRS financial statements. FRS 27 adds to the requirements of IFRS but does not vary them in any way. The additional requirements of FRS 27 are detailed in policy J below and in note 52.

(F) Premiums earned

Premiums on long-term insurance contracts and participating investment contracts are recognised as income when receivable, except for investment-linked premiums which are accounted for when the corresponding liabilities are recognised. For single premium business, this is the date from which the policy is effective. For regular premium contracts, receivables are taken at the date when payments are due. Premiums are shown before deduction of commission and before any sales-based taxes or duties. Where policies lapse due to non-receipt of premiums, then all the related premium income accrued but not received from the date they are deemed to have lapsed is offset against premiums.

General insurance and health premiums written reflect business incepted during the year, and exclude any sales-based taxes or duties. Unearned premiums are those proportions of the premiums written in a year that relate to periods of risk after the statement of financial position date. Unearned premiums are calculated on either a daily or monthly pro rata basis. Premiums collected by intermediaries, but not yet received, are assessed based on estimates from underwriting or past experience, and are included in premiums written.

Deposits collected under investment contracts without a discretionary participating feature (non-participating contracts) are not accounted for through the income statement, except for the fee income (covered in policy G) and the investment income attributable to those contracts, but are accounted for directly through the statement of financial position as an adjustment to the investment contract liability.

(G) Other investment contract fee revenue

Investment contract policyholders are charged fees for policy administration, investment management, surrenders or other contract services. The fees may be for fixed amounts or vary with the amounts being managed, and will generally be charged as an adjustment to the policyholder’s balance. The fees are recognised as revenue in the period in which they are collected unless they relate to services to be provided in future periods, in which case they are deferred and recognised as the service is provided.

Initiation and other “front-end” fees (fees that are assessed against the policyholder balance as consideration for origination of the contract) are charged on some non-participating investment and investment fund management contracts. Where the investment contract is recorded at amortised cost, these fees are deferred and recognised over the expected term of the policy by an adjustment to the effective yield. Where the investment contract is measured at fair value, the front-end fees that relate to the provision of investment management services are deferred and recognised as the services are provided.

(H) Other fee and commission income

Other fee and commission income consists primarily of fund management fees, income from the RAC’s non-insurance activities, distribution fees from mutual funds, commissions on reinsurance ceded, commission revenue from the sale of mutual fund shares, and transfer agent fees for shareholder record keeping. Reinsurance commissions receivable are deferred in the same way as acquisition costs, as described in policy V. All other fee and commission income is recognised as the services are provided.

(I) Net investment income

Investment income consists of dividends, interest and rents receivable for the year, movements in amortised cost on debt securities, realised gains and losses, and unrealised gains and losses on FV investments (as defined in policy R). Dividends on equity securities are recorded as revenue on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognised as it accrues, taking into account the effective yield on the investment. It includes the interest rate differential on forward foreign exchange contracts. Rental income is recognised on an accruals basis.

A gain or loss on a financial investment is only realised on disposal or transfer, and is the difference between the proceeds received, net of transaction costs, and its original cost or amortised cost as appropriate.

Unrealised gains and losses, arising on investments which have not been derecognised as a result of disposal or transfer, represent the difference between the carrying value at the year end and the carrying value at the previous year end or purchase value during the year, less the reversal of previously recognised unrealised gains and losses in respect of disposals made during the year. Realised gains or losses on investment property represent the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the property.

(J) Insurance and participating investment contract liabilities

Claims

Long-term business claims reflect the cost of all claims arising during the year, including claims handling costs, as well as policyholder bonuses accrued in anticipation of bonus declarations.

General insurance and health claims incurred include all losses occurring during the year, whether reported or not, related handling costs, a reduction for the value of salvage and other recoveries, and any adjustments to claims outstanding from previous years.

Claims handling costs include internal and external costs incurred in connection with the negotiation and settlement of claims. Internal costs include all direct expenses of the claims department and any part of the general administrative costs directly attributable to the claims function.

 

 


 

103

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

Long-term business provisions

Under current IFRS requirements, insurance and participating investment contract liabilities are measured using accounting policies consistent with those adopted previously under existing accounting practices, with the exception of liabilities remeasured to reflect current market interest rates and those relating to UK with-profit and non-profit contracts, to be consistent with the value of the backing assets. For liabilities relating to UK with-profit contracts, the Group has adopted FRS 27, Life Assurance, as described in policy E above, in addition to the requirements of IFRS.

In the United States, shadow adjustments are made to the liabilities or related deferred acquisition costs and are recognised directly in other comprehensive income. This means that the measurement of these items is adjusted for unrealised gains or losses on the backing assets such as AFS financial investments (see policy R), that are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, in the same way as if those gains or losses had been realised.

The long-term business provisions are calculated separately for each life operation, based either on local regulatory requirements or existing local GAAP at the later of the date of transition to IFRS or the date of the acquisition of the entity, and actuarial principles consistent with those applied in the UK. Each calculation represents a determination within a range of possible outcomes, where the assumptions used in the calculations depend on the circumstances prevailing in each life operation. The principal assumptions are disclosed in note 35(b). For liabilities of the UK with-profit funds, FRS 27 requires liabilities to be calculated as the realistic basis liabilities as set out by the UK’s Financial Services Authority, adjusted to remove the shareholders’ share of future bonuses. For UK non-profit insurance contracts, the Group applies the realistic regulatory basis as set out in the FSA Policy Statement 06/14, Prudential Changes for Insurers, where applicable.

Present value of future profits (PVFP) on non-participating business written in a with-profit fund

For UK with-profit life funds falling within the scope of the FSA realistic capital regime, and hence FRS 27, an amount may be recognised for the present value of future profits on non-participating business written in a with-profit fund where the determination of the realistic value of liabilities in that with-profit fund takes account, directly or indirectly, of this value. This amount is recognised as a reduction in the liability rather than as an asset in the statement of financial position, and is then apportioned between the amounts that have been taken into account in the measurement of liabilities and other amounts which are shown as an adjustment to the unallocated divisible surplus.

Unallocated divisible surplus

In certain participating long-term insurance and investment business, the nature of the policy benefits is such that the division between shareholder reserves and policyholder liabilities is uncertain. Amounts whose allocation to either policyholders or shareholders has not been determined by the end of the financial year are held within liabilities as an unallocated divisible surplus.

If the aggregate carrying value of liabilities for a particular participating business fund is in excess of the aggregate carrying value of its assets, then the difference is held as a negative unallocated divisible surplus balance, subject to recoverability from margins in that fund’s participating business. Any excess of this difference over the recoverable amount is charged to net income in the reporting period.

Embedded derivatives

Embedded derivatives that meet the definition of an insurance contract or correspond to options to surrender insurance contracts for a set amount (or based on a fixed amount and an interest rate) are not separately measured. All other embedded derivatives are separated and measured at fair value, if they are not considered as closely related to the host insurance contract or do not meet the definition of an insurance contract. Fair value reflects own credit risk to the extent the embedded derivative is not fully collateralised.

Liability adequacy

At each reporting date, an assessment is made of whether the recognised long-term business provisions are adequate, using current estimates of future cash flows. If that assessment shows that the carrying amount of the liabilities (less related assets) is insufficient in light of the estimated future cash flows, the deficiency is recognised in the income statement by setting up an additional provision in the statement of financial position.

General insurance and health provisions

(i) Outstanding claims provisions

General insurance and health outstanding claims provisions are based on the estimated ultimate cost of all claims incurred but not settled at the statement of financial position date, whether reported or not, together with related claims handling costs. Significant delays are experienced in the notification and settlement of certain types of general insurance claims, particularly in respect of liability business, including environmental and pollution exposures, the ultimate cost of which cannot be known with certainty at the statement of financial position date. Any estimate represents a determination within a range of possible outcomes. Further details of estimation techniques are given in note 35(c).

Provisions for latent claims are discounted, using rates based on the relevant swap curve, in the relevant currency at the reporting date, having regard to the expected settlement dates of the claims. The discount rate is set at the start of the accounting period. The range of discount rates used is described in note 35(c). Outstanding claims provisions are valued net of an allowance for expected future recoveries. Recoveries include non-insurance assets that have been acquired by exercising rights to salvage and subrogation under the terms of insurance contracts.

 


104

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

(ii) Provision for unearned premiums

The proportion of written premiums, gross of commission payable to intermediaries, attributable to subsequent periods is deferred as a provision for unearned premiums. The change in this provision is taken to the income statement as recognition of revenue over the period of risk.

(iii) Liability adequacy

At each reporting date, the Group reviews its unexpired risks and carries out a liability adequacy test for any overall excess of expected claims and deferred acquisition costs over unearned premiums, using the current estimates of future cash flows under its contracts after taking account of the investment return expected to arise on assets relating to the relevant general business provisions. If these estimates show that the carrying amount of its insurance liabilities (less related deferred acquisition costs) is insufficient in light of the estimated future cash flows, the deficiency is recognised in the income statement by setting up a provision in the statement of financial position.

Other assessments and levies

The Group is subject to various periodic insurance-related assessments or guarantee fund levies. Related provisions are established where there is a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event. Such amounts are not included in insurance liabilities but are included under “Provisions” in the statement of financial position.

(K) Non-participating investment contract liabilities

Claims

For non-participating investment contracts with an account balance, claims reflect the excess of amounts paid over the account balance released.

Contract liabilities

Deposits collected under non-participating investment contracts are not accounted for through the income statement, except for the investment income attributable to those contracts, but are accounted for directly through the statement of financial position as an adjustment to the investment contract liability.

The majority of the Group’s contracts classified as non-participating investment contracts are unit-linked contracts and are measured at fair value. Certain liabilities for non-linked non-participating contracts are measured at amortised cost.

The fair value liability is determined in accordance with IAS 39, using a valuation technique to provide a reliable estimate of the amount for which the liability could be settled between knowledgeable willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. For unit-linked contracts, the fair value liability is equal to the current unit fund value, plus additional non-unit reserves if required based on a discounted cash flow analysis. For non-linked contracts, the fair value liability is based on a discounted cash flow analysis, with allowance for risk calibrated to match the market price for risk.

Amortised cost is calculated as the fair value of consideration received at the date of initial recognition, less the net effect of payments such as transaction costs and front-end fees, plus or minus the cumulative amortisation (using the effective interest rate method) of any difference between that initial amount and the maturity value, and less any write-down for surrender payments. The effective interest rate is the one that equates the discounted cash payments to the initial amount. At each reporting date, the amortised cost liability is determined as the value of future best estimate cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate.

(L) Reinsurance

The Group assumes and cedes reinsurance in the normal course of business, with retention limits varying by line of business. Premiums on reinsurance assumed are recognised as revenue in the same manner as they would be if the reinsurance were considered direct business, taking into account the product classification of the reinsured business. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies, using assumptions consistent with those used to account for these policies.

Where general insurance liabilities are discounted, any corresponding reinsurance assets are also discounted using consistent assumptions.

Gains or losses on buying retroactive reinsurance are recognised in the income statement immediately at the date of purchase and are not amortised. Premiums ceded and claims reimbursed are presented on a gross basis in the consolidated income statement and statement of financial position as appropriate.

Reinsurance assets primarily include balances due from both insurance and reinsurance companies for ceded insurance liabilities. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the outstanding claims provisions or settled claims associated with the reinsured policies and in accordance with the relevant reinsurance contract.

Reinsurance contracts that principally transfer financial risk are accounted for directly through the statement of financial position and are not included in reinsurance assets or liabilities. A deposit asset or liability is recognised, based on the consideration paid or received less any explicitly identified premiums or fees to be retained by the reinsured.

If a reinsurance asset is impaired, the Group reduces the carrying amount accordingly and recognises that impairment loss in the income statement. A reinsurance asset is impaired if there is objective evidence, as a result of an event that occurred after initial recognition of the reinsurance asset, that the Group may not receive all amounts due to it under the terms of the contract, and the event has a reliably measurable impact on the amounts that the Group will receive from the reinsurer.

 


 

105

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

(M) Goodwill, AVIF and intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the acquired subsidiary, associate or joint venture at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions prior to 1 January 2004 (the date of transition to IFRS) is carried at its book value (original cost less cumulative amortisation) on that date, less any impairment subsequently incurred. Goodwill arising before 1 January 1998 was eliminated against reserves and has not been reinstated. Goodwill arising on the Group’s investments in subsidiaries since that date is shown as a separate asset, whilst that on associates and joint ventures is included within the carrying value of those investments.

Acquired value of in-force business (AVIF)

The present value of future profits on a portfolio of long-term insurance and investment contracts, acquired either directly or through the purchase of a subsidiary, is recognised as an asset. If the AVIF results from the acquisition of an investment in a joint venture or an associate, it is held within the carrying amount of that investment. In all cases, the AVIF is amortised over the useful lifetime of the related contracts in the portfolio on a systematic basis. The rate of amortisation is chosen by considering the profile of the additional value of in-force business acquired and the expected depletion in its value. The value of the acquired in-force long-term business is reviewed annually for any impairment in value and any reductions are charged as expenses in the income statement.

Intangible assets

Intangibles consist primarily of brands, certain of which have been assessed as having indefinite useful lives, and contractual relationships such as access to distribution networks and customer lists. The economic lives of the latter are determined by considering relevant factors such as usage of the asset, typical product life cycles, potential obsolescence, maintenance costs, the stability of the industry, competitive position, and the period of control over the assets. These intangibles are amortised over their useful lives, which range from five to 30 years, using the straight-line method.

The amortisation charge for the year is included in the income statement under “Other operating expenses”. For intangibles with finite lives, a provision for impairment will be charged where evidence of such impairment is observed. Intangibles with indefinite lives are subject to regular impairment testing, as described below.

Impairment testing

For impairment testing, goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives have been allocated to cash-generating units. The carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives is reviewed at least annually or when circumstances or events indicate there may be uncertainty over this value. Goodwill and indefinite life intangibles are written down for impairment where the recoverable amount is insufficient to support its carrying value. Further details on goodwill allocation and impairment testing are given in note 13(b).

(N) Property and equipment

Owner-occupied properties are carried at their revalued amounts, which are supported by market evidence, and movements are recognised in other comprehensive income and taken to a separate reserve within equity. When such properties are sold, the accumulated revaluation surpluses are transferred from this reserve to retained earnings. These properties are depreciated down to their estimated residual values over their useful lives. All other items classed as property and equipment within the statement of financial position are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation.

Investment properties under construction are included within property and equipment until completion, and are stated at cost less any provision for impairment in their values.

Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method to write-down the cost of other assets to their residual values over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

— Land

No depreciation

— Properties under construction

No depreciation

— Owner-occupied properties, and related mechanical and electrical equipment

25 years

— Motor vehicles

Three-years, or lease term if longer

— Computer equipment

Three to five years

— Other assets

Three to five years

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and method of depreciation are reviewed regularly, and at least at each financial year end, and adjusted if appropriate. Where the carrying amount of an asset is greater than its estimated recoverable amount, it is written down immediately to its recoverable amount. Gains and losses on disposal of property and equipment are determined by reference to their carrying amount.

Until 1 January 2009, borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition and construction of property and equipment were expensed as incurred. With effect from 1 January 2009, such costs are capitalised. All repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred. The cost of major renovations is included in the carrying amount of the asset when it is probable that future economic benefits in excess of the most recently assessed standard of performance of the existing asset will flow to the Group and the renovation replaces an identifiable part of the asset. Major renovations are depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related asset.

 


106

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

(O) Investment property

Investment property is held for long-term rental yields and is not occupied by the Group. Completed investment property is stated at its fair value, which is supported by market evidence, as assessed by qualified external valuers or by local qualified staff of the Group in overseas operations. Changes in fair values are recorded in the income statement in net investment income.

(P) Impairment of non-financial assets

Property and equipment and other non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment losses whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of an asset’s net selling price and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are separately identifiable cash flows.

(Q) Derecognition and offset of financial assets and financial liabilities

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognised where:

The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired.

The Group retains the right to receive cash flows from the asset, but has assumed an obligation to pay them in full without material delay to a third-party under a “pass-through” arrangement;.

The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset and has either transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

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

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the statement of financial position when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

(R) Financial investments

The Group classifies its investments as either financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FV) or financial assets available for sale (AFS). The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were acquired, and is determined by local management at initial recognition. The FV category has two subcategories – those that meet the definition as being held for trading and those the Group chooses to designate as FV (referred to in this accounting policy as “other than trading”).

In general, the FV category is used as, in most cases, the Group’s investment or risk management strategy is to manage its financial investments on a fair value basis. Debt securities and equity securities, which the Group buys with the intention to resell in the short term, are classified as trading, as are non-hedge derivatives (see policy S below). All other securities in the FV category are classified as other than trading. The AFS category is used where the relevant long-term business liability (including shareholders’ funds) is passively managed, as well as in certain fund management and non-insurance operations.

Purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the trade date, which is the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the assets, at their fair values. Debt securities are initially recorded at their fair value, which is taken to be amortised cost, with amortisation credited or charged to the income statement. Investments classified as trading, other than trading and AFS are subsequently carried at fair value. Changes in the fair value of trading and other than trading investments are included in the income statement in the period in which they arise. Changes in the fair value of securities classified as AFS are recognised in other comprehensive income and recorded in a separate investment valuation reserve within equity.

Investments carried at fair value are measured using a fair value hierarchy, described in note 21(b), with values based on quoted bid prices or amounts derived from cash flow models. Fair values for unlisted equity securities are estimated using applicable price/earnings or price/cash flow ratios refined to reflect the specific circumstances of the issuer.

When securities classified as AFS are sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments are transferred out of the investment valuation reserve to the income statement with a corresponding movement through other comprehensive income.

Financial guarantees are recognised initially at their fair value and are subsequently amortised over the duration of the contract. A liability is recognised for amounts payable under the guarantee if it is more likely than not that the guarantee will be called upon.

Impairment

The Group reviews the carrying value of its investments on a regular basis. If the carrying value of an investment is greater than the recoverable amount, the carrying value is reduced through a charge to the income statement in the period of impairment. The following policies are used to determine the level of any impairment, some of which involve considerable judgement:

AFS debt securities: An AFS debt security is impaired if there is objective evidence that a loss event has occurred which has impaired the expected cash flows, i.e. where all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security are not considered collectible. An impairment charge, measured as the difference between the security’s fair value and amortised cost, is recognised when the issuer is known to be either in default or in financial difficulty. Determining when an issuer is in financial difficulty requires the use of judgement, and we consider a number of factors including industry risk factors, financial condition, liquidity position and near-term prospects of the issuer, credit rating declines and a breach of contract. A decline in fair value below amortised cost due to changes in risk-free interest rates does not necessarily represent objective evidence of a loss event.

 


 

107

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

AFS equity securities: An AFS equity security is considered impaired if there is objective evidence that the cost may not be recovered. In addition to qualitative impairment criteria, such evidence includes a significant or prolonged decline in fair value below cost. Unless there is evidence to the contrary, an equity security is considered impaired if the decline in fair value relative to cost has been either at least 20% for a continuous six month period or more than 40% at the end of the reporting period. Evidence to the contrary may include a significant rise in value of the equity security, for example as a result of a merger announced after the period end. We also review our largest equity holdings for evidence of impairment, as well as individual equity holdings in industry sectors known to be in difficulty. Where there is objective evidence that impairment exists, the security is written down regardless of the size of the unrealised loss.

For both debt and equity AFS securities identified as being impaired, the cumulative unrealised net loss previously recognised within the investment valuation reserve is transferred to realised losses for the year with a corresponding movement through other comprehensive income. Any subsequent increase in fair value of these impaired securities is recognised in other comprehensive income and recorded in the investment valuation reserve, unless this increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised in the income statement. In such an event, the reversal of the impairment loss is recognised as a gain in the income statement.

Mortgages and securitised loans: Impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the effective rate of interest of the loan, subject to the fair value of the underlying collateral. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the income statement is charged with the difference between the carrying value and the estimated recoverable amount. Interest income on impaired loans is recognised based on the estimated recoverable amount.

Reversals of impairments are only recognised where the decrease in the impairment can be objectively related to an event occurring after the write-down (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), and are not recognised in respect of equity instruments.

(S) Derivative financial instruments and hedging

Derivative financial instruments include foreign exchange contracts, interest rate futures, currency and interest rate swaps, currency and interest rate options (both written and purchased) and other financial instruments that derive their value mainly from underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity values or equity instruments. All derivatives are initially recognised in the statement of financial position at their fair value, which usually represents their cost. They are subsequently remeasured at their fair value, with the method of recognising movements in this value depending on whether they are designated as hedging instruments and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. Fair values are obtained from quoted market prices or, if these are not available, by using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow models or option pricing models. All derivatives are carried as assets when the fair values are positive and as liabilities when the fair values are negative. Premiums paid for derivatives are recorded as an asset on the statement of financial position at the date of purchase, representing their fair value at that date.

Derivative contracts may be traded on an exchange or over-the-counter (OTC). Exchange-traded derivatives are standardised and include certain futures and option contracts. OTC derivative contracts are individually negotiated between contracting parties and include forwards, swaps, caps and floors. Derivatives are subject to various risks including market, liquidity and credit risk, similar to those related to the underlying financial instruments.

The notional or contractual amounts associated with derivative financial instruments are not recorded as assets or liabilities on the statement of financial position as they do not represent the fair value of these transactions. These amounts are disclosed in note 54.

Interest rate and currency swaps

Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements between two parties to exchange periodic payments in the same currency, each of which is computed on a different interest rate basis, on a specified notional amount. Most interest rate swaps involve the net exchange of payments calculated as the difference between the fixed and floating rate interest payments. Currency swaps, in their simplest form, are contractual agreements that involve the exchange of both periodic and final amounts in two different currencies. Both types of swap contracts may include the net exchange of principal. Exposure to gain or loss on these contracts will increase or decrease over their respective lives as a function of maturity dates, interest and foreign exchange rates, and the timing of payments.

Interest rate futures, forwards and options contracts

Interest rate futures are exchange-traded instruments and represent commitments to purchase or sell a designated security or money market instrument at a specified future date and price. Interest rate forward agreements are OTC contracts in which two parties agree on an interest rate and other terms that will become a reference point in determining, in concert with an agreed notional principal amount, a net payment to be made by one party to the other, depending what rate in fact prevails at a future point in time. Interest rate options, which consist primarily of caps and floors, are interest rate protection instruments that involve the potential obligation of the seller to pay the buyer an interest rate differential in exchange for a premium paid by the buyer. This differential represents the difference between current rate and an agreed rate applied to a notional amount. Exposure to gain or loss on all interest rate contracts will increase or decrease over their respective lives as interest rates fluctuate.

Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts, which include spot, forward and futures contracts, represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed price and settlement date. Foreign exchange option contracts are similar to interest rate option contracts, except that they are based on currencies, rather than interest rates.

Exposure to gain or loss on these contracts will increase or decrease over their respective lives as currency exchange and interest rates fluctuate.

 


108

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

Derivative instruments for hedging

On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Group designates certain derivatives as either:

(i)

a hedge of the fair value of a recognised asset or liability (fair value hedge);

(ii)

a hedge of a future cash flow attributable to a recognised asset or liability, a highly probable forecast transaction or a firm commitment (cash flow hedge); or

(iii)

a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedge)

Hedge accounting is used for derivatives designated in this way, provided certain criteria are met. At the inception of the transaction, the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, as well as the risk management objective and the strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. The Group also documents its assessment of whether the hedge is expected to be, and has been, highly effective in offsetting the risk in the hedged item, both at inception and on an ongoing basis.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as net investment or cash flow hedges, and that prove to be highly effective in relation to the hedged risk, are recognised in other comprehensive income and a separate reserve within equity. Gains and losses accumulated in this reserve are included in the income statement on disposal of the relevant investment or occurrence of the cash flow as appropriate.

The Group discontinues hedge accounting if the hedging instrument expires, is sold, terminated or exercised, the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting or the Group revokes the designation.

For a variety of reasons, certain derivative transactions, while providing effective economic hedges under the Group’s risk management positions, do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific IFRS rules and are therefore treated as derivatives held for trading. Their fair value gains and losses are recognised immediately in other trading income.

(T) Loans

Loans with fixed maturities, including policyholder loans, mortgage loans on investment property, securitised mortgages and collateral loans, are recognised when cash is advanced to borrowers. The majority of these loans are carried at their unpaid principal balances and adjusted for amortisation of premium or discount, non-refundable loan fees and related direct costs. These amounts are deferred and amortised over the life of the loan as an adjustment to loan yield using the effective interest rate method. Loans with indefinite future lives are carried at unpaid principal balances or cost.

For certain mortgage loans, the Group has taken advantage of the revised fair value option under IAS 39 to present the mortgages, associated borrowings and derivative financial instruments at fair value, since they are managed as a portfolio on a fair value basis. This presentation provides more relevant information and eliminates any accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise from using different measurement bases for these three items. The fair values of mortgages classified as FV are estimated using discounted cash flow forecasts, based on a risk-adjusted discount rate which reflects the risks associated with these products, calibrated using the margins available on new lending or with reference to the rates offered by competitors. They are revalued at each period end, with movements in their fair values being taken to the income statement.

At each reporting date, we review loans carried at amortised cost for objective evidence that they are impaired and uncollectable, either at the level of an individual security or collectively within a group of loans with similar credit risk characteristics. To the extent that a loan is uncollectable, it is written down as impaired to its recoverable amount, measured as the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate of the loan, including any collateral receivable. Subsequent recoveries in excess of the loan’s written down carrying value are credited to the income statement.

(U) Collateral

The Group receives and pledges collateral in the form of cash or non-cash assets in respect of stock lending transactions, as well as certain derivative contracts and loans, in order to reduce the credit risk of these transactions. Collateral is also pledged as security for bank letters of credit. The amount and type of collateral required depends on an assessment of the credit risk of the counterparty.

Collateral received in the form of cash, which is not legally segregated from the Group, is recognised as an asset in the statement of financial position with a corresponding liability for the repayment in financial liabilities (note 46). Non-cash collateral received is not recognised in the statement of financial position unless the Group either sells or repledges these assets in the absence of default, at which point the obligation to return this collateral is recognised as a liability.

Collateral pledged in the form of cash, which is legally segregated from the Group, is derecognised from the statement of financial position with a corresponding receivable for its return. Non-cash collateral pledged is not derecognised from the statement of financial position unless the Group defaults on its obligations under the relevant agreement, and therefore continues to be recognised in the statement of financial position within the appropriate asset classification.

(V) Deferred acquisition costs and other assets

The costs directly attributable to the acquisition of new business for insurance and participating investment contracts (excluding those written in the UK) are deferred to the extent that they are expected to be recoverable out of future margins in revenues on these contracts. For participating contracts written in the UK, acquisition costs are generally not deferred as the liability for these contracts is calculated in accordance with the FSA’s realistic capital regime and FRS 27. For non-participating investment and investment fund management contracts, incremental acquisition costs and sales enhancements that are directly attributable to securing an investment management service are also deferred.

Where such business is reinsured, an appropriate proportion of the deferred acquisition costs is attributed to the reinsurer, and is treated as a separate liability.

 

 


 

109

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

Long-term business deferred acquisition costs are amortised systematically over a period no longer than that in which they are expected to be recoverable out of these future margins. Deferrable acquisition costs for non-participating investment and investment fund management contracts are amortised over the period in which the service is provided. General insurance and health deferred acquisition costs are amortised over the period in which the related revenues are earned. The reinsurers’ share of deferred acquisition costs is amortised in the same manner as the underlying asset.

Deferred acquisition costs are reviewed by category of business at the end of each reporting period and are written-off where they are no longer considered to be recoverable.

Other assets include vehicles which are subject to repurchase agreements and inventories of vehicle parts. The former are carried at the lower of their agreed repurchase price or net realisable value, whilst the latter are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value, where cost is arrived at on the weighted average cost formula or “first in first out” (FIFO) basis. Provision is made against inventories which are obsolete or surplus to requirements.

(W) Statement of cash flows

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash at banks and in hand, deposits held at call with banks, treasury bills and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Such investments are those with less than three months’ maturity from the date of acquisition, or which are redeemable on demand with only an insignificant change in their fair values.

For the purposes of the statement, of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents also include bank overdrafts, which are included in payables and other financial liabilities on the statement of financial position.

Operating cash flows

Purchases and sales of investment property, loans and financial investments are included within operating cash flows as the purchases are funded from cash flows associated with the origination of insurance and investment contracts, net of payments of related benefits and claims.

(X) Leases

Leases, where a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership is retained by the lessor, are classified as operating leases. Assets held for use in such leases are included in property and equipment, and are depreciated to their residual values over their estimated useful lives. Rentals from such leases are credited to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the relevant leases. Payments made as lessee under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the relevant leases.

(Y) Provisions and contingent liabilities

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is more probable than not that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Where the Group expects a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain.

The Group recognises a provision for onerous contracts when the expected benefits to be derived from a contract are less than the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract. Contingent liabilities are disclosed if there is a possible future obligation as a result of a past event, or if there is a present obligation as a result of a past event but either a payment is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated.

(Z) Employee benefits

Annual leave and long service leave

Employee entitlements to annual leave and long service leave are recognised when they accrue to employees. A provision is made for the estimated liability for annual leave and long service leave as a result of services rendered by employees up to the statement of financial position date.

Pension obligations

The Group operates a large number of pension schemes around the world, whose members receive benefits on either a defined benefit basis (generally related to a member’s final salary and length of service) or a defined contribution basis (generally related to the amount invested, investment return and annuity rates), the assets of which are generally held in separate trustee-administered funds. The pension plans are generally funded by payments from employees and the relevant Group companies.

For defined benefit plans, the pension costs are assessed using the projected unit credit method. Under this method, the cost of providing pensions is charged to the income statement so as to spread the regular cost over the service lives of employees. The pension obligation is measured as the present value of the estimated future cash outflows, using a discount rate based on market yields for high quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability. The resulting pension scheme surplus or deficit appears as an asset or liability in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Costs charged to the income statement comprise the current service cost (the increase in pension obligation resulting from employees’ service in the current period, together with the schemes’ administration expenses), past service cost (resulting from changes to benefits with respect to previous years’ service), and gains or losses on curtailment (when the employer materially reduces the number of employees covered by the scheme) or on settlements (when a scheme’s obligations are transferred outside

 

 


110

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

the Group). In addition, the difference between the expected return on scheme assets, less investment expenses, and the interest cost of unwinding the discount on the scheme liabilities (to reflect the benefits being one period closer to being paid out) is credited to investment income. All actuarial gains and losses, being the difference between the actual and expected returns on scheme assets, changes in assumptions underlying the liability calculations and experience gains or losses on the assumptions made at the beginning of the period, are recognised immediately in other comprehensive income.

For defined contribution plans, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension plans. Once the contributions have been paid, the Group, as employer, has no further payment obligations. The Group’s contributions are charged to the income statement in the year to which they relate and are included in staff costs.

Other post-employment obligations

Some Group companies provide post-employment healthcare or other benefits to their retirees. The entitlement to these benefits is usually based on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of a minimum service period. Unlike the pension schemes, no assets are set aside in separate funds to provide for the future liability but none of these schemes is material to the Group. The costs of the Canadian scheme are included within those for the defined benefit pension schemes in that country. For such schemes in other countries, provisions are calculated in line with local regulations, with movements being charged to the income statement within staff costs.

Equity compensation plans

The Group offers share award and option plans over the Company’s ordinary shares for certain employees, including a Save As You Earn plan (SAYE plan), details of which are given in the Directors’ remuneration report and in note 26.

The Group accounts for options and awards under equity compensation plans, which were granted after 7 November 2002, until such time as they are fully vested, using the fair value based method of accounting (the “fair value method”). Under this method, the cost of providing equity compensation plans is based on the fair value of the share awards or option plans at date of grant, which is recognised in the income statement over the expected vesting period of the related employees and credited to the equity compensation reserve, part of shareholders’ funds.

Shares purchased by employee share trusts to fund these awards are shown as a deduction from shareholders’ funds at their original cost.

When the options are exercised and new shares are issued, the proceeds received, net of any transaction costs, are credited to share capital (par value) and the balance to share premium. Where the shares are already held by employee trusts, the net proceeds are credited against the cost of these shares, with the difference between cost and proceeds being taken to retained earnings. In both cases, the relevant amount in the equity compensation reserve is then credited to retained earnings.

(AA) Income taxes

The current tax expense is based on the taxable profits for the year, after any adjustments in respect of prior years. Tax, including tax relief for losses if applicable, is allocated over profits before taxation and amounts charged or credited to reserves as appropriate.

Provision is made for deferred tax liabilities, or credit taken for deferred tax assets, using the liability method, on all material temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.

The principal temporary differences arise from depreciation of property and equipment, revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities including derivative contracts, provisions for pensions and other post-retirement benefits and tax losses carried forward; and, in relation to acquisitions, on the difference between the fair values of the net assets acquired and their tax base. The rates enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date are used to determine the deferred tax.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised. In countries where there is a history of tax losses, deferred tax assets are only recognised in excess of deferred tax liabilities if there is convincing evidence that future profits will be available.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred taxes are not provided in respect of temporary differences arising from the initial recognition of goodwill, or from goodwill for which amortisation is not deductible for tax purposes, or from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss at the time of the transaction.

Current and deferred tax relating to items recognised in other comprehensive income and directly in equity are similarly recognised in other comprehensive income and directly in equity respectively. Deferred tax related to fair value re-measurement of available for sale investments, owner-occupied properties and other amounts charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income is recognised in the statement of financial position as a deferred tax asset or liability. Current tax on interest paid on Direct Capital instruments is credited directly in equity.

In addition to paying tax on shareholders’ profits, the Group’s life businesses in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and Australia (prior to its disposal) pay tax on policyholders’ investment returns (“policyholder tax”) on certain products at policyholder tax rates. Policyholder tax is accounted for as an income tax and is included in the total tax expense. The Group has decided to show separately the amounts of policyholder tax to provide a more meaningful measure of the tax the Group pays on its profits.

 


 

111

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Accounting policies continued

(AB) Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at their issue proceeds less transaction costs incurred. Subsequently, most borrowings are stated at amortised cost, and any difference between net proceeds and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method. All borrowing costs are expensed as they are incurred except where they are directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of property and equipment as described in policy N above.

Where loan notes have been issued in connection with certain securitised mortgage loans, the Group has taken advantage of the revised fair value option under IAS 39 to present the mortgages, associated liabilities and derivative financial instruments at fair value, since they are managed as a portfolio on a fair value basis. This presentation provides more relevant information and eliminates any accounting mismatch which would otherwise arise from using different measurement bases for these three items.

(AC) Share capital and treasury shares

Equity instruments

An equity instrument is a contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all its liabilities. Accordingly, a financial instrument is treated as equity if:

(i)

there is no contractual obligation to deliver cash or other financial assets or to exchange financial assets or liabilities on terms that may be unfavourable; and

(ii)

the instrument is a non-derivative that contains no contractual obligation to deliver a variable number of shares or is a derivative that will be settled only by the Group exchanging a fixed amount of cash or other assets for a fixed number of the Group’s own equity instruments.

Share issue costs

Incremental external costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds of the issue and disclosed where material.

Dividends

Interim dividends on ordinary shares are recognised in equity in the period in which they are paid. Final dividends on these shares are recognised when they have been approved by shareholders. Dividends on preference shares are recognised in the period in which they are declared and appropriately approved.

Treasury shares

Where the Company or its subsidiaries purchase the Company’s share capital or obtain rights to purchase its share capital, the consideration paid (including any attributable transaction costs net of income taxes) is shown as a deduction from total shareholders’ equity. Gains and losses on sales of own shares are charged or credited to the treasury share account in equity.

(AD) Fiduciary activities

Assets and income arising from fiduciary activities, together with related undertakings to return such assets to customers, are excluded from these financial statements where the Group has no contractual rights in the assets and acts in a fiduciary capacity such as nominee, trustee or agent.

(AE) Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding the weighted average number of ordinary shares purchased by the Group and held as Treasury shares.

For the diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, such as convertible debt and share options granted to employees.

Potential or contingent share issuances are treated as dilutive when their conversion to shares would decrease net earnings per share.

(AF) Operations held for sale

Assets and liabilities held for disposal as part of operations which are held for sale are shown separately in the consolidated statement of financial position. The relevant assets are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount and their fair value, less the estimated selling costs.

 


 

 

112

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements

 

Consolidated income statement

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

 

Note  

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Income

5  

  

  

  

Gross written premiums

  

34,690

36,206

30,991

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

  

(2,576)

(1,841)

(1,658)

Premiums written net of reinsurance

  

32,114

34,365

29,333

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

  

559

277

(21)

Net earned premiums

F  

32,673

34,642

29,312

Fee and commission income

G & H  

1,789

1,885

1,760

Net investment income/(expense)

I  

24,972

(16,043)

9,689

Share of loss after tax of joint ventures and associates

  

(504)

(1,128)

(304)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

  

153

7

49

  

  

59,083

19,363

40,506

Expenses

6  

  

  

  

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

  

(27,549)

(29,353)

(27,121)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

  

(5,682)

3,885

(3,508)

Change in investment contract provisions

  

(11,185)

10,629

(2,018)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

  

(1,547)

4,482

2,922

Fee and commission expense

  

(4,396)

(4,411)

(4,244)

Other expenses

  

(5,366)

(5,416)

(3,473)

Finance costs

7  

(1,336)

(1,547)

(1,217)

  

  

(57,061)

(21,731)

(38,659)

Profit/(loss) before tax

  

2,022

(2,368)

1,847

Tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

10  

(217)

1,068

(15)

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

  

1,805

(1,300)

1,832

Tax (expense)/credit

AA & 10  

(707)

1,483

(349)

Less: tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

10  

217

(1,068)

15

Tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

  

(490)

415

(334)

Profit/(loss) for the year

  

1,315

(885)

1,498

Attributable to:

  

  

  

  

Equity shareholders of Aviva plc

 

1,085

(915)

1,320

Minority interests

33b  

230

30

178

  

  

1,315

(885)

1,498

Earnings per share

AE & 11  

  

  

  

Basic (pence per share)

  

37.8p

(36.8)p

48.9p

Diluted (pence per share)

  

37.5p

(36.8)p

48.5p

 

The comparative period for the year ended 31 December 2007 is provided as supplemental information as required by SEC Regulation S-X.

 

 

 

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

113

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements continued

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

 

Note

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Profit/(loss) for the year

  

1,315

(885)

1,498

  

  

 

  

  

Other comprehensive income

  

  

  

  

Investments classified as available for sale

  

  

  

  

Fair value gains/(losses)

31

1,011

(2,344)

149

Fair value gains transferred to profit on disposals

31

(310)

(126)

(391)

Impairment losses on assets previously revalued through other comprehensive income now taken to the income statement *

31

482

830

Owner-occupied properties

  

  

  

  

Fair value losses

31

(25)

(37)

23

Share of other comprehensive income of joint ventures and associates

31

122

(93)

9

Actuarial losses on pension schemes

44e(iv)

(1,140)

(929)

648

Actuarial losses on pension schemes transferred to unallocated divisible surplus

44c(i)

24

78

(61)

Foreign exchange rate movements

31 & 33b

(951)

2,684

723

Aggregate tax effect – shareholder tax

10b

(196)

219

(195)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  

(983)

282

905

  

  

  

  

  

Total comprehensive income for the year

  

332

(603)

2,403

  

  

  

  

  

Attributable to:

  

  

  

  

Equity shareholders of Aviva plc

  

240

(1,104)

2,124

Minority interests

33b

92

501

279

  

  

332

(603)

2,403

*

In accordance with accounting policy R, all fair value gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are recorded in the investment valuation reserve. Where these investments are considered to be impaired, the relevant losses are then transferred from this reserve to the income statement.

 

The comparative period for the year ended 31 December 2007 is provided as supplemental information as required by SEC Regulation S-X.

 

 

 

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 118 to 223 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


114

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements continued

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

 

Ordinary
share
capital
£m

Preference
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Merger
reserve
£m

Shares
held
by
employee
trusts
£m

Currency
translation
reserve
£m

Owner-occupied
properties
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Hedging
instruments
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
attributable
to
shareholders
of Aviva
plc
£m

Direct
capital
instrument
£m

Minority
interests
£m

Total
equity
£m

Balance at 1 January

664

200

1,234

3,271

(33)

3,685

157

(711)

(1,103)

113

3,902

11,379

990

2,204

14,573

Profit for the year

1,085

1,085

230

1,315

Other comprehensive income

(1,110)

(26)

1,030

332

(1,071)

(845)

(138)

(983)

Total comprehensive income for the year

(1,110)

(26)

1,030

332

14

240

92

332

Owner-occupied properties

(1)

1

Dividends and appropriations

(853)

(853)

(853)

Issues of share capital

1

1

1

Shares issued in lieu
of dividends

27

(27)

299

299

299

Capital contributions from minority shareholders

6

6

Transfers to minority interests following Delta Lloyd IPO

(351)

(26)

(156)

3

(530)

1,460

930

Minority share of dividends declared
in the year

(109)

(109)

Minority interests in acquired subsidiaries

(2)

(2)

Changes in minority interests in existing subsidiaries

(111)

(111)

Shares acquired by employee trusts

(53)

(53)

(53)

Shares distributed by employee trusts

18

(18)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

56

56

56

Shares issued under equity compensation plans

(60)

60

Aggregate tax effect – shareholder tax (note 10(c))

17

17

17

Balance at 31 December

692

200

1,207

3,271

(68)

2,224

104

163

(771)

109

3,425

10,556

990

3,540

15,086

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 118 to 223 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

115

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements continued

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity continued

For the year ended 31 December 2008

 

 

Ordinary
share
capital
£m

Preference
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Merger
reserve
£m

Shares
held
by
employee
trusts
£m

Currency
translation
reserve
£m

Owner-occupied
properties
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Hedging
instruments
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
attributable
to
shareholders
of Aviva
plc
£m

Direct
capital
instrument
£m

Minority
interests
£m

Total
equity
£m

At 1 January

655

200

1,223

3,271

(10)

432

192

819

(63)

89

6,434

13,242

990

1,795

16,027

Loss for the year

(915)

(915)

30

(885)

Other comprehensive income

3,253

(36)

(1,530)

(1,040)

(836)

(189)

471

282

Total comprehensive income for
the year

3,253

(36)

(1,530)

(1,040)

(1,751)

(1,104)

501

(603)

Owner-occupied properties –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value losses transferred to retained earnings on disposals

1

(1)

Dividends and appropriations

(975)

(975)

(975)

Issues of share capital

2

18

20

20

Shares issued in lieu
of dividends

7

(7)

170

170

170

Capital contributions from minority shareholders

36

36

Minority share of dividends declared
in the year

(106)

(106)

Minority interests in acquired subsidiaries

43

43

Changes in minority interests in existing subsidiaries

(65)

(65)

Shares acquired by employee trusts

(29)

(29)

(29)

Shares distributed by employee trusts

6

(6)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

39

39

39

Shares issued under equity compensation plans

(15)

15

Aggregate tax effect – shareholder tax (note 10(c))

16

16

16

Balance at
31 December

664

200

1,234

3,271

(33)

3,685

157

(711)

(1,103)

113

3,902

11,379

990

2,204

14,573

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 118 to 223 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


116

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements continued

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity continued

For the year ended 31 December 2007

 

 

Ordinary
share
capital
£m

Preference
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Merger
reserve
£m

Shares
held
by
employee
trusts
£m

Currency
translation
reserve
£m

Owner-occupied
properties
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Hedging
instruments
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
attributable
to
shareholders
of Aviva
plc
£m

Direct
capital
instrument
£m

Minority
interests
£m

Total
equity
£m

Balance at 1 January 2007 as reported

641

200

1,189

3,271

(331)

194

979

78

73

5,194

11,488

990

1,267

13,745

Prior year adjustment (see note 2b)

96

96

96

At 1 January 2007 restated

641

200

1,189

3,271

(331)

194

979

78

73

5,290

11,584

990

1,267

13,841

Profit for the year

1,320

1,320

178

1,498

Other comprehensive income

763

23

(160)

(141)

319

804

101

905

Total comprehensive income for
the year

763

23

(160)

(141)

1,639

2,124

279

2,403

Owner-occupied properties –

Fair value gains transferred to retained earnings on disposals

(25)

25

Dividends and appropriations

(871)

(871)

(871)

Issues of share capital

4

44

48

48

Shares issued in lieu
of dividends

10

(10)

301

301

301

Minority share of dividends declared
in the year

(66)

(66)

Minority interests in acquired subsidiaries

315

315

Shares acquired by employee trusts

(10)

(10)

(10)

Shares distributed by employee trusts

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

50

50

50

Shares issued under equity compensation plans

(34)

34

Aggregate tax effect – shareholder tax (note 10(c))

16

16

16

Balance at
31 December

655

200

1,223

3,271

(10)

432

192

819

(63)

89

6,434

13,242

990

1,795

16,027

 

The comparative period for the year ended 31 December 2007 is provided as supplemental information as required by SEC Regulation S-X.

 

 

 

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 118 to 223 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

117

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements continued

 

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at 31 December 2009

 

2009
€m

 

 

Note

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Restated
2007
£m

  

  

Assets

  

  

  

  

3,842

  

Goodwill

M & 13

3,381

3,578

3,082

3,250

  

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

M & 14

2,860

4,038

3,197

1,933

  

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures

C & 15

1,701

1,737

2,576

1,456

  

Interests in, and loans to, associates

C & 16

1,281

1,246

1,206

856

  

Property and equipment

N & 17

753

964

942

14,116

  

Investment property

O & 18

12,422

14,426

15,391

46,681

  

Loans

T & 19

41,079

42,237

36,193

  

  

Financial investments

Q, R & 21

  

  

  

182,398

  

Debt securities

  

160,510

150,398

121,511

49,253

  

Equity securities

  

43,343

43,351

58,829

39,575

  

Other investments

  

34,826

36,511

36,500

271,226

  

  

  

238,679

230,260

216,840

8,605

  

Reinsurance assets

L & 38

7,572

7,894

8,054

248

 

Deferred tax assets

AA & 42b

218

2,642

590

408

  

Current tax assets

42a

359

622

376

10,945

  

Receivables and other financial assets

22

9,632

9,816

8,619

6,388

  

Deferred acquisition costs and other assets

V & 23

5,621

6,147

4,487

4,095

 

Prepayments and accrued income

23d

3,604

3,762

2,986

28,609

  

Cash and cash equivalents

W & 50d

25,176

23,643

15,659

60

  

Assets of operations classified as held for sale

AF & 3d

53

1,550

1,128

402,718

  

Total assets

  

354,391

354,562

321,326

  

  

Equity

  

  

  

  

  

  

Capital

AC

  

  

  

786

 

Ordinary share capital

25

692

664

655

227

 

Preference share capital

28

200

200

200

1,013

  

  

  

892

864

855

  

  

Capital reserves

  

  

  

  

1,372

  

Share premium

25b

1,207

1,234

1,223

3,717

  

Merger reserve

C & 30

3,271

3,271

3,271

5,089

  

  

  

4,478

4,505

4,494

(77)

  

Shares held by employee trusts

27

(68)

(33)

(10)

2,078

  

Other reserves

31

1,829

2,141

1,469

3,892

  

Retained earnings

32

3,425

3,902

6,434

11,995

  

Equity attributable to shareholders of Aviva plc

  

10,556

11,379

13,242

1,125

  

Direct capital instrument

29

990

990

990

4,023

  

Minority interests

33

3,540

2,204

1,795

17,143

  

Total equity

 

15,086

14,573

16,027

  

  

Liabilities

  

  

  

  

194,423

  

Gross insurance liabilities

J & 35

171,092

174,850

152,839

125,017

  

Gross liabilities for investment contracts

K & 36

110,015

107,559

98,244

4,393

  

Unallocated divisible surplus

J & 40

3,866

2,325

6,785

11,243

  

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

C

9,894

6,918

6,409

4,523

  

Provisions

Y, Z & 43

3,980

2,984

1,937

1,180

  

Deferred tax liabilities

AA & 42b

1,038

3,063

2,565

218

  

Current tax liabilities

42a

192

642

1,225

17,045

  

Borrowings

AB & 45

15,000

15,201

12,657

23,343

  

Payables and other financial liabilities

Q & 46

20,542

20,840

18,060

4,152

  

Other liabilities

47

3,653

4,386

3,636

38

  

Liabilities of operations classified as held for sale

AF & 3c

33

1,221

942

385,575

  

Total liabilities

  

339,305

339,989

305,299

402,718

  

Total equity and liabilities

  

354,391

354,562

321,326

 

Approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

Patrick Regan

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 118 to 223 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


118

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Consolidated financial statements continued

 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

The cash flows presented in this statement cover all the Group’s activities and include flows from both policyholder and shareholder activities. All cash and cash equivalents are available for use by the Group.

 

 

Note

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Cash flows from operating activities

50a

  

  

  

Cash generated from operations

  

3,286

8,737

5,272

Tax paid

  

(601)

(642)

(801)

Net cash from operating activities

  

2,685

8,095

4,471

Cash flows from investing activities

  

  

  

  

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, net of cash acquired

50b

(596)

(336)

(769)

Disposals of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, net of cash transferred

50c

1,131

353

283

Purchase of minority interest in subsidiary

  

(65)

New loans to joint ventures and associates

  

(145)

(182)

(126)

Repayment of loans to joint ventures and associates

  

99

52

159

Net repayment loans to joint ventures and associates

15a & 16a

(46)

(130)

33

Purchases of property and equipment

17

(149)

(216)

(227)

Proceeds on sale of property and equipment

  

188

59

93

Purchases of intangible assets

14

(30)

(60)

(48)

Net cash from investing activities

 

498

(395)

(635)

Cash flows from financing activities

  

  

  

  

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares, net of transaction costs

  

1

20

48

Treasury shares purchased for employee trusts

  

(53)

(29)

(10)

New borrowings drawn down, net expenses

  

4,260

5,515

6,322

Repayment of borrowings

  

(3,853)

(5,217)

(6,000)

Net drawdown of borrowings

45e

407

298

322

Interest paid on borrowings

  

(1,199)

(1,537)

(1,208)

Preference dividends paid

  

(17)

(17)

(17)

Ordinary dividends paid

  

(476)

(732)

(500)

Coupon payments on direct capital instrument

  

(61)

(56)

(53)

Finance lease payments

  

(14)

(7)

Capital contributions from minority shareholders

  

6

36

307

Dividends paid to minority interests of subsidiaries

  

(109)

(106)

(66)

Net cash from financing activities

  

(1,501)

(2,137)

(1,184)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  

1,682

5,563

2,652

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

  

23,531

15,134

11,901

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  

(962)

2,834

581

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

50d

24,251

23,531

15,134

 

Of the total cash and cash equivalents, £nil was classified as held for sale (2008: £493 million; 2007: £96 million).

The comparative period for the year ended 31 December 2007 is provided as supplemental information as required by SEC Regulation S-X.

 

 

The accounting policies (identified alphabetically) on pages 99 to 111 and notes (identified numerically) on pages 118 to 223 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


119

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated
financial statements

 

1 – Exchange rates

The Group’s principal overseas operations during the year were located within the Eurozone and the United States. The results and cash flows of these operations have been translated into sterling at an average rate for the year of €1 = £0.88 (2008: €1 = £0.80) and £1 = US$1.57 (2008: £1= US$1.85). Assets and liabilities have been translated at the year end rate of €1 = £0.88 (2008: €1 = £0.97) and £1 = US$1.61 (2008: £1= US$1.44).

Total foreign currency movements during 2009 resulted in a gain recognised in the income statement of £154 million (2008: £327 million loss).

2 – Presentation changes

(a) Changes to presentation

(i) The Group has also adopted Amendments to IFRS 7, Improving Disclosures about Financial Instruments, as of 1 January 2009. The principal impact of these amendments is to require the following additional disclosures:

(a) An analysis of financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of inputs used in making the fair value measurements.

(b) An analysis of transfers of financial assets and liabilities between different levels of the fair value hierarchy.

(c) A reconciliation from beginning to end of period of financial assets and liabilities whose fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

(d) An enhanced discussion and analysis of liquidity risk, including a maturity analysis of financial assets held for managing liquidity risk, if that information is necessary to enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the nature and extent of liquidity risk.

Comparative information for the disclosures required by the IFRS 7 amendments is not needed in the first year of application. However, the Group has provided comparatives for the analysis of financial assets according to a fair value hierarchy, which we had previously reported.

 

(ii) As explained in note 3(c), the Group completed the Initial Public Offering (‘IPO’) of its subsidiary, Delta Lloyd NV (‘Delta Lloyd’), in November 2009. Although the Group has remained the majority shareholder after the IPO, Delta Lloyd is now managed separately from our other European operations, reflecting the change in shareholder base. For this reason, the segmental information given in note 4(a) has been modified to show Delta Lloyd and the Aviva Europe operations separately, with comparatives analysed in the same way for consistency.

(b) Restatement of prior year figures

During 2009, the Group’s Dutch subsidiary, Delta Lloyd, carried out a review of the way it had been applying IAS 19, Employee Benefits, in its own financial statements where the corridor method of smoothing actuarial gains and losses in its pension schemes is followed; in accounting for its self-insured pension obligations and intercompany eliminations; and in its reporting to Group where the corridor accounting is reversed. The review concluded that errors had been made locally in applying IAS 19 on the transition to IFRS and in subsequent years, such that gains on certain assets had been reported in provisions, to be released over time, rather than through other comprehensive income. The impact of correcting these errors in the comparatives is to reduce other liabilities by £129 million, increase deferred tax liabilities by £33 million and increase retained earnings at that date by £96 million.

3 – Subsidiaries

This note provides details of the acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries that the Group has made during the year, together with details of businesses held for sale at the year end. The principal Group subsidiaries are listed on pages 16 to 17.

(a) Acquisitions

(i) Material acquisitions

There were no material acquisitions in the year ended 31 December 2009.

(ii) Other goodwill arising

As disclosed in the 2008 financial statements, on 30 June 2008 the Group acquired Swiss Life Belgium ('SLB'). At 30 June 2009, the fair values of the assets and liabilities were updated from their provisional values to reflect decreases in the value of acquired in-force business and deferred acquisition costs, and increases in insurance and investment contract liabilities. This has given rise to an increase in goodwill of €72 million (£64 million) to €132 million (£117 million).

Other goodwill of £5 million has arisen on smaller acquisitions and increases in shareholdings in existing subsidiaries, together with a £16 million reduction for changes in contingent consideration payable on previous acquisitions. None of these is considered material for separate disclosure.

 


120

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

3 – Subsidiaries continued

(iii) Non-adjusting subsequent events

Acquisition of River Road Asset Management

On 5 January 2010, the Group announced that it had agreed to acquire 100% of River Road Asset Management, a US equity manager, to support the expansion of Aviva Investors’ third party institutional asset management business. Completion took place on 24 February 2010 for an estimated total consideration of £79 million (US$122 million), of which £37 million (US$57 million) was paid in cash on completion. The balance comprises contingent consideration.

The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Group to pay amounts over the next five years, based on a multiple of the earnings during that period, up to a maximum total purchase price of £70 million (US$108 million). The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Group could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is between £26 million (US$41 million) and £53 million (US$82 million).

In view of the recent timing of this transaction, accounting for this acquisition is not yet complete and it is currently impractical to comply with the requirements of IFRS 3, Business Combinations and to state with any certainty the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, and therefore to estimate the goodwill arising on the transaction.


Acquisition of PT Asuransi Winterthur Life Indonesia

On 18 March 2010 we announced our entry into the Indonesian insurance market through the acquisition of a 60% stake in PT Asuransi Winterthur Life Indonesia. This agreement is subject to approval by the Indonesian regulators.

(b) Disposal of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates

The profit on the disposal of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates comprises:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

United Kingdom

(38)

(7)

Turkey

71

Netherlands (see (i) below)

31

Australia (see (ii) below)

122

Offshore operations

14

Other small operations

31

(15)

Profit on disposal before tax

153

7

49

Tax on profit on disposal

3

Profit on disposal after tax

153

7

53

(i) Dutch health insurance business

On 1 January 2009, the Group’s Dutch subsidiary, Delta Lloyd, sold its health insurance business to OWM CZ Groep Zorgverkeraar UA (“CZ”), a mutual health insurer, for £246 million, realising a profit of £31 million, calculated as shown below. Under the terms of the agreement, CZ purchased the Delta Lloyd health insurance business and took on its underwriting risk and policy administration. Delta Lloyd continues to market and distribute health insurance products from CZ to its existing customers and continues to provide asset management for the transferred business. Delta Lloyd also has exclusive rights to market life, general insurance and income protection products to CZ’s customers.

 

 

£m

Assets

  

Investments and property and equipment

396

Receivables and other financial assets

359

Prepayments and accrued income

158

Cash and cash equivalents

483

Total assets

1,396

Liabilities

  

Gross insurance liabilities

(709)

Pension obligations and other provisions

(7)

Other liabilities

(467)

Total liabilities

(1,183)

Net assets disposed of

213

Cash consideration

246

Less: transaction costs

(2)

Total consideration

244

Profit on disposal before tax

31

 


 

121

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

3 – Subsidiaries continued

(ii) Australian life and pensions business

On 1 October 2009, the Group sold its Australian life and pensions business and wealth management platform to National Australia Bank for cash of A$902 million (£443 million). The total sale proceeds were fixed by reference to the net assets of the businesses at 31 December 2008, adjusted to reflect the results in the period from 1 January 2009 to completion. The profit on disposal of these wholly-owned subsidiaries was £122 million, calculated as follows:

 

 

£m

Assets

  

Goodwill and intangible assets

1

Investments and property and equipment

2,530

Receivables and other financial assets

60

Deferred acquisition costs and other assets

20

Tax assets

26

Cash and cash equivalents

175

Total assets

2,812

Liabilities

  

Gross insurance liabilities and liabilities for investment contracts

(2,083)

Payables and financial liabilities

(59)

Other liabilities

(249)

Tax liabilities and other provisions

(45)

Total liabilities

(2,436)

Net assets disposed of

376

Cash consideration*

443

Less: transaction costs

(16)

Less: other costs of disposal**

(25)

Total consideration

402

Transfer from currency translation reserve

96

Profit on disposal before tax

122

*

The Group hedged its exposure to A$900 million of the sale proceeds through the purchase of foreign currency forward contracts.

**

Other costs of disposal have arisen from the agreement of a call option to purchase the shares of an associate of the Australian businesses in 2010.

(iii) UK non-core operations

On 11 February 2009, the Group sold The British School of Motoring Limited and its subsidiaries to Arques Consulting GmbH for a consideration of £4 million. The resultant loss on disposal of £9 million was provided for in the 2008 financial statements.

(iv) Non-adjusting subsequent event

On 17 February 2010, the Group sold its 35% holding in Sogessur SA to that company’s main shareholder, Société Générale, for a consideration of £35 million, realising a profit on disposal of £24 million.

(c) Listing of minority shareholding in Delta Lloyd

On 3 November 2009, Aviva plc and Delta Lloyd completed the Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) of Delta Lloyd, which commenced trading on Euronext Amsterdam on that date. The IPO consisted of a public offering to institutional and retail investors of Delta Lloyd’s ordinary shares, including the over-allotment option (also referred to as a “greenshoe”) taken up on 24 November 2009. The Group has remained the majority shareholder after the IPO, retaining 58% of the ordinary share capital in Delta Lloyd. The transaction has been treated as an equity transaction with minorities, resulting in the following transfers between reserves:

 

Transfers (from)/to

£m

Currency translation reserve (note 31)

(351)

Owner-occupied property reserve (note 31)

(26)

Investment valuation reserve (note 31)

(156)

Retained earnings (note 32)

3

Minority interests (note 33)

1,460

Net cash proceeds

930

 

(d) Operations and assets classified as held for sale

Assets held for sale as at 31 December 2009 comprise:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Property and equipment held for sale (see (i) below)

102

Assets of operations classified as held for sale (see (ii) below)

53

1,448

1,128

Total assets classified as held for sale

53

1,550

1,128

(i) Property and equipment held for sale

Property and equipment held for sale at 31 December 2008 related to the UK data centres which were sold during 2009.

 


122

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

3 – Subsidiaries continued

(ii) Assets and liabilities of operations classified as held for sale

The assets and liabilities of operations classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2009 relate to RAC France and an Australian associate, and are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Goodwill and intangible assets

14

Investments and property and equipment

32

396

316

Receivables and other financial assets

20

386

554

Deferred acquisition costs and other assets

1

Prepayments and accrued income

1

158

145

Tax assets

17

Cash and cash equivalents

493

96

Total assets

53

1,448

1,128

Gross insurance liabilities

(20)

(709)

(627)

Borrowings

(12)

Payables and financial liabilities

(22)

(72)

Other liabilities

(13)

(478)

(220)

Tax liabilities and other provisions

(12)

(11)

Total liabilities

(33)

(1,221)

(942)

Net assets

20

227

186

 

On 2 December 2009, the Group announced that it had agreed to sell RAC France SA to its existing management team. The sale remains subject to regulatory approval and, as a result, the assets and liabilities of the business have been classified as held for sale, at their carrying values, in the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2009.

The operations disclosed as held for sale at 31 December 2008 comprised the Dutch health insurance business and certain UK non-core operations, both of which were sold during 2009. Details are given in section (b) above.

 

4 – Segmental information

The Group’s results can be segmented, either by activity or by geography. Our primary reporting format is on regional reporting lines, with supplementary information being given by business activity. This note provides segmental information on the consolidated income statement and statement of financial position.

(a) Operating segments

The Group has determined its operating segments along regional lines. These reflect the management structure whereby a member of the Executive Management team is accountable to the Group Chief Executive for the operating segment for which he is responsible. The activities of each operating segment are described below:

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom comprises two operating segments – UK Life and UK General Insurance (UK GI). The principal activities of UK Life are life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pensions and annuity business, whilst UK GI provides insurance cover to individuals and to small and medium-sized businesses, for risks associated mainly with motor vehicles, property and liability, such as employers’ liability and professional indemnity liability, and medical expenses. UK GI also includes the RAC motor recovery business, the group reinsurance result and the results of run off agency business.

Aviva Europe

Activities reported in the Aviva Europe operating segment exclude operations in the UK and include those in Russia and Turkey. Principal activities are long-term business in France, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Spain, and general insurance in France, Ireland and Italy.

Delta Lloyd

The activities of Delta Lloyd comprise long-term business operations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and general insurance, fund management and banking operations in the Netherlands.

North America

Our activities in North America principally comprise our long-term business operations in the US and general insurance business operation in Canada.

Asia Pacific

Our activities in Asia Pacific principally comprise our long-term business operations in Australia (prior to its sale on 1 October 2009), China, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors operates in most of the regions in which the Group operates, in particular the UK, France, the US and Canada and other international businesses, managing policyholders’ and shareholders’ invested funds, providing investment management services for institutional pension fund mandates and managing a range of retail investment products, including investment funds, unit trusts, OEICs and ISAs. Fund management activities of Delta Lloyd are included in the separate operating segment above.

 

 


 

123

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

Other Group activities

Investment return on centrally held assets and head office expenses, such as Group treasury and finance functions, together with certain taxes and financing costs arising on central borrowings are included in “Other Group activities”. Similarly, central core structural borrowings and certain tax balances are included in “Other Group activities” in the segmental statement of financial position. Also included here are consolidation and elimination adjustments.

Measurement basis

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those for the Group as a whole. Any transactions between the business segments are on normal commercial terms and market conditions. The Group evaluates performance of operating segments on the basis of:

(i)

profit or loss from operations before tax attributable to shareholders.

(ii)

profit or loss from operations before tax attributable to shareholders, adjusted for non-operating items outside the segment management’s control, including investment market performance and fiscal policy changes.

(i) Segmental income statement for the year ended 31 December 2009

 

 

United Kingdom

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life
£m

GI#
£m

Aviva
Europe
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

North
America
£m

Asia
Pacific
£m

Aviva
Investors
£m

Other
Group
activities
£m

Total
£m

Gross written premiums

6,086

4,239

12,936

4,482

6,413

534

34,690

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(1,311)

(355)

(468)

(134)

(231)

(77)

(2,576)

Internal reinsurance revenue

28

(13)

(7)

(6)

(2)

Net written premiums

4,775

3,912

12,455

4,341

6,176

455

32,114

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

2

607

(16)

6

(35)

(5)

559

Net earned premiums

4,777

4,519

12,439

4,347

6,141

450

32,673

Fee and commission income

261

272

558

226

55

121

296

1,789

 

5,038

4,791

12,997

4,573

6,196

571

296

34,462

Net investment income

8,199

553

10,184

3,172

2,242

586

157

(121)

24,972

Inter-segment revenue

202

202

Share of loss of joint ventures and associates

(416)

(36)

(41)

(11)

(504)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

31

122

153

Segmental income*

12,821

5,344

23,145

7,735

8,438

1,268

655

(121)

59,285

Claims and benefits paid,
net of recoveries from reinsurers


(7,313)


(3,409)


(8,871)


(3,567)


(4,110)


(279)




(27,549)

Change in insurance liabilities,
net of reinsurance


663


531


(2,321)


(1,448)


(2,895)


(212)




(5,682)

Change in investment contract provisions

(4,008)

(6,451)

(239)

(128)

(148)

(211)

(11,185)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

872

(2,280)

(68)

(71)

(1,547)

Amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and acquired
value of in-force business


(46)



(47)


(3)


(149)


(4)




(249)

Depreciation and other amortisation expense

(45)

(72)

(60)

(35)

(77)

(6)

(5)

(300)

Other operating expenses

(1,804)

(1,893)

(2,107)

(1,248)

(653)

(246)

(348)

(306)

(8,605)

Impairment losses**

(42)

(17)

(445)

(104)

(608)

Inter-segment expenses

(119)

(6)

(15)

(60)

(1)

(1)

(202)

Finance costs

(254)

(19)

(13)

(672)

(18)

(360)

(1,336)

Segmental expenses

(12,054)

(4,910)

(22,182)

(7,725)

(8,194)

(967)

(564)

(667)

(57,263)

Profit/(loss) before tax

767

434

963

10

244

301

91

(788)

2,022

Tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

(156)

(32)

(29)

(217)

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders

611

434

931

10

244

272

91

(788)

1,805

*

Total reported income, excluding inter-segment revenue, is split United Kingdom £18,165 million, France £12,890 million, Netherlands £7,335 million, USA £6,350 million and Rest of the World £14,545 million. Income is attributed on the basis of geographical origin which does not materially differ from revenue by geographical destination, as most risks are located in the countries where the contracts were written.

**

Impairment losses, and reversal of such losses, recognised directly in other comprehensive income were £482 million and £nil respectively.

#

United Kingdom General Insurance includes the Group Reinsurance business, agency run off business and the non-insurance business for the RAC.

 

 


124

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(ii) Segmental income statement for the year ended 31 December 2008

 

 

United Kingdom

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life
£m

GI#
£m

Aviva
Europe
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

North
America
£m

Asia
Pacific
£m

Aviva
Investors
£m

Other
Group
activities
£m

Total
£m

Gross written premiums

8,108

5,496

9,550

5,979

6,486

587

36,206

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(612)

(498)

(350)

(92)

(214)

(75)

(1,841)

Internal reinsurance revenue

26

(17)

(4)

(4)

(1)

Net written premiums

7,496

5,024

9,183

5,883

6,268

511

34,365

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

6

344

(3)

(18)

(50)

(2)

277

Net earned premiums

7,502

5,368

9,180

5,865

6,218

509

34,642

Fee and commission income

310

362

505

206

40

168

294

1,885

 

7,812

5,730

9,685

6,071

6,258

677

294

36,527

Net investment income

(8,844)

326

(7,820)

1,652

444

(626)

(407)

(768)

(16,043)

Inter-segment revenue

203

203

Share of loss of joint ventures and associates

(1,058)

(11)

(27)

(32)

(1,128)

Profit/(loss) on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

(38)

9

15

21

7

Segmental income*

(2,090)

6,018

1,863

7,711

6,702

19

90

(747)

19,566

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

(8,620)

(3,944)

(9,280)

(4,131)

(2,912)

(464)

(2)

(29,353)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

2,674

280

4,253

(844)

(2,774)

296

3,885

Change in investment contract provisions

7,240

2,643

122

(126)

401

349

10,629

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

2,151

2,301

30

4,482

Amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and acquired
value of in-force business

(39)


(5)

(285)

(4)

(333)

Depreciation and other amortisation expense

(70)

(108)

(43)

(77)

(51)

(5)

(5)

(359)

Other operating expenses

(1,787)

(2,599)

(1,444)

(1,526)

(633)

(296)

(362)

552

(8,095)

Impairment losses**

(26)

(17)

(797)

(200)

(1,040)

Inter-segment expenses

(137)

(2)

(18)

(42)

(3)

(1)

(203)

Finance costs

(541)

(10)

(20)

(683)

(17)

(276)

(1,547)

Segmental expenses

910

(6,409)

(1,664)

(7,911)

(7,040)

(75)

(18)

273

(21,934)

(Loss)/profit before tax

(1,180)

(391)

199

(200)

(338)

(56)

72

(474)

(2,368)

Tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

1,031

49

(12)

1,068

(Loss)/profit before tax attributable to shareholders

(149)

(391)

248

(200)

(338)

(68)

72

(474)

(1,300)

*

Total reported income, excluding inter-segment revenue, is split United Kingdom £3,928 million, France £1,005 million, Netherlands £7,711 million, USA £4,954 million and Rest of the World £1,968 million. Income is attributed on the basis of geographical origin which does not materially differ from revenue by geographical destination, as most risks are located in the countries where the contracts were written.

**

Impairment losses, and reversal of such losses, recognised directly in other comprehensive income were £830 million and £nil respectively.

#

United Kingdom General Insurance includes the Group Reinsurance business, agency run off business and the non-insurance business for the RAC.

 

 


 

125

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(iii) Segmental income statement for the year ended 31 December 2007

 

 

United Kingdom

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK
£m

GI#
£m

Aviva
Europe
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

North
America
£m

Asia
Pacific

£m

Aviva
Investors
£m

Other
Group activities
£m

Total
£m

Gross written premiums

6,128

6,039

8,975

4,563

4,628

658

30,991

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(444)

(577)

(262)

(126)

(195)

(54)

(1,658)

Internal reinsurance revenue

28

(15)

(4)

(7)

(2)

Net written premiums

5,684

5,490

8,698

4,433

4,426

602

29,333

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

(18)

60

(29)

7

(40)

(1)

(21)

Net earned premiums

5,666

5,550

8,669

4,440

4,386

601

29,312

Fee and commission income

246

385

436

202

30

168

299

(6)

1,760

 

5,912

5,935

9,105

4,642

4,416

769

299

(6)

31,072

Net investment income

5,186

699

1,422

1,339

875

286

(15)

(103)

9,689

Inter-segment revenue

199

199

Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates

(304)

3

8

(2)

(9)

(304)

Profit/(loss) on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

(7)

(5)

61

49

Segmental income*

10,794

6,630

10,530

5,979

5,291

1,046

483

(48)

40,705

Claims and benefits paid, net
of recoveries from reinsurers

(9,000)

(4,064)

(7,518)

(3,674)

(2,486)

(377)

(2)

(27,121)

Change in insurance liabilities,
net of reinsurance

(729)

417

(659)

(290)

(1,920)

(327)

(3,508)

Change in investment contract provisions

(694)

(1,109)

18

(153)

(35)

(45)

(2,018)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

1,882

994

46

2,922

Amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and acquired value of in-force business

(30)

(5)

(122)

(3)

(160)

Depreciation and other amortisation expense

(24)

(104)

(29)

(24)

(45)

(6)

(17)

(249)

Other operating expenses

(1,110)

(2,723)

(1,314)

(1,004)

(545)

(251)

(289)

(15)

(7,251)

Impairment losses**

2

(52)

(7)

(57)

Inter-segment expenses

(141)

(4)

(18)

(32)

(3)

(1)

(199)

Finance costs

(405)

(10)

(19)

(508)

(19)

(256)

(1,217)

Segmental expenses

(10,221)

(6,488)

(9,700)

(5,493)

(5,329)

(1,002)

(351)

(274)

(38,858)

Profit/(loss) before tax

573

142

830

486

(38)

44

132

(322)

1,847

Tax attributable to policyholders’ returns

(9)

6

(9)

(3)

(15)

(Loss)/profit before tax attributable to shareholders

564

142

836

486

(38)

35

129

(322)

1,832

*

Total reported income, excluding inter-segment revenue, is split United Kingdom £17,424 million, France £5,731 million, Netherlands £5,922 million, USA £3,777 million and Rest of the World £7,853 million. Income is attributed on the basis of geographical origin which does not materially differ from revenue by geographical destination, as most risks are located in the countries where the contracts were written.

**

Impairments losses, and reversal of such losses, recognised directly in other comprehensive income were £nil and £1 million.

#

United Kingdom General Insurance includes the Group Reinsurance business, agency run off business and the non-insurance business for the RAC.

 

 


126

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(iii) Segmental statement of financial position as at 31 December 2009

 

 

United Kingdom

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life
£m

GI
£m

Aviva
Europe
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

North
America
£m

Asia
Pacific
£m

Aviva
Investors
£m

Other
Group
activities
£m

Total
£m

Goodwill

31

1,208

959

319

812

50

2

3,381

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

17

249

1,190

71

1,302

19

12

2,860

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures and associates

1,957

348

379

2

277

15

4

2,982

Property and equipment

112

127

105

282

111

5

10

1

753

Investment property

7,369

89

1,342

2,183

6

698

735

12,422

Loans

18,348

600

992

18,797

2,177

35

5

125

41,079

Financial investments

73,788

2,477

95,086

32,009

27,371

2,169

1,095

4,684

238,679

Deferred acquisition costs

1,313

717

732

198

2,348

8

5,316

Other assets

14,942

3,847

19,169

4,364

3,030

379

654

534

46,919

Total assets

117,877

9,314

119,923

58,602

37,159

2,942

2,491

6,083

354,391

Insurance liabilities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Long-term business and outstanding claims provisions

62,043

5,410

38,422

30,818

27,201

2,062

165,956

Unearned premiums

173

2,240

956

347

1,040

25

4,781

Other insurance liabilities

79

116

63

98

(1)

355

Liability for investment contracts

39,322

62,477

3,335

2,911

1,970

110,015

Unallocated divisible surplus

1,849

1,787

150

80

3,866

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

875

5,257

721

3,041

9,894

External borrowings

2,518

10

141

6,830

183

5,318

15,000

Other liabilities, including inter-segment liabilities

6,668

(585)

4,282

12,529

2,450

140

320

3,634

29,438

Total liabilities

113,448

7,154

113,438

54,793

33,883

2,306

2,290

11,993

339,305

Total equity

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

15,086

Total equity and liabilities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

354,391

Capital expenditure (excluding business combinations)

38

23

40

24

65

3

4

197

 

External borrowings by holding companies within the Group which are not allocated to operating companies are included in “Other Group activities”.

(iv) Segmental statement of financial position as at 31 December 2008

 

 

United Kingdom

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life
£m

GI
£m

Aviva
Europe
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

North
America
£m

Asia
Pacific
£m

Aviva
Investors
£m

Other
Group
activities
£m

Restated
Total
£m

Goodwill

52

1,208

1,078

279

903

55

3

3,578

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

65

265

1,355

115

2,196

28

14

4,038

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures and associates

2,080

414

190

2

296

1

2,983

Property and equipment

123

173

153

366

106

32

10

1

964

Investment property

8,872

148

1,632

2,288

7

21

655

803

14,426

Loans

20,156

833

1,142

17,919

2,130

56

1

42,237

Financial investments

69,060

2,501

92,331

33,393

24,621

3,865

1,454

3,035

230,260

Deferred acquisition costs

1,221

994

855

225

2,626

40

3

1

5,965

Other assets

13,925

4,956

17,255

6,391

5,538

630

661

755

50,111

Total assets

115,554

11,078

116,215

61,166

38,129

5,023

2,801

4,596

354,562

Insurance liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term business and outstanding claims provisions

62,070

6,103

39,666

32,798

26,939

2,120

169,696

Unearned premiums

173

2,966

287

383

959

22

4,790

Other insurance liabilities

91

106

76

91

364

Liability for investment contracts

35,109

61,890

3,216

3,403

1,643

2,298

107,559

Unallocated divisible surplus

2,727

(548)

143

3

2,325

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

986

2,713

591

175

2,453

6,918

External borrowings

2,716

11

184

6,786

163

5,341

15,201

Other liabilities, including inter-segment liabilities

8,164

(972)

4,707

13,801

4,041

190

324

2,881

33,136

Total liabilities

111,945

8,199

109,005

57,794

35,596

4,153

2,622

10,675

339,989

Total equity

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

14,573

Total equity and liabilities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

354,562

Capital expenditure (excluding business combinations)

36

93

40

32

70

4

5

280

 

 


 

127

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(v) Segmental statement of financial position as at 31 December 2007

 

 

United Kingdom

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life
£m

GI
£m

Aviva
Europe
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

North
America
£m

Asia
Pacific
£m

Aviva
Investors
£m

Other
Group
activities
£m

Restated
Total
£m

Goodwill

71

1,276

841

212

642

40

3,082

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

65

349

1,073

91

1,579

28

12

3,197

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures and associates

2,972

342

252

1

215

3,782

Property and equipment

177

317

110

264

28

37

7

2

942

Investment property

10,415

252

1,469

1,592

25

966

672

15,391

Loans

20,153

900

807

13,088

1,206

39

36,193

Financial investments

83,504

3,714

77,984

25,677

17,227

3,934

1,993

2,807

216,840

Deferred acquisition costs

1,477

1,188

658

124

828

42

4

4,321

Other assets

10,520

5,146

12,645

3,342

2,806

503

667

1,949

37,578

Total assets

129,354

13,142

95,929

44,642

24,317

4,863

3,649

5,430

321,326

Insurance liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term business and outstanding claims provisions

65,017

6,429

33,394

23,111

17,335

1,820

147,106

Unearned premiums

179

3,468

700

273

815

15

5,450

Other insurance liabilities

92

22

91

78

283

Liability for investment contracts

41,845

47,517

2,034

1,756

1,952

3,140

98,244

Unallocated divisible surplus

4,944

1,702

136

3

6,785

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

758

1,567

1,113

189

2,782

6,409

External borrowings

2,184

12

132

6,021

133

6

4,169

12,657

Other liabilities, including inter-segment liabilities

10,474

(320)

4,060

8,973

1,615

160

294

3,109

28,365

Total liabilities

125,401

9,681

89,094

41,752

21,732

4,139

3,440

10,060

305,299

Total equity

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

16,027

Total equity and liabilities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

321,326

Capital expenditure (excluding business combinations)

30

140

56

50

10

5

6

2

299

(b) Further analysis by products and services

The Group’s results can be further analysed by products and services which comprise long-term business, general insurance and health, fund management and other activities.

Long-term business

Our long-term business comprises life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pensions and annuity business written by our life insurance subsidiaries, including managed pension fund business and our share of the other life and related business written in our associates and joint ventures, as well as lifetime mortgage business written in the UK.

General insurance and health

Our general insurance and health business provides insurance cover to individuals and to small and medium sized businesses, for risks associated mainly with motor vehicles, property and liability, such as employers’ liability and professional indemnity liability, and medical expenses.

Fund management

Our fund management business invests policyholders’ and shareholders’ funds, provides investment management services for institutional pension fund mandates and manages a range of retail investment products, including investment funds, unit trusts, OEICs and ISAs. Clients include Aviva Group businesses and third-party financial institutions, pension funds, public sector organisations, investment professionals and private investors.

Other

Other includes the RAC non-insurance operations, our banking businesses, service companies, head office expenses, such as Group treasury and finance functions, and certain financing costs and taxes not allocated to business segments.


128

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(i) Segmental income statement – products and services for the year ended 31 December 2009

 

 

Long-term
business
£m

General
insurance
and
health**
£m

Fund
management
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Gross written premiums*

24,722

9,968

34,690

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(1,801)

(775)

(2,576)

Net written premiums

22,921

9,193

32,114

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

559

559

Net earned premiums

22,921

9,752

32,673

Fee and commission income

703

131

548

407

1,789

 

23,624

9,883

548

407

34,462

Net investment income

23,126

1,272

6

568

24,972

Inter-segment revenue

189

189

Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures and associates

(449)

2

(16)

(41)

(504)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

(4)

157

153

Segmental income

46,297

11,157

727

1,091

59,272

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

(20,442)

(7,107)

(27,549)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

(6,229)

547

(5,682)

Change in investment contract provisions

(11,185)

(11,185)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

(1,547)

(1,547)

Amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and acquired value of in-force business

(249)

(249)

Depreciation and other amortisation expense

(147)

(53)

(7)

(93)

(300)

Other operating expenses

(3,192)

(3,465)

(554)

(1,394)

(8,605)

Impairment losses

(429)

(85)

(94)

(608)

Inter-segment expenses

(178)

(11)

(189)

Finance costs

(278)

(24)

(58)

(976)

(1,336)

Segmental expenses

(43,876)

(10,198)

(619)

(2,557)

(57,250)

Tax attributable to policyholder returns

(217)

(217)

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders

2,204

959

108

(1,466)

1,805

*

Gross written premiums includes inward reinsurance premiums assumed from other companies amounting to £207 million, of which £51 million relates to property and liability insurance and £156 million relates to long-term business.

**

General insurance and health business segment includes gross written premiums of £841 million relating to health business. The remaining business relates to property and liability insurance.

 

(ii) Segmental income statement – products and services for the year ended 31 December 2008

 

 

Long-term
business
£m

General
Insurance

health**
£m

Fund
management
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Gross written premiums*

24,272

11,934

36,206

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(1,044)

(797)

(1,841)

Net written premiums

23,228

11,137

34,365

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

277

277

Net earned premiums

23,228

11,414

34,642

Fee and commission income

753

160

567

405

1,885

 

23,981

11,574

567

405

36,527

Net investment (expense)/income

(16,671)

425

3

200

(16,043)

Inter-segment revenue

185

185

Share of loss of joint ventures and associates

(1,089)

(5)

(12)

(22)

(1,128)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

7

7

Segmental income

6,221

11,994

743

590

19,548

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

(21,024)

(8,329)

(29,353)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

3,560

325

3,885

Change in investment contract provisions

10,629

10,629

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

4,482

4,482

Amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and acquired value of in-force business

(333)

(333)

Depreciation and other amortisation expense

(159)

(49)

(6)

(145)

(359)

Other operating expenses

(3,194)

(3,914)

(599)

(388)

(8,095)

Impairment losses

(796)

(123)

(121)

(1,040)

Inter-segment expenses

(167)

(8)

(10)

(185)

Finance costs

(530)

(2)

(57)

(958)

(1,547)

Segmental expenses

(7,532)

(12,100)

(662)

(1,622)

(21,916)

Tax attributable to policyholder returns

1,068

1,068

(Loss)/profit before tax attributable to shareholders

(243)

(106)

81

(1,032)

(1,300)

 

*

Gross written premiums includes inward reinsurance premiums assumed from other companies amounting to £255 million, of which £89 million relates to property and liability insurance, £131 million to long-term business and the remainder to health business.

**

General insurance and health business segment includes gross written premiums of £1,924 million and premiums ceded to other companies of £35 million relating to health business. The remaining business relates to property and liability insurance.

 


 

129

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(iii) Segmental income statement – products and services for the year ended 31 December 2007

 

 

Long-term
business
£m

General
Insurance
and
health**
£m

Fund
management
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Gross written premiums*

19,622

11,369

30,991

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(858)

(800)

(1,658)

Net written premiums

18,764

10,569

29,333

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

(21)

(21)

Net earned premiums

18,764

10,548

29,312

Fee and commission income

692

179

494

395

1,760

 

19,456

10,727

494

395

31,072

Net investment (expense)/income

8,529

827

45

288

9,689

Inter-segment revenue

152

152

Share of loss of joint ventures and associates

(297)

3

(9)

(1)

(304)

Profit on the disposal of subsidiaries and associates

(7)

56

49

Segmental income

27,688

11,550

682

738

40,658

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

(19,640)

(7,481)

(27,121)

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

(3,900)

392

(3,508)

Change in investment contract provisions

(2,018)

(2,018)

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

2,922

2,922

Amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and acquired value of in-force business

(160)

(160)

Depreciation and other amortisation expense

(94)

(32)

(17)

(106)

(249)

Other operating expenses

(2,527)

(3,695)

(480)

(549)

(7,251)

Impairment losses

(45)

(10)

(2)

(57)

Inter-segment expenses

(140)

(11)

(1)

(152)

Finance costs

(537)

(6)

(24)

(650)

(1,217)

Segmental expenses

(26,139)

(10,843)

(521)

(1,308)

(38,811)

Tax attributable to policyholder returns

(15)

(15)

(Loss)/profit before tax attributable to shareholders

1,534

707

161

(570)

1,832

 

(iv) Segmental statement of financial position – products and services as at 31 December 2009

 

 

Long-
term
business
£m

General
insurance
and
health
£m

Fund
management
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Goodwill

1,616

462

2

1,301

3,381

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

2,396

382

12

70

2,860

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures and associates

2,851

5

44

82

2,982

Property and equipment

397

48

12

296

753

Investment property

11,138

191

1,093

12,422

Loans

26,915

769

5

13,390

41,079

Financial investments

220,660

11,548

65

6,406

238,679

Deferred acquisition costs

4,069

1,227

20

5,316

Other assets

38,469

7,014

523

913

46,919

Total assets

308,511

21,646

683

23,551

354,391

Gross insurance liabilities

153,628

17,464

171,092

Gross liabilities for investment contracts

110,015

110,015

Unallocated divisible surplus

3,866

3,866

Net asset value attributable to unit holders

6,841

13

3,040

9,894

Borrowings

3,780

89

11,131

15,000

Other liabilities, including inter-segment liabilities

13,064

(606)

414

16,566

29,438

Total liabilities

291,194

16,960

414

30,737

339,305

Total equity

  

  

  

  

15,086

Total equity and liabilities

  

  

  

  

354,391

 


130

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

4 – Segmental information continued

(v) Segmental statement of financial position – products and services as at 31 December 2008

 

 

Long-
term
business
£m

General
insurance
and
health
£m

Fund
management
£m

Other
£m

Restated
Total
£m

Goodwill

1,827

477

3

1,271

3,578

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

3,542

402

14

80

4,038

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures and associates

2,810

4

44

125

2,983

Property and equipment

507

118

13

326

964

Investment property

12,953

278

1,195

14,426

Loans

28,916

914

1

12,406

42,237

Financial investments

213,379

11,632

73

5,176

230,260

Deferred acquisition costs

4,455

1,489

21

5,965

Other assets

39,539

9,876

563

133

50,111

Total assets

307,928

25,190

732

20,712

354,562

Gross insurance liabilities

155,693

19,157

174,850

Gross liabilities for investment contracts

107,559

107,559

Unallocated divisible surplus

2,325

2,325

Net asset value attributable to unit holders

4,449

16

2,453

6,918

Borrowings

4,368

10,833

15,201

Other liabilities, including inter-segment liabilities

16,953

379

392

15,412

33,136

Total liabilities

291,347

19,552

392

28,698

339,989

Total equity

  

  

  

  

14,573

Total equity and liabilities

  

  

  

  

354,562

 

(v) Segmental statement of financial position – products and services as at 31 December 2007

 

 

Long-
term
business
£m

General
insurance
and
health
£m

Fund
management
£m

Other
£m

Restated
Total
£m

Goodwill

1,414

418

3

1,247

3,082

Acquired value of in-force business and intangible assets

2,628

424

12

133

3,197

Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures and associates

3,509

4

47

222

3,782

Property and equipment

435

70

9

428

942

Investment property

14,701

360

330

15,391

Loans

26,600

960

8,633

36,193

Financial investments

201,694

10,501

41

4,604

216,840

Deferred acquisition costs

2,711

1,583

27

4,321

Other assets

26,683

10,021

611

263

37,578

Total assets

280,375

24,341

750

15,860

321,326

Gross insurance liabilities

135,014

17,825

152,839

Gross liabilities for investment contracts

98,244

98,244

Unallocated divisible surplus

6,785

6,785

Net asset value attributable to unit holders

3,935

46

2,428

6,409

Borrowings

3,947

12

8,698

12,657

Other liabilities, including inter-segment liabilities

17,811

698

397

9,459

28,365

Total liabilities

265,736

18,581

397

20,585

305,299

Total equity

  

  

  

  

16,027

Total equity and liabilities

  

  

  

  

321,326

 


 

131

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

5 – Details of income

This note gives further detail on the items appearing in the first section of the consolidated income statement.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Gross written premiums (note 4a & 4b)

 

 

 

Long-term:

  

  

  

Insurance contracts

16,692

19,388

15,589

Participating investment contracts

8,030

4,884

4,033

General insurance and health

9,968

11,934

11,369

 

34,690

36,206

30,991

Less: premiums ceded to reinsurers (note 4a & 4b)

(2,576)

(1,841)

(1,658)

Gross change in provision for unearned premiums (note 35e)

645

388

(24)

Reinsurers’ share of change in provision for unearned premiums (note 38c(iii))

(86)

(111)

3

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

559

277

(21)

Net earned premiums

32,673

34,642

29,312

Fee and commission income

  

  

  

Fee income from investment contract business

456

487

416

Fund management fee income

536

556

576

Other fee income

473

577

481

Reinsurance commissions receivable

180

176

223

Other commission income

138

110

110

Net change in deferred revenue

6

(21)

(46)

 

1,789

1,885

1,760

Total revenue

34,462

36,527

31,072

Net investment income

  

  

  

Interest and similar income

 

  

  

From financial instruments designated as trading and other than trading

7,258

7,302

6,611

From AFS investments and financial instruments at amortised cost

2,150

2,012

1,485

 

9,408

9,314

8,096

Dividend income

1,753

2,444

2,100

Other income from investments designated as trading

 

  

  

Realised gains on disposals

693

1,039

49

Unrealised gains and losses (policy I)

  

  

  

Gains/(losses) arising in the year

(1,184)

1,147

114

(Gains)/losses recognised in prior periods and now realised

(693)

(1,039)

(49)

 

(1,877)

108

65

 

(1,184)

1,147

114

Other income from investments designated as other than trading

  

  

  

Realised losses on disposals

(2,561)

(1,181)

5,055

Unrealised gains and losses (see policy I)

  

  

  

Gains/(losses) arising in the year

14,481

(26,394)

(1,189)

(Gains)/losses recognised previously and now realised

2,561

1,181

(5,055)

  

17,042

(25,213)

(6,244)

  

14,481

(26,394)

(1,189)

Realised gains and losses on AFS investments

  

  

  

Gains recognised previously as unrealised in equity (see policy R and note 31)

310

126

391

  

  

  

  

Net income from investment properties

  

  

  

Rent

908

959

846

Expenses relating to these properties

(47)

(33)

(27)

Realised gains on disposal

339

14

105

Fair value (losses) on investment properties (note 18)

(1,084)

(3,137)

(757)

  

116

(2,197)

167

Realised gains on loans

24

7

7

Foreign exchange gains and losses on investments other than trading

238

(395)

11

Other investment expenses

(174)

(95)

(8)

Net investment income

24,972

(16,043)

9,689

Share of (loss) after tax of joint ventures (note 15a)

(409)

(1,038)

(339)

Share of loss after tax of associates (note 16a)

(95)

(90)

35

Share of (loss) after tax of joint ventures and associates

(504)

(1,128)

(304)

Profit on disposal of subsidiaries and associates (note 3b)

153

7

49

Total income

59,083

19,363

40,506

 

 


132

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

6 – Details of expenses

This note gives further detail on the items appearing in the second section of the consolidated income statement.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Claims and benefits paid

 

 

 

Claims and benefits paid to policyholders on long-term business

  

  

  

Insurance contracts

16,973

16,986

14,743

Participating investment contracts

4,264

5,085

5,604

Non-participating investment contracts

67

115

64

Claims and benefits paid to policyholders on general insurance and health business

7,444

8,696

7,779

  

28,748

30,882

28,190

Less: Claim recoveries from reinsurers

 

 

 

Insurance contracts

(1,083)

(1,447)

(1,056)

Participating investment contracts

(116)

(82)

(13)

Claims and benefits paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers

27,549

29,353

27,121

Change in insurance liabilities

  

  

  

Change in insurance liabilities

5,755

(4,792)

3,361

Change in reinsurance asset for insurance provisions

(73)

907

147

Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance

5,682

(3,885)

3,508

Change in investment contract provisions

 

 

 

Investment income allocated to investment contracts

5,136

(6,957)

885

Other changes in provisions

 

 

 

Participating investment contracts (note 36)

5,764

(3,088)

1,025

Non-participating investment contracts

(5,425)

(591)

90

Change in reinsurance asset for investment contract provisions

5,710

7

18

Change in investment contract provisions

11,185

(10,629)

2,018

Change in unallocated divisible surplus (note 40)

1,547

(4,482)

(2,922)

Fee and commission expense

  

  

  

Acquisition costs

  

  

  

Commission expenses for insurance and participating investment contracts

2,953

3,521

3,351

Change in deferred acquisition costs for insurance and participating investment contracts

(536)

(513)

(627)

Deferrable costs for non-participating investment contracts

112

160

265

Other acquisition costs

1,137

1,337

1,348

Change in deferred acquisition costs for non-participating investment contracts

(31)

185

(279)

Investment income attributable to unitholders

331

(679)

(139)

Reinsurance commissions and other fee and commission expense

430

400

325

  

4,396

4,411

4,244

Other expenses

  

  

  

Other operating expenses

  

  

  

Staff costs (note 8)

2,659

2,873

2,542

Central costs and sharesave schemes

108

141

163

Depreciation (note 17)

115

131

129

Impairment losses on property and equipment (note 17)

2

Impairment of goodwill on subsidiaries (note 13a)

30

48

10

Amortisation of acquired value of in-force business on insurance contracts (note 14)

249

333

160

Amortisation of intangible assets (note 14)

142

113

106

Net impairment of acquired value of in-force business (note 14)

13

2

Impairment of intangible assets (note 14)

12

13

4

Integration and restructuring costs (see below)

286

326

153

Exceptional items (see below)

776

247

Other expenses

299

217

182

  

4,691

4,444

3,449

Impairments

  

  

  

Net impairment on loans

53

50

9

Net impairment on financial investments

538

973

49

Net impairment on receivables and other financial assets

2

17

1

Net impairment on non-financial assets

(1)

(1)

  

592

1,040

58

Other net foreign exchange losses/(gains)

83

(68)

(34)

Finance costs (note 7)

1,336

1,547

1,217

Total expenses

57,061

21,731

38,659

 

 


 

133

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

6 – Details of expenses continued

Integration and restructuring costs

Integration and restructuring costs incurred in the year amounted to £286 million (2008: £326 million; 2007: £153 million). This includes £210 million for the cost savings initiatives in the UK life and general insurance businesses and Europe, which have delivered £170 million annualised cost savings in the year.

Exceptional items

The table above includes exceptional items of £776 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. This comprises £674 million as a result of the reattribution of the inherited estate (see note 41), and a £102 million expense for the migration of all remaining local brands, except Delta Lloyd and RAC, to the single global Aviva brand, which has been implemented over the two year period 2008 to 2009.

For the year ended 31 December 2008, exceptional items were £247 million (2007: £nil). These included £142 million for closing or exiting non-core business operations such as the lifetime wrap platform and The British School of Motoring in the UK and the structured settlement business in the United States. The costs also included £126 million for the settlement agreed by our Netherlands life business for its unit-linked policyholders, following an industry-wide challenge on the level of fees. The remaining balance related to brand migration costs of £37 million offset by a £58 million benefit from settlement of a disputed Australian tax liability and the consequent release of a provision for interest charges.

Impairment of financial investments

Group policy is to recognise an impairment on available for sale (AFS) equity securities when there has been a prolonged or significant decline in their fair value below their cost, irrespective of general market movements. Although management believes that these equity securities will ultimately recover their value, there can be no certainty that this will happen as, unlike fixed maturity securities, the value of an equity security cannot be recovered in full by holding it to maturity.

7 – Finance costs

This note analyses the interest costs on our borrowings (which are described in note 45) and similar charges.

Finance costs comprise:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Interest expense on core structural borrowings

  

  

  

Subordinated debt

293

229

179

Debenture loans

29

21

25

Commercial paper

13

36

55

  

335

286

259

Interest expense on operational borrowings

  

  

  

Amounts owed to credit institutions

113

82

38

Securitised mortgage loan notes

  

  

  

At amortised cost

77

125

105

At fair value

185

325

220

 

262

450

325

  

375

532

363

Interest on banking customer deposits

390

250

166

Interest on reinsurance deposits

12

11

37

Interest on collateral received

47

321

190

Other similar charges

177

147

202

Total finance costs

1,336

1,547

1,217

 

 


134

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

8 – Employee information

This note shows where our staff are employed throughout the world and analyses the total staff costs. The note excludes staff employed by our joint ventures or associates.

(a) Employee numbers

The number of persons employed by the Group was:

 

 

 

 

At 31 December

 

Average for the year

 

2009
Number

2008
Number

2007
Number

2009
Number

2008
Number

United Kingdom operations*

21,663

28,424

32,872

24,068

29,996

Aviva Europe

9,741

9,827

9,583

9,755

9,761

Delta Lloyd

6,297

6,674

6,406

6,486

6,522

North America

5,247

5,627

4,634

5,498

4,990

Asia Pacific

1,599

2,376

2,052

1,595

2,220

Aviva Investors

1,311

1,298

967

1,313

1,061

Corporate centre

469

532

497

467

507

 

46,327

54,758

57,011

49,182

55,057

* 2007 employee numbers include staff in the offshore operations in Sri Lanka and India. These operations were sold in 2008 and therefore these are not included in the 2008 closing numbers.

(b) Staff costs

Total staff costs were:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Wages and salaries

1,860

2,107

1,831

Social security costs

272

258

229

Post-retirement obligations

  

  

  

Defined benefit schemes (note 44d)

187

175

191

Defined contribution schemes (note 44d)

73

65

63

Profit sharing and incentive plans

135

172

169

Equity compensation plans (note 26d)

56

39

50

Termination benefits

76

57

9

 

2,659

2,873

2,542

 

These costs are charged within:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Acquisition costs

491

584

592

Claims handling expenses

270

291

318

Central costs and sharesave schemes

53

83

109

Other operating expenses

1,845

1,915

1,523

  

2,659

2,873

2,542

9 – Auditors’ remuneration

This note shows the total remuneration payable by the Group to our auditors.

The total remuneration payable by the Group, excluding VAT and any overseas equivalent thereof, to its principal auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, and its associates is shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

Audit fees
£m

Audit-
related
fees

£m

Tax
services

£m

Other
services

£m

Total
fees

£m

Fees payable to Ernst & Young LLP for the statutory audit of the Aviva Group and Company financial statements

1.5

1.5

Fees payable to Ernst & Young LLP and its associates for other services to Group companies:

  

  

  

  

  

Audit of Group subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

11.9

11.9

Additional fees related to the prior year audit of Group subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

1.5

1.5

Other services pursuant to legislation

3.0

3.0

Audit of Group pension scheme

0.1

0.1

Supplementary reporting

2.1

2.1

Tax services

0.1

0.1

All other fees:

  

  

  

  

  

Services relating to corporate finance transactions

1.2

1.8

3.0

Services relating to information technology

Other supplementary services

7.9

2.9

10.8

  

17.9

11.3

0.1

4.7

34.0

 

 


 

135

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

9 – Auditors’ remuneration continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

Audit
fees

£m

Audit-
related
fees

£m

Tax
services

£m

Other
services

£m

Total
fees

£m

Fees payable to Ernst & Young LLP for the statutory audit of the Aviva Group and Company financial statements

1.5

1.5

Fees payable to Ernst & Young LLP and its associates for other services to Group companies:

  

  

  

  

  

Audit of Group subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

10.0

10.0

Additional fees related to the prior year audit of Group subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

0.5

0.5

Other services pursuant to legislation

2.4

2.4

Audit of Group pension scheme

0.1

0.1

Supplementary reporting

3.5

3.5

Tax services

0.2

0.2

All other fees:

  

  

  

  

  

Services relating to corporate finance transactions

0.1

0.4

0.5

Services relating to information technology

0.1

0.1

Other supplementary services

4.7

1.5

6.2

  

14.4

8.4

0.2

2.0

25.0

 

Fees payable for the audit of the Group’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation include fees for the statutory audit of the subsidiaries, both inside and outside the UK, and for the work performed by Ernst & Young LLP in respect of the subsidiaries for the purpose of the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

Other services pursuant to legislation comprise services in relation to statutory and regulatory filings. These include audit services for the audit of FSA returns in the UK and review of interim financial information under the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

Fees for Supplementary reporting are in respect of the audit of the Group’s MCEV reporting. Although embedded value is a primary management reporting basis and our disclosures require a full audit, the relevant fees are not classified as being for statutory audit. These fees have reduced in 2009 to £2.1 million (2008: £3.5 million), as the 2008 fee includes the work undertaken on the Group’s MCEV restatement.

Fees for Other supplementary services include £5.7 million (2008: £3.5 million) for assurance services in connection with the Group’s Financial Reporting Control Framework; £1.2 million (2008: £1.2 million) for examination of the Group’s Individual Capital Assessment  (ICA); and £3.9 million (2008: £1.5 million) for other services which includes work undertaken on the listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the reattribution of the inherited estate in the UK.

Services relating to corporate finance transactions mainly reflect work undertaken on the partial IPO of Delta Lloyd on Euronext Amsterdam.

10 – Tax

This note analyses the tax charge for the year and explains the factors that affect it.

(a) Tax charged/(credited) to the income statement

(i) The total tax charge/(credit) comprises:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Current tax

  

  

  

For this year

617

527

885

Prior year adjustments

(164)

(284)

(94)

Total current tax

453

243

791

Deferred tax

  

  

  

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

231

(1,814)

(348)

Changes in tax rates or tax laws

2

(7)

(88)

Write-down of deferred tax assets

21

95

(6)

Total deferred tax

254

(1,726)

(442)

Total tax charged/(credited) to income statement (note 10d)

707

(1,483)

349

 

(ii)

The Group, as a proxy for policyholders in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and Australia (prior to disposal), is required to record taxes on investment income and gains each year. Accordingly, the tax benefit or expense attributable to UK, Irish, Singapore and Australian life insurance policyholder returns is included in the tax charge. The tax charge attributable to policyholders’ returns included in the charge above is £217 million (2008: £1,068 million credit; 2007: £15 million charge).

 


136

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

10 – Tax continued

(iii)

The tax charge/(credit) can be analysed as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

UK tax

225

(1,482)

94

Overseas tax

482

(1)

255

  

707

(1,483)

349

 

(iv)

Unrecognised tax losses and temporary differences of previous years were used to reduce current tax expense and deferred tax expense by £59 million and £10 million respectively (2008: £139 million and £19 million respectively; 2007: £51 million and £6 million respectively).

 

(v)

Deferred tax charged/(credited) to the income statement represents movements on the following items:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Long-term business technical provisions and other insurance items

(876)

591

315

Deferred acquisition costs

261

224

34

Unrealised gains/(losses) on investments

963

(1,706)

(793)

Pensions and other post-retirement obligations

(72)

16

40

Unused losses and tax credits

(182)

(413)

(272)

Subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

12

(199)

(33)

Intangibles and additional value of in-force long-term business

(21)

30

(75)

Provisions and other temporary differences

169

(269)

342

Total deferred tax charged/(credited) to income statement

254

(1,726)

(442)

 

(b) Tax charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income

(i) The total tax charge/(credit) comprises:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Current tax

  

  

  

In respect of fair value (losses)/gains on owner-occupied properties

(1)

(3)

Deferred tax

  

  

  

In respect of pensions and other post-retirement obligations

(45)

(15)

269

In respect of unrealised gains/(losses) on investments

241

(203)

(71)

 

196

(218)

198

Total tax charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income

196

(219)

195

 

(ii)

The tax charge attributable to policyholders’ returns included above is £nil (2008: £nil; 2007: £nil).

(c) Tax credited to equity

Tax credited directly to equity in the year amounted to £17 million (2008: £16 million; 2007: £16 million), and is wholly in respect of coupon payments on a direct capital instrument.

(d) Tax reconciliation

The tax on the Group’s profit/(loss) before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the tax rate of the home country of the Company as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Profit/(loss) before tax

2,022

(2,368)

1,847

Tax calculated at standard UK corporation tax rate of 28% (2008: 28.5%; 2007: 30.0%)

566

(675)

554

Different basis of tax – policyholders

82

(767)

5

Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior years

(113)

(283)

(49)

Non-assessable income

(105)

(94)

(124)

Non-taxable profit on sale of subsidiaries and associates

(44)

(2)

(18)

Disallowable expenses

279

95

7

Reduction in future UK tax rate (net of movements in unallocated divisible surplus)

(64)

Different local basis of tax on overseas profits

50

(61)

56

Movement in deferred tax not recognised

(15)

292

1

Other

7

12

(19)

Total tax charged/(credited) to income statement (note 10a)

707

(1,483)

349

 

 


 

137

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

11 – Earnings per share

This note shows how we calculate earnings per share, based both on the present shares in issue (the basic earnings per share) and the potential future shares in issue, including conversion of share options granted to employees (the diluted earnings per share).

(a) Basic earnings per share

(i)

The profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders is:

 

 

2009

2008

2007

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to shareholders’ profits

1,805

(1,300)

1,832

Tax attributable to shareholders’ (loss)/profits

(490)

415

(334)

Profit/(loss) for the year

1,315

(885)

1,498

Amount attributable to minority interests

(230)

(30)

(178)

Cumulative preference dividends for the year

(17)

(17)

(17)

Coupon payments in respect of direct capital instruments (DCI) (net of tax)

(44)

(40)

(37)

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

1,024

(972)

1,266

(b) Diluted earnings per share

(i)

Diluted earnings per share is calculated as follows:

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

Total
£m

Weighted average number of shares
m

Per share
p

Total
£m

Weighted average number of shares
m

Per share
p

Total
£m

Weighted average number of shares
m

Per share
p

Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders

1,024

2,705

37.8

(972)

2,643

(36.8)

1,266

2,588

48.9

Dilutive effect of share awards and options

25

(0.3)

24

24

(0.4)

Diluted earnings per share

1,024

2,730

37.5

(972)

2,667

(36.8)

1,266

2,612

48.5

12 – Dividends and appropriations

This note analyses the total dividends and other appropriations we have paid during the year. The table below does not include the final dividend proposed after the year end because it is not accrued in these financial statements. The impact of shares issued in lieu of dividends is shown separately in note 25.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Ordinary dividends declared and charged to equity in the year

  

  

  

Final 2008 – 19.91 pence per share, paid on 15 May 2009

527

(Final 2007 – 21.10 pence per share, paid on 16 May 2008)

554

(Final 2006 – 19.18 pence per share, paid on 18 May 2007)

492

Interim 2009 – 9.00 pence per share, paid on 17 November 2009

248

(Interim 2008 – 13.09 pence per share, paid on 17 November 2008)

348

(Interim 2007 – 11.90 pence per share paid on 16 November 2007)

309

 

775

902

801

Preference dividends declared and charged to equity in the year

17

17

17

Coupon payments on direct capital instrument

61

56

53

  

853

975

871

 

Subsequent to 31 December 2009, the directors proposed a final dividend for 2009 of 15.0 pence per ordinary share (2008: 19.91 pence; 2007: 21.10 pence), amounting to £415 million (2008: £527 million; 2007: £554 million) in total. Subject to approval by shareholders at the AGM, the dividend will be paid on 17 May 2010 and will be accounted for as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ending 31 December 2010.

Interest on the direct capital instrument issued in November 2004 is treated as an appropriation of retained profits and, accordingly, it is accounted for when paid. Tax relief is obtained at a rate of 28.0% (2008: 28.5%; 2007: 30%).


138

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

13 – Goodwill

This note analyses the changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the year, and details the results of our impairment testing on both goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives.

(a) Carrying amount

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Gross amount

  

  

At 1 January

3,898

3,273

Acquisitions (note 3a)

5

106

Fair value adjustments and movements in contingent consideration (note 3a)

48

(59)

Disposals

(9)

(84)

Transfers from other intangibles

11

Amounts expensed in the year (see (b)(i) below)

(30)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(245)

651

At 31 December

3,667

3,898

Accumulated impairment

  

  

At 1 January

(315)

(191)

Impairment losses charged to exceptional items

(20)

Other impairment losses charged to expenses

(48)

Write back of impairment related to disposals

3

9

Foreign exchange rate movements

26

(65)

At 31 December

(286)

(315)

Carrying amount at 1 January

3,583

3,082

Carrying amount at 31 December

3,381

3,583

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

(5)

  

3,381

3,578

 

As explained in (b)(i) below, an amount of £30 million related to the recognition of a deferred tax asset previously recognised in goodwill has been expensed in the year. Together with impairment charges of £32 million recognised in respect of goodwill within interests in associates (note 16), the total goodwill write down for the year is £62 million.

Movements in contingent consideration relate to contingent consideration paid/received in respect of past acquisitions of subsidiaries. Goodwill arising on acquisitions completed before 1 January 1998 was charged directly to reserves. Goodwill arising on the Group’s acquisition of joint ventures and associates is included within the carrying value of those investments (see notes 15 and 16).

(b) Goodwill allocation and impairment testing

A summary of the goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives allocated to cash-generating units is presented below.

 

 

Carrying amount of goodwill

 

Carrying amount of intangibles
with indefinite useful lives
(detailed in note 14)

 

Total

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

United Kingdom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term business (see (i) below)

31

52

71

 

 

31

52

71

General insurance, RAC and health (see (ii) below)

1,208

1,208

1,276

 

201

201

221

 

1,409

1,409

1,497

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France (long-term business) (see (iii) below)

 

55

60

45

 

55

60

45

Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term business (see (iv) below)

122

133

101

 

 

122

133

101

General insurance and health (see (v) below)

121

134

81

 

 

121

134

81

Italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term business (see (vi) below)

65

74

46

 

334

254

 

65

408

300

General insurance and health (see (vii) below)

58

64

42

 

137

132

 

58

201

174

Delta Lloyd (see (viii) below)

319

279

212

 

 

319

279

212

Spain (long-term business) (see (ix) below)

580

652

552

 

 

580

652

552

Other

15

24

19

 

 

15

24

19

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States (long-term business) (see (x) below)

770

865

624

 

 

770

865

624

Canada

42

43

17

 

 

42

43

17

Asia Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various

50

55

41

 

 

50

55

41

  

3,381

3,583

3,082

 

256

732

652

 

3,637

4,315

3,734

 

As explained in accounting policy N, the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives is reviewed at least annually or when circumstances or events indicate there may be uncertainty over this value. The tests led to impairment of goodwill of £nil in 2009 (2008: £68 million).


 

139

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

13 – Goodwill continued

Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives have been tested for impairment in these businesses as follows:

United Kingdom

(i) Long-term business

The United Kingdom long-term business goodwill balance is split across four cash generating units, with no individual balance exceeding £22 million.

The Group acquired Hamilton Life Assurance Company Limited from HFC Bank Limited ("HFC") in 2007, and identified £20 million of the purchase price as goodwill in respect of unrecognised deferred tax assets which could not be utilised or recognised at the time. The Group is now able to recognise value for these assets and further consideration of £9 million, included in the "Movements in contingent consideration", is payable to HFC in this respect. As required by paragraph 65 of IFRS 3, Business Combinations, the total £29 million has been charged to expenses, together with £1 million of transaction costs representing the balance of acquired goodwill. Deferred tax assets have increased to recognise this new asset (see note 42(b)(iii)).

(ii) General insurance, RAC and health

The recoverable amount of the UK general insurance, RAC and health unit has been determined based on a value in use calculation. The calculation uses cash flow projections based on business plans approved by management covering a three year period and a risk adjusted discount rate of 9.5%. Cash flows beyond that three year period have been extrapolated using a steady 2.5% growth rate. This growth rate is set with regards to past experience and historical statistics of UK premium growth published by the Association of British Insurers.

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Budgeted adjusted operating profit represents the adjusted operating profit in the business plans, approved by management, and as such reflects the best estimate of future profits based on both historical experience and expected growth rates for the relevant UK industry sectors;

Some of the assumptions that underline the budgeted adjusted operating profit include market share, customer numbers, premium rate and fee income changes, claims inflation and commission rates; and

Growth rates represent the rates used to extrapolate future cash flows beyond the business plan period and have been based upon latest information available regarding future and past growth rates, including external sources of data such as ABI Annual Market Statistics.

Europe

Long-term business

The recoverable amount of long-term business cash generating units in the Europe region, has been determined based on a value in use calculation. The first step of the test was to compare the carrying value of each cash generating unit, including goodwill, to the Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) of that cash generating unit. If the MCEV is less than the carrying value of a cash generating unit the present value of profits from expected new business for that cash generating unit is considered. If the value of profits from expected new business for a cash generating unit is expected to grow beyond the period of the initial plan, this growth rate is set with regard to past experience in each market and market expectations of future growth in each country.

For European long-term business cash generating units a key assumption used for the calculation was the embedded value which represents the shareholder interest in the life business and is calculated in accordance with the Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) principles. The embedded value is the total of the net worth and the value of the in-force life business.

General insurance, health and other

The recoverable amount of general insurance, health and other non-life cash generating units in the Europe region has been determined based on a value in use calculation. Value in use is calculated for each cash generating unit using a discounted cash flow projection based on business plans and growth assumptions approved by management for each cash generating unit and discounted at a risk discount rate appropriate for each cash generating unit. If the cash flows are expected to grow beyond the period of the initial plan, this growth rate is set with regard to past experience in each market and market expectations of future growth in each country.

(iii) France (long-term business)

The recoverable amount of the indefinite life intangible asset has been assessed as part of the recoverable amount

of the French long-term business cash generating unit. The MCEV of the French long-term business was significantly greater than its carrying value, including indefinite life intangible assets.

(iv) Ireland (long-term business)

The MCEV of the Irish long-term business is greater than its carrying value so the recoverable value will be significantly in excess of its carrying value, including goodwill.

(v) Ireland (general insurance and health)

The recoverable amount of the Irish general insurance and health business exceeds the carrying value of the cash generating unit including goodwill.


140

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

13 – Goodwill continued

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Budgeted adjusted operating profit for an initial three year period which represents the adjusted operating profit in the business plans, approved by management and reflecting the best estimate of future profits based on both historical experience and expected growth rates for the Irish economy. The assumptions that underline the budgeted adjusted operating profit include market share, premium rate changes, claims inflation and commission rates;

Future cash flows are extrapolated beyond the three year business plan period assuming nil growth for general insurance business and a 7% growth rate for the health business; and

A risk adjusted discount rate of 10.8%.

(vi) Italy (long-term business)

This calculation is an actuarially-determined appraisal value and is based on the embedded value of the business together with the present value of expected profits from future new business.

Key assumptions (in addition to MCEV principles) used for the calculation were:

New business contribution represents the present value of projected future distributable profits generated from business written in a period. This is initially based on the most recent three year business plans approved by management;

Growth rate represents the rate used to extrapolate new business contributions beyond the business plan period, and is based on management’s estimate of future growth of 2.0%; and

Risk adjusted discount rate of 10.2% represents the rate used to discount expected profits from future new business. The discount rate includes a risk-free rate and a risk margin to make prudent allowance for the risk that experience in future years for new business may differ from that assumed.

 

(vii) Italy (non-life)

The recoverable amount exceeds the carrying value of the cash generating unit including goodwill.

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Budgeted adjusted operating profit for an initial three year period represents the adjusted operating profit in the most recent business plans, approved by management and as such reflects the best estimate of future profits based on both historical experience and expected growth rates for the Italian economy;

Growth rate of 3.0% represents the rate used to extrapolate future cash flows beyond the business plan period; and

A risk adjusted discount rate of 10.2%.

(viii) Delta Lloyd (long-term, general insurance, health and fund management)

The recoverable amount of the Delta Lloyd life and general insurance and health cash generating units has been determined on the basis of a value in use calculation. This calculation is an appraisal value and is based on the discounted expected future cash flows from the operations over their expected useful life. Expected cash flows for future periods have been obtained from the plan figures for a three to five year period, depending on the management plan period of the unit. Expected cash flows for later periods have been extrapolated, taking into account the growth rate.

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Expected cash flows for future periods have been obtained from the plan figures for a three to five year period;

For the year following the end of the management plan period cash flows are extrapolated at a growth rate of nil to 2.6% depending on the particular circumstances of each unit; and

Risk-adjusted discount rate of 10.1% to 10.6% depending on management’s assessment of the specific risks of each unit, represents the rate used to discount expected profits from future new business.

(ix) Spain (long-term business)

This calculation is based on the embedded value of the business together with the present value of expected profits from future new business. The recoverable amount exceeds the carrying value of the cash generating unit including goodwill.

Key assumptions (in addition to MCEV principles) used for the calculation were:

New business contribution represents the present value of projected future distributable profits generated from business written in a period. This is initially based on the most recent three year business plans approved by management;

Growth rate represents the rate used to extrapolate new business contributions beyond the business plan period, and is based on management’s conservative estimate of future growth of 3.0%. This growth rate is in line with industry expectations; and

Risk adjusted discount rate of 6.5% represents the rate used to discount expected profits from future new business. The discount rate is a combination of a risk-free rate and a risk margin to make prudent allowance for the risk that experience in future years for new business may differ from that assumed. The test performed in the current year estimates the value of future new business on an MCEV basis. This methodology incorporates more of the risk of future new business into the underlying cash flows, and so consequently a lower risk discount rate is applied relative to the prior period.

(x) United States (long-term business)

The recoverable amount of the United States long-term cash generating unit has been determined based on a value in use calculation.

This calculation is an actuarially-determined appraisal value and is based on an embedded value of the business (the total of the net worth of the life business and the value of the in-force business) together with the present value of expected profits from future new business. The value in use exceeds the carrying value of the cash generating unit including goodwill.


 

 

141

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

13 – Goodwill continued

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Embedded value represents the shareholder interest in the life business and is based on projected cash flows of the business including expected investment returns;

Risk adjusted discount rate of 8.0% is used to calculate the embedded value;

New business contribution represents the present value of projected future distributable profits generated from business written in a period. This is initially based on the most recent three year business plans approved by management;

Growth rate represents the rate used to extrapolate new business contributions beyond the business plan period, and is based on management’s estimate of future growth of 5.0% for life and annuity business, which is set with regard to past experience in these markets; and

Risk adjusted discount rate of 10.0% represents the rate used to discount expected profits from future new business. The discount rate includes an additional margin to make prudent allowance for the risk that experience in future years for new business may differ from that assumed.

 

The recoverable amount for the cash generating unit exceeds its carrying value by £332 million. An increase in the risk adjusted discount rates applied to calculate the embedded value and the present value of future profits from future new business of 60 basis points would result in the recoverable amount being equal to the carrying value.

Cash flow projections

To comply with paragraph 33(c) of IAS 36, cash flow projections for the period beyond the three year plan period are extrapolated from the position in the final year of the three year plan period. In all cases we have assumed a steady growth rate for subsequent years, not an increasing growth rate. The steady growth rate in each case is a positive or nil growth rate. The steady growth rate selected for each cash generating unit reflects long-term expectations for the markets in which each cash generating unit participates.

 


142

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

14 – Acquired value of in-force business (AVIF) and intangible assets

This note shows the movements in cost and amortisation of the in-force business and intangible assets acquired when we have purchased subsidiaries.

 

 

AVIF on
insurance contracts*
£m

AVIF on investment contracts**
£m

Other intangible assets
with finite
useful lives
£m

Intangible assets with indefinite useful
lives (a)
£m

Total
£m

Gross amount

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

2,273

110

1,005

709

4,097

Additions

4

60

64

Acquisition of subsidiaries

59

24

83

Disposals

(4)

(5)

(79)

(88)

Movement in shadow adjustment

327

327

Transfers

(4)

67

(63)

Transfers to goodwill and other assets

(31)

(31)

Foreign exchange rate movements

869

44

277

149

1,339

At 31 December 2008

3,524

216

1,224

827

5,791

Additions

17

30

47

Acquisition of subsidiaries (note (b))

(20)

3

(17)

Disposals

(33)

(20)

(53)

Movement in shadow adjustment

(484)

(484)

Transfers (note (c))

431

(431)

Transfers from property and equipment (note 17)

23

23

Foreign exchange rate movements

(329)

(17)

(71)

(50)

(467)

At 31 December 2009

2,708

199

1,607

326

4,840

Accumulated amortisation

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

(498)

(18)

(242)

(758)

Amortisation for the year

(333)

(13)

(100)

(446)

Disposals

39

39

Transfers

(1)

(43)

44

Foreign exchange rate movements

(230)

(18)

(85)

(333)

At 31 December 2008

(1,062)

(92)

(344)

(1,498)

Amortisation for the year

(249)

(15)

(127)

(391)

Disposals

21

21

Transfers from property and equipment (note 17)

(3)

(3)

Foreign exchange rate movements

105

7

24

136

At 31 December 2009

(1,206)

(100)

(429)

(1,735)

Accumulated impairment

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

(77)

(8)

(57)

(142)

Impairment losses charged to exceptional item

(32)

(20)

(52)

Other impairment losses charged to expenses

(2)

(13)

(15)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(17)

(2)

(18)

(37)

At 31 December 2008

(96)

(55)

(95)

(246)

Disposals

20

20

Impairment losses charged to expenses

(13)

(12)

(25)

Foreign exchange rate movements

1

5

6

At 31 December 2009

(108)

(67)

(70)

(245)

Carrying amount

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

1,698

92

755

652

3,197

At 31 December 2008

2,366

124

825

732

4,047

At 31 December 2009

1,394

99

1,111

256

2,860

*

On insurance and participating investment contracts.

**

On non-participating investment contracts.

 

(a)

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives comprise the RAC brand, and the value of the Union Financière de France Banque distribution channel, where the existing lives of the assets and their competitive position in, and the stability of, their respective markets support this classification.

Impairment testing of these intangibles is covered in note 13(b).

(b)

The negative figure of £20 million for AVIF on insurance contracts arises from the updating of fair values for Swiss Life Belgium, described in note 3(a)(ii).

(c)

During the year, the Group reviewed the terms of its bancassurance agreement with Banco Popolare, signed in December 2008, which was initially for ten years with five-year automatic renewal periods. This agreement is expected to be renewed indefinitely. Although this agreement had originally been classified as an intangible asset with indefinite useful life, it is now considered more appropriate to reclassify it as having a finite useful life where the residual value is high, as a consequence of the terms of the put option, and amortisation immaterial and this is consistent with other similar contracts. This has resulted in a reallocation in the year of £431 million from intangible assets with indefinite useful lives to those with finite useful lives.

(d)

Other intangible assets with finite useful lives consist primarily of the value of bancassurance and other distribution agreements.

 


 

143

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

15 – Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures

In several business units, Group companies and other parties jointly control certain entities. This note analyses these interests and describes the principal joint ventures in which we are involved.

(a) Carrying amount

(i) The movements in the carrying amount comprised:

 

 

Goodwill and intangibles
£m

Equity interests
£m

Loans
£m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2008

197

2,212

167

2,576

Share of results before tax

(1,029)

(1,029)

Share of tax

(3)

(3)

Share of results after tax

(1,032)

(1,032)

Amortisation and impairment of goodwill and intangibles1

(6)

(6)

Share of loss after tax

(6)

(1,032)

(1,038)

Acquisitions and additions

25

150

182

357

Disposals and reduction in Group interests

(131)

(131)

Fair value losses taken to other comprehensive income

(12)

(12)

Loans repaid

(52)

(52)

Foreign exchange rate movements

7

30

37

At 31 December 2008

223

1,217

297

1,737

Share of results before tax

(398)

(398)

Share of tax

(4)

(4)

Share of results after tax

(402)

(402)

Amortisation of intangibles1

(7)

(7)

Share of loss after tax

(7)

(402)

(409)

Acquisitions and additions

415

145

560

Disposals and reduction in Group interests

(59)

(59)

Fair value gains taken to other comprehensive income

8

8

Loans repaid

(99)

(99)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(14)

(7)

(16)

(37)

At 31 December 2009

202

1,172

327

1,701

1.

Comprises of amortisation of AVIF on insurance contract of £3 million (2008: £6 million) and other intangibles of £4 million (2008: £nil).

 

(ii) The balances at 31 December comprised:

 

2009

Goodwill and intangibles
£m

Equity interests
£m

Loans
£m

Total
£m

Property management undertakings

1,021

327

1,348

Long-term business undertakings

202

146

348

General insurance undertakings

5

5

Total

202

1,172

327

1,701

 

2008

Goodwill and intangibles
£m

Equity interests
£m

Loans
£m

Total
£m

Property management undertakings

1,080

297

1,377

Long-term business undertakings

198

158

356

General insurance undertakings

4

4

Total

198

1,242

297

1,737

 

2007

Goodwill and intangibles
£m

Equity interests
£m

Loans
£m

Total
£m

Property management undertakings

2,124

167

2,291

Long-term business undertakings

197

88

285

Total

197

2,212

167

2,576

 

The loans are not secured and no guarantees were received in respect thereof. They are interest-bearing and are repayable on termination of the relevant partnership.


144

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

15 – Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures continued

(b) Property management undertakings

The principal joint ventures are as follows:

 

Company

GP proportion held

PLP proportion held

Airport Property Partnership

50.0%

50.0%

Ashtenne Industrial Fund Limited Partnership

66.7%

37.4%

The Junction Limited Partnership

25.0%

34.2%

The Mall Limited Partnership

50.0%

50.5%

Queensgate Limited Partnership

50.0%

50.0%

Quercus Healthcare Property Partnership Limited

50.0%

35.3%

The 20 Gracechurch Limited Partnership

50.0%

50.0%

 

All the above entities perform property ownership and management activities, and are incorporated and operate in the United Kingdom. All these investments are held by subsidiary entities.

(c) Long-term business undertakings

The principal joint ventures are as follows:

 

Company

Class of share

Proportion held

Country of
incorporation and operation

Aviva-COFCO Life Insurance Co. Limited

Ordinary shares of RMB1 each

50.0%

China

AvivaSA Emeklilik ve Hayat A.S.

Ordinary shares of YTL1 each

49.8%

Turkey

CIMB Aviva Assurance Berhad

Ordinary shares of RM1 each

49.0%

Malaysia

CIMB Aviva Takaful Berhad

Ordinary shares of RM1 each

49.0%

Malaysia

First-Aviva Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

Ordinary shares of NT$10 each

49.0%

Taiwan

Woori Aviva Life insurance Co. Ltd

Ordinary shares of KRW 5000 each

46.8%

Korea

 

All investments in the above companies are unlisted and are held by subsidiaries except for the shares in Aviva-COFCO Life Insurance Co. Limited, which are held by the Company. The Group’s share of net assets of that company is £55 million (2008: £57 million) and have a fair value of £72 million (2008: £61 million).

(d) Impairment testing

CIMB Aviva Assurance Berhad and CIMB Aviva Takaful Berhad

The Group’s investments in CIMB Aviva Assurance Berhad and CIMB Aviva Takaful Berhad have been tested for impairment by comparing their carrying values (which include goodwill which arose on their acquisition) with their recoverable amounts. The recoverable amounts for both the investments have been determined based on value in use calculations. This calculation is an actuarially-determined appraisal value and is based on the embedded value of the business together with the present value of expected profits from future new business. The recoverable amounts exceed the carrying values of both the investments.

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Cash flow projections based on:

 

(i)

the policy portfolio existing at the valuation date, and

 

(ii)

the future sales based on plans approved by management covering the subsequent three year period. The cash flows from existing policy portfolio is calculated using best estimate assumptions, which have been supported by experience investigation where available and prudent estimates typical for the market where experience investigations are not available;

The calculations use a risk adjusted discount rate of 13.2%; and

New sales beyond the three year period have been extrapolated using a growth rate of 11.0%.

AvivaSA Emeklilik ve Hayat A.S.

The Group’s investment in AvivaSA Emeklilik ve Hayat A.S. has been tested for impairment by comparing its carrying value (which includes goodwill which arose on its acquisition) with its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount has been determined based on a value in use calculation.

This calculation is an actuarially-determined appraisal value and is based on the embedded value of the business together with the present value of expected profits from future new business. The recoverable amount exceeds the carrying value of the cash generating unit including goodwill.

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

Embedded value represents the shareholder interest in the life business and is calculated in accordance with the Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) principles. The embedded value is the total of the net worth of the life business and the value of the in-force business. The underlying methodology and assumptions have been reviewed by a firm of actuarial consultants.

New business contribution represents the present value of projected future distributable profits generated from business written in a period. This is initially based on the most recent three year business plans approved by management.

Growth rate represents the rate used to extrapolate new business contributions beyond the business plan period, and is based on management’s estimate of future growth of 5.0%.;

Risk adjusted discount rate of 15.0% represents the rate used to discount expected profits from future new business. The discount rate reflects a risk margin to make prudent allowance for the risk that experience in future years for new business may differ from that assumed.


 

145

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

15 – Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures continued

(e) Additional information

Summarised aggregate financial information on the Group’s interests in its joint ventures is as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Income, including unrealised (losses)/gains on investments

(105)

(876)

242

Expenses

(293)

(153)

(579)

Share of results before tax

(398)

(1,029)

(337)

Long-term assets

2,885

3,115

4,263

Current assets

645

529

395

Share of total assets

3,530

3,644

4,658

Long-term liabilities

(1,982)

(1,968)

(1,684)

Current liabilities

(376)

(434)

(762)

Share of total liabilities

(2,358)

(2,402)

(2,446)

Share of net assets

1,172

1,242

2,212

 

The joint ventures have no significant contingent liabilities to which the Group is exposed, nor has the Group any significant contingent liabilities in relation to its interests in them.

16 – Interests in, and loans to, associates

This note analyses our interests in entities which we do not control but where we have significant influence.

(a) Carrying amount

 

 

Goodwill and intangibles
£m

Equity interests
£m

Loans
£m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2008

442

762

2

1,206

Share of results before tax

(54)

(54)

Share of tax

(9)

(9)

Share of results after tax

(63)

(63)

Impairment of goodwill and intangibles1

(16)

(16)

Amortisation of acquired value of in-force business

(11)

(11)

Share of profit after tax

(27)

(63)

(90)

Additions

26

44

70

Disposals

(12)

(12)

Fair value losses taken to other comprehensive income

(81)

(81)

Dividends received

(87)

(87)

Reclassification from investment in subsidiaries

55

55

Reclassification from financial investments

62

62

Foreign exchange rate movements

13

109

1

123

Movements in carrying amount

12

27

1

40

At 31 December 2008

454

789

3

1,246

Share of results before tax

(53)

(53)

Share of tax

(1)

(1)

Share of results after tax

(54)

(54)

Impairment of goodwill and intangibles1

(32)

(32)

Amortisation of acquired value of in-force business

(9)

(9)

Share of loss after tax

(41)

(54)

(95)

Acquisitions and additions

175

175

Disposals

(26)

(7)

(33)

Fair value gains taken to other comprehensive income

114

114

Dividends received

(22)

(22)

Reclassification from investment in subsidiaries

(68)

(68)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(2)

(34)

(36)

Movements in carrying amount

(69)

104

35

At 31 December 2009

385

893

3

1,281

1.

Includes impairment of £1 million in other intangibles (2008: £4 million).

 

The loans are interest-bearing but are not secured, and no guarantees were received in respect thereof.


146

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

16 – Interests in, and loans to, associates continued

(b) Principal associates

The principal associates included above are:

 

Company

Type of business

Class of share

Proportion held

Country of
incorporation and operation

Aviva Life Insurance Company India Limited

Insurance

Ordinary shares of RS1 each

26.0%

India

Banca Network Investimenti SpA

Product distribution

Ordinary shares of €1 each

49.92%

Italy

Cyrte Fund I CV

Investment fund

Partnership share

22.31%

Netherlands

Cyrte Fund II BV

Investment fund

Ordinary shares of €1 each

10.48%

Netherlands

Cyrte Fund III CV

Investment fund

Partnership share

13.93%

Netherlands

RBSG Collective Investments Limited

Investment

Ordinary shares of £1 each

49.99%

Great Britain

RBS Life Investments Limited

Insurance

Ordinary shares of £1 each

49.99%

Great Britain

 

All investments in principal associates are unlisted and are held by subsidiaries.

       Although the Group’s holding in two of the three Cyrte funds is less than 20%, it has significant influence through ownership of the fund manager, Cyrte Investments BV, a subsidiary of which acts as general partner to the funds, and through membership of its investment committee.

       The Group’s Dutch subsidiary owns 30.8% of the shares, and depositary receipts for shares, in Van Lanschot NV, a financial services company in the Netherlands. The Group is not able to appoint management representation on the board of this company and is therefore unable to exert significant influence over its affairs. Accordingly, this investment is treated as a financial investment rather than as an associate.

(c) Additional information

Summarised aggregate financial information on the Group’s interests in its associates is as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007and
£m

Share of revenues

216

460

385

Share of results before tax

(53)

(54)

51

Share of assets

3,013

3,812

3,123

Share of liabilities

(2,120)

(2,974)

(2,324)

Share of net assets

893

838

799

 

The associates have no significant contingent liabilities to which the Group is exposed, nor has the Group any significant contingent liabilities in relation to its interest in them.

(d) Impairment testing

RBS Life Investments Limited and RBSG Collective Investments Limited

The Group’s investments in RBS Life Investments Limited and RBSG Collective Investments Limited have been tested for impairment by comparing their carrying values (which include goodwill which arose on their acquisition) with their recoverable amounts.

The recoverable amounts for both investments have been determined based on value in use calculations, using an appraisal value methodology. The appraisal value comprises MCEV and a value of future new business. Future new business is valued using a similar approach as used for the in-force business. The value of 2010 planned new business is based on planned volumes, planned margins for manufactured business and current margins for collectives and adopted business all approved by management. This value is then multiplied by an annuity factor to give the value of 25 years of future new business and then discounted back to the valuation date. The annuity factor for Life business allows for new business growth of 2.8% in 2011 and 5.4% thereafter and a pattern of market-consistent time dependent risk discount rates equivalent to a single risk discount rate of 4.4%. For Collective Investments the new business growth assumptions are 7.7% in 2011 and 6.1% thereafter. This value is adjusted to allow for future expense over-runs and under-runs, based on the projected expenses and sales volumes.

The test performed in the current year estimates the value of future new business on an MCEV basis. This methodology incorporates more of the risk of future new business into the underlying cash flows and so consequently a lower risk discount rate is applied relative to the prior period.

The recoverable amounts exceed the carrying values of both the investments.

Banca Network Investimenti SpA

The Group’s investment in Banca Network Investimenti SpA has been tested for impairment by comparing its carrying value (which includes goodwill which arose on its acquisition) with its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount has been determined based on a value in use calculation prepared by an external valuation expert. Value in use was calculated using a discounted cash flow projection based on business plans and growth assumptions approved by management and discounted at an appropriate risk discount rate.

Key assumptions used for the calculation were:

A cash flow project based on a five year plan period and.

Risk adjusted discount rate of 10.3% based on the weighted average cost of capital of similar Italian listed companies.


 

147

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

16 – Interests in, and loans to, associates continued

As a result of the testing, an impairment of £26 million has been recognised. This reflects adverse developments in the business environment in which this associate operates.

(e) Non-adjusting subsequent event

On 17 February 2010, the Group sold its 35% holding in Sogessur SA to that company’s main shareholder, Société Générale, for a consideration of £35 million, realising a profit on disposal of £24 million.

17 – Property and equipment

This note analyses our tangible fixed assets, which are primarily properties occupied by Group companies and computer equipment.

 

 

Properties
under construction
£m

Owner
occupied
properties
£m

Motor
vehicles
£m

Computer
equipment
£m

Other
assets
£m

Total
£m

Cost or valuation

  

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

45

499

14

772

466

1,796

Additions

22

7

1

97

89

216

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

37

1

2

40

Disposals

(15)

(31)

(3)

(34)

(24)

(107)

Transfers

(4)

4

Fair value losses (see below)

(49)

(49)

Foreign exchange rate movements

13

106

2

40

72

233

At 31 December 2008

61

573

14

876

605

2,129

Additions

62

11

40

36

149

Transfer to investment properties (note 18)

(16)

(47)

(63)

Disposals

(7)

(49)

(2)

(82)

(196)

(336)

Transfers to intangibles (note 14)

(23)

(23)

Fair value losses (see below)

(33)

(33)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(6)

(35)

(2)

(14)

(18)

(75)

At 31 December 2009

94

420

10

797

427

1,748

Depreciation and impairment

  

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

(3)

(7)

(578)

(266)

(854)

Charge for the year

(1)

(2)

(93)

(35)

(131)

Disposals

1

1

33

14

49

Impairment losses charged to restructuring costs

(2)

(8)

(40)

(50)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(29)

(48)

(77)

At 31 December 2008

(5)

(8)

(675)

(375)

(1,063)

Charge for the year

(1)

(1)

(76)

(37)

(115)

Disposals

2

1

60

92

155

Transfers to intangibles (note 14)

3

3

Transfers

(1)

(1)

Impairment losses charged to restructuring costs

(1)

(1)

(2)

Foreign exchange rate movements

1

13

15

29

At 31 December 2009

(4)

(7)

(677)

(306)

(994)

Carrying amount

  

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January 2008

45

496

7

194

200

942

At 31 December 2008

61

568

6

201

230

1,066

At 31 December 2009

94

416

3

120

121

754

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale:

  

  

  

  

  

  

Gross amount

(1)

(1)

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

  

(1)

(1)

  

94

416

3

120

120

753

 

Fair value losses of £26 million (2008: £37 million) have been charged to other comprehensive income (note 31), with the remainder being charged to the income statement.

Owner-occupied properties are stated at their revalued amounts, as assessed by qualified external valuers or by local qualified staff of the Group in overseas operations, all with recent relevant experience. These values are assessed in accordance with the relevant parts of the current RICS Appraisal and Valuation Standards in the UK, and with current local valuation practices in other countries. This assessment, on the basis of Existing Use Value and in accordance with UK Practice Statement 1.3, is the estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction, after proper marketing wherein the parties had acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion, assuming that the buyer is granted vacant possession of all parts of the property required by the business and disregarding potential alternative uses. The valuation assessment adopts market-based evidence and is in line with guidance from the International Valuation Standards Committee and the requirements of IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment.

If owner-occupied properties were stated on a historical cost basis, the carrying amount would be £328 million (2008: £414 million).

The Group has no material finance leases for property and equipment.


148

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

18 – Investment property

This note gives details of the properties we hold for long-term rental yields or capital appreciation.

 

 

Freehold
£m

Leasehold
£m

Total
£m

Carrying value

 

 

 

At 1 January 2008

12,603

2,788

15,391

Additions

1,744

2

1,746

Capitalised expenditure on existing properties

92

8

100

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

81

81

Fair value losses

(2,441)

(696)

(3,137)

Disposals

(852)

(297)

(1,149)

Transfers

(2)

2

Foreign exchange rate movements

1,276

118

1,394

At 31 December 2008

12,501

1,925

14,426

Additions

319

49

368

Capitalised expenditure on existing properties

64

9

73

Fair value losses

(917)

(167)

(1,084)

Disposals

(785)

(143)

(928)

Transfers from property and equipment (note 17)

28

35

63

Foreign exchange rate movements

(453)

(35)

(488)

At 31 December 2009

10,757

1,673

12,430

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

(8)

(8)

  

10,757

1,665

12,422

 

Investment properties are stated at their market values as assessed by qualified external valuers or by local qualified staff of the Group in overseas operations, all with recent relevant experience. Values are calculated using a discounted cash flow approach and are based on current rental income plus anticipated uplifts at the next rent review, assuming no future growth in rental income. This uplift and the discount rate are derived from rates implied by recent market transactions on similar properties.

The fair value of investment properties leased to third parties under operating leases at 31 December 2009 was £11,750 million (2008: £13,764 million). Future contractual aggregate minimum lease rentals receivable under the non-cancellable portion of these leases are given in note 49(b)(i).

19 – Loans

This note analyses the loans our Group companies have made, the majority of which are mortgage loans.

(a) Carrying amounts

The carrying amounts of loans at 31 December 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

2007

 

At
fair
value
through
profit
or
loss
other
than
trading
£m

At
amortised
cost
£m

Total
£m

 

At
fair
value
through
profit
or
loss
other
than
trading
£m

At
amortised
cost
£m

Total
£m

 

At
fair
value
through
profit
or
loss
other
than
trading
£m

At
amortised
cost
£m

Total
£m

Policy loans

214

1,655

1,869

  

265

1,861

2,126

  

215

1,316

1,531

Loans to banks

5,339

5,339

  

6,415

6,415

 

7,576

7,576

Securitised mortgage loans (see note 20)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

UK

1,840

1,840

  

1,861

1,861

  

1,777

1,777

Netherlands

5,544

1,770

7,314

  

4,936

2,262

7,198

  

3,699

1,911

5,610

  

7,384

1,770

9,154

  

6,797

2,262

9,059

  

5,476

1,911

7,387

Non-securitised mortgage loans

13,292

8,012

21,304

  

14,406

7,266

21,672

  

12,849

4,747

17,596

Loans and advances to bank customers

1,943

1,943

  

1,886

1,886

  

1,307

1,307

Loans to brokers and other intermediaries

92

92

  

98

98

  

80

80

Other loans

1,378

1,378

  

981

981

  

716

716

Total

20,890

20,189

41,079

  

21,468

20,769

42,237

  

18,540

17,653

36,193

 

Loans to banks include cash collateral received under stock lending arrangements (see note 21(e)). The obligation to repay this collateral is included in payables and other financial liabilities (note 46).

Of the above loans, £33,241 million (2008: £30,673 million, 2007: £25,666 million) is expected to be recovered more than one year after the statement of financial position date.

Loans at fair value

Fair values have been calculated by discounting the future cash flows using appropriate current interest rates for each portfolio of mortgages. Further details of the fair value methodology are given in note 21(b).

The change in fair value of these loans during the year, attributable to a change in credit risk, was a gain of £338 million (2008: £644 million loss). The cumulative change attributable to changes in credit risk to 31 December 2009 was a loss of £315 million (2008: £854 million loss).


 

149

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

19 – Loans continued

Loans at amortised cost

The fair value of these loans at 31 December 2009 was £19,786 million (2008: £20,218 million, 2007: £17,588 million).

(b) Analysis of loans carried at amortised cost

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

2007

 

Amortised
cost
£m

Impairment
£m

Carrying
value
£m

 

Amortised
cost
£m

Impairment
£m

Carrying
value
£m

 

Amortised
cost
£m

Impairment
£m

Carrying
value
£m

Policy loans

1,655

1,655

  

1,861

1,861

  

1,316

1,316

Loans to banks

5,339

5,339

  

6,415

6,415

  

7,576

7,576

Securitised mortgage loans

1,771

(1)

1,770

  

2,263

(1)

2,262

  

1,911

1,911

Non-securitised mortgage loans

8,115

(103)

8,012

  

7,328

(62)

7,266

  

4,753

(6)

4,747

Loans and advances to bank customers

1,986

(43)

1,943

  

1,936

(50)

1,886

  

1,346

(39)

1,307

Loans to brokers and other intermediaries

92

92

  

98

98

  

80

80

Other loans

1,379

(1)

1,378

  

990

(9)

981

  

725

(9)

716

Total

20,337

(148)

20,189

  

20,891

(122)

20,769

  

17,707

(54)

17,653

 

The movements in the impairment provisions on these loans for the years ended 31 December 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

At 1 January

(122)

(54)

Increase during the year

(58)

(58)

Write back following sale or reimbursement

17

Write back following recovery in value

5

8

Other movements

2

3

Foreign exchange movements

8

(21)

At 31 December

(148)

(122)

(c) Collateral

The Group holds collateral in respect of loans where it is considered appropriate, in order to reduce the risk of non-recovery. This collateral generally takes the form of liens or charges over properties and, in the case of policy loans, the underlying policy, for the majority of the loan balances above. In all other situations, the collateral must be in a readily realisable form, such as listed securities, and is held in segregated accounts. Transfer of title for the collateral received always occurs in such cases, although no market risk or benefit is taken. In the event of a default, the Group is able to sell or repledge the collateral.

       The amount of collateral received with respect to loans which the Group is permitted to sell or repledge in the absence of default was £3,685 million (2008: £3,880 million, 2007: £6,282 million). No collateral was actually sold or repledged in the absence of default during the year (2008: £nil).

20 – Securitised mortgages and related assets

The Group has loans receivable, secured by mortgages, which have then been securitised through non-recourse borrowings, in our UK Life and Dutch businesses. This note gives details of the relevant transactions.

(a) Description of arrangements

(i) United Kingdom

In a long-term business subsidiary Aviva Equity Release UK Limited (AER), the beneficial interest in certain portfolios of lifetime mortgages has been transferred to five special purpose securitisation companies (“the ERF companies”), in return for initial consideration and, at later dates, deferred consideration. The deferred consideration represents receipts accrued within the ERF companies after meeting all their obligations to the note holders, loan providers and other third parties in the priority of payments. The purchases of the mortgages were funded by the issue of fixed and floating rate notes by the ERF companies.

All the shares in the ERF companies are held by independent companies, whose shares are held on trust. Although AER does not own, directly or indirectly, any of the share capital of the ERF companies or their parent companies, it retains control of the majority of the residual or ownership risks and rewards related to the assets of the securitisation companies, and they have therefore been treated as subsidiaries in the consolidated financial statements. AER has no right to repurchase the benefit of any of the securitised mortgage loans, other than in certain circumstances where AER is in breach of warranty or loans are substituted in order to effect a further advance.

AER has purchased subordinated notes and granted subordinated loans to some of the ERF companies. These have been eliminated on consolidation through offset against the borrowings of the ERF companies in the consolidated statement of financial position.

(ii) Delta Lloyd

In three subsidiaries, Delta Lloyd Levensverzekering NV (DLL), Amstelhuys NV (AMS), and Delta Lloyd Bank (Belgium) NV/SA (DLB), the principal benefits of certain portfolios of mortgage loans have been transferred to a number of special purpose securitisation companies, which were funded primarily through the issue of fixed and floating rate notes.


150

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

20 – Securitised mortgages and related assets continued

All the shares in the securitisation companies are held by independent trustee companies. Although DLL, AMS and DLB do not own, directly or indirectly, any of the share capital of the securitisation companies or their parent companies, they retain control of the majority of the residual or ownership risks and rewards related to the assets of the securitisation companies, and these companies have therefore been treated as subsidiaries in the consolidated financial statements. DLL, AMS and DLB have no right, nor any obligation, to repurchase the benefit of any of the securitised mortgage loans before the optional call date, other than in certain circumstances where they are in breach of warranty.

Delta Lloyd companies have purchased notes in the securitisation companies, which have been eliminated on consolidation through offset against the borrowings of the securitisation companies in the consolidated statement of financial position.

(iii) General

In all of the above transactions, the Company and its subsidiaries are not obliged to support any losses that may be suffered by the note holders and do not intend to provide such support. Additionally, the notes were issued on the basis that note holders are only entitled to obtain payment, of both principle and interest, to the extent that the available resources of the respective special purpose securitisation companies, including funds due from customers in respect of the securitised loans, are sufficient and that note holders have no recourse whatsoever to other companies in the Aviva Group.

(b) Carrying values

The following table summarises the securitisation arrangements:

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

Securitised
assets

Securitised
borrowings

 

Securitised
assets

Securitised
borrowings

 

Securitised
assets

Securitised
borrowings

UK

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Securitised mortgage loans

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   At fair value (note 19)

1,840

(1,444)

  

1,861

(1,614)

  

1,777

(1,691)

Other securitisation assets/(liabilities)

(396)

  

78

(325)

  

23

(109)

 

1,840

(1,840)

  

1,939

(1,939)

  

1,800

(1,800)

Delta Lloyd

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

Securitised mortgage loans

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

At fair value (note 19)

5,544

(4,441)

  

4,936

(4,820)

  

3,699

(3,706)

At amortised cost (note 19)

1,770

(2,656)

  

2,262

(2,353)

  

1,911

(2,283)

  

7,314

(7,097)

  

7,198

(7,173)

  

5,610

(5,989)

Other securitisation assets/(liabilities)

(217)

  

(25)

  

379

  

7,314

(7,314)

  

7,198

(7,198)

  

5,989

(5,989)

 

Loan notes held by third parties are as follows:

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

UK
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

 

UK
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

 

UK
£m

Delta
Lloyd
£m

Total loan notes issued, as above

1,444

7,097

  

1,614

7,173

  

1,691

5,989

Less: Loan notes held by Group companies

(1,212)

  

(24)

(978)

  

(17)

(369)

Loan notes held by third parties (note 45c)

1,444

5,885

  

1,590

6,195

  

1,674

5,620

 

On 22 March 2010 the Group announced a tender offer to purchase up to £300 million of loan notes issued by the ERF special purpose securitisation companies.  The Offer will remain open until 30 March 2010.  Any notes purchased as a result of this offer will result in the loan notes held by third parties being reduced by the cash paid.  This securitisation vehicles will remain fully consolidated as explained in note 20a(i) above.

 

 


 

151

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

21 – Financial investments

This note analyses our financial investments by type and shows their cost and fair value. These will change from one period to the next as a result of new business written, claims paid and market movements.

(a) Carrying amount

Financial investments comprise:

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

At fair value through
profit or loss

 

 

 

At fair value through
profit or loss

 

 

 

At fair value through
profit or loss

 

 

 

Trading
£m

Other
than
trading
£m

Available
for
sale
£m

Total
£m

 

Trading
£m

Other
than
trading
£m

Available
for
sale
£m

Total
£m

 

Trading
£m

Other
than
trading
£m

Available
for
sale
£m

Total
£m

Fixed maturity securities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

UK government

21,423

21,423

  

18,854

18,854

  

18,767

18,767

UK local authorities

16

16

  

17

17

  

81

81

Non-UK government

11

45,655

1,810

47,476

  

9

40,029

756

40,794

  

35

28,278

936

29,249

Corporate bonds

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Public utilities

5,997

633

6,630

  

4,308

1,226

5,534

  

3,922

1,003

4,925

Other corporate

(28)

54,007

15,364

69,343

  

16

57,939

13,319

71,274

  

52

47,506

11,437

58,995

Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached

586

586

  

855

855

  

856

856

Other

36

6,870

5,065

11,971

  

31

6,556

5,049

11,636

  

92

4,417

839

5,348

 

19

134,554

22,872

157,445

  

56

128,558

20,350

148,964

  

179

103,827

14,215

118,221

Certificates of deposit

2,802

8

2,810

  

1,301

10

1,311

  

3,341

26

3,367

Redeemable preference shares

255

255

  

349

110

459

  

3

3

  

19

137,611

22,880

160,510

  

56

130,208

20,470

150,734

  

179

107,171

14,241

121,591

Equity securities

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Ordinary shares

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Public utilities

3,665

15

3,680

  

3,933

1

3,934

  

6,165

6,165

Banks, trusts and insurance companies

6,458

831

7,289

  

5,525

2,332

7,857

  

10,195

66

10,261

Industrial miscellaneous and all other

8

29,584

2,540

32,132

  

9

28,182

2,989

31,180

  

46

38,672

3,712

42,430

  

8

39,707

3,386

43,101

  

9

37,640

5,322

42,971

  

46

55,032

3,778

58,856

Non-redeemable preference shares

125

117

242

  

345

95

440

  

209

209

  

8

39,832

3,503

43,343

  

9

37,985

5,417

43,411

  

46

55,241

3,778

59,065

Other investments

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Unit trusts and other investment vehicles

29,825

119

29,944

  

28,850

139

28,989

  

4

31,221

181

31,406

Derivative financial instruments (note 54d)

2,078

2,078

  

2,910

2,910

  

1,609

1,609

Deposits with credit institutions

88

881

969

  

115

831

946

  

114

733

847

Minority holdings in property management undertakings

667

667

  

969

969

  

977

977

Other investments – long-term

1,187

4

1,191

  

2,686

4

2,690

  

1,640

17

1,657

Other investments – short-term

  

3

4

7

  

4

4

  

2,166

32,560

123

34,849

 

3,025

33,339

147

36,511

 

1,727

34,575

198

36,500

Total financial investments

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Less assets classified as held for sale

  

  

  

  

  

     

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Fixed maturity securities

  

(336)

(336)

  

(80)

(80)

Equity securities

  

(60)

(60)

  

(236)

(236)

Other investments

(23)

(23)

  

 

  

(23)

(23)

  

(396)

(396)

  

(316)

(316)

  

2,170

210,003

26,506

238,679

  

3,090

201,136

26,034

230,260

  

1,952

196,671

18,217

216,840

 

Of the above total, £174,292 million (2008: £176,752 million, 2007: £154,732 million) is expected to be recovered more than one year after the statement of financial position date.

Other debt securities of £11,906 million (2008: £11,636 million, 2007: £5,348 million) primarily include residential and commercial mortgage backed securities, as well as other structured credit securities.


152

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

21 – Financial investments continued

(b) Fair value methodology

(i) For financial assets carried at fair value, we have categorised the measurement basis into a “fair value hierarchy” as follows:

Quoted market prices in active markets – (“Level 1”)

Inputs to Level 1 fair values are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets. An active market is one in which transactions for the asset occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Examples are listed equities in active markets, listed debt securities in active markets and quoted unit trusts in active markets.

Modelled with significant observable market inputs – (“Level 2”)

Inputs to Level 2 fair values are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. If the asset has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset. Level 2 inputs include the following:

Quoted prices for similar (i.e. not identical) assets in active markets.

Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly.

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset (for example, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment spreads, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates).

Inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).

 

Examples of these are securities measured using discounted cash flow models based on market observable swap yields, and listed debt or equity securities in a market that is inactive. Valuations, whether sourced from internal models or third parties incorporate credit risk by adjusting the spread above the yield curve for government treasury securities for the appropriate amount of credit risk for each issuer, based on observed market transactions. To the extent observed market spreads are either not used in valuing a security, or do not fully reflect liquidity risk, our valuation methodology, whether sourced from internal models or third parties, reflects a liquidity premium.

Where we use broker quotes and no information as to the observability of inputs is provided by the broker, we generally validate the price quoted by the broker by using internal models with observable inputs. When the price obtained from the broker and internal model are similar, we look to the inputs used in our internal model to understand the observability of the inputs used by the broker. In circumstances where internal models are not used to validate broker prices, and the observability of inputs used by brokers is unavailable, the investment is classified as Level 3. Broker quotes are usually non-binding.

Modelled with significant unobservable market inputs – (“Level 3”)

Inputs to Level 3 fair values are unobservable inputs for the asset. Unobservable inputs may have been used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset at the measurement date (or market information for the inputs to any valuation models). As such, unobservable inputs reflect the assumptions the business unit considers that market participants would use in pricing the asset. Examples are certain private equity investments and private placements.

The majority of the Group’s financial assets are valued based on quoted market information or observable market data. A small percentage (4%) of total financial assets recorded at fair value, are based on estimates and recorded as Level 3 investments. Where estimates are used, these are based on a combination of independent third-party evidence and internally developed models, calibrated to market observable data where possible. Whilst such valuations are sensitive to estimates, it is believed that changing one or more of the assumptions to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change the fair value significantly.

The principal investments classified as Level 3 are:

Structured bond type products held by our businesses in France and Italy amounting to £7.0 billion, for which there is no active market. These bonds are valued either using third party counterparty or broker quotes. These bonds are validated against internal or third party models. Most of these bonds have been classified as Level 3 because either, (i) the third party models included a significant unobservable liquidity adjustment or (ii) differences between the valuation provided by the counterparty and broker quotes and the validation model were sufficiently significant to result in a Level 3 classification. At 31 December 2009, the counterparty and broker quotes used to value these products were less than the modelled valuations.

Notes issued by loan partnerships held by our UK Life business amounting to £1.0 billion, for which there is no active market. These are valued using counterparty quotes, corroborated against the prices of selected similar securities. In 2009 there was insufficient market observable transactions in the selected securities to provide a reliable proxy price to corroborate the counterparty price.

Private equity investment funds held by our UK Life business amounting to £0.8 billion. In valuing our interest in these funds, we rely on investment valuation reports received from the fund manager, making adjustments for items such as subsequent draw downs and distributions between the date of the report and valuation date and the fund manager’s carried interest.

Certain direct private equity investments and private placements held by our business in the Netherlands and strategic interests in banking partners held by our Italian business amounting to £0.8 billion. Valuations are based on third-party independent appraisals, or where internally modelled, transactions in similar entities, discounted cash flow techniques and valuation multiples, using public and internal management information.

Other Level 3 investments amount to £1.6 billion and relate to a diverse range of different types of securities held by a number of businesses throughout the Group.


 

 

153

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

21 – Financial investments continued

(ii)

An analysis of investments according to fair value hierarchy is given below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Sub-total
fair value
£m

Amortised
cost
£m

Less:
Assets
of
operations
classified
as
held
for
sale
£m

Statement
of
financial
position
Total
£m

Loans

20,890

20,890

20,189

41,079

Fixed maturity securities

114,779

36,592

9,139

160,510

160,510

Equity securities

36,774

5,775

794

43,343

43,343

Other investments (including derivatives)

29,572

3,950

1,327

34,849

(23)

34,826

Total

181,125

67,207

11,260

259,592

20,189

(23)

279,758

 

For the year to 31 December 2009 transfers from fair value hierarchy Level 1 to Level 2 amounted to £886 million, and from Level 2 to Level 1 amounted to £2,181 million. The transfers arose as a result of changes in levels of activity in the markets from which prices are sourced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Sub-total
fair value
£m

Amortised
cost
£m

Less:
Assets
of
operations
classified
as
held
for
sale
£m

Statement
of
financial
position
Total
£m

Loans

21,468

21,468

20,769

42,237

Fixed maturity securities

108,087

40,797

1,850

150,734

(336)

150,398

Equity securities

36,607

5,873

931

43,411

(60)

43,351

Other investments (including derivatives)

24,655

11,792

64

36,511

36,511

Total

169,349

79,930

2,845

252,124

20,769

(396)

272,497

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Sub-total
fair value
£m

Amortised
cost
£m

Less:
Assets
of
operations
classified
as
held
for
sale
£m

Statement
of
financial
position
Total
£m

Loans

18,540

18,540

17,653

36,193

Fixed maturity securities

101,621

18,710

1,260

121,591

(80)

121,511

Equity securities

54,124

4,309

632

59,065

(236)

58,829

Other investments (including derivatives)

27,286

8,895

319

36,500

36,500

Total

183,031

50,454

2,211

235,696

17,653

(316)

253,033

 

(iii)

The tables below show movements in the assets measured at fair value based on valuation techniques for which any significant input is not based on observable market data (Level 3 only).

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

Fixed
maturity
securities
£m

Equity
securities
£m

Other
invest-ments
£m

Total
£m

Total funds

  

  

  

  

  

Balance at 1 January

  

1,850

931

64

2,845

Total net gains or losses recognised in the income statement

  

2

(55)

1

(52)

Total net gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income

  

107

1

(4)

104

Purchases

  

820

117

104

1,041

Disposals

  

(247)

(133)

(5)

(385)

Settlements

  

(73)

(73)

Transfers into Level 3

  

7,659

134

1,186

8,979

Transfers out of Level 3

  

(923)

(54)

(19)

(996)

Foreign exchange rate movements

  

(129)

(74)

(203)

Balance at 31 December

  

9,139

794

1,327

11,260

 

The Group assesses the fair value hierarchy of its financial investments biannually at 30 June and 31 December. Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are deemed to have occurred at the assessment date.


154

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

21 – Financial investments continued

Transfers into and out of Level 3 arose for the following reasons:

Changes in the market observability of valuation inputs.

Changes in the market observability of inputs used to validate valuations.

Significant differences between third party prices used for valuations and validation prices either sourced from third parties or internal models.

The transfers into Level 3 principally relate to certain debt securities held by our businesses in the UK, Italy and France and private equity investment funds in the UK. These investments were previously classified as Level 2. The single largest transfer was of £6.8 billion structured bond type products, whose valuation methodology is described earlier in this section.

Of the £52 million net losses recognised in the income statement during the year, £2 million gain relates to net investment income and £54 million loss relating to impairments is included in other expenses.

(c) Cost, unrealised gains and fair value

The following is a summary of the cost/amortised cost, gross unrealised gains and losses and fair value of financial investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

Cost/
amortised
cost
£m

Unrealised
gains
£m

Unrealised
losses
£m

Impairment
losses
£m

Fair
value
£m

Fixed maturity securities

159,287

5,872

(4,500)

(149)

160,510

Equity securities

44,188

4,173

(3,975)

(1,043)

43,343

Other investments

  

  

  

  

  

Unit trusts and specialised investment vehicles

30,230

784

(484)

(15)

30,515

Derivative financial instruments

1,518

896

(337)

2,077

Deposits with credit institutions

969

969

Minority holdings in property management undertakings

635

69

(26)

(11)

667

Other long-term investments

729

191

(297)

(2)

621

  

237,556

11,985

(9,619)

(1,220)

238,702

These are further analysed as follows:

  

  

  

  

  

At fair value through profit or loss

210,635

10,506

(8,785)

(160)

212,196

Available for sale

26,921

1,479

(834)

(1,060)

26,506

  

237,556

11,985

(9,619)

(1,220)

238,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

Cost/
amortised
cost
£m

Unrealised
gains
£m

Unrealised
losses
£m

Impairment
losses
£m

Fair
value
£m

Fixed maturity securities

156,240

7,634

(12,857)

(283)

150,734

Equity securities

54,518

2,685

(12,636)

(1,156)

43,411

Other investments

  

  

  

  

  

Unit trusts and specialised investment vehicles

28,700

1,994

(1,704)

(1)

28,989

Derivative financial instruments

1,792

1,761

(643)

2,910

Deposits with credit institutions

946

946

Minority holdings in property management undertakings

758

279

(56)

(12)

969

Other long-term investments

2,883

209

(402)

2,690

Other short-term investments

8

(1)

7

  

245,845

14,562

(28,299)

(1,452)

230,656

These are further analysed as follows:

  

  

  

  

  

At fair value through profit or loss

216,551

13,658

(25,396)

(191)

204,622

Available for sale

29,294

904

(2,903)

(1,261)

26,034

  

245,845

14,562

(28,299)

(1,452)

230,656

 

 

 

 

 

 


2007

 

Cost/
amortised
cost
£m

Unrealised
gains
£m

Unrealised
losses
£m

Impairment
losses
£m

Fair
value
£m

Fixed maturity securities

122,172

1,970

(2,542)

(9)

121,591

Equity securities

50,635

9,052

(367)

(255)

59,065

Other investments

  

  

  

  

  

Unit trusts and specialised investment vehicles

28,684

3,106

(382)

(2)

31,406

Derivative financial instruments

1,609

1,609

Deposits with credit institutions

847

847

Minority holdings in property management undertakings

977

977

Other long-term investments

1,465

249

(57)

1,657

Other short-term investments

4

4

  

204,784

15,986

(3,348)

(266)

217,156

These are further analysed as follows:

  

  

  

  

  

At fair value through profit or loss

187,179

14,720

(2,929)

(31)

198,939

Available for sale

17,605

1,266

(419)

(235)

18,217

  

204,784

15,986

(3,348)

(266)

217,156

 


 

155

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

21 – Financial investments continued

All unrealised gains and losses and impairments on financial investments classified as fair value through profit or loss have been recognised in the income statement.

Unrealised gains and losses on financial investments classified as at fair value through profit or loss recognised in the income statement in the year were a net loss of £18,919 million (2008: £25,105 million net loss). Of this, £1,877 million net loss (2008: £108 million net gain) related to financial investments designated as trading and £17,042 million net loss (2008: £25,213 million net loss) related to investments designated as other than trading.

The movement in the unrealised gain/loss position reported in the statement of financial position during the year, shown in the table above, includes foreign exchange movements on the translation of unrealised gains and losses on financial investments held by foreign subsidiaries, which are recognised in other comprehensive income, as well as transfers due to the realisation of gains and losses on disposal and the recognition of impairment losses.

Total impairments of financial investments recognised in the income statement in the year, disclosed in note 6, were £538 million (2008: £973 million). This comprised impairments of financial investments classified as available-for-sale of £482 million (2008: £830 million) disclosed in the table below, and impairments of financial investments classified as fair value through profit or loss of £56 million (2008: £143 million).

(d) Impairment of financial investments

The movements in impairment provisions on available-for-sale financial investments for the years ended 31 December 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

 

Fixed
maturity
securities
£m

Equity
securities
£m

Other
investments
£m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2008

(8)

(227)

(235)

Increase for the year charged to the income statement

(169)

(661)

(830)

Other movements

(11)

(9)

(20)

Foreign exchange rate movement

(37)

(139)

(176)

At 31 December 2008

(225)

(1,036)

(1,261)

Increase for the year charged to the income statement

(93)

(384)

(5)

(482)

Write back following sale or reimbursement

174

401

575

Foreign exchange rate movement

25

85

(2)

108

At 31 December 2009

(119)

(934)

(7)

(1,060)

(e) Financial investment arrangements

(i) Stock lending arrangements

The Group has entered into stock lending arrangements in the UK and overseas during the year in accordance with established market conventions. The majority of the Group’s stock lending transactions occurs in the UK, where investments are lent to EEA-regulated, locally-domiciled counterparties and governed by agreements written under English law.

The Group receives collateral in order to reduce the credit risk of these arrangements. Collateral must be in a readily realisable form, such as listed securities, and is held in segregated accounts. Transfer of title always occurs for collateral received, although no market risk or economic benefit is taken. The level of collateral held is monitored regularly, with further collateral obtained where this is considered necessary to manage the Group’s risk exposure.

In certain markets, the Group or the Group’s appointed stock lending managers obtain legal ownership of the collateral received and can re-pledge it as collateral elsewhere or sell outright in the absence of default. The carrying amounts of financial assets received and pledged in this manner at 31 December 2009 were £16,909 million and £703 million respectively (2008: £18,486 million and £322 million respectively, 2007: £23,779 million and £4 million respectively). The value of collateral that was actually sold or re-pledged in the absence of default was £nil (2008: £nil).

In addition to the above, the Group has received and pledged cash collateral under stock lending arrangement that has been recognised in the statement of financial position with a corresponding obligation or receivable for its return. These latter balances are shown separately in notes 46 and 22 respectively.

(ii) Stock repurchase arrangements
Included within financial investments are £664 million (2008: £383 million, 2007: £358 million) of debt securities and other fixed income securities which have been sold under stock repurchase arrangements. The obligations arising under these arrangements are shown in note 46.

(iii) Other arrangements

In carrying on its bulk purchase annuity business, the Group’s UK Life operation is required to place certain investments in trust on behalf of the policyholders. Amounts become payable from the trust funds to the trustees if the Group were to be in breach of its payment obligations in respect of policyholder benefits. At 31 December 2009, £703 million (2008: £474 million, 2007: £nil) of financial investments were restricted in this way.

Certain financial investments are also required to be deposited under local laws in various overseas countries as security for the holders of policies issued in those countries. Other investments are pledged as security collateral for bank letters of credit.

 


156

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

22 – Receivables and other financial assets

This note analyses our total receivables.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Amounts owed by contract holders

2,435

2,303

2,554

Amounts owed by intermediaries

1,216

1,649

1,417

Deposits with ceding undertakings

1,670

1,747

1,163

Amounts due from reinsurers

680

802

701

Amounts due from brokers for investment sales

232

120

326

Amounts receivable for collateral pledged (notes 21(e) and 54(c))

15

1

21

Reimbursements due from government health insurance

141

147

402

Corporate owned life insurance

146

162

112

Dividends receivable

76

183

152

Finance lease receivables

162

121

111

Other banking assets

273

237

50

Other financial assets

2,606

2,730

2,164

Total

9,652

10,202

9,173

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

(20)

(386)

(554)

  

9,632

9,816

8,619

Expected to be recovered in less than one year

8,985

9,116

8,261

Expected to be recovered in more than one year

647

700

358

  

9,632

9,816

8,619

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the size and spread of the Group’s trading base. No further credit risk provision is therefore required in excess of the normal provision for doubtful receivables.

23 – Deferred acquisition costs and other assets

This note shows the products on which we are deferring some of our acquisition costs and details the movements in the balance during the year.

(a) Carrying amount

The carrying amount comprises:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Deferred acquisition costs in respect of:

  

  

  

Insurance contracts – Long-term business

2,952

3,306

1,473

Insurance contracts – General insurance and health business

1,227

1,489

1,583

Participating investment contracts – Long-term business

85

87

112

Non-participating investment contracts – Long-term business

1,032

1,062

1,126

Retail fund management business

20

21

27

Total deferred acquisition costs

5,316

5,965

4,321

Surpluses in the staff pension schemes (note 44(e)(vii))

27

Other assets

305

183

139

Total

5,621

6,148

4,487

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

(1)

  

5,621

6,147

4,487

Deferred acquisition costs on long-term business are generally recoverable in more than one year whereas such costs on general insurance and health business are generally recoverable within one year after the statement of financial position date.

 


 

157

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

23 – Deferred acquisition costs and other assets continued

(b) Movements in the year

The movements in deferred acquisition costs during the year were:

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

Long-term business
£m

General insurance and health
business
£m

Retail fund management business
£m

Total
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

4,455

1,489

22

5,966

Acquisition costs deferred during the year

1,123

2,209

8

3,340

Amortisation

(468)

(2,464)

(9)

(2,941)

Impact of assumption changes

94

(1)

93

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(40)

(40)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(338)

(7)

(345)

Shadow adjustment

(757)

(757)

Carrying amount at 31 December

4,069

1,227

20

5,316

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

Long-term business
£m

General insurance and health
business
£m

Retail fund management business
£m

Total
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

2,711

1,583

27

4,321

Acquisition costs deferred during the year

1,513

2,660

4

4,177

Amortisation

(682)

(2,828)

(9)

(3,519)

Impairment losses

(100)

(100)

Impact of assumption changes

(281)

(4)

(285)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

3

(1)

2

Foreign exchange rate movements

808

79

887

Shadow adjustment

483

483

Carrying amount at 31 December

4,455

1,489

22

5,966

 

The level of capitalised acquisition costs for new long-term business reduced by £390 million in 2009, reflecting lower new business in the US. The amortisation reduced by £214 million in 2009, mainly in the UK where improved asset values impacted on projected profits, particularly management charges on unit-linked funds, leading to lower amortisation.

Where amortisation of the DAC balance depends on projected profits, changes to economic conditions may lead to a movement in the DAC balance and a corresponding impact on profit. It is estimated that the movement in DAC balance would reduce profit by £5 million if market yields on fixed income investments were to reduce by 1% and reduce profit by £20 million if equity and property market values were to fall by 10% from year end 2009 levels.

The shadow adjustments relate to deferred acquisition costs on business in the United States backed by investments classified as available for sale. As explained in accounting policy K, unrealised gains and losses on the AFS investments and the shadow adjustments above are both recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

(c) Other assets

Other assets include £1 million (2008: £1 million, 2007: £66 million) that is expected to be recovered more than one year after the statement of financial position date.

(d) Prepayments and accrued income

Prepayments and accrued income of £3,604 million (2008: £3,762 million, 2007: £2,986 million), include £148 million (2008: £259 million, 2007: £111 million) that is expected to be recovered more than one year after the statement of financial position date.

 


158

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

24 – Assets held to cover linked liabilities

Certain unit-linked products have been classified as investment contracts, while some are included within the definition of an insurance contract. The assets backing these unit-linked liabilities are included within the relevant balances in the consolidated statement of financial position, while the liabilities are included within insurance and investment contract provisions. This note analyses the carrying values of assets backing these liabilities.

The carrying values of assets backing unit-linked liabilities are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Loans

1,468

1,799

347

Debt securities

17,595

19,588

15,065

Equity securities

28,638

23,840

27,743

Other investments

29,756

28,799

33,171

Reinsurance assets

1,014

1,704

1,905

Cash and cash equivalents

4,214

4,125

3,939

  

82,685

79,855

82,170

25 – Ordinary share capital

This note gives details of Aviva plc’s ordinary share capital and shows the movements during the year.

 

(a) Details of the Company’s ordinary share capital are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

The authorised share capital of the Company at 31 December 2009 was:
5,200,000,000 (2008: 3,000,000,000) ordinary shares of 25 pence each


1,300


750

The allotted, called up and fully paid share capital of the Company at 31 December 2009 was:
2,766,611,374
(2008: 2,657,701,624) ordinary shares of 25 pence each

692

664

 

(b) During 2009, a total of 108,909,750 ordinary shares of 25 pence each were allotted and issued by the Company as follows:

 

 

Number
of shares

Share
Capital
£m

Share
Premium
£m

At 1 January 2008

2,621,792,828

655

1,223

Shares issued under the Group’s Employee and Executive Share Option Schemes

8,429,587

2

18

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

27,479,209

7

(7)

At 31 December 2008

2,657,701,624

664

1,234

Shares issued under the Group’s Employee and Executive Share Option Schemes

951,455

1

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

107,958,295

27

(27)

At 31 December 2009

2,766,611,374

692

1,207

 

Ordinary shares in issue in the Company rank pari passu. All the ordinary shares in issue carry the same right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid by the Company.

The issue of shares in lieu of cash dividends is considered a bonus issue under the terms of the UK Companies Act 2006 and the nominal value of the shares is charged to the share premium account.

 


 

159

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

26 – Equity compensation plans

This note describes the various equity compensation plans we use, and shows how we value the options and awards of shares in the Company.

(a) Description of the plans

The Group maintains a number of active stock option and award schemes. These are as follows:

(i) Savings-related options

These are options granted under the HMRC-approved Save As You Earn (SAYE) share option schemes in the UK and in Ireland. Options are normally exercisable during the six month period following either the third, fifth or seventh anniversary of the start of the relevant savings contract.

(ii) Executive share options

These are options granted on various dates from 1999 to 2004, under the Aviva Executive Share Option Scheme or predecessor schemes. Options granted between 1999 and 2000 were subject to the satisfaction of conditions relating to either the Company’s return on equity shareholders’ funds (ROE) or its relative total shareholder return (TSR) against a chosen comparator group. In respect of options granted from 2000 the performance condition has been a mixture of both ROE and TSR measures. In all cases, performance is measured over a three-year performance period and the options are normally exercisable between the third and tenth anniversary of their grant.

(iii) Deferred bonus plan options

These are options granted in 2000 under the CGU Deferred Bonus Plan. Participants who deferred their annual cash bonus in exchange for an award of shares of equal value also received a matching award over an equal number of share options. The exercise of these options is not subject to the attainment of performance conditions. These options are exercisable up to the tenth anniversary of their grant.

(iv) Long-term incentive plan awards

These awards have been made under the Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan 2005 and are described in Section (b) below and in the Directors’ remuneration report.

(v) Annual bonus plan awards

These awards have been made under the Aviva Annual Bonus Plan 2005, and are described in Section (b) below and in the Directors’ remuneration report.

(vi) One Aviva, twice the value bonus plan awards

These are conditional awards first granted under the Aviva Annual Bonus Plan 2005 in 2008, and are described in section (b) below and in the Directors’ remuneration report.

(b) Outstanding options and awards

(i) Share options

At 31 December 2009, options to subscribe for ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the Company were outstanding as follows:

Aviva Savings Related

 

Aviva Savings Related
Share Option Scheme

Option price
p

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

Option price
p

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

  

401

660,218

2009

593

1,128,769

2009, 2011 or 2013

  

406

181,776

2010

563

1,414,950

2010, 2012 or 2014

  

428

511,362

2009 or 2011

410

3,884,416

2011, 2013 or 2015

  

491

613,103

2010 or 2012

316

13,417,632

2012, 2014 or 2016

 

Aviva Ireland Savings Related
Share Option Scheme (in euros)

Option price
c

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

Option price
c

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

  

630

27,912

2009

830

103,800

2010 or 2012

  

719

19,535

2010

509

321,194

2011 or 2013

 

879

77,610

2009 or 2011

360

1,366,852

2012 or 2014

 

RAC Savings Related
Share Option Scheme

 

 

 

Option price
p

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

  

  

  

  

354.94

24,210

2009

 


160

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

26 – Equity compensation plans continued

 

Aviva Executive
Share Option Scheme

Option price
p

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

Option price
p

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

  

822.00

20,442

2003 to 2010

516.00

692,183

2005 to 2012

  

972.33

7,436

2003 to 2010

512.00

834,559

2006 to 2013

  

960.00

22,336

2003 to 2010

526.00

608,487

2007 to 2014

  

1,035.00

403,157

2004 to 2011

 

 

 

 

CGU plc
Deferred Bonus Plan

Option price
p

Number
of shares

Normally
exercisable

  

875.0

13,154

2003 to 2010

 

The following table summarises information about options outstanding at 31 December 2009:

 

Range of exercise prices

Outstanding
options
Number

Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
Years

Weighted average
exercise price
p

£3.00 – £4.89

20,395,572

3

341.94

£4.90 – £8.04

5,492,996

2

543.53

£8.05 – £11.19

466,525

1

1016.57

 

The comparative figures as at 31 December 2008 were:

 

Range of exercise prices

Outstanding
options
Number

Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
Years

Weighted average
exercise price
p

£3.00 – £4.89

15,038,581

3

408.74

£4.90 – £8.04

10,344,558

2

535.04

£8.05 – £11.19

895,084

1

976.99

 

(ii) Share awards

At 31 December 2009, awards issued under the Company’s executive incentive plans over ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the Company were outstanding as follows:

 

Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan 2005

Number of shares

Vesting period

Number of shares

Vesting period

  

2,483,286

2007 to 2009

11,619,840

2009 to 2011

  

3,914,033

2008 to 2010

  

  

 

One Aviva, twice the value Bonus Plan

Number of shares

Vesting period

Number of shares

Vesting period

  

985,942

2008 to 2010

2,722,011

2009 to 2011

 

Aviva Annual Bonus Plan 2005

Number of shares

Vesting period

Number of shares

Vesting period

  

2,094,687

2010

7,995,096

2012

  

2,870,335

2011

  

  

 

The vesting of awards under the Aviva Long Term Incentive Plan 2005 is subject to the attainment of performance conditions as described in the Directors’ remuneration report. Shares which do not vest, lapse.

(iii) Shares to satisfy awards and options

Prior to March 2003, it was the practice to satisfy awards and options granted under the executive incentive plans through shares purchased in the market and held by employee share trusts which were established for the purpose of satisfying awards under the various executive incentive plans and funded by the Company.

From March 2003 to July 2008, it was generally the Company’s practice to satisfy the awards granted after March 2003 by the issue of new shares at the time of vesting. However, since July 2008, it has been the Company’s practice to satisfy all awards and options using shares purchased in the market and held by employee trusts except where local regulations make it necessary to issue new shares. Further details are given in note 27.

 


 

161

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

26 – Equity compensation plans continued

(c) Movements in the year

A summary of the status of the option plans as at 31 December 2009 and 2008, and changes during the years ended on those dates, is shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

Number of options

Weighted average
exercise price
p

 

Number of options

Weighted average
exercise price
p

Outstanding at 1 January

26,278,223

477.82

  

22,999,532

534.70

Granted during the year

14,863,272

316.00

  

12,392,826

410.00

Exercised during the year

(146,330)

359.55

  

(2,344,424)

420.90

Forfeited during the year

(1,149,764)

459.77

  

(528,037)

497.32

Cancelled during the year

(8,604,422)

433.40

  

(3,980,590)

483.76

Expired during the year

(4,885,886)

513.42

  

(2,261,084)

561.62

Outstanding at 31 December

26,355,093

395.90

  

26,278,223

477.82

Exercisable at 31 December

6,709,247

550.41

  

6,709,247

550.41

 

(d) Expense charged to the income statement

The total expense recognised for the year arising from equity compensation plans was as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Equity-settled expense (note 8b)

56

39

50

Cash-settled expense

  

56

39

50

 

(e) Fair value of options and awards granted after 7 November 2002

The weighted average fair values of options and awards granted during the year, estimated by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, were £1.78 and £1.94 (2008: £1.99 and £4.44) respectively.

(i) Share options

The fair value of the options was estimated on the date of grant, based on the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Weighted average assumption

2009

2008

Share price

480p

518p

Exercise price

316p

410p

Expected volatility

55%

32.6%

Expected life

5.00 years

5.00 years

Expected dividend yield

5.06%

5.5%

Risk-free interest rate

2.47%

4.4%

 

The expected volatility used was based on the historical volatility of the share price over a period equivalent to the expected life of the options prior to its date of grant.

The risk-free interest rate was based on the yields available on UK government bonds as at the date of grant. The bonds chosen were those with a similar remaining term to the expected life of the options.

144,590 options granted after 7 November 2002 were exercised during the year (2008: 1,112,282).

(ii) Share awards

The fair value of the awards was estimated on the date of grant, based on the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Weighted average assumption

2009

2008

Share price

216.25p

608p

Expected volatility*

60%

25%

Expected volatility of comparator companies’ share price*

61%

26%

Correlation between Aviva and competitors’ share price*

55%

65%

Expected life

2.75 years

2.78 years

Expected dividend yield

8.23%

4.5%

Risk-free interest rate*

1.76%

3.9%

* For awards with market-based performance conditions.

 

The expected volatility used was based on the historical volatility of the share price over a period equivalent to the expected life of the options prior to its date of grant.

       The risk-free interest rate was based on the yields available on UK government bonds as at the date of grant. The bonds chosen were those with a similar remaining term to the expected life of the options.

 

 


162

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

27 – Shares held by employee trusts

We satisfy awards and options granted under the executive incentive plans primarily through shares purchased in the market and held by employees share trusts. This note gives details of the shares held in these trusts.

Movements in the carrying value of shares held by employee trusts comprise:

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

Number

£m

 

Number

£m

 

Number

£m

Cost debited to shareholders’ funds

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

At 1 January

8,635,582

33

  

1,521,064

10

  

682,202

Acquired in the year

14,000,000

54

  

8,500,000

29

  

1,556,583

10

Distributed in the year

(4,656,350)

(19)

  

(1,385,482)

(6)

  

(717,721)

Balance at 31 December

17,979,232

68

  

8,635,582

33

  

1,521,064

10

 

The shares are owned by an employee share trust with an undertaking to satisfy awards of shares in the Company under the Group’s equity compensation plans. Details of the features of the plans can be found in the Directors’ remuneration report.

These shares were purchased in the market and are carried at cost less amounts charged to the income statement in prior years. At 31 December 2009, they had an aggregate nominal value of £4,494,808 (2008: £2,158,896, 2007: £380,266) and a market value of £71,539,364 (2008: £33,678,770, 2007: £10,236,761). The trustees have waived their rights to dividends on the shares held in the trusts.

28 – Preference share capital

This note gives details of Aviva plc’s preference share capital.

The preference share capital of the Company at 31 December 2009 was:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Authorised

  

  

200,000,000 cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each

200

200

1,000,000,000 Sterling preference shares of £1 each

1,000

1,000

  

1,200

1,200

 

 

2009
€m

2008
€m

700,000,000 Euro preference shares of €1 each

700

700

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Issued and paid up

  

  

100,000,000 83/8% cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each

100

100

100,000,000 83/4% cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each

100

100

  

200

200

 

The Sterling preference shares, if issued and allotted, would rank, as to payment of a dividend and capital, ahead of the Company’s ordinary share capital but behind the cumulative irredeemable preference shares currently in issue. The issued preference shares are non-voting except where their dividends are in arrears, on a winding up or where their rights are altered. On a winding up, they carry a preferential right of return of capital ahead of the ordinary shares. The Company does not have a contractual obligation to deliver cash or other financial assets to the preference shareholders and therefore the directors may make dividend payments at their discretion.

 

 


 

163

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

29 – Direct capital instrument

This note gives details of the direct capital instrument issued in November 2004.

 

Notional amount

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

5.9021% £500 million direct capital instrument

500

500

500

4.7291% €700 million direct capital instrument

490

490

490

  

990

990

990

 

The euro and sterling direct capital instruments (the DCIs) were issued on 25 November 2004. They have no fixed redemption date but the Company may, at its sole option, redeem all (but not part) of the euro and sterling DCIs at their principal amounts on

28 November 2014 and 27 July 2020 respectively, at which dates the interest rates change to variable rates, or on any respective coupon payment date thereafter.

In addition, under certain circumstances defined in the terms and conditions of the issue, the Company may at its sole option:

substitute at any time not less than all of the DCIs for, or vary the terms of the DCIs so that they become, Qualifying Tier 1 Securities or Qualifying Upper Tier 2 Securities;

substitute not less than all of the DCIs for fully paid non-cumulative preference shares in the Company. These preference shares could only be redeemed on 28 November 2014 in the case of the euro DCIs and on 27 July 2020 in the case of the sterling DCIs, or in each case on any dividend payment date thereafter. The Company has the right to choose whether or not to pay any dividend on the new shares, and any such dividend payment will be non-cumulative.

 

The Company has the option to defer coupon payments on the DCIs on any relevant payment date. Deferred coupons shall be satisfied only in the following circumstances, all of which occur at the sole option of the Company:

    Redemption; or

—    Substitution by, or variation so they become, alternative Qualifying Tier 1 Securities or Qualifying Upper Tier 2 Securities; or

—    Substitution by preference shares.

 

No interest will accrue on any deferred coupon. Deferred coupons will be satisfied by the issue and sale of ordinary shares in the Company at their prevailing market value, to a sum as near as practicable to (and at least equal to) the relevant deferred coupons. In the event of any coupon deferral, the Company will not declare or pay any dividend on its ordinary or preference share capital.

30 – Merger reserve

This note analyses the movements in the merger reserve during the year.

Movements in the year comprised

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Balance at 1 January

3,271

3,271

3,271

Movement in the year

Balance at 31 December

3,271

3,271

3,271

 

Prior to 1 January 2004, certain significant business combinations were accounted for using the “pooling of interests method” (or merger accounting), which treats the merged groups as if they had been combined throughout the current and comparative accounting periods. Merger accounting principles for these combinations gave rise to a merger reserve in the consolidated statement of financial position, being the difference between the nominal value of new shares issued by the Parent Company for the acquisition of the shares of the subsidiary and the subsidiary’s own share capital and share premium account.

The merger reserve is also used where more than 90% of the shares in a subsidiary are acquired and the consideration includes the issue of new shares by the Company, thereby attracting merger relief under the UK Companies Act 1985 and, from 1 October 2009, the UK Companies Act 2006.

The balance on the reserve has arisen through the mergers of Commercial Union, General Accident and Norwich Union companies, forming Aviva plc in 2000, together with the acquisition of RAC plc in 2005.

 

 


164

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

31 – Other reserves

This note gives details of the various reserves forming part of the Group’s consolidated equity, and shows the movements during the year.

Movements in the year comprised:

 

 

Currency
translation
reserve
(see
accounting
policy E)
£m

Owner
occupied
properties
reserve
(see
accounting
policy O)
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
(see
accounting
policy S)
£m

Hedging
instruments
reserve
(see
accounting
policy T)
£m

Equity
compensa-
tion reserve
(see
accounting
policy AA)
£m

Restated
Total
£m

Balance at 1 January 2007

(331)

194

979

78

73

993

Arising in the year:

  

  

  

  

  

  

Fair value gains

23

149

172

Fair value gains transferred to profit on disposals

(391)

(391)

Transfer to profit on disposal of subsidiary

3

3

Fair value gains transferred to retained earnings on disposals (note 32)

(25)

(25)

Share of fair value changes in joint ventures and associates taken to other comprehensive income (notes 15a & 16a)

9

9

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans (note 26d)

50

50

Shares issued under equity compensation plans (note 32)

(34)

(34)

Foreign exchange rate movements

760

(141)

619

Aggregate tax effect – shareholders’ tax

73

73

Balance at 31 December 2007

432

192

819

(63)

89

1,469

Arising in the year:

  

  

  

  

  

  

Fair value losses

(37)

(2,344)

(2,381)

Fair value gains transferred to profit on disposals

(126)

(126)

Fair value gains transferred to retained earnings on disposals (note 32)

1

1

Share of fair value changes in joint ventures and associates taken to other comprehensive income (notes 15a & 16a)

(93)

(93)

Impairment losses on assets previously revalued directly through equity now taken to income statement*

830

830

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans (note 26d)

39

39

Shares issued under equity compensation plans (note 32)

(15)

(15)

Foreign exchange rate movements

3,253

(1,040)

2,213

Aggregate tax effect – shareholders’ tax

1

203

204

Balance at 31 December 2008

3,685

157

(711)

(1,103)

113

2,141

Arising in the year:

  

  

  

  

  

  

Fair value losses

(26)

977

951

Fair value gains transferred to profit on disposals

(310)

(310)

Transfer to profit on disposal of subsidiary (note 2b)

(96)

(96)

Fair value losses transferred to retained earnings on disposals (note 32)

(1)

(1)

Share of fair value changes in joint ventures and associates taken to other comprehensive income (notes 15a & 16a)

122

122

Impairment losses on assets previously revalued directly through equity now taken to income statement*

482

482

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans (note 26d)

56

56

Shares issued under equity compensation plans (note 32)

(60)

(60)

Transfer to minority interests following Delta Lloyd IPO (note 3c)

(351)

(26)

(156)

(533)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(1,014)

332

(682)

Aggregate tax effect – shareholders’ tax

(241)

(241)

Balance at 31 December 2009

2,224

104

162

(771)

109

1,829

*

In accordance with accounting policy S, all fair value gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are recorded in the investment valuation reserve. Where these investments are considered to be impaired, the relevant losses are then transferred from this reserve to the income statement.

 

The above reserves are shown net of minority interests.

 

 


 

165

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

32 – Retained earnings

This note analyses the movements in the consolidated retained earnings during the year.

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

2007
£m

Balance at 1 January as reported

3,902

6,434

5,194

Prior year adjustment (see note 2b)

96

Balance as 1 January restated

3,902

6,434

5,290

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to equity shareholders

1,085

(915)

1,320

Actuarial (losses)/gains on pension schemes (note 44e(iv))

(1,140)

(929)

648

Actuarial losses/(gains) on pension schemes transferred to unallocated

 

 

 

divisible surplus (note 40)

24

78

(61)

Dividends and appropriations (note 12)

(853)

(975)

(871)

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

299

170

301

Shares issued under equity compensation plans (note 31)

60

15

34

Shares distributed by employee trusts (note 27)

(18)

(6)

Fair value gains/(losses) realised from reserves (note 31)

1

(1)

25

Transfer to minority interests following Delta Lloyd IPO (note 3c)

3

Aggregate tax effect

62

31

(252)

Balance at 31 December

3,425

3,902

6,434

 

The shares issued in lieu of dividends are in respect of the transfer to retained earnings from the ordinary dividend account, arising from the treatment of these shares explained in note 25(b).

The Group’s regulated subsidiaries are required to hold sufficient capital to meet acceptable solvency levels based on applicable local regulations. Their ability to transfer retained earnings to the UK parent companies is therefore restricted to the extent these earnings form part of local regulatory capital.

33 – Minority interests

This note gives details of the Group’s minority interests and shows the movements during the year.

(a) Minority interests at 31 December comprised:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Equity shares in subsidiaries

2,098

695

660

Share of earnings

795

673

429

Share of other reserves

395

577

450

 

3,288

1,945

1,539

Preference shares in General Accident plc

250

250

250

Preference shares in other subsidiaries

2

9

6

  

3,540

2,204

1,795

 

(b) Movements in the year comprised:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Balance at 1 January

2,204

1,795

Profit for the year attributable to minority interests

230

30

Minority share of movements in other reserves

35

Foreign exchange rate movements

(173)

471

Total comprehensive income attributable to minority interests

92

501

Capital contributions from minority shareholders

6

36

Increase in minority interests following Delta Lloyd IPO (note 3c)

1,460

Minority share of dividends declared in the year

(109)

(106)

Minority interest in acquired subsidiaries

(2)

43

Changes in minority interest in existing subsidiaries

11

(65)

Reclassification to financial liabilities (see below)

(122)

Balance at 31 December

3,540

2,204

 

The minority shareholders in two subsidiaries in France and Italy hold options requiring the Group to purchase their shares. Both sets of minority shareholders have recently indicated that they intend to exercise these options in 2010. We have therefore classified their interest as at 31 December 2009 to financial liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

 


166

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

34 – Contract liabilities and associated reinsurance

The following notes explain how we calculate our liabilities to our policyholders for insurance and investment products we have sold to them. Notes 35 and 36 cover these liabilities and note 37 details the financial guarantees and options given for some of these products. Note 38 details the reinsurance recoverables on these liabilities whilst note 39 shows the effects of the assumptions we have changed during the year.

The following is a summary of the contract provisions and related reinsurance assets as at 31 December.

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

2007

 

Gross
provisions
£m

Reinsurance
assets
£m

Net
£m

 

Gross
provisions
£m

Reinsurance
assets
£m

Net
£m

 

Gross
provisions
£m

Reinsurance
assets
£m

Net
£m

Long-term business

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Insurance contracts

(154,058)

4,299

(149,759)

  

(156,188)

4,466

(151,722)

  

(135,312)

4,298

(131,014)

Participating investment contracts

(66,559)

(66,559)

  

(65,278)

52

(65,226)

  

(53,609)

22

(53,587)

Non-participating investment contracts

(43,456)

1,258

(42,198)

  

(42,281)

1,047

(41,234)

  

(44,635)

1,461

(43,174)

  

(264,073)

5,557

(258,516)

  

(263,747)

5,565

(258,182)

  

(233,556)

5,781

(227,775)

Outstanding claims provisions

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Long-term business

(921)

40

(881)

  

(907)

145

(762)

  

(727)

94

(633)

General insurance and health

(9,977)

1,194

(8,783)

  

(11,842)

1,737

(10,105)

  

(10,842)

1,634

(9,208)

  

(10,898)

1,234

(9,664)

  

(12,749)

1,882

(10,867)

  

(11,569)

1,728

(9,841)

Provisions for claims incurred but not reported

(2,719)

449

(2,270)

  

(2,518)

29

(2,489)

  

(2,099)

29

(2,070)

  

(277,690)

7,240

(270,450)

  

(279,014)

7,476

(271,538)

  

(247,224)

7,538

(239,686)

Provision for unearned premiums

(4,781)

332

(4,449)

  

(5,493)

418

(5,075)

  

(5,484)

511

(4,973)

Provision arising from liability adequacy tests

(7)

(7)

  

(13)

(13)

  

(24)

(24)

Other technical provisions

  

  

(3)

5

2

Totals

(282,478)

7,572

(274,906)

  

(284,520)

7,894

(276,626)

  

(252,735)

8,054

(244,681)

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

20

20

  

709

709

  

627

627

  

(282,458)

7,572

(274,886)

  

(283,811)

7,894

(275,917)

  

(252,108)

8,054

(244,054)

35 – Insurance liabilities

This note analyses our insurance contract liabilities by type of product and describes how we calculate these liabilities and what assumptions we have used.

(a) Carrying amount

Insurance liabilities at 31 December comprise:

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

2007

 

Long-term
business
£m

General
insurance
and health
£m

Total
£m

 

Long-term
business
£m

General
insurance
and health
£m

Total
£m

 

Long-term
business
£m

General
insurance
and health
£m

Total
£m

Long-term business provisions

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Participating

64,702

64,702

  

66,863

66,863

  

66,093

66,093

Unit-linked non-participating

23,158

23,158

  

22,060

22,060

  

20,601

20,601

Other non-participating

66,198

66,198

  

67,265

67,265

  

48,618

48,618

  

154,058

154,058

  

156,188

156,188

  

135,312

135,312

Outstanding claims provisions

921

9,977

10,898

  

907

11,842

12,749

  

727

10,842

11,569

Provision for claims incurred but not reported

2,719

2,719

  

2,518

2,518

  

2,099

2,099

  

921

12,696

13,617

  

907

14,360

15,267

  

727

12,941

13,668

Provision for unearned premiums

4,781

4,781

  

5,493

5,493

  

5,484

5,484

Provision arising from liability adequacy tests

7

7

  

13

13

  

24

24

Other technical provisions

  

  

3

3

Total

154,979

17,484

172,463

  

157,095

19,866

176,961

  

136,039

18,452

154,491

Less: Obligations to staff pension schemes transferred to provisions    (note 43a)

(1,351)

(1,351)

  

(1,402)

(1,402)

  

(1,025)

(1,025)

Amounts classified as held for sale

(20)

(20)

  

(709)

(709)

  

(627)

(627)

  

153,628

17,464

171,092

  

155,693

19,157

174,850

  

135,014

17,825

152,839

(b) Long-term business liabilities

(i) Business description

The Group underwrites long-term business in a number of countries as follows:

 

— 

In the UK mainly in

 

New With-Profits sub-fund (“NWPSF”) of Aviva Life & Pensions UK (“UKLAP”), where the with-profit policyholders are entitled to at least 90% of the distributed profits, the shareholders receiving the balance. Any surplus or deficit emerging in NWPSF that is not distributed as bonus will be transferred from this sub-fund to the Reattributed Inherited Estate External Support Account (“RIEESA”) (see below).

 

Old With-Profits sub-fund (“OWPSF”), With-Profits sub-fund (“WPSF”) and Provident Mutual sub-fund (“PMSF”) of UKLAP, where the with-profit policyholders are entitled to at least 90% of the distributed profits, the shareholders receiving the balance.

 

 


 

167

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

 

“Non-profit” funds of Aviva Annuity UK and UKLAP, where shareholders are entitled to 100% of the distributed profits. Shareholder profits on unitised with-profit business written by WPSF and on stakeholder unitised with-profit business are derived from management fees and policy charges, and emerge in the non-profit funds.

 

The RIEESA of UKLAP, which is a non-profit fund where shareholders are entitled to 100% of the distributed profits, but these cannot be distributed until the “lock-in” criteria set by the Reattribution Scheme have been met. RIEESA will be used to write non-profit business and also to provide capital support to NWPSF.

— 

In France, where the majority of policyholders’ benefits are determined by investment performance, subject to certain guarantees, and shareholders’ profits are derived largely from management fees. In addition, a substantial number of policies participate in investment returns, with the balance being attributable to shareholders.

— 

In the Netherlands, the balance of profits, after providing appropriate returns for policyholders and after tax, accrues for the benefit of the shareholders. The bases for determining returns for policyholders are complex, but are consistent with methods and criteria followed generally in the Netherlands. In addition, a substantial number of policies provide benefits that are determined by investment performance, subject to certain guarantees, and shareholders’ profits are derived largely from management fees.

— 

In the United States, there are two main types of business – protection products and accumulation products. Protection products include interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and indexed life insurance policies. The accumulation product segment includes traditional fixed and indexed deferred annuities for individuals and funding agreements for business customers. In addition, there are two closed blocks of participating contracts arising from demutualisations of subsidiary companies. All products are classified as insurance contracts except for the funding agreements and term certain immediate annuities, which are classified as non-participating investment contracts.

— 

In other overseas operations.

(ii) Group practice

The long-term business provision is calculated separately for each of the Group’s life operations. The provisions for overseas subsidiaries have generally been included on the basis of local regulatory requirements, mainly using the net premium method, modified where necessary to reflect the requirements of the UK Companies Act.

Material judgement is required in calculating the provisions and is exercised particularly through the choice of assumptions where discretion is permitted. In turn, the assumptions used depend on the circumstances prevailing in each of the life operations. Provisions are most sensitive to assumptions regarding discount rates and mortality/morbidity rates.

Bonuses paid during the year are reflected in claims paid, whereas those allocated as part of the bonus declaration are included in the movements in the long-term business provision.

(iii) Methodology and assumptions

There are two main methods of actuarial valuation of liabilities arising under long-term insurance contracts – the net premium method and the gross premium method – both of which involve the discounting of projected premiums and claims.

Under the net premium method, the premium taken into account in calculating the provision is determined actuarially, based on the valuation assumptions regarding discount rates, mortality and disability. The difference between this premium and the actual premium payable provides a margin for expenses. This method does not allow for voluntary early termination of the contract by the policyholder, and so no assumption is required for persistency. Explicit provision is made for vested bonuses (including those vesting following the most recent fund valuation), but no such provision is made for future regular or terminal bonuses. However, this method makes implicit allowance for future regular or terminal bonuses already earned, by margins in the valuation discount rate used.

The gross premium method uses the amount of contractual premiums payable and includes explicit assumptions for interest and discount rates, mortality and morbidity, persistency and future expenses. These assumptions can vary by contract type and reflect current and expected future experience. Explicit provision is made for vested bonuses and explicit allowance is also made for future regular bonuses, but not terminal bonuses.

(a) UK

With-profit business

The valuation of with-profit business uses the methodology developed for the Realistic Balance Sheet, adjusted to remove the shareholders’ share of future bonuses. The key elements of the Realistic Balance Sheet methodology are the with-profit benefit reserve (WPBR) and the present value of the expected cost of any payments in excess of the WPBR (referred to as the cost of future policy-related liabilities). The realistic liability for any contract is equal to the sum of the WPBR and the cost of future policy-related liabilities. The WPBR for an individual contract is generally calculated on a retrospective basis, and represents the accumulation of the premiums paid on the contract, allowing for investment return, taxation, expenses and any other charges levied on the contract.

For a small proportion of business, a prospective valuation approach is used, including allowance for anticipated future regular and final bonuses.

The items included in the cost of future policy-related liabilities include:

Maturity Guarantees.

Guaranteed Annuity Options.

GMP underpin on Section 32 transfers.

Expected payments under Mortgage Endowment Promise.

 

 


168

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

In the Provident Mutual and With-Profits sub-funds in UKLAP, this is offset by the expected cost of charges to WPBR to be made in respect of guarantees.

The cost of future policy-related liabilities is determined using a market-consistent approach and, in the main, this is based on a stochastic model calibrated to market conditions at the end of the reporting period. Non-market-related assumptions (for example, persistency, mortality and expenses) are based on experience, adjusted to take into account future trends.

The principal assumptions underlying the cost of future policy related liabilities are as follows:

Future investment return

A “risk-free” rate equal to the spot yield on UK Government securities, plus a margin of 0.1% is used. The rates vary, according to the outstanding term of the policy, with a typical rate as at 31 December 2009 being 4.35% (2008: 3.58%) for a policy with 10 years outstanding.

Volatility of investment return

Volatility assumptions are set with reference to implied volatility data on traded market instruments, where available or on a best estimate basis where not. These are term-dependent, with specimen values for 10 year terms as follows:

 

 

 

Volatility

 

2009

2008

Equity returns

26.6%

34.6%

Property returns

15.0%

15.0%

Fixed interest yields

14.4%

15.9%

 

The table above shows the volatility of fixed interest yields, set with reference to 20 year at-the-money swaption volatilities.

Future regular bonuses

Annual bonus assumptions for 2010 have been set consistently with the year end 2009 declaration. Future annual bonus rates reflect the principles and practices of the fund. In particular, the level is set with regard to the projected margin for final bonus and the change from one year to the next is limited to a level consistent with past practice.

Mortality

Mortality assumptions are set with regard to recent company experience and general industry trends.

The mortality tables used in the valuation are summarised below:

 

 

 

 

Mortality table used

 

2008 and 2009

 

2007

Assurances, pure endowments and deferred annuities before vesting

Nil or Axx00 adjusted

 

Nil or AM92/AF92

Pensions business after vesting and pensions annuities in payment

PCMA00/PCFA00 adjusted plus
allowance for future mortality
improvement

 

PCMA00/PCFA00 adjusted plus
allowance for future mortality
improvement

 

Non-profit business

Conventional non-profit contracts, including those written in the with-profit funds, are valued using gross premium methods which discount projected future cash flows. The cash flows are calculated using the amount of contractual premiums payable, together with explicit assumptions for investment returns, inflation, discount rates, mortality, morbidity, persistency and future expenses. These assumptions vary by contract type and reflect current and expected future experience.

For unit-linked and some unitised with-profit business, the provisions are valued by adding a prospective non-unit reserve to the bid value of units. The prospective non-unit reserve is calculated by projecting the future non-unit cash flows on the assumption that future premiums cease, unless it is more onerous to assume that they continue. Where appropriate, allowance for persistency is based on actual experience.

Valuation discount rate assumptions are set with regard to yields on the supporting assets and the general level of long-term interest rates as measured by gilt yields. An explicit allowance for risk is included by restricting the yields for equities and properties with reference to a margin over long-term interest rates or by making an explicit deduction from the yields on corporate bonds, mortgages and deposits, based on historical default experience of each asset class. A further margin for risk is then deducted for all asset classes.

The provisions held in respect of guaranteed annuity options are a prudent assessment of the additional liability incurred under the option on a basis and method consistent with that used to value basic policy liabilities, and includes a prudent assessment of the proportion of policyholders who will choose to exercise the option.

 

 


 

169

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

Valuation discount rates for business in the non-profit funds are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Valuation discount rates

 

2009

2008

2007

Assurances

  

  

  

Life conventional non-profit

3.0% to 3.8%

2.7% to 3.4%

3.1% to 3.9%

Pensions conventional non-profit

3.8% to 4.0%

3.4% to 3.6%

3.9% to 4.1%

Deferred annuities

  

  

  

Non-profit – in deferment

4.2%

3.8%

4.3%

Non-profit – in payment

3.8% to 4.0%

3.4% to 3.6%

3.9% to 4.1%

Annuities in payment

  

  

  

Conventional annuity

4.2% to 5.7%

3.8% to 5.4%

4.3% to 5.2%

Non-unit reserves

  

  

  

Life

3.3%

3.0%

3.4%

Pensions

4.1%

3.7%

4.2%

 

Mortality assumptions are set with regard to recent company experience and general industry trends. The mortality tables used in the valuation are summarised below:

 

 

 

Mortality tables used

 

2008 and 2009

2007

Assurances

 

 

Non-profit

AM00/AF00 or TM00/TF00
adjusted for smoker status and
age/sex specific factors

AM80/AF80 or AM92/AF92 or
TM92/TF92 adjusted for smoker
status and age/sex specific factors

 

 

 

Pure endowments and deferred annuities before vesting

AM00/AF00 adjusted

Nil or AM80/AF80 or AM92/AF92
adjusted

 

 

 

Pensions business after vesting

PCMA00/PCFA00 adjusted plus
allowance for future mortality
improvement

PCMA00/PCFA00 adjusted plus
allowance for future mortality
improvement

Annuities in payment

 

 

General annuity business

IML00/IFL00 adjusted plus
allowance for future mortality
improvement

IML00/IFL00 adjusted plus
allowance for future mortality
improvement

 

(b) France

The majority of reserves arise from a single premium savings product and is based on the accumulated fund value, adjusted to maintain consistency with the value of the assets backing the policyholder liabilities. The net premium method is used for prospective valuations, in accordance with local regulation, where the valuation assumptions depend on the date of issue of the contract. The valuation discount rate also depends on the original duration of the contract and mortality rates are based on industry tables.

 

 

Valuation discount rates

 

Mortality tables used

 

2009, 2008 and 2007

 

2009, 2008 and 2007

Life assurances

0% to 4.5%

 

TD73-77, TD88-90,
TH00-02, TGF05/TGH05

Annuities

0% to 4.5%

 

TPRV (prospective table)

 

(c) Netherlands

On transition to IFRS, the valuation of most long-term insurance and participating investment contracts was changed from existing methods that used historic assumptions to an active basis using current market interest rates. A liability adequacy test is performed in line with IFRS requirements. Where liabilities are based on current market interest rates and assets are valued at market value, the margin in the liability adequacy test is determined by comparison of the liabilities with the present value of best estimate cash flows. The yield curve is constructed from yields on collateralised AAA bonds.

 

 

Valuation discount rates

 

Mortality tables used

 

2009, 2008 and 2007

 

2009, 2008 and 2007

Life assurances

Market risk-free yield curves,
based on iBoxx index for
collateralised
AAA bonds
(2007: Based on DNB swap
rates)

 

GBM 61-65, GBM/V 76-80,
GBM 80-85, GBM/V 85-90
and GBM/V90-95

Annuities in deferment and in payment

Market risk-free yield curves,
based on iBoxx index for
collateralised
AAA bonds
(2007: Based on DNB swap
rates)

 

GBM/V 76-80, GBM/V 85-90,
GBM/V 95-00, Coll 1993/2003 and
DIL 98, plus further allowance for
future mortality improvement

 

 


170

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

(d) United States

For the major part of our US business, insurance liabilities are measured in accordance with US GAAP as at the date of acquisition.

The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance is computed using the net level method, based on guaranteed interest and mortality rates as used in calculating cash surrender values. Reserve interest assumptions ranged from 2.00% to 7.50% in 2009 (2008: 2.00% to 7.50%). The weighted average interest rate for all traditional life policy reserves in 2009 was 4.47% (2008: 4.47%).

Future policy benefit reserves for universal life insurance, deferred annuity products and funding agreements are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. For the indexed products, the liability held is calculated based on the option budget method and is equal to the host contract and the calculated value of the derivative. The value of the derivative is based on the present value of the difference between the projected fund value and the underlying fund guarantee. The weighted average interest crediting rates for universal life products were 4.27% in 2009 (2008: 4.77%). The range of interest crediting rates for deferred annuity products, excluding sales inducement payouts, was 2.00% to 6.00% in 2009 (2008: 2.50% to 6.00%). An additional liability is established for universal life contracts with death or other insurance benefit features, which is determined using an equally-weighted range of scenarios with respect to investment returns, policyholder lapses, benefit election rates, premium payout patterns and mortality. The additional liability represents the present value of future expected benefits based on current product assumptions.

The indexed life and annuity products guarantee the return of principal to the customer, and credit interest based on certain indices. A portion of the premium from each customer is invested in fixed income securities and is intended to cover the minimum guaranteed value. A further portion of the premium is used to purchase derivatives to hedge the growth in interest credited to the customer as a direct result of increases in the related indices. Both the derivatives and the options embedded in the policy are valued at their fair value.

Deferred income reserves are established for fees charged for insurance benefit features which are assessed in a manner that is expected to result in higher profits in earlier years, followed by lower profits or losses in subsequent years. The excess charges are deferred and amortised using the same assumptions and factors used to amortise deferred acquisition costs. Shadow adjustments may be made to deferred acquisition costs, acquired value of in-force business, deferred income reserves and contract liabilities. The shadow adjustments are recognised directly in other comprehensive income so that unrealised gains or losses on investments that are recognised directly in other comprehensive income affect the measurement of the liability, or related assets, in the same way as realised gains or losses.

(e) Other countries

In all other countries, local generally-accepted interest rates and published standard mortality tables are used for different categories of business as appropriate. The tables are based on relevant experience and show mortality rates, by age, for specific groupings of people.

(iv) Movements

The following movements have occurred in the long-term business provisions during the year:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

156,188

135,312

Provisions in respect of new business

11,105

13,414

Expected change in existing business provisions

(7,625)

(6,423)

Variance between actual and expected experience

2,154

(9,401)

Effect of adjusting to PS06/14 realistic basis

(40)

Impact of other operating assumption changes

(121)

(812)

Impact of economic assumption changes

(404)

(604)

Other movements

1,112

(527)

Change in liability recognised as an expense

6,221

(4,393)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(67)

1,872

Foreign exchange rate movements

(8,284)

23,397

Carrying amount at 31 December

154,058

156,188

 

The variance between actual and expected experience of £2.2 billion was primarily driven by favourable movements in investment markets in 2009, which had a direct or indirect impact on liability values. Equity markets recovered and the values of corporate bonds and commercial mortgages were increased by the narrowing of credit spreads. For many types of long-term business, including unit-linked and participating funds, movements in asset values are offset by corresponding changes in liabilities, limiting the net impact on profit. Minor variances arise from differences between actual and expected experience for persistency, mortality and other demographic factors.

The impact of assumption changes in the above analysis shows the resulting movement in the carrying value of insurance liabilities. The £2.2 billion variance between actual and expected experience is not a change in assumptions. For participating business, a movement in liabilities is generally offset by a corresponding adjustment to the unallocated divisible surplus and does not impact on profit. Where assumption changes do impact on profit, these are included in the effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year shown in note 39, together with the impact of movements in related non-financial assets.

 

 


 

171

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

(c) General insurance and health liabilities

(i) Provisions for outstanding claims

Delays occur in the notification and settlement of claims and a substantial measure of experience and judgement is involved in assessing outstanding liabilities, the ultimate cost of which cannot be known with certainty at the statement of financial position date. The reserves for general insurance and health business are based on information currently available. However, it is inherent in the nature of the business written that the ultimate liabilities may vary as a result of subsequent developments.

Provisions for outstanding claims are established to cover the outstanding expected ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) in respect of all claims that have already occurred. The provisions established cover reported claims and associated LAE, as well as claims incurred but not yet reported and associated LAE.

We only establish loss reserves for losses that have already occurred. We therefore do not establish catastrophe equalisation reserves that defer a share of income in respect of certain lines of business from years in which a catastrophe does not occur to future periods in which catastrophes may occur. When calculating reserves, we take into account estimated future recoveries from salvage and subrogation, and a separate asset is recorded for expected future recoveries from reinsurers after considering their collectability.

The table below shows the split of total general insurance and health outstanding claim provisions and IBNR provisions, gross of reinsurance, by major line of business.

 

 

As at 31 December 2009

 

As at 31 December 2008

 

As at 31 December 2007

 

Outstanding
Claim
Provisions
£m

IBNR
Provisions
£m

Total
Claim
Provisions
£m

 

Outstanding
Claim
Provisions
£m

IBNR
Provisions
£m

Total Claim
Provisions
£m

 

Outstanding
Claim
Provisions
£m

IBNR
Provisions
£m

Total Claim
Provisions
£m

Motor

4,411

753

5,164

  

4,723

960

5,683

  

4,428

951

5,379

Property

1,697

196

1,893

  

1,920

257

2,177

  

1,598

231

1,829

Liability

2,707

1,379

4,086

  

3,407

878

4,285

  

2,953

551

3,504

Creditor

170

17

187

  

131

28

159

  

119

15

134

Other

992

374

1,366

  

1,661

395

2,056

  

1,744

351

2,095

  

9,977

2,719

12,696

  

11,842

2,518

14,360

  

10,842

2,099

12,941

(ii) Discounting

Outstanding claims provisions are based on undiscounted estimates of future claim payments, except for the following classes of business for which discounted provisions are held:

 

 

 

 

Rate

 

 

 

Mean term of liabilities

Class

2009

2008

2007

 

2009

2008

2007

Netherlands Permanent health and injury

3.48%

3.82%

3.87%

  

8 years

7 years

8 years

Reinsured London Market business

4.00%

3.56%

5.00%

  

10 years

8 years

8 years

Latent claims

0.82%
to
4.84%

1.17%
to
3.92%

4.51%
to
5.21%

  

8 to 15
years

9 to 15
years

9 to 15
years

Structured settlements

3.30%

2.5%

2.5%

  

35 years

35 years

35 years

 

The gross outstanding claims provision before discounting was £13,576 million (2008: £15,061 million). The period of time which will elapse before the liabilities are settled has been estimated by modelling the settlement patterns of the underlying claims.

The discount rate that has been applied to latent claims reserves is based on the relevant swap curve in the relevant currency having regard to the expected settlement dates of the claims. The range of discount rates used depends on the duration of the claims and is given in the table above. The duration of the claims span over 35 years, with the average duration being between 8 and 15 years depending on the geographical region.

During 2009, we have experienced an increase in the number of bodily injury claims settled by periodic payment orders (PPOs) or structured settlements, especially in the UK, which are reserved for on a discounted basis.

(iii) Assumptions

Outstanding claims provisions are estimated based on known facts at the date of estimation. Case estimates are generally set by skilled claims technicians, applying their experience and knowledge to the circumstances of individual claims. Taking into account all available information and correspondence regarding the circumstances of the claim, such as medical reports, investigations and inspections. Claims technicians set case estimates according to documented claims department policies and specialise in setting estimates for certain lines of business or types of claim. Claims above certain limits are referred to senior claims handlers for authorisation.

 

 


172

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

No adjustments are made to the claims technicians’ case estimates included in booked claim provisions, except for rare occasions when the estimated ultimate cost of a large or unusual claim may be adjusted, subject to internal reserve committee approval, to allow for uncertainty regarding, for example, the outcome of a court case. The ultimate cost of outstanding claims is then estimated by using a range of standard actuarial claims projection techniques, such as the Chain Ladder and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods. The main assumption underlying these techniques is that a company’s past claims development experience can be used to project future claims development and hence ultimate claims costs. As such, these methods extrapolate the development of paid and incurred losses, average costs per claim and claim numbers based on the observed development of earlier years and expected loss ratios. Historical claims development is mainly analysed by accident period, although underwriting or notification period is also used where this is considered appropriate.

Claim development is separately analysed for each geographic area, as well as by each line of business. Certain lines of business are also further analysed by claim type or type of coverage. In addition, large claims are usually separately addressed, either by being reserved at the face value of loss adjuster estimates or separately projected in order to reflect their future development.

The assumptions used in most non-life actuarial projection techniques, including future rates of claims inflation or loss ratio assumptions, are implicit in the historical claims development data on which the projections are based. Additional qualitative judgement is used to assess the extent to which past trends may not apply in the future, for example, to reflect one-off occurrences, changes in external or market factors such as public attitudes to claiming, economic conditions, levels of claims inflation, judicial decisions and legislation, as well as internal factors such as portfolio mix, policy conditions and claims handling procedures in order to arrive at a point estimate for the ultimate cost of claims that represents the likely outcome, from a range of possible outcomes, taking account of all the uncertainties involved. The range of possible outcomes does not, however, result in the quantification of a reserve range.

However, the following explicit assumptions are made which could materially impact the level of booked net reserves:

UK mesothelioma claims

The level of uncertainty associated with latent claims is considerable due to the relatively small number of claims and the long-tail nature of the liabilities. UK mesothelioma claims account for a large proportion of the Group’s latent claims. The key assumptions underlying the estimation of these claims include claim numbers, the base average cost per claim, future inflation in the average cost of claims, legal fees and the life expectancy of potential sufferers.

The best estimate of the liabilities reflects the latest available market information and studies. Many different scenarios can be derived by flexing these key assumptions and applying different combinations of the different assumptions. An upper and lower scenario can be derived by making reasonably likely changes to these assumptions, resulting in an estimate £195 million greater than the best estimate, or £155 million lower than the best estimate. These scenarios do not, however, constitute an upper or lower bound on these liabilities.

Interest rates used to discount latent claim liabilities

The discount rates used in determining our latent claim liabilities are based on the relevant swap curve in the relevant currency at the reporting date, having regard to the duration of the expected settlement of latent claims. The range of discount rates used is shown in section (ii) above and depends on the duration of the claim and the reporting date. At 31 December 2009, it is estimated that a 1% fall in the discount rates used would increase net claim reserves by approximately £60 million, excluding the offsetting effect on asset values as assets are not hypothecated across classes of business. The impact of a 1% fall in interest rates across all assets and liabilities of our general insurance and health businesses is shown in note 53(h)(i).

Allowance for risk and uncertainty

The uncertainties involved in estimating loss reserves are allowed for in the reserving process and by the estimation of explicit reserve uncertainty distributions. The reserve estimation basis for non-life claims adopted by the Group at 31 December 2009 requires all non-life businesses to calculate booked claim provisions as the best estimate of the cost of future claim payments, plus an explicit allowance for risk and uncertainty. The allowance for risk and uncertainty is calculated by each business unit in accordance with the requirements of the Group non-life reserving policy, taking into account the risks and uncertainties specific to each line of business and type of claim in that territory. The requirements of the Group non-life reserving policy also seek to ensure that the allowance for risk and uncertainty is set consistently across both business units and reporting periods.

Changes to claims development patterns can materially impact the results of actuarial projection techniques. However, allowance for the inherent uncertainty in the assumptions underlying reserving projections is automatically allowed for in the explicit allowance for risk and uncertainty included when setting booked reserves.

 

 


 

 

173

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

(iv) Movements

The following changes have occurred in the general insurance and health claims provisions during the year:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

14,360

12,941

Impact of changes in assumptions

(106)

120

Claim losses and expenses incurred in the current year

7,328

8,720

Decrease in estimated claim losses and expenses incurred in prior years

(541)

(828)

Exceptional strengthening of general insurance latent claims provisions (see below)

60

356

Incurred claims losses and expenses

6,741

8,368

Less:

  

  

Payments made on claims incurred in the current year

(3,922)

(4,682)

Payments made on claims incurred in prior years

(3,814)

(4,307)

Recoveries on claim payments

298

293

Claims payments made in the year, net of recoveries

(7,438)

(8,696)

Unwind of discounting

41

33

Other movements in the claims provisions

(27)

Changes in claims reserve recognised as an expense

(656)

(322)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(649)

128

Foreign exchange rate movements

(359)

1,613

Carrying amount at 31 December

12,696

14,360

 

The effect of changes in the main assumptions is given in note 39.

Exceptional strengthening of claim provisions

In 2009 an exceptional charge of £60 million was incurred for the strengthening of reserves in respect of several specific discontinued commercial liability risks written in Canada a significant number of years ago, which is included in change in insurance liabilities.

       In 2008 the Institute of Actuaries’ Asbestos Working Party report contributed to our view that experience variances, which we had previously perceived as normal short-term volatility, reflected a real worsening of expected ultimate claims experience. The market trend in mesothelioma claims was fully reflected as a significant one-off strengthening of gross latent claims reserves in 2008 of £356 million, with a corresponding increase of £52 million in reinsurance recoverable. The net increase of £304 million comprised £668 million on an undiscounted basis and discounting of £364 million.

(d) Loss development tables

(i) Description of tables

The tables that follow present the development of claim payments and the estimated ultimate cost of claims for the accident years 2001 to 2009. The upper half of the tables shows the cumulative amounts paid during successive years related to each accident year. For example, with respect to the accident year 2002, by the end of 2009 £5,767 million had actually been paid in settlement of claims. In addition, as reflected in the lower section of the table, the original estimated ultimate cost of claims of £6,250 million was re-estimated to be £6,044 million at 31 December 2009.

       The original estimates will be increased or decreased, as more information becomes known about the individual claims and overall claim frequency and severity.

       In 2005, the year of adoption of IFRS, only five years were required to be disclosed. This is being increased in each succeeding additional year, until ten years of information is included.

       The Group aims to maintain strong reserves in respect of its general insurance and health business in order to protect against adverse future claims experience and development. As claims develop and the ultimate cost of claims become more certain, the absence of adverse claims experience will result in a release of reserves from earlier accident years, as shown in the loss development tables and movements table (c)(iv) above. However, in order to maintain overall reserve adequacy, the Group establishes strong reserves in respect of the current accident year (2009) where the development of claims is less mature and there is much greater uncertainty attaching to the ultimate cost of claims. Releases from prior accident year reserves are also due to an improvement in the estimated cost of claims.

Key elements of the release from prior accident year general insurance and health net provisions during 2008 were:

£285 million from the UK, mainly due to an improved trend in bodily injury experience on both personal and commercial motor, favourable experience on commercial liability and a reduction in public liability average claim costs.

— 

£312 million from Europe, mainly due to lower than expected IBNR and costs of settling motor and commercial liability claims.

— 

£111 million from Canada, mainly due to favourable motor bodily injury experience.

— 

£89 million from prior year health insurance provisions.

Key elements of the release from prior accident year general insurance and health net provisions during 2009 were:

–—

£230 million from the UK, including group reinsurance business, mainly due to an improved view of group reinsurance liabilities, and favourable development on personal and commercial motor claims, and commercial property and commercial liability large claims.

— 

£237 million from Europe mainly due to favourable development of personal motor and commercial property, especially in respect of large claims.

— 

£79 million from Canada mainly due to favourable experience on motor and personal property.

 

 


174

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

(ii) Gross figures

Before the effect of reinsurance, the loss development table is:

 

Accident year

All prior
years
£m

2001
£m

2002
£m

2003
£m

2004
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2007
£m

2008
£m

2009
£m

Total
£m

Gross cumulative claim payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of accident year

 

(3,029)

(2,952)

(2,819)

(2,971)

(3,345)

(3,653)

(4,393)

(4,915)

(3,780)

 

One year later

 

(4,766)

(4,486)

(4,190)

(4,561)

(5,011)

(5,525)

(6,676)

(7,350)

 

 

Two years later

 

(5,303)

(4,921)

(4,613)

(4,981)

(5,449)

(5,971)

(7,191)

 

 

 

Three years later

 

(5,701)

(5,233)

(4,972)

(5,263)

(5,784)

(6,272)

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

(5,966)

(5,466)

(5,258)

(5,448)

(6,001)

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

(6,121)

(5,618)

(5,409)

(5,617)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

(6,223)

(5,715)

(5,527)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

(6,294)

(5,767)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

(6,350)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimate of gross ultimate claims

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of accident year

 

6,590

6,250

6,385

6,891

7,106

7,533

8,530

9,508

7,364

 

One year later

 

6,770

6,372

6,172

6,557

6,938

7,318

8,468

9,322

 

 

Two years later

 

6,775

6,287

6,124

6,371

6,813

7,243

8,430

 

 

 

Three years later

 

6,798

6,257

6,036

6,178

6,679

7,130

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

6,754

6,205

5,932

6,008

6,603

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

6,679

6,122

5,853

6,003

 

  

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

6,630

6,056

5,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

6,576

6,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

6,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimate of gross ultimate claims

 

6,600

6,044

5,813

6,003

6,603

7,130

8,430

9,322

7,364

 

Cumulative payments

 

(6,350)

(5,767)

(5,527)

(5,617)

(6,001)

(6,272)

(7,191)

(7,350)

(3,780)

 

 

3,358

250

277

286

386

602

858

1,239

1,972

3,584

12,812

Effect of discounting

(778)

(8)

(13)

(31)

(4)

(7)

(7)

(8)

(11)

(13)

(880)

Present value

2,580

242

264

255

382

595

851

1,231

1,961

3,571

11,932

Cumulative effect of foreign
exchange movements

43

43

69

83

106

152

132

(41)

587

Effect of acquisitions

7

10

62

14

23

23

27

11

177

Present value recognised in the
statement of financial position


2,580


292


317


386


479


724


1,026


1,390


1,931


3,571


12,696

 


 

175

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

35 – Insurance liabilities continued

(iii) Net of reinsurance

After the effect of reinsurance, the loss development table is:

 

Accident year

All prior
years
£m

2001
£m

2002
£m

2003
£m

2004
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2007
£m

2008
£m

2009
£m

Total
£m

Net cumulative claim payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of accident year

 

(2,970)

(2,913)

(2,819)

(2,870)

(3,281)

(3,612)

(4,317)

(4,808)

(3,650)

 

One year later

 

(4,624)

(4,369)

(4,158)

(4,378)

(4,925)

(5,442)

(6,542)

(7,165)

 

 

Two years later

 

(5,088)

(4,779)

(4,565)

(4,712)

(5,344)

(5,881)

(7,052)

 

 

 

Three years later

 

(5,436)

(5,064)

(4,924)

(4,986)

(5,671)

(6,181)

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

(5,648)

(5,297)

(5,180)

(5,163)

(5,892)

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

(5,763)

(5,424)

(5,325)

(5,327)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

(5,841)

(5,508)

(5,442)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

(5,896)

(5,552)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

(5,954)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimate of net ultimate claims

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of accident year

 

6,186

6,037

6,218

6,602

6,982

7,430

8,363

9,262

7,115

 

One year later

 

6,333

6,038

6,093

6,266

6,818

7,197

8,302

9,104

 

 

Two years later

 

6,321

5,997

6,037

6,082

6,688

7,104

8,244

 

 

 

Three years later

 

6,329

5,973

5,942

5,882

6,544

6,996

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

6,286

5,912

5,851

5,709

6,476

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

6,219

5,855

5,772

5,699

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

6,173

5,786

5,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

6,109

5,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

6,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimate of net ultimate claims

 

6,130

5,754

5,683

5,699

6,476

6,996

8,244

9,104

7,115

 

Cumulative payments

 

(5,954)

(5,552)

(5,442)

(5,327)

(5,892)

(6,181)

(7,052)

(7,165)

(3,650)

 

 

1,860

176

202

241

372

584

815

1,192

1,939

3,465

10,846

Effect of discounting

(404)

(2)

(3)

(3)

(1)

(2)

(4)

(8)

(11)

(13)

(451)

Present value

1,456

174

199

238

371

582

811

1,184

1,928

3,452

10,395

Cumulative effect of foreign
exchange movements

31

38

60

79

99

143

126

(42)

534

Effect of acquisitions

6

7

38

11

18

18

17

9

124

Present value recognised in the
statement of financial position


1,456


211


244


336


461


699


972


1,327


1,895


3,452


11,053

In the loss development tables shown above, the cumulative claim payments and estimates of cumulative claims for each accident year are translated into sterling at the exchange rates that applied at the end of that accident year. The impact of using varying exchange rates is shown at the bottom of each table. Disposals are dealt with by treating all outstanding and IBNR claims of the disposed entity as “paid” at the date of disposal.

The loss development tables above include information on asbestos and environmental pollution claims provisions from business written before 2001. The undiscounted claim provisions, net of reinsurance, in respect of this business at 31 December 2009 were £968 million (2008: £1,019 million, 2007 £323 million). The movement in the year reflects exceptional strengthening of provisions by £60 million in respect of several specific discontinued commercial liability risks written in Canada a significant number of years ago (2008: £668 million due to the increased market trend in mesothelioma claim notifications), other releases of £62 million (2008: £16 million strengthening), foreign exchange rate movements and timing differences between claim payments and reinsurance recoveries.

(e) Provision for unearned premiums

Movements

The following changes have occurred in the provision for unearned premiums (UPR) during the year:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

5,493

5,484

Premiums written during the year

9,968

11,934

Less: Premiums earned during the year

(10,613)

(12,322)

Changes in UPR recognised as income

(645)

(388)

Gross portfolio transfers and acquisitions

(11)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(67)

408

Carrying amount at 31 December

4,781

5,493

 


176

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

36 – Liability for investment contracts

This note analyses our investment contract liabilities by type of product and describes how we calculate these liabilities and what assumptions we have used.

(a) Carrying amount

The liability for investment contracts at 31 December comprised:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Long-term business

 

 

 

Participating contracts

66,559

65,278

53,609

Non-participating contracts at fair value

41,289

39,509

43,608

Non-participating contracts at amortised cost

2,167

2,772

1,027

 

43,456

42,281

44,635

Total

110,015

107,559

98,244

(b) Long-term business investment liabilities

Investment contracts are those that do not transfer significant insurance risk from the contract holder to the issuer, and are therefore treated as financial instruments under IFRS.

Many investment contracts contain a discretionary participation feature in which the contract holder has a contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits. These are referred to as participating contracts and are measured according to the methodology and Group practice for long-term business liabilities as described in note 35. They are not measured at fair value as there is currently no agreed definition of fair valuation for discretionary participation features under IFRS. In the absence of such a definition, it is not possible to provide a range of estimates within which a fair value is likely to fall. The IASB has deferred consideration of participating contracts to Phase II of its insurance contracts project.

For participating business, the discretionary participation feature is recognised separately from the guaranteed element and is classified as a liability, referred to as unallocated distributable surplus. Guarantees on long-term investment products are discussed in note 37.

Investment contracts that do not contain a discretionary participation feature are referred to as non-participating contracts and the liability is measured at either fair value or amortised cost.

Of the non-participating investment contracts measured at fair value, £39,686 million are unit-linked in structure and the fair value liability is equal to the unit reserve plus additional non-unit reserves if required on a fair value basis. These contracts are classified as “Level 1” in the fair value hierarchy, as the unit reserve is calculated as the publicly quoted unit price multiplied by the number units in issue, and any non-unit reserve is insignificant. Of the remaining non-participating contracts measured at fair value at 31 December 2009, £238 million are classified as “Level 1”, £1,203 million are classified as “Level 2” and £162 million are classified as “Level 3” in the fair value hierarchy. “Level 3” investment contracts had a fair value of £178 million at 31 December 2008, with the movement in the year represented by foreign exchange movements of £19 million offset by new policy issuances of £3 million. We believe that changing one or more of the assumptions that support the "Level 3" valuation to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change the fair value significantly. In respect of investment contracts carried at fair value there were no transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy during 2009.

For unit-linked business, a deferred acquisition cost asset and deferred income reserve liability are recognised in respect of transaction costs and front-end fees respectively, that relate to the provision of investment management services, and which are amortised on a systematic basis over the contract term. The amount of the related deferred acquisition cost asset is shown in note 23 and the deferred income liability is shown in note 47.

In the United States, funding agreements consist of one to ten year fixed rate contracts. These contracts may not be cancelled by the holders unless there is a default under the agreement, but may, subject to a call premium, be terminated by Aviva at any time. Aviva issued no new funding agreements in 2009. The weighted average interest rates for fixed-rate and floating-rate funding agreements as at 31 December 2009 were 4.79% and 0.37% respectively. Funding agreements issued before 2008 are measured at fair value equal to the present value of contractual cash flows, and for business issued since 2008 are measured at amortised cost. Most funding agreements are fully collateralised and therefore their fair values are not adjusted for own credit risk. Funding agreements carried at fair value total £1,093 million and are classified as “Level 2” in the fair value hierarchy.

There is a small volume of annuity certain business for which the liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

The fair value of contract liabilities measured at amortised cost is not materially different from the amortised cost liability.

 


 

177

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

36 – Liability for investment contracts continued

(c) Movements in the year

The following movements have occurred in the year:

(i) Participating investment contracts

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

65,278

53,609

Provisions in respect of new business

5,973

3,391

Expected change in existing business provisions

(1,256)

(1,909)

Variance between actual and expected experience

2,469

(4,661)

Impact of operating assumption changes

(49)

(166)

Impact of economic assumption changes

(57)

244

Other movements

(1,316)

13

Change in liability recognised as an expense

5,764

(3,088)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(246)

2,181

Foreign exchange rate movements

(4,256)

12,576

Other movements

19

Carrying amount at 31 December

66,559

65,278

 

The variance between actual and expected experience of £2.5 billion was primarily driven by favourable movements in investment markets in 2009, which had a direct or indirect impact on liability values. Equity markets recovered and the values of corporate bonds and commercial mortgages were increased by the narrowing of credit spreads. For many types of long-term business, including unit-linked and participating funds, movements in asset values are offset by corresponding changes in liabilities, limiting the net impact on profit. Minor variances arise from differences between actual and expected experience for persistency, mortality and other demographic factors.

The impact of assumption changes in the above analysis shows the resulting movement in the carrying value of participating investment contract liabilities. The £2.5 billion variance between actual and expected experience is not a change in assumptions. For participating business, a movement in liabilities is generally offset by a corresponding adjustment to the unallocated divisible surplus and does not impact on profit. Where assumption changes do impact on profit, these are included in the effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year shown in note 39, together with the impact of movements in related non-financial assets.

(ii) Non-participating investment contracts

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

42,281

44,635

Provisions in respect of new business

3,045

5,314

Expected change in existing business provisions

(1,847)

(2,273)

Variance between actual and expected experience

2,495

(9,503)

Impact of operating assumption changes

107

(28)

Impact of economic assumption changes

4

5

Other movements

370

(169)

Change in liability

4,174

(6,654)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(1,596)

(14)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(1,403)

4,314

Carrying amount at 31 December

43,456

42,281

 

The variance between actual and expected experience of £2.5 billion was primarily driven by favourable movements in investment markets in 2009, which had a direct or indirect impact on liability values. Equity markets recovered and the value of corporate bonds and commercial mortgages were increased by the narrowing of credit spreads. For unit-linked investment contracts, movements in asset values are offset by corresponding changes in liabilities, limiting the net impact on profit. Minor variances arise from differences between actual and expected experience for persistency, mortality and other demographic factors.

The impact of assumption changes in the above analysis shows the resulting movement in the carrying value of non-participating investment contract liabilities. The £2.5 billion variance between actual and expected experience is not a change in assumptions. The impact of assumption changes on profit are included in the effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year shown in note 39, which combines participating and non-participating investment contracts together with the impact of movements in related non-financial assets.

 


178

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

37 – Financial guarantees and options

This note details the financial guarantees and options we have given for some of our insurance and investment products.

As a normal part of their operating activities, various Group companies have given guarantees and options, including investment return guarantees, in respect of certain long-term insurance and fund management products. Further information on assumptions is given in notes 35 and 36.

(a) UK Life with-profit business

In the UK, life insurers are required to comply with the FSA’s realistic reporting regime for their with-profit funds for the calculation of FSA liabilities. Under the FSA’s rules, provision for guarantees and options within realistic liabilities must be measured at fair value, using market-consistent stochastic models. A stochastic approach includes measuring the time value of guarantees and options, which represents the additional cost arising from uncertainty surrounding future economic conditions.

The material guarantees and options to which this provision relates are:

(i) Maturity value guarantees

Substantially all of the conventional with-profit business and a significant proportion of unitised with-profit business have minimum maturity values reflecting the sums assured plus declared annual bonus. In addition, the guarantee fund has offered maturity value guarantees on certain unit-linked products. For some unitised with-profit life contracts the amount paid after the fifth policy anniversary is guaranteed to be at least as high as the premium paid increased in line with the rise in RPI/CPI.

(ii) No market valuation reduction (MVR) guarantees

For unitised business, there are a number of circumstances where a “no MVR” guarantee is applied, for example on certain policy anniversaries, guaranteeing that no market value reduction will be applied to reflect the difference between the accumulated value of units and the market value of the underlying assets.

(iii) Guaranteed annuity options

The Group’s UK with-profit funds have written individual and group pension contracts which contain guaranteed annuity rate options (GAOs), where the policyholder has the option to take the benefits from a policy in the form of an annuity based on guaranteed conversion rates. The Group also has exposure to GAOs and similar options on deferred annuities.

Realistic liabilities for GAOs in the UK with-profit funds were £760 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: £1,093 million, 2007: £1,161 million). With the exception of the New With-Profits Sub Fund (NWPSF), movements in the realistic liabilities in the with-profit funds are offset by a corresponding movement in the unallocated divisible surplus, with no net impact on IFRS profit. Realistic liabilities for GAOs in the NWPSF were £109 million at 31 December 2009 (2007 and 2008: not applicable).

(iv) Guaranteed minimum pension

The Group’s UK with-profit funds also have certain policies that contain a guaranteed minimum level of pensions as part of the condition of the original transfer from state benefits to the policy.

In addition, the with-profit fund companies have made promises to certain policyholders in relation to their with-profit mortgage endowments. Top-up payments will be made on these policies at maturity to meet the mortgage value up to a maximum of the 31 December 1999 illustrated shortfall. For UKLAP WP policyholders, these payments are subject to certain conditions.

(b) UK Life non-profit business

The Group’s UK non-profit funds are evaluated by reference to statutory reserving rules, including changes introduced in 2006 under FSA Policy Statement 06/14 Prudential Changes for Insurers.

(i) Guaranteed annuity options

Similar options to those written in the with-profit fund have been written in relation to non-profit products. Provision for these guarantees does not materially differ from a provision based on a market-consistent stochastic model, and amounts to £28 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: £27 million 2007: £36 million).

(ii) Guaranteed unit price on certain products

Certain unit-linked pension products linked to long-term life insurance funds provide policyholders with guaranteed benefits at retirement or death. No additional provision is made for this guarantee as the investment management strategy for these funds is designed to ensure that the guarantee can be met from the fund, mitigating the impact of large falls in investment values and interest rates.

(c) Overseas life businesses

In addition to guarantees written in the Group’s UK life businesses, our overseas businesses have also written contracts containing guarantees and options. Details of the significant guarantees and options provided by overseas life businesses are set out below.

(i) France

Guaranteed surrender value and guaranteed minimum bonuses

Aviva France has written a number of contracts with such guarantees. The guaranteed surrender value is the accumulated value of the contract including accrued bonuses. Bonuses are based on accounting income from amortised bond portfolios, where the duration of bond portfolios is set in relation to the expected duration of the policies, plus income and releases from realised gains on equity-type investments. Policy reserves are equal to guaranteed surrender values. Local statutory accounting envisages the establishment of a reserve, “Provision pour Aléas Financiers” (PAF), when accounting income is less than 125% of guaranteed minimum credited returns. No PAF was established at the end of 2009.

 

 


 

179

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

37 – Financial guarantees and options continued

The most significant of these contracts is the AFER Eurofund which has total liabilities of £33 billion at 31 December 2009 (2008: £33 billion, 2007: £24 billion). The guaranteed bonus on this contract equals 75% of the average of the last two years’ declared bonus rates and was 3.67% for 2009 (2008: 3.66%, 2007: 3.64%) compared with an accounting income from the fund of 4.62% (2008: 4.85%,2007: 4.92%).

Non-AFER contracts with guaranteed surrender values had liabilities of £12 billion at 31 December 2009 (2008: £12 billion, 2007: £8 billion) and all guaranteed annual bonus rates are between nil and 4.5%.

Guaranteed death and maturity benefits

In France, the Group has also sold unit-linked policies where the death and/or maturity benefit is guaranteed to be at least equal to the premiums paid. The reserve held in the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position at the end of 2009 for this guarantee is £97 million (2008: £113 million, 2007: £30 million). The reserve is calculated on a prudent basis and is in excess of the economic liability. At the end of 2009, total sums at risk for these contracts were £372 million (2008: £1,279 million, 2007: £63 million) out of total unit-linked funds of £14 billion (2008: £14 billion, 2007: £15 billion). The average age of policyholders was approximately 54. It is estimated that this liability would increase by £71 million (2008: £59 million, 2007: £17 million) if yields were to decrease by 1% per annum and by £25 million (2008: £22 million, 2007: £7 million) if equity markets were to decline by 10% from year end 2009 levels. These figures do not reflect our ability to review the tariff for this option.

(ii) Delta Lloyd

Guaranteed minimum return at maturity

In the Netherlands, it is market practice to guarantee a minimum return at maturity on traditional savings and pension contracts. Guarantees on older lines of business are 4% per annum while, for business written since 1 September 1999, the guarantee is 3% per annum. On Group pensions business, it is often possible to recapture guarantee costs through adjustments to surrender values or to premium rates.

On transition to IFRS, Delta Lloyd changed the reserving basis for most traditional contracts to reflect current market interest rates, for consistency with the reporting of assets at market value. The cost of meeting interest rate guarantees is allowed for directly in the liabilities. Although most traditional contracts are valued at market interest rate, the split by level of guarantee shown below is according to the original underlying guarantee.

The total liabilities for traditional business at 31 December 2009 are £13 billion (2008: £14 billion, 2007: £10 billion) analysed

as follows:

 

 

Liabilities 3% guarantee

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Individual

2,206

2,214

Group pensions

780

689

Total

2,986

2,903

 

 

Liabilities 4% guarantee

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Individual

3,690

4,684

Group pensions

6,329

6,804

Total

10,019

11,488

 

Delta Lloyd has certain unit-linked contracts which provide a guaranteed minimum return at maturity from 4 % pa to 2% pa. Provisions consist of unit values plus an additional reserve for the guarantee. The additional provision for the guarantee was £246 million (2008: £226 million, 2007: £70 million). An additional provision of £33 million (2008: £121 million, 2007: £19 million) in respect of investment return guarantees on group segregated fund business is held. It is estimated that the provision would increase by £180 million (2008: £255 million, 2007: £211 million) if yields were to reduce by 1% pa and by £42 million (2008: £56 million, 2007: £21 million) if equity markets were to decline by 10% from year end 2009 levels.

(iii) Ireland

Guaranteed annuity options

Products with similar GAOs to those offered in the UK have been issued in Ireland. The current net of reinsurance provision for such options is £214 million (2008: £180 million, 2007: £160 million). This has been calculated on a deterministic basis, making conservative assumptions for the factors which influence the cost of the guarantee, principally annuitant mortality option take-up and long-term interest rates.

These GAOs are “in the money” at current interest rates but the exposure to interest rates under these contracts has been hedged through the use of reinsurance, using derivatives (swaptions). The swaptions effectively guarantee that an interest rate of 5% will be available at the vesting date of these benefits so there is reduced exposure to a further decrease in interest rates.

 

 


180

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

37 – Financial guarantees and options continued

“No MVR” guarantees

Certain unitised with-profit policies containing “no MVR” guarantees, similar to those in the UK, have been sold in Ireland.

These guarantees are currently “in-the-money” by £10 million (2008: ”in-the-money” by £16 million, 2007: ”out-of-the-money” by £53 million). This has been calculated on a deterministic basis as the excess of the current policy surrender value over the discounted value (excluding terminal bonus) of the guarantees. The value of these guarantees is usually sensitive to the performance of investments held in the with-profit fund. Amounts payable under these guarantees are determined by the bonuses declared on these policies. It is estimated that the guarantees would be “in-the-money” by £10 million (2008: “in-the-money” by £16 million, 2007: ”out-of-the-money” by £46 million) if yields were to increase by 1% per annum and by £10 million (2008: “in-the-money” by £16 million, 2007: ”out-of-the-money” by £29 million) if equity markets were to decline by 10% from year end 2009 levels. There is no sensitivity to either interest rates or equity markets since there is no longer any exposure to equity in these funds and a matching strategy has been implemented for bonds.

Return of premium guarantee

Until 2005, Hibernian Life wrote two tranches of linked bonds with a return of premium guarantee, or a price floor guarantee, after five or six years. The provision for these over and above unit and sterling reserves, at the end of 2009 is £11 million

(2008: £18 million, 2007: £0.1 million).

It is estimated that the provision would increase by £4 million (2008: £4 million, 2007: £1 million) if equity markets were to decline by 10% from the year end 2009 levels. However, the provision increase would be broadly off-set by an increase in the value of the hedging assets that were set up on sale of these policies. We would not expect any significant impact on this provision as a result of interest rate movements. It is estimated that the provision would increase by £2 million if property values were to decline by 10% from year end 2009 levels. This would be offset by an increase in the value of the hedging assets by £0.4 million, the difference reflecting the fact that only the second tranche was hedged for property exposure.

(iv) Spain and Italy

Guaranteed investment returns and guaranteed surrender values

The Group has also written contracts containing guaranteed investment returns and guaranteed surrender values in both Spain and Italy. Traditional profit-sharing products receive an appropriate share of the investment return, assessed on a book value basis, subject to a guaranteed minimum annual return of up to 6 % in Spain and 4% in Italy on existing business, while on new business the maximum guaranteed rate is lower. Liabilities are generally taken as the face value of the contract plus, if required, an explicit provision for guarantees calculated in accordance with local regulations. At 31 December 2009, total liabilities for the Spanish business were £3 billion (2008: £5 billion, 2007: £4 billion) with a further reserve of £11 million (2008: £19 million, 2007: £16 million) for guarantees. Total liabilities for the Italian business were £6 billion (2008: £5 billion, 2007: £4 billion), with a further provision of £52 million (2008: £55 million, 2007: £48 million) for guarantees. Liabilities are most sensitive to changes in the level of interest rates. It is estimated that provisions for guarantees would need to increase by £46 million (2008: £59 million, 2007: £66 million) in Spain and £16 million (2008: £5 million, 2007: £14 million) in Italy if interest rates fell by 1% from end 2009 values. Under this sensitivity test, the guarantee provision in Spain is calculated conservatively, assuming a long-term market interest rate of 1.6% and no lapses or premium discontinuances.

(v) United States

Indexed and total return strategy products

In the United States, the Group writes indexed life and deferred annuity products. These products guarantee the return of principal to the policyholder and credit interest based on certain indices, primarily the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index.

A portion of each premium is used to purchase derivatives to hedge the growth in interest credited to the policyholder. The derivatives held by the Group and the options embedded in the policy are both carried at fair value.

The US Treasury swap curve plus a risk adjustment of 1.87% (2008: 5.30%, 2007: 1.05%) for indexed life and 1.65% (2008: 5.30%, 2007: 1.05%) for indexed deferred annuities is used as the discount rate to calculate the fair value of the embedded options.

The risk adjustment calculation is based on market spreads on senior long-term unsecured Aviva plc debt with a reduction to reflect policyholder priority over other creditors in case of default. The amount of change in the fair value of these embedded options resulting from the risk adjustment in 2009 is an increase of £313 million (2008: £514 million decrease), and is principally attributable to market factors rather than instrument specific credit risk. There were no significant gains or losses attributable to the risk adjustment or instrument specific credit risk. At 31 December 2009, the total liabilities for indexed products were £17 billion (2008: £15 billion, 2007: £8 billion), including liabilities for the embedded option of £1.7 billion (2008: £1.9 billion, 2007: £1.2 billion). If interest rates were to increase by 1%, the provision for embedded options would decrease by £59 million (2008: £138 million, 2007: £89 million) and, if interest rates were to decrease by 1%, the provision would increase by £86 million (2008: £155 million, 2007: £86 million).

The Group has certain products that credit interest based on a total return strategy, whereby policyholders are allowed to allocate their premium payments to different asset classes within the general account. The Group guarantees a minimum return of premium plus approximately 3% interest over the term of the contracts. The linked general account assets are fixed maturity securities, and both the securities and the contract liabilities are carried at fair value. At 31 December 2009, the liabilities for total return strategy products were £1.2 billion (2008: £1.5 billion, 2007: £1.2 billion).

The Group offers an optional lifetime guaranteed income benefit focused on the retirement income segment of the deferred annuity marketplace to help customers manage income during both the accumulation stage and the distribution stage of their financial life. At 31 December 2009, a total of £4.9 billion (2008: £3.2 billion, 2007: £0.7 billion) in indexed deferred annuities have elected this benefit taking steps to guarantee retirement income.

 

 


 

181

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

37 – Financial guarantees and options continued

(d) Sensitivity

In providing these guarantees and options, the Group’s capital position is sensitive to fluctuations in financial variables including foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, real estate prices and equity prices. Interest rate guaranteed returns, such as those available on guaranteed annuity options (GAOs), are sensitive to interest rates falling below the guaranteed level. Other guarantees, such as maturity value guarantees and guarantees in relation to minimum rates of return, are sensitive to fluctuations in the investment return below the level assumed when the guarantee was made.

 

38 – Reinsurance assets

This note details the reinsurance recoverables on our insurance and investment contract liabilities.

(a) Carrying amounts

The reinsurance assets at 31 December comprised:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Long-term business

 

 

 

Insurance contracts

4,299

4,466

4,298

Participating investment contracts

52

22

Non-participating investment contracts

1,258

1,047

1,461

Outstanding claims provisions

40

145

94

 

5,597

5,710

5,875

General insurance and health

 

 

 

Outstanding claims provisions

1,194

1,737

1,634

Provisions for claims incurred but not reported

449

29

29

 

1,643

1,766

1,663

Provision for unearned premiums

332

418

511

Other technical provisions

5

 

1,975

2,184

2,179

Total

7,572

7,894

8,054

 

Of the above total, £4,493 million (2008: £6,097 million) is expected to be recovered more than one year after the statement of financial position date.

The increase in the reinsurers' share of provisions for claims incurred but not reported during 2009 is due to a revised allocation between outstanding claims and IBNR of reinsurance assets in respect of certain discontinued run-off business.

(b) Assumptions

The assumptions, including discount rates, used for reinsurance contracts follow those used for insurance contracts.

Reinsurance assets are valued net of an allowance for their recoverability.

(c) Movements

The following movements have occurred in the reinsurance asset during the year:

(i) In respect of long-term business provisions

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

5,565

5,781

Asset in respect of new business

412

235

Expected change in existing business asset

(57)

243

Variance between actual and expected experience

(35)

(1,141)

Impact of other operating assumption changes

(189)

(761)

Impact of economic assumption changes

(250)

306

Other movements

486

(231)

Change in asset

367

(1,349)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(41)

140

Foreign exchange rate movements

(334)

993

Carrying amount at 31 December

5,557

5,565

 

The impact of assumption changes in the above analysis shows the resulting movement in the carrying value of reinsurance assets. The reduction in the reinsurance asset from assumption changes mainly relates to Ireland, with a corresponding reduction made to gross insurance contract liabilities. For participating businesses, a movement in reinsurance assets is generally offset by a corresponding adjustment to the unallocated divisible surplus and does not impact on profit. Where assumption changes do impact profit, these are included in the effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year shown in note 39, together with the impact of movements in related liabilities and other non-financial assets.

 

 


182

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

38 – Reinsurance assets continued

(ii) In respect of general insurance and health outstanding claims provisions and IBNR

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

1,766

1,663

Impact of changes in assumptions

(72)

21

Exceptional strengthening of latent claims provisions

52

Reinsurers’ share of claim losses and expenses

 

 

Incurred in current year

255

228

Incurred in prior years

7

12

Reinsurers’ share of incurred claim losses and expenses

262

240

Less:

 

 

Reinsurance recoveries received on claims

 

 

Incurred in current year

(138)

(107)

Incurred in prior years

(202)

(257)

Reinsurance recoveries received in the year

(340)

(364)

Unwind of discounting

22

24

Change in reinsurance asset recognised as income

(128)

(27)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

57

27

Foreign exchange rate movements

(50)

105

Other movements

(2)

(2)

Carrying amount at 31 December

1,643

1,766

 

(iii) Reinsurers’ share of the provision for unearned premiums (UPR)

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

418

511

Premiums ceded to reinsurers in the year

775

798

Less: Reinsurers’ share of premiums earned during the year

(861)

(909)

Changes in reinsurance asset recognised as income

(86)

(111)

Reinsurers’ share of portfolio transfers and acquisitions

5

8

Foreign exchange rate movements

(5)

10

Carrying amount at 31 December

332

418

39 – Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year

Certain estimates and assumptions used in determining our liabilities for insurance and investment contract business were changed from 2008 to 2009, affecting the profit recognised for the year with an equivalent effect on liabilities. This note analyses the effect of the changes. This disclosure only allows for the impact on liabilities and related assets, such as reinsurance, deferred acquisition costs and AVIF, and does not allow for offsetting movements in the value of backing financial assets.

 

 

Effect on
profit
2009
£m

Effect on
profit
2008
£m

Effect on
profit
2007
£m

Assumptions

 

 

 

Long-term insurance business

 

 

 

Interest rates

(363)

(521)

850

Expenses

69

24

(13)

Persistency rates

2

(2)

Mortality for assurance contracts

11

44

16

Mortality for annuity contracts

6

26

11

Tax and other assumptions

(49)

93

60

Investment contracts

 

 

 

Interest rates

20

(75)

12

Expenses

40

(27)

5

Persistency rates

2

Tax and other assumptions

(89)

36

7

General insurance and health business

 

 

 

Change in loss ratio assumptions

(2)

(1)

Change in discount rate assumptions

57

(94)

3

Change in expense ratio and other assumptions

(21)

(4)

Total

(321)

(491)

945

 

The impact of interest rates for long-term business relates primarily to the US, driven by the reduction in credit spreads on corporate bonds; this had the effect of increasing liabilities for indexed business and hence a negative impact on profit. The overall impact on profit also depends on movements in the value of assets backing the liabilities, which is not included in this disclosure.

Other assumption changes include the effect of business migration and expense inflation adjustments in the UK, and reserve releases in Asia.

 

 


 

183

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

40 – Unallocated divisible surplus

An unallocated divisible surplus (UDS) is established where the nature of policy benefits is such that the division between shareholder reserves and policyholder liabilities is uncertain. This note shows the movements in this surplus during the year.

The following movements have occurred in the year:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Carrying amount at 1 January

2,325

6,785

Change in participating contract assets

(1,314)

(12,022)

Change in participating contract liabilities

3,836

7,699

Effect of special bonus to with-profit policyholders (see note 41a)

(69)

(89)

Effect of reattribution of inherited estate (see note 41b)

(881)

Other movements

(25)

(70)

Change in liability recognised as an expense

1,547

(4,482)

Effect of portfolio transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(4)

Movement in respect of change in pension scheme deficit (note 44c(i))

(24)

(78)

Foreign exchange rate movements

43

88

Other movements

(21)

12

Carrying amount at 31 December

3,866

2,325

 

In Italy, the UDS balances were £92 million negative in total at 31 December 2009 (2008: France, Italy and Spain £924 million negative, 2007: Italy £116 million negative) because of an accounting mismatch between participating assets carried at market value and participating liabilities measured using local practice. In each case, the negative balance is considered to be recoverable from margins in the existing participating business liabilities.

41 – Special bonus and reattribution of the inherited estate

This note describes the special distribution and reattribution of the inherited estate in our UK Life business.

(a) Special bonus declared by UK Life business

On 5 February 2008, the Group’s UK long-term business operation, Norwich Union Life, announced a one-off, special bonus worth an estimated £2.3 billion, benefiting around 1.1 million with-profit policyholders in its CGNU Life and CULAC with-profit funds. The bonus is being used to enhance policy values by around 10% in total, in three instalments, with the qualifying dates being 1 January 2008, 1 January 2009 and 1 January 2010. In accordance with the way the funds are managed, the bonus distribution is being split on a 90/10 basis between policyholders and shareholders. £2,127 million was set aside for policyholders on 1 January 2008, and subject to market movements from that date, will be allocated over three years. Similarly, shareholders will receive £236 million, subject to market movements, over the three year period.

As explained in accounting policies F and K, the Group’s insurance and participating investment contract liabilities are measured in accordance with IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts, and FRS 27, Life Assurance. The latter requires liabilities for with-profit funds falling within the scope of the UK’s Financial Services Authority’s capital regime to be determined in accordance with this regime, adjusted to remove the shareholders’ share of future bonuses. This required us to recognise planned discretionary bonuses within policyholder liabilities at 31 December 2007, even if there was no constructive obligation at the time. As a result of the announcement made above, a transfer of £2,127 million was made in 2007 from the UDS in order to increase insurance liabilities by £1,728 million and participating investment contract liabilities by £399 million. Of the original £236 million due to shareholders, £69 million has been transferred from the UDS in 2009 (2008: £89 million).

(b) Impact of the reattribution of the inherited estate

On 1 October 2009 a reorganisation of the with-profit funds of CGNU Life Assurance Limited (CGNU) and Commercial Union Life Assurance Company Limited (CULAC) was approved by the Board and became effective. The reorganisation is achieved through a reattribution to shareholders of the inherited estates of these funds. As part of the reorganisation the two funds were merged and transferred to Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited (UKLAP).

Within UKLAP, two new with-profit sub-funds have been created. Policies of non-electing policyholders have been transferred to the Old With-Profit Sub-Fund (OWPSF). The inherited estate has not been reattributed and remains in the OWPSF.

Where policyholders elected to accept the reattribution their policies have been transferred to the New With-Profit Sub-Fund (NWPSF). The inherited estate, totalling £1,105 million at 1 October 2009, has been reattributed to a separate long-term fund called the Non-Profit Sub-Fund 1(NPSF1), in which 100% of the surplus is attributable to shareholders.

On the effective date of 1 October 2009, the unallocated divisible surplus of NWPSF was released as it has been allocated to shareholders. The release of this liability is included in the impact below. The reorganisation scheme has imposed certain restrictions around release of the assets allocated to shareholders as a result of this transaction, to ensure that sufficient protection for with-profit policyholder benefits is maintained.

 


184

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

41 – Special bonus and reattribution of the inherited estate continued

Initial impact

The initial impact of the reorganisation on the IFRS income statement and balance sheet at 1 October 2009 was:

 

 

Note

Impact
£m

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

 

 

Release of unallocated divisible surplus

(a)

881

Other expenses

  

  

Policyholder incentive payments

(b)

(471)

Project costs

(c)

(208)

Tax

(d)

(207)

Loss after tax

  

(5)

 

  

Note

Impact
£m

Cash and cash equivalents

(b)

(450)

Prepayments

(c)

(208)

Total assets

  

(658)

Equity

  

(5)

Gross insurance liabilities

(b)

21

Unallocated divisible surplus

(a)

(881)

Tax liabilities

(d)

207

Total equity and liabilities

  

(658)

Notes:

(a)

The unallocated divisible surplus transferred to the NWPSF, in proportion to the electing policies, has been allocated to shareholders and released. The remaining UDS, transferred to the OWPSF in proportion to the non-electing policies, has not been released and remains unallocated.

(b)

Policyholder incentive payments total £471 million. Payments totalling £450 million were paid in cash and the remaining payments of £21 million were added to the value of certain policies in the form of additional benefits.

(c)

During the development stage of the scheme eligible costs were capitalised as a prepayment. As the benefit of the scheme has now been realised, these costs have been charged to the Income Statement.

(d)

A deferred tax liability has been recognised in accordance with IAS 12 on the temporary difference between the carrying value of the reattributed estate for tax and IFRS purposes.

 

The initial impact of the reorganisation on profit before tax was £202 million.

Ongoing impact

The reattribution has an ongoing impact arising from profits generated in the NWPSF that are attributable to shareholders. Included within profit before tax for the year of £2,022 million is £51 million that has been recognised as profit as a result of the reattribution of the inherited estate which comprises £56 million relating to the ongoing impact offset by a £5 million charge from the initial impact of the reattribution. Previously this profit would have been transferred to the unallocated distributable surplus.

42 – Tax assets and liabilities

This note analyses the tax assets and liabilities that appear in the statement of financial position, and explains the movements in these balances in the year.

(a) Current tax

Current tax assets recoverable and liabilities payable in more than one year are £254 million and £49 million (2008: £230 million and £362 million).

       The taxation of foreign profits and worldwide debt cap rules were enacted in the Finance Act 2009. Under the foreign profits rules, a dividend exemption was introduced which largely exempts dividends received on or after 1 July 2009 from UK corporation tax. The Group has applied this legislation in arriving at its UK tax results for 2009. The worldwide debt cap rules apply from 1 January 2010 and are not expected to apply to the Group due to an exemption for qualifying financial services groups.

(b) Deferred tax

(i) The balances at 31 December comprise:

 

 

20091
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Deferred tax assets

218

2,642

Deferred tax liabilities

(1,038)

(3,063)

Net deferred tax liability

(820)

(421)

1.

As a result of Aviva's US sub-group filing a single consolidated tax return for the first time in 2009, deferred tax assets and liabilities in this jurisdiction are presented net for the year ended 31 December 2009. This has reduced both assets and liabilities by £1 billion compared with the previous year end.

 


 

185

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

42 – Tax assets and liabilities continued

(ii) The net deferred tax liability arises on the following items:

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Long-term business technical provisions and other insurance items

1,290

467

Deferred acquisition costs

(662)

(769)

Unrealised (gains)/losses on investments

(915)

724

Pensions and other post-retirement obligations

100

66

Unused losses and tax credits

824

702

Subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

(7)

6

Intangibles and additional value of in-force long-term business

(766)

(1,090)

Provisions and other temporary differences

(684)

(527)

Net deferred tax liability

(820)

(421)

 

(iii) The movement in the net deferred tax liability was as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Net liability at 1 January 2008 as reported

(421)

(1,942)

Prior year adjustment (see note 2b)

(33)

Net liability at 1 January restated

(421)

(1,975)

Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries

(22)

(13)

Amounts (charged)/credited to profit (note 10a)

(254)

1,726

Amounts (charged)/credited to other comprehensive income (note 10b)

(196)

219

Exchange differences

37

(111)

Other movements

36

(267)

Net liability at 31 December

(820)

(421)

 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised. In countries where there is a history of tax losses, deferred tax assets are only recognised in excess of deferred tax liabilities if there is convincing evidence that future profits will be available. Where this is the case the directors have relied on business plans supporting future profits.

       The Group has unrecognised tax losses and other temporary differences of £2,975 million (2008: £2,961 million) to carry forward against future taxable income of the necessary category in the companies concerned. Of these, trading losses of £127 million will expire within the next 15 years. The remaining losses have no expiry date.

       In addition, the Group has unrecognised capital losses of £462 million (2008: £556 million). Of these, £345 million will expire within the next 15 years. The remaining capital losses have no expiry date.

       Deferred tax liabilities have not been established for temporary differences in respect of unremitted overseas retained earnings of £144 million (2008: £6,121 million) associated with investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures and associates because the Group can control the timing of the reversal of these differences and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The temporary differences at 31 December 2009 are significantly reduced from those at 31 December 2008 following the UK tax law change which largely exempts dividends received on or after 1 July 2009 from UK tax. The temporary differences at 31 December 2009 represent only the unremitted earnings of those overseas subsidiaries in respect of which a tax liability may still arise on remittance of those earnings to the UK, principally as a result of overseas withholding taxes on dividends.

43 – Provisions

This note details the non-insurance provisions that the Group holds, and shows the movements in these during the year.

(a) Carrying amounts

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Restated
2007
£m

Deficits in the staff pension schemes (note 44e(vii))

1,707

613

205

Other obligations to staff pension schemes – insurance policies issued by Group companies (note 44e(vii))

1,351

1,402

1,025

Total IAS 19 obligations to staff pension schemes

3,058

2,015

1,230

Restructuring provision

198

253

135

Other provisions

724

722

572

 

3,980

2,990

1,937

Less amounts classified as held for sale

(6)

Total

3,980

2,984

1,937

 

Of the total, £3,375 million (2008: £2,328 million, 2007: £1,277 million) is expected to be settled more than one year after the statement of financial position date.

 


186

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

43 – Provisions continued

(b) Movements on restructuring and other provisions

 

 

Restructuring provision
£m

Other provisions
£m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2008

135

572

707

Additional provisions

355

307

662

Unused amounts reversed

(9)

(73)

(82)

Change in the discounted amount arising from passage of time

5

5

Charge to income statement

346

239

585

Utilised during the year

(248)

(193)

(441)

Acquisition of subsidiaries

39

39

Foreign exchange rate movements

20

65

85

At 31 December 2008

253

722

975

Additional provisions

348

341

689

Unused amounts reversed

(13)

(31)

(44)

Change in the discounted amount arising from passage of time

(7)

(2)

(9)

Charge to income statement

328

308

636

Utilised during the year

(370)

(251)

(621)

Acquisition of subsidiaries

(32)

(32)

Foreign exchange rate movements

(13)

(23)

(36)

At 31 December 2009

198

724

922

 

Other provisions comprise many small provisions throughout the Group for obligations such as costs of compensation, litigation, staff entitlements and reorganisation.

 

44 – Pension obligations

This note describes the Group’s pension arrangements for its employees and explains how our obligations to these schemes are calculated.

(a) Introduction

The Group operates a large number of defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes around the world. The only material defined benefit schemes are in the UK, the Netherlands, Canada and Ireland and, of these, the main UK scheme is by far the largest.

The assets of the main UK, Irish and Canadian schemes are held in separate trustee-administered funds to meet long-term pension liabilities to past and present employees. In the Netherlands, the main scheme is held in a separate foundation which invests in the life funds of the Group. In all schemes, the appointment of trustees of the funds is determined by their trust documentation, and they are required to act in the best interests of the schemes’ beneficiaries. The long-term investment objectives of the trustees and the employers are to limit the risk of the assets failing to meet the liabilities of the schemes over the long term, and to maximise returns consistent with an acceptable level of risk so as to control the long-term costs of these schemes.

A full actuarial valuation of each of the defined benefit schemes is carried out at least every three years for the benefit of scheme trustees and members. Actuarial reports have been submitted for each scheme within this period, using appropriate methods for the respective countries on local funding bases.

(b) Membership

The number of scheme members at 31 December 2009 was as follows:

 

 

United Kingdom

 

Netherlands

  

2009 Number

2008 Number

  

2009 Number

2008 Number

Active members

8,164

9,972

  

4,637

4,920

Deferred members

53,221

53,376

  

6,155

5,739

Pensioners

28,878

27,749

  

3,119

3,014

Total members

90,263

91,097

  

13,911

13,673

 

 

Canada

 

Ireland

  

2009 Number

2008 Number

  

2009 Number

2008 Number

Active members

816

889

  

1,143

1,180

Deferred members

558

529

  

877

842

Pensioners

1,291

1,280

  

684

682

Total members

2,665

2,698

  

2,704

2,704

 


 

187

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

(c) Main UK scheme

In the UK, the Group operates two main pension schemes, the Aviva Staff Pension Scheme (ASPS) and the smaller RAC (2003) Pension Scheme. New entrants join the defined contribution section of the ASPS, as the defined benefit section is closed to new employees. This scheme is operated by a trustee company, with 11 trustee directors, comprising representatives of the employers, staff, pensioners and an independent trustee (referred to below as the trustees).

(i) Defined benefit section of the ASPS

The Company works closely with the trustees who are required to consult it on the funding of the scheme and its investment strategy. Following each actuarial valuation, the Company and the trustees agree the level of contributions needed and funding levels are then monitored on an annual basis. 
           At 31 March 2009, the date of the last actuarial valuation, this section of the scheme had an excess of obligations over available assets, on a funding basis, which uses more prudent assumptions than are required for reporting under IAS 19, of £3.0 billion. At 31 December 2009, this figure is estimated to have fallen to £2.7 billion. The Company and the trustees are in advanced stages of finalising a long-term funding plan over which it will aim to eliminate the funding deficit. Under the current proposals, deficit funding payments in 2010 are expected to be £365 million.

       The employing companies’ contributions to the defined benefit section of the ASPS throughout 2009 were 41% of employees’ pensionable salaries, together with the cost of redundancies during the year, and additional deficit funding payments totalling £52 million. As this section of the scheme is closed to new entrants and the contribution rate is determined using the projected unit credit method, it is expected that the percentage cost of providing future service benefits will continue to increase as the membership ages, leading to higher pension costs, and the number of members falls, leading to a higher charge per member. Pending finalisation of the funding plan above, the employers’ contribution rate for 2010 has been increased to 43% of pensionable salaries, with expected service funding contributions under the current proposals increasing to £130 million. Active members of this section of the ASPS contributed between 5% and 7.5% of their pensionable salaries, increasing to between 6% and 10% from 1 April 2010.

       In 2006, the Group’s UK life business carried out an investigation into the allocation of costs in respect of funding the ASPS, to identify the deficit that arose in respect of accruals prior to the introduction of the current management services agreements (MSAs) and to propose a split between individual product companies based on an allocation of the deficit into pre- and post-MSA amounts. The results of this review were agreed by the relevant company boards and accepted by the UK regulator. Consequently, with effect from 1 January 2006, the Company’s UK with-profit product companies are liable for a share, currently 12%, of the additional payments for deficit funding referred to above up to a total of £130 million. This has resulted in movements between the unallocated divisible surplus (UDS) and retained earnings via the statement of comprehensive income of £24 million in 2009 (2008: £78 million) to reflect actuarial movements in the deficit during the year and therefore a change in the amount recoverable from the with-profit product companies.

(ii) Defined contribution (money purchase) section of the ASPS

The trustees have responsibility for selecting a range of suitable funds in which the members can choose to invest and for monitoring the performance of the available investment funds. Members are responsible for reviewing the level of contributions they pay and the choice of investment fund to ensure these are appropriate to their attitude to risk and their retirement plans. The employers’ contribution rates for members of the defined contribution section up to 30 June 2009 were 8% of pensionable salaries, together with further contributions up to 4% where members contributed, and the cost of the death-in-service benefits. With effect from 1 July 2009, members of this section have contributed at least 1% of their pensionable salaries and, depending on the percentage chosen, the Company’s contribution has increased up to a maximum 14%. These contribution rates are unchanged for 2010.

(d) Charges to the income statement

The total pension costs of the Group’s defined benefit and defined contribution schemes were:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

UK defined benefit schemes

84

115

137

Overseas defined benefit schemes

103

60

54

Total defined benefit schemes (note 8b)

187

175

191

UK defined contribution schemes

53

46

44

Overseas defined contribution schemes

20

19

19

Total defined contribution schemes (note 8b)

73

65

63

  

260

240

254

 

There were no significant contributions outstanding or prepaid as at either 31 December 2007, 2008 or 2009.

(e) IAS 19 disclosures

Disclosures under IAS 19 for the material defined benefit schemes in the UK, the Netherlands, Canada and Ireland are given below. Where schemes provide both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions, the assets and liabilities shown exclude those relating to defined contribution pensions. Total employer contributions for these schemes in 2010, including the ASPS deficit funding, are expected to be £565 million.

 


188

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

(i) Assumptions on scheme liabilities

The projected unit credit method

The inherent uncertainties affecting the measurement of scheme liabilities require these to be measured on an actuarial basis. This involves discounting the best estimate of future cash flows to be paid out by the scheme using the projected unit credit method. This is an accrued benefits valuation method which calculates the past service liability to members and makes allowance for their projected future earnings. It is based on a number of actuarial assumptions, which vary according to the economic conditions of the countries in which the relevant businesses are situated, and changes in these assumptions can materially affect the measurement of the pension obligations.

Alternative measurement methods

There are alternative methods of measuring liabilities, for example by calculating an accumulated benefit obligation (the present value of benefits for service already rendered but with no allowance for future salary increases) or on a solvency basis, using the cost of securing the benefits at a particular date with an insurance company or one of the growing market of alternative buy-out providers. This could take the form of a buy-out, in which the entire liability will be settled in one payment with all obligations transferred to an insurance company or buy-out provider, or a buy-in, in which annuities or other insurance products are purchased to cover a part or all of the liability. A valuation of the liabilities in either of these cases will almost always result in a higher estimate of the pension deficit than under an ongoing approach, as they assume that the sponsor immediately transfers the majority, if not all, of the risk to another provider who would be seeking to make a profit on the transaction. However, there are only a limited number of organisations that would be able to offer these options for schemes of the size of those in our Group. The full buy-out cost would only be known if quotes were obtained from such organisations but, to illustrate the cost of a buy-out valuation, an estimate for the main UK scheme is that the year end liabilities of £8.4 billion could be valued some £3.6 billion higher, at £12.0 billion.

       There is a small buy-out market in Ireland, largely restricted to pensions currently in payment and it is not clear whether current capacity would enable an immediate buy-out of our Irish pension liabilities at present. The Canadian defined benefit plan’s liabilities represent the likely limit on what the Canadian group annuity market could absorb at normal competitive group annuity prices if the entire plan were subject to a buy-out valuation. There is in fact a reasonably high chance that only a portion of the plan’s liabilities could be absorbed in one tranche.

       IAS 19 requires us to use the projected unit credit method to measure our pension scheme liabilities. Neither of the alternative methods is considered appropriate in presenting fairly the Group’s obligations to the members of its pension schemes on an ongoing basis, so they are not considered further.

Valuations and assumptions

The valuations used for accounting under IAS 19 have been based on the most recent full actuarial valuations, updated to take account of that standard’s requirements in order to assess the liabilities of the material schemes at 31 December 2009. Scheme assets are stated at their fair values at 31 December 2009.

 

The main actuarial assumptions used to calculate scheme liabilities under IAS 19 are:

 

 

 

 

UK

 

 

 

Netherlands

 

2009

2008

2007

 

2009

2008

2007

Inflation rate

3.6%

2.9%

3.4%

  

2.1%

2.0%

2.0%

General salary increases

5.4%

4.7%

5.2%

  

3.1%*

3.0%*

3.0%*

Pension increases

3.6%

3.1%

3.4%

  

2.1%/1.9%**

2.0%/1.3%**

2.0%/2.4%**

Deferred pension increases

3.6%

3.1%

3.4%

  

2.1%/1.9%**

2.0%/1.3%**

2.0%/2.4%**

Discount rate

5.7%

6.2%

5.8%

  

5.2%

5.7%

5.5%

Basis of discount rate

AA-rated corporate bonds

  

AA-rated corporate bonds

*

Age-related scale increases plus 3.1% (2008: 3%, 2007: 3%).

**

2.1% until 2011 and 1.9% thereafter(2008: 2.0% and 1.3% respectively, 2007: 2.0% and 2.4% respectively).

 

 

 

 

Canada

 

 

 

Ireland

 

2009

2008

2007

 

2009

2008

2007

Inflation rate

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

  

2.0%

2.0%

2.5%

General salary increases

3.75%

3.75%

3.75%

  

3.5%

3.75%

4.25%

Pension increases

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

  

2.0%

2.0%

2.4%

Deferred pension increases

  

2.0%

2.0%

2.4%

Discount rate

5.5%

6.75%

5.25%

  

5.5%

5.9%

5.6%

Basis of discount rate

AA-rated corporate bonds

  

AA-rated corporate bonds

 

The discount rate and pension increase rate are the two assumptions that have the largest impact on the value of the liabilities, with the difference between them being known as the net discount rate. For each country, the discount rate is based on current average yields of high quality debt instruments taking account of the maturities of the defined benefit obligations. A 1% increase in this rate (and therefore the net discount rate) would reduce the liabilities by £1.8 billion and the service cost for the year by £31 million.

Mortality assumptions

Mortality assumptions are significant in measuring the Group’s obligations under its defined benefit schemes, particularly given the maturity of these obligations in the material schemes. The assumptions used are summarised in the table below and have been selected to reflect the characteristics and experience of the membership of these schemes.

 


 

189

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

The mortality tables, average life expectancy and pension duration used at 31 December 2009 for scheme members are as follows:

 

 

 

Life expectancy/(pension
duration) at NRA of a male

 

Life expectancy/(pension
duration) at NRA of a female


Mortality table

 

Normal
retirement
age (NRA)

Currently
aged
NRA

20 years
younger
than NRA

 

Currently
aged NRA

20 years
younger
than NRA

UK

PA92U2010MC with a one year age rating deduction and
including an allowance for future improvements

 

60

89.4

(29.4)

92.5

(32.5)

 

91.8

(31.8)

93.9

(33.9)

Netherlands

CRC8b, which includes allowance for future improvements up to 2050

 

65

82.5

(17.5)

84.0

(19.0)

 

86.1

(21.1)

86.8

(21.8)

Canada

UP1994 projected to 2015, using Scale AA

 

65

84.4

(19.4)

84.4

(19.4)

 

86.8

(21.8)

86.8

(21.8)

Ireland

94%PNA00 with allowance for future improvements

61

86.5

(25.5)

89.5

(28.5)

 

89.3

(28.3)

92.3

(31.3)

 

The assumptions above are based on commonly-used mortality tables. In the UK, the standard mortality tables have been adjusted to reflect recent research into mortality experience. However, the extent of future improvements in longevity is subject to considerable uncertainty and judgement is required in setting this assumption. In the UK schemes, which are by far the most material to the Group, the assumptions include an allowance for future mortality improvement, based on the actuarial profession’s medium cohort projection table and incorporating underpins to the rate of future improvement equal to 1.5% p.a. for males and 1.0% p.a. for females. The effect of assuming all members were one year younger would increase the above schemes’ liabilities by £248 million and the service cost for the year by £5 million.

       The discounted scheme liabilities have an average duration of 22 years in the UK schemes and between 12 and 18 years in the overseas schemes. The undiscounted benefits payable from the main UK defined benefit scheme are expected to be as shown in the chart below:

 


 

(ii) Assumptions on scheme assets

The expected rates of return on the schemes’ assets are:

 

 

 

UK

 

 

Netherlands

 

 

Canada

 

 

Ireland

 

2010

2009

 

2010

2009

 

2010

2009

 

2010

2009

Equities

7.8%

6.3%

  

6.8%

6.0%

  

7.6%

4.5%

  

7.2%

6.0%

Bonds

4.8%

5.2%

  

4.3%

3.8%

  

3.5%

4.3%

  

4.5%

4.1%

Property

6.3%

4.8%

  

5.2%

5.7%

  

n/a

n/a

  

5.7%

4.5%

Cash

0.9%

3.2%

  

n/a

3.8%

  

n/a

n/a

  

2.9%

3.0%

 

The overall rates of return are based on the expected returns within each asset category and on current asset allocations. The expected returns for equities and properties have been aligned with the rates used for the longer-term investment return assumptions, other than in the Netherlands, where they have been developed in conjunction with external advisers due to the characteristics of the scheme. The figures for the total expected return on scheme assets in the following section are stated after deducting investment expenses.

 


190

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

(iii) Investments in Group-managed funds and insurance policies

Plan assets include investments in Group-managed funds in the consolidated statement of financial position of £101 million (2008: £99 million, 2007: £150 million) in the UK scheme, and insurance policies with other Group companies of £157 million and £1,351 million (2008: £150 million and £1,402 million, 2007: £143 million and £1,025 million) in the UK and Dutch schemes respectively. The Dutch insurance policies are considered non-transferable under the terms of IAS 19 and so have been treated as other obligations to staff pension schemes within provisions (see note 43).

The treatment of the relevant parts of the financial statements is as follows:

Plan assets – The treatment of these funds and policies in the consolidated statement of financial position is described above.

Expected rates of return – Where the relevant insurance policies are in segregated funds with specific asset allocations, their expected rates of return are included in the appropriate line in the table in section (ii) above.

Pension expense – To avoid double-counting of investment income on scheme assets and the assets backing the underlying policies, adjustments have been made to the former in the tables in section (iv) below.

(iv) Pension expense

As noted above, plan assets in the UK and Dutch schemes include insurance policies with other Group companies. To avoid double-counting of investment income on scheme assets and the assets backing the underlying policies, adjustments have been made to the former as shown in the tables below.

The total pension expense for these schemes comprises:

Recognised in the income statement

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Current service cost

(131)

(162)

(173)

Past service cost

(25)

(1)

Gains on curtailments

38

(3)

(15)

Gains on settlements

11

Total pension cost charged to net operating expenses

(107)

(166)

(188)

Expected return on scheme assets

466

706

614

Less: Income on insurance policy assets accounted for elsewhere (see (iii) above)

(58)

(64)

(49)

  

408

642

565

Interest charge on scheme liabilities

(591)

(585)

(515)

(Charge)/credit to investment income

(183)

57

50

Total charge to income

(290)

(109)

(138)

 

Recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Expected return on scheme assets

(466)

(706)

(614)

Actual positive/(negative) return on these assets

1,009

(1,245)

404

Actuarial gains/(losses) on scheme assets

543

(1,951)

(210)

Less: losses on insurance policy assets accounted for elsewhere (see (iii) above)

18

58

72

Actuarial gains/(losses) on admissible assets

561

(1,893)

(138)

Experience gains/(losses) arising on scheme liabilities

77

105

(80)

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of the scheme liabilities

(1,778)

859

902

Loss on acquisitions

(36)

Actuarial (losses)/gains recognised in other comprehensive income

(1,140)

(929)

648

 

The loss arising from changes in assumptions in 2009 reflects the impact of lower discount rates for liabilities across all schemes and higher pension and salary increase assumptions in the UK and Netherlands, together with the strengthening of mortality assumptions in Ireland.

The cumulative amount of actuarial gains and losses on the pension schemes recognised in other comprehensive income since 1 January 2004 (the date of transition to IFRS) is a loss of £2,230 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: loss of £1,090 million).

 

 


 

191

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

(v) Experience gains and losses

The following disclosures of experience gains and losses give a five year history. Scheme assets exclude insurance policies with Group companies and income on the assets underlying them.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

2006
£m

2005
£m

Fair value of scheme assets at the end of the year

8,754

7,936

8,814

8,137

7,334

Present value of scheme liabilities at the end of the year

(11,812)

(9,951)

(10,017)

(10,196)

(9,680)

Net deficits in the schemes

(3,058)

(2,015)

(1,203)

(2,059)

(2,346)

Difference between the expected and actual return

 

 

 

 

 

on scheme assets

 

  

 

 

 

Amount of gains/(losses)

561

(1,893)

(138)

251

798

Percentage of the scheme assets at the end of the year

6.4%

23.8%

1.6%

3.1%

10.9%

Experience gains/(losses) on scheme liabilities

  

 

 

 

 

(excluding changes in assumptions)

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of gains/(losses)

77

105

(80)

63

(86)

Percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities

0.7%

1.1%

0.8%

0.6%

0.9%

 

(vi) Risk management and asset allocation strategy

As noted above, the long-term investment objectives of the trustees and the employers are to limit the risk of the assets failing to meet the liabilities of the schemes over the long term, and to maximise returns consistent with an acceptable level of risk so as to control the long-term costs of these schemes. To meet these objectives, each scheme’s assets are invested in a diversified portfolio, consisting primarily of equity and debt securities. These reflect the current long-term asset allocation ranges chosen, having regard to the structure of liabilities within the schemes.

Main UK scheme

Both the Group and the trustees regularly review the asset/liability management of the main UK scheme. It is fully understood that, whilst the current asset mix is designed to produce appropriate long-term returns, this introduces a material risk of volatility in the scheme’s surplus or deficit of assets compared with its liabilities.

The principal asset risks to which the scheme is exposed are:

Equity market risk – the effect of equity market falls on the value of plan assets.

Inflation risk – the effect of inflation rising faster than expected on the value of the plan liabilities.

Interest rate risk – falling interest rates leading to an increase in liabilities significantly exceeding the increase in the value of assets.

 

There is also an exposure to currency risk where assets are not denominated in the same currency as the liabilities. The majority of this exposure has been removed by the use of hedging instruments.

In addition, the trustees have taken measures to partially mitigate inflation and interest rate risks, including entering into inflation and interest rate swaps to hedge approximately one third of the scheme’s exposure to these risks.

Other schemes

The other schemes are considerably less material but their risks are managed in a similar way to those in the main UK scheme.

(vii) Recognition in the statement of financial position

The assets and liabilities of the schemes, attributable to defined benefit members, including investments in Group insurance policies (see footnote below), at 31 December 2009 were:

 

 

UK

 

Netherlands

 

Canada

 

Ireland

 

Total

 

£m

 

£m

  

£m

 

£m

 

2009
£m

Equities

2,285

  

258

  

78

  

28

  

2,649

Bonds

4,619

  

992

  

110

  

231

  

5,952

Property

403

  

92

  

  

18

  

513

Other

835

  

16

  

10

  

130

  

991

Total fair value of assets

8,142

  

1,358

  

198

  

407

  

10,105

Present value of scheme liabilities

(9,554)

  

(1,372)

  

(308)

  

(578)

  

(11,812)

Deficits in the schemes included in provisions (note 43)

(1,412)

  

(14)

  

(110)

  

(171)

  

(1,707)

 

 

UK

 

Netherlands

 

Canada

 

Ireland

 

Total

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

2008
£m

Equities

3,002

  

292

  

93

  

182

  

3,569

Bonds

3,395

  

857

  

86

  

172

  

4,510

Property

405

  

76

  

  

26

  

507

Other

485

  

184

  

3

  

80

  

752

Total fair value of assets

7,287

  

1,409

  

182

  

460

  

9,338

Present value of scheme liabilities

(7,732)

  

(1,424)

  

(250)

  

(545)

  

(9,951)

Deficits in the schemes included in provisions (note 43)

(445)

  

(15)

  

(68)

  

(85)

  

(613)

 

 


192

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

 

 

UK

 

Netherlands

 

Canada

 

Ireland

 

Total

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

2007
£m

Equities

4,347

  

306

  

144

  

256

  

5,053

Bonds

3,059

  

556

  

85

  

174

 

3,874

Property

562

  

52

  

  

42

  

656

Other

135

  

114

  

2

  

5

  

256

Total fair value of assets

8,103

  

1,028

  

231

  

477

  

9,839

Present value of scheme liabilities

(8,229)

  

(1,049)

  

(289)

  

(450)

  

(10,017)

(Deficits)/surplus in the schemes

(126)

  

(21)

  

(58)

  

27

  

(178)

Included in other assets (note 23)

  

  

  

27

  

27

Included in provisions (note 43)

(126)

  

(21)

  

(58)

  

  

(205)

  

(126)

  

(21)

  

(58)

  

27

  

(178)

 

Other assets comprise cash at bank, derivative financial instruments, receivables and payables.

Plan assets in the table above include investments in Group-managed funds and insurance policies, as described in section (iii) above. Where the investment and insurance policies are in segregated funds with specific asset allocations, they are included in the appropriate line in the table above, otherwise they appear in “Other”. The Dutch insurance policies of £1,351 million (2008: £1,402 million, 2007: £1,025 million) are considered non-transferable under the terms of IAS 19 and so have been treated as other obligations to staff pension schemes within provisions (see note 43).

The total IAS 19 obligations and strict IAS 19 assets (i.e. excluding the non-transferable insurance policies) of the schemes give a net deficit of £3,058 million (2008: £2,015 million, 2007: £1,203 million), as shown in the following tables.

 

 

UK

 

Netherlands

 

Canada

 

Ireland

 

Total

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

2009
£m

Equities

2,285

  

  

78

  

28

  

2,391

Bonds

4,619

  

  

110

  

231

  

4,960

Property

403

  

  

  

18

  

421

Other

835

  

7

  

10

  

130

  

982

Total fair value of assets

8,142

  

7

  

198

  

407

  

8,754

Present value of scheme liabilities

(9,554)

  

(1,372)

  

(308)

  

(578)

  

(11,812)

Deficits in the schemes included in provisions (note 43)

(1,412)

 

(1,365)

  

(110)

  

(171)

  

(3,058)

 

 

UK

 

Netherlands

 

Canada

 

Ireland

 

Total

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

2008
£m

Equities

3,002

  

  

93

  

182

  

3,277

Bonds

3,395

  

  

86

  

172

  

3,653

Property

405

  

  

  

26

  

431

Other

485

  

7

  

3

  

80

  

575

Total fair value of assets

7,287

  

7

  

182

  

460

  

7,936

Present value of scheme liabilities

(7,732)

  

(1,424)

  

(250)

  

(545)

  

(9,951)

Deficits in the schemes included in provisions (note 43)

(445)

  

(1,417)

  

(68)

  

(85)

  

(2,015)

 

 

UK

 

Netherlands

 

Canada

 

Ireland

 

Total

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

2007
£m

Equities

4,347

  

  

144

  

256

  

4,747

Bonds

3,059

  

  

85

  

174

  

3,318

Property

562

  

  

  

42

  

604

Other

135

  

3

  

2

  

5

  

145

Total fair value of assets

8,103

  

3

  

231

  

477

  

8,814

Present value of scheme liabilities

(8,229)

  

(1,049)

  

(289)

  

(450)

  

(10,017)

(Deficits)/surplus in the schemes

(126)

  

(1,046)

  

(58)

  

27

  

(1,203)

Included in other assets (note 23)

  

  

  

27

  

27

Included in provisions (note 43)

(126)

  

(1,046)

  

(58)

  

  

(1,230)

  

(126)

  

(1,046)

  

(58)

  

27

  

(1,203)

 

The present value of unfunded post-retirement benefit obligations included in the totals in both sets of tables above is £118 million (2008: £104 million, 2007: £107 million).

 

 


 

193

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

44 – Pension obligations continued

(viii) Movements in the scheme deficits and surpluses

Movements in the pension schemes’ deficits and surpluses comprise:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

Scheme
assets
£m

Scheme
liabilities
£m

Pension
scheme
deficits
£m

Adjust for
Group
insurance
policies
£m

IAS 19
pensions
deficits
£m

Deficits in the schemes at 1 January

9,338

(9,951)

(613)

(1,402)

(2,015)

Employer contributions

294

294

(62)

232

Employee contributions

18

(18)

(8)

(8)

Benefits paid

(392)

392

46

46

Current and past service cost (see (iv) above)

(156)

(156)

(156)

Gains/(losses) on curtailments and settlements (see (iv) above)

(19)

68

49

49

Credit/(charge) to investment income (see (iv) above)

466

(591)

(125)

(58)

(183)

Other actuarial gains/(losses) (see (iv) above)

543

(1,701)

(1,158)

18

(1,140)

Buy-outs and other transfers

(1)

1

2

2

Exchange rate movements on foreign plans

(142)

144

2

113

115

Deficits in the schemes at 31 December

10,105

(11,812)

(1,707)

(1,351)

(3,058)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

Scheme
assets
£m

Scheme
liabilities
£m

Pension
scheme
deficits
£m

Adjust for
Group
insurance
policies
£m

IAS 19
pensions
deficits
£m

Deficits in the schemes at 1 January

9,839

(10,017)

(178)

(1,025)

(1,203)

Employer contributions

620

620

(70)

550

Employee contributions

24

(24)

(7)

(7)

Benefits paid

(368)

368

39

39

Current and past service cost (see (iv) above)

(5)

(158)

(163)

(163)

Losses on curtailments (see (iv) above)

(3)

(3)

(3)

Credit/(charge) to investment income (see (iv) above)

706

(585)

121

(64)

57

Other actuarial gains/(losses) (see (iv) above)

(1,951)

964

(987)

58

(929)

Buy-outs and other transfers

(1)

1

1

1

Exchange rate movements on foreign plans

474

(497)

(23)

(334)

(357)

Deficits in the schemes at 31 December

9,338

(9,951)

(613)

(1,402)

(2,015)

 

The change in the pension schemes’ net deficits during 2009 is mainly attributable to the unfavourable changes in assumptions underlying the present value of the schemes’ liabilities, partly offset by a rise in equity and property investment values.

45 – Borrowings

Our borrowings are either core structural borrowings, such as subordinated debt, debenture loans and most commercial paper, or operational borrowings, such as bank loans and financing for securitised mortgage loan notes. This note shows the carrying values and contractual maturity amounts of each type, and explains their main features and movements during the year.

(a) Analysis of total borrowings

Total borrowings comprise:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Core structural borrowings, at amortised cost

5,489

5,525

4,311

Operational borrowings, at amortised cost

4,404

4,233

3,347

Operational borrowings, at fair value

5,107

5,443

5,011

  

9,511

9,676

8,358

 

15,000

15,201

12,669

Less amounts classified as held for sale

(12)

  

15,000

15,201

12,657

 

 


194

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

45 – Borrowings continued

(b) Core structural borrowings

The following table provides information about the carrying amounts and maturity periods of these borrowings. Borrowings are considered current if the contractual maturity dates are within a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

Maturity dates of undiscounted cash flows

 

 

Carrying value
£m

Denominated
currency

£m

Within 1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–10
years
£m

10–15
years
£m

Over 15 years
£m

Total
£m

Subordinated debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.125% £700 million subordinated notes 2036

 

690

£

700

700

5.750% €800 million subordinated notes 2021

 

710

711

711

5.250% €650 million subordinated notes 2023

 

539

578

578

5.700% €500 million undated subordinated notes

 

441

444

444

6.125% £800 million undated subordinated notes

 

791

£

800

800

Floating rate US$300 million subordinated notes 2017

 

186

US$

186

186

6.875% £400 million subordinated notes 2058

 

395

£

400

400

6.875% £200 million subordinated notes 2058

 

199

£

200

200

6.875% €500 million subordinated notes 2038

 

442

444

444

10.6726% £200 million subordinated notes 2019

 

200

£

200

200

10.464% €50 million subordinated notes 2019

 

44

44

44

 

 

4,637

 

874

1,289

2,544

4,707

Debenture loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.5% guaranteed bonds 2016

 

199

£

200

200

2.5% subordinated perpetual loan notes

 

157

441

441

Other loans

 

13

Various

13

13

 

 

369

 

13

200

441

654

Commercial paper

 

483

Various

483

483

Total

 

5,489

 

483

13

1,074

1,289

2,985

5,844

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

 

 

 

344

1,455

1,736

1,440

2,340

7,315

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows for core structural borrowings

 

 

 

827

1,468

2,810

2,729

5,325

13,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

Maturity dates of undiscounted cash flows

 

 

Carrying value
£m

Denominated
currency
£m

Within 1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–10
years
£m

10–15
years
£m

Over 15 years
£m


Total
£m

Subordinated debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.125% £700 million subordinated notes 2036

 

689

£

700

700

5.750% €800 million subordinated notes 2021

 

772

773

773

5.250% €650 million subordinated notes 2023

 

593

628

628

5.700% €500 million undated subordinated notes

 

480

483

483

6.125% £800 million undated subordinated notes

 

790

£

800

800

Floating rate US$300 million subordinated notes 2017

 

208

US$

209

209

6.875% £400 million subordinated notes 2058

 

394

£

400

400

6.875% £200 million subordinated notes 2058

 

199

£

200

200

6.875% €500 million subordinated notes 2038

 

481

483

483

 

 

4,606

 

209

1,401

3,066

4,676

Debenture loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.5% guaranteed bonds 2016

 

199

£

200

200

2.5% subordinated perpetual loan notes

 

166

474

474

Other loans

 

14

various

14

14

 

 

379

 

14

200

474

688

Commercial paper

 

540

various

540

540

Total

 

5,525

 

540

14

409

1,401

3,540

5,904

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

 

 

 

345

1,246

1,498

1,339

2,658

7,086

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows for core structural borrowings

 

 

 

885

1,260

1,907

2,740

6,198

12,990

 

 


 

195

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

45 – Borrowings continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

Maturity dates of undiscounted cash flows

 

 

Carrying value
£m

Denominated
currency
£m

Within 1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–10
years
£m

10–15
years
£m

Over 15 years
£m


Total
£m

Subordinated debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.125% £700 million subordinated notes 2036

 

689

£

700

700

5.750% €800 million subordinated notes 2021

 

586

588

588

5.250% €650 million subordinated notes 2023

 

474

477

477

5.700% €500 million undated subordinated notes

 

364

367

367

6.125% £800 million undated subordinated notes

 

790

£

800

800

Floating rate US$300 million subordinated notes 2017

 

151

US$

151

151

 

 

3,054

 

151

588

2,344

3,083

Debenture loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.5% guaranteed bonds 2016

 

198

£

200

200

2.5% subordinated perpetual loan notes

 

127

£

360

360

Other loans

 

10

various

10

10

 

 

335

 

10

200

360

570

Commercial paper

 

922

various

935

935

Total

 

4,311

 

935

10

351

588

2,704

4,588

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

 

 

 

256

834

1,023

869

625

3,607

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows for core structural borrowings

 

 

 

1,191

844

1,374

1,457

3,329

8,195

 

Subordinated debt is stated at net of notes held by Group companies of £35 million (2008: £33 million; 2007: £nil).

Where subordinated debt is undated or loan notes are perpetual, the interest payments have not been included beyond 15 years. Annual interest payments for these borrowings are £75 million (2008: £89 million).

Contractual undiscounted interest payments are calculated based on underlying fixed interest rates or prevailing market floating rates as applicable. Year end exchange rates have been used for interest projections on loans in foreign currencies.

All the above borrowings are stated at amortised cost.

(c) Operational borrowings

The following table provides information about the carrying amounts and maturity periods of these borrowings. Borrowings are considered current if the contractual maturity dates are within a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

Maturity dates of undiscounted cash flows

 

Carrying value
£m

Denominated
currency
£m

Within 1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–10
years
£m

10–15
years
£m

Over 15 years
£m

Total
£m

Amounts owed to credit institutions

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Bank loans

2,182

Various

313

698

806

290

75

2,182

Securitised mortgage loan notes

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

UK lifetime mortgage business

1,444

£

11

71

130

379

1,061

1,652

Dutch domestic mortgage business

5,885

6,094

6,094

 

7,329

  

11

71

130

379

7,155

7,746

Total

9,511

  

324

772

936

669

7,230

9,928

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

  

  

185

755

825

754

2,335

4,854

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

  

  

509

1,527

1,761

1,423

9,565

14,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

Maturity dates of undiscounted cash flows

 

Carrying value
£m

Denominated
currency
£m

Within 1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–10
years
£m

10–15
years
£m

Over 15 years
£m

Total
£m

Amounts owed to credit institutions

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Bank loans

1,891

various

353

842

152

154

390

1,891

Securitised mortgage loan notes

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

UK lifetime mortgage business

1,590

£

9

40

66

1,529

1,644

Dutch domestic mortgage business

6,195

7,913

7,913

 

7,785

  

9

40

66

9,442

9,557

Total

9,676

  

362

882

218

154

9,832

11,448

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

  

  

520

2,147

2,508

2,460

13,203

20,838

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

  

  

882

3,029

2,726

2,614

23,035

32,286

 

 


196

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

45 – Borrowings continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

Maturity dates of undiscounted cash flows

 

Carrying value
£m

Denominated
currency
£m

Within 1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–10
years
£m

10–15
years
£m

Over 15 years
£m

Total
£m

Amounts owed to credit institutions

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Bank loans

1,064

various

375

306

314

9

60

1,064

Securitised mortgage loan notes

     

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

UK lifetime mortgage business

1,674

£

14

125

1,613

1,752

Dutch domestic mortgage business

5,620

5,890

5,890

 

7,294

  

14

125

7,503

7,642

Total

8,358

  

375

320

439

9

7,563

8,706

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

  

  

374

1,392

1,705

1,652

8,452

13,575

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

  

  

749

1,712

2,144

1,661

16,015

22,281

 

Contractual undiscounted interest payments are calculated based on underlying fixed interest rates or prevailing market floating rates as applicable. The reduction in future contractual undiscounted interest payments mainly reflects lower average interest payable at 31 December 2009 on floating rate securitised loan notes issued by our Dutch business, compared to 31 December 2008. Year end exchange rates have been used for interest projections on loans in foreign currencies.

The securitised mortgage loan notes are at various fixed, floating and index-linked rates. Further details about these notes are given in note 20.

All the above borrowings are stated at amortised cost, except for the loan notes issued in connection with the UK lifetime mortgage business £1,444 million (2008: £1,590 million, 2007: £1,674 million) and £3,664 million (2008: £3,842 million, 2007: £3,337 million) of the loan notes issued in connection with the Dutch domestic mortgage business, which are carried at fair value. Fair values are modelled on risk-adjusted cash flows for defaults discounted at a risk-free rate plus a market-determined liquidity premium, and are therefore classified as “Level 2” in the fair value hierarchy. These have been designated at fair value through profit and loss in order to present the relevant mortgages, borrowings and derivative financial instruments at fair value, since they are managed as a portfolio on a fair value basis. This presentation provides more relevant information and eliminates any accounting mismatch.

(d) Description and features

(i) Subordinated debt

A description of each of the subordinated notes is set out in the table below:

 

Notional amount

Issue date

Redemption date

Callable at par at option
of the Company from

In the event the Company does not call the notes,
the coupon will reset at each applicable reset date to

£700 million

14 Nov 2001

14 Nov 2036

16 Nov 2026

5 year Benchmark Gilt + 2.85%

€800 million

14 Nov 2001

14 Nov 2021

14 Nov 2011

3 month Euribor + 2.12%

€650 million

29 Sep 2003

02 Oct 2023

02 Oct 2013

3 month Euribor + 2.08%

€500 million

29 Sep 2003

Undated

29 Sep 2015

3 month Euribor + 2.35%

£800 million

29 Sep 2003

Undated

29 Sep 2022

5 year Benchmark Gilt + 2.40%

US$300 million

19 Dec 2007

19 Jun 2017

19 Jun 2012

3 month US LIBOR + 0.84%

£400 million

20 May 2008

20 May 2058

20 May 2038

3 month LIBOR + 3.26%

£200 million

8 Aug 2008

20 May 2058

20 May 2038

3 month LIBOR + 3.26%

€500 million

22 May 2008

22 May 2038

22 May 2018

3 month Euribor + 3.35%

£200 million

31 Mar 2009

31 Mar 2019

31 Mar 2014

3 month LIBOR + 8.10%

€50 million

30 Apr 2009

30 Apr 2019

30 Apr 2014

3 month Euribor + 8.25%

 

The subordinated notes were issued by the Company. They rank below its senior obligations and ahead of its preference shares and ordinary share capital. The dated subordinated notes rank ahead of the undated subordinated notes. The fair value of these notes at 31 December 2009 was £4,372 million (2008: £2,979 million, 2007: £3,006 million), calculated with reference to quoted prices.

(ii) Debenture loans

The 9.5% guaranteed bonds were issued by the Company at a discount of £1.1 million. This discount and the issue expenses are being amortised over the full term of the bonds. Although these bonds were issued in sterling, the loans have effectively been converted into euro liabilities through the use of financial instruments in a subsidiary.

The 2.5% perpetual subordinated loan notes were issued by Delta Lloyd to finance the acquisition of NUTS OHRA Beheer BV in 1999. As part of the public offering of Delta Lloyd, their nominal value was increased to €497 million (2008: €490 million). However, because they are considered to be perpetual, their carrying value is lower at €177 million (2008: €172 million), calculated in 1999 and based on the future cash flows in perpetuity discounted back at a market rate of interest. The rate of interest paid on the notes has been gradually increased to a maximum of 2.76% in 2009.

Other loans totalling £13 million (2008: £14 million) comprise borrowings in the United States.

All these borrowings are at fixed rates and their fair value at 31 December 2009 was £552 million (2008: £663 million), calculated with reference to quoted prices or discounted future cash flows as appropriate.

 


 

197

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

45 – Borrowings continued

(iii) Commercial paper

The commercial paper consists of £483 million in the Company (2008: £535 million, 2007: £918 million) and £nil in France (2008: £5 million, 2007: £4 million). All of this is considered core structural funding.

All commercial paper is repayable within one year and is issued in a number of different currencies, primarily sterling, euros and US dollars. Its fair value is considered to be the same as its carrying value.

(iv) Bank loans

Bank loans comprise:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Non-recourse

  

  

  

Loans to property partnerships (see (a) below

790

978

485

Loans to Irish investment funds (see (b) below)

36

60

74

UK Life reassurance (see (c) below)

114

103

US

150

Other non-recourse loans

169

44

16

 

1,259

1,185

575

Banking loans

145

184

103

Other loans See (d) below)

778

522

386

  

2,182

1,891

1,064

 

(a) As explained in accounting policy D, the UK long-term business policyholder funds have invested in a number of property limited partnerships (PLPs). The PLPs have raised external debt, secured on their respective property portfolios, and the lenders are only entitled to obtain payment of both interest and principal to the extent there are sufficient resources in the respective PLPs. The lenders have no recourse whatsoever to the policyholder or shareholders’ funds of any companies in the Aviva Group. Loans of £790 million (2008: £978 million, 2007: £485 million) included in the table relate to those PLPs which have been consolidated as subsidiaries.

(b) Certain Irish policyholder investment funds and unit trusts, which have been fully consolidated in accordance with accounting policy D, have raised borrowings with external credit institutions. The borrowings are secured on the funds, with the only recourse on default being the underlying investments in these funds and unit trusts. The lenders have no recourse whatsoever to the shareholders’ funds of any companies in the Aviva Group. These loans run for a period of five years, with interest rates fixed monthly and based on a fixed margin above the euro inter-bank rate. The amount of these loans can be varied without any penalty being charged, subject to a maximum of 50% Loan to Value and a maximum facility of €40 million.

(c) The UK long-term business entered into a financial reassurance agreement with Swiss Re in 2008, under which up-front payments are received from Swiss Re in return for 90% of future surplus arising. The loan will be repaid as profits emerge on the business.

(d) Other loans includes €500 million 10.44% subordinated notes due 2019 of which €400 million of the loan was issued by Delta Lloyd Levensverzekering and €100m by Delta Lloyd Schadeverzekering.

(v) Securitised mortgage loan notes

Loan notes have been issued by special purpose securitisation companies in the UK and the Netherlands. Details of these securitisations are given in note 20.

For the Dutch securitised mortgage loan notes carried at amortised cost of £2,221 million (2008: £2,353 million, 2007: £2,283 million), their fair value is £2,170 million (2008: £2,224 million, 2007: £2,283 million), calculated based on the future cash flows discounted back at the market rate of interest.

(e) Movements during the year

Movements in borrowings during the year were:

 

 

Core
structural
£m

Operational
£m

Total
2009
£m

New borrowings drawn down, net of expenses

2,739

1,521

4,260

Repayment of borrowings

(2,546)

(1,307)

(3,853)

Net cash inflow

193

214

407

Foreign exchange rate movements

(232)

(566)

(798)

Fair value movements

187

187

Amortisation of discounts and other non-cash items

3

3

Movements in the year

(36)

(165)

(201)

Balance at 1 January

5,525

9,676

15,201

Balance at 31 December

5,489

9,511

15,000

 

 


198

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

45 – Borrowings continued

Movements in borrowings during the previous year were:

 

 

Core
structural
£m

Operational
£m

Total
2008
£m

New borrowings drawn down, net of expenses

3,929

1,586

5,515

Repayment of borrowings

(3,496)

(1,721)

(5,217)

Net cash inflow

433

(135)

298

Foreign exchange rate movements

779

1,779

2,558

Borrowings acquired for non-cash consideration

(3)

(3)

Acquisitions

81

81

Fair value movements

(404)

(404)

Amortisation of discounts and other non-cash items

2

2

Movements in the year

1,214

1,318

2,532

Balance at 1 January

4,311

8,358

12,669

Balance at 31 December

5,525

9,676

15,201

 

All movements in fair value in 2009 and 2008 on securitised mortgage loan notes designated as fair value through profit or loss were attributable to changes in market conditions. These loan notes have external credit ratings which have not changed since the inception of the loans.

(f) Undrawn borrowings

The Group and Company have the following undrawn committed central borrowing facilities available to it, of which £1,000 million (2008: £1,000 million, 2007: £1,000 million) is used to support the commercial paper programme:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Expiring within one year

600

815

500

Expiring beyond one year

1,510

1,285

1,575

  

2,110

2,100

2,075

46 – Payables and other financial liabilities

This note analyses our financial liabilities at the end of the year.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Payables arising out of direct insurance

1,585

1,716

1,731

Payables arising out of reinsurance operations

544

499

410

Deposits and advances received from reinsurers

928

1,014

1,294

Bank overdrafts

926

605

621

Derivative liabilities (note 54)

2,099

2,024

633

Bank customer accounts

4,618

4,510

2,460

Bank deposits received from other banks

1,933

1,780

1,288

Amounts due to brokers for investment purchases

793

757

901

Obligations for repayment of collateral received (notes 21e(i) & 54c)

3,602

5,497

6,545

Obligations under stock repurchase arrangements (note 21e(ii))

664

383

358

Other financial liabilities

2,850

2,077

1,891

 

20,542

20,862

18,132

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

(22)

(72)

  

20,542

20,840

18,060

Expected to be settled within one year

19,982

18,468

16,097

Expected to be settled in more than one year

560

2,372

1,963

  

20,542

20,840

18,060

 

Bank overdrafts arise substantially from unpresented cheques and amount to £422 million (2008: £111 million, 2007: £183 million) in long-term business operations and £504 million (2008: £494 million, 2007: £438 million) in general business and other operations.

All payables and other financial liabilities are carried at cost, which approximates to fair value, except for derivative liabilities, which are carried at their fair values.

We have used the following measurement basis to fair value derivative liabilities:

 

 

2009
£m

Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets

117

Level 2 – Modelled with significant observable market inputs

1,968

Level 3 – Modelled with significant unobservable market inputs

14

Total

2,099

 


 

 

199

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

47 – Other liabilities

This note analyses our other liabilities at the end of the year.

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

Restated
2007
£m

Deferred income

423

532

339

Reinsurers’ share of deferred acquisition costs

127

202

233

Accruals

1,623

1,643

1,274

Other liabilities

1,493

2,484

2,010

 

3,666

4,867

3,856

Less: Amounts classified as held for sale

(13)

(478)

(220)

  

3,653

4,386

3,636

Expected to be settled within one year

3,214

3,006

2,785

Expected to be settled in more than one year

439

1,380

851

  

3,653

4,386

3,636

48 – Contingent liabilities and other risk factors

This note sets out the main areas of uncertainty over the calculation of our liabilities.

(a) Uncertainty over claims provisions

Note 35 gives details of the estimation techniques used by the Group to determine the general business outstanding claims provisions and of the methodology and assumptions used in determining the long-term business provisions. These approaches are designed to allow for the appropriate cost of future policy-related liabilities, with a degree of prudence, to give a result within the normal range of outcomes. To the extent that the ultimate cost falls outside this range, for example where experience is worse than that assumed, or future general business claims inflation differs from that expected, there is uncertainty in respect of these liabilities.

(b) Asbestos, pollution and social environmental hazards

In the course of conducting insurance business, various companies within the Group receive general insurance liability claims, and become involved in actual or threatened related litigation arising there from, including claims in respect of pollution and other environmental hazards. Amongst these are claims in respect of asbestos production and handling in various jurisdictions, including Europe, Canada and Australia. Given the significant delays that are experienced in the notification of these claims, the potential number of incidents which they cover and the uncertainties associated with establishing liability and the availability of reinsurance, the ultimate cost cannot be determined with certainty. However, on the basis of current information having regard to the level of provisions made for general insurance claims, and the strengthening of latent claims that took place during 2008, the directors consider that any additional costs arising are not likely to have a material impact on the financial position of the Group.

(c) Guarantees on long-term savings products

As a normal part of their operating activities, various Group companies have given guarantees and options, including interest rate guarantees, in respect of certain long-term insurance and fund management products. Note 37 gives details of these guarantees and options. In providing these guarantees and options, the Group’s capital position is sensitive to fluctuations in financial variables including foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, property values and equity prices. Interest rate guaranteed returns, such as those available on guaranteed annuity options (GAOs), are sensitive to interest rates falling below the guaranteed level. Other guarantees, such as maturity value guarantees and guarantees in relation to minimum rates of return, are sensitive to fluctuations in the investment return below the level assumed when the guarantee was made. The directors continue to believe that the existing provisions for such guarantees and options are sufficient.

(d) Pensions mis-selling

The pensions review of past sales of personal pension policies which involved transfers, opt outs and non-joiners from occupational schemes, as required by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has largely been completed.

A provision of some £16 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: £18 million, 2007: £23 million) remains to meet the outstanding costs of the very few remaining cases, the anticipated cost of any guarantees provided, and potential levies payable to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. It continues to be the directors’ view that there will be no material effect either on the Group’s ability to meet the expectations of policyholders or on shareholders.

 

 


200

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

48 – Contingent liabilities and other risk factors continued

(e) Endowment reviews

In December 1999, the FSA announced the findings of its review of mortgage endowments and expressed concern as to whether, given decreases in expected future investment returns, such policies could be expected to cover full repayment of mortgages. A key conclusion was that, on average, holders of mortgage endowments had enjoyed returns such that they had fared at least as well as they would have done without an endowment. Nevertheless, following the FSA review, all of the Group’s UK mortgage endowment policyholders received policy-specific letters advising them whether their investment was on track to cover their mortgage.

In May 2002, in accordance with FSA requirements, the Group commenced sending out the second phase of endowment policy update letters, which provide policyholders with information about the performance of their policies and advice as to whether these show a projected shortfall at maturity. The Group will send these updates annually to all mortgage endowment holders, in accordance with FSA requirements. The Group has made provisions totalling £25 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: £38 million, 2007: £96 million) to meet potential mis-selling costs and the associated expenses of investigating complaints. It continues to be the directors’ view that there will be no material effect either on the Group’s liability to meet the expectations of policyholders or on shareholders.

In August 2004, the Group confirmed its intention to introduce time barring on mortgage endowment complaints, under FSA rules. The Group now includes details of its endowment policyholders’ time bar position within the annual re-projection mailings. Customers will be given at least 12 months’ individual notice before a time bar becomes applicable – double the six months’ notice required by the FSA.

(f) Regulatory compliance

The Group’s insurance and investment business is subject to local regulation in each of the countries in which it operates. The FSA regulates the Group’s UK business and in addition monitors the financial resources and organisation of the Group as a whole. The FSA has broad powers including the authority to grant, vary the terms of, or cancel a regulated firm’s authorisation, to investigate marketing and sales practices and to require the maintenance of adequate financial resources. The Group’s regulators outside the UK typically have similar powers but in some cases they operate a system of “prior product approval” and hence place less emphasis than the FSA on regulating sales and marketing practices.

The directors believe each of the Group’s regulated businesses dedicates appropriate resources to its compliance programme, endeavours to respond to regulatory enquiries in a constructive way, and takes corrective action when warranted. However, all regulated financial services companies face the risk that their regulator could find that they have failed to comply with applicable regulations or have not undertaken corrective action as required.

The impact of any such finding (whether in the UK or overseas) could have a negative impact on the Group’s reported results or on its relations with current and potential customers. Regulatory action against a member of the Group could result in adverse publicity for, or negative perceptions regarding, the Group, or could have a material adverse effect on the business of the Group, its results of operations and/or financial condition and divert management’s attention from the day-to-day management of the business.

(g) Aviva USA litigation

In November 2006, the Group completed the acquisition of the AmerUs Group, a US-based insurer. In common with other companies operating in the sector, AmerUs is subject to litigation, including class-action litigation, arising out of its sale of equity-based index-linked annuity products. The Group is aware of a multi-district class action filed against AmerUs in Pennsylvania but is not aware of any adverse development. The directors continue to monitor the situation and consider that the litigation will not have a material effect on the Group’s ability to meet shareholder expectations.

(h) Payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling

In September 2009, the FSA launched an investigation into sales practices for payment protection insurance. As at 25 March 2010, no ruling has been issued by the FSA and, as a result, it is not possible to determine whether, and if so to what extent, any liability exists. The directors continue to monitor the situation.

(i) Structured settlements

In Canada annuities have been purchased from licensed Canadian life insurers to provide for fixed and recurring payments to claimants. As a result of these arrangements, the Group is exposed to credit risk to the extent that any of the life insurers fail to fulfil their obligations. The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk for these arrangements is approximately £984 million as at 31 December 2009 (2008: £1,029 million, 2007: £742 million) based on estimated replacement cost for the underlying annuities. The credit risk is managed by acquiring annuities from a diverse portfolio of life insurers with proven financial stability. The risk is reduced to the extent of coverage provided by Assuris, the Canadian life insurance industry compensation plan. As at 31 December 2009, no information has come to the Group's attention that would suggest any weakness or failure in the Canadian life insurers from which it has purchased annuities.

 

 


 

201

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

48 – Contingent liabilities and other risk factors continued

(j) Other

In the course of conducting insurance and investment business, various Group companies receive liability claims, and become involved in actual or threatened related litigation. In the opinion of the directors, adequate provisions have been established for such claims and no material loss will arise in this respect.

The Company and several of its subsidiaries have guaranteed the overdrafts and borrowings of certain other Group companies. At 31 December 2009, the total exposure of the Group and Company is £nil (2008: £nil, 2007: £7 million) and £77 million (2008: £88 million, 2007: £113 million) respectively and, in the opinion of the directors, no material loss will arise in respect of these guarantees and indemnities.

In addition, in line with standard business practice, various Group companies have been given guarantees, indemnities and warranties in connection with disposals in recent years of subsidiaries and associates to parties outside the Aviva Group. In the opinion of the directors, no material loss will arise in respect of these guarantees, indemnities and warranties.

The Group’s insurance subsidiaries pay contributions to levy schemes in several countries in which we operate. Given the economic environment, there is a heightened risk that the levy contributions will need to be increased to protect policyholders if an insurance company falls into financial difficulties. The directors continue to monitor the situation but are not aware of any need to increase provisions at the statement of financial position date.

On 24 March 2010, Delta Lloyd announced that agreement had been reached with the Labour Foundation and Financial Services Ombudsman to compensate certain pension scheme policyholders for high scheme costs.  Delta Lloyd expects to pay approximately £40 million (£35 million).

49 – Commitments

This note gives details of our commitments to capital expenditure and under operating leases.

(a) Capital commitments

Contractual commitments for acquisitions or capital expenditures of investment property, property and equipment and intangible assets, which have not been recognised in the financial statements, are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Investment property

66

7

55

Property and equipment

255

108

160

Intangible assets

4

23

  

325

138

215

 

Contractual obligations for future repairs and maintenance on investment properties are £1 million (2008: £1 million, 2007: £nil).

The Group has capital commitments to its joint ventures of £nil (2008: £nil, 2007: £nil) and to other investment vehicles of £33 million (2008: £48 million, 2007: £157 million).

(b) Operating lease commitments

(i) Future contractual aggregate minimum lease rentals receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Within 1 year

551

590

644

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years

1,505

1,761

1,879

Later than 5 years

2,456

2,880

3,265

  

4,512

5,231

5,788

 

(ii) Future contractual aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Within 1 year

145

207

161

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years

463

626

555

Later than 5 years

834

971

1,107

  

1,442

1,804

1,823

The total of future minimum sub-lease payments expected to be received under non-cancellable sub-leases.

83

89

159

 

 


202

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

50 – Statement of cash flows

This note gives further detail behind the figures in the statement of cash flow.

 

(a) The reconciliation of profit/(loss) before tax to the net cash inflow from operating activities is:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Profit/(loss) before tax

2,022

(2,368)

1,847

Adjustments for:

  

  

  

Share of losses/(profits) of joint ventures and associates

504

1,128

304

Dividends received from joint ventures and associates

22

87

32

(Profit)/loss on sale of:

  

  

  

Investment property

(339)

(14)

(105)

Property and equipment

(9)

(4)

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates

(153)

(7)

(49)

Investments

1,534

9

(5,502)

  

1,033

(12)

(5,660)

Fair value (gains)/losses on:

  

  

  

Investment property

1,084

3,137

757

Investments

(15,352)

25,510

6,447

Borrowings

196

(404)

(268)

  

(14,072)

28,243

6,936

Depreciation of property and equipment

115

131

129

Equity compensation plans, equity settled expense

56

39

50

Impairment and expensing of:

  

  

  

Goodwill on subsidiaries

30

68

10

Financial investments, loans and other assets

592

1,040

58

Acquired value of in-force business and intangibles

25

67

4

Non-financial assets

(1)

  

646

1,175

72

Amortisation of:

  

  

  

Premium or discount on debt securities

303

(12)

32

Premium or discount on loans

(19)

(20)

(7)

Premium or discount on borrowings

3

2

2

Premium or discount on participating investment contracts

15

13

Financial instruments

(77)

(245)

Acquired value of in-force business and intangibles

376

433

266

  

601

171

293

Change in unallocated divisible surplus

1,547

(4,482)

(2,922)

Interest expense on borrowings

1,327

1,547

1,208

Net finance income on pension schemes

125

(121)

(99)

Foreign currency exchange losses/(gains)

(155)

327

(45)

Changes in working capital

  

  

  

Decrease in reinsurance assets

(124)

1,543

75

(Increase)/decrease in deferred acquisition costs

(567)

(328)

(906)

Increase/(decrease) in insurance liabilities and investment contracts

15,134

(15,320)

8,739

Increase/(decrease) in other assets and liabilities

2,359

(381)

7,830

  

16,802

(14,486)

15,738

Net purchases of operating assets

  

  

  

Purchases of investment property

(441)

(1,846)

(2,027)

Proceeds on sale of investment property

1,267

1,164

1,398

Net purchases of financial investments

(8,113)

(1,960)

(11,982)

  

(7,287)

(2,642)

(12,611)

Cash generated from operations

3,286

8,737

5,272

 

Purchases and sales of investment property, loans and financial investments are included within operating cash flows as the purchases are funded from cash flows associated with the origination of insurance and investment contracts, net of payments of related benefits and claims.

 

(b) Cash flows in respect of the acquisition of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Cash consideration for subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates acquired

601

437

857

Less: Cash and cash equivalents acquired with subsidiaries

(5)

(101)

(88)

Cash flows on acquisitions

596

336

769

 

 


 

203

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

50 – Statement of cash flows continued

(c) Cash flows in respect of the disposal of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Cash proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates

1,738

396

295

Net cash and cash equivalents divested with subsidiaries

(607)

(43)

(12)

Cash flows on disposals

1,131

353

283

 

(d) Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows at 31 December comprised:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Cash at bank and in hand

10,681

11,928

3,718

Cash equivalents

14,495

12,208

12,037

  

25,176

24,136

15,755

Bank overdrafts

(925)

(605)

(621)

  

24,251

23,531

15,134

 

Of the total cash and cash equivalents shown above, £nil has been classified as held for sale (2008: £493 million, 2007: £96 million) (see note 3d).

51 – Group capital structure

Accounting basis and capital employed by segment

The table below shows how our capital, on an IFRS basis, is deployed by segment and how that capital is funded.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Long-term savings

17,317

16,581

General insurance and health

4,562

5,516

Fund management

269

340

Other business

(246)

(199)

Corporate1

(34)

(30)

Total capital employed

21,868

22,208

Financed by

 

 

Equity shareholders’ funds

10,356

11,179

Minority interests

3,540

2,204

Direct capital instrument

990

990

Preference shares

200

200

Subordinated debt

4,637

4,606

External debt

852

919

Net internal debt2

1,293

2,110

Total capital employed

21,868

22,208

1.

The “corporate” net liabilities represent the element of the pension scheme deficit held centrally.

2.

In addition to our external funding sources, we have certain internal borrowing arrangements in place which allow some of the assets that support technical liabilities to be invested in a pool of central assets for use across the group. These internal debt balances allow for the capital allocated to business operations to exceed the externally sourced capital resources of the group. Net internal debt represents the balance of the amounts due from corporate and holding entities, less the tangible net assets held by these entities. Although intra-group in nature, they are included as part of the capital base for the purpose of capital management. These arrangements arise in relation to the following:

 

Certain subsidiaries, subject to continuing to satisfy stand alone capital and liquidity requirements, loan funds to corporate and holding entities. These loans satisfy arms length criteria and all interest payments are made when due.

 

Aviva International Insurance (AII) Ltd acts as both a UK general insurer and as the primary holding company for our foreign subsidiaries. Internal capital management mechanisms in place allocate a portion of the total capital of the company to the UK general insurance operations. These mechanisms also allow for some of the assets backing technical liabilities to be made available for use across the group. Balances in respect of these arrangements are also treated as internal debt for capital management purposes.

 

Total capital employed is financed by a combination of equity shareholders’ funds, preference capital, subordinated debt and borrowings (including internal borrowings as described in footnote 2 above).

At 31 December 2009 we had £21.9 billion (2008: £22.2 billion) of total capital employed in our trading operations, measured on an IFRS basis.

In April 2009 we issued a private placement of £245 million equivalent of Lower Tier 2 hybrid in a dual tranche transaction (£200 million on 1 April 2009 and a further €50 million on 30 April 2009). These transactions had a positive impact on group IGD solvency and economic capital measures.

 

 


204

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

52 – Capital statement

This statement sets out the financial strength of our Group entities and provides an analysis of the disposition and constraints over the availability of capital to meet risks and regulatory requirements. The capital statement also provides a reconciliation of shareholders’ funds to regulatory capital.

 

The analysis below sets out the Group’s available capital resources.

Available capital resources

 

Old with-
profit
sub-fund
£m

New with-
profit
sub-fund
£m

Existing
UKLAP
with- profit
Sub-
fund3
£m

Total
UK life
with-
profit
funds
£m

Other
UK life
operations
£m

Total
UK life
operations
£m

Overseas life
operations
£m

Total life
operations
£m

Other
operations4
£m

2009
Total
£m

Restated
2008
Total
£m

Total shareholders’ funds

2

(185)

28

(155)

4,648

4,493

12,577

17,070

(1,984)

15,086

14,573

Other sources of capital1

200

200

359

559

4,529

5,088

4,915

Unallocated divisible surplus

182

65

1,639

1,886

5

1,891

1,975

3,866

3,866

2,325

Adjustments onto a
regulatory basis:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ share of
accrued bonus

(37)

(215)

(324)

(576)

 

(576)

(576)

(576)

(756)

Goodwill and other intangibles5

(319)

(319)

(4,060)

(4,379)

(2,449)

(6,828)

(8,293)

Regulatory valuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   and admissibility restrictions2

52

1,463

247

1,762

(1,673)

89

(1,884)

(1,795)

2,271

476

917

Total available capital resources

199

1,128

1,590

2,917

2,861

5,778

8,967

14,745

2,367

17,112

13,681

Analysis of liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Participating insurance liabilities

2,159

17,584

13,180

32,923

32,923

31,779

64,702

64,702

66,863

Unit-linked liabilities

5,370

5,370

17,788

23,158

23,158

22,060

Other non-participating
life insurance

334

2,420

386

3,140

19,624

22,764

43,004

65,768

65,768

66,770

Total insurance liabilities

2,493

20,004

13,566

36,063

24,994

61,057

92,571

153,628

153,628

155,693

Participating investment liabilities

613

3,377

5,942

9,932

2,556

12,488

54,071

66,559

66,559

65,278

Non-participating
investment liabilities

9

66

75

25,769

25,844

17,612

43,456

43,456

42,281

Total investment liabilities

622

3,443

5,942

10,007

28,325

38,332

71,683

110,015

110,015

107,559

Total liabilities

3,115

23,447

19,508

46,070

53,319

99,389

164,254

263,643

263,643

263,252

1.

Other sources of capital include Subordinated debt of £4,637 million issued by Aviva and £451 million of other qualifying capital issued by Dutch, Italian, Spanish and US subsidiary undertakings.

2.

Including an adjustment for minorities (except for other sources of capital that are reflected net of minority interest).

3.

Includes the Provident Mutual with-profit fund.

4.

Other operations include general insurance and fund management business.

5.

Goodwill and other intangibles includes goodwill of £587 million in JVs and associates.

Analysis of movements in capital of long-term businesses

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

 

CGNU
with-
profit
fund
£m

CULAC
with-
profit
fund
£m

Old
with-
profit
sub-
fund
£m

New
with-
profit
sub-
fund
£m

Existing
UKLAP
with-
profit
fund
£m

Total
UK
life
with-
profit
funds
£m

Other UK
life
operations
£m

Total UK
life
operations
£m

Overseas
life
operations
£m

Total life
operations
£m

Available capital resources at 1 January restated

714

727

1,247

2,688

2,823

5,511

7,181

12,692

Effect of new business

(20)

(36)

(22)

(78)

(87)

(165)

(477)

(642)

Expected change in available capital resources

93

94

(4)

4

139

326

35

361

(8)

353

Variance between actual and expected experience

(289)

(93)

23

143

158

(58)

7

(51)

3,218

3,167

Effect of operating assumption changes

60

(5)

(1)

6

60

60

40

100

Effect of economic assumption changes

(59)

12

(15)

(110)

49

(123)

(123)

45

(78)

Effect of changes in management policy

12

17

(2)

(17)

(2)

8

8

291

299

Effect of changes in regulatory requirements

191

191

Transfers, acquisitions and disposals

(543)

(753)

150

1,128

(18)

(18)

(66)

(84)

Foreign exchange movements

(587)

(587)

Other movements

32

37

48

(20)

15

112

83

195

(861)

(666)

Available capital resources at 31 December

199

1,128

1,590

2,917

2,861

5,778

8,967

14,745

 

Further analysis of the movement in the liabilities of the long-term business can be found in notes 35 and 36.

The analysis of movements in capital provides an explanation of the movement in available capital of the Group's life business for the year. This analysis is intended to give an understanding of the underlying causes of changes in the available capital of the Group's life business, and provides a distinction between some of the key factors affecting the available capital.

As detailed in note 41(b), on 1 October 2009 the with-profit funds of CGNU Life Assurance Limited (CGNU) and Commercial Union Life Assurance Company Limited (CULAC) were reorganised. This reorganisation was achieved through a reattribution to shareholders of the inherited estates of these funds. As part of the reorganisation the two funds were merged and transferred to Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited (UKLAP).

 

 


 

205

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

52 – Capital statement continued

Within UKLAP two new with-profit sub-funds have been created. Policies of non-electing policyholders have been transferred to Old With-Profit Sub-Fund (OWPSF). The inherited estate has not been reattributed and remains in OWPSF.

Where policyholders elected to accept the reattribution their policies have been transferred to New With-Profit Sub-Fund (NWPSF). The inherited estate, totalling £1,105 million at 1 October 2009, has been reattributed to a separate long-term fund called the Non-Profit Sub-Fund 1(NPSF1), in which 100% of the surplus is attributable to shareholders.

The negative shareholders’ funds balance within the UK with-profit funds arises in NWPSF as a result of regulatory valuation and admissibility differences in the reattributed estate which is valued on a realistic regulatory basis compared to the disclosure on an IFRS basis.

NWPSF is fully supported by the reattributed estate of £1,177 million, known as the Reattribution Inherited Estate External Support Accounts (RIEESA), at 31 December 2009, held within NPSF1 (a non-profit fund within UKLAP included within other UK life operations), in the form of a capital support arrangement. This support arrangement will provide capital to NWPSF to ensure that the value of assets of NWPSF are at least equal to the value of liabilities calculated on a realistic regulatory basis therefore it forms part of the NWPSF available capital resources.

For UKLAP/RIEESA, equity market performance has had little impact, as the funds mitigate materially all of the equity risk of the estate/RIEESA through internal hedging.

Commercial property returns have been negative, and this has had adverse impact, less so in UKLAP WP as the risk had been partially hedged. However, credit risk is largely unhedged, and the reduction in spreads on corporate bonds through 2009 contributed to increases in the estate/RIEESA. Stabilisation in financial markets saw implied volatility reduce significantly through 2009, from near 35% at start of year to 25% at year end. This has significantly reduced the market consistent cost of guarantees and hence increased estate/RIEESA.

For the Overseas life operations, the positive variance between actual and expected experience is driven mainly by market movements which has led to capital appreciation of fixed interest assets and consequential increase of the unallocated divisible surplus in France and other European businesses.

In aggregate, the Group has at its disposal total available capital of £17.1 billion (2008 restated: £13.7 billion), representing the aggregation of the solvency capital of all of our businesses.

This capital is available to meet risks and regulatory requirements set by reference to local guidance and EU directives.

After effecting the year end transfers to shareholders, the UK with-profit funds' have available capital of £2.9 billion (2008: £2.7 billion) (including amounts held in RIEESA). Subject to certain conditions, the RIEESA capital can be used to write new non-profit business, but the primary purpose of this capital is to provide support for the UK with-profit business. The capital is comfortably in excess of the required capital margin, and therefore the shareholders are not required to provide further support.

For the remaining life and general insurance operations, the total available capital amounting to £14.2 billion (2008 restated: £11.0 billion) is significantly higher than the minimum requirements established by regulators and, in principle, the excess is available to shareholders. In practice, management will hold higher levels of capital within each business operation to provide appropriate cover for risk.

As the total available capital of £17.1 billion is arrived at on the basis of local regulatory guidance, which evaluates assets and liabilities prudently, it understates the economic capital of the business which is considerably higher. This is a limitation of the Group Capital Statement which, to be more meaningful, needs to evaluate available capital on an economic basis and compare it with the risk capital required for each individual operation, after allowing for the considerable diversification benefits that exist in our Group.

Within the Aviva Group there exist intra-group arrangements to provide capital to particular business units. Included in these arrangements is a subordinated loan of £200 million from Aviva Life Holdings UK Limited to the Aviva Annuity Limited to provide capital to support the writing of new business.

The available capital of the Group’s with-profit funds is determined in accordance with the “Realistic balance sheet” regime prescribed by the FSA’s regulations, under which liabilities to policyholders include both declared bonuses and the constructive obligation for future bonuses not yet declared. The available capital resources include an estimate of the value of their respective estates, included as part of the unallocated divisible surplus. The estate represents the surplus in the fund that is in excess of any constructive obligation to policyholders. It represents capital resources of the individual with-profit fund to which it relates and is available to meet regulatory and other solvency requirements of the fund and, in certain circumstances, additional liabilities may arise.

The liabilities included in the balance sheet for the with-profit funds do not include the amount representing the shareholders’ portion of future bonuses. However, the shareholders’ portion is treated as a deduction from capital that is available to meet regulatory requirements and is therefore shown as a separate adjustment in the capital statement.


206

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

52 – Capital statement continued

In accordance with the FSA’s regulatory rules under its realistic capital regime, the Group is required to hold sufficient capital in its UK life with-profit funds to meet the FSA capital requirements, based on the risk capital margin (RCM). The determination of the RCM depends on various actuarial and other assumptions about potential changes in market prices, and the actions management would take in the event of particular adverse changes in market conditions.

 

 

31
December
2009

 

31
December
2008

 

31
December
2007

 

Estimated
realistic
assets
£bn

Realistic
Liabilities*1
£bn

Estimated
realistic
inherited
estate2
£bn

Estimated
ris
k
capital
margin3
£bn

Capital
support
arrangement5
£bn

Estimated
excess
available
capital
£bn

 

Excess
£bn

 

Excess
£bn

NWPSF

21.2

(21.2)

(0.5)

1.1

0.6

  

0.3

  

1.1

OWPSF

3.0

(2.8)

0.2

(0.1)

0.1

  

0.3

  

0.8

Existing UKLAP WP4

20.3

(18.7)

1.6

(0.2)

1.4

  

0.5

  

1.3

Aggregate

44.5

(42.7)

1.8

(0.8)

1.1

2.1

  

1.1

  

3.2

*

These realistic liabilities include the shareholders' share of future bonuses of £0.6 billion (2008: £0.8 billion, 2007: £1.2 billion). Realistic liabilities adjusted to eliminate the shareholders' share of future bonuses are £42.1 billion (2008: £43.2 billion, 2007: £48.8 billion).

1.

These realistic liabilities make provision for guarantees, options and promises on a market consistent stochastic basis. The value of the provision included within realistic liabilities is £0.3billion, £2.2 billion and £3.1 billion for OWPSF, NWPSF and UKLAP respectively (2008: £1.4 billion, £1.5 billion and £4.1 billion, 2007: £0.7 billion, £0.8 billion and £0.3 billion respectively).

2.

Estimated realistic inherited estate at 31 December 2008 was £0.7 billion, £0.7 billion and £1.2 billion for CGNU Life, CULAC and NUL&P respectively (2007: £1.4 billion, £1.2 billion, £1.9 billion respectively).

3.

The risk capital margin (RCM) is 3.6 times covered by the inherited estate and capital support arrangement (2008:1.8 times, 2007: 3.5 times).

4.

The UKLAP fund includes the Provident Mutual (PM) fund, which has realistic assets and liabilities of £1.7 billion and therefore does not impact the realistic inherited estate.

5.

This represents the reattributed estate of £1.1bn at 31 December 2009 held within the non-profit fund with UKLAP included within other UK life operations.

 

Under the FSA regulatory regime, UK life with-profit business is required to hold capital equivalent to the greater of the regulatory requirement based on EU Directives (“regulatory peak”) and the FSA realistic bases (“realistic peak”) described above.

For UK non-participating business, the relevant capital requirement is the minimum solvency requirement determined in accordance with FSA regulations. The available capital reflects the excess of regulatory basis assets over liabilities before deduction of capital resources requirement.

For UK general insurance businesses, the relevant capital requirement is the minimum solvency requirement determined in accordance with the FSA requirements.

For overseas businesses in the EEA, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore, the available capital and the minimum requirement are calculated under the locally applicable regulatory regimes. The businesses outside these territories are subject to the FSA rules for the purposes of calculation of available capital and capital resource requirement.

For fund management and other businesses, the relevant capital requirement is the minimum solvency requirement determined in accordance with the local regulator’s requirements for the specific class of business.

All businesses hold sufficient available capital to meet their capital resource requirement.

The available capital resources in each regulated entity are generally subject to restrictions as to their availability to meet requirements that may arise elsewhere in the Group. The principal restrictions are:

(i) UK with-profit funds – (NWPSF,OWPSF and existing UKLAP WP funds) – any available surplus held in each fund can be used to meet the requirements of the fund itself, be distributed to policyholders and shareholders or in the case of NWPSF and OWPSF, transferred via the capital support arrangement explained above (for OWPSF only to the extent support has been provided in the past). In most cases, with-profit policyholders are entitled to at least 90% of the distributed profits while the shareholders receive the balance. The latter distribution would be subject to a tax charge, which is met by the fund.

(ii) UK non-participating funds – any available surplus held in these is attributable to shareholders. Capital in the non-profit funds may be made available to meet requirements elsewhere in the Group subject to meeting the regulatory requirements of the fund. Any transfer of the surplus may give rise to a tax charge subject to availability of tax relief elsewhere in the Group.

(iii) Overseas life operations – the capital requirements and corresponding regulatory capital held by overseas businesses are calculated using the locally applicable regulatory regime. The available capital resources in all these businesses are subject to local regulatory restrictions which may constrain management’s ability to utilise these in other parts of the Group. Any transfer of available capital may give rise to a tax charge subject to availability of tax relief elsewhere in the Group.

(iv) General insurance operations – the capital requirements and corresponding regulatory capital held by overseas businesses are calculated using the locally applicable regulatory regime. The available capital resources in all these businesses are subject to local regulatory restrictions which may constrain management’s ability to utilise these in other parts of the Group. Any transfer of available capital may give rise to a tax charge, subject to availability of tax relief elsewhere in the Group.


 

207

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management

This note sets out the major risks our businesses face and describes our approach to managing these. It also gives sensitivity analyses around the major economic and non-economic assumptions that can cause volatility in our earnings and capital requirements.

(a) Risk management framework

Aviva has established a risk management framework to protect the Group from events that hinder the sustainable achievement of its performance objectives, including failing to exploit opportunities.

The risks faced by the Group can be categorised as follows:

Financial risks cover market and credit risk, insurance risk, liquidity and capital management.

Strategic risks include issues such as customer, brand, products and markets as well as any risks to our business model arising from changes in our market and risks arising from mergers and acquisitions.

Operational risk arises from inadequate or failed internal processes, or from people and systems or from external events. Operational risks include business protection, information technology, people, legal and regulatory compliance.

 

The risk management framework provides the means to identify, assess, mitigate, manage, monitor and report all of the different types of risk faced by the Group to provide a single picture of the threats and uncertainties faced and opportunities that exist.

Responsibility for risk management resides at all levels within the Group with appropriate risk related objectives embedded within performance measurement plans. As part of our risk management framework we employ a three lines of defence model that encourages close working relationships between line management and the risk function whilst facilitating independent assurance by internal audit. Primary responsibility for risk identification and management lies with business management (the first line of defence). Support for and challenge on the completeness and accuracy of risk assessment, risk reporting and adequacy of mitigation plans are performed by specialist risk functions (the second line of defence). Independent and objective assurance on the robustness of the risk management framework and the appropriateness and effectiveness of internal control is provided by group audit (the third line of defence).

The Group sets limits to manage material risks to ensure the risks stay within risk appetite (the amount of risk the Group is willing to accept). The Group assesses the size and scale of a risk by considering how likely it is that the risk will occur and the potential impact the risk could have on our business and our stakeholders. Where risks are outside appetite actions are agreed to mitigate the exposure.

The Group’s risk management framework is designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk to business objectives and mitigates the risk of material financial misstatement or loss. New and emerging risks, or risks we currently deem as immaterial may also pose a risk to business objectives.

The Group recognises the critical importance of maintaining an efficient and effective risk management framework. To this end, the Group has an established governance framework, which has the following key elements:

Defined terms of reference for the Board, its committees, and the associated executive management committees;

A clear organisational structure with documented delegated authorities and responsibilities from the Board to Board committees, executive management committees and senior management;

A risk management function operating across Group centre, regions and business units, with clear responsibilities and objectives;

A Group policy framework that defines risk appetite and sets out risk management and control standards for the Group’s worldwide operations. The policies also set out the roles and responsibilities of businesses, regions, policy owners and the risk oversight committees; and

Risk oversight committees that review and monitor aggregate risk data, assess whether the risk profile is within appetite and take overall risk management decisions. The committees monitor adherence to the risk management policies and oversee mitigating actions being taken where risks are outside of appetite.


208

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

The Group has developed economic capital models that support the measurement, comparison and monitoring of our risks. The results of the modelling are incorporated into key decision making processes. These models show the relative impact to economic capital from the risks we face. In turn this supports the assessment of appropriate and effective mitigating strategies where risks are outside of appetite.

The financial impact from changes in market risk (such as interest rates, equity prices and property values) is examined through stress tests adopted in the Individual Capital Assessments (ICA) and scenario analysis which consider the impact on capital from variations in financial circumstances on either a remote scenario, or to changes from the central operating scenario. Both assessments consider the management actions that may be taken in mitigation of the change in circumstances.

Stress and scenario testing help give an indication of the size of losses that could be experienced in extreme but plausible events and compliments other risk measurement techniques. It helps identify concentration risk across businesses and portfolios and is a useful tool for management to use in their capital planning process. A number of stress tests and economic scenarios have been developed to capture the adverse impact on the businesses of extreme events. The stress tests are designed to cover major asset classes and insurance risks. The stress tests are produced at least monthly and are reviewed and discussed by senior management.

The sensitivity of Group earnings to changes in economic markets is regularly monitored through sensitivities to investment rate and investment return and asset values in IFRS reporting.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) requires Aviva to assess its economic capital requirements to ensure that it adequately reflects business and control risks. In turn this analysis supports our strategic planning and decision-making processes.

(b) Market risk

Market risk is the risk of adverse financial impact due to changes in fair values or future cash flows of financial instruments from fluctuations in interest rates, equity prices, property prices, and foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk arises in business units due to fluctuations in both the value of liabilities and the value of investments held. At Group level, it also arises in relation to the overall portfolio of international businesses and in the value of investment assets owned directly by the shareholders.

The Group has established a policy on market risk which sets out the principles that businesses are expected to adopt in respect of management of the key market risks to which the Group is exposed. The Group monitors adherence to this market risk policy and regularly reviews how business units are managing these risks locally, through the Group Assets Committee and ultimately the Group Asset Liability Committee. For each of the major components of market risk, described in more detail below, the Group has put in place additional processes and procedures to set out how each risk should be managed and monitored, and the approach to setting an appropriate risk appetite.

The management of market risk is undertaken in businesses, regions and at Group level. Businesses manage market risks locally using the Group market risk framework and within local regulatory constraints. Businesses may also be constrained by the requirement to meet policyholders’ reasonable expectations and to minimise or avoid market risk in a number of areas. The Group Assets Committee is responsible for managing market risk at Group level, and a number of investment-related risks, in particular those faced by shareholder funds throughout the Group.

The Group market risk policy sets out the minimum principles and framework for matching liabilities with appropriate assets, the approaches to be taken when liabilities cannot be matched and the monitoring processes that are required. The Group has criteria for matching assets and liabilities for all classes of business to minimise the impact of mismatches between the value of assets and the liabilities due to market movements. The local regulatory environment for each business will also set the conditions under which assets and liabilities are to be matched.

In addition, where the Group’s long-term savings businesses have written insurance and investment products where the majority of investment risks are borne by its policyholders, these risks are managed in line with local regulations and marketing literature, in order to satisfy the policyholders’ risk and reward objectives.

The Group writes unit-linked business in a number of its operations. In unit-linked business, the policyholder bears the investment risk on the assets held in the unit-linked funds, as the policy benefits are directly linked to the value of the assets in the fund. The shareholders’ exposure to market risk on this business is limited to the extent that income arising from asset management charges is based on the value of assets in the fund.

Equity price risk

The Group is subject to equity price risk due to daily changes in the market values of its equity securities portfolio. The Group’s shareholders are exposed to the following sources of equity risk:

Direct equity shareholdings in shareholder funds and the Group defined benefit pension funds;

The indirect impact from changes in the value of equities held in policyholders’ funds from which management charges or a share of performance are taken; and

Its interest in the free estate of long-term with profits funds.


 

209

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

At a business unit level, equity price risk is actively managed in order to mitigate anticipated unfavourable market movements where this lies outside the risk appetite of either the company in respect of shareholder assets or the fund in respect of policyholder assets concerned. In addition local asset admissibility regulations require that business units hold diversified portfolios of assets thereby reducing exposure to individual equities. The Group does not have material holdings of unquoted equity securities.

Equity risk is also managed using a variety of derivative instruments, including futures and options. Businesses actively model the performance of equities through the use of stochastic models, in particular to understand the impact of equity performance on guarantees, options and bonus rates.

The Group Assets Committee actively monitors equity assets owned directly by the Group, which may include some material shareholdings in the Group’s strategic business partners.

Sensitivity to changes in equity prices is given in section (i) below.

Property price risk

The Group is subject to property price risk due to holdings of investment properties in a variety of locations worldwide. Investment in property is managed at regional and business level, and will be subject to local regulations on asset admissibility, liquidity requirements and the expectations of policyholders as well as overall risk appetite. The Group Assets Committee also monitors property assets owned directly by the Group.

As at 31 December 2009, no material derivative contracts had been entered into to mitigate the effects of changes in property prices.

Sensitivity to changes in property prices is given in section (i) below.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arises primarily from the Group’s investments in long-term debt and fixed income securities, which are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates.

The Group manages this risk by adopting close asset liability matching criteria, to minimise the impact of mismatches between the value of assets and liabilities from interest rate movements.

A number of policyholder participation features have an influence on the Group’s interest rate risk. The major features include guaranteed surrender values, guaranteed annuity options, and minimum surrender and maturity values. Details of material guarantees and options are given in note 37.

In short-term business such as general insurance business, the Group requires a close matching of assets and liabilities to minimise this risk.

Interest rate risk is monitored and managed by the Group Assets Committee, and the Group Asset Liability Committee. Exposure to interest rate risk is monitored through several measures that include Value-at-Risk analysis, position limits, scenario testing, stress testing and asset and liability matching using measures such as duration. The impact of exposure to sustained low interest rates is regularly monitored.

Interest rate risk is also managed using a variety of derivative instruments, including futures, options, swaps, caps and floors, in order to provide a degree of hedging against unfavourable market movements in interest rates inherent in the assets backing technical liabilities.

As at 31 December 2009, the Group had entered into a number of initiatives, including interest rate swap agreements and changes in asset mix, to mitigate the effects of potential adverse interest rate movements, and to enable closer matching of assets and liabilities.

Sensitivity to changes in interest rates is given in section (i) below.

Further information on borrowings is included in note 45.

Currency risk

The Group has minimal exposure to currency risk from financial instruments held by business units in currencies other than their functional currencies, as nearly all such holdings are backing either unit-linked or with-profit contract liabilities. For this reason, no sensitivity analysis is given for these holdings.

The Group operates internationally and as a result is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk arising from fluctuations in exchange rates of various currencies. Approximately half of the Group’s premium income arises in currencies other than sterling and the Group’s net assets are denominated in a variety of currencies, of which the largest are euro, sterling, and US dollars. The Group does not hedge foreign currency revenues as these are substantially retained locally to support the growth of the Group’s business and meet local regulatory and market requirements.

The Group’s foreign exchange policy requires that each of our subsidiaries maintains sufficient assets in its local currency to meet local currency liabilities. Therefore, capital held by the Group’s business units should be able to support local business activities regardless of foreign currency movements. However, such movements may impact the value of the Group’s consolidated shareholders’ equity which is expressed in sterling. This aspect of foreign exchange risk is monitored and managed centrally, against pre-determined limits. The Group’s foreign exchange policy is to manage these exposures by aligning the deployment of regulatory capital by currency with the Group’s regulatory capital requirements by currency. Limits are set to control the extent to which the deployment of capital is not aligned fully with the Group’s regulatory capital requirement for each major currency. Currency borrowings and derivatives are used to manage exposures within the limits that have been set.

 


210

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

At 31 December 2009, the Group’s total equity deployment by currency was:

 

 

Sterling
£m

Euro
£m

US$
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Capital 31 December 2009

1,737

8,781

2,605

1,963

15,086

Capital 31 December 2008 restated

2,041

8,108

2,130

2,294

14,573

Capital 31 December 2007 restated

3,809

8,763

1,456

1,999

16,027

 

A 10% change in sterling to euro/US$ foreign exchange rates would have had the following impact on total equity.

 

 

 

10%
increase
in sterling/
euro rate
£m

10%
decrease
in sterling/
euro rate
£m

10%
increase
in sterling/
US$ rate
£m

10%
decrease
in sterling/
US$ rate
£m

Net assets at 31 December 2009

  

(802)

802

(228)

228

Net assets at 31 December 2008 restated

  

(811)

811

(213)

213

Net assets at 31 December 2007 restated

  

(876)

876

(146)

146

 

The changes arise from retranslation of business unit statements of financial position from their functional currencies into sterling, with above movements being taken through the currency translation reserve. These movements in exchange rates therefore have no impact on profit. Net assets are stated after taking account of the effect of currency hedging activities.

Derivatives risk

Derivatives are used by a number of the businesses, within policy guidelines agreed by the Board of Directors, as set out in the Group policy on derivatives use. Activity is overseen by the Derivatives Approvals Committee, which monitors implementation of the policy, exposure levels and approves large or complex transactions proposed by businesses. Derivatives are primarily used for efficient investment management, risk hedging purposes or to structure specific retail savings products. Derivative transactions are covered by either cash or corresponding assets and liabilities. Speculative activity is prohibited, unless prior approval has been obtained from the Derivatives Approvals Committee. Over the counter derivative contracts are entered into only with approved counterparties and using ISDA documentation and credit support annexes (or equivalent) in accordance with the Group derivatives policy. Adherence to the collateral requirements as set out in the Group derivatives and Group credit policies thereby reduces the risk of credit loss.

       The Group applies strict requirements to the administration and valuation processes it uses, and has a control framework that is consistent with market and industry practice for the activity that is undertaken.

Correlation risk

The Group recognises that identified lapse behaviour and potential increases in consumer expectations are sensitive to and interdependent with market movements and interest rates. These interdependencies are taken into consideration in the ICA in the aggregation of the financial stress tests with the operational risk assessment and in scenario analysis.

(c) Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss as a result of the default or failure of third parties to pay on their obligations to Aviva. Our credit risks arise through exposures to debt investments, structured asset investments, derivative counterparties, mortgage lending and reinsurance placement counterparties. We hold these investments for the benefit of both our policyholders and shareholders.

The Group manages its credit risk at business unit, regional and Group levels. All business units and regions are required to implement local credit risk processes (including limits frameworks), operate specific risk management committees, and ensure detailed reporting and monitoring of their exposures against pre-established risk criteria. At Group level, we manage and monitor all exposures across our business units on a consolidated basis, and operate group limit frameworks that must be adhered to by all.

The Group risk management framework also includes the market related aspect of credit risk. This is the risk of a fall in the value of fixed interest securities from changes in the perceived worthiness of the issuer and is manifested through changes in the fixed interest securities’ credit spreads.

Management of credit risk is effected by five core functions:

The maintenance and adherence of an effective governance structure. This includes clear guidance, scope and frameworks for all aspects of the credit risk function to ensure accountability and clarity. This also includes delegated authority to the Group Credit Approvals Committee, a quorum of key senior risk officers, that is authorised to make key decisions within certain risk appetite levels;

The accurately and timely reporting of detailed exposure information, and their aggregation by counterparty, exposure types, sectors, geography and ratings;

The implementation of a sophisticated capital charge based credit limits framework that considers and quantifies the key specific attributes of each exposure (e.g. seniority, maturity etc) and provides a counterparty level aggregation methodology on a risk neutral basis. This is then managed against centrally set limits. Absolute upper bound limits are also set to ensure unexpected jump to default risks are kept within appetite. Additional limit frameworks are applied for structured assets and reinsurance counterparty exposures. The limits framework also considers more systemic risk factors such as sector and geographic concentrations, and these are continually assessed throughout our global portfolio to ensure optimal diversification levels are maintained and improved;

 

 


 

211

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

Additional committee and credit risk function oversight is provided on all credit risk related matters. This includes regular consideration and review of our key counterparties, monitoring and addressing key credit themes and news that emerge in the markets. The Group Credit Approvals Committee provides an effective forum to ensure that all key recommendations are considered, and decisions implemented throughout the Group. The regional and Group credit divisions ensure that all qualitative aspects of risk management are considered and evaluated to provide further oversight and balance to the quantitative aspects; and

The employment of risk mitigation techniques where and when deemed appropriate. These are utilised where possible to remove residual unwanted risks, as well as bring limits within appetite, and include methods such as collateralization, purchase of credit protection and diversification strategies.

 

A detailed breakdown of Aviva’s current credit exposure by credit quality is shown below.

Financial exposures by credit ratings

Financial assets are graded according to current external credit ratings issued. AAA is the highest possible rating. Investment grade financial assets are classified within the range of AAA to BBB ratings. Financial assets which fall outside this range are classified as speculative grade. The following table provides information regarding the aggregated credit risk exposure, for financial assets with external credit ratings, of the Group. Not rated assets capture assets not rated by external ratings agencies.

 

 

Credit rating

 

 

At 31 December 2009

AAA

AA

A

BBB

Speculative
grade

Not rated

Carrying
value
in the
statement
of
financial
position
£m

Debt securities

39.1%

17.8%

24.6%

12.6%

2.3%

3.6%

160,510

Reinsurance assets

10.5%

52.1%

26.7%

0.4%

0.2%

10.1%

7,572

Other investments

0.2%

3.1%

1.8%

1.1%

93.8%

34,826

Loans

6.2%

7.7%

0.9%

0.5%

1.0%

83.7%

41,079

 

 

Credit rating

 

 

At 31 December 2008

AAA

AA

A

BBB

Speculative
grade

Not rated

Carrying
value in the
statement
of financial
position
£m

Debt securities

44.0%

16.2%

26.1%

8.4%

1.5%

3.8%

150,734

Reinsurance assets

12.9%

70.0%

8.1%

0.4%

0.2%

8.4%

7,894

Other investments

0.6%

2.7%

6.0%

0.8%

89.9%

36,116

Loans

6.1%

5.3%

5.2%

0.3%

1.0%

82.1%

42,237

 

 

Credit rating

 

 

At 31 December 2007

AAA

AA

A

BBB

Speculative
grade

Not rated

Carrying
value in the
statement
of financial
position
£m

Debt securities

45.6%

19.7%

20.4%

9.0%

1.1%

4.2%

121,312

Reinsurance assets

14.7%

67.8%

7.4%

0.4%

1.2%

8.5%

8,054

Other investments

1.7%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

91.4%

36,269

Loans

3.4%

17.6%

1.0%

0.7%

1.3%

76.0%

36,193

 

The carrying amount of assets included in the statement of financial position represents the maximum credit exposure.

Other investments

Other investments include:

£29,944 million of unit trusts and other investment vehicles. The underlying credit ratings of these assets are not reflected in this analysis;

Derivative financial instruments of £2,078 million, representing positions to mitigate the impact of adverse market movements; and

Other assets of £2,804 million, which are primarily deposits with credit institutions and investments in hedge funds.

 

The Group loan portfolio principally comprises:

Policy loans which are generally collateralised by a lien or charge over the underlying policy;

Loans and advances to banks which primarily relate to loans of cash collateral received in stock lending transactions. These loans are fully collateralised by other securities; and

Mortgage loans collateralised by property assets.

 

 


212

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

Unit trusts and other investment vehicles

The credit quality of the underlying debt securities within these vehicles is managed by the safeguards built into the investment mandates for these funds. We rely on our understanding that the trusts and their asset managers are only approved if they satisfy certain selection criteria (including due diligence in the form of a questionnaire and/or research by dedicated teams). In addition, the asset managers are mandated to make investments in line with the funds’ risk profiles as marketed to prospective customers and policyholders. Accordingly, as part of reviewing the asset quality of unit trusts and other investment vehicles, we monitor the assets within the funds and their performance to ensure they remain in line with the respective investment mandates for these funds.

For certain of the unit trusts in our other investments, we apply minimum requirements affecting both the underlying counterparties and the investments issued by those counterparties such as a minimum size for the counterparty’s programme, a limit on the size of the overall exposure to the underlying counterparty and, where appropriate, explicit approval of the counterparty by internal credit risk management teams is required. These criteria are indicators of the asset quality for these investments, as they represent minimum criteria for liquidity and diversification.

A proportion of the assets underlying these investments are represented by equities and so credit ratings are not generally applicable. Equity exposures are managed against agreed benchmarks that are set with reference to overall market risk appetite.

Derivatives

Derivative transactions must comply with Group guidance on the quality of counterparties used and the extent of collateralisation required. The counterparty must have a minimum credit rating from rating agencies (S&P, Moody's and Fitch) and the collateral process must meet certain minimum standards as set out by Group guidelines.

The largest shareholder notional positions are exchange traded, rather than over the counter (OTC), with the added protection that provides (i.e. the credit risk is mitigated significantly through regular margining and protection offered by the exchange, and is controlled by the Group’s local asset management operations).

Other assets

The vast majority (over 90%) of the investments in deposits and credit institutions is with an individual financial services counterparty which benefits from both implicit and explicit backing of AAA rated governments as a function of its ownership structure.

Loans

The majority of the Group loans portfolio is unrated. However, we use the following metrics to internally monitor our exposure:

Property collateralisation;

Interest service cost;

Diversity of the tenant base;

Lower risk nature of loans made to the UK healthcare sector; and

Existence of government guarantees for some residential mortgages.

 

Policy loans are loans and advances made to policyholders, and are collateralised by the underlying policies. As such, we believe such collateralisation minimises our risk.

Credit concentration risk

The long-term businesses and general insurance businesses are generally not individually exposed to significant concentrations of credit risk due to the regulations, applicable in most markets, limiting investments in individual assets and asset classes supplemented by the Group credit policy and limits framework. In cases where the business is particularly exposed to credit risk (e.g. in respect of defaults on mortgages matching annuity liabilities) this risk is translated into a more conservative discount rate used to value the liabilities, creating a greater capital requirement, and this credit risk is actively managed. The impact of aggregation of credit risk is monitored as described above. With the exception of Government bonds the largest aggregated counterparty exposure is approximately 0.8% of the Group’s total shareholder assets.

Reinsurance credit exposures

The Group is exposed to concentrations of risk with individual reinsurers, due to the nature of the reinsurance market and the restricted range of reinsurers that have acceptable credit ratings. The Group operates a policy to manage its reinsurance counterparty exposures, by limiting the reinsurers that may be used and applying strict limits to each reinsurer. Reinsurance exposures are aggregated with other exposures to ensure that the overall risk is within appetite. The Credit Approvals Committee has a monitoring role over this risk.

The Group’s largest reinsurance counterparty is Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd (including subsidiaries). At 31 December 2009, the reinsurance asset recoverable from Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd was £1,433 million. This exposure is monitored on a regular basis. In the event of a catastrophic event, the counterparty exposure to a single reinsurer is estimated not to exceed 4.6% of shareholders’ equity.

Securities finance

The Group has significant securities financing operations within the UK. The risks within this business are mitigated by over collateralisation which is designed to result in minimal residual risk. The Group operates strict standards around collateral management and controls.

 

 


 

213

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

Derivative credit exposures

The Group is exposed to counterparty credit risk through derivative trades. This risk is mitigated through collateralising almost all trades (the exception being certain FX trades where it has historically been the market norm not to collateralise). The Group operates strict standards around collateral management and controls including the requirement that all “Over the Counter” derivatives are supported by credit support annexes and ISDAs.

Unit-linked business

As discussed previously, in unit-linked business the policyholder bears the market risk, including credit risk, on investment assets in the unit funds, and the shareholders’ exposure to credit risk is limited to the extent that their income arises from asset management charges based on the value of assets in the fund.


Impairment of financial assets

The following table provides information regarding the carrying value of financial assets that have been impaired and the ageing of financial assets that are past due but not impaired.

 

 

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 

 

At 31 December 2009

Neither
past due
nor
impaired
£m

0-3
months
£m

3-6
months
£m

6 months-
1 year
£m

Greater
than
1 year
£m

Financial
assets
that have
been
impaired
£m

Carrying
value in
the
statement
of
financial
position
£m

Debt securities

160,400

110

160,510

Reinsurance assets

7,572

7,572

Other investments

34,811

15

34,826

Loans

40,039

355

35

17

6

627

41,079

Receivables and other financial assets

8,814

647

61

32

71

7

9,632

 

 

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 

 

At 31 December 2008

Neither
past due
nor
impaired
£m

0-3
months
£m

3-6
months
£m

6 months-
1 year
£m

Greater
than
1 year
£m

Financial
assets that
have been
impaired
£m

Carrying
value in the
statement
of financial
position
£m

Debt securities

150,284

114

150,398

Reinsurance assets

7,867

25

2

7,894

Other investments

36,509

1

1

36,511

Loans

41,091

227

658

13

11

237

42,237

Receivables and other financial assets

8,932

539

293

33

6

13

9,816

 

 

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 

 

At 31 December 2007

Neither
past due
nor
impaired
£m

0-3
months
£m

3-6
months
£m

6 months-
1 year
£m

Greater
than
1 year
£m

Financial
assets that
have been
impaired
£m

Carrying
value in the
statement
of financial
position
£m

Debt securities

121,440

71

121,511

Reinsurance assets

8,052

2

8,054

Other investments

36,500

36,500

Loans

35,937

210

11

3

15

17

36,193

Receivables and other financial assets

8,337

200

21

13

2

46

8,619

 

Credit terms are set locally within overall credit limits prescribed by the Group Credit Committee and within the framework of the Group Credit Policy. The credit quality of financial assets is managed at the local business unit level. Where assets have been classed as “past due and impaired”, an analysis is made of the risk of default and a decision is made whether to seek collateral from the counterparty.

There were no material financial assets that would have been past due or impaired had the terms not been renegotiated.

(d) Liquidity risk

At Group level, we maintain a prudent level of liquidity which meets the expectations of the financial services authority (FSA) and the wider investment community. We maintain a buffer of liquid assets, determined by liquidity stress tests, which is designed to cover unforeseen circumstances in any of our businesses.

The Group and Company have a strong liquidity position (£2.2 billion of financial assets held at Group) and through the application of a Group Liquidity policy seek to maintain sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations as they fall due. In addition to this strong liquidity position, the Group and Company maintain significant committed borrowing facilities (£2.1 billion) from a range of highly rated banks to further mitigate this risk.

 

 


214

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

Asset liability matching

Generally, our individual business units generate sufficient capital from the receipt of premiums, fees and investment income, along with planned asset sales and maturities, to pay claims and expenses. However, there may be instances where additional cash requirements arise in excess of that available within the operating businesses. In such instances, we have several options to fund these cash requirements including the selling of assets from the investment portfolios, using centre funds, issuing commercial paper and the committed borrowing facilities.

The Group market risk policy sets out the minimum principles and framework for matching liabilities with appropriate assets, the approaches to be taken when liabilities cannot be matched and the monitoring processes that are required. The Group has criteria for matching assets and liabilities for all classes of business to minimise the impact of mismatches between the value of assets and the liabilities due to market movements. The local regulatory environment for each business will also set the conditions under which assets and liabilities are to be matched. The Asset Liability matching (‘ALM’) methodology develops optimal asset portfolio maturity structures for our businesses which seek to ensure that the cash flows are sufficient to meet the liabilities as they are expected to arise.

Where any decision to adopt a position in respect of policyholder assets and liabilities is not closely matched but is within the business unit’s investment risk appetite, the impact is monitored through our economic capital measurement process. The decision taken must be justified to the local management board and Group management by a full analysis of the impact of the level of mismatch on both risk and return.

ALM strategy may be determined at a sub-fund level for a block of closely related liabilities. Alternatively, if ALM strategy is determined at a fund or company level, it will usually be appropriate (for pricing, financial reporting and risk management purposes) to develop a hypothecation of assets to notional sub-funds with different liability characteristics. It is for this reason that Group Risk provides a framework of corporate objectives within which the operating businesses develop specific and appropriate ALM methodologies, to seek to ensure that our businesses have sufficient liquidity to settle claims as they are expected to arise.

ALM modelling is based on a projection of both assets and liabilities into the future. Stochastic models are used to set ALM policy where fund particulars contain a range of outcomes.

A further tenet of our risk management strategy involves investment strategies, which also take into account the accounting, regulatory, capital and tax issues. The ALM strategy also takes into account the reasonable expectations of policyholders, local best practice and meets relevant regulatory requirements.

Our investment strategies are designed to seek to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists in extreme business scenarios. For example, our investment strategy must consider a scenario of high lapses accompanied by poor investment markets or a general insurance catastrophe event.

Maturity analyses

The following tables show the maturities of our insurance and investment contract liabilities, and of the financial and reinsurance assets to meet them. A maturity analysis of the contractual amounts payable for borrowings and derivatives is given in notes 45 and 54 respectively. Contractual obligations under operating leases and capital commitments are given in note 49.

(i) Analysis of maturity of insurance and investment contract liabilities

For non-linked insurance business, the following table shows the gross liability at 31 December 2009 analysed by remaining duration. The total liability is split by remaining duration in proportion to the cash-flows expected to arise during that period, as permitted under IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts.

Almost all investment contracts may be surrendered or transferred on demand. For such contracts, the earliest contractual maturity date is therefore the current statement of financial position date, for a surrender amount approximately equal to the current statement of financial position liability. We expect surrenders, transfers and maturities to occur over many years, and the tables reflect the expected cash flows for non-linked investment contracts. However, contractually, the total liability for non-linked investment contracts of £59,504 million (2008: £60,264 million, 2007: £45,492 million) would be shown in the “within 1 year” column below. Unit-linked contracts are repayable or transferable on demand and are therefore shown in the “within 1 year” column.

 

At 31 December 2009

Total
£m

On
demand
or within
1 year
£m

1-5 years
£m

5-15 years
£m

Over 15
years
£m

Long-term business

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance contracts – non-linked

123,933

10,139

38,549

45,181

30,064

Investment contracts – non-linked

59,504

4,304

12,562

24,119

18,519

Linked business

80,206

80,206

General insurance and health

17,484

7,215

6,936

2,865

468

Total contract liabilities

281,127

101,864

58,047

72,165

49,051

 

 


 

215

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

 

At 31 December 2008

Total
£m

On
demand
or within
1 year
£m

1-5 years
£m

5-15 years
£m

Over 15
years
£m

Long-term business

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance contracts – non-linked

126,450

10,243

34,546

48,031

33,630

Investment contracts – non-linked

60,264

3,639

13,922

24,319

18,384

Linked business

77,940

77,940

General insurance and health

19,866

8,849

7,512

3,038

467

Total contract liabilities

284,520

100,671

55,980

75,388

52,481

 

At 31 December 2007

Total
£m

On
demand
or within
1 year
£m

1-5 years
£m

5-15 years
£m

Over 15
years

£m

Long-term business

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance contracts – non-linked

106,758

9,480

27,726

44,305

25,247

Investment contracts – non-linked

45,492

2,957

10,263

17,205

15,067

Linked business

82,033

82,033

General insurance and health

18,452

8,324

7,508

2,568

52

Total contract liabilities

252,735

102,794

45,497

64,078

40,366

(ii) Analysis of maturity of financial assets

The following table provides an analysis, by maturity date of the principal, of the carrying value of financial assets which are available to fund the repayment of liabilities as they crystallise.

 

At 31 December 2009

Total
£m

On
demand
or within
1 year
£m

1-5 years
£m

Over
5 years
£m

No fixed term
(perpetual)

£m

Debt securities

160,510

17,309

44,051

98,792

358

Equity securities

43,343

43,343

Other investments

34,849

32,423

414

493

1,519

Loans

41,079

6,867

4,146

30,066

Cash and cash equivalents

25,176

25,176

  

304,957

81,775

48,611

129,351

45,220

 

The assets above are analysed in accordance with the earliest possible redemption date of the instrument at the initiation of the Group. Where an instrument is transferable back to the issuer on demand, such as most unit trusts or similar types of investment vehicle, it is included in the “On demand or within 1 year” column. Debt securities with no fixed contractual maturity date are generally callable at the option of the issuer at the date the coupon rate is reset under the contractual terms of the instrument. The terms for resetting the coupon are such that we expect the securities to be redeemed at this date, as it would be uneconomic for the issuer not to do so, and for liquidity management purposes we manage these securities on this basis. The first repricing and call date is normally ten years or more after the date of issuance. Most of the Group’s investments in equity securities and fixed maturity securities are market traded and therefore, if required, can be liquidated for cash at short notice.

       As explained in note 2(a)(i), comparative information for the disclosures required by the IFRS 7 amendments is not needed in the first year of application and so no table for 2008 is presented above.

(e) Insurance risk

(i) Life insurance risk

Types of risk

Life insurance risk in the Group arises through its exposure to mortality and morbidity insurance and exposure to worse than anticipated operating experience on factors such as persistency levels and management and administration expenses.

Risk management framework

The Group has developed a life insurance risk policy and guidelines on the practical application of this policy. Individual life insurance risks are managed at a business unit level but are also monitored at Group level.

The impact of life insurance risks is monitored by the business units as part of the control cycle of business management. Exposure is monitored through the assessment of liabilities, the asset liability management framework, profit reporting, and the ICA process. Significant insurance risks will be reported through the Group risk management framework and overseen by the Life Insurance Committee. At Group level the overall exposure to life insurance risk is measured through the ICA and other management reporting.

The Life Insurance Committee monitors the application of the risk policy in each business, and receives management information on life insurance risks. The committee considers all areas of life insurance risk, but in particular has a remit to monitor mortality, longevity, morbidity, persistency, product development and pricing, unit pricing and expenses.

The committee also considers the reinsurance coverage across the life businesses. It confirms that guidance and procedures are in place for each of the major components of life insurance risk, and that the businesses mitigate against any life insurance risk outside local appetite, within the parameters for the overall Group risk appetite.

 

 


216

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

The committee has also developed guidance for business units on management of a number of areas of life insurance risk to ensure best practice is shared throughout the Group and common standards are adopted.

Management of life insurance risks

The individual life insurance risks are managed as follows:

Mortality and morbidity risks are mitigated by use of reinsurance. The Group allows business units to select reinsurers, from those approved by the Group, based on local factors, but assesses the overall programme to manage group-wide risk exposures and monitor the aggregation of risk ceded to individual reinsurers is within appetite for credit risk.

Longevity risk is carefully monitored against the latest external industry data and emerging trends. Whilst individual businesses are responsible for reserving and pricing for annuity business, the Group monitors the exposure to this risk and the capital implications to manage the impact on the group-wide exposure and the capital funding that businesses may require as a consequence. The Group has used reinsurance solutions to reduce the risks from longevity where possible and desirable and continually monitors and evaluates emerging market solutions to mitigate this risk further.

Persistency risk is managed at a business unit level through frequent monitoring of company experience, benchmarked against local market information. Generally, persistency risk arises from customers lapsing their policies earlier than has been assumed. Where possible the financial impact of lapses is reduced through appropriate product design. Businesses also implement specific initiatives to improve retention of policies which may otherwise lapse. The Group Life Insurance Committee has developed guidelines on persistency management.

Product Design and Pricing risk arises from poorly designed or inadequately priced products and can lead to both financial loss and reputation damage from the Group. Guidelines have been developed to support the businesses through the complete cycle of the product development process, financial analysis and pricing.

Expense risk is primarily managed by the business units through the assessment of business unit profitability and frequent monitoring of expense levels.

 

Apart from the ICA, sensitivity testing is widely used to measure the capital required and volatility in earnings due to exposure to life insurance risks. This assessment is taken at both business unit level and at Group level where the impact of aggregation of similar risks can be measured. This enables the Group to determine whether action is required to reduce risk, or whether that risk is within the overall risk appetite.

Concentration risk

The Group writes a diverse mix of business in worldwide markets that are all subject to similar risks (mortality, persistency etc). The Group assesses the relative costs and concentrations of each type of risk through the ICA capital requirements and material issues are escalated to and addressed at the Life Insurance Committee. This analysis enables the Group to assess whether accumulations of risk exceeds risk appetite.

       One key concentration of life insurance risk for the Group is improving longevity risk from pensions in payment and deferred annuities in the UK and the Netherlands where the Group has material portfolios. The Group continually monitors this risk and the opportunities for mitigating actions through reinsurance, improved asset liability matching, or innovative solutions that emerge in the market.

 

When looking at concentrations of risk, for example market risk, the risk within Aviva staff pension schemes is also considered.

ICA analysis and sensitivity testing help identify both concentrations of risk types and the benefits of diversification of risk.

Embedded derivatives

The Group has exposure to a variety of embedded derivatives in its long-term savings business due to product features offering varying degrees of guaranteed benefits at maturity or on early surrender, along with options to convert their benefits into different products on pre-agreed terms. The extent of the impact of these embedded derivatives differs considerably between business units.

 

Examples of each type of embedded derivative affecting the Group are:

Options: call, put, surrender and maturity options, guaranteed annuity options, options to cease premium payment, options for withdrawals free of market value adjustment, annuity options, and guaranteed insurability options.

Guarantees: embedded floor (guaranteed return), maturity guarantee, guaranteed death benefit, and guaranteed minimum rate of annuity payment.

Other: indexed interest or principal payments, maturity value, loyalty bonus.

 

The impact of these is reflected in ICA reporting and managed as part of the asset liability framework.

(ii) General insurance risk

Types of risk

General insurance risk in the Group arises from:

Fluctuations in the timing, frequency and severity of claims and claim settlements relative to expectations;

Unexpected claims arising from a single source;

Inaccurate pricing of risks or inappropriate underwriting of risks when underwritten;

Inadequate reinsurance protection or other risk transfer techniques; and

Inadequate reserves.

 

The majority of the general insurance business underwritten by the Group is of a short tail nature such as motor, household and commercial property insurances. The Group’s underwriting strategy and appetite is agreed by the Executive Committee and communicated via specific policy statements and guidelines. Like life insurance risk, general insurance risk is managed primarily at business unit level with oversight at a Group level, through the General Insurance Committee.

 


 

217

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

The vast majority of the Group’s general insurance business is managed and priced in the same country as the domicile of the customer.

Management of general insurance risks

Significant insurance risks will be reported through the Group risk management framework. Additionally, the ICA is used to assess the risks that each general insurance business unit, and the Group as a whole, is exposed to, quantifying their impact and calculating appropriate capital requirements. Increasingly risk-based capital models are being used to support the quantification of risk under the ICA framework. All general insurance business units undertake a quarterly review of their insurance risks, the output from which is a key input into the ICA and risk-based capital assessments.

       The General Insurance Committee monitors and develops the management of insurance risk in the general insurance business units, and assesses the aggregate risk exposure. It is responsible for the development, implementation, and review of the Group policies for underwriting, claims, reinsurance and reserving that operate within the Group risk management framework.

       Business units have developed mechanisms that identify, quantify and manage accumulated exposures to contain them within the limits of the appetite of the Group. The Group has pioneered various developments, such as the Aviva UK Digital Flood Map to effectively manage exposures arising from specific perils. Where appropriate such projects are employed throughout the business units to promote the adoption of best practice as standard.

General insurance claims reserving

Actuarial claims reserving is conducted by local actuaries in the various general insurance business units according to the General Insurance Reserving policy. The General Insurance Committee monitors and maintains the General Insurance Reserving policy, and conducts quarterly reviews of the Group’s general insurance claims provisions, and their adequacy. The reviews include peer reviews of the business unit’s own conclusions as well as independent analysis to confirm the reasonableness of the local reviews.

 

The adequacy of the Group’s general insurance claims provisions is ultimately overseen by the General Insurance Committee.

       A number of business units also have periodic external reviews by local consultant actuaries (often as part of the local regulatory requirement).

Reinsurance strategy

Significant reinsurance purchases are reviewed annually at both business unit and Group level, to verify that the levels of protection being bought reflect any developments in exposure and the risk appetite of the Group. Reinsurance purchases must be in line with the strategy set out in our Group General Insurance Reinsurance policy. The basis of these purchases is underpinned by extensive financial and capital modelling and actuarial analysis to optimise the cost and capital efficiency benefits from our reinsurance program. For the larger business units, this involves utilising externally sourced probabilistic models to verify the accumulations and loss probabilities based on the Group’s specific portfolios of business. Where external models are not available, scenarios are developed and tested using the Group’s data to determine potential losses and appropriate levels of reinsurance protection.

       The reinsurance is placed with providers who meet the Group’s counterparty security requirements, and large reinsurance placements may also require approval from the Group Asset Liability Committee.

Concentration risk

Processes are in place to manage catastrophe risk in individual business units and at a Group level. The Group cedes much of its worldwide catastrophe risk to third party reinsurers but retains a pooled element for its own account gaining diversification benefit. The total Group potential loss from its most concentrated catastrophe exposure (Northern European windstorm) is approximately £335 million, for a one in ten year annual loss scenario, compared to approximately £620 million when measured on a one in a hundred year annual loss scenario.

       For the 2010 underwriting year the Group will participate in a share of a reinsurer’s US property catastrophe reinsurance portfolio. This exposure is not correlated with the Group’s other General Insurance exposure and therefore provides diversification benefit. The total expected loss from a one in ten year annual loss scenario is approximately £50 million compared to approximately £145 million when measured on a one in a hundred year annual loss scenario.

(f) Operational risk

Types of operational risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss, arising from inadequate or failed internal processes, or from people and systems, or from external events. Operational risks include business protection, information technology, people, legal and regulatory compliance risks.

Operational risk management

We process a large number of complex transactions across numerous and diverse products, and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology and communications systems. We are partially reliant on the operational processing performance of our outsourced partners including certain servicing and IT functions. The long term nature of our business means that accurate records have to be maintained for significant periods. Significant resources are devoted to maintaining efficient and effective operations within our framework of corporate responsibility, policies and business ethics code.

       Our businesses are primarily responsible for identifying and managing operational risks in line with minimum standards of control set out in our policies. Each operational risk is assessed by considering the potential impact and the probability of the event occurring. Impact assessments are considered against financial, operational and reputation criteria.

       Business management teams must be satisfied that all material risks falling outside our risk appetite are being mitigated, monitored and reported to an appropriate level. Any risks with a high potential impact level are monitored centrally on a regular basis. Businesses use key indicator data to help monitor the status of the risk and control environment. They also identify and capture loss events; taking appropriate action to address actual control breakdowns and promote internal learning from these occurrences.

 


218

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

The Group Operational Risk Committee (ORC) oversees the Group’s aggregate operational risk exposure on behalf of the Group Executive Committee and reports to the Board Risk & Regulatory Committee. It makes recommendations on the risk appetite that the Group can work within for operational risk, assesses and monitors overall operational risk exposures, identifying any concentrations of operational risk across the Group, and in particular verifies that mitigating action plans are implemented. The ORC operates a number of sub-committees which focus on specific areas of strategic and operational risk including customer, brand, business protection, IT, people, legal and regulatory compliance.

(g) Strategic risk

We are exposed to a number of strategic risks. Our strategy needs to support our vision, purpose and objectives and be responsive to both the external and internal environment, for example changes in the competitive landscape, customer behaviour, regulatory changes, merger and acquisition opportunities and emerging trends (such as climate change, pandemic and improving longevity).

Strategic risk is explicitly considered throughout our strategic review and planning process. Developments are assessed during our quarterly performance management process where all aspects of our risk profile are considered.

       We closely monitor regulatory, legal and fiscal developments as well as actively engaging with external bodies to share the benefit of our expertise in supporting responses to emerging risks to challenge developments that could be damaging to our business and the industry as a whole.

(h) Brand and Reputation risk

We are dependent on the strength of our brands, the brands of our partners and our reputation with customers and agents in the sale of our products and services.

       Our success and results are, to a certain extent, dependent on the strength of our brands and reputation. As part of our ongoing “One Aviva, Twice the Value” strategy, we have been working to create a global Aviva brand, as well as rebrand businesses in the UK under the Aviva name. While we as a group are well recognised, we are vulnerable to adverse market and customer perception. We operate in an industry where integrity, customer trust and confidence are paramount. We are exposed to the risk that litigation, employee misconduct, operational failures, the outcome of regulatory investigations, press speculation and negative publicity, disclosure of confidential client information, inadequate services, amongst others, whether or not founded, could impact our brands or reputation. Any of our brands or our reputation could also be affected if products or services recommended by us (or any of our intermediaries) do not perform as expected (whether or not the expectations are founded) or the customer’s expectations for the product change.

       One of the FSA’s strategic objectives is to help customers get a fair deal through its “treating customers fairly” principle. Examples of “treating customers fairly” include: products and services targeted to meet customers’ needs and which perform in line with what customers have been led to expect; clear information (and advice where relevant); good service; and making sure there are no unfair barriers that prevent customers from getting access to their money, changing products or making a successful insurance claim. The FSA regularly checks that we are meeting the requirement to treat our customers fairly and we make use of various metrics to assess our own performance, including customer advocacy, retention and complaints. Failure to meet these requirements could also impact our brands or reputation.

       If we do not manage successfully the perception of our brands and reputation, it could cause existing customers or agents to withdraw from our business and potential customers or agents to be reluctant or elect not to do business with us. This would adversely impact our business and results of operations.

(i) Risk and capital management

Sensitivity test analysis

The Group uses a number of sensitivity test-based risk management tools to understand the volatility of earnings, the volatility of its capital requirements, and to manage its capital more efficiently. Primarily, ICA and scenario analysis are used. Sensitivities to economic and operating experience are regularly produced on all of the Group’s financial performance measurements to inform the Group’s decision making and planning processes, and as part of the framework for identifying and quantifying the risks that each of its business units, and the Group as a whole are exposed to.

       For long-term business in particular, sensitivities of performance indicators to changes in both economic and non-economic experience are continually used to manage the business and to inform the decision making process.

Life insurance and investment contracts

The nature of long-term business is such that a number of assumptions are made in compiling these financial statements. Assumptions are made about investment returns, expenses, mortality rates, and persistency in connection with the in-force policies for each business unit. Assumptions are best estimates based on historic and expected experience of the business. A number of the key assumptions for the Group’s central scenario are disclosed elsewhere in these statements.

General insurance and health business

General insurance and health claim liabilities are estimated by using standard actuarial claims projection techniques.

       These methods extrapolate the claims development for each accident year based on the observed development of earlier years. In most cases, no explicit assumptions are made as projections are based on assumptions implicit in the historic claims.

 


 

219

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

Sensitivity test results

Illustrative results of sensitivity testing for long-term business, general insurance and health business and the fund management and non-insurance business are set out below. For each sensitivity test the impact of a reasonably possible change in a single factor is shown, with other assumptions left unchanged.

 

Sensitivity factor

Description of sensitivity factor applied

Interest rate and investment return

The impact of a change in market interest rates by a 1% increase or decrease. The test allows consistently for similar changes to investment returns and movements in the market value of backing fixed interest securities.

Equity/property market values

The impact of a change in equity/property market values
by ± 10%.

Expenses

The impact of an increase in maintenance expenses by 10%.

Assurance mortality/morbidity (life insurance only)

The impact of an increase in mortality/morbidity rates for assurance contracts by 5%.

Annuitant mortality (life insurance only)

The impact of a reduction in mortality rates for annuity contracts by 5%.

Gross loss ratios (non-life insurance only)

The impact of an increase in gross loss ratios for general insurance and health business by 5%.

Long-term business

Sensitivities as at 31 December 2009

Impact on profit before tax (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Assurance
mortality
+5%

Annuitant
mortality
-5%

Insurance participating

(20)

(275)

15

(35)

(15)

(5)

(40)

Insurance non-participating

(190)

270

35

(35)

(25)

(40)

(280)

Investment participating

(65)

(15)

20

(30)

(15)

Investment non-participating

(30)

45

20

(20)

(5)

Assets backing life shareholders’ funds

(10)

10

135

(140)

Total

(315)

35

225

(260)

(60)

(45)

(320)

 

Impact before tax on shareholders’ equity (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Assurance
mortality
+5%

Annuitant
mortality
-5%

Insurance participating

(40)

(235)

20

(40)

(15)

(5)

(40)

Insurance non-participating

(380)

535

220

(220)

(25)

(40)

(280)

Investment participating

(65)

(15)

20

(30)

(15)

Investment non-participating

(80)

125

20

(20)

(5)

Assets backing life shareholders’ funds

(65)

85

215

(215)

Total

(630)

495

495

(525)

(60)

(45)

(320)

 

Sensitivities as at 31 December 2008 restated1

Impact on profit before tax (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Assurance
mortality
+5%

Annuitant
mortality
-5%

Insurance participating

(10)

(165)

85

(90)

(20)

(5)

(10)

Insurance non-participating

(280)

525

65

(50)

(20)

(25)

(310)

Investment participating

(35)

(55)

25

(20)

Investment non-participating

(10)

10

20

(20)

(5)

Assets backing life shareholders’ funds

(20)

30

180

(180)

Total

(355)

345

375

(360)

(45)

(30)

(320)

1.

The comparative 2008 economic sensitivities for insurance non-participating business have been restated to reflect modelling enhancements in Delta Lloyd.

Impact before tax on shareholders’ equity (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Assurance
mortality
+5%

Annuitant
mortality
-5%

Insurance participating

(30)

(135)

85

(90)

(20)

(5)

(10)

Insurance non-participating

(440)

660

290

(270)

(20)

(25)

(310)

Investment participating

(50)

(40)

30

(25)

Investment non-participating

(210)

230

20

(20)

(5)

Assets backing life shareholders’ funds

(80)

95

190

(190)

Total

(810)

810

615

(595)

(45)

(30)

(320)

1.

The comparative 2008 economic sensitivities for insurance non-participating business have been restated to reflect modelling enhancements in Delta Lloyd.

 


220

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

The different impacts of the economic sensitivities on profit and shareholders' equity arise from classification of certain assets as available for sale in some business units, for which movements in unrealised gains or losses would be taken directly to shareholders’ equity.

       The sensitivities to economic movements relate mainly to business in the UK, US and the Netherlands. In general a fall in market interest rates has a beneficial impact on non-participating business and shareholders’ funds, due to the increase in market value of fixed interest securities and the relative durations of assets and liabilities; similarly a rise in interest rates has a negative impact. In the US most debt securities are classified as available-for-sale, which limits the overall sensitivity of IFRS profit to interest rate movements. The sensitivity to movements in equity and property market values relates mainly to holdings in the Netherlands, although the impact on IFRS profit is moderated by the classification of equities as available for sale.

       Changes in sensitivities between 2008 and 2009 reflect movements in market interest rates, portfolio growth, changes to asset mix and the relative durations of assets and liabilities, asset liability management actions, and reattribution of inherited estate in the UK.

 

The mortality sensitivities relate primarily to the UK.

Impact of the reattribution of the inherited estate on IFRS long-term business sensitivities

Prior to the reattribution of the inherited estates of CGNU Life Assurance Limited (CGNU) and Commercial Union Life Assurance Company Limited (CULAC) (as detailed in note 41(b)), movements in the value of assets and liabilities in the with-profit funds of CGNU and CULAC would result in corresponding movements in the value of the unallocated divisible surplus. IFRS profit in these funds would only arise on the shareholders’ share of bonuses paid on claims during the year or added to policies at the end of the year.

       As a result of the reattribution, movements in the value of assets and liabilities in the New With-Profit Shareholders Funds (NWPSF) and in the reattributed assets will lead to increased volatility of IFRS profit as the result will be borne by shareholders. The main drivers of this increased volatility will be investment returns, the effect of writing new with-profit business in the fund, changes in the cost of guarantees and changes in assumptions. This increase in potential volatility is the primary driver of the change in IFRS long-term business sensitivities between 2008 and 2009.

 

General insurance and health business

Sensitivities as at 31 December 2009

Impact on profit before tax (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Gross loss
ratios
+5%

Gross of reinsurance

(310)

295

105

(110)

(135)

(345)

Net of reinsurance

(365)

365

105

(110)

(135)

(330)

 

Impact before tax on shareholders’ equity (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Gross loss
ratios
+5%

Gross of reinsurance

(310)

295

105

(110)

(35)

(345)

Net of reinsurance

(365)

365

105

(110)

(35)

(330)

 

Sensitivities as at 31 December 2008

Impact on profit before tax (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Gross loss
ratios
+5%

Gross of reinsurance

(310)

300

90

(90)

(170)

(435)

Net of reinsurance

(360)

360

90

(90)

(170)

(425)

 

Impact before tax on shareholders’ equity (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Expenses
+10%

Gross loss
ratios
+5%

Gross of reinsurance

(310)

300

90

(90)

(40)

(435)

Net of reinsurance

(360)

360

90

(90)

(40)

(425)

 

For general insurance, the impact of the expense sensitivity on profit also includes the increase in ongoing administration expenses, in addition to the increase in the claims handling expense provision.

 


 

221

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

53 – Risk management continued

Fund management and non-insurance business

Sensitivities as at 31 December 2009

Impact before profit before tax (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Total

(20)

25

70

(30)

 

Impact before tax on shareholders’ equity (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Total

(40)

55

80

(50)

Sensitivities as at 31 December 2008 restated1

Impact before profit before tax (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Total

15

(20)

45

(45)

1.

The comparative 2008 economic sensitivities for life and non-insurance businesses have been restated to reflect modelling enhancements in Delta Lloyd.

Impact before tax on shareholders’ equity (£m)

 

 

Interest
rates
+1%

Interest
rates
-1%

Equity/
property
+10%

Equity/
property
-10%

Total

5

90

(90)

1.

The comparative 2008 economic sensitivities for life and non-insurance businesses have been restated to reflect modelling enhancements in Delta Lloyd.

Limitations of sensitivity analysis

The above tables demonstrate the effect of a change in a key assumption while other assumptions remain unchanged. In reality, there is a correlation between the assumptions and other factors. It should also be noted that these sensitivities are non-linear, and larger or smaller impacts should not be interpolated or extrapolated from these results.

The sensitivity analyses do not take into consideration that the Group’s assets and liabilities are actively managed. Additionally, the financial position of the Group may vary at the time that any actual market movement occurs. For example, the Group’s financial risk management strategy aims to manage the exposure to market fluctuations.

As investment markets move past various trigger levels, management actions could include selling investments, changing investment portfolio allocation, adjusting bonuses credited to policyholders, and taking other protective action.

A number of the business units use passive assumptions to calculate their long-term business liabilities. Consequently, a change in the underlying assumptions may not have any impact on the liabilities, whereas assets held at market value in the statement of financial position will be affected. In these circumstances, the different measurement bases for liabilities and assets may lead to volatility in shareholder equity. Similarly, for general insurance liabilities, the interest rate sensitivities only affect profit and equity where explicit assumptions are made regarding interest (discount) rates or future inflation.

Other limitations in the above sensitivity analyses include the use of hypothetical market movements to demonstrate potential risk that only represent the Group’s view of possible near-term market changes that cannot be predicted with any certainty; and the assumption that all interest rates move in an identical fashion.

54 – Derivative financial instruments

This note gives details of the various derivative instruments we use to mitigate risk.

The Group uses a variety of derivative financial instruments, including both exchange traded and over-the-counter instruments, in line with our overall risk management strategy. The objectives include managing exposure to price, foreign currency and/or interest rate risk on existing assets or liabilities, as well as planned or anticipated investment purchases.

In the narrative and tables below, figures are given for both the notional amounts and fair values of these instruments. The notional amounts reflect the aggregate of individual derivative positions on a gross basis and so give an indication of the overall scale of the derivative transaction. They do not reflect current market values of the open positions. The fair values represent the gross carrying values at the year end for each class of derivative contract held (or issued) by the Group.

The fair values do not provide an indication of credit risk, as many over-the-counter transactions are contracted and documented under ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association Inc) master agreements or their equivalent. Such agreements are designed to provide a legally enforceable set-off in the event of default, which reduces credit exposure. In addition, the Group has collateral agreements in place between the individual Group entities and relevant counterparties.

(a) Hedged derivatives

The Group has formally assessed and documented the effectiveness of its hedged derivatives in accordance with IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. To aid discussion and analysis, these derivatives are analysed into cash flow, fair value and net investment hedges, as detailed below.

 


222

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

54 – Derivative financial instruments continued

(i) Cash flow hedges

The Group uses forward starting interest rate swap agreements in the United States to hedge the variability in future cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of fixed-income assets. These agreements reduce the impact of future interest rate changes on the forecasted transaction. Fair value adjustments for these interest rate swaps are deferred and recorded in equity until the occurrence of the forecasted transaction, at which time the interest rate swaps will be terminated. The accumulated gain or loss in equity will be amortised into investment income as the acquired asset affects income. The Group is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows from interest rate movements for terms up to ten years, therefore the cash flows from these hedging instruments are expected to affect profit and loss for approximately the next ten years. For the year ended 31 December 2009, none of the Group’s cash flow hedges was ineffective or discontinued.

The notional value of these interest rate swaps was £3 million at 31 December 2009 and their fair value was £0.1 million liability. The Group had no cash flow hedge activity at 31 December 2008.

(ii) Fair value hedges

The Group has entered into a number of interest rate swaps in order to hedge fluctuations in the fair value of part of its portfolio of mortgage loans and debt securities in the Netherlands and the United States. The notional value of these interest rate swaps was £3,060 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: £1,088 million, 2007: £nil) and their fair value was £184 million liability (2008: £86 million liability, 2007: £nil). These hedges were fully effective during the year.

(iii) Net investment hedges

To reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk, the Group has entered into the following net investment hedges:

The Group has designated a portion of its Euro and US dollar denominated debt as a hedge of the net investment in its European and American subsidiaries. The carrying value of the debt at 31 December 2009 was £2,806 million (2008: £2,914 million, 2007: £1,988 million) and its fair value at that date was £2,709 million (2008: £1,962 million, 2007: £1,972 million).

The foreign exchange gain of £255 million (2008: loss of £716 million) on translation of the debt to sterling at the statement of financial position date has been recognised in the hedging instruments reserve in shareholders’ equity. This hedge was fully effective throughout the current and prior years.

The Group holds a Sterling/Euro cross currency swap derivative, which has been designated as a hedge of the net investment in its European subsidiaries. The notional value of the derivative at 31 December 2009 was £500 million (2008: £500 million, 2007: £1,000 million) and its fair value at that date was £120 million liability (2008: £185 million liability, 2007: £27 million liability). During 2008, the Group reduced the size of the notional amount from £1 billion to £500 million, realising a loss of £164 million in closing out this part of the hedge. The fair value gain during 2009 was £65 million (2008: £158 million loss; 2007: £27 million loss) on revaluation of the derivative which was recognised in other comprehensive income and the hedging instrument reserve in shareholders’ equity. This hedge was fully effective throughout the year.

The losses on the Group’s net investment hedges during the year were more than offset by gains on the relevant subsidiaries which are recognised in the currency translation reserve (see note 31).

(b) Non-hedge derivatives

Non-hedge derivatives either do not qualify for hedge accounting under IAS 39 or the option to hedge account has not been taken.

(i) The Group’s non-hedge derivative activity at 31 December 2009 was as follows:

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

2007

 

Contract/
notional
amount
£m

Fair value
asset
£m

Fair value
liability
£m

 

Contract/
notional
amount
£m

Fair value
asset
£m

Fair value
liability
£m

 

Contract/
notional
amount
£m

Fair value
asset
£m

Fair value
liability
£m

Foreign exchange contracts

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

OTC

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Forwards

6,091

17

(53)

  

6,164

89

(340)

  

9,594

24

(106)

Interest and currency swaps

1,408

41

(53)

  

1,235

3

(255)

  

859

57

Total

7,499

58

(106)

  

7,399

92

(595)

  

10,453

81

(106)

Interest rate contracts

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

OTC

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Forwards

1,043

5

  

3,008

17

(11)

  

3,305

15

(2)

Swaps

26,718

297

(839)

  

20,246

482

(909)

  

16,172

279

(350)

Options

10,637

432

(4)

  

9,309

920

  

986

251

(1)

Exchange traded

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Futures

5,542

404

(38)

  

6,067

615

(15)

  

6,505

220

(37)

Options

1,066

28

  

  

15

Total

45,006

1,166

(881)

  

38,630

2,034

(935)

  

26,983

765

(390)

Equity/Index contracts

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

OTC

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Forwards

863

71

 

  

Options

14,571

663

(243)

  

11,619

470

(39)

  

12,278

267

(61)

Exchange traded

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Futures

7,417

63

(534)

  

2,859

45

(68)

  

5,456

418

(23)

Options

2,688

19

(2)

  

4,513

189

(51)

  

473

21

(2)

Total

25,539

816

(779)

  

18,991

704

(158)

  

18,207

706

(86)

Other

1,155

37

(29)

  

771

80

(65)

  

414

57

(24)

Totals at 31 December

79,199

2,077

(1,795)

  

65,791

2,910

(1,753)

  

56,057

1,609

(606)

 

 


 

223

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

54 – Derivative financial instruments continued

Fair value assets are recognised as “Derivative financial instruments” in note 21(a), whilst fair value liabilities are recognised as “other financial liabilities” in note 46.

The Group’s derivative risk management policies are outlined in note 53(b).

(ii) The contractual undiscounted cash flows in relation to non-hedge derivative liabilities have the following maturities:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Within one year

1,238

1,001

151

Between one and two years

155

285

100

Between two and three years

66

32

20

Between three and four years

74

43

20

Between four and five years

51

69

21

After five years

657

611

516

  

2,241

2,041

828

 

(c) Collateral

Certain derivative contracts, primarily interest rate and currency swaps, involve the receipt or pledging of collateral. The amounts of collateral receivable or repayable are included in notes 22 and 46 respectively.

55 – Assets under management

In addition to the assets included in the consolidated statement of financial position, the Group manages many funds for third parties. This note details the total funds under management.

The total Group assets under management are:

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008*
£m

Restated
2007*
£m

Total IFRS assets included in the consolidated statement of financial position

354,391

354,562

321,326

Less: Third party funds included within consolidated IFRS assets

(9,980)

(6,025)

(5,845)

 

344,411

348,537

315,481

Third-party funds under management

 

 

 

Unit trusts, OEICs, PEPs and ISAs

21,618

15,901

25,868

Segregated funds

48,770

52,322

54,422

 

414,799

416,760

395,771

Non-managed assets

(35,388)

(44,176)

(36,342)

Funds under management

379,411

372,584

359,429

Managed by:

 

 

 

Aviva Investors

249,630

236,178

235,309

Other Aviva fund managers

109,332

111,532

99,906

Total Aviva fund managers

358,962

347,710

335,215

External fund managers

20,449

24,874

24,214

  

379,411

372,584

359,429

*

Third-party funds under management have been adjusted as a result of a double count of £6,782 million in 2008.

56 – Related party transactions

This note gives details of the transactions between Group companies and related parties which comprise our joint ventures, associates and staff pension schemes.

       The Group receives income from related parties from transactions made in the normal course of business. Loans to related parties are made on normal arm’s-length commercial terms.

Services provided to related parties

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Income
earned in
year
£m

Receivable
at year
end
£m

 

Income
earned in
year
£m

Receivable
at year end
£m

 

Receivable
at year end
£m

Associates

49

3

  

61

3

  

2

Joint ventures

17

328

  

20

300

  

169

Employee pension schemes

9

2

  

24

6

  

6

  

75

333

  

105

309

  

177

 

Income from associates predominantly relates to our investments in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) life and collective investment companies listed in note 16(b). Under management service agreements with these associates, our UK life insurance companies provide administration services, the cost of which is recharged to the RBS companies. In addition, our fund management companies provide fund management services to these associates, for which they charge fees based on the level of funds under management. Movements in loans made to our associates may be found in note 16.

 

 


224

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

 

56 – Related party transactions continued

Transactions with joint ventures relate to the property management undertakings. At 31 December 2009, there were four such joint ventures, the most material of which are listed in note 15(b). Our interest in these joint ventures comprises a mix of equity and loans, together with the provision of administration services and financial management to many of them. Our UK life insurance companies earn interest on loans advanced to these entities to fund property developments, including shopping, business and distribution centres, and properties in Europe, as well as a film studio development in the UK, movements in which may be found in note 15(a). Our fund management companies also charge fees to these joint ventures for administration services and for arranging external finance.

Our UK fund management companies manage most of the assets held by the Group’s main UK staff pension scheme, for which they charge fees based on the level of funds under management. The main UK scheme and the Dutch scheme hold investments in Group-managed funds and insurance policies with other Group companies, as explained in note 44(e)(iii).

The related parties’ receivables are not secured and no guarantees were received in respect thereof. The receivables will be settled in accordance with normal credit terms. Details of guarantees, indemnities and warranties provided on behalf of related parties are given in note 48(j).

Services provided by related parties

There were no services provided by related parties in 2007, 2008 or 2009.

Key management compensation

The total compensation to those employees classified as key management, being those having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group, including the executive and non-executive directors is as follows:

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Salary and other short-term benefits

39

38

Post-employment benefits

5

3

Equity compensation plans

16

9

Termination benefits

1

3

Total

61

53

 

Information concerning individual directors’ emoluments, interests and transactions is given in the Directors’ remuneration report.

 

 


 

225

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Independent auditor’s report to the members of
the Supervisory Board of Delta Lloyd N.V.

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We have audited, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2008 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.6.28 and for the correction of the error described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2009 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.7.31, the consolidated balance sheet of Delta Lloyd N.V. and its subsidiaries as of 31 December 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2007 as set out in section 3.1 of the Delta Lloyd N.V. Annual Report (the 2007 financial statements before the effects of the adjustments described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2008 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.6.28 and the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2009 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.7.31 are not presented herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2008 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.6.28 and for the correction of the error described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2009 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.7.31, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Delta Lloyd N.V. and its subsidiaries at 31 December 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2007 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2008 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.6.28 or for the correction of the error described in the Delta Lloyd N.V. 2009 Annual Report sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.7.31 and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.

 

/s/ G.J. Heuvelink RA

 

Amsterdam, 24 March 2009

PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V.

 

 

G.J. Heuvelink RA

 

 


226

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report and Accounts 2009

 

Financial statements
of the Company

 

Income statement

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

Note


2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

2007
£m

Income

  

  

  

  

Dividends received from subsidiaries

 

1,340

1,796

2,568

Interest receivable from Group companies

 

156

151

158

Net investment income/(expense)

  

50

(141)

4

  

  

1,546

1,806

2,730

Expenses

  

  

  

  

Operating expenses

C

(194)

(25)

(193)

Interest payable to Group companies

  

(603)

(992)

(994)

Interest payable on borrowings

  

(336)

(289)

(232)

  

  

(1,133)

(1,306)

(1,369)

Profit before tax

 

413

500

1,361

Tax credit

D

158

358

356

Profit after tax

  

571

858

1,717

 

Statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

Note

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

2007
£m

Profit for the year

  

571

858

1,717

Other comprehensive income

  

  

  

  

Fair value gains/(losses) on investments in subsidiaries

B

883

(8,113)

(3,420)

Actuarial (losses)/gains on pension scheme

  

(3)

2

5

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  

880

(8,111)

(3,415)

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

1,451

(7,253)

(1,698)

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.


 

227

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Financial statements of the Company continued

 

Statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

Note

Ordinary
share
capital
£m

Preference
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Merger
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
£m

Direct
capital
instrument
£m

Total
equity
£m

Balance at 1 January

  

664

200

1,234

735

5,770

113

3,287

12,003

990

12,993

Profit for the year

  

571

571

571

Other comprehensive income

  

883

(3)

880

880

Total comprehensive income for the year

  

883

568

1,451

1,451

Dividends and appropriations

12

(853)

(853)

(853)

Issues of share capital

25

1

1

1

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

32

27

(27)

299

299

299

Employee trust shares distributed in the year

27

(18)

(18)

(18)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

8

56

56

56

Shares issued under equity compensation plans

  

(60)

60

Aggregate tax effect

  

17

17

17

Balance at 31 December

  

692

200

1,207

735

6,653

109

3,360

12,956

990

13,946

 

For the year ended 31 December 2008

 

Note

Ordinary
share
capital
£m

Preference
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Merger
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
£m

Direct
capital
instrument
£m

Total
equity
£m

Balance at 1 January

 

655

200

1,223

735

13,883

89

3,207

19,992

990

20,982

Profit for the year

  

858

858

858

Other comprehensive income

  

(8,113)

2

(8,111)

(8,111)

Total comprehensive income for the year

  

(8,113)

860

(7,253)

(7,253)

Dividends and appropriations

12

(975)

(975)

(975)

Issues of share capital

25

2

18

20

20

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

32

7

(7)

170

170

170

Employee trust shares distributed in the year

27

(6)

(6)

(6)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

8

39

39

39

Shares issued under equity compensation plans

  

(15)

15

Aggregate tax effect

  

16

16

16

Balance at 31 December

  

664

200

1,234

735

5,770

113

3,287

12,003

990

12,993

 

For the year ended 31 December 2007

 

Note

Ordinary
share
capital
£m

Preference
share
capital
£m

Share
premium
£m

Merger
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Equity
£m

Direct
capital
instrument
£m

Total
equity
£m

Balance at 1 January

  

641

200

1,189

735

17,303

73

2,005

22,146

990

23,136

Profit for the year

  

1,717

1,717

1,717

Other comprehensive income

  

(3,420)

5

(3,415)

(3,415)

Total comprehensive income for the year

  

(3,420)

1,722

(1,698)

(1,698)

Dividends and appropriations

12

(871)

(871)

(871)

Issues of share capital

25

4

44

48

48

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

32

10

(10)

301

301

301

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

8

50

50

50

Shares issued under equity compensation plans

  

(34)

34

Aggregate tax effect

  

16

16

16

Balance at 31 December

  

655

200

1,223

735

13,883

89

3,207

19,992

990

20,982

 

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


228

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Financial statements of the Company continued

 

Statement of financial position

At 31 December 2009

 

Note

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m


2007
£m

Assets

  

  

  

  

Non-current assets

  

  

  

  

Investments in subsidiaries

B

17,236

16,353

24,466

Investment in joint venture

15c

72

61

52

Loans owed by subsidiaries

  

3,161

3,417

2,607

Deferred tax assets

D

9

Current tax assets

 

526

724

714

  

  

20,995

20,555

27,848

Current assets

  

  

  

  

Loans owed by subsidiaries

  

132

Other amounts owed by subsidiaries

  

2,546

2,266

1,027

Other assets

  

110

43

115

Cash and cash equivalents

  

4

78

14

Total assets

  

23,655

22,942

29,136

Equity

  

  

  

  

Ordinary share capital

25

692

664

655

Preference share capital

28

200

200

200

Called up capital

  

892

864

855

Share premium account

25b

1,207

1,234

1,223

Merger reserve

E

735

735

735

Investment valuation reserve

E

6,653

5,770

13,883

Equity compensation reserve

E

109

113

89

Retained earnings

E

3,360

3,287

3,207

Direct capital instrument

29

990

990

990

Total equity

  

13,946

12,993

20,982

Liabilities

  

  

  

  

Non-current liabilities

  

  

  

  

Borrowings

F

4,871

4,838

3,252

Loans owed to subsidiaries

  

3,598

3,108

1,842

Provisions

  

47

40

40

 

 

8,516

7,986

5,134

Current liabilities

  

  

  

  

Borrowings

F

483

535

918

Loans owed to subsidiaries

  

155

975

1,846

Other amounts owed to subsidiaries

  

442

352

191

Other creditors

  

113

101

65

Total liabilities

  

9,709

9,949

8,154

Total equity and liabilities

  

23,655

22,942

29,136

 

Approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

 

Patrick Regan

Chief Financial Officer

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


 

229

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Financial statements of the Company continued

 

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 December 2009

 

All the Company’s operating and investing cash requirements are met by subsidiary companies and settled through intercompany loan accounts. As the direct method of presentation has been adopted for these activities, no further disclosure is required. In respect of financing activities, the following items pass through the Company’s own bank accounts.

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Cash flows from financing activities

  

  

  

Funding provided by subsidiaries

477

401

399

New borrowings draw down, net of expenses

2,490

3,905

4,780

Repayment of borrowings

(2,541)

(3,463)

(4,606)

Net drawdown of borrowings

(51)

442

174

Preference dividends paid

(17)

(17)

(17)

Ordinary dividends paid

(476)

(732)

(500)

Interest paid on borrowings

(7)

(30)

(47)

Net cash from financing activities

(74)

64

9

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(74)

64

9

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

78

14

5

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

4

78

14

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


230

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the Company’s financial statements continued

 

A – Restatement of prior year figures

The Company runs sterling and currency intercompany accounts with subsidiaries. During the year, it was discovered that incorrect foreign exchange rates had been applied to one of these accounts, with the result that the Company incorrectly recorded a foreign exchange loss of £87 million in 2008. The correcting entry has resulted in a reduction in expenses in 2008 of £87 million, an increase to the 2008 tax charge of £25 million, a reduction in the 2008 current tax asset of £25 million, an increase in other amounts owed by subsidiaries of £87 million and an increase in retained earnings of £62 million as at 31 December 2008. This does not impact the Group consolidated financial statements.

B – Investments in subsidiaries

(i) Movements in the Company’s investments in its subsidiaries are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Fair value as at 1 January

16,353

24,466

27,886

Movement in fair value

883

(8,113)

(3,420)

At 31 December

17,236

16,353

24,466

 

Fair values are estimated using applicable valuation models underpinned by the Company’s market capitalisation, and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy described in note 21(b) to the Group consolidated financial statements.

 

(ii) At 31 December 2009, the Company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, both incorporated in Great Britain. These are General Accident plc and Aviva Group Holdings Limited. Aviva Group Holdings Limited is an intermediate holding company, whilst General Accident plc no longer carries out this function. The principal subsidiaries of the Aviva Group at 31 December 2008 are listed on pages 16 and 17.

C – Operating expenses

(i) Operating expenses

Operating expenses comprise:

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

2007
£m

Staff costs and other employee related expenditure (see below)

130

86

92

Other operating costs

20

109

95

Net foreign exchange losses/(gains)

44

(170)

6

Total

194

25

193

(ii) Staff costs

Total staff costs were:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Wages and salaries

85

49

46

Social security costs

9

7

6

Post-retirement obligations

  

  

  

Defined benefit schemes (see (iii) below)

6

6

6

Defined contribution schemes

6

3

2

Profit sharing and incentive plans

9

3

13

Equity compensation plans (see (iv) below)

12

11

17

Termination benefits

3

7

2

Total

130

86

92

(iii) Pension costs

The Company is one of a number of UK companies being charged for its employees participating in the Aviva Staff Pension Scheme, and its contributions are affected by the financial position of the scheme. There is no contractual agreement or policy for charging the net defined benefit cost for this scheme across the participating Group entities but, instead, this cost is recognised in the financial statements of the main UK employing company. The Company therefore recognises a pension expense equal to its contributions payable in the year for its staff, together with the service cost of any unfunded benefits, within staff costs above.

Full disclosure on the Group’s pension schemes is given in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 44.

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


 

231

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the Company’s financial statements continued

 

(iv) Equity compensation plans

All transactions in the Group’s equity compensation plans involve options and awards for ordinary shares of the Company. Full disclosure of these plans is given in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 26. The cost of such options and awards is borne by all participating businesses and, where relevant, the Company bears an appropriate charge. As the majority of the charge to the Company relates to directors’ options and awards, for which full disclosure is made in the Directors’ remuneration report, no further disclosure is given here on the grounds of immateriality.

D – Tax

(i) Tax credited to income statement

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

2007
£m

Current tax:

 

 

 

For this year

151

362

351

Prior year adjustments

7

5

5

Total current tax

158

367

356

Deferred tax:

  

  

  

Origination and reversal of timing differences

(9)

Total deferred tax

(9)

Total tax credited to income statement

158

358

356

 

(ii) Tax charged to other comprehensive income

No tax was charged or credited to other comprehensive income in 2007, 2008 or 2009.

(iii) Tax credited to equity

Tax credited to equity comprises £17 million (2008: £16 million; 2007: £16 million) in respect of coupon payments on the direct capital instrument.

(iv) Tax reconciliation

The tax on the Company’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the tax rate of the home country of the Company as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

Restated
2008
£m

2007
£m

Profit before tax

413

500

1,361

Tax calculated at standard UK corporation tax rate of 28% (2008: 28.5%; 2007: 30%)

(116)

(143)

(408)

Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior years

7

5

5

Non-assessable dividends

375

512

770

Disallowable expenses

(3)

(6)

(11)

Unpaid group relief

(102)

Deferred tax asset not recognised

(11)

Other

(3)

1

Total tax credited to income statement

158

358

356

(v) Deferred tax asset

(i) The movement in the net deferred tax asset was as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Net asset at 1 January

9

Amounts charged to profit

(9)

Net asset at 31 December

 

The Company has unrecognised other temporary differences of £nil (2008: £30 million).

The taxation of foreign profits and worldwide debt cap rules were enacted in the Finance Act 2009. Under the foreign profits rules, a dividend exemption was introduced which largely exempts dividends received on or after 1 July 2009 from UK corporation tax. The Company has applied this legislation in arriving at its tax results for 2009. The worldwide debt cap rules apply from 1 January 2010 and are not expected to apply to the Company due to an exemption for qualifying financial services groups.

 

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


232

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the Company’s financial statements continued

 

E – Reserves

 

 

Merger
reserve
£m

Investment
valuation
reserve
£m

Equity
compensation
reserve
£m

Restated
Retained
earnings
£m

Balance at 1 January 2007

735

17,303

73

2,005

Arising in the year:

  

  

  

  

Profit for the year

1,717

Fair value losses on investments in subsidiaries

(3,420)

Actuarial gains on pension schemes

5

Dividends and appropriations

(871)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

50

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

Trust shares distributed in the year

301

Issue of share capital under equity compensation scheme

(34)

34

Aggregate tax effect

16

Balance at 31 December 2007

735

13,883

89

3,207

Arising in the year:

  

  

  

  

Profit for the year

858

Fair value losses on investments in subsidiaries

(8,113)

Actuarial gains on pension schemes

2

Dividends and appropriations

(975)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

39

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

170

Trust shares distributed in the year

(6)

Issue of share capital under equity compensation scheme

(15)

15

Aggregate tax effect

16

Balance at 31 December 2008

735

5,770

113

3,287

Arising in the year:

  

  

  

  

Profit for the year

571

Fair value gains on investments in subsidiaries

883

Actuarial losses on pension schemes

(3)

Dividends and appropriations

(853)

Reserves credit for equity compensation plans

56

Shares issued in lieu of dividends

299

Trust shares distributed in the year

(18)

Issue of share capital under equity compensation scheme

(60)

60

Aggregate tax effect

17

Balance at 31 December 2009

735

6,653

109

3,360

 

Tax of £17 million (2008: £16 million; 2007: £16 million) is deductible in respect of coupon payments of £61 million (2008: £56 million; 2007: £53 million) on the direct capital instruments.

F – Borrowings

The Company’s borrowings comprise:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Subordinated debt

4,672

4,639

3,054

9.5% guaranteed bonds 2016

199

199

198

Commercial paper

483

535

918

Total

5,354

5,373

4,170

 

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


 

233

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to the Company’s financial statements continued

 

F – Borrowings continued

Maturity analysis of contractual undiscounted cash flows:

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

  

Principal
£m

Interest
£m

Total
£m

  

Principal
£m

Interest
£m

Total
£m

Principal
£m

Interest
£m

Total
£m

Within 1 year

483

328

811

  

535

312

847

932

235

1,167

1 – 5 years

1,235

1,235

  

1,163

1,163

799

799

5 – 10 years

1,074

1,540

2,614

  

409

1,449

1,858

351

998

1,349

10 – 15 years

1,288

1,349

2,637

  

1,402

1,250

2,652

588

867

1,455

Over 15 years

2,544

1,092

3,636

  

3,066

2,445

5,511

2,344

206

2,550

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

5,389

5,544

10,933

  

5,412

6,619

12,031

4,215

3,105

7,320

 

Where subordinated debt is undated, the interest payments have not been included beyond 15 years. Annual interest payments for these borrowings are £74 million (2008: £77 million).

The fair value of the subordinated debt at 31 December 2009 was £4,372 million (2008: £2,979 million). The fair value of the 9.5% guaranteed bonds 2016 at 31 December 2009 was £238 million (2008: £224 million). The fair value of the commercial paper is considered to be the same as its carrying value.

Further details of these borrowings and undrawn committed facilities can be found in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 45.

G – Contingent liabilities

Details of the Company’s contingent liabilities are given in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 48(j).

H – Risk management

Risk management in the context of the Group is considered in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 53.

The business of the Company is managing its investments in subsidiary and joint venture operations. Its risks are considered to be the same as those in the operations themselves and full details of the risk management policies are given in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 53. Such investments are held by the Company at fair value in accordance with accounting policy C.

The fair values of the subsidiaries and joint venture are estimated using applicable valuation models, underpinned by the Company’s market capitalisation. This uses a three month rolling average of the Company’s share price. Given that the key input into the valuation model is based on an observable current share price, and therefore sensitive to movements in that price, the valuation process is not sensitive to non-observable market assumptions. Management believes the resulting estimated fair values recorded in the balance sheet and any changes in fair values recorded in the income statement are reasonable, and are the most appropriate values at the balance sheet date.

Financial assets, other than investments in subsidiaries and the joint venture, largely consist of amounts due from subsidiaries. As at the balance sheet date, these receivable amounts were neither past due nor impaired.

Financial liabilities owed by the Company as at the balance sheet date are largely in respect of borrowings (details of which are provided in note F and the Group consolidated financial statements, note 45) and loans owed to subsidiaries. Loans owed to subsidiaries were within agreed credit terms as at the balance sheet date.

Interest rate risk

Loans to and from subsidiaries are at either fixed or floating rates of interest, with the latter being exposed to fluctuations in these rates. The choice of rates is designed to match the characteristics of financial investments (which are also exposed to interest rate fluctuations) held in both the Company and the relevant subsidiary, to mitigate as far as possible each company’s net exposure.

The majority of the Company’s external borrowings are at fixed rates of interest and are therefore not exposed to changes in these rates. However, for those borrowings that are at floating rates, the Company is affected by changes in these rates. Further details of the Company's borrowings are provided in note F and the Group consolidated financial statements, note 45.

Currency risk

The Company’s direct subsidiaries are all incorporated and operating in the UK, and therefore are not exposed to currency risk. However, these subsidiaries are themselves exposed to foreign currency risk arising from fluctuations in exchange rates during the course of providing insurance and asset management services around the world. The exposure of the subsidiaries to currency risk is considered from a Group perspective in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 53.

The Company faces exposure to foreign currency risk through some of its borrowings which are denominated in euros and US dollars. However, most of these borrowings have been on-lent to a subsidiary which holds financial investments in these currencies, generating the net investment hedge described in the Group consolidated financial statements, note 54(a)(iii).

 

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 


234

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Notes to theCompany’s financial statements continued

 

I – Related party transactions

The Company receives dividend and interest income from subsidiaries and pays interest and fee expense to those subsidiaries in the normal course of business. These activities are reflected in the table below.

Loans to and from subsidiaries are made on normal arm’s-length commercial terms. The maturity analysis of the related party loans is as follows:

Loans owed by subsidiaries

 

Maturity analysis

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Within 1 year

132

1 – 5 years

2,050

1,402

1,359

Over 5 years

1,111

2,015

1,248

Total

3,161

3,417

2,739

 

Loans owed to subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

2007

Maturity analysis of contractual undiscounted cash flows

Principal
£m

Interest
£m

Total
£m

  

Principal
£m

Interest
£m

Total
£m

  

Principal
£m

Interest
£m

Total
£m

Within 1 year

155

143

298

  

975

247

1,222

  

1,846

258

2,104

1 – 5 years

1,840

431

2,271

  

2,124

593

2,717

  

843

334

1,177

Over 5 years

1,758

217

1,975

  

984

164

1,148

  

999

341

1,340

Total

3,753

791

4,544

  

4,083

1,004

5,087

  

3,688

933

4,621

 

Other related party balances comprise dividends and interest receivable and payable, as well as inter-company balances for fees and other transactions in the normal course of business.

Dividends, loans, interest

Services provided to related parties

 

 

Income
earned in
year
2009
£m

Receivable
at year end
2009
£m

Income
earned in
year
2008
£m

Receivable
at year end
2008
£m

Income
earned in
year
2007
£m

Receivable
at year end
2007
£m

Subsidiaries

1,496

5,707

1,947

5,596

2,726

3,766

 

The related parties’ receivables are not secured and no guarantees were received in respect thereof. The receivables will be settled in accordance with normal credit terms. Details of guarantees, indemnities and warranties given by the Company on behalf of related parties are given in note 48(j).

Services provided by related parties

 

 

Expense
incurred
in year
2009
£m

Payable
at year end
2009
£m

Expense
incurred
in year
2008
£m

Payable
at year
end
2008
£m

Expense
incurred
in year
2007
£m

Payable
at year
end
2007
£m

Subsidiaries

603

4,195

992

4,435

944

3,879

 

The related parties’ payables are not secured and no guarantees were received in respect thereof. The payables will be settled in accordance with normal credit terms.

The directors and key management of the Company are considered to be the same as for the Group. Information on both the Company and Group key management compensation may be found in note 56.

 

 

Where applicable, the accounting policies of the Company are the same as those of the Group on pages 99 to 111.  The notes identified alphabetically on pages 230 to 234 are an integral part of these separate financial statements.  Where the same items appear in the group financial statements, reference is made to the notes (identified numerically) on pages 119 to 224.

 



 


236

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC

 

Company address

Our registered office is St Helens, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ.

Our telephone number is +44 (0)20 7283 2000.

 

Exchange rate information

The following table sets forth the average noon buying rate as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the last business day of each year for pounds sterling expressed in US dollars per pound sterling for each of the five most recent fiscal years. We have not used these rates to prepare our consolidated financial statements.

 

Year ended 31 December

 

2005

1.7188

2006

1.9586

2007

1.9843

2008

1.4619

2009

1.6167

 

The following table sets forth the high and low noon buying rates for pounds sterling expressed in US dollars per pound sterling for the last six months:

 

 

High

Low

September 2009

1.6695

1.5924

October 2009

1.6610

1.5878

November 2009

1.6795

1.6383

December 2009

1.6641

1.5892

January 2010

1.6370

1.5912

February 2010

1.5968

1.5201


On 24 March 2010, the noon buying rate was £1.00 = $1.4913

The offer and listing

Listing details

The principal trading market for our ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange. Our ADSs are listed on the NYSE, each representing the right to receive two ordinary shares deposited pursuant to our deposit agreement with Citibank N.A. and the registered holders from time to time of the ADSs. For a detailed description of the rights and obligations attached to our ADSs, see “Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.”

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported highest and lowest closing prices for our ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange and ADSs on the NYSE:

 

 

Ordinary Shares
(pence)

 

Aviva ADS
(US dollars)

 Year

High

Low

  

 High

Low

2005 

631.5

484.5

  

n/a

n/a

2006  

850.5

690.0

  

n/a

n/a

2007

854.0

625.0

  

n/a

n/a

2008

670.0

245.3

  

n/a

n/a

2009

467.5

163.3

  

14.80

11.94

 

 

 

Ordinary shares
(pence)

 

Aviva ADS
(US dollars)

Pence

 

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

 

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

2008

High

670.0

664.0

565.0

487.0

  

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

  

Low

547.5

501.0

455.5

245.3

  

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

2009

High

435.5

364.8

448.1

467.5

  

n/a

n/a

n/a

14.80

  

Low

163.3

226.5

276.8

368.5

  

n/a

n/a

n/a

11.94

 

Ordinary shares (pence)

 

 

 

 

 

 

September
2009

October
2009

November
2009

December
2009

January
2010

February
2010

High

  

  

  

  

  

  

448.1

467.5

409.7

398.7

422.0

398.0

Low

  

  

  

  

  

  

387.3

383.6

370.4

368.5

387.8

344.5

 

Aviva ADS (US dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

September
2009

October
2009

November
2009

December
2009

January
2010

February
2010

High

  

  

  

  

  

  

n/a

14.80

13.99

13.24

13.95

12.90

Low

  

  

  

  

  

  

n/a

12.78

12.38

11.94

12.50

11.02

Markets

Aviva ordinary shares and preference shares are listed on the Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority and traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “AV”. In the US, the company’s securities are traded as ADSs for which Citibank N.A. is the depositary and transfer agent as set out under “Listing details” above. ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “AV”. More information on ADSs is set out in “Description of securities other than equity securities”.

 

 


 

 

237

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

General insurance and health claims reserves

Provisions for outstanding claims

We establish provisions for outstanding claims to cover the outstanding expected ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) in respect of all claims that have already occurred. The provisions established cover reported claims and associated LAE, as well as claims incurred but not yet reported and associated LAE.

Delays occur in the notification and settlement of claims and a substantial measure of experience and judgement is involved in assessing outstanding liabilities, the ultimate cost of which cannot be known with certainty at the statement of financial position date. Additionally, we are required by applicable insurance laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles, to establish reserves for outstanding claims (claims which have not yet been settled) and associated claims expenses from our insurance operations. The reserves for general insurance and health are based on information currently available; however, it is inherent in the nature of the business written that the ultimate liabilities may vary as a result of subsequent developments.

Outstanding claims provisions are based on undiscounted estimates of future claim payments, except for the following classes of business for which discounted provisions are held:

 

 

Discount rate

 

Mean term of liabilities

Class

2009

2008

 

2009

2008

Netherlands Permanent health and injury

3.48%

3.82%

  

8 years

7 years

Reinsured London Market business

4.00%

3.56%

  

10 years

8 years

Latent claims

0.82% to
4.84%

1.17% to
3.92%

  

8 years to 15
years

9 years to
15 years

Structured settlements

3.30%

2.50%

  

35 years

35 years

The gross outstanding claims provisions before discounting were £13,576 million (2008: £15,061 million) and after discounting were £12,696 million (2008: £14,360 million). The period of time which will elapse before the liabilities are settled has been estimated by modelling the settlement patterns of the underlying claims.

The discount rate that has been applied to latent claims reserves is based on the swap rate in the relevant currency having regard to the expected settlement dates of the claims. The range of discount rates used depends on the duration of the claims and is given in the table above. The duration of the claims span over 35 years, with the average duration between 8 and 15 years depending on the geographical region.

During 2009, we have experienced an increase in the number of bodily injury claims settled by periodic payment orders (PPOs) or structured settlements, especially in the UK, which are reserved for on a discounted basis.

The uncertainties involved in estimating loss reserves are allowed for in the reserving process and by the estimation of explicit reserve uncertainty distributions. We have adopted a reserve estimation basis for non-life claims at 31 December 2009 that is calculated as the best estimate of the cost of future claim payments, plus an explicit allowance for risk and uncertainty. The allowance for risk and uncertainty targets a minimum confidence level that provisions will be sufficient for all business in each country.

The adequacy of loss reserves is assessed and reported locally and also aggregated and reported to the Chief Financial Officer quarterly.

For additional information on the assumptions and changes that have occurred related to the general insurance and health claims provisions, see ”Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities”. The effect on profit of changes in the main assumptions for the general insurance and health business can be found within “Financial statements IFRS – Note 39 – Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year”.

Reinsurance

We reinsure a portion of the risks we underwrite to control our exposure to losses and stabilise earnings. We use reinsurance to help reduce the financial impact of large or unusually hazardous risks and to manage the volatility of our earnings.

Our reinsurance strategy is to purchase reinsurance in the most cost-effective manner from reinsurers who meet our established security standards. The level of reinsurance sought is determined by using extensive financial modelling and analysis to ensure we understand the large or unusually hazardous risks and to ensure we get maximum benefit for the cost of the reinsurance cover provided.

At 31 December 2009, the total reinsurance asset recoverable was £7,572 million, representing 2.7% of the total gross technical provisions of £282,458 million. In respect of premium income written during 2009, £2,576 million was ceded to reinsurers, representing 7.4% of the total gross written premium of £34,690 million.

The Group is exposed to concentrations of risk with individual reinsurers, due to the nature of the reinsurance market and the restricted range of reinsurers that have acceptable credit ratings. The Group operates a policy to manage its reinsurance counterparty exposures, by limiting the reinsurers that may be used and applying strict limits to each reinsurer. Reinsurance exposures are aggregated with other exposures to ensure that the overall risk is within appetite. Exposures are monitored on a regular basis and the Credit Approvals Committee has a monitoring role over this risk. Reinsurers used typically have an AM Best rating of A or higher.

Our largest reinsurance counterparty is Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd (including subsidiaries). At 31 December 2009 the amount ceded to Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd was £1,433 million out of the total reinsurance asset recoverable of £7,572 million. Through the reinsurance of our London Market business, we also have significant exposure to Berkshire Hathaway Group and its subsidiaries. At 31 December 2009 the amount ceded to the Berkshire Hathaway Group and its subsidiaries was £1,087 million out of the total reinsurance asset recoverable of £7,572 million. These figures give an indication of the potential losses to the Group following the default of the relevant counterparty, assuming no post-default recovery is possible.

 

 


238

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

In the event of a catastrophic event, the counterparty exposure to a single reinsurer is estimated not to exceed 4.6% of shareholders’ equity.

Additional information on our reinsurance strategy and a discussion on concentration risk and reinsurance credit risk, can be found within “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”.

Loss Reserve Development

The loss reserve development tables below present the historical development of the property & casualty reserves that we established in 2000 and subsequent years.

The top line of the tables shows the reserves for unpaid losses and LAE as at each statement of financial position date. These reserves are the estimated future payments to be made for losses and LAE in respect of claims occurring in that year and all prior years.

The “Paid (cumulative)” data represents the cumulative amounts paid as at each subsequent year end against the reserves for losses and LAE held at each statement of financial position date. The “Reserve re-estimated” shows the re-estimate of the reserves, as initially recorded at each statement of financial position date, as at each subsequent year end. The re-estimated reserve changes as a greater proportion of the actual losses for which the initial reserves were set up are paid and more information becomes known about those claims still outstanding.

The “Cumulative redundancy/(deficiency)” line represents the overall change in the estimate since the initial reserve was established, and is equal to the initial reserve less the re-estimated liability as at 31 December 2009. Reserves for losses and LAE at each statement of financial position date represent the amounts necessary to settle all outstanding claims as at that date. Therefore, the year-end balances in the tables should not be added, as they include amounts in respect of both the current and prior years.

In our non-UK property & casualty operations, reserves are established and monitored in the local currency in which the property & casualty entity operates. For the purpose of the tables, claims reserves and payments with respect to each year are translated into pounds sterling at the rates that applied when the initial reserves on the statement of financial position for each year were established. The only exception to this is reserves established in currencies other than an operation’s local currency, for which claims reserves are converted to pounds sterling at year-end exchange rates and claims payments are converted at the average of the exchange rates that applied during the relevant year.

All of our property & casualty claims reserves are included in the tables, except those in respect of property & casualty operations disposed of during the period 2000 to 2002. During this period we disposed of our property & casualty operations in the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Belgium and Spain, and disposed of part of our property & casualty operations in France and Poland. The development of the loss reserves of these property and casualty businesses has been excluded from the tables as we did not retain any economic interest in, or liabilities relating to, these operations subsequent to the sale. In addition, management responsible for estimating the loss reserves for these operations are no longer a part of our group.

The most significant disposal was our US property & casualty operations which at 1 June 2001, the date of disposal, had net assets of £3,126 million. Net loss reserves for these US operations at 31 December 2000 were £3,120 million (unaudited). The net loss on sale after tax was £911 million, as previously reported on the basis of UK GAAP. Following an extensive sale process, the Group agreed to the disposal at lower than book value in furtherance of its strategy at the time to achieve profitable growth in the long-term savings and asset management businesses and to withdraw from lines of business or markets that do not offer the potential for market leadership or superior returns. The Group achieved at that price a clean-cut exit in which it would not bear any residual liability for claims in the US property & casualty operations, particularly given the trend of long-tail liabilities in the US market at the time.

All other dispositions (other than Australia and New Zealand) during the period from 2000 to 2002 were insignificant and had net assets on disposal of less than £140 million, and our property & casualty business in Australia and New Zealand had net assets of £293 million on disposal in October 2002.

 

 


 

 

239

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The following table presents our consolidated loss development before reinsurance of reserves measured on an IFRS basis for the last ten financial years.

 

31 December

20001
£m

20011
£m

20021
£m

2003
£m

2004
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2007
£m

2008
£m

2009
£m

Initial net reserves per statement of financial position

8,778

8,490

8,726

9,627

10,288

10,773

10,788

11,277

12,594

11,053

Effect of discounting

20

19

71

119

196

204

223

216

447

451

Initial net reserves for unpaid losses and LAE

8,798

8,509

8,797

9,746

10,484

10,977

11,011

11,493

13,041

11,504

Initial retroceded reserves

2,205

2,775

2,374

2,626

2,316

2,159

2,050

1,946

2,020

2,072

Initial gross reserves for unpaid losses and LAE

11,003

11,284

11,171

12,372

12,800

13,136

13,061

13,439

15,061

13,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid (cumulative) as of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

4,005

3,587

3,449

3,254

3,361

3,327

3,433

4,017

4,474

 

Two years later

5,957

5,549

5,276

5,097

4,977

4,925

5,053

5,836

 

 

Three years later

7,414

6,944

6,651

6,290

6,116

6,111

6,275

 

 

 

Four years later

8,434

8,013

7,456

7,146

6,950

7,057

 

 

 

 

Five years later

9,255

8,593

8,002

7,793

7,664

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

9,691

8,992

8,481

8,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

9,997

9,376

8,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

10,317

9,728

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

10,621

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve re-estimated as of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

11,945

11,510

12,000

12,218

12,600

12,667

12,146

13,349

14,653

 

Two years later

12,011

12,230

12,059

12,341

12,290

11,992

12,114

13,149

 

 

Three years later

12,729

12,376

12,226

12,216

11,736

12,007

12,006

 

 

 

Four years later

12,850

12,569

12,186

11,855

11,882

12,013

 

 

 

 

Five years later

13,088

12,580

11,932

12,171

11,961

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

13,173

12,412

12,333

12,255

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

13,052

12,882

12,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

13,570

13,005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

13,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative redundancy/(deficiency)

(2,674)

(1,721)

(1,275)

117

839

1,123

1,055

290

408

 

1.   Excluding disposals that took place in 2000, 2001 and 2002 which are described in the text preceding this table.

 

Tables showing the consolidated gross loss development for the last nine individual accident years, as opposed to loss development of total gross reserves for claims at the end of each of the last ten financial years above, are provided in within “Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities”.

 


240

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The following table presents our consolidated loss development after reinsurance of reserves measured on an IFRS basis for the last ten financial years.

 

31 December

20001
£m

20011
£m

20021
£m

2003
£m

2004
£m

2005
£m

2006
£m

2007
£m

2008
£m

2009
£m

Initial net reserves per statement of financial position

8,778

8,490

8,726

9,627

10,288

10,773

10,788

11,277

12,587

11,053

Effect of discounting

20

19

71

119

196

204

223

216

454

451

Initial net reserves for unpaid losses and LAE

8,798

8,509

8,797

9,746

10,484

10,977

11,011

11,493

13,041

11,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid (cumulative) as of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

3,402

2,970

2,964

2,968

3,050

3,030

3,221

3,783

4,267

 

Two years later

4,809

4,521

4,547

4,558

4,414

4,452

4,674

5,485

 

 

Three years later

5,922

5,697

5,692

5,585

5,402

5,476

5,795

 

 

 

Four years later

6,773

6,558

6,339

6,299

6,084

6,317

 

 

 

 

Five years later

7,437

6,978

6,778

6,801

6,691

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

7,752

7,294

7,119

7,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

8,000

7,549

7,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

8,204

7,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

8,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve re-estimated as of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

8,883

8,714

9,104

9,779

10,216

10,368

10,115

11,334

12,480

 

Two years later

8,953

9,029

9,261

9,836

9,765

9,728

10,055

10,959

 

 

Three years later

9,282

9,226

9,366

9,569

9,256

9,733

9,786

 

 

 

Four years later

9,471

9,350

9,194

9,262

9,400

9,572

 

 

 

 

Five years later

9,640

9,239

8,984

9,577

9,304

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

9,594

9,089

9,382

9,492

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

9,490

9,558

9,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

10,016

9,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

10,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative redundancy/(deficiency)

(1,230)

(1,076)

(581)

254

1,180

1,405

1,225

534

561

 

1.   Excluding disposals that took place in 2000, 2001 and 2002 which are described in the text preceding this table.

 

Tables showing the consolidated loss development, net of reinsurance, for the last nine individual accident years, as opposed to loss development of total net reserves for claims at the end of each of the last ten financial years above, are provided in within “Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities”.

The loss development tables above include information on asbestos and environmental pollution claims provisions from business written before 2001. The undiscounted claim provisions, net of reinsurance, in respect of this business at 31 December 2009 were £968 million (2008: £1,019 million). The movement in the year reflects exceptional strengthening of provisions by £60 million in respect of several specific discontinued commercial liability risks written in Canada a significant number of years ago, other releases of £62 million (2008: £16 million strengthening), foreign exchange rate movements and timing differences between claim payments and reinsurance recoveries

In 2008 the Institute of Actuaries’ Asbestos Working Party report contributed to our view that experience variances, which we had previously perceived as normal short-term volatility, reflected a real worsening of expected ultimate claims experience. The market trend in mesothelioma claims was fully reflected as a significant one-off strengthening of gross latent claims reserves in 2008 of £356 million, with a corresponding increase of £52 million in reinsurance recoverable. The net increase of £304 million comprised £668 million on an undiscounted basis and discounting of £364 million.

Much of the increase in 2001 and 2002 initial reserves shown above relates to asbestos liabilities. During 2002 and 2003 reserve strength was significantly increased, and has been maintained by establishing strong reserves for each new year. This has resulted in the reserve releases for 2003 to 2008 shown above.

Reserves for Asbestos and Environmental Losses

The tables below show the historical development of the asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) reserves we established in 2007 and subsequent years. The tables include all indemnity claims arising from injuries and diseases due to asbestos and all claims arising from injuries due to toxic waste, hazardous substances and other environmental pollutants, including damages in respect of hazardous waste site clean-up costs. Litigation costs in relation to these claims are also included in the tables. Claims relating to smoking, physical abuse, silicon implants and other health hazards and latent injuries are not included as our exposure is not material.

We have exposure to liabilities for A&E claims arising from the sale of commercial liability and multi-peril policies prior to 1987. After 1987 policy terms and conditions in many cases excluded these types of claims, thereby considerably reducing our potential for loss.

Reserving for A&E claims is subject to many uncertainties, such as very long reporting delays, unresolved legal issues and the number and identity of insureds, and these uncertainties are generally much greater than those present on other types of claims. As a result, traditional loss reserving techniques cannot be entirely relied upon. We therefore employ special techniques to determine reserves using all available information. However, new legislation or legal precedents could result in ultimate outstanding losses being adversely affected in future periods.

 


 

 

241

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

A large proportion of our gross A&E liabilities relate to the London Market business we wrote and are therefore covered by our reinsurance with National Indemnity. As of 31 December 2000, management of these claims transferred to Berkshire Hathaway. Our net A&E reserves mainly relate to asbestos production and handling in various jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia.

The following table presents the development of our asbestos and environmental reserves before reinsurance measured on an IFRS basis.

 

31 December

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

 

 

 

 

Initial net reserves per statement of financial position

587

641

197

Effect of discounting

381

378

126

Initial net reserves for unpaid losses and LAE

968

1,019

323

Initial retroceded reserves

778

806

736

Initial gross reserves for unpaid losses and LAE

1,746

1,825

1,059

 

 

 

 

Paid (cumulative) as of:

 

 

 

One year later

 

58

45

Two years later

 

 

102

 

 

 

 

Reserve re-estimated as of:

 

 

 

One year later

 

1,806

1,839

Two years later

 

 

1,816

 

 

 

 

Cumulative redundancy/(deficiency)

 

19

(757)

 

The above table has been restated as the initial gross reserves for unpaid losses and LAE in the table at 31 December 2008 were overstated. The gross reserves for the years ended 31 December 2008, 2007 and 2006 were therefore adjusted downwards by £169 million, £225 million and £269 million respectively. There is no impact on net reserves after reinsurance, as shown in the table below, and no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents the development of our asbestos and environmental reserves after reinsurance measured on an IFRS basis.

 

31 December

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

 

 

 

 

Initial net reserves per statement of financial position

587

641

197

Effect of discounting

381

378

126

Initial net reserves for unpaid losses and LAE

968

1,019

323

  

  

  

  

Paid (cumulative) as of:

  

  

  

One year later

  

47

15

Two years later

  

  

61

  

  

  

  

Reserve re-estimated as of:

  

  

  

One year later

  

1,017

1,006

Two years later

  

  

999

  

  

  

  

Cumulative redundancy/(deficiency)

  

2

(676)

 


242

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Risks relating to our business

You should carefully review the following risk factors together with other information contained in this annual report before making an investment decision in our ordinary shares or ADSs. Our business, financial position, results of our operations and cash flow could be materially affected by any of these risks, The trading price of our ordinary shares or ADSs could decline due to any of these risks and investors may lose part or all of their investment.

Difficult conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations and we do not expect these conditions to improve in the near future.

Our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally, in the UK, continental Europe, the US and elsewhere around the world. The path to sustained economic growth continues to be uncertain and global capital markets, in both debt and equity, could still suffer from further material shocks and set backs over the next 12-18 months. Governments and their central banks are attempting to manage an extremely difficult economic situation. Withdrawal of fiscal stimulus may simply push the world’s economies back into recession, while continued stimulus may lead to unsustainable asset price inflation and higher long term inflation. We cannot predict the length and severity of the recent economic downturn, but as with most businesses, we believe a longer or more severe recession would have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, the fixed-income markets have experienced a period of volatility which has negatively impacted market liquidity conditions. Initially, the concerns on the part of market participants were focused on the subprime segment of the mortgage-backed securities market. These concerns then expanded to include a broad range of mortgage and asset-backed and other fixed-income securities, including those rated investment grade, the US and international credit and interbank money markets generally, and a wide range of financial institutions and markets, asset classes and sectors. As a result, the market for fixed-income instruments experienced decreased liquidity, increased price volatility, credit downgrade events, increased probability of default and lower than expected recovery rates. Securities that are less liquid are more difficult to value and may be hard to dispose of. Domestic and international equity markets have also experienced volatility and disruption. The type of events and continuing market upheavals may have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and are also dependent upon customer behaviour. Our sales are likely to decline in such circumstances and our profit margins could erode. In addition, in the event of extreme prolonged market events, such as the global credit crisis, we could incur significant losses in our investment portfolio. Although the situation has significantly improved since the middle of 2009, markets remain fragile. “Financial statements IFRS – Note 5 – Details of income” and “– Note 21 – Financial investments” include analyses of unrealised and realised investment losses. Even in the absence of a market downturn, we are exposed to substantial risk of loss due to market volatility.

Factors such as consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of both debt and equity markets, and inflation all affect the business and economic environment and ultimately, the

amount and profitability of our business. In an economic downturn characterised by higher unemployment, lower household income, lower corporate earnings, lower business investment and lower consumer spending, the demand for our financial and insurance products could be adversely affected. In addition, we may experience an elevated incidence of claims or surrenders of policies that could affect the current and future profitability of our business. Although our sales figures have been reasonably consistent with prior years, a prolonged economic crisis could result in lower sales figures in the future. Our policyholders may choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether. These adverse changes in the economy could affect earnings negatively and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in interest rates may cause policyholders to surrender their contracts, reduce the value of our investment portfolio and impact our asset and liability matching, which could adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.

Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. Certain of our life insurance businesses may be exposed to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk refers to the risk that our policyholders may surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment or for liquidity reasons, requiring us to liquidate assets in an unrealised loss position. Due to the long-term nature of the liabilities associated with certain of our life insurance businesses, and guaranteed benefits on certain long-term insurance and fund management products, sustained declines in long-term interest rates may subject us to reinvestment risks and increased hedging costs. In other situations, declines in interest rates may result in increasing the duration of certain life insurance liabilities, creating asset liability duration mismatches. Our investment portfolio also contains interest rate sensitive instruments, such as fixed income securities, which may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates from governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. A rise in interest rates would increase the net unrealised loss position of our investment portfolio, offset by our ability to earn higher rates of return on funds reinvested. Conversely, a decline in interest rates would decrease the net unrealised loss position of our investment portfolio, offset by lower rates of return on funds reinvested. Our mitigation efforts with respect to interest rate risk are primarily focused on maintaining an investment portfolio with diversified maturities that has a weighted average duration approximately equal to the duration of our estimated liability cash flow profile. However, it may not be possible to hold assets which will provide cash flows to exactly match those relating to policyholder liabilities, in particular in jurisdictions with undeveloped bond markets and in certain markets where regulated surrender value or maturity values are set with reference to the interest rate environment prevailing at the time of policy issue. This is due to the duration and uncertainty of the liability cash flows and the lack of sufficient assets of suitable duration. This results in a residual asset/liability mismatch risk which can be managed but not eliminated. In addition, our estimate of the liability cash flow profile may be inaccurate and we may be forced to liquidate investments prior to maturity at a loss in order to cover the liability. See “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”.

We are exposed to possible widening in credit spreads which could increase the net unrealised loss portion of the investment portfolio and adversely affect our results of operations.

Our exposure to credit spreads primarily relates to market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in credit spreads in our investment portfolio which is largely held to maturity. Market volatility can make it difficult to value certain of our securities if trading becomes less frequent. Accordingly, valuations of investments may include assumptions or estimates that may have significant period to period changes due to market conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.



 

 

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Aviva plc

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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Falls in property prices could have an adverse impact on our investment portfolio and impact our results of operations and shareholders equity.

We are subject to property price risk due to holdings of investment properties in a variety of locations worldwide. We are also subject to liquidity, valuation and counterparty risks in relation to property investments. These investments may be adversely affected by weakness in real estate markets in the UK, US and much of the rest of the world and increased mortgage delinquencies. We are also subject to property risk indirectly in our investments in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). There is the risk that the underlying collateral within our investments in mortgage-backed securities may default on principal and interest payments causing an adverse change in cash flows paid to our investments. In many cases, the markets for these property investments and instruments have become highly illiquid, and issues relating to counterparty credit ratings and other factors have exacerbated pricing and valuation uncertainties.

Fluctuations in the fixed income and equity markets could affect the levels of regulatory capital that we must hold for regulatory solvency purposes and for pension obligations, which could materially impact our results of operations and shareholders equity.

The value of our investment assets fluctuates, which can impact the capital levels supporting our business. We are required to hold an excess amount of our capital over a minimum solvency amount. Our IGD solvency surplus increased from £2.0 billion as of 31 December 2008 to £4.5 billion as of 31 December 2009. An inability to meet regulatory capital requirements in the future would be likely to lead to intervention by the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”), which could require the Group to restore regulatory capital to acceptable levels. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section in the report. We are also exposed to interest rate and equity risk based upon the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return assumptions associated with our pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations. Sustained declines in long-term interest rates or equity returns would have a negative effect on the funded status of these plans. See “Financial statements IFRS – Note 44 – Pension obligations”.

Governmental initiatives intended to alleviate the current financial crisis that have been adopted may not be effective and, in any event, are expected to be accompanied by other initiatives, including new capital requirements or other regulations, that could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict.

In a number of countries in which we operate legislation has been passed in an attempt to stabilise the financial markets, including bank stabilisation programmes by the Government and Bank of England in the UK and similar programmes under the Emergency Economic Stabilisation Act of 2008 in the US. This legislation or similar proposals, as well as accompanying actions, such as monetary or fiscal actions, of comparable authorities in the US, UK, Euro-zone and other countries, may not achieve their intended objectives and may have unintended consequences. This legislation and other proposals or actions may have other consequences, including material effects on interest rates and foreign exchange rates, which could materially affect our investments, results of operations and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict. The failure to effectively implement, or to withdraw as appropriate, proposals or actions could also increase constraints on the liquidity available in the banking system and financial markets and increased pressure on stock prices, any of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In the event of future material deterioration in business conditions, we may need to raise additional capital or consider other transactions to manage our capital position or liquidity.

In addition, we are subject to extensive laws and regulations that are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities and non-governmental self-regulatory agencies, including the FSA and other regulators. In light of financial conditions, some of these authorities are or may in the future consider enhanced or new regulatory requirements intended to prevent future crises or otherwise assure the stability of institutions under their supervision. These authorities may also seek to exercise their supervisory or enforcement authority in new or more robust ways. All of these possibilities, if they occurred, could affect the way we conduct our business and manage our capital, and may require us to satisfy increased capital requirements, any of which in turn could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Defaults in our bond, residential and commercial mortgage and structured credit portfolios may have an adverse impact on our profitability and shareholders’ equity.

We have a significant exposure to credit risk through our investments in corporate bonds, residential and commercial mortgages and structured credit assets, as well as second order exposures through counterparty risks in our derivatives contracts and reinsurance placements. The risks in these assets and exposures may be borne by Aviva plc and our shareholders or by the policyholders whose policies the assets back, or a mixture of the two, where we hold some residual risk. We held a total of £354 billion of assets on our statement of financial position at 31 December 2009, of which £134 billion are assets where Aviva plc and our shareholders bear the risk. Such assets included as of 31 December 2009:

£47,157 million invested in bonds, of which £16,923 million are issued by government related entities, and the remaining are from corporate bonds;

 



244

 

 

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Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

£28,204 million invested in mortgages, of which £12,725 million are commercial mortgages, £6,324 million are residential mortgages (including equity release), and the remaining are securitised mortgages, for which the majority of the risk have been sold to third parties, and Aviva plc and our shareholders only retain exposure to approximately £1,200 million;

£3,864 million invested in policy loans, loans and advances to banks and other loans;

£8,287 million invested in structured credit assets, of which £2,255 million is US Agency backed RMBS, £1,044 million is non-Agency RMBS, £1,802 million is CMBS and the remaining are CDOs, other ABS and wrapped credit assets;

£8,793 million invested in other Financial Assets including equities and other investments;

£6,613 million of cash and cash equivalents; and

£5,415 million of Reinsurance Assets.

 

The remaining £25,372 million is comprised of various other shareholder assets such as goodwill and value of in-force business, intangible assets, property and equipment, tax assets (current and deferred), receivables and other financial assets, prepayment and accrued income, and deferred acquisition costs.

These assets in normal economic conditions reasonably match our long-term insurance liabilities and benefit both policyholders and shareholders. Adverse changes to market conditions, however, could provoke an increase in credit defaults with a negative effect on shareholders’ equity and reduced investment returns. Falls in investment returns could impair our operational capability, including our ability to write significant volumes of new business. For additional information about our investments, see “Performance review – Analysis of financial investments”

A decline in equity markets or an increase in volatility in equity markets may adversely affect sales of our investment products, our fund management business, our profitability, and the market value of our assets invested for our defined benefit pension scheme.

Significant downturns and volatility in equity markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in several ways.

Downturns in equity markets will depress equity prices and have a negative impact on our capital position in that unrealised losses in our net investment portfolio will increase, and our defined benefit pension scheme deficit will increase as the market value of scheme assets invested in equities decreases.

Downturns and volatility in equity markets can have a material adverse effect on the revenues and returns from our unit linked, participating and fund management business. Because our unit linked and fund management business depends on fees related primarily to the value of assets under management, a decline in the equity markets could reduce our revenues by reducing the value of the investment assets we manage. Likewise, because investment risk in our participating business is shared with policyholders a decline in the equity markets could reduce our revenues by reducing the funds investment return. Profits could also be reduced as a result of current investors withdrawing funds or reducing their rates of ongoing investment with our fund management companies or as a result of our fund management companies failing to attract funds from new investors.

We provide certain guarantees within some of our products that protect policyholders against significant downturns in the equity markets. For example, we offer certain long-term insurance products with guaranteed features. In volatile or declining equity market conditions, we may need to increase liabilities for future policy benefits and policyholder account balances, negatively affecting net income. Additional provisions for guarantees were decreased by £84 million in 2009 in relation to minimum death benefits for unit-linked contracts in France and guaranteed minimum returns at maturity for unit-linked and segregated fund business in the Netherlands. For a discussion of guarantees we have given for our insurance and investment products, please see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 37 – Financial guarantees and options.”

In our US business in particular, market downturns and volatility may discourage purchases of accumulation products, such as equity-indexed annuities and equity-indexed life insurance that have returns linked to the performance of the equity markets and may cause some of our existing customers to withdraw cash values or reduce investments in those products. A sustained weakness in the markets will decrease revenues and earnings in these types of products.

Interest rate volatility may adversely affect our profitability.

Some of our products, principally traditional whole life insurance, term life insurance, universal life insurance and annuities, including fixed and equity indexed annuities, expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce our “spread,” or the difference between the amounts that we are required to pay under the contracts and the rate of return we are able to earn on investments intended to support obligations under the contracts. Our spread is a key component of our net income.

As interest rates decrease or remain at low levels, we may be forced to reinvest proceeds from investments that have matured or have been prepaid or sold at lower yields, reducing our investment margin. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the fixed-income securities, commercial mortgages and mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates this risk. Lowering interest crediting rates can help offset decreases in investment margins on some products. However, our ability to lower these rates could be limited by competition or contractually guaranteed minimum rates and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset yields. As a result, our spread could decrease or potentially become negative. Our expectation for future spreads is an important component in the amortisation of policy acquisition costs and significantly lower spreads may cause us to accelerate amortisation, thereby reducing net income in the affected reporting period. In addition, during periods of declining interest rates, life insurance and annuity products may be relatively more attractive to consumers, resulting in increased premium payments on products with flexible premium features, and a higher percentage of insurance policies remaining in force from year to year, during a period when our new investments carry lower returns. Accordingly, during periods of declining interest rates, our profitability may suffer as the result of a decrease in the spread between interest rates charged to policyholders and returns on our investment portfolio.

Increases in market interest rates could also negatively affect our profitability. In periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, we may not be able to replace, in a timely manner, our investments intended to support contracts with higher yielding assets needed to fund the higher crediting rates necessary to keep interest sensitive products competitive. We, therefore, may have to accept a lower spread and, thus, lower profitability or face a decline in sales and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets. In addition, in periods of increasing interest rates, surrenders of life insurance policies and fixed annuity contracts may increase as policyholders choose to forego insurance protection and seek higher investment returns. Obtaining cash to satisfy these obligations may require us to liquidate fixed maturity investments at a time when market prices for those assets are depressed because of increases in interest rates. This may result in realised investment losses. Regardless of whether we realise an investment loss, these cash payments would result in a decrease in total invested assets, and may decrease our net income. Premature withdrawals may also cause us to accelerate amortisation of policy acquisition costs, which would also reduce our net income.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may adversely affect our operating results and financial position.

We operate internationally and are thus exposed to foreign currency exchange risk arising from fluctuations in exchange rates of various currencies. As of December 2009, over half of our premium income arises in currencies other than sterling, and our net assets are denominated in a variety of currencies, of which the largest are the euro, sterling and US dollar. In managing our foreign currency exposures, we do not hedge revenues as these are substantially retained locally to support the growth of the business and meet local regulatory and market requirements. Nevertheless, the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on local operating results could lead to significant fluctuations in our consolidated financial statements upon translation of the results into sterling. Although we take certain actions to address this risk, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation could materially adversely affect our reported results due to unhedged positions or the failure of hedges to effectively offset the impact of the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation. Our foreign exchange policy requires that each of our subsidiaries maintain sufficient assets in their local currencies to meet local currency liabilities. However, such movements may impact the value of our consolidated shareholders’ equity, which is expressed in sterling.

 



 

 

245

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

For a discussion of the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on our results of operations, see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”.

Market fluctuations may cause the value of options and guarantees embedded in some of our life insurance products to exceed the value of the assets backing their reserves and as a consequence, negatively affect the profitability of the business.

Guarantees within certain of our products that protect policyholders against significant downturns in equity markets may decrease our earnings, increase the volatility of our results if hedging or risk management strategies prove ineffective, result in higher hedging costs and expose us to increased financial risk.

As a normal part of their operating activities, various Group companies have given guarantees, including interest rate guarantees, in respect of certain long-term insurance, unit linked and fund management products. At the present time, guarantees and options are in force in the UK, continental Europe, the US and Asia. In providing these guarantees and options, our capital position is sensitive to fluctuations in financial variables including, interest rates, credit spreads, real estate prices and equity prices. Interest rate guaranteed returns, such as those available on guaranteed annuity options (“GAOs”), are sensitive to interest rates falling below the guaranteed level. Other guarantees, such as maturity value guarantees and guarantees in relation to minimum rates of return, are sensitive to fluctuations in the investment return below the level assumed when the guarantee was made.

Periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets, increased equity volatility, or reduced interest rates could result in an increase in the valuation of the future policy benefit or policyholder account balance liabilities associated with such products, resulting in a reduction to net income. We use reinsurance in combination with derivative instruments to mitigate the liability exposure and the volatility of net income associated with these liabilities, and while we believe that these and other actions have mitigated the risks related to these benefits, we remain liable for the guaranteed benefits in the event that reinsurers or derivative counterparties are unable or unwilling to pay. We are also subject to the risk that the cost of hedging these guaranteed minimum benefits increases, resulting in a reduction to net income. In addition, we are subject to the risk that hedging and other management procedures prove ineffective or that unanticipated policyholder behaviour or mortality, combined with adverse market events, produces economic losses beyond the scope of the risk management techniques employed. These, individually or collectively, may have a material adverse effect on net income, financial condition or liquidity.

 

Some of our investments are relatively illiquid and are in asset classes that have been experiencing significant market valuation fluctuations.

We hold certain investments that may lack liquidity, such as privately placed fixed-maturity securities, and unlisted equities, as the inputs used for their valuation are not directly observable in the market. These asset classes represented approximately 4% of the total assets held at fair value as of 31 December 2009. Even some of our very high quality assets have been more illiquid as a result of the recent challenging market conditions.

If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements or are required to post or return collateral in connection with our investment portfolio or derivatives transactions, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realise, or both.

The reported value of our relatively illiquid types of investments, our investments in the asset classes described in the paragraph above and, at times, our high quality, generally liquid asset classes, do not necessarily reflect the lowest current market price for the asset. If we were forced to sell certain of our assets in the current market, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sell them for the prices at which we have recorded them and we may be forced to sell them at significantly lower prices.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs, access to capital and cost of capital.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption. In some cases, the markets have exerted downward pressure on availability of liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers.

We need liquidity to pay our operating expenses, interest on our debt and dividends on our capital stock, and replace certain maturing liabilities. Without sufficient liquidity, we will be forced to curtail our operations, and our business will suffer. The principal sources of our liquidity are insurance premiums, annuity considerations, deposit funds, cash flow from our investment portfolio and assets, consisting mainly of cash or assets that are readily convertible into cash. Sources of liquidity in normal markets also include a variety of short- and long-term instruments, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, medium- and long-term debt, junior subordinated debt securities, capital securities and stockholders’ equity.

In the event current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the possibility that customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large investment losses or if the level of our business activity decreased due to a market downturn. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. Our internal sources of liquidity may prove to be insufficient, and in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favourable terms, or at all. Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business, most significantly our insurance operations. Such market conditions may limit our ability to replace, in a timely manner, maturing liabilities; satisfy statutory capital requirements; generate fee income and market-related revenue to meet liquidity needs; and access the capital necessary to grow our business. As such, we may be forced to delay raising capital, issue shorter term securities than we prefer, or bear an unattractive cost of capital which could decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility. Our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and statutory capital position could be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the financial markets.



246

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The impairment of other financial institutions, service providers and business partners could adversely affect us.

We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds and other investment funds, other insurance groups and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. In addition, with respect to secured transactions, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realised upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to it. We also have exposure to these financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions and equity investments.

There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying value of these assets would not materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

In addition, we use derivative instruments to hedge various risks, including certain guaranteed minimum benefits contained in many of our equity indexed annuity and life products. We enter into a variety of derivative instruments, including options, forwards, interest rate and currency swaps with a number of counterparties. Our obligations under our equity indexed annuity and life products are not changed by our hedging activities and we are liable for our obligations even if our derivative counterparties do not pay us. This is a more pronounced risk to us in view of the recent stresses suffered by financial institutions. Defaults by such counterparties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are also susceptible to risks associated with the potential financial instability of the service providers and business partners (such as our bancassurance partners in certain international locations) on which we rely or partially rely to provide services and grow our business.

We operate in several markets through arrangements with third parties. These arrangements involve certain risks that we do not face with our subsidiaries.

Our ability to exercise management control over our partnership operations, our joint ventures and our investment in them depends on the terms of the legal agreements. In particular it depends on the allocation of control among, and continued co-operation between, the participants.

We may also face financial or other exposure in the event that any of our partners fail to meet their obligations under the agreement or encounter financial difficulty. For example, a significant proportion of our product distribution, such as bancassurance, is carried out through arrangements with third parties not controlled by us and is dependent upon continuation of these relationships. A temporary or permanent disruption to these distribution arrangements could affect our financial condition. Some of these arrangements require our third party partners to participate in and provide capital to our joint venture, associate and subsidiary undertakings. Our partners may change their strategic priorities or encounter financial difficulties preventing them from providing the necessary capital to promote future growth.

 

In addition, we outsource certain customer service, technology and legacy policy administration functions to third parties and may do so increasingly in the future. If we do not effectively develop and implement our outsourcing strategy, third party providers do not perform as anticipated or we experience technological or other problems with a transition, we may not realise productivity improvements or cost efficiencies and may experience operational difficulties, increased costs and a loss of business. In addition, our ability to receive services from third party providers outside of the UK (or the jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries operate) might be impacted by cultural differences, political instability, unanticipated regulatory requirements or policies inside or outside of the UK As a result, our ability to conduct our business might be adversely affected.

 

Inability of our reinsurers to meet their obligations, or the unavailability of adequate reinsurance coverage, may have an adverse impact on our profitability and shareholders’ equity.

We transfer our exposure to certain risks to others through reinsurance arrangements. Under such arrangements, other insurers assume a portion of the losses and expenses associated with reported and unreported losses in exchange for a premium. The availability, amount and cost of reinsurance depend on general market conditions and may vary significantly. Any decrease in the amount of our reinsurance will increase our risk of loss.

When we obtain reinsurance, we still remain primarily liable for the reinsured risks without regard to whether the reinsurer will meet its reinsurance obligations to us. Therefore, the inability or unwillingness of our reinsurers to meet their financial obligations or disputes on, and defects in reinsurance contract wording or processes, could materially affect our operations.

Although we conduct periodic reviews of the financial statements and reputations of our reinsurers, our reinsurers may become financially unsound by the time they are called upon to pay amounts due, which may not occur for many years. As a result of financial market conditions and other macro-economic challenges recently affecting the global economy, our reinsurers may experience increased regulatory scrutiny, serious cash flow problems and other financial difficulties. In addition, reinsurance may prove inadequate to protect against losses. Due to the nature of the reinsurance market and the restricted range of reinsurers that have acceptable ratings, we are exposed to concentrations of risk with individual reinsurers. If a catastrophic event or the inability to meet financial obligations caused these reinsurers to default, our business profitability and shareholders’ equity could be significantly affected.

Furthermore, market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we purchase. Accordingly, we may be forced to incur additional expenses for reinsurance or may not be able to obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect our ability to write future business. For additional information on reinsurance, see “General insurance and health claims reserves – Reinsurance”.

For the 2010 underwriting year the Group will participate in a share of a reinsurer’s US property catastrophe reinsurance portfolio. This exposure is not correlated with the Group’s other General Insurance exposure and therefore provides diversification benefit. The total expected loss from a one in ten year annual loss scenario is approximately £50 million compared to approximately £145 million when measured on a one in a hundred year annual loss scenario.



 

 

247

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

We are rated by several rating agencies, and a decline in any of these ratings could affect our standing among brokers and customers and cause our sales and earnings to decrease.

Claims-paying ability and financial strength ratings are factors in establishing the competitive position of insurers. A rating downgrade (or the perceived potential for such a downgrade) of Aviva plc or any of our rated insurance subsidiaries may, among other things, materially increase the number of policy surrenders and withdrawals by policyholders of cash values from their policies. The outcome of such activities may be cash payments requiring the sale of  invested assets, including illiquid assets, at a price that may result in realised investment losses. These cash payments to policyholders would result in a decrease in total invested assets and a decrease in net income. Among other things, early withdrawals may also cause us to accelerate amortisation of policy acquisition costs, reducing net income. A rating downgrade may also impact sales volumes, particularly in the US where there is more focus on ratings when evaluating similar products. The ratings provided by AM Best are widely considered to be most important for distribution in the US, and a downgrade could lead to a significant loss of sales.

Financial strength ratings

The insurance financial strength ratings of Aviva’s core operating subsidiaries are AA- (“Very Strong”) with a negative outlook (Standard & Poor’s), Aa3 (“Excellent”) with a negative outlook (Moody’s), and A (“Excellent”) with a stable outlook (AM Best). These ratings represent the second highest of nine ratings categories for the Standard & Poor’s rating and the lowest within the category based on modifiers (i.e., AA+, AA and AA- are “Very Strong”); the second highest of nine ratings categories for the Moody’s rating and the lowest within the category based on modifiers (i.e., Aa1, Aa2 and Aa3 are “Excellent”); the second highest of nine rating categories for the AM Best rating and the highest within the category based on modifiers (i.e., A and A- are “Excellent”). The foregoing ratings reflect each rating agency’s opinion of the financial strength, operating performance and the ability to meet obligations for Aviva plc and Aviva’s core operating subsidiaries. These ratings are not evaluations relating to our common stock or the protection of our shareholders.

Long-term counterparty credit

Aviva plc currently has a long-term counterparty credit rating of A (“Strong”) with a negative outlook from Standard & Poor’s, A1 (“Good”) with a negative outlook from Moody’s and a- (“Strong”) with a stable outlook from AM Best. These ratings represent the third highest of nine ratings categories for the Standard & Poor’s rating and the middle within the category based on modifiers (i.e., A+, A and A- are “Strong”); the third highest of nine ratings categories for the Moody’s rating and the highest within the category based on modifiers (i.e., A1, A2 and A3 are “Good”);  the third highest of nine ratings categories for the AM Best rating and the lowest within the category based on modifiers (i.e., a+, a, and a- are “Strong”);.

Rating organisations assign ratings based upon several factors. While most of the factors relate to the rated company, some of the factors relate to general economic conditions and circumstances outside the rated company’s control. In view of the difficulties experienced recently by many financial institutions, including our competitors in the insurance industry, we believe it is possible that the rating agencies, including Standard & Poor's, Moody's and AM Best, will heighten the level of scrutiny that they apply to such institutions, will increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, will request additional information from the companies that they rate, and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in their models for maintenance of certain ratings levels. We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may take, or what actions we or others may take in response to the actions of rating agencies, which could adversely affect our business. As with other companies in the insurance industry, our ratings could

be downgraded at any time and without any notice by any rating agency. A downgrade may adversely affect relationships with broker-dealers, banks, agents, wholesalers and other distributors of our products and services, which may negatively impact new sales and adversely affect our ability to compete and thereby have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the interest rates we pay on our borrowings are affected by our debt credit ratings.

Our businesses are conducted in highly competitive environments and our continued profitability depends on management’s ability to respond to these pressures.

There are many factors which affect our ability to sell our products, including price and yields offered, financial strength and ratings, range of product lines and product quality, brand strength and name recognition, investment management performance and historical bonus levels. In some of our markets, the Group faces competitors that are larger, have greater financial resources or a greater market share, offer a broader range of products or have higher bonus rates or claims-paying ratios. Further, heightened competition for talented and skilled employees with local experience, particularly in the emerging, high growth markets, may limit our potential to grow our business as quickly as planned.

Our principal competitors in the life market include many of the major financial services businesses including, in particular, Axa, Allianz, Generali and Prudential. Our principal competitors in the general insurance market include Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance, RSA, Zurich, Axa and Allianz.

We also face competitors who specialise in many of the niche markets in which we operate, for example bulk annuities in the UK. We believe that competition will intensify across all regions in response to consumer demand, technological advances, the impact of consolidation, regulatory actions and other factors. Our ability to generate an appropriate return depends significantly upon our capacity to anticipate and respond appropriately to these competitive pressures.

We are dependent on the strength of our brands, the brands of our partners and our reputation with customers and agents in the sale of our products and services.

Our success and results are, to a certain extent, dependent on the strength of our brands and reputation. As part of our ongoing “One Aviva, Twice the Value” strategy, we have been working to create a global Aviva brand, as well as rebrand businesses in the UK, Ireland and Poland under the Aviva name. While we as a group are well recognised, we are vulnerable to adverse market and customer perception. We operate in an industry where integrity, customer trust and confidence are paramount. We are exposed to the risk that litigation, employee misconduct, operational failures, the outcome of regulatory investigations, press speculation and negative publicity, disclosure of confidential client information, inadequate services, amongst others, whether or not founded, could impact our brands or reputation. Any of our brands or our reputation could also be affected if products or services recommended by us (or any of our intermediaries) do not perform as expected (whether or not the expectations are founded) or in line with the customers’ expectations for the product range.



248

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The use of inaccurate assumptions in pricing and reserving for insurance business may have an adverse effect on our business profitability.

The management of the life insurance business within the Group requires the life insurance companies to make a number of assumptions in relation to the business written, including with regard to the mortality and morbidity rates of our customers, the development of interest rates, persistency rates (the rates at which customers terminate existing policies prior to their maturity dates) and future levels of expenses. These assumptions may turn out to be incorrect.

When establishing their liabilities, our life insurance companies allow for changes in the assumptions made, monitor their experience against the actuarial assumptions used and assess the information gathered to refine their long term assumptions, together with taking actual claims experience into account. However, it is not possible to determine precisely the amounts in total that will be ultimately necessary to pay liabilities under the policies written by the business. Amounts may vary from estimates, particularly in light of the long term nature of the life insurance business. Changes in assumptions may also lead to changes in the level of capital required to be maintained. If the assumptions underlying our reserving methodology were to prove incorrect, we may need to increase the amount of our reserves, which could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s value, the results of our operation and/or financial condition and our ability to manage our businesses in an efficient manner. Examples of our reserving assumptions, which could prove to be incorrect, would include: actual claims experience being less favourable than the underlying assumptions; a higher than anticipated rate of future claims; or actual levels of future persistency being significantly lower than previously assumed. Additionally, our management of the general insurance business requires the general insurance companies to make a number of assumptions in relation to the business written. These assumptions include the costs of writing the business and settling claims, and the frequency and severity of claims. The assumptions may turn out to be incorrect. In relation to certain key risks such as weather catastrophes (e.g. a UK flood or Northern European windstorm), if actual claims experience is less favourable than the underlying assumptions, this would have an adverse impact on our profit. Additionally, manmade disasters including accidents and intentional events are difficult to predict with a high degree of accuracy. These would also have an adverse impact on our profit due to higher than expected claims.

Furthermore, outstanding claims provisions for the general insurance business are based on the best-estimate ultimate cost of all claims incurred but not settled at a given date, both reported and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”), together with the direct costs incurred in settling each claim (e.g. legal fees).

Any provisions for re-opened claims are also included. A range of methods, including stochastic projections, may be used to determine these provisions. Underlying these methods are a number of explicit or implicit assumptions relating to the expected settlement amount and settlement pattern of claims. If the assumptions underlying the reserving basis were to prove incorrect or actual claims experience were to be less favourable than the underlying assumptions, we might have to increase the amount of the general insurance provisions. If claims exceed insurance reserves financial results could be significantly affected

We have a significant exposure to annuity business and a significant life insurance risk is associated with longevity.

Longevity statistics are monitored in detail, compared with emerging industry trends, and the results are used to inform both the reserving and pricing of annuities. Inevitably there remains uncertainty about the development of future longevity that cannot be mitigated.

Our principal longevity risks emanate from markets with a long history of collecting population longevity data, and we study those statistics in detail. We also believe the size of our business means that we have statistically relevant data to make an assessment of the longevity characteristics of our own portfolio. In addition to evaluating current experience the key factor is our assessment of the future rate of improvement in longevity. For this, we analyse trends and study the wide range of papers written on this subject, in reaching our conclusions.

A strengthening in the longevity assumption used to calculate our long-term business liabilities would result in an increase in these reserves and reduce significantly our shareholders’ equity. As disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”, the impact on profit before tax of a 5% change in annuitant mortality at 31 December 2009 for long term business would be £320 million loss.

We may face losses if there are significant deviations from our assumptions regarding the persistency of our insurance policies and annuity contracts.

A significant proportion of our profitability arises from our in-force portfolio of business. The prices and expected future profitability of our insurance and deferred annuity products are based in part upon expected patterns of premiums, expenses and benefits, using a number of assumptions, including those related to persistency, which is the probability that a policy or contract will remain in force from one period to the next. The effect of persistency on profitability varies for different products. For most of our life insurance and deferred annuity products, actual persistency that is lower than our persistency assumptions could have an adverse impact on profitability. Customers are often able to surrender their contracts early, which will generally reduce the future flow of profits. In addition some contracts have a variety of options which the customer is able to choose to exercise. In setting reserves, assumptions have been made about the proportion of customers exercising options. If more customers choose to exercise options at times when they are most valuable, then our net income will be adversely affected. Significant deviations in experience from pricing expectations regarding persistency could have an adverse effect on the profitability of our products.

The cyclical nature of the insurance industry may cause fluctuations in our results.

Historically, the insurance industry has been cyclical and operating results of insurers have fluctuated significantly because of volatile and sometimes unpredictable developments, many of which are beyond the direct control of any insurer. Although we have a geographically diverse group of businesses providing a diverse range of products, we expect to experience the effects of this cyclical nature, including changes in sales and premium levels, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The unpredictability and competitive nature of the general insurance business historically has contributed to significant quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year fluctuations in


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underwriting results and net earnings in the general insurance industry.

As a global business, we are exposed to various local political, regulatory and economic conditions, business risks and challenges which may affect the demand for our products and services, the value of our investment portfolios and the credit quality of local counterparties.

We offer our products and services in Europe (including the UK), North America and the Asia Pacific region, through wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, companies in which we hold non-controlling equity stakes, agents and independent contractors. Our international operations expose us to different local political, regulatory, business and financial risks and challenges which may affect the demand for our products and services, the value of our investment portfolio, the required levels of capital and surplus, and the credit quality of local counterparties. These risks include, for example, political, social or economic instability in countries in which we operate, discriminatory regulation, credit risks of our local borrowers and counterparties, lack of local business experience in certain markets, risks associated with exposure to insurance industry insolvencies through policyholder guarantee funds or similar mechanisms set up in foreign markets and, in certain cases, risks associated with the potential incompatibility with foreign partners, especially in countries in which we are conducting business through entities we do not control. Some of our international insurance operations are, and are likely to continue to be, in emerging markets where these risks are heightened. Our overall success as a global business depends, in part, upon our ability to succeed in different economic, social and political conditions.

Finally, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially affected from time to time by the general economic conditions such as the levels of employment, consumer lending, prevailing interest rates, or inflation, in the countries in which we operate.

If our business does not perform well or if actual experience versus estimates used in valuing and amortising Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”) and Acquired value of in-force business (“AVIF”) vary significantly, we may be required to accelerate the amortisation and/or impair the DAC and AVIF which could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

We incur significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal business. Those costs that vary with and are, in particular, related to the production of new and renewal business in respect of certain UK non-profit insurance business and certain US insurance business are deferred and referred to as DAC. The recovery of DAC is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. The amount of future profit or margin is dependent principally on investment returns in excess of the amounts credited to policyholders, mortality, morbidity, persistency, interest crediting rates and expenses to administer the business. Of these factors, we anticipate that investment margins are most likely to impact the rate of amortisation of such costs. The aforementioned factors enter into management’s estimates of gross profits or margins, which generally are used to amortise such costs. If the estimates of gross profits or margins were overstated, then the amortisation of such costs would be accelerated in the period the actual experience is known and would result in a charge to income.

Significant or sustained equity market declines could result in an acceleration of amortisation of the DAC related to U.K unit-linked business, resulting in a charge to income. Such adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

AVIF, arising primarily in our US business, reflects the estimated fair value of certain in-force contracts in a life insurance company acquired either directly or through the purchase of a subsidiary and represents the portion of the purchase price that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from the insurance and investment contracts in-force at the acquisition date. AVIF is based on actuarially determined projections. Actual experience may vary from the projections. Revisions to estimates result in changes to the amounts expensed in the reporting period in which the revisions are made and could result in an impairment and a charge to income. Also, as AVIF is amortised similarly to DAC, an acceleration of the amortisation of AVIF would occur if the estimates of gross profits or margins were overstated. Accordingly, the amortisation of such costs would be accelerated in the period in which the actual experience is known and would result in a charge to net income. Such adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

If our business does not perform well, we may be required to recognise an impairment of our goodwill, intangibles with indefinite useful lives or intangibles with finite lives, which could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

Goodwill represents the excess of the amounts we paid to acquire subsidiaries and other businesses over the fair value of their net assets at the date of acquisition. We test goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives at least annually for impairment or when circumstances or events indicate there may be uncertainty over this value. We test intangibles with finite lives when circumstances or events indicate there may be uncertainty over this value. For impairment testing, goodwill and intangibles have been allocated to cash-generating units by geographical reporting unit and business segment.

The fair value of the reporting unit is impacted by the performance of the business. Goodwill and indefinite life intangibles are written down for impairment where the recoverable amount is insufficient to support its carrying value. Such write downs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Our valuation of Available For Sale (“AFS”) Securities and Fair Value (“FV”) Securities may include methodologies, estimations and assumptions which, by their nature, require judgement. The use of reasonable alternative methodologies, estimations and assumptions could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

We value our AFS and FV securities using designated methodologies, estimation and assumptions. These securities, which are reported at fair value on the consolidated statement of financial position, represent the majority of our total cash and invested assets. We have categorised the measurement basis for assets carried at fair value into a ‘fair value hierarchy’ in accordance with the valuation inputs and consistent with IFRS7 Financial



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Instruments: Disclosures.. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1); the middle priority to fair values other than quoted prices based on observable market information (Level 2); and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the assumptions that we consider market participants would normally use (Level 3). The majority of our financial assets are valued based on quoted market information or observable market data. At 31 December 2009, 4% of total financial investments at fair value were classified as Level 3, amounting to £11,260 million. Where estimates were used for inputs to Level 3 fair values, these were based on a combination of independent third party evidence and internally developed models, calibrated to market observable data where possible. An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. See “IFRS critical accounting policies – Investments”.

During periods of market disruption including periods of significantly rising or high interest rates, rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain of our securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, if trading becomes less frequent and/or market data becomes less observable. There may be certain asset classes that were in active markets with significant observable data that become illiquid due to the current financial environment. In such cases, more securities may fall to Level 3 and thus require more subjectivity and management judgement. As such, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation as well as valuation methods which are more sophisticated or require greater estimation thereby resulting in values which may be less than the value at which the investments may be ultimately sold. Further, rapidly changing and unprecedented credit and equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of securities as reported within our consolidated financial statements and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. Decreases in value may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments taken on our investments is highly subjective and could materially impact our results of operations or financial position.

The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments vary by investment type and is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Furthermore, additional impairments may need to be taken or allowances provided for in the future. Management updates its evaluations regularly and reflects changes in allowances and impairments in operations as such evaluations are revised. If the carrying value of an investment is greater than the recoverable amount, the carrying value is reduced through a charge to the income statement in the period of impairment. There can be no assurance that our management has accurately assessed the level of impairments taken and allowances reflected in our financial statements.

In the event that the assumptions and calculations underlying the endowments business were materially wrong, a significant change in the provisions required could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition.

In December 1999, the FSA announced the findings of its review of mortgage endowments and expressed concern as to whether, given decreases in expected future investment returns, such policies could be expected to cover the full repayment of mortgages. We have made provisions totalling £25 million as at 31 December 2009 to meet potential mis-selling costs and the associated expenses of investigating complaints.

In August 2004, we confirmed our intention to introduce time barring on mortgage endowment complaints, under FSA rules. We now include details of our endowment policyholders’ time bar position within the annual re-projection mailings. Customers will be given at least 12 months’ individual notice before a time bar becomes applicable – double the six months’ notice required by the FSA.

Until such time as all claims under such policies are either time-barred or determined, the provisions held by companies in the Group are based on a combination of experience and modelling and are, therefore, only estimates of the expected final outcome.

Our aggregate exposure to potential endowment mis-selling claims is linked to the performance of the underlying investments. While our principal exposure to mis-selling claims is in the UK, we sell endowment products in other countries in which we operate, and are therefore also exposed to potential mis-selling claims in these countries.

We are involved in various legal proceedings and regulatory investigations and examinations and may be involved in more in the future, any one or a combination of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We have been named as defendants in lawsuits (both class actions and individual lawsuits). We have been subject to regulatory investigations or examinations in the various jurisdictions where we do business. These actions arise in various contexts including in connection with our activities as an insurer, securities issuer, employer, investment adviser, investor and taxpayer. For example Aviva USA (formerly AmerUS), a US-based insurer we acquired in November 2006 is subject to litigation (including class-action litigation) arising out of its sale of equity indexed annuity products.

Certain of these lawsuits and investigations seek significant or unspecified amounts of damages (including punitive damages), and certain of the regulatory authorities involved in these proceedings have substantial powers over the conduct and operations of our business.

Due to the nature of certain of these lawsuits and investigations, we cannot make an estimate of loss or predict with any certainty the potential impact of these suits or investigations on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In the course of conducting insurance business, various companies within the Group receive general insurance liability claims, and become involved in actual or threatened related litigation arising therefrom, including claims in respect of pollution and other environmental hazards. Amongst these are claims in respect of asbestos production and handling in various jurisdictions, including the UK, Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada. Given the significant delays that are experienced in the notification of these claims, the potential number of incidents which they cover and the uncertainties associated with establishing liability and the availability of reinsurance, the ultimate cost cannot be determined with certainty.

Additionally, it is possible that a regulator in one of our major markets may conduct a review of products previously sold, either as part of an industry-wide review or specific to Aviva. The result of this review may be to compensate customers for losses they have incurred as a result of the products they were sold.

All of our businesses are subject to operational risks, including the risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal and external processes, systems and human error or from external events.

Our business is dependent on processing a large number of complex transactions across numerous and diverse products. Furthermore, the long term nature of the majority of our business means that accurate records have to be maintained for significant periods. We also outsource several operations, including certain servicing and IT functions and are therefore at least partially reliant upon the operational processing performance of our outsourcing partners.

 



 

 

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Aviva plc

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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Our systems and processes on which we are dependent to serve our customers are designed to ensure that the operational risks associated with our activities are appropriately identified and addressed; however, they may nonetheless fail due to IT malfunctions, human error, business interruptions, non-performance by third parties or other external events. This could disrupt business operations resulting in material reputational damage and the loss of customers, and have a consequent material adverse effect on our results. Although we have taken appropriate steps to upgrade systems and processes to reduce these operational risks, we cannot anticipate the specifics or timing of all possible operational and systems failures which may adversely impact our business. Additional detail of the types of operational risks associated with financial reporting is provided below in “Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act entails significant expenditure and managerial attention, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us.”

Our risk management policies and procedures may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risk, which could negatively affect our business.

Management of risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a large number of transactions and events. We have devoted significant resources to develop our risk management policies and procedures and expect to continue to do so in the future. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not be comprehensive. Many of our methods for managing risk and exposures are based upon the use of observed historical market behaviour or statistics based on historical models. As a result, these methods may not fully predict future exposures, which can be significantly greater than our historical measures indicate, particularly in unusual markets and environments. Other risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of information regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence or other matters that is publicly available or otherwise accessible to us. This information may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated.

 

The failure to attract or retain the necessary personnel could have a material adverse effect on our results and/or financial condition.

As a global financial services organisation with a decentralised management structure, we rely, to a considerable extent, on the quality of local management in the regions and countries in which we operate. The success of our operations is dependent, among other things, on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified professional people. Competition for such key people in most countries in which we operate is intense. Our ability to attract and retain key people, and in particular directors, experienced investment managers, fund managers and underwriters, is dependent on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions and compensation packages offered by companies competing for the same talent.

Catastrophic events, which are often unpredictable by nature, could result in material losses and abruptly and significantly interrupt our business activities.

Our business is exposed to volatile natural and manmade disasters such as pandemics, hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, terrorism, riots, fires and explosions. Over the past several years, changing weather patterns and climatic conditions have added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters in certain parts of the world and created additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposure. Our life insurance operations, in particular, are exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality, such as a pandemic or other event that causes a large number of deaths. Significant influenza pandemics have occurred three times in the last century, but neither the likelihood and timing, nor the severity of a future pandemic can be predicted. The effectiveness of external parties, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, in combating the spread and severity of such a pandemic could have a material impact on the losses experienced by us. These events could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any period and, depending on their severity, could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Most catastrophes are restricted to small geographic areas; however, pandemics, hurricanes, earthquakes and man-made catastrophes may produce significant damage in larger areas, especially those that are heavily populated. Claims resulting from natural or man-made catastrophic events could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and could materially reduce our profitability or harm our financial condition. Also, catastrophic events could harm the financial condition of our reinsurers and thereby increase the probability of default on reinsurance recoveries. Our ability to write new business could also be affected. Furthermore, pandemics, natural disasters, terrorism and fires could disrupt our operations and result in significant loss of property, key personnel and information about our clients and us. If our business continuity plans have not included effective contingencies for such events they could adversely affect our business, results of operations, corporate reputation and financial condition for a substantial period of time.

Our regulated business is subject to extensive regulatory supervision both in the UK and internationally.

Our insurance subsidiaries worldwide are subject to detailed and comprehensive government regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which they conduct business. Regulatory agencies have broad administrative power over many aspects of the insurance business, which may include premium rates, marketing and selling practices, advertising, licensing agents, policy forms, capital adequacy and permitted investments. Government regulators are concerned primarily with the protection of policyholders rather than our shareholders or creditors. Insurance laws, regulations and policies currently affecting us and our subsidiaries may change at any time in ways having an adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing or form of future regulatory initiatives. In the UK, our business is subject to regulation by the FSA, which has broad powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act (“FSMA”), including the authority to grant, vary the terms of, or cancel a regulated firm’s authorisation, to investigate marketing and sales practices and to require the maintenance of adequate financial resources. The FSA has the power to take a range of investigative, disciplinary or enforcement actions, including public censure, restitution, fines or sanctions and to award compensation. The FSA may make enquiries of the companies which it regulates regarding compliance with regulations governing the operation of business and like all UK regulated financial service companies, we face the risk that the FSA could find that we have failed to comply with applicable regulations or have not undertaken corrective action as required.

Issues and disputes may arise from time to time from the way in which the insurance industry or fund management industry has sold or administered an insurance policy or other product or in the way in which they have treated policyholders or customers, either individually or collectively.

 



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In the UK, any such issues or disputes are typically resolved by the Financial Ombudsman Service (‘‘FOS’’) in the UK, or by litigation for individual policyholders. The FSA may intervene directly, however, where larger groups or matters of public policy are concerned. There have been several industry-wide issues in recent years in which the FSA has intervened directly, including the sale of personal pensions, the sale of mortgage-related endowments and investments in split capital investment trusts.

We have successfully completed the reattribution of the “inherited estate” in the UK. The inherited estate refers to the assets of the long-term with-profit funds less the realistic reserves for non-profit policies, less asset shares aggregated across the with-profit policies and any additional amounts expected at the valuation date to be paid to in-force policyholders in the future in respect of smoothing costs and guarantees.

Following the reattribution, shareholders are exposed to more risk and potential reward. This additional exposure is subject to the same risk management processes that we generally apply.

Outside of the UK, our business is regulated by local regulators that often have similar powers to the FSA and could therefore have a similar negative impact on perceptions of us or have a material adverse effect on our business, our results and/or financial condition and divert management’s attention from the day-to-day management of the business.

Furthermore, various jurisdictions in which we operate, including the UK, have created investor compensation schemes that require mandatory contributions from market participants in some instances in the event of a failure of another market participant. As a major participant in the majority of its chosen markets, circumstances could arise where we, along with other companies, may be required to make such contributions. Additionally there is a risk to us and other insurers that we may be obliged to meet compensation costs arising from bank failures.

The financial crisis has exposed a number of weaknesses in the current regulatory framework. Whilst these weaknesses are predominantly in the banking sector, the insurance and investment management industries potentially face a number of regulatory initiatives aimed at addressing lessons learnt from the crisis. We could be impacted by global initiatives (led by the G20), European initiatives and national initiatives in the markets within which we operate.

The Solvency II Directive, an insurance industry regulation agreed by the European Parliament in 2009, will require European domiciled insurers to move to more risk based capital requirements. However the more detailed implementing measures still need to be agreed and there is a risk that this could lead to a significant increase in the capital required to support our annuity and other business. There is evidence of heightened supervisory action throughout the world to assess and protect the financial position of regulated insurance companies. For example, the FSA has asked all life insurers in the UK to apply further stress tests to their solvency positions from 2008 to ensure they hold sufficient capital. Other European Regulators in certain countries in which we operate have adopted new rules – or indicated that they may adopt new rules in the future – relating to distributable reserves and retention of profits, which could affect the dividends our subsidiaries may pay to us.

A determination that we have failed to comply with applicable regulation could have a negative impact on our reported results or on our relations with current and potential customers. Regulatory action against a member of the Group could result in adverse publicity for, or negative perceptions regarding, the Group, or could have a material adverse effect on our business, our results of operations and/or financial condition and divert management’s attention from the day-to-day management of the business.

Inconsistent application of Directives by regulators in different European Union (“EU”) member states may place our business at a competitive disadvantage to other European financial services groups.

Insurance regulation in the UK is largely based on the requirements of EU Directives. Inconsistent application of Directives by regulators in different EU member states may place our business at a competitive disadvantage to other European financial services groups. In addition, changes in the local regulatory regimes of designated territories could affect the calculation of our solvency position.

Our businesses are subject to regulatory risk, including adverse changes in the laws, regulations, policies and interpretations in the markets in which we operate.

We will not always be able to predict accurately the impact of future legislation or regulation or changes in the interpretation or operation of existing legislation or regulation on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. Changes in government policy, legislation or regulatory interpretation applying to companies in the financial services and insurance industries in any of the markets in which we operate, which may be applied retrospectively, may adversely affect our product range, distribution channels, capital requirements and, consequently, results and financing requirements.

Such changes could include, for example, alterations to the regulatory framework for pension arrangements and policies or the regulation of selling practices and solvency requirements (including the implementation of the EU solvency framework for insurers, “Solvency II”). We may face increased compliance costs due to the need to set up additional compliance controls or the direct cost of such compliance because of changes to financial services legislation or regulation. We face significant compliance challenges because our regulatory environment is evolving rapidly and supervisory authorities around the world are assuming an increasingly active and aggressive role in interpreting and enforcing regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, for example in the UK, the extent of the regulator’s interpretation of the principle of “treating customers fairly”.

Regulatory changes or errors may affect the calculation of unit prices or deduction of charges for our unit-linked products which may require Aviva to compensate customers retrospectively.

A significant proportion of our product sales are unit-linked contracts, where product benefits are linked to the prices of underlying unit funds. Whilst comprehensive controls are in place, there is a risk of error in the calculation of the prices of these funds, which may be due to human error in data entry, IT related issues or other causes. Additionally, it is possible that policy charges which are deducted from these contracts are taken incorrectly, or the methodology is subsequently challenged by policyholders or regulators and changed retrospectively. Any of these can give rise to compensation payments to customers. Controls are in place to mitigate these risks, but errors could give rise to future liabilities. Payments due to errors or compensation may negatively impact our profits

 



 

 

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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

From time to time changes in the interpretation of existing tax laws, amendments to existing tax rates, or the introduction of new tax legislation may adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We operate in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world. Tax risk is the risk associated with changes in tax law or in the interpretation of tax law. It also includes the risk of changes in tax rates and the risk of failure to comply with procedures required by tax authorities. Failure to manage tax risks could lead to an additional tax charge. It could also lead to a financial penalty for failure to comply with required tax procedures or other aspects of tax law. If, as a result of a particular tax risk materialising, the tax costs associated with particular transactions are greater than anticipated, it could affect the profitability of those transactions.

There are also specific rules governing the taxation of policyholders. We will be unable accurately to predict the impact of future changes in tax law on the taxation of life insurance and pension policies in the hands of policyholders. Amendments to existing legislation (particularly if there is the withdrawal of any tax relief or an increase in tax rates) or the introduction of new rules may affect the future long term business and the decisions of policyholders. The impact of such changes upon us might depend on the mix of business in force at the time of such change and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition.

The design of life insurance products by our life insurance companies takes into account a number of factors, including risks, benefits, charges, expenses, investment returns (including bonuses) and taxation. The design of long term insurance products is based on the tax legislation in force at that time. Changes in tax legislation or in the interpretation of tax legislation may therefore, when applied to such products, have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the relevant long term business fund of the company in which the business was written.

The governance arrangements in place with Delta Lloyd N.V. could impact on how we can direct the day to day management of the internal operations of this subsidiary.

Delta Lloyd N.V. is one of the Group’s majority-owned subsidiaries consolidated in the Aviva plc IFRS financial statements. Delta Lloyd N.V. is subject to the provisions of Dutch corporate law and particularly the Dutch “full large company” regime. Under this regime, Delta Lloyd has a two-tier Board structure consisting of an Executive Board and a Supervisory Board. The Executive Board is the executive body and is responsible for day to day management of Delta Lloyd and for its strategy, policy and operations. The Supervisory Board advises and supervises Delta Lloyd’s Executive Board and is the body having the right to appoint and dismiss that Board. The Supervisory Board’s approval is required for certain important decisions of the Executive Board. For governance purposes, our interests are represented through our two members of the Supervisory Board, which has a duty to a wide variety of stakeholders, including its shareholders. The members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the General meeting based on nominations by the Supervisory Board directors, taking into account recommendations of the shareholders and the Works Council. These arrangements could impact on how we can influence the day to day management of Delta Lloyd's internal operations. See “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.



Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act entails significant expenditure and managerial attention, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us.
The US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC and the NYSE require changes to some of our accounting and corporate governance practices, including the requirement that we issue in our second annual filing, for the year ending 31 December 2010 and future years, a report on our internal controls over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect that compliance with the new rules and regulations will continue to require significant management attention and will result in increased accounting, legal and other costs. In addition, because Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires our auditors to audit and issue a report on our internal controls over financial reporting, undertaking significant IT, internal restructuring, corporate development or other initiatives that may affect our internal control environment, may become more difficult and/or costly, particularly during periods when our internal controls over financial reporting are undergoing audit. This may have an adverse effect on our business and/or our ability to compete with our competitors who are not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
          As a UK listed company, we have been operating a control framework that involves regular self assessments of internal controls to ensure we meet existing compliance requirements applicable to us under the Combined Code on Corporate Governance and the Turnbull Guidance on Internal Control. This control framework was based on the criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Results of these assessments are reported twice a year to our Audit Committee and our external auditors.
          Given our commitment to continue to improve our internal control over financial reporting, and following our listing on a U.S. stock exchange, we have been implementing since early 2007 an enhanced control framework so that it will meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by 31 December 2010.
          During 2009 we completed our first year of full assessment and testing of internal control over financial reporting across the group. During this initial assessment exercise, we have confirmed that sufficient measures were in place to meet the financial control requirements for UK Listing and Corporate Governance, as well as compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Sections 302 and 906. Where control deficiencies were identified and remained open at 31 December 2009, appropriate compensating actions were taken to ensure that there was no material misstatement in our financial statements and the deficiencies were reported, as appropriate, through our governance framework. Further improvements are in progress to complete remediation of these immaterial deficiencies. Our first management report on internal control over financial reporting, as required to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404, will be for the 2010 financial year. In the event that we are unable to maintain or achieve compliance with Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, such non-compliance may adversely affect us.


 


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Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

There are inherent funding risks associated with our participations in defined benefit staff pension schemes.
We operate both defined benefit and defined contribution staff pension schemes. There are inherent funding risks associated with the defined benefit schemes. Events could result in a material reduction in the funding position of such schemes and, in some cases, a deficit between the pension scheme’s assets and liabilities could increase. The factors that affect the scheme’s position include: poor investment performance of pension fund investments; greater life expectancy than assumed; adverse changes in interest rates; and other events occurring which make past service benefits more expensive than predicted in the actuarial assumptions by reference to which funding requirements have been assessed. In the short term, the funding position is inherently volatile due to movements in the market value of assets. Where a funding deficit or surplus arises the position will be discussed with the scheme trustees to agree appropriate actions. This may include a funding plan being agreed to make good the deficit over a period of years but could also include a range of other actions such as changes to member contribution rates, changes in future benefit accruals or closure of schemes to new members. Any surplus or deficit in the defined benefit pension scheme will affect our shareholders’ equity.

We are reliant on IT systems and there are risks that our current and legacy systems cannot be made to adapt to growth in the business or new styles of doing business.

Key IT initiatives may not deliver what is required either on time or within budget or provide the performance levels required to support the current and future needs of the business. Significant resources are devoted to maintaining and developing our IT systems to keep pace with developments within the insurance and fund management industries. Failure to do so could result in the inability to gather information for pricing, underwriting and reserving, and to attract and retain customers. We could also incur higher administrative costs both from the processing of business and potentially remediation of disputes.

Our acquisitions may divert management attention and other resources and involve risks of undisclosed liabilities and integration issues.

In recent years we have completed a number of acquisitions around the world. We may make further acquisitions in the future. Growth by acquisition involves risks that could adversely affect our operating results, including the substantial amount of management time that may be diverted from operations to pursue and complete acquisitions. Our acquisitions could also result in the incurrence of additional indebtedness, costs, contingent liabilities, and impairment and amortisation expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, all of which could materially adversely affect our businesses, financial condition and results of operations. Future acquisitions may have a dilutive effect on the ownership and voting percentages of existing shareholders. We may also finance future acquisitions with debt issuances or by entering into credit facilities, each of which could adversely affect our businesses, financial condition and results of operations. The businesses we have recently acquired include long-term insurance and savings, general insurance and health and fund management. There could be unforeseen liabilities that arise out of the businesses we have acquired and may acquire in the future which may not be covered by, or exceed the amounts of any indemnities provided to us by the sellers.

Risks related to ownership of the ADSs and Ordinary Shares

As a holding company, we are dependent on our operating subsidiaries to cover operating expenses and dividend payments.

Our insurance and fund management operations are generally conducted through direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a holding company, Aviva plc’s principal sources of funding are dividends from subsidiaries, shareholder-backed funds, the shareholder transfer from the Issuer’s long-term funds and any amounts that may be raised through the issuance of debt and commercial paper. Certain subsidiaries have regulatory restrictions that may limit the payment of dividends, which in some circumstances could limit our ability to pay dividends to shareholders. In the current economic environment, such restrictions could become more stringent.

The trading price of our ADSs and dividends paid on our ADSs may be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate for converting sterling into US dollars.

An ADS is a negotiable US security, representing ownership in one share. An ADR is denominated in US dollars and represents ownership of any number of ADSs. ADRs are publicly traded shares in a non-US corporation, quoted and traded in US dollars in the US securities market. Any dividends are paid to investors in US dollars. ADRs were specifically designed to facilitate the purchase, holding and sale of non-US securities by US investors. The term ADR is often used to mean both the certificates and the securities themselves.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate for converting pound sterling into US dollars may affect the value of our ADSs. Specifically, as the relative value of the pound sterling against the US dollar declines, each of the following values will also decline:

the US dollar equivalent of the pound sterling trading price of our ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange which may consequently cause the trading price of our ADSs in the US to also decline;

the US dollar equivalent of the proceeds that a holder of our ADSs would receive upon the sale in UK of any our ordinary shares withdrawn from the depositary; and

the US dollar equivalent of cash dividends paid in pound sterling on our ordinary shares represented by our ADSs.

The holders of our ADSs may not be able to exercise their voting rights due to delays in notification to and by the depositary.

The depositary for our ADSs may not receive voting materials for our ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in time to ensure that holders of our ADSs can instruct the depositary to vote their shares. In addition, the depositary’s liability to holders of our ADSs for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions is limited by the Deposit Agreement governing our ADR facility. As a result, holders of our ADSs may not be able to exercise their right to vote and may have limited recourse against the depositary or us, if their shares are not voted according to their request.

Holders of our ADSs will have limited recourse if we or the depositary fail to meet our respective obligations under the Deposit Agreement.

The Deposit Agreement expressly limits our obligations and liability and those of the depositary. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us:

are prevented from or delayed in performing any obligation by circumstances beyond our/their control;

exercise or fail to exercise discretion under the Deposit Agreement; or

take any action based upon the advice of, or information from, legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, any holder or owner of an Aviva Plc ADR or any other person believed by us or the depositary in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.

In addition, the depositary has the obligation to participate in any action, suit or other proceeding with respect to our ADSs which may involve it in expense or liability only if it is indemnified. These provisions of the Deposit Agreement will limit the ability of holders of our ADSs to obtain recourse if we or the depositary fails to meet their obligations under the Deposit Agreement or if they wish to involve us or the depositary in a legal proceeding.

 



 

 

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Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The holders of our ADSs in the US may not be able to participate in offerings of rights, warrants or similar securities to holders of our ordinary shares on the same terms and conditions as holders of our ordinary shares.

In the event that we offer rights, warrants or similar securities to the holders of our ordinary shares or distribute dividends payable, in whole or in part, in securities, the Deposit Agreement provides that the depositary (after consultation with us) shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights or other securities available to ADR holders including disposing of such rights or other securities and distributing the net proceeds in US dollars to ADR holders. Given the significant number of our ADR holders in the US, we generally would be required to register with the SEC any public offering of rights, warrants or other securities made to our ADR holders unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the US securities laws is available. Registering such an offering with the SEC can be a lengthy process which may be inconsistent with the timetable for a global capital raising operation. Consequently, we have in the past elected and may in the future elect not to make such an offer in the US, including to our ADR holders in the US and rather only conduct such an offering in an “offshore” transaction in accordance with “Regulation S” under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Therefore, there can be no assurance that our ADR holders will be able to participate in such an offering in the same manner as our ordinary shareholders.

Our ADS and ordinary share price could be volatile and could drop unexpectedly and holders may not be able to sell their ADRs or ordinary shares at or above the price they paid.

The price at which our ADSs and ordinary shares will trade may be affected by a large number of factors, some of which will be specific to us and our operations and some of which will be related to the insurance industry and equity markets generally. As a result of these factors, holders may not be able to resell their ADSs or ordinary shares at or above the price which they paid for them. In particular, the following factors, in addition to other risk factors described in this section, may have a significant impact on the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares:

 

investor perception of our Company, including actual or anticipated variations in our revenues, earnings or other operating results;

announcement of intended acquisitions, disposals or financings or speculations of such acquisitions, disposals or financings;

changes in our dividend policy, which could result from changes in our cash flow and capital position;

sales of blocks of our shares by significant shareholders;

hedging activities on our shares;

a downgrade of our credit or financial strength ratings, including placement on credit watch, or rumours of such downgrades;

actual or potential litigation involving us or the insurance or fund management industries generally;

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities research analysts;

fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates;

the performance of other companies in the financial services’ sector;

regulatory developments in the principal markets in which we operate;

international or local political, economic and market conditions; and

unforeseen events such as natural disaster or terrorist attacks and other developments stemming from such events and the uncertainty related to these developments.

 

As a “foreign private issuer” in the US we are exempt from certain rules under the US securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than US companies.

As a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from certain rules under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our ordinary shares and ADRs. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as US companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information. Although we must comply with UK listing rules on insider reporting of share ownership and on protection of inside information, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for US public companies.

Judgements of US courts may not be enforceable against us.

Judgement of US courts, including those predicated on the civil liability provisions of the Federal securities laws of the US may not be enforceable in courts in the United Kingdom. As a result, our shareholders who obtain a judgement against us in the US may not be able to require us to pay the amount of the judgement.

Limitations on Enforceability of Civil Liabilities under US Federal Securities Laws

We are an English company. Any experts working on our behalf are likely to be residents of the United Kingdom and not the United States. In addition, most of our officers and directors are residents of the United Kingdom and not the United States. It may be difficult or impossible to serve legal process on persons located outside the United States and to force them to appear in a US court. It may also be difficult or impossible to enforce a judgement of a US court against persons outside the United States, or to enforce a judgement of a foreign court against such persons in the United States. We believe that there may be doubt as to the enforceability against persons in the United Kingdom, whether in original actions or in actions for the enforcement of judgements of US courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the laws of the United States, including its federal securities laws.

Individual shareholders of an English company (including US persons) have the right under English law to bring lawsuits on behalf of the company in which they are a shareholder, and on their own behalf against the company, in certain limited circumstances. English law does not permit class action lawsuits by shareholders, except in limited circumstances.

 


 


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Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

IFRS critical accounting policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘‘IFRS’’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

In preparing our financial statements, we are required to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to life insurance business and non-life and health business provisioning, the fair value of assets and the declaration of with-profits business bonus rates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the current circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgements about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates to the extent that actual conditions arising deviate from assumed conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgements and uncertainties and potentially may lead to materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Our critical accounting policies are those described below.

Investments

Financial instruments (including derivatives and loans)

The Group classifies its investments as either financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FV) or financial assets available for sale (AFS). The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were acquired, and is determined by local management at initial recognition. The FV category has two subcategories – those that meet the definition as being held for trading and those the Group chooses to designate as FV (referred to in this section as “other than trading”).

In general, the FV category is used as, in most cases, our investment or risk management strategy is to manage our financial investments on a fair value basis. All securities in the FV category are classified as other than trading, except for non-hedge derivatives and a small amount of debt and equity securities, bought with the intention to resell in the short term, which are classified as trading. The AFS category is used where the relevant long-term business liability (including shareholders’ funds) is passively managed.

Loans are carried at amortised cost, except for certain mortgage loans, where we have taken advantage of the fair value option under IAS 39 to present the mortgages, associated borrowings, other liabilities and derivative financial instruments at fair value, since they are managed together on a fair value basis. We believe this presentation provides more relevant information and eliminates any accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise from using different measurement bases for these three items.

Fair value methodology

To provide further information on the valuation techniques we use to measure assets carried at fair value, we have categorised the measurement basis for assets carried at fair value into a ‘fair value hierarchy’ in accordance with the valuation inputs and consistent with IFRS7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures.

Inputs to Level 1 fair values are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets.

Inputs to Level 2 fair values must be observable market information for the asset, either directly or indirectly. If the asset has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset.

Inputs to Level 3 fair values are unobservable inputs for the asset. Unobservable inputs may have been used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset at the measurement date (or market information for the inputs to any valuation models). As such, unobservable inputs reflect the business unit's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset. Examples are certain private equity investments and private placements.

Fair values sourced from internal models are Level 2 only if substantially all the inputs are market observable. Otherwise fair values sourced from internal models are classified as Level 3.

The table below presents an analysis of investments according to fair value hierarchy:

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

 

 

2009

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Sub-total
fair value
£m

Amortised
cost
£m

Less:
Assets of
operations
classified
as held
for sale
£m

Balance
sheet total
£m

Loans

20,890

20,890

20,189

41,079

Debt securities

114,779

36,592

9,139

160,510

160,510

Equity securities

36,774

5,775

794

43,343

43,343

Other investments (including derivatives)

29,572

3,950

1,327

34,849

(23)

34,826

  

181,125

67,207

11,260

259,592

20,189

(23)

279,758

 


 

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Fair value hierarchy

 

 

 



2008


Level 1
£m


Level 2
£m



Level 3
£m


Sub-total fair
value
£m


Amortised
cost
£m

Less:
Assets of
operations
classified
as held
for sale
£m


Balance sheet
total
£m

Loans

21,468

21,468

20,769

42,237

Debt securities

108,087

40,797

1,850

150,734

(336)

150,398

Equity securities

36,607

5,873

931

43,411

(60)

43,351

Other investments (including derivatives)

24,655

11,792

64

36,511

36,511

  

169,349

79,930

2,845

252,124

20,769

(396)

272,497

 

At 31 December 2009, 70% of total financial investments and loans carried at fair value were classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy (2008: 67%) and 26% as Level 2 (2008: 32%). Excluding loans the percentage of total investments carried at fair value at 31 December 2009 classified as Level 2 was 19% (2008: 25%).

At 31 December 2009, 4% of financial investments and loans were fair valued using models with significant unobservable market parameters (2008: 1%). A reconciliation of movements in investments classified as Level 3 is included in the “Financial statements IFRS – Note 21 – Financial Investments”. The increase in Level 3 financial investments arises from changes in the market observability of valuation inputs for certain debt securities in our UK, French and Italian businesses and private equity funds in the UK, which are discussed further below under valuation techniques.

Where estimates are used, these are based on a combination of independent third party evidence and internally developed models, calibrated to market observable data where possible. Whilst such valuations are sensitive to estimates, it is believed that changing one or more of the assumptions for reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change fair value significantly.

Valuations obtained from third party sources are generally the proprietary information of the third party provider, and therefore, while the third party provider may discuss with us their methodologies and sources of inputs, we are unable to re-perform their valuations. We do, however, validate third party valuations against other third party pricing providers, broker quotes or our own internal models, where we believe there is uncertainty over the reliability of the third party valuation.

The fair values of our financial investments are subject to market risk and credit risks, primarily interest rate, equity price and foreign currency exchange risks. “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk Management” provides disclosure and discussion of the impact of changes in market assumptions such as interest rates, exchange rates, equity and property prices, as well as providing information regarding the aggregated credit risk exposure of the Group’s financial assets with external credit ratings.

Debt securities – Valuation techniques

The table below provides an analysis at 31 December 2009 of debt securities by pricing source.

 

 

Fair value hierarchy


2009

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total
£m

Third party sources

114,779

31,165

8,464

154,408

Internal models

5,427

675

6,102

  

114,779

36,592

9,139

160,510

 

We use a variety of valuation techniques to fair value debt securities included in fair value hierarchy Level 2 and Level 3. Techniques include internal models using observable market inputs, broker quotes and third party pricing vendor services. 95% of Level 2 fixed maturity securities are held by our businesses in North America, France, Spain, UK and Italy, of which North America and France represent 79%. Variations in the proportion of securities classified as Levels 1, 2 and 3 between different countries reflect different levels of liquidity in the markets in which these securities are traded and the different valuation sources used. For example, in North America our businesses rely on third party pricing vendors, which because the valuation inputs remain the proprietary information of vendor makes it difficult to evidence a fair value hierarchy classification of Level 1, even if the securities are traded on a liquid market.

Valuations sourced from third parties

To determine the appropriate fair value hierarchy, where we use third-party pricing vendor services, we ascertain from the vendors their valuation methodology, the market inputs into their models and how they have calibrated and tested their model outputs. Further validation is performed against broker quotes or internal models. Valuations obtained from third party sources, disclosed in the table above, are unadjusted.

Where we use broker quotes and no information as to the observability of inputs is provided by the broker, we generally validate the price quoted by the broker by using internal models with observable inputs. When the price obtained from the broker and internal model are similar, we look to the inputs used in our internal model to understand the observability of the inputs used by the broker. In circumstances where internal models are not used to validate broker prices, and the observability of inputs used by brokers is unavailable, the investment is classified as Level 3. Broker quotes are usually non-binding.

Prices sourced from third parties for certain US corporate securities and high-yield US mortgage-backed securities are based on a consensus valuation by polling banks and trading desks of market makers in these instruments. The collection of quotes is adjusted to remove outliers and stale data. Such securities are classified as Level 3, as these inputs represent prices at which banks are holding these securities in their trading portfolios, but do not necessarily represent executable quotes or observable prices.

In France and Italy, our businesses have invested in complex structured bond-type products backing policyholder liabilities with a fair value of £6.2 billion and £2.3 billion respectively, for which there is no active market. The bonds are either valued using third party counterparty or broker quotes. These bonds are validated against internal or third party models, which in 2008 and prior

 


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Aviva plc

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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

years used observable market inputs, warranting a Level 2 classification for all but £0.2 billion of these, which were classified as Level 3. At 31 December 2009 the classification of £6.0 billion of these products in France and £0.8 billion in Italy changed to a Level 3 classification for the following reasons: (i) a change in third party provider of modelled valuations who include a significant unobservable liquidity adjustment, or (ii) differences between the valuation provided by the counterparty and broker quotes and the validation model were sufficiently significant to result in a Level 3 classification. At 31 December 2009 the counterparty and broker quotes used to value these products were less than the modelled valuations.

In addition to the transfer to Level 3 of complex structured bonds held by our business in France, the only other significant transfer of debt securities into Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy arises in our UK Life business amounting to £1.2 billion, of which £1.0 billion represents the Group’s investment in notes issued by loan partnerships managed by a third party, who also acts as the sole counterparty. These notes, which were acquired on issuance during 2008, are valued at the non-binding counterparty quoted price, corroborated against valuations of selected securities, considered similar and which therefore offer a reliable proxy fair value. At 31 December 2009 with the benefit of an additional year of trading history in the selected similar securities, it has been decided that there has been insufficient market observable transactions in the selected securities to provide a reliable proxy price to corroborate the counterparty price. The notes have therefore been transferred to Level 3. The remaining £0.2 billion debt securities transferred by our UK business into Level 3 are made up of a number of individual securities for which during 2009 there has been very limited or no trading activity. These securities are not currently validated against an internal model using observable market inputs, which would warrant a Level 2 classification if undertaken.

In our US business, mortgage-backed securities are valued by third party pricing vendors, and validated against internal models. In 2008 for certain illiquid commercial mortgage backed securities, where there were significant differences between the third party and internal model valuations, and considering market activity at the time, we opted to use the internally modelled value as a more reliable reflection of fair value, resulting in fair values for these securities that were £68 million higher than those provided by third party pricing vendor services. At 31 December 2009, we have reverted back to using third party prices for valuation these securities, as the difference between third party and internally modelled prices is no longer significant. The internal valuation models used for valuing these securities are discussed below.

Internal valuation models

In our Spanish business we use internal models to value illiquid corporate bonds, as the prices obtainable from third party pricing services are solely based on the last observed market transaction and are considered stale. Similarly in our UK Life business we use internal models for private placement notes, for which third party valuations are unavailable. Models use discounted cash flows incorporating the market swap curve for sovereign government securities for the same currency of the instrument and a spread for credit and liquidity risk. For illiquid Spanish corporate bonds the credit and liquidity spread is determined using market quotes of other bonds of the same issuer factored by the liquidity of asset or market. For private placements the credit and liquidity spread is derived by matching the credit and maturity profile of the security to a third party pricing matrix grid based on observed market transactions in private placement notes of other issuers. At 31 December 2009, bonds valued on this basis amounted to £3.9 billion in our Spanish business and £1.3 billion in our UK Life business.

For US mortgage-backed securities validated using internal models, credit risk is reflected in determining the expected cash flows and the discount rate used. The discount rate is adjusted for the spread from the corresponding CMBX index, while inputs included in determining expected cash flows are debt service coverage ratios, loan-to-value ratios, interest rate protection, amortisation type, number of properties per loan, location and property type. A liquidity premium is added which is the difference between AAA rated credit card bonds and the average of AAA rated corporate bonds and agency debentures. The internal models used to validate complex structured bond-type products in France and Italy are based on a discounted cash flow model incorporating the specific characteristics of the bond, such as issue date, credit risk of issuer, form of payout and reference indices. These represent most of the debt securities validated using internal models.

Adjustments for credit and liquidity risk

Our internal models and the models used by third-party pricing vendor services incorporate credit risk by adjusting the spread above the yield curve for government treasury securities for the appropriate amount of credit risk for each issuer, based on observed market transactions.

To the extent observed market spreads are either not used in valuing a security, or do not fully reflect liquidity risk, our valuation methodology, whether sourced from internal models or third parties, reflects a liquidity premium.

Equity securities – Valuation techniques

The table below provides an analysis at 31 December 2009 of equity securities by pricing source.

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

2009

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total
£m

Third party sources

36,774

5,770

470

43,014

Internal models

5

324

329

  

36,774

5,775

794

43,343

 

Valuations obtained from third party sources, disclosed above, are unadjusted.

Equity securities classified as Level 2 are principally equity interests in unlisted investment funds held by our business in the Netherlands. Valuations are based on the fair value of the underlying investments in the funds, which are predominantly based on quoted market prices.

Equity securities classified as Level 3 are principally private equity investments held by our business in the Netherlands and strategic interests in banking partners held by our Italian business. Valuations are based on third-party independent appraisals, or

 


 

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Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

where internally modelled, transactions in similar entities, discounted cash flow techniques and valuation multiples, using public and internal management information.

Other investments (including derivatives) – Valuation techniques

The table below provides an analysis at 31 December 2009 of other investments by pricing source.

 

 

Fair value hierarchy


2009

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total
£m

Third party sources

29,572

3,388

1,327

34,287

Internal models

562

562

  

29,572

3,950

1,327

34,849

 

Valuations obtained from third party sources, disclosed above, are unadjusted, except for third party valuations of private equity funds as noted below.

Other investments classified as Level 2 and Level 3 are principally unit trusts and similar investment vehicles as well as derivatives. Level 2 investments in unit trusts and similar investment vehicles, amounting to £1.9 billion arise mainly in our UK and Ireland Life businesses.

Of the internally modelled valuations for other investments disclosed above, all relate to investments by our UK Life business in investment funds, which are valued on a “look through basis” to the underlying investments in the fund. The underlying investments are valued using quoted market prices and other observable market inputs, which support a Level 2 classification. A similar valuation approach is adopted by third parties where we have relied on them as a source of valuations.

Our U.K Life business in valuing its interests in third party managed private equity funds relies on investment valuation reports received from the fund manager, making adjustments for such things as subsequent drawdowns and distributions between the date of the report and valuation date and the fund manager’s carried interest. In 2008 and prior years we had considered these investments to be Level 2, on the basis of our understanding that the fund manager’s investment reports used market observable inputs to support their valuations. However, at 31 December 2009 following further discussions with the fund managers, we have classified these as Level 3 as the market observable inputs into these valuations are insufficient to support a Level 2 classification This has resulted in a transfer of other investments with a fair value of £764 million from Level 2 to Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

All valuations for derivatives are sourced from third parties. For most non-exchange traded derivatives, we either obtain prices from derivative counterparties and corroborate these prices using internal models, or source prices from a third-party vendor utilising industry standard models and corroborate these prices to non-binding broker quotes. The internal model inputs are based on observable market data, except for a small number of non-standard swaps and bespoke tranche-based derivatives, with a fair value of £14 million at 31 December 2009, which are classified as Level 3 because the base correlations used in the internal model are unobservable inputs. Credit risk is considered, but the presence of collateral usually mitigates any non-performance risk related to the derivatives.

Investment property – Valuation techniques

The fair value of investment property reflects, among other things, rental income from current leases and reasonable and supportable assumptions that represent what knowledgeable, willing parties would assume about rental income from future leases in the light of current conditions. We calculate fair values using a discounted cash flow approach, based on current rental income plus anticipated uplifts at the next rent review. This uplift and the discount rate are derived from rates implied by recent market transactions on similar properties. No future growth in rental income is assumed.

Loans – Valuation techniques

For certain mortgage loans held in the UK and the Netherlands, we have taken advantage of the fair value option under IAS 39 to present mortgage loans, associated borrowings, other liabilities and derivative financial instruments at fair value, since they are managed together on a fair value basis. Mortgage loans carried at fair value are predominantly commercial mortgage loans in the UK and residential mortgage loans in the Netherlands.

We have several layers of protection against credit default losses on our commercial loans, through the value of the mortgaged properties, underlying tenant rental income and in some cases general floating charges over other assets held by the borrower. Multiple loans to a single borrower may also achieve further protection through cross-charging whereby loans to a single borrower may be pooled so that any single loan is also supported by payments on other pool loans.

Fair values are determined using a discounted cash flow model. Expected cash flows are modelled using long-term averages for borrower and tenant default rates, tenant behaviour at renewal dates, current property values and vacancy periods. Cash flows are discounted using the spot yield on government treasury securities for the appropriate term plus an illiquidity premium. The illiquidity premium is calibrated using the margin levels available on new lending secured against commercial property.

Residential mortgage loans are fair valued with reference to the rates offered by competitors, taking into account customer credit profile and the profile of property taken as security.

 


260

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Impairment of investments and reinsurance assets

Available for sale (“AFS”) investments

We review the carrying value of our investments on a regular basis. If the carrying value of an investment is greater than the recoverable amount, the carrying value is reduced through a charge to the income statement in the period of impairment. The following policies are used to determine the level of any impairment, some of which involve considerable judgement:

AFS debt securities: An available for sale debt security is impaired if there is objective evidence that a loss event has occurred which has impaired the expected cash flows, i.e. all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security are not considered collectable. For a debt security an impairment charge, measured as the difference between the security’s fair value and amortised cost, is recognised when the issuer is either known to be in default or is known to be in financial difficulty. Determining when an issuer is in financial difficulty requires the use of judgement. We consider a number of factors including industry risk factors, financial condition, liquidity position and near-term prospects of the issuer, credit rating declines and a breach of contract. A decline in fair value below amortised cost due to changes in risk-free interest rates does not necessarily represent objective evidence of a loss event.

AFS equity securities: An available for sale equity security is considered impaired if there is objective evidence that the cost may not be recovered. In addition to qualitative impairment criteria, such evidence includes a significant or prolonged decline in fair value below cost. Unless there is evidence to the contrary, an equity security is considered impaired if the decline in fair value relative to cost has been either:

    —  At least 20% for a continuous six month period; or

    —  More than 40% at the end of the reporting period

 

Evidence to the contrary may include a significant subsequent rise in value of the equity security, for example as a result of a merger announced post year-end.

We also review our largest equity holdings for indicators of impairment, as well as individual equity holdings in industry sectors known to be in difficulty. Where there is objective evidence that impairment exists, the security is written down regardless of the size of the unrealised loss.

For both debt and equity AFS securities identified as being impaired, the cumulative unrealised net loss previously recognised within the AFS reserve is transferred to realised losses for the year.

The total impairment expense for AFS debt securities for 2009 was £93 million (2008: £169 million) and for AFS equity securities £384 million (2008: £661 million). Total unrealised losses on AFS debt securities at 31 December 2009 were £737 million (2008: £2,541 million), and AFS equity securities at 31 December 2009 were £97 million (2007: £361 million). The continuous period for which these AFS classified securities have been in an unrealised loss position is disclosed below:

 


 

261

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Duration and amount of unrealised losses on available-for-sale securities

 

  

0 – 6 months

  

7 – 12 months

  

More than 12 months

 

 

Total

2009

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

 

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

 

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

 

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

Less than 20% loss position:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

4,347

(133)

  

304

(32)

  

1,970

(179)

  

6,621

(344)

Equity securities

731

(96)

  

  

  

731

(96)

Other investments

  

  

  

  

5,078

(229)

  

304

(32)

  

1,970

(179)

  

7,352

(440)

20%-50% loss position:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

77

(32)

  

37

(12)

  

362

(165)

  

476

(209)

Equity securities

5

(1)

  

  

  

5

(1)

Other investments

  

  

  

  

82

(33)

  

37

(12)

  

362

(165)

  

481

(210)

Greater than 50% loss position:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

14

(37)

  

2

(14)

  

60

(133)

  

76

(184)

Equity securities

 

  

 

Other investments

  

  

  

  

14

(37)

  

2

(14)

  

60

(133)

  

76

(184)

Total

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

4,438

(202)

  

343

(58)

  

2,392

(477)

  

7,173

(737)

Equity securities

736

(97)

  

  

  

736

(97)

Other investments

  

  

  

  

5,174

(299)

  

343

(58)

  

2,392

(477)

  

7,909

(834)

 

 

0 – 6 months

 

7 – 12 months

 

More than 12 months

  

 

Total

2008

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

 

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

 

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

 

Fair value
£m

Gross unrealised
£m

Less than 20% loss position:

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

3,862

(280)

  

3,162

(315)

  

2,435

(425)

  

9,459

(1,020)

Equity securities

910

(95)

  

  

  

910

(95)

Other investments

9

  

4

(1)

  

  

13

(1)

  

 4,781

 (375)

  

 3,166

(316)

  

 2,435

(425)

  

 10,382

 (1,116)

20%-50% loss position:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

443

(179)

  

613

(233)

  

1,220

(541)

  

2,276

(953)

Equity securities

572

(266)

  

  

  

572

(266)

Other investments

  

  

  

  

 1,015

 (445)

  

 613

 (233)

  

 1,220

 (541)

  

 2,848

(1,219)

Greater than 50% loss position:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

58

(111)

 

89

(124)

 

213

(333)

 

360

(568)

Equity securities

  

  

  

Other investments

  

  

  

  

 58

 (111)

  

 89

 (124)

  

 213

 (333)

  

 360

(568)

Total

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Debt securities

4,363

(570)

 

3,864

(672)

 

3,868

(1,299)

 

12,095

(2,541)

Equity securities

1,482

(361)

  

 

 

1,482

(361)

Other investments

9

  

4

(1)

  

  

13

(1)

  

 5,854

 (931)

  

 3,868

 (673)

  

 3,868

 (1,299)

  

 13,590

 (2,903)

 

There has been a significant decline in both total unrealised losses for AFS securities and the duration of these losses. We have not recognised an impairment charge in respect of these unrealised losses as we believe the decline in fair value of these securities relative to their amortised cost to be temporary.

At 31 December 2009, 92% of AFS debt securities were held by our US business. In respect of debt securities in an unrealised loss position, we have the intent to hold these securities for a sufficient period to recover their value in full and the ability to hold them to maturity, as they are held to match long-term policyholder liabilities of the same or longer duration. In the US the decrease in unrealised losses experienced during 2009, reflects a general market improvement and tightening of credit spreads offset by an increase in the US government treasury yield curve. Where factors specific to an issuer have resulted in an unrealised loss we have considered whether the security is impaired and recognised an impairment charge where necessary.

For the year ended 31 December 2009, we have made a £93 million impairment charge on AFS debt securities, including £81 million relating to our US business. Corporate bond write downs in the US amounted to £51 million in respect of 30 different issuers, none of which individually exceeded £9 million. The remaining write downs related to structured credit securities, including asset and mortgage backed securities.

At 31 December 2009, 97% of AFS equity securities were held by our business in the Netherlands, invested in a broad range of Dutch and other European equities, which are held for long term investment and include listed as well as unlisted equities. We have recognised impairment for prolonged or significant declines in fair value relative to cost, except where there has been a recovery in value since the financial year-end. While management believes that many of the impaired equity securities will ultimately recover their value, there can be no certainty that this will be the case because, unlike fixed maturity securities, the value of an equity security cannot be recovered in full by holding it to maturity. The accumulated impairment of AFS equities at 31 December 2009 amounted to £934 million (2008: £1,036 million).

 


262

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

During 2009 there has been a partial recovery in European equity markets. This has resulted in a recovery in the fair values of previously impaired AFS equities, which has been recognised as a credit to other comprehensive income. IFRS does not permit the reversal of impairments on AFS equities to be recognised in the income statement. Despite the partial recovery in equity markets, a charge to the income statement for impairments of £384 million (2008: £661 million) was also recognised in the year to 31 December 2009, of which £355 million was recognised in the first half of the year. This relates mainly to AFS equities which at 31 December 2008 were in an unrealised loss position of less 40% and under 6 months in duration. While there has been a partial recovery in market values of these equities during 2009, it has not been sufficient to prevent an impairment charge being recognised.

Loans carried at amortised cost

We review loans at each reporting date for evidence that a loan is impaired and uncollectable, either at the level of an individual security or collectively within a group of financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics.

Indicators of impairment that we consider include evidence of significant financial difficulties of the issuer; a breach of contract by the issuer, such as a default or delinquency in interest payments; evidence of a high probability of bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation of the issuer; and granting by the issuer of concessions to us arising from the issuer’s financial difficulty that would not otherwise be considered. We also consider specific knowledge of the individual issuer who is experiencing difficulties, the age of the balance and any general credit ratings available.

Impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the effective rate of interest of the loan, subject to the fair value of the underlying collateral. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the income statement is charged with the difference between the carrying value and the estimated recoverable amount. Interest income on impaired loans is recognised based on the estimated recoverable amount. In 2009, impairment losses of loans carried at amortised cost were £58 million (2008: £58 million) less impairment reversals of £5 million (2008: £8 million).

We hold collateral in respect of loans where it is considered appropriate, in order to reduce the risk of non-recovery. This collateral generally takes the form of liens or charges over properties and, in the case of policy loans, the underlying policy.

Receivables and other financial assets

We manage the credit quality of receivables and other financial assets at the level of each subsidiary entity. Each subsidiary entity reviews the carrying value of its receivables at each reporting period. If the carrying value of a receivable or other financial asset is greater than the recoverable amount, the carrying value is reduced through a charge to the income statement in the period of impairment.

Where assets classed as “past due and impaired” are of material value thereby exceeding local credit limits, and are also deemed at sufficiently high risk of default, an analysis of the asset is performed and a decision is made whether to seek sufficient collateral from the counterparty or to write down the value of the asset as impaired. The factors to determine whether there is a high risk of default include evidence of significant financial difficulties of the counterparty; evidence of a high probability of bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation of the counterparty. We also consider specific knowledge of the individual counterparty which is experiencing difficulties, the age of the receivable or other financial asset balance and any general credit ratings available.

Reinsurance assets

We estimate amounts recoverable from reinsurers in a manner consistent with the outstanding claims provisions or settled claims associated with the reinsured policies and in accordance with the relevant reinsurance contract.

If a reinsurance asset is impaired, we reduce the carrying amount accordingly and recognise that impairment loss in the income statement. A reinsurance asset is impaired if there is objective evidence, as a result of an event that occurred after initial recognition of this asset, that we may not receive all amounts due to us under the terms of the contract, and the event has a reliably measurable impact on the amounts that we will receive from our reinsurer.

 


 

263

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Analysis of financial and reinsurance assets past due but not impaired

The following table provides information regarding the carrying value of financial assets that have been impaired and the ageing of financial assets that are past due but not impaired.

 

 

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 

 

2009

Neither past
due nor impaired
£m

0-3
months
£m

3-6
months
£m

6 months-
1 year
£m

Greater
than
1 year
£m

Financial
assets
that have
been
impaired
£m

Carrying
value
in the
statement
of
financial
position
£m

Debt securities

160,400

110

160,510

Reinsurance assets

7,572

7,572

Other investments

34,811

15

34,826

Loans

40,039

355

35

17

6

627

41,079

Receivables and other financial assets

8,814

647

61

32

71

7

9,632

 

 

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

 

 

2008

Neither past
due nor impaired
£m

0-3
months
£m

3-6
months
£m

6 months-
1 year
£m

Greater
than
1 year
£m

Financial
assets
that have
been
impaired
£m

Carrying
value
in the
statement
of
financial
position
£m

Debt securities

150,284

114

150,398

Reinsurance assets

7,867

25

2

7,894

Other investments

36,509

1

1

36,511

Loans

41,091

227

658

13

11

237

42,237

Receivables and other financial assets

8,932

539

293

33

6

13

9,816

 

“Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management” includes a credit ratings table which analyses the credit quality of the above balances where a credit rating is available. The credit quality of receivables and other financial assets is managed at the local business unit level. An impairment loss is recognised if there is objective evidence that a loss event has occurred, which has impaired the expected cash flows, i.e. all amounts due are not considered collectible.

Financial liabilities fair valued through profit or loss

We have made use of the fair value option under IAS 39 Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement to carry at fair value through profit or loss investment contracts of £41,289 million (2008: £39,509 million) and securitised borrowings of £5,108 million (2008: £5,432 million), as these are managed with associated financial assets and derivatives as a portfolio on a fair value basis. We believe such a presentation provides more relevant information and eliminates any accounting mismatch. In addition IFRS requires us to fair value derivative liabilities through profit or loss.

       Under IFRS, we are required to reflect own credit risk in valuations for those financial liabilities fair valued through profit or loss where this risk would be considered by market participants. Other than the embedded option in indexed annuity contracts, we have not included own credit risk as a factor in fair valuing these liabilities for the following reasons:

In the case of funding agreements and derivative contracts, they are mostly fully collaterised

In the case of investment contracts which are unit-linked in structure, our liability to policyholders is linked to a segregated pool of assets, and have priority over other creditors in event of default

In the case of securitised borrowing, the issued loan notes are secured on ring-fenced mortgage assets, which effectively act as collateral. Noteholders are only entitled to obtain payment, of both principle and interest, to the extent that the available resources of the special purpose securitisation companies are sufficient. Noteholders have no recourse whatsoever to other companies in the Aviva Group.

The embedded options in indexed annuity contracts are valued using a risk-adjusted discount rate based on market spreads on senior long-term unsecured Aviva plc debt. The change in fair value resulting from the risk adjustment in 2009 was an increase of £313 million (2008: £514 million decrease), and is principally attributable to market perception of the instruments’ credit risk. If interest rates were to increase by 1%, the provision for embedded options would decrease by £59 million (2008: £138 million) and, if interest rates were to decrease by 1%, the provision would increase by £86 million (2008: £155 million).

 


264

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Long-term business

Product classification

Insurance contracts are defined as those containing significant insurance risk if, and only if, an insured event could cause an insurer to make significant additional payments in any scenario, excluding scenarios that lack commercial substance, at the inception of the contract. Such contracts remain insurance contracts until all rights and obligations are extinguished or expire. Contracts can be reclassified as insurance contracts after inception if insurance risk becomes significant. Assessing whether insurance risk contained within a contract is significant requires the exercise of judgement. Any contracts not considered to be insurance contracts under IFRS are classified as investment contracts.

Some insurance and investment contracts contain a discretionary participating feature, which is a contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits. These are referred to as participating contracts.

Insurance and participating investment contract liabilities

Long-term business provisions

Under current IFRS requirements, insurance and participating investment contract liabilities are measured using accounting policies consistent with those adopted previously under existing accounting practices, with the exception of liabilities remeasured to reflect current market interest rates and those relating to UK with-profit and non-profit contracts, to be consistent with the value of the backing assets.

In the US, shadow adjustments are made to the liabilities or related deferred acquisition costs and are recognised directly in other comprehensive income. This means that the measurement of these items is adjusted for unrealised gains or losses on the backing assets such as AFS financial investments, that are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, in the same way as if those gains or losses had been realised. For liabilities relating to UK with-profit contracts, we have adopted the UK Financial Reporting Standard 27, Life Assurance (FRS27), which adds to the requirements of IFRS but does not vary them in any way.

The long-term business provisions are calculated separately for each life operation, based either on local regulatory requirements or existing local GAAP at the later of the date of transition to IFRS or the date of the acquisition of the entity, and actuarial principles consistent with those applied in the UK. Material judgement is required in calculating the provisions and is exercised particularly through the choice of assumptions where there is discretion over these. In turn, the assumptions we use depend on the circumstances prevailing in each of the life operations. Provisions are most sensitive to assumptions regarding discount rates and mortality/morbidity rates. The principal assumptions are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities – (b) Long-term business liabilities”.

For liabilities of the UK with-profit funds, FRS 27 requires liabilities to be calculated as the realistic basis liabilities as set out by the UK’s FSA, adjusted to remove the shareholders’ share of future bonuses. For UK non-profit insurance contracts, we apply the realistic regulatory basis as set out in the FSA Policy Statement 06/14, Prudential Changes for Insurers, where applicable.

Bonuses paid during the year are reflected in claims paid, whereas those allocated as part of the bonus declaration are included in the movements in the long-term business provision.

There are two main methods of actuarial valuation of liabilities arising under long-term insurance contracts – the net premium method and the gross premium method – both of

which involve the discounting of projected premiums and claims.

Under the net premium method, the premium taken into account in calculating the provision is determined actuarially, based on the valuation assumptions regarding discount rates, mortality and disability. The difference between this premium and the actual premium payable provides a margin for expenses. This method does not allow for voluntary early termination of the contract by the policyholder, and so no assumption is required for persistency. Explicit provision is made for vested bonuses (including those vesting following the most recent fund valuation), but no such provision is made for future regular or terminal bonuses. However, this method makes implicit allowance for future regular or terminal bonuses already earned, through margins in the valuation discount rate used.

The gross premium method uses the amount of contractual premiums payable and includes explicit assumptions for interest and discount rates, mortality and morbidity, persistency and future expenses. These assumptions can vary by contract type and reflect current and expected future experience. Explicit provision is made for vested bonuses and explicit allowance is also made for future regular bonuses, but not terminal bonuses.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made of whether the recognised long-term business provisions are adequate, using current estimates of future cash flows.

Accounting methodologies for calculating long term business provisions in our principal markets are described below:

UK – With-profit business

Our with-profit business in the UK comprises the New With-Profits sub-fund (NWPSF), Old With-Profits sub-fund (OWPSF), With-Profits sub-fund (WPSF) and Provident Mutual sub-fund of Aviva Life & Pensions UK (UKLAP), where the with-profit policyholders are entitled to at least 90% of the distributed profits and the shareholders receive the balance. Any surplus or deficit emerging in NWPSF that is not distributed as bonus will be transferred from NWPSF to the Reattributed Inherited Estate External Support Account (RIEESA) of UKLAP. RIEESA is a non-profit fund where shareholders are entitled to 100% of the distributed profits, but these cannot be distributed until the lock-in criteria set by the Reattribution Scheme have been met. RIESSA will be used to write non-profit business and also to provide capital support to NWPSF. For details about the reattribution of the inherited estate see “Performance review – Financial and operating performance – Reattribution of inherited estate”.

For UK regulated with-profit funds for 2009 and 2008, the contract liabilities are valued by reference to the FSA realistic basis. In aggregate this basis has the effect of placing a value on the liabilities of UK with-profits contracts which reflects the amounts expected to be paid based on the current value of investments held by the with-profit funds and current circumstances.

With the exception of NWPSF, the basis of determining liabilities for our with-profit business has little or no effect on the results attributable to shareholders. This is because movements on liabilities of the with-profits funds are absorbed by the unallocated divisible surplus. The unallocated divisible surplus represents the excess of assets over liabilities that have yet to be apportioned between policyholders and shareholders. Except through indirect effects, or in remote circumstances as described below, changes to liability assumptions are therefore reflected in the carrying value of the unallocated divisible surplus rather than shareholders’ equity. For NWPSF, changes in the basis of determining liabilities will directly affect the results attributable to shareholders.

 

 


 


 

265

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

A detailed explanation of the basis of liability measurement is contained in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities – (b) Long-term business liabilities”.

With the exception of NWPSF, for liabilities determined using the basis described above for UK regulated with-profits funds changes in estimates arising from the likely range of possible changes in underlying key assumptions have no direct impact on the reported profit.

This lack of sensitivity reflects the with-profit fund structure, basis of distribution, and the application of previous GAAP to the unallocated divisible surplus of with-profits funds as permitted by IFRS 4. Changes in liabilities of these contracts that are caused by changes in estimates are absorbed by the unallocated divisible surplus of the with-profit funds. As noted previously, the unallocated divisible surplus is accounted for as a liability and thus, except in the remote circumstances where support for the funds by shareholders’ funds was required, changes in its level do not directly affect shareholders’ equity.


UK – Non-profit business

Our non-profit business in the UK mainly comprises the “non-profit” funds of Aviva Annuity UK and UKLAP, where shareholders are entitled to 100% of the distributed profits. Shareholder profits on unitised with-profit business written by WPSF and on stakeholder unitised with-profit business, are derived from management fees and policy charges, and emerge in the non-profit funds.

Conventional non-profit contracts, including those written in the with-profit funds, are valued using gross premium methods which discount projected future cash flows. The cash flows are calculated using the amount of contractual premiums payable, together with explicit assumptions for investment returns, inflation, discount rates, mortality, morbidity, persistency and future expenses. These assumptions vary by contract type and reflect current and expected future experience.

For unit-linked and some unitised with-profit business, the provisions are valued by adding a prospective non-unit reserve to the bid value of units. The prospective non-unit reserve is calculated by projecting the future non-unit cash flows on the assumption that future premiums cease, unless it is more onerous to assume that they continue. Where appropriate, allowance for persistency is based on actual experience.

Valuation discount rate assumptions are set with regard to yields on the supporting assets and the general level of long-term interest rates as measured by gilt yields. An explicit allowance for risk is included by restricting the yields for equities and properties with reference to a margin over long-term interest rates or by making an explicit deduction from the yields on corporate bonds, mortgages and deposits, based on historical default experience of each asset class. A further margin for risk is then deducted for all asset classes.

The provisions held in respect of guaranteed annuity options are an assessment in accordance with FSA rules of the additional liability incurred under the option on a basis and method consistent with that used to value basic policy liabilities, and includes an assessment of the proportion of policyholders who will choose to exercise the option.

France

In France, the majority of policyholders’ benefits are determined by investment performance, subject to certain guarantees, and shareholders’ profits are derived largely from management fees. In addition, a substantial number of policies participate in investment returns, with the balance being attributable to shareholders.

The majority of provisions arise from a single premium savings product and are based on the accumulated fund value, adjusted to maintain consistency with the value of the assets backing the policyholder liabilities. The net premium method is used for prospective valuations, in accordance with local regulation, where the valuation assumptions depend on the date of issue of the contract. The valuation discount rate also depends on the original duration of the contract and mortality rates are based on industry tables.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the balance of profits, after providing appropriate returns for policyholders and after tax, accrues for the benefit of the shareholders. The bases for determining returns for policyholders are complex, but are consistent with methods and criteria followed generally in the Netherlands. In addition, a substantial number of policies provide benefits that are determined by investment performance, subject to certain guarantees, and shareholders’ profits are derived largely from management fees.

A liability adequacy test is performed in line with IFRS requirements. Where liabilities are based on current market interest rates and assets are valued at market value, the margin in the liability adequacy test is determined by comparison of the liabilities with the present value of best estimate cash flows.

United States

In the United States, there are two main types of business – protection products and accumulation products. Protection products include interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and indexed life insurance policies. The accumulation product segment includes traditional fixed and indexed deferred annuities for individuals and funding agreements for business customers. In addition, there are two closed blocks of participating contracts arising from demutualisations of subsidiary companies. All products are classified as insurance contracts except for the funding agreements and term certain immediate annuities, which are classified as non-participating investment contracts.

For the major part of our US business, insurance liabilities are measured in accordance with US GAAP as at the date of acquisition.

The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance is computed using the net level method, based on guaranteed interest and mortality rates as used in calculating cash surrender values. Reserve interest assumptions ranged from 2.00% to 7.50% in 2009 (2008: 2.00% to 7.50%). The weighted average interest rate for all traditional life policy reserves in 2009 was 4.47% (2008: 4.47%).

Future policy benefit reserves for universal life insurance, deferred annuity products and funding agreements are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. For the indexed products the liability held is calculated based on the option budget method and is equal to the host contract and the calculated value of the derivative. The value of the derivative is based on the present value of the difference between projected fund value and the underlying fund guarantee. The weighted average interest crediting rates for universal life products were 4.27% in 2009 (2008: 4.77%). The range of interest crediting rates for deferred annuity products, excluding sales inducement payouts, was 2.0% to 6.0% in 2009 (2008: 2.5% to 6.0%).

An additional liability is established for universal life contracts with death or other insurance benefit features, which are determined using an equally-weighted range of scenarios with respect to investment returns, policyholder lapses, benefit election rates, premium payout patterns and mortality. The

 

 


 


266

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

additional liability represents the present value of future expected benefits based on current product assumptions.

The indexed life and annuity products guarantee the return of principal to the customer, and credit interest based on certain indices. A portion of the premium from each customer is invested in fixed income securities and is intended to cover the minimum guaranteed value. A further portion of the premium is used to purchase call options to hedge the growth in interest credited to the customer as a direct result of increases in the related indices. Both the call options and the options embedded in the policy are valued at their fair value.

Deferred income reserves are established for fees charged for insurance benefit features which are assessed in a manner that is expected to result in higher profits in earlier years, followed by lower profits or losses in subsequent years. The excess charges are deferred and amortised using the same assumptions and factors used to amortise deferred acquisition costs. Shadow adjustments may be made to deferred acquisition costs, acquired value of in-force business, deferred income reserves and contract liabilities. The shadow adjustments are recognised directly in other comprehensive income so that unrealised gains or losses on investments that are recognised directly in other comprehensive income affect the measurement of the liability, or related assets, in the same way as realised gains or losses.

Rest of the World

In the 21 other countries in which we undertake long term business (following the sale of our business in Australia), local generally-accepted interest rates and published standard mortality tables are used for different categories of business as appropriate. The tables are based on relevant experience and show mortality rates, by age, for specific groupings of people.

Non-participating investment contract liabilities

The majority of the Group’s contracts classified as non-participating investment contracts are unit-linked contracts and are measured at fair value. Certain liabilities for non-linked non-participating contracts are measured at amortised cost.

The fair value liability is in principle established through the use of prospective discounted cash-flow techniques. For unit-linked contracts, the fair value liability is equal to the current unit fund value, plus additional non-unit reserves if required on a fair value basis. For non-linked contracts, the fair value liability is equal to the present value of expected cash flows on a market-consistent basis.

Amortised cost is calculated as the fair value of consideration received at the date of initial recognition, less the net effect of principal payments such as transaction costs and front-end fees, plus or minus the cumulative amortisation (using the effective interest rate method) of any difference between that initial amount and the maturity value, and less any write-down for surrender payments. The effective interest rate is the one that equates the discounted cash payments to the initial amount. At each reporting date, the amortised cost liability is determined as the value of future best estimate cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate.

Unallocated divisible surplus (“UDS”)

The unallocated divisible surplus represents the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities of the Group’s UK with-profit funds and participating business in other countries. The annual excess or shortfall of income over expenditure of the with-profits funds after declaration and attribution of the cost of bonuses to policyholders and shareholders is transferred to, or from, the UDS through a charge or credit to the income statement. The

balance is determined after full provision for deferred tax on unrealised appreciation of investments.

In the case of a shortfall of participating assets compared to participating liabilities, a negative UDS balance may be held. Negative UDS is subject to recoverability testing on a fair value basis, with any excess over the recoverable amount charged to net income. At 31 December 2009, the impact of market movements on asset values has led to deficits for participating business in Italy totalling £92 million. The negative balance is considered to be recoverable from margins in the existing participating business liabilities.

Changes to the level of the UDS do not directly impact shareholders’ results or funds. For UK with-profits business, after allowing for differences in the basis of preparation of the financial statements and UK regulatory returns, movements in the level of the UDS are broadly indicative of movements in the excess of regulatory basis assets over liabilities of the fund. In turn, movements in this excess as a proportion of liabilities are indicative of changes in the financial strength of the fund. Differences in the basis of preparation of financial statements and UK regulatory returns arise principally from the treatment of certain regulatory basis liabilities, such as mismatching reserves (that are accounted for as reserves within the UDS), asset valuation differences and admissibility deductions reflected in the regulatory returns.

Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”)

The costs directly attributable to the acquisition of new business for insurance and participating investment contracts (excluding those written in the UK) are deferred to the extent that they are expected to be recoverable out of future margins in revenues on these contracts. For participating contracts written in the UK, acquisition costs are generally not deferred as the liability for these contracts is calculated in accordance with the FSA’s realistic capital regime and FRS 27. For non-participating investment and fund management contracts, incremental acquisition costs and sales enhancements that are directly attributable to securing an investment management service are also deferred. Where such business is reinsured, an appropriate proportion of the deferred acquisition costs is attributed to the reinsurer, and is treated as a separate liability.

Long-term business deferred acquisition costs are amortised systematically over a period no longer than that in which they are expected to be recoverable out of these margins. Deferrable acquisition costs for non-participating investment and investment fund management contracts are amortised over the period in which the service is provided. The reinsurers’ share of DAC is amortised in the same manner as the underlying asset.

Increases to the DAC balance depend on the growth and mix of new business and the level of deferrable commissions and other acquisition costs related to the new business. The rates of amortisation of the DAC balances in our UK life insurance and US businesses are functions of projected future profits expected to emerge from the existing business (for the US, the DAC balance only relates to new business written since the acquisition date in November 2006). For other business units, the DAC amortisation patterns are generally fixed in relation to the term of the business, subject to recoverability testing of the DAC balance against future profit margins. Where the DAC amortisation pattern is a function of projected profits, the rate of amortisation is affected by the projection assumptions, including those for future management charges, crediting spreads, expenses, persistency and mortality.

An analysis of the sensitivity of deferred acquisition costs to possible changes in assumptions is included in “Financial

 

 


 


 

267

Aviva plc

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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

statements IFRS – Note 23 – Deferred acquisition costs and other assets.”

The deferral and amortisation of acquisition costs is of most relevance to the Group’s results for shareholder-financed long-term business in the UK and US. At 31 December 2009, a DAC asset of £4,069 million was recognised in respect of long term insurance and investment contract business, of which 31% arose in the UK and 51% in the US.

(a) United Kingdom

For UK non-profit business, DAC is held in respect of unit-linked life, unit-linked pension and conventional business. The deferred new business costs are amortised over the lifetime of a product group. The amount of DAC at any point in time must be recoverable from future margins. For insurance contracts, recoverability of DAC is measured against the present value of future profits (PVFP) using embedded value methodology, with some level of prudence above this. In order to include some prudence, DAC is currently limited to 90% of PVFP for all products. For non-participating investment contracts, recoverability is tested against future margins on a fair value basis, again limited to 90% of PVFP.

(b) United States

Certain commissions, policy issue and underwriting costs, and other variable costs incurred to acquire or renew traditional life insurance, universal life insurance, equity indexed life and annuity products are deferred. We generally amortise DAC for participating traditional life insurance over the life of the policies in proportion to the present value of estimated gross margins. Non participating traditional life insurance DAC is amortised over the premium paying period of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policy benefit reserves. For universal life insurance and annuity products, we generally amortise DAC in proportion to the present value of estimated gross margins from surrender charges and investment, mortality, and expense margins. The effect on the cumulative amortisation of DAC for revisions in estimated future gross margins on participating traditional life, universal life, and annuity products is reflected in the period such estimates are revised.

We make shadow adjustments to the DAC asset, which are recognised directly in other comprehensive income. This means that the measurement of the DAC asset is adjusted for unrealised gains or losses on available-for-sale securities supporting such products that are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, in the same way as if those gains or losses had been realised.

We perform recoverability testing in the year of issue to determine whether the expected gross premiums collected over the life of traditional products is sufficient to recover the initial DAC as well as to provide for expected future benefits and maintenance costs.

Acquired value of in-force business (AVIF)

The present value of future profits on a portfolio of long-term insurance and investment contracts, acquired either directly or through the purchase of a subsidiary, is recognised as an asset. If this results from the acquisition of an investment in a joint venture or an associate, the AVIF is held within the carrying amount of that investment. In all cases, the AVIF is amortised over the useful lifetime of the related contracts in the portfolio on a systematic basis. The rate of amortisation is chosen by considering the profile of the additional value of in-force business acquired and the expected depletion in its value. The value of the acquired in-force long-term business is reviewed annually for any impairment in value and any reductions are charged as expenses in the income statement.

Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates

Certain estimates and assumptions used in determining our liabilities for long-term insurance and investment contract business were changed from 2008 to 2009. The effect of these changes on the profit recognised for the year with the equivalent effect on liabilities, and related assets, such as reinsurance, deferred acquisition costs and AVIF, is analysed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 39 – Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year”.

An analysis of the sensitivity of shareholders’ equity and our profit before tax to possible changes in assumptions is included in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”.

 

 


 


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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

General insurance and health

Provisions for outstanding claims

Delays occur in the notification and settlement of claims and a substantial measure of experience and judgement is involved in assessing outstanding liabilities, the ultimate cost of which cannot be known with certainty at the statement of financial position date. The reserves for general insurance and health business are based on information currently available. However, it is inherent in the nature of the business written that the ultimate liabilities may vary as a result of subsequent developments.

Provisions for outstanding claims are established to cover the outstanding expected ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) in respect of all claims that have already occurred. The provisions established cover reported claims and associated LAE, as well as claims incurred but not yet reported and associated LAE.

We only establish loss reserves for losses that have already occurred. We therefore do not establish catastrophe equalisation reserves that defer a share of income in respect of certain lines of business from years in which a catastrophe does not occur to future periods in which catastrophes may occur. When calculating reserves, we take into account estimated future recoveries from salvage and subrogation, and a separate asset is recorded for expected future recoveries from reinsurers after considering their collectability.

The table below shows the split of total general insurance and health outstanding claim provisions and IBNR provisions, gross of reinsurance, by major line of business.

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

2008

 

Outstanding
Claim
Provisions
£m

IBNR
Provisions
£m

Total
Claim
Provisions
£m

 

Outstanding
Claim
Provisions
£m

IBNR
Provisions
£m

Total Claim
Provisions
£m

Motor

4,411

753

5,164

  

4,723

960

5,683

Property

1,697

196

1,893

  

1,920

257

2,177

Liability

2,707

1,379

4,086

  

3,407

878

4,285

Creditor

170

17

187

  

131

28

159

Other

992

374

1,366

  

1,661

395

2,056

  

9,977

2,719

12,696

  

11,842

2,518

14,360

Discounting

Outstanding claims provisions are based on undiscounted estimates of future claim payments, except for the following classes of business for which discounted provisions are held:

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

Mean term of liabilities

 

2009

2008

 

2009

2008

Netherlands Permanent health and injury

3.48%

3.82%

  

8 years

7 years

Reinsured London Market business

4.00%

3.56%

  

10 years

8 years

Latent claims

0.82% to 4.84%

1.17% to 3.92%

  

8 years to 15 years

9 years to 15 years

Structured settlements

3.30%

2.50%

  

35 years

35 years

 

The gross outstanding claims provisions before discounting were £13,576 million (2008: £15,061 million) and after discounting were £12,696 (2008: £14,360 million). The period of time which will elapse before the liabilities are settled has been estimated by modelling the settlement patterns of the underlying claims.

The discount rate that has been applied to latent claims reserves is based on the swap rate in the relevant currency having regard to the expected settlement dates of the claims. The range of discount rates used depends on the duration of the claims and is given in the table above. The duration of the claims span over 35 years, with the average duration between 8 and 15 years depending on the geographical region.

Assumptions

We estimate outstanding claims provisions based on known facts at the date of estimation. Case estimates are generally set by skilled claims technicians by applying their experience and knowledge to individual claims taking into account all available information and correspondence regarding the circumstances of the claim, such as medical reports, investigations and inspections. Claims technicians set case estimates according to documented claims department policies and specialise in setting estimates for certain lines of business or types of claim. Claims above certain limits are referred to senior claims handlers for authorisation.

No adjustments are made to the claims technicians’ case estimates included in booked claim provisions, except for rare occasions when the estimated ultimate cost of a large or unusual claim may be adjusted, subject to internal reserve committee approval, to allow for uncertainty regarding, for example, the outcome of a court case. The ultimate cost of outstanding claims is then estimated by using a range of standard actuarial claims projection techniques, such as the Chain Ladder and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods. The main assumption underlying these techniques is that a company’s past claims development experience can be used to project future claims development and hence ultimate claims costs. Accordingly, these methods extrapolate the development of paid and incurred losses, average costs per claim and claim numbers based on the observed development of earlier years and expected loss ratios. Historical claims development is mainly analysed by accident period, although underwriting or notification period is also used where this is considered appropriate.

Claim development is separately analysed for each geographic area, as well as by each line of business. Certain lines of business are also further analysed by claim type or type of coverage. In addition, large claims are usually separately addressed, either by being reserved at the face value of loss adjuster estimates or separately projected in order to reflect their future development.

The assumptions used in most non-life actuarial projection techniques, including future rates of claims inflation or loss ratio assumptions, are implicit in the historical claims development data on which the projections are based. Additional qualitative

 

 


 

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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

judgement is used to assess the extent to which past trends may not apply in the future, for example, to reflect one-off occurrences, changes in external or market factors such as public attitudes to claiming, economic conditions, levels of claims inflation, judicial decisions and legislation, as well as internal factors such as portfolio mix, policy conditions and claims handling procedures in order to arrive at a point estimate for the ultimate cost of claims that represents the likely outcome from a range of methods and from the range of possible outcomes, taking account of all the uncertainties involved. The range of possible outcomes does not, however, result in the quantification of a reserve range.

However, the following explicit assumptions are made which could materially impact the level of booked net reserves:

UK mesothelioma claims:

The level of uncertainty associated with latent claims is considerable due to the relatively small number of claims and the long tail nature of the liabilities. UK mesothelioma claims account for a large proportion of the Group’s latent claims. The key assumptions underlying the estimation of these claims include:

Claim numbers

Base average cost per claim

Future inflation in average cost of claims

Legal fees

Life expectancy of potential sufferers

 

The best estimate of the liabilities reflects the latest available market information and studies. Many different scenarios can be derived by flexing these key assumptions and applying different combinations of the different assumptions. An upper and lower scenario can be derived by making reasonably likely changes to these assumptions, resulting in an estimate £195 million greater than the best estimate, or £155 million lower than the best estimate. These scenarios do not, however, constitute an upper or lower bound on these liabilities.

The interest rates used to discount latent claim liabilities:

The discount rates used in determining our latent claim liabilities are based on the relevant swap curve in the relevant currency at the reporting date, having regard to the duration of the expected settlement of latent claims. The range of discount rates used is shown in section (c) of “Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities” and depends on the duration of the claim and the reporting date. At 31 December 2009 it is estimated that a 1% fall in the discount rates used would increase net claim reserves by approximately £60 million, excluding the offsetting effect on asset values as assets are not hypothecated across classes of business. The impact of a 1% fall in interest rates across all assets and liabilities of our General Insurance and Health businesses is shown in section (i) of “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”.

The uncertainties involved in estimating loss reserves are allowed for in the reserving process and by the estimation of explicit reserve uncertainty distributions. The reserve estimation basis for non-life claims adopted by the Group at 31 December 2008 requires all non-life businesses to calculate booked claim provisions as the best estimate of the cost of future claim payments, plus an explicit allowance for risk and uncertainty. The allowance for risk and uncertainty is calculated by each business unit in accordance with the requirements of the Group non-life reserving policy, taking into account the risks and uncertainties specific to each line of business and type of claim in that territory. The requirements of the Group non-life reserving policy also seek to ensure that the allowance for risk and uncertainty is set consistently across both business units and reporting periods.

Changes to claims development patterns can materially impact the results of actuarial projection techniques. However, allowance for the inherent uncertainty in the assumptions underlying reserving projections is automatically allowed for in the explicit allowance for risk and uncertainty included when setting booked reserves. For additional information on the assumptions and changes that have occurred related to our claims provisions, see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 35 – Insurance liabilities”.

Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates

Certain estimates and assumptions used in determining our liabilities for general and health insurance business were changed from 2008 to 2009, and this affected the profit recognised for the year with an equivalent effect on liabilities. The effect of these changes on the profit recognised for the year with the equivalent effect on liabilities, and related assets, such as reinsurance and deferred acquisition costs, is analysed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 39 – Effect of changes in assumptions and estimates during the year”.

In 2009 an exceptional charge of £60 million was incurred for the strengthening of reserves in respect of several specific discontinued commercial liability risks written in Canada a significant number of years ago, which is included in change in insurance liabilities.

In 2008 the Institute of Actuaries’ Asbestos Working Party report contributed to our view that experience variances, which we had previously perceived as normal short-term volatility, reflected a real worsening of expected ultimate claims experience. The market trend in mesothelioma claims was fully reflected as a significant one-off strengthening of gross latent claims reserves in 2008 of £356 million, with a corresponding increase of £52 million in reinsurance recoverable. The net increase of £304 million comprised £668 million on an undiscounted basis and discounting of £364 million.

An analysis of the sensitivity of shareholders’ equity and our profit before tax to possible changes in assumptions is included in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 53 – Risk management”

 

 


270

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Deferred tax

In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we have made estimates relating to income taxes of the Group and our consolidated subsidiaries taking into account each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The process involves estimating our actual current income tax position together with assessing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for income tax reporting and financial accounting and reporting purposes. Such differences result in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated statements of financial position. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred income tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. We recognise a deferred income tax asset to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which temporary differences can be utilised. In countries where there is a history of tax losses, deferred tax assets are only recognised in excess of deferred tax liabilities if there is a convincing evidence that future profits will be available. Significant management judgement is required in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the extent deferred income tax assets are recoverable against future profits.

Deferred tax liabilities are established for temporary differences arising from investment in subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures and associates except where the timing of the reversal of these differences can be controlled and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of our share of the net assets of the acquired subsidiary, associate or joint venture at the date of acquisition.

Intangibles consist primarily of brands, certain of which have been assessed as having indefinite useful lives, and contractual relationships such as access to distribution networks and customer lists. Judgement is required in determining the useful life. The economic lives of the contractual relationships are determined by considering relevant factors such as usage of the asset, typical product life cycles, potential obsolescence, maintenance costs, the stability of the industry, competitive position, and the period of control over the assets. At 31 December 2009, intangible assets with indefinite useful lives comprise the RAC brands, and the value of the Union Financière de France Banque distribution channel, where the existing lives of the assets and their competitive position in, and the stability of, their respective markets support this classification.

 

Impairment testing of goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives requires the exercise of judgement by management. An element of judgement is involved in evaluating when the indication of an impairment is significant enough to require a full test to be undertaken, and in determining the fair value to be used to assess recoverability of the carrying value. The valuation techniques use expected discounted cash flows taking into account the current shareholder net asset value plus future profitability on business in-force and profitability value on future new business.

However, future tests may be based upon different assumptions and market/economic conditions, which may or may not result in impairment of these assets in future periods. In addition, changes in market, economic or other conditions may affect the value of goodwill. Should an impairment occur, any loss could materially reduce the value of the goodwill asset, with a corresponding charge recorded against income. An impairment of goodwill is not reversible.

Further details on goodwill allocation and impairment testing are given in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 13 – Goodwill – (b) Goodwill allocation and impairment testing”.

Provisions and contingent liabilities

The recognition of provisions, both in terms of timing and quantum, requires the exercise of judgement based on the relevant circumstances, which can be subject to change over time.

Apart from pension obligations, our largest provisions relate to restructuring programmes, which cover primarily severance. For severance provisions, the provision is only recognised where employees have a valid expectation, or have already been told, of their redundancy.

Additionally, we are subject to certain legal claims and actions (see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 48 – Contingent liabilities and other risk factors”). Provision for specific claims or actions are only made when the outcome is considered ‘probable’ that there will be a future outflow of funds, and/or providing for any associated legal costs. The initial provision reflects management’s best estimate of the probable cost of ultimate resolution of the legal action and is revised accordingly as facts and circumstances change and, ultimately, when the action is brought to a closure. Under IFRS, these provisions are discounted where the impact is material. Other provisions are held where the recoverability of amounts is uncertain, or where the actual outcome may differ from the resulting estimates.

Contingent liabilities are disclosed if the future obligation is probable and the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or if they are possible but not probable.


 

 

 


 

271

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Pension obligations

We provide defined benefit pension plans in various forms covering eligible employees across its operations. At 31 December 2009, the total liability recognised for defined benefit pension plan deficits was £3,058 million (2008: £2,015 million).

The inherent uncertainties affecting the measurement of scheme liabilities require these to be measured on an actuarial basis. This involves discounting the best estimate of future cash flows to be paid out by the schemes using the projected unit credit method. This is an accrued benefits valuation method which calculates the past service liability to members and makes allowance for their projected future earnings. It is based on a number of actuarial assumptions, which vary according to the economic conditions of the countries in which the relevant businesses are situated, and changes in these assumptions can materially affect the measurement of the pension obligations.

The main actuarial assumptions used to calculate scheme liabilities are set out in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 44 – Pension obligations”. The discount rate and pension increase rate are the two assumptions that have the largest impact on the value of the liabilities, with the difference between them being known as the net discount rate. For each country, the discount rate is based on current average yields of high quality debt instruments taking account of the maturities of the defined benefit obligations. A 1% increase in this rate (and therefore the net discount rate) would reduce the liabilities by £1.8 billion and the service cost for the year by £31 million.

Mortality assumptions are significant in measuring the Group’s obligations under its defined benefit schemes, particularly given the maturity of these obligations in the material schemes. The mortality tables and average life expectancy used at 31 December 2009 are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 44 – Pension obligations”. The tables used to measure post-retirement mortality are considered appropriate based on the mortality experience of

 

the schemes. However, the extent of future improvements in longevity is subject to considerable uncertainty and judgement is required in setting this assumption. In the UK schemes, which are by far the most material to the Group, the assumptions include an allowance for future mortality improvement, based on the actuarial profession’s medium cohort projection table, and incorporating underpins to the rate of the future improvement equal to 1.5% for males and 1.0% for females. The effect of assuming all members were one year younger would increase the schemes’ liabilities by £248 million and the service cost for the year by £5 million.

The expected rates of return on the schemes’ assets are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 44 – Pension obligations. The overall rates of return are based on the expected returns within each asset category and on current asset allocations. The expected returns for equities and properties have been aligned with rates used for the longer-term investment return assumptions, other than Netherlands, where they have been developed in conjunction with external advisers due to the characteristics of the scheme. The figures for the total expected return on scheme assets are stated after deducting investment expenses.

 

IFRS accounting developments

“Financial statements – Accounting policies – (A) Basis of presentation” provides a discussion of the new standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and International Financial Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) respectively, which will be effective in future accounting periods.

We continue to take an active role in the development of new accounting standards, via industry forums and working parties, and reviewing and providing comment on proposals from the IASB. Phase II of the IASB’s project on insurance contracts continues to be the most significant area of development for us, and we continue actively to engage in the debate.


 

 

 


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Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Share capital

We have four major share authorised classes:

— 

Ordinary Shares of £0.25 which constitute our equity security and hold voting rights;

— 

 

Cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each, which entitle their holders to attend and vote at general meetings only when dividends on such shares are in arrears. Cumulative irredeemable preference shareholders may also attend general meetings and vote on particular proposals when such proposals relate to an alteration of the rights attaching to such shares, a reduction of our capital (other than through of a redemption or repurchase of shares) or a winding up of our business;

— 

Sterling New Preference Shares of £1 each, which have such rights and terms (including terms related to the redemption of shares, ranking and entitlement to dividend and capital) as our Board determines; and

—  

Euro New Preference Shares of €1 each, which have such rights and terms (including, terms related to the redemption of such shares, ranking and entitlement to dividend and capital) as our Board determines.

Authorised and Issued Share Capital

We had aggregate issued ordinary share capital of £691,652,844 as of 31 December 2009. The following table sets forth information about our authorised and outstanding classes of equity as of 31 December 2009.

 

 

Shares authorised

 

Shares outstanding

 

Shares covered by outstanding option

Share class

2009
Million

2008
Million

2007
Million

 

2009
Million

2008
Million

2007
Million

 

2009
Million

2008
Million

2007
Million

Ordinary Shares, nominal value 25p

5,200

3,000

3,000

 

2,433

342

378

 

26

26

23

8.375% Cumulative Irredeemable
Preferred Shares, nominal value £1

100

100

100

 

 

8.75% Cumulative Irredeemable
Preferred Shares, nominal value £1

100

100

100

 

 

Preferred Shares, nominal value £1

1,000

1,000

1,000

 

1,000

1,000

1,000

 

Preferred Shares, nominal value €1

700

700

700

 

700

700

700

 

 

We are not permitted under English law to hold our own ordinary shares. While we are presently authorised to repurchase up to 265 million ordinary shares, any shares we repurchase must be cancelled. Details of our dividends, including our paying agents are set out below under “Memorandum and Articles of Association”.

Share options and awards

The Company maintains a number of active stock option and share award schemes. Details of these schemes are set out in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 26 – Equity compensation plans”.

Share Investment Plan

Our UK resident employees can buy shares in the Company by making monthly contributions from their gross salary. Contributions can be a minimum of £5 and up to a maximum of £125 per month (or, if less, 10% of gross salary). Contributions are held in a trust by an independent trustee and shares are allocated within 30 days of the employee’s monthly contribution date. Employees can withdraw their shares from the trust at any time on payment of income tax and NIC. However, after five years shares can be withdrawn from the trust free of income tax and NIC.

Shares to Satisfy Options and Awards

Prior to March 2003, it was the practice to satisfy options and awards granted under the executive incentive plans through shares purchased in the market and held by employee share trusts which were established for the purpose of satisfying awards under the various executive incentive plans and funded by the Company.

Since March 2003, it has generally been the Company’s practice to satisfy the awards granted after that date by the issue of new shares at the time of vesting, and no shares were purchased by the trusts. However, during 2008, shares have been purchased by the trustee to allow awards to be satisfied from trust where necessary to comply with local regulations. Further details are given in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 27 – Shares held by employee trusts.”

At 31 December 2009, 17,979,232 shares were held by the employee share trusts as compared to 8,635,582 at 31 December 2008. These shares have an aggregate nominal value of £4,494,808 and market value £71,539,364 as of 31 December, compared to £2,158,896 and £33,678,770 at 31 December 2008, respectively.

 

 


 

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History of Share Capital

The following table sets forth information about the history of our ordinary shares over the last three full calendar years.

 

 

Number of
shares outstanding

At 1 January 2007

2,565,753,431

Shares issued under the Group’s Employee and Executive Share Option Schemes1

14,871,901

Shares issued in lieu of dividends2

41,167,496

At 31 December 2007

2,621,792,828

Shares issued under the Group’s Employee and Executive Share Option Schemes1

8,429,587

At 31 December 2008

2,657,701,624

Shares issued under the Group’s Employee and Executive Share Option Schemes1

951,455

Shares issued in lieu of dividends2

107,958,295

At 31 December 2009

2,766,611,374

1.

For more information on our various option schemes, see ”Governance” section.

2.

The issue of shares in lieu of cash dividends is considered a bonus issue under the terms of the Companies Act 2006 and the nominal value of the shares is charged to the share premium account.

 

The Company issued shares pursuant to special resolutions passed on 10 May 2006, increasing the authorised share capital from £1.45 billion and €700 million to £1.95 billion and €700 million by the creation of 500 million new preference shares of £1 each, and allowing the directors, subject to certain conditions, to issue equity securities up to the aggregate nominal value of £150 million. This authority expired at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting in 2007. A further ordinary resolution was passed on 26 April 2007 allowing the directors, subject to certain conditions, to allot equity securities up to the aggregate nominal value of £108 million. This authority expired at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting in 2008. An ordinary resolution was passed on 1 May 2008 allowing the directors, subject to certain conditions, to issue equity securities up to the aggregate nominal value of £94 million. This authority expired at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting in 2009. Ordinary resolutions were passed on 29 April 2009, increasing the authorised share capital from £1.95 billion and €700 million to £2.5 billion and €700 million by the creation of 2.2 billion ordinary shares of 25 pence each, and allowing the directors, subject to certain conditions, to issue equity securities up to the aggregate nominal value of £221 million and up to £443 million in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue. This authority expires at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting on 28 April 2010.

Our authorised share capital currently is £2,500,000,000 and €700,000,000 divided into 5,200,000,000 ordinary shares of 25 pence each, 200,000,000 cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each, 500,000,000 Sterling preference shares of £1 each, 500,000,000 Sterling new preference shares of £1 each and 700,000,000 Euro preference shares of €1 each.

There were no changes to the voting rights of any class of shares during 2007, 2008 or 2009 and, other than issuances in connection with our various employee option schemes and under the Company’s scrip dividend scheme. We did not issue shares for consideration other than cash during 2007, 2008 or 2009. In addition, at our general meetings in 2007, 2008 and 2009, our shareholders authorised the limited disapplication of Section 561 of the Companies Act 2006 to permit us to issue new equity securities for cash without applying shareholders’ statutory pre-emptive rights.

 

 


274

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Memorandum and Articles of Association

The following is a summary of the rights of the holders of our shares and of certain significant provisions of our Memorandum and Articles of Association and relevant laws and regulations of various regulatory bodies. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For more complete information you should read our Memorandum and Articles of Association. Directions on how to obtain a complete copy of our Memorandum and Articles of association are provided under “Where You Can Find More Information”.

At the 2010 Annual General Meeting, shareholders will be asked to adopt new Articles of Association and further details can be found in the Notice of Meeting.

The deposit agreement among us, Citibank and the registered holders from time to time of the ADSs, will govern the rights of holders of ADSs as described in “Description of securities other than equity securities” on page 283. You should be aware that these rights are different from the rights of the holders of our ordinary shares.

Organisation and Register

Our registered company number in the UK is 2468686. The various entities that comprise Aviva have histories of considerable duration. Hand in Hand was established in 1696, Commercial Union was established in 1861, General Accident was founded in 1885 and Norwich Union was founded in 1797. However, the Group’s current structure dates back to February 9, 1990, when Commercial Union plc was a public limited company organised under the laws of England and Wales.

Objects

Under clause four of our Memorandum and Articles of Association, our principal purpose is to carry on the business of a holding company and, for that purpose to acquire and hold (for ourselves or as trustee or nominee) securities in any part of the world. Further purposes include providing financial, administrative and investment services, including carrying on the business of an insurance and guarantee company and the business of banking in all its aspects.

Directors

The number of our directors is not less than six, nor more than twenty. We may, in a general meeting by ordinary resolution, increase or reduce the maximum and the minimum number of the directors and determine the length of the term the directors serve.

A director is not required to hold any shares by way of qualification. However in line with investor guidelines, the Group Chief Executive and the executive directors are required to build, over a five-year period, a shareholding equivalent to 1.75 times basic annual salary and 1.5 times basic annual salary respectively. The non-executive directors as a body are paid remuneration for their services at a rate not exceeding £1,500,000 per annum, to be determined by our Board, or at such other rate that the Board, in general meeting by ordinary resolution, may determine. Such remuneration is to be divided amongst the directors in such proportions and manner that the Board determines and, in default of such determination, equally. The remuneration payable accrues from day to day. A director is entitled to be repaid all reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses incurred by him in or about the performance of his duties of a director, including any expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board or of Committees of our Board or general meetings, whether incurred in the UK or in any overseas country.

Our Board may appoint any person to be a director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing directors. Any director so appointed holds office only until the next

following annual general meeting and is then eligible for election, but that direction is not to be taken into account in determining the retirement of directors by rotation at such meeting. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not contain an age restriction applicable to directors.

Powers of our Board of Directors and Election of Directors

Our Board of Directors manages our business. However, our shareholders must approve certain matters, such as changes to the share capital and the election of directors. Directors are appointed subject to our Memorandum and Articles of Association. At every annual general meeting, one-third of the directors (or the number nearest one-third if the number of directors is not a multiple of three) must retire, with the one-third required to retire constituted by those who have been in office the longest. In no case may a director fail to retire later than the third annual general meeting following his or her last appointment or reappointment. Retiring directors are eligible for re-election.

Under English law, shareholders of a public company may, by ordinary resolution, appoint a person who is willing to be a director either to fill a vacancy or, subject to any limit provided in the company’s articles of association, as an additional director. Shareholders may also remove any director before the end of his or her term of office by ordinary resolution and may appoint another person in his or her place. In addition, under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, our Board of Directors also has the power to appoint a director to fill a vacancy on our Board or to serve as an additional director, provided that a director so elected may only serve until the next following annual general meeting of the company, at which the director may be re-elected.

Directors’ Interests

Section 177 of the Companies Act of 2006 provides that a director who is directly or indirectly interested in a contract or proposed contract or arrangement or proposed arrangement connected to us or any of our subsidiaries must declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of our Board. In the case of a proposed contract or proposed arrangement, the declaration must be made at the meeting of our Board, at which the question of entering into the contract or arrangement is first taken into consideration or, if the director was not at the date of the meeting interested in the proposed contract or arrangement, at the next meeting of our Board held after he became so interested. In a case where the director becomes interested in a contract after it is entered into or an arrangement after it is made, the declaration must be made at the first meeting of our Board held after the director becomes so interested.

If the contract was entered into or the arrangement made or the proposed contract or arrangement was considered before the director was appointed or elected, the declaration must be made at the first meeting of our Board following his appointment or election or, if he was not then aware of the existence of the contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement, at the next meeting following his becoming so aware.

 

 


 

 

 


 


 

275

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

A director may hold any other office (other than that of auditor) or any other company in which he is in any way interested in conjunction with his office of director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as our Board may determine, and no person is disqualified from appointment or election as a director by reason of his holding any office (other than that of auditor).

No director or director candidate is disqualified by his office from contracting either with regard to his tenure of any such office, nor is any such contract to be avoided, nor is any director so contracting or being so interested to be liable to account to us for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such director holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship established by his directorship.

Directors’ Remuneration

The remuneration of our Board of Directors is determined by the Remuneration Committee which consists of independent non-executive directors. For further details see “Governance – Directors’ remuneration report”.


Proceedings of our Board and Committees

Our Board may meet together for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit and decide the quorum necessary for the transaction of business. Unless and until otherwise decided, the quorum is four directors. No business may be transacted without the requisite quorum. Questions arising at any meeting are decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting has a casting vote.

Two directors may and, upon request of two directors, the secretary shall at any time summon, a meeting of our Board by notice given to all of the directors. Notice of a meeting of our Board is deemed to be duly given to a director if it is given to him personally, by word of mouth, by electronic communication to an address given by him for that purpose or sent in writing to him at his last-known address or another address given by him for that purpose. A director while absent from the United Kingdom is not entitled to receive notice of any meeting of our Board.

Our Board may from time to time appoint one or more directors as Managing Director, Executive Director, joint Managing Directors or joint Executive Directors either for a fixed or an indefinite term and may from time to time, without prejudice to the terms of any agreement entered into in any particular case, remove or dismiss any directors so appointed from office and appoint another or other directors in his or their place or places.

Liabilities of Directors and Officers

English law does not permit a company to exempt any director or other officer of the company, or any person employed by the company as auditor, from any liability that by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which he may be guilty in relation to the company. English law enables companies to purchase and maintain insurance for directors, officers and auditors against any such liability. We maintain such insurance for our directors and executive officers. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that our directors and officers, among others are entitled to indemnification by Aviva out of our own funds against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by such person in connection with the discharge of his duties or the exercise of his powers.



Debt Limitations

Our Memorandum and Articles of Association grant our Board of Directors authority to exercise our power to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertaking, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of ours or of any third party. The aggregate amount of debt borrowed or secured by us or any of our subsidiaries (to the extent our Board can procure through voting and other powers of control) must not, without the prior approval of the shareholders in a general meeting, exceed twice the aggregate of our share capital and consolidated reserves, subject to certain adjustments set forth in our Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Special Share Rights

Subject to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares, we may issue any share with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise.

If any class of shares has any preferential right to dividend or return of capital, the conferring on other shares of rights to either dividend or return of capital ranking either before or pari passu with that class is generally deemed a variation of the rights attached to that class of shares.

Subject to legislation and unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms on which shares of that class are held, any of the rights attached to any class of shares may be varied or abrogated with the written consent of the holders of three-fourths in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of such shares. The provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association as to general meetings of the Company apply, with any necessary modifications, to a variation of class rights meeting, except that the necessary quorum is two persons present holding at least one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class or, for an adjourned meeting, one person present holding shares of the class in question, and where a person is present by proxy or by proxies, that person is treated as holding only the shares in respect of which those proxies are authorised to exercise voting rights.

We may issue and allot new preference shares in one or more separate series, each of which may constitute a separate class, and the new preference shares comprising each such series or class will rank pari passu and have such rights and terms, as may be attached by our Board prior to allotment. Sterling new preference shares, new preference shares and Euro new preference shares will have such rights and terms as the Board may determine in accordance the terms of their respective capital instruments as well as such further rights and terms as may be determined by the Board prior to their issue. For details on the rights of our preference shares, see “Financial statements IFRS – Note 28 – Preference share capital.”

 



276

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Allotment of Securities

Our Board has the general power to allot equity securities for cash pursuant to the general authority for the first period and each subsequent period. This power is limited to:

(a)

allotments of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or otherwise in favour of holders of ordinary shares or other equity securities of any class made in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their respective existing holdings of ordinary shares or other equity securities of the class concerned (so that any offer to holders of other equity securities of any class shall be on the basis of their rights to receive that offer or, in the case of securities convertible into ordinary shares, proportionate to the number of ordinary shares which would be allotted upon the exercise in full of the attached conversion rights) but subject to our Board having a right to make such exclusions or other

arrangements in connection with that offering as it deems necessary or expedient:

 

(i)

to deal with equity securities representing fractional entitlements; and

 

(ii)

to deal with legal or practical problems arising in any overseas territory or by virtue of shares being represented by depositary receipts, the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange, or any other matter whatsoever; and

(b)

allotments of equity securities for cash other than pursuant to paragraph (a) up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the described in section 89 of the UK Companies Act of 1985 (or the number of shares already in issue).

 

This also applies to a sale of treasury shares, which is an allotment of equity securities on the basis that a sale of treasury shares would not be made pursuant to the authority conferred but would be made pursuant to the authority granted by the UK Companies Act 1985, as amended.

Our Board may at any time after the allotment of a share, but before a person has been entered in the register as the holder of the share, recognise a renunciation of the share by the allottee in favour of another person and may grant to an allottee a right to effect a renunciation on the terms and conditions our Board thinks fit.

Pre-emptive Rights

Under English law, the issue for cash of equity securities or rights to subscribe for or convert into equity securities must be offered in the first instance to the existing equity shareholders in proportion to the respective nominal values of their holdings in the class of equity securities being offered, unless a special resolution has been passed in a general meeting of shareholders disapplying (whether generally or specifically) this requirement. As is the custom of many companies listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority, we generally obtain authority annually from our shareholders to allot up to a specified amount of equity share capital for cash, instead of allotting pro rata to our existing shareholders.

 

Share Warrants to Bearer

Subject to any statutory restrictions, we may issue share warrants with respect to any shares which are fully paid up upon a request in writing by the relevant shareholder. The request should be in the form, and authenticated by the statutory declaration or other evidence as to identity of the person making the same, as our Board may require.

Calls on Shares

Our Board may from time to time make calls on the shareholders in respect of any monies unpaid on their shares or on any class of their shares, whether on account of the nominal value of the shares or by way of premium, and not by the conditions of allotment thereof made payable at fixed times. Each shareholder will be required, subject to his having been given at least fourteen days’ notice specifying the time or times and place of payment, to pay at the time and place so specified the amount called on his shares. A call may be made payable by instalments, may be revoked by our Board before receipt of any sum due or postponed as our Board may decide and be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of our Board authorising the call was passed. A person upon whom a call is made remains liable for calls made upon him notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the shares.

 

Forfeiture of Shares

If the whole or any part of any call or instalment of a call in regard to a share is not paid on forfeiture notice or before the day appointed for payment, our Board may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of the call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on the shareholder in whose name the share is registered requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest and expenses which may have accrued by reason of such non-payment.

Lien on Shares

We have a first and paramount lien and charge on every share that has not been fully paid for all monies, whether presently payable or not, called or payable at a fixed time in respect of that share. Subject to the statutes, we also have a first and paramount lien on every share that has not been fully paid standing registered in the name of a single shareholder for all the debts and liabilities of such shareholder whether incurred before or after notice of any equitable or other interest of any person other than such shareholder and whether the period for the payment or discharge has arrived or not and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such shareholder or his estate and any other person, whether a shareholder or not. Our lien on a share shall extend to all dividends payable thereon.

 



 

277

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Transfer of Shares

Subject to such restrictions in our articles of association as may apply, any shareholder may, without payment of any fee, transfer all or any of his certificated shares by written instrument, in any usual common form or in any other form which our Board may approve, executed by or on behalf of the transferor and, in the case of a transfer of a share not fully paid, by or on behalf of the transferee.

Transmission of Shares

In case of the death of a shareholder, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder, and the legal personal representatives of the deceased where he was a sole or only surviving holder, will be the only persons recognised by us as having any title to his shares, but nothing in the Memorandum and Articles of Association shall release the estate of the deceased shareholder from any liability, whether sole or joint, in respect of any share which has been solely or jointly held by him.

Any person becoming entitled to a share as a result of the death or bankruptcy of a shareholder may, upon production of sufficient evidence of his right, either elect to be registered himself as a shareholder or to have some person nominated by him registered as a shareholder in respect of the share.

Shareholders Resident Abroad

If a shareholder has not provided us with an address in the UK, we are not currently required to send notices to such shareholder directly. Notices to such shareholders may be posted in our registered office and are then deemed to be given to those shareholders on the date when they are first posted. Unless otherwise required by law or our Memorandum and Articles of Association, we may also give notices by advertisement published once in at least one leading UK daily newspaper. Alternatively, so long as a shareholder has so agreed, we may give notice of a general meeting by posting on our website, provided we have notified the shareholder of the posting in a manner it has agreed with us. There are no limitations on non-resident or foreign shareholders’ rights to own our securities or exercise voting rights where such rights are given under English company law. For holders of ADSs, please see “Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities”.

Equity Share Capital – Rights of Purchase and Redemption

Under English law, a company may issue redeemable shares if authorised by its articles of association and subject to the conditions stated therein. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association authorise the issue of redeemable shares. Although our cumulative irredeemable preferred shares are not subject to redemption like our ordinary shares, our Memorandum and Articles of Association permit the purchase of our own shares and we may purchase our cumulative irredeemable preferred shares. An English company may purchase its own shares, including any redeemable shares, if so authorised by its articles of association and provided that the purchase must be previously approved by a general or specific ordinary resolution of its shareholders, in the case of an on-market purchase (although the Association of British Insurers prefers a special resolution) or a special resolution, in the case of an off-market purchase. The shares may be redeemed or repurchased only if fully paid and, in the case of public companies such as us, only out of distributable profits or the proceeds of a new issue of shares issued for the purpose of the purchase or redemption.

Winding Up

In the event of a winding up, holders of preference shares have priority over holders of ordinary shares. This applies to all types of preference shares. We are subject to the general insolvency law applicable to UK companies, which is described within “Performance review – Information on the Company”.

Dividends and Reserves

Our dividends are based on our profits and are paid out to shareholders for each share they hold, and do not generally have any restrictions. Our dividends are usually paid as cash to both UK and overseas shareholders. Our dividends can be paid by cheque or as a direct bank transfer. We have also introduced a dividend reinvestment plan.

As with many other companies listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority, we regularly seek authority at annual general meetings to approve on-market purchases of our ordinary shares subject to specified limitations. When a company purchases its own shares wholly out of profits, an amount equal to the nominal amount of the shares purchased and subsequently cancelled must be transferred to the capital redemption reserve, which is generally treated as paid-up share capital. In addition, any amount payable by the company on purchase of its shares in excess of the par value may be paid out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares up to an amount equal to whichever is the lesser of the aggregate of the original premiums received by the company on the issue of those shares or the amount of the company’s share premium account as at the time of the repurchase, including any sum transferred to that account in respect of premiums on the new issue. The UK Listing Authority usually requires that on-market purchases of 15% or more of a company’s equity share capital pursuant to a general shareholder authority must be made through either a tender or partial offer to all shareholders (or to all shareholders of the relevant class), and in the case of a tender offer, at a stated maximum or fixed price. Purchases pursuant to a general shareholder authority below the 15% threshold may be made through the market in the ordinary way, provided that the price is not more than 5% above the average of the market value of the company’s shares for the five business days before the purchase date.

We generally pay any dividends twice a year following the announcement of our full year and half year results. We normally pay a final dividend in May and an interim dividend in November on our ordinary shares. Lost dividend cheques can be re-issued. A shareholder may obtain a replacement cheque simply by completing a form available on our website and sending it to our registrar. We may declare dividends but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our Board. Our Board may pay to the shareholders such interim dividends (including the fixed dividends payable on any preference or other shares) as appear to our Board to be justified by our profits and, provided that our Board acts in good faith, it shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of any shares conferring a preference which may at any time be issued for any damage they may suffer by reason of the payment of an interim dividend on any shares ranking after such preference shares. No dividend payable in respect of a share shall bear interest against the Company. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of twelve years from the date fixed for payment will be forfeited and revert to the Company. If a claim is subsequently made for any dividend so forfeited, the Board may at its discretion pay out of the Company’s profits a sum equal to the dividend any person who prior to the expiry of twelve years, would have been entitled to it. All dividends unclaimed for twelve months after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed and the Company is not a trustee in respect of this. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not contain any sinking fund provisions. Further details regarding dividends for our ADSs are set out in “Description of Securities other than Equity Securities” and for our preference shares within “Financial statements IFRS – Note 28 – Preference Share Capital.”





278

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

General Meetings

We hold an annual general meeting within 6 months following our accounting reference date. English company law provides for shareholders to exercise their power to decide on corporate matters at general meetings. Our Memorandum and Articles of Association require that we hold a general meeting annually to declare dividends, to consider and adopt the statutory accounts and the reports by the auditors and the directors, to elect directors and to approve the appointment and remuneration of auditors. The quorum required for a general meeting is 10 shareholders present in person or by proxy.

Convening and Notice of Meetings

Our Board may convene a general meeting as our annual general meeting. Our Board may convene a general meeting whenever it thinks fit. The time and place of any annual general meeting or other general meeting called by our Board shall be decided by our Board.

Our Board will convene a general meeting upon receiving requests to do so from shareholders representing at least 10 percent of such of the paid-up capital of the Company as carries the right of voting at general meetings (excluding any paid-up capital held as treasury shares). A request to call a general meeting must state the general nature of the business to be dealt with at the proposed meeting. A request may include the text of a resolution, which may be properly moved at the proposed meeting. A request must be in hard copy or electronic form and must be authenticated by the person or persons making it.

Our Board will call any annual general meeting by at least twenty one days' notice in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association. Any other general meeting will be called by at least fourteen days’ notice also in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association. The notice period calculation under our Memorandum and Articles of Association excludes the day of the relevant meeting and the day on which the notice of meeting is given. Notice of every general meeting will be given in any manner authorised by our Articles of Association to every shareholder holding shares conferring the right to attend and vote at the meeting who, at the time of the convening of the meeting, has paid all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of all shares held by him, the auditors and the directors.

 

Constitution of Meetings

No business is transacted at a general meeting unless the requisite quorum is present at the commencement of the business. The quorum for all purposes of a general meeting is ten persons present and entitled to vote upon the business to be transacted, each being a shareholder, a person authorised to act as a representative (in relation to the meeting) of a corporation that is a shareholder or a person appointed as a proxy of a shareholder in relation to the meeting, except that two persons only acting as representatives of a single corporation that is a shareholder or two persons only appointed as proxies of a single shareholder does not constitute a requisite quorum.

Voting

Under English law, the voting rights of shareholders are governed by the company’s Articles of Association, and subject to the statutory rights of shareholders, including the right to demand a poll. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by a show of hands unless a poll is demanded. On a show of hands, each shareholder present in person or by a corporate representative or proxy has one vote. On a poll, each shareholder who is present in person or by a corporate representative or by proxy has one vote for every ordinary share held. Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any class of shares and to the provisions of our articles of association, on a show of hands every shareholder present in person or by proxy will have one vote and on a poll every shareholder present in person or by proxy will have one vote for each 25 pence in nominal amount of share capital held by him. A person entitled to more than one vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast all his votes in the same way. Cumulative irredeemable preference shares entitle their holders to attend and vote at general meetings only when dividends on such shares are in arrears, however this does not apply to holders of Sterling new preference shares, new preference shares and Euro preference shares. The chairman of the meeting has a casting vote on a show of hands and on a poll. Only the holders of ordinary shares on which all sums payable have been paid are entitled to attend meetings and vote. If more than one joint holder votes, only the vote of the shareholder whose name appears first in the register is counted. Any shareholder who is entitled to attend and vote at a meeting is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote at the meeting on his or her behalf.

 

 



 

279

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Shareholder Proposals

Under English law, shareholders may requisition a resolution to be voted on at a general meeting if:

the requisition is made by a holder or the holders of shares that represent not less than one-twentieth of the total voting rights of all shareholders having at the date of the requisition a right to vote at the meeting to which the requisition relates; or

the requisition is made by not less than 100 shareholders holding shares on which there has been paid up an average sum, per shareholder, of not less than £100.



 

The requisition must be deposited at the company’s registered office not less than six weeks before the general meeting to which it relates unless the general meeting is called after the requisition is deposited. At any general meeting, the appointment of two or more persons as directors of a public company (such as us) by a single resolution (and not by a separate resolution for each proposed director) may not be proposed unless a resolution approving its proposal is passed by the general meeting with no dissenting votes.

Proxies

A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a general meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that shareholder. A form of proxy is, unless otherwise stated, valid for any adjournment of the meeting to which it relates. When two or more valid but differing forms of proxy are delivered or received for the same share for use at the same meeting, the one which is last validly delivered or received (regardless of its date or the date of its execution) is be treated as replacing and revoking the other or others as regards that share. If we are unable to determine which form of proxy was last validly delivered or received, none of them are treated as valid.

Accounts

Our Board decides whether and to what extent the accounts and books or any of them are to be open to the inspection of shareholders who are not directors. No shareholder who is not a director or an officer has any right of inspecting any account or book or document except as conferred by statute or authorised by our Board or by us in general meeting.

A printed copy of our annual accounts and reports is, not less than twenty-one days before the date of the meeting, sent or supplied to every shareholder and to every holder of debentures or debenture or loan stock and every person entitled to receive notice of general meeting. The required number of printed copies of every such document is at the same time be sent to the London Stock Exchange and to any other stock exchange which has granted a quotation for, or a listing of, any of the shares, as required by their regulations.



Notices

A notice, document or other information may be given to any shareholder either personally or by sending it in hard copy form by post to him at his registered address or, if he has no registered address within the UK to the address (if any) in the UK supplied by him for the giving of notices to him or by advertisement or we may provide notice by giving notice in electronic form to an address supplied us by the shareholder for that purpose or by any other means authorised in writing by the shareholder concerned.

Change of Control

There is no specific provision of our Memorandum and Articles of Association that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving us or any of or any of our subsidiaries.

However, English law provides for schemes of arrangement. These are arrangements or compromises between a company and its shareholders, creditors, any class of its shareholders, or any class of its creditors, and are used for certain types of reconstructions, amalgamations, capital reorganisations or takeovers. They require sanction of the court and the approval at a meeting of the company convened by an order of the court of a majority of the shareholders or creditors or class of shareholders or creditors representing not less than 75% in value of the capital or debt held by the shareholders or creditors or class present and voting, either in person or by proxy. Once the scheme becomes effective, all shareholders or creditors (or, if it applies to a class, the shareholders or creditors of the relevant class) are bound by the terms of the scheme.

Under the rules of the UK Listing Authority, shareholder approval is required for an acquisition or disposal by a listed company, if the gross assets of the company or the business to be acquired or disposed of represent 25% or more of the gross assets of the company or if various other size ratios prescribed by the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority are satisfied. Shareholder approval is also required in some circumstances relating to the giving by the listed company of indemnities and similar arrangements. Where the size of the acquisition or disposal falls below the 25% threshold, information may nevertheless be required to be published. Shareholder approval may also be required for an acquisition or disposal of assets between a listed company and related parties including:

directors of the company or its subsidiaries;

Holders of 10% or more of the nominal value of any class of the company’s or any holding company’s or subsidiary’s shares having the right to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of the relevant company; or

any associate of persons described in the two preceding bullet points above. See also “– Takeovers of UK Public Companies.”




 

 

 

 


280

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued



 

English law also provides that where a takeover offer is made for the shares of a company incorporated in the UK and, within four months of the date of the offer the offeror has acquired or contracted to acquire not less than nine-tenths in value of the shares of any class to which the offer relates, the offeror may, within two months of reaching the nine-tenths level, by notice require shareholders who do not accept the offer to transfer their shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. A dissenting shareholder may apply to the court within six weeks of the date on which the notice was given objecting to the transfer or its proposed terms. The court is unlikely, absent unfair treatment, fraud or oppression, to exercise its discretion to order that the acquisition shall not take effect, but it may specify the terms of the transfer as it finds appropriate. A minority shareholder is also entitled in these circumstances to require the offeror to acquire his shares on the terms of the offer.

Mergers are sometimes effected through the use of a voluntary liquidation of a company pursuant to the Insolvency Act of 1986, which provides for the transfer of the whole or part of the assets of that company to another company in return for shares in the transferee company. To effect the transfer, a resolution must be passed by at least 75% of shareholders conferring authority on the liquidator. Any shareholder who does not vote in favour of the resolution may express his dissent by writing to the liquidator within seven days after the passing of the resolution, requiring the liquidator either to abstain from carrying the resolution into effect or to purchase the shareholder’s interest at a price to be determined by agreement or by arbitration under the Insolvency Act 1986. The liquidator may apply to the court if it disputes the shareholder’s contention and the court may make such an order on the application as it thinks just.

 

Major Shareholding and Disclosure of Interests

Our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not contain any provisions requiring disclosure of shareholdings over and above that which is required by English law. Further details are available under “Majority Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”

The basic disclosure requirement under English law and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules promulgated by the FSA imposes an obligation on a person to notify the FSA and us of the percentage of the voting rights in Aviva he or she holds or controls directly or indirectly. The Disclosure and Transparency Rules set out the circumstances in which an obligation of disclosure arises as well as certain exemptions from those obligations for specified persons. This obligation is triggered if the percentage of voting rights reaches, exceeds or falls below 3 percent and any subsequent whole percentage figure as a result of an acquisition or disposal reaches, exceeds or falls below any such threshold as a result of any change in the number of voting rights attached to our shares. The Disclosure and Transparency Rules also deal with the disclosure by certain persons including directors, of interests in shares of the listed companies of which they are directors, and in derivatives and other financial instruments relating to those shares. We may, under English law require a person that we know or have cause to believe is or was during the three years preceding the date of notice interested in our shares to indicate whether or not that is the case and to provide certain information as is permitted under the law. The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers also imposes strict disclosure requirements with regard to dealings in the securities of an offeror or offeree company on all parties to a takeover and also on their respective associates during the course of an offer period.

Shareholder approval of equity compensation plans

The NYSE rules for U.S companies require that shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions to those plans. We comply with UK requirements, which are similar to the NYSE rules. The board, however, does not explicitly take into consideration the NYSE’s detailed definition of what are considered “material revisions”.

Material Contracts

There have been no material contracts outside the ordinary course of business during the last two years to which the Company is a party.

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

There are currently no UK laws, decrees or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital, including, but not limited to, foreign exchange controls, or that affect the remittance of dividends or other payments to non-UK residents or to US holders of our securities except as otherwise set forth in “–Taxation” below. There are no limitations under our Memorandum and Articles of Association restricting voting or shareholding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

281

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Taxation

This section discusses certain material US federal income tax and UK tax consequences to a US Holder that owns Aviva ordinary shares and ADSs.

For purposes of this description, a “US Holder” includes any beneficial owner of the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs that is, for US federal income tax purposes:

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for US federal income tax purposes) created or organised in or under the laws of the United States or organised under the laws of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

an estate the income of which is subject to US federal income taxation regardless of its source; or a trust if (1) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust; or (2) such trust has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for US federal income tax purposes.

 

A “Non-US Holder” is any beneficial owner of the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs that is not a US Holder.

This section does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor. This discussion assumes that you are familiar with the tax rules applicable to investments in securities generally, and with any special rules to which you may be subject. In particular, the discussion deals only with investors that will hold Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets, and does not address the tax treatment of investors that are subject to special rules, such as banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, persons that elect mark-to-market treatment, tax-exempt entities (including 401 pensions plans), real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts, individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts, persons that received Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs as compensation for the performance of services, persons who own, directly, indirectly through non-US entities or by attribution by application of the constructive ownership rules of section 958(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code, 10% or more of Aviva voting shares, persons that are residents of the United Kingdom for UK tax purposes or that conduct a business or have a permanent establishment in the United Kingdom, persons that hold Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs as a position in a straddle, hedging, conversion, integration, constructive sale, or other risk reduction transaction, certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, partnerships and their partners and persons whose functional currency is not the US dollar. The discussion is based on laws, treaties, judicial decisions, and regulatory interpretations in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change. Beneficial owners of ADSs will be treated as owners of the underlying shares for US federal income tax purposes and for purposes of the double tax treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom which came into effect on 31 March 2003 (the “Treaty”). Deposits and withdrawals of shares in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realisation of gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes.

 

You are urged to consult with your own advisers regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs in the light of your particular circumstances, including the effect of any state, local, or other national laws.

UK Taxation of Dividends

Under current UK tax law, no tax is required to be withheld in the United Kingdom at source from cash dividends paid to US resident holders.

UK Taxation of Capital Gains

Subject to the comments in the following paragraph, a holder of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs who, for UK tax purposes, is neither resident nor, in the case of an individual, ordinarily resident, in the UK will not be liable for UK taxation on capital gains realised on the disposal of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs unless at the time of the disposal:

the holder carries on a trade, or in the case of an individual, a profession or vocation in the United Kingdom through, in the case of an individual, a branch or agency, or, in the case of a company, a permanent establishment and

the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs are or have been used, held, or acquired for the purpose of such trade, profession, vocation, branch, agency or permanent establishment.

 

A holder of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs who (1) is an individual who has ceased to be resident or ordinarily resident for UK tax purposes in the United Kingdom, (2) was resident or ordinarily resident for UK tax purposes in the United Kingdom for at least four out of the seven UK tax years immediately preceding the year in which he or she ceased to be both resident and ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, (3) only remains non-resident and non-ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for a period of less than five tax years and (4) disposes of his or her Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs during that period may also be liable, upon returning to the United Kingdom, for UK tax on capital gains, subject to any available exemption or relief, even though he or she was not resident or ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom at the time of the disposal.

UK Inheritance Tax

Aviva ordinary shares are assets situated in the United Kingdom for the purposes of UK inheritance tax (the equivalent of US estate and gift tax). Aviva ADSs are likely to be treated in the same manner. Subject to the discussion of the UK-US estate tax treaty in the next paragraph, UK inheritance tax may apply if an individual who holds Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs gifts them or dies even if he or she is neither domiciled in the United Kingdom nor deemed to be domiciled there under UK law. For inheritance tax purposes, a transfer of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs at less than full market value may be treated as a gift for these purposes.

Special inheritance tax rules apply (1) to gifts if the donor retains some benefit, (2) to close companies and (3) to trustees of settlements.

However, as a result of the UK-US estate tax treaty, Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs held by an individual who is domiciled in the United States for the purposes of the UK-US estate tax treaty and who is not a UK national will not be subject to UK inheritance tax on that individual’s death or on a gift of the


 

 

 

 


282

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs unless the ordinary shares or ADSs:

are part of the business property of a permanent establishment in the United Kingdom, or

pertain to a fixed base in the United Kingdom used for the performance of independent personal services.

 

The UK-US estate tax treaty provides a credit mechanism if the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs are subject to both UK inheritance tax and to US estate and gift tax.

UK Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

UK stamp duty is payable on the transfer of Aviva ordinary shares to a nominee or agent of the depositary, in exchange for Aviva ADRs representing ADSs.

Furthermore, UK stamp duty reserve tax is payable upon the transfer of Aviva ordinary shares to a nominee or agent of the depositary, in exchange for Aviva ADRs representing ADSs. For this purpose, the current rate of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax is 1.5% (rounded up, in the case of stamp duty, to the nearest £5). The rate is applied, in each case, to the amount or value of the consideration given for the Aviva ordinary shares or, in some circumstances, to the value of the Aviva ordinary shares at the time of transfer or issue. To the extent that such stamp duty is paid on any such transfer of Aviva ordinary shares, no stamp duty reserve tax should be payable on that transfer.       

Provided that the instrument of transfer is not executed in the United Kingdom and remains at all subsequent times outside the United Kingdom, no UK stamp duty will be required to be paid on any transfer of Aviva ADRs representing ADSs. An agreement to transfer Aviva ADRs will not give rise to a liability to stamp duty reserve tax.

The transfer for value of Aviva ordinary shares, as opposed to Aviva ADRs, will generally give rise to a charge to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax at the rate of 0.5% (rounded up, in the case of stamp duty, to the nearest £5, with transfers for a value not exceeding £1,000 being exempt). The rate is applied to the price payable for the relevant Aviva ordinary shares.

Stamp duty reserve tax is generally the liability of the purchaser and UK stamp duty is usually paid by the purchaser.

US Taxation of Distributions

The gross amount of any distributions made by us to a US Holder will generally be subject to US federal income tax as dividend income to the extent paid or deemed paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under US federal income tax principles. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to US corporations with respect to dividends received from other US corporations. To the extent that an amount received by a US Holder exceeds its allocable share of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess would, subject to the discussion below, be treated first as a tax-free return of capital which will reduce such US Holder’s tax basis in his Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs and then, to the extent such distribution exceeds such US Holder’s tax basis, it will be treated as capital gain.

Subject to applicable holding period and other limitations, the US Dollar amount of dividends received on the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs in taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2011 by certain non-corporate US Holders will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15% if the dividends are “qualified dividends” and certain other requirements are met. Dividends paid on the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if: (i) we are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty or the ADSs are readily tradeable on an established US securities market and (ii) we were not, in the year

prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). Although we currently believe that distributions on the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs that are treated as dividends for US federal income tax purposes should constitute qualified dividends, no assurance can be given that this will be the case. US Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the tax rate applicable to dividends received by them with respect to the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs, as well as the potential treatment of any loss on a disposition of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs as long-term capital loss regardless of the US Holders’ actual holding period for the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs.

We have not maintained and do not plan to maintain calculations of earnings and profits under US federal income tax principles. Accordingly, it is unlikely that US Holders will be able to establish whether a distribution by us is in excess of our accumulated earnings and profits (as computed under US federal income tax principles). If US Holders are unable to establish that distributions are in excess of our accumulated earnings and profits as determined under US federal income tax principles, any distribution by us may be treated as taxable in its entirety as a dividend to US Holders for US federal income tax purposes.

For foreign tax credit computation purposes, dividends will generally constitute foreign source income, and with certain exceptions, will constitute “passive category income”.

US Taxation of Capital Gains

Gain or loss realised by a US Holder on the sale or other disposition of Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs will be subject to US federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the US Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs and the amount realised on the disposition. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs have been held for more than one year. Any such gain or loss realised will generally be treated as US source gain or loss. In the case of a US Holder who is an individual, capital gains are currently subject to federal income tax at preferential rates if specified minimum holding requirements are met. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) Considerations

We believe that we should not be treated as a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes for the current taxable year and do not expect to become a PFIC in future years. However, because PFIC status is determined on an annual basis and because our income and assets and the nature of our activities may vary from time to time, we cannot assure US Holders that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.

We would be a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes in any taxable year if 75% or more of our gross income would be passive income, or on average at least 50% of the gross value of our assets is held for the production of, or produces, passive income. In making the above determination, we are treated as earning our proportionate share of any income and owning our proportionate share of any asset of any company in which we are considered to own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the shares by value. If we were considered a PFIC at any time when a US Holder held the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs, we generally should continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that US Holder, and the US Holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to (a) any gain realised on the disposition of the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs and (b) any


 

 


 

283

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

any “excess distribution” by us to the US Holder in respect of the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs. Under the PFIC rules: (i) the gain or excess distribution would be allocated ratably over the US Holder’s holding period for the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs, (ii) the amount allocated to the taxable year in which the gain or excess distribution was realised or to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxable as ordinary income and (iii) the amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect in that year and an interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. Because a US Holder that is a direct (and in certain cases indirect) shareholder of a PFIC is deemed to own its proportionate share of interests in any lower-tier PFICs, US Holders should be subject to the foregoing rules with respect to any of our subsidiaries characterised as PFICs, if we are deemed a PFIC. A US Holder may be able to avoid many of these adverse tax consequences if it elects to mark the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs to market on an annual basis. However, any such mark to market election would not be available for a lower-tier PFIC. US Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers about the PFIC rules, including the advisability, procedure and timing of making a mark-to-market election and the US Holder’s eligibility to file such an election (including whether the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs are treated as ‘‘publicly traded’’ for such purpose).

Dividends and paying agents

A US Holder may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible backup withholding with respect to dividends paid on, or proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs unless such US Holder is a corporation or qualifies within certain other categories of exempt recipients or provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Amounts withheld under these rules may be credited against the US Holder’s US federal income tax liability and a US Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate IRS forms and furnishing any required information. A US Holder who does not provide a correct taxpayer identification number may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

A non-US Holder generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to dividends on the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs, unless payment is made through a paying agent (or office) in the United States or through certain US-related financial intermediaries. However, a Non-US Holder generally may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding with respect to the payment within the United States of dividends on the Aviva ordinary shares or ADSs, unless such non-US Holder provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies under penalties of perjury as to its foreign status, or otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

Where You Can Find More Information

As a result of filing a registration statement with respect to our ADSs and ordinary shares, we are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy this information at the following location: Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Copies of these materials can also be obtained by mail at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Room and are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and consequently, our periodic reports and other information filed by us with the SEC can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, and on the New York Stock Exchange’s website at http://www.nyse.com.

We also file reports and other documents with the London Stock Exchange. This information may be viewed

on the London Stock Exchange’s website at http://www.londonstockexchange.com, and those reports and documents not filed electronically may be viewed at the Document Viewing Facility, UK Listing Authority, Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HS, UK. All reports and other documents filed with the London Stock Exchange are also published on our website at http://www.aviva.com.

We have not authorised anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this document. The information in this document is accurate as of the date on the front cover. You should not assume that the information contained in this document is accurate as of any other date.


Description of securities other than equity securities

The ordinary shares underlying our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) were registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in October 2009. We listed 1,369,490,150 ADSs which may be represented by American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AV”. As of the date of this document, we comply with the minimum numerical standards for listing our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange with respect to our ordinary shares including: (i) at least 5,000 worldwide stockholders of 100 of ordinary shares or more; and (ii) at least 2,500,000 publicly held ordinary shares worldwide; and (iii) an aggregate market value of publicly held ordinary shares of at least $100 million worldwide.

We are providing you with this summary description below of the material terms of the ADSs, of your material rights as an owner of ADSs and of certain matters that may be relevant to the ownership of ADSs but that may not be contained in the deposit agreement. Please remember that summaries by their nature lack the precision of the information summarised and that the rights and obligations of an owner of ADSs will be determined by reference to the terms of the deposit agreement and not by this summary. We urge you to review the deposit agreement in its entirety.

This summary description assumes you have opted to own the ADSs directly by means of an ADS registered in your name and, as such, we will refer to you as the “holder.” When we refer to “you,” we assume the reader owns ADSs and will own ADSs at the relevant time.

How do ADSs work?

Citibank, N.A. acts as the depositary bank for the ADSs. Citibank’s depositary offices are located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013. ADSs represent ownership interests in securities that are on deposit with the depositary bank. The depositary bank typically appoints a custodian to safekeep the securities on deposit. In this case, the custodian is Citibank, N.A. (London Branch), located at 25 Molesworth Street, Lewisham, London SE13 7EX.

Citibank has been appointed as depositary bank pursuant to a deposit agreement. A copy of the form of deposit agreement is on file with the SEC under cover of a Registration Statement on Form F-6. You may obtain a copy of the form of deposit agreement from the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Please refer to the registration number of this registration statement when retrieving such copy.


 

 


284

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Each ADS represents the right to receive two (2) ordinary shares on deposit with the custodian. An ADS also represents the right to receive any other property received by the depositary bank or the custodian on behalf of the owner of the ADS but that has not been istributed to the owners of ADSs because of legal restrictions or practical considerations.

If you become an owner of ADSs, you will become a party to the deposit agreement and therefore will be bound to its terms and to the terms of any ADR that represents your ADSs. The deposit agreement and the ADR specify our rights and obligations as well as your rights and obligations as owner of ADSs and those of the depositary bank. As an ADS holder you appoint the depositary bank to act on your behalf in certain circumstances. The deposit agreement and the ADRs are governed by New York law. However, our obligations to the holders of our ordinary shares will continue to be governed by the laws of England and Wales, which may be different from the laws in the United States.

As an owner of ADSs, you may hold your ADSs either by means of an ADR registered in your name, through a brokerage or safekeeping account, or through an account established by the depositary bank in your name reflecting the registration of uncertificated ADSs directly on the books of the depositary bank (commonly referred to as the “direct registration system” or “DRS”). The direct registration system reflects the uncertificated (book-entry) registration of ownership of ADSs by the depositary bank. Under the direct registration system, ownership of ADSs is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary bank to the holders of the ADSs. The direct registration system includes automated transfers between the depositary bank and The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), the central book-entry clearing and settlement system for equity securities in the United States. If you decide to hold your ADSs through your brokerage or safekeeping account, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or bank to assert your rights as ADS owner. Banks and brokers typically hold securities such as the ADSs through clearing and settlement systems such as DTC. The procedures of such clearing and settlement systems may limit your ability to exercise your rights as an owner of ADSs. Please consult with your broker or bank if you have any questions concerning these limitations and procedures. All ADSs held through DTC will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. This summary description assumes you have opted to own the ADSs directly by means of an ADS registered in your name and, as such, we will refer to you as the “holder.” When we refer to “you,” we assume the reader owns ADSs and will own ADSs at the relevant time.

How does the depositary issue ADSs?

The depositary bank may create ADSs on your behalf if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares with the custodian. The depositary bank will deliver these ADSs to the person you indicate only after you pay any applicable issuance fees and any charges and taxes payable for the transfer of the ordinary shares to the custodian. Your ability to deposit ordinary shares and receive ADSs may be limited by legal considerations concerning the laws in the US and England and Wales applicable at the time of deposit.

 

The issuance of ADSs may be delayed until the depositary bank or the custodian receives confirmation that all required approvals have been given and that the ordinary shares have been duly transferred to the custodian. The depositary bank will only issue ADSs in whole numbers.

When you make a deposit of ordinary shares, you will be responsible for transferring good and valid title to the depositary bank. As such, you will be deemed to represent and warrant that:

The ordinary shares are duly authorised, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and legally obtained.

All pre-emptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such ordinary shares have been validly waived or exercised.

You are duly authorised to deposit the ordinary shares.

The ordinary shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, “restricted securities” (as defined in the deposit agreement).

The ordinary shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements.

If any of the representations or warranties are incorrect in any way, we and the depositary bank may, at your cost and expense, take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences of the misrepresentations.


How will I receive dividends and other distributions?

As a holder, you generally have the right to receive the distributions we make on the securities deposited with the custodian. Your receipt of these distributions may be limited, however, by practical considerations and legal limitations. Holders will receive such distributions under the terms of the deposit agreement in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of a specified record date.

Cash Distributions

Whenever we make a cash distribution for the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will deposit the funds with the custodian. Upon receipt of confirmation of the deposit of the requisite funds, the depositary bank will arrange for the funds to be converted into US dollars and for the distribution of the US dollars to the holders, subject to the laws of both the US and England and Wales.

The conversion into US dollars will take place only if practicable and if the US dollars are transferable to the United States. The amounts distributed to holders will be net of the fees, expenses, taxes and governmental charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. The depositary bank will apply the same method for distributing the proceeds of the sale of any property (such as undistributed rights) held by the custodian in respect of securities on deposit.

The distribution of cash will be made net of the fees, expenses, taxes and governmental charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement.

Share Distributions

Whenever we make a free distribution of ordinary shares for the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will deposit the applicable number of ordinary shares with the custodian. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit, the depositary bank will either distribute to holders new ADSs representing the ordinary shares deposited or modify the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, in which case each ADS you hold will represent rights and interests in the additional ordinary shares so deposited. Only whole new ADSs will be distributed. Fractional entitlements will be sold and the proceeds of such sale will be distributed as in the case of a cash distribution.


 


 

285

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The distribution of new ADSs or the modification of the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio upon a distribution of ordinary shares will be made net of the fees, expenses, taxes and governmental charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. In order to pay such taxes or governmental charges, the depositary bank may sell all or a portion of the new ordinary shares so distributed.

No such distribution of new ADSs will be made if it would violate a law (i.e., the US securities laws) or if it is not operationally practicable. If the depositary bank does not distribute new ADSs as described above, it may sell the ordinary shares received upon the terms described in the deposit agreement and will distribute the proceeds of the sale as in the case of a distribution of cash.

Rights to Receive Additional Shares

Whenever we intend to distribute rights to purchase additional ordinary shares, we will give prior notice to the depositary bank and we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs to holders.

The depositary bank will establish procedures to distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs to holders and to enable such holders to exercise such rights if it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make the rights available to holders of ADSs, and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement (such as opinions to address the lawfulness of the transaction). You may have to pay fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges to subscribe for the new ADSs upon the exercise of your rights. The depositary bank is not obligated to establish procedures to facilitate the distribution and exercise by holders of rights to purchase new ordinary shares other than in the form of ADSs.

The depositary bank will not distribute the rights to you if:

We do not timely request that the rights be distributed to you or we request that the rights not be distributed to you; or

We fail to deliver reasonably satisfactory documents to the depositary bank; or

It is not reasonably practicable to distribute the rights.

 

The depositary bank will sell the rights that are not exercised or not distributed if such sale is lawful and reasonably practicable. The proceeds of such sale will be distributed to holders as in the case of a cash distribution. If the depositary bank is unable to sell the rights, it will allow the rights to lapse.

Elective Distributions

Whenever we intend to distribute a dividend payable at the election of shareholders either in cash or in additional shares, we will give prior notice thereof to the depositary bank and will indicate whether we wish the elective distribution to be made available to you. In such case, we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable.

The depositary bank will make the election available to you only if it is reasonably practicable and if we have provided all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement. In such case, the depositary bank will establish procedures to enable you to elect to receive either cash or additional ADSs, in each case as described in the deposit agreement.

If the election is not made available to you, you will receive either cash or additional ADSs, depending on what a shareholder in England and Wales would receive upon failing to make an election, as more fully described in the deposit agreement.

Other Distributions

Whenever we intend to distribute property other than cash, ordinary shares or rights to purchase additional ordinary shares, we will notify the depositary bank in advance and will indicate whether we wish such distribution to be made to you. If so, we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether such distribution to holders is lawful and reasonably practicable.

If it is reasonably practicable to distribute such property to you and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will distribute the property to the holders in a manner it deems practicable.

The distribution will be made net of fees, expenses, taxes and governmental charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. In order to pay such taxes and governmental charges, the depositary bank may sell all or a portion of the property received.

The depositary bank will not distribute the property to you and will sell the property if:

We do not request that the property be distributed to you or if we ask that the property not be distributed to you; or

We do not deliver reasonably satisfactory documents to the depositary bank; or

The depositary bank determines that all or a portion of the distribution to you is not reasonably practicable.

The proceeds of such a sale will be distributed to holders as in the case of a cash distribution.

What happens if the Company decides to redeem its shares?

Whenever we decide to redeem any of the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will notify the depositary bank in advance. If it is practicable and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will provide notice of the redemption to the holders.

The custodian will be instructed to surrender the shares being redeemed against payment of the applicable redemption price. The depositary bank will convert the redemption funds received into US dollars upon the terms of the deposit agreement and will establish procedures to enable holders to receive the net proceeds from the redemption upon surrender of their ADSs to the depositary bank. You may have to pay fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges upon the redemption of your ADSs. If less than all ADSs are being redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as the depositary bank may determine.

What happens to my ADSs if there is a reclassification, recapitalisation or merger involving us?

The ordinary shares held on deposit for your ADSs may change from time to time. For example, there may be a change in nominal or par value, a split-up, cancellation, consolidation or reclassification of such ordinary shares or a recapitalisation, reorganisation, merger, consolidation or sale of assets.

If any such change were to occur, your ADSs would, to the extent permitted by law, represent the right to receive the property received or exchanged in respect of the ordinary shares held on deposit. The depositary bank may in such circumstances deliver new ADSs to you, amend the deposit agreement, the ADRs and the applicable Registration Statement(s) on Form F-6, call for the exchange of your existing ADSs for new ADSs and take any other actions that are appropriate to reflect as to the ADSs the change affecting the ordinary shares. If the depositary bank may not lawfully distribute such property to you, the depositary bank may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds to you as in the case of a cash distribution.


 

 


286

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

How can I transfer, combine or split up my ADRs?

As an ADR holder, you will be entitled to transfer, combine or split up your ADRs and the ADSs evidenced thereby. For transfers of ADRs, you will have to surrender the ADRs to be transferred to the depositary bank and also must:

ensure that the surrendered ADR certificate is properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer;

provide such proof of identity and genuineness of signatures as the depositary bank deems appropriate;

provide any transfer stamps required by the State of New York or the United States; and pay all applicable fees, charges, expenses, taxes and other government charges payable by ADR holders pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement, upon the transfer of ADRs.

 

To have your ADRs either combined or split up, you must surrender the ADRs in question to the depositary bank with your request to have them combined or split up, and you must pay all applicable fees, charges and expenses payable by ADR holders, pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement, upon a combination or split up of ADRs.

If I become an ADS holder, how do I surrender an ADS and obtain shares?

As a holder, you will be entitled to present your ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation and then receive the corresponding number of underlying ordinary shares at the custodian’s offices. Your ability to withdraw the ordinary shares may be limited by legal considerations under the laws of both the US and England and Wales applicable at the time of withdrawal. In order to withdraw the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs, you will be required to pay to the depositary bank the fees for cancellation of ADSs and any charges and taxes payable upon the transfer of the ordinary shares being withdrawn. You assume the risk for delivery of all funds and securities upon withdrawal. Once cancelled, the ADSs will not have any rights under the deposit agreement.

If you hold ADSs registered in your name, the depositary bank may ask you to provide proof of identity and genuineness of any signature and such other documents as the depositary bank may deem appropriate before it will cancel your ADSs. The withdrawal of the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs may be delayed until the depositary bank receives satisfactory evidence of compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Please keep in mind that the depositary bank will only accept ADSs for cancellation that represent a whole number of securities on deposit.

You will have the right to withdraw the securities represented by your ADSs at any time except for:

Temporary delays that may arise because (i) the transfer books for the ordinary shares or ADSs are closed, or (ii) ordinary shares are immobilised on account of a shareholders’ meeting or a payment of dividends.

Obligations to pay fees, taxes and similar charges.

Restrictions imposed because of laws or regulations applicable to ADSs or the withdrawal of securities on deposit.

 

The deposit agreement may not be modified to impair your right to withdraw the securities represented by your ADSs except to comply with mandatory provisions of law.

How do I vote?

As a holder, you generally have the right under the deposit agreement to instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting rights for the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. The voting rights of holders of ordinary shares are described in “Memorandum and Articles of Association – Voting”.

At our request, the depositary bank will distribute to you any notice of shareholders’ meeting received from us together with information explaining how to instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting rights of the securities represented by ADSs.

If the depositary bank timely receives voting instructions from a holder of ADSs, it will endeavour to vote the securities represented by the holder’s ADSs in accordance with such voting instructions.

Please note that the ability of the depositary bank to carry out voting instructions may be limited by practical and legal limitations and the terms of the securities on deposit. We cannot assure you that you will receive voting materials in time to enable you to return voting instructions to the depositary bank in a timely manner. Securities for which no voting instructions have been received will not be voted.

What are my obligations to provide information or otherwise report?

Applicable laws and regulations may require you to satisfy reporting requirements and obtain regulatory approvals in certain circumstances. You are solely responsible for complying with such reporting requirements and obtaining such approvals. Neither the depositary bank, the custodian, us, nor any of their or our respective agents or affiliates shall be required to take any actions whatsoever on behalf of you to satisfy such reporting requirements or obtain such regulatory approvals under applicable laws and regulations.

Your failure to comply with a disclosure notice from us may result in the imposition of sanctions against your underlying ordinary shares, as provided in the U.K. Companies Act 2006 and our Articles of Association, which currently include the withdrawal of voting rights of such ordinary shares and the imposition of restrictions on the rights to receive dividends on and to transfer such ordinary shares. In addition, you must comply with the provisions of the Transparency Obligations Directive (Disclosure and Transparency Rules) Instrument 2006 (FSA 2006/70) and the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules sourcebook with regard to the notification to us of interests in ordinary shares, which currently provide, amongst other things, that a person must notify the issuer of the percentage of its voting rights he holds as shareholder or through his direct or indirect holding of certain financial instruments if the percentage of those voting rights reaches, exceeds or falls below 3% as a result of an acquisition or disposal of shares or financial instruments. See “Memorandum and Articles of Association – Major Shareholding and Disclosure of Interests”. We may, in our sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the depositary bank to take action with respect to your ownership interest where you have not complied with an information request by us. Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, the depositary bank shall exercise its commercially reasonable efforts with respect to any action requested by us to be taken pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 


 

 


 

287

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

What fees and expenses do I have to pay if I become an ADS holder?

As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank:

 

Service

Fees

Issuance of ADSs

Up to US 5c per ADS issued

Cancellation of ADSs

Up to US 5c per ADS cancelled

Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions

Up to US 5c per ADS held

Distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends, free stock distributions or exercise of rights.

Up to US 5c per ADS held

Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs

Up to US 5c per ADS held

Depositary Services

Up to US 5c per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the Depositary

 

As an ADS holder you will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges such as:

Fees for the transfer and registration of ordinary shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the ordinary shares in England and Wales (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares).

Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into US dollars.

Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities.

Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities (i.e., when ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit).

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations or other regulatory requirements applicable to the ordinary shares.

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of ordinary shares on deposit.

 

Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

The Depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., stock dividend, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.

Note that the fees and charges you may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary bank. You will receive prior notice of such changes.

The depositary bank may reimburse us for certain expenses incurred by us in respect of the ADR programme established pursuant to the deposit agreement upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank may agree from time to time.

What does the company receive in fees and reimbursements from the depositary bank?

The depositary bank may reimburse us for certain expenses incurred by us in respect of the ADR programme established pursuant to the deposit agreement upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank may agree from time to time. From 17 November 2009 to 3 March 2010, we received from the depositary bank $350,000 for standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs (consisting of the expenses of postage and envelopes for mailing for the annual general meeting, calculation of dividend payments, printing and distributing dividend cheques, electronic filing of US Federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, facsimile, and telephone calls) and legal fees.

The depositary bank has agreed to reimburse us for expenses as they occur in the future that are related to establishment and maintenance expenses of the ADR programme. The depositary bank has also agreed to pay the standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs, which consist of the expenses of postage and envelopes for mailing for the annual general meeting, calculation of dividend payments, printing and distributing dividend cheques, electronic filing of US Federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, facsimile, and telephone calls.

There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is not necessarily tied to the amount of fees the depositary collects from investors.

How may the deposit agreement be terminated or amended?

We may agree with the depositary bank to modify the deposit agreement at any time without your consent. We undertake to give holders 30 days’ prior notice of any modifications that would materially prejudice any of their substantial rights under the deposit agreement. We will not consider to be materially prejudicial to your substantial rights any modifications or supplements that are reasonably necessary for the ADSs to be registered under the Securities Act or to be eligible for book-entry settlement, in each case without imposing or increasing the fees and charges you are required to pay. In addition, we may not be able to provide you with prior notice of any modifications or supplements that are required to accommodate compliance with applicable provisions of law.

You will be bound by the modifications to the deposit agreement if you continue to hold your ADSs after the modifications to the deposit agreement become effective. The deposit agreement cannot be amended to prevent you from withdrawing the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs (except as permitted by law).

We have the right to direct the depositary bank to terminate the deposit agreement. We have agreed to an initial appointment of the depositary for five years during which time we may only terminate the deposit agreement for cause. Similarly, the depositary bank may in certain circumstances on its own initiative terminate the deposit agreement. In either case, the depositary bank must give notice to the holders at least 30 days before termination. Until termination, your rights under the deposit agreement will be unaffected.


 

 


288

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

After termination, the depositary bank will continue to collect distributions received (but will not distribute any such property until you request the cancellation of your ADSs) and may sell the securities held on deposit. After the sale, the depositary bank will hold the proceeds from such sale and any other funds then held for the holders of ADSs in a non-interest bearing account. At that point, the depositary bank will have no further obligations to holders other than to account for the funds then held for the holders of ADSs still outstanding (after deduction of applicable fees, taxes and expenses).

How can I inspect the books of the depositary?

The depositary bank will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the ADSs and the deposit agreement.

The depositary bank will maintain in New York facilities to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADSs. These facilities may be closed from time to time, to the extent not prohibited by law.

What are the Company’s limitations, obligations and liabilities and those of the depositary to ADS holders?

The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary bank’s obligations to you. Please note the following:

We and the depositary bank are obligated only to take the actions specifically stated in the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith.

We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability for any failure to carry out voting instructions, for any manner in which a vote is cast or for the effect of any vote, provided it acts in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement.

We and the depositary bank disclaims any liability for any failure to determine the lawfulness or practicality of any action, for the content of any document forwarded to you on our behalf or for the accuracy of any translation of such a document, for the investment risks associated with investing in ordinary shares, for the validity or worth of the ordinary shares, for any tax consequences that result from the ownership of ADSs, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse under the terms of the deposit agreement, for the timeliness of any of our notices or for our failure to give notice.

We and the depositary bank will not be obligated to perform any act that is inconsistent with the terms of the deposit agreement.

We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability if we or the depositary bank are prevented or forbidden from or subject to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the deposit agreement, by reason of any provision, present or future of any law or regulation, or by reason of present or future provision of any provision of our Articles of Association, or any provision of or governing the securities on deposit, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond our control.

We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for the deposit agreement or in our Articles of Association or in any provisions of or governing the securities on deposit.

 

We and the depositary bank further disclaim any liability for any action or inaction in reliance on the advice or information received from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, any holder of ADSs or authorised representatives thereof, or any other person believed by either of us in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.

We and the depositary bank also disclaim liability for the inability by a holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of ordinary shares but is not, under the terms of the deposit agreement, made available to you.

We and the depositary bank also disclaim liability for any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement.

We and the depositary bank may rely without any liability upon any written notice, request or other document believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper parties.

 

What is a pre-release of ADSs?

The depositary bank may, in certain circumstances, issue ADSs before receiving a deposit of ordinary shares or release ordinary shares before receiving ADSs for cancellation. These transactions are commonly referred to as “pre-release transactions.” The deposit agreement limits the aggregate size of pre-release transactions and imposes a number of conditions on such transactions (i.e., the need to receive collateral, the type of collateral required, the representations required from brokers, etc.). The depositary bank may retain the compensation received from the pre-release transactions.

What taxes do I have to pay if I become an ADS holder?

You will be responsible for the taxes and other governmental charges payable on the ADSs and the securities represented by the ADSs. We, the depositary bank and the custodian may deduct from any distribution the taxes and governmental charges payable by holders and may sell any and all property on deposit to pay the taxes and governmental charges payable by holders. You will be liable for any deficiency if the sale proceeds do not cover the taxes that are due.

The depositary bank may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver, transfer, split and combine ADRs or to release securities on deposit until all taxes and charges are paid by the applicable holder. The depositary bank and the custodian may take reasonable administrative actions to obtain tax refunds and reduced tax withholding for any distributions on your behalf. However, you may be required to provide to the depositary bank and to the custodian proof of taxpayer status and residence and such other information as the depositary bank and the custodian may require to fulfil legal obligations. You are required to indemnify us, the depositary bank and the custodian for any claims with respect to taxes based on any tax benefit obtained for you.

Will foreign currency distributed to ADS holders be converted into US dollars?

The depositary bank will arrange for the conversion of all foreign currency received into US dollars if such conversion is practical, and it will distribute the US dollars in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement. You may have to pay fees and expenses incurred in converting foreign currency, such as fees and expenses incurred in complying with currency exchange controls and other governmental requirements.

 



 

289

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

If the conversion of foreign currency is not practical or lawful, or if any required approvals are denied or not obtainable at a reasonable cost or within a reasonable period, the depositary bank may take the following actions in its discretion:

 

Convert the foreign currency to the extent practical and lawful and distribute the US dollars to the holders for whom the conversion and distribution is lawful and practical.

 

Distribute the foreign currency to holders for whom the distribution is lawful and practical.

 

Hold the foreign currency (without liability for interest) for the applicable holders.

 

Guarantees, securitised assets and off-balance sheet arrangements

As a normal part of our operating activities, various Group companies have given financial guarantees and options, including interest rate guarantees, in respect of certain long-term assurance and fund management products, as set out in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 37 – Financial guarantees and options”. These are accounted for on-balance sheet as either part of the host insurance contract or as financial instruments under IFRS.

Information on operating lease commitments can be found in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 49 – Commitments”.

It is standard business practice for our Group companies to give guarantees, indemnities and warranties in connection with disposals of subsidiaries and associates to third parties. As of 31 December 2009, we believe no material loss will arise in respect of these guarantees, indemnities and warranties. Standard financial warranties include the accuracy and completeness of the statement of financial position at the completion date, details of outstanding litigation, the position on tax filings and any outstanding clearance items. In addition, specific clauses cover such matters as regulatory approvals and licences, the adequacy of actuarial insurance liabilities, reinsurance contracts and the status of employee pension plans. Their exact terms are tailored to each disposal and are set out in the respective sale and purchase agreement. Similarly, the open warranty periods, within which the purchaser could claim, and limits on the maximum amount potentially recoverable will vary for each item covered in each disposal.

There are a number of outstanding claims on recent disposals, none of which is material. There are also open claim periods on other recent disposals on which we have neither received, nor expect to receive, any such claims. We believe that there is no material exposure in this respect and therefore we do not have any liabilities in our statement of financial position in respect of claims under guarantees, indemnities and warranties in connection with disposals.

We have loans receivable, secured by mortgages, which have then been securitised through non-recourse borrowings by special purpose entities, in our UK Life and Dutch businesses, as set out in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 20 – Securitised mortgages and related assets”. These special purpose entities have been consolidated and included in the statement of financial position, as we retain the residual interest in them.

Limited liability partnerships classified as joint ventures

As part of their investment strategy, the UK and certain European long-term business policyholder funds have invested in a number of property limited partnerships (“PLP”), either directly or via property unit trusts (“PUT”), through a mix of capital and loans. The PLPs are managed by general partners (“GP”), in which the long-term business shareholder companies hold equity stakes and which themselves hold nominal stakes in the PLPs. The PUTs are managed by a Group subsidiary.

 

 

Accounting for the PUTs and PLPs as subsidiaries, joint ventures or other financial investments depends on the shareholdings in the GPs and the terms of each partnership agreement. If a partnership is managed by a contractual arrangement agreement such that no party exerts control, notwithstanding that the Group’s partnership share or economic interest in the PLP (including its indirect stake via the relevant PUT and GP) may be greater than 50%, such PUTs and PLPs have been classified as joint ventures. Of the PLPs accounted for as joint ventures at 31 December 2009, the Group’s economic interest exceeded 50% in respect of one partnership, The Mall Limited Partnership, in which the Group had a 50.5% economic interest.

“Financial statements IFRS – Note 15 – Interests in, and loans to, joint ventures” provides a list of PLPs accounted for as joint ventures, as well as summarised information on the revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities of the Group’s interests in its joint ventures in aggregate. In respect of these PLPs, there are no significant contingent liabilities to which we are exposed, nor do we have any significant contingent liabilities in relation to our interests in them. External debt raised by the PLPs is secured on their respective property portfolios, and the lenders are only entitled to obtain payment of both interest and principal to the extent there are sufficient resources in the respective PLPs. The lenders have no recourse whatsoever to the policyholder and shareholders’ funds of any companies in the Aviva Group. At 31 December 2009, we had £nil capital commitments to these PLP joint ventures.

 

Purchase of equity securities by Aviva plc and affiliated purchasers

The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Aviva plc or any ‘‘affiliated purchasers’’ (as that term is defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Aviva’s ordinary shares or ADSs for the year ended 31 December 2009.

 

Period

Total
Number
of
Shares
Purchased1,2

Average
Price
Paid
per
Share
£

Total
Number
of
Shares
Purchased
as
Part
of
Publicly
Announced
Plans
or
Programmes

Maximum
Number
of
Shares
that
May
Yet
be
Purchased
Under
the
Plans
or
Programmes

January

68,867

3.115

n/a

n/a

February

69,925

3.0597

n/a

n/a

March

86,593

2.4908

n/a

n/a

April

83,358

2.5925

n/a

n/a

May

63,576

3.42

n/a

n/a

June

64,424

3.3718

n/a

n/a

July

64,809

3.305

n/a

n/a

August

48,861

4.145

n/a

n/a

September

4,048,170

4.076

n/a

n/a

October

45,985

4.273

n/a

n/a

November

48,888

4.011

n/a

n/a

December

10,050,035

3.757

n/a

n/a

1.

The shares listed in this column were acquired by employee benefit trusts during the year to satisfy future obligations to deliver shares under the Company’s employee incentive plans, the savings-related share option scheme and the share participation plan.

2.

This table excludes Aviva plc shares purchased by investment funds managed by Aviva Investors in accordance with investment strategies that are established by Aviva Investors acting independently of Aviva plc.



Statement of differences from NYSE corporate governance practices

Under Section 303(A) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, the Company must provide a brief description of any significant differences between its corporate governance practices, which are informed by UK law in the case of the Company, and those followed by US companies under the NYSE listing standards. The description need not set forth all differences between UK law and US law; rather, the focus is on the Company’s practices.


 

 

 

 


290

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

The Company’s statement of differences is set out in the Governance section of this report on page 61.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

Treasury function

The treasury function of our business is managed by our centralised treasury team, headed by the Group Treasurer. The Group Treasurer acts as owner of Group policies for liquidity, derivatives and foreign exchange risk management within the Group risk governance and oversight framework. Changes in policy require the agreement of the Chief Risk Officer. Significant changes in policy require, in addition, the approval of the Assets and Liabilities Committee, the Executive Committee and then the Risk and Regulatory Committee of the Board. These policies are independently implemented and monitored by each of our businesses. Our central treasury team is split into distinct functions: a Group team, which develops our overall treasury strategy and our treasury team at Aviva Investors, which manages and monitors our treasury and cash flow positions for our holding companies. Each business unit is responsible for monitoring its own cash and liquidity positions, as well as its ongoing funding requirements. It is our policy to make the majority of our financing arrangements at the parent company level for our business units, primarily through external borrowings and equity offerings. This enables us to achieve the efficiencies afforded by our collective size. A number of our business units also raise debt on their own behalf.

Our principal objective in managing our liquidity and capital resources is to maximise the return on capital to shareholders, while enabling us to pay the dividends, service our debt and our holding companies’ cash flows. In the context of a financial services company, where our working capital is largely representative of our liquidity, we believe our working capital is sufficient for our present operational requirements.

Extraordinary Market Conditions

Starting in mid-September 2008, the global financial markets experienced unprecedented disruption, adversely affecting the business environment in general, as well as financial services companies in particular. Continuing adverse financial market conditions could significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs and obtain capital, although management believes that we have liquidity and capital resources to meet business requirements under current market conditions.

At 31 December 2009, total consolidated net cash and cash equivalents amounted to £24,251 million, an increase of £720 million over £23,531 million in 2008.

Processes for monitoring and managing liquidity risk, including liquidity stress models, have been enhanced to take into account the extraordinary market conditions, including the impact on policyholder and counterparty behaviour, the ability to sell various investment assets and the ability to raise incremental funding from various sources. Management has taken steps to strengthen liquidity in light of its assessment of the impact of market conditions, such as issuing £200 million long term subordinated debt in March 2009, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.


Management of capital resources

We seek to maintain an efficient capital structure using a combination of equity shareholders’ funds, preference capital, subordinated debt and borrowings. This structure is consistent with our risk profile and the regulatory and market requirements of our business.

In managing our capital, we seek to:

Match the profile of our assets and liabilities, taking into account the risks inherent in each business;

Maintain financial strength to support new business growth while still satisfying the requirements of policyholders, regulators and rating agencies;

Retain financial flexibility by maintaining strong liquidity, access to a range of capital markets and significant unutilised committed credit lines;

Allocate capital efficiently to support growth and repatriate excess capital where appropriate; and

Manage exposures to movements in exchange rates by aligning the deployment of capital by currency with our capital requirements by currency.



We are subject to a number of regulatory capital tests and employ realistic scenario tests to allocate capital and manage risk. The impact of these regulatory capital tests on our ability to transfer capital around the group through dividends and capital injections is discussed later in this section under the headings “Sources of Liquidity” and “Capital injections”. Overall, the group and its subsidiaries satisfy all existing requirements and, as reported below, have significant resources and capital strength.

Aviva plc’s long term counterparty credit rating is A (strong), negative outlook from Standard and Poor’s and A1 (good), negative outlook, from Moody’s. This rating represents Aviva’s ability to repay its long term borrowings as assessed by the rating agencies. The Insurance Financial Strength ratings (representing the ability to pay policyholders) of the group’s main operating subsidiaries are AA- (very strong) with a negative outlook from Standard & Poor’s and Aa3 (excellent) with a negative outlook from Moody’s and A (excellent) with a stable outlook from AM Best. Insurance companies rated AA (Standard & Poor’s) or Aa (Moody’s) offer excellent financial security and together with AAA rated companies constitute what are generally know as high-grade companies.

At 31 December 2009, the Group had £21.9 billion (31 December 2008: £22.2 billion) of total capital employed in our trading operations which is financed by a combination of equity shareholders’ funds, preference capital, direct capital instruments, subordinated debt and internal and external borrowings.

In 2009, the total capital employed decreased by £0.3 billion. Over the period the benefit of profits and investment gains have been more than offset by foreign exchange losses and actuarial losses on staff pension schemes. See “Financial statements IFRS – Note 51 – Group capital structure”.

In addition to external funding sources, we have a number of internal debt arrangements in place. These have allowed the assets supporting technical liabilities to be invested into the pool of central assets for use across the Group. They have also enabled us to deploy cash from some parts of the business to others in order to fund growth. Although intra-group loans in nature, they are counted as part of the capital base for the purpose of capital management. All internal loans satisfy arms length criteria and all interest payments have been made when due.

The presentation of internal debt depicts a net debt position which represents the upstream of internal loans from business operations to corporate and holding entities net of tangible assets held by these entities. The corporate net liabilities represent the element of the pension scheme deficit held centrally.


 


 

291

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Management of Debt

Aviva plc is the principal financing vehicle in our centralised funding strategy. Our senior debt obligations are supported by guarantees from our principal non-life trading subsidiaries. We also manage our external debt in line with rating agency limits applicable for entities with a rating in the AA range. We aim to maintain a balance of fixed and floating rate debt, and manage the maturity of our borrowings and our undrawn committed facilities to avoid bunching of maturities. We aim to maintain access to a range of funding sources, including the banking market, the commercial paper market and the long-term debt capital markets. We issue debt in a variety of currencies, predominantly sterling, euros and US dollars, based on investor demand at the time of issuance and management of the Group's foreign exchange translation exposures in the statement of financial position.

In March 2009, we issued subordinated debt in two tranches comprising £200 million and €50 million, both callable in 2014.

In May 2008, we issued subordinated debt in two tranches comprising £400 million callable in 2038, and €400 million callable in 2018. We used £600 million sterling equivalent to repay commercial paper denominated in various currencies. In August 2008, we issued a further £200 million, callable in 2038.

In January 2007, we issued $375 million of commercial paper, which was used to repay senior debt in our US business. In the year ended 31 December 2006 we raised £442 million of new borrowings in order to fund the acquisition of AmerUs and repay senior debt in AmerUs

At 31 December 2009, our total external borrowings, including subordinated debt and securitised mortgage loans, amounted to £15.0 billion. Of the total borrowings £5.5 billion are considered to be core borrowings and are included within the Group’s capital employed. The balance of £9.5 billion represents operational debt issued by operating subsidiaries. We also have substantial committed credit facilities available for our use. At 31 December 2009, we had undrawn committed credit facilities expiring within one year of £0.6 billion compared to £0.8 billion of such facilities at 31 December 2008, and £1.5 billion in credit facilities expiring after more than one year compared to £1.3 billion of such facilities at 31 December 2008. Of these facilities, £1 billion was allocated in both 2009 and 2008 to support our commercial paper programme.

Further information on the maturity profile, currency and interest rate structure of our borrowings is presented in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 45 – Borrowings”. Commercial paper is issued for terms up to six months and is generally reissued at maturity. The earliest repayment date for other debt instruments is an €800 million subordinated debt instrument with a first call date of 14 November 2011 at the option of the company. At this time Aviva will have the option of repaying the debt or accepting a step-up in the coupon and deferring repayment until 2021.

The table below provides presents our debt position for the periods indicated:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Core structural borrowings

  

  

Subordinate debt

4,638

4,606

Debenture loans

368

379

Commercial paper

483

540

  

5,489

5,525

Operating borrowings

  

  

Amounts owed to credit institutions

2,182

1,891

Securitised mortgage loans

7,329

7,785

  

9,511

9,676

Total

15,000

15,201

In both the UK and the Netherlands, we have raised non-recourse funding secured against books of mortgages. This funding has been raised through the use of special purpose entities. The beneficial interest in the books of mortgages has been passed to these special purpose entities. These entities, which are owned by independent trustees, have funded this transfer through the issue of loan notes.

The value of the secured assets and the corresponding non-recourse funding was £1,444 million in the UK and £5,885 million in the Netherlands. In both cases, we continue to receive fees from these special purpose entities in respect of loan administration services. In the Netherlands, we also receive payments under the terms of interest rate swaps which we have entered into with the special purpose entities.

These special purpose entities have been consolidated as we retain the residual interest in them. The transactions and reasons for consolidation are discussed further within “Financial statements IFRS – Note 20 – Securitised mortgages and related assets”.

In addition to our external funding sources, we have a number of internal debt arrangements in place. These allow the assets supporting technical liabilities to be invested into a pool of central capital for use across the group. They also enable us to deploy cash from some parts of the business to others in order to fund growth. Although these are intra-group loans, we count them as part of our capital base for the purpose of capital management. We believe that all internal loans have been negotiated at market rates and are appropriately serviced.

 

Undrawn Borrowings

At 31 December 2009, we had £2.1 billion undrawn committed central borrowing facilities available to us, provided by a diverse range of 11 leading banks, all but one of which were rated AA. We have allocated £1,000 million to support the credit rating of Aviva’s commercial paper programme. Undrawn borrowings are analysed below:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

Expiring within one years

600

815

Expiring beyond one year

1,510

1,285

Total

2,110

2,100

 

Our committed central borrowing facilities have two financial covenants:

Borrowings (excluding non-recourse indebtedness) may not exceed total shareholders’ funds. At 31 December 2009 borrowings were 63% of total shareholders funds.

Total shareholders’ funds to exceed 32% of non-life net written premiums for the previous 12 months. At 31 December 2009 total shareholders funds were 142% of non-life net written premiums.

Total shareholders’ funds are defined as the aggregate of nominal share capital of Aviva and the IFRS retained profits and reserves, plus the value of in-force long-term business, on a consolidated basis.

Sources of Liquidity

In managing our cash flow position, we have a number of sources of liquidity, including:

dividends from operating subsidiaries;

external debt issuance;

internal debt and central assets; and

funds generated by the sale of businesses.


 

 


292

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

One of our principal sources of liquidity is dividends from our subsidiaries. The level of dividends is based on two primary factors: the financial performance and the local solvency and capital requirements of our individual business units.

The table below shows the dividends received from our principal operating subsidiaries in 2009:

 

 

2009
Amounts
received
£m

UK life insurance

UK general insurance

Aviva Investors

France

206

Netherlands

Poland

141

Ireland

118

Other Europe

78

Other operations

134

  

677

 

Under UK company law, dividends can only be paid if a company has distributable reserves sufficient to cover the dividend. At 31 December 2009, Aviva plc itself had distributable reserves of £3,360 million, sufficient to pay dividends to our shareholders for three years based on historic dividend payments. In UK Life, our largest operating subsidiary, distributable reserves, which could be paid to Aviva plc via its intermediate holding company, are created mainly by the statutory long-term business profit transfer to shareholders that occurs upon the declaration of bonuses to policyholders of with-profit products. While the U.K. insurance regulatory laws applicable to UK Life and our other U.K. subsidiaries impose no statutory restrictions on an insurer’s ability to declare a dividend, the FSA’s rules require maintenance of each insurance company’s solvency margin, which might impact their ability to pay dividends to the parent company. Our other life and general insurance, and fund management subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and make loans to the parent company is similarly restricted by local corporate or insurance laws and regulations. For example, the ability of our US insurance subsidiaries to provide inter-company loans is subject to state regulations which restrict the making of loans or require explicit regulatory approval. In all jurisdictions, when paying dividends, the relevant subsidiary must take into account its capital position and must set the level of dividend to maintain sufficient capital to meet minimum solvency requirements and any additional target capital expected by local regulators. These minimum solvency requirements, which are consolidated under the European Insurance Group Directive, are discussed later in this section under the heading “Regulatory capital position”. Our US subsidiaries are also subject to state laws that limit the dividends payable to the parent company and dividends in excess of these limitations generally require the approval of the state insurance commissioner. We do not believe that the legal and regulatory restrictions constitute a material limitation on the ability of our businesses to meet their obligations or to pay dividends to the parent company, Aviva plc.

We have also received funds from the sale of parts of our businesses. For the year ended 31 December 2009 cash proceeds from the disposal of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates net of cash transferred amounted to £1,131 million compared to £353 million for the year ended 31 December 2008. Principal disposals in 2009 and cash consideration received are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.

We have established two main programmes for the issuance of external debt. For short term senior debt issuance we have a £2 billion commercial paper programme which allows debt to be issued in a range of currencies. At 31 December 2009 the outstanding debt issued under this programme was £483 million.

For longer term debt we have established a Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme. This programme has documentation readily available to allow quick issuance of long term debt with a variety of terms of conditions. Debt issued under this programme may be senior guaranteed debt or regulatory qualifying debt and may have a fixed or floating interest rate. At 31 December 2009 the outstanding debt issued under this programme was £1,466 million.

Application of funds

We use funds to pay dividends to our shareholders, to service our debt and to pay our central group cash flows.

In 2009, total cash paid by the Company as ordinary and preference dividends and coupon payments on direct capital instrument amounted to £574 million, compared to £805 million in 2008.

In 2009, our total debt costs on central borrowings were £334 million. This compared to £286 million of interest paid on central borrowings in 2008. Total corporate centre expenses in 2009 were £159 million compared to £141 million in 2008.

An additional application of our funds is the acquisition of businesses. In 2009, cash paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates net of cash acquired amounted to £596 million, compared to £336 million in 2008. Principal acquisitions in 2009 and cash consideration paid are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.

Capital injections

We make capital injections into our businesses where necessary to ensure that they meet their local solvency requirements and also to support development of their operations. Capital is provided either by equity or, where a local holding company is in place, may be via loans with the holding company subsequently injecting equity capital in the regulated operating company. Each capital injection is subject to review by our central Group Approvals Committee and needs to meet our required internal rates of return. To the extent capital injections are provided or funded by regulated entities, then we have to consider the impact on regulatory capital of the capital injection. Otherwise our ability to make capital injections into our businesses is not materially limited by applicable legal and regulatory restrictions. Total capital injections into the business units were £612 million and £666 million in 2009 and 2008 respectively.


Consolidated cash flows

The cash and cash equivalents consist of cash at banks and in hand, deposits held at call with banks, treasury bills and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents also include bank overdrafts, which are included in payables and other financial liabilities on the balance sheet.

 

 


 

 


 

 

293

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Net cash from operating activities

Total net cash from operating activities decreased by £5,410 million to £2,685 million in 2008 (2008: £8,095 million). The decrease is due to lower pension and annuity sales, predominately in the UK, and lower general insurance and health sales.

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash from investing activities increase by £893 million to £498 million (2008: £395 million utilised). The increase was driven by the proceeds from the sale of our Australian operations and the IPO of our Dutch business, Delta Lloyd.

Principle acquisitions and disposals in 2008 and cash consideration paid and received are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.

Net cash out flow on financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was £636 million lower at £1,501 million (2008: £2,137 million). The decrease is a result of lower interest payments on borrowing and a decrease in ordinary dividends paid.

Net cash and cash equivalents

At 31 December 2009, total consolidated net cash and cash equivalents amounted to £24,251 million, an increase of £720 million over £23,531 million in 2008.

Year ended 31 December 2008

Net cash from operating activities

Total net cash from operating activities was £3,592 million higher at £8,095 million in 2008 (2007: £4,503 million).

The increase reflected growth in annuities and higher pension sales, offset partly by a reduction in net written premiums in the general insurance and health business and above average claims payments in respect to the summer 2007 UK floods.

Net cash used in investing activities

Total net cash used in investing activities was lower by £240 million at £395 million in 2008 (2007: £635 million), due to a reduction in acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates and rise in cash received on disposal of subsidiaries. This was partly offset by an increase in the net repayment of loans to joint ventures and associates.

Principle acquisitions and disposals in 2008 and cash consideration paid and received are disclosed in “Financial statements IFRS – Note 3 – Subsidiaries”.

Net cash out flow on financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was £953 million higher at £2,137 million (2007: £1,184 million). This was due to an increase in interest paid on borrowings, an increase in ordinary dividends paid and a reduction in capital contributions received from minority stakeholders.


Net cash and cash equivalents

At 31 December 2008, total consolidated net cash and cash equivalents amounted to £23,531 million, an increase of £8,329 million over £15,202 million in 2007.

Currency

Our exposures to movements in exchange rates and the management of these exposures is detailed in “Performance review – Financial and operating performance – Exchange rate fluctuations”.

Regulatory capital position

We measure and report the financial strength of our insurance subsidiaries with reference to relevant capital and solvency regulations. These measures are based on local regulatory requirements and are consolidated under the European Insurance Groups Directive (IGD). The regulatory capital tests seek to verify that we retain an excess of solvency capital above the required minimum level calculated using a series of prudent assumptions about the type of business written by our insurance subsidiaries.

Group

 

2009

2008

2007

Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) excess solvency

£4.5 billion

£2.0 billion

£2.9 billion

Cover (times) over EU minimum

1.7 times

1.3 times

1.5 times

 

We have a regulatory obligation to have positive solvency on a regulatory IGD basis at all times. Our risk management processes ensure adequate review of this measure. At 31 December 2009, the estimated excess regulatory capital was £4.5 billion (2008: £2.0 billion, 2007: £2.9 billion). This measure represents the excess of the aggregate value of regulatory capital employed in our business over the aggregate minimum solvency requirements imposed by local regulators, excluding the surplus held in our UK and Irish Life funds. The minimum solvency requirement for our European businesses is based on the Solvency 1 Directive. In broad terms, for EU operations, this is set at 4% and 1% of non-linked and unit-linked life reserves respectively and for our general insurance portfolio of business is the higher of 18% of gross premiums or 26% of gross claims, in both cases adjusted to reflect the level of reinsurance recoveries. For our major non-European businesses (US, Australia and Canada) a risk charge on assets and liabilities approach is used. The IGD is a pure aggregation test with no credit given for the diversification benefits of Aviva.

Our excess solvency of £4.5 billion reflects a net increase of £2.5 billion since 31 December 2008 a combination of operating and market performance as well as the benefit of a number of strategic initiatives. Following individual guidance from the FSA in 2008 we now recognise surpluses in the non-profit funds of our UK life and pensions business which is available for transfer to shareholders of £0.2 billion (31 December 2008 £0.4 billion). The IGD is a pure aggregation test with no credit given for the considerable diversification benefits of Aviva.

As outlined above a number of strategic initiatives impacting the IGD solvency position were completed during the year. The Delta Lloyd IPO and Australian Life disposal benefited solvency by £0.5 billion and £0.4 billion respectively, while the policyholder incentive payment paid as part of the inherited estate reattribution reduced solvency by £0.5 billion. Other material initiatives included a £0.4 billion benefit from central and Delta Lloyd hybrid issues and £0.1 billion from the disposal of the Dutch healthcare business. The IGD position also benefited from the change in value of non-regulated entities, which includes the recognition of intellectual property rights and movements in the value of distribution companies. The reintroduction of the scrip scheme, allowing investors the option of receiving dividends in the form of new Aviva shares, also delivered a capital benefit of £0.3 billion over the year.

 


 

 


294

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Additional disclosures for SEC continued

 

Capital commitments

Contractual commitments for acquisitions or capital expenditures of investment property, property and equipment and intangible assets, which have not been recognised in our consolidated financial statements, are as follows:

 

 

2009
£m

2008
£m

2007
£m

Investment property

66

7

55

Property and equipment

255

108

160

Intangible assets

4

23

Total

325

138

215



 

Contractual obligations for future repairs and maintenance on investment properties are £1 million (2008: £1 million, 2007: £nil). We have capital commitments to our joint ventures of £nil (2008: £nil, 2007: £nil) and to other investment vehicles of £33 million (2008: £48 million, 2007: £157 million). These commitments are expected to be funded through operational cash flow without recourse to core structural borrowings.

Legal proceedings

We are involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, including litigation in which plaintiffs seek compensatory or punitive damages and mass or class relief. Information on various legal proceedings is set out in “Financial Statements – Note 48 – Contingent liabilities and other risk factors”.

The directors do not believe that any current pending or threatened litigation or dispute, will have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position, although there can be no assurance that losses resulting from any pending or threatened litigation or dispute will not materially affect the Group’s financial position for any period.

Employees

Membership of our employees in trade unions varies from country to country, and we have entered into various collective bargaining agreements or appropriate employee consultation arrangements, or both, in most of the countries in which we operate. It is our practice to renew or replace our various labour arrangements relating to continuing operations as and when they expire and we are not aware of any material arrangement whose expiry is pending and which is not expected to be satisfactorily renewed or replaced in a timely manner. We have not experienced any material work stoppages or strikes in the past three years. We believe that relations with our employees are generally good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 


296

 

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Glossary

 

Product Definitions

Annuities

A type of policy that pays out regular amounts of benefit, either immediately and for the remainder of a person's lifetime, or deferred to commence from a future date.  Immediate annuities may be purchased for an individual and his or/her dependents or on a bulk purchase basis for groups of people.  Deferred annuities are accumulation contracts which may be used to provide benefits in retirement and may be guaranteed, unit-linked or index-linked.

Bonds and savings

These are accumulation products with single or regular premiums and unit-linked or guaranteed investment returns.  Our product ranges include single premium investment bonds, regular premium savings plans and mortgage endowment products.


Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum if the insured person is diagnosed with a serious illiness that meets the plan definition.  The cover is often provided in conjunction with other benefits under a protection contract.

Deferred annuities

An Annuity (or pension) due to be paid from a future date or when the policyholder reaches a specified age.  A deferred annuity may be funded by a policyholder by payment of a series of regular contributions or by a capital sum (the latter often provided from a pension fund).

Group pensions

A pension plan that covers a group of people, which is typically purchased by a company and offered to their employees.

Guaranteed annuities

A policy that pays out a fixed regular amount of benefit for a defined period.

Income drawdown

The policyholder can transfer money from any pension fund to an income drawdown plan from which they receive an income.  The remainder of the pension fund continues to be invested, giving it the potential for growth.

Index link annuities

An index linked annuity is a type of deferred annuity whose credited interest is linked to an equity index. It guarantees a minimum interest rate and protects against a loss of principal.

Investment Sales

Comprise retail sales of mutual fund type products such as unit trusts, individual savings accounts ("ISAs) and Open Ended Investment Companies ("OEICs").

ISAs

Individual savings accounts - Tax efficient plans for investing in stocks and shares, cash deposits or life insurance investment funds, subject to certain limits.  Introduced in the UK in 1999.

Monolines

Financial companies specialising in a single line of products such as credit cards, mortgages or home equity loans).

Mortgage endowment

An insurance contract combining savings and protection elements which is designed to repay the principal of a loan or mortgage.

Mortgage life insurance

A protection contract designed to pay off the outstanding amount of a mortgage or loan in the event of death of the insured.


Non profits

Long term savings and insurance products sold in the UK other than "With profits" (see definition below) products.

OEIC

Open ended investment company is a collective investment fund structured as a limited company in which investors can buy and sell shares.

Pensions

A means of providing income in retirement for an individual andpossibly his/her dependants.  Our pensions products include personal and group pensions, stakeholder pensions and income drawdown.

Personal pensions

A pension plan tailored to the individual policyholder, which includes the options to stop, start or change their payments.

Protection

An insurance contract that protects the policyholder or his/her dependants against financial loss on death or ill-health.  Our product ranges include term assurance mortgage life insurance, flexible whole life and critical illness cover.

Regular Premiums

A series of payments are made by the policyholder, typically monthly or annually, for part of or all of the duration of the contract.

SICAVs
Société d' investissement à capital varible (varible capital investment company).  This is an open-ended investment fund, structured as a legally independent joint stock company, whose units are issued in the form of shares.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

297

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Glossary continued

 

 

Product Definitions cont.

Single premium

A single lump sum is paid by the policyholder at commencement of the contract.

Stakeholder pensions

Low cost and flexible pension plans avaialbe in the UK, governed by specific regulations.


Superannuation

Superannuation is a pension product sold in Australia where employers pay a proportion of an employee's salaries and wages into a fund, which can be accessed when the employee retires.

Takaful

Insurance porducts that observe the rules and regulations of Islamic law.

Term assurance

A simple form of life insurance, offering cover over a fixed number of years during which a lump sum will be paid out if the life insured dies.

Unit trusts

A form of open ended collective investment constituted under a trust deed, in which investors can buy and sell units.

Unit-lined annuities

A unit-linked annuity is a type of deferred annuity which is invested in units of investment funds, whose value depends directly on the market value of assets in those funds.

Whole life

Whole life insurance is a protection policy that remains in force for the insured's whole life.  Traditional whole life contracts have fixed premium payments that typically cannot be missed without lapsing the policy.  Flexible whole life contracts allow the policyholder to vary the premium and/or amount of life cover, within certain limits.

With profits

A type of long-term savings and insurance product sold in the UK Under with profits policies premiums are paid into a separate fund.  Policyholders receive a return on their policies through bonuses, which "smooth" the investment return from the assets which premiums are invested in.  Bonuses are declared on an annual and terminal basis.  Shareholders have a participating interest inthe with-profit funds and any devlared bonuses.  Generally, policyholder and shareholder participation in with-profit and shareholder participation in with-profit funds in the UK is split 90:10.

Wrap investments

An account in which a broker or fund manager executes investment decisions on behalf of a client in exchange for a single quarterly or annual fee, usually based on the total assets in the account rather than the number of transactions.

General terms
Available for Sale (AFS)

Securities that have been acquired neither for short-term sale nor to be held to maturity.  These are shown at fair value on the statement of financial position and changes in value are taken straight to equity instead of the income statement.

Association of British Insurers (ABI)

Association of British Insurers - A major trade association for UK insurance companies, established in July 1985.

Acquired value of in force (AVIF)

An estimate of future profits that will emerge over the remaining term of all existing life and pensions policies for which premiums are being paid or have been paid at the statement of financial position date.


Banassurance

An arrangement whereby banks and building societies sell insurance and investment products to their customers on behalf of other financial providers.

Combined Code on Corporate Governance

The Combined Code on Corporate Governance sets out guidance in the form of principles and provisions on how companies should be directed and controlled to follow good governance practice.  The Financial Services Authority requires companies listed in the UK to disclose, in relation to the Combined Code, how they have applied with its provisions throughout the accounting year.  Where the provisions have not been complied with, companies must provide an explanation for this.

Deferred acquisition costs (DAC)

The cost directly attributable to the acquisition of new business for insurance and participating investment contracts (excluding those written in the UK) are deferred to the extent that they are expected to be recoverable out of future margins in revenue on these contracts.

Fair value

The price that a reasonable buyer would be willing to pay and a reasonable seller would be willing to accept for a product on the open market.

FSA

The UK's Financial Services Authority - Main regulatory body appointed by the government to oversee the financial services industry in the UK.  Since December 2001 it has been the single statutory regulator responsible for the savings, insurance and investment business.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

298

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Glossary continued

 

General terms cont.

Funds under management

Represents all assets actively managed or administered by or on behalf of the Group including those funds managed by third parties.

 

Funds under management by Aviva

Represents all assets actively managed or administered by the fund management operations of the Group.

General insurance

Also known as non-life or property and casualty insurance.  Casualty insurance primarily covers losses arising from accidents that cause injury to other people or damage property of others.  Property insurance covers loss or damage through fire, theft, flood, storms and other specified risks.


Gross Written premiums

The total earnings or revenue generated by sales of insurance products, before any reinsurance is taken into account.  Not all premiums written will necessarily be treated as income in the current financial year, because some of them could relate to insurance cover for a subsequent period.

"Hard" insurance market

A term used to describe the state of the general insurance market.  A "hard" insurance market is characterised by high levels of underwriting profits and the ability of insurers to charge high premium rates.  Hard insurance markets generally occur when capital is scarce and are the opposite of "soft" insurance markets.

Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs)

A person or organisation authorised to give advise on financial matters and to sell the products of all financial service providers.  In the UK they are legally obliged to offer the product that best suits their clients' needs. Outside the UK IFAs may be referred to by other names.

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards.  These are accounting regulations designed to ensure comparable statement of financial position preparation and disclosure, and are the standards that all publicly listed companies in the European Union are required to use.

Inherited estate

In the UK, the assets of the long-term with-profit funds less the realistic reserves for non-profit policies, less asset shares aggregated accross the with-profit policies and any additional amounts expected at the valuation date to be paid to in-force policyholders in the future in respect of smoothing costs and guarantees.

Long-term and savings business

Collective term for life insurance, pensions, savings, investment and related business.

Markete Consistent Embedded Value

Aviva's Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) methodology which is in accordance with the MCEV Principles published by the CFO Forum in June 2008 with the exception of the use of an adjusted risk-free yield due to current market conditions for immediate annuities in the UK and the Netherlands and for immediate annuity, deferred annuity and other contracts in the US.

Net written premiums

Total gross written premiums for the given period, minus premiums paid over or 'ceded' to reinsurers.

Present value of new business (PVNBP)

Present value of new regular premiums plus 100% of single premiums, calculated using assumptions consistent with those used to determine the value of new business under Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) principles published by the CFO Forum of major European listed and non-listed insurance companies.


"Soft" insurance market

A term used to describe the state of the general insurance market. A "soft"  insurance market is characterised by low levels of profitability and market competition driving premium rates lower.  Soft insurance markets generally occue when there is excess capital and are the opposite of "hard" insurance markets.

Turnbull Guidance on internal Control

The Turnbull guidance sets out best practice on internal controls for UK listed companies, and provides additional guidance in applying certain sections of the Combined Code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

299

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Signatures

 

 

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorised the undersigned to sign this registration statement on its behalf.

 

Aviva plc

(Registrant)

 

Dated 25 March 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Andrew Moss                       

 

Andrew Moss

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 


300

 

Aviva plc

Annual Report on Form 20-F 2009

 

Exhibits

 

The following exhibits have been filed as part of this Annual Report:

 

Exhibit 1.1

Memorandum and Articles of Association of Aviva plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 2.1

Form of Deposit Agreement among Aviva plc, Citibank, as depositary, and holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder, including the form of ADR (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 2.2

The total amount of long-term debt securities of Aviva plc authorised under any instrument does not exceed 10 per cent of the total assets of the Company on a consolidated basis. Aviva plc hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, a copy of any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of Aviva plc or of its subsidiaries for which consolidated or unconsolidated financial statements are required to be filed.

 

Exhibit 4.1

Aviva Capital Accumulation plan rules (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 4.2

Aviva Executive Long Term Incentive plan rules

 

Exhibit 4.3

Aviva Executive Annual Bonus plan rules

 

Exhibit 4.4

Aviva Executive Share Option plan rules (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 4.5

Aviva Save-as-you-earn (SAYE) plan rules (2007) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 4.6

Aviva Save-as-you-earn (SAYE) plan rules (1997) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 4.7

Aviva Executive Share Option plan rules (2005)

 

Exhibit 8.1

Schedule of subsidiaries of Aviva plc

 

Exhibit 11.1

Code of ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Aviva plc registration statement filed on 7 October 2009)

 

Exhibit 12.1

Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 12.2

Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 13.1

Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 13.2

Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002