Market risks in the financial operations primarily comprise interest rate risk, currency risk and share price risk. The Board adopts policies that control these risk, for example, by setting limits that restrict risk levels. No positions are held in the trading book.
Risks attributable to foreign exchange-rates arise on the differences between assets and liabilities in different currencies. Interest rate risks arise on the difference between interest-rate terms for assets and liabilities.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is primarily defined as a risk of incurring expenses, meaning the risk that the Group’s net interest income will decrease due to disadvantageous market interest rates. Interest rate risk normally arises as a result of companies having different maturities or fixed interest terms for their assets and liabilities. Interest rate risk increases if the terms for assets deviate from the terms for liabilities. Interest rate risk mainly affects companies in the form of gradual changes in net interest income, which can thus affect operating income and both short and long-term capital ratios.
Interest rate risk pertains to changes in interest rates and the structure of the interest rate curve. Most of the Group’s interest rate risks are structural and arise in deposit and lending where fixed interest terms for assets and liabilities do not always coincide.
The Group endeavours to ensure sound matching between fixed and variable interest rates in its statement of financial position, and can relatively quickly mitigate interest rate rises by changing the terms of new loans. Overall interest rate risk is deemed to be limited. This given the relatively high credit turnover rate and the fact that interest rates can be adjusted within two months according to credit agreements and applicable consumer credit legislation in several markets. Most lending and deposits take place at variable interest rates. Interest swap agreements may also be signed to limit interest rate risk. The Treasury Department continually measures, checks and manages interest rate risk on interest-bearing assets and liabilities by applying a variety of models and the Board has established limits for maximum interest rate risk.
In a calculation of a one (1) percentage-point change in the market interest rate, net interest income for the next 12 months would increase/decrease by SEK 79 million (59), based on interest-bearing assets and liabilities on the closing date. A one (1) percentage-point parallel shift in the yield curve and by applying the discounted future cash flow, interest rate risk on equity on the closing date was SEK 1118 million (105).
The financing via deposits at variable interest rates has a contractual and theoretical very short fixed interest term of only one day. The pattern, unlike the contractual, has historically been significantly longer than one day.
In legal terms, the Group’s interest rate risk associated with lending is limited since the majority of the interest rate terms are variable. In reality, however, it is not as easy for market reasons to fully offset a change in interest rates, and this may have an impact on net interest income, depending on the active position. Higher interest expenses can be countered promptly by amending the terms for new lending. In view of the relatively high credit turnover rate, overall interest rate risk is deemed limited. Most borrowers in the Payment Solutions segment are also able to switch between various partial payment options during the credit period.
Exchange-rate risk
Exchange-rate risk is the risk that the value of assets and liabilities, including derivatives, may vary due to exchange rate fluctuations or other relevant risk factors.
Currency risk arises when the value of assets and liabilities in foreign currency translated to SEK change because exchange rates fluctuate.
The main currencies for the operations are: SEK, NOK, DKK and EUR. So as to minimise exchange-rate risk, efforts are made to match assets and liabilities in the respective currencies as far as possible, and part of earnings in currencies other than SEK are exchanged on a regular basis.
The Treasury Department manages the currency exposures arising in the operations by using currency hedges to reduce the net value of assets and liabilities (including derivatives) in one single currency. Derivatives in the operations are regulated via ISDA and CSA agreements.
Transactions in foreign branch offices are translated to SEK using the average exchange-rate during the period in which the income and expenses have occurred. Exchange-rate gains and losses arising on settlement of these transactions and from translation of foreign currency assets and liabilities using the closing rate are recognised through profit or loss.