1 Market risks

Market risk is the risk that arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates and security prices in the financial and capital markets. A differentiation is made between market risks in the trading book and market risks in the banking book. The potential for losses exists primarily in the impairment of the value of an asset or the increase in the value of liabilities (market value perspective) as well as in secondary capacity in the diminution of current earnings or an increase in current expenditures (earnings perspective).

1.1 Market risk management

The LLB Group has in place a differentiated risk management and risk control system for market risks. The market risk control process comprises a sophisticated framework of rules involving the identification and the uniform valuation of market risk-relevant data as well as the control, monitoring and reporting of market risks.

Trading book

The trading book contains own positions in financial instruments which are held for short-term further sale or repurchase. These activities are closely associated with the needs of our clients for capital market products and are regarded as being supporting activities for our core business.

The LLB Group conducts relatively small-scale trading book activities in accordance with Article 94 (1) of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). A limits system is in operation to ensure compliance and is monitored by Group Risk Management. Due to the lack of materiality, the trading book is no longer explained in detail.

Banking book

In general, the holdings in the banking book are employed to pursue long-term investment goals. These holdings include assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet positions, which are the result, on the one hand, of classical banking business and, on the other, are held to earn revenue over their life.

Market risks with the banking book mainly involve interest rate fluctuation risk, exchange rate risk and equity price risk.

Exchange rate risk

This relates to the risks arising in connection with the uncertainties regarding future exchange rate trends. The calculation of these risks takes into consideration all the positions entered into by the bank.

Interest rate fluctuation risk

This is regarded as the adverse effects of changes in market interest rates on capital resources or current earnings. The different interest maturity periods of claims and liabilities from balance sheet transactions and derivatives represent the most important basis.

Equity price risk

This is understood to be the risk of losses due to adverse changes in the market prices of equities.

1.2 Valuation of market risks

Sensitivity analysis

In sensitivity analysis a risk factor is altered. Subsequently, the effects of the alteration of the risk factor on the portfolio concerned are estimated.

Value at Risk

The value-at-risk concept measures the potential loss under normal market conditions over a given time interval.

Scenario analysis

While the value-at-risk concept supplies an indication of possible losses under normal market conditions, it cannot provide information about potential losses under extreme conditions. The aim of the scenario analyses of the LLB Group is to simulate the effects of normal and stress scenarios.

1.3 Management of market risks

Within the specified limit parameters, the individual Group companies are at liberty to manage their interest rate risks as they wish. Interest rate swaps are employed mainly to control interest rate risks. Risks are restricted by means of value-at-risk models and sensitivity limits.

In client business, currency risks are basically controlled by making investments or obtaining refinancing in matching currencies. The residual currency risk is restricted by means of sensitivity limits.

Investments in equities are limited by the imposition of nominal limits.

1.4 Monitoring and reporting of market risks

Group Credit & Risk Management monitors the observance of market risk limits and is also responsible for reporting market risks.

1.5 Sensitivities by risk categories

Currency sensitivity affects both interest rate sensitive and non-interest rate sensitive instruments. The sensitivity of instruments in foreign currencies is determined by multiplying the CHF market value by the assumed exchange rate fluctuation of + / – 10 per cent.

Interest rate sensitivity measures the market change on interest-rate-sensitive instruments for the LLB Group caused by a linear interest rate adjustment of + / – 100 basis points.

The equity price risks are measured assuming a price fluctuation of + / – 10 per cent on the equity market.

1.6 Effects on Group net profit

Exchange rate risk

The price gains resulting from the valuation of transactions and balances are booked to profit and loss. The price gains resulting from the transfer of the functional currency into the reporting currency are booked under other comprehensive income without affecting profit and loss.

Interest rate fluctuation risk

The LLB Group recognises client loans in the balance sheet at amortised cost. This means that a change in the interest rate does not cause any change in the recognised amount and therefore to no significant recognition affecting profit and loss of the effects of interest rate fluctuation. However, fluctuations in interest rates can lead to risks because the LLB Group largely finances long-term loans with client assets. Within the scope of financial risk management, these interest rate fluctuation risks in the balance sheet business of the LLB Group are hedged mainly by means of interest rate swaps. If the IFRS hedge accounting criteria for hedging instruments (interest rate swaps) and underlying transactions (loans) are met, the hedged part of the loans to clients is recognised in the balance sheet at fair value. Further information regarding recognition and measurement is provided in the chapter “Accounting principles”.

At 31 December 2019, mortgage loans stood at CHF 11'325 million. The exchange rate risks applying to this portfolio are hedged at 16.6 per cent through interest rate swaps.

Equity price risk

The valuation is carried out at current market prices. The equity price risk resulting from the valuation at current market prices is reflected in the income statement and in other comprehensive income.

1.7 Currency risks

1.8 Interest rate repricing balance sheet

In the fixed-interest-rate repricing balance sheet, asset and liability surpluses from fixed-interest rate positions as well as from interest-rate-sensitive derivative positions in the balance sheet are calculated and broken down into maturity ranges (cycle times). The positions with an unspecified duration of interest rate repricing are allocated to the corresponding maturity ranges (cycle times) on the basis of a replication.