15 Fair value measurement

Measurement guidelines

The fair value represents a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific valuation. It is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date on the principal market or the most advantageous market.

As far as possible, the fair value is determined on the basis of the quoted market prices in active markets accessible to the company on the measurement date. An active, accessible market is one in which transactions for the asset or liability take place with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The fair value is determined using significant and observable inputs. These are basically available in the case of quoted assets or liabilities. If a market for financial or non-financial assets or liabilities is inactive, or if no observable inputs, or insufficient observable inputs, are available, the LLB Group must employ techniques or processes (valuation methods or models) to determine the fair value. The valuation techniques contain assumptions, including estimates, to enable an exit price on the measurement date from the perspective of the market participant to be determined. However, such assumptions and estimates contain uncertainties, which at a later date can lead to substantial changes in the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. In the case of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities for which a valuation technique involving non-observable market data is used to determine the fair value, these are measured at the transaction price. This fair value can differ from the fair value determined on the basis of valuation techniques.

All financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, which possess a fair value and are eligible, are classified in one of the three following fair value hierarchy levels:

Level 1

The fair value of listed securities and derivatives contained in the trading portfolio and financial investments is determined on the basis of market price quotes on an active market.

Level 2

If no market price quotes are available, the fair value is determined by means of valuation methods or models which are based on assumptions made on the basis of observable market prices and other market quotes.

Level 3

For the remaining financial instruments, neither market price quotes nor valuation methods or models based on market prices are available. Valuation models or methods having non-observable input factors are utilised for these instruments.

Valuation methods

Valuation methods and techniques are employed to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities for which no observable market prices on an active market are available. These include, in particular, illiquid financial investments. If available, the LLB Group uses market-based assumptions and inputs as the basis for valuation techniques. If such information is not available, assumptions and inputs from comparable assets and liabilities are employed. In the case of complex and very illiquid financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, the fair value is determined using a combination of observable transaction prices and market information.

The LLB Group employs standardised and accepted valuation techniques, or uses the fair values of third parties, to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, which are not actively traded or listed. In general, the LLB Group uses the following valuation methods and techniques as well as the following input factors:

Measurement of fair values by active markets or valuation techniques

The following table shows the classification of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities of the LLB Group within the fair value hierarchy. All assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the statement of financial position. As at 30 June 2019, the LLB Group had no assets or liabilities which were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in the balance sheet. In the first half of 2019, there were no significant transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 financial instruments.

Measurement of assets and liabilities, classified as Level 3

Financial investments recognised at fair value through other comprehensive income increased by CHF 4.1 million in the first half of 2019. This rise is purely the result of an increase in the fair value of the investments.

There were no value changes with investment property. Accordingly, there was no impact on the income statement.

The change in value with non-current assets held for sale was caused by the classification of properties as available for sale and their subsequent sale. The sale of one property generated a profit of CHF 0.6 million; the corresponding disposal of a property valued at CHF 0.9 million was offset by the purchase of another with a carrying value of CHF 0.9 million. The profit was recognised in the income statement under other income. The change in value between the current and comparison periods therefore relates to changes in the portfolio. The value was also affected slightly by exchange rate fluctuations between the euro and the Swiss franc.

The measurement process to determine the fair value of recurring and non-recurring Level 3 assets and liabilities, especially the significant non-observable inputs, as shown in the previous table, are explained in the following. The interrelationships between observable and non-observable inputs are not explained in the following, because such interrelationships have no significant influence on the measurement of fair value. All level 3 positions were immaterial, accordingly a full disclosure of level 3 positions was regarded as unnecessary.

Financial investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

The financial investments consist of non-listed shares in companies of an infrastructure nature which are required to operate a bank. Based on the current company data, these are periodically revalued by the companies themselves or by third parties utilising valuation models.

Investment property

Investment property is periodically valued by external experts or is valued on the basis of relative values in a market comparison. If no corresponding values for comparable properties are available, on which to base a reliable calculation of the fair value, assumptions are made. These assumptions contain assessments and considerations of such circumstances as the location and condition of the property, as well as the expected costs and revenues with it. Properties are always revalued whenever on the basis of events or changed circumstances the fair value no longer reflects the market price, so that changes in the calculation of the fair value can be promptly determined and recognised in the accounts.

Investment properties do not diverge to highest and best use.

Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale

Non-current assets held for sale contain utilised bank branches and rental apartments, as well as wholly-owned unused properties and a company that administers rental apartments (see Note 16 “Non-current assets and liabilities held for sale”). The process on which the valuation is based is the same one as for investment properties, i.e. the fair value assessment is made solely by third parties. The reported value of these assets and liabilities corresponds to the fair value minus selling expenses.

The liabilities relate to the management company.

Financial instruments not measured at fair value

The fair value hierarchy also includes details of financial assets and liabilities which are not measured on a fair value basis, but for which a fair value does exist. In addition to their inclusion in the fair value hierarchy, basically a comparison between the fair value and the carrying value of the individual categories of financial assets and liabilities is to be disclosed.

The following table shows this comparison only for positions which are not measured at fair value, since for positions measured at fair value the carrying value corresponds to the fair value. On account of the maturity being more than one year, for specific positions a present value was calculated taking as a basis LIBOR interest rates appropriate for the duration of the term. In the case of all other positions, the carrying value represents a reasonable approximation of the fair value.