CLASSIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT
The company’s portfolio of financial instruments is at initial recognition classified in accordance with IFRS 9. Financial assets are classified in one of the following categories:
• Amortised cost
• Fair value with any changes in value through the income statement
The classification of the financial assets depends on two factors:
• The purpose of the acquisition of the financial instrument
• The contractual cash flows from the financial assets
Financial assets assessed at amortised cost
The classification of the financial assets assumes that the following requirements are met:
• The asset is acquired to receive contractual cash flows
• The contractual cash flows consist solely of principal and interest
All lending and receivables are recorded in the accounts at amortised cost, based on expected cash flows. The difference between the issue cost and the settlement amount at maturity, is amortised over the lifetime of the loan.
Financial liabilities assessed at amortised cost
Debt securities, including debt securities included in fair value hedging and loans and deposits from credit institutions, are assessed at amortised cost based on expected cash flows.
Financial instruments assessed at fair value, any changes in value recognised through the income statement
The company's portfolio of bonds in the liquidity portfolio is classified at fair value with any value changes through the income statement, based on the business model of the company.
Financial derivatives are instruments used to mitigate any interest- or currency risk incurred by the company. Financial derivatives are recorded at fair value, with any changes in value through the income statement, and recognised gross per contract, as either asset or debt.
Losses and gains as a result of value changes on assets and liabilities assessed at fair value with any value changes being recognised in the income statement, are included in the accounts during the period in which they occur.
LEVELS IN THE VALUATION HIERARCHY
Financial instruments at fair value are classified into different levels based on the quality of market data for each type of instrument.
Level 1 – Valuation based on prices in an active market
Level 1 comprises financial instruments valued by using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. This category includes bonds and certificates in LCR-level 1, traded in active markets.
Level 2 – Valuation based on observable market data
Level 2 comprises financial instruments valued by using information which is not quoted prices, but where prices are directly or indirectly observable for assets or liabilities, including quoted prices in inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities. This category mainly includes derivatives and any bonds which are not included in level 1.
Level 3 – Valuation based on other than observable market data
Level 3 comprises financial instruments which cannot be valued based on directly or indirectly observable prices.