9.1 Description of valuation techniques

9.1.1. Debt securities and loans

Fair values of debt securities are determined on the basis of quotations publicly available on an active market or valuations published by an authorized information service, and if there are no such quotations – using valuation models containing references to published price quotations of the underlying financial instruments, interest rates and stock exchange indices.

The PZU Group conducts an internal review of the valuations published by the authorized information service comparing them to the valuations available from other sources based on data which can be observed on the market.

The fair value of loans and debt securities for which an active market does not exist is measured using the discounted cash flow method. Discount rates are determined on the basis of the yield curve for government bonds adjusted by the credit spread. It is calculated as at the newest issue date based on the issue price and leads to parallel shifting of the yield curve for government bonds by a fixed amount along its whole length or as the difference between the yield of quoted debt securities of issuers with a similar rating operating in similar industries and the yield of government bonds (German government bonds for bonds denominated in EUR) multiplied by a ratio determined as at the issue date, taking into account issuer-specific risk in the discount curve.

9.1.2 Equity-based financial assets

Fair values of equity-based financial assets are determined on the basis of quotations publicly available on an active market.

Fair values of participation units and investment certificates of mutual funds are measured using the value of the participation units and investment certificates published by the mutual fund companies. Such valuation reflects the PZU Group's share in net assets of these funds.   

9.1.3. Derivatives

For derivatives quoted on an active market, the fair value is considered to be the closing price as at the balance sheet date.

The fair value of derivatives not quoted on an active market, including forward contracts and interest rate swaps is measured using the discounted future cash flow method. The rates from OIS curves (overnight indexed swaps), taking into account the currency of the security deposit provided for the instrument, are used to discount cash flows.

The fair value of options related to structured deposits is measured based on valuations provided by the issuers of such options, taking into account a verification of these valuations performed by the PZU Group, based on its own valuation models.

9.1.4. Loan receivables from clients

In order to determine a change in the fair value of receivables from clients (excluding current account overdraft), the margins earned on newly granted loans (in the month preceding the date as at which the consolidated financial statements are prepared) are compared with the margins in the whole loan portfolio. If the margins earned on newly granted loans are higher than the margins in the existing portfolio the fair value of the loan portfolio is lower than its carrying amount.

Loan receivables from clients are classified in full to level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to the use of a valuation model with significant non-observable input data, i.e. current margins generated on newly granted loans.

9.1.5. Property measured at fair value 

Depending on the nature of the real property, its fair value is measured using the comparative method, the income method or the residual method.

The comparative method is used for measuring free land for development and certain smaller and less valuable buildings (such as residential units, garages, etc.). The comparative method assumes the determination of the fair value by reference to observable market prices, taking into account weighting coefficients. Weighting coefficients include, for instance, factors such as the passage of time and the trend of changes in market prices, the location, exposure, intended use in the zoning plan, accessibility for transportation purposes and access roads, surface, neighborhood (including the proximity to attractive objects), investment opportunities, physical conditions, form of exercising control, etc.

The income method assumes estimation of the fair value of the real property based on the discounted value of cash flows. The calculation takes into account such variables as the capitalization rate, the level of rents, the level of operating expenses, the provision for vacancy, losses resulting from rent free periods, rent arrears, etc. The values of the variables described above vary depending on the nature and the intended use of the measured real property (office space, retail space, logistics and warehousing space), its modernity and location (access roads, distance from an urban center, accessibility, exposure, etc.) as well as parameters specific to the relevant local market (such as capitalization rates, the level of rents, operating expenses, etc.).

The residual method is used to measure the market value if the real property is to be subjected to construction works. The fair value of such a real property is calculated as the difference in the value of the property after the construction works and the average value of the cost of these works, taking into account any gains earned in the market on similar properties.

Property measured at fair value is valuated by licensed appraisers. The acceptance of each such measurement is additionally preceded by a review conducted by PZU Group companies’ employees in order to eliminate any potential errors or inconsistencies. Any emerging doubts are clarified on an ongoing basis.

Investment property is measured in accordance with the following rules:

• real properties held by mutual funds controlled by PZU – measured every 6 months – on days ending each financial half- year and financial year;
• investment properties held by PZU Group companies – the most valuable items are measured in the event of ascertainment of a possible significant change in the value (usually on an annual basis). Regardless of the value, each investment property is measured not less frequently than once every 5 years;
• real properties held for sale – measured before the commencement of their active exposure to the market in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 5.

9.1.6. Financial liabilities

9.1.6.1. Liabilities under deposits

Due to the fact that deposits are accepted under current operations on a daily basis, hence their terms are similar to the current market terms for identical transactions, and the time to maturity for such loans is short, it is deemed that for liabilities to clients with maturities up to 1 year the fair value does not significantly deviate from the carrying amount.

9.1.6.2. Liabilities on the issue of own debt securities and subordinated liabilities

The fair value of liabilities on the issue of own debt securities, including subordinated liabilities, is calculated as the present value of expected payments based on the current interest rate curves and the current credit spread.

9.1.6.3. Liabilities under investment contracts for the client’s account and risk

Liabilities under investment contracts for the client’s account and risk are measured at the fair value of assets covering the liabilities of the unit-linked fund associated with the relevant investment contract.

9.1.6.4. Liabilities to members of consolidated mutual funds

Liabilities to members in the consolidated mutual funds are measured at the fair value of assets of the relevant mutual fund (according to the share in the mutual fund’s net assets).

9.1.6.5. Liabilities on borrowed securities 

Liabilities on securities borrowed to make a short sale are measured at the fair value of borrowed securities.